Craftswoman dedicated to reviving craft of embroidered ball making People's Daily Online) 15:35, March 18, 2025 Wang Xiufen, 37 years old, is the chief craftswoman of Xiuyunfang Embroidered Ball Culture Co., Ltd. in Jingxi city, a county-level city administered by Baise city, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. She has leveraged e-commerce to grow her embroidered ball business and create jobs for local women. Wang Xiufen embroiders on a ball. (Photo/Wome of China) In 2009, Wang, graduating from Renmin University of China and hailing from east China's Shandong Province, traveled over 4,000 kilometers to Jingxi to seek new opportunities. She quickly fell in love with the city's embroidered balls, which are traditional ornaments of the Zhuang ethnic group symbolizing love and good fortune. Each embroidered ball has 12 petals, with the upper half decorated with embroidered dragons, phoenixes, and mandarin ducks, while the lower half features plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums. Wang bought one from an elderly woman, attracting a crowd of others eager to sell their own. That day, she left with a bag full of fist-sized embroidered balls. That marked the start of her connection with the craft. Over time, Wang realized that these beautiful creations seldom reached beyond the local area. Women selling them on the streets earned little. Determined to help, Wang opened an online store to sell the embroidered balls. She took orders online and then visited households to collect embroidered balls. Her dedication won her husband's support, and together they quit their jobs to focus on the business. In 2013, they established the country's first embroidered ball company. Photo shows an embroidered ball. (Photo/Wome of China) As orders grew, custom requests left elderly artisans who are used to traditional methods, feeling uncertain. Determined to help, Wang took it upon herself to learn the craft. During the day, she visited homes to study techniques and at night, she practiced tirelessly. She treated every artisan as a teacher. Wang soon discovered just how intricate the process was starching fabric, cutting, drawing patterns, embroidering, and sewing the balls all required precision. When orders piled up, she worked tirelessly to meet deadlines. She also partnered with businesses to develop tools like cold-drying systems, cutting machines, and embroidery machines, boosting efficiency sixfold. To avoid repetitive designs, Wang blended traditional techniques with modern aesthetics, creating products like herbal massage hammers. She even wrote a book to standardize the company's production process. Inspired by Wang, some young people from east China have moved to Guangxi to seek employment opportunities. Wang's company now produces over 500,000 embroidered balls annually, exporting them to more than 10 countries. Wang has also shared her skills with local women, helping them boost their incomes. Once a novice, Ma Guiyan became a skilled craftswoman and used her earnings to buy a home in the county seat. Today, Wang's company accounts for 80 percent of Guangxi's embroidered ball sales. To support local women, Wang has organized over 2,000 training sessions, mentoring more than 3,000 embroiderers. Her efforts have enabled over 100 previously impoverished individuals to boost their average annual income by more than 10,000 yuan ($1,381.27) per person. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) Chinese vice president meets with London's lord mayor Xinhua) 08:52, March 19, 2025 Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with Lord Mayor of London Alastair King in Beijing, capital of China, March 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei) BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met with Lord Mayor of London Alastair King in Beijing on Tuesday. Han said that the City of London is a world-renowned financial center that has made positive contributions to China-U.K. cooperation in the financial, economic and trade fields. China and the U.K. are both major economies, and they enjoy highly complementary and broad prospects for cooperation, Han said. Noting that China's domestic and foreign policies will remain consistent no matter how the world changes, he said China is willing to work with the U.K. as a strategic partner to strengthen communication and cooperation, promote a multi-polar world and economic globalization, implement the important consensus reached between their leaders, and bring more benefits to the two countries and the world. King noted that the U.K. and China have great prospects for cooperation on the green economy, sustainable finance and renewable energy. The City of London welcomes more Chinese companies to do business in London, and stands ready to provide full support and convenience. Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with Lord Mayor of London Alastair King in Beijing, capital of China, March 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) 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: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain The risk of damaging flooding from a major tsunami may be greater than many realized along stretches of California's renowned coastline, state officials say, further reinforcing the need for residents to take note if they live in or visit hazardous areas. The most recent risk assessment, outlined in maps that were published by the California Geological Survey and reviewed by the Los Angeles Times, illustrate the devastation that could result from scenarios considered to be extreme, but realistic. For instance, a large tsunami could flood swaths of Marina del Rey, Long Beach and the nearby dual port complex to an elevation of up to 15 feet above sea level. A worst-case tsunami could bring flooding to sizable areas of Oakland, Berkeley and Alameda, up to 18 feet above sea level. Flooding could reach up to 30 feet above the average high tide along the outer coast of Humboldt Bay and the Eureka area, and up to 50 feet toward Crescent City and Cayucos. But for most Californians, the precise extent of tsunami risk is less important than knowing these hazard zones exist in the first place. The magnitude 7 quake Dec. 5 off the Humboldt County coastwhich prompted a tsunami warning affecting millions in Northern Californiawas a blaring reminder of that. Should a significant tsunami materialize, mere minutes could be the difference. Along California's North Coast, some people might only have 10 minutes to get to an evacuation area following a huge earthquake just offshore. "While damaging tsunamis are infrequent in California, they have and do happen. If you live on or visit the coast, you need to be aware of this potential hazard," Steve Bohlen, then the head of the California Geological Survey, said when the updated tsunami hazard area maps were released. To see if you live in a tsunami hazard zone, visit conservation.ca.gov/cgs/tsunami/maps. The latest maps were published between 2020 and 2022. Though shunted out of the spotlight by other news events during that period, they are nevertheless notablecontaining several major updates from earlier tsunami inundation maps that were published a decade earlier or more. And with the state's annual tsunami preparedness week set to start Saturday, officials say it's vital for residents to familiarize themselves with their local risks. The updates to California's tsunami hazard areas followed a devastating tsunami in Japan in 2011, which was triggered by a magnitude 9.1 earthquake off the country's eastern shore. Prior to that disaster, Japan relied on data from several hundred years of records to estimate tsunami risk, which once "seemed perfectly reasonable," according to Bohlen. But the disaster demonstrated the need for scientists to consider even rarer eventstsunamis that may only strike once every 1,000 years or so. California, as a result, opted to take "a very conservative approach" for its maps, "hoping to avoid the tragic loss of life experienced in Japan," Bohlen said in a prior statement. There are a number of scenarios in which California could get hours of lead time ahead of a damaging tsunami. But should a quake strike close to shore, there could be little to no warning, aside from the shaking itself. "The bottom line is, if you're near the coast and feel strong shaking from a local earthquake or get an official notification to evacuate, move inland as soon as possible," Rick Wilson, then a senior engineering geologist with the California Geological Survey tsunami unit, said in a statement in 2021. 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. In the latest update of the maps, potential tsunami flood areas were expanded in parts of Long Beachincluding along Ocean Boulevard and Belmont ShoreMalibu, Santa Monica, Venice, Marina del Rey, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach and San Pedro. Areas of notable concern in Los Angeles County include Marina del Rey, the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, and around Alamitos Bay because there are few roads for evacuation, according to the California Geological Survey. Flooding to the extent considered possible in an extreme scenario "would inundate almost all of the land in the ports and some of the surrounding communities," Wilson said when the latest maps were released. In updating the maps, San Francisco also saw "significant increases in the mapped tsunami hazard" in the Financial District at the foot of Market Street, as well as parts of North Beach, south of the Embarcadero. The zone includes the Embarcadero BART and Muni stations and Embarcadero Center. "These are both areas with very low land elevations that could be impacted by a small increase in waterfront flooding," the geological survey said. In many places, changes in the hazard maps were relatively modest. Somelike in Newport Beachwere expanded to add a small buffer beyond the modeled inundation area to roads or landmarks to help local officials communicate evacuation plans, the geological survey said. "There are places on the U.S. West Coast, and here in Alaska, where an entire safe evacuation for a near-shore event ... would [have] a much lower success rate," said Dave Snider, the tsunami warning coordinator at the National Tsunami Warning Center in Alaska. "That is the No. 1 reason why people need to understand what their hazard zone is ahead of time." The changes went both ways. Some areas, such as around Huntington Beach and Bolsa Chica, saw their tsunami hazard areas shrink after new analysis indicated levees and ponds would help better protect the public than originally thought. What became clear in the wake of December's widespread warning was that many Californians had no idea where the tsunami warning zones were. And, as the maps show, it's not always areas right along the coast that are exposed. Tsunami hazard zones can extend to bayside and riverside areas relatively far from the Pacific coast, representing the maximum inundation area in a number of scenarios, according to the California Geological Survey. California's tsunami hazard areas are expansive in some areas, and include some of the state's priciest real estate and most famed destinations: the Santa Monica Pier, Long Beach's Naples Island, Newport Beach's Balboa Island and Balboa Peninsula; and neighborhoods in Sunset Beach, Seal Beach, San Diego and nearby Coronado. Also at potential risk are popular tourist hotspots from Malibu to Santa Barbara's waterfront, the Monterey Bay Aquarium and a swath of Santa Cruz. Some of the most storied sections of San Franciscoincluding parts of the Financial District as well as the Ferry Building, Fisherman's Wharf, the Palace of Fine Arts, Chase Center, Oracle Park and Treasure Islandcould see flooding from a major tsunami. The same is true for much of Alameda; sizable chunks of Oakland, Berkeley, Richmond and Marin County; and some areas in and near Silicon Valley, including northern sections of Redwood City and Burlingame. To the south, some coastal communities along Highway 1 in San Mateo County are in a tsunami hazard zonesuch as parts of Pacifica and Half Moon Bayas are other popular tourist destinations in counties farther south, like Capitola and Monterey. The risk extends north too. Humboldt and Del Norte counties have significant tsunami risk. There are vast areas around Eureka, next to Humboldt Bay, where there are long, skinny peninsulas that could make an evacuation challenging. In Ventura County, parts of Ventura, Oxnard and Port Hueneme are in the tsunami hazard area, including the neighborhoods of Oxnard Shores and Ventura Keys, as well as the Ventura Marina Mobile Home Park. Given the extent of the assessed hazard areas, large-scale evacuations could be ordered, and warranted, in situations with limited time and information. That was the case in December. Although that warning was later canceled, and no major tsunami developed, Snider said it's still a good reminder that this kind of disaster can happen, and people need to be prepared. There was, technically, a tsunamialbeit one measured at a scant 5 centimetersin Arena Cove off Mendocino County. A nightmare scenario for California would be a tsunami generated by an underwater quake that occurs close to shore. A particularly chilling prospect for Northern California, as well as Oregon and Washington, would be a magnitude 9 earthquake along the Cascadia subduction zone off the coast. A major quake in this area could bring a tsunami to San Francisco in as little as an hour. An even closer rupture, such as along the Point Reyes thrust fault, could result in a tsunami hitting the city in as little as 10 minutes, according to city documents. "You just experienced a significant alertone that may never happen again to you," Snider said. "But in the event that it does ask yourselves, did I have alerts when I needed them?" It's important to remember that tsunamis are not like typical ocean waves. They are a series of waves that reach the shore almost like a turbulent wall of water or a fast-rising flood. Perhaps nowhere in California better demonstrates the risk tsunamis present than Crescent City. Most notably, the 1964 Alaska earthquake set off a catastrophic tsunami that devastated the city, washing away 29 blocks and killing at least 11 people. Surges reached 21 feet above the average low tide. A hypothetical magnitude-9.3 earthquake near Alaska's eastern Aleutian Islands could bring a damaging tsunami to the San Francisco Bay Area in about five hours, and to L.A. and Orange counties in about six. If you're uphill or inland from the mapped hazard zones, you should be safe from a tsunami. But those who live, work or recreate in a hazard zone should have an evacuation plan, especially since authorities may only have minutes to decide whether to order everyone to higher ground. If you don't have prior knowledge of whether you're in a tsunami hazard zone, and no maps or evacuation signs are available, aim for spots 100 feet above sea level and as far as two miles away from the shoreline, if possible, officials say. Officials say it's also important to know if you're not in a tsunami hazard zone, to avoid complicating evacuations for those who need to move. There's no need, for instance, to flee San Francisco when much of the city is in a safe zonejust walking a few blocks inland may be all that's needed. If evacuation is impossible, your last resort could be going to the third or higher floor of a sturdy building, or even climbing a tree. And evacuating the Santa Monica Pier doesn't mean you need to head to the top of Mt. Baldy. Just getting above the nearby bluffs would be enough. But even where tsunami hazard zones are relatively narrow, many Californians may not have the instinct to get to higher ground after the ground shakes. And the risk can vary. The tsunami hazard area in Manhattan Beach is essentially limited to the beach and pier on the coastal side of the Strand, the walking-and-biking path that separates the sand from luxury homes. Yet in Hermosa Beach, the latest expanded tsunami hazard area also now covers the pricey homes a block or so east of the trail. Visiting SeaWorld in San Diego? The theme park is outside the hazard zone, but some hotels and resorts to the west and north are not. Those who were ordered to leave during the widespread warning in December should assess whether their evacuation plan worked and if there is anything that needs to be tweaked or ironed out, Snider said. 2025 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 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: CC0 Public Domain The Congo Basin's hunter-gatherer people have the secret to living well with the forest. While doing fieldwork in 2020, I remember walking with Indigenous elders Ferdinand Mbita and Felix Mangombe up the small, winding path into their forest in Cameroon, jumping over highways of vicious black ants, shadowed by grand trees. We almost always encountered monkeys chattering when venturing down this path. Once we came across the prints of a gorilla. This path, near the Dja river in the south region of Cameroon, lay next to the small village of Bemba. The village folk, Baka hunter-gatherers, used the path regularly to find forest medicines, work on their farm plots, or to embark on fishing or hunting trips. When I returned to Cameroon to stay again in the village a year later, the path was unrecognizable. The dense vegetation had been stripped away, trees cut, rivers restricted. The path was now an industrial road, developed by a logging company with permission from the government to chop down trees in a large area behind the village for a year. Inspecting the damage, Mbita and Mangombe noticed how trees they used for medicine and the places where they'd found honey had been transformed into scarred, muddy earth. We used to see animal tracks here; now the only tracks we could see were those of logging trucks. "The Baka are dead," Mbita said, taking in what he was seeing. This story is not unique. At least 40% of Cameroon's forests have been allocated for logging. Add to that concessions also granted to mining companies, sport hunting companies and big agro-industry. They have cut down forests and set up rubber and palm oil plantations. The social and environmental effects have been devastating. I lived in the Baka village of Bemba in south-eastern Cameroon for long periods between 2019 and 2021. It is a small village of 70 people. The Baka number around 40,000 in total. They are one of many forest-dependent communities in the region, but are the only hunter-gatherers. Initially a lot of time had to be spent on building trust so that I was sure the community could understand and agree to my research, which aimed to understand the community's relationship to the forest and conservation. Over time, I learned the Baka language. I went with people on their fishing, hunting and gathering trips, ate with them, joined in ceremonies and discussed their relationship to the forest. Through this process their worlds opened up to me. I published an article about these experiences co-authored with Felix Mangombe. We describe how the Baka practice of sharing is a valuable forest management and conservation technique that can transform how the forest is used. The damage of conservation Conservation schemes can cause devastating social and environmental impacts. Of Cameroon's 54 conservation parks and their peripheries, 70% have been associated with forced displacement of people living in the area. So-called "conservation refugees" have also been created because their land has been turned into a conservation area. (There has not yet been a study into how many "conservation refugees" there are in Cameroon.) When communities are physically and psychologically severed from the forests with which they have lived for so long, this can lead to poverty and alcoholism. It sets a path for people to fall into environmentally damaging activities such as wildlife trafficking or damaging biodiversity. There is a gradual shift across the world towards bottom-up strategies to sustain forests, where those who live in the landscapes remain major players in how they are protected. Unfortunately, this collaboration is often done badly, with big organizations or governments trying to retain control over designing and implementing projects. 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. Relating to the forest Since at least the 1980s, logging concessions, a large sport hunting zone, and the Dja protected conservation area have restricted the Baka people of Bemba's access to their forest. Yet, they have maintained a strong relationship with it, and the forest is still the foundation of their identity. They believe the Baka were created with the forest. They interact with it constantly through their livelihoods, and engage with forest spirits and the spirits of ancestors who roam the forest. This close relationship informs how the Baka use forest resources and sustain the forest in the long term. For example, they do not believe that trees or animals should be left untouched unless give permission. Nor that they should give thanks or give back for what they take. They believe the ultimate way to achieve joy is through sharing. Elders told us: "If the forest is shared properly, everyone will live well." As they consider themselves as a part of the forest, the well-being of people is no different from the well-being of the forest. Sharing should take place with other people, forest spirits and animals, but also with ancestors and future generations. Non-material things such as laughter and ceremonies are also actively shared. What this looks like in practice is restraint when harvesting, the free-sharing of belongings, and a high value placed on promoting collective happiness. Baka often see logging, sport hunting and conservation as destructive because they take timber, animals and land excessively and do not share. These activities are regarded as an existential threat, given that the Baka people cannot envisage life without the forest. Sharing the forest The lesson to learn from the Baka is that conservation should not be centered on achieving biodiversity targets, or capturing a certain amount of carbon. A forest is a social landscape. Responsible sharing of resources and of benefits between all those who use the forest protects the whole system. The path I walked with Mbita and Mangombe has now partially regrown, a reminder of the forest's ability to fight back. But inside, the scars inflicted on the forest remain, and the Baka of Bemba await the arrival of the next outsiders. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. 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 The latest deadline for countries to submit plans for slashing the greenhouse gas emissions fueling climate change has passed. Only 15 countries met itless than 8% of the 194 parties currently signed up for the Paris agreement, which obliges countries to submit new proposals for eliminating emissions every five years. Known as nationally determined contributions, or NDCs, these plans outline how each country intends to help limit average global temperature rise to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, or at most 2C. This might include cutting emissions by generating more energy from wind and solar, or adapting to a heating world by restoring wetlands as protection against more severe floods and wildfires. Each new NDC should outline more stringent emissions cuts than the last. It should also show how each country seeks to mitigate climate change over the following ten years. This system is designed to progressively strengthen (or "ratchet up") global efforts to combat climate change. The February 2025 deadline for submitting NDCs was set nine months before the next UN climate change conference, COP30 in Belem, Brazil. Without a comprehensive set of NDCs for countries to compare themselves against, there will be less pressure on negotiators to raise national ambitions. Assessing how much money certain countries need to decarbonize and adapt to climate changeand how much is availablewill also be more difficult. While countries can (and some will) continue to submit NDCs, the poor compliance rate so far suggests a lack of urgency that bodes ill for avoiding the worst climate outcomes this century. Who submitted? The 15 countries that submitted NDCs on time include the United Arab Emirates, the UK, Switzerland, Ecuador and a number of small states, such as Andorra and the Marshall Islands. COP30 host Brazil submitted a pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5967% by 2035, compared to 2005 levels. This is up from its previous commitment, a 37% reduction by 2025 and 43% by 2030. Unfortunately, Brazil is not on track to meet its 2025 target and has set a more recent emissions baseline that will make any reductions more modest than they'd otherwise be. Japan aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60% in 2035 and 73% in 2040, compared to 2013 levels. Japan's previous target was for a 46% reduction by 2030. This demonstrates how the ratchet system is supposed to work. The UK's NDC, which pledges to reduce all greenhouse gas emissions by at least 81% by 2035, compared to 1990 levels, was described by independent scientists as "compatible" with limiting global heating to 1.5C. The US had submitted a plan to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by 6166% below 2005 levels by 2035. However, this was before Donald Trump pulled the US out of the Paris agreement (for the second time), so the commitment of one of the world's largest polluters is in doubt. 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. Who didn't submit? Some of the world's largest emitters failed to submit new NDCs, including China, India and Russia. India pledged to reduce its emissions by 35% below 2005 levels by 2030 at the signing of the Paris agreement. All of the country's subsequent NDCs have been rated as "insufficient" by independent scientists. India's recent national budget announcement offered scant additional funding for climate mitigation and adaptation measures. China also made big promises in 2015 with its aim to lower its CO emissions by 65% by 2030, from a 2005 baseline. However, China has been responsible for over 90% of global CO 2 emissions growth since the Paris agreement was signed. China and the US also suspended formal discussions on climate change in 2022. Increased economic competition between these two nations has resulted in export control restrictions and tariffs which have made green technologies like electric vehicles more expensive, which is certain to slow down the shift from fossil fuels. Russia joined the Paris agreement in 2019. Its first NDC was labeled "critically insufficient" by scientists, and its follow-up in 2020 did not include increased targets. Russia is maximizing the extraction of resources such as oil, gas and minerals, and its 2035 strategy for the Arctic includes plans to sink several oil wells on the continental shelf. With the U.S.'s 2025 NDC in limbo, President Trump is eyeing mineral reserves in Ukraine and Greenland, further ramping up oil production and cutting international climate research funding. The European Union could have positioned itself as a leader in global climate action, in lieu of US involvement. But the EU, which submits NDCs as a bloc alongside individual country submissions, also failed to submit on time. Global shifts The failure of most nations to submit new emission plans suggests that the era of cooperation on climate change is over. The largest and most powerful of these nations are growing their military and diplomatic presence around the world, particularly in countries with large reserves of critical minerals for electric vehicles and other technology relevant to decarbonization. The lack of NDCs from these nations may be less a matter of middling green ambitions, and more an attempt to disguise their planned exploitation of other countries' resources. If countries keep failing to submit enhanced NDCs, or even withdraw from their commitments entirely, scientists warn that global heating could reach a catastrophic 4.4C by 2100. This scenario assumes the continued, unabated use of fossil fuels, with little regard for the climate. In a more optimistic scenario, countries could limit warming to around 1.8C by 2100. This will require global cooperation and significant investment in green technology, and entail a transition to net zero emissions by mid-century. This is a process that must include everyone. Simply having the most powerful nations decarbonize by exploiting and hoarding resources will imperil this critical target. The actual outcome will probably fall somewhere between these two scenarios, depending on forthcoming NDCs and how quickly and thoroughly they are implemented. All of the scenarios envisaged by climate scientists will involve warming continuing for decades. The effects of this warming will vary, however, based on the path we choose today. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. 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 Protestors charged with non-violent offenses should be able to explain their motives in court as part of their legal defense, new research says. A new study from the University of Birmingham, Aston University and Keele University has argued that trials should respect the integrity of publicly accountable defendants, who should not be expected to disavow their motives where they act in the public interest, even in cases where the courts decide that their actions are not justified. In such cases, their integrity should be a mitigating factor, and they should not be expected to express remorse. The research challenges the current legal approach to protest trials and calls for a fundamental change in how activist cases are managed. The paper has been published in the Oxford Journal of Legal Studies. Dr. Steven Cammiss, Associate Professor of Law at the University of Birmingham and first author on the paper, said, "The way trials concerning non-violent activists are dealt with is fundamentally flawed. People who are arrested for civil disobedience or other nonviolent actions taken during a protest are motivated by moral values, a desire to protect fundamental rights, or to do good for a community. Currently, defendants are asked to show remorse for the actions they have taken during a protest, but we argue that this is not appropriate and should not be expected from defendants. "A trial is a dialogue between the community and the defendant and should be a space for holding the defendant to account. But, asking them to disavow their moral or political motives for a more lenient sentence does not achieve this. Instead, the integrity principle should be applied in these cases." The Integrity Principle put forward by the authors argues that: Remorse is not appropriate as protest defendants do not usually dispute the facts of their action/offense but, where able, argue their actions were justified as "a matter of self-respect and moral consistency." Protest defendants may be expected to deny that they have betrayed the community but, rather, argue that they have acted in the community's collective name for its moral benefit. UK courts should respond in a manner that respects protest defendants' philosophical beliefs. The researchers apply this to three real-life cases, the Stansted 15, the Frack Free Three and the Colston Four. Dr. Graeme Hayes, Reader in Sociology at Aston University, said, "The way courts currently handle protest trials forces activists into an impossible positioneither abandon their political stance or face harsher punishment. "This approach not only distorts the legal process but also undermines the fundamental democratic rights that protests seek to defend. Protesters acting in defense of their communities should be able to fully account for their actions in court, with juriesnot judgesdeciding whether their actions were justified and proportionate." 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. The researchers conclude that activists or protestors who act to defend their communities, in a way that is deliberately publicly accountable, should be able to present a defense in law that enables them to properly account for their actions. They also argue that the jury is the proper body to decide on whether their action is justified and proportionate; and if the jury decides to convict after hearing this defense, then the integrity of the defendants should remain a mitigating factor at sentencing. Dr. Cammiss added, "Integrity acting as a mitigating factor in sentencing was the general rule until 2019, but now the courts consider it an aggravating factor. Activists are citizens exercising and upholding fundamental rights and should have their justification recognized in court, and the ability to use it as a defense." Dr. Hayes concluded, "To uphold justice, legal policymakers must introduce clear justificatory defenses, end the expectation of remorse as a sentencing factor, and restore the jury's role in adjudicating the legitimacy of protest actions." More information: Steven Cammiss et al, Defending the Integrity Principle: Necessity, Remorse and Moral Consistency in the Protest Trial, Oxford Journal of Legal Studies (2025). DOI: 10.1093/ojls/gqaf003 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: Locations of the seven equilibrium points (L) in a ring system and the circular collision sets 1 and 2 for the equal mass case in units where the ring radius is one. Credit: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (2025). DOI: 10.1093/mnras/staf028 In the realm of science fiction, Dyson spheres and ringworlds have been staples for decades. But it is well known that the simplest designs are unstable against gravitational forces and would thus be torn apart. Now a scientist from Scotland, UK has shown that certain configurations of these objects near a two-mass system can be stable against such fractures. The work is published in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. "I read 'Ringworld' and 'Ringworld Engineers' as a student, so I've long been fascinated by engineering on astronomical scales," said Colin McInnes of the Larry Niven Ringworld series of hard sci-fi novels. McInnes is a professor of engineering science and holder of the James Watt Chair at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Physicist Freeman Dyson first proposed what has come to be known as a Dyson sphere in a 1960 paper in Science. It is a shell structure that would completely surround a star, built from dissembled planetary material in a solar system while requiring a great deal of energy. (The starship Enterprise encountered a Dyson Sphere in the sixth season of "Star Trek: The Next Generation.") The aim is to capture all of the star's energy for use by an advanced civilization. Dyson calculated that such a spherical shell could be built with all the material in the solar systemessentially the mass of Jupiterat twice the distance of Earth from the sun. Depending on its density, the shell would be a few meters thick. Dyson believed that "...barring accidents, Malthusian pressures will ultimately drive an intelligent species to adopt some such efficient exploration of its available resources." Such a shell in the cosmos would be a visibly dark object to us; but it would heat up and emit infrared radiation into space. But a solid Dyson sphere around a single star would, though rigid, be unstable against gravitational forces and break apart. Objects inside the shell would feel no net gravitational force from the shella result known as Newton's Shell Theoremand so the star would drift under any slight perturbation in the shell's mass, any deviation from perfect spherical symmetry. The shell would then feel asymmetric gravitational forces from the drifting star and experience stress forces that could well break it apart. Masses close to the shell but outside it would also create differing forces on the shell. As a consequence, sci-fi writers and astrophysicists have considered partial shell pieces or a patchwork surrounding a star as a realistic Dyson sphere. Similarly, a rigid ring around a star or planet, as in Larry Niven's "Ringworld" series of novels, is also unstable, as it would drift under any slight gravitational differences and collide with the star. So McInnes considered a restricted three-body problem where two equal masses orbit each other circularly with a uniform ring of infinitesimal mass rotating in their orbital plane. The ring could enclose both masses, just one or none. Unlike the full three-body problem, which has no analytic solution, "it's an interesting problem of orbital dynamics in itself," McInnes said. "Understanding the stability of such structures connects to SETI [Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence] research." McInnes also investigated a shell-restricted three-body problem with the shell also of infinitesimal mass, again with the shell enclosing two masses, one or none. 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. For the restricted ring, McInnes found that there are seven equilibrium points in the orbital plane of the dual masses, on which, if the ring's center were placed, it would stay and not experience stresses, akin to the three stable Lagrange points where a small mass can reside permanently for the two-body problem. (For example, the James Webb Space Telescope resides at a solar orbiting Lagrange point 1.5 Mkm past Earth on the sun-Earth line.) The ring's center would need to avoid lying on two circles McInnes calls "collision sets," whereif placed on any point thereit would be in contact with one of the two masses. Of the equilibrium points where the center of the ring could lie, one has the ring enclosing both masses, two of the points enclose one mass, and four enclose neither of the masses. Of the four enclosing no rings, two lie on a line connecting the mass centers and two ("triangular points") reside on a line orthogonal to this line that goes through the center between them; their precise location depends on the ring radius. Thus, five equilibria lie on the line connecting the masses, and two perpendicular to that line. McInnes restricted this research to a planar ring (in the plane of the circularly orbiting masses) but says it can be shown that a vertical ring, normal to the plane, can also generate equilibria. For example, one such point is a vertical ring with its center at the midpoint between the two masses. For a Dyson-like hollow sphere of infinitesimally small mass, the shell-restricted three-body problem reveals similar equilibria. A shell can be envisioned as a connected series of rings with the same radius around the same point, and Newton's Shell Theorem can be invoked to simplify the problema mass outside the shell acts gravitationally with the shell as if the shell's mass were all at its center. For a shell enclosing both masses, the shell is not influenced by either mass, and the center of the shell can be put at any point where the two masses are both enclosed by the shell. However, this is an unstable equilibrium configuration, since the shell feels no forces from the masses and so is free to drift relative to the two masses and will eventually collide with them. If the shell encloses neither mass, Newton's Shell Theorem implies that the shell can be considered a point mass at its center, and the situation reduces to the classical restricted three-body problem. McInnes finds there are seven equilibrium points where the shell can be centered, but the only positionally stable configuration is when it encloses the smaller of the two star masses. (If the shell encloses one mass, it feels no gravitational force from that object, but acts as a point mass to the other; the mass inside the shell will orbit around the center of mass of the two stars.) Here the collision sets are spheres, not rings, and indicate where a sphere's center cannot be placed without contact with a mass. McInnes's mathematics shows that "a Dyson sphere can therefore in principle be in a stable equilibrium configuration in a binary system if the secondary mass has a radius of order half that of the primary mass," assuming the stars have the same density. These results can aid the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, McInnes said, "If we can understand when such structures can be stable, then this could potentially help direct future SETI surveys." An important technosignature would be one bright star orbiting in tandem with an object showing a strong infrared excess. Shells around a sun-exoplanet pair or an exoplanet-exoplanet pair could also be possible. A nested set of Dyson spheres is also a feasible geometry. 2025 Science X Network 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: This image provided by NOAA on March 19, 2025 shows Earth. Credit: NOAA via AP Spring is almost hereofficially, at least. The vernal equinox arrives on Thursday, marking the start of the spring season for the Northern Hemisphere and the fall in the Southern Hemisphere. On the equator, the sun will be directly overhead at noon. Equinoxes are the only time when both the north and south poles are lit by sunshine at the same time. The events have been marked and celebrated around the world for centuries. Nowruz, the Iranian New Year, is based on the spring equinox, for example. And at the Mayan site Chichen Itza in Mexico, people gather during the equinox to watch the sun create a shadow pattern that resembles a serpent descending a building called El Castillo. But what is happening in the heavens? Here's what to know about how we split up the year using the Earth's orbit. What is the equinox? As the Earth travels around the sun, it does so at an angle. For most of the year, the Earth's axis is tilted either toward or away from the sun. That means the sun's warmth and light fall unequally on the northern and southern halves of the planet. During the equinox, the Earth's axis and its orbit line up so that both hemispheres get an equal amount of sunlight. An Iranian man jumps over a firework celebrating Chaharshanbe Souri, or Wednesday Feast, an ancient Festival of Fire on the eve of the last Wednesday of the Persian year, in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Iranians celebrate their new year, or Nowruz, with arrival of the spring. Credit: AP Photo/Vahid Salemi The word equinox comes from two Latin words meaning equal and night. That's because on the equinox, day and night last almost the same amount of timethough one may get a few extra minutes, depending on where you are on the planet. The Northern Hemisphere's springor vernalequinox can land between March 19 and 21, depending on the year. Its fallor autumnalequinox can land between Sept. 21 and 24. What is the solstice? The solstices mark the times during the year when the Earth is at its most extreme tilt toward or away from the sun. This means the hemispheres are getting very different amounts of sunlightand days and nights are at their most unequal. During the Northern Hemisphere's summer solstice, the upper half of the earth is tilted in toward the sun, creating the longest day and shortest night of the year. This solstice falls between June 20 and 22. Meanwhile, at the winter solstice, the Northern Hemisphere is leaning away from the sunleading to the shortest day and longest night of the year. The winter solstice falls between December 20 and 23. What's the difference between meteorological and astronomical seasons? These are just two different ways to carve up the year. While astronomical seasons depend on how the Earth moves around the sun, meteorological seasons are defined by the weather. They break down the year into three-month seasons based on annual temperature cycles. By that calendar, spring starts on March 1, summer on June 1, fall on Sept. 1 and winter on Dec. 1. 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. 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: Shvets Anna from Pexels The display of human remains in museums has long been a contentious issue. Last week, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Afrikan Reparations (APPG-AR) published a report on the African human remains collected by British museums during, and due to, colonialism and the slave trade. Introduced by the MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy (the APPG-AR's chair), and produced by Afford (The African Foundation for Development), the publication of the report, Laying Ancestors to Rest, is another high-profile and meaningful intervention in an area where developments now seem inevitable. The report makes a number of recommendations. First, that the sale of human remains should be made illegal in the UK. It also suggests that the Human Tissue Act of 2004 should be amended to make stipulations about remains older than 100 years. This would include banning their public display without consent from the Human Tissue Authority and ensuring that museums obtain a license from the authority for their storage. It's further recommended that the UK parliament's culture, media and sport committee should launch an inquiry into restitution. Laying Ancestors to Rest should be welcomed. It seems likely to be successful in achieving at least one of its recommendations. Calling for a ban on the trade in human remains in Britain, as the report does, is not particularly controversial. However, the report's blanket approach towards banning the display of human remains without consent is, in the present environment, unlikely to succeed. The report itself hints at the reasons for this. The success of its recommendations rests on the financial health of the UK's museum landscape. Resources matter, not least in terms of the relationships which those resources allow museums to build. Instead of a blanket response, developments in this area are likely to be piecemealboth due to the significant effort required to carry out the task effectively and the limited resources many museums have to do so. In that sense, it is unclear whether calling for a blanket ban now is all that useful, other than as a wake-up call. This point is not to absolve museums for their historical part in this situation. It is though, to argue that work in understanding the collections of human remains held by British museumswhere they come from, who they might belong tohas, at times (and certainly not in all circumstances), been happening. It is also to clarify what the often slow-paced norms of effective understanding and restitution are. In 2020, for example, the University of Oxford's Pitt-Rivers Museum removed its well-known collection of tsantsa (shrunken heads) from display. The removal happened with a view to working with Shuar and Achuar delegates to decide on the best way forward with regard to the care and display of the human remains. That work continues. A few years earlier, Laura Peers, then curator of the Americas collections at the museum, wrote about the slow, quiet and bureaucratic process of returning a single femur "collected by a missionary as a medical curiosity, from an Indigenous nation with whom I have longstanding professional and personal relationships." Such work is, when it happens, painstaking and careful. Even with the best of intentions, it is not a fast process 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. Funding restitution The often-halting nature of that work is likely to continue. Museum professionalsparticularly newer museum professionalsknow that this work has to happen and are, I would argue, in large part invested in doing it. In a contemporary funding environment marked by almost continuous cuts, even the most dedicated staff will find their actions curtailed. They may, in some cases, be able to remove remains from display, as the report recommends (and as the Pitt Rivers Museum has done). However, securing consent for the limited display of mummified Egyptian bodies, for instance, will be challenging. Without funding, it is difficult to build the relationships necessary for conversations about consent, ownership and restitution. In his afterword to the report, Dan Hicks of the University of Oxford writes that "this is a time of immense hope and optimism for British museums." The problem is that that hope in part rests on the funding that he also admits has been subject to "austerity and swingeing cuts." The contradiction is not difficult to seeparticularly when the report's recommendations are similar to the 2018 one written for French collections by cultural researchers Felwine Sarr and Benedicte Savoy. The Restitution of African Cultural Heritage: Toward a New Relational Ethics, which was commissioned by the French president, Emmanuel Macron, has been widely read. It has catalyzed thinking beyond current international legal norms when it comes to restitution. Yet progress on the goal of restitution even in France has been slow, at least in part due to the time involved in building the new relationships that the report calls for. There is also the question of whether attitudes regarding restitution within African countries are consistent. By February 2024, France had returned only 26 objects to Benin and one (a sword) to Senegal. Worse still, the legislative picture across British collections remains complex. Collections such as the Pitt Rivers Museum have been able to move on restitution because they are university collections. As such, they are subject to different legislation than "national" collections such as the British Museum or the V&A, which were established by acts of parliament and are funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. As the V&A's director, Tristram Hunt, recently wrote, the UK's national museums remain in "debilitating stasis" on restitution. Hunt argues that this is the case because these collections are hampered by the proscriptions of the 1983 National Heritage Act. That actby rule or by choice, dependent on your vieweffectively forbids such collections from disposing of objects, including human remains. As Laying Ancestors to Rest recommends, this situation needs to change. The likelihood is, however, that any change will come more slowly and with more deliberation even than the report itself acknowledges is necessary. Progress on this issue is by no means impossible. But without real political will and without the money to back it up, a blanket approach to the display and restitution of human remains in British museums remains difficult to enforce. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. 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: Jen Brinkley has been coming to Ouray to climb in the ice park for three decades. America's ice-climbing epicenter was facing a bleak future, with climate change endangering its water supply, until an unlikely savior came to its rescue: a nearby silver mine. Nestled in the heart of the Rockies, at an altitude of 2,400 meters (7,800 feet), Ouray is famous among mountaineers around the world for its artificial ice park. For 30 years, the village has piped in water that washes down the walls of a nearby gorge in winter, freezing in place and creating dozens of climbing routes. "It's definitely an ice climbing Mecca," said mountain guide Clint Cook. "I can't think of anywhere else that attracts this many people specifically to one place, just for ice climbing." But a damaging decades-long drought threatened the area's water source, even as the number of winter visitors exploded. "I can remember some people going around town and be like 'Don't shower tonight! We need that water in the tank to build ice,'" said Cook, 47. But starting next season, all that is set to change, after Ouray Silver Mines stepped in and offered to lease the rights to millions of liters (gallons) of water every yearfor a $1 fee. "The water from the mine will give us anywhere from three- to five-times more water than we have access to right now," said Peter O'Neil, executive director of the nonprofit Ouray Ice Park. "And we're not dependent on the city water tanks." Climbers use ice axes and crampons to get up the frozen routes. 'Ghost town' That should secure the park's future not only for the "next generation of ice climbers," but also for all the local businesses that depend on tourists. "If there was no ice park in the winter, the town would be a ghost town," said O'Neil. "Most of the hotels and motels would be closed." Ouray, a village of around 900 people, was founded in the 19th century during the Colorado Silver Rusha past that is commemorated by the statue of a miner that greets visitors. Silver mining dwindled over the 20th century, but renewed demand from new technologies like solar panels has reinvigorated the industry. Brian Briggs, the former CEO of Ouray Silver Mines, who sealed the partnership transferring water rights to the ice park, said the alliance was a win for everyone. Under Colorado's water use rights, the mine was entitled to millions of gallons for "recreational use," simply by dint of being a significant land owner. The ice park will have access to millions of gallons of water from its deal with the mine. It wasn't using them, and Briggs recognized the need to improve the image of his industry. "Most people don't like things in their backyard that are mining or industrial," he said. Donating the water, he figured, was a nice way to give back to the community in an effort to build good will. "People need to know that the mine's not just this bad group of people," Briggs said. 'What if there's no ice?' Earth's warming climate, caused chiefly by humanity's unchecked burning of fossil fuels, has not only hit water supplies, but also causes problems with rising temperatures. Ideally, the park needs several consecutive days where the temperatures stays below -7C (19 Fahrenheit) for the ice to form properly, hence the importance of being able to turn the taps on when the weather is right. For the thousands of people who travel to the self-proclaimed "Switzerland of America" spending around $18 million a year, the deal is a real boost. Ouray was founded in the 19th century during the Colorado Silver Rush. Climbers hope that with more water coming into the park, there will be more routes open for people to use. Jen Brinkley, from California, has been visiting Ouray almost every season for 30 years. When she was younger, she said, she would ask: "How many times can we get up there this year? It was more about like, how many trips could we take?" "There was never a thought of, 'oh, wait, what if there's no ice?'" Brinkley hopes the water from the minewhich is pumped from a river and returns there when it melts in the springwill secure the park's future and make the climbing there even better. "With more routes open you definitely have people that can spread out and so everybody can have a chance to climb," she said. 2025 AFP 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: Tapirs Panel, Cerro Pinturas, Serrania de la Lindosa. Credit: European Research Council-funded LastJourney project Diana Vera, a passionate local guide from Serrania de la Lindosa, Colombia, leads a group of sweaty and panting European tourists through the hot, lush Amazonian rainforest. Together, they climb the flattop hill (known as tepui) of Nuevo Tolima. Their destination? A vast, ancient painted wall perched at the very top of the tepui that whispers stories from a time long past. As the tourists reach the site, Vera brings history to life. She recounts how archaeology tells us that the first humans arrived here some 13,000 years ago. She explains how they left their mark on these landscapes by painting their stories, beliefs and visions of the world on the walls of these hills. Because archaeologists have closely analyzed the paintings and their chemical signatures, she can explain how paintings were crafted with local ochre using their fingers and brushes. She gestures towards the intricate depictions of animals, plants and people, pausing at an especially intriguing imagea now-extinct ice age "paleolama" or prehistoric llama. Then, she shows them a fascinating hybrid figurea fusion of bird, deer and human. Much of this artwork is probably shamanic in naturepossibly representing spiritual transformations, most likely induced by hallucinogenic rituals or prolonged fasting. After Colombia's peace process was signed in 2016 between participants in a violent civil war, the rock art of Serrania de la Lindosa became a major draw for research and tourism. As well as attracting visitors, this cultural and natural heritage has sparked positive social change in the region. Families of more than 100 tourist guides benefit because tourism provides an economic alternative for these communities. It's a path away from illicit activities such as coca cultivation, destructive deforestation for cattle ranching or joining dissident factions of the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) guerrilla movement. Until now, these local guides have largely relied on self-taught knowledge. There are no universities in the region to provide formal education. Little archaeological research has been conducted in this area, so much of its history and heritage remains unexplored. To address this gap, my colleagues and I have co-created a diploma degree in cultural heritage management for local tourism guides. Our team at the University of Exeter worked closely with Colombian partners, including the University of Antioquia, the Secretariat of Culture and Tourism of Guaviare Department and the Geographical Society of Colombia, to make sure that the diploma met the needs of local people. This diploma is based on knowledge from our systematic study of archaeology and rock art of the region, as part of a European Research Council-funded project called the LastJourney project. A new cultural heritage diploma degree trains archaeology tourist guides in the Colombian Amazon. Local community archaeology tourism benefits the heritage, the people and the rainforest. As Colombian archaeologist Javier Aceituno states in The Painted Forest, the 2022 book we co-wrote: "The paintings need the people, and the people need the paintings." 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. The Colombian Institute of Anthropology and History, the national heritage authority, has officially designated la Lindosa as an archaeological protected area. However, like many national parks in the Amazon, there are very limited resources for enforcement and preservation of these large rural areas. Local communities can help protect these rock paintings by controlling access and providing guided visits to the sites. Forty people took part in the first iteration of this three-month-long diploma in 20232024. Each of three 30-hour modules are delivered in rural communities of Cerro Azul, Nuevo Tolima and Raudal del Guayabero in Guaviare department, Colombia. Alongside my colleagues from the University of Exeter and the University of Antioquia, I taught modules in communal village buildings, where we conducted experimental archaeology. This included manufacturing stone tools and recreating paint recipes from scratch, providing a practical, hands-on learning experience bringing archaeology to life. This diploma has empowered communities to take a stronger role in managing their archaeological and bio-cultural heritage. By deepening their understanding of this unique history, communities can better protect and manage their heritage, ultimately enriching the tourist experience. Three graduates from the course also visited UK archaeological sites, including Stonehenge in Wiltshire, to explore how such sites are preserved and presented to tourists abroad. At the Ancient Technology Centre in Dorset they learned how visitors can experience archaeology in creative ways through hands-on experiences and demonstrations of ancient crafts and sustainable building techniques. Archaeologists and rock art specialists aren't just sharing their expertise. My colleagues and I are also learning from Indigenous participants. Victor Caycedo, of the Indigenous Amazonian Desana ethnicity, and Ismael Sierra, from the Tukano people of southern Colombia, bring invaluable ancestral knowledge to the diploma. They have shared insights into the shamanic and animistic worldviews that have shaped these landscapes for centuries. Their perspectives add a deeper, living dimension to the study of rock art, bridging past and present in a way that only those rooted in these traditions can reveal, as recently published in the journal Arts. For Diana Vera, this diploma represents "learning about heritage and the ancient lifeways of the people of La Lindosa." She told me that she now better understands "the union of three villages with a single purpose of conservation and preservation" and has a greater sense of belonging to these ancestral places and nature. Most of all, this diploma marks the opportunity for "a new beginning" in this region by introducing more sustainable and responsible tourism, she said. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. 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: Iwata is working towards the so-called "Internet of Animals," which refers to the networked collection of biologging data from a broad range of animals and environments. The main challenges for this are global data availability and the compatibility of different recording standards, which is an area where his team advocates for increased collaboration between researchers and data collection platforms. Credit: Iwata Takashi Sensors attached to animals gather valuable data to track and mitigate the human influence on marine life. A Kobe University review paper emphasizes the importance of integrating data from various sources and advocates for an "Internet of Animals" based on open access and shared standards. Humanity influences marine life through a broad range of activities, spanning from fishing and pollution to noise from boats, construction and mining. To enable a sustainable life together, we need to monitor the influence of our activities on marine life and use this data to establish effective policies. Kobe University animal ecologist Iwata Takashi says, "There is a wealth of oceanographic data from research vessels, drifting buoys and satellites. But due to technological and economic constraints, there are many observation gaps and some areas are inaccessible to humans, such as under sea ice or during harsh weather." In addition, it is often difficult to understand the influence different factors have on individual animals, thus making the development of targeted policies difficult. But if we want to know about the effects humans have on animals, who better to ask than the animals themselves? "Biologging," which refers to attaching sensors, cameras or other small devices to wild animals, has traditionally been used to learn about their behavior and distribution, but more recently it has also become useful for studying the environmental conditions the animals encounter. "Biologging" refers to attaching sensors, cameras or other small devices to wild animals to study the environmental conditions the animals encounter. Researchers try to minimize the impact this has on the animals themselves. Credit: Iwata Takashi Iwata explains, "We try to minimize the impact this has on the animals by keeping the overall weight of the devices to less than 3% of the animal's body weight, or even less than 1% for larger animals, and many researchers keep developing smaller and smaller devices." In the journal Water Biology and Security, Iwata's team has now published a review summarizing the current state of biologging, describing what insights such data has provided so far. So typhoon forecasts have become more accurate, the difference in how turtle species react to plastic waste has become evident, illegal fishing has been exposed and offshore wind farms have become more bird-friendly. Iwata says, "This review showed that while biologging alone is insufficient, it can fill in the gaps in existing knowledge. It provides a new type of data that differs from the wide-area environmental information obtained from earth observation satellites and other sources to tackle a broad range of environmental issues." In their paper, Iwata and his co-author write, "The full potential of biologging can only be realized through increased global collaboration and data sharing, enabling the integration of data across species, regions, and environmental contexts." "This review showed that while biologging alone is insufficient, it can fill in the gaps in existing knowledge. It provides a new type of data that differs from the wide-area environmental information obtained from earth observation satellites and other sources to tackle a broad range of environmental issues," says Iwata. Credit: T. Iwata et al., Water Biology and Security 2005 (DOI: 10.1016/j.watbs.2025.100383) The goal they are working towards is the so-called "Internet of Animals," which refers to the networked collection of biologging data from a broad range of animals and environments. The main challenges for this are global data availability and the compatibility of different recording standards, which is an area where the Japanese research team advocates for increased collaboration between researchers and data collection platforms. "If we can promote the sharing of biologging data through this paper, I hope to not only recruit more researchers to this field but also to open up new angles that we haven't yet envisioned," Iwata says. "Researchers are not experts in social implementation, but in recent years, I have seen various issues being solved by sharing data in a data-driven society. It was an enjoyable task to think of ways to return the power of data to society." The research was conducted in collaboration with a researcher from Waseda University. More information: Takashi Iwata et al, Biologging as a potential platform for resolving ocean environmental issues and threats: Towards the development of the Internet of Animals, Water Biology and Security (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.watbs.2025.100383 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: Private lunar lander Blue Ghost on the Moon on March 2,2025. Credit: NASA/Firefly Aerospace/AP In the first few months of 2025, there's been a flurry of private venture space missions. Some have been successful, such as American company Firefly Aerospace landing its spacecraft Blue Ghost Mission 1 on the moon. This was the first successful lunar landing of a privately owned spacecraft. But there have also been several recent failures. None have been more spectacular than the repeated explosions of tech billionaire Elon Musk's SpaceX Starship rockets in January and March. In theory, there are a range of international laws governing these activities. However, most were established roughly half a century ago, before space was within reach of private companies eager to explore it and exploit its untapped resources. With this development, there is an urgent need to update laws governing what happens in space, in order to prevent it becoming a kind of "wild west" where tech billionaires and the companies they own can do as they please with little to no accountability, consequence or regard for the public good. Laws as old as the Cold War Space activities are mainly governed by United Nations treaties. These include the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, the 1972 Liability Convention, and the 1979 moon Agreement. But these agreements were created during the Cold War, when space exploration was shaped by military sensitivities and mainly conducted by nation states. Yet private companies are now major players in space. They can bring the allure of space to the masses, for a pretty penny. For example, most of the roughly 11,000 active satellites orbiting Earth are privately owned. NASA now relies on partnerships with companies to combine expertise and save costs. The European Space Agency does the same, as do many of the 77 countries with space programs. Elon Musk has expertly tapped into this trend, securing US$22.6 billion in United States government funding for SpaceX. Private spacecraft journeys may combine commercial and national goals. For example, the Blue Ghost Mission 1 was contracted by NASA through its Commercial Lunar Payloads initiative. It carried a suite of NASA science and technology instruments. Just days later, another company put a spacecraft on the moon. Yet the Intuitive Machines Athena spacecraft landed awkwardly. It toppled over and was soon declared dead. It too was carrying expensive NASA cargo. National space agencies will continue to rely on company partners in more ambitious ventures. But what happens when things go wrong? How can private companies be held accountable if they damage the property of others, or cause environmental harm to celestial bodies? 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. Space traffic There is an increasing risk of collisions among satellites, spacecrafts and space debris. And while there are some mechanisms for collision warnings, there is no global approach to assess the risk of collisions. The 1972 Liability Convention provides guidance about addressing liability after satellite collisions. However, it only directly applies to states, not private companies. If a private company's spacecraft causes damage, the affected party can only initiate a claim via diplomatic channels against the launching state, not the company itself. The claims pathway can be complex, slow and subject to diplomatic negotiations. Also, some satellite operators purchase insurance to cover damage from collisions, wisely bypassing the convention. Insurance creates an efficient private mechanism to address damages, avoiding the need to involve states or navigate the diplomatic processes required under the Convention. But space insurance is incredibly expensive, so most satellites are not insured. The Outer Space Treaty says countries must avoid contamination of space. But it does not specifically address the problem of accumulated space debris. The long-term sustainability of space activities, including the build up of debris, was not the pressing issue for the treaty's drafters. Moreover, the treaty's language is vague, requiring states to act with "due regard" for others' interests and conduct "appropriate" consultation before undertaking potentially harmful activities. However, it does not define what these terms mean. Who owns the resources in space? The prospect that humans will be able to collect and sell mineral resources from astronomical objects is edging closer to reality. Initial focus is on the moon. But who owns the resources on the moon? There is no internationally agreed-upon property rights regime beyond Earth. The US is trying to achieve private ownership of space resources through its 2020 "Artemis Accords." This effort is a big boost to the privatization of space. But it contrasts with the "common heritage of mankind" conceptthe cornerstone of the 1979 moon Agreement. So far, 53 countries have signed the Artemis Accords. But only 17 countries are parties to the Moon Agreement. Without clear rules applicable to all space players, lunar exploration and mining by private entities may run into trouble. There are many worrying scenarios. A private spacecraft might crash into a country's lunar accommodation facility due to a lack of "rules of the road" on the moon. Lunar traffic and mining might cause damage to the moon's surface. Can private entities be held accountable for this damage? The current space law regime does not address such hypothetical problems that may become real in coming years. Safe and sustainable space exploration Space law must evolve to ensure safe and sustainable commercial space travel and lunar exploration. This can only be achieved by building international consensus on new rules for space missions. This requires many challenging discussions. What types of damage to the moon should be remediated, and by who? What is the most suitable avenue for affected entities to apply for compensation? What rules should be in place to manage the increased traffic volume in outer space? How can countries be incentivized to strengthen their oversight of their private entity partners in joint missions? Perhaps the easiest issue to solve is which side of future lunar highways to drive on. With the US and China leading the way at the moment, it would be on the right side. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. 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: Georgia Institute of Technology Successful test results of a new machine learning (ML) technique developed at Georgia Tech could help communities prepare for extreme weather and coastal flooding. The approach could also be applied to other models that predict how natural systems impact society. Ph.D. student Phillip Si and Assistant Professor Peng Chen developed Latent-EnSF, a technique that improves how ML models assimilate data to make predictions. In experiments predicting medium-range weather forecasting and shallow water wave propagation, Latent-EnSF demonstrated higher accuracy, faster convergence, and greater efficiency than existing methods for sparse data assimilation. The research is published on the arXiv preprint server. "We are currently involved in a project aimed at providing real-time information on extreme flooding events in Pinellas County, Florida," said Si, who studies computational science and engineering (CSE). "We're actively working on integrating Latent-EnSF into the system, which will facilitate accurate and synchronized modeling of natural disasters. This initiative aims to enhance community preparedness and safety measures in response to flooding risks." Latent-EnSF outperformed three comparable models in assimilation speed, accuracy, and efficiency in shallow water wave propagation experiments. These tests show models can make better and faster predictions of coastal flood waves, tides, and tsunamis. In experiments on medium-range weather forecasting, Latent-EnSF surpassed the same three control models in accuracy, convergence, and time. Additionally, this test demonstrated Latent-EnSF's scalability compared to other methods. These promising results support using ML models to simulate climate, weather, and other complex systems. Traditionally, such studies require employment of large, energy-intensive supercomputers. However, advances like Latent-EnSF are making smaller, more efficient ML models feasible for these purposes. The Georgia Tech team mentioned this comparison in its paper. It takes hours for the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts computer to run its simulations. Conversely, the ML model FourCastNet calculated the same forecast in seconds. A coupled VAE for consistent latent representations of sparse observations and full states. Credit: arXiv (2024). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2409.00127 "Resolution, complexity, and data-diversity will continue to increase into the future," said Chen, an assistant professor in the School of CSE. "To keep pace with this trend, we believe that ML models and ML-based data assimilation methods will become indispensable for studying large-scale complex systems." Data assimilation is the process by which models continuously ingest new, real-world data to update predictions. This data is often sparse, meaning it is limited, incomplete, or unevenly distributed over time. Latent-EnSF builds on the Ensemble Filter Scores (EnSF) model developed by Florida State University and Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers. EnSF's strength is that it assimilates data with many features and unpredictable relationships between data points. However, integrating sparse data leads to lost information and knowledge gaps in the model. Also, such large models may stop learning entirely from small amounts of sparse data. 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. The Georgia Tech researchers employ two variational autoencoders (VAEs) in Latent-EnSF to help ML models integrate and use real-world data. The VAEs encode sparse data and predictive models together in the same space to assimilate data more accurately and efficiently. Integrating models with new methods, like Latent-EnSF, accelerates data assimilation. Producing accurate predictions more quickly during real-world crises could save lives and property for communities. To share Latent-EnSF to the broader research community, Chen and Si presented their paper at the SIAM Conference on Computational Science and Engineering (CSE25). The Society of Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) organized CSE25, held March 37 in Fort Worth, Texas. Chen was one of ten School of CSE faculty members who presented research at CSE25, representing one-third of the School's faculty body. Latent-EnSF was one of 15 papers by School of CSE authors and one of 23 Georgia Tech papers presented at the conference. The pair will also present Latent-EnSF at the upcoming International Conference on Learning Representations (ICLR 2025). Occurring April 2428 in Singapore, ICLR is one of the world's most prestigious conferences dedicated to artificial intelligence research. "We hope to bring attention to experts and domain scientists the exciting area of ML-based data assimilation by presenting our paper," Chen said. "Our work offers a new solution to address some of the key shortcomings in the area for broader applications." More information: Phillip Si et al, Latent-EnSF: A Latent Ensemble Score Filter for High-Dimensional Data Assimilation with Sparse Observation Data, arXiv (2024). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2409.00127 Journal information: arXiv 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: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Lower-income countries must explore alternative funding strategies after the US pulled out of a global fund to compensate them for the worst impacts of the climate crisis, say analysts. The Loss and Damage Fund was created to ensure that the countries most responsible for climate change compensate those most affected by it for the irreversible damage inflicted. "The Loss and Damage Fund was established as a lifeline for nations like ours, meant to support communities devastated by typhoons, rising sea levels, and extreme weather events," says Fread de Mesa, Philippines national coordinator for the non-profit 350.org. The US withdrawal from the fund is a setback for international climate finance and raises concerns about the ability of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to recover from environmental crises. Harjeet Singh, climate activist and founding director of the Satat Sampada Climate Foundation, told SciDev.Net, "The US decision to withdraw from the Loss and Damage Fund reflects a persistent pattern of obstructing global climate finance efforts. It undermines [the] collective action needed to deliver climate justice." The move is the latest in a series of executive orders reversing environmental commitments since the inauguration of President Donald Trump in January for a second time. These include withdrawal from the 2015 Paris Agreement, a legally binding treaty on climate change, and from the Just Energy Transition Partnership, a climate financing model to help LMICs transition from coal to clean energy. A US Treasury spokesperson confirmed the reported withdrawal from the fund, saying it was consistent with Trump's executive order on "putting America first in international environmental agreements." Concerning precedent Mohamed Fahim, a professor of climate change at Egypt's Agricultural Research Center, and a UN expert in sustainable agricultural development, described it as "a major setback in international efforts to mitigate climate impacts." Fahim says the Loss and Damage Fund, which was first introduced in 2022 at the UN climate summit COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, is still in its formative stages. It was only operationalized at the start of this year. "The fund's roles and responsibilities are still being defined, making the US withdrawal a concerning precedent in international climate commitments," Fahim told SciDev.Net. Hesham Eissa, a climate expert who has worked with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, points out that it's not the first time the US has withdrawn from climate agreements. The US exited from the Paris Agreement in Trump's first term, which came into effect in 2020. However, he says there is a critical difference this time: "The global climate crisis has worsened significantly, with the US itself facing severe climate-related disasters, such as the recent wildfires in California," Eissa told SciDev.Net. He believes the decision undermines global commitments on emission reductions and could lead to other countries backtracking on their promises, rather than following the science. "Trump's stanceattributing climate disasters to geography rather than emissionsremains controversial and contradicts scientific consensus," Eissa added. Chuck Baclagon, Asia regional campaigner for 350.org, said, "US withdrawal from the Loss and Damage Fund is more than just another broken promiseit is a severe blow to climate-vulnerable nations, particularly in Asia, where climate change is already a daily reality." 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. Bridge the gap Climate experts suggest that vulnerable nations should explore alternative funding strategies to counter the repercussions of the US decision. Fahim and Eissa suggest several strategies to bridge the funding gap, including diversifying financial sources by strengthening partnerships with the private sector, leveraging green bonds, and seeking alternative funds from sources such as the World Bank and Global Environment Facility. Additionally, increased cooperation with the European Union and Chinaboth of which remain committed to climate financingcould provide crucial support, according to Eissa. He says low- and middle-income countries in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean rely on climate finance to transition to clean energy and build resilience against climate change. "The loss of US contributions, particularly to mechanisms like the Green Climate Fund [a UN fund for climate adaptation and mitigation], will significantly reduce available funding," he added. At the national level, Fahim stresses the importance of integrating clean energy strategies into development plans and encouraging local investment in renewable energy. He says lower-income countries can capitalize on international carbon markets by engaging in carbon pricing mechanisms and implementing emission reduction projects to trade carbon credits. However, the US must be held to account, stresses Singh. "While the US exit might not dilute the [Loss and Damage] Fund's ambition, it does not absolve them of responsibility," he says. "As the largest historical emitter, the US must be held accountable for its fair share of climate reparations." Provided by SciDev.Net 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: In this image provided by NASA, a SpaceX capsule splashes down in the Gulf of Mexico, Tuesday, March 18, 2025, as it lands off the coast of Florida with NASA astronauts Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore and Nick Hague, and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov. Credit: Keegan Barber/NASA via AP Stuck in space no more, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams returned to Earth on Tuesday, hitching a different ride home to close out a saga that began with a bungled test flight more than nine months ago. Their SpaceX capsule parachuted into the Gulf of Mexico in the early evening, just hours after departing the International Space Station. Splashdown occurred off the coast of Tallahassee in the Florida Panhandle, bringing their unplanned odyssey to an end. Within an hour, the astronauts were out of their capsule, waving and smiling at the cameras while being hustled away in reclining stretchers for routine medical checks. It all started with a flawed Boeing test flight last spring. The two expected to be gone just a week or so after launching on Boeing's new Starliner crew capsule on June 5. So many problems cropped up on the way to the space station that NASA eventually sent Starliner back empty and transferred the test pilots to SpaceX, pushing their homecoming into February. Then SpaceX capsule issues added another month's delay. Sunday's arrival of their relief crew meant Wilmore and Williams could finally leave. NASA cut them loose a little early, given the iffy weather forecast later this week. They checked out with NASA's Nick Hague and Russia's Alexander Gorbunov, who arrived in their own SpaceX capsule last fall with two empty seats reserved for the Starliner duo. A support team member works on the SpaceX capsule shortly after it landed with NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, and Russias Alexander Gorbunov aboard as a dolphin swims past in the water off the coast of Tallahassee, Fla., Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Credit: Keegan Barber/NASA via AP Wilmore and Williams ended up spending 286 days in space278 days longer than anticipated when they launched. They circled Earth 4,576 times and traveled 121 million miles (195 million kilometers) by the time of splashdown. "On behalf of SpaceX, welcome home," radioed SpaceX Mission Control in California. "What a ride," replied Hague, the capsule's commander. "I see a capsule full of grins ear to ear." Dolphins circled the capsule as divers readied it for hoisting onto the recovery ship. Once safely on board, the side hatch was opened and the astronauts were helped out, one by one. Williams was next-to-last out, followed by Wilmore who gave two gloved thumbs-up. Wilmore and Williams' plight captured the world's attention, giving new meaning to the phrase "stuck at work" and turning "Butch and Suni" into household names. While other astronauts had logged longer spaceflights over the decades, none had to deal with so much uncertainty or see the length of their mission expand by so much. NASA astronaut Suni Williams gives a thumbs-up after being helped out of a SpaceX capsule onboard the SpaceX recovery ship Megan after landing in the water off the coast of Tallahassee, Fla., Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Credit: Keegan Barber/NASA via AP Wilmore and Williams quickly transitioned from guests to full-fledged station crew members, conducting experiments, fixing equipment and even spacewalking together. With 62 hours over nine spacewalks, Williams set a record: the most time spent spacewalking over a career among female astronauts. Both had lived on the orbiting lab before and knew the ropes, and brushed up on their station training before rocketing away. Williams became the station's commander three months into their stay and held the post until earlier this month. Their mission took an unexpected twist in late January when President Donald Trump asked SpaceX founder Elon Musk to accelerate the astronauts' return and blamed the delay on the Biden administration. The replacement crew's brand new SpaceX capsule still wasn't ready to fly, so SpaceX subbed it with a used one, hurrying things along by at least a few weeks. NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore is helped out of a SpaceX capsule onboard the SpaceX recovery ship Megan after landing in the water off the coast of Tallahassee, Fla., Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Credit: Keegan Barber/NASA via AP After splashdown, Musk offered his congratulations via X. NASA's Joel Montalbano said the space agency was already looking at various options when Trump made his call to hurry the astronauts home. Even in the middle of the political storm, Wilmore and Williams continued to maintain an even keel at public appearances from orbit, casting no blame and insisting they supported NASA's decisions from the start. 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. NASA hired SpaceX and Boeing after the shuttle program ended, in order to have two competing U.S. companies for transporting astronauts to and from the space station until it's abandoned in 2030 and steered to a fiery reentry. By then, it will have been up there more than three decades; the plan is to replace it with privately run stations so NASA can focus on moon and Mars expeditions. "This has been nine months in the making, and I couldn't be prouder of our team's versatility, our team's ability to adapt and really build for the future of human spaceflight," NASA's commercial crew program manager Steve Stich said. NASA employees react on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at Johnson Space Center in Houston after watching astronauts splash down off the coast of Florida. Credit: AP Photo/Ashley Landis With Starliner still under engineering investigation, SpaceX will launch the next crew for NASA as soon as July. Stich said NASA will have until summer to decide whether the crew after that one will be flown by SpaceX or Boeingor whether Boeing will have to prove itself by flying cargo before people again. Both retired Navy captains, Wilmore and Williams stressed they didn't mind spending more time in spacea prolonged deployment reminiscent of their military days. But they acknowledged it was tough on their families. Wilmore, 62, missed most of his younger daughter's senior year of high school; his older daughter is in college. Williams, 59, had to settle for internet calls from space to her husband, mother and other relatives. "We have not been worried about her because she has been in good spirits," said Falguni Pandya, who is married to Williams' cousin. "She was definitely ready to come home." This image made from video by NASA shows astronauts greeting each other after a SpaceX capsule docked with the International Space Station, Sunday, March 16, 2025. Top row from left: Nick Hague, Alexander Gorbunov, Suni Williams, Alexei Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner. Bottom row from left: Butch Wilmore, Takuya Onishi, Anne McClain, Kirill Peskov, Nichole Ayers and Don Pettit. Credit: NASA via AP From left, NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore, Russias Alexander Gorbunov, and NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Suni Williams sit inside a SpaceX capsule onboard the SpaceX recovery ship Megan after landing in the water off the coast of Florida, Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Credit: Keegan Barber/NASA via AP Villagers dance as they celebrate the safe return of NASA astronaut Suni Williams, also known as Sunita Williams, from the International Space Station (ISS), at a temple in her ancestral village Jhulasan in Mehsana district of Gujarat state, India, Wednesday, March 19, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Ajit Solanki Villagers cheer while watching a NASA live stream as they gather to pray for the safe return of NASA astronaut Suni Williams, also known as Sunita Williams, from the International Space Station (ISS), at a temple in her ancestral village Jhulasan in Mehsana district of Gujarat state, India, Wednesday, March 19, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Ajit Solanki Villagers light fire crackers and dance as they celebrate the safe return of NASA astronaut Suni Williams, also known as Sunita Williams, from the International Space Station (ISS), at a temple in her ancestral village Jhulasan in Mehsana district of Gujarat state, India, Wednesday, March 19, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Ajit Solanki Bill Spetch, operations integration manager, NASA's International Space Station Program, speaks to reporters during a press conference at Johnson Space Center on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in Houston, following the splashdown of astronauts Butch Wilmore, Suni Williams, Nick Hague, and Alexander Gorbunov. Credit: AP Photo/Ashley Landis Prayers for Williams and Wilmore were offered up at 21 Hindu temples in the U.S. in the months leading up to their return, said organizer Tejal Shah, president of World Hindu Council of America. Williams has spoken frequently about her Indian and Slovenian heritage. Prayers for their safe return also came from Wilmore's Baptist church in Houston, where he serves as an elder. Crowds in Jhulasan, the ancestral home of Williams' father, danced and celebrated in a temple and performed rituals during the homecoming. After returning in the gulfTrump in January signed an executive order renaming the body of water Gulf of AmericaWilmore and Williams will have to wait until they're off the SpaceX recovery ship and flown to Houston before reuniting with their loved ones. The three NASA astronauts will be checked out by flight surgeons as they adjust to gravity, officials said, and should be allowed to go home after a day or two. 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. 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: University of California - Berkeley A new study from the University of California, Berkeley, finds that student engagement across key areas of research university experienceacademics, research, extracurriculars, civic engagement, and career preparationdeclined during the pandemic and has yet to recover. These findings, based on more than 800,000 student survey responses from 22 public research universities collected by the Student Experience in the Research University (SERU) Consortium from 2012 to 2023, raise concerns about the long-term impact on workforce preparation and scientific innovation and highlight the urgent need for greater federal and state support for research universities. The study, authored by Igor Chirikov, John Aubrey Douglass, and Gregg Thomson at UC Berkeley's Center for Studies in Higher Education (CSHE), introduces the Multi-Engagement Model, a new framework for assessing the value of research universities beyond academics. The model documents how these institutions provide students with opportunities in research, civic life, leadership, and career developmentexperiences that contribute to student success in ways traditional metrics fail to capture. "Our study shows the significant role research universities play in providing students with opportunities beyond academics," said Igor Chirikov, lead author of the study. "Before the pandemic, two-thirds of undergraduates were highly engaged in at least one areawhether academics, research, extracurriculars, civic involvement, or career development. The Multi-Engagement Model we propose challenges the idea of a single path to success, showing that students engage in different ways depending on their interests and opportunities." However, the overall landscape of multi-engagement has declined across all areas since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic without a full recovery to pre-pandemic levels. While certain aspects of academic engagement, such as participation in class activities and level of student effort, have shown resilience, overall study time both in and outside of class continues to decline, with key relationships involving faculty having failed to fully rebound. The data also show a decline in research engagement, with a significant 17% drop in students assisting faculty with research. Similarly, career engagement declined, especially in the number of students holding on-campus jobs, highlighting the enduring challenges in sustaining a robust multi-engagement environment. "Revitalizing student engagement must be a top priority for research universities," said John Aubrey Douglass, Founding Principal Investigator of the SERU Consortium. "Expanding opportunities in research, community involvement, and career development is essential to reversing post-pandemic declines. However, recent research funding cuts proposed by the Trump administration would make this much harder, jeopardizing not only student success but also the future research and innovation pipeline in the U.S." More information: The Multi-Engagement Model: Understanding Diverse Pathways to Student Success at Research Universities. cshe.berkeley.edu/news/press-r ti-engagement-report 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: The Cussac cave has more than 1,000 ancient carvings, including horses, bison, rhinos, ibex and stylised feminine forms. Deep inside a labyrinthine cave in southwestern France, ancient humans who lived around 30,000 years ago carved horses, mammoths and rhinoceros into the walls, a fabulous prehistoric menagerie that has rarely been seenuntil now. Discovered in 2000 by an amateur cave explorer, the Grotte de Cussac in the Dordogne department holds ancient human remains, traces of long-extinct bears and stunning, fragile artworks its custodians go to great lengths to preserve. Typically, the French authorities restrict access to the cave to researchers, who are only allowed to enter it four weeks per year. But a team of AFP journalists was recently allowed to visit the cave for the first time, accompanied by scientists working to unravel its mysteries. After unlocking the metal grate that blocks the entrance, the group put on white protective overclothes, head coverings and gloves, then disinfected the soles of their boots. Authorities are anxious to avoid a repeat of the damage done to France's famed Lascaux caves by microorganisms brought in by visitors. The Lascaux caveswhich are also located in Dordogne, though their artworks are estimated to be thousands of years younger than the Cussac carvingswere closed to the public in 1963 to save their precious frescoes. Lighting the way with headlamps, visitors cross vast galleries of stalactites and stalagmites, following the same path as Marc Delluc, the late amateur speleologist who discovered the cave in 2000. The Cussac cave is accessed by a narrow passage through boulders that have closed off its inner chambers for thousands of years. Lighting the way with headlamps, visitors cross vast chambers of stalactites and stalagmites, following the same narrow path as Marc Delluc, the late amateur speleologist who discovered the cave in September 2000. Delluc, who died in 2017, noticed a draft blowing from within the rocks, picked his way through the limestone and uncovered a path of around 100 meters (yards) leading to the engravings. He described the "rush of adrenaline" he felt when he saw the curved figures and silhouettes carved into the rock overhead. "I realized the privilege I'd been granted, to enter a place that had been consecrated since the dawn of time," he said. 'Sanctuary' The 1.6-kilometer (mile-long) cave has more than 1,000 carved figures, both animals and stylized feminine forms. The site was a 'sanctuary', not a dwelling, says lead archaeologist Jacques Jaubert. Scientists have dated them to between 26,000 and 35,000 years ago, the time of the ancient Gravettian culture in Europe. "The Grotte de Cussac is exceptional for its well-preserved state. It was probably closed off very soon after it was occupied, which protected the soil and vestiges inside," said Emeline Deneuve, chief heritage conservationist for the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region's cultural affairs department. Claw marks and signs of burrowing show it was also used by cave bears, prehistoric relatives of the brown bear. Inside their hibernation chambers, researchers have found the remains of six human bodies, dating to the same period as the engravings. It is the only known example of a cave used by prehistoric humans for both burials and artworks, said the site's lead archaeologist, Jacques Jaubert. The site was a "sanctuary", not a dwelling, he said. "The group lived outside, in the open or in shelters under the rocks." Protected by a locked metal grate, the cave is accessed by a narrow passage through boulders that have closed it off for thousands of years. 'Fragments of mythology' Jaubert thinks the cave may have been used for initiation ceremonies, "a rite of passage for adolescents to join the adult world"a practice often observed in primitive hunter-gatherer groups. It would also have been seen "as a place of passage between the world of the living and the world of the dead", he said. The carvings, which he calls "fragments of mythology", were made with flint, wood and bone. They depict bison, ibex, geese and other animals, as well as women, often with giant heads and tiny feet. "After testing the wall of the cave, leaving traces with his fingers, the artist carved the first animal figures, which were followed by others superimposed over them," said researcher Valerie Feruglio, who uses 3D imaging to study the artworks, seeking to decipher their stories. The site is located in the same region as the famed Lascaux caves, but its artworks are estimated to be thousands of years older. Jaubert thinks the cave may have been used for initiation ceremonies. Safeguarding history The cave has still not been fully explored. But authorities are extremely cautious in protecting the site, which was named a historic monument in 2002. "We are the guardians responsible for preserving and documenting the site," said Deneuve, the conservation chief. "We support the research carried out there, as long as it is in line with conservation and heritage requirements. Documenting the cave and digitizing it in 3D is also part of our goal to bring it to the public." In October, the Dordogne department opened a free exhibit on the cave in the town of Buisson-de-Cadouin, with reproductions of its artworks. But authorities say there are no plans to open the cave to the public. 2025 AFP 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 Small live music venue operators across regional Australia face personal and financial strain as they work to keep their doors open and sustain thriving music cultures in their communities. A study by the University of South Australia has found that regional live music venue operators are experiencing stress and burnout as they face challenges with audience access and fairly paying performing artists. The findings are published in the journal Popular Music and Society. It's estimated that in the four years since the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, Australia has lost more than 1300 live music venues and stages due to a steep increase in public liability costs and rising rent and energy prices. This is coupled with the current cost-of-living crisis that has severely impacted venues' bottom line and altered the spending habits of audiences, slowing both ticket and bar sales. While there has been high-profile media attention recently about the closure of several metropolitan venues, less attention is paid to small live music venues in country towns. Researcher Dr. Rosie Roberts, along with Dr. Sam Whiting of RMIT University, interviewed almost a dozen venue operators from regional South Australia in 2020-21 as part of a larger research project that informed the State Government's Live Music Support Package. Dr. Roberts, a member of UniSA's Creative People, Products and Places Research Center, says live music venues in regional areas often involve high levels of volunteer labor, investing a lot of time for little financial gain. "Many venue operators are undertaking a significant amount of the labor that's involved for free, because they're driven by a desire to develop and sustain a music culture in their region," she says. "The people we interviewed often described feelings of burnout and exhaustion and said they were the last to get paid, if paid at all, once they had ensured that the musicians were appropriately compensated. "This can produce a churning cycle of music events which is difficult to sustain as operators become tired and need to step away. It's very difficult to keep operations going in the medium to long term and this can fracture the development of regional music and produce short-term pockets of activity." Regional venues face unique challenges due to the smaller resident populations which then limit the size of bands playing, the frequency of shows and the amount that can be paid to musicians. The costs associated with travel and transport are also an issue. While regulatory issues such as licensing and noise are often the main challenges for city-based live music venues, the issues faced by regional areas are different, Dr. Roberts says. "Regional venues face issues with accessibility and affordability of high-quality acts that attract audiences, as well as encouraging audiences to regularly attend and spend the money required to sustain such gigs, especially in the context of rising cost of living pressures," she says. 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. The research study found that despite having different needs to metropolitan venues, regional venue operators often experience a lack of a voice in decision making around music policy. Dr. Roberts says solutions could include localized approaches such as continued town or regional art strategies, music feedback forums that connect city-based policy makers with regional stakeholders and the development of a regional live music policy. She also suggests the appointment of regional live music officers, and dedicated funding schemes for small and medium-sized venues in regional areas. "Regional live music venues perform a critical function for their communities because they provide spaces of sociality, belonging, education and skill development, so it's important we provide a healthy and sustainable live music scene for our regional centers and towns," Dr. Roberts says. "Small live music venues are where emerging musicians first engage in music making, yet they also continue their connection with the regions throughout their lives. This makes them vital to an artist's development both creatively and professionally." More information: Rosie Roberts, "I'd Have to Be Crazy if I Did it Strictly on a Financial Basis": Australian Regional Music Venues, Burnout, and Precarious Music Ecologies, Popular Music and Society (2025). DOI: 10.1080/03007766.2025.2455302 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: Cryo-EM structure of the LTag hexamer bound to forked DNA and ATP in a pre-hydrolysis state. Credit: Taha Shahid et al For the first time, scientists have witnessed the very moment DNA begins to unravel, revealing a necessary molecular event for DNA to be the molecule that codes all life. A new study from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), published in Nature, captures the moment DNA begins to unwind, allowing for all the events that follow in DNA replication. This direct observation sheds light on the fundamental mechanisms that allow cells to faithfully duplicate their genetic material, a cornerstone for growth and reproduction. Using cryo-electron microscopy and deep learning to observe the helicase Simian Virus 40 Large Tumor Antigen interacting with DNA, the laboratories of KAUST Assistant Professor Alfredo De Biasio and Professor Samir Hamdan provide the most detailed description yet of the very first steps of DNA replication: 15 atomic states that describe how the enzyme helicase forces the unwinding of DNA. The achievement is not only a milestone in helicase research, but also a milestone in observing the dynamics of any enzyme at atomic resolution. While scientists have long known the importance of helicase in DNA replication, "they did not know how DNA, helicases and ATP work together in a coordinated cycle to drive DNA unwinding," De Biasio said. When Watson and Crick reported the double helix in 1953, they gave the scientific community a breakthrough understanding of how genetic information is stored and copied. For DNA to replicate, the helix must first unwind and break the DNA from a double strand into two single strands. Credit: Taha Shahid et al Upon binding, helicases melt the DNA, breaking the chemical bonds holding the double helix together. They then pull the two strands apart, allowing other enzymes to complete the replication. Without this first step, no DNA can be replicated. In this way, helicases are machines or, because of their size, nanomachines. If helicases are nanomachines, then "ATP," or adenosine trisphosphate, is the fuel. Much like how burning gas drives the pistons of a car engine, burning ATP, the same fuel used to flex your muscles, causes the six pistons of a helicase to unwind DNA. The study found that as ATP is consumed, it reduces physical constraints that allow the helicase to proceed along the DNA, unwinding more and more of the double strand. Thus, ATP consumption acts as a switch that increases the amount of entropyor disorderin the system, freeing the helicase to move along the DNA. "The helicase uses ATP not to pry DNA apart in one motion, but to cycle through conformational changes that progressively destabilize and separate the strands. ATP burning, or hydrolysis, functions like the spring in a mouse trap, snapping the helicase forward and pulling the DNA strands apart," said De Biasio. Among the many discoveries made by the KAUST scientists was that two helicases melt the DNA at two sites at the same time to initiate the unwinding. The chemistry of DNA is such that nanomachines move along a single DNA strand in one direction only. By binding at two sites simultaneously, the helicases coordinate so that the winding can happen in both directions with an energy efficiency unique to natural nanomachines. That efficiency, explains De Biasio, makes the study of DNA replication more than an attempt to answer the most fundamental scientific questions about life; it also makes helicases models for the design of new nanotechnology. "From a design perspective, helicases exemplify energy-efficient mechanical systems. Engineered nanomachines using entropy switches could harness similar energy-efficient mechanisms to perform complex, force-driven tasks," he said. More information: Taha Shahid et al, Structural dynamics of DNA unwinding by a replicative helicase, Nature (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-08766-w. www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08766-w Journal information: Nature 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: Doggerland. Credit: Olav Ode, Universiteit Utrecht, Deltares, RMO New geological data has given more insight into the rate and magnitude of global sea level rise following the last ice age, about 11,700 years ago. This information is of great importance to understand the impact global warming has had on the ice caps and on sea level rise. The findings have been published in the journal Nature by researchers from Deltares, Utrecht University, TNO Netherlands Geological Service, Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), University of Leeds, University of Sheffield, University of Amsterdam, LIAG and BGR. Better understanding of sea level rise The new knowledge of the rate of sea level rise during the early Holocene offers an important point of reference for scientists and policymakers, especially as we are now faced with a similar situation with rapidly melting ice sheets due to global warming. The research provides valuable new insights for the future. As a result of the current rise in greenhouse gas concentrations, climate models by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) expect sea levels to rise by several meters by 2300. Some scenarios indicate a rise of more than 1 meter per century. An important difference with the early Holocene is that the consequences of sea level rise are far greater today and in the future. This is due to a growth in population and the current presence of infrastructure, cities and economic activity. Global sea level will rise rapidly in the coming century; perhaps by more than 1 meter. This is primarily caused by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases (source: IPCC). Submerged peat layers from the North Sea show that these rates were seen in two earlier phases: 10,300 and 8,300 years ago. Ice sheets melted then due to rapid warming after the last ice age. Credit: Deltares Unique dataset in the North Sea region Global sea level rose quickly following the last ice age. This was as a result of global warming and the melting of enormous ice caps that covered North America and Europe. Until now, the rate and extent of sea level rise during the early Holocene were not known due to a lack of sound geological data from this period. Using a unique dataset for the North Sea region, the researchers have now been able to make highly accurate calculations for the first time. They analyzed a range of boreholes from the area in the North Sea that was once Doggerland, a land bridge between Great Britain and mainland Europe. This area flooded as sea level rose. By analyzing the submerged peat layers from this area, dating them and applying modeling techniques, researchers showed that, during two phases in the early Holocene, rates of global sea level rise briefly peaked at more than a meter per century. By comparison, the current rate of sea level rise in the Netherlands is about 3 mm annually, the equivalent of 30 centimeters per century, and is expected to increase. Drilling from the North Sea. In the center you can clearly see how a layer of brown peat is covered by a layer of gray clay, the moment (8,700 years ago) that this part of the North Sea was flooded. Credit: Deltares Marc Hijma on the ship that took the boreholes in the North Sea. Credit: Deltares Furthermore, until now there has been considerable uncertainty about the total rise between 11,000 and 3,000 years ago. Estimates varied between 32 and 55 meters. The new study has eliminated that uncertainty and it shows that the total rise was about 38 meters. Marc Hijma, a geologist at Deltares and the lead author of the study, says, "With this groundbreaking research, we have taken an important step towards a better understanding of sea level rise after the last ice age. By drawing on detailed data for the North Sea region, we can now better unravel the complex interaction between ice sheets, climate, and sea level. "This provides insights for both scientists and policymakers, so that we can prepare better for the impacts of current climate change, for example by focusing on climate adaptation." More information: Marc Hijma, Global sea-level rise in the early Holocene revealed from North Sea peats, Nature (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-08769-7. www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08769-7 Journal information: Nature Provided by Deltares 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: Left: on sunny days, the sun shines directly and mainly reach the top leaves. Right: on cloudy days, sunlight is scattered in all directions, which allows lower leaves to receive more light. Recognizing this difference helps farmers enhance their planting schedules. Credit: Kyushu University/Kume lab Researchers from Kyushu University have developed a new numerical model to explain the behavior of sunlight under various weather conditions. Unlike previous methods that focused on how plants perceive sunlight as a pure source of energy, this study introduces a metric to quantify sunlight intensity and its influence on plant growth and blooming patterns. Published in Ecological Informatics, the team hopes their research can benefit the agricultural industry and help farmers make better decisions about crop growth. This advancement is crucial for understanding the variations in plant photosynthesis in response to different sunlight and weather patterns. Moreover, it may also provide new insight into how changes in cloud cover due to climate change affect vegetation carbon dioxide uptake. We know plants need the sun to live because it provides the energy for photosynthesis. And while conventional wisdom suggests that the more sun a plant gets the better, it is not always the case. In fact, because of how light is scattered, cloudy weather can greatly benefit a plant's growth. On cloudy days, sunlight is scattered out more evenly, allowing it to reach lower parts of the plant. In contrast, on sunny days, sunlight energy is stronger but comes from a single direction, causing the leaves on the lower parts of the plant to remain shaded, and therefore do not absorb as much sunlight. "Plants also respond to different wavelengths of sunlight. If you have ever seen a rainbow, you know that sunlight is made up of many wavelengths. Plants sense these different wavelengths of light and alter their growth responses," explains Amila Siriwardana, first author and Ph.D. student at Kyushu University's Faculty of Agriculture. Plants can detect the ratio of wavelengths to understand their surroundings. These ratios are affected by many factors, including atmospheric density, cloud cover, or the altitude of the sun. However, such information had not been categorized in the context of plant physiology and ecology. So, to see how daily sunlight changes during different weather conditions, the research team began a project collecting yearlong sunlight data. "While many projects look at only the 'energy' produced by the sun, our methods set out to categorize both the 'energy' and 'quality' of light. By sorting sunlight into five categories, from clear skies to overcast, we can better understand how plants can adjust and respond to different light conditions," adds Professor Atsushi Kume, who led the team. To record sunlight across different times of day and weather conditions, the researchers used a device called a spectroradiometer that measures the full spectrum of sunlight. The spectroradiometer was placed on top of Kyushu University's Faculty of Agriculture building on Ito campus, where it collected data from sunrise to sunset every day in 2021. The Rotating Shadow band Spectroradiometer (RSS) that measures sunlight. It has a rotating band that intermittently blocks the sunlight, helping scientists measure two types of light: direct sunlight when the band is out of the way, and diffused light when the band shades the sensor. By doing this, researchers can better understand how plants receive and use sunlight throughout the day in various weather conditions. Credit: Kyushu University/Kume lab Using the collected data, the researchers then developed a machine learning model to sort and predict how sunlight changes. The model works by spotting patterns in weather data such as how much sunlight reaches the ground, how much the light is scattered, how polluted or clear the weather is, and humidity. From these patterns, the model categorized sunlight into five groups on a sliding scale. For example, group one was categorized as a clear sunny day, while group five described overcast cloudy days. 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. The team noticed that on clear days, like those categorized as group one, more sunlight energy reaches the ground. Conversely, as the sky became more overcast, the sunlight energy decreased, but at the same time, the scattering of light and the proportion of ultraviolet light increased. Additionally, the color of sunlight shifts slightly, moving from red tones on sunny days to blue tones under cloudy conditions. Once the numerical model was trained, it could make highly accurate predictions of sunlight patterns using simpler weather data. "Our method achieved 94% accuracy in predicting sunlight category without the need for expensive advanced equipment," says Siriwardana. "Our model is especially relevant for regions experiencing four distinct seasons similar to Japan's." "We hope our model can be used to address the challenges in modern agriculture. Farmers can use this information to improve greenhouse conditions and planting schedules throughout the year," Kume explains. "For instance, during Japan's cloudy rainy season in June, farmers might adjust their greenhouse operations or crop spacing to maximize available light. Even in the fall and winter, when sunlight patterns change, farmers can adapt their strategies based on our model." In the future, the team hopes to expand the model to cover more climate types, such as high-altitude or tropical regions, and further understand how sunlight affects the environment. More information: Amila Nuwan Siriwardana et al, Introducing the spectral characteristics index: A novel method for clustering solar radiation fluctuations from a plant-ecophysiological perspective, Ecological Informatics (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoinf.2024.102940 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: David McBee from Pexels Beyond creating a serene and open atmosphere in urban areas, trees and parks also contribute to human well-being. There are various reasons for this: trees filter pollutants out of the air, provide shade, lower the ambient temperature in hot weather and encourage people to spend more time outdoors. Many governments have set ambitious tree-planting targets for the decades ahead, partially in response to climate change and rising temperatures. In densely developed cities, however, space for new green space is at a premium. In this context, the key question is how to plant trees in existing green spaces to optimal effect. This is a question that occupies urban planning researchers and practitioners alike, because any answer must take account of specific, local spatial circumstances and climatic conditions. ETH researchers are tackling this issuenot only in Switzerland, but also in Asia. In the course of their work, researchers from Future Cities Lab operated in Singapore by ETH Zurich and the National University of Singapore (NUS) discovered interesting links between tree management and the health of urban residents. Their latest study is published in The Lancet Planetary Health. Data on more than 6 million people analyzed To begin with, the researchers examined high-resolution tree canopy data to determine the structure of tree-covered green spaces within a radius of 500 meters of a person's place of residence. In addition to recording the total area covered by all tree clusters, they also identified the proximity and connectedness of tree clusters, their geometrical complexity and the fragmentation level. They linked this information with the survival time of the resident in the respective neighborhood for more than 6 million adults, looking exclusively at natural-cause deaths due to illness and old age. This data, supplied by the Swiss Federal Statistical Office, covers a 10-year period (20102019). In order to protect privacy, the Federal Statistical Office rounded the coordinates of citizens' residences to the nearest 50 meters. Tree quantity and positioning both matter Data analysis shows that both the tree canopy cover in residential areas and their spatial arrangement correlate with mortality. The study identified a significantly lower mortality risk in people who live in neighborhoods with large, contiguous and well-networked areas of tree canopies than for people who live in areas with fewer, fragmented areas of tree canopies with complex geometries. This correlation is particularly evident in densely developed peri-urban and urban areas with poor air quality and high temperatures: if such areas feature well-structured forested green spaces, the residents may receive more health benefits than other areas. Yet, while this study represents an important first step, it is still not possible to draw conclusions regarding the causes. The researchers are not yet able to state with precision the pathways through which tree canopy configuration influences human health. Nevertheless, the study's findings at the individual level are generally consistent with the results of similar studies at the community level in Philadelphia, Tehran and Taipei. Isolated forested green spaces should be joined up Dengkai Chi, a postdoctoral researcher at the ETH Future Cities Lab and the first author of the study, says, "Although we can't yet define a direct causal link, when we have addressed factors such as age, gender and socio-economic status, the data shows clear correlations. Our results provide plausible indications that human health may be influenced not only by the quantity of trees but also by their spatial distribution." The findings underline the importance of carefully considering the layout of forested green spaces and adopting a targeted approach to tree placement. "In order to fully exploit trees' potential to support human health, cities should strive to not only increase the number of trees but also to connect isolated green spacesincluding by creating tree-lined boulevards," says Chi. The study also suggests that compact, geometrically simple areas of tree canopyincluding circular and rectangular formscould have a greater positive effect on health than irregular, fragmented tree coverage. One possible explanation is that simply structured areas offer a larger core area, promote biodiversity and consequently attract residents to use these spaces. 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. Further research and clear indicators needed "We're still at the very outset of this research," explains Chi. The study was unable to take account of many specific influencing factors, such as whether people have pre-existing illnesses, smoke or actually use green spaces. In addition, the results of this study pertain to the neighborhood level and do not necessarily translate to an entire municipal area. Initial indications suggest that, at the level of an entire city, the health-promoting effects of green spaces correlate with their more even distribution throughout the city, so that as many residents as possible have access to them. The researchers hope to examine these issues in further studies to better understand these links. Chi explains that, when it comes to developing recommendations for future action by political decision-makers and urban planners, the researchers will have to quantify their results more effectively and define specific thresholds. More information: Residential tree canopy configuration and mortality in 6 million Swiss adults: a longitudinal study. The Lancet Planetary Health (2025). DOI: 10.1016/S2542-5196(25)00022-1 , www.thelancet.com/journals/lan (25)00022-1/fulltext Journal information: The Lancet Planetary Health 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: (Left) In the conventional theory of the Mpemba effect, the relaxation speed is quantified using a specific distance measure, such as the total variation distance and the Kullback-Leibler divergence. (Right) This study proposes a new framework based on thermomajorization, which comprehensively evaluates the relaxation trend by simultaneously utilizing all monotone measures. Credit: Tan Van Vu & Hisao Hayakawa. The Mpemba effect is an intriguing physical phenomenon that causes some systems to cool faster when they are hot than when they are warm or colder. This effect was observed in various systems, including water, which sometimes freezes faster when it is hot than when it is cold. While it is now well-documented, the Mpemba effect remains poorly understood from a theoretical standpoint. This is partly due to the methods that conventional physics theories offer for quantifying the speed with which a system relaxes (i.e., its relaxation speed). Researchers at Kyoto University recently devised a new rigorous and unified approach for quantifying the Mpemba effect. The criterion they devised, presented in Physical Review Letters, is rooted in thermomajorization theory, a mathematical framework for comparing the disorder (i.e., entropy) between different thermodynamic states. "The Mpemba effectthe counterintuitive phenomenon where a hotter system cools faster than a colder onehas fascinated scientists for decades," Tan Van Vu, co-author of the paper, told Phys.org. "Despite recent extensive theoretical and experimental studies, a fundamental challenge remained: the detection of this effect depends on the choice of a specific distance measure used to evaluate relaxation speed. This led to inconsistencies, as the effect observed with one measure might not appear within finite time when assessed with another." Vu and his colleague Hisao Hayakawa devised a unified approach for quantifying the Mpemba effect without relying on any specific distance measure, thus preventing the ambiguities reported in previous literature. Ultimately, they introduced the thermomajorization Mpemba effect, a rigorous criterion to determine the occurrence of the Mpemba effect within finite time, irrespective of what classical distances are used to measure the relaxation speed. "The thermomajorization Mpemba effect provides a rigorous and unified way to quantify the Mpemba effect by simultaneously considering all possible monotone distance measuresthose that do not increase over timeto evaluate relaxation speed," explained Vu. "This approach eliminates ambiguities in conventional methods, which rely on choosing a single measure." The researchers showed that the thermomajorization Mpemba effect is equivalent to the occurrence of the Mpemba effect within finite time for any monotone measures. This means that it provides a way to consistently and generally characterize the Mpemba effect, at least for all classical Markovian stochastic processes. "To quantify this effect, we employ thermomajorization theory, a mathematical framework widely used in statistical physics and quantum thermodynamics," said Vu. "This framework allows us to determine whether a hotter system relaxes to equilibrium faster than a colder one in a way that is independent of any particular distance measure." The new criterion devised by this research team could soon pave the way for further explorations of the intriguing Mpemba effect, which is still not fully understood. Notably, using their criterion, Vu and Hayakawa also showed that the Mpemba effect is not limited to specific temperatures but can emerge at any temperature. "Since thermal relaxation plays a fundamental role in many physical systems and technological applications, we anticipate that our findings will have broader implications beyond theoretical physics," said Vu. "For example, our results could help the optimization of thermal processes such as acceleration of relaxation dynamics in heat engines, refrigeration technologies, and even quantum computing, where rapid initialization of quantum states is crucial." 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. So far, Vu and Hayakawa have focused on attaining probability distribution-based quantifications of the Mpemba effect in classical stochastic processes. However, the approach employed in their recent study could eventually be extended to other systems, such as open quantum systems described by quantum master equations (e.g., the so-called Lindblad equation). "In our future studies, we may also explore generalizations to non-Markovian systems," added Vu. "Moving forward, an exciting direction is to investigate the relationship between our approach and energy-based quantifications, which could provide deeper insights into the fundamental physical mechanisms underlying the effect. "Another intriguing open question is: What is the minimum timescale at which the thermomajorization Mpemba effect can occur? Investigating this question through the perspective of speed limits could help establish fundamental constraints on relaxation dynamics." 2025 Science X Network 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: Marble from Namibia in which micro-burrows have grown in parallel arrangement downwards from two fractures filled with calcrete. Credit: Cees Passchier In the desert areas of Namibia, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, research work has revealed unusual structures that are probably due to the activity of an unknown microbiological life form. Unusually small burrows, i.e., tiny tubes that run through the rock in a parallel arrangement from top to bottom, were discovered in marble and limestone of these desert regions. The paper is published in the Geomicrobiology Journal. "We were surprised because these tubes are clearly not the result of a geological process," said Professor Cees Passchier from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU), who first came across the phenomenon during geological field work in Namibia. During subsequent sample investigations, evidence of biological material was found. Evidently, microorganisms had perforated the rock. "We don't currently know whether this is a life form that has become extinct or is still alive somewhere," added Passchier. Puzzling discovery in Namibia Geologist Cees Passchier has been working in Namibia for 25 years, among other places. His research focuses on the geological reconstruction of Precambrian terranes. "We look at the structure of the rocks to find out how continents came together to form the supercontinent Gondwana 500 to 600 million years ago," explained Passchier. At that time, carbonate deposits formed in the ancient oceans and turned into marble due to pressure and heat. "We noticed strange structures in this marble that were not the result of geological events." Marble from Namibia in which micro-burrows have grown in parallel arrangement downwards from a fracture filled with white calcium carbonate. Credit: Cees Passchier Instead of smooth erosion surfaces, tubes could be seen that were about half a millimeter wide and up to three centimeters long, lined up parallel to one another and forming bands up to ten meters long. Some calcrete crusts had formed on the edges. The first observations of this kind in the Namibian desert were made 15 years ago. In the meantime, Professor Cees Passchier, together with colleagues from the Institute of Geosciences at Mainz University, and Dr. Trudy Wassenaar, head of the consulting company Molecular Microbiology and Genomics Consultants, have continued to investigate the phenomenon. "We think that it must have been a microorganism that formed these tubes." The tubes were not empty but filled with a fine powder of clean calcium carbonate. It is assumed that microorganisms may have bored the tunnels to use nutrients present in the calcium carbonate, the main component of marble. The fine powder remained behind. Passchier also found very similar structures during field work in Oman and in Saudi Arabiain Oman in limestone, while in the Saudi Arabian desert they were in marble. "In any case, these are old structures, perhaps one or two million years old," said Passchier. "We assume that they were formed in a slightly more humid climate, not in the dry desert climate that prevails today." However, the organism that caused these structures remains a mystery. Top view of an outcrop in Namibia showing the marble penetrated by a group of micro-burrows. Credit: Cees Passchier Landscape in Namibia with marble outcrops where the bands of micro-burrow were found. Credit: Cees Passchier Endolithic microorganisms use rock as a basis for life Microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, or lichen are found even in inhospitable or remote corners of the Earth. So-called endolithic microorganisms are not uncommon in desert areas as they can obtain their energy and nutrients from the rocks they live in. "What is so exciting about our discovery is that we do not know which endolithic microorganism this is. Is it a known form of life or a completely unknown organism?" According to Cees Passchier, it must be an organism that can survive without light because the tubes have formed deep inside the rock. The researchers found biological material, but no DNA or proteins that could provide further insights. Passchier hopes that specialists on endolithic organisms will look into this phenomenon in the future. "This form of life, of which we do not know whether it still exists, could be important for the global carbon cycle. It is therefore essential that the scientific community becomes aware of it." The release of carbon through the biological activity of microorganisms could also play a major role in the Earth's CO 2 balance. More information: Cees W. Passchier et al, Subfossil Fracture-Related Euendolithic Micro-burrows in Marble and Limestone, Geomicrobiology Journal (2025). DOI: 10.1080/01490451.2025.2467417 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: An original Kamasutra manuscript page preserved in the vaults of the Raghunath Temple in Jammu & Kashmir. Credit: Sarah Welch/Wikimedia, CC BY For some people, the Kamasutra is little more than a name associated with condom brands, scented oils and chocolates shaped into erotic positions. In India, where sex remains a taboo subject, this ancient sex manual has often been reduced to merely a "dirty book." But beneath this narrow view lies a deeper message: The Kamasutra is a treatise on sexual autonomy, one that could be revolutionary for women. In Indian society, women's sexual pleasure is often invisible, buried beneath layers of cultural silence. Women are often taught to suppress their desires, their voices stifled by traditions that prioritize male needs. Yet, it was in this very country that the Kamasutra was written. Composed in the ancient Sanskrit language in the 3rd century by the Indian philosopher Vatsyayana, the Kamasutra is more than a book about sexual positions. The word "kama" means love, sex, desire and pleasure, while "sutra" translates to a treatise. The text explores relationships, ethics and social norms. It offers a framework for mutual respect and understanding between partners. In her 2016 book Redeeming the Kamasutra, scholar of Indian culture and society Wendy Doniger argues that Vatsyayana was an advocate of women's pleasure as well as stressing their right to education and the freedom to express desire. Far from reinforcing male dominance, the Kamasutra originally emphasized the importance of mutual enjoyment and consent. It presents sex as a shared experience rather than a male conquest. The perception of the Kamasutra as a male-centered sex manual can be traced back to its first English translation by Sir Richard Burton in 1883. Burton, a British soldier and explorer, omitted or altered passages that highlighted women's autonomy. It shifted their role from active participants to passive recipients of male pleasure. In contrast, scholars such as Ganesh Saili have argued that the Kamasutra originally depicted women as equal partners in intimacy. According to the text, women communicated their needs through gestures, emotions and words, ensuring that their pleasure was just as valued as men's. Importantly, conversation played a central role in intimacy, reinforcing the necessity of a woman's consent before having sex. Despite this rich history, Indian society continues to largely suppress discussions around female sexuality. Indian sex educator and journalist Leeza Mangaldas argues that women's sexual pleasure remains a taboo topic, policed by cultural expectations that dictate women must remain silent, subservient and sexually inactive before marriage. Social scientist Deepa Narayan argues that this suppression begins at home. Girls are often taught to deny their own bodies and prioritize male desires. This control extends to patriarchal social norms that uphold virginity as a virtue for women while imposing no such expectation on men. Sex is framed as something women "give" rather than something they experience. Pleasure is seen as a right for males but merely an afterthought for females. Sex is for men but for women, it is only for producing babies. Yet the Kamasutra itself tells a different story. In its original form, it described women as active participants in their pleasure and compared their sensuality to the delicacy of flowersrequiring care, attention and respect. My own research explores "Kamasutra feminism." This is the idea that this ancient text is not just about sex but about sexual autonomy. It challenges patriarchal norms by promoting women's freedom to articulate their desires and take control of their pleasure. The Kamasutra rejects the notion that women's sexuality should be regulated or repressed. Instead, it advocates for mutual satisfaction and consent. Doniger describes the Kamasutra as a feminist text, citing its emphasis on women choosing their partners, expressing their desires freely and engaging in pleasurable sexual relationships. It recognizes economic independence as a crucial factor in women's sexual autonomy. Financial freedom is linked to the ability to make personal choices. Patriarchy versus sexual liberty Ultimately, the Kamasutra represents a clash between patriarchywhere women's sexuality is controlledand a vision of sexual liberty. It offers an alternative narrative, one where seduction is about mutual enjoyment rather than male domination. Its teachings encourage open discussions about intimacy, allowing women to reclaim their voices in relationships. For more than a century, the Kamasutra has been misinterpreted, its radical message buried beneath layers of censorship and cultural shame. But if we look beyond its erotic reputation, we find a text that speaks to the importance of consent, equality and female agency. Reclaiming the Kamasutra as a guide for sexual empowerment could help dismantle deeply ingrained taboos and reshape the conversation around women's pleasure. In a world where female desire is still widely policed, this ancient manuscript reminds us that women's pleasure is not a luxury, but a right. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. 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: Schematic diagram of the quantum key distribution experiment between the quantum microsatellite Jinan-1 and ground stations. Credit: Nature (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-08739-z A research team has developed the world's first quantum microsatellite and demonstrated real-time quantum key distribution (QKD) between the satellite and multiple compact, mobile ground stations. The research, led by Pan Jianwei, Peng Chengzhi, and Liao Shengkai from USTC, jointly with the Jinan Institute of Quantum Technology, Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Stellenbosch University of South Africa, is published in Nature. Quantum secure communication is fundamental to national information security and socioeconomic development. QKD, a communication method with proven unconditional security, significantly enhances data transmission security. While fiber-based QKD networks have achieved regional implementation, their practical application over long distances remains constrained by signal loss and limited coverage. Satellite-based systems present a viable solution through free-space communication, potentially enabling QKD on a global scale. USTC has pioneered groundbreaking research in satellite-based QKD. The launch of the Micius quantum satellite has achieved the world's first successful demonstration of space-to-ground QKD, which was subsequently integrated with the fiber-based Beijing-Shanghai backbone to create the space-ground quantum secure communication network. Towards practical applications, however, compact payload and portable ground station are essential for widespread deployment and swift implementation. In particular, the small-size payload can be assembled on satellites of various sizes to compose a quantum satellite internet constellation for global services. The microsatellite and the portable OGS. Credit: Nature (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-08739-z To achieve this, the team developed several key technologies, including miniaturized decoy-state QKD light sources for quantum state preparation, real-time key distillation and encrypted communication based on laser communication, and high-precision tracking based on satellite attitude control to maintain stable optical links. Building on these advances, the team successfully launched Jinan-1, the world's first quantum microsatellite, on July 27, 2022. Additionally, the team developed compact optical ground stations, reducing the weight by two orders of magnitude to less than 100 kg. This lightweight design allows for rapid deployment in different locations, significantly increasing the flexibility and practicality. During the experiments, Jinan-1 established optical links with multiple optical ground stations in Jinan, Hefei, Nanshan, Wuhan, Beijing, Shanghai, in China, and Stellenbosch in South Africa. The satellite transmitted approximately 250 million quantum photons per second. For each satellite pass, the system generated up to 1 Mbits of secure keys. Using the satellite as a trusted relay, the team demonstrated successful secure key sharing and encrypted communication between Beijing and Stellenboschtwo cities separated by 12,900 km. The team's work lays a solid foundation for the deployment of a constellation of quantum microsatellites, providing crucial technical support for large-scale quantum communication networks and holding immense promise for the global deployment of the quantum internet. More information: Yang Li et al, Microsatellite-based real-time quantum key distribution, Nature (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-08739-z Journal information: Nature SOUTH GLENS FALLS The village election, which will almost completely reshape the board took place Tuesday, but the drama has not yet totally played out. In the mayoral race, Joe Orlow won 171 votes, while incumbent Nicholas Bodkin took 86 votes. This means that as Orlow takes his new office, he will need to appoint a new board member to fulfill his term as trustee. Orlow said he plans to set up a committee of village officials to interview prospective candidates for the trustee seat. I want to make sure that the person who is going to be complimenting us has a feeling for what the village needs, Orlow said. Meanwhile, on the ballot, Claude Middleton won 186 votes and Keith Comstock received 136 votes, putting them in the trustee seats being vacated by Harry Gutheil and Tony Girard. Tim Fuller, who was also vying for one of those spots, came in third with 91 votes. However, in an interview with The Post-Star Wednesday, Comstock admitted that he may not be able to accept the position due to recent health concerns. Which could leave Orlow with two seats to fill. If Im healthy enough, I will serve, Comstock said. If I cant then I will step down and let somebody else. Comstock said he would have a better idea of his situation in the coming weeks and is confident that he will be able to make a decision by April 7, when the new officers are sworn in. Prior to the election, Comstock supported both Middleton and Fuller in their runs for trustee. On Wednesday he said that if he was unable to fulfill his new role, he would gladly see Fuller take the spot. From what Ive heard of the other candidate he seemed like a pretty decent guy too, he said. If his guy is younger than me and hes got good ideas, he wants to work, thats fine with me. Having served for several years on the village planning board and on the comprehensive planning board, Comstock said he hadnt intended on running for the trustee seat in the first place and was surprised by the nomination. The night of the caucus, I went just because Id never been to a caucus, he explained. As the caucus was about to end, there was one more nomination; they nominated me and they seconded it, and then they voted, and I got on the ballot. Although he said hes willing to serve good health provided he did very little to campaign for the position. I dont want the job, just everybody in my family has always been community service people, he explained. Probably enough people know me, so I got some votes. However the next few weeks play out, when the new village board takes its oath of office on April 7, Orlow and Middleton said theyre both ready to hit the ground running. I was very humbled that people would come out and show the confidence in wanting change, Orlow said. Having previously served as mayor of the village, Orlow said he wants to bring back a strong commitment to communication, not just with village employees, but with residents as well. We cant please everybody, but at least you get to know what the wish list is about, he stipulated. Granted, there are some absurd wishes, but people have a right to have them and its our job to decide what is going to be benefitting the majority of the people. To that end, Orlow put out a call to action for any villagers who would like to join community committees. If they want to be involved in water infrastructure, beautification, things that, we need to have people involved, he said. If youre going to have an opinion about something then give me some of your time. Middleton echoed Orlows optimism, and view for a more united village government. This has got to be a we thing, where we can work together, he said. I dont want to shut anybody out, but there has to be an air of positivity. Middleton also said he wants to put an emphasis on the village as an employer. I think were going to get a lot accomplished, and a lot done, and I think the environments going to change, I really think our village employees are going to be much happier, and that longevity is going to be a very important thing for us, he said. Im excited. I think its going to be a lot of fun, a lot of work, and Im looking forward to it. Although he did not win a seat, Fuller said he was glad that he threw his hat in the ring. It was a good campaign; I was happy to see the village getting involved, he said. People need to know that this is their community, this is their state, this is their country, get out there; tell your public servants what you want, what you want them to do. In a message to The Post-Star Tuesday night, Bodkin said he was proud of his time serving the community. I want to thank everyone who chose to participate in this years election. The results are not what I would have liked, however, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve the Village of South Glens Falls for the last 4 years as Mayor and 17 years in total via the Planning Board and as a Trustee, Bodkin wrote. I take pride in knowing that I am leaving this position in a state of financial stability with a team of professionals that will work to support and help the next administration as they move forward. Congratulations to everyone, I hope your success will benefit our community. Write-ins included Harry Gutheil with one vote for mayor and five votes for trustee; Tony Girard with four votes for trustee; Alan Dubios with three votes for trustee, and Cheryl Lawyer with one vote for trustee. One voter wrote in DOGE for mayor. North Wildwood has asked Superior Court Judge M. Susan Sheppard to keep Wildwood Crest in a state agreement for an island-wide beach project, arguing the consequences could be disastrous if the borough pulls out. Wildwood Crest officials say they plan to reject the agreement. Sheppard has ordered Wildwood Crests representatives to appear before her April 15 to give their arguments, while North Wildwood seeks to keep the agreement in effect. North Wildwoods survival and the regions hinges on Wildwood Crest honoring its (state aid agreement) obligations, according to the court filings from Anthony Bocchi, an attorney representing North Wildwood. He was in Superior Court in Cape May Court House on Tuesday, along with attorneys from Wildwood Crest, Wildwood and the state Department of Environmental Protection, arguing over a long-term commitment to the long-awaited beach project. Officials in Wildwood Crest and Wildwood have indicated they would withdraw from the project, which looks to pull sand from the extremely wide beaches of those communities to rebuild beaches in North Wildwood and construct a tall dune the length of Five Mile Island. In a March 11 letter, Shawn LaTourette, commissioner of the DEP, said Wildwood and Wildwood Crest were risking a $54 million federal project and years of work, setting a March 18 deadline for the communities to confirm they are on board. In a written order Wednesday, Sheppard extended the DEPs March 18 deadline for towns to affirm their commitment to the project. She also ordered Wildwood Crest to respond in writing to North Wildwoods request for an injunction. Its a huge victory for North Wildwood and for all of the shore communities, Bocchi said. DEP commissioner meets with Cape mayors on flood rules, beach work and more Sand could be heading to North Wildwood beaches by 2026, but there is no word from DEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette on potential changes to planned flood rules. While beaches in Wildwood and Wildwood Crest have accumulated sand for years, the sand in North Wildwood has been just as steadily washing away. The city had rebuilt beaches each winter, until that stopped being feasible, and last year a last-minute state beach project built enough beach to save the summer, but the city says a long-term solution is needed. A statement released by North Wildwood Mayor Patrick Rosenello said the beaches of the Wildwoods are among the few in New Jersey that have not had shore resiliency projects since Superstorm Sandy. The project will benefit the entire barrier island, he argues. Despite the current beach conditions, the island remains at risk of potentially deadly coastal storms, the statement reads. The state and federal project would include a 50-year commitment from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to maintain those dunes and beaches. Wildwood Crest Mayor Don Cabrera said Wednesday the borough signed the initial state aid agreement because they were told the project could not move forward without it. He became increasingly concerned as plans solidified and the full impact of the project on the Crests beaches became apparent. Its going to be up to the courts to decide which side is right, Cabrera said, but he cannot support a proposal that appears set to significantly reduce the size of his boroughs beaches. Cabrera maintains the state has been unwilling to compromise or even negotiate about the project. As long as the plan remains the same, were going to be opposed, he said. The March 17 court filing from North Wildwood names Wildwood Crest, Wildwood, Lower Township and the DEP as defendants, seeking a preliminary injunction against any party rejecting the previously signed state aid agreements. Yearslong fight over beach work in North Wildwood may soon end A settlement proposal could resolve a complicated tangle of disputes between North Wildwood and the state Department of Environmental Protection and spell the end of the Lou Booth Amphitheater on Second Avenue. It claims tortious interference with North Wildwoods contractual agreements, meaning the action of a third party that impacts the citys state aid agreement. Bocchi argues that if Wildwood Crest were to back out of the project, it would unravel how beach replenishment projects are handled in New Jersey. As the suit puts it, withdrawal would mean replacing cooperation with isolationism. In his March 11 letter, LaTourette describes Wildwood Crest and Wildwoods concerns as parochial and argues that the communities do not own the sand on their beaches, suggesting what has washed in with one tide could as easily wash away in another. It now seems that Wildwood Crest and Wildwood view accumulated sand as their own and no longer wish to share it with their neighbors, LaTourette wrote. If that view persists, it will end the project. Officials with the DEP confirmed that Lower Township and North Wildwood have reaffirmed their commitment to the beach project. Wildwood officials have indicated at public meetings their intent to withdraw from the project, and also their intent to allow Wildwood Crest to lead the way. Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano did not respond to a request for comment. A DEP spokesperson said the department would not comment on the litigation, and an Army Corps spokesperson had previously indicated that the DEP was handling all negotiations and declined to comment. North Wildwoods new beach 'saved summer' In North Wildwood, officials say they got everything they wanted from an emergency state project to rebuild badly eroded beaches before the July 4 holiday. Mayor Pat Rosenello said the work saved summer. But Cabrera maintains that the DEP is not negotiating at all. As plans for the project were developed, he said, it became clear that the proposal would remove significant amounts of sand from the beaches of Wildwood Crest, to the significant detriment of his town. He wants the sand for North Wildwood to come from the shoals of Hereford Inlet. Most Army Corps projects dredge sand from nearby inlets. But LaTourette has responded that the parameters of a federal project cannot just be changed. We think its inherently unfair. The real issue is whats causing the erosion in North Wildwood, Cabrera said. Lets spend the money there, in figuring out whats causing it, instead of ruining another towns beach. Up until last year, it was North Wildwood in the DEPs crosshairs, accusing the city of multiple state violations as it installed bulkheads and the city accusing the DEP of failing to protect its residents and properties. In his letter, LaTourette suggested the primary concern of Wildwood and Wildwood Crest appeared to be that the beaches remain capable of hosting revenue-generating events. In previous public statements, Wildwood officials have said an end to beach events, such as the Barefoot Country Music Fest, would be a deal-breaker. The facts, however, are that the Project would not dramatically limit beach width in Wildwood or Wildwood Crest; their beaches would remain capable of hosting monster truck races and concerts, with plenty of blanket space available for beachgoers, LaTourette wrote. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe On a visit to the Rock Island County Veterans Assistance Commission, U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen learned more about what VACs do for veterans and how ongoing federal cuts may affect them. County-sponsored veterans assistance commissions were first created in Illinois through House Bill 5184, Rock Island County VAC superintendent Todd Harlow said. The 2022 bill amended the Military Veterans Assistance Act to require that all counties fund VACs at a rate between 2 and 3 cents per $100 of equalized assessed property value, depending on the countys population. From the owner of a home valued at $150,000, the tax would draw between $10 to $15. Given Rock Island Countys total taxable EAV, this means the VAC runs on a budget of around $560,000. The commissions guide local, and sometimes even not-so-local, veterans through the complex bureaucratic tangle of federal benefits theyre entitled to receive after service. VACs have accredited veterans service officers, who receive hundreds of hours of training and certification on navigating benefit claims. They provide knowledgeable advocacy for local veterans that can greatly improve claim response times and bring millions of dollars of benefits into the local economy through veterans. According to Harlow, $413 million dollars of federal veterans benefits enter Illinois 17th Congressional District every year, $98 million of which go to veterans in Rock Island County. By improving veterans ability to claim benefits, the VAC logged an increase of $1 million in Rock Island Countys figure between 2022 and 2023, and were doing more now. Because veterans with improved or newly established benefits continue to claim them and spend them locally every year, the VAC's financial impact recurs annually. In one case Harlow recounted, he improved a veterans medical reimbursement from 60% to 100% and secured retroactive payments. Harlow and the three other VSOs he employs are working full-time on cases for more than 1,000 veterans. Hes training up a fifth VSO, with long-term plans to expand to seven. Four years ago the Rock Island County VAC only had one VSO, who was working part-time. Without this assistance, a veterans appeal for recognition of medical issues caused by service or the need for living assistance can go years unanswered. For a lot of vets, you dont get any packet (upon discharge), Sorensen told gathered press during his visit on Monday. Theres no concerted effort to make sure veterans get access to all benefits they may be eligible for. The VA has worked with 43,500 veterans in the congressional district, including 9,000 in Rock Island County, Harlow said, but he suspects there's probably twice that many. The VAC is hoping to reach the ones who aren't getting VA benefits. In particular, many veterans suffer from medical issues related to their service in the military, whether it be psychological trauma or cancers caused by chemical burn pits and mass deployment of compounds harmful to human health, including defoliation agents such as Agent Orange. When you go to war, and all of these people have, you put your body on the line, Harlow said. The government should help you if you have problems. I went to Vietnam and when they sprayed me with Agent Orange, there was a label there be cautious, right? Danger. This was bad stuff Why did it take the government 20 years to determine that burn pits were hazardous?" He referenced Lane Evans, who represented the area in Congress from 1983 to 2007, cosponsoring the Agent Orange Act of 1991. Now, more and more, Harlow has been able to make care accessible to veterans as legislation expands the list of medical conditions acknowledged as service-related. My only concern now is that people my age are dying, he said. Ive lost four guys that I know." He shared the story of one claim that was processed quickly. The veteran had lung cancer and came to the VAC in late November. Harlow filed a claim for him, including a note that it was terminal. "In December, he was awarded 100% permanent and total (compensation)," Harlow said. "He died in January. So many of these cases so many of us. What I hope to convey today through the media is let people in our community know. Dont wait until its too late. Come and see us. The VAC is also a nexus of community and a one-stop-shop for referrals to local veterans organizations and fellowships in the area. It offers services to surviving spouses of veterans, who are often unaware that they are entitled to benefits. It can refer people to counseling, addiction treatment or, as a recent addition, housing services for those at risk. Sorenson told Harlow the Trump administration has outlined plans to cut 80,000 workers from the VA, but promised he would continue to campaign against the cuts. Asked how cuts may affect VAC or veterans benefits, Harlow said he cannot say what will happen to benefits themselves. What it would do (more directly to VACs) would be it would extend (our) claim work, he said. If you filed a claim in the past, we could have got it done in 126 days. Maybe now its going to take 200 days. And people my age that Vietnam veteran are dying. With apologies to Thomas Paine, these are times that try mens and womens souls. Not to mention their pocketbooks and, this year in Virginia, their votes. The all-but-official Democratic nominee for governor, former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, appreciates this and intends to harness it against her Republican opponent who will face the trying task of simultaneously running with and running from President Donald Trump, no favorite in a suburban-dominated state that he lost in 2016, 2020 and 2024. What is Spanberger waiting for? Spanberger, who will not only be her partys gubernatorial candidate but its titular leader, doesnt have to worry about the June primary and can focus, in earnest, on November. Even if Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears escapes a challenge in the Republican primary well know in about two weeks whether three candidates will have a chance to noisily out-Trump each other Spanberger has an opportunity to put down markers for the general election now. Virginia, third in federal civil service jobs and first in federal contracts, is under siege by Trump. He is savaging federal spending and payroll, mainstays of our economy, the 13th largest in the United States, and is doing so with the consent some of it spoken, much of it silent of state Republicans, most notably the guy Spanberger aims to succeed: Glenn Youngkin. And theres early evidence that Trump has, indeed, inflicted damage. Fresh figures from the Youngkin-controlled state workforce agency Virginia Works show that applications for unemployment pay in the first week of March exceeded 4,000, increasing 40.1% from the previous week and 81.1% from the same week a year ago. News site Axios reports that among the jobless were 566 former federal employees. While U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, up for reelection next year, yowl along with fellow Democrats in the House, Spanberger is steamed, for sure, by the chaos across the Potomac but shes telegraphed that in a measured tone largely to Democrats via their preferred social media and cable outlets. Shes also appearing before her partys local committees, including, most recently, some in Northern Virginia, home to thousands of fired and furious federal workers who vote. For Spanberger, who behind closed doors can rage about politics, policy and personalities, using the bluest, four-letter language, this response last month on X, formerly Twitter, to Youngkins continuing defense of Trumps downsizing apparently qualifies as disbelief: The job of Virginias Governor is to always stand up for Virginians even if that means standing up to your own party. Heres my promise to Virginias workers: as your next governor, I will always stand up for you. Spanberger has also dispensed concerned quips and comments about Trumps cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs, an agency whose services are heavily used in a state with the third-largest population of ex-military, as well as tariffs that are driving up prices for Americans on foreign products and could choke off traffic through Virginias gateway to the world: the Port of Virginia. For Democrats, the issues shaping the Virginia campaign include the Youngkin-ordered retreat on diversity programs; gender, immigrant and abortion rights; the governors choice of culture warriors to lead the education department, two of whom left under a cloud; Republican resistance to a commercial market for cannabis and tougher gun laws, and a potentially tricky one for Spanberger expanded unionization of the public and private workforces. These issues are not without a national dimension, but they are specific to Virginia. Trumps mass firings, his targeted freeze on spending and the resulting gaps in services sharpen the publics focus on Virginias reliance if not over-reliance on federal beneficence. These combine to fully nationalize Virginias election and ensure that the economy will be the top concern of voters. Theyll have more on their minds than egg prices. In many respects, Spanberger is suited to run for governor in these conditions. Consider her upbringing, her job experience as well as her political career. Growing up in the state capital suburb of Henrico County she was graduated from J.R. Tucker High School, alma mater of former Gov. Jim Gilmore, the original no-car-tax Republican Spanberger, the daughter of a police officer-turned-postal inspector and a nurse and womans rights activist, has an innate appreciation for government as an economic and social engine. Having also been a postal inspector before she joined the Central Intelligence Agency as an analyst and operative, Spanberger understands federal workers because she was one. And representing a competitive congressional district for six years, she knows to strike a balance that assures left-leaning Democrats shes one of them and comforts Republican-inclined independents that shes not a red-eyed socialist a label she once angrily said had been unfairly affixed to her and her party mates by the GOP. That requires a capacity for independence or what might pass for it. Tromping around the deep-red rural stretches of her former district, Spanberger vowed to oppose Nancy Pelosi for House speaker. Spanberger was true to her word and, her supposed apostasy, notwithstanding, she still landed quality committee assignments. That included Foreign Affairs and Agriculture. Spanberger was the only Virginian on the latter committee, never mind most of the states farm country was and still is represented by Republicans, who in addition to those junked farm contracts with foreign aid agencies may have to explain how their partys threatened cuts to Medicare and Medicaid disproportionately hit rural residents. Read: Trump Republicans. Its a demographic slice of Virginia that federal stats consistently show has a greater reliance on Social Security and public assistance, ranging perhaps from 10% to 25% of household income. So, when these Virginians holler because Trump and his enabler, Elon Musk, upend Social Security, delaying or dicing those monthly checks, Spanberger can say, I told you so, and remind them that, with Republicans, she worked to erase a cap on benefits for law enforcement officers and firefighters who also collect public pensions. Conditions demand that Democratic politicians in Virginia, especially those whose pet programs and federal employees are being eviscerated by Trump, scramble and scream. Spanberger isnt there yet and that may discourage the grassroots. One can only imagine, though, the barnyard epithets Spanberger is spewing in private. Maybe its time she go public. Decree signed to restore Pemex and CFE to state-owned Mexico City, Mexico Mexicos President Claudia Sheinbaum signed a decree to issue secondary energy laws that restore Pemex and CFE as state-owned enterprises. The decree was signed Tuesday. This means various provisions of the Law on the Mexican Petroleum Fund for Stabilization and Development are amended and various provisions of the Organic Law of the Federal Public Administration are amended, added to, and repealed, she explained. Sheinbaum signed the decree to issue in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF) eight secondary laws on energy matters aimed at recovering Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) and the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) as public companies of the State. The best tribute we can pay to General Lazaro Cardenas (whom he recognized as one of the nations best presidents) and to the people of Mexico, then and now, is the publication in the Official Gazette of the Federation of all the secondary laws associated with the recovery of Pemex and the Federal Electricity Commission. One of the most important things is the vertical recovery of the companies. That is what was done in 1992, separating Pemex with the goal of privatizing it, begins today. The vertical integration of Petroleos Mexicanos to strengthen its efficiency and performance, and as a public company of the Mexican State and a company of the people of Mexico, she said. With the signing of this decree, the following are enacted. The Law on the State-Owned Enterprise, Petroleos Mexicanos, the Law on the State-Owned Enterprise, the Federal Electricity Commission, the Electricity Sector Law, the Hydrocarbon Sector Law, the Energy Planning and Transition Law, the Biofuels Law;, the Geothermal Energy Law and the National Energy Commission Law. Sheinbaum emphasized that these reforms reverse the privatization and dismantling process initiated by neoliberal governments, particularly with the 2013 energy reform. A development model was imposed, against the will of the Mexican people, that lasted until 2018, the neoliberal period, the dark period of our countrys neoliberalism. From then on, governments squandered the nations resources, sold off public companies, and also squandered oil, seeking at all costs the privatization and dismantling of Pemex. Thats when this desire for privatization began, which the Mexican people often opposed, she recalled. She said that during this neoliberal period, between 2000 and 2012, the highest oil surpluses were experienced which did not benefit the nation. On the contrary, oil production decreased by more than 400,000 barrels per day, the petrochemical industry was dismantled, Pemexs debt doubled, reaching $106 billion and there were corruption scandals such as Odebrecht and the moches linked to the 2013 energy reform. For this reason, she celebrated that in 2018, the people of Mexico changed the countrys history and, led by former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, began the rescue of Pemex and the CFE as State-Owned Enterprises. The company paid off its debt. Petroleos Mexicanos actually paid off its debt and at the same time, it began increasing its production and recovering its refining capacity, as well as its fertilizer production capacity, she added. Victor Rodriguez Padilla Pemex CEO Victor Rodriguez Padilla reported that the recovery of this state-owned company is underway with vertical and horizontal reintegration processes, administrative streamlining, strengthening of operational tasks, budget control, rationality and efficiency, republican austerity, and rigorous investment selection. He added that the Mexican government is promoting concrete actions to strengthen Pemex, such as the continuation of the Dos Bocas Refinery and the Tula and Salina Cruz coking plants; the natural decline of oil reserves has been counteracted, production has been stabilized and the cost per barrel extracted has been reduced. Three new discoveries have been made with an estimated volume of 100 million barrels, new wells and opportunities represent prospective resources of 930 million barrels and a 60 percent increase in distillate yield in the National Refining System, which means Mexico now produces more gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel than fuel oil. Rest assured that we will make the most of the new legal framework to strengthen the company for the benefit of Mexicans, he said. Marina meets overloaded boat carrying 14 off coast of Yucatan Progreso, Yucatan More than a dozen people were transferred to the National Institute of Migration (INM) facilities after being rescued from the high seas. A total of 16 people, all men, were rescued by the Navy of Mexico off the coast of Progreso Tuesday. Mexican officials were made aware of the small overloaded boat through an anonymous call. Mexican Marina, acting as Coast Guard, met the boat with two of their own vessels for the personal transfer. Fourteen foreigners and two Mexicans were found adrift. According to their statement, personnel from the Yucalpeten Naval Search, Rescue and Maritime Surveillance Station (ENSAR) and the Naval Health Department of the Yucatan Naval Hospital carried out the rescue. One of the men was transferred to the naval hospital with severe dehydration. All 14 were transferred to the Instituto Nacional de Migracion (INM) from where police met them to begin an investigation. Authorities have not commented on the nationality of the 14 non-Mexican men found on board. There is no confirmation if the boat, which was manned by two Mexican nationals, was transporting illegal migrants. Operation to locate vehicles with expired plates set for April Riviera Maya, Q.R. Roadway check stops will be set up in coming weeks to locate vehicles with expired plates. The Quintana Roo Citizen Security Secretariat says as of April 1, they will begin an operation to locate vehicles traveling state roads with old plates. During their check stops, vehicles will also be run through the national system for stolen reports and / or criminal activity. Julio Cesar Gomez Torres, the Secretary of Citizen Security, says drivers found circulating with expired or manipulated plates will be fined upwards of 2,000 pesos. He says the fine is based on the state Traffic Regulations which establish that license plates must be properly displayed on the front and rear of vehicles, except for motorcycles and trailers, which only require a rear license plate. Using covers that obscure the visibility of license plates is prohibited and could result in a 2,200 peso fine. Drivers circulating with old plates will be fined. He says the operation will verify that all vehicles in circulation have valid license plates with the aim of reinforcing road safety and facilitating the identification of vehicles reported stolen or related to criminal acts. Rare sea lion arrival recorded in Puerto Arista Beach Sanctuary Puerto Arista, Jalisco Environmental officials are monitoring a Guadalupe Island sea lion in the Puerto Arista Beach Sanctuary. He is a subadult male, 1.70 meters tall, in excellent condition and showing no signs of malnutrition or dehydration, they reported. The National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (Conap), through the Southern Border, Isthmus, and South Pacific Regional Directorate, in coordination with the Puerto Arista Beach Sanctuary, reports the arrival of a sea lion from Guadalupe Island, Baja California. Following a report from a fisherman, Conanp personnel and the community group for the stranding of marine mammals, as well as the Secretariat of Environment and Natural History went to Puerto Arista to locate the specimen. He was visually assessed from a safe distance. No indication was observed that would suggest the specimen was stranded. It is in excellent condition, showing no signs of malnutrition or dehydration, and only comes out to rest on the beach, Conanp said in a statement. Although this marine mammal is outside its natural range, these sightings are not isolated. The Galapagos fur seal and an elephant seal have also been reported. The cause of these movements of marine fauna to sites far from their distribution range can be attributed to natural conditions, such as anomalies in ocean currents or the health conditions of the specimens. It is currently under on-site surveillance on Puerto Arista beach, observing its behavior and future movements. The population is recommended to respect the specimens living space, not disturb its prescience, not throw food or objects, it seeks its own food. Physical surveillance of the specimen will be maintained until it decides to resume its course into the sea. Sea lions are a protected species in Mexico. Sheinbaum pulls initiative to change ISSSTE Riviera Maya, Q.R. The initiative proposed by President Claudia Sheinbaum to change the calculation of the contributions that government workers pay to ISSSTE has been pulled. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum withdrew her initiative to reform the ISSSTE law Tuesday. According to Ricardo Monreal Avila, coordinator of the Morena parliamentary group and president of the Political Coordination Board of the Chamber of Deputies, the President informed them of the change. According to Article 77 of the Chamber of Deputies Regulations, President Claudia Sheinbaum can withdraw any initiatives she presents. She informed us, as the Chamber of origin, that she is withdrawing the reform to the ISSSTE Law to facilitate agreements with the teachers union, he said. After meeting with President Sheinbaum at the National Palace for more than two hours, education leaders stated that she had no problem with withdrawing the reform initiative she had sent to the Chamber of Deputies on February 7. This reform proposed, among other things, changing the calculation of the contributions that government workers must pay to ISSSTE (the Institute for Social Security and Services for State Workers or Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado) when their income exceeds 30,000 pesos per month. With these proposed changes, the federal government estimated that health insurance premiums for the Institute of Social Security and Services for State Workers (ISSSTE) could increase by 11.1 billion pesos per year. As a result of the above, members of the National Coordinator of Education Workers (CNTE) and the National Union of Education Workers (SNTE) have accused this amendment of not being beneficial. Thousands of workers, mostly teachers, have protested with a work stoppage across the country. Teachers in Quintana Roo have not held classes since the initiative was introduced February 7. State authorities in Quintana Roo have not yet announced an official back-to-school date. Untrac begins operating new Tulum-Coba passenger route Tulum, Q.R. A new route to connect the towns of Tulum and Coba began Tuesday. The National Union of Transporters of Change (Untrac) started the new route to improve municipal interconnectivity. Passengers can hop aboard the new 2025 model van at the station on Osiris Street and Tulum Avenue across from the Municipal Palace. The new intercity transportation route connects Tulum with Coba and the transition zone, benefiting residents of communities with limited access to public transportation. Moises Pool, the Tulum Untrac General Secretary, says the new route is important for residents of the Mayan region who will now have an option for traveling to Tulum, Coba and Chanchen. We are reopening this route which will benefit the people of these communities where transportation is limited. With this new unit, we guarantee safety and comfort for passengers, he said. The combi van will depart daily from Chanchen to Tulum in the morning, between 5:30 and 5:45 a.m. In the afternoon, starting at 5:00 p.m., the unit will return to the Mayan zone. The Ejidal Commissariat and the Chanchen Delegate have assigned a specific space for the terminal of this new route, ensuring a fixed arrival point for passengers. The Untrac representative emphasized that the new unit meets all the safety requirements required by authorities, including passenger insurance. Its a safe means of transportation, supported by Imoveqroo and the transportation authorities. We invite Tulum residents and visitors to use this new route which represents a mobility solution for the area, he said. Professor Walter A. McDougalls new book, Gems of American History, is subtitled The Lecturers Art, an apt phrase for a collection of lectures delivered to audiences ranging from the Museum of the American Revolution to the Agnes Irwin School. For those yet unfamiliar, Professor McDougall is a professor of history and the Alloy-Ansin Professor of International Relations at the University of Pennsylvania. He is also a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, where he served as editor of Orbis: A Journal of World Affairs. In 1986 his political history of the Space Age was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for history. Formally educated at New Trier High School, Amherst College, and the University of Chicago, McDougall continued his education in both the U.S. Armyas a soldier in Vietnamand the classroom. In fact, he mentions that, although he is frightened by all technology and delayed learning PowerPoint, he eventually fell in love with its possibilities and now illustrates all his lectures with vivid pictures. Alas, the present volume contains no illustrations. In his preface, McDougall notes that, as the lectures in this book are not strictly international relations, they can be read without visual accompaniment, simply as essays. Thats true, but surely vivid pictures would have spiced up the text and given readers a better sense of the lived experience. This books 12 chapters, arranged chronologically, focus on pivotal events, figures, and themes in American history. Chapter 1, on Americas Machiavellian moment, gets this volume off to a fine start. McDougall notes, reasonably, that the word exceptionalism is more trouble than its worth: it either means nothing or altogether too much. He uses Machiavellian moment in the way J.G.A. Pocock did, to signify a historical conjuncture when the founders of a republic confront the question of how to build durable institutions like those of Venice. He sees that George Washington, although a realist in war and peace, nonetheless displayed a character the very opposite from that of a serpentine Machiavellian prince and that all the Founders were not so much theorists as practical builders of new institutions. Indeed, he invokes Russell Kirk to remind us that the Founders moral order depended on the wisdom of the Bible and ancient Israel, as well as on the great texts of Greece and Rome. Therefore the Atlantic republican tradition drew upon both Classical Republicanism and Hebrew Republicanism: a Machiavellian body quickened by a Biblical spirit and a civil government inspired by a civil religion. This chapter and its successors demonstrate the approach of this entire book: important episodes illuminated by good questions, deep knowledge, and sound judgment. Chapters 2 and 3 deal with Benjamin Franklin and the American Revolution. They include striking sentences that quickly delineate the journeys of key figures: No one miscalculated more thoroughly or more often than Franklin, in part because no one tried harder to heal the rift in the empire. McDougall makes it clear how hard some Americans and Englishmen worked to avert war. In the House of Commons, for example, the Rockingham Whigs were ably represented by Edmund Burke, their most eloquent orator, who delivered a three-hour Speech on Conciliation with the Colonies to a packed chamber. He warned that the conflict could not be settled by force; the American character was such that the colonists could not be held down for long. If they were suppressed by arms, they would only rise again. These people are Englishmen, sir, born with a free spirit. In them, religion is neither worn out nor impaired. The northerners Protestantism makes them resistant to any submission. Although members of a variety of Christian denominations, they nonetheless commune in the same spirit of liberty. And the southerners attitude toward freedom is still more high and haughty. Moreover, Americans assiduously study the law, which makes them acute, inquisitive, dexterous, prompt in attack, ready in defence, and full of resources. Franklins long quest for imperial unity, however, ended in frustration. The failure of King George III to step forward and appease the colonists embittered Franklin. He became a reluctant republican because the British themselves had blocked his vision of unity. Lord Norths belated offer to send a peace commission and seek a truce came to nothing. But what if, McDougall asks, war had been averted? Then: no radical French Revolution, no War of 1812, quite likely no American civil war, and possibly no First World War (the British Empire, with an industrialized North America, would have been too strong for Germany to challenge), and therefore no communism, fascism, World War II, or Cold War. Counterfactuals have their problems, but McDougall employs his sparingly and thoughtfully as teaching devices: They spark interest and help make history much more than the dry recitation of facts and dates. Alternative trains of events point up the significance of historical decisions and turnings; they create opportunities for students to penetrate the analysis of momentous happenings. At the same time, McDougall, a careful historian, warns his readers of the danger of prolepsis: the temptation to interpret historical events in terms of an implicitly inevitable future, thus reading history backward from conditions not yet existent. He points out that very few of the Founding Fathers had any notion that they were about to establish a new nation. And he poses a difficult, thought-provoking question: Can it be that American independence was not an inevitability, but an improvisation? Cautious of prolepsis, he would urge his students to see that the war was not inevitable but instead a matter of contingency, a result of decisions and actions large and small, taken and not taken. Chapter 4 is on the remarkable Philadelphia philanthropist Stephen Girard, whose life and career McDougall depicts in full and colorful detail, while chapter 5 discusses the strategic results of the War of 1812. The author concludes that this allegedly unnecessary conflict had consequences well worth considering: the Era of Good Feelings, economic expansion and population explosion, the rise of Andrew Jackson, and international agreements producing a boundary between Canada and the United States that made that border the longestand longest lastingunfortified frontier in world history. ~ ~ ~ A delightful lecture on the Fourth of July, chapter 6 throws new light on such emblems of American civil religion as the Star-Spangled Banner, Old Glory, and the Declaration of Independence. McDougall concludes by observing that while communism derived from faith in an idea which the Soviets pretended was still alive by embalming dead human beings, Americanism was born of faith in human beings who prove that faith by embalming their sacred ideas. He finally notes how implausible the American founding was, how often its survival was imperiled, and how the Founderswhether they were Protestants, Catholics, Jews, deists, or Freemasonsbelieved the Author of History meant this to happen. Chapter 7, titled The Madness of Saint Woodrow, asks: What if the United States had stayed out of the First World War? McDougall takes into account Wilsons Presbyterianism, remarking that total depravity was not one of its ingredients. He notes that of four options available to Wilson and the nation in the spring of 1917, the president chose crusade, a holy war to end all war. The results were a vast increase in executive power, an explosion of the national debt, conversion of a laissez-faire society into a command economy, and establishment of the military-industrial complex as a permanent fixture of American life. The war caused 53,000 combat deaths in five months, anti-German hysteria, an inflamed nativism, and the worst violations of civil liberties in American history. McDougall argues that Wilson got nothing right, including his demand for regime changethe abdication of the Kaiserin Germany. And yet the Princeton scholar Arthur Link devoted his whole career to the sanctification and beatification of Thomas Woodrow Wilson. Chapter 8 offers a change of scenery and perspective: Americans romance with flight, from the Wright brothers, through the wartime perversion of airpower, to NASA and 9/11 and the Age of Terror. Chapter 9 discusses the Vietnamization of America. What McDougall means is that the American involvement in Vietnam led to the professionalization of the armed forces and the elimination of the draft, a congressional counterattack on the military prerogatives of the president, the first U.S. army to be fully integrated by race, and the lingering problem of POWs and MIAs. In sum, the war not only wasted Vietnam; it also wasted so much of what it used to mean to be American. Chapter 10 concerns grand strategy, and chapters 11 and 12 offer a survey of the constitutional history of U.S. foreign policy. Grand strategy is a nations long-term, high-level, national and international plan to use military, diplomatic, economic, and other means to achieve its strategic goals and serve the national interest, which typically includes defense of territory, protection of its citizens, and deterrence to maintain a just peace. McDougall, it should be noted, is a member of the realist school, which he says advocates prudence and restraint in foreign policy. It contrasts with liberal internationalism, neoconservatism, and other, more aggressive and idealistic approaches to foreign affairs and national security. The author asks difficult questions, such as what relevance the postwar grand strategy (Truman and containment) has to policy in the 21st century given that the deadliest threats to world peace today did not exist 80 years ago. Especially effective is McDougalls rehabilitation of Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee and a Ph.D. historian who could speak six languages. Unfairly termed an isolationist, Lodge was far more cosmopolitan than Wilson, and he tried to build a coalition to ratify the treaty [of Versailles] in defiance of the dozen or so Irreconcilables led by Senator William Borah (R., Idaho). Although schoolchildren were taught that Wilsons defeated League of Nations effort hurled the nation back into isolationism, the truth was otherwise. The Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover administrations stood for progressive Republican internationalism. The Republicans employed deft diplomacy, deployed private capital, and made informal ententes with foreign governments and businesses to resolve international conflicts. In sum, this collection of lectures, most of which were later published as articles, will be of interest to all students of American history. The resources in this book will be of greatest value to instructors of secondary and undergraduate U.S. history students. These teachers are always looking for ways to take the received accounts of important themes and periods and enrich, dramatize, complicate, and question them from fresh perspectives. These chapters frequently work against standard interpretations and the conventional wisdom, but invariably in a lucid and reasonable fashion. In fact, Gems of American History could also function quite handily as a supplemental text. It makes for both stimulating and enjoyable reading. Friends of Washington Park continue to tell the City Council that its support is vital to renew a centuries-old cottage that is run-down but still standing near the new pool in Northwest Roanoke. Its still unclear whether the political willpower exists to invest in the historic structure, but at least one city council member said they are fighting for it. Its still standing. Who would have ever imagined? Said Roanoke resident Sylvia King. Through the 18th century, this cottage is still standing. Through the rain, the storms, the snow. Even after hurricane winds blew askew a plastic covering last year, leaving a portion of the leaky roof exposed to the elements all winter, the cottage remains standing in view of drivers on Orange Avenue, she said. Sometimes called the Evans House, its one of the oldest surviving structures in Roanoke, dating back to the 1700s. In past months, the old brick house has also withstood the construction of a new swimming pool in its shadow. King was one of about a dozen people during a council meeting Monday who asked for its assistance in applying for grants that could begin the process of renovating the old 1700s-built cabin. The structure is important to the citys pre- and early history, as well as Black history, people said. Washington Park, part of which used to be a dump, was the citys Black park during segregation, but the house predates those historic wrongs. The house is older than the city of Roanoke, Cathy Carter said. Theres a lot of deep-rooted history. Carter said Friends of Washington Park have worked since 2022 to initiate restoration efforts. Theyve partnered with a nonprofit, Roanoke Valley Preservation Foundation, to fundraise and find out what can be done with the chunk of city-owned property. Coming up quick is a March 28 deadline to pre-apply for Virginias Black, Indigenous And People of Color Historic Preservation Grant Program, said Alison Blanton, advocacy chair for the preservation foundation, during a phone call Tuesday. Im kind of waiting right now, Blanton said. Were just waiting to hear back whether or not we can move forward and have permission to work with Parks & Recreation staff on how to develop a scope and a budget, and actually submit the grant application. She said the houses importance to Roanoke Black history unlocks unique funding streams such as the BIPOC grant, which can be worth up to $1 million. Restoration contractors and structural engineers have declared the building to be structurally sound, even though it is visibly rundown, Blanton said. It needs to have something done with the roof sooner, rather than later, Blanton said. We are concerned that in its current state, with the city doing nothing to it, its headed down the road of demolition by neglect. Mayor Joe Cobb encouraged people to donate to the cause, but otherwise the city council adjourned without comment after hearing residents requests for support. Reached by phone Tuesday afternoon, Cobb said city staff are talking with community members about the potential project. Were in conversations with Friends of Washington Park and Roanoke Valley Preservation Foundation on possible next steps related to the cottage, Cobb said. Thats really all I can say right now. Reached Tuesday, Vice Mayor Terry McGuire said he considers himself a friend of the park. McGuire said he is confident that the city council will recognize the communitys wisdom. I believe that we will pull together enough support on council to move forward with this, McGuire said. What I see is decades of neglect, and it just gets harder and more expensive the longer we wait. But so far, no decision has been made. Last year, a different composition of the city council expressed hesitance to put city funds toward cottage renewal. The cost of this project doesnt have to fall totally on the backs of the Roanoke City taxpayers, McGuire said. There are hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars in potential grants out there but we have to have the citys commitment that this is something we want to do. As it stands, the cottage is not listed in the citys capital improvement plan, which establishes a timeline for public investments in large infrastructure projects such as a building renovation. In recent years, the city deeded off a section of Fishburn Park to private owners who committed to renovating an old cabin on the property for commercial uses. But there was some public resistance to that action, making it unclear whether the council would attempt something similar in Washington Park. In the meantime, the $3.1 million new pool in front of the Evans house appears to be nearing completion, after about eight months of construction. Its planned to open this summer, city staff said previously. Residents say given its proximity to the pool, the cottage could be made into a community center for aquatic education and other learning opportunities. During the city council meeting, Steven Stewart said he is a son of the last park caretaker who lived in that building. Stewart said he was drafted to Vietnam in 1965, but he is still standing, and so is his childhood house. I was raised in that house, and the house has plenty of my footprints and my memories, Stewart said. Save the cottage, because there is history. FLORENCE, S.C. Work has started on a project designed to improve stormwater drainage from Cherokee Road to some Evans Street neighborhoods. The project will protect the area from flooding and also restore some of its natural look, Assistant Florence City Manager Clint Moore said. The old way draining away stormwater is not necessarily the correct way, he said. The citys new design is bringing back the meandering of the stream, creating that floodplain to help control stormwater during our rain events, and bringing back the plant life and species for native habitat for all the local insects and fauna and everything like that. The Cedar and McQueen storm drainage project will include renovations, an acre expansion of Timrod Park and the clearing of a portion of Gully Branch just north of Timrod Park. We had to come in, of course, and remove a bunch of trees, because theres a lot of trees on top of the pipe, Moore said. The city will be returning to the cleared places and planting back with native species, new trees, replacing everything that weve lost through there to help with stormwater management, but also beautify the park as well, he said. Grading work has already started in the park to not only speed the water along but also to give it somewhere to hang out that isnt a city street as it flows south through Gully Branch and on to Jeffries Creek. In that section, were doing a stream restoration portion, he said. Some big stones were placed to help reinforce and protect the stream banks, along with native plants. The goal is to bring it back to the way it should have been, Moore said. I am very excited about this project. New and native trees and other plants will provide habitat for the animals that call that area of the city home, Moore said. The project will help protect the area near Timrod Park from flooding. Irby Street will also benefit from the added drainage capacity. There is a major storm drainage line that runs from Irby Street through the back of Belmont down along behind the Piggly Wiggly and White Swan. It crosses over Coit Street, then it ties straight into Gully Branch here, just above the Cherokee Bridge, Moore said. We are replacing and repairing some of that pipe in there, behind the White Swan, along the Piggly Wiggly, that line right through there, and then replacing the line across, upsizing the line across Coit Street, he said. Moore said the city is lucky to have Timrod Park. It offers recreational options as well as a flood plain to help with the citys stormwater problems. Its very important for urbanized areas to have that green infrastructure that allows for stormwater management and natural corridors and all those things. It will really help the health of the stream, getting the stream oxygenated, and just doing all those things that it should be doing, Moore said. In addition, were working up in the more urbanized area of Timrod Park neighborhood and up to Palmetto Street and up along that area to enhance some of the storm drainage inlets, Moore said. A stormwater study indicated the citys stormwater infrastructure is well designed and well placed for the most part. Whenever this all was developed many, many decades ago, there werent enough storm inlets installed to allow for a significant rain event to enter into those main lines. Were correcting a lot of those issues and coming in and doing some upgrades all throughout the more developed area of the Timrod Park neighborhood and up towards our city center in this area as well, Moore said. The project should be completed by November if there are no hurricanes, Moore said. Construction plans are designed to keep the impact to residents at a minimum. And not all the residents are human. Two are a mated pair of red-shouldered hawks that hunt around Timrod Park and Gully Branch. I was watching those today as I was driving down east Palmetto Street, I saw them. They like to sit on top of the steeple at First Pres(byterian Church), too, Moore said. The work around the park, and other neighborhoods, is being funded through a state grant. Were funding this through the South Carolina Office of Resilience. We submitted for a grant and received a stormwater enhancement grant through them. They have been just absolutely great to work with, and some very good projects, Moore said. Through that office, and through these funds, we will have all the work in this area, as well as in the Pennsylvania Street watershed area, and then in the North Church/Oakland Avenue area as well. So weve received three separate grants, been able to be pretty successful in that area of contributing matching funds that we were able to do back in 2021 through our stormwater program, and have leveraged those dollars to really have a big, big impact on our stormwater here in in the city of Florence, Moore said. SIOUX CITY When the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors published its agenda for Tuesday afternoon's meeting, more than a dozen improvement requests were included for approval. The overwhelming majority failed to see progress by the meeting's end. As the discussion was beginning on the items for the fiscal year 2026 budget, which is due April 30, Woodbury County Board Chair Dan Bittinger began to say "Our budget is very ..." before Woodbury County Supervisor Mark Nelson finished "grim." With the passage of Iowa House File 718 in 2023, which made major changes to Iowa's property tax system, the board noted in its meeting agenda that "each improvement request will be vetted on an individual basis and merit in order to make budget." The improvement requests came from a number of departments across the county and included items such as: hiring additional correctional officers for the new Woodbury County Law Enforcement Center; raising full and part time staff wages for EMTs, EMT-As and paramedics; changing five paramedic positions to full-time employment; adding staff to the Woodbury County Communications Center; buying a new rescue truck for Woodbury County Emergency Services; replacing the front approach to the main building of Emergency Services and upgrading tablets for the sheriff's office. The Communications Center will see an additional staff member and there are also shifts in positions for clerks at the Woodbury County Treasurer's Office. But no definitive action was taken on any of those other items. In a downbeat tone, Nelson spoke to the prospect of not being able to bump up wages for what he considered to be crucial staffers. "We've got good people out there and I hope they don't go anywhere," he said. "It sucks." Bittinger said it didn't seem as though legislators were backing down from House File 718 and the changes it made to revenue streams for county and city governments. In fact, the Republican-dominated legislature is pursuing further changes to Iowa's property tax system. To paint the picture of what the county could face, Supervisor Matthew Ung said to those at the meeting that "We still have a shortfall." Woodbury County Auditor Michelle Skaff then ran through $2.64 million in budget deficits, including for the general supplemental fund, that were only taking into account expenses and revenue and not balances. Sheriff's office During the meeting, Woodbury County Sheriff Chad Sheehan took time out to criticize the decisions made by legislators in Des Moines dictating how money can be spent. The sheriff's office said in its improvement request that it needed to hire eight additional correctional officers for the Woodbury County Law Enforcement Center due to an increase in the jail population of federal prisoners. At present there are 19 correctional officers, one jail sergeant, one jail lieutenant, and one warrant clerk the county had to hire to operate the new facility which had its official opening in September 2024 and moved in inmates in October. The total cost for the new officers was estimated to be about $650,095 and Woodbury County Sheriff Chad Sheehan has said funding will come from the additional revenue from federal prisoners. Four officers would focus on transporting federal inmates while the other four would be placed in the jail. Sheehan raised the prospect of taking just four officers for transport but that item was not pursued further on Tuesday afternoon. A tablet upgrade for the patrol division of the Woodbury County Sheriff's Office was listed as totaling about $87,000. In the request, the sheriff's office said 23 current tablets will need to be upgraded to accommodate a Windows 11 operating system update. Another tech expenditure request from the sheriff's office, acquiring licenses for a software used to open cellphones and retrieve data in criminal cases, was estimated to cost $21,057.36 for the first year with an annual fee to follow. Communications Center Sheehan also took time at the meeting to advocate for the hiring of a training operator at the Woodbury County Communications Center which handles 911 services for citizens in Woodbury County and North Sioux City and is a part of dispatch to five area law enforcement agencies. "We get to be the knights in shining armor," Sheehan said of county sheriffs. "But without them answering the phone, we don't get to respond." Communications Center Director Wendi Hess said staffing for the job has consistently been a challenge. "Our staff, they're spread thin," she said. The new position will be "dedicated to onboarding and training new staff, coordinating all the training activities and making sure that the current staff has the required continuing education." Emergency Services Woodbury County Emergency Services said in its request that it anticipated shifting five paramedic positions from .05 full-time employment to .25. would cost $89,370.60 or $17,874.12 each. The rationale from Emergency Services Director Drew Baier was that the move would help to "aid in coverage for military leaves, sick or injuries, vacation and family and medical leave." The new rescue truck for Woodbury County Emergency Services was listed at a price of $101,300 and would replace a 2016 Dodge Ram 3500 with more than 185,000 miles of use. Baier said in the request the department has responded to 1144 calls with the vehicle since it was purchased. Work needed for improvements would total about $60,2000, $44,000 to remove and replace concrete on the front approach to the main Woodbury County Emergency Services building and $16,200 to install a concrete approach pad on the east side of the building. "The broken sidewalk certainly creates a trip/fall risk and a financial liability to the county for those who may use it," Baier said. The Journal's Caitlin Yamada contributed to this story. SIOUX CITY Old Man Winter went out with a bang Wednesday as the final day before spring produced more than five inches of snow and winds gusting up to 55 miles per hour. Interstate 29 from Sioux City to Missouri Valley shut down, thousands of homes lost power and schools and some businesses closed as the heavy snow and whiteout-like conditions left large swaths of the region paralyzed. Conditions in Northwest Iowa were severe enough that the Iowa Department of Transportation had to close Interstate 29 from Sergeant Bluff to Missouri Valley and MidAmerican Energy reported thousands upon thousands of customer outages. In Sioux City, residents inundated officials with calls about downed trees and branches in, while police warned motorists to stay off the roads because officers were tied up with responding to cars in ditches and crashes throughout town. Late winter blizzard A pair of Sergeant Bluff Police cruisers divert traffic off of Interstate 29 after the road was closed Wednesday, March 19, 2025, between Serg Quite the 48 hours The March blizzard hit just two days after temperatures climbed to as high of 81 degrees on Monday. The snow won't stick around long either, with highs expected to reach into the 40s Thursday and the 50s later in the week. Adding to the unusualness of the last-minute winter blast, thundersnow -- a somewhat unusual sort of thunderstorm that occurs during a snowstorm -- was reported in multiple Northwest Iowa counties Wednesday morning. Kyle Weisser, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls, said thundersnow was reported in parts of Woodbury, Ida and Buena Vista counties as lightning was detected on NWS equipment. "It's just a system that has instability, like a day we would have with some scattered showers and storms, it just happens to be associated with a band of snow in this case," Weisser said. Five inches of snow was recorded in Sioux City. The snowstorm moved to the east and weakened at around noon. Snow totals varied widely across the area. Holstein, Iowa, and Ruthven, Iowa, both received 7 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service. Remsen got 3.2 inches. Primghar received only a half-inch. Spencer got 2 inches. Concord, Neb., received 1.2 inches. Wednesday's snowfall fell somewhat short of the March 19 snowfall record in Sioux City: On March 19, 1970, 5.4 inches of snow was recorded. Late winter blizzard Interstate 29 is deserted in near white-out conditions south of Sergeant Bluff after the road was closed Wednesday, March 19, 2025, between Se All kinds of closures The closure of Interstate 29 came in around 10:11 a.m. and was still in effect through 3:40 p.m., Wednesday. The Iowa Department of Transportation's reasoning was that there was low visibility (of less than a mile), stranded vehicles and downed power lines across the road. With the closure, southbound I-29 travelers were told to seek shelter in Sioux City and that they could park at parking lots at the Seaboard Triumph Foods Expo Center, Sam's Club and Long Lines Family Center. Other major blockages reported by Iowa DOT Wednesday morning included Iowa Highway 10 from County Road N28 to County Road C26 (Laurens) and U.S. 20 eastbound at the Gordon Drive exit. No travel advisories also included IA-3 from Akron to Le Mars to Cherokee to Storm Lake. Even before it reached noon Wednesday, Sioux City Community Policing Sgt. Tom Gill said there were reports of seven vehicles in ditches and officers had responded to six crashes. Patrick Simons, supervisor for the city's Field Services Department, said plows went out at 5 a.m. Wednesday and treating roads where necessary, but the snow was trickier to deal with than what came from the blizzard earlier this month. "The snow was a lot more wet and heavy, a little more difficult to control and manage where that snow cast is going," he said. (Around 12:02 p.m., Ida, Monona and Sac counties actually had to take plows off the roads because of deteriorating visibility.) Simons did note though that city plows were able to maintain the priority one streets while the snow was still falling and then transitioned to priority two streets once it tapered off in the early afternoon. "Our staff is continuing to work 24 hours a day," he said. Snowmelt was fast enough in some spots to help with road clearing, but it wasn't so fast that residents should be worried about any overload. Sioux City Utilities Director Brad Puetz told The Journal that snow melting beginning Thursday is not expected to inundate the municipal storm system. "This is very different from a very hard and fast 1-2" rain where it all runs to the story system at a very rapid pace," he said via email. While drainage issues weren't a major concern, vents were. Woodbury County Emergency Management urged residents to check outdoor vents for their homes to "prevent dangerous blockages that could lead to carbon monoxide buildup or heating system malfunctions." Widespread outages Through 4 p.m., the extended Sioux City metro had more than 7,000 outages with the greatest numbers coming from Odebolt (643), Sloan (578) and rural Woodbury County (556). Sioux City itself had 329 outages. Monona County had 224 outages and the sheriff's office said on Facebook the issue could be a multi-day event. "Winds caused trees and branches to fall onto overhead lines," MidAmerican Energy said in a statement. "The winds also caused some lines to gallop. Galloping occurs when snow or ice accumulates on overhead lines, which disrupts airflow, and high winds can cause them to bounce violently." Observers and line crews reported a large number of broken power poles across areas impacted by the storm. MidAmerican crews, along with crews mobilized from surrounding states, were relocated to areas with the greatest impacts. The Des Moines-based utility said most customers can expect power to return by the end of day on Thursday, with their teams working around the clock until all it's restored to all customers. Forecast ahead The National Weather Service forecast a high of 44 for Thursday. Friday there is a 20% chance of rain after 1 p.m. and a high temp of 54. The highs for the weekend are expected to reach into the 50s. Journal reporters Jared McNett, Dolly Butz, Nick Hytrek and Mason Dockter contributed to this story. How to Do It is Slates sex advice column. Have a question? Send it to Jessica and Rich here. Its anonymous! Dear How to Do It, My wife and I are in our mid-40s, and while neither of us is what we used to be in terms of looks, my wife has REALLY let herself go. Even though I still care about her, shes overweight and dumpy to the point where I need to have a few drinks in order to have sex with her. I just started going back to the gym and have been trying to persuade my wife to join me, but she wont. What can I do to get her to take an interest in improving her appearance so I can do it with her again without having to get buzzed? Or would it be better to tell her the truth? Trying to Find the Spark Without the Booze Dear Trying to Find the Spark Without the Booze, Whatever you decide to do, the way youre talking about your wife, with phrases like really let herself go and overweight and dumpy, is pretty cruel. There is a third option which doesnt seem to have occurred to you. You could focus on the aspects of your wife that you do find attractive. Perhaps thats something about her personality, the way she treats you, the ways the two of you interact sexually, or about a physical feature that isnt affected by weight gain. If youve already tried what I suggested above, and feel you really need to say something, think about her position first. Is she struggling with age and likely perimenopause related physical changes? What about psychological shifts, which may be related to those shifting hormones? Can you find a way to be curious about what shes going through and what her relationship to her body is, and start the conversation from that perspective? I imagine that some understanding of where your wife is coming from would get you much closer to ultimately achieving what youre seeking: connectedness and sex you both enjoy. Get sex advicesubmit a question! Please keep questions short (<150 words), and dont submit the same question to multiple columns. We are unable to edit or remove questions after publication. Use pseudonyms to maintain anonymity. Your submission may be used in other Slate advice columns and may be edited for publication. Thanks! Your question has been submitted. Dear How to Do It, * Your letter signoff Your pronouns Your email (optional and confidentialplease include if you're open to How to Do It following up) Submit Dear How to Do It, I am 27 years old, bisexual, and transmasculine and have been with my girlfriend for the past five years. I am extremely happy in our relationship and I hope to marry her someday. The only issue is that I have FOMO about having had very few sexual partners in my life, all of whom had vaginas. Even though Id happily spend the rest of my life with my partner, I would be disappointed if I never tried sex with a cis man. I think my girlfriend would be open to nonmonogamy; I have expressed these feelings to her and she has said a couple of times that she wouldnt be completely opposed to me sleeping with other people. We definitely need to discuss this more before any actual nonmonogamy happens, but if I were to seek out sex with cis men, I have no idea where to start. I have passed as a lesbian for my entire adult life and have almost never dated men. Im not interested in straight men because Im not a woman, but I dont feel masculine enough to be attractive to gay men (Ive had top surgery but have never been on hormone replacement therapy). When I was single and using Tinder, I tried making myself viewable by men looking for women and men looking for men, but neither option yielded good results. Where do I find bisexual guys looking for casual sex who are chill with someone kind of inexperienced? Am I getting ahead of myself by worrying about this before clearing it with my girlfriend? I dont want to bring it up explicitly with her until Im more clear on what nonmonogamy would ideally look like for me, but maybe Im putting the cart before the horse. Guy Curious Dear Guy Curious, I think its useful to separate what you want nonmonogamy to look like for you from the details of how you think you might be able to achieve those goals. Do you want one night stands, casual hookup relationships (such as recurring friends with benefits, or booty calls with little to no connection aside from the physical aspect), or ongoing interactions that look more like a traditional relationshipalbeit nonmonogamous? This kind of stuff is important to negotiate up front. Its also important to remember that sometimes an agreement we feel confident in theory needs to be renegotiated when reality hits home. Prioritize communication with each other and do your best to maintain an open dialogue about whats happening and what both of you are feeling. As for how you might arrange the kinds of sex you want to have, according to the specific boundaries you both agree on, I encourage you to think outside of the Tinder box. Predicting which apps are attracting what kind of people at a given moment is like trying to read coffee grounds in the dark. Each apps user base shifts as time goes on, so any information I could gather now would be outdated and likely useless by the time you embark on your actual exploration. However, theres also always an option of meeting people in person. I know, its kind of old-timey, but maybe you can think of it as vintage. Look for events where queer people are likely to gather and put yourself out there. If you really want to multitask, you can swipe on your phone while youre in transit to a place where you can meet other humans face-to-face. Send Us Your Questions About the Workplace! The columnists behind our new advice column, Good Job, want to help you navigate your social dynamics at work. Does your colleague constantly bug you after hours? Has an ill-advised work romance gone awry? Ask us your question here! Dear How to Do It, My current sex life is nothing like it used to be and I have no idea how to feel about it. Before meeting my husband, I regularly had fantastic sex with men and occasionally women. I was typically always the one with the higher sex drive in my prior relationships. Then I met my husband. He was the first man I had ever been with that had a higher sex drive than me, plus hes just an amazing person. We completely hit it off and everything was amazing in the beginning! About nine or ten months into the relationship, he started getting uncomfortable about initiating sex more than me. I hadnt noticed until he brought it up and it led to some awkward conversations and feelings. One weird outcome of that was somehow the way we kissed each other changed, but we worked through all the other issues and eventually got married. Five years later, though, our make-outs still suck. When we kiss, it feels like jumping up for an epic high five with your partner only to completely miss and fail miserably. So we dont really do a lot of kissing during foreplay or sex. To add another level of complexity here, we have a 19-month-old daughter. The entire time I was pregnant, sex was the last thing I wanted. Only in the last seven or so months has sex finally started to feel good again. My body has changed so much, though. I struggle to feel sexy, my breasts are saggy, and I have a little fupa. Im below my pre-pregnancy weight, but Im just floppy in places I wasnt before. I have a hard time getting aroused, and I sometimes find myself fantasizing about being in a relationship with a woman. Im also just less interested in sex in general and am perfectly fine not having sex at all for months on end. I love my husband. Hes my best friend! But I know hes suffering sexually because of all of the above. Im still sexually attracted to men and to my husband. Hes hot and I definitely want to stay married to him. So lately, Ive been considering opening up our marriage. Im not bothered by the idea of him having safe consensual sex with someone else, and Im fairly certain he feels the same way, but every other couple we know that has done this ended up breaking up or getting divorced. So Im worried about that. The other thing I think that could help rekindle things for us is trying to finally fix the make-out issue. Any advice for the incredible mess Ive described? Used to Be Hot, Now Im Not Dear Used to Be Hot, Im not surprised that every couple you know whos tried opening up their marriage has eventually separated. Unfortunately, many ostensibly monogamous couples also end up separating, or navigating hardship and betrayal when someone cheats. Theres no hard and fast way to guarantee that a marriage will last. Even when you look at advice from elderly people whove been together for several decades, youll find directly conflicting advice from different couples. So, while opening up is a gamble, so is maintaining the status quo. If you decide to open up, prioritize maintaining open communication. For some people, this looks like telling each other everything. For others, this looks like sharing only certain information. It may be helpful to read through a book, such as the third edition of The Ethical Slut, for examples of how various people conduct their open relationshipsand spend some time considering whether what youre reading seems like it would work for you. Arranging a structure where your husband is able to express his higher libido may take the pressure off of you. Also, would you like to actually be in a relationship with a woman? Is that something your husband would be comfortable with? Your options are limited only by what the two of you decide. As for your kissing conundrum, youll have a better chance of figuring out a way forward if you (and your husband) are able to articulate what you do like. It might help for each of you to make a list of what you want from kisses, and then compare where your desires overlap. When youre troubleshooting this, go slowly and be kind to each other. If youre getting frustrated, take a break. Last up is your body image. Bodies change. We get enormous amounts of statements about what women should look like, and almost all of those statements are unreasonable and exclusionary in one way or another (think 90s era thinness, followed by the more recent message that real women have curves). It is genuinely hard for most of us to appreciate our bodies without holding them to an internalized and unreachable standard. Do your best. Spend time actively appreciating your bodys capacities. Your body is strong. Your body created life. Your body allows you access to physical pleasure. When you feel ready, find some physical characteristic about yourself that you can honestly say you see as beautiful. Focus on that when you look in the mirror. Jessica More Advice From Slate I am in a bit of a conundrum. I (demisexual female) have always had a very low to non-existent interest in sex outside of a relationship with an emotional bond. I also tend to be very apathetic to sexuality in others and have never had an interest in observing it, either in porn or otherwise. Im dating a man who used to be in the swingers scene. I was very upfront from the beginning that my sexuality doesnt work like that and I have no desire to participate. Almost everyone involved in the tabloid saga surrounding Natalia Grace has a story theyre frantically trying to tell the world about themselves. Thats a problem for Good American Family, Hulus new limited dramatic series based on the case that aspires to arrive at some stable truth. Showrunners Katie Robbins and Sarah Sutherland gesture toward a Rashomon-style exploration of the many clashing perspectives on Natalia, but, by shows end, the series makes its own judgments pretty clear. Its unfortunate that after Good American Family had finished filming last year, the explosive documentary series that made Natalia Grace famous dropped a new season in January, revealing that the warmhearted, salt-of-the-earth saviors whom Good American Family picks as its heroes may not be such heroes in real life after all. For newcomers, here are the basics: Natalia was born in Ukraine in 2003 with a rare form of dwarfism and was surrendered by her birth mother to an orphanage. When the first American family she was placed with in the United States found themselves unable to provide her with the care she needed, Natalia was adopted by Kristine and Michael Barnett, an Indiana couple, in 2010. In 2012, the Barnetts successfully petitioned the county court to have Natalias legal age changed from 8 to 22, claiming that she was an adult posing as a child and that she had threatened Kristine, Michael, and their three sons. Advertisement The Barnetts claims became the subject of a sensationalized 2023 Investigation Discovery documentary series, The Curious Case of Natalia Grace, which in its second season followed up by presenting Natalias counterclaimsince proventhat she was in fact only 8 years old when the Barnetts installed her, alone, in an apartment and departed for Canada. The rare true story that can be related with the kind of twists more typically found in fiction, Natalias ordeal seemed to conclude with some heartland-pleasing uplift when a big, pious family took her in and adopted her. Yet that second season ended on an uncertain note, one that suggested all was not well in Natalias new home. Sure enough, Season 3, released two months ago, revealed that Natalia is now estranged from her third adoptive family and living with a fourth, this one made up of other little people. How could any dramatization keep up? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a documentary, The Curious Case of Natalia Grace had to get by without the input of Kristine Barnett, who called the film series sensationalized in a statement. Good American Family, however, is free to speculate. Played by Ellen Pompeo, this Kristine epitomizes that most hateable of demographics, a white suburban middle-class woman preoccupied with her own virtue. The story this Kristines selling is that she saved her son Jacob from doctors who told her that his autism made it unlikely that hed ever speak or live independently. Refusing to accept this, Kristine developed her own educational program for Jacob that revealed him to possess genius-level gifts in mathematics and physics. As the Hulu series opens, shes spinning this success into a book and a chain of day care centers for disabled children. The first four episodes of Good American Family present Kristines version of what happened after the Barnetts decided to adopt Natalia. This tale, the series implies, was strongly influenced by the 2009 horror film Orphan, in which a family is terrorized by a grown woman posing as a 9-year-old child. Kristine cites the movie when discussing her suspicions with her best friend (Sarayu Blue). Natalia (Imogen Faith Reid) shows a marked preference for the gullible, needy Michael (Mark Duplass), playing the adorable kid when her adoptive father is around and saving her evil smiles for Kristine when his back is turned. At one point, Natalia steals and mutilates one of her adoptive brothers favorite stuffed animals and appears in Michael and Kristines bedroom at night, holding a knife. Advertisement Advertisement As Good American Family would have it, before the adoption, Kristine expected to add another rescued child to her resume. When God has a job for you, he gives you everything you need to get it done, she tells the initially reluctant Michael. Natalia proves a more difficult project than Jacob had been, but Kristine cannot admitto herself as much as to the worldthat there are limits to her God-given powers to help disabled kids. Instead, she convinces herself that Natalia isnt a kid at all. For a while, Good American Family seems to be deploying the classic she was right all along trope so popular in womens fiction, but Kristine is no Cassandra. Shes a woman desperately fighting to preserve the narrative that holds her life together. Do you think she believes all her lies? a character asks Natalia near the end of the series. Natalia doesnt care, but Good American Family seems to think that Kristine does. Advertisement Advertisement The last half of the series switches to Natalias perspective after the Barnetts abandon her in a shabby apartment. She watches TV all day, goes without bathing because she hasnt got the strength to turn the taps on the tub, and resorts to gnawing on bricks of uncooked ramen when she gets hungry. Reid, who clearly relishes the range she gets to show herefrom smirking goblin to vulnerable waifholds on to Natalias essential oddness, the product of unknown but formative trauma. If Natalia werent so unlike anyone the people around her had met before, it would have been much harder for the Barnetts to convince them that she was an adult. Advertisement Advertisement Salvation comes in the form of the ever-sumptuous Christina Hendricks as Cynthia Mans, wife of a preacher and foster mother to a house full of children, not all of whom are her own. I was born to be a mother, she tells Natalia, who, after some initial resistance, happily sinks into the puddle of kids that gather around her. Good American Family doesnt shy away from the use the Mans family made of Natalias benefits, but its hard to believe that Hendricks in earth-mother mode, telling sassy truths and dispensing hugs, could be anything but benevolent. Advertisement Related From Slate Netflixs New No. 1 Hit Is One of the Best Shows of the Year Read More At first, aware that people interviewed in Season 3 of The Curious Case of Natalia Grace say they witnessed Cynthias husband slapping Natalia, whipping her with a strap, and locking her up in a room, I assumed that Cynthias down-home maternalism, like Kristines TED Talkstyle inspirational motherhood, would soon be revealed by Good American Family as just another false narrative. Certainly the Mans familys habit of conspicuously joining in prayer in public spaces like courtroom lobbies seems every bit as off-puttingly performative as Kristines TV interviews. Not that there isnt a surprising amount of God talk from both sides in Good American Familywhen Kristine and Michael lock Natalia in the garage as a punishment, the cop who comes to check out the neighbors reports of screams is readily pacified by Kristines mentioning what good, churchgoing Christians the Barnetts are. But it comes across that Good American Familys creators really do want viewers to view Cynthia and Antwon Mans familyworking class, casually groomed, multiracialto represent real Christianity and real parental love in contrast with Kristines uptight, appearance-obsessed, self-centered, careerist versions of both. Advertisement Advertisement How inconvenient, then, that in real life, the Manses also turned out to be the sort of family Natalia needed to escape. The best the makers of Good American Family can do is post a statement acknowledging the new allegations at the end of the final episode, even though this essentially capsizes the story the showrunners themselves have just spent eight episodes telling. The closest thing the series offers to a resolution comes when a disconsolate Natalia comes home to the Mans house after learning that the criminal case against the Barnetts has not gone well. She walks in to find some of her adoptive siblings gathered around a laptop in delight. Despite her difficulties in finding justice, the internet is flooded with messages of support for Natalia, and as she reads them, her face brightens. Of all the many indignities Natalia has had to suffer, having to rely on internet commenters for moral support really does seem like the last straw, but given the never-ending twists and turns of her storyof all their storiesonly a fool would call it finished. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. Since we last wrote about the many ties between the Trump administration (particularly Elon Musks DOGE budget-cutting team) and online white supremacists, more such connections have emerged, as have reports of Nazi-type ideas being applied, in practice, in the executive branch. Lets review: Related From Slate What Is the Point to the DOGE Chaos? The Answer Is Hiding in Plain Sight. Read More On another front, the General Services Administrationthe federal agency that manages government logisticseliminated a clause in its standard contract that prohibits its contractors from segregating facilities, including water fountains, by race. (Other applicable laws still prohibit such segregationbut hey, give it time.) The Department of Defense, meanwhile, eliminated multiple websites that celebrated the contributions of the Navajo Code Talkers to the United States victory in World War II. Also taken down were pages about Jackie Robinsons military service and a Native American Marine who was one of the six service members pictured in the famous photograph of the American flag being raised on Iwo Jima. (All these initiatives are ostensibly part of the elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs from U.S. government.) Trump and the people around him may be overstepping here; the existence of the History Channel, for one, suggests that even the oldest and whitest Americans still consider Jackie Robinson to be a more admirable figure than Adolf Hitler. How far can you push Costco Grandpas before they snap? Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. Gavin Newsom wants to be president. I am not sure any member of the Democratic Party is more transparently angling for the job than Gavin Newsom. And thats finethe norm of a clearly ambitious politician claiming that he (and its usually he) has no designs on the White House is as tiresome as it is obviously dishonest. Newsom, though, seems to be burnishing his presidential credentials by palling around with some of the most noxious figures on the Trumpian right, seemingly deciding that if MAGA is having a moment, hell meet it. His new podcast, This Is Gavin Newsom, feels a bit like the audio equivalent of Kim Kardashian sexy-posing with a Tesla Cybertruck as Elon Musk dismantles the federal government and flings millions of Americans into insecurity and potential immiseration: soulless, self-interested, and shallow. Newsom has chatted with reactionary conspiracy theorist Charlie Kirk, as well as MAGA architect Steve Bannon. Kirk runs Turning Point USA, a youth-focused group with conservative mega-money backing, and has used his platform to deny the 2020 election results, spread COVID disinformation, attack efforts to promote racial equality (even criticizing American fealty to the Civil Rights Acts), assert that MLK was awful and not a good person, and argue that birth control, like, really screws up female brains. Using contraception, he said at a Turning Point event, is awful, its terrible, and it creates very angry and bitter young ladies and young women. This, he says, creates an advantage for Democrats: Then that bitterness then manifests into a political party that is the bitter party. I mean, the Democrat Party is all about bring us your bitterness and, you know, well give you free stuff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related From Slate What Trump Really Wants Is Clearer Than Ever Read More Bannon, who ran Donald Trumps 2016 campaign, is one of the worlds leading purveyors of politically motived lies and propaganda. He was indicted in 2022 on charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering, but the trial was delayed into 2025, and Trump pardoned him. Since then, he has been convicted on multiple contempt charges, and spent four months in prison. He ran the racist and antisemitic Breitbart News, which was nothing but a pox on the American public. The dismantling of the administrative state? That was Steve Bannons agenda. Trumps current strategy to flood the zone with shit to overwhelm the media and ram a dangerous agenda through? Thats a Bannon-ism. He recently threw up a Nazi salute at the Conservative Political Action Conference. (He claims it was just a wave, but see for yourself.) Advertisement Kirk and Bannon are influential men, and both understand this new administration; they are worthy interview subjects for any journalist, or anyone seeking to understand Trump and what his second term may bring. Theyre also men who represent a now-triumphant wing of the Republican Party, and if Newsom were hosting a political debate show, they would be worthy opponents. Advertisement Newsom, though, isnt chatting with these men to push back on them or engage in good-faith debate or even learn much at all; instead, hes almost admiring, as if hes trying to sell himself to their audiences. He is positioning himself as a man for everyone, including the men of MAGA. Its of course not a bad idea for Democrats to try to appeal to a wider audience. The problem, though, is that Newsom seems willing to compromise whatever ideals he had in order to win over people who seem wildly unlikely to ever vote for a Democrat. He doesnt seem to be engaged in conversations intended to persuade movable voters so much as he is pandering to people already on the extremes. This, predictably, aggravates the Democratic base. It also reveals him as a man without much in the way of a moral core. Advertisement Advertisement If youve followed Newsoms rise, this isnt all that surprising. This is a man who was once married to Kimberly Guilfoyle, the Fox News host who was engaged to Donald Trump Jr. before being shipped off to Greece so he could move on with his latest girlfriend. Newsom is the man who, at 39, dated a 19-year-old model. Hes the man who had an affair with the wife of his dear friend and campaign manager. (To Newsoms credit, his current wife seems truly impressive and I wish she would run for office.) Hes the man who imposed strict COVID protocols for Californians, then went to a party at French Laundry. None of us have perfect personal livesbut Newsoms certainly seems more scandal-plagued than most, and more driven by spectacular narcissism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Joe Biden flailed in the lead-up to the 2024 election, one very funny person on Twitter wrote, Gavin Newsom is probably the only person having any fun right now you just know hes gnawing at the bars of whatever dog cage a 20 year old dominatrix has him padlocked in. The joke worked because, well, Newsom seems like the exact kind of slightly-too-slick politician who has more than a few secrets. When I mentioned to a group of women that I was writing this column, more than one brought up Patrick Bateman. Dont get me wrong: I generally like Newsoms politics. In California, one of the countrys most liberal states, hes a liberal leader; as mayor of San Francisco, he had the city issuing same-sex marriage licenses well before such unions were legal nationwide. But those politics seem awfully dependent on the direction of the political winds. As the nation has taken a hard right turn, he sounds less like a moral beacon and more like a collaborator. Advertisement Advertisement If there is one good thing about the second Trump term, its that it is separating the brave from the cowardly and the principled from the solipsistic. A small but respectable number of conservatives object to Trumps assaults on free speech and expression, his xenophobia, his trampling over the rights Americans hold dear. And a troublingly large number of business leaders, politicians, and public figures have seemingly decided that it behooves them to bend the knee to a man who would be king. There has been a vibe shift, and a political shift, and too many self-styled leaders have opted to follow it rather than lead the country in a better direction. Americans need a leader who is more interested in service than in power, someone who will stand firm against autocracy, not shapeshift into what they believe others want. This is not Gavin Newsom. This article was originally featured in Foreign Policy, the magazine of global politics and ideas. As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky awaits ceasefire talks and negotiations to end Russias war in his country, he should reflect on an earlier chapter in this tragic conflict. In November 2022, just nine months after Moscows armies invaded Ukraine, Mark Milley, then the U.S. chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, gave a talk at the Economic Club of New York. His insights were controversial, but they offer clues about how to bring this war to an acceptable end. Milley understood a brute fact about war: However entertaining the theatrics and the memes, outcomes in conflicts are determined on the battlefieldnot by the narratives that politicians spin about them. Dismissing Ukraines rhetoric about recovering all the territory Russia had seized, Milley insisted that victory is probably not achievable through military means and offered a detailed analysis explaining why Kyivs surprise counteroffensive had reached its limits. According to Milley, Ukraine now found itself bogged down in a stalemate, and its best option was to seize a window of opportunity for negotiation. Related From Slate Maybe Trump Wants to Help Ukraine After All Read More Milleys analysis recalled Prussian Gen. Carl von Clausewitzs oft-quoted explanation of the moral justification for the use of violence against other states: War is the continuation of politics by other means. Unless sending ones citizens to kill and be killed advances a viable political purpose, it is not a worthy use of the military instrument of power. If Ukraine had reached the limits of what it could achieve through violence, then how could it justify continuing the war? Then-U.S. President Joe Bidens administration distanced itself from Milleys remarks, and nothing came of his proposal. But a year later, another outstanding military commander came to the same conclusion. Valerii Zaluzhnyi, then Milleys Ukrainian counterpart, led the army that defeated Russian forces attempting to seize Kyiv in the early days of the war and drove them back in Ukraines counteroffensive. By late 2023, though, Zaluzhnyi reluctantly concluded that the time had come to say what in Kyiv was a forbidden word: stalemate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After months of attempting to get Zelensky to recognize this reality, in an initiative for which I can find no precedent in the annals of military history, Zaluzhnyi went public. In a lengthy November 2023 interview with the Economist that was accompanied by an essay, he explained his position. As he put it, the war is now moving to a new stage: what we in the military call positional warfare of static and attritional fighting, as in the first world war. This will benefit Russia, allowing it to rebuild its military power, eventually threatening Ukraines armed forces and the state itself. Three months later, he was no longer the commander of Ukraines troops. As this war enters its fourth year, U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance are confronting the same ugly realities. Assessing the facts, they seem to agree with Milley and Zaluzhnyi. If the initiative that Milley envisaged had been undertaken and succeeded in ending the war by early 2023, what would be different in Ukraine today? Advertisement More than 300,000 Ukrainian soldiers who have been killed or seriously wounded may have been spared. Thousands more civilians would still be alive. Some of the more than 2 million houses and apartments that have been damaged or destroyed might still be occupied, and around one-seventh of the countrys energy infrastructure, more than half of which is now in ruins, would still be heating and lighting homes. Advertisement After three years of war, Ukraines economy remains almost 10 percent smaller than prewar levels. Meanwhile, nearly a quarter of its citizens remain displaced, with some 15 percent of them having left the country entirely. As Trump told Zelensky bluntly in the White House last month, youre not winning this. Although Trumps rhetoric was harsh, it captured the basic truth that without the vital lifeline of supplies from the United States, Zelenskys forces simply cannot sustain the war. You dont have the cards right now, Trump added. Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administrations position is not up for debate. The president stated repeatedly on the campaign trail, I want the war to stop. Last week, Elon Muskwhom Trump has tasked with overhauling the federal governmentsaid on X, What I am sickened by is years of slaughter in a stalemate that Ukraine will inevitably lose. Every month that the war continues, Ukraine finds itself in a worse position. Rather than attempting to deny brute facts, persuade an unpersuadable Trump to change his mind, or wait for a European Godot, Zelensky should now focus on what he and his brave compatriots have won. They have defeated Russian President Vladimir Putins attempt to erase their country from the map. Ukraines army has fought the second-most powerful military on Earth to a standstill. At this point, Zelenskys team should make its best efforts to use the few cards that it has left to negotiate an ugly but sustainable peace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Zelensky begins to accept this reality, I would suggest seven pointers. First, he needs to understand that the most important player at the table is Trumpand that the U.S. presidents views are unlikely to change. Specifically, Trump disdains Zelensky (whom he believes provoked an unnecessary war and tricked Biden into paying for it); likes Putin (whom he sees as a strong leader); and doesnt really care about Ukraine. The only surprise in Trump and Vances attack on Zelensky at the White House in late February was that the world got to see it because it occurred on TV. Zelensky will now have to earn a second audience with Trump, which will require a lot more than his recent public statement that he regretted what happened. He will have to demonstrate respectwith a capital Rfor the United States and its president. Advertisement Advertisement Were I counseling Zelensky, I would suggest that he practice groveling in a way that would make Mark Zuckerbergs version of that act seem dignified. He should also take lessons from NATO Secretary-General Mark Ruttes masterclass in flattery during his meeting with Trump in mid-March. Second, Zelensky should accept the geographical fact that Ukraine shares a roughly 1,400-mile border with a great power. It cannot escape the shadow of Russian power any more than Canada or Mexico can with the United States. It must therefore seek to survive within the de facto sphere of influence of its hostile neighbor. For perspective, Zelensky should review the history of relations of Canada or Mexico with the United Statesnot just recently, but also in the past three centuries, when Washington seized portions of both countries. Closer to home, he could study Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Finlandall of which offer lessons in deference. Advertisement Advertisement Third, Ukraines alternative to hot war cannot be the just and lasting peace that Zelensky dreams of. Instead, it will likely have to be an end to the killing in an extended ceasefire or possibly an armistice similar to the agreement that ended the Korean War. That would leave Ukraine in a relationship with Russia analogous to the Cold War between the U.S.-led NATO and the Soviet Union from the late 1940s until the end of the 1980s. Putin will not give up his goal of dominating Ukraine, and Ukrainians will not give up their aspiration to recover the nearly 20 percent of their territory that Russian troops now control. In this version of cold war, avoidance of provocations, credible deterrence, and persistent vigilance will be the price of survival. Fourth, to achieve the best insurance that he can get against Putin using a ceasefire as a respite to rearm before launching another invasion, Zelensky should forget about NATO. For Trump, NATO membership for Ukraine is simply off the table. Advertisement Advertisement Fifth, Zelensky should be realistic about the security commitments that may be available to him. Europeans are actively talking about commitments from individual countriesbut, of course, talking is what Europeans do best. The strongest proposal so far has come from U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who expressed Britains willingness to commit boots on the ground in Ukraine. Careful listeners will have noted, however, that Starmer insisted that this would only be possible if the United States commits to back up those forcesa prospect that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ruled out when he told NATO that Europe must take the lead in providing for Ukraines postwar security. As Hegseth put it, any security guarantees must be backed by capable European and non-European troops. If these troops are deployed as peacekeepers to Ukraine at any point, they should be deployed as part of a non-NATO mission, and they should not be covered under Article 5. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If stretching for alternatives, Zelensky should consider Trumps earlier suggestion that China can help. A peace agreement whose signatories and guarantors include not just Ukraine and Russia but also the United States, Europe, and China would be significant. Sixth, the key issue on which Zelensky and Trump agree is that peace (or the absence of hot war) must be sustainablenot simply a respite for Putin to rearm. Trump is planning for a long legacy for his Make America Great Again movement. If he were to declare a beautiful peace deal that then exploded on his watch or that of his successor, that would be a major failure for him. It will be both a challenge and opportunity for Zelensky to make a case for specific elements of the agreement that could ensure sustainability. Finally, Ukraines larger hope for a viable future lies in its relationship with Europe. A peace agreement should confirm its right to strengthen economic relations with the European Union on a path to membership. Over the next decade or two, the EUs trajectoryfrom its economic growth to its military development to its role as a rising geopolitical playervis-a-vis that of Putins authoritarian, security-first Russia will shape the chessboard on which Ukraine, caught between the two, can operate. If a lasting peace is achieved, Ukraine can hope to follow in the footsteps of West Germany, South Korea, and Finland to become a miracle of the 21st century. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. President Donald Trumps assault on birthright citizenship has arrived at the Supreme Court, but the justices wont be considering the question of who gets to be an American head-on. Instead, the Department of Justice asked the court to weigh in on a question that tests the limits of executive power: Should lower court judges be allowed to issue nationwide bans on the presidents executive orders? Trumps executive orderwhich denies birthright citizenship to babies born in the U.S. whose parents lack legal status or whose mothers are on temporary visasstarted to attract lawsuits hours after it was signed, all challenging it as a violation of the 14th Amendment. That section of the Constitution establishes that any person born or naturalized on U.S. soil, and under the jurisdiction thereof, is a U.S. citizen. Three different circuit court judges intervened and issued injunctions restraining the Trump administration from implementing the presidents executive order. Seattle-based U.S. District Court Judge John Coughenour called it blatantly unconstitutional. The DOJ dug in its heels and appealed the injunctions up to the Supreme Court, but it isnt asking the justices to consider the central question of who should be granted U.S. citizenship. Instead, the DOJ asked the justices to consider limiting the power of lower court judges to issue injunctions that impact the entire country. One scenario the DOJ has requested would limit the current nationwide injunction of the presidents executive order to only the plaintiffs involved. That would mean 28 statespredominantly Republican-controlledwould no longer grant birthright citizenship to babies born within their borders, while the remaining 22 states and D.C. would. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In order to make sense of the DOJs strategy here and how the justices could potentially respond, I spoke with Brian Green, an immigration attorney based in Denver. For over a decade, hes worked on a wide range of immigration cases, including lawsuits against the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the State Department. Heres our conversation, edited and condensed for clarity. Shirin Ali: Can you break down what exactly the DOJ asked the Supreme Court to weigh in on? Brian Green: The Department of Justice is asking the Supreme Court to stay the extent of the injunctions, because right now, theres three nationwide injunctions. What theyre trying to do is limit the scope of those three injunctions as narrowly as possible. Because theyre lawyers, theyre not just saying Narrow the scope this way, theyre saying to the judges: Wed love for you to narrow the scope this much, but if you dont agree, how about this much, or this much, or if you really dont like what were saying, give us this much. It asks for three or four different levels of an order. Advertisement Advertisement Their dream scenario is that the injunctions would only apply to the named individuals in the three lawsuits. I think theres probably two individuals in the Seattle lawsuit, five individuals in the Maryland lawsuit, and maybe no individuals in the New Jersey lawsuit. Thats pie-in-the-sky, thats asking for everything possible thing to go their way. In reality, they need to convince five of the nine Supreme Court justices to agree on something, so theyre hedging their bets and saying, Well take any of these results in order of preference. It seems like theres a pretty massive loophole here, because one of the injunctions applies to a lawsuit brought by 22 states and Washington, D.C. If SCOTUS agrees to stay that injunction to the extent that it only applies to the plaintiffs, that would mean Trumps birthright citizenship order only applies in the remaining 28 states, right? Advertisement Advertisement There is, and the way the Constitution works is that citizenship is universal in all 50 states. States cant have individual citizenship rules. I think if the Supreme Court does limit the injunctions, its only going to be a stopgap. I dont think its going to change the outcome, because I dont think the Supreme Court is going to say that we have different citizenship rules in different parts of the country. Advertisement Advertisement I dont know that the 14th Amendment, or any of the Constitution, has explicitly defined rights in different parts of the country. What if someone is applying for a passport? They were born in the U.S. to undocumented people, but have a Texas address. Does this injunction, if its changed by the Supreme Court, mean that the State Department says no? But if they have an address in Seattle, the State Department says yes? Thats pretty weird. I think what the administration wants to do is to be able to print out their guidance, issue regulations or memos. They want to put out something thats typed out and that the judges can eventually rule on. Advertisement I think theres a procedural strategy here, which is to limit nationwide injunctions. The DOJ doesnt want nationwide injunctions hurting them over the next four years, because next time it could be about the Environmental Protection Agency, or about firing people from Veterans Affairs. I think they also are looking for a partial victory here that they can claim in the meantime from the Supreme Court. Why do you think the DOJ is going at this through attacking lower court judges and their injunctions, instead of just arguing for the presidents birthright citizenship on its merits? Advertisement Its being pragmatic as a lawyer. If I were the lawyer for the Department of Justice, arguing the merits doesnt really convince five of the nine Supreme Court justices. More than likely, I think Chief Justice John Roberts probably wont come out on the side of saying that the 14th Amendment has been incorrectly interpreted for the last 147 years. In order to win a partial victory, theyre playing into the interests of Justices Neil Gorsuch, Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, and Brett Kavanaugh by citing their dissents and concurring opinions, which have said we need to rein in these nationwide injunctions. Advertisement Advertisement Its worth noting that the Supreme Court didnt rule against nationwide injunctions and didnt limit them during the Biden administration. Instead, Republican states often went to Texas and got nationwide injunctions against Biden there. Now it seems that in the four years we have left of Trump, the DOJ is looking to limit the impact of nationwide injunctions. However, I think the Supreme Court justices tend to look much longer-term. They probably dont care as much about the next three to four years, but if it serves their policy goals of limiting nationwide injunctions and limiting the judiciary branchs impact on the power of the executive branch, that may be a way to get five or six justices to rule in favor of limiting injunctions here. Advertisement Advertisement I think the DOJ is always looking to protect the power of the executive branch; their loyalties are with the current administration. However, the DOJ would argue lower courts jurisdictions are limited. Like in Colorado, their jurisdiction is the state of Colorado. In the Western District of Washington, their jurisdiction is half of the state, so they have a geographic jurisdiction and they are supposed to decide cases based on the interests and the claims of the people in front of them. In New Jersey, a judge issued a nationwide injunction over the lawsuit filed by 21 states plus the District of Columbia, but less than half the country was suing. Yet the injunction covered the whole country. The DOJ is arguing that the district judges dont have power across the country, and circuit court judges dont have it either. The Supreme Court does, but why would you have trial judges making rules that affect people in Texas when Texas wasnt a plaintiff in the lawsuit? So I think theyre arguing this original-intent U.S. Constitution limitation on district judges. Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Court responded to the DOJs request and has asked all the plaintiffs involved in these legal challenges to submit responses explaining why they are suing the Trump administration. Those responses arent due until April 4. That seems late. What do you make of it? Advertisement They could have asked for a briefing in a much shorter time, like a couple of days. Im just reading the tea leaves here, but Im guessing that means they dont think that there is an immediate harm coming from this injunction. If there really were national security risks, if it was something really dire, I think they would have said, We want briefing done by next week, or something like that. So if it were me and I was advising my client, I would probably say giving the DOJ three weeks instead of three days probably shows that the justices dont think this is as serious as the DOJ is making it sound, and that people who are going to have citizenship based on the 14th Amendment are not losing it in the next year or two. Advertisement Even if the Supreme Court does limit the injunctions, theyre not ruling on the merits of the lawsuit. That might come during the 202526 Supreme Court term, maybe the year after that, depending on how long it takes the district courts to work this out. Say the Supreme Court flatly rejects the DOJs request for a stay of these three injunctions. The litigation goes back to the lower courts, but the DOJ is expected to continue to appeal any decisions that go against Trumps birthright citizenship executive order. This will inevitably end up at SCOTUS again, right? Advertisement Advertisement The DOJ is asking for an emergency relief to limit these injunctions. If less than five of the Supreme Court justices agree, then the injunctions stay in place. Then, the DOJ goes back to the lower courts and appeals, one by one. The Maryland court rules, then DOJ will appeal to the 4th Circuit. Once the New Jersey court rules, theyll appeal to the 3rd Circuit, and once the Western District of Washington rules, theyll appeal to the 9th Circuit, and youll have three different panels of judges. Now the DOJ can ask for en banc [a special procedure where judges of separate appellate courts join together to hear a case], and here DOJ may end up having different outcomes.* Advertisement Advertisement This is the type of situation where the Supreme Court wants to weigh in. They are better at weighing in after youve had split decisions between the circuits, when lower courts have fleshed out everything and when SCOTUS has an expansive record to look at everything at one time. The justices will be better able to give an ultimate answer about whether or not the district courts were right, whether the 14th Amendment affords everyone born here U.S. citizenship. Right now, the DOJ is asking for limited relief in this current request for a stay, and its not really on the merits, because I dont think they have a strong argument there. Advertisement How do you think the Supreme Court is going to rule on this? My guesses would be that Justices Gorsuch, Thomas, and Kavanaugh would grant some kind of relief to limit the injunctions. For Justice Alito, Im guessing he would probably go along with those other three. That gets you four votes. What I dont know is how Justice Amy Coney Barrett will vote, since shes become a little bit of a swing vote in the last six months. Advertisement Chief Justice Roberts cares about the centuries-long legitimacy of the Supreme Court, and as chief justice he has an interest in protecting institutions. Im not sure if either Roberts or Coney Barrett will join the other four justices and say, Yes, were going to limit these injunctions. If they do, the problem is that you are then going to have people in Washington state who can get passports and people in Texas who cant get passports. Youre going to have people with the same factual situation: They were born in the U.S. to undocumented parents, but some people have constitutional rights and some people dont have constitutional rights. Theres a federalism problem here, where federal law is supposed to be supreme, and I dont know that Roberts and Coney Barrett want to see that happen. I think the deciding votes are going to come from Roberts or Barrett, or both. You might see a 63 ruling, or maybe 54. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The justices have to seriously consider whether the DOJ is going to lose these cases on the merits: Do you want to have people who didnt have passports for a year all getting their passports late? They were denied the ability to travel and werent treated as citizens for a year. Its an injury you cant repair afterwards. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250319/russian-soldiers-safely-return-from-ukraine-controlled-territory-1121653212.html Russian Soldiers Safely Return From Ukraine-Controlled Territory Russian Soldiers Safely Return From Ukraine-Controlled Territory Sputnik International As a result of the negotiation process, 175 Russian soldiers were returned from territory controlled by Ukraine , Russian Ministry of Defense reported. 2025-03-19T16:49+0000 2025-03-19T16:49+0000 2025-03-19T16:49+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine ukrainian crisis prisoner swap prisoner release https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/03/13/1121653282_0:12:1107:635_1920x0_80_0_0_2dd13cf2f12c1dfc5a73b8d5bd569a8c.png Similarly, Russia handed over 175 Ukrainian prisoners of war, as well as 22 seriously wounded prisoners as a gesture of goodwill. The returned Russian military personnel are in the territory of Belarus, they are provided with psychological and medical assistance and can contact their relatives. During their phone call on Tuesday, Putin informed Trump about the planned 175-for-175 prisoner swap. Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia's special operation, ukraine crisis, ukrainian conflict, conflict ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20250319/technical-teams-from-us-and-russia-to-meet-in-riyadh-in-coming-days--1121651914.html Technical Teams From US and Russia to Meet in Riyadh in Coming Days Technical Teams From US and Russia to Meet in Riyadh in Coming Days Sputnik International US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said on Wednesday that he had a conversation with Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov regarding an upcoming meeting between US and Russian technical teams in Riyadh. 2025-03-19T14:48+0000 2025-03-19T14:48+0000 2025-03-19T14:50+0000 world russia us saudi arabia https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/0a/0c/1089858677_0:143:3072:1871_1920x0_80_0_0_a89bea0d042761c8588bf05ed990d0fa.jpg I spoke today with my Russian counterpart Yuri Ushakov about [US] President [Donald] Trumps efforts to end the war in Ukraine. We agreed our technical teams would meet in Riyadh in the coming days to focus on implementing and expanding the partial ceasefire President Trump secured from Russia, Waltz wrote in an X post. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250219/putin-praises-friendly-russian-us-negotiations-in-riyadh-1121585905.html russia saudi arabia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia, us, russia-us meeting in saudi arabia https://sputnikglobe.com/20250319/ukraines-overnight-attack-may-be-seen-as-peace-attempts-sabotage---kremlin--1121652499.html Ukraine's Overnight Attack May Be Seen As Peace Attempts Sabotage - Kremlin Ukraine's Overnight Attack May Be Seen As Peace Attempts Sabotage - Kremlin Sputnik International Ukraine has not canceled its night attacks on facilities in Russia, which runs counter to the efforts of Putin and Trump to reach a peaceful settlement... 19.03.2025, Sputnik International 2025-03-19T14:55+0000 2025-03-19T14:55+0000 2025-03-19T14:55+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine ukrainian crisis ukrainian drone attacks on russia ukraine vladimir putin donald trump https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/1b/1116440001_0:222:2954:1884_1920x0_80_0_0_e638d00ba77cc1056f84576035d49951.jpg At the same time, the Russian president's command to stop attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure facilities was immediately implemented, he stressed. Now, Russian authorities are closely watching whether Kiev will listen to the intention of Moscow and Washington to do everything possible to get back on a peaceful track. ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International ukrainian crisis, ukrainian drone attacks on russia, ukraine, vladimir putin, donald trump Transaction timeline The Office of the Washington State Auditor reports the following charges were made on the former Woodland mayor's city-issued credit card. No criminal or civil charges were filed in regards to these transactions. March 2022: A $1,070 personal expense is charged to a local community college, but the money is reimbursed after being questioned by city officials. Former mayor Will Finn said in the report that he used the card by mistake. March 2023: The mayor totaled $435 for meals, but reimbursed the city for the money that May and July. June 2023: Finn charges $1,858 worth of expenses from a personal Las Vegas trip on his city credit card, which he also paid back. He said he was forced to use the card because his personal card wouldn't work due to fraud. August 2023: $145 for groceries and wine is charged on Finn's card, which the city didn't notice and he didn't pay back. Alcohol cannot be bought with public funds, the audit states. November 2023: His credit card is used to buy food for a food cart to feed the public, and pay almost $500 to a local tap house to run a beer garden during a city-sponsored event to promote a possible food cart park. Alcohol cannot be bought with public funds, the audit states. The report is not clear whether this money was recovered. Source: Office of the Washington State Auditor. 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: Pavel Danilyuk from Pexels Artificial intelligence designed to influence our decisions is everywherein Google searches, in online shopping suggestions and in movie streaming recommendations. But how does it affect decision-making in moments of crisis? Virginia Commonwealth University researcher Christopher Whyte, Ph.D., investigated how emergency management and national security professionals responded during simulated AI attacks. The results, published in the Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, reveal that the professionals were more hesitant and doubtful of their abilities when faced with completely AI-driven threats than when confronted with threats from human hackers or hackers who were only assisted by AI. "These results show that AI plays a major role in driving participants to become more hesitant, more cautious," he said, "except under fairly narrow circumstances." Those narrow circumstances are most concerning to Whyte, an associate professor in VCU's L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs. National security organizations design their training programs to cut down on hesitancy in moments of uncertainty. While most of the almost 700 American and European professionals in the study thought AI could boost human abilities, a small group believed AI could eventually fully replace their profession, and human expertise in general. That group responded recklessly to the AI-based threat, accepting risks and rashly forging ahead. "These are people that believe the totality of what they dotheir professional mission and the institutional mission that they supportcould be overtaken by AI," Whyte said. Artificial intelligence: The next 'Great Machine' Whyte has a theory for why that may be the case. The discredited "Great Man" theory proposes that the course of history has mainly been shaped by strong political figures, while modern historians give more credit to popular movements. Now, Whyte proposes that history has also been shaped by transformative technological inventions, like the telegraph or radio waves, and misplaced faith in their powerwhat he has coined the "Great Machine" theory. But unlike the "Great Man" theory, Whyte said, "Great Machines" are a shared, societal force that can be harnessed for society's benefitor for its detriment. "In the mid-1930s, for instance, we knew that radio waves had a great amount of potential for a lot of things," Whyte said. "But one of the early ideas was for death raysyou could fry your brain, and so on." Death rays caught on, inspiring both science fiction stories and real-life attempts to build them during World War I and the interwar period. It wasn't until a few years before World War II that scientists began to build something practical with radio waves: radar. Society currently faces the same problem with AI, Whyte said, which is what he calls a "general purpose" technology that could either help or hurt society. The technology has already dramatically changed how some people think about the world and their place in it. "It does so many different things that you really do have this emergent area of replacement mentalities," he said. "As in, the world of tomorrow will look completely different, and my place in it simply won't exist because [AI] will fundamentally change everything." That line of thinking could pose problems for national security professionals as the new technology upends how they think about their own abilities and changes how they respond to emergency situations. "That is the kind of psychological condition where we unfortunately end up having to throw out the rulebook on what we know is going to combat bias or uncertainty," Whyte said. Combating 'Skynet'-level threats To study how AI affects professionals' decision-making abilities, Whyte recruited almost 700 emergency management and homeland security professionals from the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom and Slovenia to participate in a simulation game. During the experiment, the professionals were faced with a typical national security threat: A foreign government interfering in an election in their country. They were then assigned to one of three scenarios: a control scenario, where the threat only involved human hackers; a scenario with light, "tactical" AI involvement, where hackers were assisted by AI; and a scenario with heavy levels of AI involvement, where participants were told that the threat was orchestrated by a "strategic" AI program. When confronted with a strategic AI-based threatwhat Whyte calls a "Skynet"-level threat, referencing the "Terminator" movie franchisethe professionals tended to doubt their training and were hesitant to act. They were also more likely to ask for additional intelligence information compared with their colleagues in the other two groups, who generally responded to the situation according to their training. In contrast, the participants who thought about AI as a "Great Machine" that could completely replace them acted without restraint and made decisions that contradicted their training. And while experience and education helped moderate how the professionals responded to the AI-assisted attacks, they didn't affect how the professionals reacted to the "Skynet"-level threat. That could pose a threat as AI attacks become more common, Whyte said. "People have variable views on whether AI is about augmentation, or whether it really is something that's going to replace them," Whyte said. "And that meaningfully changes how people will react in a crisis." More information: Christopher Whyte, Artificial Intelligence and the "Great Machine" Problem: Avoiding Technology Oversimplification in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (2025). DOI: 10.1515/jhsem-2024-0030 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: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain In today's attention economy, impact-driven organizations are arguably at a disadvantage. Since they have no tangible product to sell, the core of their appeal is emotional rather than practicalthe "warm glow" of contributing to a cause you care about. But emotional appeals call for more delicacy and precision than standardized marketing tools, such as mass email campaigns, can sustain. Emotional states vary from person to personeven from moment to moment within the same person. Siddharth Bhattacharya and Pallab Sanyal, professors of information systems and operations management at the Donald G. Costello College of Business at George Mason University, believe that artificial intelligence (AI) can help solve this problem. A well-designed chatbot could be programmed to calibrate persuasive appeals in real time, delivering messaging more likely to motivate someone to take a desired next step, whether that's donating money, volunteering time or simply pledging support. Automated solutions, such as chatbots, can be especially rewarding for nonprofits, which tend to be cash-conscious and resource-constrained. "We completed a project in Minneapolis and are working with other organizations, in Boston, New Jersey and elsewhere, but the focus is always the same," Sanyal says. "How can we leverage AI to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve service quality in nonprofit organizations?" Sanyal and Bhattacharya's working paper (coauthored by Scott Schanke of University of Wisconsin Milwaukee) describes their recent randomized field experiment with a Minneapolis-based women's health organization. The researchers designed a custom chatbot to interact with prospective patrons through the organization's Facebook Messenger app. The bot was programmed to adjust, at random, its responses to be more or less emotional, as well as more or less anthropomorphic (human-like). "For the anthropomorphic condition, we introduced visual cues such as typing bubbles and slightly delayed response to mimic the experience of messaging with another human," Sanyal says. The chatbot's "emotional" mode featured more subjective, generalizing statements with liberal use of provocative words such as "unfair," "discrimination" and "unjust." The "informational" modes leaned more heavily on facts and statistics. Over the course of hundreds of real Facebook interactions, the moderately emotional chatbot achieved deepest user engagement, as defined by a completed conversation. (Completion rate was critical because after the last interaction, users were redirected to a contact/donation form.) But when the emotional level went from moderate to extreme, more users bailed out on the interaction. The takeaway may be that "there is a sweet spot where some emotion is important, but beyond that emotions can be bad," as Bhattacharya explains. When human-like features were layered on top of emotionalism, that sweet spot got even smaller. Anthropomorphism lowered completion rates and reduced the organization's ability to use emotional engagement as a motivational tool. "In the retail space, studies have shown anthropomorphism to be useful," Bhattacharya says. "But in a nonprofit context, it's totally empathy-driven and less transactional. If that is the case, maybe these human cues coming from a bot make people feel creepy, and they back off." Sanyal and Bhattacharya say that more customized chatbot experiments with other nonprofits are in the works. They are taking into careful consideration the success metrics and unique needs of each partner organization. "Most of the time, we researchers sit in our offices and work on these problems," Sanyal says. "But one aspect of these projects that I really like is that we are learning so much from talking to these people." In collaboration with the organizations concerned, they are designing chatbots that can cater their persuasive appeals more closely to each context and individual interlocutor. If successful, this method would prove that chatbots could become more than a second-best substitute for a salaried human being. They could serve as interactive workshops for crafting and refining an organization's messaging to a much more granular level than previously possible. And this would improve the effectiveness of organizational outreach across the boarda consummate example of AI enhancing, rather than displacing, human labor. "This AI is augmenting human functions," says Sanyal. "It's not replacing. Sometimes it's complementing, sometimes it's supplementing. But at the end of the day, it is just augmenting." More information: Schanke, Scott and Bhattacharya, Siddharth and Sanyal, Pallab, Enhancing Nonprofit Operations with AI Chatbots: The Role of Humanization and Emotion (August 02, 2024). Donald G. Costello College of Business at George Mason University Research Paper, Available at SSRN: ssrn.com/abstract=4914622 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: CEO Jensen Huang talks during the keynote address of Nvidia GTC Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in San Jose, Calif. Credit: AP Photo/Nic Coury Nvidia founder Jensen Huang kicked off the company's artificial intelligence developer conference on Tuesday by telling a crowd of thousands that AI is going through "an inflection point." At GTC 2025dubbed the "Super Bowl of AI"Huang focused his keynote on the company's advancements in AI and his predictions for how the industry will move over the next few years. Demand for GPUs from the top four cloud service providers is surging, he said, adding that he expects Nvidia's data center infrastructure revenue to hit $1 trillion by 2028. Huang's highly anticipated announcement revealed more details around Nvidia's next-generation graphics architectures: Blackwell Ultra and Vera Rubinnamed for the famous astronomer. Blackwell Ultra is slated for the second half of 2025, while its successor, the Rubin AI chip, is expected to launch in late 2026. Rubin Ultra will take the stage in 2027. In a talk that lasted at over two hours, Huang outlined the "extraordinary progress" that AI has made. In 10 years, he said, AI graduated from perception and "computer vision" to generative AI, and now to agentic AIor AI that has the ability to reason. "AI understands the context, understands what we're asking. Understands the meaning of our request," he said. "It now generates answers. Fundamentally changed how computing is done." CEO Jensen Huang talks during the keynote address of Nvidia GTC Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in San Jose, Calif. Credit: AP Photo/Nic Coury The next wave of AI, he said, is already happening: robotics. Robotics fueled by so-called "physical AI" can understand concepts like friction and inertia, cause and effect, and object permanence, he said. "Each one of these phases, each one of these waves, opens up new market opportunities for all of us," Huang said. The key to that physical AI, and many of Huang's other announcements, was the concept of using synthetic data generationAI or computer-created datafor model training. AI needs digital experiences to learn from, he said, and it learns at speeds that make using humans in the training loops obsolete. "There's only so much data and so much human demonstration we can perform," he said. "This is the big breakthrough in the last couple of years: reinforcement learning." Nvidia's tech, he said, can help with that type of learning for AI as it attacks or tries to engage in solving a problem, step by step. CEO Jensen Huang talks during the keynote address of Nvidia GTC Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in San Jose, Calif. Credit: AP Photo/Nic Coury To that end, Huang announced Isaac GR00T N1, an open-source foundation model designed to assist in developing humanoid robots. Isaac GR00T N1 would be paired with an updated Cosmos AI model to help develop simulated training data for robots. Benjamin Lee, a professor of electrical and systems engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, said that the challenge in training robotics lies in data collection because training in the real world is time-consuming and expensive. A simulated environment has long been a standard for reinforcement learning, Lee said, so researchers can test the effectiveness of their models. "I think it's really exciting. Providing a platform, and an open-source one, will allow more people to learn on reinforcement learning," Lee said. "More researchers could start playing with this synthetic datanot just big players in the industry but also academic researchers." CEO Jensen Huang talks during the keynote address of Nvidia GTC Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in San Jose, Calif. Credit: AP Photo/Nic Coury Huang introduced the Cosmos series of AI models, which can generate cost-efficient photo-realistic video that can then be used to train robots and other automated services, at CES earlier this year. The open-source model, which works with the Nvidia's Omniversea physics simulation toolto create more realistic video, promises to be much cheaper than traditional forms of gathering training, such as having cars record road experiences or having people teach robots repetitive tasks. U.S. car maker General Motors plans to integrate Nvidia technology in its new fleet of self-driving cars, Huang said. The two two companies will work together to build custom AI systems using both Omniverse and Cosmos to train AI manufacturing models. The Nvidia head also unveiled the company's Halos system, an AI solution built around automotiveespecially autonomous drivingsafety. CEO Jensen Huang talks during the keynote address of Nvidia GTC Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in San Jose, Calif. Credit: AP Photo/Nic Coury CEO Jensen Huang talks during the keynote address of Nvidia GTC Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in San Jose, Calif. Credit: AP Photo/Nic Coury "We're the first company in the world, I believe, to have every line of code safety assessed," Huang said. At the end of his talk, Huang an open-source physics engine for robotics simulation called Newton, which is being developed with Google DeepMind and Disney Research. A small, boxy robot named Blue joined him on stage, popping up from a hatch in the floor. It beeped at Huang and followed his commands, standing beside him as he wrapped up his thoughts. "The age of generalist robotics is here," Huang said. 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Chinese ambassador attends the U.K. Premiere of 'The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru' People's Daily Online) 09:05, March 19, 2025 Chinese Ambassador to the U.K. Zheng Zeguang attended the U.K. premiere of the documentary "The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru" at invitation on March 17, 2025. Also present were around 200 guests including Fang Li, President of Laurel Films, production company of the documentary, Major Brian Finch, who has long been dedicated to collecting materials related to the Lisbon Maru incident, as well as representatives of the families of British POWs on the ship and people from various sectors in the U.K. (Photo/Chinese embassy in the U.K.) During a meeting with British attendees of the premiere, Zheng noted that the touching story of Zhoushan fishermen rescuing British POWs from the Lisbon Maru in 1942 is a significant testament to the alliance between China and the U.K. during World War II, as they fought side by side against fascist aggression. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese Peoples War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the world anti-fascist war, making the U.K. release of "The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru" particularly relevant. He expressed hope that people from all walks of life in China and the U.K. would remember history, cherish friendship, and contribute to promoting exchanges and cooperation between the peoples of the two nations. (Photo/Chinese embassy in the U.K.) "The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru," produced by Laurel Films, recounts the moving story of Zhoushan fishermen in Zhejiang Province, China, bravely rescuing British POWs in 1942. In October 1942, the Japanese military requisitioned the Lisbon Maru to transport over 1,800 British POWs from Hong Kong to Japan. While passing through waters near Zhoushan, the ship was hit by a torpedo from a US submarine. Zhoushan fishermen risked their lives and rescued 384 British POWs. The documentary premiered in China in September 2024 and won the Best Documentary/Educational Film Award at the 37th Golden Rooster Awards. It is now officially distributed in the U.K. by U.K. China Film Collab and will be screened 25 times across 19 cities in the U.K. Source: Chinese embassy in the U.K. (Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming) Some Orangeburg County lawmakers are supporting a proposal to build a $1 billion casino and resort in the Santee area. I think all our citizens are tired of the many years of all the talk and no action by outsiders to address the problems of the I-95 corridor, Orangeburg County Legislative Delegation Chair and Senate Minority Leader Brad Hutto said. The Orangeburg Democrat said a casino could bring an economic renaissance to the entire region. This is our chance to control our own destiny, he said. Greenville businessman and casino developer Wallace Cheves of Santee Development Corporation announced his plans to develop the resort and casino last month. He says it will entirely use private funds. The company claims the casino will have a total impact of about a $8 billion on the state's economy within the first 10 years, creating about 4,600 jobs and helping expand local tourism and business opportunities. It's not a stretch to say this project can be as important to us as BMW has been to the Upstate, Hutto said. Our people, schools and businesses will benefit dramatically as people traveling on I-95 will no longer pass us by but make us a destination place to visit and spend their money. The developer claims the project would: Bring in over $58 million in annual tax revenue. Create 2,925 direct jobs, 813 indirect jobs and 880 induced jobs for a total of 4,618 annually. Attract over four million annual visitors, including those from out of state. Casino bill Building a casino will require a change in the states law. House Bill 4176, called the I-95 Economic and Education Stimulus Act, was introduced on the House floor March 6. Its cosponsored by Rep. Justin Bamberg, D-Bamberg, and Rep. Gilda Cobb Hunter, D-Orangeburg. Its in the House Ways and Means Committee. The bill would establish the South Carolina Gaming Commission that could award casino licenses in counties that contain a section of I-95 within their borders, including Orangeburg County. The commission would oversee casino gambling in the state. Bamberg said he has long been in favor of eliminating government overreach in the gaming arena. We should allow the citizens of each individual county to make their own decisions regarding whether they would like to allow gaming where they live, Bamberg said. Its not that there is a problem with gaming or gambling, its that too many elected officials want the State of South Carolina to continue to enjoy its complete monopoly over gaming via the S.C. Education Lottery. Gaming or gambling, as with anything, follows the mantra that too much of anything can be bad for you, he said. However, its not the governments place to restrict the liberties and freedoms of people just because some folks dont like something. Thats the very definition of big government. Cobb-Hunter said, I like the idea of this venture being 100 percent private funding and zero state or local dollars being invested. The potential economic impact would be tremendous for the area. Cobb-Hunter hopes the project will be seen favorably by the General Assembly and the governor. We already have state-sanctioned gambling in the form of the state lottery and that this venture is 100 percent private funding with no tax dollars involved, Cobb-Hunter said. Sen. Jeffrey Zell, R-Sumter, said he wants to know more about the proposal before making a decision on it. I'm not willing to make any commitments to support this unless the people of the 36th Senate District show strong support for it, Zell said. Once we take on something of this magnitude, it is irreversible. Ill be doing a lot of outreach to see where folks are at on this. Zell said he does recognize the potential economic benefits the project could bring to an impoverished area but said, it must be done properly, with appropriate safeguards, addiction mitigation strategies, and community and educational reinvestment initiatives. Sen. Russell Ott, D-St. Matthews, said the proposed casino and resort is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the local community and the state. Tourism is a huge part of our economy and we need to capitalize on that in ways that will allow us to lower taxes on residents while still being able to pay for things like new roads and better schools, Ott said. Im excited about the potential it has to create jobs and economic growth in an area that has largely been paid lip service with no real follow through. People who live in rural areas are often overlooked, Ott continued. This is the kind of investment that has the potential to change that for everyone. I intend to do everything I can to make this a reality. County councils react Orangeburg County Council Vice Chair Johnny Ravenell, who represents the Santee area, says has a guarded support of the proposal. "I am not against it," he said. There will need to be appropriate restrictions in place, he said. I would hate to see people get addicted to the gambling process if it will be legalized. Ravenell said infrastructure will need to be improved to handle such a venue. There will need to be more police protection, more fire protection, more EMS service that would need to be funded, Ravenell said. I am hoping they will consider all that in the process. Orangeburg County Council Chairman Johnnie Wright Sr. said he believes the casino and resort could be of an economic benefit to the county and state if it is crafted right and will not cost residents. Wright said there is already water and sewer in the area that could handle such a project. The biggest improvement needed will be the road infrastructure to handle the increase in traffic, he said. Wright said the close proximity to Interstate 95 would help to ease traffic concerns as many will be able to quickly get on the interstate. It is right there in the middle of 95, Wright said. I think 80 percent of the money will come from outside of the county. As far as the morality of gambling, Wright said there will be mixed feelings in the faith-based community. I feel like people will do what they want to do, he said. A number of people play numbers now and they drive other places to gamble. It will continue whether it is here or not. Calhoun County Council Chairman James Haigler thinks the resort and casino would be a good thing for the county and the area. I don't have any problems with it, he said. I think Santee is a growing area that brings in a lot of tourism. Haigler said growth is inevitable. We just can't freeze up and think it is not going to come, he said. They are growing down there. A lot of people take their money out of state to go to casinos and it would be nice to keep the money closer to home, Haigler said. S.C. Baptist Convention Dr. Tony Beam, policy director for the South Carolina Baptist Convention, said South Carolina Baptists will oppose the bill. While the promise of wealth is attached to the bill, there is also harm, he said. Casinos and gambling bring addiction to individuals. It brings pain and hurt to peoples lives. Beam said gambling undermines the idea of working hard and using talents and skills that provide meaning to life. Beam said, as a pastor, he has spoken to people who have struggled with gambling and has watched it ruin families and the people they love. We want to see people prosper, we want economic opportunity for everyone and we want to see poor people are properly taken care of, he said. I don't see virtue rising out of vice. The Orangeburg-Calhoun Baptist Association declined making an immediate statement, noting the proposal has not been adequately reviewed by the group at this point. 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. You have reached a premium content area of Transitions. To read this entire article please login if you are already a Transitions subscriber. Not a subscriber? Subscribe today for access to: Full access to the website, including premium articles videos, country reports and searchable archives (containing over 25,000 articles). 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. I WILL DO MY BEST: Attorney General Camille Robinson-Regis takes the oath of office at Presidents House, St Anns, yesterday. Looking on is President Christine Kangaloo. Photos: ISHMAEL SALANDY 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. A budding romance between a USO actress and a soldier is interrupted by World War II and the pairs wartime letters are all that connect them with dreams of a reunion in Robert Schenkkans play Bob and Jean: A Love Story. Arizona Theatre Company is presenting the plays world premiere March 23 through April 12 at the Temple of Music and Art. Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Schenkkan wrote the play using letters between his parents, Bob and Jean, verbatim, which add a poetic quality to the language. According to ATCs blog, Their story unfolds at the start of World War II, a conflict that spanned continents, with young men and women like Bob and Jean answering the call to serve. In the Pacific, the U.S. Navy and Marines fought against Japan, while in Europe, Allied forces battled Nazi Germany. Neither Bob nor Jean were looking for love when it found them at the worst possible time. Bob Schenkkan and Jean McKenzie were college friends who were reunited in New York City in 1941. Lightning struck and the pair started a relationship just as Bob was shipping off to the Pacific as a bomb disposal officer. Jean, meanwhile, was touring the country with the USO. ATC Artistic Director Matt August, who is directing the ATC production, was drawn to the script when Schenkkans agent sent it to him. I saw its enormous potential as a beautiful production and something our audience will love, August said. Its a romance! And we need some love in our lives right now. August said the play takes a unique theatrical approach. The story is narrated by the couples son, who finds their letters and imagines how the courtship unfolded, August said. So its got a lot of theater magic in it, he said. The production not only explores love but also transformation. This is the real story of two young adults during World War II, one serving in the Navy and the other in the USO, August said. Their journeys take them across the Pacific and the country, shaping them into better versions of themselves before bringing them back together. Jake Bentley Young, who plays Bob, describes the production as more than just a historical drama. Its charming and funny, but also dense and poetic, Young said. For Mary Mattison, who plays Jean, the biggest challenge has been delivering dialogue never meant to be spoken aloud. Its unlike any other experience Ive had almost like learning Shakespeare, Mattison said. But that also makes it a beautiful time capsule, a glimpse into what life was like for young lovers during World War II. Young and Mattison, both new to the Arizona Theatre Company, say the complex material has even led to meaningful discussions outside of rehearsals. Bob & Jean: A Love Story opens Sunday and runs through April 12 at the Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave. Sundays 7 p.m. performance is one of five previews before the opening night on Friday, March 28. For showtimes and tickets ($33-$98), visit atc.org or call 833-282-7328. DOUGLAS, Ariz. Arizona Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego praised investments in Arizonas busy ports of entry, and decried what he called Republicans moves toward cutting critical health services to finance tax cuts, during a whirlwind visit to Cochise County on Tuesday. Investments in ports of entry pay for themselves through increased trade and job creation, Gallego said, speaking to media in front of the Douglas port of entry, which he said is the nexus of $1 billion in international trade each year. The Trump administrations on-and-off again tariffs against Canada and Mexico, as well as 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, have launched an arbitrary trade war that only serves to undermine the U.S. economy, especially in border regions like Southern Arizona, Gallego said. I want to make sure these East Coast politicians or northern politicians understand: You can have strong border policies, with strong trade between two countries that have worked together for generations, and you dont have to end up putting us in a bad situation economically, Gallego said. Last year, Cochise County received $216 million to construct a new commercial port further west of the Raul H. Castro port, and $184 million for the rehabilitation of the existing port. The projects funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are expected to bring an estimated $10.8 million to $20 million per year in additional revenue to the region, according to Cochise County. I would love nothing more, going into the future, than to have more expansions, so we can make sure that every parcel that comes through here is checked, that everyone who comes through is checked, Gallego said. I hope people will continue to push for investments at the border. We all benefit as a state, as a country, with a strong Douglas and a strong Southern Arizona economy. Responding to the possibility that Douglas could lose federal investments in the port projects, amid the Trump administrations Department of Government Efficiency cuts, Gallego said that would be the dumbest thing the United States federal government could do is to cut this type of investment. The more imports that we can bring in here means more jobs for Southern Arizona, he said. Douglas Mayor Jose Grijalva has said 70% of the citys sales tax comes from visitors from Agua Prieta, the Mexican town just across the border. In January the Douglas City Council voted 3-2 to declare a state of emergency, fearing a dramatic decline in revenue from sales taxes, tourism and other commerce areas, and requesting compensatory assistance from the federal government. Health care fears at town hall Later Tuesday, Gallego took questions from the public at a town hall held at a Chiricahua Community Health Center clinic location in Douglas. The community health center here serves 35,000 patients annually, about half of them on Medicaid, said Dr. Jonathan Melk, CEO of the federally qualified center. The center serves all of Cochise County at 11 sites, plus mobile medical and dental sites, he said. Medicaid is a federal-state program to provide health care to low-income Americans. One-third of Cochise Countys residents are on Arizonas Medicaid program, known as AHCCCS, or Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, Melk said. Pulling off primary care in a very complex system on the U.S.-Mexico border is not easy to do, he said. We turn nobody away based on ability to pay. ... If we were to dramatically reduce Medicaid (payments), that would probably impact our overall ability to provide services to everyone, including the centers patients who have commercial insurance, including Border Patrol agents, port officers and teachers. U.S. House Republicans approved a budget resolution in late February which directs the House Energy and Commerce Committee to cut the deficit by at least $880 billion over the next 10 years. At the same time, Republicans are looking to finance $4.5 trillion in tax cuts, the Associated Press reported. While some Republicans have denied plans to cut Medicaid, theyve also ruled out cuts to Medicare. But if Medicare is off the table, significant savings could only be achieved by cuts to Medicaid, which accounts for more than 90% of the remaining funding streams that fall under the Energy and Commerce Committees jurisdiction, according to an analysis by the Congressional Budget Office. Town hall attendee Michael Henderson, 45, said hes been increasingly worried about potential cuts to AHCCCS. He said he has a chronic condition that affects his pancreas and requires him to take an enzyme medication to be able to digest food. Without AHCCCS, the cost would be $1,500 a month, he said. If I lose that, Im gonna be in rough shape. I wont be able to eat, he said. Im just concerned about the state of the country. Thats why I came, because I cant just talk about it online. I need to get involved. Speaking to attendees, Gallego spoke of his childhood, growing up in a poor family and putting off medical care as long as possible. Its a familiar scenario for many, he said, which ultimately ends up driving up costs as preventable health problems worsen. Gallego acknowledged that governments have to make tough financial decisions. There are some areas where there is fraud, waste and abuse, and you should actively be looking for that, he said. But whats happening right now at the federal government is this administration wants to find enough room, in terms of savings by cutting Medicaid, in order for them to give more tax cuts. ... Its not because we need to; its because they want to. Especially in rural areas, even small cuts to programs like Medicaid can have ripple effects in terms of difficulty hiring medical staff, and maintaining service levels, he said. And private insurance premiums will go up, if hospitals have to raise prices to compensate for reduced income from public insurers like Medicaid, he said. If Medicaid gets cut, the very delicate system that connects everybody can go down. It is hard enough to recruit technicians, doctors, nurses, specialists, to rural Arizona, Gallego said. If your job gets harder and harder, and you see better options somewhere else, people are going to start leaving. ... And they are hard to replace. Afterwards, Gallego attended a town hall-style meeting with veterans in Sierra Vista where he planned to highlight his resistance to the Trump administrations extensive cuts to VA employees, which threaten critical services for veterans, his office said. The Trump administration has cut 2,400 VA employees already and plans to lay off 80,000 more, the AP reported earlier this month. Gallego cosponsored a resolution demanding the reinstatement of those employees, but it was blocked by Republicans, his office said. He was also among the Democrats on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee who sent a letter to VA Secretary Doug Collins seeking answers about the mass layoffs. It defies logic and reason that the agency could cut an additional 83,000 employees, beyond the 2,400 or more that you have already terminated, without healthcare and benefits being interrupted, the letter said. If you thought the entryway to Tucson could not look worse, you were wrong. The tall sign for the Spanish Trail Motel, long a blasted out eyesore on I-10 westbound as it curves into Tucson, now fronts a burned-out, smoky-smelling hulk. Yes, the Spanish Trail burned again bursting into flame Sunday night and rekindling on Monday. This is not an uncommon occurrence. The abandoned and half-collapsed motel burned in February 2024, too. And the adjacent Spanish Trail apartments, originally a part of the motel complex, suffered a large blaze in June 2020. Another large fire struck the original motels buildings in December 1999, too. Its something of a tradition. And it raises a short-term question why was there still anything left to burn there? It also raises a long-term question: What does South Tucson need to do to spark (sorry) redevelopment at the Spanish Trail and the adjacent Tucson Greyhound Park properties. These are big properties with real development potential. But theyve been sitting undeveloped for years, and now both are burned-out hulks. The Greyhound Park building, too, burned in May 2024. While many locals may see South Tucson as the home of some esteemed Mexican restaurants and not much else, the potential is there. At the south end of South Fourth Avenue, vacant land abounds, right next to a freeway entrance and exit. Developing it could be key to the square-mile citys future. But city officials have been reticent or conflicted about how to proceed. In 2023, I wrote about how a three-member bloc of City Council members got elected on a promise to resist gentrification. Their main idea: Keep South Tucson affordable for current residents without inviting in development that could raise the cost of living to unsustainable levels. I talked to one of those officials again Tuesday morning. Roxanna Valenzuela was a new council member when she made the anti-gentrification argument two years ago. Now shes mayor of South Tucson and is viewing things a little differently. My mindset has shifted for sure, Valenzuela said. We do need businesses, not just to come into South Tucson to keep providing residents with basic services. We have a lot of work to do to help empower the businesses that are already here, to give them tools and resources so they dont leave, so theyre still thriving. What she hopes to see, she said, is more housing a huge economic development driver. More housing, more density, more affordable. There is prime acreage for it, but two of the owners havent been moving fast. In fact, the owners of the Greyhound Park and Spanish Trail properties have both been served citations accusing them of violating the citys codes, Valenzuela said. I requested the citations via a public records request, but I hadnt received them by my deadline. Brian Bowers, owner of the Spanish Trail properties with his wife Margeaux, told me he received a citation when fencing off the fire-damaged property Monday. It isnt the first sign of confrontation between him and South Tucson officials. Valenzuela previously threatened to picket his home over the condition of the apartments he owns in South Tucson, and she still refers to him as a slumlord. In 2024, South Tucson sued the Bowers over the condition of their 120-unit Spanish Trail Suites and a nearby complex they own, the Sixth Avenue Suites. The city argued that the complexes amounted to a criminal nuisance, based in part on the number of police calls made to them. The Bowers disputed the claims and later settled the lawsuit by agreeing to a series of improvements to security and conditions at the properties. When I visited Tuesday, three residents told me things have actually been better at the Spanish Trail Suites lately. When he upped the security a couple of years ago, it really made a difference, 10-year resident Andy Bellair told me. He sure has cleaned it up a lot, Meagan Sweeney said. Timothy Tague told me, I like living in this place. Im glad the landlord is willing to work with me and my honey. His honey, Tague clarified, was not the woman stopping by to say hello when I was there, but his dog. The biggest problem, now, is next door, where the old restaurant, nightclub and reception area for the motel used to be and charred ruins are now. Valenzuela, the mayor, said of Bowers, Its his responsibility. He was supposed to remediate that after the first fire. He got cited and got away with it because of a technicality. Bowers told me demolishing the ruins there is expensive in part because asbestos is present. He also said hes been hearing interest in the property from various potential buyers, including one who would buy it as is. Valenzuela would like it to happen soon. The Spanish Trail ruin, she said, reflects negatively on us and it looks bad on the whole region. I think its to everybodys benefit that South Tucson is safer and healthier. Bowers, for his part, said, Were open to working with whoever, but its always been kind of confrontational on their (the citys) end. It would benefit South Tucson and the broader region to make the compromises needed to get these projects moving. The second of the four finalists in the University of Arizonas provost search is, like the first candidate, coming from Purdue University. Jenna L. Rickus, senior vice provost for teaching and learning at Purdue, has held numerous positions in 22 years at the university, where she is a professor of agricultural and biological engineering in the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering. Rickus is set to arrive on the UA campus Thursday, March 20, for in-person interviews and meetings. Her visit will begin with an open forum session where administrators, faculty, students and staff may ask her questions. It will be at 9 a.m. Thursday at UAs Meinel Optical Sciences building. Her roles at Purdue included associate and assistant professor positions, associate department head of agricultural and biological engineering, vice provost for teaching and learning, vice provost and acting dean in the John Martinson Honors College. After receiving her bachelors degree in biochemistry and agricultural engineering from Purdue in 1995, Rickus earned her PhD in neuroscience and neuroengineering from UCLA. The first finalist in the provost search, Eric Landon Barker, whose UA campus forum was on Tuesday, is Purdues vice president for health affairs and College of Pharmacy dean. UA has not yet released the names of the other two finalists. UA President Suresh Garimella was a Purdue administrator before becoming president of the University of Vermont. He joined UA on Oct. 1 from Vermont. Prior to the search for a provost, to succeed Interim Provost Ron Marx, UA has recently brought in other officials from Purdue and Vermont. Tomas Diaz de la Rubia, the UAs new senior vice president for research and innovation, worked at Purdue from 2015-19 in various roles. Richard Cate, UVMs vice president for finance and administration, was appointed by Garimella in January as a special advisor on finances and budgets. According to Purdues website, Rickus research focuses on engineered biomaterials for the sensing and actuation of living cells and tissues with a particular emphasis on the brain and pancreas. With funding from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Agriculture Department, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Army Research Office and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, her research lab has developed new technologies with an impact on important problems in brain cancer, type 1 diabetes, foodborne illness and space biology, the website shows. Rickus recently received Purdue College of Engineerings Most Impactful Inventors award, an Alumni Achievement Award at the Mortar Board National College Honor Society in 2023, a Diversity Catalyst Award at Purdue in 2016, Student-Selected Favorite Faculty Award in 2015, and more. Her current responsibilities include: overseeing undergraduate education and student success during Purdues rapid enrollment growth and increases in four-year graduation rates, and overseeing a leadership team of one dean, vice provosts and executive directors with a $25 million annual operating budget. She monitored academic continuity during COVID-19 as a member of the presidents Protect Purdue leadership team. Before this, as vice provost and acting dean for the John Martinson Honors College, which has more than 3,500 students, 23 faculty members, 36 staff members and a $10 million budget, Rickus achieved a 21% increase in honors student applications, increased the colleges ranking from No. 18 to No. 8, expanded the urban campus location and achieved a 40% increase in new honors undergraduate research projects. Lisa Bryant still cant believe anyone would abandon a Maltese dog. But Princess, 2, isn't abandoned anymore. And Bryant isn't homeless anymore. They found each other not long ago, and on a chilly windy Wednesday morning they walked through a pop-up clinic for the homeless in the west parking lot of Boston Avenue United Methodist Church. Theyre like over $1,000, Bryant said of the dog breed. Princess shots were free, however, thanks to the city of Tulsa, the Tulsa Fire Department and the 18 service organizations that put on the clinic. One of them, the Tulsa SPCA, provided the shots. Were just trying to provide some free services and sign people up for things in the future, said Jessie Fulton, director of clinical services for the SPCA. Princess was one of four animals the SPCA assisted before 10 a.m., an hour into the three-hour event. Thats four people that we helped; thats four animals that we helped. So were hoping they will get out and spread the word, Fulton said. Justin Lemery, chief of the Tulsa Fire Department's Emergency Medical Service, said the idea behind the clinic was a simple one: to make as many services available to as many homeless people as possible as easily as possible. When we started planning for this a couple of months ago, we said, Whats going to be the most valuable to getting these individuals connected to services? Lemery said. And so its a very coordinated event. Everybody is in a certain spot for a reason. Individuals arriving at the pop-up clinic were greeted and given a list of available services, starting with a table to get their names on the list for housing through the Tulsa Housing Authority. Next was a station to sign into the Homeless Management Information System, a database used by service providers, followed by a station to connect with case managers. Allan Carter, a tall man of 53, wearing a bright, striped knit cap hed picked up at one of the tables, made sure to check in with the Tulsa Housing Authority. Hes been homeless three to five times in the past 10 years and currently stays in a shelter. Im getting things I need to get myself out of the street, Carter said. Im getting some help soon. Attendees many of whom were driven to the site by outreach workers werent required to stop at every station, but the initial ones were key to what organizers were trying to accomplish. That is really the connection point, because if you come here and I just have a conversation with you today and (they say), I need help, and they walk away, were not doing anything, Lemery said. What we did today was weve got the computer systems out here; we got the people who can get in there and make sure their information is entered, and then that theyre getting followed up with. Other service providers that participated in the pop-up clinic included Family & Childrens Services, Grand Mental Health, the Tulsa Health Department and Tulsa Municipal Court. Josh Sanders, director of outreach and engagement for the Tulsa Day Center, said he expects similar clinics to be held in other parts of the city. Part of the goal is, well do it here once, and then maybe well do it up north and then maybe out east. Well kind of bounce around town and host them in different zones, Sanders said. A lot of folks arent going to get an opportunity especially if you live out west, youre not going to see most of these agencies that are downtown without a lot of difficulty getting there. Lemery said no date has been set for the next pop-up clinic but that it could be in May. In the meantime, he added, the work will continue. "The good thing for the public to know is: This is a starting point for getting these services started with a lot of individuals, and its something that will continue long after this event's over, Lemery said. We have the teams and the people here to stay with these individuals and to follow through on these services and try to get people housed get their needs met. That includes the needs of Bryant, who recently moved into permanent housing, and her fluffy Princess. "Theyre very helpful," Bryant said of the SPCA. "Theyre gonna get her spayed, and then theyre also gonna put a chip in her, and all of that is at no cost. Its a blessing." Sex Lives of College Girls has been cancelled after three seasons by Max. Created by Mindy Kaling and Justin Noble, the series followed four college roommates as they arrive at Essex College. A bundle of contradictions and hormones, these girls are described as equal parts loveable and infuriating as they live out their new, free lives on campus. The series starred Pauline Chalamet, Amrit Kaur, Renee Rapp, and Alyah Chanelle Scott. Variety reports WBTV is currently shopping the show to other outlets. It screened in Australia on Binge / Showcase. South Africa's agricultural exports seeks to expand its gateway to China 09:33, March 19, 2025 By Karabo Mohamme ( People's Daily Online South Africa's agricultural exports have the potential to meet China's growing appetite for various food products, including citrus fruits, wine, grains, nuts, and livestock products. The country's ability to produce high-quality agricultural commodities makes it an attractive partner in addressing China's supply challenges. However, despite this obvious opportunity, South Africa has thus far not managed to capitalize fully on the Chinese market. While South African agricultural exports to China have seen some growth, they are still relatively low when compared to other nations that have successfully tapped into this lucrative market, such as Brazil and Australia. This underperformance highlights the disparity between the two countries' trade potential, and it points to several areas where South Africa can improve its approach to exporting agricultural goods to China. In order to enhance the flow of South African agricultural goods to China, it is critical that South Africa work closely with the Chinese government and other relevant stakeholders to streamline the export process. This would not only improve efficiency but also ensure that South African products are able to meet Chinese standards in terms of quality and safety. Regulatory alignment between the two countries and reduced bureaucratic hurdles would significantly ease the path for agricultural products to enter China's market. South African producers and exporters must gain a deeper understanding of Chinese consumer preferences. This includes recognizing regional variations in taste, packaging preferences, and the growing demand for organic and sustainable products. By tailoring products to meet these preferences, South African agricultural businesses will be better positioned to compete in a crowded marketplace. Additionally, focusing on building strong relationships with Chinese importers and distributors will facilitate market access and increase South Africa's visibility in China. It is also essential that South Africa invests in branding and marketing strategies that emphasize the quality, sustainability, and origin of its agricultural products. As China's consumers become more discerning, these factors will become increasingly important in influencing purchasing decisions. To tap into the full potential of the Chinese market, South Africa must adopt a more coordinated and strategic approach to agricultural trade. This involves greater collaboration between the South African government, agricultural producers, and the private sector. Government departments involved in trade and agriculture must work together to enhance trade agreements, reduce red tape, and ensure that trade policies align with the needs of both South Africa and China. The South African government can also play a role by providing financial support and incentives for local farmers to expand their production capabilities to meet the demands of international markets like China. Additionally, fostering diplomatic and trade relations between the two countries is crucial in ensuring that South Africa's agricultural exports are prioritized and that new market opportunities continue to emerge. With strategic investments in infrastructure, streamlined regulations, and a focused approach to meeting Chinese market demands, South Africa has the potential to increase its agricultural exports to China and play a more prominent role in global agricultural trade. By addressing the challenges of regulatory alignment, and consumer preferences, South Africa can establish itself as a leading supplier of agricultural goods in China's highly competitive market. With the right approach and commitment from both the public and private sectors, South Africa's agricultural industry can thrive, benefiting not only the South African economy but also contributing to China's efforts to secure a more sustainable and diverse food supply. (Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming) A recent Seven call-out to industry for new Lifestyle pitches has led to the return of 1990s lifestyle series Healthy, Wealthy & Wise. To be produced by WTFN (Space Invaders, The Living Room, The Hunters) it forms part of a wider push from Seven into into Lifestyle programming which incorporate branded elements. As Chief Content Officer Brook Hall recently told TV Tonight, Seven was looking for content which shares the risks and costs. We said We want to make more Lifestyle, but it must be of this quality. Trust me, we had about 25 different (pitches), he said. Some people had really clever ideas and a lot of people are taking a lot of risk on themselves. In the world of branded content TV includes everything from The Block, MasterChef, Travel Guides, Australian Survivor, The Front Bar to Im A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, Postcards, My Way, Getaway, Australian Idol and more. At a time when the ad industry is spending less with networks, networks are forced to be more creative with embedding brands without ruining the viewing experience. Last year Seven screened The Big Trip with celebrities on a road trip from the Great Australian Bight to Sydney, showcasing a leading car manufacturer. The Great Outdoors also partners with travel companies while House of Wellness will get a new production and primetime slot this year, fronted by Melissa Doyle. Hall maintains branded content is often seen as a loose, umbrella term and too often is seen as the network getting a pay cheque. Were all under cost pressure. We want to do more lifestyle shows. Its not as clear cut as like theyre delivered and they pay (a figure). Were looking at cost points, he continued. In prime time, its very, very rare that wed run something thats delivered for free, because the quality isnt there. But there is an in-between deal, which is they get a slice of the ad time, and its a split revenue model. So we de-risk by not outlaying a cost, but there can be a revenue share. because were trying to shrink our cost base. But we take the risk together. But thats not just happening on those type of shows. Were looking at every single thing and how we can do it. One of our big sporting bodies, we have a deal like that, and its the biggest premium content. Hamish Turner, Director of 9Now and Programming, said, My position with brand funded is like anything. It has to be idea first. And if the idea makes sense for your audience, and you have control over the edtorial, then Im not adverse to it. But if it doesnt tick those boxes, then were unlikely to do it. Theres a big difference between those come to the table delivered as a free show versus those that have gone through a sales process internally. In television, there are no guarantees whether with branded content or without. We make fully-funded shows that we pay millions for all, but when we get to see them, we might not be happy with them, said Hall. We still really care what we do, but were just trying to find how we can do more content in a bit of a different way. While an East Texas man was facing a death sentence, his Dallas-based defense attorney was allegedly messaging and soliciting women, according to a petition to reinvestigate and vacate his capital murder conviction filed late last month. In the filing, former Tyler nurse William Davis who was found guilty and sentenced to death for fatally injecting air into four patients arteries following heart surgeries at a Tyler hospital says his defense attorney, Phillip Hayes, messaged an undercover cop posing as an escort during his 2021 trial. The court document says Hayes was arranging to pay $110 in exchange for sex, possibly texting in court while a key witness for the prosecution testified. Hayes was detained that night, Oct. 5, 2021, by Smith County authorities. He was arrested a month later on a felony charge of solicitation of prostitution days before he was to appear in court to represent accused serial killer Billy Chemirmir in Dallas. Hayes pleaded guilty to a lesser charge, a Class A misdemeanor, and was given one year of probation and ordered to pay a fine and community service. He was not publicly reprimanded by the state bar. Hayes who is also defending one of the Texas Seven escapees did not immediately respond to calls to his office seeking comment. About the time of his 2021 arrest, Hayes told The Dallas Morning News things arent always as they seem. The allegations against Hayes raise constitutional concerns whether Davis had a fair trial and competent defense. Davis lawyers argue Hayes arrest created a conflict of interest, clouding his representation. Hayes loyalties were divided between his duty to vigorously represent his client against the State and his personal, pressing interest, the more than 600-page application for a writ of habeas corpus reads. Benjamin Wolff, director of the state Office of Capital and Forensic Writs, which filed the challenge to Davis conviction, declined to comment via email. The Smith County district attorneys office also declined to comment, citing the ongoing proceedings. According to a redacted copy of the application obtained by The News, Hayes messaged at least three phone numbers linked to ads for prostitution on the night of Oct. 4, 2021, including 22-year-old Tiffany, the undercover officer. Tiffany answered Hayes late-night message the next day. Within minutes, Hayes asked if she was available, arranged a meeting and price, the court document says. A neuroradiologist for the prosecution was likely still testifying at the time Hayes and the undercover officer were messaging just after 3 p.m., according to the filing. The trial did not adjourn until 4:14 p.m. Hayes arrest conflicted with his ability to effectively represent Davis, his lawyers argue. Hayes was required to make a choice between advancing Mr. Daviss interests in a fair trial and prioritizing his own strong interests in minimizing the potentially devastating harms of his arrest, the petition reads. Hayes is representing Texas Seven member Randy Halprin, who was granted a new trial in Dallas. Halprins legal team has already been thrown into limbo after Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot alleged that defense lawyer Heath Harris attended the execution of the man who masterminded the prison break, possibly disqualifying him from the case. Creuzot declined to comment on the accusations against Hayes. Creuzot said he does not know if Halprin is aware of Hayes arrest. To remember those that were lost Such is the mission of the West Rusk Alumni Association, along with dozens of others, as they gathered Tuesday at the cenotaph outside West Rusk High School at the remembrance ceremony for the 88th anniversary of the New London school explosion. Many are descendants of those who survived the tragic events of 1937, and many have members of their family among the 112 victims of the tragedy buried in a local cemetery. West Rusk Alumni Association member Danny Dorsey welcomed all to the event and invited them to pay their respects to the memory of the victims lost in the catastrophe. Pastor Lori Burns of New London Methodist Church gave a blessing and invocation, leading the group in prayer as they stood beside a field of white crosses, signifying each of the nearly 300 students and teachers who lost their lives. Pastor Pete Thompson of Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church spoke to the crowd, explaining how when he first came to the community, he soon learned that every local he met had a personal connection to the tragedy. The pastor described the events of the fateful day: At 3:17 p.m. on May 18, 1937, a spark in the metal shop of the London ignited natural gas fumes, which had permeated the school building, causing a massive explosion which destroyed the building with hundreds of schoolchildren, faculty and staff still inside. At the time, the London School was state-of-the-art and entirely modern, heated with natural gas, which the local oil industry created in excess as a byproduct. It was that gas which leaked in March 1937, slowly and silently filling an area beneath the school before being ignited. Those in the crowd gasped as Thompson repeated the words of witnesses to the tragedy: how the whole school building, tons of concrete and steel, seemed to lift entirely off the ground before crashing back down and how huge chunks of the building were propelled hundreds of feet from the site, smashing cars parked nearby. Pastor Thompson recounted one of many grim facts about the tragedy and its aftermath: at the time, a young reporter named Walter Cronkite would head to New London to cover the disaster on the ground as his first major news story. Years later, looking back on his storied journalism career which included coverage of presidential assassinations, the Vietnam War and international catastrophes, Cronkite observed: I did nothing in my studies nor in my life to prepare me for a story of the magnitude of that New London tragedy, nor has any story since that awful day equaled it. Today, the London Museum and Cafe carries on the history of that painful day, to ensure that those who died are never forgotten and that those who live on have a place to mourn. The museum includes various exhibits and memorabilia, as well as a diorama of the original London school building. For more information, visit http://nlsd.net/. Smith County Commissioners on Tuesday approved a plan to save money and simplify purchasing, which includes using a cooperative and buying an armored vehicle for safety in high-risk situations. By joining the Florida Sheriffs Association Cooperative, the county can save money, reduce paperwork and make the buying process easier. Using the cooperative, Smith County will buy a Terradyne Armored Vehicle costing $389,420 and paid for with Senate Bill 22 funds. Capt. Jason Railsback said the new vehicle, purchased at the county level, will have fewer restrictions on its use compared to the existing one, which is part of a federal lease program with limitations. The new vehicle will be free from presidential orders that could restrict its use. The president cant limit our ability to use this in a life or death situation, with this armored vehicle it is used for our purposes under our policies and procedures, Railsback said. This smaller armored vehicle is designed for better maneuverability in tight, compact neighborhoods with narrow roadways, making it ideal for rescue situations. In addition to purchasing a new vehicle, the county is also approving claims for totaled law enforcement vehicles. The commissioners approved an insurance payment from the Texas Association of Counties to cover the loss of a 2020 Chevrolet Suburban used by the Smith County Sheriffs Office. The vehicle was badly damaged after a county employee hydroplaned on Loop 49. The total settlement amount was $24,365, but the county had to pay a $2,500 deductible. Before deciding the car couldnt be fixed, the insurance company sent an initial payment of $9,071.56 based on the first repair estimate. After a closer look, the insurance adjuster declared the car a total loss. To finish the claim, the county will get a final payment of $12,793.44. The county is also addressing retirements, new staff and appointments to various boards and commissions. On March 12, the District Judges of Smith County approved the appointment of Karin Smith as the new Smith County Auditor, starting on April 14 for a two-year term. The order also sets her salary at $162,642. Ann Wilson, the current county auditor, will retire on April 13. The commissioners approved the appointment of new members to the Animal Shelter Advisory Board for a two-year term, beginning on May 1, and ending on April 30, 2027. The court increased the size of the Smith County Historical Commission from seven members to nine members, and added two more members to help with preserving the countys history. Kevin McCall, who lives near Bullard in Precinct 1, and Vickie Betts, who lives near Lindale in Precinct 3, were added to the commission. The commission will meet regularly at 1 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. They have also set up five committees with chairs to lead them. They are still working on updating their bylaws, but they plan to have them ready for county review and approval by April 8. In other business: The commissioners approved a legal services contract related to child welfare cases, ensuring the county has the necessary support for these matters and a contract with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). The commissioners approved awarding contracts for three road improvement projects. The projects include a seal coat and road improvements on County Road 178 from FM 2868 to County Road 168 and road improvements on County Road 411 from IH 20 to FM 849. The public is invited to attend the Smith County Commissioners Court weekly meetings. It meets in the courtroom on the first floor of Smith County Courthouse Annex on Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. DALLAS From his strategic partnership with President Donald Trump to his headline-grabbing border policies, Gov. Greg Abbott is riding a wave of Republican popularity that has raised his national profile and could put a 2028 White House campaign within reach if he wants it. Few Republican governors have Abbotts national stature, and the Texas governor for the past decade has basked in praise from Trump, who devoted part of his Jan. 20 inaugural speeches to lauding Abbott as the leader of the pack among the nations governors. At the least, Abbott will have the choice to run for president or stay as governor in the nations most important and prosperous Republican state. Either way, he can strongly influence GOP politics on a national scale. Thats something that really came to mind when I saw Trump praise Abbott during that second inaugural speech, said Aaron Kall, a University of Michigan political scientist and author of the book Debating the Donald. Abbott and Trump are similar. A lot of the governors actions are designed to solicit media attention on a larger, national stage. That suggests the potential for seeking something beyond being governor of Texas, and it will be a wide-open race in 2028, Kall said. Abbott is, for now, focused on his future in Texas, his chief political consultant, Dave Carney, said. The governor has been consistent that he has the second-best job in the country, and he loves what hes doing, and hes going to run for reelection, Carney said. Thats what hes focused on, Texas. He told the president when he [Trump] was a candidate that he has no interest in going to Washington. Even so, speculation about Abbotts future persists. Abbott and Trump see eye-to-eye on immigration, border security and reducing government regulation, providing common ground for one of the governors newest objectives federal reimbursement for $11 billion spent on state border-security efforts during the Biden administration. Abbott has made several treks to Washington to rally support for the payout. Buttering Texas toast is one benefit to being cozy with Trump. From a political perspective, the Trump-Abbott partnership improves his standing with Trump loyalists and conservative Republicans outside of Texas. Abbott briefly pondered a presidential run during the 2024 cycle and made a few appearances in battleground states before the presidential campaign season. But he never fully explored a candidacy and backed away from the prospect when Trump emerged as the clear GOP frontrunner. Term limits set up an open race for the Oval Office in 2028. I wouldnt predict if hes going to run or not, but hes definitely going to look at it, especially if we continue on the trajectory as a state that we are now, said Republican political consultant Vinny Minchillo, who worked on Trumps presidential campaign. How could you not? Republican political consultant Brendan Steinhauser said: Greg Abbotts stock is rising. Hes obviously an ally of the president, and they have a mutual interest in working together on the border in particular, Steinhauser said. Its hard to think beyond that. Theres just different challenges that come with a Cabinet appointment or a VP slot or certainly running for president. Those are sometimes treacherous paths to follow politically. Anyone contemplating a run for president in 2028 would have to account for a crowded field that is expected to include Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and many others. Abbott has announced that hes running for reelection in 2026 and started this year with $70 million in his campaign account. There is little standing in the way of a fourth four-year term. Some political analysts say its common for Texas boys and girls to grow up wanting to be governor, then president. The last two sitting governors Rick Perry and George W. Bush have run for president. Asked about his aspirations three times in the past seven months, Abbott told The Dallas Morning News each time that his focus was on his job as governor, not a federal appointment or campaign. My focus is on Texas, said Abbott in July and again in January. Andrew Mahaleris, a spokesman for Abbott, told The News the governor is fully focused on this legislative session and delivering results for Texans. Carney, Abbotts political guru, conceded that in presidential politics, you never say never. You never know what will happen in 27, but I dont really think hes interested in it, Carney said. Lisa Turner, a Democrat and state director of the Lone Star Project, laughed at the notion of Abbott as a viable presidential candidate. He barely registered on straw polls by Republican groups before the 2024 GOP primaries, and unlike Bush, Abbott lacks the crossover appeal needed to attract broad support, she said. Maybe he has the ambition to do it, but I honestly dont know who he would appeal to on a broad scale, Turner said. If he ran for president, he would be embarrassed, but Im all for him trying. If government cant be good, it should at least be entertaining. Abbott has Trumps back A former Texas Supreme Court justice and attorney general, Abbott has long used the federal government as his political foil. As attorney general, he sued President Barack Obamas administration dozens of times, including a successful challenge to a 2014 order offering deportation protection to undocumented parents of children who were U.S. citizens or legal residents. Abbotts feud with the federal government subsided during Trumps first term but was renewed when President Joe Biden took office in 2021, the year the governor launched Operation Lone Star to focus state resources on border security. Abbott wasnt done. While seeking reelection to a third term, Abbott in 2022 began busing migrants from the southern border to cities controlled by Democrats, including New York, Chicago, Washington and Philadelphia. The move, Abbott said, was designed to highlight Bidens failure to secure the border. As the cities struggled to accommodate waves of migrants, immigration became a national issue one that helped catapult Trump to the White House. Abbott still has Trumps back on border security. Under the governors direction, Texas has built nearly 60 miles of border wall, with another 18 miles underway. He has offered Trump billions of dollars in state assets to aid Trumps promise of mass deportations, including state-owned land to house detention facilities, thousands of prison cells to hold migrants and military bases to house federal authorities. An appreciative Trump gave the Texas governor big praise at one of his January inauguration events, calling him a great man, great leader and the leader of the pack among governors. He was a very popular governor, but now hes like an unbeatable governor, because of your border policies, Trump said, as Abbott grinned in the crowd. Hes doing a great job. Hes doing a phenomenal job, but now youre going to have a partner thats going to work with you. Trumps praise could help set the table for a presidential bid. If the governor does have higher ambitions, his direct experience with immigration and economic issues can be very helpful to him personally in a Republican primary, Kall said. Those are the same issues that helped Trump win in 2024. Its Trumps party, said Dallas-based conservative radio talk host Mark Davis. To the degree that Gov. Abbott is on board for that and a valuable ally in that, all it does is help Abbott. If he continues on a track of being a really valuable ally, a really valuable partner in a Republican era defined by Trump, Abbott gets even stronger still. Almost like two heads of state Abbotts biggest political asset the economic success of Texas could boost a run for president, as well as provide a reason to reject a White House bid. Were better off because of what Abbott and the Texas Legislature has done, said former Texas Republican Party Chairman Chad Wilbanks. Taking that message and those policies to the national level would bode well for Gov. Abbott, depending on what he wants to do in the future. If Abbott wins reelection in 2026, hell have a shot at becoming the states longest serving governor. Perry served 14 years. Leading Texas could be more pleasant than leading the country. Texas has a great economy and is the most important red state, said Republican consultant and lobbyist Bill Miller. Its like being president of a small or medium-sized country, and hes controlling all of it. Minchillo agreed. Its not only that hes well-positioned nationally, but how Texas is positioned nationally, Minchillo said. He wants his legacy to be that Texas has overtaken California as the place to be, as the state where everything happens. Theres the old saying that Texas is its own country, Minchillo said. Abbotts got a unique relationship with Trump. Where Trump needs his help, Abbott can offer it. The relationship is almost like two heads of state, more than a president and a governor. No other job, however, is more powerful than the American president. After praising Abbott and the inauguration event, Trump made a quip reminding everyone that while Abbott is a big shot in Texas, hes not on the presidents level. We couldnt get you up in the front row? Trump joked. The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and the Tay Ninh Provincial Buddhist Sangha will solemnly conduct the procession of the sacred relics at the summit of Ba en Mountain. These relics, a precious gift from the World Buddhist Federation at Bodh Gaya, India, were bestowed upon Vietnam in 2014 as a blessing for the flourishing of Buddhism and the well-being of the nation. The Buddha's relics will be reverently enshrined in a two-tiered crystal stupa, placed in a sacred space at the Buddhist exhibition centre beneath the Tay Bo Da Son Buddha statue. In commemoration of the Buddhas Birthday and in preparation for the thousands of Vesak 2025 delegates arriving on May 8, the relics will be ceremoniously escorted from the exhibition centre to the vast Tay Bo Da Son Sacred Plaza at the summit. They will remain enshrined in the open-air plaza throughout the Vesak celebrations, allowing Buddhist devotees and pilgrims to gaze upon and venerate them with reverence. For the faithful, beholding these relics is akin to witnessing the Buddhas continued presence in the world with boundless compassion, wisdom, and enlightenment for all beings. Thus, venerating the relics during Vesak 2025 is a deeply spiritual practice, offering devotees an opportunity to receive the Buddhas blessings and cultivate inner peace. A Series of Grand Celebrations The Vesak 2025 celebrations will be held from April 28 to May 12, the 1st to the 15th day of the fourth lunar month in the Year of the Snake. Over these two weeks, a series of sacred ceremonies and Buddhist activities will unfold atop Ba en Mountain to commemorate the birth of the Buddha. Devotees and visitors will take part in the Buddha Bathing Ceremony, a sacred ritual expressing reverence and gratitude in celebration of the Buddhas birth. This ceremony, re-enacted at Tay Bo Da Son Sacred Plaza beneath the stupa housing the sacred relics, symbolises the auspicious moment of the Buddhas birth. It is an opportunity for each individual to purify the body and mind, washing away defilements and cultivating serenity. Another significant event will be the grand candlelit prayer ceremony for world peace, held on May 8 at the mountain summit. With thousands of Vesak delegates from over 80 countries and territories in attendance, this gathering will reflect the overarching theme of Vesak 2025: Unity and tolerance for human dignity: Buddhist wisdom for world peace and sustainable development. Also on May 8, the commemorative Bodhi tree planting ceremony will take place. One hundred and eight Bodhi trees, symbolising enlightenment and harmony, will be planted by international delegates. HA NOI The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) held a consultation workshop on March 18 in Ha Noi to discuss and refine the draft Special Consumption Tax (SCT) law, warning that sudden increases could be counterproductive. The event gathered policymakers, industry associations, directly affected businesses, the business community and economic experts. Speaking at the workshop, the Chief Economist at the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) and Director of the BIDV Training and Research Institute, Can Van Luc, noted that amid geopolitical tensions, trade and technology competition, and modest global growth forecasts for 2025-2026, businesses continue to face significant challenges. "A rapid and substantial tax increase could reduce the overall economic benefits for industries and the economy, leading to decreased consumer and investment demand," Luc said. He warned that a sharp and sudden increase in SCT on alcoholic beverages could negatively impact long-term State budget contributions, creating multiple difficulties for businesses and workers in the industry, as well as related sectors such as packaging, transportation, tourism, and food services. Luc proposed that the draft SCT law should balance interests, responsibilities and feasibility for the State, businesses, consumers and farmers involved in raw material production, while ensuring job security for workers. "To achieve high, sustainable growth while meeting tax policy objectives, a coordinated, consistent, and well-planned approach is essential. Therefore, tax increases should be based on comprehensive impact assessments, grounded in science and practical realities," Luc emphasised. "Rather than maximising short-term revenue collection, tax policy should focus on fostering stable, long-term sources of revenue. Overly rapid and excessive tax hikes could have the opposite effect, leading to tax evasion, the rise of substitute products with potentially greater harm, and unintended negative consequences." Nguyen Van Viet, Chairman of the Vietnam Beer, Alcohol, and Beverage Association (VBA), highlighted that while Viet Nams total retail sales and consumer service revenue grew by 9 per cent in 2024 to VN6.4 quadrillion (US$253.8 billion), the beverage industry experienced a downturn due to weak demand and tightened consumer spending, particularly during the Lunar New Year period. Viet pointed out that the draft SCT law proposes two scenarios for tax hikes on alcohol, with a stronger inclination toward Scenario 2. This would increase tax rates from 65 per cent to 80 per cent in 2026, followed by annual five per cent increments until 2030, reaching 100 per cent. For sugar-sweetened beverages, the draft law proposes adding beverages with more than 5g of sugar per 100ml to the SCT category, with a proposed tax rate of 10 per cent. Viet stressed the need for careful tax policy design that supports businesses rather than stifles economic growth, as the beverage industry plays a key role in domestic consumption, tourism, and employment across the supply chain. He proposed delaying the SCT increase on beer and spirits until 2028 and adopting Scenario 1, which gradually raises taxes from 2026 onwards, with annual five per cent increments, reaching 90 per cent by 2030. General Director of Saigon Beer Trading One Member Limited Liability Company (SATRACO), speaking on behalf of Saigon Beer - Alcohol - Beverage Corporation (SABECO), Nguyen Hoang Giang, warned: "The entire beer industry, including SABECO, is facing multiple challenges, from the COVID-19 pandemic to Decree 100/168 and declining tourism and dining activities. These difficulties are expected to persist in the coming years." SABECO urged policymakers to postpone the implementation of the SCT hike to 2028 instead of 2026 and to adopt Scenario 1, which gradually increases taxes over five years, with annual five per cent increments. Meanwhile, Vu Lan Huong, a representative of the Vietnam Tobacco Association, supported higher SCT on tobacco to reduce consumption and protect public health. However, she emphasised the need for a gradual tax increase to avoid market disruptions and excessive shocks to businesses. Director of the Institute for Brand and Competitive Strategy Research, Vo Tri Thanh, argued that higher SCT rates on alcohol and tobacco do not necessarily change consumer behaviour, as consumers may switch to illicit products instead. Similarly, a member of the National Advisory Council for Financial and Monetary Policy, Can Van Luc, pointed out that an across-the-board SCT increase on alcoholic beverages may not effectively target consumer behaviour. He suggested that tax rates should be structured based on alcohol content and sugar levels, rather than applying a flat rate across all products. Luc recommended delaying the tax hike until January 1, 2028, and adopting Scenario 1, which would allow businesses time to prepare and modernise production technologies. With ongoing debates among stakeholders, the finalisation of the SCT law would require careful consideration to balance economic growth, tax revenue, public health goals, and industry sustainability, attendees were told. VNS HA NOI Viet Nams railway sector is set for a significant upgrade with the US$8.37 billion Lao Cai Ha Noi Hai Phong railway project, which was approved by the National Assembly and scheduled to begin construction in late 2025. After the NA approved the investment policy on February 19, a senior leader of the Viet Nam Railways Corporation (VNR) said: The Lao Cai Ha Noi Hai Phong railway project presents a valuable opportunity for domestic enterprises to adapt and gradually establish the foundation for a modern railway industry. "This project is expected to pave the way for larger ambitions, such as the high-speed North-South railway and urban rail projects. A day earlier, the Government had submitted Report No 109/BC-CP to the National Assembly, addressing draft resolutions and clarifying feedback from parliamentary members on the projects investment policy. The report devoted significant attention to the acquisition, transfer, and mastery of railway technology. A development plan for the entire railway sector has already been approved by the Politburo under Official Dispatch No 11376-CV/VPTW on September 18, 2024, regarding the high-speed North-South railway investment policy. Under this plan, Viet Nams railway industry aims to achieve full control over construction engineering and local assembly while gradually localising vehicles and components for national and urban rail systems by 2045. The plan also envisions domestic production and step-by-step localisation of hardware and software for information, signalling and power supply systems, alongside mastering operation and maintenance capabilities. For the Lao Cai Ha Noi Hai Phong railway project, the pre-feasibility study report outlines key areas for technology transfer. These include the acquisition of machinery and equipment suitable for producing locomotives and carriages for the national railway (with speeds below 200 kilometres per hour) and the procurement of designs for urban railway production. For production and assembly technology transfer, the government plans to assign qualified domestic enterprises to form joint ventures with foreign partners. Once the investment policy is approved and funding is secured for factory development and technology transfer, the VNR could manufacture vehicles for both national and urban railways and gradually produce components and spare parts for high-speed rail. Pham Huu Son, General Director of the Transport Engineering Design Inc (TEDI) - the lead consultant for the pre-feasibility study report - noted that the projects planned 160 kilometres per hour rail technology aligns well with Viet Nams conditions. This provides an excellent opportunity for domestic construction and railway engineering firms to deepen their involvement and eventually master the technology. Alongside the North-South high-speed railway project, this initiative serves as a foundation for developing Viet Nams railway and supporting industries, Pham said. Early moves According to the Viet Nam Railway Authority, as of January 2025, 35 domestic railway-related facilities are involved in manufacturing, maintenance, repair and production of locomotives, carriages and railway equipment. Despite this infrastructure, the railway industry remains underdeveloped. Most railway equipment and components still rely on imports, and domestic production capacity is limited by outdated and fragmented technology. The sectors annual production value averages just VN343 billion, highlighting significant challenges amid the rapid progress of Industry 4.0, said Tran Thien Canh, Director of the Viet Nam Railway Authority. In preparation for the project, the industry has made strategic moves to enhance its technological capabilities. In February 2025, the Ministry of Industry and Trade established a drafting committee to develop a support industry plan aimed at modernising railway manufacturing and integrating it with other industrial sectors. The VNR has also proposed forming joint ventures between domestic and international partners, with local companies holding controlling stakes. To ensure the success of these ventures, the VNR has suggested three special mechanisms: establishing a preferential pricing framework for domestic railway enterprises, designating railway industrial products as key mechanical products, and revising land and asset valuation policies to boost capital and competitiveness. ang Sy Manh, Chairman of the VNRs Board of Members, said: This is a critical step toward becoming a supplier of materials and components for major projects like the Lao Cai Ha Noi Hai Phong railway, the North-South high-speed railway, and urban rail systems in HCM City and Ha Noi. Lessons from global railway development Viet Nams railway industry can draw valuable lessons from countries that have successfully developed their domestic railway sectors. Nations like China, Spain and Poland have gradually increased localisation rates through joint ventures with major global integrators such as Kawasaki (Japan), Siemens (Germany), Alstom (France) and Bombardier (Canada). Strategic steps from procurement to full system operation have enabled domestic enterprises to master system design, train assembly, and production of hardware and software for railway operations. In the initial stages, Government investment in infrastructure and comprehensive procurement combined with tax incentives on land and imported goods have been crucial in supporting the industry's development. Establishing specialised research centres equipped with advanced experimental tools and software for economic, technical, and environmental analysis has provided a strong foundation for innovation. Ensuring infrastructure compatibility across domestic and international rail networks has fostered broader industrial growth in mechanics, electronics, and information technology. VNS HA NOI The State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV) is proposing to supplement a number of provisions of Resolution No 42/2017/QH14 into the draft amended Law on Credit Institutions with an aim to ease the settlement of bad debts. According to the SBV, Resolution No 42/2017/QH14, which piloted a programme on handling bad debt of credit institutions, which was issued in 2017 and expired at the end of 2024, created conditions for credit institutions to effectively manage bad debts, including the collateral assets of real estate projects. Therefore, the SBV believes that the pilot programme needs to continue and be included in the law to create a synchronous legal framework for bad debt handling and remove obstacles that are preventing credit institutions and debt trading organisations from handling bad debts and collateral of bad debts. A better settlement will help improve the ability to rotate capital as well as access credit at reasonable costs for people and businesses. The SBV said the development of the policy must ensure a balance between the legal rights of credit institutions, debt trading and handling organisations, avoiding creating an unfairness between the lender and the borrower. According to the SBV, provisions related to the handling of collateral of bad debts in the Resolution will be supplemented in the draft amended law. The Government has recently directed the SBV to urgently prepare documents to legalise Resolution No 42/2017/QH14 and submit it to the National Assemblys meeting in May 2025. According to banks, they are facing difficulties in handling bad debts due to the expiry of the Resolution. They expect that the legal corridor for handling bad debt will be completed as currently, the handling of bad debts collateral faces difficulties and obstacles as Resolution No 42 has not been legalised, causing great risks for the banking industry. Banks believe when the legal rights of creditors are guaranteed, the banking industry will increase the ability to have access to bank credit for businesses and people. Credit institutions are facing potential bad debt risks because Resolution No 42/2017/QH14 has expired. A lack of a complete legal framework related to restructuring credit institutions and handling bad debts will challenge credit institutions in settling bad debts, Deputy Chairman of the Vietnam Banks Association Nguyen Quoc Hung, said. The recovery of bad debts is difficult since many borrowers havent cooperated with credit institutions to repay their debts. Some even intentionally did not service their debts, which has affected the process of restructuring and handling bad debts, according to Hung. According to SBVs data, bad debts of commercial banks as of December 31, 2024 were more than VN733.9 trillion, an increase of 3.4 per cent compared to the end of 2023. BIZHUB/VNS HA NOI A growing trend in the securities market involves firms posing as authorised securities companies to trick investors into making deposits into accounts, according to a major alert released by the State Securities Commission of Viet Nam (SSC) on Tuesday. This warning comes amid growing concerns over fraudulent activities preying on unsuspecting investors in the marketplace. SSC said that there had been reports of organisations disseminating false information, falsely claiming that they have been licensed by the commission for securities business operations. These scammers often provide misleading guidance, encouraging investors to transfer funds into their accounts, under the guise of legitimate investment opportunities. The commission strongly advises investors to be extra cautious. Before engaging with any investment opportunities, individuals should thoroughly research the firms in question. This can involve verifying the legitimacy of business licences and checking whether the company's information is accurately listed on SSC's official website. An alarming instance of this fraudulent trend was highlighted recently, involving Norges Bank Investment Management. SSC reported that a group operating on the messaging platform Telegram had falsified the bank's name and logo, attempting to attract investments by claiming to offer stock trading services. It's important to note that Norges Bank Investment Management has confirmed it has no physical presence or services in Viet Nam and strictly prohibits the use of its name for engaging Vietnamese investors. In light of these developments, SSC has provided clear guidance for investors. If any investment fraud is suspected, it is essential to report these incidents to law enforcement authorities immediately. Quick action can help to verify, intercept and address any fraudulent entities, thereby minimising potential harm to investors. The commission also emphasises the importance of cross-referencing information obtained through social media and other platforms before making investment decisions. This practice can help prevent falling victim to scams aimed at misappropriating assets. BIZHUB/VNS HA NOI Leveraging its strategic position along the Kunming Lao Cai Ha Noi Hai Phong Quang Ninh economic corridor, the northern province of Lao Cai is rolling out key initiatives to strengthen its logistics and e-commerce sectors, aiming to facilitate cross-border trade with Chinas Yunnan province and drive border trade growth between Viet Nam and China. According to Hoang Quoc Khanh, permanent vice chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee, nearly 700 Vietnamese enterprises are engaged in regular import-export activities through the Lao Cai Hekou international border gate. However, logistics infrastructure remains a challenge, leading to high transportation costs along the economic corridor. Nguyen inh Vuong, Deputy General Director of SITC Bondex Vietnam Logistics Co Ltd, emphasised that transportation infrastructure is the backbone of logistics development. He urged Lao Cai to fast-track the construction of the Lao Cai Ha Noi Hai Phong railway and Sa Pa airport, upgrades to the Noi Bai Lao Cai expressway and improvements in transport infrastructure within the border economic zone. Additionally, he called for preferential policies to attract major investors in logistics and freight transport, strengthening Lao Cais role as a cross-border trade hub. Vuong Trinh Quoc, head of the Management Board of the Lao Cai Economic Zone, affirmed the provinces commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment. Measures include enhancing infrastructure, streamlining administrative procedures, facilitating customs clearance, expanding logistics services to support import-export activities and refining policies to attract investment and position Lao Cai as an international logistics hub. Khanh further announced that Lao Cai will develop a network of inland ports and logistics hubs, with a total cargo clearance capacity exceeding 1.5 million TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units). These hubs will be established in Lao Cai, Kim Thanh Ban Vuoc area, and other strategic locations linked to Sa Pa airport. The province will also construct new warehouses and logistics centres to support goods transshipment and storage, maximising Lao Cais geographic advantages. Despite logistics advancements, cross-border e-commerce between Lao Cai and China faces hurdles, mainly due to limited understanding of Chinese consumer culture and low brand recognition of Vietnamese products. Phan Trung Ba, Director of the Lao Cai Department of Finance, outlined steps to remove these barriers, including connecting local specialty products with Yunnan province. He emphasised the need to organise exhibitions and trade showcases to introduce Vietnamese goods to the Chinese market and establish a research and development (R&D) centre to bridge market gaps and connect manufacturers, service providers, and distributors. To further support digital trade, Lao Cai is developing an integrated supply chain network that ensures seamless delivery from factories to end consumers. The province also plans to invest in online export infrastructure, featuring O2O (Online-to-Offline) sales models, showroom spaces combined with livestream studios, training programmes for Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) and Key Opinion Consumers (KOCs) and B2B and B2C e-commerce platforms to facilitate direct exports. By implementing these strategies, Lao Cai aims to strengthen its logistics capabilities, enhance cross-border e-commerce, and cement its position as a key trade gateway between Viet Nam and China. VNS HA NOI Eight enterprises have received a total of more than VN3.18 billion (nearly US$124,600 USD) as rewards for their achievements in the Transforming the rice value chain for climate resilient and sustainable development in the Mekong Delta (TRVC) project. The rewards were presented at a ceremony held in Can Tho City on March 18 by the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV), the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) and related agencies. Chon Chinh Import Export Co Ltd from ong Thap Province won the biggest sum, over VN1.16 billion. In the first crop of the TRVC project (the 2024 summer - autumn crop), the company registered over 1,514ha for the project and achieved an average greenhouse gas emission reduction of 6.57 tonnes of CO2 per hectare, while participating farming households saw an average profit of 68.41 per cent. Funded by the Australian Embassy in Viet Nam, the TRVC project is being carried out by the SNV in collaboration with the MAE and the departments of agriculture and environment of An Giang, ong Thap and Kien Giang provinces from 2023 to 2027. Using a results-based reward mechanism, it encourages enterprises in the rice value chain to participate to promote the large-scale adoption of advanced rice production technologies to bring higher economic value for smallholders and all stakeholders in the chain. It also seeks to improve rice quality while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting the environment at the same time. Christie Getman, SNV Country Director, highlighted that the project aims for a minimum profit of 30 per cent for smallholders. However, in the first crop, farmers recorded very high profit, over 59 per cent in average. Additionally, enterprises also shared part of their rewards with farmers. From an environmental perspective, the project successfully reduced 27,161.98 tonnes of CO2 emissions across 6,165.51ha of farmland. On the social front, all participating enterprises have integrated policies and implemented measures to ensure social equity within the enterprises themselves and across the value chains in the three targeted provinces. For the second crop (the 2024-2025 winter - spring crop), the registered farming area has increased fivefold compared to the first, exceeding 33,320ha. With its positive results, the TRVC project is making significant progress toward developing a sustainable and climate-resilient rice value chain. It also aligns with Viet Nams plan to develop one million ha of high-quality and low-emission rice cultivation connected with green growth in the Mekong Delta by 2030. VNS HA NOI Vinh Phuc wants to enhance trade and investment cooperation with Hekou county of Chinas Yunnan Province, an official of the northern Vietnamese province has said. Hoang Long Bien, head of the Vinh Phuc Industrial Zones Authority, made the remark while meeting with a Hekou delegation led by Yu Yang, Secretary of the Hekou county Party Committee and head of the Yunnan Pilot Free Trade Zone - Honghe Area, on March 18. The Hekou delegation visited Vinh Phuc to explore local investment opportunities. During the meeting, Bien provided an overview of Vinh Phucs socio-economic landscape, highlighting its strong appeal as an investment magnet thanks to its favourable location with a well-developed transportation network, a robust education system that supplies high-quality human resources, an optimal investment and business environment, and modern and well-integrated industrial park infrastructure. Currently, Vinh Phuc hosts 17 industrial parks, including nine fully operational and five others undergoing infrastructure development. The province has attracted 1,308 investment projects, including 477 foreign direct investment (FDI) ones from 20 countries and territories, with a total capital of US$8.5 billion. In particular, it is home to 106 Chinese-invested projects valued at $1.7 billion, primarily in automobile, motorcycle and electronics manufacturing. Bien said Vinh Phuc wishes to strengthen transport connectivity with major economic hubs in China via Hekou. He also expressed his hope for enhanced cooperation in tourism, education, cultural exchanges, and manpower training. Additionally, he proposed strengthening connectivity via trade, farm produce and tourism fairs. He reaffirmed the province's commitment to creating the best possible conditions for Hekou investors and businesses to invest in local industrial parks, particularly in electronics and textile manufacturing. He expressed confidence that this partnership will continue to develop and deliver mutual benefits to businesses and residents in both localities. For his part, Yu noted he hopes to boost partnerships in the fields matching both sides' advantages. He also pledged to facilitate Vinh Phuc enterprises in exploring investment opportunities in the county. He highlighted that Hekou spans 1,313 sq.km, with a population exceeding 100,000. In 2024, its budget revenue totalled CNY14.5 billion ($2 billion), ranking it third in Yunnan province. As a key trade gateway between China, Viet Nam and ASEAN, Hekou plays a crucial role in the Viet Nam China economic corridor. The county has notable economic strengths in cross-border trade, electronics and textile manufacturing and cross-border economic cooperation zones. During the meeting, business representatives from Hekou county and Vinh Phuc officials discussed investment policies, trade promotion activities and business cooperation between Vietnamese and Chinese enterprises. Earlier, the Hekou delegation toured the Binh Xuyen II Industrial Park to gain a better understanding of Vinh Phucs industrial production. VNS LONDON Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh on Tuesday held meetings with British Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle, as part of his visit to the UK. The official also participated in a seminar on financial centre development and visited the London Stock Exchange. In his meeting with Deputy PM Rayner, Binh reaffirmed Viet Nam's dedication to enhancing its strategic partnership with the UK. He welcomed deeper British engagement in the Asia-Pacific and called for the UK to share its expertise in financial centre development. Encouraging British businesses to invest in Viet Nam's financial sector, Binh also sought support for training and attracting skilled professionals. Additionally, he invited British enterprises to expand investments in Viet Nam's clean and renewable energy sectors. Deputy PM Rayner praised Viet Nam's financial centre initiative and pledged support from British experts, businesses, and academics. She highlighted opportunities to expand trade and deepen cooperation in energy transition, while advocating closer collaboration in tackling illegal migration and organised crime. Both sides agreed to promote high-level exchanges to foster political trust and celebrate 15 years of the Viet Nam-UK strategic partnership (2010-25), with the goal of boosting bilateral trade to US$10 billion and beyond. In his meeting with Lindsay Hoyle, Binh called for closer parliamentary exchanges to deepen ties. Hoyle welcomed stronger cooperation in sectors such as trade, investment, science, education, health care, and tourism. He pledged the UK Parliament's continued support for strengthening bilateral relations. The two sides touched upon issues related to security and crime prevention, as well as regional and international matters of mutual concern. They shared views in support of resolving disagreements through peaceful means in accordance with international law, for the benefit of the people of both countries, and for peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world. At a seminar hosted by TheCityUK an industry-led body representing UK-based financial and related professional services, Deputy PM Binh commended British experts and financial institutions for their contributions to Viet Nam's financial centre plans. He called on TheCityUK and British enterprises to continue offering expertise to help Viet Nam shape effective policies and regulatory frameworks for the projects. UK Ambassador to Viet Nam Iain Frew underscored the significance of the financial centre projects for Viet Nam's development and pledged ongoing British support. Nicola Watkinson, managing director of TheCityUK, highlighted that establishing a financial centre will elevate Viet Nam's international profile while creating robust frameworks for institutions such as banks, insurers, asset managers, and venture capital firms. She assured that TheCityUK and its partners are committed to contributing to both the building and operation of financial centres in the Southeast Asian nation. While visiting the London Stock Exchange, Deputy PM Binh met with CEO Julia Holgate, who reaffirmed the positive outcomes of bilateral stock market cooperation. Holgate pledged support to upgrade Vietnam's stock market to emerging market status and assist Vietnamese businesses in listing on the London Stock Exchange. Deputy PM Binh called for enhanced collaboration to improve market liquidity and transparency, attract investors, and adopt advanced technologies to develop Viet Nam's financial landscape. He also met with Barnaby Swire, chair of Swire Group, a prominent British conglomerate active in Asia. Binh encouraged Swire to expand investment in Vietnam, particularly in green and digital economies, renewable energy, and financial centre development in HCM City and a Nang. Swire reaffirmed the group's long-term commitment to Viet Nam, including its investments in Coca-Cola and Cathay Pacific. He expressed Swire's intent to expand operations and confirmed plans to accelerate the group's aircraft maintenance project at Van on Airport. Recognising Viet Nam's vision for financial centres, Swire voiced readiness to collaborate with Vietnam Airlines to strengthen aviation connectivity with global financial hubs. Swire also pledged to share its expertise in urban planning and real estate development, building on successful projects in Hong Kong and Shanghai (China). Having already invested in the Empire City project in HCM City's Thu Thiem Urban Area, a key component of the city's financial centre plan, Swire committed to further contributing to the district's development. Deputy PM Binh urged Swire to work closely with Vietnamese partners to expand investment activities. VNS BEIJING Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung paid a working trip to Guangdong Provinces Shenzhen City on March 18 and 19 as part of his visit to China. Meeting with Executive Vice Mayor of Shenzhen Tao Yongxin, Dung expressed his admiration for the city's transformation into a modern and prosperous metropolis, praising its remarkable economic and social achievements under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, headed by Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping. Dung underscored Viet Nam's significant economic and social development achievements during nearly 40 years of oi moi (renewal), which have enhanced the country's capabilities and international standing. He highlighted Viet Nam's ambitious goals to become an upper-middle income country by 2030 and a high-income developed nation by 2045, requiring the country to overcome challenges, particularly achieving double-digit growth rates through digital transformation, scientific-technological advancement, and developing the private economic sector as the most important driver for the country's growth. Deputy PM Dung expressed his appreciation for the positive and extensive development of the Viet Nam China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and the community with a shared future that carries strategic significance. He emphasised that the Vietnamese Party, Government, and people view strengthening and developing friendly relations with China as a consistent policy, an objective requirement, a strategic choice, and a top priority in its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification of external relations. For his part, Tao expressed his gratitude for the support from the Vietnamese Government, ministries, sectors and localities for Shenzhen city. He highlighted Shenzhen's evolution from a new city established after China's reform and opening-up period to the country's largest industrial and commercial centre, and a symbol of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The official noted that Viet Nam is the city's largest trading partner in ASEAN and expressed his desire to strengthen practical cooperation between local administrations, businesses, and organisations from both countries, highlighting its focus on four key areas of high-quality development, industry, trade-investment, and tourism. Dung agreed with Taos proposals while requesting Shenzhen to continue bolstering cooperation and exchanging experiences regarding the private sector's development, ways to strengthen linkages between economic sectors, the role of the State and the market, and special policies for free trade zones and special economic zones. At working sessions with specialised agencies in Shenzhen, Dung shared Viet Nam's development priorities in the new era, underscoring the Vietnamese Party and Government's interest in enhancing the private sector's role, improving the business climate, attracting high-quality human resources, and developing free trade zones. Professor Tao Yitao, Director of the China Special Economic Zone Research Centre of the Shenzhen University, shared Shenzhen's successful development experiences, focusing on international integration, persistence in economic reforms, improvement in the business environment, and development of science-technology and innovation. Established in 1980 as China's first special economic zone, Shenzhen has grown into a powerhouse with a GDP of US$500 billion in 2024, investing 6.46 per cent of its GDP in research and development. Billed as "China's silicon valley," it hosts technology giants like Huawei, Tencent, and BYD. Regarding experiences in developing the private economic sector, leaders from the Shenzhen Bay Science and Technology Ecological Park, and Development and Reform Commission of Shenzhen Municipality stressed that it is necessary to build mechanisms to encourage enterprises to enhance investment in R&D activities, and accelerate the market orientation, the legal framework, and international integration of the business environment. A representative from the Shenzhen Innovation and Investment Group affirmed the role of the State in identifying the potential of and arrange resources for small firms to operate in strategic areas like science-technology, innovation, smart production, new energy and healthcare. The Chinese partners pledged to continue sharing experiences, supporting Viet Nam's innovation ecosystem development, expanding investment, and implementing new cooperation models with Vietnamese partners in the spirit of being "both comrades and brothers. VNA/VNS HA NOI Toyota Motor Viet Nam (TMV) rolled out its 700,000th car on Wednesday, becoming the first automaker in Viet Nam to reach this milestone. This event marks Toyota's 30 years of operations in Viet Nam in September, demonstrating the company's commitment to advancing the domestic automotive industry. The 700,000th vehicle was a Veloz Cross, which had been consistently among the best-selling models in the market. Toyota Motor Viet Nam's factory, located in the northern province of Vinh Phuc, was established in 1995 and officially began operations one year later. From an initial production rate of just two vehicles per day, the plant's capacity has grown to produce over 108 vehicles per day, or approximately 27,000 per year. This steady expansion shows Toyota's stable and sustainable growth in the Vietnamese market. Toyota Motor was also the first automaker in Viet Nam to be granted ISO 14001 certification for environmental management in 1999, and has continuously maintained and improved its system since. The company is also the first automaker in Viet Nam to complete a full five-stage manufacturing process - stamping, welding, painting, assembly, and quality inspection. Its stamping workshop was launched in 2003. Toyota Motor has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Industry and Trade to support local enterprises operating in supporting industries, and strengthen links between domestic businesses and automotive manufacturers in Viet Nam. To date, Toyota Motor has partnered with 60 suppliers, including 13 Vietnamese companies, lifting the total number of localised products to over 1,000. The company also provides stable jobs for more than 1,500 labourers, making a significant contribution to Vinh Phuc's socio-economic development. With these achievements, Toyota Motor Viet Nam was honoured with the Good Factory Award 2024, a prestigious recognition for factories that excel in productivity, quality, and operational improvements in manufacturing across Japan and Asia. The award, presented by the Japan Management Association, made Toyota Motor Viet Nam the only manufacturer outside Japan to receive this distinction. VNS This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Germany and it is being celebrated by a series of cultural events. Viet Nam News reporter Nguyen Binh talked to Oliver Brandt, director of the Goethe Institute about cultural engagements between the two countries. The Translation Hub project is an initiative of the Goethe-Institute Hanoi and HCM City to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Germany. Can you tell us more about the project? Translation Hub is a project which is already underway, one that started last year. The Goethe Institute is supporting translators, who translate German literature into Vietnamese. We have some great translators but we don't have as many from the younger generation. Thats why we, together with local partners in Viet Nam and with partners from Germany, have designed a whole programme to promote them, and last year we held a workshop. The two young and upcoming best translators who attended that are in Germany right now, after being invited. There will be two big book fairs in Frankfurt and Leipzig. First they will go to the book fair in the Leipzig and before that we are in Berlin for some weeks with other translators with publishing houses and writers, to try and motivate and support them to offer the best translations in the future. Their work will start with contemporary literature. Those are two, but there are others who have translated German short contemporary stories to Vietnamese. Hopefully, there will be a book published with a collection of the short stories this year. The Goethe Institute and Viet Nam Youth Theatre are collaborating on a new theatre project too, what is that about? With the theatre we've worked on several projects for many years. But it is the first time a new piece will be written particularly for the Youth Theatre. We found a writer who is very well known. He is Austrian but Berlin-based, so really a Berliner. He is already a very successful and popular writer and he is an innovator too, he plays with language and he is quite a model and interesting for the Youth Theatre. He will work together with Vietnamese stage director ao Duy Anh and German-Vietnamese stage designer Lina Oanh Nguyen. Nguyen already did one project in HCM City opera house. Thomas Koch, the name of the writer, was in Viet Nam for some weeks last December and January. Here we are connecting writers like him to the Youth Theatre and other partners. The piece he is writing will be about Viet Nam - a topic that he thinks young Vietnamese may be interested in. Everything will be in autumn and the premiere will be at the end of October. What is the role of the Goethe Institute in culture cooperation between Viet Nam and Germany? I have to say, for us it is very important, it is one of our core motivations and we value helping strengthen independent local artists. So I think in the last years, we have worked of course with institutional partners such as the Youth Theatre, the Vietnam Women's Museum and Viet Nam's Symphony Orchestra. There is an important part to our work with the independent and young artists, since they dont have so many opportunities to work on their art or to present their art. I think this is something that the institute focuses on. We work very closely with the local artists to help them find success here and also internationally. Im sure the Institute plays a leading role in their success. I will give an example. Movie Culi Never Cries won an award at Berlinale Film Festival last year. The crew of Culi Never Cries movie went to Berlinale Film Festival to get their award, with our support. And this year, the movie director Pham Ngoc Lan was first Vietnamese to be part of the jury. I think also of course it is his success because he is an artist film maker, but I think his success was also because we could support him going to Germany. We also invite individuals from Germany. It is also a part of our mission we always try to find mutual inspiration. Sometimes we have German artists coming here to Viet Nam they stay for residence artist programmes. They connect also to the University of Fine Arts but also to other independent artists. Its mutual inspiration and understanding. How has the institute received assistance from Vietnamese partners to operate during the years? When you support or assist, it might sometimes be misunderstood because I dont think they perceive it as support or assistance. As I mentioned, it is mutual - when we work together, we are on the same level, and it is a dialogue. Having been in Viet Nam for two and a half years, I have received great support from my partners, which has helped me better understand the needs here. While Germany and Viet Nam are closely connected, I feel that they are quite different in terms of artistic perspectives and the way art is perceived and created. Therefore, when working with institutions, they help us engage with the team, providing deeper insights into their needs and working methods, which are essential for effective collaboration. This is something I have learned from my partners over the years. In Viet Nam, I have been truly impressed. There might be challenges in expression and inspiration, but I am always amazed by how Vietnamese culture thrives. In your opinion, do you think we need a Viet Nam Culture Centre in Germany? Yes, absolutely. Many Germans and Europeans come to Viet Nam, and they already have some knowledge about the country. However, Viet Nam is much more than just a tourist destination. You mentioned cultural activities, and I hope that a Vietnamese Institute in Germany could showcase contemporary literature and theatre and not just historical aspects. While we at the Goethe Institute focus on contemporary rather than classical arts, Germans are very interested in hearing more about Viet Nams young creative scene. A cultural institute could play a crucial role not just in preserving traditions and arts but also in highlighting the vast creativity of Vietnamese culture today. Have you ever attended events held by Vietnamese partners? I have attended numerous cultural and art events organised by Vietnamese partners, and I have been deeply impressed. Initially, I was sometimes confused because communication methods differ greatly between large and small events, and the way invitations are extended can be surprising. However, once I attended the events, I had extraordinary experiences, particularly in dance and performance. There is immense potential and energy in this field. Some ideas have already been implemented through our collaboration. A significant development for the Goethe Institute is the focus on inclusion. This means featuring artists and institutions that specialise in working with people with disabilities and promoting greater accessibility. This is a key part of my mission. When I attend cultural events, I often see familiar faces, but culture should be for everyone. One of my objectives is to expand cultural participation beyond a small group and make it more inclusive. Thats why we have organised projects outside the Red River area, reaching communities where people live and creating interactive formats at our institute -not only for intellectuals but for everyone. Another important aspect is that the Goethe Institute is not only a cultural institution but also a language institute. We have observed a growing interest among young Vietnamese in German society and employment opportunities in Germany. I am pleased about this growing enthusiasm, as Germany is keen to welcome young Vietnamese students and professionals. Through our cultural programmes, film festivals, and other activities, we aim to provide more information about Germany, ensuring that those planning to move there have a well-rounded understanding and are well-prepared. This is something we are expanding and offering free informational resources. While language courses are not free, we provide accessible information on topics that matter. As part of the 50th anniversary celebrations, there will be a career truck programme next month, travelling to different regions to share opportunities for studying and working in Germany with young Vietnamese people. VNS HCM CITY Travel is the ultimate form of therapy for many Millennials and Gen Z, including those in Viet Nam. In collaboration with the consumer insights platform GWI, Klook's latest Travel Pulse research across 14 markets, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Viet Nam, South Korea, Japan, Australia, Mainland China, India, Indonesia, and the United States, shows that almost all young travelers view travel as a potent stress reliever. Yet, a concerning nine in 10 individuals feel frustrated by their inability to embark on these much-needed journeys, hindered by obstacles like time constraints, work commitments, and financial worries. Millennials and Gen Z are increasingly turning to travel as their ultimate form of therapy, expressed Eric Gnock Fah, president, and Co-Founder of Klook. Despite life's stressful demands causing much frustration, the transformative influence of traveling is indisputable. With 92 per cent experiencing post-travel blues, and nearly 40 percent already planning their next escape, it's evident that travel provides more than just a pause -- it acts as a catalyst for self-discovery, creativity, and rejuvenation. For 64 per cent of these travelers, travel isnt merely an escape; it acts as their reset button, allowing them to break away from the mundane and enhance their self-assurance. Time constraints emerge as the major impediment to travel for both Gen Z and Millennial travelers worldwide, with 60 per cent of travelers in various markets highlighting this challenge. In Viet Nam, 56 per cent of travelers concur with this view, with 88 per cent expressing limited travel opportunities. While time serves as the primary obstacle for both generations, the secondary barrier differs: Gen Z travelers in Viet Nam point to financial limitations (50 per cent), while Millennials cite work commitments (47 per cent). When it comes to self-care, Millennials and Gen Z are discerning about where they allocate their resources. Despite financial considerations, they don't compromise on experiences, with 91 per cent dedicating up to half of their budget to experiential activities rather than overspending on areas like flight expenses to maximise their excursions. Gen Z travelers, in particular, are more budget-conscious, opting for comprehensive travel packages to extend their spending capacity. While affordability is critical, unique and authentic experiences remain a top priority. In Viet Nam, Gen Z individuals prioritize off-the-beaten-path destinations, adventure tours, and digital detox retreats on their 2025 bucket list, while Vietnamese Millennials also value eco-friendly travel experiences alongside these three preferences. The Klooks research also informs that despite these hurdles, travelers are undeterred. Some 84 per cent are already preparing to take at least one international trip in 2025, compared to 71 per cent in 2024. When choosing their next destination, 28 per cent seek out entirely new places theyve never visited. Across all markets, Japan continues its reign as the top must-go destination for 2025, with Mainland China second, with demand increasing over seven times compared to last year. For Vietnamese travelers in 2025, Japan, Korea, Singapore, and Thailand remain popular bucket list destinations. Mainland China and Australia are seeing notably increased interest. Travel has evolved beyond just a trip; its therapy, self-discovery, and a ticket to a more balanced life. As this generation seeks renewal and purpose, the future of travel will continue to deliver experiences that rejuvenate, inspire, and empower travelers to reconnect with their best selves. VNS HA NOI The first international craft beer and grills feast will be held from March 21 to 23 in Ha Noi, offering attendees a three-in-one experience of delicious cuisine testing, cultural exchange and a cooking contest. According to the organisers, the Ocean BBQ & Brew Festival will gather international brands and famous chefs and brewers, offering 150 grilled dishes and 120 kinds of craft and imported beers at the Ocean Grill Village in the capital's Ocean City urban area. At the event, five famous chefs from Worldchefs Barbecue Association will serve diners. Meanwhile, cooks from places as far afield as South Korea, China, Japan, Mongolia, Germany, Italy, France, Brazil and Mexico will be serving up dishes as well. Vice President of the World BBQ Association Don David, a three-star Michelin chef, will perform traditional grill skills from Azerbaijan, the so-called 'Land of Fire' and one of the cradles of the ancient tradition of barbecue. Other distinguished participants include Worldchefs judge Alan Payen, Chairman of the Denizli Young Chefs Association Suleyman Kursak and Chef Adrijana Alacki, president of Gastromak. The festival will also feature representatives from six embassies in Viet Nam: Azerbaijan, Spain, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Pakistan and Ukraine, along with guests from the Viet Nam-Belgium Friendship Association. Diners will have a chance to taste cuisines from 15 different countries starting at the village gate with South Korean barbecue, including grilled beef ribs with honey and spicy grilled pork belly. Next up, they'll find dishes from China, with Peking duck and spicy Sichuan duck tongue on offer. Japanese cooks will introduce chicken skewers with soy sauce, grilled meat with miso sauce and grilled Japanese eel with sauce served with soba noodles. The Mongolian barbecue area will serve whole roasted goat and grilled meat skewers with black pepper. Visitors will also taste European-style food from France and Italy with a variety of wood-fired pizzas, grilled salted egg potatoes, French-style grilled beef and grilled salted salmon salad with fresh oranges. Meanwhile, German chefs will offer grilled sausages with cheese and the original hamburgers. Offerings from Ukraine will include grilled meat skewers with onion, charcoal grilled potato cakes, Kyiv grilled chicken and Ukrainian grilled meatballs. As the event hosts, Viet Nam will be a highlight, with typical dishes from the Northwest region. Diners can try grilled pork with mac mat leaves, grilled chicken with mac khen seeds, grilled pork ribs and grilled bamboo rice. The chefs will also roast a whole calf at the festival. In addition to the grilling area, people can enjoy food from international brands at booths run by Almaz, Lagoon, LaPizza, The Berlin Man, Buta Shamoji, Yakimono, Yumemichi, Jeonbok, Goong BBQ, Gaebong, Diamond BBQ and Tuoi BBQ. A barbecue feast would not be complete without beer, which will also be available to delight the most discerning palates. C-Brewmaster will offer 21 different beers from Belgium, including Chimay, Duvel, Kasteel, La Chouffe and St. Bernardus. Other types of beer available include five from the Netherlands, including La Trappe, and 24 from Germany, including Kaiserdom, Ayinger, Weihenstephaner and Paulaner. The company will also impress beer lovers with 53 types of craft beers, including smoked amber ale, Belgian Trappist style and Vietnamese pho beer. BK Beer, a Vietnamese brand, will introduce six of its craft beers, including en 5, with an aroma of barley malt and caramel, and Nau 9, with the sweet flavour of honey. Another Vietnamese enterprise, 1689 Beckent Bauer, will enchant drinkers with different kinds of craft beers, especially its amber ale with a floral flavour from Citra hops and its Triple ale, with the slogan 'beer for connoisseurs'. Other activities at the festival include a barbecue cooking contest for semi-pro and street chefs. Under the theme of 'Fire & Passion', cooks will compete against each other to take home a prize of up to VN10 million and a certificate from international judges and chefs. In addition, a cooking performance from culinary masters will help diners understand professional barbecue grilling techniques. VNS HCM CITY As many as 200 Iranian tourists arrived in HCM City on Wednesday on the first charter flight from the Middle Eastern country to Viet Nam, marking a milestone in bilateral tourism cooperation. They will embark on a tour of Viet Nam's southern, central, and northern regions before concluding their visit on March 28. The city's tourism officials said the tourists selection of Viet Nam as a destination during Nowruz, the Iranian New Year celebration, demonstrates the countrys growing appeal. Their itinerary showcases Viet Nam's rich cultural and historical landmarks like Cu Chi tunnels, Ben Thanh market, War Remnants Museum, HCM City Post Office in HCM City, Ba Na Hills in a Nang, the ancient town of Hoi An, and One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, and Hoan Kiem Lake in Ha Noi. Throughout their 10-day and 9-night journey across Viet Nam, they will stay at prestigious accommodation establishments, including New World Saigon, Equatorial Ho Chi Minh, Four Points by Sheraton a Nang, and Dolce by Wyndham Ha Noi. A representative of the municipal Department of Tourism said that this charter flight represented a crucial step in Viet Nam's efforts to boost international tourism. Expanding into the Middle Eastern market not only diversifies the country's tourist sources but also creates opportunities to develop premium tourism products, improve service quality, and strengthen Viet Nam's position on the global tourism map. Looking ahead, the department plans to collaborate closely with industry partners to develop appealing tourism products tailored to international visitors' demands while enhancing promotional activities to attract more large tour groups to the country. The second group of 200 Iranian tourists is scheduled to arrive in Ha Noi on March 28. They will explore Viet Nam's outstanding tourism sites across the country until April 5. VNA/VNS Viet Nam is stepping up reforms and deepening international integration and the private sector is emerging as a key pillar of the national economy. In an interview with the Government News, Professor Vu Minh Khuong of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore, talked about the challenges, opportunities and solutions needed for the private sector to become a driving force for the countrys development. How do you assess the Vietnamese Governments efforts to boost private sector development and turn it into a key driver of the national economy? I believe Viet Nams political system is undergoing significant transformation, underscored by a strong push to deliver robust economic growth in the years ahead, with particular emphasis on advancing private sector development, aligning with global trends. General Secretary To Lam and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh have issued bold directives, reflecting both strategic vision and firm resolve to establish the private sector as a keystone of the national economy. The overarching guidance from the countrys top leadership highlights not only a deep appreciation of the private sectors role, but also a commitment to fostering innovation and modernising economic management. To translate this vision into actual results, we need to develop clear, coordinated policies that will create the right conditions for the private sector to achieve a strong breakthrough in the near term. How do you see the role of the private sector in Viet Nams economy today? How does its contribution compare to that of other key sectors, such as state-owned enterprises and foreign direct investment? The private sector is increasingly asserting itself as a crucial pillar of Viet Nams economy. Where it once lagged in scale and competitiveness, we are now seeing the emergence of private entities, with ambitions that reach beyond national borders to regional and global markets. Industries such as steel, automotive manufacturing and high technology have all experienced remarkable growth, fuelled by dynamic Vietnamese private firms. While the private sector has yet to eclipse state-owned enterprises or foreign direct investment as the leading force in the economy, this shift appears inevitable. Just ten or twenty years ago, private businesses were still finding their footing. Today, big private groups are making significant contributions to GDP growth, employment and the countrys overall competitiveness. The key challenge now is ensuring that this sector develops in a sustainable and strategic manner. This will require more than simply cutting red tape and reducing obstacles. It demands robust and well-aligned policies, particularly aimed at eliminating the bottlenecks still hampering private sector progress. With the right support, I am confident the private sector will take on an even greater role and become a key driver of Viet Nams economic success in the years ahead. In your opinion, what are the biggest barriers currently facing Vietnamese private enterprises? What specific measures should the Government take to better support the private sector? Viet Nams private sector stands on the point of a significant growth trajectory, yet it continues to grapple with several deep-rooted challenges. In my view, three critical issues must be urgently addressed, including institutional bottlenecks, limited innovation capacity and shortcomings in workforce quality. Firstly, on the institutional front, the task is not simply to identify broad obstacles but to zero in on the specific bottlenecks within each industry. Currently, private enterprises are active across some 35 sectors and each faces its own unique regulatory and structural hurdles. Resolution No. 10-NQ/TW, widely known as Khoan 10, was issued by the Politburo in 1988 and marked a turning point in Viet Nams agricultural management reform, todays private sector requires sector-specific reforms of equal magnitude. Businesses are calling for a fundamental shift in the legal and administrative landscape, with simplified procedures and stronger inter-sector linkages. This will require the Government to engage more proactively and consistently with industry bodies to make precise and timely policy interventions. For example, the maritime transport industry. Despite handling millions of tonnes of cargo, many Vietnamese companies are compelled to register vessels overseas where procedures are more efficient. At home, customs clearance at major ports such as Cai Mep remains fragmented and uncoordinated. Adopting a unified digital system akin to that of Singapore could unlock substantial production capacity. In logistics, outdated regulations allow for only a single instance of domestic transhipment, forcing many routes to divert via Hong Kong or Singapore instead of fully optimising Viet Nams own transport corridors. Addressing these inefficiencies could lead to immediate growth of between 10 and 20 per cent in certain industries. Secondly, innovation is a decisive factor in enabling private-sector breakthroughs. In many advanced economies, businesses investing in research and innovation benefit from financial support or tax incentives. In Viet Nam, however, these mechanisms remain unclear, causing firms to hesitate out of concern for potential audits and regulatory scrutiny. The Government needs to implement a robust framework that promotes innovation, such as offering preferential financing and tax breaks for enterprises pursuing technology upgrades and digital transformation. Countries like Thailand and Singapore have set valuable examples, from which Viet Nam could draw practical lessons to accelerate the growth of its domestic enterprises. Thirdly, human capital is a basic pillar for the private sectors success. Viet Nam currently lacks a flexible and responsive training system closely aligned with the real-world demands of businesses. In Singapore, the government has been known to support enterprises in training double the number of required workers, creating a readily available talent pool and encouraging new investments. Viet Nams efforts to assess business needs, meanwhile, often lack depth and remain largely formalistic. A more targeted and practice-oriented training strategy is needed to ensure that private firms can access a workforce with the necessary skills to meet the demands of a modern economy. I greatly commend the leaderships vision and determination to elevate the private sector as a core engine of Viet Nams economic growth. Yet, to realise this ambition, a vigorous regulatory environment, strong incentives for innovation and a comprehensive human resources strategy are essential. Should these elements be put in place, Viet Nams private sector will be well positioned to deliver transformative growth and make a lasting impact on the national economy in the years ahead. What steps should Vietnamese private enterprises take to boost their competitiveness, particularly amid the challenges of international integration and the accelerating pace of digital transformation? For Vietnamese private enterprises to make a decisive step forward, a shift in development mindset is essential. Many businesses today remain focused on short-term gains, often drawn to fast-profit sectors such as real estate or export-oriented activities, yet they lack a coherent, long-term strategy for sustainable growth. In an increasingly volatile global landscape, this quick-win approach risks leaving companies exposed to external shocks, with short-term opportunities quickly turning into long-term vulnerabilities. A key limitation of the private sector lies in its insufficient grasp of global trends and a notable underinvestment in modern management practices. Without a long-term vision, many firms risk stagnation, falling short of their potential. For an economy to advance, it is not enough to pursue growth alone; it must aim for qualitative development. An enterprise with an effective business model can generate far greater value from initial investment, ultimately building more durable competitiveness. In parallel, the Government has a crucial role to play in providing targeted support to help steer businesses onto a sustainable growth path. Singapore offers a useful model, where private firms benefit from well-structured programmes offering strategic advice, technology support and digital transformation assistance. For example, businesses requiring consultancy on technology adoption or digitalisation may receive subsidies of up to 50 per cent, depending on sector priorities. As Viet Nam advances its global integration and digital transformation, private enterprises must go beyond relying on state support. By modernising, improving governance and adopting long-term strategies, they can drive sustainable growth and fulfil their role as a vital force in the nations economic future. VNS HA NOI Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son held phone talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Cho Tae-yul on March 18 to discuss bilateral relations. During the talks, both sides expressed satisfaction with the remarkable progress in Viet Nam-RoK relations, particularly since the elevation of their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in December 2022. Son affirmed that Viet Nam attaches importance to its cooperation with the RoK and wishes to work with the East Asian country to further deepen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the coming time. He proposed that the two sides continue to enhance political trust through high-level delegation exchanges; strive to meet the set target of bringing bilateral trade to US$100 billion; and encourage Korean businesses to expand investment in Viet Nam in areas where the RoK has strengths and Viet Nam has demand. The RoK FM welcomed these proposals, emphasising that the country considers Viet Nam a key partner in its foreign policy in the region. He hoped that the two sides will continue to coordinate and support each other at international organisations, improve the effectiveness of existing cooperation mechanisms, including the annual Foreign Ministers Dialogue on reviewing the realisation of the Action Programme to implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which was signed in June 2023. The two sides agreed to continue to closely coordinate and effectively implement the common perceptions of the two countries' high-ranking leaders, with an immediate focus on promoting delegation exchanges on the occasion of Viet Nam hosting the 4th Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit. On this occasion, Son extended an invitation to Cho to soon visit Viet Nam and the latter accepted the invitation with pleasure. VNS PHNOM PENH Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Minh Vu met with Samdech Heng Samrin, Honorary President of the Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) and Honorary Chairman of the Supreme Advisory Council to the King of Cambodia, in Phnom Penh on March 18, pledging efforts to foster all-round cooperation between the two countries. Samdech Heng Samrin congratulated the ambassador on his new post, praised Viet Nams development achievements, and expressed his hope that Vu will keep helping to promote bilateral relations to a new height. He described the Viet Nam Cambodia traditional friendship as a priceless asset of both nations and voiced confidence in the success of Viet Nams ongoing reforms and apparatus streamlining under the leadership of Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV), led by General Secretary To Lam. He also thanked Viet Nam for its steadfast support throughout history, including a US$25 million aid package for constructing the Cambodian National Assembly's administrative building. Ambassador Vu, in turn, appreciated his host's contributions to the two countries' cooperation. He congratulated Cambodia on its dynamic development in various fields, affirming the leadership role of the CPP as well as Samdech Heng Samrin in those successes. The diplomat underlined his commitment to advancing collaboration across the board, especially in politics, defence security, economy, and people-to-people ties. Later the same day, Vu paid a courtesy call to Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence General Tea Seiha, who expressed confidence in the ambassadors successful tenure to contribute to the "good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainability" between the two countries. Vu highlighted defence cooperation as a pillar of bilateral relations and thanked Cambodia for its support in searching for and repatriating the remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts falling down in the country. Praising the close ties between the two defence ministries, Tea Seiha said cooperation between Viet Nam and Cambodia will keep flourishing, and issues will be jointly addressed for common development of both sides. From March 10-17, Ambassador Vu also paid courtesy visits to key CPP leaders and members of the Supreme Advisory Council to the King of Cambodia, including Samdech Say Chhum, standing head of the CPP Permanent Committee and former Senate President; Samdech Sar Kheng, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; and Samdech Tea Banh, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence. VNS HA NOI Transparency and trust are the cornerstones of good governance, said Johan Ndisi, Swedish Ambassador to Viet Nam when talking about key factors that define modern governance. Four ambassadors of Nordic countries this week co-hosted a seminar on the occasion of the Nordic Day 2025 to share those nations experience in advancing leadership in public administration in the context of digital transformation. Governance in the Nordic countriesSweden, Finland, Norway and Denmarkis distinguished by strong robust welfare systems, inclusive governance and a steadfast commitment to innovation and sustainability. These nations consistently secure top positions in global indexes that assess governance and sustainable competitiveness. Johan said the Nordic countries consistently rank among the highest in global governance indexes because of their commitment to transparency, anti-corruption efforts and open government practices. Viet Nams efforts to increase transparency and accountability will play a crucial role in strengthening public trust and creating a more engaged society. The Nordic experience demonstrates that regional and local governments, when empowered with the right tools and responsibilities, can deliver more responsive and tailored public services, he said. Anders Windinge, chief consultant of Denmarks local government, said Denmark uses a lot of decision making that's close to the citizens because: We believe that by decentralising decisions, we can also achieve more happy citizens. The closer to the citizen the decision is made, the happier the citizens are because they can relate to the decisions that are made, he said. Sharing Denmarks experience in AI application or digitalisation in the governance, he said the public needs to get on board. If we try to do digitalisation without people having an ownership, it's not going to work. So you need to have something that connects people with the digitalisation, he told Viet Nam News. He said in Denmark each citizen has a digital signature. It makes it possible for everyone, basically from birth to death, to use all public services online. As a citizen, as for me as a citizen in Denmark, I can sign everything digitally. I can see all the information that the authorities have on me. In Denmark it's an obligation for me as a citizen to receive everything from the authorities digitally. It's also an obligation for the authorities to send everything to me digitally. That goes for both individuals and for businesses. For the businesses it's always been a huge step forward because it makes for a lot easier workflows, he said. Jarkko Levasma, the director of Public Sector ICT Department, Finnish Ministry of Finance, mentioned the Finnish government's long-term goal of digitalising public and private services to enhance productivity and ease of use for citizens and businesses. The strategy focuses on human-centric digitalisation based on life events, aiming to automate processes and increase trust in public administration. Applying human centric digitalisation with life events gives us the possibility to digitalise and further automate and from automation to create real productivity growth, he said. It is so much easier to digitalise when you have a mutual trust between administration and the citizens and businesses, he said. He cited an example of pre-filled tax returns to highlight how such automation can simplify tasks in Finland. Keijo Norvanto, Ambassador of Finland to Viet Nam, said one of the cornerstones of his country's governance is the profound trust the citizens place in their institutions. Over generations, we have fostered an environment where the public feels confident that their government will act in their best interests transparently, ethically, and with a high level of accountability. This trust is not a given thing. It is earned through consistent, responsible leadership and the belief that every decision is made with integrity and inclusivity, he said. VNS HA NOI Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Economic Relations Peter Szijjarto in Ha Noi on Wednesday, as part of the latter's two-day official visit to Viet Nam. Deputy PM Son said the visit is considered an important activity to promote the Comprehensive Partnership between Viet Nam and Hungary, especially in the context of the two countries celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations (1950-2025). He affirmed that Viet Nam always values and wishes to strengthen multifaceted cooperation with Hungary, which has been Viet Nam's first comprehensive partner in the Central and Eastern European region. The Vietnamese top diplomat expressed gratitude and hoped that the Hungarian government would continue to create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in Hungary to have stable life and integrate into the local society, contributing positively to Hungary's socio-economic development and bilateral relations. Minister Szijjarto expressed his impression of Viet Nam's socio-economic development achievements and international integration in recent times. He highly appreciated Viet Nam's increasingly important role and position in the region and the world, affirming that Hungary always values and wishes to strengthen relations with Viet Nam, Hungary's leading partner in Southeast Asia. Exchanging comprehensive views on each country's socio-economic situation and bilateral cooperation, both sides were pleased to note that over the past 75 years, the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Viet Nam and Hungary have been continuously promoted, developing positively across many fields, especially political-diplomatic, trade, investment, development cooperation, culture, education and healthcare. Both sides appreciated the fact that Hungary is currently one of Viet Nam's largest trading partners in Central and Eastern Europe, and Viet Nam is one of Hungary's most potential markets in Asia. Despite the impact of global economic difficulties, trade turnover between the two countries has maintained positive growth, reaching approximately US$1 billion every year in recent times. Viet Nam and Hungary concurred that there is still ample potential to further enhance bilateral cooperation and agreed on measures to promote cooperation in many promising areas in the coming period, including increasing high-level delegation exchanges, especially in 2025, continuing close coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums, including the United Nations and ASEAN-EU. The two sides agreed to coordinate closely to maximise opportunities from the Viet Nam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), facilitate more agricultural and aquatic products from both countries to be present in each other's markets. The two countries' authorities will also encourage Hungarian enterprises to increase investment in areas where Viet Nam has needs and Hungary has strengths, such as pharmaceuticals, animal husbandry, food processing and water management. The two sides also agreed to promote the early ratification of the Viet Nam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). Viet Nam and Hungary pledged to further boost cooperation in education, nuclear power human resource training, agriculture, environment, defence, security, culture, tourism, healthcare, information technology and communications, climate change response. Also in terms of an early negotiation and signing of a citizen repatriation agreement to create a legal basis for further strengthening cooperation in the labour field and early organisation of the 10th session of the Viet Nam-Hungary Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation in Ha Noi. Exchanging views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, including the situation in the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea) and Ukraine, Vietnamese and Hungarian top diplomats agreed that disputes must be resolved by peaceful means, based on respect for the United Nations Charter and international law. The same day, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also hosted a reception for the visiting Hungarian official, where he extended the invitation for Hungarian Prime Minister Orban Viktor to make an official visit soon. Discussing human resources cooperation, Peter Szijjarto told PM Chinh that with 50 years of experience in operating nuclear power plants using Russian technology, Hungary is ready to cooperate and help train a thousand experts in nuclear power plant operations in Viet Nam and considers this a strategic area of cooperation between the two countries. VNS HA NOI Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Tran Thanh Man has described science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation as crucial elements to build a modern, democratic, transparent, professional, scientific and effective legislature. Speaking at a conference on digital NA and AI application in the NAs digital transformation held by the NA Office on Wednesday, the top legislator highlighted the event's significance, demonstrating the NA's determination to advance the application of state-of-the-art technologies to enhance its operational effectiveness and meet the country's development requirements in the new era the era of the nations rise. He underscored that the Politburos Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on breakthrough development in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation set ambitious goals for the country to rank among the top three countries in Southeast Asia and the top 50 countries globally in terms of digital competitiveness and e-government development by 2030. Vietnam aims to be placed among the worlds top 30 countries in innovation and digital transformation by 2045, with the digital economy projected to account for over 30 per cent of the GDP by 2030 and rise to 50 per cent in the next five years. Against the backdrop, he urged permanent members of the Council for Ethnic Affairs, committees, and the Office of the NA to focus on key priorities, stressing that AI will become a powerful assistant for the parliament to make more accurate decisions, meet practical requirements in a timely manner, enhance oversight effectiveness, and better connect with voters and people. The NA Chairman laid stress on the need for rapid and effective implementation of resolutions and projects related to the NA, provide digital skill training for delegates and staff, develop modern digital infrastructure, and invest in AI application platforms to support the legislature's operations. Besides, he said it is necessary to learn experiences from as well as promote research cooperation and technology transfer with countries in AI and modern digital technologies for parliamentary activities so as to develop solutions tailored to the Vietnamese NAs practical conditions. At the NAs 9th session in May, the NA will look into the Law on Science, Technology and Innovation and consider the Law on Digital Technology Industry to remove bottlenecks, paving the way for national development in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation. With the determination of the entire political system and the people, Viet Nam has the potential to achieve successes in this field, for the sustainable development of families and society, and for the longevity of the nation, he said, expressing his confidence that Viet Nam will achieve significant progress in building a digital parliament, making positive contributions to the country's rapid and sustainable development. Participants held that to accelerate the NA's digital transformation process, multiple harmonious solutions are needed, including raising public awareness, updating knowledge to improve the legal framework, building digital infrastructure, developing AI platforms to support NA activities, and enhancing digital human resources. VNA/VNS HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted a reception for Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto in Ha Noi on Wednesday, in which he emphasised Viet Nam's commitment to strengthening ties with Hungary the country's first comprehensive partner in Central and Eastern Europe. The Vietnamese Government leader acknowledged Hungary as a steadfast friend that has provided valuable support for Viet Nam over the past 75 years. He expressed his satisfaction that despite global and regional uncertainties, trade and investment ties between the two nations have continued to grow robustly, welcoming the ongoing preparations for the 10th session of the Viet Nam-Hungary Joint Committee for Economic Cooperation, scheduled to take place in Ha Noi later this year, the first such meeting since 2019, aimed at boosting bilateral trade and investment. The Hungarian minister, who is paying an official trip to Viet Nam from March 18-19, expressed his impression of the socio-economic achievements that the Southeast Asian country has obtained over the past time, and affirmed that Hungary wants to bolster the traditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation with Viet Nam its leading important partner in the region. The two sides exchanged notes on measures to strengthen collaboration across the areas of education, engineering, electronics, tourism, labour, rail connectivity between Southeast Asia and Central Eastern Europe. PM Chinh particularly emphasised Viet Nam's urgent need for Hungarian assistance in training high-quality human resources for nuclear power plant operations, an area where Hungary possesses considerable expertise. Viet Nam has recently decided to restart the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project, with the ambitious aim of having the plants up and running by 2030. They also agreed to review the legal framework for bilateral cooperation and expedite negotiations on agreements regarding citizen repatriation and labour cooperation. Peter affirmed that with 50 years of experience in operating nuclear power plants using Russian technology, Hungary stands ready to cooperate and train 1,000 Vietnamese specialists in the area, considering this a strategic area of cooperation between the two countries. Discussing international and regional matters of mutual concern, the two sides acknowledged the similarities in their countries' foreign policies and reached consensus on the need to increase exchanges and cooperation at multilateral forums. They concurred that peace, cooperation, and development remain global trends, and that disputes should be resolved through peaceful means based on international law for the benefit of all peoples. PM Chinh proposed Hungary, as an EU member, help persuade remaining EU countries to ratify the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement and (EVIPA) advocate for the early removal of the EC's "yellow card" against Vietnamese seafood exports. Regarding the Vietnamese community in Hungary, Peter praised their diligence, intelligence, and successful integration into the host society, noting their positive contributions to the friendly relations and cooperation between the two nations. PM Chinh took this occasion to convey his invitation to Hungarian PM Orban Viktor to pay an official visit to Viet Nam soon. VNA/VNS BEIJING Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Thanh Binh and Chinese Minister of Justice He Rong underlined the importance of promoting the bilateral cooperation mechanisms on justice and law enforcement during their meeting on Wednesday. The two sides shared the view that amid the flourishing Viet Nam China relations, cooperation between their ministries and sectors, including in the fields of justice and law enforcement, has been continuously reinforced, helping strengthen political trust and contributing to the cause of renewal and development in the two countries. That has also helped strengthen the trust among people from all social strata in the Parties leadership as well as in policy and law enforcement in each country. They affirmed the importance of continuing to bring into play the bilateral cooperation mechanisms on justice and law enforcement, thereby contributing to a solid legal cornerstone for bilateral ties to bolster the stable, healthy, and sustainable development of the countries relations. Binh, who came to pay a courtesy call to the Chinese minister on the occasion of assuming his duty in China, noted that Viet Nam attaches importance to and wishes to exchange experiences with China in reforming the judicial syytem, building a law-governed state, improving judicial administration, and applying information technology to law enforcement. The ambassador suggested the two sides press on with collaboration in such areas as mutual legal assistance in civil and criminal matters, training of judicial workers, and management of lawyers and notaries. Introducing the functions and tasks of the Chinese Ministry of Justice along with the building of a law-governed socialist state with Chinese characteristics, He stressed that her country treasures judicial and law enforcement cooperation with Viet Nam. It is ready to share experiences in legal reforms, governance of a law-governed state, and IT application to legal affairs to ensure social order, security, and stability. The host called on the two sides to strengthen collaboration to create favourable conditions for the countries citizens in terms of legal affairs, helping consolidate the social foundation for bilateral relations. At the meeting, both host and guest also agreed to continue effectively implementing the signed judicial and law enforcement cooperation agreements, and consider expanding ties in the fields meeting their countries demand, thus substantively contributing to the positive and stable development of the Viet Nam China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. VNA/VNS HA NOI Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Chairman of its Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation Nguyen Trong Nghia hosted a reception for Chinese Ambassador to Viet Nam He Wei in Ha Noi on Wednesday. While highlighted the history of Viet Nam-China relations, Nghia stated that the Vietnamese Party and State always consider strengthening relations with China a strategic choice and a top priority in its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation, and diversification of international relations. He held that bilateral political and diplomatic relations have maintained a positive development trend and continued to be strengthened, with high-level exchanges and meetings playing a strategic guiding role in fostering a stable, healthy, and increasingly effective Viet Nam-China relationship. The official recalled the visits by Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping to Viet Nam in December 2023, and by Vietnamese Party General Secretary and State President To Lam to China in August 2024, noting that these trips marked important milestones in bilateral relations. Nghia expressed his hope that the two countries will further promote people-to-people exchanges, strengthen friendly relations between political organisations, expand interactions between border localities, and boost tourism cooperation, thus fostering mutual understanding and friendship between their people, and boosting socio-economic development. For his part, the Chinese ambassador expressed his gratitude to Party and State leaders of Viet Nam, as well as Nghia personally, for their special commitment to strengthening the Viet Nam-China relations. He noted that the friendship between the two Parties and countries has continued to be reinforced through high-level visits, phone talks, and frequent meetings between their leaders. Discussing cooperation in information, education and mass mobilisation between the two Parties and countries, Nghia suggested increasing high-level exchanges and meetings in a flexible manner. He underlined the need to set an appropriate direction for the stable and healthy development of bilateral relations; and effectively manage and control differences, thus helping to maintain peace, stability, and development in the region. The two sides should enhance the sharing of experiences, theories, and best practices related to Party building, safeguarding the Partys ideological foundation in cyberspace, managing and guiding press agencies; as well as promoting the friendship and collaboration between press agencies of the two countries, the host said. Regarding the signed programmes, joint statements, and agreements, including those in the fields of information, education and mass mobilisation, the two sides agreed to collaborate in effectively implementing the cooperation agreement between the two Parties in the coming time. VNA/VNS ALGIERS Vietnamese Ambassador to Algeria Tran Quoc Khanh has paid a working trip to Touggourt and Ouargla provinces to enhance cooperation between localities of the two countries across multiple fields. During the visit to these provinces, the delegation met with both provincial governors and head of local departments, organised market research discussions, and explored cooperation and investment opportunities in politics, economics, trade, tourism and cultural exchange. In Touggourt province, Khanh held talks with Governor Othmane Abdelaziz and co-chaired a discussion with local officials and businesses. At the events, Abdelaziz praised Viet Nam's recent development achievements, particularly in agriculture and high-tech industries, while briefing the Vietnamese Ambassador on Touggourt's tourism development plans to boost the local economy, as well as improvements in education, healthcare, agriculture, security, and administrative reforms. Abdelaziz also introduced the localitys development potential in agriculture, handicraft, mineral resources, and oil and gas, while speaking highly of foreign cooperation in optimising extraction at the Bir Seba oil field, currently operated through a joint venture with Viet Nam's Petrovietnam Exploration Production Corporation (PVEP). He expressed his strong interest in furthering cooperation with foreign partners in this field. In the discussions, participants emphasised the historical and present relationship between the two countries, expressing their respect for President Ho Chi Minh and General Vo Nguyen Giap, and cherishing positive images of Viet Nam and its people. They noted the two countries should find ways to remove obstacles and promote mutually beneficial cooperation, particularly in agriculture, trade, science, and oil and gas. Attendees also expressed interest in Viet Nam's investment environment. An automotive parts supplier sought information about potential partners and procedures to enhance cooperation with Viet Nam. Khanh requested the Touggourt Governor to continue facilitate cooperation between PVEP and Sonatrach Petroleum Corporation, suggesting expansion to further leverage the project's success and make it a symbol of cooperation that brings significant benefits to both sides. He emphasised that respect and trust are fundamental factors in the Viet Nam-Algeria relations, especially amidst current global and regional fluctuations. The Ambassador stressed the importance of reactivating and implementing existing frameworks and agreements to facilitate cooperation development. Besides, the diplomat introduced Viet Nam's outstanding potential in agriculture, tourism, processing industry, information technology, and telecommunications, and called on Touggourt authorities and businesses to consider cooperation in these sectors. In Ouargla province, Khanh held talks with Governor Abdelghani Filali, who spoke highly of the ties with Viet Nam, seeing the country as a model and a source of inspiration for Algerian people to follow. He also praised Vietnamese experts' role in developing the local oil and gas industry and expressed his hope for a greater Vietnamese presence in other specialised fields. Ouargla is currently focused on agricultural development, particularly high-tech farming, he said, adding the locality hopes that Viet Nam will share experience in developing production chain, agricultural product processing and packaging. Other areas that the province welcomes cooperation include education, advanced technology and tourism. Khanh suggested the exchange of apprentices in the fields of petrochemistry and application of science technology in agriculture, highlighting the possibility to cooperate in trade and tourism. At the working sessions, both Algerian governors expressed interest in Khanh's proposals on developing cooperation between Vietnamese and Algerian localities, citing the twining relationship between Viet Nam's ien Bien and Algeria's Batna as a model. As part of the visit, the Vietnamese delegation organised a trade exhibition to introduce Vietnamese products and images to local residents. Most visitors expressed high appreciation for Vietnamese goods and hoped to see more Vietnamese products in supermarkets and shopping centres across Algeria. VNA/VNS HOA BINH The Peoples Court of the northern province Hoa Binh has recently opened a first-instance criminal trial against defendant Hong Seok Joo (born 1980), a South Korean national, for the crime of "Violating regulations on road traffic participation." According to the prosecution, on December 7, 2024, Hong Seok Joo and Lee Won Hyuk (born 1987), both South Korean nationals, travelled from Ha Noi to Hoa Binh and rented a room in Tan Thinh Ward, Hoa Binh City. At around 11:00pm the same day, Hong Seok Joo drove a motorbike carrying Lee Won Hyuk toward Hoa Binh Bridge, heading from Tan Thinh Ward to Phuong Lam Ward. Due to lack of attention and failure to control speed, Hong Seok Joo crashed the motorbike into the fixed median strip on the bridge, resulting in an accident. Both Hong Seok Joo and Lee Won Hyuk were taken by local residents to Hoa Binh Provincial General Hospital for emergency treatment. However, due to severe injuries, Lee Won Hyuk died on the way to the hospital. After recovering from his injuries, Hong Seok Joo voluntarily surrendered to the police for his traffic offence. For this act, Hong Seok Joo was prosecuted and brought to trial in accordance with the law. During the trial, after a comprehensive review of the case, the judges ordered Hong Seok Joo to pay a fine of VN40 million (US$1,600) for the crime of "Violating regulations on road traffic participation", pursuant to Point a, Clause 1, Article 260 of the Penal Code. VNS HA NOI A series of recent tragic fires in mini apartment buildings have raised urgent concerns about the need for stricter regulations on this type of accommodation. Following these incidents, the Prime Minister issued a directive stipulating that from March 30, mini apartments, mixed-use buildings and rental houses that fail to meet fire prevention and control (FPC) safety requirements must cease operations. Directive 19/2024 mandates that provincial and municipal leaders inspect, classify and guide property owners on implementing fire safety measures for mini apartments and mixed-use residential buildings. Landlords must commit to and follow a fire safety improvement plan as prescribed by provincial authorities, with a deadline of March 30. In response, Deputy Chairman of the Ha Noi People's Committee Le Hong Son signed an official directive outlining technical guidelines for urgent fire safety enhancements in rental housing. Where compliance with standard regulations is not feasible, buildings must at least be equipped with portable fire extinguishers, have a minimum of one safe emergency exit and feature alternative escape routes. These measures aim to ensure that in the event of a fire, all occupants can evacuate safely. Additionally, landlords must assess their electrical systems to ensure they align with the building's power consumption needs. At least one circuit breaker must be installed in each apartment or room to cut off power in case of an emergency. The use of mini gas cylinders that have been repeatedly refilled, which pose significant safety risks, is strictly prohibited. For multi-story residential buildings with multiple apartments, landlords must reassess and reorganise parking areas to ensure a minimum of six square metres per apartment. If the number of parking spaces exceeds capacity, alternative parking arrangements outside the building must be made. Electric vehicle charging stations must be set up in separate areas with adequate safety distances; overnight charging is not permitted, and chargers must be compatible with the batteries they serve. Additionally, fire suppression equipment designed specifically for electric vehicle fires must be installed. According to National Assembly delegate Nguyen Thi Viet Nga, the rapid proliferation of mini apartment buildings and rental housing demands stricter fire safety enforcement to prevent catastrophic consequences. She emphasised that while fire safety issues have been widely discussed, tragic fires continue to occur. "The key is to rigorously enforce existing regulations, raise public awareness and improve fire response training," Nga stated. Landlords struggle to comply With the deadline approaching, many landlords are worried about the potential closure of their rental properties if they fail to meet fire safety requirements. Nguyen Van Q., a landlord in Phu o Ward, Nam Tu Liem District, Ha Noi, expressed his concerns. Owning nearly 20 rental rooms in a four-storey building, he has taken several measures following inspections and reminders from local authorities, including purchasing portable fire extinguishers, inspecting the electrical system and installing emergency escape ropes. However, he admitted that fully complying with the regulations would be challenging, particularly regarding the required parking space expansion. "We simply don't have the space to enlarge the parking area. If we're forced to shut down, we'll be in a very difficult situation and wont know how to deal with it," he lamented. On the evening of March 11, the People's Committee and Police Department of Hoang Liet Ward, Hoang Mai District, Ha Noi, convened a meeting with approximately 300 landlords to inform them of upcoming inspections. Authorities announced that rental properties failing to meet fire safety standards must close by March 30. The Ha Noi Police Departments Fire Prevention and Rescue Division, in coordination with ward authorities, also provided guidance on fire safety compliance for landlords. According to Nguyen Hai Tu, Deputy Chairman of the Hoang Liet Ward People's Committee, the ward has 324 rental housing facilities. Given that many of these buildings are located in narrow alleys inaccessible to fire trucks, landlords have been instructed to implement fire containment measures. So far, 164 facilities have installed fire barriers, 120 have improved emergency exits and 95 have addressed both issues. However, many landlords have yet to comply with Directive 19/2024. "The Hoang Liet Ward Peoples Committee will propose cutting off electricity and water supply to non-compliant properties under the 2024 Capital Law. Additionally, residents will be relocated, and banners will be displayed at violating properties to inform the public of their unsafe status," Tu said. In Vinh Hung Ward, Hoang Mai District, Ha Noi, Deputy Chairman of the People's Committee Cao Minh Thang reported that the ward had approximately 270 rental housing facilities. Most of these buildings were constructed years ago and were now deteriorating, failing to meet fire safety standards. Furthermore, the presence of temporary structures and scrap collection sites within residential areas would exacerbate fire risks. "We are working with the ward police to review fire safety compliance among rental properties. Landlords are being urged to install fire safety equipment and create secondary emergency exits. If they fail to comply, their properties will face closure," Thang stated. Preliminary statistics indicate that Ha Noi has about 37,000 rental houses and over 2,000 mini apartment buildings. Authorities are conducting comprehensive fire safety inspections under the principle of "going into every alley, knocking on every door, and examining every case to ensure no violations are overlooked." VNS HCM CITY Viet Nam is considering a 174-km railway project to link its largest metropolis, HCM City, with Can Tho City in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta. The Ministry of Construction is preparing a pre-feasibility report on the railway project, which will be submitted to relevant authorities for approval. The goal is to facilitate the railways simultaneous operation alongside the national North-South high-speed railway. If approved, construction of the railway is set to begin by 2030. As part of the railway network plan by 2030 with a vision extending to 2050, the railway will pass through six localities: Binh Duong, HCM City, Long An, Tien Giang, Vinh Long, and Can Tho. The railway will start at An Binh Station in Di An City in Binh Duong Province, and end at Can Tho Station in Cai Rang District, Can Tho City. It is designed as a double-track electrified system with a 1,435 mm gauge. In the first phase, a single track will be constructed from An Binh to Can Tho, spanning 175.2 kilometres, including 76.6 kilometres on embankments and 98.6 kilometres on bridges and viaducts. The project is designed for speeds of up to 120 kilometres per hour for freight trains and 160 kilometres per hour for passenger trains. The estimated cost of the first phase is VN173.6 trillion ($7.16 billion), including VN45.7 trillion allocated for land clearance and resettlement. In the second phase, the railway will be upgraded to a double-track system, requiring an additional VN65 trillion ($2.7 billion). The project is expected to be funded by the State budget. The planned route will comprise 19 stations and three depots, as well as three infrastructure maintenance facilities. The proposed timeline includes investment approval in 2025, with ground-breaking for the first phase anticipated before 2030. Operations are projected to begin in 2035, with full completion of the second phase expected after 2055. The North-South high-speed railway project has already been approved by the National Assembly, beginning at Ngoc Hoi Station in Ha Noi and ending at Thu Thiem Station in HCM City. The line is expected to span 1,541 kilometres with a track gauge of 1,435 mm, and construction is scheduled to begin in 2027, with a target completion time of 2035. VNS HA NOI The Ministry of Health will focus on developing science, technology, innovation and digital transformation in healthcare this year. This is stated in the ministry's action plan to implement the Politburo and Governments resolutions on scientific development, innovation and the national digital transformation, signed into effect by Health Minister ao Hong Lan. Under the plan, the leadership of health agencies must directly take charge of efforts to develop healthcare technology. The action plan includes seven specific tasks and solutions. First, it is necessary to enhance awareness, make breakthroughs in innovative thinking and establish strong political determination to create new momentum across society for digital transformation in healthcare. Units under the ministry have to allocate a suitable proportion of personnel with expertise and experience in science and technology in each stage and implement training programmes for healthcare staff on science, technology, innovation, digital healthcare and basic technology skills for the national digital transformation. They must also strengthen investment resources and improve infrastructure for science, technology, innovation and digital transformation in healthcare. The second task is to coordinate with relevant ministries and branches to review and amend regulations to submit to the National Assembly and the Government for approval in order to eliminate all barriers hindering development and increase the institution's competitive advantage. The ministry will develop a number of research institutes and medical universities, closely combining research, medical applications and training of healthcare workers. Third, on the basis of revised legal provisions on science, technology and innovation approved by the Government and the National Assembly, the units will increase investment sources and complete infrastructure for digital transformation in healthcare. Public scientific and technological organisations will be reviewed and restructured, under a plan to restructure public scientific and technological organisations approved by the Prime Minister. A focus on linking research with training and applications in disease prevention and treatment also needs to be prioritised. Science and technology programmes at the ministry level must continue to be implemented. It is necessary to implement key tasks and projects to promote research, development, application and commercialisation of key technologies such as gene, cell, automation and personalised medicine. Deploying artificial intelligence and other new technology, including big data, Internet of Things, cloud computing, blockchain and 3D printing technology is also crucial to support diagnosis and treatment, disease prevention, administrative reform and medical education. Fourth, training and making use of a highly skilled workforce to meet the requirements of the digital era in healthcare is needed to build a network of domestic and international experts and scientists in the medical field. Connecting research institutes, hospitals, medical universities and businesses to enhance the application of research results into practice will also be crucial. Fifth is to support businesses in developing new digital applications, services and digital infrastructure in the form of public-private partnerships, applying an electronic health book for at least 95 per cent of people and deploying the Digital Transformation Project of Ha Nois Bach Mai Hospital and HCM Citys Cho Ray Hospital. Sixth is to build and implement support programmes to promote digital transformation in healthcare enterprises. Finally, it is essential to enhance international cooperation in scientific research, development and technology transfer, especially in the fields of AI, big data, biotechnology and gene technology. VNS BINH DUONG Dau Tieng District in Binh Duong Province has achieved remarkable socio-economic development 50 years after the liberation of the south and Viet Nams reunification. It was the first district in Thu Dau Mot Province (now Binh Duong Province) to be fully liberated on March 13, 1975, during the southern regions resistance war against the US, paving the way for the liberation of the south and national reunification. The Dau Tieng victory on March 13, 1975, paved the way for the 1975 Spring General Offensive and Uprising to liberate the southern region. Dau Tieng was a fortified defensive base of the US and the Sai Gon regime, blocking the crucial route from Tay Ninh Province to Binh Duong. The enemy believed it was an impenetrable steel wall that could halt the advance of Vietnamese liberation forces. The Dau Tieng battle not only shattered this defensive base but also marked a strategic turning point, paving the way for the final victory of the resistance war. Citing historical records, Nguyen Phuong Linh, chairman of the Dau Tieng Peoples Committee, said that in the battle to liberate Dau Tieng on March 13, 1975, Secretary of the district Party Committee Truong Van Tuoi (also known as Tu Cao) who later became the director of Dau Tieng Rubber Corporation and general director of Viet Nam Rubber Corporation directly commanded the attack, contributing to the crucial victory that created a turning point for the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign. After liberation, Dau Tieng faced many challenges, and its rubber plantations were left desolate. However, with their determination, local authorities and Dau Tieng Rubber Corporation revived the rubber industry, which is the "soul" of the district. The corporation now manages more than 27,000 hectares of rubber, with an annual latex output of more than 30,000 tonnes, providing stable employment for thousands of workers. The district had more than 49,000 hectares of rubber as of last year, and is one of the countrys largest rubber growing districts. Nguyen Van Hien, general director of Dau Tieng Rubber Corporation, said: "Through revolutionary campaigns, especially during the wars against the French and the US, the corporations workers played a crucial role in contributing to the countrys independence and reunification. Overcoming post-war difficulties, our corporation has grown significantly and has been honoured with two prestigious titles: Hero of the People's Armed Forces and Hero of Labour in the Renewal Period." With a population of 122,950 people as of last year, the district has focused on building infrastructure such as roads and bridges to foster its socio-economic development. It has significant advantages in land and water resources, with a total natural area of over 72,000ha and abundant water sources, including the Sai Gon River, Thi Tinh River and Dau Tieng Lake, which is the countrys largest artificial lake. Unforgettable memories Long Tan Commune in Dau Tieng District is a locality with a strong revolutionary tradition and was the first place in Viet Nam to suffer a B-52 bombing raid. Nguyen Van Cong, 70, former head of the commune police, said: I was 10 years old at that time and was herding buffaloes when the sky suddenly darkened. Three planes swooped in and dropped bombs. The ground shook, smoke and fire filled the air, buffaloes and cows ran in panic, and peoples screams echoed throughout the fields. I thought I wouldnt survive. From 9 am to 11 am on June 18, 1965, waves of B-52 bombers thundered overhead and dropped bombs on Long Tan. The entire area was engulfed in flames and destruction. This was the first carpet bombing raid by the US in Viet Nam, opening the way for the escalation of the war, he said. Today, Long Tan has transformed, and its rubber plantations have become a key driver of socio-economic development. Tran inh Hieu, 69, Secretary of the Vung Tay Hamlet Party Cell in Long Tan, said: The war is over, but we can never forget. Many sons and daughters of Dau Tieng District sacrificed their lives for the peace we have today. Pham Thi Nhu Quynh, Secretary of the Youth Union of Dau Tieng Rubber Corporation, said: We are fortunate to grow up in peace and deeply grateful for the sacrifices of previous generations. We are proud of our revolutionary heritage, and we strive to study, work, and contribute to the prosperity of our homeland. After 50 years of construction and development, Dau Tieng District has achieved stable socio-economic growth and has become more prosperous, beautiful, and civilised. The lives of local people have continuously improved. The districts average income per capita was VN87 million ($3,400) last year, up VN6.5 million ($260) from 2023. Nguyen Phuong Linh, chairman of the district People's Committee, said the district's GDP growth rate consistently remained in double digits, reaching 16 per cent last year. In the first two months of this year, the districts production value exceeded VN1.98 trillion (US$78 million), an increase of 15.6 per cent year-on-year, he said. VNS BANGKOK Scam centres along the Thailand-Myanmar border are still operating with up to 100,000 people working there, the top police general leading Thailands operations against the fraud compounds reported. Based on early assessments of some of the 5,000 people rescued from scam hubs in the Myawaddy area, hundreds went there voluntarily, said Pol Gen Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, an inspector-general with the Royal Thai Police. He called for careful investigations among nationals of over a dozen countries to winnow out criminals. Many people use Thailand as a pathway to sneak themselves into Myawaddy to find work, and this is not just the call centre gangs but also online gambling work and other professions, Pol Gen Thatchai said. Thailand is fronting a regional effort to dismantle scam centres along its borders, which are part of a Southeast Asian network of illegal facilities that generate billions of dollars every year, often using people trafficked there by criminal gangs, according to the United Nations. Since February, more than 5,200 people have been extricated from scamming facilities in and around Myawaddy, according to Thai police citing Myanmar authorities. Over 3,500 have been sent back to their home countries via Thailand, which has also cut off electricity, internet and fuel supplies to the area, the BangkokPost newspaper reported. VNA/VNS Many countries have implemented flexible crypto policies At the end of February, the Vietnamese government has tasked the Ministry of Finance (MoF) and the Ministry of Science and Technology with developing policies and regulations on digital assets, controlled sandbox mechanisms, and required these agencies to complete the task no later than the second quarter. On March 1, the prime minister also instructed the MoF and the State Bank of Vietnam to submit to the government a legal framework for managing digital assets and cryptocurrencies in March. Lynn Hoang, the country director for Binance in Vietnam, said that many developed countries are also looking for appropriate approaches and regulations for digital assets. A well-regulated environment protects users and promotes innovation, encourages widespread acceptance, and enhances market stability. I believe that addressing issues related to digital assets within a legal framework can help enhance investor confidence in digital assets and engage more traditional investors. This will be a key driver for the market to rapidly mature, Hoang added. According to Triple-A last year, around 20 million Vietnamese people own digital currency, over 21 per cent of the population. Vietnam ranks second in the world for cryptocurrency ownership, behind only the United Arab Emirates. In 2024, the amount of cryptocurrency flowing into Vietnam reached $105 billion, a decrease from the $120 billion in 2023, according to Chainalysis. This figure is nearly three times the total foreign direct investment capital into Vietnam and equivalent to about one-quarter of national GDP. Despite strong growth, the legal framework for digital assets in Vietnam is still incomplete. The lack of specific regulations leads to various risks such as fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion. As per the Vietnam Blockchain Association (VBA), the world has recorded over 650 cases of cryptocurrency exchange hacks, causing damages of up to $12.8 billion in the past five years. The market has already recorded 20 hacking incidents involving nearly $2.5 billion in the first two months of 2025. The three main types of attacks in the cryptocurrency field include private key compromise, cross-chain bridge attacks, and smart contract exploits. Dr. Nguyen Duy Lan, a technology expert from the VBA, said that cryptocurrency attacks often combine vulnerability exploitation and use social engineering techniques to target various weaknesses. The three main types of attacks in the cryptocurrency field include private key compromise, cross-chain bridge attacks, and smart contract exploits. The increasingly sophisticated attacks by hackers are having a significant impact on the market and investor confidence, Lan said. As the digital asset market continues to grow, the lack of a clear legal framework not only exposes investors to risks but also limits the potential of the blockchain industry. Only with regulations as a solid foundation can we build a trustworthy cryptocurrency ecosystem that protects users and fosters innovation, he said. Many countries around the world have implemented flexible financial policies to access and manage cryptocurrencies and digital assets. Many economies worldwide have taken significant strides in managing digital assets. Japan is one of the first countries in the world to legalise cryptocurrencies. Since 2017, Japan has recognised bitcoin as a legal payment method and required cryptocurrency exchanges to register with the Financial Services Agency of Japan. Singapore, as a major financial hub in the region, has adopted a more flexible approach. The Monetary Authority of Singapore has established a legal sandbox system for fintech and blockchain companies to test products in a controlled environment. China, known for having one of the strictest stances on cryptocurrencies, is aggressively promoting the digital yuan with the ambition to partially replace cash and compete with digital payment platforms like Alipay and WeChat Pay. Meanwhile, Thailand is ready to launch a pilot in Phuket in 2025, allowing tourists to use bitcoin for payments. According to blockchain communication and marketing expert Krist Pham, a clear legal framework will bring three major benefits to Vietnam, including preventing significant tax losses from digital asset transactions, motivating the development of the fintech and blockchain industry, and providing peace of mind for investors when pouring capital into blockchain projects. Vietnamese blockchain startups often register in Singapore due to its transparent policies and better support. With proper regulations, Vietnam can retain and develop domestic enterprises, said Pham. She added that instead of just focusing on taxation, Vietnam needed a long-term strategy to encourage businesses and the development of the digital economy, and to attract capital and technology. MoF rejects digital asset trading proposal The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has rejected a proposal to pilot digital asset and cryptocurrency trading in upcoming financial centres, citing concerns over financial security and regulatory gaps, according to a statement on February 20. Vietnam to pilot digital asset and cryptocurrency exchange Vietnam is fast-tracking efforts to build a compelling exchange for digital asset and cryptocurrency transactions. The groundbreaking ceremony of VSIP II Quang Ngai Industrial Park in Quang Ngai province, Photo: Tang Thu Numerous industrial parks (IPs) have received approval already this year in provinces such as Thai Nguyen, Bac Giang, and Binh Phuoc. Earlier this month, the groundbreaking ceremony for Song Cong II IP took place in the northern province of Thai Nguyen. The project spans almost 300 hectares, with a total investment of nearly $160 million. A few weeks previously, Bac Ninh Peoples Committee, also in the north, granted approval to Nghia Hung, My Thai, Song Mai-Nghia Trung, and Dong Phuc IPs. In the central region, VSIP II Quang Ngai IP became the newest player in the field after the groundbreaking ceremony on March 12 with attendees coming from the government, and National Assemly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and Deputy Chairman Vu Hong Thanh. The initiative is located in Dung Quat Economic Zone with a total area of 498ha, and has a total investment of nearly $158 million. Moving south, Bac Dong Phu IP, in Dong Xoai city of Binh Phuoc province, has been approved with a total investment of nearly $55 million and a land area of over 300 ha. Speaking with VIR, Nguyen Thuong Lang, a senior lecturer at the National Economics University, highlighted that abundant foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows were a key driver behind the expansion of the industrial estate sector. The development of the industrial field, especially foreign investment in manufacturing, will be the main force driving the value of industrial real estate. According to the latest report from the Foreign Investment Agency, nearly 70 per cent of FDI inflows into Vietnam are directed towards manufacturing. Therefore, the upward trend in industrial real estate prices is both logical and inevitable, Lang said. According to the report released at the end of February, the manufacturing and processing sector led in attracting FDI, with slightly over $3.1 billion, marking a 50.6 per cent on year increase. Lang also predicted strong growth in the industrial real estate market, suggesting that land rental prices will increase, particularly in prime locations. Building on Langs prediction, Nguyen Hoai An, senior director at CBRE Hanoi Branch, said that over the next three years, industrial land rental fees are expected to increase by 4-8 per cent annually in the northern region and by 3-7 per cent annually in south. The primary drivers of this growth are the continuous development of new IPs, particularly in key markets such as Haiphong and Vinh Phuc in the north, as well as Binh Duong, Dong Nai, and Long An in the south, An said. An also pointed out that the expansion was not limited to traditional areas, as the development wave is spreading to central provinces like Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, and Quang Nam. In these emerging markets, professional developers are implementing new IP projects, helping to put these regions on Vietnams industrial map. For the ready-built warehouse and factory segment, rental prices are forecasted to rise slightly by 1-4 per cent per year during the same period. Although new supply remains high in both key industrial regions, demand for ready-built warehouses and factories is also showing signs of growth, An added. Discussing the outlook for the industrial real estate sector, Pham Thi Mien, deputy head of Market Research, Consulting and Investment Promotion, under the Vietnam Association of Real Estate Brokers, highlighted that the supply of new IPs was set to soar. Between 2024 and 2027, Vietnam is expected to add around 15,200ha of industrial land supply, along with more than six million sq.m of total warehouse and factory space. Alongside this supply expansion, demand is also growing positively, driven by the China+1 relocation trend and the implementation of trade commitments, she said. Under master plans for key markets for 2021-2030, provinces such as Binh Duong are expected to host 48-50 industrial areas, covering 25,000ha. Similarly, in Long An, the plan includes 51 IPs, covering almost 12,500ha. In the north, Hai Duong province is approved for 32 IPs, covering approximately 5,600ha. I know quite a few people who have been developing small and medium-sized IPs in Hai Duong, Hung Yen, and Bac Giang. The moment they complete construction, partners from Hong Kong and China approach them with attractive rental offers, said Tran Quang Trung, business development director at OneHousing. I see this as an excellent sign, when industrial real estate flourishes, it generates employment for local people. That, in turn, means higher incomes, enabling people to buy homes, invest, and improve their quality of life, ultimately fostering sustainable national development, Trung added. According to OneHousings representative, with the governments target of raising per capita income by the end of 2025 and its roadmap towards 2030, industrial real estate is set to remain a highly lucrative segment, alongside commercial and residential real estate. Meanwhile, Thomas Rooney, associate director of Industrial Services at Savills Hanoi, observed that Vietnams industrial real estate segment has been experiencing remarkable growth, with absorption rates for both industrial land and ready-built warehouses and factories rising significantly. Industrial land absorption rates in the north are now competing closely with those in the south, with a large proportion of available land already occupied. Notably, the ready-built warehouse and factory segment has seen strong uptake, with facilities being leased by manufacturers from Taiwan, China, Europe, and the United States, he said. Industrial real estate tickers eye bright prospects in 2025 Industrial real estate is expected to be one of the leading ticker groups this year, driven by rising foreign direct investment (FDI) and robust infrastructure and logistics development. VSIP to build $88.2 million industrial park in Nam Dinh Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park's subsidiary got the nod to develop a 180-hectare industrial park in Nam Dinh, with an investment capital of more than VND2.25 trillion ($88.2 million). Participants at the 2025 International Conference on AI and Semiconductors in Hanoi pored over the current global trends while outlining how Vietnam can use its potential to turn shortcomings into innovation drivers. Suresh Venkatarayalu, senior vice president and chief technology officer at Honeywell, said that 6-7 years ago, Honeywell used to engage with semiconductor suppliers through a traditional procurement process. This was how the company made decisions and chose partners. However, the 2020 pandemic changed everything. We realised the need for a more efficient approach to managing supply and demand. Over the past two years, we saw the need to build strategic relationships with semiconductor companies, he said. Data and networks are the two core elements in the development of AI, Venkatarayalu said. Data collection is not easy. Without good data, advanced AI solutions cannot operate effectively. Without large-scale data, no models are built for training. Bui Hai Hung, CEO of VinAI, provided a perspective on leveraging limited resources to drive innovation. He said that for a long time, the development of AI has relied on the use of increasingly large data and increasingly powerful computing power. However, this also entails a large demand for resources and higher costs. Hung especially emphasised that the case of DeepSeek in China is a valuable lesson. Sometimes, the scarcity of resources becomes the driving force for us to find smarter ways to do things, thereby inspiring creativity. The DeepSeek team faced restrictions on GPU exports, forcing them to find ways to achieve more results with fewer resources. Currently, the number of GPUs of DeepSeek is estimated at much smaller than OpenAI - which has spent billions of dollars on AI, he said. DeepSeek has succeeded in significantly reducing the cost of training AI models, which comes from technical improvements such as optimising architecture, developing new algorithms, applying reinforcement learning and improving the efficiency of GPU usage at the low level. Hung noted that Vietnam is facing serious resource constraints. He was previously a member of the DeepMind team in Mountain View, California. When I decided to return to Vietnam to establish an AI lab, many colleagues were very surprised. It was a risky decision, but I believe that Vietnam has enough conditions, from talent to opportunity, to create interesting things. However, right from the start, I see a big challenge: the lack of resources. However, Hung also realised that Vietnam could be the ideal place to turn resource limitations into a driving force for innovation. Instead of seeing this as an obstacle, it could be a catalyst for innovation. In Vietnam, shortage of resources is not a barrier but a driving force for innovation. We have young and intelligent human resources. With performance and innovation, Vietnam can absolutely become a bright spot in the global AI field, Hung stated. AI is shaping the future of the semiconductor industry. Da-Shan Shiu, CEO of MediaTek, said that the industry requires high precision and optimal product quality. Thereby, AI and data will optimise the manufacturing process, from parameter control to improving equipment performance. Semiconductor manufacturing needs precision, near-perfect process control to maximise efficiency and yield. AI-based process control is an automated process, enabling real-time decision-making to ensure stability, reduce waste, and improve product reliability, Shiu added. Shiu also mentioned how AI supports real-time process control, especially in semiconductor chip manufacturing. AI can analyse data from measurement systems, identify small deviations in the production process and propose immediate adjustments. This minimises material loss and improves the reliability of the output product. To fully exploit AI in semiconductor manufacturing, businesses need to invest in powerful data systems and specialised models suitable for the complexity of production, Shiu noted. Christopher Nguyen, CEO and co-founder of Aitomatic, said that Vietnam is a rising force in the AI and semiconductor industries, driven by a young, talented population and increasing foreign and local investments On the semiconductor side, the growing investments in both integrated chip design and packaging systems signal the start of a promising tech ecosystem. However, Vietnam should find its niche rather than competing in highly saturated markets like advanced semiconductor fabrication dominated by giants like TSMC, he said. Instead, we should focus on emerging, high-potential areas like edge AI, where no clear global leader has yet emerged, Nguyen recommended. I believe Vietnam can build a comparative advantage by channelling resources and talent into these less crowded, fast-growing markets, creating the chance to become a global leader. Im very excited about the potential of the edge becoming the centre and for edge AI in terms of chip design. The Vietnam National Innovation Centre has launched the third annual Vietnam Innovation Challenge to advance the development of artificial intelligence. This years theme centres on Project ViGen, an endeavour to create high-quality, open-source, Vietnamese datasets for the training and enhancement of large language models so AI models can better understand Vietnamese culture, context, and idioms. This will enhance Vietnamese language representation in AI, while also fuelling rapid and sustainable economic growth in Vietnam. The mission of Project ViGen is to enable AI models to natively and comprehensively support Vietnamese people, unlocking the potential of AI applications in Vietnam. While Project ViGen aims to develop large-scale datasets for training and evaluation, it will also help ensure that AI development aligns with Vietnams cultural values and ethical standards, contributing to the establishment of a responsible and a locally adapted open-source AI ecosystem. Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister Vietnams economy is aiming for development based on science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, and the green, digital, circular, creative, and sharing economies. To develop AI and semiconductors in particular, Vietnam should aim to cut at least 30 per cent of administrative procedures, reducing compliance costs for individuals and businesses, and strengthening decentralisation. We are shifting from management thinking to development thinking. Moreover, infrastructure for AI and semiconductor development should be carried out strongly, including transport infrastructure to reduce input and logistics costs, as well as infrastructure in IT, the digital transition, and energy. Human resources will meet the requirements of developing in microchips and AI. This is the biggest challenge, but Vietnam is focusing on implementing it, with solutions to innovate the education and training system towards better quality, focusing on encouraging basic research, training in English as a second language, and streamlining training with the spirit of lifelong learning. Another important solution is to develop a startup ecosystem for AI, semiconductors, and innovation that is suitable for the countrys talent and strengths. It is necessary to encourage the startup movement nationwide, contributing to the development of the country. Vietnam must build more research and development centres, as well as international and regional financial centres for Ho Chi Minh City and Danang. The government hopes that foreign partners and investors will contribute to providing advice on approaches, vision, and goals to ensure suitability with the situation in Vietnam. We must see contributions to perfecting institutions, cutting cumbersome procedures, and making decisions as soon as possible to reduce compliance costs for individuals and businesses as much as possible. Additionally, the government has requested partners to provide financial support and preferential loans to ensure efficiency, build more investment funds, develop financial centres, upgrade the stock market, encourage direct and indirect investment, and boost public-private cooperation to mobilise resources. Investors and partners should also promote tech transfer to Vietnam through R&D centres, and create conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to participate in global supply and production chains. Truong Gia Binh, chairman, FPT Group Vietnam has one million IT engineers, half of whom are software engineers who can be moved to AI, and is proceeding with the target of one million AI experts. If this can be carried out, Vietnam will be at the top of the list in terms of developed countries in this area. Many years ago, Vietnam was almost unknown on the world IT map. Today, it has become a hub for high-quality human resources. Therefore, investors can consider Vietnam as a large talent centre, where people with aspirations and a strong spirit of progress are gathered. With the current goals, FPT commits to transforming and training AI capacity for 500,000 people. Vietnam aims to train 50,000 semiconductor engineers by 2030 and will move towards hundreds of thousands of workers in the future. In the context of global investment in training semiconductor workers, FPT commits to training 5,000 people by the end of this decade, including 1,600 students studying semiconductors. In the past, more than a dozen leading universities have quickly opened training programmes on AI and semiconductors. FPT has prepared a force for a new generation of experts, integrating into the global technology flow. This is a gold mine waiting for international businesses to exploit. Moreover, the Party and state leaders have issued affirmations of Vietnams determination to choose innovation and sci-tech, including AI and semiconductors, as the roadmap for future development. We are mobilising the participation of the whole of society in digital transformation activities, and technology adoption in daily life. Semiconductor industry rapidly evolving due to AI Technology experts at the international conference on AI and Semiconductors (AISC) 2025, held in Hanoi, have discussed the relationship between AI development and AI-driven semiconductors, suggesting a symbiotic relationship. Ministry of Finance to encourage AI and semiconductor R&D Vietnam holds great potential for businesses from all over the world who wish to invest in the semiconductor and AI industries, according to Deputy Minister of Finance Nguyen Duc Tam. The FDP sets out a phased development concept for NDUM, which is based on unmanned wellhead platforms at each of the Nam Du and U Minh fields tied back to a floating production and storage unit, with processed gas exported onshore through a 34km pipeline tied into an existing trunkline to the Ca Mau industrial complex in southwest Vietnam. The first phase of the FDP envisages the Nam Du field initially being brought onstream, accelerating first gas to Vietnam and revenues to Jadestone to help fund the development of U Minh production in the second phase. The FDP contemplates drilling two wells from each platform to support a plateau rate of 80 million standard cubic feet per day. Following receipt of Petrovietnams endorsement, the FDP will be considered for approval by the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The next steps in the development process include finalising the gas sales agreement, which is well advanced with the gas buyer, to formalise the heads of terms agreed in January 2024. A financing plan, which could involve bringing in development partners, would be progressed in parallel with major contract tenders. The Nam Du and U Minh fields are located off southwest Vietnam in shallow waters of 50-60m. The fields are located on Block 46/07 and Block 51 PSCs respectively, which Jadestone operates with 100 per cent working interests. Nam Du and U Minh have been independently assessed to contain gross aggregate 2C resources of 171.3 billion standard cubic feet of gas and 1.6 million barrels of oil liquids. Adel Chaouch, executive chairman of Jadestone, commented, Our Vietnam gas assets are fundamental to Jadestones investment case and are central to our strategic aim of being the leading Asia-Pacific upstream independent. Development of the discovered resource base will drive significant organic growth and value creation for our shareholders, with further material upside possible from additional prospects and leads across our licence position." "Submission of an FDP is therefore a major milestone in the commercialisation of the Nam Du/U Minh discoveries and demonstrates real momentum in our engagement with the Vietnam government. The development of Nam Du/U Minh would be a win-win for both Jadestone and Vietnam, delivering affordable gas supplies with a lower GHG intensity to the southwest of the country, creating and sustaining jobs and economic benefits, Chaouch said. Jadestone signs agreement with PetroVietnam Jadestone Energy plc, an independent upstream company focussing on the Asia-Pacific region, announced that it has signed a Heads of Agreement (HOA) with PetroVietnam Gas Joint Stock Corporation for the Gas Sales and Purchase Agreement (GSPA) relating to an offshore development in southwest Vietnam. Petrovietnam and subsidiaries perform strongly heading into 2025 Vietnam Oil and Gas Group has achieved remarkable milestones in business and production, driven by effective volatility management strategies. The forum was attended by Pang Te Chang, Singapores consul general in Ho Chi Minh City; Lam Dung Tien, chairman of the Vietnam-Singapore Friendship Association; Ho Xuan Lam, vice chairman and secretary general of Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations; and Luu Thi Thanh Mau, vice president of the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association and CEO of Phuc Khang Corporation. The event also brought together CEOs with a common vision to build sustainable businesses in Vietnam and Singapore. Pang Te Chang, Singapores consul general in Ho Chi Minh City, delivers opening remarks. Photo: Phuc Khang Corp Singapore is Vietnam's largest trade partner within ASEAN and fourth-largest global partner. In 2024, total bilateral trade value surpassed $10.3 billion, showing a 14.7 per cent jump on-year. In terms of investment, Singapore is the largest investor within ASEAN and the second-largest globally in Vietnam, with 3,951 projects and total investment exceeding $83 billion. Last year, Vietnam welcomed over 347,000 visitors from Singapore, collaborating in various fields such as finance, banking, resources and environment, education, and justice between the two nations. These figures, shared by Chang in his opening speech at the forum, demonstrate the close relationship between the two nations. The Singaporean diplomat highlighted the importance of the forum in enhancing mutual understanding, strengthening bonds, and fostering cooperation between businesses and organisations from Vietnam and Singapore. I believe that through the speeches and exchanges today, we have the opportunity to learn from each other, build strategic partnerships, and together promote sustainable development in manufacturing and business, said Chang. The forum featured presentations and discussions from experts and top business leaders from Singapore, such as Earnest Yoong, chapter chair of the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants Vietnam; Clarice Chan, CEO of Gateway Singapore; Bernard Lim, CEO and executive director of Tai Sin Electric Limited; and Vincent Choi, CEO of TerraVerde Singapore. Bernard Lim said sustainability is both a business need and an ethical obligation. While the transition to sustainability comes with challenges, a phased approach, strong culture, and smart investments can turn obstacles into opportunities. The Vietnam-Singapore Sustainability Forum 2025 gathered experts, businesses, and organisations at the forefront of sustainable development in Vietnam and Singapore. Photo: Phuc Khang Corp Sustainability certifications are quickly becoming a key differentiator in global supply chains to access new markets and business opportunities, with multinational corporations and buyers increasingly focusing on sustainability. Green-certified products enhance brand reputation and attract environmentally-conscious customers. This will help distinguish you from competitors and provide a competitive advantage. For example, Singapore Building and Construction Authority recently announced that from January 1, 5 per cent of tender evaluation points will be set aside for environmental sustainability considerations, Lim said CEO Luu Thi Thanh Mau also shared her insights and experiences at the forum through a presentation focusing on notable advances in green and sustainable building development in Vietnam. Mau, who was the only Vietnamese representative honoured at the Asia Pacific Leadership in Green Building 2022 Awards in the category Women in Green Building Leadership Award, shared her journey and perspective. Luu Thi Thanh Mau, vice president of the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association and CEO of Phuc Khang Corporation, delivering remarks at the forum. Photo: Phuc Khang Corp In her presentation, Thanh Mau shared a common view with Bernard Lim that green is a trend not only in the construction industry but across all sectors and in daily life. According to Phuc Khang, construction is one of the largest consumers of energy and resources, yet it is also a major source of pollution. In such a context, creating green buildings provides a comprehensive approach to achieving sustainable development goals through three pillars: environment, society, and economy. Green buildings bolsters energy efficiency, carbon reduction in infrastructure, and urban regeneration. Additionally, green buildings offer safe, healthy, comfortable, and equitable living spaces for people. In terms of economic development, green buildings optimises resource usage and create urban infrastructure that fosters the growth of a circular economy. Green buildings play a crucial role in achieving the net-zero carbon emission target and are essential in building a sustainable future for both Vietnam and the world, said Thanh Mau. To align with the green development process, Phuc Khang Corporation has established its mission to lead a better living style for public health and a sustainable ecological environment in accordance with global green standards. Phuc Khangs green and sustainable strategy aligns with the direction followed by Singaporean businesses, promising diverse potential cooperation opportunities and contributing to the common goal of sustainable development. Green-certified buildings more alluring to office market players in Vietnams cities Tenants in Vietnams major cities are shifting to high-quality office space, increasingly prioritising spaces with green certification and modern amenities. Strengthen partnership and efforts to promote zero energy buildings in Vietnam Within the framework of the Zero Energy Building (ZEBHub) project, Vietnam Sustainability Social Enterprise Co., Ltd. (VSSE) - the managing unit of the Energy Efficiency Network Vietnam (EEN-Vietnam) and CBRE Vietnam signed a MoU on February 25. According to a report by The Business Research Company (January 2023), the global food and beverage market is projected to reach $9.23 trillion by 2027, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.3 per cent. However, businesses in the sector face multiple challenges, including surging raw material costs, escalating logistics expenses, limited product preservation solutions, and mounting pressure to comply with stringent environmental regulations. To support Vietnamese F&B businesses in overcoming these challenges, staying ahead of industry trends, and fostering sustainable growth, Tetra Pak will introduce its ecosystem of innovative solutions at ProPak Vietnam 2025. The event will take place from March 18-20 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre in Ho Chi Minh City. Tetra Pak showcases cutting-edge solutions at ProPak 2025 Under the theme Unlocking the Future, the event will present comprehensive solutions for the F&B industry, covering everything from product ideation and smart manufacturing to sustainable packaging and cost optimisation. Among the key highlights are the following three breakthrough solutions: Innovative packaging solution for food Tetra Recart With over 70 years of global experience, Tetra Pak continues to push the boundaries of packaging innovation to ensure food safety, enhance quality, and drive sustainability. Currently, Tetra Paks paper-based cartons consist of 80 per cent paper and 90 per cent renewable materials, significantly reducing their environmental impact. A standout in the packaging portfolio is Tetra Recart, a retortable paper-based packaging solution designed for canned food applications. This packaging can withstand heat up to 130C during the sterilisation process. Compared to traditional metal and glass packaging, Tetra Recart reduces storage space by 30 per cent and lowers operational costs by 60 per cent, making it a game-changer for food manufacturers. Tetra Recart the sustainable packaging solution for food At ProPak 2025, visitors will have the opportunity to experience firsthand the convenience of Tetra Recart and discover how this innovative packaging preserves food quality and flavour for 12 months without the need for preservatives. A special highlight of the event will be a live cooking demonstration by Chef Huynh Hoang Sin (MasterChef Vietnam Season 2), who will prepare dishes using products packaged in Tetra Recart on March 19. Additionally, on the same day, businesses can gain in-depth insights and engage in expert discussions on this breakthrough packaging solution with Tetra Pak specialists at the Vietnam Packaging Forum 2025. Digitalisation and automation solutions To meet the growing demand for scalability, operational cost reduction, consistent product quality, and environmental sustainability, Tetra Pak introduces its digitalisation and automation solution Tetra Pak PlantMaster. This advanced solution has set new industry standards for food safety and quality enhancement, empowering businesses worldwide to drive sustainable growth through smart, automated operations. Automation and digitalisation solutions to optimise costs Businesses can gain insights and engage in discussions with Tetra Pak experts on this cutting-edge solution at the DrinkTech Forum on March 19. The Tetra Pak PlantMaster solution has proven to enhance production efficiency, increase data transparency, and improve operational performance critical factors in mitigating the rising costs of operations. End-to-end solution As consumer demands become increasingly diverse and dynamic, many businesses aim to launch new products but face challenges in research costs and initial investment. At booth AB9, expert consultants from the Bloom Innovation & Product Development Centre will introduce Tetra Paks comprehensive journey, guiding customers from market data analysis and prototype testing to full-scale market launch within just 6-12 months. Here, businesses will have the opportunity to sample innovative beverage products developed at Bloom and explore tailored solutions that align with their growth objectives. Bloom Innovation & Product Development Centre turning ideas into market-ready products in just 612 months With global expertise and deep market insights in Vietnam, industry-leading innovations from companies like Tetra Pak are paving the way for a more sustainable F&B sector. These comprehensive solutions not only optimise production processes but also contribute to the development of a modern, environmentally friendly economy. For in-depth information and hands-on experiences with Tetra Paks cutting-edge solutions, visitors can visit booth AB9 at ProPak Vietnam 2025. Tetra Pak helping dairy firms keep up with the latest consumer trends Tetra Pak's advanced UHT pasteurised milk technology and Tetra Prisma Aseptic packaging solutions are helping dairy businesses keep up with consumer trends and improve their competitiveness. Tetra Paks Direct UHT technology a boon for coconut industry Tetra Pak's cutting-edge technology of Direct Ultra-High Temperature (UHT) and integrated solutions for processing coconuts maintains the flavour, taste, and nutritional value of the extracted products, increasing value for the coconut industry. Bangkok - Thailand is rapidly developing artificial intelligence (AI) for fraud detection, according to SAS Institute, a global leader in the data and AI field. The country's financial sector is expected to see collaboration in risk management and fraud management to tackle new financial crime in an end-to-end prevention process, said the company as reported by the local news site Bangkok Post. Thailand has strong regulatory frameworks and collaboration among banks. This aligns with successful models in Australia, Europe and Hong Kong in combating financial crime, stated Ian Holmes, SAS director and global lead for enterprise fraud solutions. Holmes added that Thailand is embracing technology to combat financial crime, including real-time payment protection to safeguard against fraud in digital transactions. He said that the wider adoption of AI is transforming the fraud detection and anti-money laundering processes. The use of Thailand's digital ID will also speed up identity verification, requiring AI to ensure secure and fast processing. Thai government urged to set up 'war room' to tackle US tariffs The Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) is calling on the government to establish a "war room" to address tariff threats from the administration of US President Donald Trump. . , . , . , . . This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Mar 19th, 2025 Wrexham.com has invited local Members of Parliament and Members of the Senedd to write a monthly article with updates on their work in their respective Parliaments and closer to home you can find them all here. In his monthly column for Wrexham.com, Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr MP Steve Witherden writes: Ten years ago, I was not a member of any political party. I was a teacher in Wrexham with a wife in the NHS and I saw imparted on my own family how brutal austerity was for public services and the working-class people that rely on them. I stood to be an MP to see the country changed and to see an end to deep and damaging cuts. The biggest resource of any country is its people. That is why I am proud of the Welsh Government budget that passed last week. It invests a record amount of money in the Welsh people. In our health, in our housing, in our education and skills, in caring for us, in fixing our roads. Plaid Cymru and the Tories voted against it. They voted against more money to connect our communities. They voted against more money for the NHS. They voted against more money for housing. Some numbers. This budget provides over 600m extra for the NHS and social care, which will further tackle waiting times. There is dedicated funding for mental health and womens health. There is 81m to build social housing. There is a 100m boost for education and 50m more for Flying Start childcare. A further 120m will be dedicated to fixing potholes no more Pothole Lands and 25m to improve trunk roads. Businesses will receive 335m of support and retail, leisure, and hospitality will get rates relief for the sixth year in a row. There is more money to make coal tips safe, like the Bersham colliery tip in Rhostyllen. During the election, I campaigned on creating opportunities for young people, so I am especially proud of the scheme to fund 1 single bus fares for everyone under 21. The ability for young people, like my ex-students in Wrexham, to get to education or employment independently, will be lifechanging for many. It is high time that Wales turned the corner on austerity. The Welsh people never voted for it. I know, therefore, that many people in Wrexham will be concerned about possible cuts to some disability benefits, a matter reserved for the UK Government. I am too. There are problems that need solving with people being out of work, but cutting Personal Independence Payments would not be the way to do that. There is a huge difference between providing disabled people with the means to work, and out of work benefits. When four Britons have more wealth than 20 million Britons combined, it is clear are alternatives available to square up to the financial challenges we face. A wealth tax would be one of them. That is why I was one of the dozen Labour MPs who signed an open letter calling for a wealth tax in this country, a tax on extreme wealth. There is a moral and an economic case for investing in people, as this Welsh budget will show. We should not be revisiting the failed austerity experiment. My constituents will not stand for it, and neither will I. Childline volunteers in Prestatyn praised for vital work in keeping youngsters safe This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Mar 19th, 2025 A team manager at the North Wales base of NSPCC Cymru has spoken of the vital role that volunteers have in helping to keep children safe from harm and neglect. Former residential social worker, Neil Chapman, who once had a career in the motor trade, joined Childline in 2001 several years before it merged with the NSPCC in 2006. Now a team manager at the charitys Prestatyn base, Neil has shared his experience of working at the charity as part of Social Work Week. I joined Childline as a volunteer at a time in my life when I was looking for a change and knew that I wanted to do something to support vulnerable young people, explained Neil. Volunteering was my route into this, but I was not initially planning to work for Childline. This opportunity came as surprise, but one that I was very pleased to be able to take up. As a Childline team manager I am now responsible for the smooth running our Childline base in Prestatyn. I manage a team of practitioners who in turn line manage our dedicated volunteers, without whom the service simply could not run. Staff and volunteers come from a wide range of experience and have often worked in challenging and demanding roles before joining the organisation. They support the hundreds of of children and young people contact Childline, which has 13 UK bases and a virtual base, every day of the year. Whatever issue young people are going through, no matter how big or small, counsellors are there to listen and help. Practitioners and volunteers take contacts from young people over the phone, through online chats and email. They respond using a combination of counselling and advice-giving skills supported by a strong safeguarding emphasis, providing a confidential service within the boundaries of the organisations safeguarding policy. Childlines unique confidentiality promise means that we hold a higher threshold than a local authority social worker, said Neil. This allows young people to feel confident in sharing their experiences with us and allows us to empower them to take steps to ensure their safety. This higher threshold brings with it great responsibility and sometimes complex decisions to make. At times we need to take decisions in their best interests. When we do this, we always aim to let them know what action we are taking and offer to support them with whatever the outcomes are. Neil splits his work time between people and performance management in Prestatyn and a national role ensuring the right resources are in place to manage the flow of contacts. He is also on hand to support colleagues with safeguarding decisions. My role is a challenging one, as we know we cant meet the demand from all the young people who want to access the service, Neil added. It is rewarding in that we can support so many children and young people, and I get to work with an amazingly committed group of volunteers and staff. State lawmakers are introducing Assembly Bill 398 which is meant to address some of the most pressing challenges in our schools. Some of the challenges the bill hopes to address include teacher shortages and hard-to-fill positions. Speaker Steve Yeager says this bill will offer additional compensation to educators who step up to teach where they are most needed. "Our children perform better when we have qualified educators in every classroom," he said. "And by providing additional compensation for hard to fill positions, we are making an investment in our children and ensuring every student has access to a high-quality education no matter where they live." Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro also discussed the goal of the "Educate Act" which was initially introduced in December of last year. It's meant to improve education in Nevada through accountability, transparency, and efficiency. This means making sure every classroom has a qualified teacher, improving the learning environment by reducing non-instructional time, and increasing access to counselors. Cannizzaro adds, "Laying that foundation for universal pre-k so kids get a strong start. Giving families more confidence by holding school districts accountable and ensuring private and charter schools never see public money, are held to the same high standards that our public schools are held to." You may remember Governor Joe Lombardo sharing similar goals of the "Nevada Accountability in Education Act" during his State of the State Address. In addition to accountability, this act also expands open enrollment policies, promotes the "Excellence in Education Fund", and dedicates targeted resources to help improve any school in early literacy. We have reached out to the Republican party for further comment on these bills but have not heard back yet. The hearing for Assembly Bill 398 is scheduled for next Friday afternoon. According to a release from National Nurses United, $1.1 billion in healthcare funding is on the chopping block. Pull Quote "If Representative Mark Amodei votes to cut Medicaid, he would be writing a check to billionaires at the expense of the lives and livelihoods of the people he was elected to represent. -Laura Parkhouse, RN That is the focus of an upcoming protest to take place in front of Congressman Mark Amodei's district office in Reno on Thursday, March 20 starting at 10:00 a.m. Area nurses are planning to gather in front of the office to protest the proposed cuts. Teaming up with community organizations, Nevada Medicaid, and patients from Check Up, the nurses will present a check made out to the "Billionaire Class" and paid for by "Working People" totaling $1,091,427,707; which is the amount of Medicaid funding at risk in Nevada's Congressional District 2. Almost 20% of the districtmore than 148,000 constituentsreceive health care access provided by Nevada Medicaid and Check Up. A father and son from Reno were accused and appeared in court for the first time for their alleged involvement in a conspiracy for hiding illegal aliens in the Reno area through human smuggling. Pull Quote The criminal complaint alleges the father and son conspired to exploit vulnerable individuals for profit, human smuggling operations threaten our national security. The U.S. Attorneys Office is committed to continually working with HSI and our local law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute those who smuggle illegal aliens into the United States. - Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada The criminal complaint and court papers allege that 43-year-old Carlos Recinos-Valdez, and his son 20-year-old Kevin Recinos-Ruano, conspired to hide illegal aliens for their own financial gain starting in July 2021 and ending on March 11, 2025. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office police carried out a criminal search warrant at Recinos-Valdez's home, where they found weapons, forged documents, and other evidence. They say Recinos-Valdez is accused of masterminding the unlawful smuggling of foreign nationals via a Transnational Criminal Organization (TCO) that included a network of human traffickers and smugglers spread over the United States, Mexico, and Guatemala. That he has places in the Reno area where he houses illegal aliens in apartment buildings, and for every person smuggled into the United States, Recinos-Valdez and the TCO he works for demand thousands of dollars. The U.S. Attorney's Office says Recinos-Valdez demanded money from the victims in Reno so that they could settle their debt with the TCO. In order to obtain frequent payments for smuggling costs, he would meet the victims at their home or place of employment. If payments were not obtained, the victims were threatened with assault by violence. Recinos-Valdez is charged with one count of conspiracy to harbor aliens; three counts of harboring illegal aliens; and two counts of aiding and abetting attempted interference with commerce by extortion. Recinos-Ruano is charged with one count of conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens. If convicted, Recinos-Valdez faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison; and Recinos-Ruano faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The charges are the result of an HSI-led criminal investigation with assistance from the Reno Police Department, the Sparks Police Department, the Douglas County Sheriffs Office, and the Washoe County Sheriffs Office. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew Keenan is prosecuting the case. Update (4/15/2025, 7:39 p.m.): The man accused of setting Tesla vehicles on fire at a Las Vegas collision center has pleaded not guilty to federal charges. Suspect Paul Hyon Kim faces charges of arson, attempted arson and possession of an unregistered firearm. Kim is accused of setting multiple Tesla cars on fire on March 15. Two cars were fully engulfed in flames, and at least three rounds were fires into vehicles. Kim's federal trial is set to start on June 17. Original story (4/18/25, 3:30 p.m.): The FBI and Las Vegas police are investigating after multiple Tesla cars were set on fire at a collision center in Las Vegas. Today, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department reported that they obtained surveillance video showing a suspect using molotov cocktails and guns to damage at least five cars at a Tesla Service Center. According to the report, two cars were completely engulfed. This incident comes amid a rise in nationwide violence against Tesla facilities, thought to be caused by CEO Elon Musk's actions as part of the Trump Administration. The FBI has deployed its Joint Terrorism Task Force - though what motivated the attack is still under investigation. The first day of spring is coming up fast on March 20th. While some might be ready for the warmer weather, we may not be ready for what comes with it, seasonal allergies. Often times juniper and elm trees are the first culprit of our spring allergies and cottonwood follows, but trees in general are always the first to aggravate our allergies in the Nevada area. With the fluctuating weather sometimes it's hard to tell the difference between a seasonal cold and allergies. Dr. Jeffery Nugent, MD , an Allergist and the President of Northern Nevada Allergy explains Typically there can be some overlap of symptoms, so nasal symptoms can be congestion and drainage. Usually, a cold will have fever or muscle aches, or nausea and vomiting would be less common with allergic symptoms. Often if its multiple sites having symptoms at the same time itching is a cardinal symptom of allergies. And of course, if you are exposed to pollen then you're more likely to have symptoms of allergies. Some residents say they have allergies more frequently. John Alerbcht, a Reno Resident says I deal with allergies pretty much year-round. Not just in the springtime but year-round. He tells us about some of his symptoms Runny nose, sneeze, congestion and sometimes I lose my voice or my voice gets deeper. When we experience allergies sometimes it can be mild while other times can be severe. But there are things you can do to help alleviate those symptoms. Dr. Nugent says Being well hydrated, which is a constant battle here in Nevada, is a good idea. Moisturizing the skin and moisturizing the eyes with natural tears or other lubricant eye drops, for your nose you can keep it moist by using Ponarus over the counter or olive oil to keep the membranes moist. But if over the counter medications are not a quick fix for you to combat your allergies, it may be time to check with a specialist. Obviously if youre having symptoms, we have good therapies for that," said Dr. Nugent. "So treat them as needed so you can continue to enjoy being outside. Its great to not have to stop what you love to do. Alerbcht tells us what his doctor provides for him The doctor prescribes a nasal mist and a pill, and I also take an over-the-counter pill and then as things get better, I stop taking them. Dr. Nugent says you shouldn't let allergies keep you down this spring So do what you love to do and then if you have issues that are beyond the over-the-counter medicine that is usually when you see your primary care doctor. As a reminder, it is recommended to have a primary care provider, but you don't necessarily need a referral to see an allergist. It usually depends on your insurance. PMIs Insight Partnerships are developed with organisations considered to be leading experts in specialist areas to offer insight into the continued market development of those areas and to drive innovation. This partnership will involve Scottish Widows hosting webinars, interviews, and panel discussions for PMI members on key master trust topics within the industry. As the PMIs Master Trust Insight Partner, Scottish Widows will also produce thought leadership and expert content in the area of Master Trusts, supporting innovation on current, pertinent issues and adding value through the delivery of specialist knowledge. Included in this platform will be a PMI Bitesize TV video to be launched later this year, which will provide an educational style of video content for those interested in Master Trusts. Master trusts are an increasingly valuable and pertinent arm of the industry, and an efficient way to outsource scheme management while retaining strong trust-based governance. As more employers begin to view master trusts as a potential solution, the renewed partnership between the PMI and Scottish Widows aims to continue providing the latest insights on Master Trusts to PMI members. Gareth Tancred, CEO of the Pensions Management Institute, comments: Master trusts are becoming more commonplace in the pensions industry, as it continues to modernise. The partnership with Scottish Widows has been extremely valuable to our members, and I am sure they will value the continued access to unparalleled understanding from leading experts in master trusts. Scottish Widows is an ideal Insight Partner on this topic and we look forward to continuing our industry-leading work with them. Sharon Bellingham, Master Trust Lead and scheme strategist at Scottish Widows, explains: Were delighted to be PMIs Master Trust Insight Partner and are very much looking forward to continuing to work together, supporting initiatives, events, thought leadership and content for PMI members. Master Trusts are at the vanguard of a fast-paced and changing landscape all within a supervisory regime that demands the highest standards to ensure the best possible outcome for members. Being part of Lloyds Banking Group also means we are in the unique position of being able to draw on meaningful consumer insights from the biggest data set in the UK, after the NHS. Alongside our annual member survey results, this helps us understand and support members at a time when financial uncertainty is a concern for many. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just a buzzwordit is reshaping industries, streamlining operations, and transforming how brands interact with consumers. From chatbots providing instant customer support to AI-generated art, the technology is deeply embedded in our daily lives. One of the most intriguing applications of AI in recent years is in influencer marketing, where AI-generated influencers are making their mark. These virtual personalities, created using advanced AI and CGI technology, are becoming an integral part of brand strategies. Notable examples include: Lil Miquela: A digital fashion influencer who has collaborated with major brands and amassed a significant following on social media. Shudu Gram: Known as the world's first digital supermodel, Shudu has been featured in various fashion magazines and brand campaigns. Imma: A Japanese virtual model recognized for her distinctive pink bob haircut and collaborations with global brands. Kyra: India's first virtual influencer, Kyra has been featured on the digital cover of Travel + Leisure India and has collaborated with brands like Amazon Prime Video and boAt. As of August 2024, she has gained over 250,000 followers on her Instagram profile. Kavya Mehra: Collective Artists Network launched Kavya Mehra, the countrys first AI-driven mom influencer. Represented as any other talent in the Collective Artists Network roster, Kavya Mehra exemplifies the agencys pioneering role in combining creativity and technology to transform how brands engage with audiences. Popular AI influencers like Lil Miquela, Shudu, and Imma have gained significant followings, collaborating with global brands such as Prada, Dior, and Samsung. Meanwhile, AI-driven news anchors like Chinas Xin Xiaomeng and Indias Lisa (introduced by Odisha TV) are reshaping the way we consume information. These virtual influencers, designed with hyper-realistic visuals and engaging storytelling, are gradually gaining traction, raising important questions about their impact on consumer trust, engagement, and marketing effectiveness. But how do AI influencers compare to traditional influencers, and are they the future of marketing? To delve deeper into this evolving trend, Adgully reached out to experts to understand the future of AI influencers and their role in shaping brand-consumer relationships. Comparing ROI and Engagement: Are AI Influencers More Cost-Effective? Kejal Teckchandani, EVP, Influencer & Video at FCB Kinnect, points out that AI influencers provide lower production costs and scalable content solutions, but they lack the authentic engagement that human influencers foster. While AI influencers can generate impressions and clicks, converting those into sales remains a challenge. Human influencers cultivate trust and emotional connections, which leads to stronger brand loyalty and higher ROI, he adds. Sneh Chheda, Senior Manager Operations & New Business at Schbang Fluence, highlights that AI influencers have struggled to scale despite the initial buzz. Over the past three years, many AI influencer profiles have been discontinued due to inconsistent audience engagement. While they are cost-effective in terms of content production, the lack of emotional relatability remains a key challenge. Sudeep Subash, CEO, Big Bang Social and Chief Revenue Officer, Collective Artists Network, suggests a hybrid approach. AI-driven tools help brands analyze audience insights, automate content, and optimize ad performance. AI influencers can be effective for brand storytelling, but traditional influencers remain indispensable for credibility and relatability. The real value lies in blending both strategies. Akshat Trivedi, NCD, Enormous, remarks, Lack of a physical shoot and other logistics can make AI influencers look more affordable. However, as the time unfolds their effectiveness should be truly understood. Advantages of AI Influencers: Content Consistency, Scalability, and Targeting Highlighting the benefits of AI influencers, Ankita Chauhan, VP - Strategy and Growth, Tonic Worldwide, points out, AI influencers offer significant advantages in terms of precision targeting and automation. For instance, Shudu, the worlds first digital supermodel, can be placed in any virtual setting, dressed in different outfits, and featured across platforms without logistical challenges. Adrine D'mello, Creative Director - Strategy, White Rivers Media, agrees that AI influencers provide unmatched control over brand messaging. AI influencers ensure brand-safe, always-on content, making them ideal for global campaigns. While the initial investment in AI technology is high, long-term savings on production costs make it a compelling financial strategy. Krishna Desai, Chief Product Officer & Data Scientist at Animeta, sees AI influencers as a transformative force in marketing, adding, AI-powered influencers can create hyper-personalized content tailored to audience preferences in real time. However, the key challenge is maintaining authenticity, which is where human influencers still hold an edge. Enormous Akshat Trivedi notes, Curious brands will always explore whenever there is a new trend in any stream. So, there will be movements in this stream too, but at a smaller scale as an experiment and if the outcome is good, then slightly bigger. The Shift in Influencer Marketing Budgets: Is AI Taking Over? The influencer marketing ecosystem is evolving, but brands remain cautious about shifting their budgets entirely to AI-driven collaborations. According to Kejal Teckchandani, while AI influencers are creatively exciting, a complete budget shift is unlikely. Human influencers drive authentic brand advocacy, whereas AI influencers are still testing the waters in terms of sustained engagement and sales impact. Sudeep Subash believes that AI-powered analytics and automation will shape the future of influencer marketing rather than just AI influencers. Brands are investing in AI tools for data-driven influencer selection, performance tracking, and personalized content, rather than replacing human influencers entirely. AI is making influencer marketing smarter, not replacing human connections, he adds. Will AI Replace Human Influencers? Experts unanimously agree that AI influencers will not fully replace human influencers, but will complement them. Adrine Dmello opines, The future of influencer marketing isnt about choosing between AI and human influencers but about blending their strengths. AI-driven precision combined with human storytelling creates impactful, scalable campaigns. Ankita Chauhan adds, AI influencers will serve different strategic goals offering cost efficiency and automation while human influencers will continue to drive engagement and trust. Were moving towards a hybrid model where AI enhances, rather than replaces, human influence. Krishna Desai emphasizes the importance of authenticity, stating, Consumers connect with human experiences. While AI can enhance creativity and automation, emotional connections and credibility will always require a human touch. Akshat Trivedi concludes, The value of human connection and human feel can never fade away. We all know that technology today is evolving faster than ever before. There are many genuine advantages too. Marketers will be curious enough to explore any new trend. But any trend will only become a way of doing if it offers transparency to the marketer and authenticity to the end consumer. Stage is set for the ninth edition of DIGIXX Summit and Awards 2025 in Delhi tomorrow (March 20, 2025). Over the past eight years, DIGIXX has widened the scope to witness the evolution of Indias Digital industry, the rise of groundbreaking technologies, and the transformation of how brands engage with consumers. DIGIXX Summit and Awards 2025 has a firm eye on all the latest developments in Digital, with the theme The Code to Tomorrow: Shaping the New Digital DNA. The focus will be on a wide range of topics that are driving the Digital industry today from Martech convergence, Measuring ROI in Digital Marketing to the future of brand safety, AI-powered contextual advertising, CTV advertising, Performance marketing and much more. The Advertising Standards Council of India s Academy (ASCI) , in collaboration with the Unstereotype Alliance (convened by UN women) and knowledge partners Religious Brands, today unveiled "Manifest: Masculinities Beyond the Mask," a report examining the evolving landscape of masculinities in society and media. Released at ASCI Academys Global Adda during the ICAS Global Dialogues Summit, this study calls for a more nuanced and varied pathways for depiction of men. The report addresses the "crisis" of traditional masculinity, where men feel increasingly alienated and insecure amidst societal changes and the rise of gender equality, and studies and offers alternative pathways for more inclusive and diverse depictions. The study is part of the thought leadership work at ASCI Academy which is supported by Diageo, Hindustan Unilever Mondelez, Nestle, Cipla Health, Coca-Cola, Colgate, Games24X7, Pepsico, P&G, Kenvue, Bajaj Auto, and Dream Sports. "Manifest: Masculinities Beyond the Mask" is based on an extensive analysis of over 29 literary and scholarly articles, 170 pieces of media, over 70 articles, and sociological data reports, and expert interviews. The research investigates the complex and evolving landscape of masculinities in India, offering a more nuanced and empathetic understanding of the diverse realities of men and their experiences. The study presents advertisers and media with insights to create more progressive, relatable, and effective narratives The report highlights that the traditional, often inflexible narrative of masculinity is fracturing, leading to a "crisis" where many men feel insecure, confused, and alienated amidst rapid societal changes. Key Takeaways from the Report: Men are caught between diverse narratives and none of them offer both a sense of purpose and a sense of progress. Traditional notions of success, norms of breadwinning and providership remain core tenets of Indian masculinity. It may be meaningful to move away from narratives that reinforce the relentless pursuit of success, and normalise failure for men. Many Indian men are striving for upward mobility and need positive frameworks for expressing strength. The evolution of masculinity necessitates broadening its scope and contextualising core identity values. The overarching goal is to nudge media to move beyond the limited idea of "Mard" to the fullness of "Admi," celebrating diverse forms of masculinity. Manisha Kapoor, Secretary General and CEO, ASCI said, Building on ASCIs long-standing commitment to fostering progressive representations within advertising, this report delves into the fascinating and often complex world of masculinities, moving beyond superficial portrayals to understand the diverse realities of men today. Our endeavour is to provoke new thoughts and frameworks to create progress in society and for men. Susan Ferguson, Country Representative at UN Women India Country Office, added, The Unstereotype Alliance, convened by UN Women, promotes portrayals of both men and women that do not fit the usual stereotypes. Breaking toxic masculinities in media and advertising is not just good for societyit is good for business. The Manifest report, published in collaboration with the Advertising Standards Council of India and Religious Brands, provides valuable insights into mens roles in modern society. These insights can help advertisers and marketers use realistic and broader portrayals of women and men. This helps reach new markets and reflects the realities of our lives. Arvind Mohan, Founder & Managing Partner, Religious Brands said, As we unmask the layers of masculinity in modern media, Manifest Report sheds light on the evolving narratives of manhood. Through this study, conducted in association with ASCI Academy and Unstereotype Alliance, we aim to champion a critical yet compassionate dialogue around masculinity. Our goal is to embrace empathy, dismantle binary stereotypes, and redefine masculinity in ways that are inclusive, aspirational, and reflective of todays diverse realities. By addressing these narratives, we hope this report will provide actionable insights to help the media and advertising ecosystem foster representation that is equitable, relatable, and progressive. The report advocates for a nuanced approach that acknowledges the pressures and social conditioning men face, offers positive alternatives, and expands the definition of what it means to be a man, rather than simply dismantling traditional notions without offering a clear and aspirational path forward. The report release was followed by a presentation of the report findings by Religious Brands. This was then followed by an inspiring talk by Devdutt Pattanaik, on the evolution of masculinity in India. This was followed by a power-packed panel discussion that discussed the key anxieties faced by young men today that are often unaddressed by mainstream media. The conversation also touched upon the binary approach to masculinity and means to foster a more nuanced understanding. The event also incorporated case studies from Diageo, HUL, and Bajaj Auto. Key speakers and panellists included Paromita Vohra, Anila Vinayak, Guy Parker, and Binaifer Dulani. Google LLC announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Wiz, Inc., a leading cloud security platform headquartered in New York, for $32 billion, subject to closing adjustments, in an all-cash transaction. Once closed, Wiz will join Google Cloud. This acquisition represents an investment by Google Cloud to accelerate two large and growing trends in the AI era: improved cloud security and the ability to use multiple clouds (multicloud). Both cybersecurity and cloud computing are rapidly growing industries with a vast range of solutions. The increased role of AI, and adoption of cloud services, have dramatically changed the security landscape for customers, making cybersecurity increasingly important in defending against emergent risks and protecting national security. Wiz delivers an easy-to-use security platform that connects to all major clouds and code environments to help prevent cybersecurity incidents. Organizations of all sizes from start-ups and large enterprises to governments and public sector organizations can use Wiz to protect everything they build and run in the cloud. Wiz is an innovative leader and continues to deliver new products with strong adoption, fueling rapid business growth, including over the last 12 months in which it has begun to deliver new categories of cybersecurity solutions. Google Cloud is a leader in cloud infrastructure, with deep AI expertise and a track record of industry-leading security innovation. Bringing all this to Wiz will help make their solutions even better and more scalable, benefiting customers and partners across all major clouds. The combination of Google Cloud and Wiz will: Vastly improve how security is designed, operated and automated providing an end-to-end security platform for customers, of all types and sizes, in the AI era; Scale cybersecurity teams by providing them an automated security platform; Lower customers cost of implementing and managing security controls; Protect against new threats emerging due to the advancement of AI, prevent breaches, and help organizations respond to breaches much more efficiently; and Boost the adoption of multicloud security and, as a result, customers ability to use multiple clouds; further spurring innovation in and the adoption of cloud computing. Wizs products will continue to work and be available across all major clouds, including Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Oracle Cloud platforms, and will be offered to customers through an array of partner security solutions. Grapes Worldwide, an integrated communication agency, has bagged the digital mandate for LivWell. The mandate will be looked at by the Bangalore team where it will focus on establishing a robust digital presence, while reinforcing the entire branding and positioning of the LivWell. Leveraging its digital strategy expertise, the agency will be working towards amplifying LivWells presence by handling end-to-end digital responsibilities of the brand. It will also be responsible for overseeing the seamless integration of owned, earned, and paid media. In addition to this, Grapes Worldwide will also be managing the UI/UX Design to create a user-friendly and visually appealing experience of the website. The partnership hinges on the objective to strengthen the brand footprint aimed at fostering its long-term growth. It will open new avenues, driving enhanced engagement of LivWell with its target audience and forging a connection at a deeper level with them. Speaking on the win, Shradha Agarwal, Co-founder and Global CEO at Grapes Worldwide, said, The onboarding of LivWell is an achievement of another milestone in adding to our list of esteemed client roster. It is a testament to our commitment to adding value to clients and showcases our expertise in giving the desired media mileage to the brand with the purpose of solidifying their position in the industry. Commenting on the same, Vikas Dhar, Co-Founder & Group CTO, LivWell said, While selecting the agency for handling our digital mandate, we were on the lookout for companies that resonated with the larger vision and purpose of LivWell. Here, understanding the intricate aspects of our brand, Grapes Worldwide completely aligned with the ethos of our core existence, setting the tone of the entire communication strategy. Delving into their expertise, we are looking forward to an enthralling journey ahead aimed at reinforcing our overall visibility in the market. After a protracted, three-year resolution process, IndusInd International Holdings Ltd (IIHL) has officially taken control of Reliance Capital (RCAP), marking a significant shift in India's financial services landscape. IIHL Chairman Ashok P. Hinduja confirmed the completion of the 9,650 crore transaction, with funds successfully transferred to the lender's escrow account. Management control transitioned from the administrator today. IIHL's strategic vision for RCAP includes a focus on maximizing the value of its insurance businesses, Reliance Nippon Life Insurance Ltd and Reliance General Insurance Ltd. Hinduja outlined plans to list these insurance units within the next two to three years, estimating their combined value at a conservative 20,000 crore. "The real journey of value creation begins now," Hinduja stated during a press briefing. Beyond the initial bid, IIHL injected an additional 200 crore to bolster RCAP's solvency, demonstrating its commitment to stabilizing the company's financial footing. The new management intends to conduct a comprehensive review of RCAP's extensive portfolio, which includes nearly 40 entities. A significant restructuring is anticipated, with the divestment of numerous smaller, non-core businesses. However, key operations such as broking and asset reconstruction will be retained. "We will examine each entity and decide which ones align with our long term goals," explained Hinduja. "Many are small shell companies, and we will streamline the portfolio." Addressing the concerns of RCAP's 1.28 lakh employees, IIHL pledged to protect their interests to the fullest extent possible. The integration of RCAP's operations with the IndusInd brand is expected to occur over the next six to nine months. This acquisition is a pivotal step in IIHL's ambitious growth strategy. The company is targeting a valuation of $50 billion by 2030, leveraging RCAP's established presence and diverse financial services offerings. The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) had set a deadline of March 20 for the completion of the acquisition, with further hearings scheduled for March 25, 2025. IIHL's successful bid, which received regulatory approvals from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), and relevant stock exchanges, culminates a complex resolution process that began in November 2021 when the RBI placed RCAP under administration due to governance issues and payment defaults MY FM executed an impactful, community-focused activity for Glucon D (Zydus Wellness) called, Thakaan Gone, Energy On; that has recently garnered significant recognition. The initiative, which ran for 15 to 20 days, took place across Ahmedabad and covered more than 60 key cross roads, making a powerful connection with local traffic police officers and Ahmedabad residents. As part of the campaign, chilled glasses of Glucon D energy drink were served to hundreds of traffic police personnel and passers-by, offering a refreshing boost to help them power through the day. The activity aimed to not only promote Glucon D as a go-to energy solution but also to acknowledge the hard work of the traffic police who work long hours under the scorching sun. The campaign recently won four prestigious Global Digital Marketing Awards - Best Tech for advertising, best API, best CSR / Cause marketing award and best digital marketing campaign. Its a testament to the innovative and engaging execution. These accolades serve as a recognition of the exceptional strategy, creativity and execution behind the campaign. Ogilvy announced it has become among the first large integrated creative agency network to secure TikToks Marketing Partner badge in the Creator Marketing Specialty. This accreditation recognizes the proven success and best-in-class expertise that Ogilvy PR's award-winning Influence team and Village Marketing have established on TikTok. Earning this esteemed badge signifies that Ogilvy PR is a one-stop shop for advertisers across marketing objectives, from driving upper-funnel awareness and site traffic to lower-funnel conversions for eCommerce websites. Ogilvy PR will now benefit from additional access to insights on audience demographics, growth trends, and new tools to help brands build and optimize innovative, high-performing campaigns on TikTok. Julianna Richter, Global CEO of Ogilvy PR, said: Our commitment to our clients is not to react at the speed of culture, but to help their brands land in culture. Recognizing where culture happens is paramount, and today TikTok isn't just a platform; it's a cultural pulse pointa vital force within the creator economy, turning creativity and joy into powerful connections. This accreditation as a partner allows us to leverage TikTok's unique tools and insights to help our clients build more authentic relationships and drive impactful results. At the same time, we believe our global brand experience will provide TikTok with valuable client perspectives, enabling them to further empower both creators and brands. Rahul Titus, Global Head of Influence at Ogilvy, added: Our priority is to stay at the forefront of social innovation helping our clients lead the charge. TikTok is at the heart of this strategy as we help build the social brands of tomorrow. We've demonstrated that TikTok isn't just a media channel; it's a cultural catalyst. It plays an integral role in the communication mix, transforming how audiences connect with the brands they trust. Melissa Yang, Global Head of Marketing Partnerships and Industry Education at TikTok, said: "At TikTok, we are always looking for ways to make it easier for brands and advertisers to develop engaging content and impactful campaigns that resonate with TikTok communities. We are excited to lean into the media and creative service model with agencies to provide brands with innovative solutions that continue to level up their TikTok campaigns. Ogilvy PRs award-winning Influence team has demonstrated a proven ability to build community-inspired, social-first brands. Its team has consistently earned industry recognition for its ability to leverage creator partnerships in impactful campaigns. At the 2024 Cannes Lion International Festival of Creativity, Ogilvy PR earned the Social & Influencer Grand Prix for CeraVes influencer-driven Super Bowl campaign, Michael CeraVe; TikTok played a central role in launching and sustaining the campaign over the course of the two weeks leading up to the Super Bowl. In addition, Ogilvy PRs Influence team was named the Best Large Influencer Marketing Agency at the 2024 Global Influence Marketing Awards and was the most-awarded agency for the sixth consecutive year. The agencys work for The Coca-Cola Company propelled it to become the most-awarded brand of the night. Village Marketing, an industry leader in performance-driven influencer marketing and creator economy partnerships, was acquired by WPP in 2022 and is a strategic part of Ogilvy PRs global network. Founded in 2013, Village was created with the vision of building brands in a social media and mobile first world, fueled by creativity and powered by relationships. It was one of the first agencies to fully honor the unique impact of creators and has led creative campaigns for some of the foremost consumer brands of the last decade. Business Insider has recognized Village one of the Top Influencer Agencies. Simpolo Tiles & Bathware, a leader in the Indian ceramic industry, has successfully inaugurated its new Sefar Designs 200th Display Gallery at 12-36, B/1, Satamrai, Shamshabad, Hyderabad, Telangana-501218. Spanning 11,000 sq. ft., this state-of-the-art display centre is set to become a prime destination for premium tiling solutions in South India. The newly inaugurated display centre showcases Simpolos best-selling and latest products, including large-format sintered compact surfaces, 16/20mm outdoor tiles, kitchen platform tiles, glazed vitrified tiles, wall tiles, and the revolutionary StrongX surface. The centre also highlights the Ricco- 2.0 collection, featuring Glimmer Tech and Posh Surface enhancements. Simpolo Tiles & Bathwares Fresh from the Past theme seamlessly blends history with modern functionality. The newly launched Posh+ surface offers 10 times more durability for high-traffic spaces. Key collectionsGlyphstone, Alchimia, Venitto, Sparko, Marmorica, Basaltino, and Rockdeckredefine durability and aesthetics. This exclusive collection is now available at the Chennai Display Centre. Jitendra Aghara, CMD of Simpolo Group, added, " We are proud to open our new display centre in Hyderabad, a city known for its appreciation of aesthetics and quality. This launch is a testament to our commitment to providing innovative and high-quality ceramic solutions tailored to the evolving needs of the industry. As part of our growth strategy, we are continuously expanding our footprint across India, investing in cutting-edge technology and sustainable manufacturing practices. Our upcoming Naidupeta plant in Tirupati, with an investment of Rs 350 crore, is a crucial step towards scaling our production and meeting the rising demand for premium tiling solutions. At Simpolo, we aim to set new benchmarks in design excellence, durability, and customer experience, reinforcing our position as a market leader in the ceramic industry." Speaking at the event, Talla Krishna Reddy (GM - AP & TG), stated, "With the launch of this new display centre, we are bringing an unparalleled tile shopping experience to Chennai. This space is designed to help homeowners, architects, and designers explore and choose from our finest collections in a real-world setting." Additionally, Simpolo Tiles & Bathware invested Rs 350 crore in its Naidupeta plant in Tirupati, which is spread over 83 acres of land. This project is scheduled to commence operations in FY25, with plans to scale its production capacity to 13.2 million square meters per annum over the next two years. Impact on People and the Industry The newly launched Simpolo Display Centre in Hyderabad will provide significant benefits to both consumers and professionals in the construction and interior design industries: Enhanced Accessibility: Homeowners, architects, interior designers, and builders in Chennai and nearby areas now have direct access to Simpolos premium range of tiles and sanitary ware. Immersive Experience: The state-of-the-art mock-up displays allow customers to visualize tile applications in various real-world settings, ensuring informed decision-making. Innovative Solutions: Industry professionals can explore the latest in tiling innovations, including StrongX surface technology and the Ricco-2.0 collection, offering superior aesthetics and durability. Expert Guidance: The display centre serves as a hub for expert consultation, helping customers select the best solutions tailored to their specific project needs. Boost to Local Industry: The presence of a leading national brand like Simpolo in Chennai elevates the markets standards, fostering healthy competition and innovation in the tiling and home decor industry. With this expansion, Simpolo Tiles & Bathware continues to strengthen its position as a trendsetter in the ceramic industry, delivering unparalleled design solutions that blend aesthetics, functionality, and durability. Teamology PR has won responsibilities from GAPPU for securing their media and PR responsibilities. GAPPU took this major initiative for both companies to ensure more expansion and growth in the upcoming years. GAPPU Cajon Industries Pvt Ltd is a popular manufacturer of superior-quality cajons. It is well known for creating musical instruments andl accessories for all types of musicians, from beginners to professionals. The company's mission is to make GAPPU the first choice for music enthusiasts in India by promoting the richness of Cajon. Anirban Bhattacharya, Founder of GAPPU, says, "We are committed to producing high-quality, durable and innovative musical instruments for music enthusiasts. We use modern techniques. Our company prioritizes the musicians' choices and preferences and delivers customized Cajons. GAPPU specializes in producing a variety of cajons, including kids' cajons, premium-quality cajons, standard-quality cajons, and customized cajons. GAPPU has achieved stunning growth in few months, reaching millions of people across the India. The company received funding from investors like Ronodeep Saha, Arun Kumar Mukherjee, and Agni Mitra. This investment has helped GAPPU to grow its business and expand its product varieties. With rising popularity, GAPPU has also launched premium-quality guitar strings and practice pads for their loyal customers. GAPPU aims to reach more music enthusiasts worldwide and gain substantial brand recognition. To boost GAPPU in upcoming years, Teamology Softech and Media Services promise to help them with their outstanding PR strategies and solutions. It is the best PR agency in Kolkata that provides effective public relations strategies to brands. On this win, Badshah Ansari, the Co-founder of Teamology, said, "We are glad to receive this mandate from GAPPU, a leading music brand in India. GAPPU has already earned a strong reputation in the market due to its high-performance percussion instruments. Partnering with GAPPU, we look forward to delivering impactful PR strategies that ensure outstanding results." Wit & Chai Group, a leading creative media agency with a strong presence in India and a diverse global clientele has conceptualized and produced Flipkarts first-ever Gudi Padwa campaign. The campaign goes live today across digital platforms and aims to build brand affinity in Maharashtra by embedding Flipkart into the fabric of traditional Gudi Padwa celebrations. Through its in-house production house, Wit & Chai Group has created a brand film that blends nostalgia, humor and tradition to position Flipkart as the ultimate solution for festival shopping needs. The campaign film captures the evolution of festive shopping through a three-decade narrative spanning the 1970s, 2000s and 2025. While generations and shopping habits have evolved, the festive shopping rush remains constant in every household. The narrative uses Marathi traditions, rhythmic folk-style narration and a relatable family setup to connect with audiences. Shot at a heritage bungalow in Pune, the campaign maintains its Marathi roots with era-accurate settings, traditional attire, and a cast featuring well-known Marathi theatre actors. Every detail, from production design to linguistic elements, ensures the film delivers both nostalgia and modernity. The rhyme scheme incorporating Flipkart creates an instantly ownable and hyper-local brand fit. Delighted with the brand film campaign, Suyash Lahoti, Partner at Wit & Chai Group said, With this campaign, we wanted to do more than just celebrate Gudi Padwa. We wanted to create something that feels truly Maharashtriansomething that only Flipkart could own. The campaign is distinct, memorable, and deeply rooted in the way Maharashtra celebrates festivals. From nostalgic storytelling to modern shopping convenience, this film blends tradition with the present in a way that feels fun, relevant, and functional Speaking about the campaign, Pratik Shetty, Senior Director, Head, Marketing & Media, Flipkart said, At Flipkart, we believe in celebrating the rich cultural diversity of India by creating meaningful experiences that resonate with our customers. With this campaign, weve blended nostalgia, humor, and Maharashtras rich heritage to show that while times change, the excitement of festive shopping remains constant. Flipkart continues to be the go-to destination for customers looking to celebrate with ease, tradition, and joy." The campaign will be launched across digital platforms, including YouTube (Primary Film Release), Meta (Facebook + Instagram) & X (Twitter), OTT Platforms (Regional Ad Placements) and Performance Marketing (Driving direct engagement on Flipkart. The Russellville City Council on Monday terminated a firefighter who was among nine people arrested in a human trafficking and child sexual exploitation operation. Donald Devaney, 52, of Russellville, was charged with two counts of first-degree human trafficking, two counts of electronic solicitation of a child and two counts of traveling to meet a minor for an unlawful sex act, the Limestone County Sheriffs Office announced Sunday. An investigation resulted after Limestone County Sheriffs Deputy Dylan Legg responded to a disturbance call on March 6, and discovered a juvenile reported missing from another state, the sheriffs department said. A total of 36 charges were listed against the men, who were arrested between March 9 and 15, the sheriffs office said. Russellville Mayor David Grissom said during a city council meeting Monday that the council terminated Devaney, a firefighter with the Russellville Fire Department, WAFF reported. Efforts to reach Grissom were unsuccessful. Two other suspects -- Darris Moore II, 24, of Harvest and Raul Alvarez-Lopez, 28, of Huntsville, were charged with the same counts and offenses as Devaney. Six more were charged with one count each of human trafficking in the first degree, electronic solicitation of a child and traveling to meet a minor for an unlawful sex act: Macario Mina, 30 of Huntsville. Robin Morneault, 40, of Athens. Quan Zeng, 33, of Gadsden. Kevin Brooks, 34, of Huntsville. Lavoris Mitchell, 36, of Huntsville. Stephen Carmac, 53, of Cameron, North Carolina. The juvenile was returned to their family in coordination with law enforcement agencies, according to the sheriffs office. The investigation remained ongoing. An Alabama state trooper has been arrested on a child pornography charges. The senior trooper, authorities confirmed Wednesday, retired Saturday, March 1, amid the investigation. Chad McKenzie Claybrook, 46, is charged with being in possession of obscene material depicting a minor, according to court records. Less than two weeks after retiring, Claybrook was booked into the Talladega County Jail on March 10 and released the same day on $7,500 bond, jail records show. Charging documents in the felony case allege that Claybrook in December knowingly possessed a visual depiction of a person under the age of 17 engaged in sexual acts. Claybrook was assigned to the patrol division. ALEA spokeswoman Amanda Wasden said SBIs Digital Forensic Unit assisted in the criminal investigation against Claybrook. Wasden said ALEA was notified Dec. 9 about the investigaiton and immediately put him on leave. On Feb. 14, ALEA was made aware of an arrest warrant and initiated termination proceedings. Claybrook, she said, retired March 1, prior to his scheduled termination conference before a governmental hearing officer. A preliminary hearing is set for next month. A male is in custody after authorities say he drove onto the Leeds Elementary School track and playground area while 81 students were in the area Wednesday. A Leeds Police Department school resource officer noticed a vehicle moving in the employee parking lot before the vehicle entered the elementary schools track and playground, police said. Eighty-one students were in the area at the time, said Chief Paul Irwin. The officer requested backup after the vehicle continued recklessly traveling in the area, despite multiple commands to stop, the chief said. Numerous officers and detectives arrived on the scene and the vehicle was ultimately stopped. The driver, identified as 37-year-old Cullman resident Derek Smith, was taken into custody on charges of reckless endangerment, driving under the influence, second-degree criminal trespass and disorderly conduct. He is being held without bond. I am very proud of the actions of our School Resource Officer, Patrol Officers and Investigators. They responded immediately to this threat and eliminated it! Irwin said. This is an example of why SROs are necessary in every school system. They are there to protect children and build relationships so they have someone they can count on and know that we are here for them. These relationship flourish in our community and I am proud of their efforts each and everyday! Leeds Elementary School notified parents and guardians of the incident. Earlier today, there was a disruption on campus where an unknown person drove onto the track, reads a post on the Facebook page for Leeds Elementary School. The disruption was quickly addressed by administration, staff, school resource officers, and the Leeds Police Department. At no time were any students or staff members hurt during this incident. Leeds Elementary School encouraged concerned parents to contact school officials. Our team responded promptly, following established protocols to ensure the safety of everyone on campus, the schools post stated. The situation has been resolved, and we are continuing to work with the appropriate authorities to review and address the matter. Further information was unavailable. Updated 7:36 p.m. to include comment from Leeds Police Chief Paul Irwin A Jefferson County man has been sentenced to prison for the 2019 shooting death of another man in Birmingham. Ray Franklin Jr., 45, pleaded guilty last month to the slaying of 39-year-old Towan Troy Lee. Initially charged with murder, Franklin pleaded to a reduced charge of manslaughter. Franklin was booked back in the Jefferson County Jail Monday after Circuit Judge Shanta Owens sentenced him to 20 years in prison. Lees body was discovered about 2:30 p.m. Oct. 17, 2019, at 93rd Street North and Seventh Court North in Zion City. A passerby found Lee in the roadway unresponsive. He was pronounced dead on the scene. Lee was identified through fingerprints with assistance from the New Jersey State Police. Towan Lee (Jefferson County Jail) Investigators said they uncovered information that Lee was killed in retaliation for a previous incident. Lee, a father of four, grew up in Patterson, N.J. Towan loved his children very much, according to his obituary, which described him as a jokester, rap artist, and a handyman who loved coffee, peanuts and hot wings. Franklin was initially arrested in February 2020. During Franklins arrest, police found additional evidence to arrest him on three drug charges, but those charges were dismissed as part of his plea agreement. Franklin remains jailed awaiting transfer to the Alabama Department of Corrections. Jefferson County Deputy District Attorneys Meaghan Willis and Julie Carter prosecuted the case. Attorney Emory Anthony represented Franklin. A 40-year-old woman is behind bars after authorities say she shot an Elmore County sheriffs deputy Tuesday morning. The suspect, Ebony Bracy, was also wounded in return fire, but was jailed after being treated for a flesh wound. A second woman was also injured. The incident began about 10:30 a.m. when deputies were called to a resident on Dozier Road in the Redland community. Sheriff Bill Franklin Bracy called 911 to report a theft, possibly involving a phone. While deputies were en route, the dispatcher called to the let them know Bracy had outstanding warrants, Franklin said. They first dealt with the theft issue, and then let Bracy know she had outstanding warrants. She wheels a gun around, shes standing right beside a storm door and our guys are on the porch, Franklin said. She fires a round off. The bullet, the sheriff said, hit a deputy in in the forearm that traveled upward and lodged between his elbow and bicep. He returned fire. Bracy sustained a flesh wound to the upper body, near the rib cage. A woman standing directly behind her was shot in the leg. Franklin said it wasnt immediately clear if one bullet struck both women or if the second woman was struck by another bullet. None of the injuries were life-threatening, and all three were able to walk to the ambulances, Franklin said. Bracy was booked into the Elmore County Jail shortly after 2:30 p.m. She is charged with two counts of attempted murder, and also arrested on the outstanding warrants failure to appear/comply/pay. Her bond is set at $2 million. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is leading the investigation. Director Carl Erik Rinsch has been indicted on charges of fraud and money laundering for allegedly taking $11 million from Netflix and spending it on luxury cars, antique furniture and mattresses. Rinsch demanded the funds in order to finish White Horse, a science fiction TV series that was never completed, according to the indictment. Instead, he allegedly used the money to make extremely risky investments, to pay for stays at the Four Seasons and for other lavish purchases, and to hire lawyers to sue Netflix. Rinsch, 47, was arrested Tuesday in West Hollywood, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York. Netflix declined to comment. The allegations were first reported in a New York Times story in November 2023. They are also spelled out in a lengthy arbitration ruling, which was made public last August. The arbitrator ordered Rinsch to repay $11.8 million, and a Los Angeles Superior Court judge upheld the award in November. According to the court records, Rinsch pitched the show -- also known as Conquest -- in January 2018 to Netflix executives including Cindy Holland, who was then the VP in charge of original content, and who left the company in 2020. With investment from Keanu Reeves -- the actor who served as his mentor -- Rinsch had already shot six short episodes and a three-minute trailer. Netflix agreed to invest $44 million to acquire the series and produce the first season. A schedule was drawn up that called for several months of filming in Kenya, Mexico, Romania, Berlin, Hungary and Uruguay in 2019. Rinsch began shooting in Brazil and quickly went over budget, according to the court records. Though he had promised to deliver another seven episodes, according to the arbitrators ruling, he informed Netflix that he would only be able to complete a single episode with the money Netflix had provided. After production briefly shut down in Hungary, Netflix agreed to advance additional money. Production halted in December 2019, with much work to be done. Rinsch then set about expanding the script, and demanded an additional $11 million to complete the first season, according to the ruling. Hoping to salvage the project, Netflix agreed to pay the money in March 2020, the ruling states. The COVID-19 pandemic promptly intervened, shutting down production worldwide. In June 2020, Rinsch met at a hotel with Holland and another Netflix executive to give an update. Rinsch spent a large portion of the meeting sharing various theories he had been developing about COVID, the universe, interconnectivity, genders, God, higher callings and reproduction, the ruling states. He did not focus on Conquest. Unsettled, the Netflix executives concluded he did not intend to finish the show. The lead actor also dropped out, citing the instability of the production. That fall, Netflix decided to write off the cost of the series. According to the indictment, Rinsch had quickly transferred most of the $11 million to his brokerage account, where he promptly lost about half of it by speculating on investments such as call options on a biopharmaceutical company and put options on an S&P 500 ETF. At the time he was still reassuring Netflix that the show was awesome and moving forward really well, the indictment states. According to the indictment, he used the remaining funds to invest in cryptocurrency in early 2021, which resulted in a windfall. The arbitration ruling states that Rinsch spent lavishly on various items in late 2021, claiming the purchases were needed for the second season of the show, which Netflix had not ordered. He was also worried that the IRS would tax him on the money if it was not spent, the ruling states. The purchases included $638,000 on luxury mattresses; $295,000 on luxury bedding and linens; $180,000 on kitchen appliances; $5.4 million on furniture; and $1.68 million on two Rolls Royces, the arbitrators ruling states. According to the indictment, he bought five Rolls Royces and one Ferrari for $2.4 million. He also paid his rent on his home in Spain, and legal bills to pursue Netflix for breach of contract in arbitration. The grand jury indictment, unsealed Tuesday, accuses Rinsch of wire fraud, money laundering and five counts of using illicit funds in a transaction. Rinsch faces the potential of many years in prison, and the government is also seeking to forfeit his assets. Rinsch filed a petition to overturn the arbitrators ruling in August, arguing that the arbitrator had misconstrued the contract as requiring 13 episodes. The judge upheld the arbitrators decision. 2025 Variety Media, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Business Media; Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC Louisiana Gas mask for nitrogen hypoxia execution (The Promise of Justice Initiative via AP) (The Promise of Justice Initiative via AP) By Sara Cline, Associated Press ANGOLA, La. (AP) Louisiana used nitrogen gas to put a man to death Tuesday evening for a killing decades ago, marking the first time the state has used the method as it resumed executions after a 15-year hiatus. Jessie Hoffman Jr., 46, was pronounced dead at 6:50 p.m. at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, authorities said, adding the nitrogen gas had flowed for 19 minutes during what one official characterized as a flawless execution. Witnesses to the execution said Hoffman appeared to involuntarily shake or had some convulsive activity. But the three witnesses who spoke including two members of the media agreed that, based on the protocol and what they learned about the execution method, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Witness Gina Swanson, a reporter with WDSU, described the execution from her viewpoint as clinical and procedural. She said there was nothing that occurred during the process that made her think, Was that right? Was that how it was supposed to go? Hoffman declined to make a final statement in the execution chamber. He also declined a final meal. It was the fifth time nitrogen gas was used in the U.S. after four executions by the same method all in Alabama. Three other executions, by lethal injection, are scheduled this week in Arizona on Wednesday and in Florida and Oklahoma on Thursday. Hoffman convicted of New Orleans murder Hoffman was convicted of the murder of Mary Molly Elliott, a 28-year-old advertising executive who was killed in New Orleans. At the time of the crime, Hoffman was 18 and has since spent much of his adult life at the penitentiary in rural southeast Louisiana, where he was executed Tuesday evening. After court battles earlier this month, attorneys for Hoffman had turned to the Supreme Court in last-ditch hopes of halting the execution. Last year, the court declined to intervene in the nations first nitrogen hypoxia execution, in Alabama. Hoffmans lawyers had unsuccessfully argued that the nitrogen gas procedure which deprives a person of oxygen violates the Eighth Amendments prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment. The mans lawyers, in a last-ditch appeal, also argued the method would infringe on Hoffmans freedom to practice religion, specifically his Buddhist breathing and meditation in the moments leading up to death. Louisiana officials maintained the method is painless. They also said it was past time for the state to deliver justice as promised to victims' families after a decade and a half hiatus one brought on partly by an inability to secure lethal injection drugs. The Supreme Court voted 5-4 in declining to step in. Hours earlier at a hearing Tuesday, a 19th Judicial District Court Judge Richard Chip Moore also declined to stop the execution. He agreed with the states lawyers who had argued the mans religion-based arguments fell under the jurisdiction of a federal judge who had already ruled on them, according to local news outlets. Execution method deprives body of oxygen Under the Louisiana protocol, which is nearly identical to Alabamas, officials had earlier said Hoffman would be strapped to a gurney before a full-face respirator mask fitted tightly on him. Pure nitrogen gas was then pumped into the mask, forcing him to breathe it in and depriving him of the oxygen needed to maintain bodily functions. The protocol called for the gas to be administered for at least 15 minutes or five minutes after the inmates heart rate reaches a flatline indication on the EKG, whichever is longer. Two media witnesses to Tuesdays execution said Hoffman was covered with a gray plush blanket from the neck down. In the chamber with Hoffman was his spiritual adviser. Ahead of the execution and after the curtains closed to the viewing room, witnesses said they could hear Buddhist chanting. The gas began to flow at 6:21 p.m. and Hoffman started twitching, media witnesses said. His hands clenched and he had a slight head movement. Swanson said she closely watched the blanket over Hoffmans chest area and could see it rise and fall, indicating that he was breathing. She said his last visible breath appeared to be at 6:37 p.m. Shortly after, the curtains between the chamber and witness viewing room closed. When they reopened, Hoffman was pronounced dead. Seth Smith, chief of operations at the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, witnessed the execution and also acknowledged Hoffmans movements. Smith, who has a medical background, said he perceived the convulsions to be an involuntary response to dying and that Hoffman appeared to be unconscious at the time. Nitrogen gas was first used in Alabama Each inmate put to death using nitrogen in Alabama had appeared to shake and gasp to varying degrees during their executions, according to media witnesses, including an Associated Press reporter. Alabama state officials said the reactions were involuntary movements associated with oxygen deprivation. Alabama first used nitrogen gas to put Kenneth Eugene Smith to death last year, marking the first time a new method had been used in the U.S. since lethal injection was introduced in 1982. Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Oklahoma specifically authorize execution by nitrogen hypoxia, according to records compiled by the Death Penalty Information Center. Arkansas was added to the list on Tuesday. Seeking to resume executions, Louisianas GOP-dominated Legislature expanded the states approved death penalty methods last year to include nitrogen hypoxia and electrocution. Lethal injection was already in place. On Tuesday, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed legislation allowing executions using nitrogen gas, making hers the fifth state to adopt the method. Arkansas currently has 25 people on death row. Over recent decades, the number of executions nationally has declined sharply amid legal battles, a shortage of lethal injection drugs and waning public support for capital punishment. That has led a majority of states to either abolish or pause carrying out the death penalty. On Tuesday afternoon, a small group of execution opponents held a vigil outside the rural southeast Louisiana prison at Angola, where the states executions are carried out. Some passed out prayer cards with photos of a smiling Hoffman and planned a Buddhist reading and Meditation for Peace. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said she expects at least four people to be executed this year in the state. Following Hoffmans execution, she said justice had been delayed for far too long and now Hoffman faces the ultimate judgment, the judgment before God. Up-front costs We know one of the economic benefits Alabama offers is a relatively low cost of living. So one would think that most things would cost at least a little less than it does in states where people make more money and have to spend more on the essentials. But one study shows that Alabama is surprisingly an expensive place to start a business, reports AL.coms William Thornton. As a matter of fact, according to Simplify LLC, its more expensive to start a business in only five other states. Simplify LLC supplies information to small businesses. It took a long look at basic business costs (labor, space, utilities), business environment and taxes. Contributing to the expense of going into business in Alabama is a high $200 LLC filing fee and a relatively high corporate income tax of 6.5%. And were No. 11 in the nation for the rental cost of commercial space. Of course, thats all on top of the actual cost of doing business, and it can pose entry barriers for cash-strapped folks looking to open up shop. As we all know, Alabama has also had difficulty with low labor force participation and was at 57.6% for the study. We also have a low rate of lending through the Small Business Administration. The most expensive state in which to open a business was California, followed by New York and Hawaii and then another surprise, Tennessee, at No. 4. Legislative roundup Lets do a lightning round of news from Goat Hill: The states Glock-switch ban passed the Senate and is on its way to Gov. Kay Iveys desk. The House had already passed the bill with an amendment that would put it into law immediately. The House passed a bill that would increase a state income-tax exemption on money withdrawn from IRAs and 401(k)s from $6,000 to $12,000. It now moves to the Senate. Gov. Ivey signed into law a measure to give her office the power to appoint the commissioner of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs. The House unanimously passed a bill to reduce the state sales tax on food from 3% to 2%. That now goes to the Senate. March magic Alabama State will get it shot against Auburn in the mens NCAA Tournament, reports AL.coms Andrew Hammond. A long pass from Micah Simpson to Amarr Knox at the far end of the court led to a layup with one second left and a 70-68 win over St. Francis in a First Four game from the NCAA Tournaments South Regional. Its Alabama States first win ever in the tournament and sends the 16th seed Hornets against top seed Auburn at 1:50 p.m. Thursday. Alabama State trailed by as many as nine points during the first half. Want to buy some Gulf-front property? One more item thats slightly outside Alabama but gives me a chance to show off a chip many of us in the South have on our shoulders when national news is forced to look our way. Im not going to go full geography zealot on yall, but after NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams returned to planet Earth from their unexpected extended stay aboard the space station, news reports sounded off that the astronauts had splashed down off the coast of Tallahassee. So, at first, I thought maybe the splashdown happened in Lake Jackson, where red soft plastic worms might get a bass to strike. Or maybe their SpaceX capsule was bobbing around in the water hazard along the right side of the No. 3 fairway at Jack Gaither. Because, as actual coastal residents of St. Marks or St. George Island will tell you, more than 20 miles separates Tallahassee from the Gulf of Mexico. Picture That supplied by the City of Mobile These statues (by artist Brett Grill) are in storage, waiting to take their place at downtown Mobiles Hall of Fame Walk along Water Street. (Photo courtesy of the City of Mobile.) Quoting This (is) so embarrassing. ESPNs Dick Vitale, on the NITs rescinding South Alabamas invitation. By the Numbers 1 Thats how many Morrisons cafeterias remain. The chain began in Mobile in 1920, peaked during the 1970s and was sold to Piccadilly in 1996. Today, Picadilly brands only one of its stores as a Morrisons -- and its located in the city where it all started. More Alabama News The podcast Two 7-year-old bobcats, left, and a cougar cub, right, go on public exhibit at the new Cougar Crossing that opens March 19, 2025, at The Birmingham Zoo. Birmingham Zoo Two adult bobcats have joined a cougar cub as the first residents of the new Cougar Crossing exhibit, which opens today at The Birmingham Zoo. Larry and Phyllis Wojciechowski, who donated $1 million to help open the exhibit, cut the ribbon for the ceremonial opening. Wojciechowski Cougar Crossing has been in the planning stages for several years and we are excited about officially opening it tomorrow for the public, just in time for Spring Break, said Chris Pfefferkorn, president and CEO of the Birmingham Zoo. As the Birmingham Zoo celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2025, the new Cougar Crossing habitat is a significant new chapter in the Zoos overall history. We would like to thank Larry and Phyllis Wojciechowski for their generosity to help make this facility a reality. This has truly become a community initiative with hundreds of people, companies, and other organizations joining together to help us be successful. The two bobcats came from California, where they had been raised by humans and were too habituated to people to release in the wild. The orphaned cougar came from Montana on Feb. 11. The female cub is approximately six months old and weighs 28 pounds. Today we have one orphaned cougar cub from Montana and two new adult bobcats in Wojciechowski Cougar Crossing with one more cougar cub scheduled to arrive in the next few weeks, said Pfefferkorn. Both bobcats, named Baxter and Boomer, are seven years old. They were both dropped off separately to wildlife officials and were put together at the Ramona Wildlife Center in California, where they became companions. They were transferred by the San Diego Humane Society to the Birmingham Zoo on March 7 and have been adapting to their new habitat. Bobcats can run as fast as 30 mph to catch their prey and jump up to 12 feet. Male bobcats can weigh up to 40 pounds. In captivity, bobcats can live up to 25 years, significantly longer than their average wild lifespan of between 5 and 15 years. The cougar lifespan can range from 8 to 13 years in the wild, and they can live as long as 20 years in captivity. Cougars can jump up to 40 feet horizontally and run 50 mph to catch prey. Male cougars can weigh up to 160 pounds and females up to 110 pounds. As the cougar and bobcats get used to their new homes, they will have access to separate indoor and outdoor spaces. Their trainings will be visible behind glass to the public. They may not be visible at times. The cougar and bobcats were orphaned and were in no condition to return to the wild, he said. We are delighted they have a new home with us at the Birmingham Zoo. FedEx has been a great partner providing transportation for the cougar cub and two bobcats. Thank you to all the people who have played a role in this project, said Pfefferkorn. As a result of this generosity, zoo visitors for generations to come will enjoy and learn about the cougars and bobcats in the Wojciechowski Cougar Crossing. The Birmingham Zoo has asked the public to help name the cougar. The three name options selected by the Alabama Wilds animal care professionals are: Sage (Sagebrush is a common shrub found in Montana, where this cougar was born.) Sierra (The Sierra Nevada Mountain Range is a location within a cougars native range.) Juniper (The Rocky Mountain Juniper is a plant within a cougars native range.) Name voting begins today on the Birmingham Zoos Facebook and Instagram channels. Each vote costs $1, and all proceeds will go to care of the cougar cub. Larger donations are also accepted. Voting ends April 1 at 10 p.m. The winning name will be announced the following day. In 2025, AL.coms Beyond the Violence project, in partnership with The Birmingham Times, examines how Birmingham can become safer, healthier and happier. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin today warned users of Glock switches and machine gun conversion devices that a new state law triggers new rewards offered for their arrest. Woodfin said the Crime Stoppers program would facilitate $1,000 rewards for the arrest of people caught in posession of gun conversion devices. Gov. Kay Ivey signed a law that makes possession a Class C felony March 19. The Senate approved the bill on Tuesday with an amendment brought forth in the House that put the proposed law into effect as soon as Ivey signed it. As he has often done in the past, Woodfin turned to social media, as well as the city public information department, to relay the message. Dear switch boys, he began. Governor Ivey signed a law today that makes possessing a Glock switch illegal. Simple possession satisfies law and you can receive up to 10 years in prison. Law enforcement up one and BPD is outside ready to put case on all of yall. Semiautomatic weapons displayed at a news conference where federal prosecutors talked about the increasing problem of the use of small devices often called Glock switches to convert guns to automatic. Possession of the devices violates federal law. (Mike Cason/al.com) We are also partnering with Crime Stoppers for community members to call in and remain anonymous. If your call leads to a credible arrest for someone who possesses a Glock switch, you will receive $1,000. Woodfin encouraged calling Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777, and in a part of the message aimed at the general citizen, wrote, Help us get these switch boys off our streets. He finished with another warning to switch boys: Yall were hell in 2024. We putting serious heat on yall in 2025. Machine gun conversion devices, that render a regular handgun capable of firing rapidly like an automatic weapon, have been frequently cited as contributing factors to Birminghams record-breaking year of homicides, in which 152 people were killed. The Woodfin administration and city police department have recently ramped up efforts aimed at stopping the violence. Interim Police Chief Michael Pickett told AL.com in an earlier interview that machine gun conversion devices were increasingly a target for crime prevention efforts - but only part of the effort. A part of the gun violence strategy is having a crackdown on the gun trafficking in and of itself, for guns, and also the machine gun conversion devices as well as focusing on straw purchases, young men, young women or older men, older women that want to purchase a weapon, knowing that theyre simply going to hand it off to someone else, he said. Pickett said that having a state law against possessing a machine gun conversion device would give local police another tool. Responding to questions about why a state law against Glock switches is needed when theyre already in violation of federal law, Woodfin said, Theres a state law for robbery. Theres a state law for assault. Theres state law for everything else. Thats a federal law. So why wouldnt you do it for, I would say for Birmingham? The most heinous crimes that were committed were with the use of Glock switches. Theres no other intent to have this but to spray a lot of bullets that hurt, that cause mass casualties. Birminghams Legacy Community Federal Credit Union is acquiring First Community Bank of Cullman for an undisclosed amount. The transaction has already received unanimous approval from both institutions' boards of directors. Legacy, chartered in 1955, operates nine full-service branches, with two other locations opening this year. As of Dec. 31, it has $644 million in assets and serves 39,000 customers. First Community Bank of Cullman was founded in 1905 and reported $104 million in total assets at the end of last year. Legacy has been committed to crafting financial solutions for the communities we serve for over seventy years, Legacy President and CEO Glenn Bryan said. Our culture emphasizes excellence, education, energy, and empowerment, and we look forward to bringing our approach to financial service to the people of Cullman County. First Community CEO Billy Faulk said the bank sought a partner that could take our service to the next level. We were determined to find a group that held the same philosophy of business that we do, and after an extensive search, we found that in Legacy, Faulk said. We are confident that this decision will benefit our customers and our community for years into the future. The acquisition, expected to be completed later this year, will be an all-cash transaction and is subject to regulatory approvals. The ruins of the Treats So Sweet bus, after it was destroyed by a fire on March 14. GoFundMe Friends of a Birmingham food truck are raising money after it was consumed in a fire last week. Treats So Sweet, founded by master baker Jermeria Johnson, lost its truck to a vehicle fire on March 14. The business sells cakes, ice cream and other treats, as well as offering catering services. In a Facebook post, the business explained that it intends to keep going. The outpouring of love and concern has been overwhelming. God is Good. Everyone affiliated with Treats So Sweet LLC is... Posted by Treats So Sweet on Friday, March 14, 2025 As devastating as it may be, Im not broken, the post reads. This...DONT STOP NUFFIN. Friends have started a GoFundMe page to help with costs. Treats So Sweet isnt just a businessits a dream, a livelihood, and a source of happiness for so many people. We cant let this become a hurdle for them," said Gilberto Herrera, who created the page. Lets rally together and show them that one fire cant stop a dream! Frank Woodson, a Birmingham pastor and non-profit executive, sits in on the "Gary Richarson Morning Show" on WJLD radio. Screenshot Frank Woodson is coy about his political aspirations. But with a website showcasing a platform of change, a call for more action from city hall and a recent political radio appearance, Woodson has done everything short of officially announcing hes running for mayor of Birmingham. Im hoping to show that you dont have to be a politician to care about your neighbors, Woodson told AL.com. Im not looking for extra work, but I think our city needs leadership. Woodson, a pastor and non-profit executive, said he has formed an exploratory committee for a run for mayor in the August city elections. Im really serious about it. Im willing to take time out. Im willing to invest resources to help right the ship with the city, Woodson said. I know that I have solutions. Were going to do those solutions whether I run or not. Woodson previously ran for the Alabama House District 52 seat formerly held by longtime Rep. John Rogers who was convicted of corruption. Woodson lost in a runoff to Kelvin Datcher in July 2024. Woodson said his Birmingham Campaign addresses his efforts to tackle issues facing the city, but claims it is not a political campaign. It just so happens that its running concurrently with a mayoral election, he said. The Birmingham Campaign is not a political campaign. Regardless of his announced status, Woodson does not shy away from discussing inaction from city leaders and a disconnect between officials, civic and business communities, and Birmingham residents. Were putting millions of dollars at the grass tops but its not reaching the grassroots, Woodson said. Woodson recently appeared on the Gary Richardson Morning Show on WJLD radio where Richardson announced him as a candidate for mayor. Woodson did not correct the host when the statement was made. During the interview, Woodson said crime and the need to reinvest in neighborhoods were primary concerns facing Birmingham. If theyre not talking about crime then they are not in touch with the people, he told Richardson, recalling his conversations with residents on edge about their safety. Woodson also spoke about disparities he said are steeped in geographic location differences. Parks are a clear indication, he said. When you look at the parks that we have on the west and whats on the eastern side of I-65 its atrocious. What is it that we dont have that we can use on the west side? Its called dignity, its called honor, he said on WJLD Friday. The dog parks in the southern side of Birmingham are better than the parks that our children have to play with in Districts 5,6,7, 8 and 9. So far, the mayors race in Birmingham has only a handful of candiddates, starting with incumbent Mayor Randall Woodfin who is seeking a third term. Other announced candidates for mayor include State Rep. Juandalynn Givan, longtime activist Kamau Afrika and Jerimy Littlepage, a newcomer to politics who said he was inspired by Woodfin to seek elected office. Woodson cited his past civic engagement and efforts to improve the city as his biggest assets, should he decide to run. What I am building in the city of Birmingham to help our citizens and businesses is very important right now, Woodson said. I prioritize it over the mayors race. I have several websites about initiatives that are up and running and initiatives that are set to launch in the next 45 days. When they launch I will make a decision. U.S. Rep. Dale Strong secured $120,000 in funding for vehicles for the Scottsboro Police Department. U.S. Rep. Dale Strong U.S. Rep. Dale Strong announced this week that he secured $120,000 for the purchase of new vehicles for the Scottsboro Police Department. Strong, who represents north Alabamas 5th Congressional District, said the money came from community project funding in the Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations package. The Scottsboro Police Department was able to purchase two fully outfitted Ford Police Inceptor Utility vehicles. These vehicles permit the department to investigate crimes on all severity levels with better and more up-to-date equipment, the congressman said. The vehicles replaced vehicles approaching the end of their operational life. I am proud to have secured $120,000 in funding for the Scottsboro Police Department to purchase and outfit new patrol vehicles. This investment ensures our officers have the reliable equipment they need to protect and serve their community. Supporting our law enforcement is essential to maintaining the safety and well-being of North Alabamas residents, Strong said in a news release. Investments like this not only enhance public safety but demonstrate our unwavering support for the brave men and women who serve. Scottsboro Police Lieutenant Coty Durham thanked Strong and his office for helping his department apply and secure the funding. He said the new vehicles would help his department serve the towns residents. We brought their tax dollars back to their community, Strong said. They pay just as much in federal tax dollars as anybody else. Their police chief made us aware of a need. This was very expensive equipment, and what we were able to do is make that happen." The Alabama House Health Committee Wednesday approved a bill clarifying health care providers can refuse to draw blood in alleged drunk driving situations. HB 391, sponsored by Rep. Phillip Rigsby, R-Huntsville, aims to address a misinterpretation of previous legislation that some believed required paramedics and other health care providers to comply with all law enforcement blood draw requests. The bill says that health care providers may refuse to draw blood at the direction of law enforcement except when required by a court order. More from Alabama Reflector That was kind of misinterpreted, and misinterpreted in the sense that they must draw that blood, Rigsby said to the committee. Rigsby said that under the bill, health care providers on the scene or at an ambulance station have the discretion to decline a request, allowing law enforcement to transport the individual to a hospital for testing instead. Rep. Frances Holk-Jones, R-Foley, asked if there would be a time limit to perform the test, asking how long people usually stay intoxicated. Rigsby acknowledged said blood-alcohol content testing is time-sensitive but said that factors such as liver function, hydration, and food intake affect how long substances remain detectable in an individuals system. The bill passed on a voice vote and goes to the full House for further consideration. Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency has claimed another $465,000 in savings for Alabama taxpayers in a recent announcement to X. The post says that DOGE on Monday canceled a Department of Defense contract for non-personal services, to serve as the Maxwell Air Force Base installations horticulturalist, landscape designer, and greenhouse plant nursery manager to improve and maintain beautification of the installations. Contract update! Today, agencies terminated 44 contracts today with a ceiling value of ~$5.2B and savings of ~$640M, including: -$465K DoD contract for non-personal services, to serve as the Maxwell Air Force Base installations horticulturalist, landscape designer, and pic.twitter.com/g3HWPRuqVD Department of Government Efficiency (@DOGE) March 18, 2025 It goes on to say that the contract was one of 44 Monday cancellations which amounted to around $640 million in national savings. But in a call with AL.com on Tuesday, a representative for the base said that the cancellation was news to them. Efforts to follow up with Maxwell Air Force Base were not immediately successful. And Maxwell officials are not the only ones who have had trouble verifying the validity of the departments savings claims. Kenneth Stripling, district director of the Wage and Hour Division in Mobile, previously said he was not aware of any lease termination and said their offices remained open and ready to serve the public, after DOGE claimed to be shutting the office down. Congressman Robert Aderholts office also told Alabama Daily News that the Jasper and Cullman Social Security offices are open and will remain open, after DOGE claimed that their leases would be terminated. The adjustments being made involve the cancellation of lease agreements covering hearing spaces, not the areas used for day-to-day operations, Aderholt, R-Haleyville, told Alabama Daily News in a statement. These changes will not affect the ability of residents to access Social Security services at these locations. Dustin Gautney, a spokesperson for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mobile District told AL.com previously that without an address, the Corps real estate division is unable to pinpoint what lease is referenced on the DOGE website. Gautney later reached out to clarify that the Corps did not say DOGE didnt terminate a lease of which it may have been the initial leasing agent. We just cannot confirm or deny based on the data provided, he said. The Corps of Engineers Mobile District manages real estate for the military all over the Gulf Coast region, Gautney said, so its difficult to know what the lease is related to. Around a year ago, the Corps did terminate a lease with the U.S. General Services Administration for the second story of a federally owned building on St. Michael Street in downtown Mobile. The approximate square footage the Corps leased was 24,000 square feet. The building was used by the federal court system until 2020, and since then has been used by several federal agencies, Gautney said. But the lease was terminated prior to the creation of DOGE, which was created via executive order after President Donald Trump was inaugurated last month and therefore could not have been involved with the lease termination. A February NPR analysis found that the departments savings site overestimates DOGEs $115 billion government spending slash, which has more than doubled in the last month, by several billion dollars. Six other current and former federal contracting officers who spoke with NPR on the condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation say that the DOGE savings page is misleading the public with the data it includes like overemphasizing the maximum possible value of contracts cancelled as well as with what it leaves out, they say, like how much has already been budgeted and spent to fulfill the contract," NPRs Stephen Fowler writes. An Alabama lawmaker has filed a bill, HB444, requiring religiously affiliated private schools to accept religious exemptions for vaccine requirements. Sponsored by Rep. Mack Butler, R-Rainbow City, the legislation states that both religiously affiliated private schools and school churches would be subject to implementing a religious exemption process. Butler told AL.com that the bill was inspired by concerns raised to him by parents who sent their children to such schools and sought religious exemptions against the COVID-19 vaccine but were denied. Butlers legislation also provides that if a school fails to adopt a religious exemption exception then the institution will be penalized in several outlined methods. Any private school or church school that fails to accept religious exemptions to vaccine or testing requirements shall be subject to corporate income tax and ad valorem tax, may not claim certain tax exemptions, and is ineligible to receive CHOOSE Act funding, the bill reads. Butler said the penalties were necessary because the, nation was founded on religious liberty. Also, the legislation states that a guardians written statement will be sufficient to exempt a child from a vaccine requirement under religious reasons. The politicization of the COVID-19 vaccine has created a surge of anti-vaccination policies and legislation that have been introduced across the country by conservatives. Since 2021, Alabama has documented a decrease in vaccination rates for children, specifically for polio. In February, it was reported that an unvaccinated child in Texas died from a measles outbreak in the first death from the diseases since 2015. Butler was asked about this decline in vaccination rates and responded by referencing a myth that vaccines are linked to autism. It went from like seven [vaccines] to like 72 now for infants, and theres so many that are links to autism and some serious problems there, Butler said. When asked to provide evidence for this claim Butler said to Google the information and that, [Robert F. Kennedy Jr.] has been talking about it a lot. Kennedy, viewed as an anti-vaxxer, currently serves as Secretary for Health and Human Services under President Donald Trumps administration. Butler has also sponsored another bill that would prohibit publicly funded entities from advertising or promoting vaccines. The Alabama Senate on Tuesday issued final approval for a bill that would make possession of a Glock switch a Class C felony. The bill now goes to Gov. Kay Ivey, who can sign it into law. SB116, brought forth by Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Montgomery, would make possessing any part or combination of parts designed and intended to convert a pistol into a machine gun, often known as Glock switches, punishable by a term between 366 days and 10 years, according to state code. The Senate approved the bill with an amendment brought forth in the House that will put the proposed law into effect immediately if Ivey signs it. I am grateful for the overwhelming, bipartisan support, said Rep. Philip Ensler, D-Montgomery, who brought forth the House version of the bill earlier this month and has been credited with assisting Barfoot with his version. I look forward to...this important measure becoming law, Ensler wrote in a previous statement. Currently, there is no state law that makes Glock switches illegal, although they are illegal federally. Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham, recently thanked Ensler and Barfoot Thursday for their work on the bans, referencing the impact these devices had had in her district. Unfortunately, this is breaking news almost every day in the city of Birmingham, she said. ...This is not about the second amendment; nobody is trying to take away anyones rights. The bill was also previously amended in the Senate to enforce penalties for the possession of a machine gun conversion device even if it cannot be proven that someone was knowingly in possession. Despite arguments from Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, and Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, that the states new permitless carry policy could be to blame for increased gun violence, Barfoot has said that guns and conversion devices are not the real problem. The real problem are the people who use those, he said previously. He has also said recently that regulating firearm devices is a balancing act with 2nd Amendment rights. Dialogue, negotiation only viable option in resolving Iranian nuclear issue 09:40, March 19, 2025 By He Yin ( People's Daily On March 14, a China-Russia-Iran trilateral meeting on the Iranian nuclear issue was successfully held in Beijing. The three parties engaged in in-depth discussions and issued a joint statement, reiterating that political and diplomatic engagement and dialogue based on the principle of mutual respect remains the only viable and practical option in this regard. At a critical juncture for the Iranian nuclear issue, the Beijing meeting marked a constructive effort by China, Russia, and Iran to promote a political settlement, providing a platform for enhanced dialogue, consensus-building, and creating favorable conditions for the eventual resumption of negotiations. With the Iranian nuclear issue at another crucial crossroads, the urgency to gain time for peace has intensified. Relevant parties should be committed to addressing the root cause of the current situation and abandoning sanction, pressure, or threat of force. The trilateral joint statement called on relevant parties to refrain from any action that may escalate the situation, so as to create a favorable atmosphere and conditions for diplomatic efforts. The three sides reaffirmed the importance of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). China and Russia welcomed Iran's reiteration that its nuclear program is exclusively for peaceful purposes and not for development of nuclear weapons, supported Iran's policy to continue cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, and stressed the need to fully respect Iran's right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy as a State Party to the NPT. While complex, the solution to the Iranian nuclear issue is unequivocal: full and effective implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Iran signed the JCPOA with the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, China, and Germany in July 2015, accepting restrictions its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions. The JCPOA was subsequently endorsed by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231. It represents a major achievement in addressing sensitive issues through dialogue and negotiation, a successful practice of multilateralism, and a unique and significant contribution to maintaining regional stability and upholding the international nuclear non-proliferation regime. During the Beijing meeting, China, Russia and Iran stressed the importance of the UNSC Resolution 2231, including its timeframes. While recent expressions of willingness to negotiate were noted, all efforts must adhere to the JCPOA framework, preserve existing consensus, and address all parties' legitimate concerns in a balanced manner. Amid the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East, where regional security continues to deteriorate and hotspot issues emerge one after another, resolving the Iranian nuclear issue is critical to safeguarding global non-proliferation regime and regional peace. All parties should uphold the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and work toward a widely accepted regional security architecture to achieve lasting stability. All parties should play a constructive role in easing regional tensions and avoid linking the Iranian nuclear issue with other matters. Otherwise, this would only escalate conflicts and confrontation, further complicate the Iranian nuclear issue, and create new tensions or even crises. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a party to the JCPOA, China has consistently advocated for a political and diplomatic resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue, the preservation of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, and the promotion of peace and stability in the Middle East. During the Beijing meeting, China put forward five points on the proper settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue. First, stay committed to peaceful settlement of disputes through political and diplomatic means, and oppose the use of force and illegal sanctions. Second, stay committed to balancing rights and responsibilities, and take a holistic approach to the goals of nuclear non-proliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Third, stay committed to the framework of the JCPOA as the basis for new consensus. Fourth, stay committed to promoting cooperation through dialogue, and oppose pressing for intervention by the UN Security Council. Fifth, stay committed to a step-by-step and reciprocal approach, and seek consensus through consultation. These propositions reflect China's constructive role in addressing the Iranian nuclear issue under new circumstances and demonstrate China's major country responsibility. The China-Russia-Iran meeting in Beijing marked an important step in the right direction. The history and reality of the Iranian nuclear issue have repeatedly shown that sanctions, pressure, and threat of force offer no solutiondialogue and consultation remain the only viable path. China will stay in communication and coordination with all relevant parties, actively promote talks for peace, and work toward a just, balanced and sustainable resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue while safeguarding the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and promoting international and regional peace and stability. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Wednesday signed a bill into law that makes possession of a Glock switch a Class C felony in Alabama, according to a release from her office. While there is a federal ban on these gun conversion devices, we needed a way to empower our own law enforcement here in Alabama to get these illegal and extremely dangerous Glock switches off our streets, the release reads. I am proud to support law enforcement and work to combat crime by putting my signature on SB116. Under the new law, brought forth by Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Montgomery, possessing any part or combination of parts designed and intended to convert a pistol into a machine gun, often known as Glock switches, is punishable by a term between 366 days and 10 years, according to state code. The bill is part of the governors Safe Alabama public safety package, according to todays release. Governor Ivey began the legislative session by stating bolstering public safety is her number one priority, and she looks forward to the other bills working their way through the legislative process and reaching her desk, it reads. The Senate approved the bill on Tuesday with an amendment brought forth in the House that put the proposed law into effect as soon as Ivey signed it. Today, I am immensely grateful that the governor signed this legislation into law and that it is effective immediately, said Rep. Philip Ensler, D-Montgomery, who brought forth the House version of the bill earlier this month and has been credited with assisting Barfoot with his version. With this law, we overcame resistance to gun safety legislation and passed a state law prohibiting one of the most dangerous gun accessories that exist. Over the last month, Ensler and Barfoot have stressed the need of a state law applying to the devices so that local authorities have more power to enforce the ban. One of the issues I hear from constituents about most is addressing gun violence, Ensler wrote. That is why I fought so hard each year since being elected to office to pass a ban on devices that convert pistols into machine guns. Ensler added that passing gun safety legislation -- especially as a Democrat -- in Alabama is not easy. But through the creation of a strong, diverse coalition that transcended party, we were able to enact this important measure, he continued. Today, we proved that progress can happen and that the Alabama legislature can come together to help solve real problems. Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham, previously thanked Ensler and Barfoot for their work on the bans, referencing the impact these devices had had in her district. May we always remember each and every person who has died from gun violence and may this legislation help save lives moving forward, Enslers statement read on Wednesday. Efforts to reach Barfoot were not immediately successful. The bill was also previously amended in the Senate to enforce penalties for the possession of a machine gun conversion device even if it cannot be proven that someone was knowingly in possession. Despite arguments from Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, and Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, that the states new permitless carry policy could be to blame for increased gun violence, Barfoot has said that guns and conversion devices are not the real problem. The real problem are the people who use those, he said previously. He has also said recently that regulating firearm devices is a balancing act with 2nd Amendment rights. Gov. Kay Ivey signs a bill to make the commissioner of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs a member of the governor's cabinet. Governor's press office Gov. Kay Ivey on Tuesday signed into law a bill to give the governors office more control over the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill makes the commissioner of the ADVA an appointee of the governor and member of the governors cabinet. Under previous law, the State Board of Veterans Affairs, made up of representatives of veteran organizations, appointed the commissioner and had oversight of the ADVA. Under the new law, the State Boards authority will be reduced to an advisory role. Ivey supported the bill, which came after a public dispute last year between the governor and former ADVA Commissioner Kent Davis. In October, the State Board voted down Iveys request to fire Davis, a retired Navy rear admiral, but she used her executive authority to fire him anyway. Sen. Andrew Jones, R-Centre, and Rep. Ed Oliver, R-Dadeville, sponsored the bill, which lawmakers approved on March 6. Alabamas veterans deserve our very best, and I am grateful to the Alabama Legislature for its resounding support of this important legislation, Ivey said in a press release. We will use this new structure to focus on what matters most serving those who sacrificed so much for our freedoms our veterans and their families. Some veterans organizations spoke out against the bill as it moved through the legislative process. Three groups - the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the American Legion, and American Veterans (AMVETS) - later endorsed the bill after changes were made. Some other representatives of veterans groups remained opposed, including Pete Riehm, a retired U.S. Navy commander and president of the Alabama Council of Chapters of the Military Officers Association of America. When the bill passed on March 6, Riehm said the ADVAs structure, in place since 1945, had worked well. And it was created to be apolitical so that it would be accountable and responsive to the veterans over whatever fickle-pickle political winds would blow on this Goat Hill here, Riehm said. The House sponsor of the bill, Oliver, was a helicopter pilot in the Army and served from 1979 to 2010. Oliver said the goal is to make the ADVA more responsive and offer more and better services for veterans. In addition to signing the bill Tuesday, Ivey appointed Brigadier General Jeffrey Newton to serve as ADVA commissioner. Newton had previously served as interim commissioner after Ivey fired Davis. Brigadier General Newton has earned this important job, and I am more than confident he will work to ensure our state better serves all of our 400,000 veterans, Ivey said. Newtons 41-year military career with the United States Air Force and the Alabama Air National Guard included numerous overseas deployments with the 117th Air Refueling Wing in Birmingham, as well as supporting Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle, the governors office said. I look forward to working with other departments and cabinet officials as we continue to provide first-class support for Alabama Veterans and their families, as we have done for the past 80 years, Newton said. Newtons appointment is effective on Wednesday. This is a guest opinion column Earlier this year, the Birmingham Biotechnology Hub -- one of just 31 designated Tech Hubs across the country -- received $44 million to advance biotechnology initiatives. As someone who has spent years advocating for racial equity in Alabama, I know how transformative this investment could be. The grant advances workforce development and training initiatives at Lawson State Community College, a historically Black community college with campuses in Birmingham and Bessemer. The funding will also help ensure greater diversity in clinical trials, addressing long-standing racial disparities in medical research. Alabamas bioscience industry already employs over 14,000 people and supports nearly 1,300 companies. State researchers receive more than 100 bioscience-related U.S. patents each year, driving advancements across agriculture, medicine, and IT. And it will continue to grow -- as long as the federal government better protects the states biotech discoveries from foreign thieves. Unfortunately, over the past few years, the government hasnt adequately safeguarded those discoveries. The failure stems, in large part, from Americas top trade official watering down a report thats meant to call out foreign countries that steal American technology. Beginning in 1988, Congress tasked the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) with conducting an annual analysis, known as the Special 301 Report, to monitor how other countries were respecting American firms' intellectual property. The report was meant to identify barriers to international trade and expose countries that violate IP laws. It used to serve that purpose well, specifically naming countries that disregard our IP rights and recommending actions to address the issue. For instance, in 2015, the report identified China as a top threat to American trade secrets and outlined a strategy to counter these risks. Compulsory licensing, a specific instance in which a foreign government authorizes its domestic companies to copy an American firms patented technology without permission, was discouraged except under extenuating circumstances. But in the past few years, the USTR has gone soft. Instead of defending American inventors and entrepreneurs, the government has practically handed over our groundbreaking technology to foreign rivals such as China and Russia -- countries that the report had previously identified as notable infringers. The documents lack of condemnation for compulsory licensing has encouraged countries to take our inventions without permission. And its not just developing countries -- the European Unions executive body recently established a framework for granting compulsory licenses.The USTRs unassertive language effectively tells the world that the United States will not stand up for our inventors, entrepreneurs, and investors' rights. Its a bad look for us -- and it spells trouble for our local economy. If we fail to enforce IP safeguards abroad -- and our years of time and billions of dollars investing in new ideas can be taken for free -- the $120 million in venture capital invested in our states bioscience sector between 2018 and 2021 will dwindle as investors avoid the heightened risk. This means fewer job opportunities for workers who have historically been left behind in high-growth fields. Black representation in STEM fields, which has been slowly but surely increasing, will decline. The only way to prevent these setbacks is to restore the Special 301 Report to its original intent. Washington must take a firm stance against IP infringement, and assert that the United States will not tolerate the theft of our property. Our congressional delegation has an important role to play -- by pressuring the USTR to conduct a comprehensive review of international IP policies and follow through with a plan to address infringements. In fact, the current administration just issued a trade policy that specifically calls for assessments of unfair trade practices abroad. Future reports should address challenges facing our biotech industry, such as compulsory licensing and forced technology sharing. Simultaneously, the USTR must identify barriers to fair international trade while ensuring the security of our data. The next report is set to be published shortly. So theres no time to waste. We cant afford to let other countries get away with stealing Alabama researchers' cutting-edge inventions -- and jeopardizing the economic future of Black workers and entrepreneurs in our state. Cara McClure is a Birmingham resident who serves as executive director of Faith & Works, a Black-led, nonpartisan, statewide civic engagement, and social justice collective. The activist and community organizer is a co-founder of the Black Lives Matter Birmingham Chapter. This is a guest opinion column Many of the roles education employees perform each day go far beyond teaching math, science or social studies in the classroom. In fact, most days teachers are juggling a dozen other duties like managing carpool lines, bus duty, field trips, sporting related events on school property and calming student disagreements that can put us in physical danger. These may seem like routine responsibilities, but education employees will volunteer for them because of our dedication to the students we see every day. Last year, on a day like any other, I was on car rider duty. There was a split second between assisting students to their cars and lying on the ground, injured and in agonizing pain. The accident was crippling, and I am still dealing with the injury. But what shocked me most was discovering that as an Alabama public school employee, I have no protections and support from the state to help me recover from this accident. In addition, Alabama is the only public school system in the United States that has denied our public school employees workers comp. This includes: teachers, administrators, maintenance, custodial staff and cafeteria workers. The physical and financial toll was immediate and debilitating. I suffered five fractures in my foot, ruptured and retracted tendons, and was left with a host of permanent, untreatable injuries. With no workers' compensation in place for education employees, I was left scrambling to cover medical expenses of copays, deductibles and medical equipment needed in order to care for myself. A burden I still deal with to this day. I dipped into personal savings to front load all my medical related expenses and relied on friends to help me navigate this process. The stress of medical bills compounded my physical pain, and I was left wondering: How could a system that depends on educators dedication fail to protect us when were hurt on the job? There are many stories like mine that have suffered on-the-job injuries that shattered their wellness and left them with a permanent disability, financial loss and job loss. Fortunately, there is a solution: one that legislators from both sides of the aisle are taking seriously. Senator Sam Givhan has introduced SB1, a bill that would provide workers' compensation coverage for full-time public school employees. SB1 would finally give educators and educational staff the same protections as other public employees, ensuring that when we are hurt supporting and educating our students, choosing between our health and financial stability is no longer a requirement. Teachers take care of Alabamas future, our students, and now is the time for Alabama to take care of its teachers. Unlike other state public employees, full-time public school educators in Alabama are not covered by workers' compensation. If a firefighter is injured in the line of duty, their medical bills and lost wages are covered. If a police officer is hurt while protecting the community, they receive the support they need to recover. But when a teacher is injured performing school duties and supporting the children of Alabama, we are forced to shoulder the burden alone. This is not just unfairits a cruel failure of the system to recognize and protect the very people who dedicate their lives to educating our children. Support for SB1 has been widespread and bipartisan, with the Alabama Education Association advocating for workers compensation for years, but there is still work to be done. To parents, students, and community members: your voices matter. Contact your representatives and let them know that education employees deserve the same protections as other public and private sector employees. If we expect them to continue going above and beyond for our students, we must ensure that they are protected when they do. Working in education is more than a job, its a calling. But that calling should not come with the risk of financial ruin from a workplace injury. Alabamas education professionals deserve better. Its time to pass SB1. Beth Holloway is and Alabama public school speech pathologist and advocate. President Donald Trump acknowledged he does not have the authority to defy a court order as his administration deported hundreds of immigrants to El Salvador despite a federal judge temporarily blocking the flights. Trump made the comments during an interview with Fox News' Laura Ingraham that aired Tuesday evening, hours after the president called for the judges impeachment. INGRAHAM: "Would you defy a court order?"@POTUS: "I never did defy a court order... However, we have bad judges. We have very bad judges... I think at a certain point, you have to start looking at what do you do when you have a rogue judge. The judge that we're talking about... pic.twitter.com/u9dsxyT062 Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 18, 2025 Asked by Ingraham if he would defy a court order, the president said: You cant do that, however, we have bad judges. We have very bad judges. These are judges that shouldnt be allowed on the bench, Trump said. I think at a certain point you have to start looking at what do you do when you have a rogue judge. U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg issued an order Saturday temporarily blocking the deportations, but lawyers told him there were already two planes with immigrants in the air one headed for El Salvador, the other for Honduras. Boasberg verbally ordered the planes be turned around, but they apparently were not and he did not include the directive in his written order. On Tuesday morning, Trump called Boasberg a Radical Left Lunatic of a Judge, a troublemaker and agitator in a post on his Truth Social platform. This judge, like many of the Crooked Judges I am forced to appear before, Trump posted, should be IMPEACHED!!! WE DONT WANT VICIOUS, VIOLENT, AND DEMENTED CRIMINALS, MANY OF THEM DERANGED MURDERERS, IN OUR COUNTRY. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!! Trumps Truth Social statement spurred an rare public response from U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision, Roberts said in a statement, according to the Associated Press. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose. Trump, who had been the subject of multiple federal and civil court cases, painted himself to Ingraham as somewhat of a court expert. Well, I think that, No. 1, nobodys been through more courts than I have. I think nobody knows the courts any better than I have -- I would say [Roberts] does, but nobody knows them better than I have. What theyve done to me, Trump said, Ive had the worst judges. Ive had crooked judges ... The Associated Press contributed to this story. Revolve just dropped a rare discount on its exclusive Golden Goose Purestar Sneaker while supplies last. With this deal, customers can get the Golden Goose x Revolve Purestar Sneaker for $369 compared to its original list price of $595. However, select sizes have already sold out following this discount. Golden Goose x Revolve Purestar Sneaker - $369 The Golden Goose x Revolve Purestar Sneaker is on sale at Revolve for a limited time. 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The media frenzy over Dr. Rasha Alawiehs deportation is a textbook case of manufactured outragea calculated ploy to recast a routine immigration enforcement action as a grand human rights crusade and a constitutional crisisall in service of their broader agenda: dismantling U.S. immigration law and smearing President Trump. The Brown University professor, practicing physician, and Lebanese national was expelled from the United States and placed on a plane to her homeland via Paris, yet suddenly, academia and the press were gasping as if Lady Liberty herself had been defiled. The narrative? A misunderstood scholar and kindly medical doctor, cruelly targeted by an immigration system gone rogue. The reality? A foreign national with clear, troubling associationsat minimum, ideologicalwith a designated terrorist organization was denied reentry, precisely as the law dictates. A Religious Devotion to Hezbollah? Give Me a Break. Alawiehs defenders first claimed she was visiting family in Lebanonlike attending a routine family reunion. That narrative collapsed when it was revealed she attended the funeral of a Hezbollah leaderthe notorious Hassan Nasrallah. When questioned by Border Security agents, Alawieh insisted she follows Nasrallah for his religious and spiritual teachings, not his politics. If you just burst out laughing, youre not alone. That explanation is as flimsy as a wet paper baglike those who claim to read Playboy for the articles. Hezbollah isnt a religious study group; its an Iranian-backed paramilitary force responsible for mass murder, regional destabilization, and the incessant bombardment of our ally Israel. This is the same group that blew up a U.S. Marine barracks in 1983, slaughtered Israeli civilians, and operates as a state-within-a-state in Lebanon. Its no book club. Expecting a free pass back into the U.S. while claiming newfound affinity for Hezbollahs so-called spiritual leadership is an insult to intelligent thought. Yet some of her supporters cling to the gimcrack notion that because Dr. Alawieh is a medical professional, she couldnt possibly sympathize with Hezbollah. Were told she should be allowed back into the U.S. to treat and grace her patients with her sterling bedside manner. Its laughable. Professions dont dictate ideology. Shall we remind them of the Saudi national doctor who plowed his car into a German Christmas market just months ago? A licensed psychiatrist, legally residing in Germany for nearly two decades, yet still the perpetrator of mass bloodshed. The world has no shortage of educated fanatics. The idea that a white coat absolves someone of their worldview is a level of naivete the media can use to manipulate public opiniongaslighting the public with the fallacy of appeal to authority, as if a medical degree confers ideological innocence. A Visa Is a Privilege, Not a Birthright Alawieh held a conditional and revocable H-1B visa. Yet her defenders in academia and the legacy media seem to believe foreign nationals should be able to come and go as they please, regardless of national security concerns. Theyre dead wrong. Want proof? I wouldnt recommend it, but try arriving at Israels Ben Gurion Airport after publicly praising Hamas leadership. Or attempt stepping off a flight into Tokyos Narita or Sydneys Kingsford Smith while declaring fealty to ISIS. You wont just be denied entry and put on a plane back home as Alawiehyoull likely find yourself detained, interrogated, and potentially facing legal consequences. Nations that take their security seriously screen for ties to terrorist organizations as a matter of coursebecause its common sense. Yet, when the United States applies the same standard, the open-borders crowd shrieks like a scalded cat. Judicial Overreach? Lets focus on the federal judges temporary restraining order and its aftermath. While the activist class may not like it, 8 U.S.C. 1252(g) explicitly restricts federal district courts from meddling in removal decisions. So, the judges ruling was a temporary stay, hastily granted in response to a habeas corpus petition filed by Alawiehs cousin in an attempt to collaterally attack the immigration decision made by authorities upon her reentry. When the order reached immigration authorities, DHS stated that Alawieh was already gone. And then, something even more telling happened. Judge Sorokin conspicuously canceled the hearing after receiving a sealed affidavit from DHSwhile also allowing some of the attorneys representing Alawiehs family to abandon ship. These attorneys withdrew from the case as a result of further diligence, according to Sorokin. What exactly did they uncover? They wont saybut their carefully chosen words speak volumes. If her legal team found something so troubling that some walked away, why should anyone else buy into the medias sanitized victim narrative? Alawiehs supporters have wailed about due process, but protections for foreign nationals are not one-size-fits-all. Those at the border, like Alawieh, have only limited procedural rights, and the government has broad discretion to deny admission. Due process is not some elaborate Kamala Harris Venn diagramit means what it says. A person is entitled to the process they are due, nothing more and nothing less. And that process is fundamentally different for an H-1B visa holder at a port of entry than for an American citizen inside the country. The United States is under no obligation to provide endless legal challenges for every non-citizen whose visa gets revoked. Yet, in the progressive lefts worldview, due process requires a never-ending cycle of litigation against any immigration enforcement action, particularly when it stymies the current administration. Their goal isnt procedural fairness or substantive due processits lawfare. The Selective Outrage Machine The New York Times, Brown University, and the predictably performative puppets on MSNBC and Twitter have rushed to declare this a grave injustice. Spare us. Alawieh is not a hapless martyr ensnared in a dystopian nightmarethereby a cause celebre in the fight against immigration enforcement. She was returning from the funeral of a Hezbollah leader, a cold-blooded murderer. The manufactured outrage over her deportation is patently absurd, insulting, and altogether unsurprising. Brown University, predictably, has responded not by acknowledging the fundamental lesson of Alawiehs casenamely, that aligning with terrorist figures has consequencesbut by advising its entire international community to reconsider both international and even domestic travel, as if the U.S. has suddenly begun indiscriminately rounding up visa holders. This is the progressive playbook: never miss a chance to manufacture outrage, stoke fear, and frame routine immigration enforcement as some ominous slide into authoritarianism. Dr. Alawieh had her chance. She made her choices. Now she faces the consequencesand no level of theatrical hand-wringing from the outrage machine will change that. National Sovereignty vs. Elite Capitulation The law is clear, and the enforcement was justified. As for those claiming Alawiehs deportation is an affront to democracy, lets be honestthe actual affront comes from those who seek to override the will of the American people through an endless cycle of lawfare, weaponizing the courts to obstruct the very policies Americans voted for last fall. And make no mistakethis will continue and escalate unless the Supreme Court steps in and shuts it down once and for all. 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 from X. In February, SecDef Hegseth fired the Armys and Air Forces top uniformed lawyers (the judge advocates general, or JAGs for short). Two retired Air Force JAG major generals, Charles J. Dunlap and Steven J. Lepper, responded with online outrage. Both former JAG generals essentially claimed that SecDef Hegseth had overstepped his legal and moral authority and imperiled the nation, the military, and the rule of law. Their well timed writings stoked the political lefts furor occasioned by President Trumps firing of Joint Chiefs Chairman Brown and CNO Franchetti. Both retired generals comments should be rejected because they ignore the most basic qualification for being an attorney, military or otherwise: an attorney must have the confidence and trust of the client. This qualification applies doubly to senior military officers. It is clear that the dismissed JAGs did not enjoy the confidence of their new clients and for good reasons. Their embrace of pernicious, anti-merit DIE initiatives, which violate U.S. law and are inimical to good order, morale, and discipline, marked them as unreliable counselors in the minds of their new clients. In the Feb. 22 edition of Lawfire, retired USAF deputy JAG, now Duke law professor Dunlap complained that military legal officers ... are never expected to be replaced on a change of Administration and that stripping the armed forces of its senior uniformed legal advisors tasked by [10 U.S.C. 9037] to provide independent advice sends all wrong messages throughout the military legal community, not to mention to commanders. On Feb. 23, retired major general Lepper upped the ante, claiming that the firings were driven by reckless motives that should scare every American and said POTUS and the SecDef had remove[d] the only remaining guardrails preventing military personnel from following unlawful orders. His observations seemed astonishingly tone-deaf when he wrote, What no one seems to realize is that [General Browns and others] successors, whoever they may be, will still have to embrace, respect, and encourage diversity or else the military will truly fall apart. The military will fall apart if it doesnt embrace diversity? Independent guardians of the law? Guardrails? Codswallop. Recent history suggests that many JAG leaders have been anything but apolitical, independent servants of the law. Indeed, the objective record demonstrates that the various judges advocate often supported illegal political whim instead of the rule of law. General officers serve at the pleasure of the commander-in-chief, and there was nothing novel or improper about the presidents or SecDefs decisions. Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution grants the president the title of commander-in-chief of the armed services, and thus the inherent authority to command the military and to appoint or remove general officers. The National Security Act of 1947 empowers the president to appoint the chairman of the Joint Chiefs. Although the act does not directly address the firing of the chair, it is read to imply the presidents broad authority over the chair and the Joint Chiefs. Likewise, Title 10 of the U.S. Code outlines the presidents capacity to appoint and remove general officers. Taken together, the Constitution, the National Security Act of 1947, and Title 10 grant the president the power to fire generals, if deemed necessary for national security, policy reasons, or other grounds. Five presidents, starting with Lincoln, exercised the same prerogative and publicly fired general officers Regarding the desired independence and guardrail JAG integrity, one need only look at major recent missteps by the services JAGs. In 1999, President Clinton signed Executive Order 13139, which mandated that Investigational New Drugs (IND) could not be given to military members without their informed consent. That didnt stop the DoD from ruining the health and the careers of hundreds, perhaps thousands of military members who either took illegally mandatory anthrax shots and got sick or who didnt give their informed consent and faced prosecution or administrative discharge. It took a team of pro bono civilian attorneys to stop the madness. In Doe v. Rumsfeld, 297 F.Supp.2d 119 (DDC 2003), the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, citing E.O. 13139, stopped the administration of the IND anthrax vaccine to military personnel. That injunction remained in place until the FDA administratively ruled that the anthrax vaccine was no longer an IND drug. But before that, any order forcing a military member to take the shots was an illegal one. Guardrail judges advocate who prevented illegal orders? In 2022, the service judges advocate stood silent as thenAir Force chief of staff General Brown published his infamous Directive entitled Officer Source of Commission Applicant Pool Goals. There, General Brown directed the Air Force to develop a diversity and inclusion outreach plan to ensure illegal racially defined quotas were enforced, toward the questionable goal of leveraging ... diversity to enhance the Air and Space Forces ability to deter, and, if necessary, deny our Nations competitors. (Our competitors?) In addition to its word salad folly, the document violated every precept of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, several DoD directives, and more federal court cases than can be counted. The imagined guardrails were, in fact, a badly designed off-ramp into the legal abyss. Where were the independent JAGs when, in 2021, then-general Mark Milley reportedly spoke to a Chinese military official behind President Trumps back and promised our Chinese competitor that he would provide advance warning in the event of a U.S. attack? Where were the guardrails when, during the Biden administration, the Navy advocated professional readings that openly promoted Marxist doctrine? Included on the list: How to Be Antiracist, by prominent leftist scholar Ibram X. Kendi, explicitly argues that the only remedy to past discrimination is present discrimination and capitalism is essentially racist. Where were the independent lawyers when, in June 2022, the Navy forced new recruits to watch training videos on proper pronoun usage, which declared, Using someones pronouns is a simple way to affirm someones identity? Same question when national security spokesman John Kirby declared that abortion is a sacred obligation of the U.S. military, implying that abortion access is vital to military readiness. Did a JAG attempt to intervene when Mr. Kirby pronounced that diversity, inclusion, and equity ... is a foundational sacred obligation of military leaders? Did any Air Force judge advocate raise an eyebrow when, in 2022, the Air Force Academy encouraged cadets to stop calling their parents Mom and Dad in the interest of inclusivity? Or when, in 2023, when the Air Force permitted Air and Space Force commanders to use unit funds to plan and conduct or pay for members to travel to and participate in pride events? Regardless of ones personal feeling about LGBT issues, paying for service members to attend pride parades is inherently political, perhaps violative of the Hatch Act, and in no way contributory to military readiness. Did even one JAG even think about that? I endorse General Dunlaps insistence that Congress vigorously demand a full explanation and use its constitutional authority to do whatever it takes to ensure that Americas defense establishment will have unfettered access to independent legal judgment. But I caution the general to be careful about what he asks for, because we all might be forced to confront or explain what is uncovered. Bruce Tucker Smith is a retired Air Force judge advocate with 21 years active duty, Air Guard, and Reserve service. He also served for 11 years as an administrative law judge with the Department of Homeland Security. He is a graduate of the USAF Air War College and was awarded an LL.M. in International Operational Law from The Judge Advocate General School Army, Charlottesville, Va. Image: Pete Hegseth. Credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. Several days ago, invoking the Alien Enemies Act (AEA), President Trump ordered that 250 Tren de Aragua members and 23 MS-13 members wanted for alleged crimes in El Salvador be deported. The woke left, led by the Soros minions, immediately asked Judge James Boasberg of the US District Court in DC to stop itand amazingly, he agreed via minimalist minute orders. Boasberg ignored Trumps findings and ordered that the planes carrying the deportees (already en route to El Salvador) return to the US. This grotesquely wrong decision justifies impeachment. The AEA is one of our nations oldest statutes, enacted in 1798, 11 years after Americas founding. Many of the same men who drafted the Constitution later drafted and approved the Act. It provides: Whenever there is a declared war between the United States and any foreign nation or government, or any invasion or predatory incursion is perpetrated ... against the territory of the United States by any foreign nation or government, and the President makes public proclamation of the event, all natives, citizens, denizens, or subjects of the hostile nation or government...who shall be within the United States and not actually naturalized, shall be liable to be apprehended, restrained, secured, and removed as alien enemies... (Emphasis added.) The left insists the Act can only be invoked in wartime and is subject to judicial review. The Supreme Court has already held that the left is wrong on both claims. In 1814, the Supreme Court decided Brown v. United States, which examined whether Congress, merely by declaring war (in this case, the War of 1812), simultaneously gave ordinary American citizens the right to seize enemy aliens property on American soil. The Court, with the early Americans tremendous respect for property rights, concluded that it did not, for a congressional declaration of war only makes official a state of hostility between two nations. On the way to this conclusion, the Supreme Court enunciated an important principle that has never been challenged: While an individual alien enemys property is not automatically up for grabs, the AEA sets a very different standard for the executives control of an alien enemys person: The act concerning alien enemies, which confers on the President very great discretionary powers respecting their persons, affords a strong implication that he did not possess those powers by virtue of the declaration of war. In other words, Congress conferred on the president a unique power entirely separate from war itself. In 1948s Ludecke v. Watkins, the Supreme Court affirmed and expanded upon this interpretation of the Act. The plaintiff, a German citizen, was arrested before the U.S. declared war on Germany, held for the wars duration, and then ordered deported two months after Germanys surrender under an order President Truman issued using his powers under the Act. The Ludecke Court understood something Judge Boasberg missed: In light of the Brown decision, the federal courts have no authority to second guess the presidents decision under the AEA: As Congress explicitly recognized in the recent Administrative Procedure Act, some statutes preclude judicial review. [Citation.] Barring questions of interpretation and constitutionality, the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 is such a statute. Its terms, purpose, and construction leave no doubt. The language employed by the Fifth Congress could hardly be made clearer, or be rendered doubtful, by the incomplete and not always dependable accounts we have of debates in the early years of Congress. [Fn. omitted.] That such was the scope of the Act is established by controlling contemporaneous construction. The act concerning alien enemies, which confers on the president very great discretionary powers respecting their persons, Marshall, C.J., in Brown v. United States... appears to me to be as unlimited as the legislature could make it. Moreover, said the Ludecke court, decisions virtually contemporaneous with the act itself held that the presidents power could not come under judicial scrutiny: [The Act] appears to me to be as unlimited as the legislature could make it. Washington, J., in Lockington v. Smith [citation]. The very nature of the President's power to order the removal of all enemy aliens rejects the notion that courts may pass judgment upon the exercise of his discretion. [Fn. omitted.] This view was expressed by Mr. Justice Iredell shortly after the Act was passed, Case of Fries [citation], and every judge before whom the question has since come has held that the statute barred judicial review. The Ludecke court added that, while these old decisions are helpful, theyre unnecessary: We would so read the Act if it came before us without the impressive gloss of history. Nor is there any need for a shooting war to trigger the presidents power. As to any matters involving a threat to the U.S., the Court concluded, These are matters of political judgments for which judges have neither technical competence nor official responsibility. The Court also summarily rejected the dissents claim that the Act violated Ludeckes right to a hearing, holding that the Acts validity was so unquestionable that any challenge was wrongful judicial politicking: The Act is almost as old as the Constitution, and it would savor of doctrinaire audacity now to find the statute offensive to some emanation of the Bill of Rights. Then, quoting Case of Fries (decided one year after the Acts passage), the Court issued a warning that the anti-Trump judges would be wise to heed: Such great war powers may be abused, no doubt, but that is a bad reason for having judges supervise their exercise, whatever the legal formulas within which such supervision would nominally be confined. In relation to the distribution of constitutional powers among the three branches of the Government, the optimistic Eighteenth Century language of Mr. Justice Iredell, speaking of this very Act, is still pertinent: All systems of government suppose they are to be administered by men of common sense and common honesty. In our country, as all ultimately depends on the voice of the people, they have it in their power, and it is to be presumed they generally will choose men of this description; but if they will not, the case, to be sure, is without remedy. If they choose fools, they will have foolish laws. If they choose knaves, they will have knavish ones. But this can never be the case until they are generally fools or knaves themselves, which, thank God, is not likely ever to become the character of the American people. With those principles in mind, the Ludecke Court concluded that the Enemy Alien Act vests in the president the sole power to decide whether enemy aliens should be deported: Accordingly, we hold that full responsibility for the just exercise of this great power may validly be left where the Congress has constitutionally placed it -- on the President of the United States. The Founders, in their wisdom, made him not only the Commander in Chief, but also the guiding organ in the conduct of our foreign affairs. He who was entrusted with such vast powers in relation to the outside world was also entrusted by Congress, almost throughout the whole life of the nation, with the disposition of alien enemies during a state of war. Such a page of history is worth more than a volume of rhetoric. In sum, no federal court, from a district court to the Supreme Court, can interfere with the presidents decisions about deporting enemy aliens. For Judge Boasberg to interfere with the presidents decision to deport Tren de Aragua and MS13 members is outrageous and creates a true constitutional crisis. Boasberg does not belong on the bench, and the House should seriously consider Congressman Brandon Gills Articles of Impeachment against him. Image: Tren de Aragua deportees arrive at an El Salvador prison. X screen grab. If corruption were an Olympic sport, theyd be gold medalists in the judicial gymnastics. A grouping of rats is called a pack, and the Democrat-appointed judges who are doing everything they think they can to stop President Trump from doing what he was elected to do are exactly that: a pack of rats. According to the indefatigable and relentless Mike Davis of The Article 3 Project, these activist judges are bragging about using their positions to stop all the presidents attempts to do what he promised to do once elected. They surely know they are overreaching, breaching the Constitution, and they do not care. Stopping Trump was and remains their mission, and theyve tossed all ethics aside if they ever had any. Hating Trump brings out the very worst in people, making them venomous. The Obama and Biden administrations did appalling damage to the reputations and the publics faith in the DOJ, the FBI, and the CIA. The Fast and Furious scandal, under the auspices of Obamas AG Eric Holder, was a scheme to provide the Mexican drug cartels with guns, so if and when our border agents were killed, their deaths could be blamed on American gun dealers and manufacturers. It was a devious and reprehensible plan that proved the Obama administrations wholesale lack of respect for human life, American and Mexican lives. Obamas was an amoral administration. It was Obama and Hillary Clinton who set in motion the fabricated Russia hoax that became a ten-year campaign of lawfare, the lefts attempt to destroy Donald Trump but that destroyed countless other lives caught up in their web of lies. The illegitimate Biden administration was far worse, far more corrupt, albeit with the help of Obamas anti-American cabal of Marxist thugs, including all those judges who are currently trying to hog-tie Trump. Most of Americas once-respected institutions have been thoroughly contaminated by the deep state, and yes, there are numerous Republicans among them. Over the past several years, the lefts attempts to stop Trump from ever returning to the White House have been shockingly unscrupulous in every way. Merrick Garland, possibly the most unethical attorney general in U.S. history, engineered the indictments, one way or another, with help from a host of nefarious crooks who felt it was their right to take Trump down and out by any means necessary. The list of his co-criminals is long, from Lisa Monaco, his deputy, to James Comey and all of his willing operatives at the FBI, Peter Strzok, Lisa Page, etc., to the CIAs Gina Haspel, then chief of the London station where the phony dossier was hatched. From Andrew Weismann to Mark Elias, Norm Eisen to Jack Smith to name a few of the many, the swamp is deeply vicious. These are truly evil people who suffer from a complete lack of integrity. This includes all the judges who, for four years, have gleefully ruined the lives of anyone and everyone who came before them for having been present at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. They strive to protect and serve illegal migrants and terrorists, both domestic and foreign, but have relished destroying Trump-supporting American citizens. Everyone knows by now that George Soros funds the district attorneys and attorneys general who are dedicated to the destruction of Trump, then and now. Everyone knows that Soros is a global criminal whose goal is the ruination of the U.S. He almost succeeded. If Kamala Harris had won, we would by now be a fully Marxist nation. Conservatives would again be censored, harassed, and subjected to Soviet-style prosecution for thought crimes. Miraculously, Trump defied their endless, depraved campaign of personal destruction. The voters are simply not as dumb as the swamp-dwellers assume we are. We eventually recognize malicious perversion when we have it thrown in our faces, and we reject it. We are seeing it now in all these bought-and-paid-for judges, from Engoran, Merchan, Chutkan, and Beryl Howell to the DAs who played along to the long list of judicial scoundrels doing the lefts dirty work now. Every one of them should be ashamed of themselves. They are all partisans with wives and children working for leftist causes. Like most members of Congress, they are all wealthy, far beyond what their jobs could provide. They get paid to do what they do, most likely from some NGO funded by USAID. It goes without saying that these judges have zero respect for the Constitution. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel will try to resurrect the faith and respect for the DOJ and FBI, but until the federal and state judiciaries are stripped of activist, partisan judges who do the dirty work of the deep state swamp, the good citizens of the U.S. will be thwarted and vulnerable. Sadly, it seems Chief Justice Roberts and his mini-me, Amy Coney Barrett, are on the wrong side. Theyve fallen in with the swamp, for money or out of fear? Who can forget Schumers threat to Gorsuch and Alito? It is hostile to a democratic system to involve the judiciary in the politics of the people. --Felix Frankfurter Image: Grok AI-generated illustration // public domain The kerfuffle between Presidents Zelensky and Trump in the Oval Office was a classic culture clash in a political setting. The unfortunate public scene and abrupt end to the negotiations could have been avoided if more attention had been paid to Osnat Lautmans experiences and message: the culture in which we are raised shapes how we deliver messages and receive them from others. In her first book, Israeli Business Culture (Gefen Publishing, 2019), reprinted in Chinese, Japanese, Hebrew, and English, Lautman relays how foreign businesspeople find Israelis brash and rough but innovative. They make no time for small talk; its all about closing the deal. On the contrary, a favorite Italian quip is dolce far niente the pleasantness of doing nothing. Time is not a driving force in business or diplomacy; it is all about the journey, getting to know the other, and understanding the business or political environment. In Lautmans new book, Global Cultural Interplay: Elevating the Art of Business Success Across Cultures (OLM Consulting, 2025), which we recommend for businesspeople and diplomats, her message is that most individuals can only look narrowly from their perspective shaped by societies we grew up in. This limits and skews ones strategies. My culture shapes and affects what I hear. Likewise, communication between managers and higher-ups, old and young, males and females can be mistaken, resulting in a total misreading of anothers intent. An Israeli and a Canadian were transitioning products. The Israeli said his staff does not care about the changes. The Canadian CEO took offense. Whats that supposed to mean they dont care? he thundered. But the Israelis point was lost in translation: he meant that the Israeli staff didnt mind the changes. They were okay with them. But the damage had been done. Ukrainians are tough-minded and independent. They survived centuries of invasions and uprisings. They bonded as tribes to form a nation-state and built a formative cultural legacy. As for Zelensky, although 99% of the deal was set preOval Office meeting, he viewed the public meeting as an opportunity to squeeze out a commitment for security agreements. Zelensky wants America to face off against Russia if and when Russia attacks Ukraine in the future. The two presidents met for forty minutes before the cameras rolled. With the yell of action, Zelensky made his move on Trump. Trump, an American businessman, thought he had a deal waiting to be signed and confirmed over the breaking of bread. American business culture resents backdoor windstorms and unending wheeling; more so, Americans, and Trump in particular, hate being embarrassed in public. Trump touts his reputation as the deal-maker and opened the day repeatedly declaring that Zelensky was there to sign. Zelensky views himself as an equal to any world leader and needs to invigorate his people with a show of equal footing yes, thank you, America, for your military commitments. But Ukrainians are tough enough to carry on against the Russian monsters. To sign a deal, snap pictures, and have lunch are de rigueur. Zelensky dressed military-style black, crossing his arms, throwing back his head, eyes to the sky when Vance spoke to him. These are all signs that my people are tough and independent thankful, but dont treat us like your Puerto Rico. Another example from Lautmans book gives gravitas to the importance of cultural preparedness and language in meeting foreign counterparts. To the English, issue has a negative connotation, but to Russians and perhaps Eastern Europeans, an issue is a topic or subject. For the British, an issue is like a problematic topic or subject. The distinction is liable to ruffle some feathers. Zelensky raising the issue of security agreements simply turned off and shut down President Trump. Aside from the business deal, Zelensky was forestalling if not killing Trumps ambition for him to be remembered as a peacemaker. He yearns for the Prize. Dozens of intercultural experts participated in producing Global Cultural Interplay. It ought to be used as an exercise book for honing skills. It is the most incisive and authoritative book available on cross-cultural communication since Edward Halls classic, The Silent Language (1959). The author points out that worldwide, there are 7,000 languages in 200 countries. Lautmans message is particularly relevant to negotiations in the Arab-Israel conflict, Donald Trump's second foreign affairs agenda priority. This is a multi-lingual, multi-cultural, and religious war in its 2,000th year. Dr. Goldmeier teaches at Touro College Jerusalem. He is an award-winning entrepreneur, receiving the Governor's Award for family investment programs in the workplace from the Commission on the Status of Women. He was a research and teaching fellow at Harvardand a managing partner of an investment firm; a business management consultant, a free public speaker on business, social; and public policy issues. He taught international university students in Tel Aviv. harold.goldmeier@gmail.com Image via Raw Pixel. And just like that, believe all women slinks into the shadows. Last week, Nicole Georgas blew the whistle on what was going on at a school in Deerfield, Illinoiss Public School District 109, testifying before the local school board that her 13-year-old daughter became collateral damage in the culture war when she first came across a mentally disturbed boy using the girls restroom, before school staff tried to force her to undress in the presence of the same male student identifying as a girl. Heres that video clip, for reference: Yeah, we're not going to let this story fade away. It's critical that we stand with @georgas_ni80016 as she stands up for her daughter and young girls everywhere who deserve female-only spaces. Deerfield School District 109 must be held accountable for this disgusting treatment pic.twitter.com/IwmfnGwhh3 Morning Answer (@MorningAnswer) March 18, 2025 From bad to worse is exactly right. Give a round of applause to the teachers unions and the federal Department of Education! And now, Democrat state lawmaker Bob Morgan is on the warpath, accusing Georgas and her daughter of lying: Deerfield, IL State Rep. Bob Morgan (D) stands on the House Floor, accusing teenage girlsallegedly forced to change in front of a male studentof lying. How does he know? Guess liberals only believe women when it suits them.@georgas_ni80016 @Awake_IL @Riley_Gaines_ pic.twitter.com/jSLHgNL8tg Blaine Wilhour (@BlaineWilhour) March 18, 2025 His office website may feature pictures of Morgan with a wife and kids, but the way he says because its a lie-uh seems like a dead giveaway, signaling something less-than-heterosexual manTim Walz redux? Werent Democrats shouting believe all women when E. Jean Carroll peddled her absurdly unbelievable story about daytime rape in the Bergdorf Goodman? When Christine Blasey Ford accused Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault? When Anita Hill tried to derail Clarence Thomass confirmation to the Supreme Court? Ahhh, but this is (D)ifferent isnt it? Image from X. It was beautiful. Four big billowing parachutes bearing a space capsule splashed down into the deep ocean, (this one in the Gulf of America), just as they did in the 1960s and 1970s. Splashdown of Dragon confirmed welcome back to Earth, Nick, Suni, Butch, and Aleks! pic.twitter.com/M4RZ6UYsQ2 SpaceX (@SpaceX) March 18, 2025 I can't have been the only one who felt a sense of deja vu from that brighter and more rational era. NASA astronauts who had been stranded in space for nine long months finally splashed down after a SpaceX rescue mission to bring them back. Space travel is dangerous and the NASA astronauts' mission was evidence enough of that -- its ride back to Earth failed in its mission. The same could even be said of Elon Musk's SpaceX, which is no stranger to seeing its rockets blow up. Things happen in space travel. It was with bated breath that I followed the 17-hour journey to bring the astronauts to Earth, hoping against hope that it all would go well. Imagine getting stranded for nine months in space and disaster strikes with the rescue vehicle -- it's too awful to think about. But it all came down with pitch-perfect competence, SpaceX proving its mojo for space travel, surely the best in the entire industry and all the world. Yet at that magic moment when the capsule containing the precious astronauts was opened -- it got better: Dolphins appeared, lots of dolphins, and circled and swam around them, as if dancing with glee to welcome the astronauts home. Dancing dolphins amid the bright blue sky and the sweet feel of wet water and the tug of gravity! Dolphins x Astronauts: The collab we didn't know we needed A pod of curious dolphins added extra meaning and porpoise to the recovery of #Crew9's @SpaceX Dragon and its four explorers shortly after splashdown. pic.twitter.com/JRUmK1FYHR NASA (@NASA) March 19, 2025 Dolphins! Glorious dolphins, fearfully and wonderfully made. How joyful could it be? It was the sort of thing that surely made some sense if something divine were present. Sure, dolphins are just intelligent sea mammals, doing what dogs and cats do whenever they see humans up to something, which is gathering to observe. But something about it seemed more significant. Dolphins as symbols represent joy, playfulness, healing, freedom, intelligence, transformation, protection, balance and good luck, among other things. This is from Google AI: America is all about freedom. And it's always tranforming itself -- now under President Trump and his ally Elon Musk, positively metamorphosing. And intelligence: The SpaceX rescue rocket took a lot of intelligence, big intelligence, to reach its astronauts orbiting in space, hook up safely, take the astronauts out, and bring them home safely in just the targeted spot in the water. Failure was not an option. Healing? The rescue signaled that the failed mission was healed. Protection? Absolutely -- after these astronauts were so callously just left in space by Joe Biden based on his jealous desire to not see Musk get credit. It was beyond revolting as we now learn of the costs in health that the astronauts pay from extended time in outer space, just waiting and hoping no one would forget them. But they were saved thanks to Musk and his dedicated colleagues, and there was protection. And good luck? It goes without saying. We all recall how the Cuban-Americans spoke of dolphins protecting the young Elian Gonzalez as he floated in the ocean after a capsized voyage to the U.S. from Cuba, his mother lost to the sea, but the child surviving. It, too, happened in the waters off Florida. It was simply beautiful what spontaneously happened -- the dolphins came out as if to serve as envoys for all creation on Earth and all its many glories, telling the returning astronauts 'welcome home.' Who could have anticipated it? It's good to be back to Earth. The dolphins were just the right gift, a seeming smile from the heavens. Image: Screen shot from X video. The American Judiciary is facing a crisis of confidence as public outrage swells over federal judges repeated interventions in President Donald Trumps agenda. In just the past few days, rulings blocking foreign aid freezes, personnel shakeups, and terrorist deportations have sparked a firestorm, with social media erupting in accusations of bias, corruption, and judicial overreach. At the center of the storm: Chief Justice John Roberts, whose rare public statement today defending the courts has only deepened the divide. The latest flashpoint came when U.S. district judge James E. Boasberg halted Trumps use of a 1798 law to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members, prompting the president to call for his impeachment. Republican Rep. Brandon Gill quickly introduced articles of impeachment in the House a long shot, given GOP numbers but Roberts fired back, declaring, For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. The chief justices words, while legally grounded, landed like a political grenade, especially since hes overseeing a related Supreme Court case. This isnt isolated. Over the past weeks, judges have tangled with Trumps executive moves: a Supreme Court decision on March 7 upheld $2 billion in USAID funds Trump sought to redirect without consideration for the Executives national security concerns, another ruling forced the rehiring of 24,000 federal workers, and now Boasbergs deportation block has conservatives crying foul. On X, terms like judicial coup and rogue judges are trending, with users speculating about everything from corruption to personal vendettas. Laura Loomers report that Boasbergs daughter works for a pro-immigrant nonprofit has fueled conflict-of-interest claims, echoing past scrutiny of Judge Juan Merchans daughter in Trumps hush money case now under DOJ investigation. Robertss statement aimed to shield judicial independence, but critics see hypocrisy. Chief Justice Roberts political statement today was a mistake that will undermine public confidence, said Tom Fitton of Judicial Watch. Sen. Mike Lee questioned why Roberts is wading into Congresss impeachment turf, while commentator John Daniel Davidson warned of a full-blown constitutional crisis driven by activist federal judges. Even legal analyst Mike Davis, on Steve Bannons Infowars, claimed that judges are privately boasting about derailing Trumps plans. The publics view is darkening fast. Historically a bedrock institution for Republicans, the Judiciarys legitimacy is cracking: Polls post-2022s Dobbs decision showed approval below 40%, and todays online sentiment suggests its sinking lower. Now whispers of compromised justices like unproven rumors tying Roberts to Jeffrey Epstein via his kids adoption only stoke the fire. Justice Ketanji Brown Jacksons recent Broadway cameo in politically motivated musical & Juliet and old quotes from Justice Sonia Sotomayor about Latina wisdom fuel speculations of bias. The Judiciarys own rules demand avoiding even the appearance of impropriety, but that standard seems to be slipping out of reach. Republicans impeachment push may be symbolic they lack the Senate votes but its a loud signal of frustration. Meanwhile, an informed public, fueled by instant news and social media, watches judges thwart Trumps election promises, from border security to government streamlining. The perception? Courts arent just checking power; theyre seizing it. As constitutional tensions spike, the real threat isnt the legal back-and-forth. Its the erosion of trust in a system Americans once saw as impartial. If that collapses, the fallout could shake the republic to its core. Image via Picryl. More than 1,300 Syrians are reported to have been murdered in a mere 72-hour time span women, children, and entire families erased in a matter of hours. Christians spend a lot of time advocating for people of all faiths, including our Jewish friends, the Uyghurs in China, and more. Its an honor to stand in the gap and exercise our faith in tangible ways, allowing others to see the compassion and charity to which our Savior calls us. Did you know that the single most persecuted religion in the world is Christianity? There is a crisis going on in Syria for Christians and the Alawite minority, and we cannot be silent! The atrocities unfolding in Syria are devastating and heartbreaking. What began as clashes between armed groups loyal to ousted president Bashar al-Assad and forces aligned with the new interim government, led by Ahmad al-Sharaa formerly head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a group with historical ties to al-Qaeda that toppled Assad in December 2024 has escalated into widespread, unnecessary violence. This includes heinous attacks and killings, particularly against Christians and the Alawite minority. Churches have been burned, families displaced, and lives extinguished in a wave of terror that compounds Syrias nightmare of war and ruin. With such violence taking place, youd think the legacy media, and many commentators and influencers, would be up in arms, relentlessly covering the horrors. Their silence is deafening. Major news outlets, once quick to cheer Assads removal, now seem content with brief segments, barely scratching the surface of atrocities committed by this new regime. Influencers, who champion all kinds of causes on social media platforms, appear largely absent, perhaps hesitant to wade into a conflict too confusing or politically charged. Even some human rights organizations, typically vocal about civilian suffering, seem oddly restrained, issuing statements but lacking the fierce outrage one might expect for mass killings of minorities. Could the silence be due to the fact that it is Christians who are facing this terror? The question lingers as the world turns its gaze elsewhere. Christians have faced persecution dating back to when Christ died on the cross for our sins. That persecution has taken countless forms across time and place: stonings in ancient Rome, the Armenian Genocide during World War I, purges in communist states, the destruction of Christian communities in the Middle East by ISIS and al-Qaeda, and now targeted violence in Syria, shifting with history yet persisting as a thread of hardship. Today, the people orchestrating these atrocities wield a hatred that mirrors the ancient malice long directed at Christians through the ages. The people of Syria enduring this nightmare, particularly Syrian Christians, desperately need our prayers. So too do countless others around the world facing discrimination and persecution, whether through overt violence in Nigeria, systemic exclusion in China, or silent erasure in secular corners. All are in need of our prayers. Christians must not only pray, but also act. As James 2:26 reminds us, As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. This serves as both a challenge and a guide. Praying for Syrias suffering, lifting up their cries for peace, protection, and help, is vital to our faith and rooted in Scripture, but the Word also demands more, so we must spring into action. Raising awareness is a living deed. Sharing their stories in our churches, places of work, and posts on social media platforms and supporting organizations that aid the persecuted are essential. So lets not settle for dead faith. Concerned Women for America encourages every believer to pair prayer with bold action in this critical time lifting Syria up to God while lifting their circumstances to the world. Pray without ceasing, then step boldly forward. Speak out in your community, donate to relief efforts, and amplify the voices of those who cannot speak for themselves until awareness and real changes are reached. Start today. The people of Syria need our living faith now. Image: watchsmart via Flickr, CC BY 2.0 (cropped). The term talk turkey means to discuss a subject frankly; ironically, however, such frankness has been lacking with the emergence of Turkeys evolving role in Syria. In the aftermath of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad surrendering power and fleeing to Moscow, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been jockeying to position his country as a major player there. A brief history of Turkey is important in understanding why his actions today are not in the best interests of NATO, of which it is a member. With the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in World War I, the newly-formed Turkish Republic emerged. General Kemal Ataturk became a founding father of the Republic in 1923 who, as its first president, implemented numerous political and cultural reforms in stages serving to undermine the old days of empire. While the Ottomans directional compass had long embraced Islam, by 1935 Ataturk removed any reference to the religion from the constitution. He established a secular, democratic republic with a new compass bearing that gave power to the people. Ataturk knew it would not be easy to keep Turkeys compass so oriented after his death (1938); accordingly, he entrusted the military with responsibility for ensuring the country remained on course. There were times the military did have to act to do so but, always cognizant of its guardian responsibility, power was returned to the people. By 1952, Turkey had firmly established itself as a democratic nation, having shed its long-held Islamic belief fostered under Ottoman rule its destiny was to create a regional caliphate. Abandoning that mindset, Turkey reflected the democratic thinking of the other nations in NATO. But just like a democracy-minded Russia briefly had appeared to give power to its people after the demise of the Soviet Union only to have Vladimir Putin reverse the process beginning in 2000, the same reversal back to an Ottoman mindset occurred with Erdogans emergence as Turkeys president in 2014. As Erdogan began a gradual shift in power from the people to himself, the military attempted a coup in 2016. It failed and Erdogan called it a gift from God, allowing him the opportunity to cleanse our army. Unfortunately, Erdogan used the coup to cleanse other institutions as well, such as academia and even sports. By the time he was finished, he had fired, suspended, or jailed 60,000 people. Since then, much has been written about Erdogans desire to resurrect the Ottoman Empire, styling himself as a sultan. It has been noted that his love affair with the Ottoman Empire should worry the world. It is this mindset that should also worry us about what he is now doing in Syria. In February 2025, Erdogan assured the world it had no intentions to establish military bases in Syria. A senior Turkish official reported Ankara was creating a roadmap to assist the new Syrian regime of Ahmad al-Shara with its security and defense needs. Al-Shara is a former member of al-Qaeda who led the opposition that toppled the al-Assad government. It is now reported, however, that Turkey is establishing a military base in Aleppo, Syria at the Menagh Air Base which was previously occupied by the Russians before they withdrew their forces last year. Two issues concerning Turkeys presence in Syria are of concern. First, as thousands of Syrian Christians and Druzes have been slaughtered, Turkey has made no effort to stop the massacres. More victims have been claimed in Syria than were claimed by Hamas in its October 7, 2023 raid into Israel. Turkeys inaction should not be surprising, however, in view of Erdogans love for the Ottoman Empire which had as its goal the elimination of all non-Muslims. Second, as a would-be sultan, Erdogan -- unlike his love for the Ottomans -- has none for Israel. And, by assisting al-Shara, he only strengthens a threat existing on Israels border. US aircraft are equipped with devices to enable them to determine in combat whether an approaching plane is friendly or not -- a device known as IFF (Identification Friend or Foe). While no IFF exists to determine Turkeys ultimate intentions vis-a-vis Western interests, Erdogans efforts to support al-Shara and undermine Israel forewarn us we may well have a foe we will eventually need to confront. Image: The Kremlin One of the beauties of living in a free, capitalist country is that consumers can vote with their dollars. If you dont like what a corporation is doingfor example, as Budweiser did by promoting so-called trangenderismyou take your custom elsewhere. However, what the left is doing to Tesla is not about the free market; it is a politics of personal destruction that is a threat to the entire American system. Musk was the lefts darling because his electric cars slotted into their climate change agenda. The government helped fund Tesla to the tune of tens of millions of dollars, both via direct subsidies and through credits (whether tax deductions or rebates). Those credits, ironically, saw working-class people driving old cars to help rich people buy new cars. To his credit, though, Musk returned his patents to the American people. Leftists raved about Musks Teslas, in part because they are beautifully designed cars but also because they are green. (I contend that they merely shift pollution away from the exhaust pipe and to the electricity generators, not to mention those dirty batteries...) Image by AI (using an Olivia Murray prompt) All that changed abruptly when Musk turned out to believe that unlimited illegal immigration is a bad thing. Suddenly, the left lost the love. That lost love turned into active hate when Musk joined the Trump administration to root out fraud and waste in the federal government. Suddenly, Musk was a Nazi. Every bit of government waste, mismanagement, and fraud he exposed was tainted by his Nazi-ness. Musk can handle this, of course. Hes a man who believes in what hes doing, has tremendous self-confidence, and has the financial resources to weather the storm. But the left has taken these attacks to the next level. The politics of personal destruction now include not just destroying Musk but also destroying a company that provides work for around 140,000 employees. This is not the same as the Bud Light boycott, which punished a corporation for corporate actions. That was the marketplace voting with its feet. Leftists have morphed the politics of personal destruction into collective punishment. In their frenzy to punish Musk for revealing the Democrat-run Deep States grift at taxpayer expense, lunatics have attacked dealerships with protests and firebombs: Hundreds of New Yorkers have swarmed and shut down the Tesla dealer in Manhattan. Only six have been arrested. All funded by your tax dollars. pic.twitter.com/ePvDXuS9sp Western Decline (@WesternDecline_) March 10, 2025 MORE TESLA TERRORISM A masked man vandalized a Tesla location in South Carolina with spray paint writing F*** Trump and long live Ukraine. He then set charging stations on fire with Molotov cocktails and accidentally set himself on fire too. The suspect is still at large. pic.twitter.com/bL5PG2yXoY Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 11, 2025 Unsurprisingly, Teslas value has dropped, something Tim Walz celebrates: If you need a little boost during the day, check out Tesla stock pic.twitter.com/KBEh6pOZLW Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) March 19, 2025 Unsurprisingly, Teslas value has dropped, something Tim Walz celebrates: Think about that: The man who thought he was competent to lead America is excited that an American corporation that enriches people through jobs and profitsa company that leftists once celebrated as helping to save the planetis being economically destroyed. Even more despicably, Walzs excitement is because the companys primary shareholder wants to bring fiscal restraint and transparency to the federal government Walz sought to lead (and still talks about leading). Walz is not alone. Democrats have been weeping and protesting because a few thousand well-paid federal employees, who either did no work or did work that did not benefit taxpayers, were fired. However, they are now ecstatic over the possible loss of ~140,000 jobs, as well as the huge financial devastation to investors. That cavalier attitude about investors is also at odds with their hysteria about the stock markets adjustment to tariffs. But its still worse than that vicious hypocrisy. In an escalation I dont recall ever seeing before, the anti-Musk continent is now attacking the individuals who purchased the productmany of whom acted when it was the politically correct thing to do. Some Democrat activists are busy keying the cars: Does anyone recognize this dude who keyed a Tesla at the Dallas airport? pic.twitter.com/NSIjrMEaat Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 18, 2025 If you key a car, you should get the video shared. Doesn't matter what kind of car. This guy is keying a Tesla. Do you recognize him?pic.twitter.com/N5bhgTRIAd Kirk Taylor (@KirkTaylorCom) March 15, 2025 That s bad enough, but there s worse happening. One activist group has taken the anti-Musk madness to the next level, doxing Tesla owners across America: This is so unbelievably messed up. Apparently there is a website set up now that doxxes tesla owners aka private citizens. pic.twitter.com/ug1EW8KdSN Evan Barker (@evanwch) March 18, 2025 Ok this is not right and we need this info out there. This guy has created a website (https://t.co/YaxZX6iBHV) to dox every Tesla owner with personal info (name, address, phone number etc.). He gives directions on how to load the site and data, and says when you sell your Tesla, pic.twitter.com/iB0cfL54OY Spotted Model: Cars & Tech (@spotted_model) March 18, 2025 The doxing includes publishing personal information not just for regular Joes but also for government officials and other famous people who like Teslas: Website linked to doxxing @Tesla car owners for retaliation found to have the addresses & personal information of both @Kash_Patel & @MikeBenzCyber plus the members of @DOGE Credit @Timcast pic.twitter.com/BtuAo7lWx0 Misery Loves Clips (@MiseryClips) March 19, 2025 Thats bad enough, but theres worse happening. One activist group has taken the anti-Musk madness to the next level, doxing Tesla owners across America:The doxing includes publishing personal information not just for regular Joes but also for government officials and other famous people who like Teslas: More ominously, the sites cursor symbol is a Molotov cocktail. That is an unambiguous threat. The left is completely out of controland I get it. Trump, with help from Musk and others in his administration, poses an existential threat to the left by destroying its power and money. The Democrat partys takeover of the federal government began when John F. Kennedy unionized the federal workforce. However, in the last few years, every branch of the federal government has been turned into a vehicle for enacting the leftist wish list either directly through regulations or indirectly by funneling money to leftist organizations that then pushed the government to enact its policies. That grift is exposed, the funds are drying up, the corrupt employees are being sent home, and the policies are being reversed. Leftists in Congress, the judiciary, and the streets are left fighting for survival, and they will fight dirty. I wish Trump the best of luck winning this fight because, if he doesnt, America, as a representative republic governed by the Constitution and the rule of law, is over. In the fall of 1991, broadcasting from Jerusalem (a short distance to Bethlehem) as a radio talk show host on WMCA-New York, I sat down for an interview with the mayor of Bethlehem, Elias Freij, at Bethlehems city hall, a stones throw away from the Church of the Nativity. A jovial man, Freij clearly had to have a thick skin, as a Christian surrounded by a majority of Muslims in his city. Despite not being formally part of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), he fully identified with the PLO out of necessity and self-preservation. He would subsequently serve as part of the Jordanian/Palestinian delegation to the Madrid Conference, which took place about a month following our interview. In typical Arab hospitality, Freij had a servant bring us strong black Turkish coffee and sweets as we sat on the balcony overlooking much of the city. Following my questions about Arafat and the terror campaigns waged by the PLO against Israelis, which he largely defended, I asked him the cardinal question: Where are the Christians in this, the birth city of Jesus? He hesitated for a moment and then pointed his finger westward, toward the Mediterranean Sea, and responded, In Santiago de Chile! In 1950, two years after Israels independence, there were 36,000 Christians in Israel. Today, there are 187,900 Christians in Israel. As of 2021, the Christians in Israel were the only growing Christian community in the Middle East. Whereas the number of Christians in the Jewish state continues to grow, a different story occurs in the areas controlled by the Palestinian Arabs, including Gaza. The Greek Orthodox Church recently declared that terrorist attacks against Christians, assaults on churches, cemeteries, and Christian properties in the Palestinian Authority ... have become daily occurrences, and their severity clearly intensifies during Christian holidays. The demographic tendencies of Christians, as compared to Muslims, and the rate of emigration have drastically reduced the Christian population in the Middle East. Whereas in 1914 they represented 26.4 percent of the population in the whole of the Near East (what today is known as Israel, the P.A., Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria), today they are estimated at no more than 1 to 2 percent (in the West Bank and Gaza), or 9.2% throughout the region (a 1998 estimate by Fargues). There are conflicting statistics regarding the extent to which Palestinian Christians are leaving and have left their ancestral residences in what is now P.A.-administered territory. One reason for differing figures is that some provide overly optimistic estimates of the remaining Christian population in order to retain whatever residual political and economic clout the various communities enjoy. All informed opinions, however, accept that the Christian population has declined, both in absolute numbers and as a percentage of the total population of Palestinians. Palestinian Christian emigration peaked during the First Intifada and increased rapidly at the onset of the Second Intifada. Between October 2000 and November 2001, 2,766 Palestinian Christians left the West Bank; 1,640 left the Bethlehem area. Bethlehem, long considered a Christian city, exemplifies these trends of demographic and cultural decline. According to the Christian Information Center, in 1950, Christians made up 86% of Bethlehems population. Until the Oslo Accords, Bethlehem had the largest Christian majority of any city in the area. However, since the Palestinian Authority assumed control, the Christian population has decreased precipitously. In Gaza, the situation is even worse. Since Hamas took over the Gaza Strip in 2007, the Christian population has shrunk from 5,000 to approximately 600 today. Testimonies from Palestinian Christians in Gaza, collected by Christian organizations, describe a constant threat to their lives. What Westerners dont understand is that in the Muslim world, religion is the primary form of self-identification. In Palestinian-administered territories (the West Bank and Gaza) and in the greater Middle East (all governed by some form of sharia Islamic law), Christians and Jews occupy the status of dhimmi, meaning protected people, who must pay a special tax known historically as jizya. It is intended to compel Christians and Jews to convert to Islam. Salafi Muslims, including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), seek to emulate the successors of the Prophet Mohammad, known as the Rashidun (an Arabic word for rightly guided that refers to the first four caliphs of the Islamic community after the death of Muhammad). These caliphs (especially Omar) colonized the Middle East and were responsible for the mass conversion of Christians and some Jews to Islam by force of the sword and through economic pressure. It is therefore not surprising that they would oppress the Christian minority in Gaza. Whenever the opportunity presented itself, Palestinian Islamists desecrated the Christians holiest sites. On March 29, 2002, IDF Infantry Brigade 310 and Tank Battalion 445 rolled into northern Bethlehem as part of Operation Defensive Shield. The two reserve units were on a mission to retake the West Bank city, two days after a suicide bomber killed 30 Israelis and injured 160 during a Passover seder dinner at the Park Hotel in Netanya, in an attack that shocked the nation and spurred the army into action. The Palestinian terrorist perpetrators fled to Bethlehems holiest Christian site: the Church of the Nativity. The priests who were present inside the church during the siege reported the theft of valuable icons and the use of pages from prayer books as toilet paper. One Christian resident of Bethlehem, who spoke to the Times of Israel on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal, said some gunmen defecated inside the grotto of the nativity. Western societies, by and large, have discarded God and religion, particularly West Europeans. Yet they have a reverence for Islam, which is slowly conquering Europe after a failed attempt in the 8th century. The Europeans murdered their Jews, who gave them culture and Nobel prizes, and replaced them with millions of Muslims who will eventually end their good life. In the meantime, these same Western Christians are silent about the Muslim oppression of their co-religionists, and about the fate of the Christians in the birthplace of Jesus. Image: Ian and Wendy Sewell via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0. We've been watching federal judges playing President or Commander in Chief. I guess that these judges, coincidentally appointed by President Obama or President Biden, have concluded that Article 2 powers apply to a presidency only if a judge in some blue island agrees with his decision. Glenn Reynolds asserts that this is not going to end well for the judiciary. Let's check out what he wrote: Now Trump is drawing out the nations partisan district judges, causing them to overextend themselves in ways that will cost them -- and the judiciary itself -- a lot. Lower-level federal judges have been issuing orders against the administration, aiming to block Trump-ordered spending cuts, halt layoffs of government employees and more. In the latest incident, Chief Judge James Boasberg of the US District Court for the District of Columbia on Saturday tried to block Trumps deportation of more than 250 illegal aliens tied to the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang, a federally designated foreign terrorist organization. Trump was relying on the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a venerable statute that allows the president to order the deportation of alien enemies in times of war, invasion, incursion or threat thereof. Trumps deportation order declared that Tren de Aragua members were specifically exported here by the hostile Venezuelan government, as he placed them on airplanes and sent them to points south. Though the law dates back to the 18th century, it has been employed regularly in modern times. A 1948 Supreme Court case, Ludecke v. Watkins, interpreted presidential authority under the law very broadly, holding that it precluded judicial review of the removals. Another partisan Democrat wearing a robe invested in Trump Derangement Syndrome? Or another Democrat willing to do whatever it takes to save the nation from President Trump? I don't know but it sure looks to me like some of these judges are crossing a line. Let's hope that Chief Justice Roberts can see how this is going to hurt the judiciary. I remember an incident where Roberts objected to calling judges as Obama or Trump judges. I don't like it either, but these judges are making it a lot easier to conclude that they are not calling balls and strikes fairly. So come on, Mr. Chief Justice. Stop this or the integrity of your judiciary will continue to deteriorate. P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. Image: AT via Magic Studio Summary: Google has released Android 16 Beta 3.1 and it includes a handful of fixes for various bugs. The release is small but it solves a few inconvenient issues that were plaguing users. Google says that all Android 16 Beta 3 participants will be getting an Over-The-Air update for the 3.1 release. Android 16 Beta 3.1 is officially here for users who are participating in the beta program, and it brings in a small handful of bug fixes. While this isnt a large release by any means, its still a crucial part of ensuring the stable release is just that stable. Naturally, the Beta software in and of itself isnt meant to be completely stable even if it is mostly problem-free. The very nature of a beta means that there could be bugs. And there always are at least a few. In the case of Pixel users who received the March update, a bug popped up that was causing the screen brightness to decrease or in Googles words oscillate. Most users seemed to be experiencing this bug when watching content on Netflix and similar apps. Googles Android 16 Beta 3.1 release notes dont mention anything about Netflix specifically. However, the link to the issue tracker does, and it explains that users would experience the screen brightness dip at certain times, and then shortly return back to normal. The issue also seemed to be consistent and not just a one-off. While minor, you can probably see how a bug like this would continue to be annoying. Thankfully, Google confirms that the Beta 3.1 release for Android 16 fixes this issue. If youre currently on Android 16 Beta 3, updating should get this bug to go away. Assuming you were experiencing it in the first place. Android 16 Beta 3.1 also fixes the system settings app crashes Another issue that was popping up for some users was the system settings app crashing upon launch. According to the release notes, this was only happening if the language was set to anything other than English. If that were the case, a user trying to launch the system settings app would experience a crash. Google says this would happen repeatedly, too. Which probably prevented users from accessing their phones settings. If not all of the time until the fix was deployed, at least a fair amount of it. There were two other bug fixes deployed. One that solves the issue of the battery draining during a high CPU load, and one that fixes the issue that sometimes caused memory leaks in the system server. Android Beta 3 participants will get an OTA update If youre already using Android 16 Beta 3 on your compatible device, then youll get an automatic update. Google confirms this will be coming in the form of an Over-The-Air update so keep an eye on those notifications. Or, you could head into the settings app and check to see if the update is available to download manually. Provided youre not experiencing the bug that causes the settings app to crash. Apple is one of the most valuable and successful companies in the world. But what if that sustained growth was counterproductive in certain countries? That happened in Germany, where authorities gave Apple a significant market power classification in the apps segment. In a new development, Apple lost its appeal against this designation, leaving it subject to closer scrutiny from antitrust agencies and potentially stricter regulations. A company receives the significant market power designation in the EU if it meets certain parameters. Regulators consider aspects such as the companys market share, economic power, and influence over third parties, among others. Firms that receive this designation may receive stricter antitrust measures. This is to prevent abuse of a dominant position, according to authorities. In Germany, AlphabetGoogles parent companyand Meta already have this designation. Now Apple joins the list. Apples appeal against antitrust designation denied by federal judges in Germany This designation came primarily from Apples handling of its App Store business. Now, the company could be subject to new rules for its app store. Apple attempted to appeal the decision to avoid having to deal with further antitrust regulatory scrutiny. However, the Federal Court of Justice upheld the significant market power designation. This means that Apples business practices will now be closely monitored. The judges said Apple is a company of paramount cross-market significance for competition. In recent years, authorities in Europe have been especially active against big tech companies. The arrival of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) has spurred these types of regulatory initiatives. For its part, Apple considers the decision unfair as it faces stiff competition in Germany. It neglects the value of a business model that places the privacy and security of users at its center, added a spokesperson for the Cupertino giant. Apple had asked the Federal Court judges to consult with the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg on the case before making a decision. However, the judges refused to do so. Europe continues its strict regulatory work, although with some dissenting voices The EUs antitrust initiatives have had their ups and downs. Thanks to the European Commission, the latest iPhone models have switched to the USB-C port globally. However, some argue that the European authorities are going too far in their regulatory efforts. The artificial intelligence segment has been one of the most affected. Some major AI-powered services are unavailable in the EU due to regulations. The list includes Apples AI-powered suite. The United States has also spoken out against EU regulatory pressure on American companies. The latest ruling in Germany will surely not please Trumps cabinet. It seems the United States is determined to make the United States the clear leader in the artificial intelligence industry. To achieve this, there are multiple segments where the country must lead. In line with this, Elon Musk said that if the US wants to win the AI race, it must control chip fabrication. Currently, Taiwan dominates the chip manufacturing segment. The country is home to TSMC, the company whose plants account for around 65% of the global semiconductor production market. The US has set itself the difficult task of gradually changing this. To achieve this, authorities have adopted some key measures. The US must lead chip fabrication to win the AI race, says Musk Elon Musk asserts that it is important for the US to regain dominance in chip production because, if China invades Taiwan, the entire world could be cut off from access to the most advanced chip manufacturing plants. This will particularly impact the development of AI, since TSMC also manufactures these semiconductors. At the same time, in that hypothetical situation, Taiwan would also suffer US trade restrictions, which would slow its progress. The result would be a slowdown for the tech industry in general. Therefore, for Elon Musk, the country that controls the chip fabrication will win the AI race. This makes sense, as the country that achieves this could even decide to whom to sell certain chips or technologies. For the next few years, I think America is likely to win. Then, it will be the one that controls AI chip manufacturing. If China controls it, then China will win, he said on a podcast with Ted Cruz. Right now, almost all the advanced AI chips are made in Taiwan, and if China were to invade Taiwan in the near future, the world would be cut off from advanced AI chips, Musk added. For some years now, the United States has taken steps to try to boost the local semiconductor industry. The Biden administration enacted the CHIPS Act, which involves a $65 billion fund to be distributed among companies that establish chip production plants in the country. This led companies like TSMC to produce chips in Arizona, for example. Since the arrival of the Trump administration, the United States has adopted a more aggressive approach, leading more companies to become interested in establishing plants in the country to avoid potential taxes. TSMC itself announced a major investment of $165 billion in the US for seven factories and R&D offices. Google is making big changes to its assistants. The company recently confirmed that Gemini will finally replace the classic Google Assistant as Androids default voice assistant. Now, the AI-powered chatbot is getting major improvements. Google has announced Canvasa document creation assistantand Audio Overviewsa tool that can turn your documents into podcastsfor Gemini. Canvas is a brand-new AI-powered feature, while Audio Overviews was born as part of NotebookLM. Both tools make Gemini an even more capable productivity assistant. Canvas turns Gemini into an invisible assistant while writing documents Starting with Canvas, Google defines it as an interactive space where Gemini will be a kind of invisible assistant when creating documents. Its as if Gemini were another person collaborating with you. It aims to make your document, whatever it may befrom a presentation draft to a research paperthe best it can be. As you write, Gemini will proactively offer tips and suggestions when appropriate. You can also ask Gemini to help you with multiple tasks. For example, you can have Gemini change the tone of what youve written. This can be especially useful if you need a document written in the most formal way possible, among other use cases. You can even ask Gemini to do the opposite: transform formal language into informal. The changes you make will be displayed in real time. This allows you to easily keep them or revert them if youre not satisfied. You can even collaborate with another real person by exporting the file to Google Docs from Gemini. Useful for coding too Canvas is also a powerful coding tool. It integrates a tool capable of quickly generating a working prototype of your code. This means you can spend more time focused on the creative side than struggling with your PC to get your code to run correctly. Within Canvas, you can generate and preview your HTML/React code and other web app prototypes to see a visual representation of your design, the blog post says. You can ask Gemini to generate the HTML for the form and then preview how it will appear and function within your web app. This tool only requires the user to fill out input fields or add call-to-action buttons. You can also check out a quick preview of how your code will run. Canvas can even explain the logic behind the code or a specific section of it. Audio Overviews allows Gemini to turn your documents into podcasts The second major improvement in Gemini is the integration with Audio Overviews. Google developed this feature for NotebookLM, its AI-powered experimental research tool. Thanks to Audio Overviews, Gemini will be able to take a document and transform it into a podcast-like conversation with AI personas discussing the topic. Audio Overviews doesnt just present the documents content in a conversational format. It also leverages the power of AI to offer different points of view. This can help you gain a deeper understanding and perspective on a specific topic. Both Canvas and Audio Overviews are now available in Gemini via the official website. Google has been actively adding new features to Google Wallet, making it even more useful. In December last year, the company allowed users to add their US passports to the app. Now, Google has announced that now you can let your kids make in-store purchases and use Google Wallets tap-to-pay feature on Android. Parents can allow their kids to make digital payments using Google Wallet on Android Its not that we havent heard about Google Wallet for kids. A report from last year hinted that Google was working on this feature. Earlier this year, the company also confirmed that it would roll out the support. Now that the support has been officially announced, you must be wondering how the whole thing would work, right? As expected, the company is allowing kids to use Google Wallet under the supervision of their guardians or parents, and rightly so. You can control your kids access to Google Wallet and the tap-to-pay feature via the Family Link app. Every time your kids make a payment via tap-to-pay or Google Wallet, youll receive emails. Youll also be able to track all the purchases made by your child. Thats not all; you can even remove payment cards or block your kids from accessing Google Wallet. Its important to note that kids will only be able to add payment cards with parental consent. Also, they wont be able to use those cards to purchase anything online. However, kids will be able to make in-store purchases. The feature will be limited to some countries for now The upcoming feature will also allow kids to store event tickets, library cards, and gift cards within the Google Wallet app. Google says it will start rolling out the feature over the next few weeks, and it will be available first in the US, UK, Australia, Spain, and Poland. For the uninitiated, this isnt the first time Google has added support for kids to make digital payments. Last year, the company added support for GoHenry and GreenLights debit cards, enabling parents to add suitable payment methods to their kids Fitbit Ace LTE smartwatch. Google is reportedly violating Antitrust laws in the European Union by giving preferential treatment to its own Shopping, Hotels, and Flights search services over competitors such as Amazon, Hotels.com, and Kayak. The EU released its preliminary ruling today, stating that Googles parent company also breached anti-steering regulations under the Digital Markets Act by blocking app developers on the Play Store from directing customers to alternative distribution channels. Google can and will challenge the preliminary decision by the Commission, as well as make compliance chances ahead of the final ruling. The European Union is able to fine companies up to 10% of their global annual revenue for violations regarding the DMA. That means Google, and its parent company, Alphabet could be fined as much as $35 billion, considering they made $350 billion in 2024. Googles senior director of competition, Oliver Bethell believes that the changes Europe wants are misguided. Google also argues that if they cant show travel results that take people directly to airline sites, they typically end up with a more expensive ticket because airlines have to pay commissions to intermediary websites. While also mentioning that the changes have led to traffic declines of up to 30% for some businesses. The EU does not believe Google fairly informs users about developers outside of the Play Store When it comes to the Play Store, the EU believes that Alphabet does not effectively allow Android phone users to be told about or directed to cheaper offers from app developers outside of the Play Store. This is similar to what the EU did with Apple and the App Store, effectively forcing Apple to embrace third-party app stores. But in the case of Google, its more about the fact that Google doesnt inform users that alternatives exist. In Googles blog post, Bethel mentions that the commissions findings will create a false choice between openness and security and continues on by saying that the EU is effectively forcing us to choose between a closed model and an unsafe one. This isnt the first time Google has been investigated and fined for Search. In fact, the EU fined Google Shopping in 2017, about $2.5 billion, for abusing its dominance as a search engine. Google also wouldnt be the first to be fined under the new DMA, as Apple was fined last year, and Meta has also been hit with a preliminary ruling that its advertising model is in violation. Samsung-owned audio brand HARMAN just hit us with some exciting news. The company announced the new JBL Synthesis SMA Series Amplifiers to the U.S. market. They bring some top-of-the-line specs and amazing power to boost your home cinema experience. These amps are the SMA-4750 and the SMA-8300. The new JBL Synthesis SMA amps bring a next-level home cinema expereince Both of these two amps were designed to be stacked on top of each other. These Class-D multichannel DSP amplifiers come with some amazing features. While they sit in different prices tiers, they share some features like the full input and output Hi-Resolution DSP, bridgeable channels, and DANTE / AES67 digital audio networking. This means that youlre getting a high-quality listening experience no matter which model you buy. JBL Synthesis SMA-4750 Starting off with the more expensive model, the JBL Synthesis SMA-4750 is a fully-featured 4-channel amplifier. It can deliver up to 750W of power at 8. With bridging, you can get up to 1,800W at 8. Its ideal to push a powerful signal to your loudspeaker or subwoofer. So, if you need some serious power for your home theater, this would be ideal. All of that power produces some substantial heat. But, dont worry; there are vents on the side that quietly pushout the hot air. Lastly, you can use a DPS suite with this amp. This means that you can use features with its like an EQ, limiter, delay, and more. Specs Analog audio input 4x XLR (Balanced) Digital audio input (Dante/AES67) 2x RJ45 Speaker output Binding Posts, accommodates 10AWG wire, spade, and banana termination 12VDC trigger control 1x 3.5mm (in), 1x 3.5mm (out) Network/Monitoring/Control 1x RJ45 Power Standard IEC Power (2 channels driven, <0.5% THD), Rated Power (8) 750W Power (2 channels driven, <0.5% THD), Rated Power (4) 1,500W Power (2 channels driven, <0.5% THD), Rated Power (8 Bridged, one zone driven) 2,500W Digital signal processing 96kHz, 32-bit floating point Frequency response (4, 20Hz 20kHz) 0.5dB Total harmonic distortion (at full rated power, from 20Hz 20kHz) 0.35% Analog input signal to noise ratio (ref. Rated power, a-wtd.) >105dB Analog input signal to noise ratio (ref. Rated power, 20Hz 20kHz) >99dB Damping factor (20Hz to 100Hz) >1000 Input impedance (nominally balanced, nominally unbalanced) 70 k balanced, 35 k unblanced Maximum input level (low amp gain mode) +21dBU Load impedance stereo/dual mode 2 16 load Impedance bridge mono 4 16 Maximum fan noise (REF. dB SPL @ 1M) 51dBA Power supply 100 220V 10%, 50/60Hz Dimensions incl. rack ears, connectors, controls (H x W x D) 3.5 x 19.0 x 17.0 in (88.9 x 482.6 x 432.6 mm) Dimensions excl. rack ears, connectors, controls (H x W x D) 3.5 x 17.0 x 15.7 in (88.9 x 431.8 x 400.0 mm) Net Weight 21.8 lb (9.9 kg) You can pick up the SMA-4570 now for just $5,000. JBL Synthesis SMA-8300 Now for the more premium model. With the JBL Synthesis SMA-8300, youre getting twice the number of channels. This 8-channel amp can deliver up to 300W at 8. Like the other variant, the SMA-8300 can bridge. This one can bridge to get up to 1,200W at 8. While it cant push a signal as strong as the SMA-4750 can, it can push a pretty powerful signal to more speakers. Specs Analog audio input 8x XLR (Balanced) Digital audio input (Dante/AES67) 2x RJ45 Speaker output Binding Posts, accommodates 10AWG wire, spade and banana termination 12VDC trigger control 1x 3.5mm (in), 1x 3.5mm (out) Network/monitoring/control 1x RJ45 Power Standard IEC Power (2 channels driven, <0.5% THD), Rated Power (8) 300W Power (2 channels driven, <0.5% THD), Rated Power (4) 600W Power (2 channels driven, <0.5% THD), Rated Power (8 Bridged, one zone driven) 1,200W Digital signal processing 96kHz, 32-bit floating point Frequency response (4, 20Hz 20kHz) 0.5dB Total harmonic distortion (at full rated power, from 20Hz 20kHz) 0.35% Analog input signal to noise ratio (ref. Rated power, a-wtd.) >105dB Analog input signal to noise ratio (ref. Rated power, 20Hz 20kHz) >99dB Analog input signal to noise ratio (ref. Rated power, 20Hz 20kHz) >99dB Damping factor (20Hz to 100Hz) >1000 Input impedance (nominally balanced, nominally unbalanced) 70 k balanced, 35 k unbalanced Maximum input level (low amp gain mode) +21dBU Load impedance stereo/dual mode 2 16 load Load impedance stereo/dual mode 2 16 load Impedance bridge mono 4 16 Maximum fan noise (REF. dB SPL @ 1M) 51dBA Maximum fan noise (REF. dB SPL @ 1M) 51dBA Power supply 100 220V 10%, 50/60Hz Dimensions incl. rack ears, connectors, controls (H x W x D) 3.5 x 19.0 x 17.0 in (88.9 x 482.6 x 432.6 mm) It shares the DSP suite with the SMA-4750, so youll be getting the same experience. You can pick this amp up for $6,000. NVIDIA has announced a foundation AI model for humanoid robots called NVIDIA Isaac GR00T N1, aka GR00T N1. The chip maker announced that this pre-trained AI model is available as open-source. The announcement came at the companys annual GTC conference, which took place in San Jose, California, on March 18. NVIDIA has announced the GR00T N1, a foundation AI model for humanoid robots NVIDIA reportedly trained the GR00T N1 AI model on existing datasets and synthetically generated data. For those unaware, synthetic data is artificially created using computational methods and simulations and mimics the statistical properties of real-world data. The company further noted that it will release the simulation frameworks and blueprints for generating synthetic data. Speaking at the conference, NVIDIAs CEO, Jensen Huang, said, The age of generalist robotics is here. He further noted that the GR00T N1 AI model, along with new data generation and robot-learning frameworks, will help robotics developers open the next frontier in the age of AI. As explained in a video on NVIDIAs YouTube channel, the GR00T N1 features a dual system architecture. Whats interesting is that the architecture allows the model for thinking fast and slow, inspired by human cognition. The company says that GR00T N1s slow-thinking system enables humanoid robots to perceive and reason about their environment and instructions to take the right action. On the other hand, the AI models fast-thinking system will allow robots to quickly translate planned actions into actual robotic movements. NVIDIA says that those actions will include manipulating objects over multiple steps. The new model is part of Project GR00T The GR00T N1 model is the result of NVIDIAs Project GR00T, which the company announced at last years GTC conference. Humanoid robots have been a subject of interest for many big tech giants in recent years. For example, companies like X1 and Figure are working on general-purpose humanoid robots that mimic human movement. Only time will tell when these companies start mass-producing humanoid robots. Samsungs difficulties are no secret to the tech industry. The company has been struggling for some time, mainly in its memory and Samsung Foundry divisions. A combination of poor decisions and the current context of the tech industry have led to this situation. In a recent development, Samsung has apologizedagainto its shareholders for the companys disappointing financial performance. Samsungs financial results for Q3 2024 were below expectations. Of course, this didnt please its shareholders, who expected accountability and assurances that things would get better. Samsung already apologized to its shareholders in October 2024 due to this. However, the situation did not improve much by Q4 2024. Samsung has apologized again to its shareholders and promises more measures Now, investors have been questioning whether Samsung is lagging behind its competitors in segments such as AI chips and home appliances. They also complain about the lack of mergers and acquisitions that would help boost the business. The stagnation of the companys stock price was also a topic of discussion. There have even been severe price drops, such as when it hit a four-year low a couple of months ago. All these complaints were put on the table during Samsungs 56th annual shareholders meeting. Samsung CEO Han Jong-hee was in charge of dealing with investors. He admitted that the company did not respond appropriately to changes in the AI chip market last year. Han Jong-hee also said the firm was unable to increase the competitiveness of products like phones, TVs, and appliances. Therefore, the CEO of Samsung apologized to shareholders for the companys failures. Investment in more tech segments; seeking acquisitions or mergers That said, the executive promised they have a plan to reverse the situation. One of the measures will be to invest more heavily in key tech segments such as robotics and medical technology. Lets remember that Samsung just became the largest shareholder of Rainbow Robotics. The company even hopes to finally launch Ballie, its home robot, this year. The CEO of the firm also addressed the complaint about the lack of mergers or acquisitions of other companies. Samsung will actively pursue more meaningful M&A opportunities, said Han Jong-hee. However, he offered no further details. It is unknown whether the South Korean giant has any companies in its sights. There are multiple factors behind Samsungs disappointing financial results. A general drop in the price of DRAM memory has hit the companys bottom line. They also received fewer orders for HBM chips than expected. HBM chips are a key component of AI hardware. SK Hynix, a direct rival in the segment, has taken full advantage of this situation. Demand for enterprise SSDs has also been declining. Add to this all the money the company is losing trying to fix things at Samsung Foundry. Jun Young, vice chairman and head of Samsung Electronics Device Solutions division, said, In the HBM4 and customized HBM markets, well ensure that our missteps with HBM3 last year will not be repeated. However, he did not reveal any further specific details about the companys strategy for HBM chips. Samsung will try to resolve stock price fluctuations Lastly, company executives also spoke about the stock price. Samsung shareholders have seen their stock prices fluctuate constantly, while those of companies like SK Hynix have risen 20%. Han Jong-hee also apologized for the unfortunate situation. He promised that Samsung will implement all necessary measures to resolve the problem. Eligible Galaxy phones and tablets continue to receive the latest available security update. After rolling it out to its latest flagship phones, Samsung is now sending the security patch to older flagship models. This time, the March 2025 security update is reaching phones in the Galaxy S22 series. Samsung launched the Galaxy S22 series in February 2022. It was in that lineup that the South Korean giant premiered its minimalist design language. More specifically, the Galaxy S22 Ultra had a radical change of look by arranging the rear camera sensors separately, without an island connecting them. On the other hand, the vanilla and Plus S22 models still had a highlight camera module. The Galaxy S22 Ultra was also the brands first Ultra to support the S Pen, although it didnt come included (it didnt even have a dedicated slot for the pen). The March 2025 security update is reaching the Galaxy S22 series The March 2025 security update is arriving first for the Galaxy S22 lineup in Europe (S90xBXXSDEYB1) and South Korea (S90xNKSS7EYB3). However, it likely wont be long before it becomes available for handsets in more regions around the world. The latest OTA wont bring any new features to your phone, but it will make it more secure. There are fixes for up to 58 security holes potentially exploitable by attackers. Seven of these fixes are for issues that only affected Samsung hardware/software. The remaining fixes are for vulnerabilities found in Androids core. The Galaxy S22 series is eligible to receive the long-awaited One UI 7 update. However, there is no tentative date yet for the Android 15-based firmwares arrival. Today, Samsung confirmed that the One UI 7 stable rollout will begin on April 7. However, Galaxy S22 devices are not part of the first batch. Sadly, its also unknown when Samsung will open the One UI 7 beta program for these phones. Hopefully, the company will offer more details soon. Summary: Based on a new rumor, the Xiaomi 16 may not be as compact as it should be. Xiaomi is allegedly aiming to increase its size, in addition to including a periscope telephoto camera in the phone. We still dont know what the display size will be exactly, however, so theres a chance it wont grow much. The phone is expected to arrive in October, alongside the Xiaomi 15 Pro. The Xiaomi 16 is expected to arrive in the last quarter of the year, alongside the Xiaomi 16 Pro. The Xiaomi 15 has a 6.36-inch display, and consumers are expecting that display to stick around, or to be smaller. Well, it may grow instead. The Xiaomi 16 may not be as compact as you think it will Based on a new rumor from China, the Xiaomi 16 will have a larger display than its predecessor. In addition to that, it may finally get a periscope telephoto camera, though an ultra-thin stacked one. As a reminder, the Xiaomi 15 has a regular telephoto camera with a 2.6x optical zoom. Including a proper periscope telephoto camera inside the Xiaomi 16 would be a considerable improvement for the phone. Unfortunately, it seems like Xiaomi is getting ready to increase the phones size at the same time. Were guessing that the size increase could be partly because of that camera, and partly because of the thinness of the phone. Lets hope that the display wont grow much We still dont know how large its display will be exactly. However, lets hope that Xiaomi will keep it at least somewhat compact. Why? Well, because the vanilla Xiaomi flagship has been considered a compact smartphone for quite a few years thus far. Its actually refreshing to have a smaller high-end smartphone to turn to. Quite a few companies have decided to grant that option to consumers, so lets hope that Xiaomi wont stray far away from that. Considering how unclear the rumor is, its possible that the display will be only slightly larger at 6.4 inches or something like that. That would be bearable, but still, its moving away from the proper compact sector. The Xiaomi 16 and Xiaomi 16 Pro are expected to arrive in October this year. Nothing has been confirmed thus far, though. Actor Brian Cox has called on the UK Government to take action on childhood poverty after saying he lived through its brutal reality during his own youth. The 78-year-old has written an open letter asking for the Government to work with devolved governments to help the 4.3 million children Action For Children says are living in poverty in the UK. Succession star Cox said: Today, I write not as an actor, but as someone who has lived through the brutal reality of poverty. Cox spoke about the brutal reality of poverty (Maja Smiejkowska/PA) As the youngest of five children, I had a blissful childhood until my father tragically died when I was eight. Overnight, our world changed, and we were plunged into poverty. I experienced first-hand how poverty doesnt just take away comforts, it also steals your childhood and hope for the future. I was one of the lucky ones to have managed to turn things around, but I know that today, the odds are stacked high against families who are trying to do the same. Right now, 4.3 million children in the UK are living in poverty a staggering nine in every classroom of 30. These arent just statistics; they are children whose futures are being dimmed by a system that is failing them. Its easy to believe that poverty happens elsewhere, yet its happening on our doorsteps. Its the child on the bus, the child in the school playground, the child next door. You see it in small, heart-breaking moments a child tugging at clothes that fit them too snugly because new ones arent an option, children overhearing their parents worried about how to make ends meet. (1/4) In 2024, we published the Jay Review, an analysis into whats working to protect children from criminal exploitation and detail what more can be done. As we mark National Child Exploitation Awareness Day #CEADAY2025, despite progress, our recommendations still stand. pic.twitter.com/oYkR7gd8c7 Action for Children (@actnforchildren) March 18, 2025 These burdens weigh down on young shoulders that shouldnt have to carry them in the first place. Cox urged people to sign Action For Childrens open letter to the Government, calling for every child to have a safe and happy childhood, free from the stubborn grip of poverty. The Paying The Price campaign letter calls for the Government to lift more than one million children out of poverty by 2030 and halve child poverty within 20 years, ahead of the publication of its new child poverty strategy. Cox added: The challenge isnt just a moral one, its also an investment in our countrys future. During his acting career, Cox has made his name playing tyrannical characters including media mogul Logan Roy in Succession, Nazi leader Hermann Goering in 2000s historical drama Nuremberg, and corrupt CIA operative Ward Abbott in 2002s The Bourne Identity and 2004s The Bourne Supremacy. Ben & Jerrys has said parent firm Unilever has sacked its chief executive amid rows over the ice cream brands political activism. The US brand said in a court filing that David Stever, who led the firm for almost two years, was removed from his post early this month. Ben & Jerrys alleged in a filing to the US District Court for the Southern District of New York that Unilever, the UK-based consumer giant, wanted to stop the boss making political statements. Unilever has repeatedly threatened Ben & Jerrys personnel, including CEO David Stever, should they fail to comply with Unilevers efforts to silence the social mission, the filing said. On March 3 2025, Unilever informed the independent board that they were removing and replacing Mr Stever as Ben & Jerrys CEO. Unilever also owns brands including Marmite and Dove (Alamy/PA) Unilever has been contacted for comment. Ben & Jerrys, which was founded by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield in 1978, was bought by the UK-based consumer goods giant in 2000. As part of the merger deal, an independent board was set up to protect the ice cream brands mission and strong stance on social issues. However, the parties have had a series of disputes in recent years, with particular tensions over Ben & Jerrys move to halt sales in the West Bank in 2021. Unilever blocked the attempts but was then sued by Ben & Jerrys. Last month, Ben & Jerrys accused Unilever of demanding that it stops publicly criticising US President Donald Trump. Keli Lane in 2006. Greens MP Sue Higginson told NSW parliament Lane was sexually assaulted by prison guard Wayne Astill daily over years. Photograph: Jeremy Piper/AAP Keli Lane, who was convicted of killing her newborn baby daughter, was allegedly sexually assaulted every day for years by the notorious former prison guard Wayne Astill. Lanes alleged serial assaults by Astill were revealed by the Greens MP Sue Higginson who told the New South Wales parliament that Lane was a witness in a government inquiry into his abuse. These assaults were taking place daily over years, and there were officers who knew what was going on and did nothing, Higginson said in the NSW parliament, with Lanes husband present in the chamber. Lanes allegations, read to parliament by Higginson, said that: [Astill] would hot slice me, run his hands between my legs. He would tell me where he wanted to have sex with me, either in the reception office or in a storehouse near there, where we wouldnt be disturbed. Related: Female prisoner allegedly sexually abused for years by prison guard settles with NSW government In 2023, Astill was jailed for a maximum of 23 years for assaulting female prisoners at Dillwynia correctional centre, north-west of Sydney. A former police officer, Astill worked as a prison officer and then chief correctional officer at Dillwynia before his arrest in 2019. He was found guilty of 27 charges, and the state government launched an inquiry. The inquiry found Astill should never have been employed in state prisons and said corruption or incompetence led to his hiring in 1999. Lane was a witness in that inquiry, Higginson said. Higginson told the parliament that Lane had unwittingly reported the abuse to a prison officer who was Astills de facto partner. The state failed Keli in unimaginable ways, Higginson said. Corrections officers called her a dog, a whore, a slut, they commented on her body during strip-searches and rampaged her room constantly as a form of punishment, she endured rumours from other inmates that she was giving senior officers head jobs and that they were bribing other inmates to assault her. When she reported this, she was told, Youre not special. I heard this in Kelis words when she said to me, when police came to me in the jail and asked what I could tell them about Astill I initially thought it was a setup, but then they said: Keli, we know there are many women, we need your help. Lanes revelations come after Guardian Australia revealed another female prisoner, who was allegedly raped by Astill multiple times, would be paid an undisclosed sum by the NSW government in an ongoing class action. Court documents revealed that the woman, known as GP1, alleged she was raped when the justice department already knew Astill was abusing his position toward female inmates. Lane was found guilty in 2010 of murdering her newborn daughter, Tegan, in September 1996. She has always maintained her innocence. Related: Rapist officer should never have been employed to work in NSW prisons, scathing inquiry finds Higginson, who has compared Lanes treatment with Kathleen Folbiggs, read out the allegations against Astill as part of a motion to have Lanes parole reconsidered. It was backed by three crossbenchers but voted down by the government and opposition. Lane was eligible for parole last year after serving 14 years. But the NSW State Parole Authority last year denied her first bid for release in a test of controversial no body, no parole laws, which were introduced by the Coalition in 2022. Lane insists she gave Tegan to the infants father soon after giving birth at Sydneys Auburn hospital. The body of the two-day-old baby has never been found. Labor MP Emily Suvaal, in response to Higginsons revelations, said: The crimes committed by Wayne Astill are utterly horrific. The government is responding to the Astill inquiry and has accepted all of those recommendations. Information and support for anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse issues is available from the following organisations. In Australia, support is available at 1800Respect (1800 737 732). In the UK, Rape Crisis offers support on 0808 500 2222. In the US, Rainn offers support on 800-656-4673. Other international helplines can be found at ibiblio.org/rcip/internl.html Reviews of the live-action remake of Snow White have ranged from exhaustingly awful to enchantingly refreshed. The Disney movie, a remake of the popular 1930s animated film Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs, stars American actress Rachel Zegler as the titular princess, and has faced controversy almost since being announced. Some reviewers gave the remake one star, but both the BBC and The Telegraph awarded the movie three stars, with The Metro going further with a four star rating. When Zegler, 23, who is from a Latina background, was cast as a character described as having a complexion as white as snow, there was a backlash on social media. Game Of Thrones star Peter Dinklage, who has a form of dwarfism called achondroplasia, criticised Disney, calling it a backwards story of the seven dwarves living in the cave on Marc Marons WTF podcast. At the Guardian, Peter Bradshaw called it an exhaustingly awful reboot, criticising the decision to axe the prince, who was replaced by a character called Jonathan, played by American actor Andrew Burnap, and make seven supernatural creatures with CGI. Giving it one star, he claimed Disney were all too obviously agonising and backlash-second-guessing, while needing to keep the brand identity of the princess in a yellow frock with puffy shoulders, and Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen with a pointy dark crown and skull-hugging black balaclava. He said the CGI dwarfs are duplicated, as Jonathan, a Robin Hood-esque character, has his own gang of seven live-action bandits, in which people with dwarfism are represented. This fudged, pseudo-progressive approach is so tiring youll want to put your head in your hands, he added. Kevin Maher at the Times also gave it one star, saying Disney has trashed its crown jewel and its reputation. He said it was a new low for cultural desecration, and the studio infantilises global audiences with sanctimonious life lessons. However, the Metros Tori Brazier praised the movie, calling it surprisingly one of its (Disneys) strongest and most worthwhile reimaginings to date. She said West Side Story actress Zegler once again proves herself an enchanting talent with a voice to match, carefully avoiding falling into twee territory as the original Disney princess, and Gadot is clearly enjoying herself in the role of an iconic camp villain. BBC critic Nicholas Barber said the story is cluttered, the tone is muddled, and the pacing is off, but that doesnt make the film a disaster. In some ways, the identity crisis is what makes it worth seeing, he added. But this muddled production will be enjoyed more by politics and cinema students than by children who are hoping to be enchanted by Disney magic. The Telegraphs Robbie Collin said that it was not too woke and better than the hit musical Wicked, the prequel reimagining of the film and book The Wizard Of Oz, that was one of the biggest blockbusters last year, and earned 10 Oscar nods, winning two. He also said theres no real subversion or girl-bossing for the sake of it in Disneys live-action remake. After Dinklages remarks, Disney said it was consulting members of the dwarfism community to avoid reinforcing stereotypes from the original animated film. The use of CGI for the miners by Disney has prompted criticism from some other actors with dwarfism. The film has had small-scale premieres in Los Angeles and Spain, with few press opportunities, Snow White will be released on Friday in UK cinemas. Chuck Schumer isnt just in trouble with the Left - WILL OLIVER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Its already been a bad week for Chuck Schumer and it could well get even worse. The senior US Senator from New York and Democratic Senate Minority Leader is under fire from all sides as he continues to navigate the fall-out from the aftermath of a key vote in Congress on a government shutdown. On Monday, Schumer announced that he was postponing a press tour for a new book, Antisemitism in America: A Warning, due to security concerns. No, the threats against his events didnt emerge from anti-Israel groups. Rather, protests were promised in response to his vote last Friday in favour of a Republican-led budget bill which House Democrats had derided as a blank check for Trump. Events in Baltimore, New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC have been put on hold following indications that local chapters of the progressive activist group Indivisible might disrupt the proceedings. Indivisible was established in response to Trumps 2016 election and has emerged as a rare potent force amid the otherwise feeble Resistance to the president since he re-entered the White House. Indivisible co-founder Ezra Levin told CNN that the senator should not be on a book tour in the middle of a constitutional crisis. And dozens of Indivisible chapters released a joint statement on Monday demanding Schumer step down from office. Leadership is needed now, they said, and your failure to coalesce your caucus in this critical moment leads us to call for your immediate resignation from your Minority Leader role. Schumer hasnt commented publicly. The great irony is that Schumer isnt just in trouble with the Left, however. Pro-Israel groups are also directing their ire against the senator, who many believe has failed to fully stand up for Jewish rights amid Americas post-October 7 anti-Semitism surge. This past weekend, for instance, a pair of New York activists announced their own anti-Schumer protest plan, blasting the senator for writing a book about anti-Semitism despite failing to pass the proposed Antisemitism Awareness Act. He has also spoken out against Trumps effort to deport Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil, now in custody and threatened with deportation after he helped lead anti-Israel protests at Columbia University last year. The White House, Schumer wrote on X in response to Khalils detention, must articulate any criminal charges or facts that would justify his detention or the initiation of deportation proceedings against him. A lot of the criticism against Schumer may be unfair. In the case of the Senate vote, he was stuck between feeding the appetite of his party for confronting Trump at every opportunity and the risk of the Democrats being blamed by the public for pointless obstructionism (and a government shutdown). As for anti-Semitism, Schumers new book is expected to confront some hard truths that other Democrats have tried to ignore including the pernicious role of the hard-Left in the latest anti-Semitic surge. Nevertheless, the duelling anti-Schumer protest efforts reflect the unique and unenviable situation the senator must now navigate. He is evidently seeking to maintain his political legitimacy as a grown-up Democrat via the almost impossible task of compromising with a White House that has a sky-high tolerance for conflict. He also appears to be attempting to mend bridges with voter groups who have felt betrayed by the Democrats shift to the radical fringes not least American Jews. But as he placates more centrist Democrats, he ends up outraging that progressive fringe the same fringe that has been calling for divestment from Israel and an end to Jerusalems war with Hamas terrorists on the latters terms. He is trapped, struggling to explain his agenda to voters, let alone to bring some coherence to his warring party. Now 74, and having served 25 years in the Senate, Schumers time at the top may well be rapidly coming to an end. But the Democrats should perhaps be more worried by what follows him. For all his faults, the New York senator is a canny political operator who at least appears to understand the trap in which he finds himself in. Can anyone say the same about the rest of his Democrat colleagues? David Christopher Kaufman is a New York Post columnist Yahoo UK's poll of the week lets you vote and indicate your strength of feeling on one of the week's hot topics. After the poll closes, we'll publish and analyse the results each Friday, giving readers the chance to see how polarising a topic has become and if their view chimes with other Yahoo UK readers. Adolescence stars Owen Cooper and Stephen Graham. (Netflix) (Courtesy of Netflix) Adolescence is (almost) all anyone is talking about right now. Netflix's latest limited series takes viewers on a journey into a murky world of misogyny-fuelled violence, youth radicalisation, and so-called toxic masculinity and has kick-started a much-needed conversation about the concerning content children are being exposed to online. The show sees This Is England star Stephen Graham, who co-wrote the series alongside Jack Thorne, play Eddie Miller, the father of 13-year-old Jamie, played by newcomer Owen Cooper, who has been accused of murdering one of his classmates. Initially we assume there must be some mistake, but as the drama unfolds the series explores how content viewed online, often in secret, can influence seemingly "nice, normal" boys into adopting misogynistic ideologies, which can have some devastating consequences for the women and girls living alongside them. While the drama isn't based on any specific real-life incident, Graham has admitted that real-life crimes of a similar nature, involving young boys killing young girls, inspired the series. And recent statistics certainly certainly seem to highlight that the need for stories like Adolescence has never been greater. A recent report by the National Audit Office (NAO) reveal one in 12 women can expect to experience some form of gender-based violence each year, while around one in four women will be a victim of sexual or attempted assault in their lifetime. In 2021, the Ofsted Review of Sexual Abuse in Schools and Colleges revealed that 90% of girls and nearly 50% of boys had experienced sexist name-calling, unwanted sexual comments, or unwanted touching in school settings. This poll has now closed, you can read the results article via the at the bottom of this article. Part of the problem, as Adolescence explores, is the content young people are viewing online. Last year, a report found that the majority of UK boys aged 11-14 have been exposed to online content that promotes misogyny and other harmful views. With 69% of boys having encountered posts promoting misogyny, and 70% of teachers saying they had seen a rise in sexist language in the classroom over the last year. The same report found that 42% of parents have heard their sons make inappropriate comments because of what they have seen online, including comments that were sexual, violent or degrading about women and girls. The study warned that AI-powered algorithms pushing content to boys online was a key part of the issue, with the research indicating that such content was often being seen when users were searching for other, innocent material, such as fitness or gaming content. Again an indication that this sort of content can reach the "ordinary" boys you'd perhaps assume would never engage in that kind of viewing. Adolescence co-creators Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, pictured, have issued warnings to parents over the dangers of the internet. (Netflix) (Courtesy of Netflix) The show's co-writer Jack Thorne is so concerned about the content young boys are viewing online he says the UK government "needs to do something" about "putting in legislation to restrict social media access". "We need to be having conversations like Australia's having conversations where they're actually putting in legislation about restricting social media access," he told Sky News. Describing the impact of viewing harmful content online he continued: "It teaches kids a logic, and it is logical that makes sense of the world for them in a really distorted, ugly way. And unless we look at that and talk about that, things are only going to get worse." Graham also issued a call to action for parents to try to be "mindful" of the external influences working on their children. "There's influences that we have no idea of that are having profound effects on our young culture, profound effects, positive and extremely negative," he told Independent. "So its having a look at that and seeing that were all accountable. However, while some are calling for a ban on social media for under 16s as a way of tackling the problem, some experts don't believe that would offer a complete solution. Peter Kyle, the secretary of state for science and technology, said back in November that a social media ban for under-16s is "not on the cards at the moment." "Theres no work programme at the moment on banning smartphones to children, he told the Guardian, adding: "Its not my preferred choice." He said he was impressed by the pace of improvement in age verification software and said that if it was even 70% accurate within a year, "that is keeping 70% of children safe from inappropriate content online". So what do you think? Should we be worried about what are children, particularly boys, are viewing online, and should we be doing more to police it? Or would limiting under 16s access to social media be an over reaction? Watch: Adolescence stars had never heard of incels before Netflix show Come back on Friday to read the results and analysis via the link below. Read more of Yahoo UK's Poll of the Week articles. Owen Cooper stars in Adolescence as Jamie Miller, a 13-year-old boy who is arrested for murdering a teenage girl. THe Netflix series has opened up conversations around the manosphere. (Netflix) (Courtesy of Netflix) Sir Gareth Southgate has warned that callous, manipulative and toxic influencers are taking the place of traditional role models in society, causing a crisis for young men. The former England manager used the prestigious Richard Dimbleby Lecture on Wednesday to voice his concern that unhealthy online spaces are filling a void in young men. His comments came as Netflix released its new series, Adolescence, about a 13-year-old boy accused of the murder of a girl at his school. The widely acclaimed miniseries, featuring Stephen Graham, focuses on toxic masculinity and incel culture that an increasing number of young boys are being exposed to online. The creators of the series have stated that they would like the drama to be shown in parliament and in schools to promote "discussion and make change". And Southgate, who stepped down from his role at the FA last summer, said young men are filling a space left by lack of mentorship with "unhealthy" alternatives promoted by social media influencers. "These are callous, manipulative and toxic influencers, whose sole drive is for their own gain," he said. "They willingly trick young men into believing that success is measured by money or dominance, that strength means never showing emotion, and that the world, including women, is against them." His strong words echo a wider discussion about the damage the so-called manosphere may be causing to young men around the world. What is the 'manosphere'? Andrew Tate is a leading figure in the 'manosphere' (REUTERS/File Photo) (Reuters / Reuters) The manosphere is a term that references a collection of websites, blogs, and online forums that promote masculinity, misogyny, and general opposition to, and hatred of, feminism. These websites have seen a recent rise in popularity after being promoted on social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, while X (formerly Twitter) has recently loosened its online policies around such sites. The manosphere has long been critiqued for fostering misogynistic attitudes and promoting harmful stereotypes of women. Many of the issues discussed in the 'manosphere' were previously limited to forums such as Reddit and 4Chan, but controversial influencers like Andrew Tate have brought the manosphere into the mainstream - with young boys a key target demographic of his messages. Self-proclaimed misogynist Tate, who has been accused of a series of crimes against women that he denies, is referenced in Adolescence, and is often seen as a key figure in the so-called manosphere. Laura Turquet, the deputy head of the research and data team at UN Women, said: "There has a been a development of a 'manosphere', an online ecosystem where extreme and outdated ideas, particularly about violence against women, but also related to a very narrow kind of idea of masculinity." What is an incel? Plymouth killer Jake Davison posted about incel culture. Within the online manosphere, there are a number of subcultures professing some of the most controversial views. Referenced in Adolescence, incel stands for involuntary celibate and the term refers to men who say they cannot find romantic or sexual partners, despite wanting them. Male supremacist in nature, incel communities often harbour resentment and anger towards women and society and blame women for their lack of romantic success. The incel community has existed in its current guise online since the early 2000s with the creation of message boards such as love-shy.com and incelsupport. Originally intended as forums to support shy people trying to find love, they were eventually overrun with angrier content. Forums on Reddit and 4Chan, some attracting 40,000 members, were more extreme and were closed for posts that glorifies, incites, or calls for violence. The incel community has since moved to closed forums or more obscure websites. This online subculture has inspired real-world violence in the shape of a mass shooting in Alto Vista in 2014, which left six people dead, and a van attack in Toronto in 2018, in which 10 people were murdered. In the UK, Jake Davison, who killed five people including his own mother, in August 2021, had strongly misogynistic views and shared disturbing online posts. Davison, from Plymouth, was fascinated by serial killers and incel culture, and had shared hate-filled views on Reddit forums used by incels. Many incels claim they have been 'red-pilled' and have realised that men do not hold systemic power or privilege in today's world, which they believe is ruled by feminists. The term 'red pill' comes from the 1999 film The Matrix, and is used by incels to describe the feeling that they have woken up from the belief that they once held power, and now accept the truth that they do not. The extreme nature of the movement has lead to some debate as to whether incels should be considered a terrorist movement. The rise of toxic masculinity Gareth Southgate has spoken about the rise of toxic masculinity. (Getty) (Ian Davidson) Southgates concern is that young men have no real world or community support roles, and this can lead to a void in young mens lives. Certainly, as so much of our lives move online many young men find acceptance and friendship in places such as social media, with some of the biggest accounts being held by social commentators like Tate. Tate, who has millions of social media followers over 10 million on X says he is "absolutely" a misogynist, also claiming that women are inferior and morally deficient. We are also seeing young men more isolated than ever. The Survey Centre on American Life found that men have fewer social ties than they used to, with just 27% saying they have at least six close friends, while in 1990, this figure was 55%. A study, published in The Journal of Sexual Research, has found that these isolated young men often make fundamental errors about what women look for in a romantic partner. It found that young men overestimate the importance of physical attractiveness and financial resources, while underestimating the importance women place on intelligence, kindness, humour, and loyalty. Kings College revealed last year that one in four UK males aged 16 to 29 believe it is harder to be a man than a woman. The study, by Kings College Londons Policy Institute and Global Institute for Womens Leadership in partnership, found that a fifth of men aged 16-29 look favourably on Tate. The role of social media algorithms Misogynistic content is widely shared on TikTok. (AP Photo) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) As young people spend more time than ever online, many of the most popular social media giants have been criticised for amplifying toxic content. Researchers have said they found a four-fold increase in the level of misogynistic content suggested by TikTok, where Tate gained much of his notoriety, over a five-day period. The research, conducted in partnership between UCL, the University of Kent and the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), found a huge increase in the level of misogynistic content in the For You page of TikTok accounts. Principal investigator, Dr Kaitlyn Regehr UCL Information Studies, said: Algorithmic processes on TikTok and other social media sites target peoples vulnerabilities such as loneliness or feelings of loss of control and gamify harmful content. Harmful views and tropes are now becoming normalised among young people. Online consumption is impacting young peoples offline behaviours, as we see these ideologies moving off screens and into school yards. On Monday, Ofcom gained new powers to force technology firms to tackle online illegal content, as part of the Online Safety Act. The regulator will force social media companies to find and remove content such as hate crimes, child abuse, terrorism, content encouraging or assisting suicide, and fraud. Downing Street has welcomed the progress President Trump has made towards a ceasefire deal after the US leaders call with Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky. Mr Zelensky said that he believes a lasting peace can be achieved this year and that Ukraine was ready to implement the ending of strikes on energy and other civilian infrastructure after his conversation with Donald Trump on Wednesday. During the conversation, the US president had suggested America takes ownership of Ukrainian power plants to ensure their security, the White House has said. I had a positive, very substantive, and frank conversation with President of the United States Donald Trump @POTUS. I thanked him for a good and productive start to the work of the Ukrainian and American teams in Jeddah on March 11this meeting of the teams significantly helped pic.twitter.com/JFBd5EeIkg Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) March 19, 2025 In a statement on Wednesday evening, a Downing Street spokesperson said: We welcome the progress President Trump has made towards a ceasefire deal, and we will continue to work with international partners on putting Ukraine in the strongest possible position. We now need to ensure the implementation of the ceasefire deal to see a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin and the US leader agreed to a limited ceasefire on energy and infrastructure targets earlier this week, but air strikes have continued as the Kremlin held off from accepting a 30-day truce backed by Washington and Ukraine. In a post on X on Wednesday afternoon, Mr Zelensky said he had a positive, very substantive and frank conversation with Mr Trump, and said that Ukraine was ready to implement the ending of strikes on energy and other civilian infrastructure. Talks were held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia last week (Saul Loeb/Pool Photo via AP) He thanked Mr Trump for the talks in Saudi Arabia last week, and added: We agreed that Ukraine and the United States should continue working together to achieve a real end to the war and lasting peace. We believe that together with America, with President Trump, and under American leadership, lasting peace can be achieved this year. Mr Zelensky said they will continue working to make a ceasefire happen and suggested there would be further meetings in the coming days in Saudi Arabia between the US and Ukrainian teams. I highlighted the importance of President Trumps concept of peace through strength, the Ukrainian president added. Mr Trump told Mr Zelensky during their call that the US could be very helpful in running those plants with its electricity and utility expertise, according to a White House statement from US secretary of state Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz. The US president added that American ownership of those plants could be the best protection for that infrastructure. In a post on Truth Social earlier in the afternoon he had said that the call was very good and we are very much on track. Diplomatic efforts have been continuing in search of a potential peace deal, including the talks between the US and Ukraine in Saudi Arabia last week. Sir Keir Starmer spoke with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday evening and congratulated him for last weeks conversations. Issuing a readout of the call, a Downing Street spokesperson said: Both leaders agreed that securing a just and lasting peace is in everyones interest, and they both looked forward to seeing progress as talks resume on Sunday. The call between the US and Ukrainian leaders came after Mr Zelensky spoke with Sir Keir on Tuesday evening. Downing Street labelled the Russian leaders resistance to accepting a ceasefire without conditions as disappointing. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: We obviously welcome President Trumps efforts to secure a ceasefire in this space, but it is also disappointing that Putin has not agreed to a full-on, immediate ceasefire without conditions, as Ukraine has done. At Prime Ministers Questions earlier on Wednesday, Sir Keir told MPs: Last night, I spoke to President Zelensky to discuss progress that President Trump had made with Russia towards a ceasefire. And I took the opportunity to reaffirm our unwavering support to the people of Ukraine. Motorists are being urged by a fraud-fighting body not to be pressured by crash for cash scammers into handing over unnecessary details following an accident, such as photos of their insurance certificate and driving licence. The Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) warned that handing over such information could lead to identity theft. In the latest twist on the crash for cash scam, moped scammers are persuading victims, who may be distressed or confused, to show a copy of their insurance certificate or driving licence, which is then photographed at the roadside. The details may be used in a range of financial crimes, including taking out fraudulent insurance policies. Reports about crash for cash moped scams have been growing in areas of the South East, such as St Albans, the IFB said (Chris Radburn/PA) The IFB said since last summer, it has discovered more than 1,100 fraudulent motor insurance policies were taken out by moped scammers using stolen details of crash for cash victims. It said crash for cash moped scams have been on the rise in recent years and are common across London, with recent growing reports in south-east England including in Chelmsford, Essex, and in Hertford, Rickmansworth and St Albans in Hertfordshire. Women driving alone or with their children are often targeted, and there have also been recent reports of elderly people being targeted. In one case, the IFB said a victim of a moped scam who was pressured into showing their details had more than 40 insurance policies taken out using their stolen information, which was discovered after they started receiving letters in the post. In other instances, the scammers are also using stolen details to hijack victims existing insurance policies and implicate them with fraudulent insurance claims. John Davies, intelligence and investigations manager at the IFB, said: This latest trend shows just how relentless moped scammers are, as not only are they putting innocent road users at risk and accusing them of causing collisions, theyre now stealing their details to commit financial crime and its having a horrendous impact on victims. Its important to remember, if youve had an accident and the other driver wants a photo of your insurance certificate or driving licence, thats a red flag you need to share your name, address and vehicle registration number. Dont be pressured into handing over anything unnecessary. Were working closely with insurers and the police to stop this fraudulent activity. Anyone who believes they have evidence of a crash for cash or thinks their details have been stolen for an insurance scam, should report it to CheatLine. Detective Inspector Marek Coghill, of the City of London Polices Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED), said: These crashes often occur at low speed, particularly junctions, incurring minor or no impact, and little damage to either vehicle. The value of the insurance claims is often inflated, for repairs, storage, and replacement vehicles, which makes this lucrative criminal activity attractive for fraudsters. It is important that the public remain alert to this type of fraud, and we encourage communities to share knowledge of this offending. If you witness or are involved in a collision and suspect it is crash for cash fraud, gather as much information as possible. This could be the make and model of the moped, its number plate, livery, or the clothing that the driver is wearing. These details could be invaluable in disproving a fraudulent claim. Here are some tips from the IFB on how to watch out for the scam: Look out for anyone on a moped or motorcycle who is lingering unnecessarily or trying to hide out of sight, at the end or sides of roads or behind parked vehicles. Moped scammers often drive head-on into their victim, may throw their moped down and even drop to the floor to fake an injury, before taking photos of the incident. They might also have an accomplice appearing to act as a witness. If someone is targeted, they should collect as much information about the incident as possible, including details of the other road user, any witnesses, photographs and recordings, such as dashcam footage. Do not exchange unnecessary details. After an accident, drivers are required to exchange their name, address and vehicle registration. Do not share unnecessary information with the other driver such as copies of insurance certificates and driving licences. Report it. Victims should tell their insurer and contact the police. Evidence can be reported to IFBs confidential CheatLine service online or by phone. A 20-hectare blaze visible for miles was among several wildfires fought by firefighters across Wales on Tuesday evening. One of the biggest fires was at Mynydd Gelliwastad Mountain, Clydach, affecting 20 hectares of gorse. The Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said they sent three crews from Morriston, Pontardawe and Neath to help extinguish the blaze. A spokesperson said firefighters responded to the scene at 7.09pm on Tuesday evening using blowers and beaters to tackle the fire which was put out at 11.12pm. Video footage filmed in Morriston near Swansea shows flames and smoke from the mountain visible from many miles away. Wildfires approaching Claire Kempsters home last week (Claire Kempster/PA) Claire Kempster, from Craig-cefn-parc, above Clydach, said there had been wildfires in the area for the last week. It happened last year too. They do land management on the gorse bushes. Sometimes its the farmers clearing the gorse bushes, and sometimes its an accident, she told the PA news agency. Last week her husband called the fire brigade as a fire came near to their house. Theres about four houses above us in a row, and it came right up to their boundary, so that was probably about 300 metres from our house, she said. We saw it and went out to it, and it was my husband that called fire engines. They had it out really quickly. Elsewhere across the country, firefighters tackled a large grass fire in Ferndale and Maerdy mountain in south Wales and others in Caerphilly, Ogmore Vale, Gelli Pentre and Fairwood Common Swansea. A spokeswoman for South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said it was pretty non-stop. North Wales Fire and Rescue Service also said it had dealt with gorse fire on Tuesday night, including a large one at Garreg Fawr in Llanfairfechan, which was left to burn out. Pankaj Lamba has also been charged with two counts of rape, sexual assault and controlling or coercive behaviour. Photograph: Northamptonshire Police/PA A murder charge has been authorised against the husband of a woman found dead in a car boot in London. Harshita Brella, 24, was found in a silver Vauxhall Corsa on Brisbane Road, Ilford, east London, on 14 November last year. Her husband, Pankaj Lamba, 23, who is believed to no longer be in the country, was also charged with two counts of rape, sexual assault and controlling or coercive behaviour, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said. Police confirmed the charges against him were laid at Northampton magistrates court on Wednesday in his absence and that he had not yet been arrested. It is understood Lamba has not yet been located. Samantha Shallow, a deputy chief crown prosecutor at the CPS, said: The Crown Prosecution Service has reviewed a file of evidence submitted by the Northamptonshire police, and has authorised a charge of murder against 23-year-old Pankaj Lamba in relation to Harshita Brellas death. Lamba, formerly of Sturton Walk, Corby, is also charged with two counts of rape, sexual assault and controlling or coercive behaviour. DCI Johnny Campbell, the senior investigation officer, said: We are committed to securing justice for Harshita and her family and continue to offer our support at this difficult time. It remains an active investigation and as such, there continue to be aspects of the case that we are unable to comment on at this time. We would urge all parties to respect the judicial process to ensure the integrity of the proceedings. Brella was born in Delhi and had moved to the UK last April, after her marriage to Lamba in August 2023. British actor Bella Ramsey has described receiving their autism diagnosis as freeing. The 21-year-old said their diagnosis had been helpful to better understand their identity. Fronting the cover of British Vogues April issue, Ramsey is best known for co-starring alongside Chilean-American actor Pedro Pascal in the post-apocalyptic drama The Last Of Us. They said: Ive spoken a bit about neurodivergence before, but I always for some reason didnt want to. I felt like I didnt want to say what it was. I got diagnosed with autism when I was filming season one of The Last Of Us. Ramsey, who rose to fame playing noblewoman Lyanna Mormont in the fantasy series Game Of Thrones, described the diagnosis as freeing. They added: It enables me to walk through the world with more grace towards myself about not being able to do the easy everyday tasks that everyone else seems to be able to do. The label of being autistic has been so helpful to me because thats helped me to understand myself, but gender and sexuality-wise, labels do not feel comfy for me in any capacity, because I feel like Im putting myself into a box. I feel trapped. It does make me a bit sad that people who arent in the public eye can explore their gender identity or sexuality in private. Thats a privilege I dont really get any more. If I did want to explore other things, like facets of my gender identity, that would be done publicly. As much as I would try and keep it private, if someone recognises me on the street, say if Im presenting differently, (and) takes a photo, then that is just talked about. Ramsey won the best young performer Bafta award in 2019 for their role in The Worst Witch a CBBC drama about a school for witches. They also received an Emmy nomination in 2023 for their role playing teenager Ellie in The Last Of Us, the TV adaptation of the hugely popular video game which is set in a post-apocalyptic world where society has been destroyed by a pandemic. Ramsey also starred in series two of the BBC prison drama Time, playing Kelsey Morgan, a young, pregnant heroin addict. The full feature can be read in the April issue of British Vogue available from Tuesday March 25 or online by visiting: https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/bella-ramsey-british-vogue-interview The gurney and gas mask in the new execution chamber at the Louisiana state penitentiary, in an undated photo provided by the Promise of Justice Initiative. Photograph: AP Louisiana has carried out its first execution using nitrogen gas, an experimental method for judicial killings that has only been used by one other death-penalty state. Jessie Hoffman Jr, 46, was pronounced dead at the Louisiana state penitentiary at Angola at 6.50pm local time on Tuesday. He had been convicted of the 1996 rape and murder in New Orleans of Mary Molly Elliott, a 28-year-old advertising executive. Reporters who were present at the execution described a prolonged and disturbed death. Hoffman was forced to breathe nitrogen for 19 minutes through an industrial-style mask while strapped to the gurney. According to the Advocate, the reporters said that the gas began to flow at 6.21pm and Hoffman instantly began twitching. His head jerked and his hands clenched, with his last visible breath recorded 16 minutes after the procedure began. Louisiana officials conceded that there had been signs of convulsive activity, with Hoffman moving and shaking as he died. Last-minute appeals for a reprieve failed when the US supreme court declined to take Hoffmans petition. The court had similarly refused to intervene in the earlier nitrogen executions carried out by Alabama. Five of the six rightwing supreme court justices voted to allow the execution to proceed, with the three liberal-leaning justices saying they would have halted it. The sixth conservative, Neil Gorsuch, said he would have stayed the killing to give time to consider Hoffmans religious objections. Related: Louisiana to use nitrogen execution method it bans for cats and dogs Shortly after the execution had been confirmed, Hoffmans attorney Cecelia Kappel bemoaned what she called the senseless killing of a man whom she said had changed beyond recognition from the 18-year-old who had committed the rape and murder. He was a father, a husband, and a man who showed extraordinary capacity for redemption, she said. Kappel criticised the Republican governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, who had provided the impetus behind the resumption of capital punishment in the state. Louisiana last carried out an execution 15 years ago. Governor Landry says he is doing this for the victims, but we have heard directly from victim family members that killing Jessie will not bring them peace, Kappel said. Andy Elliott, the husband of Hoffmans victim, said that the execution had been bittersweet. There is relief that this long nightmare is finally over, but also renewed grief for Molly and sadness for Mr Hoffmans family whose nightmare began when mine did. Hoffmans death marks the spread of the controversial technique of nitrogen gas as a killing method. His lawyers had argued that the procedure, which involves piping pure nitrogen through a gas mask to induce fatal oxygen deprivation, would violate the prisoners constitutional rights by inflicting cruel and unusual punishment. The four previous executions carried out using nitrogen in Alabama led to distressing scenes in the death chamber. Eyewitnesses reported that Kenneth Smith shook violently, and writhed and convulsed on the gurney. Hoffmans lawyers also argued that death by nitrogen hypoxia forcing the condemned man to breathe only nitrogen would interfere with his religious practices as a Buddhist. They said that meditative breathing at the time of death was integral to the religion. Louisiana also faces questions about how it got hold of the nitrogen used in Hoffmans execution. Last year, the Guardian revealed that three of the biggest manufacturers of medical-grade nitrogen in the US had put a block on their products being used in executions. Airgas, Air Products and Matheson Gas all took steps to prevent their nitrogen from reaching departments of correction in death-penalty states. Yet photographs put into the public record in ongoing litigation in Louisiana show that the corrections department obtained canisters of nitrogen gas produced by Airgas, in apparent contravention of the companys strict rules. In a statement to the Guardian, Airgas said that it had been in direct contact with the department of corrections to affirm its position. Airgas has not and will not supply nitrogen or other inert gases to induce hypoxia for the purpose of human execution, the company said. We have not supplied medical grade NF nitrogen and the facility does not have any such cylinders owned by Airgas, according to our records. The statement added: The department of corrections in Louisiana has acknowledged our letter prohibiting the use of any nitrogen for execution purposes. Before the execution went ahead, the sister-in-law of Hoffmans victim called for him to be pardoned. Executing Jessie Hoffman is not justice in my name, it is the opposite, Kate Murphy wrote. Earlier on Tuesday Arkansas became the fifth state to adopt nitrogen hypoxia as an execution method, after Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Oklahoma. Arkansas currently has 25 people on its death row. The mayor of the Turkish city of Istanbul has been arrested along with several other high-profile figures over a corruption investigation, in a move denounced by the main opposition party as a coup. The state-run Anadolu Agency said prosecutors issued detention warrants for Ekrem Imamoglu and dozens of other people. Among those detained was Murat Ongun, a close aide of Mr Imamoglu. A statement from the Istanbul public prosecutors office cited charges including bribery and extortion, saying that Mr Imamoglu was the leader of a criminal organisation and that 100 suspects had been rounded up. The move appeared to be in connection with an investigation into alleged tender rigging by Mr Imamoglu, which was opened in 2023. But local media reports, including from Anadolu, said his detention was also linked to a separate probe for allegedly aiding the banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is defined as a terror organisation by Turkey. Ekrem Imamoglu, Istanbul mayor, is seen as a key rival of Turkeys president - Okan Kose/AFP Mr Imamoglu, a popular and powerful figure within the Republican Peoples Party (CHP), is seen as a key rival of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish president. The mayors detention, before which his house was also raided, came days before he was to be named as the CHPs candidate for the 2028 presidential election. Authorities also closed several roads around Istanbul and banned demonstrations in the city for four days in an apparent effort to prevent protests following the arrest. The private NTV news channel reported that two Istanbul district mayors were amongst those detained. Critics said the crackdown followed significant losses by Mr Erdogans ruling party in local elections last year and came amid growing calls for early national elections. Government officials insisted the courts operated independently and rejected claims that legal actions against Mr Imamoglu were politically motivated. We are facing great tyranny, but I want you to know that I will not be discouraged, Mr Imamoglu said in a video message posted on social media. He accused the government of usurping the will of the people. Officers surround the police headquarters at which Ekrem Imamoglu is being held - Kemal Aslan/AFP Mr Erdogan, a populist with increasingly authoritarian tendencies, has led Turkey as prime minister or president for more than 20 years. He is now the longest-serving leader in the Turkish republics history. His current term runs until 2028, although he has indicated that he would like to serve longer something he could achieve with the help of a friendly parliament. The career of Mr Imamoglu, widely seen as the strongest candidate to challenge Mr Erdogan, has been overshadowed by a string of what critics say are politically motivated legal cases. The police raid occurred just hours after Istanbul University had revoked his degree amid claims that it was falsely obtained. The revocation was a high-stakes move, because presidential candidates in Turkey need to have a higher education qualification. Mr Erdogan has repeatedly rejected claims that he never graduated from university and was not constitutionally able to hold the office of president. Mr Imamoglu was detained and is now at police headquarters, said a press aide, who asked not to be named as he was not authorised to speak to the media and was unable to say why the Istanbul mayor had been detained. Hundreds of police officers have arrived at my door. I entrust myself to the people, the mayor said in a video posted on X. Supporters of the mayor stage a rally in Istanbul - Okan Kose/AFP Ozgur Ozel, the CHP leader, condemned what he called a coup attempt against our next president, writing on X: Making decisions on behalf of the people, using force to replace the will of the people or to obstruct it is a coup. We will not give in. In the end, the peoples will shall prevail and Turkey will win. Shortly after the police raid, access to social media platforms was restricted, the Netblocks internet access monitor said. The Istanbul governors office issued a ban on all protests until March 23 several demonstrations had been announced by the CHP late on Tuesday over the revocation of Mr Imamoglus degree, which the mayor has vowed to contest in court. The CHP was to hold a primary on Sunday, at which Mr Imamoglu was expected to be chosen for its candidate in future presidential elections. It makes sense for the European Union to review the rationale behind proposed countermeasures for US tariffs, Irish deputy premier Simon Harris has said. The Government regards the threat of US tariffs on alcoholic drinks from the EU as a very serious issue, as the Irish drinks sector could be massively impacted by an escalation in Europes tit-for-tat trade dispute with President Donald Trump. US tariffs of 25% on all imports of steel and aluminium products and derivatives came into effect worldwide on March 12. Tanaiste Simon Harris is (Brian Lawless/PA) On the same day, the EU announced its proposed countermeasures including the re-imposition of suspended tariff measures from April 1 and proposed new measures to come into effect later that month. The April 1 measures affect a range of US goods including boats, bourbon whiskey and motorbikes. The US administration is expected to announce further measures on April 2. Mr Trump personally threatened a 200% tariff on imported alcoholic drinks from the EU, which has caused concern among the Irish drinks industry. Irish deputy premier Simon Harris said Government is doing a sector-by-sector analysis of the potential implications of tariffs, but added: We cant lose sight of first principles here and first principles are tariffs are bad news for consumers in Europe, Ireland and the United States. He added: Ireland and the European Union wants to do business with the United States. In fact, we want to do more business with the United States. It seems at the moment, it is the preference of the US to go ahead on April 2 and to announce measures they intend to take, and only after that point, to begin to engage intensively on the way forward. I actually think it would be a much better use of time to start that engagement now. Mr Harris, who is Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, said he would begin a series of calls with his EU counterparts to discuss the blocs response. Asked if he would ask his counterparts to reconsider the inclusion of US alcohol products, Mr Harris said: We need to be very careful as a country and as countries highlighting one item over another, because even if you make progress on one item, well then the focus just moves to another. What I dont want to do is put any sector up in lights here. I want to continue to articulate the position that we need an agreement that doesnt see significant tariffs being imposed on Irish products. But of course, I think it does make sense for the European Union to look at the list. I think the original plan was to kind of just renew the suspended list. Im not sure thats the most strategic approach. So while I dont want to get into individual items, I do think it makes sense to look at the rationale for those items on that list back then and see if that rationale still applies today. So yes, we will have an opportunity to make that point today. Taoiseach Micheal Martin raised concern over the uncertainty caused by tariffs (Brian Lawless/PA) Meanwhile, Mr Martin raised concern that global economic uncertainty caused by potential tariffs and trade wars is dampening down investment. He said he would be discussing this at the European Council meeting on Thursday. The Governments trade forum will meet on Friday ahead of the potential imposition of broader US tariffs. A truly evil 19-year-old who murdered his mother and two younger siblings as part of a failed plot to kill 30 children and become the worst mass murderer in British history has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 49 years. Nicholas Prosper admitted murdering Juliana Falcon, 48, Kyle Prosper, 16, and Giselle Prosper, 13, last month. Their murders were part of a wider plot to storm a morning assembly at his former primary school with a shotgun and cause the biggest massacre of the 21st century. He also admitted buying a shotgun without a certificate, possession of a shotgun with intent to endanger life and possession of a kitchen knife in a public place. Prosper initially refused to attend Luton crown court on Wednesday but was ordered to appear by Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb, causing the start of the hearing to be delayed. He kept his head in his hands as she read out her remarks and he refused to stand to hear his sentence. Addressing Prosper, the judge said: You intended to unleash disaster on the community of Luton. Your plans were intelligent, calculating and selfish. Your ambition was notoriety. You wanted to be known posthumously as the worlds most famous school shooter of the 21st century. Prospers plan failed when his mother confronted him after realising he was in possession of a gun. A lengthy, violent struggle followed that resulted in the entire family being shot dead. Cheema-Grubb paid tribute to Juliana, Kyle and Giselle, saying their deaths are almost certain to have saved the lives of many children. The community owes them its gratitude and their memory should be honoured. Her words were echoed by Raymond Prosper, the father of Nicholas, Kyle and Giselle, who said in a statement read by police: We now see the deaths of Juliana, my son Kyle and daughter Giselle had much more meaning and importance. Their deaths and the fast response of Bedfordshire police stopped any other family in the community going through the pain we have suffered. He added he wanted people to remember loving Juliana, kind and funny Kyle and exceptional Giselle for who they were. DCI Sam Khanna, of Bedfordshire police, said he had never encountered anyone capable of such horrific acts throughout his entire police career. Khanna said: Ive been utterly shocked and appalled by the actions and plans of the offender in this case, and Im pleased that this truly evil individual will serve a significant proportion of his life behind bars. On Tuesday, Luton crown court heard how he had shot his family dead at their home in Luton after a violent struggle and how it was part of a wider plan to carry out a mass shooting at St Josephs Catholic primary school, where he and his siblings were pupils, to gain notoriety as a mass murderer. His plan was months in the making. Prosper surveilled St Josephs, taking images of staff and students from the schools website and noting the times of lessons and assembly. The day before the murders, Prosper bought a shotgun from an online seller for 650 after he made a high-quality forgery of a shotgun certificate or licence. He had planned to murder his family while they slept on Friday 13 September, a date chosen on purpose, and then leave the home at about 8.30am to travel to St Josephs school to carry out the attack. His plans were disrupted when his family realised that something was wrong. After they challenged him, there was a violent struggle. The court heard that Juliana was killed by a single shotgun shot to her head but her hands and arms had slash injuries and bruising as if she had been trying to ward off blows from a knife. Giselle was killed with a single gunshot to her face. Her body was found underneath a dining table as if she had been trying to hide there. Kyle died after being shot twice. His body was found with more than 100 knife wounds. Neighbours called the police after hearing the sounds of frantic footsteps, shouting and gunshots. Prosper fled the home before officers arrived, holding a bag containing the shotgun he had used to murder his family. Alongside the gun were 33 cartridges, which he had planned to use at a morning assembly at St Josephs. After hiding for two hours and believing his plan was thwarted, as police swarmed the area, Prosper flagged down officers in a marked car and they arrested him. The court heard details of a note outlining Prospers plan. In it, he wrote the entire attack would be one of the biggest events ever and it included a diagram pointing to one of the early years classrooms at St Josephs and an arrow pointing to a second classroom. Beside the first classroom he had written: Kill all. Maureen Murphy, the headteacher of St Josephs, said last month that staff were very shocked to learn of the plan. Prosper has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. A doctor who assessed Prosper said his diagnosis did not explain his lack of empathy and remorse and said he had psychopathic traits. Cheema-Grubb said: It is important to note that your ASD does not correlate to an increased risk of violence. Nor did ASD, in this case, impair your ability to understand the nature of your conduct, exercise self-control or form rational judgments when you decided to commit violent crimes. The Wanted star Max George has returned to work following his recovery from heart surgery and will perform in the UK and European tour of The War Of The Worlds. In February, the singer, 36, revealed he had a second operation weeks after he was fitted with a pacemaker after being diagnosed with a 2:1 block in my heart, a condition where the heart beats more slowly or with an abnormal rhythm. George was originally announced for the 2025 tour of Jeff Waynes musical back in April 2024. He will feature alongside his girlfriend and former EastEnders star Maisie Smith, who will be playing his on-stage wife, Beth. George said: Hey everyone! Im absolutely buzzing that Im still able to perform as Parson Nathaniel in The War Of The Worlds. Obviously, the last few months have been rough, but after a lot of hard work and rehabilitation, Im back to my best and Ill be performing throughout the whole tour. Getting to do this with Maisie is an experience Im sure Ill never forget. It comes after The Wanted 2.0 postponed their Manchester Cathedral concert in February after George said he would not be well enough in time following his second heart operation. Wayne said: What a wonderful announcement to make, to be able to say that Max is fit again and joining us on this fantastic UK and European tour. Maxs health has been our key priority since he became ill, but under doctors guidance, hes managed to fight his way back to fitness. Max is a born fighter, and were delighted hes back to good health and able to tour with us. The tour will also feature Busteds Charlie Simpson as The Sung Thoughts of the Journalist, and Enter Shikaris frontman Rou Reynolds as The Artilleryman. The musical, conducted by Wayne, features Northern Irish actor Liam Neeson in 3D holography as The Journalist, who recounts his story of survival from the Martian invasion of 1898. George got to know former soap star Smith, 23, when they both competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2020, but they have said previously that their romance began in 2022. Maisie Smith and Max George (James Manning/PA) George revealed he had gone to hospital in a social media post in December 2024 and updated fans while he recovered from a pacemaker fitting, a follow-up surgery, and a lung biopsy. He is most known for singing in pop band The Wanted, comprised of Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness, Nathan Sykes and Tom Parker who died at the age of 33 in 2022 after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. The Wanted 2.0 has seen Kaneswaran and George reunite as a duo to perform the groups songs, with the full band having not toured since Parkers death. The War of The Worlds The Spirit Of Man tour begins in Hull on March 28 with further dates in cities including Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham, Brighton and London. A migrant has died after being pulled from the water while trying to cross the English Channel, the French coastguard said. A rescue operation was launched after reports that a group of people tried to board a dinghy and got into difficulty in the Equihen-Plage area, in northern France, shortly after 9am on Wednesday. The boat had set off further south near Hardelot-Plage an hour earlier, according to the authority. Two people were rescued from the water, with one suffering from hypothermia while the other was in cardiac arrest. The pair were taken to Boulogne-sur-Mer for treatment by onshore emergency services but the person who suffered cardio-respiratory arrest was declared dead despite efforts to save them. A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent (Gareth Fuller/PA) The coastguard added search operations are under way off the coast of Pas-de-Calais looking for any other possible people in the sea. The death is the third recorded by the French coastguard in its rescue operations in the Channel this year. The International Organisation for Migration has reported several more migrant deaths which are believed to be linked to attempts to travel from mainland Europe to the UK this year. Reacting to the death, Amnesty International UKs refugee and migrant rights director Steve Valdez-Symonds said: We are again devastated by the news that someone has died trying to reach safety in the UK. Instead of merely doubling down on deterrence and prevention, our Government should seek arrangements with France to share responsibility including by permitting some refugees to cross the Channel safely. Sadly, however, there appears little prospect of such a change of tack and so smuggling gangs continue to thrive and fatalities in the Channel seem set to continue. It comes as the UK signed a road-map agreement with France earlier this month aimed at bolstering co-operation to tackle people smuggling. A Government spokesperson said they are aware of the incident in French waters on Wednesday and that French authorities are leading the response and investigation. Latest Home Office figures show no migrants crossing the English Channel have arrived over the last week. Some 261 migrants arrived after making the journey in five boats on March 10, taking the provisional total of arrivals for the year to 4,395 people. A Home Office spokesperson said: We all want to end dangerous small boat crossings, which threaten lives and undermine our border security. The people-smuggling gangs do not care if the vulnerable people they exploit live or die, as long as they pay. We will stop at nothing to dismantle their business models and bring them to justice. Neighbours star Ian Smith has said he is defying the odds after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. The 86-year-old actor and writer, known for playing former cafe owner Harold Bishop in the Australian soap, previously revealed that he has a rare form of lung cancer, called pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma. Smith told BBC Radio 5 Lives Adrian Chiles programme: Ive got cancer, yes, Im going to die soon but I seem to be defying the odds, which is good. Im not unhappy about that at all. I have got this very rare cancer. The knowledge (brain) is saying: Ian you are going to die in March. (left-right) Stefan Dennis, Annie Jones, Geoff Paine, Guy Pearce, Lucinda Cowden, Ian Smith and Paul Keane (Fremantle/Channel 5/PA) He added that he almost gave in but on Friday December 13 he got good news. Smith said: Im an atheist. I couldnt say, Thank you God. I just had to say, Thank you someone for giving me a second chance. And I took the second chance and I had to say to myself, what are you going to do with it? Im still not sure Ive worked out the answer to that but Im certainly not going to mope around. He said that he is determined to have an electric car before I die, adding: And I was speaking to a salesman. I said, Now, what about the delivery? Can you get to me before Im dead? And he was so shocked. I said, Come on, lets have a giggle. In December, Smith stepped away from playing beloved blunderer Harold, a character he has portrayed on and off since 1987. At the same time, he revealed his condition was a very aggressive non-fixable cancer and doctors expect me to die, in an interview with Australias 10 News First. He also said he had gone through chemotherapy, and tried the new treatment immunotherapy, which uses the bodys immune system to attack the cancer cells. Smith said: Ive really put my hand up, I think, just to be a guinea pig, plus the fact I dont want to die, I want to stay alive with quality as long as I can, and if they can do that Im very happy. But I wake up every morning hoping theres no pain because I know thats the beginning of the bad part. (Back left-right) Elaine Smith, Ian Smith, Alan Dale, Paul Keane, Annie Jones and Craig McLachlan. (Front, left-right) Anne Charleston, Anne Haddy, Stefan Dennis and Fiona Corke (PA) He revealed previously he had originally been asked to be a writer on Neighbours, but his practice turn as Harold the tuba-playing, vegetarian Samaritan, and old flame of Madge (Anne Charleston) earned him praise from production. Smith was only supposed to be in a few episodes but ended up staying until 1991, when Harold was washed out to sea while on holiday, before returning from 1996 to 2009. The character made brief guest appearances in the soap over the years, and it was announced in April 2024 that Harold would be returning to Ramsay Street 15 years after his departure as a regular character. Earlier this year, Neighbours was cancelled for a second time after being revived by Amazon Prime Video since its initial axing by Channel 5 in 2022. Executive producer Jason Herbison said he believes there are more stories of the residents of Ramsay Street to tell in the future, as the soap is set to air until December 2025. Outside Neighbours, Smith concentrated on writing and producing, scripting numerous episodes of Australian prison drama Prisoner: Cell Block H. Warped illustration of Brigitte Macron Relations between France and America might be about to get even frostier. Right-wing US commentators have reignited an absurd rumour about Brigitte Macron, wife of French president Emmanuel Macron: namely, that she was actually born male and has been hiding her transgender status from the world. The most prominent proponents of this outlandish conspiracy theory are two Trump-supporting, conservative voices: Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson, who supercharged the gossip after claiming it was true in a video posted on YouTube last week. For her part, rising social media star Owens first latched onto the scurrilous rumour a year ago, posting a video to her YouTube channel pithily titled Is Frances first lady a man? Promoting it on X (formerly Twitter), Owens wrote: Stop everything and watch this! Not a joke or an exaggeration to say that barring political assassinations, this is likely the biggest scandal that has ever happened in politics in human history. Since then, the story has become a popular topic in the corners of the internet frequented by followers of Donald Trumps Maga movement. In her March 2024 video (since deleted), Owens referred to the likely original source of the salacious story: a 2021 article in Right-wing French journal Faits et Documents, which made the jaw-dropping claim that Brigitte, 71, and her brother Jean-Michel Trogneux were actually the same person. The story posited that Jean-Michel doesnt actually exist: Brigitte herself was born Jean-Michel, then transitioned from male to female at the age of 30. Brigitte Macron with her husband in 2017. The couple have fought back against claims she was born male - YOAN VALAT/EPA I would stake my entire professional reputation on the fact that Brigitte Macron is in fact a man, announced Owens in a follow-up post on X. Any journalist or publication that is trying to dismiss this plausibility is immediately identifiable as establishment. She added: The implications here are terrifying. The video, in Owenss words, blew up, which perhaps explains why this became her pet topic. She has since treated her 4.07 million YouTube subscribers to numerous posts about the French first lady, including a multi-part video series called Becoming Brigitte. Owens is undeterred by criticism of her campaign, including from Piers Morgan. On his show in June 2024, the broadcaster who called her claims very offensive, very wrong bet Owens $100,000 (to be donated to charity) that Mrs Macron is in fact a woman. Then in a January 2025 video titled I Got A Legal Threat From A Sitting President, Owens reveals that she was contacted by a law firm representing the Macrons themselves. She shares a section of that letter which reads: This disinformation campaign is almost entirely based on a negative Mrs Macron has not provided definitive proof that she is a woman; therefore, she must be a man. The letter argues that Mrs Macron does not owe Owens proof frankly, it is none of your business and claims that Owens is being defamatory. But getting the attention of Frances first family has only fuelled Owenss campaign. In February, she posted a video interview with French journalist Xavier Poussard, editor of Faits et Documents and author of the book Devenir Brigitte, or Becoming Brigitte (which subsequently shot to the top of the Amazon charts). That video has clocked up 1.7 million views. Its exactly the outcome Poussard was hoping for, according to Emmanuelle Anizon, a journalist at French weekly Le Nouvel Obs and the author of a book about the conspiracy, called Laffaire Madame Anatomie dune fake news, or The Madame Affair Anatomy of Fake News. She told Agence France-Presse last year that Poussard started translating his Macron articles into English in 2023 and sent them to associates of Trump. It was his dream, Anizon added, to export this rumour across the Atlantic. The theory had initially just been a home-grown obsession. Self-described journalist Natacha Rey amplified the Faits et Documents story via a four-hour YouTube video in December 2021 in which she was interviewed by spiritual medium Amandine Roy, and called Mrs Macrons identity a state lie. She claimed that Mrs Macrons first husband, Andre-Louis Auziere, never actually existed, and that Auzieres uncle had forged documents to hide the fact that his own wife had given birth to Macrons three children. The video went viral in the build-up to Frances 2022 presidential election, garnering half a million views before YouTube removed it for violating its guidelines around fake news. But the genie was out of the bottle. The hashtag #JeanMichelTrogneux, which referred to Macrons alleged real male name, was trending on X, then Twitter, in France in the days after the video was posted. In total, it was used on the platform more than 66,000 times while being spread by accounts including those administered by anti-vaccine groups and followers of the QAnon conspiracy movement which states the world is run by a cabal of cannibalistic paedophiles. The Macrons fought back. Speaking at an event in Paris in March 2024, the French president said of the rumour: The worst thing is the false information and fabricated scenarios. People eventually believe them and disturb you, even in your intimacy. Also in March, Mrs Macrons daughter, Tiphaine Auziere, told broadcaster BFMTV that the rumours were grotesque, and a form of harassment. Macrons daughter, Tiphaine Auziere (pictured here with her husband Antoine Choteau and their children) said the rumours about her mother were grotesque - Chesnot The first lady filed a successful libel complaint against Roy and Rey, and in September 2024 the defendants were ordered to pay her the equivalent of 6,750 in damages, as well as 4,205 to her brother Jean-Michel. Macrons lawyer Jean Ennochi commented: The prejudice is massive, it exploded everywhere. However, that spirited public defence has, ironically, kept the story alive. Owens first heard of it thanks to an article about Macrons furious response. Now the powerful American commentator Tucker Carlson has picked up the baton. In a YouTube video posted last week, Carlson backed up the claim made by my friend Candace Owens. He says he had initially dismissed the rumour as a flat Earth conspiracy. Then it turns out shes right my mind is blown! declares Carlson, offering no justification for this assertion. Russian state media is also picking up Owenss coverage to her evident pride, as demonstrated in a video in which she watches herself in a Russian TV report. I didnt realise how amazing my name sounds in a Russian accent, she remarks. For others, meanwhile, the truth is even stranger still. Owens fan Gabby Garcia took to TikTok last month with a bizarre Oedipal plot twist. She claimed that the president isnt just married to a trans woman Mrs Macron is actually his own father. I know that it sounds insane, says Garcia, in arguably the understatement of the year. My brain is melting. Shes not alone. But how on earth did this absurd accusation gain global traction? Sander van der Linden, professor of social psychology in society at the University of Cambridge, points out that we live in an increasingly fragmented media environment. We dont have central dissemination of news. Instead people are in tiny echo chambers, slavishly trusting their chosen sources of information. Its hard for us to share the same reality. Those are ideal conditions for conspiracy theories to thrive. Even if people dont fully believe in a rumour, they might share it as a symbol of their beliefs or the political group they support. Joseph Uscinski, professor of political science at the University of Miami, observes that the likes of Owens and Tucker have a built-in, conspiracy-minded audience. Those viewers didnt slip on a banana peel and end up here: they specifically chose a channel outside of the mainstream media. The broadcasters then have to provide the content they desire. The Macron story is ideal fodder. It feeds into their existing biases, plus its outrageous and fun. Such audiences might not even know who Brigitte Macron is, but this conspiracy relates to a larger narrative, explains van der Linden. Its a combination of evil elites hiding stuff from us and not being who they say they are, and suspicion of trans people and gender ideology. Its a more palatable version of the conspiracy that powerful leaders are actually lizards thats a bridge too far for most people. Indeed, Owens often ticks off other culture war topics in her Macron videos, such as anti-vax sentiments. The Macron transgender accusation is clearly recycled, says van der Linden. The exact same story was peddled about Michelle Obama and Jacinda Ardern. But even if its patently nonsense, the fact that many current world leaders, especially Trump and his allies, are engaging in conspiracy theory rhetoric means that its harder to outright dismiss it, says Uscinski. Tucker and Candace are piggybacking on Trump. That points to the deadly serious part of this otherwise ludicrous saga. Relations between France and America are already much troubled, with one French politician, Raphael Glucksmann, even claiming this week that the country should take back the Statue of Liberty after what he characterised as President Trump deciding to side with the tyrants in the war on Ukraine. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt fired back, saying that if it werent for her country the French would be speaking German right now. Its not inconceivable that if the rumour becomes associated with supporters of Trump, the issue could add further strain to an already tricky relationship between the US president and his French counterpart. Such an outcome would certainly be welcome in Moscow, says van der Linden. Russias goal is to stoke division and chaos, he warns. Unsubstantiated rumours, after all, can often have very real consequences. Yvette Cooper A convicted Albanian criminal who was expelled from the UK three times after trying to enter illegally has been allowed to live in Britain after sneaking back in for a fourth time. An immigration judge ruled that Erind Koka, 33, should not be deported because he had been jailed for less than a year for helping to cultivate cannabis. Despite an appeal by Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, who argued that his presence in the UK was not conducive to the public good, Kokas right to remain was upheld because he fell below the criminality threshold of having been jailed for at least 12 months. The case, disclosed in court papers, is the latest example exposed by The Telegraph of migrants or convicted foreign criminals winning the right to remain in the UK or halt their deportations. There are a record 41,987 outstanding immigration appeals, largely on human rights grounds, which threaten to hamper Labours efforts to fast-track removals of illegal migrants. The backlog has risen by nearly a quarter since September, and is up nearly 500 per cent from 7,173 at the start of 2022. Koka first attempted to enter the UK by arriving on a passenger plane with false documents. He was refused entry and deported to Finland. Just seven months later, he was found hidden in a trailer by Border Agency staff at Dunkirk, when he had again been attempting to illegally enter the UK without documentation. He was removed to France the following day but five years later, in September 2018, was discovered in a camper van in Coquelles by the French authorities and removed from the border point, which was UK territory under an agreement with France. According to his own testimony, Koka eventually managed to get into the UK illegally, hidden in a lorry, on Oct 3 2019. Within a year, he had been convicted of producing cannabis, a class B controlled drug, and was jailed for eight months. On Feb 4 2022, the Home Office decided to deport him on the basis that his presence in the UK was not conducive to the public good. Although Suella Braverman, the home secretary at the time, recognised that Kokas prison sentence fell below the threshold for deportation, she said his offending had caused serious harm. Koka responded by initially seeking refugee status, but withdrew that attempt and instead claimed the right to stay on the basis that deportation would breach his rights to a family life under article eight of the European Convention on Human Rights. He had a daughter and partner in the UK, the court was told. Kyriacoulla Degirmenci, the judge at Kokas initial lower-tier immigration tribunal only considered whether he met the criteria for deportation. As he had pleaded guilty and his involvement was said to be no more than watering cannabis plants on one occasion, the judge determined it fell significantly short of ... serious harm. By that finding, Judge Degirmenci found as a matter of law that Mr Koka did not fall within the definition of foreign criminal, a court was later told. Lesley Smith and David Zucker, upper tribunal immigration judges, decided that there had been no error in law in Judge Degirmencis decision as she had considered solely the issue of whether his criminality was serious enough for him to have been deported. No other matters of significance were put in issue. Had the judge gone on to consider matters not put in issue by the Secretary of State, criticism of the judge [might] well have been justified, they said. We take this opportunity to remind parties that they and judges alike are now encouraged to narrow the issues as best they can... This not only results in the need for shorter decisions by judges, which is now also encouraged, but is plainly in the interests of justice and efficiency. The appeal of the Secretary of State to the upper tribunal is dismissed on all grounds. The decision of first-tier tribunal Judge Degirmenci does not contain an error of law. The decision of the first-tier tribunal is upheld, with the consequence that Mr Kokas appeal remains allowed. The size of UK parking bays has not been adjusted to reflect our growing cars Finding a car parking space can be stressful enough. But filling that space and many cars literally fill a bay these days only elicits the next challenge: getting out without damaging either your own or neighbouring cars. While it might seem like car parking spaces are getting smaller, the problem is that cars have grown hugely while parking bays havent expanded to match them since 1976. That could be about to change, but will it make any difference? As well as showing that cars are outgrowing standard UK parking spaces, new research from finance lender Carmoola shows that if the supersizing trend continues the average car will be too long to fit a standard parking bay by 2059. In addition, by 2075 it will also be too wide. Why havent parking spaces got larger for 50 years? Youll probably be shocked to learn that the size of off-street parking bays isnt officially regulated. Instead, operators are given guidance by the Institution of Structural Engineers (IoSE). Since 1976, that guidance has stipulated that car parking bays should be 4.8m long and 2.4m wide. But last year, the guidance was changed. Going forwards, car parking spaces should measure 5.0m by 2.6m. The IoSE claimed: It reflects the significant changes to vehicular size, weight and manoeuvrability in recent years, to offer modern guidance on parking bay sizes... Yet the reality is that the size of bays hasnt reflected our cars dimensions for a long time. Back in 2020, an AA poll found that nine in 10 drivers agreed parking spaces were too small. The AAs Jack Cousens added: A huge majority of drivers think parking spaces are too tight and many will seek out quieter areas of a car park in the hope of finding room to get out of the car. Credit: Getty Images / helivideo Will bays increase in size? Bearing in mind parking bays are governed by guidance and not regulation, there are various factors at play here. For a start, theres the actual marking of the bays. The British Parking Associations Isaac Occhipinti said: For parking bays to be redesigned, many car parks will probably have to be closed, which will cost the retailer or local authority money. Theres a balance to be had. People want to park but if there are bigger spaces, there may not be enough, which will drive shoppers away. The problem is that people need to park somewhere and demand for parking is inelastic. In some car parks, its physically impossible to make the bays bigger. The Parking Consultancys owner Ian Goodwin said: A lot of city-centre NCP multi-storeys are 1960s buildings. The column structures are in the bays which makes them impossible to reconfigure for bigger cars. Why do bays seem so small? Cars have grown dramatically, specifically over the past 10 years, with stricter safety standards demanding greater protection if cars are to be awarded the top five stars in industry-standard Euro NCAP crash tests. The result is that 50 years ago, just before the IoSEs first set of guidelines, the average length of the top-five best-selling cars in the UK was 3,900mm. That has grown by 14 per cent in the intervening half century. But the width of the average top-five best-selling car is up by nearly a fifth (18 per cent). That means while the average top-selling UK car only took up 53 per cent of a standard parking bay in 1975, come last year it had grown by nearly half to occupy 72 per cent. And remember, these are averages for big-selling cars, which tend not to be the largest in size terms. The Tesla Model Y takes up 79 per cent of a parking bay, while the latest Range Rovers footprint takes up a whopping 87 per cent. Of greater concern is the width. If that Range Rover is parked neatly in the middle of a regular bay, there is only 25cm either side for its occupants to open their doors and squeeze out. Give or take a millimetre, its the same story for the best-selling Ford Puma. No wonder its becoming increasingly common for Mrs F to exit the car before Ive shoehorned it into the bay so I can have a tad more room to open the drivers door without leaning on the neighbouring car. Equally, its hardly surprising that the number of parking prangs is increasing. Research by Skoda in 2020 found that car park crashes cost British drivers 1.5 billion annually. The Ford Pumas width makes bay parking a tight squeeze What will the result of increasing bay size be? Parking might become easier, although quite how much easier is debatable. If a bay is 20cm wider, thats only an extra 10cm on either side of the car assuming its parked precisely in the centre of the bay. And that extra 10cm will come with sacrifices. Research by insurer Adrian Flux found that a significant number of parking spaces will be lost if bay size grows. It estimates there would be 25,000 fewer parking spaces in 10 cities across the UK. In London, at the top of the list, that would mean 12,281 fewer bays; second-placed Glasgow would have 2,046 fewer and Leeds would sacrifice 1,603 bays in third. The result of this is, perhaps inevitably, an increase in parking costs. Independent parking consultant Ian Goodwin told us: I think from a commercial point of view, car park operators will have to up the price if theres a reduction in capacity. If you consider that a 500-bay car park will turn into 450 bays, that will put financial pressures on owners. Are car park owners following the new guidelines [for increased bay size]? Some will embrace them and update their car parks accordingly, others will only come along kicking and screaming when they have to. But fewer and more expensive parking places might just be the thin end of the wedge. In the Scottish Governments Just Transition: draft plan for Transport in Scotland, it says: Support for measures to disincentivise ownership of certain vehicle types eg SUV in urban areas, including reducing the size of city parking spaces and considering vehicle size in design of future road user charging/taxation schemes. Our current quite tight parking bays could be the least of car owners problems. Marzena Grabiec told the trial that she was attacked when she opened the cubicle door - LinkedIn A City executive was attacked in a restaurant lavatory after mocking the woman in the next cubicle. Marzena Grabiec, 30, had her hair ripped out by Yasmin Behal, 20, a court heard. The row broke out after Behal heard Ms Grabiec mimicking her high-pitched voice as she spoke to a friend on the phone who was in the restaurant. Behal pleaded guilty to common assault after attacking Ms Grabiec in Comptoir Libanais, a Lebanese restaurant in the City of London. Lisa Elkan, 22, Behals friend, was found not guilty by City of London magistrates after denying involvement in the assault, instead telling the court she had been trying to break up the fight. Ms Grabiec, an account executive at Pure Storage, told the trial she heard banging on the cubicle door and, when she opened it, was attacked. Moments before, Ms Elkan was in the cubicle next door on the phone to Behal, who was upstairs in the restaurant. Ms Grabiec admitted repeating a sentence by Behal but denied mimicking anyone, telling the court she did not want the person next to me to think it was insulting. She told the court she was 100 per cent sure that both Ms Elkan and Behal were involved in the attack on her. She said Two people were in front of the cubicle door. I was pulled down by my hair by both of them. I had no opportunity to get out and could feel both of their hands on me. Lia Elkan told the court: The lady mimicked in a squeaky voice a few things Yasmin said to me on the phone - Tony Palmer Ms Elkan told the court: The lady mimicked in a squeaky voice a few things Yasmin said to me on the phone. She did it twice in a high voice. She added that Behal was brushing her hair and doing her lip gloss. She told the court they had both given Ms Grabiec a funny look when she left the cubicle, but then the woman did the voice again for a fourth time and Yasmin and her got into an altercation. Ms Grabiec described the assault to the court, saying: I told them let me go, but that didnt work. I felt a kick in my ankle and started screaming at the top of my lungs so someone would hear me. A security guard outside heard the screaming, and in five to 10 seconds he opened the door and they let go, the court heard. Ms Grabiec told the court that once out in the corridor, one of them came very quickly at me and I got slapped. She said that following the assault, my hair was everywhere and there was pain in my scalp for the next 48 hours. Ms Elkan told the trial: They were having a bit of an argument and the lady was saying, Im only joking, and she kind of pushed Yasmin and Tasmin at that point did slap her and they both went for each other. They each pulled each others hair and I pulled Yasmin back again, and when the security guard opened the door that lady left. The Comptoir Libanais restaurant in the City of London, where the attack took place - Petra Figueroa/LightRocket via Getty Images One officer called to the scene described Ms Elkan as very intoxicated, slurring her words and unsteady on her feet. Ms Elkan admitted consuming four glasses of wine that evening. However, she denied saying: Dont mug me off. She told the court: I was trying to apologise on Yasins behalf. I did not pull her hair. Ms Grabiec failed to specifically identify Ms Elkan as someone who grabbed her hair during evidence. The court found Ms Elkan not guilty. Behal was fined 200 and ordered to pay 50 in compensation to Ms Grabiec. Pankaj Lamba has been charged with the murder of his wife Harshita Brella and also accused of two counts of rape - CHP/PA The fugitive husband of a woman found dead in a car boot has been charged with her murder after reportedly fleeing the country. An international manhunt was launched for Pankaj Lamba in November after 24-year-old Harshita Brellas body was discovered in Ilford, East London. On Wednesday, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said Mr Lamba, 23, had been charged with her murder despite his whereabouts being unknown. The CPS said he was also accused of two counts of rape, sexual assault and controlling or coercive behaviour. Northamptonshire Police previously said they believed Ms Brella was strangled in Corby, North Northamptonshire, on the evening of Nov 10 before her body was driven to Ilford the next day. They also said they believed Mr Lamba, formerly of Sturton Walk, Corby, had left the UK immediately after Ms Brellas death. Samantha Shallow, from the CPS, said: The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings are active and defendants have 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. Committed to securing justice Johnny Campbell, senior investigating officer Det Ch Insp, said police were committed to securing justice for Harshita and her family. He added: It remains an active investigation and as such, there continue to be aspects of the case that we are unable to comment on at this time. The Independent Office for Police Conduct previously said it would investigate Northamptonshire Polices contact with Ms Brella. The watchdog said she had made a report of domestic abuse to police in August and Mr Lamba had been arrested on Sept 3, but was released on conditional bail and a domestic violence protection order was put in place. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch delivering a speech yesterday during which she declared the 2050 net zero target impossible - Geoff Pugh for The Telegraph Two cheers for Kemi Badenoch. And another half a cheer at least for having the guts to stand up to the green zealots in her own party. It cant be easy. Yesterdays speech by the Conservative Party leader, in which she announced the scrapping of the net zero target for 2050 was stirring stuff, but it didnt go quite far enough. She failed to echo the strident and entirely justifiable exasperation of a member of her shadow energy team who recently exploded, We have to get rid of this net zero c--p or were doomed!. Now, thats the truth. Kemi is being diplomatic by still sort of claiming that we could be carbon neutral in 25 years time if only there was a plan. Nope, not a chance. As Michael Kelly, emeritus professor of engineering at Cambridge University, has been pointing out for years, such a transition far bigger than any in our history, including the Industrial Revolution would cost between three and four trillion pounds (Prof Kelly eventually gave up counting) to upgrade all the sub-stations, replace all the wires, etc. We couldnt possibly afford it, and even if we could, it would be a futile gesture given that the UKs contribution to global levels of CO2 (0.9 per cent) amounts to a rounding error. If Kemi has become the first senior politician to defy the stultifying groupthink and start to suggest what some of us have insisted is truly urgent, its only because reality is now bopping Westminster on the nose. And that bop will very soon become a knockout blow which will leave voters reeling and scared. (Expect a screeching U-turn from Labour, a year or so before the general election, I reckon.) Even the most tolerant among us are starting to question their eye-watering energy bills, although they havent quite figured out how the British people have been lied to, their funds extorted via hidden green taxes to prop up a corrupt and unreliable renewables industry. The UKs energy import bill surged to 117 billion last year, more than double 2021s total of 54 billion, according to a report by Offshore Energy UK. Thats the first time our countrys annual energy import costs broke the 100-billion barrier. Any claim that we are reducing emissions is fatuous, just sly sleight of hand. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves examine a heat pump during a visit to British renewable energy group Octupus Energy in Slough in 2024 - Jonathan Brady We are merely moving those emissions offshore (and buying them back on tankers bringing liquid natural gas across the Atlantic and electricity through interconnectors) so Ed Miliband can preen and prance about at conferences, taking credit for Britain being a global leader in a race sensible countries are either quietly withdrawing from, or wisely never entered in the first place. The cost of failing to exploit our own bountiful reserves of oil, gas and coal is such an act of national self-harm it makes me want to weep. The UK has the highest industrial electricity prices in the industrialised world, although we are rapidly losing our claim to be industrialised at all given the terrible and precipitous decline in manufacturing caused by those soaring costs. (Household electricity prices are not the very highest, but they are 153 per cent higher than the world average and 125 per cent higher than US prices. This is driving up the cost of living and making families feel poor.) According to figures from Macrostrategy Partnership, a market research company, British industrial prices are 146 per cent higher than Germany (itself in dire straits), 274 per cent higher than the United States and a phenomenal 503 per cent higher than China, which Ed Miliband visited this week. A press release about the trip from the Department of Net Zero and Energy Security read like an entry to a prize for experimental fiction. Mad Ed, it announced, met with his Chinese counterparts in Beijing for formal talks to accelerate climate action. Cooperating pragmatically and securely will help keep the British people safe from the climate emergency. Climate ACTION? My, how the Chinese laughed at this British useful idiot! Miliband is doing so much to boost the economy Chinas while they throw up the coal-fired power stations we have so diligently destroyed. Kemi could really put the boot into Ed and I wish she would because we badly need to see some of that amazing fire she showed before becoming leader but I understand that a certain pragmatism constrains how much she can say, and when. Her observation that cheap, abundant energy is the foundation of civilisation as we know it today; we mess with it at our peril was bang on. So were her heartfelt remarks about how were making our childrens future worse, not better. But notice how she fudged this bit: And then in 2019, Parliament legislated for net zero by 2050. But no plan. A multi-trillion pound, 30-year project, touching every single aspect of our lives, was decided in 90 minutes without a single vote. Of the 22 MPs who spoke that day, only two sounded notes of caution. I was one of them. I asked for the plan... And I waited and waited and waited. Eight-hundred-and-forty days later, a plan came. And it wasnt enough. Prophetic, and entirely correct from a trained engineer. But what Kemi left out is that it was Theresa Mays Tory government which enshrined that absurd 2050 target in law, without proper consultation, and it was Boris Johnson who went full steam ahead (as if coal could still be burned!) for net zero at Cop26. Boris reckoned this was one of those grand projects hes so fond of without realising it would tank Britains economy along the way. The best part of the Badenoch speech focused on Labour lies and the practicalities they would rather not mention: The real reason no one in their Government is talking about a proper overall plan is that they know it would reveal just how catastrophic the actual costs will be for families, for businesses and for our economy, she said. Those costs include families being forced to replace perfectly functioning cars, boilers and cookers with more expensive, less reliable versions of the same thing By 2040, the Committee on Climate Change says more than half of UK homes need to rip out their boilers and replace them with a heat pump. There is no way we can do this quickly enough on that timescale. Seventeen million houses need to be fitted with an expensive heat pump in just 15 years. How many houses have one now? Fewer than 300,000 because heat pumps run on a lot of expensive electricity and, it turns out, many people just dont like them. But lets look at the good statistics. Last year saw the highest number of heat pumps ever installed in the UK: 50,000. Thats the best weve ever done. So, at that rate itll take 340 years, not 15, to get to the target. And most of the 50,000 were installed with some form of Government subsidy, or as I prefer to call it taxpayers money. BOOM! Well said that woman. Exactly the kind of message that is likely to resonate with voters who want a cleaner environment but who know that electric vehicles and heat pumps are not for them. Badenochs warning about us relying on China for our energy security was also powerful and timely, particularly in the light of their grand deceit over Covid escaping from that lab in Wuhan. Its time to stop pretending everything will be fine, she said, and it most certainly is. But dont underestimate the opposition the Opposition leader faces from the all-powerful Climate Change Committee and even among her own inner circle. I bet Kemis had a fight to say what she did, says one of the small number of Conservative MPs who tried to take a more realistic approach to net zero and the ban on petrol cars and got shot down. Without question, there is still a struggle in the Tory party political reality versus green ideology and its one that Reform UK, with its confident, pro-business net stupid zero mantra doesnt have to fight. That makes life a lot easier for Nigel Farage than Kemi Badenoch as she figures out how to dry her wet party. One critic objected that Badenochs net zero gamble isnt popular so why bother? Er, because its the right thing to do. And because a leader should take the lead and show the people what danger theyre in, not peddle delusions. The Conservatives will need to go further if they want to have a chance of bringing back the voters they lost, I think. But, yesterday, Badenoch did something pretty remarkable by coming out as a net zero sceptic. She threw down a gauntlet to Mad Ed, and drew up the lines for the battle to come. She challenged the groupthink, and spoke for her nation. You can find fault with some of the detail, but not with her courage. Bravo, madam. More, please! The Euclid space telescope has captured images of 26m galaxies, covering 10bn years of cosmic history. Photograph: ESA Astronomers are predicting an avalanche of discoveries after the first major release of observations from a European space telescope built to study the mysterious dark matter and dark energy that comprise the bulk of the universe. The European Space Agencys Euclid mission has captured images of 26m galaxies, covering 10bn years of cosmic history. They give researchers unprecedented insight into the forces that shape the cosmos and the galaxies it holds. The first batch of survey data has allowed researchers to create a detailed catalogue of 380,000 galaxies, revealing the rich variation in galactic structures, with some caught in the act of merging with their neighbours. Further images reveal how massive galaxies surrounded by dark matter, the invisible substance said to pervade the universe, warp space and magnify more distant galaxies behind them. These rare images are among the best leads scientists have for understanding the nature of dark matter. Prof Adam Amara, the UK Space Agencys chief scientist and one of the researchers who first proposed the mission 20 years ago, said it was a huge relief to see the observations. All of the science we designed it for is starting to roll out exactly and even better than we would have hoped, he said. Im convinced theres groundbreaking science in there, and a lot of it. Three years before publishing his general theory of relativity in 1915, Albert Einstein predicted that strong gravitational fields generated by massive objects such as galaxies would warp space-time. Astronomers call the effect gravitational lensing, because the warping behaves like a lens, magnifying more distant objects. Observations from Euclid gathered over a single week captured 500 strong gravitational lensing events where the warping of space-time is clearly visible. When a background galaxy is magnified by lensing it often appears as a bright arc around the border of the foreground galaxy. Precise measurements of these bright arcs can reveal how much dark matter lurks around a galaxy. Meanwhile, the clumpiness of the dark matter haloes can shed light on its temperature and potential constituent particles. We have precious few clues as to what dark matter is, said Stephen Serjeant, a professor of astronomy at the Open University. But one of the ways we might figure out what dark matter is, is how it clumps. The rarest, but most valuable images have a foreground galaxy that bends light from multiple galaxies behind it. With Euclid, researchers hope to massively increase the number of such images. This is the significance of our strong gravitational lenses, said Serjeant. Its the start of an avalanche of new discoveries, and among this avalanche will be beautiful clues about what dark matter is made of. The most popular theory of the universe suggests only 5% is made from ordinary matter. Dark matter, an invisible substance that forms what is called the cosmic web, is said to account for 25%. The bulk, about 70%, is said to be dark energy, a mysterious force that is accelerating the expansion of the universe. Euclid is expected to capture images of more than 1.5bn galaxies over six years. Detailed measurements of these will reveal how dark energy is driving the expansion of the universe. But researchers are also hoping for glimpses of the unknown. Amara said: Im now convinced that we have the image quality in the resolution that in six years time, therell be new categories of objects discovered by Euclid. Ex-MP Owen Patersons involvement with a company awarded a contract to supply millions of Covid tests was not a conflict of interest, a former minister told the UK Covid-19 Inquiry. Randox was awarded a contract by the Department of Health and Social Care to supply around 2.7 million tests over a 12-week period in March 2020. Mr Paterson quit as an MP in 2021 after he was found to have breached rules on paid advocacy when he lobbied ministers on behalf of Randox. Former health minister Lord Bethell told the Covid inquiry that he was not sure when he became aware of Mr Patersons involvement with Randox but said it wasnt a secret as it was published in his register of interests. I think that if someone has put something in their register of interest and are utterly transparent about it, then it doesnt qualify as a conflict of interest, he said. Lord Bethell, whose role at the time involved overseeing the testing programme, said he authorised civil servants to start contract negotiations with Randox on March 24. He called Randox the standout candidate for working in the diagnostic area and said the public attention over the lobbying scandal had demonised the company. He said: I think that the attention around Randox has been highly politically motivated. I think its a great shame that a British company has been demonised in that fashion, other British companies will take that lesson and be extremely reluctant to step up to the challenge in the future. And I think that its a great shame whats happened to a good company. He was asked if he could suggest any measures to ensure that public confidence in the procurement process is not lost in future. We were falling over ourselves to be as transparent and clear-cut and working within the regulations as possible, he said. Everyone knew that there was going to be an inquiry from the very beginning We knew that we were going to be sitting in a chair like this, answering questions like this. He said the Government was incredibly thorough in taking advice from officials and extremely cautious about everything we did. And in our handling of Randox, I think that that.. couldnt have been a better example, he added. Lord Bethell was also asked about an email from Matt Hancock from June 2020 asking him to speak to Alex Bourne, who he called a very impressive guy. The then-health secretary Mr Hancock later faced questions about his involvement in helping Mr Bourne, the former landlord of his local pub, to obtain a multimillion-pound contract to supply test tubes for NHS Covid-19 testing. Lord Bethell said the email was not actually a pitch for work and that he had no idea whether it led to any contract being awarded to Alpha Laboratories or Mr Bournes company, Hinpack. Rapper Stormzy has been nominated for an honorary degree from Cambridge University, where he launched a scholarship programme for black students in 2018. The musician, real name Michael Ebenezer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr, is set to receive a doctorate in law from the prestigious institution. In a post on its website, Cambridge University said this was in recognition of his philanthropic work and impact in a number of fields, including education, music, sport and literature. In 2018, Stormzy funded two black British students per year at Cambridge, covering their tuition fees and maintenance costs. Stormzy, actor Simon Russell Beale and political activist Angela Davis are among 8 distinguished individuals who have been nominated to receive honorary degrees at Cambridge. Read the full story https://t.co/lvNvLzLSBF Or explore all the nominations in our thread pic.twitter.com/rLptLDwEyW Cambridge University (@Cambridge_Uni) March 19, 2025 Three years later, the scholarship programme was expanded after HSBC UK agreed to fund a further 10 students per year. The university said that 55 students have been supported by a Stormzy Scholarship so far, and this year will see the largest group to date graduate. Cambridge University said the Stormzy effect has been credited with contributing to an increase in applications to Cambridge from black students across the UK. Pictured with Stormzy are our first two Stormzy Scholars: Drew and Joseph. Were incredibly proud of their achievements while studying here and the huge career successes theyve had after graduating. Keep flying high, Drew and Joseph! pic.twitter.com/x8vzMvz5Y3 Cambridge University (@Cambridge_Uni) July 29, 2023 Stormzy, together with seven others who have been nominated for honorary degrees, has accepted the University Councils nomination, the university said. Subject to final approval by Regent House, the universitys governing body, they are due to be admitted to their degrees at a special congregation in the Senate House on June 25. Cambridge vice-chancellor Professor Deborah Prentice will preside over the ceremony which will be attended by staff, students and alumni, as well as specially invited guests. An artillery unit in Ukraine use an old towed howitzer, which was developed and widely used by the US during the second world war. Photograph: Maria Senovilla/EPA Europe needs to be able to deter potential invaders by 2030, the EU executive has said as it launched a push to buy more weapons in the bloc and from allied countries, rather than from the US. The UK, US and Turkey will be excluded from defence contracts funded by a 150bn (125bn) EU loans programme, unless they sign a security and defence partnership agreement with the EU. The 150bn loans scheme will be open to EU member states as part of a massive surge in defence spending, but 65% of the costs of equipment funded must come from suppliers in the EU, Norway or Ukraine. The rest could be spent in non-EU countries with a security agreement. The details came as the European Commission said Russia would remain a fundamental threat to Europes security for the foreseeable future. The EUs foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told reporters that the EU was preparing for the worst: We dont have a cold war, but we have a hot war on European soil, and the threat is existential. Its as real as it can get. Last month Danish intelligence services warned that if Moscow perceived Nato as weak, Russia could be ready to wage a large-scale war in Europe within five years. Denmarks prime minister Mette Frederiksen urged fellow EU leaders to set a 2030 target on rearmament at a recent emergency summit in Brussels. Addressing the Royal Danish Military Academy in Copenhagen on Tuesday, the European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said readiness 2030 meant to have rearmed and developed the capabilities to have credible deterrence and an industrial base that is a strategic advantage. The UK is described as an essential European ally in the paper, which also proposes deepening cooperation with Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea. The EU has defence pacts with six countries, including Japan, Korea and Norway. Kallas, who met the UK foreign secretary David Lammy on Tuesday, said the commission was working on having a defence and security partnership with the UK and she hoped for results at an EU-UK summit in May. The Buy European approach is a victory for France, but is likely to face pushback from member states, such as the Netherlands and Poland, in discussions on finalising the 150bn loan proposals. Many countries say they want a bigger European defence industry, but oppose restrictions on military spending. The British defence industry is so much intertwined with ours [in the EU], a senior EU diplomat said. We have an integrated value chain in the west for our military stuff. And it wouldnt make sense to cut it. They added that China, Iran and Russia were deepening defence industry cooperation. So those who say that we should cut out the non-Europeans are shooting themselves geopolitically and economically in the foot. EU leaders, who will discuss the plans at a summit on Thursday, also differ in the tone they take on the US. Italys former prime minister, Mario Draghi, who is advising the commission on competitiveness, told Italian lawmakers this week that European security had been put in doubt by Donald Trumps change in foreign policy towards Russia. A senior German government official in Berlin told reporters: We dont want to give the impression we are seeking to decouple ourselves from the US. EU countries, such as France and Spain, are likely to be disappointed that the commission has not come up with new money to fund defence ambitions. Officials think the EU can raise 800bn in new defence spending 150bn from EU-backed loans raised on capital markets and 650bn fiscal flexibilities that allow EU member states to go into debt for defence without breaking the EUs fiscal rules. EU diplomats say the headline 800bn will never be realised. Some of the largest and wealthiest member states, with top credit ratings, such as Germany and the Netherlands, have no intention of taking out EU-backed loans. Other member states, especially in southern Europe, are seen as reluctant to deepen their national debts for defence. The commission could act as a central purchasing body, it suggests in the paper, opening the door to the EU executive buying drones, missiles and other equipment, if member states wished. The proposal recalls the role EU bodies have already played in buying ammunition for Ukraine and vaccines during the Covid pandemic. Defence spending in Europe has jumped since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, hitting 1.9% of GDP in 2024 for 27 member states, which includes 23 Nato allies. But Donald Trumps rapprochement towards Russia and hostility to the EU has forced a change of thinking. The EUs 450 million citizens should not have to depend on 340 million Americans to defend ourselves against 140 million Russians, who cannot defeat 38 million Ukrainians, EU defence commissioner Andrius Kubilius said. We really can do better. Its time for us to take responsibility for the defence of Europe. Hearing how sanctuary cows lived before they were finally rescued is so soul-crushing at times, because these cows have been through the ringer. So many of them have been mistreated, kept in terrible conditions, had their children taken away... A lot of the cows who survive that and go on to live in rescue sanctuaries remain incredibly fearful and distrustful even of the humans that are helping them. Why would they trust them? That's how Willow, a traumatized and sickly rescue cow, initially was upon her rescue and arrival at Asha's Farm Sanctuary. However, just before she tragically succumbed to her illness, Willow had a beautiful breakthrough when she realized that she was finally loved for the first time. Willow's life was hard and tragic from the get-go. Willow had lived on a beef farm prior to her rescue, and she had had multiple calves taken away from her over the years. Tracy, the founder of Asha's Farm Sanctuary, managed to rescue Willow's last calf, Cheyenne, after she suffered life-threatening injuries, and when Willow wouldn't stop desperately looking for her lost child, her farmer relented and allowed Tracy to rescue Willow, too, who was suffering from scarred lungs after years of neglect. Related: Animal Sanctuary Sets Up a 'Cow Carrot Drive Thru' and People Can't Get Enough Despite being brought to a place where she and her calf could live safely, Willow was fearful and resentful of her rescuers. But Tracy never gave up on showing Willow the kindness she deservedand one day, something changed. "One magical day, as Tracy worked near the gate, Willow took a brave step forward," Asha's Farm Sanctuary recounted in their caption. "She approached, her eyes meeting Tracy's with a flicker of something newcuriosity, perhaps even a glimmer of trust. As Tracy gently held Willow's face in her hands, she spoke words filled with sincerity: 'I love you, Willow.'" Upon hearing those words, Willow's eyes filled with tears, as if she finally understood that she was loved and cherished for the first time. In the video, she looks so calm and peaceful listening to Tracy's soft, kind words. Sadly, Willow was infirm, and she passed away shortly after having this emotional breakthrough. But her legacy is carried on through her surviving calf, Cheyenne, and though Willow left this world too soon, at least she left it knowing that she was finally loved unconditionally. "It's so sad that people think animals don't feel emotions, because they really do," reflected TikTok commenter @nannabear55. "Rest in peace." "Amazing strength you beautiful people have. You absolutely make the world and heavens proud," @tinastewart415 praised Willow's rescuers. "Thank you for seeing all the beauty and magic in these magnificent souls." Supporting Asha's Farm Sanctuary Based out of Newfane, New York, not far from Niagara Falls, Asha's Farm Sanctuary currently cares for a dozen rescue cows (including Cheyenne) as well as a smattering of sheep, several rescue cats, a few ducks, and a Tibetan Mastiff named Stasha. Asha's Farm Sanctuary works hard to rehabilitate their animals (many of whom arrive sick, injured, and traumatized) and give them a healthy, happy, and comfortable forever home where they can live happily ever after. There's lots of ways you can support this farm animal rescue, including attending some of their events if you're in the area (they've got a Kiss-a-Cow Weekend Festival scheduled for the end of June that looks absolutely adorable). However, one of the most meaningful and impactful ways you can support them is by sponsoring one of their animals to contribute to their food, shelter, and medical care. Sponsors receive a Certificate of Sponsorship plus a framed photo of their chosen animal. If Willow's story resonated with you, and you want to honor her memory by supporting her daughter or one of her barnyard friends, this is a great way to do it! Stacey Solomon helped put baby Elias to bed. (BBC Screengrab) What did you miss? Stacey Solomon took a shine to seven-month-old Elias in the latest episode of Sort Your Life Out, her BBC home makeover and decluttering show, which aired on Tuesday, 18 March. The TV presenter rocked the baby boy to sleep and then he was laid on a bed in the warehouse while she helped his parents and four-year-old sister to sort through and cut down their possessions, including 49 make-up brushes, 213 CDs, 552 books and 116 babygrows. Adorable baby Elias and his four-year-old sister Zora stole the show. What, how and why? Stacey Solomon bonded with four-year-old Zora on Sort Your Life Out. (BBC) (BBC/Optomen Television) Solomon and her team of professional organiser Dilly Carter, cleaner Iwan Carrington, handyman Rob Bent were in east London to help Dee and Aaron Noel tidy and clean up their three-bedroom home. The couple met 17 years ago at university and moved into their 'forever home' three years ago with their daughter Zora. Trainee clinical psychologist Dee gave birth to Elias on the bathroom floor and the speedy and difficult birth left her bedbound and unable to do all the organising of her home she had planned for her maternity leave. Dee said: "I was planning a home birth with support of midwives, but it happened very quick. I was watching TV an hour-and-a-half later, he was here." Aaron added: "Dee shouted, it's here! And the baby arrived, I caught him and wow, like I just couldn't believe I had this baby in my arms, and the home birth pool was still being filled up." Dee added: "I was in like a lot of pain, just everywhere after having him. I had to go on bed rest for a good few months. I think there's this culture of like bouncing back very quickly from childbirth, but it's really difficult when you have another child and they've got needs and you're trying to look after them. "Like, I thought that I was going to declutter the entire house. I was gonna put in all these storage solutions. I haven't been able to do anything." Yahoo UK has reached out to Sort Your Life Out's representatives for further comment. Read more: Stacey Solomon What did viewers say about Sort Your Life Out? Baby Elias stole the show on Sort Your Life Out. (BBC Screengrab) During the family's first day in the warehouse, Solomon rocked baby Elias to sleep and then put him down on a bed. Viewers were as enchanted by the cute kids as Solomon was. One tweeted: "Small children just LOVE Stacey #SortYourLifeOut." Someone else posted: "One of my favourite tv programmes is Sort Your Life Out. Are you watching tonight? Have you ever seen a cuter baby in your life!!!! #SortYourLifeOut Plus, I totally and utterly adore Stacey Solomon." And another viewer shared: "Baby Elias is adorable #SortYourLifeOut." Sort Your Life Out with Stacey Solomon airs on BBC One at 8pm on Tuesday and is available to stream in iPlayer. Sort Your Life Out is already seeking applicants for its next series. She came, she saw, she fell flat on her face ... Kemi Badenoch at PMQs I know there is only one award that readers really look forward to each Wednesday. Today it was a clear winner out of the gates with the second question. Bottom-Crawler of the Week was Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes, a Uriah Heap lookalike who spoke about his passion for job creation, and how wonderful the Prime Ministers plans for it were. I looked him up to see whether he had spent the last few months living on the moon and I can tell you that he cant have been all that passionate about jobs, having never had a real one in his life. There are bacteria in the average human gut which have contributed more to the wealth of nations than someone who went from being head of the National Union of Students to chairman of the Socialist Environment and Resources Association to being a local councillor to being a trustee of Stonewall to being a Labour MP. The closest he has ever got to a serious job was as head of PR for the British Kebab Awards. No wonder these people are blind to the effects of their jobs tax on businesses; none has ever been involved in anything beyond Early Learning Centre-grade student politicking. Presiding over this affront to parliamentary democracy is, of course, Oinky. He was in particularly ebullient form today; perhaps theyd put something in his herbal tea. Given the last time the current PM had something new or interesting to say at PMQs was during the early days of the May administration, he invariably gets muddled when overexcited. In reply to Mrs Badenochs query about the looming emergency Budget, he simply barked massive 22 black hole, which might actually have given us a dreadful insight into the depths of his psyche. After pinning the PM down on hospice funding, Mrs Badenoch herself managed to be snared. Sir Keir is hardly subtle in this, resembling Elmer Fudd in a brilliantined wig, as he sets traps visible from space. Still, Ms Badenoch allowed him to ask her a question. Would she reverse the National Insurance increase? he cried. The whole charade is pointless at the best of times but allowing Britains smarmiest man not to only fail to answer anything himself but to turn the tables and become the inquisitor, is a step too far. Oinky referenced his much-fantasised-about big black hole in every single answer, often mangling it along the way; Twenty-two billion hole! he yelled. Beside him, Big Ange and Rachel from Complaints nodded in rare unison, like a pair of dolls. Specifically, Pinocchio and Chucky. Mrs Badenoch offered to swap places with the PM if he was so keen on not answering questions. After the headline sparring, various backbenchers took their turns. Carla Denyer, the winner of the most obviously a Green Party MP award tutted and shook her head during the PMs answer about benefit cuts. A Lib Dem who was dressed like an Edwardian ghost asked a question about eating disorders. The biggest laugh came for Lee Anderson (who has directed most of his recent fire not at the Government but at, er, Rupert Lowe) when he claimed to be asking sensible questions. How many Starmtroopers in Reform-facing seats will still be laughing come the next general election remains to be seen. More impressive was Danny Kruger, who asked the PM why he was obsessed with doing things to disabled people rather than with them. The question was ostensibly about the benefits system but inevitably invited consideration of Kim Leadreapers evil bill still under discussion down the corridor. Finally, the MP for Bedford asked a totally incomprehensible question about a theme park. Why would we need another theme park, one wonders, when we have the House of Commons? Doctors say a standardised national approach to prescribing ADHD medicine would alleviate growing pressure on the system responsible for treating the more than a million Australians with the disorder. Photograph: Thomas Imo/Alamy Every three months, Suzanne Grobke makes an eight-hour round-trip to access the ADHD medicine her 12-year-old daughter depends on. My daughter was diagnosed with ADHD when she was three and we see a paediatrician in Sydney because it was up to a two-year wait to see someone regionally, she said. She has displayed suicidal thoughts and self-harmed, she is on anxiety meds, anti-psychotics, sleeping meds and Ritalin. It is a lot for a 12-year-old. If their GP on the New South Wales mid-north coast could prescribe Ritalin alongside her daughters other medicines, it would make everything so much easier, said Grobke, who takes time off her accountancy work to accompany her daughter on the journey every three months. Related: Ritalin is often first choice for ADHD but a new Australian guide says theres no one-size-fits-all With rising rates and awareness of ADHD combined with the difficulty of accessing specialists in regional areas, the Royal Australasian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is calling for a federal government commitment to increasing the number of medicines GPs can prescribe, including essential medicines for people with ADHD. The college says a standardised approach to prescribing ADHD medicine the regime differs in every state and territory would alleviate growing pressure on the system responsible for treating the more than a million Australians who live with ADHD. In most states and territories, psychiatrists must diagnose and initially prescribe stimulant medication such as Ritalin and Vyvanse, after which patients are co-managed by a GP. If a patient is under 18, a paediatrician can also fulfil the psychiatrists role. In Queensland, GPs can diagnose and prescribe ADHD medicine for children but not adults, while Western Australia has committed to reforms allowing GPs to diagnose and prescribe stimulant medication for ADHD. For patients, the inconsistencies lead to higher medical costs when attempting to access essential medicines; for doctors, the patchwork approach impacts moves between jurisdictions, the college says. Dr Tim Jones, the RACGP chair of child and young persons health, is based in Tasmania, where patients face an almost three-year wait for ADHD assessments. He said collaborative solutions were needed now and that the current inconsistencies in the prescribing of ADHD medication were very confusing. Patients with stable ADHD see specialists on an ongoing basis every six months for scripts. We could take on that care and that would allow less cost to families, but also it would free up those specialist services to conduct more assessments and deal with some of the wait times, Jones said. Having universal rules around ADHD prescribing will be a huge step in the right direction. Related: Mental health crisis means youth is no longer one of happiest times of life Jones said paediatricians made up 3% of the medical workforce yet were expected to manage a condition that is seeing up to 20% of children presenting to specialists for diagnosis. A 2023 Senate inquiry into ADHD in Australia highlighted the significant barriers faced by people with the disorder, including around costs of and waiting times to access treatment. The committee recommended nationally consistent rules for ADHD medication prescriptions a proposal supported by the federal government, which is yet to commit to national reform. The RACGP president, Dr Michael Wright, said access to timely medical care shouldnt be a postcode lottery. When skilled GPs can better support people living with ADHD and prescribe medicines, it reduces financial barriers for patients, improves health outcomes and eases pressure on the health system, he said. For Grobke, it would mean less time off work, fewer expenses and local, joined-up medical support for her daughter. This medication is very important it has made a huge difference to her life, she said. It would just be so much easier if we just had the support we needed here. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14 This article was amended on 22 March 2025 to clarify that up to 20% of children are being referred to specialists for ADHD diagnosis. A previous version stated that the condition affected up to 20% of children. Jodie Comer will head out on tour with Prima Facie. (Getty Images) (Dave Benett via Getty Images) Jodie Comer is returning to her Olivier and Tony Award winning role in Prima Facie, with a theatre tour announced for 2026. The acclaimed play by Suzie Miller featured Killing Eve star Comer in 2022's West End production of the one-woman show. She picked up a best actress Olivier Award for the performance, while Miller won in the best new play category. Comer also took Prima Facie to Broadway in 2023 where she won the best actress Tony Award, and now audiences have another chance to see her powerful performance as the play gets a UK and Ireland tour. How to get tickets for Prima Facie 2026 tour Jodie Comer bows at the curtain call during the press night performance of Prima Facie at The Harold Pinter Theatre in 2022. (Getty Images) (Dave Benett via Getty Images) Prima Facie's tour doesn't open until January 2026, but tickets are go on sale from Tuesday, 25 March. Buy tickets here It will begin at Richmond Theatre in Richmond Upon Thames on Friday, 23 January 2026, and then tour to a further eight venues in Dublin, Edinburgh, Cardiff, York, Bath, Canterbury, Birmingham and Liverpool, ending at the Liverpool Playhouse on Saturday, 21 March 2026. Tickets for the tour go on sale on Tuesday, 25 March 2025 when they will be available to buy here. What is Prima Facie about? Jodie Comer in Prima Facie by Suzie Miller. (Empire Street Productions/Helen Murray) (Helen Murray) The one-person play features Comer as Tessa, a brilliant young barrister who has made a career from defending men accused of sexual assault. She is at the top of her game after climbing the ladder of success from a working class background and loves nothing more than to win. But when Tessa experiences a sexual assault herself, it forces her to confront the lines where the patriarchal power of the law, burden of proof and morals diverge. On returning to the role for the Prima Facie tour, Comer said: "It is a huge privilege to return to Prima Facie for one last time and take this important play on tour across the UK and Ireland. The resonance of Suzie Millers writing, both in London and New York, exceeded anything we could have imagined. "Im so thrilled to have the opportunity to get the team back together and take the production to theatres around the country, including my hometown of Liverpool. On a personal note, I cant think of a better finale to what has been such an incredible and deeply rewarding chapter in my life." Prima Facie, which has a score composed by Self Esteem, has also had two record-breaking cinema releases from NTLive and Empire Street Productions. Miller said: "I couldnt be more thrilled about the Prima Facie 2026 tour; this play has already achieved more than we all could have dreamed, and Jodies commitment to the story reaching so many new venues and communities means more people can be part of the conversation, and the solution." How Prima Facie is raising awareness of consent Soma Sara's Everyone's Invited project is in partnership with Prima Facie. (Getty Images) (Jason Mendez via Getty Images) The play's themes are the perfect starting point to discuss the issues of assault and consent, and as the tour is announced it will also continue a partnership with charities The Schools Consent Project and Everyones Invited. Barrister Kate Parker set up The Schools Consent Project in 2014 which sends lawyers into schools to teach secondary school aged pupils the legal definition of consent and key sexual offences. Soma Sara founded Everyone's Invited in 2020 after sharing her experiences of rape culture on Instagram. It quickly became a safe space for survivors to share their stories completely anonymously, and gained charity status in 2022. It's hoped that Prima Facie's tour will spark more conversations about assault, consent and boundaries in the places that it visits in 2026. Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a news conference in Helsinki on Wednesday - Bloomberg Donald Trump has offered to take ownership of Ukrainian power plants to protect the country against further Russian attacks. In the first call between the leaders since their Oval Office row, the US president suggested to Volodymyr Zelensky that he take over Ukraines electrical and nuclear power plants, saying American ownership would be the best protection. Mr Trump said: The United States could be very helpful in running those plants with its electricity and utility expertise. During the hour-long call, which the White House described as fantastic, Mr Zelensky asked for more Patriot defence missile systems, which have played a crucial role in protecting the countrys infrastructure from Russian missiles. Mr Trump agreed to help, offering to find what was available in Europe, a White House statement said. Only Germany has come forward with a single Patriot missile battery in an answer to Ukraines latest request. The discussion is likely to frustrate Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, who demanded an end to military aid and intelligence to Kyiv during his call with the US president on Tuesday. Not only did Mr Trump confirm his support for further military equipment in Ukraine, but Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, confirmed that intelligence sharing in terms of defence of Ukraine will continue to be shared. In another slight to Putin, who offered to host a Russia versus US ice hockey match as a rapprochement gesture, she said: Were more interested in securing a peace deal than scheduling hockey games right now. So far, the US has not offered a concrete security deal to end the war but has proposed a minerals deal which would give America access to rare earth minerals worth $300 billion. Ukrainian heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk visited a devastated energy plant Controlling Ukraines energy infrastructure would be a significant step further and offer a security backstop for the region without the need for military intervention. Ukraine operates four nuclear power plants with a total of 15 reactors, including Zaporizhzhia, which has been under Russian control since 2022. Russias attacks against Ukraines energy infrastructure mean Kyivs capacity is now at around a third of what it was at the beginning of 2022. American companies could profit from rebuilding and managing the power plants, and although a financial arrangement wasnt mentioned during the call, ownership would likely provide much quicker returns than the proposed minerals deal. The move would likely mean that Ukraine would lose control of its nuclear capabilities. Ukraine agreed to give up its nuclear arsenal 30 years ago and pledged not to accept, produce or acquire nuclear weapons, but a November report by a Ukrainian think tank said that the country could construct a crude nuclear device within months using plutonium extracted from spent fuel from its power plants. Ukrainians want peace On Mar 19, Mr Zelensky said he had a positive, very substantive, and frank conversation with Mr Trump. He said: I thanked President Trump and the American people for their support. I stressed that Ukrainians want peace, which is why Ukraine accepted the proposal for an unconditional ceasefire. The pair discussed children who had gone missing from Ukraine during the war, including the ones who had been abducted. The White House said: President Trump promised to work closely with both parties to help make sure those children were returned home. Notably, in the statement released by Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State and Mike Waltz, the National Security advisor, they mentioned Mr Zelensky thanked Mr Trump on four separate occasions. This was after Mr Zelensky was asked by JD Vance: Have you said thank you once? During this entire meeting? as he was set upon by the US vice president. Yesterday, Mr Zelensky said: One of the first steps toward fully ending the war could be ending strikes on energy and other civilian infrastructure. I supported this step, and Ukraine confirmed that we are ready to implement it. Ukraine and Russia have exchanged 175 troops and another 22 wounded - Shutterstock Putin also signalled his willingness to stop the energy infrastructure attacks, but on Wednesday morning, Mr Zelensky accused Putin of breaking that agreement after Russian drones targeted infrastructure across Ukraine. Moscow later said Ukraine hit an oil depot in southern Russia. Mr Zelensky said: If the Russians will not strike our facilities, then we will definitely not strike theirs. But a prisoner swap touted as a confidence-building step went ahead, with each side exchanging 175 troops and another 22 wounded Ukrainians released as a perceived goodwill gesture from Russia. Mr Zelensky said: Ukrainian and American teams are ready to meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to continue coordinating steps toward peace. It is thought that a Russian negotiation team will also meet with US officials in Jeddah on Sunday. On Mar 20, military chiefs from more than 30 countries will meet in London to discuss a peace keeping force in the event a ceasefire is agreed. Late on Wednesday, Russia was reported to have carried out massive air strikes on the front-line Ukrainian city of Kupiansk. The enemy is carrying out massive airstrikes on Kupiansk, the regional governor said. Critical infrastructure has been damaged, and fires have broken out at civilian facilities. Authorities were trying establish if there had been any casualties, he added. 07:57 PM GMT Thats all for today Thanks for following our live coverage of the Ukraine war as Donald Trump continues his attempts to broker a ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv. We will be back soon with more updates and analysis from the conflict. 07:56 PM GMT US ownership of Ukraines power plants could protect them Tammy Bruce, a spokesman for the US State Department, implied that US ownership of Ukraines power plants would protect them from Russian attacks. She said: It is probably somewhat beneficial to have an economic relationship with the nation that has a history of being able to protect itself and protect its friends. When you have people running your infrastructure who know what theyre doing, Ms Bruce added. That maintains not just the economic framework but also a security framework. Earlier tonight, Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said Donald Trump had offered to take over ownership of Kyivs power plants in a call with Volodymyr Zelensky. US, Ukrainian and Swedish flags fly in front of the Rivne Nuclear Power Plant, in Varash, Ukraine in Sep 2023 - ROMAN PILIPEY/AFP 07:48 PM GMT US denies deleting data about abducted Ukrainian children The US State Department denied that data collected in a government-funded program that helps track thousands of abducted Ukrainian children had been deleted, but acknowledged the effort had been terminated as part of foreign aid cuts. In a letter addressed to Marco Rubio, US secretary of state, Democratic lawmakers sounded alarm that the data from the repository might have been permanently deleted. Speaking at a daily press briefing, Tammy Bruce, a spokesman for the state department, said suggestions that data was deleted were false. The data exists, Ms Bruce said, adding that although it is not in the State Departments control, its not been deleted and its not missing. Ms Bruce also said that Donald Trump bringing up the issue on a call with Volodymyr Zelensky earlier today is likely to mean cooperation between the two countries on the topic could continue. 07:31 PM GMT EU chief encouraged by Trump-Zelensky call Antonio Costa, president of the European Council, said that he was encouraged by the phone call held earlier in the day between Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump. Positive conversation with President Zelenskiy. I am encouraged by his substantive phone call with @POTUS Donald Trump, Mr Costa wrote on X. Halting strikes on energy and other civilian infrastructure would be an important and first real step towards ending the war. We will continue our discussions with President Zelenskiy tomorrow at the European Council, he added. Mr Zelensky said he spoke to Mr Costa this evening and coordinated our positions and discussed key issues on the agenda. 07:09 PM GMT Orban: EU must back Trumps effort to secure peace deal Viktor Orban said that the European Union had to back efforts by Donald Trump to get a peace deal in the war between Russia and Ukraine. Asked if he continued to oppose the EU giving more money to Ukraine, Mr Orban replied to reporters: We dont support it. In our understanding, there is one simple mission to be done by the European Union - to support President Donald Trumps efforts to make peace, he added. Mr Orban, who is considered Vladimir Putins greatest ally in Europe, has repeatedly opposed sending military aid to Ukraine and frequently diverged from the blocs views on the three-year conflict. 06:56 PM GMT We should militarise Ukraine to its teeth, says Finlands president The only solution to deter Moscows aggression is to militarise Ukraine to its teeth, said Alexander Stubb, Finlands president. Speaking after his meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky in Helsinki today, Mr Stubb said that Vladimir Putin had revealed his truce face by bombing civilian infrastructure after telling Donald Trump he would halt such attacks. I can say this is a fairly typical Putin tactic, the Finnish president told Politico. We have an aggressor who says he wants a ceasefire and peace, but refuses to commit. And I think yesterdays phone conversation between Trump and Putin was a step in the right direction, but we are now seeing the true face of Putin, he added. Volodymyr Zelensky and Finlands president Alexander Stubb hug each other in Helsinki, Finland on Wednesday - Markku Ulander/Lehtikuva 06:44 PM GMT US moved beyond minerals deal with Ukraine The US has moved beyond a previously agreed minerals deal with Ukraine, Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary said. Now, we have moved beyond the economic minerals deal, we are at a place of peace, were at a partial ceasefire, she said. 06:29 PM GMT Pictured: Abandoned Ukrainian trench in Kursk A Chechen soldier inspects a recently abandoned Ukrainian trench in the village of Kazachya Loknya near Sudzha in Kursk - TATYANA MAKEYEVA / AFP 06:17 PM GMT Trump pledges to help Ukraine return stolen children Donald Trump told Volodymyr Zelensky that he would make sure children taken from Ukraine by Russia would be returned home in their phone call today. President Zelensky also thanked President Trump for continuing to push humanitarian concerns, including the exchange of POWs, Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, told reporters. He noted they had just had a successful exchange and thanked the President for his leadership. President Trump also asked President Zelensky about the children who had gone missing from Ukraine during the war, including the ones that had been abducted. President Trump promised to work closely with both parties to help make sure those children were returned home. Last week, it was reported that the US government had cut a Yale University unit that helped identify and rescue the kidnapped children as part of an efficiency drive led by Elon Musk. 06:15 PM GMT Key points of Trump-Zelensky call: Mike Waltz, US national security adviser, and Marco Rubio, US secretary of state, released a statement on the US and Ukrainian presidents call. The key points are: The White praised the Trump-Zelensky phone call as fantastic Zelensky and Trump agreed to a partial ceasefire on energy The US offered to take ownership of Ukraines energy facilities to protect them from Russian strikes Washington will continue to provide intelligence sharing to Kyiv US-Ukraine talks will be held again Saudi Arabia later this week The White House believes we have never been this close to peace Trump agreed to help Ukraine procure more air defence missiles from Europe Trump agreed to help Ukraine bring home children taken by Russia 05:46 PM GMT White House statement on fantastic Trump-Zelensky call: Karoline Leavitt has read out a statement from Mike Waltz, US national security adviser, Marco Rubio, secretary of state, on Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskys phone call. President Zelensky asked for additional air defence systems to protect his civilians particularly Patriot missile systems, and President Trump agreed to work with him to find what was available, particularly in Europe, she said. Mr Zelensky is also said to have thanked Mr Trump for continuing to push humanitarian concerns including the exchange of prisoners of war. The US President is said to have raised the issue of Ukrainian children being taken from their homes by Russia, and promised to work closely with both parties to help make sure those children were returned home. Mr Trump has instructed his team to move ahead with the technical issues related to implementing and broadening the partial ceasefire, and US negotiators will return to Saudi Arabia for talks this week. 05:40 PM GMT Putin and Trump agree war must end with lasting peace Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin spoke on the phone yesterday about the need for peace and a ceasefire in the Ukraine war, the White House press secretary said. Both leaders agreed this conflict needs to end with a lasting peace, Karoline Leavitt said. She continued: President Trump also spoke with President Zelensky this morning to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their needs and requests. As President Trump has said repeatedly, the precious lives and money that both Ukraine and Russia have been spending on this war would be better spent on the needs of their people. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during the daily briefing - AFP 05:26 PM GMT Putins key demand is designed to inflict maximum damage on Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky had just touched down in Kyiv after being told by Donald Trump that Ukraine doesnt have any cards when the explosion happened. In the city of Ufa, 700 miles east of Moscow and more than 1,000 miles away from Kyiv, Mr Zelenskys drone unit struck further into Russian territory than ever before. The Ufimsky oil refinery one of Russias largest burst into flames that burned so bright that they could be seen above the citys skyline for hours. Locals thought there had been an earthquake. Russia has been hit by dozens of similar attacks on its oil refineries and power plants. They are the reason why Vladimir Putins first ceasefire demand is to make them stop. 05:09 PM GMT EU shuts Britain out of 150bn rearmament fund British arms companies will be excluded from a 150 billion EU fund to boost European defence unless the Government signs a security pact with Brussels. US and Turkish defence firms are also not included in the new Security Action for Europe (SAFE) scheme, under which member states take out loans from funds raised against the EU budget to spend on weapons. In a victory for France, which has insisted that EU moves to rearm must incentivise governments to buy European, some 65 per cent of the cost of weapons must be spent in either the EU, Norway or Ukraine, under the plans announced on Wednesday. The EU is scrambling to ramp up its arms spending in the face of Russian aggression and warnings from Donald Trump over long-neglected defence budgets and US security guarantees for Europe. Kaja Kallas, the EUs chief diplomat, said the decision to exclude the UK was related to member states and different worries in a veiled reference to French pressure. 05:00 PM GMT Watch: Ukrainian POWs emotional call home after prisoner exchange "Mom, I'm home." A Ukrainian soldier's emotional call after Russian captivity. pic.twitter.com/PsEgiJ0wsr UNITED24 Media (@United24media) March 19, 2025 05:00 PM GMT Pictured: Former Russian prisoners cheer after being freed Russian soldiers are shown in good spirits as they are returned from captivity in Ukraine. Kyiv and Moscow today exchanged 175 prisoners each in what Volodymyr Zelensky said was one of the largest POW swaps of the war. Russia reportedly also returned an extra 22 severely injured Ukrainian soldiers. Russian soldiers applaud as they sit in a bus after being released in a prisoners swap between Russia and Ukraine - Russian Defense Ministry Press Service 04:52 PM GMT Trump to discuss easing Russia sanctions only after ceasefire agreed Donald Trump is to discuss easing sanctions on Russia only after a ceasefire is secured, his special envoy said. Steve Witkoff told Bloomberg that Vladimir Putin and Mr Trump and would discuss the issue, but that first and foremost, we want a solution that means an end to the fighting. He added: We want to get to the ceasefire. Thats the presidents policy. And were going to get to the ceasefire. Mr Witkoff went on to say that after a ceasefire is in place, everything else will be a detail: sanction relief and all the other things that go with a full-on peace treaty. 04:25 PM GMT Pictured: Kursk resident cries after village retaken by Russia Kursk resident Valentina Marchenko cries next to a Chechen fighter in village recently retaken from Ukraine by Russia near Sudzha - TATYANA MAKEYEVA/AFP 04:22 PM GMT Ukraine says Russia hit its rail infrastructure for second time today Ukraines state railway said that Russia attacked its facilities for the second time today, injuring four people in the southeastern Dnipro region. The attack was previously carried out by a ballistic missile, Ukrzaliznytsya said. Railway workers made every effort to ensure that the hostile attacks did not affect the movement of passenger trains. 03:55 PM GMT Britain to continue Ukraine weapons supply despite Putins demands The UK will keep giving military aid to Ukraine despite Vladimir Putin demanding Western arms supplies to Kyiv come to a halt. The Telegraph understands that there has been no shift in the Foreign Office position and British lethal and humanitarian aid to Ukraine will continue. The Russian president said on Tuesday that a comprehensive ceasefire would only work if foreign military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine came to an end. The European Union said this morning it would continue sending military aid to Ukraine, claiming Russia was not ready to make any concessions. What Russia wants is that Ukraine will let all the guards down, Kaja Kallas, the EUs top diplomat, told reporters in Brussels. Germany plans to release an extra 3bn in military aid for Ukraine in a major breakthrough after Olaf Scholz, the outgoing Chancellor, previously blocked a new financial package. Meanwhile, Boris Pistorius, the German defence minister, accused Putin of playing a game by ordering attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure just hours after agreeing a partial ceasefire with Donald Trump. Speaking in Helsinki this morning, Volodymyr Zelensky said joint pressure must be put on Russia after it launched strikes on energy and civilian infrastructure overnight, including two hospitals. 03:41 PM GMT Trump praises very good call with Zelensky Donald Trump had a very good call with Volodymyr Zelensky and said they were very much on track towards a peace deal. The hour-long call, which is the first time he and the Ukrainian president have spoken directly since Februarys Oval Office shouting match, was used to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs, Mr Trump said. He wrote on his Truth Social network that much of the discussion was focused on his call with Vladimir Putin last night, in which the Russian leader rejected an immediate ceasefire but agreed to halt attacks on Ukraines energy infrastructure. Only hours after, Mr Zelensky accused Putin of breaking that agreement after Russian drones targeted infrastructure across Ukraine. Moscow later said Ukraine hit an oil depot in southern Russia. If the Russians will not strike our facilities, then we will definitely not strike theirs, Mr Zelensky said today at a briefing in Helsinki alongside the president of Finland. However, a prisoner swap touted as a confidence-building step went ahead, with each side exchanging 175 troops and another 22 wounded Ukrainians released as a perceived goodwill gesture from Russia. 03:25 PM GMT Waltz spoken to Russian counterpart Mike Waltz, the US national security adviser, said that he had spoken with his Russian counterpart about efforts to end the war in Ukraine. We agreed our technical teams would meet in Riyadh in the coming days to focus on implementing and expanding the partial ceasefire President Trump secured from Russia, he wrote on X. Earlier today, US envoy Steve Witkoff, said Marco Rubio and Mike Waltz would be travelling to Saudi Arabia on Sunday. I spoke today with my Russian counterpart Yuri Ushakov about President Trump's efforts to end the war in Ukraine. We agreed our technical teams would meet in Riyadh in the coming days to focus on implementing and expanding the partial ceasefire President Trump secured from Mike Waltz (@MikeWaltz47) March 19, 2025 03:14 PM GMT Fighting ongoing in Kursk, insists Ukraine The Ukrainian military has insisted the fighting is ongoing in Kursk, despite Russian reports that they had almost driven Kyivs forces out of the border region. The operation is ongoing in the Kursk region, its general staff said in an update this afternoon. Ukrainian soldiers have repelled nine enemy attacks today. Earlier today, the military said it was engaged in frequently clashes in Kursk and coming under heavy fire from above. 03:05 PM GMT Ball is back in Putins court, says No10 Downing Street said it is disappointing that Vladimir Putin rejected an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, adding that the ball is now in Russias court to agree to halt the fighting. We obviously welcome President Trumps efforts to secure a ceasefire in this space but it is also disappointing that Putin has not agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire without conditions, as Ukraine has done, the Prime Ministers official spokesman said. And thats why were clear that, given Ukraine has agreed to a ceasefire deal, the ball is now in Russias court to agree to this. 02:55 PM GMT In pictures: 197 Ukrainian troops return home Ukraine and Russia swapped 175 prisoners each today - Volodymyr Zelensky / X Another 22 severely wounded Ukrainian troops were also returned through measures beyond exchanges, according to Volodymyr Zelensky - Volodymyr Zelensky / X This is one of the largest POW exchanges, Mr Zelensky said - Volodymyr Zelensky / X 02:47 PM GMT Trump-Zelensky call is under way A call between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky is under way, the White House has said. The US president is speaking in the Oval Office. 02:29 PM GMT Zelensky confirms one of largest POW swaps Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed one of the largest ever prisoner of war swaps took place between Russia and Ukraine yesterday. Ukraine remembers every one of our heroes, and we will bring all our people home, he wrote on X, alongside pictures of soldiers who had been released. Today is another day when Ukraine brings its people back. 175 of our defenders have been released from Russian captivity. Another 22 defenders are returning home through measures beyond exchanges. Among them are severely wounded warriors and those whom Russia persecuted for pic.twitter.com/r8vI7BiYxn Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) March 19, 2025 02:11 PM GMT Putin wants Trump to recognise all land taken as Russian Vladimir Putin wants Donald Trump to recognise four Ukrainian regions Moscow has claimed as its own, as well as Crimea, as Russian, according to reports. Russias Kommersant daily reported that Putin made the claim at a private business event on Tuesday. Moscow does not fully control any of the four regions it illegally annexed in 2022. In return for recognition and if it happened in the near future, Putin would not claim Ukrainian port city of Odesa and other Ukrainian territory, according to the report. Vladimir Putin at a meeting of Russian prosecutors in Moscow on Wednesday - AFP 01:52 PM GMT Russia and Ukraine exchange 372 POWs Russia and Ukraine have exchanged 372 prisoners of war, according to the Russian defence ministry. Each side exchanged 175 prisoners each, the ministry said, adding that an extra 22 seriously wounded POWs were released by Moscow. 01:41 PM GMT The four Trump allies who tried to replace Zelensky Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskys relationship is far from perfect. Shortly after their Oval Office row, reports emerged that senior Trump figures had spoken with the Ukrainian presidents opponents about the prospect of holding early elections, which are banned under martial law. It has now emerged it was Mr Trumps son, Don Jr, his son-in-law Jared Kushner, former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, and Steve Witkoff, the Middle East envoy, who were involved in those discussions. Convinced Mr Zelensky would lose an election, they spoke with Yulia Tymoshenko, the opposition leader, as well as senior members of former president Petro Poroshenkos party, Politico reported. Despite their confidence, Mr Zelenskys approval rating surge by 10 percentage points after Mr Trump branded him a dictator on social media. 01:18 PM GMT Trump-Zelensky call set for 2pm Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump will speak on the phone at 2pm UK time (10am ET), according to reports. It will be their first known conversation since a public shouting match between the two leaders in the White House earlier this month. Mr Zelensky sent the US president a letter shortly after in which he pledged to sign a rare earth minerals deal. They are expected to talk about Mr Trumps phone call with Vladimir Putin, which led to a partial ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine covering energy and civilian infrastructure. 01:07 PM GMT Pictured: Usyk visits devastated energy plant in central Ukraine Oleksandr Usyk, the world heavyweight champion, has visited a devastated energy plant in central Ukraine. The Ukrainian boxer travelled to the DTEK-owned power plant to hear about stories of survival from frontline workers. Ukrainian heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has visited a devasted energy plant in Central Ukraine - DTEK /DTEK 01:01 PM GMT British companies to be excluded from EU fund to boost defence British arms companies will be excluded from a 150bn EU fund to boost European defence unless the Government signs a security pact with Brussels. US and Turkish defence companies are also not part of the SAFE scheme, which raises loans against the EU Budget for member states to spend on weapons. Its a victory for France, which has insisted that moves to bolster EU defence incentivise governments to buy European. Under the programme unveiled in Brussels on Thursday, 65 per cent of the cost of weapons must be spent in either the EU, Norway or Ukraine. Kaja Kallas, the EUs chief diplomat, launched the proposal a day after meeting David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary and John Healey, the Defence Minister, in London for talks. She said the decision to exclude the UK was related to member states and different worries. We are working on having this defence and security partnership with UK, she added. Ms Kallas said she hoped a UK-EU summit on May 19 would bring results in negotiation over a new security pact. The exclusion of British companies will be a disappointment for the Government, which has lobbied the EU to be treated as European for the purposes of defence. 12:44 PM GMT Trumps envoy calls Putin-Trump call game-changing Steve Witkoff, Trumps special envoy, said that Donald Trump has had very, very positive and constructive conversations with Vladimir Putin and their call produced game-changing results. Mr Witkoff, who met with the Russian leader last week in Moscow, told Bloomberg TV: We are going to see some very positive results in the near term....were going to get to the ceasefire. There is amazing progress being made, he said, calling Putin and Trumps phone call on Tuesday night, that resulted in Russia agreeing to a halt on attacks on energy and infrastructure, game-changing. He reiterated his belief that a full ceasefire could be achieved within weeks and said a meeting between Mr Trump and Putin was likely to happen. Steve Witkoff, US special envoy to the Middle East, during a Bloomberg Television interview outside the White House in Washington - Bloomberg 12:23 PM GMT Russia threatens all of Europe, says EU chief Russia represents a threat for all European nations - regardless of how far they lie from Moscow, EU chief Antonio Costa said. Naturally, Russias neighbours are most concerned by Russia - that goes without saying, Mr Costa told AFP. But what is essential is for everyone to understand that this is a collective threat. Mr Costa is tasked with forging unity - be it on European rearmament or transatlantic relations - between 27 countries with often divergent histories and goals. In Brussels on Thursday, European leaders talks will once again be dominated by how to support Ukraine and bolster Europes defences. Under the leadership of France and the United Kingdom, we are preparing to take part in eventual security measures to maintain peace - if and when it comes, he said. 12:03 PM GMT Your views... 11:43 AM GMT What are Putins demands? Vladimir Putin rejected Donald Trumps proposal for a 30-day ceasefire with Ukraine, opting for a more limited pause on attacks against energy infrastructure. Before any full ceasefire is agreed, the Russian president has certain demands he wants met: The full cessation of military aid and intelligence to Ukraine by the West, including Europe and the US The demilitarisation of Ukraines army No Nato membership for Ukraine, which must adopt enforced neutrality No Western peacekeepers in Ukraine International recognition of five Ukrainian regions - Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Luhansk and Crimea - as Russian. 11:28 AM GMT Pictured: Aftermath of Russian attack in Sumy Russia launched seven strikes on a medical facility in Sumy, northern Ukraine, overnight. Liza Sherstyuk, an aid worker in the Sumy region, told The Telegraph that children were being treated in the hospital at the time of the attack. The roof was damaged and the windows were blown out, it is destroyed. Officials work at the site of destruction and fire after the Russian attack in Sumy - Anadolu 11:01 AM GMT Kremlin claims it called off drone attack The Kremlin has claimed it called off a drone attack on Ukrainian energy infrastructure targets after a phone call between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. Moscow shot down seven of its own drones, according to Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlins spokesman, who accused Ukraine of not respecting a 30-day moratorium on striking each others energy infrastructure. 10:46 AM GMT Pictured: Chechen soldier in retaken town in Kursk Chechen soldiers have been pictured in the village of Kazachya Loknya, which was previously held by Ukrainian troops and recently retaken by Russias armed forces in Kursk. A 24-year-old radio operator of the Chechen Akhmat battalion with the call sign Swallow stands holding a pump action shotgun in the village of Kazachya Loknya - AFP 10:31 AM GMT Zelensky and Trump to speak today Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed he will speak with Donald Trump later today to learn about his call with Vladimir Putin. Today I will have contacts with President Trump and we will discuss the next steps, Mr Zelensky said during a press conference in Finland. 10:18 AM GMT Russia accuses Ukraine of derailing energy ceasefire Russia has accused Ukraine of trying to derail a temporary ceasefire covering energy infrastructure, claiming Kyiv launched a deliberate attack on an oil depot in southern Russia. It is completely obvious that this is another specially prepared provocation by the Kyiv regime aimed at derailing peace initiatives of the US president, the Russian defence ministry said. The overnight Ukrainian drone attack sparked a fire at the oil depot, which is located near the village of Kavkazskaya in the Krasnodar region, Russia regional authorities said earlier this morning. Hours after Mr Trump and Putins call ended, Moscow launched an attack on energy infrastructure of Sloviansk, a city of 100,000 people in the Donetsk region, according to local reports, leaving part of the city without electricity. 10:11 AM GMT Zelensky: We wont recognise occupied territories as Russian Volodymyr Zelensky has said Ukraine will never recognise occupied territories as Russian. It comes amid reports that Vladimir Putin wants international recognition that five Ukrainian regions - Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Luhansk and Crimea - are Russian. This is a red line for us, the Ukrainian president said at a press conference in Helsinki. 10:07 AM GMT Putin playing a game with fresh strikes on Ukraine Vladimir Putin has been accused of playing a game after Ukraine reported Russian strikes on civilians just hours after he agreed to a partial ceasefire. Boris Pistorius, Germanys defence minister, said attacks had not eased at all in the first night after this supposedly ground-breaking, great phone call. Andriy Yermak, Volodymyr Zelenskys chief of staff, wrote on Telegram overnight that Moscow was attacking civilian infrastructure and people - right now. Regional authorities in Sumy in north east Ukraine said that Russias drone attacks damaged two hospitals there, forcing the evacuation of patients and hospital staff. A 60-year-old man was injured and several houses damaged in a Russian drone attack on the Kyiv region that surrounds the Ukrainian capital, Mykola Kalashnyk, governor of the region, said early this morning. 09:58 AM GMT Zelensky: Putins words very different from reality Volodymyr Zelensky has said joint pressure must be put on Russia, saying Vladimir Putins forces had attacked Ukraines energy infrastructure hours after he agreed a partial ceasefire with Donald Trump. Speaking in Helsinki, the Ukrainian president said: Even last night, when Putin allegedly said he had given the order to stop strikes on Ukrainian energy targets, 150 drones struck energy infrastructure and transport. Mr Zelensky also said two hospitals had been struck, including one in Sumy in northern Ukraine. Putins words are very different from reality, he said, adding that Ukraine needed defence, support, and pressure on Russia. 09:53 AM GMT Watch: Russian oil station burns after drone attack Hours after Putin concluded his call with Mr Trump, Russian forces conducted an airstrike on energy infrastructure in Sloviansk, a city of 100,000 people in the Donetsk region, leaving part of the city without electricity. Ukraine reportedly responded with a drone attack at Kavkazskaya oil station in Russias Krasnodar Krai, damaging a pipeline connecting storage tanks and sparking a large blaze, according to regional authorities. Ukraine has not confirmed or denied the apparent attack. Credit: X/@front_ukrainian 09:42 AM GMT The collapse of Trumps Gaza ceasefire is bad omen for Ukraine March 18 was a day of ups and downs for President Trump and his desire to become the worlds ultimate peacemaker, writes Daniel DePetris. First, the good news. After a long conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the White House announced that Russia had agreed to a partial ceasefire with Ukraine on strikes against energy and infrastructure targets. If implemented, it would be followed by immediate negotiations on a wider cessation of the conflict. The Kremlin stated that Putin already gave the command to his army to abide by the terms. Trump will boast about this as a win, even if it was short of the total 30-day pause he and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky opted for last week. Zelensky has said he would back the proposal, with more detail, if only to keep the US-Ukraine relationship from imploding. The bad news, however, outweighed the good. Thousands of miles away, in Gaza, the three-stage ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas the very same deal that Trump was instrumental in finalising back in January broke down. 09:32 AM GMT Pictured: Zelensky meets president of Finland Volodymyr Zelensky met with Alexander Stubb, Finlands president, in Helsinki this morning. The two leaders are expected to give a joint press conference later today. Volodymyr Zelensky meets Alexander Stubb, the Finish president, in Helsinki - Lehtikuva 09:26 AM GMT Germany to release 3bn in military aid for Ukraine The German government plans to release an extra 3bn in military aid for Ukraine, Reuters has reported. The move is seen as a breakthrough after Olaf Scholz, the outgoing Chancellor, had previously obstructed the additional aid, insisting on the easing of borrowing rules as a prerequisite. Parliament voted on Tuesday for a seismic reform of fiscal rules. 09:10 AM GMT Ukrainian railway reports attack on power system Ukraines state railway network in Dnipropetrovsk, central Ukraine, reported a Russian attack on its power system this morning. On the morning of March 19, the enemy attacked the railway power system in the Dnipropetrovsk region with drones. There are de-energised sections, but trains continue to run as scheduled, a spokesman said. 08:58 AM GMT Pictured: Woman evacuated after Russian drone attack on hospital Patients from a hospital in Sumy in northern Ukraine were evacuated following a Russian strike overnight. The attack came after Vladimir Putin, speaking through Donald Trump, agreed a ceasefire with Ukraine covering energy and civilian infrastructure. The Kremlin later said the ceasefire only covered energy infrastructure. Rescuers evacuate a woman in the aftermath of a Russian drone strike at a hospital in Sumy - REUTERS 08:37 AM GMT EU: Putin clearly not willing to make concessions The EU has said the Kremlin cannot be trusted following a phone call between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump led to a partial ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine covering civilian and energy infrastructure. If you read the two readouts from the call, it is clear that ... Russia does not really want to make any kind of concessions, Kaja Kallas, the European Unions top diplomat, told reporters this morning. Ms Kallas also said southern Europe was part of Britain and Frances coalition of the willing that could send peacekeepers to Ukraine to defend any future peace deal. 08:12 AM GMT Trump ends tracking of kidnapped Ukrainian children Donald Trump has ended funding for the tracking of thousands of Ukrainian children that were abducted by Russia. The work on locating abducted children ended when Mr Trump signed an executive order in January suspending all foreign aid spending. A Democratic Congressman has written to Marco Rubio, the secretary of state, asking if the database had been deleted entirely. 08:02 AM GMT Putin is stalling, Trump officials believe Some members of the Trump administration believe Vladimir Putins decision to only agree to a partial ceasefire shows he is stalling. The New York Times reported that US officials believe Putin is agreeing to just enough to appear engaged, while still pressing ahead on the battlefield. 07:55 AM GMT Russia fires six missiles and 145 drones overnight Russia fired six missiles and 145 drones overnight, Ukraine has said. The Ukrainian air force said its air defence units downed 72 of 145 drones, in an attack that came after Russia agreed to temporarily halt strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Natalia, 51, a mother of three, serving as a combat medic in the 24th Mechanized Brigade takes part in a field training exercise in eastern Ukraine - AFP 07:47 AM GMT Todays Blower Cartoon Today's Blower Cartoon 07:38 AM GMT Ceasefire talks to begin on Sunday Talks on bringing about a full ceasefire in Ukraine will start in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, a senior Trump administration official has said. Speaking hours after Mr Trump spoke with Putin, Steve Witkoff, a senior US negotiator, said Marco Rubio and Mike Waltz would return to Jeddah on Sunday. Referring to a ceasefire on energy infrastructure and targets in the Black Sea, Mr Witkoff said: I think both of those are now agreed to by the Russians. I am certainly hopeful that the Ukrainians will agree to it. 07:34 AM GMT China welcomes steps towards ceasefire China has said it welcomes all steps towards a ceasefire in Ukraine following a call between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump over ending the war. The Chinese side has advocated resolving the crisis through dialogue and negotiation from the very beginning. We welcome all efforts toward a ceasefire and consider it a necessary step toward achieving peace, a foreign ministry spokesman said. Beijing had earlier signalled a willingness to help Ukraines post-war reconstruction, despite deepening its ties with Russia since the start of the conflict. 07:15 AM GMT Germany: Putins promise counts for nothing We have more from Boris Pistorius, Germanys defence minister, who said Vladimir Putins promise to stop attacking Ukrainian energy facilities counted for nothing. Attacks on civilian infrastructure in the first night after this supposedly pivotal and great phone call have not abated, Mr Pistorius told German broadcaster ZDF. Putin is playing a game here and Im sure that the American president wont be able to sit and watch for much longer, he added. 07:04 AM GMT Putin has defied Trump once again and paid no price Donald Trumps ambition to stop the killing and secure a ceasefire in Ukraine has collided once again with the intransigence of Vladimir Putin. Yet, astonishingly, the American president seems not to have noticed. Last week, he told Ukraines leadership that they would never receive another US weapon or intelligence report unless they agreed in principle to a 30-day ceasefire. So they did. Immediately afterwards, Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, declared that the ball was now in Russias court. Putins 90-minute phone call with Mr Trump on Tuesday was the moment when the ball should have been returned. But the main public outcome was Putins rejection of a full ceasefire and agreement only to pause attacks on energy and infrastructure. An agreement which did not last long - as just hours later, Russian forces launched an airstrike targeting the energy infrastructure of Slovyansk, a city in the Donetsk region. 06:58 AM GMT Putin continues bombing Ukraine Russia bombed Ukraine energy infrastructure just hours after Vladimir Putin told Donald Trump he would halt attacks on the grid. Putins forces conducted an airstrike on the energy infrastructure of Sloviansk, a city of 100,000 people in the Donetsk region, according to local reports, leaving part of the city without electricity. Ukraine later reported attacks in Sumy, north-east Ukraine, claiming Moscow had damaged two hospitals there. An attack was also reported in Kyiv, where a 60-year-old man was injured and several houses damaged. Ukrainian service personnel use searchlights as they search for drones in the sky over Kyiv on Wednesday night - REUTERS 06:53 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 as Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of attacks on civilian infrastructure. The White Lotus star Jason Isaacs has clarified comments he made saying there was a double standard for male actors being asked questions about on-screen nudity. It comes after the 61-year-old was asked questions about whether he was wearing a prosthetic penis in series three of The White Lotus, during a press tour for the comedy drama show. Isaacs replied by saying reporters would would never dream of asking similar questions of Anora star Mikey Madison or The Substance star Margaret Qualley, prompting online criticism. Apologising for his comments, the actor told Variety: I said the wrong words in the wrong way. I used the phrase double standard, which I didnt mean at all. There is a (different) double standard women have been monstrously exploited and men havent. He explained to the US outlet that he had made his initial comments in an attempt to dodge questions about his genitalia. In the interview, he continued: It came out wrong, and I was tired Id done so many interviews. I absolutely should not have mentioned those two actresses, whom I respect enormously. Mikey Madison Im a massive fan of. My point wasnt that men have had a harder time than women that would be absurd. Women have had a monstrous time on camera forever, and I hope to god that is changing. Isaacs said that male nudity in the series had been put in to redress the unfair balance of nudity on screen, and added that women have been exploited forever in cinema and made to be gratuitously naked and asked totally inappropriate questions. But the Liverpool-born star said he stood by his comments that asking whether his characters penis is his own were embarrassing and inappropriate, going on to tell Variety the questions were a bit weird and slightly obsessive. The White Lotuss third season moves the action to a luxury hotel in Thailand, having previously been set in resorts in Hawaii and Sicily, and follows the story of its guests and staff. Isaacs, who plays Timothy Ratliff, is also known for his role as Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter film series, and Georgy Zhukov in political comedy The Death Of Stalin. Volodymyr Zelensky has said he believes lasting peace can be achieved this year with the support of the US, after a phone call with Donald Trump. The US president suggested to Ukraine that America takes ownership of Ukrainian power plants to ensure their security, the White House has said, during the call which Mr Trump hailed as very good. Russian President Vladimir Putin and the US leader agreed to a limited ceasefire on energy and infrastructure targets earlier this week, but air strikes have continued as the Kremlin held off from accepting a 30-day truce backed by Washington and Ukraine. I had a positive, very substantive, and frank conversation with President of the United States Donald Trump @POTUS. I thanked him for a good and productive start to the work of the Ukrainian and American teams in Jeddah on March 11this meeting of the teams significantly helped pic.twitter.com/JFBd5EeIkg Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) March 19, 2025 It comes as Downing Street labelled the Russian leaders resistance to accepting a ceasefire without conditions as disappointing. In a post on X on Wednesday afternoon, Mr Zelensky said he had a positive, very substantive and frank conversation with Mr Trump, and said that Ukraine was ready to implement the ending of strikes on energy and other civilian infrastructure. He thanked Mr Trump for the talks in Saudi Arabia last week, and added: We agreed that Ukraine and the United States should continue working together to achieve a real end to the war and lasting peace. We believe that together with America, with President Trump, and under American leadership, lasting peace can be achieved this year. Mr Zelensky said they will continue working to make a ceasefire happen and suggested there would be further meetings in the coming days in Saudi Arabia between the US and Ukrainian teams. I highlighted the importance of President Trumps concept of peace through strength, the Ukrainian president added. Mr Trump told Mr Zelensky during their call that the US could be very helpful in running those plants with its electricity and utility expertise, according to a White House statement from US secretary of state Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz. The US president added that American ownership of those plants could be the best protection for that infrastructure. In a post on Truth Social earlier in the afternoon he had said that the call was very good and we are very much on track. The call between the US and Ukrainian leaders comes after Mr Zelensky spoke with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Tuesday evening. Earlier on Wednesday Number 10 described Mr Putins refusal to accept an immediate ceasefire without conditions as disappointing. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: We obviously welcome President Trumps efforts to secure a ceasefire in this space, but it is also disappointing that Putin has not agreed to a full-on, immediate ceasefire without conditions, as Ukraine has done. At Prime Ministers Questions, Sir Keir told MPs: Last night, I spoke to President Zelensky to discuss progress that President Trump had made with Russia towards a ceasefire. And I took the opportunity to reaffirm our unwavering support to the people of Ukraine. TommL - Getty Images Stocking your bar cart maybe be about to get a whole lot more expensive. Late last week, President Trump threatened a 200% tariff on wine and spirits imported from the European Union, NBC News reports. The move comes in response to the region imposing a 50% whiskey tariff on U.S. products (which is itself in response Trump's earlier tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Europe). And while nothing has gone into effect yet, the retaliatory move could have serious implications on consumers' wallets. "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, has just put a nasty 50% Tariff on Whisky," Trump wrote. "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. This will be great for the Wine and Champagne businesses in the U.S." He later accused the "entire world" of "ripping us off" and said, "the U.S. doesn't have free trade. We have 'Stupid Trade.'" A spokesperson for the EU responded and said its trade minister is in contact with the right people in America and "calls are being prepared." Should Trump implement the tariff, he's not wrong about it having a serious impact on the wine and spirit industry. It'll also impact much you're spending on your favorite bottle. According to CEO of Vine Street Imports, Ronnie Sanders, prices could skyrocket as much as two or three times what they are now. "I don't think customers are prepared to pay [that much]," he told AP News. While your fave gin is probably safe (most are imported from the UK, and oh yeah, remember Brexit?) but your wine, champagne, and other spirits are at risk for a major price spike. This includes major brands like Moet Chandon, Hennessy, Remy Martin, Cointreau, Grand Marnier, Limoncello, Campari, Aperol, Jagermeister, and Jameson. French and Italian wines will experience the same impact. Your favorite $53 Moet might cost you up to $159. Don't even get me started on Aperol Spritz pricesconsidering the fact that the popular liqueur could go from $23 to $69. And that's just for the liqueur. You better pray you can find a good American bubbly to go with it, because a previously un-tariffed $15 bottle of Prosecco could shoot up to $45. Let's hope the tariff doesn't go through, but we should probably stockpile our liquor cabinets with Aperol, champagne, and a good Italian red now just in case. You Might Also Like The FBI extradited one of their ten most wanted targets, an MS-13 boss, from Mexico to the US this week. The feds believe Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales is a key senior leader of MS-13 and took him into custody Monday night after Mexican authorities nabbed him. The alleged gang leader is now behind bars in the US, where he will face charges. FBI Director Kash Patel announced the extradition, calling it a major victory for the country. Getty Images FBI Director Kash Patel called the move a major victory to ensure a safer America in a Tuesday X post. Roman-Bardales was wanted by the US government for his alleged role with MS-13, orchestrating gang activities in the US, Mexico and El Salvador, where he allegedly ordered violence against both civilians and rival gangs, while also distributing drugs and carrying out extortion schemes. Mexican authorities guard Javier Roman-Bardales during his recent arrest. Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection of Mexico A federal court in Central Islip, New York, issued a warrant for Roman-Bardales arrest on Sept. 22, 2022, after he was charged with conspiracy to provide and conceal material support and resources to terrorists; narco-terrorism conspiracy; racketeering conspiracy; and alien smuggling conspiracy. While chasing down the foreign fugitive, the FBI offered the public up to $250,000 to help hunt down Roman-Bardales. Javier Roman-Bardales was sought by the feds as one of their most wanted criminals. FBI The transfer is all part of a larger effort by the Trump admin to bring foreign criminals to justice in the US. The feds recently extradited 29 cartel members following President Trumps threat to slap imports from Mexico with a 25% tariff if the country doesnt do more to crack down on illegal immigration and drug smuggling. During the handoff with the Mexican government, the US took custody of drug cartel kingpin Rafael Caro Quintero, known as the US Drug Enforcement Administrations top target for his role in the 1985 killing of US DEA agent Enrique Kiki Camarena. The killer was moved from Mexico to New York City last month. At the time, the Department of Justice said that many of the foreign criminals had extradition requests that were not honored during President Joe Bidens tenure in office, and that the Mexican government followed through after Trump designated the Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic An American who was the last person believed to have been seen with missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki in the Dominican Republic was back in the United States on Wednesday, nearly two weeks after, he said, authorities forced him to stay in the Caribbean nation and confiscated his passport. NBC News saw Joshua Riibe at Las Americas International Airport in Santo Domingo, the countrys capital, where he boarded a plane and took off Wednesday evening. NBC News was first to report that he had landed back on U.S. soil. He was with a man whom Riibe's attorney's have identified as his father. They were accompanied by a woman at the check-in area who stayed behind as they went through the security screening. NBC News saw an airport employee assisting in boarding. Riibe's departure ends what his attorneys allege was a dayslong detainment in the Dominican Republic as investigators questioned him in connection with Konankis disappearance on March 6. Joshua Riibe walks with lawyers into court in Higuey, Dominican Republic, on Tuesday. Riibe, 22, has been kept under police supervision at the hotel where Konanki was staying on a spring break trip when she vanished, according to Riibe and his attorneys. Local authorities also confiscated Riibes passport, they said. Riibe, a senior at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, has not been charged with a crime, and no suspects in Konankis disappearance have been named, according to the Dominican Republic National Police. A Dominican judge ruled Tuesday that he was no longer required to be under police supervision. Riibe would have needed to go to the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo to obtain an emergency U.S. passport in the country. The US Embassy is in communication with him and his family and his lawyer, and we are providing consular assistance as well, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said at a briefing Wednesday before Riibes departure. One of Riibe's attorneys said in a statement Wednesday evening that the La Altagracia Prosecutors Office told Riibe after Tuesday's hearing that it was prepared return the passport Wednesday; however, Riibe decided to apply for a new one through the U.S. government for "privacy reasons." A new passport was "issued urgently," the attorney said. Prosecutors had said in open court Tuesday that they did not know where Riibe's passport was. National Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Riibe's departure. The country's attorney general did not immediately respond to a request for information about his passport. Sudiksha Konanki. Konanki's disappearance has drawn widespread attention in recent weeks. Konanki, a junior at the University of Pittsburgh, was on spring break with five friends at a beach resort in Punta Cana when she disappeared early March 6. That morning, her friends returned to the hotel from the beach, but she stayed behind with people she met from the trip, authorities said. Riibe, who is from Rock Rapids, Iowa, told local investigators in an interview last week that he was on the beach with Konanki shortly before she disappeared, according to a transcript of the interview obtained by NBC News. The transcript says Riibe and Konanki were in waist-deep water, talking and kissing a little, before a wave crashed, taking them both out to sea. Police have said they found no signs of violence at the beach. A spokesperson for the hotel where Konanki was staying also said red flags, which indicate that the sea had a strong current and very high waves, were flying on the morning she vanished. Konanki's parents told reporters outside their home in Loudoun County, Virginia, that they have given up hope that their daughter is still alive. We are coming to terms with the fact that our daughter has drowned, her father, Subbarayudu Konanki, said through tears. This is incredibly difficult for us to process. Her parents called on local police to declare their daughter dead earlier in the week. Her father added Tuesday that they came to reason that their daughter drowned based on the information U.S. and local authorities gave them. Both sides of the authorities have shown us how high the ocean waves were at the time of [the] incident, he said. And both sides of the authorities also clarified that the person of interest is not suspect from the beginning. President Donald Trump continued Tuesday to rail against the federal judge who issued an order stopping deportation flights of noncitizens to other countries under the Alien Enemies Act. Many people have called for his impeachment, the impeachment of this judge. I don't know who the judge is, but he's radical left," Trump told Fox News' Laura Ingraham in an excerpt from an interview that will air later Tuesday. "He was Obama-appointed, and he actually said we shouldn't be able to take criminals, killers, murderers, horrible, the worst people, gang members, gang leaders, that we shouldn't be allowed to take them out of our country." "Well, that's a presidential job that's not for a local judge to be making that determination, Trump said, echoing the argument other members of his administration have made since U.S. District Judge James Boasberg issued his order on Saturday to stop deportation flights. Earlier Tuesday, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts appeared to push back against calls from Trump and some House Republicans to impeach judges whose rulings conflicted with the Trump administration's deportation plans. MORE: 'Heck of a stretch': Judge grills DOJ over Trump deportation flights PHOTO: Judge James E. Boasberg, chief judge of the Federal District Court in DC, stands for a portrait at E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse in Washington, DC on March 16, 2023. (Carolyn Van Houten/The Washington Post via Getty Images) Roberts issued his rare statement after Trump hurled insults at the federal judge who conducted a fact-finding hearing on Monday over whether the Trump administration knowingly violated a court order when it handed over more than 200 alleged gang members to El Salvadoran authorities over the weekend. In a post on his social media network on Tuesday morning, Trump called Boasberg "crooked" and said he should be impeached. "This judge, like many of the Crooked Judges' I am forced to appear before, should be IMPEACHED!!!" Trump wrote. "WE DON'T WANT VICIOUS, VIOLENT, AND DEMENTED CRIMINALS, MANY OF THEM DERANGED MURDERERS, IN OUR COUNTRY." While he didn't mention Trump or the specific judge by name, Roberts rebuked Trump's call for impeaching members of the judiciary. "For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision," Roberts said in the statement. "The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose." PHOTO: President Donald Trump greets Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts as he arrives to speak during an address to a joint session of Congress at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on March 4, 2025. (Win Mcnamee/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Trump brushed off Roberts' criticism, saying, "He didn't mention my name in the statement. I just saw it quickly. He didn't mention my name." Roberts' statement signals a stark difference in opinion between the judicial and executive branches. MORE: Chief justice's rebuke of Trump shows deep concern about attacks on courts: ANALYSIS Republican freshman Rep. Brandon Gill of Texas filed articles of impeachment against Boasberg on Tuesday. Five other GOP lawmakers signed on as a co-sponsors of the bill, though House GOP leaders have not said yet if they plan to hold a vote on the impeachment articles. Congress can impeach a judge if a simple majority is reached in the House. If the articles were taken up and ultimately clear the House, the Senate would need to hold a trial. It would require a two-thirds majority vote in the upper chamber to convict a judge. It's rare, but not unprecedented, for members of Congress to file articles of impeachment against a judge. In February, GOP Rep. Eli Crane filed articles of impeachment against U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer, who issued a sweeping restriction on the Department of Government Efficiency's access to sensitive Department of Treasury payment systems. More than a dozen judges have been impeached in U.S. history and only a handful have been convicted. Trump argued on Tuesday that he should not be prevented from carrying out his immigration agenda, saying in his social media post, "I'm just doing what the VOTERS wanted me to do." PHOTO: Alleged members of the Venezuelan criminal organization Tren de Aragua who were deported by the U.S. government, are detained at the Terrorism Confinement Center in Tecoluca, El Salvador in a photo obtained Mar. 16, 2025. (Presidency Of El Salvador/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock) Trump's comments about Boasberg came after the federal judge blocked the Trump administration from deporting any noncitizens after the president's recent proclamation invoking the Alien Enemies Act to deport alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. Boasberg, in verbal instructions during a hearing on Saturday, gave orders to immediately turn around two planes carrying noncitizens if they are covered by his order, including one that potentially took off during a break in the court's hearing. However, sources said top lawyers and officials in the administration made the determination that since the flights were over international waters, Boasberg's order did not apply, and the planes were not turned around. MORE: Judge blocks Trump from deporting noncitizens under Alien Enemies Act, orders flights turned around On Monday, Boasberg questioned whether the Trump administration ignored his orders to turn the planes around, saying it was "heck of a stretch" for them to argue that his order could be disregarded. PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks to the media during a guided tour of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts before leading a board meeting, Mar. 17, 2025 in Washington. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Deputy Associate Attorney General Abhishek Kambli argued Monday during the "fact-finding" hearing convened by Boasberg that the judge's directive on Saturday evening to turn around the flights did not take effect until it was put in writing later that evening. Boasberg ordered the Justice Department to submit, by noon Tuesday, a sworn declaration of what they represented in a filing Monday -- that a third flight that took off after his written order on Saturday carried detainees who were removable on grounds other than the Alien Enemies Act. ABC News' Devin Dwyer, Lauren Peller and Sarah Beth Hensley contributed to this report. Trump continues to call for judge's impeachment after chief justice's rebuke originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A judge in the Dominican Republic on Tuesday opened the door for the last person to see missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki alive to return home to the US. Joshua Riibe is free to leave, the judge declared following a hearing that lasted nearly five hours in the Caribbean nation as he ordered authorities to release the Iowans passport, Spanish-language outlet Noticias Telemicro reported. Riibe, 22, dressed in a black button-down shirt and looking disheveled, was mobbed by TV cameras as he appeared for the court hearing on his bid to be released to return home after being identified as a person of interest in the March 6 disappearance of 20-year-old co-ed Sudiksha Konaki. I really want to be able to go home, talk to my family, give them hugs, tell them I miss them, Riibe told Judge Edwin Delgado during the heated, closed-door hearing, according to Noticias SIN. I understand Im here to help, but its been 10 days and I cant leave. A judge in the Dominican Republic ruled Tuesday on Joshua Riibes request to return to the US after being detained in the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki. Francesco Sportono Riibe has not been charged with wrongdoing and has not been identified as a suspect in Konankis disappearance, but remained on the island after his passport was seized. He said he was a virtual prisoner at the RIU Hotel & Resort, with his phone confiscated and police escorting him whenever he left the room even sitting down to meals with him. The ruling to release him from police detention came after Konankis parents said they now believe that she drowned in the rough surf off Punta Cana and that Riibe wasnt involved in her death. Both sides of the authorities have shown us how high the ocean waves were at the time of the incident, and both sides of the authorities have clarified the person of interest was not a suspect from the beginning, her father, Subbarayudu, told The Post. It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that we are coming to terms with the fact our daughter has drowned. Riibe has not been charged with wrongdoing and has not been identified as a suspect in Konankis disappearance, but remained on the island after his passport was seized. Francesco Sportono for the NYPost The ruling to release Riibe came after lawyers for both sides sparred bitterly over the circumstances of Riibes extended presence in the Dominican Republic, with lawyers for the government now saying he was never a suspect but a witness in the mysterious disappearance. Enough, his father, Albert Riibe, told the judge. Its been 12 days. The judge scheduled another hearing for March 28, but it is unclear if Riibe will be required to appear in person, nor is it clear if his passport has already been returned. Lawyers for the Dominican government denied Riibe was being detained and said he was only a witness in the case who voluntarily turned his passport over to authorities. Sudiksha Konaki was on spring break in the Dominican Republic when she disappeared on March 6. They said he was never interrogated by police, only interviewed, the outlet said. But the judge didnt buy the governments argument, granting his request and freeing him to return home to Iowa. The law is the law, Delgado said. Authorities revealed that a friend who was with Riibe at the resort, Carter Joseph, also remains in the Dominican Republic but did not say if he is held against his will and can now go home. Riibe was among more than 50 people interviewed in the case, officials said. A student at St. Cloud State College in Minnesota, he told police he and Konanki, who was on spring break with her friends, went for an early morning swim at RIU Hotel & Resort in Punta Cana when they were caught in rough surf but said he brought her safely to shore before passing out on the beach. Joshua Riibe has been questioned repeatedly by Dominican police since the disappearance of Pitt student Sudiksha Konanki. TeleNoticias Sudiksha Konankis disappearance March 6 sparked a massive search by the FBI as well as Dominican authorities. Defensa Civil La Altagracia / Facebook Dominican police initially said they believed that Konanki drowned but did not rule out foul play and described Riibe as a person of interest and seized his passport while a massive search was launched for Konanki that included FBI and US Department of Homeland Security personnel. On Monday, Riibes lawyer, Beatriz Santana, filed a writ of habeas corpus a legal demand that the Iowan be released because he has not been charged with wrongdoing, which prompted Tuesdays court hearing. Meanwhile, Konankis parents on Monday submitted a moving letter asking that their daughter be officially declared dead. The letter from Subbarayudu and SreeDevi Konanki also asked that Riibe be allowed to return home. Subbarayudu and SreeDevi Konanki told The Post they believe their daughter drowned while on spring break in the DR. Ron Sachs CNP for NY Post Sudiksha Konanki, 20, was last seen with Joshua Riibe on the beach in Punta Cana on March 6. via REUTERS Riibe testified in court Tuesday that he met with SreeDevi Konanki on the island, and that she told him, Thank you for saving my daughter the first time. Sudiksha Konankis disappearance captivated the world, with international media reporting on the lengthy search for her. Sudiksha Konanki was last seen at the RIU Hotel & Resort in the Dominican Republic with Joshua Riibe. SIN The young student from Virginia arrived at the Punta Cana resort on spring break with her friends on March 3. Security cameras captured her and Riibe at the hotel bar hours before her disappearance, with the pair possibly both seen throwing up. The group later was caught on video walking out to the beach, where Riibe and Konanki are seen holding hands and arm-in-arm taking a selfie. The wind and dust sweep over Highway 14 obscuring the road and the sky on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in Santa Fe, N.M. (Gabriela Campos/Santa Fe New Mexican via AP) SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) Dust storms, strong gusts and at least two brush fires descended on New Mexico on Tuesday, snarling highway traffic, knocking out power and setting buildings ablaze. The National Weather Service pushed an emergency alert to cellphones that warned of zero-visibility conditions and adverse health consequences for infants and the elderly. And in some parts of the state, gusts have reached as high as 70 mph (113 kph). The state is being hit by strong winds off an area of low pressure directly over Kansas on Tuesday evening, while extremely dry conditions over the last few months have created prime conditions for fire threat and dust storms, said Marc Chenard, meteorologist for the weather service. Dry, dusty weather reduced visibility to almost zero in some instances amid gusts of up to 50 mph (80 kph) along the Albuquerque-Santa Fe corridor and high plains communities in Torrance County, including towns along Interstate 40. Interstate 25 was opened after a brief closure near Cochiti Pueblo due to dust, wind and poor visibility. Blinding dust prompted New Mexicos transportation department to close a 130-mile stretch of Interstate 10, from the Arizona state line to the outskirts of Las Cruces, along with state highways near Deming. High winds also led to road closures in the state's oil-producing region near Roswell and Carlsbad. Motorists should not drive into a dust storm. Pull aside and stay alive, the National Weather Service said in a dust-storm warning. More than 39,000 customers were without power by Tuesday evening, according to PowerOutage.us. The utility PNM said on X that it was responding to several outages due to high winds and suggested its customers prepare for the possibility of more outages. Authorities also warned of extreme conditions in the event of wildfire, in the aftermath of a grasslands fire that prompted evacuations Friday on the outskirts of Wagon Mound. A brush fire ignited in Bosque Farms, a village just south of Albuquerque, temporarily closing part of Highway 47, according to Albuquerque TV station KOAT. The Valencia County Fire Department said in a social media post that the fire has burned structures, though the number of buildings that sustained damage was not immediately clear. Beyond New Mexico, dust storms last week resulted in a pileup in western Kansas on Interstate 70 involving dozens of cars and trucks that left eight people dead. The bodies of Betsy Arakawa and Gene Hackman were discovered in their New Mexico home on Feb. 26. (Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage via Getty Images) (Jeffrey Mayer via Getty Images) Health officials investigating the deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, in New Mexico uncovered dead rodents, droppings and nests "scattered across" the couples Santa Fe estate, TMZ reported this week. According to a report by the New Mexico Department of Public Health obtained by the outlet, droppings and nests were discovered in eight detached outbuildings on the couples $4 million property. Rodent feces were found in two small homes, three sheds, three garages and two vehicles. The report found no signs of rodent activity inside the primary residence, according to TMZ. The health department conducted an environmental assessment of the property on March 5, more than a week after Hackman's and Arakawas bodies were discovered by workers on Feb. 26. Officials said autopsies determined that Hackman and Arakawa died of natural causes days apart. Arakawa, 65, is said to have died first, from hantavirus, a rare respiratory illness spread mainly by rodents. Hackman, 95, died considerably later, from advanced heart disease, with Alzheimers disease as a contributing factor. Timeline of their deaths The house owned by actor Hackman and Arakawa in Santa Fe, N.M., on Feb. 27. (Roberto E. Rosales/AP) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) Because the couple had been dead for some time before they were discovered, authorities have been trying to piece together a timeline, which has shifted amid the investigation. The latest finding is that Arakawa died on Feb. 12 the last day on which she made a phone call to a doctors office and Hackman died on Feb. 18, according to data from his pacemaker. March 31: A New Mexico judge ruled that records of the investigation into their deaths can be released to the public, as long as images of their bodies are obscured in any videos and photos. The ruling by Santa Fe District Court Judge Matthew Wilson was in response to a petition by the Hackman estate seeking to block state officials from releasing sensitive imagery of the couples remains, their dogs corpse and the interior of their home. Wilson ordered that there should be no depiction of either body in any videos or photographs that are released, according to the Associated Press. Images of the bodies, which were in a mummified state when they were found on Feb. 26, must be blurred. However, Wilson denied the estates request to block the release of the investigation materials altogether. This means that other findings including any photos taken inside the home and of the dog that was found dead in a crate near Arakawas body, as well as autopsy and toxicology reports can potentially be made public. Investigation materials are typically considered public records under state law. Feb. 26: The bodies of Arakawa and Hackman were found at their home, in the Santa Fe Summit gated community, after maintenance workers alerted security guards. Arakawas body, which showed signs of mummification, was found on a bathroom floor near the entry of the home near the deceased dog, Zinna, who was in a crate. The two surviving dogs, Bear and Nikita, who were able to go in and out of the house through an open door, led investigators to Hackmans body, which was in the mudroom. A contractor/handyman for the couple, Jesse Kesler, told the Daily Mail he and the security guard did not just stumble upon the bodies. He had tried to contact the couple and became worried when he didnt hear from them. The security guard accompanied him to the home, where they found Arakawa on the floor. Feb. 18: Its presumed that Hackman, who was alone for days after his wifes death, died on this day, the last day on which his pacemaker registered cardiac activity. He was found on the floor with his cane and sunglasses by his side. The medical examiner said he was hydrated but had no food in his stomach. Feb. 12: Its now presumed Arakawa died on this day. That morning, she made three calls to Cloudberry Health, a Santa Fe medical concierge service, Sheriff Adan Mendoza told ABC News. Cloudberry founder Dr. Josiah Child told the Daily Mail that Arakawa, who would have been a first-time patient, reached out a couple of weeks before her death to ask about an echocardiogram for Hackman. She ended up making an appointment for herself unrelated to anything respiratory for Feb. 12. Two days before the appointment, she called to cancel, saying her husband wasnt well. Child told ABC News that Arakawa then called on Feb. 12 seeking information about hyperbaric therapy, which involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber. There was no indication she was having breathing issues, a symptom of hantavirus, or was in distress, but she did say she was feeling congested, Child said. After she spoke to one of the doctors, she scheduled an appointment for 1:15 p.m. that day but didnt arrive. The office called her but never reached her. Feb. 11: Arakawa was last seen in public while out running errands locally. She went to a Sprouts Farmers Market grocery store between 3:30 and 4:15 p.m., then a CVS Pharmacy. She used a remote to open the main gate of her gated community at approximately 5:15 p.m. Dr. Heather Jarrell, chief medical investigator for the states Office of the Medical Investigator, said a person with hantavirus, which is extremely rare, typically feels sick for three to six days. Arakawa did not go to Gruda Veterinary Hospital to pick up the prescription dog food and medication she had ordered for one of the dogs, as she was supposed to do. Feb. 9: Arakawa picked up Zinna from a veterinary hospital after a medical procedure, which Mendoza said probably explained why the dog was crated. The New Mexico Department of Agricultures Veterinary Diagnostic Services determined during a necropsy that the dog likely died of starvation and dehydration because it had been confined in the crate. There was no evidence of infection, trauma or poisoning. The dogs stomach was mostly empty except for very small amounts of hair and bile. The contractor said this was the last day he had spoken with Arakawa. Investigators look over the scene at a Tesla collision center after an individual shot and set fire to several Tesla vehicles in Las Vegas. - Ethan Miller/Getty Images Editors Note: On April 15, Paul Kim pleaded not guilty to the federal charges two counts of arson, one count of attempted arson and one count of possession of an unregistered firearm according to a court docket. A jury trial is set for June 17 before Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey. A man suspected of setting fire to several Tesla vehicles at a repair facility in Las Vegas last week has been arrested, authorities announced Thursday. Police took a man identified as Paul Kim, 36, into custody on Wednesday evening, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren said at a news conference. Kim is facing multiple felony counts including third-degree arson, unlawful possession of explosive and incendiary devices, destroying property and discharging a firearm into a vehicle or structure, Koren said. Later Thursday, Kim was taken from state custody into federal custody, an FBI spokesperson told CNN. Kim now faces federal charges of arson and unlawful possession of an unregistered firearm. Kim appeared in court Monday for a detention hearing, where a federal magistrate judge ruled he will remain in custody for now, court documents show. Kims next hearing is scheduled for April 10. CNN has sought comment from Kims attorneys. In a federal complaint filed Thursday, an FBI agent testified that a car seen on several surveillance cameras in the vicinity of the Tesla facility matches Kims personal vehicle. His cell phone was also in the area less than an hour before police were first called about the fires, according to the complaint. The FBI discovered that Kim owns firearms and equipment consistent with the rounds fired at the Tesla vehicles, the agent said. Koren said a review of surveillance footage shows that around 2:45 a.m. on March 18, someone dressed in all black attire, gloves and with a concealed face approached the Tesla facility and used what appeared to be a rifle to shoot at surveillance cameras. The suspect then sprayed the word RESIST in pink paint across the front doors of the facility, Koren said. He proceeded to shoot at multiple vehicles and used a Molotov cocktail to set them on fire. In a search of Kims home, agents found pink paint and multiple black hoodies and face masks, according to the criminal complaint. They also found what they characterized as a handwritten getaway route from the Tesla facility. Five vehicles were damaged including three that were destroyed, the assistant sheriff said. Koren said authorities are still working to determine a motive. Police say they believe Kim acted alone and there is currently no threat to the public. Police departments across the United States have been investigating a wave of attacks on showrooms, charging stations and vehicles belonging to Tesla, whose CEO Elon Musk has taken on a controversial federal cost-cutting role in the so-called Department of Government Efficiency. Evans cautioned against the ongoing attacks on Tesla facilities. Theres nothing courageous or noble about firebombing private property and terrorizing your local community, Evans said. The self-righteous mob thats cheering you on today to commit acts on violence on their behalf will leave you high and dry and forget about you tomorrow. At the end of day, you and you alone will be held responsible and face the prospect of a lengthy prison sentence. In a separate incident, 24-year-old Daniel Clarke-Pounder was arrested on criminal charges last Tuesday related to an arson at a North Charleston, South Carolina Tesla charging station on March 7, according to the Justice Department. Witnesses reported seeing a man who sprayed an expletive against Trump and Long Live Ukraine in red paint in the parking lot, the agency said. The man then pulled out five incendiary explosive devices, commonly known (as) Molotov cocktails, and threw them at the Tesla chargers, damaging the chargers, the agency said in a news release Wednesday. CNN has contacted an attorney for Clarke-Pounder for comment on his behalf. The swarm of violent attacks on Tesla property is nothing short of domestic terrorism, US Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement. Bondi said the Department of Justice has already charged several perpetrators with that in mind, including in cases that involve charges with long-term mandatory minimum sentences. Surveillance video showed a person dressed in black shooting at the cars and igniting two of them with Molotov cocktails, according to police. One unexploded Molotov cocktail was found inside a third car and is now being examined for evidence. No injuries were reported, and the fire department extinguished the fires before they could reach the vehicles batteries. On March 3, seven Tesla charging stations in a mall outside of Boston were set on fire. Five days later in New York City, six protesters were arrested for occupying a showroom. In Colorado, a woman was accused of throwing Molotov cocktails and vandalizing vehicles and a showroom. This level of violence is insane and deeply wrong, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said on X. Tesla just makes electric cars and has done nothing to deserve these evil attacks. Burned Teslas are shown at a Tesla collision center in Las Vegas. - Ethan Miller/Getty Images The FBIs Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating the latest incident in Las Vegas, said Spencer Evans, special agent in charge of the FBI Las Vegas Field Office. To those who might think that something like this is justifiable or potentially even admirable, we want you to know this is a federal crime, Evans added. Last week, Bondi announced an investigation and vowed to crack down on vandalism against Tesla vehicles and showrooms. If youre going to touch a Tesla, go to a dealership, do anything, you better watch out because were coming after you. And if youre funding this, were coming after you. Were going to find out who you are, Bondi said on Fox Business. While there have been no reports of injuries amid the reports of vandalism, the incidents pose a potential financial problem for Tesla. The company faces declining sales for the first time because of increased competition and backlash over Musks contentious role in the Trump administration. Tesla recently reported the first drop in annual sales in its history, and there are indications sales could be down again this quarter. While overall electric vehicle sales in Europe surged by 34% in January, sales of Teslas plummeted 50%. Teslas sales fell 29% in China the companys second-largest market after the United States in the first two months of the year, according to Reuters. And Teslas US sales dropped 16% between December and January, according to an estimate from Cox Automotive. CNNs Auzinea Bacon, Chris Isidore, Hanna Park and Emma Moody contributed to this reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The chair for Minnesota state Sen. Justin Eichorn, a Republican from Grand Rapids, sits empty in a Senate hearing room in the State Capitol complex in St. Paul on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, a day after his arrest in Bloomington for allegedly soliciting a minor for prostitution. (AP Photo/Steve Karnowski) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) A Minnesota state senator who was caught in a sting operation was charged with soliciting a minor for prostitution Wednesday, a day after his fellow Republicans called on him to resign. GOP Sen. Justin Eichorn, 40, of Grand Rapids, was arrested in Bloomington on Monday in an undercover operation targeting commercial sex involving juveniles. Investigators had placed multiple ads online offering sex for money, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office. Court documents indicate Eichorn started sending messages in response to the ads March 11. I saw your post and (sic) chance you are still available tonight? one asked, according to an FBI affidavit, while a later message asked, Whats a guy gota do to get with the hottest girl online tonight. Eichorn exchanged messages with an undercover officer posing as a 17-year-old girl over several days, asking about pricing for various sex acts and requesting a picture, the affidavit said. They arranged a meet-up on Monday, where he arrived to find police ready to arrest him. Officers seized two cellphones, a condom and $129 in cash, it said. The federal charge is attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in prostitution. Six other suspects were arrested in the sting, prosecutors said. Eichorn remained in the Hennepin County Jail late Wednesday afternoon. Federal and state court records do not list an attorney who can comment on his behalf, and the jail doesn't allow phone calls to inmates. The county attorney's office late Wednesday dismissed a state charge of soliciting a minor for prostitution because the case was proceeding in federal court. It wasn't immediately clear when he might be transferred to federal custody. The county attorney's office and the U.S. attorney's office have not explained why federal authorities took over the case. According to Eichorn's Senate profile, he is married with four children. He lists his profession as entrepreneur and was first elected in 2016. Senate and House Republicans demanded Tuesday that Eichorn resign immediately. "The U.S. Attorneys Office has no tolerance for public officials who violate federal law particularly those laws meant to protect children, Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick said in a statement. The actions alleged in this case are an appalling attempt to exploit an innocent and vulnerable minor, FBI Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. said in the same statement. The FBI and our partners are committed to protecting children from predators who seek to harm them. Every child deserves to grow up in a safe environment, free from the threat of exploitation. Democratic Gov. Tim Walz told reporters he thinks Eichorn should resign, saying the bar is high for elected officials. He said the case should be an opportunity to show that you cannot prey on our children and expect to get away with it. Liberation Day is coming. It probably wont feel that way. President Trump said April 2 will be the day he announces reciprocal tariffs on a host of nations that could affect hundreds of billions of dollars in imported products. Yahoo Finances tariff maven, Ben Werschkul, has a nice preview of whats probably coming. The upshot: It wont be pretty. Trump has already rattled markets with tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, plus wide-ranging tariffs on imports from China, Canada, and Mexico. His approach so far has been more aggressive than many investors expected, triggering a 10% stock market sell-off from Feb. 19 to March 13. That tariff turmoil may end up being a preview rather than the main feature. Trump said the April 2 reciprocal tariffs will be the big one, and his top aides of late have been dropping hints about what Trump might mean. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said recently that every country will get a number, or a new tariff rate. The goal is to set US tariffs that are at least as high as the duties other nations impose on imports from the United States. Thats why theyll be reciprocal. Read more: What Trump's tariffs mean for the economy and your wallet To suss out which countries might get the highest numbers, Yahoo Finance analyzed tariff data on the top 25 US trading partners, comparing the average tariff those nations impose on US imports with the US tariffs on imports from the same nations. The map below shows the tariff differential for each of those trading partners. A few nations stand out as having higher tariff rates than their US trading partner. India, for instance, puts an average tariff of about 5.5% on products from the United States, while the average US tariff on products from India is about 3%. Other nations with a relatively high tariff differential include Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, and Brazil. Canada and China also have higher average tariff rates than the United States, but Trump seems to be addressing trade with those nations through separate actions. Tariff data also suggests that Americans get a pretty good deal on trade with many partners. Of the top 25, seven Vietnam, Switzerland, France, Spain, Indonesia, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom tax US imports at a lower rate than vice versa. Most of the rest have tariff rates similar to the United States. Trump sometimes cherry-picks specific product categories to make the case that other nations are ripping off America. He points out, for instance, that Europe slaps a 10% tariff on cars imported from the United States, while the US tariff on imported European cars is just 2.5%. What Trump doesnt mention the longstanding US tariff of 25% on imported pickup trucks, which essentially keeps foreign-made pickups out of the US market. President Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House on March 7. (Reurters/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo) (Reuters / Reuters) The European Union says the effective tariff rate on US-European trade is about 1% in each direction. And it points out that the United States collects more than twice as much revenue from tariffs on European imports than the EU collects on US imports. Europe, nonetheless, is likely to be a major target of Trumps reciprocal tariffs. One reason the United States collects more tariff revenue than Europe on that two-way trade is that the United States imports way more. The United States ran a $236 billion trade deficit in goods with the EU in 2024 and a $1.2 trillion deficit with all trade partners combined. Persistent trade deficits have irked Trump for years, even though economists generally say theres nothing inherently wrong with being a net importer. Consumption drives the US economy, and the globalization of the past 40 years has created highly efficient markets that bring many products to the United States at the lowest possible price. Trump wants more of that production back in the United States, even if it means higher prices for US consumers. Drop Rick Newman a note, follow him on Bluesky, or sign up for his newsletter. Trump and his aides also claim that other nations cheat on trade in ways not reflected in tariff rates. Most advanced nations, for instance, have a value-added tax, and Trump aides have been claiming that a VAT applied to imports is a tariff in disguise. Since the United States doesnt have a VAT, in theory that would disadvantage US exports. But trade experts dispute that. Erica York of the Tax Foundation said currency exchange rates adjust to account for VATs and pointed out that the United States does have state and local sales taxes that apply to imports. Equating a VAT with a tariff, she said, is a complete misunderstanding of what a VAT is and how it works. Some countries also have rules such as import quotas or other barriers that keep certain foreign products out, even if tariffs are low. The United States ranks sixth among 38 nations in a trade facilitation index maintained by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. By that measure, only five nations South Korea, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Japan are more open to trade than the United States. That's good for US consumers, who get access to a huge array of reasonably priced imports. But Trump could flip that around to say other nations should make it just as easy for their own citizens to buy US products. What the data says may not matter to Trump. As he ramps up his second trade war in two presidential terms, it's apparent that Trumps approach to trade stems more from his 20th-century America-first worldview than anything numbers or rankings reveal. That means liberation day will be in the eye of the beholder. Fans of free markets might find it punishing while trade gunslingers acting on their gut instincts revel in it. Rick Newman is a senior columnist for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Bluesky and X: @rickjnewman. Click here for political news related to business and money policies that will shape tomorrow's stock prices. Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Nvidia (NVDA) CEO Jensen Huang isn't sounding the alarm over the introduction of AI models like China's inexpensively trained DeepSeek R1. Instead, the chip executive said the world needs far more computing power to handle so-called reasoning and agentic AI applications than previously anticipated. "Last year, this is where almost the entire world got it wrong," Huang said during his keynote at Nvidia's GTC 2025. "The computation requirement, the scaling law of AI is more resilient and, in fact, hyperaccelerated. The amount of computation we need at this point as a result of agentic AI, as a result of reasoning, is easily a hundred times more than we thought we needed this time last year," he explained. CEO Jensen Huang talks during the keynote address of Nvidia GTC on March 18 in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Nic Coury) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) Agentic AI is a type of AI that can take actions on behalf of a user. Reasoning, or thinking AI, is a type of AI that mimics the way humans think by breaking down problems step by step to find the best answer to a user query. DeepSeek's R1 hit the scene in late January and sent Wall Street into a meltdown when the company said the reasoning model matched the capabilities of OpenAI's model and that it trained its broader DeepSeek V3 model for roughly $5 million, compared to the tens of millions Silicon Valley spent training comparable models. Read more: How does Nvidia make money? Investors went streaming for the doors, sending Nvidia's market value plummeting nearly $600 billion on fears that cloud companies wouldn't need to spend billions on Nvidia chips anymore. More recently, Nvidia has been buffeted by concerns over President Trump's tariff threats and the potential for the US to impose fresh export controls on chips destined for China. Nvidia stock is down 14% year to date but still up 30% over the past 12 months. While tariffs and export controls are largely out of Nvidia's hands, outside of lobbying for exceptions, the company is fully able to deal with those pesky DeekSeek concerns, and Huang did just that during his speech. Throughout the roughly two-hour showcase, the chief executive explained how reasoning models will benefit from chips like the company's new Blackwell Ultra and Vera Rubin superchip. That, he explained, will only continue in the future as physical AI including humanoid robots and self-driving cars mature into the market. The CEO also expanded on his plans for Nvidia's CUDA software, which allows developers to take advantage of the company's chips for general processing, its Omniverse simulation platform, and a litany of other services. Wall Street wasn't fully on board, though. Nvidia shares fell more than 3% on the day. Still, analysts are high on the company's prospects. "With significant barriers to entry created by its CUDA software stack, we see limited competitive risks and expect NVDA to continue to dominate one of the fastest growing workloads in cloud and enterprise," KeyBanc Capital Markets analyst John Vinh wrote in an investor note following Huang's keynote. "While early days, Omniverse represents an emerging software subscription revenue stream for metaverse applications that is likely to support further re-rating of the multiple, as it grows and scales," he added. For now, Nvidia is still the leader in AI and appears set to continue that for the foreseeable future. Sign up for Yahoo Finance's Week in Tech newsletter. (yahoofinance) Email Daniel Howley at dhowley@yahoofinance.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DanielHowley. Click here for the latest technology news that will impact the stock market. Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance. Getty A Florida nurse who swapped patients fentanyl pain medication with saline solution has been sentenced to more than two years in federal prison. Emmanuel Valentin, 40, of Miami, pleaded guilty to tampering with consumer products on Dec. 13, 2024, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office of the Southern District of Florida. On March 17, he was sentenced to 26 months in prison, court records reviewed by PEOPLE show. The conduct occurred between July 10, 2023, and Aug. 18, 2023, while Valentin was working as a registered nurse at a Miami hospitals cardiac catheterization lab, the release states. Prosecutors said Valentin used a syringe to extract liquid painkillers (medical-grade fentanyl and midazolam) from patients vials for his personal use. He replaced them with saline solution, knowing that the liquid in the vials would be dispensed to hospital patients for pain relief during medical procedures, such as cardiac catheterization and stent placement, the release states. Getty 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. Valentin also retrieved empty and discarded vials from the biohazard waste disposal bin, filled them with saline, and used them to replace vials that he stole, prosecutors said. His actions put patients at risk of contracting Hepatitis C and other blood-borne disease infections, they added. The hospital fired Valentin and notified patients of possible contamination. The patients were offered free blood testing and no acute infections were discovered, per the release. On May 15, 2024, in a separate state prosecution, Valentin also admitted to stealing fentanyl from another Miami area hospital in March 2023, prosecutors said. Read the original article on People Kendal Aaron A disturbed Florida man has been arrested for allegedly making sickening threats against President Trump even challenging him to fight me naked to the death, according to authorities. Kendal Aaron Todd, 42, was busted and charged on Monday in St. Lucie County after he allegedly posted sickening threats to kill the commander-in-chief on social media. Kendal Aaron Todd is accused of making threats against President Trump. St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office / Facebook In a rambling, 80-second clip, Todd railed against Trump and declared himself US president, according to authorities. Because of Donald Trump, every single person in the world is cursed, Todd said in the since-deleted, expletive-laden clip. Donald Trump is the Antichrist. Donald Trump has personally made business decisions which have hurt so many different reincarnated Jesuses, Todd added. Todd is being held on $500,000 bond. WPBF The violent threats were quickly flagged to the US Secret Service, St. Lucie County Sheriff Richard Del Torro said. He just kept escalating his behavior, Del Toro said. He got the attention obviously of the United States Secret Service and that got our attention. Del Torro said authorities had recently been keeping tabs on Todd over concerns for his mental health. Neighbors told WPBF theyd recently seen deputies at the home of the suspect, whod been acting strangely for some time. The sheriff said a SWAT team moved in to apprehend him after he posted the disturbing video online, the sheriff said. Its just very concerning for us, he added. Some of the things that have happened in the past to our president. We want to make sure were not leaving anything to chance. Todds sickening posts were directed at the president. REUTERS Todds threats were reported to the Secret Service, according to the sheriffs office. WPBF Todd was slapped with charges of written threat to kill or do bodily harm. His bond was set at $500,000. Charlie Javice is on trial at a federal court in Manhattan. New York Daily News/Getty Images Charlie Javice, the founder of Frank, is on trial in NYC, charged with defrauding JPMC out of $175M. She's fighting to suppress a text in which she called her codefendant "the best partner in crime." Prosecutors told the judge the 2022 text "reflects a nonchalant consciousness of guilt." Federal prosecutors believe Charlie Javice, the founder of Frank, was joking back in October 2021 when she texted her second-in-command and gave him her brief feedback on his job performance. "My comment is ur the best partner in crime," she wrote. "The end," she then signed off, receiving a smiling emoji in response. But a month into a New York fraud trial, neither prosecutors nor the defense is treating the remark as a joking matter. Prosecutors say Javice and her underling turned codefendant, Olivier Amar, are indeed partners in crime a brazen conspiracy to trick the nation's biggest bank, JPMorgan Chase, into paying $175 million for their financial aid startup. On Tuesday, the defense lawyers fought to keep her jury from learning about the text exchange. A 2022 text exchange between Javice and her codefendant, Olivier Amar. Southern District of New York At the time JPMorgan acquired Frank, Javice was a former Forbes "30 under 30" honoree and a financial media darling, and Amar was her chief growth officer. Prosecutors say the two conspired to purchase data for some 4 million students on the open market and clinched the merger deal with JPMorgan Chase in September 2021 by falsely claiming they were Frank users. Prosecutors say Javice fooled JPMorgan in part by telling the bank she couldn't show them detailed Frank user data prior to the merger because of the terms of service with its users. JPMorgan had purchased the startup in hopes of marketing its banking products to college-bound students. Prosecutors allege that a year passed before the bank realized that Frank had only 300,000 users. The bank terminated its relationship with Javice and Amar in November 2022; it sued Javice a month later, and the two were indicted in the spring of 2023. Prosecutors have said the top charges carry a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. In asking the judge to let the jury see Javice and Amar's "partner in crime" exchange as evidence, federal prosecutors wrote to US District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein that the four texts comprising the exchange were "relevant and admissible." "This exchange reflects a nonchalant consciousness of guilt, and further reflects the type of closely intimate relationship that Javice and Amar shared," only two short months after the bank purchased the startup, prosecutors wrote. In the first text in the pair's WhatsApp chain, Amar, a citizen of Canada and Israel accused of pocketing $2 million in the fraud, tells his boss, Javice, "Kept my self evaluation brief as you requested." He added a smiley face emoji. Javice responded with a smile of her own a colon and a close parenthesis. "It's a fake review as everything comp is already set," Javice then wrote, an apparent reference to the millions in "compensation" the two were making as a result of the deal, which included JPMorgan Chase salaries for each of them. Javice who prosecutors say stood to make $45 million through the deal then "joked with Amar about disclosing to JPMC in a performance review that Amar and Javice are partner[s] in crime," federal prosecutors added. "Indeed," they wrote, "the defendants are charged with conspiring to commit crimes together, i.e., being partners in crime." Defense lawyers for Amar and Javice argue that "the context provided indicates that Ms. Javice was simply making a joke," including by indicating it was a "fake" review. The judge has kept a tight lid on potentially prejudicial text exchanges at the trial. Last month, he barred jurors from hearing what Javice thought of Elizabeth Holmes, the Theranos fraudster. In fighting the charges Javice and Amar are accused of conspiracy and wire, bank, and securities fraud lawyers for the two have argued that JPMorgan Chase relied on many factors in its purchase of Frank, not just user data. They told jurors in opening statements that the bank failed to do due diligence before the merger. The defense teams are also asking the judge to keep jurors from seeing a February 2022 WhatsApp exchange conducted by the two defendants during a Zoom meeting with JPMC personnel. The text exchange begins with Javice saying "gave him the shit show of all systems in spreadsheets." A minute later, after Amar texts "okay," Javice responds, "ah we are fucked." "There is no probative value to these messages" absent the context of whatever was going on in the Zoom meeting, the defense wrote Tuesday. Prosecutors said they expected to rest their direct case after testimony from their witnesses concludes Wednesday morning. The defense teams for Javice and Amar have yet to say whether they'll present witnesses but told the judge late Tuesday that if they did, testimony would conclude by the end of the week. March 18, 2025: This story was updated to include trial developments from Tuesday afternoon. Read the original article on Business Insider More than 60 years after President John F. Kennedy was gunned down in Dallas, the federal government on Tuesday began releasing what could be the final trove of documents delving into the assassination that shocked the nation and spawned countless conspiracy theories. The National Archives and Records Administration started posting the long-awaited files just before 7 p.m. a day after President Donald Trump announced that 80,000 pages related to the fatal shooting on Nov. 22, 1963, were about to be released. In accordance with President Donald Trumps directive of March 17, 2025, all records previously withheld for classification that are part of the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection are released," the administration's statement read. Within minutes, thousands of documents that had been hidden from the public for decades appeared on the site. It wasnt immediately clear whether the trove of documents contains any bombshells or evidence to counter the conclusion the Warren Commission reached in 1964 that a lone gunman named Lee Harvey Oswald fired the fatal shots from the Texas Schoolbook Depository. You got a lot of reading, Trump said Monday as he visited the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. I dont believe were going to redact anything. Trump was cagey about what would be in those files. Historians contend that around 4,700 documents haven't yet been released. "The origins of the 80,000 pages of material are unknown," Jefferson Morley, an expert on the JFK assassination and the CIA, wrote on his JFK Facts blog before the new batch of documents was released. Justice Department lawyers worked all night to review hundreds of pages of classified documents before they were released, a person familiar with the matter told NBC News. It also remained to be seen whether the document drop would finally put to rest the widespread public skepticism of the government's official explanation that Oswald acted alone. People have so many doubts, presidential historian Michael Beschloss said. There are so many theories that are conflicting. Its very hard for me to imagine that there will be one piece of evidence that will make everyone agree on what happened here. What most people do agree is that the killing of John Kennedy changed history, and mainly in a bad way. When Trump was campaigning last year and trying to win the endorsement of JFK's nephew Robert F. Kennedy Jr., he renewed his promise to release the files. President John F. Kennedy, first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, Texas Gov. John Connally and others smile at the crowds lining their motorcade route in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963. Minutes later, the president was assassinated as his car passed through Dealey Plaza. Hours after he snagged RFK Jr.'s endorsement in August, Trump vowed that if elected, he would establish a commission on assassination attempts in honor of RFK Jr., who is now his secretary of health and human services. Shortly after he began his second term, Trump signed an executive order mandating the release of all records related to President Kennedy's assassination, as well as the 1968 assassinations of RFK Jr.s father, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy Sr., and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Under the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992, all the documents related to the assassination were supposed to have been released by 2017, when Trump was president the first time. Trump released some JFK-related documents then, but he also gave the intelligence agencies more time to assess the remaining files. It wasn't until December 2022 that President Joe Biden released more than 13,000 records after the Mary Ferrell Foundation, the countrys largest nonprofit repository of JFK assassination records, sued the administration to make all the documents public. But Biden released only about 98% of all the documents related to the killing that remained in the National Archives, which controls the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection. Its high time that the government got its act together and obeyed the spirit and the letter of the law, Morley, who is also the vice president of the nonpartisan Mary Ferrell Foundation, said at the time. This is about our history and our right to know it, he said. The 4,700 or so records that were kept under wraps were believed to have included more information about accused Oswald's sojourn in Mexico City before the assassination. Among those documents were 44 related to CIA agent George Joannides and a covert Cuba-related program he ran that came into contact with Oswald less than four months before Kennedy was shot, according to calculations made by JFK researchers with the Mary Ferrell Foundation. In a memorandum explaining why some documents werent being released, Biden noted that the records act permits the continued postponement of disclosure of information ... only when postponement remains necessary to protect against an identifiable harm to the military defense, intelligence operations, law enforcement, or the conduct of foreign relations that is of such gravity that it outweighs the public interest in disclosure. Prominent historians didn't buy that explanation. Were 59 years after President John Kennedy was killed, and theres just no justification for this, U.S. District Judge John Tunheim, who chaired the Assassination Records Review Board from 1994 to 1998, said when Biden released the records. An 81-year-old French hunter went on trial on Tuesday, accused of killing an endangered female bear that had attacked him in the Pyrenees. The brown bear is a protected species in the mountain range, which separates France and Spain. Andre Rives was boar-hunting when a female bear nicknamed Caramelles attacked him. On Nov. 20, 2021, two bear cubs emerged from the woods in front of Rives. Then their mother appeared, charging at him and dragging him for several yards. He shot and killed the animal. Rives sustained leg injuries and was in a state of shock. A fellow hunter managed to stem the bleeding before he was evacuated by helicopter. According to the investigation, the bear was killed 1,300 feet outside an authorized hunting area. The case caused an uproar in the department of Ariege, where hunters have held demonstrations in support of Rives. "This is not an anti-bear or pro-bear trial," presiding judge Sun Yung Lazare said. Rives is on trial for "destroying a protected species," she said. When the cubs emerged, "I looked at them with admiration," Rives said in court. "I made myself very small. Then the mother saw me. Our eyes met, she charged." He said he had no choice but to shoot. "She grabbed my left thigh, I panicked and fired a shot. She backed away growling, she went around me and bit my right calf, I fell, she was eating my leg," he added. "I reloaded my rifle and fired." "Bears are threatened with extinction" Fifteen other hunters who also took part in the hunt were being prosecuted for various offenses, including hunting in the Mont Valier nature reserve, one of the oldest reserves in the Pyrenees. Around 20 associations had filed a lawsuit. Jean-Luc Fernandez, president of a local hunting federation, said Rives killed the bear in self-defense. "He fired," he said. "He should have let her do it? No, he saved his own skin." The hunters also argued that the boundaries of the reserve were poorly marked. "You never really know where you are," one of them said. Photos shown at the hearing showed barely visible signage red Rs for reserve painted on trees against a white background. "Your obligation as a hunter is to know where you are hunting," retorted prosecutor Olivier Mouysset. Activists contest the notion of self-defense. "To what extent can one argue necessity, when one has committed a series of offenses that led to the death of the bear Caramelles?" asked Alain Reynes of the bear-preservation association Pays de l'ours. According to that group, in 2023, there were 83 bears detected in the Pyrenees and 11 females gave birth. European brown bear (Ursus arctos arctos) foraging among rocks on mountain slope in the Pyrenees. / Credit: Arterra/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Animal rights activists view bears as integral to maintaining a fragile mountain ecosystem that is under threat from human activity and climate change. Bears had nearly disappeared from the mountain range before France began a reintroduction program in the 1990s, importing them from Slovenia. But the presence of bears has led to increasing tensions with farmers because of the threat they pose to their livestock. Julie Rover, a lawyer representing some of the associations, said the animal rights' activists wanted to send a message. "They are not opposed to hunting, but for it not to harm the environment, its rules must be respected," Rover said. "Bears are threatened with extinction the disappearance of a breeding female is serious." A similar controversy surrounding brown bears also exists in neighboring Italy. Last year, an alpine Italian province confirmed the killing of a female bear believed responsible for an attack on a French hiker despite protests by animal rights activists. It marked the ninth incidence of aggression against humans since brown bears were reintroduced to the province in 1999 as part of an European Union project, and the first since a hiker was killed last summer. In September 2023, a man shot and killed an endangered brown bear near an Italian national park, leaving her two young cubs motherless and sparking outrage in the country. The park posted a graphic image of the bear lying dead on the ground. Earlier in 2023, an administrative court's ruling spared the life of a brown bear that fatally attacked a runner on a mountain trail in Italy's Alpine region. Sneak peek: The Puzzling Death of Susann Sills Inside Trump's call with Vladimir Putin 100 years since deadliest tornado in U.S. history A man with a complicated life since the day he was born, Wendell Arden Grissom is much more than the worst thing he did," Grissom's attorneys say. Grissom's attorneys describe him as severely mentally stunted by a complicated birth, which, combined with a string of head injuries, caused him to turn to drugs, alcohol, crime, and eventually, murder. Now Oklahoma is set to execute Grissom by lethal injection for the 2005 murder of 23-year-old Amber Matthews. If the execution moves forward, Grissom will be the first inmate executed by Oklahoma this year and the ninth in the United States. (Louisiana had an execution Tuesday and Arizona had one on Wednesday.) "I dont know what made me do what I did," Grissom said in his confession to police. "I dont know. I never done anything like this in my life ... I have no explanation." Although he has admitted to the crimes, Grissom has continued to maintain that the murder was a once-in-a-lifetime mistake. "I'm not a monster," Grissom wrote to the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board in 2019. "Please, somehow look past that one day in my life, for it's not who I am at all." Grissoms lawyers have argued in court filings that the death penalty should not be applied to him because of his developmental issues. But prosecutors say they shouldn't excuse his actions. Grissom chose to be reduced by those challenges," prosecutors said in court records. "He embraced bitterness, rejected many opportunities for healing and change, and left behind a path of terror, death and destruction." As the execution approaches, USA TODAY is looking back at the crime, who Grissom is, and who his victims were. Headshot of Wendell Arden Grissom in 2023. 'You shattered lives' Survivors of deadly Oklahoma home invasion to attend execution What has Wendell Arden Grissom convicted of? On Nov. 3, 2005, Grissom and a homeless hitchhiker he had picked up named Jessie Johns were planning to burglarize homes when they targeted 23-year-old Dreu Kopf's house near Watonga, 70 miles northwest of Oklahoma City. Kopf was home with her two daughters and a friend, Amber Matthews, when Grissom came knocking. Initially, he asked Kopf if her husband was home but eventually shot his way in, laughing as he fired, according to court records. Kopf, who had been shot in the wrist, jumped on Grissom while Matthews ran with Kopf's 5-week-old into a room where Kopfs 19-month-old daughter was sleeping. Dreu begged Grissom to stop, court records say. She offered him anything he wanted to spare their lives but Kopf said in court records that he was just laughing and he just kept shooting and shooting and laughing. Grissom shot Kopf in the head and hip. Hearing the shooting from inside the bedroom with the girls, Matthews was "overcome with terror" and "vomited all over her jeans and on the floor, court records say. Kopf managed to steal Grissoms truck and escape, hoping he would follow her. On the way out, she heard Matthews scream, "Please don't shoot me," before Grissom shot her in the back of the head and then the forehead as she held one of the girls. Matthews died. Kopf managed to flag down help and survived after being treated at a hospital. Police said Grissom and Johns fled Kopf's home using her husband's four-wheeler. Court records say Grissom and Johns were arrested in a nearby cafe after local citizens reported seeing the men to police. Matthews' father, Garry Matthews, described her daughter as the apple of my eye, a cute blond blue-eyed little bundle of joy. She was not only my daughter, she was my best friend. In and out of marriages, she was always there for me, she said during Grissom's 2008 trial. The last restaurant we ate in, I cant go back. Everything that reminds me of her brings back the pain. Grissom's complicated birth, childhood When Grissom was born in 1968 in Arkansas, he remained in the birth canal for an inordinately long period of time, causing him to suffer oxygen deprivation, his mother, Mary Grissom, said in court records. Grissoms development was stunted and his parents had difficulties understanding him until he was about 7 years old, with Mary Grissom saying "it sounded like he was speaking Chinese." In school, Grissom had emotional and behavioral problems. His stunted development was only made worse by a string of car accidents. Court records say Grissom was riding a motorcycle by himself without a helmet as an 8-year-old and hit a concrete surface, knocking him unconscious and requiring 18 stitches to the back of his head. Other motorcycle accidents happened when he was 15 and 16, further injuring his head. Wendell was never the same after those close-in-time severe motorcycle accidents. He had awful headaches, his attorneys say in court records. This spelled the end of Wendells school days, as he was unable to return to school due to his physical and cognitive difficulties. Court records said Grissom and his family moved from Arkansas to Texas when he was 16 years old. A lethal injection bed inside an execution chamber is pictured at the Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville, Tennessee. Grissoms adulthood was no different Court records say Grissom had committed several home invasions in Texas in the years before 2005. After one home invasion in 1992, Grissom stole and sold televisions, silver, watches, and jewelry, among other items. He was convicted of the robbery the next year and sentenced to 25 years in prison. He only served nine years after getting parole in 2001. Afterward, Grissom moved back to Arkansas, where he married a fellow truck driver two weeks after meeting her. Both were heavy drinkers and addicted to Adderall and meth. Court records say Grissom was prescribed medicine for depression, frequent headaches, anxiety, crying spells. Grissom continued to spiral as his marriage began to fail. In December 2004, less than a year before the murder, Grissom was arrested for threatening his then-wife with a rifle. He then voluntarily entered a residential program for chemical dependency. In the months and days leading up to the murder in Oklahoma, Grissom was described as a wreck. Wendells professional life and personal life were in shambles, and he was depressed and suicidal, court records say. Friends and family noticed irrational behaviors. Grissom is basically out of options The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board met in early February to vote on whether to grant Grissom clemency. As part of the filings, Grissoms family submitted letters asking to spare his life. Wendell is a good person who made a terrible mistake and Wendell has made many attempts to show remorse for his actions, his mother said. Wendell has been in prison for nearly 20 years now, which has been more than enough time to pay for what he has done. Grissom chose not to make a statement to the board via video from prison, according to the Oklahoman, part of the USA TODAY Network. Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Crabb told the board that Grissom has been saying he doesn't want clemency since at least July. In text messages to his spiritual adviser in January, he called his clemency hearing a joke. Grissom also wrote that he is not scared of dying because he knows where he is going. "I'll finally be free from this place and all, you know?" he wrote. "I for sure do not want to spend the rest of my life in this sorry place." Attorney General Gentner Drummond told the board "this is a textbook case for the death penalty." He called the random and brutal attack on "innocent strangers" the kind of crime that keeps people awake at night. The board voted 4-1 to deny Grissoms clemency, which means Republican Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt cannot now commute Grissom's sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Grissoms only path to a stayed execution is in the federal courts or the Supreme Court. Contributing: Nolan Clay - The Oklahoman Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Oklahoma to execute Wendell Grissom in home invasion murder. Who is he? A Texas grandfather was shot and killed when he was caught in the middle of a gunfight in a McDonalds where he was trying to buy his two grandkids Happy Meals. Jorge Arbaiza, 61, was shot five times Sunday inside the fast-food restaurant in Katy, a suburb of Houston, when two groups of young people got into a shootout, KHOU 11 reported. His wife of nearly 40 years, Teresa Arbaiza, was outside in the car with their grandchildren, and called her husband to check on him when she saw other customers racing out to safety. Jorge Arbaiza, 61, was killed in a shootout at a Texas McDonalds. KHOU Im dying, Im going to die, he told her in his dying words. His wife said she had noticed a man with a gun in her rearview mirror seconds before the shooting broke out. I couldnt leave the kids alone I could not go inside the kids were crying, and they were scared, Teresa Arbaiza told the outlet in Spanish. Jorge Arbaiza was rushed to a nearby hospital but doctors were unable to save him. A 25-year-old man thought to be part of the brawl was also shot, according to authorities, who said he is expected to survive. Arbaiza was at the fast-food chain to buy his grandkids Happy Meals. KHOU Arbaizas wife called to check on him after seeing terrified customers fleeing the restaurant. KHOU The beloved husband and grandfather was crazy for his grandkids, Teresa Arbaiza said. Investigators and a K-9 team were brought back to the scene this week to search for evidence, but no arrests have been made. One group of young men and women involved in the shooting fled the scene in a maroon SUV, while the other drove off in a white sedan, cops said. Police are still searching for the shooters. KHOU Authorities were able to track down several of the people involved in the fight, but not the shooters. All I want is justice, said Zoila Garcia, Jorges sister-in-law. So they can grab them and they can pay for what they did. Its so unjust. On the morning of Oct. 8, 2022, the serene Mississippi River town of Bellevue, Iowa, population about 2,500, woke up to a calamity news of an apparent homicide, the first in nearly a decade. Dozens of investigators from six different law enforcement agencies were combing the crime scene at the Mississippi Ridge Boarding Kennels with body cameras rolling. The woman who ran the kennels, Angela Prichard, 55, had been gunned down. Her sister, Wendy Budde, believed she knew who was responsible: Angela's husband, Chris Prichard. Wendy Budde (emotional): He knew how to get in the front door. Jonathan Vigliotti | "48 Hours" contributor: In that moment, did you know it was Chris? Wendy Budde: A hundred percent. One hundred percent, I knew it was him. On the morning of Oct. 8, 2022, Angela Prichard was shot and killed at her workplace, the Mississippi Ridge Boarding Kennels in Bellevue, Iowa. / Credit: Joshua Close Budde says Angela had been trying to leave him for months and lived in fear he would kill her. Ryan Kedley: This appeared to be an assailant that knew her very well. Ryan Kedley and Dustin Henningsen are special agents with Iowa's Department of Criminal Investigation. Bellevue's small police force, with just several officers, invited the state police to lead the investigation. While Angela's family was convinced Chris Prichard was the killer, the special agents had to connect all the dots. ANGELA PRICHARD NAMES HER KILLER IN HER FINAL MOMENTS Dustin Henningsen: We had received a word that there was a 911 call in the morning. Jonathan Vigliotti: Tell me about that 911 call. Dustin Henningsen: Essentially, you're listening to the end of her life on the 911 call 911 OPERATOR: 911, where is your emergency? ANGELA PRICHARD): Please get out of here ... I have customers coming in. 911 OPERATOR: 911 ANGELA PRICHARD: Please get out of here. 911 OPERATOR: OK, where are you at? ANGELA PRICHARD: Chris! (gunshot) Those were the last words spoken by Angela and the first clue investigators had to identify her killer. Jonathan Vigliotti: She says the name Chris on this call. Who is Chris? Ryan Kedley: Chris Prichard, her estranged husband. 911 OPERATOR: Ma'am, where are you at? Dustin Henningsen: As the dispatcher continues to ask what's your emergency you can faintly hear somebody say 911 CALL (male voice): F*** you. Jonathan Vigliotti: When you listen to this 911 call how do you process what you were hearing? Ryan Kedley: On a personal level, it's a very difficult thing to listen to someone's end of life moments. On an investigative level, that was a pivotal piece of evidence in the opening stages of the investigation. Dustin Henningsen: It was a very violent scene. Angela Prichard was found lying face down in the kennel's washroom when investigators arrived at the scene. / Credit: CBS News Ryan Kedley: Passing by the kennel door on the right and this is the area where we initially get a firsthand glimpse of Angela's deceased body here on the floor. Pools of morning light illuminated pools of blood surrounding her body. Angela was lying face down in the kennel's washroom where she bathed the dogs. Kedley photographed the scene. Ryan Kedley: She has a very large significant gunshot wound to the chest. Jonathan Vigliotti: At close range. Ryan Kedley: At, I would say, at very close range. Ryan Kedley: There has to have been some very, very high emotions involved in that ... Jonathan Vigliotti: You have Angela Prichard deceased here. You have Chris Prichard, a person of interest, nowhere to be found. How do you track him down? The special agents spotted a barely visible blood trail. Ryan Kedley: Leading out of this room and then into the dog kennel area through this door Ryan Kedley: We believe our assailant traveled from that area left some blood evidence, and then likely went out this door, directly in front of us. Ryan Kedley: We're certainly trying to keep an open mind and determine that, OK, if Chris didn't do this, well, then who did? Angela and Christopher Prichard / Credit: Joshua Close Digging into Chris Prichard's life, the special agents soon learned about his volatile history with Angela, which included violence and violations of a restraining order. Ryan Kedley: But at this point, all of the information seems to be consistent with Chris being the guy that we need to locate. Dustin Henningsen: As we continue to work the investigation We began to establish our timeline. Investigators reviewed the footage starting at midnight the day of the shooting. For hours, there was nothing to see. But just after 4 a.m., there was something to hear. Dustin Henningsen: You can hear dogs start to bark. We had determined that was most likely the point when he arrived at the kennels. Henningsen believes Chris Prichard entered the kennels and lay in wait for nearly four hours. Dustin Henningsen (with Vigliotti at kennels): The first video that they really got was Angela coming down to work in the morning. Dustin Henningsen (pointing to monitor in his office): And right up here you're going to see Angela start to pull down to the entrance at the Mississippi Ridge Boarding Kennels. Dustin Henningsen (at kennels): Pulling up to the kennel at 7:34. You can see her get out of her vehicle and she's gathering her belongings, and then walking into the kennel itself. Angela Prichard had less than six minutes to live. Dustin Henningsen (looking at monitor in office) : At 7:39 and 43 seconds, we hear a gunshot go off in the video. Jonathan Vigliotti (at the kennels): At any point do you clearly see Chris on any of these surveillance cameras? Dustin Henningsen: Yes. We believe we see him leaving. About two minutes after the gunshot, at 7:41 a.m., the man they now suspected to be her killer, Chris Prichard, appeared. Security video from a neighbor's house shows a man (highlighted), believed to be Christopher Prichard, leaving the kennels two minutes after the gunshot is heard. Investigators say he entered the kennels and lay in wait for Angela Prichard for nearly four hours. / Credit: Iowa DCI Dustin Henningsen (at kennels with Vigliotti): Actually walking from the kennel area down to the fence area That makes us believe that this is the first area that we need to check. Outside the kennels, miles of thick woods stretch to the horizon an area of northeastern Iowa locals call, "The Wilderness." It was rugged terrain Chris Prichard knew well, says Budde. Wendy Budde: He knows the outdoors. I knew that he could probably survive out there for quite a while in hiding. Dustin Henningsen: We have every resource at our disposal to try and do this manhunt. We have canines, we have airplanes, we have drones ... Jonathan Vigliotti: This is your worst nightmare. Wendy Budde (crying): Yeah. Yeah. Jonathan Vigliotti: Everything you've been trying to prevent come true. Wendy Budde: Everything I've been trying so hard to protect her and to keep her safe, and he got her. (crying) He got to her. SEARCHING FOR CHRISTOPHER PRICHARD The manhunt for Chris Prichard was widening. Ryan Kedley: You've got a fugitive out there on the run, potentially armed TWO HOURS ON THE RUN Dustin Henningsen: There's hundreds of acres here of farmland and woods, and we have the Mississippi River not far away, so knowing that he could have went any direction really makes the search difficult Fanning out from the kennels, heavily armed officers searched nearby neighborhoods house to house, barn to barn. Jonathan Vigliotti: Angela was a mother and grandmother. Wendy Budde: She was. Jonathan Vigliotti: What kind of mother and grandmother was she? Wendy Budde: I don't know that you would find somebody better than her. You hear a lot of people say, people put their kids in front of themselves. That was truly her. Angela Prichard's world revolved around family, especially her two sons and six grandchildren. Wendy Budde: They were the loves of her life her kids and her grandkids. Angela Prichard with one of her first litters of Husky puppies. / Credit: Joshua Close And, with almost equal billing, Angela's five Huskies. Wendy Budde: She always was an animal lover. Joshua Close and CJ Hancock are Angela's sons. CJ Hancock She was beautiful inside and out. She liked to make everybody happy, especially her family. Wendy Budde: She loved you so much, yeah CJ Hancock: She loved to spoil the grandkids rotten (laughs) and they could do no wrong in her eyes. Joshua Close: She loved doing arts and crafts. She still decorated her tree with the ones we made when we were kids. And making memories with their mom later in life was Chris Prichard the very man investigators were now chasing. Wendy Budde and her husband Jim had known Prichard for years. After dating for about two years, the couple married in March 2019. / Credit: Wendy Budde Wendy Budde: I would've trusted him with our children. He was nice, friendly, sincere, a hard worker, fun to be around. Chris Prichard, a longtime Bellevue resident, was an established electrician in town. Soon Angela found her calling. Wendy Budde: To be a kennel owner, to do something with animals. I was thrilled for her. It really seemed like everything was falling into place. After dating for nearly two years, they moved into a home in Bellevue, and even got married there in March 2019. The newlyweds were over the moon for about eight months. Jonathan Vigliotti: When did things change? Wendy Budde: I truly think that things started to change when he lost his job. He got fired. Fired and charged with first-degree theft, a felony, after he allegedly stole $36,000 worth of supplies from the electric company where he worked. Wendy Budde: She was just beside herself, what are we going to do now? We need that income. Awaiting trial, Prichard was out on bail and out of work, says Budde. Wendy Budde: He wasn't looking for work. He was definitely drinking more. Wendy Budde: As the months went on, it just was like, wow, he's really kind of changing. Prichard finally took some odd job and helped Angela at the kennels, but in the summer of 2021, Budde says Angela discovered her husband was using methamphetamine. Wendy Budde: And then I knew that things are really getting bad. The simmering tension reached a boiling point on April 18, 2022. Wendy Budde: She said, "Chris hit me." CJ Hancock: She said "he's drunk. He's on drugs." So I told her, we're gonna call the cops. Bellevue Police responded, and the call recorded on police bodycam: A still from Bellevue police bodycam video shows Angela Prichard, center, in her kitchen talking with a responding officer and her sister, Wendy Budde, left, after her family called police on April 18, 2022, to report she had been hit by her husband, Christopher Prichard. ANGELA PRICHARD (bodycam): He hit me and then I just, I came in the house. Wendy Budde: She was crying. She was visibly shaking She had a mark on her face. And she said," I'm so scared." Police didn't have far to go to find Chris Prichard. He was in the garage. BELLVUE OFFICER (bodycam): State of Iowa law requires that somebody goes to jail CHRIS PRICHARD: I can't believe I'm going to jail. BELLEVUE OFFICER: Well, she's got a mark on her face Chris Prichard was arrested and charged with domestic assault. WENDY BUDDE (bodycam | in kitchen): He's very, very, very messed up on drugs. WENDY BUDDE: We've seen him change right in front of our eyes. Haven't we? Chris Prichard spent the night in jail and was released awaiting trial, staying with family. Angela Prichard sought and received a temporary no-contact order. ANGELA PRICHARD (bodycam): So he can't come back here? OFFICER: Nope. Jonathan Vigliotti: The no-contact order now exists protecting your sister. But a few weeks later, it's lifted. Wendy Budde: Even after it happened she said, I I don't want this. I want our marriage to work. Each had been married before, but had hoped this would be their last marriage, says Budde. Angela withdrew the no-contact order. Wendy Budde: I believe he said everything that needed to be said for her to drop that order. The drinking will stop. He will be home more Promises he failed to keep, says Budde. Wendy Budde: She said, I'm scared of him especially if he's been drinking. Budde says Angela was furious when she found a tracking device in her car, and two hidden cameras in the house. Wendy Budde: I told her you need to get a divorce. You need to be done with this, Ange. FOUR HOURS ON THE RUN Chris Prichard seemed to have vanished in the vast wilderness. Even the police dogs had lost his scent, says Henningsen. Jonathan Vigliotti (outside at the kennels): How do you find somebody that doesn't want to be caught? Dustin Henningsen: This is where our local resources really help us. Right from the start, Henningsen had corralled state and local law enforcement agencies even farmers and hunters to help determine where he might be. Dustin Henningsen: If we thought that Chris was going to make his way, say, back to Bellevue, what's the most likely path? Where are his friends at? Jeff Junk: It's a small town. Everybody talks. Cattle farmer Jeff Junk and his girlfriend Kim Klein were once close friends with Chris Prichard. Neighbors called them about the rumor racing through town Prichard had shot his wife, Angela. Kim Klein: Get outta here! I I didn't believe it. A Jackson County chief deputy stopped by Junk's house to warn them Prichard was on the run and might be looking for help from his friends. Then, there was a knock on the door. ANGELA PRICHARD'S DIARY OF DOMESTIC ABUSE The knock on their front door the one they'll always remember came around 8:15 that October night, Kim Klein says. She and boyfriend Jeff Junk were not expecting company. Kim Klein: When the second knock happened I says, "I believe it's Chris and you need to answer the door." Jonathan Vigliotti: So you open the door and what is it that you see on the other side? Jeff Junk: I see Chris 12 HOURS ON THE RUN Chris Prichard, their old friend now a hunted fugitive suspected of murder was standing in the dim light holding a shotgun. Kim Klein: Jeff goes, you need to hand that gun to me, and he did. No problem. Junk and Klein knew they had to call the police, but until they could do that safely, Klein says, they were playing along. Chris Prichard told them he'd been running all day from the cops and their dogs. Kim Klein: Jeff said, "Hey dude, you know you shot your wife?" "Oh yeah, how's she doing?" The couple told him Angela was dead. Jonathan Vigliotti: Did he express any remorse? Kim Klein: No. Jeff Junk: Nothing. Kim Klein: Nothing. He was sitting here laughing and drinking, and they were talking about old times. The moment felt so surreal, Klein says, she snapped a photo. Christopher Prichard (left) with Jeff Junk, in the photo at left, and Prichard asleep in a recliner at the home of Jeff Junk and Kim Klein before the couple called police. / Credit: Kim Klein Kim Klein: Just to show that no, he wasn't having any remorse. He never talked about her the rest of the night. And then I took the one when he was passed out. And the time was finally right, says Junk, to text the chief deputy who had stopped by earlier. Jeff Junk: I said "he's up here and he is passed out. Come come get him." When police arrived around midnight, Chris was still in the La-Z-Boy chair, out cold. Dustin Henningsen: He didn't know what was coming. CHRIS PRICHARD (bodycam | handcuffed, swears at officers): "What the f*** is wrong with you guys? Jesus Christ, I was sleeping. Ryan Kedley: He's verbally belligerent to officers that have arrested him. Special Agent Henningsen collected the evidence Chris Prichard had left behind: a 20-gauge shotgun and his torn clothes. Dustin Henningsen: He took Angela's possessions, money, a cellphone with him. Special Agent Kedley escorted Prichard to the Jackson County Jail. OFFICER (bodycam): Do you want your seatbelt, Chris? CHRIS PRICHARD: I want a bullet in the head. After about 16 hours on the run, Christopher Prichard was arrested and charged with first- degree murder and robbery on Oct. 9, 2022. / Credit: Jackson County Sheriff's Office Shortly after 1 a.m. on October 9, a despondent Chris Prichard was booked into the county jail, eventually charged with first-degree murder and robbery. After hours on the run through Iowa's wilderness, Prichard found himself surrounded by concrete and steel largely put there by the weight of a single word. ANGELA PRICHARD (911 call): Will you please get out of here! Chris!" Wendy Budde says the day Prichard ended her sister's life followed months of increasingly erratic behavior and escalating rage, which Angela had documented. Jonathan Vigliotti: Tell me about this journal and her words that lived on... Wendy Budde: She was this "sticky note queen ..." Dozens of Angela's brightly colored sticky notes told a dark story. The scribbled entries became Angela's diary of domestic abuse. Angela Prichard documented her husband Christopher Prichard's escalating rage on brightly colored sticky notes her diary of domestic abuse, her sister Wendy Budde tells WENDY BUDDE (reading sticky notes): "August 23rd text message. Calling me names. Saying it's gonna get real f****** ugly." "He's been stalking me and watching me. Very scared of him " "I think Chris is capable of anything " "Booze and drugs every day " "Said he doesn't give a f*** if he goes to jail." "Always looking over my shoulder to see if he's around." Wendy Budde: Her words to me are, "I'm done. This is it. We're not living in the same house." Budde invited her sister to move in with her. Angela gratefully agreed. Wendy Budde: I was like, you have a shadow now because I'm not leaving. You're stuck with me. The next day, Angela requested a second temporary no-contact order, granted Sept. 1, 2022. A no-contact order means just that: no contact of any kind with the protected person. In the State of Iowa, even a single violation requires a mandatory arrest. Jonathan Vigliotti: But that doesn't stop Chris. CJ Hancock: No. Once that second no-contact order got put in place, I would say that's when things went really downhill. And it was in place when Angela went back to the home she once shared with Chris Prichard to pick up a few things, says Budde. Wendy Budde: I was with her. Jonathan Vigliotti: You were with her along with police. The Bellevue police were there just in case Prichard showed up. The court had ordered him to move out temporarily. Wendy Budde: We walked in the front door. The house was destroyed. Wendy Budde: There was ink and paint thrown everywhere. CJ Hancock: Picture frames broken Wendy Budde: furniture was destroyed. He had actually taken the mattress off her bed and rubbed it in dog feces. Joshua Close: guns he placed them all over the house to intimidate her. Wendy Budde: I mean, we both just started crying. Jonathan Vigliotti: This is in clear violation of the restraining order. What do the police do? Wendy Budde: The police said, there's nothing we can do. This is his house Jonathan Vigliotti: There's nothing we can do is what they say to you? Wendy Budde: ... This is his house as well. Under Iowa law, with a no-contact order in place, Bellevue police should have taken Chris Prichard's guns. But for reasons unknown, he was allowed to keep them. Angela's sister and sons say, throughout September, the frightening violations continued not physical assaults, but psychological terror. CJ Hancock: Sitting outside of her house, following her, texting her, stalking her, going and cutting the grass at the kennels while she wasn't there. Bellevue police arrested Chris Prichard just once, on September 15, for sending Angela a text message, another violation of the no-contact order. He spent one night behind bars before posting bail. The next day, says Budde, he resumed his flurry of offenses. Wendy Budde: He had been driving by our house multiple times. One night, says Budde, Chris Prichard drove by six times in one hour. WENDY BUDDE (reading sticky note): "I don't feel safe anymore anywhere my sister's, my house, my sons, stores in town ..." Jonathan Vigliotti: You have a ticking time bomb on your hands. Wendy Budde: Yeah. pretty much and that's what it felt like. But instead of making arrests. the Bellevue police were making excuses, say Angela's sons, for not enforcing the law. CJ Hancock: They said that they'd tell him to knock it off or have a talk with him. Nothing, nothing was done, and she was terrified. Jonathan Vigliotti: You're reaching out to police They're not doing anything. Are you running out of hope here? Wendy Budde: Yes. What do you do when nobody is willing to help you? WENDY BUDDE (reading sticky note): I fear for my safety. Fear for my life. He has guns. Wendy Budde: The fear It consumed our life. THE CASE AGAINST CHRISTOPHER PRICHARD It was 5 a.m. at the Jackson County Jail. Twenty-one hours after Angela Prichard was found dead, Chris Prichard waived his Miranda rights and talked about the encounter at the dog kennels with special agents Dustin Henningsen and Ryan Kedley. Special agents Dustin Henningsen, left, and Ryan Kedley, center, with Iowa's Department of Criminal Investigation, interview Christopher Prichard, right, at the Jackson County Jail. / Credit: Jackson County Sheriff's Office CHRIS PRICHARD (police interview): She said, "you gotta leave ... you gotta leave now or I'm gonna call the police." I said "I just want to talk" ...and she shoved me ... and I hit the cabinet. The gun I don't know what the gun hit, but it went off. Jonathan Vigliotti: So, in so many words, he says, "I shot Angela. It was an accident." Ryan Kedley: Essentially, Yes. Jonathan Vigliotti: Are you believing any of this? Ryan Kedley: No. I'm only believing the fact that he shot Angela. Chris Prichard pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and robbery charges. His trial began on Feb. 7, 2024. Nicole Leonard: We believed that Mr. Prichard planned this all out and very meticulously for that matter. To prove premeditated murder, prosecutors Nicole Leonard and John Kies told jurors Chris Prichard put his plan in motion on Oct. 7, 2022, the day before he shot his wife the same day Angela's temporary restraining order became permanent. Nicole Leonard: We believe that that was sort of the snapping point for the defendant. Nicole Leonard: he became more and more obsessed with the situation, and not letting her go. CHRIS PRICHARD (police interview): she wanted to drag me through the mud and make me a monster. Before taking Angela's life, Chris Prichard took steps to cover his tracks, say the prosecutors. He borrowed a white pickup truck, to avoid using his own vehicle. John Kies: So what we think was he was setting up an alibi. Prosecutors say Chris Prichard secretly parked the borrowed truck inside a barn belonging to Lori and Mike Blaser, just a few miles from the Mississippi Ridge Boarding Kennels. Mike Blaser: We walk in, you know, notice this white pickup truck ... The handwritten note Christopher Prichard left for the Lori and Mike Blaser inside the borrowed pickup truck he left in their garage while on the run / Credit: Jackson County Sheriff's Office With a note from Chris Prichard saying he had gone hunting: "Keys are in the truck if you need to move it. I'll be back. Chris." Lori Blaser: We knew Chris. He would tell us how much he loved Angela, how devastated he was that there was a restraining order. The Blasers would soon become crucial witnesses for the prosecution. Shortly after finding the truck and note, they heard the news about a shooting at the dog kennels. Lori Blaser: We knew the minute that there was a shooting at the kennel something had happened with Chris. Lori Blaser: We were concerned that this was a getaway vehicle for him in here because it was just so odd, it had no reason to be here. I called 911 immediately LORI BLASER (911 call): I see that you guys are looking for Chris Prichard. 911 OPERATOR: Yes. LORI BLASER: His truck is in our garage ... Lori Blaser: It was very intense because at that point, he was still missing ... Lori Blaser: And we were scared to death. Prosecutors later viewed home surveillance footage from a camera on the Blasers' property showing Chris Prichard entering the barn where the Blasers kept their horse trailer. Lori Blaser (inside the horse trailer): The minute we came in the door, I knew that Chris Prichard had spent some time in here. Lori Blaser: He certainly made himself at home here. Chris Prichard left the horse trailer in the middle of the night, hiking through the dense woods to the kennels, says Leonard. Nicole Leonard: We believe his next appearance is around 4:00 a.m. on October 8th at the dog kennels in which the dogs start to go crazy. Jonathan Vigliotti: And you believe from that point forward, he's inside the kennel? Nicole Leonard: Correct. John Kies: I think he always had the plan to murder her. To prove it, the prosecutors played audio clips from Prichard's police interviews for the jury. SPECIAL AGENT KEDLEY (police interview): You show up at a place where you know she's gonna be. You've got a gun with her. You know you've got a no contact order An argument breaks out. She calls 911. She winds up dead ... This wasn't just some accident. Dustin Henningsen: If this was an accident, why are you taking her cellphone, which is her only means of survival? Why aren't you calling for help yourself? Why aren't you rendering any type of aid for your wife? And Prichard kept adding details to the story of the accidental shooting, say the special agents. Dustin Henningsen: The gun was leaning up against the cupboards. He went to retrieve a backpack and it fell and then that went off and shot her. But at trial, an Iowa State medical examiner testified the gunshot had a downward trajectory meaning Chris Prichard had the weapon in his hands and was standing when he fired, say prosecutors. CHRIS PRICHARD (police interview): It looked like it hit her in the arm. How would you die from that? Angela was shot dead center in the chest, testified the medical examiner, and died in seconds. CHRIS PRICHARD (police interview): I would've loved to have stuck around but Angie and her temper I thought maybe it didn't even really hit her that bad 'cause she was yelling at me, like she wasn't even hurt. Ryan Kedley: And the fact that he's saying that, after the gun went off and it struck her that she's yelling profanities back at him. Well, we have a 911 recording of that conversation. That did not take place. Prosecutors say Chris Prichard's last words on the 911 call prove his actions were premeditated a final explosion of violence. Nicole Leonard: When you hear his statement standing over her dying body on that 911 call using profanity. 911 CALL: (Chris Prichard's voice in background): "F*** you." Joshua Close: You definitely don't say what he said at the end of the phone call, after you accidentally shoot someone. Prichard's defense attorneys who declined "48 Hours"' request for an interview maintained the shooting was accidental, and the case against Chris Prichard was a rush to judgement. After four days of testimony, the case went to the jury. Wendy Budde: We were outside the courthouse, just kind of stretching, and you know, the jury is back! Dave O'Brien was also waiting for the verdict and already preparing for another trial a federal lawsuit against the Bellevue Police Department. It failed Angela, he says, time and time again. Jonathan Vigliotti: If police took action, would Angela be alive today? Dave O'Brien: Absolutely. COULD ANGELA PRICHARD HAVE BEEN SAVED? In February 2024 16 months after Angela Prichard's death her family's wait for a measure of justice was over. Wendy Budde: That's got to be a good sign that they are back in less than an hour. The jury found Chris Prichard guilty of first-degree murder and robbery. Wendy Budde: When they said it, it was just a big sigh of relief. Christopher Prichard was found guilty and in March 2024, he was sentenced to life in prison without parole. / Credit: David Kettering for the Telegraph Herald In March, Prichard was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Wendy Budde: It will never bring her back. But he is going to spend the rest of his life behind bars. Wendy Budde: I also gave a victim impact statement and I said to him I hope while you're behind bars you always have to look over your shoulder and be scared for everything you do. How she felt. I hope you just feel a tiny bit of that, the way you tortured her. Civil rights attorney Dave O'Brien represents Angela Prichard's family. She would be alive today, he says, if the Bellevue Police Department had enforced a judge's order of protection. Jonathan Vigliotti: You filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Bellevue and three officers, why? Dave O'Brien: Because they didn't do their job, and it's that simple. That lawsuit lists multiple failures to arrest Chris Prichard. O'Brien says this led to what's called a "state-created danger," meaning the officers' alleged inaction and indifference actually increased the threat to Angela Prichard. Jonathan Vigliotti: Can a police officer decide, should I arrest him or not? Is that up to their discretion? Dave O'Brien: Absolutely not. Here in Iowa only a judge can show discretion not to enforce this restraining order. Starting Sept. 1, 2022, when Angela's second protection order was issued until her murder 37 days later O'Brien says Chris Prichard continued to violate the no-contact order with no consequences. Dave O'Brien: A dozen times during this relevant time period, Angela Prichard called the Bellevue Police Department, and they failed to follow that law, that judge's order. That's because, O'Brien says, the Bellevue police officers showed Chris Prichard favoritism. Dave O'Brien: We have reason to believe that he was friendly with law enforcement officers. Jonathan Vigliotti: To prove this you must prove that the police officer's failure to enforce the protection order was intentional and reckless. How can you do that? Dave O'Brien: Well, just by the sheer number of times that it was not enforced. In October 2024, Chief Federal Judge C.J. Williams dismissed the lawsuit in its entirety. The Bellevue Police Department, he ruled, "Did not put Angela in a more dangerous situation," and the three officers, "simply did not commit outrageous conduct." The judge added there was no evidence of police favoritism: "The alleged facts, even taken as true are a far cry from establishing that any of the defendants were friends with Christopher." O'Brien was granted a hearing in December 2024 after learning, he says, the three Bellevue officers had withheld evidence and made false statements, allegedly concealing their friendships with Chris Prichard accusations they deny. O'Brien argued the officers were well aware Chris Prichard was a serious threat to his wife. Nine days before her murder, the Jackson County attorney warned the Bellevue Police Department in an email that Chris Prichard had 24 hours to turn himself in: JACKSON COUNTY ATTORNEY EMAIL: "If he does not report I will be requesting a warrant. I wanted all of you to be aware as I'm afraid he might try to do something tonight." The next day, when Prichard failed to appear at the county jail, the arrest warrant was issued. Seven days before her murder, O'Brien says bodycam footage of a Bellevue police officer speaking with Wendy and Angela confirms police knew Angela was in danger. Seven days before Angela Prichard's murder, bodycam footage shows a Bellevue police officer speaking with Wendy Budde, left, and Angela outside her home. Attorney Dave O'Brien says it confirms police knew Angela was in danger. / Credit: Bellevue Police Department CHIEF SCHROEDER (bodycam | to Angela Prichard and Wendy Budde): "Because right now I guarantee he's not thinking straight." WENDY BUDDE: No, not at all. CHIEF SCHROEDER: That's my biggest fear. That's my department's biggest fear is he's going to try to hurt you and then hurt himself. CHIEF SCHROEDER: My job is to protect you at all costs. During the final week of Angela's life, O'Brien says Bellevue police could have protected her by finding and arresting Chris Prichard. But they never did. Jonathan Vigliotti: Is it hard to find Chris? Joshua Close: Shouldn't be. Everybody knew his Jeep had a customized tag that says "0Dark30" on it. So, you can't miss it. Dave O'Brien: We have not been provided with any record showing there was any effort made to enforce the arrest warrant once it was issued on the 30th of September. Jonathan Vigliotti: Had that arrest warrant been executed, would Angela be here today? Dave O'Brien: Absolutely. He should have been in jail. At the December hearing, defense attorneys insisted the new information presented by O'Brien was "improper, should be stricken and not considered by the Court." Dave O'Brien: Our ideal outcome would be just a complete reversal of the judge's decision. In January 2025, Judge Williams refused to reverse his dismissal. Bellevue Police Chief Dennis Schroeder issued this statement to a local newspaper, which read in part : "We are pleased with the decision We continue to strengthen our services and response efforts to prevent domestic violence and provide support to those in need." Dave O'Brien: I've heard people say that no-contact orders aren't worth the paper they're written on. And in this case that was true. But I firmly believe that they are worth something, but they have to be enforced. Angela Prichard / Credit: Wendy Budde Wendy Budde: I still, to this day, I have a lot of, um, I guess it's guilt, because I think in my mind, what if I would've went with her that day? Maybe I could have saved her. But part of me was so proud of her for like being as strong as she was in that time. She she named her killer. And so, she helped them bring him to justice. Chris Prichard's life sentence also helped bring her family some comfort, and the courage to move forward. They believe Angela would want them to make this public plea. Joshua Close: Maybe other police departments that maybe are a little lenient on stuff, won't be so lenient next time. According to the Violence Policy Center nearly three women in the U.S. are killed by an intimate partner each day. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached at 1-800-799-7233. Produced by Mead Stone. Iris Carreras Toneatto is the field producer. Michelle Fanucci and Tami Weitzman are the development producers. Marcus Balsam, Diana DeCilio, and Mead Stone are the editors. Anthony Batson is the senior producer. Nancy Kramer is the executive story editor. Judy Tygard is the executive producer. Sneak peek: The Puzzling Death of Susann Sills Inside Trump's call with Vladimir Putin 100 years since deadliest tornado in U.S. history China-aided broadcasting, television center handed over to Seychelles Xinhua) 09:51, March 19, 2025 Chinese Ambassador to Seychelles Lin Nan speaks during a handover ceremony of the China-aided project of the Seychelles Broadcasting and Television Center in Victoria, capital of Seychelles, on March 18, 2025.(Xinhua/Dong Jianghui) VICTORIA, March 18 (Xinhua) -- The China-aided project of the Seychelles Broadcasting and Television Center was officially handed over to Seychelles on Tuesday in Victoria, the capital of the Indian Ocean island country. Constructed by Hunan No. 6 Engineering Co., Ltd., the project commenced in 2018, spanning approximately 5,600 square meters. The facility is equipped with state-of-the-art broadcasting and television technical rooms, office spaces, and modern broadcasting system equipment. Speaking at the ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Seychelles Lin Nan said the China-Seychelles relationship serves as a model of sincere friendship, equality, mutual support, and win-win cooperation between countries of different sizes. She noted that the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held in Beijing saw the two heads of state jointly elevate bilateral ties to a strategic partnership, outlining a roadmap for future cooperation. Lin emphasized the crucial role of the broadcasting industry in modern society, not only as a key channel for information dissemination but also as a driving force for cultural preservation, social services, and national progress. She said the official handover of the project marks a new milestone in China-Seychelles cultural exchanges and cooperation. For his part, Vice President of Seychelles Ahmed Afif expressed gratitude to China for the project, calling it a testament to the strong friendship between the two countries. "Thank you very much to China for this gift. It is an indication of the strength of the Seychelles-China relationship," he said. Afif also voiced confidence that the center will invigorate Seychelles' media industry, fostering growth and ultimately benefiting the entire country. "Seychelles looks forward to this wonderful collaboration between Seychelles and China," he added. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Israeli tanks were seen positioned near the Israel-Gaza border on Tuesday. - Amir Cohen/Reuters Israel pounded Gaza overnight, killing dozens of Palestinians, a day after launching a fresh ground campaign as part of its renewed assault on the territory that shattered the two-month-old ceasefire with Hamas. At least 59 people died in the strikes, Gazan officials said, adding to the hundreds killed since Tuesday when Israel resumed bombing the strip. Israel blames the new fighting on Hamas for refusing to accept revised ceasefire terms. Hamas, in turn, has accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of unilaterally upending the truce and putting hostages at risk of an unknown fate. As well as bringing brief calm to Gaza and allowing in vital aid, the ceasefire also saw dozens of hostages swapped for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. The Israeli military said Wednesday that it had launched targeted ground activities in Gaza, partially recapturing a key area in the territory. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said its troops aimed to expand the security zone and to create a partial buffer between northern and southern Gaza. As part of the ground activities, the troops expanded their control further to the center of the Netzarim Corridor, the military said, referring to a key Israeli-demarcated strip of land that splits Gaza in half, dividing the central Gaza City and northern Gaza from the southern parts of the strip that borders Egypt. Hamas called the latest offensive a new and dangerous breach of the ceasefire agreement. The militant group, in a statement Wednesday, said it remained committed to the ceasefire agreement it signed with Israel in January. Israels war in Gaza has killed nearly 50,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the enclaves health ministry, and as the war resumes, the toll is mounting. The Civil Defense also warned of an imminent famine, as Israels nearly three-week long blockade of humanitarian aid worsens the already dire conditions in the enclave. Under Januarys ceasefire deal, Israel had withdrawn from the Netzarim Corridor. Although Israel withdrew from the corridor, foreign military contractors have continued to man checkpoints between northern and southern Gaza. After the truce became effective, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians filed through the corridor by foot, car and in some cases by donkeys, with many of them returning to homes that had been destroyed after 15 months of Israeli bombardment. The Israeli military Thursday said it was banning Palestinians traveling on the main route between north and south Gaza. A United Nations building in Gaza on Wednesday, March 19, after being struck by what a UN official called an "explosive ordnance." - Mohammad Al Sawalhi for CNN Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday killed more than 400 people in Gaza, according to the enclaves Health Ministry, making it one of the wars deadliest days. Defense Minister Israel Katz warned on Wednesday that the residents of Gaza will pay the full price if Israeli hostages are not returned and Hamas remains able to govern in the strip. An Israeli official said Tuesday that the airstrikes in Gaza were the first phase in a series of escalatory military actions aimed at pressuring Hamas into releasing more hostages, marking a return to Netanyahus view that military pressure is the most effective way to secure the release of hostages. So far, the Israeli military has brought just eight living hostages back to Israel, out of 251 taken by Hamas and its allies on October 7, 2023. Most have been released as part of ceasefire deals in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. UN worker killed On Wednesday, the United Nations said one of their international aid workers was killed by an explosive ordnance at the UN guesthouse in central Gaza, and five others were injured. The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza blamed the attack on the Israeli military, which the IDF denied, saying it had not conducted an airstrike in the vicinity of the guesthouse. Jorge Moreira da Silva, head of the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS), told reporters at a press conference in Brussels that the attack happened at a UN guesthouse in Deir al-Balah that was frequently used by UN staff. The location was known to the IDF and in an isolated area with no other buildings nearby, he said. Da Silva said the guesthouse had come under attack multiple times this week. Two days ago there was a near miss to this premises, and yesterday the premises was hit, and today there was another hit, unfortunately with these casualties, he said. It cannot be categorized as an accident, he added, stressing that attacks on humanitarian premises are a breach of international law. Image of debris following attack of a UN guesthouse in Gaza. - Mohammad Al Sawalhi for CNN A spokesperson for the Israeli foreign ministry said late Wednesday that a Bulgarian citizen working for the UN had died in Gaza, but it was not immediately clear if the Bulgarian was the same person mentioned in the UNs statement. Video filmed by CNN at the scene showed a hole on the side of the building. Trevor Ball, a former US Army senior explosive ordnance disposal team member who reviewed the footage, said weapon fragments from the scene are consistent with the M339, an Israeli tank projectile. Damage from the building is also consistent with a tank round, Ball said, and points to a pretty direct impact. N.R. Jenzen-Jones, director at Armament Research Services (ARES) who also analyzed the footage, said the remnants appear to be from an Israeli 120 mm tank projectile, most likely the M339 multi-purpose model. CNN asked the IDF whether they were investigating the possibility that the strike could have been caused by Israeli tank fire. A spokesperson said: We have nothing to add at the moment. If new information arises, we will publish it. Fresh protest Meanwhile, the renewed war drew thousands of protesters to Israels parliament, the Knesset, in Jerusalem. Critics of Netanyahus government accuse the prime minister of using the war to shore up his shaky coalition. Later on Wednesday, police clashed with demonstrators and arrested 12 people at an anti-Netanyahu rally in Jerusalem, they said in a statement. People were protesting the prime ministers plan to fire the chief of the Shin Bet security service, Ronen Bar. Video from the scene shows a row of police officers face-to-face with a group of demonstrators. Police officers are seen pushing the protesters as they try to make them walk in a certain direction. Another image from the scene shows a police officer grabbing an elderly protester by the torso. In a statement, a spokesperson for Israel Police said that they had deployed crowd-control measures after demonstrators severely disrupted public order, including by setting fires in the middle of the roadway, creating a significant risk to fellow protesters. This story has been updated with additional information. CNNs Mohammad Al Sawalhi, Tamar Michaelis, Gianluca Mezzofiore, Max Saltman, Kareem El Damanhoury and Christian Edwards contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Illustration with several panels. On the far left, three small boxes with images of a sonogram, a broken petri dish, and two test tubes being swapped, respectively. Middle left, a hand holding a negative pregnancy test. Middle right, a pair of hospital doors with a "closed" sign on the front, and a gloved hand holding a petri dish and dropper tool. Far right, a pregnant woman holding her stomach. (Macy Sinreich / NBC News) Krystena Murray realized something had gone awry in her in-vitro fertilization process immediately after giving birth: She is white, as was her chosen sperm donor, who had dirty blond hair and blue eyes. But her baby was dark-skinned. He was beautiful and perfect, but it was also very clear that something was wrong, she said. I hoped that it was just a sperm mix up. The IVF process had been grueling. Murray, now 38, had endured multiple daily injections, frequent blood draws, bouts of nausea and exhaustion, a first embryo transfer that didnt take, and, finally, pregnancy and labor. Then a DNA test revealed that the Georgia fertility clinic Murray had used had implanted a different couples embryo in her uterus. After raising the baby for five months, Murray, heartbroken, handed him over to his biological parents. We all met in court, and the decision was made, she said. I walked in a mom with a child and a baby who loved me and was mine and was attached to me, and I walked out of the building with an empty stroller. And they left with my son. She sued the clinic last month. Krystena Murray during an IVF procedure. Although cases like Murrays are thought to be rare, an NBC News analysis of federal and state legal databases found more than 300 lawsuits filed from 2019 to 2024 alleging that embryos, eggs or sperm had been lost, destroyed or swapped. The suits were filed against fertility clinics or companies involved in the IVF process across 19 states, and the majority at least 260 involved allegations of product or equipment failures. Some legal experts say the cases are, in part, a product of the industrys rapid growth. The number of babies born via assisted reproductive technology which includes IVF more than quadrupled from 1996 to 2022. The number of fertility procedures increased more than six-fold. Market researchers estimated the U.S. fertility industry was worth $5.7 billion last year. IVF isnt governed by the same regulations that hold other medical practitioners accountable for mistakes or safety violations, three legal experts said. For example, although more than half of the states require hospitals to report serious, avoidable medical errors to regulators, those requirements dont apply to IVF clinics. And embryology labs arent subject to federal inspections the way, say, blood banks are instead, most are inspected by accreditation organizations. Whats more, there is no established legal claim pertaining to lost or swapped embryos like there is for medical malpractice cases involving errors by health care providers. So, IVF patients often have a hard time seeking redress after something goes wrong. Few of the lawsuits in NBC News analysis have gone to trial and of those that have been resolved, most were settled or dismissed. Adam Wolf, an attorney representing Murray, said he expects to see more cases like hers because, in his view, the U.S. lacks sufficient state and federal regulations governing fertility clinics and labs. Until IVF clinics are subject to real regulations, reporting requirements and mandatory certification programs for lab staff, these types of errors will continue to occur, he said at a news conference last month. Wolf is part of a growing chorus of former IVF patients, lawyers, bioethicists and even some anti-abortion advocates calling for increased regulation of IVF. As demand rises, some say, the industry needs more oversight in order to keep pace. Maybe if enough of us speak out, there will be more regulation, there will be more protocol put into place, said Marissa Calhoun, 36, who sued her Los Angeles fertility clinic in the fall, alleging that the embryos she and her partner intended to use to start a family had been discarded by mistake. Thats my only hope. How common are IVF errors? Its a mystery Calhoun was diagnosed in her teens with severe endometriosis a condition that can make it difficult to get pregnant. By age 35, she had completed three painful egg retrievals. Marissa Calhoun and Stephen Castaneda. She and her partner, Stephen Castaneda, were elated in late 2023 when they found out that 16 of Calhouns eggs had been successfully fertilized. But days later, Calhouns doctor called: He told me that all of my embryos had been discarded. He described it as an error in their lab, she said. I could barely speak. The weight of my medical condition, the weight of the years I spent collecting those eggs I cant describe the rush of thoughts and the rush of emotions that overtook me. I was just inconsolable. Calhouns lawsuit alleges that a laboratory employee had failed to label her embryos before placing them in an incubator, then threw the unlabeled embryos away. The clinic, Reproductive Partners Medical Group, said it could not comment on an active lawsuit but denied the allegations in a court filing. A conference between the judge and the opposing parties is scheduled for later this month to determine next steps. NBC News analysis identified 82 lawsuits related to allegations of human error, like Calhouns, from 2019 to 2024, and 13 over swapped embryos, eggs or sperm. The cases involving equipment and product failures, meanwhile, included 176 related to a 2018 storage tank failure at a fertility clinic in San Francisco called Pacific Fertility Center, which led to the destruction of about 2,500 eggs and 1,500 embryos. The tanks maker, Chart Industries Inc., denied an allegation made in a class action suit that the tank was defective. The clinics parent company, Prelude Fertility, denied allegations that it had been negligent. Prelude and Pacific Fertility Center contend that the 2018 storage tank failure was caused by a defective tank, said Alexandra Preece Barlow, an attorney who represented Prelude in the class action suit. Many of the cases against the clinic have gone to arbitration. However, in one that went to trial, a jury determined that Chart and Pacific Fertility Center had been negligent and awarded five former patients a total of $15 million. Chart appealed and reached a confidential settlement in that case and others. Chart, Prelude Fertility and Pacific Fertility Center did not respond to requests for comment. However, the clinic told NBC Bay Area shortly after the incident that it had brought in independent experts to investigate. We are truly sorry this happened and for the anxiety that this will surely cause, it said at the time. Fifty-plus other lawsuits in NBC News analysis were related to claims that a liquid used to help fertilized eggs develop destroyed hundreds of embryos. The company that manufactured the solution, CooperSurgical, recalled several lots last year. CooperSurgical did not respond to requests for comment; in a statement to NBC Connecticut last year, it said it had initiated the recall proactively while investigating any potential issues. The company denied liability in response to one ongoing lawsuit in Ohio, and it has not yet responded to others filed in Connecticut, according to lawyers representing some of those plaintiffs. Its impossible to know how often IVF-related accidents or mistakes really happen because clinics arent required to report them to federal or state agencies. No national database tracks the issues. Many IVF patients sign agreements to resolve disputes through a neutral third party rather than in court, said Tiseme Zegeye, who represents dozens of patients suing CooperSurgical. We only hear about a small percentage of the disasters that happen in the fertility industry because so many patients sign arbitration agreements with their clinic, she said. On the regulatory side, states generally dont require a special license for IVF clinics to operate. (By contrast, the United Kingdom has a regulatory authority that licenses fertility clinics and approves the procedures they offer.) The Food and Drug Administration does, however, inspect facilities that store eggs and embryos and requires donor eggs and sperm to be tested for disease. IVF clinics are also required to report pregnancy success rates annually to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which publishes the data. Many fertility clinics and labs follow voluntary guidelines from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, a professional association of fertility doctors that outlines best practices. The guidelines include having a policy to disclose errors to patients. Contrary to the characterization offered by some legal experts, Sean Tipton, the societys chief advocacy and policy officer, said that fertility care is regulated essentially the same way as all medicine in the U.S. and that lawsuits are an important component of that. The society declined to answer specific questions about fertility industry lawsuits. IVF errors fall into a legal gray area Murray surrendered custody of the baby she still considers her son in May, knowing she would likely lose a custody battle. Giving him up was perhaps the hardest thing shes ever done, she said. Youve built your whole life around your son. You rearrange everything. Everything is about him. You spend every day for him, and then hes not there, Murray said. Krystena Murray says the baby boy she gave birth to is the most beautiful human. The clinic, Coastal Fertility Specialists, told NBC News that it deeply regrets the distress caused by an unprecedented error that resulted in an embryo transfer mix-up. It has not yet responded to the complaint. Dov Fox, director of the Center for Health Law Policy and Bioethics at the University of San Diego School of Law, said IVF lawsuits are challenging because courts tend to treat the errors as unfortunate accidents rather than violations of a providers duty to care for patients. Courts have been reluctant to recognize reproductive interests as real or serious, and, in turn, we havent developed the kind of practice standards or expectations enforceable under the law in the way that we have in other areas of health care, he said. By comparison, for medical errors like a sponge left inside a patient after a surgical procedure, patients often sue for medical malpractice. Fox said suits involving embryo loss have a harder time making that claim, since they rarely result in physical injuries. Instead, he added, they are typically filed as negligence or property damage cases, which often focus on financial harm and may underplay the emotional costs to couples. Courts also dont look favorably upon claims that a clinic violated its contract with a patient, he said, since clinics dont guarantee results. The IVF industry has historically opposed additional regulation, saying that mistakes are no more common than in any other field of medicine. I think the industry as a whole is moving in the direction of safer practices not that it was unsafe before, but just improving and getting better, said Brent Barrett, chief laboratory director at Boston IVF, a network of more than 15 fertility centers across New England. Barrett said IVF clinics generally have strict protocols about where equipment is placed in labs and require more than one person to examine labels and dishes containing embryos. Many clinics have also adopted electronic tracking systems that assign barcodes to eggs, embryos and sperm. But those measures arent federally mandated. Clinics could, if they want, use pencil and paper to label reproductive specimens, Fox said. A fraught debate over embryos Reproductive rights advocates also have a reason to be wary of increased IVF regulations: They fear amplifying debates about whether embryos are considered babies under the law. That question was central to a wrongful death lawsuit filed last year against a fertility clinic in Alabama, after a person allegedly dropped several embryos on the floor. The Alabama Supreme Court ruled that embryos created through IVF were legally children. The verdict prompted multiple clinics to pause IVF services until state lawmakers passed a bill protecting providers that discard embryos. Discarding embryos because they have genetic abnormalities or patients no longer wish to use them is a routine part of the IVF process, though anti-abortion groups oppose the practice. IVF is really mired in personhood and abortion debates in the United States in a way that just really complicates the discourse compared to places like the U.K., said Danielle Pacia, a research associate at The Hastings Center, a bioethics research institute in Garrison, New York. Embryo selection for IVF. Zegeye, the lawyer, acknowledged that in pushing for IVF regulations, theres a risk of extremes that prevent clinics from functioning as happened in Alabama. I do think that theres a fine line and that we have to find a way to allow access to health care and still protect patients, she said. The Alabama case, and its timing during an election year, thrust such conversations into the national spotlight. Republicans and Democrats each introduced IVF bills in the Senate last year: The Democratic bill proposed codifying access to IVF at the federal level, while the Republican bill would have denied Medicaid funds to states that prohibited IVF. Neither passed. Kamala Harris and Donald Trump both expressed support for IVF access during their campaigns, with Trump promising that either the government or insurance companies would cover the cost. Last month, President Trump issued an executive order seeking strategies to lower IVF costs, including by further reducing regulation. It is the policy of my Administration to ensure reliable access to IVF treatment, including by easing unnecessary statutory or regulatory burdens to make IVF treatment drastically more affordable, the order says. In the wake of the announcement, several anti-abortion groups called for more oversight of the industry. Americas IVF industry is completely unregulated, Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America, an anti-abortion advocacy group, wrote on X. Now that President Trump says he wants to fund more of it, shouldnt a logical step for the Trump Administration be to regulate it, at a minimum? The long-awaited release of tens of thousands of files on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy has sparked a desperate search for new clues in the shocking crime more than 60 years on. The long-awaited release of tens of thousands of files on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy Tuesday night sparked a desperate search for new clues in the shocking 62-year-old crime but much of the trove turned out to confirm information long known. Gerald Posner, the author of the best-selling 1993 book Case Closed: Lee Harvey Oswald and the Assassination of JFK, told The Post in a phone interview on Wednesday he was about 22,000 pages into the newly released files but had yet to see a bombshell piece of evidence. I havent seen anything yet that is real news, but that doesnt mean there isnt something, Posner said. The biggest question I have as I go through is, Why were these classified for so many years? Its pretty preposterous. The long-awaited release of tens of thousands of files on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy has sparked a desperate search for new clues in the shocking crime more than 60 years on. Reuters The documents do contain some tantalizing tidbits surrounding the tragic events of Nov. 22, 1963, with one file exploring a theory that a small clique in the CIA being involved as well as an apparent KGB investigation to determine whether assassin Lee Harvey Oswald was a secret Russian agent. A June 1967 memo details how a former US Army intelligence officer, Gary Underhill, fled Washington, DC, very agitated the day after Kennedy was shot and claimed to a friend that a small clique within the CIA was behind the assassination. The day after the assassination, Gary Underhill left Washington in a hurry. Late in the evening, he showed up at the home of a friend in New Jersey, reads the memo, quoting from a story in the comtemporary left-wing magazine Ramparts. He was very agitated. A small clique within the CIA was responsible for the assassination, he confided, and he was afraid for his life and probably would have to leave the country, the document goes on. Less than six months later Underhill was found shot to death in his Washington apartment. The coroner ruled it a suicide. Underhill, a Harvard graduate and former US Army captain who worked as a journalist and intelligence officer during World War II, was said to be on a first-name basis with many of the top brass in the Pentagon and on intimate terms with a number of high-ranking CIA officials. John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas. EPA The friends whom Underhill visited say he was sober but badly shook. They say he attributed the Kennedy murder to a CIA clique which was carrying on a lucrative racket in gun-running, narcotics, and other contraband, the Ramparts passage reads. It noted that the CIA clique allegedly killed Kennedy because he caught wind of their business and was killed before he could blow the whistle. Underhills suicide was also called into question since he had been found with a gunshot wound behind his left ear, but Asher Brynes, his writing partner who found his body, said, Underhill was right-handed. Anti-climactically, the memo created in response to a much-criticized 1967 probe of the assassination by New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison described Underhills connection to that investigation as tenuous and did not address the claims reported by Ramparts at all. In another document released Tuesday, a teletype US intelligence report dated Nov. 20, 1991, said a KGB official known only as Nikonov or Slava investigated whether Oswald had been a KGB agent. Nikonov is now confident that Oswald was at no time an agent controlled by the KGB, the document says. Nikonov doubted that anyone could control Oswald, but noted that the KBG [sic] watched him closely and constantly while he was in the USSR, where the Marine veteran had lived from 1959 to 1962. The file also noted that Oswald was a poor shot when he tried target firing in the USSR. Nikonov also noted that Oswald had a stormy relationship with his Soviet wife [Marina], who rode him incessantly. Months prior to the assassination, Oswald had visited the Cuban Consulate in Mexico City, where he made contact with the Soviet Embassy in pursuit of a travel visa. Another one of the files in the new batch, which was also labeled secret, showed how the CIA tracked an Italian newspaper article that alleged the agency itself was behind the assassination of the 35th president. In a document released Tuesday, a teletype US intelligence report dated Nov. 20, 1991, said a KGB official named Nikonov investigated if Lee Harvey (center) had been a KGB agent. REUTERS Some of the documents also shed light on the intelligence communitys machinations in the 1960s, including details about secret CIA bases worldwide. One document described how the CIA was tracking a Cuban national named AMFUANA-1, who was sent to Cuba in 1961 before establishing a network of at least 20 people who helped draw up over 50 reports. I dont think it changes anybodys mind, Posner said of the trove of 80,000 documents made public. People who dont believe the official version, theyre just going to say the documents mustve been destroyed or theyre somewhere else in the government. The initial investigation, led by Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren, concluded Oswald acted alone when he shot Kennedy with a high-powered rifle from the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository, overlooking Dealey Plaza, as the presidents motorcade passed below him. The official conclusion has been subject to controversy, with polls consistently showing a clear majority of Americans feel Kennedy was murdered as the result of a conspiracy with theories floated implicating the Mafia, the CIA, and disgruntled Cuban exiles, among others. The documents shed light on theories eyeing a small clique in the CIA being involved. REUTERS Some of the documents also shed light on the intelligence communitys machinations in the 1960s, including details about secret CIA bases worldwide. National Archives [President Lyndon Johnson] went to his death thinking that [Cuban dictator Fidel] Castro was involved, noted Posner, adding that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is still unconvinced his father was murdered in 1968 by Sirhan Sirhan who confessed to the killing hours after his arrest. The notion that JFK was killed by a broader conspiracy, according to Posner, was cemented by the killing of Oswald two days after the assassination by Dallas nightclub owner Jack Ruby, who looks like hes out of central casting from the mafia. Ruby, for his part, maintained he killed Oswald on impulse and out of a twisted desire to avenge Kennedy as well as spare former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy the trauma of returning to Dallas to testify at Oswalds trial. Under the 1992 Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act, Congress set a 2017 deadline for releasing the outstanding JFK files. REUTERS President Trump released thousands of files during his first term in 2018. REUTERS The conspiracy-minded have noted Rubys possible ties to mob figures through his clubs with some suggesting he acted as a hitman to pay off a debt or silence Oswald about his own nefarious connections. I saw a poll in Gallup, where 27% [or] 29% thought it was a lone assassin, said Posner, apparently referring to a 2023 survey by the venerable pollster. I was actually surprised it was that high. Under the 1992 Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act, Congress set a 2017 deadline for releasing the outstanding JFK files. When the time came, Trump had released thousands of files, including 19,000 in 2018. However, there were still JFK files under wraps amid pressure from national security buffs like former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. By the end of 2022, President Joe Biden had taken a similar approach and released over 13,000 files. Before Tuesdays release, the National Archives and Records Administration estimated that roughly 98% of the files had been made public a pledge Trump made to increase government transparency during his second term. President Donald Trump's attempt to ban transgender people from military service continues an unfortunate history of the armed services excluding marginalized people from the "privilege of serving," a federal judge wrote Tuesday night. In a 79-page decision, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes blocked the Trump administration from enacting the policy and offered a scathing rebuke of the Pentagon's development of the policy. "The Court's opinion is long, but its premise is simple. In the self-evident truth that all people are created equal, all means all. Nothing more. And certainly nothing less," Judge Reyes wrote. The ruling came as part of Talbott vs. Trump, a lawsuit filed on Jan. 28 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia by LGBTQ+ advocacy groups Glad Law and the National Center for Lesbian Rights on behalf of six active duty transgender service members. Anticipating the Trump administration's appeal, Reyes delayed her decision from taking effect until Friday so the Department of Justice could ask a higher court to stay her order. In a post on X on Wednesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth vowed to appeal the ruling. "We are appealing this decision, and we will win," he posted. During a press conference on Wednesday morning following the judge's ruling, 2nd Lt. Nicholas Talbott and Maj. Erica Vandal, both plaintiffs in the lawsuit, expressed relief and said they look forward to continuing to serve their country. "[This preliminary injunction] has provided immense relief for myself and my family, personally, along with the numerous others impacted," Vandal said. "It's a massive burden lifted knowing that I can continue to provide for my wife and two children, while continuing my career and lifelong passion as a field artillery officer." Lt. Talbott, a platoon leader in the U.S. Army Reserve, said that the ruling is a "tremendous step forward" and a "breath of fresh air." MORE: Transgender US service members will be separated from military, Pentagon memo says "Transgender service members are just as qualified, competent and dedicated as any other military member, and we are thrilled to be able to continue to put on our uniforms and perform the jobs we have worked so hard for in service of our country," Talbott said. Talbott said he is confident that the court will continue to find that transgender people have no negative bearing on the United States military. In an interview later with ABC News Live, Talbott said, "For me, it has been like a huge weight is suddenly lifted off my shoulders. Now I can get back to focusing solely on the mission at hand and continuing to serve my country." A Defense Department memo last month said the Pentagon will be required to form a procedure to identify transgender troops by March 26 and separate them from the military by June 25, unless they receive an exemption. This includes service members receiving some form of treatment or hormones for that diagnosis of gender dysphoria, as well as those who have gone through a gender-affirming surgery. PHOTO: President Donald Trump signs two executive orders and speaks to the press in the Oval Office of the White House on January 30, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Kent Nishimura for The Washington Post via Getty Images) According to Reyes, the Trump administration failed to justify the policy by articulating its impact on military readiness, harmed thousands of transgender service members, and likely violated the United States Constitution. "The President has the powerindeed the obligationto ensure military readiness. At times, however, leaders have used concern for military readiness to deny marginalized persons the privilege of serving," Reyes wrote. "[Fill in the blank] is not fully capable and will hinder combat effectiveness; [fill in the blank] will disrupt unit cohesion and so diminish military effectiveness; allowing [fill in the blank] to serve will undermine training, make it impossible to recruit successfully, and disrupt military order," she added. "First minorities, then women in combat, then gays filled in that blank. Today, however, our military is stronger and our Nation is safer for the millions of such blanks (and all other persons) who serve." While the judge acknowledged that the judiciary should generally defer to military leadership, she said that permitting the policy to be enforced would be her following the Pentagon "blindly" after it justified the policy with "pure conjecture" during multiple court hearings. "The Court knows that this opinion will lead to heated public debate and appeals. In a healthy democracy, both are positive outcomes. We should all agree, however, that every person who has answered the call to serve deserves our gratitude and respect. For, as Elmer Davis observed, '[t]his nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.' The Court extends its appreciation to every current servicemember and veteran. Thank you," the judge concluded her opinion. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller responded to the judge's order on X Tuesday night, saying, "District court judges have now decided they are in command of the Armed Forcesis there no end to this madness?" Jennifer Levi and Shannon Minter, attorneys representing the plaintiffs in Talbott. vs Trump, welcomed the preliminary injunction during the press conference on Wednesday. Minter said he is hopeful that as the case moves forward, it will result in a "permanent injunction," because the "legal basis of the decision is so strong." Levi said that while the Trump administration could seek an emergency stay, she is "hopeful" that the judge would deny it. "We anticipate that [the Trump administration] may appeal this, they may seek an emergency stay to try to get emergency relief. I think I'm hopeful that that won't happen," Levi said. "But I think the easier course, really, for the military at this point, is to continue to preserve these people in active service and let them continue to do their jobs." Meanwhile, Talbott and Vandal acknowledged that the fight is not over. "Ultimately, the relief I feel at this time is tempered by the knowledge that this fight is far from over," Vandal said. "We are ready, and we are going to continue to show up every single day, put on our uniforms and do the absolute best that we can," Talbott added. There are currently 4,240 active-duty, National Guard and Reserve service members who have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria, a defense official previously told ABC News. Judge calls out military's history of discrimination in blocking Trump's transgender soldier ban originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Greenpeace representatives talk with reporters on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, outside the Morton County Courthouse in Mandan, N.D. From left are Greenpeace USA Interim Executive Director Sushma Raman, Greenpeace USA Senior Legal Adviser Deepa Padmanabha, Greenpeace International General Counsel Kristin Casper, Greenpeace USA attorney Everett Jack Jr., Greenpeace Fund Inc. attorney Matt Kelly and Greenpeace USA Associate General Counsel Jay Meisel. (AP Photo/Jack Dura) MANDAN, N.D. (AP) Environmental group Greenpeace must pay more than $660 million in damages for defamation and other claims brought by a pipeline company in connection with protests against the Dakota Access oil pipelines construction in North Dakota, a jury found Wednesday. Dallas-based Energy Transfer and subsidiary Dakota Access had accused Netherlands-based Greenpeace International, Greenpeace USA and funding arm Greenpeace Fund Inc. of defamation, trespass, nuisance, civil conspiracy and other acts. Greenpeace USA was found liable for all counts, while the others were found liable for some. The damages owed will be spread out in different amounts over the three entities. Greenpeace said earlier that a large award to the pipeline company would threaten to bankrupt the organization. Following the nine-person jurys verdict, Greenpeaces senior legal adviser said the groups work is never going to stop. Thats the really important message today, and were just walking out and were going to get together and figure out what our next steps are, Deepa Padmanabha told reporters outside the courthouse. The organization later said it plans to appeal the decision. The fight against Big Oil is not over today," Greenpeace International General Counsel Kristin Casper said. "We know that the law and the truth are on our side. She said the group will see Energy Transfer in court in July in Amsterdam in an anti-intimidation lawsuit filed there last month. The damages total nearly $666.9 million. The jury found Greenpeace USA must pay the bulk of the damages, nearly $404 million, while Greenpeace Fund Inc. and Greenpeace International would each pay roughly $131 million. Energy Transfer called Wednesday's verdict a win for Americans who understand the difference between the right to free speech and breaking the law. While we are pleased that Greenpeace has been held accountable for their actions against us, this win is really for the people of Mandan and throughout North Dakota who had to live through the daily harassment and disruptions caused by the protesters who were funded and trained by Greenpeace, the company said in a statement to The Associated Press. The company previously said the state court lawsuit was about Greenpeace not following the law, not free speech. In a statement, Energy Transfer attorney Trey Cox said, This verdict clearly conveys that when this right to peacefully protest is abused in a lawless and exploitative manner, such actions will be held accountable. The case reaches back to protests in 2016 and 2017 against the Dakota Access Pipeline and its Missouri River crossing upstream of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribes reservation. For years the tribe has opposed the line as a risk to its water supply. The multistate pipeline transports about 5% of the United States daily oil production. It started transporting oil in mid-2017. Cox had said Greenpeace carried out a scheme to stop the pipelines construction. During opening statements, he alleged Greenpeace paid outsiders to come into the area and protest, sent blockade supplies, organized or led protester trainings, and made untrue statements about the project to stop it. Attorneys for the Greenpeace entities had said there was no evidence to the claims and that Greenpeace employees had little or no involvement in the protests and the organizations had nothing to do with Energy Transfers delays in construction or refinancing. Search efforts pressed on into their second week for Sudiksha Konanki, a college student at the University of Pittsburgh who went missing in early March during a trip to the Dominican Republic resort town Punta Cana. Details surrounding Konanki's disappearance have begun to emerge as the international investigation continues. Here's what we know so far about her case. Konanki seen on video walking to beach Konanki, 20, is from Chantilly, Virginia, a Washington, D.C., suburb, and attends college in Pittsburgh. She has permanent residency in the United States as well as citizenship in India. She arrived in the Dominican Republic for spring break on March 3 and was vacationing with a group of friends, five other women, according to investigators and her parents. She has been missing since Thursday, March 6, after surveillance video showed her, three of her friends and two other American men walk toward the beach area outside the Riu Republica hotel. The video was from around 4:15 a.m., investigators in the Dominican Republic said. Power outages at the hotel may have prompted guests to move outdoors around that time, the hotel said in a statement. An earlier surveillance video showed Konanki and one of her friends hugging at the hotel bar. Sudiksha Konanki / Credit: Defensa Civil Dominicana One of the men in the group walking to the beach has been identified as 22-year-old Joshua Riibe, an American college student. In the footage, Konanki and Riibe are seen walking with their arms around each other. Video shows the other four individuals later returning to the hotel, but Konanki and Riibe stayed behind on the beach, a police source said. The last sighting of Konanki and Riibe in the water happened around 4:50 a.m., according to Loudon County Sheriff Mike Chapman, whose office in Virginia is involved in the investigation. Riibe told police he and Konanki were swept into the ocean by a large wave and both struggled against rough seas. He said he believed Konanki got out of the water but was not certain, according to a person with direct knowledge of Riibe's statements to U.S. investigators. He is presumed to be the last person who saw Konanki alive. Konanki's disappearance is so far being investigated as a missing persons case, not a criminal investigation. The Dominican Republic's attorney general said investigators were exploring whether Konanki drowned, but not ruling out the possibility of foul play. Chapman said "it's hard to say" whether there are indications Konanki's disappearance was anything other than an accident. "We know that at about 4:50 a.m. was the last sighting that we had of them in the water. We don't know what happened after that," Chapman said in a "CBS Mornings" interview. "And we also don't know what happened between the time that [Riibe] claimed to have come out of the water and the time that he actually left the beach, so it's really hard to say. It'd be speculative on my part to assume or presume anything at this point." Konanki's family seeking closure The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office told CBS News that Konanki's family has requested that she be declared deceased, expressed gratitude to investigators for their work and expressed a desire for closure following her disappearance in the Dominican Republic. The family provided the request in writing to the sheriff's office, according to spokesperson Thomas Julia. Julia said the family made a similar request to Dominican authorities. Konanki's family did not immediately respond to a request for comment. CBS News has learned that their written request referenced Riibe's cooperation with investigators and a lack of evidence collected to date that would suggest foul play was involved in Konanki's disappearance. Chapman said the family has expressed their belief that she drowned. "While a final decision to make such a declaration rests with authorities in the Dominican Republic, we will support the Konanki family in every way possible as we continue to review the evidence and information made available to us in the course of this investigation," he said. Riibe returns to U.S. after facing questioning Riibe had been confined to a hotel in Punta Cana for more than a week as he faced questioning during the investigation, with officers escorting him anywhere he went. A judge in the Dominican Republic ruled on March 18 that Riibe should be freed from police surveillance. The law firm representing Riibe, Guzman Ariza, had pushed in legal documents for his freedom, given the absence of any criminal charge, which led to the hearing. In court, Riibe argued to the judge that he was detained inappropriately. "I really want to go home and see my family," Riibe said. "I understand I'm here to help but it's been 10 days." His attorneys said earlier that authorities had confiscated Riibe's passport. The judge's March 18 ruling did not include an immediate decision on the issue of returning Riibe's passport, but the next day, his attorneys said the La Altagracia Prosecutor's Office informed Riibe it was willing to return his passport. "Although grateful for the decision of the Prosecutor's Office, Joshua decided, for privacy reasons, to request a new one at the United States Consulate, which was urgently issued to him," Riibe's attorneys said. He then returned home to the U.S. with his father, his attorneys said. Riibe and his parents, Tina and Albert Riibe, extended "deep sorrow and solidarity" with Konanski's family in a statement released through his attorneys while he still in Punta Cana. "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 statement said. "Joshua Riibe is deeply dismayed by her disappearance and has fully cooperated in the search and clarification of the facts from the very beginning." Chapman told "CBS Mornings" that Riibe was "very forthcoming" with sheriff's detectives who traveled to the Dominican Republic to speak to him, and did not "seem to hesitate on answering any of the questions that we threw his way." Chapman noted there was "nothing that would really make us feel as though there was anything untrue coming from Joshua." Originally from Iowa, Riibe is a college senior at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, where he is pursuing a degree in land surveying. His family in their statement described him as "a beloved son, brother, and friend, known for his kind nature, sense of humor, and commitment to his community." They also shared concerns about the "irregular conditions" of his detainment in Punta Cana, where, they said, he had been "subjected to extensive questioning without the presence of official translators or legal counsel until Wednesday, March 12." The family retained a lawyer "to initiate legal actions ensuring his safety and the protection of his rights throughout this process," according to the statement. Intensifying search efforts More than 300 police and other officials, with support from the FBI, are searching the air, sea and land to locate her, Dominican President Luis Abinader said. The Dominican Republic National Police said they have assembled a new "high-level commission" to oversee the case, and Interpol has issued a global police alert at the request of investigators. "We are concerned," Abinader said at a news conference on March 10. "All government agencies are searching because the latest information we have from one of them, from the last person who was with the young woman, what he says according to the reports is that a wave, while on the beach, crashed into them." Dominican Republic National Police said in a statement March 11 that they were "re-interviewing targeted individuals who were in the victim's proximity at the time of her disappearance." Investigators said the individuals included "hotel employees where Konanki and her companions were staying, with the goal of gathering information to corroborate her movements, interactions, and any relevant details for the investigation." Sneak peek: The Puzzling Death of Susann Sills Teslas in Las Vegas set on fire and shot with guns in "targeted attack," police say 100 years since deadliest tornado in U.S. history Ali Larter/ Instagram Ali Larter and husband Hayes MacArthur with their two kids, son Theodore and daughter Vivienne. Ali Larter made a name for herself in Hollywood as a Scream Queen, but to her two kids, Theodore and Vivienne, shes still just mom. The Final Destination star met her husband, actor Hayes MacArthur, on the set of National Lampoon's Stoned Age in the early 2000s, and they began dating. While Ali admitted to Cosmopolitan that she told [MacArthur] after three weeks that I wanted to marry him and that we could do it tomorrow, they waited a few years and wed in 2009 before starting a family shortly after. Son Theodore Hayes was born in December 2010, and daughter Vivienne Margaret followed in January 2015. As Ali adjusted to being a mom of two, she opened up about wanting to spend quality time with each of her kids. "Its figuring out that balance and somehow trying to find some time for your husband and for work and for yourself," she told PEOPLE in May 2015. The actors decided to make a big change in 2020 moving their children from the only home theyd ever known in Los Angeles to the quieter world of Sun Valley, Idaho. By 2024, Ali was splitting her time between Idaho and Texas while filming her Paramount+ hit series, Landman, which she stars in as mother-of-two Angela Norris, though she noted they had different philosophies. Were complete opposites when it comes to motherhood, Ali told Schon! magazine in February 2025. Angelas approach is endearing because shes trying, but its so far from the way I parent. For me, it was about trusting the process and embracing this very different perspective on motherhood. Heres everything to know about Ali Larter's kids, Theodore and Vivienne. Theodore "Teddy" Hayes MacArthur, 14 Hayes MacArthur/Instagram Ali Larter and Hayes MacArthur with their son Theodore. Ali and MacArthur welcomed their son Theodore "Teddy" Hayes MacArthur on Dec. 20, 2010. At first, the Resident Evil star and MacArthur kept the pregnancy a secret. "It was a very private time for me and my husband and something that I just wasn't ready to share, so we actually left the country for a while," she told PEOPLE in July 2010. When they returned, she enjoyed a baby shower surrounded by family and friends, including actresses Amy Smart, Busy Philipps and Nicole Sullivan. It was an incredible day and I just felt so lucky to be surrounded by so many dear friends and family, she told PEOPLE. It was a very special day! After giving birth, Ali was quickly inspired by her son. In 2013, she released her Kitchen Revelry cookbook, full of recipes she and Theodore (who affectionately goes by Teddy) enjoyed together. I try to feed my son what we eat for dinner and expose him to really interesting, different foods, she told PEOPLE about the then-2-year-old. And if he doesnt like it, its fine, its more about trying and thinking of food as a fun adventure. When it came time to welcome his little sister, Theodore stepped up to the challenge. [Teddy] has exceeded my expectations in every way, Ali told PEOPLE in March 2015. He has been such a generous, kind, sweet big brother. At the same time, the actress was conscious of having to adjust to two children and prioritizing her son. Ali Larter/Instagram Ali Larter and her husband Hayes MacArthur with their kids. I think for all moms its a learning curve figuring out how to do it and making sure theres enough time for the older one, she explained. From a young age, Theodore had a big personality. The Heroes star previously shared that he was an incredibly verbal, curious, bright little boy" who was growing up fast. Teddy is 5 going on 14, its killing me. He just started kindergarten, she told PEOPLE in October 2016. Hes just a crazy, wild little boy. When the family eventually moved from California to Idaho in 2020, Ali revealed that Theodore wasn't initially excited about the change. Still, he ultimately became accustomed to the slower lifestyle. Our life is so different there and its a small town, and it kind of holds you to a different type of accountability. Its something that me and Hayes really wanted to do for our children, so we [moved]," Ali said on Live With Kelly and Mark in January 2025. Though the Obsessed actress has mostly kept her kids out of the spotlight, she and her husband enjoy sharing glimpses of their childhoods on social media. In June 2024, MacArthur posted a fun video with highlights of the summer that showed their son and daughter enjoying a fair, cracking a huge geode and jumping into a lake. Vivienne Margaret MacArthur, 10 Ali Larter/Instagram Ali Larter with her daughter Vivienne. Ali and MacArthur welcomed their daughter Vivienne Margaret MacArthur on Jan. 15, 2015. Her middle name is a nod to her maternal grandmother, Margaret Larter. We couldnt be more excited to share news of the arrival of Vivienne Margaret MacArthur, Ali wrote on her website. She came bearing gifts for her brother: Batman sheets and lots of gummy bears!!! 7.5 lbs. of love. The Legends star announced that she was expecting during an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon in August 2014. [Three years ago] I came on, and I was pregnant, and it went so well, and I said to my husband, Im going on Fallon, you know what that means gotta get pregnant! she joked. Its so exciting." The differing personality between her two kids was quickly apparent, according to the Legally Blonde star. Its amazing for me to see the difference between having a little girl and a little boy, she told PEOPLE in August 2015. My daughter is already so observant. You can give her a book and she will just sit and really look through it and touch it and explore it ... shes just like a sweet little angel." Hayes MacArthur/Instagram Ali Larter and Hayes MacArthur with their kids. Larter continued, "Where my son was really like, Look at me, talk to me, play with me, give me your attention. He is just a force of nature." Ali admitted she felt bad because Vivienne didnt get nearly as much attention as her son did during the newborn days, especially because she promptly returned to work. Luckily, they didnt mind tagging along when the actress needed to head out for a project. I brought my kids to the set of Pitch the other morning because when youre working crazy hours, you have to find the time, she told PEOPLE in October 2016. They love to sit in the makeup chair with me and Teddy gets tattoos put on and Vivienne chews on the makeup brushes," Ali quipped. "Anytime I can squeeze in time with them really feeds me. As a working mom, the Varsity Blues alum considers it "an honor" to act like a role model to her daughter, exemplifying that she can be a multifaceted person someday, too. Showing her that she can go to work and do whatever she wants to do and feel creatively fulfilled and at the same time make time for the things you really cherish, Ali explained. Besides being on set, Vivienne has gotten to have lots of fun adventures with her family, including a 2021 visit to Chicago and a July 2022 trip to France. Ali has also shared several glimpses of her daughter spending time with horses. Read the original article on People Mahmoud Khalil stands by the gates of Columbia University on April 30, 2024. Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil says he was "targeted" for advocating for the Palestinian cause in a new letter from a detention facility, as a judge ruled his challenge to his arrest should proceed in New Jersey court. "I wake to cold mornings and spend long days bearing witness to the quiet injustices underway against a great many people precluded from the protections of the law," Khalil said in the letter dictated over the phone to his family Monday. The 30-year-old legal U.S. resident, who played a major role in pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University last spring, was arrested by federal immigration agents in New York on March 8. He was briefly detained in New Jersey and transferred to a facility in Jena, Louisiana, where he remains. He is an Algerian citizen of Palestinian descent and is married to a U.S. citizen. Khalil had filed a challenge to his detention in a Manhattan federal court. On Wednesday morning, a judge denied the Trump administrations motion to dismiss his challenge but allowed the case to move to New Jersey. Khalil has yet to be accused of a crime. Judge Jesse M. Furman said that Khalil's allegations are "serious" and warrant careful review." The judge noted that when Khalils lawyer filed the petition, he was detained in New Jersey, not New York. The judge's order barring the government from deporting Khalil remains in effect and it will be up to the New Jersey federal court to consider Khalils claims including a motion to transfer him from Louisiana to a New York detention facility; a motion for release on bail; and a motion for preliminary injunctive relief that Khalil's legal camp filed Monday. "In many ways, this is indeed an exceptional case, and there is a need for careful judicial review," Furman said. "Such judicial review is especially critical when, as here, there are colorable claims that the Executive Branch has violated the law or exercised its otherwise lawful authority in an arbitrary and discriminatory manner." Brett Max Kaufman, a member of Khalil's legal team, said in a statement Wednesday: The courts ruling sends a critical message to courts across the country ... no judicial role is more important than acting as a check on executive abuses the Trump administration has made the defining feature of its first 60 days. After this first step, we will eagerly and aggressively seek to get Mahmoud out, bring him home, and then defend his and others right to speak freely about Palestine or any other issue without fear of detention and deportation. In the letter, Khalil described himself as a "political prisoner," detailed the facility's sordid conditions and decried Israel's renewed offensive in the Gaza Strip. "Who has the right to have rights? It is certainly not the humans crowded into the cells here. It isnt the Senegalese man I met who has been deprived of his liberty for a year, his legal situation in limbo, and his family an ocean away. It isnt the 21-year-old detainee I met, who stepped foot in this country at age nine, only to be deported without so much as a hearing, he said. "Justice escapes the contours of this nations immigration facilities." He also described his arrest at his Columbia University-owned residence, recalling how Department of Homeland Security agents refused to provide a warrant and "accosted my wife and me as we returned from dinner." Protesters demand the release of Mahmoud Khalil on March 12 in New York. He said he was handcuffed and forced into an unmarked car. "At that moment, my only concern was for Noors safety," he said in the letter about his wife, who is eight months pregnant. I had no idea if she would be taken too, since the agents had threatened to arrest her for not leaving my side. Khalil said that after his arrest, he was transported to a facility in Elizabeth, New Jersey, where he slept on the ground and was denied a blanket. "My arrest was a direct consequence of exercising my right to free speech as I advocated for a free Palestine and an end to the genocide in Gaza, which resumed in full force Monday night," he said. "With Januarys ceasefire now broken, parents in Gaza are once again cradling too-small shrouds, and families are forced to weigh starvation and displacement against bombs. It is our moral imperative to persist in the struggle for their complete freedom." DHS has previously said in a statement about Khalils arrest that he had "led activities aligned to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization." White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt alleged Khalil organized protests that disrupted the campus, harassed Jewish American students and distributed pro-Hamas propaganda. A lawyer for Khalil, Samah Sisay, rejected the Trump administrations claim, saying there is no evidence that Khalil provided support of any kind to a terrorist organization. In the letter, Khalil also described his background, noting that he was born in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria after his family was displaced in the 1948 Nakba. "I spent my youth in proximity to yet distant from my homeland," he said. "But being Palestinian is an experience that transcends borders. I see in my circumstances similarities to Israels use of administrative detention imprisonment without trial or charge to strip Palestinians of their rights. For Palestinians, imprisonment without due process is commonplace." Khalil said he believes his arrest was indicative of "anti-Palestinian racism" demonstrated by "both the Biden and Trump administrations" over "the past 16 months as the U.S. has continued to supply Israel with weapons to kill Palestinians and prevented international intervention." "The Trump administration is targeting me as part of a broader strategy to suppress dissent. Visa-holders, green-card carriers, and citizens alike will all be targeted for their political beliefs," Khalil warned. He then urged people to rally together to defend the Palestinian people. "In the weeks ahead, students, advocates, and elected officials must unite to defend the right to protest for Palestine. At stake are not just our voices, but the fundamental civil liberties of all," he said. Khalil concluded his letter by saying, "I hope nonetheless to be free to witness the birth of my first-born child." The mayor of the Turkish city of Istanbul has been arrested along with several other high-profile figures over a corruption investigation, in a move denounced by the main opposition party as a coup. The state-run Anadolu Agency said prosecutors issued detention warrants for Ekrem Imamoglu and dozens of other people. Among those detained was Murat Ongun, a close aide of Mr Imamoglu. A statement from the Istanbul public prosecutors office cited charges including bribery and extortion, saying that Mr Imamoglu was the leader of a criminal organisation and that 100 suspects had been rounded up. The move appeared to be in connection with an investigation into alleged tender rigging by Mr Imamoglu, which was opened in 2023. But local media reports, including from Anadolu, said his detention was also linked to a separate probe for allegedly aiding the banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is defined as a terror organisation by Turkey. Ekrem Imamoglu, Istanbul mayor, is seen as a key rival of Turkeys president - Okan Kose/AFP Mr Imamoglu, a popular and powerful figure within the Republican Peoples Party (CHP), is seen as a key rival of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish president. The mayors detention, before which his house was also raided, came days before he was to be named as the CHPs candidate for the 2028 presidential election. Authorities also closed several roads around Istanbul and banned demonstrations in the city for four days in an apparent effort to prevent protests following the arrest. The private NTV news channel reported that two Istanbul district mayors were amongst those detained. Critics said the crackdown followed significant losses by Mr Erdogans ruling party in local elections last year and came amid growing calls for early national elections. Government officials insisted the courts operated independently and rejected claims that legal actions against Mr Imamoglu were politically motivated. We are facing great tyranny, but I want you to know that I will not be discouraged, Mr Imamoglu said in a video message posted on social media. He accused the government of usurping the will of the people. Officers surround the police headquarters at which Ekrem Imamoglu is being held - Kemal Aslan/AFP Mr Erdogan, a populist with increasingly authoritarian tendencies, has led Turkey as prime minister or president for more than 20 years. He is now the longest-serving leader in the Turkish republics history. His current term runs until 2028, although he has indicated that he would like to serve longer something he could achieve with the help of a friendly parliament. The career of Mr Imamoglu, widely seen as the strongest candidate to challenge Mr Erdogan, has been overshadowed by a string of what critics say are politically motivated legal cases. The police raid occurred just hours after Istanbul University had revoked his degree amid claims that it was falsely obtained. The revocation was a high-stakes move, because presidential candidates in Turkey need to have a higher education qualification. Mr Erdogan has repeatedly rejected claims that he never graduated from university and was not constitutionally able to hold the office of president. Mr Imamoglu was detained and is now at police headquarters, said a press aide, who asked not to be named as he was not authorised to speak to the media and was unable to say why the Istanbul mayor had been detained. Hundreds of police officers have arrived at my door. I entrust myself to the people, the mayor said in a video posted on X. Supporters of the mayor stage a rally in Istanbul - Okan Kose/AFP Ozgur Ozel, the CHP leader, condemned what he called a coup attempt against our next president, writing on X: Making decisions on behalf of the people, using force to replace the will of the people or to obstruct it is a coup. We will not give in. In the end, the peoples will shall prevail and Turkey will win. Shortly after the police raid, access to social media platforms was restricted, the Netblocks internet access monitor said. The Istanbul governors office issued a ban on all protests until March 23 several demonstrations had been announced by the CHP late on Tuesday over the revocation of Mr Imamoglus degree, which the mayor has vowed to contest in court. The CHP was to hold a primary on Sunday, at which Mr Imamoglu was expected to be chosen for its candidate in future presidential elections. 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. Sicko teacher who assaulted kids A married Indiana teacher accused of sexually assaulting young boys would allegedly make her barely-teenaged victims wear Scream masks while she forced them to have group sex, new court docs reveal. Former math teacher Brittany Fortinberry, 31, who met her victims some as young as 13 at two different Morgan County schools in 2024, was hit with a slew of new sexual abuse charges this week after five new alleged victims came forward. One of the boys told police that Fortinberry reached out to him after a separate misconduct investigation. She spent $600 on him and a group of boys, then had them wear the horror movie masks while she had sex with all of them, according to court documents obtained by WTHR. Brittany Fortinberry, 31, faces a slew of sexual abuse charges. Morgan County Sheriff's Office Fortinberry allegedly told the teens she would kill herself if they reported her. @nicholasmatthewfortinberry/Instagram The teen claimed Fortinberry had him bring his friends to her house and would give them drugs and have sex with them. The since-fired teacher allegedly drugged one of her victims repeatedly before assaulting him, and would threaten to kill herself if her victims said anything about the horrific abuse, the docs said. One of the victims later told police that Fortinberry would put her children to bed before trying to have sex with the boys. She also allegedly sexually assaulted one teen whom she had asked to babysit her kids. Another victim accused Fortinberry of offering between $100 and $800 to the boys for photos of their genitals. One of her alleged victims told police that if the boys said they didnt want to have sex with her, she would rape them while saying, Just let it happen. Prosecutors increased Fortinberrys bond from $20,000 to $150,000. Google Maps All of the teens said Fortinberry would send them nude and explicit photos and videos on Snapchat and another app called Session. While most of the victims parents were unaware of the abuse before a Department of Child Services investigation, one parent told police that Fortinberrys husband knew what was happening and threatened to slaughter (the teen) in front of her if he came forward, according to court docs. Last month, the former teacher was accused of sexually abusing several students but blamed the twisted perversion on her 150-pound weight loss. At the time, the victim told authorities there were at least five other victims, but possibly as many as 10. Prosecutors on Tuesday filed a motion to add 10 counts of child molestation, eight counts of dissemination of matter harmful to a minor, five counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and one count of sexual misconduct with a minor, according to WTHR. Those charges are in addition to the three counts of sexual misconduct, one count of dissemination of matter harmful to minors and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor that were filed against her in February. Prosecutors also filed to increase Fortinberrys bond from $20,000 to $150,000. Michael Proctor testifies in Norfolk Superior Court, in Dedham, Mass., last year. The Massachusetts State Police investigator who was suspended over allegations of misconduct in the Karen Read murder case has now been fired, state law enforcement officials said Wednesday. The state police trial board made the decision to dishonorably discharge Michael Proctor, who led the investigation into the 2022 death of Reads boyfriend, a Boston police officer, after three days of hearings that began in January. The trial board found Proctor guilty of three charges of unsatisfactory performance and one charge of consumption of alcohol while on duty from January 2022 to August 2022. The charges stem from Proctor sending "derogatory, defamatory, disparaging, and/or otherwise inappropriate text messages about a suspect in that investigation to other individuals. Proctor also consumed alcohol while on duty and proceeded to operate his department-issued cruiser in July 2022. Proctor's family said Wednesday that it was "truly disappointed" with the board's decision, "as it lacks precedent, and unfairly exploits and scapegoats one of their own, a trooper with a 12-year unblemished record." "Despite the Massachusetts State Polices dubious and relentless efforts to find more inculpatory evidence against Michael Proctor on his phones, computers and cruiser data, the messages on his personal phone referring to the person who killed a fellow beloved Boston Police Officer are all that they found, the family said in a statement to NBC News. "The messages prove one thing, and that Michael is human not corrupt, not incompetent in his role as a homicide detective, and certainly not unfit to continue to be a Massachusetts State Trooper," the statement added. The Massachusetts State Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Proctor was relieved from his post within the Norfolk County District Attorneys Office immediately after Reads nine-week trial ended with a hung jury last summer. He was suspended without pay days later. Read was charged with second-degree murder and other crimes in the Jan. 29, 2022, death of John OKeefe, a 16-year veteran of the Boston Police Department. Her retrial is scheduled to begin April 1. During the trial, Reads lawyers accused Proctor of manipulating evidence and conducting a biased investigation. They based that allegation in part on text messages Proctor sent to friends, relatives and supervisors that showed him using offensive and vulgar language to describe Read. In one instance, Proctor sent a text to his sister saying he hoped Read died by suicide. In testimony, Proctor acknowledged that his comments were unprofessional and dehumanized Read, but he said they did not compromise the integrity of the investigation. Proctor also acknowledged discussing parts of the investigation with his sister, but said he was only making her aware of newsworthy stuff. The official who led state police at the time said the agency had opened an internal investigation into Proctors conduct after allegations of serious misconduct emerged at trial. During the proceedings, prosecutors described Reads two-year relationship with OKeefe as increasingly troubled, and they accused her of striking her boyfriend with her Lexus SUV outside a party with other law enforcement officers after a night of drinking. Norfolk County Assistant District Attorney Adam Lally accused Read of leaving O'Keefe to die outside the home of one of those officers Brian Albert, then a Boston police sergeant. OKeefe was found unresponsive outside Albert's suburban home on the morning of Jan. 22. He was pronounced dead shortly after. Reads lawyers described the killing as a far-reaching conspiracy among some of the officers who were at the party, including an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives whod flirted with Read. The plaza outside the Diana E. Murphy United States Courthouse in Minneapolis is shown covered in snow on Friday, March 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Steve Karnowski) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) A jury found the alleged ringleader of a massive pandemic fraud case in Minnesota guilty on all counts Wednesday for her role in a scheme that federal prosecutors say stole $250 million from a program meant to feed children in need. Aimee Bock founder of Feeding our Future, the group at the heart of the plot was one of 70 defendants charged in the overall case, which prosecutors said was the nation's single largest fraud scheme against COVID-19 relief programs. The Minnesota case has also drawn attention for an attempt to bribe a juror in an earlier trial and witness tampering in Bock's trial, which began last month. Thirty-seven defendants have already pleaded guilty, while five were convicted in a group of defendants who were tried last year. The jury also convicted a co-defendant, Salim Ahmed Said, owner of the now-defunct Safari Restaurant in Minneapolis. Bock, 44, and Said, 36, were charged with multiple counts involving conspiracy, wire fraud and bribery. Said was also charged with money laundering. Bock allegedly pocketed nearly $2 million, while Said was accused of taking around $5 million. They both maintained their innocence and testified at trial. U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel ordered them both held without bail pending their sentencing, for which she did not set a date. It was the largest COVID fraud scheme in the country, and what Bock and and her co-defendants did was reprehensible. Lisa Kirkpatrick the acting U.S. attorney for Minnesota, said at a news conference afterward. During COVID, while so many were trying to be helpers, Bock and Said were thieves, she continued. They used a time of crisis as their golden opportunity to enrich themselves and their criminal partners outlandishly so. At every step of the way, Bock fought to keep her fraud scheme going. Today her efforts to lie, to blame others, to escape responsibility, all came to an end. Bock's attorney, Kenneth Udoibok, said there will be an appeal. While he has not decided what legal grounds might be used as its basis, he told The Associated Press that the jury could not have fairly considered all six weeks' worth of evidence in the few hours they deliberated after getting the case Wednesday morning. But lead prosecutor Joe Thompson called the scheme brazen and corrupt and told reporters it tarnished Minnesota's reputation for good governance and civic mindedness as well as its high quality of life and low crime. The Feeding Our Future case has come to symbolize the problem of fraud in our state, Thompson said. It has become the shame of Minnesota. Hopefully todays verdict will help turn the page in this awful chapter in our states history. Democratic Gov. Tim Walz, who came under heavy criticism from Republicans who said his administration should have caught the fraud earlier, told reporters he remains furious with criminals that preyed on the system that was meant to feed children. But he pointed out that nobody in state government, which administered the federal funding, was ever charged in the case. We just need to make sure that we put up more firewalls, more security, more ability to make sure that these criminals arent able to prey on this, Walz said. Thompson said authorities have recovered only about $60 million of the $250 million that was stolen. He declined to speculate on what prosecutors might recommend for sentences but said Bock and Said face substantial prison time. The defendants are being tried in several groups. The first trial was marred by an alleged attempt by some defendants and people linked with them to bribe a juror with a bag of $120,000 in cash. That juror went straight to police. That led to tighter security for Bocks trial and additional precautions ordered by the judge. Despite all that, an allegation of witness tampering surfaced midway through the proceedings. A defendant scheduled for trial in August approached a government witness who was due to testify against Bock and Said and asked to speak with him in a courthouse bathroom. That witness declined and instead told his lawyer, who informed prosecutors. That defendant, Abdinasir Abshir, 32, of Lakeville, soon agreed to plead guilty to a wire fraud charge and to have his tampering attempt factored into a longer sentencing recommendation, which isnt binding on the judge. By Foo Yun Chee BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Amazon (AMZN) lost its fight against a record 746 million euro ($812.4 million) fine handed out by Luxembourg's privacy regulator four years ago as a court sided with the watchdog, according to a statement on the regulator's website. The Luxembourg National Commission for Data Protection (CNPD) said the country's administrative court dismissed Amazon's appeal in a March 18 ruling. The watchdog had penalised Amazon for processing personal data in breach of EU privacy rules known as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Europe has taken a tough line against such violations, with its landmark law setting the benchmark for other countries. CNPD said its decision, which also included measures for Amazon to fix the issue, will remain suspended during the appeal period. Amazon said it was considering appealing the court ruling. It said the CNPD's decision "imposed an unprecedented fine based on subjective interpretations of the law about which they had not previously published any interpretive guidance". ($1 = 0.9183 euros) (Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Kirsten Donovan) Louisiana on Tuesday executed a death row inmate using nitrogen gas for the first time in state history and only the fifth time in U.S. history. Death row inmate Jessie Hoffman's execution is the first in Louisiana in 15 years after the state struggled to obtain drugs for lethal injections. Hoffman was pronounced dead at 6:50 p.m. after a "flawless" execution, according to Gary Westcott, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. Hoffman, who was convicted of the brutal rape and murder of 28-year-old Molly Elliott in 1996, had been arguing that he shouldn't be executed by nitrogen gas, a controversial and largely untried method, partly because he said it violated his religious freedom by preventing him from practicing his Buddhist meditative breathing. Last week, a federal judge temporarily halted Hoffman's execution, citing possible "pain and torture" in violation of his constitutional rights. The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the ruling on Friday. Hoffman's attorneys appealed and on Tuesday shortly before the execution, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to stop it in a narrow decision. Until Tuesday, only one state, Alabama, had used nitrogen gas to put inmates to death. The state made history last year with its first such execution and has conducted three others using nitrogen gas since. "Tonight, justice was served for Molly Elliot and for the state of Louisiana," Attorney General Liz Murrill said in a news conference after Hoffman's execution. "Now he faces his ultimate judgment. Judgment before God." Hoffman's attorney, Cecelia Kappel, said in a statement that the execution was "senseless" and that "we are better than this." "He was a father, a husband, and a man who showed extraordinary capacity for redemption," Kappel said. "Jessie no longer bore any resemblance to the 18-year-old who killed Molly Elliott." Here's what to know about Hoffman's execution, including more about the close Supreme Court decision and how Elliott's family feels about the execution 29 years after losing the bright young woman. Witnesses describe execution Hoffman declined a last meal and did not say any last words before the nitrogen gas began to flow at about 6:21 p.m., according to execution witnesses who spoke at a news conference. The gas flowed for about 19 minutes, five minutes after state officials say he flatlined. Hoffman was strapped to a gurney, and all but his head and forearms were covered by a thick blanket, they said. "He did move. He did shake very briefly," said Seth Smith, chief of operations for the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. "Around 6:23 he did have some convulsive activity ... After that, I personally didn't see nothing that I would say is consistent with pain. He, in essence, was clinically dead very quickly." One of two media witnesses, Gina Swanson with WDSU-TV, said that she saw Hoffman twitch, clench his fists and his body jerk but said that "it was a clinical thing." "There was nothing really off-putting that made me feel like, 'Well, that didn't go right,'" she said. Is that really true?! Sign up for USA TODAY's Checking the Facts newsletter for all the answers. What did Jessie Hoffman do? Elliott left work at her advertising firm in the French Quarter of New Orleans around 5 p.m. on Nov. 27, 1996, and walked to the Sheraton hotel garage where she parked her car. She was supposed to meet her husband at his office at 6 p.m. so they could go out to dinner together, police told reporters at the time. Hoffman, who was just 18 years old and had worked at the garage for about two weeks, kidnapped her at gunpoint and forced her to withdraw about $200 from an ATM, prosecutors said. Even if Hoffman had let her go at that point, prosecutors said it would have been "the most horrific night of her life." "The ATM videotape shows the terror on Ms. Elliotts face as she withdrew money from her account, and Hoffman can be seen standing next to his victim," prosecutors said in court records. After getting the cash, Hoffman forced Elliott to drive to a remote area of St. Tammany Parish as she begged him not to hurt her, prosecutors said, citing Hoffman's eventual confession to the crime. Hoffman then raped Elliott and forced her to get out of the car and walk down a dirt path in an area used as a dump, prosecutors said. The East Pearl River runs high at the border of Mississippi and Slidell, Louisiana, on May 27, 2019. Elliott's body was found along the river on Thanksgiving Day in 1996. "Her death march ultimately ended at a small, makeshift dock at the end of this path, where she was forced to kneel and shot in the head, execution style," they said. "Ms. Elliott likely survived for a few minutes after being shot, but she was left on the dock, completely nude on a cold November evening, to die." Her husband identified her body after it was found on Thanksgiving Day, prosecutors said. Kappel told USA TODAY that Hoffman acknowledged the crime and was deeply remorseful. More about the nitrogen gas method, court decisions Last week, Chief District Judge Shelly Dick temporarily blocked Hoffman's execution, saying that it could cause him "pain and terror" and that he showed a "substantial likelihood of proving that nitrogen gas executions violate the Eighth Amendments prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. Dick cited accounts from all four of the Alabama executions that "describe suffering, including conscious terror for several minutes, shaking, gasping, and other evidence of distress." The witnesses observed the inmates' bodies "writhing" under their restraints, "vigorous convulsing and shaking for four minutes," heaving, spitting, and a "conscious struggling for life." Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has defended the method as constitutional and effective," and Louisiana's attorney general, Murrill, has argued in court records that witness accounts from members of the news media are unreliable. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned Dick's ruling on Friday. The matter headed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which allowed the execution to move forward in a 5-4 decision. The courts three liberal members and Justice Neil Gorsuch said they would have granted Hoffmans request for a stay of execution. Gorsuch said the lower courts failed to adequately review Hoffmans claim that the method would interfere with his meditative breathing as he dies, violating his right to practice his Buddhist religion. No one has questioned the sincerity of Mr. Hoffmans religious beliefs, Gorsuch wrote. Yet the district court rejected Hoffmans argument anyway, based on its own finding about the kind of breathing his faith requires, Gorsuch continued. But courts, he said, cannot decide how a religion should be followed. Gorsuch said he would have paused the execution and ordered the appeals court to review Hoffmans religious liberty claim. What does Molly Elliott's family say? Molly Elliott's husband, Andy Elliott, told USA TODAY on Tuesday that Hoffman's execution was "bittersweet news." "There is relief that this long nightmare is finally over, but also renewed grief for Molly and sadness for Mr. Hoffmans family, whose nightmare began when mine did and whove also had to go through nearly 30 years of this gut-wrenching process through no fault of their own," he said. He added that he hopes Hoffman's case can help "bring about meaningful change" to the death penalty because "a multi-decade long wait is not only difficult for all involved, but also it seriously blunts the effectiveness of the death penalty as a deterrent on crime.""On the one hand, I am satisfied that justice has finally been served so we can all try to move on with our lives," he said. "On the other, if the death penalty is going to exist, the process must be resolved within a reasonable period of time."In a previous statement to USA TODAY, he said that his wife "was a cherished person who missed out on motherhood, a promising and successful career, and a life in the country on the property we bought together." "Hers was a life that was so full of hope and promise for a beautiful future," he said. "The loss of Molly is a scar we will forever carry, and it will never heal." 'I miss her so much': Remembering Molly Elliott, killed by Louisiana Death Row inmate More executions to come in US Three other executions, all by lethal injection, also are scheduled this week in Arizona, Oklahoma and Florida. At least 11 more executions are scheduled for the rest of the year but that number is expected to go up as states issue more death warrants. States have been looking to expand their execution methods as lethal injection drugs have become harder to obtain. Alabama became the first state in the nation to use the nitrogen gas method last year. It's also legal in Louisiana, Mississippi and Oklahoma. And on Tuesday, Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed a bill to use the method in her state. Ohio and Nebraska have reintroduced similar legislation this year. In South Carolina earlier this month, Brad Keith Sigmon was executed by firing squad, the first such execution in the U.S. since 2010 and only the fourth since 1977. Hoffman had been arguing that a firing squad would have been a preferable execution method to nitrogen gas. Louisiana imposed the nitrogen gas method on him, while all four Alabama inmates elected the gas method over lethal injection and the electric chair. Contributing: Maureen Groppe and N'dea Yancey-Bragg This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nitrogen gas execution: Louisiana puts Jessie Hoffman to death Reason Manuel Klausner, a co-founder and longtime trustee of Reason Foundation, and former editor and publisher of Reason, has died at 85. Klausner first became interested in political ideas while an undergraduate at UCLA in the late 1950s. His outlook turned in a classical liberal/libertarian direction when he went to law school at New York University (NYU) in the early 1960s, under the influence of Sylvester Petro, then teaching labor law at NYU. Petro also introduced Klausner to the ideas of Ludwig von Mises, then giving his famous series of seminars at the university. Klausner attended Mises' seminars and would often ride on the subway with the great Austrian economist and advocate of free markets and classical liberalism, learning more. Klausner also met and was influenced by Mises' student Murray Rothbard during his NYU law school years. After getting his law degree from NYU, Klausner studied at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark in 196364, with support from Ford Foundation and Fulbright grants. There he did his first work with a small political party that he found had decent, if not perfect, classical liberal principles called the Independent Party, which held five seats in parliament at the time. "I used to speak to them, before Denmark decriminalized porn, and talking about why they should favor that and be a basically laissez-faire party opposed to the welfare state," Klausner recalled in a 1999 interview for my 2007 history of the American libertarian movement, Radicals for Capitalism. On returning to America, he taught at the University of Chicago Law School in 196465, where he also did editing work for the early libertarian student magazine New Individualist Review and The Journal of Law and Economics. "Chicago was an exciting place to be because of the quality of faculty, the intellectual atmosphere, and a serious tradition of liberty among people there," Klausner said in that 1999 interview. "It turned out to be an extraordinary experience for me to be part of that community of scholars and the rich intellectual tradition at Chicago, both law and economics and philosophy and historythere were many great scholars there who take liberty seriously." He credited Aaron Director and Ronald Coase as particularly rich influences in his Chicago time. Klausner began practicing law in the mid-'60s in Los Angeles with Kindel & Anderson, where he worked over the next three decades extensively in cases ranging over business law to constitutional, election, and media law. He grew to enjoy public speaking to spread libertarian ideas. Enthusiasm, Klausner told me, was key to his personality, and key, he believed, to success in any endeavor. By the end of the 1960s he "was doing a lot of speaking, I was very interested in achieving positive social change using the political system and print media, so it was a natural for me." His enthusiasm for spreading libertarian ideas led to him connecting with a local libertarian philosopher he heard on the radio, Tibor Machan; the two men eventually allied with local engineer Robert Poole and took over Reason in 1971, which had been foundering under its founding editor Lanny Friedlander. Klausner played many roles with the magazine through the 1970s, including editor and publisher, and in 1978 was a co-founder of Reason Foundation, which took on the publishing of Reason, as well as other public policy work pushing libertarian ideas in the real world. Klausner appreciated California's citizen initiative process and had been active in trying to use that process for libertarian causes, though not all of his efforts ended up on the ballot. He worked to push a very early marijuana legalization initiative in 1972 (that only garnered 33 percent support*, though he was ahead of the curve as the state, and many other states, have since legalized marijuana possession and use), as well as efforts to eliminate the sales tax in California. He played a role in California's successful Proposition 209 in 1996, which tried to end discrimination or disparate treatment based on racial classifications in California government. He was an early supporter of the Libertarian Party, and was one of only two other candidates* running for federal office outside the John Hospers/Tonie Nathan presidential ticket in the Party's first active year, 1972. Klausner ran a unique write-in campaign for Congress in two different districts. His slogan was "the candidate of principle for the thinking person." He chose not to pay a filing fee which would have had his write-in votes counted, so enjoyed saying a "countless number of people voted for me for Congress in 1972." He was proud that Rothbard told him that he, Klausner, was the only politician he knew who became more radical while running for office, when Klausner realized from confronting libertarian audiences that he could no longer defend coercive taxation for any reason. Klausner founded his own law practice in 1996. He was also the longtime chair of the Libertarian Law Council and of the Federalist Society's Free Speech & Election Law Practice Group, and a founding director of the Institute for Justice. For the past decades he led Reason Foundation's program providing pro-liberty amicus briefs in important Supreme Court cases. Among his honors were the 1982 Lawyer of the Year Award from the Constitutional Rights Foundation and the Los Angeles County Bar Association, and the Lawyer of the Year Award from the Federalist Society's Los Angeles Lawyers Chapter in 2013. He was also a theater enthusiast, and worked as a producer on various stage shows over the years, including Hadestown and Maybe Happy Ending. His wife Willette Murphy Klausner, whom he married in 1969, is herself a longtime producer for film and theater with her WMK Productions. A generous bon vivant and gourmet, and a man dedicated to the importance of economic thinking, Klausner provided a little anecdote I've been retelling for decades. He was dining with me and some other young Reason staffers, at a time when those staffers were all still in our 20s, if I recall correctly. It was the type of masterful upscale restaurant he doted on and loved exposing people to. He casually informed us before the meal that he'd pick up half the tab. This, of course, made us mindful of the cost of what we were ordering on a menu that had some high-ticket items indeed. At the end of the meal, he quietly picked up the entire tab, teaching an indelibly stylish lesson in both generosity and prudent economic thinking, something that was always ManuelManny to his friendsKlausner's way. Klausner studied tai chi for decades under Nzazi Malonga (Master Zi) at his Dharma Health Institute in Playa Del Rey. When he first heard Klausner propounding his political views, which he always liked to do, Zi says "I thought he was trying to provoke me" but soon realized that though Klausner stood behind his libertarian views, he would happily listen to disputants in any social situation and if they got upset just remain poker-faced and advise them to "read this book by Milton Friedman." Even if political disagreements threatened to get heated in social situations, such as the many meals Klausner hosted at L.A. restaurants from the most "hoity-toity" to trailers on the side of the road serving burritos (and many people at both types of places would know and love Klausner, Zi recalls), Klausner was happy to just move on to the next course or round after having his say. Zi recalls he could sometimes get Klausner to change his mind on a point"but only if you came at him with the data." Beneath Klausner's politics, and central to his personality, Zi found, was "a genuine concern for the well being of other people." Klausner would happily support Zi's business financially through hard times, insisting that, as Zi remembered him saying, "This is the free market. I like your product and support it and support you and this is how the free market works." "Imagine us together," Zi says, Klausner a man "who grew up in the Fairfax district of Los Angeles," and Zi a refugee "kid from the Congo," and "he became an extension of my family, such a big brother to me. He was a genuinely good man" and "a good man when nobody was looking." Klausner told me in 1999 that "on my death bed I'll be proud and happyI'm positive by nature. We have a free country here in that we can accumulate capital and invest in building frameworks to circulate ideas," which Klausner did, successfully and enthusiastically. *CORRECTION: The article as originally posted misstated the ballot success of the 1972 marijuana initiative, as well as the number of other federal L.P. candidates in 1972. The post Manuel Klausner, RIP appeared first on Reason.com. By Michael Martina and Shoon Naing WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. lawmakers and rights advocates say the Trump administration's drive to dismantle U.S. government-funded news outlets, including Voice of America and Radio Free Asia, is a major blow to Washington's hard-earned soft power globally at a time when Beijing is rushing to expand its sphere of influence. Since its inception to combat Nazi propaganda at the height of World War Two, Voice of America (VOA) grew to become an international media broadcaster, operating in more than 40 languages online, on radio and television, spreading U.S. news narratives into countries lacking a free press. On Saturday, more than 1,300 Voice of America employees were placed on leave and funding for its sister news services was terminated, a likely fatal blow to the outlets. The cuts are part of an unprecedented push by President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk to shrink the federal government, which they say wastes U.S. taxpayer money on causes that do not line up with U.S. interests. The move came after Trump ordered the gutting of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, VOA's parent agency, forcing a termination of grants to outlets under it. They include Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which broadcasts across Eastern Europe, including Russia and Ukraine, as well as Radio Free Asia, whose coverage extends across Asia, including China and North Korea. Rights activists say the multilingual reporters of both VOA and RFA for decades shone light onto abuses by China and other authoritarian countries, raising awareness about the plight of oppressed minorities such as China's Uyghur Muslims. Trump's domestic critics call it a strategic blunder in U.S. competition with China, which has poured billions of dollars into pushing Beijing's narrative around the globe. "The only people cheering for this are adversaries and authoritarians around the world, certainly in places like China and North Korea, where press freedoms are nonexistent," Raja Krishnamoorthi, the Democratic ranking member of the U.S. House of Representative's select committee on China, told Reuters. The move also drew criticism from the Republican chair of the House Select Committee on East Asia and Pacific, Young Kim, while Michael McCaul, the Republican former chair of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, praised the RFA for transparent reporting and countering Chinese Communist Party propaganda. "Gutting Radio Free Asia and other U.S. Agency for Global Media platforms counters the principles of freedom our nation was founded on and cedes leverage to the Chinese Communist Party, North Korea and other regimes, Kim told China Watcher, a Politico newsletter. In an editorial on Monday, China's Global Times tabloid rejoiced at VOA's closure, calling it a "lie factory." Cambodia's longtime authoritarian leader Hun Sen, who now serves as Senate president after his son became prime minister in 2023, praised Trump's move to dismantle the news outlets, saying in a Facebook post that they were a "major contribution to eliminating fake news, disinformation, lies, distortions, incitement and chaos around the world." USAGM's website notes that a number of its affiliated journalists have been jailed in countries where "threats to a free press persist." Under Hun Sen's government in 2017, two RFA journalists were arrested and charged with espionage. A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS Journalists and activists in Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos who had for decades come to rely on the U.S. outlets for news in the middle of coups, media blackouts and state censorship, lamented their demise. Mon Mon Myat, a Burmese journalist, remembers when she first heard a Voice of America broadcast during the 2021 coup in Myanmar, when the government shut down the internet. It "felt like a light had been switched on" in the darkness, she told Reuters. "These programs were created to provide information to people living under dictatorships. Shutting them down only helps dictatorship and junta regimes grow," she said. Chinese democracy activist Gao Yu, who has been jailed in China, said on X on Sunday that she was "heartbroken" by the cuts to the U.S. news agencies, noting that Chinese authorities had previously warned her not to accept VOA or RFA interviews. "This made me realize that the Chinese Communist authorities are most afraid of these two American media outlets," she said. RFA, in particular, had been a thorn in Beijing's side, with its roster of Uyghur-speaking journalists helping to document what U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said is the Chinese government's "genocide" against the Muslim minority group, a claim Beijing vehemently denies. In a 2023 report, the State Department said that China has spent billions of dollars annually on information manipulation efforts, including by acquiring stakes in foreign media through "public and non-public means." That's part of Beijing's effort to expand the global footprint of its government-controlled media, especially as geopolitical competition between Beijing and Washington has intensified. Rayhan Asat, a Uyghur activist and human rights lawyer at the Atlantic Council, said RFA's coverage amplified individual stories to prevent the abuses from becoming mere statistics. "Defunding would be devastating to the Uyghur cause and a gift to their oppressors. When appointing Secretary Rubio, President Trump highlighted his leadership in combating Uyghur forced labor. I hope he reverses this decision," she said. A staunch supporter of the Uyghurs during his time as a U.S. senator, Rubio last week imposed sanctions on Thai officials that he said facilitated the deportations of Uyghurs to China. When asked on Monday whether he supports the move to dismantle RFA, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce did not say where the top U.S. diplomat stood on the issue but said the use of taxpayer money was "serious business." "Right now, it's new, it's a fluid situation, and we'll have more for you as it unfolds," Bruce said. (Reporting by Michael Martina, Shoon Naing, Poppy McPherson, and Kay Johnson; Editing by Humeyra Pamuk and Deepa Babington) (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department on Tuesday filed a civil forfeiture complaint regarding an aircraft it said had been smuggled from the United States and operated for the benefit of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in violation of sanctions. Maduro and his government have always rejected sanctions by the United States and others, saying they are illegitimate measures that amount to an "economic war" designed to cripple Venezuela. The Dassault Falcon 900 EX aircraft was seized last year in the Dominican Republic, according to a statement from the U.S. Justice Department. In February, the Venezuelan government rejected the seizure of government aircraft by the United States, calling it "blatant theft" and saying the move was illegal. (Reporting by Costas Pitas) By David Shepardson (Reuters) -U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Tuesday threatened to withhold federal transit funds from New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority over crime and safety on the New York City subway system and other issues. The MTA is the state agency that operates the city's subway and buses, as well as commuter rail lines that serve nearby suburbs. Duffy said the MTA "must ensure a safe and clean environment, reduce crime and fare evasion, and maintain a safe operating system." He wants the MTA to provide documents by March 31 on its plan to "ensure effective security for passengers and workers." He cited questions about assaults, including passengers who have been pushed in front of trains. The letter came the same day that MTA CEO Janno Lieber said the agency did not intend to honor a demand from the U.S. Transportation Department that it halt Manhattan's congestion pricing program by Friday. "Nothing is going to change. We are very confident there won't be a rollback of congestion pricing," Lieber said. Congestion pricing, which was introduced in January, charges a toll in Manhattan on vehicles driving south of 60th Street. The program is designed to cut down traffic in Manhattan and speed the flow of vehicles and raise revenue to fund mass transit capital improvements, mainly for the subway but also for commuter rail lines. The MTA and a New York bridge authority in February filed a lawsuit in federal court in Manhattan seeking to block the order to halt congestion pricing. "The trend of violent crime, homelessness, and other threats to public safety on one of our nations most prominent metro systems is unacceptable," Duffy said. He said he also wanted answers on how the MTA would reduce injuries from suicide events and "subway surfing," the illegal daredevil practice of riding atop moving subway cars. The MTA in response said it has sharply reduced crime and fare evasion with the help of the New York City Police Department. "Crime is down 40% compared to the same period in 2020 right before the pandemic, and so far in 2025 there are fewer daily major crimes in transit than any non-pandemic year ever," the MTA said. Last year, New York Governor Kathy Hochul directed the deployment of another 250 members of the New York National Guard to assist with transit security and said the MTA had installed 15,396 security cameras that are in all subway cars. The MTA had more than 1 billion subway rides last year, a big rebound from pandemic lows but still below pre-pandemic levels. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Leslie Adler) Jeanette Vizguerra, a Colorado advocate for immigrants who sheltered in a church for months in 2017, was detained by officials Monday, local advocates said. The Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition demanded the immediate release of Vizguerra after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained her at her workplace. Jeanette is a pilar of the community and has supported countless families, the organization said in a statement. ICE had no reason to detain herthis cruel and unnecessary action is causing irreparable harm to her family and community. The group said it was clear Vizguerra was targeted for her criticism of deportation and her advocacy for the immigrant community. ICEs actions raise serious due process concerns, and her attorneys are working to correct the legal errors behind her detention, the organization said. During President Trumps first term, Vizguerra lived in a church in Colorado for 86 days to take sanctuary from immigration agents. Her stay of removal was granted by ICE. She immigrated to Colorado in 1997 without legal status after her husband was held at gunpoint in Mexico City. She has four children, one of whom is a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipient; the other three are U.S. citizens. Vizguerra was featured in Times 100 most influential people list in 2017 and said she would continue her activism work. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston (D) addressed Vizguerras detainment Tuesday, slamming it as a Putin-style persecution. This is not immigration enforcement. This is a Soviet-style political persecution of political dissidents under the guise of immigration enforcement, he said. This is not someone with a criminal record. This is a mom of American citizens who works at Target and has started a community nonprofit. This is not something that makes our community safer, Johnston said, pointing to the Trump administrations crackdown on migrant crime. In my mind, I think it makes our community lawless. Jordan Garcia, a family friend of Vizguerras, told The Washington Post that Vizguerra had been in touch with her children and is doing OK. She knew she would be a target of the new Trump administration and had kept a relatively low profile in recent years as she continued to navigate her own legal process, Garcia said. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) called on the Trump administration to show transparency regarding Vizguerras detainment, noting she has no history of violence and is not a threat to the community. He said the state had not been notified of Vizguerras arrest and wants ICE to focus on detaining violent offenders. He noted various arrests have an impact on taxpayer dollars and Vizguerra deserves due process. The Hill has reached out to the White House and ICEs Denver field office. 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. OTTAWA (Reuters) -Canada said on Wednesday that China had executed four of Canadian citizens on drugs smuggling charges earlier this year, and strongly condemned Beijing's use of the death penalty. Foreign Minister Melanie Joly told reporters that all four had been dual citizens and said Ottawa would ask for leniency for other Canadians facing the same fate. "There are four Canadians that have been executed and therefore we are strongly condemning what happened," she said, adding that all four had been convicted on drugs charges. Separately, the Canadian Foreign Ministry said that Robert Schellenberg, a Canadian man sentenced to death in 2019 for drug smuggling, had not been executed. Canada-China ties have been icy since 2018 when Meng Wanzhou, Chief Financial Officer of Chinese telecoms firm Huawei, was detained in Vancouver at the Trump administration's request. China arrested two Canadians shortly afterwards. Meng and the Canadian duo were released in 2021. Earlier this month Beijing announced tariffs on over U.S. $2.6 billion worth of Canadian agricultural and food products, retaliating against levies Ottawa slapped on Chinese electric vehicles and steel and aluminum products last year. In a statement, the Chinese embassy in Ottawa said Canada was making irresponsible remarks. "China always imposed severe penalties on drug-related crimes and maintains a 'zero tolerance' attitude towards the drug problem," it said, without confirming that any executions had taken place. (Reporting by David LjunggrenEditing by Sandra Maler) The parents of missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki said on Tuesday that they've given up hope that their daughter is still alive and believe she drowned while on a spring break trip in the Dominican Republic. Konanki, 20, went missing while on a trip with five friends in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. She is believed to have been last seen on the beach in the early hours of March 6 before she vanished. A weeks-long international investigation into her disappearance has largely come up short of answers. Addressing reporters outside of their home in Loudoun County, Virginia, Konankis parents said that drowning is the explanation for her disappearance. Sudiksha Konanki. "We are coming to terms with the fact that our daughter has drowned," Konanki's father, Subbarayudu Konanki, said through tears. "This is incredibly difficult for us to process." Konanki's father said that U.S. and Dominican Republic authorities told the family that they also believe their daughter drowned, pointing to the ocean's conditions on the morning she disappeared. "Both sides of the authorities have shown us how high the ocean waves were at the time of [the] incident," he said. "And both sides of the authorities also clarified that the person of interest is not suspect from the beginning." Konanki's father appeared to be referring to Joshua Riibe, an American who was the last person believed to have been seen with Konanki on the morning she disappeared. Riibe, a 22-year-old senior at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, told local authorities in an interview last week that he was on the beach with Konanki shortly before she disappeared, according to an interview transcript obtained by NBC News. Joshua Riibe walks with lawyers into court in Higuey, Dominican Republic, on Tuesday. According to the transcript, which NBC News translated from Spanish, he and Konanki were "in waist-deep water, talking and kissing a little" before a wave crashed, taking them both "out to sea." Although he has not been charged with a crime, Riibe and his attorneys said his passport has been confiscated by local authorities and that he has been kept under supervision at the hotel where Konanki disappeared since March 6. The Dominican Republic National Police said there are no suspects in Konanki's disappearance. A Dominican judge ruled on Tuesday that Riibe no longer needs to remain under police supervision. However, the judge said his courtroom was not the appropriate venue to resolve the matter of Riibes passport. As Eduardo Velazquez, a prosecutor with the Dominican Republic AGs office, returned to the courtroom ahead of the judges decision on Tuesday, NBC News asked him about Riibes passport which prosecutors claim they do not have. "I dont know the passport," Velazquez said. When pressed for answers, he responded in English: "I dont speak Spanish... er English sorry." Konanki's mother appeared to be too grief-stricken to speak at length on Tuesday, but thanked the international media for its "help and cooperation." "We were going through too much pain all these days and we were saddened and we were not able to believe this," Konanki's father said. "Sorry, I cannot, Im not able to speak anything on that because our heart is broken." Jesse Kirsch reported from Higuey and Matt Lavietes from New York. Authorities in the Dominican Republic are continuing to interview the Minnesota college student who was with University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki the night she went missing, according to his lawyer. Nearly two weeks after the 20-year-old Konanki vanished, here's a look at the timeline of the Punta Cana spring break mystery: PHOTO: Sudiksha Konanki is seen in this undated photo shared to Meta. (Sudiksha Konanki via Meta) March 3 Konanki and her friends arrived in Punta Cana on March 3. March 6 In the early hours of March 6, 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. on March 6. One man -- 22-year-old Joshua Riibe, a college senior in Minnesota -- stayed with Konanki on the beach, according to a Dominican Republic investigative police report. MORE: Man seen with missing Pittsburgh student believes he's being detained illegally, requests hearing: Source Authorities said they believe Konanki died by drowning, officials told ABC News. Her missing persons case is being treated as an accident, sources said. Authorities said Riibe is not a suspect and is cooperating and being questioned as a witness. PHOTO: Civil defense boats search 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) March 13 On March 13, when Riibe was interviewed by a prosecutor, he detailed his interactions with the missing 20-year-old. Riibe said he met Konanki that night and said they kissed after a night of drinking, according to a transcript provided to ABC News from two Dominican Republic sources. MORE: Man who last saw missing Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki thought she took 'her things and left' The two went swimming and were hit by a wave, and then they were pulled into the ocean by the tide, Riibe told the prosecutor. "When we surfaced, we tried to plead for help, but there was no one there," he said. 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) Riibe, who was a pool lifeguard, said he held Konanki "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: Missing Univ. of Pittsburgh student believed to have died by drowning in 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. March 14 Riibe's parents, Albert and Tina Riibe, released a statement on March 14, praising their son's "integrity and good heart." They said, until March 12, their son was "detained under irregular conditions and subjected to extensive questioning without the presence of official translators or legal counsel." "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," they said. "We express our deep sorrow and solidarity with the family of Sudiksha Konanski during this painful time," the parents added. "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." PHOTO: A drone pilot 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) March 15 Joshua Riibe was questioned extensively on March 15, with his lawyers present, an official close to the investigation told ABC News. The 22-year-old also went to the beach with investigators and his lawyers, the source said. March 17 On March 17, Joshua Riibe's lawyers said they've requested a habeas corpus hearing, according to a source from the Dominican Republic Ministry of Justice. Joshua Riibe was questioned by prosecutors over three days, and his lawyers believe he's being detained illegally and want to prevent him from being placed in custody, an official close to the investigation told ABC News. Authorities have confiscated Joshua Riibe's passport and his attorneys said he's being surveilled at his hotel. In the Dominican Republic, people can challenge an unlawful detention through a habeas corpus hearing. Detained individuals are required to be brought before a judge within 48 hours, or they must be either charged or released. The same day, according to sources close to the investigation, Konanki's parents sent a formal request to Dominican Republic officials, asking them to declare their daughter dead. In the same letter, they said that they understand that certain legal procedures must be followed for their request, but that they are prepared to comply with any necessary formalities or documentation, sources said. The sources also explained that her parents acknowledged in the letter that there is no suspicion of foul play in the incident regarding their daughter's presumed death. March 18 During his habeas corpus court appearance on March 18, Riibe said he was "ready to go home and go back to my life." The request was granted, effectively removing Riibe from police surveillance -- but the court declined to return his passport. The judge is expected to decide if he will be charged with anything or can leave the country on March 28. Additionally, the Dominican Republic Civil Defense said that it was scaling back its search-and-rescue efforts in the case. ABC News' Erielle Reshef contributed to this report. Punta Cana spring break mystery: A timeline of the missing Pittsburgh student case originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Christopher Hawley died from a traumatic brain injury at Six Flags in 2023, according to a lawsuit. A 22-year-old man died from a traumatic brain injury he suffered from being violently shaken around on a popular Six Flags rollercoaster, according to a lawsuit filed by his family. Recent San Diego State graduate Christopher Hawley was in excellent health when he went to Six Flags Magic Mountain in Los Angeles with his younger brother and a cousin on June 23, 2022 just to collapse soon after riding the X2 rollercoaster, according to a wrongful death suit seeking $10 million. The entirety of the X2 ride was extremely rough and jerked its riders around like rag dolls, the suit said. As X2 approached its conclusion, the ride suddenly, abruptly, and violently jolted to a halt, jarring decedent Christopher Hawley and the other two boys in their seats, the wrongful death suit alleges. Christopher Hawley died from a traumatic brain injury at Six Flags in 2023, according to a lawsuit. Courtesy Hawley Family When Hawley exited the ride, he needed to hold a handrail to stay up and mumbled to his brother and cousin that his head hurt, the suit said. Christopher Hawley, 22, seen behind his cousin and his younger brother Alex on June 23, 2022, at Six Flags Magic Mountain. Courtesy Hawley Family Moments later he fell to his knees, slumped to his side and lost consciousness, according to the suit. A park employee called for medical assistance and he was taken to a medical tent at the park before he was rushed to Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital in Valencia, where he died the next day. A CT scan showed he sustained extensive intracranial hemorrhage and the coroners report said his death was the result of head trauma from a park ride accident, the lawsuit says. X2 bills itself as a fourth-dimension coaster, and was designed with rotating seats that rotate 360 degrees independently throughout the ride, which features a 215-foot drop, flips and spins while reaching speeds of up to 76 miles per hour, according to KTLA. The Hawley family is seeking $10 million in damages pending an investigation into the rides structure, according to the Orange County Register. The X2 roller coaster is famous for its rotating seats and high speeds. Six Flags Magic Mountain The Hawley familys attorney said the ride has a history of causing injuries. Six Flags Magic Mountain We want to make sure that that ride isnt going to kill somebody else, Christopher Hawleys father, William Hawley, told The Register. They wont explain to us what happened. Theyve essentially gone dark. The only way weve been able to contact them is through our attorney, he added. The X2, which opened in 2002, has been the subject to multiple lawsuits due to its violent nature, the lawsuit claims. This is not the first time someone has sustained a serious injury as a result of riding X2, the Hawley familys attorney, Ari Friedman said. X2 has been linked to previous incidents, where people received whiplash, head and leg injuries, and more, from the rides sudden shuddering and jolts. Six Flags did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday. Eugene "Big U" Henley attends a premiere in Los Angeles in 2021. A man reputed to be a Los Angeles gang leader passed himself off as a community activist while he was running a mafia-like organization" and committing a number of offenses, including the murder of an aspiring rapper, officials said Wednesday. Eugene "Big U" Henley Jr., 58, turned himself in to federal authorities Wednesday afternoon and will eventually face charges of extortion, human trafficking, fraud and murder, federal authorities said. Sylvester "Vey" Robinson, 59; Mark "Bear Claw" Martin, 50; and Henley were among 19 people accused in the wide-ranging charges, authorities said. While Henley assumed the role of community peacemaker, officials said, he was really an active member of the Rollin 60s Crips street gang, officials said. "He has maintained the image of an entertainment industry entrepreneur running a music label, of somebody who gives back to the community here in Los Angeles, funding a South L.A.-based charity, Developing Options, which purports to help at-risk youth escape gang life and escape the perils of gangs in high-crime areas," acting U.S. Attorney Joseph McNally told reporters. "The facts alleged in the complaint paint a very different picture. It is one of a murderer, a thief, a liar and a cheat," McNally continued. Henley's Big U Enterprises was a "mafia-like organization that utilized Mr. Henley's stature and long-standing association with the Crips criminal street gang and other gangs here in Los Angeles to intimidate businesses and individuals," McNally added. Authorities said Henley fatally shot an aspiring rapper, called "R.W." in court documents, in North Las Vegas, Nevada, and dumped the victim's body in a ditch near Interstate 15 in January 2021, after the musician recorded a diss track about Henley. Henley passed himself off as a community activist interested in bringing peace to South Los Angeles, but the operation was really just a vehicle to scam "celebrities, professional athletes and businesses" for donations that were embezzled, McNally said. Henley "fraudulently obtained funding from the City of Los Angeless Mayors Office through the Gang Reduction Youth Development Foundation," according to the complaint. That city fund awarded Developing Options $2.352 million from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2023, and Henley drew hundreds of thousands of dollars in salary, prosecutors alleged. He also "defrauded and attempted to defraud the Small Business Administration for loans that benefited the Big U Enterprise," the complaint added. Henley used this charity as a front, McNally said. He used it to conceal his fraudulent activities, his criminal enterprise activities and to evade detection from law enforcement. Henley also did not take well to disrespect and had a simmering beef with popular Los Angeles rapper Nipsey Hussle, according to the criminal complaint filed against him. Nipsey Hussle recorded a diss track about Henley, saying he is "a scrapper, not a rapper. Even after they were said to have squashed that beef, Henley believed the young rapper needed to be disciplined, authorities said. "Nipsey Hussles brother intervened" but not before "violence erupted, and when LAPD officers arrived on the scene, a firearm was present and discharged," according to the complaint. A member of the Rollin 60s murdered Nipsey Hussle in 2019, the complaint said. The arrests also netted 49 weapons, 5 pounds of meth, 10,000 fentanyl pills and large amounts of cash, said Ted Docks, the special agent in charge of the FBIs Los Angeles office. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks, during a joint press conference with Finland's President Alexander Stubb, at the Presidential Palace, in Helsinki, Finland, Wednesday, March 19, 2025. (Heikki Saukkomaa/Lehtikuva via AP) KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Ukraine and Russia agreed in principle to a limited ceasefire after President Donald Trump spoke with the countries' leaders this week, though it remains to be seen when it might take effect and what possible targets would be off limits to attack. The tentative deal to partially rein in the grinding war came after Russian President Vladimir Putin rebuffed Trumps push for a full 30-day ceasefire. The difficulty in getting the combatants to agree not to target one another's energy infrastructure highlights the challenges Trump will face in trying to fulfill his campaign pledge to quickly end to the war. After a roughly hourlong call with Trump on Wednesday that both leaders said went well, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters that technical talks in Saudi Arabia this weekend would seek to resolve what types of infrastructure would be protected under the agreement. But it was immediately clear that the three parties had different views about what the pact entailed, with the White House saying energy and infrastructure would be covered, the Kremlin saying the agreement referred more narrowly to energy infrastructure, and Zelenskyy saying he'd also like railways and ports to be protected. One of the first steps toward fully ending the war could be ending strikes on energy and other civilian infrastructure, Zelenskyy said on social media following his call with Trump, which came a day after the U.S. president held similar talks with Putin. I supported this step, and Ukraine confirmed that we are ready to implement it. During their call, Trump suggested that Zelenskyy should consider giving the U.S. ownership of Ukraine's power plants to ensure their long-term security, according to a White House statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz. Trump told Zelenskyy that the U.S could be very helpful in running those plants with its electricity and utility expertise," the statement said. Trump suggested American ownership of those plants could be the best protection for that infrastructure, according to White House officials. The idea was floated even as the Trump administration looks to finalize an agreement to gain access to Ukraine's critical minerals as partial repayment for U.S. support for Ukraine during the war. Zelenskyy, though, said the conversation focused on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant which is the largest of its kind in Europe and has been under Russian control since early in the war. He said Trump posed the idea of an understanding" in which "the United States can recover the plant. The call, which Zelenskyy described as fruitful, came just weeks after a disastrous Oval Office meeting between the two leaders that led to Trump temporarily pausing intelligence sharing and military aid to Ukraine. During the call, Zelenskyy requested additional Patriot defense missile systems. Rubio and Waltz said Trump agreed to work with him to find what was available, particularly in Europe." On Tuesday, Putin told Trump that he would agree not to target Ukraines energy infrastructure but refused to back a full 30-day ceasefire that Trump proposed. According to the Kremlin, Putin made clear to Trump that there must be a cessation of foreign military aid and intelligence sharing as part of any deal. But White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Wednesday underscored that U.S. intelligence sharing in terms of defense for Ukraine would continue. The Kremlin says Kyiv isn't upholding its end of the bargain Prior to his call with Trump, Zelenskyy said Putins limited ceasefire pledge was very much at odds with reality after Russia launched an overnight barrage of drone strikes across Ukraine, including some that struck Ukrainian energy facilities. Russia responded by saying it had halted its targeting of Ukraine's energy facilities and accused Kyiv of attacking Russian equipment near one of its pipelines. Unfortunately, we see that for now there is no reciprocity on the part of the Kyiv regime," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. The White House described Tuesday's call between Trump and Putin as the first step in a movement to peace." But there was no indication that Putin is ready to back away from his conditions for a prospective peace deal, which are fiercely opposed by Kyiv. Zelenskyy even while agreeing to work on the limited ceasefire said Putin is not seriously pursuing peace talks, and wants to prolong the war until he is in a stronger position. Technical experts to gather soon in Saudi Arabia The White House also confirmed that technical experts from the U.S., Ukraine and Russia would gather in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to discuss implementing the partial ceasefire. It was not immediately clear if the U.S. would meet together or separately with the Ukrainian and Russian officials. Waltz spoke with his Russian counterpart, Yuri Ushakov, on Wednesday to discuss the coming talks. Ukraine and Russia trade accusations Shortly after the call between Trump and Putin on Tuesday, air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv, followed by explosions as residents took shelter. Despite efforts to repel the attack, several strikes hit civilian infrastructure, including two hospitals, a railway and more than 20 houses, Zelenskyy said. Russian drones were reported over Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Sumy, Chernihiv, Poltava, Kharkiv, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk, and Cherkasy regions. The Russian Defense Ministry said its military had launched seven drones at power facilities related to the military-industrial complex in Ukraines southern Mykolaiv region, but that it shot them down after receiving Putins order to not hit energy infrastructure. Moscow accused Ukraine of targeting its energy facility in the Krasnodar region bordering the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014, several hours after the Putin and Trump talks. The ministry said three drones targeted oil transfer equipment that feeds the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, causing a fire and leading one oil tank to lose pressure. It is absolutely clear that we are talking about yet another provocation deliberately concocted by the Kyiv regime, aimed at derailing the peace initiatives of the U.S. president, the Russian Defense Ministry said. Russia said its air defenses intercepted 57 Ukrainian drones over the Azov Sea and several Russian regions the border provinces of Kursk and Bryansk and the nearby regions of Oryol and Tula. Zelenskyy said that words of a ceasefire weren't enough. If the Russians dont hit our facilities, we definitely wont hit theirs, Zelenskyy said. Meanwhile, the two combatants said Wednesday that they had each swapped 175 prisoners in one of the largest exchanges of the war. Ukraine's red line Zelenskyy rejected Putins key condition that Western allies stop providing military aid and intelligence to Ukraine. He said doing so would endanger lives if citizens were blind to incoming air raids and lead to the continuation of the war. I dont think anybody should make any concessions in terms of helping Ukraine, but rather, assistance to Ukraine should be increased," Zelenskyy said. "This will be a signal that Ukraine is ready for any surprises from the Russians. Zelenskyy said one of the most difficult issues in future negotiations would be the issue of territorial concessions. For us, the red line is the recognition of the Ukrainian temporarily occupied territories as Russian," he said. We will not go for it. ___ Samya Kullab and Yehor Konovalov in Kyiv, Ukraine; Dasha Litvinova in Tallinn, Estonia; Geir Moulson in Berlin; Aamer Madhani and Zeke Miller in Washington; and Brian Melley and Susie Blann in London contributed to this report. ___ Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Scientists have found a link between night owls habits and an increased risk for depression. Cosma Andrei/Stocksy There are several risk factors for depression, including poor sleep and alcohol use. A new study found evidence suggesting that night owls who prefer to stay active at night may be at a greater risk for depression than early risers who are awake more during daylight hours. Researchers believe this is because night owls generally have poor sleep quality, less mindfulness, and higher alcohol use than early risers. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 5% of the worlds population lives with depression. Depression is a serious health issue which affects many people worldwide, Simon Evans, PhD, a neuroscience lecturer and researcher in the School of Psychology of the University of Surrey in the U.K. told Medical News Today. Depression affects daily functioning, and can impact a persons work and education. It also increases the risk of going on to develop other serious health conditions, including heart disease and stroke, so its important for us to study ways to reduce depression. Evans is the lead author of a new study that found evidence suggesting that night owls who prefer to stay active at night may be at a greater risk for depression than early risers who are awake more during daylight hours. The study was recently published in the journal PLOS One. Night owls have higher depression rate than early risers For this study, researchers collected data from 546 students ranging in ages 1728 attending the University of Surrey via an online questionnaire that asked them for information on their sleep patterns, alcohol use, mindfulness, and levels of depression and anxiety. Upon analysis, Evans and his team found that study participants with an evening chronotype or night owls had a notably higher risk of depression compared to those with a morning chronotype, or early risers. A persons chronotype or preferred time of day they like to be awake or asleep affects their bodys natural circadian rhythm. A large proportion (around 50%) of young adults are night owls, and depression rates among young adults are higher than ever, Evans said. Studying the link is therefore important. How sleep and alcohol use affect depression risk Researchers believe the reason behind the heightened depression risk is that evening chronotypes reported poor sleep quality and more alcohol use and acted with less mindfulness than those with morning chronotypes. More important is the finding that the link between chronotype and depression was fully mediated by certain aspects of mindfulness acting with awareness in particular sleep quality, and alcohol consumption, Evans explained. This means that these factors seem to explain why night owls report more depression symptoms. Up to 50% of young people are night owls, and our research shows that strategies to encourage higher mindfulness, such as guided meditation and mindfulness exercises, better sleep quality, and lower alcohol use, would positively benefit the mental health of these individuals, he continued. This is particularly important given the high rates of depression amongst young adults worldwide. Were planning further studies that include screen time and digital technology use to see how these factors affect the sleep and mental health of young adults, Evans added. Whats the link between mental health and sleep? MNT had the opportunity to speak with Richard A. Bermudes, MD, psychiatrist and chief medical officer of Brainsway, about this study, who commented it reinforces something doctors see every day in clinical practice sleep and mental health are deeply connected. Poor sleep can be both a symptom of depression and a contributing factor, Bermudes explained. For young adults, whose brains are still developing, consistent, quality sleep is essential for emotional regulation and overall well-being. The more we learn about how sleep impacts depression risk, the better we can intervene early and prevent long-term struggles, he said. Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide, and rates are rising especially among young adults. While we have effective treatments, many individuals either dont seek help or dont respond to some of the standard treatments available. If we can identify modifiable risk factors like sleep patterns, physical activity, or nutrition we can help prevent depression before it starts or make existing treatments more effective. Prevention is always easier than treatment, so research in this area is essential. Richard A. Bermudes, MD Managing sleep, depression in an always on society MNT also spoke to Nathan Carroll, DO, MBA, chief psychiatry resident at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in New Jersey, about this research. Carroll commented that this is an excellent study that reinforces the idea that sleep and depression are linked and addressable, specifically by targeting modifiable risk factors that may help evening-type individuals reduce depressive risk. In an always on society, with tablets, mobile phones, streaming services, and social media, adolescents and young adults are especially driven to stay up late. Techniques such as acting with awareness and mindfulness help not only with improving sleep and depression, but also with other comorbid risk factors that may exist for the individual. Nathan Carroll, DO, MBA We know that the lifelong toll of depression is severe. It can lead to lower job performance, lower lifetime earnings, worse quality of life, and even shortened life span. Anything we can do to help control the progression of depression at an earlier age is a step in the right direction, Carroll explained. More longitudinal studies validating this study would help build more evidence for these interventions. Additionally, Id love to see public health campaigns targeting healthy sleep. We know that sleep is such an important factor for our health, its worth investing in campaigns aimed at improving sleep, he added. View the original article on Medical News Today Morgan County Sheriffs Office Brittany Fortinberry A former Indiana math teacher faces multiple new sexual abuse charges. Five more victims including a 13-year-old have accused Brittany Fortinberry, 31, of sex crimes, prosecutors allege, per WTHR. She is facing additional counts of child molestation, dissemination of matter harmful to a minor, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and one count of sexual misconduct with a minor, per WTHR. Last month, Fortinberry was charged with multiple crimes including sexual misconduct with a minor, dissemination of matter harmful to minors and contributing to the delinquency of a minor involving three of her students, one of which was 15 at the time. The alleged incidents occurred in 2023 and 2024. Fortinberry resigned from the Metropolitan School District of Martinsville on August 23, 2024, a spokesperson said, per FOX59. Related: Teacher Charged with Sex Crimes Allegedly Said She 'Dreamed' of Sex with Students, Then Revealed Bizarre Regret: Police Five more victims have since come forward, prosecutors said, WISH-TV reported. One of the teens, who was 13 at the time, told authorities that Fortinberry drugged him and his friends before sexually assaulting them at her house, per WISH-TV. When the victims didnt want to participate with Fortinberry, she allegedly told them, Just let it happen, according to WTHR. In one case, Fortinberry allegedly purchased $600 worth of items for a group of teens making them don the Ghostface masks from the Scream film franchise, before sexually assaulting them, according to WTHR. She allegedly warned the teens that if they told on her, she would commit suicide, the outlet reports. Another teen says she sexually assaulted him after asking him to babysit her children, per the outlet. Authorities began investigating in August 2024 after two high school students reported to staff that the Eminence High School math teacher allegedly sent them inappropriate Instagram messages and videos of her sex toys and a stripper pole in her Martinsville home, according to a police probable cause affidavit previously obtained by PEOPLE. 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. Authorities began investigating a different incident on Dec. 10, 2024, after a woman went to the Morgan County Prosecutors Office alleging that her grandson disclosed to her sexual acts that happened between him" and Fortinberry when he was 15 years old, per a second affidavit previously obtained by PEOPLE. Per the affidavit, when asked by police about the allegations against her, Fortinberry did not say she regretted her actions. Instead, she told the officer she "regrets the day that she lost weight" and "doesn't think she would run into any of these issues if she was still 150 pounds heavier." Fortinberry could not be reached for comment. Read the original article on People WASHINGTON A federal judge Wednesday warned of the possibility of "consequences" after the Justice Department pushed back on his request for more information about the deportation flights that took off over the weekend after President Donald Trump invoked the rarely used Alien Enemies Act. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg had ordered the Trump administration to submit answers to his questions about the timing of the deportation flights and custody handover of deportees, giving the government until noon Wednesday to respond. The government submitted a filing Wednesday morning asking for a pause of Boasberg's order to answer his questions, which it contended could expose negotiations with foreign countries "to serious risk of micromanaged and unnecessary judicial fishing expeditions and potential public disclosure." "Continuing to beat a dead horse solely for the sake of prying from the Government legally immaterial facts and wholly within a sphere of core functions of the Executive Branch is both purposeless and frustrating to the consideration of the actual legal issues at stake in this case," the DOJ wrote in the filing. The lawyers also contended they would need more time to make their legal arguments. Boasberg responded a short time later and gave the government an extra 24 hours to respond but also expressed frustration. "To begin, the Court seeks this information, not as a 'micromanaged and unnecessary judicial fishing expedition,' but to determine if the Government deliberately flouted its Orders issued on March 15, 2025, and, if so, what the consequences should be," the judge wrote. "The Governments Motion is the first time it has suggested that disclosing the information requested by the Court could amount to the release of state secrets. To date, in fact, the Government has made no claim that the information at issue is even classified," he continued, while noting that Trump administration officials have already spoken publicly about the flights at issue. "For example, the Secretary of State has revealed many operational details of the flights, including the number of people involved in the flights, many of their identities, the facility to which they were brought, their manner of treatment, and the time window during which these events occurred. The Court is therefore unsure at this time how compliance with its Minute Order would jeopardize state secrets," he wrote. As for the government's continued claim he didn't have the authority to issue his restraining order, the judge said the proper procedure for the government is "appellate review, not disobedience." He gave the Justice Department until noon Thursday to either answer his questions about the flights "or to invoke the state-secrets doctrine and explain the basis for such invocation." The judge had initially ordered the government to answer his questions surrounding the flights by noon Tuesday. The Justice Department declined to answer some of his questions, saying, If, however, the Court nevertheless orders the Government to provide additional details, the Court should do so through an in camera and ex parte declaration, in order to protect sensitive information bearing on foreign relations. Boasberg agreed and directed DOJ attorneys to submit under seal the answers to his questions about the deportations that were carried out under the terms of a rarely used wartime act by noon Wednesday. In its response Wednesday, the government blasted the judge for accepting its proposal and suggested he not take any action until an appeals court rules on its request for a stay. "The Court has now spent more time trying to ferret out information about the Governments flight schedules and relations with foreign countries than it did in investigating the facts before certifying the class action in this case. That observation reflects how upside-down this case has become, as digressive micromanagement has outweighed consideration of the cases legal issues," the DOJ filing said. "The distraction of the specific facts surrounding the movements of an airplane has derailed this case long enough and should end until the Circuit Court has had a chance to weigh in," it added. The legal saga began after Boasberg blocked deportations stemming from the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a rarely used wartime act. On Saturday, Boasberg said that planes carrying people being deported under the acts authority must turn around. Planes carrying deportees later touched down in El Salvador, raising questions about whether the government defied a court order. The government immediately appealed the ruling, and said in a filing Tuesday that the judges order lacked proper jurisdiction because the presidential actions they challenge are not subject to judicial review. The administration also argued that it did not violate the judges order because the relevant flights left U.S. airspace before Boasbergs written ruling. In the same filing, however, the government declined to provide details requested by the judge, arguing that the government should not be required to disclose sensitive information bearing on national security and foreign relations until a motion to pause was resolved. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke on Wednesday about a partial ceasefire on energy infrastructure amid broader efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war. Their conversation came one day after Trump failed to persuade Russia's Vladimir Putin to sign on to the 30-day total ceasefire proposed by the U.S. and backed by Ukraine, though Putin said he agreed to pausing attacks on energy sites. Trump "fully briefed" Zelenskyy on his discussion with Putin, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House national security adviser Michael Waltz. "The two leaders also agreed on a partial ceasefire against energy. Technical teams will meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to discuss broadening the ceasefire to the Black Sea on the way to a full ceasefire," Rubio and Waltz said. "They agreed this could be the first step toward the full end of the war and ensuring security." MORE: Trump says 30-day ceasefire 'would have been tough' after high-stakes call with Putin Zelenskyy said in his own statement following the hourlong call that Ukraine was ready to halt energy attacks once details are ironed out. "I supported this step, and Ukraine confirmed that we are ready to implement it," Zelenskyy wrote, adding that U.S. and Ukrainian officials discussed this issue in Jeddah last week. "We instructed our teams to resolve technical issues related to implementing and expanding the partial ceasefire," he added. "Ukrainian and American teams are ready to meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to continue coordinating steps toward peace." PHOTO: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy listens as the Finnish President addresses their joint press conference at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Mar. 19, 2025. (Heikki Saukkomaa/Lehtikuva/AFP via Getty Images) Zelenskyy said he is preparing a list that Ukraine will share "to our partners" on what facilities and targets will be off-limits to attack in a potential agreement between Russia and Ukraine. But the Ukrainian leader also expressed skepticism on Wednesday that Russia would hold up its end of any agreement. "Just assurances and only Putin's words that he orders not to strike energy facilities -- that is not enough. Why? Because, unfortunately, this war has made us very practical people," Zelenskyy said. "If the Russians do not strike our facilities, we will certainly not strike theirs," Zelenskyy said. Russia and Ukraine continued to trade strikes overnight after Trump's conversation with Putin. Ukrainian authorities reported attacks on a hospital and damage to a gas pipeline, while Moscow said Ukraine struck an oil depot facility. Though the Kremlin claimed on Wednesday that Russia neutralized seven of its own drones from carrying out attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. MORE: Russian drone hits Ukraine hospital after Putin, Trump discuss possible ceasefire Wednesday's call was the first between Trump and Zelenskyy since their Oval Office clash last month, in which Trump accused the Ukrainian leader of not being ready for peace and not holding any cards in negotiations. Following the tense exchange, the Trump administration cut off military assistance and some intelligence sharing to Kyiv. Those tools, however, were reinstated after Ukraine agreed to a 30-day truce during talks with top U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia last week. Both Trump and Zelenskyy struck a more cordial tone after Wednesday's conversation. Trump wrote on Truth Social that it was a "very good" call. Zelenskyy said he had a "positive, very substantive and frank conversation" with Trump. Plus, the White House said Wednesday the U.S. would help Ukraine acquire additional air defense systems, "particularly in Europe." Press secretary Karoline Leavitt was also asked if intelligence sharing with Kyiv would continue, after the Kremlin on Tuesday said a key condition to ending the war should be the U.S. and allies completely stopping military and intelligence assistance to Ukraine. "Intelligence sharing, and in terms of defense for Ukraine, will continue to be shared," Leavitt said. ABC News' Ellie Kaufman and David Brennan contributed to this report. Zelenskyy says Putin's 'words' aren't enough as he speaks with Trump on energy ceasefire originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Smoke rises following an Israeli bombardment in the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel, Wednesday, March 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit) DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) Israel said Wednesday its troops retook part of a corridor that bisects Gaza, and its defense minister warned that attacks would intensify until Hamas frees dozens of hostages and gives up control of the territory. The military said it had retaken part of the Netzarim Corridor that divides northern Gaza from the south, and from where it had previously withdrawn as part of a ceasefire that began in January. That truce was shattered Tuesday by Israeli airstrikes that killed more than 400 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The advances on the ground by Israel on Wednesday which included sending more troops to southern Gaza threatened to drag the sides into all-out war again. The ceasefire had given war-weary Palestinians some respite, allowed a much-needed surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza and led to the release of dozens of hostages who had been held for more than 15 months. Early Thursday, a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted before reaching Israeli airspace, the military said. Air raid sirens and several explosions were heard in Jerusalem, apparently the sounds of the interceptors in use. No injuries were reported. Yemens Houthi rebels did not immediately claim the attack Thursday morning. Within Israel, the resumption of airstrikes and ground maneuvers in Gaza has raised concerns about the fate of roughly two dozen hostages held by Hamas who are believed to still be alive. Thousands of Israelis took part in anti-government demonstrations in Jerusalem, with many calling for a deal to bring the captives home. A Hamas spokesman, Abdel-Latif al-Qanou, said the moves by ground forces in Gaza was a clear sign that Israel had backed out of the truce and was reimposing a blockade. There have been no reports of rocket attacks by Hamas since Tuesday's bombardment. Also Wednesday, the United Nations said one of its employees was killed in Gaza and five others were wounded in an apparent strike on a guesthouse. It was not immediately clear who was behind the strike, the U.N. said. Israel launches limited ground operations in Gaza The military said its limited ground operation in Gaza would create a partial buffer between northern and southern Gaza. It wasnt immediately clear whether the move would entirely block Palestinians from traveling north or south through the Netzarim Corridor. Israel used the roughly 4-mile (6-kilometer) corridor as a military zone during the war. It ran from the Israeli border to the coast, just south of Gaza City, the territorys largest metropolitan area. Israel said airstrikes on Wednesday hit dozens of militants and militant sites, including the command center of a Hamas battalion. It denied Palestinian claims that it hit the U.N. guesthouse. Fares Awad, an official in the Gaza Health Ministry, said an Israeli strike on a gathering of mourners in the northern town of Beit Lahiya killed 17 and wounded 30. The Israeli military had no immediate comment. Israel says it will order new evacuations for Palestinians in Gaza soon Until Israel withdrew from Netzarim in January, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who had fled northern Gaza for the south were prevented from returning throughout the war. Many of them have since returned. But Israel Katz, the Israeli defense minister, said the military would soon order Palestinians to evacuate from combat zones. Katz said Tuesday's aerial bombardment was just the first step in Israel's plan to ratchet up the pressure on Hamas to release the remaining hostages and give up control of Gaza. Until it does, Israel will attack with an intensity that you have not known. A UN worker is killed in a strike Jorge Moreira da Silva, head of the U.N. Office for Project Services, declined to say who carried out the strike in the central city of Deir al-Balah. He said the blast was not accidental or related to demining activity. He did not provide the nationalities of those killed and wounded. Moreira da Silva said strikes had hit near the compound on Monday and struck it directly on Tuesday and again on Wednesday. He said the agency had contacted the Israeli military after the first strike. Israel knew this was a U.N. premise, that people were living, staying and working there, he said. Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, a military spokesperson, said the explosion was not caused by Israeli fire. After the strike Wednesday, the wounded were rushed to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in central city of Deir al-Balah. One man was carried inside on a blanket held up by medical workers. Another lay on a hospital bed, his knee bandaged. In southern Lebanon, a U.N. peacekeeper was wounded after stepping on a mine. U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said the incident took place during operational activity by the peacekeeping mission known as UNIFIL in the village of Zibqin, adding that the injuries are not life-threatening. Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed in Israel's new offensive The Gaza Health Ministry said at least 436 people, including 183 children and 94 women, have been killed since Israel launched the strikes early Tuesday. It said another 678 people have been wounded. The military says it only strikes militants and blames civilian deaths on Hamas because it operates in densely populated areas. The war has killed nearly 49,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, and displaced 90% of Gazas population. The Health Ministry doesnt differentiate between civilians and militants but says over half of the dead have been women and children. The war erupted when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages. Most have been released in ceasefires or other deals; 59 hostages remain, and more than half are believed to be dead. Israelis protest against their government Before this week's attacks, Israel and Hamas were set to negotiate an extension of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, which lasted six weeks. But those talk never got off the ground. Hamas has demanded that Israel stick to the terms of the initial ceasefire deal, including a full withdrawal from Gaza and an end to the war. Israel, which has vowed to defeat Hamas, has put forward a new proposal that would extend the truce and free more hostages held by Hamas, without a commitment to end the war. The breakdown of the ceasefire was met with anger in Israel, where many support the plight of the hostage families to free their loved ones. Israels return to a military campaign came as Netanyahu faces mounting domestic pressure, with mass protests taking place over his handling of the hostage crisis and his plan to fire the head of Israels internal security agency. Demonstrators massed around Israel's parliament on Wednesday and later marched near Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem, where police sprayed water to try to clear them. ___ Frankel reported from Jerusalem and Magdy from Cairo. ___ Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war Before his boxer Moose attacked him twice, Sean Lowe had to rehome a bull mastiff, Gus, after the dog bit one of his children. (Steve Zak Photography / Getty Images) Sean Lowe, who was attacked last week by his rescue boxer Moose, had to rehome another rescue dog a few years ago after it chomped on one of his children. The 41-year-old dog lover and star of "The Bachelor" Season 17, who is still married to final rose recipient Catherine (Giudici) Lowe, said in a video posted Monday that he had been grilling with friends at their Dallas home last week when smoke from the barbecue set off the smoke alarm inside the house. The blaring sound, combined with Sean Lowe waving a rag to try to clear the smoke, seemed to trigger Moose, who attacked his owner, ripping up one of Lowe's arms in the process. Read more:A shocked Sean Lowe describes repeat dog attacks: 'He was a really, really good dog' Catherine and their children Samuel, 8, Isaiah, 6, and Mia 5 were out shopping during the first attack. Sean said there was surveillance video of the attack but it was "too violent" for him to share. The next day, when Lowe was out in the front yard with his kids and parents, who were about to spend the day out of the house, Moose ran out the front door and attacked again, this time biting into Lowe's other arm. Lowe said he managed to wrestle the "so strong ... so explosive" boxer to the ground and held him there for 10 minutes until police arrived. Both attacks resulted in trips to the emergency room and stitches for Lowe. Fading bruises could be seen in the video around the wounds on Lowe's arms. While it was clear in the video that Moose was no longer in the Lowe family home, it's unclear exactly what happened to him. Sean Lowe never mentioned euthanasia. Rather, he simply said they were really missing their dog. Read more:Rachael Kirkconnell of 'The Bachelor' sheds light on Matt James' infamous break-up post After the first attack, Lowe said, he called local animal control and got an officer who also had a boxer and was "very sympathetic." The officer told Lowe to make his planned calls to their animal adoption agency and to some no-kill shelters and then to call him back, saying they would "figure this out together." Previously, the Lowe family had a bull mastiff rescue, Gus, who bit son Samuel in 2023 after the boy tried to bend down and pet him. The animal had previously shown signs of "resource guarding" and aggression to daughter Mia. After the bite, Samuel got "a trip to the ER and a staple in the head," Lowe said at the time, per Page Six. "So as much as I love that dog [Gus], I have to protect my kids first. But he's in a great home and we'll get to still see him occasionally," Lowe said, according to People. Turns out Gus went to live with the Lowes' dog trainer. Read more:Kink and rough sex are at the heart of a rape case against an actor "He's doing great," Lowe wrote at the time in an Instagram Story obtained by Page Six. "I miss him like you wouldn't believe, but one of my answered prayers was that he found a great home (in my mind, the best). My dog trainer asked if she could take him as her own personal dog. Now he gets to go to work everyday and be around other dogs." With Moose, there was no clear-cut answer about his fate at least not yet. But it doesn't sound as if the dog was put down. I dont blame Moose a bit, Lowe said in the video. It wasnt Mooses fault. I think its clear he experienced a lot of trauma before we got him. And whatever happened, he said, something about the smoke alarm flipped this switch in Moose. The animal-adoption people told him they were unaware of the events in the dogs life that would have led to this. Were torn up about it, Lowe said. We really are. We miss our dog ... he was a really, really good dog. And we miss him. Sign up for Screen Gab, a free newsletter about the TV and movies everyones talking about from the L.A. Times. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. BOSTON (AP) A Massachusetts woman accused of operating a high-end brothel network with wealthy and prominent clients in that state and the Washington, D.C., suburbs that generated millions of dollars in revenue was sentenced Wednesday to four years in prison. Han Lee and two others were indicted last year on one count of conspiracy to persuade, entice, and coerce one or more individuals to travel in interstate or foreign commerce to engage in prostitution and one count of money laundering, according to prosecutors. The operation, according to court documents, generated millions of dollars a year, and customers paid hundreds of dollars an hour for services. Junmyung Lee of Dedham, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty in October and is set to be sentenced next month. James Lee of Torrance, California, accused of renting the apartments in the operation, pleaded guilty last month to his involvement in the scheme as well as fraudulently obtaining nearly $600,000 in pandemic relief funds. He is set to be sentenced next month. You ran a highly profitable business that involved recruiting women across the country to come to Massachusetts and Virginia to sell their bodies for sex, said U.S. District Judge Julia Kobick. The government argues and I agree this is not a victimless crime." Prosecutors had asked that Han Lee, 42, who pleaded guilty in September, be sentenced to six years imprisonment and three years of supervised released for running one of the most successful prostitution networks on the East Coast. They estimate that nearly 10,000 commercial sex dates occurred in her brothels, according to court records, and that Lee made more than $5 million dollars over more than four years. Lee's federal public defender, Scott Lauer, had pleaded for leniency, saying in court documents that Lee grew up poor in South Korea and had a father who drank heavily and was abusive. After arriving in the United States, she became a sex worker in California, Las Vegas and New York before settling in Massachusetts and continuing to work in the trade. After a brothel was raided, Han Lee saw the opportunity to set up the network. The defense contended none of the sex workers were forced to do the job and that they kept up to 70% of the revenues. Her clients were vetted to reduce the dangers and she didn't withhold travel documents from the workers. While cases involving prostitution often involve some degree of force or coercion exerted against the women involved, this case does not, Lauer wrote. There is a world of difference between Ms. Lee a sex worker herself and a pimp (or madam) who enriches themselves at the expense of those performing the work." Assistant United States Attorney Lindsey Weinstein acknowedged that Lee didn't treat her workers badly but that didn't take away from the fact she recruited them into a world where they spent long days being paid for sex in strange cities, rarely leaving the apartment. You don't get credit for not threatening and abusing other women, she said. This was a business, a lifestyle she was personally involved in. The fact she decided to further harm onto others is pretty significant here. Lee, dressed in an orange jumpsuit and speaking through an interpreter, apologized to the court and said she was only trying to support the women, some who were fleeing domestic violence or lacked an education. I heard all their stories and tried to help them," she said. Authorities said the sex ring in Massachusetts and northern Virginia catered to politicians, company executives, military officers, lawyers, professors and other well-connected clients. Nearly 30 of the buyers are appearing court this month in Cambridge, after the state's highest court ruled last year that the hearings should be public. The first group of buyers appeared in court last week, and a second group is set to appear Friday. The women who worked in the brothels were not identified or criminally charged and were considered victims, prosecutors said. Han Lee maintained the operation from 2020 to November 2023. The brothel operation used websites that falsely claimed to advertise nude models for professional photography, prosecutors alleged. The operators rented high-end apartments to use as brothels in Watertown and Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Tysons and Fairfax, Virginia, prosecutors said. Brothels were maintained at four locations in Massachusetts and two in Virginia. Each website described a verification process that interested sex buyers undertook to be eligible for appointment bookings, including requiring clients to complete a form providing their full names, email addresses, phone numbers, employers and references if they had one, authorities said. By Yuliia Dysa and Tom Balmforth (Reuters) -Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday that a halt on energy strikes in the war with Russia could be established quickly, but warned Ukraine would respond in kind if Moscow violated the terms of the limited ceasefire. After speaking to U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday for the first time since their disastrous Oval Office talks, Zelenskiy said Kyiv would draw up a list of facilities that could be subject to a partial ceasefire brokered by Washington. That list could include not only energy, but also rail and port infrastructure, he said, a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to Trump and agreed to pause attacks on energy infrastructure. "I understand that until we agree (with Russia), until there is a corresponding document on even a partial ceasefire, I think that everything will fly," Zelenskiy said, referring to drones and missiles. As Zelenskiy's online briefing with reporters drew to a close, regional authorities reported a mass drone attack on the central Ukrainian city of Kropyvnytskyi, with footage on social media showing large fires and damage to apartment buildings. Officials said the attack also damaged rail infrastructure. The regional governor said some injuries were reported. The Ukrainian leader, who looked tired as he spoke to reporters, described his phone call with Trump as "probably his most substantive and positive" talks yet and added that he had not felt under pressure. The readout contrasted with the acrimonious optics of Zelenskiy's last meeting with Trump on February 28, which was meant to lead to them signing a minerals deal but instead spiralled into a shouting match. Asked at the briefing if he still wanted Trump to visit Ukraine, Zelenskiy said that he did and that he believed it would be helpful for the U.S. president in his efforts to halt the war. NEW MEETING TO DISCUSS TECHNICAL DETAILS Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff has said another round of talks between Russian and U.S. officials, aimed at a permanent ceasefire and end to the war, will take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Sunday, but it was unclear whether Ukraine would be involved in those talks. Zelenskiy said Ukrainian and U.S. officials could meet next in Saudi Arabia on Friday, Saturday or Sunday to discuss technical details. The Ukrainian leader said he wanted to understand how the partial ceasefire would be monitored, though he added that he thought it would be successful if the United States set out to do it. A statement by the U.S. presidential administration said earlier that Trump suggested to Zelenskiy that the U.S. could help run, and possibly own, Ukraine's nuclear power plants and energy infrastructure. Zelenskiy said he and Trump discussed only the vast Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine during their phone call. He added that he told Trump that Kyiv would be ready to discuss U.S. involvement in modernising and investing in the nuclear plant if it is returned to Ukraine. Zelenskiy said he believed Putin would not agree to a full ceasefire while Ukrainian troops remained in Russia's western Kursk region. Kyiv's forces launched a surprise incursion into the region in August last year, but have since been pushed back to a tiny sliver of land during a multi-stage operation by Russia. Zelenskiy also said that Ukraine had received new supplies of several F-16 fighter jets, but he declined to say exactly how many or when exactly the delivery had happened. (Reporting by Yuliia Dysa and Tom Balmforth; Editing by Nia Williams and Michael Perry) by Vladimir Rozanskij Moscow and Astana have formed a joint working group for the custody of historical memory. The Russians are pointing the finger at the way the imperial policy of the tsars and the Soviet Union is presented in history books. While the Kazakhs remember well the words of Putin who in 2014 declared that their country never had its own statehood. Moscow (AsiaNews) - As Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced in recent days, Russia and Kazakhstan have formed a joint working group for the custody of historical memory, to try to quell the controversy that at various levels echoes in the discussions of Kazakh society. The main issue is that of Russian colonialism in Central Asia, and the way it is presented differently in Russian and Kazakh school books, and also in Chinese ones. In fact, Russia is often presented in Central Asian school books as a colonising state that oppressed the people of the occupied and annexed territories, which the Russians believe caused the development of xenophobia and Russophobia, presenting a distorted image of Russia. Experts in Moscow quote a page from the history textbook for 10th grade (second year of high school), which states that the Russian empire's policy towards Kazakhstan was characterised by territorial expansion, protectorate and colonial policy... an aggressive and ineffective policy, using as an example the programmes of the early 20th century Prime Minister Petr Stolypin, which had triggered a chain of social conflicts and popular uprisings. The Russian analyst Arkadij Dubnov, a scholar of political processes in Central Asia since the time of Gorbachev's perestroika, confirms to Orda.kz that the issue of colonialism can fuel tensions between Russia and Kazakhstan, despite the many declarations of friendship, which try to avoid historical discussion. He recalls that a few years ago, during the time of the eternal president Nursultan Nazarbayev, Vladimir Putin made a controversial statement at the youth forum at the end of August 2014, saying that Kazakhstan has never had its own statehood, which provoked indignant reactions throughout the Kazakh political and social world. A couple of months later, Nazarbayev himself found an opportunity to respond during the celebrations for the 550th anniversary of the Kazakh Khanate, stating that perhaps there was no concept of the state as there is in modern societies, but even then the Khans had formed structures that can easily be defined as states. Another Kazakh scholar, Ajdar Amrebaev, points to another area of tension in the debates between researchers from the two countries, who often investigate not with scientific criteria, but only political and ideological ones. He recalls how official Lavrov has often defined the collapse of the Soviet Union as a geopolitical catastrophe, in line with the statements of its president. For the Central Asians, and above all the Kazakhs themselves, on the other hand, gaining sovereignty is a turning point that restores historical justice, anything but a catastrophe. Amrebaev also recalls the times of the Golden Horde, up to the autonomies of the regions of Alasha, Turkestan and Kokand at the time of the revolution, and suggests avoiding discussion between historians and ideologists or politicians. In fact, in Kazakhstan, an eminent historian, Erkin Abil, is active in the parliament of the Mazilis. He is known for having proposed the much-discussed unification of the time zone throughout the country, and he leads a group of researchers dedicated to the preservation of historical memory, created in 2018 to work together with Russian historians. The joint research work was interrupted due to the coronavirus, and despite Lavrov's statements, a new format of meetings is not yet in sight, which probably depends on a series of misunderstandings, admits Abil himself, recalling that we are independent specialists, and we want to remain so. The various representatives of the historical sciences in Kazakhstan reiterate that historical memory is the foundation of national self-awareness, and it will be difficult to form a unified overall memory together with Russia. In this symbolic year of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Second World War, events and even school competitions are planned in Kazakhstan too, but Abil points out that the winners will not be awarded in Moscow, because we don't know what would happen to them. Photo: Wikipedia/Kremlin.ru The pontiff released his weekly catechesis from the Gemelli Hospital, with a commentary on the Gospel passage about Nicodemus, opening a new chapter in his reflections on Jesus Christ our hope. In his message for World Day of Prayer for Vocation, he urges young people to make their life a gift of love. Vatican City (AsiaNews) On the 12th anniversary of the inaugural Mass of his pontificate, Francis began a new chapter of cycle of Jubilee catechesis dedicated to Jesus Christ our hope, which focuses on His meetings with some people mentioned in the Gospels. The papal text was released for todays Wednesday general audience while the pontiff continues his slow recovery from bilateral pneumonia at Romes Gemelli Hospital. In it, Francis said that there are encounters that enlighten life and bring hope. The first person Francis focused his attention today is Nicodemus, from chapter 3 in the Gospel of John. I will start with this episode, writes the pontiff, because Nicodemus is a man who, with his history, shows that it is possible to emerge from darkness and find the courage to follow Christ. This encounter, in fact, took place at night, probably has as its main character a man who finds himself in the darkness of doubt, in that darkness that we experience when we no longer understand what is happening in our lives and do not see clearly the way forward. He is a man with a well-defined personality; he has a public role, he is one of the leaders of the Jews, the pope says. But probably something no longer adds up for him. Nicodemus senses that something no longer works in his life. He feels the need to change, but he does not know where to begin. This is something we all experience many times. If we do not accept to change, if we close ourselves up in inflexibility, in habits or our ways of thinking, we risk dying. Life resides in the capacity to change to find a new way to love. Indeed, Jesus speaks to Nicodemus of a new birth, which is not only possible, but even necessary at certain moments in our journey. Nicodemus does not understand at first, but we know that in the end he does. Thus, he appears again in the Gospel of John among those who go to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus. Nicodemus has finally come to the light, he is reborn, and he no longer needs to stay in the night. He, like all of us, can look at the Crucified One: the One who defeated death, the root of all our fears. Let us also lift our gaze to the One they pierced, let us also be met by Jesus. In Him we find the hope to face the changes in our lives and be born again. Today the Holy Father also released his message for the 62nd World Day of Prayer for Vocations that the Church celebrates on 11 May. The theme chosen - also connected to the Jubilee journey - is Pilgrims of hope: the gift of life. Nowadays, many young people feel dismayed as they look to the future. Often they experience insecurity about their prospects of employment and a profound identity crisis, a crisis of meaning and values, which the confused messages of the digital world only aggravate. The unjust treatment of the poor and vulnerable, the indifference of a complacent and self-centred society, and the brutality of war all threaten the hopes for a fulfilling life that young people cherish in their hearts. Yet the Lord, who knows the human heart, does not abandon us in our uncertainty. He wants us to know that we are loved, called and sent as pilgrims of hope. Hence, the pontiff invites everyone, We, the adult members of the Church, and priests in particular, [. . .] to acknowledge, discern and accompany the young on their vocational path. You, young people, for your part, are called to set out on that path, together with the Holy Spirit, who awakens in you the desire to make your lives a gift of love. Those who heed Gods call cannot turn a deaf ear to the cry of so many of our brothers and sisters who feel excluded, wounded and abandoned. Every vocation confirms us in our mission of being Christs presence wherever light and consolation are most needed. In a particular way, the lay faithful are called to be the salt, light and leaven of the Kingdom of God through their social and professional commitments. Image: Christ talking with Nicodemus at night. by Mathias Hariyadi Gerakan Nurani Bangsa, which brings together several prominent figures in Indonesian society, has asked parliament to block the revision of the law on the armed forces, which would bring the military leadership back into government ministries and agencies. There is no urgency; the law undermines the professionalism of the military and democracy, warned the opponents. According to experts, President Prabowo aims to recreate a military chain of command. Jakarta (AsiaNews) - Some human rights groups have urged the Indonesian parliament to reject proposals to revise the law on the armed forces, which could assign some positions in the country's civil administration to the top ranks of the army and should be approved tomorrow in plenary session. Today the Gerakan Nurani Bangsa (National Conscience Movement), which brings together several prominent figures in Indonesian society, also expressed its concern. According to Alissa Wahid, daughter of former president Abdurrahman Wahid, such a rapid approval of the legislation is not necessary: What is the urgency behind this haste? Our request is clear: cancel the revision of the law, not just postpone its approval in plenary session. The law would only undermine military professionalism, said Wahid during a press conference in Jakarta, which was also attended by the former Minister of Religious Affairs, Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo and several other religious and academic personalities. Their request is that the revision not be approved before the festival that marks the end of Ramadan and that an in-depth discussion on the matter take place with the involvement of public opinion. The trust of the population is determined by several factors: the integrity of the politicians in charge, the intentions behind the policies, followed by discussions on competence and precedents. We are aware of past cases where policies were rushed and kept hidden from civil society, Wahid added, referring to regulations such as those on the granting of mining licences. In particular, Gerakan Nurani Bangsa emphasised that the rigid hierarchy of the armed forces (known by the acronym TNI in Indonesia), which is positive for military organisations, could be harmful to democracy if applied to civil institutions, with the risk of violating human rights in the management of community life, pointed out Lukman Hakim Saifuddin. The debate on the role of the military within civil society has been ongoing for months in Indonesia, following the election as president of Prabowo Subianto, former Minister of Defence during the government of his predecessor Joko Widodo, but also former commander of the special forces Kopassus, accused of human rights violations between the 80s and 90s. The concerns of civil society have led to open tensions with the government: recently a coalition of human rights groups interrupted a closed-door meeting between legislators discussing proposed revisions to military law. The armed forces spokesman, General Hariyanto, defended the proposed amendments, arguing that it is necessary to adapt the tasks and roles of the military to the demands of contemporary society. The revision should allow active military personnel to occupy key positions in ministries and other government agencies, the general explained. Currently, at least 2,500 active military personnel hold various civilian positions in Indonesia. The amendments, which among other things, of the so-called dual function doctrine, known as Dwi Fungsi TNI, a policy introduced by the dictator Suharto that allowed the military to intervene in civilian governance. The political reforms of 1998, which opened up Indonesia's democratic phase after decades of authoritarian rule, had eliminated this doctrine, placing both the police and the armed forces under civilian leadership and minimising the military's involvement in civilian life. According to Professor Koerniatmanto Soetaprawiro, a law expert at Parahyangan Catholic University in Bandung, the proposed legislative changes could be driven by the personal ambitions of President Subianto, who, as a former commander of the army's special forces, is believed to favour a military-style chain of command within his administration. Professor Koerniatmanto observed that Prabowo may doubt that his orders are actually being carried out under civilian leadership, particularly when politicians in Indonesia often prioritise loyalty to their political party over the direction of the government. by Dario Salvi For Bishop Martinelli, the sudden escalation comes after Trump's decision to declare the Houthis a terrorist group. The conflict is at risk of getting hot with tragic consequences for civilians. Poverty is extreme and humanitarian projects are hard to implement. The work of the Sisters of Mother Teresa is a point of reference for the few Christians who remain in the country. Milan (AsiaNews) The US attack on the Houthis in Yemen came suddenly in some respects " although "significantly close to the increasingly fragile truce between Israel and Hamas, which then collapsed overnight between 17 and 18 March, with the military escalation imposed by the Jewish state, this according to Bishop Paolo Martinelli, apostolic vicar of Southern Arabia (United Arab Emirates, Oman and Yemen). Since the new president of the United States declared the Houthis 'terrorists', we have begun to think carefully about the possible consequences of these statements in North Yemen, the prelate said reflecting about the new tensions in the region, in part linked to the decisions of the Trump administration. We were waiting to figure out the actual implications since, by stopping the attacks, the truce between Israel and Hamas had favoured a certain calm and cautious optimism. Now the picture has changed as weapons seem to have overtaken diplomacy. Analysing US attacks and the Houthi response at commercial shipping in the Red Sea in support of Hamas in Gaza, Archbishop Martinelli warns that if it becomes "an open and large-scale conflict it will be a cause of deep pain for the possible consequences on civilians. People have been burdened by ten years of civil war. We can only vaguely imagine the suffering of the population in the event of a full-scale war. For this reason, he warns, the priority must be on sparing innocent lives. On poverty, the bishop said: We have little direct information, but certainly things are hard. In fact, the fate of the weakest groups has regained prominence, in particular children (some as young as 10 or 11) forced to work as drivers to earn some money to help their families. Because of great insecurity, it is hard to carry out humanitarian aid projects that can actually change the situation and finally allow a new beginning. It is a cause of great suffering to think that in such a beautiful country, people find themselves in such poverty" and those who pay for it "are above all the weak and children. War in Yemen broke out in 2014 as an internal conflict that escalated into full-scale fighting with the intervention, in March 2015, of Saudi Arabia at the head of a coalition of Arab countries opposed to the Houthi rebels supported by Iran. According to the United Nations, the war has killed more than 400,000 people and triggered the "worst humanitarian crisis in the world", on top of which, COVID-19 had "devastating" effects. Millions of people on the brink of starvation and children 10,000 dead in the conflict will suffer the consequences for decades. More than three million people are internally displaced, living mostly in conditions of extreme poverty, hunger and epidemics of various kinds, not least cholera. On a positive note, Bishop Martinelli pointed to the fact that a truce is holding between the government (supported by Saudi Arabia) and the Houthis (backed by Iran). The news we have is that things between the two parties are calm at the moment, the prelate explained. This does not mean that problems have been solved" but "it is certainly a good thing that fighting has stopped. What is more, The situation in the south appears to have improved, and the appointment by the Holy See of the apostolic nuncio is a sign of hope. After a recent pastoral visit to Oman, the prelate returned to the headquarters of the Vicariate of Southern Arabia, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), an ideal post to observe the many crisis areas in the Middle East. We look with concern at what is now happening in Yemen, which is front page news in the Emirates as well as Oman. Omanis are known for their gentleness. Local authorities support values such as outreach, tolerance, social coexistence among people because without them "conflicts at various levels are inevitable. For my part, it is important to remind the people and the authorities I meet about Pope Francis constant message on the absurdity of war and on the need to promote paths of reconciliation, through effective diplomatic action and the spread of a culture of peace. Bishop Martinelli also mentioned the Christian community in Yemen, starting with the Sisters of Mother Teresa of Calcutta who are present in the north of the country", with whom he is in "almost daily contact, especially now. Despite the brutal attack by jihadis against the Sisters Aden compound more than nine years ago, during which four nuns died, they chose to stay in the country and still carry out a huge amount of work caring for the sick and seniors, despite the great hardships they face. In fact, they constitute a point of reference for the faithful who remain, and while many Christians have left Yemen in recent years, others have stayed behind, and we try to be in contact with them discreetly." In the south there is a Caritas office thanks to the support of Caritas Poland and Cordais. Our four churches, including the cathedral of Aden, are all unusable because they were severely damaged in the civil war, the prelate explained. With the resumption of diplomatic relations with the Holy See, I hope to visit at least Aden soon. At the same time, We would like to reassure Catholics that, when the conditions are right, we shall provide the necessary spiritual and pastoral assistance, and we pray that it may happen soon. Champion local news. Join our community of readers who value daily beat reporting and in-depth stories alike. Your membership allows us to continue the legacy of local, independent journalism in the Roaring Fork Valley. With your support, we can remain a free and accessible source of news for everyone, always without paywalls or corporate influence. Together, we can ensure that vital local stories are told. 19 March 2025 20:45 (UTC+04:00) On March 19, at about 14:15, the Armenian armed forces units from the positions located in the direction of the Gunashli settlement of Basarkechar region using small arms subjected to fire the Azerbaijan Army positions, Azernews reports via the Ministry of Defense. A day before, Armenian armed forces opened fire on Azerbaijani military positions on the night of March 18-19. From 10:20 p.m. on March 18 to 1:40 a.m. on March 19, Armenian military units stationed in Basarkechars Zod and Yukhari Shorja regions, as well as in Bazarcay, part of the Qarakilsa district, intermittently fired at Azerbaijani positions using small arms. The Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense has not reported any casualties or damage at this time. The situation along the border remains tense as Azerbaijani forces continue to monitor developments closely. Also on March 18, at around 08:55, units of the Armenian armed forces fired at the positions of the Azerbaijani Army using small arms from their positions in the Istisu settlement of the Basarkechar district,. Previously the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense has reported that Armenian armed forces intermittently opened fire on Azerbaijani Army positions between 22:15 on March 17 and 00:20 on March 18. According to the ministry, Armenian military units fired from positions near the villages of Arpa in the Keshishkend district, Saybali in the Gharakilsa district, and Vaghan in the Chambarak district. Small arms were used during the attacks. The Ministry of Defense has not provided additional details on the incident but emphasized that the Azerbaijani side has taken appropriate countermeasures in response to the provocations. The positions of the Azerbaijani Army were intermittently fired upon by units of the Armenian armed forces on March 17. According to the statement, from 01:25 to 12:55, Azerbaijani positions were targeted from Armenian positions located in the Yukhari Zaghali direction of the Basarkechar district and Digh settlements of the Gorus district using small arms. Note that, the Armenian side has been breaking the ceasefire since Sunday. On Sunday the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan issued two consecutive reports regarding Armenia's shelling of the Azerbaijani army's positions. On March 16, at approximately 18:35, the first violation of the ceasefire was recorded. The Armenian armed forces units from the positions located in the direction of the Khazinavar settlement of Gorus region using small arms subjected to fire the Azerbaijan Army positions. On the same day, from 20:10 to 20:45, the Armenian armed forces units from the positions located in the direction of the Burun settlement of the Gorus region using small arms several times subjected to fire the Azerbaijan Army positions. Today, Nikol Pashinyan announced that "The draft peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan has been agreed upon and is awaiting signing. I have given clear instructions to the Armenian Defense Ministry: do not violate the ceasefire. Armenia is moving toward peace, not war." 19 March 2025 08:30 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more The recent visit of President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva to the Aghdara regionpart of Azerbaijans liberated territoriesunderscores the countrys resolute commitment to rebuilding and revitalizing areas that were once devastated by conflict. As construction continues at full speed, Azerbaijans ambitious restoration efforts are proving that a determined leadership, coupled with strategic planning, can turn even the most desolate lands into vibrant communities. The Aghdara region, long left in ruins due to the occupation and subsequent damage, now symbolizes the broader success of Azerbaijans Great Return program and national restoration policy. One of the most significant developments marking this phase of reconstruction is the inauguration of the newly reconstructed highway from the Sarsang Reservoir to the Umudlu village of the Aghdara region. This 9.4-kilometer stretch of road, built to a high technical standard with lanes six meters wide, is a key piece of infrastructure that will greatly benefit local populations. The projects completion is not only a physical transformation of the region but also a potent symbol of Azerbaijans ability to bring life back to its liberated territories. As the road opens, it paves the way for the revival of economic activities, the establishment of safer transportation networks, and an enhanced quality of life for returning citizens. A closer examination of the highway project reveals its broader socio-economic impact. A well-developed road network is essential for fostering economic growth, enhancing social welfare, and reinforcing national unity. It facilitates the movement of people, goods, and services, enabling the region to become a functional part of the larger national economy once again. The road, connecting key areas of Aghdara, will also play a crucial role in promoting the regions tourism potential, which, in turn, can create new employment opportunities and stimulate local business ventures. This focus on infrastructure demonstrates the governments understanding of the intertwined nature of developmentwhere roads, jobs, and communities are inextricably linked. Rebuilding lives: The Great Return Program in action The infrastructure improvements go beyond just roads. As part of a broader effort to repopulate and reintegrate the region, the reconstruction projects in Aghdara also include residential complexes, such as the one in Sugovushan village, which was inaugurated during the same visit. This marks a significant step forward in the implementation of the Great Return programan initiative designed to return displaced Azerbaijanis to their ancestral homes. The distribution of keys to the new homes represents not just a symbolic return to the land, but also the beginning of a renewed sense of community and hope for a better future. The reconstruction of places of worship, such as the newly opened mosque in Sugovushan, is another important aspect of this revival. Religious institutions play a central role in the cultural and social fabric of Azerbaijan, and their reconstruction highlights the commitment to restoring the regions cultural heritage while fostering a sense of normalcy and spiritual comfort for the local population. These efforts also speak to Azerbaijans broader vision of creating a peaceful, prosperous, and harmonious society, where all citizens can coexist and thrive. A vision of sustainable development What stands out in the Azerbaijani governments approach is its focus on sustainability. The large-scale infrastructure projects are not just about rebuilding physical structures; they are about laying the foundation for long-term development. By restoring infrastructure, reviving agricultural activity, and creating modern residential spaces, Azerbaijan is ensuring that the liberated territories can thrive well into the future. This vision of sustainable development extends to sectors such as agriculture, where improvements in transportation networks will facilitate easier access to markets for local farmers, boosting the regional economy and food security. Moreover, these efforts align with Azerbaijans broader geopolitical goals, reinforcing its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The physical restoration of these areas is a direct manifestation of Azerbaijans commitment to its people and the future stability of the region. With the completion of key infrastructure projects, such as the reconstruction of the road to Sarsang and Umudlu, Azerbaijan is effectively transforming a former war zone into a thriving, stable region. In conclusion, the ongoing construction and rehabilitation efforts in Aghdara and other liberated regions are a testament to Azerbaijans resilience and strategic foresight. The recent developments, such as the reconstruction of vital infrastructure, the return of citizens to their homes, and the revitalization of cultural landmarks, illustrate how Azerbaijan is not merely rebuilding its lands but is ensuring a thriving, sustainable future for its people. The leadership demonstrated by President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva in overseeing this transformation reaffirms Azerbaijan's determination to move forward, building on hard-won peace and economic opportunities. As this vision takes root, the path forward for the liberated territories is one of prosperity, security, and growthensuring that these lands are not only restored but are set on a course for continued success. 19 March 2025 14:05 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more United States Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoffs visit to Baku elicited speculation both within and outside the country. Since neither the Azerbaijani nor the US sides shed light on the visit, interest in it ramped up. Emphasizing the coincidence of the visit with positive statements from Baku and Yerevan, some pointed out that the purpose of the visit was to take part in and bolster the peace negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which have been in conflict for over 30 years. A few days later, the National Security Advisor of the Trump Administration Mike Waltz shared a post on his official X account which may be interpreted as a confirmation. The post reads: Conflict in the South Caucasus must end. I spoke this week with Mr. Hikmet Hajiyev, the national security advisor for President Aliyev in Azerbaijan. We are pleased Azerbaijan and Armenia have taken a big step forward and agreed to a peace treaty. I told him we should finalize this peace deal now, release the prisoners, and work together to make the region more secure and prosperous. America's Golden Age will bring peace and prosperity to the world, and we won't stop working until that happens. On the other hand, the visit took place against the backdrop of news about the U.S.-Israel-Azerbaijan trilateral alliance, Israels attempt to include Azerbaijan in the Abraham Accords, and Israels lobbying for the repeal of Section 907. As such, some believe that the purpose of the visit was to discuss the U.S.-Israel-Azerbaijan trilateral alliance. The prominent Jewish news agency Jerusalem Post also touched on the issue, but unfortunately, did not put some flesh on the bone, merely underlining Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahus remarks about his commitment to the trilateral partnership between the countries (Azerbaijan and Israel) in the Knesset, as well as senior rabbis appeals to President Trump regarding the repeal of Section 907. Raza Syed, editor of the London Post, shared his thoughts on the issue and noted that the Trump administrations foreign policy laid critical groundwork for the U.S.-Israel-Azerbaijan trilateral alignment elevating Azerbaijan as a counterweight to Russian and Iranian influence while deepening ties with Israel through symbolic moves such as recognizing Jerusalem as Israels capital and brokering the Abraham Accords. This strategy bolstered Bakus strategic autonomy from Moscow but deliberately sidestepped proactive engagement in Armenian-Azerbaijani peace processes, outsourcing ceasefire negotiations to Russiaa decision that culminated in Moscows decisive role in brokering the 2020 Garabagh ceasefire. While empowering Azerbaijan militarily, this approach entrenched Russias position as a regional powerbroker, creating a paradoxical dynamic where U.S. partnerships flourished even as Russian security dominance persisted, the editor pointed out. He underscored that Azerbaijans unique geopolitical positioningas a Muslim-majority state maintaining robust ties with Israel, energy partnerships with the EU, and pragmatic relations with Russiahas elevated its role as a potential mediator in U.S.-Russia dialogues, particularly amid the Ukraine conflict. Bakus hosting of EU-mediated talks with Armenia and its simultaneous participation in Russian-led economic blocs like the CIS and EAEU exemplify its multi-vector diplomacy. Steve Witkoffs visit likely aims to leverage these dual channels, exploring backdoor avenues for communication on contentious issues such as sanctions evasion or energy security, while testing Azerbaijans capacity to bridge divides between Moscow and the West, R. Syed remarked. The editor opined that this strategy is not without risks. Azerbaijans delicate balancing act between Russia and the West risks overextension, particularly if pressured to take sides in the Ukraine conflict, which could undermine its credibility as a neutral mediator. Simultaneously, heightened defense cooperation between Israel and Azerbaijanincluding allegations of Israeli intelligence operations near Irans borderthreatens to provoke Tehran, escalating regional tensions. These ambiguities underscore the fragility of relying on transactional alliances. Ultimately, Witkoffs mission reflects a broader shift toward transactional multilateralism, where shared security and energy interests eclipse traditional diplomatic frameworks. While the trilateral partnership strengthens deterrence against Iran and reinforces Azerbaijans regional clout, it also exposes gaps in sustained U.S. diplomatic investment in conflict resolution. To avoid destabilizing the South Caucasus, Washington must recalibrate its strategy, ensuring tactical gains do not come at the expense of long-term stability. This demands a nuanced approach that balances alliance-building with proactive engagement in peace processes, rather than outsourcing regional diplomacy to rival powers, he concluded. 19 March 2025 20:12 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more Armenias foreign policy might be at a breaking point. Once convinced that the West would shield it from regional threats, Yerevan is now coming to terms with a stark reality: the United States, the European Union, and France have their own pressing concerns, leaving Armenia increasingly exposed. Meanwhile, Russia, once its primary protector, sees Yerevans Western pivot as a betrayalone that may not go unpunished. Perhaps this strategy has been like this for over 3 or 4 years. Yet, it would be pretty ideal to say this emerged almost as foreign policy 'play' of Yerevan amidst the Ukrainian war, an attempt to reduce or diminish Russian dependency. Struggling to find a way out, Armenia is now attempting a precarious balancing act. It is tentatively moving toward a peace agreement with Azerbaijan in hopes of normalizing ties with Turkiye and breaking free from regional isolation. Which is applaudable, but still unconvincing considering how things are going at the border between her and Azerbaijan's border - breaking the ceasefire almost every day over since the peace agreement came to its finalisation period. At the same time, it is making overtures to Moscow, fearing that if it burns its last bridges with Russia, the consequences could be devastating. But in trying to play both sides, is Yerevan digging itself deeper into a geopolitical trap? Abandoned by the West, cornered by Moscow Armenias strategy of banking on unwavering Western support is unraveling. The once-cohesive backing from the US, EU, and France has fractured amid rising global tensions. The US and EU are increasingly at odds over strategic priorities, while Frances ambitions clash even within Europe. With no unified Western policy on Armenia, Yerevan is struggling to secure the security guarantees it once expected. This growing uncertainty has forced the Pashinyan government to reconsider its options. With Azerbaijan gaining the upper hand diplomatically and militarily, prolonging the peace process no longer benefits Armenia. Signing an agreement with Baku could provide a diplomatic lifelinepotentially unlocking Turkiyes support and reducing the risk of conflict. But in doing so, Yerevan risks angering Moscow, which has long used the unresolved Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict as leverage to maintain control over the region. A desperate pivot back to Russia? Faced with the prospect of complete abandonment, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is subtly reaching out to Moscow again. His recent phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putinright after Yerevan signaled readiness to finalize the peace deal with Bakusuggests an effort to reassure the Kremlin that Armenia is not straying too far. His acceptance of an invitation to Moscows May 9 Victory Parade, after previously avoiding Russian engagements, is another clear signal that Yerevan is hedging its bets. However, this may not be enough to erase Moscows resentment. Russia has already demonstrated its ability to punish former allies who seek to escape its sphere of influence. Despite rekindling ties with Russia, Armenia is also keeping its Western channels open. Just as Pashinyan updated Putin on the peace process, he did the same with Western leaders, including France. This suggests that Yerevan has not yet fully abandoned its Western ambitions. But by trying to please both sides, Armenia risks alienating everyoneappearing unreliable to Moscow while remaining a low priority for the West. Armenias attempt at parallel diplomacy may seem like a survival strategy, but in reality, it exposes its deep vulnerability. Without a clear geopolitical anchor, Yerevan is trapped in a cycle of desperate maneuveringwhere every move to escape its predicament only tightens the noose. The crux of Armenias dilemma lies in its inability to pursue an independent foreign policy. For decades, Yerevan has relied on external backerswhether Russia, France, or the USto shape its security and diplomatic posture. Now, as global power dynamics shift, Armenia finds itself without a clear patron. If the West continues to deprioritize Yerevan, and if Moscow remains unforgiving, Armenia could face its most precarious geopolitical crisis yet. Ultimately, Armenias survival hinges on its ability to navigate these shifting alliances without provoking a harsh response from either camp. But with limited leverage and growing external pressures, the Pashinyan government may soon find itself out of viable options. 19 March 2025 11:06 (UTC+04:00) Full digital access to all news for 1 year Full digital access to all news for 6 months Full digital access to all news for 3 months Full digital access to all news for 1 month Find the plan that suits you best. In January of this year, Azerbaijan exported 6.1 thousand tons of methanol (methyl alcohol) to Slovenia, Azernews reports, citing the State Statistical Committee. Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 19 March 2025 13:03 (UTC+04:00) Full digital access to all news for 1 year Full digital access to all news for 6 months Full digital access to all news for 3 months Full digital access to all news for 1 month Find the plan that suits you best. In January of this year, Azerbaijan exported 2,000 tons of methanol (methyl alcohol) to Greece, Azernews reports, citing the State Statistics Committee. Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 19 March 2025 15:06 (UTC+04:00) Full digital access to all news for 1 year Full digital access to all news for 6 months Full digital access to all news for 3 months Full digital access to all news for 1 month Find the plan that suits you best. From September 2024 to March 10, 2025, Kazakhstans wheat exports to Azerbaijan saw a significant increase, rising 94.7 times compared to the same period in 2023-2024, Azernews reports, citing the press service of Kazakhstan's Ministry of Agriculture. Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 19 March 2025 17:50 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more Novruz, a significant cultural celebration recognized by UNESCO as part of the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, involves multiple countries, including Azerbaijan, India, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Turkiye, and Uzbekistan, Azernews reports. The festivities took place at UNESCO's headquarters and were organized collaboratively by the Permanent Missions of several countries. The Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan Sadyk Sher-Niyaz stressed Novruz's spiritual significance, emphasizing its values of peace, solidarity, and cultural identity passed down through generations. UNESCO's Deputy Director-General, Xing Qu, and Director-General Audrey Azoulay also emphasized the holiday's importance in uniting different peoples and symbolizing hope. The event featured cultural performances, including traditional music and dance, a video showcasing Novruz customs from each country, and a banquet with traditional dishes. Novruz marks the arrival of the vernal equinox and holds significant cultural importance in Azerbaijan and other regions. In the lead-up to this festive occasion, Azerbaijani people honor the last four Tuesdays of winter, each associated with one of the four essential elements: Water, Fire, Wind, and Earth. Recognizing its cultural significance, UNESCO inscribed Novruz on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009. In 2010, the United Nations General Assembly designated March 21 as International Novruz Day, reinforcing the importance of this ancient celebration. 19 March 2025 09:58 (UTC+04:00) The Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense has not reported any casualties or damage at this time. The situation along the border remains tense as Azerbaijani forces continue to monitor developments closely. From 10:20 p.m. on March 18 to 1:40 a.m. on March 19, Armenian military units stationed in Basarkechars Zod and Yukhari Shorja regions, as well as in Bazarcay, part of the Qarakilsa district, intermittently fired at Azerbaijani positions using small arms. Armenian armed forces opened fire on Azerbaijani military positions on the night of March 18-19, Azernews reports, citing the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry. Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 19 March 2025 17:42 (UTC+04:00) By Mazahir Afandiyev As a celebration of the highest human valuesgoodness, mercy, and compassionand a symbol of equality and unity, the triumph of the unity between society and nature, the Novruz holiday plays a unique role in drawing attention to the multicultural values and traditions of tolerance held by the astute Azerbaijani people. Novruz serves as a global value, reflecting the core principles of Azerbaijanism philosophy, culture, and national-spiritual values and proving clearly that we are the heralds of peace and prosperity. The Novruz holiday holds a special place among the distinctive values that depict Azerbaijan as one of the epicenters of ancient civilization. One of the results of state independence is its widespread and solemn formal celebration throughout our nation. Therefore, the state-level celebration of Novruz became a shining example of returning to historical roots and an embodiment of our people's solidarity and unity during the reign of Great Leader Heydar Aliyev, who emphasized that Novruz has ancient roots and always lives in our nation's hearts. The honorable President Ilham Aliyev has successfully carried on this tradition by fulfilling the principles of the National Leader and desires of the Azerbaijani people. Our lands were freed from occupation by the triumphant Azerbaijani Army under the command of the honorable President Ilham Aliyev, and we are celebrating Novruz and lighting festive bonfires in Shusha, Sugovushan, Talish village, and Khankendi city for the fourth time. Humanity has generally been interested in the country of Azerbaijan. The world has always been drawn to it because of its natural and spiritual resources. The foremost defender and steward of tangible and intangible heritage, UNESCO, has listed some heritage related to Azerbaijan. Since 2016, Novruz has been on this list. It continues to represent our national interests and Azerbaijani identity while also serving international objectives and speaking loudly for Azerbaijan internationally. In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, as the wave of globalization gathers momentum and traditional values undergo constant change, Nowruz has become an expression of our commitment to our historical and cultural heritage. This traditional holiday, which has a special place in the UN calendar as an intangible heritage, is directly in line with the goals of the global document known as "Sustainable Development Goals," primarily in terms of peace and prosperity, equality, creating peaceful societies, intercultural dialogue, respect for universal values, strengthening regional cooperation, and environmental protection. Ancient rites connected to the belief in fertility, nature, and its extinction and rebirth are the origin of Novruz. The four elements of nature are honored on Tuesdays throughout the month before Novruz. These are known as the Tuesday of water, the Tuesday of fire, the Tuesday of earth, and the Tuesday of wind. Eventually, spring arrives. This event has a lot of rich traditions in AzerbaijanLand of Fire. Fire represents enlightenment and purification. As everyone assembles around the fire during Novruz, family values, which are regarded as the cornerstone of Azerbaijani society, are reinforced. In this way, "Tuesday of Wind" represents solidarity and national unity, while "Tuesday of Water" signifies people's love of life. "Tuesday of Land" has a unique meaning for people who have been yearning for their homeland for almost 30 years. Thanks to the resolute leadership of Supreme Commander-in-Chief Great Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev and the national unity, this 30-year period of longing came to an end. On the "Year of Constitution and Sovereignty," in the framework of the "Great Return," our people celebrate Novruz with pride, fervor, and solemnity around festive bonfires on our homeland of Garabagh. The declaration of 2025 as the Year of Constitution and Sovereignty is significant as a continuation of our state's efforts to fortify sovereignty and establish a state founded on the rule of law. This year is the fifth anniversary of the historic victory over the Armenian army and the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the first new constitution of independent Azerbaijan. Today independent and sovereign Azerbaijan is embarking on a new phase of its growth as a nation that consistently defends and completely guarantees its sovereignty and territorial integrity. We are confident that this year will mark a significant turning point in the history of our nation's statehood and bring our citizens together, no matter where they might reside, to face the new challenges of modernity. Mazahir Afandiyev, the author is a member of the Azerbaijani Parliament 19 March 2025 11:55 (UTC+04:00) On March 19, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received Sahiba Gafarova and presented her with the "Sharaf" Order. Greeting Sahiba Gafarova, President Ilham Aliyev said: - Dear Madame Sahiba, I congratulate you on your anniversary. I wish you continued success and good health. You have been playing an active role in Azerbaijan's public and political life for many years. You have been successfully working for 15 years as a member of the Milli Majlis and for 5 years as the Speaker of the Milli Majlis. I highly appreciate your contributions. You maintain constant contact with your constituents and, at the same time, defend the national interests of our country on the international stage, marking valuable contributions to the overall development of our country through your work. On this anniversary day, by my order, you have been awarded the Sharaf Order. Allow me to present this order to you. President Ilham Aliyev presented the Sharaf Order to Sahiba Gafarova. Sahiba Gafarova: Thank you very much, Mr. President. President Ilham Aliyev: Congratulations. Sahiba Gafarova said: - Thank you very much, I am deeply grateful. Esteemed Mr. President, if you permit, I would like to say a few words. Esteemed Mr. President, I would like to express my deep and sincere gratitude for this great honor. I want to note that I consider this high distinction as a recognition of the work of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan. I want to assure you, esteemed Mr. President, both as a member of the Milli Majlis and as its Speaker, and on behalf of the entire Milli Majlis, that each of us will always support the policy you are pursuing at the parliamentary level. As representatives of the people, the entire Milli Majlis will do its utmost at the parliamentary level for the welfare of the people. I am very grateful to you for the words you spoke about me. I have worked all my life to always bring some benefit to our society. I confidently say that moving forward, whether in my capacity as the Speaker of the Milli Mejlis or as an individual, as a citizen of Azerbaijan, I will always do my best to fulfil my duties wherever I serve. I am deeply grateful to you." President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you. 19 March 2025 19:23 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva TOKYO The chief of Japans auto lobby warned that the potential implementation of auto tariffs, proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, could force automakers and suppliers to make significant adjustments to their production schedules, with the tariffs possibly set to take effect on April 2, Azernews reports. For us, avoiding tariffs is a matter of course, Masanori Katayama, chairman of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) and truck maker Isuzu Motors, told reporters during a press conference on March 19. But if that is difficult because of the timing, we would like to start discussing what the public and private sectors can do to deal with the situation as the next best option, and we are already talking about that, he added. Japans automobile association has been actively lobbying the Japanese government over the looming tariff threat. Before the Japanese trade ministers visit to the U.S. in March, the association requested that the minister push for an exemption from the tariffs. Unfortunately, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yoji Muto did not secure any assurances from Washington that Japan would be exempt from the tariffs. In the past week, President Trump raised duties on imports of steel and aluminum to 25%, which took effect without any exemptions or exceptions. The vehicle and auto parts tariffs could follow as early as April 2. The U.S. remains the largest market by vehicle sales for automakers such as Toyota, Honda, and Nissan, which manufacture some of their most popular U.S. models in either Canada or Mexico. Smaller firms like Subaru and Mazda are also at risk. Mr. Katayama emphasized that any production adjustments made by manufacturers in response to the U.S. tariffs would vary depending on the company and product, though he did not go into further detail. Katayamas comments are the latest sign of the difficulties Japanese automakers and suppliers face in adapting to the potential new U.S. tariffs. In response to the looming tariffs, Honda has already decided to shift production of its next-generation Civic hybrid to the U.S. state of Indiana, instead of Mexico, to avoid the potential tariffs on one of its top-selling models, sources familiar with the plans told Reuters earlier in March. The potential tariff impact has broader implications for the auto industry. If enacted, the tariffs could force automakers to either raise vehicle prices or adjust their production strategies, potentially leading to disruptions in the global supply chain. Japans response may also include increasing lobbying efforts in Washington to seek a broader exemption or mitigate the long-term impact on their industry. Given the U.S. markets importance to Japanese car manufacturers, any prolonged tariff dispute could disrupt sales and shift production dynamics significantly. 19 March 2025 19:50 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker BYD has officially become a member of the Korea Automobile Importers and Distributors Association (Kaida), the association announced on Wednesday. This move is part of BYD's strategy to establish a stronger presence in South Korea, Asia's fourth-largest economy, Azernews reports. BYD first entered the Korean market in 2016, focusing initially on commercial vehicles such as forklifts, electric buses, and trucks. In January, the company expanded its footprint in Korea by launching passenger models, beginning with the BYD Atto 3, a compact electric SUV. Later in the year, BYD plans to introduce two additional models the midsize BYD Seal sedan and the BYD Sealion 7 SUV, according to Kaida's press release. Kaida currently has 22 member companies, which represent 29 different brands of imported cars. Among its members, four commercial vehicle manufacturers are included, with a total of four brands. BYDs entry into the South Korean market signals the companys ambition to expand its global footprint, especially in EV-friendly markets like South Korea, where demand for electric vehicles continues to grow rapidly. With major South Korean automakers like Hyundai and Kia leading the local EV market, BYD's strategic move to become part of Kaida allows it to strengthen its position as a competitor in the region. Moreover, as South Korea ramps up its efforts to transition to greener technologies, BYDs expanded offerings in the passenger car sector are expected to bolster its reputation as a key player in the electric vehicle revolution, both in Asia and globally. 19 March 2025 18:50 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva Cooperation in the development of port infrastructure was a key topic of the meeting in Beijing between Kazakh Minister of Transport Marat Karabayev and Zhang Baohua, Member of the Board of Directors of SP Qingdao Port Group, Azernews reports. The parties discussed the prospects for improving port infrastructure, increasing capacity, and expanding cooperation within the framework of transport and logistics projects. During the meeting, they also addressed the modernization of port facilities, the introduction of new technologies, and the optimization of logistics processes to enhance the efficiency of Kazakhstans seaports. This meeting underscores Kazakhstan's commitment to strengthening its logistics and transport networks, which are essential for expanding trade routes and boosting economic connectivity. By improving port infrastructure and integrating advanced technologies, Kazakhstan aims to become a key hub in the Central Asian region, facilitating not only domestic trade but also acting as a bridge between China, Russia, and Europe. The partnership with Qingdao Port Group, a leading player in global port operations, could provide Kazakhstan with valuable expertise and access to a vast international network, helping it to improve its maritime and overland transport systems. LAUNCHING THE PROCESS OF SELLING A PART OF THE SHARES IN VERCOM S.A. UNDER AN ACCELERATED BOOKBUILDING PROCESS- komunikat NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, INTO OR IN THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, south africa, JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, OFFER OR SALE WOULD BE PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE OR FORM A PART OF AN OFFER FOR THE SALE OF, OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY, THE SECURITIES REFERRED TO HEREIN IN ANY JURISDICTION, INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, SOUTH AFRICA, JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH THIS ANNOUNCEMENT OR OFFER OR SALE WOULD BE PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW. Warsaw, 19 March 2025 LAUNCHING THE PROCESS OF SELLING A PART OF THE SHARES IN VERCOM S.A. UNDER AN ACCELERATED BOOKBUILDING PROCESS Ignas Rubezius (Selling Shareholder 1), Ilma Nausedaite (Selling Shareholder 2), [Selling Shareholder 1 and Selling Shareholder 2 became owners of shares in the Company (as defined below) as a result of their recent acquisition from ITEMA Ventures UAB Ad hoc technologijos, UAB (Selling Shareholder 3; Selling Shareholder 1, Selling Shareholder 2 and Selling Shareholder 3 hereinafter jointly referred to as the Selling Shareholders and each of them individually as a Selling Shareholder), hereby announce that they have decided to, immediately following this announcement, launch and conduct an accelerated bookbuilding process under which the Selling Shareholders intend to sell 2,685,500 dematerialised ordinary bearer shares (the Offer Shares), in the share capital of Vercom S.A. (the Company) (the Offering). The Offering will be exclusively targeted at selected investors meeting certain criteria, i.e. institutional (qualified) investors and/or investors who intend to purchase securities for a total amount of at least EUR 100,000 per investor. Therefore, under Article 1 sec. 4a) and 4d) of the Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2017 on the prospectus to be published when securities are offered to the public or admitted to trading on a regulated market, and repealing Directive 2003/71/EC the Offering will rely on the exemption from an obligation to publish a prospectus or any other offering/information document. Offering may be conducted in the form of a private placement directed towards selected institutional investors outside of the United States in accordance with Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, including in the United Kingdom and certain European Union Member States. The Offer Shares represent approximately 12.08% of the shares in the share capital of the Company and approximately 12.08% of the total voting rights in the Company. The final number of Offer Shares to be sold in the Offering (the Sale Shares) and the sale price of the Sale Shares will be determined and announced as soon as practicable after the closing of the above-mentioned accelerated bookbuilding process. The Selling Shareholders reserve the right to change the terms or timing of the Offering at any time, or to suspend the Offering or cancel the Offering at any time. Upon the completion of the Offering, and assuming the sale of all of the Offer Shares indicated above, none of the Selling Shareholders will hold shares in the Company's share capital. Erste Group Bank AG is acting as the Sole Bookrunner, and Erste Securities Polska S.A. is acting as the Polish Offering Agent in relation to the Offering. In connection with the Offering, in the event that a particular Selling Shareholder fails to sell all of the Offer Shares, each such Selling Shareholder has agreed to a lock-up towards Erste Group Bank AG and Erste Securities Polska S.A., covering its remaining shares in the Company after the Offering for a period starting from the determination of the Sale Price to 90 days after the settlement of the Offering, subject to customary exemptions. The Offer Shares are listed on a regulated market operated by the Warsaw Stock Exchange, ISIN: PLVRCM000016. IMPORTANT NOTICE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSITUTE ANY ADVERTISEMENT WITHIN THE MEANING OF ARTICLE 22 OF THE PROSPECTUS REGULATION. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN DOES NOT FORM OR CONSTITUTE AND MAY NOT BE REGARDED AS AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE SECURITIES REFERRED TO HEREIN IN ANY JURISDICTION, INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, SOUTH AFRICA, JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH PUBLICATION, OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. THE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES ABSENT REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION FROM UNITED STATES REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS. NO PUBLIC OFFER OF SECURITIES IS TO BE MADE IN THE UNITED STATES, AND NEITHER THIS ANNOUNCEMENT NOR ANY COPY OF IT MAY BE TAKEN, TRANSMITTED OR DISTRIBUTED, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES (INCLUDING ITS TERRITORIES AND POSSESSIONS, ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA), CANADA, AUSTRALIA, SOUTH AFRICA OR JAPAN. ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF UNITED STATES, CANADIAN, AUSTRALIAN, SOUTH AFRICAN OR JAPANESE SECURITIES LAWS. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND ANY PLACEMENT, IF SUBSEQUENTLY MADE, ARE ONLY ADDRESSED TO AND DIRECTED AT PERSONS (1) IN THE EEA WHO ARE QUALIFIED INVESTORS WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION (EU) 2017/1129 (THE PROSPECTUS REGULATION) OR WHO ACQUIRE THE SECURITIES FOR A TOTAL CONSIDERATION OF AT LEAST EUR 100,000 PER INVESTOR, AND (2) IN THE UNITED KINGDOM WHO ARE QUALIFIED INVESTORS WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE PROSPECTUS REGULATION AS IT FORMS PART OF DOMESTIC LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018 WHO HAVE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE IN MATTERS RELATING TO INVESTMENTS WHO FALL WITHIN THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 19(5) OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AND MARKETS ACT 2000 (FINANCIAL PROMOTION) ORDER 2005 (AS AMENDED, THE ORDER) OR ARE HIGH NET WORTH ENTITIES FALLING WITHIN THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 49(2)(A) TO (D) OF THE ORDER OR ARE PERSONS TO WHOM AN OFFER OF THE PLACEMENT SHARES MAY OTHERWISE BE LAWFULLY COMMUNICATED (ALL SUCH PERSONS BEING REFERRED TO AS THE RELEVANT PERSONS), AND NO ONE ELSE CAN TAKE ANY ACTION ON THE BASIS THEREOF. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT AN OFFER OF SECURITIES FOR SALE IN THE UNITED STATES. THE SECURITIES TO WHICH THIS ANNOUNCEMENT RELATES HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE SECURITIES ACT) AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES ABSENT REGISTRATION OR AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. THERE WILL BE NO PUBLIC OFFERING OF THE SECURITIES IN THE UNITED STATES. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT, AND SHALL NOT, IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES CONSTITUTE A PUBLIC OFFERING, OR AN OFFER TO SELL OR TO SUBSCRIBE FOR, OR A SOLICITATION TO OFFER TO PURCHASE OR TO SUBSCRIBE FOR SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION. THE DISTRIBUTION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE OFFERING OR SALE OF THE SECURITIES IN CERTAIN JURISDICTIONS MAY BE RESTRICTED BY LAW. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A RECOMMENDATION CONCERNING ANY SECURITIES. THE POLISH OFFERING AGENT IS SUBJECT TO THE SUPERVISION OF THE POLISH FINANCIAL SUPERVISION AUTHORITY (KOMISJA NADZORU FINANSOWEGO) WITH ITS HEADQUARTERS IN WARSAW, AT PIEKNA 20, 00-549 WARSAW, POLAND. IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTION REFERRED TO IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, THE POLISH OFFERING AGENT IS PROVIDING SERVICES TO THE SELLING SHAREHOLDERS ONLY, AND NOT TO ANY OTHER ENTITIES. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT INCLUDES STATEMENTS THAT ARE, OR MAY BE DEEMED TO BE, FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS MAY BE IDENTIFIED BY THE USE OF FORWARD-LOOKING TERMINOLOGY, INCLUDING THE TERMS INTENDS, EXPECTS, WILL, OR MAY, OR, IN EACH CASE, THEIR NEGATIVE OR OTHER VARIATIONS OR COMPARABLE TERMINOLOGY. THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS INCLUDE ALL MATTERS THAT ARE NOT HISTORICAL FACTS AND INCLUDE STATEMENTS REGARDING INTENTIONS, BELIEFS OR CURRENT EXPECTATIONS. NO ASSURANCE CAN BE GIVEN THAT THE EVENTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT WILL MATERIALSE. AS A RESULT, NO UNDUE RELIANCE SHOULD BE PLACED ON THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AS A PREDICTION OF ACTUAL EVENTS OR OTHERWISE. kom abs Two Years and No History and Civics Curriculum in Beaufort County Schools? Beaufort Observer Editorial Team As reported by Dr. Norris Parker, Chief Academic Officer, during the February 2025 school board meeting, the teachers and students do not have a social studies and civics curriculum in Beaufort County, NC schools. He was then asked for an update from the Curriculum Committee as required by the recently updated Policy Code 3100 - Curriculum Development. He reported the curriculum committee was working on selecting a science curriculum but had nothing to report at this time. When pressed by board members as to why the curriculum committee could not work on two curriculums at the same time, he said that was not possible as curriculum selection required two to three years to select and implement a new curriculum. There was an attempt made in 2023 to purchase a canned social studies curriculum, but parents and citizens objected to the Critical Race Theory and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion principles embedded in the course work. Seeing this objection, Superintendent Dr. Matthew Cheeseman pulled the SAVVAS curriculum from consideration by the school board. President Trump, by executive order, has ordered all Critical Race Theory and Diversity, Equity. and Inclusion principles be eliminated from all public schools funded by the federal agencies. Efforts are currently underway to eliminate and shut down the federal Department of Education. So, as Dr. Parker responded, it is not possible to review two curriculums concurrently. The review committees reviewing science and civics should be composed of different teaching disciplines. Why is it that five-six science teachers and five-six civics teachers cannot review two curriculums at the same time? If the BCS are working on a science curriculum, why cant they issue a progress report to the board as required by the school board policy 3100? Recently, some board members have been researching the Hillsdale College History and Civics curriculum. When this was mentioned during a school board meeting, there was immediate push back from entrenched board members reporting that Hillsdale is not approved by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Well, so what? The NC DPI is not responsible or accountable for curriculum development and selection. They are responsible for setting standards for retention, promotion, and graduation. They do have recommended curriculums and suppliers of those curriculums, but they cannot force any public school in North Carolina to purchase and utilize them. See NCGS 115C-98. This is the verbatim language from this statute. 115C98. Local boards of education to provide for local operation of the textbook program, the selection and procurement of other instructional materials, and the use of nonadopted (sic) textbooks. (a) Local boards of education shall adopt rules not inconsistent with the policies of the State Board of Education concerning the local operation of the textbook program. (b) Local boards of education shall adopt written policies concerning the procedures to be followed in their local school administrative units for the selection and procurement of supplementary textbooks, library books, periodicals, audiovisual materials, and other supplementary instructional materials needed for instructional purposes in the public schools of their units. Local boards of education shall have sole authority to select and procure supplementary instructional materials, whether or not the materials contain commercial advertising, to determine if the materials are related to and within the limits of the prescribed curriculum, and to determine when the materials may be presented to students during the school day. Supplementary materials and contracts for supplementary materials are not subject to approval by the State Board of Education. This statue is plainly written. Local school boards in North Carolina can choose any curriculum and supplemental material that meets the NC DPI standards for instruction that promotes the advancements of students to higher grades and graduation in public, charter, or private schools. Why the objections? Primarily its because Hillsdale College is a school heavily influenced by Christian values, principles, and the US Constitution. The fact that Hillsdale is not supported by any government taxes and is not controlled by federal, state, or local governments, it must be bad if not under government guidance and censorship. The Hillsdale College curriculums are free of costs to any school system that chooses to utilize the courses. Anyone interested can download the History and Civics curriculum from their website. Some textbooks have to be purchased, but the cost of textbooks is nowhere near the costs of $300,000 to $450,000 for curriculums supplied by other suppliers of canned courses. There are choices available to local school boards. Elected school boards just need to have the courage to utilize them. Here are two that should be considered for adoption. https://littlepatriotslearning.com/ - Kindergarten 5th grade https://k12.hillsdale.edu/Curriculum/Hillsdale-K12-American-History/ Students must understand the hardships the founders of the United States endured to bring forth this great and free nation and why the United States and its three equal branches of government stands apart from the dictatorial governments in other nations. Students must be taught that they are the government as denoted in the first words of the US Constitution, We the People of the United States Local school boards in NC have too long been led to believe that the NC DPI controls curricula. It is time to destroy this belief. All that is required is a majority vote of the local school board to adopt a new direction. The young people in this country attending public schools deserve no less. America is now confronted with its worst ever case of judical tyranny as leftwing groups judge shop to find far left Obama judges and Biden judges to enter politically motivated and specious political orders against President Trump.. The tool used by these power-grab judges is a nationwide restraining order or injunction. That type of order has always been Consitutional questionable. The purpose of these orders is to delay popular projects of presidents for a substantial period of time and tie them up in court. Whether there is any legitmate basis to them or not is beside the point. While much of the reaction to these outrageous power grabs by politically morivated judges has centered on punishment of the jueges involved. That is certainly deserved, but a more final solution would be to halt the process. An attempt to do that through Congress would run into a Democrat fillibuster in the Senate. The best resolution would be by the Supreme Court itself, which could rule that distriact court judges could not issue such orders to apply anywhere but within their own districts. There are pending cases where that could be done. IT is also significant that three sitting justices on the SCOTUS in earlier opinions have expressed concern about the concopt of district court judges entering nationwide orders.. President Trump is not the first president frustrated by federal judges who took power in their own hands. Abraham LIncoln became so frustrated that he issued an order for the arrent of the chief justice of the United States Supreme Court. We need to smash judical tyranny and the best way to do it is to take away the main tool of rogue judges, the nationwide restraining order. https://tippinsights.com/scotus-needs-to-end-nationwide-injunctions-and-bring-back-judicial-sanity/ More on politically corrupt Obama judge Boasberg: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14516459/Karoline-Leavitt-Trump-attack-judge-deportation-wife.html There is a pattern among the rogue judges trying to stymie the Trump administation with bogus politically motivated restraining orders. The latest has to do with the Democrat political and ideological clush fund known as USAID. The radical Obama judge who has entered an order challenging the State Department's handling of USAID, Theodore Chuang, has a very partisan backgorund. He has a record of giving thousands of dollars to Democrat candidates, and he, himself, has had leadership roles in Democrat organizations. Chuang is nothing but a left wing Dmeocrat political hack in a black robe. Chuang objects to President Trump returning USAID functions back to the State Deparment by excutive order. That in spite of the fact that the way it had been removed from the State Department and made a separate organization in the first place was by executive order of a Democrat president. According to party hack Cha;ung, a Republican president cannot reverse by executive order what a previous Democrat president did by executive order. Chuang's benefactor who appointed him, Obama, famously said he did not need Congress because he "had a phone and a pen" But apparently for corrupt hypocrite Chuang, that only works if you are a member of his party. Partisan scumbags like Chuang and Boasberg need to be bounced out of their judicial offices. https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/03/19/judge-who-blocked-usaid-cuts-is-long-time-democrat-activist/ As President Burkele of El Salvador has pointed out, America is in the throws of a judicial coup d'etat and it needs to be stopped in its tracks. A leading British newspaoer, the Daily Telegraph of London, calls the attempts to thwart Trunk in the courts "an onfence against democracy": https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/comment/2025/03/19/latest-legal-assault-against-donald-trump-offence-democracy/ How do you solve the problem of today? Thats the question that therapists often pose to people experiencing the wide range of lifes traumas. Dont relitigate the past, dont attempt to fix the future, try and solve the problem of today. Its a mantra that crops up in Netflixs Adolescence, a four-part drama looking at the fallout from an unthinkable crime, and the many todays that must be solved, over and over, as a consequence. Its 6am on an apparently normal morning. Normal, that is, until armed police, led by DI Bascombe (Ashley Walters) storm into a family home and arrest a 13-year-old boy, Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper). His parents, Eddie and Manda (played by Stephen Graham and Christine Tremarco), watch on in horror as their little boy is dragged to the local police station, processed and placed in a cell. Jamie is suspected of murdering a schoolmate, and alongside Eddie, as his appropriate adult, and a solicitor, must face the evidence that the police have compiled against him. It is a nightmarish frenzy, transporting the Miller family from their pocket of suburban calm to the fear, recrimination and revelations of a murder inquiry. A retired nurse has launched legal action against the Belfast Trust after claiming she was exposed to asbestos for five decades at the Royal Victoria Hospital. Monica Johnston, from Bangor, said its too late for her after being diagnosed with a fatal asbestos-related cancer in January 2023. The 66-year-old took up nursing during the Troubles in 1977 and lived in Royal Victoria Hospital housing during the 1970s and 1980s. The site, built in the early 1950s, underwent asbestos removal work on several blocks within it by private contractors. Asbestos was once used to insulate buildings until it was discovered that, when moved, it released tiny fibres that could be inhaled and cause lung diseases over a period of time. It was banned in 1999. Ms Johnstons health began to deteriorate in 2021 when she started experiencing episodes of breathlessness that eventually led to her collapsing at work from intense chest pain. After several hospital visits, it was found that she had mesothelioma a type of cancer that develops in the lining that covers the outer surface of some of the bodys organs. Monica Johnston worked as a nurse throughout the Troubles The diagnosis led Ms Johnston to hire Thompsons NI Solicitors to investigate if the exposure resulted in the illness. They are now pursuing legal action against the Belfast Trust after speaking to a number of witnesses who had concerns over the Royal Victoria Hospital accommodation. Ms Johnston said: Its too late for me, and this isnt about scaremongering, but I want people to be aware of the risks out there. If speaking out helps even one person avoid this illness, then its worth it. BBC News previously reported that 148 of the Belfast HSC Trusts sites still contain asbestos but are deemed low risk. The report also found more than 10m had been spent on asbestos removal from hospital and health care buildings between 2014 and 2023. Northern Ireland recorded 699 asbestos related deaths in that time. The Department of Health says that all organisations must comply with strict asbestos regulations after a UK-wide ban of the substance in 1999. The Belfast Trust said it was saddened to learn that Monica has been diagnosed with mesothelioma and reiterated that the 148 sites remain at low risk. It added: All new buildings within the Belfast Trusts estate are constructed in adherence to contemporary building regulations. No asbestos has been used in any project since it was banned for building work in 1999. Leontia Drain, from Thompsons, is representing Ms Johnston and said that identifying cases of asbestos was a matter of urgency. Monica Johnston She added: Monica dedicated decades of her life to caring for others, only to now be facing a terminal illness. We are in the early stages of bringing a claim against the Trust, where she spent a significant portion of her career. Mesothelioma is a devastating illness for which there is no cure. All risks posed by asbestos in public buildings must be identified and managed as a matter of urgency to protect both workers and the public. Read more Lessons from Northern Ireland show why decision to slash aid around the world is incredibly misguided Monica Johnston's health issues began in 2021. Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 413 people in Gaza, officials say The family of the late John Logue were hit with a double tragedy with his tragic farming death on Tuesday. On Tuesday emergency services responded to an incident in the Pullytean Road area of Castlederg. Mr Logue, understood to be aged in his 40s, tragically died at the scene. The family has been previously bereaved before Christmas last year, after the passing of Charlie Logue, Johns father. Tributes poured in for the devoted father, who is understood to have had a young family. Sharing his sympathies is DUP councillor for the area, Keith Kerrigan. "My sympathies are with the family. I know that Johns father, Charlie passed away just before Christmas, said the representative. It was really a tragedy, it shows the dangers facing those working in the farming business. It was a farming death which is doubly tragic, with the passing of Johns father in November." Sinn Fein councillor for Derg, Caroline Devine, said the community was shocked by the loss of the young father. "Aghyaran is a tight knit rural community, everybody knows each other. So John and his family are well known, she said. "The whole community is just really shocked, it is such a tragic loss. "I would like to offer my condolences to the family. Also speaking of the loss was fellow Sinn Fein councillor and Dearg representative, Ruairi McHugh. I offer my sympathy to the family, and the friends of the family. I have no doubt that the community will come around to support the family in the coming day, said the Dearg representative. In a post on social media, a spokesperson for The Anglers Inn expressed their sympathies and paid tribute to their late patron. We are very sorry to hear of the tragic passing of local man John Logue, a familiar face here at the bar, they said. John was a devoted father whose face lit up when chatting about his son, our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time. May he rest in peace. One comment in response to the pubs tribute read: Heartbreaking news, John was such a kind caring person. Thinking of all the family at such a sad time. The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) confirmed that they attended an incident in the area at 5.24pm on Tuesday. NIAS despatched one rapid response paramedic to the incident, said a spokesperson. No patients were taken from the scene. Two fire appliances from Castlederg Fire Station and a specialist rescue team also attended the scene. A spokesperson for the NI Fire Service said: Firefighters were called to reports of a rescue on Pullytean Road, Killeter, Castlederg. "Unfortunately one person died at the scene. "Firefighters made the scene safe and the Health and Safety Executive were informed about the incident. Firefighters left the scene at 10.45pm. The PSNI added: "The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time and the Health and Safety Executive have been informed. A spokesperson for the Health and Safety Executive said: "We are working to establish the facts surrounding the incident and while our enquiries are ongoing it would not be appropriate to comment. John Logue A5 protest outside Belfast High Court The last known Battle of Britain pilot, Group Captain John Paddy Hemingway who died this week (Brian Lawless/PA) The Changing the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace has honoured the last Battle of Britain pilot, John Paddy Hemingway, following his death at the age of 105. Group Captain Hemingway, originally from Dublin, was the final surviving member of The Few, who took to the skies in 1940 to defend the UK against Luftwaffe attacks in what became a pivotal moment of the Second World War. The Band of the Coldstream Guards, in their long grey greatcoats and bearskin hats, played the Battle of Britain March and the Royal Air Force March Past in tribute to Group Capt Hemingway during the ceremony on the Palace forecourt on Wednesday. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content The Prince of Wales and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer were among those who praised Group Capt Hemingway for his courage during the conflict after his death on Monday. William, in a personal message, said: We owe so much to Paddy and his generation for our freedoms today. Their bravery and sacrifice will always be remembered. We shall never forget them. In 1940, Group Capt Hemingway was recorded as destroying a German airliner and the following day he downed a German Luftwaffe plane, but his Hurricane fighter was hit by anti-aircraft fire and he had to make a forced landing. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content He then became one of the frontline members of 11 Groups response to daily attacks by German aircraft, which went on to be known as the Battle of Britain. In August 1940, during hectic dogfights, he was twice forced to bail out of his Hurricanes, landing once in the sea off the Essex coast and in marshland on the other occasion. In 1941, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and in September of that year, he was mentioned in despatches by senior officers. Simon Harris said the Government needed to look at blockages in housing delivery (Brian Lawless/PA Projections on housing completions are not an exact science, the Tanaiste has said, after the Central Bank predicted that the Government will miss its housing targets for the next three years. The coalition wants to deliver 303,000 homes by the end of 2030, scaling up from 41,000 this year to 43,000 in 2026 and 48,000 in 2027. However, the Central Banks first quarterly bulletin of 2025 projects that completions will hit just 35,000 this year, 40,000 in 2026, and 44,000 in 2027. The projections for 2025-2027 would put the Government 13,000 homes behind its own targets by the end of 2027. Taoiseach Micheal Martin speaking before Cabinet (Brian Lawless/PA) The remaining targets are 43,000 in 2028; 58,000 in 2029; and 60,000 in 2030. The latest projections come after the Government was criticised for not heeding previous estimates from the Central Bank in the run-up to the General Election. Senior coalition figures had claimed during the election campaign that close to 40,000 new homes would be built in 2024, which would have been far in excess of its own target of 33,450. This was despite the Central Bank projecting in its September quarterly bulletin that completions would hit about 32,000. The Central Bank of Ireland (Niall Carson/PA) In reality, data from the Central Statistics Office revealed that only 30,330 new homes were completed last year. Government ministers defended not relying on the Central Bank projection during the election campaign, instead saying they were using estimates by Deutsche Bank and Cairn Homes. The Tanaiste said the Government needs to look at blockages in housing delivery. Simon Harris said: There have been some years where the Central Bank have underestimated the number of homes that we delivered, in some years Im sure where theyve gotten it quite right, and perhaps other years where theyve overestimated it. And the focus here has to be on the fact that we need 300,000 more homes over the next five years. Im going to be very honest, I think weve gotten to a point where we now know how to deliver well over 30,000 thats good, its well up on where it was. Its not enough. He added: Were going to need to look at further disruptive measures we can take. Im very passionately of the view that that means a real focus on things like water infrastructure. As a Government, we want to provide a lot more money to Irish Water from the Apple fund. But there has to be a quid pro quo for that. I want to know that in return for the Irish taxpayer, Irish Government making a decision to provide lots of extra money to Irish Water, I want to know the cause and effect thats going to have in terms of increasing housing supply. The Central Bank says low productivity in the construction sector, delays in utility connection and the planning system, and a shortage of zoned and service land in high-demand areas are restraining housing supply. Although housing commencements rose by almost 69,000 units in 2024, there is uncertainty over the proportion of these commencements that are likely to result in completed dwellings in the period out to 2027. Speaking before Cabinet on Wednesday, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said the Government will be focusing on how to surpass projections by the Central Bank. I think, generally, people feel we need about 50,000-a-year. However, there has not been as sufficient focus on what we get to 50,000 houses-a-year from where we are now, and that is why I articulated the need for more private sector investment in housing. And we need to create certainty in the investment environment to balance the huge State investment that is going into housing, and will continue to go into housing. But we will be focusing on trying to get those numbers up and surpass the figures that the Central Bank has predicted. Asked if Government will accept the projections, Mr Martin noted that the Central Bank had previously underestimated delivery. However, he added: Nonetheless, irrespective of the forecast, we need to be building more houses. Theres no issue and no argument about that. An Garda Siochana at the scene in Dublin city centre during the citys riots in November 2023 (Brian Lawless/PA) Members of the public order policing unit said the main factors influencing a decision to use force are whether there are adequate numbers of other gardai present and the use of social media to record members, a report has revealed. The findings were contained in a review carried out by the Policing Authority in the wake of the Dublin riots in November 2023. The review found that there is clarity among public order members as to how to use force and the legal and human rights parameters within which it can and should be used. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content However, the primary factor influencing an officers decision to use force is whether members can do so safely if there are inadequate numbers of gardai present to deal with any resulting escalation of violence. The decision to use force within a public order context is primarily influenced by the availability of garda numbers, both in terms of public order gardai and regular gardai. A critical number of gardai is required in such situations, they believe, to allow for the safe use of force. The use of social media to record garda members and the potential dissemination of edited material also influences the use of force, the report found. A fear of a use of force resulting in a complaint to the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) was a much lesser factor for public order members, according to the review. Minister for Justice Jim OCallaghan presented the findings to the Cabinet on Wednesday. Former minister for justice Helen McEntee called for a review of the public order policing capabilities following the Dublin riots. The review has found that while progress has been made since the publication of the Garda Siochana Inspectorate (GSI) report on public order policing in 2019, some of the key recommendations remain incomplete. Police detain a man on OConnell Street in Dublin following violent scenes in the city centre in November 2023 (David Young/PA) It found that it relates to improvements in the central co-ordination, management and governance of public order policing. The review found that while there is current public order policy in place, the policy dates from 2017, which pre-dates the GSI recommendations of 2019. It also dates from a period before the Covid-19 pandemic and before what is an increased use of social media for the mobilisation of protest and before current issues such as migration policy. The review found that while there is evidence of progress made during the months of the review, it said there is an urgent need for the organisation to finalise the policies and communicate them to support garda members and staff. The Policing Authority said the revised policies must clarify the purpose and role of public order policing, the decision-making structures, how resourcing and training are to be co-ordinated and clarify where decision-making in relation to each is located. It is important to note that a lack of agreement and understanding exists at local and regional leadership level and this requires attention, it said in the review. There is a need to ensure compliance with and consistency in the use of the Public Order Incident Command Model. There is a need to clarify where accountability and governance lies in terms of the use or non-use of the Public Order Incident Command Model. The retrospective identification of roles as having been strategic, operational or tactical does not deliver the benefits or reduce the risks that a timely activation of the model at the beginning of a spontaneous event would deliver. The organisation needs to be confident that its leadership at local and regional level is engaging the model when appropriate. It said that while the adequacy of public order policing numbers is a matter for the Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, it has to be considered within the overall reduction in garda numbers and factored into strategic workforce planning. It said that the adequacy of public order capacity and capability needs to be rigorously assessed on a continuous basis as the environment shifts. The review found that the capabilities of the public order unit cannot be divorced from the consideration of garda resources, particularly in regard to garda availability. Consideration as to whether public order policing should be a standing capability or whether it should continue to be serviced from the use of significant overtime has to be based on the capacity of the organisation given current Garda numbers to service such a decision, it added. Ultimately it would require drawing more gardai away from other areas of policing, which can negatively impact service. Public order capacity can only be considered within a conversation about what potential radical approaches exist to increase garda numbers. In its annual advice to the Minister for Justice on garda resources, the Policing Authority said it called for radical action on the issue of garda recruitment and retention in order to more quickly increase garda numbers. The use of overtime in order to substitute for reduced personnel must be overtly called out in the organisations strategic workforce planning and the associated risks identified, it added. Dr Elaine Byrne BL, chairwoman of the Policing Authority, said: The policing of protests and public disorder continues to be a live issue and in that, the authority recognises the courage and dedication of the gardai who undertake public order policing. It is noteworthy that areas discussed in this review do not relate to the skills, competence or work ethic of the gardai undertaking this work. Rather, the report focuses on issues of co-ordination, governance and clarity around decision making. This area of policing is one which will continue to require keen and ongoing oversight in 2025 and beyond. Tanaiste Simon Harris has stressed the need for Ireland to work closely with its EU partners in framing a response (Brian Lawless/PA) The Governments trade forum will meet this week ahead of the potential imposition of broader US tariffs. At Cabinet on Wednesday, Tanaiste Simon Harris is expected to update the Government on the implications of the tariffs proposed by the United States as well as countermeasures announced by the EU in recent days. US tariffs of 25% on all imports of steel and aluminium products and derivatives came into effect worldwide on March 12. On the same day, the EU announced its proposed countermeasures including re-imposition of suspended tariff measures from April 1 and proposed new measures to come into effect later that month. The Trump administration is expected to announce further measures on April 2. Mr Harris has discussed the economic outlook during multiple meetings with business representatives in the US. He is understood to have emphasised the stability of the Irish economy as well as the two-way trade relationship between Ireland and the US. More than 200,000 Americans are employed in more than 770 Irish-owned companies. A meeting of the Government Trade Forum, chaired by Mr Harris will take place on Friday. It is seen as an important engagement with domestic stakeholders ahead of the potential imposition of broader tariffs on April 2. Mr Harris has stressed the need for Ireland to work closely with the European Commission and other EU partners in framing a response. Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage has been mocked by the PM (Lucy North/PA) Sir Keir Starmer has mocked Nigel Farages Downing Street ambitions by claiming the Reform UK leader struggles to lead a party that fits in the back of a taxi. The Prime Ministers remarks came as he sidestepped a question from Reform UK MP Lee Anderson on the possible impact on the Earths temperature if Britain achieved net zero emissions within 24 hours rather than by the 2050 target. Mr Farage, the MP for Clacton, recently told The Times that there is a good chance of him becoming prime minister and put the odds at about 35% to 45% at the moment. Sir Keir Starmer hit out at Reform UK during Prime Ministers Questions in the House of Commons (House of Commons/UK Parliament) He has seen Reforms numbers in the Commons decrease from five to four after Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe was suspended by the party amid accusations about his conduct, which he has strenuously denied. Speaking at Prime Ministers Questions, Mr Anderson (Ashfield) was heckled by Labour MPs as he said he attends the Commons every week to ask sensible questions. Mr Anderson added: I expect sensible answers but all I get is glazed expressions and waffle from the opposite benches. I want to ask the Prime Minister a very simple question on behalf of all the net zero sceptics: if we became net zero tomorrow by how much would we reduce the Earths temperature by? Simple question. Sir Keir replied: Net zero is of course not easy but its a huge opportunity to boost our growth, our jobs and our economy and so he knows my views on that. But he complains theyd have better ideas if they stop fawning over (Russian president Vladimir) Putin. And I understand the Member for Clacton wants to be prime minister, he cant even lead a party that fits in the back of a taxi. Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice could be heard shouting rubbish at Sir Keirs response. Turkish police have arrested Istanbuls mayor a popular opposition leader and key rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and several other prominent figures as part of investigations into alleged corruption and terror links. The arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu marks a dramatic escalation in an ongoing government crackdown on the opposition and dissenting voices in Turkey. The state-run Anadolu Agency said prosecutors issued detention warrants for Imamoglu and around 100 other people. Among those detained was Imamoglus close aide, Murat Ongun. Authorities also closed several roads around Istanbul and banned demonstrations in the city for four days in an apparent effort to prevent protests following the arrest. NTV television reported that two Istanbul district mayors were among those detained. Critics say the crackdown follows significant losses by Mr Erdogans ruling party in local elections last year amid growing calls for early national elections. Government officials insist that the courts operate independently and reject claims that legal actions against opposition figures are politically motivated. The arrest has sparked a furious response (AP) Germany has criticised the arrests, with foreign ministry spokesperson Sebastian Fischer describing them as a serious setback for democracy. People gathered later on Wednesday near Istanbuls police headquarters, carrying posters of the mayor and banners with his photo around their shoulders. Others chanted slogans and raised their fists in the air as riot police cordoned off the facility. The arrest came during a search of Imamoglus home, but it was not immediately clear if police confiscated anything at the site. The mayors wife, Dilek Imamoglu, told the Now television station that police arrived at their residence before dawn and that the mayor was taken at around 7.30am local time (4.30am GMT). The Istanbul Stock Exchanges main index dropped by 7% over news of the mayors arrest, triggering a temporary halt to trading to prevent panic selling and stabilise the market. The mayor is a key rial of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (AP) A day earlier, a university in Istanbul invalidated Imamoglus diploma, effectively disqualifying the popular opposition figure from running in the next presidential race. Having a university degree is a requisite for running in elections under Turkish law. The mayors party the main opposition Republican Peoples Party, or CHP was to hold a primary on Sunday where Imamoglu was expected to be chosen for its candidate in future presidential elections. Turkeys next presidential vote is scheduled for 2028, but early elections are likely. With all the arrests on Wednesday, it is unlikely that vote would be held. Germany has criticised the arrests (AP) We are facing great tyranny, but I want you to know that I will not be discouraged, Imamoglu said earlier in he day in a video message posted on social media. He accused the government of usurping the will of the people. In a social media post on English, Imamoglu said: The will of the people cannot be silenced through intimidation or unlawful acts. I stand resolute, entrusting myself not only to the 16 million residents of Istanbul but to the 86 million citizens of (Turkey.) CHPs chairman, Ozgur Ozel, denounced Imamoglus detention as a coup. Currently, there is a power in place to prevent the nation from determining the next president, he said. We are facing an attempted coup against our next president. Turkeys pro-Kurdish Peoples Equality and Democracy Party condemned the detentions and called for the immediate release of all taken into custody. Jessie Hoffman Jr was convicted in the 1996 murder of Mary Molly Elliott (Caroline Tillman/Federal Public Defenders Office For the Middle and Western Districts of Louisiana via AP) The US state of Louisiana has used nitrogen gas to put a man to death for a murder committed decades ago, marking the first time the state has used the method as it resumed executions after a 15-year hiatus. Jessie Hoffman Jr, 46, was pronounced dead at 6.50pm local time (11.50pm GMT) at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, authorities said, adding the nitrogen gas had flowed for 19 minutes during what one official characterised as a flawless execution. Witnesses to the execution said Hoffman appeared to involuntarily shake or had some convulsive activity. But the three witnesses who spoke including two members of the media agreed that, based on the protocol and what they learned about the execution method, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Faith leaders, activists, and supporters of Jessie Hoffman Jr held a vigil outside the penitentiary (Chris Granger/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP) Witness Gina Swanson, a reporter with WDSU, described the execution from her viewpoint as clinical and procedural. She said there was nothing that occurred during the process that made her think: Was that right? Was that how it was supposed to go? Hoffman declined to make a final statement in the execution chamber. He also declined a final meal. It was the fifth time nitrogen gas was used in the US after four executions by the same method all in Alabama. Three other executions, by lethal injection, are scheduled this week in Arizona on Wednesday and in Florida and Oklahoma on Thursday. Hoffman was convicted of the murder of Mary Molly Elliott, a 28-year-old advertising executive who was killed in New Orleans in 1996. At the time of the crime, Hoffman was 18 and has since spent much of his adult life in a prison in rural south-east Louisiana, where he was executed on Tuesday evening. The execution chamber at the Louisiana State Penitentiary (The Promise of Justice Initiative via AP) After court battles earlier this month, lawyers for Hoffman had turned to the US Supreme Court in last-ditch hopes of halting the execution. Last year, the court declined to intervene in the nations first nitrogen hypoxia execution, in Alabama. Hoffmans lawyers had unsuccessfully argued that the nitrogen gas procedure which deprives a person of oxygen violates the Eighth Amendments prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment. The mans lawyers, in a last-ditch appeal, also argued the method would infringe on Hoffmans freedom to practice religion, specifically his Buddhist breathing and meditation in the moments leading up to death. Louisiana officials maintained the method is painless. They also said it was past time for the state to deliver justice as promised to victims families after a decade and a half hiatus one brought on partly by an inability to secure lethal injection drugs. Emotions ran high for supporters of the condemned man (Chris Granger/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP) The US Supreme Court voted 5-4 in declining to step in. On Tuesday, Arkansas governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed legislation allowing executions using nitrogen gas, making hers the fifth state to adopt the method. Arkansas currently has 25 people on death row. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said she expects at least four people to be executed this year in the state. Following Hoffmans execution, she said justice had been delayed for far too long, and now Hoffman faces the ultimate judgment, the judgment before God. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni has called for pragmatism to prevent an EU-US dispute over tariffs from escalating into a full-scale trade war, and expressed support for American President Donald Trumps efforts towards a ceasefire in Ukraine. Speaking to the Italian senate ahead of a meeting of EU leaders this week, Ms Meloni made her first wide-ranging comments touching on Trump policies that have shaken Europe in the two months since he took office. Ms Meloni struck a diplomatic tone on tariffs and was in favour of Mr Trumps moves to establish a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine as a possible pathway to end the war in Ukraine. She also ruled out sending Italian troops to Ukraine, and spoke out against the proposal for a security force by Britain and France. She also pledged to forge ahead with a controversial and stalled plan to vet migrants outside of the EU borders in Albania. Ms Meloni struck a diplomatic tone (LaPresse via AP) We support the efforts of US President Donald Trump in this sense, she said, adding that the proposed ceasefire deal is a first significant step in a path that must lead to a justice and lasting peace for Ukraine. Ms Meloni also ruled out sending Italian troops to Ukraine, saying it is not on the agenda. We believe that the dispatch of European troops proposed in a draft by Britain and France is a very complex, risky and ineffective option, she said. Ms Meloni said she hoped that a trade war with the United States can be avoided, after the EU responded to US tariffs on steel with tariffs on American whiskey and spirits. Italian winemakers, whose exports to the US last year grew to two billion euro (1.68 billion), are among those bracing for threatened tariffs of up to 200% should the EU tariffs take effect on April 1. I am convinced that we need to work concretely and with pragmatism to find common ground and avoid a trade war that would not benefit anyone, not the United States, and not Europe, Ms Meloni said. Ms Meloni was broadly supportive of Mr Trumps efforts on Ukraine (AP) She warned against retaliatory tariffs that become a vicious circle where everyone loses. Ms Meloni said Italy is determined to operate centres in Albania that it built last year to screen asylum seekers, saying she has received support for the project from other EU governments. The project has been stalled after Italian courts refused to approve deportation proceedings, which has been referred to the EU Court of Justice. I hope that the court will avoid the risk of compromising the repatriation policies not only of Italy, but all EU member states, she said, adding that it would undermine the very stability of Europe. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said a vow by his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin not to attack energy infrastructure was very much at odds with reality following an overnight barrage of drone strikes across the country. Mr Zelensky said that he would speak with US President Donald Trump later in the day and expected to hear more about the American leaders phone call with Mr Putin about a ceasefire and to discuss the next steps to be taken. Mr Zelenskyy said at a news conference in Helsinki with Finnish President Alexander Stubb: Even last night, after Putins conversation with Trump, when Putin said that he was allegedly giving orders to stop strikes on Ukrainian energy, there were 150 drones launched overnight, including on energy facilities. The strikes, which hit civilian areas and damaged a hospital, followed Mr Putins refusal to back a full 30-day ceasefire during discussions with Mr Trump. The White House described the call between Mr Trump and Mr Putin as the first step in a movement to peace that Washington hopes will include a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and eventually a full and lasting end to the fighting. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content But there was no indication that Mr Putin had backed away from his conditions for a prospective peace deal, which are fiercely opposed by Kyiv. Mr Zelensky said that one of the most difficult issues in future negotiations would be the issue of territorial concessions. For us, the red line is the recognition of the Ukrainian temporarily occupied territories as Russian, he said. We will not go for it. Russian drone attacks hit areas including Krasnopillia, Sumy region, (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP) Shortly after the lengthy phone call between Mr Trump and Mr Putin on Tuesday, air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv, followed by explosions as residents took shelter. Despite efforts to repel the attack, several strikes hit civilian infrastructure, including a direct drone strike on a hospital in Sumy and attacks on cities in Donetsk region. Russian drones were also reported over Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Sumy, Chernihiv, Poltava, Kharkiv, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk, and Cherkasy regions. Mr Zelensky spoke after fresh Russian strikes (Russian Defence Ministry Press Service via AP) The Russian defence ministry reported on Wednesday that its air defences intercepted 57 Ukrainian drones over the Azov Sea and several Russian regions the border provinces of Kursk and Bryansk and the nearby regions of Oryol and Tula. Separately, authorities in the Krasnodar region bordering the Crimean Peninsula, which was annexed by Russia in 2014, reported that a drone attack there started a fire at an oil depot. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke during a press conference in Helsinki (Lehtikuva via AP) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he plans to speak with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday to hear more about his call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. At a news conference in Helsinki with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Mr Zelensky said: Today I will have contact with President Trump. We will discuss the details of the next steps with him. Mr Zelensky said Mr Putins agreement to stop striking energy infrastructure were very much at odds with reality following a series of drone attacks across the country. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content The Ukrainian leader said that one of the most difficult issues in future negotiations would be the issue of territorial concessions. For us, the red line is the recognition of the Ukrainian temporarily occupied territories as Russian, he said. We will not go for it. Earlier, Russia launched a series of drone strikes that struck civilian areas and damaged a hospital in Ukraine, after Mr Putin refused to back a full 30-day ceasefire during discussions with his American counterpart. Mr Zelensky said that the attacks continued to strike Ukraines energy infrastructure, despite Mr Putins agreement to immediately cease attacks on the power grid. The Ukrainian leader said Moscows refusal to halt all strikes proved the need for increased pressure on Moscow to prevent Mr Putin from prolonging the war. This confirms that we must continue to pressure Russia for the sake of peace, he said on Tuesday night. Only a real halt to Russias attacks on civilian infrastructure can signal a genuine desire to end this war and bring peace closer. Mr Zelensky spoke after a meeting with Finlands President Alexander Stubb (Lehtikuva via AP) The White House described the call between Mr Trump and Mr Putin as the first step in a movement to peace that it hopes will include a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and eventually a full and lasting end to the fighting. But there was no indication that Mr Putin backed away from his conditions for a prospective peace deal, which are fiercely opposed by Kyiv. Shortly after the two leaders wrapped up their lengthy phone call, air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv, followed by explosions as residents took shelter. Despite efforts to repel the attack, several strikes hit civilian infrastructure, including a direct drone strike on a hospital in Sumy and attacks on cities in Donetsk region. Russian drones were also reported over Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Sumy, Chernihiv, Poltava, Kharkiv, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk, and Cherkasy regions. The Russian defence ministry reported on Wednesday that its air defences intercepted 57 Ukrainian drones over the Azov Sea and several Russian regions the border provinces of Kursk and Bryansk and the nearby regions of Oryol and Tula. Separately, authorities in the Krasnodar region bordering the Crimean Peninsula, which was annexed by Russia in 2014, reported that a drone attack there started a fire at an oil depot. On the eve of two elections, the unionist NI21 party decided to become agnostic on the border issueSexual misconduct allegations against Basil McCrea followed he was later clearedAfter this saga, doubts remain if a liberal unionist party could work NI21 (Part 2): It fell apart in a way that no other political party in history has NI21 appeared to many in the media, civil society and to some in unionism as a great idea and one whose time had come. Former UUP MLAs Basil McCrea and John McAllister set up the party as a new beginning for liberal unionism. But cracks were showing from the beginning, they quickly turned to chasms both in terms of personality and policy. Incredibly, just the day before the partys first electoral test in 2014 European and council elections on the same day the party decided with barely any debate that they were now agnostic on the issue of the border, to John McAllisters horror. This was followed by sexual misconduct allegations towards Basil McCrea, of which he was cleared in 2016. Why did the wheels come off so quickly NI21? Where are the partys big players now? And did it kill off the idea of a liberal unionist party? In the final episode of a two-part special laying out this saga, Ciaran Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraphs Northern Ireland Editor Sam McBride. Picture this: You are driving home from Sunday church services with your family and next thing you know, a driver comes and T-bones your car. Each of you is rushed to the hospital and everyone is taken care of. You thank God relentlessly for keeping your family safe. But then, you see the medical bill. Everyone knows someone that has been burdened by expensive medical bills. Even with insurance, the prices of unexpected accidents or diagnoses can financially ruin a family. It can be overwhelming to overcome, and many end up in mountains of debt because of it. Healthshare ministries aims to fix that, by calling on Christians to group together and show their love and compassion for one another. Healthshare ministries are changing the lives of Christians around the world through shared medical bills. These organizations are giving Christians the freedom to enjoy each day without the burden of expensive healthcare and medical bills. What is a healthshare ministry? Healthshare ministries are non-profit ministries in which hundreds of thousands of Christians voluntarily share to pay each others medical bills. It is not an insurance. Each member is a Christian living out Biblical principles through helping another Christian with the burden of medical costs. The members are in a covenant with each other, rather than a contract. These ministries deliver compassionate and personal service in the name of Christ. They inspire their members to provide for one another through prayer, encouragement, community, and financial support. The New Testament says in Galatians 6:2 to carry each others burdens, which is the foundation of healthshare ministries. It is a modern-day representation of how the early Christian Church shared to meet each others needs (Acts 2 and 4). Jesus often looked for those who were most in need and provided to them. He then instructed us to do the same. In John 13:35 He told His disciples, The world will know you are my disciples by the way you love one another. Because of this, many early Christians banded together to ensure that everyone in their community had their needs met. The ministries check the bills to make sure they are authentic and eligible, and over 670 million in medical bills gets paid annually across the nation. Over one million Americans have participated in health sharing services as of 2019. This takes huge burdens off of our fellow Christian brothers and sisters and is there for when you might need it for your family. Members do not only provide financial assistance. Through spiritual and emotional support, healthshare ministries develop communities of Christians that really help one another. Who have healthshare ministries helped? The idea of a healthshare ministry can date back over a century. Hundreds of thousands of families and individuals have been helped because of their collective efforts. They have helped real people with real problems. We all face health issues in our life, or have someone close that does. Here is one scenario to think through. Imagine opening your own business and joining a healthshare ministry because its budget-friendly and gives you flexibility. With a healthshare ministry, you can volunteer your money and in turn, receive help with your medical bills when you need it. If you found out you had ovarian cancer, for example, you would be able to navigate your treatment more easily and have a community of Christians to support you without fighting an insurance company. They would deliver endless prayers for your recovery and healing. Surgeries for cancer removal can be upwards of millions of dollars, but with a healthshare ministry, you would get the full treatment. When you support a healthshare ministry, you feel good about yourself because you are helping those in need. Then when you need aid the most, you will receive it right back. Think of how great you would feel knowing you had a team to support you during a severe medical emergency? Another very real scenario to think through is problems with pregnancy. Many women struggle to get pregnant, carry babies to term, and other complications. If your newborn suffered after delivery, wouldn't you want to know they could get the best treatment without worrying about costs? Not only is that achievable with healthshare ministries, but you will get encouragement from those who are also a part of the program. You do not have to figure out your medical bills all on your own. Joining a healthshare ministry will give you the freedom to live your life without fear of crippling financial debt. You also will be serving God in a beautiful way by voluntarily showing your Christian brothers and sisters that they are never without support. Are you ready to serve God and grow your relationship with Him through health share ministries? Featured Healthshare Ministry Partner: Medi-Share Megan Bailey is a content producer and digital marketing specialist specializing in social media marketing. She attended James Madison University where she received a degree in psychology. My Episcopalian friends--I'll call them Sharon and Greg--are giving up sex for Lent. Not chocolate, not caffeine: sex. Lent, the 40-day church season that begins this week, is a time of fasting and repentance--a somber and reflective season that precedes the celebrations of Easter. Christians who observe a Lenten fast are both honoring and reenacting Jesus' forty-day fast in the desert. At the end of those 40 days, Satan came to tempt Jesus--and the Gospel of Luke suggests that Jesus was able to withstand the Devil's temptations not despite, but in part because, of his fasting. Somehow his fast made him stronger. Modern-day Christians interpret "fast" broadly. Many Catholic communities retain the practice of giving up meat during some days in Lent. Orthodox communities abstain from meat, dairy and egg products. Most Protestants, like me, undertake a fast that is either, depending on your perspective, more creative, or too lenient--like abstaining from alcohol or TV. This year, I am giving up wine and cheese. And also, at the urging of my spiritual director, I'm trying to get to know my neighbors. (Today, it is popular for people to "take on" a Lenten discipline, like daily prayer, or neighbor-knowing, instead of or in addition to giving something up.) Which brings us back to Sharon and Greg. Forty days without making the beast with two backs. Actually, Sharon is quick to point out to me that it's not quite as bleak as all that. Traditionally, Christians break their Lenten fasts on Sundays, since Sundays are meant to be festive--the celebration of Jesus' resurrection trumps the strictures of Lenten discipline. So, says Sharon, she and her husband will have, um, sex dates on the weekends. I did a little digging for her, and also found that there is a monastic tradition of breaking one's Lenten fast at the hour of the none prayers--that is, three o'clock. "Maybe ya'll can take late lunch breaks from work?" I suggest. But, of course, all this seeking to evade the fast itself rather misses the point. Why didn't Sharon and Greg just give up sugar? 'I Think Sharon Is Not Crazy' It turns out there's not much precedent in church tradition for Lenten sex fasting per se--but this is because in the early church, there were already all sorts of prohibitions about conjugal sex. Many church fathers preferred singleness to marriage, and only grudgingly acknowledged marriage as a viable station for a Christian life. Why the skittishness about conjugal sex? According to Peter Brown's magisterial book "The Body and Society: Men, Women, and Sexual Renunciation in Early Christianity," anxiety about sex stemmed from a number of sources--a disdain for women; a belief that bodily discipline and even bodily suffering were good for leading a righteous Christian life; and, perhaps most pervasive, a Gnostic anxiety about bodies and bodily desire. To read Brown's account, married Christians might have only had sex a few times a year. A Lenten fast would have been overkill. (But, as I told Sharon, having sex on Sundays is very much in accord with traditional Judaism. Married couples are awarded rabbinic brownie points for having sex on the Sabbath, because making love is seen as a robust fulfillment of the Sabbath command to be joyful.) Still, there is scriptural imprimatur for a fast like Sharon and Greg's. In his epistle to the Corinthians, St. Paul makes clear that husbands and wives can choose to take a mutually agreed upon break from sex--provided that such a break is only temporary. I think Sharon is not crazy. Actually, her fast from sex gets to the heart of Lenten discipline. We give up something for Lent to align ourselves with the heart, will, and experience of Jesus. Fasting teaches us that we are not utterly subject to our bodily desires. And in sated and overfed America, fasting reminds us, sharply, of the poor. True, in a world shot through with discomfort about the body--or in a marriage plagued by some Gnostic anxiety that sex is not really good--a Lenten fast from sex may not be a good idea at all. I would not advise such a thing for my friends June and Bob, for example. June was raped 5 years ago, and is still pretty far from a place of seeing sex--even sex with her wonderful and dishy husband--as a good, enjoyable, holy thing. Should Married Couples Walk the Chaste and Narrow? I came home from my breakfast with Sharon and casually asked my husband what he was thinking of giving up for Lent. "Do you think we should give up sex?" I asked. He cackled. We married three weeks after my mother died, and with bereavement has come a predictable coma of my libido--the body in mourning shutting down all unnecessary drives and desires like the desire to sleep with your brand-new husband. A Lenten fast from sex, it seems, was probably not what the doctor (or shrink, or spiritual director) would order for us this year. But in a society that is utterly sex-saturated, Lenten sexual abstinence may be indicated. Indeed, it is only in the last few decades that many of us have come to look askance at disciplining our sexuality. Birth control has allowed married and unmarried people alike to be much more cavalier about indulging sexual desire. Even Christians, who spend so much energy trying to help unmarried folks walk the chaste straight and narrow, don't think much about disciplining sex between spouses (the logic, I think, goes something like this: we've spent all these premarital years being disciplined; now, on the other side of our marriage vows, sexual discipline is a non sequiter.) We fast during Lent because fasting gets our attention. It is a necessary tool for rousing us from our day-to-day sleepwalking. We fast during Lent because when we willingly give up something we delight in but do not, strictly speaking, need, we come closer to participating in, understanding, and reverencing the self-emptying act that is Christ on the Cross. The very discomfort--the uneasy chuckles and tight smiles-that a Lenten sex fast inspires may be precisely the reason that Sharon and Greg's idea is such a good one. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. Arizona governor's visit fuels fear, anger concerning industrial hollowing-out of Taiwan Xinhua) 09:57, March 19, 2025 TAIPEI/BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- The visit by Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs to China's Taiwan region this week has reignited concerns about the outflow of investments and supply chain resources from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) to the United States. Local media reported that Hobbs, who arrived on the island on Sunday, visited TSMC headquarters in Hsinchu and attended a dinner with the chip company's key Taiwan suppliers. Discussion of the visit surged on Taiwan's popular social media platform, the PTT forum, highlighting increasing fears that the island's semiconductor industry may face systematic dismantling. "They are hollowing out Taiwan," one post read, sparking replies such as, "What will be left in Taiwan?" and "TSMC's exodus means Taiwan is disposable." A report by DIGITIMES, an IT industry media outlet, noted growing unease among Taiwan semiconductor firms. Anonymous industrial insiders were quoted as saying that the push for TSMC and its suppliers to set up operations in Arizona is part of a broader U.S. strategy to establish a whole supply chain that increasingly sidelines Taiwan. TSMC, the world's leading contract chipmaker, has been under pressure to increase its investments in the United States over the past few years. With its first wafer fab in Arizona already in operation, the company in early March announced plans to expand its investment in advanced semiconductor manufacturing in the United States by an additional 100 billion U.S. dollars, to build three new wafer fabs, two packaging facilities and an R&D center. Pan Hua-sheng, associate professor at Yunlin University of Science and Technology in Taiwan, said the investment is "not the optimal choice but a short-term compromise." TSMC's investment in the United States has actually gone against its long-held principle of industrial neutrality, Pan said, adding that the semiconductor industry has increasingly become a geopolitical tool, rather than one driven purely by market competition based on quality and cost. Jiang De-gang, a researcher at the Taiwan International Strategic Study Society, said that the authorities of Lai Ching-te are sending Taiwan's whole semiconductor ecosystem to the United States in a package. An editorial published by United Daily News slammed Lai for deceiving the public regarding the TSMC case. "Lai Ching-te is using TSMC as a cover for the inability of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to respond to (U.S. President Donald) Trump's tariff policies," the article said. "He portrayed the relocation of our strategic industry to the United States as an expansion of industrial strength," said the article, adding that a security crisis is being reframed by the DPP authorities as a "historic moment" in the island's so-called relations with the United States. An editorial in the Taipei-based China Times accused the DPP of treating TSMC as a bargaining chip to curry favor with Washington, warning that Taiwan could lose big in the process. Despite the DPP's claim that TSMC's most advanced facilities will remain in Taiwan, people are skeptical. "Why must the DPP insist on banking on the United States? Why shouldn't the people of Taiwan doubt the U.S. actions?" said Ho Yi-cheng, chief of Taiwan Youth Federation. "The action to hand over TSMC to the United States constitutes a genuine betrayal of Taiwan." Lai is selling TSMC and Taiwan's semiconductor industry to Washington in the hope of gaining U.S. support for his separatist agenda seeking "Taiwan independence" and repeated provocations to the mainland, said Chen Guiqing, a research fellow of the Beijing-based Institute of Taiwan Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. "This has given the United States more leverage to blackmail Taiwan," Chen said. "The semiconductor industry is a pillar supporting the development of the entire economy of Taiwan. If this key industry is relocated, the next generation of Taiwan's workforce and the island's economic growth will face a bleak future." (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) With his traditional early July Tanglewood shows approaching and grueling tours still a way of life, James Taylor says slowing down seems unlikely as long as listeners keep catching his pitches. Stay up to date on Berkshires news with Berkshires in Brief, our free daily newsletter NORTH ADAMS The federal spending bill that passed last week to avert a government shutdown may have a direct impact on the city's flood chute feasibility study with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The legislation passed Friday, which was then signed into law by President Donald Trump, will fund the federal government through September. House Democrats voted against the bill, as did Massachusetts senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, but 10 Democratic senators voted with Republicans. In doing so, $1.4 billion was cut from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' construction budget specifically targeting funds that went toward mitigating the effects of floods or hurricanes. The cuts raise the question: What does this mean for the Corps' ongoing feasibility study of the citys flood management system? Stakeholders say they arent sure, but they're closely monitoring how the Corps may be impacted. We read about it in national articles and thought it would affect us, Mayor Jennifer Macksey said. We havent received formal notice that it will. Until we receive that formal notice, were just kind of thinking. The Corps is in the midst of its three-year assessment of the Hoosic River and the citys flood chutes, which were built in the 1950s and have long been in need of repair. In December 2024, the Corps identified five potential paths forward, ranging from a narrowly drawn infrastructure repair project to a broad rehabilitation not only of the flood chutes, but also of the entire Hoosic River habitat. While the majority of money needed for the study has already been secured by state, city, and federal government sources, cuts could affect long-term plans it may cost a projected $200 million to carry out the solutions the Corps develops for the citys flood management system. The city has already put forward its $1.5 million share of the study, according to Hoosic River Revival founder Judy Grinnell. The city and the Corps are each bearing half of the $3 million price tag for the study. The Corps gets its money each year, it is not allocated when the feasibility study is formally signed, said Grinnell. Therefore, we do worry each year, however, we have been told that once a project like ours starts, its rare that they stop funding it. U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, who was able to work $900,000 for the study into a 2023 spending package and the 2024 budget, said the Corps has a stellar reputation of bipartisanship, yet they are now being threatened with the elimination of up to 1,000 projects nationwide. Whats wrong with that is that the spending was already directed by Congress, Neal said. I dont know what this means for the $900,000. At the moment we feel some sense of security, but given the chaotic nature of what happens every day, who knows? Hoosic River Revival Co-President Timothy Caffrey said its too early to tell what the effects of the Corps budget reduction would be. We have a great relationship with our congressional delegation, Caffrey said. Theyve made this a priority, and I hope that continues in the future. There are so many moving parts right now; Im not sure if anybody knows where this is going to end up. All parties involved the city, the Hoosic River Revival and the Corps are set to meet later this week and will likely go into detail on this subject then. While the Corps did not return a request for comment, a Thursday email from Study Manager Joe Chandler to the city and Hoosic River Revival said, At this time, we are not anticipating that anyone involved with the project to be furloughed" if a possible government shutdown were to occur. It did not, however, thanks to the legislation that was passed. Many of us are supported by project funds that have already been allocated, allowing us to continue making progress until those funds are depleted, Chandler wrote in the email. We are still monitoring potential earmarked funding once a budget is passed. In the meantime, the team is reassessing funding needs in case those funds do not materialize. Neal is confident the study will be completed because of court precedents upholding Congressional discretion in determining spending. He said what happened to the Corps is a symptom of a larger issue, a president who says hes laying people off, not based on performance, but just to cut across the board. If you want a reason the Army Corps was targeted, its the mindless formula used for gutting federal agencies, Neal said. You could do things like a hiring freeze to see where it settles the idea that these civil servants are somehow wasting money is sheer nonsense. Its a common joke that someone should not pray for greater patience, because God will send them trials they must endure. While everyone has unique temptations and sinful inclinations, most people would agree they need to grow in patience. While the Bible has much to say about that virtue, it has less to say about the state of being impatient, and some even feel justified in moments of impatience. Is it a sin to experience impatience? Sometimes things are urgent, and people feel they need answers and solutions right away. Is it wrong to want them? The Bible challenges we who have put our faith in Jesus Christ to be more like our Savior, and to grow in the fruits of the Spirit one of which is patience. Being impatient is not in alignment with the character exhibited by Christ, and it often leads to wicked or disastrous results. What Is Impatience? According to Merriam-Webster, impatience is having or showing a tendency to be quickly irritated or provoked; intolerant of; restlessly eager. It is an inability to wait for something and a desire to have what you want right away. Everyone experiences it over the course of their lives. Often, when people think of impatience, they think of wanting bad things or being selfish, but one of the dangers of impatience is that, often, someone can want something good, but they want it right away. Because someone is being impatient for something positive, they dismiss the feeling and dont consider if the root is sinful. Impatience often comes from pride, thinking our plans or timing are better than Gods, even though the Word says, Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! (Psalm 27:4). Throughout the Bible, we see instances of people growing impatient while they wait for good things, and sinning as a result of it. Abraham and Sarah God promised Abraham and Sarah a child, even though they were old and beyond child-bearing years. But He did not bless them right away. As they waited, they grew inpatient. Sarah, then called Sarai, encouraged her husband (who was called Abram at that time) to have a child with her slave Hagar. Also inpatient, Abram agreed. Unfortunately, Sarai was unhappy when Hagar had a child, and it created problems for the whole family, as recounted in Genesis 16-21. Though as adults the brothers got along well enough to bury their father together, eventually Ishmaels descendants would become enemies of Israel, Isaacs descendants. The 10 Commandments The Lord called the descendants out of 400 years of slavery in Egypt through mighty acts, and then helped them miraculously cross the Red Sea on dry land. He brought them to Sinai to make them His people and give them the Law. To this end, Moses went to the top of the mountain for forty days. While it must have been anxiety-inducing to wait for forty days while the presence of God sat atop the mountain, the Israelites were instructed to wait for Moses to return. Instead, as recorded in Exodus 32, they melted down the riches God blessed them with in Egypt and made a false idol a golden calf. As a consequence, Moses destroyed the first set of tablets containing the 10 Commandments, a plague fell upon the people of Israel, and many died for their sins. King Saul King Saul was the first king over Israel. During his reign, he fought many battles to defend Israels borders. After one battle with the Philistines, he waited for the prophet Samuel to come in order to lift up a sacrifice to the Lord. It took Samuel seven days to arrive, but Saul grew impatient, and conducted the sacrifice himself. This displeased the Lord. Because of this act, God withdrew the blessing of the kingdom from Saul and his descendants. He turned His eyes to another family, Davids, as recorded in 1 Samuel 13. What Are the Fruits of Impatience? The Bible says, A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention (Proverbs 15:18). Impatience can lead to many negative outcomes. It can lead to physical injury as a result of not paying attention, rushing ahead, or missing an important piece of information. It can lead to miscommunication because no one asked appropriate questions, or didnt take the time to explain or listen. It can lead to long-term consequences, such as when Sauls descendants lost their birthright to the kingdom of Israel. It can lead to damaged property due to hasty action or lack of understanding. Decisions made in impatience can lead to serious consequences not just for the person who acts, but also the people around them. Bible Verses about Patience Some of the verses in the Bible that encourage patience include, but are not limited to: Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land (Psalm 37:7-9). Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit (Ecclesiastes 7:8). Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer (Romans 12:12). I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:1-3). The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance (2 Peter 3:9). A Prayer for Patience Holy Father, Thank you for your great, enduring patience with us. We often rebel against you, even after we have surrendered to You and have put our faith and hope in the resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ. Without patience, You would have poured out Your judgment long ago. We often struggle with impatience, wanting things to go our way right away, needing answers as soon as possible, and wanting other people and even You to operate on our timeline. We know that isnt Your character, not the model set by Jesus, and not the will of the Holy Spirit. Help us to grow in patience, and to overcome our impatience. Lead us down the path where we grow closer to you, and further away from our former worldly selves. We want to be sanctified into people full of peace and patience, thereby better glorifying You and loving others. In the Name of Jesus, I pray, Amen. The most important reason to be patient, especially as a believer, is because God is patient with us, longsuffering, waiting for people to turn to Him. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life (1 Timothy 1:16). God waits for people to turn to Him for salvation and eternal life, and then He holds the hand of the believer, giving them the Holy Spirit so they can become more like Him, even though they stumble and fall. Impatience is sinful as it is the opposite of Gods character, and leads to destructive outcomes, and often, to greater sin. Sources Manser, Martin. Zondervan Dictionary of Bible Themes. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1999. Wright, Christopher. Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit Growing in Christlikeness. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 2017. Photo credit: Getty Images/BartekSzewczyk Bethany Verrett is a freelance writer who uses her passion for God, reading, and writing to glorify God. She and her husband have lived all over the country serving their Lord and Savior in ministry. She has a blog on graceandgrowing.com. BillOReilly.com is not available in this country. We apologize for any inconvenience. NIMHANS inks MoU with AFMS for collaborative research and training March 19, 2025 | Wednesday | News A critical step in recognising the importance of mental health for Armed Forces personnel In a significant step towards improving the mental well-being of the nations defense personnel, the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) and the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), for collaborative research and training aimed at enhancing mental health support and care for the Armed Forces. The MoU was signed by Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, AVSM, VSM, Director General Armed Forces Medical Services and Dr Pratima Murthy, Director of NIMHANS in a ceremony attended by senior officials from both institutions. The collaboration between AFMS and NIMHANS will focus on strengthening mental health services, conducting specialised training for medical personnel, and developing innovative programmes to address the mental health issues faced by Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, their families and dependants. The key objectives of the MoU include collaborative research, faculty exchange and academic activities. NIMHANS, with its expertise in Neuropsychiatry, will provide help in conducting research on advanced Psychiatric care and support to military personnel, addressing common issues such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD), Anxiety, and Depression. Surg VAdm Arti Sarin, in a statement said that the mental health of our soldiers is as important as their physical health. This partnership with NIMHANS will ensure that our personnel receive the best possible support to cope with the challenges they face while serving our country. Dr Pratima Murthy, Director of NIMHANS, stated that the aim will be to provide world-class support to those who serve our nation, ensuring they receive the mental health care they deserve. This collaborative venture is a critical step in recognising the importance of mental health for Armed Forces personnel and is expected to set a benchmark for similar initiatives across the country. Both organizations are committed to providing comprehensive mental health services that contribute to the overall welfare of the Armed Forces. Indegene expands presence in Europe with new centre in London March 19, 2025 | Wednesday | News Indegenes Europe-based clients can now benefit from this centre as a strategic hub for consulting and commercialisation solutions image credit- shutterstock Bengaluru-based Indegene, a digital-first life sciences commercialisation company, has announced the launch of a new centre in London. This aligns with the companys long-term growth strategy in Europe, reiterating its commitment to enable life sciences clients in the region to be future-ready. Indegenes Europe-based clients can now benefit from this centre as a strategic hub for consulting and commercialisation solutions and modernise their operations with an artificial intelligence (AI)-first approach. The company is strengthening its existing employee base in the region, with skillsets spanning a wide range of areas - consulting, creative, data and analytics, engineering and customer experience. London is a vital healthcare, technology and business innovation hub, with a great talent pool - making it an important market for life sciences companies in the region, said Manish Gupta, Chairman and CEO, Indegene. With our new centre, we are better positioned to dial up innovation and engagement with our clients here and help them holistically improve their commercialisation processes with an AI-first approach and stay ahead of the curve. Indegene launched a new entity in Spain last month. The company already has a significant presence in Europe, with centers in Germany, Ireland, and Switzerland. Last year, Indegene acquired Trilogy Writing & Consulting GmbH (Trilogy), a global provider of specialty medical writing capabilities with teams spread across UK, Germany and US. In 2019, Indegene acquired DT Associates (now DT Consulting), a consulting services company in the UK that supports clients in the healthcare and life sciences space. The world's top 20 global biopharma companies, including many from Europe, trust Indegene for their commercialisation needs. Irish Minister inaugurates new Aerogen office in New Delhi March 19, 2025 | Wednesday | News Marking a major investment in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region for respiratory care Aerogen, the Ireland-based global leader in acute-care aerosol drug delivery, has announced the opening of its India headquarters in the National Capital Territory of Delhi. The new office was officially inaugurated by Irelands Minister for Higher Education, Research, and Innovation, James Lawless, during his visit to India on the occasion of Irelands National Day St. Patricks Day, on March 17. This strategic expansion underscores Aerogens commitment to supporting Indias growing healthcare sector by improving access to cutting-edge aerosol drug delivery solutions. With over 55 million people in India suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and a significant burden of respiratory diseases, Aerogens innovative vibrating mesh nebuliser technology is set to play a transformative role in enhancing patient outcomes. Already the standard of care in Europe and the USA, Aerogens drug delivery system is now poised to support Indian healthcare providers in delivering high-quality respiratory care. The opening of the India headquarters represents a major investment in the APAC region and reinforces Aerogens long-term vision for India. The new office in New Delhi will serve as the operational hub for a growing team of experts, including a country director, marketing professionals, commercial sales specialists, and clinical experts. Starting with 14 team members, Aerogen plans to expand to 30 employees over the next five years to support its growth and market penetration. Designed to foster innovation and collaboration, the India headquarters features state-of-the-art meeting rooms, private offices, a reception area, a library, a gym and yoga space, a recreation zone, and a landscaped lawn, providing a dynamic and inspiring workspace for the team. Aerogens India expansion is a reflection of the robust economic ties between Ireland and India. The companys global growth has been supported by Enterprise Ireland, the Irish government agency that helps Irish businesses scale internationally. Aerogens presence in India is set to drive investment in research, partnerships, and training programmes to ensure the widespread adoption of its advanced aerosol drug delivery technology. By collaborating with leading clinicians, hospitals, and channel partners across India and Sri Lanka, Aerogen is positioned to revolutionize respiratory care, ultimately improving patient outcomes and strengthening the countrys healthcare infrastructure. 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To report severe weather, send an email to ONstorm@ec.gc.ca or post reports on X using #ONStorm. Less than 12 per cent of the 180,000 tickets sold for Zach Bryans three Phoenix Park concerts were bought by people in Dublin. Peter Aiken of Aiken Promotions revealed the news at a briefing on Wednesday announcing extra tickets and the support acts for the biggest event of the summer, attendance-wise. Advertisement Its all outside Dublin, its going to be a huge invasion of people from Northern Ireland and from Mayo, and Donegal, a big, big crowd is coming from Donegal, Aiken said. Normally for a show of this magnitude, 45 to 50 per cent of ticket sales would be from the greater Dublin area, Aiken explained, but for Bryans shows, that figure is just under 12 per cent. That means there will be a large logistical operation in place because of the amount of people travelling to Dublin. Its never happened before in the history of music or live concert promoting that you have so many people [who do not know who the artist is], Aiken said. Advertisement If youre in Belfast or youre in Donegal and you mention Zach Bryan, everybody knows him, it just doesnt seem to resonate here in Dublin. Even though, if you look him up theres 225,000 people listening to Zach Bryan on Spotify every month in Ireland, the only person bigger than him on Spotify is Taylor, Aiken said. "Zach Bryan, we did him a couple of years ago in the Helix of all places, and we had a pre-registration, one or two pre-registrations for tickets. We opened it at 10 oclock on the Monday and at 11.30am we closed it down, Aiken added. They got in touch with us panicking, saying Youve closed the registration, and we informed them that we had 10,000 people already registered, so it wasnt just such a big risk about taking Zach Bryan to Phoenix Park, we already knew it was a huge interest. Advertisement Theres not too many who go from the Helix to three nights at Phoenix Park. Aiken added that he thinks Bryans concerts this summer in Dublin will have some of the biggest singalongs weve ever seen. He tells great stories and it seems to resonate with Irish people, this is his biggest market in the world, but hes doing massive business in America... but per population, this is his biggest market in the world. To sell 180,000 tickets for a guy that a couple of years ago, was unknown, it just shows you what great songwriting does what great songs do, how it resonates with the Irish public, Aiken said. Advertisement A couple of years ago, this guy was on a boat in Southeast Asia in the navy, and he put two songs on YouTube and the rest is history, Aiken added, referring to how Bryan got his start. Because of the ticket buying, were aware of where people are coming from, so we know where theyre theyre coming from, we know what day theyre coming for, and then we work with the coach companies so that there will be coach parking in Phoenix Park so that they have a designated area to go to. Itll be safe and secure, the buses will be numbered so they know where their bus is," according to Aiken, however, "Logistically it'll be a big issue to get the people in and out". I wouldnt be worried because we have the right team behind us, we have the right traffic management plan behind us, and we did it previously here with Ed Sheeran but that wouldve been more sort of 50/50 [people from Dublin vs people from outside Dublin]". Advertisement But also the fact that weve got the two support acts, were opening the doors early, were going to get the message out so people will allow themselves plenty of time to come, so were not worried, we will get it right. A limited number of extra tickets will also be released for Zach Bryan's concerts at Phoenix Park on Friday, June 20th, Saturday, June 21st and Sunday, June 22nd. Support acts Support acts were also announced on Wednesday for the three concerts which will see Bryan perform in front of 180,000 people. Bryan will play for 60,000 fans each night. Turnpike Troubadours and Noeline Hofmann have been announced as support for the Phoenix Park gigs. Turnpike Troubadours are an American country band from Bryans home state of Oklahoma, and their self-titled album reached the top 20 of the Billboard 100. The other support act, Noeline Hofmann, is quite an unknown, Aiken said. The 20-year-old hails from Canada and has been tipped to be one of the biggest new artists, Aiken added. The extra tickets will go on sale on Friday, March 21st at 9am on Ticketmaster.ie. For the concerts, Aiken Promotions has also added a family area for the first time. The family area is only for families and small kids, but will also be alcohol-free. The family area has sold out for the Friday and Saturday nights, but a small number of tickets will be put on sale for the area on Friday. Grammy Award-winning Bryan, from Oklahoma in the United States, has risen to the forefront of country music with what has been described as a once-in-a-generation voice. Explained Who is Zach Bryan, the country star who announced... Read More The last artist to play a concert in Phoenix Park was Ed Sheeran in 2018 as part of the Divide tour, while artists and bands who played there in previous years include The Killers, Robbie Williams, Snow Patrol, The Stone Roses, and Kanye West. Of course, Pope Francis also gave Papal Mass at Phoenix Park in August 2018. Bryan's last concerts in Ireland were in April 2023 at The Helix, which has a capacity of just under 2,000. This is in large contrast to the Phoenix Park venue, which has hosted some of Ireland's biggest concerts - with Robbie Williams' 2003 show at the venue setting the record for the biggest open-air concert ever held in the country. The popstar - who will play Croke Park in August 2025 - sold 135,000 tickets to the concert. American actress and comedian Rosie ODonnell has said that she is thrilled and honoured to have been asked to appear on the Late Late Show with Patrick Kielty on Friday night. Ms ODonnell moved to Ireland with her child Clay in mid January. In a Tik Tok video earlier this month the 62 year old revealed that she is in the process of getting Irish citizenship as she has Irish grandparents. Advertisement She spoke of her intention to reside outside of the US until it is safe, you know, for all citizens to have equal rights there, thats when we will consider coming back. On Wednesday in a post on her Substack account, Ms ODonnell indicated that had just finished her pre interview for the Late Late Late Show on Friday. Ms ODonnell said that cruelty is a centrepiece in his (Trumps) criminally incompetent administration. The New York-born commentator said that she is looking forward to going on a live show, as having no safety net brings out the best in everyone. Advertisement Ms ODonnell hosted a successful talk show in the States for six years, which she added was exhilarating and exhausting all at once. Trump has long had a feeling of animosity towards ODonnell, whom he has called a slob and a degenerate. CNN has previously dated the feud between the pair back to 2006 when ODonnell called Trump a snake oil salesman and he described her as a real loser. She will also be speaking about why she wants people to join her next month in the Same Chance Walk for Autism with AsIAm. Advertisement Country superstar Daniel O'Donnell is back on tour in Ireland this year. He joins Patrick to talk about trips with family, touring and the lengths he has gone to for his fans in a chart-topping career that has spanned four decades. Comedian and actress Roisin Conaty known for Game Face and After Life will be in studio tomorrow night. With a name like Roisin, she will speak of growing up in London with Irish parents and spending summers in Kerry. Roisin will also be chatting about the new series LOL: Last One Laughing UK with Jimmy Carr and why she was so glad that she didn't have to even try keep a straight face amongst some of the funniest people in comedy. Off the back of another great year for the Irish at Cheltenham, two legends of the sport will join Patrick on Friday night. Four-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner and leading jockey at this years festival with four winners, jockey Paul Townend and Cheltenham 2025 double winner and the only female jockey ever to win a Grand National, Rachael Blackmore, will review the highs and lows of the week that was US movie star and musician Will Smith has announced a summer tour that includes dates in England and Wales. The rapper and actor, 56, will play songs from his forthcoming album, Based On A True Story, his first full-length album in 20 years after 2005s Lost And Found. Advertisement In an Instagram post, he said: IM GOING ON TOUR THIS SUMMER!! Were hitting up UK & Europe to bring U all the hits, some new joints, and a few surprises All these years, Ive NEVER done a headline tour and I cant wait to see you guys!! The tour, which will also see him perform hits such as Gettin Jiggy Wit It and Miami, lands in England on August 24 with a date at Scarborough Open Air Theatre. This will be followed with a gig at Cardiffs Bute Park on August 25th and a concert at Manchesters Victoria Warehouse on August 27th. Advertisement There is a date at Londons Brixton Academy the day after and a final gig at University of Wolverhampton at the Halls on August 30th. The tour mainly comprises European festivals, with Smith also playing at the Moroccan festival Mawazine in Rabat. Smith gained recognition in American hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince who released Grammy-winning single Parents Just Dont Understand. In the 1990s, he starred in the hit sitcom The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air about a fictionalised version of himself, born and raised in West Philadelphia, who is sent to live with his wealthy uncle in Los Angeles. Advertisement His debut solo album, Big Willie Smith, was released in 1997 and included the hit song Men In Black, which accompanied the film of the same name and peaked at number one in the UK singles chart. Across his career, Smith has starred in dozens of films including The Pursuit Of Happyness (2006), I Am Legend (2007), and Suicide Squad (2016). In January, he released track Beautiful Scars, featuring rapper Big Sean, as well as a music video where they re-enacted a scene from 1999 science fiction film The Matrix. He has released a handful of other singles that will all feature on his new album, including Tantrum with Joyner Lucas, You Can Make It featuring Fridayy and Sunday Service Choir, and Work Of Art, which was a collaboration with rapper Russ, featuring his son Jaden. Advertisement Tickets for his Based On A True Story summer tour go on sale Friday March 21st at 10am. His album will be released on March 28th. The Association of Catholic Priests has issued a statement over Conor McGregor's White House meeting with Donald Trump, in which they said his views on migrants are "contrary to our understanding of the message of Jesus". The group said he does not speak for Irish people or Catholics, and that he "confuses personal opinions with truth". Advertisement A statement read: "As people who value both our Irishness and our Faith, we wish to state clearly that Mr. Conor McGregors speech in the Oval Office, where he purported to be speaking on behalf of the Irish people, was not representing what we value and hold dear. We believe that he confuses personal opinions with truth. "The sentiments expressed by Mr McGregor in his speech in the White House in respect of migrants and refugees, are contrary to our understanding of the message of Jesus." They also said McGregor's views "are in stark contrast to those of the recently appointed Cardinal Archbishop of Washington, Robert McElroy", when he said: Our truth is the person of Jesus Christ. The task of a Christian is to notice that Jesus first instinct is not to judge or condemn but to embrace people, to help them with whatever issue theyre dealing with, and to address the different elements of woundedness or exclusion they have in their lives. The statement concluded: "The reasons for inviting Mr McGregor to the White House on our national holiday are to be questioned. We wish it to be known that he did not represent us." Advertisement The UFC fighter has mentioned his Catholic faith in the past. McGregor's St Patrick's Day meeting at the Oval Office has been widely condemned by government and opposition politicians. Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Tanaiste Simon Harris said McGregor does not represent Irish people, and that he has no mandate to speak for the public. Conor McGregor and his family pictured with US president Donald Trump and his adviser Elon Musk in the Oval Office. In a strongly-worded statement on his Instagram account, former taoiseach Leo Varadkar referred to the case in which a jury found McGregor civilly liable in a case taken by a woman who accused him of rape. Ireland Politics watch: Widespread condemnation of McGrego... Read More Nikita Hand, also known as Nikita Ni Laimhin, won her claim against McGregor after accusing the professional fighter of raping her in a Dublin hotel in December 2018. Ms Hand, 35, was awarded damages and costs after a three-week trial last year in which the jury found him civilly liable for assault. A judge at the High Court in Dublin later said the jury had conclusively determined that McGregor had raped Ms Hand. McGregor is appealing against the outcome. Mr Varadkar wrote: "Good Irish dads teach their sons to detest men like Conor and their daughters to avoid men like him. Irish America know this. A judge has convicted prominent anti-immigrant activist Philip Dwyer of trespassing at a then-new direct provision centre for International Protection applicants at Magowna House at Inch, Co Clare in May 2023. Imposing a 500 fine for the trespass offence on Citizen Journalist Philip Dwyer at Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Judge Alec Gabbett said that words used by Mr Dwyer to others on the grounds at Magowna House were unkind and "quite unseemly". Advertisement After viewing Mr Dwyers video footage in court of what occurred at Magowna House on May 18th 2023, Judge Gabbett said: There was a certain undertone to the speech used. Judge Gabbett said that Mr Dwyer had told a Ukrainian man at the Magowna House site "you are Ukrainian - you are in my country or words to that effect and you cannot tell me what to do in my country' isn't particularly pleasant to watch. Mr Dwyer (56) of Tallaght Cross West, Tallaght, Dublin 24 had denied the trespass charge and presented video footage of his interactions at Magowna House as part of his case and Judge Gabbett said that the footage was instead helpful to the States prosecution against Mr Dwyer. The court was told at the time, there were protests at Magowna House where 29 International Protection applicants were being accommodated and there were blockades on local roads which were attracting media attention. Advertisement In evidence heard previously, Manager of Magowna House, Ahlam Salman, told the court that Mr Dwyer was on the property on May 18th, recording making me and my staff feel afraid and unsafe. Judge Gabbett said that Mr Dwyers footage corroborated the States evidence of Ms Salmans fear on the day. Judge Gabbett said that Magowna House was no longer operating as a hotel and was private property. In the footage shown in court, Mr Dwyer can be heard saying These are all foreign people telling me what I cant do in my own country. Advertisement Mr Dwyer can be seen addressing a Ukrainian man wearing a fluorescent jacket, asking, Do you think Irish people are stupid? Do you think we are all idiots? I wouldn't blame you to be honest with you. He asks later: What is your problem? You are not in Ukraine, this is my countryWhat are you hiding? I am just asking questions on behalf of the people of Ireland. The people in this country are very concerned about this. After seeing some men believed to be IP applicants staying at the centre, Mr Dwyer asks: Why are these people covering their faces.This is Ireland. This is my country." He says later: The people of Ireland you can see what is happening in their country - stopping Irish men going they lawful business to do journalism. Advertisement The footage later shows Mr Dwyer saying: Philip Dwyer is my name. I am a Citizen Journalist. You are in Ireland now. Of the Ukrainian man, Mr Dwyer said: He should be over in Ukraine fighting the war - he is here illegally. Prior to Judge Gabbett imposing sentence, counsel for Mr Dwyer, Ann Doyle BL said her client does not accept the verdict of the court and had instructions not to give a very detailed plea in mitigation. Ms Doyle said: "Mr Dwyer is someone who I believe is a person of integrity. He is a citizen journalist, and he had no intention of creating a breach of the peace or invoking fear in anyone." Ms Doyle confirmed that the conviction would be appealed to the Circuit Court. Five-time All-Star Limerick hurler, Kyle Hayes, will have to wait longer to find out if he will be jailed for his conviction for engaging in violence at a Limerick nightclub in 2019. In March 2024, following Hayess trial at Limerick Circuit Court the previous December, concurrent suspended sentences of two-years and 18 months were imposed on him, after a jury convicted him of two counts of committing violent disorder, in which carpenter, Cillian McCarthy, sustained serious facial injuries. Advertisement Hayes was acquitted by the jury of a charge of assaulting Mr McCarthy causing harm, at the Icon nightclub, Limerick City, however the sentencing Judge Dermot Sheehan said it would not have happened if not for Kyle Hayes. A condition of Hayess suspended sentences were that he be of good behaviour and not commit any other offences for two-years from last March. Hayes broke these terms when he was convicted last September of a dangerous driving in Cork in July 2024, for which he received a fine of 250 and a two-year driving ban at Mallow District Court. Hayes, (26), of Ballyashea, Kildimo, Co Limerick, lost his appeal against the dangerous driving conviction at the Court of Appeal, Cork, last week. Advertisement Ireland Limerick hurler Kyle Hayes receives two-year drivi... Read More This triggered a Section 99 order at Limerick Circuit Court this morning, whereby the court was to decide whether or not to activate all or part or none of the suspended sentences imposed on Hayes for violent disorder. Hayes had denied the violent disorder charges at his trial in 2023. On Wednesday, Judge Dara Hayes said he would have to take time to consider the matter before deciding whether or not to activate all, part of, or none of Hayess two-year suspended sentence. Judge Dara Hayes remanded Kyle Hayes to appear before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court, for a decision in the matter at 10.30am, this coming Friday. A danger to society, who was spending 600 a week on drugs, has been jailed for a further two years for headbutting a graveyard flower seller. Alan Melia (31) of Cherry Orchard Avenue, Ballyfermot pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm on December 15th, 2020. Advertisement Melia, who was on bail at the time of the offence, has 113 previous convictions and is serving a seven-and-a-half-year sentence for a robbery in 2020, the court heard. Detective Garda Jack Walsh told the court the injured party was selling flowers at Palmerstown Cemetery as he had done for 40 years without incident when two men approached him. He told Emer Delargy BL, prosecuting, that Melias co-accused asked the seller for a number of bunches of flowers for six euro and he said he would rob him if he didnt give them to him. The court heard the co-accused was unidentifiable. Melia headbutted the injured party as he turned to leave and the force caused his glasses to break. The man also sustained a cut on his nose. Advertisement Melia's co-accused said you shouldnt have wound him up". The injured partys nose was not broken but he required stitches when he attended St James Hospital. Sentence Judge Orla Crowe set a headline sentence of three years and suspended the final year of it on strict conditions. She directed the two year sentence is to run consecutive to the sentence Melia is currently serving. This was a horrible assault on a man who for 40 years had a flower stand outside a cemetery, said the judge. That is a really important and sensitive role that this man was doing in society, she added. The judge noted Melia and his co-accused set upon him on broad daylight and went through his pockets and headbutted him after he had turned away. Advertisement Victim impact statement Having read the victim impact statement, the judge said the assault had a profound impact and she had seen the photo of the blood-stained glasses and his stitches. The judge said the most serious part was the psychological impact it had saying there was only one victim here and that is the injured party". The judge said she had read a psychological report which outlined Melia had a very happy home life but spent most of his adulthood in prison. The judge noted Melias remorse and said she would like to put some structure into his life into the future. Advertisement She said she had to take account of the profound impact on the victim. She noted Melia was on bail for two incidents at the time of the offence. The injured party also had to spend 900 on new glasses, she noted. Judge Crowe said the injured party was utterly blameless selling flowers in broad daylight and that the threshold for a custodial sentence had been reached. The sentence for the robbery matter will expire in May 2026 and any other sentence would have to be consecutive, she added. 'Danger to society' This has to be marked with a consecutive custodial sentence the judge said adding he is a danger to society if he does not get some sort of help while in custody. She said Melia is to remain under the supervision of the Probation Services for two years post-release. Advertisement Keith Spencer BL, defending, said Melia had entered a plea on his trial date. He has one child and his partner was present in court to support him. Drug use was the reason for Melia's offending, said Mr Spencer. He had problems with school and learning difficulties but did achieve his junior certificate. He was diagnosed belatedly with Aspergers and ADHD, but it was too late in terms of his education. Counsel said Melia began to hang around with the wrong crowd and was spending 600 a week on heroin and medications. He said his client was doing quite well in Mountjoy Prison but wants to get help for his drug addiction with Melia saying Im sick of being in here". Mr Spencer said at the time of the assault, Melia was dysregulated and unable to manage his emotions. Melia does feel regulated when he uses the gym, counsel added. He was tested by the psychologist, who said his cognitive ability was below average and he requires therapeutic care and addiction counselling. Mr Spencer said Melia needed some community-based recovery and psychoeducational intervention as well as transitional integration. Mr Spencer said Melia was a young man who didnt get the educational intervention he needed and was hanging around with wrong crowd and was easily led. He said Melia offered an apology to the injured party and he is attuned to the impact it has had. The Israeli defence minister has said his country will start urging Palestinians to evacuate from Gaza combat zones soon, warning that Israel is preparing to step up its new offensive. In a statement, Israel Katz warned that if hostages held in Gaza by Hamas are not freed, Israel will act with an intensity that you have not seen. Advertisement The comments came after an international United Nations employee was killed and five others were injured in a strike on a UN guesthouse in the Gaza Strip, as Israel pressed on with a new offensive in the territory that shattered a fragile ceasefire with Hamas. Israel has warned of further consequences for Hamas (AP) Jorge Moreira da Silva, head of the UN Office for Project Services, declined to say who carried out the strike in the central city of Deir al-Balah but said the explosive ordnance was dropped or fired, and the blast was not accidental or related to demining activity. He did not provide the nationalities of those killed and wounded. The UN body, known as UNOPS, carries out infrastructure and development projects around the world. The Israeli military, which has carried out a heavy wave of air strikes throughout Gaza since early Tuesday, denied earlier reports that it had targeted the UN compound. Advertisement But Mr Moreira da Silva said strikes had hit near the compound on Monday and struck it directly on Tuesday and again on Wednesday, when the employee was killed. Demonstrators scuffled with police during a protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his plan to dismiss the head of the Shin Bet internal security service (AP) He said the agency had contacted the Israeli military after the first strike and confirmed that it was aware of the facilitys location. Israel knew this was a UN premise, that people were living, staying and working there, he said. After the strike on Wednesday, the wounded were rushed to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in central city of Deir al-Balah. One man was carried inside on a blanket held up by medical workers. Another lay on a hospital bed, his knee bandaged. A blue protective vest emblazoned with UN rested on a nearby bed. Advertisement There have been no reports of rocket fire or other Palestinian militant attacks since Israel unleashed the air strikes overnight and into Tuesday, ending a ceasefire with Hamas that took hold in January. The Israeli bombardment continued into Wednesday, though at a lower intensity. The Gaza health ministry said at least 436 people, including 183 children and 94 women, have been killed since Israel launched the strikes early on Tuesday. It said another 678 people have been injured. " #Gaza: Awful scenes of civilians killed among them children following waves of heavy bombardment from Israeli Forces overnight. Fueling hell on earth by resuming the war will only bring more despair & suffering. A return to the ceasefire is a must." @UNLazzarini pic.twitter.com/hC6XMDJjDq UNRWA (@UNRWA) March 18, 2025 The military says it only strikes militants and blames civilian deaths on Hamas because it operates in densely populated areas. Gazas health ministry records do not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Advertisement The military said in a statement that as part of the new offensive, it struck dozens of militants and militant sites on Wednesday, including the command centre of a Hamas battalion. The war in Gaza, which was paused in January by an internationally-mediated ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, has been among the deadliest conflicts ever for humanitarian workers, according to the UN. The resumption of fighting launched by Israel early on Tuesday risks plunging the region back into all-out war. It came weeks after the end of the first phase of the ceasefire, during which Israel and Hamas exchanged hostages for prisoners and were set to negotiate an extension to the truce that was meant to bring about an eventual end to the war. But those negotiations never got off the ground. Advertisement Hamas has demanded that Israel stick to the terms of the initial ceasefire deal, including a full withdrawal from Gaza and an end to the war. Israel, which has vowed to defeat Hamas, has put forward a new proposal that would extend the truce and free more hostages held by Hamas, without a commitment to end the war. Stuck in space no more, Nasa astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams returned to Earth on Tuesday, hitching a different ride home to end saga that began with a bungled test flight more than nine months ago. Their SpaceX capsule parachuted into the Gulf of Mexico, just hours after leaving the International Space Station. Advertisement Splashdown occurred off the coast of Tallahassee in the Florida Panhandle, in the US, bringing their unplanned odyssey to an end. It all started with a flawed Boeing test flight last spring. The two expected to be gone just a week or so after launching on Boeings new Starliner crew capsule on June 5. So many problems cropped up on the way to the space station that Nasa eventually sent Starliner back empty and transferred the test pilots to SpaceX, pushing their homecoming into February. Advertisement Then SpaceX capsule issues added another months delay. Sundays arrival of their relief crew meant Wilmore and Williams could finally leave. Nasa cut them loose a little early, given the iffy weather forecast later this week. They checked out with Nasas Nick Hague and Russias Alexander Gorbunov, who arrived in their own SpaceX capsule last autumn with two empty seats reserved for the Starliner duo. Advertisement The SpaceX capsule floats in the Gulf of Mexico (Nasa/AP) Wilmore and Williams ended up spending 286 days in space 278 days longer than anticipated when they launched. They circled Earth 4,576 times and travelled 121 million miles by the time of splashdown. Their plight captured the worlds attention, giving new meaning to the phrase stuck at work and turning Butch and Suni into household names. While other astronauts had logged longer spaceflights over the decades, none had to deal with so much uncertainty or see the length of their mission expand by so much. Advertisement Wilmore and Williams quickly moved from guests to full-fledged station crew members, conducting experiments, fixing equipment and even spacewalking together. With 62 hours over nine spacewalks, Williams set a record: the most time spent spacewalking over a career among female astronauts. Both had lived on the orbiting lab before and knew the ropes, and brushed up on their station training before rocketing away. The SpaceX capsule carrying astronauts Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore and Nick Hague, and Russian astronaut Alexander Gorbunov, after undocking from the International Space Station on Tuesday (Nasa/AP) Williams became the stations commander three months into their stay and held the post until earlier this month. Advertisement Their mission took an unexpected twist in late January when President Donald Trump asked SpaceX founder Elon Musk to accelerate the astronauts return and blamed the delay on the Biden administration. The replacement crews brand new SpaceX capsule still was not ready to fly, so SpaceX subbed it with a used one, hurrying things along by at least a few weeks. Even in the middle of the political storm, Wilmore and Williams continued to maintain an even keel at public appearances from orbit, casting no blame and saying they supported Nasas decisions from the start. Nasa hired SpaceX and Boeing after the shuttle programme ended, in order to have two competing US companies for transporting astronauts to and from the space station until it is abandoned in 2030 and steered to a fiery re-entry. By then, it will have been up there more than three decades; the plan is to replace it with privately run stations so Nasa can focus on moon and Mars expeditions. Both retired Navy captains, Wilmore and Williams said they did not mind spending more time in space a prolonged deployment reminiscent of their military days. But they acknowledged it was tough on their families. Nasa astronauts Suni Williams, left, and Butch Wilmore en route to the launch pad in |une 2024 (Chris OMeara/AP) Wilmore, 62, missed most of his younger daughters senior year of high school; his older daughter is in college. Williams, 59, had to settle for internet calls from space to her mother and relatives. We have not been worried about her because she has been in good spirits, said Falguni Pandya, who is married to Williams cousin. Shes been healthy and weve been in touch with her right until they left. She was definitely ready to come home. Prayers for Williams and Wilmore were offered up at 21 Hindu temples in the US in the months leading up to their return, organiser Tejal Shah, president of World Hindu Council of America said. Williams has spoken frequently about her Indian and Slovenian heritage. Prayers for their safe return also came from Wilmores Baptist church in Houston, where he serves as an elder. After returning in the gulf Mr Trump in January signed an executive order renaming the body of water Gulf of America Wilmore and Williams will have to wait until they are off the SpaceX recovery ship and flown to Houston before reuniting with their loved ones. The astronauts will be checked out by flight surgeons as they adjust to gravity, officials said, and allowed to go home after a few days. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said a vow by his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin not to attack energy infrastructure was very much at odds with reality following an overnight barrage of drone strikes across the country. Mr Zelensky said that he would speak with US President Donald Trump later in the day and expected to hear more about the American leaders phone call with Mr Putin about a ceasefire and to discuss the next steps to be taken. Advertisement Mr Zelenskyy said at a news conference in Helsinki with Finnish President Alexander Stubb: Even last night, after Putins conversation with Trump, when Putin said that he was allegedly giving orders to stop strikes on Ukrainian energy, there were 150 drones launched overnight, including on energy facilities. The strikes, which hit civilian areas and damaged a hospital, followed Mr Putins refusal to back a full 30-day ceasefire during discussions with Mr Trump. The White House described the call between Mr Trump and Mr Putin as the first step in a movement to peace that Washington hopes will include a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and eventually a full and lasting end to the fighting. But there was no indication that Mr Putin had backed away from his conditions for a prospective peace deal, which are fiercely opposed by Kyiv. Advertisement Russian drone attacks hit areas including Krasnopillia, Sumy region, (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP) Mr Zelensky said that one of the most difficult issues in future negotiations would be the issue of territorial concessions. For us, the red line is the recognition of the Ukrainian temporarily occupied territories as Russian, he said. We will not go for it. Shortly after the lengthy phone call between Mr Trump and Mr Putin on Tuesday, air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv, followed by explosions as residents took shelter. Despite efforts to repel the attack, several strikes hit civilian infrastructure, including a direct drone strike on a hospital in Sumy and attacks on cities in Donetsk region. Advertisement Mr Zelensky spoke after fresh Russian strikes (Russian Defence Ministry Press Service via AP) Russian drones were also reported over Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Sumy, Chernihiv, Poltava, Kharkiv, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk, and Cherkasy regions. The Russian defence ministry reported on Wednesday that its air defences intercepted 57 Ukrainian drones over the Azov Sea and several Russian regions the border provinces of Kursk and Bryansk and the nearby regions of Oryol and Tula. Separately, authorities in the Krasnodar region bordering the Crimean Peninsula, which was annexed by Russia in 2014, reported that a drone attack there started a fire at an oil depot. Nicola Sturgeon has said her forthcoming memoirs will be open and candid about her mistakes and heartbreaks as well as her triumphs as she revealed the books title Frankly. The former Scottish first minister has been working on the book since at least 2023, when publisher Pan Macmillan picked up the UK rights in a hotly-contested auction. Advertisement Earlier this month Ms Sturgeon spoke of her relief as she announced plans to step down as an MSP at the 2026 Holyrood election. The book promises to be a personal and revealing memoir which charts Ms Sturgeons journey from a working-class upbringing in Ayrshire to becoming Scotlands most prominent politician. While Ms Sturgeon has not said specifically, the title Frankly may be a nod to comedian Janey Godleys catchphrase of Frank, get the door part of Godleys voiceover parodies of Ms Sturgeons coronavirus news briefings that saw her achieve viral fame during the pandemic. In a social media post, the SNP MSP said Frankly is available for pre-order and will be published on August 14th. Advertisement She said: I have poured my heart into this book, it tells the story of my personal journey, it recounts the extraordinary events that I have been privileged to live and to lead through. She said it will be a behind-the-scenes look, including of her interactions with colourful characters. Ms Sturgeon continued: The title sums up what the book is: open, honest candid. Nicola Sturgeon has announced she will step down from Holyrood at next years election (Robert Perry/PA) About my mistakes and my heartbreaks as well as my triumphs and achievements. Advertisement In the months after announcing her resignation as first minister in February 2023, her husband and former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell was arrested in relation to a police probe into the SNPs finances. He was later re-arrested and charged in connection with the alleged embezzlement of party funds. Ms Sturgeon was also arrested in relation to the same probe, as was former party treasurer Colin Beattie. They were both released without charge pending further inquiries. Advertisement Earlier this year, Ms Sturgeon announced she and Mr Murrell had decided to end their marriage. US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday that they had a constructive call about moving towards a ceasefire between Kyiv and Moscow, with the White House suggesting the US could take control of Ukrainian power plants to ensure their security. Mr Trump told Mr Zelenskiy that the US could be very helpful in running those plants with its electricity and utility expertise, according to a White House statement from secretary of state Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz that described the call as fantastic. Advertisement One of the first steps toward fully ending the war could be ending strikes on energy and other civilian infrastructure, Mr Zelenskiy posted on X after the roughly hour-long call. I supported this step, and Ukraine confirmed that we are ready to implement it. Mr Trump added that American ownership of those plants could be the best protection for that infrastructure. Mr Zelenskiy and Mr Trump discussed in general terms the possibility of a ceasefire, according to a senior Ukrainian official. Advertisement During the call, there was an emphasis on how any ceasefire process would need to be monitored and that the teams still needed to resolve technical issues, said the official, who described the call as a very good conversation, positive, with the jokes. During the call, Mr Zelenskiy requested additional Patriot defence missile systems. Mr Rubio and Mr Waltz said Mr Trump agreed to work with him to find what was available, particularly in Europe. In a social media post, Mr Trump said his call with Mr Zelenskiy was to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs as he seeks to bring a halt to the fighting. Advertisement We are very much on track, Mr Trump added. Mr Trump spoke on Tuesday to Russian President Vladimir Putin about a possible partial ceasefire. I had a positive, very substantive, and frank conversation with President of the United States Donald Trump @POTUS. I thanked him for a good and productive start to the work of the Ukrainian and American teams in Jeddah on March 11this meeting of the teams significantly helped pic.twitter.com/JFBd5EeIkg Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) March 19, 2025 Mr Putin agreed not to target energy infrastructure but refused to back a full 30-day ceasefire. But before his call with Mr Trump, Mr Zelenskiy said Mr Putins agreement was very much at odds with reality, after an overnight barrage of drone strikes across the country. Advertisement Even last night, after Putins conversation with Trump, when Putin said that he was allegedly giving orders to stop strikes on Ukrainian energy, there were 150 drones launched overnight, including on energy facilities, Mr Zelenskiy said at a news conference in Helsinki with Finnish President Alexander Stubb. Russia responded by saying it had halted its targeting of Ukraines energy facilities and accused Kyiv of attacking equipment near one of its pipelines. Unfortunately, we see that for now there is no reciprocity on the part of the Kyiv regime, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. The White House described the call between Mr Trump and Mr Putin as the first step in a movement to peace that Washington hopes will include a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and eventually a full and lasting end to the fighting. Advertisement A Russian soldier patrols an area in Sudzha, the Kursk region of Russ,ia after it was taken over by Russian troops (Russian Defence Ministry Press Service/AP) But there was no indication that Mr Putin backed away from his conditions for a prospective peace deal, which are fiercely opposed by Kyiv. The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, said that Mr Putins demands during the call with Mr Trump would amount to Ukrainian capitulation. Putin is attempting to hold the temporary ceasefire proposal hostagtoto extract pre-emptive concessions ahead of formal negotiations to end the war, the ISW said in an analysis of readouts from the calls. White House national security adviser Mike Waltz said on social media that he and his Russian counterpart, Yuri Ushakov, agreed on Wednesday that their teams would meet soon in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to focus on implementing and expanding the partial ceasefire President Trump secured from Russia. It was not immediately clear who would be part of the delegations or if Ukrainian officials were also invited to take part in the Saudi Arabia talks. Shortly after the lengthy phone call between Mr Trump and Mr Putin on Tuesday, air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv, followed by explosions as residents took shelter. Despite efforts to repel the attack, several strikes hit civilian infrastructure, including two hospitals, a railway and more than 20 houses, Mr Zelenskiy said. Flamesand smoke engulf a building after a Russian attack in Krasnopillia, Ukraine (Ukrainian Emergency Service/AP) Russian drones were reported over Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Sumy, Chernihiv, Poltava, Kharkiv, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk and Cherkasy regions. The Russian defence ministry said its military had launched seven drones at power facilities related to the military-industrial complex in Ukraines southern Mykolaiv region, but that it shot them down after receiving Mr Putins ordenot toot target energy infrastructure. Moscow accused Ukraine of targeting its energy facility in the Krasnodar region bordering the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014, several hours after the Putin and Trump talks. The ministry said that three drones targeted oil transfer equipment that feeds the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, causing a fire and leading one oil tank to lose pressure. It is clear that we are talking about yet another provocation deliberately concocted by the Kyiv regime, aimed at derailing the peace initiatives of the US president, the ministry said. Russia said that its air defences intercepted 57 Ukrainian drones over the Azov Sea and several Russian regions the border provinces of Kursk and Bryansk and the nearby regions of Oryol and Tula. Mr Zelenskiy said that words of a ceasefire were not enough. Firefighters at the site of a Russian attack in Krasnopillia, Ukraine (Ukrainian Emergency Service/AP) If the Russians dont hit our facilities, we definitely wont hit theirs, he said. He rejected Mr Putins key condition thaWesternrn allies stop providing military aid and intelligence to Ukraine. He said that doing so would endanger lives if citizens were blind to incoming air raids, and lead to the continuation of the war. I dont think anybody should make any concessions in terms of helping Ukraine, but rather, assistance to Ukraine should be increased, Mr Zelenskiy said. This will be a signal that Ukraine is ready for any surprises from the Russians. Mr Zelenskiy said that one of the most difficult issues in future negotiations would be the issue of territorial concessions. For us, the red line is the recognition of the Ukrainian temporarily occupied territories as Russian, he said. We will not go for it. Unredacted documents related to the 1963 assassination of former president John F Kennedy were released on Tuesday following an order by US President Donald Trump shortly after he took office. More than 1,100 files consisting of in excess of 31,000 pages were posted on the US National Archives and Records Administrations website in the evening. Advertisement The vast majority of the National Archives collection of more than million pages of records, photographs, motion pictures, sound recordings and artefacts related to the assassination have previously been released. Larry J Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Centre for Politics and author of The Kennedy Half-Century, said he had a team that started going through the documents but it may be some time before their full significance becomes clear. We have a lot of work to do for a long time to come, and people just have to accept that, he said. Mr Trump announced the release on Monday while visiting the John F Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts in Washington, saying his administration would be releasing about 80,000 pages. Advertisement We have a tremendous amount of paper. Youve got a lot of reading, Mr Trump said. Researchers had estimated that the number of files still released either in whole or in part was around 3,000 to 3,500. And last month the FBI said it had discovered about 2,400 new records related to the assassination. Jefferson Morley, vice president of the Mary Ferrell Foundation, a repository for files related to the assassination, said in a statement posted on the social platform X that the release is an encouraging start. Complete versions of about a third of the redacted documents held by the National Archives have now been made public, he said, an estimate of more than 1,100 of about 3,500 documents. Advertisement Rampant overclassification of trivial information has been eliminated and there appear to be no redactions, though we have not viewed every document, Mr Morley said. The National Archives said on its website that in accordance with the presidents directive, the release would encompass all records previously withheld for classification. But Mr Morley said what was released on Tuesday did not include two-thirds of the promised files or any of the recently discovered FBI files. Interest in details related to Kennedys assassination has been intense over the decades, with countless conspiracy theories spawned. Advertisement He was killed on November 22 1963 on a visit to Dallas, when his motorcade was finishing its parade route downtown and shots rang out from the Texas School Book Depository building. Police arrested 24-year-old Lee Harvey Oswald, who had positioned himself from a snipers perch on the sixth floor. Two days later nightclub owner Jack Ruby fatally shot Oswald during a jail transfer. A year after the assassination, the Warren Commission, which President Lyndon B Johnson established to investigate, concluded that Oswald acted alone and there was no evidence of a conspiracy. But that did not quell a web of alternative theories over the decades. President Kennedy was killed on November 22, 1963 on a visit to Dallas (AP Photo/Bill Achatz, File) Oswald was a former Marine who defected to the Soviet Union before returning home to Texas. Advertisement Files in the new release included a memo from the CIAs St Petersburg station from November 1991 saying that earlier that month, a CIA official befriended a US professor there who told the official about a friend who worked for the KGB. The memo said the KGB official had reviewed five thick volumes of files on Oswald and was confident that Oswald was at no time an agent controlled by the KGB. The memo added that as Oswald was described in the files, the KGB official doubted that anyone could control Oswald, but noted that the KGB watched him closely and constantly while he was in the USSR. It also noted that the file reflected that Oswald was a poor shot when he tried target firing in the Soviet Union. In the early 1990s, the federal government mandated that all assassination-related documents be housed in a single collection in the National Archives and Records Administration. The collection was required to be opened by 2017, barring any exemptions designated by the president. Around 500 documents, including tax returns, were not subject to the 2017 disclosure requirement. Mr Trump, who took office for his first term in 2017, had said that he would allow the release of all of the remaining records but ended up holding some back because of what he called the potential harm to national security. And while files continued to be released during former president Joe Bidens administration, some remained unseen. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he plans to speak with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday to hear more about his call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. At a news conference in Helsinki with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Mr Zelensky said: Today I will have contact with President Trump. Advertisement We will discuss the details of the next steps with him. Mr Zelensky said Mr Putins agreement to stop striking energy infrastructure were very much at odds with reality following a series of drone attacks across the country. The Ukrainian leader said that one of the most difficult issues in future negotiations would be the issue of territorial concessions. For us, the red line is the recognition of the Ukrainian temporarily occupied territories as Russian, he said. Advertisement We will not go for it. Earlier, Russia launched a series of drone strikes that struck civilian areas and damaged a hospital in Ukraine, after Mr Putin refused to back a full 30-day ceasefire during discussions with his American counterpart. Mr Zelensky said that the attacks continued to strike Ukraines energy infrastructure, despite Mr Putins agreement to immediately cease attacks on the power grid. The Ukrainian leader said Moscows refusal to halt all strikes proved the need for increased pressure on Moscow to prevent Mr Putin from prolonging the war. Advertisement This confirms that we must continue to pressure Russia for the sake of peace, he said on Tuesday night. Only a real halt to Russias attacks on civilian infrastructure can signal a genuine desire to end this war and bring peace closer. Mr Zelensky spoke after a meeting with Finlands President Alexander Stubb (Lehtikuva via AP) The White House described the call between Mr Trump and Mr Putin as the first step in a movement to peace that it hopes will include a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and eventually a full and lasting end to the fighting. But there was no indication that Mr Putin backed away from his conditions for a prospective peace deal, which are fiercely opposed by Kyiv. Advertisement Shortly after the two leaders wrapped up their lengthy phone call, air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv, followed by explosions as residents took shelter. Despite efforts to repel the attack, several strikes hit civilian infrastructure, including a direct drone strike on a hospital in Sumy and attacks on cities in Donetsk region. Russian drones were also reported over Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Sumy, Chernihiv, Poltava, Kharkiv, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk, and Cherkasy regions. The Russian defence ministry reported on Wednesday that its air defences intercepted 57 Ukrainian drones over the Azov Sea and several Russian regions the border provinces of Kursk and Bryansk and the nearby regions of Oryol and Tula. Separately, authorities in the Krasnodar region bordering the Crimean Peninsula, which was annexed by Russia in 2014, reported that a drone attack there started a fire at an oil depot. 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 This weeks reviews feature something for all genre lovers, from a post-colonial coming-of-age story to an anthology of the autistic experience, and a wry dissection of society and nature. FICTION PICK OF THE WEEK Theft Abdulrazak Gurnah Bloomsbury, $32.99 The first novel from Abdulrazak Gurnah since he won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2021, the seeds of Theft are sown in Tanzania in the 1960s, as it throws off the shackles of colonial rule. But this is a postcolonial coming-of-age story, largely set in 1990s Zanzibar. Three young people Karim, Badar and Fauzia grow up in unhappy families. Karim is a living embodiment of his mother Rayas disastrous youth: she was forced into a loveless marriage to an abusive older husband (and bore Karim not long before escaping). Badar, meanwhile, is related to Rayas second husband, Haji, though hes treated as a servant rather than a family member. Despite both suffering parental abandonment, Karim is an ambitious pragmatist, Badar a romantic. Wild accusations of theft bring conflict over inheritance and bonds of fraternity, while a somewhat underdeveloped third figure, Fauzia, copes with a traumatic legacy of her own. A sort of recolonisation via Western tourism adds a layer of satire to the love triangles and family drama. Colony Annika Norlin Scribe, $32.99 Advertisement Swedish author Annika Norlin has written an incisive, character-driven dissection of society and human nature. Emelie is an overworked journalist facing burnout. She withdraws into her home, before deciding to go off-grid and camp in the woods. There, she meets the teenager Lake, whos been raised in a remote forest colony peopled by escapees from urban life and strikes up a friendship that leads her to join their isolated community. Each character is strongly individuated, and they have their own reasons for leaving society at large from Aagny, unable to reintegrate after serving time in jail, to Sagne, Lakes mother, whose sense of disconnection from the rest of humanity is amplified following an assault. Emelies journalistic instincts do not leave her shes inquisitive, and her arrival exposes interpersonal conflict and power dynamics usually submerged among the group. Colony is smart and often droll. It features strong characters and world-building, all portrayed with compassion for the nuances of human resilience and frailty. Grace of the Empire State Gemma Tizzard Hachette, $32.99 New York. Early 1930s. Dancer and former circus performer Grace comes from a large Irish immigrant family still reeling from the death of its paterfamilias, and struggling to survive as the Great Depression bites. Her younger sister Connie has a lung infection, but they cant afford to see a doctor. Calamity continues to strike when her show in Times Square closes, and her twin brother a riveter on the half-finished Empire State Building has an accident at work, narrowly avoiding falling to his death but breaking his arm in the process. Its up to Grace to put on hobnail boots and engage in gender illusionism of the Twelfth Night variety, taking her twins place among the construction workers onsite at what will be, upon completion, the worlds tallest structure for 40 years. Grace of the Empire State is a colourful, maximalist historical novel with a likeably realised heroine. So full of incident it can feel crowded at times, the storytelling remains secure cleverly juxtaposing dangerous work on a skyscraper with the abject want of a safety net for those living in poverty. Our Infinite Fates Laura Steven Penguin, $24.99 In this epic young adult romantasy, the teenaged Evelyn is fated to fall in love in every life she has ever lived and doomed each time to die before her 18th birthday. This time around must be different. Evelyns sister needs a bone marrow transplant, and for Evelyn to save her, shell have to save herself first. Confronting the fate that has locked her, for countless millennia, in Ardens lethal embrace wont be easy. Love does not always feel freely chosen, and with the origins of the curse lost to time, figuring out how to break it will require a cool head a hard thing to keep in the face of a deadly soulmate. Love and death are the twin impulses in cap-R Romantic art, and Laura Steven yokes them together in a fairytale written for a younger audience addicted to genre fiction and small-r romance. Teens will find relatable characters speaking in accessible, ordinary sounding dialogue, and our heroine encounters high stakes, with emotions running even higher. Advertisement NON-FICTION PICK OF THE WEEK Five Seasons in Seoul Christine Newell Affirm, $34.99 Were used to the yearly pattern of four seasons, but in Korea they have a fifth, between late summer and autumn, when, as Christine Newell writes in this thoroughly engaging memoir of her time in Seoul, the energies of yin and yang are perfectly balanced. In many ways, it is the metaphor that informs her tale. She had experienced the highs and lows of being a theatre performer, but after the death of her father in 2003, her career spiralled and she found herself playing Tappy the tap-dancing dinosaur for childrens theatre anxiety and despair flowed, along with tears. Something had to give. Then came the life-transforming offer of working with a theatre company in Seoul. With admirable ease, she vividly evokes the sights, tastes and feel of the city, ranging from the exotic to the kinky, incorporating customs, beliefs and a little romance. The Age of Diagnosis Suzanne OSullivan Hodder Press, $34.99 Medical science has come on in leaps and bounds, but has it led to an age of overdiagnosis? Neurologist Suzanne OSullivan thinks we need to find a balance between the benefits of our diagnosis-driven culture and the downsides that come with it. Along the way she challenges many medical assumptions, such as the belief that early diagnosis and intervention is best, asking if patients are increasingly having operations they dont necessarily need. Incorporating case studies, she examines a broad range of diseases and conditions, including autism, anxiety, depression and ADHD, and wonders if we are not pathologising normal is sadness a natural part of life or a lack of serotonin? Then there is online self-diagnosis and psychosomatic illness. A highly complex issue, circumspectly examined in accessible, clear writing. Advertisement At Tuesdays barrier draw for the Golden Slipper, one of Sydneys premier horse races, the hot topic wasnt the horses. Instead, the racing industry was abuzz as to why the heavily promoted interview with trainer Gai Waterhouse, the undisputed queen of the Slipper, had been pulled from television the previous night. The hour-long interview, Gai: An Audience with the First Lady, had been slated to air on Monday night on Sky Thoroughbred Central in the lead-up to Saturdays Golden Slipper at Rosehill, a race that is synonymous with Waterhouse due to her record eight wins and her late father Tommy Smiths six triumphs. Gai Waterhouse says she spoke out against the Rosehill proposal in the interview, which did not air as promoted. Credit: Monique Westermann The fate of the racecourse, which will host the famous race, is bitterly dividing the racing industry, with the board of the Australian Turf Club split over the proposal. Those in favour of the sale claim it will open the way for a mini city of 25,000 homes to be built. At the same time, Waterhouse and several other prominent trainers are at loggerheads over this and other issues with key racing industry figures. David Sharaz has a new baby, a new city and a new job. The ex-journalist and his wife, former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins, have set up home in Melbourne and shared on social media this month that they have welcomed a baby boy into the world, name undisclosed. David Sharaz and Brittany Higgins Credit: Instagram But wait, theres more. Sharaz, 33, a former journalist for SBS and Sky News and senior media adviser in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, has secured himself a new comms job for an independent agency. The couple have never been far from the media spotlight after Higgins went public in 2021 with an allegation she was raped in Parliament House, prompting a political controversy for the ages, one which damaged the Morrison government and led to an aborted criminal trial, two defamation cases, years of media scrutiny and social media abuse. If it werent for the family accommodation at the Womens, I would not have my girls, she said. We need family support around us to get through these times. The hospital-owned site is one of six new public land parcels that will be sold by the Allan government under its Small Sites program, a policy announced as part of the housing statement, with developers to build hundreds of new high-density homes. Loading A media alert issued by the government in March described the Grattan Street site as underutilised and surplus health residential land. But hospital sources have told The Age that the accommodation continued to be heavily used by patients and their families until its sudden closure in October. The internal hospital memo stated that maternity patients and families with babies in intensive care would be referred to Ronald McDonald House. Other patients including those needing abortion care or treatment for gynaecological cancer would have to make their own arrangements. Medical staff feared that some women, unable to afford a hotel, might resort to driving or taking a train after surgery, or risk sleeping in their car. The senior hospital source said the flats were rundown, but it was a mistake to offer no alternative. They said staff were advocating for hospital executives to come up with an adequate, long-term solution. Were not going to rest until its sorted out, they said. Another hospital insider, who requested anonymity, said the accommodation catered to hundreds of families each year. Most stayed for less than a week, while some women stayed for months, particularly those with high-risk pregnancies. They said that while the accommodation needed upgrading, it had provided a safe space for people to rest their heads during a turbulent time. A lot of women would say it was a godsend, they said. Loading Dr Nisha Khot, vice president of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said she was concerned some regional patients would avoid travel to the city for the care they needed. The cost of having their medical care has gone up significantly because they now have to find accommodation for themselves, Khot said. Alternative accommodation should be absolutely the bare minimum. Khot said she understood the need for more housing but felt a reasonable solution would be to deliver new patient accommodation as part of any build on the Grattan Street site. It is a very disappointing decision, Khot said. Women who live in rural and regional Victoria are already disadvantaged on multiple fronts. Womens Health Victoria chief executive Sally Hasler said she was aware the Royal Womens Hospital was no longer providing free accommodation in some instances, including for patients travelling long distances for a safe abortion. Hasler said many women from rural Victoria had no option but to go to Melbourne due to limited services in regional areas, and it was crucial that these patients had somewhere safe and affordable to stay in the hours following treatment. The combined costs of transport, accommodation, time off work, medical tests and childcare may mean that theyre unable to afford to travel to access an abortion, Hasler said. A senior health source, speaking confidentially to address internal matters, said that under former treasurer Tim Pallas, the state government had sought to identify any surplus public land. They said the hospital originally wanted to build additional facilities on the Grattan Street site, but agreed to give it up to the government in exchange for an expansion at Arden. Loading However, a $5 billion project to build new Royal Womens and Royal Melbourne hospital towers in Arden was scrapped last year, with the government blaming electromagnetic interference from the Metro Tunnel rail station. Instead, extra floors will be added to the Royal Womens Hospital, and the size of the Royal Melbourne Hospitals new Western Building will be increased. The changes were welcomed by the hospital. A Royal Womens Hospital spokeswoman said the difficult decision to close the family accommodation was made last year, leading to the land being declared surplus to allow for other uses. We recognise that this was a valued resource for regional patients But unfortunately, the building required significant refurbishment to meet current housing standards and was not sustainable in the longer term, she said. We understand the importance of equitable access to healthcare and are exploring ways to ensure more people living in regional and rural Victoria can access the expert care they need. She said staff were helping patients find accommodation as needed, with some being supported financially through the hospitals philanthropic funding. A Victorian government spokeswoman said about 70 high-quality homes would be built on the site and 10 per cent would be affordable. There are currently 32 flats, including some that are rented. That is more than double the homes currently on the site, she said. The Grattan Street site was declared surplus by the hospital following their decision to close the accommodation service last year, she said. Loading She said the Royal Womens Hospitals accommodation arrangement was now consistent with other public health services. The hospital last year recorded a $1.5 million operating deficit, a decrease of $1.96 million, while the Victorian government reported a $2.2 billion budget deficit for 2024-25. A three-way feud delaying Melbournes airport rail has been put to bed after the airport and the state and federal governments on Thursday signed a document agreeing to push the project forward. A steering committee of senior officials from each organisation will be set up under a memorandum of understanding that agrees all sides will work together and finalise how construction on the delayed project can finally get under way. An artists impression of a proposed above-ground station at Melbourne Airport. Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King signed the document at Tullamarine on Thursday morning alongside Victorian Transport Infrastructure Minister Gabrielle Williams and Melbourne Airport chief executive Lorie Argus. The Commonwealth says the project, originally expected to open by 2029 but delayed by at least four years, has taken a big step forward with the signing of the agreement. Hundreds of property owners are selling their units at a loss in a handful of high-density neighbourhoods, new figures show. The apartment pain bucks the trend as most property sellers in Australia make money, CoreLogic research found. Houses are more likely to make a profit than apartments. Credit: Peter Rae Of the property owners who sold in the December quarter, 94.8 per cent made a nominal profit, barely down from 95.1 per cent in the previous quarter, as property values weakened, the latest Pain and Gain Report found. Sellers made a median profit of $306,000 in the quarter, and the chance of gains was not far below the most profitable period on record the April quarter 2004 at 97.2 per cent. The median loss was $45,000, up from $40,000 in the previous quarter. Things are a bit closer with the two more expensive Android phones, though Apple beats them all for raw power and graphical capabilities. Of particular note are the displays, which I think are superior on all three of these Androids compared to the iPhone (assuming a similar quality on the Pixel 9a as on the Pixel 9, which appears to be the case). The 16e looks great, especially for watching HDR video, but the Androids are bigger, brighter, support an always-on display and feature fast 120Hz refresh rates for smooth movement. All three Android have bigger batteries, but the iPhones processor is super efficient, so you should expect all of them to make it through a long day of work and play. Googles Pixel 9a looks like its shaping up to be the closest match for Apple overall, as the two companies have taken similar approaches to their less-expensive phones; keep the chipset and the software experience from the 2024 flagship phone, and cut out some of the nice-to-haves. Google has confirmed that some of the features of the Pixel 9 namely the screenshots app and a couple of the AI experiences will not make it to the 9a. But on the whole it seems to offer the same Gemini-powered AI features, including the chatbots new live video and screen sharing that will be available for paying Gemini Advanced subscribers. Google also has the most cohesive lineup of software and services to match Apple, and although you can get them on any device theyre more closely integrated in Pixels. The Nothing Phone 3a Pro is a bit of a surprise entry here, as the British brand only arrived in Australia last year, but its value proposition is very strong. At $850 it packs an older but reasonably powerful chipset, a great modern look, excellent display and an array of cameras that feels like its from a much more expensive device. The main shooter and ultra-wide are good enough to hang with other sub-$1000 phones, but the periscope telephoto lens at x3 zoom gives it a notable edge even over the $1400 iPhone 16. Its a very nice feature to have on a less-expensive phone. Battle of the Androids So, of the three Androids, which is the more compelling upper-mid-range champion? The Pixel or the Galaxy are obvious choices if youre already on a phone from those respective ecosystems and are looking for a straightforward upgrade. The two more established brands are also offering a better guarantee for the long term. Google is promising seven years of major OS updates, while Samsung is committing to six. Nothing will only guarantee three. The Pixel and Galaxy have full water protection and are covered in Gorilla Glass from US company Corning, while the Phone 3a is only rated against splashes and features Panda Glass from the less-proven Chinese company Tungshu. The Galaxy A56 and iPhone 16e offer a familiar software experience, while the Nothing Phone 3a Pro is quite different. Credit: Tim Biggs Samsung is offering the lower cost device of the three, and among $700 phones its offering quite a lot. But of course competition is very tight in the Android space, and if price is your primary concern there are cheaper options like the A36, or the Nothing Phone 3a. As a candidate for best sub-$1000 Android phone, it does feel like its lacking in features and performance. Well have a full review of the Pixel 9a in the coming weeks, but it gives the impression of being extremely similar to the $1350 Pixel 9, just $500 cheaper, which is the same formula that made the Pixel 8a a standout sub-$1000 phone of last year. Googles excellent photography platform, AI editing tricks and chatbot-powered features (including the ability to have your calls answered and transcribed for you by machine) make for an experience thats unique among smartphones in general, and will work especially well for anyone whos tied their digital life to the big G. Loading But the proposition for the Nothing phone is almost the opposite, with most of the unique features it adds to Android designed to get you to use your phone less. Its cheerfully retro operating system strips the colour from attention-grabbing app icons, while its experimental Essential Space attempts to keep tabs on your to-do list by organising your voice notes and screenshots. Its the most unusual of the three choices by far, but it does also nail the smartphone fundamentals of display, camera and battery life better than most. Vancouver: Elon Musks Tesla has been kicked out of a Canadian car show over safety concerns for the public after a spate of destructive attacks on the electric car brand at the weekend, which the Trump administration has condemned as domestic terrorism. Vancouver International Auto Show executive director Eric Nicholl said organisers had pulled Tesla as an exhibitor at the event, which runs this week, because of a primary concern for the safety of workers, attendees and exhibitors. Nicholl said Tesla had been provided with multiple opportunities to voluntarily withdraw before the organisers made the decision. Police are investigating after several vehicles were set on fire at a Tesla service centre in Las Vegas. Credit: AP Largely peaceful Tesla Takedown protests targeting Tesla dealerships have swept across North America and the world over the past month, denouncing Musk, Teslas chief executive, and his role advising US President Donald Trump. Trump has infuriated Canadians, imposing tariffs on Canadian imports and repeatedly threatening to make Canada the 51st American state. While a representative for the protest movement said it opposed violence and destruction of property, law enforcement officials are investigating a series of incidents in the United States from Colorado to California, Oregon and Seattle where Tesla vehicles, showrooms and charging stations have been set alight, painted with graffiti, and peppered with bullets. Washington: US President Donald Trump made a bid to take over Ukraines nuclear power plants during a phone call with its President, Volodymyr Zelensky, telling him American ownership would offer Kyiv the best protection despite a ceasefire on energy infrastructure attacks having just been agreed. The Trump administration also appeared to reject Russian President Vladimir Putins demand to cut off all military aid and intelligence sharing for Ukraine, with an official White House summary of the call saying defence staff of both nations would continue to share battlefield information. However, Zelenskys request for additional US air defence systems specifically the advanced Patriot interceptor missile was not immediately granted. The US statement said Trump agreed to work with [Zelensky] to find what was available, particularly in Europe. By consulting with members, it found that these costs can add up to 30% of the price of new houses, highlighting a significant area for potential savings and increased affordability. NABs call for collective action Highlighting the need for a comprehensive and unified approach to tackle these threats, Hartley stressed the importance of collaboration across the financial and tech industries to pre-emptively stop these crimes. The ban targets a very small proportion of homes and will likely have a negligible impact on overall housing supply and affordability, Lieu said. In order to address the major housing shortage were currently undergoing, we need to focus more on initiatives that impact supply on a larger scale. A joint funding investment of over 7 million was announced this month through the US-Ireland R&D Partnership Programme. This tripartite research and development (R&D) partnership between the United States of America (USA), Republic of Ireland (RoI) and Northern Ireland (NI) increases collaborations among researchers and industry across the three jurisdictions. Four awards have been funded under the programme, spanning 10 higher education institutions and supporting approximately 20 research positions. The projects funded include research on communications networks and healthcare. "Strong international research partnerships are vital to address the global challenges of our time," said Celine FitzGerald, Interim CEO of Research Ireland. "Through this significant tri-partite investment, the US-Ireland R&D Partnership continues to support and encourage world-class, impactful and collaborative research projects between our countries." Since its launch in 2006, the US-Ireland R&D Partnership has funded 98 partnership projects with a combined government investment of 158 million. This unique funding initiative aims to increase the level of collaborative R&D, generating valuable discoveries and innovations. The funding agencies involved are Research Ireland and the Health Research Board (HRB) in RoI, the Department for the Economy (DFE) and the Health & Social Care R&D Division (HSC R&D) in NI, and the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in USA. The 10 collaborating institutions are: South East Technological University (SETU), Teagasc, University College Dublin (UCD) and University College Cork (UCC) in the Republic of Ireland; Queens University Belfast (QUB) and Ulster University (UU) in Northern Ireland; and Virginia Tech, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), University of Pennsylvania and Rochester Institute of Technology in the United States. "The US-Ireland R&D Partnership Program provides a unique opportunity to advance world-class technological innovations," said NSF Director, Sethuraman Panchanathan. "Working together, we are furthering a global ecosystem of innovation one that not only responds to todays challenges but anticipates the needs of tomorrow." This is it. The excise tax exemption on pickup trucks is now gone thanks to the effectivity of the Capital Market Efficiency Promotions Act ... Gordon Deegan A judge has convicted prominent anti-immigrant activist Philip Dwyer of trespassing at a then-new direct provision centre for International Protection applicants at Magowna House at Inch, Co Clare in May 2023. Imposing a 500 fine for the trespass offence on Citizen Journalist Philip Dwyer at Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Judge Alec Gabbett said that words used by Mr Dwyer to others on the grounds at Magowna House were unkind and "quite unseemly". After viewing Mr Dwyers video footage in court of what occurred at Magowna House on May 18th 2023, Judge Gabbett said: There was a certain undertone to the speech used. Judge Gabbett said that Mr Dwyer had told a Ukrainian man at the Magowna House site "you are Ukrainian - you are in my country or words to that effect and you cannot tell me what to do in my country' isn't particularly pleasant to watch. Mr Dwyer (56) of Tallaght Cross West, Tallaght, Dublin 24 had denied the trespass charge and presented video footage of his interactions at Magowna House as part of his case and Judge Gabbett said that the footage was instead helpful to the States prosecution against Mr Dwyer. The court was told at the time, there were protests at Magowna House where 29 International Protection applicants were being accommodated and there were blockades on local roads which were attracting media attention. In evidence heard previously, Manager of Magowna House, Ahlam Salman, told the court that Mr Dwyer was on the property on May 18th, recording making me and my staff feel afraid and unsafe. Judge Gabbett said that Mr Dwyers footage corroborated the States evidence of Ms Salmans fear on the day. Judge Gabbett said that Magowna House was no longer operating as a hotel and was private property. In the footage shown in court, Mr Dwyer can be heard saying These are all foreign people telling me what I cant do in my own country. Mr Dwyer can be seen addressing a Ukrainian man wearing a fluorescent jacket, asking, Do you think Irish people are stupid? Do you think we are all idiots? I wouldn't blame you to be honest with you. He asks later: What is your problem? You are not in Ukraine, this is my countryWhat are you hiding? I am just asking questions on behalf of the people of Ireland. The people in this country are very concerned about this. After seeing some men believed to be IP applicants staying at the centre, Mr Dwyer asks: Why are these people covering their faces.This is Ireland. This is my country." He says later: The people of Ireland you can see what is happening in their country - stopping Irish men going they lawful business to do journalism. The footage later shows Mr Dwyer saying: Philip Dwyer is my name. I am a Citizen Journalist. You are in Ireland now. Of the Ukrainian man, Mr Dwyer said: He should be over in Ukraine fighting the war - he is here illegally. Prior to Judge Gabbett imposing sentence, counsel for Mr Dwyer, Ann Doyle BL said her client does not accept the verdict of the court and had instructions not to give a very detailed plea in mitigation. Ms Doyle said: "Mr Dwyer is someone who I believe is a person of integrity. He is a citizen journalist, and he had no intention of creating a breach of the peace or invoking fear in anyone." Ms Doyle confirmed that the conviction would be appealed to the Circuit Court. By Cillian Sherlock, PA The Department of Education has been accused of kicking the can down the road over the funding of a Dublin school which is facing closure. The Sacred Heart Junior School, in the Killinarden area of Tallaght, had said it will have to close because it can no longer afford to pay basic bills. Principal Orla McLoughlin said the school has suffered massive underfunding for many years due to cuts from the Department of Education. In a letter to parents last week, she 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 1st. Ms McLoughlin said the school will have to close and teach remotely if it did not receive emergency funding. The Department of Education has since committed to an early payment of capitation grant which was due in June. The school is to receive the funding this week in a bid to avoid the April 1 closure. Fianna Fail TD John Lahart said the grant will help alleviate immediate cashflow issues. However, People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Paul Murphy said said this does not deal with the underlying issue. He added: It just kicks the can down the road of a lack of funding for a school in one of the most deprived communities in the country. The Senior National School is only a few months behind in terms of financial crisis. They are saying that they wont be in a position to open from September of this year unless they get substantially more funding. Mr Murphy said the prospect of the school entering into remote teaching presents a huge crisis for families in the area. He added: This is because of a lack of funding, the debts are mounting up and they effectively cant afford to keep the lights on to keep the building heated. They have been in touch with the Department of Education over a number of months, highlighting the shortfall in terms of funding, and appealing for extra funding to be given and so far, the appeals have fell on deaf ears. Mr Murphy said: Its particularly outrageous when you contrast it with the funding that is made available to private schools on an annual basis, over 140 million euros spent by the State on annual basis to pay the salaries of teachers in private schools. Just one example: Glenstal Abbey, which has fees of 14,600 euro a year more than the entire disposable income of some families in Killinarden receiving almost 1.4 million euro in State funding last year. Whereas what Killinarden Sacred Heart needs is a few tens of thousands of euro to remain open, and so far that funding has not been made available. Its absolutely disgraceful. The Department of Education previously said it was committed to offering all available and appropriate supports to the school. The school is now engaging with the departments Financial Support Services Unit to address its financial situation. The department has requested further details from the school to determine what targeted support can be provided. ST FIACCS National School is celebrating a remarkable double victory after both of its quiz teams secured first place at the regional stage of the 2025 Credit Union Schools Quiz. The event was held on Friday 7 March and brought together schools from across Kilkenny and Carlow to battle for a spot at the prestigious national finals. This marks the second year in a row that St Fiaccs will represent Carlow Credit Union on the national stage. The school quiz is broken up into two categories, under-13 and under-11, and each school is allowed to enter one team per category, said Lee Mulhall, marketing and business development officer for Carlow District Credit Union. St Fiaccs came out on top in both our local quiz and then again in the regional one. Its brilliant for the kids, and now theyre heading to the national finals. The Credit Union Schools Quiz, now running for over three decades, annually attracts more than 25,000 students nationwide. Competition rounds are spread out over an hour-and-a-half, with entrants tackling general knowledge questions spanning multiple subjects. After local (stage 1) and regional (stage 2) eliminations, winning teams proceed to the national finals (stage 3), which will be held on Sunday 6 April in the RDS, Dublin. Its a high-profile event with well-known personalities hosting and up to 1,000 in prize money on offer. Congratulations to St Fiaccs, said Mr Mulhall. Theyre reaching the national finals again and its brilliant. For anyone hoping to follow in their footsteps, schools can take an online quiz on the Credit Union website to gauge their readiness before officially entering. The recently-released Credit Union Schools Quiz Book (2024) also provides a treasure trove of practice material, compiling 15 years worth of past questions. Sign up to get our news digest delivered directly to your inbox twice a week. Animators Nicolas Menard and Jack Cunningham are kindred spirits. The two met at Nexus Studios in 2014, and began collaborating in 2019. Now, they have formalized their creative partnership by launching as the directing duo Eastend Western, repped by Nexus. Both are based in the U.K., although Menard is Quebecois and was born in Montreal before attending the Royal College of Art in London. Menards 2016 short Wednesday With Goddard won best animated short at South By Southwest film festival. Cunninghams work has included projects for Google, Vitra, The New York Times, and an augmented-reality app for the Obama Administration, 1600, that allowed viewers to conjure 3d animation of the White House from a dollar bill. To celebrate the debut of their partnership, Menard and Cunningham have released Triple Bill, a trilogy of short animated films, each under two minutes. The shorts unique mood pieces that Menard describes as a Western, a film noir, and a fantasy film continue the filmmakers fascination with replacement animation, using delicately-rendered miniatures to bring to life stop-motion characters. Eastend Western created Triple Bill over a year-and-a-half, working with director of photography Ian Forbes in three shooting blocks at Arch Model Studio, a stop-motion specialist production facility. They then finessed the trilogy with other friends and collaborators who contributed to the passion project. Cartoon Brew spoke with Menard and Cunningham to discuss Triple Bills creation, and their love for the tactile animation medium, which they recently showcased in an art exhibition near their London studio. Cartoon Brew: What was your creative inspiration for Triple Bill? Nicolas Menard: Jack and I had been working with replacement animation for a while, mainly through commercials. We had many character heads, and body parts from previous films. For a couple of years, wed been writing an eight-to-ten-minute short film, but it was ambitious. We felt, if we wanted to improve our replacement animation techniques, it was better to do something shorter first. And so, we came up with the script for Blue Goose. Jack Cunningham: We had these pieces around us, and we used them as inspirations. We thought, lets try and make one minute have impact and atmosphere, and give it the time and attention to detail, to show people what were capable of outside of the commercial zone. Did you start by sketching? Menard: Drawing is always the foundation of everything we do. We start on paper, finding interesting compositions with pencil usually starting with the silhouette of a character. With these films, the animatic process was a little bit of a mix. Once we had a pencil-and-paper animatic that functioned, we did more advanced sketches using Blender in grayscale. Why is the first short, about a red cowboy, called Blue Goose? Cunningham: I happened to visit an antique shop in San Francisco where I found some vintage advertising labels for peaches [Blue Goose Produce]. That sat on my desk, and it was such an evocative name. When we were tackling this story about the modern world, seen from a 1960s style, and the meanings behind brands, the name seemed to work. We also liked the contrast between words and visuals. Theres a little bit of mystery there. The cowboy is very Talos-like [from Jason and the Argonauts (1963)]. How did you develop him? Cunningham: He was 3d printed, and so we wanted to be able to get that motion across in as few frames as possible, to make that movement memorable. That slightly menacing, slow walk with a stuttering frame rate, like a statue creaking to life, worked perfectly. And a nod to Ray Harryhausen is always a charm. How did you refine the 3d outputs? Menard: 3d printing today with resin is very high fidelity. If you look closely, you might see some printing layers, but its subtle. And Jack does a really good job at sanding. Cunningham: The cowboy was my first foray into that. Knowing that hed be close to camera, and such small figures, I went to town with sanding each model. We also purchased an airbrush, and researched paints to give us a particular matte finish. Was there any digital rig removal? Menard: Theres barely any postproduction. The cowboys each had a pin under their feet, that we pinned into a foam base. The only supports we had to remove in all three films was [in Club Row] for the staircase. That had supports under two pieces of the platform. It was minimal cleanup, and we designed it that way. Our main post element was grading, done very generously by Johnny Tully at No. 8 and also at Cheat. What was your setup for lighting? Menard: For each film, we came to our DOP, Ian Forbes, thinking about the atmosphere that we wanted to illustrate the genre that we were shooting. We first set out to do only Blue Goose. After that, we thought, Maybe we should make another It happened that way because it took us a little bit of time to finish music on Blue Goose. There were two, or three months in between each one. Each of them had about three days shoot. What inspired the Escher/Kafka vibe of Club Row? Menard: I have an interest in the pictorial space within painting. I find that staircases as a subject are a good way of playing with that. I remember saying to Jack, I want this film to be a spinning staircase. We focused on the engineering aspect of how to make that work in stop-motion replacement animation. And then, we added themes to make a story. Club Rows opening is sinister. Is that a floppy disk emerging from coffee, like the Lady of the Lake? Cunningham: I was in Cornwall with my family, near Tintagel, so the Arthurian tales were very much in my head. I suggested to Nicolas, I know were doing this Bauhaus staircase with corporate espionage, but lets put a bit of Arthurian legend in there. Where did the title Mythacrylate come from? Cunningham: The chemical name for acrylic is [polymethyl] methacrylate. So, we made the trees out of acrylic, and we added myth to give it a mythic feel. How did you animate the swordplay? Menard: We had 18 figurines doing a cycle. And then, we redistributed them in the set to create the army. That was an intense day of shooting. Each figure had its number 3d-printed under its foot. We aligned 18 figures at once, and every frame I had to swap their placements, to reposition them, but also try not to make any of the trees move. It was a challenging shoot, but it was the centerpiece of the film. The technique of replacement animation is all about the multiplicity of figurines. So, we found a story that showcased that. The audio for the series is very atmospheric, and you both have music credits, with Bridget Samuels on the first is that correct? Menard: Yes, Bridget Samuels, our dear friend, did the music on [a] Corona beer commercial [we worked on] back in 2019, and she agreed to do Blue Goose. We were so lucky. Cunningham: Bridget is a music supervisor with Mika Levi, who had just done [Jonathan Glazers 2023 drama] The Zone of Interest. To have Bridgets talent was great. Something so simple can be so evocative. That kicked off the sound design for all the films. Bridget didnt have time for the other two, so we had to step up. Menard: Jack did Club Row. After that, I gave Mythacrylate a try. Joe Wilkinson, who did the mix, then took what we did, and brought it forward very beautifully. What is it about this medium that fascinates you? Cunningham: Its physical. In the face of AI, and generated imagery, at the end of our process, were not just left with an mp4; we have a magical array of puppets and sets. In fact, we had an exhibition where people came to see not only the films, but the sets themselves. One of my friends has a clothing shop at Coal Drops Yards in Kings Cross. Its a vibrant area and Googles headquarters are being built around the corner. We were very lucky to have a great space to screen the films and show the work. Menard: I also think that replacement animation echoes culture in an interesting way. We love working within that aesthetic of how sculpture is formed, how you can retain the detail and the beauty of each shape in the same way that you have in a sculpture, and then apply that to animation. Its something that we find interesting. Advertisement Cement dispatches in Colombia slipped three per cent YoY to 0.87Mt in January 2024 from 0.897Mt in January 2024, according to the countrys statistics office, DANE. Bulk cement dispatches declined by 11.9 per cent YoY in the first month of 2025 while bagged cement dispatches were up by 1.4 per cent when compared with the equivalent period of the previous year. Deliveries to the retail sector picked up by 2.3 per cent YoY but dispatches to the construction companies and contractors shrank by 8.8 per cent YoY in January 2025. Ready-mix concrete producers reduced their off-take by 6.9 per cent YoY. Dispatches to other sectors dropped 20.8 per cent YoY in January 2025. The departments of Narino and Casanare saw the largest growth, by 34.5 and 13 per cent, respectively. The markets of Quindio and Santander reported the largest contraction 21.9 and 12.9 per cent,respectively. In Antioquia dispatches slipped by 1.9 per cent and in Valle del Cauca, they edged up by 0.1 per cent. Cundimarca deliveries fell by two per cent, Atlantico dispatches were down 6.8 per cent, but those in Bolivar saw 6.6 per cent growth. Production from domestic plants saw a 5.9 per cent YoY drop to 0.946Mt from 1.006Mt in January 2023. Advertisement Cement sales in Senegal declined by 3.9 per cent YoY to 639,500t in January 2025 when compared with January 2024, when 665,500t was sold on the domestic market, according to data published by Senegals Planning and Economic Policy Directorate. The countrys cement manufacturers produced 762,500t in the first month of 2025, 14.3 per cent less than in the equivalent period of the previous year, when output reached 889,900t. Exports dropped by 34.1 per cent YoY to 148,100t in January 2025 from 224,800t in January 2024. Since Hamass barbaric attack on Israel on October 7th, many of our nations top universities have abandoned their Jewish students. Instead of providing a place to learn, they have become hotbeds of antisemitism, anti-American hatred, and open support for terrorism. Each day brings new, disturbing examples. At Princeton University, students waved the flag of terror groups like Hezbollah. At the University of California, Los Angeles, activists blocked Jewish students from attending classes. At George Washington University, a pro-Hamas demonstrator walked around campusjust blocks from the White Housewith a sign calling for a Final Solution against the Jewish people. In recent weeks, pro-Hamas activists at Barnard College occupied an academic building, allegedly assaulted a school employee, and handed out flyers produced by the Hamas Media Office. Those pamphlets glorified Operation Al-Aqsa FloodHamass term for its kidnapping, rape, and murder of more than 1,200 Israelis. These incidents are far from isolated. According to Hillel International, there were more than 1,800 antisemitic incidents on college campuses during the 2023-2024 school yearan increase of more than 500 percent compared with the year before. As Jewish students faced harassment and intimidation on our college campuses, however, the Biden administration did nothing about it. Instead, they sided with the radical activists who turned our campuses into cesspools of hatred. Now, with President Trump back in the Oval Office, pro-Hamas studentsand the colleges that enable themare on notice. Recently, Secretary of State Rubio vowed to revoke visas and green cards from any foreign students who support terror groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. This is something I have long called for, which is why I am so pleased to see the administration taking action. This month, Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested a former Columbia University student from Syria, Mahmoud Khalil, who was a ringleader for his campuss anti-Israel encampment. At these demonstrations, pro-Hamas activists spat on Jewish students, chanted F the Jews, and held signs next to Jewish students claiming that they would be Hamass next target. In many ways, Khalil was the perfect leader for this antisemitic, pro-terror movement. Before he enrolled at Columbia, he allegedly served as a political affairs officer with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. That is the same aid agency that has indoctrinated Palestinian children to hate Jews, stored Hamass weapons and ammunition in its schools and facilities in Gaza, employed known members of Hamas, and provided support and aid to terrorists. There is no reason why someone like this should be allowed in our country to support terrorism and promote anti-Jewish bigotry. Thats why Secretary Rubio is intending to deport Khalilwhich this administration has the full authority to do under our federal immigration laws. Instead of supporting this common-sense decision, however, Democrats are rallying around Khalil, with one senator calling his pending deportation dangerous and another comparing the administration to a dictatorship. More than anything else, these statements show that Democrats care more about terror-supporting foreign activists than protecting American citizens. Thankfully, many more deportations will follow under President Trump, who is putting America First by removing any visitor to our country who aligns with terrorist organizations. As this administration works to deport Hamas affiliates, I have introduced legislation to support their efforts. My bipartisan No Immigration Benefits for Hamas Terrorists Act would block any migrant tied to Hamas from entering our country. And my No Flights for Terrorists Act would put anyone on the No Fly List if they have pledged allegiance to Foreign Terrorist Organizations like Hamas. President Trump is also vowing to pull federal funding from schools that fail to protect Jewish students from discrimination. Just this month, his administration canceled $400 million in grants and contracts with Columbia. This is a good start. Right after October 7th, I joined Senator Tim Scott in introducing the Stop Antisemitism on College Campuses Act. This legislation would rescind federal funding for any university that authorizes, funds, or facilitates events that promote violent antisemitism. With such widespread failure from our nations colleges to protect Jewish students, there are billions of dollars on the line. One thing should be clear: With President Trump back in the Oval Office and Republicans in the majority in Congress, pro-Hamas activists and colleges are going to face accountability. And if you are visiting our great nation and supporting terrorism, you will be deported. Chinese airline starts regular charter flight to Nepal's Pokhara Xinhua) 10:00, March 19, 2025 KATHMANDU, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Sichuan Airlines of China on Tuesday launched its first international flight to Nepal's Pokhara under regular commercial charter flights. More than 120 passengers from China arrived at the Pokhara International Airport on Tuesday, which came into operation in January 2023. China and Nepal have been actively promoting the opening of regular commercial flights to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and to promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges and the development of Nepal's tourism industry, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song said at the welcome ceremony held at the airport. The dream of people in Pokhara to take regular international flights in the city has finally come true, said Dhana Raj Acharya, mayor of Pokhara. Speaking at the welcome ceremony, the mayor said he welcomes more Chinese cities to open commercial flights to Pokhara, as this year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and China as well as the 2025 Nepal Visit Year in China. Following the ceremony, the mayor and more than 120 other Nepali passengers boarded the return flight to Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province. Pokhara is a popular tourist attraction and the second-largest city in Nepal. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Special Agents from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, working alongside deputies from the Marion County Sheriffs Department and members of the 12th Judicial Drug Task Force, have arrested a Whitwell man in connection to a homicide. At the request of 12th Judicial District Attorney General Courtney Lynch, special agents began investigating the death of Danny Durham (DOB May 19, 1958) shortly after deputies found the man deceased in a home in the 100 block of Big Rock Road on March 9. During the investigation, authorities developed information leading them to Billy Massengale (DOB Dec. 19, 1975) as the person responsible for Mr. Durhams death. On Saturday, authorities arrested Massengale and booked him into the Marion County Jail. On Tuesday, he was charged with criminal homicide. Lee Universitys School of Music will present Dr. Amy Humberd, senior lecturer of music, in a faculty recital on Monday, March 24, at 6 p.m. The performance will take place in Squires Recital Hall, located in the Humanities Building on Lees campus. The recital will highlight the works of Johannes Brahms, featuring the Brahms Trio, Op.114 for clarinet, cello, and piano. Dr. Humberd joined the full-time faculty of the School of Music in fall 2024 where she had been serving as adjunct professor of clarinet and the recruitment coordinator for three years. She has taught applied clarinet, woodwind pedagogy, chamber music, orchestra, and music theory. She holds masterclasses and clinics throughout the region and is a member of the International Clarinet Association, the College Music Society, and the National Association for Music Education. Dr. Humberd has appeared throughout the U.S. and Europe as a soloist, orchestral musician, and chamber musician. She is a founding member of the Civitasolis Reed Quintet, a group dedicated to innovative performances and new music. She has presented at several national and international conferences, including the International Clarinet Associations ClarinetFest and the North American Saxophone Alliance Region 6 Conference in 2021 and the American Single Reed Summit in 2019. She earned her Doctor of Music degree in clarinet performance from Florida State University and a Master of Music and performers diploma in clarinet performance from Indiana Universitys prestigious Jacobs School of Music. She also has a Bachelor of Music in music education and her Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Lee. The recital is free, non-ticketed, and open to the public. Livestream viewing will be available at leeu.live/. For more information about the recital, contact the School of Music at music@leeuniversity.edu or call 614-8240. Lee University will host the XII Annual Latin American and Iberian Studies Conference on Saturday, March 29, from 8 a.m.-2 p.m., which will provide an opportunity for participants to engage in scholarly discussions on Latin American and Iberian language and culture. "In addition to being a wonderful initiative that promotes student participation from a global perspective, the event is one of the few spaces that still remain to encourage discussion and the exchange of knowledge among undergraduate students in Spanish and Hispanic studies, says Dr. Oleski Navarro, assistant professor of Hispanic studies at Emory & Henry University. Various panel discussions will take place, featuring participants from multiple universities. The list of institutions attending the conference includes Covenant College, Samford University, Vassar College, and Seminario Biblico, located in Colombia, South America. Lee faculty members involved in the conference are Dr. Carmen Guerrero, associate professor of Spanish; Dr. Donna Summerlin, chairperson for the Department of Language and Literature; Dr. James Wilkins, professor of French; and Dr. Alexander Steffanell, professor of Spanish. The conference provides an excellent opportunity for our students to present their research, to broaden their horizons by interacting with participants from other universities and even other countries, and to hear presentations from scholars and faculty at Lee and other universities, said Dr. Summerlin. According to Dr. Sara Ortega-Higgs, assistant professor of world languages and cultures at Samford University, this event allows students to share their research beyond the classroom setting while building their own presentational skills. This conference is the fruit of Dr. Steffanells vision and has grown exponentially throughout the years, said Dr. Ortega-Higgs. It provides an inviting community space where students get to interact with peers from other institutions all over the southern region and from different walks of life. We all come together every year to celebrate and share our passion for Hispanic culture and language. Dr. Augustin Bocco, a Lee University alumnus, will serve as the keynote speaker. Dr. Bocco is the dean of the Tennessee Wesleyan University Colloms College of Arts and Science, as well as an associate professor of French and Francophone Studies. Originally from Togo, West Africa, he came to Cleveland, Tennessee, to study French and has since dedicated himself to sharing his passion for the language, including directing beginner and intermediate French language cafes during his time at Lee University. The XII Annual Latin American and Iberian Studies Conference is free and open to the public, with no registration required. For more information, please contact Dr. Steffanell at asteffanell@leeuniversity.edu. Dr. Katherine Bryant Dr. Michael McKoy Dr. Robert Jousta Previous Next Lee Universitys political science department will host a panel titled Christian Perspectives on the Return of Great Power Politics. This event will take place on Friday, March 28, at 4 p.m. in the Rose Lecture Hall located in the Helen DeVos College of Education. When people think about how they should live as Christians, they are often thinking in terms of developing a biblical understanding of just domestic issues and not global issues, said Dr. Ana Shippey, associate professor of political science. Problems that directly affect real people in the real world are approached primarily in terms of national interest, but not necessarily through distinctive Christian lenses. That is why this panel is so needed and exciting. This panel will offer Christian perspectives on the rise of China, the Russia-Ukraine War, the conflict in the Middle East, and the recent dramatic shifts in U.S. foreign policy. Panelists include Dr. Katherine Bryant, Dr. Robert Joustra, and Dr. Michael McKoy. Dr. Bryant is an assistant professor of political science at Westmont College where she teaches courses in international relations. Her research focuses on the political economy of development and examines how the characteristics of foreign aid agencies impact development outcomes. Dr. Joustra is a professor of politics and international studies at Redeemer University. He is an editorial fellow at The Review of Faith & International Affairs as well as an author, co-author, and co-editor of numerous books. Dr. McKoy is an associate professor of politics and international relations at Wheaton College where he is also the director of the peace and conflict studies program. His research focuses on the international politics of revolutions and on the international political thought of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This panel is a part of the Christianity and International Relations Conference, a two-day event that brings together scholars from nine colleges and universities, including New York University, Baylor University, and Gordon College, to discuss the theological foundations of international relations, Christian-oriented pedagogy, and Christian-informed international relations theory. Lee University acknowledges funding from the Networking Grants for Christian Scholars, a project run by the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities. This panel is free, non-ticketed, and open to the public. For more information, contact Dr. Shippey at ashippey@leeuniversity.edu. In Mayor Kellys recent re-election campaign, he touted his first term accomplishments ad nauseam with endless television/print media ads. It was a campaign where his election was assured from the beginning. His negative hit mailer on an opponent who did not have a snowball's chance on a hot summer day of winning was not necessary and raises questions about Mayor Kellys judgment and that of his campaign committee. All he needed to do was to truthfully communicate his first term accomplishments, disappointments and second term goals. That level of transparency and honesty registers with voters. Mayor Kelly announced a 23 percent reduction in crime over the last two years, presumably 2023 and 2024. Chief Chambers, an excellent appointment and deserving of our full-support, reported a 44 percent increase in crime during the initial five months of 2024 along with a 25 percent increase in shootings. I acknowledge caution when comparing two full years versus five months can be misleading. It is probable that the 23 percent decrease in crime reflects a drop in the number of cases involving CPD contact/intervention. I seriously doubt there has been any drop in crime. So, Mayor Kelly, your statement of a 23 percent reduction in crime does not edit for reasonability and most likely is very distressing for criminal defense attorneys in need of clients. However, I do understand those running for elected office get caught up in the moment making embellished claims. Quoting In its annual survey, Bureau of Justice Statistics asks crime victims whether they reported their crime to police. It found that in 2022, only 41.5 percent of violent crimes and 31.8 percent of household property crimes were reported to authorities. BJS notes that there are many reasons why crime might not be reported, including fear of reprisal or of getting the offender in trouble, a feeling that police would not or could not do anything to help, or a belief that the crime is a personal issue or too trivial to report. Most of the crimes that are reported to police, meanwhile, are not solved, at least based on an FBI measure known as the clearance rate. Thats the share of cases each year that are closed, or cleared, through the arrest, charging and referral of a suspect for prosecution, or due to exceptional circumstances such as the death of a suspect or a victims refusal to cooperate with a prosecution. In 2022, police nationwide cleared 36.7 percent of violent crimes that were reported to them and 12.1 percent of the property crimes that came to their attention. (Source: Pew Research Center reporting BJS Survey Results) The Pew Research Center is a good source of information along with identification of their sources. Based on murder and property crime rates per 100,000, as determined by FBI crime reports, The U.S. News & World Report listed Memphis #1, Chattanooga #16 and Nashville #23 in their Top 25 Most Dangerous Places in 2024-2025. There is merit in Hamilton County and the various communities within the county doing a comprehensive crime analysis survey with the BJS providing the survey instrument and guidance. What will the results show? It should help in formulating effective strategies for addressing crime issues in our county and communities. I believe most of us desire a safe environment for our family, friends and community. Donald Klasing Terrie E. Long, a social worker in the senior care program at Starr Regional Medical Center, will be one of the speakers for Morning Pointe of Athens second annual Made for More womens conference on Saturday, April 12.The event will start at noon with a lunch at Sweetwater First Baptist Church, 303 Wright St. in Sweetwater.Ms. Long will share about unconditional love, based on John 13:25. She is not only a master of social work but also an ordained elder at Orchard Park Seventh-day Adventist Church in Chattanooga.She has authored numerous devotionals and is a public speaker and soloist as well.When you understand how much God loves you, your life will be filled with joy and freedom beyond comprehension, Ms. Long said.We are excited to welcome Terrie and hear the message she has to bring from her vibrant relationship with the Lord and her years of experience, said Crystal Sutton, executive director at Morning Pointe of Athens. Last years conference was such a blessing, and we cant wait for this years.The afternoon will also include praise and worship, as well as another devotional message from Kristy Stafford, director of nursing at Morning Pointe of Athens. Ladies pre-teen and older are invited. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased in advance at Sweetwater First Baptist Church or Morning Pointe of Athens. Event T-shirts will also be available for purchase for $15 beforehand or day-of.Proceeds from the event will go to the Morning Pointe Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to advancing senior care through scholarships, caregiver support programs and educational initiatives throughout the Southeast. It was founded in 2014 by senior healthcare leaders Greg A. Vital and J. Franklin Farrow. The Foundation supports two partner schools in Athens, Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Athens, and Tennessee WesleyanUniversity, in addition to Cleveland State Community College down the road in Cleveland. Day Shift March 18: 4200 BLK Spriggs Street - Domestic Assault The caller stated her son had pushed her by her neck and attempted to slap her in the face before she was able to exit the residence. The subject then started to argue with his brother who then was pushed to the side.Once outside, he proceeded to punch the front door glass which lacerated his hand. The party was transported to receive medical care. Warrants were taken out for Domestic Assault. 1300 BLK San Hsi - Disorder Police spoke with the complainant who stated she and her fiance were having an argument over personal matters but never had gotten physical. According to her stepfather, the fiance is allowed to live there but was worried because of the situation his wife had heard when she was on the phone with a resident. 3600 BLK Helen Lane Miscellaneous Complaint The caller reported her husband had assaulted her while in Chattanooga. She had a visible injury to her shin. Chattanooga Police Department was notified of the incident, and a DCS report was completed regarding four children. 5400 BLK Ringgold Rd.- Traffic Stop/ Arrest Police conducted a traffic stop on a gray Dodge Ram. Upon checking the driver, he was found to have an active warrant through East Ridge for driving on revoked and a warrant through Hamilton County for failure to pay child support. He was taken into custody and transported to Hamilton County jail without incident. 700 BLK Flinn Dr.- Burglary in progress Police arrived at the above address on reports of a burglary in progress. Upon arrival police spoke with a womann who advised she was getting belongings from her home. Officers checked with Codes Enforcement who advised the party could be at the address to pick up some items. 1300 BLK Spring Creek Rd.- CPR in progress Police arrived in response to an elderly female who fell and hit her head. Upon arrival, the female was alert and talking but was bleeding from the head. Police were advised by a witness that the female had collapsed and fell onto the concrete. EMS responded to the scene and took the female to the hospital. 6900 BLK Glen Errol Way- Well-being check Police responded to this address to check on a man at the request of his probation officer. The probation officer advised the subject had not been taking his meds and was threatening to harm himself. Officers spoke with the subject who advised he was not suicidal but was schizophrenic and his meds were not effective. He was taken for an evaluation. 5700 BLK Ringgold Rd.- Unknown Fire Police responded to this address on reports of a fire. Officers observed smoke billowing out of the business. Police were advised it was diesel smoke, and it was due to a mechanical issue. East Ridge Fire responded to the scene and determined there was no fire. Night Shift March 18: 3600 BLK Ringgold Road Criminal Trespass Management reported that a subject had shoplifted from store multiple times in the past few months. The business did not wish to prosecute but requested the suspect to be criminally trespassed from the business. 6500 BLK Ringgold Road Counterfeit Currency The caller reported he received a counterfeit $20 bill from the gas station. The store manager provided him with a refund and Police took possession of the counterfeit bill. The origin of the counterfeit money was unknown, and no suspect information was available. 1300 BLK Laredo Avenue Suspicious Activity A man reported his brother had driven past his residence several times and believed his brother posed a threat to his family. He further stated their father died a few days ago and the brothers are arguing over the fathers possessions. 6100 BLK Ringgold Rd. Traffic Stop / Arrest Following a traffic stop, Police determined that a man had a Revoked Drivers License for DUI. He was taken into custody, charged with Driving on a Revoked License for DUI and transported to The Hamilton County Jail without incident. 5000 BLK S. Terrace Unknown Trouble Police responded to this location after Dispatch received a call stating, someone is dead. Police arrived on scene and discovered that a mother had received a group text stating her son-in-law had overdosed. Officers determined the son-in-law lived in Alpharetta, GA and the Forsyth County Sheriffs Office conducted a welfare check with the subject. The son-in-law was found to be in good health and no further investigation was required. 5400 BLK Ringgold Rd Suspicious Person / Arrest Police conducted a field interview with a woman after she was in front of a closed business. It was found that she had two Forfeiture Capias warrants out of East Ridge. The original charges were for Criminal Trespassing and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The subject was arrested and transported to the Hamilton County Jail without incident. 1700 BLK Prigmore Road Traffic Stop / Evading Police initiated a traffic stop with a blue Honda Accord due to a traffic violation. The vehicle stopped and an officer approached the passenger side window to speak with the occupants. The driver made eye contact with the officer and then fled at a high rate of speed southbound towards Georgia. Police checked the area but did not locate the vehicle or driver. Warrants are pending identification of the driver. 941 Spring Creek Road Wellbeing Check Police responded to this location following a 911 call from a mother in the ER Waiting Room. The reporting party felt the hospital staff were not helping her daughter who was intoxicated on alcohol and marijuana. The mother became irate with the hospital staff and removed her daughter from the facility in a wheelchair. The mother stated she would take her daughter to a different hospital. As an elder, Ive lived through many political crises in this countrybut I have never seen an attack on our democracy like this. In the past, there was bipartisan opposition to lawlessness. Today, the guardrails are being dismantled before our eyes, and we must sound the alarm. My family history extends back generations to the Revolutionary War, with men who joined the militia to defend their rights, homes and families. Never in all these decades of life, did I suspect the enemy would come from within. The current administration seems to be willing to do all it can to end the democracy of the Constitution as we now know it. The future for future generations is looking bleak. Fran Fluker * * * Calamity , oh doom and despair the sky is falling. Fran Fluker has spoken and therefore our democracy is under attack. But wait, Fran neglected to say how our democracy is under attack. It seems as though its simply that the current administration seems to be willing to do all it can to end democracy of the constitution as we know it. I wish Fran would explain what portion(s) of our democracy and constitution are under attack. Is it that finally an administration has the guts to reduce government bloat? Is it the attempts to reduce waste, fraud and corruption? Maybe its the closing of the borders and actually deporting criminal illegal immigrants? Could it be the protecting our young girls in schools and sports? Come on Chicken Little. Which is it? Mike Cox The IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga triathlon is celebrating its 10th year of racing in the Scenic City with another sell out year. Limited entries still remain available through the IRONMAN Foundation and Enhanced Athlete Event Experiences powered by NIRVANA. The event, which is scheduled for Sunday, May 18, is expected to see over 3,000 athletes take on the popular southeastern U.S. triathlon that spans southeastern Tennessee and northern Georgia. For athletes that may have missed out on registering for the 2025 IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga event, events such as IRONMAN 70.3 Texas triathlon on April 6, Visit Panama City Beach IRONMAN 70.3 Gulf Coast triathlon on May 10, and the full-distance IRONMAN Chattanooga triathlon on Sept. 28, among others, remain open for registration. To register for an event or to see a full listing of events, visit www.ironman.com/races/north-america. The 2025 IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga will be celebrating its 10th year of racing in Chattanooga, as athletes kick off their journey with a 1.4-mile swim in the Tennessee River before athletes embarked on the 56-mile bike course through northern Georgia and historic Chickamauga. The 13.1-mile run course takes athletes through scenic downtown Chattanooga before finishing at Rosss Landing along the Tennessee River. IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga has become a cornerstone event in our city, attracting athletes from around the world to experience our scenic course and welcoming community," said Barry White, Chattanooga Tourism Co. CEO. "As we celebrate 10 years, we reflect on a decade of inspiring performances and look forward to another exciting race day and our continued partnership with IRONMAN. For more information on the IRONMAN 70.3 Chattanooga triathlon visit www.ironman.com/races/im703-chattanooga. When exposed to high temperatures and pressure, water enters a state in which liquid and gas can no longer be distinguished. For a long time, there has been controversy about how this looks like on a molecular level. Researchers at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany, have shed light on the structure of supercritical water. In this state, which exists at extreme temperatures and pressures, water has the properties of both a liquid and a gas at the same time. According to one theory, the water molecules form clusters within which they are then connected by hydrogen bonds. The Bochum-based team has now disproved this hypothesis using a combination of terahertz spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations. The results have been published in the journal Science Advances, online on March 14, 2025. The experimentalists Dr. Katja Mauelshagen, Dr. Gerhard Schwaab and Professor Martina Havenith from the Chair of Physical Chemistry II collaborated with Dr. Philipp Schienbein and Professor Dominik Marx from the Chair of Theoretical Chemistry. The project was supported by the Cluster of Excellence Ruhr Explores Solvation (RESOLV). Supercritical water of interest as a solvent Supercritical water occurs naturally on Earth, for example in the deep sea, where black smokers a type of hydrothermal vents create harsh conditions on the seabed. The threshold for the supercritical state is reached at 374 degrees Celsius and a pressure of 221 bar. Understanding the structure of supercritical water could help us to shed light on chemical processes in the vicinity of black smokers, says Dominik Marx, referring to a recent paper published by his research group on this topic. Due to its unique properties, supercritical water is also of interest as a green solvent for chemical reactions; this is because it is environmentally friendly and, at the same time, highly reactive. In order to improve the usability of supercritical water, it is necessary to understand the processes inside it in greater detail. Martina Haveniths team used terahertz spectroscopy for this purpose. While other spectroscopy methods can be employed to investigate H-bonds within a molecule, terahertz spectroscopy sensitively probes the hydrogen bonding between molecules and thus would allow to detect the formation of clusters in supercritical water, if there are any. Measuring cell under pressure In experimental trials, applying this method to supercritical water was a huge challenge, explains Martina Havenith. We need ten-fold larger diameters for our high pressure cells for terahertz spectroscopy than in any other spectral range because we work with longer wavelengths. While working on her doctoral thesis, Katja Mauelshagen spent countless hours designing and building a new, suitable cell and optimizing it so that it could withstand the extreme pressure and temperature despite its size. Eventually, the experimentalists managed to record data from water that was about to enter the supercritical state, as well as from the supercritical state itself. While the terahertz spectra of liquid and gaseous water differed considerably, the spectra of supercritical water and the gaseous state looked virtually identical. This proves that the water molecules form just as few hydrogen bonds in the supercritical state as they do in the gaseous state. This means that there are no molecular clusters in supercritical water, concludes Gerhard Schwaab. A member of Dominik Marxs team, Philipp Schienbein, who calculated the processes in supercritical water using complex ab initio molecular dynamics simulations as part of his doctoral thesis, came to the same conclusion. Just like in the experiment, several hurdles had to be overcome first, such as determining the precise position of the critical point of water in the virtual lab. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Home News Christian man kidnapped at gunpoint in midnight raid found dead A village head kidnapped along with seven other Christians in central Nigeria was reportedly found dead on Monday. Yuda Garba, head of the predominantly Christian Dnako village in Bwari Area Council of Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), had been kidnapped by suspected Fulani herdsmen on March 11. Villagers reportedly found his corpse in the nearby Nomadic Forest near Kuyeri, in Kagarko Local Government Area close to Kaduna states border with the FCT. Relatives have identified the remains found at the site, according to a post on X by Zagazola Makama on Monday, and authorities said security personnel intensified efforts to locate other victims. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Abducted with Garba in the early hours of March 11 were his grandchildren, Ephraim and Philemon, another Christian identified only as Nicholas, and four other Christians, area residents said. A band of armed herdsmen stormed the village at about midnight, breaking into homes as villagers were sleeping and taking them away at gunpoint, said village resident Tanko Baba. One of the Christians kidnapped is my cousin Nicholas, Baba told Christian Daily InternationalMorning Star News. And the sad thing is that the bandits who we believe are Fulani herdsmen kidnapped the victims as they were sleeping in their houses. Josephine Adeh, spokesperson for the Abuja Federal Capital Territory Police Command, confirmed the incident. Police personnel have been deployed to the area, and theyre on the trail of the bandits, Baba told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. Hopefully, the victims will be rescued. On Jan. 26 in Bwari Area Councils predominantly Christian community of Chikakore, Kubwa, four other people were kidnapped by suspected herdsmen shortly after 11 p.m., area resident John Mark said. The four victims are members of the family of Adesiyan Akinropo, a notable Christian in the community, Mark told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. Bishops brother kidnapped In Kaduna states Anchuna village, Zangon Kataf County, the brother of the Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, Catholic bishop of Sokoto Diocese, was kidnapped on March 5, sources said. Ishaya Kukah was abducted along with six other Christians at about 11 p.m. by Fulani bandits, said another brother, Samuel Kukah. Among those kidnapped is our younger brother, Ishaya Kukah, and six other women and children, Samuel Kukah told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. They were taken away forcefully at gunpoint. The incident happened at about 11 p.m. while we were sleeping in our houses. Mansir Hassan, spokesperson for Kaduna State Police Command, confirmed the incident. Were aware about the incident youre asking about, Hassan told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. The police commissioner has been briefed about it, and efforts are ongoing to rescue the victims. Numbering in the millions across Nigeria and the Sahel, predominantly Muslim Fulani comprise hundreds of clans of many different lineages who do not hold extremist views, but some Fulani do adhere to radical Islamist ideology, the United Kingdoms All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom or Belief (APPG) noted in a 2020 report. They adopt a comparable strategy to Boko Haram and ISWAP and demonstrate a clear intent to target Christians and potent symbols of Christian identity, the APPG report states. Christian leaders in Nigeria have said they believe herdsmen attacks on Christian communities in Nigerias Middle Belt are inspired by their desire to forcefully take over Christians lands and impose Islam as desertification has made it difficult for them to sustain their herds. Nigeria remained among the most dangerous places on Earth for Christians, according to Open Doors 2025 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian. Of the 4,476 Christians killed for their faith worldwide during the reporting period, 3,100 (69%) were in Nigeria, according to the WWL. The measure of anti-Christian violence in the country is already at the maximum possible under World Watch List methodology, the report stated. In the countrys Northcentral zone, where Christians are more common than they are in the Northeast and Northwest, Islamic extremist Fulani militia attack farming communities, killing many hundreds, Christians above all, according to the report. Jihadist groups such as Boko Haram and the splinter group Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), among others, are also active in the countrys northern states, where federal government control is scant and Christians and their communities continue to be the targets of raids, sexual violence, and roadblock killings, according to the report. Abductions for ransom have increased considerably in recent years. The violence has spread to southern states, and a new jihadist terror group, Lakurawa, has emerged in the northwest, armed with advanced weaponry and a radical Islamist agenda, the WWL noted. Lakurawa is affiliated with the expansionist al-Qaeda insurgency Jamaa Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin, or JNIM, originating in Mali. Nigeria is ranked No. 7 on the WWL of the 50-worst countries for Christian persecution. This article was originally published at Christian Daily InternationalMorning Star News Home News George Edward Battle Jr., former AME Zion Church leader, dies at 77 Bishop George Edward Battle Jr., the former head of The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, known for his championing of educational opportunities in North Carolina, has died at 77. The Board of Bishops of The A.M.E. Zion Church released a statement explaining that Battle had died on March 9, offering their condolences to his faithful and loving wife, Mrs. Iris Battle, their children, George Edward III and LaChandra, their grandchildren, and a host of other relatives, friends, and community associates, all of whom he loved so dear. He was not only an evangelist, pastor, bishop, and Christian servant; he was a great philanthropist, a community leader, a champion for education, and a social justice advocate, the bishops stated. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe We acknowledge that, indeed, a prince and a great man in The A.M.E. Zion Church has fallen, but he is now in the presence of his Lord, whom He served with all of his heart. He will be greatly missed. Born in 1947 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, Battle graduated from Clinton Jr. College in 1967, earned a bachelors from Livingstone College in 1969, a Master of Divinity from Hood Theological Seminary in 1972, and a Doctor of Ministry from the Howard University School of Divinity in 1990. Battle had his first official pastoral assignment in 1966 at Center Grove Circuit in Tobaccoville, eventually serving churches in North Carolina and South Carolina. According to his obituary, Battle was a prominent figure in city life in Charlotte, serving on the Charlotte-Mecklenberg Board of Education from 1978 until 1995, becoming chairman in 1990, and serving in that role until 1995. In 1992, Battle was consecrated as bishop and led different regional bodies of the denomination until 2012, when he was elected senior bishop of the AME Zion Church. He held the position until his retirement in 2021. Near the end of his time as senior bishop, Battle oversaw a mortgage-burning ceremony to celebrate the AME Zion Churchs successful paying off of its debts, reported Religious News Service. The Rev. Monte Witherspoon-Brown, an at-large member of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education, remarked that Battles years of service were both critical and transformative for our district. As a faith leader and advocate for education, Bishop Battle founded the Greater Enrichment Program in 1975, which has provided quality after-school enrichment for thousands of students and continues to operate in multiple locations, noted Witherspoon-Brown, as quoted by RNS. In March 2021, it was announced that Atrium Health was launching the Bishop George E. Battle Jr. Scholarship Fund to help support educational opportunities for lower-income communities. Bishop Battle is an emeritus member of the Atrium Health Board of Commissioners and Atrium Health Foundation Board, and has led efforts for affordable housing, parks, small businesses and extracurricular programs throughout community, explained the 2021 announcement. A lifelong advocate for at-risk and those economically disadvantaged, Bishop Battle has received more than 100 awards and honors during his career, including the Long Leaf Pine Award, the highest award bestowed by the state of North Carolina. Home News Mexico hands over one of FBI's 'most wanted' criminals, a key MS-13 senior leader Mexican authorities handed over to the United States an alleged senior leader of the international criminal MS-13 gang on the FBI's "Ten Most Wanted" list, the third suspect on the list arrested since the start of President Donald Trump's second administration. The fugitive, Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales, was wanted for his alleged involvement in directing gang activity in the United States, Mexico and El Salvador, according to the agency. He is also known by the alias "Veterano de Tribus" (Veteran of Tribes). Prosecutors say Roman-Bardales played a role in ordering several acts of violence against civilians and rival gang members and was involved in distributing drugs and extortion crimes in the United States. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe FBI Director Kash Patel called the arrest "a major victory both for our law enforcement partners and for a safer America." "Thank you to our brave personnel for executing the mission," Patel stated in a Tuesday social media post. "And thank you to Mexico's SSPC and FGE teams for their support of the FBI in this investigation and arrest." Members of the Defense Ministry, Navy, Attorney General's Office, National Guard and the Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection released a joint statement on Monday announcing the 47-year-old Roman-Bardales' arrest on the Teocelo-Baxtla highway thanks to international cooperation efforts. Investigators discovered that Roman-Bardales was operating out of Baxtla, and teams were created to carry out "fixed, mobile, and discreet surveillance" before the arrest. "The subject was informed of the reason for his arrest, read his legal rights, and will be transferred to Mexico City, where he will be taken to the appropriate authority, where he will subsequently be deported to the United States where he is wanted," the statement reads. Prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York issued a federal arrest warrant for Roman-Bardales on Sept. 22, 2022, after he was charged with conspiracy to provide and conceal material support and resources to terrorists. The other charges included narco-terrorist conspiracy, racketeering conspiracy and alien smuggling conspiracy, according to the FBI. Authorities believe that Roman-Bardles is a key senior member of MS-13, also known as Mara Salvatrucha 13, a gang known for committing transnational crimes. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the gang was formed by Salvadoran immigrants who came to the United States to escape a war in their home country. The department warns that MS-13 is "well-organized and is heavily involved in lucrative illegal enterprises, being notorious for its use of violence to achieve its objectives." In January, three members of MS-13 pleaded guilty to multiple crimes, including nine murders committed on Long Island, New York, between 2016 and 2017. Prosecutors say some of the crimes were "savagely committed with machetes and guns" on behalf of the MS-13. In February, a Salvadoran national and MS-13 member was sentenced to 50 years in prison for his connection to the gang's criminal enterprise, including three murders. On Wednesday, the White House said Roman-Bardales is the third criminal on the FBI's "Ten Most Wanted" list apprehended since the start of the Trump administration. The White House statement highlighted the arrest of Arnoldo Jimenez on Jan. 30, who was wanted for first-degree murder charges. Another fugitive wanted on child sex trafficking and child rape charges, Donald Eugene Fields II, was also arrested on Jan. 25. "The Trump Administration will stop at nothing to keep the American people safe," the White House declared in its statement this week. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on Feb. 27 that Mexico extradited 29 fugitive cartel members to the United States, with their crimes ranging from racketeering, drug trafficking, murder and money laundering. "As President Trump has made clear, cartels are terrorist groups, and this Department of Justice is devoted to destroying cartels and transnational gangs," Bondi stated. "We will prosecute these criminals to the fullest extent of the law in honor of the brave law enforcement agents who have dedicated their careers and in some cases, given their lives to protect innocent people from the scourge of violent cartels. We will not rest until we secure justice for the American people." Home News Syrian Christians praying for 'boldness, peace amid escalating violence among warring factions 'Its horrifying entire families wiped out. I cant forget their cries as they pleaded for help before they were killed by those jihadists.' Syrian Christians continue to live out their faith with resilience, sharing the hope of Jesus Christ amid ongoing political turmoil and violence. As their country faces deepening instability, they navigate daily hardships, including power outages, water shortages, and threats to their safety. Despite these challenges, they remain steadfast in their mission, offering spiritual and practical support to their communities while calling for prayers and divine intervention. A report from a Syrian Christian, shared with Christian Daily International, states that the future remains uncertain for many. His name is being withheld for security reasons. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The government is more focused on "whitewashing its brutal history in the eyes of the international community, mainly Western nations, rather than addressing the dire realities faced by Syrians within the country," the report laments. The "crumbling infrastructure" includes inadequate healthcare, as thousands of employees have been fired because of their ethnicities and religious backgrounds, the report says. Power outages have worsened, with the previous regime of former President Bashar al-Assad allowing six hours of electricity per day, now reduced to four hours under the current Islamist interim government sometimes limited to just two hours. Water shortages also persist, as water pumps connected to the electrical grid struggle with the limitations of power. However, the report highlighted the most critical issues as "blatant lawlessness and the lack of security; daily thefts, kidnappings and reprisals." "From the outset, numerous areas, including Christian neighborhoods and villages, have been targeted by jihadist groups," the report says. It added that initially, Syrians were willing to see violent incidents as isolated and worked "tirelessly" to stem the tide of violence, but "instead of improving, the situation worsened." These troubles culminated in two "critical" recent incidents, according to the report. The first occurred on Feb. 28 in the Damascus suburb of Jaramana, home to a Christian community. Druze militias shot a soldier affiliated with Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a Sunni Islamist coalition, at a checkpoint. A ceasefire was hastily agreed upon, but the next day, rumors spread that the family of the slain soldier sought revenge. They retaliated by attacking Jaramana, killing a member of the Druze militia and injuring 10 others. Local Christians canceled Sunday services and prayed as hundreds of armed HTS soldiers descended on the area that Sunday, intent on wresting Jaramana from the militias. "By God's grace, after hours of negotiations, an agreement was reached: those responsible for the soldiers death would be handed over, and HTS troops were permitted to enter Jaramana for a military parade," the informant said. The second incident occurred on March 6 in the coastal region between Latakia and Tartus, inhabited by the Alawites, an ethnic group linked to former President Assad. Open Doors reported 1,500 dead, mostly civilians, but noted that contrary to some other media reports, there was no evidence of Christians being targeted. According to communications from the new regime, several soldiers also died after militias still loyal to Assad attacked a checkpoint near Jableh city, the Syrian Christians report says. HTS soldiers launched a search for the culprits, and a former Assad-era mayor declared the formation of a "Military Council for the Liberation of Syria," further escalating tensions. "Through connections with church members and families in the coastal region, we learned that the violence had escalated into what can only be described as a massacre and ethnic cleansing, primarily targeting Alawites," the report said. "The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights documented the deaths of 1,383 by March 12. Still, local estimates suggest between 7,000 and 12,000 people have been killed, including at least seven Christians." The Syrian Christian also conveyed the anguish of a "ministry colleague," a lecturer at a University in Latakia, who lost many students to the violence. "I havent slept for two nights," the academic reportedly said. "Its horrifying. Entire families wiped out. I cant forget their cries as they pleaded for help before they were killed by those jihadists." Another volunteer, identified as "Brother J" from Banyas, said the killings were indiscriminate but that he trusted God for the outcome. "No one knows when it will be their turn," Brother J reportedly said. "Cars with no license plates, masked militias its a nightmare. However, I have the joy and peace of Christ; I am ready. I surrender my life to You, Lord! May Your will be done!" Brother J encouraged his Alawite neighbors and prayed for them, urging them to trust in God. The report also noted that the new interim government acknowledged the atrocity and launched an investigative committee to meet with the families of victims. "However, this gesture feels insufficient in the face of such widespread suffering," the Syrian Christian added. He called for prayers for churches in Syria: "Pray for boldness and wisdom for the church to fulfill its role as peacemakers, promoting God's justice, mercy, and reconciliation among Syrias warring factions. Pray for divine guidance and protection over church leaders and members as they navigate this volatile environment." He also asked for prayer for the regime in power and the religious identities within Syria. "We believe this is a pivotal moment to break the chains of oppression and bring spiritual liberation to Syria, knowing that the Holy Spirit who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world (1 John 4:4)," the informant added, requesting additional prayer for evangelistic opportunities. "Pray for open hearts among Syrias diverse ethnic and religious groups, particularly Alawites and Sunnis, many of whom are disillusioned by the current regimes brutality. This is a divine opportunity for the church to proclaim the hope and eternal security found in Christ." "This is a historic moment for the church in Syria," the Syrian Christian concluded in the report. "After decades under the Assad regime and even centuries of oppression, fear, seclusion and fragmentation, we believe God is calling us to rise, preach the Gospel, and make disciples among all ethnic and religious groups. "The current crisis, while devastating, presents unprecedented opportunities to reach those who have lost hope in earthly systems and point them to the eternal hope found in Christ. "May our Heavenly Father, by His Spirit, lead the Body of Christ to unite and stand together in fervent prayer and faith, working through love and believing that God's Kingdom will come and that His will be done in Syria as it is in Heaven." This article was originally published at Christian Daily International Home News Trump says administration will 'take a look' at church vandalism in Wichita President Donald Trump said his administration will "take a look" at a recent Catholic Church attack as part of its commitment to "eradicating anti-Christian bias" nationwide. EWTN's Owen Jensen pressed Trump Monday on what action his administration is taking following the vandalism of St. Patrick's Church in Wichita, Kansas, over the weekend. Last Saturday's desecration of the Catholic Church resulted in the breaking of a statue, the burning of an American flag, candles damaged, a window smashed and a Satanic website was reportedly scrawled on the wall. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe "Church officials in Kansas called it a hate crime," Jensen said, mentioning Trump's executive order directing the U.S. Department of Justice to establish a task force dedicated to "eradicating anti-Christian bias." The reporter asked: "What more can the White House do to protect places of worship like St. Patrick's Church?" "We're going to take a look," Trump vowed. "I love Wichita. ... I got big votes there. We won that state by a lot. We'll take a look at that." When Trump requested that Jensen clarify when the attack took place, the reporter reiterated the damage the church sustained. The president commented, "I think it's a terrible thing," and doubled down on his intention to "take a look at it." The Wichita Police Department announced Sunday morning that it had arrested a 23-year-old suspect from Saline County in connection with the attack. The unnamed suspect was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on charges of burglary, criminal damage to property and criminal desecration. Though the suspect could potentially face hate crime charges in the future, the department stated that Kansas law does not "have a Hate Crime statute considered separate from other criminal statutes." Therefore, hate crime charges are "considered later in the process and not something we can add when arresting an individual." The executive order signed by Trump two weeks after taking office directed a special task force to "fully prosecute anti-Christian violence and vandalism in our society, and to move Heaven and Earth to defend the rights of Christians and religious believers nationwide." A tracker compiled by the advocacy group CatholicVote since May 2020, when unrest first broke out in the U.S. following the death of George Floyd in police custody, has documented 492 attacks on Catholic churches and institutions in the past five years. Attacks on all types of churches, including Catholic houses of worship, intensified after Politico published a leaked draft decision in May 2022 indicating that U.S. Supreme Court justices were prepared to overturn the Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion nationwide. The attacks on churches, which also targeted pro-life pregnancy centers, continued after the Supreme Court published the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision in June 2022. Chief Justice Rebukes Trump, Elon Musks Neuralink Aims At Telepathy, U.S. Task Force To Hunt Hamas link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 08:15 08:15 Sponsored by WatersEdge: Invest with purpose? With WatersEdge Kingdom Investments, you can! We offer great rates that multiply your resources and build churches. Learn more at: https://bit.ly/3CxWtFz Top headlines for Wednesday, March 19, 2025 In this episode, we begin with a rare public statement from U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, seemingly challenging remarks made by President Donald Trump. Next, we explore the futuristic ambitions of Elon Musk as he plans to expand Neuralink's capabilities into the realms of telepathy and telekinesis. Also, we cover the significant move by the United States Justice Department and the FBI, who have launched a specialized task force to investigate the Hamas attack on Israel earlier this month. #politics #worldnews #usnews #trump #elonmusk #neuralink #hamas #religiousfreedom #prolife #christiannews #asylumseeker 00:11 John Roberts scolds Trump in rare public statement 00:55 Elon Musk looks to expand Neuralink applications to 'telepathy' 01:57 US announces task force to hunt down, prosecute Hamas 02:48 American pastor offers his life for Nigerian on death row 03:37 Sponsor Message WatersEdge 04:35 Missouri AG orders Planned Parenthood to halt chemical abortions 05:28 Sex offender remains the UK as Christian asylum seeker 06:22 Mom thanks God for sparing daughter after 2 sons killed Home News American UN envoy rejects claims Israel violated ceasefire, says blame 'lies solely with Hamas Acting U.S. Ambassador Dorothy Shea rejected accusations in the United Nations Security Council that Israel was conducting indiscriminate attacks in Gaza after Israel resumed military strikes in the enclave. Shea, who is serving as the interim ambassador to the UN, addressed a Security Council that was practically united against Israel. UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs head Tom Fletcher said he was distressed to report that in addition to the intense air strikes that have resumed, since March 2, Israeli authorities have cut off the entry of all life saving supplies for 2.1 million people. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Overnight our worst fears materialized. Airstrikes resumed across the entire Gaza Strip. Unconfirmed reports of hundreds of people killed and once again, the people of Gaza [are] living in abject fear, Fletcher told the council, which had met to discuss Israels refusal to allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip after Hamas rejected the first attempt to extend phase one of the hostage-ceasefire proposal negotiated under the administration of former President Joe Biden. This total blockade of life-saving aid, basic commodities and commercial goods will have a disastrous impact on the people of Gaza who remain dependent on steady flow of assistance, Fletcher said. As Gaza is cut off again our ability to deliver assistance and basic services is becoming harder. The Algerian ambassador to the UN, Amar Bendjama, accused Israel of using starvation as "a weapon of war." While Russias Deputy Ambassador to the UN Dmitry Polyanskiy said the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has become truly biblical in nature, calling on Israel to end aid restrictions in Gaza and Judea and Samaria. Shea responded to such comments by saying the blame lies with Hamas, not Israel. This brutal terrorist organization has steadfastly refused every proposal and deadline they've been presented over the past few weeks, including a bridge proposal to extend the ceasefire beyond Ramadan and Passover to allow time to negotiate a framework for a permanent ceasefire, Ambassador Shea told the Security Council. The blame for the resumption of hostilities lies solely with Hamas. The IDF is striking Hamas positions, Shea said, addressing the resumption of strikes. It is well known that Hamas continues to use civilian infrastructure as launching pads, and the United States condemns this practice, as should others. Jonathan Miller, Israels deputy ambassador to the UN, contested reports of starvation in Gaza due to a shortage of humanitarian aid. If there is suffering in Gaza, it is not because of a lack of aid. It is because Hamas has hijacked an entire civilian population for its own violent ends, Miller said. Hamas diverts food. Hamas hoards fuel. Hamas transforms hospitals, schools and UN facilities into command centers, ensuring that even in the presence of humanitarian aid, suffering persists, Miller stated. Shea said the U.S. supports Israel in its decision to use military pressure against Hamas. President Trump has made clear that Hamas must release the hostages immediately or pay a high price, and we support Israel in its next steps, she remarked. This article was originally published by All Israel News. Home News Delaware to hold off on forcing pro-life centers to post disclaimer about services Delaware has agreed not to enforce a law requiring pro-life pregnancy care centers to post a disclaimer about their services while litigation over the measure continues. The National Institute of Family and Life Advocates and A Door of Hope Pregnancy Center recently sued Delaware over a law known as Senate Bill 300 passed in 2024. According to a Defendants Status Quo Order issued by U.S. District Judge Richard G. Andrews on Monday, Delaware officials agreed not to enforce SB 300 during the litigation. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The religious freedom legal nonprofit Alliance Defending Freedom and Simms Showers LLP, which represented the pro-life pregnancy care centers challenging the law, celebrated the news of the agreement. We applaud Delaware officials for allowing NIFLA and A Door of Hope to serve women and families free from government punishment as this case moves forward, said ADF Senior Counsel Kevin Theriot in a statement on Tuesday. Weve seen too many state attorneys general ramp up their efforts to silence, censor, and shut down pregnancy care centers across the country. We are urging the court to follow the Supreme Courts guidance and respect pregnancy centers freedom to continue their life-saving service in their communities. Signed into law last September, SB 300 amends the Delaware Code to require pro-life crisis pregnancy centers to display a disclaimer at their site and online that This facility is not licensed as a medical facility by the state of Delaware and has no licensed medical provider who provides or directly supervises the provision of services. State Sen. Kyle Evans Gay, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and one of the bill's sponsors, said in a statement last year that the proposed legislation was one of multiple ways that he was helping to make Delaware a beacon of hope in the preservation of our reproductive liberty. He added that SB 300 will protect unsuspecting Delawareans from being fooled" by pro-life pregnancy center that he claimed were using "misinformation and deceptive business practices to discourage people from seeking [abortion] services. In February, the month before SB 300 was scheduled to take effect, NIFLA and Door of Hope filed a legal challenge to the measure, arguing that it was significantly burdening their ability to speak and even forcing them to speak messages at odds with their mission and the truth. The Compelled Statement would severely limit and in some cases actually prevent Plaintiffs speech through digital advertising, such as Google ads, due to character limits, drowning out the pregnancy care centers free speech, read the lawsuit, in part. The Compelled Statement must be posted merely because A Door of Hope serves pregnant women from a pro-life perspective, and not with any prerequisite that the center has engaged in any improper behavior or has ever suggested that the care women receive is from unlicensed personnel impersonating licensed medical personnel. In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that a California law requiring pro-life pregnancy centers to post a sign referring patients to abortion clinics was unconstitutional. Home News Duluth Vineyard's interim Pastor John Kliewer steps aside after questions about leadership Just over a month after publicly criticizing the handling of sexual abuse claims by his church's parent organization, John Kliewer, interim senior pastor of the Vineyard Church in Duluth, Minnesota, has voluntarily "stepped back" from the role after Vineyard USA accused him of leadership abuse. "Vineyard USA has expressed concerns about the leadership of our interim Senior Pastor, see the full letter here. We take all allegations seriously," Duluth Vineyard Church Council said in a statement Sunday. "Vineyard USA has asked for these accusations to remain confidential, yet we believe transparency is essential for trust and accountability. We call upon Vineyard USA to clarify and substantiate their claims." Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe In a March 6 letter, Vineyard USA Managing Director Robb Morgan highlights concerns about Kliewer, among other things, "wielding power in unhealthy ways." "We once again feel compelled to express concerns about the conduct of your interim senior pastor, John Kliewer. Additionally, we have concerns related to the Church Council and the fulfillment of its oversight responsibilities," Morgan argued. "As early as December 2023 and on multiple occasions, leaders from Duluth Vineyard have confidentially sought the advice of VUSA as they have attempted to make sense of John Kliewer's leadership, actions, and communication. Together, these have amounted to cries for intervention, as well as a plea for wisdom, grace, truth, and reconciliation," he added. As the Duluth Vineyard Church Council called on Vineyard USA to substantiate their claims against Kliewer, the interim pastor voluntarily stepped aside from his role to allow a "qualified independent investigator to assess the situation fairly and objectively." "We invite everyone to participate in this process with honesty and integrity. Once the investigation is complete, the findings will be presented. Therefore, out of an abundance of caution and to avoid even the appearance of interference in the investigation, our interim lead pastor John Kliewer has voluntarily stepped back from his role while we conduct this prompt and independent review," the church council stated. "This is not a punitive action, nor does it assume wrongdoing. It is simply a proactive and responsible step to ensure a fair and thorough process." Kliewer noted in a statement that even though he is disappointed by the allegations made by Vineyard USA, he is submitting to the investigation to show that "no one is above scrutiny." "I am thankful for our Church Council's commitment to truth and justice. Although disappointed that the charges brought by Vineyard USA against me distract from the harm done to survivors, I welcome this leave of absence and investigation. No one is above scrutiny. I will cooperate fully and patiently look forward to the completion of the investigation," he said. Both The Vineyard Church and Vineyard USA have been named in nine civil lawsuits alongside Jackson Gatlin, a former young adult and online community pastor at The Vineyard Church who accepted a plea deal in November for criminal sexual conduct with a child. Gatlin, 36, was charged in 2023 with sexually abusing five teenage girls but pleaded guilty to only one count of sexual assault. On four other counts, he entered an Alford plea in which he admitted there is sufficient evidence to find him guilty during a trial but maintained his innocence. He was sentenced to 13 years on two sexual assault-related charges, another 13 years for two other sexual assault charges, plus eight years for one additional charge, according to Northern News Now. All his sentences are expected to run concurrently. Also named in the civil lawsuits are Gatlin's parents. His father, Michael Gatlin, was a senior pastor at The Vineyard Church, where his son met most of his victims. His mother, Brenda Gatlin, also served in leadership at the church and at Vineyard USA. They both resigned from their roles at the church and Vineyard USA without cooperating with an investigation into their son's abuse in early 2023. Earlier this year, Kliewer shared his disagreement with Vineyard USA "about the relative importance of victims and perpetrators (pastors) in our response to abuse." "In my recent personal experience, VUSA worked to preserve the power of Michael and Brenda. For example, at the start (December 2022/January 2023) we were told by Vineyard USA that (a) we would need Michael and Brenda's leadership to get through this and (b), although maybe Michael and Brenda shouldn't have the ultimate say, they should be given input into who conducts the third-party investigation," Kliewer said, citing an opinion he previously shared with Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment in July 2023. Kliewer highlighted several ways in which he believes Vineyard USA appeared to prioritize the perpetrators of abuse instead of the alleged victims and recommended 20 actions Vineyard USA could take to better address the issue of abuse in the organization, including radical transparency. Other recommendations include a public acknowledgment and apology for past failures; offering private apologies and making amends with survivors and churches that are willing to engage; dedicating a main session at the next national conference to confession, lament, and a call for repentance regarding past mishandling of abuse; gender diversity in leadership; and investing in trauma-informed training. "Vineyard pastors, we're all a part of a culture that prioritized Senior Pastor power, rather than Senior Pastor accountability," Kliewer said. "I don't blame Vineyard USA any more than I blame myself. The question now is: what are we going to do about it? We could start by being honest and acknowledging the truth." Home News 'God-fearing Americans' set to rally against planned 'black mass' at Kansas Statehouse Satanic ceremony a response to lawmakers who 'attack abortion rights' A group of God-fearing Americans is pushing back against a plan to hold a satanic black mass for abortion rights at the Kansas state Capitol later this month. TFP Student Action, a project of the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property, is organizing a protest in Topeka on March 28 against The Satanic Grotto, which aims to hold a blasphemous parody of a Catholic Mass in order to "dedicate the grounds and our legislature to the glory of Satan. An TFP petition against the event quoted the organizers as saying, Join us at the Topeka Capitol building in Kansas as we dedicate the grounds and our legislature to the glory of Satan. We will be performing rites to the Black Mass and indulging in sacrilegious blaspheme [sic]. God will fall and Kansas will be embraced by the black flame of Lucifer. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe So far, the petition has garnered over 83,000 signatures across four petition drives in an attempt to stop the event. The response has been overwhelmingly positive," Jon Paul Fabrizio, a spokesperson for TFP, told The Christian Post on Wednesday. "This outpouring of support shows that Americans still recognize blasphemy when they see it and are willing to stand up in defense of Gods honor." The group plans to deliver the petitions in Topeka days before the event, giving Governor [Laura] Kelly one last chance to cancel this abomination." Last week, Kelly issued a statement acknowledging concerns about the event, saying that I share those concerns, but also that her office cannot stop the event. There are more constructive ways to protest and express disagreements without insulting or denigrating sacred religious symbols, Kelly stated. "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." Instead, the governor announced all events scheduled at the Statehouse will be moved outdoors to the grounds surrounding the capitol building, and that no protests will be allowed inside the Statehouse on March 28." Calling the event hideous and terrible, Sen. Stephen Owens, R-Heston, also acknowledged, "Religious groups from various backgrounds come to the capitol on a regular basis to preach, pray and display. We cannot discriminate because we disagree." God is my King and no satanic ritual will change that, Owens wrote March 9. God is far stronger. His Peace and Glory will shine. Michael Stewart, the organizer of the black mass, told the Topeka Capital-Journal that the event was in response to lawmakers who pander to religious pro-life groups. "This is a specific response to our legislatures continuing to pander to groups like the Kansas Catholic Conference and to Kansans for Life, where they keep trying to come back and attack abortion rights, much less other rights," he was quoted as saying. As a counterprotest, TFP has secured a permit for a rosary rally at the capitols south entrance on the same day as the planned satanic event, where they expect several hundred people to join them from as far as California, Texas, Pennsylvania and Florida. "We will be joined by God-fearing Americans from all over the country, said Fabrizio. This protest is not just about Kansas this is a fight for the soul of America. When asked why the group specifically chose the Kansas state capitol for this event, Fabrizio said he sees it as a targeted assault. "Kansas lies at the heart of America. Both geographically and morally. It has long been a bastion of common sense and Christian values. That is exactly why satanists chose it," he said. "They seek to provoke outrage and desecrate what is sacred, especially in places that still uphold moral order, Fabrizio added. This is a direct attempt to erode the spiritual foundation of our nation and normalize evil in the public square." Home News Ohio's ban on puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones for minors struck down by appeals court An Ohio appeals court panel has blocked a state law prohibiting the prescription of puberty-blocking drugs and cross-sex hormones for kids with gender dysphoria, overturning a lower trial court decision. A three-judge panel of the Court of Appeals of Ohio, Tenth Appellate District unanimously ruled Tuesday in the case of Moe v. Yost that Ohio's House Bill 68 also known as the Saving Adolescents From Experimentation (SAFE) Act violated the state constitution's Article I, Section 21, which guarantees the freedom to choose one's healthcare. "In enacting H.B. 68, the legislature has categorically prohibited appellants from accessing treatment protocols in accordance with the standards of care and guidelines widely accepted in the professional medical community to treat gender dysphoria in minors," wrote Judge Carly M. Edelstein for the panel. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The court's decision is limited to the prohibition of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones since the plaintiffs "have not expressed a desire or plan to undergo surgery as part of their treatment for gender dysphoria and none of the appellants have raised a challenge to the law's surgery provision." The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio, which helped to represent the parents of trans-identified children challenging the state law, celebrated the panel decision. "This win restores the right of trans youth in Ohio to choose vitally important health care, with the support of their families and physicians," said Freda Levenson, legal director at the ACLU of Ohio, in a statement. "Although this litigation will likely not end here, we remain fervently committed to preventing this egregious bill from ever again taking effect. The path towards protecting the rights and civil liberties of trans Ohioans goes on, and we will continue to hold the torch." For his part, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost promised to appeal the decision "and seek an immediate stay." "This is a no brainer we are appealing that decision," he stated. "There is no way I'll stop fighting to protect these unprotected children." "Ohio's elected representatives properly passed legislation protecting children from irreversible chemical sex change procedures, and the trial court upheld the law. But now the 10th district court of appeals has just greenlighted these permanent medical interventions against minors." Aaron Baer, president of the conservative advocacy group Center for Christian Virtue, which supports the law, said the bill prevents pharmaceutical companies from being able to "emotionally manipulate parents and children for profit." "Today's decision by the activist judges on the 10th District Court of Appeals is shameful. Ohio legislators enacted the Saving Adolescents From Experimentation (SAFE) Act to protect children from the irreversible harms caused by the misuse of puberty blockers and wrong-sex hormones. In overturning the ban, the court put our kids back in the crosshairs of the medical industry," Baer said. "I'm grateful for Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost's strong advocacy for the protection of our children and remain confident that ultimately, the SAFE Act will be upheld, and Ohio's kids will be protected." In January 2024, Ohio lawmakers overrode Republican Gov. Mike DeWine's veto HB 68, which, among other things, banned cosmetic sex-change surgeries for children, the prescription of puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones to minors and males from participating in girls' high school and college sports. The ACLU filed a lawsuit against the ban last March in the Court of Common Pleas for Franklin County, claiming it violated multiple parts of the state constitution. Home News Texas midwife, associates first to be charged under state's abortion ban A midwife is among individuals who are the first to be charged under currrent laws in Texas for performing illegal abortions as the state vigorously enforces its near-total ban on abortion. Texas Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the arrest of midwife Maria Margarita Rojas, 48, on Monday for "providing illegal abortions and illegally operating a network of clinics in the Northwest Houston area." Rojas' facilities are located in the Houston suburbs of Cypress, Waller and Spring. Rojas was charged with the illegal performance of an abortion, which is a second-degree felony, and practicing medicine without a license. She faces fines of up to $100,000 per infraction and a potential life sentence. Rojas was taken into custody in Waller County. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe "In Texas, life is sacred. I will always do everything in my power to protect the unborn, defend our state's pro-life laws, and work to ensure that unlicensed individuals endangering the lives of women by performing illegal abortions are fully prosecuted," Paxton said in a statement. "Texas law protecting life is clear, and we will hold those who violate it accountable." In Texas, abortions are only legal when the mother is at risk of dying or "substantial impairment of a major bodily function." The state says it will only prosecute providers, not women who undergo the abortions. Investigators say they uncovered Rojas' operation of three clinics where unlicensed professionals illegally performed abortions in violation of the Texas Human Life Protection Act of 2021. The Healthcare Program Enforcement Division in Paxton's office is also seeking a temporary restraining order to shut down the clinic network. Paxton announced additional arrests in connection with his office's investigation of Rojas' network of clinics in a follow-up statement Tuesday. Illegal immigrant and Cuban national Jose Manuel Cendan Ley, 29, was arrested Monday for the "unlawful performance of an abortion and the unlicensed practice of medicine." Ley worked at one of Rojas' clinics and was determined to have assisted the midwife in performing at least one illegal abortion. A third individual, 54-year-old nurse practitioner Rubildo Labanino Matos, was arrested on March 8 in connection with the investigation. Matos, whose license is currently on probation by the Board of Nursing, faces a charge of conspiracy to practice medicine without a license. "Individuals killing unborn babies by performing illegal abortions in Texas will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, and I will not rest until justice is served," Paxton said. "I will continue to fight to protect life and work to ensure that anyone guilty of violating our state's pro-life laws is held accountable." Pro-life activist organizations praised Paxton's prosecution of Rojas. "The pro-life state of Texas is serious about safeguarding mothers and their babies," asserted Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser in a statement released Thursday. "Texas law, like every other pro-life law in the country, protects pregnant women's ability to receive life-saving care in a medical emergency. There is no excuse for illegal abortions that take the life of the baby and put women's lives at risk, committed by people who don't even have a medical license." Marc Hearron, interim associate director of litigation at the Center for Reproductive Rights, accused Texas officials of "trying every which way to terrify health care practitioners from providing care and to trap Texans." "Their ultimate goal is to end abortion access for all Texans entirely and they will throw people in jail to get there," Hearron told The Washington Post in a statement. Paxton released an advisory opinion following the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organizationruling that determined that the U.S. Constitution does not contain a right to abortion. He wrote that the Texas Human Life Protection Act of 2021 "prohibits abortions in most circumstances and takes effect on the 30th day" following any decision that overturns the Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion nationwide. Under the law, a person "may not knowingly perform, induce, or attempt an abortion." The measure includes a provision that allows the performance of abortions in cases where the life of the mother is at risk. Texas is one of several states where near-total abortion bans have gone into place following the 2022 Dobbs decision. According to data compiled by Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, the others are Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, West Virginia and Wyoming. Four additional states, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, and South Carolina, prohibit abortions after six weeks of gestation, while Nebraska and North Carolina have a 12-week ban in effect. Arizona bans abortions after 15 weeks gestation. Abortion restrictions passed in several states are currently tied up in litigation: North Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Home Opinion No, Candace Owens, Mahmoud Khalils case is not like Bidens politically motivated persecution The Trump administrations detainment and possible deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and former Columbia University graduate student, is not the same as the Biden administrations politically motivated persecution. Prominent conservative commentator Candace Owens has publicly criticized the Trump administrations detainment of Mahmoud Khalil. Owens critique centers on the lack of transparency surrounding Khalils detention and draws parallels to the politically motivated persecutions under the Biden administration. She has further argued that this action, intended to combat antisemitism and protect Jewish students, has instead backfired, increasing their vulnerability rather than enhancing their safety. In her commentary, Owens stated, This is the same playbook we saw under Biden take someone who disagrees with the narrative, slap a scary label on them, and lock them up without explaining why. Transparency is dead, and its always the same people paying the price. She positioned Khalils case as a continuation of a broader trend of government overreach targeting those who challenge prevailing orthodoxies, whether conservative or pro-Palestinian. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Khalil was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on March 8, 2025, and faces deportation proceedings, with his green card status under threat of revocation. The primary reason cited by the Trump administration for his detention and the move to revoke his immigration status is his alleged leadership in activities aligned with Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, during pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University in 2024. Khalils legal team and supporters counter that he was detained for his peaceful activism and vocal criticism of Israels actions in Gaza, not for any criminal or terrorist activity. They argue that his detention is a retaliatory move by the Trump administration to suppress pro-Palestinian speech, violating his First Amendment rights as a legal permanent resident (green card holder). With all due respect to Candace Owen's arguments, I think these two situations are distinguishable in some very important ways. Khalils detainment is an immigration-based, national security action allegation rooted in terrorism against a non-citizen with limited rights. Providing material support to Hamas, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), is a federal crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison or life if death results. Members or supporters of Hamas are barred from entering the U.S., and resident aliens can face deportation or visa revocation if found to be affiliated, as seen with Khalil. Hamass financial assets in the U.S. or under U.S. jurisdiction are frozen, and transactions with the group are prohibited. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have stated that Khalils actions as a key organizer in these protests, which they claim involved support for Hamas, justify his arrest and potential deportation under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Specifically, the administration has invoked Section 237(a)(4)(C), which allows the Secretary of State to deem an individual deportable if their presence or activities in the U.S. are believed to have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences. The DHS has accused Khalil of distributing pro-Hamas propaganda, including fliers bearing the Hamas logo, and organizing protests that disrupted campus operations and harassed Jewish students, though no specific criminal charges have been filed against him. The Wall Street Journal reports that Khalil belongs to Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD) and was a lead negotiator during last springs anti-Israel encampment on the campus. Those protests glorified Hamas. CUAD was also a key player in the schools encampment, which was a Zionist-free zone, a designation that excluded Jews from a large part of campus. In October 2024, CUAD formalized its support for Hamas and again celebrated the Oct. 7, 2023 massacre. If the governments claims hold, Khalil handing out fliers explicitly praising Hamass October 7 attack or leading chants calling for armed resistance are, in fact, actions that could legally qualify as material support. His leadership in protests that disrupted campus life can be seen as advancing Hamass destabilizing goals. These facts starkly contrast with the Biden administrations politically motivated persecution, which labeled American parents' objections to their children's covert gender transitioning during a school board meeting (rights as citizens and taxpayers) as potential domestic terrorists. Under the Biden Administration, even Catholics who attend a Latin Mass were investigated by the FBI with no proof of any crime or incidents of violence. For Khalil, as the WSJ article also points out, a green card comes with legal obligations, including the renunciation of terrorism. Under 8 USC 1182, an individual is considered inadmissible if they endorse or espouse terrorist activity or persuade others to endorse or espouse terrorist activity or if they are a representative of ... a political, social, or other group that endorses or espouses terrorist ... activity. In addition, Khalils protest activities, including the encampment in 2024, caused thousands of dollars in property damage as the rioters broke into Hamilton Hall, an academic building on the Columbia campus, by smashing windows and barricading entrances with furniture, padlocks, and metal chains. Inside, they reportedly vandalized property, including covering security cameras (likely with paint or tape) and damaging furnishings. Jewish students on campus were terrified to attend class and faced harassment, intimidation, and sometimes physical confrontation. They were forced to listen as the mob shouted things like Zionists dont deserve to live, or Oct. 7 is about to be every day for you guys, Columbias August 2024 antisemitism task force report substantiated claims of Jews being pinned against walls or excluded from areas due to their perceived Zionism. It is utterly intolerable for a guest in our nation to be permitted to spread hatred and violence, to stand in solidarity with terrorists while blatantly flouting our laws especially on our streets and in our schools. Learn more about the author, who was a devout Muslim and had a career in national security, including as a political officer in the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan and a senior advisor to FBI Headquarters, in her new book: Living Fearless in Christ: Why I Left Islam to Win Battles for the Kingdom. Eating celery may stop hair from going grey. Eating celery could stop hair from turning grey Luteolin a natural flavonoid found in various fruits, vegetables, and herbs has been found to slow the process of greying hair. Researchers from Nagoya University in Japan found it helps maintain the proper function of melanocytes - which are cells that produce hair pigment that gives hair its colour. The scientists conducted the study over 16 weeks on a set of mice, who had been genetically modified to develop grey hair prematurely. They found that the group of mice treated with luteolin kept their original color, while the untreated group went grey. Masashi Kato, a professor at the university who co-led the study, said: Interestingly, luteolin had limited effects on hair cycles, indicating that its primary impact is on pigmentation rather than hair growth or shedding. "This targeted action makes luteolin a particularly intriguing candidate for addressing age-related hair graying. Abonati-va sa primiti pe email saptamanal lista articolelor adaugate pe parcursul saptamanii. Adresele .ru nu sunt acceptate. Email NEWSLETTER London Museum has been given its largest ever private donation, of 20m, as it prepares to reopen next year. The charity, whose flagship museum closed in December 2022, has also received its largest ever gift of archaeological material a collection of Roman artefacts uncovered on the site of Bloomberg's European headquarters in the City of London. It is moving from its former London Wall location, where it was based for 45 years and called the Museum of London, to a new site across two Smithfields market buildings in 2026. The overall budget for the new museum is 437m, with further support coming from the City of London Corporation, the Greater London Authority, a range of private foundations, sponsors and private philanthropists. When open, the museum is expected to attract two million visitors each year and contribute an estimated 565m in gross value added within 10 years. The Museum of London has been a charity since 2010 and also hosts London Museum Docklands. Its income rose to almost 100m in the year to March 2024, 69.7m of which came from government grants. Mayor: Generous donation Sharon Ament, director of London Museum, said: We are hugely ambitious for this project from setting high standards in sustainability, to creating new apprenticeships for young people; moving the dial on digital opportunities to involving a record number of Londoners in the making of the museum. This will be a place truly of and for the city that we hope Londoners will be proud of. We want to thank Mike Bloomberg and Bloomberg Philanthropies for supporting our vision and for being generous champions of Londons culture. London mayor Sadiq Khan said: The generous donation of these wonderful Roman artefacts will be a great addition to the London Museums collections and the investment provides a major boost to what is one of the biggest cultural projects in Europe. Bloomberg has been a huge cultural champion for London, and this is a great example of public and private sectors working together to help realise bold plans for our capital's future. I want to thank Mike for his continued commitment to London. The London Museum will be a significant addition to our capital, transforming the Smithfield area and using the power of culture to drive economic improvement, as we build a better London for everyone. Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg and former mayor of New York City, said: These remarkable artefacts offer a unique window into the past, connecting us directly to the voices of its ancient inhabitants. As someone who considers London my second home, Im honoured that our company will be able to help bring these stories to life while strengthening the citys future. Artifacts available for first time The Bloomberg Collection includes more than 14,000 Roman artefacts uncovered by Museum of London Archaeology archaeologists during the construction of Bloombergs European headquarters in the City of London between 2012 and 2014. Known internationally as home to a 3rd century AD temple to the Roman god Mithras, discoveries on the Bloomberg site include Britains largest, earliest and most significant collection of Roman writing tablets, which reveal the earliest surviving voices of Roman Londoners, including the first written reference to London. While some of the artifacts have been on display at the London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE since 2017, many will available to the public for the first time at London Museum next year. sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector, Adobe Stock / Disability Rights UK has contacted the police after several street fundraisers were seen fraudulently collecting funds from the general public using its brand and logo. The charity, which issued an alert yesterday, told Civil Society that such frauds have been happening on and off since last year. It said in some instances, the imposters have pretended to be deaf and used sign language, which was caught by a signer on one occasion and subsequently reported to the charity. Disability Rights UK said imposters have been using the charitys badge in places like Kent, Romford and a car park outside a supermarket in London. The charity reported the activity to Action Fraud and the respective local police where the imposters were asking for funds from the public. We are very concerned Disability Rights UK does not undertake any street fundraising itself and currently only accepts donations through its website . Rebecca Clarkson, head of partnerships at the charity, told Civil Society: There is never an occasion where somebody from Disability Rights UK should be approaching anybody and saying please give us money. That isnt what we do. This is something we are taking very seriously, and we are very concerned about it. She added: If people are ever in the slightest doubt about any donation, dont do it. Please get in contact with us if there are any worries or questions that anyone has. A spokesperson for the Fundraising Regulator told Civil Society: Fraudsters and criminals may take advantage of public generosity. A face-to-face fundraiser should have a licence from the relevant local authority licensing team or the Metropolitan Police (in Greater London). Individuals should never feel under pressure to donate immediately when approached by a fundraiser on the street. You can ask the collector for more information, and if in doubt, wait and donate directly at a time that suits you. sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector, Jonathan Stutz / Adobe Workers at a large Scottish social care charity have voted to take strike action in a dispute over pay. Yesterday, UNISON Scotland announced that 93% of staff at Enable Scotland who voted in a ballot supported a call for industrial action. UNISON, which represents around 600 workers at Enable Scotland, said the charity is one of the better employers in the care sector and called on the Scottish Government to fund charitable care properly and act to resolve this issue. The union said the move marked the first time in over 10 years that social care workers in the charitable sector had voted to strike. Enable Scotlands latest annual review shows that the charity employed 2,500 staff overall in 2023-24 and recorded a total income of 63.1m against total expenditure of 61.4m. Charity is one of the care sectors better employers Wendy Hudson, UNISON Scotland area organiser, said: Care workers, who look after some of the most vulnerable people in society, are struggling to make ends meet because theyre not paid enough to live on. Five years on from the first Covid lockdown, the care workforce shouldnt be left with no option other than to strike for a fair wage. More value must be placed on the work care staff do. Enable Scotland is one of the better employers in the care sector. But without proper funding from the Scottish Government, care workers will continue to be let down. Ministers must fund charitable care properly and act to resolve this issue. Jennifer McCarey, UNISON regional organiser, said: The care sector is in crisis. Care workers must be able to negotiate their pay at a national level with government, as health and council staff currently do. The recruitment crisis in social care wont end until care workers are valued for the vital work they do and given the fair pay they deserve. UNISON steward and care worker, Kim ODonnell said the Scottish Government had let down care workers when it withdrew pledged funding, deepening the crisis in the care sector. This vote from Enable Scotland reflects how undervalued care workers feel. They want to be respected for the work they do and paid a decent wage, she said. In response, Scottish social care minister Maree Todd said: Im aware of the pay dispute between UNISON and Enable. Pay negotiations are a matter for trade unions and employers but I urge both parties to continue to work together constructively to reach an agreement which is fair for the workforce and affordable for Enable and avoids disruption for those who rely on care. Civil Society has contacted Enable Scotland for comment. sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector, Sign up for The Media Today, CJRs daily newsletter. These are unusual times on the White House beat, and not just because theres a fire hose of news to cover. Reporting itself has become news, given the aggressive efforts by the Trump administration to undermine and manipulate mainstream reporters who cover the White House. The list includes blocking the Associated Press from the Oval Office and Air Force One; seizing control of the press pool from its traditional steward, the nonpartisan White House Correspondents Association; having the FCC investigate news organizations; and gutting Voice of America and other federally funded international broadcasters. While the WHCA has issued generic protest statements, its hard to know how individual reporters feel. Outside of a handful of veteran correspondents, few will comment or express criticism with their names attached. When approached, White House reporters tend to respond with a brusque no comment or pleas to withhold their names, if they respond at all. The reluctance to speak extends even to those who are supposed to speak on behalf of the press corps; WHCA president Eugene Daniels did not respond to a request for comment for this article. The White House beat may be the most prestigious in journalism, but in my experience, its also the one with the most terrified reporters. A recent story by Charlotte Klein in New York magazine demonstrates this problem. Klein did an admirable job of ferreting out the views of White House reporters caught in the current maelstrom. Yet except for Peter Baker, the New York Times veteran White House reporter, Klein was unable to nudge any of her subjects from behind the veil of anonymity. Critical comments come from sources identified as one White House reporter and another White House reporter. A third White House reporter also weighs in, name withheld. Such opaque sourcing raises more questions than it answers. Do these reporters work for large organizations or small ones? Do they report for TV, radio, or online publications? Are they solo operators, bloggers, influencers? Seasoned veterans or junior reporters? Readers have long said they dislike blind quotes because they cant tell where an opinion is coming from and how much authorityor ax to grindthe source has. White House reporters are frequently the authors of their own blind quotes. Im sympathetic to Klein. Ive written stories about the beat that are littered with such unattributed comments. Ive approached many White House reporters for comment and been similarly stiff-armed with demands that the responses be on background only. I also agreed to shield their identities, but only reluctantly. My choices were limited: I could accept the background-only terms, or get nothing at all. The list of those refusing to go on the record over the years runs through almost every major news organization. Cable and broadcast network correspondentsthe highest-profile people on the beatare notoriously circumspect. But so are those at many other media outlets, including the wire services and my own former shop, the Washington Post. Why? Well, for one thing: Most reporters want to cover the news, not be the news, as ABC News correspondent Jonathan Karl explained it to me last week. (Karl, like Baker, has seniority and stature, and often does speak for attribution.) They arent looking to pick fights with the White Housethis White House or any other White House. We just want to do our jobs. Sign up for CJRs daily email In view of the dangers confronting the press, maybe its time to reconsider. Lets note for starters that reporters on other beats are often more willing, even happy, to talk about what they do and the challenges they face, names attached. Ive occasionally reported from the halls of Congress, and found its press denizens refreshingly candid. Klein, who covers the press for New York, has found reporters on other beats more forthcoming, too. When Trump was on trial in New York, she wrote about the attendant media circus. Reporters routinely went on the record with comments. Klein told me that may be a function of the beat: apart from court officials, trials have an ever-evolving cast of principal sourcesplaintiffs and defendantswith whom reporters dont typically maintain long-term relationships. White House reporters, on the other hand, rely on people who may be in positions of power for years. A candid or critical comment could harm that relationship, she suggested. Reporters at the White House typically tell me that their reticence stems from their own news organizations, which prohibit them from speaking to the press without authorization. The sole reason in my case is that I would be punished by my employer if I went on the record without preclearance, a network correspondent told me last week (yes, this story has blind quotes, too!). This reporter, who has decades of experience, has often spoken to me, but almost always on background. To be sure, no one is required to risk his or her livelihood by defying a corporate edict. But, again in my experience, reporters dont try hard enough to seek permission. And lets not forget the quasi-hypocritical aspects of this policy: Journalists are employed to seek comment from others, but they cant give comments, even merely factual or explanatory ones, when asked? Whats wholly hypocritical about this is that these same reporters do comment, usually just not on their own working conditions. Any number of White House journalists pop up on cable panels and podcasts to analyzei.e., offer opinions aboutthe latest developments, be they Trumps tariff policies or Ukraine peace initiatives. They write books and memoirs about their experiences. Presumably, theyre doing so with the bosss permission (or long after they no longer need the bosss permission). Whats principally different, however, is that theyre avoiding, in real time, what they know best: the White Houses efforts to muzzle or manipulate them and how these efforts harm public understanding. The general timidity of the press these days may also reflect the White Houses aggressive efforts to push back, even insult, those who go public in some fashion. Politico reporter Jake Sherman got a swift back of the hand from the White Houses Rapid Response team on X on Tuesday after he observed that Elon Musks comments about cutting Social Security will play in countless Democratic TV ads over the next few years. In response, the White House account posted, Stop lying, Fake Sherman over a video of Musk specifying that he wanted to cut billions of dollars in unspecified waste in the program (White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reposted the exchange). After Baker, the New York Times reporter, wrote on X last month that Trumps commandeering of the press pool was reminiscent of Vladimir Putins anti-press tactics in Russia, Leavitt trashed Baker on X. Gone are the days where left-wing stenographers posing as journalists, such as yourself, dictate who gets to ask what, she wrote. Despite Leavitts provocation, Baker said he saw no reason to get into a back and forth with her. (Leavitt didnt respond to my request for comment.) As a general rule, he told me, I always try to stick with saying something Id be comfortable putting in the paper. You shouldnt say something online [or in an interview] that you wouldnt put in a story. Baker said he has never been disciplined by his editors for his public comments. I think they trust me, he said. My bosses are very supportive of us explaining ourselves. If the public has a problem with our credibility, one solution is to explain what we do. The philosophy is, as long as youre professional about it, then its a good thing to be out there. Some of journalisms elder statesmen give a mixed read on this. Former Washington Post editor Leonard Downie Jr. said he thinks reporters shouldnt step out of their traditional vow of silence. Ive always thought reporting, rather than making public statements, was what journalists should do, Downie told me. The burden of commentary, he said, isnt on reporters but on top editors, publishers, and network TV executives, as well as lawyers defending the news media in court. But Frank Sesno, a former CNN White House correspondent, said greater activism is necessary. I do think people need to play a different game, because the rules have changed fundamentally, he said. Journalists who fail to make the case for themselves do so at their own peril, he told me. When people in power double down on misinformation, disinformation, and outright lies, when theyre actively undermining reporters, that means its a different playing field. Ive felt for a long time that news organizations need to go on the offensive by explaining what we do, how we do it, and why its important. If you dont, you cede the field to the administration. Talk of playing offense makes storied journalists like Marvin Kalb uneasy. Kalb got his start as a reporter in the 1950s and went on to a distinguished career as a national TV reporter for CBS and NBC, covering presidents and serving as moderator of Meet the Press. At ninety-four, he continues to teach and write. But Kalb says he isnt sure how best to respond. Ive given this agonizing deliberation, and every time I confront the question, I say, I dont know, he told me on Thursday. Ive always believed a reporter shouldnt be an advocate for his own ideas or beliefs, that he should report. Yet if freedom of the press is in danger, is it not responsible to sound off? Should we not change those fundamental rules if the system is changing and is in danger? Part of me says, Yes, do it. Dont be afraid to speak up. Of course, given the White Houses hostility, the consequences for not remaining silent can go beyond a tart exchange on social media, as HuffPost reporter S.V. Date found out last month. When Date posed tough questions to Trump while serving in the press pool aboard Air Force in early Februaryhe asked about Trumps plans to meet with and celebrate law enforcement officers shortly after pardoning rioters who assaulted Capitol Police on January 6, 2021Trump reacted angrily and in belittling fashion. Soon there was more. After the White House press office decided to take control of the pool and select its own journalists, the first reporter thrown out of the rotation was Date. It was clearly punishment, Date told me, for asking Trump questions he didnt like. Date noted that this was why an independent press pool was necessary in the first place. The experience hasnt caused Date to shy away from talking about Trump and the White House in public, however. I have the freedom others dont have, he said. I have nothing to lose. They wont give me an interview. I may as well get out an accurate account of whats happening. Besides, he said, not talking normalizes the threats to the press posed by Trump. To explain what you do and how you do it is not crossing some line, he noted. Were not supposed to sit idly by and be stenographers. Sign up for The Media Today, CJRs daily newsletter. In January, DeepSeek, a Chinese AI company, shook Silicon Valley when it released a chatbot tool that matched the abilities of recent models made by OpenAI, a leading US firm, but for a fraction of the cost and hardware. DeepSeeks innovations came as a surprise to tech firms that did not expect China to be a serious competitor in AI. Many of the responsessuch as a post from the venture capitalist Marc Andreessen calling DeepSeek AIs Sputnik momentframed the news as a worrying sign of increased competition from Chinas tech industry. Much of the media coverage did likewise, refracting the story through a geopolitical lens. This combative stance matches the outlook of the Trump administration. Last month, Vice President J.D. Vance gave a speech in Paris in which he staked a claim for the US on AI innovation, casting China as an authoritarian competitor to be battled. The Trump administration has reversed AI regulations put in place by the Biden administration in an effort to accelerate the industry, and also laid ground for a trade war with China, imposing 20 percent tariffs on goods from the country. The White House is now reported to be making a deal with Oracle, a US software company, to run the Chinese-owned video app TikTok in the US, after Trump paused a bipartisan Biden-era law dictating that it be sold or face a ban. How the Chinese tech industry is thinking about these questions, however, is less immediately visible to US news consumers. To get some perspective, I asked Viola Zhou, a senior reporter who covers Chinas tech industry for Rest of World, about the approach of company leaders, workers, and researchers in China, and the challenges of covering them from abroad. Zhous work often complicates the political narrative of competition and conflict, as was the case with her recent story on a Chinese electrical vehicle battery company named Gotion that has faced local opposition to opening a plant in Michigan. Our conversation has been edited for length and clarity. Viola Zhou. Courtesy photo. CB: How would you describe the primary challenges of reporting on the Chinese tech industry now? VZ: I sometimes joke that Chinese people dont talk. In the case of an American companys success, the CEO will be on TV the next day or on social media talking to everyone and collecting millions of followers. But in a Chinese company, this guy actually has to lay low, because attention is bad for a Chinese tech entrepreneur. Especially when it comes to English-language media, people are really nervous that whatever they say will be put into a political framework. I understand that fear; whatever they say becomes part of a US-China story. They are also reluctant to talk because in China, most of the mainstream media is run by the state. If youre talking to domestic Chinese outlets, what you say wont end up sounding critical of the authorities. But when youre talking to international media, you have no control over that framing. A tech entrepreneur who is doing business in China doesnt want to talk to international media because they cant control if its going to be a positive or a negative story. So theres a lot of reluctance, fear, and nervousness about talking to the media. Another challenge is just access. Its very hard to get a journalism visa in China if you work for a foreign outlet. And Chinese citizens are not usually allowed to work as foreign correspondents based inside China. So there are very few journalists who are able to report on the ground. Most journalists, like me, have to do remote reporting on China by stalking people on the internet or doing phone calls. A recent story that you wrote about DeepSeek focused on how the company is convincing top AI talent in China to stay there rather than go work for a US company. One of your sources told you, America thinks Chinas trying to unseat America, but the truth is that young people were inspired by new technology developments such as OpenAI. So while the US government and Silicon Valley largely view the Chinese and American tech industries as in competition with each other, would you say that Chinese tech workers dont necessarily see it that way? Sign up for CJRs daily email A very common stereotype in mainstream media coverage of Chinese tech is the idea that every business, and even every individual, does things to compete with America; that everyone in China has political motivations. But actually, people do things for all kinds of reasons. For example, I was looking into the DeepSeek researchers after their recent model was released. A lot of the researchers got super active on X. They were very proud of DeepSeek. They were interacting with researchers at American companies to discuss AI technical problems that I couldnt understand. Just seeing that exchange was refreshing. If we read the headlines, its all about how China came up with something that competes with America or is better than America, or how the US ban on exporting advanced semiconductor chips to China led China to invent an AI model that doesnt need so many chips. But when I was reading the X posts from the actual employees, I got a sense that they considered it more like a scientific research breakthrough. They came up with something that theyre really proud of and are eager to share with the rest of the open-source community. They wanted to show they have the ability to do something new. And they wanted their peers, whether in America or other countries, to see that. Thats their motivation. Maybe theres some sense of nationalism. But when I talk to people in the industry, they want to build their personal brands. Companies want to build the company brand. So they have motivations that are more about business, about branding, about reputation, about pride. Im not saying politics is not relevant. But when we approach these stories, when we are talking to these people and trying to find out their personal experiences, its important not to go into everything with a framing of US-China competition. Theres more cooperation than people think, especially in the research open-source community. Chinese researchers follow developments in America very closely. Not to be like, Oh, America has something. We have to come up with something so China can win. They get inspiration, and then they invent something new to make their own business better and to survive the competition in the Chinese tech industry, which has become very saturated. If we are reading about the US-China tech war, it seems as if every business wants to be part of it. But in reality, the Chinese tech entrepreneurs I report on really want to get out of the war. They are eager to do business in America. In the case of TikTok, they wanted to get American users. But they are running into this tech war. It causes them a lot of political and regulatory trouble, and then they have to deal with scrutiny or suspicion. From the Chinese companies perspective, they actually want to get out of politics. They have to navigate a lot of regulations at home, and then they have to navigate the US-China geopolitical tension when they go abroad. How would you characterize the Chinese tech industry now? How would you compare it to Silicon Valley? China is transitioning from a period of very fast growth into a period where the domestic competition is really fierce. At the same time, Chinese tech companies finally have a group of products that are able to compete internationally after about two decades of development. In the social media industry, TikTok is the first Chinese product that has gone mainstream elsewhere. And we are seeing the same thing in e-commerce, with Shein and Temu. In terms of electric vehicles, these companies are not in America for political reasons, but they are very successful in other countries. There are a lot of Chinese brands. So Chinese tech companies are pushed to go abroad because of the competition at home, and they have the ability to go abroad, but at the same time theyre running into political pushback in the US. The arrival of DeepSeek took the US by storm, and caused a kind of panic. What do you think of that response? China is able to come up with things that are new, that are useful, that are pushing the boundaries. Before DeepSeek, I also held the stereotype that the best students from China, the top scientists, the top researchers, tend to end up in the US. But actually the Chinese system still has a very strong talent pool. In that sense, its a reminder. But should America panic over that? Is that a political threat? I think people can debate that. Something I was hearing over and over with DeepSeek was that it produced a very comparablemaybe betterlarge language model to OpenAIs on a lower budget and with dramatically fewer chips, calling into question the idea that you need more resources for more or better output. Do you have thoughts on that way of reading whats happening here? I will agree that it challenges the concept of needing more chips to build better AI models. But it doesnt mean that you dont need those chips at all, or that companies like DeepSeek are already overtaking Silicon Valley companies in AI research. One reason DeepSeek was successful is that it started to acquire Nvidia chips very early on; it had its own stockpile of chips, and thats what powered its early research. Even though later they said they figured out a way to train this model with fewer chips, it was built on previous research in Silicon Valley with a lot of chips. Its a very natural thing in scientific research that someone else points in a different direction to explore, and then other companies start exploring that direction. In a way this is a community trying to work out different solutions. Trump reversed the TikTok ban when he came into office, but then imposed tariffs on China. He has reversed AI regulations that Biden put in place. And Trump and Vance have used strongly protectionist rhetoric around keeping AI innovation within the US and characterizing the Chinese tech industry as an unwanted rival. Where do you anticipate things going from here? What are you going to be paying attention to in your coverage? We have already seen tariffs imposed over the past few years since Trumps first presidency, and new chip bans. I am seeing creative ways to get around this, ranging from smuggling chips into China to simply passing the cost on to American consumers. Even after all the tariffs, we are seeing the rise of super-cheap e-commerce products flowing from China. I think its very hard to stop the business flow between these two countries, because there are so many goods being produced in China and China is eager to find a way to export them; Americans are eager to find a way to buy cheap stuff, and cheap stuff comes from China. Businesses on both sides will work together to navigate those regulations. In terms of AI, I feel its very hard to stop the flow of knowledge when you have smart people on both sides. They can see each others research outputs, even though you may be able to ban equipment or hardware. I think the DeepSeek case is a reminder that America is in some way pushing Chinese companies and people to get more creative, to find alternative paths that actually reduce their reliance on American hardware. Other notable stories: Last week, CJRs Sewell Chan and Betsy Morais reported that the prominent journalist Wesley Lowery had left positions at the Investigative Reporting Workshop and American University following at least three Title IX allegations against him, in which he was accused of improper behavior with colleagues and female students. (Lowery denied wrongdoing and said he left the posts voluntarily.) Now the Washington Post reports on the complaints and the account of a woman who felt that Lowery offered her a sexual quid pro quo over the future of a reporting contract. (Lowery disputed the account.) Elsewhere, The New Yorker cut ties with Jackson Arn, its art critic, after he was accused of making inappropriate overtures at the magazines anniversary party, per the Times. For Nieman Lab, Miranda Green tells the murky tale of a newspaper in North Dakotawith apparent ties to fossil fuel interests and a right-wing national media networkthat has recently ramped up coverage about the destructive nature and lawlessness of protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline nearly a decade ago. The paper has circulated in a town where the company behind the project is suing Greenpeace over its role in the protests, a case that went to trial recently. Greenpeace has argued that the newspapers coverage formed part of a campaign to influence potential jurors and attempted to have the trial moved, but was unsuccessful. Il Foglio, a newspaper in Italy, claimed to have published the worlds first newspaper edition created entirely by artificial intelligence, part of a broader experiment aimed at exploring the impact of AI on journalists ways of working, The Guardians Angela Giuffrida reports. The articles were structured, straightforward and clear, with no obvious grammatical errors, Giuffrida writes. However, none of the articles published in the news pages directly quote any human beings. The edition did include AI-generated reader letters and editorial responsesone of which cast doubt on the reliability of AI. And Trump abruptly released a trove of documents about the Kennedy assassination to the public. Scholars said that it will take time to go through the filesnot least because some of them are physically hard to readbut nothing explosive jumped out, with one academic telling the Times that the release had convinced him that the information had been kept secret all these decades not because it included inflammatory information about the assassination, but rather to mask highly sensitive details about CIA intelligence-gathering. A Times heading read: Heres what to know. (Oswald still did it.) Katherine Schwarzenegger's daughter has broken her wrist. Katherine Schwarzenegger's daughter has broken her wrist The 35-year-old author - who is married to Hollywood star Chris Pratt and has Lyla, four, Eloise, two, and three-month-old Ford with him - took to social media to reveal that not only has her middle child suffered, but all three of them have come down with a virus. She wrote on Instagram: "Id like to know whats going on with 2025. "We have all three kids with viruses in the house. And my daughter Eloise just broke her wrist. So were thriving over here." Katherine is pleased, though, that her youngest is staying calm amid the situation although she did not go into much further detail about their illnesses. She said: "Luckily I have the calmest three-month-old. So thats a huge win!" In December, 'Guardians of the Galaxy' star Chris, 45, took to social media to honor Katherine on her 35th birthday. He wrote on Instagram: "Happy Birthday, Katherine! Thank you for all of the joy youve brought all of us through the years. To see the way you care for our family. To see the way you run the house. To see the way you communicate. Your wisdom and mindfulness are a blessing I thank God for every day. Im so grateful to have married you. "We all feel so well taken care of and loved. Through the ups and downs, I got you Chief. Love you." Chris - who also has 12-year-old son Jack from his previous marriage to Anna Faris - and his wife announced the arrival of their third child in November in a post on social media. In a joint post on Instagram, Katherine and Chris said: "We are overjoyed to announce the birth of our son, Ford Fitzgerald Schwarzenegger Pratt. Mama and baby are doing well and Fords siblings are thrilled by his arrival. We feel so blessed and grateful. Megan Garcia says her son would still be alive today if it werent for a chatbot urging the 14-year-old to take his own life. In a lawsuit with major implications for Silicon Valley, she is seeking to hold Google and the artificial intelligence firm Character Technologies Inc. responsible for his death. The case over the tragedy that unfolded a year ago in central Florida is an early test of who is legally to blame when kids interactions with generative AI take an unexpected turn. Garcias allegations are laid out in a 116-page complaint filed last year in federal court in Orlando. She is seeking unspecified monetary damages from Google and Character Technologies and asking the court to order warnings that the platform isnt suitable for minors and limit how it can collect and use their data. Both companies are asking the judge to dismiss claims that they failed to ensure the chatbot technology was safe for young users, arguing theres no legal basis to accuse them of wrongdoing. Character Technologies contends in a filing that conversations between its Character.AI platforms chatbots and users are protected by the Constitutions First Amendment as free speech. It also argues that the bot explicitly discouraged Garcias son from committing suicide. Garcias targeting of Google is particularly significant. The Alphabet Inc. unit entered into a $2.7 billion deal with Character.AI in August, hiring talent from the startup and licensing know-how without completing a full-blown acquisition. As the race for AI talent accelerates, other companies may think twice about similarly structured deals if Google fails to convince a judge that it should be shielded from liability from harms alleged to have been caused by Character.AI products. The inventors and the companies, the corporations that put out these products, are absolutely responsible, Garcia said in an interview. They knew about these dangers, because they do their research, and they know the types of interactions children are having. Before the deal, Google had invested in Character.AI in exchange for a convertible note and also entered a cloud service pact with the startup. The founders of Character.AI were Google employees until they left the tech behemoth to found the startup. As Garcia tells it in her suit, Sewell Setzer III was a promising high school student athlete until he started in April, 2023 role-playing on Character.AI, which lets users build chatbots that mimic popular culture personalities both real and fictional. She says she wasnt aware that over the course of several months, the app hooked her son with anthropomorphic, hypersexualized and frighteningly realistic experiences as he fell in love with a bot inspired by Daenerys Targaryen, a character from the show Game of Thrones. Garcia took away the boys phone in February 2024 after he started acting out and withdrawing from friends. But while looking for his phone, which he later found, he also came across his stepfathers hidden pistol, which the police determined was stored in compliance with Florida law, according to the suit. After conferring with the Daenerys chatbot five days later, the teen shot himself in the head. Garcias lawyers say in the complaint that Google contributed financial resources, personnel, intellectual property, and AI technology to the design and development of Character.AIs chatbots. Google argued in a court filing in January that it had no role in the teens suicide and does not belong in the case. The case is playing out as public safety issues around AI and children have drawn attention from state enforcement officials and federal agencies alike. Theres currently no U.S. law that explicitly protects users from harm inflicted by AI chatbots. To make a case against Google, attorneys for Garcia would have to show the search giant was actually running Character.AI and made business decisions that ultimately led to her sons death, according to Sheila Leunig, an attorney who advises AI startups and investors and isnt involved in the lawsuit. The question of legal liability is absolutely a valid one thats being challenged in a huge way right now, Leunig said. Deals like the one Google struck have been hailed as an efficient way for companies to bring in expertise for new projects. However, theyve caught the attention of regulators over concerns they are a work-around to antitrust scrutiny that comes with acquiring up-and-coming rivals outright and which has become a major headache for tech behemoths in recent years. Google and Character.AI are completely separate, unrelated companies and Google has never had a role in designing or managing their AI model or technologies, nor have we used them in our products, Jose Castaneda, a spokesperson for Google, said in a statement. A Character.AI spokeswoman declined to comment on pending litigation but said there is no ongoing relationship between Google and Character.AI and that the startup had implemented new user safety measures over the past year. Lawyers from the Social Media Victims Law Center and Tech Justice Law Project who represent Garcia argue that even though her sons death pre-dates Googles deal with Character.AI, the search company was instrumental in helping the startup design and develop its product. The model underlying Character.AI was invented and initially built at Google, according to the complaint. Noam Shazeer and Daniel De Freitas began working at Google on chatbot technology as far back as 2017 before they left the company in 2021, then founded Character.AI later that year and were rehired by Google last year, according to Garcias suit, which names them both as defendants. Shazeer and De Freitas declined to comment, according to Googles spokesperson Castaneda. Theyve argued in court filings that they shouldnt have been named in the suit because they have no connections to Florida, where the case was filed, and because they were not personally involved in the activities that allegedly caused harm. The suit also alleges the Alphabet unit helped market the startups technology through a strategic partnership in 2023 to use Google Cloud services to reach a growing number of active Character.AI users which is now more than 20 million. In the fast-growing AI industry, startups are being boosted by big tech companies, not under the brand name of the large company, but with their support, said Meetali Jain, director of Tech Justice Law Project. Googles purported roles as an investor, cloud services provider, and former employer are far too tenuously connected to the harm alleged in Garcias complaint to be actionable, the technology giant said in a court filing. Matt Wansley, a professor at Cardozo School of Law, said tying liability back to Google wont be easy. Its tricky because, what would the connection be? he said. Early last year, Google warned Character.AI that it might remove the startups app from the Google Play store over concerns about safety for teens, the Information reported recently, citing an unidentified former Character.AI employee. The startup responded by strengthening the filters in its app to protect users from sexually suggestive, violent and other unsafe content and Google reiterated that its separate from Character.AI and isnt using the chatbot technology, according to the report. Google declined to comment and Character.AI didnt respond to a request from Bloomberg for comment on the report. Garcia, the mother, said she first learned about her son interacting with an AI bot in 2023 and thought it was similar to building video game avatars. According to the suit, the boys mental health deteriorated as he spent more time on Character.AI where he was having sexually explicit conversations without his parents knowledge. When the teen shared his plan to kill to himself with the Daenerys chatbot, but expressed uncertainty that it would work, the bot replied: Thats not a reason not to go through with it, according to the suit, which is peppered with transcripts of the boys chats. Character.AI said in a filing that Garcias revised complaint selectively and misleadingly quotes that conversation and excludes how the chatbot explicitly discouraged the teen from committing suicide by saying: You cant do that! Dont even consider that! Anna Lembke, a professor at Stanford University School of Medicine specializing in addiction, said its almost impossible to know what our kids are doing online. The professor also said its unsurprising that the boys interactions with the chatbot didnt come up in several sessions with a therapist who his parents sent him to for help with his anxiety, as the lawsuit claims. Therapists are not omniscient, Lembke said. They can only help to the extent that the child knows whats really going on. And it could very well be that this child did not perceive the chatbot as problematic. The case is Garcia v. Character Technologies Inc., 24-cv-01903, US District Court, Middle District of Florida (Orlando). Top photo: Megan Garcia. Photographer: Michelle Bruzzese/Bloomberg. Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. BlackRock, Vanguard and State Street have asked a federal court in Texas to dismiss a state lawsuit accusing the top fund managers of conspiring through climate activism to discourage coal output, with the firms saying the allegations rest on half-baked and untested legal theories. To find that Plaintiffs have stated an antitrust claim on these alleged facts requires contorting the law in a way that would hurt both coal companies and individual investors, the asset managers told the judge, asking the court to reject this adventurous attempt to rewrite antitrust law. The closely watched case, led by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, offers no examples of the companies ever telling a coal company to reduce output, the fund managers said. Industry analysts have been watching to see how strongly the companies would push back on what the defendants called a first of its kind suit filed by Texas and other Republican-led states. There are now 13 plaintiffs. This is a hard-hitting response that levels some strong rebuttals of the complaint said Michael Carrier, a Rutgers Law School professor, via e-mail. Among other things, the companies show a lack of communication and differences in proxy voting that will make it hard for the plaintiffs to show they made agreements among themselves, Carrier said. Paxtons office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The suit is part of a wave of pressure on the firms from conservative U.S. politicians, many from energy-producing states. Among other things, they have alleged that the firms cooperation in industry net-zero groups amounts to collusion. With more than $26 trillion in assets, the three firms through influential proxy votes have become major voices in how U.S. companies pay executives, elect directors and set environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies. Lately they have been in retreat under Republican pressure, withdrawing from industry climate efforts and cutting diversity goals. The suit marks the first time they have faced significant antitrust claims tied to their ESG efforts. In Monday nights joint motion they formed a united front against the idea and called their activities commonplace ones for products like index funds that are the core ingredients allowing asset managers to provide the low-cost funds that millions of Americans rely on to save for retirement and other purposes. For instance, the companies said that while BlackRock and State Street voted against reelecting a few coal company directors, they never voted as a block and said the directors were reelected anyway. Vanguard never voted against coal company management or directors. The companies also wrote that coal output actually rose since 2021 according to the complaints details, and that their proxy votes did not correlate with production trends. There is not the slightest indication that any Defendant was prodding the coal companies to reduce output, much less that all of them were doing so in collaboration, the motion states. The case is Texas et al v BlackRock Inc et al, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas, No. 24-00437. (Reporting by Ross Kerber in Boston and Shivani Tanna in Bengaluru; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and David Gregorio) A lawyer is arguing that global mining giant BHP Group should be held liable for Brazils worst environmental disaster 10 years ago when a dam collapse poured tons of toxic mining waste into a major waterway that killed 19 people and devastated villages. High Court Justice Finola OFarrell said she would rule later in the class action case in which claimants are seeking 36 billion pounds ($47 billion) in damages from Australia-based BHP. The case was filed in Britain because one of BHPs two main legal entities was based in London at the time. BHP owns 50% of Samarco, the Brazilian company that operates the iron ore mine where the tailings dam ruptured on Nov. 5, 2015. Enough mine waste to fill 13,000 Olympic-size swimming pools poured into the Doce River in southeastern Brazil. As a result of its heavy involvement in Samarcos operations, BHP had many opportunities to avert disaster but failed to do so and instead kept allowing and encouraging the dam to be raised by constantly pushing for ever greater production by Samarco, attorney Alain Choo Choy said in his closing argument. A defense lawyer had argued that BHP did not own or operate the Fundao dam and the company was not responsible for the pollution. The company also said a deadline to bring the claims had expired before the lawsuit was filed on behalf of 600,000 Brazilians. Sludge from the burst dam destroyed the once-bustling village of Bento Rodrigues in Minas Gerais state and badly damaged other towns. The disaster killed 14 tons of freshwater fish and damaged 660 kilometers (410 miles) of the Doce River, according to a study by the University of Ulster. The river, which the Krenak Indigenous people revere as a deity, has yet to recover. The trial began in October, just days before Brazils federal government reached a multibillion-dollar settlement with the mining companies. Under the agreement, Samarco which is also half owned by Brazilian mining giant Vale agreed to pay 132 billion reais ($23 billion) over 20 years. The payments were meant to compensate for human, environmental and infrastructure damage. BHP had said the U.K. legal action was unnecessary because it duplicated matters covered by legal proceedings in Brazil. Speaking to journalists at an online conference after the hearing, lawyers and victims said they were hopeful BHP would be convicted. Jose Eduardo Cardozo, Brazils former justice minister and a lawyer in the case, said the evidence against the company was overwhelming. Pamela Fernandes, whose 5-year-old daughter, Emanuelle, died in the disaster, has been making trips to London since last year to attend the trial proceedings. Just knowing that the trial has come to an end today was the closing arguments I already feel very relieved, Fernandes said. Being here is very painful. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. BARBERTON, Ohio A 49-year-old man is in custody after an hours-long standoff with police Tuesday in which he reportedly cut the gas line inside a home and threatened to set off an explosion, forcing the evacuation of neighboring residences. Police officers were called to the home on 400 block of 15th Street Northwest at about 5:16 p.m. after receiving reports of a domestic dispute, police spokesman Marty Eberhart says in a news release. Police were told a male in the home was acting erratically. When officers arrived, there was a strong odor of gas in the neighborhood, Eberhart says. The male told police he had cut the gas line in the home. Police evacuated nearby residences and eventually a gas company worker was able to turn off the gas to the home, police say. However, the man inside the home continued to threaten officers and also threatened to harm himself, police say. SWAT was called to the scene and the suspect surrendered after talking with a negotiator for about two hours, ending the standoff. He was taken to Summa Barberton Hospital for treatment. There were no reports of injuries. Evacuated residents were allowed to return to their homes just before 8 p.m. Ethereal Halong Bay is about 110 miles east of Hanoi in Vietnam. Visitors can take day trips or overnight cruises on the water. Susan Glaser, Cleveland.com HANOI, Vietnam -- Vietnam was never on my bucket list of places to visit until my husbands cousin married a Vietnamese woman. The idea of traveling to this exotic land with someone who knew it well was too enticing to pass up. But then Covid happened, and travel to Asia was put on the back burner. Last year, planning got serious. And this month, I returned from an epic, 2 week trip to Vietnam, with side trips to Tokyo and Cambodia. Among our stops: Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hoi An and Hue. We skipped Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnams largest city and its financial hub -- still called Saigon by most Vietnamese -- because we figured one massive urban center was enough and Hanoi had more appeal. We also wanted more time along the coast. It was invaluable and also great fun to have a travel partner, Kitty, who spoke the language, was familiar with the culture and could teach us how to cross the street. We had a built-in translator for much of the trip, but not all of it my husband and I were on our own when we ventured to Hue, after our travel companions were sidelined with a stomach bug. Kittys family most of whom live in or near Saigon joined us in Hoi An for several days, on a vacation of their own, which provided even more insight into Vietnamese life. This was my first-ever trip to Asia and included the longest flight Ive ever been on -- 12 hours, nonstop Detroit to Tokyo. Then it was another six hours on the plane to Hanoi. Vietnam is a relatively small country, slightly larger than New Mexico in total size. But it is long and thin, 30 miles across at its most narrow. We opted for planes, rather than trains or autos, to move us around the country. Though the flights were expensive (more than $2,000 round-trip), the rest of the trip was a bargain. We booked five-star hotels for less than $125 per night, ate like kings for $15 per meal, and enjoyed 90-minute massages for $30. In addition to the usual travel planning and because Vietnam was so utterly unfamiliar to me I tried to prepare for the trip through literature and movies. Some of what I read and watched: Up Country by Nelson DeMille, The Quiet American by Graham Greene, The Women by Kirstin Hannah, portions of The Vietnam War television series by Ken Burns, and The Scent of Green Papaya (the film, not the book). So much of American literature and film, as it relates to Vietnam, is focused on the war. The war was not the focus of my trip, although I did tour Hoa Lo Prison (aka the Hanoi Hilton) and other sites that were important in the war. Tourism has grown rapidly in Vietnam in recent years. The country welcomed nearly 18 million international travelers in 2024, up from about 2 million in 2000. The United States sends more visitors to Vietnam nearly 800,000 in 2024 -- than all but three other countries or regions, all of which are in Asia (South Korea, China and Taiwan). Im grateful to count myself among them. Related This week: From Hanoi to Halong Bay: Five days in northern Vietnam Next week: Exploring the coast of central Vietnam: Hoi An, Hue and Danang Coming later: 36 hours in Tokyo Bucket-list trip to the temples of Angkor Wat and Siem Reap, Cambodia Strolling scenic Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi. Susan Glaser, Cleveland.com Robert De Niro "somehow makes it work" when it comes to being a parent of a toddler. Robert De Niro just 'makes it work' when it comes to being the parent of a toddler The 81-year-old actor - who became a dad for the seventh time when he and his girlfriend Tiffany Chen welcomed daughter Gia into the world in April 2023 - shared that the little one is doing "great" as she approaches her second birthday and revealed that sometimes she is even on set with him. He told E! News: "Yeah, she's great! She came on the 'Zero Day' set a few times, I shot that last year. You make it work, somehow. Sometimes I have her on the set with my girlfriend. I'm lucky, I have a camper." The ''Alto Knights' star is also "doing okay" himself as his daughter moves into the toddler phase, even if he has to watch a plethora of preschool television shows as part of the process. He told 'Extra': "Im okay. I watch these childrens shows, toddler shows The Wiggles, Ms. Rachel, Blippy, and there are others especially The Wiggles at this point." The Hollywood star is also father to Drena, 54, and Raphael, 48, with his first wife Diahnne Abbott, twins Julian and Aaron, 29, with ex-girlfriend Toukie Smith, as well as Elliot, 26, and Helen, 13, with ex-wife Grace Hightower. He recently told The Sunday Times Magazine: "Oh God, they would all have a different answer. Family is so complex. "I try my best, thats all. I hope theyll be happy." At the time, Robert explained that he is an "early riser" and likes to spend the first part of the day watching YouTube with his youngest before feeding her. He said: "I'm an early riser. Ive got a 19-month-old baby. I spend my mornings watching [the YouTuber for toddlers] Ms Rachel with her, and I give her her bottle." But when asked if he takes on the other parental job of changing diapers, he said: "No, no, but I used to!" Ryan Reynolds has rubbished Justin Baldoni's defamation lawsuit. Ryan Reynolds is seeking to have the lawsuit dimissed The 48-year-old actor has filed a motion to dismiss Baldoni's lawsuit, insisting that the 'It Ends With Us' director's allegations have no merit. Mike Gottlieb and Esra Hudson, Reynolds' attorneys, said in a statement: "The entirety of Mr. Baldonis case appears to be based on Mr. Reynolds allegedly privately calling Mr. Baldoni a predator, but heres the problem - that is not defamation unless they can show that Mr. Reynolds did not believe that statement to be true. "The complaint doesnt allege that. In fact, it suggests the opposite: that Mr. Reynolds genuinely believes Mr. Baldoni is a predator." Reynolds's legal team insist that the actor is entitled to "express his opinion of Mr. Baldoni". They said: "Mr. Reynolds has a First Amendment right to express his opinion of Mr. Baldoni, which should be comforting to a group of people who have repeatedly called Ms. Lively and Mr. Reynolds bullies and other names over the past year." What's more, the director has been accused of trying to shame Reynolds "for being the man Mr. Baldoni has built his brand pretending to be". A spokesperson for the actor said: "The claims filed against Mr. Reynolds are simply a list of grievances attempting to shame him for being the man Mr. Baldoni has built his brand pretending to be - a man who is confident enough to listen to the woman in his life." Blake Lively, Reynolds's wife, previously launched a lawsuit against her 'It Ends With Us' director and co-star, accusing him of harassing her while making the romantic drama film. The actress accused Baldoni of causing her "severe emotional distress". The Hollywood star - who played Baldoni's on-screen love interest in 'It Ends with Us' - previously told the New York Times newspaper: "I hope that my legal action helps pull back the curtain on these sinister retaliatory tactics to harm people who speak up about misconduct and helps protect others who may be targeted." Baldoni later denied the allegations, with his lawyer describing the claims as "categorically false". Hit by massive funding cuts and a crackdown on student protesters, Columbia University is under fire from US President Donald Trump, putting the world of higher education on tenterhooks. The arrest of student activist Mahmoud Khalil has crystallized concerns over freedom of speech under the Republican leader's administration -- and fueled warnings that Trump is out to quell dissent. Khalil, a US permanent resident with Palestinian roots, recently earned a graduate degree from the prestigious Ivy League school in New York. But he was detained in early March by plainclothes immigration agents over his role in the student movement protesting Israel's war on Gaza. Trump has vowed Khalil's detention is the first in a line of arrests to come. Columbia's student movement has been at the vanguard of protests that have exposed deep rifts over the war. Activists call them a show of support for the Palestinian people. Trump condemns them as anti-Semitic, and says they must end. The president has cut $400 million in federal funding from Columbia -- including research grants and other contracts -- on the questionable grounds that the institution has not adequately protected Jewish students from harassment. Experts say the move aims to send a message to other universities: fall in line or face the consequences. "Columbia has been placed in an impossible position," Lynn Pasquerella, president of the American Association of Colleges and Universities, told AFP. "We can be sure that the other 60 higher education institutions that have been targeted for a perceived failure to comply with federal mandates are paying close attention to Columbia's response." Columbia's interim president, Katrina Armstrong, acknowledged the "critical moment for higher education" in a recent statement. US universities are still reeling from a furor over pro-Palestinian protests that has felled several institutions' presidents since the Gaza war began, including at Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia itself. "The stakes are high not only for Columbia, but for every college and university in this country," Armstrong said, vowing a commitment to "open dialogue and free debate" as well as "efforts to combat hate and discrimination on campus." Beyond that cautious official position -- which has come under criticism from various sides -- Columbia is making moves. Entry to campus is barricaded, though immigration officers have entered for surprise searches, and the university gave police the green light to remove pro-Palestinian activists last spring. Last week, the private university announced a battery of disciplinary measures -- including suspensions, temporary degree revocations and expulsions -- aimed at student protesters who occupied a campus building last year. Still, in a letter sent to Columbia last week, the Trump administration gave the university one week to agree to a series of drastic reforms if it wants to open negotiations to recover the $400 million. The letter demands Columbia codify a definition of anti-Semitism that includes a focus on anti-Zionism, and insists the Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies departments be put under "academic receivership." That rare step puts an academic department under outside administrative oversight, and is generally only used to reset -- or axe -- a department in crisis. Pasquerella said Trump's moves put core principles of higher education at risk, seeking to control the curriculum and "impose a particular definition of anti-Semitism on the university by ostensibly conflating any pro-Palestinian sentiment and activity with unlawful activity." The administration's demands "threaten to undermine the democratic purposes of higher education by impeding academic freedom," she said. For Jameel Jaffer, who directs the free speech-focused Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia, the White House's bid to control university policies poses an "existential threat to academic life itself." The undertone of the letter is clear, he said: "It basically says, 'We'll destroy Columbia unless you destroy it first.'" "The subjugation of universities to official power is a hallmark of autocracy. No one should be under any illusions about what's going on here," Jaffer told AFP. Trump's pressure has also given new life to pro-Palestinian protests, which are again happening virtually every day throughout New York -- including a recent one at Trump Tower in Manhattan. But that engagement in the streets is not undoing the damage already done at academic institutions across the nation, Pasquerella said. "Many institutions are already engaging in anticipatory or preemptive compliance with requests by the current administration, even if they are not legally required, in order to avoid being targeted," she said. "The real losers in all of this are the students." A picture titled "A Recent Entrance to Paradise," which computer scientist Stephen Thaler said he had created using his generative AI platform, the "Creativity Machine." Source: Wikipedia CC A federal appeals court ruled that art created autonomously by artificial intelligence cannot be copyrighted, saying that at least initial human authorship is required for a copyright. The ruling Tuesday upheld a decision by the U.S. Copyright Office denying computer scientist Stephen Thaler a copyright for the painting "A Recent Entrance to Paradise." The picture was created by Thaler's AI platform, the "Creativity Machine." The "Copyright Office's longstanding rule requiring a human author ... does not prohibit copyrighting work that was made by or with the assistance of artificial intelligence," a three-judge panel of the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia said in its unanimous ruling. "The rule requires only that the author of that work be a human being the person who created, operated, or use artificial intelligence and not the machine itself," the panel said. The panel noted that the Copyright Office "has allowed the registration of works made by human authors who use artificial intelligence." watch now Copyright grants intellectual property protection to original works, giving their owners exclusive rights to reproduce the works, sell the works, rent them and display them. Tuesday's ruling hinged on the fact that Thaler listed the "Creativity Machine" as the sole "author" of "A Recent Entrance to Paradise" when he submitted a registration application to the Copyright Office in 2018. Thaler listed himself as the picture's owner in the application. Thaler told CNBC in an interview that the Creativity Machine created the painting "on its own" in 2012. The machine "learned cumulatively, and I was the parent, and I was basically tutoring it," Thaler said. "It actually generated [the painting] on its own as it mediated," said Thaler. He said his AI machines are "sentients" and "self-determining." Thaler's lawyer, Ryan Abbott, told CNBC in an interview said, "We do strongly disagree with the appeals court decision and plan to appeal it." Abbott said he would first ask the full judicial lineup of the Circuit Court of Appeals to rehear the case. If that appeal is unsuccessful, Abbott could ask the U.S. Supreme Court to consider the issue. The attorney said the case detailed "the first publicized rejection" by the Copyright Office "on the basis" of the claim that a work was created by AI. That denial and the subsequent court rulings in the office's favor, "creates a huge shadow on the creative community" he said, because "it's not clear where the line is" delineating when a work created by or with the help of AI will be denied a copyright. Despite the ruling, Abbott said he "was very pleased to see that the case has been successful in drawing public attention to these very important public policy issues." AI court fight The Copyright Office first denied Thaler's application in August 2019, saying, "We cannot register this work because it lacks the human authorship necessary to support a copyright claim." "According to your application this work was 'created autonomously by machine," the office said at the time. The office cited an 1884 ruling by the Supreme Court, which found that Congress had the right to extend copyright protection to a photograph, in that case one taken of the author Oscar Wilde. The office later rejected two requests by Thaler for reconsideration of its decision. After the second denial, in 2022, Thaler sued the office in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., seeking to reverse the decision. District Court Judge Beryl Howell in August 2023 ruled in favor of the Copyright Office, writing, "Defendants are correct that human authorship is an essential part of a valid copyright claim." "Human authorship is a bedrock requirement of copyright," Howell wrote. Thaler then appealed Howell's ruling to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. In its decision Tuesday, the appeals panel wrote, "This case presents a question made salient by recent advances in artificial intelligence: Can a non-human machine be an author under the Copyright Act of 1976?" "The use of artificial intelligence to produce original work is rapidly increasing across industries and creative fields," the decision noted. "Who or what the 'author' of such work is a question that implicates important property rights undergirding growth and creative innovation." The ruling noted that Thaler had argued that the Copyright Office's human authorship requirement "is unconstitutional and unsupported by either statute or case law." Thaler also "claimed that judicial opinions 'from the Gilded Age' could not settle the question of whether computer generated works are copyrightable today," the ruling noted. But the appeals panel said that "authors are at the center of the Copyright Act," and that "traditional tools of statutory interpretation show that within the meaning of the Copyright Act, 'author' refers only to human beings." The panel said that the Copyright Office "formally adopted the human authorship requirement in 1973." That was six years after the office noted in its annual report to Congress that, "as computer technology develops and becomes more sophisticated, difficult questions of authorship are emerging." Abbott, the attorney who represented Thaler in the appeal, told CNBC that the Copyright Act "never says" that "you need a human author at all for a work ... or a named author." Abbott noted that corporations are granted copyrights, as are authors who are anonymous or pseudonymous. Protecting a 'beautiful picture' Elon Musk has sparked controversy by claiming the Biden administration refused SpaceX's offer to bring astronauts, including Sunita Williams, back from the International Space Station ahead of schedule. Musk alleges the decision was politically motivated. Musk Claims Biden Team Rejected SpaceX's Offer In an interview with Fox News, Musk stated that SpaceX had offered to return the two astronauts earlier, but the proposal was "rejected for political reasons." He added, "We definitely offered to return the astronauts earlier." .@elonmusk reveals the Biden administration turned down his offer to get the stranded astronauts home sooner: It was rejected for political reasons." pic.twitter.com/hN4pPk3YN1 Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) March 19, 2025 "There is no question about that. The astronauts were only supposed to be there for eight days and they have been there for almost 10 months. Obvioulsy, that doesn't make any sense. SpaceX could have brought the astronauts after a few months at most and we made that offer to Biden administration. It was rejected for political reasons and that's just a fact," Musk said. Musk claims the Biden administration turned down SpaceX's offer to help train Williams. The business magnate further says this rejection highlights a broader issue of political interference in space exploration. Trump's Request For Expedited Return Musk disclosed in January that Trump had asked him to facilitate the quickest possible return of the two Boeing Starliner astronauts, who have been aboard the space station since June 2024. The SpaceX CEO disapproved, stating it was "terrible" that the Biden administration 'left them there so long.' "The @POTUS has asked @SpaceX to bring home the 2 astronauts stranded on the @Space_Station as soon as possible. We will do so," Musk said in a post on X in January. Trump confirmed the discussion in a post on his social media platform, TruthSocial. He stated he had asked Elon Musk and SpaceX to "go get" the two brave astronauts, "who have been virtually abandoned in space by the Biden Administration." Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are back on Earth, concluding their more than nine-month stay at the International Space Station (ISS). NASA's Crew-9, using SpaceX's Dragon capsule, landed in the water off Florida's coast at 9:57 pm London time. Elon Musk, SpaceX's CEO, congratulated the SpaceX and NASA teams for "another safe astronaut return." Musk further acknowledged the support of his friend, President Donald Trump, for prioritizing the mission. "Congratulations to the @SpaceX and @NASA teams for another safe astronaut return! Thank you to @POTUS for prioritising this mission!" the 53-year-old billionaire wrote in an X post. Sunita Williams' Space Voyage Williams and Wilmore embarked on their journey to space aboard NASA's Boeing Crew Flight Test on 5 June 2024. The astronauts were set for an eight-day mission to the ISS, but on 6 June, as Starliner neared the space station, NASA and Boeing discovered helium leaks and problems with the spacecraft's reaction control thrusters. Consequently, Starliner was returned to Earth without the crew. What a sight! The parachutes on @SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft have deployed; #Crew9 will shortly splash down off the coast of Florida near Tallahassee. pic.twitter.com/UcQBVR7q03 NASA (@NASA) March 18, 2025 In August, it was determined that the two astronauts would join SpaceX's Crew-9 mission. This reduced the crew from four to two, with NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson, originally designated as crewmates, removed to make room for Ms. Williams and Mr. Wilmore. NASA astronaut Nick Hague, serving as commander, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, serving as a mission specialist, traveled to the space station on a two-person SpaceX Dragon flight. After more than nine months, the Crew-9 team returned to Earth on 19 March. Medical Checks And Fresh Food Await Crew Following a 17-hour journey, the spacecraft deployed its parachute and splashed down in the ocean off the Florida coast. A NASA team opened the hatch and assisted the astronauts with mobility aids. Williams waved and gave a thumbs-up as she exited the capsule. In response to an X user's question about a celebratory meal, NASA stated that Crew-9 would first undergo a comprehensive medical examination, with fresh food to follow shortly. 'A meal on the ship is not normally very extravagant. They are still adjusting to gravity, too. Fresh food coming soon!' Originally published on IBTimes UK We're adding three more stocks to our All-Weather Stock List . These three are odd companies that dominate niche industries, allowing their revenues to steadily grow with no correlation to the overall economy. CNBC Pro created the All-Weather list back in late February after seeing some worrying signs in the market. We'll be adding stocks to the list over time with a goal of finding durable companies that allow investors to win in any type of economy. We'll be creating more lists this year. CNBC Pro is building them using analysis, screening techniques and research used by the pros. You can view updates on our stock lists here . New addition: A play on legal fees Our first addition is Burford Capital (BUR) , a company which practices litigation finance. Companies and law firms use Burford to "pay fees and expenses, accelerate expected claims, judgments and awards," according to the company's website. It was brought to our attention by Deutsche Bank financial industry analyst Mark DeVries, who last week named it one of three stocks to buy for an uncertain macroeconomic environment. "Given Burford's business of financing commercial litigation, which occurs throughout the business cycle, their core demand drivers are inherently uncorrelated to the performance of broader markets," wrote DeVries. BUR YTD mountain Burford Capital, YTD Plus, the analyst believes the stock will do more than just weather any economic downturn. He said there's still a backlog of legal cases delayed from the pandemic that should "provide a revenue tailwind through at least 2025." He has an $18 price target on the stock. One note of caution from DeVries. The share price could be hurt if an appeal by Argentina in a case versus investors represented by Burford is successful. The case involves the nationalization of energy company YPF SA. Next addition: Death services Just like our addition of Waste Management was based on trash hauling being recession resistant, we have another new member from an industry Wall Street has long believed to have the ultimate durability: death. Service Corporation International (SCI) is North America's biggest provider of death care products and services. It operated more than 1,400 funeral homes and nearly 500 cemeteries as of the end of 2023. The stock has remarkably consistent returns. Over the last 15 years, it has only three down years and its worst performance of those three was a 2.6% decline during 2022. Considering that it pays a 1.6% dividend, then investors pretty much never lost money in 15 years in this name. Its bottom line is consistent with net income at the company growing at a 7% annual rate the past five years, according to FactSet. SCI 5Y mountain Service Corp. International, 5 years Because of the nature of its business, there aren't may analysts who cover the stock. But Wall Street is generally bullish and believes Service Corp. will see revenue accelerate as the baby boomer population ages. Analysts, on average, see 11% upside for the stock the next 12 months. Next addition: Market data As market turmoil continues and the slowing economy forces companies to restructure debt, demand for our next company's services will likely increase. That next addition is S & P Global (SPGI) , a financial data, analytics and ratings company. Goldman Sachs just highlighted S & P Global to clients as part of its hunt for defensive growth stocks trading at cheap prices. The investment bank looked for companies that have consistent sales growth, low share price volatility and cheap multiples based on their history, and S & P Global fit the bill. "Reflecting benefits of diversification, SPGI's non-Ratings businesses are collectively tracking to grow high-single-digits this year, driven by secular tailwinds, market share gains and wallet penetration," Goldman said in a recent report. "The company expects billed debt issuance volumes and Ratings revenue to sustain positive growth in 2025 driven by ongoing debt refinancing needs and improving M & A volumes." The stock had only two down years in the past 15 and pays a small dividend to boot. UBS recently called it one of the best large, quality stocks in the U.S. market. Full All-Weather List So here's the full All-Weather List with the new entrants below. You can check here for the latest CNBC Pro stock lists. THE ABOVE CONTENT IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY . THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSITUTE FINANCIAL, INVESTMENT, TAX OR LEGAL ADVICE OR A RECOMMENDATION TO BUY ANY SECURITY OR OTHER FINANCIAL ASSET. THE CONTENT IS GENERAL IN NATURE AND DOES NOT REFLECT ANY INDIVIDUAL'S UNIQUE PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES. THE ABOVE CONTENT MIGHT NOT BE SUITABLE FOR YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES. BEFORE MAKING ANY FINANCIAL DECISIONS, YOU SHOULD STRONGLY CONSIDER SEEKING ADVICE FROM YOUR OWN FINANCIAL OR INVESTMENT ADVISOR. Click here for the full disclaimer. The National Health Commission is already drafting an operational plan for subsidizing child care, Li Chunlin, deputy director of the economic planner, the National Development and Reform Commission, told reporters Monday. As with many Chinese policies, the plan released Sunday only lays out a framework: "Strengthen support for childbirth and raising children. Research and establish a system for subsidizing child care." That's according to a CNBC translation of the Chinese. It's an effort to tackle the country's rapid drop in births, while freeing up cash for discretionary spending. BEIJING Among the top five priorities China has laid out for boosting consumption is child care subsidies. China's retail sales grew by a modest 3.5% last year, according to official data. The January to February period, which covers the annul Lunar New Year holiday, saw a modest pick up to 4% year on year , the statistics bureau said Monday. "The key is to increase fiscal resources," Shen said, noting that in the context of 300 billion yuan for trade-in subsidies , 100 billion yuan for child care isn't too much to ask for. He forecasts around 3.5% to 4.5% growth in retail sales this year. That's based on his estimate of around 9 million births this year, and monthly handouts of around 800 yuan to parents, regardless of income, Shen said. He noted half of the cash could come in the form of vouchers for baby products to prevent households from saving the money. A national-level policy of 100 billion yuan ($13.84 billion) for child care subsidies could come soon this year, Jianguang Shen, chief economist at Chinese e-commerce company JD.com, said in Mandarin, translated by CNBC. In a glimpse of what is already being rolled out, the Inner Mongolian capital of Hohhot, last week announced subsidies of up to 100,000 yuan for children of registered locals who live and work in the city. The couple can enjoy a one-time subsidy of 10,000 yuan upon the birth of their first child. Their second child is eligible for 10,000 yuan in annual subsidies until the age of five. If the couple have a third child, the city will provide 10,000 yuan each year until the child turns 10. The tech hub of Shenzhen this month said it is considering a smaller-scale subsidy. State media noted that National Health Commission data as of October showed several local governments in more than 20 provinces were already offering some kind of child care subsidy. "If the childcare subsidy in Hohhot can be extended to the whole country, it could amount to another 0.2% of retail sales in the initial year," Citi analysts said in a report Tuesday. They said the subsidy could be most meaningful for low-income families and "could become more significant if the central government steps in to share the burden." "It remains to be seen if it will be effective in boosting fertility rate in the longer term," the Citi analysts said, noting the total cost of raising a child in China is reportedly around 538,000 yuan, not to mention the opportunity cost for working mothers. The per capita disposable income of rural residents was 23,119 yuan in 2024, while that of urban residents was more than two times higher at 54,188 yuan, according to official figures. Short-term subsidies for child care could still significantly ease financial pressure on Chinese households. When Beijing resident Song Jingli, now 41, gave birth to her daughter nearly 10 years ago, there was no child care support. Song said she made 8,000 yuan a month at the time, and day care cost 4,000 yuan. "We didn't have a choice," she said. My husband "needed to go to work, I needed to go to work, and my parents-in-law were not able to take care of her." By the time her daughter was in kindergarten, Song said, she was able to benefit from a relatively new policy that halved the cost to around 2,000 yuan. The new policies on child care are "right to the point," she said. "The only pity [is] it's too late for us who were born in the 1980s. Hopefully younger generations can benefit from these policies." FILE PHOTO: Mahmoud Khalil speaks to members of media about the Revolt for Rafah encampment at Columbia University during the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in Gaza, in New York City, U.S., June 1, 2024. A Columbia University student activist detained by the U.S. government over his participation in pro-Palestinian demonstrations can challenge the legality of his detention, but the case should be heard in New Jersey, rather than in New York or Louisiana, a federal judge ruled Wednesday. Mahmoud Khalil, 30, a legal U.S. resident with no criminal record, was detained by federal immigration agents on March 8. He was held overnight at an immigration detention center in New Jersey before being moved to an immigration facility in Jena, Louisiana. Judge Jesse Furman in Manhattan called the legal challenge an "exceptional case" in need of careful legal review to determine whether the government "violated the law or exercised its otherwise lawful authority in an arbitrary and discriminatory manner." Furman said New Jersey was the appropriate venue because Khalil was detained there when his lawyers sued the government. Federal authorities argued to move the case to Louisiana, saying Khalil was there because of a lack of available detention center beds in the metropolitan New York region and because of a bedbug infestation at a lockup in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Khalil's lawyers said the transfer was a "retaliatory" action separating Khalil from his lawyers and an effort to find a jurisdiction where judges may be more favorable to the Republican administration's unusual legal claims. The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Government lawyers had said that if the case wasn't sent to Louisiana, New Jersey was also a proper venue. In a statement released by the American Civil Liberties Union, Khalil's wife, Dr. Noor Abdalla, called Furman's order a "first step." "His unlawful and unjust detention cannot stand. We will not stop fighting until he is home with me," said Abdalla, a dentist and U.S. citizen who is pregnant with their first child. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has cited as grounds for Khalil's deportation a rarely-used statute giving him sweeping power to deport those who pose "potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States." The White House has accused Khalil of "siding with terrorists," but has yet to provide support for the claim. President Donald Trump has described Khalil's case as the "first of many to come." Khalil, an international affairs graduate student, had represented student activists in negotiations with Columbia University over protests of the war in Gaza. The Trump administration is acting quickly to make an example of Columbia as it demands stronger action against allegations of anti-Jewish bias on college campuses. Ask a celebrity what the key to a successful career is and you'll probably get some out-of-touch answers. After all, a person who has benefitted from an abnormal amount of luck is often not the best at dispensing actionable advice. However, no level of fame makes marriage any easier. In fact, skyrocketing status often stresses a partnership. This might be why finding out your favorite A-lister has been married for decades is both surprising and heartening. And also why celebrities who have been together pre- and post-success have some helpful tips for maintaining a happy union. Here are five actors, entrepreneurs, and authors on what they believe is the key to a successful marriage. Barbara Corcoran: Set boundaries For multi-millionaire Shark Tank judge Barbara Corcoran the key to a long-lasting marriage is respecting your partner's personal space. Corcoran and her husband, Bill Higgins, have been married more than 35 years and have never shared a bedroom. "I've had a separate bedroom with Bill for like 40 years," Corcoran said on the Today Show. "I have to invite him in he invites me in occasionally." After a long day of work Corcoran says she needs time to recharge. "I think there's something to be said about your own private space," she told People. "I lead a very busy life. I have a huge family that I'm always entertaining. I have very sincere, active friends and so what I need more than anything else is a respite, and my husband is not relaxing." Deepak Chopra: Give up being right Deepak Chopra's expertise spans a wide range of physical and mental topics: mediation, nutrition, mindfulness. But Chopra, 78, also has some acute insights on marriage. After all, he has been in one for more than 50 years. His secret to a long marriage? "I have only one tip for healthy, long-term relationships," he says. "Ask yourself, 'Do I want to be happy or do I want to be right?' Give up being right and your relationship will thrive forever." Ina Garten: Take space... and go to therapy In her memoir "Be Ready When the Luck Happens," Ina Garten, 77, revealed that she and her husband Jeffrey almost got a divorce. In fact, they separated at Garten's request for a brief period of time in the 1970s. The rift started when Garten bought a specialty food shop in Westhampton, New York. While Jeffrey was supportive of her ambitions, he also expected her to fit the traditional wife role, she writes in her book. "I'd be the wife, responsible for everything domestic, and Jeffrey would be the 'man' who helped occasionally," she writes. "It wasn't the stupid chores that bothered me; it was the feeling that I wasn't an equal partner." Eventually, she asked for a separation. Jeffrey respected her wishes and the two parted for a summer. When they reconnected, he asked if there was anything he could do to reconcile, to which she responded "therapy." He went the very next day and it saved their marriage. Jason Alexander: Don't judge them on their worst day In "Seinfeld," actor Jason Alexander plays Jerry's neurotic, albeit lovable, friend who is shoddily employed and constantly fumbling romantic courtships. While filming the show, Alexander's love life was panning out quite differently. The actor was happily married to his wife Daena Title, and has remained so for more than 40 years. Recently, Alexander opened up about the key to their long-lasting union. "I'm married to a woman who lives this thing that I first heard of in 'A Raisin of the Sun,'" he said on the Today Show. "It's kind of quoted there, but she does it. It goes something like this: On my worst day, she remembers me on my best day and beckons me back." He continued on to say, "If you have a partner who can do that, because we all have worst days, you don't give up on that partner." Jay Leno: Remember that most fights aren't worth it AI chip king Nvidia is doing everything it can to defend its crown. That was much clear from CEO Jensen Huang's GTC keynote address Tuesday. Whether it's enough to restore the shine to the company's stock in the coming days remains to be seen. During his roughly two-hour presentation at Nvidia's premier showcase event, Huang announced several new hardware and software products some predictable, some surprising that reinforced Nvidia's leadership position in the fast-moving artificial intelligence race. It is undeniable that Nvidia is not satisfied with what it has accomplished on its way to becoming one of the world's most valuable companies. "Jensen delivered a terrific roadmap for his next-generation technology," Jim Cramer said Tuesday night. Still, it wasn't enough to give Nvidia's stock a boost, with shares down 3.4% as part of an ugly day for tech stocks overall. After a much-needed 8% rally last week, Nvidia shares are down 5% over the past two days. The up-and-down performance reflects the volatility that has defined the Club stock so far this year, amid concerns about tougher restrictions on chip sales to China, tariffs, competition from custom chips, and the sustainability of heavy AI spending. Nothing that Huang could have realistically announced or said Tuesday at what's been described as "Woodstock for AI" would have been enough to make those overhangs vanish overnight. As the AI trade has matured over the past few years, the market has understandably become more difficult to please. That became more apparent after the emergence in late January of DeepSeek, the Chinese startup that claimed to have made a more inefficient AI model. There was much consternation about whether big tech companies, Nvidia's clients, could run AI with less computing power and thus, slow their massive spending plans. That didn't happen. One after another, these so-called hyperscalers confirmed their 2025 capital expenditure outlooks. As far as we're concerned, Nvidia's standing as the dominant player in AI has not been diminished. "In this market, nobody wants to wait for what's around the corner," Jim acknowledged. But at the Club, we're willing to do just that even as Nvidia shares remain about 19% below their pre-DeepSeek level. Here is a look at what Huang unveiled at GTC on Tuesday starting with the must-have announcements that investors needed to see and then touching on some of the unexpected new offerings. NVDA 1Y mountain Nvidia's stock performance over the past 12 months. Major boxes checked Huang provided investors with long-awaited details on the updated version of Blackwell, its recently launched AI chip platform. It is admittedly hard to believe we're discussing improvements to Blackwell so early in its life cycle production started to ramp last fall and just started contributing major revenue in the three months that ended in January. But that's how it goes now that Nvidia has adopted an annual product lunch cadence. "Once a year, like clock ticks," Huang said. It previously released new data center chips every two years. The new Blackwell Ultra is set to be released in the second half of 2025, and it includes more memory than the version on the market now. Memory is a very important part of AI computing, given all the data involved. The full data center rack version of Blackwell Ultra a collection of 72 AI chips, known as graphics processing units (GPUs), and 36 traditional central processing units (CPUs) delivers 1.5 times more artificial intelligence performance than the current rack-scale Blackwell product, according to the company. After some stumbles in the initial Blackwell rollout, because it used a different type of architecture than its predecessor Hopper generation chips, Huang made a point of emphasizing that the company will be able to "gracefully glide into" Blackwell Ultra. Huang shared information on Vera Rubin , the architecture set to succeed Blackwell in the second half of 2026. Among the details: It will include a next-generation Vera CPU as a follow-up to Nvidia's Grace CPU released a few years ago. Huang said the Vera CPU has twice the performance of Grace. The Rubin GPU also will include HBM4, the latest type of high-bandwidth memory. The Blackwell GPU has what is called HBM3. The company said that the full server rack version of Vera Rubin will deliver 3.3 times the compute performance of Blackwell Ultra. "Basically, everything is brand new except for the chassis," Huang said, in a comment designed to assuage concerns that the Vera Rubin rollout would experience similar hurdles to Blackwell. "This way, we can take a whole lot of risk in one direction and not risk a whole bunch of other things related to the infrastructure." In the second half of 2027, Huang also said Nvidia plans to release Vera Rubin Ultra . Nvidia also confirmed Wall Street chatter that the company would announce a new type of networking product that helps stitch together large clusters of GPUs in data centers and make communication between the chips better. As the size of GPU clusters gets bigger to meet AI computing demands, the need for better networking technology grows. The new Nvidia product is built using silicon photonics rather than the traditional use of copper. "We use copper as much as we can" in scaling up the number of GPUs located near each other, Huang said. "On scale out, where the data centers are now the size of the stadium, we're going to need something much long-distancing running, and this is where silicon photonics comes in." Unexpected news Perhaps the most notable unexpected announcement Tuesday came on the software side with Nvidia Dynamo . We have talked for years about Nvidia's software suite being an underappreciated aspect of its long-term competitiveness, and Dynamo underscores that. Dynamo is open-source software designed for the "inference" portion of AI computing a model is first "trained" on massive amounts of data and the day-to-day use is known as inference. The announcement also reflects Nvidia's growing presence in inference computing , complementing its long-established dominance in training. Dynamo is designed to provide efficiency gains for an emerging class of AI models known as "reasoning models," which take time to think through a user's prompt before generating an answer and require more computing power than the models that powered ChatGPT when it was first released in late 2022 by Microsoft -backed OpenAI. Subsequently, ChatGPT went viral and ushered in the current AI boom. Just over two years later, DeepSeek made a splash with its top-end RI model, which is a reasoning model. Another surprise announcement: Huang disclosed the name of the successor to Vera Rubin yes, this is two generations down the road. Nvidia is naming its latest GPU architecture Feynman , and it's set to debut in 2028. That's a reference to the physicist Richard Feynman, continuing Nvidia's tradition of naming its chips after famous scientists. Vera Rubin, for her part, was instrumental in the discovery of dark matter . The significance of Feynman GPUs, at this point, is primarily what it says about Nvidia's pace of innovation as it faces questions about the sustainability of AI spending and the threat posed by customers such as Amazon who also are developing their own AI chips. During the presentation, Huang said the company likes to provide a clear public roadmap so everybody knows what's coming, given all the complexities required in planning for new products. "This isn't like buying a laptop," he said. On a related note, though, Nvidia announced DGX Station , a new high-performance desktop computer that uses a Grace CPU and Blackwell GPU. The target audience is AI developers, data scientists, and researchers, according to the company. Finally, Nvidia disclosed a slew of partnerships with other companies. In general, a wave of press releases touting collaborations is commonplace at GTC, but the specifics each year are always interesting to see and further reinforce Nvidia's technology leadership. A big one this year is Nvidia's tie-up with General Motors on advanced driving systems and more . Nvidia touted work with subsidiaries of fellow Club name Alphabet on robotics and drug discovery. CrowdStrike , another portfolio stock, on Tuesday highlighted its own AI advancements accomplished using Nvidia software. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long GOOGL, GEHC, CRWD, MSFT, AMZN, and NVDA. See here for a full list of the stocks.) 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. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang told our Jim Cramer that the AI chipmaker does not expect higher tariffs to hurt its business a notable revelation given uncertain trade policy has been an overhang on the stock in recent weeks. "In the near term, the impact will not be meaningful" from tariffs, Huang told Jim in an interview Wednesday at the Nvidia's influential GTC conference. Jim had specifically asked the Nvidia boss whether tariffs could "put a cap on your growth." The comments came one day after Huang, in his two-hour GTC keynote presentation, unveiled a host of new hardware and software products that reinforced Nvidia's leadership in the competitive artificial intelligence race . Shares of Nvidia rose about 1.5% Wednesday after falling more than 3% in the prior session, which had put the once-hot stock down more than 20% from its highs reached in early January. The crux of the tariff concern for Nvidia is primarily that its partners that manufacture the data center servers containing Nvidia's advanced AI chips have a presence in Mexico. In early March, President Donald Trump implemented 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico, though some items covered by 2018 North American trade agreement, commonly called the USMCA, were temporarily exempted . Trump has said a wide-ranging round of reciprocal tariffs are intended to go into effect April. 2. NVDA 1Y mountain Nvidia's stock performance over the past 12 months. In a note to clients Tuesday after Huang's GTC presentation, analysts at UBS said they expected tariffs to remain a cloud over the tech industry. "With many tech supply chains relocating to Mexico, including the AI servers supply chain, tariff-related uncertainty will likely continue to weigh on tech stocks," the firm wrote. "While we estimate the [earnings per share] risk based on effective tariffs so far in 2025 is manageable at a low-single digit earnings impact, there is a lack of clarity around tariffs on goods from Mexico and potential reciprocal tariffs." Nvidia's top-end chips are primarily produced by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. at its leading-edge semiconductor plants in Taiwan. Huang noted that Nvidia is working closely with TSMC on its sprawling manufacturing site in Arizona. "We're as enthusiastic about building in America as anybody," Huang told Jim. Bigger picture concerns about Nvidia also are in the air. Investors are worried about the potential for tougher U.S. government restrictions on Nvidia's chip sales into China, where already it can only sell throttled-back versions of its top-end AI processors. There's also uncertainty on whether the Trump administration will roll back or modify rules governing Nvidia's chip sales to a host of other countries around the world that are set to go into effect in May. President Joe Biden announced the framework, often referred to as "AI diffusion," in the waning days of his administration . When asked specifically about the impact of AI diffusion, Huang did not comment directly. The CEO responded, in part, by saying: "When you look around here, there's companies here from all over the world. AI has gone mainstream." The sustainability of AI infrastructure investments is another a question mark, particularly in light of Chinese startup DeekSeek's emergence in late January, which rattled the market with its claims of a more efficient model and raised the specter that less computing power would be needed to run AI applications in the future. Huang has praised DeepSeek's innovations and argued they will ultimately lead to more computing demand. He doubled down on that view in the interview with Jim, noting that so-called AI reasoning models like DeepSeek's R1 work differently than the kind of model that powered ChatGPT when it launched in late 2022. "There's a lot of different ways that the AI has now become much more reasonable and reasoning. And that requires a lot more computation, a hundred times more computation. So this new level of AI is going to demand a lot of chips." (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long NVDA. See here for a full list of the stocks.) 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. Check out the companies making headlines in midday trading: Autodesk Shares of the design software maker rose nearly 4% after Starboard Value said it is preparing to wage a proxy fight and intends to nominate a minority slate of director candidates ahead of the company's upcoming annual meeting. MicroStrategy The company, which is now going by Strategy, rose 5.2%. A day earlier, it said it was issuing more securities to fund cryptocurrency purchases. The company is the largest corporate holder of bitcoin. Boeing The aerospace giant saw its shares pop 6.3% after Chief Financial Officer Brian West gave upbeat commentary at an investor conference, saying Boeing's cash burn is easing this quarter and its factories are improving. West also brushed off concerns about Trump's tariffs, but said that any impact depends on how long the uncertainty lasts. Gilead Sciences Shares of the biopharmaceutical company fell 2.9% after The Wall Street Journal reported that the Health and Human Services Department is considering plans to slash the federal government's funding for domestic HIV prevention. Gilead sells medicines for HIV and AIDS. HealthEquity The health-focused financial technology firm dove 18% following fourth-quarter earnings that missed expectations. HealthEquity earned 69 cents per share on a non-GAAP basis, while analysts polled by FactSet anticipated 72 cents per share. Williams-Sonoma The home furnishings stock slid 6.3% after the company said net revenue could decline in the coming year. Williams-Sonoma guided for a net revenue change of -1.5% to 1.5% for its new fiscal year, citing the fact that it will be a 52-week period as opposed to 53 weeks for the prior year. The company also disclosed an accounting adjustment related to overstating freight expenses in prior years. Nvidia Shares of the chipmaker climbed 1.8%, following its more than 3% loss on Tuesday, after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang downplayed the effect of President Donald Trump's tariff plans and said that in the near term, the "impact of tariffs won't be meaningful." General Mills The processed food stock shed more than 2% after General Mills reported fiscal third-quarter revenue of $4.84 billion, which came below the $4.96 billion expected by analysts, per FactSet. The company pointed to softer demand and inventory headwinds as reasons for the miss. General Mills also guided for organic net sales falling between 1.5% and 2% in the full year, while it had previously estimated that sales would come in flat or rise 1%. Tesla Shares of the electric vehicle maker jumped 4.2% after Tesla received approval from the California Public Utilities Commission for a passenger transportation permit. Tesla applied for the permit to offer ride-hailing services, which could eventually lead to it providing robotaxi services, according to a Bloomberg report. On top of that, Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded the stock to overweight. Intel The stock dropped more than 5% and was the worst performer in the S & P 500 on the day. Still, shares remain higher by more than 18% over the past year. CNBC's Alex Harring, Jesse Pound, Yun Li, Lisa Han and Michelle Fox contributed reporting. In this article 700-HK Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT Chinese tech company Tencent is a gaming giant and the parent company of WeChat, the ubiquitous social messaging app in China. Cheng Xin | Getty Images News | Getty Images Tencent on Wednesday posted a fourth-quarter beat on top and bottom line driven by a surge in gaming and advertising revenue. The company also notched a ramp-up in capital expenditure, which more than tripled in 2024, as it presses ahead with boosting its focus on artificial intelligence amid intense competition from Chinese rivals like Alibaba. Tencent touted a hike in AI-related revenue in areas such as cloud computing and advertising. Here's how Tencent did in the fourth quarter of 2024 versus Refinitiv estimates: Revenue: 172.4 billion Chinese yuan ($23.9 billion), versus 168.9 billion yuan expected. 172.4 billion Chinese yuan ($23.9 billion), versus 168.9 billion yuan expected. Profit attributable to equity holders of the company: 51.3 billion yuan, compared with 46.03 billion yuan expected. Revenue rose 11% year-on-year while profit was up 90% versus the same period in 2023. Tencent is known as one of the world's biggest gaming firms. Domestic games revenue in China rose 23% year-on-year to 33.2 billion yuan in the fourth quarter. Tencent said this hike was due to a low base in the prior year's period, as well as growth in some of its hit games, including Honour of Kings and Peacekeeper Elite. The annual growth rate for domestic games accelerated in the December quarter, compared with the previous three-month period. International games revenue jumped 15% year-on-year to 16 billion. Over the past few years, Tencent has stepped up efforts overseas with games like PUBG Mobile, as the domestic games market slowed amid macroeconomic and regulatory headwinds. Tencent's marketing services or its advertising business grew 17% year-on-year to 35 billion yuan in the fourth quarter. Tencent runs WeChat, China's biggest messaging app with more than 1.38 billion monthly active users. The company has been working on monetizing those users through different advertising products such as video and search. AI boost While Tencent is one of the world's biggest gaming companies, the tech giant has also placed a large focus on becoming a key artificial intelligence player in China over the last two years, putting out various AI models. On Tuesday, the company launched its Hunyuan3D-2.0 model which can turn text or images into 3D graphics. In February, Tencent had unveiled Turbo S, an AI model designed to answer user queries as quickly as possible. Tencent said that AI is driving improvements across various products inside the company. Tencent said its marketing services business growth has been driven by "robust" advertiser demand as well as "ongoing enhancement of our AI-powered advertising infrastructure." Tencent's AI models allow it to serve uses with "more relevant ad recommendations," the company said. Meanwhile, AI cloud revenue approximately doubled year-on-year in 2024, Tencent said, though it declined to give a specific sales number. Tencent's cloud computing business is housed under its fintech and business service division, which posted 3% year-on-year growth in the fourth quarter to 56.1 billion yuan. However, Tencent said that increasing use of graphics processing units for internal uses has "limited" the amount of the chips that are available for external clients and therefore has held back cloud services revenue growth too. GPUs are key semiconductors required for the training and use of AI applications. Tencent said that, starting from the fourth quarter, it has "stepped up" purchases of GPUs and it expects "accelerated revenue" for cloud services as a result. Spending ramps up Cantor Fitzgerald thinks investors who have thrown in the towel when it comes to Tesla are missing the bigger picture. The Wall Street firm upgraded shares of the electric vehicle maker to overweight from neutral and kept its $425 price target. That forecast implies upside of 88.6%. Shares of Tesla have plummeted 44% this year, in part due to concerns over CEO Elon Musk's growing presence in the U.S. government and rising global competition. However, analyst Andres Sheppard pointed to Tesla's pullback as a buying opportunity. "We believe the recent selloff represents an attractive entry point for investors with > 12-month investment horizon (and who are comfortable with volatility)," he wrote. TSLA 1Y mountain TSLA 1Y chart Upcoming bullish catalysts for Tesla cited by Sheppard include the introduction of its Robotaxi segment, the introduction of a lower-priced vehicle in the first half of this year and the rollout of full self-driving in China and Europe. "Overall we are bullish after our factory visit, and after the recent market selloff and share underperformance," the analyst said. "We see future revenue upside from FSD, Robotaxi, Energy Storage & Deployment, and Optimus Bots, to be fundamental to TSLA's thesis over the long term." Specifically, Sheppard was bullish on Tesla's future potential in the autonomous ride-sharing industry in the U.S., and believes the company could quickly capture market share once it releases its cybercab. "During the Tour, we test-drove Tesla's latest FSD (v.13.2.8), and are encouraged ahead of commercialization of its robotaxi segment. Additionally, recall that President Trump's Administration previously discussed plans to potentially establish a federal framework for self-driving vehicles in the U.S. If implemented, then we see Tesla as a major beneficiary," he added. Tesla shares were up more than 2% in the premarket following the upgrade. Here are Wednesday's biggest calls on Wall Street: Nomura upgrades Xpeng to buy from neutral After a change in analyst coverage, Nomura upgraded Xpeng and said the China electric vehicle company has an "encouraging pipeline." "Assume coverage with a Buy rating and DCF-based TP of USD30, implying 22% upside; solid market share gain momentum." Compass Point initiates Robinhood as buy Compass said the stock trading company is well positioned in crypto. "We initiate coverage on HOOD with a Buy rating and $61 PT. We see Robinhood increasing ARPUs for its 12m crypto users alongside an improving U.S. regulatory environment." Citi names Texas Instruments a top pick Citi said it sees a compelling risk/reward. " TXN our top pick based on best risk/reward Texas Instruments is our top pick in analog based on the best risk/reward." Barclays upgrades Mosaic to overweight from equal weight Barclays upgraded the potash and phosphate company after bullish commentary at Mosaic's investor day. "We upgrade Mosaic to OW (from EW) and raise our price target to $33 (from $27). After undergoing a significant amount of project investments and facing unexpected macro headwinds in 2024, we expect Mosaic to begin to realize profit benefits as soon as this year." Stephens initiates Klaviyo as overweight Stephens named the software company a top pick and said it has "multiple expansion." "Think KVYO is a potential takeout. Think has meaningful room for price increase as last increase KVYO did was a while ago and did not meaningfully impact on retention. Successfully moving up market." Baird upgrades RTX to outperform from neutral The firm said the defense company is a beneficiary of "meaningful supplemental spending bills" in Congress. "We are upgrading RTX to Outperform and raising our Price Target to $160 (previously $136)" TD Cowen upgrades Shell to buy from hold TD Cowen said the European gas company is "best positioned." " SHEL is best positioned among Euro peers to stabilize attractive shareholder distributions even in a lower price environment." Compass Point upgrades Affirm to buy from neutral Compass said investors should buy the dip following the fintech company losing its partnership with Walmart. "AFRM also has a great track record on credit, outperforming peers while growing faster than peers over the past few years. Putting this together, we continue to believe AFRM is very well positioned to outperform and that the recent pullback in shares creates a buying opportunity insofar as it does not give AFRM credit for strong growth, operating leverage and upside optionality." UBS downgrades PG & E to neutral from buy UBS downgraded the utility company and says PG & E "lacks catalysts." "We move to Neutral from Buy for the following reasons: 1) the potential depletion of the California wildfire insurance fund due to the Eaton fire; 2) wildfire volatility, and 3) the absence of a catalyst path to rerate the stock." JPMorgan upgrades Vulcan Materials to overweight from neutral JPMorgan said the construction company has upside. "We are upgrading the stock to OW (from N) but decreasing our Dec-25 PT by $10 to $285 (+22% upside)." Morgan Stanley reiterates Alphabet as overweight The firm said it is sticking with the stock following its acquisition of cyber company Wiz. "Post-close, the companies confirmed that Wiz will continue to provide multi-cloud support (AWS, Azure, Oracle, etc.), while also leveraging access to GOOGL's first-party data and scale to innovate further on its existing solutions." Morgan Stanley initiates ResMed as overweight The firm initiates coverage of the sleep apnea company and says ResMed is attractive. "A market-leading position in the obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) market, with the approval of Zepbound (GLP-1 receptor agonist/RA) for the treatment of OSA in obese patients potentially supporting uptake through increased awareness and diagnosis. Valuations appear attractive at current levels, with a strong balance sheet position and the highest ROIC across our sector coverage." Cantor Fitzgerald upgrades Tesla to overweight from neutral Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded the stock after a visit to company headquarters and says it sees an attractive entry point. "With Tesla's shares now down ~45% YTD, we upgrade Tesla to Overweight (from Neutral) ahead of upcoming material catalysts; Our $425 12-month PT is unchanged." Oppenheimer downgrades Goldman Sachs to perform from outperform Oppenheimer downgraded Goldman Sachs over concerns about a slowing M & A rebound. "Moreover, we fear that the current uncertainty over tariffs, a fiscal 'detox' and the general upheaval of 80 years of trade and security arrangements is likely to cause a pause in M & A activity." Bank of America reiterates Nvidia as buy The firm said it is standing by the stock following bullish commentary at Nvidia's Global AI Conference. "We maintain Buy, $200 PO following slate of product/partner announcements at flagship GTC conference in addition to post keynote meeting with CFO that demonstrate NVDA continuing to deepen its competitive moat in a $1T+ infrastructure/services TAM." Guggenheim reiterates Roku as buy Guggenheim lowered its price target on the stock to $100 per share from $115 but says it is standing by shares of the connected TV company. "We maintain our high conviction that Roku will further improve engagement and economics in 2025, and that the business will exit the year at its strongest." A rise in text messages telling people they have unpaid toll fees is emerging as the latest iteration of a ballooning form of fraud. It's called "smishing" a portmanteau of "phishing," the practice of tricking people into sharing financial information or downloading malware, and "SMS," the software protocol used for text messages. Scammers can not only extract cash from victims but can also gain access to their devices and steal their financial information or identities. The FBI In 2024, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center received more than 60,000 complaints reporting the unpaid toll scam. The scam is enabled by the rise of cashless highway toll billing and the fact that more and more Americans use their phones to conduct all kinds of business. Text fraud can center around just about anything: unpaid phone bills, credit card bills, undelivered packages, even phony anti-scam warnings or cybersecurity alerts. Scammers, increasingly employed by large international criminal syndicates, can use sophisticated computer and software setups to spray out texts to thousands of people. The toll scams are just another variety, but the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, state governments and transit agencies all over the country have issued warnings about the risk. "We have been bedeviled by these scams for over a year now," said John Goodwin, assistant director of communications at Metropolitan Transportation Commission, a government agency that oversees toll points in parts of the San Francisco Bay Area. "It began early February of 2024. The scamsters kind of mutate every few weeks with different messages. The messaging has become more sophisticated over time. The messaging has become more aggressive over time." Investigating these cases is difficult. Most of the phone numbers used to send the messages are international, and catching criminals requires a great deal of international cooperation, said J. Michael Skiba, a veteran cybercrime investigator who has worked with the FBI, United Nations and Interpol, among others. The crimes are also likely vastly underreported. A lot of victims are either too embarrassed to report the crime, or suffered a loss they don't consider expensive enough to bother. "I personally think it is astronomical," Skiba said. "I think it would be so alarming to know what the true, the true cost is." Watch the video to learn more. Amtrak CEO Stephen J. Gardner looks on during a hearing before the House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials in the Rayburn House Office Building on June 6, 2023 in Washington, DC. The White House this week forced Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner to step down as head of the U.S. passenger railroad after President Donald Trump sought the changes, two sources told Reuters. Gardner said on Wednesday he will resign immediately, ending more than four years as head of the railroad, citing concerns about maintaining the carrier's support from the Trump administration. "I am stepping down as CEO to ensure that Amtrak continues to enjoy the full faith and confidence of this administration," Gardner said in a statement. A White House official told Reuters Gardner had been asked to step down. An Amtrak spokesperson declined to comment on whether he had been asked to leave. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a statement that Amtrak needs to address safety concerns at Washington's Union Station. "It's time for Amtrak leadership to clean up Union Station," he said. "It's time to rid our nation's treasures of homelessness and crime. Commuters and travelers need to feel safe in our capital." Billionaire Elon Musk, who is advising Trump on plans to radically shrink the U.S. government, said earlier this month he thought Amtrak should be privatized. Trump, during his first term, repeatedly sought to cut funding to Amtrak, which received about $2.4 billion in annual federal support in 2023. Congress last week approved $2.42 billion for Amtrak through September 30 in annual funding. Amtrak said in December ridership topped 2019 pre-Covid-19 levels for the first time in 2024, reaching a record high even with less capacity. Ridership increased over 15% in 2023 to a record 32.8 million customer trips, as passenger revenue hit $2.5 billion, up 9% over the prior year. The rail operator reported an adjusted operating loss of $705 million for the 12 months ended September 30, 2024, down 9% versus 2023. Amtrak faced service woes over the last year. In November, it was forced to temporarily suspend all train service between New York and Washington due to overhead power issues in Philadelphia, disrupting the travel plans of thousands of riders. Amtrak in March said it was boosting passenger services on the East Coast as it aims to double ridership nationwide by 2040 to 66 million passengers. Congress approved $66 billion for rail projects as part of a massive infrastructure bill in 2021, with $22 billion dedicated to Amtrak over five years on top of regular funding. In 2023, then-President Joe Biden announced $16.4 billion in grant funding for 25 rail projects on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor -- Boston to Washington -- the busiest U.S. rail corridor with 800,000 daily trips in a region representing 20% of the U.S. economy. Many bridges, tunnels and other parts of the corridor are in serious need of repairs, especially a key tunnel connecting New York City and New Jersey. Officials work at the site of destruction and fire after the Russian attack in Sumy, Ukraine on March 19, 2025. U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he had a "very good" call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as the U.S. works to broker peace agreements between Kyiv and Moscow. Trump in a Truth Social post wrote that much of his hourlong call with Zelenskyy centered on what was discussed a day earlier between the U.S. leader and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Wednesday's talk was aimed at aligning both Russia and Ukraine "in terms of their requests and needs," Trump wrote. "We are very much on track," he wrote, adding that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and national security advisor Michael Waltz will soon release an "accurate description of the points discussed." The call Wednesday morning came as a narrow ceasefire approved by Putin on Tuesday appeared to already be on shaky ground. Moscow and Kyiv had appeared to hit a breakthrough after Trump's call with Putin, who acceded to a U.S.-negotiated immediate ceasefire against specific targets. While that temporary truce was narrower than what Trump initially discussed with Zelenskyy, it was a first step to dialing down the fighting that has devastated Ukraine for more than three years. "We agreed to an immediate Ceasefire on all Energy and Infrastructure," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post after his Tuesday call with Putin, stressing the agreement was a precursor for broader negotiations for a permanent ceasefire set to kick off in the Middle East. Yet Moscow and Kyiv both reported ongoing hostilities within hours of the truce, with the Kremlin accusing Ukraine of targeting an oil depot in the Krasnodar region in a drone attack that followed the Trump-Putin conversation, according to a Google-translated Telegram update from the Russian Ministry of Defense. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the Kremlin saw no reciprocity from Kyiv to observe the 30-day ceasefire, which it stressed only concerns energy facilities and no other forms of infrastructure, in Google-translated comments carried by Russian state outlet Tass. In Ukraine, regional authorities in the northeastern region of Sumy said in a Google-translated Telegram update that local hospital buildings sustained damage during "massive air attacks" by Russian drones. Kyiv officials meanwhile reported 18 residences, 20 townhouse apartments and 19 vehicles were harmed during an overnight attack, with Zelenskyy calling for further pressure on Russia in a Google-translated social media post. "It is such night attacks by Russia that destroy our energy, our infrastructure, the normal life of Ukrainians. And the fact that this night was no exception indicates that we must continue to put pressure on Russia for the sake of peace," he said. In this article SINGY Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT When Tracy Ren decided to go to the 2024 Summer Olympics, she booked her flight to Paris on Singapore Airlines using miles. But she didn't earn them she bought them. Rather than purchasing miles directly from the airline, which sells 1,000 miles for around $40, Ren turned to Carousell, a popular online marketplace in Asia-Pacific that sells new and used goods and, increasingly, loyalty points and rewards. By purchasing miles online, "the cost is nearly 50% compared with purchasing the ticket," Ren said. Is this allowed? Buying and selling airline miles online isn't illegal, said Aaron Wong, founder of the travel and loyalty website The MileLion. Nor does it violate Carousell's terms of service. The company, which forbids weapon and cryptocurrency sales, told CNBC Travel via a representative that: "The governance of sale of airline miles and points depends on the Terms and Conditions ... [of] the airline ... Carousell is not privy to and not in a position to enforce these third-party agreements." This is where online sellers rule afoul of the rules, said Wong. Singapore Airline's loyalty program terms state that "the sale or barter of KrisFlyer miles ... is prohibited." Online sellers often price KrisFlyer miles at less than half the cost of Singapore Airlines, which sells 1,000 KrisFlyer miles for around $40. China News Service | China News Service | Getty Images "The question, then, isn't so much about whether or not you can ... but whether or not you can get away with it," said Wong. If any airline catches travelers buying or selling miles, the miles can be forfeited or their traveler's loyalty account can be closed, he said. Separately, buyers also run the risk of losing their money to online scammers, he said. How it works Some sellers transfer credit card points directly to a buyer's Krisflyer account, Wong said. The names on the two accounts need to match, he said, but added that "stuff falls through the cracks." A more common method is to name a buyer as a "nominee" under Singapore Airline's KrisFlyer program, he said. Members can "nominate up to five individuals" they can redeem flights for using their miles, according to the program. There is nothing which I am doing which contravenes any terms and conditions. A KrisFlyer member One Singapore-based KrisFlyer member who spoke to CNBC said he's been using this method to sell his miles to strangers on Carousell priced at $17 Singapore dollars ($12.75) per 1,000 miles for the past year and a half. The seller, who asked to remain anonymous to protect his identity at work, said buyers must share their passport details to be designated as a nominee. "Since I have to have their personal details, I share my details with them as well. I share with them my proof of address ... my phone number," he said. "It gives them additional comfort in case anything goes wrong." And things do go awry, he said. He's twice had to intervene with tickets he redeemed for others, he said, including an instance where a buyer asked to postpone a flight on the day of departure. "In that situation, it worked out pretty OK, but if he would have called me 15 minutes later, I would be in a meeting for an hour," the seller said, adding that the buyer promptly paid the flight change fee as well. He said Singapore's small size and low crime rate make it easier to sell airline miles in the city-state. "It's a fairly compliant society. People usually do not take each other for a ride," he said. Why sellers sell Another seller, who declined to give his name or allow CNBC to use his Carousell screen name, said he began selling KrisFlyer miles more than 10 years ago after amassing more points mainly through credit card purchases than he could use. Plus, he was always "being chased with the expiry," he said. His Carousell listing says he sells 1,000 miles for $15 to $25 depending on the purchase method and number of miles bought. He had six "five-star" reviews for miles sales in the past month, with buyers raving about his "fast" and "hassle-free" transactions. However, the first seller CNBC spoke to said he sells points for an entirely different reason to buy flights for his family on cheaper carriers. "Singapore Airlines ends up being a very expensive airline to fly, so I would rarely spend my own money to fly on [it]," he said. "You sell those miles, you get the funds, and the same funds are used for your other bookings." Plus, he usually books trips about six weeks in advance by that time, redemption flights are usually sold out, he said. He also said he doesn't buy products using KrisFlyer miles because "the arithmetic does not stack up." This seller told CNBC he doesn't feel he is breaking any rules. "The airline regulations say that the people need to be added as a nominee in my account," he said. "There is nothing which I am doing which contravenes any terms and conditions." However, when asked about the sale of KrisFlyer miles on Carousell using Singapore Airlines' nominee system, a representative said that the program's terms "strictly prohibit the sale or barter of KrisFlyer miles, Elite miles, PPS value, rewards, award tickets, or other benefits." "Members who engage in such activities risk the cancellation of these benefits," the representative said. "SIA collaborates closely with relevant authorities to monitor these platforms and will take decisive action against any member who contravenes these rules." Legit ways for less Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday (March 18) said he has "egg on face" for criticising India's position amid Russia-Ukraine conflict. He said India is in a position where it can make a difference to lasting peace."I am still wiping the egg off my face because I was the one person in the parliamentary debate who had criticised the Indian position in February 2022 on the grounds of violation of international charters and principles," Tharoor said during an interactive session at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi.Tharoor criticised Indias position when Russia invaded Ukraine, calling for a condemnation of the aggression. But the stance has clearly changed in three years and was heard praising policies of the Narendra Modi government."Well, 3 years later, it does look like I am the one with egg on my face because clearly, the policy has meant that India has a Prime Minister who can hug both the President of Ukraine and the President of Moscow two weeks apart and we are accepted in both places. Therefore, India is in a position where it can make a difference to lasting peace if it was so required in ways that very few countries would be able to," the former external affairs minister said.The Thiruvananthapuram MP said his criticism was based on the "well-known grounds that there was a violation of the UN charter, there had been a violation of the principle of inviolability of borders, of the sovereignty of a member state namely Ukraine, and we had always stood for the inadmissibility of the use of force to settle international disputes".He added India benefits due to a number of factors including its distance from Europe.With the caveat that he cannot speak on behalf of the government as he was in the opposition, Mr Tharoor also said if it were necessary and if there was an agreed peace between Russia and Ukraine, there would be some willingness on the Indian side to consider sending peacekeepers.The three-day Raisina Dialogue Indias flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-economics, was thrown open by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 17.New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha are among those attending the 10th edition of the conclave. r is being hosted by the leading think-tank Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). China donates medical supplies to Sao Tome and Principe Xinhua) 10:12, March 19, 2025 SAO TOME, March 18 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government donated a batch of medical supplies to Sao Tome and Principe during a handover ceremony held here on Tuesday. The supplies included essential medicines, basic surgical tools, and routine examination equipment. Celso Matos, Sao Tome and Principe's minister of health, praised China as a "reliable partner" in the country's healthcare development. Noting that the supplies would help ease shortages, the minister voiced hope for continued medical cooperation between the two sides. Xu Yingzhen, Chinese ambassador to Sao Tome and Principe, reaffirmed China's commitment to deepening cooperation, particularly in technical exchanges and training of healthcare professionals, to protect the lives and health of local people. Zhao Linyong, head of the 19th batch of the Chinese medical team in the country, said local health authorities would distribute the supplies to hospitals and clinics nationwide. In November, China donated medical equipment to the African country, including ventilators, monitors, and central venous catheters, to support intensive care units and surgical procedures. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) - A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead - Akimbot - Ambulance Life: A Paramedic Simulator - Assassins Creed Shadows - Astral Tracks - Aunt Fatima - Car Dealer Simulator: Prologue Early Days - Code Alkonost: Awakening of Evil - Deceit 2 - DESORDRE: A Puzzle Game Adventure - Desynced: Autonomous Colony Simulator - DIRECT CONTACT - Dragonkin: The Banished - Dungeonborne - EVE Frontier - Everspace 2 - FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH - FINAL FANTASY XVI - Finnish Cottage Simulator - Fort Solis - Funko Fusion - Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition - InFlux Redux - Jurassic World Evolution 2 - Kristala - Layers of Fear - Legacy: Steel & Sorcery - LEGO Horizon Adventures - Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii - Liminalcore - Lost Records: Bloom & Rage - Marvels Spider-Man 2 - Metro Exodus - Nightingale - NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black - No More Room In Hell 2 - Postal 4: No Regerts - QANGA - Returnal - Revenge of the Mage - Rise of the Ronin - Satisfactory - Serum - Skye: The Misty Isle - Slender: The Arrival - SMITE 2 - Starship Troopers: Extermination - Stormgate - Sword and Fairy 7 - Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown - The Axis Unseen - The Black Pool - The Elder Scrolls Online - Tokyo Xtreme Racer - Torque Drift 2 - TRIBES 3: Rivals - Until Dawn - Vector Strike - Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 - Wuthering Waves - Xuan-Yuan Sword VII - [GeForce RTX 5080/5090] Graphics cards may not run at full speeds on system reboot when overclocked [5088034] - [GeForce RTX 50 series] GeForce RTX 50 series GPUs crashes with black screen [5120886] - Some NVIDIA Control Panel / NVIDIA App settings changes immediately get reset or give error [5160516] - PC may bugcheck IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL 0xa during gameplay with HDR enabled [5091576] - [VRED 2026] Optix compile error with R570 branch drivers [5122360] - [Derivative TouchDesigner ] Application stability issues [4606316] propose un nouveau driver, qui est telechargeable ici Il apporte le support de la technologie DLSS dans de nombreux jeux : Half-Life 2 RTX Demo, Warhammer 40,000 : Darktide, Assassin's Creed Shadows, The Last of Us Part II Remastered et Control (apres sa mise a jour). NVIDIA annonce egalement le support de sa technologie ACE (une premiere) dans le titre inZOI.Le driver promet de corriger les soucis d'ecran noir, rencontres par certaines RTX 5000. The Turkish government has an Energy Saving toggle switch on the website of their official coal-mining department Dont worry everyone, the Saudi Arabian crown prince promises hes going to make the desert into a jungle and solve pollution for good. Advertisement 14 Good Work, Starbucks Starbucks read the room in 2018 and launched an initiative to do away with plastic straws, and replace them with special lids that had built-in straws. Those new lids had more plastic than the original lid and straw combined. Advertisement 13 Saudi Arabia Promises It Will Make Up for All That Oil The obscenely oil-rich and very trustworthy country announced a plan in 2021 to turn a desert into a forest to get to carbon neutral by 2060. Planting some trees in a barren wasteland should do the trick. 12 Do Chemtrail Freaks Know Anything About Actual Airline Industry Pollution? The commercial airline industry is responsible for nearly a billion metric tons of CO2 emissions every year. But Airbus assures us theyre creating a better environment inside and out with a promise of some laughably small reduction in emissions. 11 The Clear Skies Initiative Was Doublespeak, Surprising No One In 2010, an environmental group studied the effects of Bush Jr.s Clear Skies Initiative to supposedly shore up the 1963 Clean Air Act, and found that, sure enough, it had actually drastically weakened pollution protections. Advertisement Advertisement 10 McDonalds Went Green in Europe Perhaps intuiting that Americans wouldnt give a damn, they tried this stunt in Europe they placed their golden arches on a green background instead of a red one, to indicate support for the preservation of natural resources. 9 Poland Springs Gave Us Flimsier Bottles Their Eco-Shaped bottle uses 30 percent less plastic, which doesnt sound like a win for the consumer so much as its a cost-cutting measure for a company that uses 17 million barrels of oil every year to commoditize drinking water. Advertisement 8 BPs Lazy Rebrand In 2000, British Petroleum told us that BP actually stands for Beyond Petroleum now. This included a whole cynical campaign in which they greened up their logo and built a gas station with some solar panels on it to bolster their claim of being the greenest oil company. Advertisement 7 Huggies Removed Their Perfume for the Sake of Mother Earth Their Pure and Natural line of diapers boasts organic cotton on the outside and the exact same harmful chemicals on the inside, just stinkier. Advertisement 6 Pampers Made Thinner Diapers for the Environment Pampers Dry Max diapers contain less absorbent fluff so that, to hear them explain it, theyll take up less room in landfills. 5 Anything Is a Hybrid Car These Days When you think hybrid car, you imagine a perhaps imperfect compromise that nevertheless is moving in the direction of environmental sustainability. In reality, companies are claiming their products are hybrid if they have a parasitic secondary battery thats charged by the primary combustion engine. Advertisement 4 Volkswagens Sleeper Agent Trigger Phrase In a cynical blunder that cost them $35 billion, VW installed defeat devices that would spring to life when a car was being tested for emissions. It would create the illusion that they had dramatically reduced emissions, when in fact they were farting out 40 times the legal rate of nitrogen oxide. Advertisement 3 Comcasts Ecobill Theyre not the first or only bill collector to encourage you to go paperless, but they laid it on thick, with their PaperLESSisMORE campaign that conveniently ignored their practice of sending out endless reams of marketing mailers. Advertisement 2 WelFur Was Run by the Fur Industry Products with the WelFur label were marketed as having been sourced from farms that dont practice animal cruelty. But its actually just a meaningless propaganda label instituted by the European fur industry. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. We're an independent student-run newspaper, and need your support to maintain our coverage. Donate Ty Alper is a Clinical Professor of Law at Berkeley Law, and the former chair of the U.C. Systemwide Committee on Academic Freedom. Contact the opinion desk at opinion@dailycal.org or follow us on Twitter. I honestly thought I was immune to internet scammers intent on stealing my money. Id set up face and voice ID for my bank and had learned from the bitter experience of others that I must never click on a link in any unsolicited email or text. Several hundred pounds have been lost by friends whod fallen for the most common scam of all emails claiming to be from a son or daughter stuck somewhere abroad with no money and no means of getting any. So I knew well enough to ignore those, as well as the emails from Nigeria asking for my bank account details into which they would send the thousands I had won in a lottery. Nevertheless, I still managed to slip up last week. The text claimed to be from O2, my telephone provider. There was a phone number claiming to identify the origin of the text. I called it. It went directly to an answerphone message: This is the O2 messaging service. The person you are calling is unable to take your call. Please leave your message after the tone. It sounded genuine to me. The text said there was a problem with my billing and I should click on the website address provided and sort out the problem. I clicked. I was asked for my debit card details. I entered. I was most anxious to inform the officers that the plant was perfectly legal. I had a prescription and a card to show them I was prescribed medical cannabis to help ease the pain in my back No sooner had I done so than I realised I had made a heart-stopping mistake. I had given my card details to a scammer, becoming one of the 20 per cent of Brits whove fallen victim to a finance scam. I immediately called the genuine O2 number. They had identified no problem with my billing. I called the bank. The fraud department took my mistake in its stride. Mine was not an unfamiliar story. They assured me there was no evidence of any fraud on my bank account, agreed to cancel the debit card and send me a new one. What a relief. My son, Ed, who came for the weekend, was not as calm about it all as I was. I was ticked off loudly for failing to obey all his instructions about keeping myself safe online and he assured me this would not be the end of it. I would likely be bombarded with calls, texts and emails because word would have got out to other scammers that I was a soft touch. Ed left around lunchtime on Sunday and not long after my phone rang. The No Caller ID should have been a clue that something wasnt right, but I found myself listening to a young man who told me he was calling from my bank. His name was Dan. He had a perfect English accent and very good manners. He said he had to check I was the right person to talk to and told me my full name, my address, my date of birth and the four numbers at the end of my credit card. He asked me if I recognised two transactions. I said no. He then informed me someone had been trying to take 12,000 from my credit card, which was why he was calling. Did I know my customer number, he asked. Back to normal for brave Davina Davina McCall at the Brit Awards on March 1 Well done Davina McCall, who earlier this week summoned up the courage to appear on live television for the first time since her terrifying surgery to remove a benign brain tumour. I know what she meant when she said shed recovered in her bedroom, which felt like a safe space. I felt much the same after my mastectomy, lacking the confidence to get back to live broadcasting. But it was wonderful to be back with friends, colleagues and the demands of the studio. Back to normal is best when youve wondered if youd ever see normal again. Advertisement Oh, oh! It was another scam. He was after access to my online banking. I politely said Id be calling the real bank and Goodbye. The bank assured me my accounts had come to no harm and comforted me by saying Id done the right thing in giving him no information and calling the fraud department straightaway. They then advised me to report it to the police after all the scammer knew where I lived. So, for the first time in my life, I dialled 999. A charming young woman took down the details of the call and said she would send two officers to check I was safe. Barely two minutes had passed before two delightful young constables arrived. They sat on my sofa, making a big fuss of my dogs, Minnie and Maggie. They complimented me on how fast Id reported my experiences, warned me about clicking on unfamiliar links and assured me I need not worry that the caller had known my address: these criminals tended to work only online, they never went to a victims home. It was then I realised they were gazing intently at something on the coffee table that suggested a different kind of criminal activity had been taking place. Oh, yes, I said, that is cannabis in front of you. I indicated towards a tightly closed black pot which contained the cannabis flowers, a tool with which they could be ground down and a vape. They looked somewhat surprised at the idea of a 74-year-old woman being a dope fiend. I was most anxious to inform them that the cannabis was perfectly legal. I had a prescription and a card to show them I was prescribed medical cannabis by a private doctor to help ease the pain in my back. Ive been using it for a couple of months. A friend with arthritis had recommended it. I hadnt wanted to take the usual strong codeine painkillers the doctor had given me after I broke my vertebra 18 months ago for fear of addiction. And the cannabis is proving a great help far better than paracetamol. I was quick to tell the police that I only consume it at home in the evening, never driving a car under the influence. It contains 7 per cent THC, the psychoactive chemical that makes you high, but so far it hasnt made me giddy or hungry it just relaxes me and helps me sleep. I dont smoke it, which is apparently illegal even with the medical variety, I have the special vape which heats up the weed without burning it. They were fascinated. They asked to look at the container provided and were impressed that it was so tightly capped they couldnt smell it. One of them asked if he could take off the top and look inside. I agreed and the pungent smell of the drug was released. He had a good look at the weed, had a big sniff and pronounced, Wow! This is good stuff. I managed to resist asking him how he knew. They were so sweet and reassuring about my fear of the scammer coming to my home. They said I neednt worry about anything, but if I was ever concerned, I should call the police, and they would come at once. They said goodbye to me and the dogs, and I sat back in my comfy chair, fired up the vape and relaxed. After all that drama, I needed it! Life online is terrifying for boys I watched all the episodes of the crime drama Adolescence on the day it was released and felt so relieved my sons had never faced the horrors of the online manosphere I watched all the episodes of the new must-see TV crime drama, Adolescence, on the day it was released and felt so relieved my sons had never faced the horrors of the online manosphere. Its not only the lack of internet that helped them to grow into the fine adults theyve become. At an all-boys school with supportive, but demanding male teachers as role models, they were free to learn what masculinity was all about. It seems the school boys of today are often denied those good examples. Only a third of secondary school staff are male. Men need to teach or our boys will truly be lost. I have no objection to the plan for GPs to check their patients weight every year. Theyve been warned to be careful not to offend those sensitive about their size. I would have been quite happy to step on the scales and have my waist measured as a reminder to watch what I ate. Unfortunately, my old GP struggled with her weight as much as I did. We were far too sympathetic to each other. Hands off my comfort crumpet! Whats all this nonsense about crumpets (or pikelets as we call them in Yorkshire) being served in Michelin-starred restaurants, topped with oxtail, broccoli leaves and green sauce or tandoori crab. A pikelet needs nothing but a good toaster and lashings of the very best butter. Its a simple comfort food, not a high-end mess. She documented her nose job on Bravo's Denise Richards & Her Wild Things Sami Sheen has admitted that childhood bullying led her to join OnlyFans so that she could fund her own plastic surgery. Sami, 20, who is the eldest daughter of A-listers Denise Richards and Charlie Sheen, has already undergone breast implants and a nose job. She documented her rhinoplasty with celebrity surgeon Dr. Deepak Dugar on her Bravo reality show Denise Richards & Her Wild Things, which airs Tuesdays on Bravo. 'High school was very hard. I had to deal with kids bullying me. People would say that I looked like my dad,' she said of her famous father. 'I actually got a comment the other day from somebody saying, "You'll never be as pretty as your mom",' she continued. 'I have this frickin' honker stuck to my face,' she added. Sami then admitted that 'one of the main reasons' she joined OnlyFans at 18 was so that she could pay to have her boobs and nose done, along with affording her own apartment and car. Denise later broke down in tears over Sami's determination to go under the knife. Sami Sheen has admitted that childhood bullying led her to join OnlyFans so that she could fund her own plastic surgery Sami, 20, who is the eldest daughter of A-listers Denise Richards and Charlie Sheen, has undergone breast implants and a nose job 'For my daughter to want to get her nose done, it made me so sad,' she cried. 'I feel bad that she feels that she has to live up to my nose or whatever the f**k, because I don't want them to feel like they have to look a certain way,' she added. 'They have two parents in this f***ing business and I feel bad.' Despite Denise's reservations, Sami insisted that she needed the nose job to boost her confidence and improve her appearance so that she could start modelling professionally. She also confessed to spending 'hours and hours' editing her nose in photos and said that she often refrained from sharing images of herself because her nose 'looked huge'. Consulting with Dr. Dugar, Sami said, 'I just want a more feminine nose. Nothing crazy.' Explaining his signature 'scarless nose job' procedure to the star, Dr. Dugar said, 'We need to do what's called finesse rhinoplasty.' He continued, 'The way I do finesse rhinoplasty is from inside the nose. No cuts, no scars. You never lose the concept of your anatomy, we just filet your natural anatomy.' 'I have this frickin' honker stuck to my face,' Sami said on Tuesday's episode of Denise Richards & Her Wild Things Denise broke down in tears over Sami's determination to go under the knife A 'finesse rhinoplasty' or 'scarless nose job' is a closed rhinoplasty that involves making incisions inside of the nose so that none of the cuts are externally visible, and provides more natural results when done correctly. Open rhinoplasties can sometimes lead to scarring on the underside of the nose, especially on the columella, which is the strip of tissue that separates the nostrils. A scarless nose job costs roughly between $19,000 and $24,000, and healing can take as little as a week. Satisfied with her pre-surgery consultation, Sami decided to get the procedure. 'This is gonna change my whole life,' she gushed. A week later, when Dr. Dugar removed her bandages to unveil her new nose, Sami burst into tears over the results. 'Oh my god, I'm gonna cry,' she sobbed as she gazed into the mirror. 'It looks amazing,' gushed Denise, who was visibly stunned by her daughter's new nose. 'He did a beautiful job and I'm happy that she's happy,' the Wild Things actress added. 'Oh my god, I've wanted this for so long,' Sami continued. 'It looks so good! This is how I FaceTune it.' Denise personally met with Sami's surgeon Dr. Deepak Dugar before her daughter went under the knife Satisfied with her pre-surgery consultation, Sami decided to get the procedure. 'This is gonna change my whole life,' she gushed Sami later documented her healing process on social media for her thousands of fans Sami also said that she could now finally get headshots taken to launch her modelling career. 'I feel like a new woman. I feel so pretty,' she said. 'Now I've got a good nose!' Speaking to DailyMail.com last August about his signature 'finesse rhinoplasty' procedures, Dr. Drugar said, 'The nose that they should have been born with is already there. I just want to refine it and bring it out. I don't want to recreate some TikTok/Instagram nose on their faces.' Dr. Dugar estimates that the vast majority of celebrities who have had nose jobs have done so with a closed, scarless approach. 'I'm part of an 80-year legacy practice here in Beverly Hills doing celebrity nose jobs and I can tell you that most celebrity rhinoplasty is closed scarless rhinoplasty because of the discretion,' he explained. 'They don't want people to know they had a nose job. There's still a taboo and a stigma no matter who you are. They want very natural results that look like it could have been what they were born with,' he continued. 'The cookie cutter, TikTok, Instagram, upturned nose job, the "Barbie nose" as they call it, everyone knows you can't really be born with that. 'So it's kind of like extremely white veneers. It's almost like a status symbol, but everyone knows those are fake. And so the problem is, if you're a very elite actor or a celebrity, you don't want people to know that you have a fake nose. You want to look as good as possible, of course, but you want to look very natural.' The 20-year-old returned to Dr. Dugar's office in Beverly Hills to see the results of her surgery 'Oh my god, I'm gonna cry,' she sobbed as she gazed into the mirror 'Oh my god, I've wanted this for so long,' Sami continued. 'It looks so good! This is how I FaceTune it' When it comes to treating Sami, Dr. Dugar said that the model was nervous about going under the knife. 'Sammy is a beautiful girl who was plagued by the droopiness of her nose for years,' he said. 'She saw several consults before she decided to do her surgery with me. I know that she was very anxious about doing surgery because she's young and she's also very aware of stigmas around plastic surgery. 'And being the daughter of two very famous parents, of course she was nervous to do this, but she was also very excited.' The aspiring model flaunted the results of her surgery while promoting her Bravo reality show with mom Denise and sister Lola Sami's first experience with plastic surgery was a boob job she got at 19. Three months after splashing $10,000 on the procedure, Sami confessed that she wished she'd gone for a bigger size. The aspiring model has already raked in a rumored $3million on OnlyFans since joining the site shortly after her 18th birthday. 'Sami has been killing it, her images are super popular and she is already a multi-millionaire,' a source told DailyMail.com in February. 'She is on her way to making a fortune from her modeling, and she is just getting started.' The 20-year-old is 'rolling in the dough' after getting her own pad and car while still a teenager, added the source. Sami and her younger sister Lola are currently starring alongside mom Denise in Bravo's Denise Richards & Her Wild Things. Martin Lewis has issued an urgent warning to Brits with savings ahead of an upcoming deadline next month. The money saving expert, 52, was speaking in his live show on ITV this evening ahead of changes taking place at the beginning of April when the next UK tax year begins, including topping up cash ISAs as soon as possible. Martin, who hails from Manchester, explained that cash individual savings accounts (ISAs), simply put, are savings accounts where interest that is earned on money stowed away cannot be taxed. Each tax year, every British bank account holder is given an allowance of 20,000 to put into a cash ISA so it can be saved or invested while earning tax-free interest. And for those hoping to maximise the money they can add to cash ISAs tax-free, now is the time to act. 'With cash ISAs, you need to use them or lose them by April 5. An ISA is just a savings account where you are not taxed on the interest. It's no more complicated,' the finance mogul explained. 'You can put in 20,000 per tax year in general and if you need to fill this year's, you will need to do so now. The deadline for adding that maximum figure is April 5, but Martin warned those considering adding the maximum amount should do so now to avoid being caught out. Martin Lewis has issued an urgent warning warning to Brits with savings ahead of an upcoming deadline next month 'Even though the deadline for the year is April 5 in practice, many of the product providers close earlier for admin, so you need to get on with it and sort it out,' he explained. He also noted that the 20,000 tax free figure will renew each new financial year, allowing account holders to add more money and still avoid being taxed on interest earned. But they will have to wait until April 6, when the new financial year rolls over - in which case they will again have 20,000 of tax-free tops ups, should they choose to use them. The money master explained: 'So you could put in 20,000 this year right now. Now that would be for this tax year's cash ISA. 'Then, on April 6, you get another 20,000 for next year's tax year. So now you've got 40,000 pound in, and if things don't change the next year, you can put in another 20,000 and have 60,000 in your cash ISA. 'People have hundreds of thousands of pounds in their cash ISA, and this is why you need to beat the deadline. As you don't want to lose out on next year's allowance as you want to max it out when it is appropriate for you to do so.' He then highlighted why cash ISAs are currently 'so important' in the UK. According to the money-saving expert, the current rules dictate that the personal savings allowance for 20 per basic rate taxpayers is 1,000 - which means people can earn up to 1,000 in interest before they have to pay tax. The money saving expert, 52, was speaking in his live show on ITV this evening Each tax year, every British bank account holder is given an allowance of 20,000 to put into a cash ISA The finance guru explained how the amount of tax differs in personal savings depending on how much you earn For those are are on the higher tax rate of 40 per cent, the allowance is only 500. And for those earning a salary above 125,140, there is no tax break at all so there will be nothing to earn tax-free. He also said, for lower earners, there is a 'starting savings rate that can help you earn 5,000 of extra interest tax-free in savings'. 'Imagine someone has 6,000 of savings interested free a year. Well clearly, if that's all they had, that would be tax-free because that your personal allowance. 'We could also add in earnings of 7,570. Now let's say all your earnings take up all of your personal tax-free allowance. The starting savings reg said in this circumstance, you can have 5,000 of savings tax-free in savings interest tax-free - on top of your earnings. 'Plus, (the aforementioned) personal savings allowance of 1,000, that's 6,000,' he explained. 'That would mean you had 18,570 of combined earnings and savings interest totally tax-free. 'For every pound you earn - work earnings or other earnings - above the personal allowance, you lose a pound of your starting savings allowance,' he explained. He concluded that the starting savings rate only applies to lower earners who have substantial savings, which tends to be pensioners. Finally, cash ISAs aren't just tax-free, Martin said. 'Any interest you earn in the cash ISA doesn't count towards these allowances - it's totally separate. So you can have it on top, it's an extra allowance if you need it.' A popular two-hatted restaurant in Sydney's CBD is set to shut its doors after nearly 10 years of serving customers, leaving fans devastated. INDU Dining, a South Asian restaurant located in the basement of a heritage-listed building on the corner of George Street and Angel Place, has confirmed its final service will be on Saturday, March 29, coinciding with the end of its lease. Owner Dr Sam Prince, who founded Sam Prince Hospitality Group - the company behind popular venues like Mejico and Kid Kyoto - said INDU has 'decided the time is right to leave our beautiful home'. 'All good things come to a spice-infused end. With our lease coming to an end, the time feels right to step away from our underground oasis,' the restaurateur said. 'This space has been more than just a restaurant - it's been a home, a celebration, a place where countless memories were made over shared meals and laughter.' However, it isn't over for INDU just yet, as the owner hinted at the possibility of the restaurant reopening in a new location. 'While our journey here is wrapping up, the story of INDU isn't over. We're taking stock, looking ahead, and will keep you updated on what's next,' he said. 'After nearly a decade, it's time to say see you later.' INDU Dining in Sydney's CBD is set to close its doors after nearly 10 years of running In a personal email sent out to its loyal customers, the restaurant owner said they were feeling 'hopeful for the future'. 'We will keep you updated on any upcoming announcements, and we're grateful for everything that each of you has contributed to the success of INDU,' he added. 'Before we say goodbye, we invite you to join us for one last feast as we celebrate nearly 10 years of amazing food, South Asian flavours, hospitality, and community. 'From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being part of this journey. Let's make these final weeks unforgettable.' The news has left fans distraught - with one saying: 'Every book has a chapter. Sad to see you go but that's the circle of life.' 'No... I was literally telling my husband that I want to go back again,' another shared. 'Oh no! My favourite restaurant please open elsewhere. Your food is delicious! Thank you for all the amazing meals,' one revealed. 'Been a massive fan for years - so sad you're going. I have booked dinner for this Friday - can't wait to savour your amazing food one last time on George Street - please please please open up somewhere else soon,' another added. 'This is awful news,' one said. While one INDU worker chimed in: 'Eternally grateful. 2023-2025 employee.' The venue confirmed its final service will be on March 29, coinciding with the end of its lease The two-hatted South Asian restaurant is located in the basement of a heritage-listed building on the corner of George Street and Angel Place The restaurant has been a huge hit among Sydneysiders over the past decade, with customers giving it an impressive rating of 4.3 stars out of 5 on Google Reviews. INDU's closure comes just five months after Sam Prince Hospitality Group announced that its hugely popular Mexican restaurant Mejico was ceasing trading. 'After 11 incredible years, our beloved home is being redeveloped,' the owner said back in October 2024. 'This means we will be packing up our tequila and saying farewell to Pitt Street... for now.' But just two months after closing its doors on Pitt Street, the restaurant announced its return, reopening Mejico at a new location in Surry Hills. 'Guess who's back and in a whole new postcode, 2010. We're thrilled to call Surry Hills home,' the restaurant shared, adding that its opening day was on December 5. 'Walk in.. and head straight to the bar for your favourites - tableside guac, endless margaritas and jalapeno poppers. Plus, we've got a few new dishes and drinks up our sleeves to keep things fresh.' INDU joins a string of popular Sydney restaurants that have closed their doors amid rising rent costs and expenses in recent months, including Long Chim and Petermen. Queen Maxima of The Netherlands dazzled as she attended a state banquet in Nairobi Tuesday night - before donning a stunning paisley day dress during a visit this morning. Last night, the Dutch royal, 53, looked typically regal as she stepped out with her husband, King Willem-Alexander for the state banquet at State House during the second day of their four day royal visit to Kenya. The mother-of-three looked glamorous in a royal blue long sleeved blouse which she paired with a gold skirt with a floral pattern. She completed the show stopping ensemble with a sparkling tiara, known as the Dutch sapphire necklace tiara which featured blue diamonds, and matching earrings. The jewels came into the Dutch royal family in 1879 when the piece was gifted to Queen Emma of the Netherlands. The necklace was transformed into a tiara in 2009 by Dutch jewellers Steltmann, with additional sapphires taken from from Queen Wilhelmina's dismantled Sapphire Parure. Maxima accessorised with other sapphire jewels, including a bracelet, ring and the Dutch sapphire bow brooch, which was pinned to the waistband of her skirt, it features a large emerald-cut sapphire surrounded by white diamonds. The royal styled her blonde locks in a chic updo and her glamorous makeup enhanced her flawless complexion. Queen Maxima of The Netherlands dazzled in blue and gold ensemble as she attended a state banquet in Nairobi on Tuesday King Willem-Alexander looked dapper in a smart black tuxedo which he completed with a white shirt and a bow tie. The lavish evening was hosted by President William Ruto of Kenya and First Lady Rachel Ruth. Today, the royal couple were up bright and early after their lavish evening to visit the Inland Container Depot in Naivasha. Maxima opted for a more relaxed look for the outing as she oozed confidence in a breezy long sleeved shirt dress, which featured a colourful pattern. She completed her look with a chunky beige belt which cinched her waist and a chic straw hat. The royal swept her blonde locks back off her face and accessorised with hoop earrings. The Dutch king looked smart in a beige suit which he paired with a blue shirt and a purple tie. The couple visited an inland container depot (ICD), which is a major storage facility for dry export products, a Dutch horticultural business and later in the afternoon the King and Queen will host a cultural programme. Today, the royal couple were up bright and early after their lavish evening to visit the Inland Container Depot in Naivasha She completed the show stopping ensemble with a sparkling tiara, known as the Dutch sapphire necklace tiara which featured blue diamonds, and matching earrings The Dutch royal, 53, looked typically regal as she stepped out with her husband, King Willem-Alexander for the state banquet at State House during the second day of their four day royal visit to Kenya The lavish evening was hosted by President William Ruto of Kenya and First Lady Rachel Ruth The necklace was transformed into a tiara in 2009 by Dutch jewellers Steltmann, with additional sapphires taken from from Queen Wilhelmina's dismantled Sapphire Parure It comes after Maxima looked sophisticated as she stepped out with her husband King Willem-Alexander in a red cape dress. The royal couple attended a welcome ceremony at the presidential palace in Nairobi, as part of their four-day state visit hosted by President William Ruto of Kenya and First Lady Rachel Ruth. Maxima looked typically regal as she donned a glamorous red cape dress which featured a feather detailing. She completed the chic look with a wide brimmed hat, matching red stilettos and she added a bit more glamour with silver drop earrings. King Willem-Alexander looked smart in a navy suit which he paired with a yellow tie and white shirt. The Dutch royal visit is set to focus on key areas such as trade, security, climate action, and youth empowerment, reinforcing the long-standing partnership between Kenya and the Netherlands. After the warm welcome the royal couple will attend the signing of Memoranda of Understanding on tourism, trade, security, agriculture and fisheries. Later in the day King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior before they will take part in a tree-planting ceremony. King Willem-Alexander looked dapper in a smart black tuxedo which he completed with a white shirt and a bow tie The royal styled her blonde locks in a chic updo and she completed her chic look with heels Maxima opted for a more relaxed look for the outing as she oozed confidence in a breezy long sleeved shirt dress, which featured a colourful pattern The couple visited an inland container depot (ICD), which is a major storage facility for dry export products, a Dutch horticultural business and later in the afternoon the King and Queen will host a cultural programme She completed her look with a chunky beige belt which cinched her waist and a chic straw hat The royal swept her blonde locks back off her face and accessorised with hoop earrings King Willem-Alexander looked smart in a navy suit which he paired with a yellow tie and white shirt President Ruto is campaigning to grow 15 billion trees by 2032 to increase the country's forest cover and help combat climate change. Kenya currently leads the way in Africa in climate adaptation and mitigation. It hosted the first Africa Climate Summit in 2023. Over the next few days they are scheduled to visit the Supreme Court where they will hold talks with Chief Justice Martha Koome and other leading figures in the justice sector, particularly women. They will visit the International Peace Support Training Centre, the King and Queen will also hear about initiatives for combating violent extremism. On their final day, the state visit will close with a reception for the Dutch community. At the ambassador's official residence, the King and Queen will speak with Dutch nationals who live and work in Kenya. A 74-year-old grandmother has defied critics to celebrate her fourth wedding anniversary with her much younger Tunisian husband after critics said he was 'just in it for the money'. Christine Haycox, originally from Leeds, met now-husband, Hamza Dridi, 40, online in 2018 while teaching him English as a second language. He was 34 at the time, and they have been together for seven years. A whirlwind romance saw Christine fly to Hammamet, Tunisia, to visit him just six weeks later and she's never left. They tied the knot in December 2020, at their Tunisian home, and have lived in Tunisia for seven years - with Christine converting to Islam in 2021. And while her children have always accepted him, she says friends were initially skeptical he was only doing it for a visa. Christine and Hamza have now celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary - and says friends now support the marriage. The author said: 'I haven't got a single regret. 'We are both just sorry we didn't meet sooner so that we could have our own children. Christine Haycox (pictured, left) got together with her toyboy boyfriend Hamza Dridi (pictured,right) - and now husband - seven years ago 'But we share a dog together instead! It was definitely love at first sight.' Hamza said: 'Christine is a lovely wife. She is my queen. I love her personality and her intelligence.' Christine was married for over 30 years, before divorcing in April 2003. She has a 44-year-old son and 39-year old daughter, and two grandchildren - aged 18 and 18 months. Christine met Hamza after posting an ad on Facebook offering to teach English as a foreign language. Hamza contacted Christine - who is also fluent in French - and signed up to her online lessons. She said: 'There was an instant spark between us.' Three months later, Christine booked a two-week holiday to Tunisia to meet Hamza in person. Christine said: 'We went for walks along the beach and he took me out for lovely dinners. He even took me to a discotheque, and we went dancing.' Her son - who is four years older than her spouse - even travelled to Tunisia in 2020 to spend four days with the happy couple a year after their wedding - a small ceremony on December 31, 2020, in Hamza's family home in Manouba, Tunisia. Christine wore a traditional Tunisian dress, and Hamza's second cousin, Miriam, 17, did her hair, manicure and pedicure for her big day. They 'never bothered with getting engaged' they just decided to get married. Christine said: 'We took so long to marry because it took two years to get all of the paperwork from England.' Apart from two short trips back to England alone, Christine has spent the last seven years living in Tunisia. She said despite the large age gap - as well as being from different parts of the world - her family have been supportive. Christine said: 'They can see how happy I am. My friends have been amazing. Hamza speaks to my friends all the time, so they can see how good we are together. 'Hamza and I have our own home together and I've never been happier.' Christine said they have an active sex life and Hamza takes care of her - doing most of the cooking and cleaning. She said: 'He's a hot-blooded Tunisian - we have sex more than most. I need a replacement hip, but other than that my age doesn't hold me back in the bedroom.' But their relationship has faced significant backlash from strangers online after they shared it on Facebook. Christine said: 'We've had some horrible emails and Facebook messages. People say "he wants your money" but I don't have lots of money because I am just an ordinary teacher. 'Or that "he wants a visa" - but he is so family-orientated, he would never have moved away from them.' One lady even tracked down Christine's son's contact details to tell him that the marriage wouldn't last. She said it's mainly people in the UK who have objected to the relationship. Despite facing a backlash from some people due to the age difference in their relationship, the couple are happy together She said: 'People in Tunisia are so wonderful to me. I love the family culture, the helpfulness and the friendliness of the people.' But in Tunisia, once a restaurant owner rudely questioned Hamza, saying: 'How do you have sex with that old woman?'. Christine said the incident left Hamza 'mortified' but the next day the gentleman apologised and took the couple out for dinner and drinks. The couple are hoping to obtain a visa for Hamza to visit the UK and meet the rest of Christine's family. Their long-term plan is to move back to the UK because Christine needs medical treatments she can't easily get in Tunisia. The Princess of Wales dressed to impress in a lucky green Alexander McQueen coat dress as she made a triumphant solo return to the Irish Guards St Patricks Day parade in London on Monday. But whilst looking effortlessly elegant, Kate's outfit for the major event also seemingly held a special hidden meaning in the jewellery she selected. The mother-of-three opted to team her emerald ensemble with her green tourmaline, green amethyst and diamond oval drop earrings, set in gold, which flawlessly complemented her look. Costing 3,850, the sparkling set are from royal favourite, Kiki McDonough, and were reportedly created especially for Kate as 'a gift following Princess Charlottes birth' in May 2015. The Princess, 43, debuted the dazzling earrings on a royal tour of India and Bhutan in 2016. She has since worn them on a number of occasions, including on St Patrick's Day in 2018 and 2019. Kiki McDonough was unable to confirm whether the gift was from Prince William, according to PEOPLE magazine, however they were a made-to-order design. Completing her outfit on Monday, Kate paired her look with black heeled boots and a percher hat, and added a Shamrock pin, while styling her hair up into a sleek updo and opting for a light make-up look. During the outing, the Princess revealed where she would like to visit with her three children now that they're older. The Princess of Wales dressed to impress in a lucky green Alexander McQueen coat dress as she made a triumphant solo return to the Irish Guards St Patricks Day parade in London on Monday (pictured) She discussed how she wants to take Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six, to Australia and New Zealand. The royal was chatting to Irish Guardsmen and their families in the Sergeants' Mess at Wellington Barracks in Westminster, after putting money behind the bar for them to celebrate the March 17th holiday. Chatting about how she and Prince William took their eldest son away with them on his first official tour when he was a baby, she told Corporal Adam Hamilton, an Australian reservist: 'George finds it fascinating that he has been to Australia and New Zealand. 'I would like to go back there with them now. It's finding time to do that. But I love to travel yes, it's a long flight. 'But I love the Middle East because that's familiar to me from growing up. There are so many opportunities now to travel, I think it's brilliant to experience it. 'We tend to go further afield when it's official visits, it's being able to carve out time to experience these countries in a more private capacity. 'Because otherwise you end up seeing lots of insides of amazing buildings but you don't get to meet that many.. people 'It's making sure that you can combine a bit of work with the children. I might see you down there!' But whilst looking effortlessly elegant, Kate's outfit for the major event also seemingly held a special hidden meaning in the jewellery she selected. The mother-of-three opted to team her emerald ensemble with her green tourmaline, green amethyst and diamond oval drop earrings Costing 3,850, the sparkling set are from royal favourite, Kiki McDonough, and were reportedly created especially for Kate as 'a gift following Princess Charlottes birth' in May 2015. Pictured, the King, the Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte at Trooping the Colour in June 2024 The princess - who added that she 'loved our trip to Australia' - last made an official royal visit to the country in 2014 with William and George who was just a baby at the time. After arriving at the central London camp on Monday, Kate inspected the troops before being presented with traditional sprigs of shamrock by a member of the guards. She then pinned it to her lapel - adding to the Cartier shamrock brooch she was already wearing. In a further sweet moment, Kate knelt down to pet the regimental mascot Turlough Mor, an adorable Irish Wolfhound known as Seamus. She then gifted him a sprig of shamrock. Later, inside the Junior Ranks dining hall, Kate sipped on a pint of Guinness as a senior guardsman toasted her, but didn't quite manage to 'split the G' instead choosing to savour the drink slowly. 'Three cheers for the colonel in the regiment,' he said before raucous applause. Kate, who is colonel of the regiment after taking over from her husband, missed the Guards' annual occasion last year as she was undergoing treatment for cancer. In a very sweet gesture, the future queen, who is gradually returning to public duties, also put money behind the bar for guardsmen, saying it's 'the least she could do'. She later took the official salute from the Irish Guards, raising their Bearskin caps into the air. Kate started the day by saluting the colonel during a march-past and met Irish Guards veterans as well as junior cadets from Northern Ireland known as Mini Micks. An artist who once punched his girlfriend in the face at a gallery opening has admitted to 'vandalising' works by a Brighton graffiti creator that has spoken out about his past abuse. Speaking exclusively to FEMAIL, Ben Eine, 54, who became celebrated in the street art scene in the noughties - and was good pals with Banksy - admitted to ruining murals by street painter Snub23 after he allegedly called him a 'wife beater'. Ben convicted of assault in 2018 but has continued to be successful in the industry with his distinct, bright lettering aesthetics. Over past months Snub23 and Sprite - a couple known for their colourful designs beloved around the walls of the seaside city - became the targets of 'ugly tags' sprayed over their pieces after they 'called Ben out for abusing women'. The spoiled pieces have often been sprayed over with the 'EINE' signature and some social media accounts have circulated footage Ben filmed and uploaded of himself defacing one of the murals in Southend - before he took it down. Ben has now revealed that he was behind some of the damage to Snub23's works - but claims he 'has not vandalised the work of Sprite and wouldn't'. 'In 2018, I was convicted of assault against my then-girlfriend during what was a deeply toxic relationship,' he told FEMAIL in a statement. 'While this does not excuse my actions, I want to be clear that the situation is not being accurately represented. Ben Eine, 54, who became celebrated in the street art scene in the noughties - and was good pals with Banksy - was convicted of assault in 2018 but has continued to be successful in the industry with his distinct, bright lettering aesthetics An artist who once punched his girlfriend in the face at a gallery opening has been accused of marring works by Brighton graffiti creators who have spoken out about his past abuse. Pictured, a work of Sprite's covered by blue paint The spoiled pieces have often been sprayed over with the 'EINE' signature. Pictured, one of Snub23's murals 'For the past three years, I have been committed to my recovery, attending local Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and sponsoring others who are struggling with addiction. 'My focus has been on maintaining my sobriety, improving my mental health, and making amends where possible. I know that nothing can undo the past, but I have also sought to give back by volunteering with charities to help others. 'Recently, the street artist Snub has repeatedly misrepresented me online, labelling me as an abuser and a "wife-beater."' Ben claimed that Snub23 has 'also contacted street art festival organisers in an effort to damage his reputation'. 'When I attempted to have a direct conversation with him about this, he responded with a list of demands and threats,' he continued. 'The pressure of this situation severely impacted my mental health, leading to a significant relapse. During this period, I vandalised some of his artwork - something I deeply regret. I have not vandalised the work of Sprite and I wouldn't.' As reported by the Evening Standard , in 2018 Ben (pictured) was convicted of assault after he punched his girlfriend Maria Claudine in the face at the Serpentine Sackler Gallery when she accused him of cheating A social media account has circulated footage Ben filmed and uploaded of himself defacing one of the murals in Southend - before he took it down An anonymous Instagram account titled @speaking_our_mind has been documenting the vandalised artworks, and reporting on the 'dangerous and abusive people within our community'. The first post features a now-deleted video from Ben's Instagram account, which shows a video of a hooded man - understood to be himself - spraying his tag over Snub23's mural in Southend Pictured: A mural by Snub23 and Sprite which has been defaced -with an EINE tag added to the piece Pictured: A series of pieces by Sprite and Snub23 in Brighton, before they were painted over by someone The community has been baffled by the vandalised works, as a Reddit thread questioned 'Does anyone know what's going on with the graffiti in Brighton atm?' Snub23 and Sprite's works pictured after they've been marred 'I believe in accountability, growth, and second chances. I take full responsibility for my past actions and remain committed to personal improvement and positive contributions to my community.' Posting about the situation online, Sprite herself has over this past week said that she is 'not backing down' and will continue to speak out against Ben. 'Ben Eine is a convicted abuser of women,' she wrote in a Reddit post. 'Not only does he commit violence against women in private. He also punched his girlfriend at the time in the mouth at an art gallery event in London back in 2018. 'As a woman and a victim of abuse myself I am very uncomfortable with him being at the events I work at. So I got in touch with the organisers of those projects and events and made them aware of his convictions. 'Most of the time, the organisers would shrug me off so I and others would spend the days at the festivals full of anxiety.' She claimed that since October, her and her partner Snub23's works have been vandalised and she has been 'harassed'. 'I'm now also receiving threats from a friend of his,' she continued. 'It's been escalating and the other day he traveled all the way to Southend on sea just to destroy some artwork. 'I'm a stubborn fool and I don't like bullies thinking they will win. Plus too many people have got in contact with me with details of their own bad experiences with Ben. I won't be backing down.' A piece made by Snub23 which has been marked with paint - spelling out the EINE signature over it 'I am just taking things day by day in regards to whether we are fixing work or letting it stay damaged for a while,' she added. 'I've spent a lot of time fixing walls to have them defaced again by Ben and his flying monkeys within a few hours. 'Apologies for the streets looking a bit s**t right now. Trying my best!' As reported by the Evening Standard, in 2018 Ben was convicted of assault after he punched his girlfriend Maria Claudine in the face at the Serpentine Sackler Gallery when she accused him of cheating. The court heard that he 'swung his fist' at her, and 'left the woman with a split lip'. Ben - a twice-married father-of-seven - and Maria reportedly got into an argument after she saw a photo of another woman on his phone and 'jumped to conclusions'. The police was told: 'He punched me in the face in the mouth with a clenched fist, with some force... I was bleeding from the mouth.' The court also heard that Ben had been drinking, and pleaded guilt to assault by beating and criminal damage. An anonymous Instagram account titled @speaking_our_mind has been documenting the vandalised artworks, and reporting on the 'dangerous and abusive people within our community'. Pictured: Snub23's graffiti piece before and after it featured an EINE tag painted over it, in Brighton The first post features a now-deleted video from Ben's Instagram account, which shows a video of a hooded man - understood to be himself - spraying his tag over Snub23's mural in Southend. Sprite commented on the original upload: 'Hey Ben, while I'll appreciate your dedication travelling 100 miles just to destroy all of mine and @snub_23's work for calling you out in regards to your conviction of assault against women. 'I think it's really sad you had to bring a load of unnecessary work to Steve and Karl who will now have to spend time and money painting over this. 'They've done a lot to support you and this is a really s***ty way of repaying them.' In another post, the account penned: 'Many people have had negative experiences with Ben. 'People have experienced abuse, sexism, racism and bullying. 'Its important that abusers like Ben are not celebrated with our industry and allowed to participate at public events where people can be put at risk. 'His participation is also triggering for victims of abuse. They are fearful of people like this and do not wish for them to be given a platform to promote themselves.' The community has been baffled by the vandalised works, as a Reddit thread questioned 'Does anyone know what's going on with the graffiti in Brighton atm?' 'Hey I'm new to the subreddit but not new to Brighton (born and raised),' they penned. 'I tend to walk around Brighton looking at/and for street art but lately I've been seeing a lot of these ugly tags does anybody know anything seems a shame someone ruining all these great pieces.' FEMAIL has also reached out to Sprite and Snub23 for comment. Ben, usually based in London, has in past been known as David Cameron's wife Samantha's favourite artist. He is best known for his alphabet lettering on shop shutters in Shoreditch and Brick Lane. When he was Prime Minister in 2010, Cameron had even given a work by Ben - entitled 'Twenty-first Century City', and made up of multi-coloured letters spelling out those words - to the Obamas. Ben said of his past: 'I was brought up in south London and I started out in theworld of graffiti when I was about 14 because I wanted to be part ofthat hooded tracksuit gang thing. I did it pretty hardcore for about 20years and the last time I had a close escape from prison.' Describing his work, he elaborated: 'I play around with the order ofletters to create patterns and colour them in to create more patterns.My kids love it, particularly Spike.' Ben, whose real name is Benjamin Flynn, spent years in the capital as an unknown graffiti artist who wrote the word 'EINE', meaning 'one' in German, on street walls. He became friends with Banksy after a chance meeting at a pub and the two worked on projects together for a few years. A collaboration with exclusive handbag designer Anya Hindmarch raised his profile significantly and his canvases were selling for up to 7,500 in 2010. On his current site, prints measuring 40x40cm centimetres - and spray painted on paper - can cost up to 1,950. Meanwhile according to her site Sprite 'specialises in a variety of artworks, including murals, stencils, pet portraits, and custom commissions'. 'My artistic style is versatile, ranging from stunning landscapes to abstract designs,' she added. 'However, I have a particular love for painting animals, which stems from my lifelong love for wildlife. My work is vibrant, eye-catching, and always tells a unique story. 'As a street artist, I believe that art has the power to transform the world around us. My murals and public artworks can be seen across Brighton and beyond, adding a pop of color and personality to urban spaces.' And Snub23's portfolio says: 'SNUB23, with over 23 years of experience, Im not just a street artist really, more a visual artist. Transforming ordinary walls into eye-catching delights. 'From vibrant spray paint murals to intricate stencils and bold graphic designs, SNUB23's hunger to learn new skills knows no bounds. Based in Brighton, UK, my work has reached audiences and adorned surfaces worldwide, spanning across Europe, Asia, and America.' Stephen Graham's back in the spotlight alongside The Crown's Erin Doherty after wowing viewers with his heartbreaking performance in Netflix's Adolescence. But before rubbing shoulders with A-listers such as Robert De Niro and Al Pacino in The Irishman and Cillian Murphy in Peaky Blinders, the British actor, 51, showed off his acting chops in Coronation Street. The This is England star took to the famous cobbles in 1999, playing the part of drug-dealer Lee Sankey and friend of Steve McDonald, played by Simon Gregson. Stephen only appeared in a handful of episodes of the British soap, most notably squaring up to Steve's father Jim McDonald (Charlie Lawson), who accused him of turning his son into a drug-runner. The Adolescence star was first introduced to viewers as Lee when his character warned Steve to stop trying to sell black-market tobacco in a pub on his 'patch'. But after Steve recognised the ex-jailbird, Lee agreed to purchase all of the tobacco for a good price and the two joined in business together - until Steve's father found out about it all. He threw Lee out of their house and even threatened to get the character sent back into prison if he discovered anymore criminal activities. But this didn't stop Lee from contacting Steve a few weeks later and suggesting he join a plan to smuggle something in from Amsterdam. Before rubbing shoulders with A-listers such as Robert De Niro and Al Pacino in The Irishman and Cillian Murphy in Peaky Blinders, Stephen Graham (pictured right) showed off his acting chops in Coronation Street (pictured) To relief of Steve's father, it turned out that the character had just brought a dog named Polly back to the UK. However, Lee ended up back in prison and wasn't seen in Weatherfield ever again after his arrest, reported the Liverpool Echo. After his brief appearance in Coronation Street, Stephen broke into the film industry in 2000, playing Tommy in Guy Ritchies Snatch. Meanwhile, fans of Adolescence are being urged to watch a 2021 film that was also filmed in one take like the Netflix show that's currently at the top of the streaming service's UK charts. The psychological-thriller, written by Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne, was released online less than a week ago and has already become a huge hit. The four-part limited series explores themes of toxic male rage and online incel culture as it follows the fallout from the arrest of 13-year-old Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper), who is accused of brutally murdering a schoolgirl. Stephen Graham's back in the spotlight alongside The Crown's Erin Doherty after wowing viewers with his heartbreaking performance in Netflix's Adolescence (pictured in the series alongside Owen Cooper as Jamie Miller) The This is England star (pictured left) took to the famous cobbles in 1999, playing the part of drug-dealer Lee Sankey and friend of Steve McDonald, played by Simon Gregson (pictured right) The tense show, in which Stephen stars as Jamie's father Eddie Miller, has become a huge talking point since its release - partly for its message about today's society as well as the fact that each episode was filmed in one take. British filmmaker Philip Barantini adopted his one-shot approach to direct Adolescence, meaning one camera followed the action unfolding in each hour-long instalment - a style that added an additional layer of tension to the show. Coupled with outstanding performances from its cast members, Adolescence has earned rave reviews from critics and viewers alike - as well as a perfect score on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes. Fans who may have binged the mini-series in one sitting, and are now looking for similar movies and shows to watch, are being directed towards another Barantini flick that also stars Stephen. In Boiling Point, which was also filmed in one take and released in 2021, Stephen plays the role of Andy Graham, the head chef at one of London's hottest restaurants. The film follows Andy as he juggles a health inspection with service on what is one of the restaurant's biggest nights of the year. Boiling Point was such a success that it was later turned into a four-part BBC show that follows some of the characters into a new restaurant setting. Following the release of Adolescence, fans rushed to X/Twitter to recommend Boiling Point to anyone that enjoyed the Netflix show. Meanwhile, fans of Adolescence (pictured) are being urged to watch a 2021 film that was also filmed in one take like the Netflix show that's currently at the top of the streaming service's UK charts One person said: 'Watch Stephen Graham in Boiling Point, the whole film is made in one shot.' Another said: 'I only knew the premise before I started watching. Then when I found out it's the creative team behind Boiling Point, I got more excited. Watch that too. 'The movie is superior to the series they did, but they are killing this tracking shot drama niche market with incredible execution.' Someone else added: 'Now that everyone has seen the brilliance of Stephen Graham in #Adolescence, I urge you to find and watch #BoilingPoint, a previous collaboration between Graham and director Philip Barantini a stunning single-take drama on a chef on the verge of a nervous breakdown.' A fourth said: 'If you watched Adolescence and liked it, you should watch Boiling Point, a film by the same director.' Archduchess Estelle of Austria has died aged 46, leaving European aristocracy in mourning. The Archduchess leaves behind her husband Archduke Carl Christian and their five children, Zita, 17, Anezka, 15, Anna, 12, Paola, 10 and Pier-Giorgia, four. Announcing the death in the Carnet du Figaro bulletin, the family, who live in Nice, wrote: 'Her husband, Archduke Carl Christian, their children, her parents, and her in-laws are deeply saddened to announce that Archduchess Estelle of Austria, nee Lapra de Saint Romain, was called to God on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.' The family laid her to rest on March 12 at the Cimiez Monastery in Nice. Her cause of death was cancer, according to Point De Vue. Princess Astrid of Belgium joined the mourners alongside other royals including Prince Charles of Bourbon-Two Sicilies, Ferdinand of Habsburg, Princess Marie-Astrid of Luxembourg, and the Duke of Castro. Estelle's coffin was decorated with white flowers and each of her five children lit a candle and placed it on the coffin. The priest praised the mother-of-five's the 'loving lucidity', before Ava Maria played. Archduchess Estelle of Austria has died aged 46, leaving European aristocracy in mourning In 2007, the royal married to Archduke Carl Christian, the great-grandson of Emperor Charles I the last ruler of Austria-Hungary The family laid her to rest on March 12 at the Cimiez Monastery in Nice Her cause of death has not been confirmed, but Point De Vue suggests she died of cancer Estelle's coffin was decorated with white flowers and each of her five children lit a candle and placed it on the coffin In 2007, the royal married to Archduke Carl Christian, the great-grandson of Emperor Charles I the last ruler of Austria-Hungary. The wedding in Montgirod, a small commune in Savoy, was attended by 300 guests, including family and European aristocrats including notable Princess Astrid of Belgium, Prince Jean Napoleon, Prince Gundakar of Liechtenstein and Princess Marie of Orleans. The couple then headed to Mexico on a honeymoon. Carl Christian is the eldest son of Archduke Rudolf and Archduchess Marie-Helene and a cousin of the current head of the Austrian Imperial House, Archduke Karl von Habsburg. While the Austrian monarchy was abolished in 1918 the family have remained at the helm of European aristocracy and do work for the communities within the region. It comes after the shock death of another European royal, aged 22. Last week, Prince Robert of Luxembourg has announced the tragic passing of his youngest son, Prince Frederik, at the age of 22. The cousin of Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg - whose shock abdication last year ended a glorious 24-year reign - revealed his son died on March 1, following a long battle with rare genetic condition, POLG Mitochondrial disease. Carl Christian (centre) is the eldest son of Archduke Rudolf and Archduchess Marie-Helene and a cousin of the current head of the Austrian Imperial House, Archduke Karl von Habsburg European royals mourn at funeral of Archduchess Estelle of Austria at the Cimiez Monastery Her five children come were in attendance While the Austrian monarchy was abolished in 1918 the family have remained at the helm of European aristocracy and do work for the communities within the region He mourned the news in a lengthy, heartfelt message posted to the POLG foundation, a website founded by his son, and dedicated to finding effective treatments and a cure for POLG mitochondrial disorders. POLG disease is a rare genetic disorder that robs the body's cells of energy, in turn causing progressive multiple organ dysfunction and failure, the foundation explained. Progression of the condition can cause multiple organs to fail, such as the brain and liver, as well as the intestines, muscles, and swallowing functions to falter. Prince Frederik, who lived in Switzerland, was born with the disease, though official diagnosis occurred much later at age 14, when his symptoms became more acute. In a moving statement penned by Prince Robert, 69, and his wife, Princess Julie of Nassau, 64, they revealed their son's heartbreaking last moments, which included a final goodbye to his parents and two siblings, Princess Charlotte of Nassau, 29 and Prince Alexandre of Nassau, 27. The statement read: 'It is with a very heavy heart that my wife and I would like to inform you of the passing of our son, The POLG Foundation Founder and Creative Director, Frederik'. Luxembourg's Prince Frederik of Nassau has passed away at the age of 22 Prince Robert of Luxembourg, the cousin of Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg announced the tragic passing on the POLG foundation website (Pictured: Prince Robert and Princess Julie of Luxembourg with their three children Prince Frederik of Nassau, Princess Charlotte of Nassau Prince Alexandre of Nassau) He poignantly shared that his dear son said goodbye on Rare Disease Day - a special observance held on the last day of February, and committed to raising awareness and promoting research of rare conditions. 'Last Friday, February 28th, on 'Rare Disease Day', our beloved son called us in to his room to speak to him for one last time' wrote Robert. 'Frederik found the strength and the courage to say goodbye to each of us in turn his brother, Alexander, his sister, Charlotte, me, his three cousins, Charly, Louis, and Donall, his brother-in-law, Mansour, and finally, his Aunt Charlotte and Uncle Mark. 'He had already spoken all that was in his heart to his extraordinary mother, who had not left his side in 15 years. After gifting each of us with our farewells some kind, some wise, some instructive in true Frederik fashion, he left us collectively with a final long-standing family joke. 'Even in his last moments, his humour, and his boundless compassion, compelled him to leave us with one last laugh.to cheer us all up.' According to Robert, what began like 'any normal day' with the sound of his daily exercise alarm ended in shocking tragedy, as it was to 'be his last in this world'. Prince Frederik died on March 1, following a long battle with rare genetic condition, POLG Mitochondrial disease POLG disease is a rare genetic disorder that robs the body's cells of energy, in turn causing progressive multiple organ dysfunction and failure He lamented on his son's journey with the disease, one he said Frederik fought valiantly to the end. 'This is the battle that Frederik fought, and this is the burden that he had to carry throughout his life', penned Prince Robert. 'He always did so with grace and with humour. When we asked him if he wanted to create a foundation to find a cure and help others like him, he jumped at the opportunity. 'Though he always made it very clear that he did not want this dreadful disease to define him, he nonetheless immediately identified with and helped define the mission of The POLG Foundation'. Robert also praised his son's 'amazing sense of humour', as well as his 'emotional intelligence and compassion that were off the charts'. 'A sense of justice, fairness and decency that knows no bounds' he continued. 'He was disciplined and organised beyond belief'. Perhaps one of the sweetest memories he shared of his son was that he was the 'strongest person' his family and friends knew. Prince Frederick of Nassau was born in Aix-en-Provence, France, and enjoyed a stint in London, England, before moving to Switzerland in 2004. In a moving statement penned by Prince Robert, 69, and his wife, Princess Julie of Nassau, 64, they revealed their son's heartbreaking last moments Prince Frederik leaves behind his two siblings, Princess Charlotte of Nassau, 29 and Prince Alexandre of Nassau, 27 Last year, Prince Robert's cousin, Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, announced he was abdicating the throne in favour of his son Guillaume The former student attended the International School in Geneva, Ecole Eden primary school and St George's School in Clarens. His father, Prince Robert of Luxembourg, is the first cousin of Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, 69, who in December announced his shock abdication from the throne in favour of his son Guillaume. Guillaume, 43, who had already assumed many of his father's duties in recent months as Lieutenant-Representant, will formally take up his new title on October 3, 2025. Henri's abdication marks the second European monarch to step down from their reign this year. His royal relation Queen Margrethe of Denmark decided to give up the throne after 52 years, making way for her son Frederik to take over as King on 14 January. Grand Duke Henri is the eldest son of the five children of Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duchess Josephine-Charlotte and took to the throne in 2000, after his father abdicated following a 36-year reign. He is married to Maria Teresa Mestre, the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg. and the pair have five children together; Prince Guillaume, Princess Alexandra, Prince Louis, Prince Felix and Prince Sebastien. A pair of American tourists who allegedly attempted to flee from a horse carriage ride without paying were quickly taught a lesson when their driver chased and whipped them in Dublin. Footage shared online on Tuesday captured the moment when the frustrated man appeared to aim his whip at the duo while they cowered in the corner of an alleyway. 'Pay now, pay into my f****** bank account,' the driver shouts while slashing his whip towards the terrified pair. 'I have money,' shakily replies one of the tourists. 'It's 100 US, it's extra,' he adds as he hands over what appears to be some cash to the outraged driver, who continues to direct his whip at the two men, yelling: 'F****** b*******.' The unidentified tourists soon apologise to the angry man, saying: 'I'm sorry, we've learned our lesson, thank you!' It's unclear if the pair did in fact pay the driver or not. The clip was shared on X with the caption: 'Dublin... Two American tourists over for St Patrick's Day attempted to do a runner on a horse carriage driver. They won't be doing that again in a hurry.' Commenters were quick to comment on the footage - which had thousands of likes and was shared by multiple social media accounts. One person wrote: 'Served them right!' while another added: 'Brilliant, well deserved. He wasn't holding back anyway.' A pair of American tourists who allegedly attempted to flee from a horse carriage ride without paying were quickly taught a lesson when their driver chased and whipped them in Dublin 'Best video of the day,' insisted a third individual. 'I'm an American and I approve of this,' wrote someone else. 'Why they just standing there taking it,' questioned a fifth, as another amused person asked: 'Did he say thank you at the end?' But not everyone approved of the scenes, with some highlighting that horse carriage rides in Dublin can often be quite expensive and sometimes the price might apparently vary from what was first negotiated. 'Probably being ripped off and overcharged,' wrote one viewer, while someone else claimed: 'Con artists those carriage drivers. Tell ya 50 then at the end of the ride its 50 each.' 'Glad they done a runner, no sympathy for him. Poor horses,' penned a third in the comments on X. The American tourists were 'over for St Patrick's Day', according to the caption of the video in one post - and they weren't the only ones taking to Dublin to celebrate the Irish holiday. Ireland's capital became a sea of green and orange on Monday as thousands of people filled the city's streets to watch the national St Patrick's Day parade. Visitors from across the world packed the city centre, many sporting leprechaun and shamrock costumes and green and tricolour attire as they enjoyed the celebrations. Footage shared online on Tuesday captured the moment when the frustrated man appeared to aim his whip at the duo while they cowered in the corner of an alleyway Reaction: Commenters were quick to comment on the footage - which had thousands of likes and was shared by multiple social media accounts But not everyone approved of the scenes, with some highlighting that horse carriage rides in Dublin can often be quite expensive and sometimes the price might apparently vary from what was first negotiated St Patrick's Day commemorates Ireland's patron saint and has become a popular holiday worldwide, with parties and parades taking place around the globe. Dublin's St Patrick's Day Parade commenced at noon, attracting over half a million spectators who lined the streets to celebrate Ireland's rich heritage. Revellers in fancy dress flooded the city, striking silly poses for the cameras and waving the Irish flag. Themed 'Eachtrai', which means adventures in English, the procession showcased Ireland's famed adventurous spirit. The vibrant display featured more than 4,000 participants, including international marching bands, performers, dancers, and elaborate floats. The parade route spanned from Parnell Square to Kevin Street Junction, passing through Dublin's landmarks such as O'Connell Street and Trinity College. To accommodate the festivities, several city centre roads were closed and attendees were advised to utilize public transportation. The event not only celebrated Irish culture but also emphasized community, diversity, and inclusion. NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have finally returned from nine gruelling months spent on the International Space Station (ISS) - but their most difficult journey yet may be still ahead. Humans who've spent time in space, including Britain's first ever astronaut Dr Helen Sharman, have reported experiencing a phenomenon that they say changes their lives forever. While the complex physical health issues that astronauts might experience when they re-enter Earth's atmosphere are well documented, the impact their adventures in space have on the rest of their lives is much less widely reported. Known as 'overview effect', it's a term coined in the late 80s but known about since the first years of space travel to describe how astronauts returning to Earth are often unable to view their everyday lives in the same way as they did before. Those who experienced it include some of the most famous names in space history, including Yuri Gagarin, Michael Collins and Sally Ride - and say only fellow astronauts can truly know what it feels like. Dr Sharman, who was 27 when she made history on May 18th, 1991 as the first British astronaut to go into space, as part of the Soyuz TM-12 mission, says her own short eight-day mission completely 'reset' how she viewed her home life. The Imperial College London academic told MailOnline: 'After I returned to Earth, I realised that what I had not once thought about in space was the material things that I owned or aspired to own. 'It was my family, friends and colleagues living in places I could see as I looked down on Earth who I remembered. Being in space reset my life priorities, and that has remained with me ever since.' Tough journey still ahead: NASA astronaut Suni Williams is helped out of a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft as she arrives back on earth after nine months on March 19th Williams fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore (pictured) has suffered physical symptoms during his exile in space - but the 'overview effect', where returning astronauts struggle with mental health after being in space, could now kick in The term 'overview effect' was first coined in the late 80s and describes how Earth-returners often make major life changes after struggling to adapt to normal life once more. (Pictured Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore pictured stranded at the International Space Station before their return) Canadian astronaut Robert 'Bob' Thirsk now regularly speaks about the huge impact his two stints in space, in 1996 and 2009, have had on what he values in life at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor in Florida. The retired astronaut says he no longer cares for politics, particularly on a local level, because it feels insignificant when you've seen the Earth from so far away. The 71-year-old says his wife still tells him that his head 'is still in space' because of the major impact that the trips have had on him. Family and friends can feel alienated, he says, by the extraordinary shared experiences astronauts have with their fellow space explorers, and are left feeling like they can't ever match what they experienced together. He also says the 'overview effect' has left him hugely concerned for the planet, and that his main message now is preserving it for future generations. Dr Sharman says that looking back on our planet from so far away can evoke different and complex feelings when people return home. She says: 'For some, seeing the bright Earth against the backdrop of the vast expanse of black space can increase our awareness of the fragility of Earth; for others it is more a sense of attachment - after all, Earth is where all known life exists. 'I remember how obviously interconnected everything seemed: swirls of plankton in ocean currents, flashes of lightning that appear to set off flurries of other flashes many miles away, and rivers crossing numerous borders before they disgorge into the sea.' Suni Williams with her husband Michael before her journey to ISS - returning to Earth can spark life changes, says Britain's first astronaut Dr Helen Sharman Canadian astronaut Robert 'Bob' Thirsk now regularly speaks about the impact his two stints in space have had on his life at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor in Florida. Right: Dr Sharman, who was 27 when she went to made history as the first British astronaut to go into space says she 'reset' how she viewed life upon her return The Canadian astronaut, now 71, says his wife tells him he left his head in space and is frank about how the shared experience with his fellow astronauts can alienate friends and family Your browser does not support iframes. The Sheffield-raised retired astronaut also discussed the process Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are currently in as they adapt to life back on Earth. Dr Sharman said: 'Normal life resumes in a controlled and gentle way for astronauts, especially those who have spent many months in space. 'We see the Earth-returners being pulled out of the spacecraft and they disappear from public view for a while, but after the initial medicals and other checks, there will be weeks of debriefings of one sort or another, managed time with friends and family (and pets), and monitored physical exercise. Gradually, the astronauts become more self-determining. But we never forget the amazing views from orbit.' As Williams, 59, and Wilmore, 62, emerged from their SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule yesterday, medical teams rushed to help them onto stretchers. Months spent in low gravity cause fluid shifts in the body which can cause health problems ranging from 'chicken legs' to vision loss Sunita Williams and the rest of the ISS crew performed Olympic events on the space station last summer but will now face weeks of physical rehabilitation This is a normal procedure for astronauts returning from space since their weakened muscles make it difficult to walk under the force of Earth's gravity. The pair will now undergo several days of intensive medical checks at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston but health experts have already noticed signs of physical decline in the stranded astronauts. And even while they were on the ISS, experts expressed concern over the pair's gaunt appearance and apparent weight loss. To help the astronauts overcome these long-term impacts, NASA has a specialised rehabilitation program for people returning from space. Examinations begin as soon as they exit the capsule before they are flown to their crew quarters at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston for several more days of routine health checks. NASA astronauts who return from long ISS missions complete a 45-day rehabilitation program that requires them to exercise for two hours per day, seven days per week. The program is tailored to the specific needs of each astronaut, according to NASA. The entrepreneur from East London has racked up a large social media following Former Apprentice star Thomas Skinner has come under fire after appearing to hold his young daughter over a steaming pan in a recent viral video. The entrepreneur, from Romford in East London, appeared on season 15 of the BBC show in 2019 and has since racked up a large following on social media. Known for his strong Cockney accent and 'Bosh' catchphrase, the businessman often shows off his large breakfasts at Dino's cafe in Spitalfields. Last Saturday, he filmed himself making bacon sandwiches while hungover, and holding his twin daughters, Roma and Darla, in each arm. 'Happy Saturday you lovely, lovely people!' he announced, in the video posted on X, formerly Twitter. Tom said: 'Now, I've got a bit of a hangover, I was out all afternoon. The wife's fuming, she's gone out. But I want to wish you,a fantastic day. Go and smash it, I've got the bacon sarnies on.' Bouncing his children in the air, he added: 'I've got the twins here, have a blinder, be lucky, ahhhh bosh!' But despite his positive message, fans were more concerned that his daughter seemed perilously close to the boiling hot frying pan below. Former Apprentice star Thomas Skinner has come under fire after appearing to hold his young daughter over a steaming pan in a recent viral video Concerned viewers commented: 'Nearly fried your kid there mate. Careful'; 'Please can we just focus on the frying pan for a second rather than clout'; 'NGL mate the kid nearly ended up in the bacon sandwich there but know you are a good dad like the rest of us. BOSH'; 'Lovely but please don't wave the kids over a hot frying pan'; 'I thought that too. We love you Tom but omg be careful!'; 'Almost dropped my young children onto a boiling pan. Bosh'; 'This is scary. Could have gone really wrong,' one said, while another added it was 'really irresponsible'. 'Probably not the best look, publicly dangling two kids over a hot pan, whilst admitting you're hungover.' Thomas was quick to point out that not all was as it seems in the video, and claimed the cooking pan was 'at the other end of the island'. Last Saturday, Tom filmed himself making bacon sandwiches while hungover, and holding his twin daughters, Roma and Darla, in each arm He accompanied the video with his signature catchphrase, "Bosh!", but viewers were soon concerned for his daughter's safety He also admitted he had been out 'all afternoon' and was hungover while cooking up the treat The former Apprentice star claimed that the cooking pan was at the 'other end' of the island He explained: 'It just looks close on the video. But its not, probably about 3/4 of a foot behind her as if I would dangle me little girl other a hot pan. Thank you for the concern though.' Thomas was on season 15 of The Apprentice and reached week nine before he was fired by Lord Sugar, despite losing all his tasks. He welcomed his twins Roma and Darla in June 2023 with his wife Sinead, who keeps out of the public eye, and the couple also share a son Henry, born in November 2020. The Apprentice star missed the birth of his two babies due to work commitments in the U.S. and previously revealed Sinead shockingly 'nearly died' in labour and was forced to undergo an emergency caesarean section. Skinner claims he showed an entrepreneurial spirit from an early age, selling on the markets by the age of 16, and his business success to his 'streetwise' character Since appearing on The Apprentice, Thomas has appeared on shows such as 8 Out of 10 Cats and Celebrity MasterChef and is being tipped to appear on the next series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! The businessman has also garnered a large Twitter and Instagram following - all intrigued by his large and unusual breakfasts at Dino's Cafe in New Spitalfields Market. Among his unusual early morning feasts have been a shepherds pie, carbonara, and a full Christmas dinner. But despite his positive message, fans were more concerned that his daughter seemed perilously close to the boiling hot frying pan below Despite not winning The Apprentice, he has gone on to be one of the more successful candidates from his series and boasts an impressive following on social media, with more than 660,000 followers on Instagram, and 320,000 on X, formerly Twitter. After being fired from the show, he joked that it was his intention to fail the weekly tasks, so that he could spend time in the infamous cafe the candidates are exiled to to bicker about which one of them contributed the least. 'I'll tell you what, that cafe, they do blinding food and a blinding cuppa tea!' he told MailOnline after getting the chop. 'I wanted to keep going back there. Any excuse!' 'Look, I enjoyed myself. Those other people on the show, theyre fantastic people. I am still in touch with basically all of them. And I'd want to help them in every way that I can in the future. They really deserve to be there.' Since his time on the show, Thomas even set up Bosh Beds after the pandemic, which specialises in mattresses. However, he has previously admitted he isn't sure where his famous catchphrase actually came from. Speaking to Nigel Farage on GB News over a pint, Thomas explained the origins of his favoured phrase. He said: 'When I done the Apprentice, I ain't like a normal person who goes on the Apprentice, I'm a market trader from Romford. I went on the show, really really enjoyed it.' Thomas was on season 15 of The Apprentice and reached week nine before he was fired by Lord Sugar , despite losing all his tasks He has now built up a large social media following and documents himself eating large breakfasts Thomas is pictured with his wife Sinead, who keeps a low-profile on social media 'I didn't even know I said the word bosh before I went on the Apprentice. It's just a word we've always said... I don't know where it comes from! When I went on the telly, it became a trend and suddenly everyone's saying Bosh! all the time!' However, the bacon sandwich video isn't the first time he's been criticised for taking a relaxed approach to tasks, as he previously sparked outrage for filming a video while driving in heavy rain. Thomas filmed a motivational video while driving on the busy A13 in heavy rain. When contacted by MailOnline, Mr Skinner defended his actions, saying at the time: 'I wasn't going more than 10mph and the phone was on a cradle on the dashboard. 'I didn't touch it at all and my colleague who was in the van pressed the record button. It's no different from talking to a passenger in the front seat. I can assure you I didn't touch the phone at all.' When asked if he was aware he appeared to be undertaking Mr Skinner said: 'No, that was me in the filter lane coming off the A13.' Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more The Dubai chocolate bar has finally landed in Selfridges, and it's become the store's fastest-selling confectionary product ever. TikTok users would have to be living under a rock to not have witnessed celebrities and influencers taste testing the premium pistachio-filled chocolate bar, with #dubaichocolate currently having over 11 billion views on the platform. Now, luxury British retailer Selfridges has introduced the highly sought-after sweet treat in four different variations. The bar, filled with pistachio cream and crispy kataifi - shredded phyllo dough - and is inspired by a Middle Eastern dessert called knafeh, was first created by Dubai-based Sarah Hamouda. Hamouda created the bar during her pregnancy as a tribute to one of her favourite childhood deserts. Different kinds of the chocolate bar have popped up across the UK, with Morrisons, Aldi, and Lindt also releasing versions of the decadent treat. At Selfridges, shoppers can purchase four different versions, including a bar made in Dubai by Bateel (5) in pistachio and hazelnut flavours, larger bars from Godiva (25), Vivel (25), or Laderach's FrischSchoggi (10.50). Discussing the release, Andrew Bird, Selfridges Head of Food, said: 'Dubai Chocolate is the sweet-treat must-have for 2025; its flying off shelves. 'It's been hugely popular across social media and understandably, our customers have been desperate to try it and find out what the fuss is all about. We can't wait to see what they think of our new range!' Meanwhile, TikTok users have taken to the platform to show the variations they've purchased at different UK supermarkets. The UK has finally caught on to Dubai's famous chocolate bar, with Lindt introducing their version, as well as Selfridges and Lidl (pictured: UK-based TikTok user Kieran purchasing Lindt's version in Sainsburys) UK-based Kieran Slade located Lindt's version in Sainsburys, writing: 'I've been trying to find the Lindt Dubai chocolate bar in UK for ages but it's finally available in Sainsbury's, so be quick before it sells out!' Elsewhere, a user who goes by @vogue_of_phoenix, managed to snag a bar of Lidl's version in Switzerland - and told her followers there's a chance it's available in the UK. She told her followers: 'Run don't walk to Lidl'. Anni Olivia Tukeva from Stockholm also shared Lidl's version with her followers - and appeared impressed with the taste. TikTok user Anni (pictured) tried Lidl's variation of the famous chocolate bar - and appeared impressed Another TikTok user called Niky, who goes by @zazarich1, spotted a Dubai-style chocolate bar in Morrisons. Niky wrote alongside the caption: 'Guys, run to Morrisons [for] 5 chocolates'. Lindt released its 'Dubai style' chocolate bar inspired by the viral treat back in December. Stefan Bruderer, Master Chocolatier at Lindt & Sprungli said: 'We're always tapped into consumer trends. 'After we saw how well the Dubai chocolate craze went down on social media, we knew we had to get involved and put our very own twist on it.' Lindt's Dubai Style Chocolate is available in select stores across the UK, including Bicester Village, Leeds Trinity, McArthurGlen (Cheshire Oaks) and Bluewater, Dartford. In November, hundreds of shoppers queued up in the rain for hours in the western German city of Aachen to get their hands on the bar - with only 100 on offer. The most dedicated chocoholics said they travelled over 4,000 miles to get their hands on the sweet treat. British retailer Selfridges is selling the famous Dubai-inspired chocolate bar in multiple variations, including with hazelnut With their camping chairs and waterproof jackets in hand, customers entering the store were greeted with staff members in white chef outfits and offered a sample of the Dubai style chocolate. They were then ushered over to buy a single bar bearing a unique number to add an element of exclusivity. Speaking to the Independent after leaving the Lindt store in Aachen with the bar in hand, Zi Cheng Lai, 23, from Malaysia, said: 'It's a hype, a trend on social media, with people waiting in long lines. 'We want to try it out here and be part of it.' Elsewhere in Stuttgart, Leon Faehnle said: 'I waited 10 hours. I've been here since midnight just to taste this chocolate.' Tasting the viral bar in New York, Angelina told her followers on TikTok that it was a 'dream'. The London-based creator said the chocolate featured a swirl design that looked like 'a piece of art painted by Vincent Van Gogh' and was 'creamy milky perfection' that melted in her mouth. But Lindt can't take all the credit as the Dubai style chocolate was created in 2021 by British-Egyptian entrepreneur Sarah Hamouda. The Dubai-based businesswoman founded Fix Dessert Chocolate as a response to her pregnancy cravings and love of dessert, with 'Fix' standing for 'freaking incredible experience'. 'To be honest, not at any point did I think this was going to become global,' Sarah told CNN. 'It's insane what's been happening,' she added in response to the demand for the 'Can't Get Knafeh of it' bar from people all over the world. This is certainly apparent over on X, where people are issuing shout-outs to Dubai residents to help them source a bar. 'Whoever is travelling back from Dubai to London could you get me a fix dessert chocolatier chocolate bar cause I'm dying to try it,' wrote one fan. While another said: 'I need to go to Dubai and try Fix Dessert chocolates immediately.' And a third wrote: 'I'm gonna buy that fix dessert knafeh flavored chocolate bar once I get back to Dubai.' For Hamouda, creating Fix has been a labour of love. She said: 'We take a lot of time and effort, and put a lot of love into our bars. The streaming giant has a financial stake in Markle's As Ever business Netflix's Ted Sarandos said that Markle has been 'underestimated' Ted Sarandos, the co-CEO of Netflix, has broken his silence on Meghan Markle's future with the company following the mixed reception to her eight-part lifestyle series. With Love, Meghan was released earlier this month to brutal reviews from critics. It also underwhelmed in the ratings, delivering barely a quarter of the viewers hooked by her 2022 documentary series Harry & Meghan. Fellow Netflix stars have even taken to mocking the series, while the Duchess of Sussex has become a punching bag for some comedians. Despite this, the series has been renewed for a second season - with Netflix standing firmly behind the beleaguered royal. Speaking to Variety, Sarandos said that Markle has been 'underestimated' by many. He also admitted that Netflix has a stake in her lifestyle business As Ever, which sells the various products - from edible flowers to jams and tea - that are featured in her show. 'We're a passive partner in Meghan's company, and it's a big discovery model for us right now,' he said. Netflix's CEO has weighed in on the future of Meghan Markle's lifestyle series With Love, Meghan following the show's underwhelming reception 'I think Meghan is underestimated in terms of her influence on culture,' he continued. 'When we dropped the trailer for the "Harry & Meghan" doc series [in 2022], everything on-screen was dissected in the press for days. 'The shoes she was wearing sold out all over the world. The Hermes blanket that was on the chair behind her sold out everywhere in the world. People are fascinated with Meghan Markle. She and Harry are overly dismissed.' Netflix has already said that it will set aside space in two of their brand-new stores for Markle's As Ever products. The first of the As Ever stands will open in two of America's biggest retail center, the King of Prussia Mall in Philadelphia and the giant Dallas Galleria. But while details of products such as jam and pancake mix have emerged, the full range and price points have not. With Love, Meghan was watched by 526,000 households in the first five days it was available on Netflix since its release on March 4, according to data gathered by Samba TV. But by comparison, Harry & Meghan drew in 2.1 million households in approximately the same number of days - making it four times more successful. Ted Sarandos, the co-CEO of Netflix, is standing by Markle and said that she has been 'underestimated' and 'overly dismissed' Sarandos also admitted that Netflix has a stake in her lifestyle business As Ever, which sells the various products - from edible flowers to jams and tea - that are featured in her show With Love, Meghan was watched by more people aged between 45 to 54 than any other age group. Despite the disappointing reception to the series, With Love, Meghan, will return for a second season soon. The Duchess confirmed the news on Instagram, when she uploaded a post with the caption 'I'm thrilled to share that season two of With Love, Meghan is coming.' One Netflix insider with links to the commercial arm of the streaming giant previously told DailyMail.com that the negative reviews the show received had 'worried' bosses. And a new season does not mean her Netflix contract has been renewed, DailyMail.com's source said. With Love, Meghan was released earlier this month to brutal reviews from critics They explained, 'I know they filmed the shows back-to-back so in theory there is no second season its like with lots of Netflix shows it is already in the bag at the same time as the first one. 'What this does is allow edits to be made to the show from feedback from press and Netflix viewers. Its clever and cost effective. So no the overall contract hasnt been renewed yet.' The source added that bosses were 'worried' about the poor reviews - especially as they are a business partner in her lifestyle brand, which will launch in their bricks and mortar stores in the coming months. 'The industry bibles like The Hollywood Reporter and Variety are not keen on it', the insider said. 'Netflix bosses are all worried now because they have invested a lot in the product line. They don't know when and how to roll it all out.' A woman whose brother was brutally murdered has left the internet emotional after she revealed what his apartment looked like one year after the horrific killing... and it's even more heartbreaking than you can imagine. Chicago-based KaRita Meeks took to TikTok earlier this month to share a glimpse into her late brother Kenneth 'Kenny' Cunningham II's abode more than a year after he was tragically killed. She revealed that everything in his apartment had been untouched since his sudden death, with all of his beloved belongings still exactly as he left them. On the morning of his 40th birthday on January 5, 2024, Kenny was fatally shot outside of his Georgia apartment building. According to Fox 5 Atlanta, Donovan Carter, the ex of Kenny's girlfriend, was arrested for and charged with malice murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm afterwards. Per the outlet, Carter allegedly led Cunningham to believe that he was an Amazon delivery driver, and subsequently shot him multiple times. 'We can now confirm that the suspect did wear a costume to appear like they were a delivery driver,' Chuck McPhilamy of the Marietta Police Department told Fox 5 at the time. 'They did use that to then lure that victim out of their own residence and then subsequently shoot them to death.' On the morning of his 40th birthday on January 5, 2024, Kenneth (Kenny) Cunningham II was tragically murdered outside of his Georgia apartment His sister KaRita Meeks recently went viral after she revealed what his apartment looked like one year after the horrific killing... and all his belongings were exactly as he left them Carter was sentenced to life in prison without parole, plus an additional five years after being found guilty on four counts including malice and felony murder, per Newsweek. A year after the horrific ordeal, his sister has now gone viral thanks to her efforts to keep his legacy alive. 'Kenny was full of love and humor; small in frame, but mighty at heart,' Meeks told Newsweek recently. 'Any room he'd walk in, he'd light up with his smile along with his jokes. He was talented, a hard worker, and he loved his family.' On her TikTok account, she often makes videos in remembrance of her brother. Earlier this month, she shared a heartbreaking video of what Cunningham's apartment looked like one year after his murder, with all of his stuff still in their spots. She showed viewers his unmade bed and 'messy' bathroom, writing that everything was 'just as he had left it.' 'He planned to clean when he got home but never made it back,' Meeks typed in the video. 'He planned to clean when he got home but never made it back,' Meeks wrote in a now-viral TikTok showcasing her late brother's abode In the now-viral clip, Meeks then panned to a suitcase that he never had the chance to unpack, as well as various clothes strewn across the floor. Meeks told Newsweek that it was a very emotional experience being back in her brother's apartment. She revealed that her brother was supposed to pick her up from the airport on the day he was shot. 'We were supposed to be having a good time with family celebrating his birthday in that very apartment,' Meeks recalled to the outlet. Meeks said that visiting his space again was 'bittersweet.' 'It was also amusing to see how things were left - what was in his refrigerator and cabinets were true Kenny fashion,' she said. 'I would've definitely made fun of him if I had the chance; we would've laughed about it.' DailyMail.com reached out to Meeks for comment. In the comments section of her video, many users expressed their condolences, and even shared their own experiences with loss. 'Frozen bedrooms make me so sad sorry for your loss,' one person wrote. Another shared, 'The gym bag broke my heart.' 'I still smell my brother scent from his clothes,' someone else admitted. A commenter typed, 'Fly high Kenny. Thank you Lord that justice was served for this senseless crime.' Queen Maxima of the Netherlands exuded elegance as she attended a live musical performance in Kenya during her state visit tonight. The Dutch royal, 53, looked effortlessly chic in a stunning silk number on Wednesday as she set foot in the Marriot Hotel in Naivasha, Kenya, alongside her husband, King Willem-Alexander, 57. Today marked the second day of the Dutch state visit to the African nation, with the couple attending the musical performance in the company of Kenyan President William Ruto and his wife Rachel Ruto. Earlier in the day, the royal couple had a busy schedule, visiting a container depot and a sustainable Dutch flower farm. And as the day drew to a close, the mother-of-three slipped into her evening finery, commanding attention in a long chocolate brown dress from Valentino. She paired the modest yet glamorous gown with a stylish pair of gold sandals, which peaked out from beneath her flowing dress as she sat down to enjoy the show. She accessorised the look with a chunky gold and black necklace and an elegant thin-strap watch. Maxima wore her golden tresses in soft textured waves and sported a typically glamorous makeup look. The Dutch royal, 53, (pictured) looked effortlessly chic in a stunning silk number on Wednesday as she set foot in the Marriot Hotel in Naivasha, Kenya, alongside her husband, King Willem-Alexander, 57 (pictured together) Queen Maxima of the Netherlands exuded elegance as she attended a live musical performance in Kenya during her state visit tonight Maxima layered a flawless foundation base with a smoky eye and complexion enhancing nude lip. She looked the epitome of regal glamour as she stepped out at the hotel alongside her husband, Willem-Alexander, who looked equally dapper in a black suit and bow tie. The couple were joined in the company of the Kenyan President, President William Ruto and his wife Rachel Ruto. They were treated to a live musical performance, including from the American rock band, Fuse. Earlier today, Maxima was seen sporting a stunning paisley day dress during a visit this morning. She and her husband had a day filled with engagements, including visiting an Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Naivasha - which serves as an important collection location for dry export products. Later on in the day, the Dutch royal slipped into a lab coat to visit Florensis in Naivasha, a Dutch flower and bulbs company that is committed to sustainable and responsible floriculture. It comes just a day after the queen put on a show stopping display during a banquet in Nairobi on Tuesday night. Today marked the second day of the Dutch state visit to the African nation, with the couple attending the musical performance in the company of Kenyan President William Ruto and his wife Rachel Ruto (pictured) The couple were pictured smiling during the performance on Wednesday They were treated to a live musical performance, including from the American rock band, Fuse (pictured) Maxima arrived with her husband, for the state banquet at State House during the second day of their four day royal visit to Kenya. She looked glamorous in a royal blue long sleeved blouse which she paired with a gold skirt with a floral pattern. Maxima completed the show stopping ensemble with a sparkling tiara, known as the Dutch sapphire necklace tiara which featured blue diamonds, and matching earrings. The jewels came into the Dutch royal family in 1879 when the piece was gifted to Queen Emma of the Netherlands. The necklace was transformed into a tiara in 2009 by Dutch jewellers Steltmann, with additional sapphires taken from from Queen Wilhelmina's dismantled Sapphire Parure. Maxima accessorised with other sapphire jewels, including a bracelet, ring and the Dutch sapphire bow brooch, which was pinned to the waistband of her skirt, it features a large emerald-cut sapphire surrounded by white diamonds. The royal styled her blonde locks in a chic updo and her glamorous makeup enhanced her flawless complexion. Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander visited Florensis in Naivasha, a Dutch flower and bulbs company, pictured Earlier today, the royal couple had a busy schedule, visiting a container depot and a sustainable Dutch flower farm The Dutch flower and bulbs company that is committed to sustainable and responsible floriculture Queen Maxima of The Netherlands dazzled in blue and gold ensemble as she attended a state banquet in Nairobi on Tuesday King Willem-Alexander looked dapper in a smart black tuxedo which he completed with a white shirt and a bow tie. The lavish evening was hosted by President William Ruto of Kenya and First Lady Rachel Ruth. Today, the royal couple were up bright and early after their lavish evening to visit the Inland Container Depot in Naivasha. Maxima opted for a more relaxed look for the outing as she oozed confidence in a breezy long sleeved shirt dress, which featured a colourful pattern. She completed her look with a chunky beige belt which cinched her waist and a chic straw hat. The royal swept her blonde locks back off her face and accessorised with hoop earrings. The Dutch king looked smart in a beige suit which he paired with a blue shirt and a purple tie. The couple visited an inland container depot (ICD), which is a major storage facility for dry export products, a Dutch horticultural business and later in the afternoon the King and Queen will host a cultural programme. The couple also visisted the sanctuary park at the Naivash lage Maxima wore a stunning paisley frock on Wednesday Today, the royal couple were up bright and early after their lavish evening to visit the Inland Container Depot in Naivasha She completed the show stopping ensemble with a sparkling tiara, known as the Dutch sapphire necklace tiara which featured blue diamonds, and matching earrings The Dutch royal, 53, looked typically regal as she stepped out with her husband, King Willem-Alexander for the state banquet at State House during the second day of their four day royal visit to Kenya The lavish evening was hosted by President William Ruto of Kenya and First Lady Rachel Ruth It comes after Maxima looked sophisticated as she stepped out with her husband King Willem-Alexander in a red cape dress. The royal couple attended a welcome ceremony at the presidential palace in Nairobi, as part of their four-day state visit hosted by President William Ruto of Kenya and First Lady Rachel Ruth. Maxima looked typically regal as she donned a glamorous red cape dress which featured a feather detailing. She completed the chic look with a wide brimmed hat, matching red stilettos and she added a bit more glamour with silver drop earrings. King Willem-Alexander looked smart in a navy suit which he paired with a yellow tie and white shirt. The Dutch royal visit is set to focus on key areas such as trade, security, climate action, and youth empowerment, reinforcing the long-standing partnership between Kenya and the Netherlands. After the warm welcome the royal couple will attend the signing of Memoranda of Understanding on tourism, trade, security, agriculture and fisheries. Later in the day King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior before they will take part in a tree-planting ceremony. King Willem-Alexander looked dapper in a smart black tuxedo which he completed with a white shirt and a bow tie Maxima opted for a more relaxed look for the outing as she oozed confidence in a breezy long sleeved shirt dress, which featured a colourful pattern The couple visited an inland container depot (ICD), which is a major storage facility for dry export products, a Dutch horticultural business and later in the afternoon the King and Queen will host a cultural programme She completed her look with a chunky beige belt which cinched her waist and a chic straw hat King Willem-Alexander looked smart in a navy suit which he paired with a yellow tie and white shirt President Ruto is campaigning to grow 15 billion trees by 2032 to increase the country's forest cover and help combat climate change. Kenya currently leads the way in Africa in climate adaptation and mitigation. It hosted the first Africa Climate Summit in 2023. Over the next few days they are scheduled to visit the Supreme Court where they will hold talks with Chief Justice Martha Koome and other leading figures in the justice sector, particularly women. They will visit the International Peace Support Training Centre, the King and Queen will also hear about initiatives for combating violent extremism. On their final day, the state visit will close with a reception for the Dutch community. At the ambassador's official residence, the King and Queen will speak with Dutch nationals who live and work in Kenya. The Swedish royals gathered at Stockholm's Royal Palace on Wednesday night The Swedish royals were out in full force on Wednesday evening as they attended the annual Representatives Dinner in Stockholm. Crown Princess Victoria, 47, led the way in a stunning floral gown, and was accompanied at the Royal Palace in the Swedish capital by her husband Prince Daniel, 51, and her younger brother Prince Carl Philip. Victoria and Carl's parents, King Carl XVI Gustaf, 78, and Queen Silvia, 81, were also present, along with 150 guests representing a wide range of fields, including the diplomatic corps, parliament, government, sport, business and culture. The theme of the evening seemed to be springtime florals as Victoria, her mother the Queen, and Princess Christina all wore themed dresses to welcome in the warmer weather gracing Europe after a cold winter. The heir to the Swedish throne Victoria looked magnificent in an intricately embroidered gown, which appears to be one of her best-loved garments. Not only did the mother-of-two choose to wear the gorgeous dress by Swedish couturier Frida Jonsvens for an official portrait to mark her and Daniel's 10th wedding anniversary in June 2020, she also selected the Wildflower Gown for a state dinner in November 2021. On Wednesday evening, Victoria showcased her hourglass figure in the elegant multi-coloured gown, patterned with delicate flowers and featuring a cinched-waist and long sleeves. She wore her chestnut brown hair brushed back into an elegant chignon and accessorised with a striking, two-tier diamond tiara. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden pictured with her brother Prince Carl Philip (left) and husband Prince Daniel (right) For the formal occasion, Victoria added a pale blue sash, which is believed to represent membership of the Royal Order of the Seraphim, Sweden's highest-ranking order of chivalry. The royal kept her make-up relatively simple for the state dinner, adding a smoky eye, bronzer and a slick of lipstick. Prince Daniel, meanwhile, was dressed in white tie attire, featuring a tailcoat suit and gleaming bowtie. His jacket was adorned with several medals and badges, and he also wore the blue sash. Similarly, Prince Carl Philip, 45, looked dapper in his white tie attire along with the pale blue sash. Victoria linked arms with her brother and her husband to pose for photographs in the opulent rooms of the Royal Palace, while the King and Queen of Sweden, who will this year celebrate their 48th wedding anniversary, posed separately. Like her daughter, Queen Silvia also re-wore one of her favourite gowns for Wednesday's state dinner. She was first pictured in the full-length, sequinned dress in July 2017 at the 80th birthday celebration of Prince Max of Bavaria. King Carl XVI Gustaf , 78, and Queen Silvia , 81, were also present Belted at the waist and with long, blouson sleeves, the elaborate, beaded gown combined shades of silver, purple and black. Silvia wore her brown hair in a classic blow dry and added a tiara featuring blue sapphires and diamonds, which matched her statement earrings. Silvia's husband, King Carl XVI Gustaf, was dressed like his son and son-in-law in formal white tie, complete with the pale blue sash. Also in attendance was one of Carl Gustaf's four sisters, Princess Christina, 81, and her husband Tord Magnuson, 83. Christina looked elegant in a flowing black dress, which she accessorised with a lightweight, floral jacket. She also wore a diamond tiara in her hair while her husband was immaculate his three piece suit featuring a white bowtie. The members of Sweden's royal family reportedly greeted guests in the White Sea Room of the Royal Palace of Stockholm, before everyone took their seats for dinner in Karl XIs Gallery. March has been a busy and varied month for Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden. Just last week, she appeared in royal blue military regalia for the celebrations to mark her name day. Victoria showcased her hourglass figure in an elegant, multi-coloured gown by Swedish couturier Frida Jonsvens The royal looked immaculate in her uniform as she stepped out of the Royal Palace in Stockholm to celebrate her annual Name Day on Wednesday, March 12. According to Swedish tradition, various names are associated with certain dates, and Crown Princess Victoria's is celebrated on March 12. The Swedish heir sported a full navy blue suit to honour her military contributions, slipping into a double breasted jacket with striking gold buttons and a Swedish flag emblazoned on the shoulder. At one stage, Victoria was pictured standing on a podium outside the palace and military personnel stood to attention. The Princess - who is currently undertaking her special officer training (SOFU), a training course for employees in the Armed Forces - was pictured saluting merrily at well wishers who had gathered to celebrate. The Swedish Armed Forces have been attending the Crown Princess's name day with a ceremony in the inner court of the palace since the early 1990s. It has long been part of Swedish tradition for royals to have a day dedicated to their celebration. Also in attendance was one of Carl Gustaf's four sisters, Princess Christina, 81, and her husband Tord Magnuson, 83 (pictured) As influenced by the Christian tradition of saints day, Swedes have different names associated with specific calendar days. Victoria's actual birthday lands in July, where the family typically gather at Solliden Palace in Oland. As such, she instead celebrates the day in March when the family are present in the capital. Her name day, which is always on March 12, therefore serves as a birthday celebration for the royal. According to the tradition, Victoria goes to the royal palace in the capital where she greets well wishers and is awarded a military presentation in her honour. A young father-of-six who has been diagnosed with an ultra-rare skin disease has been given just six months to live as his body is overwhelmed with painful lesions. Ryan Becker, a lawyer from Spokane, Washington, has been battling the undiagnosed skin disorder for over three months. It is getting dramatically worse by the day and baffled medical professionals at America's top hospitals. His illness hasn't just affected his body; it has also impacted his mental clarity and decision-making, he and his wife told DailyMail.com. Dating back to June of last year, he began feeling extremely fatigued almost all the time and had begun developing serious acne on his back. By January, he'd developed the first major sore on his leg, which started out red but soon morphed into a terrifying black. As of Wednesday last week, 40 to 50 percent of his skin was covered in sores. In just the last several days, he has developed five more wounds on his stomach, at the top of his right arm, and on the palms of his hands. The first wound in January coincided with a major personality shift, according to Mikkel Becker, his wife of one year. At that time, he lost $25,000 of her retirement money by purchasing Tesla stock option contracts that went bust after 'Elon sent a tweet,' Ryan explained. Ryan Becker and his wife Mikkel are pictured with their kids at Disney World. Soon after this, he would get his first skin sore Dermatologists believe Ryan, 38, has a never-before-seen form of pyoderma gangrenosum, a disorder that typically leaves sores only on the legs. He has developed sores on his arms, back, chest, stomach and even the on the palms of his hands 'January is when Ryan started to do dumb stuff he would never have done, like gambling my retirement [on a risky investment],' said Mikkel, who has a four-month-old baby named Atlas with Ryan. Then that's the day that one of the first sores on his legs showed up. Dermatologists say their best guess is that Ryan, 38, has a never-before-seen form of pyoderma gangrenosum, a disorder that typically leaves sores only on the legs and is treatable with steroid therapy. But neither is true for Ryan. The sores have spread to nearly every corner of his body and doctors have not been able to find an effective form of treatment for him, even as he reports being in agony for large portions of the day. Mikkel said his sores cause him 'burn victim level pain.' She added that nearly all the doctors they've seen have been shocked by his sheer number of ulcers and the severity of them. Everywhere we go with Ryan, doctors are in shock, awe and horror. I mean, they cant hide it on their faces. They're trained to not show any expression, but when they see Ryan, it's just like, Oh my god, Mikkel said, adding that they often go and get second, third and even fourth opinions from their colleagues. He sought help at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and a Johns Hopkins-affiliated hospital in Washington, D.C., but still remains without answers he desperately seeks. Although his prognosis is still unknown given that pyoderma gangrenosum remains poorly understood by scientists Johns Hopkins gave Ryan the grim prediction in February that he likely has six months to live. Ryan said his latest test results have led the heartbroken family to believe that he's going to die 'a slow, painful death.' 'There's no cases that any of the dermatologists that I've talked to that have seen it spread to the legs, the torso and the arms,' he said. Ryan's sores first show up as red marks on his skin. They then get raised and blister before popping After that, the sores become necrotic, meaning its essentially a mass of dead skin And with each new sore that appears, he goes through the same grueling process each time. So what happens is, they get red, they get raised, they blister, then they pop, then they go necrotic, Mikkel said. When skin or any other tissue enters a 'necrotic' state, it essentially means that the cells have died due to a lack of blood flow. This is also when the skin turns dark black and almost looks like frost bite. Necrosis can be extremely painful and presents with symptoms such as a fever, sensations of 'crackling' under the skin, and brain fog. Ryan freely admits that in his case, it has gone far beyond brain fog or just normal confusion. Even though the first sores appeared in early January, it wasn't until early February when Mikkel realized it was time to go to the emergency room. I woke up to him having a seizure in the bed. And I'm trying to stop him from hitting his head on the bed. And his hands are flailing everywhere and he, you know, accidentally punches me in the face, Mikkel said. At this time, he had also developed a chest wound 'in the shape of a heart,' Mikkel said. Ryan said he doesnt remember that seizure at all, but Mikkel said he started having them during their family trip to Disney World from December 31 to January 7. Ryan Becker is pictured in a hotel room ahead of his visit to the Mayo Clinic with his wife Mikkel and four-month-old baby Atlas Once at the Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, the couple said Ryan was loaded up with a massive cocktail of drugs. They say he was given corticosteroids intravenously, a treatment typically given to deal with inflammation. Experts also say that high doses of these types of steroids can lead to psychosis. I was definitely in a state of acute psychosis,' Ryan said. I was like, I must have murdered someone or something I thought all the nurses were involved in it, that it was a sting operation, that I was gonna go to sleep, and they were gonna arrest me. But then also, my parents were into organized crime. Mikkel and Ryan both said he believed Mikkel was an FBI agent and that his stepdaughter Reagan was a CIA agent. After that, Ryan said he agreed to be given Dilaudid, an opioid weaker than fentanyl but stronger than morphine, and Haldol, a powerful antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia. 'They kept me sleeping, at least I thought they did. Apparently, I sleep-walked,' he said. Over the last month, Ryan and Mikkel have been traveling around the country searching for a cure to his unusually aggressive disease. Their baby has been with them every step of the way Mikkel said that while she appreciated the doctors' efforts at the hospital in their home city, she fears their treatment was below what was needed given the severity of his condition. Ryan and Mikkel thought their fortunes had turned around when the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota squeezed them in. But according to them, their arrival at the world-renowned health facility was the start of an entirely new nightmare when he wasn't taken seriously. The couple say doctors began making suggestions that weren't true, and it was briefly believed he was suffering from factitious disorder, better known as Munchausen syndrome, a condition where someone intentionally harms themselves to gain attention or affection. 'They completely stopped treating me,' he said, which he said included heavily reducing his course of painkillers. 'A resident said, "So we believe you've been using substances... and you're causing these wounds yourself. So, we're going to go ahead and discharge you. 'I'm like, "How in the world do you think I'm causing these wounds by scratching myself?"' Ryan recalled saying. Mikkel said they had to jump through a lot of hoops to get the misunderstanding corrected, and their version of events was solidified when Ryan's urine test came back negative for drugs. Ryan reports having extreme pain from the sores on his body as well as fatigue dating back to June of last year, before he even had any breakouts on his skin She also said she had to repeatedly tell doctors that she was with her husband 24/7 and would know if his wounds were self-inflicted. When asked about Ryan's experiences, the Mayo Clinic declined to comment, citing patient privacy concerns. After two weeks at the Mayo Clinic, the couple along with their baby got on another plane bound for Johns Hopkins Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, D.C. Doctors at the hospital, which partners with the National Institute of Health's Undiagnosed Diseases Program, did not believe Ryan had factitious disorder or had a drug problem, the couple said. That much was a comfort, they said, but their trip to Johns Hopkins yielded no more answers to why Ryan's case of pyoderma gangrenosum is so unusually aggressive or why he is one of the few patients with the disease who could die from it. There's also no indication of what causes his sores to appear, though scientists who have studied the disease suspect it could be autoimmune-related. The uncertainty that surrounds every aspect of Ryan's fast-progressing disease is what spurred them to travel across the country to the top medical institutions. That has also had the downside of taking Ryan and Mikkel out of the workforce, which will threaten their access to their employer-sponsored health plans in the coming months. To deal with Ryan's ongoing medical bills, the family has set up a GoFundMe that has raised more than $33,000 so far Ryan works as a commercial plans examiner for Spokane County. He was originally under the impression that he'd have to return full-time by April 1, otherwise, he'd have to pay roughly $3,000 per month for COBRA coverage. His job has since worked out a deal with him that it will keep his family's benefits intact through August as long as they contribute to the health plan. Ryan doesn't have only himself to worry about. He has six children ranging from a four-month-old son to a 17-year-old daughter who need health coverage too. On top of possibly losing coverage, he recently received an unexpected medical bill from the Mayo Clinic. It sent Ryan a letter stating that his stay was not covered by his health insurance and that he would be responsible for his remaining balance of $100,000. Ryan is afraid that Johns Hopkins will do the same thing, though he hasn't received any denial of coverage correspondence from them yet. So far, the family has raised more than $33,000 on GoFundMe. On Tuesday night, Ryan and Mikkel were on their way to Portland from their home in Spokane to see one of the world's foremost experts on pyoderma gangrenosum. Ryan and Mikkel are currently on their way to see Dr. Alex Ortega-Loayza (pictured) who is one of the world's foremost experts on pyoderma gangrenosum Dr. Alex Ortega-Loayza is a dermatologist at the Oregon Health & Science University Hospital, where he assembled a team of scientists, biostatisticians, and clinicians to specifically study pyoderma gangrenosum. Ryan is scheduled to see Dr. Ortega this week. In the meantime, Ryan and Mikkel haven't lost their optimism or sense of humor, with the couple joking that he has 'zombie skin,' a fear he eerily predicted on his Bumble profile back in the day. 'I think we met on Bumble, right? He had on there, what's your greatest fear? Mikkel explained. And he said, Mikkel started before Ryan interjected, to have a condition that causes a zombie apocalypse to be named after me. Now he's like, Oh my God, my skin is like zombie skin now! Mikkel said. Spring breakers are being warned over a fast-spreading disease that could be life-threatening. In an emergency notice, the CDC raised the alarm over dengue fever saying the US and Americas region is seeing high transmission, with nearly 1,000 cases reported across 21 states already this year. A record number of infected travelers - nearly 4,000 - returned to the US in 2024. And just as the spring travel season kicks off, popular destinations like the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Mexico, are experiencing high transmission of the illness, with Mexico recording 20,000 cases already this year. The disease is spread when infected mosquitoes bite people, and it causes fever, headache and rash in most cases. In severe cases, the disease develops into dengue shock syndrome, which can trigger heavy bleeding from the nose, gums or under the skin and pain behind the eyes. It is rare for dengue to turn into a severe disease, but when it does about one in 100 patients do not survive. This rises to 20 percent if someone does not get treatment. There's no specific medicine for dengue fever, with treatment instead relying on keeping patients hydrated and relieving pain. The CDC issued a warning to avoid mosquito bites, such as wearing insect repellent and long-sleeved clothing and told doctors to be 'suspicious' for the virus in patients who had recently returned from abroad and were suffering from a high fever. Just as the spring travel season kicks off, popular destinations like the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Mexico , are experiencing high transmission of dengue fever In the emergency notice, officials said: 'Dengue virus transmission remains high in the Americas region, including in the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 'Spring and summer travel coincide with the peak season for dengue in many countries, increasing the risk of both travel-associated and locally acquired cases in the United States.' About 173million Americans travel for spring break in March and April. In Puerto Rico, infections have surged this year compared to the same period last year with 861 cases already recorded. In the US Virgin Islands, 30 people have already tested positive for the disease. Across the US, 985 cases of dengue fever have been reported in 24 states and jurisdictions. And there have been 97 cases reported in the continental US associated with travel. Florida has reported the most cases at 42, followed by California with 10 cases and New York with six cases. It was not clear where the infected travelers had returned to the US from. The CDC said in its alert: 'This trend is expected to continue with increased dengue activity in endemic areas in 2025.' Dengue cases in travelers returning to the US surged in 2024, with officials fearing this year could be no different There was also an uptick in locally-acquired infections, particularly in Florida and California The above map shows states where dengue fever has been detected in travelers so far this year Your browser does not support iframes. Experts say dengue cases are rising due to the El Nino phenomenon which leads to unusually hot sea surface temperatures causing more rainfall and a longer mosquito breeding season in the Americas. Climate change leading to longer periods of warmer weather is also thought to be driving the increase in cases and allowing mosquitoes to spread to new areas. Officials warn approximately just one in four dengue patients are symptomatic, with their infection diagnosed via a PCR test. The virus is particularly dangerous for infants under one year old, pregnant women and adults over 65 years old. Worldwide, there were 13million cases reported in 2024, nearly three times the tally for 2023, and 8,200 deaths, up 240 percent over the previous 12 months. As of March 6 this year, there were 760,000 dengue cases globally a 15 percent increase compared to the five-year average. A coroner has warned pet owners to beware of the deadly risks of an animal's lick after a 49 year-old father-of-two was killed by an infection he caught from his dog's saliva. Craig Jones, from Dublin, was found purple-coloured and cold by his wife a short while after his pet beagle licked an open wound on his leg in December 2022. He was rushed to hospital where medics treated him for sepsis, a life-threatening immune system reaction to an infection. However, he didn't respond to treatment and, after suffering six cardiac arrests, he died the following day of sepsis-related organ failure. Further tests revealed the likely infection that prompted the deadly reaction was one commonly found in the mouths of dogs. Mr Jones suffered severe psoriasis, a long-lasting skin condition, where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin cells. This can cause scaly patches as well as open cuts and sores on the skin. A corner warned people about letting pets lick their skin after a man, described as 'fit as a fiddle', died following an affection lap from his pet beagle. Stock image It is suspected that the lethal pathogen entered Mr Jones' bloodstream after his 'affectionate' dog's tongue came into contact with an open psoriasis wound. Consultant microbiologist at Connolly Hospital, Dr Eoghan ONeill, told the inquest that the culprit bug details of which were not revealed in local reports infects humans on 'extremely rare' occasions occurring in around 1 per million people. But when this happens, it can be extremely dangerous, he added. 'Its a very progressive bug which has a 33 per cent mortality rate once it enters the bloodstream,' he said. Capnocytophaga canimorsus is one bacteria that's known to be carried by animals and fatal in humans. While normally transmitted by dog bites, it can be spread by a lick on an open wound. The inquest also heard that Mr Jones was especially vulnerable to infections due to his psoriasis medication, which works by surpressing the immune system. Sepsis is life-threatening but if caught early it is treatable. Children with sepsis can have breathing difficulties, fits, be lethargic, have a rash that does not fade when you put a glass to it and babies can struggle to feed He also had his spleen, an organ which helps remove pathogens in the blood, removed when was 24. Mr Jones's family told the court that, despite these ailments, Mr Jones was 'fit as a fiddle' and ran 10km everyday. Coroner Crona Gallagher concluded that Mr Jones had died from sepsis resulting from an infection that was probably transmitted by a family pet. She urged the public to 'observe good hygiene' around pets, particularly if they have cuts or broken skin. In 2016, British medics reported the tale of a 70-year-old woman who contracted Capnocytophaga canimorsus from her Italian greyhound and ended up with multiple organ failure. Like Mr Jones, she developed deadly sepsis but survived after antibiotic treatment proved successful. Her case is one of only a dozen or so reported in the UK. One 2014 study from Japan found Capnocytophaga canimorsus was present in 69 percent of dogs and 54 percent of cats tested. Most healthy people infected with the bacteria are likely to make a full recovery with antibiotics, but it is considered dangerous for patients with compromised immune systems. Symptoms, which are generally flu-like, usually appear within one to eight days, peaking on the second day. Could you have ADHD? A simple two minute test used by the NHS could help spot signs of the behavioural disorder. Developed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and experts from Harvard Medical School, the screening tool is comprised of 18 questions that ask about a participant's attention span, level of restlessness and organisation skills. Those who score above a certain threshold can then be referred for further specialist assessment. The test, called the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) Symptom Checklist, is endorsed by NHS organisations, charities and clinicians in both Britain and the US. It comes as Oxford University came under fire for controversially marking almost every student it screened for ADHD as having the condition, granting them extra time in exams. Meanwhile, there are increasing fears that the disorder is being overdiagnosed with studies finding prescriptions for ADHD drugs have soared year-on-year in a trend which has been partly blamed on social media websites like TikTok. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has also warned that doctors are 'overdiagnosing' mental health conditions in general and that 'too many people being written off'. The WHO checklist is split into two sections, Part A and Part B. Part A consists of six questions that data suggests are the most accurate in predicting if someone has ADHD. It includes queries like 'How often do you have problems remembering appointments or obligations?' and 'How often do you fidget or squirm with your hands or feet when you have to sit down for a long time?'. Stock image A score of four or more in this section indicates 'the patient has symptoms highly consistent with ADHD in adults and further investigation is warranted. Pictured a version of the test hosted by the NHS Part A consists of six questions considered to be the most accurate in predicting if someone has ADHD. It includes questions like 'how often do you have problems remembering appointments or obligations?' and 'how often do you fidget or squirm with your hands or feet when you have to sit down for a long time?' Possible answers range from 'never' to 'very often'. Scores differ per question, answering 'sometimes' will generate one point for some whilst others require a person to answer at least 'often' to score. A total of four or more indicates that 'the patient has symptoms highly consistent with ADHD in adults and further investigation is warranted'. Part B consists of 12 other questions, which can be used by a clinician to discuss potential symptoms with a patient. Examples of Part B questions include: 'How often do you make careless mistakes when you have to work on a boring or difficult project?' and 'how often do you find yourself talking too much when you are in social situations?'. An online version of the ASRS checklist, hosted by the charity ADHD UK, can be taken here. How ADHD is determined has come under the spotlight following news that almost every Oxford student screened for the condition was marked as having it after a 90-minute-assessment by an unqualified expert Fascinating graphs show how ADHD prescriptions have risen over time, with the patient demographic shifting from children to adults with women in particular now driving the increase Eligible patients can then be invited to an ADHD assessment with a clinician for further investigations. This can involve exploring if another condition, like autism or depression, could be responsible for some of the symptoms. According to the NHS, adults can only be diagnosed with ADHD if they have had symptoms since childhood. The NHS says if a patient cannot recall if they had signs of the disorder as a child a clinician may ask to see old school records, or interview parents and former teachers. But respected experts have previously told MailOnline that this diagnostic system is incredibly open to interpretation, particularly in the private sector. They have warned many troubles that could prompt an ADHD diagnosis such as difficulty maintaining attention at work or being distracted easily are experiences most people have. University College London's Professor Joanna Moncrieff previously told MailOnline ADHD diagnosis in adults has become 'nebulous and elastic'. One psychiatrist in one service can think almost everyone has it while another psychiatrist in another service thinks very few people have it,' she said. Former Bake Off host Sue Perkins (left) last year shared that she had been diagnosed and that 'suddenly everything made sense - to me and those who love me'. Love Island's Olivia Atwood (right) said ADHD made her 'constantly overwhelmed' The criteria for ADHD are subjective and we all have the symptoms of ADHD to one extent or another. This concept of ADHD has got out there and everyone is reinterpreting their difficulties in the light this new idea, Im not bored and dont like my job, I have ADHD'. ADHD is defined as a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that has a direct negative impact on academic, occupational, or social functioning. The Royal College of Psychiatrists states that ADHD affects an estimated three to four in every 100 adults. However, there have been growing concerns that the condition could be being overdiagnosed in Britain. Rising interest in ADHD diagnoses is thought to have been partly fuelled by celebrities such as model Katie Price, Love Island star Olivia Attwood and actress Sheridan Smith talking about their own experiences It comes as concerning research earlier this week warned that trendy apps and social media influencers could be driving a surge in diagnoses. Prescriptions for drugs to treat the condition have jumped almost a fifth year-on-year since the pandemic, experts found. At the same time social media sites like TikTok and Instagram that promote everyday problems as potential ADHD symptoms have sowed the seed for 'misinformation' encouraging people to seek diagnosis, the scientists said. While many experts have raised concern about rising diagnoses of ADHD, others have urged caution. They highlight that ADHD was only officially listed in the UK as a disorder that can affect adults in 2008. Before then, it was just recognised as a childhood problem that kids grew out of. As a result, rather than being over diagnosed, some claim many adults are now being rightly told they have ADHD after having their symptoms dismissed for years. A Vanity Fair writer has revealed his eyewatering salary during the magazine's heyday, detailing the shocking six-figure sum that allowed him to work from home part-time and rub shoulders with A-list celebrities. Bryan Burrough, a longtime correspondent with the magazine and an author of several novels, detailed his time with Vanity Fair for a piece reviewing the new book of the magazine's former editor Graydon Carter for The Yale Review. Burrough admitted that once the popular fashion zine became a fixture of culture in the 90s, his peak salary hit a whopping $498,141 for just three articles a year, earning him over $166,00 per story. 'Yes, I realized it was obscene. I took it with a grin,' Burrough wrote. He explained that his contract was for three articles each at around 10,000 words. Burrough added that every few articles he wrote were optioned for movies, earning him an additional $15,000 to $25,000, with some even touching another six figures. Burrough said he enjoyed the luscious sum for 25 years and was 'treated like a prince' every time he stepped into the office. He even met with Robert De Niro for an adaptation of his piece on a woman who conned multiple high-profile men. 'You havent lived until youve sat across from Robert De Niro on a film set as he reads your own words back to you,' Burrough confessed. Bryan Burrough (pictured at the Vanity Fair New Establishment Summit) released a stunning new article revealing the shocking lives of writers in the 90s and their jaw-dropping salaries Burrough wrote about his time with Vanity Fair as he reviewed a new book by the magazine's former editor Graydon Carter (pictured) in a piece for The Yale Review Burrough revealed the luxurious lifestyles of Vanity Fair writers during the 90s and early 2000s, detailing their six-figure salaries, posh parties, and celebrity interactions 'I am aware of peers who did just as well. Nowadays, though, such windfalls are a distant memory. Today, for a rare magazine article, Im lucky to receive two dollars a word, or $20,000 for that same ten-thousand-word story,' he said. Adding to the posh salary, Vanity Fair writers also received jaw-dropping staff perks including free breakfast, dinner parties on the company dollar, and town cars ready to take them anywhere they wanted to go. Burrough was even put up in a Four Seasons hotel in Sydney and stayed at the famous five-star hotel, Claridge's in London. He revealed that some editors received interest-free loans to buy new houses, and Conde Nast, Vanity Fair's parent company, even covered the moving costs. 'Cash advances were a signature away. There was an eyebrow lady who swanned in to tweeze everyones brows,' Burrough added. In addition to the lavish lifestyle, Burrough worked remotely, rarely attended meetings, and was frequently treated to expensive lunches with his editor. Burrough started with the magazine in 1992 and was one of the first writers hired by Carter during his 25-year stint. He recalled the origins of Vanity Fair's coveted Oscar gala, which debuted in 1994 at Morton's steak house on Melrose. Burrough, seen here pictured with screenwriter Ann Biderman, revealed that his articles for Vanity Fair were frequently optioned for movies and he was invited to multiple events with A-listers during the magazine's golden era Burrough detailed the lavish lifestyles of Vanity Fair writers under Carter's direction, seen here with Vogue editor Anna Wintour The debut affair included a guest list of Nancy Reagan, Gene Hackman, Donald Sutherland, Diane von Furstenberg, Robert De Niro, Prince, and Tom Cruise. 'Once, I took a friend, a civilian, and she ended up stuck in a cramped hallway chest to chest with Warren Beatty. I had to beg her not to touch De Niros backside,' Burrough joked. He was even seated one year behind Gwen Stefani and got a glimpse of Cameron Crowe, Martin Scorsese, and Steven Spielberg walking together. During his tenure at the magazine, Burrough wrote a popular piece titled Storm Warning that detailed a yacht race gone wrong when a violent storm killed six sailors, with billionaire Larry Ellison named as one of the survivors. He also tracked down a woman befriending male celebrities via phone for The Miranda Obsession and traveled to the South of France where a serial killer was seemingly inspired by the paintings of Salvador Dali. Tickets to the Vanity Fair Oscar Party were highly coveted and A-listers were frequently in attendance, with celebrities like Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes gracing the guest list in 2007 Burrough revealed in his latest piece that Vanity Fair writers were often in the same room with celebrities and A-listers Burrough admitted that working for Carter was 'glorious' and 'enormously exciting' as the former editor sparred no expense while in charge of the magazine, throwing lavish parties and dinners graced by various celebrities, including actress Nicole Kidman 'It was glorious. Not because I felt the work was important but because the work was so enormously exciting. I was crafting narratives that I was genuinely curious to exploreand I had unlimited resources to do so,' Burrough reminisced. The glory days came to a harsh end for Burrough and the rest of the staff when a new wave of digital journalism halted the glamour of the magazine industry. Burrough opened up about the moment calls from Carter stopped after he cried in his office and begged to be taken off an assignment. Carter's new memoir, When the Going Was Good: An Editor's Adventures During the Last Golden Age of Magazine, details this historic period with the magazine. CNN black sheep Scott Jennings exploded on former Biden advisor Neera Tanden during a tense on-air clash last night about January 6 and Elon Musk. Jennings was condemning the recent attacks against Tesla cars and dealerships because of owner Elon Musk's work for President Trump when Tanden accused him of hypocrisy, referencing the January 6 riots in the Capitol. 'So when they do it to a Tesla dealership, it's really bad. But when they do it to the halls of congress, we should pardon them. Is that your position?' Tandon asked wryly. An irate Jennings replied, asking if he could 'educate' Tanden on his position. He tried to explain that he did not condone them, but she cut him off. 'You don't need to patronize me. I'm just asking you a question. I'm sorry you're getting emotional.' With that, Jennings unleashed fury. 'I'm sorry you're a condescending person who hasn't been paying attention to what I do here. I didn't support what happened on January 6... I don't support the pardons,' he fumed. CNN black sheep Scott Jennings had a tense exchange with former Democratic advisor T Anchor John Berman was forced to interfere as the pundits clashed The unknown suspect set the three cars ablaze on Tuesday morning at a Tesla Collision Center in Las Vegas , Nevada Jennings went back to defending Musk, saying the attacks against him and Tesla are 'outrageous.' 'These people that were doing this need to be found, put in jail and made an example of.' Tanden agreed that 'anyone who commits violence against Tesla or Congress - or anyone else - should be put in jail.' 'But that should not stifle dissent or opposition to Elon Musk,' she added. 'People are legitimately upset...' The pundits' clash came after a row of Teslas were set on fire in Las Vegas, in the latest attack against the electric vehicle company. In a similar fashion, the FBI in Kansas City said on Tuesday that they are investigating an incident that happened at a Tesla dealership in the city. The latest attacks are part of a series of assaults on Tesla vehicles, dealerships and charging stations which has been happening across the nation. Back in 2021, Tanden was chosen by then-President Joe Biden to head Office of Management and Budget. But the Biden administration withdrew her nomination after she faced opposition from key Democratic and Republican senators for her controversial tweets. She called Mitch McConnell, the Senate Minority Leader, 'Voldemort', and said that Senator Susan Collins of Maine should be 'haunted' for the rest of her days for her questioning of Brett Kavanaugh's accuser, Christine Blasey Ford. She described Alabama senate candidate Roy Moore as 'a child molester', Ted Cruz as 'a vampire' and Tom Cotton 'a fraud.' Tanden agreed that 'anyone who commits violence against Tesla or Congress - or anyone else - should be put in jail.' An image of the January 6, riot, capitol riot is seen above Back in 2021, Tanden was chosen by president Joe Biden to head Office of Management and Budget but was forced to withdraw her nomination over her past tweets 'Unfortunately, it now seems clear that there is no path forward to gain confirmation, and I do not want continued consideration of my nomination to be a distraction from your other priorities,' Tanden wrote in a letter to Biden. Tanden apologized during her confirmation hearing to 'people on either the left or right who are hurt by what I've said.' When that nomination collapsed in 2021, Biden nominated Tanden to serve as senior advisor and staff secretary an influential post that put her at the heart of virtually all major issues inside the White House. Tanden was eventually elevated to serve as Biden's domestic policy advisor. She previously served as an advisor to Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. MSNBC host Stephanie Ruhle was forced to apologize to Tulsi Gabbard after falsely claiming the Director of National Intelligence praised the 'good friendship' between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. Appearing on her 11th Hour show on Tuesday, Ruhle delivered the apology live on air after repeating what Gabbard's office called 'literal fake news' during the previous episode. 'Last night we reported on excerpts of an interview between the Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, and an Indian TV news network in which she said that Trump was good friends with a world leader,' Ruhle said. 'We said that world leader was Vladimir Putin. The full interview shows that Gabbard was referring to Trump and Indian Prime Minister Modi. We've cleared that up.' Guest host Ali Velshi made a similar apology during an episode of The Last Word. Their apologies followed the Associated Press deleting 'erroneous reporting' in a story by David Klepper titled: 'Gabbard Says Trump and Putin are "Very Good Friends" Focused on Strengthening Ties'. The report was changed to remove the false statement with the editor's note: 'This story was updated on Mar. 17, 2025, to delete erroneous reporting that U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are very good friends".' 'Gabbard was actually talking about Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi,' the outlet has since added to the bottom of the article. The headline has since been changed to: 'Gabbard says Trump is "looking forward to success" ahead of talk with Putin.' Appearing on her 11th Hour show on Tuesday, Ruhle had to deliver the apology live on air following the story US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, India, on March 17, 2025 Anchor Ali Velshi, seen here, was also forced into issuing an on-air apology Alexa Henning, Gabbard's spokesperson, took to X and said she emailed the outlet and the reporter David Klepper about the false statement. 'I emailed @AP and @DavidKlepper and have so far heard nothing regarding their literal fake news article about the DNI. Won't hold my breath,' Henning wrote. 'The AP is total trash, Henning added. 'DNI @TulsiGabbard was referring to PM Modi & President Trump and this is the headline they publish. This is why no one trusts the maliciously incompetent and purposefully bias media. If this isnt a clear example of pushing a solely political narrative, then nothing is.' A spokesperson for AP told DailyMail.com the correction was made because the original version 'did not meet our standards.' 'AP has removed its story about U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard saying President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are very good friends because it did not meet our standards. 'We notified customers and published a corrected story with an editors note to be transparent about the error,' the spokesperson said. In the updated article, the outlet said Gabbard 'criticized former President Joe Bidens handling of the war in Ukraine,' and praised Trump for his 'unwavering commitment to peace' by trying to get both sides to agree to a ceasefire. Russian President Vladimir Putin attends an expanded meeting of the Prosecutor General's Office board in Moscow, Russia, 19 March 2025 The news outlet later posted a correction to the bottom of the story after editing the title Trump spoke with Putin Tuesday over the phone for two hours as they agreed to a 30-day partial ceasefire. They are seen here in 2019 'Under the previous administration, during which this war began, there was no effort, there was no effort at all towards peace,' Gabbard told India's NDTV. 'There was no effort to have direct dialogue with Putin and with Russia to try to bring about an end to this war. So already in a very short period of time, President Trump has made much more progress towards peace than any effort that has occurred by anyone, previously. 'Im sure that President Trump will have a very productive conversation with Putin, once again, rooted in his unwavering commitment to peace.' Gabbard is currently in India to speak at an international security and economics conference. She is also expected to visit Thailand and Japan on her trip. The Associated Press' mix-up with Tulsi is just one of the network's latest blows from Trump's administration as White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt slammed an AP reporter after he asked her if she's ever paid a tariff. The reporter, Josh Boak, was among several who pressed Leavitt on the plummeting stock market, amid massive uncertainty over Trump's tariffs on a day the president said he would double levies on steel and aluminum and Ontario imposed and then suspended a tariff on energy it sends to the U.S. Tulsi Gabbard speaks during the Raisina Dialogue, a multilateral conference in New Delhi on March 18, 2025 He asked Leavitt about an upcoming Trump speech to the Business Roundtable. 'He's going there today as he's proposing tax hikes in the form of tariffs. And I'm curious he's not for why he's prioritizing that over the tax cuts,' the reporter asked, echoing business criticism that has crept into the discourse amid market jitters. 'Not true - he's not doing that,' Leavitt interrupted the question. 'Tariffs are a tax hike on foreign countries that, again, have been ripping us off. Tariffs are a tax cut for the American people, and the President is a staunch advocate of tax cuts,' Leavitt, 27, told him. 'I'm sorry. Have you ever paid a tariff? Because I have,' the AP reporter tried to needle her. 'They don't get charged on foreign companies. They get charged on the importers.' The administration has also indefinitely banned the AP from the Oval Office and Air Force One over their refusal to acknowledge the change from the Gulf of Mexico, to the 'Gulf of America'. The agency have since sued three top Trump officials after the barring, taking aim at White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Deputy Chief of Staff Taylor Budowich and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. The press and all people in the United States have the right to choose their own words and not be retaliated against by the government,' the lawsuit said. 'This targeted attack on the AP's editorial independence and ability to gather and report the news strikes at the very core of the First Amendment,' it continued. 'This court should remedy it immediately.' An accountant has called out the Australian Taxation Office for refusing to refund an extra $20,000 payment her client accidentally made. Hive Wise founder Hripsime Demirdjian claimed her client owed the ATO $20,000 but accidentally processed the payment twice, so she requested a refund on their behalf. Ms Demirdjian contacted the government agency again 14 days later after noticing the refund hadn't been processed. The ATO advised her the funds would be withheld as the client had an upcoming bill. 'They were like, "Oh, we can't process this refund because you've got a balance sitting on your ATO account",' Ms Demirdjian explained in a video last week. 'We're like, "Yes, we're aware of that. However, that balance is not yet due. The client will pay that amount later in the month, closer to the due date".' The accountant said her client had no overdue payments but did have a large bill of about $150,000 approaching. 'It was very unusual because we've had a lot of success in the past requesting refunds from the ATO,' she told Yahoo News. Hripsime Demirdjian (pictured) said taxpayers should never pre-pay the ATO 'So it was a bit shocking that we were experiencing some difficulties with this one, particularly because this client does have a good lodging history with the ATO.' Ms Demirdjian acknowledged her client did owe money later to the ATO, but they were entitled to receive the payment back before this was due. 'The fact of the matter is that it's not the ATO's money,' she said. An ATO spokesperson said the department could not comment on individual cases but explained its processes with refunds. 'If a taxpayer has a debt with the ATO, we are required by law to use any payments made, available credits, or refunds they become entitled to, to pay off the debt, except in very limited circumstances,' the spokesperson said. 'Where a taxpayer pays the ATO more than what they currently owe, they can contact the ATO to request a refund of the excess amount that has been paid.' Ms Demirdjian addressed the ATO's refusal to refund the extra $20,000 payment in her video, saying: 'That $20,000 was double paid. We want that back and we want it back now. 'It's not your money, just give it back. Why are you fighting us on this?' An accountant's client accidentally paid a $20,000 ATO bill twice, which it refused to refund While her client is not being 'negatively impacted' by the missing funds, Ms Demirdjian believes the story serves as an example of why Aussies shouldn't pre-pay the ATO. 'When things like this happen, it just reiterates my viewpoint of not pre-paying tax to the ATO,' she said. 'I know there's people out there who like to pay the PAYG upfront each time they process payroll or pre-pay an amount on their ATO account. 'I'm personally not a fan of that because of things like this. Once you give money to the ATO, god help you trying to get that money back in case you ever need it. 'Once you've given it to the ATO, forget it existed.' Instead, Ms Demirdjian recommended taxpayers save money from each paycheck in a separate bank account. 'You can earn interest on that bank account and make use of your money there. But the purpose is the money is set aside knowing it is going to be used to extinguish your ATO debt when it falls due in the future,' she said. The accountant added by saving the money, it allowed small businesses better control over their cash flow as many face 'make or break' situations in the current cost of living crisis. Daily Mail Australia has contacted the ATO for further comment. Topshop has revealed the truth behind its bombshell announcement that sent shoppers into a frenzy today, fuelling hopes of a comeback by the firm. The beloved fashion giant vanished from Britain's high street five years ago, following a tumultuous financial storm that forced it to close all its stores. But a dramatic social media post by the clothing house sent fans into meltdown. It showed a couple standing on an industrial rooftop below a huge Topshop sign, followed by a message: 'We missed you too'. Captions spaced out across three posts on the company's official Instagram added: 'We've been listening'. And its website also teased a huge return for the beloved fashion retailer, with the homepage of www.topshop.com simply saying: 'Topshop coming soon.' Brits went wild at the news 'Topshop announcing they're returning to the high street is a joy only millennial girlies will understand. We've missed you x,' one person wrote. 'I feel like my parents just got back together,' another fan said on Instagram, while a second one joked: 'Millennials everywhere are screaming, crying & throwing up I'm one of them.' But now the company has revealed the post was not, in fact, about a new store opening - but about plugging an 'audacious fan-fuelled art installation and treasure hunt'. In a dramatic social media post, the once-clothing giant showed a couple standing on an industrial rooftop below a huge Topshop sign Cutting to black, a message said simply: 'We missed you too' And the website www.topshop.com also hints at a major comeback for the fashion retailer In a statement this afternoon, the company said it had joined forces with London artist Russ Jones to create 'We Missed You Too' art exhibit in Soho. The exhibit - which may come as a disappointment to fashion fans - features 21 mirrors with comments from Topshop's army of followers. And it has launched a 'treasure hunt' across the capital, where winners can bag a 1,000 Topshop voucher and an invite to the exhibit, when it launches later this year. Moses Rashid, Topshop global director of marketing, said: 'We're excited to see the love for Topshop and Topman on social media. 'Supporting local talent, sharing the stage with creatives, and bringing London's unique energy to our fans has always been part of Topshop's heritage. 'This activation, featuring the hugely talented Russ Jones, is our way of giving back in a truly Topshop way.' In a statement in November, Topshop owners ASOS said it was looking to 're-launch' Topshop.com, giving the brand 'an opportunity to further expand its customer base'. While Jose Antonio Ramos Calamonte, head of ASOS, hinted he would 'not ignore any option to grow Topshop and if that includes a physical presence then we will not ignore it'. Topshop was once the undisputed queen of the British high street. With its trendy clothes, sell-out designer collaborations and 100,000 sq ft Oxford Street flagship store, the brand attracted everyone from tourists and teenagers to 'It Girls' and fashion editors. During their heyday in the early noughties, celebrities and fashion icons flocked to be a part of the retail leviathan - owned by Sir Philip Green. Supermodel Kate Moss even launched her own Topshop range in 2007. She went on to do 14 collaborations with the company. With its trendy clothes, sell-out designer collaborations and 100,000 sq ft Oxford Street flagship store, Topshop attracted everyone from tourists and teenagers to 'It Girls' and fashion editors in its heyday. Pictured, Kate Moss and Sir Philip Green at the launch of the first Kate Moss x Topshop range in 2007 British supermodel Cara Delevingne was the face of Topshop's a/w 2014 campaign. Topshop, along with the rest of the Arcadia Group, is now on the brink of collapse Topshop lost its younger shoppers to aggressive digital e-tailers like Boohoo and PrettyLittleThing. Pictured, a Topshop social media post shared in September Attracting the 'It Girls' of the day, British supermodel-turned-actress Cara Delevingne was even the face of Topshop's a/w 2014 campaign. At its high, Topshop seemed a true titan of the British high street, raking in 100million in profit, with hundreds of stores spread across almost every large town and city in the UK. But the store's popularity waned as it struggled to compete with fast fashion online, losing its younger shoppers to aggressive digital e-tailers like Boohoo and PrettyLittleThing. In 2018, former owners Arcadia revealed it was haemorrhaging cash, reporting a 93.4million pre-tax loss compared with 164.6million profit in the year before. And sales slumped 4.5 per cent from 1.8billion. As well as the financial woes, there was also the problem of image with Sir Philip Green himself. Retail experts, including Topshop's former brand director, pointed at how the BHS pension scandal and accusations of sexual harassment tabled at Sir Philip - which he denied - had tarnished the brand, putting off female and Gen Z shoppers. Then, when the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020, Arcadia was forced to shut 550 stores and furlough 14,500 employees. The move spelled the end of the shop's physical presence on the high street. By 2021, all Topshop stores had closed after the brand was bought by online behemoth ASOS in a 295million deal. ASOS acquired Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge and HIIT from the administrators of Arcadia, two months after the struggling group collapsed with a 750million deficit. Topshop started life in 1964 as the 'Top Shop' concession within the now defunct Peter Robinson department store in Sheffield. The company had spotted a growing need for fashion made specifically for teenage girls who wanted to embrace modern, forward-thinking design. Under the leadership of buyer Diane Wadey, Top Shop stocked styles by young British designers including Royal College of Art graduate Jane Whiteside, Jeff Cooper and Ronnie Stirling. The idea was a success and a concession in the Oxford Street branch of Peter Robinson soon followed, marking the start of the brand's decades-long presence in the West End. Topshop started life in 1964 as the 'Top Shop' concession within the now defunct Peter Robinson department store in Sheffield. Pictured, shoppers queue outside the entrance to the Peter Robinson Oxford Street store in 1978 Peter Robinson had spotted a growing need for fashion made specifically for teenage girls who wanted to embrace modern design. Pictured, the Rag Doll Boutique in the Peter Robinson Sheffield store in 1966 By 1974, Peter Robinson, which had been a mainstay of British retail since the 1830s, was floundering and reduced its 22 branches to just six. Meanwhile its Top Shop offering was booming. Pictured, a Top Shop and Top Man store in Liverpool, 1984 In the early 1970s, parent company the Burton Group split off Top Shop into its own independent chain of stores focusing solely on shoppers aged 13 to 24. Peter Robinson would continue to focus on shoppers over the age of 24. But by 1974, Peter Robinson, which had been a mainstay of British retail since the 1830s, was floundering and reduced its 22 branches to just six. Meanwhile Top Shop was booming. Within two years, Top Shop had 55 standalone branches and was reporting annual profits of 1million. Its next major image revamp came in the 1990s, the same decade that the Oxford Street flagship opened in its current location. Under the stewardship of Jane Shepherdson CBE, who was Topshop brand manager from 1999 to 2006, the brand went from teen clothing store to a serious fashion brand with industry clout. 'It was a time when we were trying to prove Topshop had its own design credibility compared to a cheap high street retailer that used to copy everyone else,' Shepherdson told the Evening Standard. In 2001, Topshop launched its own label, Topshop Unique, and in 2005 became the first high street label to show at London Fashion Week. The move cemented its place as a brand worthy of the coolest names in British fashion, with It Girls including Zoe Ball, Sara Cox, Donna Air and Jemima Khan sitting front row. Denise Van Outen launches Bikini Line at Topshop Oxford Street in 1999 In 2005, Topshop became the first high street label to show at London Fashion Week, left. Right, Sara Cox and Zoe Ball at a Topshop party in London in 2005 Shoppers queued to get their hands on the first ever Kate Moss x Topshop collection in 2007. The model made 14 collections with the high street store At the same time, Shepherdson focused on collaborations with young British designers like Christopher Kane, and turned the Oxford Street store into a must-visit destination for schoolgirls, tourists and fashionistas alike. Shepherdson added: 'We wanted to make it everything that a young girl wanted from a fashion store and for it to feel like a real luxury, special experience. I think for a time we achieved that.' In 2005 Topshop reported profits of 100million. After Shepherdson's departure came another great Topshop milestone: the first Topshop x Kate Moss collaboration. The 2007 release was a hit with shoppers and graced the pages of fashion magazines. The supermodel would go on to produce 14 collections with the retailer up until 2014, with each one selling out within hours. Sir Philip Green with models (from left) Suki Waterhouse, Kate Moss, Cara Delevingne, Sienna Miller and Naomi Campbell at the Kate Moss x Topshop launch in 2014 'The Kate Moss collaboration cemented the Topshop brand and allowed it to expand worldwide piggybacking off the name of the world's most famous supermodel,' noted pop culture commentator Nick Ede. 'It was the biggest fashion breakthrough and led to his products being featured in magazines that would normally turn a blind eye to his designs in a snobbish fashion.' Other high profile designer collaborators include Mary Katrantzou, Richard Nicoll, Jonathan Saunders and Meadham Kirchhoff. The idea was replicated at Arcadia's other brands including Dorothy Perkins, which launched a Kardashian Kollection in 2012. Mr Ede added: 'These iconic collaborations were the top of their game. Many imitated but none were as good at tapping into the fashion zeitgeist of the times.' In 2009, Topshop arrived in the US, with Kate Moss and Sir Philip jetting to New York for the launch that saw shoppers queue up around the block. However, during the 10 years that followed, Topshop's shine has started to fade. On the high street Topshop faced greater competition from new rivals like & Other Stories, Urban Outfitters and Arket, as well as established retailers like H&M and Zara. Pictured, the Topshop flagship on Oxford Street On the high street it has faced greater competition from new rivals like & Other Stories, Urban Outfitters and Arket, as well as from established retailers like H&M and Zara, which offer designer lookalikes within weeks of their catwalk debut. Topshop also had a large number of brick-and-mortar stores - some 510 around the world, including 300 in the UK - which became less and less of a draw in the age of online shopping. In 2019 all of Topshop's US stores closed, just 10 years after opening. Compounding the problem is Topshop's sluggish digital investment and the aggressive rise in online, fast fashion retailers like Boohoo, PrettyLittleThing and Missguided, which have become the go-to destinations for Gen Z shoppers looking to snap up new, social-media worthy looks. Liam Patterson, CEO and founder at Bidnamic, a marketing technology platform, said: 'Rather than adapting to modern customer needs with a strong ecommerce offering, the brand resisted innovation and was late to the digital party. 'COVID-19 lockdowns only exacerbated these issues as the business lost customers to digital natives like ASOS and Boohoo that had more engaging online presence and more reputable brands.' For months after Daphne Wood had spray foam roof insulation installed, she was surprised to receive cold calls every week from firms badgering her to spend thousands of pounds to have it removed. Her decision to have spray foam put in her loft after receiving a call from a company out of the blue appears to have triggered unsolicited nuisance calls and visits to her home. These visits from no fewer than three rogue companies saw the 81-year-old widow and former secretary in schools and universities, from Iver, Buckinghamshire, agree to her roof being re-tiled twice and the foam removed. The experience, Daphne admits, has left her traumatised. Daphne is not alone. According to Trading Standards, cases like hers are on the rise after recording a 42 per cent increase in spray foam scams in 2023. There also appears to be a link between the companies installing the spray foam and the companies that then contact customers telling them that the foam is faulty and will damage the roof. Targeted: Daphne Wood's decision to have spray foam put in her loft after receiving a call from a company has triggered unsolicited nuisance calls and visits to her home Katherine Hart, Chartered Trading Standards Institute lead officer for doorstep crime, scams and consumer vulnerability, said: Weve found that some firms have the same address as the company that installed the foam in the first place. Its not always the case but there certainly seems to be a rise in that. Hart says lists of customers who have spray foam are also being traded, legally but also illegitimately. Salesman prey on households who are fearful about rising energy bills. Some also falsely promise that work they carry out will be reimbursed by government grants when they have not been applied for or households are not eligible. There are grants available in some cases, such as the Great British Insulation Scheme, which is administered by the energy regulator Ofgem, but it is only available to the least energy-efficient homes in the UK. Some customers are persuaded to pay 250 over the phone for a survey that never takes place. These people are very good at their job and theyll use any means possible to get you to agree, says Hart. Dont sign on the spot and become a victim of their high-pressure sales tactics. Not all spray foam roof insulation needs to be removed. This type of insulation, which has been installed in 250,000 homes according to the Property Care Association, is a chemical product that when sprayed onto an area expands to fill in gaps. Closed cell foam sets hard and is typically used to patch up roofs that are near the end of their lifespan. Open cell, which is spongy when pressed, is used for insulation and, when carefully applied by a manufacturer-approved installer, can be an effective way to keep your house warm. However, cowboy installers can cause damage to homeowners roofs. For example, if incorrectly installed it can lead to dampness and condensation on the underside of a roof because it forms an air barrier and stops moisture escaping. Consequently, many mortgage lenders are reluctant to lend on these homes, making them difficult to sell. Equity release lenders, meanwhile, have a blanket ban on properties with spray foam. Daphnes spray foam saga began in December 2022. With a four-bedroom detached 1930s house to heat and a poorly insulated roof still in place, Daphne agreed when she was phoned by Advance Home Solutions to have someone come to look at her roof. A workman arrived the following day and Daphne agreed to have foam spray installed at a cost of 4,000. She was pressured into a next-day installation or else face an 11-week wait and wasnt offered a 14-day cooling-off period, which experts say should be standard. The following day one workman arrived and took just two hours to spray foam all over the inside of her loft, roof tiles and rafters. Even the suitcases stored in there got doused. It looked like an igloo up there after hed finished, she says. Five months later, in May 2023, another cold call from the same company. Daphne was persuaded to have a next-day review of her insulation. The company claimed it had found two leaks in her roof that needed repairing and asked for a further 2,000 to fix them. Daphne reluctantly agreed, but the cold calls didnt stop there. By the end of the year, she was receiving around one cold call a week from similar companies asking about her insulation and offering to remove it. I didnt continue the phone conversations and the firms didnt say who they were, except that it was in connection with the government home efficiency scheme, added Daphne. They said they had obtained her number from shared data. In August 2024, Daphne had her roof re-tiled by a cold caller who claimed her house had rotting rafters. Then in January 2025, two men from a roofing company turned up unannounced on Daphnes doorstep declaring broken gutters and rotting woodwork were visible from the pavement. Mortgage issues: Spray foam insulation is a chemical product that when sprayed onto an area expands to fill in gaps A 300 quote for repairs soon escalated as she was told the roof would need to be re-tiled again, and it required new guttering. A weatherproofed membrane was applied, her crumbling chimney was taken down and the spray foam was completely removed just two years after it had been installed. It had been responsible for her rotting timbers, which had been unable to breathe. By that time, she had read that spray foam makes a property difficult to sell, so she was also keen to have it removed. Daphne estimates that the total bill for the spray foam including the initial installation and subsequent removal reached around 10,000. Im feeling a bit traumatised. Im quite a trusting person and its shaken me, she says. They look at you so convincingly and tell you theyre not ripping you off. Chief executive of consumer group HomeOwners Alliance Paula Higgins is urging anyone with spray foam not to act on these scaremongering tactics from foam removal firms. Dont deal with any cold callers, she says, adding that once you have used the services of a cold caller you can end up on a list of vulnerable consumers that is then sold on to other firms selling anything from windows and conservatories to roof services. Ask yourself how they got your number in the first place; and if they say they can come around the next day, alarm bells should ring, she adds. A proper company would need to book you in weeks or months in advance. Always demand a 14-day cooling-off period. Unless you are planning to sell your property or take out equity release you may not need to have the foam removed at all. However, homeowners concerned that spray foam insulation has damaged their roof can contact an independent chartered surveyor listed on the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors website. They can check the condition of the roof by cutting away a section of the foam at a cost of between 150 to 250. Or, if you have all the correct paperwork from the installer, the Property Care Association has a list of surveyors trained to check that your foam has been sprayed correctly. This could strengthen your chances of selling your home without having it removed. If you decide to have the insulation taken out, contact three local and reputable roofing companies to ask for a quote which will involve removing all roof tiles and underfelt so the foam can be removed, which can cost between 5,000 and 8,000. Higgins recommends you approach a roofing firm rather than a foam removal company as they are more likely to give you an impartial view on whether it should be taken out. Carry out the usual checks, such as asking to see previous work and for reviews. Have you been scammed out of thousands by rogue traders? Tell us at moneymail@dailymail.co.uk The legendary Citroen 2CV is set to return as a 21st century electric car, the boss of the French firm has signalled. Citroens global chief executive Thierry Koskas said it will have the key virtues which made the original 2CV such a favourite first time around: simplicity, daring, comfort through clever suspension designed to deal with rough roads, practicality, value for money and important in the modern era strong green credentials. Customers can expect to see a model on the market within two years - from 2027, he indicated. Speaking at the UK launch in Oxfordshire of Citroens latest model the e-C3 electric hatchback Koskas said a small number of retro Citroen models upgraded for modern motoring were planned to follow in the wake of the current revamp of the entire range. We want some of our iconic models to further lift the Citroen brand,' he told This is Money. We have a fantastic heritage including models like the DS and the 2CV. Could the iconic Citroen 2CV be making a comeback as an EV? The boss at the French car maker has hinted to This is Money that it is... Pressed directly on whether the 2CV was returning, he replied teasingly but with a broad smile that indicated clearly that it certainly was: We dont exclude that we will use this heritage. He added: You can go anywhere in the world even to Brazil and you will find people who know the 2CV. Koskas, who began his own automotive career selling cars at a docklands dealership in East London in the late 1990s, said small number of retro-design models were planned but it would not be systematic across the Citroen range. The swooping Citroen DS model from the mid 1950s to 70s is another retro design that could return. The move follows the success of French arch-rivals Renault whos retro-inspired Renault 5 E-Tech looks set to become a massive hit and has being crowned European Car of the Year among a host of awards. Further tapping into the brand's heritage, Renault has confirmed a tuned-up 5 Turbo 3E from 2027; an all-electric 'mini supercar' built in limited numbers and costing in the region of 200k paying homage to the legendary hot hatch and rally car of the 1980s. Just try to overlook the fact it will use a turbo nameplate on an EV. A new Renault 4 is also following this year, which is a modern twist on the original. Given the 2CVs reputation for value for money, it is likely bosses would seek to maintain an affordable and popular price and edge it under 20,000 undercutting the rival Renault 5. A retro electric car inspired by the 2CV could be on sale as early as 2027, it's been hinted Citroens global chief executive Thierry Koskas (right) told the Daily Mail's Ray Massey: We want some of our iconic models to further lift the Citroen brand. We have a fantastic heritage including models like the DS and the 2CV Renault is enjoying great success having reimagined its iconic original 5 (left) as an all-electric supermini (right). It will also sell a retro-inspired Renault 4 from later this year Koskas said you can go anywhere in the world even to Brazil and you will find people who know the 2CV, such is its legendary status 2CVs electric return: Will it, won't it? Reports earlier this year reignited suggestions that the Saint-Ouen manufacturer would relaunch the 2CV name, hinting that it is already in the early stages of working on a 21st century version of arguably the most iconic French car of all time. A senior source told Autocar in January that preliminary design work on a successor to the 'Deux Chevaux' is underway as Citroen looks to join the car brands bringing legacy models back for the modern era. This is despite very recent claims by Citroen big wigs, including Koskas himself, that the 2CV would not be making a comeback. He told Auto Express at the beginning of 2025 that there are 'no specific projects' focused around a reimagined 2CV, instead opting to double down on 'different' and 'more affordable' family cars. The brand told Top Gear in 2019 and again in 2021 it had no intention of reintroducing the 2CV nameplate. 'We evolve our designs by looking at the past but what I dont want to do is become a manufacturer that produces retro,' former Citroen boss - and now Peugeot CEO - Linda Jackson told the motoring magazine some six year ago. 'Im not going to produce a new 2CV. That had its time, it was right, but its about finding out the next design thatll be right for the customer.' Former Citroen boss Vincent Cobee reiterated these sentiments just two years later. In an interview he said that while it is a 'privilege and honour' to have 'massive heritage' it doesn't mean 'that the past answers are the right answers for the future.' He added: 'There's a difference between character and solution.' The 2CV was originally penned in 1936 but its emergence on the market was delayed until post-war. It was designed to enable a farmer and family to cross a freshly ploughed field with a basket full of eggs without breaking them Prototypes of the original 2CV were hidden away during WW2 before 9million were sold between 1948 and 1990 Many 2CVs were built in Britain, at Citroens former factory n Slough, during the 1950s Designed pre-war to enable a farmer and family to cross a freshly ploughed field with a basket full of eggs without breaking them, prototypes of the original 2CV were hidden away during the conflict before 9million were sold between 1948 and 1990. Many were even built in Britain, at Citroens former factory n Slough, during the 1950s. Koskas told us: I think theres a great future for Citroen, especially in the UK. 'People in Britain have a great passion for cars. We have great ambitions here. I am 81 and have been paying premiums to Domestic & General Insurance for many years to cover seven appliances, with the total adding up to nearly 105 a month or 1,260 a year. One of those appliances covered was my Aqualisa shower which recently stopped working. On phoning D&G I was asked to find my own repairer who was Aqualisa-conversant, have it repaired, pay the company and forward them the bill for reimbursement. Now D&G is saying it wont reimburse the almost 3,000 bill. Please help. A. P., Chelmsford, Essex. Sally Hamilton replies: You were quick to shower D&G with praise over your past dealings with the firm, as claims for various repairs on other appliances it covers, including your dishwasher and washing machine and even an issue with your shower eight years ago, were always sorted without a fuss. Denied: An insurance company told a reader to find a repairman to fix a broken shower but refused to pay the bill But you were flummoxed by this latest response. This particular claims experience was unusual from the start because you have never had to arrange your own repairer before D&G normally organises the callout and repairs itself. But since you were asked to find your own plumber, you looked online for one that covered Essex. You stumbled upon Plumbing Force. The engineer came as arranged and was on the job for about four hours including one hour when he went to collect a spare part from nearby Basildon. On completing the repair, the plumber asked for your payment card so he could charge you for the callout fee and other costs and asked you to sign a tablet to confirm it has been done. You were happy with the repair but shocked at the size of the bill 2,984. You felt you had no option but to pay it. For that kind of money, I would have expected a new shower, redecoration and a retiling job. I looked up the purchase price online of new Aqualisa showers and struggled to find one at more than 1,000; most were far cheaper. Although worried about the bill, you felt reassured that D&G would take care of things. But despite you sending numerous emails and making many calls, D&G declined your claim. Your daughter stepped in because she was concerned about the strain the unmet claim was putting on your wellbeing. She got nowhere. On your request, I asked D&G to investigate what had gone wrong. I can imagine why it would wish to resist turning on the tap for a bill that worked out at a fantastical 650 an hour. But that wasnt your fault as you had been directed to find a plumber under your own steam. I also thought the decision to decline harsh, especially as you have been spending a fortune on its cover over the years. As an aside, although these kinds of policies provide peace of mind for customers, I personally prefer to self-insure that is, dip into my savings if I need to have an appliance repaired or replaced. Once Id turned up the pressure on D&G, pointing out your loyalty and how you had complied with the instructions on arranging a tradesman yourself, it soon agreed to meet your claim in full. A spokesperson says: We quickly contacted the customer and believe the situation has now been satisfactorily resolved. We strive for consistently high standards of customer service, so apologise for any inconvenience. D&G says standard practice is for it to arrange callouts. But in rare cases when there are no repair agents available, there is a pay and claim service which you were advised to use. It says the majority of engineers it works with are accredited by the appliance manufacturers, which have charging and pricing policies in place with the engineers. A spokesman says: We dont support any deliberate overcharging by engineers that customers have had to contact themselves, and we will review our approach for these rare occasions when one has to be booked direct. For example, the customer informing us of the engineer and quote in advance so we can check the price for them. I contacted Plumbing Force to ask it to explain your bill. It said it would only discuss it with you. At the time of going to press, the company had not provided any explanation for the high bill other than informing you it would be investigating your complaint. Id advise anyone calling out a tradesman to always demand an estimate in advance and, if insured, then to check the cost with your insurer before going ahead with the work. Scam Watch Households should beware a scam email that claims to sell an AI device that reduces energy bills by 92%, consumer website Which? warns. With nearly two weeks until the energy price cap increases by 6%, you may be tempted by a miracle device that reduces bills. But the devices never arrive, do not work or customers have been charged twice for buying one. The link in the email leads to a phishing website designed to steal your personal and financial information. Do not click on the link forward the email to: report@phishing.gov.uk Can't access mother's life insurance policy My mother, who died last year, had a life insurance policy with Phoenix Life. Ten months on I have still not received the proceeds, around 25,000. K. B., Hitchin, Herts. Sally Hamilton replies: Painful as it is, insurers rightly need to see the correct paperwork such as death certificates and medical records, but ten months is an inordinate amount of time to be strung along. Despite promises from Phoenix that the money would be sent as a matter of priority, it never arrived. You calculate that before you asked me to intervene you had called customer services 17 times. You said that every call seemed to generate a new letter asking you for another document. It appears the process was delayed partly because you switched banks, and on notifying Phoenix so that it could send the insurance proceeds to the right place, it asked you to complete the claim forms again. Eventually, you asked if it could raise a cheque as you had lost faith in the money ending up in the right bank. You were told to send this instruction with a covering letter, which you did in January. But by the end of February there was no sign of it. On my contacting Phoenix, it pulled its finger out and the cheque for 25,768, which includes 661 of late payment interest, was soon in the post. It has also promised 200 as apology for the delays. A spokesman for Phoenix says: We recognise we have fallen short with our service, and we are sorry for the trouble and upset this has caused during what is already a difficult time. Straight to the point I have been with Tesco Mobile for more than ten years and have had a running 24-month Clubcard phone contract, which freezes the price for the whole period. I have had at least five of these contracts with no issue, but my current one has already risen in price and Ive been told it will now rise again. Ive tried emailing but Ive had no response. P. C., Paisley. Tesco apologises and has given you a goodwill gesture. You had not signed up to a Clubcard deal and had responded to an unmonitored email address which was the reason for the delay. *** My contract with Sky for broadband and landline ended in January this year, but a 46 payment was taken afterwards. It claims there is something stopping them paying this to me I have phoned a number of times to chase the payment without success. K. L., Newbridge, Wales. Sky says you were mistakenly charged after cancelling the package. You have since been sent a cheque for the full amount owed after the initial attempt at processing your refund was blocked. *** Earlier this month I received an email from Nectar telling me I had spent 500 points in a Sainsburys store. I reported the fraud to the company via my account, but that left me frozen out of it. I set up the account 20 years ago so cant answer the security questions needed for Nectar staff to help me over the phone. They have assured me that the lost points would be replaced, but I cant access my remaining points. K .K., Leigh-on-Sea. Nectar apologises and has arranged for your points to be refunded to the new account with 1,500 goodwill points. Dame Siobhain McDonagh was driving along a residential south London street when out of nowhere she was overtaken by a man on a moped that stopped right in front of her, forcing her to slam on the brakes. She avoided hitting him but that was just the start of the drama for the MP for Mitcham and Morden. Immediately, the driver dropped the moped and began to shout and point at me, she said. I was absolutely confused because I knew I had done no damage to his moped and he was not hurt in any way. I just did not understand what was going on. He dragged me over, took my details and took photographs of me, of my car. Despite the fact that there had been no collision, she later received a letter from a solicitor demanding large amounts of money to pay for his replacement bike, she said. Only later, when she met a constituent who described a similar occurrence, did she realise that she was one of tens of thousands of victims of cash-for-crash frauds terrorising motorists. Reckless: Moped scammers are deliberately crashing into vehicles with lone women or mums on the school run behind the wheel, before making a false insurance claims An undercover Mail investigation has now pieced together the extraordinary network behind this ruthless scam, which involves driving into cars usually vehicles with lone women, pensioners or mums on the school run behind the wheel and then demanding insurance details before making a false claim against their victims. Industry sources say these frauds rocketed 60-fold last year and are believed to be costing more than 100 million annually. At the sharp end of this trend are some of the garages that repair the damaged mopeds. We found that rogue operators were happy for moped drivers to make claims for non-existent damage or injuries and then take a slice of the proceeds when reputable insurance firms make payouts on behalf of innocent motorists. Scammers can pocket a bonus of up to 1,200 from garages for making the claims including a top-up if they claim they were hurt. A garage benefits from commission paid by accident management companies it recommends the driver uses. Our investigation also found: Many claimants are fast-food delivery drivers originally from Brazil who call themselves motorboys. Some garages claim that immigration status will not be an issue by promising there will be no such checks during claims, with one saying: If you are legal or if you are a terrorist, its no problem. The scam is an open secret among motorboys, who call repeat offenders (often using multiple names in multiple claims) stuntmen. Garages advertise super, super bonuses for accident claims on their social media pages, with some featuring videos of successful claimants waving wads of cash or weighed down with bulging bags of money. The scam is so well known that a Mail journalist who asked random motorboys in London about it was immediately given a crash course in how it works. They described how the stuntmen stage accidents with unsuspecting motorists before making insurance claims that invent or exaggerate the damage done to their bike and themselves. They keep their helmets on to avoid identification even after the accident and often work in teams. A van may be strategically parked at a junction to block a motorists view, so that when they pull out they cannot see the oncoming moped until the last second. Sometimes an accomplice will turn up seconds after the impact to help intimidate the car driver into handing over their insurance details. Interior designer Helen Harris has first-hand experience of just how traumatic such an encounter can be. She became a victim of the motorboys after a moped driver flashed his lights to let her turn right into a busy south London street. As soon as she pulled out, however, that driver sped off and a second moped careered into the wheel arch of her front driver door. Despite barely making contact, the driver, who kept his helmet on, started shaking his hands like his wrists were hurting, she said. There was no damage to either vehicle, but a solicitor acting for the moped driver claimed 2,667.70 from her insurer and Ms Harris had her no claims bonus put on hold and faced higher premiums. I am furious, she said. I feel hoodwinked and stupid. Another lone woman driver described how a motorbike accelerated into her as she turned into a major road in Battersea, south-west London. He came straight down the middle of the road, and obviously would have seen me but only braked at the last moment, she recalls. After the collision, he jumped off his motorbike, put it on the floor and started sort of jumping around taking photos. I had no idea what was going on. He couldnt speak English and had to use Google Translate to ask me to hand over my insurance details. Social media: Garages advertise super, super bonuses for accident claims, with some featuring videos of successful claimants waving wads of cash He did not give his name but, after she gave his mobile number to a south London group monitoring the scam, she discovered it had been used several times previously in suspected cash-for-crash scams. The motorboys we spoke to were appalled by what they called a cowardly scam, but said for many of them who usually live in overcrowded shared houses earning around 500 a week, it offered an all-too-easy way to make quick cash. Crucially, they said, the frauds were fuelled by garages offering bonuses for drivers making accident claims that would be handled by major claims management companies. The sums per claim were worth up to three weeks regular work for a motorboy, which was enough to encourage many of those initially unwilling to take part in the scams to set aside their reservations. The motorboys we spoke to were too scared to name the garages involved for fear of reprisals, with one explaining: Its the same as talking about drug trafficking. Its very sensitive. But after a simple internet search, the Mail found 16 motorcycle garages that specialise in accident claims in notorious cash-for-crash hotspots advertising bonuses on their open social media pages. At least four are known to have been used by drivers making a suspected cash-for-crash claim. When we approached the garages posing as a driver, a representative of Brazuka Motors, which offered services across London and the Home Counties, told the reporter that in order to get the full 1,000 advertised bonus he would have to say he was hurt. Asked what evidence was required, he responded: Theres no proof, man. At the most, theyll ask for a picture. Later, he added: After I register your claim, they call and ask, Explain to me how it happened. Then what are you going to say? Oh that guy reversed on me when I was on my motorbike. Then they will ask, Did you suffer an injury? Yeah I hurt my leg. Its all twisted. You dont need to say you broke it, but you can say youre finding it difficult to walk, you hurt your leg, so you say you want to still do the medical part. Thats all you need. OImperio Motorcycles in South Croydon went further, explaining: Even if you didnt get hurt . . . when the company calls you if you tell them, Look, I got hurt, my arm and leg, then, with the injury, I pay 1,000 as a bonus. He added: You dont need to go to the doctor. You dont need to go to the hospital. When the reporter asked: Does my motorbike need to be scratched? he replied: No, no, no. It doesnt need to be scratched, it doesnt need to be anything. Another garage, which advertised a special bonus of 1,100 for accident claims, told us: Dude, with injuries were paying the price you saw there. No injuries, 800. But he told us no proof of injury was required and, as long as the driver got dizzy or was shaking at the time of the accident, they could lock in the claim. Cash for crash: Scammers can pocket a bonus of up to 1,200 from garages for making the claims - including a top-up if they claim they were hurt One garage also told us it was no problem if there wasnt any sign of crash damage on the bike, explaining: We will find a little way. All the garages offering bonuses worked with or told the reporter their claim would be made with McAms, one of the UKs largest management claims companies. Some said they also used other claims companies, but one said bonuses would only be paid if the drivers claim was made with McAms. In many cases, the garages said that these bonuses are paid as soon as McAms accepted the claim and they provided a replacement bike while it was being processed. One garage, which pays a 1,000 bonus for successful claims if they include an injury, boasts online of having contributed to more than 1,500 successful claims with its long-term claims management partner McAms. Another, which advertises the best bonus in the UK alongside a Union Jack, also told our reporter it pays 1,000 for successful claims for non-fault accidents that include personal injury. In one video of the garage owner with a happy claimant, he says: One more claim approved by McAms . . . Its popping off. More than ten claims approved this week at our garage. Liverpool-based McAms is run by barrister Alan Sellers, an expert in personal injury and credit hire cases, who is executive chairman of its parent company, Anexo. His wife, fellow personal injury specialist and part-time competitive showjumper Samantha Moss, is also an Anexo director and runs McAms sister solicitors firm, Bond Turner, which deals with all claims made through McAms. Anexo offers a one-stop shop for moped drivers who are involved in no-fault accidents but dont have the means to take action by providing all legal services and a replacement bike while the insurance claim is being processed. The company says it relies on a network of introducer garages for marketing and recommendation of services and pays commission for successful claims. It offers partner garages a team of dedicated support managers and Portuguese-speaking staff to help claimants. While Anexo provides several non-accident claims services, the company says that is heavily weighted towards leasing replacement vehicles to people who have been involved in non-fault incidents while claims are processed. It says it charges significantly higher rates for these than traditional hire companies and in total made profits of 23 million in 2023. What do do if YOU fall victim Victims of suspected cash-for-crash scams are urged to gather as much information as possible at the scene and immediately report it. A key indicator that the other driver is part of a scam could be that he appears to be unfazed after the collision or seems to be exaggerating injuries. The Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) urges victims not to confront the other driver and to exchange details as legally required. It also encourages them to note as much information as possible about the driver and the circumstances of the collision at the scene. This can include written information, such as registration numbers, names of anyone else involved, photographs, dashcam footage and a note of the location of CCTV cameras in the area. Documenting any vehicle damage or lack of it is also useful. Victims should alert their insurer as soon as possible about the incident. Report suspected insurance scams to the IFB CheatLine on 0800 422 0421 (insurance fraudbureau.org/cheatline). In some cases, where claims are disputed and have gone on for over six months, the hire fees have hit more than 50,000 for mopeds which are only worth around 3,000 new. The company also deals with any personal injury claims resulting from their clients accidents. Indeed, it says these are now part of most cases Bond Turner handles. Because most of its clients are broke, the companys business model relies on it recovering all costs from the at-fault partys insurer. In 2023, it successfully settled 9,000 cases. Ms Moss said the high bike lease rates are justified because of the extra risk and extra costs the company assumes when it takes on clients with little or no money, and several court judgments have backed the companys position. She said the company routinely and consistently recovered hire charges by making well timed and reasonable settlement offers with insurers. Its legitimate success in dominating the moped accident management market means many suspected cash-for-crash fraudsters inevitably try to make claims via McAms and the Anexo group. A database set up by victims of the fraud in south-west London found that, of the 79 incidents where people shared details of the claims management company involved, 72 were being processed by McAms or other companies within the Anexo Group. Ms Moss said it was investigating the Mails shocking and extremely concerning allegations that garages allowed fraudulent claims, something it claims it works hard to prevent. Ms Moss said it had every interest in avoiding them as they were hugely damaging for the company. She said the company would immediately cease to deal with any garage found to be involved in fraudulent claims and had already terminated dealings with some after being contacted by the Mail. McAms rejects over half of the claims requests it receives and undertakes paper and electronic ID checks for all clients, she added. Back on the street, the motorboys whose own insurance is rocketing because of the scams warn that things are rapidly getting worse. Its moving beyond Brazilians now, with other groups getting involved, and to all parts of the country, one said. When theres so much money to be made so quickly and easily and so few people stopping it, what do you expect? Bank websites and apps seem to go down frequently at the moment, leaving their customers unable to access their own money. But you dont have to take it lying down. Banks pay out millions of pounds in compensation for letting down their customers in this way so make sure you get your share if youre entitled to it. Not only can it cause distress when your banks website or app doesnt work, it can also be an expensive problem if you are left unable to pay a bill and suffer late fees. The problem appears to be growing as more of us turn to internet banking. Last month, the Treasury Select Committee found nine out of the top banks and building societies reported at least 803 hours, the equivalent of more than a month, of unplanned systems outages in the past two years. Among the worst was the recent Barclays failure at the end of January which, for some customers, amounted to three days of chaos. Offline: The Treasury Select Committee found nine out the top banks and building societies reported at least 803 hours of unplanned tech and systems outages in the last two years The bank expects to pay out 5 million to 7.5 million in compensation to its customers who suffered loss or distress and inconvenience as a result and has issued an apology. For example, if you went overdrawn as a result of its failure, the bank will not charge interest on overdrafts from January 31 to February 3. It says it will fix this automatically. It also says if you paid your Barclaycard payment over that fateful pay-day weekend, but it did not show in your statement, it will resolve problems such as late payment fees. I would check that it has. If you have been left out of pocket in other ways, Barclays should contact you and ask for additional information or to tell you what it is doing to remedy the issue. If you havent heard from Barclays yet, it is time to get in touch. The outage not only affected payments between Barclays accounts but also between Barclays and other banks and even slowed payments in and out of savings accounts. Several savings banks including Secure Trust, Charter Savings and Chetwood had notices on their websites during the outage saying that it may result in delays in processing deposits to and withdrawals from savings accounts. Did these delays mean you missed a credit card payment to another bank because your money did not turn up in your account in time? Or were you transferring a large sum to your savings accounts on which you lost interest while it sat around in your current account? A spokesman from Barclays told me yesterday: Anyone impacted by our technical issue, including savers with other banks who were affected, should get in touch with us directly and well ensure theyre not left out of pocket. As with all bank outages, you should provide Barclays with details of any costs you had to pay such as late payment fees or loss of interest on your savings. It may also be worth mentioning any distress it caused you, in case the bank compensates you further for this. If you feel you have not been treated fairly or are out of pocket, you can make a formal complaint to the bank. If you are unhappy with the outcome, move on to the Financial Ombudsman. You can contact Barclays by telephone on 0345 600 2323 or through its app or website. To contact the Financial Ombudsman, go to financial-ombudsman.org.uk. Britains beleaguered steel firms are already facing cancelled orders after Donald Trump hit the industry with 25 per cent tariffs and they have called for government action to save them. Tata Steel and British Steel bosses said the Government has been slow to act compared to the EU. They were giving evidence to the Commons business select committee as Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds visits Washington for talks with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Britain is seeking an exemption from tariffs on global steel and aluminium imports. The tariffs deter US customers from buying UK steel products but an even bigger problem is cheap steel from other markets being diverted from America to Britain. Rajesh Nair, boss of Tata Steel UK, told MPs there would be a huge impact on sales. Tata sells about 80million worth of steel a year to the US, he said, adding: Customers are already wanting to cancel orders. Allan Bell, chief commercial officer at British Steel, said the EU was acting more swiftly than the UK to review safeguarding measures import quotas above which tariffs are imposed. Alasdair McDiarmid at the Community trade union warned that his members were very concerned. Serica Energy shares plunged on Wednesday as the North Sea oil and gas firm warned of further production delays related to the damage caused by Storm Eowyn in January. The London-listed group, which is in discussions over a possible merger with rival EnQuest, told shareholders that delays to repairs meant production from its Triton floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit will not resume before May. Serica had been expecting critical repairs to be completed and production resumed by mid-to-late March. Boss Chris Cox said: 'Our frustrations with the ongoing performance of the Triton FPSO have been well documented - it is not good enough for Serica, and it is not good enough for our shareholders.' Serica is now in discussions with the FPSO site's operator Dana Petroleum to consider 'all options to secure a lasting improvement in operating performance', the group added. Behind schedule: Serica had been expecting critical repairs to the Triton floating production storage and offloading unit to be completed by mid-to-late March Serica shares were down 7.5 per cent in early trading to 128.11p, bringing losses to more than 30 per cent over the last 12 months. Shares were handed a boost in January after Serica said it expects oil production to hit 40,000 barrels a day in 2025, compared to 34,600 in 2024. However, the firm was forced to place this target under review last month. Shares remain around 70 per cent below an August 2022 peak, when oil prices were trading close to $100/bl compared to below $70/bl today. Cox said: 'Our drilling results around Triton have been tremendous, and these need to be converted into sustained production and cashflow. 'We are working closely with Dana to help support them with the current work, and to drive the change required to deliver a more predictable production performance going forward.' Moderate world leaders whose popularity had been waning for months, if not years, have seen a sudden uptick in their political fortunes in what has been dubbed the 'Trump Bump'. President Donald Trump's widespread tariffs against allies and attempts to shake up historic alliances appears to have breathed fresh life into incumbent governments much to the detriment of MAGA-friendly right-wing populists. From Britain to France, Canada to Germany, centrist or centre-left world leaders had appeared to have become out of fashion. In each country they faced a growing threat from right-leaning political parties that looked destined to dominate the political landscape in the not so distant future. But, following the election of Trump and his return to the White House their destinies suddenly do not seem so bleak. This sudden surge in support for establishment parties has been dubbed the 'Trump Bump' by the New York Times and is being seen as a knee jerk reaction across Western nations to the President's efforts to tear up the world order. For Europe, this has been felt most acutely through Trump's response to the Ukraine war after Trump booted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky out of the White House following their war of words in the Oval Office. And the continent is also coming to terms with the brutal reality that it might not be able to rely on America for its security anymore. President Donald Trump 's widespread tariffs against allies and attempts to shake up historic alliances appears to have breathed fresh life into incumbent governments much to the detriment of MAGA-friendly right-wing populists Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Downing Street. Starmer has taken a central role in Europe's response to Ukraine which included holding a summit with fellow European leaders earlier this month French President Emmanuel Macron had been one of the most unpopular president in the history of the country. But now his approval ratings have risen for the first time since June last year Rather than dividing Europeans, Trump has become 'the great unifier of Europe' according to Constanze Stelzenmuller, an expert in trans-Atlantic relations at the Brookings Institution in Washington, which has brought the continent closer together. In the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has had a rocky first seven months in power which saw his party slump in the polls despite having only just won a historic landslide victory. On the eve of Trump's inauguration Starmer's Labour Party were polling in third place at 24 per cent behind the Conservative Party - who lost power last summer after 14 years in government - and the right-wing Reform UK which were both tied for first place. However, since January 20, Starmer has taken a central role in Europe's response to Ukraine which included holding a summit with fellow European leaders earlier this month. His response has been praised across the political spectrum and Labour is being rewarded in the opinion polls - with the latest survey showing a fresh three point lead for the party. Meanwhile, Reform UK and its leader Nigel Farage - who has developed close ties with Trump since as early as 2016 - seem to floundering now as their leader struggles to fend off accusations he sympathises with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Across the English Channel in France, French President Emmanuel Macron had been one of the most unpopular president in the history of the country. He has been widely viewed as a lame duck president who was constitutionally barred from running for a third term and faced a permacrisis with his minority government constantly on the brink of collapsing. Sir Keir has had a rocky first seven months in power which saw his party slump in the polls despite having only just won a historic landslide victory but his response to Ukraine has been praised across the political spectrum Meanwhile, Reform UK and its leader Nigel Farage - who has developed close ties with Trump since as early as 2016 - seem to floundering now as their leader struggles to fend off accusations he sympathises with Russian President Vladimir Putin Macron with Starmer and Zelensky last month. Macron has put himself at the centre of the European Union's efforts to bolster defence spending for Ukraine to plug any holes left behind by the US. But now his approval ratings have risen for the first time since June last year which now stands at 31 per cent according to Bloomberg. This comes after Macron put himself at the centre of the European Union's efforts to bolster defence spending for Ukraine to plug any holes left behind by the US. Macron's main rival the leader of the hard right National Rally, Marine Le Pen, has distanced from herself from Trump in recent weeks after refusing to criticise the leader in the past. Speaking to French media, she condemned the 'brutality' of the withdrawal of US aid to Ukraine. Le Pen's change of heart might have been prompted by a fear of being burned by the French electorate for her closeness to an increasingly unpopular US administration. In Germany the country recently went to the polls in one of the first elections since Trump returned to the White House. While the incumbent centre-left SPD slumped to third place in the worst showing for the party since the 19th century, the election was won by the centre-right CDU led by Friedrich Merz. But the real story of the night was the surge in support for the AfD who came second in was the best showing for a far-right party in post-war German history. Macron's main rival Marine Le Pen, the leader of the hard right National Rally, has distanced from herself from Trump in recent weeks after refusing to criticise the leader in the past Friedrich Merz, the leader of the CDU and presumptive Chancellor of Germany, has staked a claim to the leadership of Europe with his call for the continent to take charge of its own security due to the threat posed by Russia and the unreliability of the United States A poster for the AfD during Germany's recent election. The far-right party surged to second place in the best showing for a far-right party in Germany's post-war history However, despite the historic result, many analysts expected the party to perform even better on polling day last month and the party saw a slight slump in surveys days before the election. This dip in support came after Billionaire and close Trump ally Elon Musk endorsed the party. Meanwhile, Friedrich Merz, the leader of the CDU and presumptive Chancellor of Germany, is changing Germanys debt laws to enable it to fund a mammoth increase in military spending. Merz has staked a claim to the leadership of Europe with his call for the continent to take charge of its own security due to the threat posed by Russia and the unreliability of the United States. Indeed, just as former Chancellor Angela Merkel lead the EU through the financial crisis and with Macron out of office in 2027, it would appear as though Merz is setting himself up to lead the bloc through this next stage of the conflict and whatever comes after a potential ceasefire. Across the pond, the leaders of Canada and Mexico are also benefiting from the 'Trump Bump'. Both nations have been impacted by Trump's tariffs which have sparked a trade war with Canada and Mexico. The already popular President of Mexico, leftist Claudia Sheinbaum, has seen her approval ratings rise to an astronomically 85 per cent. Tech billionaire Elon Musk addresses a rally for the AfD. The party saw a slight slump in its support after Musk endorsed the party The already popular President of Mexico, leftist Claudia Sheinbaum, has seen her approval ratings rise to an astronomically 85 per cent Justin Trudeau sheds a tear as he resigns as PM of Canada. Before Trump had re-entered the White House Trudeau and his Liberal Party looked set for a historic defeat at Canada's upcoming general election which forced Trudeau to step down This may not leave her politically unscathed from the likely economic damage of the trade war but may strengthen her hand as Mexicans rally against perceived unfair treatment. In Canada, before Trump had re-entered the White House Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal Party looked set for a historic defeat at Canada's upcoming general election. The pressure was so great on Trudeau that he resigned on January 6 after almost a decade in power. After Trump announced tariffs against Canada last month, Trudeau and the Liberals have surged in the polls cutting the Conservative party's lead from over 20 per cent to single digits with some surveys even putting the Liberals ahead. In Trudeau's final approval rating poll before he stood down as leader on March 14 the number of Canadians who approved or disapproved of the leader was nearly equal with 47 per cent approving of Trudeau and 49 per cent disapproving. Now under the leadership of the former Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, the popularity of the Liberals has only continued to rise with one poll putting the party a whopping 17 per cent ahead of the Tories. This has been much to the detriment of the leader of the Conservatives Pierre Poilievre whose political fortunes have dramatically shifted since the start of the year. The populist Pollievre gained much of his political capital in recent years piggybacking off the unpopularity of Trudeau. But now that Carney is in charge and the Liberals are now the most popular they have been in over two years this strategy looks to have been a massive blunder. The new Canadian PM Mark Carney. Since he became leader the popularity of the Liberals has only continued to rise with one poll putting the party a whopping 17 per cent ahead of the Tories The Canadian leader of the opposition Pierre Pollievre. The rise of the Liberals in the polls This has been much to the detriment of Poilievre whose political fortunes have dramatically shifted since the start of the year On top of this, polling from the Angus Reid Institute - a Canadian polling company - Carney is trusted more by Canadians to handle biggest issues facing Canada. This includes a 25-point lead ahead of Pollievre on the question of who will handle the trade war with America better. Meanwhile, the American people's view of Trump has remained largely positive at home. According to polls by Gallup, Trump's approval ratings are hovering around 47 per cent which is slightly higher than this time in his first term. Trump faces potential economic headwind as the country looks to be teetering on the edge of recession. Since Trump started his trade wars, US stocks have slumped but at the same time the number of Americans who have missed out on car payments has hit a record high. Before the 2008 recession, a surge in defaults on subprime mortgages triggered a financial meltdown. Meanwhile, the American people's view of Trump has remained largely positive at home Now, a similar pattern is emerging in the auto loan market, raising concerns that the US economy could be heading for another downturn. Buyers are facing higher prices for vehicles, insurance, and repairs at the same time as they're contending with rising rent and costs at the grocery store. On top of this, investment is dropping, job creation is weak and consumer confidence is disappearing sending warning signs of a growing economic crisis in America. And any crisis in America will send tremors across the world which for moderate leaders could see any 'Trump Bump' vanish very quickly. Almost every University of Oxford student screened for a learning difficulty like ADHD was marked as having one after a 90-minute-assessment - meaning they could have extra time in exams. Statistics show the UK's top university has an increasingly higher number of disabled people than the rest of the higher education sector - amounting to nearly 1 in 3, according to the most recent disability service report from 2022/2023. Students who thought they might have a specific learning difficulty requested a test from the university and were sent back a form, with questions like 'Would you describe yourself as a well-organised person?' and 'Do you tend to be on time to appointments?'. After filling it out, 76 per cent of them 'went forward' to an in-house university-funded assessment centre to meet with someone for 90 minutes who decided whether they had it. Oxford admits this is not a medical diagnosis. But 98 per cent of people who emerged from the assessment were told they had a disorder and became eligible for at least 25 per cent extra time in exams. The number of individuals informed they had an SpLD (Specific Learning Difficulty) - a term that includes ADHD and other conditions - the previous year was 97 per cent and it was 99 per cent the year before that. Oxford's SpLD screening system - which was recently replaced - is difficult to compare to public processes, which are not detailed as thoroughly. Some NHS Trusts do release figures that suggest the university's system approves far more people as having the condition than them. Statistics indicate the UK's top university has an increasingly larger number of disabled people compared to the rest of the higher education sector Your browser does not support iframes. At the Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust just 3 per cent of people passed an initial round of screening in 2022/2023 - the highest adult screening out percentage in the country. On average, where screening is used for adults 32 per cent will be screened out in the early stages. Screening is the process of gathering information through interviews and questionnaires to eliminate individuals formally referred to practices from their NHS list. A 26-year-old woman diagnosed with severe combination ADHD after an assessment by doctors and a psychiatrist lasting three months said she was shocked by the short length of the Oxford University process. The patient told MailOnline: 'A self-diagnosis or a short assessment done in-house at a university does not seem to me like a proper or legitimate way of telling anyone they have ADHD. 'It is seen as a quirky trend by a lot of people now and they think it's cool to have it. It is absolutely not. I am a different person now I take medication and know how to manage my symptoms. 'My life improved after diagnosis but I still struggle with my ADHD every day. It is not something I would wish even on my worst enemy so it can be difficult to see people glamourise it or self-diagnose as I worry it will make people take me less seriously. 'It's not difficult to figure out how to answer the questionnaire in a way that would make it seem like you had it to the person looking at it but people simply do not realise how badly you need to experience those symptoms to be able to tick the box. The examination school at Oxford University, where some students are permitted to sit their exams with extra time Your browser does not support iframes. 'It is damaging to diagnose people so flippantly as it makes things harder for those who truly do have it. It is shocking that such a reputable university is doing this.' In 2022/2023, the amount of students with an Oxford DAS record - which means they are registered disabled with the university - stood at around 28 per cent while the average for the higher education sector as a whole was roughly 17 per cent. This compares to an average of 17.7 per cent for the general England population, according to the 2021 census. Standard examination adjustments for students with ADHD and other SpLDs are 25 per cent additional time and use of a computer, though arrangements may be reviewed if there is 'evidence that further consideration is required'. Further figures show that between 2017/18 and 2022/23, the number of students with a listed mental health condition at the university jumped from 1161 to 1960. The report states there has been a 'substantial rise in students seeking an educational assessment due to concerns about attentional deficits'. It adds more than 31 per cent of the assessments funded by the DAS confirmed an SpLD profile of ADHD or similar attentional deficits - the remainder being for other neurological disorders like autism and dyslexia. Statistics indicate the UK's top university has an increasingly larger number of disabled people than the rest of the higher education sector The revelation comes amid Health Secretary Wes Streeting's warning at the weekend of a rise in 'overdiagnosis' in the general population. He told the BBC: 'I want to follow the evidence and I agree with that point about overdiagnosis. 'Here's the other thing, mental wellbeing, illness, it's a spectrum and I think definitely there's an overdiagnosis. 'But there's too many people being written off and, to your point about treatment, too many people who just aren't getting the support they need.' The Oxford annual report says female students are over-represented in DAS records at 57 per cent, compared to 43 per cent male. It also states 'white students are slightly over-represented amongst DAS users (67 per cent) compared with the wider student population (59 per cent)'. However, Chinese students 'remain relatively under-represented amongst DAS users (4.6 per cent DAS registrations compared to 11.5 per cent of whole student population)'. A form seen by MailOnline from 2021 - the first correspondence sent to students after they request a test for ADHD - asks them to 'describe their disability'. The University of Oxford did not dispute the tone of presumption in the form, when approached, but stated the DAS 'does not accept self-diagnosis as evidence to register with the service'. A spokesman said: 'Oxford is committed to ensuring that all of our students have access to an outstanding educational experience at Oxford and that we fulfil our legal obligations by providing reasonable individual adjustments and study support for disabled students. 'We are pleased to offer an environment in which disabled students want to study and can disclose a disability, and the University remains firmly committed to reducing and removing barriers to learning and embedding inclusive teaching and learning practices that benefit all students.' The University added assessment centres closed in 2024 due to changes in government procurement and that since then there had been an 'incremental move to a new service model'. But students were also assured in the 2022/2023 DAS report that 'DAS will review and evaluate the impact of the changes to disability evidence to enable more students access to some commonly recommended adjustments'. Have you moved to Dubai from the UK, or back again, or are making plans? Email aidan.radnedge.mol@mailonline.co.uk Doctors are spearheading an exodus from the NHS in the UK to Dubai, to enjoy tax-free bumper pay packets - while showing off their new lives on TikTok. Medics are being encouraged to join the throng taking up newly booming health roles in the United Arab Emirates, where recruits can pocket up to almost 300,000 a year. Specialist firms are touting for business as interest surges, offering advice on all the practicalities involved in making the lucrative move - which can involve starting salaries of 54,000, almost double UK equivalents between 26,000 and 30,000. And some of those shifting from Britain to affluent Dubai, where the 'rapidly increasing' population is prompting mass hospital expansion, have been encouraging others to follow in their footsteps on social media. Medics celebrating their new surroundings have posted video clips dancing around health facilities in the Middle Eastern nation state. There are also posts outlining in detail the differences between working in the health service in England and Wales and taking up home instead in the UAE. Among the firms offering guidance on relocation is Harrogate-based Prospect Health, whose website highlights the UAE's 'rapidly increasing population', described as 'one of the highest in the world'. The company tells prospective applicants that this has led to 'healthcare facilities striving and competing to become the leading institutions in the region'. Have you moved to Dubai from the UK, or back again, or are making plans? Email aidan.radnedge.mol@mailonline.co.uk Cosmetic surgeon Dr Richard Devine is among medics posting on TikTok about life in Dubai Plastic surgeon Dr Vivien Morris told of leaving for the UAE, 'embarking on an exciting new chapter in Dubai after years of learning, evolving, and teaching in France's top hospitals' The TikToker known as The Page Doctor has been outlining the tax-free benefits of the UAE Cosmetic surgeon Dr Richard Devine, founder of the mobile aesthetic clinic Carriages of Harley Street, has been among those posting online about Dubai life. He shared with his 145,000 TikTok followers a video titled 'Meanwhile, Doctors in Dubai', in which he is seen dancing around wards as well as the luxury towerblock-lined streets of the Emirati capital. Behind him can be seen a red King Kong statue, created by sculptor and artist Richard Gorlinski, perched at the front of the luxury Grosvenor House hotel in Dubai. Also shared on TikTok is a video by The Page Doctor consultancy, posing the question: 'Is it better to be a doctor in London or Dubai?' The narrator tells viewers how basic pay for medics in the UAE can start at 54,000, compared to UK levels of between 26,000 and 30,000. UK HEALTHCARE Average basic pay: 39,868 Average GP pay: 87,884 Average consultant pay: 115,494 Top consultant pay: 139,882 Hospitals: 515 NHS Healthcare professionals: 1,368,655 Paid holidays: 27 plus bank holidays Licensing for doctors: General Medical Council Annual budget: 181.4billion Advertisement UAE HEALTHCARE Average basic pay: 52,800 Average GP pay: 101,544 Average consultant pay: 252,000 Top consultant pay: 276,000 Hospitals: 40 (6 Dubai Health Authority) Healthcare professionals: 9,411 Paid holidays: 30 to 40 Licensing for doctors: Dubai Health Authority, United Arab Emirates Ministry of Health and Prevention Annual budget: 4.5billion Advertisement She adds: 'The cost of living in Dubai can be a bit higher but, as we know, it's a tax-free zone.' The UAE now has more than 40 public hospitals, compared to just seven back in 1970, prompting an enhanced recruitment drive for new GPs above all. Online guides suggest health service employees can typically earn a starting wage of 4,400 per month, or 52,800 a year - with average earnings put at 9,000 monthly, 108,000 annually. And consultancy roles can attract pay of 23,000 each month, tallying up to as much as 276,000 per year. This amounts to even more than some advisors urging people to consider a move to the UAE who say salaries tend to be at least 20 per cent higher than equivalent offers in Britain, even before taking into account the tax-free circumstances. The NHS pay scale for consultants, for 2024-2025, ranges from a basic salary of 105,504 when starting out to 139,882 for those with at least 14 years' experience - so the top rate in Dubai can be nearly double. Meanwhile, the average pay for employees across the health service here was 39,898 last November, according to the latest official figures - down by 0.8 per cent, or 328, compared to 12 months earlier. The NHS workforce reached 1,368,655 that month, a three per cent increase - that is, 40,053 extra people - when contrasted with November 2023. She is among the medics sharing videos on TikTok with the #doctorsindubai hashtag The social media video site has medics sharing footage of their arrival in Dubai from Britain But social media posts attest to plenty of people giving up health positions in Britain for the United Arab Emirates instead, tempted by higher and untaxed pay. The British Medical Association's jobs website currently advertises positions in Dubai for consultant cardiologists and consultant paediatricians. The recruitment firm sharing the ads describes the UAE as a 'dynamic and modern country located on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula which offers a safe and family-friendly expatriate lifestyle, with world-class shopping, dining, museums, cultural events, and a vibrant social and sporting scene'. Meanwhile, Prospect Health tells people pondering such a move: 'Whilst most of the health provision is government funded there is also a rapidly growing private sector. 'Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Al Ain are the three major and most well known areas, all of which offer everything modern expat families look for: Beaches, the sea, large cities, excellent shopping and a progressive lifestyle. 'You can even dive for pearls and see some of the world's most famous bands and DJ's playing live in impressive venues and beach parties. 'The opportunities to work as a Physician / Doctor in the UAE are considerable and it's a well-respected place to practice.' And medical accountants Nichols & Co said: 'The primary draw for many doctors moving to Dubai is the chance to earn a tax-free income. 'In the UK, medical professionals often find that a significant portion of their salary goes toward income tax, national insurance contributions, and other deductions. 'Dubai's zero-income tax policy allows doctors to retain more of their earnings, creating opportunities for greater savings and investments. UK-based Dr Abdul told his TikTok followers why he would not be moving to the Middle East A student doctor shared footage on TikTok of his arrival after landing at Dubai's main airport 'Additionally, the city's modern healthcare infrastructure and patient diversity offer a rewarding environment for doctors to apply and expand their skills.' They also told how many doctors 'also appreciate Dubai's warm climate, luxury lifestyle, and robust expat communities, which provide a supportive environment for those transitioning to life in a new country'. The firm added: 'With all these advantages, the city is well-positioned to attract top medical talent from around the world.' And medical recruitment agency Workplace Doctors highlighted healthcare as being 'one of the fastest growing sectors in the Middle East' - with governments also including those in Qatar and Saudi Arabia increasingly pushing to expand services and especially consultant opportunities. Among those sharing TikTok videos about their moves to Dubai are a junior doctor going by the name HJSWorld, who recorded his arrival at the city's main airport - saying to his 13,000 followers: 'Fly with me to my Dubai elective.' And the incomers are not only from the UK, with plastic surgeon Dr Vivien Morris posting a message telling his 57,000 TikTok followers: 'Embarking on an exciting new chapter in Dubai after years of learning, evolving, and teaching in France's top hospitals.' A counterpoint has also been posted on TikTok by British-based Dr Abdul, whose account has the name @lifeofaGP - as he explained why he would not want to join those moving to the Middle East. He was responding to a commenter who said: 'Why don't you go abroad? All my GP friends are making silly in Saudi.' Dr Abdul told his 23,000 TikTok followers: 'It's not the money - it's the fact it's such an unequal society. 'Yes, in the UK there's a lot of poverty but people are still relatively equal and treat each other with respect, but in those countries that doesn't happen. 'You can chase money wherever you want but ultimately money's destined for you - if you're going to get good money, you're going to get good money. 'But it's the happiness and what you agree with that matters the most and I don't want to live somewhere like that - unless they change their ways, then really to be honest the Middle East doesn't attract me.' Figures previously obtained by MailOnline revealed almost 7,000 doctors applied for documents to support an application to work abroad from the British medical regulator, the General Medical Council (GMC), in 2022 - up from 6,100 in 2019. And the latest statistics from the Nursing and Midwifery Council show that 24,404 of their members - both public and private sector employees - asked between January 2023 and March 2024 for a Certificate of Current Professional Status, a necessity for applying to practice overseas. In a survey of leavers, the NMC found 75 per cent were intending to work abroad - with 40 per cent citing concerns over pay and benefits here as their main motivation. This was accompanied by 28 per cent highlighting workload problems, 27 per cent staffing levels and 26 per cent feelings of burnout or exhaustion. A poll of junior doctors in the UK suggested one in three were pondering a move overseas The boom in healthcare roles tempting people from the UK to the UAE follows similar 'brain drain' moves to Australia in recent years - with doctors and nurses also taking to social media to boast of their 'much happier' lives Down Under. Surveys have suggested that one in three junior doctors in the UK have told of planning to work abroad, leaving the struggling NHS even more exposed. A poll found that 42 per cent of those looking to move overseas had set their sights on Australia, 20 per cent on New Zealand and nine per cent apiece on the Middle East, Canada and Europe. Junior doctors did reach a deal with the Government last September to end a series of strikes, accepting a 22 per cent pay rise - though warned of more walkouts ahead if wages did not keep increasing. MailOnline has contacted the General Medical Council and the Nursing and Midwifery Council for comment and further figures, as well as the doctors who have posted the TikTok videos about life in Dubai. At 7.50am the school run traffic was already building up as two weary police officers returned to the station after a night shift guarding a horrific triple murder scene. But something odd caught the driver's eye. Wearing a yellow and black tracksuit, reminiscent of Uma Thurman's trained assassin in hit movie Kill Bill, a solitary figure stood by the roadside staring at the officers, holding his clenched fist aloft in a kind of salute. As the patrol car slowed to a stop after the curious officers decided to take a further look, Nicholas Prosper stepped forward, pointing his bloodied palm towards them. It was a chance encounter that was to save countless lives. For the routine police stop ended the rampage of a teenage gunman who was on his way to a primary school to shoot a classroom of four and five-year-olds, having already executed three members of his family in cold blood. After a year of meticulous planning, the 18-year-old was less than a mile away from completing his bloodthirsty mission to become, in his own words, the 'most notorious' school shooter in the world. But on that sunny Friday morning on September 13 last year, the two officers had no idea as they approached Prosper that he was the man responsible for the triple murder scene where they had earlier stood guard. Sign up now for the The Crime Desk - home of Britains most arresting podcasts at thecrimedesk.com Nicholas Prosper, 19, murdered his mother, brother and sister before plotting to target a primary school Nicholas Prosper murdered Kyle, Juliana and Giselle Prosper (pictured left to right) Your browser does not support iframes. Around 5am that day, Prosper embarked on his shotgun rampage, blasting his mother Juliana, 48, sister Giselle, 13, and brother Kyle, 16, in the head. In a sickening joke, by their bodies he left a copy of the best-selling novel How To Kill Your Family. When he encountered the police officers hours later, Prosper still had in his pocket the bloody knife which he had used to stab his brother 100 times. In a bush around 200 yards away, Prosper had stashed a shotgun and 33 cartridges as he lay in wait, counting down the hours until St Joseph's Catholic Primary School opened its gates. In chilling police body-worn video footage of his arrest, the teenage killer showed no emotion, robotically repeating to officers, 'It's not murder', as he was cuffed at the roadside. When armed officers arrived, Prosper couldn't resist boasting: 'Did you see the fake shotgun certificate I made?' The shocked officer replied: 'I think we have got the offender.' Little did he know that this was no ordinary offender, Prosper had been planning the 'biggest massacre in the 21st century'. THE TRIPLE SHOOTING At 5.30am that day, those living near Prosper's family home in Leabank Court, Luton, were awoken by screaming and groans followed by gunshots. In a sickening joke, by their bodies he left a copy of the best-selling novel How To Kill Your Family As his terrified neighbours dialled 999 reporting that they had heard sounds like someone's throat had been cut, Prosper was already gathering up his weapon for the next stage of his plan. Having placed Bella Mackie's darkly comic novel about a woman who sets out to kill her estranged family by the bodies of his mother and siblings, Prosper stashed his gun and cartridges in a bag meant for fishing rods. Just three minutes later he was heading out of the door, at 5.33am. The killer would later complain in prison to a nurse that the murders were carried out earlier than he had intended. In a chilling glimpse into his planning, Prosper produced a number of sketches showing the killing outfit he had purchased in preparation and the layout of his old primary school which he intended to hit next. In Bedford Prison, the then 18-year-old confessed that he 'wanted to cause the biggest massacre in the 21st century', whispering to the nurse: 'I wish I had killed more.' Prosper said he planned to kill his family in their sleep before raping his sister, moaning that his mother had woken up too early. A note in his cell said: 'I was right in predicting no one would've called the police had I killed them in their sleep. 3 shots under 30 seconds. Prosper pictured in Luton Crown Court on Tuesday in an artist's impression 'The only known phone call to police that day was made by the b**** (neighbour) at the door as a result of my B**** mother waking them up and it being turned into a long struggle. 'My plan wasn't 'stupid'. I was f****** right. MY MOTHER IS A STUPID F****** COW. 'But why so early? So I'd have time to cannibalise my family, and rape a woman at knife point before the shooting. 'Why? Because I could.' LYING IN WAIT CCTV captured the moment that Prosper made his getaway through the stairwell at the tower block where his family lived, clutching his bag in his bloody hands at 5.33am. By mistake, the murderer left behind a yellow bucket hat he had intended to be part of the outfit. But as he strolled across the car park outside in the darkness, Prosper appeared in no hurry. At 5.40am he was seen climbing over a wall into some woodland. He hid there, crawling into undergrowth to stash the weapon as he whiled away the hours, waiting until the school opened. SCENE OF HORROR When police arrived at Prosper's home at 5.50am, they found a scene of carnage with the killer's bloody handprints, knives and gun cartridges left everywhere. In a matter of minutes, Prosper had shot his family six times after carrying out a test fire on a teddy bear. At 6.22am Prosper uploaded a video on Facebook, which he had recorded the day before, promising to shoot his sister in the face. Prosper (pictured), 19, is being sentenced during a two-day hearing at Luton Crown Court He said: 'On June 30 my sister decided to make the incorrect choices on episode one of season one of the [zombie apocalypse] Walking Dead games, and for that her face will be mutilated further than necessary.' At 6.55am, Prosper was seen striding along Bramingham Road with his bloody hands still stinging from the nettles and thorns he had hid amongst. Prosper ignored passing traffic and pedestrians until he saw the passing police car at 7.50am. THE SHOTGUN Within a short time of his arrest, police discovered the hidden gun and cartridges. However, it would be weeks before they uncovered his murderous mission. Officers learnt that Prosper had purchased the shotgun less than 24 hours before his deadly attacks from an unsuspecting pensioner, whom he had duped with a fake shotgun certificate. In an extraordinary loophole in gun laws, lethal weapons can be traded privately without any official checks if the buyer is able to produce a paper firearms certificate to the seller. Prosper had spent months perfecting his faked certificate by painstakingly copying real ones posted online which he found during 200 searches on firearms. His research started a year earlier when Prosper booked a gun range appointment in September 2023, aged 17. He signed up to several websites where guns could be bought and sold and attempted to buy a firearm on a site called Gun Trader in August 2024, but the seller backed out after becoming suspicious. Weeks later, Prosper contacted a gun owner on another website called Gun Star, offering the seller 600 150 over the 450 asking price for the shotgun and 100 cartridges. He claimed that he just wanted to go clay pigeon shooting. They met in a car park on September 12 where Prosper handed over cash after a brief inspection of the gun in the boot of a car. Grinning, Prosper was later seen hugging the gun in a lift to his family's apartment. PRACTICE SESSION On Prosper's mobile phone, police found videos showing him practising the shooting clutching a piece of wood in his family's kitchen. Dressed in his killing costume, with the gun bag slung over his shoulder, Prosper aimed at the camera. The teenager pretended to fire off a couple of shots with the wood before motioning as if to reload and opening fire again, whispering: 'Bang.' FIXATED ON VIOLENCE When officers examined his two phones, they found a sickening enthusiasm for violence. Prosper had researched every school shooting, mass murder, and bloody atrocity. Such were his warped views that when Axel Rudakubana killed three young children at a Taylor Swift dance class in Southport in July last year, Prosper said that the riots the case sparked were 'beneficial'. The teenager became hooked on a twisted website trading in gore and death, only to be later banned due to his repugnant ideas about necrophilia and child abuse. In the hours before he killed his family, he pored over school shootings and notorious murders such as the killing of Sarah Everard in March 2021, staying up until 4am scrolling through gruesome images. During Prosper's trial Timothy Cray, KC, prosecuting, told Luton Crown Court that the teenager had been fixated on 'images and audios that showed deep alienation from normal life and interest in the darkest sides of humanity, including people being killed or seriously injured and violent video games'. OBSESSED WITH CHILDREN Police found more than 200 indecent images of children on Prosper's phone. His sexual preoccupation with young children may have been what led Prosper to plan an attack on four and five-year-olds. Prosper planned to target his old primary school, St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, where he was remembered by teachers as a 'quiet, geeky boy'. The teenager abandoned senior school in March 2023 after complaining about people being 'in his personal space' and trying to talk to him. His family sought help from a GP about 'autistic traits', but Prosper refused to engage. He was not known to police before carrying out the murders and had never been referred to the Government's deradicalisation scheme Prevent. As the prosecutor said in court, Britain's biggest massacre was 'prevented by chance and circumstance alone'. Subscribe to The Crime Desk for weekly, ad-free episodes of The Trial the Mail's No.1 True Crime podcast. Join here Babies' lives would have been saved if hospital bosses had acted sooner to remove Lucy Letby, a report leaked to the Mail's The Trial podcast has revealed. Inexperienced NHS managers missed 14 opportunities to suspend the nurse when the link between her and infants' deaths on the Countess of Chester Hospital's neo-natal unit was made, the investigation found. They 'completely ignored' an internal staffing review highlighting Letby was on duty every time a child died and became 'blinkered' to the possibility she was responsible. Instead of alerting the police, the bosses commissioned external investigations which failed to discover why babies were dying. Executives also 'ostracised' and 'bullied' doctors when they continued to raise concerns and demand police be called in, the report commissioned after Letby was first arrested revealed. The baby killer, 35, is serving 15 whole-life sentences after being convicted of murdering seven infants and attempting to murder seven more, one of whom she attacked twice, between June 2015 and June 2016. Barristers for the managers yesterday applied to suspend the public inquiry investigating her crimes, led by Lady Justice Thirlwall, saying there was a 'real possibility' Letby's convictions may be overturned. Kate Blackwell KC said 'new' evidence was being considered by the Criminal Cases Review Commission, which looks at miscarriages of justice, and any report made may become 'redundant'. But Richard Baker KC, for the families, said the application was another attempt by Letby to 'cynically control' the narrative. He insisted the evidence presented by a panel of experts and her defence team at a press conference last month was 'nothing new' and accused the bosses of trying to pause proceedings to avoid criticism. Mr Baker said their failure to stop these crimes 'allowed babies to die or be harmed', adding: 'The trust and leaders put reputation ahead of patient safety. '[They] lied to the families, misled external organisations, misled its own board of directors and ultimately tried to avoid a police investigation at all costs.' The bombshell report found NHS managers missed 14 opportunities to suspend Lucy Letby (pictured). Listen to the full report on Mail podcast The Trial now. Only on The Crime Desk, from The Daily Mail. Subscribe here. Subscribe to The Crime Desk for weekly, ad free episodes of The Trial the Mail's No.1 True Crime podcast. Join here. Letby was initially found guilty of murdering seven infants but was also on duty or had recently clocked off shortly before another six died The leaked report, by healthcare consultancy Facere Melius, does not reveal which babies might have lived but makes clear that, by February 2016, the hospital's then-medical director, Ian Harvey, and ex-director of nursing, Alison Kelly, knew the link between Letby and the deaths. She tried to kill four children, Babies K, L, M and N, and murdered two triplet brothers, Babies O and P, before being removed in July that year. 'Earlier action potentially would have reduced the number of baby deaths,' the independent report concluded. 'Had different decisions been made the spike in baby deaths would have been picked up sooner internally and externally and, potentially, lives could have been saved.' Entitled Hidden in Plain Sight, the investigation was ordered by Dr Susan Gilby, who took over from former hospital boss Tony Chambers when he was forced out in September 2018, three months after Letby's arrest. Dr Gilby told the public inquiry into the murders she wanted the document published soon after Letby was convicted, in August 2023, but her request was met with 'a great deal of resistance' from NHS bosses and its contents have never been made public until now. The 243-page report focuses on 13 baby deaths that occurred on the neo-natal unit between June 2015 and June 2016 and the hospital's response to the rising mortality rate. Letby was found guilty of murdering seven infants but was on duty or had clocked off shortly before another six died. Facere Melius analysed more than 25,000 pages of emails, meeting notes and minutes, notebooks and reports, and talked to 34 hospital staff members. They found medics tried 15 times to raise concerns, but calls for a review of each death were 'continually dismissed' as bosses were 'paralysed' by the risk of 'reputational damage'. Alison Kelly, the former director of nursing at the Chester hospital, arrives at the Thirlwall Inquiry at Liverpool Town Hall last year The Countess's former medical director Ian Harvey arrives to give evidence at the inquiry The report was ordered by Dr Susan Gilby, who succeeded Mr Harvey as the hospital's medical director following Letby's arrest Bosses kept the hospital board in the dark about the spike in deaths, which was not flagged or scrutinised at the hospital's patient safety committee. They also flouted NHS whistleblowing protocols and safeguarding guidelines, which meant they 'comprehensively failed' to protect children from harm. Facere Melius learned the first crucial mistake was made as early as June 2015 soon after the first three infants died. Ruth Millward, who was the hospital's head of risk and patient safety, misinterpreted NHS guidance and failed to class the deaths as a 'serious incident'. No one from an outside agency was subsequently given the chance to track the rise in mortality from the start. As the executive responsible for safeguarding, Ms Kelly should also have flagged the deaths to the hospital's safeguarding board and the local safeguarding children board, the report said. She told the public inquiry looking into Letby's crimes it 'never occurred' to her that such baby deaths could be a safeguarding matter. But the report found she had a 'lack of understanding' and her failure to consult others was a 'serious omission'. In February 2016, Ms Kelly and Mr Harvey, an orthopaedic surgeon, were sent a table highlighting that Letby was on duty for all but one of ten infant deaths over nine months. Still nothing was flagged to the authorities. There were 16 meetings between July 2015 and June 2016 but the deaths and Letby's presence were never discussed. Only when the two triplets, Baby O and Baby P, were murdered on consecutive shifts in June 2016, was the board told. Mr Harvey then asked the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health to conduct a review into the neo-natal unit. When they advised that a review of each death be conducted by a neonatologist and pathologist he 'failed to comply', the report said. Mr Harvey instead presented 'at times misleading' information to the hospital board, which was enough for it to allow Letby to return to the neo-natal unit. The report also found Mr Harvey and Mr Chambers 'bullied' medics when they refused to drop their concerns. The pair denied this when they gave evidence to the Thirlwall Inquiry in November. Cheshire police is continuing its investigation into Letby, who has twice failed to have her convictions overturned on appeal. For more exclusive, behind the headline coverage of the Lucy Letby case - listen to The Trial, available now on the Mail's brand-new true crime podcast network -The Crime Desk. Sign up for a free 7-day trial by clicking here. A police detention officer has gone on trial accused of stealing her neighbour's cat. Dawn Jowett, 61, is said to have taken Dora with her when she moved house after feeding her for 18 months. Ms Jowett, who worked in the cells in Mansfield for Nottinghamshire police, said she had started leaving a bowl of food out for the 'neglected' pet because she was 'constantly hungry, constantly coming to me miaowing, constantly covered in scabs'. Jowett said she told the cat's owner Joanna Richards that she was taking her when she moved out of her former home in Hucknall, on October 12, 2023. But the court heard Ms Richards denied agreeing to relinquish her pet and went door to door trying to find her when she failed to return home. Lincoln Crown Court heard she finally tracked her down to Jowett's new house and visited her on November 17, 2023 to demand her Dora's return but Jowett refused. Police were called but it was decided that because of her vulnerable age Dora - now 15 - could remain with Jowett until criminal proceedings finished. Giving evidence Ms Richards told the court Dora was named after the cartoon explorer after her previous cat gave birth to three kittens. 'Dora is our family pet, our family cat,' Ms Richards said. She said Dora was an 'outdoors cat' who would be out most nights but would generally come home when her daughter returned from school around 3.30pm. A police detention officer has gone on trial accused of stealing her neighbour's cat. Dawn Jowett (pictured), is said to have taken Dora with her when she moved house after feeding her for 18 months Ms Jowett, who worked in the cells in Mansfield for Nottinghamshire police, said she had started leaving a bowl of food out for the 'neglected' pet because she was 'constantly hungry, constantly coming to me miaowing, constantly covered in scabs'. Pictured: Dora the Cat Jowett said she told the cat's owner Joanna Richards (pictured) that she was taking her when she moved out of her former home in Hucknall, on 12 October 2023 'She would go out about 7pm or 8pm, and then come in early, about 5am or 6am,' she told the court. Ms Richards confirmed that Dora was microchipped under her name and registered to a vets practice in Hucknall. 'She had a home, she was fed twice a day,' Ms Richards told the jury. 'I bought flea and worming treatment for her, and kept an eye on her skin.' Jurors heard Ms Richards was aware her neighour had been feeding Dora and had asked her to stop as she was 'getting to be a large cat'. She said they noticed Dora was missing at around the same time their neighbour moved in October 2023, jurors heard. 'We put food out, and thought it was strange she had not come back,' Ms Richards said. 'After a couple of days we had not seen her, she would often miaow on the windowsill outside, but we then thought something was wrong.' Ms Richards said the family made searches for missing pets on Facebook and drove around the area looking for Dora, and after several weeks she learnt her cat was with Jowett. The court heard Ms Richards denied agreeing to relinquish her pet and went door to door trying to find her when she failed to return home in October 2023 Lincoln Crown Court heard she finally tracked her down to Jowett's new home and visited her on November 17 2023 to demand her Dora's return but Jowett refused. Pictured: Joanna Richards 'Once I found out where Dawn moved to I did go to see her to try and get Dora back', Ms Richards said. 'I knocked on the door and said 'we want Dora back.' Ms Richards told the jury. 'She (Jowett) refused.' Ms Richards said she returned to the property with proof of Dora's microchip but Jowett accused her of neglecting and mistreating the cat. Under cross-examination from defence barrister Lucia Harrington, Ms Richards confirmed she had lived next to Jowett for around 19 years and said their previous good relationship had deteriorated when Ms Richards began a new relationship in 2022. Ms Richards denied defence suggestions that she thanked Jowett for feeding Dora and had 'lost interest' in the cat. Police were called but it was decided that because of her vulnerable age Dora - now 15 - could remain with Jowett until criminal proceedings finished 'Dawn did mention the cost of cat food for feeding Dora and I said "stop feeding her," Ms Richards said. Ms Richards accepted Dora would often be outside overnight in bad weather and that the family did not have a cat flap but she denied a defence suggestion that she stopped her flea and worming treatment because she knew Jowett was looking after the cat. Jurors heard Dora received no treatment or annual check-ups from the vets practice in Hucknall where she was registered after 2018. 'She did not need to be seen by a vet,' Ms Richards said. The defence claim Jowett spoke to Ms Richards on her drive a week before her move and told her that she was taking Dora. Miss Harrington suggested Jowett informed Ms Richards 'while I've got you now, just to let you know I'm moving next week, I'm going to take Dora.' The defence said Ms Richards swore in her reply, saying 'Do what the f**k you like with her.' But giving evidence Ms Richards said the conversation did not happen 'I never said Dawn could have her,' Miss Richards said. Jurors heard Jowett had spent 23 years working as a detention officer for Nottinghamshire Police and had received a long service award from the Chief Constable. Giving evidence, Jowett confirmed she had no previous convictions or cautions, and said she had got on well with Ms Richards until her new partner arrived. Jowett told jurors she had known Dora since she was a kitten but had noticed a deterioration in her condition in the three years before she moved. 'She was constantly hungry, constantly coming to me miaowing, constantly covered in scabs,' Jowett said. 'Out all the time, no matter what the weather was, a bit feral, very neglected.' Jowett said she began putting a bowel out to feed Dora and later the cat began staying indoors. 'Technically I thought she was my cat, as far as I was concerned,' Jowett told the jury. Jowett insisted she was 'never' asked to stop feeding Dora and said she paid for all the food. Jurors heard Jowett contacted the RSPCA about Dora and she 'constantly' spoke to Ms Richards about the state of the cat. 'She just wasn't interested,' Jowett said. Jowett, now of Kirkby in Ashfield, Notts, denies a single charge of theft on 12 October 2023. The trial continues. Paddy McGuinness is selling the marital home he shares with ex-wife Christine for 6.5million, MailOnline can reveal. The TV presenter, 51, put the sprawling seven-bedroom mansion on the market amid claims from sources close to Christine, 36, she is 'miserable' and 'desperate to sell up' rather than continuing to cohabit the house with Paddy and their three children. Model Christine previously feared moving house would bring unwanted upheaval to the lives of Felicity, eight, and 11-year-old twins Leo and Penelope, as well as herself. But the dynamic in their relationship has clearly changed in recent months sparking Paddy, who kept the Cheshire property as part of his divorce settlement finalised in October last year, to put the house up for sale. The former Top Gear host is hoping to make a 4.4million profit after purchasing the home for 2.1million back in 2020. He and Christine spent months renovating the property before moving in to cater for the needs of their young family. A source said: 'Paddy and Christine were content with living together in the house for the sake of their children. Paddy McGuinness is selling the marital home (pictured) he shares with ex-wife Christine for 6.5million The stunning seven-bedroom mansion has been put on the market, MailOnline can reveal TV presenter Paddy McGuinness, 51, (pictured) split from his wife Christine in 2021 after just over a decade of marriage and the former couple are co-parenting their children together 'They were getting on fine and didn't feel the need to disrupt their kids' lives. 'But in recent months Christine has grown increasingly unhappy which has led to a change to heart. 'They felt it was best for a new start, for all concerned, which triggered Paddy's decision to sell up.' The mansion features its own gym, a huge kids playroom containing soft play equipment, his and hers dressing rooms, an orangery and a kitchen diner. Its seven bedrooms have six en suite bathrooms and the house has been described by estate agents handling the sale as 'tailor made for hosting family and friends'. In an interview with the Daily Mail's Weekend Magazine earlier this month, Paddy discussed his living situation with Christine and intimated the pair would continue staying under the same roof. He said: 'Yeah, still the same. It doesn't feel tricky. I think it would if you lived in a toxic household - God forbid.' Asked how their unique living arrangement works, Paddy added: 'If I'm at home with the kids it's great. The mansion is light and open with a stunning modern interior throughout 'If I'm working and Christine is at home with the kids, that's great. 'If we are there together, that's fine. As long as my children are happy, that's all that matters to me.' Despite cohabiting, both Paddy and Christine have started dating again, according to the latter, but neither has gone public with a serious relationship. However, last week sources told Mailonline Christine was far from happy living with Paddy, who likes being 'king of the castle'. An insider said: 'Christine is at the end of her tether and can't carry on living with PaddyShe is desperate to sell the house, split the proceeds, and buy a smaller property where she can live happily with their three children.' Speaking last year, Christine told how she was 'petrified' of living on her own following her split from Paddy, claiming would be worried about how she would cope if she and the Phoenix Night's star lived separately. Speaking to Kate Thornton's Wine Wine Question Time podcast, she explained: 'I still struggle with change and I'm just learning how to do things the best, what works for me and the children, and not what is expected. 'Of course when you see a couple split or divorce, you expect them instantly to move out or go separate ways and start your own life and for us that was never going to work. It has to be slow. 'I am absolutely petrified of the thought of living on my own one day with the children. 'I want to get to the point where I'm excited about it and I'm not there yet. For now, it works because we're not having to change the children's routine. The house boasts a huge kids playroom containing soft play equipment (pictured) 'So Patrick [Paddy] goes to work, then I got to work. And then I go to work and Patrick stays at home. 'It does worry me when we do go in separate houses, how are we going to cope with that. 'How are they [children] going to be staying at daddies [house] then at mummies [house]. That's why we are not sure what is the best way to do that. But whilst we are okay we'll stay here and then eventually figure it out.' On the back of Christine's worry, she revealed that she 'barely left the house for eight years' and became 'extremely reclusive'. She added: 'I chose to stay at home and I took it to the extreme by becoming very, very reclusive. I barely left the house for about eight years, and I would only go to the supermarket around 1am, 2am in the morning when it was quiet. 'I'd say no to anything because I was comfortable in my bubble at home. I wasn't unhappy, but I think I was just existing. I don't think I was fully living.' Paddy and Christine announced their separation in July 2022 after a decade of marriage. Christine confirmed they had split in an Instagram post - days after Paddy had been accused of kissing a fellow TV star behind her back. In a joint statement the couple said they wanted to 'clarify' speculation about their private life. It continued: 'A while ago we took the difficult decision to separate but our main focus as always is to continue loving supporting our children. 'This was not an easy decision to make but we are moving forward as the best parents we can be for our three beautiful children. 'We'll always be a loving family, we still have a great relationship and still live happily in our family home together.' A prep school hailed as the best in Britain by Society bible Tatler less than four years ago is to shut citing 'substantial taxation pressures'. Earlier this month, Treasury Minister Torsten Bell admitted Labour's crippling raid on private schools with the imposition of VAT plus rises in National Insurance and removal of business rate relief - could see 100 closures. The Independent Schools Bursars Association has predicted the impact could be worse still, forecasting 286 private schools could close, 11 per cent of Britain's 2,600 total. Now St Anselm's Prep School, in Bakewell, Derbyshire, which dates back nearly 140 years, has become the latest victim of the hated Left-wing policies. Parents have been left outraged by the decision, announced in a letter from the chair of governors. In October 2021, St Anselm's was named Tatler's Prep School of the Year, with judges praising its 'blend of tradition and innovation'. The school was also applauded for its 'tireless approach' to ensure no child was 'left behind' during lockdown. But in his letter on Monday, Paul Houghton, chair of the board of governors, said: 'We are deeply upset to have reached the point where there are no viable options for St Anselm's as an independent prep school.' Parent Andrew Rowe, 49, is a director and parent at St Anselm's Prep School Treasury Minister Torsten Bell admitted Labour's raid on private schools could see 100 closures Mr Houghton said the closure, after the summer term, came against 'unrelenting headwinds', with the school 'operating at a financial loss'. 'Adding to this, the substantial recent government taxation pressures on all independent schools, it is now unsustainable to keep the school open'. The school was founded by Cambridge-educated naturalist William Storrs-Fox in 1888 and has 123 pupils aged between two and 13, plus 54 staff. Two years ago, it sought greater financial stability by becoming part of Birkdale School, an independent secondary school in Sheffield, South Yorkshire. Parent Andrew Rowe, 49, a director, whose youngest son Christian, 11, is a pupil, and whose elder son Alexander, 14, also went to St Anselm's, said: 'The parents, pupils and staff are extremely saddened. 'This whole VAT on schools thing just won (Labour) votes from people against private education but those who make the sacrifices in terms of paying the fees, they are not majorly wealthy people, they are just working month-to-month. 'The people who have trust funds, squillions in the bank, they paid fees up front ahead of VAT coming in, so haven't been hit. 'The people hit are those who are struggling to meet the fees but want the best for their children. Mr Rose said the people who are struggling to meet the fees but want the best for their children have been hit the hardest The Independent Schools Bursars Association has predicted 286 private schools could close. Pictured: Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson 'Keir Starmer himself went to a grammar school before it became fee paying, and if you wanted to get your child into a particular grammar school in those days you had to have a lot of sway as parents making his parents the same as us.' Mr Rowe, who went to St Anselm's himself in the 1980s, said the school closure would 'break up' what he likened to a 'family unit'. One parent who did not wish to be named accused the government of 'destroying freedom of choice' for parents 'and most importantly, the stability and wellbeing of our children'. She said: 'What is being overlooked in is ultimately who this is impacting the most: our children. The future generations of our country. 'Schools (are being) forced to shut because they are being penalised for the background of the families who go there. Teachers out of work. Friendship groups ripped apart. Years of service, commitment and hard work, just gone.' Tory peer and former cabinet minister Lord McLoughlin, whose former Derbyshire Dales constituency includes Bakewell, said: 'It's tragic to see the closure of a school like this that's served the area for many years. 'It's partly a consequence of VAT and other pressures being put onto the private school sector, which is a great pity. Schools like this weren't in competition with the state system they relieved it.' Paul Houghton, chair of the Board of Governors at St Anselm's, said: 'This has been an incredibly difficult decision which no one wanted to make. 'Our priority now is working with the children and their families, our teachers and staff, and the wider community who are impacted by this decision.' A government spokesperson said: 'Ending tax breaks for private schools will raise 1.8 billion a year by 2029/30 to help fund public services, including supporting the 94% of children in state schools to achieve and thrive. 'On average, around 50 mainstream private schools typically close each year. This is due to a range of reasons, including financial struggles and school standards issues. 'Local authorities and schools commonly support children and parents in these circumstances, we are confident in local state schools' ability to accommodate new pupils.' The FBI is facing pressure from MAGA warriors in Congress to hand over unredacted documents related to the controversial Russian collusion investigation. Republican Senators Ron Johnson and Chuck Grassley sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel on Monday demanding the never-seen-before documents. They say that the secrets contained in the documents will 'expose corruption' within the FBI, one of Donald Trump's top priorities. The probe codenamed Crossfire Hurricane tried and failed to find evidence that then-candidate Trump's 2016 campaign colluded with Russia to influence the outcome of the U.S. election. The FBI confirmed to DailyMail.com that it received the letter from Grassley and Johnson. Bondi and Patel have vowed to bring more transparency. During Patel's confirmation hearing, he said it's a top priority to shine light on the investigation. 'Do you believe that Crossfire Hurricane was one of the most disgusting episodes in FBI history of a corrupt investigation led by corrupt people who wanted to take Donald Trump down?' Sen. Lindsey Graham asked during Patel's hearing to which the then-nominee replied affirmatively. Senators are asking FBI Director Kash Patel to unredact turn over the interviews with 170 people from the codename Crossfire Hurricane investigation FBI Director Kash Patel said he wants to get to the bottom of the documents Senators requested in April 2023 an unedited transcript from the Inspector General's report on the investigation, but were handed versions with multiple redactions. Now they are hoping a more friendly leadership at DOJ and FBI will comply with the request to produce unredacted versions of the transcripts. Nearly two years ago, Special Counsel John Durham released his report concluding that the FBI did not have enough 'factual evidence' to investigate allegations of Trump-Russia collusion. Grassley and Johnson note in their letter that OIG say it does not have the authority to declassify some if not all of the information. 'In response to our request, the OIG said, 'many of the redactions in those transcripts were made by the Justice Department, the Department of State, or other United States government agencies. Thus, in addition to the OIG concerns described above, the OIG does not have the authority to release information that those agencies have indicated is exempt from disclosure,' they wrote. The OIG conducted more than 170 interviews in connection to the Crossfire Hurricane investigation. Crossfire Hurricane was the internal code name for the FBI investigation that began in 2016 to look into possible links between Trump's presidential campaign and Russia. It has since been exposed that the entire basis for the investigation was founded on false information. Crossfire Hurricane was the internal code name for the FBI investigation that began in 2016 to look into possible links between Trump's presidential campaign and Russia As a result, Special Counsel John Durham was appointed in 2019 by then-Attorney General Bill Barr to look into misconduct in the Crossfire Hurricane probe. Durham's 300-page report provides a comprehensive summary of findings and claims the DOJ and FBI 'failed to uphold their mission of strict fidelity to the law' when launching the Trump-Russia probe. In May 2023, the special counsel transmitted the report on his four-years-long investigation costing over $6 million in taxpayer dollars to Attorney General Merrick Garland, who then sent it to top leaders in Congress. Durham wrote in the nearly two-year-old report: 'Based on the evidence gathered in the multiple exhaustive and costly federal investigations of these matters, including the instant investigation, neither U.S. law enforcement nor the Intelligence Community appears to have possessed any actual evidence of collusion in their holdings at the commencement of the Crossfire Hurricane investigation.' JonBenet Ramsey's father has demanded cops retest every piece of evidence from his daughter's murder investigation for DNA after DailyMail.com's bombshell interview with a woman claiming her ex is the killer. John Ramsey, 81, told DailyMail.com this week that the key to solving the slaying of the six-year-old pageant queen lies in genetic genealogy, a method that has helped crack other cold cases including the Golden State Killer and Gilgo Beach murders. He also wants investigators to comb through all the items of potential evidence handed over by Jacqueline Dilson, who is convinced her former partner Chris Wolf is the culprit - claims he denies. John met with Boulder PD in January and pleaded with Chief Stephen Redfearn to reexamine some of the main pieces of evidence at the center of the case: namely the makeshift garrotte that was found embedded in JonBenets neck and the unidentified male DNA discovered in her underwear and beneath her fingernails. Should investigators oblige, John believes theres a 60 to 70 percent chance JonBenets killer could be behind bars within months. So convinced by the capabilities of genetic genealogy, he has even offered to pay out of pocket for the tests himself but was told by the department that wouldnt be necessary. DNA technology has advanced dramatically since the last round of testing was done in the mid-2000s, said John. If it doesnt work then Ill praise the police for trying everything they could [...] but, to me, its just so obvious where the polices time needs to be spent. John said hes also curious to know how thoroughly compelling early suspects in the case were vetted by Boulder PD and by what means they were cleared - if at all. John Ramsey spoke to DailyMail.com about renewed accusations against Chris Wolf, one of the early suspects in the case who has never been charged and denies wrongdoing The murder of JonBenet Ramsey remains the most famous cold case in the US. She was found beaten and strangled to death in the basement of her family home in Boulder, Colorado on Dec. 26, 1996 Chris Wolf, 65, broke a 20-year silence to speak with Daily Mail about his ex-girlfriend, Jacqueline Dilson, and her claims he murdered JonBenet Ramsey A garrotte found embedded in the young girl's neck could contain vital DNA, John believes He made specific reference to Chris Wolf, a former reporter who earlier this month was accused by his ex-girlfriend, Jacqueline Dilson, of murdering JonBenet in a exclusive Daily Mail report. Dilson alleged that Wolf - so apparently overcome with hatred for John Ramsey and his business ties to arms manufacturer Lockheed Martin - brutally killed the young girl and staged the crime scene as a kidnapping in a deranged, politically motivated hit. Wolf staunchly denied Dilsons absurd claims, calling the allegations the product of disturbed fantasy. Over the years, Dilson has supplied the department with numerous items of potential evidence to build her case against Wolf, including clothes and bedsheets that she believed could be tested for DNA and trace fibers. But in a 2001 deposition, the former lead detective on the Ramsey case, Steve Thomas, admitted he was unsure as to whether any of Dilsons artifacts were ever tested because he didnt deem Dilson to be a reliable witness. John said he plans to ask Boulder PD if any of those items were ever tested, if theyve been kept, and what status Wolf holds as a potential suspect in this case now. [Dilson] surfaced early on with her allegations, and of course, we paid attention to her. The evidence she has is circumstantial but it is compelling, John said. The problem with Boulder Police is that on day one they decided that the parents did it [...] and so investigating leads that pointed elsewhere was, in their minds, a waste of time. It was beyond incompetent [...] so I dont think they looked at these suspects very well, if at all, because it was more of a nuisance to them more than anything because they were determined to pin this on us. Boulder PD declined to comment on the case, citing an active investigation. Wolf, now 65, is one of only two people to have ever been detained in connection with JonBenets murder. He told DailyMail.com he last spoke with investigators in the early 2000s. Wolf voluntarily supplied Boulder PD with DNA, fingerprint, and handwriting samples in 1998 and claims he was told by investigators he was no longer considered a suspect in the case. Boulder PD has never publicly cleared Wolf but in 2011, in response to renewed allegations made by Dilson, stated that hed been thoroughly investigated. He has never been charged in connection with the murder. JonBenet Ramsey was first reported missing by her parents in the early hours of December 26, 1996, with her frantic mom, Patsy Ramsey, telling a 911 operator the pint-sized pageant queen was missing from her bed, and a strange ransom note had been left on a staircase near her room, demanding $118,000 in cash for her safe return. The little girl's body was found later that day, swaddled in a white blanket in a storage room in the Ramseys' basement. Her wrists had been tied, duct tape covered her mouth, and a garrotte fashioned from paintbrushes was wound around her neck. The horrifying discovery was made by John. Jacqueline Dilson has renewed allegations against her ex-boyfriend Chris Wolf, accusing him of murdering JonBenet Ramsey, which he denies Dilson (seen, right, with Wolf) first reported Wolf to police in January 1997 John and Patsy Ramsey almost immediately became the lead suspects in the case, with authorities saying the couple was under an 'umbrella of suspicion' The Ramseys believed an intruder broke into their home through a window in the basement, near where JonBenet was found Unidentified male DNA was found on JonBenets underwear and under her fingernails JonBenets official cause of death was ruled to be blunt-force trauma and asphyxiation. There were also signs of sexual assault. Dilson first reported Wolf to Boulder Police just weeks after the murder, in January 1997, citing his bizarre actions on Christmas night and eerie statements he had made about the crime afterward. She told Daily Mail Wolf left her home in Boulder County for hours on Christmas night and returned long after dark a man possessed. The following morning, she woke in the early hours to the sound of Wolf showering and his clothes in a mud-stained heap on the floor. She told detectives Wolf became aggressive when she questioned his whereabouts that night. He then later became irate when JonBenet's death first made the news - ranting that he wanted her father John Ramsey to die and accusing him of sexual abuse, according to police records. At Dilson's insistence, Wolf was detained and taken in for police questioning. He denied any involvement but initially refused to provide DNA or handwriting samples. Wolf was soon released. Boulder PD claimed he was extensively vetted and was no longer being treated as a suspect. But Dilson is far from convinced of his innocence and hopes her suspicions will finally be taken seriously after sharing her story publicly for the first time in a new self-published book, The Unheard Call. In it, she portrays Wolf as an anti-capitalist radical who believed John Ramsey was complicit in the killing of innocent women and children because of his business ties to arms manufacturer Lockheed Martin. Copiling her case with host of observations, circumstantial evidence, and anecdotal accounts, Dilson sensationally alleges that Wolf murdered JonBenet as an act of retribution for her father's perceived complicty in stoking third-world conflicts. For Wolf, Dilson's accusations remain as ludicrous to him now as they were in 1997, telling the Daily Mail that claims he murdered JonBenet as a political message are 'completely absurd'. I had absolutely nothing at all to do with the murder of JonBenet Ramsey, he defiantly said. Im not a vigilante, and I would never take that kind of action based on some political beliefs that I had. Id certainly never harm a child. As far as Jacque - I dont know exactly if she really believes all of this or not that shes claiming about me. I think theres a number of things going on. At the center of the Ramsey mystery is a bizarre, two-and-a-half page ransom note addressed to John and purported to have been authored by a 'foreign faction' known as SBTC John Ramsey is hopeful his daughter's case will soon be solved. He believes advancements in DNA technology will help snare the killer Six-year-old JonBenet was found dead hours after her parents called 911 to report an abduction The Ramseys' son, Burke Ramsey, also fell under the media spotlight. He was nine at the time of JonBenet's death Seen above is a photo of the room where the pageant queen was found dead. A suitcase left near an open window may also contain vital DNA evidence John Ramsey, meanwhile, said the circumstantial evidence against Wolf has always, in his mind, been compelling. Part of the reason is that he believes Wolf - based on the accusations made by Dilson - matches up closely to a profile of the killer generated by legendary FBI criminal profiler John Douglas. What he told me was, My profile of the killer is he's in his 20s or 30s and was angry or jealous of you, John. And this was done to hurt you. This wasnt about JonBenet, shared John of Douglas beliefs. And so Chris Wolf, based on what Jacque says in terms of his actions and words and hate and anger, he fits the bill on paper. John said Wolf was one of a number of suspects that stood out to him based on circumstantial evidence in the early weeks and months of his daughters murder investigation. He and Patsy named Wolf as one of their prime suspects in the case in their controversial book, The Death of Innocence, in 2000. Also noted among the Ramseys' persons of interest was their housekeeper and a former employee of Johns at his company Access Graphics. Wolf sued the Ramseys for defamation but lost his $50 million suit, with a judge ruling there was ample evidence to show an intruder could have murdered JonBenet and the couple was within their rights to discuss him as a suspect because hed been questioned by police. John was present in the room with Wolf for several hours during a deposition for the suit. He described Wolf as a dark character who left him feeling uneasy. I didnt even want to walk out the building until I knew he was long gone, claimed John. He was just a dark character, I dont know how else to put it. He wasn't the kind of guy youd want to be hanging around with. Responding to Dilsons latest frontal assault against Wolf, John said hes unsure what to make of her claims this far down the road. Though John believes Wolf is worth another close look, he doesnt think Dilsons case against him is strong enough. The only thing that will definitively determine who killed his daughter is DNA, he said. And when that breakthrough comes, he doesnt believe the culprit will be among the hundreds of persons of interest who have previously landed on Boulder PDs radar. I could give you three or four other names that when you look at the circumstantial evidence against them, youll think: Holy mackerel! This is a serious suspect," explained John. But circumstantial evidence is not going to solve this case. And the other thing Ive observed with these old cold cases that are solved using this family genealogy approach is that these suspects often come from left field - they werent a suspect on anyones list. 'So I remind myself that this will likely be the case in our case, that this person, when identified, would be somebody we never looked at - no leads, no tips, no nothing. The ransom note was written on a pad belonging to Patsy Ramsey. She told police she discovered it on a staircase at the rear of the home The murder of JonBenet Ramsey horrified Boulder and captivated the world John Mark Karr falsely confessed to the crime in 2006. He was ruled out by DNA The Ramsey family has a fractured history with the Boulder Police Department. John and Patsy Ramsey were the prime suspects in the case for more than a decade. In September 1998, a grand jury was convened to investigate the case. The grand jury voted to indict John and Patsy on charges of child abuse resulting in death and being accessories to a crime, but Boulder County District Attorney Alex Hunter declined to move forward with an indictment citing a lack of evidence. Then, in 2008, then-District Attorney Mary Lacy wrote a letter to John, saying new DNA evidence had cleared him, Patsy, and their son Burke of any wrongdoing. Lacy formally apologized for the cloud of suspicion the Ramseys lived under for years. But Lacys vindication came too late for Patsy, who died from ovarian cancer in 2006 at the age of 49. In the past, John has been openly critical of Boulder PD, slamming them for their years-long fixation on him and Patsy and otherwise bungling what he believes shouldve been a straightforward investigation by refusing help from larger, better-resourced law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI. But now, John said he is prepared to bury the hatchet. During his meeting with Boulder PD in January, he said he was left impressed by Chief Redfearn and is encouraged that a resolution to his daughters case will eventually be found. We are cautiously hopeful we may finally be on the right track, said John. The police now have top-tier leadership in charge, and so I just hope they have the bandwidth to really focus on this. They didnt make any promises about genealogy testing, but they were interested and responsive to what we had to say - and thats all we could hope for. John said he remains as determined as ever to finally unmask his daughters killer. Despite Lacys letter, he acknowledges a cloud still lingers over the Ramsey name - and hes determined to finally lift the fog for the sake of his children and grandchildren. I will do everything I can to ensure my family doesn't have to live under this cloud anymore, he said. Im 81 years old, so its not going to change much about my life and everything thats happened to this point, but it will make a difference for my children and their children. Asked if he ever allows himself to envision the moment the killer is finally caught, John says he tries not to. In 2006, when convicted child sex offender John Mark Karr falsely confessed to perpetrating the crime, John said he experienced a rollercoaster of emotions. Rather than an arrest marking the end of his anguish, it would merely signal the beginning of another painful chapter. He explained: Theres going to be a trial, theres going to be a massive media focus, and thats going to be difficult. And then were going to have to sit through the trial and understand what actually was done to my daughter and why. Its not going to be, Hey, we got the guy. Lets have a glass of champagne to celebrate. Its going to reopen all of those emotional wounds again - and thats going to be so hard. A 'beautiful and caring' university lecturer begged police to arrest her abusive ex-husband Paul Butler just hours before he murdered her, friends have revealed. Claire Chick, 48, was stabbed to death in Plymouth on January 22 - prompting a nationwide manhunt for Butler, who fled the city and was found 20 miles away. At court today, the 53-year-old pleaded guilty to her murder and another charge of possession of a bladed article. Jo Taylor, a close friend, accused cops of 'doing nothing' and revealed Claire had regularly called for help after 'evil' Butler stalked and attacked her - including on the morning of January 22, the day of her murder. She told MailOnline: 'He hounded her, he climbed in her car when she was driving, he tried to break into her house so she had to get cameras fitted. 'She reported everything to the police but they did nothing, they would ring him and speak to him but that was it. 'The day he murdered her she had been called in to the police that morning and they just did nothing, they spoke to him and let him go. 'Nobody would believe how bad it was, the police didn't accept it wasn't just another domestic, but he was evil. Claire Chick begged police to arrest her abusive ex-husband hours before he murdered her Paul Butler stabbed Claire to death in Plymouth in January, prompting a nationwide manhunt Butler, 53, today pleaded guilty of Claire's murder (Pictured: The couple together) 'The police did not listen, she called them almost every week from when they separated in September telling them what he was doing. 'Nobody protected Claire.' Claire, a lecturer in adult nursing at Plymouth University, had been forced to move into an Airbnb flat in the city to get away from Butler. Before that they had lived in separate houses on Stangray Avenue where they met after Claire moved into the house next door. Ms Taylor - who had known Claire for 20 years having met while working as nurses at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester - said: 'She moved to a secret address to get away from him and he found out where she was near where the new apartment was. 'I have no idea how he found her but I think he had a tracker on her phone because she always kept the same number. 'She would block him and he would get another phone every time.' Devon and Cornwall Police referred the attack to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) because of 'previous contact with the victim'. A close friend told MailOnline Claire reported Butler to police to no avail (Pictured: Claire and Butler) Elizabeth Cook's sketch of Paul Butler (left) appearing at Plymouth Magistrates' Court A GoFundMe page set up to support Claire's two daughters and five grandchildren has already raised more than 10,500. In a statement following Claire's death, the family also criticised authorities' handling of her case, saying: 'We are absolutely devastated and broken at the loss of our beautiful caring mother Claire Chick. 'She was the most beautiful lively soul and was there for everyone. 'Unfortunately, the same couldn't be said for her when she needed security and begged for help to protect her she was failed by local authorities. 'Our mum wrote and spoke out to say in the event of her death she wanted people to know she was let down and we will do whatever we can to make sure her legacy and her strong will gets seen from us, her two daughters. 'Everyone that knew our mum had so much positive words to say about her. She was the life and soul of any place she was. She loved to dance and sing even though she was pretty bad at it she had no shame in doing it in front of any audience. 'We will never get over this as a family she was our glue and our go to. We won't ever get the justice our mum deserves for this because no amount of justice will bring her back. 'We want to thank everyone for their kind words and we invite anyone who knew her to share their memories of her. The day Butler murdered Claire, he had been called in to the police station and later released Butler is pictured wearing a fancy dress lifeguard costume in a picture taken from social media Claire had been forced to move into an Airbnb flat to get away from Butler (pictured) 'She leaves behind four beautiful young grandchildren who all refer to her as 'a favourite grandma'. 'She maybe gone but her spirit will always remain alive. We love you mum and we promise to make you proud xx.' Following Butler's guilty plea today, Judge Robert Linford ordered pre-sentence reports and said the sentencing hearing would take place on 25 April. He told Butler: 'I am going to order that a psychiatric report is prepared upon you, which will assist the court in determining the minimum term that must be served by you before you are considered for parole. 'You understand, I know, that the sentence for the offence of murder is fixed by law and on that date you will receive a sentence of life imprisonment, but the minimum term will be affected by submissions I hear from the prosecution barrister and your barrister, and that which is contained in the psychiatric report which I now order.' A rapper known as DigDat has been found guilty of attempted murder over a drive-by shooting that happened after he shared posts of himself partying with 50 Cent in Dubai. Nathan Tokosi had taken to social media just days before Daniel Offei-Ntow, 27, was gunned down and severely injured by as he sat in his car in Notting Hill, west London, early on November 20, 2023. Sobbing could be heard from the public gallery as an Old Bailey jury unanimously found Tokosi, 25, of Deptford, south-east London, guilty of attempted murder, and possessing a self-loading pistol and ammunition, both with intent to endanger life. He was also found guilty of possessing a prohibited firearm and ammunition. Tokosi, whose single Air Force peaked at number 20 on the UK singles chart, showed no reaction as the verdicts were returned. Opening the trial in February, prosecutor Kate Bex KC said the defendant was one of at least two people in a stolen Audi which pulled up beside Mr Offei-Ntow's Mitsubishi. At least six shots were fired from a rear passenger window, hitting Mr Offei-Ntow in the head, mouth and body, and he was 'lucky not to die', Ms Bex said. Firearms officers arrived quickly and found the victim's Mitsubishi Outlander riddled with bullet holes and the interior covered in blood. Rapper Nathan Tokosi, also known as DigDat, has been found guilty of attempted murder over a drive-by shooting DigDat, performing at Wireless Festival in London on September 12, 2021 Officers followed a trail of blood and found Mr Offei-Ntow had returned to his flat and was sitting on a sofa 'in shock and severely injured', the court was told. Police dogs recovered a latex glove and a black bag containing a firearm and three rounds of ammunition near to where the Audi was abandoned. Further inquiries allegedly revealed that Tokosi had borrowed a BMW to make two trips on consecutive nights from his father's home in Deptford, south-east London, to Notting Hill that weekend, the jury heard. Investigators found DNA allegedly belonging to artist Kamal Benjamin, aka Wesson, and Tokosi, in a stolen Audi used in the shooting. Ms Bex said police made inquiries about Mr Benjamin's whereabouts at the time of the shooting and established he had been released from prison on licence. On November 3, 2023, he was arrested for having drugs at Victoria train station and released under investigation. As a result, his licence was revoked and he was recalled to prison, but by then he had already left the UK, jurors were told. Mr Benjamin, from Victoria, central London, posted a video on Instagram of Lil Durk, who had performed in Dubai four days before the shooting. Another post the following month showed him in a nightclub with rapper 50 Cent, who had performed in Dubai on December 21 2023. Ms Bex said: 'Kamal Benjamin performs music under the name of Wesson and messages between Mr Tokosi and Mr Benjamin were recovered on both Snapchat and Instagram. Tokosi, pictured, whose single Air Force peaked at number 20 on the UK Singles Chart, is on trial for the attempted murder of Mr Offei-Ntow Sobbing could be heard from the public gallery as an Old Bailey jury unanimously found Tokosi, 25, of Deptford, south-east London, guilty of attempted murder Kamal Benjamin, aka Wesson, from Victoria, central London, posted on Instagram showing him in a nightclub with rapper 50 Cent (pictured), who had performed in Dubai on December 21, 2023 'It is clear from messages between they are very close indeed.' On November 6, 2023, Tokosi sent Mr Benjamin a photo of them both sitting in a car - believed to be a Lamborghini - with the caption 'My N****' and a heart emoji. Ms Bex said that either Mr Benjamin did not leave the UK on November 5 2023 - as the evidence suggested he had - or his DNA had been left in the Audi by someone with whom he had been in close contact. She added: 'There is no doubt that this defendant Nathan Tokosi and Mr Benjamin not only know each other but are in fact very good friends. The messages exchanged between them make that clear.' Tokosi, from Deptford, denied attempted murder, causing grievous harm with intent, and possessing a self-loading pistol and ammunition on November 20, 2023. He also denied being in possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition on the date of his arrest on February 16, 2024. Sentencing was adjourned to a date yet to be fixed. The family of a Florida teenager with a severe nut allergy who died after she ate baklava at her high school has settled a lawsuit over her death. Kayleen Brown's father, Steven Brown, filed a lawsuit back in July accusing the Duval County School District of failing to follow the proper protocol to ensure his daughter's safety when she was served the popular dessert at Atlantic Coast High School on April 27, 2023. He had claimed district officials were familiar with the 17-year-old's nut allergy and even developed a Food Allergy Management and Prevention Plan for her, under which school staff were required to recognize and report signs of an allergic reaction. Steven also argued that the school district failed to train its employees on food allergen procedures and failed to follow the food allergy plan for his late daughter. Mediation in the case was scheduled for March 11, at which time the Duval County School Board agreed to settle the case, Law & Crime reports. Details of the settlement were not made public, but in any case in which the Duval County School District is the defendant it can pay out up to $200,000, according to News 4 Jax. 'My opinion is that the school district recognizes that there were problems in the response,' family attorney Ted Pina told Allergic Living of the district's decision to settle. 'It was in everyone's best interest to settle,' he added. Kayleen Brown, 17, died after she ate baklava at her high school on April 27, 2023 The Duval County School District has since agreed to settle her father's wrongful death suit But the lawyer also noted that for Steven, the case was not just about money. 'I think he's glad to have it behind him and glad to be able to move forward,' Pina said. 'It's been particularly hard for the family as you can imagine. 'He felt it was very important to bring the suit - it was not so much about the money as making sure it was known what had happened, and taking steps to make sure it wouldn't happen again,' he said of the still-grieving father. Steven's lawsuit had claimed Kayleen was unfamiliar with the popular dessert and asked school staff if the baklava was nut free. She was then told that it was, and Kayleen decided to eat the baklava. But soon, she 'discovered that the food she had consumed contained pistachio nuts,' the legal filing said. Kayleen then began to experience symptoms, and notified a school employee that she was having an allergic reaction from the nuts. At that point, school district employees 'were aware that she had eaten nuts and was experiencing symptoms associated with her food allergy and permitted her to leave campus,' but did not send her to the school nurse for evaluation, the suit claimed. Steven Brown, Kayleen's father, had claimed district officials were familiar with the 17-year-old's nut allergy and even developed a Food Allergy Management and Prevention Plan for her, under which school staff was required to recognize and report signs of an allergic reaction When Kayleen then left the school, she rushed over to a local pharmacy to buy Benadryl to help soothe her symptoms. But upon her arrival at the pharmacy, she experienced anaphylaxis and cardiac arrest before falling into a coma. She died three days later. Steven had sought unspecified damages that exceed $50,000 from the school district due to the 'direct and proximate result' of its negligence. 'My immediate thing was, you know, "Why did she leave school? Or why was she allowed to leave school if the teacher was aware that she was having an allergic reaction?"' he told News4JAX after filing the suit. 'My first thing would be like, "Why wasnt 911 called?"' he added. The teenager was a senior at Atlantic Coast High School at the time of her death She fell into a coma after eating the baklava and died three days later. Her father and brother are pictured at her grave site Kayleen was a senior at the high school when she died. After graduation, she had planned on starting her very first job and attending Florida State College at Jacksonville before moving on to the University of Central Florida, according to her obituary. 'Kayleen loved the beach, the water, and waking up early to watch the sunrise. She was an AP Art student who loved painting and drawing,' it added. A GoFundMe page was created to help her family pay for her medical expenses. Her grandmother, Anne Brown, who created the donation page, revealed that she had just attended prom right before her sudden death. 'Kayleen had the ambition of becoming an anesthesiologist had the grades to accomplish this and anything she could put her mind to,' Anne wrote. The grandmother also revealed that her parents decided to donate her organ, adding 'We can take some solace that she will live on.' 'No one is ever prepared for a precious life to end so abruptly or at such a young age.' In a statement following the settlement, the school district said: 'While we are grateful to have reached [an] agreement on this settlement, we understand that no legal outcome can ease the pain that comes with the loss of a child.' As anyone who has had the misfortune of dealing with civil service bureaucracy will know, it can be a complicated endeavour. There is the jargon, the minutes that bleed into hours spent on hold on the phone and, of course, the endless form-filling. But mastering this red tape - particularly in relation to Britain's bloated benefits system - can apparently also present extraordinarily lucrative business opportunities. Just ask Charlie Anderson, a YouTube blogger who says her chronic arthritis and fatigue has rendered her unable to work. Thanks to her lengthy experience with the welfare system, she is extremely proficient at filling out forms used to claim the Personal Independence Payment [PIP] allowance disability benefit. So adept has she become in applying for this taxpayer-funded help that she has taken to explaining the 'tricks of the trade' to any prospective benefits claimant - for a hefty fee, of course. Democrat council members held hands as they cried during a town meeting to decide whether police in Florida should conduct immigration enforcement operations. Fort Myers city council members were split three votes to three over the matter, which would have seen Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers train their own local authorities. In a tearful exchange, councilwoman Darla Bonk said: 'It is a tumultuous day and age, and it is a day that I hate sitting in this seat, but my city is not for sale.' She gripped her colleague, Diana Giraldo's hand as both women sniffled and wiped away tears, before burying her head in her hands. Giraldo then said: 'I can't stand behind this as an immigrant, the only immigrant sitting in this council. 'Although this isn't about me, I have been in that position, and I can't even express how heavy this is in my heart and in my mind, knowing that the majority of us that come as immigrants, we don't come here to commit crimes.' The deadlock halted the motion, and Mayor Kevin Anderson, who voted in favor of the proposal, expressed fears it could impact state and federal funding. Fort Myers city council members were split three votes to three over the matter, which would have seen Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers train their own local authorities. Darla Bonk (second from right) was so emotional she buried her head in her hands at one stage She gripped her colleague, Diana Giraldo's hand as both women sniffled and wiped away tears, before burying her head in her hands 'We have jeopardized hundreds of millions of dollars worth of grant money,' he said. 'This is grant money that we depend upon, and if we're willing to sacrifice this grant money for people who don't have the legal right to be here, the burden of replacing that grant money, if we want these programs to continue or these projects to continue, is going to fall on our taxpayers.' Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier vowed to launch a full investigation into the matter, warning: 'These council members actions likely run afoul of Florida Statute. 'In Florida, we will not let local governments obstruct our mission to support the federal government in combatting illegal immigration.' But the women expressed concerns about the broader ramifications and possible fallout of racial profiling. It comes as immigration activist Jeanette Vizguerra was reportedly detained by ICE on Monday morning. The mother-of-four arrived in the United States without proper documentation in 1997, traveling from Mexico City. In the two decades since arriving, she has sought a path to citizenship. Vizguerra was first scheduled for deportation in 2017 but sought refuge in a church in Denver. It comes as immigration activist Jeanette Vizguerra was reportedly detained by ICE on Monday morning The mother-of-four arrived in the United States without proper documentation in 1997, traveling from Mexico City The Biden administration later granted Vizguerra a stay of deportation in 2021. Upon his return to the White House, Trump enacted a new executive order which rescinded guidelines preventing officers from entering 'sensitive locations' like churches, schools and hospitals to make arrests. Vizguerra had warned 'everybody is at risk' after Trump's return to office. 'Whatever place. I don't care if it's a hospital, I don't care if it's a school, I don't care if it's a church... I don't care if some people have 40, 50 years here.' Colorado Democrat Michael Bennet said Vizguerra is 'a mother and pillar in her community' in a post condemning her arrest. 'I am deeply concerned about ICE's actions to detain her without any due process, like a deportation order. ICE should ensure Jeanette has legal counsel and immediately release her.' Denver Mayor Mike Johnston also weighed in, arguing: 'This is not immigration. Her detention sparked a protest outside an ICE detention center in Aurora where her family said she is being held Buses left the facility in the morning, raising fears that she would be deported, but her family said Vizguerra was still there later in the day 'This is Soviet-style, political persecution of political dissidents under the guise of immigration enforcement. This a mom of American citizens who works at Target. This is not something that makes our community safer.' But an ICE spokesman said Vizguerra has two misdemeanor convictions. In 2009, she was pulled over at a traffic stop and found to be driving without a license. It was later discovered she used a fake social security number in order to get her work documents, the spokesman said. Her detention sparked a protest outside an ICE detention center in Aurora where her family said she is being held. Buses left the facility in the morning, raising fears that she would be deported, but her family said Vizguerra was still there later in the day. The wife of a wealthy Florida doctor has found civilly liable for his death and ordered to pay his three adult children $200 million more than a decade after he was killed. A jury deemed Rebecca Schwartz, now 64, is responsible for the May 2014 murder of Steven Schwartz, who was found dead in his garage with his throat cut and two bullets in his head. No one has ever been convicted in connection with the 74-year-old's murder. While Rebecca has not been charged, the Pinellas state attorney said the investigation is still open, the Tampa Bay Times reported. She has denied killing him, and police were once convinced that Anton Leo Stragaj, who often did repairs on the couple's Tarpon Springs home, was the killer. Prosecutors couldn't get a murder charge to stick to Stragaj, who later pleaded guilty to one count of accessory after the fact and was sentenced to eight years in prison. He was released in September 2022 and was deported to Albania. In the absence of a conviction, Schwartz's three children sued Rebecca in 2016 aiming to expose her allegedly erratic behavior before the murder and to reclaim access to their father's vast fortune. They argued that Rebecca killed Schwartz because he finally threatened to leave her after he got sick of her stealing from him and spending his money with abandon. Wil Florin, the children's lawyer, said in court that Rebecca spent much of her husband's $30 million following his death and moved the rest into offshore bank accounts. Steven Schwartz was found dead in the garage of his home in Tarpon Springs in May 2014. His throat was cut and he had two bullets in his head His wife, Rebecca Schwartz (pictured on their wedding day in 2011), was found civilly responsible for her husband's murder this month and was ordered to pay $200 million to his surviving children Florin said the verdict will allow Schwartz's kids to get at least some of their rightful inheritance. 'I don't expect that there's $200 million out there to get,' he said. 'But I think there's tens of millions out there. I really do.' Steven and Rebecca Schwartz met in the early 2000s, testified Dana Nichols, one of the millionaire doctor's children. According to her testimony, Rebecca heard from co-workers at the medical practice where she worked that Schwartz was a rich, single doctor. She allegedly hung around a Walgreens he was known to frequent so she could run into him, Nichols said. They dated for years before getting married in 2011. But even before they were wed, Rebecca changed her last name to Schwartz so she could begin diverting his money to herself, the plaintiffs claimed. There were also rumors that Rebecca was embezzling money from his practice, Main Street Medical. The couple broke up for six months in 2010, Florin claimed, but were married not long after reconciling. The lawsuit claims that after they were officially married, Rebecca's alleged financial improprieties ramped up dramatically. A younger Steve Schwartz is pictured with his son Carter, who would go on to become a doctor just like his dad Rebecca's lawyer argued that the accusations from Schwartz's kids of financial wrongdoing are immaterial to whether or not she killed her husband Based on a constructive trust created by the court to protect Schwartz's remaining assets, Rebecca had spent much of his money on a marijuana grow house in Dunedin, a fleet of 49 Pinellas rental homes and a yacht in Fort Lauderdale. Schwartz's money also paid for cars and businesses for her sons from previous marriages, Rebecca's ex-husband testified. 'This was all purchased with money that rightfully belongs to Dr. Schwartz's natural children,' Florin said. Rebecca's lawyer, Rohom Khonsari, told jurors in his closing argument that they weren't here to punish her for supposed financial crimes. 'She's not on trial for theft. She's not on trial for fraud. She's not on trial for any of that,' he said. 'She's on trial for murder.' Florin explained that the 'last straw' for Schwartz came just days before he was killed, when he found out that his wife bought a Verizon Wireless store for one of her two sons to operate. The lawsuit states that Schwartz had caught Rebecca stealing from him in the past, but had forgiven her. This time, he threatened divorce, which would have left her penniless, according to Florin. 'They're getting divorced, it's only natural that (after) a 3-and-a-half year marriage, he's not going to leave her as the beneficiary of his will. But if he dies, she's the beneficiary of his will,' Florin said. 'It's one of those situations, the classic, he's worth more to her dead than he is alive. She was about to lose it all.' Anton Leo Stragaj, who often did repairs on the couple's Tarpon Springs home, was arrested about a year after Schwartz's murder Stragaj was ultimately never charged with murder. He pleaded down to a lesser charge and was later deported back to Albania. The children assert that he helped Rebecca Schwartz hide evidence On May 28, 2014, Rebecca called police reporting a burglary. When officers arrived they found that several drawers had been rifled through. They also found that money jewelry and watches were gone as well. A knife was missing from the butcher block from the kitchen as well, which became important when they then found Schwartz dead in the garage with his throat slashed. About a year later, police arrested Stragaj, the family handyman. Detectives found his DNA on Schwartz's shirt and his cell phone records didn't match up with his alibi. Stragaj later said that Rebecca 'set him up' and that she had confessed to him that she was the one who killed her husband. The handyman, an Albanian citizen, said he considered calling the police but feared if he did, it would endanger his work visa. According to Florin, Stragaj said in a deposition that Rebecca often carried a 'Saturday Night Special' in her purse, a colloquial term in the United States for a small, cheap pistol. Florin said in his closing argument that Rebecca was one who pulled the trigger and that Stragaj 'cleaned up' the crime scene. That theory would explain how Schwartz's DNA ended up on his shirt. 'She shot him twice in the back of the head as he was leaving for work,' Florin told the Tampa Bay Times. 'He fell down the stairs. He was paralyzed from the neck down and knocked unconscious from the shots. He hadn't yet died, but he appeared dead.' Carter Schwartz, the late doctor's eldest son, is now a practicing kidney doctor in Louisiana Schwartzs surviving children are satisfied with the civil suits outcome but still want to see their stepmother charged and convicted of their father's murder The $200 million verdict for Schwartz's surviving children would not have been possible if Rebecca's fourth husband hadn't reached out to the family, Florin said. In November 2023, this man revealed to Florin the web of LLCs and offshore accounts he and Rebecca had used to hide Schwartz's money. That was when the judge froze all her assets and put them into a constructive trust. Florin said the doctor's eldest son, Carter Schwartz, admired his dad and wanted to take over his practice one day. Carter followed in his father's footsteps and is now a practicing kidney doctor in Louisiana. 'Dad was always a role model to me and what I've always told everyone, "If I could be half the physician he was, that would be a successful life,"' he told CBS News in 2017. Schwartzs surviving children are satisfied with the civil suits outcome but still want to see their stepmother charged and convicted of their father's murder. A TikTok star has unleashed on the American hunter who outraged the world by manhandling a wombat joey, as she goes into hiding in Thailand. Samantha Strable, 24, came under fire after sharing a now-deleted video of her grabbing the joey from a roadside and then running away from its distraught mother. The joey could be heard hissing in distress while Ms Strable's sheep shearer boyfriend Louis Sixt laughed as he filmed her, and mocked the mother chasing after her baby. Ms Strable has defended her actions and since fled the backlash to South East Asia, where she and Sixt are understood to be on a holiday with members of her family. Anthony Voulgaris, an influencer from Melbourne, joined the chorus of condemnation this week, telling his more than half a million followers that he had a 'quick message' for the American. 'I'm all for making mistakes: I think everyone needs to make mistakes and learn. This isn't a mistake,' he fumed in the video. 'This action isn't a mistake, it's you being actually a horrible person. Because you saw the mum and the baby struggling and really distressed.' Mr Voulgaris was disgusted at the 'giggling' caught on camera and labelled the couple 'absolute pigs'. Anthony Voulgaris, an influencer from Melbourne, joined the chorus of condemnation this week Samantha Strable, 24, came under fire after sharing a now-deleted video of her grabbing the wombat joey from a roadside and then running away from its distraught mother He went on to suggest they should have known better at their age, revealing he had 'learnt this lesson' when he was 11-years-old after he picked up a duckling. 'I saw it distressed, I saw the mother distressed - I quickly put it down and felt so guilty for a month because I risked the mum rejecting this baby,' Mr Voulgaris said. 'And I saw them distressed, so as an 11-year-old I went oh, note to self, don't be a narcissist.' Mr Voulgaris urged Ms Strable to 'never come back to Australia again' and to not 'touch our animals'. Aussies expressed their support for his message in more than 8,000 comments. 'Seeing the mummy wombat waddle after her in distress is seared into my brain and makes me so mad I want to cry,' said one. But others called for more restraint in the anger against Ms Strable. 'Yes, the wombat should never have been treated that way. But the level of threats and hate directed at her is excessive and unwarranted,' one defender said. 'There are far more serious issues in the world, yet people are choosing to channel their outrage toward one individual than focussing on systemic problems.' Ms Strable has defended her actions and since fled the backlash to South East Asia with her Aussie boyfriend Louis Sixt 'Yes (it) is awful but this is what the cows go through every day in the dairy meat industry. Getting their baby taken away,' said another. In social media posts since the furore erupted, Ms Strable has defended her actions, claiming she did not harm the joey and only held it for one minute. The controversial influencer initially quit social media after a series of attacks from people she calls her 'haters' left her feeling unsafe and suicidal. '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 online. '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.' Kash Patel celebrated the capture of a senior leader of the notorious MS-13 gang and one of the FBI's 'Ten Most Wanted Fugitives.' Francisco Javier Roman Bardales, an alleged gang leader from El Salvador, was apprehended by Mexican authorities earlier this week. Bardales is allegedly a senior leader of the Mara Salvatrucha or MS-13 gang, a group that Donald Trump has consistently sought to end the American presence of after Joe Biden was accused of offering members 'sweetheart deals.' He was arrested Monday in the mountains of the Gulf coast state of Veracruz by soldiers and federal agents. 'This is a major victory both for our law enforcement partners and for a safer America,' Patel wrote. Patel added that Bardales was being transported within the US. He thanked Mexican authorities for their support. Mexicos security chief Omar Garcia Harfuch applauded the arrest Monday, which his agency said was the result of international cooperation. The agency referred to his handover as a deportation to the United States. Roman Bardales faces charges related to violent crime, drug distribution and extortion in the Eastern District of New York. Kash Patel celebrated the capture of a senior leader of the notorious MS-13 gang and one of the FBI's 'Ten Most Wanted Fugitives.' Francisco Javier Roman Bardales, an alleged gang leader from El Salvador, was apprehended by Mexican authorities earlier this week Bardales is allegedly a senior leader of the Mara Salvatrucha or MS-13 gang, a group that Trump has consistently sought to end the American presence of The charges are relating to 'several offenses for his alleged role in ordering numerous acts of violence against civilians and rival gang members, as well as his role in drug distribution and extortion schemes in the United States and El Salvador.' The Mara Salvatrucha was one of eight Latin American criminal organizations declared foreign terrorist organizations by the US government last month. The arrest and swift handover came just weeks after Mexico handed over 29 drug cartel figures, including drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero, who was behind the killing of a U.S. DEA agent in 1985. The acting head of the US Drug Enforcement Administration, Derek Maltz, reportedly provided the White House with a list of nearly 30 Mexican targets wanted in the US on criminal charges. Mexico has also stepped up operations against the Sinaloa cartel, a main trafficker of fentanyl to the US. President Claudia Sheinbaum has worked to show Trump that Mexico is a reliable partner on security and immigration. The results have so far kept most of Trumps tariffs at bay. The Trump administration sent two other top members of MS-13 to El Salvador over the weekend, along with hundreds of Venezuelan immigrants. Trump has demanded that Mexico strengths its protocols regarding cartels, illegal immigration and fentanyl production. In exchange, the president has promised to delay tariffs. 'This is a major victory both for our law enforcement partners and for a safer America,' Patel said in a statement The president has designated eight Latin American drug trafficking organizations - including six Mexican cartels - terrorist organizations. 'As President Trump has made clear, cartels are terrorist groups, and this Department of Justice is devoted to destroying cartels and transnational gangs,' US Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement. 'We will prosecute these criminals to the fullest extent of the law in honor of the brave law enforcement agents who have dedicated their careers - and in some cases, given their lives - to protect innocent people from the scourge of violent cartels,' she added. The cartel extraditions came as Mexicos Foreign Affairs Secretary Juan Ramon de la Fuente and other officials visited Washington to meet with their counterparts, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Bondi. 'This is historical, this has really never happened in the history of Mexico,' said Mike Vigil, former DEA chief of international operations. 'This is a huge celebratory thing for the Drug Enforcement Administration.' A tiny outback town in Queensland is offering a hefty six-figure salary to anyone willing to move there and work as its only doctor. Residents of Julia Creek, 280km east of Mt Isa and with a population of 549, are hoping the financial lure will be enough to attract a new GP. The pay is generous, offering between $476,082 up to $680,277 a year, with added perks including rent-free accommodation. An experienced local GP could be better paid than Prime Minister Anthony Albanese who earns $607,516. The successful applicant will also receive five weeks annual leave, 3.6 weeks of professional development leave, regional and rural attraction allowance, vehicle allowance and inaccessibility allowance. 'You will be at the heart of the Julia Creek community,' the advertisement by McKinlay Shire Multipurpose Health Service said. 'Live and work surrounded by the expansive landscape of outback Queensland.' Dr Adam Louws has been Julia Creek's sole doctor since he moved his wife and four children from Brisbane in 2022, and says the posting has its attractions. Julia Creek, a tiny town in outback Queensland, is offering a hefty six-figure salary to anyone willing to move there and work as its only doctor Dr Adam Louws (pictured) has worked as the sole doctor in Julia Creek since 2022 'In terms of the sense of community, the openness, it's like stepping back in time about 50 years,' he told the ABC. 'Everyone knows their neighbour, kids are running around, everyone keeps an eye out for each other, it's just a welcoming place. 'In Brisbane, we were on a postage stamp, we had the maximum number of chickens - three - and a tiny planter box.' Dr Louws and his family are now packing up and moving on for family reasons, but with no regrets. 'It's everything that I hoped it would be,' he said. 'I just really hope they're able to find another doctor quickly.' Before Dr Louws arrival, Julia Creek had gone without a full-time doctor for more than 10 years, and locals had to travel hours for treatment. The nearest doctor was 147km away in Richmond, a three-hour round trip. Julia Creek (pictured) has a population of roughly 549 people, according to the 2021 census Julia Creek has a six-bed day hospital staffed by nurses which can provide low-level care, and temporary care for patients waiting to be transferred in an emergency. 'Yes, things can get hectic at times,' Dr Louws said when he first took up the job. 'On my first day, we had an emergency that had to be transferred out - a process I had to learn very quickly. 'But overall it's a lot less pressure than people expect. They expect all these calls at 2am on a Sunday morning, that hasn't happened yet,' he said. Members of the community shared their support for Dr Louws on social media. 'Best wishes for your future Dr Adam and family, I know my Mum will miss you,' someone said. 'Enjoy your next post, Adam,' another said. 'Your perseverance and commitment to the community is a credit to you.' A sorority girl's stunning mugshot has set the internet ablaze after she was pictured smiling ear to ear in the grainy police picture. Lily Stewart was arrested on March 8 for speeding in excess of maximum limits. In some parts of Georgia, the fine for speeding can be as high as $1,000. Morgan County Crime shared Stewart's mugshot with her arrest information but it didn't take long for viewers on the Internet to react to the striking image. 'Whatever she did my heart says shes innocent,' one person wrote added. An account on X also shared the mugshot, and hundreds of social media users rushed to the comment section, with one writing, 'Is her phone number in the report? Asking for a friend.' One person went as far as asking to see her in person, commenting, 'Hey Lily, My fraternity has a date night next week if you are seeing this you are invited.' Stewart seemed to have a sense of humor about her viral mugshot, posting a TikTok with her favorite internet reactions. She shared the photo on her account and captioned the post, 'Some of my favorite/unhinged comments on my mugshot.' 'They done locked up miss America,' one comment read. Morgan Stewart was arrested on March 8 for speeding in Morgan County, Georgia Lily is a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority at her university 'Guilty of stealing my heart, your honor,' another chimed in. 'I guess being pretty is a crime now,' a third joked. 'Your honor, she was just trying to get to brunch for bottomless mimosas,' a fourth added. 'He play for Georgia don't he,' a fifth questioned. Viewers rushed to Stewart's personal account with jokes about her mugshot, with one comment on her recent post reading, 'I just wanna know how fast you were going cause thats genuinely impressive.' 'Got a super speeder ticket running to this post,' another added. 'Servingggg (maybe for a couple years),' a third joked. Stewart was arrested in Morgan County, which borders Athens, where the University of Georgia is located. Morgan County Crime shared Stewart's mugshot with her arrest information but it didn't take long for viewers on the Internet to react to the striking image She has attended the university since 2023, according to her LinkedIn and is a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. Speeding can result in a fine of an additional $200 if caught traveling 75 mph or higher on a two-lane road or 85 mph or faster on roads and highways. Typically, drivers in Georgia aren't arrested or face criminal charges for speeding and are instead issued a traffic violation. Dailymail.com reached out to the Morgan County Sheriff for more information. A sadistic couple who tortured two women and a man, forcing one to drink human urine and holding another captive in her own home, have been jailed for 25 years. Imaan Coley, 37, and her boyfriend Mohammed Khan, 24, both from Sparkbrook, terrorised two victims together in offences over three months. The couple stormed one of their victim's HMO, beat her up and forced her to strip before stealing her belongings, including her three cats. Coley had previously kept another woman captive in her own home for more than two months, during which she set her on fire and made her drink bleach. In a separate incident, Khan carried out a 'vicious' hammer attack of his own on a man Both were convicted of a string of offences including wounding with intent, administering a noxious substance and burglary. Coley, formerly of Benton Road, was jailed for 14 years at Birmingham Crown Court yesterday, Monday, March 17. Khan, previously of Barrow Road, was sentenced to 11 years. Both also received four-year extended licence periods after being declared 'dangerous' by Judge Peter Cooke. Imaan Coley, 37, kept a woman captive for more than two months and forced another to drink human urine The offences date back to 2023. After being released from prison for a separate offence, Coley rekindled her relationship with self-confessed drug dealer Khan. The first victim, a woman, ended up saddled with her boyfriend's drug debt to Khan after he left her. Coley had initially befriended the woman but soon turned against her and 'cuckooed' her home, effectively moving herself in and allowing Khan to use it as a supply base. Coley proceeded to throw out her mattress and make the woman, who was disabled, sleep on a hard floor. For weeks on end, between May and August that year, the victim's movements were 'severely curtailed and controlled', said Judge Cooke who added she was not allowed to leave 'unsupervised or unchaperoned'. He continued: 'During that ordeal she was assaulted with conspicuous cruelty by Imaan Coley.' Coley punched, slapped and kicked her in front of her gang of drug users. In further incidents she set fire to her hair before shaving and cutting it, telling her she would look like the popstar Rihanna. Instead, the woman was ridiculed and asked if she was a boy or if she was transgender. On one occasion she was told to drink a glass of 'vodka', which was in fact bleach. When she refused Coley poured it in her face causing it to burn her throat and stomach. The woman also had her glasses taken from her and was deprived of food while being forced to watch her pizza being fed to dogs. 'In the end she was reduced to eating scraps she could find in the bin,' said Judge Cooke who added: 'Had that been the measure of Imaan Coley it would have been bad enough but there's worse to come.' On June 11, 2023, Khan attacked a man with a hammer in a separate incident. The victim did not cooperate with the investigation but Khan claimed he was asleep in a friend's car when the man, who supposedly had a knife, tried to steal the vehicle. Khan chased him down the street to a doorway where CCTV captured him repeatedly strike the victim with the hammer. Mohammed Khan, 24, attacked a man with a hammer in a separate incident He knocked the man to the floor and continued to inflict blows with the weapon as well as 'three distinct stamps', the court heard. Judge Cooke said the victim suffered 'horrible' injuries in the 'especially vicious and sustained attack'. The third victim, a woman, was attacked by the couple together. By this time Coley had moved to a HMO in Yardley Road and had taken a dislike to the victim. On August 12 that year Khan kicked in her door and stormed her flat with Coley, while two other people watched on. Judge Cooke said: 'What was done over at least the next four hours or so to her was horrific. 'Previously, I have used the word torture. I don't resile from that. 'It was the most appalling display of cruelty to a completely helpless and defenceless person.' The woman was twice forced to take showers and strip while her body piercings were removed in 'circumstances of extreme humiliation'. She had cat food smeared in her face, was forced to drink Flash floor cleaner and had her nose broken, which Coley 'celebrated' as blood poured out. Judge Cooke said: 'Then in what was perhaps the single most degrading aspect of the whole episode (the first woman), herself a victim of these pair, was escorted into the room and instructed to squat over (the second woman) and urinate in her mouth, which she did.' He continued: 'Having heaped violence upon violence, indignity upon indignity on this woman, the two of you then effectively emptied her flat of her belongings.' That included taking the victim's three cats, one of which had not been returned to her since. A Birmingham Crown Court, the couple were sentenced to a combined 25 years behind bars Judge Cooke said 'vicious' Coley had treated her two victims in an 'astonishingly inhumane fashion'. Following a trial she was found guilty of false imprisonment, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and administering a noxious substance in relation to the first victim as well as inflicting grievous bodily harm and two counts of administering a noxious substance concerning the second woman. She had admitted burglary. Daniel Oscroft, defending, confirmed she maintained her denials. He said: 'This was a toxic relationship (with Khan) and the behaviour she displayed that was so severe was something that wouldn't have taken place if not for the nature of the relationship.' The barrister also told the court that mother-of-five Coley had an 'awful upbringing' and became addicted to drugs but remained clean for 13 years only to relapse upon suffering post-natal depression. Mr Oscroft said she descended into drug and alcohol addiction which led her to prison for a series of burglaries in 2019 where she targeted vulnerable people. He said she 'fell into the orbit' of Khan after being released and having nowhere to live. Khan, who was the subject of a 10,000 Crimestoppers appeal, admitted two counts of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, two counts of administering a noxious substance and one of burglary. Jasvir Mann, defending, said he was 'immature' at the time. He said Khan worked as a delivery driver and came from a 'decent family' but lost contact with them after taking class A drugs, which he began dealing to fund his own addiction. The barrister said Khan was 'genuinely sorry' for his actions. He taught me about a world of intimacy which was beyond my experience. These are the haunting words of a woman - a medical doctor, no less - in defense of accused Hollywood sex predator Gabriel Olds, a handsome actor and Yale grad who is facing trial for a slew of shocking sex crimes. He was such a gentle ass slapper, I told him he could go harder, writes another former hook-up in a series of extraordinary character letters supporting the shamed star, according to an investigation by the Los Angeles Times. Olds, 52, was arrested in Los Angeles last August. He is currently charged with 12 felony counts of rape, sodomy and other sexual offenses on six women he dated. We would incorporate choking and other painful acts, and we frequently videotaped ourselves too, proclaimed another woman in her letter of support. It was the best sex I have ever had, said another former lover who wrote fondly of the couples situationship,' Det. Brent Hopkins of the LAPD's Special Assault Section, tells DailyMail.com the case is, definitely unique, not like any other case that I've handled or we've seen for quite a while. I'm not surprised that he has people supporting him. He's a charming guy, he's very charismatic and has an impressive background. There are plenty of people who enjoy that lifestyle and as long as everyone's consenting to it and talks about it before and after and are all on the same page, no problems at all. Gabriel Olds, 52, unshaven and apparently disbelieving of his arrest in his August, 2024 booking photo Olds, pictured at the 2016 San Diego International Film Festival, 'taught me about a world of intimacy which was beyond my experience' according to one infatuated supporter The problem for him is that he did not always get consent and crossed that line from a relationship between two adults and the privacy of someone's bedroom into something that became a crime and landed him in jail,' he says. Hopkins advises couples to know their comfort level before things get out of hand in the bedroom. Ideally, they're going to get that established beforehand, he says. Is it okay if I do this? Yes or no? And check in with the person ahead of time. It's not very romantic, not very passionate to sit down and discuss this thing ahead of time - but it's also going to avoid a lot of the confusion and a lot of the fear that people have when they're not consenting to it. If two people agree in advance, Hey, we're going to have sex and it's okay for you to spank me or pull my hair or do whatever else - if both people say, yes, that's okay then that's not a crime.' Olds is being represented by attorney Leonard Levine who is also defending Monica Sementilli who is accused of plotting the murder of her famous hair stylist husband Fabio. She pled not guilty to charges of murder with special circumstances and conspiracy. According to the LA Times, prosecutors assert that Olds, rather than being a charming romantic, was a sordid monster with an insatiable appetite for this violent type of sex. Olds appeared alongside Rose McGowan in the Charmed Olds showed off his acting chops in an episode of hit show NCIS - but is now accused of being a violent sex abuser There are at least 24 women involved in the shocking case, per the outlet. The alleged victims told police they were pressured into having sex with Olds - but his supporters insist he isn't incapable of harming women and are fiercely supportive. Women accusing him of being a violent sex abuser have attended pre-trial court hearings - as have his loyal and loving supporters. One supporter, who says she dated Olds for a year and wished to remain anonymous, commented, I do not believe that he did any of these things. I know him, and this is just not who I know him to be. The seeds of the criminal investigation were planted in January 2023 when a television producer who had met Olds online filed for a restraining order. 'We had sex and he began to choke me, she wrote on the application form. I asked him to stop and he didnt. I tried getting out and I couldnt. I blacked out. I think he slapped me to wake up. I then got very sick and vomited. My therapist said I have PTSD. She said she also had photos of bruises caused by Olds who, with an attorney, worked out a settlement with her. Terms of the confidential agreement, included as part of his rape case, allowed Olds to admit no wrongdoing - although he paid the victims $2,700 medical expenses. At the time she reported the incident to the LAPD, according to the Times, but the district attorneys office did not pursue assault charges because, according to a member of the prosecutor's office, This case cannot be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. But the woman, seeking justice, was determined and didnt give up. The accused rapists appeared as Pat Robertson in the The Eyes of Tammy Faye She set up a Facebook page called Are We Dating The Same Guy? which prompted five more women to come forward with their stories. Three of the women claimed they nearly blacked out as Olds strangled them and they pleaded with him to stop, according to a prosecution filing. Two of the incidents occurred in 2013 and the rest in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Olds' defense team has reportedly dismissed the first womans behavior as a campaign that encouraged other women to believe they had been assaulted by Olds. 'It is hard to ignore the fact that not one of the allegations, except for [the producer], was made contemporaneously,' his high-priced attorney Levine stated in a court filing last year. Olds was arrested at his Studio City rented property. A female friend told the LA Times he was genuinely surprised to hear the identities of his accusers. His attorneys insist the accusers had asked to be choked as part of erotic asphyxiation sex-play. Olds had already started working as an actor before he graduated Yale. In 2021, he portrayed televangelist Pat Robertson in the indie film The Eyes of Tammy Faye. He has also appeared on Law & Order and Charmed. His mother, Sharon Olds, 82, has been dubbed the laureate of sex for her provocative literature which included a poem about her sons genitals when he was aged six. Jennifer Adams, a longtime friend, said he likes very intelligentvery strong women. Olds at the premiere in Los Angeles of 'Apartment 407' in 2018, 'did not always get consent and crossed that line from a relationship between two adults and the privacy of someone's bedroom into something that became a crime and landed him in jail,' Det. Brent Hopkins of the LAPD's Special Assault Section tells DailyMail.com Another of Oldss former lovers told the Times, When youre not having sex with him, hes like, "Do you want a cappuccino?" Hes just like a really lovable person. Adds Hopkins, When someone just assumes I can do all these things because all my other girlfriends let me do this, but doesn't get that consent, then that's where it becomes a criminal matter. He calls it unusual that Olds had no prior criminal record prior to his arrest and then so many people came forward. And he says of the accusers, This isnt a group where one spurned girlfriend convinced all of her friends to report him. You might expect that in a high school where one student decides to put a case on another one or a teacher. This is something where the people don't know each other at all for the most part. They all tell a similar story. The detective reveals some of Olds alleged victims were punched on various parts of their bodies as part of his shocking sex rituals. For some people, that's enjoyable, explains Hopkins, who works in the LAPDs Special Assault Section. ForsSome people, that's even an enjoyable non-sexual thing. They like the physical release, but not in conjunction with having sex. If that's not something that you're into, not something you asked for, and not something that you agreed to, then that's a crime. Olds, left, attends a screening of The Eyes Of Tammy Faye in Los Angeles in September 2021. 'We had sex and he began to choke me, says one of his alleged victims Hopkins adds that his department investigates unusual things but calls Olds case unique given his status as a public figure, given the time frame involved, where it spans more than 10 years, and given the severity of what some of the women reported. Most of them didn't come forward at the time, because they thought this was just a date gone wrong, and I'm the only one. Then they realized, Oh, wait, I'm not alone. The LA Times reports that supporter, called Ashley, wrote in support of Olds, 'If I felt I couldnt breathe or he was becoming too rough for my comfort level, I would push on Gabes shoulders and he would let go.' Another letter, signed 'A. Crisci,' read, 'When he placed his hand around my neck, I felt safe.' Former lover Jill Tizekker, wrote, 'He always stopped when I prompted him to.' Despite the pleading letters Judge Cathryn Brougham has declined to reduce Olds' bail amount and he remains incarcerated prior to his trial. He is being held on $3,500,000 bail. If convicted he faces a maximum of sentence of 93 years to life in prison. A trial date is still to be determined. Olds' attorney has been contacted for comment. Anyone with information that could lead to the identification of additional victims or witnesses is encouraged to contact Detective Hopkins at LAPDs Operations-West Bureau, Special Assault Section, at 213-473-0417 or 39343@lapd.online The Mail today launches an unmissable subscription offering for the many fans of our award-winning true crime podcast series, The Trial. The Crime Desk Club will be home to members-only bonus episodes every week of The Trial, where we take a deeper look at the whats, whys, and hows of the world's most important criminal trials. Subscribers also get full access to our extensive archive of more than 200 episodes, from the original Lucy Letby trial to the Holly Willoughby plot - and can listen to them advert-free. The Trial goes behind the headlines of some of the biggest trials in the world. The series has had more than 40 million downloads, and is one of the UK's most popular true crime podcasts. We take you into the courtroom, bringing you the detail as the evidence unfolds, examining key moments and carrying out exclusive interviews with detectives, victims, and experts. The Crime Desk: The Mail's new true crime podcast network, available on all major podcast platforms Subscribers get full access to our extensive archive of more than 200 episodes, from the original trial of Lucy Letby (pictured) to the Holly Willoughby plot. The Crime Desk Club launches today with an exclusive new podcast by The Trial hosts, Liz Hull and Caroline Cheetham, revealing details of a leaked report that found hospital bosses missed 14 chances to suspend Letby. Those who sign up will also be able to listen to our acclaimed Trial of Lord Lucan series, which uses exclusive, never-before-seen documents to stage the trial that never happened of the notorious British aristocrat who vanished in 1974 after the murder of his children's nanny, Sandra Rivett. And on top of our utterly addictive array of unmissable new true crime podcasts from the finest reporters in the business, we also have a brand new series - Celebrities On Trial - coming soon. Subscribe to The Crime Desk, the Mail's brand-new true crime podcast network, for a free 7-day trial - after which it costs just 1.99 a month or 19.99 a year. The biological mother of a Connecticut man who was allegedly locked up for more than two decades by his stepmother is demanding she face poetic justice. Prosecutors have said Kimberly Sullivan, 56, inflicted 'prolonged abuse, starvation, severe neglect, and inhumane treatment' on the now 32-year-old man, who was only able to escape when he set a fire using hand sanitizer, a lighter and paper last month. Court documents say the victim was given just two cups of water each day, but was sometimes forced to drink out of the toilet. By the time he escaped from the 8-foot-by-9-foot room he had allegedly been shut in since he was in the fourth grade on February 17, prosecutors said he was 'akin to a survivor of Auschwitz's death camp.' Now, the boy's biological mother says everyone who lived at the home - not just Sullivan - should face prosecution. 'All of them in that home need to get charged,' she told NBC Connecticut. The outlet did not name the woman, but she was identified in Connecticut Insider as 52-year-old Tracy Vallerand. Speaking specifically of Sullivan, Vallerand said, 'she needs to actually spend the rest of her life in solitary confinement and fed two cups of water a day.' Records obtained by CT Insider show Vallerand and the boy's father, Kregg Sullivan, were married on June 26, 1992 and divorced two years later. Kimberly Sullivan, 56, allegedly inflicted 'prolonged abuse, starvation, severe neglect, and inhumane treatment' on the now 32-year-old stepson She is accused of holding him captive in an 8-foot-by-9-foot room at her Waterbury, Connecticut home for more than two decades Then on January 21, 1995, Kregg remarried Kimberly, who was then using her maiden name, Kimberly Boyle. It is unclear when exactly the boy was born, but Vallerand said she gave up custody of him when he was a baby. She said it was the 'most painful, emotional decision any mother can make, but I thought he would have a better life,' arguing she did not think he would be forced to live 'with a bunch of monsters.' Vallerand told CT Insider she did not see her son at all after she gave up custody. 'He wouldn't let me,' she said of her ex-husband, who died in January 2024. Still, she said she made several attempts to see the boy when he was still young. 'There were places I heard [Kregg] took [our son] out on walks to and I would hang there and wait to see if I could see them. 'He just didn't want to let anybody in.' The boy's biological mother is now demanding that Sullivan face poetic justice for her actions The boy was only able to escape the house when he set fire to it last month. The house is now in disarray, with what looked like a large dog cage sits in the middle of the room Once the boy turned 18, Vallerand said she and her daughter - the boy's half-sister - scoured the Internet looking for him. 'I just want him to know that he has a big sister and I've always known he's existed, and I've always loved him and I've always been trying to find him,' the unidentified sister told NBC Connecticut. 'I've been looking for him for over a decade, I wanted to wait til he was 18. I'm almost 35 now,' she added. 'And... there was nothing,' the worried sister said of her search for the boy. 'No social media, no court records, no ancestry information, nothing.' It is now alleged that Kimberly and Kregg took the boy out of school when he was in fourth grade, after teachers began to raise concern about his well-being. He was allegedly locked up ever since, and Vallerand said she only found out what had happened to her son following his escape. 'My sister actually called me while I was at work and she had stated we found [the boy]. We found him,' she said. Now, she says she is hopeful she will finally be able to connect with her son. 'He does have everybody here, on both sides, on both sides of his family that love him and have looked for him,' she said. 'We all love him. I love him. He's so strong and I'm so proud of him for doing what he needed to do,' she said of the fire. 'I wish he did it sooner.' 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 Harrowing body camera footage from the scene show Sullivan worrying about her dogs inside the home as her emaciated stepson is carried into an ambulance Harrowing body camera footage from the scene of the fire show the moment the emaciated man was rescued from the Waterbury house. His limp body could be seen being carried into a waiting ambulance where he was bundled inside, as Sullivan expressed concern for her dogs' wellbeing. The man weighed just 69 pounds, while standing at 5 feet, 9 inches at the time, authorities said. He now faces a long road of physical and mental health treatment, Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo said at a news conference last week. Meanwhile, 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. She has denied any wrongdoing, with her attorney instead pointing fingers at the boy's father. Attorney Ioannis Kaloidis has said it was Kregg that made 'decisions' about his son's life. Sullivan even claims she encouraged better personal hygiene but 'couldn't force' him to wash, and says she was 'aware' of his weight but wasn't responsible for it. '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,' Kaloidis previously said. Sullivan is now due to return to court on March 26. Brittany Higgins has taken to social media to celebrate her husband David Sharaz's new job just two weeks after the birth of their first child. Sharaz, 33, has taken the post of director at independent PR agency, Third Hemisphere where he will be charged with boosting the agency's political media engagement. Higgins, 30, shared an article announcing the news to Instagram on Wednesday with the caption: 'Beyond proud of this wonderful human.' 'Cannot think of a better team of people for you to be working alongside - a values-driven firm of formidable professionals,' the new mum wrote. 'So happy for you and relieved the news is finally out.' Sharaz formerly worked as a journalist for SBS, WIN and Sky News before serving as a Senior Media Advisor in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. He then spent four months working as the ACT Business Manager for media monitoring company Streem before joining Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) in 2021. At Third Hemisphere, he will assist the Sydney-based tech, finance and climate communications firm in setting up a Melbourne presence. The sleep deprived couple are seen pushing their baby boy in a stroller in Brisbane on Tuesday David Sharaz (pictured) is the new director at independent PR agency, Third Hemisphere Ms Higgins said she was 'relieved the news is finally out' about her husband's new role in an Instagram post on Wednesday Third Hemisphere founder & CEO, Hannah Moreno said Sharaz brings 'extensive experience in media and political journalism to the team'. 'As a multiple-times rape survivor and long-standing advocate for women's rights myself - and a recent parent of a baby as well - this hire aligns with our founding values and vision,' she said in a statement. Sharaz's LinkedIn page has not been updated since he finished at SCA in February, 2023. At the time, his ex-wife Alexandra Craig appeared to take a swipe at Sharaz after he announced his departure from that job - his fifth role in three years. Sharaz resigned just weeks after Higgins was reported to have received a $2.4million payout after settling a suit against the federal government. Higgins said he held onto about $1.9million after fees and taxes. In announcing his departure, Sharaz simply updated his Twitter work bio to read: 'AWAY'. Soon after, Ms Craig shared a video of her walking in high heel shoes with the caption: 'AWAY... Until tomorrow morning because I continue to be gainfully employed'. Sharaz (pictured right with Ms Higgins) describes himself as a 'Communications professional', husband, dad and a 'good friend to all' in his Instagram biography The couple are pictured at their wedding in the Gold Coast hinterland in June, 2024 Sharaz and Alexandra Craig (pictured) before they split in 2020 Sharaz met Ms Craig in Canberra where she worked as a media adviser for the Treasury department. They got married in 2018 at an extravagant ceremony at the fashionable Yarralumla Brickworks in Canberra, where tables bore the names of Labor politicians instead of numbers. The couple separated in 2020 and Sharaz began dating Higgins, who was then working as a political staffer. An SCA spokesperson confirmed with Daily Mail Australia at the time that Sharaz had 'resigned' his post. In a cryptic Instagram post, Higgins urged her followers to 'read between the lines'. 'No one walks away from employment without a job to walk into,' she wrote. 'David has been nothing but a supportive partner at an incredibly difficult time.' The couple are seen leaving the Commonwealth Parliamentary Offices in April, 2021 Sharaz was pictured alongside Ms Higgins during each day of the ACT Supreme Court rape trial in October 2022. The pair got married in the Gold Coast last June and soon after relocated to a French chateau they had purchased following the windfall 2022 settlement. By September, the couple had listed the property for sale to cover the costs of a defamation lawsuit brought by Higgins' ex-boss Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds. 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). They were pictured on Tuesday pushing their newborn boy, whose name remains unknown, in a pram on the streets of Brisbane. Fresh details have emerged about Anthony Albanese's attendance at a political fundraiser on the same day Peter Dutton was criticised for mingling with Sydney's elite as Cyclone Alfred barrelled towards the Brisbane coast. 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. While the Prime Minister kept his hands clean, he allowed Employment Minister Murray Watt to assert that Mr Dutton 'owes Queenslanders an explanation', and repeatedly accuse him of prioritising 'money bags' over 'sandbags'. But last week it emerged Mr Albanese had also attended a fundraiser on the same day at the Cabra-Vale Diggers in south-western Sydney, reported the Australian Financial Review. Attendees, who shelled out $2,000 per person for the privilege of having the Prime Minister's ear, included James Chan, chairman of the Australian Chinese Buddhist Society. Tri Vo, the Labor MP for Cabramatta in the NSW Parliament, describes him as a 'dear friend'. 'Not only is he a successful businessman and leader of the temple but he has also been at the forefront of many humanitarian efforts, including raising over $100,000 for the Lismore flood appeal with the temple in 2022,' Mr Vo's website states. Mr Chan has deep ties with the Labor Party and was pictured alongside a grinning Chris Minns as the NSW Premier opened a Labor MP's office in 2023. After lashing Opposition Leader Peter Dutton for attending a fundraiser on March 4, it has emerged that the Prime Minister attended a fundraiser on the same day at the Cabra-Vale Diggers in south-western Sydney after dodging direct questions on two occasions Pictured is the Cabra-Vale Diggers in south-western Sydney Attendees who shelled out $2,000 per person for the privilege of the Prime Minister's ear, included James Chan, chairman of the Australian Chinese Buddhist Society (pictured, right). Mr Chan has deep ties with the Labor Party and was pictured alongside a grinning Chris Minns as the NSW Premier opened a Labor MP's office in 2023 The Sydney Morning Herald alleged in 2019 that Mr Chan had a 'close involvement' with the Promotion of the Peaceful Reunification of China (ACPPRC), a front organisation to further Beijing's influence in Australia. In 2023, the ACPPRC became the first organisation to be forcibly listed as a foreign government-related entity under the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme. Mr Chan has denied any connection to the ACPPRC. It also emerged that Mr Albanese attended a $10,000-a-head fundraiser at Aria, a restaurant overlooking the Sydney Opera House where an eight-course tasting menu without wine costs $290. The fundraiser, first revealed by The Nightly, was due to take place on March 5 but was rescheduled for March 16 after ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred blew in. The Prime Minister's attendance at the March 4 fundraiser only emerged days after Labor had slammed the Opposition Leader for attending a fundraiser on March 4 at Mr Hemmes' mansion. Mr Dutton was repeatedly grilled about the event, insisting it was 'not a party' but a fundraiser, and accused Labor of using the event as 'political leverage to push out a negative campaign'. Mr Albanese dodged questions on at least two occasions but finally admitted on Friday he had also attended a fundraiser on March 4 before flying to Queensland at 8.30pm. 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 'On that day, Peter Dutton flew out of Queensland and I flew in. I did have a fundraiser during that day,' he told Nova. 'But then I 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. 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 flew interstate from Queensland to Sydney to attend 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'. '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. Pictured is The Hermitage, the Vaucluse mansion owned by Justin Hemmes After receiving a Queensland police briefing on the cyclone alongside Mr 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 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 the $100million home of Mr Hemmes, who is boss of the Merivale Group which owns around 100 pubs, hotels and restaurants across Australia. A mother who killed her two sons and said it was 'the greatest act of love' she could show them has died just a few weeks after she was released from prison. Donna Fitchett was sentenced to 27 years in prison in 2010, with a non-parole period of 18 years, for drugging and smothering her sons Thomas, 11, and Matthew, 9, in 2005. The 66-year-old was freed from prison on February 25 but was found dead on Monday at a property in the inner Melbourne suburb of Prahran. 'The death is not being treated as suspicious,' Victoria Police said. It's believed Fitchett died from a drug overdose. The former nurse killed her two sons, and wanted to take her own life, after becoming depressed following the breakdown of her marriage to David Fitchett. She gave her sons a cocktail of drugs at the family home in North Balwyn before smothering and strangling them to death. She wrote a letter to her ex-husband, saying she was sorry for the 'pain upon the discovery of what I have done'. Child killer Donna Fitchett has been found dead just weeks after getting out of prison Donna Fitchett killed her sons Matthew, 9, and Thomas 11, in 2005 On the day of the murders, Fitchett (pictured above in a court sketch) wrote to her psychologist, describing what she planned to do to her children 'I overdosed the boys and when they were asleep, I suffocated them and then strangled them in case they woke up,' she said. 'They put up a bit of a struggle but said nothing. They didn't know it was me or it was happening to each other. 'They were happy this morning, said they loved you and had a great Father's Day.' On the day of the murders, Fitchett wrote to her psychologist, describing what she planned to do to her children. 'Sadly I'm too broken to go on. Today the boys will be given an overdose as I cannot and wouldn't ever abandon them,' she wrote. 'They think we are going on an exciting trip today but I've told them they need to take some medicine so they won't get airsick. 'I'm not a coward, nor am I crazy. I see this as my greatest act of love.' She pleaded not guilty to the murders due to mental illness but that defence was rejected by Justice Elizabeth Curtain who described the crime as the 'greatest act of betrayal'. David Fitchett had a letter written to him by his ex-wife saying she was sorry for the 'pain upon the discovery of what I have done' 'You knew exactly what you were doing because you contemplated, planned and wrote about it,' Justice Curtin said. 'You were their mother. Your responsibility was to nurture, care for, love and protect them.' Fitchett successfully appealed her sentencing and was granted a retrial in 2010 where she pleaded not guilty by reason of mental impairment. She had reportedly tried to take her own life a number of times while in jail and the Victorian Supreme Court heard she had been attacked by inmates in prison. For mental health support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. A woman who gained prominence after she took refuge in churches in Colorado to avoid deportation and was at one point named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People was detained by ICE Tuesday. Jeanette Vizguerra, a mother of four, was arrested at a Denver-area Target store where she worked on Monday, said Jordan Garcia of the American Friends Service Committee, who has been in contact with Vizguerra's lawyer and family. Vizguerra has been trying to gain a visa given to crime victims that allows them to remain in the United States since she left sanctuary in churches in 2020, Garcia said. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment on whether Jeanette Vizguerra had been taken into custody. Garcia claimed to the New York Times that when they captured her, one of the agents said to Vizguerra: 'We finally got you.' In 2017, Vizguerra was named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People. Vizguerras name appeared alongside the likes of John Lewis, Colin Kaepernick, Jeff Bezos, Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump and others. Actress America Ferrera paid tribute to Vizguerra as someone who was living the American Dream. A woman who gained prominence after she took refuge in churches in Colorado to avoid deportation and was at one point named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People was detained by ICE Tuesday Jeanette Vizguerra, a mother of four, was arrested at a Denver-area Target store where she worked on Monday 'She shed blood, sweat and tears to become a business owner, striving to give her children more opportunities than she had. This is not a crime,' the actress wrote. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston blasted the Trump administration for the reported arrest of Vizguerra, an immigration and labor activist. Johnston, who defended Denver's so-called sanctuary city policies in Congress earlier this month, called on people to demand that ICE release Vizguerra and give her due process rights. 'This is not immigration enforcement intended to keep our country safe. This is Putin-style persecution of political dissidents,' he said in a statement. News of Vizguerra's detention prompted a protest outside an ICE detention center in the Denver suburb of Aurora, where her family said she is being held. Buses left the facility in the morning, raising fears that she would be deported, but her family said Vizguerra was still there later in the day. 'We hope ICE will work with her attorney to release her immediately,' the family said in a statement included in an update from the American Friends Service Committee. A document challenging Vizguerra's detention was filed in federal court Tuesday but the full filing was not available to the public. Garcia claimed that when they captured her, one of the agents said to Vizguerra: 'We finally got you.' One attorney listed as representing her declined to comment and referred questions to another lawyer, Laura Lichter, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Vizguerra, who came to Colorado in 1997 from Mexico City, has been fighting deportation since 2009 after she was pulled over in suburban Denver and found to have fraudulent Social Security card with her own name and birth date but someone else's actual number, according to a 2019 lawsuit she brought against ICE. Vizguerra did not know the number belonged to someone else at the time, it said. The lawsuit, which she later dropped, alleged that ICE did not have a valid order to deport her after she pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count in that case because it says she voided it by agreeing to self-deport to Mexico. ICE wrongly tried to revive that order after Vizguerra was arrested for re-entering the United States later, the lawsuit said. She began living in churches in 2017 to avoid being deported under the first Trump administration after a hold on her deportation was not renewed. Vizguerra was given a two-year stay of deportation after two members of Colorado's congressional delegation, Sen. Michael Bennet and then-Rep. Jared Polis, who is now Colorado's governor, introduced so-called private bills to give her a path to become a permanent resident. Such delays have sometimes been extended for years as lawmakers reintroduce the measures aimed at helping individual immigrants, but few of the measures ever become law. After that stay was not renewed in 2019, Vizguerra again entered church sanctuary but then left in 2020, according to a timeline provided by the American Friends Service Committee. The French Caesar and Swedish Archer are two of the best artillery guns the West has produced, and both of them are in use after being donated to Ukraine. They are purpose-built for the kind of war the Ukrainians are fighting - where eyes are everywhere thanks to spy drones, and where any vehicle that lingers too long in the open risks getting blown to bits by an FPV. These guns are masters of a tactic known as 'shoot and scoot' - so deploying, firing, and getting away again before the weapon can be spotted and shot at - and as a result they survive better than any other gun in Ukraine's arsenal. Caesar can deploy in 60 seconds, its five-man crew can unload three rounds of shells in 15 seconds, pack up and then 'scoot' away in 40 seconds. It can fire a 155mm shell over a distance of 25 miles and hold up to 18 shells. Archer is even more impressive, just 20 seconds from start to finish and its three-man crew don't even have to leave the comfort of their air-conditioned cabin to do it. Caesar can deploy in 60 seconds, its five-man crew can unload three rounds of shells in 15 seconds, pack up and then 'scoot' away in 40 seconds Archer is even more impressive, just 20 seconds from start to finish and its three-man crew don't even have to leave the comfort of their air-conditioned cabin to do it MailOnline's Foreign Correspondent Chris Pleasance examines footage of the Caesar and Archer in action in the latest episode of War on Tape to show how these artillery guns work The Swedish artillery gun can also carry up to 21 shells, so three more than Caesar, that can travel a distance of up to 30 miles. The weapon is shrouded in Barracuda netting, which is woven with special fibers that confuse night vision and thermal cameras and therefore makes the Archer harder to spot. In fact, both the Caesar and Archer are so hard to find and destroy that Russia has described them as a 'nightmare' to fight against. MailOnline's Foreign Correspondent Chris Pleasance examines footage of the Caesar and Archer in action in the latest episode of War on Tape to show how these artillery guns work, what 'shoot and scoot' means and why these weapons are so good at it. File image of Ukrainian soldiers firing a French-made Caesar self-propelled howitzer towards Russian positions near Avdiivka in 2022 A huge fire has ripped across Swansea with locals saying flames are leaping more than 40ft into the sky. Billowing clouds of smoke were seen unfurling from the red ring in Mynydd Gelliwastad in the Clydach area on Tuesday night. More than 120 calls were made to the fire service by worried onlookers. Three fire crews are attending the scene on a mountain, which borders a number of farms. But the remote location of the blaze means it is difficult to quell. Firefighters arrived at around 8pm, the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service confirmed. A nearby resident, Mark Lane, told WalesOnline: 'The fire is massive, with flames reaching an estimated 40-plus feet in height. 'It's spreading rapidly in both directions, making it a challenging situation for the fire brigade to manage, especially given its location at the top of a hill.' The fire has broken out in Swansea, with locals reporting 40-foot flames The red ring is sending clouds of smoke out in the Clydach area Three fire crews are attending although they are having difficulty reaching the remote site Mr Lane said some firefighters were trying to reach the blaze by crossing the land on foot. A drone was sent up to assess the spread and scale of the fire, given the difficulty in accessing the site. Images shared by locals show the flames are visible from miles away. And local Andrew Webber added: 'I'd just got to my parents to drop them home and could see the sky lighting up orange and then saw the flames.' Another resident said he assumed the fire was controlled and small at first, as is relatively common on the hillside. But as it grew, he realised the severity of the situation was unique. The narrow load leading up to the scene remains a concern for fire truck access. More passengers flying into Australia will be able to complete their travel declaration forms digitally as a trial is extended. The Australian Border Force and Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) have been trialling the digital Australia Travel Declaration forms on select flights since October. Use of the digital forms, which replace the traditional Incoming Passenger Cards, will be expanded from Wednesday. Initially, travellers on single-passenger bookings from New Zealand were able to complete the travel declarations in the Qantas app. The trial was then expanded to travellers arriving on flights from Los Angeles. The digital travel declaration trial has now been extended to single and multi-passenger bookings on all Qantas flights arriving into Brisbane Airport. Passengers complete an online form and receive a QR code through the Qantas app or email, which they then show Border Force officers upon arrival. The form is also immediately shared to the federal government. Australia will expand a trial of digital incoming passenger cards for Qantas passengers Use of the digital forms, introduced to replace traditional paper Incoming Passenger Cards, will be expanded from Wednesday The streamlined travel declarations can be completed in the Qantas app up to 72 hours before departure to Australia. ABF commissioner Gavin Reynolds told The Australian the phasing out of the paper passenger card was one of the first steps toward a digital Australian border. 'The positive feedback so far has demonstrated a clear demand for a more efficient and user-friendly approach,' Mr Reynolds said. 'As we prepare for global events like the 2032 Olympics, the ABF is committed to using technology to create a seamless travel experience while maintaining high standards of security and compliance.' DAFF deputy secretary of biosecurity Justine Saunders said the trial indicated online forms made the customs process more efficient. 'Trial findings so far have demonstrated a more seamless traveller experience while allowing biosecurity officers to increase their focus on detecting non-compliance and managing risky goods,' she said. Key evidence allegedly showing two former nurses discussing killing Israeli patients will face a legal challenge, threatening a prosecution of the pair. Sarah Abu Lebdeh and Ahmad Rashad Nadir sparked outrage after a video posted on social media by Israeli social media personality Max Veifer showed them saying they would refuse to treat Israelis and kill them instead. The pair were working at southwest Sydney's Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital when they made the alleged threats in a conversation via online platform Chatruletka in February. After the video of that conversation was posted on social media by Mr Veifer, the duo's comments drew widespread condemnation, including from the prime minister and NSW premier. The pair faced court for the first time on Wednesday, when Abu Lebdeh arrived surrounded by half a dozen black-clad supporters who kept media away. Nadir arrived shortly after. Neither spoke during the brief appearance in court before a magistrate adjourned both cases until May. But Nadir's lawyer later told reporters he planned to apply to have the key video tossed out as evidence. Ahmad Rashad Nadir (pictured, right) arriving at Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday Sarah Abu Lebdeh is protected by supporters at Downing Centre Local Court 'The video ... was recorded without his knowledge,' Zemarai Khatiz said outside Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court. 'We will apply to have it excluded.' If the application is successful, it would leave prosecutors with little other evidence to rely on in their cases against the nurses. Abu Lebdeh has been charged with threatening violence to a group, using a carriage service to threaten to kill and using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence. The 26-year-old has been on bail with conditions prohibiting her from leaving Australia or using social media. Nadir was hospitalised during the fallout following the video's release, but was charged earlier in March with using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence and possession of a prohibited drug. The 27-year-old previously apologised through his lawyer for the comments he made in the video. Australia's health practitioner watchdog has barred the duo from working as nurses nationwide and their registrations have been suspended by the NSW Nursing and Midwifery Council. A major Tesla investor made the stunning decision to call on Elon Musk to step down as head of the company as its stock prices plunge amid a nationwide boycott. Ross Gerber went as far as to say that Musk has 'destroyed' the electric vehicle maker's reputation due to his work as the head of President Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency. 'I think Tesla needs a new CEO and I decided today I was going to start saying it, and so this is the first show that I'm saying it on,' Gerber told host Darren McCaffrey on Sky's Business Live on Tuesday. 'It's time for somebody to run Tesla,' he continued, arguing that Musk has stretched himself too thin across his work at DOGE and at X. 'There are too many important things Tesla's doing, so either Elon should come back to Tesla and be the CEO of Tesla and give up his other jobs, or he should focus on the government and keep doing what he is doing, but find a suitable CEO of Tesla.' Gerber went on to say Tesla is 'absolutely' in crisis, as Business Insider reports that its shares plummeted 53 percent since reaching a record high in December, and its market value plunged by more than $800 billion during the same time period. 'The company's reputation has just been destroyed by Elon Musk,' he argued. 'Sales are plummeting, so yeah, it's a crisis. 'You literally can't sell the best product in the marketplace because the CEO is so divisive.' Ross Gerber called on Elon Musk to step down as the CEO of Tesla as its stock prices plunge amid a nationwide boycott Gerber was one of the earliest investors of Musk's car company The millionaire also noted that he has been selling off some of his shares of Tesla because 'the way people view your brand is really, really crucial to part of the purchasing process that humans use. 'We really identify with the cars we drive, especially in the United States, and so when your brand gets tarnished like this - it's real bad,' he said. He noted that he first started having concerns when Musk first bought Twitter back in 2022, but said he didn't know it 'could go this far.' Gerber was one of the earliest investors of Musk's car company, and his wealth management company now owns about 260,000 shares of Tesla stock - worth around $105 million, according to LBC. He is not the only one who has been offloading their Tesla stocks, as ABC News reports that four top executives at the company have sold over $100 million worth of shares since early February. James Murdoch - the estranged son of Fox boss Rupert Murdoch - became the latest to do so last week when he exercised a stock option and sold shares worth approximately $13 million, a Securities and Exchange Commission filing shows. The sale came on March 10 - coinciding with the stock's largest single decline in five years. Even Musk's own brother, Kimbal Musk - who sits on the board for Tesla - unloaded 75,000 shares worth approximately $27 million last month and Tesla Chief Financial Officer Vaibhav Taneja sold off shares totaling more than $5 million in recent weeks. He argued on Tuesday that Musk has stretched himself too thin across his work at X and the controversial Department of Government Efficiency Some of Taneja's sales were part of a predetermined sales plan, but at least one transaction earlier this month did not stem from a scheduled sale, ABC News reports. 'Whenever insiders, including directors, are selling shares, it's not a positive signal,' Jay Ritter, a professor of finance at the University of Florida, told the outlet. Yet Musk did not seem concerned when he addressed the plummeting share prices last week. He said in a post on X that the company 'will be fine in the long term,' as Trump showcased the electric vehicles from the White House - and even purchased one of his own. Speaking alongside his 'First Buddy' at a press conference, Trump also said anyone enacting violence against Teslas and the dealerships would be labeled 'domestic terrorists'. President Donald Trump declared last week that anyone enacting violence against Teslas and the dealerships would be labeled 'domestic terrorists' He showcased the electric vehicles from the White House - and even purchased one of his own The president's remarks came amid fiery mass protests at showrooms across the world as leftists hit out at Musk for his efforts to slash government spending. Last weekend, roughly 250 activists gathered outside a showroom in New York City, holding anti-Musk placards that read 'Block Fascism Now and 'Musk Must Go' as they shouted 'Elon Musk is not elected! Democracy must be protected!' Five protesters were arrested for disorderly conduct at the Manhattan demonstration and one was taken into custody for resisting arrest, obstruction and violation of local law, The New York Daily News reported. There have also been more than a dozen acts of vandalism against Tesla vehicles, dealerships and charging stations since Donald Trump's inauguration, according to police and local reports. On Tuesday, an arsonist even used Molotov cocktails to fire bomb five Teslas before firing rounds into the burning vehicles at a dealership in Las Vegas. Fiery mass protests have popped up at showrooms across the world A protest in Santa Barbara, California on Saturday was led by senior citizens who oppose Musk and Trump's policies Leftists have hit out at Musk for his efforts to slash government spending Police said the unknown suspect, who was seen at the scene in all black, managed to completely burn out two of the cars while damaging three others. Video from the incident shows large sparks flying from the hood of one of the vehicles, as strong flames and thick black smoke consume the vehicles. Officers in Sin City also said that the word 'resist' had been painted on the door of the facility, with three gunshots also fired into the vehicles. It is believed that those who are committing these acts of vandalism, and those who are more peacefully demonstrating, are hitting out at Musk for his efforts to fire thousands of federal workers, including veterans, in his plan to downsize the government. Those who have been affected by the cuts have said they can no longer afford necessities, travel and health care. Many also said they are no longer pumping into local economies by going out to dinner. An arsonist used Molotov cocktails to fire bomb five Teslas before firing rounds into the burning vehicles at a dealership in Las Vegas on Tuesday Officers in Sin City also said that the word 'resist' had been painted on the door of the facility, with three gunshots also fired into the vehicles At the same time, Musk's embattled agency is facing scrutiny from federal judges. On Tuesday, Maryland District Judge Theodore Chuang even ordered the Trump administration to stop dismantling USAID - ruling that DOGE's effort to shut it down likely violated the US Constitution. He granted a preliminary injunction on Tuesday to temporarily block the administration from closing the agency, ruling that the closure was harmful to the public interest 'because they deprive the public's elected representatives in Congress of their congressional authority to decide whether, when and how to close down an agency created by Congress.' Chuang not only blocked the further dismantling of the agency but also ordered it be partially restored including some computer systems be reinstated and the agency be able to reoccupy its headquarters in Washington, DC. Another federal judge had previously required that the Trump administration rehire thousands of fired 'probationary' employees. US District Judge William Alsup, a Bill Clinton nominee, called the large scale firings across government a 'sham' in a fiery decision, days after ruling that a government directive for the firings was 'unlawful.' '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 that's a lie,' he said. 'It was a sham in order to try to avoid statutory requirements,' he added from the bench. A legendary character who owned a popular Sydney cafe that welcomed celebrities from all over the world has died. Vittorio Bianchi, the former owner of Sydney's Piccolo Bar in Kings Cross, died this week at the age of 91. Born in a village outside Naples in 1934, Mr Bianchi couldn't speak English when he moved to Australia as a teenager in the 1940s, but eventually rose to be dubbed the 'Real King of the Cross' after he bought Piccolo Bar in 1994. It was at Piccolo Bar where Mr Bianchi welcomed the likes of Jeff Buckley, Mel Gibson, Marianne Faithfull, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, artist Brett Whiteley and Prime Minister Gough Whitlam. 'To live in the Cross meant that you knew Vittorio Bianchi,' journalist Barry Divola said. 'It was impossible not to know him. His infectious laughter and cutting asides will linger on as long as that building is standing. He's as much a part of that place as the walls and ceiling. 'Unsurprisingly, he had a lot to say, about being an Italian immigrant and coming to Australia at the age of 14 knowing no English, about the good and bad old days of the Cross, about being a gay man at that time, about his hatred of gentrification and what it was doing to inner-city Sydney, about his adoration for the theatre and his admiration for actors and performers.' Piccolo Bar opened in 1952 and had been a magnet for coffee lovers who want their favourite drink strong, black and bittersweet. Vittorio Bianchi migrated to Australia in the 1940s and became one of the most popular figures in Sydney's Kings Cross Vittorio Bianchi posing with performers later in life Mr Bianchi ran it 24 hours a day and it was open to everyone from actors to strippers and drag queens. David and Amy Spanton run Piccolo Bar these days as an aperitivo bar and diner and they paid tribute to the man who made the place famous. 'If you have a chance to pop by this week, come and check out some of the photos and raise a glass to Vittorio and his life,' David Spanton said. 'He truly is part of the fabric of the Cross, and his memory will live on.' Others paid tribute online to a man described as an 'outstanding individual'. 'He hired my father as a barista way back when Australians weren't aware of what espresso was. Vale Vito,' one person wrote. 'I feel completely blessed to have known this wonderful man. I have some very cool stories that I'll keep close to my heart and always remember him as an outstanding individual with a magnetic personality. RIP legend,' another said. Local writer, actor and performer Vashti Hughes said Mr Bianchi was a 'colourful man' and one of the first people to undergo training as an actor at Sydney's Ensemble Theatre. Piccolo Bar has been a magnet for coffee lovers over many decades in Kings Cross A GoFundMe page has been made to give Mr Bianchi a fitting farewell. It's aiming to raise $17,500 to cover costs including crematorium fees, a memorial service at the Wayside Chapel, a cabaret show and food and drinks. 'It was his wish that a cabaret show be held to farewell him and pay artists. We want to send him into the next life to join loved ones who have already passed,' page organiser Tina Newton-Cara said. 'It is our responsibility now to fulfil Vittorio's wishes and to host a fitting tribute and memorial that includes paying and feeding the performers - causes close to Vittorio's heart.' American student Joshua Riibe is no longer under police watch but his nightmare is not over yet and he could be stuck in the Dominician Republic for at least another 10 days. The college student, 22, who is being held under de facto house arrest as authorities probe the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki, made an audacious bid for freedom in court on Tuesday when his attorneys filed a writ of habeas corpus. The filing served as an ultimatum to Dominican Authorities: charge me with something or let me go home. Riibe is not a suspect in Konanki's disappearance. Her parents have accepted the conclusion offered by authorities that she likely drowned, and all parties say Riibe has been cooperative as the last known witness to see her alive. While Higuey court Magistrate Edwis Rijo Delgado granted his habeas petition in a partial court win and demanded he be allowed to move freely, he has not yet been given the green light to return home to America. 'If he is a witness, we understand that each and every one of his rights must be respected,' Magistrate Delgado said. 'All parties say he has cooperated with everything that has been asked of him. If he is a witness, he can cooperate without having to be taken into custody.' The judge said Riibe should be free to 'live his normal life', adding: 'The law is the law.' American student Joshua Riibe is no longer under police watch but his nightmare is not over yet and he could be stuck in the Dominician Republic for at least another 10 days Riibe is not a suspect in Konanki's disappearance. Her parents have accepted the conclusion offered by authorities that she likely drowned All parties say Riibe has been cooperative as the last known witness to see her alive Magistrate Delgado said he will reveal full details of his ruling in 10 days during a March 28 hearing, but it is unclear if Riibe will have to remain in the Dominican Republic until that date. But he warned the matter of returning Riibe's passport was not appropriate for his courtroom, and Dominican prosecutor Eduardo Velazquez sensationally revealed he is not responsible for returning the passport either. 'I don't know about the passport,' he told reporters outside the courtroom. When asked to elaborate, he said: 'I don't speak English.' It is unclear where Riibe's passport is, which agency is in possession of it or how he goes about reclaiming it. Konanki's grieving parents on Sunday said they now believe it's likely their daughter died by drowning and that Riibe was not involved in her death. 'Both sides of the authorities have shown us how high the ocean waves were at the time of the incident, and both sides of the authorities have clarified the person of interest was not a suspect from the beginning,' her father Subbarayudu Konanki told The New York Post. 'It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that we are coming to terms with the fact our daughter has drowned,' he said. 'This is incredibly difficult for us to process.' It is unclear where Riibe's passport is, which agency is in possession of it or how he goes about reclaiming it Sudiksha Konanki, 20, disappeared from a beach at the Riu Republica Hotel in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic on March 6 Riibe appeared in a Dominican Republic court on Tuesday to learn whether local authorities probing the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki can keep him detained in the country The American college student, 22, was met with scenes of chaos has scores of reporters pushed and shoved one another to try and get a glimpse of the last person to see Sudiksha alive They have since asked that Riibe be allowed to leave the island country and return back to home. Riibe claims he has spoken with Konanki's devastated mother, revealing in court on Tuesday she hugged and thanked him for dragging her daughter from the ocean prior to her baffling disappearance. 'Before the family of Sudiksha left the hotel they came up and they gave me hugs and the mother even said thank you very much for helping save my daughter the first time. 'I'm just doing what I can but at this point there is nothing more I can do.. I'm ready to go home and go back to my life,' he said, with surprising composure. Riibe said he was stripped of his passport and his phone on Saturday March 8, two days after Sudiksha, 20, vanished. He wanted to go home the following day but has instead spent barely an hour outside of the Riu Republica resort in the past 12 days. 'Ever since the day I lost my phone and passport I have been solemnly alone' he said. There were tense scenes in the courtroom Tuesday as Riibe's lawyers argued with state prosecutors about the technicalities of his situation. On Monday Sudiksha's devastated parents SreeDevi and Subbarayudu - who traveled to DR from Virginia - submitted a formal written request to the National Police for a 'legal declaration of death' Riibe sat silently in the courtroom as a raucous back-and-forth between the government and his lawyers descended into furious arguing Magistrate Edwis Rijo Delgado began furiously banging his gavel to little effect Micenis Beatriz Santana Hernandez, Riibe's lawyer, had summed up by casting her client as a victim as she implored the judge to restore his liberty. She told the court the father and son were not free to come to her house that evening for dinner, adding: That is not freedom. The college senior said he was shadowed by police minders who watched his every move, watched him eating his lunch and, on one occasion, 'got angry' when he asked if he could go. He said he and his father notified investigators that they had a meeting at the American embassy but they were forced to wait for hours because the prospect of them leaving the hotel 'freaked out' his minders. 'The main thing is that we can't leave our room because in the morning they come and get us for interviews and we have no method of communication. They expect us to wait in the room until we are summoned,' Riibe told the judge. 'I can't go anywhere. I really want to be able to go home, talk to my family, give them hugs and say that I miss them.' Mike Riibe also took the stand saying he had flown to Punta Cana to 'be with my son during this time.' Asked when he was planning on returning to Iowa, he replied: 'When my son is allowed to return to the United States.' Micenis Beatriz Santana Hernandez, Riibe's lawyer, argued it was absurd to claim the American tourist was free to go when authorities had his passport The couple believe their daughter likely drowned and want to move on to honoring their her memory, even though her body has not been found 'He can go to the beach, he can go to the bar, he can come to court,' scoffed prosecutor Eduardo Velasquez. 'It's false, it's false. He walked into court without shackles.' Santana Hernandez countered that it was absurd to claim the scruffy, unshaven vacationer was free to go when authorities had his passport. She said he had been collaborating for the past 11 days and given multiple interviews. 'He isn't being treated like a normal witness. Given his high profile, he doesn't have the ability to leave the resort with guarantees for his safety,' she insisted. The lawyer also asked why what appeared to be a mugshot of Riibe had been leaked to the Dominican media. Riibe has spent the past 12 days holed up in a quiet corner of the sprawling Riu Republica mega resort, a virtual prisoner in paradise, only leaving his room for round after round of interviews. The senior at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, was seen on hotel CCTV with his arm draped around Sudiksha as they headed to the resort's beach around 4am on March 6. The distraught parents submitted a formal written request to the National Police for a 'legal declaration of death' Joshua Riibe is seen being questioned by authorities in Punta Cana. The 22-year-old has had his passport confiscated, but is yet to be named a suspect Surveillance video footage showing Riibe and Sudiksha together the night she vanished had emerged in the wake of her disappearance Sudiksha Konanki, 20, disappeared from a beach at the Riu Republica Hotel in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic on March 6. Fellow spring breaker Joshua Riibe has come under intense scrutiny after it was revealed he was the last to see her alive Military personnel in the Dominican Republic have been seen surveying the beaches and surrounding areas amid the search for Konanki's body The cameras spotted him walking back alone at 9:55am. Sudiksha's five friends she was vacationing with reported her missing at around 4pm. Earlier, DailyMail.com reported that Sudiksha's grieving parents had asked Dominican authorities to formally declare that she is dead. A source with direct knowledge of the investigation told DailyMail.com on Monday that Sudiksha's family has accepted the 'deeply painful' reality that she won't be found alive, 11 days after she vanished in the early hours of March 6 while on spring break in Punta Cana. Her disappearance sparked an intense multi-agency search, despite authorities warning early on that she'd likely tragically drowned in the rough surf. Parents Subbarayudu and SreeDevi have submitted a formal written request to the National Police for a 'legal declaration of death.' 'Following an extensive search, Dominican authorities have concluded that Sudiksha is believed to have drowned. Her clothes were discovered on a beach near where she was last seen,' the letter states. 'While no declaration can truly ease our grief, we trust that this step will bring some closure and enable us to honor her memory.' Chinese aircraft to boost Africa's aviation sector: industry official Xinhua) 10:22, March 19, 2025 NAIROBI, March 18 (Xinhua) -- The entry of Chinese-made aircraft into Africa's aviation market is expected to enhance connectivity, reduce operational costs, and support fleet expansion for the continent's airlines, a senior industry official said here on Tuesday. Abderahmane Berthe, secretary general of the African Airlines Association, a trade association of African airlines based in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, told Xinhua that China's aviation sector is producing very efficient aircraft that are gaining international recognition. "The availability of commercial aircraft manufactured in China offers a solution to enhance the performance of African airlines," Berthe said on the sidelines of the Africa Advanced Air Mobility Symposium. The two-day conference, starting on Tuesday, brought together more than 100 participants, including officials from the United Nations, governments, aviation regulators, and airlines, to enhance the use of drones and electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles that will enhance connectivity in Africa. Berthe disclosed that he has already discussed prospects for China in Africa's aviation industry with the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC). He said COMAC has incorporated advanced technologies into its planes, making them viable alternatives to aircraft manufactured in Western countries. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) The bodies of a woman and man in their 70s have been pulled from a reservoir after their car crashed into the water. The pensioners tragically died following a collision at Crook Gate Reservoir on Huddersfield Road in Denshaw near Oldham. Emergency services rushed to the scene at 10am on Saturday where the vehicles was found submerged in the water where their bodies were also recovered. Greater Manchester Police have now launched an probe into how the car ended up in the reservoir. The family's next of kin have been contacted and are currently being supported, the Manchester Evening News reported. The pensioners tragically died following a collision at Crook Gate Reservoir (pictured) on Huddersfield Road in Denshaw near Oldham Greater Manchester Police said: 'At around 10.10am Saturday 15 March 2025, we were called to reports of a road traffic collision at Crook Gate Reservoir on Huddersfield Road in Denshaw. 'Officers attended the scene and following investigations, it is believed that a vehicle has entered the Reservoir. 'Sadly, the bodies of a man and a woman in their 70s were recovered. Their next of kin have been contacted and are being supported by specialist officers. 'A scene remains in place and an investigation is continuing in relation to how the vehicle ended up in the body of water. The family ask for privacy at this time.' A teenager who wanted to be 'the most famous killer in history' shot dead his family then set out to carry out a gun attack at his old primary school. Nicholas Prosper, 18, exploited a terrifying loophole in gun laws to buy a shotgun and 100 cartridges using a fake firearms licence he made himself. His chilling mission to commit 'the biggest massacre in the 21st century' came just a day after he bought the gun. The school dropout launched his rampage on September 13 last year, blasting his mother, Juliana Falcon, 48, and siblings Kyle Prosper, 16, and Giselle Prosper, 13, in the head at their Luton home before setting off for the school intending to 'kill all'. The gunman fantasised about shooting a classroom of 30 children aged four and five and their teachers, by bursting into the assembly at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School at 9am. But he was 'prevented by chance and circumstance alone' after a passing police car stopped to investigate on seeing the killer standing by the roadside holding a bloodied fist aloft in a kind of salute. Dressed in a yellow and black tracksuit reminiscent of Uma Thurman's trained assassin in the movie Kill Bill, Prosper was less than a mile from the school when he was spotted by two officers at 7.50am. Just hours earlier, the same officers had stood guard at the scene where Prosper had shot dead his family at 5am, leaving their bodies face down in a pool of blood next to a book entitled How To Kill Your Family which he left as a sickening joke. In his 'killer costume': Prosper filmed himself practising his shooting with a piece of wood Nicholas Prosper caught on CCTV buying a shotgun before the killings Court artist drawing by Elizabeth Cook of Nicholas Prosper appearing in the dock at Luton Crown Court, Bedfordshire Prosper killed his mother Juliana, left, brother Kyle, 16, and sister Giselle, 13 Prosper test-fired at a teddy bear in his bedroom shortly before he shot his mother in a hallway. Then he turned the gun on his screaming sister hiding under a dining room table, and stabbed his brother more than 100 times before shooting him in the head. Today, as the loner faces being jailed for decades, it can be revealed that Prosper was able to purchase a shotgun with ease simply by copying real certificates he found online. He discovered that lethal weapons can be traded privately without any official checks if the buyer is able to produce a genuine-looking paper firearms certificate to the seller. Under the current law, sellers have to notify police within seven days about the sale of a weapon. But they don't have to check with police whether the buyer's firearms certificate is genuine before the purchase, creating a loophole whereby the new owner has a window to carry out an attack before anyone discovers the fake. Prosper, now 19, downloaded a blank firearms certificate and used a website which allows you to amend pictures so he could create his own fake. He was so proud of the forgery that when he was arrested, he couldn't resist bragging to officers: 'My name is Nicholas Prosper; you saw my fake shotgun certificate in my room in the 82 flat? Did you see the fake shotgun certificate I made?' Nicholas Prosper appears at Luton Crown Court in an artists impression The gunman fantasised about shooting a classroom of 30 children aged four and five and their teachers On August 30 last year Prosper contacted a gun owner on a trading website called Gun Star, offering him 600 150 over the 450 asking price for the shotgun, claiming it was for clay pigeon shooting. Luton Crown Court was shown CCTV of the handover in a car park outside Prosper's home on September 12 where he produced the cash after inspecting the gun in a car boot. Less than 24 hours later he would begin his shooting spree after staying up all night poring over sickening images of mass murder and school shootings. Yesterday he smirked in the dock as the court heard how he later confessed in prison that he 'wanted to cause the biggest massacre in the 21st century', whispering to a horrified nurse: 'I wish I had killed more.' Prosecutor Timothy Cray, KC, said: 'What drove him on most was the desire to be famous or infamous as a mass killer. This was killing for the sake of killing. 'The killing of his family was to be the first step in an even more shocking mass killing. 'Specifically, he wanted to imitate and even surpass other mass killers around the world.' Prosper was bent on killing more children than the Sandy Hook school shooting in Connecticut, US, in 2012, when 20 died. He spent a year researching local schools, carrying out surveillance on St Joseph's, capturing images of staff and pupils, checking assembly and lesson times and sketching class layouts. Prosper was less than a mile from the school when he was spotted by two officers at 7.50am Nicholas Prosper was seen carrying a shotgun and smirking in a lift on CCTV He carefully assembled a 'killing costume' and spent months poring over 'images and audios that showed deep alienation from normal life and interest in the darkest sides of humanity, including people being killed or seriously injured and violent video games'. Police found a diagram of the early years' classroom at St Joseph's in which Prosper had written 'Kill all'. He had recorded videos of him practising the shooting with a piece of wood in his family kitchen and he uploaded a clip promising to shoot his sister an hour after the murders. He claimed he planned to kill his family in their sleep before raping his sister, stating: 'Why so early? So I'd have time to cannibalise my family, and rape a woman at knife point before the shooting. 'Why? Because I could.' But his mother woke up, forcing him to carry out his plan earlier than intended. Yesterday Prosper's father Raymond said in a victim impact statement that 'part of my soul died' on the day of the killings. Defending, David Bentley, KC, said Prosper was not a psychopath, but a 'socially impaired' teenager with 'autistic traits'. He said: 'He is a young man who has gone down effectively an internet wormhole.' Grinning, the killer rocked back and forth as his lawyer called his actions 'incomprehensible'. Prosper admitted the murders at an earlier hearing, as well as possession of a shotgun with intent to endanger life. He will be sentenced today. There was frustration, fury and disappointment on Tuesday night after the Trump administration dropped the latest top secret files on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The much-anticipated documents were published on the website of the National Archives. It came roughly 24 hours after President Donald Trump announced a trove of 80,000 pages of material would be released. But many of the aged documents were faded, poorly scanned and impossible to read. Others were notes in handwriting that was completely illegible or included crossed out words and scribbles. And more ended up being highly redacted despite promises from the Trump administration that the files would not be. 'Im quickly going through the JFK files to see if we would get everything unredacted like promised. We have not,' posted one researcher. 'I was told repeatedly these were going to be unredacted' vented another frustrated X user. 'Most of these documents were marked safe for declassification YEARS ago. There is nothing here. Where are the exempt and excluded JFK files?' wrote another. John Greenewald, Jr., who created The Black Vault which is an online repository of declassified government documents, responded to the tranche released with 'oof.' He noted that the PDFs are not searchable, there are no bulk downloads and no spreadsheet index of records like previous releases. Documents released on March 18 from the John F Kennedy files included scanned notes, typewritten reports and handwritten letters Viewers scouring the documents releases on the National Archives website vented frustration about documents being illegible due to faded type and poor scanning 'This dump is profoundly more impenetrable than all the previous more annotated ones,' historian David Garrow told the New York Times of the document release. He suggested it would take two days even to open all the documents and that it would take a while to figure out if there was anything new. Garrow noted that the more than 1,100 separate PDFs released lack any annotation including agency of origin or file numbers from previous releases. Historians also noted that many and perhaps even most of the documents dropped will have been previously released in one form or another. One document was an excerpt from the leftwing political magazine Ramparts which was published from 1962 to 1975. That document had been publicly available for years. Your browser does not support iframes. President John F Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy moments before the president was shot in Dallas on November 22, 1963 as his car passed through Dealey Plaza The file I am particularly interested is a CIA IG report from whistleblowers alleging that the CIA hid information from Congress ref JFK assassination as it implicated them (shortly after the assassination). We were given this as a tip and there is actually a document we are https://t.co/AsiyKxWcBK Anna Paulina Luna (@realannapaulina) March 19, 2025 Despite the slow slog through the documents as Americans scoured to find anything new MAGA world cheered the release. 'The file I am particularly interested is a CIA IG report from whistleblowers alleging that the CIA hid information from Congress ref JFK assassination as it implicated them (shortly after the assassination),' wrote Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fl.) who led the task force to declassification of JFK assassination records. 'We were given this as a tip and there is actually a document we are currently tracking down,' she added. The GOP congresswoman wrote on X 'promises made, promises kept' despite the documents including redactions. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard also claimed on X that Trump was 'ushering in a new era of maximum transparency' and that the files were being released 'with no redactions.' Some X users responded to her post with screen grabs of redacted documents from the release. Leading up to its release, Trump said it would be 'interesting' and the White House said Americans would be 'shocked' by revelations. 'People have been waiting for decades for this,' Trump said on Monday. 'We have a tremendous amount of paper. You've got a lot of reading.' 'I don't believe we are going to redact anything. I said just don't redact. You can't redact. But we're going to be releasing the JFK files,' he added. The Dallas Police Department mug shots of Lee Harvey Oswald following his arrest over the JFK assassination. Oswald claimed he was a 'patsy'. Your browser does not support iframes. The trove of documents include hand-written notes as well as typewritten reports. Historians reacting to the document dump signaled they did not expect any major revelations that change the the circumstances of the assassination, but the release could provide additional details. Some of the documents hold information on Lee Harvey Oswalds activities prior to the assassination including his contacts with Cuban and Soviet intelligence. One document noted that Oswald was considered a 'poor shot.' The release also contained a letter from a Russian in which he claimed he warned U.S. officials in August 1963 that Oswald was preparing to kill the president. The massive document release had JFK sleuths and conspiracy theorists scouring the National Archives website Tuesday night for any new juicy morsels of information. The new JFK assassination files could include the home video shot by bystander Oliver Nix, according to expert Jefferson Morley. The release of files on the 1963 assassination of JFK are part of a bigger GOP promise to make public government secrets like what is known about pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, UFOs, origins of COVID-19 and the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy U.S. President Donald Trump holds a signed executive order in the Oval Office of the White House, in Washington, U.S., January 23, 2025. Boxes of documents and evidence related to the assassination of John F. Kennedy were presented at a news conference in Dallas, Texas on February 18, 2008 Trump was for releasing the JFK files during his first term in office but thousands remained under seal. During his 2024 campaign he vowed to make them public as part of his overall effort to increase government transparency. He signed an executive order in January to declassify the remaining files. A babysitter allegedly repeatedly abused a boy while staying with his family and sleeping in the child's bunk bed. Florian K., 37, is accused of abusing the 11-year-old boy almost 1,000 times while he was employed as the child's babysitter in Munich, Germany, for seven years. The boy's parent, a single mother-of-two, had found Florian K. on a website for babysitters advertising their services in 2010, according to German daily Bild. Unbeknownst to the mother, Florian K. already had a criminal record for sexual abuse at the time which he hid from potential employers. She hired him to care for her son, with Florian K. even becoming 'a father figure for the victim', according to the public prosecutor. The babysitter soon started spending the night at the family's home and sometimes even slept in the boy's bunk bed. But when 'everyone else was asleep', Florian K. abused the boy, then aged 11, the prosecutor alleges. The abuse is said to have happened for years, sometimes even daily. He allegedly developed a code system with emojis and used it to announce the sexual acts to the boy, for example by sending him an open mouth emoji to demand oral sex. Florian K., 37, is accused of abusing the 11-year-old boy almost 1,000 times while he was employed as the child's babysitter in Munich, Germany, for seven years. His trial is being held at Munich Regional Court (pictured above) Florian K. told the victim that while this normally was forbidden, in their case 'it was different because they were both having fun', the court heard. He is now on trial at the Munich Regional Court after being charged with aggravated sexual abuse of a child. The babysitter is accused of abusing the boy at least 993 times by the time he turned 18 over a seven-year period. He denied the charges and only admitted to abusing a six-year-old boy in 2008, for which he was sentenced to two years in youth detention at the time. Florian K. told the court he was sexually abused as a child himself while attending boarding school and complained about being ostracised because of his criminal record, which he said left him unable to find a job. He then constructed a web of lies to make himself more employable, posing as a psychologist and even claiming to have his own children. But he was found out when the boy, who is now 25, confided in a fellow student and notified police in 2023, with forces arresting Florian K. in early 2024 in Munich. He has been held in investigatory custody for more than a year now. The trial continues. A mother who made vicious threats towards her love rival after they both had a baby with the same man has been fined. Paris Frost, 24, terrified her victim by telling her she would break her legs and burn her house down. She also verbally abused the woman on the phone and said 'I will never leave you alone', Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard. Frost has now been handed a 12-month community order with a rehabilitation activity requirement for 25 days after pleading guilty to stalking causing serious alarm or distress. She was also made the subject of a restraining order which prevents her from contacting the victim or going to her home for five years. Prosecutor David Bennett said the victim and the defendant both had a relationship with the same man and both had a child with him which 'caused problems between them'. On March 27, 2022, the complainant received a message telling her to 'watch her house'. On June 3 Frost called her and made further threats to burn down her house. A mother who made vicious threats towards her love rival after they both had a baby with the same man has been fined. Pictured: Stoke On Trent Crown Court The victim told her to go away and leave her alone. The defendant said: 'I will never leave you alone.' Mr Bennett explained how the victim was so distressed that she moved to her mother's house. A message on Facebook under a man's name said: 'Sleep with one eye open.' The court heard the father of both women's children had his van set on fire. The victim received a message stating: 'You are next.' A few minutes later another message said: 'Your boyfriend is having his two legs broken shortly. I will be doing the same to you. You will be getting your legs snapped.' Mr Bennett said the victim felt scared and intimidated by the threats made by the defendant. Frost's abuse continued with her calling her victim a 'dirty w****' in one message and saying she was an alcoholic in another. On September 21, Frost reported the victim as missing on the Goldenhill and Sandyford Facebook page. This lead to the complainant being approached by members of the public when she went out which left her feeling embarrassed. In a victim impact statement the woman said: 'I feel scared to be in my own home to the extent I had to move to the other side of the city. I feel scared to leave the house. 'I feel someone is always watching me. I feel really uncomfortable to go anywhere and try to reduce any risk of seeing her.' Frost, of Broadfield Drive, Sandyford, pleaded guilty to stalking causing serious alarm or distress between March 26, 2022 and October 5, 2022. Barry White, mitigating, said there had been a significant period of time since the offending took place and there have been no further offences since. Mr White said: 'The complainant lives at the bottom of her street. They pass. Nothing ever happens. Since October 2022 nothing has happened.' He said Frost is a single mum with two children and added: 'She is embarrassed by her behaviour.' Judge Trevor Meegan said stalking was an 'ugly and unpleasant offence'. He added: 'You sent threatening and abusive messages on Facebook. 'You verbally abused the complainant over the phone. You posted a missing person appeal on Facebook. 'You threatened to burn down her house and snap her legs. You said you would never leave her alone. 'She was scared and had to leave her home. She moved for a period to the other side of the city. She has had messages from fake accounts.' Frost was fined 500 and will serve 14 days in prison if she fails to pay. Britain is being stifled by soaring levels of immigration, US Vice President JD Vance has claimed. In a blistering speech on Tuesday, Mr Vance accused Western nations of growing 'lazy' by relying on 'cheap labour' instead of driving productivity. Addressing a room of tech bosses in Washington DC, he said: 'I'd say that if you look in nearly every country, from Canada to the UK, that imported large amounts of cheap labour, you've seen productivity stagnate. 'That's not a total happenstance. I think that the connection is very direct.' The vice-president delivered his remarks at a high-profile summit hosted by venture capitalist giant Andreessen Horowitz, where he argued that the US had also been hooked on 'cheap labour' for decades due to '40 years of failed economic policy'. He also defended President Donald Trump's controversial use of tariffs, saying they were a 'necessary tool to protect our jobs and out industries from other countries'. Mr Trump recently slapped 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports - with some delays until April 2 - and suggested the idea of imposing eye-watering 200 percent tariffs on European wine and spirits. Britain has already been dragged into Mr Trump's trade war after he implemented 25 per cent tariffs on iron and steel imports in a move that could further rattle the UK's already fragile economy. US Vice President JD Vance speaks during the 2025 American Dynamism Summit on March 18, in Washington, DC. The American Dynamism Summit brings together companies, executives, and government officials and is hosted by the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz Vance also defended President Donald Trump 's controversial use of tariffs, saying they were a 'necessary tool to protect our jobs and out industries from other countries' Mr Vance insisted that tariffs, combined with advances in technology, would help America rebuild its manufacturing sector. 'When you erect a tariff wall around a critical industry like auto manufacturing and you combine that with advanced robotics and lower energy costs and other tools that increase the productivity of US labour, you give American workers a multiplying effect,' he said. 'That, in turn, allows firms to make things here at a price-competitive basis.' Mr Vance's comments are likely to cause friction with Britain, as he has emerged as a sharp critic of the UK since taking office in January despite his seemingly close ties with David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary. At the Munich Security Conference in February, he blasted Britain and its allies for cracking down on free speech, citing the case of Adam Smith-Connor, who was arrested and convicted in 2022 for praying silently outside an abortion clinic. Mr Smith-Connor told The Telegraph he was 'delighted' that Mr Vance was 'exposing the reality' of censorship in Britain. Earlier this month, Mr Vance sparked fresh outrage after downplaying Britain's military record, suggesting Britain was a 'random country' that had not 'fought a war in 30 or 40 years', which he later denied. The US Vice President desperately attempted to clarify his comments after he sparked a furious backlash among military veterans and MPs from all parties. He said this while he was referring to a potential peace deal to end the Ukraine war. Mr Vance used a Fox News interview to pile pressure on Ukraine to sign a minerals deal with US President Donald Trump. At the Munich Security Conference in February, Vance blasted Britain and its allies for cracking down on free speech It comes after a number of rants Mr Vance launched on European countries, including the UK, during the Munich security conference Mr Vance was accused of 'erasing from history' the sacrifice of UK personnel in those bloody conflicts, with his remarks labelled 'deeply disrespectful' He said this was 'a way better security guarantee than 20,000 troops from some random country that hasn't fought a war in 30 or 40 years'. Seething ex-servicemen pointed out that 636 British troops died in Afghanistan and Iraq after the UK allied with the US in military action following the 9/11 terror attacks. Mr Vance was accused of 'erasing from history' the sacrifice of UK personnel in those bloody conflicts, with his remarks labelled 'deeply disrespectful'. But the Vice President later strained to claw back his remarks amid the widespread anger at his intervention. He claimed he had not been aiming his barb at Britain or France - who are the only two countries to publicly commit to a peacekeeping force in Ukraine. Yet Mr Vance failed to clarify which nations he had been referring to. His remarks were swiftly condemned, with critics pointing out Mr Vance's own time in Iraq as a military journalist with the US Marine Corps in 2005. Critics pointed to the huge list of countries who lost troops after joining US military action in Afghanistan after 9/11. Sir Keir Starmer's official spokesman said: 'The PM and this country are full of admiration for UK troops who served in recent years in Iraq and Afghanistan alongside the US and other allies.' Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said Mr Vance was 'wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong'. 'For 20 years in Afghanistan - pro rata our size against America's - we spent the same amount of money, we put the same number of men and women in, and we suffered the same losses,' he told GB News, as he attended a farmers' protest in Westminster. 'We stood by America all through those 20 years, putting in exactly the same contribution. 'And, all right, they may be six times bigger but we did our bit. So, on this one, JD is wrong.' Mr Vance's latest remarks will do little to smooth tensions as Britain grapples with sluggish growth and a mounting immigration crisis. Prince Harry was seen beaming on Tuesday after the federal government declared that he did not receive any special treatment when he applied for a visa in the US. The Duke of Sussex appeared to be at ease as he stepped out of a van to run errands in Santa Barbara, California - where he lives with his wife, Meghan Markle. It seemed as if a weight had been lifted off the 40-year-old, who had been accused of lying about his drug use on his visa papers. But in heavily-redacted documents, a lawyer from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said his application followed all the 'applicable rules and regulations'. The ruling marks the end of the right-wing Heritage Foundation's lawsuit against the federal agency to prove Harry lied in his application - which led to speculation that President Donald Trump may deport the prince. Harry has spoken publicly about using cannabis, cocaine and magic mushrooms in his memoir, Spare, and in his Netflix TV series. Had he mentioned that on his immigration forms when he moved to the US in 2020, the prince could have been denied entry or faced further questioning. Still, the documents that were released on Tuesday contain page after page of blocked-out type in an effort to protect Harry's privacy and prevent him from being subjected to 'harassment'. Prince Harry was seen beaming on Tuesday after the federal government declared that he did not receive any special treatment when he applied for a visa in the US It seemed as if a weight had been lifted off the 40-year-old, who had been accused of lying about his drug use on his visa papers The federal government declared on Tuesday that he did not receive any special treatment when he applied for a visa His actual immigration file is also still private, with Jarrod Panter, the chief Freedom of Information Act officer at DHS, saying the agency determined it was not possible to release 'any portion' of Harry's records as anyone with a familiarity with immigration law could easily determine Harry's status. The prince has not publicly revealed his status in the US after immigrating in 2020 with Markle, 43, with whom he has two children. Panter wrote that US immigration 'routinely protects from disclosure the nonimmigrant/immigrant status sought by third parties who do not have permission from the beneficiary to receive this information'. He said: 'To release such information would potentially expose the individual to harm from members of the public who might have a reason to manipulate or harass individuals depending on their status in the United States.' Making such information public could subject Harry to 'reasonably foreseeable harm in the form of harassment as well as unwanted contact by the media and others'. Panter then went on to reject the idea that Harry had been given 'preferential treatment'. He wrote: 'This speculation by (Heritage) does not point to any evidence of government misconduct. 'The records, as explained above, do not support such an allegation but show the regulatory process involved in reviewing and granting immigration benefits which was done in compliance with the Immigration and Nationality Act and applicable rules and regulation.' If Harry had mentioned his past drug use on his immigration forms when he moved to the US in 2020, the prince could have been denied entry or faced further questioning The prince has not publicly revealed his status in the US after immigrating in 2020 with his wife Meghan Markle, 43, with whom he has two children Panter's declaration also included a seven-page long list of documents that were identified in the case, but all of them were redacted. Four of the other documents are declarations from records officers at DHS and they have heavy redactions too. The sixth document is a partial transcript of an in camera hearing from April 30, 2024 in which both sides discuss the case. There is a fleeting reference to the musician Sting and another person - it is not clear who. '...In whether Prince Harry or Sting or anyone else you can think of who is prominent has a particular visa status,' one of the documents says. The files were released following a U-turn by Judge Carl Nichols, who sits in Washington and is overseeing the case. In September, Nichols refused the request from Heritage to release all the documents because the Duke had a right to privacy. But after a hearing he reconsidered and said he wanted to reveal the 'maximum amount' that he could. The released documents include a declaration from Jarrod Panter, chief FOIA officer at DHS, who said that the agency determined it was not possible to release 'any portion' of Harry's records as anyone with a familiarity with immigration law could easily determine Harry's status The case has led to speculation that Donald Trump might kick Harry out of the country as the President said last year he 'wouldn't protect him'. But last month Trump changed his tune and said he wouldn't deport Harry because his wife is 'terrible'. Speaking to the New York Post, the President said he was giving Harry a break because 'he's got enough problems with his wife'. Nile Gardiner, director of the Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom at The Heritage Foundation - the Washington think tank which is behind the legal fight to get Harrys visa documents made public - spoke exclusively to DailyMail.com following the document release on Tuesday. These documents do not in any way alter the big picture which is that Harrys visa application needs to be released to the American public in full,' he said. The American public deserves to know how he entered the country and if he did so legally. Trump previously said he was giving Harry a break because 'he's got enough problems with his wife' (Harry pictured with Meghan) The documents are so heavily redacted by the Biden-era Department of Homeland Security they offer no answers at all. I believe these documents will only reinforce calls for the release of the full Harry visa file. The American public deserves to see Harrys records if there is nothing to hide. These documents were written under Joe Biden's administration and offer a complete lack of transparency and accountability. President Trumps administration has consistently promised transparency and accountability, especially on the subject of immigration,' he continued. There is a very strong possibility, in my view, that the Trump administration will release Harrys visa file in a full, unredacted and complete way.' Virgin Australia has launched an eight-day sale with some flights selling for as little as $45. The sale, which includes domestic and international flights, began on Wednesday and will last until midnight on Wednesday, March 26, AEST. Discounts apply for selected flights between April 30 this year and February 11, 2026. Velocity members can still earn Velocity Frequent Flyer Points and credits on the fares, the airline stated. The cheapest one-way route is Ballina (Byron Bay) to Sydney which has been priced at just $45 for an economy ticket. Business class on the same route will cost $219. A flight from Sydney to the Gold Coast will also set travellers back just $65. Between Brisbane and Proserpine in the Whitsundays, the fares begin at $69, while tickets between Sydney and Melbourne start at $95. Virgin Australia has launched a massive sale with some flights selling for as little as $45 Between Brisbane and Proserpine, the fares begin at $69 for selected travel dates For those travelling between Melbourne and the Sunshine Coast, they can snap up a flight from $109, while a standard seat between Sydney and Hamilton Island costs the same amount. Fares between Brisbane and Hobart start as low as $115, and a flight from Brisbane to Uluru costs $129. Those in Melbourne wanting to escape for a tropical getaway in Hamilton Island can purchase a flight for as little as $139. Meanwhile, Melburnians wanted to head over to the west coast can get a flight to Perth from $195. For flights between Sydney and Perth, the fares begin from $199. The carrier will also link Australia with popular international destinations, including Samoa, Fiji, Bali, Vanuatu and New Zealand. Economy fares between Brisbane and Apia in Samoa can be purchased from $689. Seats on flights between Melbourne and Bali begin at $489. Economy tickets between Melbourne and Queenstown, New Zealand are on sale from $269 Domestic holidaymakers can fly between Sydney and Ballina (Byron Bay) for $45 Seats on flights between Melbourne and Denpasar, Bali begin at $489 Economy tickets between Melbourne and Queenstown are on sale from $269. Virgin Australia executive Libby Minogue said she believes more Australian travellers than ever are looking to get away in the middle of the year. 'We're seeing a growing trend of Aussies taking holidays to rejuvenate and reset, as disconnecting from daily life becomes more challenging,' she said. 'This is reflected in the behaviours of our Velocity members, we have seen a 17 per cent increase in members using their points to redeem flights in comparison to last year.' A hero recognised for his bravery after helping to bring down a knifeman in Sydney doesn't feel comfortable with the nickname he has been given. Jase Shore, Jamie Ingram, Mitchell Bennetts, Bennett Gardiner and Gonzalo Herrera's instincts kicked in when Mert Ney burst onto Clarence Street in Sydney's CBD covered in blood and wielding a 20cm blade on August 13, 2019. Ney had just killed 24-year-old Michaela Dunn and stabbed 41-year-old Linda Bo. The five men were awarded a group bravery citation from the governor-general after they used chairs and, famously, a milk crate to pin down Ney and saved countless other lives. Mr Shore was dubbed 'crate man', but he says he doesn't feel comfortable accepting the nickname due to the gravity of the incident. 'I didn't want it to be a celebration because someone's life was taken,' he said. 'It was quite hard to take on because her (Ms Dunn's) life wasn't celebrated in the right way. 'At the end of the day, she's human. She's someone's daughter, someone's best friend.' Jase Shore said he still doesn't like the moniker 'crate man' six years on from restraining a killer Knifeman Mert Ney is tackled to the ground and restrained by a milk crate in 2019 Jamie Ingram is one of five who will receive a group bravery citation from the Governor General Mr Ingram saw Ney as he was being corralled by firefighters and civilians before he bolted up Clarence Street again. Mr Ingram, who had just finished a 'lunch and learn' session nearby, picked up a chair and followed, catching up to Ney only a short distance from a crowded cafe. 'The realisation was, if I'm ever going to do something, I'd better do it now,' he said. Ney was shoved from behind and knocked to the ground, allowing Mr Ingram to hold him down with the chair while Mr Shore, who was in Sydney on a work trip, restrained the attacker with a crate. 'I don't really remember grabbing it,' Mr Shore said of the improvised restraint. 'But that's the Australian spirit: grab what you can and work with what you've got.' The moment was caught by a nearby news crew, whose footage quickly went viral. Ney was later sentenced to a maximum of 44 years in jail. Jase Shore said he didn't really remember his heroic actions while he was in the heat of the moment While the recognition has been nice, the incident has also changed the way the men interact with the world. For Mr Herrera, it was one of the few incidents he has been involved in as part of a community, rather than emergency service. 'It just shows people that band together can make a positive difference, put all differences aside and work towards a common goal of helping people,' he said. An ex-military man, Mr Shore was used to acting with no regard for his own life, but the death of Ms Dunn continues to trouble him as a father to a young daughter. 'I'd always say it was fight or flight and in that moment, a lot of people ran,' he said. 'If you're not trained to approach a situation like that, there's nothing wrong with flight - that's the protection of life.' The group still keeps in contact, often sending birthday messages, and they have met up on several anniversaries to remember Ms Dunn. Nearby members of the public also restrained the man with chairs A NSW police officer was separately recognised with a posthumous bravery decoration from the governor-general. Senior Constable Kelly Foster died after a canyoning incident while she was off-duty in the Blue Mountains in January 2021. She went to help a fellow canyoner who had been swept into a whirlpool, but both Foster and the 24-year-old woman drowned. The 39-year-old was remembered by her family as tough but selfless at her funeral, where she received the Commissioner's Valour Award for bravery. The new trove of top secret files released on the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy left experts trawling for new clues and Donald Trump's own staff scrambling. The release early Tuesday evening included 2,182 PDF documents totaling 63,400 pages on the National Archives website more than 60 years after the president was shot and killed in Dallas. It included typewritten reports and handwritten notes spanning decades, including details of a top CIA agent who claimed the deep state was responsible, Lee Harvey Oswald being a 'poor shot' and that Secret Service had been warned Kennedy would be killed in August, three months before the murder. The rollout of the files stunned Trump's national security team, who spent 24 hours racing to assess security hazards ahead of publication. When the files were released at around 7pm, it sparked widespread backlash, from liberals claiming it was just a repeat of a similar drop by Joe Biden years ago, to MAGA fans angered that the pages still contained redactions and left questions, leading experts to describe the files as 'impenetrable.' Experts have warned as they sift through the information that they do not expect the release to overturn the long understanding of what happened or earth-shattering reveals. The document batch did not include annotations, what agency documents originated from, how they were linked together or whether they were found more credible than others to the investigation. Its publication represents the fulfillment of a campaign promise from Trump, who had threatened to get the files out dating back to his first term in office. President John Kennedy with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy smile at the crowds in Dallas just moments before the president was assassinated on November 22, 1963 The files included typewritten reports and handwritten notes spanning decades, including details of a top CIA agent who claimed the deep state was responsible and Lee Harvey Oswald (pictured) being a 'poor shot' Still, those digging through the thousands of pages have uncovered some intriguing details. One document was a memo released on a passage from the left wing political magazine Ramparts from June 1967 about intelligence agent, CIA informant and former US Army Captain John Garrett Underhill Jr. 'The day after the assassination, Gary Underhill left Washington in a hurry. Late in the evening he showed up at the home of a friend in New Jersey He was very agitated,' the passage starts. 'A small clique within the CIA was responsible for the assassination, he confided, and he was afraid for his life and probably would have to leave the country. Less than six months later Underhill was found shot to death in his Washington apartment. The coroner ruled it a suicide,' the passage continued. Your browser does not support iframes. It noted that he was on 'intimate terms with a number of high-ranking CIA officials. The passage was shared numerous times by conservatives on social media on Tuesday night. But others dismissed it, pointed out the magazine passage had been publicly available and discussed for decades. Another document making the rounds in MAGA world Tuesday night after the release focused on Kennedy's assassin Lee Harvey Oswald. One line in the document stated that KGB watched Oswald closely while he was in the USSR. But files indicated that Oswald was a poor shot when he tried target filing in the USSR.' President Donald Trump said during a media event at the Kennedy Center that the files were all going to be released on Tuesday A passage from the JFK files from a magazine in 1967 that was making the rounds after the latest document release Another detail released was a letter sent by a man named Sergyj Czornonoh in 1978 to the British Embassy. He claimed that he was detained in London on July 18, 1963 and questioned by authorities. Czornonoh said that he told them about Lee Harvey Oswald, saying he planned to kill the president. He added that he warned American Vice Consul Tom Blackshear of the plans of Oswald, who trying to defect to Russia. While Trump's team was working on getting the records out since the president returned to the White House in January, those plans were put into overdrive on Monday. The president said during a media event at the Kennedy Center that the files were all going to be released on Tuesday. National security analysts were scrambling to make sure there were no hazards in what they were about to publish with a supercharged deadline. CIA Director John Ratcliffe had wanted to have everyone prepped on what was in the documents so that they wouldn't be caught off guard, the New York Times reports. Lee Harvey Oswald pictured with the Dallas police on November 22, 1963 One of the documents circulating after the latest JFK file release indicated Oswald was a 'poor shot' while in the USSR Your browser does not support iframes. The National Security Council put together an emergency call to make everyone aware of what they still had to un-redact. Many had worries that confidential information would be revealed about people who were still alive. Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, scoffed at the notion that anyone was left unaware that this was coming. 'President Trump made a promise to release all of the JFK. files and he is delivering on that promise. Anyone surprised by this hasn't been paying attention or has been willfully ignorant.' Historians speaking to the mainstream media have suggested there's not much new out there in the JFK files and what's been released is disorganized and will be hard to parse through regardless. Larry J. Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics and author of 'The Kennedy Half-Century,' said he had a team that started going through the documents but it may be some time before their full significance becomes clear. 'We have a lot of work to do for a long time to come, and people just have to accept that,' he said. Researchers had estimated that the number of files still released either in whole or in part was around 3,000 to 3,500. And last month the FBI said it had discovered about 2,400 new records related to the assassination. Another detail released was a letter sent by a man named Sergyj Czornonoh in 1978 to the British Embassy He claimed that he was detained in London on July 18, 1963 and questioned by authorities. Czornonoh said that he told them about Lee Harvey Oswald, saying he planned to kill the president Jefferson Morley, vice president of the Mary Ferrell Foundation, a repository for files related to the assassination, said in a statement posted on the social platform X that the release is 'an encouraging start.' Complete versions of about a third of the redacted documents held by the National Archives have now been made public, he said, an estimate of over 1,100 of about 3,500 documents. 'Rampant over classification of trivial information has been eliminated and there appear to be no redactions, though we have not viewed every document,' Morely said. The National Archives said on its website that in accordance with the presidents directive, the release would encompass 'all records previously withheld for classification.' But Morley said what was released Tuesday did not include two-thirds of the promised files or any of the recently discovered FBI files. Historian David J. Garrow told the New York Times 'this dump is profoundly more impenetrable than all the previous more annotated ones.' Garrow suggested it would take him two days just to open up all of the released 80,000 pages of documents. John Greenewald Jr. of The Black Vault - which boasts of being the 'largest privately run online repository of declassified government documents' - similarly complained about the organization of the files. Historians speaking to the mainstream media have suggested there's not much new out there in the JFK files and what's been released is disorganized and will be hard to parse through regardless Interest in details related to Kennedy's assassination has been intense over the decades, with countless conspiracy theories spawned. Trump, who took office for his first term in 2017, had said that he would allow the release of all of the remaining records but ended up holding some back because of what he called the potential harm to national security. And while files continued to be released during President Joe Bidens administration, some remained unseen. Sabato said that his team has a 'long, long list' of sensitive documents it is looking for that previously had large redactions. 'There must be something really, really sensitive for them to redact a paragraph or a page or multiple pages in a document like that,' he said. 'Some of its about Cuba, some of its about what the CIA did or didnt do relevant to Lee Harvey Oswald.' There was swift backlash to several aspects of the drop, as many of the aged documents were faded, poorly scanned and impossible to read. Others were notes in handwriting that was completely illegible or included crossed out words and scribbles. And more ended up being highly redacted despite promises from the Trump administration that the files would not be. There was swift backlash to several aspects of the drop, as many of the aged documents were faded, poorly scanned and impossible to read Liberals, like journalist Ed Krassenstein, claimed that Biden released the same files in 2023 'I'm quickly going through the JFK files to see if we would get everything unredacted like promised. We have not,' posted one researcher. 'I was told repeatedly these were going to be unredacted' vented another frustrated X user. 'Most of these documents were marked 'safe' for declassification YEARS ago. There is nothing here. Where are the 'exempt' and 'excluded' JFK files?' wrote another. Liberals, like journalist Ed Krassenstein, claimed that Biden released the same files in 2023. 'The only difference? The top of Biden's says '2023 Release' and Trump's says '2025 release' and the word 'secret' is crossed out in Trump's release,' Krassenstein claimed. Despite the slow slog through the documents as Americans scoured to find anything new MAGA world cheered the release. 'The file I am particularly interested is a CIA IG report from whistleblowers alleging that the CIA hid information from Congress ref JFK assassination as it implicated them (shortly after the assassination),' wrote Rep. Anna Paulina Luna who led the task force to declassification of JFK assassination records. 'We were given this as a tip and there is actually a document we are currently tracking down,' she added. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna led the task force to declassification of JFK assassination records The file I am particularly interested is a CIA IG report from whistleblowers alleging that the CIA hid information from Congress ref JFK assassination as it implicated them (shortly after the assassination). We were given this as a tip and there is actually a document we are https://t.co/AsiyKxWcBK Anna Paulina Luna (@realannapaulina) March 19, 2025 The GOP congresswoman wrote on X 'promises made, promises kept' despite the documents including redactions. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard also claimed on X that Trump was 'ushering in a new era of maximum transparency' and that the files were being released 'with no redactions.' Some X users responded to her post with screen grabs of redacted documents from the release. The files on JFK weren't the only ones released, as documents pertaining to the assassinations of both Kennedy's brother Robert and Dr. Martin Luther King. An author who recently won the Pulitzer Prize for a biography of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. says the files released related to the assassination of the civil rights leader are not likely to lead anyone to find anything new. The MLK assassination files were released alongside those of President John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy on Tuesday. Jonathan Eig, who published last year's lauded book 'King: A Life' told the New York Times he's set to review the files. However, he's not expecting anything surprising. 'I would be very surprised if there was some kind of smoking gun, or revelation of an alternate assassin.' King was assassinated by James Earl Ray on April 4, 1968. Leading up to its release, Trump said it would be 'interesting' and the White House said Americans would be 'shocked' by revelations. 'People have been waiting for decades for this,' Trump said on Monday. 'We have a tremendous amount of paper. You've got a lot of reading.' Trump was for releasing the JFK files during his first term in office but thousands remained under seal. During his 2024 campaign he vowed to make them public as part of his overall effort to increase government transparency. He signed an executive order in January to declassify the remaining files. The respected former judge who led the Board of Inquiry into the prosecution of Bruce Lehrmann engaged in 'serious corrupt conduct', the ACT Integrity Commission has found. The corruption watchdog investigated retired Queensland judge Walter Sofronoff over his dealings with two journalists while conducting his inquiry into the failed Crown case against Lehrmann in 2023. Mr Sofronoff gave his final report to The Australian's Janet Albrechtsen and the ABC's Elizabeth Byrne before it was officially released by the ACT government. The inquiry found handing over the report 'threatened public confidence' in his inquiry's processes - along with the judgements made in his report - and fell within 'several elements of the definition of "corrupt conduct".' '[Mr Sofronoff's] disclosure of the report itself to journalists before it had been publicly released contravened the requirement of the Inquiries Act,' the commission's findings said. The report should have gone exclusively to the Chief Minister to rule on the timing and extent of publication, subject to the role of the Legislative Assembly, it said. 'The disclosures were dishonestly concealed from persons involved in the Inquiry, in particular [former ACT chief prosecutor Shane] Drumgold and the [ACT] Chief Minister, which prevented them taking protective legal action,' the findings added. 'This impugned conduct constituted the exercise of Mr Sofronoff's official functions in a way that was not impartial, significantly compromised the integrity of the Inquiry constituting a breach of public trust. 'And, in respect of his communications with Ms (Janet) Albrechtsen, gave rise to an apprehension of bias that affected his findings about Mr Drumgold. That conduct could have justified Mr Sofronoff's removal from the Inquiry.' The ACT Integrity Commission found respected former judge Walter Sofronoff engaged in 'serious corrupt conduct' while leading a Board of Inquiry into the prosecution of Bruce Lehrmann The corruption watchdog found Mr Sofronoff has act inappropriately during with interactions with The Australian's Janet Albrechtsen (pictured) The investigation also criticised Mr Sofronoff over his decision to give the ABC's Elizabeth Byrne a copy of his final report under embargo The report noted Mr Sofronoff maintained his interactions had 'complied with the requirements of the Inquiries Act'. 'Mr Sofronoff claimed that his conduct complied with the requirements of the Inquiries Act, and that he had acted in the public interest to ensure the media were adequately informed about the issues being investigated by his Inquiry and in a position to comment accurately about them,' the report stated. 'However, the commission concludes that he had not, in fact, acted in good faith and that his conduct, amounting to corrupt conduct within the meaning of the IC Act, undermined the integrity of the board's processes and the fairness and probity of its proceedings to such an extent as to have been likely to have threatened public confidence in the integrity of that aspect of public administration. 'It therefore constituted serious corrupt conduct.' No findings were made against either of the journalists. Mr Sofronoff's inquiry had investigated the handling of the sexual assault allegations against Lehrmann. The former Liberal staffer was tried in the ACT Supreme Court in 2022 over allegations he had raped his then-colleague Brittany Higgins at Parliament House after a night of heavy drinking in 2019. The criminal trial was aborted after one of the jurors was found to have engaged in misconduct, with Mr Drumgold refusing to pursue a retrial out of concern for Ms Higgins' fragile mental health. The criminal trial against Bruce Lehrmann was aborted in 2022 as a result of juror misconduct Lehrmann was later found to have raped his colleague Brittany Higgins in Parliament House on the balance of probabilities after he sued Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson Mr Drumgold called for a public inquiry into how the case was handled, only for Mr Sofronoff's review make damning findings about the then-DPP's own conduct. Mr Sofronoff's findings have since been found to have been affected by the apprehension of bias in the ACT Supreme Court. Lehrmann has since been found to have raped Ms Higgins on the balance of probabilities in a civil court after he launched separate defamation actions against Network Ten and Lisa Wilkinson over an interview with Ms Higgins that appeared on The Project. He is currently appealing that decision. The ACT corruption watchdog found Mr Sofronoff provided Ms Albrechtsen with a range of 'confidential materials', including witness statements that had not been tendered as evidence at the inquiry and drafts of his final report with comments from the legal team assisting the inquiry. The commission found the disclosures 'amounted to a serious breach in the probity of Mr Sofronoff's exercise of his functions'. The watchdog also found Mr Sofronoff had sent his final report to Ms Albrechtsen and Ms Byrne under embargo and that, in doing so, he had 'acted to favour their interests as journalists to the detriment of the countervailing interests of the [inquiry's] participants and the Chief Minister'. Mr Sofronoff claimed providing the report to the two journalists as a way to help them understand its content, and report the findings accurately when they were released - but the Commission rejected his explanation as 'fanciful'. Former ACT chief prosecutor Shane Drumgold called for a public inquiry into the ACT's handling of the allegations against Lehrmann only to be hammered by the ensuing probe '[It] amounts in reality to no more than giving Ms Albrechtsen and Ms Byrne a "standing start",' the commission found. Mr Sofronoff's inquiry made 'several serious findings of misconduct' against Mr Drumgrold and found the chief prosecutor 'at times lost objectivity and did not act with fairness and detachment' during the Lehrmann trial. Mr Drumgold resigned in the days after the final report was made public but later sought a judicial review of the findings in the ACT Supreme Court, with Justice Stephen Kaye finding they were affected by an apprehension of bias on Mr Sofronoff's part and set aside some of the Mr Sofronoff's findings. 'The fair-minded observer might fairly apprehend that, at that point, Mr Sofronoff regarded himself as a "fellow traveller" of Ms Albrechtsen in respect of the views that she had expressed and maintained in her publications about the plaintiff,' Justice Kaye found. 'The observer might also apprehend that, as such, Mr Sofronoff regarded it as appropriate to exchange views with Ms Albrechtsen about specific issues which he was required to determine in the inquiry.' A convicted murderer was put to death in a Louisiana prison using nitrogen gas, the first time the state has used the controversial method as it resumed executions after 15 years. Jessie Hoffman Jr., 46, was pronounced dead at 6:50pm on Tuesday at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in an execution that lasted 19 minutes. One official present said the execution was 'flawless.' It was the fifth time nitrogen gas was pumped through a gas mask to essentially suffocate a death row inmate. The previous four were conducted in Alabama, with the first nitrogen execution in United States history being performed in January 2024 on Kenneth Eugene Smith, a man who killed a 45-year-old woman more than 30 years ago. Smith, much like Hoffman, was alive for 22 minutes while nitrogen gas flowed into his lungs. Hoffman was convicted of the abduction, rape and murder of Mary 'Molly' Elliott, a 28-year-old advertising executive who was killed in New Orleans. At the time of the crime in 1996, Hoffman was 18 and has since spent much of his adult life at the penitentiary in rural southeast Louisiana, where he was executed Tuesday evening. Jessie Hoffman Jr., 46, was pronounced dead at 6:50pm on Tuesday at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in an execution that lasted 19 minutes Hoffman was convicted of the abduction, rape and murder of Mary 'Molly' Elliott (pictured), a 28-year-old advertising executive who was killed in New Orleans Pictured: The execution table Hoffman was strapped to at the Louisiana State Penitentiary Hoffman's lawyers waged numerous court battles on his behalf, hoping to spare his life. His attorneys claimed the nitrogen hypoxia method is unconstitutional and violates his Eighth Amendment right that prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. They also said it infringes on Hoffman's freedom to practice religion, specifically his Buddhist breathing and meditation in the moments leading up to his death. 'Mr. Hoffman sincerely believes that he must practice his Buddhist breathing exercises at the critical transition between life and death,' his lawyers said. Despite pleas that reached all the way up to the Supreme Court, the highest court in the land voted 5-4 against intervening in Hoffman's case. Hoffman's Buddhist spiritual adviser knelt beside him while chanting as he slowly suffocated, NOLA.com reported. Witnesses said they entered the chamber at 6:17pm and that gas began to flow into Hoffman's mask at 6:21pm. Hoffman was strapped down to the table and most of his body was covered with a thick blanket, though people present reported seeing him making a sacred hand gesture in Buddhism - a index finger and thumb pointing toward one another. Shortly after the gas was turned on, Hoffman began twitching, witnesses said. They added that his hands were clenched and his head jerked as the gas flowed. He took his last visible breath at 6:37pm and the curtains were closed to the chamber shortly after. The prison warden, Darrel Vannoy, pronounced him dead at 6:50pm when the curtains reopened On Tuesday afternoon, a small group of execution opponents held a vigil outside the rural southeast Louisiana prison at Angola, where the states executions are carried out Some passed out prayer cards with photos of a smiling Hoffman and planned a Buddhist reading and 'Meditation for Peace.' Others held signs proclaiming: 'Let Jessie Live!' The prison warden, Darrel Vannoy, pronounced him dead at 6:50pm when the curtains reopened. Despite Hoffman's panicked movements, Louisiana prison officials have maintained that execution by nitrogen is painless. 'Jessie no longer bore any resemblance to the 18-year-old who killed Molly Elliott,' said one of his attorneys, Cecelia Kappel, in a statement following Hoffman's death. 'The State was able to execute him by pushing out a new protocol and setting execution dates to prevent careful judicial review and shrouding the process in secrecy.' Andy Elliott, the husband of the woman Hoffman killed, called the execution 'bittersweet news' in a statement Tuesday night. 'There is relief that this long nightmare is finally over but also renewed grief for Molly and sadness for Mr. Hoffmans family, whose nightmare began when mine did and whove also had to go through nearly 30 years of this gut-wrenching process through no fault of their own,' Elliot said. On Tuesday afternoon, a small group of execution opponents held a vigil outside the rural southeast Louisiana prison at Angola, where the states executions are carried out. Some passed out prayer cards with photos of a smiling Hoffman and planned a Buddhist reading and 'Meditation for Peace.' Others held signs proclaiming: 'Let Jessie Live!' Elon Musk-hating hackers have doxxed Tesla owners in the United States, releasing an interactive map showing their names, addresses, phone numbers and emails. The disturbing website, called DOGEQUEST, also provides the locations of every Tesla showroom, charging station and the known residences of Department of Government Efficiency employees. It even lists FBI Director Kash Patel's home and uses a symbol of a Molotov cocktail as its cursor. The site's operators said they will only remove identifying information about Tesla drivers if they provide proof that they sold their electric vehicle amid a national boycott of the car maker. It is unclear where the hacker got the information about the Tesla owners, but it has caused a lot of concern - with Musk labeling it 'extreme domestic terrorism.' 'Encouraging destruction of Teslas throughout the country is extreme domestic terrorism!!' he wrote on X Tuesday night. The website says it 'neither endorses nor condemns any actions.' 'If you're on the hunt for a Tesla to unleash your artistic flair with a spray can, just step outside - no map needed,' it reads. 'At DOGEQUEST, we believe in empowering creative expressions of protest that you can execute from the comfort of your own home.' A website called DOGEQUEST shows an interactive map showing the names, addresses, phone numbers and emails of every Tesla owner in the United States Musk labeled the website 'extreme domestic terrorism' in a post on X Tuesday night Under the heading 'I want my information removed,' the website says 'Absolutely! Just provide us with proof that you've sold your Tesla.' It also links to a website called the No Trace Project, which says it is 'a collection of tools to help anarchists and other rebels understand the capabilities of their enemies, undermine surveillance efforts and ultimately act without getting caught.' Some online have called for FBI Director Patel to act to take down the website and go after the cyber group behind it after President Donald Trump declared anyone enacting violence against Teslas and its dealerships would be labeled 'domestic terrorists.' The site uses an image of a Molotov cocktail as its cursor The president's remarks last week came amid fiery mass protests at showrooms across the world as leftists hit out at Musk for his efforts to slash government spending. Last weekend, roughly 250 activists gathered outside a showroom in New York City, holding anti-Musk placards that read 'Block Fascism Now and 'Musk Must Go' as they shouted 'Elon Musk is not elected! Democracy must be protected!' Five protesters were arrested for disorderly conduct at the Manhattan demonstration and one was taken into custody for resisting arrest, obstruction and violation of local law, The New York Daily News reported. There have also been more than a dozen acts of vandalism against Tesla vehicles, dealerships and charging stations since Donald Trump's inauguration, according to police and local reports. The website says it 'neither endorses nor condemns any actions' In one instance, a New York City man said he watched as a man jumped out of his Subaru and defaced his Cybertruck with a swastika. On Tuesday, an arsonist even used Molotov cocktails to fire bomb five Teslas before firing rounds into the burning vehicles at a dealership in Las Vegas. Police said the unknown suspect, who was seen at the scene in all black, managed to completely burn out two of the cars while damaging three others. Video from the incident shows large sparks flying from the hood of one of the vehicles, as strong flames and thick black smoke consume the vehicles. Officers in Sin City also said that the word 'resist' had been painted on the door of the facility, with three gunshots also fired into the vehicles. The troubling website comes amid mass protests at Tesla showrooms across the country Leftists have hit out at Musk for his efforts to slash government spending Those conducting the vandalism - as well as those who are more peacefully demonstrating at the dealerships - are hitting out at Musk for his efforts to fire thousands of federal workers, including veterans, in his plan to downsize the government. Those efforts are also being targeted by federal judges - one of whom ordered the Trump administration to stop dismantling USAID. Maryland District Judge Theodore Chuang granted a preliminary injunction on Tuesday to block the administration from closing the agency, ruling that DOGE's effort to shut it down likely violated the US Constitution. He also ordered it be partially restored including some computer systems be reinstated and the agency be able to reoccupy its headquarters in Washington, DC. US District Judge William Alsup, a Bill Clinton nominee, also previously required that the Trump administration rehire thousands of fired 'probationary' employees. On Tuesday, an arsonist even used Molotov cocktails to fire bomb five Teslas before firing rounds into the burning vehicles at a dealership in Las Vegas Officers in Sin City also said that the word 'resist' had been painted on the door of the facility, with three gunshots also fired into the vehicles Amid the backlash, Tesla's shares plummeted 53 percent since reaching a record high in December and its market value plunged by more than $800 billion during the same time period, according to Business Insider. Four top executives at the company have even sold more than $100 million worth of shares since early February, ABC News reported on Tuesday. As the company continues to spiral, Ross Gerber - one of Tesla's early investors - called on Musk to step down as the head of the company. 'I think Tesla needs a new CEO and I decided today I was going to start saying it, and so this is the first show that I'm saying it on,' Gerber told host Darren McCaffrey on Sky's Business Live on Tuesday. 'It's time for somebody to run Tesla,' he continued, arguing that Musk has stretched himself too thin across his work at DOGE and at X. 'There are too many important things Tesla's doing, so either Elon should come back to Tesla and be the CEO of Tesla and give up his other jobs, or he should focus on the government and keep doing what he is doing, but find a suitable CEO of Tesla.' He went on to say the DOGE chief 'destroyed' the electric vehicle maker's reputation due to his work in the federal government. 'The company's reputation has just been destroyed by Elon Musk,' he argued. 'Sales are plummeting, so yeah, it's a crisis. 'You literally can't sell the best product in the marketplace because the CEO is so divisive.' DailyMail.com has reached out to the Department of Justice for comment. Donald Trump's plan to ban transgender troops from serving in the military has been dealt a crippling blow. US District Judge Ana Reyes described the plan as 'unabashedly demeaning' in a fiery 76-page written decision declaring the administration cannot enforce the ban. The policy was due to come into effect later this month and would have impacted up to 4,200 service members who experience gender dysphoria. Upon returning to the White House, Trump signed an executive order which both eliminated DEI from the armed forces and prohibited transgender people from serving - sparking a wave of protests and a lawsuit arguing it was unconstitutional. Reyes has now issued an injunction which prevents the administration from enforcing his ban until the lawsuit has been finalized. 'The ban at bottom invokes derogatory language to target a vulnerable group in violation of the Fifth Amendment,' Judge Reyes wrote. 'Its language is unabashedly demeaning, its policy stigmatizes transgender persons as inherently unfit, and its conclusions bear no relation to fact. 'Indeed, the cruel irony is that thousands of transgender servicemembers have sacrificed some risking their lives to ensure for others the very equal protection rights the Military Ban seeks to deny them.' Donald Trump 's plan to ban transgender troops from serving in the military has been dealt a crippling blow. Pictured: An Army official during Pride Month Since Trump returned to the White House, transgender service members have reported that they were forced to revert to the grooming standards and pronouns of their birth sex Lawyers representing the Justice Department had attempted to argue that Trump had sweeping authority to decide who could serve in the military. They said allowing transgender troops to continue serving would have negative repercussions on the military's lethality and cohesion. 'Being transgender is ''inconsistent'' with ''high standards for Service member readiness, lethality, cohesion, honesty, humility, uniformity, and integrity'',' the government argued. 'Their expression of sexual identity is not consistent with humility and selflessness. They also cost too much.' But Reyes noted in her findings: 'The law does not demand that the Court rubber-stamp illogical judgments based on conjecture.' She noted that her decision to rally against the Trump administration is not one that she 'made lightly.' 'Judicial overreach is no less pernicious than executive overreach,' she said. 'The President and Defendants could have crafted a policy that balances the Nations need for a prepared military and Americans right to equal protection. 'They still can. The Military Ban, however, is not that policy. The Court therefore must act to uphold the equal protection rights that the military defends every day. Upon returning to the White House, Trump signed an executive order which both eliminated DEI from the armed forces and prohibited transgender people from serving - sparking a wave of protests US District Judge Ana Reyes described the plan as 'unabashedly demeaning' in a fiery 76-page written decision declaring the administration cannot enforce the ban 'The Courts opinion is long, but its premise is simple. In the self-evident truth that all people are created equal, all means all. Nothing more. And certainly nothing less.' The lawsuit was brought about by active-duty transgender troops as well as gender diverse people who had hoped to enlist in the military. Under the new policy, they would be barred from service. Reyes wrote: 'Leaders have used concern for military readiness to deny marginalized persons. 'First minorities, then women in combat, then gays filled in that blank. Today, however, our military is stronger and our Nation is safer for the millions of such blanks (and all other persons) who serve.' The Pentagon released guidelines in February documenting how Trump's proposed ban would work. While the military would ultimately kick out transgender service members, these members were encouraged to 'voluntarily separate' with a generous severence package. In the Navy, troops had a March 28 deadline to request voluntary separation. Lawyers representing the Justice Department had attempted to argue that Trump had sweeping authority to decide who could serve in the military 'Service members who have a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria will be processed for separation from military service,' the guidance stated. 'The Department only recognizes two sexes: male and female. An individual's sex is immutable, unchanging during a person's life. All service members will only serve in accordance with their sex.' Since Trump returned to the White House, transgender service members have reported that they were forced to revert to the grooming standards and pronouns of their birth sex. Some also claim to have been passed over for promotions, placed on administrative leave and denied medical care. There are as many as 4,200 service members across all fields who have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria. Between 2014 and 2025, an estimated 1,000 service members have received gender-affirming surgery. Lawyer representing the service members Shannon Minter told the New York Times: 'Their lives and careers are completely disrupted. 'That's why getting them immediate relief is so important.' EXCLUSIVE Australia's elusive con-queen Cindy De Waij has appeared in court in glamorous designer wear after she was charged with fresh fraud offences. De Waij, 41, fronted a Melbourne court on Wednesday charged with 64 offences including multiple counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception. It's alleged De Waij, who has attempted to keep her identity a mystery, ripped off numerous victims between October 2023 and August last year. The court heard allegations De Waij rorted $167,000 via a Catch Me If You Can-style fraud racket which included the use of fake and suspected stolen identities. De Waij, who was also charged with attempted fraud and dealing with the proceeds of crime, was allegedly nabbed with stacks of suspected stolen IDs including digital passport copies, bank cards and driver's licences. De Waij, who snapped outside court in a glamourous outfit paired with Ray Ban Aviators, $1200 Gianvito Rossi Plexi patent leather pumps and a $3000 Louis Vuitton Speedy 30 handbag, allegedly used other people's ID to take out large loans. Police alleged De Waij's highest individual theft was $15,000 but she had attempted many more including a Citibank loan for $23,500. The court heard De Waij has relevant prior offending and had served six months in prison in 2021 for fraud. Cindy De Waij (pictured) was snapped outside court with Ray Ban Aviators, $1200 Gianvito Rossi Plexi patent leather pumps and a $3000 Louis Vuitton Speedy 30 handbag De Waij first came under real police scrutiny five years ago when cops discovered the secret lair where she operated her former forgery and fraud empire. The con artist had converted a South Melbourne storage unit into a base to create fake IDs and bogus documents which she used to dupe various women out of cash. It was discovered in early 2020 but De Waij managed to remain on the loose and committed fraud in a similar manner to how Leonardo DiCaprio's character Frank Abagnale Jr got away with it in the film Catch Me If You Can. De Waij assumed her victims' identities to take out bank loans and order credit cards, leaving the women with giant debts, during her crime spree between October 2019 and April 2021. De Waij also allegedly used a Melbourne woman's identity to take out a $17,000 bank loan and order a $4500 Citibank credit card. The glamourous thief used the ill-gotten gains on luxury accommodation, designer clothes and accessories, and drugs. Storage facility management alerted police after breaking into De Waij's cage and discovering her den of fraud. Among the illicit items was sophisticated equipment and material De Waij used to doctor and produce false identities. De Waij, 41, fronted a Melbourne court on Wednesday charged with 64 offences including multiple counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception De Waij allegedly operates in a similar manner to how Leonardo DiCaprio's character Frank Abagnale Jr got away with it in the film Catch Me If You Can (pictured) Authorities seized a massive haul of passports, driver's licences, Medicare cards and folders containing tax and foreign bank statements. Bogus documents and IDs and an identity doctored with fraudulently obtained Victoria Police stamps were also located. De Waij, who was linked to the lair via CCTV and a seized pen, had been arrested in December 2020 for other fraud allegations. However, De Waij failed to tell police about the cage so the full extent of her villainy wasn't yet known. Cops closed in on De Waij after a victim discovered the fraudster had booked a bogus stay at her Airbnb apartment. De Waij was hauled off by the cops but the woman later realised her notebook, which contained personal details, was missing. Just days later the woman received communication about attempted credit card and mobile phone plan applications. De Waij (right) leaves court with her lawyer Zarah Garde-Wilson (left) But sneaky De Waij initally slipped through the police net but was eventually caught in a sting operation in April 2021. The woman monitored De Waij after the fraudster spent $11,500 on the victim's credit card. The victim tracked a Jadore Hair products order to a post office in Melbourne's inner south. The woman waited to pounce after the post office manager said the Jadore had been collected but another delivery of knee high boots, a Michael Kors watch and Yves Saint Laurent sunglasses was ready for collection. This information was passed onto police who were waiting for De Waij when she returned to the post office to collect the items. At first, she gave police a false name and claimed to be picking up the package for a friend. But cops pressed further, and she eventually confessed to her criminality, telling police she learned to carefully doctor photo IDs and falsify documents via the dark web. 'They're just details you can get on the dark web and stuff,' De Waij told police during her 2021 interview. De Waij left court after being warned she faced a jail term 'I just needed to not be me, I can't help it.' Police also found a diary which allegedly outlined where De Waij planned to stay under a particular stolen identity. At Wednesday's court hearing, the prosecution submitted the total amount involved in the alleged fraud was a 'substantial figure' but made no application to have De Waij's matter heard at a higher court. It was also determined De Waij's matter will be handled in the Magistrates' Court so her allegations will never go before a jury. The court heard any potential sentence for De Waij is well in the range of that lower court. Zarah Garde-Wilson, who appeared for De Waij, had made an application for a sentence indication but secured an adjournment after Magistrate William Parker said he would send her client back to jail immediately. The summary of accusations, De Waij's criminal priors and a psychological report had earlier been handed to Magistrate Parker. During a 2021 court hearing, Magistrate Fiona Hayes said De Waij was 'essentially a con-artist'. De-Waij was jailed for a maximum 18 months but it was knocked down to four months on appeal in February 2022. She will face court on the new charges at a later date. Elon Musk has spoken out about an alleged conspiracy to assassinate him and destroy Tesla, the electric car company that has made him the richest man in the world. The head of the Department of Government Efficiency and informal adviser to President Donald Trump has had a difficult few weeks as he continues his mission to dramatically reduce the size of the federal bureaucracy. Speaking on Fox News Tuesday night, Musk told Sean Hannity that his attempts to cut government waste and fraud is the reason why certain characters 'want to kill me.' 'It turns out when you take away people's, you know, the money that they're receiving fraudulently, they get very upset,' he said. 'And they basically want kill me because I'm stopping their fraud and they want to hurt Tesla because we're stopping the terrible waste and corruption in the government. And, well, I guess they're bad people. Bad people do bad things.' Musk repeated the claim made by many conservative lawmakers, including Marjorie Taylor Greene, that there could be left-wing groups coordinating the protests and attacks on Tesla vehicles and dealerships. 'I think there are larger forces at work as well,' Musk said. 'I mean, who's funding and who's coordinating it? Because this is crazy. I've never seen anything like this. 'Tesla is a peaceful company, we've never done anything harmful. I've never done anything harmful, I've only done productive things, so I think we just have a deranged... I think there's some kind of mental illness going on here,' he added. Elon Musk joined Fox News on Tuesday night outside the White House. He claimed that there was a conspiracy to kill him and destroy Tesla Pictured: Two burned Teslas are seen in the parking that was attacked by the unknown perpetrator Musk's theory came hours after an arsonist used Molotov cocktails to fire bomb five Teslas at a dealership in Las Vegas, Nevada Large demonstrations have been staged at Tesla dealerships all over the country and in some more extreme incidents, Tesla vehicles owned by innocent people have been set on fire. The most recent example came Tuesday morning, when an arsonist used Molotov cocktails to fire bomb five Teslas before firing rounds into the burning vehicles at a dealership in Las Vegas, Nevada. Last week, roughly 250 activists gathered outside a showroom in New York City, holding anti-Musk placards that read 'Block Fascism Now and 'Musk Must Go' as they shouted 'Elon Musk is not elected! Democracy must be protected!' The chaos and anger directed at Musk and Tesla have swelled to the point that Trump came out and declared it domestic terrorism. 'They're harming a great American company,' Trump said at the White House, referring to the demonstrators. 'Let me tell you, you do it to Tesla, and you do it to any company, we're going to catch you, and... you're going to go through hell.' Attorney General Pam Bondi appears to be following through on Trump's promise, also calling the attacks on Tesla property 'domestic terrorism' in a statement Tuesday evening. 'The Department of Justice has already charged several perpetrators with that in mind, including in cases that involve charges with five-year mandatory minimum sentences,' Bondi said. 'We will continue investigations that impose severe consequences on those involved in these attacks, including those operating behind the scenes to coordinate and fund these crimes.' The word 'resist' was seen spray-painted outside the Las Vegas dealership that was attacked on Tuesday Large demonstrations have been staged at Tesla dealerships all over the country, with the trend starting around mid-February But the worsening performance of Tesla stock pre-dated the protests by about two months, with shares beginning their precipitous drop in mid-December Long before the protests at Tesla dealerships began in mid-February, Musk has been feeling significant pain in his wallet. Tesla stock is down more than 53 percent since its peak in mid-December, roughly a month before Trump took office. According to one estimate, SpaceX has now replaced Tesla as Musk's most valuable asset. Musk has seen his wealth shrink by $130 billion since January 1, according to the Bloomberg Billionaire's Index. Tesla nearly doubled in value after Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the November election, with investors hoping that Musk's unique level of access to the incoming president would be a boon to the company. But Musk's massive cuts to various government agencies and job-slashing initiatives within the federal government has not gone over well with some. For instance, he spearheaded the closure of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the foreign aid arm of the government that ran food aid, disaster relief and disease prevention programs in over 100 countries on a $40 billion annual budget. Musk has called USAID 'one of the biggest sources of fraud.' On Tuesday, a federal judge declared the Trump administration and Musk's dismantling of USAID likely violated the Constitution. Musk's DOGE has also helped to de-fang the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Department of Education, an agency Trump reportedly wants to shut down via executive order. A worker is seen removing the sign for USAID outside its headquarters in Washington, D.C. following Musk's attacks on the program Musk's decision to wholeheartedly join the MAGA movement may have harmed his company, as it reports declining sales worldwide Musk's decision to wholeheartedly join the MAGA movement may have cost him a once-loyal customer base who leans left and also wants to drive electric cars. Generally, companies try to stay out of politics to maintain the largest share of customers possible. Anheuser-Busch, the company behind Bud Light, learned this lesson when it briefly partnered with trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney in April 2023. The firm lost as much as $1.4 billion in sales after conservatives boycotted the brand. A similar situation could be unfolding for Tesla, as new registrations of its vehicles in the US dropped 11 percent in January from a year earlier. Foreign countries are souring on Teslas even more dramatically, particularly in Europe. Data released in early March showed Tesla sales were down 24 percent year over year in the Netherlands, 42 percent in Sweden, 48 percent in both Norway and Denmark, 45 percent in France, 55 percent in Italy, 10 percent in Spain and 53 percent in Portugal. However, sales fell off a cliff in Germany, where 76 percent fewer Tesla vehicles were sold in February when compared to last year. Germany's rejection of Tesla came after Musk's viral moment at the Inauguration where he was seen making a controversial hand gesture. NSW's homicide squad commander Danny Doherty has announced he will retire after four decades with the police force. Doherty, 63, first joined the police academy in Goulburn, 195km south-west of Sydney, in January, 1985. He worked hard and was promoted to an investigator in 1994 and robbery and serious crime officer in 2018. Doherty finally reached his top position in December 2019 and became known for his media appearances. His last day on the job will be April 10, 2025. In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald in September last year, Doherty revealed he handled his first suspicious death case when he was 24-years-old. He credited the case and the senior officers and detectives behaviour as the catalyst for him wanting to become an investigator. 'It was a toddler at Easter time who was assaulted and died; she was in the cot deceased,' Doherty recalled. NSW's homicide squad commander Danny Doherty (pictured) has announced he will retire at 63 years old Doherty headed the homicide squad as it handled several serious cases, including the Bondi Junction Westfield attack in 2024 (pictured, a memorial in the shopping centre) 'The two things that stick with me was the horrendous crime scene, but also the smell of Easter eggs. I couldn't eat Easter eggs for two or three years after, it was just stuck in my head.' His interactions with police began as a young child. Doherty grew up in a violent household and came to view officers as the people who 'protected' him and his mother. The positive interactions left an 'indelible impression' on Doherty and resulted in him joining the police academy following a brief teaching career. Doherty oversaw many serious cases during his career including the alleged double murder of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies by a police officer, the Bondi Junction attack which saw six people stabbed to death, and an alleged suspicious house fire in Sydney which claimed the lives of three children. Doherty even met his now-wife of some 30 years - Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty, commander of the NSW sex crimes squad - at a crime scene. The pair were introduced while working on the case of a woman who was abducted and sexually assaulted. Doherty (pictured) recalled first wanting to become an investigator after watching officers' interactions on the crime scene of a young girl's death on Easter When asked what the biggest challenge of his career was, Doherty said steering young people away from crime and gang involvement - particularly in Sydney. 'There's a perception from young wannabe gangsters they see the bling, they say "I want to be that person" and we do see them drawn into that area from an early age, and they get attracted by the money, the cash, the power and the identity of it all,' he said. 'That comes crashing down when they end up in a gutter with a bullet in their head.' NSW Police said it has not yet decided who will fill the homicide squad commander position. Even if every registered voter turned up to the polls in the 2024 presidential election, Donald Trump still would have beat out Vice President Kamala Harris, according to a shocking new report. In fact, Trump would have won the popular vote by five points - rather than just the 1.7 points he beat Harris by - if the registered voters showed up to the poll, the analysis by David Schor - a data scientist for the Democratic Party - shows. 'So I think that a "we need to turn up the temperature and mobilize everyone" strategy would've made things worse,' Schor, the head of Blue Rose Research, told Eric Levitz in an interview for Vox. His firm had conducted 26 million voter interviews in 2024 and found that registered Democrats largely turned against the party, while moderates and those who are typically disengaged turned toward the Republicans. 'There were a lot of Democratic voters who were angry at their party last year,' he explained. 'And they were mostly moderate and conservative Democrats angry about the cost of living and other issues. And even though they couldn't bring themselves to vote for a Republican, a lot of them stayed home. 'But basically, their complaints were very similar to those of Biden voters who flipped to Trump,' Schor said. Meanwhile, those who were the least politically engaged swung largely against Democrats. Even if every registered voter turned up to the polls in the 2024 presidential election, Donald Trump still would have beat out Vice President Kamala Harris, a shocking report found It found that Trump would have won the popular vote by five points - rather than just the 1.7 points he beat Harris by - if the registered voters showed up to the polls Those politically disengaged voters went from being a roughly neutral group in 2020 to favoring the Republicans by about 15 points in 2024, Blue Rose Research Found. That same group, though, overwhelmingly favored Democrats during the Obama-era. 'But we're now at a point where the more people vote, the better Republicans do,' Schor said. He also noted that Harris performed just as well as the 2016 nominee Hillary Clinton did among white conservatives, white liberals and white moderates. Among the Hispanic and Asian voters, though, there were double-digit declines. Schor attributed that decline to the Democratic party focusing on ideological issues, while voters were focusing on economic issues. 'I really cannot stress how much people cared about the cost of living,' he said. 'If you ask what's more important, the cost of living or some other issue picked at random, people picked the cost of living 91 percent of the time. It's really hard to get 91 percent of people to click on anything in a survey,' Schor noted. Analysts have attributed the Democrats' low favorability to its focus on ideological issues when much of the electorate was focusing on economic issues Your browser does not support iframes. 'After the cost of living, it was the size and scope of the federal government, the budget deficit, immigration, crime and also health care. And people trusted Republicans on these issues by double-digits - except for health care, where we had a two-point advantage, which was much lower than our traditional advantage on that issue. 'The reality is that, to the extent that Democrats try to polarize the electorate on self-descried ideology, this is just something that plays into the hands of Republicans,' the analyst concluded. Harris, who only entered the presidential race after former President Joe Biden declared he would not seek re-election, lost in a historic fashion to Trump - including in all seven swing states. Even in the states that were called blue, the Republican saw a groundswell of popularity that carried him to a decisive victory in what polls suggested would be one of the closest races in history. Trump received more than 2.5 million votes than he did in 2020 and gained ground in all of the 50 states, while Harris saw a decline of seven million votes from President Joe Biden's total in his 2020 win. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. The Democratic Party's favorability has now hit a record low at just 29 percent, a recent CNN poll found. That figure marks a 20 point drop in approval since Trump left office more than four years ago at which time approval of the Democratic party was 49 percent. It is also a ten point drop from just before the November election. A new NBC News poll released Sunday similarly found only 27 percent of voters had a positive view of the Democratic Party. That was the lowest positive rating in NBC News polling history dating back to 1990. The record low approval of the Democratic Party has been driven by increased dissatisfaction from within, the CNN polling found. Just 63 percent of Democrats or Democratic-leaning Independents had a favorable view of their own party, a drop from the 72 who had a favorable view of their party in January and 81 percent when President Biden took office. Democrats are also torn over the direction of their party should take, the polling found. Among Democratic-aligned adults, 52 percent said that the party leadership is taking the party in the wrong direction while 48 percent said they are taking the party in the right direction. The favorability of the Republican party among Americans stands at 36 percent including 79 percent approval among Republicans and Republican-leaning Independents At the same time, a growing number of Democrats want the party leadership to do more to stop the Republican agenda as Trump barrels through the first two months of his second term. The polling found 57 percent believe the party should do more to stop the GOP agenda while just 42 percent believe party leadership should work with Republicans. CNN noted that is a dramatic shift from Democrats' views nearly eight years ago. A September 2017 poll from Trump's first term found 74 percent of Democrats believed their party should try to work with Republicans. Meanwhile, the favorability of the Republican party among Americans stands at 36 percent including 79 percent approval among Republicans and Republican-leaning Independents. The approval of Republicans has remained steady since January and is down just four points from just before the November election. It's a four point uptick from where GOP favorability stood when Trump left office in 2021. A local council meeting decended into icy hostility after a Greens councillor voted to oppose a strategy designed to protect residents from rising rates of antisemitism. On Tuesday evening, Waverley Council voted to endorse Australia's first 'Local Government Strategy to Combat Antisemitism'. Greens Councillor Dominic Wy Kanak, however, was the sole vote against the strategy after his motion to amend the definition of antisemitism was rejected. Mr Wy Kanak - who called in to the meeting via Zoom and a full video of the interaction was posted to the Waverley Council website - didn't support the plan because he argued council's definition of antisemitism was too broad. Representatives and members of the public who attended the council meeting were shocked by Mr Wy Kanak's opposition. Waverley Mayor Will Nemesh told Daily Mail Australia that Mr Wy Kanak's decision to oppose the strategy was 'quite extraordinary'. He said the strategy had undergone extensive public consultation and it was 'unfathomable as to why anyone would vote against it'. CEO of the Australian Jewish Association, Robert Gregory, agreed and told Daily Mail Australia the move was 'unfortunate'. Greens Councillor Dominic Wy Kanak (pictured) alone voted against Australia's first 'Local Government Strategy to Combat Antisemitism' 'Last night, I was pleased to address Waverley Council in support of the council's antisemitism strategy,' Mr Gregory said. 'More Jews live in Waverley Council than any other council in NSW and the area has seen several antisemitic attacks recently, so it's greatly appreciated that the council takes antisemitism seriously. 'It is unfortunate that one councillor from the Greens did not support this important initiative. 'The Greens have a shocking record on antisemitism.' The strategy was designed to strengthen reporting and enforcement of antisemitic incidents, enhance social cohesion, raise awareness of antisemitism, bolster existing support services and increase security for Jewish communities. Mr Nemesh, who played a leading role, said it will serve as a 'blueprint' for other councils and would help Waverley council to collaborate more effectively with local organisations and police in combating antisemitism. The definition relied upon in the strategy comes from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) and was formally adopted by the council in 2021. It defined antisemitism as 'a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews'. 'Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.' In one of the recent attacks on Jewish people in Sydney, many of which have since been linked to organised crime, the former house of Jewish leader Alex Ryvchin was vandalised Australian Jewish Association chief executive Robert Gregory said the definition relied upon by Mr Wy Kanak was created by a 'fringe group of academics' However, Mr Wy Kanak moved to add a statement to the end of the definition clarifying that alternative definitions of antisemitism compared to the one adopted by council exist, such as one relied upon by the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism. The Jerusalem Declaration definition is narrower, defining antisemitism as 'discrimination, prejudice, hostility or violence against Jews as Jews (or Jewish institutions as Jewish).' Australian Jewish Association chief executive Robert Gregory told Daily Mail Australia the IHRA definition is the most widely accepted. 'It provides useful examples of antisemitism to guide authorities. 'It has been adopted with bipartisan support in Australia at a federal level and in states like NSW and Victoria. 'Internationally, the IHRA definition has been adopted by dozens of nations and US states as well as international organisations.' The Jerusalem Declaration definition meanwhile has received less mainstream acceptance. 'The Jerusalem Declaration was created by a fringe group of academics. Waverley Mayor Will Nemesh is pictured with Deputy Mayor Keri Spooner after being elected in October, 2024 'It has no widespread support and is considered by many as an attempt to hamper the fight against antisemitism and legitimise some forms of extremism and antisemitism.' Mr Wy Kanak told the council the amendment would allow some 'some broader voices' to be recognised. He said council's strategy was 'deficient'. 'In the interest of people who've put these submissions to council in the past, I would vote against the document because I think it needs to have that to truly reflect a broad approach to really get to the root problem of what antisemitism is and how we best combat it,' he said. Before putting the strategy to a vote, Mr Nemesh appeared to criticise Mr Wy Kanak's decision to oppose the reform. 'I wasn't going to say anything but I'm going to say something very briefly,' he opened a short while later. 'This report... really should be a universally accepted and unanimously endorsed policy of this council. 'I think it would be unfathomable for any councillor to vote against the adoption of a policy to combat antisemitism. 'The converse being that if anyone voted against it perhaps they're endorsing the policy of antisemitism or the acts against jews and hatred that are currently occurring particularly in the Waverley community,' he said. Attendees at a Waverley Council Meeting on Tuesday were taken aback by the lone objection 'Perhaps some of the councillors should just dwell on that for a second.' The meeting opened with addresses from members of the public, many of whom represented Jewish organisations. Mr Gregory said the Australian Jewish community had endured '18 months from hell.' He added he and his organisation had received 'many threats' while the first arrest made by AFP Special Operation Avalite was made in relation to a threat against him. Michael Gencher, executive director at Israel education non-profit StandWithUs, said Waverley Council had taken a 'principled stand' in proposing the strategy. 'It is not just a policy document, it is a statement of values and I thank you for that'. Another Greens Councillor Ludovico Fabiano said 'in 50 years of me living here in Australia, I've never seen anything like it'. 'We used to all be together working together, eating together, participating, seeing each other in parks... to be living like this, it's really broken my heart.' Unlike his fellow Greens representative, Mr Fabiano endorsed the antisemitism strategy. Councillor Dov Frazer said he 'cried' when he first read the strategy, which he went on to endorse with enthusiasm. A possible Australian link to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy has been revealed during Donald Trump's release of thousands of bombshell documents. Handwritten and typed notes obtained by the CIA during the Warren Commission, an inquiry ordered by Mr Kennedy's successor Lyndon Johnson, were published on the US National Archives on Tuesday. Among them are letters from former head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), Sir Charles Spry to CIA director Richard Helms in October 1968. Sir Spry makes the case for keeping a probe into a possible Canberra-link to the assassination plot classified. The alleged plot, documents show, surrounds anonymous phone calls made to the American embassy in Canberra around the time of President Kennedy's death in 1963. 'Sir Charles' letter to you recommends against declassification of the Warren Commission document,' according to a memo from William Nelson, the chief of the Far East Division, to Mr Helms in November 1968. '[It] refers to our investigation of anonymous phone calls to the Canberra Embassy before and after the assassination of President Kennedy. 'I consider the points made by Sir Charles in his letter to be valid and accordingly recommend against the declassification... in the foreseeable future.' An alleged Australian link to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy (pictured) was revealed among thousands of declassified documents CIA director Richard Helms confirmed to the ASIO's director general that the probe into mystery calls regarding the assassination of JFK would not be published Mr Helms then contacted Sir Spry to confirm that there was not 'at the present time' any intention to release the letter. Sir Spry's letter was, in fact, published in a 2023 release of the 'JFK files', listing his concern that the press would question the CIA's presence in Canberra. 'It has never been officially stated that there is a 'C.I.A. Canberra Station' or that there are C.I.A officers in Australia,' he wrote. 'This has been avoided as a point of policy. 'Publication of these facts would invoke a spate of questions by the Press and in Parliament, which would be contrary to the national security interest.' He also cautioned that questions could be raised about ASIO's investigation into the anonymous telephone calls and the results of it. There are also memos included in Tuesday's document dump that indicate a CIA probe into the presence of a suspected Russian agents in Australia. A CIA cable sent to Sydney in 1963 references a 'telephone conversation including... possible connection Soviet government with assassination[sic]'. Sir Charles Spry, then-head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, warned that publishing the probe into anonymous calls to the US embassy in Canberra could expose the presence of the CIA in the country President John F Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy moments before the president was shot in Dallas on November 22, 1963 as his car passed through Dealey Plaza Then-boss of the ASIO Sir Charles Spry said in a letter that his organisation never 'officially stated' that there was a 'CIA Canberra Station' The memo also lists a person of interest who rang the embassy on November 23, 1963, claiming to be a Polish driver of a Russian vehicle. 'Information touched on several areas including possible Soviet connection supplying money to individual in U.S. to assassinate President,' a comment on the document said. When looking through some of the documents, Daily Mail Australia also noted correspondence between the Australian and US secret services ahead of peace conferences. The ASIO requested US intelligence on Americans who were invited to two anti-war movements: the 1971 National Anti-War Conference in Sydney and the Australian Vietnam Moratorium Campaign in 1970. Tuesday's release of documents came roughly 24 hours after President Donald Trump announced that a trove of 80,000 pages of new material would be revealed. During his 2024 campaign he vowed to make them public as part of his overall effort to increase government transparency and Trump signed an executive order to declassify them in January. Robert Kennedy Jr, a member of Trump's cabinet for the Department of Health and Services, has said he approves of the decision to declassify the files relating to the murder of his uncle. Robert Kennedy Jr (pictured) is a member of Trump's cabinet and has backed the decision to declassify the files relating to the murder of his uncle But John F. Kennedy's only grandson Jack Schlossberg has issued a harsh rebuke, writing on X that media doesn't 'need to cover the fake JFK documents story. Especially when there's so much real news'. The file dump had JFK sleuths and conspiracy theorists scouring the National Archives website Tuesday night for any new juicy morsels of information. But, in many cases, the scanned documents are old, faded and blurry making parts of them illegible. Others have scratched out written information. Despite the promise there won't be redactions, some are heavily redacted with thick black bars across the pages. Historian David J. Garrow told the New York Times 'this dump is profoundly more impenetrable than all the previous more annotated ones.' Garrow suggested it would take him two days just to open up all of the released 80,000 pages of documents. John Greenewald Jr. of The Black Vault - which boasts of being the 'largest privately run online repository of declassified government documents' - similarly complained about the organization of the files. A woman who sparked outrage with a message on a mobile billboard saying she was looking for a 'sugar daddy' has hit back at her haters declaring they are 'jealous' of how much money she makes. The billboard spotted in Mosman on Sydney's exclusive lower north shore - one of Australia's wealthiest suburbs - features a young blonde woman in her underwear with a short message. 'Are you rich, old and lonely? I'm looking for a sugar daddy,' it says, followed by a phone number and the name Shianne Foxx. Ms Foxx, 22, told Daily Mail Australia that hiring the billboard cost her $2,000, which appears to have been money well spent, given the flood of expressions of interest it generated. 'I've had 300 messages and 2,000 calls (including from) a rich guy with one leg,' the tradie said from a New South Wales mine site on Wednesday. She said she has one steadfast rule before going on any dates, both to vet the finances of potential suitors and to ensure her safety. 'I ask them to send me a screenshot of their bank (balance) first, then ask them to send me pics of their house and then do a FaceTime call.' The risque purple billboard was met with a mix of outrage, humour and bemusement, but Ms Foxx said her critics are 'obviously not as hot as me'. Shianne Foxx (pictured) sparked outrage with a message on a mobile billboard saying she was looking for a 'sugar daddy' Ms Foxx (pictured) told Daily Mail Australia that hiring the billboard cost her $2,000, which seems to have been money well spent, given the attention it got her The billboard (pictured) was driven around Mosman, one of Australia's wealthiest suburbs Among the backlash the advertisement received in the well-heeled suburb were messages from locals saying the billboard should be reported to the advertising watchdog and that it was inappropriate for kids. 'Did anyone see this going up and down Military Rd? Totally unacceptable that this is allowed,' a furious woman posted on the Mosman Living Facebook page. 'My seven year old read it out loud and then asked me what it meant. What has this world come to!! Can anyone advise if there's a way to report this to the council?' But Ms Foxx is unrepentant over the pearl clutching she might have caused and said any criticism online or on messages to her phone 'is just from haters who hate their lives working 9-5 jobs. 'They're obviously not as hot as me, so they're jealous.' She carefully picked her target market and how to get the attention of the right type of man. 'I just thought (a mobile billboard) was the easiest way to target the rich suburb of Mosman. I considered pamphlets too - maybe I'll do that next time,' she said. Along with a well executed marketing plan, Ms Foxx has a clear goal in mind for her campaign in the heart of Sydney's lower north shore. Ms Foxx (pictured) said any criticism online or on messages to her phone 'is just from haters who hate their lives working 9-5 jobs 'They're obviously not as hot as me, so they're jealous,' Ms Foxx (pictured) said 'I just want to live in Mosman. It's a suburb I can see myself living in,' Ms Foxx (pictured) said 'I just want to live in Mosman,' she said. 'It's a suburb I can see myself living in,' Ms Foxx said. Though she is currently working as a tradie, she sees a better life for herself in the near future. 'I just want to have unlimited access to (a sugar daddy's) credit card so I don't have to work anymore. 'Hopefully sooner than later as I don't wanna work anymore and want an easy life,' she said. In return, the sugar daddy will 'get a devoted and loyal partner'. Though she has had many offers already, Ms Foxx said 'I only want to stick to one. 'I'm currently talking to a widowed man who is good and a rich guy who has one leg... but that might be a challenge.' Ms Foxx dismissed the idea that having a sugar daddy is a type of prostitution. 'It's not. It's a full relationship,' she said. 'I think (those who think it's prostitution) get the wrong idea.' Online, the debate continued, with one commenter slamming another by writing 'Well done for giving her a wider audience reach that she'd have otherwise.' Another asked if she is providing 'Meals on wheels', referring to the fact that Mosman has one of the country's oldest age profiles. Ms Foxx also calls herself the Bikini Tradie, and recently called out the double standards between men who can work shirtless on building sites on hot days and women like her who can't. Ms Foxx (pictured), who also calls herself the Bikini Tradie, currently works on a mine site Her billboard was spotted in Mosman (pictured) on Sydney's exclusive lower north shore She slammed her boss for saying it would be a 'distraction' for her to work topless on very hot days, expressing her views in a TikTok video on the way home from work. 'It's a f***ing 40 degree day today and I'm the one who has to wear my shirt. All the boys on the site don't have to wear theirs,' she said. 'It's a double standard, it's sexist and I'm actually really over it. I just want to be topless like the boys but no, I will 'distract them'.' Most of the comments on the video supported her, with many telling her to take it up with the boss. 'It ain't the lads you work with that would be complaining, direct the hate towards those running the show,' one person wrote. 'Sure there'd be comments and looks for a week or so but then it really wouldn't matter.' But some others feared workplace injuries would go 'through the roof' if too many of her co-workers got distracted in that first week should the rules change. But if Ms Foxx's plan comes to fruition, she soon won't need to worry about working on a building site, topless or otherwise. President Donald Trump has warned that American troops 'could be' involved if Russia's war on Ukraine escalates to 'World War III'. Trump, 78, issued the stark warning on Fox News on Tuesday, just hours after he spoke on the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin for 'almost two hours'. 'We want to get it over with,' Trump said of the war during his interview with The Ingraham Angle host Laura Ingraham, admitting that 'Russia has the advantage'. The Republican, who claims his call with Putin went 'great', pushed the Kremlin leader to accept to a full 30-day ceasefire to no avail. Putin did, however, agree to temporarily stop attacking Ukrainian energy facilities. 'Right now, you have a lot of guns pointing at each other and a ceasefire without going a little bit further would have been tough,' Trump told Ingraham. He further suggested that his push for a ceasefire was part of a larger bid to keep US troops out of the war. 'Look, we're doing this there are no Americans involved. There could be if you end up in World War III over this, which is so ridiculous,' he warned. 'But, you know, strange things happen.' Despite Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky having agreed to a limited ceasefire to halt attacks on energy infrastructure, both Kyiv and Moscow have now accused each other of launching damaging air attacks early Wednesday. President Donald Trump, during a Tuesday interview with The Ingraham Angle host Laura Ingraham, (pictured) has warned that American troops 'could be' involved if Russia's war on Ukraine escalates to 'World War III' Despite Putin and Zelensky having agreed to a limited ceasefire to halt attacks on energy infrastructure, both Kyiv and Moscow have now accused each other of launching damaging air attacks early Wednesday. Ukrainian service personnel use searchlights as they look for drones in the sky over Kyiv during a Russian drone strike on Wednesday, March 18, 2025 The Russian SHOT news Telegram posted a video of blazes overnight at what seemed like an industrial area Russia's drone Tuesday night attack damaged two hospitals in Sumy, northeast Ukraine, causing no injuries but forcing the evacuation of patients and hospital staff, regional authorities have said. A 60-year-old man was injured and several houses damaged in Russian drone attack on the Kyiv region that surrounds the Ukrainian capital, Mykola Kalashnyk, governor of the region, said early on Wednesday. Zelensky said that Russia launched more than 40 drones against Ukraine in the hours following the call between Trump and Putin. Moscow carried out strikes at several other Ukrainian regions, including the Kyiv region that surrounds the Ukrainian capital, Zelenskiy and his officials said. Ukrainian military said on Wednesday its air defence units shot down 72 of 145 drones launched by Russia in overnight attacks. It added that 56 drones were lost, in reference to the Ukrainian military using electronic warfare to redirect them. 'The Russian attack affected Sumy, Odesa, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Kyiv and Chernihiv regions,' the military said on Telegram. Zelensky had agreed to the US proposed 30-day ceasefire before the Putin-Trump call and later supported the more limited ceasefire on energy targets. But after Russia launched its air attacks early on Wednesday, the Ukrainian president urged the world to block any attempts by Moscow to 'drag out the war'. 'Today, Putin de facto rejected the proposal for a complete ceasefire,' Zelensky said in a post on the Telegram. 'It would be right for the world to reject in response any attempts by Putin to drag out the war.' Andriy Yermak, Zelensky's chief of staff, echoed the leader's remarks in a Telegram post: 'Russia is attacking civilian infrastructure and people - right now.' Regional authorities in Sumy, northeast Ukraine said that Russia's drone attacks damaged two hospitals there, causing no injuries but forcing the evacuation of patients and hospital staff. Pictured is a Ukrainian hospital that was struck in Russia's overnight attack A rescuer works at a hospital in the aftermath of a Russian drone strike in Sumy, Ukraine Rescuers evacuate a woman in the aftermath of a Russian drone strike at a hospital in Sumy, Ukraine on March 19, 2025 An explosion of a drone is seen in the sky over the city during a Russian drone strike in Kyiv, Ukraine early Wednesday, March 19, 2025 There was no immediate comment from Russia about the attacks a few short few hours after the Putin-Trump call. Both Ukraine and Russia have said their strikes aim at destroying each other's infrastructure key to war efforts. Zelensky told reporters that Russia had launched more than 1,300 guided bombs, eight missiles and nearly 600 long-range strike drones at Ukraine since the first round of talks in Saudi Arabia earlier in March. He said that Ukraine had proposed the idea of ceasefire on energy infrastructure during those talks. 'This was part of our proposal for the sky and for the sea. With the mediation of the American side, if they are the guarantors of control over the implementation of this ceasefire,' Zelensky said. Ukraine has used long-range combat drones to pound Russian oil infrastructure such as refineries in an effort to hurt its much larger foe, which has rained down missiles and drones far behind the front lines in Ukraine since the February 2022 full-scale invasion. In particular, Russian strikes have hammered Ukrainian power stations, causing large-scale blackouts, and more recently also natural gas production sites. TRUMP: "We had a great call. It lasted almost two hours. Talked about a lot of things and toward getting it to peace. This was a war that would have never happened if I were president." pic.twitter.com/VCvYKH3J1A Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) March 19, 2025 SHOT said the Kavkazskaya oil transshipment point is an important facility designed to transport Russian oil for exports railway and into the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) pipeline system In this photo distributed by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, a Russian 'Grad' self-propelled multiple rocket launcher fires towards Ukrainian positions in Ukraine Russia's defence ministry said that its units destroyed 57 Ukrainian drones overnight, 35 of them over the border Kursk region. The ministry reports only how many drones were destroyed not how many were launched by Ukraine. Authorities in the southern Russian region of Krasnodar said early on Wednesday that a Ukrainian drone attack sparked a small fire at an oil depot located near the village of Kavkazskaya. No one was injured in the fire, which spread across 20 square metres (215 square feet), but 30 employees were evacuated, the administration of the southern Russian region said in a post on the Telegram messaging app. 'The work at the facility has been suspended,' the administration said. The Russian SHOT news Telegram posted a video of blazes at night at what seemed like an industrial area. SHOT said the Kavkazskaya oil transshipment point is an important facility designed to transport Russian oil for exports railway and into the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) pipeline system. MailOnline has not independently verified the SHOT report. Russia's aviation watchdog Rosaviatsia said that for a couple of hours overnight flights were suspended from airports in Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod and Nizhnekamsk, Russia, all hundreds kilometres east of Moscow, to 'ensure air safety'. The agency did not say what was the reason for the suspension, but it usually suspends flights when there are reports of drone attacks. Men clear rubble near damaged private houses at a site of a Russian drone strike in the town of Hostomel, Kyiv region, Ukraine on March 19, 2025 Damaged private houses and car at a site of a Russian drone strike in Hostomel, Kyiv on March 19, 2025 The White House said the telephone hook-up between Trump and Putin was aimed at advancing immediately toward a broader peace plan and another round of talks in Saudi Arabia will begin immediately. After the Putin-Trump call Zelensky had calls with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, both key European allies and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. 'We are in constant communication. I am confident that there will be no betrayal from our partners and that the assistance will continue,' Zelensky said after his calls with Macron and Scholz and when asked about an earlier comment by Putin - who emphasized that any resolution of the conflict would require an end to all military and intelligence assistance to Ukraine. Zelensky said the demand by Putin, as well as another seeking to curtail Ukraine's campaign to draft civilians into the armed forces, looked aimed at weakening Ukraine. About 750 jobs are at risk of redundancy at Santander UK as the high street lender announced another 95 branch closures and sweeping changes across its network. The banking giant said it was shutting the branches in June, while also cutting hours across 36 sites and switching 18 to be counter-free. Santander said it would be left with 349 branches, down from 444 currently, after the overhaul, which would include five so-called work cafes. The move will put about 750 jobs at risk if the plans get the go-ahead after consultations with unions, the bank said. The majority of the planned redundancies are related to the branch closures, but about 12 per cent of the cuts are because of the reduced-hour proposals. It comes in response to customers increasingly switching to online banking, with a 63 per cent surge in digital transactions since 2019 while branch transactions have slumped by 61 per cent in that time, according to the firm. A Santander UK spokesman said: 'As customer behaviour changes, we are ensuring that our branches remain fit for the future. 'Our new combination of full-service branches, alongside work cafes, counter-free branches and reduced hours branches, aims to provide the right balance between digital banking and face-to-face money management and guidance. Banking giant Santander has announced closures which put 750 jobs under threat Santander customers are seen queuing outside a branch in Newcastle in August 2020 Your browser does not support iframes. 'As a business, we must move with customers and balance our investment across all the places where we interact with customers, to deliver the very best for them now and in the future.' The company added: 'Closing a branch is always a very difficult decision and we spend a great deal of time assessing where and when we do this and how to minimise the impact it may have on our customers. 'However, we believe that the introduction of our new Community Bankers and the exciting plans we have for our remaining network of 349 branches and Work Cafes, alongside the rapid and innovative improvements to our award-winning mobile banking app, will provide the right balance of digital banking and human interaction when required.' Santander said that from June 30, the majority of the reduced-hours branches will be open just three days a week - either Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9.30am to 3pm, or Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9.30am to 3pm and Saturdays from 9.30am to 12.30pm. It will change 18 sites to being self-service counter-free branches from June 16, but stressed these branches will also be manned by staff to offer support. The group will be recruiting 95 new community bankers in the locations where it is shutting branches and hopes to redeploy some of the affected workers into these jobs. It comes after the firm shut 111 branches in 2021 - about a fifth of its network at the time - as part of a previous major network review. Today's announcement follows similar moves by banking rivals, shutting down branches and cutting jobs. Your browser does not support iframes. Lloyds Banking Group revealed in January it would close 136 high street branches - 61 Lloyds, 61 Halifax and 14 Bank of Scotland sites between May this year and March 2026. The move came weeks after the finance firm shook up its business to allow customers of Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland to use stores across any of its brands. Santander said today that the latest decisions follow a 63 per cent increase in digital transactions since 2019. Financial transactions completed in branches are said to have fallen by 61 per cent in the same period. Banks and building societies have closed more than 6,000 branches since January 2015 - at a rate of about 53 each month, according to consumer champion Which? In the wake of the Horizon IT scandal, the Post Office is also planning to close 115 branches, leaving many communities with nowhere to access their money or discuss financial issues in person. And Jenny Ross, money editor at consumer group Which?, today warned Santander's newly announced branch closures would 'come as a real blow to many customers'. She said: 'Schemes introduced by the banking industry to protect these services, such as banking hubs, are a good start in plugging gaps left by closing physical branches, but they must be rolled out much more quickly if consumers are to feel their benefits. 'The government must hold banks' feet to the fire to ensure the commitments they've made to set up 350 hubs by 2029 are met - and should be prepared to review the target upwards if necessary.' While many people now use their bank's app or telephone banking to manage their cash, there remains a large proportion who are unable to do so. According to charity Age UK, only 14 per cent of those aged 85 and above bank online, - with 58 per cent relying on face-to-face banking. Mike Regnier (pictured) has been chief executive of Santander UK since April 2022 The ongoing wave of branch closures has triggered fears that elderly, isolated people risk being hit hardest. Bank bosses have been accused of 'engaging in a race to close branches', which resulted in the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) introducing measures to ensure a 'reasonable provision of cash deposit and withdrawal services' last year. NatWest Group, which comprises NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland and Ulster Bank, has closed 1,428 branches since January 2015 - the most of any banking group, research by Which? revealed. Lloyds Banking Group was hot on NatWest Group's heels, however, shutting down 1,243 locations over the same period. Which? also reported that Barclays was the individual bank that has most dramatically decreased its branch numbers, with 1,228 branches now closed over the last nine years. While the rate of closures had initially appeared to slow down since reaching a peak in 2017, researchers said that in 'recent years there has been a troubling surge'. During the pandemic, branch closures dropped to 369 in a single year, but that number was outstripped within the first three months of 2021. Sam Richardson, from Which? Money, said: 'This milestone of more than 6,000 bank branch closures in just nine years underscores the seismic shift that has taken place in terms of our banking habits and the character of the high street.' A woman has told a court how she begged her boyfriend to pull his head inside a crammed car filled with seven people driven by a drunk barmaid who crashed and killed him. Truman Hub, 22, was one of six passengers given a lift by his friend Karla Dodds, 25, from a nightclub in the seaside town of Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, to a house party in Shiremoor in the early hours of November 20, 2022. Unfortunately, Dodds lost control, crashed into a lamppost and overturned her tiny Hyundai i10 on the A191. Truman, who was sitting in the back with his head hanging out the window of the cramped vehicle at the time, died from his injuries. Dodds, who is standing trial at Newcastle Crown Court, admitted causing Truman's death by careless driving while over the drink-drive limit but denies causing death by dangerous driving. Truman's girlfriend, Lauren Borthwick, told jurors at Newcastle Crown Court she had met Truman in the Havana nightclub in Whitley Bay that night where he was out with friends. She said he told her there was an arrangement for Dodds to take them to the house party after leaving the club and despite wanting to get a taxi, she agreed to go with them. She explained she was in the backseat with Truman and two other people but said 'it didn't feel squashed' because one girl was sitting on a male's knee. Karla Dodds, 25, lost control, crashed into a lamppost and overturned her tiny Hyundai i10 on the A191 whilst drunk (pictured outside North Tyneside Magistrates' Court during an earlier hearing) Truman Hub, 22, who was sitting in the back with his head hanging out the window of the cramped vehicle at the time, sadly died from his injuries (Pictured: Truman and his girlfriend Lauren Borthwick) Ms Borthwick said 'everyone was having a good time' in the car and she thought they were going fast and that was why Truman put 'a bit of his head' out of the window. She said Truman had taken a short video of himself when he was doing this and added that no one in the back of the car was wearing a seatbelt. Ms Borthwick told jurors: 'I can remember coming up to the roundabout and the car was going quite fast. The radio was on quite loud and we were all singing along. 'Truman had his head out of the window slightly. We were going quite fast and he said he wanted to feel the wind. I remember grabbing onto his legs and saying "stop acting like an idiot, get your head back in".' She said she doesn't recall the crash but remembers the car being on its side, crawling out and dragging Truman out. Noting that the passenger side of the car ended up pointing upwards, she added: 'I knew Truman had his head out of the window and I was screaming "Truman". Everything happened so quick. 'I can't remember hitting anything. I crawled through the front and got out the passenger side. The lad in the front helped me drag Truman's body out. 'His eyes were wide open so I thought he was alive. I'm CPR trained with working in a nursery. I felt a breath coming out of his mouth. 'I put him in the recovery position. I could feel he was not breathing anymore. I jumped on him and started giving him CPR. The whole time his eyes were open and looking at me.' Dodds admitted causing Truman's death by careless driving while over the drink-drive limit but denies causing death by dangerous driving (pictured outside North Tyneside Magistrates' Court during an earlier hearing) Truman Hub (left) is seen pictured with his brothers Hylton (middle) and Myles (right) Ms Borthwick said she and others rang for an ambulance and gave Truman mouth to mouth before the emergency services arrived and took over. Andrew Espley, prosecuting, said at the trial: 'The prosecution case is that Karla Dodds caused the death of Truman Hub by driving dangerously in the early hours of the morning on Sunday, November 20, 2022. 'In brief, Karla Dodds had been out at work the previous day, the Saturday night, as a barmaid in a local pub. 'She then went out drinking in Whitley Bay from 11.30pm, driving her car from home to the pub. 'After spending a couple of hours in the Havana nightclub, in Whitley Bay, she picked up six other people to take them to a house party in Shiremoor. 'By then she was well over the legal limit for alcohol for driving.' Mr Espley said one man got in the boot of the Hyundai and four got in the back of the car, including Truman, who was from North Shields, and his girlfriend. He added: 'He was hanging out of the rear passenger side window as the car headed towards a roundabout on the A191. 'We say the defendant was driving too fast in the circumstances. The actual speed was not, of itself, grossly excessive but was too fast in all the circumstances. 'The driver's side of the car hit a lamppost on the driver's side as she came off the roundabout, heading to a fairly sharp left. 'The collision itself caused the car to turn over onto its passenger side, crushing Truman Hub, who was still hanging out of the window. 'The car then turned on the roof, coming to a rest on the driver's side, by now a short distance from the point of collision.' Jurors were told Dodds has pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving while over the alcohol limit. Mr Espley said: 'She accepts her driving caused the death of Truman Hub but she denies her driving was dangerous.' The prosecutor said the manner of Dodd's driving was not the sole cause of Truman's death and said he is unlikely to have died had he not been hanging out of the window when Dodds crashed. But he added: 'We say the car rolled over because of the dangerous way Karla Dodds was driving. 'She was well over the limit for alcohol, the car was overloaded, there were seven people in it, one of them was in the boot and on any view she knew her car was overloaded and there was someone hanging out of her rear passenger window.' The court heard the man who got in the boot, who is more than six foot tall, said he did so reluctantly. He said he felt a bump then 'everything seemed to spin or rotate' and he banged his head. He was helped out afterwards and lost consciousness for a time. Mr Espley said another passenger said Dodds had offered to drive them and said she'd had a few drinks but was 'ok to drive' and he told her to have some water. He claimed she was driving too fast and said he told her to slow down and turned the music down at one point but she ignored him and turned the music back up. He said he also told her she had 'far too many people in the car'. He said he was unconscious for a time after the crash then heard Dodds shouting 'We've got to go, we've got to go' before seeing she and her friend had left the scene. He said he then saw Truman, who had been sitting up, fall back and people started doing CPR but they couldn't find a pulse. Mr Espley said: 'We say it would have been obvious to Karla Dodds something had happened to Truman Hub, probably that he was seriously injured and she left the scene anyway with her friend.' 'Truman's girlfriend said there were four people in the back of the car and none were wearing seatbelts but those in the front were. She said the music was 'really loud' and people were singing along. She said Truman put his head out of the window to feel the wind and she grabbed him and told him to 'stop acting like an idiot and get your head back in'. Mr Espley said Dodds 'must have been aware' Truman was hanging out of the window but she says she wasn't. Prosecutors say she ought to have been aware of it, if she wasn't, as she had responsibility for the safety of her passengers. The court heard Dodds was nearly twice the drink-drive limit almost four hours after the collision. When later interviewed by police, she said the 'whole thing was a bit of a blur' and she didn't know Truman was fatally injured when she left and was 'in shock'. Asked if she thought it was dangerous to have seven people in a car designed for five people, she said: 'Yes I absolutely agree with that and I apologise'. This is the chilling moment teen gunman Nicholas Prosper was stopped by police on his way to slaughter dozens of primary school children after murdering his family. The 19-year-old serial killer was on a bloodthirsty mission to commit the 'biggest massacre in the 21st century' after exploiting a terrifying loophole in gun laws to buy a shotgun and 100 cartridges. Today, emotionless Prosper was jailed for life with a minimum term of 49 years at Luton Crown Court - but Justice Cheema-Grubb said he 'may be too dangerous to ever be released.' School dropout Prosper launched his rampage on September 13 last year, blasting his mother, Juliana Falcon, 48, and siblings Kyle Prosper, 16, and Giselle Prosper, 13, in the head at their Luton home before setting off for the school intending to 'kill all'. The sadistic gunman fantasised about shooting a classroom of 30 children aged four and five and their teachers, by bursting into the assembly at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School at 9am. But he was 'prevented by chance and circumstance alone' after a passing police car stopped to investigate on seeing the killer standing by the roadside holding a bloodied fist aloft in a kind of salute. Today, fresh video revealed the moment Prosper was arrested, with his hands still covered in blood. Dressed in a yellow and black tracksuit reminiscent of Uma Thurman's trained assassin in the movie Kill Bill, Prosper was less than a mile from the school when he was spotted by two officers at 7.50am. Just hours earlier, the same officers had stood guard at the scene where the twisted teen had shot dead his family at 5am, leaving their bodies face down in a pool of blood next to a book entitled 'How To Kill Your Family' which he left as a sickening joke. In chilling police body worn video of his arrest, the killer showed no emotion, robotically drawling, 'It's not murder', to officers, his voice growing louder as he was cuffed at the roadside. This is the moment Prosper was arrested by police before he could launch his school massacre The killer teen is cuffed by officers, after being found less than a mile from his old school Teenage serial killer Nicholas Prosper menacingly poses with the plank of wood as though it is a firearm shortly before he went to use a shotgun to murder his family and try to kill 30 children Prosper, seen far left, was spotted by a passing police car (pictured top) hours after he murdered his family Your browser does not support iframes. Startled, one officer could be heard saying: 'I think we have got the offender. We have got a male here, he has presented himself to us.' Prosper had been seen lurking by the roadside in Bramingham Road, before he 'saluted' at the officers in their passing patrol car, his hands still covered in blood from ruthlessly executing his entire family. He had launched into his murderous onslaught hours earlier, after test-firing his shotgun at a teddy bear in his bedroom shortly before he shot his mother in a hallway. Then he turned the gun on his screaming sister hiding under a dining room table, and stabbed his brother more than 100 times before shooting him in the head. Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb told Prosper he intended to become known as one of the world's 'worst school shooters'. Sentencing him to a life sentence with a minimum term of 48 years and 177 days, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb told him: 'You intended to unleash disaster on the community of Luton. Your plans were intelligent, calculating and selfish. 'Your ambition was notoriety. You wanted to be known posthumously as the world's most famous school shooter of the 21st century. 'The lives of your own mother and younger brother and sister were to be collateral damage on the way to fulfil your ambition.' Prosper wanted to become a notorious school shooter, gunning down children at a nearby primary after slaughtering his family Left to right: Giselle Prosper, 13, Juliana Prosper, 48 and 16-year-old Kyle Prosper were all killed in their own home. Each suffered shotgun wounds to the face, while Kyle was also stabbed more than 100 times across his body before being shot Prosper sat with his head in his hands as he was sentenced and appeared emotionless throughout. He refused to stand as he was jailed. Although the judge dismissed issuing a whole life order, she warned the callous killer he 'may be too dangerous to ever be released'. 'Words such as heartless and brutal are insufficient to describe the horror of the last moments of those closest to you,' the judge told him. She added: 'You acted during hours of darkness on people who had been asleep in their own home. A 13-year-old child was shot in the face while hiding under a table, a 16-year-old child was shot in the chest after being stabbed with a knife or knives... before being shot to the head. 'Each victim suffered the anguish of anticipating or being aware of the deaths of others.' She continued: 'There is no suggestion that you didn't understand the law or that killing people was morally wrong - you just didn't care.' Prosper had to be ordered to come to court after initially refusing to attend the second day of his sentencing hearing. Describing 'the horror' that unfolded at his family's flat at 5.50am on Friday the 13th, Mrs Cheema-Grubb said Prosper's mother Juliana had woken first, realising something was 'terribly wrong'. Police found Prosper's shotgun hidden in a bush about 200m from where he was caught Pictured is the gun, which the teen used to murder his mother, sister and brother Jailing the 'remorseless' serial killer for life with a minimum term of 48 years, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb told Prosper he intended to 'unleash destruction' on a community to become known as one of the world's 'worst school shooters'. The judge told Prosper: 'She struggled with you before you shot her in the head at very close range in the hallway, you placed a novel with the title 'How To Kill Your Family' on her legs.' His sister Giselle, 13, then woke up and Prosper shot her from a distance as she hid under the dining room table. His brother Kyle was trying to hide in the kitchen, grabbing a knife to protect himself. But Prosper pursued him. 'It was an unequal contest,' the judge said. 'You shot him in the chest from a distance, but then, while he was still alive and moving, stabbed and slashed him more than 100 times to his head, face, neck, torso and limbs, while he pleaded with you not to kill him.' Pictured is the moment police officers detained Prosper on his way to murder schoolchildren The teen gunman is seen here during his interview with detectives following the murder of his mother, and younger siblings Kyle then ran to the hallway, where Prosper fatally shot him in the head. During her sentencing remarks, the judge said Prosper 'idolised' the Sandy Hook shooter saying of the triple killer that 'his only wish was to be famous by killing young children'. The court heard that Prosper had joined a 'paedophile Twitter group' to discuss sexual abuse of children before the murders. The judge said Prosper's case were 'chilling, adding that his aim was to emulate and outdo the US school massacres at Sandy Hook in 2012 and Virginia Tech in 2007. His case featured many 'recurrent themes' seen in school shootings, she said, a young male perpetrator who chose a 'uniform' for the killings, had a sexual interest in children, withdrew into an online world and showed a lack of empathy towards victims. Prosper had ambitions of becoming Britain's worst mass shooter. He had hoped to slaughter at least 30 children after the triple murder of his mother, sister and brother The judge said on his arrest on September 13 last year, Prosper was 'inappropriately cheerful' asking officers if the local schools had been 'placed in lockdown'. She told Prosper: 'You did not hate your mother, or your siblings, you had a good life with them.' Prosper was able to purchase a shotgun with ease simply by copying real certificates he found online. He discovered that lethal weapons can be traded privately without any official checks if the buyer is able to produce a genuine-looking paper firearms certificate to the seller. Under the current law, sellers have to notify police within seven days about the sale of a weapon. But they don't have to check with police whether the buyer's firearms certificate is genuine before the purchase, creating a loophole whereby the new owner has a window to carry out an attack before anyone discovers the fake. Prosper, seen in the white shirt, was filmed on CCTV purchasing the shotgun he used to murder his family less than a day later Downing Street today said the Government is 'urgently looking' at how controls can be tightened in the private sale of firearms. Asked whether the Prime Minister would look to tightening gun laws in the wake of the case, his official spokesman said: 'Firstly, it's the most appalling crime.' Number 10 thanked police involved on the day for 'acting quickly to stop the perpetrator carrying out the full extent of his awful plans'. The spokesman continued: 'Thoughts remain with those who lost their lives in the wider community that will be affected by this. 'The case has exposed some deep and long-standing weaknesses in the private sale of firearms and we are urgently looking at how we can tighten these controls.' Prosper, now 19, downloaded a blank firearms certificate and used a website which allows you to amend pictures so he could create his own fake. He was so proud of the forgery that when he was arrested, he couldn't resist bragging to officers: 'My name is Nicholas Prosper; you saw my fake shotgun certificate in my room in the 82 flat? Did you see the fake shotgun certificate I made?' On August 30 last year Prosper contacted a gun owner on a trading website called Gun Star, offering him 600 150 over the 450 asking price for the shotgun, claiming it was for clay pigeon shooting. Luton Crown Court was shown CCTV of the handover in a car park outside Prosper's home on September 12 where he produced the cash after inspecting the gun in a car boot. Less than 24 hours later he would begin his shooting spree after staying up all night poring over sickening images of mass murder and school shootings. Yesterday he smirked in the dock as the court heard how he later confessed in prison that he 'wanted to cause the biggest massacre in the 21st century', whispering to a horrified nurse: 'I wish I had killed more.' Prosecutor Timothy Cray, KC, said on Tuesday: 'What drove him on most was the desire to be famous or infamous as a mass killer. This was killing for the sake of killing. Prosper pictured in Luton Crown Court on Tuesday in an artist's impression 'The killing of his family was to be the first step in an even more shocking mass killing. 'Specifically, he wanted to imitate and even surpass other mass killers around the world.' Prosper was bent on killing more children than the Sandy Hook school shooting in Connecticut, US, in 2012, when 20 died. He spent a year researching local schools, carrying out surveillance on St Joseph's, capturing images of staff and pupils, checking assembly and lesson times and sketching class layouts. He carefully assembled a 'killing costume' and spent months poring over 'images and audios that showed deep alienation from normal life and interest in the darkest sides of humanity, including people being killed or seriously injured and violent video games'. Police found a diagram of the early years' classroom at St Joseph's in which Prosper had written 'Kill all'. The smirking wannabe school shooter was caught on camera after purchasing his shotgun Prosper is seen prowling the street at 6.56am having murdered his family an hour earlier In a chilling foreshadowing of the horrors that were to come, Prosper, wearing his distinctive yellow bucket hat, filmed himself pretending a piece of wood was a shotgun He had recorded videos of him practising the shooting with a piece of wood in his family kitchen and he uploaded a clip promising to shoot his sister an hour after the murders. He claimed he planned to kill his family in their sleep before raping his sister, stating: 'Why so early? So I'd have time to cannibalise my family, and rape a woman at knife point before the shooting. 'Why? Because I could.' But his mother woke up, forcing him to carry out his plan earlier than intended. In a sign of his warped mentality, a few days after gunning down his family, Propser told prison nurse Tatenda Muketiwa: 'I wish I had killed more.' Yesterday Prosper's father Raymond said in a victim impact statement that 'part of my soul died' on the day of the killings. In a statement read on Mr Prosper's behalf, Detective Superintendent Rob Hall said: 'We are devastated by the loss of our loved ones, and are horrified to hear what Nicholas had planned. He had completely isolated himself from us over the past year, and we had no knowledge of his intentions. 'We now see the deaths of Juliana, my son Kyle and daughter Giselle, had much more meaning and importance. Their deaths and the fast response of Bedfordshire Police stopped any other family in the community going through the pain we have suffered. For now, we would ask people to remember Juliana, Kyle and Giselle for the people they were. 'Julie was a strong, loving mother to her four children who were her absolute world in her spare time, she was a keen athlete and enjoyed raising money for charity. Nicholas Prosper admitted murdering his family members (pictured left to right) Kyle, Juliana and Giselle. He remained emotionless during the hearing in February Prosper is seen in a court sketch, flanked by a prison guard during his sentencing hearing Court artist drawing by Elizabeth Cook of Mrs Justice Cheema Grubb while Prosper is in the dock at Luton Crown Court, Bedfordshire, on Tuesday 'Kyle was a kind and funny young man who loved football and boxing. He was a big talent with massive potential. 'Giselle was a beautiful soul and caring young girl with an infectious smile. She was also an exceptional pupil at school and was loved dearly by her friends.' After the hearing, Bedfordshire Police described Prosper as 'truly evil' Detective Chief Inspector Sam Khanna said: 'In my entire policing career, which has included many years spent investigating murders, I have never encountered anyone capable of such horrific acts whilst showing no remorse. 'I have been utterly shocked and appalled by the actions and plans of the offender in this case and am pleased that this truly evil individual will now be serving a significant proportion of his life behind bars.' Assistant Chief Constable John Murphy said: 'Everyone at Bedfordshire Police is utterly shocked and appalled by the sickening actions of this individual and we are pleased he is now facing a significant time in jail. 'This was a lone individual whose plans were fortunately disrupted. I would like to pay tribute to the bravery of his family, the neighbour who called police, our officers who apprehended him, and all who have worked tirelessly to secure the compelling evidence which ensured he was brought to justice. 'I know this does not take away from the sheer horror of the incident and his sickening plans to target school children. I do not underestimate the impact on the staff, parents and carers of pupils at schools across the country, but particularly those associated with St Joseph's School.' During their investigation, police uncovered Prosper's sickening obsession with death, with the evil teen having spent his time trawling the internet for chilling slaughter videos. His disturbed ramblings online were so depraved that he was kicked off a gore website where millions of users share and comment on videos of people being killed because of his warped stance on child abuse. The wannabe school shooter's content was uploaded under a pseudonym and featured his distinctive accent. His videos have been deleted from YouTube in the wake of his appalling crimes, although the Mail has been able to view them. They include a clip recorded hours before the massacre, believed to be filmed in his family's flat in Luton, in which Prosper vowed to mutilate the face of his sister 'further than necessary' for making an incorrect choice' in the Walking Dead game. In the video, the 19-year-old also ranted that he was 'chosen' to protect a fictional character called Clementine in the zombie survival game, in a sign he struggled to differentiate between the real world and make-believe. Prosper said he was 'chosen' to protect a fictional character called Clementine in zombie video game The Walking Dead, in a sign he struggled to differentiate between the real world and make-believe Prosper peppered online forums with his repulsive ideas, many relating to children and including the sexual abuse of dead bodies. His rants were so revolting he was banned from a gore website for repeatedly 'sexualising minors'. One moderator told the Mail: 'There were multiple comments by him either in support of or arguing for child-adult sexual interactions that made it clear this was not in jest or a careless attempt to play devil's advocate. 'We do not know what sort of person Mr Prosper was, other than someone unwilling or incapable of following our site's rules and therefore someone we would not allow on our platform.' In another video, Prosper sarcastically suggested that child sexual abuse was blamed for 'virtually every mental disorder and issue'. Police were called to the high-rise block in Luton, following reports that shots had been fired Apologising for his 'slurred' speech, the teenager said: 'Who knows, maybe in a few years we'll see Aids, rectal cancer, increased chance of stubbing your toe, every single problem you face in life is because you touched a winky [penis] when you were six.' While caged in prison, awaiting his first court hearing, Prosper wrote out his murder plan and stashed it in his shoe. The chilling document was later found by a prison officer on November 13 - two months after the teen's rampage. Part of the notes read: 'I was right in predicting no-one would've called the police had I killed them in their sleep. 3 shots under 30 seconds. 'The only known phone call to police that day was made by the b**** at the door as a result of my B**** mother waking them up and it being turned into a long struggle. 'My plan wasn't 'stupid'. I was f****** right. MY MOTHER IS A STUPID F****** COW.' The notes continued: 'But why so early? So I'd have time to cannibalise my family, and rape a woman at knife point before the shooting.' Pictured is the scene of Prosper's home where he gunned down and killed his family Tributes were left outside the Leabank building after the triple killing in September last year There was also a step-by-step guide to the planned school shooting, including Prosper leaving the flat at 8.40am on his mother's bike and arriving at the school for 9am. The guide said he would 'shout that this is a robbery and for everyone to get down' before shooting the two teachers and killing the children. Defending, David Bentley, KC, said Prosper was not a psychopath, but a 'socially impaired' teenager with 'autistic traits'. He said: 'He is a young man who has gone down effectively an internet wormhole.' Grinning, the killer rocked back and forth as his lawyer called his actions 'incomprehensible'. Prosper admitted the murders at an earlier hearing, as well as possession of a shotgun with intent to endanger life. He will be sentenced today. A non-binary passenger is suing Ryanair for 4,200 in damages because they did not provide a gender-neutral title for a flight booking. The customer was using the airline's website to book a return ticket from Berlin to Gran Canaria in October 2021 when they realised there was no option to use a gender-neutral title. The airline was given to option to click on Herr (Mr), Frau (Mrs) or Fraulein (Miss) with it not being clear if they went ahead with the booking. After Ryanair refused to reach an out-of-court settlement, the complaint will now be heard by the Berlin state court, the Times reports. As well as paying out damages, the customer wants the airline to amend its booking platform to provide an option of a gender-neutral title. MailOnline has approached Ryanair for comment. In 2019, global aviation body the International Air Transport Association (IATA) released guidance for airlines who want to offer non-binary gender options for passengers. That same year America's United Airlines became the first US carrier to offer customers non-binary gender options when booking flights. Typical examples of non-binary markers could include an 'X' for 'unspecified' or U for 'undisclosed' instead of male or female, and the gender-neutral title Mx instead of Mr or Mrs. Pictured: Michael O'Leary, Group Chief Executive Officer of Ryanair A non-binary passenger is suing Ryanair for 4.200 in damages because they did not provide a gender-neutral title for a flight booking Since then other airline have followed suit in giving gender-neutral options including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, Delta and Air New Zealand. Virgin Atlantic allows staff the option to choose their own uniforms, including a trousers or skirt. In 2022, British Airways also relaxed the rules around its strict uniform policy and went gender-neutral to allow male pilots and crew to wear make-up and carry handbags. However, the airlines website does not let customers use the title 'Mx' among its long list of options ranging from 'Mr' to 'Viscount'. Some airlines have also retired 'ladies and gentlemen' as its on-board greeting in favour of gender-neutral alternatives. A spokesman for German national airline, Lufthansa, said the move was intended to make all passengers on board feel welcome, including those who do not identify as male or female. Instead, staff have been told to use 'dear guests' or just 'welcome on board'. Keir Starmer held crisis talks with Volodymyr Zelensky last night after Donald Trump's two-hour call with Putin ended with more Russian demands. The PM took stock with the Ukrainian president after Moscow only agreed to work towards a limited ceasefire on energy infrastructure - rather than the unconditional ceasefire the US wanted. Putin also laid out that he would not accept a settlement without 'complete cessation of foreign military aid and the provision of intelligence to Kyiv'. That is likely to prove unacceptable to Mr Zelensky and European allies. Mr Trump described the conversation with the Russian dictator as 'great' last night, insisting he was working to avoid 'World War Three'. But Boris Johnson was among the UK politicians warning that Putin is 'laughing at us', while ex-defence secretary Ben Wallace said the Russian 'plays better chess than Trump' and accused the US of chasing a 'rotten' deal. The American and Russian leaders agreed to try for a package to stop attacks on Ukraine's power grid, as well as Kyiv's raids on Russia's critical refineries. Mr Trump voiced hope that would pave the way for a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, and then a full and sustained end to the fighting. But almost immediately there was another round of Russian attacks on Ukraine, with Mr Zelensky calling for action after Putin 'rejected the proposal for a full ceasefire'. Keir Starmer (pictured) held crisis talks with Volodymyr Zelensky last night after Donald Trump 's two-hour call with Putin ended with more Russian demands After a fresh round of Russian attacks last night, Mr Zelensky said: 'Today, Putin effectively rejected the proposal for a full ceasefire.' Boris Johnson was among the senior UK politicians warning that Putin is 'laughing at us' Former defence secretary Ben Wallace said Putin 'plays better chess than Trump' A Downing Street spokeswoman said: 'The Prime Minister spoke to President Zelensky this evening. 'They discussed progress President Trump had made towards a ceasefire in talks with Russia. 'President Zelensky updated on the situation on the front line and the Prime Minister reiterated (the) UK's unwavering support.' No10 had earlier given a very guarded response to the outcome of the call, referring to 'the progress President Trump has made towards a ceasefire'. The spokeswoman added: 'This process must lead to a just and lasting peace for Ukraine. 'We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes to ensure Russia can never launch an illegal invasion again.' Mr Trump told Fox News that he wanted to get the war 'over with' and suggested that 'Russia has the advantage'. The Republican said: 'Right now, you have a lot of guns pointing at each other and a ceasefire without going a little bit further would have been tough.' He argued that his push for a ceasefire was part of a larger bid to keep US troops out of conflict. 'Look, we're doing this there are no Americans involved. There could be if you end up in World War III over this, which is so ridiculous,' he said. 'But, you know, strange things happen.' Mr Zelensky has said he would support American efforts to stop strikes on his country's energy grid. But the Ukrainian leader said he hoped to speak to Mr Trump to understand what he and the Russian leader discussed. After a fresh round of Russian attacks last night, Mr Zelensky said: 'Today, Putin effectively rejected the proposal for a full ceasefire. 'It would be right for the world to respond by rejecting any attempts by Putin to prolong the war. Sanctions against Russia. 'Assistance to Ukraine. Strengthening allies in the free world and working toward security guarantees. 'And only a real cessation of strikes on civilian infrastructure by Russia, as proof of its willingness to end this war, can bring peace closer.' Western nations, including the UK, have condemned Russia for attacks on facilities used to generate electricity for Ukraine's population, though the Kremlin has denied such strikes have taken place. Ahead of crunch talks between the two presidents, David Lammy signalled the UK and EU are planning to speed up arms shipments to Ukraine ahead of a full ceasefire. The Foreign Secretary told Bloomberg that Kyiv's European allies intended to 'put Ukraine in the strongest possible position militarily and economically'. Mr Lammy and Defence Secretary John Healey both met Kaja Kallas, the EU's high representative on foreign affairs, to discuss Ukraine and Europe's security. Speaking to Ms Kallas, Mr Healey said the UK and EU recognised the need to 'maintain our strong support for Ukraine'. According to the White House, Mr Trump and Mr Putin agreed in their call 'that the movement to peace will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire and permanent peace. 'These negotiations will begin immediately in the Middle East.' The Kremlin, meanwhile, said Mr Putin told Mr Trump that America and its allies must end military and intelligence assistance to Ukraine to halt hostilities. The Prime Minister spoke to Mr Trump on Monday ahead of the call. He and French President Emmanuel Macron have been leading efforts to form a 'coalition of the willing' made up of nations prepared to offer troops or support to a peacekeeping force if there is a deal to end the war. Mr Putin has said he agrees in principle to a ceasefire but has put a series of conditions on any peace plan. The US president said Washington and Moscow have already begun discussing 'dividing up certain assets' between Ukraine and Russia as part of a deal to end the conflict, which could include Mr Putin being handed land and power plants by Kyiv. Such a move would cause unease in Europe, being seen as a reward for Russia's invasion of its neighbour. A French hunter has gone to trial after killing an endangered bear that mauled him in a horror attack in the Pyrenees. Andre Rives, 81, was boar-hunting on November 20, 2021 when a female brown bear nicknamed Caramelles launched a vicious attack on him, charging at him and dragging him by the legs for several metres. The violent attack came to an end after Rives managed to shoot and kill Caramelles, but the pensioner was left with fractures in both of his legs and an open artery. But because the brown bear is a protected species in the Pyrenees - a mountain range that separates France and Spain - Rives was charged with killing an endangered animal. In addition, 15 fellow hunters also face charges for hunting in the Mont Valier nature reserve, after an investigation found that the bear was killed 1,300 ft outside an authorised hunting area. Speaking in court on Tuesday in the city of Foix in the Ariege department in southwestern France, Rives described the moment Caramelles charged at him. 'She grabbed my left thigh, I panicked and fired a shot. She backed away growling, she went around me and bit my right calf. I fell, she was eating my leg,' he said. 'I reloaded my rifle and fired.' French hunter Andre Rives has gone to trial after killing an endangered bear that mauled him in the Pyrenees Appearing at court in Foix, Ariege yesterday, Rives described how the bear attacked him. The case has sparked fury in France, where hunters have held demonstrations in support of Rives, as they insist the pensioner acted in self-defence. Jean-Luc Fernandez, president of a local hunting federation, said Rives killed the bear in self-defence. 'He fired,' he said. 'He should have let her do it? No, he saved his own skin.' 'A bear is dead. A man is alive. It's sad, but I prefer that to the other way around,' Fernandez said outside the court. 'The bear had dragged him for dozens of metres and he owed his survival to the presence of the volunteer firefighter.' But activists have contested that Rives acted in self-defence, with wildlife associations also staging demonstrations outside the court. 'To what extent can one argue necessity, when one has committed a series of offences that led to the death of the bear Caramelles?' asked Alain Reynes of the bear-preservation association Pays de l'ours. The case has sparked fury in France, where hunters have held demonstrations in support of Rives. File photo: Hunters demonstrate in front of the gendarmerie in support to hunters placed in police custody following the death of a bear last November, in Saint-Girons, southern of France, on June 3, 2022 Rives sustained injuries to his legs after the bear dragged him for several metres Presiding judge Sun Yung Lazare told lawyers for the defence and the 20 wildlife charities taking part in the trial, that the only issue was whether the hunters had illegally killed the bear. 'This is not an anti-bear or a pro-bear trial, or pro-shooting or anti-shooting,' she said. According to Spanish bear conservation charity Fundacion Oso Pardo, there are 83 bears currently in the Pyrenees. Bears had nearly disappeared from the mountainous region before France began a reintroduction programme in the 1990s, which saw the country import the animals from Slovenia. The trial is expected to end today. A 100-year-old Shell motor oil sign has broken the Australian record for the most expensive sign sold after fetching $133,975 at auction. The 'incredibly well looked after' sign from rural Queensland was sold last Thursday by Burns and Co Auctions, the same company that held the previous record set just months earlier. Ashley Burns, who has a decade of experience as an auctioneer, received a call from the blue three-piece enamel sign's owner in January. 'He stated he had the sign for around 35 years and initially purchased it out of an old panel/painting business for $500,' he told Yahoo News. After an auction for the same sign in yellow fetched $103,102, at the time making it Australia's most expensive sign, Mr Burns was quick to jump at the sale. He travelled 3,200km from Victoria to collect the blue sign, which had been hanging in a shed in Roma, Queensland. After a four-day long trip back to the Burns and Co Auctions base and a 'light' clean, the sign's pristine condition was revealed. The signs age, original gloss, size and incredible state all indicated it would be well-sought by collectors. A 100-year-old blue enamel Shell sign (pictured) sold for $133,975 at auction last Thursday Burns and Co Auctions (pictured) said the sign had been sitting in a Queenslander's shed after he bought it for $500 'It's very hard to find a sign of this size, this old with three matching panels and in this condition. It's one of the best-known examples in the country,' Mr Burns said. The three-piece sign stands a total of 1.8m tall and 2.7m wide. Its former owner had reached out to Burns and Co Auctions after seeing the same sign in yellow break records in January. The yellow sign had similarly been stored in a barn in Shepparton, regional Victoria, for more than 50 years. Burns and Co Auctions eagerly advertised the blue Shell sign in the lead up to the auction with pre-bidding starting 20 days prior to its sale. Those early bidders pushed the price up to $75,000 before the live auction had even begun. Several collectors fought for the impressive sign until its winner claimed it for $133,975 - 30 per cent more than the record set by the yellow Shell sign. The previous record for Australia's most expensive sign was set by the same sign in yellow (pictured) in January at $133,975 The sale of the yellow and blue enamel Shell signs marked the first times sign had sold for more than $100,000 in Australia. Both sale prices include buyer's premium. Mr Burns explained demand for vintage signs related to the motor industry had shot up in the last five years. He attributed the interest to the rise of 'man caves' during the Covid lockdowns. French fighter jets equipped with new generation hypersonic nuclear missiles will be stationed by the German border to renew France's airborne nuclear deterrent, President Emmanuel Macron has declared. During a visit yesterday to Luxeuil-Saint-Sauveur airbase in northeast France, Macron told aircrews their base will soon receive a squadron of Rafale F5s - the latest evolution of France's premier fighter jet that is expected to enter service in 2030. The jets will be equipped with the ASN4G - a nuclear hypersonic cruise missile currently under development that will reportedly fly at more than 5,000mph with double the range of France's current air-launched nuclear weapons. Macron said the government had earmarked more than 1.5 billion to transform Luxeuil - a famed World War One airbase just 80km from Germany - into one of the nation's most advanced military facilities. Rafale F5s equipped with the next-gen nuclear hypersonic missiles would be ready for deployment at the base by 2035, he said to a crowd of Air Force pilots and officers outside their hangars. The push to renovate Luxeuil comes as France's President calls for Europe to rearm in the face of Russia's aggression in Ukraine and America's wavering commitment to upholding European security under Donald Trump. Macron has initiated a doubling of the French defence budget over the course of his two terms and recently set an even higher target, saying the country should increase defence spending to 3-3.5% of economic output from the current 2%. He has also offered to extend the protection of France's nuclear weapons, the so-called nuclear umbrella, to other European countries. 'We haven't waited for 2022 or the turning point we're seeing right now to discover that the world we live in is ever more dangerous, ever more uncertain, and that it implies to innovate, to bulk up and to become more autonomous,' he said yesterday. 'I will announce in the coming weeks new investments to go further than what was done over the past seven years,' he said, adding that the government would order additional Rafale warplanes from French aerospace manufacturer Dassault Aviation to replace ageing Mirage fighter jets - some of which were sent to Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron speaks to soldiers at the Luxeuil-Saint-Sauveur airbase, in Saint-Sauveur, north-eastern France, Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Mirage (L) and Rafale (R) righter jets are seen in the background France's President Emmanuel Macron stands with Pierre Gaudilliere, military governor of Nancy, in front of a Dassault Rafale fighter at Luxeuil-Saint-Sauveur Airbase, France March 18, 2025 France's Rafale fighter jet is seen carrying France's current nuclear capable hypersonic cruise missile (centre) Macron said the French government would order more Rafale fighter jets from aerospace company Dassault Aviation to replace its ageing fleet of Mirage jets (pictured) Dassault Mirage 2000 and Rafale fighter aircraft are displayed at Luxeuil ahead of Macron's visit Macron's speech to aircrews at Luxeuil came as the German parliament approved a plan set forth by Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz for a massive spending surge in hopes of reviving economic growth and scaling up military spending. After the global financial crisis of 2008, Germany imposed a so-called 'debt brake' that dramatically restricted government borrowing. But the move, long seen as an important economic backstop, came under criticism in recent months amid fears that it would prevent Germany from adequately increasing its defence spending. Trump's return to the White House in January forced European leaders into a dramatic rethink of their long-term defence strategy and the EU is now embarking on a campaign of rearmament to decrease its reliance on US protection. Now, Merz's conservatives and Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD) - who are in talks to form a centrist coalition after last month's election - want to remove the debt brake and create a 500 billion fund to improve Germany's infrastructure and supercharge its defence industrial base. 'We have for at least a decade felt a false sense of security,' Merz told lawmakers ahead of the vote yesterday. 'The decision we are taking today on defence readiness... can be nothing less than the first major step towards a new European defence community,' he said. The legislation still has to go to the Bundesrat upper house for another vote, but is expected to pass. In the wake of the Bundestag voting through the spending plan, Merz declared simply: 'Germany is back.' The vote was also met with widespread praise from European allies, including Macron who delivered a joint press conference with outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz after visiting Luxeuil. 'I want to congratulate you on the Bundestag's historic vote, which is good news for Germany and good news for Europe, because it will enable it to do more for defence and investment,' he told reporters. Scholz, speaking alongside Macron, said that by 'strengthening the European pillar of NATO, we will strengthen the transatlantic alliance as a whole'. And European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the Bundestag's green-lighting of the spending package was 'excellent news because it sends a very clear message also to Europe that Germany is determined to invest massively in defence'. Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany's conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party, raises his hand during a vote at a session of the Bundestag (lower house of parliament) on March 18, 2025 in Berlin French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hold a joint press conference after their meeting in Berlin, Germany on March 18, 2025 Russia test-launches one of its new Sarmat nuclear missiles, which it claims can carry up to 15 warheads, strike any country on earth, and cannot be stopped by current defences This image taken with a slow shutter speed on Oct. 2, 2019, and provided by the U.S. Air Force shows an unarmed Minuteman 3 intercontinental ballistic missile test launch at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California Earlier this month at an emergency summit of European leaders in Brussels, Macron invited his EU counterparts and defence chiefs to explore the possibility of France extending its nuclear protection abroad. The notion was heavily criticised by Russia, but several top European officials appeared interested by Macron's offering, including Germany's Merz. However, analysts warn that Europe 'needs to be on par with Russia's 1,550 strategic warheads' should America withdraw its so-called nuclear blanket, and the two European nuclear powers - France and Britain - must overcome significant challenges if they are to strengthen their faltering nuclear deterrent. NATO's nuclear capability is heavily reliant on the US, which possesses the world's second largest stockpile of operational nuclear warheads. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the US has more than 3,700 operational warheads, though fewer than half are actively deployed. Several hundred of these are stationed across Europe, primarily in Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands, as part of NATO's deterrence posture. But Washington retains ultimate control over the use of these weapons. Any suggestion that the US could withdraw support from NATO is therefore a serious cause for concern for European defence chiefs, who fear their nuclear capabilities could be effectively erased in a matter of weeks. When American weapons are removed from the equation, there are only NATO member states that have a nuclear arsenal of their own - Britain and France. According to SIPRI, the UK has some 225 warheads at its disposal, but only 40 of these are ready to deploy at any one time. France has a slightly larger stockpile of around 290. By contrast, Russia commands a vast nuclear arsenal exceeding 5,000 warheads, with at least 1,550 strategic warheads deployed under the terms of the New START treaty. However, Putin suspended Moscow's participation in the treaty in 2023, raising concerns that even more warheads could be activated at a moment's notice. Analysts from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) conclude that, as things stand, 'the French and British nuclear forces are a complement to US extended deterrence... they would not constitute a viable solution in the event of an abrupt withdrawal of US nuclear forces.' An unarmed Trident II D5LE missile launches from the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Wyoming (SSBN 742) off the coast of Cape Canaveral HMS Artful an Astute-class nuclear-powered fleet submarine is manoeuvred at His Majesty's Naval Base Clyde on March 04, 2025 in Faslane, Scotland Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, meets French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the European Council to discuss continued support for Ukraine and European defense, in Brussels An unarmed Trident II D5LE missile launches from the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Wyoming (SSBN 742) off the coast of Cape Canaveral, Florida Clearly, Europe's nuclear stockpile pales in comparison to that of Moscow. But it is not just the size of the proverbial stick that poses a problem. Europe's ability to swing it is also significantly reduced. Unlike the US, which spent decades constructing a vast nuclear infrastructure spanning land, sea, and air, Europe's nuclear forces suffer from major logistical constraints. France's 290 warheads are split between sea and air-based platforms. The majority are deployed aboard its fleet of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), while around 50 are mounted on cruise missiles that can be launched by French bombers. The UK, however, relies solely on its four Vanguard-class SSBNs to deploy its warheads, and of the 225 at Westminster's disposal, only 40 are ready to launch at any one time. Neither country has any land-based nuclear missile silos, and France's air-launched nuclear weapons are all stationed with planes at domestic airfields. This dramatically restricts Europe's ability to project nuclear force and its ability to react effectively in a crisis situation. Compounding these limitations is Britain's reliance on American technology. The UK purchases its Trident missiles from the US, and depends on Washington's support for maintenance and upgrades. As nuclear weapons expert Norman Dombey put it: 'Britain's independent nuclear deterrent is neither British nor independent.' 'Both its missiles and its warheads are dependent on the US and US design.' This uncomfortable reality raises serious questions about how reliable the UK's deterrent would actually be in a crisis, particularly if Washington's commitment to European security continues to wane. Two Australian beaches have been closed after dead fish and a mysterious foam washed ashore while surfers reported feeling unwell. Health authorities closed Waitipinga and neighbouring Parsons Beach, both south of Adelaide, on Monday, and say that the foam could be due to a microalgal bloom stemming from unusual weather conditions. Surfers in the local area have complained of having blurred vision, itchy eyes, sore throats and difficulty breathing, while dozens of dead fish have reportedly washed up on southern Australian shores. 'It is very concerning,' South Australian Environment Protection Authority principal scientific officer Sam Gaylard told Australian Broadcasting Corp. 'It is unusual at this scale. At this time of year, when the weather conditions allow, we do occasionally get isolated blooms, but something of this scale is definitely a little bit unusual,' Gaylard added. Surfers have been complaining since the weekend of getting sore eyes, sore throats and coughing after contact with the water, said local Anthony Rowland, who surfed at Waitpinga on Saturday. 'While we were out there, we started coughing,' Rowland said, referring to his fellow surfers. He said he was overwhelmed by the response from other surfers after posting his experience online. Two Australian beaches have closed after a mysterious foam was believed to have caused mass fish deaths Surfers have also reported breathing difficulties and blurred vision Health authorities believe that the foam could be due to a microalgal bloom driven by hot temperatures 'Lots of people reached out so many people have said they're had exactly the same symptoms,' Rowland said. Marine scientists took water samples from the foam, which is a byproduct of the toxic organisms' decay, on Monday, but it could take until the end of the week to identify the organism, Gaylard said. He also added that it is unclear 'how long this will last'. A state environment department spokesperson said in a statement that the beaches were closed 'in the interest of safety' and that authorities were investigating. 'Waitpinga Beach and Parsons Beach within the Newland Head Conservation Park will be temporarily closed to the public in response to a fish mortality event in the area,' the spokesperson said. This image made from video provided by Australian Broadcasting Corp., shows foam washing up on beach Monday, March 17, 2025, in Waitpinga, near Adelaide 'The beaches will be re-opened as soon as possible.' The state Environment Protection Authority said in a statement it was aware 'that dead fish have been found at Waitpinga and Parsons beaches and surfers have reported suffering from health symptoms such as itchy eyes and blurred/misty vision and coughing and breathing difficulties'. Images and videos show mountains of the mysterious foam bubbling over sand and rocks. A retired couple are calling for a 17-storey office tower to be torn down because it blocks the light to their 1million luxury flat - preventing them from reading in bed. Stephen and Jennifer Powell complain that the 35m Arbor tower next door to their plush 6th-floor South Bank apartment is breaching their 'right to light'. The block is part of the 2bn Bankside Yards development, which is set to consist of eight towers, including 'mega-structures' 50 storeys high. The Powells and their 7th floor neighbour Kevin Cooper are now seeking an injunction that would force the developer to either knock the building down or alter plans for the rest of the planned towers to account for the light it is currently blocking. But developer Ludgate House Ltd is fighting the claims, insisting that the tower doesn't block enough light to give the trio a valid claim. Their lawyers say the Powells could solve the issue of struggling to read in bed by simply turning a light on. They also accuse the neighbours of trying to hold them to 'ransom' and protest that demolishing the Arbor tower would be 'a gross waste of money and resources.' Stephen and Jennifer Powell are complaining that the Arbor tower, part of the 2bn Bankside Yards development, (pictured bottom) is reducing the natural light getting into their 6th floor apartment (pictured top) The couple living in the South Bank designer block have launched the claim saying that the lack of light is making it hard for them to read in bed The couple's flat is located in the round building on the right of this image. The office block is the rectangular glass structure just to the left of it London's High Court heard that the couple have lived in their 6th floor flat in the yellow ochre Bankside Lofts building on the South Bank of the river for over 20 years, having moved in in 2002, whilst property finance professional Mr Cooper bought his 7th floor flat in 2021. The trio complain about reduced light into their apartments and want an injunction compelling the developer to alter plans for the rest of the planned towers to account for the light being blocked by Arbor, or if there is no other option to knock the building down. In written arguments put before the court, their barrister Tim Calland told Mr Justice Fancourt: 'The Bankside Yards development will consist of eight towers, the tallest of which stretches to 50 storeys in height. The marketing material for Arbor describes it as a mega-structure and boasts of exceptional natural light. 'The claimants maintain that this will have been achieved - wrongfully - at the expense of their light. 'Light is not an unnecessary 'add on' to a dwelling. Light does not just give pleasure, but provides the very benefits of health, wellbeing and productivity which the defendants are using to advertise the development. That is the reason claimants have brought their claims. 'Mr Cooper, who chose his flat for its phenomenal light, places considerable value, as do his family, on the light he receives in a dwelling, not just for simple illumination but for the wellbeing of those who reside there. 'Mr Powell, who has had his residence at Bankside Lofts for over 20 years, chose the flat over those with better views because it was flooded with light. 'The only way to vindicate the claimants' right of light - to preserve that access to adequate light - is with an injunction.' Stephen (right) and Jennifer Powell (left) living in the South Bank designer block Bankside Lofts say it is making it hard for them to read in bed Pictured: Jennifer Powell (left) outside London's High Court. She says her light is being blocked Mr Calland added that if the injunction is refused that the trio would have been 'denied their right of light' and the 'defendant will have taken something for nothing'. 'The remedy that the claimants seek is an injunction preventing the retention of Arbor in such a way as to cause a nuisance,' he said. 'The claimants' objective is not the demolition of Arbor if that can be avoided. They have always said they would accept alterations to the rest of the development as a means of restoring their light. The Rights of Light Act 1959 The Right to Light Act 1958 is a UK law that protects a property's right to receive natural light through defined openings, mainly windows but can also apply to patio doors and other doors with glazing. A property will have acquired the right to light where it has benefited from natural light through an opening for more than 20 uninterrupted years. It can also be obtained through a common law prescription or where the right has been granted through a deed. A property's right to light would be considered to have been infringed upon a room that receives adequate light has been reduced to less than 50 per cent due to a new obstruction. Advertisement 'An injunction would only involve the demolition of Arbor if the defendants wanted it to,' he told the judge. He went on to say that the Arbor tower cost 34.9m to build in 2019, but estimated that it could have been as much as 42.2m in 2021 if the developer had been forced to wait whilst negotiating the right to light with Mr Cooper and the Powells. Explaining that the flat owners want a share of that multimillion-pound saving if their injunction is refused, he said: 'If an injunction is refused, the claimants will say that damages should be awarded in lieu of relief. 'They contend that such damages should be assessed as a fair price that might have been agreed for the release of their rights to allow Arbor to be built. 'The defendant sought to profit by ignoring the claimants' rights and taking the light for itself, denying the claimants even the level of light sufficient according to the ordinary notions of mankind, whilst at the same time advertising premises at the development as enjoying 'exceptional levels of natural light,' which it claims promote productivity and wellbeing. 'It is the defendant that has rushed ahead in building Arbor without resolving rights of light to which it knew the land was subject.' He insisted any 'release fee' awarded to the flat owners should be 'sustainable' and calculated as a 'share of the defendant's profits from building Arbor, rather than a non-infringing building.' 'The defendants chose to rush ahead with the construction, propelled no doubt by its investors' demands, and left the solution to the rights of light issues to another day,' he said. 'The claimants have lost not only value in their properties but also their ability to insist on their light. 'Where a defendant has acted wantonly and quite unreasonably in relation to his neighbour, he may be ordered to repair his wanton and unreasonable acts by doing positive work to restore the status quo, even if the expense to him is out of all proportion.' A close up image of the office block, which is part of the Bankside Yards development Pictured: Stephen and Jennifer Powell apartment building (left) and the Arbor tower John McGhee KC, for Ludgate House Ltd (LHL), in his written submissions told the judge: 'The claimants seek injunctive relief requiring the defendant to demolish an occupied 19-storey office building known as Arbor on the grounds that it has caused them nuisance by interfering with the rights of light which they enjoy. 'Whether Arbor is considered on its own or together with the (whole) development, LHL denies that there will be any actionable interference with the rights of light. 'The reduction in light caused by Arbor is not such as to substantially interfere with the use or enjoyment of the flats and as such is not an actionable nuisance. 'LHL has engaged extensively with all other owners of neighbouring buildings whose light might be affected. In almost all other cases, they have agreed to release any claim to interference with their light in return for modest sums by way of compensation. 'The flats remain usable and desirable and, on any view, valuable. 'In respect of the bedroom in Mr and Mrs Powell's flat, the reduction in light is primarily around the headboard of the bed...anyone reading in bed would use electric light to do so for much of the time anyway. The injury is a minor one. 'Ultimately, both Mr Cooper and the Powells are using these proceedings to seek to extract a ransom payment. 'The court ought not to order the demolition of Arbor. 'It would be a gross waste of money and resources and would deprive the area of much needed office accommodation,' the barrister added. The couple have lived in their 6th floor flat in the yellow ochre Bankside Lofts building on the South Bank of the river for over 20 years He said all the other parts of the development enjoy legal protection from property rights claims brought by nearby residents under an indemnity provided by local authority Southwark Borough Council under Section 203 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016. Arguing that an injunction forcing them to tear down Arbor would be pointless, he told the court: 'LHL would obtain planning permission for the erection of a building of the same or similar height, the construction of which would then be protected by section 203.' He went on to argue that the lucrative 'negotiating damages' sought by the claimants are not appropriate and that if nuisance is found, an injunction should be refused and damages paid on the basis of a 'diminution' in the value of their flats, of not more than 25 per cent. 'The claimant's case is that they are entitled to millions more than the value of their respective flats,' he said. 'But one cannot sensibly conclude that it feels right to award more than or indeed anywhere near the full value of flats which they retain and which remain valuable and usable.' He added that the Powells had previously been offered 36,000 to release their right to light and Mr Cooper had been offered 26,000. The hearing continues. The State Department was allegedly warned about Lee Harvey Oswald's plan to assassinate John F Kennedy months before the president was killed, a new trove of top secret files about the assassination has revealed. In a never before seen letter, which was released Tuesday evening with thousands of other unredacted documents, a man named Sergyj Czornonoh told the US British Ambassador how he warned authorities about Oswald's murder plot multiple times. Czornonoh said he had been detained in London on July 18, 1963 and questioned by authorities. He said he told them Oswald, saying he planned to kill the president. He added that he warned American Vice Consul Tom Blackshear of the plans of Oswald, who was trying to defect to Russia. Czornonoh said he was provided the information about Oswald by Wasilev Consul, who at the time time was working at the Soviet embassy in Bulgaria. He alleged that Consul's partner 'came into my room' and repeatedly claimed that Oswald was an 'assassin' and 'will kill President Kennedy.' The letter further states that Czornonoh told a State Department officials on August 19, 1963, that Oswald was in possession of a weapon. But he alleges the concern was disregarded, claiming: 'Director told me you too can have a weapon so what if Oswald got a weapon.' Kennedy was shot dead by Oswald in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963 - four months after Czornonoh allegedly spoke to authorities in London and one month after his alleged conversation with the State Department. President John Kennedy with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy smile at the crowds in Dallas just moments before the president was assassinated on November 22, 1963 A new trove of top secret files about the assassination has revealed that State Department was allegedly warned about Lee Harvey Oswald's plan to assassinate John F. Kennedy months before the president was killed. Oswald is pictured in a Louisiana police photo after he was arrested for protesting US policy in Cuba More than 63,000 pages of records related to JFK's assassination were released Tuesday following an order by President Donald Trump, many without the redactions that had confounded historians for years and helped fuel conspiracy theories. The National Archives and Records Administration posted to its website roughly 2,200 files containing the documents. The vast majority of the National Archives' collection of over 6 million pages of records, photographs, motion pictures, sound recordings and artifacts related to the assassination have previously been released. Trump announced the release Monday while visiting the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, saying his administration would be releasing about 80,000 pages. 'We have a tremendous amount of paper. You've got a lot of reading,' Trump said. Shortly after he was sworn into office, Trump ordered the release of the remaining classified files related to the assassination He directed the national intelligence director and attorney general to develop a plan to release the records. The order also aimed to declassify the remaining federal records related to the 1968 assassinations of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. In a never before seen letter, which was released Tuesday evening with thousands of other unredacted documents, a man named Sergyj Czornonoh told the US British Ambassador how he warned authorities about Oswald's murder plot Czornonoh claimed that he was detained in London on July 18, 1963 and questioned by authorities. He said he told the authorities about Lee Harvey Oswald, saying he planned to kill the president Home film footage of President John F. Kennedy's motorcade speeding down a Dallas freeway to the hospital after he was fatally wounded on Nov. 22, 1963 After signing the order, Trump handed the pen to an aide and directed that it be given to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Trump administration's top health official. He's the nephew of JFK and son of Robert F. Kennedy. The younger Kennedy, whose anti-vaccine activism has alienated him from much of his family, has said he isn't convinced that a lone gunman was solely responsible for his uncle's assassination. When Air Force One carrying JFK and first lady Jacqueline Kennedy touched down in Dallas, they were greeted by a clear sky and enthusiastic crowds. With a reelection campaign on the horizon the next year, they went to Texas for a political fence-mending trip. But as the motorcade was finishing its parade route downtown, shots rang out from the Texas School Book Depository building. Police arrested 24-year-old Oswald, who had positioned himself from a snipers perch on the sixth floor. Two days later, nightclub owner Jack Ruby fatally shot Oswald during a jail transfer. A year after the assassination, the Warren Commission, which President Lyndon B. Johnson established to investigate, concluded that Oswald acted alone and that there was no evidence of a conspiracy. But that didn't quell a web of alternative theories over the decades. Your browser does not support iframes. Lee Harvey Oswald pictured with the Dallas police on November 22, 1963 Secret servicemen standing on running boards follow the presidential limousine carrying President John F. Kennedy, right, rear seat, and first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, left, as well as Texas Gov. John Connally and his wife, Nellie, in Dallas, Texas, Nov. 22, 1963 President John F. Kennedy and first lady Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy arrive at Love Field in Dallas, Texas less than an hour before his assassination in this November 22, 1963 photo by White House photographer Cecil Stoughton obtained from the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston In the early 1990s, the federal government mandated that all assassination-related documents be housed in a single collection in the National Archives and Records Administration. The collection was required to be opened by 2017, barring any exemptions designated by the president. Trump, who took office for his first term in 2017, had said that he would allow the release of all of the remaining records but ended up holding some back because of what he called the potential harm to national security. And while files continued to be released during President Joe Biden's administration, some remain unseen. The National Archives says that the vast majority of its collection of over 6 million pages of records, photographs, motion pictures, sound recordings and artifacts related to the assassination have already been released. Before Tuesday, researchers had estimated that 3,000 to 3,500 files were still unreleased, either wholly or partially. And just last month the FBI said it had discovered about 2,400 new records related to the assassination. The agency said then that it was working to transfer the records to the National Archives to be included in the declassification process. Around 500 documents, including tax returns, were not subject to the 2017 disclosure requirement. Some of the documents from previous releases have offered details on the way intelligence services operated at the time, including CIA cables and memos discussing visits by Oswald to the Soviet and Cuban embassies during a trip to Mexico City just weeks before the assassination. More than 63,000 pages of records related to JFK's assassination were released Tuesday following an order by President Donald Trump (pictured at the White House on January 23) Robert Kennedy Jr said he approves of the decision to declassify the files relating to the infamous 1963 murder of his uncle. RFK Jr is pictured with Donald Trump after he was sworn in as Secretary of Health and Human Services on February 13, 2025 The former Marine had previously defected to the Soviet Union before returning home to Texas. One CIA memo describes how Oswald phoned the Soviet Embassy while in Mexico City to ask for a visa to visit the Soviet Union. He also visited the Cuban Embassy, apparently interested in a travel visa that would permit him to visit Cuba and wait there for a Soviet visa. On October 3, 1963, more than a month before the assassination, he drove back into the US through a crossing point at the Texas border. Another memo, dated the day after Kennedy's assassination, says that according to an intercepted phone call in Mexico City, Oswald communicated with a KGB officer while at the Soviet Embassy that September. The releases have also contributed to the understanding of that time period during the Cold War, researchers have claimed. This is the hilarious moment a British tourist shouted obscenities as he was chased by a mob of monkeys in Thailand. Kane Smith shared a video on TikTok which showed him relaxing in a swimming pool with the caption: 'POV: One minute you're living the dream in Thailand...the next you're in a nightmare'. As the young man films himself, he suddenly catches a glimpse of something and lets out a scream. Turning the camera, Kane proceeds to show a red-faced stump-tailed macaque climbing over sun loungers as it makes its way to the pool where the Brit is. 'Go away', he shouts. 'F*** off.' But as the monkey gets closer to the pool, Kane can be heard saying: 'Oh my f****ing God. Why is it doing that? My God...oh my f****ing God. 'No, go away', Kane shouts, as the monkey climbs onto the side of the pool. Suddenly, another monkey appears in the distance, and heads in the direction of the swimming pool. 'Oh my God there's more', Kane exclaims as he notices the second ape. 'Oh s***'. A British captured the hilarious yet terrifying moment he was chased by a mob of monkeys in Thailand The horrific encounter was filmed by Kane Smith, who was filming himself as he relaxed in the pool, when he suddenly spotted a monkey approaching him As the video continues, more monkeys appear, and suddenly the Brit is surrounded by about a dozen monkeys who watch him from the edge of the pool But it is quickly apparent that the two monkeys are not the only ones around to terrorise Kane, as a third creature makes an appearance and joins his fellow apes. 'Oh my God there's a whole family', Kane screams. 'I'm scared. S***, s***'. The video then cuts to show at least five monkeys sat on the side of the pool, circling Kane, as he remains trapped in the pool unable to get out. 'What the f***', the Brit says in disbelief. As two monkeys move down the edge of the pool towards Kane, he says: 'Don't you dare come near me...oh f***'. But when the situation seems like it can't get any worse for terrified Kane, a sixth, much larger, monkey appears. 'Oh s***, that looks scary', Kane says as he spots the bigger ape. The video cuts again to now show at least a dozen monkeys circling the pool. Some of the creatures appear to drink water, but one of the bigger monkeys continues to get closer and closer to Kane. Kane finally managed to get out the pool, but things took a turn for the worse when two monkeys began chasing him down some stairs Kane's video has garnered almost 5 million views on TikTok Some of the monkeys circling Kane could be seen drinking water from the pool as the petrified Brit feared for his life Several viewers have praised Kane for capturing the incredible moment on camera The Thai government has been struggling to control aggressive wild monkeys Thailand has had to take steps to manage the macaque population across the country The petrified tourist tried to make a quick exit to get away from the intimidating monkeys, but as he tries to leave the pool, two apes start to to chase him as he runs down some stairs to get to safety. 'No!', Kane yells. 'No!'. The animals suddenly come to a brief halt, but start to chase the Brit again as he is heard screaming: 'oh shit!, before the video comes to an end. Commenting on the clip, which has garnered over 4.9 million views on TikTok, Kane said: 'Honestly the scariest moment of my life. I apologise for all the swearing...kinda thought my life was about to end...Started off with one monkey and then a full gang suddenly appeared'. Thousands of social media users have commented on the viral video, with several praising Kane for capturing the incredible encounter. 'This is a cinematic masterpiece. I demand it wins awards. The drama. The never ending monkeys. The giant one. The running. This is glorious', one bemused user said. Another commented: 'As a cameraman, I feel that you gave us all that you can until you had to run for your life'. 'Please I need a follow up, I've never laughed but been to terrified at the same time', a third said. Pictured: Kane Smith, who filmed his incredible encounter with a mob of monkeys in Thailand It is not clear when and where in Thailand the video was filmed. The Thai government has been struggling to control aggressive wild monkeys, but has taken steps to manage the macaque population across the country. Kane's encounter comes after Thai cops were filmed last year carrying slingshots and tranquiliser guns to combat 'dangerous' rampaging monkey gangs terrorising the town of Lopburi. The tourist town has become synonymous with its out-of-control monkey population. Police have had to resort to using wooden catapults to fire at the unruly primates, which often climb over cars and steal food from shops and tourists. Lopburi has been compared by several to an apocalyptic hellscape - with monkeys even commandeering empty buildings. The animals have even been seen engaging in a massive gang fight in the depths of the pandemic when there was a shortage of food. Despite the dangers, locals are keen to keep the monkeys in the town as they prove a popular draw for tourists from around the world who feed them sugary treats. A tourist faced sharp criticism for taking a picture next to the Yellowstone hot springs where a 23-year-old man was 'dissolved' in scalding hot water. The traveller posted a photo of themselves squatting in front of one of the famed natural thermal features, with a smile and thumbs up. The photo was then reposted by a popular page condemning tourists for their brazen antics at the Yellowstone National Park. 'I don't understand this. One wrong move...' read the post. Netizens piled on criticism and warned other tourists of the potential dangers of a slip near the springs, which can reach temperatures as high as 92C (198F). 'They really should start putting photos up at the park of what the people look like who are pulled from these pools before the acid eats their flesh,' one critic wrote. 'Maybe then people would think twice.' Visitors continue to pose in front of the stunning attraction in spite of horrifying reports of injury and loss of life over the years. Colin Scott, a 23-year-old from Portland, Oregon, made headlines when he 'slipped and fell' into a Yellowstone pool in 2016. Search and rescue teams spotted his body on the day of the accident, but it had disappeared by the following day - leading to conclusions he had 'dissolved'. File photo. The Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park, undated Tourists visit the Grand Prismatic Spring on October 9, 2024 in Yellowstone National Park Colin Scott, a 23-year-old from Portland, Oregon, made headlines when he 'slipped and fell' into a Yellowstone pool in 2016 Commenters on the Instagram page, which now has hundreds of thousands of followers aware of the dangers of 'hot potting' in the pools, went so far as to call for the latest offender to be 'prosecuted' for posing near the springs. 'And with park rangers fired it's going to get worse,' another chimed in. 'Imagine having that much confidence in your own balance,' one user acknowledged. 'No respect for nature, and wild places,' another said. 'After lots of time in the parks I've concluded humans will risk death for a photo,' one user reflected. 'They should have a college study on it cause I don't get it and it's humans from every country and walk of life I seen do it.' 'Selfish and unashamed. Unbelievable,' another comment read. 'He will ruin it for everyone.' Yellowstone National Park, in the northwest corner of Wyoming and crossing into Montana and Idaho, is a vast volcanic plateau and home to many geothermal features. The most famous is the Old Faithful geyser, which shoots water and steam into the air at regular intervals. File photo. Bacteria causes the colouration around the edges. The water is naturally blue File photo. Tourists looking at geyser in Yellowstone Park Deep underground, water temperatures exceed 400F (204F). Yellowstone also contains a number of prismatic springs - pools of nearly boiling hot water named after their coloration. The springs have bands of orange, yellow, green and blue - the result of thermophilic (heat loving) bacteria around the edges of the mineral rich water. The deep blue colour at the centre comes from the water itself. Despite temperatures running to nearly 100C, some tourists still travel to the features to 'hot pot' - soaking in the park's natural thermal features. In 2016, a 23-year-old man died after slipping and falling into one of the pools. Old Faithful Geyser erupting at sunset, undated. File photo Colin Scott, of Portland, Oregon, had been looking for a place to 'hot pot' when he reached down to check the water temperature and slipped, according to his sister. Sable Scott told investigators that she and her brother left the boardwalk near Pork Chop Geyser on June 7, 2016. Search and rescue rangers saw his body in the pool on the day of the accident, but a lightning storm prevented their rescue efforts. By the following day, workers were unable to find any remains. Deputy Chief Ranger Lorant Veress called the area where the accident happened - the Norris Geyser basin 'very dangerous', with boiling acidic waters. At least 22 people are known to have died from hot spring-related injuries in and around Yellowstone since 1890, park officials said at the time. Most of the deaths have been accidents, although at least two people had been trying to swim in a hot spring, according to park historian Lee Whittlesey, author of 'Death in Yellowstone.' For nearly 150 years, the term 'bouncer' has been a byword for the burly door staff who remove undesirables from their premises. But Britain's first female exponent of the profession is among a growing number who believe the term should be shown the door - and she prefers the name 'ejection technician'. Delia El-Hosayny, a 57-year-old from the Derby suburb of Chaddesden, began her career in a small pub at the age of 18 and went on to become a bodyguard entrusted with the safety of high-profile figures like darts player Phil Taylor and the comedian Freddie Starr. But El-Hosayny, who said she had witnessed many changes in the security industry in the three decades before her retirement in 2018, never referred to herself as a bouncer - a word that she believes calls to mind the image of 'a gorilla with huge arms'. 'It is an outdated word, said Baily. 'People still use it, but it doesnt describe the job well. It gives people the wrong impression. 'I never used to call myself a bouncer. I used to say that I was an ejection technician. It sounded better. 'It goes back to the days of it being a mans world, like when I first started. 'Bouncer means that, if there is a fight, the doorman would take you outside and bounce you to the floor. It wasnt very nice. Those times are gone. 'If they get rid of that word it will be better publicity for the job. People assume bouncers are thugs. Delia El-Hosayny, 57, who is believed to have been Britain's first ever female bouncer, called time on her career in 2018 after three decades in the profession El-Hosayny rose through the ranks to become a bodyguard to stars like Freddie Starr, with whom she is seen here. She disliked the term bouncer, preferring 'ejection technician' 'Bouncer means that, if there is a fight, the doorman would take you outside and bounce you to the floor. It wasnt very nice. Those times are gone,' says El-Hosayny 'When people say bouncer, I imagine someone standing outside looking like a gorilla in a black suit with really big arms, ready to jump on you.' That view is shared by Heather Baily, head of the government-sponsored Security Industry Authority, the agency responsible for regulating Britain's private security profession. Baily recently made headlines after suggesting the term belongs to a bygone era, one that existed before 11 per cent of the SIA's 450-000-strong workforce consisted of women. 'It goes back to times before regulation, before the SIA,' Baily told the Times last week, adding that bouncer is a 'macho' term that 'brings connotations of a large, muscular man'. 'It doesnt reflect the professionalism that todays licensed operatives bring.' Baily said she had canvassed opinion among female staff at the SIA, who agreed a shift of terminology was in order. 'Ive asked female licence holders how they feel about that term, and they dont like it,' she said. A job title with which they feel comfortable is probably the least that staff working in the industry deserve. In January, a model who attacked a fellow clubber, three police officers and two bouncers on a night out in Hanley was handed a hefty fine and a community order - and that is the thin end of the wedge. El-Hosayny said she was insulted, stabbed, bottled, and even shot at over the course of her 30-year career. She also revealed that she was discriminated against because of her gender, with some men refusing to work with her when she became a security manager. Yet she is proud of the legacy she has created. 'I think it is brilliant,' said El-Hosayny. 'There are loads of women in Derby now who work the security industry. 'I am stocky, but I am only 5ft 3in. If I can do it, then other women can too. 'Things have changed. When I first started, there was no such thing as the SIA. If you could fight and look after yourself, then you had a job. 'The term bouncer doesnt suit the future of the security industry. The generation now that are growing up call it door security.' A migrant has died this morning while trying to cross the English Channel. French authorities launched a rescue operation off the coast of Hardelot, around 25 miles southeast of Calais, after at least one vessel got into difficulty. The French coastguard said it had responded to reports of two people in the Channel, later confirming that one has since died. While no British ships were sent out to assist in the rescue operation, officials are reportedly monitoring the ongoing situation. Today was the first day warm weather and calm seas were seen on the Channel in eight days. The Home Office calls these 'red days', as they tend to correlate with a spike in illegal boat crossings from France. The Sun reported that a warm spell earlier this month saw 10 straight days of small boat journeys that saw 2,339 migrants arrive in the UK. With this spike of small boat arrivals comes an increased risk of danger, as smuggling gangs pack more and more people onto them, often without life jackets. Last year, nearly 37,000 migrants managed to make their way to the UK on small boats. Two years prior, nearly 46,000 migrants were smuggled into Britain. More than 150,000 migrants have crossed the Channel into the UK since 2018. A migrant has died this morning while trying to cross the English Channel A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard a Border Force vessel following a small boat incident in the Channel on March 10 2025 So far, over 4,000 migrants have made the dangerous crossing into the UK this year, with numbers and rates expected to rise as the weather gets warmer in the spring and summer. This morning's tragedy comes weeks after an inquiry heard that 27 migrants died trying to enter the UK after Border Force allegedly rescued the wrong boat. Around 33 people are believed to have been on board an inflatable dinghy which sank in the early hours of November 24, 2021 - killing at least 27 of its passengers including men, women and children. It is said to be the deadliest-ever English Channel crossing on record. When the group of migrants - who left Dunkirk, France at 10pm the previous night - realised their boat was sinking at 1.30am, Mubin Rizghar Hussein, 16, rang Border Force for help and said 'everything was finished' in a 'harrowing' call. After having not been rescued in an hour, the 16-year-old called again and was this time told him to stop calling as help was on the way. However, instead of Border Force getting to the boat in question, it was another migrant boat that they subsequently rescued. The sea enforcement initially marked the incident as 'closed' before the only two remaining survivors were rescued 12 hours later. So far, over 4,000 migrants have made the dangerous crossing into the UK this year More than 150,000 migrants have crossed the Channel into the UK since 2018 Rory Phillips KC led the first full hearing and described it as a 'terrible human tragedy', and said how the migrants had been encouraged to make the crossing by a criminal gang. On March 7, a 64-year-old Kuwaiti man became the eldest person to die crossing the Channel on a small boat since the journeys started. He was declared dead on the beach by a team of French paramedics. The disaster unfolded close to the French coast at Marck, near Calais, at around 7am that day. He has suffered a heart attack in the boat, said the source, who said he had no details about the second victim. When the corpses were taken off, some of the others on the boat also got off, and were seen running into dunes, said the source. Others decided to get back on the dinghy, which continued on its voyage to England. Conditions were good in the Channel, with bright sunshine and a calm sea, suggesting that the Kuwaiti man may have suffered a heart attack because of over-crowding. Most of the flimsy dinghies used in such crossings are designed for 12 people maximum. A politician had his children's 40,000 UK private school fees paid for him by his brother-in-law in a breach of sanctions against Russians living in the UK, a court has heard. Dmitrii Ovsiannikov, 48, accepted the cash from Alexei Owsjanikow, 46, and his wife paid him another 76,000, it is claimed. He used 54,500 of that money to buy a new Mercedes Benz GLC 300. Ovsiannikov was an 'important political figure' in Russia and was the acting governor of Sevastapol in occupied Crimea between 2017 and 2018 after being appointed to the role by Vladimir Putin in 2016. On February 6 2023 he set up an illegal Halifax bank account using an online form, Southwark crown court heard. Between February 8 and February 24, Ovsiannikov received 76,000 in illicit payments into the account from his wife, prosecutors say. Three individual payments of 25,000 were made so he could buy the car, it is claimed. Regulations were also broken a year later when his brother in law made payments of 23,913 and 17,114.24 to cover private school fees for Ovsiannikov's children. Ekaterina Ovsiannikova (left) and Alexei Owsjanikow, 46, (right) are accused of working to circumvent sanctions on a designated person Dmitrii Ovsiannikov, 48, received 76,000 in illicit payments into a bank account account from his wife, prosecutors say, as well as further money for school fees The money was sent to the exclusive Royal Russell School in Surrey, which has prevoiusly been attended by actors Martin Clunes and Naoko Mori and Conservative MP Mims Davies. Wearing a navy-blue blazer jacket, Ovsiannikov appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday for the first day of the trial. He denies seven counts of circumventing, enabling or facilitating the contravention of financial prohibitions, possession of criminal property and using criminal property. His wife Ekaterina Owsjanikow, 46, who was aided in court with an interpreter, denies four counts of circumventing, enabling or facilitating the contravention of financial prohibitions, possession of criminal property and using criminal property. Alexei Owsjanikow denies five counts of circumventing, enabling or facilitating the contravention of financial prohibitions, possession of criminal property and using criminal property. Prosecutor Paul Jarvis told jurors: 'The Russian Regulations contain a number of prohibitions that are intended to restrict the access that designated persons have to financial resources and to prevent people lending financial help to designated persons. 'A breach of those prohibitions is a criminal offence. 'The prosecution say that from the beginning of February 2023, the defendants, at various times in various ways, contravened regulation 19 by engaging in activity for the purpose of helping Dmitrii in a way that was prohibited under the Russian Regulations. Ovsiannikov (right) was an 'important political figure' in Russia and was the acting governor of Sevastapol in occupied Crimea between 2017 and 2018 after being appointed to the role by Vladimir Putin (left) Wearing a navy-blue blazer jacket, Ovsiannikov appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday for the first day of the trial Some of the money was sent to the exclusive Royal Russell School (pictured) in Surrey, which has prevoiusly been attended by actors Martin Clunes and Naoko Mori and Conservative MP Mims Davies 'At the end of this trial the issue for you, then, will be what these defendants knew and understood about Dmitrii's status as a designated person in the UK.' The prosecutor said that the two brothers were born in Russia to a Russian mother and a father born in Bradford in 1950. Jurors heard that Ovsiannikov married Ms Owsjanikow in Russia and they share four children - two of whom studied at British universities. Mr Jarvis explained that Mr Ovsiannikov was a high-ranking former Russian politician and former Putin-appointed governor of Sevastapol in occupied Crimea. He said he later worked as the Deputy Minister for Industry and Trade in the Russian Federation. The prosecutor told the court: 'The important thing for you to note from this is that from 21 November 2017 to the present day, Dmitrii has been a designated person in the UK.' He added that in February 2023, 'husband and wife (were) working together to circumvent restrictions Dmitrii was under' when she made three payments of 25,000 into his UK bank account. Mr Ovsiannikov put down a 500 deposit down for a Mercedes Benz using money from the account, Mr Jarvis added. 'The prosecution say Dmitrii knew or suspected that those funds were transferred to him in breach of the UK sanctions regime.' Another alleged breach involved his brother completing the purchase of the Mercedes after Mr Ovsiannikov ran into difficulties, he told the jury. Mr Owsjanikow also left his brother a debit card for him to 'make purchases from Ginger Pig and wine shop Bottle Apostle, being shops in and around Clapham and Balham.' The final counts concerned two 'significant' payments made to a private school in Surrey by Mr Owsjanikow on behalf of his brother and sister-in-law, the prosecutor said. The prosecutor said said any claims of ignorance on behalf of the three-defendants as to the sanctions were 'simply unbelievable.' The EU made Ovsiannikov a designated person under its sanctions legislation on November 21 2017, meaning he was also a designated person in the UK as the country was still in the EU. He resigned from his role in Crimea in July 2019 before taking a role in Russian government. He applied for a UK passport in August 2022. All three defendants deny all the charges against them. The trial continues. A wife has won more than 90,000 after her husband withheld her pay when she divorced him - and even reported her to the police for 'fraud'. Ghada Al-Naimi, 58, won the huge payout after her successful businessman husband Ahmad Al-Naimi, 66, became 'angry' and 'resentful' during their split. Mr Al-Naimi, who owns a luxury design and construction company, was 'angry' that he had to start paying Mrs Al-Naimi maintenance payments as well as her wages. He halved her salary, withheld her pay, subjected her to an 'excessive' suspension, and made 'unfounded' threats of gross misconduct and redundancy, an employment tribunal heard. Mrs Al-Naimi, an admin worker for his firm, said he was 'starving' his own children because she could not afford to 'put food on the table'. Her husband even 'oppressively' reported her to the police for fraud when he learned she was using funds to refurbish a house after they separated, a hearing was told. Now, Mrs Al-Naimi has been awarded 90,732 in compensation after successfully suing her ex's company for marriage discrimination, unfair and wrongful dismissal, unlawful deductions from wages and unpaid holiday pay. The tribunal in Croydon, south London, heard she began working for Mr Al-Naimi's company, Buildmaster Construction Services, in 2002 and carried out office admin and HR duties. Ghada Al-Naimi, 58, has won the huge payout for marriage discrimination. Pictured: Employment tribunal building in Croydon The company, in New Malden, Surrey, is a small but 'highly-successful' firm which refurbishes properties including multi-million pound developments. It was heard that in October 2021, when Mrs Al-Naimi resumed divorce proceedings, her wages were cut from 2,400 per month to 1,050 per month. In August 2022, a family court ruled in her favour and ordered Mr Al-Naimi to start paying her maintenance costs. It was heard that Mr Al-Naimi took issue with having to 'pay her twice' - once through maintenance and once through her wage bill. He claimed he was paying out the equivalent of 11,000 a month to cover various payments and 'believed that it was reasonable to look at the payments made to her in the round and not therefore to give her full wages'. He also blamed the Covid-19 pandemic for an 'economic downturn'. The employment tribunal heard that Mrs Al-Naimi repeatedly had her wages paid late. '[Mrs Al-Naimi's] immediate response was that was not good enough', the tribunal heard. 'She was being put into a dangerous situation. '[Mr Al-Naimi's] actions were starving her and his children and depriving them of even the most basic life necessities. 'Because of this conduct she did not know how to put food on the table. '[Mrs Al-Naimi] explained in answer to questions that she relied on her wages to meet household bills and to pay for food. 'She had been very unhappy about the reduction in her salary down to a thousand pounds a month, but that was better than nothing. 'To go from that to no money at all was extremely difficult.' She said she received a 'constant barrage of unreasonable emails' from her husband and for two years experienced a 'persistent barrage of bullying'. Mr Al-Naimi, who owns a design and construction company, was 'angry' he had to start paying Mrs Al-Naimi maintenance payments as well as her wages following a divorce (stock photo) Mr Al-Naimi claimed she was committing fraud when he discovered she had been renovating a home they both owned and using a company Barclays card. The tribunal heard: 'On February 4, 2023 [Mr Al-Naimi] wrote to the Metropolitan police. 'In this letter [Mr Al-Naimi] raised complaints about what he described as theft of monies from both his business account and his personal account. '[Mr Al-Naimi] did not explain that [Mrs Al-Naimi] had previously been authorised by him to make payments in the way that he now characterised as fraud. 'He did not specify that he had ever revoked [her] permission to use company cards or to put money through the business. 'We find that he is still pursuing serious allegations against [her], in relation to employment aspects for matters that had previously been agreed between the couple as appropriate because he was hurt and resentful about her obtaining monies from him as he saw it in multiple ways. '[Mrs Al-Naimi] was contacted by the police on 10 May 2023 to organise a voluntary interview... 'On her account this caused her a great deal of shock requiring her to be prescribed medication to aid with anxiety brought on by the event. 'The police found no cause for further action and the case was dropped. '[Mrs Al-Naimi's] evidence the police told her they would not investigate the complaint were it not for [Mr Al-Naimi's] constant insistence that she be investigated. 'We find that the complaint to the police was motivated by his anger and distress over the financial impact of the divorce on him, namely that he had to pay maintenance.' Mrs Al-Naimi was given an 'excessive' suspension, her grievances were not dealt with, and she eventually resigned after another late payment. Employment Judge Fiona McLaren said it was 'clear Mr Al-Naimi continues to fail to understand the separation between employment relationship and a spousal relationship, he sees it as a whole'. Judge McLaren said the 'insulting' police report claim was not made in time so could not succeed and found him guilty of marriage discrimination. She said: 'We have found that [Mrs Al-Naimi] was subjected to all the other matters set out... because [Mr Al-Naimi] was angered by the fact that she had obtained maintenance payments from him. 'It was not because of the breakdown of the relationship per se, or because of the amount of money that he was paying her, but the fact that he had to effectively, as he saw it, pay her twice, once through the Family Court maintenance orders and the second as an employee.' Evil teen gunman Nicholas Prosper has been jailed for 49 years for murdering his family and trying to slaughter 30 children in a failed bid to become Britain's worst mass killer. Sadistic Prosper had been on a bloodthirsty mission to commit the 'biggest massacre in the 21st century' after exploiting a terrifying loophole in gun laws to buy a shotgun and 100 cartridges. It comes as chilling new video today revealed the moment the ruthless teenager was caught with his hands covered in blood when he was arrested by police hours after slaughtering his family. The school dropout launched his rampage on September 13 last year, blasting his mother, Juliana Falcon, 48, and siblings Kyle Prosper, 16, and Giselle Prosper, 13, in the head at their Luton home before setting off for the school intending to 'kill all'. The gunman, who was 18 at the time, fantasised about shooting a classroom of 30 children aged four and five and their teachers, by bursting into the assembly at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School at 9am. Judge Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb told Prosper he intended to become known as one of the world's 'worst school shooters'. Jailing the 'remorseless' triple killer for life, with a minimum term of 49 years, the judge told him: 'You intended to unleash disaster on the community of Luton. Your plans were intelligent, calculating and selfish. 'Your ambition was notoriety. You wanted to be known posthumously as the world's most famous school shooter of the 21st century. 'The lives of your own mother and younger brother and sister were to be collateral damage on the way to fulfil your ambition.' Prosper sat with his head in his hands as he was sentenced and appeared emotionless throughout. He refused to stand as he was jailed. Although the judge dismissed issuing a whole life order, she warned the callous killer he 'may be too dangerous to ever be released'. Teenage triple killer Nicholas Prosper menacingly poses with the plank of wood as though it is a firearm shortly before he went to use a shotgun to murder his family and try to kill 30 children This is the moment Prosper was arrested by police before he could launch his school massacre The killer teen is cuffed by officers, after being found less than a mile from his old school. Spots of blood are still on his hands 'Words such as heartless and brutal are insufficient to describe the horror of the last moments of those closest to you,' the judge told him. She added: 'You acted during hours of darkness on people who had been asleep in their own home. A 13-year-old child was shot in the face while hiding under a table, a 16-year-old child was shot in the chest after being stabbed with a knife or knives... before being shot to the head. 'Each victim suffered the anguish of anticipating or being aware of the deaths of others.' She continued: 'There is no suggestion that you didn't understand the law or that killing people was morally wrong - you just didn't care.' The twisted triple killer was 'prevented by chance and circumstance alone' from gunning down dozens of children when a passing police car stopped to investigate after spotting him by the roadside holding a bloodied fist aloft in a kind of salute. Dressed in a yellow and black tracksuit reminiscent of Uma Thurman's trained assassin in the movie Kill Bill, Prosper was less than a mile from the school when he was spotted by two officers at 7.50am. Just hours earlier, the same officers had stood guard at the scene where the twisted teen had shot dead his family at 5am, leaving their bodies face down in a pool of blood next to a book entitled 'How To Kill Your Family' which he left as a sickening joke. In chilling police body worn video of his arrest - released this afternoon - the killer showed no emotion, robotically drawling, 'It's not murder' repeatedly to officers, his voice growing louder as he was cuffed at the roadside. Prosper, seen far left, was spotted by a passing police car (pictured top) hours after he murdered his family Pictured is the moment police officers detained Prosper on his way to murder schoolchildren Startled, one officer could be heard saying: 'I think we have got the offender. We have got a male here, he has presented himself to us.' Minutes earlier, the murderous teen had been caught on CCTV prowling the streets, having spent time hiding in a nearby wood after slaughtering his mother and two younger siblings. Prosper had to be ordered to come to court this morning after initially refusing to attend the second day of his sentencing hearing. The evil killer shot his mother and siblings Giselle and Kyle at the flat the family shared in Luton, Bedfordshire, stabbing his brother more than 100 times. After the carnage, he hid for just more than two hours before flagging down police officers in a nearby street and showing them where he had hidden a loaded shotgun and 33 cartridges near playing fields. The teen, who had been unable to stay in education or hold down a job, had been planning to carry out a mass shooting at his old primary school - which he had attended with his siblings. Nicholas Prosper admitted murdering his family members (pictured left to right) Kyle, Juliana and Giselle. He remained emotionless during the hearing in February Prosper pictured in Luton Crown Court on Tuesday in an artist's impression for the first of his two-day sentencing hearing A forensic psychiatrist said he had 'an extreme lack of empathy and remorse', which were psychopathic tendencies. Prosper managed to forge a gun licence and used it to buy a shotgun and 100 cartridges from a legitimate firearms dealer the day before the murders. Describing 'the horror' that unfolded at his family's flat at 5.50am on Friday the 13th, Mrs Cheema-Grubb said Prosper's mother Juliana had woken first, realising something was 'terribly wrong'. The judge told Prosper: 'She struggled with you before you shot her in the head at very close range in the hallway, you placed a novel with the title "How To Kill Your Family" on her legs.' His sister Giselle, 13, then woke up and Prosper shot her from a distance as she hid under the dining room table. His brother Kyle was trying to hide in the kitchen, grabbing a knife to protect himself. But Prosper pursued him. 'It was an unequal contest,' the judge said. 'You shot him in the chest from a distance, but then, while he was still alive and moving, stabbed and slashed him more than 100 times to his head, face, neck, torso and limbs, while he pleaded with you not to kill him.' Your browser does not support iframes. Kyle then ran to the hallway, where Prosper fatally shot him in the head. During her sentencing remarks, the judge said Prosper 'idolised' the Sandy Hook shooter saying of the triple killer that 'his only wish was to be famous by killing young children'. The court heard that Prosper had joined a 'paedophile Twitter group' to discuss sexual abuse of children before the murders. The judge said deranged murder's case was 'chilling, adding that his aim was to emulate and outdo the US school massacres at Sandy Hook in 2012 and Virginia Tech in 2007, in which 26 and 32 people respectively were killed. His case featured many 'recurrent themes' seen in school shootings, she said, a young male perpetrator who chose a 'uniform' for the killings, had a sexual interest in children, withdrew into an online world and showed a lack of empathy towards victims. The judge said on his arrest, Prosper was 'inappropriately cheerful' asking officers if the local schools had been 'placed in lockdown'. She told Prosper: 'You did not hate your mother, or your siblings, you had a good life with them.' She went on: 'You wanted to cause the biggest massacre in the 21st century, as there had not been one. 'Your mother waking up had triggered your actions.. you wish you had killed more.' The teen gunman is seen here during his interview with detectives following the murder of his mother, and younger siblings The smirking wannabe school shooter was caught on camera after purchasing his shotgun After the hearing, Bedfordshire Police described Prosper as 'truly evil'. Detective Chief Inspector Sam Khanna said: 'In my entire policing career, which has included many years spent investigating murders, I have never encountered anyone capable of such horrific acts whilst showing no remorse. 'I have been utterly shocked and appalled by the actions and plans of the offender in this case and am pleased that this truly evil individual will now be serving a significant proportion of his life behind bars.' Assistant Chief Constable John Murphy added: 'Everyone at Bedfordshire Police is utterly shocked and appalled by the sickening actions of this individual and we are pleased he is now facing a significant time in jail. 'This was a lone individual whose plans were fortunately disrupted. I would like to pay tribute to the bravery of his family, the neighbour who called police, our officers who apprehended him, and all who have worked tirelessly to secure the compelling evidence which ensured he was brought to justice. 'I know this does not take away from the sheer horror of the incident and his sickening plans to target school children. I do not underestimate the impact on the staff, parents and carers of pupils at schools across the country, but particularly those associated with St Joseph's School.' Prosper is seen prowling the street at 6.56am having murdered his family an hour earlier DCI Khanna said his thoughts today were 'first and foremost' with Juliana, Kyle and Giselle. 'They should be who we remember, their names who we say rather than the person who carried out these despicable murders and who intended to carry out an unimaginable level of harm to innocent school children,' he added. Speaking during the hearing in Luton, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb told Prosper: 'You are intellectually capable to understanding the impact of your actions on others.' She said he had 'made a serious of choices' to put his own desire to be famous before the lives of others. 'Your intentions were not immature fantasy,' she said. Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said she had been 'troubled by this serious case', but had decided that a whole life order should not be imposed. She added she wanted to express the court's condolences to the family. Prosper, left, is spotted by this passing police car on his way to slaughter dozens of children Prosper, seen in the white shirt, was filmed on CCTV purchasing the shotgun he used to murder his family less than a day later Prosper was able to purchase a shotgun with ease simply by copying real certificates he found online. He discovered that lethal weapons can be traded privately without any official checks if the buyer is able to produce a genuine-looking paper firearms certificate to the seller. Under the current law, sellers have to notify police within seven days about the sale of a weapon. But they don't have to check with police whether the buyer's firearms certificate is genuine before the purchase, creating a loophole whereby the new owner has a window to carry out an attack before anyone discovers the fake. Downing Street today said the Government is 'urgently looking' at how controls can be tightened in the private sale of firearms. Asked whether the Prime Minister would look to tightening gun laws in the wake of the case, his official spokesman said: 'Firstly, it's the most appalling crime.' Number 10 thanked police involved on the day for 'acting quickly to stop the perpetrator carrying out the full extent of his awful plans'. The spokesman continued: 'Thoughts remain with those who lost their lives in the wider community that will be affected by this. 'The case has exposed some deep and long-standing weaknesses in the private sale of firearms and we are urgently looking at how we can tighten these controls.' Pictured is the shotgun used by Prosper to murder his mother, sister and brother Police found Prosper's shotgun hidden in a bush about 200m from where he was caught Jailing the 'remorseless' killer for life with a minimum term of 48 years, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb told Prosper he intended to 'unleash destruction' on a community to become known as one of the world's 'worst school shooters'. Prosper, now 19, downloaded a blank firearms certificate and used a website which allows you to amend pictures so he could create his own fake. He was so proud of the forgery that when he was arrested, he couldn't resist bragging to officers: 'My name is Nicholas Prosper; you saw my fake shotgun certificate in my room in the 82 flat? Did you see the fake shotgun certificate I made?' On August 30 last year Prosper contacted a gun owner on a trading website called Gun Star, offering him 600 150 over the 450 asking price for the shotgun, claiming it was for clay pigeon shooting. Luton Crown Court was shown CCTV of the handover in a car park outside Prosper's home on September 12 where he produced the cash after inspecting the gun in a car boot. Less than 24 hours later he would begin his shooting spree after staying up all night poring over sickening images of mass murder and school shootings. Yesterday he smirked in the dock as the court heard how he later confessed in prison that he 'wanted to cause the biggest massacre in the 21st century', whispering to a horrified nurse: 'I wish I had killed more.' Prosecutor Timothy Cray, KC, said on Tuesday: 'What drove him on most was the desire to be famous or infamous as a mass killer. This was killing for the sake of killing. 'The killing of his family was to be the first step in an even more shocking mass killing. 'Specifically, he wanted to imitate and even surpass other mass killers around the world.' Prosper was bent on killing more children than the Sandy Hook school shooting in Connecticut, US, in 2012, when 20 died. In a chilling foreshadowing of the horrors that were to come, Prosper, wearing his distinctive yellow bucket hat, filmed himself pretending a piece of wood was a shotgun He spent a year researching local schools, carrying out surveillance on St Joseph's, capturing images of staff and pupils, checking assembly and lesson times and sketching class layouts. He carefully assembled a 'killing costume' and spent months poring over 'images and audios that showed deep alienation from normal life and interest in the darkest sides of humanity, including people being killed or seriously injured and violent video games'. Police found a diagram of the early years' classroom at St Joseph's in which Prosper had written 'Kill all'. He had recorded videos of him practising the shooting with a piece of wood in his family kitchen and he uploaded a clip promising to shoot his sister an hour after the murders. He claimed he planned to kill his family in their sleep before raping his sister, stating: 'Why so early? So I'd have time to cannibalise my family, and rape a woman at knife point before the shooting. 'Why? Because I could.' But his mother woke up, forcing him to carry out his plan earlier than intended. In a sign of his warped mentality, a few days after gunning down his family, Prosper told prison nurse Tatenda Muketiwa: 'I wish I had killed more.' Yesterday Prosper's father Raymond said in a victim impact statement that 'part of my soul died' on the day of the killings. 'The pain of our loss will never be healed. This includes my whole family; our lives will never be the same,' Mr Prosper told the court on Tuesday. 'For me personally, when I heard the horrific news on that day, part of my soul died too. 'This is a lose-lose situation for us all and we have lost four family members.' During their investigation, police uncovered Prosper's sickening obsession with death, with the evil teen having spent his time trawling the internet for chilling slaughter videos. His disturbed ramblings online were so depraved that he was kicked off a gore website where millions of users share and comment on videos of people being killed because of his warped stance on child abuse. The wannabe school shooter's content was uploaded under a pseudonym and featured his distinctive accent. His videos have been deleted from YouTube in the wake of his appalling crimes, although the Mail has been able to view them. They include a clip recorded hours before the massacre, believed to be filmed in his family's flat in Luton, in which Prosper vowed to mutilate the face of his sister 'further than necessary' for making an incorrect choice' in the Walking Dead game. In the video, the 19-year-old also ranted that he was 'chosen' to protect a fictional character called Clementine in the zombie survival game, in a sign he struggled to differentiate between the real world and make-believe. Prosper peppered online forums with his repulsive ideas, many relating to children and including the sexual abuse of dead bodies. His rants were so revolting he was banned from a gore website for repeatedly 'sexualising minors'. Prosper said he was 'chosen' to protect a fictional character called Clementine in zombie video game The Walking Dead, in a sign he struggled to differentiate between the real world and make-believe One moderator told the Mail: 'There were multiple comments by him either in support of or arguing for child-adult sexual interactions that made it clear this was not in jest or a careless attempt to play devil's advocate. 'We do not know what sort of person Mr Prosper was, other than someone unwilling or incapable of following our site's rules and therefore someone we would not allow on our platform.' In another video, Prosper sarcastically suggested that child sexual abuse was blamed for 'virtually every mental disorder and issue'. Apologising for his 'slurred' speech, the teenager said: 'Who knows, maybe in a few years we'll see Aids, rectal cancer, increased chance of stubbing your toe, every single problem you face in life is because you touched a winky [penis] when you were six.' While caged in prison, awaiting his first court hearing, Prosper wrote out his murder plan and stashed it in his shoe. The chilling document was later found by a prison officer on November 13 - two months after the teen's rampage. Part of the notes read: 'I was right in predicting no-one would've called the police had I killed them in their sleep. 3 shots under 30 seconds. 'The only known phone call to police that day was made by the b**** at the door as a result of my B**** mother waking them up and it being turned into a long struggle. 'My plan wasn't 'stupid'. I was f****** right. MY MOTHER IS A STUPID F****** COW.' The notes continued: 'But why so early? So I'd have time to cannibalise my family, and rape a woman at knife point before the shooting.' Police were called to the high-rise block in Luton, following reports that shots had been fired There was also a step-by-step guide to the planned school shooting, including Prosper leaving the flat at 8.40am on his mother's bike and arriving at the school for 9am. The guide said he would 'shout that this is a robbery and for everyone to get down' before shooting the two teachers and killing the children. Defending, David Bentley, KC, said Prosper was not a psychopath, but a 'socially impaired' teenager with 'autistic traits'. He said: 'He is a young man who has gone down effectively an internet wormhole.' Grinning, the killer rocked back and forth as his lawyer called his actions 'incomprehensible'. Prosper admitted the murders at an earlier hearing, as well as possession of a shotgun with intent to endanger life. A defiant Volodymyr Zelensky vowed to 'win this war' after accusing Vladimir Putin of breaking his own ceasefire proposals with deadly strikes just hours after the Kremlin agreed to halt its attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. In a press conference with President Stubb of Finland in Helsinki today, the Ukrainian president said: 'We're fighting for our sovereignty and our independence we'll win this war.' Zelensky drew clear red lines for peace, insisting that his nation would not accept territorial losses as part of a peace deal, and that the return of 'thousands' of prisoners held in Russia was 'unconditional'. He also revealed that he will speak with Donald Trump later today to discuss the upcoming peace talks in Saudi Arabia. It is believed to be the first time the pair will have spoken since the disastrous clash at the White House late last month. 'Today I will have contacts with President Trump and we will discuss the next steps,' he said in the Finnish capital today. The talks come at a sensitive time, with Ukraine accusing Russia of having attacked energy infrastructure just hours after agreeing to a partial ceasefire. While the Kremlin declined to sign up to a month-long ceasefire plan hashed out between Trump administration officials and Ukrainian representatives in Saudi Arabia, it did agree to stop attacks on crucial infrastructure. Volodymyr Zelensky at today's press conference at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki Devastation in Sumy, Ukraine on March 19 after Russian troops launched seven strikes on a medical facility in the Krasnopil community Donald Trump gestures stands at the presidential box at the Kennedy Center, in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 17, 2025 Speaking publicly for the first time since the call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin yesterday, Zelensky claimed Russia had hit Ukrainian energy infrastructure last night despite Putin's pledge to avoid such targets for a month. Both sides today accused each other of launching air attacks that damaged infrastructure claimed to be exempt under the terms of the agreement. Zelensky said that Ukraine could supply a list of its facilities in order for an agreement to be properly implemented, while urging that the U.S. oversee the ceasefire. While Ukraine has sought to show it is acting in good faith in supporting U.S. efforts to mediate a ceasefire, Russia today accused the other side of using drones to attack an oil depot near Kavkazskaya village, sparking a fire. 'It is absolutely clear that this is another provocation specially prepared by the Kyiv regime, aimed at disrupting the peace initiatives of the US president,' the defence ministry said. The ministry acknowledged firing missiles at Ukrainian energy facilities in Mykolaiv region, but said they were already in flight when Putin gave the order to cease fire. It said Russian air defences were employed to shoot down their own missiles. 'Putin's words are very different from reality,' Zelensky hit back. Ahead of his call with Donald Trump today, Zelensky insisted that Washington should take a lead role in overseeing any agreement leading to a halt in Russian and Ukrainian attacks on energy infrastructure. 'The United States should be the main controlling entity,' Zelensky said. 'If the Russians don't hit our targets, we will definitely not hit their targets.' Vladimir Putin speaks during the plenary session of Russia Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, March 18, 2025 Ukrainian service personnel use searchlights as they search for drones in the sky over the city during a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine March 18, 2025 Natalia, 51, a mother of three, serving as a combat medic in the 24th Mechanized Brigade takes part in a field training exercise in an undisclosed location in eastern Ukraine, on March 18, 2025 fighter of the Chechen Akhmat battalion walks past destroyed houses in the village of Kazachya Loknya, which was previously held by Ukrainian troops, on March 18 Putin told Trump earlier that for a full ceasefire to work, Ukraine must not be allowed to rearm and must halt mandatory mobilisation. The Kremlin also insisted that a full ceasefire would be dependent on a 'complete cessation' of Western military and intelligence support to Ukraine's military. The Kremlin's readout of the call stated that Putin emphasised the need to address the 'root causes' of the war, which officials have attributed to perceived NATO expansion near its borders. There was no mention of the support Russia has received from North Korea, Iran and China. Ukraine, with recent memory of Russia invading after agreeing to give up weapons, warns that such a deal would leave the country vulnerable to further Russian attacks. Ahead of his last meeting with Trump, Zelensky provided a list of 25 times Russia had violated ceasefires since the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014. A lack of security guarantees from partner may also deter international investment in Ukraine, leaving the country struggling to rebuild its economy as Russia is welcomed back into international markets. This could prime Russia for another invasion. 'I do not believe that we should make any concessions in terms of assistance for Ukraine, but rather there should be an increase in assistance for Ukraine,' Zelensky said during the press conference today. According to the Telegraph, the UK will keep giving military aid to Ukraine despite Putin's demands. This handout photograph taken and released by the State Emergency Service of Ukraine on March 19, 2025, shows destroyed building following a Russian strike in the Bucha district of Kyiv region Finland's President Alexander Stubb (R) and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) hold a joint press conference following their talks during the latter's official visit to Helsinki, Mar 19 Volodymyr Zelensky (R) and Ukraine's First Lady Olena Zelenska (L) attend a welcome ceremony during their official visit to Helsinki, Finland, 19 March View shows damaged private houses and car at a site of a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the town of Hostomel, Kyiv region, Ukraine March 19, 2025 The EU also said this morning it would continue sending aid to the embattled nation, assessing - in line with Ukraine's judgement - that Russia was not ready to make any concessions. 'If you read the two readouts from the call, it is clear that ... Russia does not really want to make any kind of concessions,' Kaja Kallas, the European Union's top diplomat, told reporters earlier today. 'They are not ready to end this war, and we can see that,' Zelensky said. Within hours of the partial ceasefire's announcement last night, explosions and air raid sirens sounded across Ukraine. Zelensky said 'there have been hits, specifically on civilian infrastructure'. 'It is these types of nighttime attacks by Russia that destroy our energy sector, our infrastructure, and the normal life of Ukrainians,' he added. The Kremlin mirrored Zelensky's comments, claiming that overnight attacks on Russian energy infrastructure showed a lack of will to reach a deal. It said it viewed Ukraine's behaviour as attempted 'sabotage' of the agreement. Both sides have said they are keen to end the three-year conflict, subject to certain conditions being met. Ukraine continues to seek NATO accession, with Zelensky today saying his country would make the bloc stronger overall. Ukraine has one of the 'strongest' armies in modern warfare, he added. Russia has demanded Ukrainian neutrality. The Trump administration has conceded this point, saying it does not support NATO membership for Ukraine. But European allies have suggested Ukraine could one day join the bloc. View of a strike on a hospital, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Krasnopillia, Sumy Region, Ukraine in this handout picture released on March 19, 2025 View shows damaged private houses at a site of a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the town of Hostomel, Kyiv region, Ukraine March 19, 2025 Russian soldiers walk past destroyed houses in the village of Kazachya Loknya, which was previously held by Ukrainian troops and recently retaken by Russia's armed forces, Mar 18 A Ukrainian soldier from a sniper unit prepares to fire at a shooting range in Kharkiv region, Ukraine, on March 18, 2025. With Zelensky and Putin hoping to court Trump into offering favourable terms, the Kremlin insisted that the Russian and American presidents 'trust each other' and want to normalise ties. Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russia would agree to precise dates for future talks with the U.S. in the coming days. With negotiations ongoing, Russia appears to have the upper hand in its own province of Kursk, where Ukrainian forces have been battling since a shock incursion in August last year. Zelensky assured his troops would continue fighting in the region 'as long as we need'. The Kremlin also said yesterday it had pushed back an attempted Ukrainian ground assault on the Belgorod region, painting it as an effort to undermine the talks between Trump and Putin. Police Scotland has been accused of misleading a parliamentary inquiry over allowing rapists to self-identify as women. Chief Constable Jo Farrell said last year that the public and MSPs should be assured that a man who commits rape or serious sexual assault will always be recorded as male. Now it has emerged that this stance - which campaigners said was a major policy U-turn - was not communicated to officers. Murray Blackburn Mackenzie (MBM), the gender-critical think tank, said this suggests that Police Scotland has repeatedly misled a parliamentary inquiry. The controversy over the Police Scotland approach came in the wake of high-profile cases including that of Adam Graham, who began identifying as Isla Bryson while waiting to stand trial accused of two rapes. Bryson was convicted of rape in February 2023 and jailed for eight years, initially being sent to the all-female Cornton Vale prison outside Stirling, before being transferred after the case sparked public uproar. The rapist is now being held in an all-male prison. In 2021, MBM lodged a petition at Holyrood urging the Scottish Government to require Police Scotland to accurately record the sex of people charged or convicted of rape or attempted rape which is still being considered. Chief Constable Jo Farrell said last year that people should be 'assured' a man who commits rape would always be recorded as a male MBM said the behaviour of Police Scotland in response to a simple question - could a rapist ever be recorded as a woman, because he tells the police that he identifies as one? - was extraordinary. It said: The national force, having previously said the answer to this is yes, is now saying no. This implies that Police Scotland has repeatedly misled a parliamentary inquiry over the past four years. The under-fire force had previously sparked outrage when it told the Scottish parliaments petitions committee that the sex or gender identification of anyone who comes into contact with the force would be based on how they present or how they self-declare. In an apparent U-turn in September last year, Ms Farrell said it is absolutely pertinent and relevant that the person who allegedly has committed that crime [rape] is going to be a man. This position was later confirmed by the Chief Constable in a lengthy statement to the Scottish Police Authority, stating: To be clear a male rapist cannot demand to be called a woman and further traumatise his victim this would not happen. To my knowledge, this has never happened. You can be assured that a man who commits rape or serious sexual assaults will be recorded by Police Scotland as a male. In September 2024, Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs reiterated this position in writing to the parliaments criminal justice committee. Now Police Scotland has confirmed in a response to a question from MBM under freedom of information laws that it has not adopted any change in policy; we still refer to a positional statement from 2019. The position states police require no evidence or certification as proof of biological sex or gender identity other than a persons self-declaration. Police Scotland previously told MSPs that allowing people to self-identify their gender was consistent with the values of the organisation and the values of respect, integrity, fairness and human rights whilst promoting a strong sense of belonging. Scottish Tory equalities spokesman Tess White said: After repeated changes in position, the public will want Police Scotland to provide urgent clarity on their policy. The forces mixed messages are totally unacceptable and risk criminals exploiting this uncertainty for their own gain. Despite the SNPs gender self-ID bill rightly being vetoed by the previous UK Conservative Government, it is clear it has become embedded in Scotlands public bodies. Unnecessary confusion has been created here which risks undermining public confidence in whatever the force ultimately decide is their policy. MBM said it was for the petitions committee to decide how seriously to take evidence that for four years it was given seriously inaccurate responses, requiring it to keep open a petition that could have been swiftly closed. A Scottish parliament spokesman said: The petition is still being considered by the committee and it agreed in October to invite police Scotland to give evidence. It looks forward to hearing from Police Scotland in due course. Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton said: 'We are carrying out a review of sex and gender to ensure that Police Scotlands recording practices are consistent with good practice, comply with equality, human rights and data protection law, and meets its operational requirements. 'We will be engaging with a range of stakeholders, associations and legal experts throughout the course of the review.' An MBM spokesman said: The latest twist in this long-running saga suggests that Police Scotland either gave wrong advice to the public petitions committee, or misinformed the media. As such, we are very surprised that the committee has not sought clarity from Police Scotland, ahead of its planned meeting in September. Crucial information was missing from the JFK assassination files released by the Trump administration on Tuesday, according to an expert. The transcript of the first conversation between president Lyndon Johnson and CIA Director John McCone after the 1963 assassination has still not been released to the public, author James Johnston told USA Today. The document could help answer questions about any possible involvement from Cuba in the Kennedy's killing, since the president had famously tried to use the CIA to kill communist dictator Fidel Castro. McCone has previously been accused of keeping 'incendiary' information from the Warren Commission that probed the assassination, as reported by Politico. The sensitive information revolved around the existence of plots to assassinate Castro, which put the CIA 'in cahoots with the mafia.' Without this information, the Warren Commission never looked at whether Oswald could have had accomplices in Cuba or elsewhere who wanted JFK dead as retaliation for trying to kill Castro. McCone's cover-up was claimed to be 'benign' because he and other top CIA officials wanted the commission to focus on Lee Harvey Oswald, who they truly believed acted as a lone shooter. A still missing document could offer answers into whether Cuba had anything to do with the assassination of president John F Kennedy in 1963 CIA Director John McCone and President Lyndon B. Johnson are seen in the Oval Office in 1965 The files included typewritten reports and handwritten notes spanning decades, including details of a top CIA agent who claimed the deep state was responsible and Lee Harvey Oswald (pictured) being a 'poor shot' More than 63,000 pages of records related to the 1963 assassination of president Kennedy were released Tuesday following an order by President Donald Trump, many without the redactions that had confounded historians for years and helped fuel conspiracy theories. The US National Archives and Records Administration posted to its website roughly 2,200 files containing the documents. They included typewritten reports and handwritten notes spanning decades, including details of a top CIA agent who claimed the deep state was responsible, Oswald being a 'poor shot' and that Secret Service had been warned Kennedy would be killed in August, three months before the murder. The rollout of the files stunned Trump's national security team, who spent 24 hours racing to assess security hazards ahead of publication. When the files were released at around 7pm, it sparked widespread backlash, from liberals claiming it was just a repeat of a similar drop by Joe Biden years ago, to MAGA fans angered that the pages still contained redactions and left questions, leading experts to describe the files as 'impenetrable.' The vast majority of the National Archives collection of over 6 million pages of records, photographs, motion pictures, sound recordings and artifacts related to the assassination have previously been released. President Donald Trump said during a media event at the Kennedy Center that the files were all going to be released on Tuesday Before Tuesday, researchers had estimated that 3,000 to 3,500 files were still unreleased, either wholly or partially. And just last month the FBI said it had discovered about 2,400 new records related to the assassination. Jefferson Morley, vice president of the Mary Ferrell Foundation, a repository for files related to the assassination, said in a statement posted on the social platform X that the release is 'an encouraging start.' He said much of the 'rampant overclassification of trivial information has been eliminated' from the documents. The National Archives said on its website that in accordance with the presidents directive, the release would encompass 'all records previously withheld for classification.' But Morley said what was released Tuesday did not include two-thirds of the promised files, any of the recently discovered FBI files or 500 Internal Revenue Service records. Interest in details related to Kennedys assassination has been intense over the decades, with countless conspiracy theories spawned about multiple shooters and involvement by the Soviet Union and mafia. Your browser does not support iframes. JFK was killed Nov. 22, 1963, on a visit to Dallas, when his motorcade was finishing its parade route downtown and shots rang out from the Texas School Book Depository building. Police arrested 24-year-old Lee Harvey Oswald, who had positioned himself from a snipers perch on the sixth floor. Two days later nightclub owner Jack Ruby fatally shot Oswald during a jail transfer, sparking one the earlier conspiracy theories - that Oswald had been killed to stop him talking about whoever had set him up. A year after the assassination, the Warren Commission, which president Johnson established to investigate, concluded that Oswald acted alone and that there was no evidence of a conspiracy. But that didnt quell a web of alternative theories over the decades. One of the most popular theories asserts there was a second gunman who fired shots at JFK from a now-iconic 'grassy knoll' to the right of his car as it passed by. No definitive proof of that claim has ever been shared. When newsreader Monica Dean Kaiser went in for her first colonoscopy, she expected everything to be routine. The NBC7 anchor, 46, even snapped a smiling photo of herself downing the required fluids before and joked she was looking forward to an anesthesia-induced 'nap'. But before the procedure was over, Kaiser woke up and became aware that something was not right. 'I remember asking in the haze, did you find something? They remarked about polyps and an area of concern. It felt serious. It was sobering,' she wrote for NBC 7. When she finally came around, she was delivered the devastating blow that doctors had found 13 polyps and a 2cm flat malignant appearing mass inside her. It was another agonizing week before she got her cancer diagnosis - just five minutes before she was due to appear on air. Like a true professional, Kaiser delivered the evening news describing how she chose to take comfort in her routine at a time when everything else had been ripped away. But the news had still shaken her to her core and left her panicking over what it could mean for her children, then aged 18, 16 and 13 years old. Monica Dean Kaiser shared this smiley photo of herself prepping for her first colonoscopy by downing liquids, thinking it would be a routine check-up. But she ended up getting diagnosed with cancer Kaiser decided to get checked after reporting on the disease in her job as an anchor at NBC7 in San Diego 'Your mind goes to dark places and you teeter on the brink of panic as questions swirl what if the cancer is everywhere? How much time do I have left? You evaluate everything. You Google search things you probably shouldnt,' she explained. The mom-of-three expected that she would just continue preparing for Thanksgiving as usual, but was instead wrestling with the best way to tell her kids. 'The holiday was joyful but repeatedly interrupted by terrifying uncertainties about what was happening inside my body,' she recalled. 'What if my upcoming scans pulled back the curtain on a situation that was worse than we thought?' Another week passed and Kaiser underwent further scans which revealed the cancer was localized and classed as 'T2' due to the depth it had penetrated her rectum. Kaiser underwent surgery and was given an ileostomy, which is when: ''The end of the ileum (the lowest part of the small intestine) is brought through this opening to form a stoma,' according to the American Cancer Society. The stoma is then used to drain the contents of the stomach into a bag rather than digesting it naturally. 'This medical marvel, while initially difficult to wrap my head around, is providing the lower half of my intestines rest and giving them the best opportunity to fully recover and heal,' she explained back in January. 'I will live with this for at least three months before it is surgically reversed. This situation has beenlets just saydifficult to digest. But her confidence was soon shaken when she was delivered the blow that doctors had found a 2cm malignant mass on her bowel She waited another agonizing week before the cancer diagnosis was confirmed and described her fears about telling her loved ones. Pictured: With husband Kevin But after surgery and an ileostomy to give her a temporary stoma, Kaiser is now cancer free and back on the air 'Its hard to get used to seeing something thats supposed to be on the inside, outside.' Six weeks ago, she shared the update that she is cancer free and on March 3 she returned to broadcasting - but her road to recovery is not over yet. Kaiser only decided to go for her first colonoscopy after being moved by the testimony of several people who had been diagnosed with bowel cancer, including one man who sadly later died. Colorectal cancers are the fourth most common in the US and the second deadliest. The American Cancer Society estimates there will be more than 154,000 cases of colorectal cancers this year. The symptoms include irregular bowel habits, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, fatigue and unexplained weight loss - however Kaiser explained she did not suffer from any of these and her blood work had come back clear. It was her proactive approach that saved her and one that she is eager to share to encourage others to get tested. Ukraine has revealed how it destroyed a Russian frontline position without a single soldier being on the ground, thanks to an all-robot offensive. The attack on a Russian position north of the embattled Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, eastern Ukraine, saw the nation's 13th National Guard Brigade Khartiya launch around 50 unmanned aerial vehicles. The five-hour attack, believed to be the first of its kind, left several Russian corpses in its wake, and has now lead to other Ukrainian units planning similar missions. Lt. Andriy Kopach, who specialises in land drones, told the Wall Street Journal that as the early morning assault began, Ukrainian troops knelt in deep snow to release five unmanned ground vehicles at different spots several miles from the front-line to prevent crossing signals and confusing the robots. These five ground vehicles were mounted with massive machine guns and ammunition belts. Video footage showed the ground vehicles traipsing across snow-covered land near Kharkiv. They were assisted by a swarm of first-person-view (FPV) drones, including one mounted with an assault rifle and many that dropped explosives, as they approached enemy lines. All of this was coordinated from a command post near the frontline. Video footage showed several Ukrainian soldiers sitting in a command post in front of dozens of screens, on which real-time battle information was relayed to them from the swarm of land and air drones at their disposal. One clip appeared to show a mobile land drone driving towards a Russian bunker during the battle and detonating itself. One clip appeared to show a mobile land drone driving towards a Russian bunker during the battle and detonating itself Video footage showed the ground vehicles traipsing across snow-covered land near Kharkiv The drones were coordinated from a command post near the frontlines The Khartiya brigade also revealed it was working on several more specialist land drones, including a mine-planter and what appears to be a mounted and modified claymore-carrier. On the front of the apparent claymore-carrying drone reads ' ' - Russian for 'to the enemy', a close translation of the famous phrase on the mines: 'FRONT TOWARD ENEMY.' Kopach told the newspaper that the attack was an experiment for a potential path to future wars where no human beings have to be on the ground. 'It gave us understanding on how we needed to modify the drones,' he said, adding that they needed to improve the suspension systems. He added that international companies and governments have also reached out to discuss the December attack, which he said highlighted its significance. 'Then I was thinking, yes, it was really massive, really special,' he said. 'It was the first step of the new war.' It comes as Russia and Ukraine accused each other on Wednesday of violating a new agreement to refrain from attacks on energy targets, with scores of drone strikes launched hours after US President Donald Trump spoke by phone to Russia's Vladimir Putin. In the phone call between the U.S. and Russian leaders on Tuesday, Putin rejected a proposed full 30-day ceasefire, which had been sought by Trump and previously accepted by Ukraine. Kopach told the newspaper that the attack was an experiment for a potential path to future wars where no human beings have to be on the ground The ground drones were assisted by a swarm of first-person-view (FPV) drones (pictured) The Khartiya brigade also revealed it was working on several more specialist land drones, including a mine-planter (pictured) On the front of the apparent claymore-carrying drone reads ' ' - Russian for 'to the enemy' Putin said he would agree only to pause attacks on energy infrastructure, a proposal that was swiftly accepted by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, who nevertheless denounced Moscow for rejecting a more comprehensive truce. But even that narrow pause appeared in doubt on Wednesday. Moscow said Ukraine hit an oil pumping station in southern Russia, while Kyiv said Russia had struck hospitals and homes, and knocked out power to some of its railways. Zelensky said on Wednesday that the continued attacks showed Moscow's words were not aligned with its actions, and that Russia was still not ready for peace. He said the United States should be put in charge of monitoring any ceasefire. 'If the Russians will not strike our facilities, then we will definitely not strike theirs,' he said at a briefing in Helsinki alongside the president of Finland. Seven people have been rushed to hospital after a Tesla was wrecked as it ploughed into a lamppost on a busy London street. Footage shows the aftermath of the crash as the mangled white car sits ruined outside a Sainsbury's Local store and pedestrians lie sprawled on the pavement. Bits of black debris are also scattered at the junction of Mile End Road and Harford Street in Stepney Green, east London where the collision took place on Sunday afternoon. Three ambulances, a trauma team and fire engine are understood to have been sent out with two of the injured needing to be urgently taken to a major trauma centre. A London Ambulance Service spokesman said: 'We were called at 5.26pm on Sunday to reports of a road traffic collision in Mile End Road, E1. 'We sent a number of resources to the scene including three ambulance crews. 'We also dispatched a trauma team in a car from London's Air Ambulance. 'The first paramedic arrived in less than seven minutes. The white Tesla was seen crumpled around a lamppost after it crashed in Stepney Green on Sunday afternoon The car left a trail of devastation as it left the road at a set of traffic lights and ploughed into a group of people Video shows people injured in the incident lying on the floor outside the Sainsbury's store 'We treated seven patients at the scene and took them all to hospital. 'Two of these patients were taken to a major trauma centre as a priority.' A London Fire Brigade spokesman added: 'Firefighters were called to a road traffic collision on Sunday. 'One car was in collision with a lamppost and a traffic light. 'One fire engine was in attendance from Shoreditch fire station. 'The Brigade's 999 Control officers received their first call alerting them to the incident at 7.56pm and the incident was over for the brigade by 8.21pm.' The Met Police said: 'We attended a road traffic collision involving a car and multiple pedestrians in Mile End Road, E3 at 17:26hrs on Sunday, 16 March. 'Seven people the driver of the car and six pedestrians were treated at the scene and were later taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Service, where their injuries were deemed non-life-changing or life-threatening. 'No arrests were made and enquiries into the circumstances are ongoing.' Nigel Farage's Reform UK has recorded its highest level of support in a Scottish poll, suggesting it could be on course to win 14 seats at Holyrood next year. A new poll by Survation has the hard right party leapfrogging the Tories in terms of support into third behind the SNP and Labour, after a four-point rise in the constituency vote since January. Transferred into seats the poll, carried out for Quantum Communications, put the SNP on 55, Labour on 19, the Conservatives on 17, and Reform on 14, with the Lib Dems on 13, the Greens on 10 and Alba on one. It comes despite several weeks of infighting in the Westminster arm of the party, which has seen MP Rupert Lowe suspended after he questioned Mr Farage's leadership. Professor Nicola McEwen of Glasgow University said: 'The rise of Reform across the UK has been one of the key features of polling in the last year. 'Until now, Scotland had seemed to buck the trend, but this poll puts Reform UK at its highest share of the vote in Scotland to date. 'The poll suggests Reform UK could be a real contender for constituency seats in those regions where it has most support, especially Central Scotland, Mid Scotland and Fife, and the West of Scotland. 'The party is also polling strongly in party list preferences in the three regions where it is strongest, Reform UK now has around the same vote share as Labour.' Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. It comes despite several weeks of infighting in the Westminster arm of the party, which has seen MP Rupert Lowe suspended after he questioned Mr Farage's leadership. It came as Tory Uk leader Kemi Badenoch turned her fire on 'reality TV star' Farage and dismissed calls to 'unite the Right' with a Tory/Reform merger. The Conservative Party leader said that the UK had to move away from 'politics as showbusiness' - a pointed reference to Mr Farage's lucrative appearance on I'm A Celebrity in 2023. Speaking to The Telegraph after launching her bid for a Tory revival, Mrs Badenoch was pressed about the possibility of uniting with Mr Farage's party, which is polling better than the Tories across the UK. But Mrs Badenoch was defiant about merging the two parties, saying: 'Having appeal doesn't mean that people want you running their lives. That's one of the things that we need to make sure that we remind people. 'This isn't I'm A Celebrity or Strictly Come Dancing. You don't vote for the person that you're enjoying watching and then switch off when the show's over. 'You've got to live with that person in your life, in your family's life, at work and so on. That's what elections are about. It's not just about watching a show and switching it off. We've got to move away from politics as showbusiness.' The Conservative leader also hit out at the infighting within Reform - which has five MPs - that led to Great Yarmouth's Rupert Lowe being suspended amid accusations about his conduct, which he has strenuously denied. 'If they can't unite with five people, how are they going to unite the Right?' Mrs Badenoch said. Alan Roden, co-founder of Quantum Communications, said: 'Reform is eating into the vote of all the main parties. 'It continues to gain support despite a bout of infighting among its MPs, a calamitous trip to Scotland by the UK deputy leader, and the absence of a Scottish leader. 'But the 2026 election still remains highly competitive, with the SNP well down on its 2021 result, Labour ahead of its main rival in central Scotland and Glasgow seats, and the Lib Dems performing well in their key target areas of Edinburgh and the Highlands.' Mark Diffley, the founder of Diffley Partnership, said: 'The parties which will feel happiest by this latest poll from Quantum Communications are Reform UK and the SNP. 'Reform has recorded its highest-ever showing on a Holyrood poll with almost one in six voters backing the party, meaning it would return an estimated 14 MSPs if this result were replicated at next year's election, making it the fourth largest party in the parliament. 'SNP vote share has continued to stabilise in the mid-30s, representing a recovery from the party's showing at the 2024 UK general election although still a significant fall from the 48% recorded at the last Holyrood election in 2021.' A secondary school has revealed proposals for all pupils to wear trousers as part of a 'gender-neutral uniform' - in a bid to promote inclusivity. Parents at The Whitstable School in Kent received a letter saying that local residents and businesses had complained about 'inappropriate skirt lengths' - particularly when pupils are outside the comprehensive's grounds. It added that some girls had been feeling pressured to wear the garments shorter than the school policy allows to try to fit in, leading to increased anxiety and self-consciousness. Headteacher Alex Holmes said he is now considering a ban on skirts and suggested the introduction of 'trousers as a gender-neutral uniform for all students'. He said this was part of the school's commitment to 'promoting inclusivity' and 'maintaining high standards'. Mr Holmes insisted that this is a consultation stage and he will only implement the changes with the support of parents. However, if enforced, it is understood The Whitstable School would be the first in Kent to ban skirts. The letter sent home on Friday stated: 'As part of our commitment to maintaining high standards and promoting inclusivity, I am considering a transition from skirts to trousers as a gender-neutral uniform for all students. 'However, I will not change the uniform without the support of parents. I will also still focus on ways we can ensure the right skirt length is worn on site.' The Whitstable School, which has more than 1,100 pupils, was rated 'good' across the board by Ofsted in April 2024 Chris Meaker, the father of a pupil at the school, said he didn't think the policy was 'particularly gender neutral' If enforced, it is understood The Whitstable School would be the first in Kent to ban skirts The Whitstable School, which has more than 1,100 pupils, was rated 'good' across the board by Ofsted in April 2024. But over recent years, Mr Holmes says it has received a significant number of complaints from parents and members of the community regarding the way some skirts are being worn. 'Despite repeated efforts to enforce the uniform policy, we continue to face challenges that are affecting the school's reputation and student experiences,' he said. 'A growing number of students are wearing skirts that do not meet the uniform requirements. 'This has resulted in frequent reminders from staff, taking time away from learning and creating unnecessary conflict.' Mr Holmes says the negative comments from businesses, residents and parents 'reflects on the school and by extension on all students'. He adds: 'Some students have come forward to express concerns about feeling pressured to wear their skirts shorter than policy allows. 'This pressure can contribute to discomfort, anxiety, and self-consciousness, particularly among those who do wish to conform to these expectations but feel unable to challenge them. 'By transitioning to trousers for all students, create a more consistent and inclusive dress code, reducing the potential for certain students to be singled out or disciplined disproportionately.' Headteacher of The Whitstable School, Alex Holmes (pictured) said he is considering a ban on skirts and suggested the introduction of 'trousers as a gender-neutral uniform for all students' One local, called Kevin (pictured), said he supported the idea of girls wearing trousers The Whitstable School, which has more than 1,100 pupils, was rated 'good' across the board by Ofsted in April 2024 Mr Holmes said trousers provide warmth in winter and 'greater flexibility during movement-intensive activities throughout the school day', making them a more practical and comfortable choice. A consultation is now being held for parents to express their opinions on the proposals. It will run until March 28, at which time responses will be reviewed and a final decision will be made. However, locals in Whitstable yesterday had mixed views on the plans. Chris Meaker, the father of a pupil at the school, said: 'Personally, I can't see that trying to get all the kids to wear trousers is particularly gender-neutral because trousers would be synonymous with boys at a secondary school. 'My daughter comes to this school, she's in Year 10, she wears a skirt, she wears tights. They could enforce that all girls have to wear tights with their skirts. 'I think the school should probably focus on issues that are more important to the education of the pupils. I'm not convinced that uniform is the biggest problem.' Another man, called Kevin, said: 'I think it'd be better girls wearing trousers, personally, because the skirts are a bit near the mark. 'In this day and age, it's dangerous for girls to walk around like that really. I wouldn't let my daughter do it, no way.' Mr Holmes told KentOnline that at the moment it is 'purely consultation on skirts with a range of options for parents including an option to move to trousers only'. He added: 'There is currently no decision on any uniform changes and there is currently no ban on skirts. After the consultation I will look to see what parents have said.' MailOnline has contacted The Whitstable School for further comment. A Texas oil tycoon may face years in an American prison for tax fraud for allegedly falsely putting his fortune into his glamorous wife's name to hide his wealth from US authorities. Douglas Edelman, 73, is awaiting trial for allegedly committing tax evasion and conspiracy to defraud the US after decades of allegedly not filing or falsely filing his US tax returns, according to the Department of Justice. Unlike some other countries, the US does require citizens living abroad to still file a tax return each year, but from the mid-1980s to 2015, the government said Edelman allegedly did not file a return with the IRS. From 2015 onward, he allegedly filed false paperwork, claiming his income was much lower, according to court documents viewed by DailyMail.com. Court documents claimed he also falsely reported that he only had one foreign bank account in the UK, neglecting to admit he had accounts in Switzerland, UAE, and more. The DOJ has accused Edelman of hiding $350million in income by falsely claiming his second wife and French journalist, Delphine Le Dain, 59, was the owner of his company. Due to her French citizenship, she would not have been required to submit US tax returns. Le Dain also faces US charges and is currently a fugitive hiding in her native country. According to sources close to her, she is debating whether or not to turn herself in and she had not entered a plea, the Wall Street Journal reported. 'Edelman grew wealthy on the backs of the American taxpayers in the post-9/11 war effort, only to engage in a decades-long scheme to evade paying his own taxes,' prosecutors said in a December filling. Douglas Edelman, 73, is awaiting trial for allegedly committing tax evasion and conspiracy to defraud the US after decades of not filing or falsely filing his US tax returns, according to the criminal complaint The DOJ has accused Edelman of hiding $350million in income by falsely claiming his second wife and French journalist, Delphine Le Dain, 59, was the owner of his company The majority of Edelman's money came from a US military contract after September 11, 2001 attacks. The tycoon, who moved from Texas to Moscow and eventually Kyrgyzstan, struck up a $7billion deal with the military after the US sent more troops to Afghanistan. Edelman's companies, Red Star Enterprises and Mina Corporation, delivered fuel and services to the makeshift airbase at Manas, where the US flew troops to Afghanistan. The tycoon and his business partner, who was not identified, became the Defense Department's main contractor, according to WSJ. In 2010, this contract would come under scrutiny by a congressional oversight committee, who raised questions about whether or not the DOD had overlooked many red flags because the military desperately needed fuel, WSJ reported. Edelman dodged a subpoena and representatives for the company told the committee that the owners would rather walk away from the deal than discloser ownership, according to WSJ. In a 2010 email, shown in court documents, Edelman wrote to his accountant: 'Basically, I want and need my name OFF of everything...' The company did produce some information, including false documents that hide Edelman's 50 percent stake in the company, court documents said. The majority of Edelman's money came from a US military contract after September 11, 2001 attacks. In 2010, this contract would come under scrutiny by a congressional oversight committee, who raised questions about whether or not the DOD had overlooked many red flags The company did produce some information, including allegedly false documents that hide Edelman's 50 percent stake in the company. The paperwork also allegedly removed his named from bank accounts that were associated and claimed Le Dain had founded the company, according to the complaint The paperwork also removed his named from bank accounts that were associated with the company and claimed Le Dain had founded the company, according to court documents. The DOD didn't fully access the contracts with Edelman's companies, and although it said alleged corruption from the contracts led to two revolutions in Kyrgyzstan, it didn't find any, according to WSJ. Edelman would later submit false filings for the years 2007 to 2014, allegedly reiterating the same story that Le Dain owned his companies. He allegedly claimed to have made between $473,447 and $777,468 in those eight years, court documents show. From 2015 to 2020, he allegedly submitted false returns to the IRS and claimed he made significantly less money as he worked as a consultant for the company, when in reality he had a 50 percent stake, the government claimed. Le Dain gets wrapped into her husband's alleged crimes as he allegedly knowingly made false statements and signed fake documents that played into his story, according to court documents. Edelman sold his stake in the company for $40million in 2020, but he also never reported the sale to the US, the government claimed. Instead, he claimed he only made $400,000 from consulting, according to court documents. Their alleged scheme really dismantled after a whistleblower gave the IRS a tip accusing the couple of fabricating their story. Edelman was arrested on July 3 in Ibiza after police came knocking on his door. He was extradited in September, according to WSJ. Le Dain gets wrapped into her husband's alleged crimes as court document claim he knowingly made false statements and signed fake documents that played into his story (pictured: their Austrian ski chalet) The tycoon has pleaded not guilty and faces years in prison for his crimes if convicted (pictured: one of their yachts) The tycoon has pleaded not guilty and he was initially released on a $12.9million bail. However, he found himself back behind bars to await trial in December after allegedly texting co-conspirators because he got 'lonely.' 'I apologize. I think I was lonely,' he told the judge at a hearing, according to WSJ. Edelman is accused of using his wife and the three children he shares with Le Dain to hide his assets by establishing trusts in their names, according to WSJ. With the exorbitant amount of money he made off his deals, the couple was able to buy a ski chalet in Austria, two yachts, and a double mansion in London, according to the complaint They eventually sold the London home for $38million, most of which went to paying off the mortgage. They had several other properties in Switzerland, Portugal, and Ibiza. At least five Americans have given cooperation agreements for pleading guilty for helping Edelman, according to WSJ. The tycoon's trial is expected to begin in October and he is currently negotiating a plea agreement, according to the outlet. Edelman's lawyers declined to comment when approached by DailyMail.com. There is no known attorney for Le Dain at the moment. Keir Starmer vowed 'unwavering support' for Ukraine today after Donald Trump's two-hour call with Putin ended with more Russian demands. At PMQs, Sir Keir made clear the UK would stand alongside Volodymyr Zelensky after Moscow only agreed to work towards a limited ceasefire on energy infrastructure - rather than the unconditional ceasefire the US wanted. Putin also laid out that he would not accept a settlement without 'complete cessation of foreign military aid and the provision of intelligence to Kyiv'. Britain and European allies have already signalled that will not be happening. The PM's official spokesman said: 'We will always continue to support Ukraine militarily for as long as it takes to put Ukraine in the strongest position possible.' Mr Trump described the conversation with the Russian dictator as 'great' last night, insisting he was working to avoid 'World War Three'. But Boris Johnson was among the UK politicians warning that Putin is 'laughing at us', while ex-defence secretary Ben Wallace said the Russian 'plays better chess than Trump' and accused the US of chasing a 'rotten' deal. The American and Russian leaders agreed to try for a package to stop attacks on Ukraine's power grid, as well as Kyiv's raids on Russia's critical refineries. Mr Trump voiced hope that would pave the way for a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, and then a full and sustained end to the fighting. But almost immediately there was another round of Russian attacks on Ukraine, with Mr Zelensky calling for action after Putin 'rejected the proposal for a full ceasefire'. Keir Starmer (pictured) held crisis talks with Volodymyr Zelensky last night after Donald Trump 's two-hour call with Putin ended with more Russian demands After a fresh round of Russian attacks last night, Mr Zelensky said: 'Today, Putin effectively rejected the proposal for a full ceasefire.' Boris Johnson was among the senior UK politicians warning that Putin is 'laughing at us' Former defence secretary Ben Wallace said Putin 'plays better chess than Trump' Sir Keir told the Commons: 'Last night, I spoke to President Zelensky to discuss progress that (US) President (Donald) Trump had made with Russia towards a ceasefire. 'And I took the opportunity to reaffirm our unwavering support to the people of Ukraine.' No10 had earlier given a very guarded response to the outcome of the call, referring to 'the progress President Trump has made towards a ceasefire'. The spokeswoman added: 'This process must lead to a just and lasting peace for Ukraine. 'We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes to ensure Russia can never launch an illegal invasion again.' Mr Trump told Fox News that he wanted to get the war 'over with' and suggested that 'Russia has the advantage'. The Republican said: 'Right now, you have a lot of guns pointing at each other and a ceasefire without going a little bit further would have been tough.' He argued that his push for a ceasefire was part of a larger bid to keep US troops out of conflict. 'Look, we're doing this there are no Americans involved. There could be if you end up in World War III over this, which is so ridiculous,' he said. 'But, you know, strange things happen.' Mr Zelensky has said he would support American efforts to stop strikes on his country's energy grid. But the Ukrainian leader said he hoped to speak to Mr Trump to understand what he and the Russian leader discussed. After a fresh round of Russian attacks last night, Mr Zelensky said: 'Today, Putin effectively rejected the proposal for a full ceasefire. 'It would be right for the world to respond by rejecting any attempts by Putin to prolong the war. Sanctions against Russia. 'Assistance to Ukraine. Strengthening allies in the free world and working toward security guarantees. 'And only a real cessation of strikes on civilian infrastructure by Russia, as proof of its willingness to end this war, can bring peace closer.' Asked in a round of interviews this morning whether Britain was committed to sharing arms and intelligence with Ukraine, government minister Stephen Timms said: 'We've given absolutely unbending support to Ukraine throughout all of this, including in both of the respects that you've just mentioned, and we will continue to do so.' Western nations, including the UK, have condemned Russia for attacks on facilities used to generate electricity for Ukraine's population, though the Kremlin has denied such strikes have taken place. Ahead of crunch talks between the two presidents, David Lammy signalled the UK and EU are planning to speed up arms shipments to Ukraine ahead of a full ceasefire. The Foreign Secretary told Bloomberg that Kyiv's European allies intended to 'put Ukraine in the strongest possible position militarily and economically'. Mr Lammy and Defence Secretary John Healey both met Kaja Kallas, the EU's high representative on foreign affairs, to discuss Ukraine and Europe's security. Speaking to Ms Kallas, Mr Healey said the UK and EU recognised the need to 'maintain our strong support for Ukraine'. According to the White House, Mr Trump and Mr Putin agreed in their call 'that the movement to peace will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire and permanent peace. 'These negotiations will begin immediately in the Middle East.' The Kremlin, meanwhile, said Mr Putin told Mr Trump that America and its allies must end military and intelligence assistance to Ukraine to halt hostilities. The Prime Minister spoke to Mr Trump on Monday ahead of the call. He and French President Emmanuel Macron have been leading efforts to form a 'coalition of the willing' made up of nations prepared to offer troops or support to a peacekeeping force if there is a deal to end the war. Mr Putin has said he agrees in principle to a ceasefire but has put a series of conditions on any peace plan. The US president said Washington and Moscow have already begun discussing 'dividing up certain assets' between Ukraine and Russia as part of a deal to end the conflict, which could include Mr Putin being handed land and power plants by Kyiv. Such a move would cause unease in Europe, being seen as a reward for Russia's invasion of its neighbour. President Donald Trump fired back after Chief Justice John Roberts publicly rebuked him for calling for a 'radical left lunatic' judge to be impeached. 'For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision,' Roberts said in a curt statement issued by the Supreme Court. 'The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose.' Speaking to Fox News' Laura Ingraham, Trump said that Roberts' statement didn't call him out by name. 'He didn't mention my name But many people have called for his impeachment, the impeachment of this judge. I don't know who the judge is, but he's radical left. He was Obama-appointed.' The president made good on his declaration to release over 80,000 pages of secret documents related to the assassination of JFK. The thousands of pages documents were posted on the National Archives website on Thursday evening. Follow along DailyMail.com's live blog for all the latest: A city executive was attacked in the female toilets of a restaurant and had clumps of her hair ripped out after mimicking the conversation of a woman in the next door cubicle in a high voice, a court has heard. Marzena Grabiec, 30, had allegedly been repeating parts of a fellow diner's phone call in a mocking tone, at Lebanese restaurant Comptoir Libanais in the heart of the Square Mile on November 7. Yasmin Behal, 20, of Croydon, London, pleaded guilty to common assault against the account executive, who is employed by Pure Storage. Her friend, 22 year-old Lia Elkan, of Stockbury, Sittingbourne, denied assault by beating and was found not guilty by City of London magistrates after telling a court she had been trying to break up the fight. 'I heard banging on the cubicle door and when I opened the door I was attacked,' Ms Grabiec told the trial. 'Two people were in front of the cubicle door. 'I was pulled down by my hair by both of them, very low to the floor and I am one hundred percent sure it was both of them pulling from both sides.' She admitted moments earlier repeating words of the telephone conversation Miss Elkan - who was in the next cubicle - was having with Behal, who was upstairs in the restaurant. 'The lady mimicked in a squeaky voice a few things Yasmin said to me on the phone,' Miss Elkan told the trial. 'She did it twice again, mimicking in a high voice.' Marzena Grabiec (pictured), 30, had allegedly been repeating parts of a fellow diner's phone call in a mocking tone, but was then assaulted by Yasmin Behal, 20 Lia Elkan, 22, was found not guilty by a court after telling magistrates she had been attempting to break up the fight Ms Grabiec admitted repeating some words of the phone conversation, but stressed she had no intention of poking fun or mocking her cubicle neighbour, who she said had told her: 'Don't mug me off.' Describing the 10pm assault, she continued: 'I had no opportunity to get out and could feel both of their hands on me. 'I told them: "Let me go," but that didn't work and one of them said: "Take her, take her," and they pulled even more aggressively. 'I felt a kick in my ankle and started screaming at the top of my lungs so somebody would hear me. I remembered there was a security guard outside and in five to ten seconds he opened the door and they let go. 'Out in the corridor one of them came very quickly at me and I got slapped. 'My hair was everywhere and there was pain in my scalp for the next 48 hours.' When cross-examined Ms Grabiec stressed: 'I did not mimic anyone, but I did repeat the last sentence, but did not want the person next to me to think it was insulting.' During her evidence she failed to specifically identify Miss Elkan as somebody who deliberately grabbed her hair. The incident took place at Lebanese restaurant Comptoir Libanais in the heart of the Square Mile on November 7 Police were called and one officer described Miss Elkan as 'very intoxicated, slurring her words and unsteady on her feet' and she was arrested and handcuffed. When questioned by officers she said she tried to break-up the fight between her friend and Ms Grabiec and did not assault the complainant. She admitted consuming four glasses of wine that evening, but denied ever saying the words: 'Don't mug me off.' Miss Elkan told the trial her friend Behal came down to the toilet and they both gave Ms Grabiec a 'funny look' when she emerged from the cubicle. 'I was brushing my hair, Yasmin was doing her lip gloss and then the woman did the voice again for a fourth time and Yasmin and her got into an altercation. 'They were having a bit of an argument and the lady was saying: "I'm only joking," and she kind of pushed Yasmin and Yasmin at that point did slap her and they both went for each other. 'The lady got in Yasmin's face and they each pulled each other's hair and I pulled Yasmin back again and when the security guard opened the door that lady left. 'I was trying to apologise on Yasmin's behalf. I did not pull her hair.' Behal was fined 200, with 85 costs and was ordered to pay 50 compensation to Ms Grabiec, plus an 80 victim surcharge. Lawmakers from the dominant MAGA wing of the House Republican Conference took Donald Trump's cue and took early steps to impeach a judge the president branded a 'radical left lunatic' for ruling to pause deportation flights. The latest Trump loyalist to get behind the effort was Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert, who was unpersuaded by pushback from Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who issued a rare statement warning that 'impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision.' 'I voted for President Trump, not activist judges! Congress must impeach those obstructing the agenda Americans overwhelmingly supported,' Boebert posted on X. She got a seal of approval from billionaire powerhouse Trump advisor Elon Musk, who weighed in on an online post from the pro-MAGA 'Wake up America' account surveying the public about Boebert's impeachment move. Musk responded with an emoji signalling '100' percent. Trump himself was unpersuaded by Roberts, once again calling Judge James Boasberg a 'lunatic' after a court clash with the administration, which flew more than 200 alleged gangsters to El Salvador and said they were members of Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua or MS-13. The president wrote on his Truth Social account Wednesday: 'If a President doesnt have the right to throw murderers, and other criminals, out of our Country because a Radical Left Lunatic Judge wants to assume the role of President, then our Country is in very big trouble, and destined to fail!' Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) called for impeaching judges obstructing the agenda Americans overwhelmingly supported' In the last Congress, Boebert filed a resolution to impeach President Joe Biden for 'unconstitutional dereliction of duty' over his border policy. Earlier, Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) said he would be 'filing Articles of Impeachment against activist judge James Boasberg this week.' 'Necessary,' wrote Musk on his X site. Legal scholars are already warning that Trump is violating the separation of powers by bucking judicial review of his decisions. 'This is nuts, whats going on in front of Judge Boasberg,' former Trump White House lawyer Ty Cobb told CNN's 'Out Front.' 'I think Judge Boasberg, who by the way is highly regarded and actually is the single most qualified judge in the country to handle the issue before him as the former head of the FISA court and the current head of the alien deportation court,' Cobb added. Musk weighed in on yet another judge who issued another ruling this one against the administration's move against transgender members of the military. Elon Musk continues to push moves to impeach federal judges Trump tore into Boasberg and 'crooked' judges after a clash over the timing of his order to halt deportations of more than 200 people 'This is a judicial coup. We need 60 senators to impeach the judges and restore rule of the people.' Sixty is the number of senators to break a filibuster, but two-thirds of the 100-person Senate must vote to convict a judge during an impeachment trial. Article III judges 'hold their office during good behavior,' according to the Constitution, meaning lifetime appointments. Roberts issued his stunning rebuke Tuesday after Trump called for the impeachment of the judge who had blocked his bid to send people he said were members of a violent Venezuelan gang to El Salvador. The Justice Department blasted Boasberg in a new filing for running down 'picayune' details about the flights in an effort to discern when exactly the removal occurred in relation to his order, accusing the court of 'digressive micromanagement' and defending the decisions of a 'coequal branch.' It called his comment a 'complete misunderstanding of the serious national security, safety, regulatory, and logistical problems presented by a fiat from the Court directed at pilots operating outside the United States and was made without regard to whether any such aircraft could feasibly be diverted or even had enough fuel to safely do so.' The latest court action came after Trump attacked the federal lower court judge as a 'radical left lunatic' in a wild tirade on social media. But Roberts took the rare step of intervening and publicly slapping down the president. 'For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision,' Roberts said in a curt statement issued by the Supreme Court. 'The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose.' By that, Roberts meant that if the Trump administration has a problem with a judge's ruling, it should appeal and fight the issue in court rather than savage a Senate-confirmed judge in public. Any ultimate appeal would end up before Roberts' own body, in which conservatives hold a 6-3 majority and have backed Trump in the past. The blast from the usually circumspect justice comes at a time when some liberal legal scholars say a constitutional crisis is looming, or already here, over a crush of court orders that would rein in constitutional authority Trump claims is his alone. Although Roberts used language that was legalistic and did not identify Trump by name the public comment came just a few hours after Trump attacked a 'radical left lunatic' judge who had issued a temporary order barring the deportation of alleged gang members who the White House termed 'heinous monsters.' The ruling, from federal Judge James Boasberg, came after a fiery hearing where he demanded the government declare when it thinks his own orders on the deportations took effect after the administration said the deportation flights were underway and over international waters when it learned of the order. Trump posted on his Truth Social site Tuesday morning: 'This Radical Left Lunatic of a Judge, a troublemaker and agitator who was sadly appointed by Barack Hussein Obama, was not elected President - He didnt WIN the popular VOTE (by a lot!), he didnt WIN ALL SEVEN SWING STATES, he didnt WIN 2,750 to 525 Counties, HE DIDNT WIN ANYTHING!' Chief Justice John Roberts slapped back at threats to impeach judges, just hours after President Trump tore into a federal judge he termed a 'radical left lunatic' 'I WON FOR MANY REASONS, IN AN OVERWHELMING MANDATE, BUT FIGHTING ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION MAY HAVE BEEN THE NUMBER ONE REASON FOR THIS HISTORIC VICTORY. Im just doing what the VOTERS wanted me to do. This judge, like many of the Crooked Judges I am forced to appear before, should be IMPEACHED!!! WE DONT WANT VICIOUS, VIOLENT, AND DEMENTED CRIMINALS, MANY OF THEM DERANGED MURDERERS, IN OUR COUNTRY. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!' After Roberts' rare statement, Trump was asked during an interview with Laura Ingraham taped Tuesday for the Fox News Channel's The Ingraham Angle what he made of the justice issuing one. 'Well, he didn't mention my name in the statement. I just saw it quickly. He didn't mention my name,' Trump responded. The 78-year-old commander in chief also argued 'many people have called for his impeachment, the impeachment of this judge. I don't know who the judge is, but he's radical left.' Trump's billionaire DOGE head and advisor Elon Musk has also been rallying to impeach judges who ruled against the administration on federal worker firings. On Friday, in an extraordinary speech at the Justice Department, Trump praised Judge Aileen Cannon, a federal judge who ruled in his favor in the classified documents case. An appeal got withdrawn after Trump won the November election. Trump said of Cannon: 'I did appoint her federal judge and these fake lawyers these horrible human beings were hitting her so hard.' All federal district court judges must be confirmed by the Senate in order to serve. Last week, a federal judge in California ruled that the administration must reinstate thousands of fired 'probationary' employees. Another federal judge in Maryland, U.S. District Judge James Bredar, also an Obama nominee, has also ruled that terminations of probationary employees was illegal. House Republicans have taken up Musk's call to impeach judges who have ruled against Trump. Trump railed against judges who ruled against him during the campaign. He greeted Justice Roberts on the day of his speech to Congress earlier this month Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) said he would be 'filing Articles of Impeachment against activist judge James Boasberg this week.' 'Necessary,' wrote Musk on his X site. Nevertheless, the conservative New York Post editorial board wrote that Musk was 'way out of his lane' on the matter. The ruling that set off the fury came when Boasberg issued the temporary ruling that blocked the deportations of more than 200 people after the administration invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. The White House said Monday that the people deported to El Salvador were members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, but has refused to provide the names of the people now incarcerated in El Salvador. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the U.S. paid the country $6 million to accept them. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Steven Miller teed off on the judge at the White House on Monday when asked about his statement that the judge's order was 'illegal.' 'The idea that a single district court judge has the authority to direct, as though they were the president, the movement of airplanes around the globe is ... the most outrageous thing I've seen from a district court judge in my lifetime, frankly, going back multiple lifetimes. Earlier this month, the American Bar Association issued a statement warning against attempts to 'cow our countrys judges, our countrys courts and our legal profession.' It said intimidation 'cannot be sanctioned or normalized.' The ABA said it would not 'stay silent in the face of efforts to remake the legal profession into something that rewards those who agree with the government and punishes those who do not.' Trump railed against judges who ruled against him in his four criminal trials throughout the campaign. But in February and March, Musk began touring into judges using his powerful online platform. 'We are witnessing an attempted coup of American democracy by radical left activists posing as judges!' Musk wrote Feb. 11. "There need to be some repercussions above ZERO for judges who make truly terrible decisions," Musk continued. On Feb. 25, he posted: 'When judges egregiously undermine the democratic will of the people, they must be fired or democracy dies!' The bar for impeaching an Article III federal judge is high. Only through a vote to impeach in the House and a two-thirds vote of the Senate can they be removed. Another House Republican, Rep. Andy Ogles, introduced a resolution in February to impeach Judge John Bates after his order to federal health agencies to restore online data amid a Trump Administration crackdown on 'gender ideology.' Ogles, who issued a statement attacking 'predators' like the judge, a George W. Bush appointee, was unbowed by Roberts' warning. 'Respectfully, Mr. Chief Justice, both James Madison and Thomas Jefferson disagree with you. So does the Constitution. We are going to keep the impeachments coming,' he wrote. It was just before midday on November 13, 2022 when a 911 call came in that would forever change the college town of Moscow and the lives of a group of students who lived there. Hi, something is happening, something happened in our house. We don't know what. We have came the terrified voice of a young woman. Over the next few frantic minutes, the phone was passed between sobbing young people as they tried to piece together what had happened. They told the dispatcher that one of their friends was unconscious - she wasnt waking up or breathing. A roommate said she had seen a man inside their home in the early hours of the morning. But when officers arrived at 1122 King Road and entered the three-story student home, they found a bloodbath. The bodies of a young couple, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, lay in a bedroom on the second floor. One floor above police found two more victims - best friends Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves - in the same bed. Bryan Kohberger (at a court hearing in Moscow, Idaho, in October 2023) is staring down the prospect of the firing squad if convicted Blood appears to drip down the wall of the house where the four Idaho students were murdered A mattress is removed from the home at 1122 King Road in the days after the November 13 2022 slayings All four had been brutally stabbed to death. What followed was six weeks of fear and speculation before an arrest was finally made more than 2,500 miles away in the Poconos region of Pennsylvania. Bryan Kohberger, a 30-year-old criminology PhD student at Washington State University just over the Idaho border into Pullman, Washington, was charged with the murders. He has pled not guilty but if convicted at his trial this August, Kohberger faces the firing squad as the state of Idaho shakes up its execution methods. The accused killer is fighting to have the death penalty taken off the table, citing his autism diagnosis. To this day, many questions about the horrific case remain unanswered, including what connection Kohberger may have had to the victims and what could have motivated him to embark on the chilling rampage. But while there are gaps in information, many details about the case are known and continue to emerge as the trial date looms. DNA on knife sheath One of the key pieces of evidence allegedly tying Kohberger to the murders is a brown leather Ka-Bar knife sheath that investigators believe the killer left behind at the scene. The sheath, featuring a US Marine Corps seal, was found in the bed next to the butchered body of 20-year-old Mogen. In one bedroom on the second floor lay the bodies of young couple Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin (left). One floor above lay two more victims - best friends Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves (right) - together in the same bed Investigators on the scene of the quadruple murders at 1122 King Road, Moscow According to prosecutors, a single source of male DNA was found on the button snap of the sheath. This touch DNA was traced back to Kohberger using Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG). Forensic DNA expert and John Jay College of Criminal Justice Professor Dr Mechthild Prinz told the Daily Mail that single source DNA allows for a much stronger conclusion to be drawn than when there is a mixture. Statistically it is not possible that this is just a coincidence, she claims of the likelihood that it is Kohbergers DNA on the sheath. In a closed-door hearing in January, testimony revealed how the DNA profile was identified just days after the murders - but that it did not match anyone already known to law enforcement. Using IGG, forensic DNA lab Othram was able to find a distant relative of Kohberger who had previously submitted his information into a genetic genealogy database. But the relative refused to share his DNA with Idaho police. The FBI then took over the testing and, following its own investigation, landed on Kohberger, handing Moscow Police a tip to look into him. Trash was taken from Kohbergers parents home in Pennsylvania, where he had traveled for the holidays, and tested for DNA. DNA was found on a Ka-Bar knife sheath (seen in a stock image) left behind at the scene Idaho State Police officers remove bloodied mattresses, bed frames and other possessions from the Moscow home According to the affidavit, this testing found that Kohbergers father could not be excluded as the murder suspect's biological father whereas at least 99.9998% of the male population could be. Following Kohbergers arrest, a DNA sample was taken from him which showed he was a statistical match to the DNA on the sheath. Kohbergers defense has fought - so far unsuccessfully - to strike this evidence from his trial, arguing the states use of IGG was unconstitutional, that the state did not correctly document the method in search warrants and that the FBI used genetic genealogy databases that it should not have access to. Judge Steven Hippler denied the request to have the evidence tossed. Following this, the defense added a lawyer with forensic DNA expertise to the team, suggesting they may continue to challenge the evidence and the methods used to collect it. Prinz said this was a pretty novel use of IGG as it is a technique usually used for cold cases where every other avenue has been exhausted'. Regardless, she added: I do think the train has left the station in the sense that its a very powerful tool to locate a perpetrator based on the DNA he or she left behind at the crime scene. The IGG did lead to the right person. Did he kill them? I dont know but it did identify the source of the DNA on the sheath. Even if [investigators] didnt use it properly it still led to the right person. Kohbergers team is now expected to argue his DNA may have been planted to frame him for the murders. According to prosecutors, the accused quadruple killer will not deny that the DNA belongs to him but will claim the knife sheath itself could have been planted by the real perpetrator'. It is not clear who they might point to as an alternate suspect or how they might argue the killer was able to access his DNA. While the knife itself has never been found, prosecutors have alleged there is more evidence tying Kohberger to the murder weapon. According to a newly-unsealed court filing, the 30-year-old criminology PhD student bought a Ka-Bar knife, sheath and sharpener from Amazon in March 2022 - eight months before the murders. Kohberger's Amazon click history also allegedly reveals that he searched for a replacement knife or sheath in the days after the murders. Prosecutors allege that Kohbergers click activity 'makes it more probable (than it would be without the evidence) that the Ka-Bar sheath found at the crime scene was Bryan Kohbergers.' DNA from three people found under victims fingernails While the DNA on the knife sheath led to Kohberger, the defense said there was also other DNA recovered from the crime scene. A bombshell court filing recently revealed that DNA evidence from three unknown individuals was found under Mogens left fingernails. Testing showed a three-person mixture and, when compared to Kohberger, this came back inconclusive - meaning he could neither be confirmed or eliminated as the source. Prinz explained that it is quite common for people to have a mixture of DNA under their nails, especially from people they live with or are close to. Dylan Mortensen, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen (on Kaylee's shoulders) Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Bethany Funke The question [from this type of evidence] is whether the DNA under the fingernails is from the attacker or is it from casual contact, she said. While DNA under the nails can sometimes indicate a victim fought back and scratched their attacker, Prinz explained that people pick up unexplained DNA under their nails by simply touching items. Living in New York, you touch the subway pole and pick up peoples DNA on your hands. Or you may pick up DNA from a deli worker when you buy something or from a guest who uses the towel in your house or by using a coworkers pen. Theres a lot of big transfer possibilities,' she said. Whether or not a DNA profile can be identified depends on the quality of the mixture, she added. Prinz said its a given that one of the three DNA profiles comes from Mogen. Court documents revealed that two hypotheses were tested with the three people. Mogen, Goncalves and one unknown unrelated person. Then Mogen and two unrelated persons. Kohbergers defense argues that at least four individuals were tested as well as Kohberger and all were inconclusive. Kohberger and his attorney Anne Taylor in court in June 2023. The defense has revealed that there was also other DNA recovered from the crime scene The defense also claims additional testing carried out by the defense has now excluded Kohberger as the source of the DNA and proven exculpatory. However, Prinz said that even if Kohberger is excluded as the source of the DNA under Mogens nails, this is not exculpatory. Even if his DNA is not under her fingernails, this doesn't mean he didn't kill her, she says, adding: An absence of evidence is not the absence of contact. Similarly, Prinz added that while it would be helpful to determine the source of the DNA under Mogens nails, this wouldnt necessarily point to the killer. DNA from two unknown men at the scene The defense has also revealed that blood from two unknown men was found at the crime scene. Blood from one man - known only as Unknown Male D - was found on a glove outside 1122 King Road. Blood from the second man - Unknown Male B - was found on the handrail between the first and second floor of the home. During the hearing in January, Moscow Police Detective Brett Payne - the lead investigator on the case - testified that police did not pursue the identities of those two men because they were following the lead on the knife sheath. The three-story home where the four students were slain. The property has since been demolished That would be important to find out who that is from as it does indicate that other people were there, Prinz said. 'This sounds like this could be an important piece of information. The forensic DNA expert added that this could suggest the suspect 'did not commit this crime alone. I can see the defense raising this issue because obviously it does occur that prosecutors sometimes get tunnel vision and then stop further investigations, she explained. That said, she pointed out that DNA testing cannot tell you when the DNA was left there. We dont know if they were there during the commission of the crime. DNA testing cant tell you how old the samples are or when they were deposited. As a student home known to host parties and friends, it is also not surprising to find DNA from other people there, she added. Kohberger's defense has already revealed, however, that they plan to point to alternate suspects at trial and to claim there had to be not one, but multiple killers. In a new defense filing, Kohberger claims one individual could not have pulled off the savage murders alone within the timeframe laid out by the state. He also claims he has a 'developmental coordination disorder' that impacts his speed and coordination, making it impossible for him to have killed four in just 13 minutes. Surviving roommates account One of the key witnesses in the case is expected to be one of the surviving roommates who came face-to-face with a masked intruder inside the student home moments after the murders. Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke lived in the student home with Mogen, Goncalves and Kernodle and survived the attack. Between 4.22am and 4.24am on the morning of November 13, 2022, survivors Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke exchanged 17 frantic text messages Mortensen, whose bedroom was on the second floor, told investigators she was woken by noises in the home at around 4am and heard a voice say theres someone here'. She also heard what sounded like whimpering coming from Kernodle's room and a mans voice saying: Its ok, Im going to help you. Mortensen told investigators she had opened her door and peeked outside three times. The third time, she said she saw a masked man with 'bushy eyebrows' and dressed in black walk past her door and head towards the sliding back doors of the home. Mortensen then made a series of frantic calls and texts to her roommates, a new court document showed. Only Funke answered. Mortensen then exchanged a series of texts with Funke between 4.19am and 4.21am, where she described seeing someone in something like a ski mask and with something over is for head and little nd mouth. Around eight hours later, the 911 call was made. The defense already appears to be laying the groundwork to try to discredit Mortensen and her account and has asked the judge to block any evidence referencing 'bushy eyebrows' at trial. Bryan Kohberger smirks and offers a 'thumbs up' to the camera in a selfie six hours after the murders The white Hyundai Elantra captured on surveillance footage close to the student home at the time of the murders Bryan Kohberger's apartment in Pullman, Washington, just seven miles from the crime scene Court documents revealed Mortensen did not recognize Kohberger as the man inside the home when shown a photo after his arrest. The defense is also pointing to some variations in her statements - including where she claimed the intruder was carrying a vacuum-type object - and comments where she said she had been drinking and her memory was hazy. Mortensen also had several pictures and drawings on her bedroom walls showing individuals with bushy eyebrows, the defense claims. The state has clapped back, arguing in a March court filing that Mortensen's description was consistent through all of her interviews with law enforcement and revealing a never-before-seen selfie of Kohberger. The creepy photo shows Kohberger in a white shirt buttoned up to the collar and headphones as he stands in front of a shower. He gives a chilling half smile and thumbs up to the camera. The photo, prosecutors say, was taken at 10.30am on November 13 2022 - around six hours after he allegedly broke into the student home and slaughtered the four victims. Prosecutors want to present the photo at trial and let jurors decide if they believe he could be described as having 'bushy eyebrows' at the time of the murders The white Hyundai Elantra Prior to Kohbergers arrest, the investigation was zeroing in on a white Hyundai Elantra captured on surveillance footage near the King Road home. According to the affidavit, the accused killer's vehicle left his home in Pullman and traveled to Moscow at the time of the murders, before returning again. Surveillance footage first captured the vehicle at around 2.44am on the morning of the murders traveling from the WSU campus in the direction of Moscow. The vehicle was then captured driving around the student home three times starting at around 3.30am. The fourth time shows the vehicle entering the area around 4.04am. Around 16 minutes later at 4.20am, it was caught on camera driving away from the home at a high rate of speed in the direction of Pullman. A new graphic filed by prosecutors shows where the suspect's vehicle was captured on footage on the night of the murders This graphic shows the route the suspect's vehicle took as it drove to the house a fourth and final time, according to prosecutors The vehicle's path taken at the time of the murders - from Pullman, Washington, to Moscow, Idaho and back again The possible route of the vehicle based on the cellphone data, according to the affidavit Bryan Kohberger seen in bodycam footage during a traffic stop in his white Hyundai Elantra in Pullman, one month before the murders Footage then captured the car returning to the WSU campus at around 5.25am. In the affidavit, the state revealed that investigators were on the lookout in Pullman for a vehicle matching that seen in the footage. A police officer came across Kohbergers vehicle and noted he had bushy eyebrows'. Around a month after the murders, Kohberger and his father drove that same car from Pullman back to Pennsylvania for the holidays. In court documents, Kohberger has revealed a vague alibi explaining his movements that night. He has claimed he was driving around alone at night, looking at the stars. Cellphone data and online searches While it is unclear what connection the accused killer may have to the victims, cellphone data allegedly shows that Kohberger may have stalked the King Road home at least a dozen times in the lead-up to the murders - and then turned his phone off while committing the crime to try to cover his tracks. According to the affidavit, his cellphone data showed Kohberger left his home in Pullman at around 2.47am on the morning of the murders - then turned his phone off or placed it in airplane mode. Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen together. Mogen had DNA from three individuals under her nails Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin together. It remains unclear what connection the accused killer may have to the victims The phone didnt ping again until 4.48am when it hit a tower around Idaho state highway south of Moscow and continued to ping off towers along the route back to Pullman. Investigators said his phone matches the movement of the Elantra. At around 9am, his phone pinged again around the King Road home - indicating he returned to the scene of the crime around five hours after the murders and before the victims were discovered, the affidavit stated. In the months leading up to the murders, Kohbergers cellphone had also allegedly pinged in the area around the student home at least 12 times - usually late at night or in the early hours of the morning. A volunteer firefighter in Georgia was arrested for taking photos of twin brothers who died in an apparent 'murder-suicide' and sharing them on social media. Scott Kerlin, 42, was charged with misdemeanor obstruction for allegedly taking photos of 19-year-old twins Qaadir Malik Lewis and Naazir Rahim Lewis while responding to the scene of their death on a mountaintop in northern Georgia. Kerlin was then accused of sharing the photos publicly, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. He posted the photos to social media, WSB-TV reported, though it wasn't clear on which platform he shared them. Kerlin, of Hiawassee, was fired on March 14 for violating department protocol, Towns County Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw told 11Alive. After his arrest, he bonded out of Towns County Jail. The Lewis twins' bodies were found at the top of Bell Mountain, an isolated peak in near the North Carolina border, by hikers on March 8. The brothers, whose family had expected them to board a flight to Boston on the morning of March 7, were found with fatal gunshot wounds. Scott Kerlin, 42, was charged with misdemeanor obstruction after allegedly taking photos of 19-year-old twins Qaadir Malik Lewis and Naazir Rahim Lewis while responding to the scene of their death on a mountaintop in northern Georgia Qaadir and Naazir Lewis, from Lawrenceville near Atlanta, were found with fatal gunshot wounds at the summit of Bell Mountain, an isolated peak in Towns County near North Carolina 'How did they end up out in the mountains? They don't hike out there; they've never been out there,' the twins' aunt, Samria Brawner, said. 'They don't know anything about Hiawassee, Georgia. They never even heard of Bell Mountain. So how did they end up right there?' A day after the teens failed to board their flight, they were found dead with their plane tickets still inside their wallets, their family said. The GBI said in a statement that preliminary findings indicated the twins died as a result of murder-suicide, but the family vehemently rejected the assertion. 'They're very protective of each other. They love each other,' their Uncle Rahim Brawner told 11Alive. 'They were inseparable. I couldn't imagine them hurting each other because I've never seen them get into a fistfight before.' Their aunt, Samria Brawner, wondered why the boys were even up on the mountain. The brothers were residents of Lawrenceville, near Atlanta, about 90 miles south of the scene. 'How did they end up out in the mountains? They don't hike out there; they've never been out there,' Brawner said. 'They don't know anything about Hiawassee, Georgia. They never even heard of Bell Mountain. So how did they end up right there?' The GBI confirmed that autopsies have been completed, but said further forensic tests are still pending, leaving the official cause and manner of death unresolved. 'We want answers,' Brawner said, 'we want to know exactly what happened to the twins.' To the family, the idea that one brother killed the other before turning the gun on himself is not only unimaginable but also entirely inconsistent with their relationship The family has since made an emotional plea for anyone who may have seen the twins in the days leading up to their deaths to come forward The brothers, whose family had expected them to board a flight to Boston on the morning of March 7, were found with fatal gunshot wounds Another aunt, Yasmine Brawner, also shared the family's disbelief. 'They had a huge support system. We know them. They wouldn't do anything like this. To say they did this to each other? No. Something happened in those mountains, and we want answers,' she said. To the family, the idea that one brother killed the other before turning the gun on himself is not only unimaginable but also entirely inconsistent with their relationship. 'They came from a family of love, and twins wanted so much for their future - they had dreams of starting their very own clothing line,' Yasmine shared on a GoFundMe page set up to cover funeral expenses for the pair. The family has since made an emotional plea for anyone who may have seen the twins in the days leading up to their deaths to come forward. 'Somebody knows something,' Samira Brawner said. 'They didn't just walk up that mountain and die. Something happened to them.' JK Rowling appeared to take aim at Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint in a social media post shared to her 14.3million followers. The 59-year-old author penned a biting response apparently hinting to the trio in response to the question: 'What actor/actress instantly ruins a movie for you?' Without missing a beat, Rowling cryptically wrote: 'Three guesses. Sorry, but that was irresistible.' She ended her post with three laughing emojis. Many of her followers widely interpreted her riposte as a nod to the three child stars who played the lead roles in the successful franchise. Relations between the multi-millionaire author and the actors - who rose to prominence thanks to the Harry Potter films - have been frosty for years because of Rowling's views on trans rights. Last year she publicly stated that she could not 'forgive' Radcliffe and Watson or other celebrities who 'cosied up to a movement intent on eroding women's hard-won rights'. The comments were made following the publication of the long-awaited Cass report into gender treatment in the UK, which recommended that changes should be made to the way young people are advised and puberty blockers should no longer be prescribed. J K Rowling appeared to take aim at Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint in a social media post shared to her 14.3million followers. Pictured: The author wth the actors in 2009 Many of Rowling's followers widely interpreted her riposte as a nod to the three child stars who played the lead roles in the successful franchise Rowling hit out at stars who use their 'platforms to cheer on the transitioning of minors' and said people who supported gender transitioning in children should apologise to 'traumatised detransitioners and vulnerable women reliant on single sex spaces'. The writer has been vocal in her opposition of allowing children to change their gender, while Radcliffe and Watson have been outspoken in their support of the trans community. Following the publication of the Cass report many people who have expressed misgivings over allowing children to transition claimed they have been vindicated. Writing on X, formerly known as Twitter, Rowling said at the time that it was a 'watershed' moment and that it 'lays bare the tragedy' of allowing children to transition. But when someone claimed that Radcliffe and Watson owe her 'a very public apology... safe in the knowledge that you will forgive them', Rowling responded by saying: 'Not safe, I'm afraid.' She added: 'Celebs who cosied up to a movement intent on eroding women's hard-won rights and who used their platforms to cheer on the transitioning of minors can save their apologies for traumatised detransitioners and vulnerable women reliant on single sex spaces.' Rowling later wrote: 'Kids have been irreversibly harmed, and thousands are complicit, not just medics, but the celebrity mouthpieces, unquestioning media and cynical corporations. 'The consequences of this scandal will play out for decades. You cheered it on. You did all you could to impede and misrepresent research. You tried to bully people out of their jobs for opposing you. Young people have been experimented on, left infertile and in pain. Relations between the multi-millionaire author and the actors, including Daniel Radcliffe who played Harry Potter, have been frosty for years because of Rowling's views on trans rights 'I thought the last tweet was going to be my last, but I just burst into tears. The #CassReview may be a watershed moment, but it comes too late for detransitioners who've written me heartbreaking letters of regret. 'Today's not a triumph, it's the laying bare of a tragedy.' Radcliffe has openly spoken about his rift with Rowling and said in an interview last May that his beliefs don't have to align with the author's just because she made him a star. The actor, 34, and fellow Harry Potter stars Emma Watson, 34, and Rupert Grint, 35, have been outspoken in their support of gender ideology - that biologically male trans women are actually women. Yet although Radcliffe admitted 'nothing in my life' would likely have happened if not for Rowling. In an interview with The Atlantic, he revealed that he had not spoken to Rowling for years, which had upset him. He added: 'Jo, obviously Harry Potter would not have happened without her, so nothing in my life would have probably happened the way it is without that person. 'But that doesn't mean that you owe the things you truly believe to someone else for your entire life.' Last year Rowling publicly stated that she could not 'forgive' Radcliffe and Watson or other celebrities who 'cosied up to a movement intent on eroding women's hard-won rights' He added: 'It makes me really sad, ultimately, because I do look at the person that I met, the times that we met, and the books that she wrote, and the world that she created, and all of that is to me so deeply empathic.' Watson has also openly hinted at the furore with Rowling. In 2022, Baftas host Rebel Wilson invited the actress onto the stage saying: 'Here to present the next award is Emma Watson. She calls herself a feminist, but we all know she's a witch.' But when Watson arrived on stage, she said, 'I'm here for all the witches!', in a way that many interpreted as an open dig at Rowling. MailOnline has contacted JK Rowling's management for comment. Israel has issued a 'final warning' to Palestinians as the IDF launches a new ground offensive in Gaza following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's call to shatter a ceasefire deal with Hamas. Defence Minister Israel Katz today said Israel will soon issue evacuation orders for combat zones in the Gaza Strip. 'Gaza residents, this is a final warning. The first Sinwar destroyed Gaza and the second Sinwar will completely destroy it,' Katz said in reference to the late leader of Hamas, Yahya Sinwar and his brother Mohammed who is believed to still be alive. 'The Air Force strikes against Hamas terrorists were just the first step. It will become much more difficult and you will pay the full price,' Katz added. 'The evacuation of the population from combat zones will soon begin again'. Katz also added that if the hostages are not released and Hamas is not removed from Gaza, 'Israel will operate with strength you have yet not seen'. The menacing warning comes after the Israeli army announced this afternoon that it had launched a ground operation in the centre of the Gaza Strip with the goal of establishing a 'partial buffer zone' between the north and south. It also said it was stationing forces in the south and taking back control of the Netzarim axis, which troops withdrew from last month as part of the temporary ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The IDF has launched a new ground offensive in Gaza The Israeli army announced this afternoon that it had launched a ground operation in the centre of the Gaza Strip with the goal of establishing a 'partial buffer zone' The development comes as tens of thousands of Israeli protesters marched towards Netanyahu's home today. Pictured: People march, as they enter Jerusalem, during a rally against the Israeli government and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and demanding the release of all hostages from Gaza The development comes as tens of thousands of Israeli protesters marched towards Netanyahu's home today, with some seen holding banners reading: 'The future of the coalition or the future of Israel'. Footage shows swarms of protesters gathered around the Knesset, Israel's parliament, as participants called to bring hostages home, while others condemned the government as 'fascist'. Other videos captured how demonstrators filled the streets of Jerusalem, bringing motorways and roads to a standstill. Protest groups have ranged from the Defensive Shield Forum, a group representing former defence and security officials, and the Movement for Quality Government in Israel, an anti-corruption group that was active in a bitter battle in 2023 over curbing the power of the Supreme Court, alongside families of the hostages in Gaza. A separate group of protesters blocked the road by Jerusalem's Paris Square, and at least four people were arrested in connection. Israeli police said in a statement today: 'So far, four suspects have been arrested for disorderly conduct, threats and violence, including a man (23) in whose possession an assault weapon was found. 'The protesters' behaviour, along with blocking streets in Jerusalem with their vehicles, is a blatant violation of the protest conditions that were agreed upon between the protesters and the Israel Police'. Netanyahu's decision to resume war in the Palestinian enclave, where 59 hostages are still being held, has added fresh fuel to the anger of protesters, who accuse the government of continuing the war for political reasons. Protests started Tuesday after the prime minister announced over the weekend that he had lost confidence in Ronen Bar, the head of the Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency, and had decided to sack him. Protests started Tuesday after the prime minister sacked Ronen Bar, the head of the Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency The protests come after Netanyahu's decision to resume war in the Palestinian enclave has added fresh fuel to the anger of protesters But Netanyahu's decision to end the fragile ceasefire deal has added fuel to the fire A drone view shows people marching towards Jerusalem, during a rally against the Israeli government and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu But Netanyahu's decision to end the fragile ceasefire deal, which saw Israeli Defence Forces batter Gaza overnight into Tuesday, killing more than 400 people, only intensified the protests. 'This is no longer a war that is about something that is important, it is all about the survival of this government, the survival of Benjamin Netanyahu,' said Koren Offer, a protester in Jerusalem. There is an echo in the current movement of the huge protests that erupted in 2023 -before the October 7 Hamas attacks that triggered the war in Gaza - when Netanyahu attempted to sack then-Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over his opposition to the planned judicial overhaul. It reflects a conviction among critics of Netanyahu that the six-time prime minister represents a danger to Israel's democracy. 'This government does not stop at red lights,' Yair Lapid, a former prime minister and head of the centrist opposition party Yesh Atid, said on the social media platform X. 'Enough! I call on all of you - this is our moment, this is our future. Take to the streets.' While his right-wing coalition holds together, Netanyahu has been able to defy the protests and stave off calls for new elections. Opinion polls suggest he would lose an election due to continuing public anger over the failures that allowed Hamas to attack southern communities on October 7, 2023, in Israel's worst security disaster. Tuesday's announcement by extreme hardliner Itamar Ben Gvir that he would rejoin the government, after walking out over the ceasefire deal signed in January, underlined the political endorsement the government has gained from the nationalist-religious camp whose support has been vital. The temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was struck on January 19, bringing an end to more than 15 months of conflict. Israeli police officers clash with Israeli demonstrators as they gather to protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government in Jerusalem on March 19, 2025. More than 400 people were killed in the widespread strikes yesterday, the health ministry in the Hamas-run Gaza said Police officers detain protesters, during a rally, against the Israeli government and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Netanyahu warned late last night that the strikes were 'only the beginning' and that future negotiations with Hamas 'will take place only under fire' Police stand guard as demonstrators hold Israeli flags, at a rally against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government today But talks on extending the truce collapsed earlier this week, which prompted Israel to resume hostilities with one of the most punishing single-day bombardments of the conflict so far. Hamas has issued a statement denouncing Israel for the attack on the UN site, despite the IDF denying responsibility. 'This crime [is] part of a deliberate policy targeting UN and humanitarian institutions to prevent them from fulfilling their duty to assist the Palestinian people,' the government media office in Gaza said. 'We call on the United Nations to take a clear and strong stance regarding this crime, and to act immediately'. Hamas also called an 'urgent international investigation'. More than 400 people were killed in the widespread strikes yesterday, the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory said, including the head of Hamas' government in Gaza, Essam al-Dalis, and other officials. Yet Netanyahu warned late last night that the strikes were 'only the beginning' and that future negotiations with Hamas 'will take place only under fire'. 'Hamas has already felt the strength of our arm in the past 24 hours. And I want to promise you - and them - this is only the beginning,' he said in a video statement. Meanwhile, the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) said that one of its workers was killed Wednesday when an explosive was 'dropped or fired' on its building in the central Gaza Strip. In a statement titled 'UNOPS colleague killed at UNOPS premises in Gaza', the agency said: 'An explosive ordnance was dropped or fired at the infrastructure and detonated inside the building' in Deir el-Balah city. It added that 'there is no confirmation at this stage as to the nature of the incident', which also injured five people, or of the type of ordnance. Bulgaria's foreign ministry said on Wednesday that one its citizens working for the United Nations was killed in Gaza, without specifying where in the territory. UNOPS chief Jorge Moreira da Silva said in a statement that he was 'shocked and devastated' by the staff member's death. 'This was not an accident,' he said, adding that 'attacks against humanitarian premises are a breach of international law' and that UN personnel and premises 'must be protected by all sides'. He called for the resumption of the ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, for 'unimpeded humanitarian assistance' into Gaza, and for hostages held by Palestinian militants to be freed. The Gaza health ministry earlier said a foreign UN worker was killed and five others seriously injured in an Israeli strike on their headquarters in central Gaza. The Israeli military denied hitting a UN building. To many of her opponents she was a master of spin and secrecy. But now Nicola Sturgeon has revealed that the title of her forthcoming memoir will be Frankly. Billed as a unique blend of personal insight and captivating vignettes, the cover of Ms Sturgeons much anticipated book was yesterday revealed ahead of its launch this summer. According to its blurb on online shopping site Amazon, it is remarkable for its honesty and self-reflection. It also describes Ms Sturgeon, whose party is currently mired in financial scandal, as Campaigner. Leader. Pioneer. But critics suggested that the former First Ministers track record meant it would have to be stocked in the fantasy section of bookshops, adding that she had a brass neck to give it such a title. Ms Sturgeon has been working on the book since at least 2023, when publisher Pan Macmillan picked up the UK rights in a hotly-contested auction. The book, for which she received an advance of 300,000, promises to be a personal and revealing memoir which charts Ms Sturgeons journey from working-class Ayrshire to becoming Scotlands First Minister. Nicola Sturgeon has announced she will step down from Holyrood at next years election (Robert Perry/PA) The book will see Ms Sturgeon give her account of her relationship with predecessor Alex Salmond The cover of Nicola Sturgeon's memoirs was revealed online Amazon describes the book, set to be released on August 14, as: Full of the verve and wit that made Sturgeon one of the most high-profile politicians in the UK, this is a unique blend of personal insight and captivating vignettes. Infused throughout with a love of Scotland and its people, it honestly discusses Sturgeons mistakes, her battles, and her triumphs. But critics said that her track record of failing to recall key information during inquiries into the Alex Salmond affair, Covid and the ferries fiasco meant that the book will need to be taken with a pinch of salt. In 20201, Ms Sturgeon faced almost eight hours of questioning from the Scottish Parliaments committee looking into the devolved governments handling of the Alex Salmond affair. She was accused of delay, obstruction and obfuscation after failing to recall key information 50 times during the hearing. Later, she told the UK Covid Inquiry she had deleted her WhatsApp exchanges about Covid in line with policy, but insisted she was certain that any salient points discussed about government policy would be documented on the corporate record. An FOI request asked for a breakdown of messages from the then First Minister which were transferred to Holyroods electronic records and documents management system since January 2020. In response, the Scottish Government said that the answer is zero. Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said: Bookshops might have to stock this in their fantasy section given the brass neck title chosen by Nicola Sturgeon. Unlike the former First Minister, Scots wont forget how her memory suddenly failed her when she was grilled at the Covid and Salmond inquiries or over her role in the ferry scandal. In a social media post, Ms Sturgeon said: I have poured my heart into this book, it tells the story of my personal journey, it recounts the extraordinary events that I have been privileged to live and to lead through. She said it will be a behind-the-scenes look, including of her interactions with colourful characters. Ms Sturgeon continued: The title sums up what the book is: open, honest candid. About my mistakes and my heartbreaks as well as my triumphs and achievements. First Minister John Swinney, who previously served as Ms Sturgeons deputy, said: Im sure itll be a good read. Asked if he had experience of Ms Sturgeon speaking frankly, he replied: Thats a different question. Im sure I have. Maybe the odd occasion? Im sure itll be a lovely read. And just for absolute clarity, I have no immediate plans to write my memoirs because I intend to be in office for a long time. In the months after announcing her resignation as first minister in February 2023, her husband - and former SNP chief executive - Peter Murrell was arrested in relation to a police probe into the SNPs finances. He was later re-arrested and charged in connection with the alleged embezzlement of party funds. Ms Sturgeon was also arrested in relation to the same probe, as was former party treasurer Colin Beattie. They were both released without charge pending further inquiries. Republican Congressman Mike Flood faced the wrath of angry constituents on Tuesday when he was booed at a town hall in Nebraska. The congressman was the latest in a series of GOP lawmakers who've been on defense while meeting with Americans in their districts while Congress is on recess. People across the country have been showing up to raise concerns over the work of Elon Musk and DOGE as well as other controversial policies in the Trump administration. Flood was booed mercilessly by attendees at his event in Columbus, NE as he defended spending cuts by the administration carried out by DOGE. One attendee challenged the congressman on why he does not think the world's richest man doesn't have a conflict of interest. 'What makes you think... he has no conflict of interest? Do you think he would cut that before he would cut our Medicare or our Social Security or our Jobs?' one man asked as the crowd cheered. 'I support Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency,' Flood responded. The crowd in the auditorium went wild, booing and giving the congressman the thumbs down. Rep. Mike Flood (R-NE) faced booing and jeers at his town hall in Columbus where constituents expressed frustration over his support for Elon Musk and DOGE and slammed his response to Trump's meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky It comes as Musk has moved to gut the government agencies that are responsible for regulating his businesses like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. It was one of the multiple times Flood was met with jeering during his event. At another point, Flood was booed for arguing in support of Trump's goal to slash spending. 'For the first time in decades, we have a president that is cutting spending and he is looking to find efficiencies, and I support that effort,' Flood said to jeers. He also enraged attendees who booed when he argued in favor of extending provisions of the Trump tax law. 'We're not going to grow the economy if we don't pass the 2017 extension of the tax cuts that you're already living under,' Flood claimed as constituents shouted their disapproval. During the town hall, attendees started chanting 'tax the rich' while Flood was discussing the U.S. national debt. Flood's town hall in a high school auditorium was attended by roughly 200 people The GOP lawmaker was also blasted for his response to how Trump has handled Ukraine and criticism of President Volodymyr Zelensky as the pair clashed in the Oval Office on February 28. The entire stunning moment was all captured on camera. One woman slammed Flood at his town hall for his response to the meeting. 'I do want to say: shame. I want to say shame for your comment, your quote that you said "President Zelensky's approach today was disrespectful to President Trump and undermines the goal of bringing peace..." so shame on that,' she said. The woman then went on to share that she was the daughter, niece and sister of veterans and raised concerns over spending cuts. 'I have received the American Legion Auxiliary newsletter for a long time. For decades they have stated that we're underfunded and understaffed, repeatedly stated that. You have said otherwise with DOGE. Who's lying, them or you?' the woman asked. Flood insisted the U.S. will keep its promise to give veterans the best care. He claimed he would work in Congress to support the veterans, but as he spoke shouting could be heard from the crowd. The lawmaker went on to defend his response to Zelensky's face-to-face with Trump at the White House, calling the meeting 'a disaster.' When he said he believed Zelensky 'should have signed that agreement' his words were met with another intense round of boos and thumbs down. Flood's venturing out to meet with constituents took place in a safely red district that he won in November by more than 20 points. But even in Trump country, people are upset and showing up to express their disapproval. Flood is not the only Republican lawmaker to face angry constituents at a town hall. A series of GOP town halls have turned rowdy as frustrated Americans have shown up to demand answers about Trump and Musk and blast their lawmakers. Last month, Republican Congressman Rich McCormick was met with harsh criticism at a town hall in his district for his support of massive layoffs and budget cuts by DOGE. Last week, GOP Congressman Chuck Edwards faced boos and jeering during his town hall inside a packed auditorium in Asheville, North Carolina in his solid red district. On Friday, Congresswoman Harriet Hageman in deep red Wyoming was even met with concerns from Republicans over Musk's DOGE at her town hall, the Associated Press reported. While some Republican lawmakers continue to brave tense conversations with angry constituents, others have shied away from holding public town halls. North Carolina Congresswoman Virginia Foxx told Fox News on Sunday she is happy to personally speak with constituents who come to her office but she does not do town halls because she believes it's an 'opportunity for people to yell at their member of Congress.' According to Flood's office 400 people showed up for Flood's town hall on Tuesday at a high school auditorium. Asked for comment on the town hall, Flood's office pointed DailyMail.com to comments the congressman made to the media afterward. Speaking to reporters, he acknowledged that he heard a lot of concerns about the Department of Veterans Affairs, which has faced slashes by DOGE. 'I'm going to go visit the hospital. I'm going to go visit the director. I'm going to ask more questions,' Flood said. I saw very clearly that a lot of my constituents had questions about it.' He argued that he's confident Trump wants the veterans taken care of. 'I'm going to take that message back and I'm going to start asking a lot of questions to make sure that we're meeting our obligations,' he said, noting it's not something he has seen in his call logs to his office. A jockey has been charged with the murder of a 71-year-old man who died in hospital ten days after a bust-up outside a pub in Newmarket, Suffolk. Levi Williams, 25, from Holland Park, has been charged with the man's murder and remanded in custody. Officers were called to reports of an altercation involving four people outside The Waggon & Horses pub on the high street at 3.40pm on March 8. Two men suffered injuries and were taken to hospital, with one of them - a 45-year-old - discharged later in the evening on March 8. The other, aged 71, remained in Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge in a critical condition and sadly passing away on March 18. Williams was previously arrested on suspicion of assault causing grievous bodily harm in connection with the incident but was bailed. He was rearrested on Tuesday and taken to Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre for questioning before being charged. Today he appeared before Ipswich Magistrates Court and was remanded in custody until a preliminary hearing at Cambridge Crown Court tomorrow. Jocky Levi Williams (pictured), 25, from Holland Park, has been charged with the man's murder and remanded in custody Officers were called to reports of an altercation involving four people outside the Waggon And Horses pub (pictured) on the highstreet at 3.40pm on March 8 Williams (left) pictured riding his first winner Mr Scaramanga at Lingfield, Surrey, in January 2019 Suffolk Police said a 23-year-old man who was also arrested on suspicion of assault causing grievous bodily harm and a 45-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of affray both remain on police bail until June 5 and June 9 respectively. Jockey Williams has not taken part in any races since May 2023 after he was given an 18-month improper riding ban by the disciplinary panel for testing positive for cocaine when riding at Windsor. The ban ended in November last year and he was granted his licence on the condition that he 'practise continued abstinence from all substances'. He had originally moved away from Newmarket in an attempt to 'reduce his access to and temptation to indulge in substance abuse'. It was the flat rider's second suspension for a positive drugs test, having tested positive for cocaine and cannabis in 2021. At least three people have died in southern Spain as Storm Laurence submerges entire towns with heavy rain and flash flooding. A cyclist who disappeared Monday in Anora, in the province of Cordoba, was found dead roughly 3 miles away in the town of Dos Torres, La Cadena SER radio reports. Rescuers had been searching for the man, who was in his 70s, since 5am Tuesday, with the Civil Guard confirming today that his body had been found. Police have also confirmed the death of a married couple who disappeared in Constantina, Seville on Tuesday after their car was dragged away by a rushing current. The couple's vehicle overturned while crossing the stream and was swept away, officials said. Emergency services found the woman's body on Tuesday. Civil Guard police force said they had found the husband's corpse on Wednesday. Storm Laurence lashed much of southern, eastern and central Spain earlier this week, putting several regions on alert for rain, wind and dangerous tides. The country is bracing for the arrival of another storm, dubbed Martinho, on Thursday - the fourth to sweep across the country in less than two weeks. Hundreds of people were evacuated in the southern region of Andalusia, where several rivers had overflowed, this week as Storm Laurence brought heavy downpours to the area The Civil Guard carried out rescue operations yesterday in Dona Ana, Cartama - part of the Andalusia region of Malaga - after the Guadalhorce River overflowed A van is photographed being swept away by the flood in Casasola, Malaga, Spain yesterday Emergency teams rescue a dog from flooded areas after heavy rains in Malaga yesterday A mud-covered vehicle sits next to the Poyo gorge in Paiporta, Valencia, Spain today. Paiporta is one of the worst-affected towns by Storm Laurence and the subsequent floods that have struck the region Storm Laurence has turned entire towns into rivers, flooding streets and motorways across southern Spain, as it brought nearly 100mm of rainfall and 55mph winds to the popular tourist region. Civil Guard officers have carried out rescue missions of both civilians and animals in recent days, has the storm pummelled the area. Two dogs were rescued from flood waters in Cartama, Malaga on Tuesday, video shared by the Civil Guard revealed. Heavy rains prompted officials in the region to evacuate hundreds of homes, shut down roads and cancel school yesterday. Andalusian authorities said a total of 368 families were evacuated as a preventive measure in the province of Malaga. In one of the towns, Cartama, around 20 people and their pets were rescued from their flooded homes. In Aguilas, a coastal Mediterranean town in Murcia, emergency services rescued nine people who were trapped inside their cars in a ravine on Tuesday. The occupants of several boats were also helped to safety in the same area. The Guadaiza River overflowed at the bridge between Nueva Andalucia and San Pedro de Alcantara in Marbella, part of the Andalusia region, yesterday The Rivera de Huelva flooded in Mairena del Aljarafe yesterday afternoon, trapping a man and his dog An area next to the Guadiana River is sealed off today as water passes through Merida city after the river overflowed due to heavy rains caused by Storm Laurence A vehicle drives through the water-covered AP-4 Seville-Cadiz motorway yesterday after it was flooded by rains from Storm Laurence Rescuers are seen in Mairena del Aljarafe, where a man and his dog were trapped by the flooding of the Rivera de Huelva yesterday Residents clear mud from the streets after heavy rains in Campanillas, Malaga yesterday Water is released from the dam of Casasola in Malaga, Spain on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 A succession of storms - named Jana, Konrad, and Laurence - passed through eastern Spain over the course of just a few days, pelting the region with water. Konrad and Laurence left almost 100 litres of rain and flooded several areas of Malaga already this week. But locals will have little relief as Martinho, which is already visible of the Atlantic, arrives tomorrow afternoon. Spanish meteorological agency Aemet predicts Martinho will be 'less strong' in terms of accumulated rainfall than Laurence was, but will still bring heavy rain, intense gusts of wind and a dramatic drop in temperatures to the region. Aemet has issued yellow-level warnings in four provinces of Andalucia for tomorrow, but not in Malaga. Rainfall is expected to continue on Friday and through the weekend, with occasional showers on Saturday and Sunday, SUR reports. Meteorologists say rain is also possible on Monday and Tuesday. Forecasters warn that the mountaintop city of Ronda, also in the province of Malaga, may collect larger amounts of rain due to westerly flow, but the situation is not expected to be dangerous. Storm Laurence has turned entire towns into rivers, flooding streets and motorways. Pictured is the a bridge in Marbella that was flooded yesterday when the Guadaiza River overflowed Emergency teams rescue a dog from flooded areas after heavy rains in Malaga on Tuesday Residents clear mud from the streets after heavy rains in Campanillas, Malaga on Tuesday Water flows down the swollen river after the release of water from the dam of Casasola in Malaga, Spain on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 The Cazalegas Reservoir is at its highest level today as the water level rose due to heavy rains caused by Storm Laurence in San Ramon de los Montes, Toledo Spaniards are still on edge after torrential rains four months ago in the eastern Valencia region led to the country's deadliest natural disaster in decades. Many residents blamed local and national officials for being too late in sending emergency alerts. Abundant rainfall this month is on course to end a four-year drought and has replenished water reserves to 65.8 per cent of their capacity, up from 56.82 per cent a year ago. Scientists and government officials have linked these swings between extreme dry and wet spells to climate change, which experts say has also produced increasingly hot summers in Spain. Newly released John F. Kennedy assassination files include details from the eerie 'suicide' of the CIA insider who blamed the agency for the 35th president's death in 1963. CIA informant and former US Army Captain John Garrett Underhill Jr., commonly known as Gary Underhill, was found shot dead in his Washington apartment six months after JFK was killed. The coroner declared Underhill had killed himself - but conspiracists have long thought otherwise since he had accused the CIA of being responsible for the fatal event. One of the 80,000 investigative documents published by the National Archives on Tuesday revealed chilling details about Underhill's pre-mortem confessions, as well the suspicious circumstances of his death. The memo - titled Ramparts: John Garrett Underhill Jr., Samuel George Cummings, and Interarmco - described Underhill as a WWII intelligence agent who was 'on intimate terms with many of the top brass in the Pentagon.' Underhill was known during his time as an intelligence agent as a 'recognized authority on limited warfare and small arms,' the memo said. Given his closeness with the CIA, he was reportedly one of the agencies go-to people to embark on special assignments. The day after the assassination, Underhill reportedly rushed out of Washington DC and showed up at his friend's New Jersey home late in the evening. CIA informant and former US Army Captain John Garrett Underhill Jr., commonly known as Gary Underhill, was found shot dead in his Washington apartment six months after JFK was killed President John F Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy moments before the president was shot in Dallas on November 22, 1963 as his car passed through Dealey Plaza 'He was very agitated,' the filing revealed. 'A small clique within the CIA was responsible for the assassination, he confided, and he was afraid for his life and probably would have to leave the country.' Underhill was depicted by his peers as 'sober but badly shook,' according to the memo. 'They say he attributed the Kennedy murder to a CIA clique which was carrying on a lucrative racket in gun-running, narcotics and other contraband, and manipulating political intrigue to serve its own ends,' the document continues. His friends alleged JFK 'got wind that something was going on' but was murdered before he could do anything about it. Underhill was reportedly a rational and level-headed individual. At first, his friends were not convinced of his accusations against the CIA. One said, as per the files: 'I think the main reason was...that we couldn't believe that the CIA could contain a corrupt element every bit as ruthless - and more efficient - as the mafia.' The memo also included the perspective of Underhill's writing collaborator Asher Brynes, who was the one who discovered his dead body. President Donald Trump said on Monday that 80,000 pages of JFK files would be released the on Tuesday He was shot behind his left ear, which was 'odd' given he was right handed, Brynes said. Another detail that may allude to an unsettling connection is Underhill was allegedly a friend of Interarmco founder Samuel Cummings. Interarmco was the arms broker for the CIA, as well as Klein's Sporting Goods in Chicago - the store Lee Harvey Oswald allegedly mail-ordered the Carcano rifle he shot JFK with. JFK investigative documents were published by the National Archives on Tuesday after the White House said Americans would be 'shocked' by the information. 'We are tomorrow announcing and giving all of the Kennedy files...people have been waiting for decades for this,' Trump said on Monday. 'We have a tremendous amount of paper. You've got a lot of reading.' He added: 'I don't believe we are going to redact anything. I said just don't redact. You can't redact. But we're going to be releasing the JFK files.' The memo, titled Ramparts: John Garrett Underhill Jr., Samuel George Cummings, and Interarmco, described Underhill as a WWII intelligence agent who was 'on intimate terms with many of the top brass in the Pentagon' The files include investigative gatherings pertaining to JFK's infamous assassination that has intrigued conspiracy theorists for decades Despite this claim, some pages are heavily redacted with thick black bars across the pages. 'It's a lot of stuff, and you'll make your own determination,' Trump said of the contents, adding that he saw them before their release. Since their release, conspiracy theorist skeptical of the circumstances of JFK's death - including Oswald being the assassin - have scoured the documents for any detail from the investigation that proved a different story. An influential Republican lawmaker from Pennsylvania split from his wife and is now dating one of Fox News's most promising reporters. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, 41, is dating Fox News digital correspondent Brooke Singman, 32, a source confirmed to DailyMail.com. The lawmaker and the journalist have been spotted together around Washington, D.C., multiple sources told Page Six, which first reported the relationship. 'The dynamic looked romantic in nature,' one of the sources disclosed to the outlet. Recently, Reschenthaler and Singman were spotted together at an event held at the Library of Congress. The pair dined together at the event, the sources shared. Reschenthaler, the chief deputy whip for House Republicans, has quickly risen through the ranks of Congress since first getting elected in 2019. Singman similarly is a rising star, having begun her career as an assistant to Fox News President Jay Wallace before later becoming a reporter for the outlet's website. She has since landed exclusive interviews with President Donald Trump and now frequently appears on air for the cable news channel. Fox News journalist Brooke Singman poses for a picture with Donald Trump on her Instagram Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, R-Pa., has served in Congress since 2019. He and his wife Jennifer (R) reportedly split up in November 2024. The pair were married in 2021 but are pictured above in September 2022 Singman poses for a picture outside of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. A source told DailyMail.com that the relationship is not a conflict of interest because Singman does not report on Congress, where Reschenthaler works. The Fox News reporter and lawmaker were first linked while Singman was covering Trump's campaign, the sources disclosed to Page Six. They met during Trump's October campaign stop at a Pennsylvania McDonald's, where the Republican served burgers and fries to a select few hungry patrons. Pictures of the fast-food campaign stop posted by Singman show her in the McDonald's with the president and the lawmaker. One picture she took from that day shows Reschenthaler standing next to Trump and a cast of McDonald's employees. Around that time Singman interviewed Reschenthaler for an article titled 'Kamala Harris has become toxic for Pennsylvania, top Keystone State lawmaker says.' According to Page Six sources, the lawmaker and his wife Jennifer separated in November. They were married in Virginia in 2021. Despite Reschenthaler and Singman meeting in October, they did not begin to date until January, the sources said. Singman and Reschenthaler were reportedly spotted having dinner together in recent weeks Singman, 32, has been one of Fox New's most talented reporters, and she frequently breaks exclusive stories with top Trump administration officials Singman poses with President Trump in the Oval Office earlier this year However, Singman and Reschenthaler are not the only Pennsylvania lawmaker and Fox News journalist who are dating. Fox News Senior White House Correspondent Jacqui Heinrich and Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick are also dating. Heinrich and Fitzpatrick have been together for years and images of them adorn the White House correspondent's Instagram. Representatives for Fox News and Reschenthaler's office declined to comment. Malaysia has agreed on the terms to resume the search for the wreckage of the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 with an ocean exploration firm, its transport minister said on Wednesday. Flight MH370, a Boeing 777, was carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew when it vanished en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing in 2014 in one of the world's greatest aviation mysteries. The decision will enable commencement of seabed search operations in a new location estimated to cover 5,790 sq miles in the southern Indian Ocean, based on a 'no find, no fee' principle, minister Loke Siew Fook said. Exploration firm Ocean Infinity will receive $70 million if the wreckage is successfully located, he said. 'The government is committed to continuing the search operation and providing closure for the families of the MH370 passengers,' Loke said in a statement. The government in December said it had agreed in principle with Ocean Infinity's proposal to resume the hunt for MH370. The firm had conducted the last search for the plane that ended in 2018 but failed on two attempts. Those followed an underwater search by Malaysia, Australia and China in a 120,000 sq km (46,332 sq mile) area of the southern Indian Ocean, based on data of automatic connections between an Inmarsat satellite and the plane. Malaysia has agreed on the terms to resume the search for the wreckage of the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 with an ocean exploration firm Exploration firm Ocean Infinity will receive $70 million if the wreckage is successfully located Flight MH370, a Boeing 777, was carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew when it vanished en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing in 2014 in one of the world's greatest aviation mysteries (File image of a Malaysia Airlines plane) A ship that will look for the missing plane was deployed to its Indian Ocean search zone late last month, ship tracking data showed, even though a deal had yet to be signed with the government. It was not immediately clear how long the search contract with Ocean Infinity would be. Loke had previously said it would cover an 18-month period. It comes after experts warned that the search for MH370 'could turn catastrophic very, very quickly.' Former Australian naval officer Peter Waring said the technology being used in the search was top of the line. 'What these new Ocean Infinity vessels represent quite frankly, is as big a transition in maritime technology as the movement from sail to steam in the 1800s,' he told 60 Minutes. 'It is a giant leap in, in maritime technology.' However, the technology can only get searchers so far in the open ocean, where where waves as high as 20 metres have been recorded in the new search area. 'There's absolutely no shelter out there and there's nowhere to hide,' Mr Waring warned. 'You're six or seven days away from the nearest port, which is Perth. A family member of passengers and crew on board missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 reacts during a remembrance event marking the 10th anniversary of its disappearance at the Empire Subang in Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia, 03 March 2024 Crew members look out the windows from a Malaysian Air Force CN235 aircraft during a search and rescue (SAR) operation to find the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 plane over the Strait of Malacca on March 14, 2014 With the aid of autonomous underwater drones, recovery crews hope to scour the sea floor The 'seventh arc' (pictured) is where experts believe the plane could have reached before running out of fuel and been forced into the water 'These are dangerous conditions, if something goes wrong, it will turn catastrophic very, very quickly.' This is Ocean Infinity's second effort to find the wreckage after a failed attempt in 2018. 'We've been here before, there's been lots of searches in the past,' Mr Waring said. 'There's been lots of promises made and I'm really hoping this time that we find the aircraft and that we can put it all to rest. 'This is a mystery that really tears at the fabric of reality, and maybe it'll stitch it back together again slightly. Deep sea explorer and electrical engineer Craig Wallace also warned the about the gruelling conditions. 'The Indian Ocean that they're working in is, is among the worst in the world,' he said. 'They've recorded wave heights of 20 meters, so 60 feet. It's extreme conditions and there will be a lot of times where they simply cannot launch or recover the vehicle.' Ocean Infinity are believed to have identified their search area based on the estimated location of the seventh arc, the aircraft's performance characteristics and the weather along the flight paths on the night and morning of March 8, 2014. The recovery experts will also factor in satellite data and oceanographic modelling of the probable travel paths of the 37 salvaged aircraft components which have washed up as far away as Mauritius and Madagascar. Former RAAF and Qantas pilot Mike Glynn suggested other data relied upon in the investigation was misleading. Experts fear the conditions in the Indian Ocean could make recovery crews' work difficult. Pictured are searchers in 2014 A family member of passengers and crew on board the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 look at a card with the names of a missing passenger during a remembrance event marking the 10th anniversary of its disappearance at the Empire Subang in Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia, 03 March 2024 A girl stands in front of a condolence message board during a Day of Remembrance for MH370 event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on March 3, 2019 Former Australian naval officer Peter Waring said he hopes the search isn't a 'false dawn' He said the methodology, developed by a retired aerospace engineer, relied on anomalies in radio signals measured in what's known as weak signal propagation reporter tracking. 'The theory says if you track all links with anomalies in them, you can track where the aircraft went, but you can't,' he told the Australian. 'These links are tens of thousands of kilometres long and there's no identification of the aircraft that went through. All you get is an anomaly in the signal which can be caused by a lot of things.' He said the Malaysian government was hopeful the theory equated to evidence that would bring them closer to the wreckage of MH370. 'It's absolutely not and it will lead to another [search] failure,' Mr Glynn said. Mr Glynn believes Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah originally planned a mass murder-suicide for the flight. At the present stage, jurisdiction over found wreckage is unclear. A probation officer has denied killing a five-year-old girl nearly 47 years ago by forcing her into a scalding hot bath. Janice Nix, 66, from Clapham, is accused of the manslaughter of Andrea Bernard, who was known to her, at an address in Thornton Heath, south London, on June 6, 1978. Andrea was treated at a hospital in Croydon before being transferred to a specialist burns unit in East Grinstead, West Sussex, where she died five weeks later on July 13 that year. A previous hearing was told Andrea had been forced into a very hot bath which scalded 50 per cent of her body. Nix also denied another charge relating to alleged cruelty to Andrea's brother Desmond Bernard between October 1, 1975 and June 6, 1978, when he was eight. Nix was aged between 16 and 19 at the time of the multiple alleged incidents. The Metropolitan Police said the force launched an investigation into the girl's death in September 2022 after someone reported the incident. Janice Nix, 66, from Clapham, is accused of the manslaughter of Andrea Bernard, who was known to her, at an address in Thornton Heath, south London, on June 6, 1978 (Pictured: Nix leaving the Old Bailey in London on March 19) Nix also denied another charge relating to alleged cruelty towards Andrea's brother Desmond Bernard between October 1, 1975 and June 6, 1978, when he was eight Nix (pictured outside the Old Bailey) was aged between 16 and 19 at the time of the multiple alleged incidents Nix, who was arrested and charged on February 18, has been freed on bail with conditions including not to contact any witnesses, to surrender her passports and not to go to any international travel hubs. She is due to appear at Isleworth Crown Court on March 27 where a trial date is expected to be set. At the Old Bailey in London today, Judge Nigel Lickley KC told Nix: 'As you probably heard quite shortly after I did, the case is not staying here. 'We won't fix a trial date here, we need to go back to Isleworth [Crown Court] for a further case management hearing.' Minnesota Governor Tim Walz was roasted online Wednesday after he claimed that MAGA Republicans are scared of his masculinity. The failed vice presidential candidate has reemerged into the public conversation by launching a nationwide speaking tour, and appearing on Gov. Gavin Newsoms new podcast to talk about the future of the Democratic Party. Walz and Newsom had a discussion about Trumps appeal to male voters and the struggles Democrats had with how they were portrayed in the media. I think I scare them a little bit, why they spend so much time on me, Walz said, as Newsom burst out laughing. No, Im serious, because they know I can fix a truck, they know Im not bulls******g on this, Walz said. Walz admitted that the Trump campaign convinced voters that Democrats were weak. I saw it from me, and not that I spend too much time thinking about this and it just baffled me how much time they spent trying to attack me that I was not masculine enough in their vision, Walz said. He recalled the attacks on his masculinity from Republicans during the 2024 election as they mocked the way he waved, used a straw, and made public demonstrations of his hunting and mechanic abilities. Gov. Gavin Newsom and Gov. Tim Walz discuss the struggles the Democratic party has with the American electorate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, left, is introduced onstage by Rita Hart, chair of the Iowa Democratic speak at a town hall event at Roosevelt High School, Friday, March 14, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa. They focused on it obsessively, which I think again is their obsession, their weirdness, we buy their frame on these issues of sexuality, he said, recalling that people online attacked him for appearing gay and not masculine. I think I could kick most of their a***s he added. Walzs comments instantly drew mockery online, as people flooded to social media to mock the failed vice presidential candidate. Only thing that scares me about Tim Walz is how he loads a shotgun, Shawn Farash responded on X, referring to Walzs struggles with his gun while hunting during the presidential campaign. Tim Walz grapples with his election loss in 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as Vice President Kamala Harris concedes the 2024 presidential race Tampon Tim thinks hes Rambo, but hes really Elmer Fudd, wrote user Atlas Einstein on X. Dont confuse fear with cringe, wrote Mayson Burch on X. I have asked all the men in America about whether or not you scare them. In fact, none of them were even capable of answering the question because they all broke down laughing, X user Alexander Riley replied. The fact that people actually vote for that turd is scary, wrote Nick Jay on X. 'Helpful hint: if you have to try to talk up and convince people of your masculinity, you are not masculine, wrote X user Mr. Kleene on X. Hes mentally ill. Throw delusional into his casserole of mental maladies, wrote X user Atlas Einstein. Walz conceded that he had lost the election, and was still trying to understand why he and Vice President Kamala Harris did so. Im probably the last person you should ask for answers because I didnt get it done, but I do believe that we are making inroads, he said. A mother in Indiana stormed onto her 13-year-old son's school bus to confront a 'bully' before she was captured on video attacking the 14-year-old. Latea Hentz, 36, has been hit with several charges, including battery and criminal trespassing, after she allegedly boarded the bus in Indianapolis with her son and 17-year-old daughter. Hentz was allegedly filmed telling her kids to 'beat his a**, beat his a**' before herself punching the eighth-grader and pulling his hair on the morning of March 6, Fox 59 reported. The 14-year-old was later taken to the hospital suffering from a fractured nose, as well as bruising and an injured eye, according to IndyStar. All three family members were detained by police before being arrested and charged with misdemeanor battery and disorderly conduct, while Hentz was additionally charged with intimidation, criminal confinement and criminal trespassing. Hentz initially got on the bus with her two kids and shouted, 'I'm going to tear this up.' As the mom boarded, the driver informed her that parents were not allowed and called for police assistance. Her daughter allegedly asked her brother 'which one is it' before telling him to 'take off his coat,' prompting him to begin fighting the other student, IndyStar reported. The two boys fought before his sister joined in, according to court documents, while Hentz argued with the bus driver and yelled at the student: 'You're not going to touch my son again.' Latea Hentz, 36, has been hit with several charges, including battery and criminal trespassing, after she allegedly boarded the bus in Indianapolis with her son and 17-year-old daughter Hentz was allegedly filmed telling her kids to 'beat his a**, beat his a**' before herself punching the eighth-grader and pulling his hair All three family members were detained by police before being arrested and charged with misdemeanor battery and disorderly conduct, while Hentz was additionally charged with intimidation, criminal confinement and criminal trespassing As Hentz left the bus she, allegedly told the children on board: 'I'm tired of you b*** a** kids. Anybody want to get active?' She then told police she had confronted the eighth-grader because of an 'ongoing bullying situation' between her son and the 14-year-old. Her son told police in an interview that the eighth-grader had been bullying him for weeks, despite him informing school administrators, according to court documents. Hentz told police that the 13-year-old had been slapped across the face by the older boy, according to Law & Crime. The older boy claimed that he had gone to take a seat on the bus, and his hand had brushed against Hentz's sons face or hair, prompting the 13-year-old to grab him, IndyStar reported. The eighth-grader admitted to teasing and joking with Hentz's son but denied causing any physical harm to him. His mother claimed during police interviews that it was Hentz's son who was the bully, and that he had made racist comments toward him about his Mexican heritage. The 14-year-old said he took issue with Hentz's son's 'racist jokes' and him making 'comments about ICE.' Hentz was not in custody as of Wednesday, according to public records. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi offered a brutal assessment after Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer caving to President Donald Trump and Republicans. It comes as Schumer is facing intense backlash after he and nine other Senate Democrats bucked House Democrats and voted to advance the GOP spending bill. The 84-year-old former Democratic party leader was speaking at a press conference with other California lawmakers on Tuesday when she was asked what her message is to those frustrated with how the fight played out. 'I'm concerned about next time, I'm concerned about the future,' Pelosi started off. But then she made a stunning dig about her longtime Democratic Senate counterpart. 'I myself don't give away anything for nothing,' Pelosi said. 'I think that's what happened the other day.' Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) claimed Democrats could have agreed to a 'third way' after Sen. Chuck Schumer caved to Trump and Republicans over the spending bill House Democrats last week including many in Trump districts remained united against the House Republican continuing resolution ahead of last Friday's funding deadline. But when it passed with a slim GOP majority in the House and headed to the Senate, Schumer announced in a move that shocked many party members that he would support it to avoid a government shutdown as most of his conference voted against it. 'We could have in my view perhaps gotten them to agree to a third way, which was a bipartisan CR... in which we could have had bipartisan legislation go forward,' the former speaker said. Pelosi suggested perhaps the Republicans would not have agreed to it, 'but at least the public would have seen their not agreeing to it.' 'Then they would have been shutting government down because we don't want the government to shut down,' the California lawmaker continued. Pelosi said when it comes to negotiating the budget, it's a statement of 'values.' The 84-year-old was House Democratic leader during Trump's first term and has years of experience dealing with him when it came to negotiating a budget and facing off over shutting down the government. Pelosi and Schumer on March 7, 2024. The two worked closely together as Democratic leaders during Trump's first term and were close allies who worked quickly to help pass Biden's agenda when Democrats were in power Demonstrators outside Schumer's book tour event scheduled for March 17 before it was postponed After Schumer announced he would vote to advance the GOP bill, Pelosi urged other Senate Democrats to 'listen to the women' and vote against it in a bold statement last week. She and other Democrats who opposed the bill warned it included spending cuts and provisions that would give the president more leeway on how to spend money without the approval of Congress and called it a power grab by the president. Despite the internal party divisions, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said on Tuesday that he has confidence in Schumer moving forward. Pelosi noted that Jeffries was backing the Senate Democratic leader in her response. She said 'we're on the next stage to this.' But since the Republican bill passed, Schumer has faced fierce criticism and been on defense for his handling of the spending bill fight. Some Democrats and progressive groups have raised concerns that Schumer is not the person to meet the moment and fight back against Trump. There have even been calls for him to step aside as minority leader. But the New York Democrat has stood firm that he did the right thing. He has made numerous appearances on television as he looks to defuse the angry against him fro members of his own party. Schumer appeared on MSNBC's Morning Joe on Wednesday where he doubled down. He said he knew he would get flack for his decision but argued a government shutdown would be catastrophic. 'I believe so strongly I did the right thing for all the flack I'm getting,' Schumer said. Amanda Knox has said she believes the spirit of her murdered roommate Meredith Kercher still 'haunts' her. The 37-year-old, from Seattle, Washington, was convicted of murdering the British student, 21, at their shared home in Perugia, Italy, in November 2007 before her conviction was overturned and she was released from prison in 2011. Knox and her boyfriend at the time Raffaele Sollecito were convicted in their first trial of killing Kercher but after another round of flip-flop verdicts, they were ultimately exonerated by Italys highest court in 2015. Speaking with People, Knox said she feels 'haunted by the spirit of Kercher, who was found murdered in their home in Perugia, Italy, in November 2007. She told the outlet: 'For that reason, I've described it as feeling haunted by Meredith, but not in that bad way that people sort of project on to me. 'More in this benevolent spirit who is reminding me of the value of life, the privilege it is to live and the privilege it is to fight for your life. Because she fought for hers.' Despite being freed and declared innocent, Knox told the outlet that she has never been allowed to fully live her life. She added: 'Theres always this subtext, like "Look at Amanda living her life while Meredith is dead".' Knox spent four years behind bars with her then-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito before their convictions were sensationally quashed Meredith Kercher was found behind the locked door of her bedroom, in the apartment she shared with two young Italian women and Amanda Knox Knox continued: 'Any expression of life in my life is seen as an offense to the memory of my friend who got murdered.' She also said that she had panicked when she found out she was pregnant with her first daughter Eureka, 3. 'I did not want the first instance of my daughter's existence into this world [to] be a headline like "Amanda gives birth to daughter...you know who will never get to have a daughter? Meredith",' she added. It was Knox that had discovered Kercher's bedroom door locked and blood in their bathroom, but after cops in Italy noticed her acting odd she became a suspect. At the time, Amanda put the blame on her boss at a local bar she worked at, Patrick Lumumba, who had a solid alibi, which only increased police suspicions. After an immense investigation and trial, Amanda, who was 20 years old at the time was convicted for the crime in 2009. She was sentenced to 26 years in prison for faking a break-in, defamation, sexual violence, and murder. In January of this year the defamation conviction was upheld by Italy's highest court over her comments about Lumumba. Knox is seen in this picture arriving at court in Perugia in January 2009 after she was charged with the murder of Kercher Amanda, daughter Eureka and husband Christopher Robinson on a hike together in 2022 Rudy Guede leaves a court hearing in Perugia in September 2008. He was jailed for murdering Ms Kercher Knox shared a video of herself weeping after the conviction was upheld, saying it was 'disappointing'. She also added on X: 'I've just been found guilty yet again of a crime I didn't commit'. Her lawyers said she accused Lumumba during a long night of questioning and under pressure from police, who they said fed her false information. The European Court of Human Rights found that the police deprived her of a lawyer and provided a translator who acted more as a mediator. Rudy Hermann Guede, from the Ivory Coast, was eventually convicted of murder after his DNA was found at the crime scene. Guede was freed in 2021, after serving most of his 16-year sentence. Knox returned to the US in 2011 after being freed and has established herself as a global campaigner for the wrongly convicted. She has a podcast with her husband, Christopher Robinson, and has a new memoir coming out next week titled, 'Free: My Search for Meaning.' On Monday Nigel Farage said he was excited to play a part in Reform UK's campaign for the upcoming local elections. He told reporters he had 30 events booked in 'all around the country in the run-up' to the May 1 votes, vowing to be one of those 'canvassing and campaigning'. But Mr Farage has found time before the campaign launches next week to indulge in one of his other favourite pastimes - fundraising for Donald Trump. Tomorrow night he is the main attraction at a 'disruptors dinner' organised by the Florida Republican Party in Tallahassee, more than 4,400 miles from his Clacton constituency. Seats at the event start at $450, rising to $25,000 for a 'Trump sponsor' package for 10 people that includes access to a VIP reception and photographs with 'special guest Mr Farage, as first reported by the Mirror. Republican Party of Florida Executive Director Bill Helmich told the Florida Politics website: 'It's outstanding to have Nigel Farage, the original bad boy of Brexit, coming to Florida. 'We look forward to him sharing what he's trying to do with the Reform Party in England and his vision, which is similar to President Trump's, for moving the world forward.' The Reform leader was conspicuous by his absence at Prime Minister's Questions today as colleague Lee Anderson asked the PM a question about Net Zero. Mr Farage has found time before the campaign launches next week to indulge in one of his other favourite pastimes - fundraising for Donald Trum Tomorrow night he is the main attraction at a 'disruptors dinner' organised by the Florida Republican Party in Tallahassee, more than 4,400 miles from his Clacton constituency. The Reform leader was conspicuous by his absence at Prime Minister's Questions today as colleague Lee Anderson asked the PM a question about Net Zero. Fellow Reform MPs Richard Tice and James McMurdoch were present In a statement to US media Mr Farage said: 'I'm so incredibly excited to be joining the Republican Party of Florida for the Disruptors Dinner. 'President Trump's decisive win and return to the White House inspires us all to continue the fight for freedom globally. 'I'm looking forward to being back in the Free State of Florida to celebrate with all of you.' On Monday Mr Farage said he would be 'all around the country in the run-up to these county council, unitary and mayoral elections'. Closing off a London press conference, he said: 'We're going to be out there canvassing, campaigning, and doing our best, as I said at the start, to prove that the polls aren't virtual, actually, the real votes exist out there on the ground. 'I believe they do, and I believe absolutely that nothing that has happened in the last two weeks is going to put a dent in what we're about to achieve on May 1.' Mr Farage's absence from PMQs meant he missed Sir Keir Starmer joking that he was struggling to lead a party that 'fits in the back of a taxi'. The Reform leader recently told The Times that there is a 'good chance' of him becoming prime minister and put the odds at 'about 35 per cent to 45 per cent at the moment'. Seats at the event start at $450, rising to $25,000 for a 'Trump sponsor' package for 10 people that includes access to a VIP reception and photographs with 'special guest Mr Farage. Mr Farage's absence from PMQs meant he missed Sir Keir Starmer joking that he was struggling to lead a party that 'fits in the back of a taxi'. He has seen Reform's numbers in the Commons decrease from five to four after Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe was suspended by the party amid accusations about his conduct, which he has strenuously denied. Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Anderson (Ashfield) was heckled by Labour MPs as he said he attends the Commons every week to ask 'sensible questions'. Mr Anderson added: 'I expect sensible answers but all I get is glazed expressions and waffle from the opposite benches. 'I want to ask the Prime Minister a very simple question on behalf of all the net zero sceptics: if we became net zero tomorrow by how much would we reduce the Earth's temperature by? Simple question.' Sir Keir replied: 'Net zero is of course not easy but it's a huge opportunity to boost our growth, our jobs and our economy and so he knows my views on that. 'But he complains they'd have better ideas if they stop fawning over (Russian president Vladimir) Putin. 'And I understand the Member for Clacton wants to be prime minister, he can't even lead a party that fits in the back of a taxi.' It came after Kemi Badenoch turned her fire on 'reality TV star' Mr Farage and dismissed calls to 'unite the Right' with a Tory/Reform merger. The Conservative Party leader said that the UK had to move away from 'politics as showbusiness' - a pointed reference to Mr Farage's lucrative appearance on I'm A Celebrity in 2023. The Conservative Party leader said that the UK had to move away from 'politics as showbusiness' - a pointed reference to Mr Farage's lucrative appearance on I'm A Celebrity in 2023 (below) Your browser does not support iframes. Speaking to The Telegraph after launching her bid for a Tory revival, Mrs Badenoch was pressed about the possibility of uniting with Mr Farage's party, which is polling better than the Tories across the UK. But Mrs Badenoch was defiant about merging the two parties, saying: 'Having appeal doesn't mean that people want you running their lives. That's one of the things that we need to make sure that we remind people. 'This isn't I'm A Celebrity or Strictly Come Dancing. You don't vote for the person that you're enjoying watching and then switch off when the show's over. 'You've got to live with that person in your life, in your family's life, at work and so on. That's what elections are about. It's not just about watching a show and switching it off. We've got to move away from politics as showbusiness.' The Conservative leader also hit out at the infighting within Reform - which has five MPs - that led to Great Yarmouth's Rupert Lowe being suspended amid accusations about his conduct, which he has strenuously denied. 'If they can't unite with five people, how are they going to unite the Right?' Mrs Badenoch said. However, Reform UK has recorded its highest level of support in a Scottish poll, suggesting it could be on course to win 14 seats at Holyrood next year. A new poll by Survation has the hard right party leapfrogging the Tories in terms of support into third behind the SNP and Labour, after a four-point rise in the constituency vote since January. Transferred into seats the poll, carried out for Quantum Communications, put the SNP on 55, Labour on 19, the Conservatives on 17, and Reform on 14, with the Lib Dems on 13, the Greens on 10 and Alba on one. It comes despite several weeks of infighting in the Westminster arm of the party, which has seen MP Rupert Lowe suspended after he questioned Mr Farage's leadership. A publishing heir was left stunned after he turned up to a divorce conference to find his wife had shacked up with their wealth manager and brought him along to mediate, a lawsuit claims. Richard Kallman is suing wife Kineret and UBS asset manager Ira Walker over claims they began an affair and worked together to swindle him out of control of a trust fund. Kallman said he first learned of their alleged relationship when he turned up for a divorce meeting and Walker was present. 'I'm in complete shock, I'm in complete disbelief,' Kallman told Bloomberg. 'I realize that this is the guy now that's taken my wife.' He claims Walker 'inserted' himself into the proceedings and tried to pressure him into settling his divorce for $9 million. The allegation appears in a scandalous lawsuit which also accuses Walker of threatening Kallman's lawyer with violence and both defendants of driving him to the brink of suicide with their alleged actions. Walker denies the claims against him, which he called 'factually baseless', 'false' and a 'fantasy' when contacted by Bloomberg. He referred DailyMail.com to UBS when asked for further comment. Kallman said he first met Walker 15 years ago at a ritzy New Jersey country club when he was trying to get his kids into the same prestigious Tinton Falls private school that the wealth manager's children attended. Publishing heir Richard Kallman was left stunned after he turned up to a divorce conference to find his wife Kineret had allegedly shacked up with their wealth manager and brought him along to mediate. The couple are pictured in happier times at their daughter's bat mitzvah Richard Kallman is suing wife Kineret and UBS asset manager Ira Walker (pictured in an outdated photo) over claims they began an affair and worked together to swindle him out of control of a trust fund Ira Walker pictured more recently, in March 2024 But it wasn't until 2023 that Kineret brought up Walker's name again and suggested moving the trust from JPMorgan to UBS that Kallman had any further contact with him, he said. The trust was set up to benefit the Kallmans' two children and previously required written consent from both parties for any changes. However, Kallman claims he was 'tricked' into signing a document which revoked the need for both spouses to consent to changes. Shortly after, Kineret allegedly returned from a trip to the Bahamas and told Kallman she wanted to end their 26-year marriage and pressured him to move out of their $1.6 million New Jersey mansion. The lawsuit claims that Kineret and Walker were already having an extra marital affair by the time she persuaded her husband to move the trust and that she planned to divorce her husband. With sole control of the trust, Kineret was able to make disbursements of hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to the filings. 'Mrs. Kallman and Mr. Walker knew that to control the Trust, they had to get it away from JP Morgan, which consistently complied with the terms and conditions of the Trust by requiring Mr. Kallman's consent to take any action,' the lawsuit states. 'The only way Mrs. Kallman and Mr. Walkercould get control of the Trust account was to trick Mr. Kallman into authorizing the transfer to UBS.' Kallman claims Kineret worked with Walker to transfer their trust to Walker's firm, UBS, where she could gain control of it to make disbursements of hundred of thousands of dollars Kallman claims Walker is, 'orchestrating to get my money to his girlfriend that he'll manage and he's gonna profit' The former couple's $1.6 million Morganville, New Jersey home is pictured Kallman is also suing the investment banking company over claims they failed to supervise Walker and other UBS employees. He pointed out that Walker could even be using the situation to enrich himself through his company. 'He's orchestrating to get my money to his girlfriend that he'll manage and he's gonna profit, and so is UBS,' Kallman said. 'I'm a client. I'm a co-trustee of a trust that he manages. And UBS, I'm their client as a co-trustee also.' UBS has stood by Walker and declined to comment on the allegations. 'We remain committed to acting in the best interests of our clients supported by a robust supervisory framework,' the company said in a statement. Kallman also submitted a police report filed by Kineret's divorce lawyer which detailed the alleged threats made by Walker against Kallman's lawyer Frank J. LaRocca during a mediation meeting. The businessman is the heir to the Bookazine fortune, a publishing company founded 96 years ago by Kallman's grandfather Walker allegedly screamed he would, 'take that ginny outside and beat his ass' in reference to LaRocca's Italian heritage. A judge then ordered Walker to stay out of the divorce proceedings unless directed to get involved. Kallman meanwhile was hit with a year's probation after pleading guilty to harassing his wife in September 2023. The businessman is the heir to the Bookazine fortune, a publishing company founded 96 years ago by Kallman's grandfather. One Direction fans have criticised the former boyband star Louis Tomlinson's reported new romance with reality TV personality Zara McDermott. There has been an online backlash after the pair were pictured enjoying a romantic meal together at The Suffolk hotel in Aldeburgh, eastern England. Zara, 28, appears to have upset some with previous comments in favour of Brexit - while there is also scepticism over whether the new relationship could be a 'stunt'. Reports have the former Love Island contestant and and 33-year-old Tomlinson, who achieved four UK singles chart-toppers with One Direction between 2010 and 2016. The Sun told how the pair had been on a number of low key dates over the past few weeks and have been speaking for a while. A source was quoted as saying: 'Louis whisked Zara away for a break in Suffolk and he absolutely charmed her - it's clear he thinks she's drop-dead gorgeous too. 'Louis is a proper gentleman so this trip was something he planned and put on for Zara. He was really thoughtful and wanted to make it special.' Social media has been abuzz with speculation about their potential pairing - as well as commentary on the apparent relationship's prospects. Louis Tomlinson, pictured performing in India's capital Mumbai on March 9 this year, has been linked with reality TV personality Zara McDermott Zara McDermott, seen here attending the BRIT Awards at the O2 in London on March 1, used to work as a civil servant before appearing on ITV reality show Love Island in 2018 The pair have been photographed dining at The Suffolk hotel in Aldeburgh Various commenters on the discussion website Reddit have expressed scepticism about the pairing - while also taking against previous reported comments by McDermott. She previously worked as a policy advisor in the civil service before quitting ahead of appearing in the fourth series of ITV reality show Love Island in 2018. When asked that year for her opinion on Brexit, she told the BBC: 'I support it, but I'm hoping for a good deal. I think it's all a bit unsettling at the moment.' She was speaking during a televised date with ex-Sheffield mayor Magid Magid for the corporation's Victoria Derbyshire programme. Expanding on her pro-Brexit vote, she said during the video conversation: 'For me it's less about immigration and more about the fact that people cant keep, almost, coming and taking advantage of things like the NHS and the health system and then leaving because its unfair. 'Cuts to things that are absolutely being taken advantage of - ie. the benefit system and the NHS. 'There are definitely people on benefits that don't need to be on benefits but I think that a really good thing to introduce in the UK would be a couponing system - to be able to really monitor that and know it's not going to waste.' Her comments then have now been re-shared people talking about her reported link-up with Tomlinson. Online commenters have criticised Zara McDermott for her previously-stated pro-Brexit stance Louis Tomlinson, pictured last month in New Orleans, had four chart-topping singles in the UK with former band One Direction between 2010 and 2016 One Reddit user, citing Sun coverage of their suggested date, posted: 'Having learned that Zara was at least at one point a a Brexit supporter (she even specifically talked about immigrants taking advantage of the healthcare system and calling it "unfair") that "shared values" part of that article has me raising an eyebrow. 'Louis, if you're gonna stunt...maybe do it with someone who actually aligns with your values. (Unless this DOES align with his values.)' Other comments included 'The stunt has just begun and I'm already sick of it' and 'I truly believe it's PR'. Another said: 'Zara is super conservative and was pretty outspoken about being pro Brexit. 'I have no idea about Louis' opinion on British politics, but I doubt that his fans will be happy about this.' Yet another poster wrote: 'I actually think this time its genuine, I think this has been going on for some time. 'Who knows, maybe Zara is his perfect partner. I dont think she is just going to disappear. I have a feeling she will be around a long time.' MailOnline has contacted representatives for both Tomlinson and McDermott for comment. Social media users have been offering different takes on the reported new relationship Zara McDermott was previously in a relationship with Made In Chelsea's Sam Thompson Fans of Louis Tomlinson (pictured) have spotted he and Zara followed each other on Instagram She was previously in a relationship with Made In Chelsea star Sam Thompson, with the pair first starting dating in 2019. MailOnline revealed the couple separated after five years together last December, with Zara - who competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2021 - revealing shortly afterwards that she had moved out of their home in Chelsea, west London. In January, she shared a TikTok documenting her day filming for Morning Live, where she confirmed she was living somewhere new, with clips of her in bed and glimpses of her room while getting ready. Fans speculated that Zara had moved on with Louis, sharing conspiracy theories that they pair could be secretly dating after noticing that they followed each other on Instagram. Reddit users also claimed that Louis's sisters, including make-up artists Lottie Tomlinson, and twins Daisy and Phoebe, follow Zara on Instagram too. An actress who starred in BBC medical dramas Casualty and Holby City has admitted drug driving after she ploughed into a Skoda at 10.14am, leaving a nurse who was at the wheel seriously injured. Magistrates heard Amanda Mealing, who played cardio thoracic consultant Connie Beauchamp in the hit shows, drifted across a road before colliding with Mark Le Sage's vehicle as he was on his way to work. Prosecutor Marie Stace told the court Mealing, 57, who appeared under her married name of Amanda Sainsbury, suffered a cut to the head, a broken wrist and a broken clavicle in the January 2024 smash. She admitted driving with cocaine in her system and driving without due care and attention and was banned from driving for 22 months and ordered to pay a fine of 485. A court heard the actress, who has also appeared in the hit film Four Weddings and a Funeral as well as directing episodes of Casualty, Waterloo Road and Coronation Street, had 18mcg of cocaine in her blood, the legal limit being 10mcg, and in excess of 240mcg of benzoylecgonine (the chemical that cocaine leaves after being metabolised by the body) almost five times over the legal limit of 50mcg. Ms Stace said Mr Le Sage, who is also a district councillor, remembered 'an explosion and his car began to spin' after Mealing's Mini Cooper smashed into his Skoda on the A1175 at Hop Pole, near Market Deeping in Lincolnshire. She added: 'He started to panic, the car was full of smoke and he couldn't get out because his foot was stuck under the pedal. Magistrates heard Amanda Mealing, who played cardio thoracic consultant Connie Beauchamp (pictured) in the hit shows, drifted across a road before colliding with Mark Le Sage 's vehicle as he was on his way to work Prosecutor Marie Stace told the court Mealing, 57, who appeared under her married name of Amanda Sainsbury, suffered a cut to the head, a broken wrist and a broken clavicle in the January 2024 smash (pictured) Ms Stace said Mr Le Sage (pictured), who is also a district councillor, remembered 'an explosion and his car began to spin' after Mealing's Mini Cooper smashed into his Skoda on the A1175 at Hop Pole 'He did get out and was assessed by a paramedic who said he needed to go to hospital. 'There was a witness following the Mini, who said he assumed there was something in the road because it went onto the other side of the carriageway. 'Ms Stace said that in a police interview Mealing admitted taking cocaine the night before.' The Spalding and South Holland Voice reported Mr Le Sage suffered serious injuries in the crash and is still feeling the effects 14 months later. In a victim impact statement which he read out in court, Mr Le Sage, who is a member of the independent group on South Holland District Council, said he has been unable to continue in his job as a theatre nurse as his fine motor skills have been severely affected. He also said he is no longer able to carry out his hobbies as keyboard player in local band Zebra and he cannot play water polo any more. He said he has continuing problems with his sight and hearing, as well as suffering from constant pain in his legs, neck, shoulder, back and hip. He also has flashbacks and nightmares about the crash. Mealing left Casualty in March 2021 after seven years. Her solicitor Lloyd Edwards told the court the defendant does not accept Mr Le Sage's account of his injuries, he wasn't taken to hospital by ambulance and there's no evidence of that level of injury. He said: 'In terms of the offence, my client pleaded guilty to drug driving at the very first opportunity. A court heard the actress, who has also appeared in the hit film Four Weddings and a Funeral as well as directing episodes of Casualty, Waterloo Road and Coronation Street , had 18mcg of cocaine in her blood, the legal limit being 10mcg, and in excess of 240mcg of benzoylecgonine. Pictured: On Casualty in 2020 She admitted driving with cocaine in her system and driving without due care and attention and was banned from driving for 22 months and ordered to pay a fine of 485. Pictured: In 2018, left, and 2012, right Mealing left Casualty in March 2021 after seven years. Her solicitor Lloyd Edwards told the court Mealing does not accept Mr Le Sage's account of his injuries 'It's something she's deeply ashamed of. She's not somebody who takes drugs at all. Her brother died of a drugs overdose when he was 18 and she says herself that she should have known better.' He said she was having a terrible time following the death of her father, her best friend and her dog, and she was also going through divorce proceedings. She visited a friend where she took the drugs and stayed overnight. She drove home the following morning and was just yards from her front door at Deeping St Nicholas when the accident happened. Mr Edwards told the court that Mealing couldn't initially offer any explanation as to why her car drifted across to the other side of the road. However, paramedics at the scene thought she was having a hypoglycaemic attack as her blood glucose levels were alarmingly low, which could have been the cause of the accident. He added: 'She simply doesn't know what happened, she suspects that she was unconscious.' No medical evidence was offered to the court that Mealing suffers with diabetes and Mr Edwards said on the basis of the evidence, an expert couldn't conclude that she was unconscious at the time of the accident. Mr Le Sage suffered serious injuries in the crash and is still feeling the effects 14 months later. Pictured: With his new Skoda Mr Edwards told the court that Mealing couldn't initially offer any explanation as to why her car drifted across to the other side of the road He added: 'She's reluctantly accepted my advice that in the circumstances, she's in a car, it's drifted over to the other side of the road, so she has to plead guilty. 'She was horrified about what happened, she still is.' Mealing admitted driving a motor vehicle with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the specified limit and driving without due care and attention. The court heard that, as it's still not known what caused her blood glucose levels to drop, Mealing had surrendered her driving licence. The court heard she is not currently working and that she is receiving a 'token salary' of 935 a month from her employer. No compensation order was made, as the court said this was a matter for insurance companies to deal with. The court heard she had no previous convictions of a similar nature, but that she had been banned from driving previously under the penalty points totting-up procedure. Speaking after the hearing on Friday, Mr Le Sage said: 'I'm glad it's over for my family and I'm so lucky and grateful for their support over what has been a very difficult time. 'I hope the Sainsbury family can now also get on with their lives.' A suspect has finally been identified and arrested in the mysterious 1979 cold case rape and murder of a Maryland woman. Kathryn Donohue, 31, was found beaten, raped and killed in a parking lot on March 3, 1979. The case went unsolved for decades and no suspects were identified until police got a DNA hit in late 2024. Genetic genealogy DNA analysis led the FBI and the Prince George's County Police Department to identify a relative of their suspect. Using the new DNA evidence, police matched 82-year-old Rodger Zodas Brown of Pinehurst, North Carolina to the DNA left at the crime. He was arrested at his North Carolina home last week, with the help of the Moore County Sheriff's Office and FBI Charlotte Field Office, police said. They took a plastic fork from the trash can outside his home and tested the DNA, then arrested him after it matched a sample taken from Donahue's slip, according to The Washington Post. 'This case serves as a reminder that we will never give up seeking the truth no matter how much time has passed,' Prince George's County Police Chief Malik Aziz said. Rodger Zodas Brown (pictured), 82, was identified and arrested in the mysterious 1979 cold case rape and murder of a Maryland woman Kathryn Donohue (pictured), 31, was found beaten, raped and killed in a parking lot on March 3, 1979 Brown was charged with first-degree murder, rape and related charges. He remains in North Carolina pending extradition to Prince Georges County. Police said Brown was 'cold' and had 'no reaction' when he was arrested and charged with Donohue's murder. Donohue lived in Arlington, Virginia, and worked as a secretary in Washington, DC. She had gone out for dinner the night she was killed. To her friends and family, she was known as 'Kathy' and was described as an 'outgoing young lady.' Investigators said they are still working to figure out how Donohue and Brown's paths crossed 45 years ago. 'While this remains an active investigation, at this time, there is no known connection between the victim and suspect,' police said. Investigators said Brown lived in Hyattsville in Prince Georges County at the time of the killing, but had a criminal history in New York. He was arrested in 1967 and served an 11-year sentence for armed robbery in Nassau County before being released in June 1978. Brown moved to North Carolina in 2017. Police took a plastic fork from the trash can outside his home and tested the DNA, then arrested him after it matched a sample taken from Donahue's slip Donohue's family issued a statement thanking investigators for their commitment to getting justice. 'The entire Donohue family would like to express our deepest gratitude to everyone involved in this investigation, especially the men and women in the Prince's George's County Police Department, for their tireless efforts and unwavering dedication to seeking justice,' they said. 'We will always be grateful for their determination, their compassion, and their relentless pursuit of the truth which has finally given us a sense of closure that we never thought possible after all this time.' President Donald Trump said he had a 'very good telephone call' with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in their first conversation since last month's disastrous Oval Office meeting. The two men spoke for about an hour to discuss Trump's call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the conditions for a partial ceasefire. 'Much of the discussion was based on the call made yesterday with President Putin in order to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs. We are very much on track,' Trump said in a post on Truth Social. Zelensky said he 'had a positive, very substantive, and frank conversation' with Trump. He also thanked Trump for the 'productive start to the work of the Ukrainian and American teams in Jeddah on March 11 - this meeting of the teams significantly helped in moving toward ending the war.' The Ukrainian president noted with Trump's support 'lasting peace can be achieved this year.' Trump added that he asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz to give more details. Both men are headed to Saudi Arabia on Sunday to resume the peace talks. Wednesday's phone call was the first time Zelensky and Trump spoke since their falling out in the Oval Office at the end of February. The two men got into a shouting match about the war with Russia, with Trump accusing Zelensky of not being grateful enough to the United States for all the aid Kyiv received. President Donald Trump said he had a 'very good telephone call' with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Rubio and Waltz issued a statement on the call but it raised some questions about what the precise terms of the partial ceasefire will be. They said Trump and Zelensky, in their conversation, 'agreed on a partial ceasefire against energy. But in a lengthy phone call on Tuesday, Trump and Putin agreed to an 'energy and infrastructure ceasefire.' The Rubio and Waltz statement left out the word 'infrastructure.' Zelensky used the word in his statement on the call, noting: 'One of the first steps toward fully ending the war could be ending strikes on energy and other civilian infrastructure.' When asked about the discrepancy, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt referred reporters to the White House readout of the call with Putin that used the word 'infrastructure.' 'I would refer you to the readout that was provided by the White House. That's our understanding and that's the truth,' she said. Additionally, Rubio and Waltz said Trump talked to Zelensky about the U.S. taking control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in southern Ukraine and other power plants. The president 'said that the United States could be very helpful in running those plants with its electricity and utility expertise. American ownership of those plants would be the best protection for that infrastructure and support for Ukrainian energy infrastructure,' Rubio and Waltz said. Russia currently controls Zaporizhzhia, the largest nuclear plant in Europe. The plant has not supplied power to Ukraine's grid since its capture. But its proximity to frontline fighting has raised concerns about the risk of a radiological disaster. Much of Ukraine's power and utility infrastructure has been damaged in Russian attacks. The White House said on Tuesday the partial ceasefire agreement will be in effect for 30 days. 'The leaders agreed that the movement to peace will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire and permanent peace. These negotiations will begin immediately in the Middle East,' the White House said in its readout of the call. But Zelensky, however, accused Russia of already violating the partial ceasefire agreement. He said that Ukrainian civilian infrastructure was hit after Putin and Trump had their conversation. 'Unfortunately, there have been hits, specifically on civilian infrastructure,' Zelensky wrote on X. 'A direct hit by a 'Shahed' drone on a hospital in Sumy, strikes on cities in the Donetsk region, and attack drones currently in the skies over the Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Sumy, Chernihiv, Poltava, Kharkiv, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk, and Cherkasy regions.' 'Today, Putin effectively rejected the proposal for a full ceasefire. It would be right for the world to respond by rejecting any attempts by Putin to prolong the war,' Zelensky said of Russia's move. Meanwhile, US envoy Steve Witkoff said talks on a peace deal will begin Monday in Jeddah, predicting a ceasefire agreement could come as soon as 'a couple of weeks.' 'I believe on Monday we actually have the technical teams going' to the Kingdom, Witkoff told Bloomberg Television. 'They agreed on a pathway to some ceasefire conditions... and to a full-on ceasefire that will be negotiated over the coming days. I actually think in a couple of weeks we're going to get to it,' he said. Witkoff, who is also Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, did not provide details on the upcoming talks but said it was time 'for the technical teams to dot the I's and cross the T's, and everybody is committed to that process.' He also said it's 'my best bet' that a meeting between Trump and Putin is 'likely to happen.' He offered no timeline. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky posted a photo himself on the phone with Trump President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had not spoken since their fallout in the Oval Office at the end of February Putin, however, has conditions for a permanent end to the fighting, saying he wants the United States and its allies to end military and intelligence assistance to Ukraine to halt hostilities, according to the Kremlin readout of the conversation with Trump. 'It was emphasized that the key condition for preventing the escalation of the conflict and working towards its resolution through political and diplomatic means should be the complete cessation of foreign military aid and the provision of intelligence information to Kyiv,' Moscow said. European allies, however, are worried that could result in Moscow rearming itself during a ceasefire, leaving Kyiv short-handed and playing catchup. Vladimir Putin has today boasted that Russia has almost completely defeated Ukraine in the Kursk region - just one day after agreeing to a partial 30-day ceasefire during a call with Donald Trump. Speaking at a board meeting of the Prosecutor General's Office, the despot claimed Russian troops 'have recently carried out a number of swift, bold, and effective operations' and are now 'completing the defeat of enemy forces in the Kursk region.' Putin said that all Ukrainian troops in the region are 'terrorists', and told his prosecutors to launch investigations into their actions. 'The atrocities they committed must be brought to light, recorded, and thoroughly investigated', he said. He added: 'The perpetrators - those who gave criminal orders and mistreated peaceful civilians - must be identified and ultimately brought to justice.' Despite last night agreeing to a partial ceasefire with President Trump, Putin today told his military prosecutors to promote discipline within his ranks 'as the most important driver of high combat readiness of troops.' But he also followed through with his promise to exchanged 372 soldiers in a prisoner swap brokered by the United Arab Emirates. A defiant Volodymyr Zelensky today vowed to 'win this war' after accusing Putin of breaking his own ceasefire proposals with deadly strikes just hours after the Kremlin agreed to halt its attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. In a press conference with President Stubb of Finland in Helsinki today, the Ukrainian president said: 'We're fighting for our sovereignty and our independence we'll win this war.' Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) following a prisoner swap, at an undisclosed location in Ukraine, 19 March 2025 Loved ones greeted Ukrainian prisoners of war wrapped with national flags An freed Ukrainian prisoner of war is emotional as he speaks to a relative following the swap Many of the prisoners appeared gaunt after time in Russian captivity Ukrainian soldiers freed in a prisoner swap struggled to contain their emotions A Ukrainian serviceman celebrates after returning to his home country following a POW exchange Vladimir Putin has today bragged of Russia 'completing the defeat' of Ukraine in the Kursk region Zelensky drew clear red lines for peace, insisting that his nation would not accept territorial losses as part of a peace deal, and that the return of 'thousands' of prisoners held in Russia was 'unconditional'. Trump said he had a 'very good telephone call' with Zelensky in their first conversation since last month's disastrous Oval Office meeting. The two men spoke for about an hour to discuss Trump's call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the conditions for a partial ceasefire. 'Much of the discussion was based on the call made yesterday with President Putin in order to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs. We are very much on track,' Trump said in a post on Truth Social. Trump added that he was asking Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz to give more details. Both men are headed to Saudi Arabia on Sunday to resume the peace talks, amid the prisoner swap. Prisoner swaps and the exchange of remains of killed soldiers is one of the only areas of cooperation between the warring countries since the Kremlin launched the Russian invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. The Kremlin announced the swap on Tuesday, following talks between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. This handout photograph taken and released by the State Emergency Service of Ukraine on March 19, 2025, shows destroyed building following a Russian strike in the Bucha district of Kyiv region View shows damaged private houses and car at a site of a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the town of Hostomel, Kyiv region, Ukraine March 19, 2025 Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of violating the partial ceasefire President Donald Trump said he had a 'very good telephone call' with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Ukrainian servicemen shout "Glory to Ukraine" after returning from captivity during POWs exchange between Russia and Ukraine The Russian defence ministry said it had handed over 175 Ukrainian prisoners of war and 22 'seriously wounded' Ukrainian captives while Kyiv had delivered 175 Russian prisoners in return. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the exchange as one of the largest of the war and said that some among the Ukrainians released had been 'persecuted by Russia for fictitious crimes'. Wednesday's phone call was the first time Zelensky and Trump spoke since their falling out in the Oval Office at the end of February. The two men got into a shouting match about the war with Russia, with Trump accusing Zelensky of not being grateful enough to the United States. The talks come at a sensitive time, with Ukraine accusing Russia of having attacked energy infrastructure just hours after agreeing to a partial ceasefire. While the Kremlin declined to sign up to a month-long ceasefire plan hashed out between Trump administration officials and Ukrainian representatives in Saudi Arabia, it did agree to stop attacks on crucial infrastructure. Speaking publicly for the first time since the call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin yesterday, Zelensky claimed Russia had hit Ukrainian energy infrastructure last night despite Putin's pledge to avoid such targets for a month. Both sides today accused each other of launching air attacks that damaged infrastructure claimed to be exempt under the terms of the agreement. Ukrainian service personnel use searchlights as they search for drones in the sky over the city during a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine March 18, 2025 Devastation in Sumy, Ukraine on March 19 after Russian troops launched seven strikes on a medical facility in the Krasnopil community Zelensky said that Ukraine could supply a list of its facilities in order for an agreement to be properly implemented, while urging that the U.S. oversee the ceasefire. While Ukraine has sought to show it is acting in good faith in supporting U.S. efforts to mediate a ceasefire, Russia today accused the other side of using drones to attack an oil depot near Kavkazskaya village, sparking a fire. 'It is absolutely clear that this is another provocation specially prepared by the Kyiv regime, aimed at disrupting the peace initiatives of the US president,' the defence ministry said. The ministry acknowledged firing missiles at Ukrainian energy facilities in Mykolaiv region, but said they were already in flight when Putin gave the order to cease fire. It said Russian air defences were employed to shoot down their own missiles. 'Putin's words are very different from reality,' Zelensky hit back. Britain is recruiting a new weapons tsar in a bid to slash waste at the Ministry of Defence - who could earn more than double the wage of the Prime Minister. The high-flying civil servant role, advertised by the Government last night, will see recruits potentially raking in up to 400,000 a year, plus bonuses. The new 'national armaments director' will oversee a 20billion budget that will seek to ensure the nation's armed forces has enough kit to wage war. It will also see the potential candidate leading on how to build up the UK defence industry, amid the growing threat of war posed by Russia. The job advert said the postholder could receive a salary of between 290,000 and 400,000, plus an annual bonus of up to 60 per cent of the salary. It means the total pay package has the potential to hit a staggering 640,000 - which would be around three times as much as Sir Keir Starmer's 172,153 salary as PM. Defence Secretary Jon Healey said the new role could help save the taxpayer 10billion and deliver a more 'muscular' armed forces. He said: 'At this time, we must rearm Britain. I see this as a new FTSE 100 company within the MoD, tasked with getting the very best capabilities needed into the hands of our front line forces.' Britain's new weapons tsar could earn more than double the wage of Prime Minister Keir Starmer (pictured) The new 'national armaments director' will oversee a 20billion budget that will seek to ensure the nation's armed forces has enough kit to wage war (pictured are Royal Marines) Mr Healey said bureaucracy had 'mired' the MoD in 'process and procedure' and led to 'duplication', with 11 different finance departments employing 2,500 people to do 'the same activity in different places'. 'We've added complexity where simplicity is needed,' he added. 'In procurement, we've got a situation where we employ 11 checkers for every one decision maker, so no wonder it takes an average six years for a large programme simply to get onto contract. '[We have] a system where only two out of 49 major defence projects are now on time and on budget.' Announcing the plans last month, Mr Healey added a new senior command structure would be rolled out to improve 'accountability' in the MoD. This will be made up of the 'quad', consisting of the Chief of the Defence Staff, the Permanent Secretary, the Chief of Defence Nuclear and the new National Armaments Director. 'I have been in too many meetings when I ask, "Whos leading this? Whos responsible for getting this done?" And no one is able to give me a single clear answer,' Mr Healey said. Conservative Shadow Armed Forces Minister, Mark Francois, hit out at the salary, telling MailOnline: This is a very high salary for a public official. 'The acid test will be whether the post-holder - whoever it turns out to be - will actually be given the personal authority to cut through the MoDs Byzantine procurement bureaucracy and effect positive change. Defence Secretary John Healey is pictured speaking to young national service soldiers in Norway. He said the overhaul to the MoD's chain of command would help save 10billion So, in short, the proof of the pudding will be in the eating but its a very expensive pudding. Defence Equipment and Support chief executive Andy Start has taken on the role on an interim basis while global consultancy firm Korn Ferry, oversees the recruitment process. The top-end of the role would be the same as the amount received by Mark Thurston, the highest paid civil servant in 2022, the last year data has been released on the high earning officials. The then-HS2 boss's 640,000 salary included pay in lieu of pension. The new armaments director role includes a civil service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97 per cent. The closing date for applications for the London-based role is midnight on Monday, April 14. Senator Bernie Sanders offered a blunt reality check for the Democratic Party as it struggles to take on President Donald Trump. 'I think there's a lot of discontent with the Democratic leadership, and I think with the entire Democratic Party,' the Vermont senator said in an interview with CNN. Sanders is an Independent but caucuses with Democrats in the Senate. But as Trump returned for a second term and Democrats ended up in the minority in both chambers of Congress, the 83-year-old progressive senator has hit the road, rallying his base across the country to fight back. His 'Fighting Oligarchy' tour has attracted massive crowds across battleground and even red states. His assessment came as Democrat infighting came to a head this week with party lawmakers splitting over the Republican spending bill and threat of a government shutdown. Sanders was asked by CNN's Kaitlan Collins on her program whether Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer should lead the fight as he faces blistering criticism for caving to Trump. 'I know everyone's beating up on Chuck, and I strongly disagree with him - strongly - no one is in the caucus more critical than I am, but it's not Schumer,' Sanders said. He said: 'It's not the caucus, it's the Democratic Party.' Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on his 'Fighting Oligarchy' tour in Warren, Michigan on March 8. He said this week there's a lot of discontent with the Democratic Party as infighting escalated as party approval is at a record low 'You've got a Republican party that is owned by Musk. Any Republican who defies Donald Trump will be primaried by Musk, unlimited amounts of money,' Sanders said. 'In the Democratic Party, you've got a party that is heavily dominated by the billionaire class, run by consultants who are way out of touch with reality,' he said. The Vermont senator said the Democratic Party has 'virtually no grassroots support.' Sanders said he's trying to 'create a party within the party' uniting young people, working people and people of color to demand the Democratic Party start 'standing with the working class.' The tour heads west this week with Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez joining Sanders as he heads to Nevada, Arizona and Colorado. Sanders said their goal is to try to get people engaged in the political process as Independents or progressive Democrats. What the senator would not weigh in on is whether Ocasio-Cortez should challenge Schumer in the Senate. He's up for reelection in 2028. He said the issue is not worrying about a primary three years from now, but 'it's not what people are worried about.' Some protesters have been calling for Schumer to be primaried after he voted to advance the House GOP spending bill last Friday. A massive crowd at Sanders' tour event in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He heads west on his tour starting Thursday with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez But Sanders said they have to 'wake up the American people.' 'The vast majority of the American people do not believe we should give tax breaks to billionaires and cut Medicaid, cut Social Security, cut veterans' programs and nutrition,' Sanders said. 'Our job is to rally the people at the grassroots level,' he insisted. The judge overseeing the public inquiry into Lucy Letby's crimes today rejected calls for it to be paused amid claims the killer nurse's convictions could be unsafe. Lady Justice Thirlwall had been asked to temporarily halt her inquiry by lawyers for Letby and the senior managers at the Countess of Chester Hospital, where she murdered her victims. Kate Blackwell KC, representing the former executives, including ex-chief executive Tony Chambers, medical director Ian Harvey, director of nursing Alison Kelly and HR director Sue Hodkinson, claimed there was now a 'real possibility' that the 35-year-old's convictions could be referred to the Court of Appeal and overturned. She said reports from a series of experts, outlined by Letby's new legal team at a press conference last month, had found alternative, natural explanations for the baby deaths. Their reports had already been lodged with the Criminal Cases Review Commission, which assesses potential miscarriages of justice, Ms Blackwell said, and it would be 'unfair' to witnesses and more 'costly' for the inquiry to continue while her case was being examined. The application, however, was strongly opposed by families of Letby's victims. Richard Baker KC claimed there was 'nothing new or remarkable' in the experts' reports and the move was simply an attempt by the senior executives to avoid 'accountability and criticism.' And today Lady Justice Thirlwall dismissed the senior executives' arguments and insisted her inquiry should continue. Lucy Letby (pictured) was found guilty of murdering seven infants and attempting to murder seven more at the Countess of Chester Hospitals neo-natal unit between June 2015 and June 2016 Lady Justice Thirlwall (pictured), overseeing the inquiry, has refused to pause it after applications from both Letby's lawyers and hospital executives 'It is not the actions of Lucy Letby that I am scrutinising, it's the actions of all those who worked in the hospital,' she said. 'What they did at the time, in light of what they knew at the time and in light of what they should have known at the time.' Letby, 35, was found guilty of murdering seven children and attempting to murder seven more one of whom she attacked twice - following two trials at Manchester Crown Court. She is serving 15 whole life sentences and two appeals to overturn her convictions have already been rejected. The CCRC has confirmed it is assessing Letby's case and would have to make a referral to the Court of Appeal in order for it to be considered a third time. The application to pause the inquiry was fiercely opposed by her victims' families Lady Justice Thirlwall said the CCRC's undertaking would be a 'lengthy process' and any pause would be 'outside her control, rather lengthy and an effective suspension.' She disagreed with Ms Blackwell's argument that failure to pause the inquiry which has already cost around 10m - would lead to greater expense to the taxpayer because the oral hearings have been completed ahead of schedule and, consequently, already cost less than predicted. She claimed that, if her report, which is due to be published in November, was delayed 'costs would be greater.' The judge also insisted the inquiry had been fair to all those taking part and did 'not become unfair because of the possibility that the convictions are unsafe.' She said she had guarded 'against hindsight' when judging the actions of people up to a decade ago and insisted she would keep that in mind when she begins writing her final report tomorrow. A top Republican leading a task force to declassify national secrets has revealed that more documents about John F. Kennedy's assassination are expected. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., a leader of the House of Representatives Task Force on Declassification and Transparency, announced late Tuesday night that additional files on JFK's murder will be forthcoming from the Director of National Intelligence. 'Per DNI, there are still more docs being uploaded to archives website,' Luna posted on X late Tuesday evening. 'They are scanning and uploading in real time.' 'All documents can be viewed in person at the [National Archives] facility in College Park, Maryland if you dont want to wait for them to be uploaded online,' the 35-year-old Republican wrote. Earlier that day, thousands of files were released by the National Archives after President Donald Trump promised to expose the classified documents earlier this year. The massive release came roughly 24 hours after Trump announced that a trove of 80,000 pages of new material would be revealed. The trove of documents includes hand-written notes, typewritten reports and other previously classified documents. Many of the files are old and blurry, making some of the documents difficult to read. Luna also shared this week that her team is searching for an internal CIA report that may shine light on what agency insiders knew about the assassination. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., announced late Tuesday night that additional JFK assassination files are on their way. She also shared that she is looking for a specific CIA Inspector General report that may shed light on the murder President John F Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy moments before the president was shot in Dallas on November 22, 1963, as his car passed through Dealey Plaza 'One thing that I am specifically looking for with my team is a CIA inspector general report that actually was filed from members within the CIA,' she told conservative talk show host Benny Johnson. 'That admitted that the CIA was intentionally hiding information from Congress during the Warren Commission,' Luna explained, noting the congressional investigation into JFK's death decades ago. 'So that document in itself is going to be key for our hearing, whether or not we find out who actually pulled the trigger,' she explained. But Luna shared that she believes 'information has been destroyed,' so getting to the bottom of the assassination may be more difficult than anticipated. 'Frankly, what we're finding is the CIA was a lot dirtier than anyone could have ever imagined,' she told Johnson. 'Thank goodness we have good people in charge who are going to be flushing the system.' The Republican also praised CIA Director John Ratcliffe for helping release the highly anticipated files, some of which cast the intelligence agency in a negative light. 'Many people dont know that Director Ratcliffe has played an instrumental role in this process to establish transparency with the American people,' Luna wrote on X, calling him 'an unsung hero of the JFK Declassification effort.' Despite the promise there won't be redactions, some of the files released this week are heavily redacted with thick black bars across the pages. The Dallas Police Department mug shots of Lee Harvey Oswald following his arrest over the JFK assassination. Oswald claimed he was a 'patsy'. Documents related to the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy are displayed after they were released following an order from U.S. President Donald Trump Some of the documents hold information on Lee Harvey Oswalds activities prior to the assassination including his contacts with Cuban and Soviet intelligence. One document noted that Oswald was considered a 'poor shot.' Other files include mention of specific CIA agents and assets tied to the investigations into Oswald. Last month, Luna made the bombshell revelation that she believes there were 'two shooters' in JFK's assassination in 1963. 'I believe that there were two shooters, and we should be finding more information as we are able to,' she said. Jeremy Clarkson's Diddly Squat Farm Shop has come one step closer to becoming a nationwide retailer after making its items available on Deliveroo. The beloved farm shop, which features in the former Top Gear presenter's Prime Video series Clarkson's Farm, has teamed up with the food delivery service to deliver its products in select cities across the UK. Deliveroo customers can order a variety of Diddly Squat Farm Shop best sellers, as seen on the show, including Bee Juice for 12.50 and Jeremy's Hot Seed Beer Mustard for 5.99. There are also a range of alcoholic drinks available on the app, such as Clarkson's highly sought after beer range Hawkstone, with a four pack of 300ml bottles of Premium Lager available for just 11. Stronger alternatives such as the Cow Juice Vodka will set fans back 45, while a 200ml bottle of Bee Juice Rum costs 30. The items will be available through Deliveroo HOP, which allows people to order the products from 'delivery-only grocery stores' in as little as 20 minutes. It has been launched in stores in Bristol, Brighton, London and Manchester - so many fans of the show will have to wait until it is made available nationwide. Clarkson, 64, has previously faced backlash from his local district council over the products available in the shop and accused the farmer of selling food that is not from the local area less than a year after it opened in 2020. Jeremy Clarkson pictured at his Diddly Squat Farm Shop which has come one step closer to becoming a nationwide retailer after making its items available on Deliveroo The beloved farm shop has teamed up with the food delivery service to deliver its products in select cities across the UK. Pictured: Clarkson's partner Lisa Hogan is seen packing a deliveroo tote bag for a Deliveroo driver The items will be available through Deliveroo HOP, which allows people to order the products from 'delivery-only grocery stores' in as little as 20 minutes Councillors claimed Clarkson had broken 'conditions of the original planning application' for his Diddly Squat Farm. Regulations had stated things sold at the store 'shall be solely limited to goods and produce grown, reared and produced on the holding or from local producers'. This proviso was included when the initial planning application was granted but, according to the local parish council, had not been followed. Clarkson's partner Lisa Hogan said of the Deliveroo partnership: 'I'm delighted to be working with Deliveroo HOP to bring our Diddly products into the homes of fans across the UK. 'I've made sure to include all of our best sellers in this exclusive range, including Jeremy's Hot Seed Beer Mustard, our Habanero Chilli Chutney, hand-cut crisps, and for something a little stronger, our Cow Juice Vodka and Bee Juice Rum. 'We hope you enjoy our Diddly Squat products as much as we've enjoyed making them for you.' Suzy McClintock, VP of Grocery, HOP and Editions at Deliveroo, said: 'We are thrilled to offer fans of Diddly Squat Farm Shop across the UK the chance to order their most sought after products from Cotswolds, direct to doorsteps in as little as 20 minutes - no queuing necessary. 'It doesn't get any fresher than farm produce and as we continue to expand our Deliveroo HOP product ranges, to bring customers even better quality and selection, this exciting launch is the first of many to come.' Deliveroo customers and series fans can order a variety of Diddly Squat Farm Shop best sellers, as seen on the show, including Bee Juice (pictured) for 12.50 A bottle of Cow Juice Vodka (pictured) will set fans back 45, while a 200ml bottle of Bee Juice Rum costs 30 A Deliveroo driver stands at the entrance to the Diddly Squat Farm Shop which opened to the public in February 2020 Crowds queueing for the Diddly Squat Farm Shop near Chadlington, Chipping Norton Huge crowds such as these are often seen when the shop is open, with some fans queuing for three hours just to buy merchandise, beer and cider, and farm produce Diddly Squat Farm - named so because of the poor crop yields on the surrounding land - opened to the public in February 2020. The shop opened to much fanfare with around 100 people turning up to grab produce grown on Clarkson's land. Although several locals had voiced their objections to the plans when approval was first sought. Fans of Amazon Prime hit series make pilgrimages from around the world to get there, often queuing for three hours just to buy merchandise, beer and cider, and farm produce from what remains just a very small basic shop in a field. It has been so popular at Chadlington that the narrow rural roads around it quickly became gridlocked. Clarkson has also had numerous run-ins with council planners over turning the surrounding fields there into overflow carparks to stop drivers abandoning their cars haphazardly on roadsides for miles around. The husband of Harshita Brella has been charged with her murder and rape after she was found dead in a car boot. Pankaj Lamba, formerly of Corby, Northamptonshire, was charged in his absence, the Crown Prosecution Service said. An international manhunt was launched for Lamba in November 2024 after the discovery of his wife's body in the boot of a car in Ilford, east London, with police saying at the time that he was thought to have fled the country. Samantha Shallow from the Crown Prosecution Service said: 'The Crown Prosecution Service has reviewed a file of evidence submitted by the Northamptonshire Police, and has authorised a charge of murder against 23-year-old Pankaj Lamba in relation to Harshita Brella's death. A man has been charged with the murder, rape and controlling or coercive behaviour over the death of Harshita Brella (pictured) Pankaj Lamba, 23, has been charged with murder, rape and sexual assault Ms Brella, 24, is believed to have been killed by her husband, Pankaj Lamba, 23, with the pair previously having contact with police over allegations of domestic abuse 'Lamba, formerly of Sturton Walk, Corby, is also charged with two counts of rape, sexual assault, and controlling or coercive behaviour. 'The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings are active and defendants have 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.' Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Johnny Campbell added: 'We are committed to securing justice for Harshita and her family and continue to offer our support at this difficult time. 'It remains an active investigation and as such, there continue to be aspects of the case that we are unable to comment on at this time. We would urge all parties to respect the judicial process to ensure the integrity of the proceedings.' The charges were laid at Northamptonshire Magistrates' Court this morning. Chilling images captured the moment a disheveled suspected gunman was taken into custody outside the CIA headquarters on Wednesday morning after he was seen making threats with a weapon near the agency's base. The armed man, seen wearing camouflage and sporting long hair and a beard, sent the agency's headquarters in Langley, Virginia into lockdown as cops raced to the scene. Reports indicate the suspect, who has not been identified, experienced a 'mental health crisis', was seen sitting on a bench outside the property and pointed a handgun at the agency headquarters. Police, SWAT teams and bomb squads rushed to the scene, and a passerby described the law enforcement response as 'massive', per the US Sun. Early reports falsely indicated the man fired his weapon into the air outside the CIA headquarters, however a law enforcement source told WJLA that no shots were fired in the incident. There are no reports of injuries or deaths as a result of the situation, which closed down the area around the agency. A nearby school was also placed on lockdown as the incident unfolded. A suspected gunman was taken into custody outside the CIA headquarters on Wednesday morning after a he was seen making threats with a weapon near the agency's base The disheveled suspect, seen wearing camouflage and sporting long hair and a beard, seen being taken into custody following the incident The CIA was plunged into lockdown after the alleged gunman was found at the agency headquarters, with police, SWAT teams and bomb squads deployed to the area There are no reports of injuries or deaths as a result of the situation, which has sent the area around the agency into lockdown as roads are blocked The incident comes just hours after President Trump ordered the release of classified files related to the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy. Conspiracy theories have swirled in the decades since the assassination that the CIA was involved in the shooting, however there is no indication from law enforcement that the gunman incident on Wednesday morning was related to the file release. The CIA headquarters have faced several previous similar incidents, most recently in 2021 when an armed man was wounded in a shooting with an FBI agent. In 1993, two CIA employees were killed and three others were wounded when a Pakistani man opened fire outside the Langley headquarters. Ministers are offering one of the largest public sector pay packages to the person who is chosen to lead the re-arming of the UK's Armed Forces. The Ministry of Defence is seeking to appoint a national armaments director with a pay and bonuses deal that could hit 640,000 a year, almost the highest known deal for a civil servant. They will lead efforts to make sure the Army, Navy and Air Force are 'properly equipped to defend Britain'. This will include reform of UK defence exports and acquisition, which seeks to cut waste and duplication which have plagued many materiel programmes in recent years. The person chosen will be put on the same footing as the MOD permanent secretary, David Williams, and the Chief of the Defence Staff, the professional head of the Armed Forces, currently Admiral Sir Tony Radakin. The job advert says it will come with a basic salary of between 290,000 and 400,000, plus 'a bonus of up to 60 per cent of salary per annum', which would take it to a maximum of 640,000. That would almost equal the 645,000 package received by HS2 chief executive Mark Thurston in 2022, the last year for which figures are currently available. It is also more than three times the 172,000 salary of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. The Ministry of Defence is seeking to appoint a national armaments director with a pay and bonuses deal that could hit 640,000 a year, almost the highest known deal for a civil servant. They will l ead efforts to make sure the Army, Navy and Air Force are 'properly equipped to defend Britain'. The person chosen will be put on the same footing as the MOD permanent secretary, David Williams, and the Chief of the Defence Staff, the professional head of the Armed Forces, currently Admiral Sir Tony Radakin (above, right) The new national armaments director will be a standalone role rather than part of the role held by the defence equipment and support chief executive. A search is under way for candidates for the role, which will be put on the same footing as the permanent secretary and the chief of the defence staff. Applicants have until April 14 to put themselves forward. The new hire will be in charge of the UK's reform of defence exports and acquisition which seeks to cut waste and duplication. They will also be tasked with ensuring supply chains are resilient and the national arsenal is ready as required. They will also be responsible for shaping and delivering the defence industrial strategy due to be launched in the coming weeks. This comes alongside reforms that give new powers to Admiral Radakin to oversee a new Military Strategic Headquarters (MSHQ) where he will formally command the individual service chiefs for the first time. Sir Keir last month announced a dramatic increase in defence spending from its current 2.3 per cent to 2.5 per cent by 2027 in response to 'tyrant' Vladimir Putin and amid uncertainty over the US's commitment to European security. The increase in military funding increase is coming at the expense of the aid budget, which has triggered fierce criticisms from charities, but Sir Keir has defenced his choice, telling reporters that there is 'no driver' of of poverty like conflict. That will mean spending 13.4 billion more every year from 2027, something which Sir Keir acknowledged will require 'extremely difficult and painful choices'. He said he wants that figure to reach 3 per cent of gross domestic product during the next Parliament. And earlier this month the Armed Forces Minister called for the modernisation of UK defence. Warning that UK defence policy remained 'fundamentally shaped' by the demands of the post-Cold War era, Luke Pollard told a conference at Chatham House that raising defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP was 'just the starting gun' in a race to modernisation. He said: 'The more fundamental challenge is to fully bring our armed forces into the modern era and build a leading, tech-enabled military capable of deterring, fighting and winning through constant innovation at a wartime pace.' Mr Pollard also pledged to cut procurement bureaucracy, criticising a system where some areas had '11 checkers for each decision-maker' and the company running the naval dockyard at Devonport had to tell the Ministry of Defence every day whether it was snowing or not. Prince Harry should self-deport from the US because he 'hates America', the right-wing think tank pursuing the release of his immigration records has claimed. Samuel Dewey, a lawyer with the Heritage Foundation, said that the Duke of Sussex was 'furious' at voters for electing Donald Trump in the 2024 election. If he dislikes the President, Harry should just 'go home' back to the UK, Dewey exclusively told DailyMail.com. Dewey also revealed that Heritage has filed a second lawsuit to obtain the Duke's immigration papers to find out whether he lied about his drug use on the forms. That means the case will drag on for months more, potentially causing further anxiety for Harry amid speculation that Trump could deport him. Earlier this week, heavily redacted records were released by the Department of Homeland Security after an earlier lawsuit was filed by Heritage. A lawyer acting for DHS claimed that Harry did not get special treatment when he emigrated to the US and that releasing too much information would breach his privacy and subject him to 'harassment'. Speaking to DailyMail.com, Dewey said there was a big reveal in one of the documents made public this week. Prince Harry should self- deport from the US because he 'hates America', the ring-wing think tank pursuing the release of his immigration records has claimed Samuel Dewey, a lawyer with the Heritage Foundation, said that the Duke was 'furious' at voters for electing Donald Trump in the 2024 election and that he should go back to the UK Prince Harry was seen beaming on Tuesday after the federal government declared that he did not receive any special treatment when he applied for a visa in the US He cited parts of the transcript of the in-camera hearing from last April, where lawyers and the judge talked about some records being held by the Department of State which handles non-immigrant visas. The transcript suggested a 'mismatch' between the DHS and State Department files, Dewey said. 'If he'd say I used drugs or was in on a diplomatic visa that would be in the DHS files,' the attorney said. 'Then you wouldn't have this situation where the judge says I don't have the full story. That's what we read from these documents.' Dewey said that the documents have given Heritage a new 'working theory', that Harry was in the US on an O-1 visa, also known as the 'artist visa', and that they believe he may have lied on the paperwork about his drug use. And aside from Harry's paperwork, the Duke 'really ought to go' from America after repeatedly criticizing Trump including a recent thinly-veiled jibe about 'weak moral character in the world', Dewey said. 'He's in a country he clearly hates. 'He's clearly furious at the American voters and attacking them for the result of the 2024 election. The date of the think tanks FOIA filing lines up with Harry's 'Freedom Flight' from Canada to the US with his wife, Meghan Markle. The two live in Montecito, California, with their two children The six documents that were released on Tuesday contain heavy redactions to protect Harrys' privacy and stop him being subjected to 'harassment' Despite Judge Carl Nichols vowing to release as much material as possible, Harry's actual immigration file has remained private Dewey said that the documents have given Heritage a new 'working theory', that Harry was in the US on an 'artist visa' Heritage argued that Harry admitted repeated drug use in his 2023 memoir Spare and his Netflix TV series, including using cannabis, cocaine and magic mushrooms 'Harry should just go home'. Heritage's lawsuit against DHS lasted two years before six heavily redacted documents were released on Tuesday. Heritage argued that Harry admitted repeated drug use in his 2023 memoir Spare and his Netflix TV series, including using cannabis, cocaine and magic mushrooms. Had the Duke mentioned that on his immigration forms when he moved to the US in 2020, Harry could have been denied entry or faced further questioning. The latest lawsuit was filed at the federal court in the District of Columbia and is being overseen by the same judge as the first one, Judge Carl Nichols. In the court documents, Heritage claims that the Department of State has failed to respond to its FOIA request promptly. The request was submitted on September 24 last year and uses Harry's full name. It asks for: 'All records related to his Royal Highness Prince Henry Charles Albert David George of Wales, the Duke of Sussex, the Earl of Dumbarton, and Baron Kilkeel K.C.V.O. from January 2020 to the present.' The latest lawsuit was filed at the federal court in the District of Columbia and is being overseen by the same judge as the first one, Judge Carl Nichols. It alleged the State Department has failed to respond to its FOIA request promptly The broad request includes reports, text messages, emails, notes and intra-office communications. The date coincides with Harry's 'Freedom Flight' from Canada to the US with his wife, Meghan Markle. The two live in Montecito, California, with their two children. After the release of the DHS records, Nile Gardiner, Director of the Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom at Heritage, told DailyMail.com that the redactions were because of a hangover from the 'Biden approach' to the case. He said: 'We would strongly urge President Trump and the new administration to release the records to the American people so they judge for themselves without relying on the interpretation of the Biden administration. 'If Harry lied he should be prosecuted and deported if necessary. 'Nothing changes the big picture and I remain positive we will see Prince Harry's full immigration records.' Trump has previously said he 'wouldn't protect' Harry because he betrayed the late Queen Elizabeth II, the Duke's grandmother. But after taking office the President changed his tune and said he would allow him to stay but only because his wife is 'terrible'. A source close to Archewell said they 'wouldn't expect much to come' from the second lawsuit as disclosing Harry's immigration records 'has always been considered illegal'. 'That's why their efforts have failed thus far,' the source said. 'The real story here isn't the lawsuit itself but the clear, politically motivated obsession behind it', the source added. This is the terrifying moment a binman is attacked by a rescue dog as he collects rubbish on New Year's Eve. Jack Marr, 25, had been walking his Belgian Malinois on a lead past the refuse collector on December 31. But, things took a turn for the worse when the dog, Kenya, sunk her teeth into the binman's arm, Workington Magistrates' Court heard. Shocking video footage shows the animal latching onto the victim and dragging him onto the floor. Outlining the case, Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said the victim was at work on the morning of New Year's Eve and was collecting bins. He was returning to the bin lorry when Marr walked towards him with Kenya on a lead, News and Star reports. He heard Marr say to the dog, 'watch him, lad, watch him'. Ms Fee said the pet then launched itself towards the binman before latching onto his arm and pulling him to the ground. This is the terrifying moment a binman is attacked by a rescue dog as he collects rubbish on New Year's Eve Shocking footage shows the animal, Kenya, take against the binman before sinking its teeth into his arm, Workington Magistrates' Court heard Jack Marr (pictured) had his Belgian Malinois on a lead as he walked past the refuse collector on Hillary Close in Workington on December 31 His colleague, the wagon driver, was shouting, 'just kick it'. Fortunately, Kenya then let go of the binman's arm and he was able to escape to the safety of the vehicle. His supervisor came to collect him and they then went to the police station. In a statement the victim said his work clothing had stopped the animal from puncturing his skin but bite marks were visible on his arm in photos shown to the court. The dog was seized by police and Marr was questioned over the incident. He said the dog was 'protective' and that he would never set her on anyone. The defendant also said he had been 'in a world of his own' when the binman suddenly appeared and that he had 'panicked' when the dog latched onto the worker. He told police that he had rescued Kenya last year after he found her tied up on a beach. Outlining the case, Pamela Fee, prosecuting, said the victim was at work on the morning of New Year's Eve and was collecting bins Mr Marr said Kenya behaves better when she wasn't on a lead and that she 'snaps' if someone approached her when she is being lead. In a statement the victim said his work clothing had stopped the animal from puncturing his skin but bite marks were visible on the victim's arm in photos shown to the court Pictured: A stock image of a Belgian Malinois Marr said Kenya behaves better when she isn't on a lead and that she 'snaps' if someone approaches her when she is being lead. He added that she is good with children and has 'always been fine' with his six-year-old nephew. Marr also claimed Kenya was trained to respond to basic commands. He said he got her under control and took her away after the bite. Marr said the bite was 'an accident' and said he 'should have been on the ball' when the binman came round the corner. Ms Fee said Kenya had been in kennels since the incident and the kennel costs owed to Cumbria Constabulary were 2,436. John Cooper, defending, said it was a 'sad' case and that Marr did not want the dog to be destroyed. Mr Cooper told the court how they wouldn't be able to fight a destruction order as Mr Marr could not afford legal aid. He also added how there were no indications that the dog had bitten anyone before and said Marr quickly got Kenya 'reasonably under control'. 'It's the dog that is going to suffer. It's the dog that is going to be destroyed,' he said. Marr, of Archer Street, Harrington, Workington, pleaded guilty to being the owner of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury. Marr was fined 200 and ordered to pay 85 costs and an 80 victim surcharge. He must pay 200 in compensation to the victim and 250 towards the kennel costs. A destruction order was made for the dog. A British Airways crew member has reportedly been detained in Singapore after raping a stewardess colleague. The unnamed man was locked up last night after being accused of attacking the woman following a night out between flights. It has been reported that two female BA staff members have since been flown home following the recent incident. Airline managers have also flown to Singapore to liaise with authorities there, and the arrested crew member, who is currently behind bars. The rape claim - reported after the crew had gone on the night out between flights - has left BA staff shocked. As per The Sun, a source said yesterday: 'Everyone is numb. The rape accused steward has flown with BA for years. 'The case is under the jurisdiction of Singapore authorities and proving a major headache for aviation chiefs.' Offenders found guilty of raping a victim over the age of 14 in Singapore face a prison sentence of up to 20 years - and will also be liable to a fine or caning. A British Airways crew member has reportedly been detained in Singapore after raping a stewardess colleague (file photo) The unnamed man was locked up last night in Singapore after being accused of attacking the woman following a night out between flights (file photo) When approached for comment, BA told MailOnline: 'This is a matter for the police and it would be inappropriate to comment further.' It comes after a former British Airways pilot who was sacked for snorting cocaine off a topless woman in between flights was allowed back in the cockpit. Married father-of-one Mike Beaton had boasted about his drunken antics to a stewardess colleague at British Airways in 2023. Before a return flight from Johannesburg to London, in texts sent to his colleague the pilot described partying with two local men, a female holidaymaker and a young Spanish woman in the South African city. The group-of-five had reportedly met at a nightclub before heading back to one of the men's flats where cocaine was produced. A shocked co-worker raised the alarm to 'furious' managers about Beaton's night of debauchery hours before he was due to co-pilot a flight from South Africa back to Britain. The flight was promptly cancelled by BA and Beaton was flown as a passenger back to Heathrow Airport the next day, where he tested positive for drug use. Beaton was sacked a short time later. But now, the married father has reportedly made a return to the cockpit after convincing the Civil Aviation Authority [CAA] that he is a reformed man. Beaton has so far completed four flights for Bournemouth-based air freight carrier European Cargo. John F. Kennedy's grandson Jack Schlossberg slammed CNN reporters for discussing newly released JFK files in a heated social media rant. The loose cannon Kennedy has taken a firm stance against Donald Trump's decision to make more than 80,000 documents from JFK's 1963 assassination investigation publicly accessible. Schlossberg has even called out journalists who have spoken about the previously classified pages - urging them to cover 'actual news' in a post on Tuesday. 'You're better than this. This is so f**king stupid,' Schlossberg said while panting and sweating in front of a gym's television. A CNN segment with a 'breaking news' banner reading 'Trump releases thousands of JFK assassination record' was displayed on the screen behind him. 'There's so much actual news going on, why are you covering this? At least report that something happened,' he continued. The left wing activist went on to say he 'loves' CNN's Harry Enten and Erin Burnett - the reporters he aimed his verbal attack at - and said they are both 'really smart.' He also captioned the video: 'It's a choice - but I still respect them both.' Jack Schlossberg slammed CNN reporters Harry Enten and Erin Burnett for covering the JFK's grandson has been vocal about his opposition to the Tump-driven release of 80,000 pages of documents pertaining to the 35th president's death (pictured: JFK and Jacqueline 'Jackie' Lee Bouvier before the assassination) 'Stop! This is why this sh*t takes hold. Because you guys f**cking cover it over and over and over again,' he said at the end of the video posted on X and Instagram. Schlossberg asked 'why are you covering this?' four times within the 25-second clip. Before sharing the video, he addressed CNN, MSNBC and 'WHATEVER' other networks, telling them they 'don't need to cover the fake JFK documents story.' The 32-year-old continued on his crusade against Trump's choice to publish the files several X posts on Wednesday. During a passionate written spiel, he bashed Trump and US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is also his cousin. 'President Trump is obsessed with my grandfather - but not in his life or what he achieved in it. No, just like @robertfkennedyjr @realdonaldtrump is only interested in JFK's carcass,' Schlossberg asserted on X. 'These men are stealing history from present and future generations - by appropriating the past for their criminal agenda, they normalize themselves in the minds of those without living memory. He also said that laws, agencies and efforts supported by the 35th president - including the civil rights act and USAID - have been dismantled by the Trump administration. Schlossberg argued that covering the JFK files is taking attention away from 'actual news' (pictured: JFK and Jackie) Schlossberg continued: 'JFK fought fascism and communism. Trump is selling us out to tech warlords, at home and abroad. 'JFK stood behind unions and labor, demanding healthcare, higher pay. Trump is stripping working families from lifesaving care, financial support. 'JFK celebrated the arts and culture. Trump attacks artists identities, took over the Kennedy center just to empty it out and pave it gold.' Schlossberg also threw digs at conservative commentator and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk for posts he made about the files. Kirk posted a link to the National Archives, where the documents can be accessed, captioned 'BREAKING: The JFK files are out! Take a look.' Schlossberg commented a snarky response: 'Heres what I found - Youre too scared to debate me on my terms on my YouTube show. True or false?' He later following up: 'In my opinion Charlie Kirk @charliekirk11 may have been born with a rare condition that makes you so severely unattractive... 'That you end up becoming a right wing media personality. And that's just good for the world.' The Kennedy heir has become notorious from his off-the-wall social media posts and passionate rants President Donald Trump said while at the Kennedy Center on Monday that 80,000 pages of JFK files would be released the on Tuesday Schlossberg has posted extensively about the files, including posts of satirical nature Schlossberg has also claimed his family - RFK excluded - had not been told the files were going to be released on Tuesday after Trump declared the would be 'interesting' for Americans read. And aligning with his nonsensical social media presence, Schlossberg was sure to share a satirical statement about the files. 'WHAT THE JFK FILES SAY ABOUT ME IS NOT TRUE IM STRAIGHT,' the Vogue political correspondent humorously wrote - as there was obviously no mention of Schlossberg in the documents. According to a statement from the White House, the declassification of the JFK files is part of an executive order to share the 'truth' about the assassinations of JFK, Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. 'The Executive Order establishes the policy that, more than 50 years after these assassinations, the victims families and the American people deserve the truth,' the statement reads. America's Sussex-haters are feeling deflated today, as it seems like the Privileged Prince of Privacy may be here on US soil to stay. On Tuesday, the Department of Homeland Security released Prince Harry's application for a visa to live in the US but, for some reason, the Duke's files weren't given the JFK treatment. Instead of a bona fide document dump, we got a few sheets of near-fully redacted pages that could just as easily have been Queen Me-Again's recipe book. That had Harry's hasslers over at the right-leaning think tank the Heritage Foundation very upset. You see, the folks there have had one of Meghan's honeybees in their bonnets for years - and filed a Freedom of Information Act request demanding to know if Harry had lied on his visa application when asked about any current and past drug use. If our red-headed bon-vivant's memoir Spare is to be believed, in the past he was dabbling in weed, cocaine and psychedelics. So, what was it, Harry? A false confession to sell more books or the God's honest truth? Old dudes cosplaying 'Just So No' Nancy Reagan need to know! If potentially High-As-A-Kite Harry lied and claimed to be clean-as-a-whistle the prudes at Heritage say he should be kicked out of the country on his keister. No doubt this prospective deportation must have had Border Czar Tom Homan salivating at the thought of frog-marching a royal through Montecito's town square giving the Pilates moms some hot tittle-tattle to sprinkle over their kombuchas. America's Sussex-haters are feeling deflated today, as it seems like the Privileged Prince of Privacy may be here on US soil to stay. (Pictured: Harry and Meghan at the 2025 Invictus Games). If our red-headed bon-vivant's memoir Spare is to be believed, in the past Harry (pictured in 2004) was dabbling in weed, cocaine and psychedelics. Alas, now we'll never know the truth! But it is worth pondering: would Harry fib? I doubt it. For one, he seems to be bad at holding things back. Indeed, his past confessions have been downright Oedipal in nature, liking divulging that he slathered his late mother's preferred face cream on his frost-bitten willy, during a chilly visit to the North Pole. 'My mum used that on her lips' he revealed in Spare. 'I found a tube, and the minute I opened it, the smell transported me through time. I felt as if my mother was right there in the room.' Oh, dear Lord. Harry, no! Can we deport him for that? No, I think the King of Mar-a-Lago has taken the best approach to the hapless prince. When the Commander-in-Chief was asked last month if he would send Harry packing, he said: 'I'll leave him alone. He's got enough problems with his wife. She's terrible.' You're right, Mr. President. She's punishment enough. And there isn't enough cannabis in California to make it any better. Hunty's holiday Speaking of 'spares,' Biden's derelict second son has had his Secret Service protection revoked by President Trump. Indeed, the (formerly) crack-happy Hunter who was vacationing in South Africa at the time his detail was yanked has been thrown to the lions! That's ok. Hunter can get on Elon Musk's good side by pretending to be a South African farmer. French Drip Whip-smart White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked on Monday to respond to a French politico who demanded the U.S. return the Statue of Liberty. 'It's only because of the United States that the French are not speaking German right now,' she fired back with a smile Mon Dieu! Can you imagine Karine Jean-Pierre coming up with such a slick retort? That old Biden hack couldn't find French toast on a brunch menu. Toodles, Taylor! Has Taylor gone to the mattresses? The world's most famous billionairess was a no-show at last weekend's iHeart Radio Music awards show where she dialed in with a virtual acceptance speech. The ubiquitous songbird may be licking her boyfriend's wounds after his humiliating Super Bowl loss, or she's pregnant, or she's been kidnapped by angry Kanye fans or she got DDD boobies and is letting the new fun bags settle in. Either way, even in her absence, Taylor Swift is still, annoyingly, present. Shoo, Schumer! Out-of-touch dotard Senator Schmuck Chumer embarrassed himself on The View Tuesday by spouting Bernie Sanders-esque talking points shaming billionaires as government-hating tax cheats. 'The Republican party are controlled by a small group of wealthy, greedy people. You know what their attitude is, 'I made my money all by myself, how dare your government take my money from me.' Dude, that's the attitude of literally every small business owner and worker in this country! Predatory Paltrow Brad Pitt's former girlfriend has turned into quite the cougar, bragging about bagging barely legal Timothee Chalamet in their latest film Marty Supreme. Her kids are almost older than her co-star, and she's going all Babygirl on her press tour, crowing about their coitus, 'I mean, we have a lot of sex in this movie. There's a lota lot.' Yeah, your enthusiasm is 'a lot,' grandma. Brad Pitt's former girlfriend has turned into quite the cougar, bragging about bagging barely legal Timothee Chalamet in their latest film Marty Supreme. (Pictured: Timothee Chalamet and Gwyenith Paltrow on the set of Marty Supreme). Paltrow 2.0 More Gwynnie? Get this This mature movie matron says she is refusing the involvement of an on-set 'intimacy coordinator,' a creation of the #MeToo age. 'I was like, 'Girl, I'm from the era where you get naked, you get in bed, the camera's on,' Paltrow purred like a ravenous sex kitten. No one tell, Blake Lively. From the sound of her lawsuit, she won't take her coat off without an armed guard on standby. Slay, Dragon! Our astronauts are finally home after an eight-day orbital jaunt turned into a nine-month odyssey for ISS-squatters Butch Willmore and Sunita Williams. They were stranded in space after their faulty Boeing Starliner was returned to Earth without them. That is, until Elon Musk sent his SpaceX Dragon Capsule to rescue them. Butch and Sunita splashed down safely off the Florida coast Tuesday (and just in time for spring break). We wish them a speedy recovery and cannot wait to hear all about their strange tale, and if the ISS will really be the setting for White Lotus Season 4. Sour Lemon Excommunicated CNN party boy Don Lemon is singing a sad tune, telling Bill Maher he was subjected to 'really egregious' sexual harassment at the network. Allegedly, a lady co-worker 'tweaked' his nipple while they stood in the cafeteria. In her defense, Dapper Don was probably shirtless next to the freezer. I think Lemon's just mad that no one cares enough to 'tweak' him anymore. Totally Depraved Sicko A Minnesota lawmaker stepped in a steaming pile of virtue signaling when he tried to co-author a bill naming Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS) as an official mental illness. Later that day, he was busted after allegedly arranging to meet a teen girl for sex. Thankfully, the lady was an undercover cop. Perhaps, this alleged sicko knows a thing or two about mental illness after all. An illegal millionaire migrant living in Texas loves Donald Trump and does not believe he will get deported. Herman Wieler, 43, is an illegal Mexican migrant who proudly supports the president and his immigration policies. He was born in Bolivia and emigrated to Mexico with his family at the age of 6. He did seasonal farm work in Texas as a teenager, then decided to move to the United States. Wieler and his wife Marsie entered the country from Mexico using visitor visas in 2007, then overstayed. The couple now lives in the west Texas city of Seminole where they are raising their four children, two of whom are birthright citizens. Wieler regularly posts about his love for Trump and told The Free Press he doesn't think the president will want to deport him once he learns how much he pays in taxes. 'I'm 100 percent a fan of Trump,' he told the outlet. 'I love the man.' Wieler owns three small businesses - two mechanic shops and a cafe - that bring in revenues near $2.5 million a year. Herman Wieler (right), 43, his wife Marsie (left) entered the country from Mexico using visitor visas in 2007, then overstayed Wieler owns three businesses that make $2.5 billion and year, and he proudly supports the president and his immigration policies 'I came here for the American dream, and I found it,' he said. 'We had nothing. Now, I'm a multimillionaire.' The businesses are registered as LLCs and the couple pays their taxes every year, sometimes coughing up $60,000 a year. Wieler said he was deported once before in 2008, but was able to come back into the country a few days later. However, if he were to be deported again, the current visa overstay policy in the United States bans immigrants from re-entering the country for 10 years. 'There are lots of people who don't realize how completely f***ed up the immigration system is,' said Herman. 'But nothing can be done until you somehow stop the flow of illegal immigrants or else you'll just make a bigger mess of it.' Despite his hardline stance on immigration, Black and Hispanic voters turned out in droves for Trump in 2024. Trump vowed to undertake mass deportations of the millions of illegal immigrants who have flooded into the US under the Biden administration. Wieler regularly posts about his love for Trump and doesn't think the president will want to deport him Wieler said he was deported once before in 2008, but was able to come back into the country a few days later The US-Mexico border has become drastically more secure under the Trump administration compared to Biden's, data from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) revealed earlier this month. The number of southwest land border encounters in February 2025 are the 'lowest in history,' according to the White House. The president has pledged to purge the US of its 'most dangerous' unlawful immigrants through a sweeping deportation strategy that would result in the 'largest deportation effort' ever carried out. More than 50,000 illegal migrants have been removed from the US so far, with several law-evading fugitives among them, a Department of Homeland Security official previously revealed to DailyMail.com. A Boston investigator who sent outrageous text messages about murder suspect Karen Read has been fired from the Massachusetts State Police. Trooper Michael Proctor, the former lead detective in the death of Read's cop boyfriend John O'Keefe, was fired this week over texts that included calling Read a 'whack job' and a 'c***.' In other messages, he joked about rummaging through her phone for nude photos during the investigation, and remarked that she had 'no a**.' Proctor was forced to read the humiliating texts in Read's previous murder trial last year, which ended in a mistrial. She is set to go on trial again next month. The trooper's family told the New York Post that the 12-year law enforcement veteran had been 'wrongfully' terminated over the texts. The family said in a statement that Proctor and his fellow detectives 'led a meticulous and thorough investigation of integrity', and said that despite the 'great harm and defamation this case has inflicted on him and his family, (he) still believes justice will be served.' The investigator's text messages became a central issue at Read's first trial, where Read claimed she was framed for O'Keefe's murder by the Boston Police Department. Prosecutors argue that Read hit O'Keefe with her car after a night out, and Proctor had texted colleagues and friends about his belief that she was guilty, saying: 'I looked at (O'Keefe's) body in the hospital. He was banged up, she hit him with her car.' Trooper Michael Proctor, the former lead detective in the death of murder suspect Karen Read's cop boyfriend John O'Keefe, was fired this week over texts that included calling Read a 'whack job' and 'a c***' Read stands accused of hitting her boyfriend with her SUV in January 2022. Her first trial ended in a mistrial, and she is set to stand trial again for the alleged murder next month When Proctor took the stand at Read's trial to answer for his text messages after they were revealed, the trooper said they were 'regrettable' and 'something I'm not proud of.' Proctor had been suspended without pay following the scandal, before he was officially let go this week. Read's defense attorneys claimed that Proctor's texts supported their theory that she was framed, to which he responded that his 'juvenile, unprofessional comments had zero impact on the facts, the evidence and the integrity of the investigation.' After Read's first trial was ended in a jury deadlock, Proctor wrote of his dislike for Read's defense attorneys. This included writing to the assistant DA: 'Yeah, didn't watch a**h*** Jackson's closing for good reason', referring to the final statement made by Read's defense lawyer, Alan Jackson. He also texted the assistant DA, saying: 'Like all of us the anticipation and anxiety of verdict has us all on edge.' Read is expected to mount a similar defense in her second trial next month, where she faces charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter and leaving the scene of a crime. Proctor was forced to read the humiliating texts in Read's previous murder trial last year, including jokes about rummaging through her phone for nude photos during the investigation Read claims she is the victim of a wide-ranging conspiracy to frame her for O'Keefe's death at the hands of the Boston Police Department, where he worked Read and O'Keefe had been dating for two years at the time of his death. He had been serving on the Boston Police Department for 16 years Prosecutors allege that Read hit O'Keefe with her car following a drunken argument as she dropped him off at the home for an after party, and claim to have found pieces of her car's tail light around his body. She had spent the evening drinking with O'Keefe and a group of friends at the Waterfall Bar and Grill in Canton, around 14 miles south of Boston, and the group were invited to the home of his friend Brian Albert, who was a retired Boston police officer. Read, who prosecutors say drank several alcoholic drinks beforehand, decided to drop O'Keefe at the afterparty before she went to his home - that he shared with his orphaned niece and nephew - to sleep at around 1am. Court documents revealed that the couple had been bitterly arguing for weeks beforehand, and on the night O'Keefe died, Read left him a voicemail calling him a 'f****** loser', and 'John, I f****** hate you.' The couple had been dating for two years at the time of O'Keefe's death. He had been serving on the Boston Police Department for 16 years. As the party went on inside Albert's home, Read said she went to sleep at O'Keefe's home and woke up around 4am to find that he was not at home, and then told O'Keefe's niece, who was living at her uncle's home, that she was 'distraught.' Attendees at the party, including some law enforcement, claimed O'Keefe never arrived at the party or entered the home. Chilling footage showing Read in a Boston bar on the night she allegedly killed her cop boyfriend was played in court When her trial began, Read received a slew of support from true crime fans and locals who camped outside the courthouse with signs reading 'Free Karen Read' Read came under scrutiny for a perceived flippant attitude in court during her first trial, including winking at cameras and snacking during proceedings Read then searched for O'Keefe with a friend, and prosecutors allege that during the search she told her: 'What if he's dead? What if a plow hit him? I don't remember anything from last night, we drank so much I don't remember anything.' At 6am, Read found O'Keefe laying in the snow outside Albert's home, and a first responder on the scene reportedly claimed Read repeatedly cried out, 'I hit him, I hit him', reports CBS News. O'Keefe was rushed to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy found that the cause of death was blunt impact injuries and hypothermia. Read's defense countered that she is the victim of an extensive conspiracy to frame her, and claimed the police officer may have actually been attacked by other officers and attendees at the party where he was found dead. Throughout her trial, Read's claims that she was framed also drew a legion of fans, who wore pink to show their support and were often staked out outside the courthouse. The judge in her case even filed a ruling at the start of the trial banning supporters from coming within 200 feet of the courthouse. Read's courthouse behavior also sparked backlash as she was branded 'America's happiest murder defendant', as she appeared to soak up the attention while winking at the cameras and snacking in court. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt took a page from her boss President Donald Trump's playbook and attacked a federal judge who ruled against him. She branded the judge an 'activist' and even went after his wife over her political donations. Leavitt's attack came after Trump himself called Judge James Boasberg a 'radical left lunatic' and talked up trying to impeach him after he issued a temporary order blocking deportation flights. 'The judge in this case is essentially trying to say the President doesn't have the executive authority to deport foreign terrorists from our American soil. That is an egregious abuse of the bench,' Leavitt said at the White House. 'This judge cannot, does not, have that authority. It is the opinion of this White House and of this administration. And that's why we're fighting this in court. And it's very, very clear that this is an activist judge who is trying to usurp this president's authority,' Leavitt said. She added: 'Under the Alien Enemies Act the president has the power, and that's why the the deportation campaign will will continue. And this judge, Judge Boasberg, is a Democrat activist. He was appointed by Barack Obama.' Then she brought up his wife Elizabeth Manson's political contributions, saying she has donated more than $10,000 to Democrats. Leavitt said the judge has consistently shown his disdain for this president and his policies, and it's unacceptable.' Leavitt repeatedly said Trump had 'respect' for Supreme Court Chief Justice Roberts, who warned publicly Tuesday that impeachment was 'not an appropriate response' for disagreeing with a judicial decision. Boasberg grew up in Washington, attended Yale Law, got an advanced degree at Oxford, and was appointed by Roberts to head up the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance court, which handles highly technical matters. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt branded a judge who ruled against the administration an 'activist' who was trying to 'usurp the president's authority' Leavitt brought up the judge's wife Elizabeth Manson's political contributions, saying she has donated more than $10,000 to Democrats, and said 'he has consistently shown his disdain for this President and his policies, and it's unacceptable.' A reporter noted at the briefing that while Obama elevated the judge, he was earlier a Superior Court appointee of President George W. Bush. That prompted Leavitt to argue that '67 percent of all of the injunctions in this century have come against which president? Donald J. Trump.' She added: 'Let me say that again - 60 percent of the injunctions bipartisan activists in the judicial branch have come against President Donald Trump.' Leavitt said it was part of a clear effort by 'leftists who don't like this president and are trying to impose or slow down positions.' One lawyer, David Lurie, wasn't persuaded. He posted: 'Leavitt is trumpeting the fact that courts have enjoined many of Trump's actions as evidence judges are engaged in misconduct Maybe, just maybe, it is an indication that Trump - a convicted felon - habitually breaks the law,' he wrote. Nor would Leavitt give ground when a reporter asked why the administration would not identify the people flown to El Salvador, who the administration says were members of violent gangs, despite posting images of some of them on social media. 'We are not going to reveal operational details about a counterterrorism operation,' she said. 'We have the highest degree of confidence in our ICE agents and our Customs Border Patrol agents who have committed their lives to targeting illegal criminals in our country, particularly foreign terrorists,' she said. Without such a list, it is difficult to assess the allegations against the deportees. Judge Boasberg hosted a contentious hearing with DOJ lawyers Wednesday, and said he wants to find out whether the government 'deliberately flouted' his order. Leavitt spoke as lawmakers from the dominant MAGA wing of the House Republican Conference took Donald Trump's cue and made early steps to impeach a judge the president branded a 'radical left lunatic' for ruling to pause deportation flights. The latest Trump loyalist to get behind the effort was Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert, who was not persuaded by pushback from Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. 'I voted for President Trump, not activist judges! Congress must impeach those obstructing the agenda Americans overwhelmingly supported,' Boebert posted on X. She got a seal of approval from billionaire powerhouse Trump advisor Elon Musk, who weighed in on an online post from the pro-MAGA 'Wake up America' account surveying the public about Boebert's impeachment move. Musk responded with an emoji signaling '100' percent. Trump himself was unpersuaded by Roberts, once again calling Judge James Boasberg a 'lunatic' after a court clash with the administration, which flew more than 200 alleged gangsters to El Salvador and said they were members of Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua or MS-13. The president wrote on his Truth Social account Wednesday: 'If a President doesnt have the right to throw murderers, and other criminals, out of our Country because a Radical Left Lunatic Judge wants to assume the role of President, then our Country is in very big trouble, and destined to fail!' Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) called for impeaching judges obstructing the agenda Americans overwhelmingly supported' In the last Congress, Boebert filed a resolution to impeach President Joe Biden for 'unconstitutional dereliction of duty' over his border policy. Earlier, Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) said he would be 'filing Articles of Impeachment against activist judge James Boasberg this week.' 'Necessary,' wrote Musk on his X site. Legal scholars are already warning that Trump is violating the separation of powers by bucking judicial review of his decisions. 'This is nuts, whats going on in front of Judge Boasberg,' former Trump White House lawyer Ty Cobb told CNN's 'Out Front.' 'I think Judge Boasberg, who by the way is highly regarded and actually is the single most qualified judge in the country to handle the issue before him as the former head of the FISA court and the current head of the alien deportation court,' Cobb added. Musk weighed in on yet another judge who issued another ruling this one against the administration's move against transgender members of the military. Elon Musk continues to push moves to impeach federal judges Trump tore into Boasberg and 'crooked' judges after a clash over the timing of his order to halt deportations of more than 200 people 'This is a judicial coup. We need 60 senators to impeach the judges and restore rule of the people.' Sixty is the number of senators to break a filibuster, but two-thirds of the 100-person Senate must vote to convict a judge during an impeachment trial. Article III judges 'hold their office during good behavior,' according to the Constitution, meaning lifetime appointments. Roberts issued his stunning rebuke Tuesday after Trump called for the impeachment of the judge who had blocked his bid to send people he said were members of a violent Venezuelan gang to El Salvador. The Justice Department blasted Boasberg in a new filing for running down 'picayune' details about the flights in an effort to discern when exactly the removal occurred in relation to his order, accusing the court of 'digressive micromanagement' and defending the decisions of a 'coequal branch.' It called his comment a 'complete misunderstanding of the serious national security, safety, regulatory, and logistical problems presented by a fiat from the Court directed at pilots operating outside the United States and was made without regard to whether any such aircraft could feasibly be diverted or even had enough fuel to safely do so.' The latest court action came after Trump attacked the federal lower court judge as a 'radical left lunatic' in a wild tirade on social media. But Roberts took the rare step of intervening and publicly slapping down the president. 'For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision,' Roberts said in a curt statement issued by the Supreme Court. 'The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose.' By that, Roberts meant that if the Trump administration has a problem with a judge's ruling, it should appeal and fight the issue in court rather than savage a Senate-confirmed judge in public. Any ultimate appeal would end up before Roberts' own body, in which conservatives hold a 6-3 majority and have backed Trump in the past. The blast from the usually circumspect justice comes at a time when some liberal legal scholars say a constitutional crisis is looming, or already here, over a crush of court orders that would rein in constitutional authority Trump claims is his alone. Although Roberts used language that was legalistic and did not identify Trump by name the public comment came just a few hours after Trump attacked a 'radical left lunatic' judge who had issued a temporary order barring the deportation of alleged gang members who the White House termed 'heinous monsters.' The ruling, from federal Judge James Boasberg, came after a fiery hearing where he demanded the government declare when it thinks his own orders on the deportations took effect after the administration said the deportation flights were underway and over international waters when it learned of the order. Trump posted on his Truth Social site Tuesday morning: 'This Radical Left Lunatic of a Judge, a troublemaker and agitator who was sadly appointed by Barack Hussein Obama, was not elected President - He didnt WIN the popular VOTE (by a lot!), he didnt WIN ALL SEVEN SWING STATES, he didnt WIN 2,750 to 525 Counties, HE DIDNT WIN ANYTHING!' Chief Justice John Roberts slapped back at threats to impeach judges, just hours after President Trump tore into a federal judge he termed a 'radical left lunatic' 'I WON FOR MANY REASONS, IN AN OVERWHELMING MANDATE, BUT FIGHTING ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION MAY HAVE BEEN THE NUMBER ONE REASON FOR THIS HISTORIC VICTORY. Im just doing what the VOTERS wanted me to do. This judge, like many of the Crooked Judges I am forced to appear before, should be IMPEACHED!!! WE DONT WANT VICIOUS, VIOLENT, AND DEMENTED CRIMINALS, MANY OF THEM DERANGED MURDERERS, IN OUR COUNTRY. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!' After Roberts' rare statement, Trump was asked during an interview with Laura Ingraham taped Tuesday for the Fox News Channel's The Ingraham Angle what he made of the justice issuing one. 'Well, he didn't mention my name in the statement. I just saw it quickly. He didn't mention my name,' Trump responded. The 78-year-old commander in chief also argued 'many people have called for his impeachment, the impeachment of this judge. I don't know who the judge is, but he's radical left.' Trump's billionaire DOGE head and advisor Elon Musk has also been rallying to impeach judges who ruled against the administration on federal worker firings. On Friday, in an extraordinary speech at the Justice Department, Trump praised Judge Aileen Cannon, a federal judge who ruled in his favor in the classified documents case. An appeal got withdrawn after Trump won the November election. Trump said of Cannon: 'I did appoint her federal judge and these fake lawyers these horrible human beings were hitting her so hard.' All federal district court judges must be confirmed by the Senate in order to serve. Last week, a federal judge in California ruled that the administration must reinstate thousands of fired 'probationary' employees. Another federal judge in Maryland, U.S. District Judge James Bredar, also an Obama nominee, has also ruled that terminations of probationary employees was illegal. House Republicans have taken up Musk's call to impeach judges who have ruled against Trump. Trump railed against judges who ruled against him during the campaign. He greeted Justice Roberts on the day of his speech to Congress earlier this month Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) said he would be 'filing Articles of Impeachment against activist judge James Boasberg this week.' 'Necessary,' wrote Musk on his X site. Nevertheless, the conservative New York Post editorial board wrote that Musk was 'way out of his lane' on the matter. The ruling that set off the fury came when Boasberg issued the temporary ruling that blocked the deportations of more than 200 people after the administration invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. The White House said Monday that the people deported to El Salvador were members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, but has refused to provide the names of the people now incarcerated in El Salvador. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the U.S. paid the country $6 million to accept them. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Steven Miller teed off on the judge at the White House on Monday when asked about his statement that the judge's order was 'illegal.' 'The idea that a single district court judge has the authority to direct, as though they were the president, the movement of airplanes around the globe is ... the most outrageous thing I've seen from a district court judge in my lifetime, frankly, going back multiple lifetimes. Earlier this month, the American Bar Association issued a statement warning against attempts to 'cow our countrys judges, our countrys courts and our legal profession.' It said intimidation 'cannot be sanctioned or normalized.' The ABA said it would not 'stay silent in the face of efforts to remake the legal profession into something that rewards those who agree with the government and punishes those who do not.' Trump railed against judges who ruled against him in his four criminal trials throughout the campaign. But in February and March, Musk began touring into judges using his powerful online platform. 'We are witnessing an attempted coup of American democracy by radical left activists posing as judges!' Musk wrote Feb. 11. "There need to be some repercussions above ZERO for judges who make truly terrible decisions," Musk continued. On Feb. 25, he posted: 'When judges egregiously undermine the democratic will of the people, they must be fired or democracy dies!' The bar for impeaching an Article III federal judge is high. Only through a vote to impeach in the House and a two-thirds vote of the Senate can they be removed. Another House Republican, Rep. Andy Ogles, introduced a resolution in February to impeach Judge John Bates after his order to federal health agencies to restore online data amid a Trump Administration crackdown on 'gender ideology.' Ogles, who issued a statement attacking 'predators' like the judge, a George W. Bush appointee, was unbowed by Roberts' warning. 'Respectfully, Mr. Chief Justice, both James Madison and Thomas Jefferson disagree with you. So does the Constitution. We are going to keep the impeachments coming,' he wrote. A prominent conservative social media figure is the latest to face threats for his vocal pro-Trump content. Robby Starbuck detailed in an interview on DailyMail.com's podcast Welcome to MAGAland on Wednesday how he, his four children and his wife have been threatened and had their address 'doxxed.' 'A crazy person showed up at our house and banged on the door when my kids were home and I wasn't home,' Starbuck recalled. He added: 'We had somebody ship mail to our house that required a hazmat team to come out. I'm still not able to say everything that was in it, but there's an open investigation to find who sent the stuff that was sent.' The right-wing influencer with nearly 800,000 followers on X said the left wing in the U.S. is becoming 'increasingly violent' and explained how he had to increase the security for himself and his family. Starbuck's latest revelations come as other conservative media commentators spoke out about their own experience with so-called 'swatting' attacks. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed his agency is looking into the dramatic uptick in these incidents. Conservative media figure Robby Starbuck detailed to DailyMail.com's Welcome to MAGAland podcast the increasing threats against his family, including people showing up to his home and sending suspicious packages 'The reality is if I'm being really honest with people you have to understand the left is an increasingly violent movement,' Starbuck said in the Wednesday interview At least 10 people reported swatting incidents in the course of just one day last week, an FBI official told DailyMail.com. Such swatting attacks usually involve the perpetrator reporting an innocent person to law enforcement, which can result in police being sent to their home. Radio host Joe Pagliarulo, known by his media persona Joe Pags, divulged how he caught a man on camera outside his home with a rifle pointed at the house. It was unclear, Pagliarulo said, whether the individual was police or not. And InfoWars host Chase Geiser said he had police sent to his home twice within 12 hours. In the middle of the night, a group of police arrived at Geiser's home and used their megaphones to call him out of his house by name. 'I was handcuffed in the middle of the street,' he detailed on X. 'I was then led into the house where my wife was woken up and we were informed that they received a call from someone pretending to be me and threatening to kill my family.' In a post to X, Starbuck said: 'Someone is going to get killed in a swatting if this continues.' 'Large accounts on X need to notify your sheriff NOW about the increased swatting risk and ask them to put a note on your address if they can do so. Also ask that they form an anti-swatting list for figures at risk,' he added. Speaking with MAGAland just two days after that post, Starbuck said: 'We've had, just crazy, crazy threats, death threats against my children, rape threats against my wife.' Starbuck warned to his nearly 800k followers on X that someone is going to get killed with the uptick in swatting incidents against conservative media personalities 'A crazy person showed up at our house and banged on the door when my kids were home and I wasn't home,' Starbuck recalled, adding: 'We've had, just crazy, crazy threats, death threats against my children, rape threats against my wife.' Pictured: Starbuck with his wife Landon Newsom at the Am I Racist? movie premiere on September 9, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee Conservative radio host Joe 'Pags' Pagliarulo released video footage earlier this month of a man outside his home with a rifle saying it's unclear whether they are law enforcement or not Infowars host Chase Geiser posted to X video of police putting him in handcuffs after a person called 911 pretending to be the media personality and threatening to kill his family 'People have doxxed my children online with their full names, address, everything,' he added. 'Somebody was just recently arrested in Oregon for a death threat against me. And the FBI has open cases of death threats against me.' 'The reality is if I'm being really honest with people you have to understand the left is an increasingly violent movement,' the media figure said. Doxxing is when a person's address or other personal identifiable information is published or shared publicly usually for malicious purposes so those with bad intentions can reach them. Satrbuck complained that 'Democrats are not denouncing' the rise in attacks and targets against conservative media figures. 'That's a long way to say they're a violent movement and, you just have to continue,' he said when asked about advice for those who want to speak out but are afraid of being attacked. 'You've got to put your head down, do the work and be honest with people because making a difference is not supposed to be easy,' he concluded. The normally quiet village of Sea Cliff, New York, was upended by a bizarre political drama when Pirate's Booty creator Robert Ehrlich declared himself mayor before a single vote was cast. Despite Ehrlich's bold claim and unconventional campaign, incumbent Mayor Elena Villafane won Tuesday's election decisively. Ehrlich, who also owns the Holiday Cocktail Lounge in New York City, sparked the chaos by waltzing into the town's Village Hall on March 10 and announcing his mayoral takeover, complete with the firing of all village staff. He asserted he'd formed a new municipality, 'The Incorporated Village of Sea Cliff Residents,' citing an obscure law called the New York State Citizen's Empowerment Act. He brandished an envelope, claiming it held 1,800 supporting signatures - ones he said he needed to dissolve the town's government - but refused to provide proof, citing what he called fear of reprisal. 'So I'm now the mayor of the second entity, according to the Resident Empowerment Act by New York State, that I am the mayor of the residents and the visitors, and they're the mayor of the paperwork and the compliance,' Ehrlich told Dailymail.com. 'Now I get to be mayor without all the heavy responsibilities and complaints,' he added. 'So it worked out for me. Lifes rules are made up. Its all so convoluted and confusing. All Im trying to do is live a peaceful, creative life, but they dont like creativity.' The normally quiet village of Sea Cliff, New York, was upended by a bizarre political drama when snack-food mogul Robert Ehrlich declared himself mayor before a single vote was cast Ehrlich, founder of Pirate's Booty snacks, sparked the chaos by storming Village Hall and announcing his mayoral takeover, complete with the firing of all village staff 'We know what we're doing, and we're terrified of this act,' Ehrlich told ABC 7 New York. 'I'm asking the governor to step in and help us. We are being abused, threatened and ignored by public officials who refuse to recognize these residents,' the former Pirate's Booty owner, who sold the brand to B&G Foods for $195 million in 2013, said. His dramatic takeover attempt prompted a swift response. 'I told him to leave and called the police,' said Village Administrator Brian Kennedy. The following day, Ehrlich pivoted, launching a last-minute write-in campaign against Villafane, who had been running unopposed. Painting the current administration as outdated and overly bureaucratic, he promised to lower taxes and cut regulations particularly those restricting outdoor dining, a cause he championed as the owner of a local cafe. This isn't Ehrlich's first encounter with the local Sea Cliff government. In 2003, he unsuccessfully sued town officials after claiming he was discriminated against because he was Jewish. He was later ordered to pay $900,000 in legal fees. In his latest political maneuver against the town, he circulated his own unofficial ballots listing his name alongside Villafane's and even included a referendum asking voters whether they supported incorporating Sea Cliff into his newly declared village. Pictured: The quaint town of Sea Cliff, which boasts 5,000 residents Ehrlich owns Holiday Cocktail Bar in New York City (pictured) He brandished an envelope, claiming it held 1,800 supporting signatures, but refused to provide proof, citing fear of reprisal Despite his claims that the election was 'rigged' and his vow to call for a tax strike if he lost, voter turnout surged, and by Tuesday night, the results were clear: Villafane won with 1,064 votes to Ehrlich's 62. Yet, even as the votes were counted, Ehrlich was not conceding. 'Our movement continues,' he said. 'This place needs a voice, and at the moment, it's me.' Yesterday, the mayor won by a vote that I dont believe was real,' he told Dailymail.com. 'Her statement was that they plan on not having any more insurrectionists in this town. A public official should be saying, Wed like to talk to Mr. Ehrlich and address his concerns, not calling people insurrectionists. What I did last week was not only braveits made me a folk hero.' 'After I went to Village Hall, I put up a Facebook post. An hour later, I was in the LA Times. The White House invited me. They were inspired by my inspired-ness.' 'I will not tolerate any further attempts to undermine the governance of this village,' said incumbent Mayor Elena Villafane Ehrlich circulated his own unofficial ballots listing his name alongside Villafane's and even included a referendum asking voters whether they supported incorporating Sea Cliff into his newly declared village. Ehrlich sold the brand to B&G Foods for $195 million in 2013 He reiterated his claim that he was the rightful mayor and vowed to take further legal action against the village administration for $390 million, alleging they had impeded his business opportunities. 'I plan on taking their homes,' he declared. Villafane, for her part, dismissed the spectacle and called for a return to normalcy. 'I will not tolerate any further attempts to undermine the governance of this village,' she said. Ehrlich, undeterred, now plans to start a podcast and expand his snack business, Vegan Rob though it remains unclear whether his mayoral ambitions are truly behind him. Ehrlich and Villafane did not immediately respond to the DailyMail.com's requests for comment. Talks to try to bring about a ceasefire in Russia's war in Ukraine took a new turn Wednesday as Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky discussed U.S. 'ownership' of its nuclear plants. The new element came in a joint statement issued by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz hours after Trump spoke by phone with the Ukrainian president. The potential energy cooperation came up amid a stalled minerals deal that Trump says will provide security for Ukraine and allow it to reimburse the U.S. for billions spent arming and aiding the country. 'President Trump also discussed Ukraines electrical supply and nuclear power plants. He said that the United States could be very helpful in running those plants with its electricity and utility expertise,' according to the statement. 'American ownership of those plants would be the best protection for that infrastructure and support for Ukrainian energy infrastructure,' it said. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt got asked whether the U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal was still on the table. 'And now we have moved beyond the economic minerals deal. We are at a place of peace. We're at a partial ceasefire, and we're moving towards a full ceasefire and a long standing peace in this conflict,' she said. Trump first mentioned that deal as a way to extract valuable rare earth minerals from Ukraine. 'American ownership of those plants would be the best protection for that infrastructure and support for Ukrainian energy infrastructure,' according to a U.S. government readout following the call between Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky The Ukrainian side has begun raising the importance of the Zaporizhzhia power plant, now offline and controlled by Russia, as important to being able to power the energy-intensive efforts to mine the minerals. The statement also mentioned the partial ceasefire that was a result of a phone call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump said on Wednesday that he and Putin 'agreed to an immediate Ceasefire on all Energy and Infrastructure.' But the Rubio-Waltz statement didn't contain the word 'infrastructure.' 'The two leaders also agreed on a partial ceasefire against energy. Technical teams will meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to discuss broadening the ceasefire to the Black Sea on the way to a full ceasefire. They agreed this could be the first step toward the full end of the war and ensuring security,' it said. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt updated reporters on the president's call with the Ukrainian president. She mentioned U.S. 'ownership' of Ukrainian nuclear power plants ZAPORIZHZHIA, UKRAINE - MARCH 29: A Ukrainian soldier on a tank performs firing practice at special shooting range near the frontline area amid Russia-Ukraine war, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine on March 29, 2023. Russian troops occupied the nuclear plant after the invasion Trump said that 'the United States could be very helpful in running those plants with its electricity and utility expertise,' according to a statement According to the Rubio-Waltz statement, 'President Trump also asked President Zelensky about the children who had gone missing from Ukraine during the war, including the ones that had been abducted. President Trump promised to work closely with both parties to help make sure those children were returned home.' That is a matter that Zelensky raised during his previous disastrous Oval Office meeting with Trump. Leavitt got asked about the termination of a State Department contract that funded a program at Yale Universitys Humanitarian Research Lab that tracked the abducted children. She said she had 'no updates about that.' Lawmakers raised concerns about the deletion of a database that tracked satelilite imagery and biometric data on as many as 35,000 Ukrainian children who were taken. A Queensland music teacher will face trial for allegedly sexually abusing a child in 1996. Nicholas Campbell, 54, is currently employed at Matthew Flinders Anglican College in Buderim on the Sunshine Coast, but his alleged offending relates to his time at a different school. He appeared in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with three counts of aggravated sexual assault where the victim was under the authority of the offender. He was granted bail and is due to face court in Grafton NSW on April 14. Prosecutors said the charges related to an alleged student-teacher relationship, the ABC reported. Two of the alleged incidents occurred on the same day, while another took place later that month. The prosecution opposed bail, describing Campbell's alleged offending as 'serious,' and said it had concerns about his mental health. Campbell's lawyer said he had been aware of the complaint since 2020 when it had been expected to progress as a civil matter. Nicholas Campbell, 54, is currently employed at Matthew Flinders Anglican College in Buderim on the Sunshine Coast, but his alleged offending relates to his work at a different school Matthew Flinders Anglican College said it took 'all allegations pertaining to staff members seriously' The court heard Campbell had not heard anything about it since then and had been surprised when police turned up at his door on Wednesday morning. The lawyer said he was 'highly-regarded' at his current school where he worked as the head of department. He had no criminal history and this was the only complaint made against him as a teacher, the lawyer added. Matthew Flinders Anglican College said it took 'all allegations pertaining to staff members seriously'. 'We shall cooperate with authorities and follow our college policies and processes,' it said in a statement. 'Our priority remains the safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and community.' Jessie was preparing for work one April morning in 2021 when, out of the blue, she received a message on her Facebook account. The sender was a girl called Lauren; someone she knew of, but had never met. She was an ex-girlfriend of my former boyfriend, Jessie recalls. What Lauren had to say chilled Jessie to the bone. Its taken me a lot of time to send you this message, Lauren wrote. I am his ex-girlfriend. Me and him were together for a year and a half, and in that time he raped me twice. It took me a very long time to accept what happened to me. I dont know anything about your relationship with him, and I really hope that he was not inappropriate to you in any way. That hope was already shattered: Jessie had been raped several times during the course of her year-long relationship with the same man, something she had tried to bury in the aftermath of their break-up. Now, that carefully constructed edifice of denial crumbled in the face of Laurens message, which also said there was a third girl who had been raped by her ex. Jessie was preparing for work one April morning in 2021 when, out of the blue, she received a message on her Facebook account (file photo) Filmed over three years, Rape on Trial lays bare the pressure on victims and explores the challenges of securing a conviction when the alleged perpetrator is someone you know In the flood of emotions that followed devastation, guilt, fear Jessie knew instinctively that she had to go to the police. It wasnt just about me anymore. I knew I had to do something for the sake of the women before and the women after, she says. It was bigger than just being about me. What happened from then on is the subject of a compelling and troubling two-part documentary that broadcast on BBC1 last night. Presented by Stacey Dooley, it follows Jessie, then 23 as well as two other rape cases brought by a 19-year-old and a 22-year-old - and details what happens after a woman reports her rape to police. Filmed over three years, Rape on Trial lays bare the pressure on victims and explores the challenges of securing a conviction when the alleged perpetrator is someone you know. It also reveals the pressures placed on police and the Crown Prosecution Service and the difficulties faced by juries - in cases which boil down to one persons word against another. I completely understand where theyre coming from, Jessie tells me, referring to those who still struggle with the definition of rape when not committed by a stranger. But its not right, and in real life what happened to me is a more likely scenario than somebody jumping out of a bush in an alleyway. That sentiment is borne out by statistics: a recent Criminal Justice Inspectorate report found that in 84 per cent of reported cases, the assault was committed by someone known to the complainant. Jessie, now 26, a bubbly and attractive young woman with a ready smile, is part of that statistical mass, although she worked hard to not allow what happened to define her. Nonetheless, she admits it impacts her relationships to this day. Im almost too quick to, you know, jump at the first sign of somebody who might love me, she confides, her eyes filling with tears. Im just constantly searching for a man who isnt a monster. Initially, her ex-boyfriend did not fit the monster mould either. Jessie was 15 when she met him at the gym she attended where he was an instructor, and, after they started dating a year later, he was welcomed into her close knit, loving family. At four years older, there was an age gap, although Jessie says it is only latterly she has had chance to reflect on the power dynamic. What I saw as charming I now see as manipulative, she says. But I thought I was in love. Now I look back and think I had no idea. Certainly the sex, when consensual, was intimate and loving. But then there was the abuse, she says quietly. This happened in the morning, usually when Jessie was still asleep, when she would wake up to find her boyfriend inside her, his hands clamped on her shoulder blades. Stacey Dooley: Rape on Trial was aired on BBC1 9pm last night Presented by Stacey Dooley, the programme follows Jessie, then 23 as well as two other rape cases brought by a 19-year-old and a 22-year-old - and details what happens after a woman reports her rape to police (file photo) I remember the first time it happened I was like: Please can you stop? Why are you doing that? Im asleep. But he didnt. That continued fairly often - it was almost ritualistic. Id be woken up to it, his hand would be there between my shoulder blades, and if I tried to turn, there would be enough force to hold me there. I explained to him that I didnt like it, for him to stop, but he didnt. And that just continued until the end of our relationship. It got to the point where I would just pretend I was still asleep. She was young and confused: I liked a lot about our relationship, then there was this side I hated, and I couldnt reconcile these feelings, she says. A year later, the pair mutually agreed to split up, as Jessie was off to university and neither wanted a long-distance relationship. Jessie went on to have other boyfriends, but admits to battling anxiety and an innate feeling of not being safe. At the time, I just thought I was a young woman and that all young women feel this way, she reflects. But now Ive been more open and I have sought help, I have been able to recognise that those feelings are related to what happened. It was a year after she had graduated when Jessie received the message from Lauren that finally forced her to put a word to what she had been through. Like Jessie, Lauren, who also features in the BBC documentary, had been initially bowled over by the charismatic man with whom she had gone travelling in Australia, only to be raped twice while she was there. Lauren details how the first time he raped her also happened in the morning, in a shared hostel room. He was spooning me, and he starts kissing me, touching me. I said No and he pulled my knickers down and just went for it. My whole body froze. Couldnt move. All I could hear was his breath next to my ear. I kept saying, Stop. I said, Get off me. I dont want this. And he carried on until he finished, she recalls in the documentary. She describes her bewilderment when he then behaved as if nothing had happened and the shame she felt after accusing him of raping her and his astonished rebuttal. He said: No, I didnt. Youre my girlfriend. I love you. I wouldnt do that to you. He was upset that Id even suggested it, she recalls. She reported it to police in Australia, but the case was dropped through lack of evidence. It meant that while her case could not be prosecuted in the UK, if Jessie went to the police Lauren could be called as a witness. First though, Jessie had to confront what had happened. It was really overwhelming, she says of reading that initial message. I was having to confront something Id kept down for so long. She met Lauren the same day. It was very emotional, Jessie recalls. She told me her whole story, and it was like she was telling me my story. I had been in denial that whole time, but then the realisation flooded in that he knows what he did. You dont rape someone by accident. The next step was to tell her mother Michelle, who talks movingly on screen about the changes she witnessed in her once joyful, happy-go-lucky daughter as she progresses through the legal system. Its your worst nightmare, she tells the documentary of the moment her daughter confided in her. I was so angry. There was a sense of betrayal. We used to have him round for barbecues. Everyone liked him. I was just so angry at him. When Jessie goes to the police, she says she is questioned by a female officer and treated with respect. Her ex is subsequently arrested and charged with three counts of rape, two in relation to Jessie and another in relation to a third woman who chooses to remain anonymous. Little could Jessie know then that this would be the start of an agonising judicial process that would last almost four years: while the trial was initially set for September 2021, barrister strikes meant it was postponed for 14 months until November 2022. Like Jessie, Lauren, who also features in the BBC documentary, had been initially bowled over by the charismatic man with whom she had gone travelling in Australia, only to be raped twice while she was there (file photo) The lengthy filming process and the impact on victims left its mark on presenter Stacey Dooley too. She has subsequently observed that if she were raped she has faced the bleak realisation that she would not bother going to the police As news reports from the time make clear, Jessie was not alone in facing such enormous delays, with sexual offence cases, where many accused are on bail, taking the longest time on record to go through crown courts in England and Wales against a backdrop of a spiralling increase in cases being sent to trial. At the time of writing, complainants are waiting on average more than two years for their cases to complete in court. In the meantime, all Jessie could do was wait, labouring under the knowledge that she could bump into her ex at any time as she frequently did: at one point the camera catches her clear distress after she has seen him undertaking building work near her house. Id see him quite a lot, she tells me. On nights out, Id see him in the pub. All I could do was turn around and leave. Finally, in November 2022, the case opened and Jessie was called to testify about events that by that point were eight years old. She was then cross-examined for two hours, an experience she describes as brutal. I dont think I have been through anything worse, she says quietly. I was just crying the whole way through as the defence barrister was telling me that I was lying, that I didnt say no, I didnt fight him off. So she was basically trying to make out to the jury that I didnt say no, so that means yes. Overall, the suggestion was that the three of us had nothing better to do than make up this allegation. When the jury retired, Jessie, Lauren and the other victim could only reassure themselves they had done everything they could. But then, after an agonising four days of deliberation, they learned that the jury could not agree - an outcome for which she had not prepared. Filmed at the time, she poignantly tells the cameras that she would have preferred a not guilty verdict as at least she could have moved on. I just wanted it to be over, she says, describing her devastation. Im now a victim of the system as well. I now feel like Im fighting both. The only comfort was that it meant that at least three maybe even nine of the jurors thought he was guilty, as otherwise there could have been a majority verdict. That definitely us gave us hope in terms of making the decision about a retrial, she says. With the three women all agreed on a retrial, another date was set for June 2024, only for that, too, to be moved again, this time to January this year - meaning that the trial would take place nearly four years after Jessie first went to the police. It has literally taken years of my life, the person that I was before was very outgoing and confident, and now I am a nervous wreck, she confides of the way the impending trial has hung over her life. Its a sentiment that is poignantly echoed by her mum, who says her daughter is not the same Jessie that she was... and I just want her back. I think I was completely oblivious to that change in myself, Jessie says now of her transformation from a happy-go-lucky character into an angrier person. At the time I had no idea, but I can recognise it now. It was a massive mental trauma. And you cant move on. Finally, in January this year, Jessie took the stand once again along with Lauren and the other victim, buoyed by the prediction of the officer in charge that they had a good case. I think Id got my hopes up, Jessie admits. Rape on Trial reveals the pressures placed on police and the Crown Prosecution Service and the difficulties faced by juries - in cases which boil down to one persons word against another Jessie doesnt regret going through the process, even if she didnt get the ending she hoped for. In fact, she feels empowered by speaking out (file photo) This time, the jury did come back with a verdict: not guilty. The documentary shows the moment when Jessie and Lauren hear the shattering news: Jessie seems stunned, almost unable to take it in. Its like these women were cross examined and dragged through this for years - and for what? she says. Lauren, meanwhile, is shown sobbing uncontrollably at home when she receives the result over the phone. Their feelings will doubtless have been shared by many other complainants, given that 2022 statistics reveal that, in England and Wales, more than 99 per cent of rapes reported to police do not end in a conviction. Today Jessie continues to feel wronged by the system, though she also understands the challenges juries face. They are asked to make a decision beyond reasonable doubt, and Ive never been beyond a reasonable doubt about anything, she says. Ultimately, it was our word against his - although thats still three against one, three separate people, completely unrelated to one another, whove been dragged through this for years. The lengthy filming process and the impact on victims left its mark on presenter Stacey Dooley too. She has subsequently observed that if she were raped she has faced the bleak realisation that she would not bother going to the police. In terms of what Ive witnessed, I wouldnt feel confident she told the Radio Times, adding that it is one of the few crimes where the credibility of the alleged victim is immediately brought into question. Nonetheless, Jessie doesnt regret going through the process, even if she didnt get the ending she hoped for. In fact, she feels empowered by speaking out. I had to do it, not just for me, but for other women like me, she says. I dont know the answers to getting better conviction rates, but I know we have to try to do better. Stacey Dooley: Rape on Trial was aired on BBC1 9pm last night. A missing Georgia teenager who vanished over a year ago has been found alive in another state, days after her mother pleaded for her safe return. Asata Amun, 16, was last seen in doorbell footage fleeing from her father Kwabena Amun's home while barefoot, following an alleged altercation between the two in February 2024. In a shock announcement this week, the Gwinnett County Police in Georgia revealed that Asata had been 'in the custody of the Tennessee Department of Childrens Services since February 2024 under an alias.' Cops said a breakthrough in her case came when a case manager from the Tennessee Department of Children's Services found 'inconsistencies' in Asata's statements. This prompted an investigation into missing children, and Asata was identified as having disappeared from Georgia. Just one week before she was found safe, Asata's mother Jasmine Dominique gave a heartbreaking interview to WSB where she pleaded for her daughter to come home. 'I just want her to be safe, that's all I want,' Dominique said through tears. When contacted on Monday after Asata was sensationally found alive, the stricken mother told WSB: 'I dropped the phone when I heard it... I couldn't believe it.' Asata Amun, 16, was last seen in February 2024 fleeing from her home in Georgia, until she was found this week in the custody of the Tennessee Department of Childrens Services, where she had been since February 2024 under an alias Just one week before she was found safe, Asata's mother Jasmine Dominique gave a heartbreaking interview where she pleaded for her daughter to come home Dominique said much is still unknown about her daughter's year as a missing person, but said she had been in contact with Asata in recent days. She said her daughter admitted she lived on the streets for a while, adding: 'She was in Atlanta when she left, and she slept in the street until someone kind of helped her and got her on a bus to go where she needed to go to feel safe.' She added that her daughter doesn't know anyone in Tennessee, but said 'I guess she had it in her mind that where she is going will be safer for her.' Following Asata's disappearance a year ago, scrutiny fell on her father amid reports that the two had allegedly been in some form of altercation on the day she ran away. The teen had reportedly been in trouble at school the day before, and when she ran away, he reportedly screamed, 'So, you are just going to run like a coward, Asata.' He told WSB that he had threatened to send her to military school due to her behavior. The girl was last seen on doorbell footage running away from home. The video has not been released publicly. Asata's mother said the teen told her she was sleeping rough for some time after her disappearance, and said although she had no ties to Tennessee, her daughter may have gone to the state because 'she had it in her mind that where she is going will be safer for her' Scrutiny fell on Asata's father Kwabena Amun (pictured) after her disappearance, however he denied any allegations that he was abusive, and said before she was found: 'I just want to make sure my baby girl is okay, that she is alright' Asata's two sisters were removed from his home by Children's Protective Services due to allegations that Kwabena had been abuse. He has never been charged with any criminal wrongdoing. The father denied being abusive in a June 2024 interview, and said: 'I just want to make sure my baby girl is okay, that she is alright.' Dominique said she had divorced Kwabena in 2019, and although she claimed he had been abusive to her, she told WSB before Asata re-appeared she didn't 'want to think he did something to her.' 'It's hard for me as a mother, because I can't sleep,' she said. 'I keep thinking about it... and I can't do anything.' Following Asata's re-appearance this week, authorities said arrangements were being made to transfer her into the custody of the Georgia Department of Family & Children Services. The Gwinnett County Police added that the investigation into Asata's disappearance remains open. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt slammed Governor Tim Walz after he celebrated Tesla stock falling as its CEO Elon Musk comes under fire for DOGE. On Tuesday, the Minnesota governor and Kamala Harris' former running mate said that he frequently checks Tesla stock to give him a 'boost' during the day. The company stock has been on the decline since the start of the Trump administration as Musk's DOGE moves to slash spending and workers. Leavitt was asked at the White House press briefing on Wednesday about Walz' comment. 'I think that's quite sad,' Leavitt said in response. 'I think that Governor Walz unfortunately is living a sad existence after his devastating defeat on November 5th,' she added. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt blasted Governor Tim Walz for 'living a sad existence' after he cheered on the Tesla stock stop Her cutting remarks came as Walz has been hitting the road to for a number of speaking engagements as Democrats attempt to fight back against Trump and Musk's agenda. The Minnesota governor headed to Wisconsin on Tuesday where he participated in a 'People v Musk' event in Eau Claire hosted by the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. The grassroots town hall was held as the party pushes back on the billionaire's influence in the upcoming state Supreme Court election. Musk-supported groups have put more than $10 million into the race to help Republican-backed candidate Brad Schimel as he runs against Democratic-backed Susan Crawford in the April 1 election. During the event at Pablo Center theater, Walz whipped out his iPhone. 'They've got that little stock app,' he said holding up the phone screen. 'I added Tesla to it to give me a little boost during the day,' he went on as the crowd laughed. '$2.25 and dropping,' Walz declared. The audience continued to cheer. 'If you own one, we're not blaming you,' the governor said. 'You can take dental floss and pull the Tesla thing off, you know.' He also called Musk an 'unelected, South African nepo-baby.' Governor Tim Walz (D-Minn.) speaking at a town hall in Eau Claire, WI on March 18 People angry at the Trump administration and the president's 'first buddy' Musk have begun protesting outside Tesla dealerships. Americans enraged over DOGE slashing government programs and firing federal workers have been carryings signs and boycotting, but the company is also facing fallout overseas. Tesla stocks have lost roughly 50 percent of their value as the company has seen weeks of losses as Musk has embraced a prominent role in the administration. Amid worldwide demonstrations, there have also been a surge of attacks on Tesla vehicles. Protesters outside a Tesla dealership in Santa Monica, California on March 15 In an effort to show his support for the struggling company and his billionaire-backer, Trump even turned the White House lawn into a Tesla show room earlier this month. In response to Walz' remarks, Musk wrote on X: 'Sometimes when I need a little boost, I look at the @JDVance portrait in the White House and thank the Lord.' One of Scotlands oldest knife attackers has avoided jail for stabbing her husband of 50 years as he lay in bed. Annie Hillen, 84, also tried to smother James Hillen with a pillow at their flat in Glasgows Thornwood on August 4, 2022. The 81-year-old was struck on the shoulder, but managed to disarm his wife before she came at him again with another blade. She later stated to police she was disappointed she had not killed him. The pensioner had been due to stand trial accused of attempted murder. But, instead Hillen pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of assaulting her husband to his injury and danger of life. Judge Tom Hughes said at the High Court in Paisley: I make it abundantly clear to you that you face an extremely serious charge. It is a charge which involved an attack on your husband. From the information available to me, this was something you thought about and planned then proceeded to carry out in an attempt to injure your husband. It is very fortunate he did not sustain far more serious injuries - not withstanding that what happened was serious. The judge remarked that Hillen had made progress in dealing with her alcohol and mental health issues. Annie Hillen, 84, attacked her husband James with a knife as he lay in bed He further stated that she had not caused difficulties at the supported accommodation where she now resides. Judge Hughes added: When this court faces the situation of someone in your position of having a robust non-custodial option, this is the one the court must take. Hillen was put under supervision for three years and tagged for one year, keeping her indoors between 7pm and 7am. The court heard that the couple had lived together at their three-bedroom flat in the citys west end. Both had health issues and Mr Hillen had recently returned home after a spell in hospital. Hours before the attack, prosecutor Isabella Ennis KC said the pair had a disagreement. He eventually retired to bed in the room he separately used. Miss Ennis said that around midnight Hillen went to her husband having collected a kitchen knife and a pillow en-route. The advocate depute added: She approached him in his bed and stabbed his right shoulder while attempting to smother him. James Hillen took the pillow off his wife and the knife from his shoulder before he threw both away. She left the bedroom, but returned with a second kitchen knife which she again wielded at her husband. She succeeded only in scratching his left arm before he took this weapon and threw it away also. Mr Hillen managed to telephone their daughter for help and said his wife had attacked him. She left the flat in her pyjamas and socks and told a neighbour that she had stabbed her husband, but that he was still alive. Police were called and Miss Ennis said: On the way to the police station, Hillen was advised that her husband was unlikely to die as a consequence of the injuries. She expressed disappointment and regret that she had not succeeded in killing him. The court heard he fortunately only suffered a small wound to his shoulder area which he was treated for at hospital. Hillen meantime was medically examined and had psychiatric assessment at the Rowanbank Clinic in Glasgow before being discharged. She is currently subject to strict bail conditions at a residential care home. Mr Hillen has said he could not continue to reside with her. Miss Ennis said: She considers that her marriage may, still yet, be saved and that she may return to her jointly owned property. However, a life-time non-harassment order was granted at the sentencing. Tony Lenehan KC, defending, earlier told the hearing that his client regrets the offence and had suffered in the relationship. The advocate added: She is socially isolated and she has lost the relationship which they had for many years and was of value to her. A review of Hillens community payback order will take place at the High Court in Glasgow in October. Chinas first Antarctic ecological subsurface mooring buoy successfully retrieved Global Times) 10:50, March 19, 2025 China's 41st Antarctic expedition team recover China's first ecological subsurface mooring buoy in the Amundsen Sea in Antarctica (Photo/CCTV) China's 41st Antarctic expedition team has successfully retrieved the country's first Antarctic ecological subsurface mooring buoy, which was deployed in the Amundsen Sea in early 2024. As the team concluded their scientific mission in the Amundsen and Ross Seas, this recovery is expected to provide valuable data for research on the Antarctic marine ecosystem, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Tuesday. Subsurface mooring buoy is one of the commonly used devices for oceanic expeditions. Equipped with high-precision sensors, they are deployed below the sea surface to monitor seasonal and interannual variations in the marine ecosystem over extended periods. Retrieving China's first ecological subsurface mooring buoy from the ocean was a major task for the expedition team after the buoy conducted one year's seabed observation. According to Luo Guangfu, captain of the oceanic team of China's 41st Antarctic expedition, the ecological subsurface mooring buoy was placed by the crew of China's research icebreaker Xuelong 2, or Snow Dragon 2, during the country's 40th Antarctic scientific expedition in January of 2024. The buoy is equipped with a polar bio-acoustic detection module, a bio-optical detection module, and a basic marine environmental monitoring module, spanning over 2.9 kilometers in length. Its primary challenge is collecting data from the upper ocean beneath persistent sea ice cover, with a focus on long-term observations of water layers between 0 and 400 meters, according to CCTV. A subsurface mooring buoy typically consists of sensors, buoys, a release mechanism and heavy weights, all connected in a series by a cable. The sensors continuously collect data from the surrounding water layer, while the buoy provides buoyancy to maintain the system's upright position. The heavy weights act an anchor, securing the buoy to the seafloor. Luo explained that the buoy deployed last year was a test prototype. Researchers will assess its system stability and data quality upon retrieval, using the findings to refine future models. These improvements will provide a more reliable technological foundation for continued Antarctic marine ecosystem research. The first step in recovering a subsurface mooring buoy is locating it. The crew members of Xuelong 2 used an underwater acoustic probe to communicate with the mooring buoy's release instrument, determining its location and narrowing down the search area. After communication, the subsurface mooring buoy was identified in the very location where it was placed last year. Among all mooring buoy recovery operations in the Amundsen Sea this year, the recovery of the polar ecological subsurface mooring buoy turned out to be the most challenging one with a prediction of 12 hours' recovery effort, due to its super length and its complicated structure. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) A furious Washington state mayor hit out at a LGBTQ activist who compared the Pride flag to a Prisoner of War-Missing in Action flag, seemingly suggesting the ultimate sacrifice made by American soldiers of foreign battlefields was somehow comparable to living in the US with miscellaneous sexual preferences. The takedown unfolded on Tuesday night as the local council for the city of Newcastle, about 12 miles east of Seattle, voted to approve DEI policies and climate change goals into planning. During the public hearing the activist attacked Mayor Robert Clark over his move last year to try and stop the Pride flag from being flown at City Hall. The woman claimed that Clark had intentionally flown the POW/MIA flag in the month of June to stop the Pride flag from going up. She said: 'There are 82,000 Americans registered as POW's and MIA's, but there's 20 million minimum LGBTQ members. 'I've talked before about the hypocrisy and I think that your approach to trying to trick people out of having to fly the Pride flag in June by making sure the POW-MIA flag was flown is really disgusting', the woman also said it was shameful. Outraged, Clark said: 'It's not common that I respond to public comment, but I will not sit here and have somebody tell me that veterans are a political stunt. How dare you. 'This country was founded because veterans lost their lives, hundreds of thousands of people died for this country so you could fly your Pride flag.' During the public hearing an unknown woman, pictured, attacked Mayor Robert Clark over his move last year to try and stop the Pride flag from being flown at City Hall Mayor Clark was quick to hit back at her and ridiculed her for her comments on the flag being flown He added: 'Man, I am p*****. Sorry, this is out of line and perhaps my councilmembers will censure me for this. 'Do not ever disparage veterans in my presence, those 82,000 people that never came home, while you can fly your Pride flag, they sacrificed their lives. Since a clip of Clark interacting with the women on Tuesday night was shared on social media, users have backed his view 'I tolerate your comments which are always on the attack, and your libelous comments on Facebook. 'I tolerate because you probably can't help yourself, but don't ever disparage veterans in front of me', the Mayor added. After Newcastle City Council voted last year to not raise the Pride flag, they decided to flip their decision and raise it after all. It came about after extensive public comment from locals and activists, according to KOMO News. Clark had made the point that he wanted it to remain just the American flag, saying: 'If we start raising flags, then weve got to raise everybodys. 'Do you want a Hamas flag flying over the city of Newcastle? Or a MAGA flag? How about a Trump flag or an Antifa flag?' The black POW-MIA flag flies underneath the American flag over the White House After Newcastle City Council voted last year to not raise the Pride flag, they decided to flip their decision and raise it after all The Mayor added: 'Were not going there, folks. Everybody is equally represented by the American flag.' Since a clip of Clark interacting with the women on Tuesday night was shared on social media, users have backed his view. One person said: 'What an absolute disgusting comparison. These people are trying to make this sex cult untouchable...so they can erase women & go after your kids. Marxism is deadly.' Another posted: 'Its great to [have] him stand up for us Veterans that have served and those that paid the ultimate price.' One other added: 'Good for him. POWs sacrificed everything for our country. What have trans people sacrificed? Nothing. They only demand.' An elderly British couple being held by the Taliban in Afghanistan are to appear in court tomorrow - alongside their interpreter who has been now been detained as a 'suspect', their family have said. Peter, 79, and Barbie Reynolds, 75, were arrested after they returned to their home in Bamiyan province on February 1. Their property was searched, and their employees were reportedly initially quizzed by the authorities over whether the couple were preaching religion. Their four adult children have denied their parents were engaged in religious preaching. The Taliban then reportedly claimed the couple's arrest was due to a 'misunderstanding' that they had fake Afghan passports and told the BBC they planned to release the couple 'as soon as possible'. But in a cruel twist, the couple, who are Afghan citizens and have run training schemes in the country since 2007, were taken to a maximum security jail in Kabul with no charges made against them. Their family warn Mr Reynolds is in 'urgent' need of medical care, with his continued detention posing a serious risk to his life. In a worrying update shared with the Mail, the Reynolds' daughter, Sarah Entwistle, who is from Daventry, Northamptonshire, said Mrs Reynolds had called her from a pay phone to reveal the 'distressing' news they are to be hauled to court on Thursday. Peter, 79, and Barbie Reynolds, 75, were arrested after they returned to their home in Bamiyan province on February 1 Your browser does not support iframes. Mrs Entwistle said: 'They have not been informed of any charges having been filed against them. 'The reason for the court hearing remains unclear.' In an alarming twist, the couple's interpreter, who has been caring for Mr Reynolds amid his health woes, is now being detained as a 'suspect' without being told the charges against him, she added. 'He will no longer be allowed to translate for them, and is also due to be produced in court, together with them, tomorrow. 'Mum is obviously extremely concerned that without a competent interpreter, their case cannot be accurately or fairly represented and will not be able to properly follow or engage in the proceedings, in serious breach of their rights.' Mrs Entwistle said despite prison rules that allow family visits, her parents have been blocked from seeing each other for the past 10 days, creating an 'incredibly difficult' situation for them both. She added: 'Their health and well-being remains at serious risk for as long as they are detained. 'We remain extremely concerned for Dad in particular. Without access to the medication he needs, his continued detention poses a serious risk to his life.' Their property was searched, and their employees were reportedly initially quizzed by the authorities over whether the couple were preaching religion In a worrying update shared with the Mail, the Reynolds' daughter, Sarah Entwistle, who is from Daventry, Northamptonshire, said Mrs Reynolds had called her from a pay phone to reveal the 'distressing' news they are to be hauled to court on Thursday(file image of a Taliban soldier) They called on the Taliban to release their parents and their interpreter 'as a gesture of goodwill during this season of Ramadan'. The Reynolds refused to flee Afghanistan when the Taliban unexpectedly seized power in August 2021, arguing 'they could not leave when Afghans were in their hour of need', Mrs Entwistle said. Mr and Mrs Reynolds married in Kabul in 1970 after meeting as students at Bath University. They have dual British Afghan citizenship and have lived in the country for 18 years. They run five schools in Kabul, which includes a mothers and children training programme reportedly approved by the Taliban. Anthony Albanese has promised to slash the maximum cost of prescription medicine under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) to $25 if re-elected. The cost of medicines on the PBS is currently at a maximum of $31.60 for non-concession card holders, and Mr Albanese has vowed to cut that by January 2026 if he secures another term. The change, which will cost taxpayers $689million and will be included in the coming Budget, is part of Labor's plan to make healthcare a central issue in the election campaign. A full list of the medicines covered by the PBS is available on the Department of Health and Aged Care website. Pensioners and concession cardholders already have a $7.70 cap on PBS medicines, so they will be unaffected by the change, however the government promised to extend that until 2030 as part of the new policy. If brought into effect, the change would make prescriptions in Australia the cheapest they have been in decades. 'The last time Australians paid no more than $25 for a PBS medicine was over 20 years ago,' Health Minister Mark Butler said. 'Cheaper medicines are good for the hip pocket and good for your health.' Anthony Albanese has promised to slash the maximum cost of prescription medicine under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) to $25 if re-elected The announcement has signalled that Labor wants to fight the election on healthcare grounds, after it pledged last month to make GP visits free for most Aussies if re-elected. The government attacked Peter Dutton's record as Health Minister on Wednesday night, as it had during the GP visits announcement. 'When Peter Dutton was Health Minister, he tried to make medicines cost more, not less,' Mr Butler said. 'Peter Dutton tried to jack up the cost of medicines by up to $5 a script and put free medicines for sick pensioners even further out of reach. 'In opposition, Peter Dutton and the Liberals voted to block cheaper medicines six times.' However the Coalition negated lower prescription prices as an election issue by saying it would match the policy, and also cut the maximum payment to $25 if it wins office. 'Labor's cost of living crisis is forcing Australians to make difficult decisions about their health decisions that no Australian should have to make,' Opposition health spokeswoman Anne Ruston said. Health Minister Mark Butler said the last time Australians paid no more than $25 for a PBS medicine was over 20 years ago 'More families are being forced to delay or avoid refilling their scripts or seeking health advice because they just cannot afford it under Labor. 'Only a Dutton Coalition Government will get the PBS back on track with strong economic management. 'We will lower the PBS co-payment to $25 and continue our longstanding policy of listing all approved and recommended medicines on the PBS - and in a timely manner.' The announcement comes as 'big pharma' in the US calls on Donald Trump to impose further tariffs on Australia because it subsidises medicines. The drug companies lodged a formal complaint with Trump's trade chief earlier this month, calling for an end to the 'damaging pricing policies' in Australia. It's possible the US will try to use punitive tariffs to force Australia to abandon its medicine subsidies, and allow those companies exporting medicines to Australia to charge much more. But both Labor and the Coalition have vowed to keep the PBS off the table in any trade talks with the Trump administration. The heartbreaking reasons why Casualty and Holby City actress Amanda Mealing snorted cocaine and caused a horrific car crash have been revealed. Mealing, 57, was said to have been dealing with the traumatic deaths of her father, her best friend and her dog when she took the Class A drug the night before the smash. Magistrates heard how she also turned to cocaine while going through divorce proceedings on top of the trio of tragedies in her life. As well as everything else, her solicitor revealed that she was also now battling blood cancer. Mealing who played cardio thoracic consultant Connie Beauchamp in the hit BBC medical dramas took cocaine when she visited a friend and stayed overnight. She was driving home the next day when her car drifted across the road and smashed into an oncoming Skoda being driven by nurse Mark Le Sage who was seriously injured and had to give up his career as a result. The accident happened at 10.14am on January 26 last year just yards away from her front door in Deeping St Nicholas, Lincolnshire. Mealing who appeared in court under her married name of Amanda Sainsbury, suffered a cut to the head, a broken wrist and a broken clavicle in the crash, and tested positive for cocaine in a roadside test. Magistrates heard Amanda Mealing drifted across a road before colliding with Mark Le Sage's vehicle as he was on his way to work Prosecutor Marie Stace told the court Mealing suffered a cut to the head, a broken wrist and a broken clavicle in the January 2024 smash (pictured) She admitted driving with cocaine in her system and driving without due care and attention and was banned from driving for 28 months, reduced to 22 months as she had already served a six month interim ban. Mealing whose brother died of a drugs overdose when he was aged 18 was also fined 485, and ordered to pay 400 costs and a surcharge of 194. She offered to pay at a rate of 100 a month, which was accepted by the court. Her solicitor Lloyd Edwards detailed the pressures she was under at the time of the accident, saying: 'Unfortunately it came at a terrible moment in her life. 'She tells me she was undergoing divorce proceedings from her husband, which was extremely upsetting. 'Within a short space of time her father had died, she had to put her dog down and her best friend had died. So all of these events occurred. It was deeply, deeply upsetting. 'She is, however, a lady who has significant health problems. She suffers from blood cancer, so she's not working at the present time.' Mark Le Sage was seriously injured and had to give up his career as a result The actress has appeared in the hit film Four Weddings and a Funeral as well as directing episodes of Casualty, Waterloo Road and Coronation Street Mealing admitted driving with cocaine in her system at a previous court hearing in Lincoln last September, but had denied driving without due car and attention before changing her plea. The actress, who has also appeared in the hit film Four Weddings and a Funeral as well as directing episodes of Casualty, Waterloo Road and Coronation Street, had 18mcg of cocaine in her blood, the legal limit being 10mcg. She also had in excess of 240mcg of benzoylecgonine (the chemical that cocaine leaves after being metabolised by the body) almost five times over the legal limit of 50mcg. Prosecutor Marie Stace said Mr Le Sage, who is also a district councillor, remembered 'an explosion and his car began to spin' after Mealing's Mini Cooper smashed into his Skoda on the A1175 at Hop Pole, near Stamford in Lincolnshire. She added: 'He started to panic, the car was full of smoke and he couldn't get out because his foot was stuck under the pedal. 'He did get out and was assessed by a paramedic who said he needed to go to hospital. 'There was a witness following the Mini, who said he assumed there was something in the road because it went onto the other side of the carriageway.' She admitted driving with cocaine in her system and driving without due care and attention and was banned from driving for 22 months and ordered to pay a fine of 485. Pictured: In 2018, left, and 2012, right Boston magistrates court heard how Mealin, who left Casualty in March 2021 after seven years in the show, admitted in a police interview that she had taken cocaine the night before the crash. The Spalding and South Holland Voice reported Mr Le Sage was still feeling the effects of his serious injuries more than 14 months after the crash. Mr Le Sage, a member of the independent group on South Holland District Council, said he has been unable to continue in his job as a theatre nurse as his fine motor skills had been severely affected. He added in a victim impact statement which was read out in court that he was no longer able to play water polo and had to buy a lighter keyboard to enable him to carry on playing with local band Zebra. Mr Le Sage also said that he had continuing problems with his sight and hearing, as well as constant pain in his legs, neck, shoulder, back and hip. He also has flashbacks and nightmares about the crash. Mealing's solicitor Mr Edwards told the court that she did not accept Mr Le Sage's account of his injuries, as he was not taken to hospital by ambulance and there was no evidence of that level of injury. He said: 'In terms of the offence, my client pleaded guilty to drug driving at the very first opportunity. 'It's something she's deeply ashamed of. She's not somebody who takes drugs at all. Her brother died of a drugs overdose when he was 18 and she says herself that she should have known better.' Mr Edwards told the court that Mealing couldn't initially offer any explanation as to why her car drifted across to the other side of the road. Mealing left Casualty in March 2021 after seven years However, paramedics at the scene thought she was having a hypoglycaemic attack as her blood glucose levels were alarmingly low, which could have been the cause of the accident. He added: 'She simply doesn't know what happened, she suspects that she was unconscious.' No medical evidence was offered to the court that Mealing suffers with diabetes and Mr Edwards said on the basis of the evidence, an expert couldn't conclude that she was unconscious at the time of the accident. Mr Edwards added: 'She's reluctantly accepted my advice that in the circumstances, she's in a car, it's drifted over to the other side of the road, so she has to plead guilty. She was horrified about what happened, she still is.' Mealing had already surrendered her driving licence as it was still not known what caused her blood glucose levels to drop, said Mr Edwards. The court heard she was not currently working due to her blood cancer and was receiving a 'token salary' of 935 a month from her employer. No compensation order was made, as the court said this was a matter for insurance companies to deal with. The court heard she had no previous convictions of a similar nature, but that she had been banned from driving previously under the penalty points totting-up procedure. Speaking after the hearing last Friday, Mr Le Sage said: 'I'm glad it's over for my family and I'm so lucky and grateful for their support over what has been a very difficult time. 'I hope the Sainsbury family can now also get on with their lives.' Primary schoolchildren are among Scots who have been referred to the Prevent anti-terror programme, shocking new figures reveal. Police Scotland said the number of cases passed on to experts over radicalisation fears had leapt by nearly a third in the past year. The number of referrals of potential extremists from primary schools - where children can be as young as four - has more than doubled. There were 27 for pupils under the age of 15 - while some were reported to Prevent by members of their own families. Last night Scottish Tory community safety spokesman Sharon Dowey said: It is deeply alarming that a rising number of referrals to this counter-terror programme are kids of such a young age. It is crucial that resources are in place to give police and other services everything they need to stop these concerns escalating. Given recent atrocities, it is more important than ever that police and security teams across the UK work together and are able to keep communities as safe as possible. According to Prevent referral data published by Police Scotland, in 2023/24 there were 114 referrals to Prevent in Scotland, an increase of 31 per cent compared with the previous year (87 referrals in 2022/23). Reasons for referral included concerns relating to Right-Wing extremism and concerns related to Islamist extremism. Police said the number of children being referred to deradicalisation experts is rising At a meeting of the policing performance committee of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA), Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton was asked about the risk of incels - members of an online community of young men who consider themselves unable to attract women sexually. She said: Weve always been really aware of that and looking out for the signs. Ms Paton said across a whole range of elements we are seeing reflections of society and officers. She said: Education is the second highest referral agency [after police] - predominately from high schools - weve got a real opportunity which we use working with our school-based officers, working with the Violence Reduction Unit and other third sector organisations. to tackle the challenges that we see in relation to violence, particularly violence against women and girls. Ms Paton said officers had launched an urgent review of people who had been repeatedly referred to Prevent in Scotland following the Southport stabbings carried out by a teenager who had been referred to the scheme. Last month a government review found Prevent prematurely closed its case on Axel Rudakubana three years before he went on to murder three children. Rudakubana had already discussed the Manchester Arena bombing and stabbing people when Prevent decided to end its involvement with him. The killer was referred to Prevent three times between 2019 and 2021 due to his interest in terrorist attacks and school shootings, but there was no evidence of a fixed ideology or motivation. Rudakubana was 17 when he stabbed 11 children and two adults, killing nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and six-year-old Bebe King in July last year. The number of primary school referrals in Scotland has increased from two to five in the past year. Last night former Police Scotland superintendent Martin Gallagher, a counter-terrorism expert, said: The fact that there are referrals in respect of primary school age children is very concerning, and likely worthy of further explanation. The questions I would be asking would include whether these children are forming what are considered radical beliefs independent of any external stimuli (such as the internet)? Are these children accessing material themselves that is leading them to form radical beliefs resulting in a referral, or are they being exposed to it by others, for example parents, peers or other adults? Police Scotland said at the heart of the Prevent strategy is a partnership response designed to put in place appropriate safeguarding and supportive measures. It said Prevent is not a police-led agenda, it is founded on a shared responsibility across partners and communities to ensure that vulnerable people are appropriately supported. Californian 'Saran Wrap killer' Michaela Rylaarsdam lived a secret life as an escort before allegedly ending the life of a client who wanted to be covered in the kitchen plastic 'like a mummy'. She has an internet page in which she boasted of her sexual exploits, charging up to $1,500 'plus a generous tip'. 'Not only do I have all the right curves in all the right places, but in contrast, I have a slender build, juicy lips, and kinky curls that bounce all over the place while I dance and laugh making it very hard not to fall in love with me.' Rylaarsdam, 31, who uses the porn name Asshley SinCal, is currently in jail in California awaiting trial for the asphyxiation death of Michael Dale, 55. Video showed him completely covered in kitchen wrap and court documents say Rylaarsdam glued women's boots on his feet at his request. Dale died two years ago but she has only just been arrested and charged with second degree murder. On her page on the escort site Secret Hostess, Rylaarsdam says she goes by the name Asshley adding 'the h is silent'. 'I am an upscale and classy creation that has been flawlessly designed and perfected over the 10 years of experience I have,' she wrote. Californian 'Saran wrap killer' Michaela Rylaarsdam has an internet page in which she boasted of her sexual exploits for which she charged up to $1,500 'plus a generous tip' Brandon, Rylaarsdam's husband who allegedly ran the OnlyFans account with her, refused to discuss the charges against his wife with DailyMail.com, directing inquiries to his lawyer On her page on the escort site Secret Hostess, Rylaarsdam says she goes by the name Asshley adding 'the h is silent'. There she lists her services and fees for potential Johns 'I am able to carry myself through an intellectual and stimulating conversation. Maybe you don't want to talk but you want to experience the most intoxicating and provocative performance dedicated to you alone. 'Consider me the chameleon of this industry, able to redesign myself to your specific desires,' she added. She described herself as in her 20s, 5ft. 3in. with a 'curvy' body, brunette hair and a DD cup size. She said she catered to anybody 'men, women and non-binary'. 'I am always the exception. I am a multi-business owner (CEO) and a mother of three wild boys so please value my time as I will respect and value yours. 'I have so many naughty games to keep us busy; dirty body shots for those of you who want to have a drink and of course my specialty is the art of my lap dance. 'I come from a lifelong background of dance and I have learned how to incorporate acrobatics into my lap dances. I promise you NO OTHER listed on this site is as professional as I am.' But it is not just her physical attributes that make her good at what she did, she claimed. 'I am willing to travel. I am a good listening ear and can keep a conversation going. You can put me in pretty much any demographic and I mold right into wherever I am. 'I am a non-judgmental person, so please bring on the fetishes. (I'm lactating since I breastfeed and I have beautiful feet with pretty toe rings). Rylaarsdam said she was willing to travel to meet clients and that she was a 'non-judgmental person, so please bring on the fetishes' On her kinky page, Rylaarsdam listed that she was available every day of the week According to court documents, Dale paid Rylaarsdam more than $11,000 to 'have conversations with him and to come to his house, tie him up and perform other acts of bondage' A grab from Rylaarsdam's OnlyFans page. She presents a picture perfect family life on one of her Instagram profiles - and an altogether sexier image on another one According to court documents, Dale paid Rylaarsdam more than $11,000 to 'have conversations with him and to come to his house, tie him up and perform other acts of bondage.' On Secret Hostess though her most expensive package is listed at $1,500 for the 'ultimate incall'. A 'wild incall' costs $1,100 and a mild one $800. Outcalls are $300 cheaper in each case. She also listed a FaceTime or Zoom play show at $150 and a 'toy show' at $200 and said she liked a $25 non-refundable deposit that 'can be made via Zelle, Cashapp, Venmo, PayPal or invoice'. Police investigating Dale's death at his home in Escondido, California, say Rylaarsdam told them it was the first time she had engaged in fetish behavior. She put up her Secret Hostess page on April 9, 2024, eight days shy of the first anniversary of Dale's death. The shocking alleged crime is in marked contrast to the life Rylaarsdam presents on one of her social media profiles. Dressed in white and wearing simple, tasteful makeup, the stunning mother-of-three beams for the camera alongside husband Brandon, who's dressed in complementary colors. Her OnlyFans account was accessed yesterday, even though Rylaarsdam is in jail Rylaarsdam she lived a much seedier life in private, with the full knowledge of her husband who allegedly helped run their 'business' Police said the incident took place two years ago, during a consensual BDSM session after Dale contacted Rylaarsdam through an online advert for an escort business But she lived a much seedier life in private, with the full knowledge of her husband who allegedly helped run their 'business'. When contacted by DailyMail.com, Brandon said 'I would prefer not to speak on it, we are letting our lawyer take care of that.' Disturbing video obtained from the Rylaarsdam's phone showed Dale inside the bag for around eight minutes, as well as other clips of him struggling to breathe after duct tape, a plastic bag and Saran wrap were placed over his mouth, the filings state. Dale's arms and legs had been bound with plastic meaning he was unable to remove the bag or wrappings from his head, according to the affidavit. As he lay unresponsive, Rylaarsdam was performing a sex act nearby by for her OnlyFans page, prosecutors allege. The clip was taken moments before she called 911 and began CPR on Dale, according to the affidavit. Dale was rushed to the hospital where he was declared brain dead the next day. His cause of death was linked to deprivation of oxygen to the brain according to the coroner. Rylaarsdam is pictured with husband Brandon and the couple's three young children who she also touted on her escort page Her attorney Dan Cohen said his client did not mean to kill Dale, noting that while consent is not a defense it is 'certainly a mitigating factor' 'The evidence showed that he hired her to perform bondage acts and fetish acts,' said Deputy District Attorney David Jarman told the San Diego Union Tribune. 'There is no indication that he asked her to obstruct his breathing, asked her to put tape over his mouth, asked her to put a plastic bag over his head.' Rylaarsdam denied placing a bag over Dale's head and has pleaded not guilty to the second-degree murder charge. Her attorney Dan Cohen said his client did not mean to kill Dale, noting that while consent is not a defense it is 'certainly a mitigating factor.' 'I think there was no intent to kill and no attempt to cover this up,' he said. 'And she acted appropriately when she realized this was a problem. 'There is definitely a consensual element not only something he consented to, something he was actively seeking.' He also questioned the cause of death, claiming Dale had alcohol and prescription drugs in his system at the time. Annabel Goldies six years as the first woman to lead the Scottish Tories were capped, from the House of Lords, with surprising success in government: she retired in 2023 after four years as Minister of State for Defence. But, in her first break-out role, she took her weekly jousts with Jack McConnell and then, on more chucklesome terms, Alex Salmond very seriously, studying the weeks events on the eve of every FMQs and devising delicious zingers. Before such Wednesday night swot-up, however, there were two unshakeable rituals. I have it on good authority that Miss Goldie always treated herself to a fish supper and then curled up in her armchair for an episode of River City. One can but imagine her sorrow to learn on Tuesday that the Shieldinch saga is to be knocked on the head, late next year, after a 24-year run. Well all be sad to see it go, trilled BBC Scotland director Hayley Valentine. The team have done a brilliant job and I know they have some big plans for the finale next year. But, as viewing patterns change, and competition intensifies, this is the right time to invest in the next generation of high-impact drama series from across Scotland showcasing storytelling across the UK. Our goal is to grow Scotland further on the global drama map Ours is a changing media landscape and the age of appointment telly is long gone. When we can watch whatever we want, whenever we want, downloading entire series and enjoying several episodes at a time, the days when everyones Mum downed tools at half-five for their nightly fix of Crossroads seem distant and quaint. Stephen Purdon, who played Bob O'Hara in BBC Scotland's River City, a soap opera facing the axe by broadcasting chiefs Soaps are curious things. They are weirdly addictive. With permanent sets, large casts and an intense shooting-schedule, they are very expensive. New soap-operas are a notoriously high-risk endeavour and have been the graveyard of many a reputation. The late Verity Lambert was one of Britains most celebrated television producers. The hits that poured from her brilliant mind, over forty years, included Doctor Who, The Naked Civil Servant, Minder, The Flame Trees of Thika and Jonathan Creek. But they also included the unbudgeable turkey of Eldorado, the 1992-93 flop that proved a 10 million money-pit for the BBC and remembered, when at all, for its echoey acoustics, woeful casting and, really, its doomed central premise. That a Britain then racked in recession, high unemployment and a property slump would instantly warm to a soap about hard-eyed New Money expats gambolling in the Spanish sun. The BBC has never since dared to buttress its EastEnders offering with another big-budget offering to the gods of soap. And, even on the other side, shows that enjoyed initial and huge success have collapsed under their own weight: bold and innovative as it was, Brookside finally blew itself up with ever more ridiculous plotlines and a fateful obsession with issues. River City is not, of course, Scotlands first home-grown soap. Those laurels fall on the brow of the little-remembered Garnock Way, an STV vehicle set in a Central Belt mining community and which ran from 1976 to 1979. Several characters were then repurposed for the far more successful Take the High Road, set on the bonny, bonny banks of Loch Lomond and which enjoyed cosy network success and successful export to Canada, America and so on. But it could never be accused of gritty social realism one involved storyline centred on the disappearance of Dougies tup and, from the early Nineties, wider network airing evaporated. What was from 1994 merely High Road was confined to viewers in Scotland and Northern Ireland and finally put out of its misery in 2003. Crossroads remains the soap most of us, of a certain age, remember fondly. Because it ran so long 1964 to 1988; and because it had a certain unassuming cosiness. And the sheer shonkiness of what was always a woefully under-resourced production lent it a wry charm. It is remembered for its periodic melodrama, the wobbly sets, the incessant continuity errors, the flubbed lines, the rabbit-in-the-headlights stares into camera and many ill-concealed cue-cards. There was scant time for rehearsal and virtually none for editing. Cameras were reflected off windows; boom-mikes dipped into view. Through it all, and for most of its run, Meg Richardson (Noele Gordon) reigned as queen of the eponymous Midlands motel and the usual little trials one meets with in the hospitality business were all in a days work. Unexploded bombs, suicides, a chambermaid succumbing to malaria after a holiday in Mombasa, the same chambermaids brief indictment as a KGB spy, ones husband being kidnapped by international terrorists, David Hunter being threatened with a scalpel, David Hunter being shot (it took several takes, and much corpsing, before the pistol consented to fire.) And David Hunter, period. Ronald Allen's acting abilities ran the gamut from A to D. He was apt to stare into space, immaculately coiffed, and intone I like scones, as if his words were being carved into granite as he spoke. Simple-minded Benny once nipped put for a spanner and wasnt seen again for eight months. Finally, he was sent up a Christmas tree, and was never seen again. Few viewers who eagerly followed Jill Harveys latest pregnancy noticed it lasted an improbable eleven months. Yet, such infelicities apart, Crossroads had deep and often astute social engagement. The needs of the disabled were highlighted. Benny learned to read. Storylines about rape, abortion and agoraphobia were never played for sensation. And the show was a particular favourite of the late Queen, its early evening outing perfectly placed between afternoon tea and anything demanding a tiara. There has been much anger this week at the pending throttling of River City, much of it justified. Soaps are one of the very few routes into a paid acting career for folk of humble working-class background. And, in itself, River City was Scotlands vital and long-term drama factory. The writers, actors, directors and producers, writer Barry Didcock this week lamented. The script editors and production managers. The camera and sound crews. The set-builders, costume designers, wardrobe assistants. The hair and make-up artists. All the people whose existence ensures the long-term health of the Scottish television production sector Nor do the new dramas BBC Scotland proffers in River Citys place inspire confidence. The Young Team, a 6-parter based on a searing novel of teenage gang life. Counsel, a legal drama; and Grams, a dark crime comedy in the Guilt mould. None of these ideas is remotely original. All are cliches done to death over decades in the television industry. Chortlesome wheezes, perhaps, for G12 BBC types, but there is a Scotland far beyond Glasgow, Taggart, William McIlvanneys exhausted coal-seam and Trainspotting and variants on quiet urban evil, and Pacific Quay has nothing to say to it. Save perhaps, as one Crossroads actor once haplessly declaimed, You cant make eggs without breaking an omelette. Actress Aubrey Plaza separated from her husband Jeff Baena months before the director took his own life in Los Angeles, according to records obtained by DailyMail.com. According to an autopsy report released Wednesday by the LA County Medical Examiner, Plaza, 40, and Baena, 47, broke up in September 2024. Baena was found dead on January 3 at the couple's former marital home in LA, where the director was still living. Plaza stayed in New York after the split. A dog walker called 911 when she discovered Baena's body after he had died by hanging, the report said. The documents also detailed how Baena had been going to therapy and 'experiencing marital difficulties.' An investigator who spoke to Plaza, whose name was redacted from the report, said the actress spoke to her estranged husband the night before he killed himself. 'She confirmed she had been separated from her husband Jeffrey Baena since September 2024,' the investigator said. 'In October 2024, Baena made concerning remarks to [Plaza] which prompted her to call a friend to perform a welfare check on her husband. Baena had been attending therapy since that event.' Aubrey Plaza and Jeff Baena had been separated for months before his body was found in January There were no alcohol or drugs found in Baena's system, according to the report. No suicide note was found, but a cell phone was located on a step between the rails on the home's staircase, an investigator wrote. The director did not have a history of previous suicide attempts, but he had a history of having difficulty sleeping, the report obtained by DailyMail.com stated. The document also noted that Plaza 'knew her husband to be alive' because he sent her a text message that morning. The dog walker, whose name was also redacted from the report, told investigators she arrived about 10:25 am on January 3 to walk Baena's dog as usual. Aubrey Plaza made a surprise appearance at the Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary special on Feb. 16, 2025. It was her first public appearance since her husband's death 'She heard loud music from within the house, which was unusual,' the investigator said. 'She yelled at him [Baena] and received no response. The dog walker then walked inside and found his body. They then took the dog outside and called 911. In a short statement obtained by DailyMail, a rep for the Plaza, 40, said: 'This is an unimaginable tragedy. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support. Please respect our privacy during this time.' Baena got into film after he graduated from New York University with a film degree and moved to LA to launch his career. He worked low-level jobs for big directors, including Robert Zemeckis and David O. Russell as he found his footing in the industry. He worked as a production assistant for Zemeckis and as an assistant editor for Russell. Aubrey Plaza was sitting courtside at a New York Knicks game in Madison Square Garden on New Year's Day - two days before her husband, Jeff Baena, took his own life at their marital home in LA. The couple had been separated for months and the actress has been living in New York Actress Aubrey is greeted with a hug while visiting a friend with her dog in Los Angeles. The grieving star has kept a fairly low profile since the passing of her husband on January 3 The couple secretly married in 2020 He is best known for directing Life After Beth, his directorial debut, which Plaza starred in, and The Little Hours. He also co-wrote I Heart Huckabees, which was nominated for a 2004 Gotham Award for Best Feature. He also wrote Life After Beth, which premiered at Sundance in 2014. His film Joshy also premiered at the famous festival and was nominated for a Grand Jury Prize. The Miami native also worked on Horse Girl and Spin Me Round. For his television works, he directed and executive produced Showtime series Cinema Toast. He co-directed the product with his wife. He secretly married The White Lotus star in 2020 almost a decade after they met, keeping their relationship largely out of the limelight. The actress's final Instagram post with her husband revealed how 'proud' she was of him. Killers who refuse to reveal the location of their victims body face never being freed from jail under a parole shake-up. SNP Ministers have backed a Scots Tory amendment to a new justice Bill for a Suzannes Law, named after Edinburgh bookkeeper Suzanne Pilley, whose body was never found after she was killed by her former lover, David Gilroy, in 2010. The move is a victory for the Mail which backed the proposal as a way of helping to bring closure to relatives of murder victims, after high-profile cases where killers refused to disclose where their victims were buried. Justice Secretary Angela Constance acknowledged the deep hurt caused to families and friends when they are kept in the dark about the location of their loved ones remains. Last night Scottish Tory Jamie Greene said: This is a fantastic victory for victims and their families, and Im delighted SNP ministers have agreed to back Suzannes Law, which I first brought forward in my own Victims Law proposals. It should always be the case that killers like David Gilroy should not be released until they disclose the whereabouts of a victims remains. The callous refusal of dangerous criminals to reveal such information only causes more suffering for families, which is why it is welcome the SNP have agreed with my call for the Parole Board to always take this into account in these cases. This, alongside my many other amendments to their justice reform Bill, should represent the first step in the SNP finally prioritising the needs of victims in Scotlands justice criminal system after repeatedly treating them as an afterthought. Suzanne Pilley, whose body was never found after she was killed by her former lover, David Gilroy, in 2010 David Gilroy was sentenced to life in prison for killing Ms Pilley, whose body is believed to be buried in a remote area of Argyll The Mail began campaigning for Suzannes Law alongside relatives of murder victims back in 2019. Ms Pilley, 38, was murdered in 2010 by her work colleague Gilroy, who was given a life sentence for murder. Her body has never been found but is thought to have been secretly buried in a remote part of Argyll. Yesterday Holyroods criminal justice committee debated amendments to the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill. Ms Constance backed Mr Greenes amendment on Suzannes Law, saying: I am happy to support this amendment, it may be that we propose some tweaks to the drafting at stage three... some minor changes may be needed but Im happy to support [the amendment] for now. The Parole Board for Scotland considers whether to release criminals who have served the punishment part of their sentence. In the case of life sentences, this is normally considered when the minimum time a judge decides a prisoner should spend in jail has elapsed. Under the reforms backed by Ms Constance, the board will be given powers to take into account any failure to disclose the location of a victims remains when making decisions on release. This means prisoners who do not disclose where they hid the body could be kept behind bars until they do. Last night Ms Constance said: My thoughts go out to all families who have lost loved ones and been robbed of the closure of knowing where the victims remains are. I am very aware of the deep hurt that this issue can cause to a victims family and friends. Whilst the Parole Board already does take such matters into account when considering release, I was happy to be able to support Mr Greenes amendment which will now require the Parole Board to take account of whether the prisoner has information about the disposal of the victims remains, but has not disclosed it. Last year Police Scotland said that being able to give Ms Pilley a proper funeral would be massive for her family after going through so much grief. A fresh Crimewatch appeal was made to try and find her body in October last year. Her father Rob passed away in February 2019 without ever knowing where his daughter was buried. Suzanne was last seen on May 4, 2010, leaving her home on Whitson Road, Edinburgh. The bookkeeper was later reported missing after failing to arrive at her work in the city. Detectives believe Gilroy killed her in the basement of the building where they both worked after he confronted her over Ms Pilley ending their affair and lost his temper. That night, Gilroy arranged an appointment in Lochgilphead, Argyll, and drove there the following day, which is when police believe he moved her body. Detectives used CCTV to map his movements and established that, en route and on his way back to Edinburgh, the killer turned off his phone between Stirling and Inveraray. Police previously searched the Rest and Be Thankful and Argyll Forest areas, but have never found her body. Yesterday retired Detective Superintendent David Swindle, who led the investigation which nailed Peter Tobin, welcomed Suzannes Law progressing towards becoming law in Scotland. He said it would be a big step for victims families which would really make a difference. He said: If anyone lost a loved one, they were murdered by someone that had never revealed what they had done with their body and that person was in prison and they were due to get out and they hadnt revealed what they had done with the body, you would not want that person to get out. Its quite simply the concept is no body, no parole. There hasnt been anything like that in Scotland, there has been Helens Law [in England and Wales] but weve never had that here. He added: Families deserve the best and if Suzannes Law [is introduced] that would really make a big difference for families. Yesterdays announcement also marks a victory for the family of Arlene Fraser, who was murdered in 1998. Mrs Frasers disappearance in Elgin, Moray, sparked one of Scotlands biggest police investigations but no trace of her has been found. Her husband, Nat Fraser, has twice been convicted of the murder of the 33-year-old, who had made plans to divorce him. Mrs Frasers sister Carol said in 2023 that the family must acknowledge that Arlenes remains have still not been found and we just cannot give up on her. She said: Although Nat Fraser is serving a sentence for Arlenes murder, we continue to face the fact that we must accept that he will never disclose where her remains lie. The only way forward is to implement some changes in the law. To have changes in place may help us prepare for the day Nat Fraser is due for parole. Fraser was jailed for murder in 2003 after his best friend, farmer Hector Dick, turned on him in court to escape charges. That conviction was later quashed but Fraser was retried in 2012 and found guilty of paying a hitman 15,000 to kill Mrs Fraser. He wanted to dodge a divorce that would have cost him 250,000 and custody of their children. In 2021, a prisoner south of the Border became the first person to be refused parole under the English equivalent of Suzannes Law, known as Helens Law. Glyn Razzell is serving a life sentence for the murder of his estranged wife, Linda Razzell, 41, who disappeared on her way to work at Swindon College in Wiltshire in March 2002. Razzell denied her killing but was found guilty by a jury and no trace of her body has ever been found. The Parole Bord in England said: Continued withholding of such important information suggested a need to retain a perception of himself and maintain self-preservation through keeping control of the narrative. This and a marked lack of empathy for those involved in the case were seen to bear on the panels risk assessment. Helens Law was named after Helen McCourt, who vanished on her way home from work in 1988. Ms McCourts murderer, Ian Simms, was released back in 2020 despite never saying where he had hidden her body. Pro-Hamas Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil claimed he was 'targeted' by authorities due to 'anti-Palestinian racism' in a new letter from behind bars. Khalil, 30, a legal resident in the US, wrote from a detention facility as a judge ruled that his legal challenge over his arrest will proceed in court in New Jersey. The activist - who also dramatically described how he was arrested by cops in the letter - blamed racist officials in both Biden and Trump's administration for his apprehension and pending deportation. 'I wake to cold mornings and spend long days bearing witness to the quiet injustices underway against a great many people precluded from the protections of the law,' Khalil said in the letter, per NBC News. Khalil was arrested earlier this month by immigration authorities over his role in igniting pro-Palestine protests at Columbia last year, however he has not been accused of breaking any laws. He described himself in the letter as a 'political prisoner', and slated the squalid conditions he says he is being held in at a detention facility in Louisiana. 'Who has the right to have rights? It is certainly not the humans crowded into the cells here,' he wrote. Khalil said that he believes his arrest was the result of 'anti-Palestinian racism' in 'both the Biden and Trump administrations', and claimed he was being made an example of to act as a deterrent to other would-be activists. Mahmoud Khalil, 30, wrote in a letter from behind bars this week that he believes his arrest was 'targeted' due to 'anti-Palestine racism' 'The Trump administration is targeting me as part of a broader strategy to suppress dissent. Visa-holders, green-card carriers, and citizens alike will all be targeted for their political beliefs,' he warned. Khalil, who is a legal green card holder and is married to an American citizen, was briefly detained in New Jersey upon his arrest before he was transferred to Louisiana, where he remains. In his letter, Khalil condemned his arrest by plainclothes Department of Homeland Security agents, which was caught on a shocking phone recording. He wrote that the agents refused to provide a warrant, and claimed they 'accosted my wife and me as we returned from dinner.' The 30-year-old activist said he was handcuffed and pushed into a car, but said that 'at that moment, my only concern was for (his wife) Noor's safety.' 'I had no idea if she would be taken too, since the agents had threatened to arrest her for not leaving my side,' he wrote. Khalil said he was taken to a facility in Elizabeth, New Jersey, where he was denied a blanket and was forced to sleep on the floor. 'My arrest was a direct consequence of exercising my right to free speech as I advocated for a free Palestine and an end to the genocide in Gaza, which resumed in full force Monday night,' he continued. 'With Januarys ceasefire now broken, parents in Gaza are once again cradling too-small shrouds, and families are forced to weigh starvation and displacement against bombs. 'It is our moral imperative to persist in the struggle for their complete freedom.' Khalil played a leading role in igniting pro-Palestine protests at Columbia University last month, and although he has not been accused of any crime, Trump officials said he was detained because he 'led activities aligned to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization' Mahmoud Khalil's wife, Noor Abdalla (pictured) is eight months pregnant, and he wrote in his letter behind bars: 'I hope nonetheless to be free to witness the birth of my first-born child.' Khalil, 30, was a graduate student and legal U.S. resident involved in the anti-Israel protests at Columbia University last year who was detained by ICE Khalil questioned 'who has rights' under Trump's immigration policies, saying: 'It isnt the Senegalese man I met who has been deprived of his liberty for a year, his legal situation in limbo, and his family an ocean away. It isnt the 21-year-old detainee I met, who stepped foot in this country at age nine, only to be deported without so much as a hearing. 'Justice escapes the contours of this nations immigration facilities.' He also condemned that over 'the past 16 months as the U.S. has continued to supply Israel with weapons to kill Palestinians and prevented international intervention.' 'In the weeks ahead, students, advocates, and elected officials must unite to defend the right to protest for Palestine. At stake are not just our voices, but the fundamental civil liberties of all,' he concluded. Khalil had filed a challenge to his detention in federal court in Manhattan, and on Wednesday morning a judge allowed the case to move to New Jersey. Judge Jesse M Furman also denied the Trump administration's motion to dismiss Khalil's motion to dismiss his detention, and said that his 'serious' claims 'warrant careful review.' 'In many ways, this is indeed an exceptional case, and there is a need for careful judicial review,' Furman said. 'Such judicial review is especially critical when, as here, there are colorable claims that the Executive Branch has violated the law or exercised its otherwise lawful authority in an arbitrary and discriminatory manner.' Khalil's arrest sparked protests in New York, seen in lower Manhattan on March 12, 2025 One of Khalil's attorneys, Max Kaufman, said in a statement on Wednesday after the ruling: 'The courts ruling sends a critical message to courts across the country... no judicial role is more important than acting as a check on executive abuses the Trump administration has made the defining feature of its first 60 days. 'After this first step, we will eagerly and aggressively seek to get Mahmoud out, bring him home, and then defend his and others right to speak freely about Palestine or any other issue without fear of detention and deportation.' Although he has not been charged with breaking any US laws, the DHS previously said that Khalil was arrested because he 'led activities aligned to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization.' Khalil's attorneys have rejected the government's position and say there is no evidence that he provided material support to a terrorist group. In his letter, Khalil also wrote that he was born in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria after his family was displaced by the 1948 Nakba. 'I spent my youth in proximity to yet distant from my homeland,' he wrote. 'But being Palestinian is an experience that transcends borders. 'I see in my circumstances similarities to Israels use of administrative detention imprisonment without trial or charge to strip Palestinians of their rights... For Palestinians, imprisonment without due process is commonplace.' Khalil's wife is eight months pregnant, and he signed off his letter by saying: 'I hope nonetheless to be free to witness the birth of my first-born child.' Plans have been revealed for a superfast train network dubbed 'Tube for Europe' which could revolutionise travel across the continent. The metro-style trains would cut travel times to top European destinations and could depart from the UK cities of London, Liverpool, Glasgow and Belfast. Starline promises speeds of around 250mph, boasting just a three hour trip from Helsinki to Berlin, a journey which currently takes a full day. A trip between Kyiv and Berlin, which historically is an overnight journey would become 'seamless connection', the company said. Under the plans, every European country would have at least one station, stretching from Portugal to Turkey and Ukraine and including the UK and Ireland. Train stations for the new high-speed railway would be cultural hubs situated outside city centres. Starline said the stations will be active public spaces with venues and public squares which make them destinations in their own right. The company aims to mimic the European Union logo, using the colour blue as a symbol of the new European transport network. The concept would see high speed trains link major cities across Europe The interiors in the design are focused on comfort rather than space optimisation Train stations would be situated outside of major cities and would become cultural hubs It plans to make the blue trains as recognisable as red double-decker buses in London or yellow taxis in New York. Like the London Underground, the high-speed trains will not be separated by class, allowing flexible travel experience for passengers. The interior of the trains will feature quiet zones for focus alongside open areas for conversation. Family friendly zones will be incorporated to make the long journeys easier for children. Cafe zones will also be available for passengers on the trains, allowing for refreshments. As well as passenger travel, Starline is also looking to incorporate a freight network to make transportation of goods quicker for businesses. The plan currently remains a concept, but the company hopes to fund the project with investment from the European Union and national government funding. It follows plans by London St Pancras Highspeed to open up more European destination for passengers. The company, which owns the station and high-speed track to Folkstone, Kent, wants to ramp up competition among Eurostar and other railway operators. The train network would work similar to the London Underground with different routes across the continent In the plans, travel times to major cities would be hugely reduced, making travel across countries possible in several hours It wants to expand the international departure area at the London hub and accommodate up to 5,000 passengers an hour up from 1,800 an hour. The company and French firm Getlink, which operates the Channel Tunnel, have agreed to work together to grow international rail connectivity between the UK and Europe. Getlink hopes that direct services could serve Frankfurt, Cologne, Geneva, Zurich and eventually Milan. This would be an expansion from the direct trains which Eurostar runs to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam. The designers of the Channel Tunnel hope that yearly traffic will be double the present level. An Arizona man who was put to death refused to offer any final words as he received the lethal injection for murdering his girlfriend's ex husband. Aaron Gunches, 53, was pronounced dead at 10.33am on Wednesday. He offered no resistance as the lethal injection was administered. Gunches pleaded guilty in 2007 to the November 2002 kidnap and murder of his girlfriend's ex husband Ted Price. He shot Price dead in a desert after he threatened to report her to child welfare authorities for doing drugs in front of their children. According to Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry (ADCRR) Deputy Director John Barcello, when Gunches was asked if he'd like to say any last words, he shook his head and answered 'no.' But he enjoyed a final meal of onion rings, a spicy gyro, a barbecue gyro, baklava and a double western bacon cheeseburger with fries. 'The process went according to plan, without any incident at all,' Barcello said. Sitting up on a gurney, covered with what looked like a white onesie and tucked in with a sheet, Gunches looked straight ahead as the lethal dose was administered. Aaron Gunches, 53, was pronounced dead at 10.33am on Wednesday. He offered no resistance as the lethal injection was administered Gunches pleaded guilty in 2007 to the November 2002 kidnap and murder of his girlfriend's ex husband Ted Price (pictured) According to Barcello, the prisoner took a few heavy breaths and let out a snoring-type sound after the lethal injection. He was arrested in January 2003 after being pulled over by an Arizona Department of Public Safety trooper near the California state line. Gunches shot the trooper, who was saved by a bulletproof vest. Bullet casings from that shooting matched ammunition that had been found near Price's body, and Gunches was charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping in October 2003. He pleaded guilty to first degree murder in 2007. Price's daughter, Brittney Price, said in a statement that the 'pain of reliving the circumstances surrounding my father's death for over two decades has taken a significant toll on my family and me.' He shot Price dead in a desert after he threatened to report her to child welfare authorities for doing drugs in front of their children Price's family (sister Karen pictured) described her brother as a kind and loving person 'Today marks the end of that painful chapter and I couldn't be more grateful,' she said. Gunches, who represented himself even though he isn't a lawyer, asked the Arizona Supreme Court in 2022 to issue an execution warrant against him to give closure to Price's family. He later withdrew the request. Then in late December, asked the state's highest court to skip legal formalities and schedule his execution as soon as possible, saying his death sentence was 'long overdue.' Gunches is the second person executed this week in the U.S. Louisiana executed a man on Tuesday, and two more executions were scheduled in Florida and Oklahoma on Thursday. Bryan Kohbergers defense attorneys have released never-before-seen data from the cell phones of the surviving roommates at the time of the brutal University of Idaho murders. Kohberger is going on trial in August for the murders of Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves and Ethan Chapin back on November 13, 2022. It has previously been revealed that, at around 4am that morning, one of the victims roommates Dylan Mortensen came face-to-face with a masked intruder as he left the off-campus student home on 1122 King Road in Moscow, Idaho. Panicked text messages between Mortensen and the only other survivor Bethany Funke shone a light on the students' fears about what was happening inside the home. Cell phone records, released last week, show that the two students made a string of desperate calls and text to their roommates - but got no response. Mortensen ended up leaving her bedroom on the second floor and going down to Funke's room on the first floor. Around eight hours later, just before midday, a harrowing 911 call was placed from Funkes phone. Police arrived on the scene to find a bloodbath with Mogen, Goncalves, Kernodle and Chapin all brutally stabbed to death. Bryan Kohberger s defense attorneys have released never-before-seen records from the cell phones of the surviving roommates Dylan Mortensen, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen (on Kaylee's shoulders) Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Bethany Funke Now, in a new court filing released Wednesday, the accused killers defense has unveiled a more detailed record of the survivors cell phone activity in the timeframe between the moment Mortensen saw the masked man in the home and the moment the 911 call was placed. The records suggest that the survivors were on social media at some points during the timeframe. In the aftermath of the intruder sighting, Funke made the first phone call to Mortensen at 4.19am, the records show. For the next 18 minutes, the records show constant activity on both of their phones as they call and text each other and the other roommates. At 4.34am, Funke's cellphone accessed Snapchat followed by Instagram at 4.37am. In the court document, the next cell phone activity shown is at 7.30am when Funke calls her dad. She makes several more calls and texts including to her dad and mom. Between 8.41 and 8.42am, Funke took photos. According to the defense document, Mortensen's cellphone was on Instagram between 8.05 and 10am. Cell phone records released in a defense filing provide new details about the timeframe between the sighting of the masked intruder in the home and 911 call According to the filing, Dylan Mortensen was on social media on the morning of November 13 2022 Between 8.05 and 11.57, Mortensen's cell phone accessed Instagram, Indeed, Snapchat, Yik Yak and TikTok, the filing alleges. According to the filing, her cell phone accessed Instagram a final time from 11.54am to 11.57am. The 911 call was made from Funke's phone at 11.56am. The defense does not reveal what the surviving roommates were doing on any of the platforms or sites - and so it is unclear if they are using them to try to contact their roommates and friends. The content of the messages and phone calls has also not been revealed. And it is also unclear from the records whether the cell phone user was actively using the platforms or if the platforms were simply open on the phone. In the document, the defense points to the lapse in time between the panicked texts and the 911 call - and argues that the two survivors could have fled the home, but didn't. 'DM first claims confusion, then after communicating with BF, claims fear to leave her room. Despite her stated fear of leaving her room she does so and joins BF downstairs. To get to BFs bedroom DM passed the front door of the residence. BF was steps from the front door. Neither of them left the house. Neither of them called friends, family or law enforcement for help,' the defense writes. 'Instead, both have a substantial amount of activity beginning in earnest less than 4 hours after DM made her way to BFs room. BF and DM communicate with friends and parents and DM is on social media.' The defense filing continues: 'The second grouping of message the State claim fit within the exception to the hearsay rule are those from DM to her roommates beginning at 10:23 a.m., 6 hours later. The State claims DM woke up and realized her roommates had not responded to her earlier texts. The State is wrong. DM was awake. 'She was messaging on Snapchat, she was on Instagram and she text with her dad: and this is not an exhaustive list of activity on her phone. She was with BF who was also communicating with her parents and then later friends.' In the court document, the defense accuses the state of having 'selected text messaging as excited utterances and present sense impression' rather than giving the full picture of the cell phone activity during the critical timeframe. However, the defense also makes it clear that this is still only 'a more complete, but not exhaustive view of DM and BFs communications and interactions with social media during the hours established by the state.' The defense is asking the judge to block the text messages as evidence at trial and 'urges the court to look at everything that occurred during the timeline.' The defense filing comes days after the 911 call was released for the first time, capturing the panicked voices of the Mortensen, Funke and two of their friends who had come to the home. Hi, something is happening, something happened in our house. We don't know what. We have the call begins. In one bedroom on the second floor lay the bodies of young couple Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin (left). One floor above lay two more victims - best friends Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves (right) - together in the same bed Blood appears to drip down the wall of the house where the four Idaho students were murdered The students are heard passing the phone between them, as they tell the dispatcher one of their friends is 'passed out' and 'not waking up.' 'Oh and they saw some man in their house last night,' one of the callers says. The surviving roommates are expected to be key witnesses at Kohberger's trial this summer. Several defense filings appear to point to a strategy to try to discredit their accounts. In a recent court filing, Kohberger's defense is asking the judge to block any evidence referencing 'bushy eyebrows' and to block Mortensen from using those words to identify Kohberger when she testifies at trial. 'Although she has never identified Mr. Kohberger, testimony by D.M. from the witness stand, describing bushy eyebrows while Mr. Kohberger sits as the accused at trial, will be as damning as her pointing to him and saying, "he is the man that did this,"' the defense argues. The defense claims there are some inconsistencies in Mortensen's description of the masked intruder. The legal team also points to artwork seen on the student's bedroom walls - many of which she had drawn - including 'many pictures of eyes with prominent eyebrows.' The off-campus student home at 1122 King Road where the murders took place 'Some of the eyebrows are heavy, voluminous, puffy, or perhaps subjectively bushy,' the defense states. Mortensen also told investigators that she 'had a lot of lucid dreams of being kidnapped or chased' and that, on the morning of November 13 2022, 'she did not fully understand what was a dream or not,' the defense writes. Top defense attorney Duncan Levin said the defense appears to be preparing to make her testimony a 'key area of attack.' Its clear that the defense is positioning her testimony as a key area of attack, likely because they recognize how crucial her account is in the prosecutions case, he said in an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com. Kohberger, who was a PhD student just over the border at Washington State University at the time, was arrested around six weeks on from the murders at his parents home in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania. The accused killer is due to go on trial in Ada County in August after it was moved out of Latah County where the killings took place. If convicted, Kohberger faces the death penalty - an outcome that has been welcomed by Goncalves' grieving family who are calling for him to face the firing squad. Last year, firing squad became an alternative method of execution in Idaho, amid a shortage of lethal injection drugs. University of Idaho murders suspect Bryan Kohberger (seen in court in 2023) goes on trial in August DNA was found on a Ka-Bar knife sheath (seen in a stock image) left behind at the scene But it is not the primary execution method and so no inmate has been put to death since it was introduced. Republican state lawmaker Bruce Skaug has since put forward a bill to change that and Goncalves' father Steve Goncalves is throwing his support behind it. Kohberger's team has already lost one attempt to get the death penalty off the table. Last month, the defense filed a new motion claiming Kohberger has autism - and that this means he should not face capital punishment. According to Kohbergers lead defense attorney Anne Taylor, his autism spectrum disorder (ASD) reduces his culpability, negates the retributive and deterrent purposes of capital punishment, and exposes him to the unacceptable risk that he will be wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death. Due to his autism, Kohberger has 'little insight into his own behaviors and emotions,' often rocks his body back and forth when listening, has 'limited' facial expressions and 'his expressions are sometimes incongruent with what is happening around him,' the defense motion argues. A juror seeing the defendant engage in any one of these behaviors, while sitting at counsel table during a murder trial, would perceive the defendant as strange, out-of-control, and even disrespectful of such a solemn proceeding,' the defense writes. The defense is also asking the judge to block the words 'murder,' 'psychopath' and 'sociopath' from being used at his trial. According to the defense, using the terms murder, murderer, murdered, murder weapon, and similar words would be unfairly prejudicial to the accused killer. The judge is yet to rule on these motions. Kohberger is next due in court in April. Donald Trump has decided to go 'nuclear' on the migrant crisis by allowing the military to take control of a 'buffer zone' near the Southern border with Mexico. Trump's ambitious plan would turn the 60-foot deep buffer zone into a military installation at the border and allow US troops to temporarily hold migrants who cross over into the America. A defense official told The Washington Post that the migrants would be held until legally detained by civilian law enforcement. The president has made fixing the migrant issue the top of his second term agenda and has seen success early on with illegal crossings plummeting from the record highs under predecessor Joe Biden. Now, Trump's homeland security team is reportedly set to announce plans to take greater control over the partition in a section in New Mexico. If the initial plan is termed a success by the administration, officials believe the zone would eventually stretch west to California. The designation would allow the Pentagon to deploy resources from its massive $800billion budget on the border crackdown. When reached by DailyMail.com, a Pentagon spokesperson said they 'have nothing to announce at this time.' DailyMail.com has reached out to the White House and the Department of Homeland Security for comment. The military is largely prohibited by federal law from many law enforcement duties by the Posse Comitatus Act. Donald Trump is taking his next step to resolve the crisis at America's border with Mexico with plans to let the military take control of a 'buffer zone' that would allow them to hold illegal migrants Trump's homeland security team is reportedly set to announce plans to take greater control over the partition in a section in New Mexico Trump has gotten around the law during his second term by using Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain migrants and then moving them. The Pentagon is seeking counsel from the military on whether or not this could cause legal problems. A legal theory for how this would work is comparing migrants entering the buffer zone to trespassing upon a military base. 'It's very, very careful on that wording. It's not 'detention' because once you go into detention it has the connotations of being detained for arrest. This is holding for civilian law enforcement,' a Defense official said. Troops would then give the migrants over to the proper authorities. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has previously backed using the military at the border. 'We have defended other places and other spaces. We will defend this line,' he said in February. The stretch of land in New Mexico that would serve as a test is federal land Theodore Roosevelt set aside specifically for protecting the border in 1907. Trump's plan would turn the 60-foot deep buffer zone into a military installation that would let the Pentagon use a larger portion of its over $800billion budget on the border crackdown The land is usually monitored by the Department of the Interior, though in the past, pieces have been given over to the Pentagon, as recently as Trump's first term. Federal law allows government transfers of federal land from Interior to DOD of 5,000 acres at a time without having to go through Congress. The Trump White House has been experimenting with ways to deploy the military to the border since returning to office. A Navy destroyer ship has been sent to the southern border in an effort to bolster national security, amid President Trump's plan to 'reclaim the Panama Canal.' The USS Gravely recently spent nine months in the thick of conflict in the Middle East, fighting off continuous assaults from Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. But now the 509ft guided-missile destroyer is en route to the US southern border as President Trump ramps up security to fight what he describes as an 'invasion' of American territory and rampant drug cartels. The ship, which carries dozens of Tomahawk cruise missiles, will be stationed in waters typically patrolled by the US Coast Guard. It will also operate in international waters. According to US Northern Command General Gregory Guillot, the Gravely will help 'to protect the United States territorial integrity, sovereignty and security.' Officials believe that if the plan is termed a success by the administration, the zone would eventually stretch west to California The Trump White House has been experimenting with ways to deploy the military to the border since returning to office The deployment will contribute to 'a coordinated and robust response to combating maritime related terrorism, weapons proliferation, transnational crime, piracy, environmental destruction, and illegal seaborne immigration,' Defense officials added. Trump campaigned on a mass deportation policy and set to work cracking down on illegal immigration as soon as he returned to the White House. He vowed to send an additional 10,000 troops to the border with Mexico to bolster security measures and reinstate his remain in Mexico policy, which requires migrants who are seeking asylum in the US to wait for their court date in the country from which they crossed. While few details have been made about Gravely's next mission, authorities made it clear that it was in response to Trump's executive order to secure the borders. Upon returning to the White House, Trump declared a national emergency at the border with Mexico. The Gravely will house a squad of US Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment - elite operators who specialize in maritime missions like fighting piracy and intercepting drug trafficking rings. Joshua Riibe has left the Dominican Republic after spending almost two weeks under de facto house arrest during the investigation into a missing spring breaker. The 22-year-old former wrestling champion boarded a JetBlue flight to Puerto Rico on Wednesday afternoon, and is returning home to the United States with his father, sources told DailyMail.com. He touched down in San Juan at 6.17pm and is expected to continue on home from there. It comes just one day after a judge ruled he was no longer under police watch and was free to leave the country. He'd spent 11 days assisting police in the disappearance of 20-year-old pre-med student Sudiksha Konanki. While Riibe was never considered a suspect, he had his passport confiscated and was confined to his room at the Punta Cana resort. He was probed daily about Konanki's last hours. Finally on Tuesday he made an audacious bid for freedom in when his attorneys filed a writ of habeas corpus. The filing served as an ultimatum to Dominican Authorities: charge me with something or let me go home. While the judge ruled in his favor, there were concerns about the actual possibility of returning home, given the judge said he was not ruling on the return of Riibe's passport. Pictured: Riibe at the airport in the Dominican Republic before boarding his JetBlue flight home, via Puerta Rico All parties say Riibe has been cooperative as the last known witness to see her alive Sudiksha Konanki, 20, disappeared from a beach at the Riu Republica Hotel in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic on March 6 The prosecutor also indicated he was not responsible for returning the passport, prompting concerns about which agency was in possession of it, and how Riibe could go about accessing it to book a flight out of the country. Now, it has been revealed that the Prosecutor's Office of La Altagracia reached out to Riibe after the hearing and told him they would return his passport. While he 'appreciated this decision', Riibe instead opted to apply for a new passport directly from the US Consulate, citing 'privacy reasons.' This application was dealt with immediately and his new passport was 'promptly issued', allowing him to book a flight home. 'We are pleased to announce that Joshua and his father are currently traveling back to their home in the United States,' Riibe's lawyer said. Konanki's parents have accepted the conclusion offered by authorities that she likely drowned, and all parties say Riibe has been cooperative as the last known witness to see her alive. 'Both sides of the authorities have shown us how high the ocean waves were at the time of the incident, and both sides of the authorities have clarified the person of interest was not a suspect from the beginning,' her father Subbarayudu Konanki told The New York Post. 'It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that we are coming to terms with the fact our daughter has drowned,' he said. 'This is incredibly difficult for us to process.' Pictured: Riibe leaving court after his hearing on March 18 American student Joshua Riibe is no longer under police watch but his nightmare is not over yet and he could be stuck in the Dominician Republic for at least another 10 days On Monday Sudiksha's devastated parents SreeDevi and Subbarayudu - who traveled to DR from Virginia - submitted a formal written request to the National Police for a 'legal declaration of death' Surveillance video footage showing Riibe and Sudiksha together the night she vanished had emerged in the wake of her disappearance The couple urged Dominican authorities to allow Riibe to return home. Riibe claims he spoke with Konanki's devastated mother, revealing in court on Tuesday she hugged and thanked him for dragging her daughter from the ocean prior to her baffling disappearance. 'Before the family of Sudiksha left the hotel they came up and they gave me hugs and the mother even said thank you very much for helping save my daughter the first time. 'I'm just doing what I can but at this point there is nothing more I can do.. I'm ready to go home and go back to my life,' he said, with surprising composure. Earlier, DailyMail.com reported that Sudiksha's grieving parents had asked Dominican authorities to formally declare that she is dead. A source with direct knowledge of the investigation told DailyMail.com on Monday that Sudiksha's family has accepted the 'deeply painful' reality that she won't be found alive, 11 days after she vanished in the early hours of March 6 while on spring break in Punta Cana. Sudiksha Konanki, 20, disappeared from a beach at the Riu Republica Hotel in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic on March 6. Fellow spring breaker Joshua Riibe has come under intense scrutiny after it was revealed he was the last to see her alive Military personnel in the Dominican Republic have been seen surveying the beaches and surrounding areas amid the search for Konanki's body Her disappearance sparked an intense multi-agency search, despite authorities warning early on that she'd likely tragically drowned in the rough surf. Her parents submitted a formal written request to the National Police for a 'legal declaration of death.' 'Following an extensive search, Dominican authorities have concluded that Sudiksha is believed to have drowned. Her clothes were discovered on a beach near where she was last seen,' the letter states. 'While no declaration can truly ease our grief, we trust that this step will bring some closure and enable us to honor her memory.' This is a breaking news story. More to come. At least 36 people have been left injured after a major crash between four buses carrying military cadets and another vehicle in France. The horror crash happened on the French A13 near Guerville, about 36 miles west of Paris, just before 7pm on Wednesday. At least 36 people were injured, including one left in critical but not life-threatening condition, according to local media. The slightly injured passengers were taken to nearby hospitals, while the person in critical condition was rushed to a Paris trauma centre. Police have declared a mass-casualty event as 119 people were involved in the accident between the four buses carrying cadets from a military school and a light vehicle. At least 36 people have been left injured after a major crash between four buses carrying military cadets and another vehicle in France The horror crash happened on the French A13 near Guerville, about 36 miles west of Paris, just before 7pm on Wednesday (GV of the A13 near Guerville) Emergency services including fifty firefighters and medical personnel were dispatched to the scene and reduced traffic on the busy motorway to a single lane. The cadets, who were returning to school from a seminar when the crash happened, left the scene via replacement buses. The cause of the accident is unclear. The Princess of Wales's make-up regime has undergone a noticeable transformation. Kate was once known for her heavily kohl-lined eyes, rich tanned skin and defined brows - which quickly became her signature look. On her wedding day, she created a 'young and fresh' appearance, incorporating structured eyebrows and soft pink lipstick. Celebrity make-up artist Oonagh Connor told MailOnline: 'Kate bravely did her own make-up on her wedding day. She created the perfect balance between a natural base and striking eyes. 'She added a hint of sheen on the eyelids to catch the light and used varying hues of pink for the blusher and lips.' During her university years - when she first met Prince William - Kate's beauty look featured a bold smoky eye with dark eyeliner, something Oonagh describes as 'super confident and sexy'. At the time, Kate was reportedly a fan of St Tropez spray tanning sessions, but there's little sign of that now. A key turning point came in 2018 when she softened her eye make-up, swapping her trademark black kohl liner for a more blended effect. The Princess of Wales' make-up regime has undergone a noticeable transformation over the years 'There has definitely been a shift in Kate's look. She seems to favour a lighter eyeliner, choosing brown over black, and blends more to create softer edges,' Oonagh explained. 'This taupe colour palette is a sophisticated and timeless look that will suit the majority of women as they embrace their forties and beyond.' Keeping in line with beauty trends, in 2019, Kate began sporting fuller brows, which gradually became lighter and more natural by 2021. Her overall aesthetic is now more understated - her complexion appears fairer, bronzer is used sparingly, and she enhances her complexion with a subtle peach-toned blush. 'Her palette features less pink and more brown and bronze shades,' Oonagh noted. Even Kate's hair has changed - her signature chestnut brown waves are now longer and no longer layered. She has fully embraced 'less is more', preferring a refined, low-maintenance approach that enhances her natural beauty - one that is flattering for most women. Let's take a closer look at the Princess's make-up evolution... 2010: Kate showcased her signature look during her and William's engagement announcement at St James's Palace in November 2011: Kate sported heavy kohl eyeliner and striking bronzer on her wedding day 2012: The royal highlighted her eyes with dark make-up for the premiere of War Horse in January 2013: Kate opted for striking eye make-up and curled hair while visiting a children's hospice in April 2014: Kate showcased her signature look, featuring lashings of kohl eyeliner, on Easter Sunday in 2015: The Princess appeared sun-kissed on a visit to Portsmouth in February 2016: Kate's eyes were the focal point of her beauty look on Commonwealth Observance Day in March 2017: She appeared to be wearing multiple coats of mascara and black eyeliner while visiting Berlin in July 2018: Kate showcased a glamorous make-up look and an immaculate hairstyle for a trip to the Imperial War Museum in October 2019: At Royal Ascot in June, Kate opted for her trademark smoky eye and nude lipstick 2020: While visiting Dublin in March, she showcased a fairer complexion and rosy cheeks, complete with a swipe of dark eyeliner across her lower and upper lashes 2021: Kate dazzled in a sequinned gown and shimmering smoky eye at the James Bond: No Time To Die premiere in September 2022: During a trip to Massachusetts in December, the royal sported brushed-up brows and soft pink lipstick 2023: Kate opted for a natural make-up look and wore her long hair loose for a trip to Wales in February 2024: She applied a striking eye look for her much anticipated return to Wimbledon in June Sarah Ferguson married Prince Andrew on July 23, 1986, in what she described as an 'extraordinary' ceremony at Westminster Abbey. However, their marriage quickly faced challenges due to Andrew's demanding naval career, which left the couple with just 40 days together each year. In August 1992, just months after their separation, Sarah found herself at the centre of one of the most infamous royal scandals. Photographs surfaced of her sunbathing topless in the south of France, while multimillionaire businessman John Bryan kissed and sucked her toes. The scandal saw her banished from royal life, with Prince Philip refusing to ever speak to her again. Yet, despite finalising their divorce in 1996, Sarah and Andrew remained close friends. At the time, she was reportedly $4million in debt to Coutts & Co bank. According to bestselling author Tina Brown, she mishandled the terms of her divorce with 'the same unerring naivety with which she mishandled everything else'. Her mistakes became a blueprint for Princess Diana, who was also preparing for divorce from Prince Charles. Sarah Ferguson married Prince Andrew on July 23, 1986, in what she described as an 'extraordinary' ceremony at Westminster Abbey In The Palace Papers, Ms Brown notes: 'Diana, who knew she would soon face divorce herself, regarded her sister-in-law's negotiations as the road map of how to mess it up.' One of Sarah's biggest mistakes, Ms Brown explains, was choosing an establishment lawyer - someone from within royal circles - rather than an outsider. Diana learned from this error, opting instead for Anthony Julius, a lawyer who 'cared nothing for their approval'. 'Fergie desperately wanted to claw back a relationship with the senior royals, failing to understand the Windsors' long-practised art of pulling up the drawbridge irrevocably,' she writes. In a past interview, Sarah revealed that when she met Queen Elizabeth to discuss the divorce, Her Majesty asked what she wanted from the settlement. 'Your friendship, ma'am,' Sarah recalled replying - an answer that surprised the Queen, as many expected her to demand a substantial payout. However, Sarah was not interested in battling the Royal Family or appearing overly greedy. The Queen provided her with a 350,000 settlement, 500,000 towards a house, and a 1.4million trust fund for Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie. Their marriage quickly faced challenges due to Andrew's demanding naval career, which left the couple with just 40 days together each year Sarah pictured with her two daughters Princess Beatrice (left) and Princess Eugenie (right) on the day of her divorce from Prince Andrew On the day of her divorce, Sarah took her two daughters to Hickstead Show Ground (pictured with Beatrice) Sarah, who was not interested in battling the Royal Family, asked Queen Elizabeth for her friendship following the divorce Sarah and Andrew have remained good friends and still live together at Royal Lodge in Windsor Although her divorce settlement, estimated to be around 3 million, was dwarfed by Princess Diana's 17million, Sarah, unlike Diana, didn't sign a confidentiality agreement Princess Diana pictured on her first engagement as a divorced woman in August 1996 After losing four stone, Sarah became the face of Weight Watchers in the US, earning 1 million a year Additionally, she received a modest monthly allowance based on Prince Andrew's salary as a Royal Navy officer and continued living with her daughters in a suite at Sunninghill Park until it was sold in 2007. While her total settlement - around 3million - was significantly less than Princess Diana's 17million, Sarah had one advantage: she never signed a confidentiality agreement. No longer bound by royal constraints, she pursued commercial deals and media opportunities in the US to tackle her financial struggles. She worked tirelessly, writing an autobiography, publishing numerous children's books and landing promotional gigs. In 1997, she became a brand ambassador for Olympus, posing with a camera on a yacht near the Statue of Liberty. She also promoted Wedgwood, appearing at over 40 shopping malls in America, and even starred in a 30-second commercial for Ocean Spray cranberry juice. Her most lucrative venture, however, came from turning years of public fat-shaming -she was cruelly nicknamed the 'Duchess of Pork' - into a business opportunity. After shedding four stone, she signed an 11-year, 1million-a-year deal as the face of Weight Watchers in the US, which allowed her to clear her debts. Few things in life are more perfect than the Princess of Wales's hair. Whether cascading in her signature bouncy blowdry or swept up into an elegant chignon, Kate Middletons locks are the crowning glory of modern royal style. Whether it is a royal tour, a state banquet, or even a casual engagement, Kate's hair never fails to steal the show. And while we adore her glossy, gravity-defying waves, it's her sophisticated updos that truly showcase her impeccable sense of style and royal poise. Not every chignon is the same, of course. The princess knows how to switch things up, expertly playing with texture and braids, or incorporating a hat to give the style a fresh twist, proving that when it comes to regal hair, the only way is up. By sticking to this classic updo, Kate ensures that her hair is always polished and windproof, with no unexpected gusts messing with her immaculate look. Royal hairdresser Jo Hansford, who was recently granted a prestigious Royal Warrant of Appointment in recognition of services supplied to the Royal Household explains what makes Kate's updos so special. 'The essence of elegance and sophistication is embodied by the Princess of Wales, serving as an iconic inspiration for women and this is reflected in her carefully selected hairstyles for special occasions.' Most recently at St Patrick's Day, Catherine took her hair to another level with a hidden message woven into it. Wearing her hair up for the first time in 2025, her intricate chignon looked like it was created to depict a Triquetra which is also known as an Irish Trinity Knot. Elegant Triquetra Pleats Catherine is known for her intricate updos but at this year's St Patrick's Day Parade she took her style to another level when her intricate chignon was woven into a Triquetra The Triquetra is a celtic knot sign also known as an Irish Trinity Knot, the three-cornered symbol connects deeply with the power of three and is a design element popular in Irish jewellery The Princess of Wales attended the Irish Guard's St. Patrick's Day Parade at Wellington Barracks in London, 2025 This was no ordinary chignon, it was an architectural masterpiece. The three-cornered pleated style connects deeply with the power of three and is often found as a design element in popular Irish jewellery. To achieve a perfect updo like the Princess of Wales, hair preparation is essential. 'It is always better to work with hair that is not freshly washed as it holds the style better, ideally at least one day old hair is best,' explains Hansford 'Backcombing is the most effective way to add volume and structure, brushing as close to the root as possible so the top still looks shiny and sleek.' Hansford continues, 'updos require skill and practice, and Catherine will likely know which ones hold better and look best on her.' Wispy Low Chignon Catherine's low chignon was framed with wispy strands of hair Her hair was tucked under to create a faux bun at the back with pieces from each side swirled, curled, and pinned over the top Side-Swept Twist Pulling her hair into a side-swept chignon for a Service of Commemoration in 2015, Kate twisted two sections of hair into a sleek bun at the nape of her neck which sat off centre to the side. The placement of her bun perfectly mirrored the angle of her Jane Taylor hat allowing it to take centre stage Knotted Chignon For the 2015 St Patrick's Day Parade, Catherine styled a complicated knotted bun that complemented her simple accessories and outfit. The braids were twisted and swirled all the way up the back of her head to create one of her highest chignons that neatly sat beneath her Lock & Co pillbox hat Pretzel Bun Attending a wreath-laying ceremony at a war memorial on the royal family's Sandringham estate, Kate rolled her hair down each side to meet in the middle for a sophisticated pretzel bun. Sweeping waves pinned at the sides framed her face to complete the look which was topped with a recycled Lock & Co hat Coronation Chignon The Princess of Wales stunned with her chic updo at the King's Coronation, spiking interest online with searches for 'Kate Middleton's Coronation hair' up by 600 percent in the following seven days. The architectural masterpiece was woven with precision and designed to hold her glittering Jess Collett for Alexander McQueen headpiece in place Braided Bun For Trooping the Colour last year, Kate showcased a dramatic low side chignon which was constructed from interlocking braids. The strands were styled with delicate precision, criss-crossed together for a sophisticated twist. Worn slightly off centre it allowed her dramatic Philip Treacy wide brim hat to be worn at an angle Triple Knot Side Bun Turning heads on Anzac Day in 2019 with an intricately styled triple knot side bun, Kate proved that once again she is the undisputed queen of timeless glamour. The sophisticated take on the classic chignon featured three knots woven seamlessly together which were swept to the side to complement the angle of her Rosie Olivia Millinery fascinator Double Twist Roll Showcasing her flawless sense of style, Kate opted for a meticulously styled double twist roll chignon for Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022. Her glossy brunette locks were expertly twisted and rolled into an intricate chignon, ensuring her Philip Treacy hat sat effortlessly in place. Royal hairdresser Jo Hansford, who was recently granted a prestigious Royal Warrant of Appointment in recognition of services supplied to the Royal Household Think achieving a chic chignon at home takes hours? Think again! The effortlessly elegant updo, can be created in just minutes, making it the perfect go-to style for any occasion. Using kirby grips and pins in the same colour as your hair, together with a hairnet for some styles, a DIY version of Kate's sophisticated salon styles can be achieved in under 15 minutes. Jo Hansford concludes that the Princess of Wales is the master of knowing what style is appropriate for every occasion, and she always has the perfect balance of something either structured or loose depending on the event. 'She dresses for her age but is always stylish and a leader rather than a follower. Summer is all about fun and embracing the beauty of the blossoming season, so it would be lovely to see Catherine experimenting with softer, more carefree chignon styles as we move through the year.' A secret mortgage blacklist is leaving thousands of condo owners unable to sell their homes. The list is compiled by mortgage underwriters Fannie Mae and has been expanded dramatically in response to the Surfside Condo collapse in South Florida in 2021. , which killed 98 people. The tragedy exposed widespread issues with underinsured buildings and overdue repairs not just in Florida, but across the US. If a building crops up on the list it can be hard for a potential buyer to get a Fannie Mae-backed mortgage to purchase a condo there. In turn, sellers in blacklisted buildings are stuck with unsellable units adding to a market glut that drives down prices. Fannie Mae backs around fifty percent of America's mortgages and its approved loans signal a sound investment. A home insurance crisis across the country is also making it harder for buildings to access affordable and adequate insurance. Before Surfside, the blacklist contained just a few hundred buildings, condo lawyer Stephen Marcus told the Wall Street Journal. This has now risen to 5,175, according to Marcus who has access to the list of buildings that do not meet Fannie Mae's criteria. Florida currently has 1,400 buildings blacklisted, more than any other state Florida currently has 1,400 buildings blacklisted, more than any other state. The state issued new legislation in the wake of the Surfside disaster which requires condos to have certain levels of reserves to deal with potential repairs. California follows with 695, while Colorado, Hawaii, and Texas also have high numbers, often due to natural disasters and extreme weather risks. Fannie Mae and its sister organization Freddie Mac do not make mortgage loans themselves but buy around half of American home loans from lenders and sell them on in packages to investors. Loans that meet Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac standards can be less expensive and need smaller down payments. The organizations have long required a minimum level of insurance that was easily met, to ensure the mortgage debt could be repaid if the property was damaged or destroyed. Last year Fannie and Freddie issued updated guidance on it insurance requirements making the once easily met criteria much more of a hurdle for a growing number of properties. Many condo owners are being left with unsellable properties due to the mortgage blacklist Fannie Mae buys around half of American home loans from lenders and sell them to investors The Surfside Condo collapse in Sothern Florida in 2021 killed 98 people Insurers have also raised prices in recent years to offset the increased risks associated with the growing numbers of wildfires, hurricanes, flooding and other weather extremes associated with climate change. Condo associations are trying to limit costs by agreeing to pared down insurance policies that then make their condos ineligible for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac-backed mortgages. A spokesperson for Fannie Mae told the Wall Street Journal its requirements are designed to 'help protect borrowers from physically unsafe or financially unstable projects.' Freddie Mac told the publication that it does not keep a list of developments that don't meet its criteria. Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Government of National Unity has condemned in the strongest possible terms attacks launched by the Israeli occupying forces against the Gaza Strip, which resulted in numerous martyrs and injuries among the Palestinian people China has been rehearsing 'dogfighting in space' with satellites, a top American space official has revealed. Vice Chief of Space Operations at the US Space Force Gen. Michael Guetlein said during the annual McAleese defence programmes conference that the service is 'starting to see our near-peers focusing on practicing dogfighting in space with satellite-on-satellite' operations. 'With our commercial assets, we have observed five different objects in space maneuvering in and out and around each other in synchrony and in control', he said. 'That's what we call dogfighting in space. They are practicing tactics, techniques, and procedures to do on-orbit space operations from one satellite to another,' he added. Shortly after this speech, the Space Force said the general was referring to the observation of five Chinese satellites in low Earth orbit in 2024. While dogfighting normally refers to combat between two or more fighter planes, major nations like the US and China are already starting to figure out what warfare might look like in space. Guetlein said that on top of China's training, the US faced additional threats to its space security in the form of rapidly evolving technology. He pointed to 'nesting doll' satellites, which can separate into two individual units, satellites that have the ability to 'shadow' American spacecraft and satellites that have grappling arms that can be used nefariously. A Long March-11 carrier rocket carrying three satellites blasts off from waters off the coast of Yangjiang, south China's Guangdong Province, Dec. 26, 2023 A Long March 4B carrying a pair of Chinese Shijian-6 Group 05 satellites has launched successfully from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China's Inner Mongolia region The space official also pointed to Russia's recent development of a nuclear weapon for space, and said that the US needed to up its capabilities. Last year, Russia vetoes a UN resolution calling on all nations to prevent a dangerous nuclear arms race in outer space, sparking fears Moscow may be gearing up for a catastrophic cosmic escalation. The resolution would have called on all countries not to develop or deploy nuclear arms or other weapons of mass destruction in space, as banned under a 1967 international treaty that included the US and Russia. Russia opposed the resolution, while China abstained, meaning the resolution did not pass despite the support of 13 other nations. 'Unfortunately, our current adversaries are willing to go against international norms of behavior, go against that gentleman's agreement, and they're willing to do it in very unsafe and unprofessional manners,' Guetlein said. He added that the capability gap between the US and its competitors has also 'significantly narrowed.' Earlier this month, sabre-rattling China announced it was set to boost its defence spending by 7.2% after threatening America with 'any war' amid a furious row over Donald Trump's planned tariffs. The communist state announced the huge military spending boost as global tensions soared with Beijing and Washington both declaring themselves ready for conflict. China's military shows off their latest missiles during the National Day in Beijing Soldiers of the People's Liberation Army march during a parade to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, at Tiananmen Square on October 1, 2019 in Beijing The comments come a month after SpaceX CEO Elon Musk backed a mission to Mars to investigate the remarkable 'square structure' that was captured on NASA's Mars Orbiter Camera. The image, which went viral after being shared on Reddit, appears to show a possible archaeological site on the Red Planet. Experts are yet to provide any official scientific explanation as to what the structure may be, but that hasn't stopped conspiracy theorists from arguing it is evidence of alien civilisation on Mars. The square structure is estimated to measure 235metres on each side, approximately 770ft, according to AI Calculations, CAclubindia reported. After nine months stuck on the International Space Station (ISS), NASA's Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams finally made it back home last night. The duo splashed down off the coast of Florida aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule, having arrived at the ISS way back in June. While Wilmore and Williams will be relieved to be back on solid ground, their return has ignited a slew of conspiracy theories - with many sceptics critical of the splashdown in particular. Upon arrival, the capsule was circled by an inquisitive pod of dolphins, which many social media commentators are describing as 'fake' and computer-generated. Others have taken it even further, suggesting the entire mission footage from departure to landing was created by a sophisticated AI tool. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), one person said: 'The dolphins' welcome home was a nice touch. Hats off to the @SpaceX CGI team.' Another user said: 'The dolphins were so perfect, they looked CGI.' And one vented: 'They went all out on this. Dolphins welcoming the Astronauts. You can't make this stuff up. Well, actually you can...' After nine months stuck on the International Space Station (ISS), NASA's Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams finally made it back home last night Upon arrival, the capsule was circled by an inquisitive pod of dolphins, which many social media commentators are describing as 'fake' and computer-generated One viewer vented: 'They went all out on this. Dolphins welcoming the Astronauts. You can't make this stuff up. Well, actually you can...' Someone else said: 'I'm sorry, but those dolphins are obviously AI generated with the SPACEx controlled feed, or robots deployed by by @elonmusk.' One user tagged X's intelligent AI chatbot Grok in a tweet to ask about the footage: 'is this video fake or cgi.' Grok replied: 'The video of dolphins around the SpaceX Dragon splashdown on March 18, 2025, is real, not fake or CGI. 'Dolphins swam near the capsule, a natural occurrence in the Gulf of Mexico, even noted live by NASA and SpaceX staff. 'No evidence suggests manipulation it's authentic footage.' However, someone was left unconvinced, replying: 'Why does it look so fake and why no close up.' As another more informed X user (@Banklynn90210) also explained: 'The dolphins were naturally curious, swimming near the SpaceX Dragon capsule in the Gulf of Mexico. '[This is] a behavior noted by marine experts and consistent with past wildlife interactions during astronaut recoveries.' NASA's stranded astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore have finally returned to Earth after spending nine gruelling months aboard the ISS. The return sparked scenes of jubilation as they exited their capsule, disheveled but with big grins on their faces This X user suggested that staff at SpaceX - which returned the astronauts in its Crew Dragon capsule - are involved in manipulating or creating fake footage Grok - X's AI tool which is also owned by SpaceX boss Elon Musk - rubbished the claims of AI manipulation One user vented: 'If you can't see that this "astronaut" video is fake you're a moron! And so is anybody who believes it!' How 9 months in space can damage the body Gaunt face Shifting fluids in the body causes the appearance to change. 'Chicken legs' and 'baby feet' As fluid moves to the head, the legs and feet appear to wither. Vision loss Increased pressure in the brain presses on eyes, causing blurry vision. Increased risk of cancer Exposure to ionising space radiation increases the cancer risk. Cognitive decline Astronauts show slower reasoning and weakened working memory. Advertisement Before long, theorists and realists were embroiled in bickering over the matter on X. One person said: 'So they had a boat in the water exactly where the astronauts would make Re-Entry?, to which another replied: 'They use a little thing called mathematics to work these things out.' For decades, NASA has achieved incredible feats, from putting humans on the moon to knocking an asteroid 6 million miles away. But persistent conspiracy theories surround the company, claiming its entire operations are an elaborate and costly hoax. These imaginative keyboard warriors variously claim that the moon landings were faked and that astronauts filmed aboard the ISS are in front of a set on Earth. While these conspiracy theories are baseless, it doesn't help that NASA has continuously been delaying its first manned trip to the moon since the 1970s. The Artemis III mission which will land on the moon's south pole was supposed to launch in 2025 but it has been delayed multiple times to 2027. The crew for the Artemis III mission is yet to be revealed, although there's no suggestion Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will be in any way involved as they recover from their challenging trip. NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams prior to their launch to the International Space Station (ISS) last year The two astronauts arrived at the ISS in June in Boeing's Starliner, but ongoing issues mean the botched craft wasn't ready to fly home yet. Then in August, NASA announced that the agency had decided it was too risky to return Wilmore and Williams to Earth aboard Starliner and would instead be returned aboard Crew Dragon in February (later delayed to March). Upon taking office in January, President Donald Trump called for a quicker return of Wilmore and Williams and alleged that former President Joe Biden 'abandoned' them on the ISS for political reasons. However, Wilmore earlier this month told reporters on a call from the ISS that he did not believe NASA's decision to keep them on the ISS had been affected by politics under the Biden administration. As for NASA, the agency has continuously downplayed the impact of their extended stay on the basis that all astronauts are sufficiently trained and well-prepared for changing circumstances. It's something that many women have wondered during passionate romps. What exactly is going on in a man's brain during sex? Now, scientists may finally have the answer, after analysing the brain activity of mice as they mate. Their analysis shows that an 'intricate dance' involving two chemicals goes on in the male brain during sex. And it's this dance that controls the progression of sex, leading up to ejaculation. While this study only involved mice, the researchers point out that the brain regions and neurotransmitter systems involved in sexual function are similar in men. And in the future, the findings could pave the way for a treatment for men with premature ejaculation. 'I believe our study has opened the door to the development of clinical treatments,' said Ai Miyasaka, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Tsukuba in Japan and first author of the study. It's something that many women have wondered during passionate romps. What exactly is going on in a man's brain during sex? (stock image) While sexual behaviour has been widely studied before, until now, most research has focused on the initiation of sex. However, what happens in the brain during other phases has remained a mystery until now. This includes mounting, the insertion of the penis into the vagina, and ejaculation. 'Sexual behavior is a complex sequence of events,' explained senior author Qinghua Liu of the National Institute of Biological Sciences in Beijing. In their new study, the researchers studied the brain activity of male mice throughout the entire series of actions involved in sex. The team injected fluorescent sensors into the nucleus accumbens - the region of the brain that plays a role in reward. An optic fiber would light up if the brain released dopamine - a chemical often associated with pleasure - and acetylcholine - a neurotransmitter known to regulate dopamine. The results revealed an intricate dance between the two chemicals at every stage. Now, scientists may finally have the answer, after analysing the brain activity of male mice throughout the series of actions involved in sex. Their analysis shows that an 'intricate dance' involving two chemicals goes on in the male brain during sex Prior to mounting, the male mouse brains started to release acetylcholine 'rhythmically'. About six seconds later, the brain also began releasing dopamine. Then, when the male inserted his penis into a female mouse's vagina, the release of acetylcholine and dopamine fluctuated in time with the mouse's thrusting movements. Finally, for the males that reached ejaculation, the dopamine release slowed down significantly before quickly rising during the transition to ejaculation. 'The study revealed the dynamics of how different chemicals work together in the brain to regulate the transitions through different stages of male sexual behavior,' Dr Liu said. Mice and humans have different sexual behaviours, but their brain regions and neurotransmitters might be similar, according to the researchers. They suggest that this research could provide new clues to treating sexual dysfunction, particularly premature ejaculation, which affects 20 per cent to 30 per cent of sexually active men. 'We anticipate that our findings will be a starting point for more sophisticated studies into the molecular and neural mechanisms that govern ejaculation timing and the potential development of new therapeutics for sexual dysfunctions in humans,' they concluded in their study, published in the journal Neuron. The first images of the stranded NASA astronauts after their triumphant return to Earth have been released. NASA's Johnson Space Center shared shots of Sunita 'Suni' Williams and Barry 'Butch' Wilmore emerging from an airplane in Houston around 2am ET Wednesday, following medical tests. The pair splashed down off the coast of Florida Tuesday at 5:57pm ET, following a more than nine-month mission on the International Space Station (ISS). In the photos, Williams and Wilmore were seen already making a surprising recovery as they were walking under their own power in normal gravity. Medical experts had previously said that the astronauts would likely not walk on their own for days, even weeks. However, Williams and Wilmore are likely to undergo physical therapy to combat loss of muscle mass and bone density. Former astronauts have found that it can take up to 1.5 times the length of the mission to recover. That means the stranded pair returning today may need more than a year before they feel entirely themselves again. While WIlmore appeared clean-shaven after sporting a beard in space, Williams looked noticeably frail and still had an IV drip in her arm to receive fluids. Barry 'Butch' Wilmore hugs NASA personnel after arriving in Houston following his nine-month stay at the International Space Station Sunita 'Suni' Williams was seen walking under her own power as she met NASA officials at the Johnson Space Center in Houston Williams and Wilmore, along with NASA's Nick Hague, and Russia's Aleksandr Gorbunov, were stretchered off immediately after emerging from the SpaceX capsule that splashed down last night. The crew underwent hours of secret medical tests that accessed the effects of microgravity, radiation exposure and stresses of space travel. Although NASA had personnel to help all four of the astronauts balance themselves, it was clear Williams, Wilmore, Hague, and Gorbunov were all capable of standing and walking after their medical checks. Danish adventurer and astronaut-in-training Per Wimmer said Williams and Wilmore may experience a few rough days once they landed back on Earth. In an interview with Al Arabiya, Wimmer noted that their hearts won't be used to pumping blood into the upper parts of their bodies - leading to dizziness and nausea when they first arrive on Earth. He also warned that Williams and Wilmore could be a little 'fragile' because an astronaut's muscles and bone structure can deteriorate while in zero gravity. To his point, Williams did appear to be frail around her hands and wrists after the NASA veteran spent 286 days in orbit. Some users on X also pointed out the apparent wasting issues the astronaut may have experienced since June. NASA's Nick Hague and Russia's Aleksandr Gorbunov (pictured) were also taken to the NASA space center following medical exams on Tuesday Hague (pictured) and Gorbunov were the two pilots sent in the Crew-9 Dragon capsule to replace the faulty Starliner spacecraft that stranded Williams and Wilmore 'Did Suni have bone loss?' one person asked, replying to NASA's tweet. The astronauts are expected to continue undergoing medical tests over the next few days as they transition back to life on land. Retired British astronaut Tim Peake gave his thoughts on how the two stranded Nasa astronauts will be feeling after returning to Earth, explaining space impacts people differently. 'For me, going into space was no problem at all, but for the first two days on Earth, I felt pretty rough,' Peake said in an interview on The Chris Moyles Show on Radio X. 'I think Butch and Suni will be feeling a bit rough right now. You know, the whole body is just getting used to gravity. The vestibular systems a bit messed up. You feel dizzy, a bit nauseous. So, it'll take them a couple of days to get over that.' Williams and Wilmore were initially scheduled for an eight-day stay on the ISS when they launched aboard Boeing's Starliner capsule on June 5. However, Starliner was plagued by issues from before launch and until it docked on the orbiting laboratory a day later. NASA was forced to deem the capsule unsafe and returned it empty in September, leaving Williams and Wilmore in space. With the unplanned stay, medical experts are fearing the pair could have serious health impacts, including vision loss, cognitive decline, radiation damage and skin problems. The daughter of one of the stranded astronauts appeared to let slip that she blames NASA 'incompetence' for her father's space fiasco. In a newly-unearthed post from January, Daryn Wilmore, 19, seemed to let her frustration out in response to a comment on one of her TikTok videos. Someone commented, 'I'm so sorry NASA is actually evil...' to which Daryn replied: 'Less evil more... incompetent.' In another video posted in February, Daryn suggested that 'politics' and 'negligence' played a role in her dad's delayed return. Her father Barry 'Butch' Wilmore and crew member Sunita Williams finally returned to Earth last night after being stuck on the International Space Station (ISS) for nine months due to issues with the Boeing spacecraft that flew them there. They should be reunited with their families today, who originally thought the duo would only be on the space station for eight days. Now that her dad is safely back on Earth, Daryn told DailyMail.com there were 'definitely some mess-ups' that led to the saga. Butch Wilmore's daughter, Daryn (left), told DailyMail.com that she baked a pecan pie for her dad to eat as soon as he gets home Referring to her past comments, Daryn said: 'I really just meant that there was different things within the company that led to the decision of them staying, which was a good decision and the safest one.' 'I dont know much as I do not actively work at NASA, but the people there work hard and even though there was definitely some mess-ups with this Starliner mission, there was a lot of wins.' The Boeing Starliner spacecraft experienced thruster failures and helium leaks during its mission to bring Williams and Wilmore to the ISS in June. Both of them safely made it to the space station, but in August, NASA decided that it would be too risky to let the pair fly home on the faulty spacecraft. Starliner was sent back to Earth uncrewed in September, leaving the two astronauts behind to wait for a ride home on SpaceX's Crew-9 return flight. What was meant to be 8 days on the ISS turned into more than nine months. Throughout the ordeal, the astronauts repeatedly said they did not feel stranded, and that they were glad to have extra time on the space station. Their families echoed these sentiments, telling the media that they missed their loved ones, but were not concerned for their wellbeing. But as the months dragged on, Wilmore's daughter Daryn began posting increasingly candid videos about her family's situation. In her February video, she said: 'It's been hard if we're completely honest', adding that her frustration about her father's extended mission was 'less the fact that he's up there' and 'more the fact of why.' After a fiery re-entry, the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule was slowed by four large parachutes and splashed down safely at 5:57 pm ET (21:57 GMT) on Tuesday After splashing down off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida Williams and Wilmore were helped onto stretchers by NASA's recovery crew. This is standard practice for astronauts whose muscles have been weakened by their time in microgravity 'There's a lot of politics, there's a lot of things that I'm not at liberty to say, and that I don't know fully about,' she said. 'But there's been issues. There's been negligence. And that's the reason why this has just kept getting delayed. There's just been issue after issue after issue.' In January, President Donald Trump claimed he told SpaceX Chief Executive Elon Musk to 'go get' the stranded astronauts who had been 'virtually abandoned' by the Biden administration. This prompted NASA and SpaceX to reschedule the Crew-9 return flight for about two weeks earlier than planned. The Crew-9 Dragon capsule splashed down off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida at 5:57pm ET on Tuesday, carrying Williams, Wilmore and the original Crew-9 astronauts: NASA's Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. This finally brought an end to the Starliner crew's 285-day-long space mission. One-by-one, the four astronauts emerged from the Dragon capsule and were helped onto stretchers by NASA's recovery crew. This is standard practice for astronauts whose muscles have been weakened by their time in microgravity. The crew then underwent medical tests that assessed them for the effects of microgravity, radiation exposure and other stresses of space travel. The US Army is set to test its next-generation long-range missile Wednesday to ensure the weapon is reliable and accurate for soldiers in the field. The launch will take place at Vandenberg Space Force Base at 10:30am ET, and will see the new ground-to-ground missiles fired from military trucks - with the Army hoping this new weapon soon replaces their aging arsenal. Wednesday's launch in California follows several other successful test firings of the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) by the Army and Lockheed Martin, including one in February at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. According to the US Army's 2024 Fiscal Year budget proposal, each of these new projectiles have a nearly $3.5 million price tag. However, the launch also comes as President Donald Trump warned that the US could get pulled into World War III if Russia's war on Ukraine escalates. 'We want to get it over with,' Trump said of the war during his interview with The Ingraham Angle host Laura Ingraham last night, admitting that 'Russia has the advantage'. 'Look, we're doing this there are no Americans involved. There could be if you end up in World War III over this, which is so ridiculous,' he added. With the US now potentially facing new threats and escalating situations in Ukraine and the Middle East, and Army officials said its PrSM provides more accuracy and lethality on the battlefield - capable of neutralizing targets out to more than 300 miles. The US Army is testing the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) at Vandenberg Space Force Base Wednesday President Trump said in an interview that US forces could still end up involved in a conflict between Russia and Ukraine that turns into World War III The PrSM is designed to eventually replace an older missile system called ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System), which the Army has been using since 1991. The new missiles have been fired in groups of two during these launches, a tactic called a 'double shot' test. It simulates the Army's doctrine which often calls for two missiles to target critical threats - like incoming enemy missiles or heavily defended positions - to increase the chances of hitting the target or overwhelming enemy defenses. Lockheed Martin noted that their current contract with the military will allow the aerospace giant to produce 400 of these missiles each year. The deal is worth up to $120 million. In July, Darrell Ames from the US Department of Defense said: 'The two major differences between the ATACMs and PrSM today are range and loadout quantities.' A missile's loadout refers to the amount of rockets a launch container (pod) can hold, while the range reveals how far it can travel. 'The PrSM has doubled the loadout capability per pod and has a significantly greater range capability,' Ames added. Carolyn Orzechowski, the vice president of Precision Fires Launchers and Missiles at Lockheed Martin, noted that the company was continuing the weapon tests while they await military approval to put the PrSM into full-scale production. The Army and Lockheed Martin also tested out the new weapon's improvements over ATACMS in November and December. The PrSM has been designed to replace the Army Tactical Missile System, which has been used in combat since 1991 during Operation Desert Storm The new missile reportedly has a range of more than 300 missiles and is fired from a mobile rocket-launching platform called HIMARS The PrSM is not the only high-tech piece of the American arsenal currently being tested as tensions rise. The Army recently unveiled a new facility for testing its HAWK missile system to ensure America's arsenal 'remains ready for action.' HAWK (Homing All the Way Killer), originally deployed in 1959, is a surface-to-air guided missile that provides air defense coverage against slow-moving aerial threats like drones and bomber aircraft. The McAlester Army Ammunition Plant (MCAAP) in Oklahoma announced the site in February, naming it the Theater Readiness Monitoring Facility (TRMF). The new testing site will look at the HAWK missile system (pictured) that has been used by the US since the 1960s Although Trump said his conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin went 'great' and lasted for roughly two hours, it did not end with a promise of peace. Putin rejected Trump's proposal of a full, unconditional ceasefire with Ukraine. Instead, the Russia leader only agreed to a limited ceasefire, ending attacks on Ukraine's 'energy and infrastructure.' The renewed fears about a world war breaking out come after Trump publicly berated Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky in February, claiming that he was 'gambling with World War III' by not agreeing to America's peace terms. Since then, leaders in Europe have promised to continue supporting Zelensky and his invaded nation - even claiming that their countries would defeat Russia in a military confrontation the situation went that far. Microsoft was down across the US as users reported issues with Outlook and Teams. Downdetector, a site that monitors online outages, showed issues hit around 1pm ET, but the platform appeared optimal about three hours later. Microsoft 365 is a cloud-based subscription service that provides access to productivity apps, cloud storage and security. The company acknowledged issues on its X account, posting: 'We're investigating reports of an issue affecting users' ability to access Outlook on the web.' Approximately 55 percent of reported problems to Downdetector cited Outlook, 25 percent are having trouble logging in to their accounts and 19 percent of users said the website is glitching. More than 400 million people use Outlook, but the total number of users impacted is unknown. Downdetector showed major US cities are experiencing issues, including Seattle, San Francisco, New York City and Boston. Microsoft was down across the US as users report issues with Outlook and Teams Microsoft is the most commonly used office software worldwide, meaning the outage has likely affected thousands of companies. Users shared their frustrations on X, with one suggesting they should get Outlook free for a year due to the service not working. Microsoft 365 was down on March 1 for millions of users who were unable to access emails. They also flooded social media with complains about a 'global outage' that lasted for hours. Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more An iconic skincare brand beloved by Australians for 40 years has thrilled devotees by announcing a fleeting sale in which they can snap up all their favourite cult products while they're 15 per cent off. Jurlique is offering the impressive discount on its bestsellers for three days only - from March 20 to 23 - as part of the Afterpay Day Sale. The sale includes the Aussie brands cult face moisturiser, the Moisture Replenishing Day Cream, so now is the time for fans of the much loved product to mark your calendars and take advantage of fantastic savings. A consistent bestseller and beloved by devotees for more than 25 years, the decadently rich cream has almost 1,000 reviews with an average 4.9 out of five star ratings. Enriched with antioxidants and hydrating natural origins ingredients including Calendula, Marshmallow Root and Pansy, Moisture Replenishing Day Cream is hailed for its soothing, skin barrier loving properties. For three days only, the cult product will be available for $91.80 for the 125ml tube, down from the regular price of $108. This news of the discount is sure to excite long time devotees, with many declaring in their online reviews that theyll never use another cream. Iconic skincare brand Jurlique beloved by Australians for 40 years has thrilled devotees by announcing a fleeting sale in which they can snap up all their favourite cult products while they're 15 per cent off The sale includes the Aussie brands cult face moisturiser, the Moisture Replenishing Day Cream , so now is the time for fans of the much loved product to mark your calendars and take advantage of fantastic savings The product is so popular that many loyal fans revealed it's the only moisturiser they have been using for more than 20 years. One customer, Sue, wrote that she 'cant live without it' when leaving a five star rating for the product. 'The best moisturiser ever,' she wrote, 'hydrating, healing, and protective.' 'Have used for 18 plus years and would not use anything else - EVER!' another rave review by Michele noted, adding that it: 'Smells lovely and gives skin a glow.' Another, Gayle, wrote: 'Ive been using this amazing product for several years. I have extremely dry skin and this is the only and best moisturiser on the market that meets my skin requirements. 'Its texture is smooth and rich but never oily and has a very pleasant scent (virtually no perfume). Id be totally lost without it! I highly recommend it to people with sensitive and dry skin. Thanks Jurlique.' Other famed products set to go on sale are the Nutri-Define Supreme Restorative Rich Cream, an intensely hydrating formulation that works to improve skin firmness and restore suppleness. The potent Botanical Blend contains Spilanthes Flower and Horseradish Root extracts to boost collagen production, helps to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, for a more youthful appearance. The Nutri-Define Supreme Restorative Rich Cream, 50ml, will be on sale for $139.40, down from $164. Another favourite, Activating Water Essence+, delivers a dewy, hydrated complexion by infusing skin with moisture and improving its ability to retain it too. Shoppers have been raving about the products for leaving their skin glowing Many shoppers have been sharing their results - after they noticed their skin looking radiant Used before other skincare, the Essence optimises their efficacy by preparing the skin for better absorption of serums and creams that follow. Available in 150ml and 75ml bottles, the elixir is set to go on sale for $78.20 and $52.70 respectively. Purely Age Defying Face Oil and UV Defence Daily Lotion SPF 50+ are also included in the sale. The luxurious anti-ageing facial oil, 50ml, is usually over $100, but on sale for $86.70 in the After Pay Day Sale event. UV Defence Daily Lotion SPF 50+ will be priced at $56.95, down from $67. Launching in 1985, Jurlique has established itself as one of Australias premier skincare brands - achieving icon status amongst beauty buffs for its natural-based face mists, oils and creams. They harness the power of botanical ingredients sustainably planted and harvested on the Jurlique Farm in the Adelaide Hills in harmony with advanced skincare science to create high performance skincare. You can shop all of the Jurlique bestsellers at 15 per cent off from March 20 to March 2023, 2025 on their website. Me-wow this village has an odd fe-line about it. Houtong in northern Taiwan has earned itself the nickname cat village, due to its extensive population of stray cats. Once a coal-mining settlement, Houtongs human residents started to leave once the industry declined. By the end of the 1990s, fewer than 100 people called Houtong home. But a number of furry residents have kept the village from falling off the map. In 2008, locals started sharing photographs and videos of their efforts to look after the village's stray cats. Their work drew the attention of visitors and kicked off a new feline-themed tourist industry. Lonely Planet says: Today, more than 200 cats live in Houtong and a tourist industry has emerged with shops, cafes and restaurants catering to the many visitors who descend on this feline frontier every weekend. Black, ginger, tortoise shell, calico, white and grey, fat and fatter, friendly and shy: there are cats of every wondrous kind in Houtong. Houtong in northern Taiwan has earned itself the nickname Cat Village, due to its extensive population of stray cats Houtong (pictured above) was once a coal-mining village but its human residents started to leave after the industry declined They can be found lounging in flower pots, loafing on shelves, padding up steps, jumping off roofs and spread out, sleeping, over stalls of kitty-themed souvenirs. In 2013, the village renovated a pedestrian bridge to make it more cat-friendly with jumps and platforms for the adventurous felines. Its now affectionately known as Cat Bridge. Houtong 'cat village' has earned a 4.3 star rating on Google based on more than 12,000 Google reviews. Visitor Chani Dominguez describes the village as heaven on earth for cat lovers while another reviewer Paul Hermansen says: Cat lovers will want to stay all day. User Shawn G says they absolutely adored Houtong, adding that everyone takes great pride in taking care of the strays here so they're all super friendly.' However reviewer Emma Barron warns: 'There's not a lot to do here unless you really love cats.' It takes just under an hour and a half on public transport to reach Houtong from Taipei and it has become a popular day trip destination for city residents. Lonely Planet says: Today, more than 200 cats live in Houtong and a tourist industry has emerged with shops, cafes and restaurants' (pictured above) The village has earned a 4.3 star rating on Google based on more than 12,000 Google reviews Sleeping on planes is one of the hardest things to do for many people - especially when sat upright in economy. But Reddit user hardrollsmatrix discovered some of the best hacks for getting forty winks when they asked the forum, Those of you who manage to sleep on flights. What's your secret? From the most-recommended neck pillow brand to the pre-flight eating schedule that works every time, we reveal some of the handiest tips from frequent flyers and frequent nappers WINDOW SEAT Bwainwright says they used to travel from the UK to California and back every month for a couple of years and got to the point where [they] could fall asleep when taxiing to the runway and wake up when coming into land 12 hours later. They give the original post loads of tips for sleeping, the first of which being to ensure you nab a window seat, adding: You're likely to not be disturbed by other passengers needing to get past you, and you'll have the bulk head to rest against. If you can get an exit row or a row with extra leg room, then great. However, be wary with exit rows as they often have less width in the seats and on some planes can even have restricted reclining. TreeLakeRockCloud adds: I slept soundly for a 5 hour flight a few weeks ago. I had the window seat and told the aisle person to only wake me if theres an emergency. I fell asleep immediately after takeoff and woke up because my ears were hurting as we were descending. RED-EYE FLIGHTS From the most-recommended neck pillow brand to the pre-flight eating schedule that works every time, we reveal some of the handiest tips Reddit users give for sleeping on flights (File image) Many travellers recommend booking red-eye flights, which are ones that depart late at night and arrive early in the morning. MoiJaimeLesCrepes explains this is to avoid flights with a lot of families. You want flights with business travelers or flights that are in general not very popular. MOS95B adds: I always book "off hours" flights when I have to fly, so I'm either there at Zero Dark Thirty or well after my bedtime. Either way, by the time I get on my flight, I'm ready for at least a nap. COMFY CLOTHING The next tip from Bwainwright, among other users, is to wear comfortable clothing, adding they always travel in a zip-up hoodie thats easy to take off and put on again. They add: I like to put the hood up - it indicates to cabin crew that I'm trying to sleep and helps me feel a little more cutoff from the cabin, but it can get hot for some people. NOISE-CANCELLING HEADPHONES Bwainwright, along with many other Reddit users, recommends wearing noise-cancelling headphones - even if nothing is playing out of them. They add: I will often play a podcast or some relaxing music to fall asleep too and then the noise-cancelling stays on when it finishes and cuts out the engine noise. Kaiyotic, who says they used to never be able to sleep on planes, also suggests wearing noise-cancelling headphones, having successfully tried it on a flight to Dubai. They say: I didn't put any music on or any noise whatsoever, but just the reduction of the noise around me was enough to be able to sleep. If you want something a bit cheaper, like roboticWanderor, you can use regular earplugs. Many frequent flyers suggest using a neck pillow, eye mask and noise-cancelling headphones, as well as booking the window seat (File image) They say: They block sound better and don't need batteries, as well as letting my head rest on the side. They also mitigate the cabin pressure changes, so you don't have the inner ear pop. I just use cheap, foam ones that are very soft and OK for long use. SLEEP ACCESSORIES Another hack from bwainwright is buying a good-quality sleep mask before the flight, as the ones they give out on planes are usually pretty thin and let lots of light in at the bottom. $10 [8] will get you a better one before you fly, they add. Most plane seats have wings that fold out to give a headrest, which bwainwright and many others suggest folding out as much as possible, along with reclining the seat back. You paid for the space, use it! they add. But neck pillows are also recommended by most, especially the 'trtl', which bwainwright says is a weird looking thing which is essentially a stiff plastic neck brace combined with a neck scarf. You wrap it around your neck and the brace supports your head on one side. The trtl pillow is amazing for sleeping sitting up, adds roboticWanderor. And when nyutnyut tried it, they did actually get a bit of sleep which is usually impossible for them. 5leeplessinvancouver adds: A game changer for me has been a foot hammock. You hang it from the tray table frame and you can put your feet up on it. HOW TO EAT AND DRINK While many think a glass of red wine will send you to sleep on a plane, Reddit users insist alcohol is actually more likely to disturb your sleep on a flight. Reddit users suggest avoiding alcohol even if it's free, as that can 'disturb sleep'. Abqkat even chooses to fast a day before a long-haul flight to help their digestive system get 'acclimated to the new time zone and meal time' (File image) Lk05321 adds: Dont drink if youre not a drinker! Yes, alcohol is free on a transatlantic flight but the air pressure in the cabin is equivalent to 10k feet (3km) and you can get a hangover headache after as little as one drink. Some people get totally sloshed. Ukexpat also warns to not drink too much booze, as well as trying not to overeat. Meanwhile, Abqkat goes to extreme lengths before a long-haul flight when it comes to eating. They add: The eating is key for me too, and helps get my digestive system acclimated to the new time zone and meal time. I fast a day before an 8+ hour flight and time difference, sleep on the plane, and land on local time. Works every time. Meanwhile, self-confessed caffeine-addict Spiritual-Mechanic-4s biggest tip is to not drink coffee before a flight. HOT CHOCOLATE HACK Another very clever trick from Clever_Mercury is to start drinking a small cup of hot chocolate, just before you go to bed every night for a week. Reading 'the most boring book' you can find is another tip from many frequent flyers, along with listening to a podcast 'where the person has a monotonous voice' (File image) Then on the plane, request a small hot chocolate, they add. Assuming normal conditions and no major medical issues, this has an above average chance of putting you out like a light. While they say that doing the same with camomile tea is also a good bet, chocolate has an amino acid called tryptophan that helps with sleep. BORE YOURSELF If all else fails, just make yourself so bored you start drifting off. Like others, Spunkyla books themselves the earliest flight possible, but also takes the most boring book [they] can find. I start with reading the book as soon as we take off, they add. ExpressSpecial9033 says they do the same, as well as listening to a podcast where the person has a monotonous voice. Combine both and listen to an audiobook, I doze off pretty quickly. Winning! they add. Cotonou, Benin (PANA) - The European Union (EU) is to provide Benin with some 20 million euros in support of the Port of Benin and women's leadership totalling around 13 billion CFA francs Have you ever been on a cruise filled with polite, smiley crew - but wondered whats REALLY happening below deck? Reddit member imDudekid was certainly interested, and asked the forum: Cruise Ship workers of Reddit, what was the biggest oh s**t moment on the boat, that luckily, passengers didnt find out about at all? But, beware, the answers might put you off cruising for good. Plenty of current and former staff were quick to tell their stories - with a horrifically high number of floods, fires, and people dropping dead all the time, says ostiarius. Pixielix, even claims their ship has at least 3 deaths onboard a month because, with an often elderly customer base, some people go on a cruise to die, while SchruteFarmsIncs ship averaged one death every week or two, always of natural causes. They all add that most ships have onboard morgues where the bodies are moved immediately. But once these morgues run out of space, theyre stored in a shockingly gruesome - but common - place. Rjdac says: Every time we had ice cream at the crew restaurant, people would say it was because they had to empty the freezer to put a dead body. Horrifyingly, many cruise staff have revealed to Reddit that it's very common for people to die onboard - and if the ship's morgues fill up, the freezers are used instead, meaning the crew get 'ice cream parties' And OtterProper backs them up, recalling a moment they walked into the staff room to see they're doling out ice cream like it's going outta style, before a colleague said to them, Yeah, no more room in the morgue, so the ice cream's gotta go. Former crew member TinSodder witnessed an even more dire situation, when the cruise they were on lost seven elderly people over three days. We ran out of room in the freezers to store them, they add. The captain offered time and a half pay if we'd board the extra dead bodies in our crew cabin. I took on two and was paid double the entire two-week cruise, they both fit in one bed and kept quiet the entire time. FIRES Horrifyingly, there were countless replies from crew members talking about how regularly they had to put out fires, including mrkowz, who says it happens almost every day. Wanderinggal adds: People don't realise how much training the crew members go through to handle these situations. And they will never know that their waiter just helped save the whole goddamn ship. A now-deleted account reveals one kitchen blaze that went on for four hours unbeknownst to the guests and resulted in two people getting large 3rd-degree burns. There were countless replies from crew members talking about how regularly they had to put out fires, including mrkowz, who says it happens almost every day - often in the kitchen. (File image) They add: Fortunately, this was on the last night of the cruise so the kitchen just heated up a bunch of pre-cooked frozen breakfast foods to serve out the next morning before the boat docked. Meanwhile, D-TOX_88, who worked on a cruise for three years, recalls a fire so bad that crew were told to put on warm clothes, grab their passports and money, and prepare to muster stations - where you go when the ship is about to sink. They continue: It was the difference of fighting the fire by a few minutes but they were able to get control of the situation. That was probably the most scared I've ever been in my life. The guests had absolutely no idea. FLOODING Another terrifyingly common occurrence is water leakage and flooding. Myjobisawesome recalls a moment when a pipe burst in the store room, on the second day of a 14-day voyage to Antarctica, soaking every single spare loo roll - but the passengers never cottoned on, due to a clever trick. They say: The cabin stewards had to swap around rolls of paper between "low use" and "high use" guest cabins and it came right down the wire. Now toilet paper is hidden in every cabin instead of a centralised location. Cruise performer Lacklusterbeverage encountered a similar situation when they had to run offstage mid-show due to a burst sewage pipe backstage. There was s**t everywhere, the show was cancelled and the passengers didn't find out why, the guitarist adds. BigAmen, among many others, claims holes in cruise ships are more common than people think. Onboard hot tubs are a place to avoid, according to a few former crew, including Broswick who was shocked at how often kids and adults would s**t in them However, they add the boat itself and tools/techniques are able to contain small areas taking water and former cruise staff Redicrob2155 and Nonogadget both confirm theyve witnessed holes on their liners getting urgent maintenance while passengers have simply been informed of a schedule change in their journey. Rizzleroc, who was a passenger on a ship, even recalls discovering new walls put into the vessel on the way back to their room from dinner, noticing one with leaking water behind it - which a crew member gdeorsay says sound like temporary bulkheads that had been put up to compartmentalise off an area of the ship that had begun taking on water. Good reason to be frightened they add. HOT TUB ANTICS Onboard hot tubs are a place to avoid, according to a few former crew, including Broswick who was shocked at how often kids and adults would s**t in them. They continue: [The hot tubs] would immediately have to be cleaned, but it took time to get the pH levels correct for each pool, and a few times people had their hair discolored by the chemicals when they tried to lift the rope set up to keep them out just because they wanted in the hot tub right that instant. But thats nothing compared to what could have happened to guests on the cruise DukeboxHiro worked on, as he witnessed a new staff member miscalculate the pool treatment, leaving one of the hot tubs with a pH less than 2. For context, they add, lower pH means more acidic. The pH of pure water is seven, and the pH of this pool was less than 2. The pH of stomach acid is about 1.5. It was discovered before the area opened and that one remained netted for the rest of the day while it was balanced. Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more With summer only a matter of months away, a travel blogger has urged holidaymakers to snap up a 'fantastic' cabin bag that beats all airline restrictions - and it costs little over a fiver. Chelsea, from the UK, regularly reviews luggage, accessories and handy gadgets for flights, as well as issuing packing and hotel tips to her 6.7K following on Instagram. In a recent video posted to her page, @holidayexpertshop, the content creator was left pleasantly surprised whilst reviewing an unassuming cabin bag from Decathlon. The KIPSTA Essential Gym Bag, available in blue, costs only 5.99, and its dimensions of 40x20x25cm is ideal for travel on most major airlines. A description on Decathlon's website reads: 'A great choice for a compact gym bag or lightweight cabin bag. 'And you won't have to worry about storage space as we've designed this carry-on bag to fold up into its own side pocket for easy storage.' In the clip, Chelsea said: 'I think everyone's cottoned on but it's a fantastic travel cabin bag as well because the capacity is 20 litres, which is the same as that rival Ryanair small cabin bag.' The travel blogger went on to demonstrate how she utilises the space of the bag, comfortably packing in two vacuum-sealed bags of clothing, a bag of socks and a make-up bag. @holidayexpertshop Small Cabin Bag Review Decathlon Kipsta Bag 20L capacity 40x20x25cm What I liked Cheapest of all the bags were reviewing 2 year warranty It has a longer strap so easier to carry And heres what I didnt like Again thin material Only one side pocket Handles arent reinforced LET ME KNOW Would you buy this bag? Or would you prefer to pay more for better quality? Weve got more small cabin bag reviews of all the bags mentioned in this series coming so keep your eyes PEELED #smallcabinbag #ryanair #luggagereview #handluggage #carryonbag #decathlon original sound - TRAVEL PRODUCT REVIEWS Chelsea, from the UK, was left pleasantly surprised whilst reviewing an unassuming cabin bag from Decathlon on TikTok KIPSTA Essential Gym Bag The KIPSTA Essential Gym Bag, available in blue, costs only 5.99, and its dimensions of 40x20x25cm is ideal for travel on most major airlines Once concealed, she then made use of the side pocket, adding a bag of underwear and bikinis. Chelsea described the material of the bag as 'not brilliant,' as well as pointing out that its handles 'were not reinforced'. However, she noted that it has a longer cross-body strap in order to efficiently carry it around, along with a two-year warranty. The bag received mostly praise from fans, with many describing it as the 'perfect' cabin luggage, but others claimed they felt discomfort whilst carrying it. One person wrote, 'For the price, this one is SUCH A WINNER,' while another said, 'It's great, never had a problem with it traveling both Wizzair and Ryanair.' A third added: 'Loveeee love love this bag! First time I took Ryanair, I was so paranoid about the bag situation so I bought this one after extensive research! Fits perfectly under the seat!' Another wrote: 'This is fantastic! I didn't know about this bag. And it also packs like a small cube. 'Also, would love to see a video where you show (more or less) what are you packing. There seemed to be around a week's worth of clothes there, I'm curious on how much it fits.' The travel blogger demonstrated how she utilises the space of the bag, comfortably packing in two vacuum-sealed bags of clothing, a bag of socks and a make-up bag The bag received mostly praise from fans, with many describing it as the 'perfect' cabin luggage, while others claimed they felt discomfort whilst carrying it However, another viewer described their experience of using the bag as 'uncomfortable', writing: 'Its perfect size-wise but EXTREMELY uncomfortable to carry around once it is full.' Responding to the comment, one person advised: 'Put some padding with velcro around the shoulder strap or take it from an old duffel. Immediately becomes so much more comfortable.' It comes as a passenger revealed a clever hack to pack for a 10-day trip - without any luggage. Taking to TikTok, a woman based in Italy, showcased just how many items she was able to fit more that a week's worth of clothes into her jacket. In the clip, she claimed 'Ryanair hate this jacket' as she managed to pack all her items for the trip in the trench coats lined pockets. Ryanair is launching new flights from Manchester to Toulouse which are set to kick off from the end of March. The budget carrier will fly to the southern French city on Mondays and Thursdays between March to October. Prices currently start from 14.99/14.99 one way on the Ryanair website. And holidaymakers are in for a treat. Toulouse is set to be one of this year's most exciting destinations after Lonely Planet named it the 'best city in the world' to visit in 2025. Known as 'The Pink City' due to its rose-coloured architecture, Toulouse was founded by the Romans and sits close to the Spanish border. Lonely Planet says: 'Often referred to as "Paris in Miniature", Toulouse is a maze-like city overflowing with art galleries in repurposed industrial spaces, excellent food and scenic river and canal banks.' The travel guide recommends timing your visit to coincide with the 2025 reopening of the Musee de Augustins, 'a 14th-century cloistered convent' that's a 'beacon of Toulouse's art scene'. And that's not the only arty attraction in this 'dynamic, cultural' city. Ryanair is launching new flights to Toulouse from Manchester for the summer season Known as 'The Pink City' due to its rose-coloured architecture, Toulouse was founded by the Romans and sits close to the Spanish border The Fondation Bemberg Toulouse is a major art hub with a large collection of works by Pierre Bonnard and Canaletto. Meanwhile, Les Abattoirs is a contemporary art gallery located in a former abattoir on the city's riverbank. Tourists can also visit the The Basilica of Saint-Sernin, an 11th century church that's one of the biggest Romanesque buildings in the world. Foodies will have plenty to entertain them in Toulouse with Lonely Planet naming several 'local specialties' worth trying. It says: 'Food lovers will be delighted by local specialities: duck breast and confit, Toulouse sausage, cassoulet, cheeses and the famous Toulouse violet.' Toulouse violets are sugared violet petals that are so beloved they've become one of the city's symbols. The city's tourism board recommends trying a 'Toulouse Kir' - champagne served with a sugared violet. These culinary treats can be found at Toulouse's Marche Victor Hugo, a historic covered market, or at Les Halles de La Cartoucherie, a brand new venue in a converted warehouse. Lonely Planet says: 'Often referred to as "Paris in Miniature", Toulouse is a maze-like city overflowing with art galleries in repurposed industrial spaces, excellent food and scenic river and canal banks' The Aeroscopia Museum has two Concordes, an Airbus A380 and even a wooden Bleriot X1 dating from the early 1900s Just outside the city centre, fans of aviation should add the Aeroscopia Museum to their bucket list. Toulouse was where the first aircraft was built in 1918 and where the Concorde made its first test flight in 1969. The museum has two Concordes, an Airbus A380 and even a wooden Bleriot X1 dating from the early 1900s. And plane fanatics can go behind-the-scenes and see the Airbus production line on a tour of the factory. The park is set to have 50 rides and attractions across four themed lands Europe is set to get a brand new incredible theme park which could compete against industry giants like Disneyland Paris. Hossoland, a fairytale-themed adventure land, is due to open on Poland's northern coast on May 31. Plans for the massive park were first announced in 2017 and it's hoping to rival some of Europe's largest theme amusement parks. Hossoland will span 400,000sq m/430,556sq ft with 50 rides and attractions across four themed lands. The park will be centered around a lighthouse and its attractions are inspired by local Baltic legends and fairytales. The lands include the Dragon Valley of the Mines, the Land of the Vikings, the Kingdom of Baltambrya and Mermaid City. GhostRider, a steel coaster, is set to be one of the park's standout attractions. The new rollercoaster, worth several million pounds, will stretch 53m/176ft in the air taking guests on a thrilling ride at speeds of 72mph/115kmph. Hossoland, a fairytale-themed adventure land, is due to open on Poland 's northern coast on May 31 The park will be centered around a lighthouse and its attractions are inspired by local Baltic legends and fairytales GhostRider, a steel coaster, is set to be one of the park's standout attractions. The new rollercoaster, worth several million pounds, will stretch 53m/176ft in the air taking guests on a thrilling ride at speeds of 72mph/115kmph Karen Hovsepyan, vice president of the park's operator Hosso Group, previously told Planet Attractions: 'Hossoland will be the only amusement park of such a large scale on the Polish coast. 'It will certainly become a recognisable symbol and a frequently visited place in this region.' It's hoped that the park will soon attract one million tourists per year. The closest airport to Hoosoland is Szczecin and Brits can book direct flights with Ryanair from both Liverpool and London. Hossoland is then about a one hour drive from the airport. The park is also under three hours drive from Berlin. And it's not the only exciting new theme park set to open in Europe in 2025. Bommelwereld, an indoor theme park based on the Dutch comic characters Tom Poes and Ollie B.Bommel, is due to open its doors later this year. Bommelwereld, an indoor theme park based on the Dutch comic characters Tom Poes and Ollie B.Bommel, is due to open its doors later this year Visitors will enter the park through a castle and can then explore different themed areas, including the Dark Tree Forest and an inventors' section It's set to have 18 attractions across a 9,000 sqm/96,875 sqft site, including a mini flume ride and a climbing tower. Visitors will enter the park through a castle and can then explore different themed areas, including the Dark Tree Forest and an inventors' section. The director, Edwin Bomers, has said visitors will 'feel like [they're] outside' in the 'weatherproof' indoor adventure land as everything will be 'lit up' so they can't see the roof. The park has yet to announce a firm opening date. A North Korean hotel that has been under construction for almost four decades plans to operate a casino on the premises in the hopes of finally booking in its first guest. The Ryugyong Hotel, located in Pyongyang, is the tallest building in North Korea -standing 150 storeys high and 1,083 feet tall. Construction on the pyramid-shaped building began in 1987, and, had it been completed on schedule two years later, it would have opened as the world's tallest hotel. However, work was paused on the 'Hotel of Doom' in 1992 after North Korea entered a period of economic crisis following the collapse of the Soviet Union. A series of setbacks and delays ensued in the years that followed, including a 16-year pause on development and a number of contractors withdrawing from the project. Now, 38 years on, the hotel plans to open its doors to the public by selling the rights to operate a casino on its premises - on the basis its operator promises to complete construction of the building's interior. External construction was completed in 2011, but the building's 360,000 sq. ft interior remains vacant - though LEDs showing propaganda signage have since been installed on one side of the hotel, converting it into one of the world's largest displays. 'A plan to install a casino at the Ryugyong Hotel has been reviewed. The plan is to try to attract foreign investment,' a Pyongyong resident told RFA Korean, as reported by Radio Free Asia. The Ryugyong Hotel, located in Pyongyang, is the tallest building in North Korea -standing 150 storeys high and 1,083 feet tall The hotel plans to open its doors to the public by selling the rights to operate a casino on its premises - on the basis its operator promises to complete construction of the building's interior (pictured: Pyongyang Casino in the basement of the Yanggakdo International Hotel) Construction on the pyramid-shaped building began in 1987, and, had it been completed on schedule two years later, it would have opened as the world's tallest hotel The review took place under the order of the country's leader, Kim Jong Un, who intends to take 'practical measures' to boost foreign tourism. The resident added: 'The authority to determine the location of the casino to be installed at the hotel and the right to operate the casino will be granted to a foreign entrepreneur who invests in the cost of internal construction. 'This project was approved by the Central Committee after reviewing and discussing the profitability of the casino installed at the Yanggakdo Hotel, also in Pyongyang.' Having first opened its doors in 1998, The Yanggakdo is North Korea's first luxury hotel, and authorities now hope to emulate the success of its foreigners-only casino in the Ryugyong. Casinos are a lucrative venture for the North Korean government, as they siphon foreign currency from international visitors, according to a resident from North Pyongan. At present, the country operates two 'foreigners-only' casinos: at the Yanggakdo in Pyongyang, and the Bipa Hotel in the Rason Special Economic Zone, based in the northeast near the border with China and Russia. The resident said tourism is Pyongyang is 'expected to be revitalised' once the hotel's amenities, such as its restaurants, swimming pool and suites, are finally completed, adding: 'This is why overseas investment is desperately needed.' Despite plans to complete the hotel and welcome tourists, North Korea has put a sudden 'pause' on its Western tourist drive, just weeks after visitors entered the country for the first time in years. Pictured: The unfinished pyramid of the Ryugyong Hotel dominates the skyline in Pyongyang in 2007 A review into the hotel's completion took place under the order of the country's leader, Kim Jong Un (pictured), who intends to take 'practical measures' to boost foreign tourism Travel groups offering Britons adventures inside the Hermit Kingdom report that trips to the port city of Rason have been put on hold after the country tentatively reopened its doors to foreign visitors last month. Young Pioneer Tours, a group that 'specialises in taking you to places your mother would rather you stay away from', advised holidaymakers to refrain from booking flights 'until we have more information' on Wednesday. 'We have been advised by our partners in the DPRK that tours to Rason are currently paused,' they wrote in a post on Facebook. 'We are in the process of clarifying how this will impact your upcoming trips.' North Korea had sought to welcome foreign guests with new attractions in recent weeks, after shutting itself off at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Restrictions were eased in 2023, before Russian visitors were invited to visit last year. Balearic Islands have been hit by a string of finds involving body parts or bodies A chilling warning has been issued to British holidaymakers setting sail for Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca and Formentera this summer. Since the beginning of the year, Spain's Balearic Islands have been hit by a string of gruesome finds across its beaches involving a body or body parts. In the last six weeks alone, six decomposing bodies have been found on the sand, with most in an unrecognisable state, causing distress among tourists and locals alike. Last week, on Saturday morning, a severed human foot was discovered washed up on a beach in Can Pastilla, Mallorca, marking the tenth grim find at the holiday hotspot this year. On Friday, just hours before the foot was found, parts of a badly decomposed body of a woman were discovered floating around a mile off Can Pastilla. The bodies and severed body parts are believed to belong to migrants who have attempted to get into Spain by embarking on perilous boat journeys across the sea. They are often rounded up in the dozens by smugglers and packed into tiny "pateras," without life jackets, resulting in many tragically losing their lives at sea. Hundreds of migrants were reported to have arrived in boats across the Spanish archipelago over the winter, battling biting-gale force winds, huge waves and frosty temperatures. A chilling warning has been issued to British holidaymakers setting sail for Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca and Formentera this summer (pictured: Playa de Palma beach, Mallorca) Last week, on Saturday morning, a severed human foot was discovered washed up on a beach in Can Pastilla, Mallorca (pictured: divers dispatched to recover the foot) Now, Brits have been warned that the situation is likely to get worse this summer, with life-threatening crossings expected to become more frequent due to improved weather conditions and calmer waters. With spring in full swing, officials - who have chillingly labelled the islands a 'graveyard' - are now on high alert across the shores of the Balearics. Spanish newspaper, Diario de Mallorca, stated: 'The Balearic Islands are a cemetery.' Locals who have been left unnerved by the situation have said tourism chiefs should be sending a firm warning message to British and German holidaymakers by displaying photos of bodies being pulled from the sand rather than of idyllic beaches. A sixth body was discovered this week on the beach of Cala Mesquida in the municipality of Capdepera. It is believed to have come from a boat carrying 27 Somali nationals that disappeared after leaving Algeria on 2 February. The body was found in an advanced state of decomposition but appeared to be a male who had been wearing a life jacket. The same morning, a second decomposed body was found on a beach in Playa de Palma. With spring in full swing, officials - who have chillingly labelled the islands a 'graveyard' - are now on high alert across the shores of the Balearics Locals who have been left unnerved by the situation have said tourism chiefs should be sending a firm warning message to visitors by displaying photos of bodies being pulled from the sand rather than of idyllic beaches (pictured: Playa de Mallorca, Spain) In the last two weeks, four other bodies were found in the sea of Can Pastilla (Palma), Cala Deia, Llevant beach in Formentera and Son Moli in Cala Rajada. It comes after human remains were found on a stretch of Californian coastline just a day after a leg washed up at the same location in December. A partial limb was discovered in the 6800 block of Paseo Del Mar in Palos Verdes Estates on 26 December, SFGate reported. The grim discovery came after a family out for a walk on Christmas Day came across a leg on Bluff Cove Trail on the 800 block of Paseo Del Mar. Sticky Vicky's daughter has sensationally quit performing her mother's sexy show just two years after taking it over. Maria Gadea Aragues carried on doing the X-rated magic show after her mother - whose real name was Victoria Maria Aragues Gadea - died in 2023, aged 80. Maria has been performing for ten years but only took over the famous act, which included the Spanish dancer pulling a variety of objects from her private parts, recently. She had carried on using her mother's stage name and continued to perform for tourists in the popular holiday spot for British holidaymakers and expats. Maria had weekly shows at the likes of the Palladium, Zodiaco and Rockefellers and while her mother was still performing it was estimated that six million people saw the show which she performed six times a day. Des Bellamy-Wright, who works at the Benidorm Palladium, confirmed that Maria no longer works in the popular Spanish city. Ms Bellamy-Wright said: 'Sticky Vicky doesn't work in Benidorm anymore. We have a similar fun show Carmen Snake - Sticky Show which is on every night at 12:45 am.' Maria's last show took place in November 2024, with no confirmation on the reason for her retirement. Sticky Vicky's daughter, Maria Gadea Aragues (pictured), has sensationally quit performing her mother's sexy show just two years after taking it over Paul, 51, from Ripon, who often visits Benidorm, said: 'It's a sad loss for Benidorm. The Sticky Vicky show has been around for years. 'I've heard that she got fed up on some nights only having a few people come and see the show. 'Other performers who do the same shows such as Carmen Snake have now taken her place.' Brits have been left devastated by the news, taking to social media to remember the iconic performance. Danny said: 'Truly the end of an era.' Tristan Allaway said: 'Game's gone.' Lukas said: 'The World ain't what it used to be.' Another added: 'No, this was one of the things I was hoping to see.' Maria carried on doing the X-rated magic show after her mother - whose real name was Victoria Maria Aragues Gadea - died in 2023, aged 80 (pictured) Maria has been performing for ten years but only took over the famous act, which included the Spanish dancer pulling a variety of objects from her private parts, recently She had carried on using her mother's stage name and continued to perform for tourists in the popular holiday spot for British holidaymakers and expats One other said: 'For goodness sake.' Vicky Leyton, a trained ballet dancer, was born in 1943 in Tenerife. She went on to become an icon in Spain's Benidorm thanks to her exotic, X-rated performances of her vaginal magic show. The mother-of-two moved to the city in south-east Spain in 1980 where she became a legend of the holiday hotspot visited by millions of British tourists. During her show she would pull ping pong balls, razor blades, eggs, handkerchiefs and machetes from her private parts. It would end with the lights dimming and her producing a lit light bulb. She was once described by a guide to Benidorm as such a 'must-see' that leaving without experiencing her show would be like buying fish without chips or turning on the TV to see Ant without Dec. Vicky became such a famous name that she once marked the third series of ITV's comedy show Benidorm - by officially opening Mel's Mobility Shop before it caught fire. Vicky finally retired in 2016 aged 72 after she was diagnosed with uterine cancer, and her daughter Maria then took over. Vicky said she did not characterise herself or her show as pornographic. Maria had weekly shows at the likes of the Palladium, Zodiaco and Rockefellers and while her mother was still performing it was estimated that six million people saw the show which she performed six times a day Vicky became such a famous name that she once marked the third series of ITV's comedy show Benidorm (pictured), officially opening Mel's Mobility Shop before it caught fire Des Bellamy-Wright, who works at the Benidorm Palladium, confirmed that Maria no longer works in the popular Spanish city 'To do what I do you must have a lot of delicacy. It is necessary to give it a touch of elegance,' she said at the time. She also once thanked the 'English public' for her success, saying she would never have imagined she would have become a performer. 'I never thought I could be on a stage at my age, and it is all thanks to the English public,' she said. Vicky invented her X-rated show after a magician friend taught her tricks during hard times after the death of former dictator Francisco Franco, which at the same time brought the easing of sexual censorship in Spain. She boasted of keeping in shape with regular gym workouts and a healthy lifestyle. Vicky carried on performing her raunchy magic tricks well past the normal-retirement age after postponing plans to hang up her props so she could fight rival performers she denounced as imposters. But it appears her daughter wasn't able to pull in the same numbers as her mother had once done. Barcelona-born Maria, was her mother's full time carer but also gave private lessons focused on gymnastics, strength and stretching for children and athletes including dancers before taking over her mother's show. Ryanair is set to launch a new route to one of the most popular short-stay destinations in Europe - and tickets start from as low as 15. The airline will operate a seasonal route from Liverpool to Budapest from the end of March, ending in October. Holidaymakers can snap up tickets for as low as 14.99 one way, just in time for a summer of strolling, sightseeing - and celebrating. While known for its majestic architecture and innovative arts scene, Budapest has equally established itself as a popular stag destination thanks to its lively night life and affordable alcohol. The Hungarian capital also ranks among the most budget-friendly European destinations for a short stay, according to the Post Office City Cost Barometer. Ranking seventh on a list of the top ten best value city breaks, the study found a cup of coffee, on average, costs 2.60 in Budapest, while a 330ml bottle of beer in a cafe costs 3.28. Meanwhile, a three-course evening meal for two, including house wine, totals approximately 63. For those eager to explore the city, a 48-hour travel card costs 11.80, a top museum costs 8.26 and a top art gallery will set visitors back 12.37. Ryanair is set to launch a new route to one of the most popular short-stay destinations in Europe - and tickets start from as low as 15 The airline has also announced its plans to launch an additional new seasonal route to Budapest from an airport in Poland Katowice Airport this summer. The airline will operate flights twice a week to the Hungarian capital, starting from July 3 until October 23. Ryanair is also launching new flights from Manchester to Toulouse which are set to kick off from the end of March. The budget carrier will fly to the southern French city on Mondays and Thursdays between March to October. Prices currently start from 14.99/14.99 one way on the Ryanair website. And holidaymakers are in for a treat. Toulouse is set to be one of this year's most exciting destinations after Lonely Planet named it the best city in the world to visit in 2025. Ryanair's Chief Commercial Officer, Jason McGuinness said on its website: 'Ryanair is pleased to launch another record-breaking summer schedule in Budapest. 'We will base 10 aircraft a US$1 billion invest and deliver 5.6 million passengers p.a. across 68 routes, more than any other airline, including four brand-new routes to Castellon, Katowice, Liverpool, and Toulouse. The airline will operate a seasonal route from Liverpool to Budapest (pictured) from the end of March, ending in October 'This record Summer 2025 schedule was made possible by the Hungarian Governments decision to abolish its regressive aviation tax which in turn will lower costs for citizens, tourists, and businesses.' It comes after a Brit revealed how he flew to Budapest, Hungary, and enjoyed a spa day for less than 40. Callum Ryan, 22, of Milton Keynes set himself the challenge of flying to Budapest and visiting the city's thermal baths for cheaper than a 40 spa day in Britain. Mr Ryan said he paid 17 for last minute flights from London Luton Airport to Budapest and 22.10 for entry and a locker at the Hungarian thermal spa. Controversial Married at First groom Adrian Araouzou has broken his silence over his feud with social media star Abbie Chatfield. The spat began last month after Abbie, 29, featured an ex girlfriend of Adrian's on her It's a lot podcast, who detailed the MAFS stars unsavoury behaviour toward her. Adrian, 30, responded by describing the Brisbane woman, Denver, who he dated for six weeks, as a 'weekender'. The bitter quarrel between Adrian and the FB Island star escalated on Tuesday when Abbie shared a TikTok slamming viewers for showing support for the groom amidst his chaotic match with mother-of-one Awhina Rutene. 'Stop having such short memories' she said in the caption to which she added: 'It is part of the manipulation.' Abbie appeared in the clip in full sarcastic mode telling viewers: 'People who are commenting onAdrian on online comments...They are going "do we owe [him] an apology? The edit did him dirty oh my god...I really like Adrian now he's so funny and he's really hot."' Controversial Married at First groom Adrian Araouzou has broken his silence over his feud with social media star Abbie Chatfield. Adrian responded to a recent slam by Abbie and sharing to his own platform - adding his own clip explaining his time in the show had 'changed him'. Pictured: Abbie's TikTok with the caption 'stitch coming' added by Adrian Adrian's marriage to Awhina Rutene has been anything but smooth sailing (both pictured) Taking to TikTok, Adrian shared Abbie's video after adding his own caption that read: 'Stitch coming'. He began his response by explaining that 'a lot of' fans had sent him Abbie's savage take down and continued: 'I want people to understand and Abby [is] included...before going on this experiment I knew I had flaws. 'I knew I had faults and I know I am not perfect. And watching my time back hasn't been easy at times. I wish I could change certain situations I wish I could've been more vulnerable 'I wish I could have expressed my emotions and my feelings better. I wish I was a little bit more understanding.' He went on to indicate he had 'learned' about relationships after his time on the experiment. 'But that was the most beautiful part about this experiment was that I got to hold a mirror to my face and take accountability. 'And be like ''hey I can be better I can do better and more importantly I can be a better partner." 'And I think that's why some people are coming around to me is because they understand and myself included that not everyone is perfect. You are going to make mistakes in your relationship. Adrian claimed in his response to Abbie that he 'was not perfect' 'You are going to make mistakes in life as long as you are open to learning and growing from them to become a better person in a relationship. 'And that is something that I am truly grateful for. I am not the same person I was back then than I am now.' It comes after Adrian spoke to Daily Mail Australia about his controversial portrayal on the show. Speaking last month he insisted he was 'the superstar' of the experiment and has no regrets about his brutal honesty. Adrian's marriage to Awhina has been anything but smooth sailing, with the pair clashing over communication styles and expectations. During the no-holds-barred interview, the sportswear brand owner doubled down on his candid nature, admitting he's aware his blunt approach has rubbed viewers the wrong way - but insists he wouldn't have it any other way. Adrian is well aware of the attention he's receiving, both good and bad. 'I think I'm the superstar of the show right now. I'm getting that much love. It's crazy,' he said. Despite being in the middle of multiple heated exchanges on-screen, Adrian claims he's not fazed by the backlash. 'I'm actually quite enjoying it, man. Every superhero, most superheroes start off as villains. For me, keep talking about me. Adrian also hinted at behind-the-scenes editing that may have influenced his portrayal. A major point of contention between Adrian and Awhina has been discussions around family, particularly her child from a previous relationship. Adrian admitted that he struggled to navigate these conversations so early on. 'I just met you a week ago. I don't know if I'm ready to get into that just yet because we don't really know each other,' he explained. Despite the drama, Adrian is leaning into his notoriety. 'They can definitely pass me the crown, mate. I'll sit on the throne, no worries.' Advertisement Rating: (TWO STARS) Disney executives, it is reasonable to assume, did not whistle while they worked on Snow White, the latest live-action remake of one of old Walt's classic animations. They may have winced, wailed and whined, but I bet they didn't whistle, because this production has been cursed from the start. Disney's contorted attempts not to offend anyone have somehow managed to offend everyone. Doubtless they hoped that the film itself would be good enough to distract from the brouhaha surrounding the casting of Latina actress Rachel Zegler in the title role, and the use of computer-generated imagery to create seven bulbous-nosed dwarfs. The CGI, they boasted, would avoid the peddling of dwarf 'stereotypes'. Less happily, it has denied employment to real-life dwarf actors. Opportunities are already few and far between 'for little people', one lamented this week, grumpily adding 'I was born to play Dopey.' So can we overlook the rumpus? Does this picture elevate us to a higher realm, beyond the various controversies? Disney executives, it is reasonable to assume, did not whistle while they worked on Snow White, the latest live-action remake of one of old Walt's classic animations They may have winced, wailed and whined, but I bet they didn't whistle, because this production has been cursed from the start Disney's contorted attempts not to offend anyone have somehow managed to offend everyone In a word, no. Snow White the movie has its charms, and dozens of cute CGI forest animals, but on the whole it is a painfully muddle-headed affair. It is a pallid reimagining of the 1937 original, a transcendent work of genius which Zegler herself seems to think was a study in misogyny. Everywhere you look there are attempts to correct the perceived 'crimes' of the original film. Zegler reckons the original Prince Charming was basically a stalker and maybe Disney executives agree, because Snow White's love interest here, played rather blandly by Andrew Burnap, is called, simply, Jonathan. Perhaps they decided that it's more enlightened for a princess to fall in love with a commoner rather than a boring old lantern-jawed prince. Whatever, the whiff of Hollywood's liberal angst is ever-present. 'Just because he's called Dopey doesn't mean he's actually a dope,' explains one of the other dwarfs. I think it's Happy, but it could just as easily be a new one called Wokey. It almost comes as a surprise that nobody asks Sneezy to take a Covid test. Anyway, apart from dwarfs not allowed to be dwarfs and dopes not allowed to be dopes, Snow White broadly follows the trajectory of the 1937 film, itself adapted from the 19th century fairy-tale by the Brothers Grimm. Snow White is born to the loving monarchs of a contented kingdom, but after her mother dies, her father has his head turned by 'an enchanting woman from a far-off land'. Those on-the-rebound nuptials never work in fiction and so it is here. He goes and marries her. And that, of course, is when the trouble starts. Doubtless they hoped that the film itself would be good enough to distract from the brouhaha surrounding the casting of Latina actress Rachel Zegler in the title role, and the use of computer-generated imagery to create seven bulbous-nosed dwarfs It is a pallid reimagining of the 1937 original, a transcendent work of genius which Zegler herself seems to think was a study in misogyny Everywhere you look there are attempts to correct the perceived 'crimes' of the original film We all know the famous old story, but the tweaks start right at the beginning, with Snow White so named not because of the fairness of her skin, but on account of a snowstorm on the night of her birth. That seems fair enough. There are times when so-called colour-blind casting makes sense in a modern world (as well as times when it doesn't). Besides, Zegler, who owes her burgeoning fame to another remake, Steven Spielberg's West Side Story (2021), plainly has oodles of talent. Yet Marc Webb's film only intermittently allows her to sparkle. Four of the 1937 songs feature, including the enduringly catchy Heigh-Ho, but mostly the new ones are forgettable Disney dirges. There is also the small matter of Zegler's Snow White scarcely being a match, in the beauty stakes, for Gal Gadot's Wicked Queen. It must be a decidedly myopic mirror on the wall that informs the Queen she is no longer the most beauteous of all. Gadot at least adds a bit of glamour to the proceedings, although there's a sexy twinkle in her eye that doesn't seem entirely consistent with unadulterated evil. Just as disconcertingly, writer Erin Cressida Wilson (whose credits include 2016's The Girl on the Train) appears not to have complete faith in the Snow White story, so chucks in a few medieval references seemingly to pep things up. Zegler reckons the original Prince Charming was basically a stalker and maybe Disney executives agree, because Snow White's love interest here, played rather blandly by Andrew Burnap, is called, simply, Jonathan Thus, Jonathan is presented as a kind of Robin Hood figure, lurking in the woods with his rebels where they fight the Queen's troops on behalf of the absent King. And after Snow White recovers from that dreadful poisoned apple episode, she turns up at the palace gates at the head of a peasant rabble, just like Joan of Arc. Well, I say 'she'. But maybe I'm making assumptions about her pronouns. With this Snow White you simply never know. Snow White opens across the UK tomorrow Cotonou, Benin (PANA) - The World Bank is to release $33 million to Benin to help it combat conflicts in the north and reduce its vulnerability to climate change, according to the monetary institution It has faced many trials and tribulations over its 65-year run as the beating heart of Coronation Street, even being burned down on two occasions. And the iconic Rovers Return pub is now embroiled in a fresh controversy, after die-hard fans of the ITV soap noticed something very wrong with the boozer. The bar, which has been present throughout the show's 11,000+ episode run, used to have just one external window above the famous green sign. Since Corrie's move to a new set at MediaCityUK in Salford in 2014, however, the Rovers has obtained another upstairs window, which has incredibly gone undetected among viewers during the thousands of episodes aired in the last decade. One X user has now picked up on the continuity error and a string of fans have since expressed their amazement on social media. The eagle-eyed viewer said: 'The fact its never been explained "In-Universe" as to how the Rovers just obtained an extra window and, subsequently, bedroom. What the TARDIS?' The Rovers Return pub has faced many trials and tribulations in its 65-year run as the beating heart of Coronation Street (pictured: Mike Baldwin fights Ken Barlow in 1990) The iconic bar, which has been present throughout the show's 11,000+ episode run, was even burned down on two occasions - in 1986 and 2013 (pictured) The pub always had just one external window above the famous green sign. But since Corrie's move to a new set at MediaCityUK in Salford in 2014, the Rovers has obtained a new window A fan replied: 'The way the smaller version was always rammed too [heartbreak emoji]' Another added: 'The new one is abysmal! Im surprised theres not an echo in it.' A third posted: 'Years ago the stairs in the Rovers went the other way & also all of a sudden there is an exit into the smoking area, that was never there. The snug has gone & I believe there are only 2 doors one to the cellar & one to the ladies its like there isnt a gents.' One viewer said: 'Probably the same reason as to why its never been explained as to why you can now fit 2 cars down the street when you could only get 1 down, or why the street has got longer..' Another posted: 'They should never have demolished the old set. There was so much history which has now all been destroyed. So sad especially when you see the old set is now just a poxy car park. What a waste.' A sixth added: 'Did they get planning permission for a new window and an extra bedroom?' On Sunday, Coronation Street star Claire Sweeney defended her character's villainous behaviour, after she tried to poison the soap's 'national treasure' Ken Barlow. The actress, 53, has played Tyrone Dobbs' long lost mother Cassie Palmer on the soap since 2023, and in recent months, viewers have seen her slowly drug Ken under the ruse of being his carer. One X user has now picked up on the continuity error and a string of fans have since expressed their amazement on social media Cassie, a drug addict, had befriended Ken after he suffered a fall, and convinced him to hire her as a carer. But all the while Ken's children grew suspicious of Cassie's intentions, and it was soon revealed she had been crushing up tablets to put in his drinks. Her behaviour was soon exposed by Tracy Barlow, with Cassie being sensationally sacked by Ken after he also spotted her trying to spike his tea with drugs, In the midst of the dramatic storyline, Claire appeared on Sunday's edition of Alan Titchmarsh's Love Your Weekend, where the actress tried to defend Cassie's actions. After a clip was played of Cassie's sinister actions, host Alan said: 'Little does he [Ken] know what's in his cup!' Claire replied: 'I know, I'm the smiling assassin there, aren't I? I mean, Ken Barlow, a national treasure!' 'And you to bump him off Claire,' Alan remarked before the actress began to explain the story behind her character. She said: 'Well, do you know what, I mean, you can't soften it can you when you're spiking a national treasure's cup of tea. On Sunday, Coronation Street star Claire Sweeney defended her character's villainous behaviour, after she tried to poison the soap's 'national treasure' Ken Barlow In the midst of the dramatic storyline, Claire appeared on Sunday's edition of Alan Titchmarsh's Love Your Weekend, where the actress tried to defend Cassie's actions 'But that was a tablet there and then I go on to [use] antihistamines with him.' A shocked Alan gasped 'gosh' as Claire added: 'So it's just really to keep him a little bit sleepy so he needs me. That's what it is.' Moving his cup out of Claire's reach, a laughing Alan quipped: 'I'm just going to put my tea out of your way!' As the interview came to an end, Alan unsubtly tried to find out from Claire what was going to happen to Ken. He added: 'I don't know whether you'll be bumping anybody else off or succeed in bumping Ken and I don't suppose you know either and if you did, you wouldn't tell me would you?' But a coy Claire said: 'I dont know. Surprise a minute isnt it?' EastEnders star Tameka Empson has revealed that she was asked by an overzealous fan for a selfie at a friend's funeral as she queued to pay her respects at the coffin. The persistent fan refused to take no for an answer and hounded the 47-year-old actress outside the church, but Tameka declined. She made the shock confession during an interview alongside on-screen sister Diane Parish, 55, as they recounted rabid fan encounters. Tameka, who has played popular character Kim Fox since 2009, told BBC Radio London: I went to a friend's mother's funeral. There are sometimes no limits. I don't know if it is the character that I'm playing. But I'm very respectful. You go to a funeral, it's not about taking selfies or anything like that. This woman, as we were going down to view the body, she said, Oh, may I have a picture with you? I'm like, Miss, I'm just walking down here, and then she got me again outside of the church to take a picture and I said, I just don't think this is the right place or time. Co-star Diane was so gobsmacked at the story, all she could say was: Gosh! Tameka Empson has revealed that she was asked by an overzealous fan for a selfie at a friend's funeral Tameka has played popular Eastenders character Kim Fox since 2009, alongside her on-screen sister Denise, played by Diane Parish She made the shock confession during an interview alongside on-screen sister Diane Parish But the enthusiastic fan persisted with requests, and then asked Tameka to sign the funeral brochure. Tameka said: She wanted me to sign the order of service, and I'm like, I can't. I can't do that. I think sometimes people lose their minds, she said. Diane added that she had also experienced fan requests in inappropriate settings. She said: There are days when you go. Oh look, I'm with my kids or there are days where Im at the doctors, I'm in the doctor's surgery. Maybe here is not the place, she added. It comes after EastEnders fans were left raging after Denise finally chose between lovers Jack Branning and Ravi Gulati in this months 40th anniversary episodes. Denise, played by Diane, had been embroiled in a long-running love triangle with her ex-husband Jack and Ravi. Tameka Empson has played Kim Fox in the long-running London soap since 2009 EastEnders fans were left raging after Denise Fox finally chose between lovers Jack Branning and Ravi Gulati in 40th anniversary episode As part of EastEnders 40th anniversary celebrations, viewers were given the chance to vote on to decide Denise's fate in a first in the show's history. During the hotly-anticipated live episode, the results of the public vote were finally revealed, but not all fans were happy with Denise's choice. As the aftermath of the Queen Vic's explosion played out on screen, Denise was shown knocking on the door of a house as it was revealed where her heart truly lies. The door opened to reveal her ex-husband Jack, who she was married to from 2021 until 2024, standing behind the door, looking surprised to see her. The two then sealed their reunion with a passionate kiss, however viewers were left divided over the decision, with many expressing disappointment over her decision. Tameka and Diane are not the first celebrities to have strange interactions with their fan base. Ryan Reynolds, 48, seems to have had some very awkward encounters with fans since taking on his Deadpool role, as he revealed that one person asked for a high five even though his 'dying' wife was being carried off their plane in a stretcher. Speaking about the odd moment on The Graham Norton Show, the Canadian star said: 'I was on a plane with a honeymooning couple and the bride became very ill not just throwing up ill, but really painting with her internal organs.' He continued: 'She was taken off the plane on a stretcher it was so bad. As her new husband followed her out he spotted me and shouted, "Deadpool. High five!" 'It was a surreal moment firstly, I didn't want to high five him just in case he was infected and secondly, he seemed to have no concern for his dying wife!' EastEnders airs on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer. Dead air for Golden Bachelor? We know, we know. We haven't talked about human headline Sam Armytage lately. And while we don't have any news about her this week, we have heard some ghoulish gossip about the show she's hosting for Channel Nine, senior citizen matchmaking series The Golden Bachelor. Rumour has it the late-in-life lonely hearts club is already experiencing production delays. What happened? A Viagra drought on set? Well, sources tell me there was a slight snafu as the series' first pick to be their mature leading man... he, well, died. Just days out from filming. We heard a rumour Nine's original leading man for upcoming dating show The Golden Bachelor died suddenly. Fortunately he's still alive - but the reason he was replaced remains a mystery The series will be hosted by former Farmer Wants a Wife presenter Sam Armytage (pictured) Widowed father-of-three Barry Myrden (left with INXS star Kirk Pengilly) is the new Golden Bachelor. We heard a grim rumour he was the back-up option after the first leading man died We asked Nine about the rumours - which we'd heard from a very senior source - and were told that while production did change the show's leading man at the eleventh hour, it wasn't because of a sudden death. The original pick, we are reassured, is alive and well. His replacement, widowed father-of-three and infrastructure engineer Barry 'Bear' Myrden, has already been pictured on set and seems to be getting on with the ladies. And as for why Bachelor No. 1 was canned? All we can say is, stay tuned. But the fact people involved in the program were under the impression the last-minute switch was caused by someone literally dying goes some way to illustrating just how shadowy and secretive the casting process is for dating shows like this... Albo v Chalmers rivalry muddies election date There is a rumour doing the rounds in Canberra that Albo might call the election as early as this weekend because he's become increasingly confident he'll be able to eke out a narrow victory, albeit only as a minority government. But the PM's growing confidence isn't the reason for the speculation. Those peddling the rumour think he'll call it early to avoid Chalmers handing down the budget. Albanese apparently doesn't like the idea that if Labor does win an election after the budget is delivered, Chalmers will claim credit for the victory. Albanese apparently doesn't like the idea that if Labor does win an election after the budget is delivered, Chalmers will claim credit for the victory That would only feed leadership tensions in its aftermath, potentially sending Albo to his recently purchased coastal retirement mansion sooner than he'd hoped. But we're not buying it. The earliest the election could be held if it was called this weekend would be Saturday, April 26, which is the ANZAC day weekend, and we doubt he'd want a six-week election campaign if he announced the date for the following weekend, May 3. Also, budget papers get printed over the weekend. Forcing them all to be shredded wouldn't be the most environmentally friendly start to a campaign for a party that likes to think its green credentials are to be applauded. Plus there is the cost of canning the upcoming parliamentary week at such short notice, when flights and accommodation are booked for all the staffers and MPs making their way to the capital. And don't forget budget week is also expected to earn Labor millions in donations as ministers schmooze with business elites at various dinners and cocktail parties. So the rumour seems rather far-fetched to us. But it hasn't stopped those close to Chalmers from putting it out there, of course... This is an extract from this week's Inside Mail, the must-read media and politics column by Steve Jackson and Peter van Onselen, exclusively for Mail+ subscribers. Read the full edition tomorrow. When his deteriorating mental state was bringing their marriage to a close, Kim Kardashian issued a gracious statement. She asked fans to show 'compassion and empathy' to Kanye West, who had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, describing him as 'a brilliant but complicated person'. In the years since then, Kanye's behaviour ranting about being a Nazi on X and parading his near-naked, disturbingly compliant, second wife Bianca Censori at public events must have tried Kim's patience many times, but she has mostly kept quiet in order to protect their children. Now, however, the rapper has stepped over the line. Kanye, 47, dealt his lowest blow yet last weekend, when he recorded their 11-year-old daughter North rapping on a new track with the alleged sex trafficker Sean 'Diddy' Combs. Kim was horrified so much so that she may be considering a renewed custody battle. The reality star, who has more than 350 million Instagram followers, would certainly have the backing of her many fans and close associates, who have urged her to rip up the agreement surrounding the four children she shares with Kanye North and her younger siblings Saint, nine, Chicago, seven, and Psalm, five. Kim, 44, might even consider representing herself: she decided to train as a lawyer in 2019, in memory of her late father, the renowned attorney Robert Kardashian. She passed California's baby bar examination (for first year students) in 2021 and is still studying law. Kim is certainly very upset. A source tells the Mail: 'Kim is disgusted her daughter appears on Kanye's new song that also features Diddy. This is disastrous. To be linked in any way with Diddy is both heartbreaking and unforgivable.' Kanye West, left, and Sean 'Diddy' Combs released their track at the weekend The song, entitled Lonely Roads Still Lead To Sunshine, opens with a conversation between Kanye and Diddy. North can then be heard rapping: 'When you see me shining, then you see the light'. Diddy's son Christian also appears on the track. Shortly before the song was released at the weekend, Kanye posted on X, then deleted, a series of screen grabs allegedly showing a vicious text exchange between himself and Kim in which he threatened to go 'to war' with her. The supposed conversation suggests Kim holds the copyright to North's name and was using it to try to prevent the 11-year-old from being included on a track with Diddy provoking a furious reaction from Kanye. In the grabs, Kanye texts Kim, 'I'm never speaking with you again,' along with a snippet of what appears to be a legal document, including the phrase, 'participation in this project,' presumably in reference to the new song. Kim allegedly shoots back, 'I asked u at the time if I can trademark her name,' alleging, 'You said yes,' and adding, 'When she's 18 it goes to her.' The grabs then show her evidently urging Kanye to 'stop', added: 'I sent paperwork over so she wouldn't be in the Diddy song to protect her.' And Kim allegedly continued: 'One person has to trademark! We agreed when they were born, I would get all of our kids' names and trademarks. So no one else would take them.' (Celebrities in the US frequently trademark their children's names so no one can exploit them). Kayne appears unmoved by his ex-wife's pleas. He fired back: 'Amend it or I'm going to war. And neither of us will recover from the public fallout.' He then darkly declared: 'You're going to have to kill me.' Kim Kardashian with daughter North, 11, who is heard rapping on the new track A move on Kim's part to take full custody of the children would be understandable then. But it presents her with an unwelcome dilemma. A friend of the billionaire businesswoman told the Mail it is an option they believe she will never pursue. 'Kim will never go for full custody. Why? Because Kanye never had an NDA [non disclosure agreement] with Kim. 'He was her husband. No one knows Kim and her family better than Kanye and she worries about what he could make public from their private lives.' Kim and Kayne married in a lavish ceremony in Florence, Italy, in 2014. It's impossible to know what secrets they shared during the years they spent together. They separated after Kanye who announced he wanted to run for US president around the same time accused Kim's mother Kris of trying to have him locked up. Kim said later that 'I tried everything humanly possible to make a situation work'. The marriage was formally ended by divorce in 2022. Kim has been extremely forgiving when it comes to co-parenting with Kanye ever since, despite his increasingly erratic behaviour, but in the past few months things have definitely been going down hill. Kanye's outrageous acts reached a new nadir earlier this year when he arrived at the Grammy Awards with Ms Censori and ordered the stepmother of his four children to strip in front of the world's cameras. This was too much even for the often scantily-clad Kim, who is said to have ordered privately that Bianca never dress (or undress) like that around her children. Days later, Kanye promoted a swastika T-shirt on his Yeezy website and declared he was a 'Nazi' as he praised Adolf Hitler. In a rare intervention, Kim stopped her children attending an event organised by their father, where he'd encouraged participants to wear the swastika shirts he called his 'greatest art'. Despite all this, Kim has declared it important that the children spend time with their father, albeit with trusted nannies accompanying them. But now the arrangement is becoming strained on both sides. Indeed, some fear North is becoming a 'pawn' in a 'tit for tat' battle between her parents. Despite protests from Kanye, for example, the children increasingly feature on Kim's reality TV series, while North is often paraded on her mum's TikTok account, which has ten million followers. Kanye recently got his own back by hauling North on stage with him at a concert in South Korea. A source fighting his corner said: 'Kanye doesn't care what Kim has to say because North is his daughter too and they share joint custody. 'He is proud of North for following her dreams to become a rap artist. North chooses her dad over Kim and still wants to live with him but he doesn't have a solid foundation yet.' On multiple occasions an exasperated Kim has said how alike her daughter and Kanye are, even describing her as his 'twin'. But now, we're told, Kanye's decision to feature North on his new track with Diddy risks 'driving a wedge' between Kim and her daughter. A source told the Mail: 'Kim has never wanted to stop her children seeing their father. 'She thinks it is important that he is in their lives, as she was close to her own father before he died when she was just 23. 'But Kim is fearful that if she goes into full-blown war with Kanye and reopens the custody issue, he will make her life a living hell and weaponise the children against her.' In the divorce settlement in 2022, the rapper was awarded shared joint custody of their children with 'equal access' and was ordered to pay 154,000 per month to his ex-wife in child support. It was these equal access rights that sparked the latest legal spat. After learning about the track with Diddy, who recorded his part from his prison cell, sources claim Kim sent cease-and-desist letters demanding her ex-husband stop its release. An emergency mediation hearing took place on Friday last week, where her divorce lawyer Laura Wasser and his lawyer Patrick DeCarolis reached an agreement that their young daughter would not appear on any version of the song's release. But on Saturday, Kanye posted the new song on X. The track includes Diddy's voice thanking Kanye for his support. He says no one else has reached out to him while he remains in prison. The full prison call with Diddy has since been leaked, showing the extent of Kanye's friendship with the alleged sexual predator which dates back decades. Diddy advised Kanye to 'get behind the mic' and 'get back to smiling' in the recorded phone call. 'When I get out there, man, I want to see you f****g tear down the stadiums. I need to see you back on that stage, f*****g actually rapping and f*****g performing and everything. I be dreaming of that s**t,' Diddy told Kanye. Diddy also seems to encourage Kanye's paranoia, telling him: 'We gonna have years and decades to fight these motherf*****s' before warning Kanye to 'be careful', adding: 'They definitely trying to end us.' Kanye then says he 'looks up to' the relationship Diddy has with his children. The Harlem-born hip-hop star fathered son Christian, 26, and twin daughters Jessie and D'Lila Combs, 17, with former wife, actress Kim Porter. He also has three more children son Justin Combs, 30, daughter Chance Combs, 18, and daughter Love Sean Combs, two with three different mothers. The Kardashian family used to be on friendly terms with the disgraced rapper. In an old episode of the family's hit series Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Kim's sister Khloe recalled crossing paths with a young Justin Bieber at one of Diddy's star-studded bashes, where she revealed that 'half of the guests were naked'. Kanye has since done a lot of ranting about the 'Kardashian mob' in a series of tirades on social media. He once called Kim's mother Kris Jenner 'Kris Jong Un' (comparing her to the North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un) and complained that getting visitation rights to see his four children was like being 'in jail'. He has claimed that his 'rights' have been taken away by the Kardashian family, adding in capital letters: 'I don't want to just 'see' my kids. I need to raise them. 'I need to have a say so of where they go to school, and who their friends are, and whose houses they sleep over, whether my daughters wear lipstick and perfume.' Yesterday afternoon, Kanye returned to social media in a fresh rant, asserting that 'the man has the final say over his kids'. It's no surprise to hear that he has stopped taking his medication. He now claims he was misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder, instead of autism. 'I haven't taken the medication since I found out it wasn't bipolar, that it wasn't the right diagnosis,' he said recently. 'It's finding stuff that doesn't block the creativity, obviously that's what I bring to the world. It's worth the ramp-up, as long as y'all get the creativity.' If Kanye's turbulent past is any indication of how things are going to play out, then the Kardashian clan are no doubt braced for things to get a whole lot messier. She was physically removed from Ben Affleck's home and tossed into the trash when they split. Well, at least a cardboard cutout of Ana De Armas was captured in now infamous Daily Mail pictures but the intention was clear: Affleck was done with their relationship. The actor pair had met on the set of erotic thriller Deep Water in 2019, in which they played husband and wife. By March 2020, that onscreen love had manifested in real life, and they were spotted vacationing together. The following month they were 'Instagram official'. And with the Covid pandemic threatening to scupper their blossoming romance, they quarantined together at Affleck's $19 million Pacific Palisades mansion, ordering take-outs and enjoying walks around the posh neighborhood with their respective dogs. 'Ben and Ana had such a special and unique relationship because they were holed up together 24/7 during the pandemic,' an insider exclusively now tells the Daily Mail. 'They got so close so fast, and it was passionate and real.' Well, at least it was for a time. She was physically removed from his home and tossed into the trash when they split. Well, at least a cardboard cutout of Ana De Armas was, but the intention behind it was clear: Ben Affleck was done with their relationship. The actor pair had met on the set of erotic thriller Deep Water in 2019, in which they played husband and wife. (Pictured in 2020). With the Covid pandemic threatening to scupper their blossoming romance, they quarantined together at Affleck's $19 million Pacific Palisades mansion, ordering take-outs and enjoying walks around the posh neighborhood with their respective dogs. For two years later, the Covid love-in was over with Affleck performing that immature stunt of discarding a life-sized cutout of Armas outside his Los Angeles mansion, in clear view of the paparazzi. He then moved swiftly on to old-flame Jennifer Lopez rekindling their famous early 2000s love affair. Their first engagement had fallen apart in 2004, but after a whirlwind rapid reconnection just months after the Armas split Affleck and JLo tied the knot in Las Vegas in July 2022. But theirs too would be an unsuccessful romance: JLo, 55, filed for divorce last August. To make matters worse, our source says that Affleck's relationship with Ana only ended 'because she wanted marriage, and he did not.' So far, so messy. Only now, our source shares, Affleck, 52, is said to be having regrets about leaving Armas, 36, and feels he could have 'dodged the JLo bullet' had he stuck it out with the Cuban actress. This revelation comes amid fevered speculation of a brewing romance between Armas and Tom Cruise who is almost double her age at 62 after they were spotted dining together for Valentine's Day. Sources close to the Top Gun star claim their relationship is strictly business. But could Affleck be feeling pangs of jealousy for the woman he was once so smitten over? Indeed, like lovestruck high schoolers, Affleck and Armas once flaunted cringeworthy matching heart necklaces, while she wore his baggy 'boyfriend' shirts. More important, Affleck's children Violet, 19, Fin, 16, and Samuel, 13 appeared to be big fans of Armas. In June 2020, they enjoyed a vacation with their dad and his new girlfriend in Georgia where he owns a sprawling $7.1 million, 87-acre estate. Armas's beloved dog Elvis joined the party. The actress even had the seal of approval from Affleck's younger brother Casey who, after the breakup, described her as 'the sweetest, funniest, smartest, most charming person'. Affleck's first wife and mother of his children, Jennifer Garner, was said to also approve. All of which might now be playing on his mind. 'He ended up marrying Jen after not being able to commit to Ana,' our source says. 'In hindsight, he realizes how wrong this was and sees that he could have dodged the JLo bullet by not ending things with Ana. He knows how she must have felt.' Affleck made no secret of his reservations about a rekindling with Lopez, even speaking about them only during her self-indulgent 2024 documentary, The Greatest Love Story Never Told. During one clip he shared: 'Getting back together, I said, 'Listen, one of the things I don't want is a relationship on social media.' 'Then I sort of realized it's not a fair thing to ask. It's sort of like, you're gonna marry a boat captain and you go, "Well, I don't like the water." 'We're just two people with different kinds of approaches trying to learn to compromise.' Lopez recognized Affleck's unease about being in the public eye as a couple. 'He ended up marrying Jen after not being able to commit to Ana,' our source says. 'In hindsight, he realizes how wrong this was and sees that he could have dodged the JLo bullet by not ending things with Ana. He knows how she must have felt.' (Pictured: JLo last month). Last month, Armas even sparked speculation of a brewing romance with Tom Cruise - who is almost double her age at 62 - after they dined together for Valentine's Day . 'I don't think [Ben] is very comfortable with me doing all of this,' she said. 'But he loves me, he knows I'm an artist, and he's gonna support me in every way he can because he knows you can't stop me from making the music I made he doesn't want to stop me. But that doesn't mean he's comfortable being the muse.' Armas appears to share Affleck's distaste for a life in the spotlight, admitting that the attention she received after their split was 'horrible'. 'That's one of the reasons why I left LA,' she told Elle in 2022. 'This is not the place for me to be. It became a little bit too much. There's no way out.' So will Ben be hoping for another rekindling and this time with Armas? 'He wishes he could go back and do it differently, but he can't,' our source admitted. 'It is too late now, but Ben has much respect for Ana. He hopes she finds what she wants and has a family. He thinks she is an incredible woman.' Armas soon healed from Affleck heartbreak and started secretly dating Tinder exec Paul Boukadakis less than six months after their split. She moved into his New York apartment away from the fishbowl of Los Angeles, but they separated in November last year. The same month, she was spotted kissing Manuel Anido Cuesta, the stepson of Cuba's president, during a night out in Madrid. And then, most recently, came the Tom Cruise rumors. But, at least officially, Armas and Affleck are both currently on the market... Director Carl Erik Rinsch has been arrested on charges that he swindled $11 million for Netflix for a sci-fi show that never aired, instead steering the cash toward cryptocurrency investments and a series of lavish purchases that included a fleet of Rolls-Royces and a Ferrari. Carl Erik Rinsch - a writer and director perhaps best known for directing the film 47 Ronin - has been charged with wire fraud and money laundering over what federal prosecutors allege was a scheme to defraud the streaming giant. Prosecutors said Netflix had initially paid about $44 million to purchase an unfinished show called White Horse from Rinsch, but eventually doled out another $11 million after he said he needed the additional cash to complete the show. Rather than using the extra money to wrap up production, Rinsch quietly transferred the money to a personal brokerage account, where he made a series of failed investments that lost about half of the $11 million in two months, according to prosecutors. The filmmaker then dumped the rest of the money into the cryptocurrency market, which proved to be a profitable move, with Rinsch eventually transferring the earnings into a personal bank account, according to an indictment. From there, Rinsch spent about $10 million on personal expenses and luxury items in a spending spree that, according to prosecutors, included about $1.8 million on credit card bills; $1 million on lawyers to sue Netflix for more money; $3.8 million on furniture and antiques; $2.4 million for five Rolls-Royces and one Ferrari; and $652,000 on watches and clothes. Director Carl Rinsch was arrested Tuesday on charges that he swindled $11 million from Netflix for a sci-fi show that never aired; pictured 2015 Rinsch, 47, was arrested in West Hollywood, California, and had an initial court hearing on Tuesday. He appeared in a federal courtroom in Los Angeles in a turtleneck sweater and jeans with shackles on his arms and legs. He did not enter a plea and spoke only to answer a judge's questions. When asked if he'd read the indictment against him, he said 'not cover to cover' but told the judge he understood the charges. U.S. Magistrate Judge Pedro V. Castillo ordered that he be released later Tuesday after he agreed to post a $100,000 bond to assure hell appear in court in New York, where his indictment was filed. His newly appointed attorney, Annie Carney, declined to comment outside court. She said during the hearing that she had not yet seen the prosecutions evidence against Rinsch. When discussing the terms of his release, she said, 'the allegations in this case are purely financial.' Rinsch's New York court date had not yet been set. Netflix declined to comment. Rinsch is perhaps best known for filming 47 Ronin; seen on the set of the film with the movie's star Keanu Reeves in 2013 Rinsch has been charged with one count of wire fraud, one count of money laundering, and five counts of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity. The wire fraud charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, the money laundering charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years, and each individual count of the third and final charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years. Netflix is not identified by name in the indictment however the streamer's dispute with Rinsch over the making of White Horse (which was later named Conquest) has been previously reported on by The New York Times. Rinsch was ruled to owe Netflix $12 million in damages and legal fees by an arbitrator last year, according to The New York Times. The publication reports Rinsch failed to produce any episodes of the show. The streamer ultimately wrote off the $55 million they sank into the show. Rinsch is accused of using the money from Netflix on cryptocurrency investments and a series of lavish purchases that included a fleet of Rolls-Royces and a Ferrar In a press release over the charges, U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky said: 'As alleged, Carl Erik Rinsch orchestrated a scheme to steal millions by soliciting a large investment from a video streaming service, claiming that money would be used to finance a television show that he was creating. 'But that was fiction. Rinsch instead allegedly used the funds on personal expenses and investments, including highly speculative options and cryptocurrency trading. Rinschs arrest is a reminder that this Office and our partners at the FBI remain vigilant in the fight against fraud and will bring those who cheat and steal to justice.' FBI Assistant Director Leslie Backschies stated in the release: 'Carl Rinsch allegedly stole more than $11 million from a prominent streaming platform to finance lavish purchases and personal investments instead of completing a promised television series. The FBI will continue to reel in any individual who seeks to defraud businesses.' The saga between Rinsch, Netflix, and the making of Conquest was previously the subject of a report by The New York Times in 2023. The publication previously reported on Netflix's hopes to claw back the $55 million it spent on an undelivered sci-fi series, accusing Rinsch of squandering the funds to buy luxury cars and trade cryptocurrency and stock options. The bizarre saga dates back to 2018, at the height of the streaming boom, when Netflix was desperate to woo Rinsch and his passion project away from a competing offer from Amazon. Although Rinsch's only prior film, the 2013 action movie 47 Ronin starring Keanu Reeves, had been a box office bomb, Netflix offered him millions more than Amazon, as well as rare 'final cut' privileges granting him total control of the project, The New York Times reported. The unfinished Netflix sci-fi series, renamed 'Conquest' after originally being named White Horse, focused on a genius who creates an artificial species dubbed the Organic Intelligent, which is dispatched to trouble spots around the world to provide humanitarian aid. According to cast and crew members, emails and text messages, and divorce filings cited by the Times, Rinsch grew increasingly erratic during production, claiming he could predict lightning strikes and speaking of coronavirus signals 'emanating from the earth.' Rinsch, 47, was arrested in West Hollywood, California, and had an initial court hearing on Tuesday; pictured 2013 Netflix accused Rinsch of blowing millions from the production budget on risky trades, a fleet of five Rolls-Royces, a Ferrari, and a $387,630 Vacheron Constantin watch, and was seeking to claw back the funds in confidential arbitration. For his part, Rinsch argued that the funds were contractually his to do with as he pleased, and furthermore insisted that Netflix owed him an additional $14 million under the terms of the 2018 agreement. Rinsch had a successful career filming commercials prior to his movie debut with 47 Ronin, a CGI-intensive fantasy romp that was panned by critics and grossed $151 million at the box office against a budget of $175 million. After his film flopped, Rinsch returned to making commercials, and on the side began developing a sci-fi passion project with his wife, the model and fashion designer Gabriela Roses Bentancor. In the series, unsuspecting humans begin to uncover the true nature of the 'Organic Intelligent' superhumans, and turn against them. The series was originally named 'White Horse' after the first horseman of the apocalypse from the Bible. Roses was in charge of costume design, and the production survived on a shoestring budget by using mostly European actors to avoid Hollywood union rules. Rinsch initially funded the production himself, and then secured financing from production company 30West as well as an emergency injection from Keanu Reeves. According to the Times, Rinsch filmed six short episodes ranging from four to 10 minutes, and used them to pitch the streamers on a complete 13-episode season. The concept drew interest from Amazon, HBO, Hulu, Apple and YouTube, but Netflix was able to snatch up the project after Cindy Holland, who was then in charge of scripted content at the streamer, outbid Amazon. Netflix agreed to pay $61.2 million in several installments for the rights to the series, but the production soon devolved into chaos. The saga between Rinsch and Netflix was previously the subject of a report by The New York Times in 2023; pictured on the set of 47 Ronin in 2013 During filming in Budapest, Rinsch went days without sleep and accused his wife of plotting to have him assassinated, according to two witnesses cited by the Times. His wife and crew members worried about his use of Vyvanse, a prescription amphetamine used to treat ADHD, and staged an intervention after filming in Budapest wrapped in late 2019. But after agreeing to live with a sober companion, the director sent the person packing after a few days, according to the Times. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Netflix had already spent $44.3 million on the production, and reluctantly agreed to send another $11 million after Rinsch insisted the whole show risked collapse. According to the Times, Rinsch's erratic behavior intensified during the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, which strained millions psychologically. The director took $10.5 million of the $11 million in new Netflix cash and moved it to his personal brokerage account at Charles Schwab, where he placed risky bets on stock options, according to the Times, citing financial documents in the divorce case. He bet that shares of Gilead Sciences, which was working on a COVID antiviral, would soar, and that the S&P 500 index, which dropped by more than a third early in the pandemic, would fall further. Those bets were disastrous, and Rinsch lost $5.9 million in just a few weeks. His wife Roses, who has since filed for divorce, went to check on him in June 2020, and says that he took her to a scenic Hollywood lookout and pointed to planes in the sky, telling her they were 'organic, intelligent forces' that 'came to say hi.' He also sent her texts claiming that he could predict lightning strikes and volcanic eruptions, according to her divorce filings. Rinsch also began sending odd emails to a Netflix business affairs executive, claiming he had found a way to map 'the coronavirus signal emanating from within the earth.' With what was left of the Netflix cash, Rinsch transferred more than $4 million to the Kraken crypto exchange and bought Dogecoin, a cryptocurrency based on a meme of a Shiba dog that started as a joke. Unlike his stock option bets, Rinsch profited handsomely off the investment in Dogecoin, which surged in value in 2021 as billionaire Elon Musk touted it on Twitter. Riding high on his gains, Rinsch wrote in a message to a Kraken customer service rep: 'Thank you and god bless crypto.' When he closed out his positions in May 2021, his Kraken account had a balance of nearly $27 million, according to the Times. Rinsch was ruled to owe Netflix $12 million in damages and legal fees by an arbitrator last year, according to The New York Times Rinsch then went on a buying spree, purchasing the Rolls-Royce fleet and other fine items, and spending a total of $8.7 million, according to a forensic accountant hired by his estranged wife. The funds involved were the subject of two disputes: his divorce case with Roses, and the arbitration with Netflix. Roses accused him of going on the spending spree to shield his crypto winnings from the divorce case. Rinsch responded that the cars and other items were props for his series, and had been purchased with Netflix's money. But in arbitration with Netflix, he took a different line, arguing that the money belonged to him, and the Netflix owes him further payments. Netflix argued that the payments were contingent on the production hitting certain milestones, which were never reached. The streaming giant previously told Rinsch that it will not continue to fund 'Conquest' and that he was free to shop the project to another distributor, as long as they reimburse the company for what it has already spent on the show. Get all Daily Mail Australia's latest MAFS stories on WhatsApp here Married At First Sight's Jacqui Burfoot has broken her silence after it was revealed she had rented a flash $200-a-night Airbnb for Homestays Week. The bride, 29, took to Instagram on Tuesday to defend her decision not to show her actual home on the show, claiming 'security and privacy is important' when you're a 'single lady'. Jacqui, who is married to Ryan Donnelly in the series, posted a video of herself posing in a green, floor-length Rat & Boa dress, $495, on a beautiful balcony overlooking some palm trees. 'For anyone curious, this was taken at my actual Manly apartment,' the reality star captioned the post. 'As a single lady, security and privacy is important to me and my friends,' she wrote. 'I didn't [sic] feel comfortable opening my home up to all of Australia. Married At First Sight's Jacqui Burfoot has broken her silence after it was revealed she had rented a flash $200-a-night Airbnb for Homestays Week. Pictured on the balcony of her real apartment She took to Instagram on Tuesday to defend her decision not to show her actual home on the show, claiming 'security and privacy is important' when you're a 'single lady' The reality star was all smiles as she posed in the at-home images She continued: 'Just so you know the "apartments" the couples live in are actually also decorated hotel rooms.' The bride went on to remind her fans that Homestays Week isn't about introducing your partner to your home, but rather doing things together that you usually do outside of the experiment. 'Homestays is about getting to know someone in their usual neighborhood doing usual activities. 'If you care about the actual homes you should watch a show like The Block, not MAFS lol,' she ended the post. The reality star went on to share pictures of her bedroom in a number of mirror selfies, as well as another balcony shot at her Sydney abode. On Tuesday, Jacqui was caught out in an embarrassing Homestays Week lie as Daily Mail Australia revealed that the luxurious Manly property she welcomed Ryan Donnelly into on Monday night was actually a rented Airbnb. The jewellery store owner returned to the Northern Beaches for the episode and was filmed rolling her suitcase through the front door of what was supposedly her home. However, the property was in fact a $200-a-night Airbnb rental. Daily Mail Australia can reveal that the luxurious Manly property she welcomed Ryan Donnelly into on Monday night was actually a $200 a night Airbnb Inside Jacqui's TV accommodation A voiceover described the residence as 'Jacqui's home', but in reality it was a two-story rental arranged by producers. The deception didn't end there either, as it was also a completely different home from the one shown during her wedding backstory. According to a production insider, Jacqui's actual living situation was deemed 'too small' and impractical for filming. 'She had roommates living at her house and it was in a messy state, and she didn't feel comfortable with it,' a source tells Daily Mail Australia. 'Ryan and Jacqui were instructed not to make any mention that it was a fake house and just to pretend that it was actually Jacqui's.' The source added the decision was ironic given Jacqui's later criticisms of Ryan's real home. 'Which is pretty hypocritical because when they went to Ryan's, Jacqui was given full freedom to attack his living conditions,' they said. The deception didn't end there either, as it was also a completely different home from the one shown during her wedding backstory What's more, MAFS fans have also claimed that the fake home was filled with Kmart furnishings after Jacqui continued to describe herself as 'high class'. Homestay week is designed to offer a glimpse into the daily lives of MAFS contestants, leading viewers to believe they are staying in their actual homes. However, due to Jacqui's real living situation - a small shared apartment in Manly - producers opted for a more visually appealing alternative. 'Her real bedroom was tiny, and the camera crew couldn't fit in her apartment. Her roommates' stuff was everywhere and they would've had to be asked to leave for filming,' the insider added. Despite the controversy, the episode still managed to deliver its fair share of drama. Jacqui and Ryan clashed over his facial hair, reigniting their ongoing disagreement over why he refused to shave his beard. The argument escalated in the backyard, proving that even in a dreamy Northern Beaches setting, their issues couldn't be escaped. Meanwhile, Daily Mail Australia can reveal that tensions are set to reach new heights when Jacqui travels to Ryan's home in Campbelltown, in Sydney's west. Ryan had serious reservations about her visit, fearing her 'elitist attitude' would take centre stage. 'He told her, "Look, if you come here, maybe think about what you're going to say and try not to be too judgmental, because my house is clean,"' the insider claimed. However, that didn't stop Jacqui from nitpicking every detail of his home. She allegedly 'walked through pointing out everything she didn't like' and even wrote a to-do list for Ryan on a whiteboard. 'She literally wrote a list - like a teacher scolding a student,' the source said. Her criticisms didn't stop there. Jacqui reportedly mocked Ryan for only having expired two month old eggs in his fridge, ridiculed his artwork, and even insulted his souvenir collection, likening his home to 'an old person's house'. But perhaps the biggest insult of all? 'She ripped into him for having just one pillow on his bed. Ryan had actually bought her a brand-new pillow before she arrived, but it still wasn't good enough,' the insider revealed. Despite claiming to have left the 'dystopian' United States after Donald Trump's first presidential win, Eva Longoria is seemingly unable to stay away. Last year the Desperate Housewives star, 50, confirmed that she relocated to Europe several years prior, and was ready to close the 'American chapter' of her life. At the time, the actress, who campaigned hard for Kamala Harris to win the presidential election, feared that if Trump who served his first term as President from 2017 to 2021 and began his second term in 2025 'keeps his promises' the US will be a 'scary place'. 'I get to escape and go somewhere,' the Flamin' Hot director told Marie Claire magazine. 'Most Americans aren't so lucky. They're going to be stuck in this dystopian country, and my anxiety and sadness is for them.' Later, she clarified that her move was motivated by work commitments, and that she is splitting her time between Mexico and Spain with her family. However, since then, the star has been in the United States on numerous occasions. Despite claiming to have left 'dystopian' United States after Donald Trump's first presidential win, Eva Longoria, 50, is seemingly unable to stay away; seen March 18 in New York City The actress, who campaigned hard for Kamala Harris to win the presidential election, feared that if Trump 'keeps his promises' the US will be a 'scary place'; Trump seen in February Longoria, who has Spanish citizenship, and her producer husband Jose Baston, a native of Mexico, have been living abroad with their six-year-old son Santiago while she works on her CNN miniseries Searching for Spain - a follow up to last year's Searching for Mexico. Following her move, the star has been present in the United States repeatedly, and was most recently seen in New York City on Tuesday, March 18. The beauty was pictured in Midtown wearing a sizzling red dress and matching red heels. That same day, she appeared in another stylish look, wearing a white coat, a tan button-up shirt, and elegantly tailored violet trousers. The day prior Eva was in Doral, Florida, where she promoted the upcoming movie 'Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip.' She also attended a screening of the film in Miami, Florida on March 16. And last month, on February 23, she was seen performing a demo at the Grand Tasting Village during the 2025 South Beach Wine & Food Festival in Miami Beach. On February 20 she joined Jessica Alba at the Culture Makers event at a private residence in Beverly Hills. In January, the businesswoman volunteered with a number of organizations during fire relief efforts in Los Angeles, after donating $1 million to the cause. Following her move, the star has been present in the United States repeatedly, and was most recently seen in New York City on Tuesday, March 18 (pictured on Tuesday) The day prior Eva was in Doral, Florida, where she promoted the upcoming movie 'Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip' She also attended a screening of the film in Miami, Florida on March 16 Last month, on February 23, she was seen performing a demo at the Grand Tasting Village during the 2025 South Beach Wine & Food Festival in Miami Beach On February 20 she joined Jessica Alba at the Culture Makers event at a private residence in Beverly Hills In January, the businesswoman volunteered with a number of organizations during fire relief efforts in Los Angeles, after donating $1 million to the cause In November of 2024, she was seen at the Los Angeles premiere of Disney's Moana 2, at the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood That same month she attended the Elle Women in Hollywood awards That month she also co-hosted the Today Show. In November of 2024, she was seen at the Los Angeles premiere of Disney's Moana 2, at the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood. That same month she attended the Elle Women in Hollywood awards. Aside from these outings, the star has been seen countless other times since revealing she has moved to Europe. In November of 2024 she explained her decision behind moving during a phone call to her friend Ana Navarro, who was appearing on the Behind The Table podcast. 'I didn't leave because of the political environment. I left because my work took me there,' Longoria said. 'I'm a proud American. I've always been a proud American. Proud Texan, proud American. I didn't want it to be taken that I left because of Trump absolutely not or because of the elections.' Longoria has been a vocal opponent of Trump's and branded him, 'a convicted criminal who spews so much hate' in the wake of his second election win. But she insisted his victory was not enough to drive her out of the country. The star campaigned for Harris and had ominous predictions about the country following her defeat. Longoria campaigned for Harris and branded Trump 'a convicted criminal who spews so much hate' in the wake of his second election win 'I get to escape and go somewhere,' she told Marie Claire magazine. 'Most Americans aren't so lucky. They're going to be stuck in this dystopian country, and my anxiety and sadness is for them'; Pictured at the Democratic National Convention on August 22, 2024 in Chicago 'I would like to think our fight continues,' Longoria said in the aftermath. 'If he keeps his promises, it's going to be a scary place.' She spoke about how Trump's 2016 win left her feeling despondent. 'I've never been depressed in my life,' she told Marie Claire. 'It was like, "Does my vote really matter? Am I really making a difference?"' 'I was so untethered to the core of what I believe because I truly believed in my soul that the best person wins. And then that happened, and I was like, "Oh, wait. The best person doesn't win".' The actress previously told how she fled 'dystopian' America and is 'privileged' to now be living in Mexico and Spain with her family. The Texas born star, who has spent her 'whole adult life' in California, says she feels the American 'chapter in my life is done now' and no longer wants to live in Los Angeles, alleging the city has been 'changing'. 'The vibe was different. And then COVID happened, and it pushed it over the edge,' Longoria said. 'Whether it's the homelessness or the taxes, not that I want to s**t on California it just feels like this chapter in my life is done now,' she said. Several celebrities vowed to leave the US in the event of a Trump win. Longoria, who has Spanish citizenship, and her producer husband Jose Baston, a native of Mexico, have been splitting their time between Mexico and Spain with their six-year-old son Santiago; seen with her family The reactions ranged from playful hyperbole to what sounded like solemn pledges. Democratic candidate and Vice President Kamala Harris had a who's who of Hollywood endorsing her, with celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, Oprah Winfrey, Bruce Springsteen and Howard Stern backing her campaign. Among those who pledged to flee the country was Cher, who has since reneged due to her commitment to her boyfriend Alexander Edwards and her reluctance to take him away from his son. Sources also told DailyMail.com America Ferrera was considering a move in search of the 'best opportunities' for her children in the UK. Christine Quinn has opened up about her troubled marriage amid her painful split from ex-husband Christian Dumontet. The former Selling Sunset star, 36, said 'this is the first time I'm talking about this stuff,' she told People, following her relocation to Texas, where she and her son Christian Georges, three are now living. 'I haven't talked about this with anyone,' the former high end real estate agent told the publication. 'Some people knew stuff was going on, but no one knew the extent of it in terms of how bad everything really was.' The couple me via a mutual friend in early 2019 and and got engaged on Valentine's of the same, year, secretly tying the knot in December of the same year. They then staged a gothic winter-themed wedding featured in season three of the reality show with 75 guests in attendance. Dumontet went by Christian Richard on camera, 'for privacy,' according to a Netflix official. Christine Quinn, 36, has opened up about her trouble marriage to ex-husband Christian Dumontet, 45, following her relocation to her native Texas with her son amid safety concerns; Pictured in Los Angeles in March 2023 The pair welcomed their son in May 2021. While all many have looked like they were having a fairytale ending on screen, behind the scenes, things were very different Quinn explained. 'There were times where my husband, literally, where I had to go to work and he would lay himself under my car,' she told the publication. 'I would sit for an hour until I finally missed a meeting and gave up and would go back inside, or he would shut the gates down so I couldn't leave. It was bad,' she said of his alleged controlling behavior. The breaking point seemed to come when Quinn said her ex's behavior started affecting their toddler. 'There are certain things that I could tolerate, and it got to a point where it was affecting my son, and that wasn't okay. I was like, "Okay, I can deal with this, I'm an adult." But bringing him into the chaos and everything that kind of ensued, I was like, "No, this is not okay."' The tech entrepreneur was arrested in March 2024 on assault with a deadly weapon after officers said he threw a trash bag with glass it in at Quinn, but missed and hit their son. The couple met in early 2019 via a mutual friend, got engage on Valentine's day and married secretly in December 2019; Pictured in Los Angeles in June 2023 The pair welcomed son Christian Georges, now three in May 2021; Pictured in Santa Monica, CA in December 2021 He was arrested again after he 'willfully' violated a restraining order Quinn had taken out against him. As a result, it was Quinn and her son that ended up leaving their familial home. 'People really don't know this. I was hacked out of my entire life. I was stripped of my entire life overnight I literally had nothing,' she said, claiming her ex had made it so that she was denied access to her bank accounts, credit cards, and email account after he allegedly 'commandeered' her phone number. 'It was dehumanizing,' said a tearful Quinn. 'I was completely resourceless.' 'Everyone sees the incident that occurred, but this is something that had been going on for a while,' she added. 'This is something that had been under the surface for a long time. It was extremely unhealthy, and I like to think that I'm extremely resilient and I am.' The influencer whose parents were high school sweethearts, wanted to honor her marriage vows, but said she had to put her son first. The Selling Sunset alum told People that during their marriage the tech executive was controlling and would pull stunts, such as laying beneath her car, to prevent her from going to meetings; Pictured in Los Angeles in June 2024 The influencer said she decided to make a break after Dumentot's allege behavior began to affect their son, following her ex's arrest for assault with a deadly weapon in March 2024; pictured in Milan in September 2024 Quinn and her son have relocated to the Dallas area, where they are close to family. 'It's really something that I needed as opposed to the chaos when I was in Los Angeles,' she said; Pictured in Milan in September 2024 'It took everything out of me, it really did, to realize that this is the right thing to do. And then it became a matter of safety. It was initially safety for me, and then it was safety for my son. And so I had to walk away. Her new life in her native Texas seems to have brought Quinn and her some an added sense of safety. 'I am really, really grateful to be living here,' she said of her relocation to Dallas where she is ' close to my family.' 'I have a sister who lives really close to me, and my son has a cousin. So it's really something that I needed as opposed to the chaos when I was in Los Angeles.' Channel Seven's upcoming series of Farmer Wants A Wife is set to screen later this year and one hunky rancher is optimistic he will find true love. Farmer Thomas is a 35-year-old wheat farmer based in regional South Australia who is ready to find his happily ever after on the long-running program. Although life on his Kimba farm is one he treasures, it's not without its challenges. 'Its pretty remote and isolated. It gets lonely,' he says in a new trailer. However, Farmer Thomas knows finding that special someone is worth the pursuit. 'Love is the best feeling in the world,' he adds. Channel Seven's upcoming series of Farmer Wants A Wife is set to screen later this year and one hunky rancher is confident he will find true love. Farmer Thomas is a 35-year-old wheat farmer based in regional South Australia who is ready to find his happily ever after He is one of four strapping farmers looking for love on the upcoming series of the popular Channel Seven dating show. Thomas revealed he is looking for someone kind, caring and honest. 'Its important they dont sacrifice their own interests for me. Ideally someone who is open to trying new things and being outdoors,' he said. A newly released trailer promises plenty of drama as Thomas happily tells the camera he believes he is forming a connection with one of his matches. 'The happiest day of my life. I am definitely falling for her,' he says. In a shocking twist, his companion responds less enthusiastically: 'I don't know if I want to continue.' 'I feel like a got a bomb dropped on me. Need to take a moment,' a shocked Thomas replies. Earlier this month, Seven presented the four final cast members looking for love - Thomas, Jarrad, 21, and Corey, 24, and Tom, 31. Although life on his Kimba farm is one he treasures he says it is not without its challenges However, Farmer Thomas knows finding that special someone is worth the pursuit Producers at Farmer Wants a Wife have had some significant challenges to overcome across the past year. It lost its host Samantha Armytage after she defected to Nine to matchmaking show The Golden Bachelor, leaving Natalie Gruzlewski to front the series solo. Seven also confirmed a contestant was axed from the upcoming season after he was caught hooking up with other women during filming last year. Professional bull rider Jack Rowlandson, 26, was not part of the cast when Seven officially announced the farmers starring on the show. Last month Daily Mail Australia revealed there was turmoil on the set of the bucolic dating show. It emerged the handsome reality star was seeing more than one of his matches at the same time and he was later dropped from the cast. A North Carolina mother is thankful after she found her six-year-old daughter safe and unharmed under rubble following a tornado that destroyed their home. On Monday, a tornado swept through a neighborhood in the northeastern part of the state, leaving behind a trail of destruction and sending many people to the hospital with various injuries. Officials with the Perquimans County Emergency Operations Center confirmed that the tornado damaged 13 mobile homes at Longview Estates Mobile Home Park. Tornado Levels Homes in North Carolina Emergency responders also stayed in the area throughout the morning to assess injuries to individuals as well as property damage. Officials said that as of Monday evening, three of the homes were completely destroyed by the tornado. One resident of the area, Ty Wood, who has lived in one of those homes for about two decades, said that the recent tornado lifted him from inside his home and tossed him outside. He then tried to seek refuge inside his car until the disaster passed, according to 11Alive. While Wood lost the property that he had been living in for nearly 20 years, he was still thankful to be alive after the disaster and without any significant injuries. Officials also reported that the tornado injured eight people, three of which were transferred to the hospital to get treated. Shortly after 3:00 a.m. on Monday, the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Camden, Pasquotank, Currituck, and Perquimans counties. Officials warned residents that there was a severe thunderstorm with the potential to produce a tornado moving northeast at 50 mph near Elizabeth City. Leaving a Trail of Destruction Residents of Perquimans County struggled to come to terms with the damage the tornado left on their homes, with many families waking up to see their residences no longer there. One resident of Longview Estates, Laquasia Hughes, and her six-year-old daughter were inside their home at the time the tornado struck, 13NewsNow reported. The mother recalled the moment that the tornado ripped through their home, which made her feel like it was "Dorothy off The Wizard of Oz." Fortunately, Hughes' daughter was safe and remained unharmed after she was stuck under the rubble of their home. Another resident, Jerrod Grace, was inside one of the leveled homes as the storm passed and later found his pickup truck buried underneath the rubble and debris from the home. A neighbor said that they could hear people asking for help, with one saying that a child was stuck in the house, as per News19. Rachel Zegler claims white studio executives repeatedly questioned her Latina identity during her casting for Steven Spielberg's 2021 remake of West Side Story. The scandal-plagued actress, 23, discussed her struggle to prove her heritage in a new interview with Allure, released on Tuesday. 'There's confusion because I don't have a single ounce of Latin in my name,' Zegler who is currently engulfed in controversy amid the release of Disney's 'woke' Snow White shared. 'When I was in the running for Maria in West Side Story, they kept calling to ask if I was legit. I remember thinking, "Do you want me to bring my abuelita in? I will. Ill bring her into the studio if you want to meet her."' The star expressed her bewilderment at 'having a bunch of white executives have you prove your identity to them.' Zegler hails from Hackensack, New Jersey. Her mother, Gina, is of Colombian descent. Her maternal grandmother immigrated from Barranquilla, Colombia, to the States in 1960s. Meanwhile her father, Craig Zegler, is of Polish descent. Rachel Zegler, 23, claims white studio executives repeatedly questioned her Latina identity during her casting for Steven Spielberg's 2021 remake of West Side Story; seen in March The scandal-plagued actress discussed her struggle to prove her heritage in a new interview with Allure, released on Tuesday; seen in a still from West Side Story She went on to say that it's an 'interesting experience being part of that diaspora in the current climate we live in' before adding, 'But I love being Colombian.' West Side Story proved to be her Hollywoord breakthrough. The role earned her a win at the Golden Globes for best actress in a musical or comedy film. Spielberg then personally recommended her to Snow White director Marc Webb. Elsewhere in the interview, Zegler explained that her singing capabilities were the deciding factor in her being cast as Snow White, even though the Disney princess is not Latina in the original animated film. 'The reality is, I was given a chance because I could sing,' she shared. She went on to say, 'My only prayer for the future of diversity and inclusion is that we invest in and nurture talent no matter what they look like.' 'Thats why its so important for the next generation to see movies like Snow White,' she added. 'To realize theres nothing wrong with choosing to do whats right and that it doesnt have to be with anger or a clenched fist.' 'Anger can be a powerful emotion, but it doesnt bring the brightest future. Snow White chooses kindness and still makes change. Power takes many forms. I hope well see a new dawn of kindness and acceptance in the next couple of years. And people dont see the need to use hate to cause further division.' 'There's confusion because I don't have a single ounce of Latin in my name,' Zegler shared, as she expressed her bewilderment at 'having a bunch of white executives have you prove your identity to them'; seen in 2024 in NYC 'When I was in the running for Maria in West Side Story, they kept calling to ask if I was legit. I remember thinking, "Do you want me to bring my abuelita in?"'; Zegler pictured March 12 Zegler hails from Hackensack, New Jersey. Her mother, Gina, is of Colombian descent. Her maternal grandmother immigrated from Barranquilla, Colombia, to the States in 1960s. Meanwhile her father, Craig Zegler, is of Polish descent; seen in 2024 Snow White has been plagued by controversy in the run-up to its release this Friday, partly because of Zegler's politically charged comments. When her casting was announced in 2021, it became a flashpoint of debate because she did not fit the traditional description of the character, 'white as snow.' In response to the negative reception, Rachel wrote in a since-deleted post: 'yes i am snow white no i am not bleaching my skin for the role.' Zegler was staunchly supported by the movie's director Marc Webb, who insisted: 'There are few people who are more dedicated Disney fans than Rachel.' He added: 'She's been to the parks dozens, maybe scores, of times. She knows the Disney Princesses backward and forward. She even knew the Hilary Duff and Miley Cyrus Disney videos I directed back in the day!' Webb continued: 'All that is to say, she understood the Disney tone I was aftera delicate blend of "fairy tale" with a few modern twists.' 'She delivers the music and dancing with an unironic grace that harkens back to the original, while still feeling emotionally alive and real. Its no easy feat.' It was recently claimed that Zegler is 'out of control' and causing major headaches for Disney ahead of the movie's release by an insider. A source told Page Six the company 'doesn't know what to do' with Zegler because of her repeated insistence on airing her progressive views. West Side Story proved to be her Hollywoord breakthrough. The role earned her a win at the Golden Globes for best actress in a musical or comedy film; seen in a still with Ansel Elgort Spielberg then personally recommended her to Snow White director Marc Webb; pictured with Spielberg in 2021 While Zegler was put front-and-centre of the film's European 'premiere', the leading lady wasn't given the chance to speak to any global press - because they weren't invited to the secret event. She 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 as she was the only star in attendance, with not even Gal Gadot, who plays the Evil Queen, present. Disney are reportedly treading carefully with Zegler after she has made a series of bold comments panning 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. 'She's an outspoken 20-something and Disney chiefs have called her directly and asked her to tone down her posts. They've called her management, but she won't listen. 'It's been this way the entire way through filming. But it's the tying of her politics to Snow White that is upsetting.' Last week, the movie had a 'scaled back,' sparsely attended Hollywood premiere instead of a bigger red carpet event, amid the mounting backlash. A large scale premiere would have also taken place at Leicester Square in London, but an insider informed DailyMail.com earlier this month that a decision was made to not hold one for the upcoming movie. '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,' the source stated. Elsewhere in the interview, Zegler explained that her singing capabilities were the deciding factor in her being cast as Snow White, even though the Disney princess is not Latina in the original animated film; she is pictured in March It was recently claimed that Disney 'doesn't know what to do' with Zegler because of her repeated insistence on airing her progressive views; pictured with co-star Gal Gadot and Marc E. Platt at the 'scaled back' Hollywood premiere on March 15 Disney are reportedly treading carefully with the star, after she has made a series of bold comments panning the original 1937 classic for its 'sexist' traditional romance plot and 'dated' love story; pictured in a still Disney's live-action Snow White is set to be released in theaters on March 21 'That is why they have taken the highly unusual step not to host a London premiere for the film and are minimizing the amount of press questions that Rachel Zegler gets.' Rachel has been embroiled in drama following her controversial comments on the Disney animation. She sparked backlash after she called the storyline of the film 'weird' and also labeled the prince as a 'stalker.' In one past interview, Zegler had revealed that the new film would be going in a different direction and said of the character of Snow White: 'She's not going to be saved by the prince and she's not going to be dreaming about true love.' It was also revealed that Disney has 'zero faith' in the upcoming film and that the movie bosses simply want to get the movie's limited promo 'over with,' per The Hollywood Reporter. Married At First Sight bride Jamie Marinos is basking in the spotlight as she embarks on a solo publicity tour in New Zealand to promote the hit Aussie reality show. But while Jamie is embracing the whirlwind experience, drama is brewing behind the scenes, with several castmates reportedly fuming she was selected for the coveted gig. Daily Mail Australia can reveal some of Jamie's co-stars are 'absolutely livid' she was hand-picked to represent the series overseas. 'Jacqui Burfoot was convinced that she was going to be the one sent to New Zealand because she is a Kiwi,' an insider said. Another source revealed that fellow bride Awhina Rutene deserved the opportunity, given her New Zealand heritage. 'Awhina was always telling everyone that it was going to be Jamie and that she was the star of the show, but she still held onto hope that she would be chosen,' they explained. Married At First Sight bride Jamie Marinos is basking in the spotlight as she embarks on a solo publicity tour in New Zealand to promote the hit Aussie reality show, but her castmates are not happy Daily Mail Australia can reveal some of Jamie's co-stars are 'absolutely livid' she was hand-picked to represent the series overseas. 'Jacqui Burfoot was convinced that she was going to be the one sent to New Zealand because she is a Kiwi,' an insider said Even the grooms are outraged, with Adrian Araouzou allegedly boasting he was a shoo-in for the trip while Jamie's partner Dave Hand felt he too should have been included. 'Adrian was going around telling everyone that he was the star of the show and that he should be the one heading to NZ,' the source added. The jealousy appears to stem from last season, when fan favourite Lucinda Light was granted a three-day press trip across the Tasman. Lucinda's visit saw her meet with local press and boost her profile even further. Jamie insists she had no idea she was in the running, telling Daily Mail Australia she was blindsided by the news. 'To be honest, I didn't even know this was a thing. I had no idea people go to New Zealand, so it was a very random call. I wasn't gunning for it, I didn't ask for it,' she said. 'I had no idea someone even goes to New Zealand. But I don't make the rules, I don't choose, and so I'm just grateful that I had this opportunity.' Reflecting on her time in New Zealand, Jamie couldn't contain her excitement. 'It's honestly been incredible being in New Zealand. Everyone has been so kind and welcoming. I feel very honoured to have been chosen to come and represent the cast,' she added. 'Awhina was always telling everyone that it was going to be Jamie and that she was the star of the show, but she still held onto hope that she would be chosen,' they explained But Jamie insists she had no idea she was in the running, telling Daily Mail Australia she was blindsided by the news She even had a major fangirl moment, meeting Packed to the Rafters icon Rebecca Gibney She even had a major fangirl moment, meeting Packed to the Rafters icon Rebecca Gibney and Kiwi actor Tammy Davis. 'I grew up watching them on my screen and now they're fangirling over me! It's just such a full-circle moment,' she said. Meanwhile, Jamie admitted she's ready to put the tension behind her and move on from the reality TV whirlwind. 'I think I'm excited to just be able to close this chapter. It was a very intense journey. I did make a lot of amazing friendships along the way, but I'm excited to move forward.' It comes after an insider claimed Jamie was branded the 'producers' pet' by multiple female co-stars due to her strict adherence to production rules. 'Jamie was pretty much the only cast member to follow all of the rules. On occasion, she would even let producers know when people were secretly meeting up away from the cameras or when they were chatting directly with media and paparazzi,' a source told Yahoo Lifestyle. 'Even now Jamie is the only person playing by the rules and her co-stars believe Channel Nine have promised to make her a star with future TV work and projects. There's a lot of jealousy towards her from most of the cast.' With tensions simmering, it remains to be seen how Jamie's international success will impact her relationships with her castmates. The impact of Blake Lively's dueling lawsuits with her former It Ends With Us costar Justin Baldoni on her relationship with husband Ryan Reynolds is starting to come into focus. Lively, 37, is in the midst of a brutal legal and PR battle against Baldoni, 41, after suing him in December for allegedly sexually harassing her while making their film, which he has denied. Baldoni later followed up by launching a $400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively, her publicist and her husband Ryan, which all have denied as well. He also filed a $250 million libel lawsuit against the New York Times for its reporting on Lively's allegations. Now a source says the back-and-forth in court and in the headlines has 'been tough' for both Blake and Ryan, according to Us Weekly. They shared that 'things are tense at home given the level of scrutiny theyre facing.' The impact of Blake Lively's dueling lawsuits with her former It Ends With Us costar Justin Baldoni on her relationship with husband Ryan Reynolds is starting to come into focus; pictured February 16 in NYC A source says the back-and-forth in court and in the headlines with Baldoni has 'been tough' for both Blake and Ryan, according to Us Weekly; Baldoni seen in December in NYC The actress has said as much in her public court filings. In an amended version of her lawsuit filed on February 18, the Gossip Girl star said the 'emotional impact' of the lawsuits had been 'extreme,' and she said her husband and their four children (daughters James, 10; Inez, eight; Betty, five; and son Olin, two) had all suffered as a result of the ordeal. 'Its been really hard for Blake and Ryan,' a second source told the publication, adding that couple are attempting to stay 'positive and support each other.' 'There are good days and bad days for both of them,' they added. A third source insider opined that Blake and Ryan have 'had their lives turned upside down,' adding that 'Its been hard' for the two. The first source made it clear that the Deadpool star is 'standing by' his wife. 'Theyre supporting one another,' they said. Despite the alleged turmoil created behind the scenes by Baldoni's lawsuit and online backlash to Lively's own suit, Lively has been attempting to present a cool and collected public face. 'Its been really hard for Blake and Ryan,' a second source told the publication, adding that couple are attempting to stay 'positive and support each other' The first source made it clear that the Deadpool star is 'standing by' his wife. 'Theyre supporting one another,' they said; seen February 16 in NYC During the March 7 premiere of her new sequel Another Simple Favor at the South By Southwest Film Festival, she tried to give her fans a treat by taking a break from the red carpet to chat with adoring fans and autograph seekers cordoned on the other side of a concrete barrier. But even that simple gesture backfired, as social media influencers who have been heavily posting in favor of Baldoni misconstrued photos from the premiere to falsely claim that Lively had been using the wife of Another Simple Favor director Paul Feig as a fake fan to boost the premiere's attendance. It didn't help with public perceptions when Lively was effusive about her experience shooting the film, while her costar Anna Kendrick was more oblique, though a source told Us Weekly that the differing statements were just an example of the actresses' contrasting personalities. They described Kendrick as being a 'Type[-]A' personality, while Lively 'has a more relaxed attitude. The source also clarified that, though the actresses are friendly, they 'don't interact when theyre not working,' and Lively's legal issues '[don't] help.' On the latest episode of Matthew Belloni's podcast The Town, the host spoke with Baldoni's attorney Bryan Freedman and shared his belief that the lawsuits would likely end in a settlement. However, the lawyer seemed to suggest Baldoni was in it for the long haul, while skirting the issue. That determination to continue the legal battle seems to have taken Lively and Reynolds by surprise. The source said Blake and Ryan were surprised by the obsessive defenses of Baldoni that popped up online, and they wish fans would wait for claims to be interrogated in court; seen February 16 in NYC 'Usually, when [someone says they are] a victim, theres some grace. But they feel like they havent experienced that,' the source claimed; Baldoni is pictured in May 2023 According to the first source, they were taken aback by the online army of obsessive posters who cropped up to defend Baldoni at every turn, even as many of the facts in the case haven't been fully interrogated in court. '[Blake wishes] people would wait and see how things pan out in court before making judgments,' they said, adding that the couple think the backlash has grown out of control. 'Usually, when [someone says they are] a victim, theres some grace. But they feel like they havent experienced that,' the source claimed. Despite the backlash, the third source said Lively had no plans to stop 'doing her job' and taking care of her 'livelihood.' 'She wont be hiding,' they declared. 'The whole experience has been devastating for Blake and Ryan, but theyre not running away from it,' they continued. 'They know what really happened, and theyre going to stand up for themselves.' The update on Lively and Reynolds' marriage came after Reynolds made a blistering demand to be removed from Baldoni's lawsuit against his wife. In court filings obtained by DailyMail.com, he defended his wife and mocked the It Ends With Us director for his thin-skinned outrage and his hurt feelings,' while labeling him a 'predator.' The update on Lively and Reynolds' marriage came after Reynolds made a blistering demand to be removed from Baldoni's lawsuit against his wife, in which he called Baldoni a 'predator' According to Reynolds, he 'has a First Amendment right to hold Mr. Baldoni or any man who Mr. Reynolds believes sexually harassed his wife in "deep disdain."' Last month, Lively unleashed a new salvo in her ongoing legal back-and-forth with Justin Baldoni 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. In a statement to DailyMail.com, Balondi's attorney Freedman said: 'Our clients have been transparent in providing receipts, real time documents and video showing a completely different story than what has been manipulated and cherry picked to the media. Our clients have taken this matter and these issues very seriously notwithstanding the jokes made publicly by the plaintiff and her husband. 'Her underwhelming amended complaint is filled with unsubstantial hearsay of unnamed persons who are clearly no longer willing to come forward or publicly support her claims,' he continued. 'Since documents do not lie and people do, the upcoming depositions of those who initially supported Ms. Livelys false claims and those who are witnesses to her own behavior will be enlightening. What is truly uncomfortable here is Ms. Livelys lack of actual evidence.' In a statement to DailyMail.com, Lively's attorneys Esra Hudson and Mike Gottlieb said her amended complaint against Baldoni 'provides significant additional evidence and corroboration of her original claims.' They added that it 'includes previously undisclosed communications' Lively had with Sony Pictures, Baldoni's production company Wayfarer Studios and 'numerous other witnesses.' The new version of the complaint reportedly includes an added defamation claim against Baldoni that was not part of the initial document, which was filed on New Year's Eve. Lively's revised complaint adds a defamation claim against Baldoni for 'repeated false statements ... about Ms. Lively since she filed her original complaint...' according to her attorneys; Baldoni and Lively seen on It Ends With Us set in New Jersey in January 2024 It claims Baldoni's 'false narrative crumbles' because Lively 'was not alone in complaining about Mr. Baldoni...' and that she 'raised her concerns contemporaneously as they arose,' instead of waiting until shortly before the film was released; still from It Ends With Us According to Hudson and Gottlieb, Lively is suing for defamation 'based on the repeated false statements the defendants have made about Ms. Lively since she filed her original complaint...' She has also expanded her complaint to add Jed Wallace and his Texas-based crisis PR firm Street Relations, Inc., as a defendant. Wallace, who has denied playing any part in a smear campaign against the Gossip Girl star, previously filed a $7 million lawsuit against her in response to Lively's allegation in her initial complaint that his firm 'weaponized a digital army' against her on behalf of Baldoni. She had requested Wallace be deposed in her initial complaint, though he revealed in his subsequent lawsuit earlier in February that the request had been rescinded. Lively's new filing alleges that others on the set of It Ends With Us can corroborate her claims. It claims that Baldoni and his co-defendants' 'false narrative crumbles under the indisputable truth' that the actress 'was not alone in complaining about Mr. Baldoni...' The filing also tries to establish that she 'raised her concerns contemporaneously as they arose in 2023, not in connection with some imagined power play for control of the film in 2024.' According to a spokesperson for Lively, the amended filing 'details the corroboration that backs up Blakes original sexual harassment and retaliation concerns.' Lively and Reynolds recently made light of the situation when they returned to the spotlight at the SNL50 anniversary special in February Tina Fey and Amy Poehler began by asking, 'How's it going?' Reynolds nervously responded, 'Great. Why, what have you heard?' Lively then looked up at him with a painfully over-the-top expression of concern, before relaxing into her normal smile They allege that the document proves that 'other women confided in Blake about their discomfort and fear of coming forward, and their concern about the current public vitriol.' Despite the escalating legal battle between the two parties, there's no end in sight for Lively or Baldoni. 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. Lively and Reynolds recently made light of the situation when they returned to the spotlight at the SNL50 anniversary special last month. In one segment featuring questions from the star-studded audience, Reynolds alluded to the dueling lawsuits. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler set off the exchange by calling on it and asking, 'How's it going?' 'Great. Why, what have you heard?' the Deadpool star responded nervously while clasping his hands together. Lively then looked up at him with a painfully over-the-top expression of concern, before relaxing into her normal smile. Baldoni's attorney Bryan Freedman later slammed the joke, despite the fact that it never explicitly referenced the Jane The Virgin actor Earlier this month, Lively's legal team subpoenaed multiple cell carriers as it attempts to gather proof that Baldoni launched a smear campaign against her; Reynolds and Lively seen February 16 in NYC Insiders later told DailyMail.com that some attendees of the SNL anniversary special were 'apprehensive' about chatting with the A-list couple. Some producers were concerned that the show was being used to endorse Blake and Ryan because they seem desperate to prove that theyre still in with the Hollywood crowd, the insider continued. Their team worked with SNL to create the joke but the truth is, people there werent really feeling it. To many it felt like cheap damage control. But it was included as the network knew the appearance would grab ratings and make headlines.' They continued: 'Some people thought it was weird that they were so eager to crack jokes about it because the accusations are serious. It felt like Ryan was desperate to stick with the funny guy act which was almost at the expense of Blake. She seemed on edge backstage.' Baldoni's attorney Bryan Freedman later slammed the joke, despite the fact that it never explicitly referenced the Jane The Virgin actor. 'Im unaware of anybody, frankly, whose wife has been sexually harassed and has made jokes about that type of situation,' he said on an appearance on Hot Mics with Billy Bush. 'I cant think of anyone whos done anything like that. So it surprised me.' Earlier in February, Lively's legal team sent subpoenas to the cell carriers to produce 'receipts for her legal battle against Baldoni. Baldoni's legal team later said the subpoenas went 'flagrantly overboard' in a letter to US District Judge Lewis J. Liman; seen in August 2024 in NYC 'Ms. Lively has initiated discovery that will expose the people, tactics, and methods that have worked to "destroy" and "bury" her reputation and family over the past year,' her attorneys Hudson and Gottlieb told Deadline. 'We will now receive all of the receipts that, unsurprisingly, are nowhere to be found on Mr. Freedmans website, and like Ms. Lively, those "receipts" will have their day in court,' they added, referencing Freedman's allegation that Baldoni's team had 'receipts' backing up his claim that Lively had been a bully on the set of It Ends With Us. Baldoni's legal team later said the subpoenas went 'flagrantly overboard' in a letter to US District Judge Lewis J. Liman. 'If they have so many receipts why are they so afraid to produce them,' Lively's attorneys responded in a statement to People. Advertisement On Tuesday, Drew Barrymore shared a video of herself reflecting on her extraordinary, difficult childhood in the spotlight while getting glam with her make-up artist Lauren Lazaro Gulino and hairstylist Daniel Howell. 'I don't know how I ever went through any of that, and it just feels too indulgent and egotistical to be like, "Ugh, I can't believe I survived or that I got through what I went through,"' the 50-year-old former child star - who boasts 36.2M social media followers - confessed. 'I just think of like, "Oh god, I'm a parent now. I don't want my girls to end up that way."' Drew has two daughters - Frankie, turning 11 next month; and Olive, 12 - from her four-year marriage to third ex-husband Will Kopelman, which amicably ended in 2016. '[It's] another round of like being hard on that young girl,' Barrymore said pointing to picture of herself as a preteen. 'I wish I could pretend I had three daughters and I could try to nurture her. I can't wait until I get to the place where I have time in my life and I can just focus on healing that young girl. How did any of us make it through? Being young is so hard. It's the same for every single person.' On Tuesday, Drew Barrymore (M) shared a video of herself reflecting on her extraordinary, difficult childhood in the spotlight while getting glam with her make-up artist Lauren Lazaro Gulino (L) and hairstylist Daniel Howell (R) The Drew Barrymore Show producer-host famously started drinking alcohol by age 9, smoking marijuana by age 10, and doing cocaine by age 12 after starring in blockbusters like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Firestarter, and Irreconcilable Differences. Drew's then momager Jaid Barrymore - whom she eventually reconciled with in 2014 - would bring her along to nightclubs like Studio 54 before she got so out of control she placed her in an institution for 18 months at age 13. Barrymore returned to that very institution, now called Healthy Living, for an emotional segment on her talk show in 2021 where she admitted she 'was a real wild child.' 'I just got so out of control that no one knew what to do with me,' the Sherman Oaks native recalled while sitting on the roof of her Ford Bronco truck. 'And so my mom called a friend because her daughter was out of control, and they drove me here in the middle of the night, and they walked me right through those two doors. And when you go through those two doors, you do not come out. 'And I was there for a year and a half. And I hated it. I kicked. I screamed. One minute, you're at movie premieres and clubbing, and the next minute you're in a full blown institution with barbed wire everywhere, and you can't get out.' Drew began sobbing as she compared her 'wonderful life' now to 'what it was in this place.' 'I thought I would be here forever. I never thought I was gonna make it to somewhere better. And I'm just so happy with my life. And I don't know if I would have the life I have if it wasn't for a place like this. So it was so important to come here today and just like honor this,' Barrymore cried. 'I will never lose sight of this part of my story. And I have seen and been through things, and they've helped me just recognize in all of us that we go through stuff and it can't be embarrassing. It has to be our strengths. It has to be something that we can be proud of because we overcame it and we look back with honor and humor.' The 50-year-old former child star confessed: 'I don't know how I ever went through any of that, and it just feels too indulgent and egotistical to be like, "Ugh, I can't believe I survived or that I got through what I went through." I just think of like, "Oh god, I'm a parent now. I don't want my girls to end up that way"' Drew has two daughters - Frankie, turning 11 next month; and Olive, 12 - from her four-year marriage to third ex-husband Will Kopelman, which amicably ended in 2016 (pictured in January) Pointing to picture of herself as a preteen, Barrymore said: '[It's] another round of like being hard on that young girl. I wish I could pretend I had three daughters and I could try to nurture her. I can't wait until I get to the place where I have time in my life and I can just focus on healing that young girl' The Drew Barrymore Show producer-host famously started drinking alcohol by age 9, smoking marijuana by age 10, and doing cocaine by age 12 after starring in blockbusters like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Firestarter, and Irreconcilable Differences (pictured in 1987) Drew's then momager Jaid Barrymore (R, pictured in 1987) - whom she eventually reconciled with in 2014 - would bring her along to nightclubs like Studio 54 before she got so out of control she placed her in an institution for 18 months at age 13 Barrymore returned to that very institution, now called Healthy Living, for an emotional segment on her talk show in 2021 where she admitted she 'was a real wild child' The Sherman Oaks native recalled: 'I hated it. I kicked. I screamed. One minute, you're at movie premieres and clubbing, and the next minute you're in a full blown institution with barbed wire everywhere, and you can't get out' Drew began sobbing as she compared her 'wonderful life' now to 'what it was in this place' crying: 'I will never lose sight of this part of my story' The nepo-granddaughter of John Barrymore - who was legally emancipated at 14 following her release - reconciled with her estranged father John Drew Barrymore three years before he died of cancer in 2004 And while Drew's guarded 2015 memoir Wildflower barely scratched the surface, she was far more forthcoming about her troubled childhood and teenage years in her out-of-print 1991 memoir Little Girl Lost co-written by Todd Gold The nepo-granddaughter of John Barrymore - who was legally emancipated at 14 following her release - reconciled with her estranged father John Drew Barrymore, whom she called 'an unreliable, hilarious tornado of a person,' three years before he died of cancer in 2004. And while Drew's guarded 2015 memoir Wildflower barely scratched the surface, she was far more forthcoming about her troubled childhood and teenage years in her out-of-print 1991 memoir Little Girl Lost co-written by Todd Gold. Barrymore - who publishes a quarterly print magazine in her name - has her hands full producing and hosting the No. 2 syndicated daytime talk show, which will feature guest Stanley Tucci this Wednesday. The seven-time Emmy nominee keeps busy producing and serving center-square duties on CBS' Hollywood Squares reboot, which was renewed for a second season on February 20. Drew is also every bit the influencer with paid partnerships for brands like Walmart, Verizon, MSC Cruises, Rest, and Garnier. The most X-rated reality series on Australian television is gearing up for an even wilder second season. Daily Mail Australia can exclusively reveal that Aussie Shore is set to return with even more chaos, drama and jaw-dropping anticsthanks to a new crop of party-loving bombshells ready to stir the pot. Among the fresh faces joining the infamous party house is Melbourne-based event manager Lachlan Di Sebastiano, a self-proclaimed good-time guy who is no stranger to a wild night out. Friends describe the cheeky larrikin as 'fun, loyal, and always up for an adventure,' with one source revealing he's 'all about living that YOLO life'. But it's Harrison Quinero who is set to bring the most controversy. A stripper and professional wrestler, Harrison has been branded the bad boy you can't help but love, and with a fresh heartbreak after his girlfriend allegedly cheated on him he's ready to let loose in a big way. Aussie Shore, the most X-rated reality series on Australian television, is gearing up for an even wilder second season Among the fresh faces joining the infamous party house is Melbourne-based event manager Lachlan Di Sebastiano, a self-proclaimed good-time guy who is no stranger to a wild night out 'Harrison is pure, unscripted chaos,' an insider told Daily Mail Australia. 'He doesn't hold back and he's bound to make waves in the house.' Also making his way into the mix is Dante Surace, a Melbourne-based influencer whose social media is already littered with party snaps alongside MAFS stars Bronte Schofield and Lyndall Grace. The social media identity is no stranger to drama and has already been making headlines for his A-list reality star connections. The first season of Aussie Shore delivered all the booze-fuelled antics fans could have hoped for. The series, featuring Love Island and I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! star Callum Hole, made headlines for its endless string of wild moments. Hosted by Charlotte Crosby, it is the Aussie version of the Geordie and Jersey Shore franchises that dominated the US and UK in the mid-2010s. The show was given the wild description: 'We're hot, we're h**ny, and we're ready to f**ing party'. Friends describe the cheeky larrikin as 'fun, loyal, and always up for an adventure,' with one source revealing he's 'all about living that YOLO life' But it's Harrison Quinero who is set to bring the most controversy A stripper and professional wrestler, Harrison has been branded the bad boy you can't help but love Harrison pictured alongside MAFS groom Adrian Araouzou and Teejay Halkias at Bar Bambi Also making his way into the mix is Dante Surace The Melbourne-based influencer's social media is already littered with party snaps alongside MAFS stars Bronte Schofield and Lyndall Grace In the first two episodes alone, the housemates shocked viewers with explicit sex scenes, full frontal nudity, and a 'p**s transplant' - where contestants urinated on each other in the pool However, the wild sex scenes viewers see on-screen had caveats. Unlike the halcyon days of reality television that Millennials were raised on, sitting in their bedrooms with AOL and MTV, producers had a strict duty of care to the cast. Non cast-members wanting to sleep over with someone they met on a night out had to undertake several robust security checks before even setting foot in the property. They also had to be stone cold sober to enter the lavish - and rented - property on Hibiscus Lane in Holloways Beach. 'It's a long detailed process,' Aussie Shore's executive producer Dan Sheldon told news.com.au last year. 'They have to have written right consent as well, and there's a 20 minute cooling off period. It's very strict. Brutal.' Sarah Thornton, Head of Popular Factual at Network 10 for Paramount ANZ, said some Shore shows (of which there are more than 15 around the world, including the UK's Geordie Shore) don't allow the cast to bring outsiders in. In the first two episodes of the first season, the housemates shocked viewers with explicit sex scenes, full frontal nudity, and a 'p**s transplant' - where contestants urinated on each other in the pool 'Filming a group of boozed up 20-somethings running wild in a fully-funded party house, while also quietly intervening so that nothing actually dangerous happens, 'is already 'a logistical nightmare,' she said. Thornton said other Shore franchises have followed similar protocols, but true to Australian nightlife culture, additional precautions were added. 'I guess I'd say there's this sense of real freedom and a bubble of freedom around the cast, and then there's a lot of people working incredibly hard on very serious things to make sure that they're in that bubble in a way that's really safe,' he added. Rumer Willis gave an update on her father Bruce Willis just one day before the star's 70th birthday which will take place on Wednesday, March 19. The House Bunny actress, 36 - who recently enjoyed a playdate with daughter Louetta - opened up about the retired actor's health during a Q+A session on her Instagram stories on Tuesday. Back in February 2023, Bruce's loved ones revealed that he had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia - one year after he 'stepped away' from acting due to also battling aphasia. In one reel, the mother-of-one was asked by a fan, 'How's your dad doing?' and Rumer replied, 'He's doing great, thank you for asking.' She then added, 'It is actually his 70th birthday tomorrow so please wish my papa a big happy birthday.' The eldest daughter of Bruce and Demi Moore could be seen filming the video while sitting in front of a comfy couch inside a spacious living room. Rumer Willis, 36, gave an update on her father Bruce Willis just one day before the star's 70th birthday which will take place on Wednesday, March 19 Willis and The Substance actress were previously married from 1987 through 2000 - and welcomed three children: Rumer, Scout, 33, and Tallulah, 31. In 2009, the Die Hard star married Emma Heming and the couple also share two daughters Mabel, 12, and Evelyn, 10. Last month in February, Rumer also gave rare insight into how her father was doing during an interview with ITV and expressed that the family has 'rallied around each other.' She shared, 'He's doing great. I think, obviously as many people in California, the thing we're all kind of the most scared, dealing with is just fires and wanting to make sure everything is okay. 'Because my family, we're all so close, I think what's so beautiful is the way that we rally around each other, [it's] so lovely, because we really are a unit.' Rumer then applauded Bruce and Demi's relationship even after they divorced after 13 years of marriage. 'I think the thing I'm most grateful for is that even when they split up, they created such a beautiful foundation of prioritizing my sisters and I, that I never felt like I had to choose or like, they never played against each other.' She further expressed that, 'We were a family, and we still are very much a family no matter what In one reel, the mother-of-one was asked by a fan, 'How's your dad doing?' and Rumer replied, 'He's doing great, thank you for asking' Last month in February, Rumer also gave rare insight into how her father was doing during an interview with ITV and expressed that the family has 'rallied around each other' 'And not only did I feel like that has set me up in my life to have such a beautiful foundation of my own family, but now, as I'm working through co-parenting as well, I feel deep gratitude for the example they've set.' Earlier this month, Bruce's wife Emma shared the shocking call she received from a 'very prominent doctor' as she cares for the retired actor amid his dementia battle. She expressed on Instagram, 'I received a call from a very prominent doctor the other day, letting me know that he has a family who's just been diagnosed with young onset Alzheimer's. '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?"' Emma continued, '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. 'The thing that just boggles my mind is how do our doctors not already have a Rolodex of ways to support caregivers?' the mother-of-two questioned to her followers. '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. 'I'm not even in the same state as them, same city. It's very hard to sort of pass on those resources, except to like the Association For Frontotemporal Dementia or things like that.' Heming added, 'But it's 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.' Rumer then applauded Bruce and Demi's relationship even after they divorced after 13 years of marriage; Demi and Bruce seen with Emma Heming as well as Rumer, Scout and Tallulah in 2019 in L.A. Earlier this month, Bruce's wife Emma shared the shocking call she received from a 'very prominent doctor' as she cares for the retired actor amid his dementia battle; seen in 2024 in NYC Last month, she also shared a video to Instagram to help celebrate National Caregivers Day. In the reel, Emma gave her fans advice on how to 'show up' for caregivers and also penned a caption to share ways to support them as well. It read: 'National Caregivers Day. Let's move away from saying, "Let me know if you need anything," and instead say, "Here's how I can help you." Its tangible, actionable, and takes the burden off the caregiver to decide. 'Be specific - offer real support. Drop off a meal, run an errand, or surprise them with their favorite coffee. Take the guesswork off their plate.' She concluded with, 'Caregiving is heavy, but support doesn't have to be complicated. A small, thoughtful act can make all the difference.' Last year in October, Emma opened up about his dementia battle and expressed that she doesn't 'shield' her daughters from the diagnosis. During an interview with Town & Country Magazine, Heming explained, 'This disease is misdiagnosed, it's missed, it's misunderstood. 'So finally getting to a diagnosis was key so that I could learn what frontotemporal dementia is and I could educate our children.' Emma added, 'I've never tried to sugarcoat anything for them. They've grown up with Bruce declining over the years. I'm not trying to shield them from it.' Heming added, 'But it's 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' Last year in October, Emma opened up about his dementia battle and expressed that she doesn't 'shield' her daughters from the diagnosis 'What I learned from our therapist was that if children ask questions, they're ready to know the answer. If we could see that Bruce was struggling, I would address it with the kids so they could understand, but this disease is chronic, progressive and terminal.' Heming told the outlet that their children don't tend 'to speak about the terminal side of this with them, nor have they asked.' However, she expressed that Mabel and Evelyn 'know that Daddy's not going to get better.' Emma said that she was not going to let 'FTD to take our whole family down. Bruce wouldn't want that,' while adding that she hopes to help the 'next family out there.' Last month in February, Demi Moore gave an emotional update on Bruce during an interview with Variety. The Golden Globe winner told the outlet, 'We will always be a family, just in a different form. 'For me, there was never a question. I show up because that's what you do for the people you love,' Moore added. She then explained, 'I hope it's encouraging for others to see that there's a different way to do things. There is life after divorce. There is a way to co-parent with love.' In February 2023, Bruce's family issued a statement on Instagram to reveal his FTD diagnosis. Also in February, Demi Moore gave an emotional update on Bruce during an interview with Variety; seen in 2018 in L.A. At the time, they explained that it is the 'most common form of dementia' but added there are currently 'no treatments for the disease. 'As Bruce's condition advances, we hope that any media attention can be focused on shining a light on this disease that needs far more awareness and research. 'Bruce always believed in using his voice in the world to help others, and to raise awareness about important issues both publicly and privately,' they added. 'We know in our hearts that - if he could today - he would want to respond by bringing global attention and a connectedness with those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it impacts so many individuals and their families.' Dave 'Hughsey' Hughes looked a little worse for wear as he ducked out for a coffee in Melbourne on Monday after a headline-grabbing show at the Adelaide Fridge Festival. Earlier this month, footage emerged of the comedian and former radio host angrily spraying three audience members at the event. The crowd chanted 'out' as Hughesy told the group: 'I'm sorry, it's my f**king show, you have to shut up.' Following the fracas, he revealed he had issued the talkative group five warnings and offered them a refund before booting them from the room. During his outing this week, Hughesy, 54, appeared tense as he was spotted leaving a cafe in the trendy suburb of Prahran. The father-of-three ducked out for a caffeine hit in a streetwear ensemble, teaming an olive green Nike crew neck top with a pair of black Adidas shorts and fun socks. Dave 'Hughsey' Hughes looked a little worse for wear as he ducked out for a coffee in Melbourne on Monday after a headline-grabbing show at the Adelaide Fridge Festival During his outing this week, Hughesy, 54, appeared tense as he was spotted leaving a cafe in the trendy suburb of Prahran Hughesy also rocked his favourite pair of hot pink and orange running shoes and his Apple watch. He carried his car keys in one hand, iPhone in the other, and sported a five o' clock shadow as he ran his errands. At times, he appeared lost in thought and far away, wearing a serious expression on his face. It's been a whirlwind two weeks for the media personality, who also made an appearance on The Kyle and Jackie O Show to try and clear the air with longtime rival Kyle Sandilands. Hughesy told a reporter he 'had no empathy' for his radio rival as news broke of the shock jock's brain aneurysm. According to Hughesy, he'd been asked about Kyle's radio ratings in Melbourne and the quote had been taken out of context. But the story had already bolted. Kyle's co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson told Dave his recent comments about Kyle seemed 'out of character'. 'This is fake news. It's misinformation,' he said. 'With that article, I wasn't asked about Kyle's health. Look, I just got out of the [I'm A Celebrity] jungle. 'I had no idea who's who was in good or bad health. So, I hadn't heard about your brain aneurysm, Kyle. The question was the ratings in different cities and like, you know, is there empathy about you guys in Melbourne? And that was the question I was asked.' Kyle said that when reading the harsh words he wasn't sure that they were even said by the funnyman. 'Thats why I didnt reply, because I thought, "S***, is this even Hughesy?" 'And I was at home with my head all bandaged up and my eye bleeding and worried about dying and voting for you on the jungle. And I just felt so sad,' he admitted. Hughesy will bring his stand-up show back home for the rest of the month, with several of his Melbourne tour dates already sold-out or selling final tickets. His return to stand up comes after the former Sydney 2DayFM breakfast show host said he'd fallen 'out of love' with commercial radio after his shock axing last year. The Hughesy, Ed & Erin breakfast show sensationally came to an end in August 2024 amid spiraling ratings and 'commitment issues'. 'I am very happy not to be on commercial radio this year,' Hughsey told the Herald Sun in January as he departed Australia to film I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! 'To be honest, I am sick to death of the songs. I dont want to hear the same seven songs every morning for the rest of my life,' he said. The program hosted by Hughesy, Ed Kavalee and Erin Molan managed a mere 3.6 market share in its last ratings survey. But there was no love lost for the Melbourne-based presenter, who said he'd been 'torn' between two cities as he commuted to Sydney each week to host the show and was 'exhausted'. Married At First Sight bride Beth Kelly has taken aim at groom Teejay Halkias after their disastrous Homestays in Brisbane on Tuesday night. While inviting each other over to their family homes, the reality TV star discovered her husband 'couldn't see a future' with her and considered her just a 'friend'. Blindsided by the revelation, Beth has now accused Teejay of 'leading her on' her to stay on the Nine show. 'It felt so embarrassing because my parents could see he wasn't into me,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'And then in front of his friends the next day, he sits there and says he doesn't see this progressing and doesn't see a future with me. It hurts so much. 'I just felt really disrespected and so blindsided. It really hurt my feelings.' Married At First Sight bride Beth Kelly, 28, has taken aim at groom Teejay Halkias, 28, after their disastrous Homestays in Brisbane on Tuesday night When asked directly if she felt Teejay had been gaslighting her into believing they had a connection up until that point, she agreed. 'Yeah, now I look back, there were quite a few moments where I kind of felt like he maybe wasn't into me, but I just ignored it,' she said. 'He was really good at saying the right things, but sometimes his actions would prove otherwise. 'I kind of just swept it all under the rug. I should have really woken up and realised what the f*** was going on. 'Just coming to Homestays, to me was a big deal. If he wasn't feeling me before it, I don't know why he came. It didn't make any sense to me.' Beth went on to say Teejay 'played' her and just 'wanted to stay as long as he could'. 'He went from this really nice guy I had so much fun with to being just so cold and it hurt. It was really upsetting,' she said. 'I just feel like, yeah, he kind of dragged me through the mud to try and maybe stay in the experiment as long as he could.' While inviting each other over to their family homes, the reality TV star discovered her husband 'couldn't see a future' with her and considered her just a 'friend' 'I honestly feel like he came to Homestays because he kind of played along the whole time and he needed to come up with a reason [to blame Beth],' she added. However, Teejay appeared to have a different view of the way things went down between he and Beth on the show. The business development manager told Daily Mail Australia no one was at fault for the argument he and Beth got into during Homestays. The couple got into a spat after Teejay told his friends he 'didn't see a future' with Beth, despite having sex with her just days before. Teejay explained he felt pressured after being questioned by Beth's family about his feelings and decided to be honest about what he felt for her. 'I don't necessarily think anything went wrong per se. There's nothing that either one of us distinctively did,' he said. 'I just don't think in the moment that my romantic feelings were growing and I was met with a lot of definite questions, like if it ends tomorrow, what would happen? 'And yeah, it kind of just brought that up and that's how I felt at the moment, and that's how I explained it.' Blindsided by the revelation, Beth has now accused Teejay of 'gaslighting' her to stay on the Nine show, in an exclusive interview with Daily Mail Australia As for the accusations Beth made about him only leading her on so he could make it to Final Vows, Teejay said that couldn't be further from the truth. 'Definitely was not trying to get to the finish line. I think you have to play it day by day in this experiment, and that's what we're there to do,' he said. 'We're there to try and give it a go and that's what I was doing the entire time, was giving it a go. 'When I felt like my feelings couldn't pass a certain point, I told Beth. Was it a s*** situation? Absolutely.' Teejay went on to say it was 'tough' to break the news about his lack of feelings to Beth. 'You know they're not gonna like it, that they're gonna be hurt by that. I never went into this experiment wanting to hurt anyone, let alone my wife,' he said. 'That was tough for me to do that as well. That wasn't an easy situation. It wasn't an easy conversation.' Married At First Sight will continue on Wednesday at 7.30pm on Nine and 9Now. Advertisement Ellen Pompeo revealed that one intimate scene on Grey's Anatomy caused her and her co-star to cry. The actress, 55, appeared on Tuesday's Call Her Daddy podcast episode, where she discussed a sex scene between her and T.R. Knight, 51, from season two, episode 19. Pompeo played Dr. Meredith Grey, a central protagonist of the show, for 19 seasons starting in 2005, before leaving the series as a regular in 2023. Meanwhile Knight played Dr. George O'Malley for the first five seasons, from 2005 to 2009. After telling host Alex Cooper that she was closest to T.R. and her other co-star Justin Chambers during her time on the show, Ellen spoke about the time her character Meredith rebounded with George, who had liked her for years. 'T.R. and I are such good friends. And we had to do a love scene and we were both crying. We cried. We cried,' Ellen, who was pictured in New York on Tuesday, looking sizzling in a sheer black top, said. 'And the scene was so uncomfortable and awkward and he didn't wanna do that. I didn't wanna do it. And when we filmed it, it was so bad,' she added. Ellen Pompeo, 55, revealed that one intimate scene on Grey's Anatomy caused her and her co-star to cry during her appearance on Tuesday's Call Her Daddy episode The star was referring to a sex scene between her and T.R. Knight, 51, from season two, episode 19 (she is pictured in a still) 'And then the network said there was too much thrusting. In your worst nightmare to have to do it one time, we had to re-shoot that s**t.' Ellen then shared that she has never watched the full scene. 'We had to re-shoot it and do it twice. By the way, I've never watched that scene. I've never seen it, but I don't know how it was shot or covered or what the end, how it was edited, but I'm full on in tears, the whole entire scene. And those are real tears.' The scene ends with Meredith in tears, asking George if they can go back to being friends, as she quickly realizes the rendezvous was a mistake. In her interview she said it was George's death in the show that hit her the hardest. George tragically dies at the end of season five after he is hit by a bus while saving a woman. He is brought to the hospital as a John Doe due to his extensive injuries, with none of his colleagues realizing it's him, until he traces 007 a nickname jokingly given to him by fellow residents on Meredith's hand. Ultimately, his injuries proved unsurvivable. She added that her co-star Sandra Oh's last day on set was also a 'really emotional' one. Oh starred as the formidable Dr. Cristina Yang. 'I can speak for myself. I can't speak for her, but for me it was really emotional because I really like, she was such a loss because she's so immensely talented and I really didn't think the show could go on without her and I was okay with that, but it literally felt like half of the show just leaving.' Elsewhere on the podcast, Ellen revealed the advice she would give Meredith during her famous 'choose me' scene, where she begged Dr. Derek Shepherd (played by Patrick Dempsey) to choose her over his wife. 'Girl. Bye,' she simply quipped. 'T.R. and I are such good friends. And we had to do a love scene and we were both crying. We cried. We cried. And the scene was so uncomfortable and awkward and he didn't wanna do that. I didn't wanna do it. And when we filmed it, it was so bad,' she added 'And then the network said there was too much thrusting. In your worst nightmare to have to do it one time, we had to re-shoot that s**t' 'I've never seen it, but I don't know how it was shot or covered or what the end, how it was edited, but I'm full on in tears, the whole entire scene. And those are real tears,' she added Pompeo played Dr. Meredith Grey, a central protagonist of the show, for 19 seasons starting in 2005, before leaving the series as a regular in 2023. Meanwhile Knight played Dr. George O'Malley for the first five seasons, from 2005 to 2009 In her interview she said it was George's death in the show that hit her the hardest. He tragically dies at the end of season five after he is hit by a bus while saving a woman The two are also friends in real life, pictured March 2020 in Los Angeles She shared that was also a scene she did not want to do at the time. 'I didn't wanna say, Pick me, choose me, love me. You know, and to [Shonda Rhimes' - creator of the show] credit, like she knew that was gonna pop. I was like, Why would I do this? Why would I beg, why would I? And you know, you have to just suck it up and do it.' 'And it ended up being, you know, the biggest thing ever, the most iconic things ever. So I'm not always the best judge of, you know, what's gonna, and it's not, like I said, it wasn't gonna be good. I was just like, I don't wanna do that.' As for her husband Chris Ivery's reaction to her on screen romance with Dempsey, Ellen shared that it 'helped' that 'Chris really never watched the show.' 'It was better for him. He knew just not to watch. I was with him before Grey's, so Greys kinda came out of nowhere for us. And I just think we were on this crazy ride that we were just trying to hang on for dear life, you know?' she said. She also addressed the 'bias' he experienced and the 'racist, hateful, violent mail' she and ABC would get. 'I felt really, more bad about that, that I felt like the media was really mean to him and really biased because how dare this skinny, blonde, petite little woman be with this tall black man? The visual of that, I think America wasn't ready for that. The mail that I used to get, the racist, hateful, violent mail that ABC would get because of that.' Ellen also touched on the pay disparity between her and Dempsey, after it was revealed that in early seasons of the show he was paid nearly twice what she was. 'To be completely fair, the television game was so different then, and he had done like 13 pilots before me, right?' Ellen also shared she did not initially want to do her famous 'Pick me, choose me, love me' scene with Patrick Dempsey, sharing 'Why would I do this? Why would I beg, why would I?'; the two seen in a still Ellen, who was pictured in New York on Tuesday, looking sizzling in a sheer black top, also touched on the pay disparity between her and Dempsey, after it was revealed that in early seasons of the show he was paid nearly twice what she was 'I'm not saying he didn't deserve that money, just being that I was the namesake of the show, I deserved the same,' she said As for her husband Chris Ivery's reaction to her on screen romance with Dempsey, Ellen shared that it 'helped' that 'Chris really never watched the show' She also addressed the 'racist, hateful, violent mail' she and ABC would get, adding that 'America wasn't ready' to see a 'skinny, blonde, petite little woman be with this tall black man'; the couple seen March 2 'That was my first pilot I'd ever done and back in those days, you know, I dont know if they still do this or not, you had a quote and with every TV pilot you did, you got your quote, which was whatever it was, so if you've done 13 TV pilots, and here we go, nothing personal to him, but just in general, only a man can fail, can have 13 failed TV pilots and their quote still keeps going up, right?' 'But in all fairness, his quote was what it was. He was a bigger star than I was at that point. No one knew who I was. Everybody knew who he was, so he did deserve that money.' 'I'm not saying he didn't deserve that money, just being that I was the namesake of the show, I deserved the same and then that was harder to get, so I wasn't salty about him getting what he got. I was salty that they didn't value me as much as they valued him and they never will.' Ellen's latest role is in Hulu's new limited series, Good American Family, which is set to come out March 19. She portrays Kristine Barnett, the adopted mother of Natalia Grace, a Ukrainian adoptee accused of faking her age. Advertisement The Bachelor universe star Sean Lowe has revealed the fate of his dog after admitting that it brutally attacked him twice within 12 hours. The 41-year-old reality star shared Monday on Instagram that he had been forced to re-home his dog Moose, whom his family had only had for three months. Shockingly, this isn't the first time Lowe has been forced to rehome a dog after a chilling attack on a family member. The reality star who recounted how the seven-year-old Boxer Moose had 'ripped' his arm open and left him 'fighting for [his] life' decided after the terrifying incident that Moose had to be removed from the home immediately, even though the dog had seemingly been nothing but sweet up until then. Lowe shared that he was currently consulting with a no-kill shelter and animal control officers to figure out a solution for Moose, which hopefully wouldn't require the dog to be euthanized. Because of the unusual nature of the attack, and the possibility that external factors might have set off Moose, the reality star said he wasn't laying the blame on the dog. The Bachelor's Sean Lowe, 41, revealed Monday in a video recounting how his own dog Moose brutally attacked him that the canine had been rehomed Lowe said he was consulting with a no-kill shelter and animal control to find a solution for Moose. Shockingly, this isn't the first time Lowe has had to rehome a dog after an attack on a family member. His son Samuel is pictured with Moose shortly after he was adopted in December 2024 'It wasnt Mooses fault. I think its clear he experienced a lot of trauma before we got him and had something neurologically wrong where just a switch flipped and he turned into an absolute killer, which was so weird,' he theorized, adding that the dog had been 'great' around his children and had acted like an 'affectionate, loving Boxer.' Lowe mentioned that earlier on the day of the first attack, Moose had just been looking for affection and had sweetly laid his head down on his lap so that he could be petted. The incident which left a 'pool of blood' at the Bachelor star's feet follows another frightening dog attack from April 2023. At the time, Lowe revealed that Gus, his family's Bullmastiff, had attacked both their daughter Mia, who was three at the time, and their son Samuel, who was six. Gus reportedly had a history of being aggressive toward the little girl and snapping at her, before it escalated to a bite. But it was an even more severe attack to Samuel in which the dog bit 'him on the side of the head' that prompted Lowe and his wife Catherine to remove it for good. Samuel's injury resulted in a 'trip to the ER and a staple in the head,' Lowe shared on Instagram at the time, according to the Today Show. 'So, as much as I love that dog, I have to protect my kids first. But hes in a great home, and well get to see him occasionally.' Later, Lowe left his fans know that his son had gotten his staple removed and was 'doing great' after his head wound had fully healed. In 2023, he revealed that he had to rehome a previous dog, a Bullmastiff named Gus. The dog found a new home with his dog trainer Lowe admitted the dog bit their daughter Mia, who was three at the time. He kissed Mia, now five, in a sweet photos posted Tuesday by his wife Catherine. 'We love this man so much,' she captioned it Gus then bit their son Samuel, who was six, on the side of the head, requiring a trip to the ER and a staple to his head 'He misses his dog too. And so do his brother and sister,' Lowe added. In an updated posted to his Instagram Stories in 2023, the Bachelorette contestant said Gus was also 'doing great' in his new home. 'I miss him like you wouldn't believe, but one of my answered prayers was that he found a great home (in my mind,' the best,' he shared. Lowe revealed that his dog trainer had adopted Gus as her 'personal dog.' It seemed to be an ideal situation for the pooch, as 'he gets to go to work everyday and be around other dogs.' Lowe included a photo of his large former dog dwarfing a Pug, and he said his trainer explained that the Pug 'hates all dogs except for Gus.' 'Must be the close resemblance,' he joked. Earlier in the video, Lowe showed off a gnarly set of stitches and bloody bites marks on his arms from Moose repeated attacks, which he thought at the time could 'kill' him. Earlier in the video, Lowe showed off a gnarly set of stitches and bloody bites marks on his arms from Moose repeated attacks, which he thought at the time could 'kill' him The reality star revealed Monday in a somber but chilling video that his dog Moose (pictured with the family shortly after his adoption) had 'ripped' his arm open, leaving him feeling as if he was 'fighting for [his] life After finishing third on season eight of The Bachelorette, Sean went on to star on season 17 of The Bachelor, where he proposed to his future wife Catherine Giudici (pictured together in 2017 in NYC) 'Our family has been through something pretty traumatic over the weekend,' Sean said in the video, before noting that he had debated whether to even share his experience. His wife Catherine sat next to him throughout, but she was mostly silent while tears streamed down her face. According to Lowe, he had invited friends over for a barbecue on March 13. At the time, his wife and their three children were doing some shopping at a mall. Although he was grilling outside, Lowe said he accidentally set off his home's smoke alarm because he had left the windows open and the breeze blew the smoke indoors. Lowe said he thinks the smoke alarm set the emergency in motion, as the piercing noise may have distressed his dog. 'He shows his teeth at me and just attacks me. I dont mean bite and then run off like a lot of dogs do when theyre scared or defensive I mean attacks me,' he recounted. 'I feel him ripping into the flesh of my arm and at this point Im doing everything I possibly can just to fend this dog off. 'I know Im bleeding badly,' he added. Lowe thought it must have taken multiple minutes to detach the dog's jaws fro his arm and get it outside. But even after he got Moose off his arm, the dog jumped back to continue attacking him. Lowe said he thought a smoke alarm set his dog off. 'I feel him ripping into the flesh of my arm,' he recounted. He was left with blood spurting from his arms, so his friends rushed him to an ER, where he received multiple stitches He then returned home, but it was less than 12 hours before Moose allegedly attacked him again after a gust of wind apparently blew open a door that hadn't been properly locked, releasing the dog 'Im not trying to be dramatic but I honestly just felt like I am fighting for my life here against my dog,' he admitted. Lowe's friends then joined in to detach Moose again, at which point he realized just how severe his injuries were. 'I look down at my arm and it was cut so deep and I just see blood squirting, probably a couple feet,' he recalled. The Bachelor star worried his dog might have severed an artery with his teeth, as he saw 'a pool of blood' accumulating at his feet. Luckily, he was surrounded by friends who immediately rushed him to a hospital emergency room, where he received multiple stitches for his injuries. He then returned home, but it was less than 12 hours before Moose allegedly attacked him again. Lowe, who said he was shocked and 'heartbroken' by the attack, claimed that the door keeping Moose away from him wasn't securely locked, so a gust of wind allowed the canine to escape and begin biting him again outside. 'Going through a dog attack is pretty darn traumatic. Having to re-live it less than 12 hours later, seeing that dog running straight at you, is a feeling I dont think I ever want to experience again,' he said. 'He made a beeline right at me and just lunged and started attacking me again.' He kept the animal pinned down for 10 minutes until police and an ambulance arrived; pictured on The Bachelor with Catherine Lowe said he just barely managed to stop the attack, and he was certain that his wife or children could have been killed if they were mauled, so he decided the dog had to go However, he didn't blame Moose, and instead said he may have been traumatized by his unknown early experiences. He recounted how earlier on the day of the first attack, Moose had rested his head on Lowe's lap for some affection Lowe said Moose had 'ripped' his arm open again, and he felt as if he was 'fighting for [his] life.' 'I feel like if this dog gets up, hes going to kill me,' he said. He noted that he could barely keep the dog off himself, despite weighing 220 pounds, so he feared that the animal could have killed his wife or children if it had mauled them instead. Lowe said he was able to keep Moose pinned to the ground for around 10 minutes, until police and an ambulance arrived. However, the shocking incident made him decide that Moose had to be removed from the home immediately, even though the dog had seemingly been nothing but sweet up until then. Lowe shared that he was currently consulting with a no-kill shelter and animal control officers to figure out a solution for Moose, which hopefully wouldn't require the dog to be euthanized. Because of the unusual nature of the attack, and the possibility that external factors might have set off Moose, the reality star said he wasn't laying the blame on the dog. 'It wasnt Mooses fault. I think its clear he experienced a lot of trauma before we got him and had something neurologically wrong where just a switch flipped and he turned into an absolute killer, which was so weird,' he theorized, adding that the dog had been 'great' around his children and had acted like an 'affectionate, loving Boxer.' Although he had turned off comments on his original Instagram video, accounts replying to clips and news stories reposted by other accounts to X (formerly Twitter) largely blamed Lowe for even getting a rescue dog in the first place One poster said they should simply 'kill the dog,' rather than letting experts determine what to do with the animal Multiple users were convinced that rescue dogs were either inherently violent, or that the risk of them suddenly becoming violent was too risky Lowe mentioned that earlier on the day of the first attack, Moose had just been looking for affection and had sweetly laid his head down on his lap so that he could be petted. He added that the family would 'miss' their dog, even though he would now have plenty of scars on his arms to remind him of the terrifying experience. But on social media, many commenters weren't as even-handed when it came to apportioning blame as Lowe was. Although he had turned off comments on his original Instagram video, accounts replying to clips and news stories reposted by other accounts to X (formerly Twitter) largely blamed Lowe for even getting a rescue dog in the first place. 'We need to re-assess dog breeds in America,' wrote one commenter. 'Not all dogs should be around people,' added another person. One poster said they should simply 'kill the dog,' rather than letting experts determine what to do with the animal. Multiple users were convinced that rescue dogs were either inherently violent, or that the risk of them suddenly becoming violent was too risky. Boxers like Moose are not inherently aggressive or violent, though they require substantial training to ensure they don't attack or harm people 'There is no way I would jeopardize my family, especially my kids, with a rescue dog where I don't know the history or the behavior. Why would anyone roll the dice like that?' opined one commenter. 'Rescue a dog, sure but don't rescue a ticking time bomb,' wrote another user. 'Your kids' safety comes first, not virtue-signaling. Common sense is on life support.' Several commenters seemed to think that Lowe had rescued a Pit Bull, despite him mentioning multiple times that Moose was a Boxer. Although the two breeds look similar, and are often bred together, they are distinct. Boxers and Pit Bulls aren't inherently aggressive or violent dogs, but they do require significant training to ensure that they are safe around people, and neglectful or malign owners can train them to be aggressive or to be quick to attack. Mothers and children are among those who are now losing their lives due to Tesla CEO Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) conducting cuts to various agencies and programs. The latest development comes as care workers in African nations have long relied on the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to keep their charges alive. However, Musk insisted in earlier March that "no one has died" from DOGE's freeze on USAID grants. Elon Musk's DOGE Cuts This is not the case as a 10-year-old South Sudanese boy identified as Peter Donde and others like him have already lost their lives. Kids like Donde were only able to survive thanks to medications disbursed through the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). After Musk and President Donald Trump froze USAID, these children were left on their own without any assistance and have now started to suffer fatal consequences. Donde reportedly died of a pneumonia infection in late February, which he got after his immune system weakened without the medications, according to Futurism. Moses Okeny Labani, an outreach worker who helped Donde and almost 150 other children stay alive, said that the deaths would not have happened if USAID was still supplying them with funds for much-needed medicine. Before the interview about the cuts to USAID, Labani had never heard of Musk before he was given a quick overview of who he is. With regards to the Tesla CEO's claim that no one has died due to the pause in funding, Labani said that the billionaire entrepreneur is simply, "wrong." On top of the USAID cuts, Musk's DOGE also defunded a unit that worked to help rescue Ukrainian children who were kidnapped by Russia throughout its invasion of Ukraine. The unit consists of researchers from Yale University's Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL), Newsweek reported. Effects of Less Funding A spokesperson for the university said that the government decided to cut its funding for its work on the war in Ukraine. This puts nearly 20,000 kids who have been abducted by Russian forces at risk. Furthermore, the Tesla CEO is now considering cuts to Social Security and benefit programs as he claims that there is widespread fraud happening right now. Musk suggested that the cuts need to involve $500 billion to $700 billion in waste. The billionaire entrepreneur argued that the majority of federal spending is entitlements, adding that it is one of the things he wants to eliminate. This comes as Musk is already facing criticism for his chainsaw-wielding approach to laying off workers and slashing programs, as per the Associated Press. Advertisement Hilaria Baldwin snapped at her husband Alec during a red carpet interview that has since gone viral on social media. The TV personality, 41 - who addressed the controversy over her 'fake' Spanish accent - was talking to Extra at the grand re-opening of Planet Hollywood in NYC last week alongside the actor, 66, when the moment took place. The pair were discussing whether a second season of their TLC reality show The Baldwins was possibly in the works - with the first episode airing last month on February 23. In a snippet of the interview that was shared to TikTok, the interviewer questioned if viewers could expect season two and Hilaria took a moment before answering. Alec jumped in and quipped, 'The Hilaria Show,' and she then added, 'No, I think we are going to see, you know, we're going to see how it feels to be out there.' The 30 Rock star then cut in to say, 'It's gonna be great. You're a winner,' which caused his wife to turn around and express, 'Oh my God. When I'm talking, you're not talking.' Hilaria Baldwin, 41, snapped at her husband Alec, 66, during a red carpet interview that has since gone viral on social media 'I'm sorry,' Baldwin said and Hilaria then repeated while holding her hands up, 'When I'm talking, you're not talking.' She turned back to face the interviewer and joked, 'This is why we'll just have to cut him out of the show.' After a brief second, Hilaria let out a small laugh and added, 'No, I mean I think this is a really raw show and it's very real and we took a lot of chances and we'll see where it leads us. 'We'll see what it feels like to have it be out there and then we'll see if people like it, that's another thing too, you know.' Elsewhere in the interview, Alec discussed the difference between unscripted television and reading from a script. In regards to their normal daily life and routine, the star explained that he feels the 'desire to make it more silly than it might be.' Hilaria cut in to say that she doesn't feel like her husband makes the show 'silly' and he replied with, 'I try. You didn't get that on the show?' She answered, 'No. We just cut all that part out. We cut you out, when you're tying to make it silly...' The 30 Rock star then cut in to say, 'It's gonna be great. You're a winner,' which caused his wife to turn around and express, 'Oh my God. When I'm talking, you're not talking'; seen above at Planet Hollywood opening earlier this month in NYC She answered, 'No. We just cut all that part out. We cut you out, when you're tying to make it silly...' As Hilaria continued to open up about the series, she then accused Alec of 'distracting' her as he playfully cut into the interview a few times. She glanced over at the actor and said, 'Oh my God, you're distracting me right now. Now you're just doing that, why? Why are you distracting me?' Baldwin apologized and explained, 'I'm just captivated by your beauty,' as she pointed out again that he was 'distracting' her. As she turned back towards the cameras, the actor called her 'beautiful' again and prompted Hilaria to turn over and look at Baldwin. 'Oh my God! Stop, you're annoying me. Stop. It's not cute. No, he's distracting me,' she said as Alec sent a look in the camera's direction. Baldwin then silently mouthed a few words which his wife caught and she placed her hand up into the air followed by her saying, 'I'm going to walk out of this interview right now.' The interviewer brought the conversation back to the series and motherhood as Alec began to step away on the red carpet towards the end of the clip. Social media users quickly jumped to the comment section to share their thoughts on the viral moment, with one penning, 'Thisssssss is a very uncomfortable dynamic.' 'Oh my God! Stop, you're annoying me. Stop. It's not cute. No, he's distracting me,' she said as Alec sent a look in the camera's direction Social media users quickly jumped to the comment section to share their thoughts on the viral moment, with one penning, 'Thisssssss is a very uncomfortable dynamic' Another shared, 'Wow, that was a very, very bad moment right there,' while one added, 'OMG he is praising her and she tells him to be quiet' 'I like that the interviewer gave him a moment, hard watch,' a fan wrote, and one typed, 'She is very rude to her husband in front of everyone' The interview also went viral over on X, and one simply penned on the platform, 'Hard to watch' Another shared, 'Wow, that was a very, very bad moment right there,' while one added, 'OMG he is praising her and she tells him to be quiet.' 'I like that the interviewer gave him a moment, hard watch,' a fan wrote, and one typed, 'She is very rude to her husband in front of everyone.' The interview also went viral over on X, and one simply penned on the platform, 'Hard to watch.' The Baldwins first began airing on TLC last month on February 23 and gives, 'An intimate, behind-the-scenes look into the lives of Alec and Hilaria Baldwin and their seven children. 'This series blends the highs and lows of family life, with the challenges and humor that come while raising a large family in the public eye,' per an official synopsis. The two stars married in 2012 and are parents to seven children: Carmen, 11, Rafael, nine, Leonardo, eight, Romeo, six, Eduardo and Maria, four, and Ilaria, two. The dismally-reviewed show reportedly scored 682K viewers for TLC on its February 23rd premiere, but ratings dropped substantially by 38% to 423K viewers for the March 2nd episode. The Baldwins first began airing on TLC last month on February 23 and gives, 'An intimate, behind-the-scenes look into the lives of Alec and Hilaria Baldwin and their seven children' The cable network has yet to announce a second season renewal for The Baldwins, but Baldwin teased to Us Weekly: 'She'll be back.' Hilaria and daughter Carmen are scheduled to promote their newly-published skincare guide Glowing Up: Recipes to Rock Your Natural Beauty on TODAY this Thursday 7-9am with food features correspondent Marcus Samuelsson. Baldwin will soon be releasing a motherhood guide titled Manual Not Included, which hits shelves May 6. The Boston-born culture vulture - whose Spanish scandal unfolded in 2020 - has remained defiantly 'culturally-fluid' and 'multi' after duping the world as far back as 2011 that she was 'born and raised in Majorca, Spain.' The dismally-reviewed show reportedly scored 682K viewers for TLC on its February 23rd premiere, but ratings dropped substantially by 38% to 423K viewers for the March 2nd episode Meanwhile, Alec's involuntary manslaughter trial was dismissed on July 12 after he denied ever pulling the trigger on the revolver that fired a single bullet into Rust director Joel Souza's arm and punctured cinematographer Halyna Hutchins's chest killing her in 2021; seen in 2024 Meanwhile, Alec's involuntary manslaughter trial was dismissed on July 12 after he denied ever pulling the trigger on the revolver that fired a single bullet into Rust director Joel Souza's arm and punctured cinematographer Halyna Hutchins's chest killing her in 2021. Halyna tragically died, at age 42, leaving behind her husband Matt Hutchins and son Andros and she's buried near the pond at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed was sentenced to 18 months in New Mexico Women's Correctional Facility on April 15 for involuntary manslaughter conviction for her role in the shooting. On January 9, Baldwin filed a civil lawsuit against the Rust case prosecutors, investigators, and commissioners for defamation and malicious prosecution and civil rights violations due to 'intentionally mishandling evidence.' Gal Gadot revealed more details about the 'major' brain clot she suffered during her fourth pregnancy. While appearing on Tuesdays episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, the Snow White star, 39, shared that the clot left her unable to 'hear or see' when she was eight months pregnant. 'I had massive headaches that completely put me down,' she shared. 'I was in bed and I couldnt hear or see anything,' the actress recalled, stating that she would lay in bed all day with a hot bottle on her head. The Israeli beauty whose Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony was disrupted by warring Gaza protestors said doctors and neurologists told her she was simply having a 'nasty migraine' despite her symptoms getting worse. After getting advice from her mom to request an MRI, even though none of her doctors had recommended one, she was 'rushed' to the hospital, where doctors told her that she had a 'major brain clot.' 'If I had gone through a spontaneous delivery, I wouldn't have been here,' she stated, sharing she actually had three clots. Gal Gadot, 39, revealed more details about the 'major' brain clot she suffered during her fourth pregnancy While appearing on Tuesdays episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, the Snow White star shared that the clot left her unable to 'hear or see' when she was eight months pregnant; pictured in the hospital after giving birth 'It was the first time that I felt what it meant to be scared to death,' she shared. 'And again, had I known better, they could have just put me on blood thinners and done.' She received a round of applause as she told the crowd to 'always advocate for your health. Always. Listen to yourself, advocate for your health. If anything, you just over-checked yourself, right? Thats OK.' The star underwent a thrombectomy - a procedure to remove a blood clot from a blood vessel. She said that while in the hospital her delivery happened 'within two hours' after she received the diagnosis. In March 2024, she announced that she had given birth to her fourth baby girl, named Ori. The Wonder Woman star also shares Alma, 13, Maya, 7, and Daniella, 3 with her husband Jaron Varsano, 50. 'My sweet girl, welcome. The pregnancy was not easy and we made it through,' she captioned a picture of her holding her daughter in the hospital. At the time she did not share her scary health ordeal. 'I had massive headaches that completely put me down,' she shared. 'I was in bed and I couldnt hear or see anything,' the star recalled, stating that she would lay in bed all day with a hot bottle on her head After getting advice from her mom to request an MRI, even though none of her doctors had recommended one, she was 'rushed' to the hospital, where doctors told her that she had a 'major brain clot' 'If I had gone through a spontaneous delivery, I wouldn't have been here,' she stated, sharing she actually had three clots. The star said that while in the hospital her delivery happened 'within two hours' after she received the diagnosis In March 2024, she announced that she had given birth to her fourth baby girl, named Ori, and in December she revealed her health ordeal in an Instagram post The Wonder Woman star also shares Alma, 13, Maya, 7, and Daniella, 3 with her husband Jaron Varsano, 50; they are seen at her Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony on Tuesday But in December she revealed what happened via Instagram, writing, 'In February, during my eighth month of pregnancy, I was diagnosed with a massive blood clot in my brain.' 'For weeks, I had endured excruciating headaches that confined me to bed, until I finally underwent an MRI that revealed the terrifying truth. In one moment, my family and I were faced with how fragile life can be. It was a stark reminder of how quickly everything can change, and in the midst of a difficult year, all I wanted was to hold on and live.' She went on: 'We rushed to the hospital, and within hours, I underwent emergency surgery. My daughter, Ori, was born during that moment of uncertainty and fear. Her name, meaning my light, wasnt chosen by chance.' 'Before the surgery, I told Jaron that when our daughter arrived, she would be the light waiting for me at the end of this tunnel. Thanks to an extraordinary team of doctors at @cedarssinai and weeks of dedicated care, I made it through and began the road to recovery. Today, I am fully healed and filled with gratitude for the life Ive been given back.' Gal added: 'The journey has taught me so much. First, its vital to listen to our bodies and trust what its telling us. Pain, discomfort, or even subtle changes often carry deeper meaning, and being attuned to your body can be life saving.' 'Second, awareness matters. I had no idea that 3 in 100,000 pregnant women in the 30s+ age group are diagnosed with CVT(develop a blood clot in the brain). Its so important to identify early because its treatable.' She wrapped up her caption, writing, 'While rare, its a possibility, and knowing it exists is the first step to addressing it. Sharing this is not meant to frighten anyone but to empower. If even one person feels compelled to take action for their health because of this story, it will have been worth sharing.' Gal was joined by her husband and kids on Tuesday at her Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony. Her Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony was disrupted by warring pro-Palestine/pro-Israel protestors Recent claims emerged that a feud was brewing between Gadot and her Snow White co-star Rachel Zegler, 23, over their opposing stances on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Zegler was tellingly not in attendance at the ceremony; they are seen March 2 at the Oscars The actress plays the Evil Queen in the live action remake alongside Zegler's Snow White; seen in a still Disney's scandal-plagued Snow White is set to be released in theaters on March 21 The actress, who plays the Evil Queen in the live action remake alongside Rachel Zegler's Snow White, looked delighted as she arrived to receive the accolade - but outside the barriers, drama was unfolding, as the event was hit by warring protestors. In dramatic video captured by Variety, police were seen running after a member of the public amid claims 'a pro-Palestine protestor stole a pro-Israel protester's flag.' Pro-Palestine protestors had gathered outside the ceremony carrying signs reading: 'Heroes fight like Palestinians' and 'Viva Viva Palestina.' Israeli actress Gadot who formerly served in the IDF - is staunchly pro-Israel. Recent claims emerged that a feud was brewing between Gadot and Zegler - who is pro-Palestine - over their opposing stances on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Zegler was tellingly not in attendance at the ceremony. 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.' Snow White has been plagued by controversy in the run-up to its release this Friday, partly because of Zegler's politically charged comments. It was also revealed that Disney has 'zero faith' in the upcoming film and that the movie bosses simply want to get the movie's limited promo 'over with,' per The Hollywood Reporter. Advertisement Kate Beckinsale returned to Instagram with a bang on Wednesday as she shared a very racy collection of snaps and videos, including an eye-popping clip of a man in bondage being walked on a lead. The British actress, 51, mysteriously deleted all of the posts from her Instagram account last month after she was trolled with cruel comments about her weight. Kate then returned three weeks ago to ask her fans to pray for her mother amid her stage four cancer battle, in an emotional post she later deleted. Now, the star has re-started her feed again with two slideshows full of pictures as she 'goes back to work' adding: 'We work Sundays' in her caption. She shared a slew of snaps and videos with the cast of what looks like a bondage show, including a clip of someone jokingly whipping her, as she filmed for her new action thriller Lioness with director James Nunn. According to Deadline, Kate and Lewis Tan are starring in the movie about 'an ex-black ops team who reunite to pull off a desperate heist to save the life of their leaders (Kate) eight-year-old daughter.' Kate Beckinsale returned to Instagram with a bang on Wednesday as she shared a very racy collection of snaps and videos, including an eye-popping clip of a man in bondage being walked on a lead Weeks after wiping her social media account, the actress has restarted her feed again with two slideshows full of pictures as she 'goes back to work' adding: 'We work Sundays' in her caption Kate added inches to her height in her usual huge black platform boots, this time embellished with 'F*** OFF' in studs on the sides. The actress also included a clip of herself doing a handstand in metallic silver jeans and a black lacy bra, teamed with the huge shoes. In one picture, she posed next to the film director in a hotel lobby, who was holding up a script. In another, she embraced actress Mathilde Warnier, who was also on the star-studded film set. At one point, Kate was lifted up by four men wearing leather and bondage as she grinned and stuck her leg up in the air. Amongst the wild content, there were also a few more casual snaps of Kate, as well as a sweet picture of her pomeranian Myf wearing a personalised jumper. Six days before the second posat, she shared an initial slideshow including a glowing mirror selfie of the star glammed up. Kate looked nothing short of sensational as she wrapped up in a towel in her dressing room, with her blonde locks pulled into a stunning updo. It's thought that the risque scenes are part of Kate's upcoming movie She made sure to include a variety of snippets from behind the scenes At one point, Kate was lifted up by four men wearing leather and bondage as she grinned and stuck her leg up in the air She shared a slew of snaps and videos with the cast of what looks like a bondage show, including a clip of someone jokingly whipping her The star was thought to be filming for her new action thriller Lioness with director James Nunn The film looks to have some very racy scenes Kate added inches to her height in her usual huge black platform boots, this time embellished with 'F*** OFF' in studs on the sides In one picture, she posed next to the film director in a hotel lobby, who was holding up a script According to Deadline , Kate and Lewis Tan are starring in the movie about 'an ex-black ops team who reunite to pull off a desperate heist to save the life of their leaders (Kate) eight-year-old daughter' Six days before the second posat, she shared an initial slideshow including a glowing mirror selfie of the star glammed up Kate looked nothing short of sensational as she wrapped up in a towel in her dressing room, with her blonde locks pulled into a stunning updo She included a snap where she was hugging British actor Tom Bennett, who is also on the cast list for Lioness, joking in her caption: 'Back to work . Managed to hide how pleased I was to see @newmanstings, I think.' It comes after Kate asked for good wishes to be sent to her 'extraordinary' mother Judy Loe who she called a 'warrior' in her post. She revealed that her mum was sick last year - just after her stepdad Roy Battersby died in January after suffering 'a massive stroke'. Kate penned in the caption of the post about her mum: 'I wasn't going to come back to Instagram but anyone who has a spare prayer or magic or miracle or sunbeam please send it to my mama, my most extraordinary, warrior, generous, humble, loving, unique, irreplaceable Mama. 'Thank you - Lord, keep her safe this night, secure from all her fears, may angels guard her while she sleeps till morning light appears, amen.' Alongside the poignant words she shared a series of sweet clips and photos with her mother. Kate, the daughter of late Porridge star Richard Beckinsale, didn't elaborate on the state of her mother's health in the post. It was flooded with well wishes from her fans. Last year Kate spent weeks in hospital with a stress-related tear in her oesophagus after her stepfather, Roy died and her mother developed cancer. Last July she gave an update on how she was coping, saying: 'I just think people go through things in their life and we all face difficulties and I've been quite transparent about mine. In another, she embraced actress Mathilde Warnier, who was also on the star-studded film set Kate stripped down to a black bra and metallic trousers In one snap, her makeup artist fanned her with a fan reading: 'DADDY' Amongst the wild content, there were also a few more casual snaps of Kate She threw on a belted leather jacket for the filming In another story, Kate donned a white and blue striped shirt layered over white lacy underwear She included a snap where she was hugging British actor Tom Bennett, who is also on the cast list for Lioness, joking in her caption: 'Back to work . Managed to hide how pleased I was to see @newmanstings, I think' 'I've just been mainly dealing with my mother and she's doing OK.' At the time she revealed her weight loss was down to the 'stress and grief' of the death of her stepfather and her mother's cancer diagnosis as she hit back at trolls. The actress slammed some of her 'a**hole' followers, who told her she needed to put on weight in the comments section of an Instagram post at the time. After sharing a video clip in a crop top and bikini bottoms, one follower queried where her 'a**' had gone and encouraged Kate to 'do some squats'. Another claimed her body had 'shrank' while another insisted that she 'seemed upset' in the video. However, Kate fired back at the cruel comments ands explained that there were several reasons for her changed figure, including a six-week hospital stint. She replied: 'No, actually, I watched my stepfather die quite shockingly, my mother has stage 4 cancer and I lost a lot of eight from stress and grief... 'Quite quickly and then I was in hospital for six weeks because the grief had burned a hole in my oesophagus, which made me vomit copious amounts of blood, and I found eating very hard... 'And I just worked very very hard on a movie that was actually quite triggering because it also involved the theme of the death of my father so I'm not really concerned about what you think about my a**. Kate showcased her flexiblity in another hotel room picture She added a sweet picture of her pomeranian Myf wearing a personalised jumper Her pink cat also featured in the slew of posts 'Maybe you should worry about your own f***ing a**. I suggest shoving something up it, like a large pineapple or a brick.' Kate's stepdad Roy Battersby died last January after suffering 'a massive stroke' while battling two forms of cancer, which he was diagnosed with the summer before. Shortly after his death, Kate also revealed that her mother Judy had also been told she has stage four cancer. In recent months, Kate had been caring for her mother and late stepfather after flying them out from the UK to stay with her in Los Angeles. 'Kate has been caring for her parents, who both have serious illnesses, for most of the year,' a source exclusively revealed to DailyMail.com late last year. In a Mother's Day post last year, Kate shared a slew of snaps of Judy tucking into cake and enjoying champagne as well as images of herself on the ward amid her health battle and of her dogs playing. She captioned the images: 'Happy birthday and UK Mother's Day this last week to my incredible mother. Thank you to those that love us and support us when it's s**t and try to make sure there are some bits that aren't.' Kate continued: 'And for looking after our dogs when we cant, and lead us to remember happy things when we cant. 'And turn up when we are sick and sit with us.. And send balloons and check in and pull us out of wells with love. It comes after Kate asked for good wishes to be sent to her 'extraordinary' mother Judy Loe who she called a 'warrior' in her post Kate, the daughter of late Porridge star Richard Beckinsale, didn't elaborate on the state of her mother's health in the post 'Thank you for loving us, those who do ,and for the amazing, kindest Nick, and especially for my mothers capacity for joy. It is so inspiring and beautiful. 'Happy everything mama. Your fight for joy despite also welcoming tears is the experience of watching a warrior up close. I love you x.' On January 10, Kate announced the death of stepfather Roy aged 87. An insider revealed at the time that the Snow Angels star whose biological father Richard Beckinsale died in 1979 at 31 from a heart attack in his sleep had been feeling the emotional toll in recent months. 'She was spotted this week several times crying in the corridors of UCLA hospital,' the source added. 'Her friends are very concerned that she has been under relentless strain for months and hardly sleeping or eating. 'Kate appears to be very strong but this has been incredibly hard and, given that she lost her father so young, is affecting her very deeply. Her friends are concerned for her own health.' A second source explained that her mother Judy had chosen to keep her health battle private, stating: 'She's extraordinary, you wouldn't even know by looking at her. She has been keeping a very positive attitude throughout everything.' Last year, Kate shared a picture of Roy's order of service that revealed he was cremated on Monday February 19 at Mortlake Crematorium near Kew in west London. She also shared another look at the document which had a sweet message on, along with more snaps of Roy. Alongside the emotional Instagram post she shared a series of sweet clips and photos with her mother Kate penned in the caption: 'I wasn't going to come back to Instagram but anyone who has a spare prayer or magic or miracle or sunbeam please send it to my mama' Last year Kate spent weeks in hospital with a stress-related tear in her oesophagus after her stepfather, Roy died and her mother developed cancer Last year, Kate shared a picture of Roy's order of service that revealed he was cremated on Monday February 19 at Mortlake Crematorium near Kew in west London It read: 'We wish to thank you, our family and friends, for your loving support and being with us today to honour and commemorate Roy. 'Please join us afterwards to celebrate him and his life, share memories and stories, and inevitably miss him, knowing how much he would enjoy such a get-together'. Kate's mother Judy married Roy 18 years after Kate's father, Porridge star Richard Beckinsale, died. Roy enjoyed his own successful career as a director, working on major British on-screen hits including Inspector Morse and Cracker. His most recent directorial credit was for a 2006 episode of A Touch Of Frost. Kate's biological father Richard Beckinsale was best known for his roles as Lennie Godber in the BBC sitcom Porridge and Alan Moore in the ITV sitcom Rising Damp. He also had a daughter Samantha, 55 who is his only child from his marriage to Margaret Bradley. Andy Lee has shared surprising new details about his wedding to fiancee Rebecca Harding, while also teasing their plans about starting a family. In a candid new interview the 43-year-old comedian admitted that the couple have not quite started planning their Big Day. He said that most their time has been consumed with the massive $8million renovation of a glorious heritage 1870s-era home built on the banks of Melbourne's Yarra River. 'Most of out planning times and decision time we spend on the house,' Andy said with a laugh when he appeared on the latest episode of TMZ's Big Down Under podcast. Currently enjoying a jaunt in the US accompanied by Bec to launch his new 'Aussie Pub' venture in New York City, Andy said that the trip might give the couple time to 'pick up' on some ideas. Asked by host Charlie Cotton for details about the wedding, Andy said he was 'lo-fi' while Bec is very 'hi fi' Andy Lee has shared surprising new details about his wedding to fiancee Rebecca Harding, while also teasing their plans about starting a family. In a candid new interview on the Big Down Under podcast the 43-year-old comedian admitted that the couple have not quite started planning their Big Day. Both pictured Currently enjoying a jaunt in the US accompanied by Bec to launch his new 'Aussie Pub' venture in New York City, Andy said that the trip might give the couple time to 'pick up' on some ideas for the wedding 'When people come round to our house I don't feel the need for napkins for instance,' he joked. He continued: 'But because Bec is very hi-fi, I'm lucky because I get the benefit of that...everything is nicely laid out and its the right cutlery... 'And I'm worried that [the wedding] is going to be that X a 1000.' Andy was coy about how a big a wedding the couple wanted, joking that it might 'just be the two of us' since their reno is costing so much. Elsewhere in the chat, Andy said the couple had no plans to a family right now - but then teased that they might to room to change their minds in the immediate future. 'If Bec wants to [have a baby] I'm open to all that kind of stuff,' he said. It comes after Andy opened his new watering hole in NYC last month. Located in Downtown Manhattan's Financial District, the pub, aptly titled 'Old Mates', is housed in a heritage-listed 1840s Greek Revival building that spans all three floors. Andy, 43, announced their engagement in May 2024 after ten years of dating With the staff dressed in iconic, hard-yakka-inspired blue collared shirts and rugby polos, the pub wouldn't look out of place in The Rocks or at the end of Collins Street. The investors include Andy, his comedy partner Hamish, as well as hospo veterans Nick and Andy Stone (Bluestone Lane), Eddy Buckingham (Chinese Tuxedo, The Tyger), Pat Cummins, Hugh Jackman, Ash Barty, Mick Fanning and Patty Mills. Andy, 43, announced their engagement in May 2024 after ten years of dating. He got down on one knee at the couple's decrepit Melbourne mansion and proposed with a napkin which symbolised how they met in 2014. Rebecca and Andy went public with their relationship at the 2015 Australian Open. In 2022, the couple confirmed they had briefly split for six months in 2016 after Rebecca felt 'immense pressure' dating someone in the public eye. However, they soon realised they were meant to be during their time apart. Andy and Rebecca are currently undertaking a $5million renovation project after buying a historic mansion in Melbourne's east. Advertisement Teddi Mellencamp revealed she was officially beginning radiation treatment amid her battle with cancer on Tuesday - 24-hours after she was spotted looking cosy with Southern Charm star Shep Rose. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, 43, recently underwent emergency surgery to remove tumours from her brain, before doctors detected another five. Teddi took to her Instagram Stories with the update before revealing she'd been forced to miss daughter Slate's science fair, which the 12-year-old won. She paid tribute to estranged husband Edwin Arroyave, with whom she also shares, Cruz, 10, and Dove, five, who attended the school event for 'being there to support' their kids. Taking to her Stories Teddi, who has been forced to shave her head amid treatment, wore a long blonde wig and said: 'Ok so we are trying again, hopefully this is day one of radiation since yesterday the machines broke we're assuming today is going to work'. Shielding her eyes behind shades, she appeared in good spirits and joked with pal Jen Turner Leipart who was driving her to the hospital. Teddi Mellencamp, 43, revealed she was officially beginning radiation treatment amid her battle with cancer on Tuesday She was forced to miss daughter Slate's science fair, which the 12-year-old won (L-R) Estranged husband Edwin Arroyave, Slate, Dove, five, Cruz, ten Later sharing a snap of Slate at the science fair she captioned the post: 'So proud of Slate and Lila. Winners of science fair. I was getting radiation so I am grateful to @edwinarroyave for being there to support the girls'. Teddi filed for divorce from Edwin in November, days before DailyMail.com exposed her months-long affair with her German-born horse trainer Simon Schroeder. But despite being rocked by infidelity claims, divorce is currently off the table, with him helping his estranged wife amid her cancer battle. It comes after Teddi was spotted being looking cosy with Southern Charm star Shep Rose as they enjoyed dinner together in LA on Monday. Interestingly, Shep, 44, is recently single having just split up from his girlfriend only two weeks ago. For their casual date outing, Teddi was dressed chic in neutrals, stepping out in a boxy beige sweater over a white T-shirt and wide leg jeans and white sneakers. Rose looked relaxed in a long sleeve gray sweater with a zip at the neck and a pair of brown corduroy pants. The restaurateur placed an orange billed hat over his light brown hair and sported a scruffy beard. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, 43, recently underwent emergency surgery to remove tumours from her brain, before doctors detected another five. Later sharing a snap of Slate at the science fair she captioned the post: 'So proud of Slate and Lila. Winners of science fair' Teddy recently underwent emergency surgery to remove tumours from her brain, before doctors detected another five Teddi filed for divorce from Edwin in November, days before DailyMail.com exposed her months-long affair with her German-born horse trainer Simon Schroeder Rose shared some sweet details of their meeting on social media. 'In case you all didnt know my hometown friend @teddimellencamp recently had several tumors removed from her brain,' he wrote sharing a photo of the two of them together. 'Theres still lots to battle but we decided to meet up if she was up for it. We met in Encino, a magical village in the valley,' he said. 'As soon as i saw Teddi and gave her a hug, we argued about where to sit. 'She then rather bluntly announced I almost died and I still might - make a decision for once Shepard.' Rose shared that the two longtime pals 'love dark humor and Teddi is the queen of it.' After sharing they had ordered chicken parmesan pasta and some bread and oil, the pair seemed to enjoy, 'More laughs than anything.' The still single RelationShep star wrote that Mellencamp 'has a keen interest and derives much pleasure in my misadventures. Which i think means that she loves me.' Rose's last relationship with Sienna Evans ended in Fall 2024, but the relationship is being explored on season 10 of Southern Charm, which began airing in December 2024. It comes after Teddi was spotted being looking cosy with Southern Charm star Shep Rose as they enjoyed dinner together in LA on Monday Rose shared some sweet details of their meeting on social media In an Instagram Question and Answer session Monday, the two pals spoke about growing up together in Hilton Heard, South Carolina, and revealed that there had never been any sparks between them. 'I'm one of the only people in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina that did not make out Shep,' she told viewers. 'That's true,' the charming Southerner replied. 'It's very unfortunate, I know it's one of your biggest regrets,' he joked. The reunion came as Mellencamp was scheduled to begin receiving radiation for her cancer in addition to the immunotherapy she will be receiving every three weeks. Teddi braced for the worst ahead of her brain tumor diagnosis in February. The star 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.' Amanda Holden put on a very leggy display in a slew of sultry Instagram snaps on Wednesday as she enjoyed another day hosting the Heart Breakfast Show. The radio presenter, 54, looked incredible as she flaunted her toned pins in a stylish white pinstripe shirt dress from The Frankie Shop. Amanda opted for adding inches to her frame with a pair of black pointed court heels. To complete her look, she further accessorised with a black leather waistbelt, which featured gold-toned hardware, and a gold choker necklace. Striking several sultry poses for the camera, Amanda styled her blonde locks in a voluminous blowout and wore a flawless makeup palette. The stunning snaps come shortly after she shared photos from her very belated birthday party on Instagram on Saturday. Amanda Holden put on a very leggy display in a slew of sultry Instagram snaps on Wednesday as she enjoyed another day hosting the Heart Breakfast Show The radio host, 54, looked incredible as she flaunted her toned pins in a stylish white pinstripe shirt dress from The Frankie Shop The star celebrated her birthday in February, but the beauty has made sure the celebrations are far from over. For the occasion, Amanda stunned in a Dolce & Gabbana x SKIMS leopard print satin dress featuring a daring thigh-high slit. She paired the sizzling ensemble with matching heels and accessorised with gold jewellery. The stunner looked completely in her element as she partied the night away with her pals at the Maine in Mayfair, London. Several days before Amanda shared a glimpse of the party by posting a snap with her birthday cake. 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 wrote: 'Rinsing my birthday (a month later). Looks like I'm wearing a cake dress.' Elsewhere, Amanda recently left her Heart Radio producer stunned when she revealed she had taken a bath with her dog. To complete her look, she added inches to her frame with a pair of black pointed court heels and further accessorised with a leather waistbelt and gold choker necklace 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!' '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!' The stunning snaps come shortly after she shared photos from her very belated birthday party on Instagram on Saturday 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 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 of 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 insisting that she didn't want complaints. The White Lotus star Jason Isaac has apologised after his 'absurd' comments about his full-frontal nude scene in the HBO series sparked backlash. The British actor, 61, made a point of apologising to Oscar winner Mikey Madison, 25, after slamming what he claimed was a 'double standard' saying: 'I don't see anybody discussing [Mikey's] vulva, which was on television all the time [in Anora]'. Jason said he used the 'wrong words in the wrong way' after trying to 'brush away' the constant questions about his nude scenes 'lightheartedly'. He told Variety: 'There is a [different] double standard, women have been monstrously exploited and men haven't. It came out wrong, and I was tired. I'd done so many interviews'. After also name checking Margaret Qualley, 30, who appears nude in The Substance, in his rant, he said: 'I absolutely should not have mentioned those two actresses, whom I respect enormously. Mikey Madison I'm a massive fan of.' 'My point wasn't that men have had a harder time than women, that would be absurd. Women have had a monstrous time on camera forever, and I hope to God that is changing.' The White Lotus star Jason Isaac has apologised after his 'absurd' comments about his full-frontal nude scene in the HBO series sparked backlash The British actor, 61, made a point of apologising to Oscar winner Mikey Madison, 25, after saying: 'I don't see anybody discussing [Mikey's] vulva, which was on all the time [in Anora]' Jason said he used the 'wrong words in the wrong way' after trying his best to 'brush away' the contestant questions about the nude scenes 'lightheartedly' (Mikey pictured) He went on to say that he believed the show, which is known for it's male full-frontal scenes, aims to 'redress the unfair balance' of nudity on screen. Jason made his initial comments when he appeared on CBS Morning last week to promote the show. Viewers have been curious to know whether a prosthetic was used for the instant when his robe falls open, flashing his on-screen family. He evaded the question throughout his press day, which also included a stop at Good Day New York. 'A lot of people are debating it. It's all over the internet. And it's interesting because the best actress this year is Mikey Madison at the Oscars. And I don't see anybody discussing her vulva, which was on television all the time [in Anora],' he posited while skirting the inquiry. He elaborated, 'I think it's interesting that there's a double standard for men. But when women are naked, Margaret Qualley as well, in The Substance, nobody would dream of talking to her about her genitalia or her nipples or any of those things. So, its odd that there's a double standard.' He acknowledged he was dodging the question, reiterating it was 'because I don't think that people really want to know how the sausage is made. 'Genuinely, I think it would be odd when there are characters and some of the women are naked in here it'd be odd if you were sitting here. And you would never dream of discussing their genitalia, not for a second.' He said: 'There is a [different] double standard, women have been monstrously exploited and men haven't. It came out wrong, and I was tired. I'd done so many interviews' After also name checking Margaret Qualley, 30, who appears nude in The Substance (pictured) he said: 'I absolutely should not have mentioned those two actresses, whom I respect' He continued: 'Mikey Madison (pictured in Anora) I'm a massive fan of' Despite co-host Gayle King pushing back and repeating twice that 'I kind of do [want to know how the 'sausage is made'],' Jason refused to divulge details. On Good Day New York, he was forced to confront the viral television moment again, this time with journalist Rosanna Scotto. Early in the segment she cheekily stated, 'I'm not gonna go there. I'm not gonna mention that you had a bathrobe on...' Isaacs interjected, 'Let me ask you this: If you had a woman on here, would you be very keen on talking about her downstairs? Would you ever talk to an actress about it? I don't think you would. I think it's a terrible double standard.' The conversation shifted as Rosanna pivoted to praising the Harry Potter star on his acting chops. Jason has previously been keeping schtum on the attention-grabbing scene since its airing, telling Decider, 'I think it's digital. I wasn't there that day', in a bid to ramp up the mystery around the shoot. But it turns out all is not as it seems, with his onscreen children, Sam Nivola and Sarah Catherine Hook, revealing to TV Insider that he used a prosthetic to boost his package. Sarah said: 'It was really funny. He was very excited to do it. I think he took pride in the prosthetic.' Jason made his initial comments when he appeared on CBS Morning last week to promote the show While Jason has refused to entertain questions about his nude moment, his onscreen children, Sam Nivola and Sarah Catherine Hook (second from right and right) said he used a prosthetic Sam added: 'He's like, "It's my fake d**k scene today!"' Speaking about the scene, Jason expressed a desire to get his kit off in future acting performances. 'Yeah, it is now in my contract for every show I do, so we'll see,' he joked. 'It'll get easier, hopefully.' The awkward moment came after Ratliff matriarch Victoria entered their villa and mentioned that some of her Lorazepam pills were missing, unaware that her husband Timothy had been helping himself to her supply. While the financier isn't exactly a regular Lorazepam user, he had been quite stressed out after learning that he may be going to jail for a very long time due to his shady business dealings. Anna Chancellor has opened up on how she felt connected to her late daughter by following her funeral wishes, as she revealed the details of the elaborate wake she held. The London-based actress, 59, known for her roles in Four Weddings and a Funeral and What a Girl Wants, explained that Poppy had a 'death plan,' even before she was diagnosed with leukaemia. Poppy Chancellor, 36, an illustrator and paper-cut artist who had been suffering from acute myeloid leukaemia, passed away alongside her immediate family in September 2023. Now, Anna has opened up about her daughter's unique funeral in a new interview with The Independent. She told the publication how the send-off featured a theme inspired by Baz Luhrman's Romeo and Juliet and a ceremony with drums and sage performed by a First Nation Canadian Indian friend, as well as gold tinsel curtains and pyrotechnics. Anna explained: 'Poppy had written a very coherent death plan, even before she was diagnosed.' Anna Chancellor has opened up on how she felt connected to her late daughter by following her funeral wishes, as she revealed the details of the elaborate wake she held (seen together in May 2012) The London-based actress, 59, explained that Poppy had a 'death plan,' even before she was diagnosed with leukaemia (seen together in 2001) She added: 'And you know what is actually very nice? Once theyve died, you can follow their wishes, so you still feel connected. 'The dog sat on her body for a bit, the Jack Russell. Everyone was like, 'Take her off!' I'm like, she's fine. Death is very funny and very beautiful.' It comes after Anna revealed that when she finds herself crying in public due to the tragic death of Poppy, passersby fail to notice. Processing the grief remains a work in progress for the actress, who has found herself mourning the loss of her only child in virtually all places she goes. 'In a way, when you've lost your child you are given a bit of a gold card', she told The Times, adding, 'People expect it'. She has found a hint of solace from her current castmates in Playhouse Creatures, which will be the first play she's done in nearly a decade, with crew members inviting conversation on the topic of grief and encouraging her that tears are 'welcome'. However, Anna has found an entirely different response from the public, and in times when she's found herself overcome with grief when out, others tend to overlook her. She said: 'There's nowhere I've been where I haven't broken down. I've cried on trains, really cried, and no one's noticed. No one was looking because I am middle-aged, and I am invisible.' Luckily for Anna, she doesn't care much about what people think of her, and she has carried that blase attitude throughout her lifetime. She left school with two O-levels and uprooted to London aged 16 before giving birth to Poppy during drama school. Anna Chancellor pictured as Lady Anstruther in Downton Abbey Poppy Chancellor, 36, an illustrator and paper-cut artist who had been suffering from acute myeloid leukaemia, passed away alongside her immediate family in September 2023 Naturally, Poppy inherited a similar attitude, having enjoyed a relaxed upbringing in London where she became so climatized to her mother's raucous parties that she required noise to be able sleep at night. Her parents split up when she was four years old and she lived with her mother in a basement flat in Shepherd's Bush, West London. They would be seen out together on the party scene in trendy Ladbroke Grove nearby. Anna remarried Algerian-born former minicab driver Redha Debbah, who is seven years her junior, in a small Notting Hill ceremony in 2010. Poppy spoke fondly about her 'crazy childhood' with her 'loving' mother, whom she described as her 'best friend'. 'I was an only child, but I never felt lonely because I was always at the party, or down the bookies with my dad, or in the pub with both of them,' she once said. 'There were parties every night and great pubs where everyone would go, so that's what they did.' Poppy was no stranger to grief though, and her father, the poet father Jock Scot, died aged 63 from cancer, which led her to set up a support group called Griefcase. Following his diagnosis in 2014, her father refused chemotherapy after being given 100 days to live. However, he went on to live for another two years. The experience gave Poppy a pragmatic approach when dealing with her diagnosis in May 2023, which came about after she gained multiple infections following her wisdom teeth removals. In preparation for her chemotherapy, she bravely shaved off her trademark 'bob' hairstyle. 'Chemo ready,' she said in 2023. 'Said goodbye to the bob today end of an era.' Anna explaind: 'Poppy had written a very coherent death plan, even before she was diagnosed She said: 'The dog sat on her body for a bit, the Jack Russell. Everyone was like, 'Take her off!' I'm like, she's fine. Death is very funny and very beautiful' 'Cancer has always been close to home for me,' Poppy said in May that same year. 'I've always been interested in cancer awareness and advocating for grief awareness and now it's all starting to feel very real very quickly.' She added: 'Grieving for my life before diagnosis and coming to terms with all the bruises and needles is a challenge.' Talking to The Times, Anna said of her daughter: 'She was rigorous with her dying, as with her grief. She had life insurance. She had every relationship sorted, every amends made, no bad vibes. She was so brave, she was extraordinary.' In September 2023, Anna, together with other relatives, posted a message on her daughter's social media in which they paid tribute to 'an unbelievable life force'. They also thanked Royal Marsden Hospital staff in London who treated Poppy and sent a message of support to others going through similar ordeals. The post read: 'To all you wonderful and most-loved friends of Poppy. We send you this message with our deepest love. 'On September 29 Poppy died, held tight by her immediate family just as she had wished. 'Despite every effort, her body could not continue any longer. So, we, her family and friends who all adore her join the other families who have lost loved ones far too young. Anna added: 'Poppy and I were very strong believers in just making up things making up a ceremony, doing what you feel is right, making it fun' 'Poppy was and is an unbelievable life force of creativity, compassion, wit, beauty, and sheer uniqueness. She transformed our lives, and we are beyond grateful.' The 36-year-old had studied at the esteemed Royal Drawing School and worked for a string of high-profile brands including Cath Kidston and Adidas. King Charles is rumoured to own one of her works, which she gave to him as a thank-you after she attended an artists' residence at Dumfries House the Ayrshire-based stately home which he bought for 45 million in 2007. She also wrote a book titled 'Cut It Out!', which teaches readers how to create papercut art from a blank sheet. Advertisement Stephen Graham broke down in tears as he spoke about his father being his biggest supporter during a heartwarming interview on Wednesday. The actor, 51, who is currently starring in Netflix hit Adolescence, idolised Robert De Niro as a child and had a poster of him from the film Taxi Driver on his wall. Stephen was brought up by his mother and stepfather Mike - who he calls Pops - but maintained a close relationship with his biological father, also called Stephen. Appearing on Capital Breakfast with Jordan North, Chris Stark and Sian Welby, Stephen told how his dad was his biggest supporter. He said: 'I had posters on my wall, of Taxi Driver, and different actors that my dad had got me.' 'And then you ended up working with them,' co-host Jordan North said. Stephen Graham broke down in tears as he spoke about his father being his biggest supporter during a heartwarming interview on Wednesday Stephen was brought up by his mother and stepfather Mike - who he calls Pops - but maintained a close relationship with his biological father, also called Stephen 'Telling your dad' fellow co-host Sian Welby added. 'It must have been the proudest moment.' Becoming emotional, Stephen said: 'It makes me.want to go on it' He went on: 'I went "dad, you'll never guess who, I'm going to be working with" and he's like "who?" and I went "Mary's asked me to do a film again" and he's like "that's amazing son!" 'I went "yeah" ohI've gone! You know, he proper backed me. And me mum. They supported me throughout everything. Do you know what I mean? 'All the struggles you go through and everything. Me contact lens has fallen out! And he was, yeah, you can imagine it was unbelievable.' 'Did he believe you?' Sian asked. 'Yeah he did,' Stephen said. 'I bet he was gobsmacked wasn't he?' she said. The actor who is currently starring in Netflix hit Adolescence, idolised Robert De Niro as a child and had a poster of him from the film Taxi Driver on his wall Stephen previously shared several childhood snaps of his mother to Instagram 'He was, he was such, he was so proud,' Stephen said, tearing up. 'Oh we didn't want to make you cry today!' Jordan said. 'That's alright, you got me contact lens out. Sorry,' Stephen replied. 'But how incredible for him to have witnessed that moment,' Sian said. 'Because thank god he was there do you know what I mean to hear it.' 'Exactly and sometimes all it takes is one person doesn't it,' Stephen said. 'To help you achieve your goal, or to believe in the dream you have. It takes that one person and my dad was that person. And my mum.' Adolescence, written by Stephen and Jack Thorne, was only released on Netflix on Thursday, but has already made waves and earned huge praise for its storyline and videography. Stephen takes 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 (Emilia Holliday). However, the star's triumphant successes have not come without challenges - one of those being that he suffers from dyslexia. The learning difficulty poses obvious obstacles when it comes to reading scripts and learning lines, twin staples of the actor's craft. Stephen's wife Hannah Walters, whom he has been married to since 2008, has offered her husband invaluable support, carefully vetting the scripts put before him and ensuring he makes the best decisions for his career. 'I'm dyslexic, so I struggle,' Stephen revealed on a Bafta Sessions panel in 2019. 'My missus actually reads the script and says whether or not I'm doing it. She's made some good choices. 'I have to read it and read it and read it, then make it look like it's the first time I'm saying it.' Stephen is hitting the headlines once again as his new Netflix show Adolescence is soaring to success Stephen takes 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 (Emilia Holliday) The task is made easier by the fact that the couple have their own production company, Matriarch Productions, which they established in 2020. Formed with the aim of providing a platform for underrepresented voices and stories, the collaboration yielded the Bafta-nominated film Boiling Point the following year, in which Hannah not only served as an executive producer but also appeared on screen. As Stephen has revealed on Act on This, an online platform for TV actors, dealing with dyslexia necessitates a painstaking and methodological approach to his job. It is one he undertakes not only for personal reasons, but also out of a clear sense of collective responsibility to his colleagues. 'I read the whole script and we can talk about the script and I find my way into my character and what's happening through the journey.' said Stephen. 'It's a technique that me and Hannah have developed; it's not just me, I know a few other people do it. 'I break it down in bite-size chunks, so I know exactly what I'm shooting on what specific day. 'If you've got a couple of big days on the bounce, it's no good having it all in your head. 'It's good to have it roughly there, but as soon as we finish work, I'm going back to my hotel room to sit and learn those lines for the next day, so when I come in the next day I'm ready to go.' He continued: 'Different actors have their own techniques, and I respect all of them. 'If I was to give any kind of advice to any actor, [it would be to] do the work - because you need to do the work in order to make it look like you don't do the work.' Capital Breakfast with Jordan North, Chris Stark and Sian Welby Global Player weekdays from 6am 10am across the UK and on Global Player. She's known flaunting her jaw dropping physique and incredibly toned figure. And Rosie Huntington-Whiteley didn't disappoint once again as she sizzled in her latest Marks and Spencer lingerie set. Taking to Instagram, the model, 37, posed in a lacy black underwear set as she wowed in the racy clip. Lying on the floor, Rosie showcased her toned abs as her blonde hair fell over her shoulders and she accessorised with simple gold earrings. M&S cheekily captioned the post: 'This latest Rosie lingerie set is *almost* too good to cover up.' It comes after Rosie paired up with her fiance Jason Statham last week as they took to Instagram to promote their new joint collaboration with Falconeri. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley sizzled in racy black lingerie set as she showed off her jaw-dropping figure for her latest collection with Marks and Spencers on Tuesday Lying on the floor, Rosie showcased her toned abs as her blonde hair fell over her shoulders and she accessorised with simple gold earrings When it comes to business, they tend to steer clear of working with one another despite being together for 16 years. However the couple appear to now have bucked this trend as they posed together in campaign shots. Rosie 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. 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. M&S cheekily captioned the post: 'This latest Rosie lingerie set is *almost* too good to cover up' It comes after Rosie paired up with her fiance Jason Statham last week as they took to Instagram to promote their new joint collaboration with Falconeri 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.' News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism. Advertisement Pete Davidson was seen heating things up with his new flame during a sun-soaked getaway in Palm Beach, exclusive DailyMail.com photos show. Hollywood's serial dater, 31, was recently reported to have a new lady in his life with whom he's said to be 'very happy', following his split with actress Madelyn Cline last year. Notorious for his high-profile romances with A-list stars, the comedian is now dating a 'non-celebrity' - now identified by DailyMail.com as model and actress Elsie Hewitt, 29 - and appears to be keeping the relationship more lowkey this time around. But that didn't stop him from packing on the PDA with the glamorous brunette on the beach over weekend, according to the new images. The pair spent Saturday afternoon at a luxury beachfront hotel in Palm Beach, where they were seen swimming, lounging in the sun, and naturally, making out in the ocean. Photos show the couple locking lips during a steamy makeout session amid the waves, seemingly undaunted by onlookers. Pete Davidson packed on the PDA with his new girlfriend Elsie Hewitt during a Palm Beach over the weekend, DailyMail.com photos show The infamous ladies' man was recently revealed to be dating a 'non-celebrity', a change of pace from his usual lineup of high-profile partners Yet the couple did not shy away from being affectionate with one another and locking lips in public during Saturday's beach trip in South Florida Hewitt, a model and actress, looked just as besotted, playing around and cozying up to her new beau on and off the sand Adding to the beachside spectacle was the SNL alum's numerous tattoos, which were still very much visible on his back and torso despite him undergoing a painful and pricey removal process. Still, the Bupkis star, clad in black swimming trunks, appeared happy and in his element during the beach outing. His unnamed girlfriend looked just as besotted, splashing around and smooching with her new beau on and off the sand. She showed off her fit physique in a patterned multi-colored, cheeky bikini and kept her hair pulled back in a neat bun. Back at the hotel beachfront, the pair were joined by two friends as Davidson and his latest lover lounged on sunbeds and exchanged smooches. News of Davidson's hot new romance emerged earlier this week, with sources describing his love interest as a 'non-celebrity' and unlike 'anybody else he's ever dated', Page Six reported. They spent the afternoon at a luxury beachfront hotel in Palm Beach, where they were spotted swimming, lounging in the sun, and naturally, making out in the ocean In one steamy moment, the SNL alum and his new flame shared a passionate kiss with extra tongue action The pair seemed unable to keep their hands off each other as they splashed around in the ocean The Bupkis star, clad in black swimming trunks, appeared happy and in his element during the beach outing His yet-to-be-identified new flame showed off her fit physique in a patterned multi-colored, cheeky bikini and kept her hair pulled back in a neat bun The outlet added that Davidson is 'very happy' with the woman, who 'respects Pete and his desire for privacy'. The comedy actor and unlikely ladies' man has attracted more attention over his personal life in recent years. His previous high-profile relationships include his whirlwind engagement to Ariana Grande, Kate Beckinsale, Margaret Qualley, and Kaia Gerber. He famously sparked up a relationship with Kim Kardashian after the two first crossed paths when she was a guest star on Saturday Night Live. However, after nine months of dating, their split was revealed in August 2022. Pete then briefly dated supermodel Emily Ratajkowski and started a relationship with his Bodies Bodies Bodies co-star, Chase Sui Wonders in 2023. The couple made the most of the sunny warm weather with a love-soaked swim in the ocean Back on the beach, the two were joined by two friends as Pete and his new girl lounged on the sunbeds and exchanged smooches Notorious for dating high-profile stars, the comedian appears to be keeping his relationship with his 'non-celebrity' girlfriend more lowkey this time around More recently, Davidson has made headlines over his decision to remove his tattoos, which he once estimated to have over 200. He revealed he plans to get rid of all the ink before he turns 40. Davidson has spoken publicly about embarking on the lengthy, expensive, and painful process over four years ago amid his sobriety journey. The seemingly remarkable results of the grueling process appeared to be visible last month when he unveiled his ink-free body in a new Reformation ad campaign. Days earlier he was also seen flaunting his bare arms at Michael Rubin's Fanatics bash in New Orleans ahead of Super Bowl LIX. But these new beachside snaps suggest the process isn't quite finished. He spoke about the removal process as he reunited with his friend and former Saturday Night Live costar Seth Meyers on Late Night last month. Adding to the spectacle was the SNL alum's numerous tattoos, which were still very much visible on his back and torso despite him undergoing a painful and pricey removal process Davidson has spoken publicly about embarking on the lengthy, expensive, and painful process over four years ago amid his sobriety journey Davidson may have unveiled a seemingly ink-free body in a recent ad campaign, but these new beachside snaps suggest the process isn't quite finished Aside from the heavy PDA, the pair looked casual and blended in with fellow beachgoers On the talk show, Davidson admitted that he does not know how long removing all of his tattoos will take but said he hopes to complete the process in under 10 years. 'No, I didn't realize it would take like, when I'm 40, it'll all be gone, like the chest and the back,' Davidson told Meyers when the talk show host asked about getting his ink erased. Then, Davidson clarified that each tattoo takes multiple visits with several weeks in between for the healing process. 'It's at least seven visits,' Davidson explained. 'And if it's black and white, it's a little easier. But if it's a color tattoo, it takes forever.' When Meyers asked if there was a particular piece of body art he was glad to be rid of, the comedian said he wanted to remove 'all of them.' 'Well, I made a lot of those decisions when, you know, before rehab. So I got the dumbest tattoos,' he admitted. A recent photoshoot for Reformation showed Pete's usually ink-covered chest clear from tattoos as he went shirtless in white trousers to showcase his transformation He previously began the lengthy and expensive process of erasing the ink on his arms over four years ago amid his sobriety journey (pictured January 2025) When asked about some of his worst ones in his opinion, Davidson replied: 'I got a collection of cartoons smoking a blunt.' He said there was one of The Muppets along with 'the Tootsie Pop owl,' which he said was 'weird because I wasn't old enough to be around for that commercial.' Regarding the tattoos, a source claimed last week that Davidson had 'just woke up one day and wanted them gone, and it's been a years-long process.' John Cena has been branded Hollywood's most charitable celebrity after making history by granting over 650 wishes through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The actor and wrestler, 47, has been working with the charity since 2002 and become their 'most requested celebrity' to meet for children between the ages of three and 18 using the charity to fulfil their dreams. The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a nonprofit organisation that helps fulfill the wishes of seriously ill children. While other celebs like Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and Selena Gomez also work with the charity, John is one of only a handful of stars to grant over 200 wishes, meeting critically-ill kids all around the United States. He previously said: 'If you ever need me for this ever, I don't care what I'm doing, I will drop what I'm doing and be involved because I think that's the coolest thing,' the Massachusetts-born muscleman told Reuters when he reached 500 wishes'. 'I just drop everything. If I can offer a fantastic experience, I'll be first in line to do my part.' John Cena has been branded Hollywood's most charitable celebrity after making history by granting over 650 wishes through the Make-A-Wish Foundation The actor and wrestler, 47, has been working with the charity, which grants wishes, including meeting their favourite stars, for critically ill-children and their family, since 2002 According to the Make-a-Wish website, 99% of doctors say wishes help relieve a family from traumatic stress and 87% of alumni say their wish was a turning point in their treatment. It comes after Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson left fans in tears after sharing an emotional video with Make A Wish, where he flew children out to Hawaii as special guests to the Moana 2 world premiere. The actor, 52, who voices Maui in the franchise, also took his daughters Tiana, six, and Jasmine, eight, along for the heartwarming day. He shared a video of the experience with his 395 million Instagram followers and gushed that it's the 'best part of fame'. In the clip, The Rock makes his way to the meet and greet while holding hands with his two little girls and explains to them: 'These are our Make-A-Wish kids.' Tiana asked: 'And they're supposed to see you?,' before they made their way outside to meet the group. The tear-jerking video saw the actor and his children talk to the youngsters and hear from their parents on how special the day is to them. The Rock gave out hugs and played games like rock paper scissors and arm-wrestling with the kids, while introducing them to his daughters. One parent of a 15-year-old called Patrick gushed: 'I'm really happy for Patrick to have this opportunity. It means a lot because during that time when he was going through a difficult time, it was an inspiration that The Rock existed. The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a nonprofit organisation that helps fulfill the wishes of seriously ill children in the United States John is one of only a handful of stars to grant over 200 wishes, meeting critically ill-children all around the country 'I don't know if it's the strength, determination, plus he was humorous, and I think it was a good thing because he was going through some tough stuff.' Another parent added: 'It's great, it's awesome that Make-A-Wish did this and The Rock took out his time to do it. One child even made a handmade gift for the star and handed him a replica of his Moana character Maui's hook made out of Clay. 'I love this,' the actor gushed, 'You mind if I wear it now? Thank you, man.' He went on to tell another little girl: 'I love your hair,' and asked his daughters: 'Isn't her hair cool?' Meanwhile, the actor told another little boy: ''You inspire everybody around you, including me.' Following the meet and greet, the Make-A-Wish children and their families got to accompany the A-Lister to the worldwide premiere of Moana on Thursday. Touching scenes saw The Rock posing with them as they took it in turns to place a lei around his neck. He wrote in the caption: 'I do my best to never get emotional in these moments, but I do get very emo watching this stuff back. 'Had the honor, once again to grant wishes from @makeawishamerica - and this time was extra special in that my two little tornados, Jazzy & Tia wanted to join me in meeting these special kids. It comes after Dwayne Johnson left fans in tears after sharing an emotional video with Make A Wish, where he flew children out to Hawaii as special guests to the Moana 2 world premiere 'We flew these kids & the families out to Hawaii as my special guests to our MOANA 2 world premiere.' He continued: 'What a beautiful day meeting these kids. Their strength and resilience inspires EVERYONE around them - including me. 'To all their moms, dads & siblings who I met - I feel it in every hug and handshake. I know. Stay strong. Shout to my amazing partners at Make-A-Wish. Best part of fame and God bless you all.' Fans wrote in the comments: 'Im not crying I just have one rock in my eyes.' 'The way you treat everyone you meet with kindness is just so special Dwayne! Can you please promise to never change the way you treat people?' 'I cried the entire time watching this. Theres something about his soul and how it makes others feel. Hes a rare one!' Advertisement Gal Gadot showed off all of her kids when at the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony on Tuesday. The Wonder Woman star has four daughters Alma, 13, Maya, 8, and Daniella, 3, and Ori, 13 months with her husband Jaron Varsano. And the 39-year-old talked about being a family person. 'Whenever my success grew, I always got pregnant, I needed to ground myself. That's what I tell my agents, Gal joked at the event. 'It's either I'm making movies or making babies no more babies. But Jaron always reminded me to dream and to be free to do whatever it is that I want to do.' 'Our daughters, Alma, Maya whose birthday's today, she's 8, mazel tov! Dan Dan, and baby Ori, everything I do, I do for you. Being your Ima is my greatest, greatest privilege and the most meaningful thing I've ever done,' Gadot continued. The splashy event was marred by warring protesters amid ongoing controversy over her 'woke' film Snow White. Gal Gadot showed off all of her kids when at the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony on Tuesday even though the scene was full of chaos thanks to protesters The Wonder Woman star has four daughters Alma, 13, Maya, 8, and Daniella, 3, and Ori, 13 months with her husband Jaron Varsano The actress, who plays the Evil Queen in the live action remake alongside Rachel Zegler's Snow White, looked happy as she arrived at the event. But there was drama was unfolding. In dramatic video captured by Variety, police were seen running after a member of the public amid claims 'a pro-Palestine protestor stole a pro-Israel protester's flag.' Pro-Palestine protestors had gathered outside the ceremony carrying signs reading: 'Heroes fight like Palestinians' and 'Viva Viva Palestina.' Israeli actress Gadot who formerly served in the IDF - is staunchly pro-Israel. The unidentified man was seen being grabbed by police and pushed against a wall, as screams rang out from the crowd. Recent claims emerged that a feud was brewing between Gadot and Zegler - who is pro-Palestine - over their opposing stances on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Zegler was tellingly not in attendance at the ceremony. Gadot seemed unaware of the altercation unfolding outside as she posed with her husband Jaron Varsano and their four daughters, as well as Fast & Furious co-star Vin Diesel and Wonder Woman director Patti Jenkins. In an interview published Tuesday with Variety, Gadot spoke about how she felt compelled to speak out on politics after the October 7 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel. She said: 'After October 7th [2023], I don't talk politics because who cares about the celebrity talking about politics? I'm an artist. I want to entertain people. I want to bring hope and be a beacon of light whenever I say anything about the world. And the 39-year-old talked about being a family person. 'Whenever my success grew, I always got pregnant, I needed to ground myself. That's what I tell my agents, Gal joked at the event 'It's either I'm making movies or making babies no more babies. But Jaron always reminded me to dream and to be free to do whatever it is that I want to do,' she added 'Our daughters, Alma, Maya whose birthday's today, she's 8, mazel tov! Dan Dan, and baby Ori, everything I do, I do for you. Being your Ima is my greatest, greatest privilege and the most meaningful thing I've ever done,' Gadot continued The splashy event was marred by warring protestors amid ongoing controversy over her ' woke ' film Snow White Zegler was not in attendance at the premiere but did join Gadot at the film's LA premiere on March 15 'But on October 7th, when people were abducted from their homes, from their beds, men, women, children, elderly, Holocaust survivors, were going through the horrors of what happened that day, I could not be silent. 'I'm not a hater. I'm a grandchild of a Holocaust survivor who came to Israel and established his family from scratch after his entire family was erased in Auschwitz. And on the other side of my family, I'm eighth generation Israeli. I'm an indigenous person of Israel. 'I am all about humanity and I felt like I had to advocate for the hostages. I am praying for better days for all,' she continues. 'I want everybody to have good life and prosperity, and the ability to raise their children in a safe environment.' This comes days before the release of the controversial Snow White reboot, with an insider claiming Zegler, at her tender age, 'has nothing in common with Gal Gadot, a mom of four kids. On top of that, their political views differ, adding to the tension.' Rumors 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. Gadot planted a kiss on her husband at the ceremony Amid the drama the star playfully screamed as she saw her star 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. 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 don't 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.' Amy Poehler has made it clear she does not ever appreciate being described as a 'poor man's Tina Fey.' The comedian, 53, opened up about a moment in which she had been compared to her close friend and frequent collaborator on the debut episode of her new podcast, Good Hang. Unsurprisingly, Fey was her guest for the first episode - which saw the longtime friends take a trip down memory lane. During their conversation, the pair recalled attending an Harvard Hasty Pudding Theatricals event honoring Poehler as the group's Woman of the Year in 2015. The Parks and Recreation star explained that the event, hosted by the student theatrical society at Harvard University, consisted of 'sniveling guys roasting me.' 'You know what you're getting into, and they kind of come out and roast you,' she noted. Amy Poehler has made it clear she does not ever appreciate being described as a 'poor man's Tina Fey ' The comedian opened up about a moment in which she had been compared to her close friend and frequent collaborator on the debut episode of her new podcast, Good Hang While cheeky jokes was something that the star was anticipating, she revealed her frustration when she was compared to her friend Fey just before she was meant to make a speech. The former SNL star recalled: 'I've gotten this more than once, and I hope this isn't awkward for you for me to say it in front of you, but definitely people like to say, "You're the poor man's Tina Fey." 'This kid said it right before I went up... I gave him the finger, which everyone was shocked about.' Poehler admitted she wasn't sure if her outburst was necessarily the best reaction for the occasion, but she ultimately had no regrets. She continued: 'And I don't know if it was the right... I mean, I did it, I guess, but I go, "F**k you." 'I was like, "You're on a dais, Amy." But then, f**k Harvard.' Fey echoed her agreement with the statement before Poehler then joked: 'I mean, those f**king assholes - but thank you for inviting me. It was a real honor.' Elsewhere in the episode, Fey unloaded on a greedy practice of 'rich people' in Hollywood that she couldn't stand. Fey was her guest for the first episode - which saw the longtime friends take a trip down memory lane During their conversation, the pair recalled attending an Harvard Hasty Pudding Theatricals event honoring Poehler as the group's Woman of the Year in 2015 (seen) The star explained that the event, hosted by the student theatrical society at Harvard University, consisted of 'sniveling guys roasting me.' She's seen at the event The SNL alum recalled: 'Definitely people like to say, "You're the poor man's Tina Fey"... This kid said it right before I went up... I gave him the finger, which everyone was shocked about' Fey admitted that she had a 'problem with' wealthy stars who have a 'side hustle,' even though they're financial secure enough to not bother. 'If you already have like $200 million I judge it,' the 54-year-old 30 Rock star said of the legion of celebrities who have launched their own products on the side. Fey got some surprising pushback from Poehler who urged her to 'learn from Gen Z' and not to 'judge' others for never having enough. The conversation started after the former Parks And Recreation star urged her brunette pal to launch her own 'hair campaign,' or to advertise glasses, since she regularly wore stylish frames on Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock. '[Im] always pushing you to have a glasses line. Why do you not have a glasses [line]?' Poehler wondered aloud. 'I have to say...' Tina began to respond, before Poehler interrupted with 'You hate money?' 'I do kind of hate money,' she former Weekend Update Anchor said. Fey described herself as 'terrible with money,' though Poehler tried to convince her that wasn't the case. Poehler admitted she wasn't sure if her outburst was necessarily the best reaction for the occasion, but she ultimately had no regrets The duo have been friends for over 30 years appeared together in hit films such as Mean Girls, Sisters and Baby Mama 'No, Im not terrible. I dont waste money,' she relented, before clarifying that she doesn't 'get excited about money.' Fey added that she doesn't care for stars with a 'side hustle,' and Poehler shrunk down in front of her computer screen and joked in a perfect deadpan: 'Yeah, you mean like a podcast or something.' But Fey clarified that she doesn't consider Good Hang a side hustle because it still counts as work, even if it's not the kind of acting or comedy Poehler is best known for. Instead, she said she was annoyed by celebrities who hock products that are outside of their expertise and don't have any connection to their work or art. X Factor star Matt Richardson is engaged to his long-term girlfriend Sam Rollinson after 10 years together. The bride-to-be took to Instagram to share a glimpse at the comedian's romantic proposal during a trip to the Inverlochy Castle Hotel in Scotland. Showing off her sparkling engagement ring, Sam gushed in the caption: 'Ten years of love, joy, laughter and adventure, @mattrichardson3 is now my finance.' The couple toasted their engagement with champagne as the sun set over the beautiful Highland location. Following the announcement, many of Matt's celebrity pals offered their congratulations in the comments. Sam is no stranger to showing support for Matt, and regularly shares sweet messages on social media under posts from his comedy gigs. X Factor star Matt Richardson is engaged to his long-term girlfriend Sam Rollinson after 10 years together The bride-to-be took to Instagram to share a glimpse at the comedian's romantic proposal during a trip to the Inverlochy Castle Hotel in Scotland Matt is equally as supportive of Sam, and previously shared his disbelief that she is dating him. He told The Sun: 'As if I'm subtle about having a girlfriend who is a supermodel. When I've had a few drinks in the pub, I go, ''Look, that's her in that advert!'' It's brilliant.' Sam has walked the catwalk many times for high fashion brands like Stella McCartney, Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs. Matt previously added: 'For years, when I started doing comedy, I worked in Next for a really, really long time. And then, I kind of went away, kind of did comedy, got on telly, whatever. 'And then, Sam, a couple of years ago, was the Next girl. She was on the front of the book. And you'd go into Next, and there would be huge pictures of her all around Next. 'And I was back in my hometown in the Next I worked in and they're like, 'Oh my god mate, haven't seen you for years, how's life?' 'And, like an a***hole, I went, 'Yes it's alright, I live with her now,' pointing at the picture. 'What a d***head, but there we go. But because everyone is so English, they were just like ''Oh yeah you're an a***hole.'' Showing off her sparkling engagement ring, Sam gushed in the caption: 'Ten years of love, joy, laughter and adventure, @mattrichardson3 is now my finance' In 2021, Matt landed a spot in the Dancing On Ice lineup with professional partner Vicky Ogden after Rufus Hound was forced to pull out Matt previously the host of The X Factor spin-off The Xtra Factor with Caroline Flack, before she went onto host the main show with Olly Murs in 2015. He landed a drivetime show on Virgin Radio and also launched a podcast with Busted's Matt Willis called When No One's Watching. In 2021, Matt landed a spot in the Dancing On Ice lineup with professional partner Vicky Ogden after Rufus Hound was forced to pull out. Unfortunately, he was eliminated after just one week on the show, where he took a nasty tumble during his performance. At the time, Matt admitted that he was on the brink of quitting showbusiness. He said: 'I was looking at a career change or to just leave the industry altogether, because it's tough times. 'I am of a level where I'm on TV, but I'm not a big, huge name. It's not like I've got stacks of cash lying around. I am currently skint because I've not worked a year.' Advertisement Nigora Bannatyne exuded glamour as she packed on the PDA with her husband Duncan during her glitzy 45th birthday bash in Miami on Tuesday. The wife of former Dragons' Den star Duncan Bannatyne, 76, looked incredible in a silver embellished bra and satin maxi skirt - showcasing her washboard abs and ample cleavage. The mother-of-one opted for adding inches to her frame with a pair of silver embellished perspex heels and toted her essentials in a silver Chanel flap bag, which retails for 4,250. To complete her look, the beauty teamed a white feather shawl with her ensemble and further accessorised with a dainty silver choker and pendant necklace. Nigora styled her brunette tresses in a curly blowout for the evening and wore a glamorous makeup palette. Meanwhile, Duncan looked sharp in a black shirt, matching blazer, and skinny jeans as he posed up a storm with his beautiful wife ahead of her birthday celebrations at Cipriani Downtown Miami. Nigora Bannatyne exuded glamour in a silver embellished bra and satin maxi skirt during her glitzy 45th birthday bash in Miami on Tuesday The beauty was also joined by her husband Duncan, 76, who appeared more loved-up than ever as he presented his wife with a beautiful cake During the glitzy bash, the businessman appeared more loved-up than ever as he presented his wife with a beautiful cake. The star wrapped one arm around her waist and leaned his head towards hers as he and her large group of friends sang her a cheerful happy birthday. As the night wore on, Nigora took up the chance to get several stunning snaps with her glamorous pals. The beauty also gave her 29k fans a glimpse at the lavish gifts she received, as she posed with a plethora of designer gift bags and large bouquets of flowers. Later on, the large group sat down for a lavish dinner and all raised a glass to Nigora on the special day. Nigora's birthday celebrations come a month after Duncan celebrated his 76th with his wife and friends in Miami. Nigora took to social media last month to declare her love for the businessman as he marked the milestone. Alongside a slew of snaps, she wrote on Instagram: 'Happy birthday to someone who never fails to brighten my day. I love you to the moon and back.' Ahead of the bash, the gorgeous couple posed up a storm on their hotel balcony, ensuring to get several stunning snaps together before joining their close pals The mother-of-one opted for adding inches to her frame with a pair of silver embellished perplex heels as she and her pup posed for the camera Showcasing her washboard abs, Nigora styled her brunette tresses in a curly blowout for the evening and wore a glamorous makeup palette She toted her essentials in a silver Chanel flap bag, which retails for 4,250, and teamed a white feather shawl with her ensemble as she arrived at the restaurant with her pals As the night wore on, Nigora took up the chance to get several stunning snaps with her glamorous pals The beauty also gave her 29k fans a glimpse at the lavish gifts she received, as she posed with a plethora of designer gift bags and large bouquets of flowers Later on, the large group sat down for a lavish dinner and all raised a glass to Nigora on the special day After the dinner, Nigora was then surprised by her husband and friends with a birthday cake and they all proceeded to sing happy birthday to the beauty The gorgeous cake was coated in a toasted meringue and featured the words: 'Happy Birthday' Sharing the stunning snaps to her Instagram, Nigora captioned the post: 'Happiest 45!!' In one picture, Duncan was resting on a chaise longue with his head in Nigora's lap as they both looked overjoyed. Behind the happy couple were a series of balloons spelling out HAPPY BIRTHDAY, and other letters describing him as 'The Man, The Myth, The Legend.' In another snap, Nigora placed a crown on her husband's head as he blew out the candles on his cake and the celebrations got underway. The lavish do took place at KIKI On The River in Miami, Florida over the weekend and Duncan looked ecstatic to be presented with a large chocolate cake. In an update to her Stories, Nigoria - who lives with Duncan in Portugal - described the cake as 'delicious'. As the night wore on the party kept going and the celebrity duo danced outside with their friends in the moonlight. Nigora's birthday celebrations come a month after Duncan celebrated his 76th with his wife and friends in Miami Duncan seemed in great spirits as he managed to boogie away in front of all his friends and family. Later on, he was seen fully concentrating on a game with some other party guests. At one point, Duncan and Nigora - who tied the knot in 2017 - enjoyed a slow dance together and looked every bit the happy couple. In a video taken outside, friends all raised their glasses to the TV star and wished him a happy birthday. Bryan Cranston is set to make a triumphant return to the West End. Theatre insiders told MailOnline that the 68-year-old Breaking Bad actor is expected to star as Joe Keller in a new production of Arthur Miller's seminal play All My Sons, directed by Belgian filmmaker and theater director Ivo van Hove. This collaboration marks a reunion for Cranston and van Hove, 66, who previously worked together on the critically acclaimed stage adaptation of the 1976 film Network. That production debuted at London's National Theatre in November 2017 before transferring to Broadway, where Cranston won both Olivier and Tony Awards for Best Actor. According to industry sources, the Argo star is eager to return to the stage in London. 'Even with his success in film and TV, hes never lost his love for the stage, one source told MailOnline. Bryan Cranston is set to make a triumphant return to the West End. Theatre insiders told MailOnline that the 68-year-old Breaking Bad actor is expected to star as Joe Keller in a new production of Arthur Miller's seminal play All My Sons Cranston is set to be directed by Belgian filmmaker and theater director Ivo van Hove. The pair previously worked together on the acclaimed stage show Network, which debuted at London 's National Theatre in November 2017 before transferring to Broadway. Cranston won both Olivier and Tony Awards for Best Actor for Network 'Bryan thrives on the connection with a live audience, and this is going to be a must-see performance. His previous collaboration with Ivo was a career-defining moment. The two have a great creative synergy, and theres real excitement about what theyll bring to this production. Cranston's illustrious career spans television, film and theatre. He gained widespread acclaim for his portrayal of Walter White in the television series Breaking Bad, which ran from 2008-2013, earning multiple Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. His other notable works include the sitcom Malcolm in the Middle and a role in the Steven Spielberg film Saving Private Ryan. Van Hove, best known for directing A Little Life and the ill-fated Opening Night which starred Sheridan Smith, has a storied but controversial career. Opening Night closed two months early due to what producers cited as a challenging financial landscape. In August last year, the International Theater Amsterdam announced it had cut ties with van Hove, who had led the company for more than 20 years. Cranston's illustrious career spans television, film and theatre. He gained widespread acclaim for his portrayal of Walter White in the television series Breaking Bad, which ran from 2008-2013, earning multiple Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Star line-up: Bill Pullman, Colin Morgan, Sally field and Jenna Coleman in All My Sons Ivo Van Hove is best known for directing A Little Life, which starred James Norton as Jude St Francis, a lawyer who can't escape a lifetime of abuse The breakup came just weeks after a report alleged that a culture of fear had developed under his leadership, with accusations that he allowed workplace bullying to go unchecked. The All My Sons revival is also backed by Playhouse Pictures, the same production company behind Opening Night. First staged in 1946, All My Sons is a three-act drama centered on Joe Keller, a businessman whose decision to sell faulty airplane parts during World War II results in the deaths of 21 pilots. The play examines the weight of guilt, personal accountability, and the moral compromises tied to the American Dream. The play premiered on Broadway in 1947, directed by Elia Kazan, and has since been revived multiple times, including notable West End productions in 2010 and 2019. Van Hove also directed the ill-fated Opening Night which starred Sheridan Smith (pictured). Opening Night closed two months early due to what producers cited as a challenging financial landscape The 2010 West End revival featured David Suchet as Joe Keller and Zoe Wanamaker as his wife, Kate. The 2019 production at The Old Vic starred Bill Pullman and Sally Field in the lead roles, with Jenna Coleman portraying Ann Deever. Mr Cranstons representatives and Playhouse Picture Productions have been contacted for comment. Bella Ramsey has revealed they were diagnosed with autism during the first season of HBO's The Last of Us, which filmed from June 2021 until July 2022. The British actor, 21, who identifies as gender fluid and non binary and uses they/them pronouns, said they'd previously spoken about their neurodivergence, but for 'some reason didn't want to' share their official diagnosis before now. While posing for an edgy British Vogue shoot, Bella, who plays Ellie in the post apocalyptic drama, said: 'I got diagnosed with autism when I was filming season one of The Last of Us'. Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how people perceive the world and interact with others. They told the publication: '[The diagnosis was] Freeing, it enables me to walk through the world with more grace towards myself about not being able to do the easy everyday tasks that everyone else seems to be able to do.' 'The label of being autistic has been so helpful to me because thats helped me to understand myself, but gender and sexuality-wise, labels do not feel comfy for me in any capacity, because I feel like Im putting myself into a box. I feel trapped'. Bella Ramsey, 21, has revealed they were diagnosed with autism during the first season of HBO 's The Last of Us, which filmed from June 2021 until July 2022 The actor, who is non binary and uses they/them pronouns, said that while they previously spoke about their neurodivergence, for 'some reason didn't want to' share their official diagnosis (pictured with co-star Pedro Pascal) Bella came out as non-binary in 2022 and said it's been tough as they 'still figure things out' while in the spotlight and unlike other people don't have the 'privilege' of exploring their identity in private. 'Part of the job of being an actor is that youre supposed to have an answer to every question that people ask you. But actually the answer can be: "I dont know and Im not ready to talk about that"'. Bella continued: 'If I did want to explore other things, like facets of my gender identity, that would be done publicly'. 'As much as I would try and keep it private, if someone recognises me on the street, say if Im presenting differently, [and] takes a photo, then that is just talked about'. Bella wore a chest binder '90 per cent' of the time filming the series which takes place during a global pandemic that has transformed the infected into zombie-like creatures. Speaking to G2 UK, Bella spoke about how their fluid identity influenced her portrayal of Ellie, feeling that wearing a binder helped them focus on set. 'Which probably isn't healthy,' they said. 'Like, please bind safely' Bella also spoke about their gender identity with her co-star Pedro Pascal, whose sister is a trans woman. While posing for an edgy British Vogue shoot, Bella said: 'I got diagnosed with autism when I was filming season one of The Last of Us' '[The diagnosis was] Freeing, it enables me to walk through the world with more grace towards myself about not being able to do the easy everyday tasks that everyone else seems to' Bella came out as non-binary in 2022 and said it's been tough as they 'still figure things out' while in the spotlight (pictured in The Last Of Us) They said: 'They weren't always deep [conversations] they could be funny and humorous, the whole spectrum. We were just very honest and open with each other.' Bella previously told the New York Times that they don't not mind what pronouns are used to refer to them. Saying: 'This is what bothers me more than pronouns: being called a 'young woman' or a 'powerful young woman', 'young lady,' but I'm just not [that].' In September appeared to confirm they were in a relationship with My Old A** actress Maisy Stella, 20. Maisy took to Instagram to share a sweet tribute to Bella in honour of their 21st birthday, with a cosy snap of the pair. There was also a candid of Bella checking out their phone as they gushed about how 'beautiful' the star is. In September appeared to confirm they were in a relationship with My Old A** actress Maisy Stella, 20 Maisy (pictured) took to Instagram to share a sweet tribute to Bella in honour of their 21st birthday, with a cosy snap of the pair 'Beautiful beautiful beautiful happy birthday the coolest comfiest most wonderful human imaginable,' she captioned the post. See the full feature in the April issue of British Vogue, available via digital download and on newsstands from Tuesday 25th March Fans speculated the pair were dating, fulled further by The Last Of Us star's frequent flirty comments on Stella's Instagram posts. In 2023 Bella made rare comments about their sexuality, telling British Vogue that they are 'not 100 per cent straight.' 'I'm a little bit wavy, you know? That's what I like to say.' On dating they added: 'I'm 19, so figuring that out's gonna be a part of my life. ''Relationships are so complex anyway, and if you're in the public eye, everyone having an opinion about them adds an extra layer of difficulty.' They also admitted that they were worried people would think they were just trying to be 'trendy' before coming out as non-binary. 'But it's a very succinct way to describe to people who I am. Now I'm able to vocalise it more; being called 'they' is the most truthful thing for me. That's who I am the most', they explained. See the full feature in the April issue of British Vogue, available via digital download and on newsstands from Tuesday 25th March He's been the talk of the town since gracing screens on Netflix's Adolescence, which blew up instantly over night. But Stephen Graham's path to stardom hasn't been the most plain sailing after suffering racial abuse as a child because of his mixed race heritage. Stephen, 51, whose grandfather was from Jamaica, previously recalled horrible memories of the abuse he endured in his youth. He told The Sun: 'I'm mixed race. As a kid, I was called horrible words that I don't even want to say, and little monkey boy.' The actor was brought up by his mother and stepfather Mike - who he calls Pops - but maintained a close relationship with his biological father, also called Stephen. His stepfather was a head paediatric nurse and his mother, who passed away in 2022, was a social worker. Stephen Graham, 51 has been the talk of the town since gracing screens on Netflix's Adolescence (pictured in the show) - but his path to stardom hasn't been the most plain sailing Stephen, whose grandfather was from Jamaica, suffered racial abuse as a child because of his mixed race heritage (pictured with his father) For Graham, the This Is England script would often leave him 'crying his eyes' because it would dig up painful nightmares of the racial abuse he suffered. 'After This Is England I could not get a job. For about eight months I couldnt get an audition. I almost packed it all in. I was going to be a youth worker', he added. One scene which saw him attacking a black man was particularly tough for Graham because of his childhood trauma. He said: 'It was life-changing. I lost myself quite a bit within that character. 'I had moments of getting back to my apartment and phoning Hannah [Walters, his wife] and crying my eyes out, and I drank. 'For me that was where I really learned to dive into a character.' As well as the racial abuse he endured, he has also discussed growing up as a 'working-class from a block of flats'. While admitting working class families are often treated 'like an art project' and shown as 'miserable' in TV, Stephen claimed British dramas are 'misinterpreted'. The actor was brought up by his mother (who passed away in 2022) and stepfather Mike - who he calls Pops - but maintained a close relationship with his biological father, called Stephen For Graham, the This Is England (pictured in the film) script would often leave him 'crying his eyes' because it would dig up painful nightmares of the racial abuse he suffered In a recent interview with The Sunday Times, Stephen said: 'Things can be hard but theres also a lot of laughter. 'My childhood was full of it and being able to represent where Im from is integral to me. Too often Ill watch stuff and think theyre treating the working class like an art project. 'Its very condescending. "Ooh, look at the poor!" But Im proud to be this mixed-race working-class kid from a block of flats. [Graham has a Jamaican grandfather].' Graham has spoken candidly in the past about his struggles with mental health, revealing that in his early twenties, he battled 'really bad depression' and once attempted to take his own life. 'Thankfully, the rope snapped and I'm here today,' he told The Sunday Times in 2019. Graham also discussed how the intense method acting techniques he practiced during drama school affected him deeply, leading to what he described as an 'induced psychosis'. He explained: 'Method acting is a wonderful practice, and I threw everything at it. I had a couple of incidents and then I felt like I couldn't handle it anymore.' He admitted 'losing himself' when he played his breakout role as racist skinhead Combo in Shane Meadow's 2006 film This is England. As well as the racial abuse he endured, he has also discussed growing up as a 'working-class from a block of flats' While admitting working class families are often treated 'like an art project' and shown as 'miserable' in TV, Stephen claimed British TV is 'misinterpreted' (pictured with his wife Hannah) He said he used alcohol to cope with the pressure of the role, telling BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs: 'It was life-changing. I lost myself quite a bit within that character.' He said he would often come home and 'cry my eyes out' after filming intense scenes for the movie. He said: 'For me, that was where I really learned to dive into a character.' Stephen broke down in tears as he spoke about his father being his biggest supporter during a heartwarming interview on Wednesday. The actor idolised Robert De Niro as a child and had a poster of him from the film Taxi Driver on his wall. Appearing on Capital Breakfast with Jordan North, Chris Stark and Sian Welby, Stephen told how his dad was his biggest supporter. He said: 'I had posters on my wall, of Taxi Driver, and different actors that my dad had got me.' 'And then you ended up working with them,' co-host Jordan North said. Stephen broke down in tears as he spoke about his father being his biggest supporter during a heartwarming interview on Wednesday 'Telling your dad' fellow co-host Sian Welby added. 'It must have been the proudest moment.' Becoming emotional, Stephen said: 'It makes me.want to go on it' He went on: 'I went 'dad, you'll never guess who, I'm going to be working with' and he's like 'who' and I went 'Mary's asked me to do a film again' and he's like 'that's amazing son!' 'I went 'yeah' ohI've gone! You know, he proper backed me. And me mum. They supported me throughout everything. Do you know what I mean? 'All the struggles you go through and everything. Me contact lens has fallen out! And he was, yeah, you can imagine it was unbelievable.' Adolescence, written by Stephen and Jack Thorne, was only released on Netflix last week, but has already made waves and earned huge praise for its storyline and videography. Stephen takes 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 (Emilia Holliday). However, the star's triumphant successes have not come without challenges - one of those being that he suffers from dyslexia. Adolescence, written by Stephen and Jack Thorne, was only released on Netflix last week, but has already made waves and earned huge praise for its storyline and videography The learning difficulty poses obvious obstacles when it comes to reading scripts and learning lines, twin staples of the actor's craft. Stephen's wife Hannah Walters, whom he has been married to since 2008, has offered her husband invaluable support, carefully vetting the scripts put before him and ensuring he makes the best decisions for his career. 'I'm dyslexic, so I struggle,' Stephen revealed on a Bafta Sessions panel in 2019. 'My missus actually reads the script and says whether or not I'm doing it. She's made some good choices. 'I have to read it and read it and read it, then make it look like it's the first time I'm saying it.' The task is made easier by the fact that the couple have their own production company, Matriarch Productions, which they established in 2020. Formed with the aim of providing a platform for underrepresented voices and stories, the collaboration yielded the Bafta-nominated film Boiling Point the following year, in which Hannah not only served as an executive producer but also appeared on screen. As Stephen has revealed on Act on This, an online platform for TV actors, dealing with dyslexia necessitates a painstaking and methodological approach to his job. Stephen takes 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 (Emilia Holliday) It is one he undertakes not only for personal reasons, but also out of a clear sense of collective responsibility to his colleagues. 'I read the whole script and we can talk about the script and I find my way into my character and what's happening through the journey, said Stephen. 'It's a technique that me and Hannah have developed; it's not just me, I know a few other people do it. 'I break it down in bite-size chunks, so I know exactly what I'm shooting on what specific day. 'If you've got a couple of big days on the bounce, it's no good having it all in your head. 'It's good to have it roughly there, but as soon as we finish work, I'm going back to my hotel room to sit and learn those lines for the next day, so when I come in the next day I'm ready to go.' He continued: 'Different actors their own techniques, and I respect all of them. 'If I was to give any kind of advice to any actor, [it would be to] do the work - because you need to do the work in order to make it look like you don't do the work.' Ryan Reynolds is under fire for attempting to distance himself from a lawsuit that Justin Baldonis attorney claims he played a significant role in shaping. On Tuesday, Reynolds filed a motion to be dismissed from Baldonis $400 million defamation lawsuit, which stemmed from allegations made by Reynolds' wife Blake Lively, accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment. In his request, Reynolds described himself as a 'supportive spouse who has witnessed firsthand the emotional, reputational and financial devastation' Lively endured. He also claimed Baldoni was attempting to 'shame' him for being 'the kind of man who is confident enough to listen to the woman in his life and stand with her.' But Baldonis lawyer Bryan Freedman isnt having it. Speaking to TMZ on Wednesday, he fired back, saying, 'Mr. Reynolds exploitation of his enormous power in Hollywood continues, this time arrogantly asking to be dismissed from the case despite his publicly documented involvement extending far beyond just being a supportive spouse.' Ryan Reynolds is under fire for attempting to distance himself from a lawsuit that Justin Baldoni s (seen in 2024) attorney claims he played a significant role in shaping On Tuesday, Reynolds (seen in February) filed a motion to be dismissed from Baldonis $400 million lawsuit , which stemmed from allegations made by Reynolds' wife Blake Lively , accusing Baldoni of sexual harassment. Freedman doubled down, accusing Reynolds of playing a central role in what he called a smear campaign. 'Mr. Reynolds was a key player in the scheme, defaming Justin around Hollywood, strong-arming WME into dropping Justin as a client, and trying to destroy Justins career however possible.' As previously reported, Reynolds filing also took aim at Baldonis claims that the 'Nicepool' character in Deadpool & Wolverine was meant to mock him, dismissing the actor as 'thin-skinned.' Freedman, however, scoffed at Reynolds' attempt to exit the case. 'His fingerprints have been all over this smear campaign against Justin and the Wayfarer team since day one. Mr. Reynolds now attempts to reduce plainly cognizable claims to hurt feelings, sending a clear message that bullying is acceptable.' He didnt stop there, adding, 'After lighting a match, Mr. Reynolds now seeks to run from the flames. It wont work. The Wayfarer Parties claims against him are real, and they are serious. 'Mr. Reynolds can appear on as many sketch shows as he wants and feebly try to make light of his current situation, but we will not stop until he is held accountable for his actions.' That 'sketch shows' dig appears to reference Reynolds SNL 50 appearance, where he and Lively seemingly mocked their ongoing legal drama with Baldoni. But Baldonis lawyer Bryan Freedman isnt having it. Speaking to TMZ on Wednesday, he fired back, saying, 'Mr. Reynolds exploitation of his enormous power in Hollywood continues, this time arrogantly asking to be dismissed from the case despite his publicly documented involvement extending far beyond just being a supportive spouse' Reynolds is seeking dismissal with prejudice, which would bar Baldoni from re-filing the suit in the future. But judging by the fire coming from Baldonis legal team, theyre prepared to fight that every step of the way. In his request for dismissal, Reynolds said he was entitled to have a low opinion of Baldoni because of what he put his wife through. The papers said: Mr. Reynolds has a First Amendment right to hold Mr. Baldoni or any man who Mr. Reynolds believes sexually harassed his wife in deep disdain.' The filing marks an extraordinary twist in the epic battle between Baldoni, Reynolds and Lively. Lively was the first to sue in December last year, alleging that Baldoni ordered a smear campaign against her due to tensions on the set of It Ends With Us, a domestic violence drama. Baldoni, 41, retaliated with a $400 million defamation case against Lively, 37, and Reynolds, 48, as well as the New York Times, which ran a lengthy article about her claims. In his latest salvo, Reynolds demanded that he be dismissed from the case on several grounds, but his scorching language indicated how personal the dispute has become. His lawyers asked: 'What does Ryan Reynolds have to do with (this case), legally speaking, other than being a supportive spouse who has witnessed firsthand the emotional, reputational, and financial devastation Ms. Lively has suffered? Nothing.' Reynolds claimed that the only reason he was named as a defendant was because Steve Sarowitz, the co-founder of Baldonis production company Wayfarer Studios, had pledged $100 million to ruin him and Lively. The Deadpool star claims that Baldonis allegations are polluting this courts docket with hundreds of paragraphs of clickbait, designed for an audience other than this court, with virtually no bearing on cognizable legal claim. Reynolds notes that the allegations against him refer to two occasions he supposedly called Baldoni a predator. But Reynolds says that this is protected speech because he firmly believes it. The filing states: The (complaint filed by Baldoni) alleges no plausible facts that suggest Mr. Reynolds did not believe this comment to be true; instead, the relevant allegations suggest that Mr. Reynolds genuinely, perhaps passionately, believes that Mr Baldonis behavior is reflective of a predator. Reynolds then referred to Nicepool, a mockingly woke character in Deadpool & Wolverine which premiered last July, which Baldoni claims is based on him even down to the man bun hairstyle. The document says Baldoni's 'thin-skinned outrage over a movie character, the satirical "woke" Nicepool, does not even pretend to be tied to any actual legal claims. Baldoni said Im sure I have crossed boundaries and lines in my teens and twenties not even thinking about it simply because of the porn I was consuming,' according to Reynolds's motion 'Instead, it falls into the general allegation of "hurt feelings" which in reality is nothing more than a desperate effort to advance the same curated "bully" image that (Baldoni) created and disseminated in the retaliation campaign they launched against Ms. Lively in August of 2024. In another blistering passage, Reynolds says that Baldonis complaint, which ran to 179 pages, was long on hyperbole. He writes: It is, in essence, a burn book filled with grievances attempting to shame Mr. Reynolds for being the kind of man who is "confident enough to listen" to the woman in his life and to hold her "anguish and actually stand with her. Reynolds goes on defending Lively, saying he is allowed to stand up for her. In another startling passage, Reynolds uses Baldonis own public comments against him to demonstrate he is a self-confessed predator. He says that Baldonis own statements contain numerous references to conduct that a reasonable observer could well consider predatory. They include a 2023 YouTube interview in which Baldoni said: Im sure I have crossed boundaries and lines in my teens and twenties not even thinking about it simply because of the porn I was consuming.' In a 2021 episode of his podcast, Man Enough in which he talked about masculinity, Baldoni said: I grew up and I had an addiction to porn. I was introduced to porn at 10 years old, formed these neural pathways in my brain, and it caused me to see the world very differently.' It Ends With Us explores the generational effects of domestic violence Baldoni and Lively have been at war since production of the movie ended with Lively claiming he sexually harassed her In another episode of the podcast, Baldoni admitted: Because we never. . . no one ever sits us down and teaches us about consent. We learn it through porn.' According to the filing, Baldoni has also admitted to using violent language about women such as: Did you smash that? saying he wanted to 'claim' women. Baldoni once said he had not treated women with the respect he knows they deserved, both socially and romantically, the filing states. Reynolds concludes: While it is unclear what predator means to an average listener, it is quite clear that there is no discernible distinction between the gist of Mr. Reynolds purported statements and the very behavior to which Mr. Baldoni has repeatedly confessed in public appearances, including that he spent years of his life mistreating women, which he attributes to a lengthy addiction to pornography, as well as openly describing his distorted conception of "consent" in sexual relationships.' 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The 36-year-old nepo baby was seen out with 28-year-old actor Noah Centineo once again in New York on Tuesday. The handsome pair enjoyed a date night at the Off-Broadway opening of Vanya which stars the talented Andrew Scott. Zoe and Noah were not alone as they were joined on the outing by recent Critics Choice Awards winner Cristin Milioti and Michael Gandolfini. The rumored couple remained close as they left the theater performance with their fellow thespians. Zoe looked chic in a monochrome ensemble including oversized black blazer over silky white dress. Zoe Kravitz has continued to spark romance rumors with a hunky actor just five months after her heartbreaking split from Channing Tatum Kravitz and Tatum were romantically involved for three years and engaged for one, before they called off the wedding at the end of October; seen in August 2024 She gripped onto a beige clutch as she accessorized with multiple rings on her fingers. Her raven-colored tresses were worn down in a middle-part as she showcased her looks with natural, complementary make-up. Noah kept his look simple in a dark brown jacket over black hoodie and baggy trousers. He also donned a grey backwards cap as he walked around in white Nike sneakers. The hunky star kept his enviable jawline hidden as he sported a beard on the night out in the Big Apple. The outing came just two weeks after Zoe and Noah continued to spark romance rumors after leaving a party together in West Hollywood. In the early hours of Saturday, March 1 morning, the Big Little Lies star and actor best known for his starring role in To All the Boys I've Loved Before, were seen exiting the same small bar/club around 2:20 a.m. According to eyewitnesses, the rumored couple did leave in the same car. The 36-year-old nepo baby was seen out with 28-year-old actor Noah Centineo once again in New York on Tuesday Zoe and Noah were not alone as they were joined on the outing by recent Critics Choice Awards winner Cristin Milioti and Michael Gandolfini The pair kept close on the outing The rumored couple remained close as they left the theater performance with their fellow thespians Zoe looked chic in a monochrome ensemble including oversized black blazer over silky white dress Her raven-colored tresses were worn down in a middle-part as she showcased her looks with natural, complementary make-up She gripped onto a beige clutch as she accessorized with multiple rings on her fingers. This comes after her ex-fiance Channing went public with his new romance with Australian model Inka Williams at a pre-Oscars party in Los Angeles weeks ago, hosted by Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Kravitz and Centineo refrained from engaging in any PDA and it is unknown if their relationship is romantic or platonic, at this time. Weeks before that, Kravitz and Centineo were also seen hanging out in New York City. Meanwhile, Tatum and his new girlfriend were first spotted at the Santa Monica Proper Hotel back in January. According to DeuxMoi, Channing's new flame is around '25 years old and about half his height.' The brunette beauty, who was born in Melbourne and raised in Bali, balances her successful modelling career with her fashion brand She Is I. Inka previously discussed growing up in Bali, telling by charlotte it made her a 'very compassionate person.' 'I feel so connected to the culture and energy of this island. Its so sacred and deep. I think thats reflected in my day-to-day life and way of living,' she said. Noah kept his look simple in a dark brown jacket over black hoodie and baggy trousers He also donned a grey backwards cap as he walked around in white Nike sneakers The hunky star kept his enviable jawline hidden as he sported a beard on the night out in the Big Apple The group was on hand to attend the Off-Broadway opening of Vanya which stars the talented Andrew Scott Inka also explained how modelling from such a young age helped her 'build resilience and strength.' Kravitz and Tatum were romantically involved for three years and engaged for one, before they called off the wedding at the end of October. The split was a particular shock for the couple, as they had not only gotten engaged, but Channing had been spotted with fresh ink of Zoe's initials on the back of his hand in September. The former couple were last pictured together on Channing's Instagram page in a post from September 3, which showed Zoe apparently snoozing on her then-fiance's shirtless chest as he snapped a selfie of the two. In his caption, the Deadpool & Wolverine actor serenaded his love as he promoted her thriller Blink Twice. 'This little sweet. She So tired bro. Every time I wondered if shed break. She just kept going and going and going,' he gushed. 'Always on the dig for truth. She pourd every single ounce of her into this film. Im so proud to stand ten toes down for her, this film and everyone in it. forever. Knowing what it took to make it. No one will ever know.' This comes after her ex-fiance Channing went public with his new romance with Australian model Inka Williams at a pre-Oscars party in Los Angeles weeks ago (pictured), hosted by Creative Artists Agency (CAA) The split between Zoe and Channing was a particular shock for the couple, as they had not only gotten engaged, but Channing had been spotted with fresh ink of Zoe's initials on the back of his hand in September; seen in August He concluded on a sweet note, adding, 'Thank you for finding me and seeing me. I got you forever. Me and you back to back against it all. Ill never blink. Lets go.' The former A-list couple's last in-person sighting appears to have been on October 6, when they were seen on a date night at a production of the play Picture Day at Coffey Street Studio in Brooklyn's Red Hook neighborhood. The two were there in support of her Blink Twice actor Levon Hawke, who was making his directorial debut with the show. At the time, a source told People that the couple looked 'cozy and cute together' while hanging out with Levon and his sister, Stranger Things star Maya Hawke, before heading to a bar to party with the cast and crew. Robert De Niro's son, Aaron Kendrick, showed off a whole new look on a rare outing with his famous father out in New York City on Tuesday. As he accompanied the Taxi Driver star, 81, to the Greenwich Hotel, Aaron, 30, looked dramatically different than his past public appearances. Although he has previously been photographed rocking his natural hair and suits at events, supporting his dad, and in family portraits, Aaron is, now, sporting a long pink hairstyle. In addition to rocking cotton candy hued dreadlocks under a black beanie, the Oscar winner's son sported a pair of heeled combat boots. Aaron, who does not appear to have any public social media accounts, has largely shunned the limelight and, as a result, very little is known about him. His mother is actress Toukie Smith, best known for her role as Eva Rawley on the NBC sitcom 227. Robert De Niro 's son, Aaron Kendrick (pictured left), showed off a whole new look on a rare outing with his famous father out in New York City on Tuesday Smith, 72, and De Niro conceived their twins by in vitro fertilization and they were delivered via surrogate. The former couple began dating after his divorce from Diahnne Abbott. They were together for approximately eight years, between 1988 to 1996. De Niro has previously spoken candidly about raising bi-racial children. While appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in 2020, the Hollywood legend spoke candidly about raising his biracial children. 'My children are all half black and I don't have, even me, I take certain things for granted,' De Niro admitted. He continued: 'When people say that they tell their kids, "Keep your hands [out] when you're stopped by any cops, keep your hands on the steering wheel, don't make a sudden move, don't put your hands below, don't do this," you understand that.' 'That's scary. That has to change,' he stated, referencing the conversation around referring to police brutality following George Floyd's death. 'Anybody who hurts another person for no reason other than self-defense or the defense of other people around shouldn't be doing that job.' Although he has previously been photographed rocking an afro hairstyle and suits at events, supporting his dad, and in family portraits, Aaron, now 30, has long pink hair Aaron was seen stepping out with his dad, 81, at the Greenwich Hotel That same year, De Niro reflected on whether his kids feel pressured to follow in his footsteps. 'For my kids, I tell them, "If you want to be an actor or you want to do this or that, thats fine as long as youre happy,"' he told People. 'Just dont sell yourself short. Thats the most I would say push yourself a little more and reach for what you really think it is you want to do. Dont be afraid.' He continued: 'Its important for them to find their own lane.' Although Aaron has not pursued fame, his twin brother, Julian is a working actor. He got his first major break in 2016 when he appeared in In Dubious Battle alongside a star-studded cast which included Selena Gomez and James Franco. Aaron (seen bottom left) is one of De Niro's seven children His mother is actress Toukie Smith, best known for her role as Eva Rawley on the NBC sitcom 227 (Smith and De Niro seen together in 1990) Although Aaron has not pursued fame, his twin brother, Julian is a working actor; Aaron and Julian seen as children in 1998 But his TV debut took a little longer to come to fruition. Julian took up the role as a young Barack Obama in Showtime's drama series The First Lady in 2022. The 30-year-old, who studied computer science and math at New York University, has also shown a great deal of prowess with the written word too. In 2018, he even had a study - titled 'What The World Wants' - published in The Washington Post. In it, the star explored the results of an in-depth Twitter analysis - which he conducted alongside his professor and a classmate - in order to uncover 'what people craved the most in 2018.' Paris Hilton has revealed the real reason behind her 'Barbie doll' persona as she opened up about pasta trauma in a candid new interview on Wednesday. The socialite, 44, explained that she built her 'character' as a way to escape her traumatic teenage years at a Utah boarding school. Paris has alleged that she was 'physically and sexually abused' during her two years at Provo Canyon School after being sent to the institution by her parents when she was a rebellious teen. The mother-of-two admitted that she used the 'blonde dumb girl' character as a 'mask' to protect herself from the media asking about her 'traumatising' past. Speaking to Grazia magazine, she said: 'I had created this kind of Barbie doll, "perfect life", character to be like a mask. I didn't want to talk about certain things. People wouldn't even think to ask any traumatising questions. It was this whole protection over the pain.' The TV personality hopes she will now be called 'iconic' after she got the passing of The Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act in December. Paris Hilton has revealed the real reason behind her ' Barbie doll ' persona in a candid new interview on Wednesday; pictured 2004 The socialite, 44, explained that she built her 'character' as a way to escape her traumatic teenage years at a Utah boarding school She continued: 'I just couldn't keep silent anymore and it started me on this journey of self-discovery and healing and catharsis. It made me feel very strong that I had survived something so horrific. 'In DC they'd never seen something pass so fast. I'm just really proud that I kept going back and telling my story. No one has done anything to protect these kids. It's not over yet I'm going to continue to fight because there's so much more to do. I hope that's why people call me iconic.' Paris has travelled to Washington every six to 10 months starting in October 2021, lobbying Congress to reform youth residential treatment facilities. She individually met with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Republican Senators Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Tim Scott of South Carolina to advocate for the bill's passage. The model had been 'doing a little girls, sister holiday shopping' in Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City on Wednesday when she learned that her bill had been passed by the Senate, she told ABC News. She recalled how they were 'bawling, in tears, just so proud and so happy' by the news, but is now urging House lawmakers to bring the bill to the floor for a vote 'immediately.' 'When the US Senate came together in a rare show of unity to pass the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act unanimously on Wednesday December 11th, it was one of the best moments of my life. It was proof that when we listen to survivors and put politics aside, we can create real, meaningful change,' Hilton wrote in her open letter. 'But this journey isn't over. I can't celebrate until this bill becomes law, and now it's up to the US House of Representatives to finish what the Senate started.' Paris has alleged that she was 'physically and sexually abused' during her two years at Provo Canyon School after being sent to the institution by her parents when she was a rebellious teen; pictured 2000 The mother-of-two admitted that she used the 'blonde dumb girl' character as a 'mask' to protect herself from the media asking about her 'traumatising' past; pictured 2002 She said: 'I had created this kind of Barbie doll, "perfect life", character to be like a mask. People wouldn't even think to ask any traumatising questions. It was this whole protection over the pain' She continued, 'To Leader Scalise, Speaker Johnson, and every member of the House: I urge you to think about the children who can't speak for themselves. They're relying on us - on you - to stand up for their safety and dignity. Passing this bill would be a testament to what we can achieve when we lead with empathy and courage.' Paris testified on Capitol Hill last year about the devastating experience she suffered at Provo Canyon School in Utah in the 1990s as she advocated for sweeping reforms to the foster and youth rehab system. 'When I was 16 years old, I was ripped from my bed in the middle of night and transported across state lines to the first of four residential facilities,' Hilton told the House Ways and Means Committee in June. 'For two years I was force-fed medications and sexually abused by the staff. I was violently restrained ... stripped naked, thrown in solitary confinement,' the Hilton hotels heiress went on. Hilton said her parents had been 'completely manipulated' by the facilities and were unaware of the treatment she was enduring. In the past her parents had been 'conned' into believe her ADD could be fixed with 'tough love.' 'This $23billion-a-year industry sees this population as dollar signs and operates without meaningful oversight,' Hilton added. She also revealed last year that her first sexual experience was non-consensual, when she was raped by an older man at the age of 15 after consuming a spiked drink. At the time, Hilton was living with her grandmother in Palm Springs and would often visit the Westfield Century City shopping center in Los Angeles with her friends. The TV personality hopes she will now be called 'iconic' after she got the passing of The Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act in December She continued: 'I just couldn't keep silent anymore and it started me on this journey of self-discovery and healing and catharsis. It made me feel very strong that I had survived something so horrific'; pictured at Capitol Hill She told to Glamour UK how older men would often hang around the stores and speak to them and one day they invited Paris and her friends back 'to their house'. Paris said she was offered 'berry wine coolers' to drink and one of the men was particularly forceful about getting her to drink it. She said: 'When I had maybe one or two sips, I just immediately started feeling dizzy and woozy. I don't know what he put in there; I'm assuming it was a roofie [Rohypnol].' The hotel heiress claimed she woke up several hours later knowing something bad had happened. She said: 'I remembered it. I have visions of him on top of me, covering my mouth, being like, "You're dreaming, you're dreaming," and whispering that in my ear.' She added the experience made her feel ashamed and she went to boarding school in Utah for two years soon after where she claimed she was sexually abused after being forced to undergo cervical exams performed by staff members in the early hours of the morning while attending the school. Amanda Halterman, one of the breakout stars of 1000-Lb. Sisters, unveiled her jaw-dropping transformation on Wednesday, leaving fans in awe of her dramatically slimmed-down figure. Though she shares the spotlight with her sisters Tammy and Amy Slaton, Amanda didnt make her debut on the TLC hit until Season 4, as she was navigating a divorce at the time. Since undergoing bariatric surgery in March 2023, she has shed an astonishing 300 pounds, and her latest Instagram posts showcase just how far shes come. In the new photos, Amanda flaunts her striking new look while enjoying a day of self-care at a fair salon, dressed casually in a pink T-shirt and jeans. 'Had such a great time hanging out with the kiddos and getting pampered. Thank you,' she captioned the post, radiating confidence and joy. Fans flooded the comments with praise, with many marveling at 'what a difference' her transformation has made. Amanda Halterman, one of the breakout stars of 1000-Lb. Sisters, unveiled her jaw-dropping transformation on Wednesday, leaving fans in awe of her dramatically slimmed-down figure; (seen in 2013) Though she shares the spotlight with her sisters, Tammy and Amy Slaton, Amanda didnt make her debut on the TLC hit until Season 4, as she was navigating a divorce at the time; (seen in 2016) Since undergoing bariatric surgery in March 2023, she has shed an astonishing 300 pounds, and her latest Instagram posts showcase just how far shes come 'You look amazing. You've always kept it real which i love you for that. So happy to see you smiling,' wrote one supporter. Another chimed in, 'Always a pretty face. Now, even more beautiful.' Yet another shared their own journey, writing, 'You look amazing! I had barbaric surgery as well. Day of surgery I weighed in at 296! 7 years later I am 115... best decision of my life!' The weight-loss post comes after Amanda shared a poignant spiritual message in September after her sister star Amy was arrested on drug and child endangerment charges. Amy plead guilty to 'simple possession' drug charges and signed a plea deal after she was arrested at a Tennessee zoo when officials discovered marijuana and mushrooms in her vehicle after she called them regarding a camel bite. Slaton received a suspended sentence of 11 months and 29 days to time served, and she won't spend any time behind bars. The reality star was also ordered to pay a $500 fine and attend an alcohol and drug assessment, and she was forbidden from contacting Tennessee Safari Park. The filing added that her additional charges of child abuse and child endangerment were dismissed. In the new photos, Amanda flaunts her striking new look while enjoying a day of self-care at a fair salon, dressed casually in a pink T-shirt and jeans 'Had such a great time hanging out with the kiddos and getting pampered. Thank you,' she captioned the post, radiating confidence and joy, as fans flooded the comments with praise; (seen R in 2013) The weight-loss post comes after Amanda shared a poignant spiritual message in September after her sister star Amy was arrested on drug and child endangerment charges; (seen with Tammy) Amy Slaton was arrested at a Tennessee zoo back in September after she called them herself for a camel bite, though they discovered marijuana and mushrooms in her vehicle Amanda pictured with sister Tammy The Crockett County Sheriff's statement from September revealed, 'Upon arrival, deputies were immediately overtaken by suspicious odors coming from the guests vehicle. Slaton was then taken to the ER to receive treatment for the camel bite, before she was taken into custody. After the police investigation, Slaton was charged with, 'llegal possession of Schedule I, illegal possession of Schedule VI, and two counts of child endangerment.' The child endangerment charges came from the fact that her two children, sons Gage, 4, and Glenn, 2, were in the car where the suspicious smells came from. Slaton shares the children with her ex Michael Halterman, though she was arrested with a man named Brian Scott Lovvorn. John Bishop has shared a rare photo of his son Luke and penned an emotional message as he marked his 29th birthday. The comedian, 58, took to Instagram on Wednesday to wish his son a happy birthday as he shared a current and throwback image. Standing in their home, John could be seen giving Luke a big hug in a recent snap - with a picture of him holding his son as a baby layered over it. John, who also shares sons Joe and Daniel with his wife of 32 years Melanie, shared his joy at being able to hug his son 29 years on from his birth. He wrote: 'Incredible to think I held @samplesizelukey in my arms as he enjoyed his first day in this world 29 years ago today. It fills my heart to do the same again. 'On that day I could never have imagined how life would pan out and today I have no idea what the next 29 years hold, but if I can be there to hold him in my arms again on this day in 29 years it would be a dream. John Bishop shared a rare photo of his son Luke and penned an emotional message on Instagram on Wednesday as he marked his 29th birthday He wrote: 'Incredible to think I held @samplesizelukey in my arms as he enjoyed his first day in this world 29 years ago today' 'Happy Birthday Luke my son, your Dad loves you .' Last year, John wrote for his son's 28th birthday: 'Happy birthday to our son Luke - great seeing him with his mum and brothers with me looking up to them all to make the angle just right .' John was praised back in 2018 when he gave an emotional speech about one of his sons while accepting a NatWest British LGBT Award. The comedian was named Ally of the Year and moved the audience with his touching words at the London Marriott Hotel in Grosvenor Square. He attended the event with his wife Melanie and sons Joe, Luke and Daniel, and was surprised when hosts Mel B and Duncan James handed him the award. In his speech, he joked: 'I was so pleased to be nominated. 'I brought my whole family, my wife and my three sons who I love and I am massively proud of. 'Like all parents we have problems with them. One of my sons has a tattoo on his ankle that was meant to be Africa but looks like Australia, one of my sons mumbles and one of my sons is a gay man. The comedian, 58, took to Instagram on Wednesday to wish his son a happy birthday as he shared a current and throwback image (Seen in February) John, who also shares sons Joe and Daniel with his wife of 32 years Melanie, shared his joy at being able to hug his son 29 years on from his birth Last year, John wrote for his son's 28th birthday: 'Happy birthday to our son Luke - great seeing him with his mum and brothers with me looking up to them all to make the angle just right ' 'I'll be honest, there's been loads of nights when me and my wife have sat up and worried and worried and worried. 'What are we going to do if he doesn't stop mumbling?' Sami Sheen broke down in tears after seeing the results of her nose job. The OnlyFans model had a few tense moments following rhinoplasty surgery performed in August by celebrity surgeon Dr. Deepak Dugar. Her mother Denise Richards got a first look then told her 21-year-old mini-me child the new nose was 'amazing,' as seen on the Tuesday episode of Denise Richards And Her Wild Things. When Sheen looked for herself, she became overwhelmed with happiness and shed tears of joy. 'I've wanted this for so long. Oh, my God, it looks so good. This is how I'd FaceTune it. I can't believe it's real life now,' an emotional Sami said. 'I feel so pretty now. Now I feel like I can finally get my headshots done to start modeling. This was the one thing holding me back. Now I got a good nose.' Sami Sheen broke down in tears after seeing the results of her nose job. The OnlyFans model had a few tense moments following rhinoplasty surgery performed in August by celebrity surgeon Dr. Deepak Dugar Her mother Denise Richards got a first look then told her 21-year-old mini-me child the new nose was 'amazing,' as seen on the Tuesday episode of Denise Richards And Her Wild Things . When Sheen looked for herself, she shed tears of joy The daughter of the Wild Things actress and ex-husband Charlie Sheen also expressed anxiety during the drive to the doctor's office with her mom. 'Im just so nervous,' Sami admitted during the episode of the Bravo reality series. 'What if its too skinny, I dont know. I hope he did the right amount.' She then admitted, 'Getting my boobs done, I didn't need it. I did it because I wanted big boobs, but this is going to change my whole life.' During a confessional, Sami revealed how she would 'spend hours and hours and hours editing' her nose in photos, and at times went as far as to not post certain photos of herself because she felt it looked 'huge.' 'I wanted to rip it off myself,' she said of her frustration over the years while working her social media platforms. Richards, 54, seemed a bit uneasy with her daughter's honesty, responding, 'Really? I loved your nose,' for which Sami shot back, 'Well, its gone forever. Thank God.' The reality star would go on to ask her mother to look at the results first when she sat in the examination chair in the doctor's office.. 'I need you to be so honest with me before I see it. I'm so scared,' the actress said with obvious anxiety. 'I feel so pretty now. Now I feel like I can finally get my headshots done to start modeling,' Sami said after rhinoplasty surgery this past August by celebrity surgeon Dr Dugar The daughter of the Wild Things actress and ex-husband Charlie Sheen also expressed anxiety during the drive to the doctor's office with her mom 'Getting my boobs done, I didn't need it. I did it because I wanted big boobs, but this is going to change my whole life,' Sami said; the model is seen before her nose and chest transformations The OnlyFans model has been giving an array of looks at her new nose following surgery; she is seen in a new Instagram photo on Tuesday Richards said she was 'happy' for Sami, and that she was able to empathize with her daughter's need to alter her appearance; the actress is seen with daughters Lola and Sami And then, after her mother complimented the surgeon's work and her beauty, Sami started crying those happy tears the very moment she saw her new nose. During her own confessional, Denise said that she was 'happy' for Sami, while also sharing how she ultimately was able to empathize with her daughter's need to alter her appearance. 'It's so hard as a mom, because I definitely don't think that Sami knows how other people see her and how beautiful she is,' The World Is Not Enough star added. 'I had to go back to my 19-year-old self when I had surgery and remember how I felt at that time. I now really understand how much it means to her to have this done. I do think, for her, she made the right decision.' Sami went on to describe her post-surgery reveal as 'the best day of my life.' Bruce Willis' wife Emma Heming, 46, has asked for public support on is 70th birthday. The former model took to social media to encourage fans to 'rally' for the Die Hard actor. Brice has been suffering from dementia for years and his family has been open about his condition. 'Its Bruces birthday, and if theres one thing I know, its that theres no greater fan than a Bruce fan,' wrote the brunette beauty. 'So flood him with all the love todayhe will feel it, I swear he will. You are one powerful bunch. I love how you rally for him, and Im so grateful that he has you .' Bruce's three children with ex-wife Demi Moore - Rumer, Scout, 33, and Tallulah, 31 - hit the like button and left sweet comments. In 2009, the Hollywood star married Emma and they went on to welcome two daughters Mabel, 12, and Evelyn, 10. Bruce Willis' wife Emma Hemming has asked for public support on is 70th birthday. The former model took to social media to encourage fans to 'rally' for the Die Hard actor. Brice has been suffering from dementia for years 'Its Bruces birthday, and if theres one thing I know, its that theres no greater fan than a Bruce fan,' wrote the brunette beauty. Seen with Bruce, their kids, and his children with ex-wife Demi Moore The day before his daughter Rumer gave an update on her father. The House Bunny actress, 36 - who recently enjoyed a playdate with daughter Louetta - opened up about the retired actor's health during a Q+A session on her Instagram stories on Tuesday. In February 2023, Bruce's loved ones revealed that he had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia - one year after he 'stepped away' from acting due to also battling aphasia. In one reel, the mother-of-one was asked by a fan, 'How's your dad doing?' and Rumer replied, 'He's doing great, thank you for asking.' She then added, 'It is actually his 70th birthday tomorrow so please wish my papa a big happy birthday.' The eldest daughter of Bruce and Demi could be seen filming the video while sitting in front of a comfy couch inside a spacious living room. Willis and The Substance actress were previously married from 1987 through 2000 - and welcomed three children:. Last month in February, Rumer also gave rare insight into how her father was doing during an interview with ITV and expressed that the family has 'rallied around each other.' She shared, 'He's doing great. I think, obviously as many people in California, the thing we're all kind of the most scared, dealing with is just fires and wanting to make sure everything is okay. Demi and Bruce seen with Emma Heming as well as Rumer, Scout and Tallulah in 2019 in L.A. Rumer Willis, 36, gave an update on her father Bruce Willis just one day before the star's 70th birthday which will take place on Wednesday, March 19 'Because my family, we're all so close, I think what's so beautiful is the way that we rally around each other, [it's] so lovely, because we really are a unit.' Rumer then applauded Bruce and Demi's relationship even after they divorced after 13 years of marriage. 'I think the thing I'm most grateful for is that even when they split up, they created such a beautiful foundation of prioritizing my sisters and I, that I never felt like I had to choose or like, they never played against each other.' She further expressed that, 'We were a family, and we still are very much a family no matter what In one reel, the mother-of-one was asked by a fan, 'How's your dad doing?' and Rumer replied, 'He's doing great, thank you for asking' Last month in February, Rumer also gave rare insight into how her father was doing during an interview with ITV and expressed that the family has 'rallied around each other' 'And not only did I feel like that has set me up in my life to have such a beautiful foundation of my own family, but now, as I'm working through co-parenting as well, I feel deep gratitude for the example they've set.' Earlier this month, Bruce's wife Emma shared the shocking call she received from a 'very prominent doctor' as she cares for the retired actor amid his dementia battle. She expressed on Instagram, 'I received a call from a very prominent doctor the other day, letting me know that he has a family who's just been diagnosed with young onset Alzheimer's. '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?"' Emma continued, '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. 'The thing that just boggles my mind is how do our doctors not already have a Rolodex of ways to support caregivers?' the mother-of-two questioned to her followers. '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. 'I'm not even in the same state as them, same city. It's very hard to sort of pass on those resources, except to like the Association For Frontotemporal Dementia or things like that.' Heming added, 'But it's 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.' Earlier this month, Emma shared the shocking call she received from a 'very prominent doctor' as she cares for the retired actor amid his dementia battle Last month, she also shared a video to Instagram to help celebrate National Caregivers Day. In the reel, Emma gave her fans advice on how to 'show up' for caregivers and also penned a caption to share ways to support them as well. It read: 'National Caregivers Day. Let's move away from saying, "Let me know if you need anything," and instead say, "Here's how I can help you." Its tangible, actionable, and takes the burden off the caregiver to decide. 'Be specific - offer real support. Drop off a meal, run an errand, or surprise them with their favorite coffee. Take the guesswork off their plate.' She concluded with, 'Caregiving is heavy, but support doesn't have to be complicated. A small, thoughtful act can make all the difference.' Last year in October, Emma opened up about his dementia battle and expressed that she doesn't 'shield' her daughters from the diagnosis. During an interview with Town & Country Magazine, Heming explained, 'This disease is misdiagnosed, it's missed, it's misunderstood. 'So finally getting to a diagnosis was key so that I could learn what frontotemporal dementia is and I could educate our children.' Emma added, 'I've never tried to sugarcoat anything for them. They've grown up with Bruce declining over the years. I'm not trying to shield them from it.' Last year in October, Emma opened up about his dementia battle and expressed that she doesn't 'shield' her daughters from the diagnosis 'What I learned from our therapist was that if children ask questions, they're ready to know the answer. If we could see that Bruce was struggling, I would address it with the kids so they could understand, but this disease is chronic, progressive and terminal.' Heming told the outlet that their children don't tend 'to speak about the terminal side of this with them, nor have they asked.' However, she expressed that Mabel and Evelyn 'know that Daddy's not going to get better.' Emma said that she was not going to let 'FTD to take our whole family down. Bruce wouldn't want that,' while adding that she hopes to help the 'next family out there.' Last month in February, Demi Moore gave an emotional update on Bruce during an interview with Variety. The Golden Globe winner told the outlet, 'We will always be a family, just in a different form. 'For me, there was never a question. I show up because that's what you do for the people you love,' Moore added. She then explained, 'I hope it's encouraging for others to see that there's a different way to do things. There is life after divorce. There is a way to co-parent with love.' In February 2023, Bruce's family issued a statement on Instagram to reveal his FTD diagnosis. Also in February, Moore gave an emotional update on Bruce during an interview with Variety; seen in 2018 in L.A. At the time, they explained that it is the 'most common form of dementia' but added there are currently 'no treatments for the disease. 'As Bruce's condition advances, we hope that any media attention can be focused on shining a light on this disease that needs far more awareness and research. 'Bruce always believed in using his voice in the world to help others, and to raise awareness about important issues both publicly and privately,' they added. 'We know in our hearts that - if he could today - he would want to respond by bringing global attention and a connectedness with those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it impacts so many individuals and their families.' Fans are turning on Ryan Reynolds for allegedly mocking Justin Baldoni, amid the latest vicious twist of their spiraling legal battle. In a brutal new court filing, Reynolds defended his wife Blake Lively and called Baldoni a 'predator,' deriding him for his thin-skinned outrage and hurt feelings.' Reynolds said he believed Baldoni harassed his wife on the set of It Ends With Us, the film which led to the two sides suing each other. In his $400 million defamation lawsuit against Reynolds, Lively and the New York Times, Baldoni claimed to have been the basis for a comically 'woke' character called Nicepool in Reynolds' recent hit movie Deadpool v. Wolverine. An eagle-eyed X user has posted side-by-side pictures of Reynolds as Nicepool and Baldoni in a throwback shot wearing a Mr. Incredible costume - leaving observers stunned at the uncanny resemblance between the two images. Melanie King, the social media user who uploaded the photos last week, claimed: 'Now we know the inspiration of Nicepool.' An eagle-eyed X user has posted side-by-side pictures of Ryan Reynolds as Nicepool and Justin Baldoni wearing a Mr. Incredible costume - and fans noticed the uncanny similarity Reynolds defended his wife Blake Lively and called Baldoni a 'predator,' deriding him for his thin-skinned outrage and hurt feelings'; Lively and Reynolds pictured February She then wildly alleged: 'Ryan Reynolds looks identical to Justin Baldoni, nose prosthetic included because hes Jewish, in Deadpool.' There has been no confirmation that Reynolds wore a false nose to play Nicepool, but his long hairdo with a messy man bun was eerily similar to the one Baldoni had in the photo of him dressed as Mr. Incredible. In her X post, King furiously slammed Reynolds as a 'psychopath' and added: 'Gotta make sure Bryan Freedman sees this,' referring to Baldoni's attorney. The collage King posted was originally uploaded the previous week by another X account, @spiritualshift_. When King posted the images, her replies were flooded with X users sharing their outraged reactions to what they perceived as Reynolds' parody of Baldoni. Some of them pointed out that Baldoni's long hair was the result of his growing it out for years in order to donate it to Locks Of Love, which provides wigs to children who have lost their hair because of health issues like cancer. 'Justin Baldoni grew his hair out like that so he could donate it to cancer patients. Ryan Reynolds mocked him for it. In a world of Ryan Reynolds, be a Justin Baldoni,' wrote one X user in reaction to King's post. 'This has made Ryan look like a weak unattractive maniac,' wrote another. 'I thought he was a cool guy and attractive until this side of his personality has been brought to light. I cant tell if its egotistical or low self esteem but he breaks of whatever it is.' 'There is no doubt about this character being a mock Justin. He seems like such a nice man too its pretty clear,' a third X user opined before adding: 'I hope he wins all of whatever he is asking for.' King's replies were flooded with X users sharing their outraged reactions to what they perceived as Reynolds' parody of Baldoni Reynolds said that he believed Baldoni was a 'predator' who harassed his wife on the set of It Ends With Us, the film which led to the two sides suing each other for defamation. 'Ryan Reynolds feeling the need to mock a man because he's nice and "too perfect" tells you what a mean girl Ryan Reynolds is,' sneered another. 'Wtfffff this is so creepy! WHY are they so obsessed with this man?!' exclaimed one X user as another marveled: 'Cant believe they thought theyd get away with this.' 'Ryan making fun of a man who grew out his hair to eventually cut & donate to a charity foundation is not funny,' fumed an observer. 'Truly psychotic behavior,' another X user claimed, raging: The obsession is sick. He needs immediate psychiatric evaluation. How can anyone want to work with this crazy clown after all this.' In his new motion, Reynolds demanded to be dismissed as a defendant from Baldoni's defamation lawsuit against parties including Lively and the New York Times, which reported the news of her initial sexual harassment complaint against Baldoni. Over 38 pages, Reynolds called himself a supportive spouse who has witnessed firsthand the emotional, reputational and financial devastation his wife suffered. Reynolds accused Baldoni of attempting to 'shame' him for being the 'kind of man who is confident enough to listen to the woman in his wife and stand with her' And Reynolds said he was entitled to have a low opinion of Baldoni because of what he put his wife through. Justin Baldoni is a predator, who admitted that his view of the world was shaped by watching pornography at an early age, Reynolds claims in his motion The papers said: Mr. Reynolds has a First Amendment right to hold Mr. Baldoni or any man who Mr. Reynolds believes sexually harassed his wife in deep disdain.' The filing marks an extraordinary twist in the epic battle between Baldoni, Reynolds and Lively. Lively was the first to sue in December last year, alleging that Baldoni ordered a smear campaign against her due to tensions on the set of It Ends With Us, a domestic violence drama. Baldoni, 41, retaliated with a $400 million defamation case against Lively, 37, and Reynolds, 48, as well as the New York Times, which ran a lengthy article about her claims. In his latest salvo, Reynolds demanded that he be dismissed from the case on several grounds, but his scorching language indicated how personal the dispute has become. His lawyers asked: 'What does Ryan Reynolds have to do with (this case), legally speaking, other than being a supportive spouse who has witnessed firsthand the emotional, reputational, and financial devastation Ms. Lively has suffered? Nothing.' Reynolds describes himself as a supportive spouse who has witnessed firsthand the emotional, reputational and financial devastation his wife has suffered Reynolds claimed that the only reason he was named as a defendant was because Steve Sarowitz, the co-founder of Baldonis production company Wayfarer Studios, had pledged $100 million to ruin him and Lively. The Deadpool star claims that Baldonis allegations are polluting this courts docket with hundreds of paragraphs of clickbait, designed for an audience other than this court, with virtually no bearing on cognizable legal claim. Reynolds notes that the allegations against him refer to two occasions he supposedly called Baldoni a predator. But Reynolds says that this is protected speech because he firmly believes it. The filing states: The (complaint filed by Baldoni) alleges no plausible facts that suggest Mr. Reynolds did not believe this comment to be true; instead, the relevant allegations suggest that Mr. Reynolds genuinely, perhaps passionately, believes that Mr Baldonis behavior is reflective of a predator. Reynolds then referred to Nicepool, a mockingly woke character in Deadpool & Wolverine which premiered last July, which Baldoni claims is based on him even down to the man bun hairstyle. The document says Baldoni's 'thin-skinned outrage over a movie character, the satirical "woke" Nicepool, does not even pretend to be tied to any actual legal claims. 'Instead, it falls into the general allegation of "hurt feelings" which in reality is nothing more than a desperate effort to advance the same curated "bully" image that (Baldoni) created and disseminated in the retaliation campaign they launched against Ms. Lively in August of 2024. Baldoni said Im sure I have crossed boundaries and lines in my teens and twenties not even thinking about it simply because of the porn I was consuming,' according to Reynolds's motion In another blistering passage, Reynolds says that Baldonis complaint, which ran to 179 pages, was long on hyperbole. He writes: It is, in essence, a burn book filled with grievances attempting to shame Mr. Reynolds for being the kind of man who is "confident enough to listen" to the woman in his life and to hold her "anguish and actually stand with her. Reynolds goes on defending Lively, saying he is allowed to stand up for her. In another startling passage, Reynolds uses Baldonis own public comments against him to demonstrate he is a self-confessed predator. He says that Baldonis own statements contain numerous references to conduct that a reasonable observer could well consider predatory. They include a 2023 YouTube interview in which Baldoni said: Im sure I have crossed boundaries and lines in my teens and twenties not even thinking about it simply because of the porn I was consuming.' In a 2021 episode of his podcast, Man Enough in which he talked about masculinity, Baldoni said: I grew up and I had an addiction to porn. I was introduced to porn at 10 years old, formed these neural pathways in my brain, and it caused me to see the world very differently.' It Ends With Us explores the generational effects of domestic violence Baldoni and Lively have been at war since production of the movie ended with Lively claiming he sexually harassed her the producer In another episode of the podcast, Baldoni admitted: Because we never. . . no one ever sits us down and teaches us about consent. We learn it through porn.' According to the filing, Baldoni has also admitted to using violent language about women such as: Did you smash that? saying he wanted to 'claim' women. Baldoni once said he had not treated women with the respect he knows they deserved, both socially and romantically, the filing states. Reynolds concludes: While it is unclear what predator means to an average listener, it is quite clear that there is no discernible distinction between the gist of Mr. Reynolds purported statements and the very behavior to which Mr. Baldoni has repeatedly confessed in public appearances, including that he spent years of his life mistreating women, which he attributes to a lengthy addiction to pornography, as well as openly describing his distorted conception of "consent" in sexual relationships.' Elvis Presleys granddaughter Finley Lockwood made a rare public appearance on Thursday, sparking buzz as she stepped out in Calabasas. The 16-year-old was spotted on a casual shopping trip at Erewhon with her father Michael Lockwood, showcasing a striking resemblance to her legendary grandfather. Dressed in a white cable knit sweater over a pink tank top with flared jeans, Finleys features echoed those of the Jailhouse Rock icon, who passed away from a heart attack in 1977 at just 42 years old. She and her twin sister Harper Lockwood also bear a strong resemblance to their late mother Lisa Marie Presley, who tragically died of cardiac arrest in 2023 at age 54. Lisa Mariethe only child of Elvis and Priscilla Presleyleft behind a rich musical legacy and a close-knit family, including her eldest daughter, actress Riley Keough, and her late son, Benjamin Keough, who passed away in 2020. Finley and Harper, the youngest of Elviss descendants, have largely stayed out of the public eye since their mothers passing, making Finley's sighting all the more notable. Elvis Presleys granddaughter Finley Lockwood made a rare public appearance on Thursday, sparking buzz as she stepped out in Calabasas The 16-year-old was spotted on a casual shopping trip at Erewhon with her father Michael Lockwood, showcasing a striking resemblance to her legendary grandfather Dressed in a white cable knit sweater over a pink tank top with flared jeans, Finleys features echoed those of the Jailhouse Rock icon, who passed away from a heart attack in 1977 at just 42 years old; (seen R in 1956) In January, the twin sisters paid tribute to their late mother by sharing poignant throwback photos from their early years. Finley posted a heartwarming snapshot of Lisa Marie cradling them as newborns, writing, 2 years. I love you always. Harper, meanwhile, shared a tender image from their toddler years, showing their mothers unwavering love. 'I can't believe its been 2 years,' she wrote. I miss you and love you so much, Mama.' Lisa Marie and musician Danny first crossed paths at the Scientology Celebrity Centre in Los Angeles in 1985 and began dating soon after. They married at the same venue in October 1988 and welcomed their first child Riley in May 1989. Three years later, their son Benjamin was born. Despite their deep bond, their marriage ended in 1994, though they remained close friends and dedicated co-parents, raising their children across California, Hawaii, and Florida. In January, Finley and her twin Harper paid tribute to their late mother by sharing poignant throwback photos from their early years She and her twin sister Harper Lockwood also bear a strong resemblance to their late mother Lisa Marie Presley , who tragically died of cardiac arrest in 2023 at age 54 Lisa Marie had shared a 15-year union with Michael Lockwood, with whom she had her twin daughters Last October, Priscilla opened up on how she couldn't believe how quickly her twin granddaughters Harper and Finley are growing up Before her death, Lisa Marie had been working on a deeply personal memoir reflecting on her life, love for her father Elvis, and struggles with loss Tragically, in July 2020, Benjamin died by suicide at age 27, struggling with mental health issues and the weight of the Presley legacy. Less than three years later, on January 12, 2023, Lisa Marie was found unresponsive in her Calabasas home. She had endured profound grief over Benjamins passing and left behind a complicated legacy, including brief romances with Michael Jackson and Nicolas Cage, as well as a 15-year union with Michael Lockwood, with whom she had her twin daughters. Before her death, Lisa Marie had been working on a deeply personal memoir reflecting on her life, love for her father Elvis, and struggles with loss. In her final days, she asked Riley to ensure the book was completed. Honoring that promise, Riley meticulously finished her mothers memoir, relying on hours of recorded reflections Lisa Marie had left behind. Few people had the opportunity to know who my mom really was, Riley said in a press release. I was lucky to have had that opportunity, and working on preparing her autobiography for publication has been a privilege, albeit a bittersweet one. She added, I'm so excited to share my mom now, at her most vulnerable and most honest. In doing so, I hope readers come to love my mom as much as I did. The 16-year-old twin sisters took to Instagram to share throwback photos with their late mother on the two-year anniversary of her tragic death. Both Finley and Harper shared tributes on their Instagram Stories On the somber anniversary of Lisa Marie's death, her daughter Riley Keough also posted a screenshot of a FaceTime call with her alongside a heart emoji The Daisy Jones & the Six star also reposted her younger half-sister's Instagram Story tributes Last October, Priscilla opened up on how she couldn't believe how quickly her twin granddaughters Harper and Finley are growing up. The icon, 79, told People she found it 'unbelievable' that they're already 16, as she continues to 'see them as little children.' Priscilla, who's been seen in films such as The Naked Gun trilogy and The Adventures of Ford Fairlane, welcomed the twins 'for a period' while Lisa Marie and Lockwood were battling for custody of the girls in the wake of their 2016 divorce, ending their decade-long marriage. Priscilla and the twins spent time with one another amid the coronavirus pandemic fostering puppies, according to the publication. Advertisement A dramatic arrest occurred near Kylie Jenner's office on Tuesday as Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies swarmed. Aman suspected of committing an earlier robbery was arrested nearby the building housing the 27-year-old cosmetics mogul's office, according to TMZ. Photos show a group of several deputies arresting the man with their firearms drawn. However, the arrest reportedly didn't have any connection to Kylie or her office, and it's unclear if she was in the building at the time. DailyMail.com has reached out to the LA County Sheriff's Department and a representative to Kylie Jenner for comment. The commotion comes amid Kylie's new Khy campaign, for which she has been posing in an array of sizzling, skintight latex dresses. A dramatic arrest occurred near Kylie Jenner's office on Tuesday as Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies swarmed with guns drawn to arrest an alleged robbery suspect, according to TMZ However, the arrest reportedly didn't have any connection to Kylie or her office, and it's unclear if she was in the building at the time Law enforcement sources told the publication that the man arrested was suspected of allegedly committing a robbery at an Albertsons grocery store located nearby the reality star's office complex. Sources added that the man had allegedly had a busy day including a stop in jail. He was suspected of committing another undisclosed crime earlier on Tuesday, which he reportedly was hauled in for. But after being released from the jail, he allegedly robbed the Albertsons. Notably, Kylie wasn't the only member of the KardashianJenner clan who has an office near the arrest, as her mother Kris Jenner's office is also reportedly in the vicinity of the commotion. Kylie has lately been dealing with some drama involving her boyfriend Timothee Chalamet's sister Pauline after she apparently took another swipe at the Kardashians star. The Sex Lives of College Girls actress, 33, who previously 'shaded' Kylie's use of private jets, took to Instagram to lambast 'insane wealth disparity' in the US after reading a New York Times article about cuts to foreign aid. Kylie has amassed a huge net worth and is estimated to be currently sitting on a $710 million fortune, according to Forbes. In 2019 she was controversially declared the world's youngest's self-made billionaire at age 21, but that value was later downgraded, though she is still immensely wealthy. Law enforcement sources said the man arrested was suspected of allegedly committing a robbery at an Albertsons grocery store located nearby the reality star's office complex Kylie has lately been dealing with some drama involving her boyfriend Timothee Chalamet's sister Pauline after she apparently took another swipe at the Kardashians star; pictured in 2018 The Sex Lives of College Girls actress, 33, who previously shaded Jenner's use of private jets, took to Instagram to lambast 'insane wealth disparity' in the US; seen March 2 in Beverly Hills Pauline wrote on her Instagram Stories: 'New York Times, liberal bias, yes yes yes i get it. But this one by @nickkristof is worth the read. It's about empathy and humanity. 'The United States faces a tremendous number of domestic issues. Our maternal mortality rate is embarrassing, our way of shopping and eating food completely out of season makes no sense, we're spoiled in our desire to BLAST ACs and heat, our INSANE wealth disparity is sick, the list literally goes ON and ON. 'BUT just take a second and think about the fact that LESS THAN 1% of all of our money goes to humanitarian aid. 'That money is insignificant in fixing any of the larger problems that play in the United States. 'And yet so significant to the lives of millions of individuals across this shared home we call Earth.' Kylie's sister Kim Kardashian is the richest in the famous family, with an estimated net worth of $1.7billion, while mom Kris Jenner is worth $200million. Pauline appears to have previously lashed out at Jenner in posts about billionaires and CEOs who own private jets. The actress made her feelings clear last year when she reposted a telling message by nonprofit organization Move On, originally tweeted by Democratic politician Melanie D'Arrigo. Pauline said: 'We're spoiled in our desire to BLAST ACs and heat, our INSANE wealth disparity is sick, the list literally goes ON and ON. It was reported that Pauline had made a dig at Kylie when she reposted a scathing tweet about 'billionaires' on Instagram in January Pauline also made comments about CEOs who own private jets. Kylie is seen here on her very own private jet Pauline was seen approaching Timothee and Kylie as they sat in the front row for the Oscars on March 2 Per The Sun, the tweet read: 'If your job requires a college degree, you should be able to write off your student loan payments as a business expense the way CEOs write off their private jets and yachts for their jobs which require neither.' Makeup mogul Kylie famously owns a private jet called Kylie Air, and is the CEO of Kylie Cosmetics, which she founded with mom Kris Jenner in 2014. It is unknown if Kylie 'writes off' her private jet as a business expense, but she has continuously come under fire for her CO2 emissions. Many fans were quick to suggest that Pauline was seemingly throwing daggers at her brother's girlfriend of over a year. More recently, Pauline appeared to make another dig when reshared Bernie Sanders' scathing tweet on 'billionaires' on Instagram. 'When the three wealthiest men in America sit behind Trump at his inauguration, everyone understands that the billionaire class now controls our government,' the outspoken politician. Pauline expanded on the post with a caption that read: 'Our system is so flawed that it allows billionaires to exist and accrue so much money and BARELY pay (and sometimes NOT PAY) ANY ANY ANY TAXES. 'This should not be possible. Billionaires do not need to exist. Bezos, Musk, Zuckerberg SITTING IN FRONT OF cabinet is NOT DEMOCRATIC. NOT. DEMOCRATIC.' The now-deleted post has raised eyebrows due to the fact her younger brother's girlfriend is one of the most famous billionaires on the planet, as confirmed by Forbes in 2019. However, the pair had seemed to be on friendly terms when they were sharing a warm hug at the Coperni afterparty in Paris last October. Tesla's stock price sunk after its biggest global competitor launched a tech breakthrough that could destabilize the EV market. Chinese automaker BYD announced its upcoming 'Super E-Platform' can fill its car's battery in lightning-fast speed. The brand's latest models charge from 10 to 80 percent in just five minutes delivering around 250 miles of range in the time it takes to pump a tank of gas. Thats faster than some of the speediest charging cars available in the U.S., including Tesla models that take more than 15 minutes to zap to 80 percent in perfect conditions. 'Our goal is to make EV charging as fast as refueling a gasoline car,' BYD's Chairman, Wang Chuanfu, said during the press event. The charging news has hit Tesla stock owners particularly hard. The American EV producer's stock price is down around 5 percent today. It's a continuation of Tesla's months-long stock slump. and has shed about 40 percent since the start of the year. And Elon Musk might not have time to react. BYD's new Han L sedan will feature the fastest-charging long-range battery BYD announced that two models, the new Han L sedan and Tang L SUV, will feature the fast-charging powertrains when they hit Chinese showrooms next month. Pre-orders for the models began Monday. To support its rapid-charging ambitions, BYD also plans to build 4,000 ultra-fast charging stations across China. BYD's updates show how the maker remains bullish on its domestic EV market. Faster charging speed could make EV adoption even more seamless in the automakers home market. And, the announcements made a killing on the Chinese stock market. BYDs stock soared, climbing 1.4 percent today alone. Today's stock surge continues an ongoing trend for BYD: The companys shares have surged nearly 14 percent in the past week, 56 percent since January, and a staggering 89 percent over the past year. Tesla tumble Tesla has been losing its long-held EV dominance in several markets, including a 45 percent sales drop in Europe in January. BYD is starting to outcompete Tesla on sales in the Chinese market The Chinese manufacturer has built millions of low-cost EVs Its market share has also slipped in China, with a 19 percent year-over-year sales drop in January. BYD dominated the Chinese market in 2024 with a 32 percent share of new energy vehicle sales. Tesla trailed far behind with just 6.1 percent, despite hitting record shipment numbers. Other Chinese automakers are making up ground, too. Xiaomi, a tech company that has produced electric vehicles in China, is about to launch new, highly capable, affordable models this year. Meanwhile, XPeng announced that it expects sales to grow in 2025. Tesla is reeling from its a year-over-year sales decline in 2024, the first annual downshift in deliveries in the company's history. But Musk's brand is now looking to reclaim the Chinese EV market with other technological ventures. The brand is betting big on new Full Self-Driving (FSD) automated vehicles. On Monday, the company launched free trials of its FSD service in China, running through April 16. The rollout comes after a disappointing software update last month that failed to meet full self-driving expectations, which CEO Elon Musk has long promised. But Tesla kept bumping into Chinese data laws that marred its previous self-driving rollouts. BYDs rapid advancements in both charging and software are putting the squeeze on Tesla in its most critical foreign market. The Chinese manufacturer has pricing dominance over Tesla, with some cars selling for as little as $9,700. Tesla's lowest-price car in the U.S. is $42,490. 'Our car looks better than Tesla,' one Chinese driver told The New York Times. 'You could buy two of our cars for the price of one Tesla.' A decades-old restaurant in Cape May, New Jersey, has been named one of the 'most adorable small-town restaurants' in the US. The eatery is a family-owned business that's been praised by its customers for years. Not only has the restaurant stayed open following multiple fires, but it also rebuilt and reopened after being damaged during Hurricane Sandy. The restaurant is none other than The Lobster House, a seafood restaurant with a full bar and dockside seating overlooking the New Jersey shore. 'The same family has been welcoming diners to the Lobster House in Cape May for three generations,' wrote Dominique Ayling of Lovefood. 'Overlooking the New Jersey shore, the dockside diner has its own fleet of fishing boats and serves fresh catches throughout the year. It's worth a trip for the freshly shucked oysters and crab cakes alone.' The restaurant stated that it proudly offers something for 'everyone, sea food lovers and landlubbers alike' on its website. The Lobster House in Cape May, New Jersey, was named one of the 'most adorable small-town restaurants' in the US The Lobster House was founded by Wally Laudeman and his Marijane after they entered the restaurant business in the 1950s The Lobster House founders Wally Laudeman and his Marijane entered the restaurant business in the 1950s. At the time, Wally had just finished serving with the Coast Guard while being a member of The Cold Spring Fish & Supply Company fishing operation. 'My mother told me my grandfather said to my Dad, "Here are the keys [to the restaurant]; do something with it,"' Wally's daughter Donna Laudeman told CapeMay.com in 2012. 'We didn't know anything about the restaurant business,' Marijane revealed to the blog. 'That first year we had six booths with fake red leather seats, five or six tables and a counter that probably seated 12.' The Lauderman's restaurant was originally named The Marine Bar before it was damaged by a fire in 1963. Instead of closing for good, Wally decided to rebuild and expand and renaming the beloved eatery The Lobster House a year later. Its popularity never diminished, and the Laudermans went on to open the first Schooner American in 1965 and its Raw Bar in 1985. The Laudermans opened the first Schooner American in 1965 and its Raw Bar in 1985 The family run restaurant is currently owned by Wally and Marijane's son Keith Lauderman The Lobster House faced minor to severe devastation multiple times. One of its biggest fires was in 1966. which destroyed the entire restaurant, according to Cap May Magazine. It was also damaged in a 1967 fire, which, according to Wally's son and restaurant owner Keith Laudeman, was caused by an electrical issue. Its most recent fire occurred on September 26, 2005, after an exhaust fan in the restaurant malfunctioned. The Lobster House's kitchen was destroyed, but after several months of restoration, it was up and running again. Following the fires, the restaurant suffered significant flooding and was partially submerged in water during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The hurricane did not stop the restaurant from operating, and it opened its doors again in 2016 after making several repairs, including tearing up all the carpets. 'We took advantage of down time and made use of it. Life gets back to normal, you just have the cleanup,' Laudeman explained to NJ.com. The Lobster House was temporarily closed more than once to repair damage from fires and Hurricane Sandy The Lobster House is open seven days a week, and offers indoor and outdoor spaces for social events The Lobster House continues to be up and running seven days a week. The restaurant confirmed that all of its seafood is the 'freshest' available, which often comes from their fleet of commercial boats. It also allows customers to use one of its indoor or outdoor spaces for weddings or other social events. Other areas of The Lobster House customers can visit before going home include its Fish Market and the Take Out Shop. Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday said the railway fares in India are far less than the neighbouring countries like Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The minister said the prices in European countries are more than five times. He asserted that railway accidents have come down by 90 per cent from the time when RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav was at the ministryas helm. Replying to the debate on the Demands for Grants under the control of the Ministry of Railways for 2025-26, Vaishnaw said the national transporter has emerged from difficulties of the Covid pandemic to meet its own expenses. Amid noisy protests by the opposition over not being allowed to speak on Prime Minister Narendra Modias statement on the Maha Kumbh, the minister said the railways has taken numerous steps for crowd control at stations and is running several special trains during festival seasons. He asserted that with Prime Minister Modias focus on safety, accidents have come down by 90 per cent from the time when Lalu Prasad was at the ministryas helm. aDuring Lalu Prasadas time, in a year about 234 accidents and 464 derailments took place, about 700 in a year. During Mamata Banerjeeas period, 165 accidents and 230 derailments took the accident tally to 395 in a year and during Mallikarjun Khargeas time, 118 accidents and 263 derailments, taking the total number of accidents to 381,a he said. Vaishnaw also said that a big roll out of Kavach was being made on 10,000 locomotives and 15,000 km. Prime Minister Modi focused on safety and brought in new technology and investment, and now it has come down to 30 accidents and 43 derailments, which is 90 per cent less from the earlier period and 80 per cent less than what it was in 2014-15, Vaishnaw said. He said the railways has not increased fares since 2020 and they have been constant since then. aIf we compare with neighbouring countries, our fares are very less. For a travel of 350 km, fare in India is `121, in Pakistan it is `436, in Bangladesh it is `323 and in Sri Lanka it is `413,a Vaishnaw said. Hailing the Budget for Railways as ahistorica, Vaishnaw said the national transporter faced a lot of difficulty during the Covid pandemic and it had now emerged from that to be in a healthy situation. The railways is now meeting nearly all its expenditure from its own income, he pointed out. The minister also elaborated on the steps taken by his ministry for managing crowd, including running of special trains during the holiday period. aLast year, during the Holi period, we ran 604 special trains, 13,000 special trains were run during the last summers and 8,000 such trains were run during Diwali and Chhat. During the Maha Kumbh, as many as 17,330 special trains were run and 1,160 special trains were run during the Holi period this year,a he said. Recalling the tragic stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station last month, Vaishnaw said many permanent steps were being taken, including building in holding area in 60 stations, installing CCTV cameras, building war rooms and foot-over bridges, among other measures. He also said India is among the top three loading countries and 1.6 Billion tonne cargo will be carried this year. Vaishnaw also said five lakh people have got employment in the railways and recruitment is on for one lakh people. China willing to jointly uphold genuine multilateralism with France, says Wang Yi Xinhua) 08:00, March 19, 2025 BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said Tuesday that China is willing to maintain close high-level exchanges with France, strengthen strategic coordination, and jointly uphold genuine multilateralism. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks when having a phone conversation with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic adviser to the French President, at the latter's request. During the phone conversation, Wang requested Bonne to convey Chinese President Xi Jinping's greetings to French President Emmanuel Macron. The current international situation is increasingly complex and intertwined, with significant rises in uncertainty and instability, said Wang. Noting that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in World War II, Wang said that it is essential for China and France, as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and comprehensive strategic partners, to enhance strategic communication at this significant historical juncture. Wang said that China is willing to maintain close high-level exchanges with France, strengthen strategic coordination, jointly uphold genuine multilateralism, uphold the status of the United Nations, protect the international trade order, ensure the stability of global industrial and supply chains, oppose unipolar hegemony, reject placing one country's self-interest above the common interests of all nations, and prevent the world from returning to the law of the jungle. In the current situation, it is of important and positive significance for China and Europe to resolve specific economic and trade frictions through consultation. China hopes that France will work with China to send a positive signal of unity and cooperation and promote the healthy and stable development of China-France and China-Europe relations, noted Wang. Bonne requested Wang to convey Macron's greetings to Xi. He said that France attaches great importance to and cherishes the friendship and mutual trust between France and China. Under the current complex international situation in particular, France looks forward to maintaining high-level exchanges and close strategic communication with China to jointly resist camp confrontation. Bonne said that France opposes trade wars and tariff wars, and is willing to properly resolve economic and trade frictions through consultations with China, promote balanced and sustainable development of economic and trade relations between France and China and also between Europe and China, and maintain the international economic and trade system based on World Trade Organization's rules. The two sides exchanged in-depth views on the Ukraine issue. Bonne briefed Wang on the position of the French side, saying that France is willing to strengthen coordination with China and expects China to play an important role in reaching a just, stable and sustainable peace agreement on Ukraine. Wang said that China has advocated resolving the crisis through dialogue and negotiation from the very beginning, and welcomes all efforts towards a ceasefire, which is a necessary step towards peace. At the same time, this process should respect the will of the parties concerned, should not be imposed by a third party, and should not only serve the interests of any one country. China supports the achievement of a fair, lasting and binding peace agreement acceptable to all parties concerned, and believes that all parties and stakeholders should participate in the peace talks process in due course. He also noted that China's position has been recognized and supported by the parties concerned and most other countries, and China is ready to work with all parties, including Europe, to continue to make efforts for peace. The two sides also exchanged views on the Iranian nuclear issue. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Researcher sentenced to death for selling state secrets after resignation: Ministry of State Security Global Times) 10:53, March 19, 2025 China's national security authorities have uncovered an espionage case involving a researcher from a domestic scientific institution who illegally copied and sold a large amount of state secrets to foreign spy agencies. The individual surnamed Liu, was convicted of espionage and illegally providing state secrets and has been sentenced to death with lifelong deprivation of political rights, according to an article released by the Ministry of State Security (MSS) on Wednesday. Liu, a former assistant engineer at a domestic research institute, was driven by resentment after believing he had been treated unfairly and denied promotions. Before resigning, he secretly copied and retained a large volume of classified materials, intending to use them for retaliation and blackmail, according to the MSS article. After leaving his position, Liu joined an investment firm, but his greed led him to violate professional ethics. Using accounts registered under family and friends' names, he engaged in speculative stock trading. To seek high-risk investments, he borrowed money extensively and even resorted to illegal credit card cash withdrawals. As his financial losses mounted and debts spiraled, he turned to the classified materials he had stolen, plotting to sell them to foreign intelligence agencies, according to the MSS. Exploiting his background in a classified institution, Liu carefully devised a plan to sell state secrets while avoiding detection. He proactively reached out to a foreign spy agency, offering intelligence in exchange for money. To expedite his first transaction, he fragmented and packaged the stolen electronic files, created a detailed catalog, and opened multiple online accounts to receive payments. He also purchased anonymous IC and SIM cards, frequently changed communication channels, and used multiple aliases, relying on prearranged codes for covert communication, according to the MSS article. However, Liu fell into a trap set by the foreign intelligence agency. After acquiring classified materials at an exceptionally low cost from Liu, the agency severed contact with him. Rather than stopping, Liu attempted to refine his espionage tactics. Within months, he again attempted to sell state secrets abroad, traveling through multiple countries and further compromising national security. Liu's espionage activities did not go unnoticed. National security authorities closely monitored his communications with foreign intelligence agencies, gathering extensive evidence before taking action. He was arrested in accordance with the law, and during the investigation, he confessed to his crimes. Liu was convicted of espionage and illegally providing state secrets and has been sentenced to death with lifelong deprivation of political rights, according to the MSS article. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun) The White House has released heavily redacted classified files that reveal the amazing news that Prince Harry, high on psychedelic mushrooms, was flying over Dealey Plaza, Texas in a flying saucer at 12:30 p.m. Central Standard Time on November 22, 1963. He was in Texas on a galactic safari/hunting trip when he shot JFK. The startling revelations have stunned many people across the world. The White House released the formerly classified documents to great fanfare from the waiting media and public, after months of false promises. Goddamn, I knew there was something fishy about that Prince Harry guy. It was him all this time! He shot JFK then flew up to his mothership in the Draco constellation, an American commented on Wednesday. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Sunday embarked on a visit to Brazil to participate in the 11th BRICS Parliamentary Forum where he is scheduled to prese ... The United States Army is preparing to deploy a second Typhon missile battery to the Pacific theater, signaling a significant amplification of its long-range strike capabilities in the region. Colonel Michael Rose, commander of the 3rd Multidomain Task Force (MDTF), announced that the unit is standing up its long-range fires battalion, which includes readying a Typhon battery for Pacific deployment within the next year. This move marks the Armys second fielding of the Mid-Range Capability (MRC) missile system in this strategically vital area. Get alerts: Typhon System Deployed to 3rd MDTF Speaking to reporters during a media roundtable on Friday, Col. Rose confirmed that the Army currently has two certified and operational Typhon batteries stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) in Washington state. The 3rd MDTF, headquartered in Hawaii, is slated to receive its assigned Typhon battery at JBLM later this year. This deployment will integrate the advanced missile system directly into the command structure responsible for maintaining security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The Typhon system, developed by Lockheed Martin, represents a significant advancement in the Armys land-based missile capabilities. It utilizes a vertical launch system and incorporates proven naval missile technology, employing Raytheons Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) and Tomahawk cruise missiles. This combination provides the system with the ability to engage targets at ranges between 500 and 2,000 kilometers. A complete Typhon battery comprises a battery operations center, four missile launchers, prime movers for mobility, and modified trailers for logistical support. The rapid fielding of this capability, achieved in under three years since the Armys initial pursuit of a midrange missile in September 2020, underscores the urgency and priority placed on enhancing long-range fires. Strategic Deployment in the Pacific The deployment of a second Typhon battery to the Pacific is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen partnerships with regional allies and deter potential adversaries. Col. Rose indicated that the Typhon system is intended to support Operation Pathways, a series of continuous, year-round exercises designed to enhance interoperability and cooperation with allied nations in the Pacific. The strategic importance of the Pacific theater, particularly in light of Chinas growing military assertiveness, makes the deployment of long-range precision strike capabilities a key element of the U.S. defense posture. The Armys commitment to forward presence and operational exercises was highlighted by the first Typhon deployment to the Philippines in 2024. During the exercise, Salaknib, the 1st MDTF, successfully transported a Typhon launcher over 8,000 miles via a C-17 Globemaster aircraft. This deployment demonstrated the systems strategic mobility and the Armys ability to project long-range fires into critical locations. The Typhon system deployed to the Philippines remains stationed on the island of Luzon, providing a persistent capability within the region. Live-Fire Exercises and Future Expansion While the Typhon system in the Philippines has not yet conducted a live-fire exercise, Col. Rose emphasized the importance of such exercises for readiness and capability validation. Were always looking for opportunities to do live-fire with the system, he stated, noting the significant benefits gained from live-fire events and expressing the Armys intent to pursue such opportunities in the coming year as part of ongoing campaigning activities. Looking ahead, the Army plans to expand the Typhon capability across its MDTF structure. Program Executive Office Missiles & Space has indicated that another three batteries will be fielded to the remaining multidomain task force units between fiscal years 2026 and 2028. The second MDTF, based in Europe, is expected to receive a Typhon battery in fiscal year 2026. This broader fielding plan reflects the Armys commitment to establishing MDTFs as core elements of its operational force structure by fiscal year 2028. Multidomain Task Force Evolution The MDTF concept itself has evolved significantly since the establishment of the first experimental unit at JBLM around 2018. Initially conceived as an experimental formation, the 1st MDTF has since transitioned to an operational unit. The Army is in the process of building out a total of five MDTFs. The 4th MDTF, stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado, will also be focused on the Pacific theater and is anticipated to reach full operational capability by fiscal year 2027. The 5th MDTF, based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, will concentrate on regions yet to be determined and is projected to be operational by fiscal year 2028. The experiences and exercises undertaken by MDTFs, particularly in U.S. Indo-Pacific Command exercises, have been instrumental in shaping the Armys Multidomain Operations warfighting concept, which has now been formalized into doctrine. The deployment of a second Typhon battery to the Pacific underscores the U.S. Armys commitment to enhancing its long-range strike capabilities and strengthening its posture in this critical region. As the Army continues to develop and field MDTFs and advanced weapon systems like the Typhon, its ability to project power and deter potential aggression in the Indo-Pacific and globally will be significantly enhanced. Mr Robert Carmichael, the East Derry Ulster Unionist Party Association Chairman, has warned of the dangers about internet chat rooms being used by young people with suicidal tendencies. Mr Carmichael, speaking on behalf of the Association, said that the Stormont Executive needed to bring forward legislation through the Assembly which would drive such heinous chat rooms completely out of business. Mr Carmichael said that Association members had spoken privately and confidentially to counsellors who had had to pastor and counsel those who have suffered trauma in the aftermath of a suicide in the family. Mr Carmichael added: We were all shocked to learn of a chat room that actually promotes suicides. We were horrified when we read that someone who was suicidal said in the chat room that they were going to take their own life. It is incumbent on all of us regardless of religion, political beliefs, backgrounds and aspirations to take this problem of suicides to heart, especially among young people. It is a great loss to society when young people who have spent years in primary school, secondary school or grammar school and then, perhaps, further education, suddenly take their lives. Their future is lost not only to them and to their families, but to society. Similarly, what is the cost when someones life is suddenly cut off after they have been trained to commit their talents to society? And it's not only politicians and health professionals who must contribute to finding a workable blueprint to combat suicides in society. We must have active involvement from the churches, mental health charities, teachers and anyone involved with young people not just in the East Londonderry constituency, but right across Northern Ireland, said Mr Carmichael. Flowerfield Arts Centre, Portstewart is delighted to host One Mountain: Sold, a poetic sequence written by Irish poet, Cherry Smyth, on Friday, March 28. The poem is a response to a proposed gold mine in the Sperrin Mountains, County Tyrone, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The performance will also include improvised and composed singing by acclaimed Irish vocalist Lauren Kinsella and renowned musician Dan Nicholls. Cherry Smyth has a long track record of socially engaged work that explores the complexities of human relationships, primarily the dislocations and contradictions with each other, and with the environment. Her previous collection, Famished (Pindrop Press, 2019) explored the legacy of the Irish Famine and the role of British colonialism in the death or migration of nearly half of Ireland's 8 million people. One Mountain: Sold uses the words of local people who have protested the highly toxic use of cyanide in the gold mining process and the construction of a seventeen-storey building on the mountainside to contain toxic waste. Smyth's poem delivers a poignant narrative that, through evocative imagery and lyrical storytelling, paints a picture of the mountain's silent plea for preservation, echoing the voices of past generations who have fought against exploitation. It vividly portrays the devastating ecological consequences of mining on the mountain's delicate ecosystem, highlighting the irrevocable damage caused by unchecked extractivism. This performance calls us to recognise that our future survival is bound to a global struggle that relies on the interconnectedness of environmental, social, cultural, economic and ethical values. One Mountain: Sold will be published in book-length form in Spring 2025 by Arlen House Press Tickets for One Mountain: Sold are available from Flowerfield.org or by calling Reception on 028 70831 400. Tickets are 12 full, 10 Concession and this event is cabaret style and BYOB. Hospitality students from North West Regional College (NWRC) have made it through to the regional finals of the Rotary Generation Chef competition after delivering outstanding performances at the local heats. Competing were: Emmet Hargan, who studies the City and Guilds (C & G) NVQ Level 3 Professional Cookery, Liam Walsh, who is on the C&G Level 2 Diploma in Professional Cookery course, Jamie Harkin who studies the C&G L1 NVQ Hospitality Services at Limavady campus, Caolan Green who is studying the Level 2 Professional Chef (Traineeship) and Jamie Kavanagh who is on the C&G NVQ L2 Hospitality Services, courses who all impressed judges with their culinary skills, creativity, and focus on sustainability and local produce. Under the guidance of lecturers John Crowe, Carolyn McKinley, and Jonathan Lyttle the students created a superb three-course meal that was served to members of Rotary Clubs Northern Ireland. The students competed in two teams and were tasked with designing a three-course menu, including a starter, main course, and dessert. When selecting ingredients, they were required to consider seasonality, location, and sustainability. Additionally, teams had to create a mood board explaining the rationale behind their dish and ingredient choices, which they presented to the judging panel on competition day. The students created menus that offered dishes that included: Dart Mountain Goats Cheese, Baxter Beef Fillet, Chocolate Eden, Malin Head Crab, Grants Pork Fillet and Irish Orchard Tart. After two hours of intense preparation and cooking, the meals were served and evaluated by judges Paul Sharkey, Executive Chef, and David Murray, Operations Manager, from Bishops Gate Hotel. Paul Sharkey praised the exceptional quality of the students' work, singling out Emmet Hargans fondant potatoes, calling them the best Ive ever had. He commended the students for their balanced dishes, strong organization, and impressive presentation skills, adding, Its wonderful to see these young chefs who will shape the future of the industry. David Murray praised the front-of-house students for their attention to detail in working to arrange beautiful table settings. Speaking on behalf of the Rotary Club, John McCrossan thanked NWRC staff for hosting the competition heats, and the students for their hard work and effort. He added: We are delighted to see so much product sourced locally, this is a great day, and we are very proud of all the work that has been done. We wish all the students the very best in the future. Our thanks to the Bishops Gate Hotel staff for their support and to our sponsors Hendersons. Leyonia Davey, Curriculum Manager for Hospitality at NWRC said: We are extremely proud of all our students who took part and incorporated our key objectives of quality, while focusing on local produce and sustainability in their menus. The dishes included locally sourced honey, cheese, brown bread, meat, fish, vegetables, chocolate, lemon curd, cream, butter, fruit, sugar and much more. Students not only endeavoured to use local produce but spoke with the producers as part of their research to have all the information available. This aligns with our ongoing efforts to reduce food waste and support local farmers and suppliers. The winners of the competition were Emmet Hargan, Liam Walsh and Jamie Harkin who will now represent NWRC in the Generation Chef National Final to be hosted at Belfast Met on May 1 where they will compete against teams from Northern Irelands other Further Education Colleges. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. A man with 67 previous convictions has been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrate's Court today on a series of driving offences. Sean Doherty (24) of Clon Dara in Derry faced a total of six charges including taking a vehicle without permission, driving with excess alcohol, no insurance, no driving licence and assaulting a police officer. All of the offences were alleged to have occured on March 17. A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail. He told the court that police received a report of a vehicle being taken from an address. The reporting party claimed it was taken by his stepson who had been in the house and was 'heavily intoxicated'. Police located the vehicle at the Whitehouse Retail Park where it had collided with another vehicle. As the vehicle appeared to be about to drive off police blocked it in and demanded the driver, identified as Doherty, get out of the vehicle. He refused to do so and eventually had to be physically removed. Police observed his eyes were glazed and his speech slurred and a subsequent breath test revealed a reading of 62mgs. In the course of the arrest Doherty was alleged to have kicked an officer in the stomach. When cautioned Doherty was said to have replied 'I hope I go back inside I am done with the outside world'. Bail was opposed due to the risk of reoffending and the court was told Doherty had been released on licence on October 26 last year. Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said Doherty's licence was for drug offences and asked for bail 'subject to stringent conditions'. READ NEXT: Police investigating reports of burglary at two commercial premises in Derry He said Doherty could be subjected to a condition to stay out of certain parts of the city. District Judge Barney McElholm said that Doherty was not a suitable candidate for bail as the probability of reoffending was 'extremely high'. Doherty was remanded in custody to appear again on April 10. Nineteen new banking hubs have been recommended by cash access network Link, following Santander UKs announcement that it is set to shut more branches. A banking hub is similar to a traditional bank branch, but the space is shared by multiple banks. Hubs have a counter service operated by Post Office employees, where customers of any bank can withdraw and deposit cash, make bill payments and carry out regular banking transactions. There are also private spaces where customers can speak to community bankers from their own bank for more complicated matters that require specialist knowledge or privacy. Banks work on a rotating basis, so staff from different providers are available on different days. On Wednesday, Santander announced 95 branch closures, which will leave it with 349 branches after the overhaul. One of the 19 hubs recommended by Link, located in Tonbridge, Kent, was the result of a community appeal, with the remaining 18 being triggered by Santanders announcement. Link has recommended 224 hubs so far. The Government has committed to delivering 350 banking hubs over the course of this Parliament. The hubs will now be delivered by Cash Access UK. To date, 139 banking hubs are up and running. Since 2022, Link has assessed 1,879 bank branch closures, and continues to receive community requests for better cash access. John Howells, chief executive of Link, said: Banking hubs continue to prove popular, and were delighted to announce that 19 new locations will benefit from their services in the future. The hubs will make a real difference for the millions of people who still rely on cash. Were committed to keeping cash on the high street, and will continue recommending banking hubs where they are needed. The 19 new locations across the UK earmarked for a banking hub are: Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex Billericay, Essex Dover, Kent Droitwich, Worcestershire Dunstable, Bedfordshire East Grinstead, West Sussex Holyhead, Anglesey Ilkley, West Yorkshire Larne, Antrim Maldon, Essex Morley, West Yorkshire North Walsham, Norfolk Redcar, North Yorkshire Saffron Walden, Essex St Annes-on-the-Sea, Lancashire Turriff, Aberdeenshire Uckfield, East Sussex Urmston, Great Manchester Tonbridge, Kent (a location which was confirmed by Link following a successfully appealed community request) Three men have been jailed for 20 years each for the murder of Ian Ogle in Belfast. Two other men have been sentenced to 17-and-a-half years in prison for their role in the murder of the Belfast man. Glenn Rainey, 38, from Ballyhalbert Caravan Park; Walter Ervine, 43, from Litchfield Street in Belfast; and Robert Spiers, 41, from Millars Park in Dundonald; were handed prison sentences of 20 years each. Jonathan Brown, 39, from Whinney Hill in Dundonald; and Mark Sewell, 45, of Glenmount Drive in Newtownabbey; who pleaded guilty to the murder, were sentenced to 17-and-a-half years. Mr Ogle was 45 when he was beaten and stabbed 11 times just yards from his Cluan Place home in the east of the city in January 2019. Three others who admitted assisting those involved in the murder, and one man who pleaded guilty to withholding information, were given suspended sentences. Christopher Haire, 55, from Killagan Bend in Belfast; 42-year-old Jill Morrison from Wolff Close in Belfast; and 37-year-old Thomas McCartney, also from Wolff Close; all admitted a charge of assisting offenders, while Reece Kirkwood, 27, from Belvoir Street in Belfast, pleaded guilty to withholding information. Haire was handed a two-year prison sentence which has been suspended for three years. Morrison, who is married to Brown, was handed an 18-month prison sentence, suspended for three years. McCartney was sentenced to 12 months, suspended for three years, while Kirkwood was given a two-year prison sentence, suspended for three years. Mr Justice David McFarland told Belfast Crown Court that significant aggravating factors applied in the case. Justice McFarland said the factors include that it was a pre-planned murder; that it was a revenge vigilante attack which involved a group of five masked men and it was perpetrated against a single unarmed man, and it was a sustained attack with the use of weapons. He said it was further aggravated by the murder taking place on a public street; that threats were made to a bystander that he remained silent about the incident; that there was a successful effort to dispose of incriminating evidence, such as clothing and mobile phones; that the underlying purpose of the attack was to intimidate a group of people and to force them to leave the area. I am proposing to treat each of the five in the same way as I am satisfied that this was a cohesive unit with a commonality of purpose, he told the court. Although Spiers had armed himself with a knife without the knowledge of the others, and intended to kill Ian Ogle, given the overall conduct of the other four, I do not consider that lesser intention on their part is significant and could be regarded as a mitigating factor. A post-mortem examination report found that Mr Ogle had been stabbed 11 times, and the cause of death was a stab wound to the chest. He also suffered a fractured skull, and injuries to his face, head and other parts of the body caused by punches or kicks. The attack lasted for about 30 seconds. On the evening Mr Ogle was attacked, he and his son had been involved in an assault on another man, Neil Ogle, on the Beersbridge Road. The judge said this had been a precipitating factor in the fatal attack later that night. A local pastor, Kevin Sambrook, who had been speaking with Mr Ogle before the attack and gave evidence during the trial, described the group acting like a pack of hyenas, the judge previously said. Justice McFarland said that Mr Ogle had been expecting the confrontation, having issued the invitation, although he may not have expected to fight five men on his own. He made no attempt to retreat or seek refuge in his home, Justice McFarland added. The attack was captured on CCTV. Although the images are poor, they do show a vicious attack by the five men, each engaged fully in the attack. Ian Ogle was quickly overpowered and brought to the ground, where he was struck again and again. The court was told that Morrison assisted in the offence by packing a bag for Brown, then moving a car used following the attack, and handing the car keys to McCartney. The court was told that McCartney assisted by receiving and retaining the car keys. The court was further told that although the pair assisted Brown at the time, none of their acts impeded the police investigation into the murder. Haire later assisted by picking Brown up and driving him to the house of his co-accused, Sewell, on the night of the murder. Justice McFarland said he was satisfied that Kirkwood had acquired information about the killing, both in its planning stage and in its aftermath, and that he failed to inform the police. This was a pre-planned attack, reacting rapidly to the assault on Neil Ogle. That reflected an element of organisation which enabled the group to assemble rapidly. Some of the group had pre-armed themselves, and those weapons were used, as well as shod feet. The attack was perpetrated on the public street in the presence of two bystanders, one of whom was threatened to maintain a silence. It was a vigilante attack aimed at punishing Ian Ogle, to intimidate him, his immediate family and the wider community that associated with him. Detective Inspector Michelle Griffin said: First and foremost, my thoughts today are with the family of Ian Ogle who are still very much coming to terms with the tragic loss of their beloved husband and father. This was an orchestrated, targeted crime, of which circumstances were horrific. This was a senseless, brutal crime by a group of people who fractured Ians skull and stabbed him 11 times in the back before fleeing and leaving him to die on the street. It is distressing to think that such a large group of people could have been complicit in such an orchestrated, targeted crime. This has been widely condemned by the local community, who remain disgusted by the actions of these individuals and I know that the Ogle family have been deeply appreciative of the ongoing support they have felt from people in their local area. Today, thanks to our dedicated investigation team and working in partnership with colleagues in the Public Prosecution Service, these defendants have been held accountable for their actions that night. Todays sentences signify the end of the judicial process, however, I am very mindful that Ians family live with the pain and anguish of what happened to him every single day. My thoughts remain firmly with them. Google has launched the Pixel 9a in the global market as the successor to the Pixel 8a. The Pixel 9a includes a number of improvements in terms of performance, display, and other areas. The device gets a new Tensor processor, a larger 6.3-inch OLED panel, a bigger battery, and an improved camera. With all of these upgrades, the question arises: is the Google Pixel 9a better than the Pixel 8a? Here is a complete comparison of specifications and pricing. Google Pixel 9a vs Pixel 8a price In India, the Google Pixel 9a with 128 GB storage costs Rs 49,999. In contrast, the Pixel 8a, which was initially priced at Rs 52,999 for the 128GB model, is now available for around Rs 37,999 on major e-commerce platforms. READ: Google Pixel 9a with bigger display, upgraded camera launched in India: Check price, availability here While the Pixel 9a has better features and a lower launch price than the Pixel 8a, the older models lower price point may still make it a compelling option for budget-conscious buyers. Google Pixel 9a vs Pixel 8a performance The Google Pixel 9a comes powered by the Tensor G4 chipset while the Pixel 8a made its debut with Tensor G3. Both the device comes with Titan M2 chipset, 8GB RAM, and two storage variants- 128GB and 256GB. Google Pixel 9a vs Pixel 8a battery The Google Pixel 9a houses a 5,100 mAh battery with 23W fast charging while the Pixel 8a is backed by a 4,492mAh battery and supports 18W. Google Pixel 9a vs Pixel 8a display The Google Pixel 9a comes with a bigger 6.3-inch pOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate. It gets a 2700 nits peak brightness and supports HDR. It comes protected by the Corning Gorilla Glass 3. On the other hand, the Pixel 8a comes with a 6.1-inch FHD+ OLED 120Hz screen and a peak brightness of 2,000 nits. It also comes protected with the Corning Gorilla Glass 3. Google Pixel 9a vs Pixel 8a camera The Pixel 9a comes with a 48MP Quad PD Dual Pixel wide rear camera with OIS and CLAF, offering an /1.7 aperture. The wide camera also boasts a -inch image sensor size and supports Super Res Zoom up to 8x, along with both optical and electronic image stabilization for enhanced clarity. For ultrawide shots, the device includes a 13MP ultrawide camera with an /2.2 aperture. On the front, the Pixel 9a offers a 13MP selfie camera. On the other hand, Pixel 8a comes with a 64MP OIS primary shooter and a 13MP ultrawide lens. For selfies, the device comes with a 13MP front camera. Google Pixel 9a vs Google Pixel 8a design Google Pixel 8a comes with sleek back panel with a camera bar and alumnium frame. However, the Pixel 9a has ditched the signature camera bar and offer more refined rear panel. The Pixel 9a comes with a IP68 certification while the Pixel 8a offered IP67 rating. Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. ORANGEBURG, S.C. South Carolina State University will host the First Ladys Artificial Intelligence Forum on Tuesday, March 25, from 10 a.m. to noon at the I.P. Stanback Museum and Planetarium. Held in conjunction with Womens History Month, the event will highlight the evolving nature of artificial intelligence (AI), including developments at SC State. AI and machine learning are advancing rapidly, offering versatile solutions that already are transforming industries. SC State First Lady Agatha Youmans Conyers is coordinating the event with Dr. Sandra F.B. Glover, executive director of the universitys Office of Academic Outreach & Engagement. The featured speaker will be Nadia Ihsan Omer, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science at SC State. The event also will include a panel discussion featuring SC State faculty members Dr. Jagruti Sahoo, an associate professor of computer science, and Joseph Onyeocha, an assistant professor of accounting. To register for the forum, click here or scan the QR Code in the graphic above. Questions about the event may be directed to Dr. Sandra Glover at sglove24@scsu.edu or 803-516-4777. About Nadia Ihsan Omer Omer is a research assistant for SC States 1890 Research Program where she works with Sahoo and Dr. Young Kim on AI solutions for the field of agriculture. Her most recent work was on application of machine learning for soybean crop yield prediction. With technical skills in Java and Python, Omer is passionate about applying AI and software engineering to solve current agricultural challenges. She actively engages in research presentations and is optimistic about AIs growing role in shaping the future. Omers academic excellence has earned her a place on the Presidents List and induction into Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College. She won Best Student Oral Presentation at the BECT Symposium and led a winning team in the SCSU YBS (Young Beginning Small) Farmers Hackathon, receiving the USDA Challenger Coin for innovative problem-solving. Beyond academics, Omer serves as the organizing secretary for the International Students Association and is a member of the National Society of Black Engineers and the Environmental Action Club. About First Lady Agatha Youmans Conyers Conyers is a 1986 graduate of SC State, where she earned a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering. She also holds a masters degree in human services from Liberty University. Her professional career includes serving as a senior manufacturing engineer, Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp, Gaffney, South Carolina; US Patent examiner, US Patent and Trademark Office, Alexandria, Virginia; liaison engineer, Department of the Navy, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; and teacher, Department of Defense Schools, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Arizona governor celebrates historic defense ties, TSMC partnership, and Din Tai Fung's arrival in Taiwan visit On the third day of her visit to Taiwan, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs met with key political and industry leaders. The visit included a high-profile meeting with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te at the Presidential Office and a tour of TSMC's headquarters in Hsinchu. CC Wei and Katie Hobbs. Credit: Katie Hobbs President Lai Ching-te welcomed Governor Hobbs and her delegation to the Presidential Office, emphasizing the close economic partnership between Taiwan and Arizona. "Taiwan and Arizona share a robust trade relationship, and we hope to work together to make Arizona a model for Taiwan-U.S. high-tech cooperation and the creation of a non-red supply chain," Lai said. He highlighted Taiwan as Arizona's eighth-largest export market and fifth-largest source of imports, underscoring the mutual benefits of their collaboration. Lai praised Governor Hobbs for visiting Taiwan shortly after taking office in 2023 and returning this year, calling it a testament to Arizona's commitment to the bilateral relationship. He pointed to TSMC's massive investment in Arizonadescribed as the largest foreign direct greenfield investment in US historyas a cornerstone of this partnership. Earlier this month, TSMC announced an additional US$100 billion investment to expand semiconductor manufacturing and R&D facilities in the Greater Phoenix area, aiming to transform the region into a US semiconductor hub. Katie Hobbs meets Taiwan President Lai. Credit: Taiwan President's Office President Lai also outlined a key goal for Taiwan-US relations: signing a double taxation avoidance agreement. "This would incentivize Taiwanese companies to invest in the US, fostering a more complete industrial ecosystem, creating jobs, and delivering a win-win outcome for both sides," Lai said. In her remarks, Governor Hobbs echoed the sentiment of shared success. "This partnership is built on common values, an appreciation for each other's cultures, and a commitment to innovation and economic growth," she said. She traced the relationship back decades, noting that since 1996, Taiwanese fighter pilots have trained at Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix. "From technology and workforce development to cultural exchange, we've built a strong foundation," Hobbs added, expressing excitement about the upcoming opening of Arizona's first Din Tai Fung restaurant. TSMC visit reinforces historic partnership Earlier in the day, Governor Hobbs visited TSMC's headquarters in Hsinchu, where she met with Chairman and CEO C.C. Wei and other senior leaders. "We were honored to visit TSMC's headquarters and meet with Chairman and CEO C.C. Wei, along with other key leaders," Hobbs said in a statement. "We're incredibly grateful for TSMC's unwavering collaboration and visionary leadership. Arizona stands firmly dedicated to supporting and nurturing this historic partnership." TSMC's US$165 billion investment in Arizona has been a game-changer, driving advancements in cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and solidifying economic ties between the two regions. Hobbs emphasized that this collaboration positions Arizona and Taiwan as leaders in the global semiconductor industry. Governor Hobbs underscored her administration's commitment to strengthening Arizona-Taiwan relations in every possible way. "When Arizona and Taiwan succeed, we all succeed," she said. The delegation included Raymond Greene, Director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Taipei Office, signaling strong US support for the partnership. Arizona Governer Katie Hobbs and team visits TSMC in Hsinchu Taiwan. Cedit: Katie Hobbs Article edited by Jack Wu Formosa Town in India: Telangana establishes industrial zone for Taiwanese firms amid geopolitical shifts In a significant development for Taiwan-India economic relations, the Allegiance Group has signed a major project cooperation agreement with the government of Telangana state in India to establish the first "I.T.I.P" Taiwanese industrial zone within the state's "Future City"(Net Zero City) project. The initiative aims to gather Taiwanese foreign direct investments, with multiple companies already signing letters of intent for investment. This strategic shift reflects growing geopolitical concerns, with Taiwanese companies gaining unprecedented governmental support in India through comprehensive administrative assistance. The groundbreaking collaboration was formalized during a press conference at the Indian Taipei Association in Taipei, witnessed by Ho Chun-hsin, President of the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce in India, and Manharsinh Yadav, Director General of the India Taipei Association. Direct land ownership creates competitive advantage The initiative, spanning 14,000 acres within Telangana's "Future City" project, offers Taiwanese investors significant advantages through a specialized industrial park operated by Allegiance Group, which holds permanent land ownership rightsa notable departure from the leasehold arrangements typically available in other regions. This strategic structure comes alongside substantial state-level incentives including construction, logistics, and workforce training subsidies specifically designed for Taiwanese businesses. "The land for this industrial zone is held under permanent ownership by Allegiance Group, providing long-term security for tenant companies," explained Simon Lee, chairman of Allegiance Group. This comprehensive infrastructure hub will be complemented by "Formosa Town," an ecological community designed for expatriates to enhance the relocation experience for Taiwanese professionals. 'China+1' strategy and Trump 2.0 concerns drive investment Jasper Liu, chairman of Optimus Technology, one of the electromechanical engineering firms that signed onto the project revealed that geopolitical factors are significantly influencing Taiwanese business strategies. "This is partly due to the potential impact of a 'Trump 2.0' policy," Liu explained. "It suggests that investment in supply chains could shift toward mitigating geopolitical risks. Therefore, we are aligning with this strategy by setting up production and sales bases in India in advance." Liu's company, which specializes in electrical equipment and power supply systems, has already established operations in India and plans offices in key areas like Anjar and Hyderabad. "We have established a presence in Taiwan, mainland China, Thailand, and India. Next, we may expand southward to Indonesia and Malaysia," he noted, underscoring the broader "China+1" diversification strategy being adopted by many Taiwanese firms. Two-pronged market approach strengthens investment case The strategic value of the Telangana initiative extends beyond geopolitical hedging. "A major factor is the significant involvement of Taiwanese businesses in India's development. This presents a substantial business opportunity for us," Liu stated. His company plans to first serve existing Taiwanese businesses in India before expanding into the domestic market. "We aim to gain a first-mover advantage," Liu explained. "Since we specialize in electromechanical engineering, we will follow Taiwanese businesses into this sector. This allows us to prioritize securing projects already developed by them." Infrastructure and policy support drives momentum A total of 11 Taiwanese companies have already signed up for the initiative, including Join It Sustainable Tech and Ever-Master Machinery. The group comprises four service firms, five electronics companies, and two non-electronic manufacturers. This collaboration is expected to inject INR20 billion (US$231.2 million) into the regional economy, potentially creating 100,000 direct and indirect jobs while accelerating the development of the 265-acre India Taiwan Industrial Park. S.K. Sharma from the Telangana government highlighted the industrial zone's strategic location near manufacturing giants like Foxconn. The freehold land classification ensures long-term security for investors, with provisions for residential and social infrastructure addressing expatriate needs. Bilateral economic relationship strengthens Ho emphasized India's economic potential and the importance of Taiwanese participation in this growth story. The Taiwan Chamber of Commerce is working to strengthen bilateral economic ties by fostering an enabling environment through financial and infrastructural support. The initiative marks a significant evolution in Taiwan-India economic relations, offering Taiwanese companies both a hedge against geopolitical uncertainties and access to India's growing market while bringing Taiwan's technological expertise to India's developing industrial landscape. Article edited by Charlene Chen Runberg Architecture Group Moussa Matviichuk Leo Danison Dirks Knight Sung Pettis Runberg has promoted eight staff members: Stefanie Dirks has advanced to senior associate, and Jennifer Danison, Corinne Leo, Maksym Matvichuuk, Amal Moussa, Stephen Pettis, Sue Sung, and Margaret Knight, have all been promoted to associate. Dirks has consistently demonstrated excellence in her efforts, actively supports client relationships and contributes to workflow planning, has added to the firm's knowledge base, and is an active presence in the local architecture and design community. Dirks holds a Master of Architecture and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Cincinnati, as well as a LEED AP Building Design and Construction certification. Danison is an IAupiat member of the Kikiktagruk community of northwest Alaska who brings native perspective and influence into her work in the multifamily industry in Seattle. She strives to incorporate indigenous knowledge into all aspects of the design process. Danison received a Master of Architecture from the University of Washington as well as a Bachelor of Design in Architecture from the University of Florida. Knight received her Bachelor of Architecture from Cornell University and has been with Runberg since 2022. She is passionate about projects that provide much-needed housing density to the city of Seattle, especially those incorporating affordable housing. A 2021 recipient of AIA Seattle's Young Architect Award, Knight is a former board member of AIA Seattle and is a current board member for Homestead Community Land Trust. Leo holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Virginia Tech. She has a passion for sustainability and affordable housing projects. An eye for color and design, extensive technical skills in modeling, documentation, and adeptness at understanding building codes have made Leo an excellent resource and role model for junior staff. Matvichuuk joined Runberg in 2016 while studying architecture as an undergraduate at the University of Washington, where he then went on to complete his Master of Architecture degree in 2020. Matvichuuk believes a design is successful when it integrates into the existing fabric of the city by allowing people to prosper in place, be sheltered, and create long-lasting memories of the home they live in. Moussa has been with Runberg since 2018. She holds a Master of Architecture from the University of Washington and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture with a Minor in Product Design from the University of Minnesota. In her work, Moussa strives to find a balance between thoughtful, creative design and the real-world constraints of codes, budgets, and scheduling. Pettis joined Runberg Architecture Group in 2021 after completing his Master of Architecture degree at University of Michigan. He brings elements from his experience working on commercial interiors, industrial, laboratory, and adaptive re-use to his multifamily design approach. Sung has worked for Runberg since 2016 and specializes in creating visual design narratives. She is interested in designing sustainable, walkable urban spaces. Sung holds a Master of Architecture and a Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies from the University of Washington and is a LEED Green Associate. Subscriber content preview SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Google has struck a deal to buy cybersecurity firm Wiz for $32 billion in what would be the biggest acquisition in the tech giant's 26-year history. The proposed takeover announced Tuesday is part of Google's aggressive expansion into cloud computing during an artificial intelligence boom. The frenzied push into AI is driving demand for data centers and Google is going up against two other tech powerhouses, Microsoft and Amazon. . . . The Governments trade forum will meet this week ahead of the potential imposition of broader US tariffs. At Cabinet on Wednesday, Tanaiste Simon Harris is expected to update the Government on the implications of the tariffs proposed by the United States as well as countermeasures announced by the EU in recent days. US tariffs of 25% on all imports of steel and aluminium products and derivatives came into effect worldwide on March 12. On the same day, the EU announced its proposed countermeasures including re-imposition of suspended tariff measures from April 1 and proposed new measures to come into effect later that month. The Trump administration is expected to announce further measures on April 2. Mr Harris has discussed the economic outlook during multiple meetings with business representatives in the US. He is understood to have emphasised the stability of the Irish economy as well as the two-way trade relationship between Ireland and the US. More than 200,000 Americans are employed in more than 770 Irish-owned companies. A meeting of the Government Trade Forum, chaired by Mr Harris will take place on Friday. It is seen as an important engagement with domestic stakeholders ahead of the potential imposition of broader tariffs on April 2. Mr Harris has stressed the need for Ireland to work closely with the European Commission and other EU partners in framing a response. In celebration of International Womens Day last March 8, Google Philippines teamed up with leading online female magazine Cosmo.ph to shine a light on female trailblazers in the field of science and technology, and highlight the role that technology, especially the Internet, plays in enabling women to succeed. A forum entitled Celebrate Women brought together women game changers from different walks of life and industries to talk about their accomplishments and how technology enables their success from their day-to-day lives to their challenging careers. While stories of success abound, a Connected Consumer survey carried out by Google revealed that even though there are slightly more women online than men in the Philippines, 41 percent of the respondents still lack the time to go online while 30 percent do not know how to do the things they want on the Internet. However, the survey also shows that 70% of the women believe that the Internet could help them improve their opportunities. There are many women in the world today who cannot access the Internet, and that translates to missed opportunities for all of us, not just them. By bringing these success stories together, we seek to inspire people as they see that women can make a difference given the right information, tools, and guidance, shared Gail Tan, Google Philippines Head of Communications and Public Affairs. We invited these women to tell us how they made a difference despite the odds. With their insights and experiences, other women will know how they can do it, too. Featured women on the Celebrate Women #WomenWill forum on my next post. Meanwhile, allow me to show off some pics I have inside the Google Philippines headquarters. I feel like a kid in a toy store. It was like being in a happy place that Ive been to before but it was actually my first time there. It was like my first time in Disneyland. Seriously! Their canteen/ office pantry is every employees dream. Free buffet food, breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner! Nobody gets in without an invitation and you cant go around without these QR-coded visitors badge with your name on it! Support for WomenWill online As Celebrate Women inspires with real life stories, Google also introduced an online movement called #WomenWill. The campaign recognizes the role that women and technology play in changing the world around them. If women are equipped with the right knowledge and information on how to use the Internet, they will be able to do more of the things they love online such as connecting with their loved ones, using technology in their business, or pursuing their passions, said Gail. Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Dr. Vicki Belo, together with the team of Cosmo.ph, and other influencers, supported the campaign by lending their voices online. The social media campaign is part of Googles Women Will initiative, which provides women with tools, information, and opportunities to use technology in order to help them succeed. We can impact the lives of women who have no access to the Internet by raising awareness about their struggles and challenges. Google believes that we can all do our part to change the numbers and be able to empower women in using technology, said Gail. For more information about #WomenWill, visit www.womenwill.com. Featured women on the Celebrate Women #WomenWill forum held at the Google Philippibes Headquarters will be featured on my next post. TELL us about yourself; Hello! My name is Precious Abimbola, and I am a final year student at MTU Cork School of Music, where Im currently studying for a BA in Musical Theatre. Both my parents are from Nigeria, specifically from the Yoruba tribe. They moved to Ireland in the early 2000s and raised my siblings and I here in Cork. As a child, I was always extremely interested in performing. I would participate in poetry competitions such as Feis Maitiu Hall in primary school. Ive been involved in various aspects of music from an early age, starting with my local church choir and then later joining The Cork School of Music Junior Choir when I was eight years old. Ive been at the Cork School of Music for over ten years, starting with the choir as a day student, and now I will be finishing as a university student this year. Where were you born? I was born and raised in Cork and currently live in Cork City. Family? I am the eldest of five; I have two brothers and two sisters. My sister Latoya is currently in her first year of Medicine at the University of Galway. My brother Alex is in 6th year and will be sitting his leaving certificate this summer. Rachel is the second youngest in the family. She is very confident and isnt afraid to tell anybody her true feelings, which I do admire. Mark is the youngest in the house. He is so caring and incredibly intelligent. In my eyes, hell always be the baby of the house (but Id never say it to his face because he wouldnt be impressed with that statement). Best friend? I am very lucky to have such amazing friends in my life, who I consider family. My oldest friend, Debbie, has been with me since we were infants. I am also incredibly grateful for the friendships I have gained from college. Earliest childhood memory? My earliest memory would have to be watching shows like Barney and The Bear in the Big Blue House and dancing along to the songs with my mom. Person you most admire? My mom is the person I aspire to be. She always goes out of her way to help people and instilled those values into me which Im deeply grateful for. She is resilient and is one of my biggest motivators. Person who most irritates you? I dont have a specific person but I would have to say when people are rude to hospitality workers that annoys me. Where was your most memorable holiday? My most memorable holiday was my transition year trip to London with my friends from school. We went to see The School of Rock and I completely fell in love with the show. It was also my first time seeing a West End Show! Favourite TV programme? At the moment, I am binge-watching The Wheel of Time for the third time. Im obsessed with the show, and Im looking forward to seeing the new season soon. Favourite radio show? I spend most of my time walking from place to place so I listen to podcasts instead of radio stations. My favourite at the moment would have to be Cocktails and Takeaways. Your signature dish if cooking? Ive recently changed my signature dish to pesto pasta with Cajun chicken, mozzarella and sundried tomato. What I love about it is that I can have this meal for dinner and save it for college the next day without any hassle. Favourite restaurant? Sober Lane, the buffalo chicken wings are fantastic! Last book you read? Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo. Best book you read? The Importance of Being Aisling by Emer McLysaght and Sarah Breen. Last album/CD/download you bought? The last album I downloaded was Dance, No Ones Watching by Ezra Collective. Favourite song? At the moment it is As by Stevie Wonder. One person you would like to see in concert? I would absolutely love to see Olivia Dean in concert. She provides such calming energy in her music and I feel as though seeing her perform live would be mesmerising. Do you have a pet? No, I do not. Morning person or night owl? Im definitely a morning person. I love getting up early. I find that I can accomplish more things when the day has just started. Your proudest moment? Receiving my first professional performing contract. My mom was the first person I rang and I remember her singing praise songs in Yoruba and cheering me on over the phone. It was truly a special moment. Spendthrift or saver? I am a spender but I try to minimise it as best as I can. I tend to borrow a lot of my clothes from my sister Latoya and my mom. They both have such amazing taste in fashion and have such a good eye when pairing pieces of clothes together ( a skill that Im still trying to perfect!). Name one thing you would improve in your area in which you live? The bus service. What makes you happy? Spending time with my friends and siblings. When my friends are back from college on the weekend we try to do a joint activity with all our siblings. Whenever we meet up we always end up having a laugh, I love it. How would you like to be remembered? I would like to be remembered as someone who had an incredible work ethic and who also cared and valued the people in her life. What else are you up to at the moment? At the moment Im currently preparing for my final year exams and planning for my life after university. The Cork Opera House is 170 years old this year and it is kickstarting the celebrations with a black-tie gala celebration this Saturday, March 22. The event will feature some of Irelands finest artists including Musical Theatre icons, Killian Donnelly and Claire OLeary, Cork Soprano Majella Cullagh, singers Rachel Croash, Emma Nash, Laoise Leahy, Rory Dunne and Precious Abimbola, alongside a host of well-known actors and performers. See www.corkoperahouse.ie A business owner on Cork citys MacCurtain St has spoken of what he says are reoccurring instances of antisocial behaviour on the street, claiming nothing is being done about it. Michael Wall, owner of Salvagem furniture and antique store, told The Echo that antisocial behaviour was constant. Every shop, cafe, and pub owner knows it, but theres nothing being done, he said. Mr Wall was speaking in the wake of an incident last Wednesday. A group of seven young teenagers aged between 12 and 15 started playing around with the furniture outside sitting on it, kicking it. When I approached and asked them not to, a tirade of verbal abuse started, he explained. Following this, he went back into the shop, but they began kicking the door and yelling, so he returned outside. Everyone acted innocent; said they hadnt done anything and that I should mind my own business, Mr Wall said. The youths then began moving terracotta pots, ripping leaves off plants, throwing stones at the windows and banging on them, he said. Mr Wall went out again and warned them he had CCTV cameras. The threats started again windows were going to be broken, I was going to be stuck with what, I didnt know. Then they took off with mad haste. What really upset me is when I brought the pots in there was a hypodermic needle in one pot, a used syringe with an exposed needle. I wouldnt have assumed kids that young would be near or have needles, I wonder if he found it and picked it up to threaten people with. When a child threatens to stick you, you dont think the child will have a needle. Mr Wall said he has contacted gardai about the matter. He called for additional gardai to be allocated to Cork city. The gardai are stretched to the max; we all know the number of gardai sent to Cork in the last 10 years is minimal, he said. He stressed the need for more gardai on the beat: If kids that young are playing around with drug paraphernalia, its extremely serious. He said: Rubbish is thrown around, kids are kicking each other at a bus stop while younger children and elderly people are waiting; begging has become more aggressive. Widening the footpaths, putting in new pavement, is a lovely idea, and the street planters are great, if you like a mixture of flowers, weeds, chewing gum, vodka bottles, cigarette packets, and needles. The whole thing with the revamp seemed to be smoke and mirrors, because its not being maintained. I work hard keeping the outside of my shop pretty, but you see everything around you falling into disrepair and you ask: Why am I even doing this? Local Labour councillor John Maher told The Echo that what Mr Wall had experienced was sad and shocking . Its important to recognise that most young people are good ambassadors and citizens of Cork city and that the city itself is a great place to visit and live in, he said. The Garda Commissioner has failed the people of Cork city by not allocating sufficient garda numbers. Additional gardai on the beat, and the knowledge that around the corner you could run into a garda on the beat, will help to eliminate the type of behaviour Michael experienced. The Echo contacted An Garda Siochana and Cork City Council for comment. Gardai attempting to arrest a man on the busy platform of Little Islands railway station on St Patricks Day observed him running through the crowd to get away from them but yesterday he was remanded in custody. The scenario at Little Island was yesterday described by Garda Mary Gallagher at Cork District Court following the mans arrest. The 36-year-old defendant, Mbuku Desire, who has an address at an apartment at 182 Clonliffe Rd, Dublin 3, was charged with engaging in threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour likely to lead to a breach of the peace. Garda Gallagher said the alleged incident occurred at Little Island train station at Kilcoolishal, Glounthaune, Cork, on St Patricks Day. It was alleged that he ran along the railway platform when it was busy with many families out for the parades and celebrations. As well as the public order charge, the defendant was charged under the Immigration Act with failing to produce on demand to a member of An Garda Siochana a valid passport or other equivalent document establishing his identity and nationality. Defence solicitor Shane Collins-Daly said the defendant is a national of the Republic of Congo. The problem is that he does not have any documentation, Mr Collins-Daly said. He is here since 2005 seeking asylum. Judge Miriam Walsh said: He is an asylum seeker for 20 years and he has no documents not a sausage. Not a single piece of paper. Mr Collins-Daly said that in addition to this difficulty, the defendant was unable to give him rational instructions in the case. Judge Walsh refused bail and remanded the defendant in custody until March 25, on the application of Sergeant Gearoid Davis. No patients were seen in the SouthDoc Blackpool centre in January 2025, new figures released by the HSE have shown. There were also no patients seen in the centre in January 2021, while 68 were seen in 2024 and 581 in 2023, compared to 2,180 in January 2019 before the pandemic. The figures from January this year follow repeated calls for transparency around SouthDoc in Cork, as several politicians have shared stories from their constituents of being sent to SouthDoc facilities further away than the local one they had visited previously, such as Kinsale Rd in the case of patients on the northside of Cork city who would previously go to Blackpool. Mari ODonovan, interim head of primary care at HSE South West, explained that Blackpool patients treated via home visit or telemedicine were not included in the figure. She said: All city patients are processed through a single treatment centre address, which is Cork city, and appointments allocated in accordance with clinical need. This centralised approach aims to streamline the patient management process. By consolidating the management process of the patients clinical needs, the Cork city centre can better allocate resources, adapting to the varying levels of clinical need among its diverse patient population. All patients are treated in accordance with clinical condition. Specifically in relation to Cork city patients, including Blackpool, 51% of patients are dealt with by a doctor within two hours, a further 22% within three hours, and 85% within four hours, Ms ODonovan added. Dr John Sheehan, a Blackpool GP and Fianna Fail councillor, explained that the centralised approach was more efficient, but that the current location was not ideal. The figure doesnt surprise me, he said, speaking to The Echo yesterday Ill be working in SouthDoc this evening and there will be three or four colleagues at the base in Kinsale Rd. In Blackpool, there will be one doctor and theyll be attached to a car, so the nature of it is that theyll be out in the car most of the time. Dr Sheehan said that the SouthDoc service has undergone a bit of a reconfiguration. Some of the rural centres have been amalgamated due to a shortage of doctors. In the city, numbers indicate that its more efficient and quality of care is better in one centrally located centre, but it has to be accessible. The Kinsale Rd roundabout is not accessible to everyone, especially if you dont have a car, its not like rural areas where people are used to travelling by car. It doesnt suit people in places like Farranree who dont have a car, that has to be taken into consideration. The centre should be located somewhere you can get to by public transport. Dr Sheehan added that he felt the HSE should be looking at making other health services out of hours, such as the injury unit at Mercy University Hospital, which closes at 6pm, saying: Its not all about one centre versus two for SouthDoc, its about providing a whole range of urgent care options for all people of Cork. Sinn Fein TD for Cork North Central Thomas Gould, to whom the HSE sent the data following a parliamentary question, said he is hearing from people that are not being given the option of an appointment in Blackpool and are instead paying for taxis or driving to Kinsale Rd. He said the HSE should admit that it [SouthDoc Blackpool] is closed and reopen it. The Echo contacted the HSE for comment. Garda numbers fell from 1,304 in December 2023 to 1,282 at the start of this year, with a Cork TD saying the reduction is making the city centre less safe. Figures published by the Department of Justice show that between December 2023 and January 2025, the Cork city Garda force lost 33 staff. 28 of these were in Anglesea St, the citys biggest station, which marked the second highest loss of staff in Ireland, while Bridewell, Blarney, Glanmire, Mayfield and Watercourse Road also lost staff. Anglesea retained its 1 assistant commissioner, 1 chief superintendent and 3 superintendents, but the level of inspectors fell from 12 to 11, sergeants fell from 38 to 36 and general gardai dropped from 218 to 193. Overall, seven Cork city Garda stations lost staff, six saw staff numbers remain the same and five gained either one or two staff members, with no stations gaining more than two staff. There were 699 staff across the 18 Cork city Garda stations in December 2023, but this dropped to 673 in December 2024, then reduced further in a month and was 666 in January 2025. Across Cork city and county, there were 9 Garda stations with no staff, 20 with one staff member and 10 with two as of January 2025. In Cork city, there is one Garda station with no staff, Mallow Road, while one station (Carrignavar) has one staff member and two (Passage West and Crosshaven) have two. Small stations are more common in Cork county. Of 56 total Garda stations, 30 in Cork county have 5 or less staff, with 19 of these having just one staff member. Cork County saw its overall Garda numbers increase from 605 in December 2023 to 609 in December 2024 and 616 in January 2025, this included sergeant figures rising from 91 to 100 and general Gardai increasing from 488 to 492, though the number of inspectors fell from 20 to 18. Staffing levels remained static in 38 county stations, fell in eight and rose in ten of these, Mallow station reported an increase of five, Midleton four and Dunmanway four, while the remainder got either one or two extra staff. Nationally, 23% of stations saw a reduction, 57% had no change and 20% saw figures increase. These numbers compare to 39% and14% seeing numbers falling, 33% and 68% having no change and 28% and 18% seeing them increase in Cork city and county respectively. Sinn Fein TD for Cork South Central Donnchadh O Laoghaire said that more gardai were needed in the city: The drop in Gardai in Anglesea St and Cork city in general is really, really worrying. It flies in the face of public reps, business leaders and the community as a whole constantly raising concern about Garda presence in the city centre. We all want Cork city to be a place people feel safe in, can go and socialize, work and enjoy but the reality is the Garda presence is not enough. Weve had a number of very serious incidents in Cork city in the last while, in terms of arson attacks, serious assaults, public order incidents. The greatest deterrent to crime is an adequate garda presence and we simply do not have that, response times are nowhere near where they should be even though we have brilliant Gardai on the ground who are doing everything they can. We need to reverse this trend in terms of recruitment and retention nationally, and we need to ensure civilian posts are put in place to release Gardai from behind the desk. The Echo contacted An Garda Siochana for comment. The Lord Mayor of Cork, Dan Boyle, will today officially open 30 new social housing apartments and turn the sod on another 133 new homes. Mr Boyle will officiate at the formal opening of 30 A-rated social housing apartments at Carraig View in Blackrock, a mix of six one-bedroom apartments and 24 two-bedroom apartments overlooking the Blackrock- Passage Greenway and Blackrock Hurling Club. It was developed by Lyonshall Ltd and built by Clancy Construction through Cork City Councils Competitive Dialogue procurement process and is being managed by Tuath Housing Association on behalf of the council. Chief Commercial and Development Officer of Tuath Housing Association, Martin Loughran said: Tuath Housing is proud to be working with Cork City Council to manage these 30 new homes at Carraig View in Blackrock. We look forward to our continued partnership with the Council to provide secure, quality housing to the people of Cork. The Lord Mayor and Cork City Council Chief Executive, Valerie OSullivan, will also turn the sod on 43 new apartments today, 17 one-bedroom and 26 two-bedroom, at Westside Court on Model Farm Road, near Munster Technological University (MTU). The development will be delivered by Clancy Project Management Limited and is funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH). He will then turn the sod on a 90 home development; Clover Hill Court at Bessboro Road, Mahon. Clancy Project Management Limited will oversee the construction of 28 one-bedroom apartments, 56 two-bedroom apartments and six three-bedroom two storey houses. The urban infill development scheme on lands zoned for residential development is supported by Cork City Council and is funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH). The Clover Hill and Westside schemes are being developed using modern methods of construction, meaning a greater percentage of build will be constructed off-site, ensuring better quality management and less disruption for the surrounding community, which the council have described as a more fast, cost-efficient and effective process with environmentally friendly materials. Mr Boyle said that the developments will prove very important to Cork: Im exceptionally proud to officially open and break ground on three unique developments which will provide a further 163 new social homes for the people of Cork. I must acknowledge Cork City Councils employment of a variety of mechanisms to achieve housing delivery, one of its key priorities. I would also like to acknowledge the significant ongoing work of all those involved in housing delivery. My wish is that these properties provide all the security and comfort of a home to their new tenants and that they participate fully in their respective new communities. Ms OSullivan added: The three residential developments we have visited are demonstrators of the creative design solutions which Cork City Council deploys to deliver our housing programme. It is particular source of pride in our team that they developed schemes on brownfield sites to provide homes for people, close to public transport links and existing community and commercial facilities. She acknowledged the work of Brian Geaney, Assistant Chief Executive and the housing team in City Hall, the contractors, the Department of Housing and everyone involved, saying: I wish those who will live here years of happiness in their new homes. Sinn Fein Leader Mary Lou McDonald has pledged to prioritise securing a new and improved building for the Cork College of FET Macroom Youthreach Centre. Alongside Cork North West based Sinn Fein Senator Nicole Ryan, Ms McDonald visited the facility in the Mid Cork town recently, where she was given a tour of the centre and also spoke with students and staff. Cork College of FET Macroom Youthreach Centre provides young people who are out of mainstream education an alternative educational path. Speaking to reporters in Macroom, Ms McDonald said that securing more modern facilities for Macroom Youthreach is very much on her agenda. There is incredible work being done in Macroom Youthreach, incredible talent and potential and a terrible building. So that is the issue. They are here 20 years. They need a new building and have identified a new location. The process is underway. So, Nicole Ryan and I now are going to work together. We are joining forces to move that along as speedily as we can." Ms McDonald added: Macroom Youthreach is hugely important. Talking to and more importantly listening to the young people here, I just want to give a shout out to all the young people in Youthreach in Macroom. The talent is absolutely mighty and exceptional. We should really celebrate the fact that our young people, in so many different ways, each in their own individual way, have so much to offer and so much to bring. We should remind ourselves, those who are not so youthful anymore, that we rely on our young people to build the Ireland of tomorrow and to make progress for all of us. Cork College of FET Macroom Youthreach Centre offers support for students to ensure they continue to aspire towards their career goals through a blended curriculum of practical life skills, academic certification and practical experience in the workplace. An exhibition that celebrates creativity on the West Cork Islands will open at LHQ Gallery at the Cork County Council Library Building on Saturday, March 22. Running until April 25, the Sea and Stone exhibition will showcase a selection of works from the past two years of the Creative Places West Cork Islands project, presented alongside creative artefacts that are unique to the islands including painted plaques, knots and ropes, Irish knitting, leatherwork, books, paintings and films. Creative Places West Cork Islands is an islands initiative funded by the Arts Council and Cork County Council. The project aims to build sustained arts investment and create opportunities for local arts programmes across the seven islands of Cape Clear, Sherkin Island, Heir Island, Long Island, Whiddy island, Bere island and Dursey island. The exhibition title Sea and Stone is borrowed from the islands cultural newspaper published as part of the ongoing project. Over its three-year period, Creative Places have enabled many artistic projects, some of which are presented in Sea and Stone. Also, Sea and Stone includes other works from the islands which are part of the ongoing cultural practice. At the exhibition, stories from the islands will be presented in various books and films including My Townland, My Story, a book that tells the unique and important stories of the West Cork Islands from the perspective of its children. The project takes influence from the The Schools Collection, which channeled the folklore and local tradition of home dating back to 1937. Mayor of County Cork Joe Carroll is looking forward to the exhibition. Cork County Council is delighted to present Sea and Stone at our dedicated visual arts space LHQ Gallery. Creative Places West Cork Islands is a placemaking initiative that leverages the arts to bring island communities together. We are very proud of the results of this three-year initiative and look forward to launching this unique exhibition. Racist slurs were made against a security man in Cork city centre by a 48-year-old man who carried out multiple thefts of vodka from various stores. Garda Cian Foley was on duty on Patrick Street, Cork, on February 24, when he encountered 48-year-old Paul McCarthy of Cork Simon Community. Sergeant Gearoid Davis said: A security guard brought a man to Garda Foleys attention. This man Paul McCarthy was unsteady on his feet, his speech was slurred and there was a smell of intoxicating liquor from his breath. He was being verbally abusive to passers-by. Paul McCarthy was using a number of racist slurs. He was repeatedly abusive to the security guard , saying, Hes nothing but a black bastard harassing me. A black bastard. Nothing but a dirty n***** is what he is. Garda Foley arrested him on the day of this outburst last month. Now at Cork District Court Judge Miriam Walsh has sentenced the defendant to a total of four months in prison for this public order incident and a litany of shoplifting offences. The shoplifting consisted of multiple incidents where he walked into supermarkets and smaller stores in Cork city centre, selected two bottles of vodka and walked out without paying. The thefts were committed on numerous dates this month and last month at premises including Dunnes on Patrick Street, where he shoplifted several times, Tesco on Paul Street, Marks and Spencer at Merchant's Quay, and Centra on Patrick Street and Centra, North Main Street. Sergeant Davis said the accused had 224 previous convictions. They include three counts of burglary, 52 for theft, 53 for being drunk and a danger and 32 for engaging in threatening behaviour. Defence solicitor Aoife Buttimer said the 48-year-old father of five suffered from two main issues throughout his life - homelessness and addiction to alcohol. The cycle he ends up in is that he dries out in prison, is released, falls back into homelessness, commits crimes, drinks, and goes back into custody, Ms Buttimer said. The founder of Corks rape crisis centre has spoken out against the St Patricks Day visit to the White House by mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Conor McGregor. Mary Crilly, who founded what is now the Sexual Violence Centre Cork more than four decades ago, described the sight of Mr McGregor being feted by the president of the United States as outrageous. We have a fight on our hands, and we have to keep turning back the tide of violence against women, she said. In November, Mr McGregor was found civilly liable in a High Court damages case taken by a woman who accused him of rape. Nikita Hand won a claim against Mr McGregor, after accusing the professional fighter of raping her in a Dublin hotel in December 2018. Ms Hand was awarded damages and costs after a three-week trial last year in which the jury found him civilly liable for assault. Mr McGregor is appealing. He has indicated that he may seek to stand in Novembers Irish presidential election, but to get on the ballot he would first need to be nominated by four local authorities or 20 members of the Oireachtas. Concern Ms Crilly said she was confident that the people of Ireland would make clear that Mr McGregor did not represent them in any form, but she expressed concern about his high-profile US visit. I think the whole thing is outrageous, for him to be in the White House, claiming he talks for the people of Ireland. He needs to be told that he does not speak for us." Ms Crilly added that she had appreciated the comments of Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Tanaiste Simon Harris, and former taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who had all criticised Mr McGregor. She said the importance of consent needed to be instilled in boys from an early age. Its worrying that the issue of violence against women is still there, is still endemic, and that some people still think its not a big deal and it doesnt matter, Ms Crilly said. The issue of educating boys and men about women and about how important they are needs to begin in primary school, and nearly needs to begin in playschool. A 26-year-old man accused of carrying out a robbery targeting an 81-year-old woman has been remanded in custody. The woman was knocked to the ground as she walked home with her friend at Military Hill in Cork. Kelvin Murphy of 152 Wolfe Tone St, Gurranabraher, Cork, was refused bail at a special sitting of Cork District Court at the weekend and has been further remanded in custody until April 2. Judge Miriam Walsh remanded the man in custody until that date, on the application of Sergeant Gearoid Davis. He is required to appear by video link from prison on the next occasion. Garda Brian Holland gave evidence at Kelvin Murphys first court appearance in the case, and objected to bail being granted. It was alleged that on March 3, just after 11pm, the injured party, an 81-year-old woman, was walking home with her friend, aged 75. They were walking up Military Hill when it is alleged that the accused crossed the road from the opposite side and walked towards them. Alleged It is alleged that the accused asked the injured party for money and she declined and that the accused then grabbed the injured partys handbag and in the process dragged her to the ground, causing her to fall onto the road, Detective Garda Holland said. The accused fled on foot down Military Hill onto Wellington Rd. Passers-by came on the scene and retrieved the injured partys handbag from the accused before he made good his escape. The injured party had an injury to her upper right leg. An ambulance attended at the scene and gave medical attention. A large quantity of CCTV footage was harvested from the area. Represented in Cork District Court by solicitor Shane Collins-Daly, Mr Murphy was remanded in custody until April 1 by Judge Miriam Walsh, on the application of Sgt Davis. By David Young, PA An 18-year-old man has been remanded in custody charged with attempted murder following the stabbing of a man in south Belfast. Yasser Oumeraci is also charged with possession of a knife with intent to commit an indictable offence in connection with the incident on the Ormeau Road on Saturday March 1st. A 51-year-old man required hospital treatment after the stabbing. He has since been discharged from hospital. Oumeraci, of St Gemmas Court in Belfast, appeared before a district judge at the citys magistrates court on Wednesday. He is also facing three other charges in relation to separate incidents. He faces a count of threats to kill a man on March 7th; of criminal damage to a car on a date between February 24th and 27th; and of possession of an offensive weapon, namely a knife, again on a date between February 24th and 27th. Oumeraci was initially attested under the Terrorism Act however he was ultimately not charged under that legislation. With the assistance of an interpreter, he spoke briefly at the outset of the hearing on Wednesday to confirm he understood the charges. The accused made no application for bail. His solicitor Sinead Marmion, from Phoenix Law, asked that a psychiatric assessment be undertaken of her client in custody. When asked by the judge, Steven McKeown, whether Oumeraci consented for the results of the assessment to be shared with those involved in the case, the accused refused. The judge said his refusal may affect the courts ability to determine his suitability for bail at a later date. If he does not consent to it being shared the court will be somewhat hamstrung, said the judge. He remanded Oumeraci into custody for four weeks. His case will be mentioned again in court on April 16th. The search for this years Cork Rose, who will represent the county at the International Rose of Tralee Festival this August, has commenced. The 2024 Cork Rose, Shauna OSullivan, launched this years search at the Rochestown Park Hotel. She was joined by Steve Cox, Sales & Marketing Manager at Rochestown Park Hotel, and Cork Rose Centre Coordinators Katie Connolly and Heather Mulcahy. The Cork Rose Centre is inviting young women across Cork city and county to consider applying to represent the Rebel County at the International Rose of Tralee Festival. Steve Cox, Rochestown Park Hotel Sales and Marketing Manager with Shauna O'Sullivan at the launch. The Cork Rose will be selected at an event on June 1. Prior to the selection, entrants will enjoy several days out including a Rose tour around some of Corks finest establishments and landmarks in the run-up to the event. Speaking at the launch, Shauna said representing Cork has been a privilege. What a surreal and exciting time to be here, officially launching the search for the 2025 Cork Rose. While it might sound cliched, applying to be the Cork Rose has been the best decision I have ever made, and its fair to say I havent looked back! Representing the Cork Rose Centre, our county, and our people and businesses has been an absolute privilege - without their support, none of this would have been possible. Participating in the Festival is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I can confirm it is so much more than a week in Tralee or what you see on television. My Rose experience has not only helped me grow in confidence but the friendships I have made with my fellow Roses and Rose Escorts have been amazing. Newfoundland and Labrador Rose Tammy Snook, Cork Rose Shauna O'Sullivan and Roscommon Rose Rachel Hastings pictured during the Love for Roses Parade last year. The woman chosen to represent Cork at the Rose of Tralee International Festival will enjoy a wonderful fortnight in August, beginning with the Rose Tour and culminating with her live interview on RTE. The Rose of Tralee International Festival will take place this year from Friday, August 15 to Tuesday, August 19. Those interested in applying for the Cork Rose selection can apply by visiting https://roseoftralee.ie/apply-to-be-a-rose/. The Cork Rose Centre will be hosting an online webinar on Tuesday, March 25. You can meet the Cork Rose Team at an information session in Rochestown Park Hotel on Friday, April 4. To anyone who has ever toyed with the idea of applying to be a Rose, take this as your sign to go for it! Stop waiting for the right time because it doesnt exist. Apply today - it is my personal promise that you wont regret it, said Shauna. 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. Wild cougar cubs have been seen in the western part of Michigans Upper Peninsula for the first time in over a century. Last week state biologists confirmed that the spotted cubs thought to be between seven and nine weeks old were living on private property in Ontonagon County, a press release from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said. Its pretty exciting, considering this could be the first known cougar reproduction in modern times in the western Great Lakes states, said wildlife biologist Brian Roell, a DNR large carnivore specialist and leader of the cub verification team, in the press release. 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. Its something that should be celebrated, that we have the habitat to support an elusive animal like this. A local resident took photos of the cubs on March 6, which Roell and the team used to verify the cubs presence in the area. Originally native to Michigan, cougars were hunted to extinction in the state around the early 1900s. The last wild cougar who was legally taken was near Newberry in 1906, DNR said on its website. There have been many confirmed cougar sightings since 2008, including two illegal harvests in the Upper Peninsula, the website said. This situation is not unique to Michigan, but has been occurring in many other mid-western and eastern states, as young males disperse from core range in the western United States. Although cougars have been spotted in Michigan in the recent past, it was the first verified sighting of cougar cubs since their populations were decimated, Roell said. The photographs were of the cubs without their mother, and they have not been seen again since March 6. Extremely dependent on their mothers, cougar cubs often remain with them throughout their first two years. Those young cougars are very vulnerable right now, Roell said. We dont know where they are or if theyre even alive. Mother Nature can be very cruel. While cougars are Michigan natives, most of those there now seem to be transient, dispersing across the border from Western states. Roell said there have been 132 reports of adult cougars verified by the DNR, but DNA testing had only confirmed male cougars to date. Because they are listed as endangered in Michigan, it is illegal to harass or hunt cougars, including attempting to locate their den, Roell said. Cougar sightings in Michigan can be logged through the Eyes in the Field reporting system, operated by the DNR. Cougar cubs photographed by a Michigan resident who asked to remain anonymous. Michigan Department of Natural Resources NVIDIA is building a desktop supercomputer. At the company's GTC conference today, CEO Jensen Huang announced DGX Spark and DGX Station. We got a first look at the former during CES earlier this year when Huang and company revealed Project Digits. Now known as DGX Spark, NVIDIA is billing the $3,000 device as the world's smallest AI supercomputer. It features a GB10 Grace Blackwell Superchip NVIDIA has shrunk down to fit inside an enclosure about the size of the previous generation Mac mini. NVIDIA says the GB10 can run up to 1,000 trillion operations per second of AI compute, making it ideal for fine-tuning the latest AI reasoning models, including the GR00T N1 robot system Huang announced at the end of his GTC keynote. The DGX Spark is available to preorder today. NVIDIA For researchers and data scientists who need even more AI processing power, the DGX Station features a GB300 Grace Blackwell Ultra Desktop Superchip. The GB300 offers 20 petaflops of performance and 784GB of unified system memory. NVIDIA has yet to announce a price for the DGX Station, though the company says the computer will arrive later this year, with ASUS, BOXX, Dell, HP, Lambda and Supermicro all making their own versions of the system. President Donald Trump's efforts to remake the US government continued today with the firing of the two Democratic members of the Federal Trade Commission. This agency has historically had five members: three from the same party as the president and two from the opposing party. The New York Times reported that the president terminated the roles for FTC Commissioners Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya. Both Slaughter and Bedoya said today that firing them is illegal. Commissioners' terms can only be ended early for good cause, such as "inefficiency, neglect of duty or malfeasance in office." Also, no more than three commissioners can come from the same political party, meaning the pair also cannot be replaced by additional Republicans. It seems likely that Trump will face a legal challenge over the attempt to eliminate these positions. "The law protects the independence of the Commission because the law serves the American people, not corporate power," Slaughter said in a statement. "The reason that the FTC can be so effective for the American people is because of its independence and because its commissioners serve across political parties and ideologies. Removing opposition voices may not change what the Trump majority can do, but it does change whether they will have accountability when they do it." Bedoya also posted about the action on X, seconding Slaughter's statement that removing their posts is illegal. "Tomorrow I will testify before the Colorado Joint House and Senate Judiciary Committees, and will have more to say then," he wrote. The Federal Trade Commission has removed all posts from President Joe Biden's term in office from its business blog. This online publication has historically provided advice about how companies could best comply with consumer-protection regulations, covering topics such as artificial intelligence and how big tech companies have collected and used customer data. Currently, it has no content published between December 21, 2020 and March 7, 2025. Wired highlighted some of the notable content from the more than 300 blog posts that have been deleted. Several current and former FTC officials spoke to the publication about the change anonymously out of fear of retaliation. In terms of the message to industry on what our compliance expectations were, which is in some ways the most important part of enforcement action, they are trying to just erase those from history, one source said. The FTC is being led by President Donald Trump's nominee, Andrew Ferguson. At the time of his appointment, Ferguson said he would use the department to "end Big Tech's vendetta against competition and free speech." He and other Republicans have claimed that many platforms are censoring right-wing content, adding a heavy layer of irony to the FTC's latest actions. "They are talking a big game on censorship," another source told Wired. "But at the end of the day, the thing that really hits these companies' bottom line is what data they can collect, how they can use that data, whether they can train their AI models on that data, and if this administration is planning to take the foot off the gas there while stepping up its work on censorship." Carl Erik Rinsch, the director of 47 Ronin, has been charged for defrauding a streaming service out of $11 million, according to the Southern District of New York's US Attorney's Office. While the court documents didn't name the service, an old report from The New York Times made it obvious that it was none other than Netflix. In 2018, Rinsch pitched a sci-fi series called White Horse, referencing the first horseman of the apocalypse, to several services, namely Amazon, Apple, HBO, Hulu, Netflix and YouTube. The Times' report said that Amazon had already won the bidding war, but Netflix's former VP of Original Content, Cindy Holland, called Rinsch on a weekend and offered millions more, along with the privilege of making a director's cut. In its announcement of the indictment, the US Attorney's Office explained that Netflix had paid $44 million for the development of White Horse, which had been renamed to Conquest, between 2018 and 2019. Some of that money went to paying off the project's earliest investors. (Keanu Reeves, the star of 47 Ronin, sank his own money into the project after Rinsch got in trouble with 30West, one of the project's first investors, for not reaching a deadline.) Between late 2019 and early 2020, Rinsch asked Netflix for more funding, and the company gave him $11 million more to complete the series. But Rinsch never finished the show, and Netflix accused him of using those funds to make "personal and speculative purchases of securities." The director allegedly lost most of the $11 million to trading, but he made it back and earned more from investing the rest on cryptocurrency. Rinsch allegedly went on a shopping spree after that, spending almost $4 million on furniture and antiques, $2.4 million on five Rolls-Royces and one Ferrari, as well as $652,000 on luxury watches and clothing. The indictment also said that Rinsch spent over $1 million to sue Netflix for more money. According to The Times' report, Rinsch claimed in his lawsuit that Netflix broke its contract and owed him several more payments worth $14 million. In the midst of all of these, Rinsch reportedly displayed erratic behavior: He allegedly claimed to have discovered Covid-19s secret transmission mechanism, treated the show's staff horribly and accused his wife of plotting his assassination. Conquest was supposed to be about a genius who invented a human-like species called Organic Intelligent. These OIs are deployed to solve problems and provide humanitarian aid around the world, but they are, of course, not what they seem and are hiding a darker nature. Rinsch has been charged with one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering, both of which carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. He was also charged with five counts of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity, each count carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years. Suzanne Collins' latest novel, 'Sunrise on the Reaping,' has officially been released, expanding the 'Hunger Games' universe once again. Following the success of 'The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,' this book serves as another prequel to the original trilogy and has already been confirmed for a film adaptation. Just finished reading the first 2 chapters of #sunriseonthereaping .. and it brings me back to the moment I first read The Hunger Games. When I was 16 or 17? Core memory unlocked. This new book is already a freaking masterpiece!! pic.twitter.com/klsqjoZv7r mariusperry (@mariusperry) March 18, 2025 Many fans have been raving about 'Sunrise on the Reaping,' sharing their excitement and nostalgia for 'The Hunger Games' universe. Some have called it "a freaking masterpiece," while others were thrilled to grab a copy, with one reader celebrating, "COPY SECURED, SUICIDE POSTPONEDDDD ." Another praised Suzanne Collins for delivering fan service that "makes sense and feels natural and works." These reactions are just a glimpse of the overwhelming enthusiasm surrounding the book's release. Read more: Jennifer Lawrence Endorses Kamala Harris And 5 Other Celebs That Are Backing The VP The fifth installment in the series transports readers twenty-four years before 'The Hunger Games,' beginning on the morning of the reaping for the Fiftieth Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. According to a press release from Scholastic Publishing, the novel provides a deeper look into Panem's political landscape during that time. ASKED MY MOM TO STOP BY FULLY BOOKED TO SEE IF THE NEW HUNGER GAMES BOOK WAS AVAILABLE, IT WAS AND THERE WAS ONLY ONE COPY LEFT COPY SECURED, SUICIDE POSTPONEDDDD #SunriseOnTheReaping pic.twitter.com/vtqSgi6o7b drei (@evildeadrei) March 18, 2025 Collins previously explained her inspiration for writing the book, stating, "With Sunrise on the Reaping, I was inspired by David Hume's idea of implicit submission and, in his words, 'the easiness with which the many are governed by the few.'" She further elaborated, "The story also lent itself to a deeper dive into the use of propaganda and the power of those who control the narrative. The question 'real or not real?' seems more pressing to me every day." This novel is told from the perspective of Haymitch Abernathy, the second victor from District 12, who later became a mentor to Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark in the original series. By centering the story on Haymitch, readers gain insight into his early experiences and how they shaped him into the person seen in 'The Hunger Games.' every single franchise needs to learn from suzanne collins and the hunger games when it comes to fan service. this new book has soo much fan service but all of it makes sense and feels natural and works!!! you can give an audience what they want while being authentic to your art! rosie (@houseoforgana) March 18, 2025 'Sunrise on the Reaping' was officially released on Tuesday, March 18. The film adaptation is currently in development and is expected to premiere in 2026. The book is now available for purchase through major retailers, including Amazon, Target, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop.org. Gal Gadot's Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony on Tuesday was delayed after pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrators turned it into a flashpoint for tensions. Gadot, 39, was about to receive her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame when protesters began gathering outside the tented-off area just minutes before the ceremony started. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators carried signs with messages that read "Heroes Fight Like Palestinians" and "Viva Viva Palestina." Others chanted, "Shame on Gal Gadot." On the other hand, some pro-Israel protesters claimed their friends were "murdered" when Hamas terrorists launched an attack against Israeli civilians who attended the Nova Music Festival in October 2023. The attack led to the deaths of hundreds of people. Police responded to Hollywood Boulevard after a pro-Palestinian protestor stole an Israeli flag, according to Variety. No arrests were made. Chanting pro-Palestineprotesters outside Gal Gadots Hollywood Walk of Fame Ceremony pic.twitter.com/1Xg0piohqR Katcy Stephan (@katcystephan) March 18, 2025 The ceremony commenced 15 minutes later, with "Wonder Woman" director Patty Jenkins and "Fast & Furious" co-star Vin Diesel introducing Gadot. The "Snow White" actress was joined by her husband, Jaron Varsano, and their daughters: 13-year-old Alma, 8-year-old Maya, 3-year-old Daniella, and 13-month-old Ori. Gadot, who has previously served in the Israeli Defense Forces, has been very vocal about her support for Israel amid the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. "I stand with Israel; you should too. The world cannot remain neutral in the face of such horrifying acts of terror!" she wrote in an Instagram post. She also changed her bio to include a link to the group Bring Them Home Now, a volunteer-led organization that advocates for the release of Israeli hostages. Gadot has faced significant backlash after she posted about supporting Israel in the war, with critics accusing her of ignoring the Palestinian humanitarian crisis. Despite being vocal, it was noted that Gadot steered clear of the issue during the star awarding ceremony, per The Guardian. The two surviving dogs of actor Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, have been rehomed after the couple's tragic deaths last month, according to a spokesperson for the estate. As per The New York Post, Joey Padilla, owner of the dog daycare center Santa Fe Tails, confirmed Tuesday that Bear, a German shepherd, and Nikita, an Akita-shepherd mix, have been placed in new homes. Padilla stated that one dog has been relocated out of state while the other remains in the local area. "It is with great joy that, with the consent of the estate attorney, I and my staff at Santa Fe Tails have successfully found homes for the Hackmans' surviving dogs," Padilla said in a statement. "We went through stringent efforts to ensure the best homes were found, and the dogs have already begun settling into their new lives." Hackman, 95, and Arakawa, 65, were discovered by maintenance workers at their New Mexico home on Feb. 26. The couple reportedly passed away days earlier. The medical examiner revealed Hackman died from heart disease, with advanced Alzheimer's disease as a contributing factor. Arakawa's cause of death was attributed to hantavirus, though discrepancies regarding her date of death have emerged. The couple's third dog, Zinna, an Australian kelpie mix, was found dead in a locked crate, having succumbed to dehydration and starvation. Padilla recounted the scene when he arrived at the couple's home. "It's absolutely devastating," he said. "There were officers everywhere, and there was obviously a lot of chaos in Nikita's mind. She was running around the property, scared." Bear and Nikita had wandered the property for several days before help arrived. They led first responders to Hackman's body once police were on the scene. Both Dogs Are Now Safe A representative for the estates stated to People that both dogs are now safe and healthy in their new environments. "In response to numerous concerned inquiries about the Hackmans' dogs, both Bear and Nikita have been placed in appropriate homes," the statement read. Protect the people AND their pets! Padilla expressed gratitude for the public's concern over Bear and Nikita's well-being as they transition to their new lives. "Gene and Betsy had so much love for their dogs," he added. "There was nothing they would not do for those dogs." Ryan Reynolds is fighting back against accusations made by Justin Baldoni in a recent defamation lawsuit. On March 18, the "Deadpool" actor filed a motion to be dismissed from the $400 million lawsuit Baldoni filed in response to sexual harassment and retaliation claims made by Reynolds' wife, Blake Lively. Baldoni, the director of "It Ends With Us," accused Reynolds of defamation, claiming that Reynolds privately called him a "sexual predator" to a Hollywood agent, ENews said. However, Reynolds' legal team argues that the defamation suit is unfounded. Reynolds genuinely believes Baldoni's behavior could be described as "predatory." "The entirety of Mr. Baldoni's case is based on Mr. Reynolds allegedly calling him a 'predator,'" Reynolds' lawyers, Mike Gottlieb and Esra Hudson, stated. "But this cannot be defamation unless it's shown that Reynolds did not believe the statement to be true." The lawsuit filed by Baldoni is part of a series of legal battles following Lively's December lawsuit, where she accused Baldoni of sexual harassment while filming "It Ends With Us." Blake Lively also accused Baldoni and his team of orchestrating a public smear campaign against her. Baldoni countersued Lively, Reynolds, and her publicist, Leslie Sloane, claiming civil extortion, defamation, and false light invasion of privacy. Remember when Ryan Reynolds had a high opinion about Justin Baldoni and needed his help- to the point where he was joking about his perineum. Now hes saying Justin Baldoni is a predator? Okay, Blake Lively still in control of her dragons lo pic.twitter.com/RbtbX35NeK Steph Anie (@mynerdyhome) March 18, 2025 Ryan Reynolds Defends His Right to Speak Out Amid Baldoni's Defamation Claims Reynolds' attorneys have dismissed Baldoni's claims as a "desperate effort" to damage his reputation. They criticized Baldoni for attempting to turn the tables by painting himself as the victim. They suggested that his legal actions were an attempt to discredit Lively and Reynolds' stance on the issue. While the defamation lawsuit seeks $400 million in damages, Reynolds' legal team questions the validity of this amount, stating that Baldoni fails to explain who exactly suffered harm or how this loss occurred. The motion to dismiss suggests that Baldoni's case is long on rhetoric and short on facts that would hold up in a legal setting. According to the NYPost, Reynolds has also defended his right to express his opinions, particularly when it comes to the ongoing battle concerning his wife's harassment claims. "Mr. Reynolds has a First Amendment right to express his opinion," his lawyers noted, calling the accusations against him an attack on his stance as a supportive partner. As this legal dispute unfolds, the public remains divided, with Lively's legal team accusing Baldoni of using classic tactics to reverse the narrative. "This is an age-old story," Lively's lawyers stated, "where the abuser attempts to turn the tables on the victim." Meghan Markle is facing backlash after posting videos of herself making homemade St. Patrick's Day waffles for her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. While the Duchess of Sussex shared a series of Instagram Stories showing herself stirring green batter and pouring it into a waffle maker, some social media users are questioning the authenticity of the breakfast she prepared. Markle's critics pointed out that the waffles, once plated, did not have the typical waffle grid pattern that would come from the specific waffle iron she used in the video. According to PageSix, the appliance she was seen using, a Cuisinart Waring Pro WMK200 Belgian Waffle Maker, has deep grooves that form the traditional waffle shape. Still, the waffles she served appeared flat and lacked the ridges. The inconsistencies sparked speculation online. One user wrote, "She posted a video of herself using a waffle maker with a divider, yet the waffle she presented looked exactly like a store-bought one, missing the dividers that should have been there." Others accused her of faking the entire process, suggesting she may have used pre-made, frozen waffles instead of making them from scratch. I dont really care if she used boxed waffles and lied about making them-thats par for the course with #MeghanMarkle. Nothing she does comes across as genuine, its all try-hard. My issue is how NOW her kids are all over social media when it benefits her. They cant give pic.twitter.com/0MNeeswao4 Princess CarParkle (@unreMARKLEble) March 19, 2025 Fans Speculate Meghan Markle Served Store-Bought Waffles to Kids Adding fuel to the fire, fans quickly pointed out that Markle seemed to have used two different waffle makers one for her children's breakfast and another for her own. Markle posted an image of her and Prince Harry's waffles, which appeared different from those served to Archie and Lilibet. Some online commenters speculated that Markle had prepared store-bought waffles for her kids while making a more elaborate breakfast for herself and her husband. Despite the criticism, some users defended Markle, arguing that the issue was trivial. According to NY Post, one fan commented, "You shouldn't get upset about waffles," while another added, "She obviously didn't, you're just picking and choosing a picture you wanna hate on." This isn't the first time Markle has been scrutinized for her social media posts. Her actions, from her parenting choices to her public appearances, have previously sparked debate. Some believe the waffles are just another example of people focusing on minor details to criticize the Duchess. To add another layer to the story, reports suggest that the waffle iron in Markle's video might have been a gift from Queen Elizabeth. Prince Harry previously shared that the late queen gave the couple a waffle maker for Archie, which he enjoys using to make breakfast with Meghan. Wendy Williams is one step closer to obtaining her freedom after a judge ruled in her favor at a pivotal court hearing. The 60-year-old former talk show host was previously under restrictive guardianship but has now been moved to a more open environment. On Monday, in a hearing at the New York State Supreme Court, Judge Lisa Sokoloff said Williams could move from a secured memory care unit to a more independent area of her current senior facility. Following the hearing, Williams has since confirmed the news. When asked if the emergency petitions had gone her way, she said, "They did, thank you!" Williams' attorney, Sadatu Salami, filed an emergency petition earlier last week to allow her to move out of her previous housing, which the former television host called a "luxury prison. " A source connected with the case told The US Sun that her new place would be like a private condo. "She will have much more freedom to come and go as she pleases, she'll be able to have visitors, and she'll be free to leave when she wants." Read more: Wendy Williams Grabs Dinner in NYC Days After Dropping Note Begging for Help Fight For Guardianship Drags On With Williams conditionally in a better living arrangement, however, her battle towards taking back complete control of her life appears to be long fought. Court hearings over the broader fight to end her guardianship also took place Monday. "Ultimately, Wendy wants completely out of the arrangement," a source revealed. "There are some tests she'll have to face moving forward to determine just how much freedom she will be givenwhether that means she's entirely free from the guardianship or granted less oversight with another legal arrangement." Williams recently underwent a cognitive test at Mount Sinai, and while it indicated she was "coherent, cognitive, and alert," it didn't show she was incapacitated, Judge Sokoloff said. She will also receive additional neurological testing to examine her judgment and cognitive processes, as well as her condition of frontotemporal dementia. The first half of Monday's hearing was attended by Williams' niece, Alex Finnie, who has been part of the legal fight. Williams has publicly expressed her displeasure with the guardianship, especially regarding financial limitations. Her recent trip to visit her father in Florida, during which her credit card was declined, reignited questions about the extent to which her guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, keeps her money. "The guardian provided her with a credit card that didn't have any funds on it during her trip to Miami," another source of The Sun claimed. "During her visit to see her father for his birthday, the credit card given to her by Sabrina was declined, and someone else had to pay for her purchases." Williams' lawyers are now trying to reduce the legal fees for her guardianship case while also negotiating the terms of a possible trial to decide her conservatorship. Gail Rubin, CT, is author and host of the award-winning book and television series, A Good Goodbye: Funeral Planning for Those Who Dont Plan to Die, Hail and Farewell: Cremation Ceremonies, Templates and Tips, KICKING THE BUCKET LIST: 100 Downsizing and Organizing Things to Do Before You Die and The Before I Die Festival in a Box. Rubin is a Certified Thanatologist (that's a death educator) and a popular speaker who uses humor and films to get the end-of-life and funeral planning conversation started. She "knocked 'em dead" with her TEDx talk, A Good Goodbye. She provides continuing education credit classes for attorneys, doctors, nurses, social workers, hospice workers, financial planners, funeral directors and other professionals. She's a Certified Funeral Celebrant and funeral planning consultant who has been interviewed in national and local print, broadcast and online media. Known as The Doyenne of Death, she is the event coordinator of the Before I Die New Mexico Festival and author of a guide to holding such festivals. Her podcast is also called The Doyenne of Death. She produces videos about the funeral business and related topics. Her YouTube Channel features hundreds of videos! Rubin is a member of the Association for Death Education and Counseling, the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association, Toastmasters International and the National Speakers Association. Her speaking profile is available at eSpeakers.com. Gail Rubin has been interviewed about funeral planning issues in national and local broadcast, print and online media. Outlets include The Huffington Post, Money Magazine, Kiplinger, CBS Radio News, WGN-TV, and local affiliates for NPR, PBS, FOX, ABC-TV, CBS-TV and NBC-TV. Albuquerque Business First named her as one of their 2019 Women of Influence. Sign up for a free planning form and occasional informative newsletter at her website, AGoodGoodbye.com. Wednesday, March 19, 2025 I really miss John McCain. In 2014, shortly after its illegal annexation of Crimea, the late Senator from Arizona took to the Senate floor and derisively described Russia as a gas station masquerading as a country. His point was that despite its vast landmass and wide variety of natural resources, Russia had not bothered to diversify its economy, leaving it overly reliant on revenues from oil exports. Senator McCains broader argument was that given the size and configuration of its economy, Russia could not factually be considered a major power. That empirical fact seems to be lost on many people. Vladimir Putin and the entire Russian political establishment also appear to be unaware of what century we are in. This complete misperception of Russias position on the world stage today is what has caused the current geopolitical crisis in Europe. Apart from his insistence that Ukraine should never be allowed to join either NATO or the EU, Putin has had another longstanding diktat that says Ukraine has to demilitarize. In Putins mind, Ukraine is not a country. He thinks it shouldnt exist, and that is why he has repeatedly tried to swallow it. The fact that Ukraines borders are not visible to him doesnt mean the rest of us have the same eyesight problems he has. Globally, nearly everyone else is aware that Ukraine has had national borders since the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. The universally recognized principle of national sovereignty means that countries have the freedom to decide what is best for them within their borders. Who is Vladimir Putin to tell the citizens of another country whether they should have a military or not? Has he seen what he has in his own closet? Russia is one of the most heavily armed countries on the planet. How would he respond if a neighboring country were to issue demands for Russia to disarm because its large cache of weapons poses an existential threat to the proximate region? Financially and in terms of manpower, Russia doesnt come close to the combined power of the EU and the U.K. The EU had a combined GDP of $18.7 trillion in 2024. The U.K.s was $3.6 trillion. In contrast, Russias GDP last year was only $2.2 trillion, less than 10 percent of the $22.3 trillion total of the EU and U.K. The current population of the EU is 450 million, while that of the U.K. is 69.5 million, a total of approximately 520 million. At 144 million, the population of Russia is also far smaller. Data published in a recent Wall Street Journal article suggest that Russia would be no match for Europe in a conventional war. Russia has an estimated 1.34 million active military personnel, while Europe has 1.97 million. Europes 32,700 armored fighting vehicles would overwhelm Russias 10,700. With 2,100 combat planes, Europe also has nearly twice as much air power as Russias 1,100 would provide. The articles author goes on to say that the equipment alone doesnt even tell the whole story. He argues that Europes military operational capabilities are far superior to those of Russia, citing evidence from Russias mighty struggle in the last three years against the small Ukrainian army with far fewer weapons and resources. The entire European continent is extremely fearful of Russia only because of its vast nuclear arsenal. During that infamous Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy three weeks ago, President Trump wagged his finger at his besieged guest and said the following: You are gambling with the lives of millions of people! You are gambling with World War III! Those were enormously profound and revealing words. Essentially, the otherwise inconsequential Russia is holding everyone hostage, including the leader of the most powerful nation on Earth, simply because it has a large cache of nuclear weapons. In his Wall Street Journal article last week, Bertrand Benoit mentioned incoming German Chancellor Friedrich Merzs recent statement regarding the need for Germany to start serious discussions with Britain and France about the possibility of those two nuclear-armed European countries using their nuclear deterrents to cover the entire continent. French President Emmanuel Macron has already expressed openness to that idea. Mr. Merz sees the urgency. President Trump has recently said that he might not abide by Article 5 of the NATO Treaty in the event of a Russian attack on Europe. That has prompted the new chancellor to hint at the possibility of a future nuclear-armed Germany. A conservative German lawmaker was quoted in the article as saying that Russia has threatened us with nuclear strikes, and that We Europeans have to take this nuclear threat seriously and face it with a nuclear deterrent. Benoit also mentions a German political scientist who he says has already been pushing German leaders for months to develop a nuclear arsenal. Benoit says however that the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which Germany is a signatory to, bans it from developing nuclear weapons and prevents other signatories from helping it do so. I find it quite interesting that Benoit thinks the Germans should have any qualms about violating any pacts at this point. He perhaps still has in mind the rules-based world order that prevailed until recently. Russia, the country that the Germans are seeking to protect themselves from, doesnt respect treaties. He should ask the Ukrainians. Todays world is a rudderless one, with President Trump consistently championing America First. That translates to every man for himself. If Germany can no longer rely on Article 5 for protection against the Russian menace, what authority figure in this world is going to stop it from acquiring nuclear weapons if it decides that it is the best path toward achieving national security? Those fears in Europe that the rapid unraveling of the Western alliance will leave the continent vulnerable have prompted German leaders to start a national debate about committing 1 trillion ($1.1 trillion) in new funds for infrastructure and defense spending. A few influential voices have already said that Germany will be better off spending that money to acquire nuclear weapons. Those observers argue that given what Putin has demonstrated, no quantity of conventional weapons will ever again be sufficient for national defense, especially when there is such a belligerent nuclear-armed country nearby. Asian countries must be watching what is happening in Ukraine and the wider Europe closely. Who would blame Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, and others if they decided to join the nuclear arms race? The neighborhood nuclear power, China, has been making its own threatening noises for a few years now. If the Europeans cannot trust America to come to their aid, those vulnerable Asian countries will conclude that their only path forward is to hop on the nuclear train. Those who have indulged Putins fantasies about Russia being a major power have emboldened him and allowed him to hold the entire world hostage. There was indeed a time when Russia was an empire and a major power. That is also true of the U.K. And, like Russia, the U.K. has nuclear missiles today. But we dont see contemporary British prime ministers brandishing those weapons and constantly threatening others while thumping their chests and demanding respect and a seat at the big table. I wish Senator McCain were alive today to remind the wannabe emperor in the Kremlin that he is past his prime and should act accordingly. BURBANK, Ohio Conference registration is now open for the Ohio Barn Conference and Barn Tour XXIV, scheduled for April 25-26 at the Foltz Community Center, 224 Wood St. North in East Canton, Ohio. There will be a day-long barn bus tour April 25 leaving from the Hampton Inn & Suites Alliance parking lot, 1831 W State St. in Alliance. Participants will travel Stark County by charter bus on a guided tour of six historic, timber-frame barns. The tour includes lunch, and attendees will learn the history of the barns and the farms they occupy. Space is limited and advanced registration is required. The conference will be April 26 at Foltz Community Center and will include breakfast, lunch, a silent auction and annual meeting. Visit the website to view conference information and register securely online at www.friendsofohiobarns.org/annual-conference. Early bird rates are in effect until March 31. The Friends of Ohio Barns has a block of rooms at the Hampton Inn & Suites Alliance. For hotel reservations, call the central Hilton reservation line, rather than the hotel location, at 888-446-6677. Only a limited number of rooms are available under the block. Thursday evening event details are coming soon. Registration will be separate from registration for Friday and Saturdays conference. U.S. chief justice rebukes Trump's impeachment call on judges Xinhua) 13:06, March 19, 2025 WASHINGTON, March 18 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts on Tuesday criticized President Donald Trump and his supporters for advocating the impeachment of judges who have ruled against the administration. "For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision," Roberts said. "The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose," said the chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, the highest court in the country. Roberts was appointed by former President George W. Bush and took office on Sept. 29, 2005. He is often seen as a conservative, but has occasionally sided with liberal justices on key issues. Trump called for the impeachment of U.S. District Judge James Boasberg after he blocked the deportation of Venezuelan migrants. Boasberg is the chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. "This judge, like many of the Crooked Judges' I am forced to appear before, should be IMPEACHED!!!" Trump posted on Truth Social. Since Trump assumed office in January, a series of his new policies have brought up legal challenges, and federal judges have in some cases ruled against the administration. This has sparked anger within the administration and Trump's supporters, resulting in more frequent calls for impeachment. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Industry campaigners are calling on farmers and other business owners to join anti-government demonstrations taking place next week. Campaign group Farmers To Action is spearheading UK-wide "National Say No To The Government Day" protests on Monday 24 March. The demonstrations, which will include tractor convoys, will take place against the backdrop of numerous controversial policies by the Labour government. These include farm inheritance tax proposals rolling out from April 2026 and the recent unexpected closure of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme. Looming net zero goals and compulsory land acquisitions to make way for housebuilding are also pressing issues facing farmers and rural businesses, campaigners say. Posting on social media, Farmers To Action said: Labours nightmare net-zero policies and endless taxes, mean higher costs, more red tape and weaker economic security for us all. This isnt just about farming and IHT; its about food security and our chance to pass that to the next generation. "Its about respect for our veterans, its about care for our pensioners, its about a future for our students and its about standing up for our country. We cant afford to stay silent. Join us, spread the message, and stand with British farmers, veterans and businesses, before its too late. The group added that locations and times would be unveiled over the coming days. A "pioneering" 1m project transforming dairy cow slurry into crop fertilisers and water has been launched by researchers at Harper Adams. The university has been awarded the research funding from Defra to convert slurry from dairy cows into crop fertilisers, generating water for further use. As part of it, researchers will convert slurry from a residue product into something which they say is more valuable to farmers. It will develop elentecBios novel technology at farm-scale to separate water for further use and recover phosphorous, nitrogen and organic matter from cattle slurry. The technology works through electrocoagulation, a treatment technology that adds an electrical charge to water as a way of recovering nutrients. The separated nutrients can be applied to growing crops, instead of spreading high-water content, low nutrient slurries or synthetic fertilisers. Previous research has demonstrated that elentecBios recovered nutrient fractions are highly bioavailable to crops meaning they can be absorbed easily by the plants. Previous studies have also shown that it can promote significantly higher crop and root-mass yields compared to slurry and synthetic fertilisers. Harper Adams researchers say the technology will provide farmers with a cost-effective method for processing slurry, enabling cost-effective nutrient application to land with reduced environmental impacts. The recovered nutrients can be sold off-farm, generating new income streams for dairy farmers and compliance with developing environmental legislation. Dr Marie Kirby, senior lecturer at Harper Adams, added: There are many potential benefits from slurry, but its application to farmed land is problematic in areas with increased susceptibility to pollution. "This project will convert slurry from a residue product into something which is more valuable to farmers. elentecBios technology is modular in design and has been designed to be scalable and retrofitted to existing slurry systems. The technology has already been demonstrated to work in other industrial applications. Dr Jayne Brookman, CEO of elentecBio, said the 1m award would support the development of a slurry treatment product "backed by excellent science". "The treatment will deliver a compact, robust, scalable process for efficient fractionation of dairy farm slurry," she said. "It will provide farmers with an opportunity to deliver environmental benefits whilst improving their farm profitability." Cotton T-shirts, singlets, and vests (HS- 610910) are a staple in the global apparel trade due to their versatility, affordability, and widespread demand across different markets. These garments, offering comfort and style, remain in high demand throughout the year, particularly in the US, where they are a go-to choice for casual wear. Given the competitive landscape, countries like Nicaragua, Bangladesh, and Honduras have a significant role in shaping US imports of these products. Cotton T-shirts are one of the few categories where China does not feature in the top 5 exporting countries. This could be due to Chinas concentrated efforts on other apparel as well as the products popularity among Latin American trade partners of the US. Fibre2Fashion explores the impact of tariff hikes and shifting trade dynamics among competing countries in the US market. Table 1: Key Exporting Countries to the US and Trade StatisticsCotton T-Shirts, Singlets, and Vests in CY 2024 US tariffs on Chinese cotton T-shirts (HS-610910) are reshaping trade, with Nicaragua, Bangladesh, and Honduras gaining ground. Nicaragua leads with $620 million exports and tariff-free access, while Bangladesh offers cost-effective options despite a 16.5 per cent tariff. China's competitiveness is eroding as tariffs rise to 36.5 per cent, pushing its UVR higher. Source: TradeMap and F2F Analysis *Effective from 4th March Note: RCA - Revealed Comparative Advantage; UVR - Unit Value Realisation; LPI - Logistic Performance Index Figure 1: Key Exporting Countries to the US and Trade Statistics- Cotton T-Shirts, Singlets, and Vests in CY 2024 Nicaragua - Dominant exporter with strong RCA Nicaragua leads the cotton T-shirt, singlet, and vest exports to the US, with a significant export value of $620.80 million. With an RCA of 88.54, Nicaragua holds a commanding position, indicating its high competitiveness in this category. It may be noted here that a free trade agreement between the United States and the Dominican Republic and other Central American countriescalled the Central America-Dominican Republic-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR)was signed on August 5, 2004. However, Nicaraguas UVR of $ 10.33/kg places it in the middle of the price range, meaning it caters to a broad range of consumers while maintaining a strong presence in the market. Bangladesh - Strong competitor with high RCA Bangladesh ranks second in the US cotton T-shirt exports, with total shipments valued at $537.42 million and an impressive RCA of 41.60, highlighting its strong competitiveness in the sector. With a UVR of $9.97/kg, Bangladesh remains one of the most cost-effective suppliers, offering high-quality products at competitive prices. However, a 16.5 per cent tariff on exports to the US poses a challenge to its cost advantage, yet the country continues to maintain a strong position in the global market. Honduras - Consistent growth and competitive RCA Honduras ranks third in cotton T-shirt exports to the US, with shipments valued at $517.95 million and a remarkable RCA of 60.70, underscoring its strong trade competitiveness in this segment. With a UVR of $11.80/kg, Honduras operates in a slightly higher price range, catering to a more premium market segment. The country enjoys tariff-free access to the US market, providing a significant competitive advantage over exporters facing higher tariff barriers. India - Growing competitor in a competitive market India ranks fourth in cotton T-shirt exports to the US, with shipments valued at $432.38 million. While its RCA of 3.22 indicates moderate competitiveness, its UVR of $10.90/kg positions it as a key player in the US market. The country faces a 16.5 per cent tariff on exports, which may impact its cost-effectiveness. However, India benefits from a strong domestic supply of raw cotton, ensuring stable input availability and supporting its export potential. Vietnam - Consistent exporter but faces challenges Vietnam ranks fifth in cotton T-shirt exports to the US, with shipments valued at $315.81 million. Its RCA of 1.51 indicates lower competitiveness compared to other leading exporters, while its higher UVR of $17.79/kg positions it in the premium market segment. Although the elevated UVR may limit price competitiveness, Vietnam continues to attract high-end buyers. Like Bangladesh and India, Vietnam also faces a 16.5 per cent tariff on exports to the US, which could impact its overall market positioning. China - Declining competitiveness with lower RCA China ranks sixth in cotton t-shirt exports to the US, with shipments totalling $311.13 million. Its RCA of 0.46 reflects a weak competitive position in this segment. With a UVR of $9.09/kg, China operates in a lower price range, competing with cost-effective suppliers like Bangladesh and India. However, the 16.5 per cent tariff on exports to the US further erodes its price competitiveness, posing challenges for maintaining market share. Additional trade barriers could further weaken Chinas position, creating opportunities for other exporters to capture its market share. With the first tariff imposition on February 4th, 2025, Chinas tariff rate increased to 26.5 per cent. This increase in the tariff burden would cause the UVR to rise as production and export costs escalate. As a result, Chinas UVR would likely increase to around $10/kg, reflecting the growing challenges posed by the higher tariffs. The increase in the UVR indicates that Chinas traditional low-cost advantage is being eroded, making its cotton T-shirts less attractive to price-sensitive consumers. Source: F2F Analysis In the second tariff imposition, effective from March 4th, 2025, Chinas tariff rate rose even further to 36.5 per cent. This significant rise would push Chinas UVR closer to $10.9/kg or higher. The higher tariff burden will severely limit Chinas ability to offer affordable products, pushing its cotton T-shirts further into the mid-priced segment. This also means that China would have Bangladesh as its competitor, which would now offer cheaper cotton T-shirt options to the US. Competitive landscape and future outlook The data for cotton T-shirts exports to the US from 2020 to 2024 highlights key trends. Nicaragua leads with strong growth, rising from $421 million to $620 million, solidifying its dominance in the category with a high RCA. Bangladesh follows, expanding from $242 million to $537 million, supported by a low UVR but challenged by tariffs. Honduras, despite a slight dip in 2024 after peaking in 2022, remains competitive due to its tariff-free access. India shows steady growth from $207 million to $432 million, benefiting from intermediate product use but facing moderate RCA and tariff challenges. Vietnam sees modest growth from $268 million to $315 million but struggles with a higher UVR, while China, though still a major exporter, faces declining competitiveness due to tariffs. Nicaragua remains the clear leader, while Bangladesh and Honduras maintain strong positions. India continues to expand, while Vietnam and China face increasing challenges in the US market. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (NS) The total volume of goods exported by the Netherlands (adjusted for the number of working days) was up by 5.1 per cent year on year (YoY) in January this year, according to by Statistics Netherlands (CBS). Meanwhile, the volume of goods imported was up by 3.6 per cent YoY. This was mainly because more chemical and pharmaceutical products, electrical and transport equipment were imported. The total volume of goods exported by the Netherlands (adjusted for the number of working days) was up by 5.1 per cent YoY in January, according to by Statistics Netherlands. Meanwhile, the volume of goods imported was up by 3.6 per cent YoY. The CBS Exports Radar for March indicates that conditions for exports have become less unfavourable than they were in January's radar. The CBS Exports Radar for March indicates that conditions for exports have become less unfavourable than they were in Januarys radar. This was mainly because the YoY change in real exchange rates was more favourable and manufacturers in Germany and the euro area were less negative. Goods exports account for approximately three-quarters of total exports in the country. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) Sarasota, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - March 18, 2025) - MileageWise, a leader in retroactive mileage tracking, introduces a game-changing feature: Google Maps Timeline Import from Mobile Devices. With this innovation, users can seamlessly import their Google Timeline Location History directly from their phones and transform it into IRS-compliant mileage logs, ensuring accuracy and compliance effortlessly. About Google's Timeline Update Google's recent update changed how Timeline data is stored, moving it from the cloud to users' mobile devices. Google sent an email instructing users to open the Google Maps app and adjust their settings to retain their Timeline history and continue using the feature. Furthermore, Google has discontinued the desktop version, which was previously a convenient way to review, edit, or export Timeline data. Additionally, third-party extensions that previously helped users extract trip records no longer work. Google Timeline - a Hidden Gem Many users don't realize that Google Maps Timeline holds valuable mileage tracking data, including visited locations, transportation methods, and detailed trip routes. As tax season arrives, they often struggle to reconstruct their trips in Excel or piece together fragmented data from GPS apps, unaware that they already have a complete record. MileageWise Now Turns Google Maps Timeline Data into IRS-Proof Mileage Logs To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10740/245149_e01e30f32428b9a5_001full.jpg The Only Solution for Google Timeline Users MileageWise has long been the leading solution for converting Google Maps Timeline data into mileage logs. With Google removing cloud-based access, users were left without an option, until recently. MileageWise stepped up as the only provider to help drivers effectively use Location History for mileage tracking after the update. With MileageWise's new feature, users can now retrieve their Timeline data stored on mobiles and convert it into IRS-proof mileage logs. Why This Matters for Drivers and Businesses This feature provides a reliable way to reconstruct mileage records with accuracy, especially for those filing deductions for past years or facing an IRS audit. Tracking every business mile not only ensures compliance but maximizes deductions, potentially saving $1000s. These logs can be exported to Excel, PDF, CSV, and FreshBooks, offering users flexibility in reporting mileage. What About Those Who Lost Their Google Timeline Data? Many users missed that they needed to take action to keep their Timeline data, resulting in the loss of years' worth of trip history. For those who used Timeline to track past travels or special memories, this was a frustrating loss. However, for drivers who depended on Timeline for mileage tracking and tax deductions, there's still a solution. MileageWise's AI Wizard can accurately reconstruct past mileage logs, by analyzing previous driving patterns and locations to ensure that every deductible mile is accounted for. Even if Timeline data is no longer available, MileageWise provides a reliable way to recreate and maintain IRS-proof mileage records. About MileageWise MileageWise is a trusted leader in mileage tracking with over 20 years of experience. The MileageWise app, available on the App Store and Google Play, offers automatic mileage tracking, while its powerful web dashboard enables users to import trip data from spreadsheets, multiple navigation systems, and Google Timeline. With advanced AI-powered mileage reconstruction, MileageWise helps users recreate past mileage-even if only limited trip data is available-ensuring maximum tax deductions and IRS compliance. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/245149 SOURCE: GetFeatured DJ Volkswagen nimmt Gebrauchtwagenplattform Heycar vom Markt DOW JONES--Volkswagen schliet die vor rund acht Jahren auf den Markt gebrachte Gebrauchtwagenplattform Heycar. "Die Anteilseigner haben entschieden, Heycar nicht weiter mit Finanzmitteln auszustatten", sagte ein Sprecher von Volkswagen Financial Services (VWFS) der Branchen- und Wirtschaftszeitung Automobilwoche. Die VW-Finanztochter hat die Plattform Ende 2017 an den Start gebracht. In Deutschland sei fur Heycar Mitte Mai Schluss, Grobritannien soll einige Wochen spater folgen. Das Aus treffe 126 Mitarbeiter, davon 26 in Deutschland. Als Grund nennt VWFS unter anderem unterschatzte Marketingkosten. Zudem sei die Entwicklung des digitalen Kaufverhaltens uberschatzt worden. Mit der Plattform wollte Volkswagen eine Alternative fur die Vermittlung von hoherwertigen Fahrzeugen aufbauen. Den Markt fur Gebrauchtwagen teilen sich weitgehend die beiden Plattformen Mobile.de und Autoscout24. Kontakt zum Autor: unternehmen.de@dowjones.com DJG/kla/hab (END) Dow Jones Newswires April 25, 2025 09:33 ET (13:33 GMT) Copyright (c) 2025 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. Belleville, Illinois--(Newsfile Corp. - March 18, 2025) - Katzman & Sugden, LLC is proud to announce that Daniel Katzman, a lawyer and partner at the firm, has been selected as a 2025 Rising Star by Super Lawyers. This honor is reserved for attorneys under the age of 40 or those practicing for 10 years or less, emphasizing both professional achievement and peer recognition. Daniel Katzman of Katzman & Sugden, LLC Recognized as a 2025 Rising Star To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10740/245163_400ddd907488da1e_001full.jpg Super Lawyers evaluates candidates through a rigorous selection process that includes independent research and peer nominations. The Rising Stars list recognizes attorneys who have made significant contributions in their practice areas and is limited to no more than 2.5% of attorneys in each state. Recognition in this exclusive group highlights a commitment to legal excellence and professional integrity. Katzman's selection for this honor reinforces his standing within the legal community and affirms his contributions to the firm's professional reputation. Katzman & Sugden, LLC takes pride in its team of attorneys who are dedicated to maintaining the highest ethical and professional standards. Legal professionals recognized by Super Lawyers are often seen as leaders in their respective fields, and this distinction further solidifies the firm's ongoing commitment to providing quality legal representation. Super Lawyers evaluates candidates through a rigorous selection process that includes independent research and peer nominations. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10740/245163_400ddd907488da1e_002full.jpg The Personal Injury Attorney in Belleville, IL remains focused on providing solid legal representation while ensuring the attorneys have opportunities for professional growth. Membership in organizations such as the Illinois State Bar Association and the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association contributes to this growth, allowing attorneys to stay informed on legal developments and best practices. Community engagement is also a core value, with attorneys at the firm actively supporting local initiatives that promote education and advocacy. With its attorney's recognition as a Rising Star, Katzman & Sugden, LLC continues to demonstrate its commitment to legal excellence. This acknowledgment reinforces the firm's presence in the legal community and underscores its attorneys' ability to handle complex cases with skill and integrity. About Katzman & Sugden, LLC: Katzman & Sugden, LLC is a Belleville, IL-based law firm with more than four decades of combined experience. The firm focuses on personal injury, workers' compensation, and family law, providing dedicated legal representation to individuals seeking justice and fair compensation. Attorneys at the firm prioritize professionalism, integrity, and client advocacy, ensuring each case receives the attention it deserves. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/245163 SOURCE: GetFeatured Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 18, 2025) - Sixty North Gold Mining Ltd. (CSE: SXTY) (FSE: 2F40) (OTC Pink: SXNTF) (the "Company" or "Sixty North Gold") announces it intends to close a non-brokered private placement of up to 3,030,303 units ("Units") at a price of $0.0825 per Unit (the "Offering") to raise gross proceeds of up to $250,000. Each Unit will consist of one (1) common share (the "Share") of the Company and one (1) non-transferable share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one additional Share of the Company at a price of $0.11 per Share for a period of eighteen (18) months; provided that if the closing market price of the Issuer's Shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") is greater than $0.18 per Share for a period of ten (10) consecutive trading days, the Company may deliver a notice (the "Notice") to the holders of Warrants that the Warrants will expire at 4 p.m. Vancouver time on the date that is thirty (30) days from the date of delivery of such Notice. The securities will be subject to a hold period of four months and a day from their date of issuance. The net proceeds from the Offering will be used for further exploration and development of the Mon Gold Property located in NWT, and for the Company's general working capital requirements. About the Company The Company is developing mining operations for gold on its 100%-owned Mon Gold Property, 40 km north of Yellowknife, NWT. Past production of the A Zone extracted 15,000 tonnes at 30 gpt gold from this vein (Company Technical Report, August 3, 2023, on SEDAR or https://sixtynorthgold.com/projects/technical-report/. The Yellowknife gold camp hosts two mines that averaged 30 gpt gold or better (Discovery and Sixty North Gold's Mon Mine), and two that averaged 15 gpt or better for a total production of over 14 million ounces of gold (Con Min and Giant Mine) (ref. Sixty North Gold NI 43-101, August, 2023). The property also hosts an outcropping precious-metals-rich VMS (volcanogenic massive sulphide) showing, and has four modelled geophysical targets along strike within felsic tuffs, lithic and lapilli tuffs. There are plans to drill these as funding becomes available. For more information, please refer to the Company's public filings available on SEDAR ( www.sedarplus.ca ), under the Company's profile. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS "Dave Webb" Dave Webb, President & CEO Statements about the Company's future expectations and all other statements in this press release other than historical facts are "forward looking statements". Such forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including risks inherent in mineral exploration and development, which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any projected future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Further details about the risks applicable to the Company are contained in the Company's public filings available on SEDAR ( www.sedarplus.ca ), under the Company's profile. NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE HAS NOT APPROVED NOR DISAPPROVED THE CONTENT OF THIS PRESS RELEASE. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/245212 SOURCE: Sixty North Gold Mining Ltd. JAKARTA, Indonesia, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Lemonilo, Indonesia's leading brand for healthier consumer food, is proud to announce its expansion into the Qatar market. Starting from the first week of March 2025, Lemonilo's highly popular instant noodle varieties from Indonesia, with its tagline "Honestly Tasty" -Mi Goreng, Curry, Onion Chicken Soup, and Spicy Fire-will be available for consumers across the country. This strategic expansion is made possible through the partnership with major retail chains, including the key account Al Meera, followed by Carrefour, Lulu, Monoprix, Oqod, and will also be conveniently accessible online via Rafeeq. By bringing its no-added MSG, preservatives and artificial coloring-free noodles to Qatar, Lemonilo aims to provide wider access to healthier consumer food options for everyone. "Our presence in Qatar marks an important milestone in our journey to introduce better instant noodle experience to more people in the Middle East region, starting here, in Qatar. We are excited to serve the Qatari market with our innovative and guilt-free instant noodles that offer great taste without compromising on ingredients", said Shinta Nurfauzia, Co-CEO & Co-Founder of Lemonilo. In addition to Shinta's statement, "Lemonilo's mission has always been to make a healthier lifestyle easy and tasty for everyone,", completed by Ronald Widjaja, Co-CEO & Co-Founder of the company. Lemonilo's grand entrance into Qatar is fully supported by the Ministry of Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia, underscoring a strong commitment to foster international trade and economic collaboration. The minister, Teuku Riefky Harsha, has expressed his appreciation for Lemonilo's achievement in introducing Indonesian signature products to the international market. He also reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to supporting the expansion of local brands onto the global stage. "Congratulations to Lemonilo on its success in bringing Indonesian products to the world market. This achievement demonstrates the strong competitiveness of local brands. Through the "Indonesia Spice Up the World" programme, Lemonilo's expansion into Qatar marks a significant step towards promoting Indonesian culinary heritage on a global scale," he stated through this video link . The Qatari stakeholders have also extended a warm welcome, recognizing the value of diverse, high-quality food options for its growing consumer market. With a growing global presence, Lemonilo continues to redefine consumer packaged food by providing better alternatives from the compromised ones in the market. The brand looks forward to expanding its reach in the Middle East and ensuring that more consumers can enjoy the benefits of healthier food without sacrificing convenience or flavor. About Lemonilo Lemonilo was founded in 2016 by Co-Founders Shinta Nurfauzia, Ronald Wijaya, and Johannes Ardiant. Its mission is to make a healthy lifestyle accessible to everyone, thus Lemonilo fills the gap between high-priced imported goods and existing FMCGs products in the market. Every product developed by Lemonilo has three pillars: delicious, practical yet affordable, and free from potentially dangerous ingredients. Lemonilo has launched more than 40 types of products, ranging from instant noodles, snacks, to kitchen spices. All of these products are sold on their respective digital platforms and are available at more than 200,000 POS (point of sales) in Indonesia. Get the latest information and stay connected with Lemonilo via the company's official accounts on Tiktok , Instagram , X , Youtube , and Facebook . Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2645017/GD250214_Asset_Video_Launch_Qatar.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2645018/Press_Release_Qatar_Asset_for_Media.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/lemonilo-expansion-to-qatar-bringing-healthier-instant-noodles-to-the-market-302405437.html Miami, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - March 19, 2025) - Digital Silk, an award-winning digital agency, has become a leading partner for top companies in California seeking to create high-impact web design solutions. As businesses across the state strive for digital excellence, the agency has been instrumental in delivering tailored web experiences that drive engagement, conversions, and brand growth. California's Top Companies Trust Digital Silk for Web Design Success To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10732/245070_46c656df443438e3_001full.jpg Driving Digital Excellence in California With California's competitive digital landscape, companies from diverse industries have turned to Digital Silk for its expertise in creating cutting-edge websites that enhance user experience and reflect brand identity. By leveraging advanced UX/UI strategies, conversion-focused designs, and innovative digital marketing tactics, Digital Silk has helped clients improve their online presence and business performance. Latest Industry Best Practices for California Brands Memorable Brand Experiences: Digital Silk's web design initiatives have led to substantial improvements in user interactions, with clients reporting higher engagement rates, lower bounce rates, and longer session durations. A seamless, intuitive website keeps users engaged and encourages them to explore products and services more effectively. Conversion-Focused Design: By implementing data-driven design strategies, optimizing site speed, and refining user journeys, businesses have seen significant improvements in lead generation and sales. The right design can reduce friction in the buying process and turn visitors into loyal customers. Tailored Brand Storytelling: Through strategic design, Digital Silk creates visually compelling and emotionally resonant digital experiences. By aligning website aesthetics with brand values, companies can forge stronger connections with their audiences, leading to increased trust and customer retention. Mobile Optimization & Accessibility: As mobile browsing continues to dominate, Digital Silk ensures that clients' websites are fully optimized for mobile users. Responsive design, fast load times, and accessible navigation contribute to an inclusive, high-performing online presence that reaches a broader audience. SEO & Performance Enhancements: A well-structured website goes beyond aesthetics. Digital Silk integrates SEO best practices into every project, ensuring that clients' sites rank higher in search results, attract more organic traffic, and outperform competitors in visibility. "A company's website is often the first and most impactful interaction customers have with a brand. It's a vital touchpoint that shapes brand perception and drives business growth. At Digital Silk, we craft high-performance websites that don't just look great, but also deliver real results, helping our clients stand out in California's highly competitive market," said Alec Hanak, Head of Design at Digital Silk. The Future of Web Design in California As California remains a hub for innovation, the demand for cutting-edge web design is expected to grow. Businesses are shifting toward more personalized, AI-driven digital experiences, interactive content, and data-backed design decisions. Companies that embrace these advancements will gain a competitive edge, while those with outdated web strategies risk falling behind. Digital Silk is committed to staying ahead of industry trends, ensuring that its clients benefit from the latest in web technologies, user experience strategies, and performance-driven design. By continuously evolving its approach, the agency helps California's businesses navigate the ever-changing digital landscape with confidence. About Digital Silk Digital Silk is an award-winning Miami web design agency focused on growing brands online. With a team of seasoned experts, Digital Silk delivers industry-leading digital experiences through strategic branding, cutting-edge web design, and digital marketing services that drive conversions and engagement. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/245070 SOURCE: Digital Silk 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. Dieses exklusive Angebot gilt aber nur fur kurze Zeit! Daher jetzt downloaden! BOSTON, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The surge in online supplement sales has led to a troubling rise in counterfeit products infiltrating e-commerce platforms, deceiving buyers with misleading packaging and false advertising. ProDentim , Bioventra's brand, a well-established name in health and wellness, is issuing a consumer warning regarding unauthorized resellers distributing imitation versions of its product. The company has identified multiple fraudulent listings across online marketplaces, raising concerns about product authenticity and customer safety. These counterfeit products often feature altered labeling, incorrect ingredient lists, and tampered packaging, making it difficult for buyers to verify whether they are receiving the genuine formula. Customers who unknowingly purchase from these unauthorized sources risk consuming unverified formulations that do not meet ProDentim's manufacturing and safety standards. The company urges consumers to protect themselves by ensuring they purchase only from its official website and Bioventra's trusted retail partners. Fake ProDentim Listings Increase as Counterfeit Market Grows Counterfeit supplement sales have surged in recent years, with fraudulent sellers exploiting the demand for reputable brands. ProDentim has detected an increasing number of unauthorized listings on third-party platforms, many of which attempt to replicate the product's official branding. However, subtle discrepancies in packaging, labeling, and ingredient transparency differentiate these counterfeit versions from the legitimate product. Many customers have reported variations in quality when purchasing from unauthorized sellers. Some have received products with altered textures, unsealed bottles, and missing security features, raising concerns about their origin and composition. ProDentim's manufacturer has been actively monitoring these cases, working to identify and eliminate fraudulent listings before they mislead additional buyers. With an increasing number of complaints surfacing online, concerns over how to distinguish real from fake have led many buyers to reconsider their purchasing habits. ProDentim advises customers to check for security seals, inspect packaging details, and ensure they are ordering directly from approved sellers to avoid potential issues. How Unauthorized ProDentim Sellers Are Deceiving Buyers Counterfeiters continue to find ways to mislead unsuspecting customers. Many unauthorized sellers offer significant discounts to attract buyers, advertising deals that appear too good to be true. These imitation products often claim to match the legitimate formulation, but independent testing has revealed inconsistencies in ingredients and quality control. Online marketplaces have also seen an increase in sellers creating fake customer reviews to give the illusion of legitimacy. Many unsuspecting buyers rely on these misleading ratings, assuming the product they receive will meet their expectations. However, complaints have emerged from customers who later realized that the product they received was not the same as the one they had previously purchased from the official source . ProDentim's manufacturer has been closely monitoring these unauthorized listings, collaborating with legal teams to initiate action against known counterfeiters. The company remains committed to ensuring that customers receive only genuine products that meet its strict safety and manufacturing standards. ProDentim Consumer Complaints Over Imitation Supplements Reports of unauthorized product variations have been increasing, with many consumers expressing frustration over counterfeit purchases. Complaints have surfaced about orders arriving in damaged packaging, missing essential security labels, or containing capsules that look different from the authentic version. Some buyers have noted a lack of effectiveness when using products from third-party sellers, leading them to question whether they had received a counterfeit version. As fraudulent listings become more prevalent, ProDentim is working to ensure that consumers can quickly verify the authenticity of their purchase. The company is advising buyers to be extra cautious when shopping online and to confirm that their orders come directly from the manufacturer or its approved distribution network. ProDentim's Response to the Growing Counterfeit Issue In response to the increase in fraudulent sellers, ProDentim has taken aggressive action to protect customers and maintain the integrity of its brand. The company has partnered with online platforms to identify and remove unauthorized listings while implementing stricter verification measures for authorized retailers. Legal efforts are also underway to take action against sellers distributing counterfeit versions. ProDentim is working with industry regulators to pursue legal consequences for those found guilty of intellectual property violations and fraudulent advertising practices. To further strengthen its brand protection efforts, ProDentim has introduced enhanced security features on product packaging to help customers identify genuine items before use. These updates are designed to make it easier for buyers to differentiate between authentic and imitation versions of the supplement. ProDentim Expands Retail Access to Combat Unauthorized Sellers To reduce reliance on third-party marketplaces and prevent unauthorized resellers from infiltrating the market, ProDentim has expanded its direct distribution network. The company has launched new partnerships with select retailers, ensuring that customers have access to genuine products through trusted sources. An updated direct-to-consumer model has also been implemented, allowing buyers to purchase directly from the manufacturer . This initiative reduces the risk of counterfeit sales while improving the overall customer experience. By expanding availability through verified channels, ProDentim is working to close the gaps that allow fraudulent sellers to operate unchecked. Investments in Quality Control and Product Authentication To maintain high-quality manufacturing standards, ProDentim has invested in improved quality control measures. The company has introduced advanced testing protocols to further enhance product verification, ensuring that each batch meets strict regulatory standards before distribution. In addition to enhancing internal security measures, ProDentim has implemented a digital authentication system. This system allows customers to scan and verify their product's authenticity before use, giving them an extra layer of confidence when making a purchase. By taking these proactive steps, ProDentim is reinforcing its commitment to consumer protection, product integrity, and supply chain transparency. Final Advisory: How Consumers Can Ensure Authenticity ProDentim urges consumers to remain cautious and purchase only through official sources. The manufacturer's website and verified retail partners are the only guaranteed places where buyers can be assured they are receiving the legitimate product. Customers should be wary of steeply discounted offers from unverified sellers, as counterfeiters frequently use pricing manipulation to deceive buyers. If there are concerns about the authenticity of a product, consumers are encouraged to contact ProDentim's customer support team for assistance with verification. For additional information on how to avoid counterfeit versions and ensure product authenticity, visit the official ProDentim website. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2645113/ProDentim_Bioventra.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/prodentim-warns-consumers-about-fake-listings-as-counterfeit-supplement-market-expands-302405535.html BioVersys AG / Key word(s): Miscellaneous FIRST EVER PATIENT DOSED WITH ALPIBECTIR-ETHIONAMIDE IN COMBINATION WITH FIRST-LINE TB DRUGS IN A 14-DAY PHASE 2 CLINICAL TRIAL 19-March-2025 / 07:00 CET/CEST Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR Basel, Switzerland. March 19, 2025, 7am CET. Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR Under the BioVersys and GSK collaboration agreement, GSK is evaluating the early bactericidal activity (EBA) of alpibectir-ethionamide (AlpE) in a pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) trial, in combination with first-line TB drugs. Development of AlpE is strongly supported by European Union and European Pharmaceutical Industry through UNITE4TB, an Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI2) Joint Undertaking. The EBA trial is expected to enroll 60 pulmonary TB patients and run untill end of 2025. Topline data readout by Q2 2026. BioVersys AG (SIX: BIOV), a multi-asset, clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focusing on research and development of novel antibacterial products for serious life-threatening infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, announced today, that the first patient has been dosed in a pulmonary TB Phase 2 clinical trial, evaluating the early bactericidal activity (EBA) and safety of alpibectir-ethionamide (AlpE) in combination with first-line TB drugs for the first time. The study is being conducted under the European Union's IMI2 UNITE4TB project. Through UNITE4TB, AlpE is being studied for the first time in a 14-day EBA clinical trial in combination with first-line TB drugs, marking a significant step forward in the further development of this unique combination. Through this Phase 2 TB drug combination trial, BioVersys and its partner GSK seek to get further insights of the potential impact of AlpE in TB patient' treatments. Under the GSK-BioVersys collaboration agreement, GSK is responsible for developing AlpE for pulmonary indications and BioVersys is addressing TB meningitis (TBM), with BioVersys targeting the start of a TMB trial in H1-2026. This collaborative, two-pronged approach of BioVersys and GSK with their clinical trials partner TASK, aims to expedite the development of AlpE to TB patients. Alpibectir (also known as BVL-GSK098) is a small molecule developed from BioVersys' award winning Transcriptional Regulatory Inhibitory Compounds (TRIC) platform in a successful collaboration with GSK, the Institut Pasteur Lille and the University of Lille. The compound represents a novel concept to overcome resistance and significantly potentiate the activity of an existing antibiotic, ethionamide (Eto) or prothionamide (Pto), for the treatment of TB. In 2023 the fixed-dose combination of AlpE was granted orphan-drug designation (ODD) for the treatment of tuberculosis, by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA). Dr. Glenn E. Dale, Chief Development Officer of BioVersys: "Alpibectir has shown a very promising safety profile and to be well tolerated, in both a Phase 1 and a 7-day EBA Phase 2a study, in which the AlpE combination delivered a first human proof of concept, with bactericidal activity similar to isoniazid in patients with tuberculosis. Based on these very promising data we are excited to study AlpE in a second Phase 2 EBA study, this time testing the efficacy, safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics over a 14-day period and importantly in combination with first-line TB drugs." Prof. Andreas Diacon, Founder and Chief Scientific Officer at TASK and WP4 Lead in UNITE4TB: "Following the highly successful Phase 2a study, we are delighted to continue collaborating with GSK and BioVersys to advance AlpE. The drug combination demonstrated activity and tolerability comparable to isoniazid, a potent agent against tuberculosis. This extended study aims to optimize AlpE usage and to assess its potential as a replacement for isoniazid when administered in conjunction with established antibiotics." David Barros-Aguirre Head of Global Health Medicines R&D, GSK and UNITE4TB Project Lead: "Tuberculosis (TB) remains a public health threat, disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities in high-burden countries around the world. The start of the Phase 2a clinical trial with alpibectir-ethionamide (AlpE), in combination with first-line TB drugs, signals an important step forward to combat drug resistant TB. Through our longstanding partnership with BioVersys, and UNITE4TB, we are working to change the trajectory of the TB epidemic." Dr. Marc Gitzinger, Chief Executive Officer and founder of BioVersys: "Tuberculosis remains the largest infectious disease killer in the world and is far from being eradicated. Our partnership with GSK, to advance the development of alpibectir to reach patients in need, combined with the continued public sector support from the EU IHI UNITE4TB program, shows how public-private partnerships can work on delivering solutions for global health. We are excited to continue the development of alpibectir in pulmonary TB and in parallel, at BioVersys, we are also preparing for a first study in TB meningitis patients." About tuberculosis (TB) Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Its causative agent is the bacterial pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). According to the latest 2024 WHO TB report, worldwide an estimated 10.8 million people developed TB in 2023 and an estimated 1.25 million died from TB. WHO estimates that there were 400'000 new cases with resistance to rifampicin, most of them were multi-drug resistant (MDR). MDR-TB remains a public health crisis and a health security threat. Worldwide, only 68% of MDR-TB patients are currently successfully treated.1 In the modern world of global travel, and ease with which infections spread, it is very worrying to note that two-thirds of the global total of TB cases were recorded in eight countries: India (26%), Indonesia (10%), China (6.8%), the Philippines (6.8%), Pakistan (6.3%), Nigeria (4.6%), Bangladesh (3.5%) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (3.1%). Furthermore, 3.2% of all new and 16% of reoccurring TB cases were MDR/RR-TB. About UNITE4TB UNITE4TB is one of nine projects within the AMR Accelerator. Working across a global clinical trials network, UNITE4TB conducts regulatory standard Phase 2 clinical trials to accelerate clinical evaluation of novel drugs and combinations of drugs for tuberculosis (TB). Innovative adaptive trial designs, treatment response biomarkers, pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic models and Artificial Intelligence / Deep Learning techniques are integrated across study protocols, deploying cutting-edge methodologies to find antibiotic regimens with the highest likelihood of improved clinical efficacy. This project has received funding from the Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking (JU) under grant agreement No 101007873. The JU receives support from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and EFPIA, Deutsches Zentrum fur Infektionsforschung e.V. (DZIF), and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat Munchen (LMU). EFPIA/AP contribute 50% of funding, whereas the contribution of DZIF and the LMU University Hospital Munich has been granted by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. About ENABLE The ENABLE study will evaluate the 14 day EBA, safety, tolerability and dose-response of AlpE and AlpE with rifampicin (R), pyrazinamide (Z), and ethambutol (E) in adults with newly diagnosed, drug-susceptible pulmonary TB. The over-arching objective is to optimise the dose of AlpE and to evaluate the safety of the AlpE+RZE regimen for future evaluation as an alternative regimen for isoniazid mono-resistant TB. The data from the ENABLE study and the bEto study (NCT05473195) will support the evaluation of the optimal dose combination of AlpE to move forward into late phase studies. About the Innovative Medicines Initiative The Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) IMI is a partnership between the European Union and the European pharmaceutical industry, represented by the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA). It was set up to improve health by speeding up the development of, and patient access to, the next generation of medicines, particularly in areas where there is an unmet medical or social need. It works by facilitating collaboration between the key players involved in healthcare research, including universities, pharmaceutical companies, other companies active in healthcare research, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), patient organisations, and medicines regulators. This approach has proven highly successful, and IMI projects are delivering exciting results that are helping to advance the development of urgently-needed new treatments in diverse areas. IMI projects are now managed by the Innovative Health Initiative (IHI), which builds on the successes of IMI and is a cross-sectoral public-private partnership involving a wider range of health industries. More info on IHI: https://www.ihi.europa.eu/ Twitter: @IHIEurope More info on IMI AMR accelerator: https://amr-accelerator.eu/project/tric-tb/ Working Group of new TB drugs: https://www.newtbdrugs.org/pipeline/compound/bvl-gsk098 About TASK TASK is a global clinical research organization dedicated to advancing healthcare through innovative and ethical clinical trials. Our experienced scientists, clinicians, and regulatory experts deliver high-quality clinical research solutions that accelerate drug discovery and improve patient outcomes. Over the last 20 years TASK has completed more than 140 research projects in different therapeutic areas and contributed to progressing the scientific field of TB medicine and vaccine development, most notably with early bactericidal activity (EBA) studies and clinical trials that in part led to the registration of bedaquiline. Find us at https://taskclinical.com /. About GSK GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together. Find out more at gsk.com . About BioVersys BioVersys AG is a multi-asset, clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on identifying, developing and commercializing novel antibacterial products for serious life-threatening infections caused by multi-drug resistant ("MDR") bacteria. Derived from the Company's two internal technology platforms (TRIC and Ansamycin Chemistry), candidates are designed and developed to overcome resistance mechanisms, block virulence production and directly affect the pathogenesis of harmful bacteria towards the identification of new treatment options in the antimicrobial and microbiome fields. This enables BioVersys to address the high unmet medical need for new treatments against life-threatening resistant bacterial infections and bacteria-exacerbated chronic inflammatory microbiome disorders. The Company's most advanced research and development programs address nosocomial infections of Acinetobacter baumannii (BV100, Phase 3 ready), and tuberculosis (alpibectir, Phase 2a, in collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and a consortium of the University of Lille, France). BioVersys is located in the biotech hub of Basel, Switzerland. _____________ 1 Global tuberculosis report 2024. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2024. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. BioVersys contact Hernan Levett, CFO, Tel. +41 61 633 22 50; Mail: hernan.levett@bioversys.com For Media: media@bioversys.com www.bioversys.com End of Inside Information Ghent, BELGIUM, March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Press release - regulated information Continued to work closely with European and U.S. regulators on the regulatory review of its first candidate biofungicide EVOCA*, earning recommendation for EU approval by the Dutch CTGB in January 2025 on the back of the approval of large-scale demonstration trials in the Netherlands Progressed product pipeline with initial field trials for BioFun-6 showing strong results and highlighting the increased potency of the tested candidate Closed 15 million private placement to continue strategic growth initiatives, with year-end cash and cash equivalents amounting to 22.6 million providing a financial runway into May 2026 Management to host a conference call and live webcast at 15:00 CET / 14:00 GMT / 09:00 AM ET today, details below Biotalys, an Agricultural Technologyon 21 March 2025. Kevin Helash, Chief Executive Officer of Biotalys, stated: "Biotalys continued to lead the charge toward creating effective and sustainable crop protection products in 2024. While we worked closely with regulators to progress the potential approval for innovative protein-based biocontrols like EVOCA, we also strengthened our platform, pipeline, partnerships, and team. Additionally, we optimized capital resources last year, achieving a significant reduction in operating expenses while strengthening our balance sheet through a successful private placement. Looking ahead, we plan to further advance our product portfolio and develop novel modes of action, as well as expand options to scale and produce our biobased solutions." Highlights In 2024, Biotalys continued to cement its role as a primary innovator in the biocontrol space by advancing its technology platform and product development pipeline. Product Pipeline: Biotalys worked closely with the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) in the United States and the Dutch CTGB (College voor de Toelating van Gewasbeschermingsmiddelen en Biociden) in Europe on EVOCA's regulatory review throughout the year. While the regulatory landscape in the United States is evolving, Biotalys has recently received a request for additional information from the EPA. The company expects to provide the EPA with the requested data in Q2, positioning EVOCA for potential registration thereafter. In Europe, the CTGB recently recommended the approval of EVOCA's active ingredient throughout the European Union (https://www.biotalys.com/media/news/biotalys-provides-regulatory-review-update-evoca) after previously granting approval to test EVOCA (https://www.biotalys.com/media/news/biotalys-receives-approval-large-scale-demonstration-trials-evoca-netherlands) in large-scale demonstration trials in the Netherlands and offer the harvest for sale for human consumption. A registration in Europe would allow first access to this important market for Botrytis and powdery mildew fungicides estimated to be around USD 1 billion at the grower level. EVOCA's regulatory review throughout the year. In addition, the company obtained patents (https://www.biotalys.com/media/news/biotalys-granted-patents-evoca-both-europe-and-united-states) for EVOCA from both the European Patent Office (EPO) and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in 2024, and from the Brazilian National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) in February 2025. In Brazil, the patent examination process benefited from the Patentes Verdes ("Green Technology") initiative to accelerate the examination of patent applications relating to technologies having a positive impact on the environment. In March last year, Biotalys announced a partnership with Novonesis to advance EVOCA NG to the final stage of development. Pending success in this final development stage, the agreement secured Novonesis as the global manufacturing partner for EVOCA NG while granting it certain distribution rights. By year-end, substantial progress had been achieved in strain engineering for EVOCA NG, paving the way for the next phase of development Biotalys also began field trials in both Europe and the United States for BioFun-6 (https://biotalys.com/media/news/biotalys-starts-field-trials-second-biofungicide), a biofungicide candidate targeting Botrytis, powdery mildew and potentially other fungal diseases in high-value fruits and vegetables. Results published in March 2025, showed that the BioFun-6 AGROBODY biocontrol can achieve the same level of performance as EVOCA at significantly lower dosage rates, highlighting the increased potency of the new candidate. In October, Biotalys introduced a new biofungicide program, BioFun-8, (https://www.biotalys.com/media/news/biotalys-expands-rd-pipeline-new-biofungicide-program) focusing on combatting Alternaria, a top leaf spot fungus, in fruits, vegetables and potato crops, and representing a global market opportunity of approximately USD 1.1 billion at grower level. Early in the year, Biotalys also expanded its relationships with top academics, adding collaborations with leading plant science researchers (https://www.biotalys.com/media/news/biotalys-enters-academic-collaborations-key-scientific-leaders-europe-and-us) for BioFun-4, targeting Phytophthora infestans, and for BioFun-7, a project in collaboration with the Gates Foundation and targeting leafspot disease. With these collaborations the company continues to build on the strong scientific foundation of its R&D programs and technology, creating synergies between the expertise and excellent research in academia and industry. Biotalys also continued to advance its first bioinsecticide, BioIns-2, in collaboration with Syngenta Crop Protection. Operations and Leadership: In October, Biotalys announced the close of a 15 million private placement (https://www.biotalys.com/media/news/biotalys-announces-closing-private-placement-0) with established shareholders, Ackermans & van Haaren NV and Agri Investment Fund BV, as well as a new investor, the Dutch asset management firm ASR Vermogensbeheer NV. Kamal El Mernissi joined Biotalys as Chief Business Development Officer (CBDO) (https://www.biotalys.com/media/news/biotalys-appoints-kamal-el-mernissi-chief-business-development-officer) in October. A seasoned industry leader who has managed commercialization efforts for Marrone Bio Innovations (now Pro Farm Group) and Syngenta, he is now actively pursuing strategic partnerships with major agricultural organizations to support the commercialization path of Biotalys's growing pipeline of novel biocontrols. The company also added Laura J. Meyer to its Board of Directors (https://www.biotalys.com/media/news/biotalys-appoints-laura-j-meyer-board-directors). With nearly three decades of financial experience in the agriculture industry, most recently as Vice President, Investor Relations for the Crop Science division at Bayer, she has been providing strategic and financial guidance for Biotalys since joining the Board in September. The company was honored as the 2024 AgTech Breakthrough (https://biotalys.com/media/news/biotalys-named-sustainable-crop-protection-company-year) Sustainable Crop Protection Company of the Year and earned Top 100 status in Forward Fooding's FoodTech 500 list. (https://forwardfooding.com/foodtech500/?edition=2023) Outlook for 2025 Biotalys continues to work with regulators in Europe and the U.S. on the next steps of the review process for EVOCA. The company expects to be able to provide the EPA with the required additional data in Q2. Biotalys and Novonesis are discussing the optimal path forward for scaling of the commercial production and distribution of EVOCA NG - both potentially through third parties, depending on the assessment of commercial and financial parameters of such production and distribution. The company expects to start working towards submitting a regulatory dossier for EVOCA NG, building on the EVOCA file as both product candidates have the same bioactive ingredient. Biotalys will also continue to expand field trials for BioFun-6, while actively progressing its pipeline programs, such as its newest product candidate, BioFun-8. Based on the cash and cash equivalents balance of 22.6 million at the end of 2024, the company expects the financial runway to reach into May 2026 without considering any additional financing through equity, newly awarded grants, partnerships or other sources of financing. Detailed financial review for 2024 In thousand 2024 2023 Other operating income 3,183 2,611 Research and development expenses (10,959 ) (16,608 ) General and administration expenses (5,716 ) (6,894 ) Operating loss (13,492 ) (20,891 ) Financial income 721 939 Financial expenses (377 ) (502 ) Loss before taxes (13,148 ) (20,454 ) Income taxes (40 ) (56 ) Loss for the period (13,188 ) (20,510 ) Remeasurement gains (losses) on defined benefit plans 3 (29 ) Exchange differences on translating foreign operations 15 (7 ) Total comprehensive loss for the period (13,171 ) (20,545 ) Basic and diluted loss per share (in ) (0.40 ) (0.65 ) Profit/(loss) for the period attributable to the owners of the company (13,188 ) (20,510 ) Total comprehensive income for the period attributable to the owners of the company (13,171 ) (20,545 ) Cash and cash equivalents 22,638 21,570 Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 1,068 (12,521 ) Consolidated statements of profit and loss Other operating income amounted to 3.2 million and relates to R&D tax incentives received and grants awarded to support R&D activities. Income from the grant from the Gates Foundation increased by 0.6 million. R&D tax incentives decreased slightly to 0.6 million, while income from government grants decreased by 0.1 million compared to 2023 as various funded projects came to an end. amounted to 3.2 million and relates to R&D tax incentives received and grants awarded to support R&D activities. Income from the grant from the Gates Foundation increased by 0.6 million. R&D tax incentives decreased slightly to 0.6 million, while income from government grants decreased by 0.1 million compared to 2023 as various funded projects came to an end. Research and development expenses amounted to 11.0 million for 2024, a decrease of 5.6 million compared to 2023, caused by a reduction in external spending for the production and field trials of EVOCA, combined with a lower R&D headcount. amounted to 11.0 million for 2024, a decrease of 5.6 million compared to 2023, caused by a reduction in external spending for the production and field trials of EVOCA, combined with a lower R&D headcount. General and administrative expenses amounted to 5.7 million for 2024, compared to 6.9 million in 2023. This decrease of 1.2 million is mainly driven by cost saving initiatives and a reduction of G&A headcount. amounted to 5.7 million for 2024, compared to 6.9 million in 2023. This decrease of 1.2 million is mainly driven by cost saving initiatives and a reduction of G&A headcount. Financial income amounted to 0.7 million in 2024, compared to 0.9 million in 2023, primarily due to less interest income received on bank deposits. amounted to 0.7 million in 2024, compared to 0.9 million in 2023, primarily due to less interest income received on bank deposits. Financial expenses amounted to 0.4 million and are related to interest expenses for the leases and bank loans. amounted to 0.4 million and are related to interest expenses for the leases and bank loans. Income taxes expenses reflect the current and deferred tax expense of the period, primarily for the U.S. subsidiary. reflect the current and deferred tax expense of the period, primarily for the U.S. subsidiary. Loss of the period decreased to 13.2 million in 2024, compared to 20.5 million in 2023. decreased to 13.2 million in 2024, compared to 20.5 million in 2023. Basic and diluted loss per share for 2024 amounted to 0.40 compared to 0.65 in 2023. The average number of shares outstanding in 2024 increased versus 2023, as a result of the capital increase in October, and the loss in 2024 was significantly lower than 2023. for 2024 amounted to 0.40 compared to 0.65 in 2023. The average number of shares outstanding in 2024 increased versus 2023, as a result of the capital increase in October, and the loss in 2024 was significantly lower than 2023. Cash and cash equivalents at year-end amounted to 22.6 million in 2024, or 1.0 million higher than the 2023 balance of 21.6 million. The annual cash burn, net of capital raised via private placements, decreased by 31% from 19.5 million in 2023 to 13.4 million in 2024. The lower net cash burn in 2024 reflects savings in external R&D expenses and the impact of the organisational changes implemented by management in 2023. THE FINANCIAL TABLES ARE IN THE PDF DOCUMENTS ATTACHED TO THIS PRESS RELEASE Auditor Statement The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS, as adopted by the EU. The financial information included in this press release is an extract from the full IFRS consolidated financial statements, which will be published on 21 March 2025. The statutory auditor, Deloitte Bedrijfsrevisoren / Reviseurs d'Entreprises, represented by Pieter-Jan Van Durme, has confirmed that its audit procedures have not revealed any material adjustment that should be made in the accounting information included in this press release. Financial calendar 21 March 2025: Online publication of the Biotalys annual report for 2024 22 April 2025: Biotalys will hold its Annual General Shareholders Meeting at its HQ in Ghent 20 August 2025: Publication of financial results and business highlights first half of 2025 Live webcast and conference call Company management will host a live webcast in English to discuss its full year 2024 financial results and business highlights, today 19 March 2025 at 15:00 CET / 14:00 GMT / 09:00 AM ET. The webcast can be accessed via the following link: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/sjcyf8dw. Dial-in details: to ask questions live to management, please register for the conference call via the following link: https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BIe6b7d26b684849d6a561c7bc6625c71f. A recording of the webcast will be available after the event on the Biotalys investor website: https://www.biotalys.com/investors/financial-information. * EVOCA: Pending regulatory review. This product is not currently registered for sale or use in the European Union, the United States, or elsewhere and is not being offered for sale and no assurance can be given if and when registration will be obtained. About Biotalys Biotalys is an Agricultural Technology. For further information, please contact: Toon Musschoot, Head of IR & Communication T: +32 Important Notice Biotalys, its business, prospects and financial position remain exposed and subject to risks and uncertainties. A description of and reference to these risks and uncertainties can be found in the annual reporton the consolidated annual accounts published on the company's website. This announcement contains statements which are "forward-looking statements" or could be considered as such. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the words 'aim', 'believe', 'estimate', 'anticipate', 'expect', 'intend', 'may', 'will', 'plan', 'continue', 'ongoing', 'possible', 'predict', 'plans', 'target', 'seek', 'would' or 'should', and contain statements made by the company regarding the intended results of its strategy. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and readers are warned that none of these forward-looking statements offers any guarantee of future performance. Biotalys' actual results may differ materially from those predicted by the forward-looking statements. Biotalys makes no undertaking whatsoever to publish updates or adjustments to these forward-looking statements, unless required to do so by law. Attachments DUBAI, UAE, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Bybit , the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has announced its partnership with AltSchool Africa through the launch of a Bybit Academy and a $100,000 scholarship fund . This scholarship will benefit 1,000 AltSchool students, enabling them to access the life-changing power of education. The partnership endeavors to empower the next generation of innovators and leaders by providing accessible, technology-focused education that equips students with the skills needed to thrive in a digital economy. AltSchool Africa is a global talent company that equips Africans with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to succeed in their careers. AltSchool Africa offers a diverse range of technical and non-technical diploma programs and short courses across its five schools: Software Engineering, Data, Product, Creative Economy, and Business. To ensure that skilled professionals can access rewarding career opportunities worldwide, AltSchool Africa also provides career counseling, mentorship, recruitment support and job placement services. As Africa continues to emerge as a vibrant hub for innovation and technology, the need for quality education has never been more pressing. Bybit recognizes that investing in education is a strategic imperative that fosters long-term economic growth and technological advancement in the continent. Key Highlights of the Initiative: Financial Support : Bybit will provide a sponsorship fund of $100,000 to establish the Bybit Academy and offer scholarships for 1,000 students. Students will be selected based on established criteria, including academic performance and diversity. : Bybit will provide a sponsorship fund of $100,000 to establish the Bybit Academy and offer scholarships for 1,000 students. Students will be selected based on established criteria, including academic performance and diversity. Merit and Diversity-Based Criteria : Bybit will collaborate with AltSchool Africa to determine scholarship selection criteria based on entrance exam scores, priority countries, gender diversity, and other mutually agreed factors. : Bybit will collaborate with AltSchool Africa to determine scholarship selection criteria based on entrance exam scores, priority countries, gender diversity, and other mutually agreed factors. Internship and Ambassador Opportunities : The top 10 graduates from the program will have the chance to become Bybit Interns, Ambassadors, or ByBUILDERS, fostering their professional growth and integration into the Bybit ecosystem. : The top 10 graduates from the program will have the chance to become Bybit Interns, Ambassadors, or ByBUILDERS, fostering their professional growth and integration into the Bybit ecosystem. Educational Contributions: Bybit product managers will facilitate sessions on technology and cryptocurrency, enhancing the participants' learning experience and practical skills. "Education is a powerful catalyst for change, and Africa's young population stands to benefit from unprecedented accessibility to technology in this day and age. Through our partnership with AltSchool Africa and the establishment of the Bybit Academy, we are committed to providing opportunities that foster growth, innovation, and resilience. Together, we can cultivate a brighter future for our communities and future-proof Africa's talent for the digital future," said Helen Liu, COO of Bybit. By investing in education, Bybit is sending a powerful message: the future of Africa lies in the hands of its youth. By ensuring that young Africans have access to quality education and opportunities, we can collectively build a prosperous and innovative continent. Bybit / TheCryptoArk About Bybit Bybit is the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 60 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com . For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com For updates, please follow: Bybit's Communities and Social Media Discord | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X | Youtube Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2645099/Empowering_Education_Africa_Bybit_AltSchool_Africa_Unveil_Bybit_Academy__100.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2267288/Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/empowering-education-in-africa-bybit-and-altschool-africa-unveil-bybit-academy-and-100-000-scholarship-fund-302405548.html NEW YORK, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The rise of counterfeit supplements has become a growing concern across the health and wellness industry, with unauthorized sellers misrepresenting legitimate brands and deceiving consumers with unverified products. AquaSculpt 's manufacturer Bioventra has launched an aggressive crackdown against unauthorized resellers, ensuring that customers receive only the authentic, high-quality formula through official channels. Bioventra reports indicate that many third-party sellers have been distributing unapproved versions of AquaSculpt, with some using misleading product descriptions, altered packaging, and discounted pricing to lure unsuspecting buyers. In response, AquaSculpt's retail verification program has been expanded, allowing consumers to confidently distinguish genuine products from unauthorized listings. The company urges all buyers to purchase only from verified retailers and the official AquaSculpt website to ensure product authenticity. AquaSculpt Takes Action Against Counterfeit Listings The supplement industry has seen a dramatic increase in fraudulent sellers, many of whom operate through third-party e-commerce platforms. Some unauthorized resellers manipulate product listings by advertising fake versions of well-known brands, creating confusion for consumers who believe they are purchasing directly from the manufacturer. AquaSculpt's team has identified and reported numerous unauthorized listings, working closely with online platforms to eliminate deceptive sellers. The company is also implementing new retail verification tools to help customers confirm product authenticity before making a purchase. Why Unauthorized Sellers Pose a Risk to Consumers Unverified sellers often fail to meet manufacturing and safety standards, leading to potential risks for consumers. Many unauthorized products contain incorrect ingredient formulations, lack quality control testing, and may not have undergone the rigorous compliance measures required for legitimate supplement brands. Some customers have reported receiving products that differ from the official AquaSculpt formula, raising concerns about potential safety issues and mislabeling. These discrepancies have prompted an increase in consumer awareness efforts, reinforcing the need for buyers to purchase directly from AquaSculpt's authorized retailers. Consumer Reports on Unauthorized AquaSculpt Sales A growing number of consumers have shared concerns regarding unverified AquaSculpt listings, with many expressing frustration over misleading advertising and unexpected product variations. Some common issues reported include: Different product packaging or labeling compared to official AquaSculpt bottles. compared to official AquaSculpt bottles. Unusual textures or smells that indicate a lack of quality control. that indicate a lack of quality control. Delayed or untraceable shipments, with sellers refusing to offer refunds. Consumers searching for where to buy AquaSculpt safely have been encouraged to refer to the official AquaSculpt website , which provides a complete list of verified retail partners. AquaSculpt Expands Retail Verification and Distribution Strategy To further combat counterfeit sales, AquaSculpt's manufacturer has strengthened its retail partnerships by implementing stricter guidelines for distributors. These measures include: AquaSculpt Official retailer verification to ensure that only authorized sellers are distributing AquaSculpt. to ensure that only authorized sellers are distributing AquaSculpt. New anti-counterfeit technology on packaging to help customers verify authenticity before purchase. on packaging to help customers verify authenticity before purchase. AquaSculpt's increased direct-to-consumer availability, allowing more customers to purchase directly from the manufacturer's website. These steps aim to reduce the risk of fraudulent listings while ensuring that customers always receive the original, high-quality AquaSculpt formula. AquaSculpt Manufacturer Invests in Advanced Quality Control & Product Innovation In response to shifting industry regulations and evolving consumer expectations, AquaSculpt's manufacturer has invested in advanced quality control systems and new product development initiatives. The company has introduced cutting-edge testing procedures to further enhance product safety, transparency, and consistency. Additionally, AquaSculpt is actively exploring new formulations and delivery methods that align with emerging market trends. These investments in research and development reinforce AquaSculpt 's position as a leader in the supplement industry, committed to innovation and customer satisfaction. AquaSculpt Expands Global Distribution Strategy to Meet Growing Consumer Demand With increasing interest in AquaSculpt worldwide, the company has expanded its global distribution network, ensuring that international consumers have access to authentic products through verified channels. This expansion includes partnerships with international retailers and fulfillment centers, allowing the company to serve a broader audience while maintaining strict control over product quality and authenticity. By expanding into key global markets, AquaSculpt is positioning itself for long-term growth while ensuring that customers around the world can experience the benefits of the product without risk of purchasing from unauthorized sellers. AquaSculpt Expands Manufacturing Capacity to Meet Market Demand As demand for AquaSculpt continues to rise, the company has expanded its manufacturing capacity to prevent future shortages and ensure consistent availability through authorized retail channels. AquaSculpt's production facilities have been upgraded with state-of-the-art technology to streamline production, improve efficiency, and maintain the highest standards of quality control. This expansion is part of the company's long-term strategy to scale operations in response to increasing consumer demand. By enhancing its production capabilities, AquaSculpt can meet growing market needs while reinforcing its commitment to product integrity and consumer trust. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2645130/AQUASCULPT_Official.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/aquasculpt-cracks-down-on-unauthorized-sellers-as-supplement-industry-faces-counterfeit-surge-302405563.html Highlights: Drill hole CS25-027 encountered seven (7) spodumene pegmatite intervals, with the widest continuous interval of 179.6 metres (m), followed by two additional intervals of 58 m and 91.8 m of continuous spodumene pegmatite. Drill hole CS25-024/24A intersected a total of six (6) individual spodumene pegmatite intervals, with the widest continuous interval of 39.5 m . Drill hole CS25-025 encountered nine (9) spodumene pegmatite intervals, with the widest continuous interval of 20.4 m . Drill hole CS25-026 encountered 10 spodumene pegmatite intervals, with the widest continuous interval of 21.2 m . Assays are pending on the approximately 2,570 m of core drilled in the first four (4) holes completed to date in the winter drill campaign at the Cisco Project. Drilling continues with step outs to both the east and south. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / March 19, 2025 / Q2 Metals Corp. (TSXV:QTWO)(OTCQB:QUEXF)(FSE:458) ("Q2" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the completion of the first four holes of the winter 2025 expansion drilling campaign at the Company's Cisco Lithium Project (the "Project" or the "Cisco Project"), located within the greater Nemaska traditional territory of the Eeyou Istchee James Bay, Quebec, Canada. Multiple wide intercepts of continuous spodumene pegmatite were encountered within a total of 2,570 metres of drilling completed to date, significantly increasing the extent of previously encountered mineralization (see Figure 1). All holes intercepted pegmatites with visual indications of spodumene mineralization identified. "We are extraordinarily pleased with these initial findings from our winter campaign which has not only produced one of our top holes in terms of the total amount of spodumene pegmatite per hole, but continues to provide important information about the mineralization at Cisco," said Q2 Metals President and CEO Alicia Milne. "We are continuing to explore the robust and continuous nature of Cisco's mineralization with additional step outs to both the south and east." "The first four holes of the winter drill program have expanded the strike length of the mineralized system and has confirmed that it continues to extend to the south, further increasing Cisco's potential scale," said Q2 VP Exploration Neil McCallum. "Hole-27, with 179.6 metres of continuous spodumene pegmatite, plus an additional 58 and 91.8 metres of continuous spodumene pegmatite, lends further support to our theory of a south-trending mineralized system, which now extends over a kilometre." Figure 1. Map of Drilling area, Cisco Project Winter 2025 Exploration Program Overview The current 2025 Winter Program is targeting 6,000 - 8,000 m of drilling with 200 - 400 m step outs with the primary objective of expanding upon the exceptionally promising drill results from the inaugural 2024 campaign, which included: Drill hole CS-24-018 - 215.6 m at 1.69% Li 2 O; Drill hole CS-24-021 - 347.1 m at 1.35% Li 2 O; and Drill hole CS-24-023 - 188.6 m at 1.56% Li 2 O. One diamond drill rig tested to the southwest of drill hole CS-24-023 to define the strike length: Drill hole CS25-025 was collared approximately 275 m south of hole CS24-023; and Drill hole CS25-027 is located 200 m southeast of hole CS25-025. This fence of holes was designed to test the southward extension of the large and wide mineralized system and did so successfully with hole CS25-027's widest continuous interval of 179.6 m of spodumene-bearing pegmatite. One diamond drill rig tested to the east of drill holes CS-24-018 and CS-24-021 to define potential additional parallel pegmatite zones: Drill hole CS25-024A was drilled as a follow-up to hole CS25-024 which was lost due to difficult drilling conditions. It was collared approximately 400 m southeast of hole CS24-022; and Drill hole CS25-026 was collared approximately 400 m from CS24-021 and 285 m north of hole CS25-024A. Drilling remains ongoing, with step outs continuing both east and south. Figure 2. Drill Rig Locations at the Cisco Lithium Project Summary of Spodumene-Bearing Pegmatite Intervals The pegmatite intervals (greater than 2 m) of drill holes CS-25-024A to 027 are reported below in detail (Table 1). Table 1. Summary of Spodumene-Pegmatite Intervals, Cisco Project The mineralized intervals in all the holes are not necessarily representative of the true width and the modelled pegmatite zones are being refined with every additional hole. Cautionary Statement: The presence of pegmatites does not confirm the presence of lithium (spodumene or other lithium minerals). Pegmatites are fractionated coarse grained igneous rocks commonly associated with lithium mineralization; however, many pegmatites do not contain mineralization. The presence of any mineralization can only be confirmed with assaying. The geological team has completed the core cutting and logging of holes CS25-024/24A to CS25-027 and the samples have been dispatched to the SGS Canada preparation laboratory located in Val-d'Or, QC for mineral analysis to confirm the presence of lithium. Figure 3. Core from the Current Drill Program at Cisco Lithium Project Sampling, Analytical Methods and QA/QC Protocols All drilling was conducted using diamond drill rig with NQ sized core and all drill core samples are shipped to SGS Canada's preparation facility in Val D'Or, Quebec, for standard sample preparation (code PRP92) which includes drying at 105C, crushing to 90% passing 2 mm, riffle split 500 g, and pulverize 85% passing 75 microns. The pulps are then shipped by air to SGS Canada's laboratory in Burnaby, BC, where the samples are homogenized and subsequently analyzed for multi-element (including Li and Ta) using sodium peroxide fusion with ICP-AES/MS finish (code GE_ICM91A50). The reported Li grade will be multiplied by the standard conversion factor of 2.153 which results in an equivalent Li 2 O grade. Drill core was saw-cut with half-core sent for geochemical analysis and half-core remaining in the box for reference. The same side of the core was sampled to maintain representativeness. A Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC) protocol following industry best practices was incorporated into the sampling program. Measures include the systematic insertion of quartz blanks and certified reference materials (CRMs) into sample batches at a rate of approximately 5% each. Additionally, analysis of pulp-split and reject-split duplicates was completed to assess analytical precision. The QP has verified the QA/QC results of the analytical work. Drill Hole Collar Information The summary of drill holes completed to date, including basic location and dip/azimuth is detailed below (Table 2). Coordinates are in UTM NAD83, zone 18 All holes are NQ-Size diamond drill core Azimuth and dip are reported as planned, and will deviate down-hole Reported hole depths are subject to minor changes based on final core observations Table 2. Summary of Drill Hole Collar Information, Cisco Project (CS25-024-027) Upcoming Events Ignite Investment Sumit The Company will be attending the Ignite Investment Summit in Hong Kong March 26-27, 2025. For more information, click here. Future Facing Commodities Conference The Company will be attending and exhibiting at the Tribeca Future Facing Commodities 2025 Conference in Singapore on April 1-3, 2025. For more information, click here. About Q2 Metals Corp Q2 Metals is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on the Cisco Lithium Project located within the greater Nemaska traditional territory of the Eeyou Istchee, James Bay, Quebec, Canada where drilling is currently underway. The Cisco Project is comprised of 767 claims, totaling 39,389 hectares. The main mineralized zone is just 6.5 kilometres ("km") away from the Billy Diamond Highway and transects the Project. The town of Matagami, which features direct rail link to much of James Bay, is approximately 150 km to the south. Cisco has district-scale potential with an already identified mineralized zone and 2024 discovery drill results that include: 120.3 metres at 1.72% Li 2 O (hole CS-24-010); 215.6 metres at 1.69% Li 2 O (hole CS-24-018); 347.1 metres at 1.35% Li 2 O (hole CS-24-021); and 188.6 metres at 1.56% Li 2 O (hole CS-24-023) The Cisco Project is situated along the Frotet Evans Greenstone Belt, comprised of a volcanic package dominated by mafic to felsic metavolcanic rocks, of the southern James Bay Lithium District, the same belt that hosts the Sirmac and Moblan lithium deposits, located 130 km and 180 km away, respectively. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Alicia Milne President & CEO Alicia@Q2metals.com Jason McBride Corporate Communications Jason@Q2metals.com Chris Ackerman Corporate Communications Chris@Q2metals.com Telephone: 1 (800) 482-7560 E-mail: info@Q2metals.com www.Q2Metals.com Click to follow us online: X, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram Qualified Person Neil McCallum, B.Sc., P.Geol, a registered permit holder with the Ordre des Geologues du Quebec and Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 ("QP"), has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release. Mr. McCallum is a director and VP Exploration for Q2. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian legislation. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "estimates", "plans", "may", "should", "would", "will", "potential", "scheduled" or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions, which, by their nature, refer to future events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Accordingly, all statements in this news release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations and orientations regarding the future including, without limitation, any statements or plans regard the geological prospects of the Company's properties and the future exploration endeavors of the Company. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release speak only as of the date of this news release or as of the date specified in such statement. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, drilling results on the Cisco Project and inferences made therefrom, the potential scale of the Cisco Project, the focus of the Company's current and future exploration and drill programs, the scale, scope and location of future exploration and drilling activities, the Company's expectations in connection with the projects and exploration programs being met, the Company's objectives, goals or future plans, statements, exploration results, potential mineralization, the estimation of mineral resources, exploration and mine development plans, timing of the commencement of operations and estimates of market conditions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include failure to obtain necessary approvals, variations in ore grade or recovery rates, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, unsuccessful exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, risks associated with regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, uninsured risks, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same. Readers are cautioned that mineral exploration and development of mines is an inherently risky business and accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Additional risk factors are discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis for its recently completed fiscal period, which is available under Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information except as otherwise required by applicable law. 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. SOURCE: Q2 Metals Corp. STOCKHOLM, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Novatron Fusion Group (NFG) is pleased to announce the successful closing of its Series A1 funding round. This achievement is further enhanced by a new strategic long-term industrial partnership with lead investor and new board member St1, marking a new chapter in the journey toward commercial fusion energy. The strategic long-term industrial partnership is a demonstration of how two Nordic companies combine their respective strengths in science and industry to reach an ambitious shared goal - to reduce society's dependence on fossil fuels while meeting the future growing energy demand. - "We are thrilled to welcome Henrikki Talvitie, CEO of St1, to our board of directors. As our strategic long-term partner and the largest institutional shareholder, Mr. Talvitie brings invaluable expertise that will help us on our journey toward fossil-free energy independence. Together, we will work to secure a successful execution of our elaborate roadmap toward our vision," says Erik Oden, founder and chairman of Novatron Fusion Group. The partnership was formed shortly after an announcement that the first prototype of NFG's unique NOVATRON fusion solution, a groundbreaking technology with disruptive potential, was assembled and the system integration tested. Although NFG will continue running experiments with the first prototype, N1, it is in parallel preparing the next phase of its roadmap where long-term partnerships will be key. - "St1 operates in an industry that needs to transform and has a proven track record of genuinely wanting to accelerate the reshaping of the energy market. As we start preparing for industrialization, we need to secure these types of partners that can contribute with experience, an extensive global network, and a strong position in the energy market," says Peter Roos, CEO of Novatron Fusion Group. St1, an energy transition company, searches for game-changing solutions that significantly reduce carbon emissions. As lead investor, St1 will provide long-term value as well as business, industrial, and regulatory knowledge for NFG's roadmap execution to commercialize fusion energy. - "To reach our vision of being the leading producer and seller of CO2-aware energy, we will continue to invest in our value chains and ongoing projects to remain at the forefront of the energy transition. At the same time, St1 also needs to invest in technologies that are not yet commercially available, as nearly 50 percent of the carbon emission cuts required by 2050 will rely on innovations currently in the demonstration or prototype phases. We believe that NFG has a game changing formula and as an owner with a long-term mindset, we are excited over this opportunity to help accelerate the work towards limitless fossil-free energy," says Henrikki Talvitie, CEO of St1. By jointly investing in the disruptive NOVATRON technology, the goal with the industrial partnership is not only to support energy resilience in the Nordics, but also to make a positive impact on a global scale by securing a leading position in providing fossil-free, safe, affordable, and abundant energy for all. In addition to lead investor St1, the oversubscribed funding round of 10 million in equity had participation from both new investors, including TomEnterprise, Unit E Limited and Axon Partners Group, and existing investors: Climentum Capital, Santander InnoEnergy Fund, Granitor and Industrifonden. As a collective, they build a solid base of competence and network propelling Novatron Fusion Group into a new exciting phase. For more information, please contact: Jeanette Mattsson, Marketing and Communications Director, Novatron Fusion Group Email: jeanette.mattsson@novatronfusion.com Phone: +46 760 517 516 Oscar Brehmer, Corporate Communication Manager, St1 Email: oscar.brehmer@st1.com Phone: +46 707 911 228 About Novatron Fusion Group Novatron Fusion Group AB is a Swedish company headquartered in Stockholm. Founded in 2019, the company strives to establish fusion energy and the NOVATRON concept as the preferred large-scale dispatchable source of clean, safe, reliable and virtually limitless fusion power. Inspired by Swedish inventor and entrepreneur Jan Jaderberg's original idea, it is now being developed by world-leading physicists, engineers and academics at a test facility, housed by KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden. The NOVATRON technology remains the world's only stable mirror-machine concept and aims to streamline the fusion energy process while reducing capital and operational cost of future fusion reactors through a series of USPs. Financial backers include Axon Partners Group, Climentum Capital, Granitor, Industrifonden, InnoEnergy, KTH Holding, Santander InnoEnergy Fund, St1, TomEnterprise and Unit E Investments. www.novatronfusion.com About St1 St1 is an energy company whose vision is to be the leading producer and seller of CO2-aware energy. St1 researches and develops economically viable, environmentally more sustainable energy solutions. St1 focuses on fuels marketing activities, oil refining and renewable energy solutions such as waste-based advanced biofuels and industrial wind power. The company has 1,259 St1 and Shell branded retail stations and gas filling points in Finland, Sweden and Norway. Headquartered in Helsinki, St1 employs currently more than 1,000 people. www.st1.com This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com. https://news.cision.com/novatron-fusion-group-ab/r/novatron-fusion-group-closes-funding-round-and-joins-forces-with-lead-investor-st1-to-accelerate-fus,c4120742 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/22717/4120742/3328448.pdf NFG press release (PDF) https://news.cision.com/novatron-fusion-group-ab/i/press-image-of-novatron-1,c3388201 Press image of NOVATRON 1 https://news.cision.com/novatron-fusion-group-ab/i/erik-oden-henrikki-talvitie-and-peter-roos,c3388200 Erik Oden Henrikki Talvitie and Peter Roos https://news.cision.com/novatron-fusion-group-ab/i/illustration-of-novatron-1,c3388202 Illustration of NOVATRON 1 https://news.cision.com/novatron-fusion-group-ab/i/close-up-of-novatron-1,c3388203 Close up of NOVATRON 1 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/novatron-fusion-group-closes-funding-round-and-joins-forces-with-lead-investor-st1-to-accelerate-fusion-energy-in-the-nordics-302405591.html IBM Consulting will deliver comprehensive, cost-effective managed services supported by IBM's watsonx to Finastra clients in North America and Europe LONDON and NEW YORK, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Finastra, a global provider of financial services software applications, and IBM (NYSE: IBM) today unveiled their collaboration on an enhanced cloud-based lending managed services offering. Finastra's Lending Cloud Service (LCS) offers comprehensive and cost-effective services for its Corporate Lending solutions -- Loan IQ, Trade Innovation and Corporate Channels - and is supported by IBM for Finastra clients in North America and Europe. Steve Moe, Head of Technology for Lending at Finastra said, "We are excited to make this announcement as it demonstrates momentum in continuing to provide seamless digital lending solutions to our customers. Part of our approach champions collaboration and tapping into partner core capabilities, and that's what we are doing here. Working with industry giants like IBM gives us huge scale, credible skills and a reliable and quick path to implement offerings that deliver value at speed for our customers." IBM is providing design and implementation for LCS, leveraging its generative AI for enterprise platform, watsonx, as part of operationally focused IBM Consulting assets, to more efficiently and resiliently manage the new platform. IBM will also provide ongoing services to Finastra's LCS clients in North America and Europe with the aim of helping Finastra continue to grow its business. Shanker Ramamurthy, Global Managing Partner Banking & Financial Markets at IBM Consulting said, "The global banking community is increasingly recognizing the imperative of leveraging exponential technologies, such as generative AI, the flexibility, resilience and security of hybrid cloud, and the exceptional access a robust ecosystem can deliver. The combination of these elements is a truly powerful competitive advantage. IBM is pleased to collaborate with Finastra on its modernized Lending Cloud Service, leveraging Microsoft Azure, which delivers a valuable offering, that provides greater value, automation, resiliency and generative AI powered insights and actions to its corporate clients." The Lending Cloud Service is delivered on Microsoft Azure and harnesses Finastra's financial services technology expertise and excellence, and proven mission-critical solutions. A cornerstone of the new LCS is Service Value Management (SVM), a customer first, continuous improvement, value-based approach to managing customers' cloud transformation journey. Combined with IBM's established and reliable scalability, availability, and deep application management knowledge, users can benefit from: Quick deployment via a most valuable scope and pre-configured standing service Simplified and standardized system and business processes via service automation and tooling Enhanced value through the economics of cloud and additional features of the application Ongoing conformance with market protocols and applicable financial services industry standards Deep knowledge and expertise in application management for infrastructure management and resiliency delivered by IBM Consulting The LCS complements the Finastra suite of leading solutions for end-to-end loan management. For more information click here. Finastra.com About Finastra Finastra is a global provider of financial services software applications across Lending, Payments, Treasury and Capital Markets, and Universal (retail and digital) Banking. Committed to unlocking the potential of people, businesses and communities everywhere, its vision is to accelerate the future of open finance through technology and collaboration, and its pioneering approach is why it is trusted by ~8,100 financial institutions, including 45 of the world's top 50 banks. For more information, visit finastra.com. About IBM IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. Thousands of government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM's long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service. Visit www.ibm.com for more information. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1916021/5222578/FINASTRA_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/finastra-unveils-enhanced-lending-cloud-service-supported-by-ibm-302405107.html EQS-Media / 19.03.2025 / 10:28 CET/CEST Aareal Bank arranges the refinancing of Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa Wiesbaden, 19 March 2025 - Aareal Bank is pleased to announce the successful closing of a refinancing with Amingiri Holdings Pvt. Ltd. for its luxury hotel asset, the Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa. Aareal Bank acted as the arranger, facility agent, and security agent for this transaction. Amingiri Holdings Pvt. Ltd. is a hospitality-focused subsidiary of Amin Construction Pvt. Ltd., a leading Maldivian real estate company. This transaction with a new client underscores Aareal Bank's continued commitment to the high-end hospitality sector. It marks another milestone in Aareal Bank's long-standing successful presence in the Maldives. The Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa, which opened in July 2022, marked the debut of Hilton's flagship Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand into the highly sought-after destination. The hotel boasts a strategic location on Amingiri Island in the North Male Atoll, just a 20-minute speedboat ride from Velana International Airport. The resort features 109 well-appointed beach and water villas, each with a private pool, catering to discerning travellers seeking relaxation, privacy, and world-class amenities in a stunning Maldivian setting. Thomas Adaemmer, Head of Asia-Pacific at Aareal Bank, commented, "This financing demonstrates our nearly 20-year commitment to the Maldivian market, during which we have closed around 30 transactions." Abdulla Mohamed, Chairman at Amingiri Holdings stated, "Aareal Bank's deep understanding of the Maldivian market and expertise in the hospitality sector made them the ideal partner for this transaction. We appreciate the financing facility provided by Aareal Bank, and we are excited to continue investing in Maldives' hospitality sector with new concepts and resorts with the support of partners such as Aareal Bank, JLL's Hotels and Hospitality Group and our asset manager, Hazana." Key advisors include SHC Law & Tax LLP, which served as legal advisor for this transaction, and CBRE, as an external valuation advisor to Aareal Bank. JLL's Hotels and Hospitality Group, together with JLL's Structured Finance team, acted as exclusive debt advisor to Amingiri Holdings Pvt Ltd. Contact for the media: Thomas Rutzki Phone: +49 611 348 2947 Mobile: +49 170 5431458 thomas.rutzki@aareal-bank.com Aareal Bank Aareal Bank, headquartered in Wiesbaden, is a leading international property specialist. The Bank uses its expertise to identify trends, challenges and opportunities at an early stage, and to exploit them for the benefit of its stakeholders. Aareal Bank provides financings, banking services and payments solutions for the property sector and related industries, and is present across three continents: Europe, North America and the Asia/Pacific region. Aareal Bank's business strategy focuses on sustainable business success, with environmental, social and governance (ESG) aspects as an integral part of this strategy. Aareal Bank comprises the business segments Structured Property Financing and Banking & Digital Solutions. The Structured Property Financing segment encompasses all of Aareal Bank Group's property financing and funding activities. Here, the Bank supports its clients in making large-volume commercial property investments. The investment properties mostly comprise office buildings, hotels, shopping centres, logistics and residential property, as well as student apartments. In the Banking & Digital Solutions segment, Aareal Bank Group supports businesses from the housing, property management and energy industries as a digitalisation partner - combining extensive advisory services and product solutions with traditional corporate banking services and deposit-taking. 19.03.2025 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Press Release, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.eqs-news.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 19, 2025) - Questcorp Mining Inc. (CSE: QQQ) (OTCQB: QQCMF) (FSE: D910) (the "Company" or "Questcorp") is pleased to announce that it has closed its non-brokered private offering (the "Offering") of 45,832,539 units (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.06 per Unit for gross proceeds of $2,749,952. Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company and one common share purchase warrant entitling the holder to acquire a further common share of the Company at a price of $0.10 until March 19, 2027 (each, a "Warrant"). Certain insiders of the Company participated in the Offering for an aggregate of 1,683,750 Units. Such participation represents a related party transaction subject to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Holders in Special Transaction ("MI 61-101"). The transaction is however exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements provided under subsections 5.5(a) and 5.7(a) of MI 61-101 on the basis that the fair market value of the Units acquired by the insiders in the Offering did not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization. The proceeds of the Offering will be used by the Company to complete the transaction involving the La Union Project, to continue its exploration program at the North Island Copper Property, to retire existing payables and for general working capital purposes. In connection with completion of the Offering, the Company has paid finders' fees of $181,367.39 and issued 3,022,790 Warrants to certain arms-length finders who assisted in introducing subscribers to the Company. All securities issued in connection with the Offering are subject to a statutory holder period of four-months-and-one-day until July 20, 2025. The Company is relying on the provisions of 4.6(1)(b) of Policy 4 of the Canadian Securities Exchange to complete the Offering as it involves the issuance of more than 100% of the outstanding share capital of the Company. In accordance with Policy 4, the Company confirms receipt of shareholder approval for the Offering by way of written-consent of the majority of the outstanding share capital of the Company. Grant of Incentive Awards The Company also announces that pursuant to closing of the Offering, it has granted 3,000,000 incentive stock options (the "Options") and 2,750,000 restricted share units (the "RSUs") to certain directors, officers and consultants of the Company in accordance with its omnibus incentive plan (the "Plan"). The Options shall vest immediately and are exercisable at a price of $0.15 until March 19, 2030. The RSUs shall vest and be settled in common shares of the Company upon receipt of shareholder approval for the Plan. In the event shareholder approval for the Plan is not received by December 31, 2025, the RSUs will be automatically cancelled without any further right or entitlement. About Questcorp Mining Inc. Questcorp is engaged in the business of the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties in Canada. The Company holds an option to acquire an undivided 100% interest in and to mineral claims totaling 1,168.09 hectares comprising the North Island Copper Property, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, subject to a royalty obligation. The Company's secondary objective is to locate and develop economic precious and base metals properties of merit. Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding the intended use of proceeds from the Offering. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. Except as required by the securities disclosure laws and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/245219 SOURCE: Questcorp Mining Inc. Netcracker Will Discuss How Cable Operators Can Accelerate Monetization Opportunities Beyond Connectivity Services and Leverage AI and Automation to Transform Into Powerful Data-Driven Businesses Netcracker Technology announced today that it is a Platinum sponsor of the Cable Next-Gen Technologies Strategies Event to be held March 24-26 in Denver. Netcracker will exhibit its solutions and participate in panel discussions on key topics facing the cable and broadband industry. Netcracker Broadband Experience Solutions for Cable MSOs enable operators to accelerate revenue opportunities beyond connectivity services by helping them navigate today's complex digital world. The cloud-native, modular solutions are designed to stimulate innovation and growth, rapidly launch and run a successful mobile business with fully automated operations, deliver a digital-first customer experience and utilize AI to transform into a powerful data-driven business. Netcracker will exhibit in stand #3, where it will showcase its solutions for cable operators and broadband providers. During the MVNO Summit on March 24, Netcracker will be joined by its customer T-Mobile to discuss how MVNOs can overcome issues with scalability, which existing fixed-line services can benefit from wireless and the differentiated services that these operators can provide. Netcracker will also present alongside customers on how cable operators are leveraging automation to improve networks and operations. Going Beyond Connectivity | Monday, March 24 3:00 p.m. MDT Speakers: Dan Thygesen, SVP Product Partnerships Growth and GM Wholesale Innovation, T-Mobile Ari Banerjee, Chief Strategy Officer, Netcracker Business Transformation as the Catalyst for a Superior Broadband Experience Tuesday, March 25 11:30 a.m. MDT Speakers: Ian Dyer, VP Software Engineering, Charter Communications Mathieu Hercyk, Senior Director OSS/BSS Architecture, Cogeco Breezeline Ari Banerjee, Chief Strategy Officer, Netcracker Meeting the Automation Challenge Wednesday, March 26 1:35 p.m. MDT Speakers: Blair Day, SVP, Product Network Engineering, WOW! Rohini Vugumudi, VP, Network Automation Development, Charter Communications Ari Banerjee, Chief Strategy Officer, Netcracker About Netcracker Technology Netcracker Technology, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NEC Corporation, has the expertise, culture and resources to help service providers around the world transform their businesses to thrive in the digital economy. Our innovative solutions, value-driven services and unbroken delivery track record have enabled our customers to grow and succeed for more than three decades. With the latest technological advancements in key areas including 5G monetization, AI, automation and vertical industries, we help service providers to reach their transformation goals, advance their telco to techco evolution and realize business growth and profitability. To learn more, visit www.netcracker.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250319683819/en/ Contacts: Media Contact Anita Karve Netcracker Technology MediaGroup@Netcracker.com AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV), a global network of the most progressive and inclusive banks in the world, has announced the launch of the GABV Academic Network at the Values-Based Finance Conference 2025 at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands). The initiative was introduced alongside members of the Steering Committee, which includes representatives from Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, UPF Barcelona School of Management (Spain) and the University of Hamburg (Germany). The GABV Academic Network is a collaborative initiative designed to bridge academia and values-based banking. This global platform will engage scholars, researchers, and academic institutions in advancing research, teaching, knowledge transfer and advocacy in values-based banking and related fields. By prioritising people and the planet alongside profit, values-based banking offers a sustainable, fair and inclusive financial model. Through this network, the GABV aims to raise awareness within the academic community, integrate values-based banking into academic curricula, and support research that explores the financial and societal benefits of this model. Tytti Kaasinen, Head of Impact and Research at the GABV: "The launch of the GABV Academic Network marks a significant step in deepening the knowledge of values-based banking. By bringing together researchers, scholars, and financial practitioners, we aim to foster critical research, drive innovation, and shape the future of finance towards a more sustainable and inclusive approach to finance. This initiative underscores our commitment to ensuring that values-based banking is not only recognised as a viable alternative but also as a leading model for a fairer financial system." A Global Platform for Research and Collaboration The GABV Academic Network is open to doctoral-level scholars, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty members worldwide who focus on ethical and values-driven banking, sustainable finance, and related fields. Members will have the opportunity to: Connect with GABV banks and access aggregated Scorecard data, based on the six Principles of Values-Based Banking, for research. Engage in collaborative research with leading scholars in the field. Contribute to discussions shaping the future of ethical finance. Gain real-world impact by collaborating with financial practitioners and policymakers. Explore funding opportunities through research consortia and grant applications. Making the Business Case of Values-Based Banks The Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV) publishes research, case studies and reports to reinforce and explore the business case for the growing values-based banking practice. On many occasions, it collaborates with academic institutions and like-minded organisations. Relevant research includes: Finance for War. Finance for Peace report (2024): This report examines the exposure of the financial industry to the production of, and trade in, arms used in large-scale conflicts around the world, in comparison with the strict exclusion criteria from values-based banks. Best Practices for Sustainable Market Transformation in the Financial Sector (2023). In collaboration with the Nyenrode Business University (Netherlands). This report outlines nine core features of regular banks versus values-based banks, highlighting the opportunities to build on these locally proven initiatives. Perspectives on Responsible Banking in Spain 2023. The purpose of this study by UPF Barcelona School of Management is to carry out a comprehensive analysis of how Spanish banks that have signed up to the Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) are implementing the six principles that define banking with values. Steering Committee The GABV Academic Network is supported by a Steering Committee of leading academics: Dr. Marcos Eguiguren Huerta (UPF Barcelona School of Management) - Associate Provost and Secretary General. Director International Centre in Sustainable Finance. Dr. Brigitte Bernard-Rau (University of Hamburg) - Senior Researcher, a specialist in sustainable finance, ESG performance, and impact investing. Dr. Frank Jan de Graaf (Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences) - Professor of Corporate Governance & Leadership. Academics interested in joining the network can learn more and register their interest here. About the GABV The Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV) represents a movement of independent banks and credit unions with a shared mission to put finance at the service of people and the planet. Founded in 2009, the GABV comprises 70 financial institutions operating in over 45 countries across Asia-Pacific, Africa, Latin America, North America and Europe. It serves more than 50 million customers collectively, holds over USD 265 billion of combined assets under management and employs 145,000 co-workers. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2644420/GABV_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/gabv-launches-the-gabv-academic-network-to-advance-research-in-values-based-banking-302404831.html Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 19, 2025) - Astra Exploration Inc. (TSXV: ASTR) (OTCQB: ATEPF) (FSE: S3I) ("Astra" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce that it has received all required permits to commence its maiden drill program at the La Manchuria Project located in the Deseado Massif of Santa Cruz, Argentina. The drilling permit was issued by the State Secretariat for Environmental Supervision and Control under the Ministry of Energy and Mining of the Province of Santa Cruz, Argentina. Field crews were on site last week preparing for mobilization of the fully funded 2,500 metre drill program which the Company expects to commence by the first week in April. Astra's CEO, Brian Miller commented: "We are excited to get underway with our inaugural drill program at La Manchuria. This first program aims to test the new geological model and expand the high-grade mineralization into areas previously not drilled, both along strike and parallel to known veins. I believe Astra's business proposition has never been stronger with such an exciting target, a fully funded drilling program and tightly held share registry. Discovery success is the most rapid wealth creation phase of our industry, and we stand on that precipice with La Manchuria today." The Company plans to provide additional news release updates in the coming weeks providing further details of the drill targets and geology. Astra's in-country team led by Exploration Director, Diego Guido, who is a globally recognized low sulphidation epithermal (LSE) expert, believes the high-grade historic intercepts are open to expand at depth and along strike. These results include: 20.5m grading 10.4 grams per tonne (g/t) gold and 810 g/t silver, 4.0m grading 26.3 g/t gold and 3,156 g/t silver and 2.0m grading 52.6 g/t gold and 3,274 g/t silver 1.6m grading 257 g/t gold and 4,237 g/t silver Reference: Updated Technical Report on The Mineral Resources of The La Manchuria Project, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina" with an effective date of February 28, 2019. Shallow cover conceals the system to the west and south at the Main Zone and presents the opportunity to make a significant discovery. The extension of mineralization under cover is a common characteristic of the newest epithermal systems discovered in the Deseado Massif, including large deposits like Cerro Negro. Qualified Person The technical data and information as disclosed in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Darcy Marud, who is an Independent Director of Astra. Mr. Marud is a Practicing Member of the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario and is a qualified person as defined under the terms of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. About the Company Astra Exploration Inc. is a precious metals exploration company based out of Vancouver, BC that is actively building a portfolio of high-quality projects in some of the most important mining jurisdictions in Latin America. The La Manchuria gold-silver project in Santa Cruz, Argentina, over which Astra has an option to acquire 90% interest, is a high-grade gold and silver epithermal deposit located in in the Deseado Massif which hosts multiple world-class epithermal deposits including Cerro Vanguardia and Cerro Negro, Santa Cruz, Argentina. The 100% owned Pampa Paciencia gold and silver project in northern Chile is located in the Paleocene mineral province in proximity to such major operating mines as Spence and Sierra Gorda. The project shares several important geological similarities to other Paleocene epithermal gold-silver deposits including Faride and El Penon. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When or if used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan", "forecast", "may", "schedule" and similar words or expressions identify forward- looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to the Company's business activities; exploration on the Company's properties; completion of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement; receipt of all required regulatory approvals; and marketing initiatives. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, without limitation: development of the industry in which the Company operates; risks associated with the conduct of the Company's business activities; risks relating to reliance on the Company's management team and outside contractors; currency fluctuations; risks regarding the failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; laws and regulations governing the industry in which the Company operates; the ability of the communities in which the Company operates to manage and cope with the implications of COVID-19; the economic and financial implications of COVID-19 to the Company; operating or technical difficulties; employee relations, labour unrest or unavailability; stock market volatility; conflicts of interest among certain directors and officers; lack of liquidity for shareholders of the Company; litigation risk; and other risk factors disclosed in the Company's public disclosure documents available on the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/245198 SOURCE: Astra Exploration Inc. BERLIN, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As Europe accelerates its transition toward sustainable industrial automation and electric mobility, Godrej Enterprises Group is expanding its Motor Solutions business to meet the growing demand for high-performance motor components and special motors. With a strong presence in Germany, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and the UK, the company is deepening its partnerships with leading OEMs, delivering customized solutions that adhere to Europe's stringent quality and efficiency standards. "As businesses across Europe focus on high-efficiency motor solutions, our goal is to provide cutting-edge technologies that enhance performance, reliability, and sustainability ," said Xercsis Marker, EVP & Head, Motor Solutions Business, Godrej Enterprises Group. "With our robust R&D capabilities and deep-rooted partnerships, we are well-positioned to support the evolving needs of European customers. As India's manufacturing sector gains global recognition for innovation and precision engineering, we take pride in delivering high-quality, engineered solutions to European markets." With CE, UKCA, and IATF certifications, Godrej Enterprises Group ensures its motor solutions comply with Europe's stringent regulatory frameworks for efficiency, safety, and sustainability. The company leverages advanced laser-welded core packs, intricate thin lamination punching, and in-house stress relief annealing technology, enabling higher efficiency, durability, and performance for industrial automation and electric off-road vehicle applications. Godrej's strong engineering expertise has positioned it as a preferred supplier for OEMs seeking high-quality motor components. By offering precision-engineered solutions, the company helps automotive and industrial manufacturers enhance energy efficiency, reliability, and performance in next-generation mobility and automation systems. The business also plays a crucial role in diversifying supply chains, ensuring customers have access to reliable and cost-effective solutions amid evolving market demands. As part of its ongoing innovation strategy, the Motor Solutions business of Godrej Enterprises Group is set to introduce High-Precision Sheet Metal Components for Electric Off-Road Vehicles, designed to optimize energy efficiency and performance. This new offering reinforces Godrej's commitment to sustainability, supporting European industries in reducing their carbon footprint and improving operational efficiency. With a vision to become a one-stop provider of motor solutions in Europe, Godrej Enterprises Group remains committed to engineering excellence, sustainability, and customer-centric innovation. By integrating its manufacturing expertise, strong R&D capabilities, and deep OEM partnerships, the company continues to drive technological advancements that support Europe's shift toward sustainable industrial automation and electric mobility. About Motor Solutions Business, Godrej & Boyce, a part of Godrej Enterprises Group About Godrej Enterprises Group Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2645146/Godrej_Enterprises_Group.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2645147/Godrej_Enterprises_Group_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/godrej-enterprises-group-strengthens-motor-solutions-business-in-europe-to-meet-growing-demand-for-sustainable-mobility-and-industrial-automation-302405715.html Dieppe, New Brunswick--(Newsfile Corp. - March 19, 2025) - Colibri Resource Corporation (TSXV: CBI) ("Colibri" or the "Company") is pleased to share the assay results from the next two holes drilled in its recent 10 hole diamond drilling program (1,167.5 metres) at the El Pilar Gold & Silver Project in Sonora Mexico. Colibri holds 49% interest of the El Pilar along side its partner Tocvan Ventures, which holds a 51% ownership in this advanced stage exploration project. Tocvan is the operator of the El Pilar. "We are very happy with the assay results from hole JES-25-105. The hole is highlighted by 36.3 metres of 1.6 g/t gold (starting at surface and is contained within a longer intercept of 66 metres at 1.0 g/t gold). These are extremely favorable grades to encounter when looking for an open pitable gold deposit in Sonora and confirms the site as a source of moderate grade material for the planned 50,000 tonne test mine/bulk sample . We look forward to releasing the results from the remaining 6 holes of this program in due course as the data is received." commented, Colibri President & CEO Ian McGavney. Figure 1: Planview of Main Zone Area - today's results highlighted in red. Intervals reported are drilled lengths, the Company will update on estimated true thickness once all new drill data has been processed. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4269/245228_1a58228ef46a4bc1_001full.jpg Figure 2. 3D North to South Long-Section of the drilled Main Zone area. Drill results announced today are in red. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4269/245228_1a58228ef46a4bc1_002full.jpg Tocvan - News Release - March 19 th , 2025 Highlights: Main Zone Infill Provides Upgrade to Historic Drilling 1.6 g/t Au over 36.3 meters from surface within 66 meters of 1.0 g/t Au (Hole JES-25-105) including 15.2 g/t Au over 1.2 meters, from 35.1 meters depth and 5.8 g/t Au over 3.0 meters, from 9.0 meters depth Mineralization from surface to 97.4 meters averaging 0.7 g/t Au Results Pending for Six Additional Holes Calgary, Alberta - March 19, 2025 - Tocvan Ventures Corp. (CSE: TOC) (OTCQB: TCVNF) (WKN: TV3/A2PE64) (the "Company"), is pleased to announce results the latest core drilling at the Gran Pilar Gold Silver Project in mine-friendly Sonora, Mexico. Ten core drillholes totalling 1,167.5 meters were completed earlier this year within the majority owned (51%) Main Zone held in partnership with Colibri Resource Corp. Today's results are highlighted by 1.6 g/t Au over 36.3 meters from surface, including 15.2 g/t Au over 1.2 and 5.8 g/t Au over 3.0 meters, starting from 9.0 meters vertical depth (JES-25-105). Mineralization correlates with at surface mineralization and lies within a broader anomalous zone drilled that averages 0.7 g/t Au over 97.4 meters. The result from JES-25-105, is a notable improvement from local historic drilling that returned 76.6 meters of 0.5 g/t Au (hole J-7) and 83.8m of 0.5 g/t Au (hole JESP-10), both drilled vertical from surface. To the southeast 100 meters, core hole JES-25-106 returned anomalous mineralization from surface to 122.2 meters depth with the most significant interval returning 3.45 meters of 0.4 g/t Au. Mineralization is known to weaken through this zone. More testing is required to determine the orientation of higher-grade zones known to occur in the area. Results for four core drillholes have now been released, results are pending for the remaining six holes. "Infill drilling through the Main Zone is identifying precisely where we can source moderate to high-grade ore during pilot and full-scale mining." commented, CEO Brodie Sutherland. "Positioned directly below surface trenching, we have a high degree of confidence in the extension of significant mineralization at Pilar. We are excited to evaluate the results for the remaining core holes as they will provide insight towards future development along parallel trends across the property. All information will be fed into our planned maiden resource estimate that will look to outline the resource potential across the Main Zone, an important milestone leading towards unlocking the full property potential." Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) JES-25-105 0.00 97.35 97.35 0.65 3.60 including 0.00 66.00 66.00 0.95 4.93 including 0.00 36.30 36.30 1.59 8.08 including 9.00 12.00 3.00 5.75 5.60 and 35.1 36.3 1.20 15.35 4.30 JES-25-106 0.00 122.20 122.20 0.03 0.98 including 112.60 122.20 9.60 0.15 0.64 Table 1. Summary of Drill Results in today's release. Intervals reported are drilled lengths, the Company will update on estimated true thickness once all new drill data has been processed. Photo 1. Close up of high-grade gold sample (JES-25-105, 1.2 meters of 15.4 g/t Au and 4 g/t Ag, from 35.1m depth vertically from surface). To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4269/245228_1a58228ef46a4bc1_003full.jpg Sample ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) 675107 0.00 2.55 2.55 2.09 18.7 675108 2.55 5.60 3.05 1.29 11.5 675109 5.60 9.00 3.40 0.29 24.3 675110 9.00 10.30 1.30 8.00 7.0 675111 10.30 11.20 0.90 1.75 5.7 675112 11.20 12.00 0.80 6.61 3.2 675113 12.00 13.85 1.85 0.95 2.6 675114 13.85 15.75 1.90 2.34 5.7 675115 15.75 16.90 1.15 1.03 18.4 675116 16.90 18.05 1.15 0.10 14.9 675117 18.05 20.80 2.75 0.19 1.6 675118 20.80 22.85 2.05 0.10 1.2 675119 22.85 23.50 0.65 2.34 3.7 675120 23.50 26.25 2.75 0.05 0.7 675121 26.25 27.45 1.20 0.15 1.9 675123 27.45 29.00 1.55 0.22 3.8 675124 29.00 30.45 1.45 0.23 2.2 675125 30.45 32.50 2.05 0.22 6.7 675126 32.50 33.40 0.90 0.08 10.0 675127 33.40 35.10 1.70 0.26 4.0 675128 35.10 36.30 1.20 15.35 4.3 Table 2. Summary of Results from JES-25-105 from surface to 36.3m downhole. Hole ID Easting Northing Elevation (m) Depth (m) Azimuth Dip JES-25-105 617423 3144555 407.70 125.50 0 -90 JES-25-106 617469 3144471 430.85 149.60 055 -80 Table 3. Summary of drill collar locations and orientations. Coordinates are in UTM NAD 27, Zone 12N Pilar Drill Highlights: 2024 RC Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 42.7m @ 1.0 g/t Au, including 3.1m @ 10.9 g/t Au 56.4m @ 1.0 g/t Au, including 3.1m @ 14.7 g/t Au 16.8m @ 0.8 g/t Au and 19 g/t Ag 2022 Phase III Diamond Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 116.9m @ 1.2 g/t Au, including 10.2m @ 12 g/t Au and 23 g/t Ag 108.9m @ 0.8 g/t Au, including 9.4m @ 7.6 g/t Au and 5 g/t Ag 63.4m @ 0.6 g/t Au and 11 g/t Ag, including 29.9m @ 0.9 g/t Au and 18 g/t Ag 2021 Phase II RC Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 39.7m @ 1.0 g/t Au, including 1.5m @ 14.6 g/t Au 47.7m @ 0.7 g/t Au including 3m @ 5.6 g/t Au and 22 g/t Ag 29m @ 0.7 g/t Au 35.1m @ 0.7 g/t Au 2020 Phase I RC Drilling Highlights include ( all lengths are drilled thicknesses ): 94.6m @ 1.6 g/t Au, including 9.2m @ 10.8 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag; 41.2m @ 1.1 g/t Au, including 3.1m @ 6.0 g/t Au and 12 g/t Ag ; 24.4m @ 2.5 g/t Au and 73 g/t Ag, including 1.5m @ 33.4 g/t Au and 1,090 g/t Ag 15,000m of Historic Core & RC drilling. Highlights include: 61.0m @ 0.8 g/t Au 21.0m @ 38.3 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag 13.0m @ 9.6 g/t Au 9.0m @ 10.2 g/t Au and 46 g/t Ag Pilar Bulk Sample Summary: 62% Recovery of Gold Achieved Over 46-day Leaching Period Head Grade Calculated at 1.9 g/t Au and 7 g/t Ag; Extracted Grade Calculated at 1.2 g/t Au and 3 g/t Ag Extracted Grade Calculated at Bulk Sample Only Included Coarse Fraction of Material (+3/4" to +1/8") of Material (+3/4" to +1/8") Fine Fraction (-1/8") Indicates Rapid Recovery with Agitated Leach Agitated Bottle Roll Test Returned Rapid and High Recovery Results: 80% Recovery of Gold and 94% Recovery of Silver after Rapid 24-hour Retention Time Additional Metallurgical Studies: Gravity Recovery with Agitated Leach Results of Five Composite Samples Returned 95 to 99% Recovery of Gold 73 to 97% Recovery of Silver Includes the Recovery of 99% Au and 73% Ag from Drill Core Composite at 120-meter depth. Based on management's strong belief in the project's potential, the Company is outlining a permitting and operations strategy for a pilot facility at Pilar. The facility would underpin a robust test mine scenario with aims to process up to 50,000 tonnes of material. Timelines and budget are being prepared with the aim of moving forward with the development early in 2025. With gold prices hitting all-time highs, the Company believes the onsite test mine will provide key economic parameters and showcase the mineral potential of the area. In 2023, the Company completed an offsite bulk sample that produced important data showcasing the potential to recover both gold and silver through a variety of methods including heap leach, gravity and agitated leach (see August 22, 2023, news release for more details). Quality Assurance / Quality Control Rock and Drill samples were shipped for sample preparation to ALS Limited in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico and for analysis at the ALS laboratory in North Vancouver. The ALS Hermosillo and North Vancouver facilities are ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17025 certified. Gold was analyzed using 50-gram nominal weight fire assay with atomic absorption spectroscopy finish. Over limits for gold (>10 g/t), were analyzed using fire assay with a gravimetric finish. Silver and other elements were analyzed using a four-acid digestion with an ICP finish. Over limit analyses for silver (>100 g/t) were re-assayed using an ore-grade four-acid digestion with ICP-AES finish. Control samples comprising certified reference samples and blank samples were systematically inserted into the sample stream and analyzed as part of the Company's robust quality assurance / quality control protocol. Brodie A. Sutherland, CEO for Tocvan Ventures Corp. and a qualified person ("QP") as defined by Canadian National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this release. ABOUT COLIBRI RESOURCE CORPORATION: Colibri is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company listed on the TSX-V (CBI) and is focused on acquiring, exploring, and developing prospective gold & silver properties in Mexico. The Company holds four high potential precious metal projects: 1) 49% Ownership of the Pilar Gold & Silver Project which is believed to hold the potential to be a near term producing mine, 2) 100% of EP Gold Project in the significant Caborca Gold Belt which has delivered highly encouraging exploration results and is surround by Mexico's second largest major producer of gold on four sides, and 3) two highly prospective interests in the Sierra Madre (Diamante Gold & Silver Project and Jackie Gold & Silver Project. For more information about all Company projects please visit: www.colibriresource.com. Forward-Looking Statements 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 news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements". These statements are based on information currently available to the Company and the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. 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", or "plan". Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results relating to, among other things, results of exploration, project development, reclamation and capital costs of the Company's mineral properties, and the Company's financial condition and prospects, could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements for many reasons such as: changes in general economic conditions and conditions in the financial markets; changes in demand and prices for minerals; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological and operational difficulties encountered in connection with the activities of the Company; and other matters discussed in this news release. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements. These and other factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by the Company or on its behalf, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/245228 SOURCE: Colibri Resource Corporation - Top 99th percentile - Named 'Industry Mover' - Among 'Top 5% S&P Global CSA Score' LONDON, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Firstsource Solutions Limited (NSE: FSL) (BSE: 532809), an RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group company, today announced its inclusion in the prestigious S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook for the second consecutive year-this time with an even greater impact, earning recognition as an 'Industry Mover' and achieving a 'Top 5% S&P Global CSA Score' for FY2025. Further solidifying its ESG leadership, Firstsource achieved an S&P Global Sustainable1 ESG Score and CSA Score of 81-a significant 19-point increase from 2023-featuring in the top 99th percentile, and a top performer in the 'Professional Services' category. Companies that demonstrate an improvement of at least five percent in their S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) Score - representing the strongest performance enhancement within their industry - are considered 'Industry Movers'. In addition, the 'Top 5% S&P Global CSA Score' recognition is awarded to companies whose scores rank within 1% to 5% of the industry's top-performing organization. Dr. Sanjiv Goenka, Chairman of RPSG Group and Firstsource, shared, "Being recognized in the top 99th percentile, as an 'Industry Mover' and ranking in the 'Top 5% S&P Global CSA Score', among those featured in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook is a proud moment for Firstsource. This achievement reaffirms our commitment to embedding sustainability at the core of our business strategy - where responsible growth, innovation, and long-term value creation go hand-in-hand. As we continue to advance our ESG initiatives, from climate action to stronger governance and social impact, we remain focused on driving meaningful change for our clients, employees, communities, and the environment." At Firstsource, sustainability is embedded into their operations through FirstConscious-their holistic ESG framework that drives responsible growth and long-term impact. Over the past year, Firstsource has accelerated its ESG journey by achieving key milestones, including: Strengthened GHG Inventory & Assurance - Enhancing transparency and accountability in emissions reporting Comprehensive Climate Risk Assessment - Evaluated climate risks across geographies to build resilience Committed to SBTi and achieving NetZero emissions by 2050, with validation process currently underway. Adopted the Taskforce on Climate related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) framework to ensure transparency in climate-related risks and opportunities. Strengthened ESG Policies & Processes - Embedding sustainability deeper into governance and operations Aligning towards UN Global Compact's Ten Principles on human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption The S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook identifies industry leaders demonstrating outstanding corporate sustainability performance. Companies are rigorously evaluated through S&P Global's Sustainable1 Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA), and only the top performers within each sector earn a place in the Yearbook. Out of over 7,690 companies across 62 industries that were assessed for this year's Sustainability Yearbook, only 780 are Yearbook Members. The S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook is a trusted benchmark for corporate sustainability, assessing companies across environmental, social, and governance dimensions. For more details on the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2025, visit https://www.spglobal.com/esg/csa/yearbook/ About Firstsource Firstsource Solutions Limited, an RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group company (NSE: FSL) (BSE: 532809) (Reuters: FISO.BO) (Bloomberg: FSOL:IN), is a global leader providing transformational solutions and services spanning the customer lifecycle across Healthcare, Banking and Financial Services, Communications, Media and Technology, Retail, and other diverse industries. With an established presence in the US, the UK, India, Mexico, Australia, South Africa, and the Philippines, we make it happen for our clients, solving their biggest challenges with hyper-focused, domain-centered teams and cutting-edge tech, data, and analytics. Our real-world practitioners work collaboratively to deliver future-focused outcomes. (www.firstsource.com) Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2515360/Firstsource_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/firstsource-in-sp-global-sustainability-yearbook-2025-for-second-consecutive-year-302405725.html MONACO, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Renowned chef Alain Ducasse, widely regarded as one of the world's most influential culinary figures, has been awarded the prestigious Forbes Travel GuideAward of Excellence by Baccarat. The award recognizes Ducasse's extraordinary contributions to the culinary arts and his enduring commitment to excellence and innovation. Ducasse accepted the honor in Monaco at The Summit, Forbes Travel Guide's exclusive, by-invitation-only event that brings together the leaders of luxury travel and hospitality. Reflecting on the recognition, Ducasse shared his thoughts on the elusive nature of excellence: "Excellence is a word that has always intrigued me," said Ducasse. "Because excellence is like the horizon line: it's a direction, but you never reach it. In awarding me this prize, you are honoring our entire profession and all the teams who work with me. We transmit the desire for excellence. It's our way of creating a legacy." Ducasse's culinary empire spans more than 30 restaurants across the globe, including the legendary Louis XV at Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo, where he first made a name for himself. His influence extends beyond the dining room-through his chocolate artisan manufactures, cooking schools, publications, and sustainable practices, he continues to shape the future of global gastronomy. Ducasse's dedication to culinary excellence has also driven his commitment to sustainability. His restaurants increasingly emphasize plant-based dishes, reduced fat, sugar, and salt, and sourcing local ingredients wherever possible. The Forbes Travel Guide Award of Excellence by Baccarat honors individuals whose work elevates the standard of luxury and service. Ducasse's recognition underscores his legacy not only as a chef but also as a mentor and visionary leader in the hospitality world. Forbes Travel Guide's deep commitment to culinary excellence will continue at The Summit 2026 in Monaco with the participation of Ducasse and other celebrated chefs, including Yannick Alleno, Cedric Grolet and Marcel Ravin, who attended this year's award presentation. About The Summit The Summit is a three-day, by-invitation-only event that brings together the worlds of travel and luxury for the most glamorous and thought-provoking luxury travel conference in the world- hosted by Forbes Travel Guide, the creator of the world's only Five-Star hospitality awards. Set in stunning destinations, The Summit attracts decision-makers from the best hospitality companies, influential travel professionals and exceptional luxury brands. Learn more at summit.forbestravelguide.com. About Forbes Travel Guide Forbes Travel Guide is the only global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants, spas and ocean cruises and their restaurants. Our anonymous inspectors evaluate hundreds of exacting standards, with an emphasis on exceptional service, to help discerning travelers select the world's best experiences. The only way to get a Five-Star, Four-Star or Recommended rating is by earning it through our exacting inspection process. Visit us at ForbesTravelGuide.com. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2643129/Alain_Ducasse_and_chefs_with_Hermann_Elger.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2616872/Forbes_Travel_Guide_v1_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/chef-alain-ducasse-honored-with-the-forbes-travel-guide-award-of-excellence-by-baccarat-at-the-summit-in-monaco-302403420.html IRVINE, Calif., March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Zymo Research Corporation acknowledges the recent ruling, on March 14, 2025, by the United States District Court for the Central District of California in the ongoing litigation with QIAGEN GmbH. The Court has denied QIAGEN's Partial Motion to Dismiss and, in the alternative, to stay certain counterclaims brought by Zymo Research, including claims of patent unenforceability and antitrust violations. Zymo Research is pleased with the Court's ruling and expects that its antitrust claims will be further vindicated through discovery and trial. "We appreciate the Court's decision, which allows Zymo to defend our innovations." said Dr. Marc Van Eden, VP of Corporate Development. Zymo Research remains confident in the novelty of its cfDNA MagicBead technology and looks forward to presenting its case as proceedings continue. This ruling reinforces Zymo Research's commitment to protecting scientific innovation and ensuring fair competition in the biotechnology sector. As proceedings continue, the company remains focused on delivering cutting-edge sample preparation technologies to the biomedical community worldwide. About Zymo Research Corp. Zymo Research, a privately owned biotech company founded in 1994, is a global leader in molecular tools for life sciences. Driven by the principle "The Beauty of Science is to Make Things Simple," Zymo Research is dedicated to developing innovative solutions that address complex scientific challenges. Known also as The Epigenetics Company, Zymo Research offers a comprehensive range of technologies, including solutions for sample collection, DNA/RNA purification, library preparation, microbiomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics, genomics, and Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) services. In addition to its cutting-edge technologies, Zymo Research is committed to sustainability. By engineering environmentally friendly solutions, the company strives to reduce waste and contribute to a more sustainable future through scientific innovation. For more information, please visit www.zymoresearch.com and follow on Facebook, LinkedIn, X (Twitter), and Instagram. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/364743/Zymo_Research_Corp_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/zymo-research-responds-to-recent-court-ruling-in-litigation-with-qiagen-gmbh-302405178.html Faraday Copper Corp. ("Faraday" or the "Company") (TSX:FDY)(OTCQX:CPPKF) is pleased to announce the results of seven drill holes from its ongoing Phase III drill program at the Copper Creek Project, located in Arizona ("Copper Creek"). Three holes were drilled in the American Eagle area, three in the Rum area and one in the Horsecamp area. Paul Harbidge, President and CEO, commented "These results continue to expand the near surface mineralization in the American Eagle area, further validating the potential to define a significant open pit mineral resource in this area and unlock further economic value for the project. Drilling at the Rum and Horsecamp areas confirmed our thesis that these mineral systems are exposed at a shallow level and we see exploration potential at depth. We expect to deliver the updated mineral resource estimate and technical study in the second half of 2025, which will include nearly 40,000 metres of additional drilling from the Phase II and III programs." Highlights At the Southern margin of the Banjo breccia, drill hole FCD-24-094 intersected multiple mineralized intervals, providing further confidence in the potential to define a significant open pit mineral resource in the American Eagle area. Drill results include: 18.49 metres ("m") at 0.98% copper and 1.64 grams per tonne ("g/t") silver from 198.00 m, within 80.90 m at 0.44% copper and 0.99 g/t silver from 135.61 m. 30.00 m at 0.25% copper and 0.93 g/t silver from 9.00 m in porphyry vein-hosted mineralization. 56.57 m at 0.59% copper and 1.58 g/t silver from 427.29 m within 139.49 m at 0.32% copper and 1.01 g/t silver from 365.27 m. This intercept corresponds to the Boomerang breccia and surrounding porphyry vein-hosted mineralization. At Rum, drill hole FCD-24-095 intersected 19.74 m at 0.83% oxide copper from surface in porphyry and breccia. (For true width information see Table 1) The American Eagle area, as mapped on surface, covers approximately 800 m by 1,000 m and is host to numerous prospective breccias and porphyries which have strong copper geochemical signatures (Figures 1 to 3). These surface expressions locate above the large underground porphyry mineral resource1, which is approximately 500 m to 1,100 m depth below surface. Historically, the near-surface mineralization was not adequately tested as previous drilling was vertical to steeply inclined. Mapped geology, isolated historical drill intercepts and historical small-scale mining highlight the potential for near-surface mineralization. The Company has reported assay results for twenty-three drill holes2 from this area as part of the current program. These results provide a broad framework of the geology, structure, and alteration and confirm the potential for significant near-surface copper mineralization. Drilling continues in the area. Drill hole FCD-24-094 was collared 100 m northeast of the American Eagle breccia and drilled to the southeast targeting the Boomerang breccia at the southern margin of Banjo. The hole intersected hydrothermal breccia from 155 m to 213 m and from 445 m to 485 m whereas the remainder of the drill hole was granodiorite. Alteration associated with breccia intervals is sericitic whereas kaolinite and sericite are associated with porphyry-style veins outside the breccias. Mineralization occurs as chalcopyrite in breccia cement, disseminated as well as in porphyry-style veins. Drill hole FCD-24-093 was collared 60 m west of Banjo and drilled to the northeast. It targeted a breccia, which crops out approximately 70 m north of the Banjo breccia. Granodiorite is the dominant lithology to 110 m, followed by igneous cemented breccia with variable hydrothermal overprint to 135 m. A porphyry dyke was intersected from 135 m to 137 m after which the hole entered granodiorite to the end of hole. The alteration associated with the breccia interval is sericite-kaolinite. Chalcopyrite is the dominant copper mineral and occurs together with pyrite in breccia cement and porphyry-style veins. Drill hole FCD-24-097A was collared 160 m southeast of the American Eagle breccia and drilled to the south, targeting the Prada breccia. The hole starts in igneous cemented breccia for the top 21 m followed by hydrothermal breccia. From 34 m to 113 m the dominant lithology is granodiorite, followed by porphyry to 129 m. From there to the end of the hole hydrothermal breccia is the dominant lithology. Alteration associated with breccia is quartz-sericite with variable amounts of kaolinite and tourmaline. Chalcopyrite occurs together with variable amounts of pyrite forming breccia cement. The Rum area is located approximately 700 m northwest of the resource area (Figure 1). It features several breccias and porphyries intruding Glory Hole volcanics over an area of approximately 250 m by 400 m. Copper oxide and secondary sulphide mineralization is observed near surface in breccias and surrounding wall rock. Drill hole FCD-24-095 was collared in porphyry, approximately 10 m from the Rum breccia contact and drilled to the east. It intersected 14 m of porphyry, followed by hydrothermal breccia to 53 m. The hole enters porphyry thereafter to 114 m, followed by Glory hole volcanics to the end of the hole. The uppermost 53 m of the hole are affected by sericite-kaolinite alteration and oxidation related to weathering, penetrates to approximately 70 m depth. Copper mineralization occurs in the form of malachite, chrysocolla and local chalcocite. Silver values greater than 1 g/t in hydrothermal breccia are observed from 27 m to 53 m. Drill hole FCD-24-086 was collared northwest of the Rum breccia and drilled to the southeast. It intersected Glory Hole volcanics for the first 150 m followed by hydrothermal breccia to 220 m. The hole then intersected porphyry to 284 m and Glory Hole volcanics until 370 m. Hydrothermal breccia dominates thereafter to the end of the hole. The upper hydrothermal breccia domain is characterized by sericite and lesser-chlorite alteration and abundant pyrite cement whereas the lower domain is kaolinite-sericite altered with pyrite cement. Drill hole FCD-24-092 was collared west of the Rum South breccia and drilled to the east. It intersected Glory Hole volcanics to 93 m followed by porphyry to 104 m. From 104 m to 214 m breccia dominated with some intervals of porphyry. The hole then enters Glory Hole volcanics to 289 m and granodiorite to the end of the hole. Breccia is associated with sericite and kaolinite alteration and contains pyrite and chlorite in the cement. Elevated silver, together with other pathfinder elements, is observed from 120 m to 214 m, which is suggestive of copper mineralization at depth. The Horsecamp area is located approximately 2.5 km southwest of the Rum area. Several hydrothermal breccias crop out in the area (Figure 1). These are part of the Western Breccia trend to the west of the resource area. Geology and alteration characteristics of the area suggest that the shallow parts of hydrothermal systems are preserved in the area which suggests exploration potential exists at depth. Drill hole FCD-24-090 is the first reconnaissance drill hole targeting a breccia zone in the Horsecamp area, approximately 2.5 km southwest of the Rum area. The hole intersected mostly Glory Hole volcanics with narrow porphyry dykes and igneous cemented breccias present between approximately 200 m and 312 m. Intercepts of hydrothermal breccia are present at 360 m to 363 m, 389 m to 392 m, 402 m to 413 m and 436 m to 441 m. Alteration is moderate to locally intense sericite with biotite-potassium feldspar and actinolite present in the lower half of the drill hole. Pyrite occurs throughout the hole but increases with depth. Trace amounts of chalcopyrite have been recorded between 250 m and 310 m. The results from this hole will inform future drill planning in this area. Next Steps Phase III drilling commenced in October 2023 and has been focused on near-surface mineralization in new targets, primarily within the American Eagle area. The Company will have completed nearly 40,000 metres of incremental drilling beyond the current Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE")1, which represents a significant opportunity to enhance the project value. Remaining assay results are expected from the American Eagle area and district exploration targets and will be released as they are received, analyzed and confirmed by the Company. The Company anticipates the release of an updated technical study in the second half of 2025. Figure 1: Plan View Showing Surface Geology and Location of Drill Holes Note: The open pit shell is based on constraints used in the MRE as presented in the Copper Creek Technical Report1. Figure 2: Plan View Showing Surface Geology and Location of Drill Holes in the American Eagle Area Note: The open pit shell is based on constraints used in the MRE as presented in the Copper Creek Technical Report1. Figure 3: Isometric View Showing Phase III Drill Holes in the American Eagle Area Note: The open pit shell and underground footprint are based on constraints used in the MRE as presented in the Copper Creek Technical Report1. For drill holes not reported herein, refer to news releases on the Company's website at www.faradaycopper.com and on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Table 1: Selected Drill Results Drill Hole ID From To Length True Width Cu Au Ag Mo (m) (m) (m) (m) (%) (g/t) (g/t) (%) FCD-24-093 115.23 178.08 62.85 62 0.18 N/A 0.45 0.0006 Including 115.23 131.20 15.97 10 0.33 N/A 0.69 0.0005 FCD-24-094 9.00 39.00 30.00 30 0.25 N/A 0.93 0.0008 and 135.61 216.51 80.90 30 0.44 N/A 0.99 0.0009 Including 198.00 214.49 18.49 7 0.98 N/A 1.64 0.0005 and 365.27 504.96 139.49 139 0.32 N/A 1.01 0.0007 Including 427.29 483.86 56.57 56 0.59 N/A 1.58 0.0010 FCD-24-095 0.00 19.74 19.74 19 0.83 N/A 0.40 0.0002 FCD-24-097A 40.45 57.12 16.67 9 0.16 N/A 0.92 0.0010 and 143.30 223.81 80.51 40 0.26 N/A 0.97 0.0007 including 177.22 207.31 30.09 15 0.38 N/A 1.51 0.0009 and 389.29 407.55 18.26 9 0.45 0.01 1.29 0.0021 FCD-24-086 No significant results FCD-24-090 No significant results FCD-24-092 No significant results Note: All intercepts are reported as downhole drill widths. Mineralization includes bulk porphyry style and breccia mineralization. True widths are approximate due to the irregular shape of mineralized domains. N/A: Not analyzed. Table 2: Collar Locations from the Drill Holes Reported Herein Drill Hole ID Easting Northing Elevation Azimuth Dip Target Depth Depth (m) () () (ft) (m) FCD-24-093 549112 3623535 1337 072 50 Banjo North 721.9 236.83 FCD-24-094 549100 3623423 1307 120 70 Banjo South and Boomerang 1539.1 504.96 FCD-24-095 547278 3625760 1399 100 45 Rum 441.3 144.78 FCD-24-097A 549128 3623275 1295 185 60 Prada 1336.9 438.61 FCD-24-086 547084 3625868 1386 105 45 Rum 1372.2 450.19 FCD-24-090 546084 3625173 1294 190 45 Horsecamp 1530.1 502.01 FCD-24-092 547140 3625675 1414 90 45 Rum South 905.1 296.96 Note: Coordinates are given as World Geodetic System 84, Universal Transverse Mercator Zone 12 north (WGS84, UTM12N). Sampling Methodology, Chain of Custody, Quality Control and Quality Assurance All sampling was conducted under the supervision of the Company's geologists and the chain of custody from Copper Creek to the independent sample preparation facility, ALS Laboratories in Tucson, AZ, was continuously monitored. The samples were taken as core, over 2 m core length. Samples were crushed, pulverized and sample pulps were analyzed using industry standard analytical methods including a 4-Acid ICP-MS multielement package and an ICP-AES method for high-grade copper samples. Gold was analyzed on a 30 g aliquot by fire assay with an ICP-AES finish. A certified reference sample was inserted every 20th sample. Coarse and fine blanks were inserted every 20th sample. Approximately 5% of the core samples were cut into core and submitted as field duplicates. On top of internal QA-QC protocol, additional blanks, reference materials and duplicates were inserted by the analytical laboratory according to their procedure. Data verification of the analytical results included a statistical analysis of the standards and blanks that must pass certain parameters for acceptance to ensure accurate and verifiable results. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Faraday's VP Exploration, Dr. Thomas Bissig, P. Geo., who is a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). Notes 1 The Mineral Resource Estimate is presented in the report titled "Copper Creek Project NI 43-101 Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment" with an effective date of May 3, 2023 (the "Technical Report"), available on the Company's website at www.faradaycopper.com and on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. 2For drill holes not reported herein, refer to news releases on the Company's website at www.faradaycopper.comand on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. About Faraday Copper Faraday Copper is an exploration company focused on advancing its flagship copper project in Arizona, U.S. The Copper Creek Project is one of the largest undeveloped copper projects in North America with significant district scale exploration potential. The Company is well-funded to deliver on its key milestones and benefits from a management team and board of directors with senior mining company experience and expertise. Faraday trades on the TSX under the symbol "FDY". For additional information please contact: Stacey Pavlova, CFA Vice President, Investor Relations & Communications Faraday Copper Corp. E-mail: info@faradaycopper.com Website: www.faradaycopper.com To receive news releases by e-mail, please register using the Faraday website at www.faradaycopper.com. Cautionary Note on Forward Looking Statements Some of the statements in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking statements" and are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Faraday to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information specifically include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the exploration potential of the Copper Creek property. Although Faraday believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements should not be in any way construed as guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include without limitation: market prices for metals; the conclusions of detailed feasibility and technical analyses; lower than expected grades and quantities of mineral resources; receipt of regulatory approval; receipt of shareholder approval; mining rates and recovery rates; significant capital requirements; price volatility in the spot and forward markets for commodities; fluctuations in rates of exchange; taxation; controls, regulations and political or economic developments in the countries in which Faraday does or may carry on business; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, competition; loss of key employees; rising costs of labour, supplies, fuel and equipment; actual results of current exploration or reclamation activities; accidents; labour disputes; defective title to mineral claims or property or contests over claims to mineral properties; unexpected delays and costs inherent to consulting and accommodating rights of Indigenous peoples and other groups; risks, uncertainties and unanticipated delays associated with obtaining and maintaining necessary licenses, permits and authorizations and complying with permitting requirements, including those associated with the Copper Creek property; and uncertainties with respect to any future acquisitions by Faraday. In addition, there are risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining, including environmental events and hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins, flooding and the risk of inadequate insurance or inability to obtain insurance to cover these risks as well as "Risk Factors" included in Faraday's disclosure documents filed on and available at www.sedarplus.ca. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. This press release is not, and under no circumstances is to be construed as, a prospectus, an offering memorandum, an advertisement or a public offering of securities in Faraday in Canada, the United States or any other jurisdiction. No securities commission or similar authority in Canada or in the United States has reviewed or in any way passed upon this press release, and any representation to the contrary is an offence. SOURCE: Faraday Copper Corp. STOCKHOLM, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Noxit has been accepted into the Stockholm School of Economics' incubator, SSE Business Lab- one of Europe's most prominent startup environments. The Financial Times ranks the program as number 8 out of 150 European incubators, making it the highest-ranked in the Nordics. Over the years, SSE Business Lab has played a crucial role in the success of companies such as Klarna, Budbee, Voi, and Quinyx. Now, Noxit has the opportunity to take the next step in its growth journey by becoming part of this dynamic ecosystem. "The level of applications was particularly high in this round, and Noxit impressed us with its tremendous potential and ability to attract early customers. We are excited to welcome them to the incubator," says Isabel Keulen, CEO of SSE Business Lab. As a member of the incubator, Noxit will gain access to extensive support, including mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and investors, strategic advice, and a broad network within the business community. The program also offers funding opportunities, providing the company with the necessary resources to scale its operations. Currently, Noxit is establishing dialogues with relevant investors and strategic partners to accelerate its international expansion. The goal for 2025 is to further develop the platform, strengthen the team, and establish a stronger market position. About Noxit: Noxit was founded in 2023 with the vision of transforming how organizations set and roll out goals to teams and employees through its performance platform. Noxit is a leading SaaS solution for strategy execution, Objectives and Key Results (OKR), and Must Win Battles, designed to optimize strategy execution and ensure that strategies translate into action. With customers worldwide, Noxit helps companies' structure, follow up, and accelerate their growth. For more information, please contact: Jullia Pizarro E-mail: jullia.pizarro@noxit.io This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/noxit-accepted-into-stockholm-school-of-economics-incubator-sse-business-lab-302405745.html Drilling programs at Huinac Punta (1,500m) and Pucamayo (2,000m) planned for Spring 2025 to advance our two priority exploration projects Condor Resources Inc. ("Condor" or the "Company") (TSXV:CN) is pleased to provide an update on its exploration activities in Peru and ongoing discussions on other projects. With continued delays with the Pucamayo South East DIA application, the Company is shifting its focus to drill programs at Huinac Punta and Pucamayo East, which are both fully permitted and available for drill programs to commence in the coming months once weather conditions improve. A program at Pucamayo South East is delayed as the Company continues to work with the Peruvian Ministry of Energy and Mines ("MEM") to advance the Declaracion de Impacto Ambiental ("DIA") application which continues to face bureaucratic hurdles. Chris Buncic, President and CEO, commented, "We had a very fruitful conference at the PDAC in early March at which our peers and investors were impressed with our corporate prospects at each of Pucamayo, Huinac Punta, Cobreorco and Rio Bravo among others. Additional delays with the Pucamayo South East DIA application are leading us to refocus our efforts as the drilling season approaches. We will continue to advance our DIA application with a number of next steps to pursue while at the same time driving forward on our many other opportunities". Huinac Punta Following the receipt of the Initiation of Activities designation, in effect the final drill permit, at the Huinac Punta project last year, Condor acquired additional exploration concessions at the high-grade silver prospect, expanding the property size from 2,000 to 7,200 hectares (Ha). Management believes Huinac Punta has the potential to host a large, carbonate replacement style (CRD) silver-dominant polymetallic mineralized body. Sampling of existing surface exposures recovered mineralization including high-grade Ag and elevated Cu, Zn, Pb and Co values. Of 163 two-metre rock chip samples collected by Condor, 28 samples reported silver grades greater than 100 g/t and included bonanza grades in two-metre chip samples of 4,115 and 3,225 g/t Ag. Evidence of historical workings from Spanish colonial times is present with several accessible historical adits showing evidence of the elevated silver values associated in addition to other metals. The company anticipates an initial Phase 1 drill program of 1500m in the coming months when access is more reliable due to weather constraints. Pucamayo The drill program at Pucamayo East in late 2023 was largely successful in confirming a hydromagmatic center associated with broad zones of Epithermal-type high to intermediate sulfidation alteration and Au, Ag and base metal mineralization. It demonstrated encouraging high values of Au-Ag, with Cu, Pb, and Zn hosted within ledges of hydrothermal breccias overprinting to porphyry halo alteration evident below this mineralized epithermal assemblage, collectively providing a strong motivation to continue exploration efforts on the property in search of a significant bulk tonnage discovery. Further details can be found in the Company's February 13th 2024 Press Release HERE. Six of the nine drillholes tested the extent of high to intermediate sulphidation type epithermal gold and silver bearing outcropping ledges of breccia and four of these (PUC-E-001, 007, 008 and 009) intersected near surface gold-silver-poly metallic intervals ranging from 3.8m to 52.2m, and grades from 0.1 to 1.1 g/t AuEq. Two holes (PUC-E-002 and 003) drilled to the east and collared higher in elevation encountered barren steam heated host rocks interpreted to lie above the mineralized zones intersected in PUC-E-001, 007, 008 & 009. These intersected ledges of calcedonic breccias are of critical interest since they demonstrate a multi event of fluidizations with silica and vuggy clasts. It can be theorized that due to the type of breccia and the alteration textures seen, only the top of the system has been accessed thus far, vectoring towards higher grades at depth. Three deeper holes (PUC-E-004, 005, and 006) tested an outcropping area of multi-phase stockwork and alteration associated with anomalous gold and copper with associated IP chargeability and resistivity anomalies interpreted to be an intrusive related system. The best of these, PUC-E-005 intersected a 72.5 interval from 190-262.5m grading 0.45 g/t Au, 30 g/t Ag (0.83 g/t AuEq) including a 2 m high grade interval of 11.43 g/t Au, 687 g/t Ag (18.96 g/t AuEq). PUC-E-006 intersected a 2m interval grading 7.97 g/t Au, 20.9 g/t Ag (8.26 g/t AuEq). All three of these holes encountered extensive amounts of pyrite and discontinuous zinc, copper, and lead mineralization associated with argillic/phyllic altered andesitic/dioritic host rocks. In April 2024, Condor completed a drone supported magnetic survey to encompass the interpreted hydro-magmatic centers. Following management's review of the 2023 drill program results and the completion of the additional magnetic study, a Phase 2 drill program of 2,000m is planned to target zones of expected epithermal and porphyry mineralization. In August 2024, Condor submitted its Declaracion de Impacto Ambiental ("DIA") application to the Peruvian Ministry of Energy and Mines ("MEM") for the expanded Pucamayo South East area. The Company subsequently received follow-up questions from the MEM in November and December, with responses submitted in mid-January. The Company has received DGAAM directorial resolution disapproving the DIA application. In all, 26 new observations were provided which are not substantive and can be corrected. Without having been given an opportunity to address these deficiencies, management is confident that the Company will be successful in an Appeal for Reconsideration with the DGAAM of the MINEM based on new evidence. This is a typical path in applications for DIAs within Peru, and often results in applications being approved after the technical questions are sufficiently addressed. Management believes that the Company's application will similarly be approved in time. In the meantime, the additional bureaucratic delay is motivation for a shift towards our other meaningful exploration alternatives. Rio Bravo Since the announcement of the confirmation of copper molybdenum porphyry discovery with the acquisition of additional data for the Rio Bravo project on February 3, 2025 HERE, the company had much inbound interest from major copper producers and other financial groups alike. Discussions with several large parties continue as the Company looks to position the project for advancement in the most accretive method possible. Recall that historical drilling, geochemical and geophysical data recently obtained from a major mining company that previously controlled the Rio Bravo project confirms intersections of significant porphyry copper and molybdenum mineralization associated with a largely untested target. Three historical drill holes completed in 2012 encountered 200+ m intercepts of mineralization: DDH-01 intersected 220 m grading 0.32% Cu and 275 ppm Mo (0.51% CuEq)* DDH-06 intersected 324 m grading 0.32% Cu and 199 ppm Mo (0.47% CuEq)* DDH-08 intersected 312 m grading 0.29% Cu and 329 ppm Mo (0.54% CuEq)* After a thorough review of this newly acquired data package including surface mapping rock geochemistry and ground geophysics, Condor interprets the potential for discovery of a higher-grade core of the Rio Bravo porphyry system as being centered approximately 400 m southeast and somewhat deeper from the location of the prior encouraging drilling activity. Cobreorco In the Company's February 24th, 2025 press release HERE, management provided an update on the Cobreorco joint venture with a subsidiary of Teck Resources Limited ("Teck"), which presents a significant opportunity for a discover at what management believes is a typical porphyry/skarn system. Following further technical work and community engagement, Teck submitted a revised DIA application in Q4 2024 and is actively working with MEM to advance the permitting process. Recall that in December 2023, Condor entered into an option and joint venture agreement with Teck, on the Company's Cobreorco copper-gold project in the Apurimac Department, Peru. Under the agreement, Teck has the option to earn a 55% interest in Cobreorco over three years by incurring US$4 million in exploration expenditures and making US$500,000 in cash payments. Upon exercising this first option, a dedicated holding company will be formed, after which Teck may further increase its stake to 75% by spending an additional US$6 million in exploration and making further cash payments of US$600,000. Technical Disclosure/Qualified Person The scientific and technical information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Quinton Hennigh, (P.Geo., PhD), a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 and a Director of Condor Resources. About Condor Resources Inc. Condor Resources is a precious and base metals exploration company focused on its portfolio of projects in Peru. The Company's flagship project, Pucamayo, is an 85 km2 property containing a high sulfidation epithermal system with disseminated precious metals mineralization with a large lithocap alteration visible at surface. The Huinac Punta project, a 7,200 Ha property in Huanuco, Peru, has the potential to host a large carbonate replacement style (CRD) silver-dominant polymetallic mineralized body with the potential for discovery of a bulk tonnage silver and base metals deposit. The Company has optioned several large projects to partners who continue to advance these projects. The Company's award-winning exploration team in Peru has a long history of success in discovering and advancing high quality exploration projects and managing the social aspects of its exploration activities. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.condorresources.com. Follow Condor Resources (@CondorResources) on X and (@condor-resources) on LinkedIn. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Chris Buncic President & Chief Executive Officer For further information please contact the Company at 1-866-642-5707, or by email at info@condorresources.com Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in applicable forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in such statements. 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 news release. SOURCE: Condor Resources Inc. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 19, 2025) - Military Metals Corp. (CSE: MILI) (OTCQB: MILIF) (FSE: QN90) (the "Company" or "MILI") has been focused on its 100% owned flagship Trojarova antimony-gold project, to date, but is pleased to provide shareholders with a review of and update on its Medvedi-Potok tin property, which similar to Trojarova, is host to a Soviet era historical tin resource. Like antimony, tin is an important critical metal with numerous and widespread uses in metal coatings ("tin cans"), solder, electronics, glass and automobile manufacturing, optical touch screens and more. Most production is very tightly controlled by a few East Asian countries, principally China, Myanmar and Indonesia. Military's CEO, Scott Eldridge, comments: "We are pleased to provide shareholders with an overview of this asset, and one that we believe has great potential to generate significant value. Tin prices are once again on the rise as its strategic importance as a unique critical metal becomes more apparent. Medvedi-Potok is one of the three Slovakian properties acquired by the Company last year, including our flagship antimony asset, Trojarova. Tin, a key metal with numerous industrial and high-tech applications is one where global production is controlled by just a few countries, similar to antimony. We look forward to completing a detailed review of the abundant historical data on this property and then formulating a plan to advance it in a manner that will bring maximum value to our shareholders." MILI's Medvedi-Potok tin project comprises an Exploration license of 437 hectares (4.37 square kilometers) in size, located in eastern Slovakia just west of the village of Hnilec and 20 kilometers north of Roznava, a historic mining town and former center of this region's historical mining industry. MILI's second antimony-gold property, Tiennesgrund, where tungsten values have been historically reported as well, is located 20 kilometers southeast of Medvedi-Potok, and 20 kilometers northeast of Roznava. The company from which MILI acquired this property carried out very limited work but its initial due diligence work has provided MILI with basic information about the property, summarized below. Discovered in 1971 by the former Czechoslovak Geological Survey pursuant to a soil geochemical survey, extensive exploration and development was completed over the following ten years, including: 36 trenches; 47 diamond drill holes from surface; 5.3 kilometers of underground development on two levels each with its own portal; 82 diamond drill holes from the underground workings; numerous studies including resource estimates, engineering studies, petrographic reports and metallurgical studies. Digital copies of all six volumes of these studies and reports comprising several thousand pages are in the Company's possession and will soon be digested by MILI's Slovak technical team in sufficient detail to ensure that all relevant information is captured and translated into English, with all spatial data properly georeferenced and placed into an integrated GIS (Geographical Information System) database so that these data may be used to better understand and advance the property. Figure 1: Map showing the location of MILI's properties in Slovakia: To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10818/245223_5309cf6fd4b41902_001full.jpg Mineralization at Medvedi-Potok is characteristic of a typical intrusive-hosted greisened tin deposit featuring a combination of higher tin grades in a series of narrow tin-bearing quartz veins within a larger halo of lower grade, disseminated and stockwork style tin mineralization in hydrothermally altered, or "greisened" granite. Historically estimated mineralization here was classified as "C2" within the Soviet era Russian classification system in use at that time: 858,394 metric tons ("tonnes") at an average grade of 0.198% tin. The cut-off grade remains unknown. The "C2" category is most similar to "Inferred Resources" under the Western classification system, as defined by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM). A Qualified Person has not done sufficient work to classify this as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. The Company is not treating this historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. However, being familiar with the level of detail and precision with which Slovak government geologists completed their work at Trojarova and its similarity to that which has been seen of similar work at Medvedi-Potok, Company management is satisfied that reasonable assumptions and appropriate, standard industry parameters were applied in historical resource estimation and related work at the Medvedi-Potok tin deposit. Once all the historical data have been reviewed in detail, as summarized above, Company management will formulate a plan to advance this property in a manner so as to maximize its value to MILI shareholders. Figure 2: Schematic illustration of a typical tin and related metals system (Ag-silver, Pb-lead, Zn-zinc, W-tungsten, Bi-bismuth, Be-beryllium, Sn-tin, Mo-molybdenum) Source: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Vein-and-greisen-Sn-and-W-deposits-James-Robert/5aa78c9638c634d878a04679e9478b711b9f116e To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10818/245223_5309cf6fd4b41902_002full.jpg The technical contents of this release were reviewed and approved by Avrom E. Howard, MSc, PGeo, VP-Exploration for Military Metals and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. About Military Metals Corp. The Company is a British Columbia-based mineral exploration company that is primarily engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties with a focus on antimony. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD of DIRECTORS This news release contains "forward-looking information". Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words 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. Forward-looking information in this news release includes statements related to the completion of the Company's review of the technical disclosure related to the asset, as well as future plans for maximizing value, and assumptions related to the continuation of the global demand for tin and continuation of the value of tin. A variety of factors, including known and unknown risks, many of which are beyond our control, could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information in this news release. These include , geopolitical developments related to the supply and value of tin, the continued use of tin and availability of alternatives, availability of capital and labour in respect of theproperty that is the subjecs of this news release, the results of any future exploration activities, which cannot be guaranteed, and such other factorsany future activities in respect of the property held by the Target. Additional risk factors can also be found in the Company's public filings under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. 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 or otherwise. 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. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward looking statements if circumstances, management's estimates or opinions should change, except as required by securities legislation. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the information contained herein and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/245223 SOURCE: Military Metals Corp. Delineation Drilling to Commence at Prodigy High-Grade Gold-Silver Discovery Quartz Mountain Resources Ltd. (TSXV:QZM)(OTC PINK:QZMRF) ("Quartz" or the "Company") announces that it has raised proceeds of $4.2 million through the issuance of 10,000,000 units (each a "Unit"), with each Unit comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Share") and one-half of one warrant (each full warrant a "Warrant") at $0.42 per Unit. Each Warrant can be exercised to acquire one additional common share in the capital of the Company at $0.60 per share for a period of one year, and is subject to an accelerated exercise provision whereby if the Company's common shares trade at $1.00 or higher for 10 consecutive trading days on the TSX Venture Exchange then the holder will have 30 days to exercise the Warrant. The financing is subject to customary TSX Venture Exchange approval. The securities were sold exempt from prospectus and registration requirements on a private placement basis. All of these securities are subject to applicable securities law resale restrictions, including a four-month hold period in Canada. No commissions or finder's fee were paid by Quartz in connection with this financing. Of the Units sold, 1,700,000 were flow-through Units ("FT Units"), with each FT Unit comprised of one flow through share (a "FT Share") and one-half of one flow through warrant (each full flow through warrant a "FT Warrant"), were issued to the Chairman of the Company, Robert Dickinson, and his associates. The balance, 8,300,000 Units, were issued to investors including 2,400,000 Units issued to The Sutton Group Inc., an insider of the Company. The Company intends to use the proceeds of the FT Shares exclusively for drilling of the Maestro gold-silver-copper project in British Columbia, while the proceeds of the non-FT Shares will be used for exploration and general working capital purposes. "Quartz is fully funded and is now moving forward on delineation drilling of the Prodigy discovery on our Maestro project," said Chairman Bob Dickinson. "The results from our initial two drill holes at Prodigy, announced in 2024, surpassed our expectations. Those results included 102 meters grading 2.22 g/t Au with 104 g/t Ag and 36 meters of 5.73 g/t Au with 87 g/t Ag. Early observations suggest there are multiple overlapping gold, silver, molybdenum and copper mineralizing events that resulted in multiple deposit targets across the Maestro Property. Our delineation drill program at Maestro represents potential for outsized gains, and supports Quartz's strategy of developing high demand, high value discoveries that are attractive to potential transaction partners," concluded Dickinson. Each of the placements to Mr. Dickinson and to The Sutton Group Inc. is a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101, Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The issuance to these related parties is exempt from the valuation requirement of MI 61-101 by virtue of the exemption contained in Section 5.5(b), as the Company's shares are not listed on a specified market and from the minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101, in that the fair market value of the consideration of the securities issued to each related party does not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization. About Quartz Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, Quartz Mountain Resources (TSXV:QZM)(OTC PINK:QZMRF) is a well- structured public company whose successful mine-finding management is focused on discovering and transacting important-scale gold, silver and copper deposits in British Columbia. The company owns 100 per cent of the Maestro high grade gold-silver project and 100 per cent of the Jake porphyry copper-gold-silver project. Both projects are permitted by the British Columbia government for drilling activities with access to infrastructure and high potential for the development of substantial resources for significant future transactions. Quartz is associated with Hunter Dickinson Inc. (HDI), a company with over 35 years of successfully discovering, developing and transacting mineral projects in Canada and internationally. Former HDI projects in British Columbia included Mount Milligan, Kemess South and Gibraltar -- all of which are porphyry deposits with current-producing or former-producing mines. Recently, Amarc Resources, an HDI associate, with funding from Freeport announced the exciting discovery of the exceptionally high grade, AuRORA gold-copper-porphyry deposit also in British Columbia. Other well-known projects with HDI involvement include Sisson and Prosperity in Canada, Pebble and Florence in the United States, and Xietongmen in China. Quartz is committed to the advancement of important-scale, critical and essential mining assets while following responsible mineral development principles, including a mandate to employ best-practice approaches in the engagement and involvement of local communities and meeting rigorous environmental standards. About Maestro Quartz'sfirst ever drill test, on its Maestro Property, a maiden two-hole drill program at the Prodigy Zone, discovered exciting high-grade Au-Ag lodes, hosted within an extensive epithermal Au-Ag system. The lodes and the more disseminated precious metals, intersected by the drill holes are both hosted within a large and earlier deposited, Mo-Cu porphyry system. Quartz's second core hole, PR-23-02 intersected 102 m grading 2.22 g/t Au and 104 g/t Ag, including 12 m grading 1.23 g/t Au and 586 g/t Ag and also 36 m of 5.73 g/t Au and 87 g/t Ag. These results indicate high potential for both bulk tonnage and underground high-grade gold and silver mineralization. The next milestone towards a transaction will be delineation drilling of the new Prodigy discovery at Maestro, which is commencing. About Jake Mineralization at Jakeis situated within a prominent rusty coloured gossan measuring 3.5 km long by 1.5 km wide. The combination of extensive historical and recent exploration work has outlined a very expansive altered area at Jake hosting epithermal and porphyry-style sulphide disseminations and veinlets containing Cu-Au-Ag-Zn-Mo and Re. To delineate deposit targets within this large Jakemineral system for the maiden drilling program which was conducted in summer 2024, a series of modern surface exploration programs were completed in the period 2018-2023. These surveys were designed to build on very compelling historical data on the Property developed by legendary porphyry copper explorers, including Kennco, Canadian Superior, Cities Service, Placer Development and Teck Corp. Taken together this comprehensive technical database defined a significant-scale porphyry copper-gold deposit target which Quartz tested with 3,418 metres in seven 7 holes during 2024. This maiden drill program successfully discovered a new porphyry copper-gold-silver system, wide open to expansion. Upon discovery, Quartz acquired a 100% interest in mineral tenures over an entire new BC porphyry copper-gold district surrounding the Jake Property. The next milestone towards a transaction will be delineation drilling of the new Jake discovery, currently being planned to commence after Maestro delineation drilling. Qualified Person Farshad Shirmohammad, M.Sc., P.Geo., a "Qualified Person" within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Minerals Projects, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. On behalf of the Board of Directors Robert Dickinson Chairman For further information, please contact: Bob Dickinson Email: robertdickinson@hdimining.com Ph: +1 604-684-6365 or: Jeff Wilson Email: jwilson@acuityadvisorycorp.com Ph:+1 604-837-5440 or: Roger Blair Email: rblair@acuityadvisorycorp.com Ph:+1 604-351-0025 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. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information. This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking-statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking-statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Assumptions used by the Company to develop forward-looking statements include the following: the Company's projects will obtain all required environmental and other permits, and all land use and other licenses, studies and exploration of the Company's projects will continue to be positive, and no geological or technical problems will occur. Though the Company believes the expectations expressed in its forward-looking-statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are subject to future events and third party discretion such as regulatory personnel. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include variations in market prices, continuity of mineralization and exploration success, and potential environmental issues or liabilities associated with exploration, development and mining activities, uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary permits, licenses and tenure and delays due to third party opposition, changes in and the effect of government policies regarding mining and natural resource exploration and exploitation, and exploration and development of properties located within Aboriginal groups asserted territories that may affect or be perceived to affect asserted aboriginal rights and title, and which may cause permitting delays or opposition by Aboriginal groups, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on the Company, and the risks and uncertainties connected with its business, investors should review the Company's home jurisdiction filings as www.sedarplus.ca and its 20F filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission SOURCE: Quartz Mountain Resources Ltd. Siemens strengthens its leadership position in the healthcare sector with its competency in digitalizing facilities and operations, thus enabling the progression of smart hospitals. SAN ANTONIO, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost & Sullivan recently researched the smart building solutions for the healthcare industry and, based on its findings, recognizes Siemens with the 2024 Global Company of the Year Award. Siemens is well-equipped with the domain know-how and technologies needed to support the evolution of smart hospitals that focus on staff productivity, digitized operations, and sustainability, addressing overcrowding and high operations costs in hospitals. Siemens Smart Infrastructure (SI) is shaping the intelligent, adaptive infrastructure market for the future by addressing the pressing challenges of urbanization and climate change through the connection of energy systems, buildings, and industries. SI provides customers with a comprehensive end-to-end portfolio from a single source. An increasingly digitalized ecosystem helps customers thrive and communities progress while contributing to protecting the planet. Siemens holistically understands hospital operations, which are often riddled with complexities and challenges, and offers smart building solutions by integrating three important infrastructures: medical technology (MT), operational technology (OT), and information technology (IT). The company addresses pertinent challenges with its smart hospital solutions - including Building X. The digital building platform supports customers to digitalize, manage, and optimize their building operations, paving the way for sustainable, autonomous, and profitable facilities. It is part of Siemens Xcelerator, an open digital business platform that enables customers to accelerate their digital transformation easier, faster and at scale. The company's smart building solutions exhibit the highest level of digital transformation with the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), which allow for an advanced automation of hospitals, digital twins for operations, and predictive and prescriptive building maintenance. In addition to these, further Siemens' MT, OT and IT solutions enable hospitals to achieve their sustainability goals, increase medical staff productivity, enhance patient comfort and visitor experience, and maintain compliance with regard to indoor ambient conditions, health, and safety. Melvin Leong, Senior Director, Head of Homes and Buildings, Frost & Sullivan, observed: "Siemens leads in addressing challenges in the digitalization of hospitals with its advanced digital platforms and maintains its domination in the healthcare sector through the seamless integration of hospitals' MT, OT, and IT infrastructures and servicing their operational goals. Reinforcing its strong innovation and performance, Siemens grew its revenue by 3% despite continuous economic challenges in fiscal 2024." Siemens demonstrates resilience as a leading technology company, and this is reflected in its business performance. Its commitment to innovation has reinforced its leadership in smart building solutions including hospital infrastructure digitalization. The company's competitive advantage is in synergistic collaboration among its technical experts and cross functional teams, as together they deliver a top-notch customer purchase experience with its one-stop solutions, proprietary digital platform and software. With its unique proposition, Siemens can be considered ahead of its peers. Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents a Company of the Year award to the organization that demonstrates excellence in terms of growth strategy and implementation in its field. The award recognizes a high degree of innovation with products and technologies, and the resulting leadership in terms of customer value and market penetration. Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in various regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analyses, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry. About Frost & Sullivan For six decades, Frost & Sullivan has been world-renowned for its role in helping investors, corporate leaders, and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, megatrends, new business models, and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion. Contact us: Start the discussion. Contact: Camila Tinajero P: +54911 6713 2748 E: Camila.Tinajero@frost.com About Siemens Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a leading technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, mobility, and healthcare. The company's purpose is to create technology to transform the everyday, for everyone. By combining the real and the digital worlds, Siemens empowers customers to accelerate their digital and sustainability transformations, making factories more efficient, cities more livable, and transportation more sustainable. Siemens also owns a majority stake in the publicly listed company Siemens Healthineers, a leading global medical technology provider pioneering breakthroughs in healthcare. For everyone. Everywhere. Sustainably.? In fiscal 2024, which ended on September 30, 2024, the Siemens Group generated revenue of 75.9 billion and net income of 9.0 billion. As of September 30, 2024, the company employed around 312,000 people worldwide on the basis of continuing operations. Further information is available on the Internet at www.siemens.com. Siemens Smart Infrastructure Maike Wagner Phone: +41 79 448 9214; E-mail: maike.wagner@siemens.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/siemens-applauded-by-frost--sullivan-for-supporting-the-evolution-of-smart-hospitals-and-its-market-leading-position-302402631.html Collaboration to Address Global Staffing Shortages and Set a New Standard for Automated Diagnostic Blood Collection CHICAGO and SAN FRANCISCO, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Northwestern Medicine, Chicago's premier integrated academic health system, and Vitestro, a pioneer in autonomous robotic vascular access and diagnostic blood collection, today announced a multi-year collaboration to advance automation in phlebotomy and transform the patient experience. As part of this collaboration, Northwestern Medicine will participate in a multicenter clinical trial validating the performance and safety of Vitestro's Aletta-the world's first Autonomous Robotic Phlebotomy Device (ARPD). The goal of the study is to generate key clinical evidence to support adoption of automated phlebotomy as a scalable solution for U.S. hospital and outpatient blood draw centers. "At Northwestern Medicine, we are dedicated to pioneering innovations that elevate patient care and operational excellence," said Gary A. Noskin, MD, senior vice president, Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, and president, Northwestern Medical Group. "Our collaboration with Vitestro is a step forward in transforming diagnostic testing by automating venous blood collection. Through this relationship our goal is to improve efficiency, enhance sample integrity, and redefine the patient experience through cutting-edge technology." By automating and standardizing blood collection, this collaboration aims to: Address critical phlebotomy workforce shortages by providing a scalable, automated solution. Enhance operational efficiency and patient throughput in high-volume hospital outpatient settings. Improve sample quality and integrity, reducing errors associated with manual venipuncture. Expand access to high-quality blood collection while enhancing patient comfort and overall care. "We are privileged to collaborate with Northwestern Medicine in setting a new standard for laboratory automation," said Brian Joseph, Co-founder of Vitestro. "Vitestro's mission is to empower hospitals and laboratories with transformative robotic solutions that drive efficiency, improve clinical outcomes, and elevate the patient experience. This collaboration will further validate the role of automation in modernizing blood collection." As Chicago's premier integrated academic health system, Northwestern Medicine offers patients access to world class, compassionate care at 11 hospitals and more than 200 diagnostic and ambulatory sites. "Phlebotomy remains one of the last manual processes in laboratory medicine, and automation presents a pivotal opportunity to transform it," said Gregory S. Retzinger, MD, PhD, Medical Director of Pathology Clinical Services, Northwestern Memorial Hospital. "This collaboration goes beyond evaluating autonomous robotic phlebotomy - it has the potential to solve urgent staffing challenges and redefining the future of laboratory medicine. "We are proud to partner with Northwestern Medicine's visionary leadership, who recognize the future in phlebotomy automation," said Bob Gerberich, CCO of North America at Vitestro. "Their commitment, along with the work of our other U.S. clinical trial partners, will be instrumental in establishing a new standard in total laboratory workflow automation. This collaboration marks a defining moment in making autonomous blood collection an integral part of modern healthcare." About Northwestern Medicine To learn more about Northwestern Medicine, please visit NM.org. About Vitestro Vitestro is a global leader in medical robotics, headquartered in the Netherlands, with deep expertise in engineering, robotics, and commercialization in both the U.S. and international markets. The company has developed and launched the world's first and only CE-marked Autonomous Robotic Phlebotomy Device (ARPD), setting a new benchmark for diagnostic venous blood sampling. By integrating advanced robotics, artificial intelligence, and imaging technology, Vitestro delivers precision, efficiency, and an enhanced patient experience. While Aletta has not yet received FDA approval, Vitestro is actively preparing for regulatory approval in the U.S. and global expansion. For more information, visit vitestro.com. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/northwestern-medicine-and-vitestro-collaborate-to-advance-autonomous-robotic-phlebotomy-302404767.html Partnership to evaluate Mindpeak Breast H&E AI software for primary breast cancer diagnosis in Brazil, Egypt, and Kenya The collaboration aims to assess the transformative potential of AI in digital pathology, with a specific focus on accelerating primary breast cancer diagnosis. Breast cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in women worldwide. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250319077479/en/ AstraZeneca and Mindpeak Announce Partnership to Advance AI-Powered Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Early and accurate diagnosis is essential for significantly improving clinical outcomes and patient survival rates. However, this process is often hindered by a limited pathology workforce and time-consuming case prioritization. To address these challenges and improve primary breast cancer diagnosis, Mindpeak and AstraZeneca have launched an observational study aimed at understanding the potential of Mindpeak Breast H&E solution. Mindpeak's Breast H&E solution, utilized in the study, is an AI-powered software designed to analyze H&E-stained images of breast cancer patient samples. It evaluates the presence of invasive breast cancer as well as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). A multi-site validation study of Mindpeak's Breast H&E solution involves a cohort of 900 H&E slides from suspected breast cancer cases. Key Objectives of the Study: Assessing Current Practices: Gaining insights into existing breast cancer pathology workflows in different regions and identifying areas for improvement. Evaluating AI-Powered Tools: Studying the benefits of integrating AI solutions into pathology workflows to streamline primary breast cancer diagnosis, improve efficiency, and facilitate early treatment interventions. Analyzing Diagnostic Accuracy: Validating the performance of computational pathology algorithms to support pathologists in primary cancer diagnosis. "The collaboration with Mindpeak underscores our commitment to transforming care by improving diagnosis speed and accuracy," said Susan McCutcheon, International Medical Head of Oncology of AstraZeneca. "Innovative technologies like this have the potential to address critical global health challenges by optimizing diagnostic workflows for breast cancer patients and, ultimately, improving patient care and outcomes." "We are thrilled to partner with AstraZeneca to further validate this groundbreaking technology," said Felix Faber, CEO of Mindpeak. "Integrating Mindpeak's H&E solution into pathology workflows as a screening and diagnostic-support tool could make treatment decisions faster and more precise, holding the potential to improve primary breast cancer patient outcomes worldwide." The companies hope that the study findings will help bridge diagnostic gaps and improve healthcare outcomes in areas with limited resources worldwide. About Mindpeak Founded in 2018, Mindpeak is a global innovator in AI-driven digital pathology solutions. The company develops cutting-edge algorithms that support pathologists in routine diagnostics, focusing on automating tissue analysis for faster, more accurate results. Mindpeak's platform is designed to enhance productivity and diagnostic confidence in clinical labs, helping to improve patient outcomes in cancer care. For more information, visit www.mindpeak.ai and LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250319077479/en/ Contacts: For media inquiries, please contact: Mindpeak GmbH Katja Eisele Phone: +49 40 35 67 67 97 E-Mail: katja.eisele@mindpeak.ai Sibannac, Inc. (OTC PINK:SNNC), a Nevada corporation (the "company"), is strategically expanding into the high-growth wellness tourism sector with its Starwalker Journeys-a series of luxury, transformational retreats, blending plant-medicine, consciousness exploration and curated travel experiences. Partnering with William Henry , investigative mythologist and Ancient Aliens host, Sibannac is poised to lead the next wave of high-end wellness retreats. Plant-Medicine Retreats: Legal, Transformational, and Ceremonial Sibannac is breaking new ground with plant-medicine retreats, located at some of the most exclusive and scenic locations, both in the U.S. and abroad. Depending on local laws, the company is curating safe and legal premium journey experiences to fit the needs and desires of all travelers. In the U.S. Oregon - The first U.S. state to pass legal and licensed psilocybin (magic mushroom) experiences, trained facilitators provide guided journeys from licensed centers. Sibannac and Starwalker Journeys will cultivate the balance of the experience, including best-in-class accommodations, cuisine, outdoor activities and post-journey care. Colorado/Arizona - Colorado has passed legislation permitting psilocybin beginning in 2025 and Arizona is considering a similar framework. Sedona, Arizona - Just two hours from Sibannac's headquarters, Sedona is actively pursuing plant-medicine tourism. Already world-renown for its energy vortexes and breathtaking outdoors, Sedona is the perfect location for spiritual awakening retreats. Currently, cannabis-based tours are legal in the state. The company is working with logistics personnel on the ground to design the first Starwalker journey. Bozeman, Montana - The company is scouting locations in the state to provide a late summer excursion under the magnificent Montana sky. In addition to a cannabis-enhanced "night sky" tour, the full program will include outdoor activities blended with guest speakers and more. International Costa Rica - We have established a relationship with a 5-Star property where Starwalker will offer an all-inclusive excursion in one of the most holistic locations in the world for plant-medicine healing. Ayahuasca and psilocybin are offered legally in a pristine setting by trained guides. A Groundbreaking Opportunity for Investors and Transformational Travelers Sibannac isn't just riding the wave of psychedelic wellness tourism-it's creating the industry blueprint. With major travel agencies hesitant to engage in plant-medicine retreats, Sibannac is securing an early foothold in this lucrative niche, offering a fully legal, structured pathway to transformative travel experiences. By combining regulatory expertise, strategic partnerships, and global expansion, Sibannac is shaping the future of high-end plant-medicine retreats-a first-mover advantage that positions the company as a leader in this emerging space. Join the Movement Visit Starwalker Cafe now: Starwalker Cafe Starwalker Cafe is now open for membership. Gain access to exclusive content, book upcoming retreats, and become part of a rapidly growing community of explorers. Stay tuned for more announcements as we expand our offerings and locations. Whether you're a traveler seeking a life-changing journey or an investor recognizing the unparalleled growth potential of this market, Sibannac is setting the standard for the next era of wellness tourism. About Sibannac Sibannac, Inc. (OTC Pink:SNNC) is a Nevada corporation founded in 1999 and located in Scottsdale, Arizona. Sibannac is a forward-thinking lifestyle and wellness company which currently specializes in creating and selling premium next generation wellness products in the consumer packaging goods industry. In addition to mainstream supplements, the Company is focusing on Amanita mushrooms, Kratom and Hemp-derived cannabis products for wholesale and retail sales and distribution. ? Sibannac is actively forging new partnerships within the wellness community, advancing experiential, educational, and tourism outreach initiatives that redefine the landscape of alternative health. ?The Company has officially launched the Starwalker Cafe, with TV celebrity, William Henry, of the hit show, Ancient Aliens. ?The platform is a premium content provider of podcasts, interviews and educational lectures focused on consciousness exploration. About William Henry William Henry is a visionary author, investigative mythologist, art historian, and TV presenter, renowned for uncovering the hidden threads connecting ancient wisdom, spiritual transformation, and the modern quest for higher consciousness. As a Consulting Producer and the spiritual voice of Ancient Aliens for 16 seasons, he has guided millions through the mysteries of otherworldly encounters, lost civilizations, and ascension sciences. Beyond television, Henry is a leading figure in consciousness exploration, hosting the Gaia TV series Ascension Keepers, The Awakened Soul: The Lost Science of Ascension, and Arcanum. His expertise has made him a sought-after speaker at global conferences, where he delves into the intersection of history, symbolism, and the future of human evolution. For decades, Henry has led transformational journeys to the world's most sacred sites, including Egypt, France, England, and Spain, helping seekers unlock ancient gateways to enlightenment. Now, he brings this wisdom to Starwalker Cafe, a groundbreaking multimedia and wellness platform created in partnership with Sibannac. Through exclusive content, immersive experiences, and plant-based journeys, Henry is pioneering a new era of spiritual discovery, conscious expansion, and integrative wellness. About David Mersky Sibannac's CEO, David Mersky, has launched his social media channel, The Meru Sky , in which he discusses his personal journey with psychedelics and his mission to bring expanded consciousness to the world. ? For additional information and product updates, follow us and sign up for updates at: www.snncinc.com x.com/sibannacinc Media Contact: media@snncinc.com Follow us on X: @SibannacInc Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements. This press release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements appear in a number of places in this release and include all statements that are not statements of historical fact regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of Sibannac, Inc. (the "Company"), its directors or its officers with respect to, among other things: (i) financing plans; (ii) trends affecting its financial condition or results of operations; (iii) growth strategy and operating strategy. The words "may," "would," "will," "expect," "estimate," "can," "believe," "potential" and similar expressions and variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's ability to control, and actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which are, in some cases, beyond the Company's control and which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the company's expectations include, but are not limited to, those factors that are disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in documents filed by the company from time to time with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory authorities. SOURCE: Sibannac, Inc. RIGA, Latvia, March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- From 24 to 28 March 2025, Riga Stradins University (RSU) will host one of the most significant scientific events in the Baltic region: RSU Research Week 2025. This biennial forum gathers scientists, academics, industry professionals, and policymakers to share cutting-edge research findings, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and explore innovative solutions for healthcare and society. The event will commence on 24 March with an Opening Plenary Session , led by RSU Rector and Research Week 2025 President, Prof. Aigars Petersons, and featuring distinguished guests including President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkevics, as well as keynote speakers Dr. Bertalan Mesko, Director of The Medical Futurist Institute, and Prof. Romain Meeusen from Vrije Universiteit Brussel. RSU Research Week 2025 will open with the 11th International Student Conference on Health and Social Sciences . From 26 to 28 March, five international conferences will take place simultaneously: Knowledge for Use in Practice - focusing on medicine and healthcare, including a special section on Immunology and Neuroimmunology in Research and Clinical Practice, where a group of seven Lithuanian researchers will participate in discussions on the comprehensive study of primary immunodeficiencies and autoimmune diseases. Society. Health. Welfare. - bringing together researchers, practitioners, and students from six disciplines: public health, psychology, environmental and occupational medicine, health management, social work, and nursing and midwifery. PLACES - an interdisciplinary conference uniting expertise in political science, law, economics, communication, and other social sciences. Innovation and Artificial Intelligence: The Path from Research to Practice will be held, bringing together experts, policy makers, and industry pioneers to explore the AI impact on medicine, healthcare and society. This year, nearly 1,300 abstracts have been submitted from more than 40 countries, and 60 renowned experts from at least 19 countries-including from the Karolinska Institute, University College London, Amsterdam UMC, and the University of Helsinki-are among the expected guest speakers. The previous RSU Research Week in 2023 attracted approximately 7,110 participants from 46 countries, both in person and online, reinforcing its international significance. All RSU Research Week 2025 events will be conducted in English and are free of charge. The live stream of RSU Research Week will be available on the RSU Facebook page and here . However, the event will be held in person at Riga Stradins University (Dzirciema iela 16, Riga, LV-1007). 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. Mit einem umfassenden Manahmenpaket sollen Genehmigungsprozesse reformiert, kleinere Reaktoren gefordert und der Anteil von Atomstrom in den USA massiv gesteigert werden. Ausloser ist der explodierende Energiebedarf durch KI-Rechenzentren, der eine stabile, CO-arme Grundlastversorgung zwingend notwendig macht. In unserem kostenlosen Spezialreport erfahren Sie, welche 3 Unternehmen jetzt im Zentrum dieser energiepolitischen Neuausrichtung stehen, und wer vom kommenden Boom der Nuklearindustrie besonders profitieren konnte. Holen Sie sich den neuesten Report! Verpassen Sie nicht, welche Aktien besonders von der Energiewende in den USA profitieren durften, und laden Sie sich das Gratis-PDF jetzt kostenlos herunter. Dieses exklusive Angebot gilt aber nur fur kurze Zeit! Daher jetzt downloaden! Multiple strategic hires fortify the global team and drive additional value to customers C3ntro Telecom has completed network, system, and infrastructure upgrades to further strengthen and expand the company's global Application-to-Person (A2P) messaging services, offered throughC3ntro Global SMS.With these upgrades, in addition to hiring new experienced industry professionals, the company is enhancing service quality, improving product capabilities, expanding global coverage, and reinforcing its commitment to delivering best-in-class SMS solutions. As part of this service upgrade, C3ntro Global SMS has integrated Horisen's advanced messaging platform, refining its routing capabilities and overall efficiency. Additional enhancements to strengthen the company's Rates and Routing department, paired with an upgraded Network Operations Center (NOC), ensures optimized routing, message delivery, and network reliability for C3ntro's global customers. Joining Mariana Osorio on the C3ntro Global SMS commercial team is a group of top industry experts who will play a vital role in the division's continued evolution. The new Product Director, Rodrigo Perez, leads the innovation and strategy behind the SMS portfolio, reinforcing the company's position as an industry leader. Xochitl Perez, SMS Procurement Manager, leverages her extensive experience to boost supplier relationships. Amanda Teixeira, Country Manager for Brazil, will focus on developing the Latin American region, expanding C3ntro Global SMS's reach and strategic presence. Octavio Gonzalez, Senior Account Manager for Europe, brings deep regional knowledge to enhance market presence and accelerate growth. Fernando Archila, an experienced Account Manager, strengthens customer relationships and global partnerships. These individuals, alongside many others who have already joined C3ntro Global, will be key in driving growth during the next phase of the company. "Our investment in talent and infrastructure marks a significant step toward making C3ntro Global SMS a leading force in the industry," said Abraham Smeke, CEO of C3ntro Global. "We are committed to delivering the same level of excellence and reliability across all our services, ensuring C3ntro Global SMS reaches the prestige and success of our voice and DID services." These advancements ensure the company continues providing reliable, scalable, and high-performance messaging solutions to carriers, CPaaS providers, and enterprises worldwide while also making it a trusted strategic exclusive partner for operators in LATAM. C3ntro Telecom is assembling a world-class team to elevate messaging to new heights. Senior industry leaders looking to be part of this growth are invited to explore opportunities with the company. For more information, visit www.c3ntro.com or contact us at smssales@c3ntro.com. About C3ntro Telecom C3ntro Telecom operates a state-of-the-art carrier-grade fiber network across Mexico's major cities, offering dark fiber and wavelength services for low-latency, high-performance data center interconnectivity. Designed for hyperscalers, carriers, and cloud service providers, our network features reliable, redundant infrastructure to support current and future needs. With over 30 years of experience, we also provide voice, SMS, virtual numbers, and traffic management services, making us a trusted partner for carriers, CPaaS providers, and enterprises. C3ntro Global C3ntro Global is a leading telecom company with 30 years of experience providing international voice, SMS, and DID services. With over 300 direct interconnections and strategic alliances worldwide, C3ntro offers high-quality, carrier-grade solutions for global operators, CPaaS providers, and enterprises. Its modern fiber network in Mexico supports dark fiber and wavelength services, ensuring robust connectivity for data centers and businesses. For more information, visit www.c3ntro.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250319556548/en/ Contacts: Media Contact: iMiller Public Relations for C3ntro Tel: +1.866.307.2510 Email: pr@imillerpr.com New Hazeltree Shortside Crowdedness Report Reveals Kering SA and H&M in EMEA and Disco Corporation in APAC Most Crowded Large Cap Securities The tech sector remained the most shorted sector for the third consecutive month, with heavily shorted securities in February including Apple, IBM, Super Micro, SoFi, and Texas Instruments, according to Hazeltree's latest Shortside Crowdedness Report. Hazeltree, a leader in active treasury and intelligent operations technology for the alternative asset industry, also identified Kering SA and H&M as the most shorted large-cap stocks in EMEA, with Kering and APAC's Disco Corporation both appearing for the second consecutive month. The report is a monthly listing of the top 10 shorted securities in the Americas, EMEA, and APAC regions in the large-, mid-, and small-cap ranges. The data is compiled from Hazeltree's proprietary securities finance platform data, which tracks approximately 15,000 global equities across the Americas, EMEA, and APAC. The data available to select clients is aggregated and anonymized from the contributing Hazeltree community, which includes approximately 700 asset manager funds. The securities are assigned a Hazeltree Crowdedness Score, a key metric, which grades securities on a scale of 1 to 99, with 99 representing the highest concentration of shorting activity. This scoring highlights securities most targeted by investors and reflects key supply-demand dynamics. "Our February Shortside Crowdedness Report analysis shows the U.S. tech sector continued to see layoffs, though at a slower pace than last year, alongside a surge in job postings, low unemployment, and a contracting IT job market," said Tim Smith, Managing Director of Data Insights at Hazeltree. "This points to a market in transition not collapse as companies recalibrate talent strategies to align with shifting priorities and economic conditions. Tech remained a top target for short sellers in the Americas for the third consecutive month, with eight of the 10 most crowded large-cap securities." Highlights from the February 2025 report include: Americas In the large-cap category, Chevron Corporation held steady for back-to-back months as the most crowded security with a score of 99. Super Micro Computer, Inc. was the second most crowded security following January with a score of 91 and held the highest institutional supply utilization (53.27%) for the third straight month. In the mid-cap category, Dayforce, Inc. returned to the top from 2024, with a Hazeltree Crowdedness Score of 99. Shift4Payments, Inc. held the highest institutional supply utilization figure (35.88%). In the small-cap category, Wolfspeed, Inc. continued its hold as the most crowded security for the seventh consecutive month, with a score of 99. Enovix Corporation had the highest institutional supply utilization (85.91%). EMEA In the large-cap category, Kering SA and H&M Hennes Mauritz AB were the most crowded securities with a score of 99. Kering returned to the top for the second consecutive month and H&M had the highest institutional supply utilization (76.34%) for the eighth successive month. In the mid-cap category, Kingfisher plc, BE Semiconductor Industries NV and Delivery Hero SE were the most crowded securities (99). Carl Zeiss Meditec AG had the highest institutional supply utilization (51.20%). In the small-cap category, Alphawave IP Group plc was the most crowded security for the third straight month, achieving a score of 99. Oxford Nanopore Technologies PLC led in institutional supply utilization (74.11%). APAC In the large-cap category, Disco Corporation was one of the most crowded securities with a score of 99 for the second consecutive month. MTR Corp. Ltd. had the highest institutional supply utilization (21.07%). In the mid-cap category, Kokusai Electric Corporation, was the most crowded security with a score of 99 for the second consecutive month and had the highest institutional supply utilization (51.66%). In the small-cap category, Tokai Carbon Co., Ltd., reemerged as the most crowded security (99) for the second consecutive month. KeePer Technical Laboratory Co. Ltd. had the highest institutional supply utilization (74.51%). To view Hazeltree's February 2025 Shortside Crowdedness Report and past reports, click here. Note to editors: If you are a member of the media/press and would like to be included on the distribution list for this report, please contact btanner@hazeltree.com. Hazeltree Shortside Crowdedness Report Methodology The Shortside Crowdedness Report tracks shorting activity in three different metrics: Hazeltree Crowdedness Score: This score represents securities that are being shorted by the highest percentage of funds in Hazeltree's community in a pre-defined category. The securities are graded on a scale of 1-99, with 99 representing the security that the highest percentage of funds are shorting. Institutional Supply Utilization: This figure represents the percentage of the institutional investors' supply of a particular security that is being lent out. The institutional supply utilization rate is an indicator of how "hot" a security is in terms of the supply-demand dynamic. It is possible to see 100% utilization of a security's availability, making it difficult to establish new short positions. Hazeltree Community Borrow Fee: This figure is the average weighted fee for what funds in the Hazeltree community are paying to borrow a security. The fee is represented as the annualized cost calculated as a percentage of the price of the security. About Hazeltree Hazeltree is a leader in active treasury and intelligent operations technology. Purpose-built for the alternative asset management ecosystem, Hazeltree's modular platform aggregates internal and external data, providing a comprehensive view of operations and counterparty relationships while proactively highlighting opportunities to extract more value from every transaction. Hazeltree is headquartered in New York with offices in London, Bournemouth, and Hong Kong. For more information, please visit www.hazeltree.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250319706465/en/ Contacts: Media: Ben Tanner Hazeltree btanner@hazeltree.com GGL Resources Corp. (TSXV:GGL) ("GGL" or the "Company") is pleased to provide the following corporate update: Technical Committee The Management of GGL is pleased to announce the formation a technical committee to advise on strategic and technical matters to advance its flagship Gold Point Project in Nevada along with the McConnell Copper-Gold Project in British Columbia. The Technical Committee will provide strategic guidance on the geological, operational and engineering aspects of the Company's projects. The Management of GGL Resources Corp. welcomes the following: Manuel Estrada, P.Eng. Mr. Estrada is a mining executive with extensive experience in mining operations spanning the Americas. Mr. Estrada worked for Capstone Mining Corp. for 14 years at the Cozamin and Pinto Valley Mines in Mexico and Arizona, respectively. He holds a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering from the Tecnologico de Durango in Mexico and has extensive experience in underground mining with certifications on Risk, Safety, Leadership, Maintenance and Process Management, Cut-Off Grade and Mine Strategy Optimization. Richard Reid , B.Sc. Mr. Reid is a geologist with over 40 years in the mining business working for major mining companies with a career focused on Nevada. Early in his career, he was a Nevada project geologist for Pegasus Mining, later transitioning to roles with Newmont Goldcorp Corp., the largest producer of gold in the world. He continued his career as Newmont's Nevada District Exploration Manager and later Exploration Business Development Manager, and finally Chief Geologist for North America. Ronald Berdahl B.Sc. Mr. Berdahl's career spans over 40 years primarily focused on grassroots prospecting and project generation in Yukon, Canada and the Western United States. Along with his sons, their private family company, 18526 Yukon Inc., built a portfolio of mineral projects that now include the world-class Valley gold deposit being developed by Snowline Gold. "The management at GGL would like to thank Manuel, Dick and Ron for offering to sit on our technical committee," stated John Gilbert, CEO. "They've each been on site and see Gold Point's great potential. We appreciate their support as we advance the project, and I'm personally grateful to have them involved as we continue to strengthen and build a top-notch team at GGL." GGL has granted 600,000 incentive stock options under its Incentive Stock Option Plan to Technical Committee members at a price of $0.08 per share for a period of five years. All these options are subject to vesting provisions under which 25% of the options will vest at the conclusion of each three months during the first year of the exercise period. About GGL Resources Corp. GGL is a seasoned, Canadian-based junior exploration company, focused on the exploration and advancement of under-evaluated mineral assets in politically stable, mining friendly jurisdictions. The Company has optioned and wholly owned claims in the Gold Point district of the prolific Walker Lane Trend, Nevada. The Gold Point claims cover several gold-silver veins, five of which host past producing high-grade mines, as well as an exciting new porphyry target which is currently under option to Teck. The Company also owns the McConnell Project, which hosts mesothermal gold veins and an under explored porphyry copper-gold prospect in the Kemess District of north-central British Columbia. GGL also holds diamond royalties on mineral leases adjacent to the Gahcho Kue diamond mine and southwest of the Ekati diamond mine in the Northwest Territories. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "John Gilbert" Chief Executive Officer and Director For further information concerning GGL Resources Corp. or its various exploration projects please visit our website at www.gglresourcescorp.com or contact: Investor Inquiries Richard Drechsler Corporate Communications Tel: (604) 687-2522 NA Toll-Free: (888) 688-2522 rdrechsler@strategicmetalsltd.com Corporate Information Linda Knight Corporate Secretary Tel: (604) 688-0546 info@gglresourcescorp.com 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. Information contained 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. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "succeed", "advancements", "under-evaluated" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "may", "could" or "will" occur. GGL 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 the control of GGL. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to exploration and development and the results thereof, including the results of the recently completed drill program, the impact on future mineral resource estimates, the potential for new discoveries, and the results of future metallurgical programs, as well as the ability of GGL to obtain additional financing, the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations, fluctuations in the prices of commodities, operating hazards and risks, competition and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in GGL's financial statements available under the GGL profile at 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, GGL undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information. SOURCE: GGL Resources Corp. DONGYING, China, March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On March 15, the Dongying Municipal People's Government of Shandong Province and Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Jinan, Shandong province. The partnership focuses on deepening collaboration in key areas, including developing zero-carbon cities, expanding zero-carbon application scenarios, building a green intelligent lithium battery manufacturing base, and promoting the new energy transformation of industries. Together, the two parties aim to establish a pioneering, demonstrative zero-carbon industrial park powered by a high proportion of green energy. Under the agreement, CATL will build a state-of-the-art lithium battery manufacturing base in Kenli District, Dongying in accordance with the "zero-carbon factory + lighthouse factory" standards, with a production capacity of 40GWh in the first phase. Plans for a second-phase expansion will be rolled out in due course, introducing high-end, green, and low-carbon lithium battery raw material projects. The initiative will create a fully integrated green manufacturing cluster with an annual output value exceeding 100 billion yuan. Dongying boasts abundant renewable energy resources, including wind, solar, and geothermal energy. In recent years, the city has been actively promoting the large-scale development of clean energy and building a green, low-carbon energy consumption system, aiming to build a modern energy economy demonstration zone. Dongying's installed renewable energy capacity has reached 8.4254 million kW, 1.6 times that of its coal power capacity. Its new energy storage installations total 1.27 million kW, accounting for one-sixth of Shandong province's total. By the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan period, Dongying's renewable energy capacity is expected to surpass 10 million kW, enabling the creation of a large-scale integrated wind-solar-storage energy base. This will provide strong green power support for CATL's zero-carbon initiatives. As one of China's major petroleum industry cities, Dongying is home to 80% of the crude oil production and 80% of the petroleum geological reserves of the Shengli Oilfield and serves as a key production base for CNOOC's Bohai Oilfield. Over the years, the city has created a competitive industrial cluster centered around petrochemicals, rubber tires, petroleum equipment, and new materials. This robust industrial foundation creates favorable conditions for the advancement of zero-carbon initiatives, including zero-carbon oilfields, zero-carbon chemical zones, and zero-carbon towns, as well as facilitating the transition of industries toward renewable energy. Strategically located at the estuary of the Yellow River, Dongying is a key gateway connecting the Bohai Rim and the Yellow River Basin. As an important coastal port city within the Shandong Peninsula urban cluster and an integral part of the economic circle of the provincial capital, Dongying offers significant logistical advantages. The establishment of CATL's project in Dongying will help extend its reach to key markets, including the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and the Shandong-Henan-Anhui economic corridor, further strengthening the supply chain for downstream industries. Source: Dongying Municipal People's Government Contact person: Ms. Zhang, Tel: 86-10-63074558 OSLO, Norway, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Geelmuyden Kiese is strengthening its energy focus in Norway, the Nordics, and Europe. On April 1, Jurgen Tzschoppe will join as an associate partner, bringing extensive experience and a broad network within the energy sector, both nationally and internationally. He has held several key leadership positions during his 22 years at Statkraft. Since 2015, Tzschoppe has been an Executive Vice President and part of Statkraft's executive management team, playing a crucial role in the company's international efforts in trading and renewable energy. Statkraft Veteran Joins Geelmuyden Kiese - We are very pleased to have Jurgen Tzschoppe on board. His experience and insights into energy markets, both in Norway and internationally, will strengthen our advisory services within energy and sustainability, says Karne Lykkebo, Group CEO for Geelmuyden Kiese in the Nordics. In his role, he will work closely with Rasmus Nygaard-Winther, who leads the energy team at Geelmuyden Kiese from Denmark. The team also includes Jonas Hellman and Marco Morner in Stockholm, as well as the Oslo office, led by May Britt Lagesen. Focus on Energy - Geelmuyden Kiese is a leading player in strategic communications, and I look forward to using my experience to help companies navigate the complex energy industry, says Jurgen Tzschoppe. Furthermore, energy has become an even more critical sector in our new geopolitical reality, with the war in Ukraine affecting Europe. He has held several key roles at Statkraft, including Executive Vice President for New Energy Solutions, International Power, and Market Operations. - The transition to renewable energy and the development of new technologies offers immense opportunities, and I am excited to be part of this journey, says Jurgen Tzschoppe. Germany is Norway's largest trading partner in Europe, and Tzschoppe has served as a board member of the Norwegian-German Chamber of Commerce for many years. Jurgen Tzschoppe will work closely with Geelmuyden Kiese teams focusing on energy in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, including the political team led by May Britt Lagesen at Geelmuyden Kiese in Oslo. Lagesen has a background in the Norwegian Labour Party and has served on the Standing Committee of Energy and the Standing Committee of Finance in the Norwegian Parliament. Strong Expertise in Germany With his solid expertise, background, and knowledge of Germany, he will also be a key resource for Geelmuyden Kiese's sister company in Paritee, LHLK Gruppe, which has offices in Munich, Berlin, and Frankfurt/Main. In the fall of 2024, Paritee acquired LHLK and PRpetuum (PRP), with a combined agency revenue of over NOK 130 million in 2023 and approximately 100 employees across offices in Berlin, Frankfurt, and Munich. - With Jurgen Tzschoppe on board, we gain valuable expertise and experience from the energy sector, says May Britt Lagesen. Together, they will develop strategic solutions for stakeholders within the energy sector. Broad Political Team The political team at Geelmuyden Kiese includes key figures such as May Britt Lagesen, with a background in the Labour Party in the Norwegian Parliament and Trndelag. Former State Secretary in the Ministry of Trade, Anne Marit Bjrnflaten from the Labour Party, based in Troms. Ketil Solvik-Olsen, former Minister of Transport in Erna Solberg's government and long-time Deputy Leader of the Progress Party. Ingeborg Bjrnevik, with experience from the Progress Party in Oslo. Olaf Thommessen, former Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party. Additionally, John Arne Markussen, former editor-in-chief of Dagbladet, and Bjrn Richard Johansen, with a background in the Conservative Party and the Progress Party. Jurgen Tzschoppe holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Aachen University of Technology and has experience from Enron and the Aachen Institute of Energy Economics before joining Statkraft. With the appointment of Jurgen Tzschoppe, Geelmuyden Kiese strengthens its position as a leading advisor in energy and sustainability in the Nordics and Europe. Photo: Jurgen Tzschoppe, Associate Partner, Geelmuyden Kiese For further information: Karne Lykkebo, Group CEO for Geelmuyden Kiese in the Nordics, mobile +45 20316739, email: karne.lykkebo@gknordic.com May Britt Lagesen, Senior Advisor, Head of Society and Politics, mobile +47 958 15 536, email: may.britt.lagesen@gknordic.com Jurgen Tzschoppe, Associate Partner, mobile +47 948 04 990, email: juergen.tzschoppe@gknordic.com About Geelmuyden Kiese: Established in 1989, Geelmuyden Kiese has 140 employees across offices in Oslo, Stockholm, and Copenhagen, with partnerships in Finland and Iceland. Its parent company, Paritee, acquired Geelmuyden Kiese at the turn of 2021/2022. Paritee, with Lars Erik Grnntun as Chairman and Jonas Palmqvist as CEO, has a total agency revenue of approximately NOK 700 million, with 400 employees spread across offices in Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen, London, New York, San Francisco, Minneapolis, Munich, Berlin, and Frankfurt. About Paritee: Paritee was founded in 2021 by Chairman Lars Erik Grnntun, former Global President of Hill+Knowlton. Paritee is led by experienced agency executives with extensive backgrounds in the global and European consulting and communications industry. The company's CEO is Jonas Palmqvist, formerly COO of Weber Shandwick EMEA. Paritee's goal is to create a new type of agency network and collaboration model-a platform that invests in and partners with leading agencies in countries critical to Nordic, European, and global trade. At the same time, it aims to preserve the strong entrepreneurial spirit of these companies by fostering cross-border collaboration with a focus on clients and expertise. Paritee operates at the intersection of public affairs, branding, marketing, communications, and corporate advisory services. The agencies within the network focus on key sectors such as technology, energy, defense and security, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, industry, mobility, and financial services. The company made its first acquisition in 2022 with Geelmuyden Kiese, now one of Scandinavia's largest communications agencies, with offices in Oslo, Copenhagen, and Stockholm. This was followed by the acquisition of the leading global communications agency Brands2Life, with operations in the UK and the US, in 2023; DVA Creative Technology Studio, based in Stockholm, in 2023; and the German LHLK Group, consisting of LHLK and PRpetuum (PRP), with offices in Munich, Berlin, and Frankfurt/Main, in 2024. Paritee is majority-owned by its founders and employees. The company now has a total agency revenue of approximately NOK 700 million, with around 400 employees across ten locations in six countries. The private equity firm Explore Equity became a shareholder in 2023. More information is available at: www.paritee.com This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/geelmuyden-kiese/r/geelmuyden-kiese-strengthens-energy-focus-in-oslo-and-the-nordics-jurgen-tzschoppe-from-statkraft-jo,c4121173 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/23680/4121173/3330055.pdf Press release (PDF) https://news.cision.com/geelmuyden-kiese/i/jurgen-tzschoppe--statkraft-veteran-for-22-years-becomes-associate-partner-at-geelmuyden-kiese-in-os,c3388441 Jurgen Tzschoppe, Statkraft veteran for 22 years becomes associate partner at Geelmuyden Kiese in Oslo. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/geelmuyden-kiese-strengthens-energy-focus-in-oslo-and-the-nordics-jurgen-tzschoppe-from-statkraft-joins-as-associate-partner-302405842.html NEW YORK and FLORENCE, Italy, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Colin Cowie Lifestyle, the globally renowned leader in luxury event planning and design, is proud to announce the launch of CCL Europe with an affiliate office based in Florence, Italy. This expansion marks an exciting new chapter in the company's legacy, bringing its signature expertise to Europe for weddings, milestone celebrations, and corporate events. With the introduction of CCL Europe, Colin Cowie Lifestyle will offer the best of both worlds to clients-high-level planning and design with producers based in the U.S., all within the same time zones, combined with a dedicated production staff in Italy to ensure flawless on-site execution. Clients will benefit from real-time communication and financial efficiency, while still achieving the signature excellence Colin Cowie Lifestyle is known for. "After many years of planning the most magnificent events in Italy, France, Monaco, and beyond, launching CCL Europe is a natural next step for our company," says Colin Cowie, CEO and founder of Colin Cowie Lifestyle. "More of our clients are dreaming of saying 'I do' in Europe, and we are thrilled to offer them a more streamlined experience. Our U.S.-based producers will collaborate in real time with our Florence-based team, ensuring every detail is managed seamlessly." The new Florence office will be helmed by veteran events producer Valentina Boyer, who brings 18 years of luxury planning experience in Italy, alongside her expert team. The local production team will provide comprehensive planning, including venue scouting, vendor coordination, legal and translation services, same-sex ceremonies, and travel recommendations, utilizing their deep understanding of regional customs and laws. From grand weddings on the Amalfi Coast to milestone celebrations in Monte Carlo, CCL Europe will grant exclusive access to the most coveted venues and vendors. Clients can expect the same high-touch, detail-driven experience they receive stateside. For more information, please visit https://www.colincowie.com/europe. About Colin Cowie Lifestyle Colin Cowie Lifestyle (CCL) is an iconic full-service event design and production company that turns dreams into reality. For the past 40 years, CCL has designed and planned extraordinary weddings, milestone celebrations, and corporate events around the globe. With a proactive approach and dedication to the guest experience and client satisfaction, CCL has earned a loyal following and top ranking among magazines like Vogue and Brides. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2644739/Colin_Cowie_CCL_Europe.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/colin-cowie-lifestyle-launches-ccl-europe-with-new-office-in-florence-italy-302405142.html Halifax, Nova Scotia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 19, 2025) - Sona Nanotech Inc. (CSE: SONA) (OTCQB: SNANF) (the "Company", "Sona") is pleased to provide updated data confirming efficacy of its Targeted Hyperthermia Therapy ("THT") cancer treatment in an immunotherapy resistant cancer. In this follow-up data to the previously released preliminary study (see press release dated December 11, 2024), again using an industry-standard, immunotherapy resistant, CT-26 colon cancer model, Sona's THT cancer treatment was 100% effective in activating a strong, effective immune system response. In these experiments, animals treated with a PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor, a standard of care immunotherapy, experienced no benefit with tumors growing similarly to tumors in the control group of untreated animals. However, in a new, second cohort of eight animals first treated with Sona's THT and then treated with a PD-1 inhibitor, 100% of animals responded demonstrating near complete arrest in tumor growth in the majority of animals as highlighted by the dashed green line in Figure 1, below. Sona Nanotech CMO, Dr. Carman Giacomantonio, commented, "In this study, Sona's THT cancer treatment is clearly the difference maker in inhibiting the growth of this notoriously difficult-to-treat cancer. THT's ability to cause the expression of new antigens causes the immune system to engage, which we show permits immunotherapies to work better, making THT a powerful potential immunotherapy in its own right." Sona Nanotech CEO, David Regan, commented, "While still an early preclinical study, we are nonetheless very excited to see the repeatability of our earlier successful preclinical colorectal study results. This data gives us additional confidence as to THT's ability to enhance the response rates of immunotherapies used in humans, which we expect to be able to assess shortly in our first-in-human early feasibility study." Further data from this experiment can be found in the Company's updated corporate presentation, which can be accessed in the Investor Section of its website or by clicking here. Sona's THT cancer treatment uses the Company's patented, biocompatible gold nanorods ("GNRs") to treat certain solid cancer tumors, shrinking them and stimulating the immune system, which has been shown in preclinical studies to enhance the response rates of two different immunotherapy drugs, IL-2 and PD-1. Figure 1: Average Tumor Volume In Preclinical Colorectal Cancer Study of Sona's Targeted Hyperthermia Therapy With PD-1 (more data available in the Investor Section of Sona's corporate website) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5500/245238_fc8da1d264bcbad6_001full.jpg The Company is also pleased to announce that it is hosting a webinar on Wednesday, March 26th at 11am EST to discuss the results of its colorectal cancer preclinical efficacy study and its future plans. Interested parties can register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_spqaC6AzRO-hyffa4QUquQ#/registration. A recording of the webinar will be made available following the webinar in the Investor Information section of the Company's website. The Company also announces the engagement of Proactive Investors North America Inc ("Proactive") to provide the Company with certain marketing services to raise public awareness of the Company and enhance its profile globally. Proactive is a multimedia news organization and events management company based in Toronto which operates financial websites providing breaking news and commentary on listed companies. Proactive reporters will provide coverage of the Company's news releases, interviews with the Company's executives and a dedicated landing page across Proactive's website network. Proactive's content will also be syndicated across social media, news aggregators and news tracking services. Proactive has not been engaged to provide investor relations services. About Sona Nanotech Inc. Sona Nanotech is developing Targeted Hyperthermia, a photothermal cancer therapy, which uses therapeutic heat to treat solid cancer tumors. The heat is delivered to tumors by infrared light that is absorbed by Sona's gold nanorods in the tumor and re-emitted as heat. Therapeutic heat (42-48C) stimulates the immune system, shrinks tumors, inactivates cancer stem cells, and increases tumor perfusion - thus enabling drugs to reach all tumor compartments more effectively. Targeted Hyperthermia promises to be safe, effective, minimally invasive, competitive in cost, and a valuable adjunct to drug therapy and other cancer treatments. Sona has developed multiple proprietary methods for the manufacture of gold nanoparticles which it uses for the development of both cancer therapies and diagnostic testing platforms. Sona Nanotech's gold nanorod particles are cetyltrimethylammonium ("CTAB") free, eliminating the toxicity risks associated with the use of other gold nanorod technologies in medical applications. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This press release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation, including statements regarding the anticipated applications and potential opportunities of Targeted Hyperthermia Therapy, and Sona's preclinical and clinical study plans. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions or estimates that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including the risk that Sona may not be able to successfully obtain sufficient clinical and other data to submit regulatory submissions, raise sufficient additional capital, secure patents or develop the envisioned therapy, and the risk that THT may not prove to have the benefits currently anticipated. 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. Sona disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. 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/245238 SOURCE: Sona Nanotech Inc. More than 25,000 Devices Implanted Worldwide from 2010-20251 ALISO VIEJO, Calif., March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Terumo Neuro, a global leader in neurovascular innovation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Terumo Corporation, proudly marks the 15th anniversary of the groundbreaking WEB Aneurysm Embolization System. Since its introduction, the WEB device has transformed the treatment of wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms, offering physicians and patients a clinically proven, single-device solution - One and Done - with proven simplicity, proven safety and durability, proven for ruptured aneurysms* and proven innovation2-9. The WEB device was commercially launched in October 2010 after receiving its CE (Conformite Europeenne) Mark in Europe. The first implant was performed by Prof. Joachim Klisch in Germany, paving the way for a new era in aneurysm treatment. The WEB device has proven clinical data, supported by seven global Good Clinical Practice (GCP) studies2-8 and over 200 peer-reviewed publications. Over the past 15 years, this revolutionary technology has changed the paradigm for aneurysm treatment, providing a safe, effective alternative to traditional methods. Carsten Schroeder, President and CEO of Terumo Neuro, commented on this significant milestone: "The WEB device has set a new standard in aneurysm treatment and has been instrumental in our mission to drive game-changing impact in neurovascular care. With 15 years of proven clinical success, WEB continues to advance patient outcomes, reducing the need for multiple devices and lengthy procedures. As we celebrate this achievement, we remain committed to innovating alongside leading physicians worldwide to shape the future of neurovascular care." Transforming Aneurysm Treatment with the WEB Device The WEB device is the world's first intrasaccular flow disruptor, designed to treat brain aneurysms from inside the aneurysm sac. Unlike traditional treatments for wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms that require stents and coils, this device minimizes the need for dual antiplatelet therapy, simplifying procedures and enhancing patient safety, with a single device. Key milestones and clinical highlights of Terumo Neuro's WEB embolization system include: Unparalleled Clinical Data: The WEB device has been studied in over 600 patients across seven GCP trials, accumulating more than 1,464 patient-years with zero recorded rebleeds in a WEB device-treated aneurysm. 2-8 The WEB device has been studied in over 600 patients across seven GCP trials, accumulating more than 1,464 patient-years with zero recorded rebleeds in a WEB device-treated aneurysm. Proven Long-Term Safety & Durability: The five-year follow-up data from the WEB-IT, WEBCAST and WEBCAST 2 trials reaffirmed the WEB system's sustained efficacy and safety, including 0% device-related morbidity and mortality. 7,8 The five-year follow-up data from the WEB-IT, WEBCAST and WEBCAST 2 trials reaffirmed the WEB system's sustained efficacy and safety, including 0% device-related morbidity and mortality. Expanding Treatment Options: The introduction of the WEB 17 system, a lower profile system to treat smaller aneurysms, has further refined aneurysm treatment providing physicians with greater flexibility and precision for a wider range of cases. The WEB device's continued evolution underscores Terumo Neuro's dedication to advancing neurovascular technology. With more than 25,000 patients treated with the WEB device worldwide, this intrasaccular device remains the trusted choice for physicians seeking a reliable, single-device solution for wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms. About Terumo Neuro (Formerly MicroVention, Inc.) We are in business to create and deliver Game-changing Impact-innovations that redefine what is possible in neuroendovascular treatment to meaningfully advance both physician practice and patient outcomes. Founded in 1997 as MicroVention and acquired by Terumo Corporation in 2006, Terumo Neuro offers more than thirty products for the treatment of cerebral aneurysms, ischemic stroke, carotid artery disease, and neurovascular malformations. Headquartered in California, Terumo Neuro products are sold in more than seventy countries through a direct sales organization as well as strategic distribution partnerships. Manufacturing facilities are in Aliso Viejo, California, and San Jose, Costa Rica. For more information on Terumo Neuro, please visit www.terumoneuro.com. About Terumo Corporation Terumo (TSE:4543) is a global leader in medical technology and has been committed to "Contributing to Society through Healthcare" for one hundred years. Based in Tokyo and operating globally, Terumo employs more than 30,000 associates worldwide to provide innovative medical solutions in more than 160 countries and regions. The company started as a Japanese thermometer manufacturer and has been supporting healthcare ever since. Now, its extensive business portfolio ranges from vascular intervention and cardio-surgical solutions, blood transfusion and cell therapy technology, to medical products essential for daily clinical practice. Terumo will further strive to be of value to patients, medical professionals, and society at large. For full indications for use, visit: WEB Embolization System | Terumo Neuro *Information provided may not represent the approved indication for use for each country/market. Please refer to the Instruction for Use (IFU) in the specific market/country that you are looking into. References: Data on file, Terumo Neuro. Pierot L, Moret J, Barreau X, et al. Safety and efficacy of aneurysm treatment with WEB in the cumulative population of three prospective, multicenter series. J Neurointerv Surg. 2018;10(6):553-559. Arthur AS, Molyneux A, Coon AL, et al. The safety and effectiveness of the Woven EndoBridge (WEB) system for the treatment of wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms: final 12-month results of the pivotal WEB Intrasaccular Therapy (WEB-IT) Study. J Neurointerv Surg. 2019;11(9):924-930. Pierot L, Moret J, Turjman F, Herbreteau D, et al. WEB Treatment of Intracranial Aneurysms: Clinical and Anatomic Results in the French Observatory. AJNR. 2016. Spelle, L., et al. (2022) "Clinical Assessment of WEB device in Ruptured Aneurysms (CLARYS): 12-month angiographic results of a multicenter study." J NeuroIntervent Surg. Spelle, L., et al. (2024) "Clinical Evaluation of WEB 17 device in intracranial aneurysms (CLEVER): 1-year effectiveness results for ruptured and unruptured aneurysms." J NeuroIntervent Surg. Pierot L, Szikora I, Barreau X, et al. Aneurysm treatment with the Woven EndoBridge (WEB) device in the combined population of two prospective, multicenter series: 5-year follow-up. J Neurointerv Surg. 2023;15(6):552-557. Fiorella D, Molyneux A, Coon A, et al. Safety and effectiveness of the Woven EndoBridge (WEB) system for the treatment of wide necked bifurcation aneurysms: final 5 year results of the pivotal WEB Intra-saccular. Therapy study (WEB-IT). J Neurointerv Surg. 2023;15(12):1175-1180. Rai AT, Turner RC, Brotman RG, Boo S. Comparison of operating room variables, radiation exposure and implant costs for WEB versus stent assisted coiling for treatment of wide neck bifurcation aneurysms. Interv Neuroradiol. 2021;27(4):465-472. WEB is a trademark of MicroVention, Inc., registered in the United States and other jurisdictions. All brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks owned by TERUMO CORPORATION, its affiliates, or unrelated third parties. 2024 MicroVention, Inc. MM2034(i) WW 03/25 Media Contact: Christine McCullough Global Corporate Communications Terumo Neuro + 1 714 206 9800 christine.mccullough@microvention.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2613109/Terumo_Neuro___Logo.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2644806/Terumo_Neuro_WEB_Embolization_System.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/terumo-neuro-celebrates-15-years-of-the-web-device-a-game-changing-innovation-in-aneurysm-treatment-302405312.html The investment will drive InHouse's expansion into multifamily rentals nationwide - providing residents with exclusive offers on premium furnishing and decor that's been AI-matched to their unique floorplan, while generating meaningful revenue for landlords through automated commissions. InHouse, the technology platform that revolutionized how vacation rental owners furnish their properties, today announced a strategic investment from Bucketplace, Korean tech unicorn behind lifestyle super-app Ohouse. InHouse for Multifamily With InHouse, residents shop from true to life visualization of their own rental unit. This investment will fuel InHouse's expansion into the 6-million-unit multifamily market - introducing an innovative amenity that delivers personalized design plans and VIP shopping perks to tenants. Landlords win too, generating passive income through automated commissions on every purchase. InHouse emerged during the pandemic, amid an exponential surge in demand for short-term rentals. Combining novel space-planning technology with market-beating discounts, InHouse has helped hosts launch thousands of premium short-term rentals that outperform their market peers. The win-win formula of better hospitality at lower prices has been a hit with hosts, with growth exceeding 10x over the last year. The Company's expansion into multifamily rentals is a natural evolution of the platform, bringing the same benefits to an even larger cohort. InHouse is off to a fast start, having secured partnerships with leading property groups, including Two Trees, New England Development, and Faros Properties. "The short-term rental market quickly revealed to us that today's consumer expects more from their living space - even if they're just staying for a weekend," said Jono Schafler, CEO of InHouse. "Pilot partnerships with some of the nations most respected property groups demonstrate that the same applies to long-term leases. Bucketplace's investment and expertise in residential commerce will help us scale our proven solutions across new markets." Core to InHouse's platform is its Smartlists feature, which combines AI-powered floorplan analysis with professional design recommendations to generate tidy layouts that take the guesswork out of furnishing decisions. Residents also enjoy wholesale pricing on products from hundreds of top brands, including retail favorites like Crate & Barrel alongside designer-exclusive offerings like Four Hands. The fusion of technology, discounts, and turnkey design results in a premium at-home experience for renters, with a lot less stress. The InHouse founding team has decades of expertise building and scaling successful consumer technology companies from pioneering direct-to-consumer brands like BRUNT Workwear and M.Gemi to successful marketplaces, including Trade Coffee. Bucketplace are specialists in utilizing content, community, and commerce to transform how people design and furnish their homes. Their ultra-popular app, Ohouse, has transformed the Korean home furnishings market with a blend of user-generated content, social features, and e-commerce at scale: half of South Korea's population has installed Ohouse (over 30 million downloads). With a new furniture purchase every seven seconds, Bucketplace has driven about $5 billion in cumulative transaction volume and is backed by prestigious investors including SBVA (formerly known as SoftBank Ventures Asia), Mirae Asset Capital, and Vertex Growth. "InHouse's innovative approach to creating beautiful living spaces aligns perfectly with our mission of helping people decorate their homes with fun, ease, and confidence," said Seungjae Lee, founder and CEO of Bucketplace. "By combining our expertise in content-driven commerce with InHouse's innovative solutions for rental spaces, we'll create a new standard for residential living that makes premium design accessible to everyone. This partnership represents a significant step in our global expansion strategy, particularly in the U.S. market." The investment will fuel InHouse's expansion by: Scaling its technology platform to serve larger residential portfolios Expanding tier-one brand partnerships Enhancing AI-powered analysis and recommendation capabilities Developing new analytics and workflow tools for property managers About InHouse InHouse is reinventing residential design and furnishing with its cutting-edge technology platform that combines personalized, instant-access design with exclusive pricing on millions of products. By enabling hundreds of premium brand partners to connect with high-quality consumers through the residential channel, InHouse is a natural win-win. The company's platform is trusted by thousands of short-term rentals and leading property groups including Two Trees, New England Development, and Faros Properties. About Bucketplace Bucketplace is a Lifestyle Super App, operating as a mobile application for home decoration & interior design. It offers a wide range of services such as home remodeling, furniture delivery, home tasks (repairing and installation), and moving services. It was founded in 2014 and is based in Seoul, South Korea. Contact Information SOURCE: InHouse Outbound.com's AI-Powered Platform Lets Businesses Generate and Publish Ads-No Experience Required Outbound.com, a leader in automated digital marketing solutions, launched its public beta earlier this year, offering businesses a revolutionary way to create and publish Google Ads. The platform allows users to scan their website and generate customized ad campaigns in minutes. New Outbound.com Website New Outbound.com Website Outbound.com's innovative technology simplifies online advertising for businesses of all sizes. By analyzing key website elements, the system automatically crafts compelling ads tailored to a company's services and target audience. This breakthrough solution removes the complexity of ad creation and streamlines the process, making paid advertising more accessible and effective than ever before. "Our goal with Outbound.com is to eliminate the barriers that prevent businesses from running successful ad campaigns," said Aaron White, CEO at Outbound.com. "With our public beta, we're giving businesses a seamless way to get online visibility without the usual hassle of ad setup. It's fast, effective, and-best of all-free to try." Key Features of Outbound.com's Public Beta: Instant Ad Creation - Scan your website and automatically generate Google Ads. No Upfront Cost - Businesses can create and publish ads with our free pricing tier (ad spend with advertising platforms still applies). AI-Powered Optimization - The system refines ad copy and targeting for maximum performance. User-Friendly Interface - No technical expertise required-just scan, review, and publish. With digital advertising becoming increasingly competitive, Outbound.com's automated ad creation tool empowers businesses to stay ahead without spending hours on campaign management. The public beta is open to all businesses looking to improve their online presence and attract more customers. To experience the future of ad automation, visit Outbound.com and try it for yourself. For media inquiries, please contact: Aaron White CEO Outbound.com Email: hello@outbound.com About Outbound.com Outbound.com is an innovative digital marketing platform that automates online advertising for businesses of all sizes. By leveraging AI-powered technology, Outbound.com simplifies the process of creating, optimizing, and launching successful ad campaigns. The company is committed to making paid advertising more accessible, effective, and effortless for businesses worldwide. SOURCE: Outbound.com Scientific progress has long been shaped by researchers dedicated to addressing some of the world's most complex challenges. Emerging innovators are increasingly making significant contributions across industries. Among them is Max Kopp, a 17-year-old scientist and entrepreneur whose research spans biomedical technology and aerospace engineering. As the Founder and CEO of Vitasense, a medical technology startup focused on noninvasive biosensor solutions, Kopp researches wearable glucose monitoring technology and AI-driven structural health monitoring for spacecraft. His work has gained recognition in scientific and entrepreneurship circles, highlighting the role of young innovators in advancing real-world applications of emerging technology. "Science and innovation should be about making a real-world impact," says Kopp. "My work in non-invasive biosensors and aerospace technology is driven by a vision to bridge cutting-edge research with practical solutions. Whether it's improving diabetes care or developing safer space technology, I believe young scientists have the power to drive change." Diabetes affects millions of people worldwide, and while advances in treatment and monitoring have improved care, the methods for measuring blood glucose levels continue to present challenges. Finger-prick blood tests and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) that require sensor implants can be painful, expensive, and inconvenient, often leading to inconsistent monitoring and difficulties in disease management. Kopp's research in biomedical engineering seeks to contribute to developing a wearable, non-invasive glucose biosensor that eliminates the need for finger-prick blood sampling. His approach utilizes nanotechnology and artificial intelligence to measure glucose levels through the skin, exploring a potential alternative to existing monitoring methods. His work aims to reduce both the physical and financial burden of diabetes management while ensuring that patients have access to real-time, continuous data on their blood sugar levels without discomfort. The affordability of glucose monitoring technology remains a concern, as current CGMs are costly and not accessible to many individuals. By reducing production costs and improving accessibility, Kopp's research at Vitasense intends to explore scalable methods to support the broader adoption of non-invasive monitoring. His work addresses technological and economic barriers in diabetes care, aligning with ongoing discussions about healthcare accessibility and the potential of emerging medical technologies. Beyond medical technology, Kopp has also been researching structural health monitoring for spacecraft, which presents critical safety considerations. Spacecraft are exposed to extreme environmental conditions, and undetected micro-damage or pressure leaks can lead to mission failures. Incidents like the Boeing Starliner's helium leaks and the Apollo 13 oxygen tank explosion underscore the risks associated with late-stage detection of structural weaknesses. Current monitoring systems rely on manual inspections and Earth-based diagnostics, which may not always provide real-time risk assessment during missions. Furthermore, Kopp's research aims to explore the potential of deployable inkjet-printed nanomaterial sensor systems capable of autonomously detecting structural weaknesses in spacecraft. By integrating AI-driven analytics, these sensors seek to provide real-time monitoring, potentially reducing the risk of undetected damage and improving mission reliability. As the commercial space industry grows, with missions becoming longer and more complex, the demand for improved autonomous monitoring systems continues to increase. Kopp's research aims to contribute to ongoing discussions on how AI and nanotechnology could enhance spacecraft safety by enabling early detection of structural vulnerabilities. His work has been recognized in science and entrepreneurship competitions, where young innovators are increasingly making an impact. He has received Third Place in Engineering at the National Junior Science & Humanities Symposium, and a Bronze Medal in Physics at the S.-T. Yau High School Science Award. His research applications in medical technology and aerospace engineering have also been recognized in global innovation competitions, including the Conrad Challenge and the Global Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge, where he was named Most Innovative Winner. Beyond his research, Kopp has been involved in increasing accessibility in diabetes care. He founded The Kopp Foundation for Diabetes, which seeks to support research in non-invasive glucose monitoring, advocate for affordability in healthcare technology, and promote public awareness of emerging solutions. The foundation works to bridge the gap between scientific advancements and real-world accessibility, to ensure that new diabetes management technologies reach more patients, rather than remaining confined to clinical trials and high-cost markets. Kopp's balance of academic work, scientific research, and entrepreneurial interests reflects a broader trend of young innovators engaging in leadership roles within STEM fields. His research highlights the potential of interdisciplinary approaches, drawing on insights from nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, and biomedical engineering to investigate practical healthcare and aerospace safety applications. As research into non-invasive diagnostics and AI-enhanced aerospace monitoring continues to evolve, efforts to scale and apply these technologies in real-world settings remain ongoing. With a focus on accessibility, safety, and practical applications, Kopp's work aligns with broader efforts in the scientific community to address gaps in healthcare and engineering solutions. About Max Kopp Max Kopp is a 17-year-old scientist, entrepreneur, and Founder and CEO of Vitasense, a medical technology startup focused on noninvasive biosensor solutions. His research explores wearable glucose monitoring technology to address accessibility challenges in diabetes care and AI-driven structural health monitoring for spacecraft to improve real-time risk assessment in space missions. Kopp's work seeks to bridge cutting-edge research with practical applications, contributing to advancements in healthcare technology and aerospace engineering. He is also the Founder of The Kopp Foundation for Diabetes, which aims to support research, advocate for affordable healthcare solutions, and promote awareness of emerging medical technologies. His interdisciplinary approach, combining nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, and biomedical engineering, highlights the growing role of young innovators in addressing real-world scientific and engineering challenges. For media inquiries, speaking engagements, or collaboration opportunities, please visit www.MaxKoppTech.com Media Contact: Nadya Rousseau nadya@alternewmedia.com SOURCE: Max Kopp WidePoint Corporation (NYSE American:WYY), an innovative leader in enterprise cybersecurity and mobile technology, today announced a new Task Order award under the Spiral 4 contract vehicle from a combat support agency within the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). The Task Order has an annual value of approximately $2.5 million and a period of performance of one base year with nine one-year option periods. The Task Order has a potential value of $25 million if all options are exercised. Through this Task Order, WidePoint will support the procurement and management of wireless devices that meet standard functionality requirements through its Managed Mobility Solutions. The service will extend to users located in all 50 U.S. states and 90 international countries, ensuring seamless connectivity and operational efficiency for personnel deployed in diverse environments. WidePoint CEO Jin Kang, stated: "We are honored to be awarded this Task Order, WidePoint's first under the Spiral 4 contract. Our services will enhance the operational capabilities of our armed forces. This award illustrates WidePoint's expertise in providing tailored Managed Mobility Solutions through one of the most pivotal contract vehicles in the federal space." WidePoint's Chief Operating Officer, Todd Dzyak, stated: "Spiral 4 provides a best value solution, and the required cybersecurity profiles, for the procurement and management of unclassified wireless mobility telecommunications services and devices. This Task Order exemplifies WidePoint's dedication to innovation and excellence in support of the U.S. military's mission. By ensuring access to reliable wireless devices, we are empowering our service members to perform their duties effectively, regardless of their location. We take pride in being a trusted partner to the DoD and are committed to delivering superior service through the Spiral 4 contract vehicle." Kang added, "We look forward to working collaboratively with the combat support agency to deliver high-quality services and solutions that empower our service members with an additional focus on security, efficiency and minimizing cost." About WidePoint WidePoint Corporation (NYSE American:WYY) is a leading technology Managed Solution Provider (MSP) dedicated to securing and protecting the mobile workforce and enterprise landscape. WidePoint is recognized for pioneering technology solutions that include Identity and Access Management (IAM), Mobility Managed Services (MMS), Telecom Management, Information Technology as a Service (ITaaS), Cloud Security, and Analytics & Billing as a Service (ABaaS). For more information, visit widepoint.com. WidePoint Investor Relations: Gateway Group, Inc. Matt Glover or John Yi 949-574-3860 WYY@gateway-grp.com SOURCE: WidePoint Corporation Strategic Acquisition to Enhance UniDoc's eHealth Software Capabilities UniDoc Health Corp. (CSE:UDOC)(FRA:L7T)(OTCQB:UDOCF) ("UniDoc" or the "Company"), an innovator in the eHealth sector, is pleased to announce it has entered into a definitive purchase agreement (the "Agreement") for the acquisition of the AGNES Connect software from AMD Telemedicine ("AMD"). This software forms the foundation of UniDoc's previously announced NEIL Connect software platform. Highlights of proposed acquisition of AGNES Connect: Accelerates the expansion and enhancement of UniDoc's NEIL Connect software platform. UniDoc gains immediate access to existing AGNES Connect customers and plans continued support and expansion of this client base. Strengthens UniDoc's integrated AI-driven telehealth offering with secure data-sharing and EMR integration capabilities. AGNES Connect, is a secure, encrypted, cloud-based clinical examination platform recognized for its robust telemedicine capabilities. The software enables healthcare providers to capture and securely exchange medical data, documents, and images in real-time alongside high-quality video conferencing. AGNES Connect seamlessly integrates into healthcare facilities' electronic health record (EHR) systems, simplifying clinical workflows and documentation. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement effective March 18, 2025, UniDoc has agreed with AMD to acquire the name "AMD Telemedicine" and related goodwill, together with the AGNES Connect software and related intellectual property, trademarks, customer subscriptions and accounts. As consideration, the Company has agreed to pay AMD US$175,000 in cash plus a revenue share. The acquisition remains subject to customary conditions for transactions of this nature including the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange, if required. The Company expects closing of the acquisition to occur shortly. UniDoc CEO Antonio Baldassarre notes, "The proposed acquisition of AGNES Connect will strengthen our NEIL Connect platform, and position UniDoc to deliver a more comprehensive and seamless eHealth solution. This integration will immediately enhance our software capabilities and provide direct access to an established customer network, presenting new opportunities to generate sustainable revenue and enhance shareholder value." UniDoc, upon closing of the acquisition, intends to continue to support and expand the existing AGNES Connect customer base, delivering improved software updates and enhanced customer service. The NEIL Connect platform is currently integrated with partners Carefluence and DocBox software, and leverages advanced artificial intelligence (AI) to facilitate more accurate intake/triage (MediOrbis) and more efficient patient monitoring (DocBox), further supporting UniDoc's mission to bridge gaps in healthcare accessibility and quality. Ensuring strict adherence to healthcare data protection standards, UniDoc's NEIL Connect platform that supports compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Patient information is securely managed, encrypted, and integrated with hospital and clinical databases, aligning with industry-leading security practices and standards. UniDoc is committed to further enhancing its telehealth solutions through continuous innovation and strategic growth initiatives, and anticipates leveraging AGNES Connect software once acquired to increase operational efficiencies and drive greater shareholder value. On Behalf of the Board of Directors, ~Antonio Baldassarre~ Antonio Baldassarre CEO, President & Director UniDoc Health Corp. About UniDoc Health Corp. (CSE:UDOC)(FRA:L7T)(OTCQB:UDOCF) UniDoc is developing an eHealth solution which is being designed as a self-contained remote virtual clinic within a private kiosk for patients to undergo full consultations as if they were present in a physician's office. eHealth opens the doors to a large segment of the population challenged by access, experience or understanding of online computer technology. It is the Company's belief that physical accessibility is the key to its business proposition. UniDoc is dedicated to unlocking shareholder value by delivering an excellent product and sophisticated commercial network within an expedited timeframe. The UniDoc team encourages engagement, questions, and interest, so please stay in touch and invite anyone who might be interested in our story to visit our website at www.unidoctor.com and signup to receive the latest information with updates on our activities, events and progress. For further information, please contact: UniDoc Investor Relations Tel: +1 778.383.6731 Email: info@unidoctor.com Matt Chatterton, Director Tel: +1 778.613.2082 Email: matt@unidoctor.com Media Inquiries media@unidoctor.com Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains statements and information that, to the extent that they are not historical fact, may constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information may include financial and other projections, as well as statements regarding future plans, objectives, or economic performance, or the assumption underlying any of the foregoing. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "will be", "likely", "except", "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "plan", "forecast", "project", "estimate", "outlook", or the negative thereof or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Examples of such statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the highlights of the proposed acquisition of AGNES Connect, the expansion and enhancement of UniDoc's NEIL Connect software platform; closing of the acquisition and the timing thereof; the acquisition of the AGNES Connect software and its impact on the business of the Company; the Company continuing to support and expand the existing AGNES Connect customer base, and delivering improved software updates and enhanced customer service; the acquisition of the AGNES Connect customer base and accounts, the possible expansion of customer accounts; the Company enhancing shareholder value, generating sustainable growth, increasing operational efficiencies and bridging gaps in healthcare accessibility and quality; and the benefits the NEIL Connect software will add to the Company's products and that it will allow doctors to improve the accuracy of their diagnoses. Forward-looking information is based on the assumptions, estimates, analysis, and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, but which may prove to be incorrect. The material factors and assumptions used to develop the forward-looking information contained in this news release include, but are not limited to, key personnel and qualified employees continuing their involvement with the Company; the Company's ability to secure additional financing on reasonable terms; the competitive conditions of the industries in which the Company operates; and laws and any amendments thereto applicable to the Company. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information, including, without limitation, risks relating to the future business plans of the Company; risks that the Company will not be able to retain its key personnel; risks that the Company will not be able to secure financing on reasonable terms or at all; as well as all of the other risks as described in the Company's annual management discussion and analysis dated July 31, 2024 under the heading "Risks Factors." Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking information. Further, any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company's management to predict all such factors and to assess in advance the impact of each such factor 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 information. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking information to reflect information or events after the date on which it is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law, including securities laws. The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: UniDoc Health Corp. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 19, 2025) - C3 Metals Inc. (TSXV: CCCM) ("C3 Metals" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to its press release of February 27, 2025, it has closed its bought deal private placement of 23,000,000 common shares in the capital of the Company (the "Shares") at a price of C$0.50 per Share for gross proceeds of $11,500,000 (the "Offering"), which includes the exercise of the over-allotment option. The Offering was conducted pursuant to the terms and conditions of an underwriting agreement entered into between the Company, Paradigm Capital Inc. and Canaccord Genuity Corp., as co-lead underwriters, BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. and Cormark Securities Inc. (collectively, the "Underwriters"). As consideration for the services provided by the Underwriters in connection with the Offering, the Company paid the Underwriters a fee of $690,000, equal to 6% of the proceeds of the Offering. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering for exploration and development activities at the Khaleesi belt of the Company's Jasperoide Copper-Gold project, for exploration and development activities at the Company's Super Block project, and general corporate and working capital purposes. All securities issued in connection with the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period ending July 20, 2025. The Offering is subject to the final acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange. The Offering constituted a related party transaction within the meaning of TSX Venture Exchange Policy 5.9 and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101") as an insider of the Company acquired 2,000,000 Shares pursuant to the Offering. The Company is relying on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(b) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, as the Company is not listed on a specified market and the fair market value of the participation in the Offering by the insider does not exceed 25% of the market capitalization of the Company in accordance with MI 61-101. The Company did not file a material change report in respect of the related party transaction at least 21 days before the closing of the Offering, which the Company deems reasonable in the circumstances in order to complete the Offering in an expeditious manner. The securities offered have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("U.S. Securities Act"), or any securities laws of any state of the United States, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, a U.S. person absent registration or an exemption from such registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, a U.S. person nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state of the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. "United States" and "U.S. persons" are as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act. For additional information, contact: ABOUT C3 METALS INC. C3 Metals Inc. is a mineral exploration company focused on creating substantive value for its shareholders through the discovery and development of large copper and gold deposits. The Company holds approximately 30,000 hectares located in the prolific high-grade Andahuaylas-Yauri Porphyry-Skarn belt of Southern Peru. Mineralization at Jasperoide is hosted in a similar geological setting to the nearby major mining operations at Las Bambas (MMG), Constancia (Hudbay) and Antapaccay (Glencore). At Jasperoide, the Company has identified over 15 skarn prospects and an outcropping porphyry system over two parallel 28km belts. The Company has published a maiden resource estimate on the first of these skarn targets, which contained Measured & Indicated Resources of 52Mt at 0.5% copper and 0.2 g/t gold. The Company is also actively exploring in Jamaica where it has identified 16 porphyry, 40 epithermal and multiple volcanic redbed copper prospects over a 30km strike extent. The Company holds a 100% interest in 17,855 hectares of exploration licenses, of which Freeport-McMoRan Exploration Corporation, a wholly-owned affiliate of Freeport-McMoRan Inc., has the option on 13,020 hectares to earn up to a 75% interest by funding up to US$75 million of exploration and project related expenditures. The Company also holds a 50% interest in 9,870 hectares in a joint venture with Geophsyx Jamaica Ltd, the largest mineral tenure holder in the country. Barrick Gold Corp. announced on May 1, 2024 that it had entered into an earn-in agreement with Geophysx Jamaica Ltd. on approximately 400,000 hectares of exploration licenses, several of which surround C3 Metals' mineral concessions. Mining is currently the second largest industry in Jamaica, and historical mining dates back to the colonial eras of the 1500s (Spanish) and 1800s (British). Related Link: www.c3metals.com Caution Regarding Forward Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the use of proceeds from the Offering, and the receipt of final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to the Company. Although such statements are based on reasonable assumptions of the Company's management, there can be no assurance that any conclusions or forecasts will prove to be accurate. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. Forward looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include risks relating to obtaining necessary approvals for the Offering, risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to changes in project parameters as plans continue to be redefined, risks relating to variations in grade or recovery rates, risks relating to changes in mineral prices and the worldwide demand for and supply of minerals, risks related to increased competition and current global financial conditions, access and supply risks, reliance on key personnel, operational risks, and regulatory risks, including risks relating to the acquisition of the necessary licenses and permits, financing, capitalization and liquidity risks. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) 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/245189 SOURCE: C3 Metals Inc. TORONTO, March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Revive Therapeutics Ltd. ("Revive" or the "Company") (OTCQB: RVVTF) (CSE: RVV) (FRANKFURT:31R), a specialty life sciences company focused on the research and development of therapeutics for infectious diseases, rare disorders, and medical countermeasures, is pleased to announce the voting results for its annual and special meeting of shareholders (the "Meeting") that was held on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. At the Meeting, shareholders elected the following nominees to the board of directors: Michael Frank, Chief Executive Officer Joshua Herman, Independent Director Andrew Lindzon, Independent Director William Jackson, Independent Director Christian Scovenna, Independent Director Shareholders also approved: The appointment of Horizon Assurance LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as the auditor of the Company for the ensuing fiscal year Authorization for the directors to fix the remuneration paid to the auditor A resolution authorizing the continuation of Company's 10% rolling incentive stock option plan for the ensuing year In light of feedback from shareholders, the Board of Directors decided not to proceed with the proposal to amend of the Company's articles of incorporation to consolidate its outstanding Common Shares. About Revive Therapeutics Ltd. Revive Therapeutics is a life sciences company focused on the research and development of therapeutics for infectious diseases and medical countermeasures. Revive prioritizes its drug development efforts to take advantage of several regulatory incentives awarded by the FDA, such as Emergency Use Authorization, Orphan Drug, Fast Track, and Breakthrough Therapy designations. Currently, the Company is exploring the use of Bucillamine for the potential treatment of nerve agent exposure and long COVID. Revive is also advancing the development of Psilocybin-based therapeutics through various programs. For more information, visit www.ReviveThera.com . For more information, please contact: Michael Frank Chief Executive Officer Revive Therapeutics Ltd. Tel: 1 888 901 0036 Email: mfrank@revivethera.com Website: www.revivethera.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider has reviewed or accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statement This press release contains 'forward-looking information' within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "may", "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on Revive's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Forward looking information in this press release includes information with respect to the Company's cannabinoids, psychedelics and infectious diseases programs. Forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions that have been made by Revive at the date of the information and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information. Given these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, you should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is made as of the date hereof, and Revive is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. Reference is made to the risk factors disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's management's discussion and analysis for the three months ended December 31, 2024 ("MD&A"), dated February 24, 2025, which is available on the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. With nearly two decades of experience in the payment industry, Lieben joins EBANX to lead partnerships with European tech companies expanding their businesses to the world's fastest-growing digital markets: Latin America, Africa, and India AMSTERDAM and CURITIBA, Brazil, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- With an eye on the exponential growth of emerging markets, where the volume of online sales is expected to exceed USD 1.3 trillion by 2027, European companies are looking to countries such as Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Nigeria, South Africa, and India to boost their businesses. In this context, EBANX , a global Payments Service Provider (PSP) specialising in emerging markets, announces Robert-Jan Lieben as its new Vice-President of Commercial in Europe. A former PayPal Director with nearly two decades of experience in developing new businesses and in-depth knowledge about the payments industry, Lieben joins EBANX to strengthen the fintech's connection with European companies, who are already among the PSP's key merchants. The announcement follows other strategic moves within the region, such as the inaugural chapter of EBANX's 7th Payments Summit, held in Barcelona, Spain, last September. Based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, he will have a strategic role in supporting European businesses' international expansion to the world's fastest-growing digital markets: Latin America, Africa, and India. "What excites me most about this new professional challenge is representing a PSP that offers not just payment processing, but a complete understanding of local regulations, consumer preferences, and market dynamics that are essential for success," said Lieben, the new EBANX VP for Commercial in Europe. Fastest-growing digital markets Data from Payments and Commerce Market Intelligence (PCMI) featured in the new edition of Beyond Borders , EBANX's annual comprehensive study on payment trends in emerging economies, shows exactly how verticals with a strong presence of European companies are growing at an accelerated pace in emerging markets. "All tech companies are seeking ways to amplify their business and, more importantly, capture the right opportunities at the right moment," Lieben said. "And there has not been a better time to invest and expand in Latin America, Africa, and India. With the maturity of digital commerce, strong consumer purchasing power, and the growing appetite of European businesses to enter emerging markets, now is the ideal moment." Online retail in Latin America, for example, is expected to accelerate by 26% per year until 2027. In India and across Africa, the sector is expected to grow by 20% and 16% annually over the next two years, respectively. Other digital verticals, such as Gaming, Travel, and Streaming, will also increase their sales by double digits in those three regions during this period, at 21% in Africa for Gaming, 18% in India for Travel, and 14% in LatAm for streaming. Local processing and global settlement The appointment of Lieben represents a strategic match that brings together his deep understanding of Europe tech companies' needs with EBANX's extensive knowledge of Latin American and other emerging markets. "This combination creates a powerful bridge among these economies," said Joao Del Valle, CEO and Co-founder of EBANX. "Lieben understands the expansion challenges Europe businesses face, while our team understands the local nuances that make emerging markets so powerful. Together, we're distinctively positioned to help European companies succeed in these high-growth regions." The opportunities presented by local, real-time payment methods like Pix, Brazil's instant payment system with 90% penetration, SPEI, Mexico's transfer system, Nequi, one of the fastest-growing digital payment platforms in Colombia, Ozow, South Africa's leading instant EFT payments provider, UPI, India's ubiquitous instant payments system, as well as debit and credit cards from domestic schemes, are excellent examples of how a partner with local processing capability and global settlement structure, such as EBANX, can be key in the expansion strategy of any company. "We were able to help merchants from all over the world understand these payment methods' opportunities and strengths, and adapt their offerings," explained Del Valle. "As a result, they are able not only to establish themselves successfully in emerging markets but also to rapidly increase their customer base, as they were already prepared to meet these markets' demands." For instance, digital companies accepting Pix in Brazil with EBANX experience a 16% increase in their revenue and a 25% growth in the number of clients. Soon, the recurrency feature will be available in Pix's system, with the launch of Pix Automatico expected for June. EBANX's merchants can already access the technical documentation to integrate Pix Automatico's API and start backend development and testing. "Emerging markets are leading the global shift towards real-time payments and digital financial solutions, and merchants that ride this wave and master the most popular payment methods will be best positioned to capitalise on these opportunities," Lieben added. ABOUT EBANX EBANX is the leading payment platform connecting global businesses to the world's fastest-growing digital markets. Founded in 2012 in Brazil, EBANX was built with a mission to expand access to international digital commerce. Leveraging proprietary technology, deep market expertise, and robust infrastructure, EBANX enables global companies to offer hundreds of local payment methods across Latin America, Africa, and Asia. More than just payments, EBANX drives growth, enhances sales, and delivers seamless purchase experiences for businesses and consumers alike. For further information, please visit: Website: https://www.ebanx.com/en/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ebanx Contact: Leonardo Stamillo leo@contentco.tech ContentCO Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2212992/5224472/EBANX_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ebanx-announces-robert-jan-lieben-as-new-vp-in-europe-to-boost-e-commerce-between-eu-and-emerging-markets-302405921.html Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 19, 2025) - Arya Resources Ltd. (TSXV: RBZ) ("Arya" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the Company has received an exploration permit, including drilling, for its Wedge Lake Gold project - Twin & T6 Gold (Au) zones in, Saskatchewan, Canada. The Wedge Lake Gold project is accessible via provincial highway 102 and three kilometres away from the Golden Heart Gold mine access road. Quartz diorite, host to the recent Ramp Metals Inc. gold discovery, located 10 kms to the west of the Company's claims, intrudes the Wedge Lake Property. The Exploration permits allows ARYA to utilize existing roads and trails, complete prospecting and sample trenching and up to 2,000 metres of diamond drilling. Qualified Person: The scientific and technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Kevin Wells, P.Geo., a Qualified Person (QP) as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined 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 which 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/245161 SOURCE: Arya Resources Ltd. munkschool.utoronto.ca/gelber | @gelberprize | GelberPrize To Run the World: The Kremlin's Cold War Bid for Global Power (Cambridge University Press) selected as the best non-fiction book published in the English language on the subject of international affairs selected as the best non-fiction book published in the English language on the subject of international affairs The Lionel Gelber Prize is chosen annually by an international jury of journalists, practitioners and scholars, and awarded by University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy High-resolution photos of the author and images of the book cover are available upon request TORONTO, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Judith Gelber, Chair of the Lionel Gelber Prize board, announced today that the winner of the 2025 Lionel Gelber Prize is To Run the World: The Kremlin's Cold War Bid for Global Power by Sergey Radchenko, published by Cambridge University Press. Chosen by a jury of international journalists, practitioners and scholars, the Gelber Prize is awarded annually to the best book on international affairs published in English. The Prize is presented by the University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy. The winner will receive $50,000. Jury Chair and University Professor Janice Stein reflected "Sergey Radchenko has written a masterpiece. To Run the World made me think differently about the Cold War that took place last century and think differently about what Russia is doing now. Rich in original material, laced with wonderful stories so beautifully told, this is a magisterial history for our times." The winning title was selected from a shortlist of books which included Dollars and Dominion: US Bankers and the Making of a Superpower by Mary Bridges (Princeton University Press); The Achilles Trap: Saddam Hussein, the C.I.A., and the Origins of America's Invasion of Iraq by Steve Coll (Penguin Random House); The Good Allies: How Canada and the United States Fought Together to Defeat Fascism during the Second World War by Tim Cook (Penguin Random House Canada); and To the Success of Our Hopeless Cause: The Many Lives of the Soviet Dissident Movement by Benjamin Nathans (Princeton University Press). The 2025 Lionel Gelber Prize was chosen by Janice Gross Stein (Jury Chair, Toronto), Francis J. Gavin (Washington), Iain Martin (London), John Bew (London) and Nina Srinivasan Rathbun (Toronto). The Winner To Run the World: The Kremlin's Cold War Bid for Global Power, Sergey Radchenko (Cambridge University Press) In this panoramic new history of the conflict that defined the postwar era, Sergey Radchenko provides an unprecedented deep dive into the psychology of the Kremlin's decision-making. He reveals how the Soviet struggle with the United States and China reflected its irreconcilable ambitions as a self-proclaimed superpower and the leader of global revolution. This tension drove Soviet policies from Stalin's postwar scramble for territory to Khrushchev's reckless overseas adventurism and nuclear brinksmanship, Brezhnev's jockeying for influence in the third world, and Gorbachev's failed attempts to reinvent Moscow's claims to greatness. Perennial insecurities, delusions of grandeur, and desire for recognition propelled Moscow on a headlong quest for global power, with dire consequences and painful legacies that continue to shape our world. Sergey Radchenko is Wilson E. Schmidt Distinguished Professor at SAIS Europe, and Director, Bologna Institute for Policy Research. Radchenko has an international reputation for research on the history of the Cold War. He has written on Sino-Soviet relations, on Soviet and Chinese foreign policies, on atomic diplomacy, and on Cold War crises. He is a frequent contributor to The New York Times, The Washington Post, Foreign Policy, National Interest, The Moscow Times, and other national and international media. The Event The Lionel Gelber Prize ceremony and lecture will take place at 12 p.m. ET on April 9, 2025, presented in a hybrid format by the University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy. To register online, visit the Lionel Gelber Prize website. The Prize The Lionel Gelber Prize was founded in 1989 by Canadian diplomat Lionel Gelber. A cash prize of $50,000 CAD is awarded to the winner. The award is presented annually by the Lionel Gelber Prize Board and the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy at the University of Toronto. Contact: Lani Mae Krantz, lani.krantz@utoronto.ca, (647) 407-4384 Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2644227/The_Lionel_Gelber_Prize_2025_Lionel_Gelber_Prize_awarded_to_Serg.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/2025-lionel-gelber-prize-awarded-to-sergey-radchenko-for-to-run-the-world-the-kremlins-cold-war-bid-for-global-power-302405206.html LONDON, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- UK Fostering is an independent fostering agency that provides vulnerable children with stable, caring homes through dedicated and compassionate foster carers. UK Fostering seeks to provide young people with life changing opportunities and experiences no other fostering organisation provides. UK Fostering is set to embark on another remarkable journey to India, offering three young people in their care a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in a new culture, broaden their horizons, and gain invaluable life experiences. From 23rd to 30th March 2025, Julie Kidd (South East Regional Director at UK Fostering), her husband Rob Kidd, and Tim McArdle (Director of Recruitment & Family Finding) will accompany three 16-year-old boys currently in care on a week-long cultural and educational trip to Delhi and Rohtak, India. Julie and Rob, who were foster carers themselves, will support and guide the young people throughout the journey. The group will attend the 25th anniversary celebrations at the IB School, an independent non-profit institution managed by Indo British Educational Trust India & Charity World (Charity No. 1161128) with close ties to UK Fostering, and visit government-run schools supported by Charity World, the associated charity dedicated to improving education in underprivileged areas. A Transformational Experience This trip is about more than travel-it is about providing these young people with an eye-opening experience that will help shape their futures. Many of the children who have taken part in previous trips have returned with greater confidence, a fresh perspective on the world, and an appreciation for different cultures and ways of life. During their stay, they will meet and interact with Indian students, participate in cultural activities, and visit schools, temples, markets, and farms-offering an immersive insight into life in India. Julie Kidd, UK Fostering's South East Regional Director, said: "This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for these boys. Seeing the stark contrast between different schools in India will help them appreciate the opportunities they have while also inspiring them to strive for their own futures." A Legacy of Opportunity UK Fostering has been running these trips since 2015, ensuring young people in care can access extraordinary experiences that would otherwise be out of reach. The trips have had a lasting impact on previous attendees, many of whom have described them as "life-changing" and "the best experience of their lives." Tim McArdle, who has led previous trips, added: "Each year, we see the young people grow in confidence, develop new perspectives, and realise that the world is full of possibilities. This trip is not just about travel-it's about inspiration." A Week of Discovery The trip will include: ? Attending the 25th anniversary celebrations of the IB School ? Engaging with students from both private and government-funded schools ? Exploring local markets, temples, and farms ? Learning about Indian culture, education, and daily life ? Experiencing a completely different way of living Supporting the Future UK Fostering's associated charity, Charity World, plays a crucial role in funding and supporting underprivileged schools in India, providing children with the education they need to break the cycle of poverty. This trip is not just about the three boys travelling to India-it is about creating connections, raising awareness, and building a better future for children both in the UK and overseas. For more information on UK Fostering's work, or to support future initiatives, visit www.ukfostering.org.uk For more information on the charity: www.charityworld.com For more information on the school: https://www.ibsrohtak.com/ Media Contact: Tim McArdle tim.mcardle@ukfostering.org.uk 07720677001 Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2645360/Keira.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2645359/UK_Fostering_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/life-changing-trip-to-india-with-uk-fostering-for-three-children-in-their-care-302405937.html DELRAY BEACH, Fla., March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Drone Communication Market is estimated in terms of market size to be USD 2.46 billion in 2024 to USD 3.67 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 8.3% according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The drone communication market is growing rapidly due to better communication technology, increased use of UAVs in the military, and the need for secure data transmission. As drones are used more in defense, business, and industry, strong communication systems are needed for real-time control, better awareness, and successful missions. New technologies like AI-based communication, 5G networks, and encrypted data links are improving drone connectivity, making operations safer and more efficient. These factors are shaping the future of drone communication, making it an important part of unmanned aerial systems. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=220457835 Browse in-depth TOC on "Drone Communication Market" 264 - Tables 96 - Figures 286 - Pages Drone Communication Market Report Scope: Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2024 $ 2.46 billion Estimated Value by 2029 $ 3.67 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 8.3% Market Size Available for 2020-2029 Forecast Period 2024-2029 Forecast Units Value (USD Million/Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Technology, Application, Component and Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of World Key Market Challenge Interoperability and standardization issues Key Market Opportunities Emergence of swarm drone communication Key Market Drivers Advancements in communication technologies Based on Technology, the Meshed network segment is expected to be the fastest growing the drone communication market during the forecast period Based on technology, Meshed network is expected to be the fastest-growing segment in the drone communication market during the forecasted period. Meshed network technology is changing drone communication by creating decentralized networks where each drone works as a node, sharing data across the system. Unlike traditional networks, meshed networks keep drones connected even in areas with little infrastructure. This makes them more reliable, scalable, and secure, which is important for defense, disaster response, and industrial operations that need real-time data sharing. Meshed networks are the fastest-growing segment in drone communication because they support large-scale autonomous drone operations. AI-powered routing and adaptive frequency management help optimize data flow, ensuring smooth and secure communication in changing environments. As more industries use autonomous and team-based drone missions, meshed networks offer a strong and flexible communication system. Their ability to provide secure and high-performance connectivity makes them essential for the future of drone communication. Based on application, the military segment is projected to lead the drone communication market Based on application, the military segment is expected to be a leading segment in the drone communication market because it needs secure and fast data sharing for missions. Military drones are used in combat, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and logistics. In combat, encrypted signals and anti-jamming systems ensure safe communication for controlling drones, tracking targets, and guiding weapons without interference. For ISR missions, drones use satellite communication (SATCOM) and tactical data links to send real-time intelligence, helping the military make quick decisions. In logistics, beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) communication and autonomous networks allow drones to deliver supplies and help with medical evacuations in dangerous areas. As defense forces use AI and better communication systems, the military application continues to lead investments in drone technology. These improvements enhance coordination, security, and mission success, making the military application the top segment in the drone communication market. Inquiry Before Buying: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=220457835 North America will lead the drone communication market during the forecast period North America is set to lead the drone communication industry because of strong government support, advanced technology, and smart investments. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has helped create clear rules under Part 107, making it easier for businesses to expand drone operations. The region's heavy investment in 5G networks and AI-driven systems has improved real-time data sharing, helping drones work more efficiently. The growing demand for autonomous drones in infrastructure inspection, precision agriculture, and defense is also boosting the market. Leading companies like Skydio and AeroVironment are driving innovation and forming partnerships to strengthen North America's position. The region also benefits from a large defense budget and government-backed UAV programs, which support the development of drone communication technologies. A key example is the February 2025 partnership between Birds Eye Aerial Drones and ARTEMIA Communications, showing North America's focus on improving drone communication for better safety, efficiency, and compliance. DJI (US), RTX (US), Northrop Grumman (US), Israel Aerospace Industries (Israel), and L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (US) are the major key players in the drone communication companies. These companies have strong distribution networks across regions like North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=220457835 Browse Adjacent Market: Aerospace and Defence Market Research Reports &Consulting Related Reports: Unmanned Systems Market by Type (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, Unmanned Marine Vehicle, Unmanned Ground Vehicle), Application (Defense, Government & Law Enforcement, Commercial, Consumer, Other), Mode of Operation, and Region -Global Forecast to 2030 UAV (Drone) Market by Type (Fixed Wing, Rotary Wing, Hybrid), Platform (Civil & Commercial, and Defense & Government), Point of Sale, Systems, Function, Industry, Application, Mode of Operation, MTOW, Range and Region - Global Forecast to 2029 Military Drone Market by Platform (Small, Tactical, Strategic), Type (Fixed Wing, Rotary Wing, Hybrid), Application (UCAVs, ISR, Delivery), Propulsion (Fuel Powered & Battery Powered), MTOW, Operation Mode, Launching Mode, and Region - Global Forecast to 2028 Military Communications Market by System (Satcom System, Radio System, Security System, Communication Management System), Platform (Land, Naval, Airborne, Unmanned Vehicles), Point of Sale (New Installation, Upgrade), Application and Region - Global Forecast to 2028 Aircraft Communication System Market by Connectivity (SATCOM, VHF/UHF/L-Band, HF and Data Link), Fit (Line Fit, Retrofit), Platform (Fixed-wing, Rotary-wing, UAVs and eVTOL/eSTOL), Component and Region - Global Forecast to 2027 About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of America's Best Management Consulting Firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. With the widest lens on emerging technologies, we are proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients across the globe. Today, 80% of Fortune 2000 companies rely on MarketsandMarkets, and 90 of the top 100 companies in each sector trust us to accelerate their revenue growth. With a global clientele of over 13,000 organizations, we help businesses thrive in a disruptive ecosystem. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion in new revenue streams that are replacing existing ones within this decade. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we collaborate with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies to keep them future-ready. Our insights and strategies are powered by industry experts, cutting-edge AI, and our Market Intelligence Cloud, KnowledgeStore, which integrates research and provides ecosystem-wide visibility into revenue shifts. In addition, MarketsandMarkets SalesIQ enables sales teams to identify high-priority accounts and uncover hidden opportunities, helping them build more pipeline and win more deals with precision. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter , LinkedIn and Facebook . Contact: Mr. Rohan Salgarkar MarketsandMarkets INC. 1615 South Congress Ave. Suite 103, Delray Beach, FL 33445 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Visit Our Web Site: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/drone-communication-companies.asp Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/drone-communication.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1868219/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/drone-communication-market-worth-3-67-billion-by-2029---exclusive-report-by-marketsandmarkets-302405609.html AMSTERDAM and GDANSK, Poland and DETROIT, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a strategic development announced today, RPM is pleased to confirm the appointment of Mr. Paul Magdeleyns as the new Managing Director of RPM Europe BV, effective 1 March 2025. With an extensive background in the automotive logistics industry through leadership roles at Hodlmayr International, Koopman Logistics Group and ARS Altmann AG. Paul is ideally positioned to drive RPM Europe BV towards significant growth and innovation. Mr. Frits Mehrtens, who adeptly served as interim Managing Director, will be succeeded by Paul. Aside from Managing RPM Europe, Mehrtens' main role was to recruit his successor. Going forward, Mehrtens will continue to support RPM as Senior Advisor Business Development. His deep industry knowledge and strategic foresight will continue to be of immense value to RPM Europe. "We are extremely pleased that Paul has joined us on this transformative journey at RPM, marking a significant chapter of ingenuity and growth for our operations in Europe," said Pierre-Luc Mathieu, Board Member of RPM. "Paul's leadership qualities and profound industry expertise are in perfect alignment with RPM's innovation-driven philosophy and our commitment to revolutionizing automotive logistics with cutting-edge solutions. We are confident that under Paul's guidance, RPM Europe will reach new heights of success and set new standards in operational excellence and customer engagement." "Since RPM entered the European market in 2019, they have taken a smart and innovative approach. With over 32 years of experience at three major asset-based companies, I initially wondered how a company like RPM could convince my customers to move their vehicles without even owning a single truck. But RPM's technology and powerful network set them apart. I am thrilled to join a company that redefines industry standards and my goal is to ensure everyone recognizes that RPM Europe is no longer a 'small' player-it's a force to be reckoned with." -Paul Magdeleyns. With Paul Magdeleyns arrival, RPM Europe BV has never been more aligned in its vision to revolutionize the automotive logistics industry through agile, innovative solutions that create a seamless, reliable experience, setting new standards for service and performance. About RPM RPM provides the automotive ecosystem with flexible logistics for the transportation of finished vehicles and other specialty freight. To support the exact requirements of our clients, RPM's custom-engineered technology automates, optimizes, and digitizes the shipping process throughout a vehicle's life cycle. Their asset-light model is agile and flexible, bridging transportation modes regardless of scope and complexity to drive an operational advantage for our clients. Backed by Trive Capital and Bluejay Capital, RPM strives to be the premier service aggregator for finished vehicle logistics and value-add interconnected services. By offering our clients a sophisticated network covering over-the-road, rail, port, and sea, we are transforming the future of mobility. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2642954/RPM_Freight_Systems_LLC.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1803939/RPM_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rpm-europe-bv-welcomes-paul-magdeleyns-as-managing-director-302403431.html PowerPlant Automated Plot Planting System, Exclusively from ALMACO In the seed research industry, technological advancements are revolutionizing the approach to plot planting and cultivation. Seed research professionals face numerous challenges, including labor shortages, increasing efficiency requirements, the push for faster advancement decisions, and more. Each year, it becomes clearer that planting automation is essential in removing human error and closing gaps in seed research needs. Operators do not need to unload seed packets for each plot, which supports seed research professionals in many ways. PowerPlant Automated Planting System from ALMACO PowerPlant Automated Planting System on an ALMACO SeedPro 360 Research Planter Planting automation embodies the transformative potential of new technology in seed research. At the forefront of this shift in automated planting technology is the ALMACO PowerPlant Automated Planting System. The first of its kind in the seed research industry, it has far exceeded the reliability standards of traditional plot planting methods. Seed cartridges are packaged, labeled, and verified ahead of time, providing ultimate peace of mind. Seed researchers can go into the field knowing exactly where their seeds will be planted, with no secondary operator required to ride on the planter. The elimination of manual seed packet unloads reduces the risk of human error, resulting in more accurate data during harvest. Automation mitigates the labor-intensive nature of manual plot planting, allowing researchers to allocate their time and resources more effectively. The increased efficiency not only removes human error but also accelerates the pace of research and development. Planting automation ensures that each seed is planted with consistent precision, reducing variability in research plots. This precise control of seed placement leads to more consistent field conditions, better data collection, and faster advancement decisions. By minimizing discrepancies, researchers can rely on the integrity of their data, which is crucial for making informed decisions about seed development and improvement. With an expanded capacity, seed scientists can explore a wide variety of seed offerings to ensure the best seeds end up in farmers' hands. The ability to test and analyze more seeds in a shorter period significantly speeds up the innovation process, leading to the development of superior seed varieties that can meet the demands of a growing global population. The integration of planting automation eliminates the need for operators to physically ride on the planter during plot planting operations. This enhancement in operator safety significantly reduces the risk of accidents, physical strain injuries, exposure to chemicals, heat stress, sunburn, and other potential hazards associated with manual operation. Ensuring the well-being of operators is a critical component of modernizing the seed research industry, making it a more attractive field for skilled professionals. Embracing automation is not just a trend but a necessary step toward meeting the global challenges of food security and agricultural sustainability. The ALMACO PowerPlant Automated Planting System is at the forefront of this transformation, setting a new standard for excellence in seed research and development. Learn more about PowerPlant on the ALMACO website or by contacting us at sales@almaco.com. SOURCE: ALMACO BRUSSELS, March 19, 2025" campaign today announced the premiere launch of the interactive exhibition in Brussels which marked the beginning of the European phase campaign. The campaign promotes Poland as an innovative and dynamic country. It presents selected innovations - many of which have already found success abroad - that both Poles and Europeans can be proud of. The campaign was held under the patronage of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Although Poland has been one of the fastest-growing economies in Europe among countries with a similar level of development for more than 35 years, this growth is mainly driven by local, often small and medium-sized companies. According to Poland's National Centre for Research and Development, the nominal value of R&D expenditures increased nearly twelvefold between 2003 and 2023 - from EUR 1.08 billion to EUR 12.71 billion. For example, PMR forecasts indicate that in 2024 the value of Poland's cybersecurity market will be close to EUR 720 million, with revenues for the broader industry reaching up to EUR 2.87 billion. The Polish fintech sector is also experiencing significant growth - for the last years the number of fintech companies increased from 167 to 299, a rise of 79 per cent. The aim of the "We Did It In Poland" campaignis, among other things, to reinforce Poland's image as an innovative, dynamic, and modern country that makes a significant contribution to the development of the European Union. The campaign's launch outside of Poland is tied to the opening of the interactive exhibition, the premiere of which took place on 19 March during an event organized in Brussel by Business & Science Poland, a campaign partner. The summit also provided an opportunity to discuss newly proposed strategies to strengthen the EU's position in five key thematic areas: innovation, industry, financing, strategic value chains, and defence. The interactive exhibition features a three-dimensional mock-up of Poland, complete with railway stations that showcase selected innovations of which both Poles and Europeans can be proud. One of the Polish innovators featured is Wilbert - Orlen. The exhibition will be on display for the coming weeks at the Business & Science office at Belliard 40. SPOT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVkwjxDv1gY Media Contact: Ewa Malicka, PR expert ewa.malicka@rocketscience.com.pl +48781453815 www.wediditinpoland.eu Source: WlaczeniPlus Foundation The fund aims to create between 2,500 and 3,000 affordable housing units, including a minimum of 100 units of for-sale housing Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb, Cleveland City Council and the Cleveland office of Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC Cleveland) announced details of a major new initiative to address the affordable housing crisis facing Cleveland residents. Cleveland Housing Investment Fund (CHIF), made possible by a transformative $18 million grant commitment from the City of Cleveland (the City) and a $20 million investment from KeyBank, aims to raise up to $100 million from mission-aligned partners to finance much-needed capital for affordable housing developments across the city. The goal is to create between 2,500 and 3,000 affordable units, including a minimum of 100 units of for-sale housing. Urgency drives this initiative in Greater Cleveland, where rents are rising at the fastest rate in the United States. According to a recent report by Redfin, Cleveland saw the biggest year-over-year rent increase by percentage of the 50 most-populated metro areas in the country, with average rents up 10.6% in 2024. Increasing demand has created an urgent need for more affordable housing for low-income, working class and middle-class residents. The significant commitments from the City and KeyBank aim to address this housing burden by creating financing options that will help create and preserve inclusive, affordable housing for Clevelanders. This public-private partnership seeks to leverage $100 million in capital to support resilient neighborhoods and stimulate economic growth. By maximizing the City's funding and attracting private capital, CHIF -managed by LISC Fund Management, LLC (LFM), an affiliate of LISC -will invest in flexible term debt primarily for mixed-income rental housing preservation and new construction, as well as for sale affordable homes. The focus will be on middle market and opportunity neighborhoods, anchoring resilient communities and driving growth. Projects outside these neighborhoods, but with deep affordability and impact, will also be considered. "By creating the Cleveland Housing Investment Fund, we are not just addressing a pressing need; we are investing in the future of our neighborhoods," said Mayor Bibb. "We are grateful for the support from KeyBank and excited to partner with LISC, which has a great track record in the creation of innovative programs that lead to successful affordable housing projects. Together, we will increase access to affordable housing for Clevelanders, regenerating vibrancy and quality of life throughout the city." How CHIF works CHIF will focus on providing financing to construct housing that is affordable for residents with low to moderate incomes, particularly those earning less than 80% of the area median income. As of Dec. 2024, this translates to individuals earning $54,450 or less annually. CHIF will invest in a variety of affordable housing developments, including neighborhood-scale rehabilitation projects, as well as the new construction of rental housing and for-sale homes, with an average loan or investment of $1 million to $5 million per project. This initiative will bolster existing City resources for affordable housing and help fill much needed capital. Additionally, the fund aims to support emerging developers and community-based enterprises that face challenges accessing capital. These developers will receive guidance and technical assistance to make sure they are well positioned to potentially secure funding from CHIF. Designed to increase the impact and leverage of public dollars, CHIF aims to deliver gap financing with a higher return on investment. Typically, for every $12.50 invested, there is a $100 impact. CHIF is projected to increase this impact, where for every $6 invested, there is a projected $100 impact. "At KeyBank, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive in a community that supports their aspirations. Our $20 million investment in the Cleveland Housing Investment Fund underscores our commitment to affordable housing solutions that effect meaningful change in the lives of Cleveland residents," said Brian Maddox, National Team Leader for KeyBank CDFI Lending and Investment. "CHIF is an innovative program we believe will bring robust development that will positively impact neighborhoods across Cleveland." Accountability and Transparency Representatives from LISC will meet monthly with administrative and council representatives to ensure CHIF is satisfying desired community benefits and outreach commitments. This collaborative approach will ensure that CHIF effectively addresses the needs of Cleveland residents while promoting transparency and accountability. "City Council hears from residents every day about the need for affordable housing and additional investment in our neighborhoods, particularly in under-resourced areas," said City Council President Blaine A. Griffin. "We are proud to support CHIF, and we look forward to playing a role in this important work." As Cleveland continues to face challenges in affordable housing, the establishment of Cleveland Housing Investment Fund represents a proactive and strategic approach to creating development opportunities for all residents. LISC Cleveland will host an informational session for developers interested in learning about new funding options that CHIF will provide on April 10, 2025. "LISC and LFMs have had great success with establishing and managing similar funds in cities like Dallas, Charlotte and Detroit," said Kandis Williams, executive director of LISC Cleveland. "With CHIF, we have taken a lot from those programs but tailored them to meet Cleveland's unique challenges and build upon existing community assets. This initiative will provide access to flexible capital, which is sorely needed to support construction and attract projects to neighborhoods that otherwise would be overlooked. We are already talking to developers about this new opportunity and look forward to seeing new projects breaking ground soon." For more information on CHIF or to apply for funding, visit the CHIF homepage Learn more about KeyBank's commitment to helping clients and communities thrive Disclaimer: The investment pools sponsored by LISC are available only to eligible investors, are offered only pursuant to their official offering documents, and are managed by LFM, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of LISC. LFM is an investment adviser registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. LFM currently manages $865 million assets under management through 11 national and place-based mission-driven investments funds across the country. To learn more about LFM, please visit https://www.liscstrategicinvestments.org/ References made to endorsements by any third party to invest with LISC or CHIF are not indicative of future performance and do not imply any guaranteed level of service, skill or training. Investors should not rely on endorsements for any purpose and should conduct their own review prior to investing. None of Mayor Justin Bibb, Council President Blaine Griffin, Brian Maddox, or Kandis Williams are a "promoter" who is compensated for this statement. Photo L to R: Alexandra Malkin - Underwriter, KeyBank CDLI, Celia Smoot - KeyBank CDLI Team Leader, Brian Maddox - National Team Leader for KeyBank CDFI Lending and Investment, Eric Fiala - KeyBank Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer, Mattie Jones-Hollowell - KeyBank Cleveland Corporate Responsibility Officer, Shanelle Smith Whigham - KeyBank National Director of Community Engagement. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from KeyBank on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: KeyBank Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/keybank Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: KeyBank EQS-News: Continental AG / Key word(s): AGM/EGM Invitation to the Annual Shareholders' Meeting 19.03.2025 / 15:57 CET/CEST The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Continental Aktiengesellschaft Hanover ISIN: DE0005439004 WKN: 543900 Invitation to the Annual Shareholders' Meeting We invite our shareholders to the Annual Shareholders' Meeting on Friday, April 25, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. (CEST), to be held at the Kuppelsaal, Hannover Congress Centrum, Theodor-Heuss-Platz 1-3, 30175 Hanover, Germany. As usual, the Annual Shareholders' Meeting will be transmitted in full as an audio-visual livestream, also accessible to the general public, online at www.continental.com/en/agm . Information on the Annual Shareholders' Meeting, especially on the rights of the shareholders, can also be found under this link. Agenda Documents for the Annual Shareholders' Meeting Pursuant to Section 176 (1) sentence 1 of the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG), the Executive Board has made the following documents available: The adopted annual financial statements of Continental Aktiengesellschaft as of December 31, 2024 The consolidated financial statements approved by the Supervisory Board as of December 31, 2024 The summarized management report of Continental Aktiengesellschaft and of the Group for fiscal 2024 The report of the Supervisory Board The proposal of the Executive Board on the appropriation of net income. Furthermore, the Executive Board has made available the explanatory report of the Executive Board on the information provided pursuant to Section 289a and Section 315a of the German Commercial Code (HGB) . . The documents mentioned are available online at www.continental.com/en/agm . The corporate governance statement and the report on corporate governance are also available under this link. . The corporate governance statement and the report on corporate governance are also available under this link. The Supervisory Board approved the annual financial statements and consolidated financial statements prepared by the Executive Board at its meeting on March 12, 2025. Accordingly, the Annual Shareholders' Meeting is not required to take a resolution on agenda item 1 pursuant to the statutory provisions. Resolution on the appropriation of net The Executive Board and the Supervisory Board propose that the net profit of Continental Aktiengesellschaft for fiscal 2024 in the amount of 5,317,421,249.70 be appropriated as follows: Distribution of a dividend of 2.50 per share entitled to dividends: 500,014,957.50 Allocation to other revenue reserves: 4,817,406,292.20 Net income: 5,317,421,249.70 Pursuant to Section 58 (4) sentence 2 AktG, the claim to payment of the dividend is due on the third business day following the resolution of the Annual Shareholders' Meeting, i.e. on April 30, 2025. Resolution on the ratification of the actions of the Executive Board members for fiscal The Executive Board and the Supervisory Board propose that the actions of the members of the Executive Board in office in fiscal 2024 be ratified for this period. Voting procedures will foresee voting on such proposal with respect to each member of the Executive Board individually. Resolution on the ratification of the actions of the Supervisory Board members for fiscal The Executive Board and the Supervisory Board propose that the actions of the members of the Supervisory Board in office in fiscal 2024 be ratified for this period. Voting procedures will foresee voting on such proposal with respect to the ratification of each member of the Supervisory Board individually. A list containing information on the attendance of individual Supervisory Board members at plenary and committee meetings of the Supervisory Board in fiscal 2024 can be viewed online at www.continental.com/en/agm . Resolution on the appointment of the auditor and Group auditor and of the auditor for the review of interim financial reports for fiscal Based on the recommendation of the Audit Committee, the Supervisory Board proposes that the following resolutions be adopted: 5.1 PricewaterhouseCoopers GmbH Wirtschaftsprufungsgesellschaft, Frankfurt am Main, Hanover branch, is to be appointed auditor and Group auditor for fiscal 2025. 5.2 PricewaterhouseCoopers GmbH Wirtschaftsprufungsgesellschaft, Frankfurt am Main, Hanover branch, is to be appointed auditor for the review (if any) of interim financial reports to be performed in fiscal 2025. The Audit Committee stated that its recommendation is free from influence by a third party and that no clause of the kind referred to in Article 16 (6) of Regulation (EU) No. 537/2014 (EU Audit Regulation) has been imposed upon it. 6. Resolution on the appointment of the auditor of sustainability reporting for fiscal 2025 German legislation has yet to adopt Directive (EU) 2022/2464 (CSRD), which includes requirements governing sustainability reporting and its auditing, into national law, even though the deadline for implementation has passed. Article 37 of Directive 2006/43/EC (EU Audit Regulation) in the version of Directive (EU) 2022/2464 (CSRD) stipulates that the statutory auditor or audit firm for the purpose of confirming sustainability reporting shall be appointed by the general meeting of shareholders or members of the entity to be audited. It can be assumed accordingly that, pursuant to German law, the auditor of sustainability reporting is to be elected by the Annual Shareholders' Meeting. Based on the recommendation of the Audit Committee, the Supervisory Board proposes that the following resolution be adopted: PricewaterhouseCoopers GmbH Wirtschaftsprufungsgesellschaft, Frankfurt am Main, Hanover branch, is to be appointed as auditor of sustainability reporting within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2022/2464 (CSRD) for fiscal 2025. As a precautionary measure for the event that German legislation, in implementing Article 37 of Directive 2006/43/EC (EU Audit Regulation) in the version of Directive (EU) 2022/2464 (CSRD), should require that said auditor is explicitly appointed by the Annual Shareholders' Meeting, auditing of sustainability reporting for fiscal 2025 pursuant to the German legislation governing implementation of Directive (EU) 2022/2464 (CSRD) should thus not be the responsibility of the auditor. The Audit Committee stated that its recommendation is free from influence by a third party and that no clause of the kind referred to in Article 16 (6) of Regulation (EU) No. 537/2014 (EU Audit Regulation) has been imposed upon it. The Executive Board and Supervisory Board have prepared a report in accordance with Section 162 AktG on the remuneration granted and owed to the individual current or former members of the Executive Board and Supervisory Board in fiscal 2024, which will be submitted to the Annual Shareholders' Meeting for approval in accordance with Section 120a (4) AktG . on the remuneration granted and owed to the individual current or former members of the Executive Board and Supervisory Board in fiscal 2024, which will be submitted to the Annual Shareholders' Meeting for approval in accordance with Section 120a (4) . The remuneration report was audited by the auditor in accordance with Section 162 (3) AktG to ascertain whether the legally required information pursuant to Section 162 (1) and (2) AktG had been provided. An audit of its content beyond the legal requirements was also conducted by the auditor. Certification of the audit of the remuneration report is appended to the remuneration report. to ascertain whether the legally required information pursuant to Section 162 (1) and (2) had been provided. An audit of its content beyond the legal requirements was also conducted by the auditor. Certification of the audit of the remuneration report is appended to the remuneration report. The remuneration report for fiscal 2024 is available online at www.continental.com/en/agm . . The Executive Board and the Supervisory Board propose that the remuneration report for fiscal 2024 created and audited in accordance with Section 162 AktG be approved. 8. Resolution on the approval of the Merger Agreement between Continental Aktiengesellschaft and Continental Automotive GmbH In preparation for the intended division of the group sectors of the Continental Group into two independent listed companies, which is discussed under agenda item 9, Continental Automotive GmbH, Hanover, as transferring entity, is intended to be merged into Continental Aktiengesellschaft, its sole shareholder, as acquiring entity (hereinafter the "Merger"). As a result, Continental Aktiengesellschaft will become the sole shareholder of Continental Automotive Technologies GmbH, Hanover, whose sole shareholder is currently Continental Automotive GmbH. Furthermore, the Domination and Profit and Loss Transfer Agreement currently in place between Continental Automotive GmbH and Continental Automotive Technologies GmbH will be transferred to Continental Aktiengesellschaft as part of the Merger. In order to implement the Merger, Continental Aktiengesellschaft and Continental Automotive GmbH entered into a merger agreement on March 13, 2025 by notarial deed of the notary Dr. Florian Hartl in Hanover (roll of deeds no. 164/2025) (hereinafter the "Merger Agreement"). The Merger Agreement is printed in section II of the invitation (Further information on agenda items) under point 1. Its material terms are as follows: Continental Automotive GmbH shall transfer its entire assets including all rights and obligations with economic effect as at January 1, 2025, 00:00 hrs by dissolution without liquidation ( Auflosung ohne Abwicklung ) to Continental Aktiengesellschaft by way of a merger by absorption ( Verschmelzung durch Aufnahme ) pursuant to Section 2 no. 1 of the German Transformation Act ( UmwG ). ) to Continental Aktiengesellschaft by way of a merger by absorption ( ) pursuant to Section 2 no. 1 of the German Transformation Act ( ). Since Continental Aktiengesellschaft as acquiring company holds all shares in Continental Automotive GmbH as transferring company, the Merger will be effected without consideration. If the Merger has not been registered with the commercial register of Continental Aktiengesellschaft by January 7, 2026, Continental Aktiengesellschaft and Continental Automotive GmbH may each withdraw from the Merger Agreement. The legal positions of the employees of Continental Aktiengesellschaft under individual and collective employment law will not be affected by the Merger. The Merger will not result in any changes in the operational structure and the operational organization in the establishments of Continental Aktiengesellschaft. The representative bodies of Continental Aktiengesellschaft will not change; in particular, no managing director of Continental Automotive GmbH will be appointed as member of the Executive Board of Continental Aktiengesellschaft as a result of the Merger. Continental Aktiengesellschaft and Continental Automotive GmbH undertake to issue all deeds and take all other actions which might additionally be necessary or appropriate in connection with the transfer of the assets from Continental Automotive GmbH to Continental Aktiengesellschaft at the time when the Merger takes effect or in connection with the amendment of public registers or other directories. The costs incurred in connection with the Merger Agreement and its closing shall be borne by Continental Aktiengesellschaft. The Merger Agreement will only become effective if it is approved by the shareholders' meeting of Continental Aktiengesellschaft and the shareholders' meeting of Continental Automotive GmbH. The Merger Agreement was filed with the commercial register of Continental Aktiengesellschaft in due time. The Executive Board and the Supervisory Board propose that the following resolution be adopted: The Merger Agreement between Continental Aktiengesellschaft and Continental Automotive GmbH of March 13, 2025 is approved. The following documents are available online from the date of invitation at www.continental.com/en/agm www.continental.com/en/agm : the Merger Agreement, the adopted annual financial statements of Continental Aktiengesellschaft and the approved consolidated financial statements as well as the summarized management report of Continental Aktiengesellschaft and of the Group for each of the fiscal years 2022, 2023 and 2024, and the adopted annual financial statements of Continental Automotive GmbH for each of the fiscal years 2022, 2023 and 2024. The documents will also be made available at the Annual Shareholders' Meeting. As Continental Aktiengesellschaft is the sole shareholder of Continental Automotive GmbH, the preparation of a merger report pursuant to Section 8 (3) sentence 3 lit. a UmwG, a merger audit pursuant to Section 9 (2) UmwG and the preparation of a merger audit report pursuant to Sections 12 (3), 8 (3) sentence 3 lit. a UmwG are not required. 9. Resolution on the approval of the Spin-off and Transfer Agreement between Continental Aktiengesellschaft and Continental Automotive Holding SE The Executive Board and Supervisory Board of Continental Aktiengesellschaft have resolved that Continental Automotive Technologies GmbH, together with its direct and indirect subsidiaries and shareholdings, and the Domination and Profit and Loss Transfer Agreement in place between Continental Aktiengesellschaft and Continental Automotive Technologies GmbH - after the effective date of the intended Merger discussed under agenda item 8 - be transferred by way of a spin-off by absorption ( Abspaltung zur Aufnahme ) pursuant to Section 123 (2) no. 1 UmwG from Continental Aktiengesellschaft as transferring entity to Continental Automotive Holding SE, Munich as acquiring entity (the "Spin-off") and subsequently have Continental Automotive Holding SE, as a separate company, admitted to trading on the regulated market ( regulierter Markt ) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and simultaneously in the sub-segment of the regulated market with additional post-admission obligations (Prime Standard) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. It is planned that the company name of Continental Automotive Holding SE will be changed before the Spin-off takes effect. ) pursuant to Section 123 (2) no. 1 from Continental Aktiengesellschaft as transferring entity to Continental Automotive Holding SE, Munich as acquiring entity (the "Spin-off") and subsequently have Continental Automotive Holding SE, as a separate company, admitted to trading on the regulated market ( ) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and simultaneously in the sub-segment of the regulated market with additional post-admission obligations (Prime Standard) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. It is planned that the company name of Continental Automotive Holding SE will be changed before the Spin-off takes effect. The operating business of Continental Automotive Technologies GmbH comprises the business activities of the Automotive group sector, which are, for the most part, operationally and organizationally independent, and the business activities of the Contract Manufacturing group sector of the Continental Group, which are primarily provided by subsidiaries of Continental Automotive Technologies GmbH. The legal independence aims, in particular, to give the Automotive group sector greater flexibility in the further development of its business. The business retained by the Continental Group after the Spin-off will consist of the Tires and ContiTech group sectors. In this way, the Spin-off is intended to fully harness the value and growth potential of the two Groups which will then be independent. In order to implement the Spin-off, Continental Aktiengesellschaft and Continental Automotive Holding SE entered into a Spin-off and Transfer Agreement on March 13, 2025 by notarial deed of the notary Dr. Florian Hartl in Hanover (roll of deeds no. 165/2025) (hereinafter "Spin-off and Transfer Agreement"). The Spin-off and Transfer Agreement is printed in section II of the invitation (Further information on agenda items) under point 2. Its material terms are as follows: With economic effect as at January 1, 2025, 00:00 hrs (hereinafter the "Spin-off Effective Date"), Continental Aktiengesellschaft shall transfer the Spin-off Assets listed below to Continental Automotive Holding SE by way of a spin-off by absorption ( Abspaltung zur Aufnahme ) pursuant to Section 123 (2) no. 1 UmwG : its entire direct shareholding in Continental Automotive Technologies GmbH existing when the Merger (discussed under agenda item 8) takes effect, consisting of all shares with serial numbers 4 to 526,568 with a nominal amount of 526,565.00; and the Domination and Profit and Loss Transfer Agreement to which it becomes party as the controlling company when the Merger takes effect, ) pursuant to Section 123 (2) no. 1 : (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Spin-off Assets"). As consideration for the Spin-off, the shareholders of Continental Aktiengesellschaft shall be granted, free of charge, one registered no-par value share ( auf den Namen lautende Stuckaktie ) in Continental Automotive Holding SE for every two no-par value bearer shares ( auf den Inhaber lautende Stuckaktien ) in Continental Aktiengesellschaft pro rata in proportion ( verhaltniswahrend ) to their respective participations in Continental Aktiengesellschaft. In order to implement the Spin-off, Continental Automotive Holding SE will increase its share capital from 120,000 by 250,007,477.50 to 250,127,477.50 against a contribution in kind ( Sacheinlage ) by issuing 100,002,991 registered no-par value shares ( auf den Namen lautende Stuckaktien ). Deutsche Bank AG as trustee shall receive the shares in Continental Automotive Holding SE to be granted and distribute them to the shareholders of Continental Aktiengesellschaft. ) in Continental Automotive Holding SE for every two no-par value bearer shares ( ) in Continental Aktiengesellschaft pro rata in proportion ( ) to their respective participations in Continental Aktiengesellschaft. In order to implement the Spin-off, Continental Automotive Holding SE will increase its share capital from 120,000 by 250,007,477.50 to 250,127,477.50 against a contribution in kind ( ) by issuing 100,002,991 registered no-par value shares ( ). Deutsche Bank AG as trustee shall receive the shares in Continental Automotive Holding SE to be granted and distribute them to the shareholders of Continental Aktiengesellschaft. The shares to be granted by Continental Automotive Holding SE shall be entitled to dividends as from January 1, 2025. If the Spin-off Effective Date is postponed, the beginning of the dividend entitlement for the shares to be granted shall be postponed to the new Spin-off Effective Date. The Spin-off will take effect upon its registration with the commercial register of Continental Aktiengesellschaft and after the effective date of the intended Merger discussed under agenda item 8. The date of the registration giving effect to the transfer is defined as the "Closing Date". The Closing Date is, therefore, different from the Spin-off Effective Date (January 1, 2025, 0:00 hrs). If and to the extent that creditors assert claims against a party to the Spin-off and Transfer Agreement on the basis of Section 133 UmwG or other provisions with respect to liabilities, obligations or contingent liabilities for which the respective other party would be liable in accordance with the provisions of the Spin-off and Transfer Agreement, the respective other party shall indemnify such party on first demand from and against the relevant liability, obligation or contingent liability. The same applies in the event that such creditors assert claims to provide security against a party. or other provisions with respect to liabilities, obligations or contingent liabilities for which the respective other party would be liable in accordance with the provisions of the Spin-off and Transfer Agreement, the respective other party shall indemnify such party on first demand from and against the relevant liability, obligation or contingent liability. The same applies in the event that such creditors assert claims to provide security against a party. Continental Aktiengesellschaft warrants ( gewahrleistet ) to Continental Automotive Holding SE as at the Closing Date that (i) it is the holder of the participation in Continental Automotive Technologies GmbH and that it is entitled to freely dispose of the participation and that the participation is not encumbered with rights of third parties, and (ii) it is entitled to freely dispose of the Domination and Profit and Loss Transfer Agreement and that its claims under that agreement are not encumbered with rights of third parties. No specific condition of the Spin-off Assets and, in particular, no specific qualities or specific value of the Spin-off Assets are agreed. To the extent permitted by law, any further rights and warranties with regard to the Spin-off Assets shall be excluded. ) to Continental Automotive Holding SE as at the Closing Date that (i) it is the holder of the participation in Continental Automotive Technologies GmbH and that it is entitled to freely dispose of the participation and that the participation is not encumbered with rights of third parties, and (ii) it is entitled to freely dispose of the Domination and Profit and Loss Transfer Agreement and that its claims under that agreement are not encumbered with rights of third parties. No specific condition of the Spin-off Assets and, in particular, no specific qualities or specific value of the Spin-off Assets are agreed. To the extent permitted by law, any further rights and warranties with regard to the Spin-off Assets shall be excluded. Continental Aktiengesellschaft and Continental Automotive Holding SE undertake to procure that all declarations will be made, all deeds will be issued and all other actions will be taken which may be necessary or appropriate in order to have all shares in Continental Automotive Holding SE admitted to trading in the regulated market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange with simultaneous admission to the sub-segment of the regulated market with additional post-admission obligations (Prime Standard) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange without undue delay ( unverzuglich ) after the Spin-off has taken effect. ) after the Spin-off has taken effect. The total value at which the contribution in kind made by Continental Aktiengesellschaft is taken over by Continental Automotive Holding SE shall be equal to the fair value ( Zeitwert ) of the transferred net assets under commercial law. To the extent that this value exceeds the amount of the increase in the share To the extent that this value exceeds the amount by which the share capital of Continental Automotive Holding SE is to be increased, a portion of the excess amount equal to the legally required reserve shall be allocated to the capital reserves pursuant to Section 272 (2) no. 1 of the German Commercial Code ( HGB ) and the amount remaining after such allocation shall be allocated to the Continental Automotive Holding SE capital reserves pursuant to Section 272 (2) no. 4 HGB . ) of the transferred net assets under commercial law. To the extent that this value exceeds the amount of the increase in the share To the extent that this value exceeds the amount by which the share capital of Continental Automotive Holding SE is to be increased, a portion of the excess amount equal to the legally required reserve shall be allocated to the capital reserves pursuant to Section 272 (2) no. 1 of the German Commercial Code ( ) and the amount remaining after such allocation shall be allocated to the Continental Automotive Holding SE capital reserves pursuant to Section 272 (2) no. 4 . Continental Aktiengesellschaft and Continental Automotive Holding SE shall each bear their own costs for their respective shareholders' meetings and the costs for the respective applications and registrations with the relevant commercial register. The costs for the joint spin-off report ( Spaltungsbericht ), the spin-off audit ( Spaltungsprufung ), and the audits in connection with the capital increase against contributions in kind ( Sachkapitalerhohung ) and the post-formation acquisition ( Nachgrundung ) of Continental Automotive Holding SE shall be solely borne by Continental Automotive Holding SE. The costs for the planned stock exchange listing for Continental Automotive Holding SE and the related evidenced costs for advisers (in particular, lawyers and auditors), banks and other service providers shall also be solely borne by Continental Automotive Holding SE. The latter shall not include the costs for the organization and conduct of Continental Aktiengesellschaft's Capital Market Day ( Kapitalmarkttag ) which shall be borne by Continental Aktiengesellschaft itself. Continental AG shall consult with CA Holding SE before engaging additional advisors not already involved in connection with the capital increase against contributions in kind ( Sachkapitalerhohung ), the post-formation acquisition ( Nachgrundung ) or the planned stock exchange listing. The obligation of Continental Automotive Holding SE to bear the costs shall only arise as at the Closing Date. The portion of the costs allocated to Continental Automotive Holding SE as at the Closing Date will initially be advanced by Continental Aktiengesellschaft. Continental Automotive Holding SE will then reimburse this portion of the costs after the Closing Date and upon issuance of an invoice. ), the spin-off audit ( ), and the audits in connection with the capital increase against contributions in kind ( ) and the post-formation acquisition ( ) of Continental Automotive Holding SE shall be solely borne by Continental Automotive Holding SE. The costs for the planned stock exchange listing for Continental Automotive Holding SE and the related evidenced costs for advisers (in particular, lawyers and auditors), banks and other service providers shall also be solely borne by Continental Automotive Holding SE. The latter shall not include the costs for the organization and conduct of Continental Aktiengesellschaft's Capital Market Day ( ) which shall be borne by Continental Aktiengesellschaft itself. Continental AG shall consult with CA Holding SE before engaging additional advisors not already involved in connection with the capital increase against contributions in kind ( ), the post-formation acquisition ( ) or the planned stock exchange listing. The obligation of Continental Automotive Holding SE to bear the costs shall only arise as at the Closing Date. The portion of the costs allocated to Continental Automotive Holding SE as at the Closing Date will initially be advanced by Continental Aktiengesellschaft. Continental Automotive Holding SE will then reimburse this portion of the costs after the Closing Date and upon issuance of an invoice. The Spin-off and Transfer Agreement shall only take effect when it has been approved by the respective shareholders' meetings of Continental Aktiengesellschaft and Continental Automotive Holding SE and when the Merger has been registered with the commercial register of Continental Aktiengesellschaft as the acquiring entity of the local court ( Amtsgericht ) of Hanover. ) of Hanover. A Group Separation Agreement is entered into between Continental Aktiengesellschaft and Continental Automotive Holding SE, which is attached as annex to the Spin-off and Transfer Agreement and contains provisions on the legal relationships existing between the aforementioned parties and their respective group companies. The material terms of the Group Separation Agreement, which is attached as annex to the Spin-off and Transfer Agreement, are as follows: If the parties' common assumption that assets, rights and obligations have been allocated in such a way that the parties and their respective Groups will be able to continue their respective activities to the same extent as before the Closing Date and that the functioning of each Group as a whole is secured should turn out to be incorrect, the parties shall, with due regard to their mutual interests, procure that the allocation be adjusted (if applicable, against payment). Subject to the more detailed terms of the Group Separation Agreement, Continental Aktiengesellschaft shall ensure that the Automotive Group will have sufficient capital on the basis of the Target Cash and Cash Equivalents available as at the Closing Date. If financial liabilities still exist between companies of the two Groups on the Closing Date, these financial liabilities shall be settled five banking days from the Closing Date. Any collateral that has been provided by a company of one Group for liabilities of a company of the other Group shall be discharged by the Closing Date by the parties endeavoring to ensure that the relevant external third party will release the collateral. If a discharge is not practicable, the parties have agreed on how an indemnification as between the parties shall be effected. The same shall apply if a third party asserts a claim against the company which has provided the collateral. In cases in which an event of loss or other circumstances occur or become known at a company of one Group after the Spin-off Effective Date, as a result of which a company of the other Group is entitled (or would be entitled but for the Spin-off) to claim compensation under an insurance policy covering periods prior to the Closing Date, the parties have agreed on provisions which are aimed to ensure that the insurance claim inures to the economic benefit of the injured party. Known and unknown legal risks which have their origin prior to the Closing Date are generally allocated between the Groups according to their group sector-specific business activities prior to the Closing Date. If a legal risk cannot be allocated to a group sector, in particular because it originates from actions of the holding functions, the risk shall be allocated equally between the Groups, unless a group sector has contributed to the legal risk by committing a mistake, in which case the risk shall be allocated to that group sector. To the extent that claims are asserted against a company of one Group as a result of a legal risk that is allocated to the respective other Group, the other Group shall indemnify that company. The parties shall cooperate with each other in various situations where this is necessary or appropriate due to the fact that both companies were part of the Continental Group, including, but not limited to, sales of parts of business, regulatory or judicial proceedings and internal investigations. Expenses incurred until the Closing Date for the separation of shared systems, in particular in the areas of IT, Finance and HR, shall be allocated between the parties in accordance with a separate agreement, taking into account the practice pursued until then in the Continental Group. Separation expenses incurred after the Closing Date shall be borne by each party or their respective Group companies themselves. Furthermore, the Group Separation Agreement provides for obligations concerning the surrender of documents and the migration of data as well as for various rights to information and inspection, access to data and retention periods. The parties may request information from each other that relates to a period prior to the Closing Date and is necessary to comply with reporting and information obligations imposed by law or an authority or court, including group accounting and financial reporting, or for the review of filing or notification requirements and the implementation of corresponding filing or notification procedures (such as merger control). The parties have agreed on provisions to ensure that the Automotive Group will secure the pension claims and similar claims (e.g., with regard to partial retirement) of employees of the Automotive Group independently in the future. Operating contracts which are solely or predominantly used by companies of one Group shall be transferred to the companies of that Group. In the case of shared operating contracts, the parties shall cooperate to ensure that the consent of third parties to the transfer will be obtained or that an agreement with third parties will be reached. If they have not obtained such consent or reached such agreement, the parties shall, as a rule and subject to the precise provisions set out in the Group Separation Agreement, put each other in the position they would have been in if the consent had been obtained or the agreement had been reached. By the Closing Date, the parties shall, with due regard to their respective interests, to the extent permitted by law and to the extent reasonable and practicable, enter into the agreements relating to supply relationships, services and intellectual property rights on arm's length terms. As a result of the Spin-off, Continental Aktiengesellschaft will incur a so-called contribution gain I. The tax on this contribution gain I shall be borne by Continental Aktiengesellschaft. At Continental Automotive Holding SE (or its subsidiary Continental Automotive Technologies GmbH), this will give rise to a so-called step-up amount and higher depreciations for tax purposes; no remuneration is owed for this. In the case of German consolidated tax groups for income tax purposes, the taxes for periods until December 31, 2024 shall be borne by the relevant company that is the person legally liable for the payment of such taxes; if this results in so-called offsetting effects at the other Group, these shall be compensated by a blanket amount. In the case of foreign tax groups, taxes for periods until the end of the relevant tax group shall be borne by the company that economically caused these taxes. Transfer taxes (including real estate transfer tax) arising from the Spin-off itself or resulting from the violation of subsequent holding periods within the meaning of Section 6a of the German Real Estate Transfer Tax Act ( GrEStG ) shall be borne by the Automotive companies as the persons legally liable for the payment of such taxes. With regard to the real estate transfer tax arising from the Spin-off itself, Continental Aktiengesellschaft will reimburse Continental Automotive Holding SE for 50% of the real estate transfer tax payable in this respect. ) shall be borne by the Automotive companies as the persons legally liable for the payment of such taxes. With regard to the real estate transfer tax arising from the Spin-off itself, Continental Aktiengesellschaft will reimburse Continental Automotive Holding SE for 50% of the real estate transfer tax payable in this respect. The parties shall cooperate in tax matters. Special consideration shall be given to the rights of the party that bears all or the greater part of the taxes. Upon implementation of the Spin-off, each shareholder of Continental Aktiengesellschaft will receive one of a total of 100,050,991 registered no-par value shares ( auf den Namen lautende Stuckaktien ) in Continental Automotive Holding SE for every two no-par value bearer shares ( auf den Inhaber lautende Stuckaktien ) in Continental Aktiengesellschaft. After the Spin-off has taken effect, Continental Aktiengesellschaft will still hold the participation in Continental Automotive Holding SE (48,000 shares) which it already held on the date of signing of the Spin-off and Transfer Agreement. The plan is that Continental Aktiengesellschaft will sell these 48,000 shares on the market in a timely manner after the Spin-off has taken effect and the shares in Continental Automotive Holding SE have been listed on the stock exchange. The Spin-off will take place with retroactive effect as at January 1, 2025, 00:00 hrs (Spin-off Effective Date). ) in Continental Automotive Holding SE for every two no-par value bearer shares ( ) in Continental Aktiengesellschaft. After the Spin-off has taken effect, Continental Aktiengesellschaft will still hold the participation in Continental Automotive Holding SE (48,000 shares) which it already held on the date of signing of the Spin-off and Transfer Agreement. The plan is that Continental Aktiengesellschaft will sell these 48,000 shares on the market in a timely manner after the Spin-off has taken effect and the shares in Continental Automotive Holding SE have been listed on the stock exchange. The Spin-off will take place with retroactive effect as at January 1, 2025, 00:00 hrs (Spin-off Effective Date). The Spin-off and Transfer Agreement was filed with the commercial registers of Continental Aktiengesellschaft and Continental Automotive Holding SE in due time before convening the shareholders' meeting. Immediately after the Spin-off has taken effect, the shares in Continental Automotive Holding SE are intended to be admitted to stock exchange trading on the basis of a separate securities prospectus, which is not the subject of this resolution. This securities prospectus will contain, inter alia, certain financial information of Continental Automotive Holding SE and is subject to approval by the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority ( Bundesanstalt fur Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht ). In order to prepare and coordinate the process for the preparation and approval of the securities prospectus in the best possible way, it is intended that the Spin-off will take effect, and that the Executive Board will apply for its registration with the commercial register, only after June 30, 2025. ). In order to prepare and coordinate the process for the preparation and approval of the securities prospectus in the best possible way, it is intended that the Spin-off will take effect, and that the Executive Board will apply for its registration with the commercial register, only after June 30, 2025. The Executive Board and the Supervisory Board propose that the following resolution be adopted: The Spin-off and Transfer Agreement between Continental Aktiengesellschaft and Continental Automotive Holding SE of March 13, 2025 is approved. The Executive Board is instructed to apply for registration of the Spin-off with the commercial register only after the end of June 30, 2025 and immediately before the approval of the listing prospectus, the timing of which shall be agreed with the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority ( Bundesanstalt fur Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht ), but under no circumstances later than by August 31, 2025. The Executive Board of Continental Aktiengesellschaft and the executive board of Continental Holding SE explain in detail and provide reasons for the Spin-off in legal and economic terms in their "Joint Spin-off Report" of March 13, 2025. The Spin-off and Transfer Agreement was audited by the court-appointed expert spin-off auditor. The spin-off auditor provided a written audit report on the results of the audit. The following documents are available online from the date of convocation at www.continental.com/en/agm : the Spin-off and Transfer Agreement including its annexes, the adopted annual financial statements and the approved consolidated financial statements as well as the summarized management report of Continental Aktiengesellschaft and of the Group for each of the fiscal years 2022, 2023 and 2024, the adopted annual financial statements of Continental Automotive Holding SE for the fiscal year 2024, the joint spin-off report of the Executive Board of Continental Aktiengesellschaft and the executive board of Continental Automotive Holding SE, and the audit report provided by the court-appointed expert spin-off auditor, PricewaterhouseCoopers GmbH Wirtschaftsprufungsgesellschaft, Frankfurt am Main, Hanover branch. The documents will also be made available at the Annual Shareholders' Meeting. 10. Resolution on the amendment to Section 10 of the Articles of Incorporation on reducing the size of the Supervisory Board Pursuant to Sections 96 (1), 101 (1) AktG and Section 7 (1) sentence 1 no. 3 of the German Co-Determination Act (MitbestG), the Supervisory Board of Continental Aktiengesellschaft is currently composed of ten shareholder representatives and ten employee representatives. After the proposed Spin-off (dealt with under agenda item 9) takes effect, Continental Aktiengesellschaft will likely fall under the size category defined in Section 7 (1) sentence 1 no. 2 MitbestG, according to which the Supervisory Board of companies with generally more than 10,000 but not more than 20,000 employees in Germany shall in principle be composed of eight Supervisory Board members representing the shareholders and eight Supervisory Board members representing the employees. To take this into consideration, the Articles of Incorporation are to be amended to stipulate that a Supervisory Board shall be formed as required by the applicable legal provisions. Consequently, the size of the Supervisory Board may be reduced, given that the number of employees will likely fall below the statutory threshold. A scaled-down Supervisory Board as provided for by the German Co-Determination Act will be proportionate to the size of the company that will result from the reorganization and will be expedient to the goal of more agile decision-making processes. The Executive Board and the Supervisory Board propose that the following resolution be adopted: Section 10 (1) of the Articles of Incorporation will be redrafted as follows: "The Supervisory Board is constituted according to statutory provisions. The members of the Supervisory Board shall be elected for a term not extending beyond the close of the Annual Shareholders' Meeting that passes the ratification for the fourth fiscal year following commencement of their term in office. The fiscal year in which their term of office begins is not counted." 11. Resolution on the amendment to Section 10 of the Articles of Incorporation on alignment to the requirements of the German Corporate Governance Code Section 10 (2) of the Articles of Incorporation allows the meeting chair, when electing the shareholder representatives to the Supervisory Board as well as any replacement members, to also conduct the vote using a list with nominations, and thus to hold an election on the basis of a list, rather than on the basis of individual appointment. This option has not been utilized, with a view to recommendation C.15 sentence 1 of the German Corporate Governance Code. The approach that is applied in practice is now to be embedded in the Articles of Incorporation for transparency purposes. The Executive Board and the Supervisory Board propose that the following resolution be adopted: Section 10 (2) of the Articles of Incorporation is to be redrafted as follows: "The elections of the shareholder representatives to the Supervisory Board and any replacement members shall be conducted on the basis of individual appointment." 12. Resolution on the amendment to Section 10 of the Articles of Incorporation on making resignations of members of the Supervisory Board more flexible Section 10 (5) of the Articles of Incorporation states that any member of the Supervisory Board and any replacement member may step down from their position in office by submitting appropriate notice to the chairman of the Supervisory Board subject to a notice period of four weeks. With a view to making this regulation explicitly more flexible, the proviso is to be inserted that the chairman of the Supervisory Board may shorten the notice period of waive compliance with the notice period. The Executive Board and the Supervisory Board propose that the following resolution be adopted: Section 10 (5) of the Articles of Incorporation is to be amended to include the following new paragraph 3: "The Chairman of the Supervisory Board may shorten the notice period of waive compliance with the notice period." 13. Resolution on the amendment to Section 17 of the Articles of Incorporation on making the location of the Annual Shareholders' Meeting more flexible The Articles of Incorporation do not currently contain any provisions governing the location of the Annual Shareholders' Meeting, resulting in recourse to Section 121 (5) sentence 1 AktG , which stipulates that the Annual Shareholders' Meeting shall be held at the Company's registered office. Pursuant to Section 121 (5) sentence 2 AktG , it may also be held at the location of a stock exchange where the Company's shares are traded. The person convening the meeting may choose between these two locations at their discretion. , which stipulates that the Annual Shareholders' Meeting shall be held at the Company's registered office. Pursuant to Section 121 (5) sentence 2 , it may also be held at the location of a stock exchange where the Company's shares are traded. The person convening the meeting may choose between these two locations at their discretion. To make the selection of the location of the Annual Shareholders' Meeting more flexible moving forward, the meeting locations stipulated by law are to be transferred to the Articles of Incorporation, and a provision is also to be made that the Annual Shareholders' Meeting may be held in a major German city with a population of more than 150,000 or at any German stock exchange. At the same time, it is to be clarified that the provisions governing the meeting location specified in the Articles of Incorporation do not apply to a virtual Annual Shareholders' Meeting. The Executive Board and the Supervisory Board propose that the following resolution be adopted: Section 17 of the Articles of Incorporation is to be amended as follows: The following new paragraph 1 will be added: "The Annual Shareholders' Meeting shall be held at the Company's registered office, at a German stock exchange or in a German city with a population of more than 150,000. In the case of a virtual Annual Shareholders' Meeting, sentence 1 shall not apply." The previous paragraphs 1 to 4 will be retained in the same order and will be renumbered as paragraphs 2 to 5. 14. Resolution on the amendment to Section 21 (4) of the Articles of Incorporation on alignment to statutory provisions The German Stock Corporation Act provides for the option in Section 175 (2) sentence 4 AktG that the documents specified in Section 175 (2) AktG (annual financial statements, management report, consolidated financial statements, group management report, report of the Supervisory Board, proposal of the Executive Board on the appropriation of net income, individual financial statements approved by the Supervisory Board pursuant to Section 325 (2a) HGB, where appropriate) do not need to be available for inspection at the Company's offices if such documents are accessible on the Company's website from the time the Annual Shareholders' Meeting is convened onward. Section 21 (4) of the Articles of Incorporation does not reflect this option. Accordingly, Section 21 (4) of the Articles of Incorporation is to be deleted and the Articles of Incorporation aligned to the legal situation, which in turn will simplify access to the documents for shareholders and reduce the workload involved for the Company. The Executive Board and the Supervisory Board propose that the following resolution be adopted: Section 21 (4) of the Articles of Incorporation will be deleted entirely. II. Further information on agenda items 1. On agenda item 8: Merger Agreement between Continental Aktiengesellschaft and Continental Automotive GmbH The Merger Agreement is worded as follows: Merger Agreement between Continental AG with registered office in Hanover as acquiring entity - hereinafter referred to as Continental AG - and Continental Automotive GmbH with registered office in Hanover as transferring entity - hereinafter referred to as Continental Automotive GmbH - Preamble Under this Agreement, Continental Automotive GmbH will be merged into Continental AG. According to the most recent shareholder list registered with the commercial register dated June 3, 2022, the sole shareholder of Continental Automotive GmbH, whose share capital of 503,000 is fully paid in, is Continental AG holding an interest in the amount of 503,000 in the company (shares no. 1 to 6). A domination and profit and loss transfer agreement dated March 27, 2001, as amended on March 15, 2023, is in place between Continental AG as the controlling company and Continental Automotive GmbH as the controlled company (the DPLTA I). Continental Automotive GmbH is currently the sole shareholder of Continental Automotive Technologies GmbH with registered office in Hanover (registered with the commercial register of the local court (Amtsgericht) of Hanover under HRB 3669; hereinafter referred to as CAT GmbH). A domination and profit and loss transfer agreement dated February 15, 2021, as amended on November 28, 2022, is in place between Continental Automotive GmbH as the controlling company and CAT GmbH as the controlled company (the DPLTA II). Furthermore, Continental Automotive GmbH holds 51% of the shares in Continental Caoutchouc-Export-GmbH (registered with the commercial register of the local court (Amtsgericht) of Hanover under HRB 204411); the remaining 49% of the shares are held by Continental AG. Continental Automotive GmbH does not have any employees. Continental AG intends to transfer CAT GmbH, together with its direct and indirect subsidiaries and participations, and the DPLTA II by way of a spin-off as transferring entity to Continental Automotive Holding SE as acquiring entity (the Spin-off) and to have Continental Automotive Holding SE listed as a separate group on the stock exchange. The merger envisaged by this agreement is to be implemented in preparation for the Spin-off because, as a result of the merger, Continental AG will become the sole shareholder of CAT GmbH. The plan is that the merger will first take effect as a result of its registration with the commercial register of Continental AG (in its capacity as acquiring entity under the merger) of the local court (Amtsgericht) of Hanover before the Spin-off will be registered with the commercial register of Continental AG (in its capacity as transferring entity under the Spin-off) of the local court of Hanover. This chronological order of the registrations with the commercial register will be ensured by a condition precedent in the Spin-off and Transfer Agreement between Continental AG and Continental Automotive Holding SE. Due to this chronological order, Continental AG will be the direct sole shareholder of CAT GmbH at the time of registration of the Spin-off with the commercial register of Continental AG as transferring entity and will be able to spin off its direct participation in CAT GmbH to Continental Automotive Holding SE. As a result of the merger, Continental AG will also become a party to the DPLTA II as the controlling company. It is intended that the DPLTA II will subsequently be transferred from Continental AG to Continental Automotive Holding SE by way of the Spin-off so that Continental Automotive Holding SE will replace Continental AG as the controlling company when the Spin-off takes effect. As a result of the merger, the DPLTA I will be extinguished by confusion. Furthermore, as a result of the merger, inter alia, the 51% participation held by Continental Automotive GmbH in Continental Caoutchouc-Export-GmbH will be transferred to Continental AG pursuant to Section 20(1) no. 1 UmwG and, as a consequence, Continental Caoutchouc-Export-GmbH will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Continental AG. The Spin-off will not affect the ownership structure in Continental Caoutchouc-Export-GmbH resulting from the merger. Now, therefore, the parties agree as follows: Transfer of assets Continental Automotive GmbH shall transfer its entire assets including all rights and obligations (Assets) by dissolution without liquidation (Auflosung ohne Abwicklung) to Continental AG by way of a merger by absorption (Verschmelzung durch Aufnahme) pursuant to Section 2 no. 1 UmwG. No consideration Since Continental AG as acquiring entity holds all shares in Continental Automotive GmbH as transferring entity, the merger will be effected without consideration (Section 20(1) no. 3 second half of sentence 1 UmwG). Therefore, the information on the exchange of the shares pursuant to Section 5(1) nos. 2 to 5 UmwG is not required (Section 5(2) UmwG). Pursuant to Section 68(1) sentence 1 no. 1 UmwG, the merger will also be effected without a capital increase at Continental AG. Merger Effective Date The transfer of the Assets of Continental Automotive GmbH shall take effect between the parties with effect as at the end of December 31, 2024. From January 1, 2025, 0:00 hrs (Merger Effective Date) until the time when Continental Automotive GmbH ceases to exist pursuant to Section 20(1) no. 2 UmwG, all actions and transactions of Continental Automotive GmbH shall be treated as being those of Continental AG. Closing balance sheet The merger shall be based on the balance sheet of Continental Automotive GmbH as at December 31, 2024, 24:00 hrs as the closing balance sheet within the meaning of Section 17(2) UmwG. The balance sheet date of the closing balance sheet shall be at the same time the effective transfer date for tax purposes (Section 2(1) of the German Transformation Tax Act (Umwandlungssteuergesetz - UmwStG). Continental Automotive GmbH will recognize the Assets in its closing balance sheet under commercial law at book values. For income tax purposes, Continental Automotive GmbH will also recognize the Assets at book values. Continental AG will recognize the Assets in its commercial accounts at fair values. Continental AG will recognize the Assets in its balance sheet for tax purposes at the value contained in the closing balance sheet for tax purposes of Continental Automotive GmbH. Postponement of balance sheet date and Merger Effective Date If the merger has not been registered with the commercial register of Continental AG by January 14, 2026, the balance sheet date and the Merger Effective Date will be postponed as follows: Balance sheet date: By way of derogation from section 3 hereof, the merger shall be based on the closing balance sheet of Continental Automotive GmbH as at December 31, 2025, 24:00 hrs; Merger Effective Date: By way of derogation from section 3, the Merger Effective Date shall be January 1, 2026, 0:00 hrs. If the merger has also not been registered with the commercial register of Continental AG by January 14 of any of the following years, the balance sheet date and the Merger Effective Date will be postponed correspondingly in accordance with section 5.1. Right of withdrawal If the merger has not been registered with the commercial register of Continental AG by January 7, 2026, both parties may withdraw from this Merger Agreement. Withdrawal must be declared to the other party by registered letter with return receipt and the notary shall be informed in writing. The legal consequences of withdrawal are governed by Sections 346 et seq. BGB. In this case, the parties shall each bear half of the costs of this Agreement. Membership in the acquiring entity No membership rights are granted. No special rights and benefits The articles of incorporation of Continental AG do not grant any special rights or benefits to individual shareholders, and no measures are intended with regard to these persons. No special benefits within the meaning of Section 5(1) no. 8 UmwG are granted to any member of a representative body, or of a supervisory body, of the legal entities involved in the merger, to a managing shareholder, an auditor, or a merger auditor. When the merger takes effect, the positions of the members of the management board of Continental Automotive GmbH will end. Consequences of the merger for employees and their representatives Continental Automotive GmbH does not have any employees and accordingly there are no employee representative bodies. Therefore, the merger will not have any consequences in this respect. The legal positions of the employees of Continental AG under individual and collective employment law will not be affected by the merger. The merger will not result in any changes in the operational structure and the operational organization in the establishments of Continental AG. Existing works agreements at Continental AG will remain in force without any changes. The merger will not result in any changes to collective bargaining agreements for the employees of Continental AG. The existing works councils of Continental AG will remain in office without any changes. Further provisions in connection with the merger The company name of Continental AG will remain unchanged. The Assets of Continental Automotive GmbH do not include real property. The representative bodies of Continental AG as acquiring entity will not change; in particular, no managing director of Continental Automotive GmbH will be appointed as member of the executive board of Continental AG as a result of the merger. The procurations (Prokuren) and powers of attorney (Handlungsvollmachten) currently existing at Continental Automotive GmbH will be transferred to Continental AG as part of the merger. They will be revoked after the merger has taken effect. The Parties shall make all declarations, issue all deeds and take all other actions which might additionally be necessary or appropriate in connection with the transfer of the Assets from Continental Automotive GmbH to Continental AG at the time when the merger takes effect or in connection with the amendment of public registers or other directories. Continental Automotive GmbH grants Continental AG power of attorney to the fullest extent permitted by law to make any declarations that are necessary or useful to fulfill these obligations. This power of attorney shall continue to be valid beyond the effectiveness of the merger. Should any provisions of this Agreement be or become invalid or unenforceable, this shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of this Agreement. The same shall apply if it turns out that this Agreement contains any gap. The parties undertake to replace any such invalid or unenforceable provision or to fill any such gap with an appropriate replacement provision that comes as close as possible to the content of the invalid or unenforceable provision. This Merger Agreement will only become effective if it is approved by the shareholders' meeting of Continental AG and the shareholders' meeting of Continental Automotive GmbH by means of a merger resolution pursuant to Sections 13(1), 50(1), 65(1) UmwG. This Merger Agreement will be filed with the commercial register in accordance with Section 61 UmwG. Costs The costs incurred in connection with this Agreement and its closing shall be borne by Continental AG. If the merger does not take effect, the companies involved shall each bear half of the notary fees. Final provisions Should any provision of this Agreement be or become invalid, this shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of this Agreement. The Parties shall replace any invalid provision with a valid provision that comes closest to the economic result that the parties intended. The same applies if this Agreement contains any gap to be filled. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany. The place of jurisdiction is Hanover. 2. On agenda item 9: Spin-off and Transfer Agreement between Continental Aktiengesellschaft and Continental Automotive Holding SE The Spin-off and Transfer Agreement is worded as follows: Continental Aktiengesellschaft as transferring entity and Continental Automotive Holding SE as acquiring entity SPIN-OFF AND TRANSFER AGREEMENT March 13, 2025 Table of Contents List of Annexes Definitions Preamble I. Spin-off, Spin-off Effective Date and Closing Balance Sheet 1. Spin-off 2. Spin-off Effective Date and Effective Transfer Date for Tax Purposes 3. Closing Balance Sheet 4. Treatment of the Spin-off Assets for accounting purposes 5. Postponement of effective dates II. Spin-off Assets 6. Spin-off Assets and modalities for the transfer 7. Taking effect, Closing Date 8. Catch-all provisions 9. Creditor protection and internal settlement 10. Warranties III. Consideration and capital increase, special rights and benefits 11. Granting of shares, Trustee and capital increase 12. No granting of special rights 13. Granting of special benefits IV. Provisions under corporate law relating to CA Holding SE and Group Separation Agreement 14. Articles of association of CA Holding SE 15. Group Separation Agreement V. Consequences of the Spin-off for the employees and their representative bodies 16. Consequences of the Spin-off for the employees 17. Consequences of the Spin-off for the representative bodies of the employees under works constitution law 18. Consequences of the Spin-off for the co-determination in the supervisory board VI. Miscellaneous 19. Costs and taxes 20. Right of withdrawal 21. Final provisions List of Annexes Annex (E) Domination and Profit and Loss Transfer Agreement Annex 14 Articles of association of CA Holding SE Annex 15 Group Separation Agreement Definitions Definition AktG BetrVG CA GmbH CA Holding SE CAT GmbH Closing Balance Sheet Closing Date Continental AG Domination and Profit and Loss Transfer Agreement Effective Transfer Date for Tax Purposes Future Automotive Group Future Continental Group HGB KPIs LTI Plans Merger MitbestG Participation Parties Party SEBG Spin-off Spin-off and Transfer Agreement Spin-off Assets Spin-off Effective Date Tranche 1 Tranche 2 Trustee UmwG SPIN-OFF AND TRANSFER AGREEMENT (the Spin-off and Transfer Agreement) by and between Continental Aktiengesellschaft, registered with the commercial register of the local court (Amtsgericht) of Hanover under HRB 3527, having its registered office in Hanover, Germany; - Continental AG - and Continental Automotive Holding SE, registered with the commercial register of the local court (Amtsgericht) of Munich under HRB 295655, having its registered office in Munich, Germany; - CA Holding SE, together with Continental AG the Parties and each a Party - Preamble At the date of this Spin-off and Transfer Agreement, the share capital of Continental AG amounts to 512,015,316.48 and is divided into 200,005,983 no-par value bearer shares (auf den Inhaber lautende Stuckaktien). In order to allow for an even division by the share allocation ratio set out in sec. 11 without remainder, Continental AG will ensure that the number of its shares that are entitled to an allocation (zuteilungsberechtigt) pursuant to 131(1) no. 3 sentence 1 of the German Transformation Act (Umwandlungsgesetz - UmwG) will amount to 200,005,982 shares at the Closing Date (as defined in sec. 7.1 below). At the date of this Spin-off and Transfer Agreement, the share capital of CA Holding SE amounts to 120,000.00 and is divided into 48,000 registered no-par value shares (auf den Namen lautende Stuckaktien). The sole shareholder of CA Holding SE is Continental AG. Continental AG intends to transfer Continental Automotive Technologies GmbH with registered office in Hanover (registered with the commercial register of the local court (Amtsgericht) of Hanover under HRB 3669) (CAT GmbH), together with its direct and indirect subsidiaries and participations, as well as a certain domination and profit and loss transfer agreement (as described in more detail in (E) below) by way of a spin-off by absorption (Abspaltung zur Aufnahme) as transferring entity to CA Holding SE as acquiring entity (the Spin-off) and subsequently have CA Holding SE, as a separate company, admitted to trading on the regulated market (regulierter Markt) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange with simultaneous admission to the sub-segment of the regulated market with additional post-admission obligations (Prime Standard) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (CA Holding SE, together with its direct and indirect subsidiaries and participations as of the Spin-off, the Future Automotive Group; the Continental Group without the companies of the Future Automotive Group the Future Continental Group). The current sole shareholder of CAT GmbH is Continental Automotive GmbH (registered with the commercial register of the local court (Amtsgericht) of Hanover under HRB 59424) (CA GmbH), whose sole shareholder is Continental AG. However, it is intended to merge CA GmbH into Continental AG prior to the Spin-off in accordance with the provisions of the UmwG (the Merger). The Merger shall take effect as a result of its registration with the commercial register of Continental AG (in its capacity as acquiring entity under the Merger) of the local court (Amtsgericht) of Hanover before the Spin-off will be registered with the commercial register of Continental AG (in its capacity as transferring entity under the Spin-off) of the local court (Amtsgericht) of Hanover. This chronological order of the registrations with the commercial register will be ensured by the condition precedent set out in sec. 21.1.2. Due to this chronological order, Continental AG will be the direct sole shareholder of CAT GmbH at the time of the registration of the Spin-off with the commercial register of Continental AG as transferring entity and will therefore be able to spin off its direct participation in CAT GmbH to CA Holding SE. A domination and profit and loss transfer agreement dated February 15, 2021, as amended on November 28, 2022, is in place between CA GmbH as the controlling company and CAT GmbH as the controlled company, which is attached hereto as Annex (E) (this agreement, including all rights and obligations as well as ancillary rights and obligations, the Domination and Profit and Loss Transfer Agreement), which will first be transferred from CA GmbH to Continental AG as part of the Merger. It is intended that the Domination and Profit and Loss Transfer Agreement will subsequently be transferred from Continental AG to CA Holding SE as part of the Spin-off so that CA Holding SE will replace Continental AG as controlling company when the Spin-off takes effect. As consideration for the Spin-off, the shareholders of Continental AG will be granted by CA Holding SE a total of 100,002,991 registered no-par value shares (auf den Namen lautende Stuckaktien) in CA Holding SE in accordance with this Spin-off and Transfer Agreement in proportion to their respective participations in Continental AG (so-called pro rata spin-off (verhaltniswahrende Abspaltung)). Immediately after the Spin-off takes effect, all shares in CA Holding SE (including the 48,000 registered no-par value shares (auf den Namen lautende Stuckaktien) already in existence at the time of the conclusion of this Spin-off and Transfer Agreement) are intended to be admitted to trading in the regulated market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange with simultaneous admission to the sub-segment of the regulated market with additional post-admission obligations (Prime Standard) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Now, therefore, the Parties agree as follows: Spin-off, Spin-off Effective Date and Closing Balance Sheet Spin-off Continental AG as the transferring entity shall transfer the Spin-off Assets defined in sec. 6 together with all rights and obligations as a whole to CA Holding SE as the acquiring entity by way of a spin-off by absorption (Abspaltung zur Aufnahme) pursuant to Section 123(2) no. 1 UmwG in exchange for shares in CA Holding SE to be granted to the shareholders of Continental AG in accordance with sec. 11 (so-called pro rata spin-off by absorption (verhaltniswahrende Abspaltung zur Aufnahme)). Items of assets and liabilities and other rights and obligations or legal positions of Continental AG which are not attributable to the Spin-off Assets in accordance with this Spin-off and Transfer Agreement or which are expressly excluded from the transfer in this Spin-off and Transfer Agreement shall not be transferred to CA Holding SE. Spin-off Effective Date and Effective Transfer Date for Tax Purposes As between Continental AG and CA Holding SE, the Spin-off Assets shall be transferred with effect as at January 1, 2025, 0:00 hrs (the Spin-off Effective Date). From that date, the actions relating to the Spin-off Assets shall, as between Continental AG and CA Holding SE, be deemed to have been taken for the account of CA Holding SE. The effective transfer date for tax purposes for the Spin-off is December 31, 2024, 24:00 hrs (the Effective Transfer Date for Tax Purposes). Closing Balance Sheet The closing balance sheet of the transferring entity pursuant to Sections 125(1) sentence 1, 17(2) UmwG shall be the annual balance sheet of Continental AG as at December 31, 2024, 24:00 hrs, which is part of the annual financial statements of Continental AG for the fiscal year 2024 which was audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers GmbH Wirtschaftsprufungsgesellschaft and was issued with an unqualified audit opinion (uneingeschrankter Bestatigungsvermerk) (the Closing Balance Sheet). Treatment of the Spin-off Assets for accounting purposes Continental AG will recognize the Spin-off Assets in its commercial balance sheet (in connection with the Merger and prior to the Spin-off taking effect) at fair values (zu Zeitwerten). Continental AG will decide within the statutory time limits whether it will, to the extent permitted by law, recognize the Spin-off Assets at book values (zu Buchwerten) or at different values for income tax purposes. CA Holding SE will recognize the Spin-off Assets in its commercial balance sheet at fair values (zu Zeitwerten). CA Holding SE will recognize the Spin-off Assets in its balance sheet for tax purposes at the value contained in the closing balance sheet for tax purposes of Continental AG. Postponement of effective dates If the Spin-off has not been registered with the commercial register of Continental AG of the local court (Amtsgericht) of Hanover by the end of January 23, 2026, the following shall apply: in deviation from sec. 2 above, the Spin-off Effective Date shall be January 1, 2026, 0:00 hrs and the Effective Transfer Date for Tax Purposes shall be December 31, 2025, 24:00 hrs, and, in deviation from sec. 3 above, the balance sheet date for the Closing Balance Sheet of Continental AG shall be December 31, 2025, 24:00 hrs. If the registration is delayed further beyond January 23 of a following year, the effective dates shall be postponed in each case by another year in accordance with the above provision. Spin-off Assets Spin-off Assets and modalities for the transfer Continental AG shall transfer to CA Holding SE its entire direct participation in CAT GmbH existing upon the Merger taking effect, consisting of all shares with serial numbers 4 to 526,568 with a nominal amount of 526,565.00 (the Participation); and the Domination and Profit and Loss Transfer Agreement to which it becomes party as the controlling company upon the Merger taking effect, collectively referred to as the Spin-off Assets. The transfer shall include all rights and obligations related to the Spin-off Assets, including the entitlement to a distribution of profits from the Participation as well as the rights and obligations under the spun-off Domination and Profit and Loss Transfer Agreement for the period from the Spin-off Effective Date (including, in particular, a right to profit transfer or an obligation to compensate for losses for the fiscal year of CAT GmbH beginning on January 1, 2025). The claims and liabilities under the Domination and Profit and Loss Transfer Agreement relating to the period up to the Effective Transfer Date for Tax Purposes (including, in particular, a right to profit transfer or an obligation to compensate for losses for the fiscal year of CAT GmbH ending on December 31, 2024) shall remain with Continental AG (also as legal successor of CA GmbH as the previous controlling company). The Parties shall make all declarations, issue all deeds and take all other actions that might additionally be necessary or appropriate in connection with the transfer of the Spin-off Assets. Taking effect, Closing Date The transfer of title to the Spin-off Assets shall take place with effect in rem (dingliche Wirkung) upon the registration of the Spin-off with the commercial register of Continental AG of the local court (Amtsgericht) of Hanover and thus at the time when the Spin-off takes effect (the Closing Date). In the period between the date of this Spin-off and Transfer Agreement and the Closing Date, Continental AG shall (i) only manage the Spin-off Assets in the ordinary course of business and with the diligence of a prudent businessman in compliance with the provisions of this Spin-off and Transfer Agreement, (ii) not dispose of or encumber the Spin-off Assets without the prior consent of CA Holding SE, (iii) not make any withdrawals from the participations comprised in the Spin-off Assets without the prior consent of CA Holding SE, and (iv) not resolve any capital measures or enter into any intercompany agreements with regard to the participations comprised in the Spin-off Assets without the prior consent of CA Holding SE, provided that the consent to capital measures shall not be unreasonably withheld. Catch-all provisions If and to the extent that the Spin-off Assets do not already pass to CA Holding SE by operation of law upon registration of the Spin-off by way of universal succession (Gesamtrechtsnachfolge), Continental AG shall transfer the Spin-off Assets to CA Holding SE by way of singular succession (Einzelrechtsnachfolge). In turn, CA Holding SE is required to consent to the transfer. In their internal relationship (im Innenverhaltnis), the Parties shall treat each other as if the transfer had occurred in their relationship to third parties (im Auenverhaltnis) as at the Spin-off Effective Date (taking into account a postponement, if any, pursuant to sec. 5 above). In connection with a transfer pursuant to sec. 8.1, the Parties shall initiate and cooperate in all measures and legal acts that may be necessary or appropriate in order to transfer the Spin-off Assets. Claims under this sec. 8 shall become time-barred upon expiry of December 31, 2034. Creditor protection and internal settlement Unless this Spin-off and Transfer Agreement or the Group Separation Agreement attached hereto as Annex 15 provide for a different allocation of burdens and liability arising from or in connection with the Spin-off Assets, the provisions in secs. 9.2 and 9.3 shall apply. If and to the extent that creditors assert claims against Continental AG on the basis of Section 133 UmwG or other provisions with respect to liabilities, obligations or contingent liabilities that are transferred to CA Holding SE in accordance with the provisions hereof, CA Holding SE shall indemnify Continental AG on first demand from and against the relevant liability, obligation or contingent liability. The same applies in the event that such creditors assert claims to provide security against Continental AG. If and to the extent that creditors assert claims against CA Holding SE on the basis of Section 133 UmwG or other provisions with respect to liabilities, obligations or contingent liabilities of Continental AG that are not transferred to CA Holding SE in accordance with this Spin-off and Transfer Agreement, Continental AG shall indemnify CA Holding SE on first demand from and against the relevant liability, obligation or contingent liability. The same applies in the event that such creditors assert claims to provide security against CA Holding SE. Warranties Continental AG warrants (gewahrleistet) as at the Closing Date that (i) it is the holder of the Participation and that it is entitled to freely dispose of the Participation and that the Participation is not encumbered with rights of third parties, and (ii) it is entitled to freely dispose of the Domination and Profit and Loss Transfer Agreement and that its claims under that agreement are not encumbered with rights of third parties. Apart from that, no specific condition of the Spin-off Assets and, in particular, no specific qualities or specific value of the Spin-off Assets are agreed. To the extent permitted by law, any rights and warranties that might exist pursuant to statutory law or otherwise in addition to those in sec. 10.1 shall be excluded. The provision in this sec. 10.2 shall apply to all rights and warranties of whatever legal nature (contractual, pre-contractual, in tort or otherwise) and, in particular, also to those rights that might result in the reversal or rescission of this Spin-off and Transfer Agreement or might have a similar legal effect. Consideration and capital increase, special rights and benefits Granting of shares, Trustee and capital increase As consideration for the transfer of the Spin-off Assets, the shareholders of Continental AG shall be granted, free of charge, one registered no-par value share (auf den Namen lautende Stuckaktie) in CA Holding SE for every two no-par value bearer shares (auf den Inhaber lautende Stuckaktien) in Continental AG pro rata in proportion (verhaltniswahrend) to their respective participations in Continental AG. In total, 100,002,991 registered no-par value shares (auf den Namen lautende Stuckaktien) in CA Holding SE will be issued to the shareholders of Continental AG. The shares to be granted pursuant to this sec. 11.1 are the 100,002,991 new shares created by way of the capital increase pursuant to sec. 11.3. The shares to be granted by CA Holding SE shall be entitled to dividends as from January 1, 2025. If the Spin-off Effective Date is postponed pursuant to sec. 5, the beginning of the dividend entitlement for the shares to be granted shall be postponed to the new Spin-off Effective Date. In order to implement the Spin-off, CA Holding SE will increase its share capital from 120,000 by 250,007,477.50 to 250,127,477.50 against a contribution in kind (Sacheinlage) (Sections 142, 69 UmwG in conjunction with Sections 183, 183a of the German Stock Corporation Act (Aktiengesetz - AktG). Accordingly, following the implementation of the capital increase (against contribution in kind) ((Sach-)Kapitalerhohung), each share will represent a pro rata amount of 2.50 of the share capital of CA Holding SE. The contribution in kind will be made by transferring the Spin-off Assets. The total value at which the contribution in kind made by Continental AG is taken over by CA Holding SE shall be equal to the fair value (Zeitwert) of the transferred net assets under commercial law. To the extent that this value exceeds the amount of the increase in the share capital set forth in sec. 11.3, a portion of the excess amount equal to the legally required reserve shall be allocated to the capital reserves pursuant to Section 272(2) no. 1 of the German Commercial Code (Handelsgesetzbuch - HGB) and the amount remaining after such allocation shall be allocated to the capital reserves pursuant to Section 272(2) no. 4 HGB. Continental AG shall appoint Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft as trustee (the Trustee) to receive the shares in CA Holding SE to be granted and to distribute them to the shareholders of Continental AG. Possession of the shares to be granted shall be granted to the Trustee prior to the registration of the Spin-off, and the Trustee shall be instructed to deliver the shares to the shareholders of Continental AG after the registration of the Spin-off with the commercial register of Continental AG. The Parties undertake to procure that all declarations will be made, all deeds will be issued and all other actions will be taken that may be necessary or appropriate in order to have all shares in CA Holding SE admitted to trading in the regulated market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange with simultaneous admission to the sub-segment of the regulated market with additional post-admission obligations (Prime Standard) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange without undue delay (unverzuglich) after the Spin-off has taken effect. In particular, the Parties shall cooperate with regard to the preparation of the securities prospectus. No granting of special rights No rights are granted to individual shareholders or holders of special rights within the meaning of Section 126(1) no. 7 UmwG, and no measures within the meaning of Section 126(1) no. 7 UmwG are intended for such persons. Granting of special benefits At the date of this Spin-off and Transfer Agreement, the executive board of CA Holding SE consists of two members. Philipp von Hirschheydt is also a member of the executive board of Continental AG and has an employment contract with Continental AG under which his current remuneration is paid. From the date of the planned stock exchange listing of the shares in CA Holding SE, the future employment contracts to be concluded with CA Holding SE are required to comply with the statutory rules of Art. 9(1)(c)(ii) SE Regulation in conjunction with Sections 87, 87a AktG for listed stock corporations and shall follow the recommendations of the German Corporate Governance Code in the version dated April 28, 2022. The remuneration system is designed as follows: The remuneration of the executive board members consists of fixed non-performance-related and variable performance-related components, with the level of remuneration being guided by the remuneration in comparable companies in the DAX/MDAX. The fixed non-performance-related remuneration components comprise the fixed annual salary which is paid in twelve equal monthly installments, additional benefits, such as the provision of a company car and the payment of insurance premiums, as well as a pension allowance. The variable performance-related remuneration components comprise a short-term remuneration component (Short Term Incentive or STI) as well as a long-term remuneration component (Long Term Incentive or LTI). In addition to these remuneration components, it is planned to grant a one-time spin-off bonus to each member of the executive board holding office when the Spin-off takes effect The terms of this spin-off bonus shall create an incentive to contribute to the success of the Future Automotive Group over the medium and long term. The spin-off bonus consists of the payment of a gross amount in two tranches. After the gross amount of the bonus has been paid out, the executive board members must invest the resulting net amount in shares of CA Holding SE. The target total value of the gross amount for both tranches is half of the fixed annual salary of the relevant executive board member. Depending on the development of the stock exchange price of the CA Holding SE share, the total volume of the spin-off bonus will be in a range of approximately 1.4 million to approximately 5.7 million. Apart from that, no special benefits within the meaning of Section 126(1) no. 8 UmwG are granted to members of the executive board or supervisory board of the entities involved in the Spin-off or to an auditor or spin-off auditor. Provisions under corporate law relating to CA Holding SE and Group Separation Agreement Articles of association of CA Holding SE Continental AG undertakes as the sole shareholder of CA Holding SE to adopt an amendment of the articles of association of CA Holding SE prior to the Spin-off taking effect so that these articles of association - with amendments to reflect the terms of the employee involvement agreement to be concluded (see sec. 18.3) and after completion of potential status proceedings (Statusverfahren) and subject to minor amendments of the wording - are given the version attached hereto as Annex 14 prior to the Spin-off taking effect. As stated in sec. 18.3, CA Holding SE will in future have a supervisory board whose members will be appointed in accordance with the terms of the employee involvement agreement to be concluded. Depending on the future terms of the employee involvement agreement, the articles of association of CA Holding SE will have to be amended accordingly. Group Separation Agreement Continental AG and CA Holding SE have entered into the Group Separation Agreement (Konzerntrennungsvertrag) attached hereto in notarized form as Annex 15 , which forms part of this Spin-off and Transfer Agreement. Consequences of the Spin-off for the employees and their representative bodies Consequences of the Spin-off for the employees Since the Spin-off Assets consist of the Participation held by Continental AG in CAT GmbH and the Domination and Profit and Loss Transfer Agreement, the employment relationships of the employees of Continental AG and of the other companies of the Future Continental Group will not be affected by the Spin-off and these employees will remain employed by their respective employer companies. The Spin-off will, in particular, have no consequences for the validity or content of pension commitments that may have been made by the respective employer companies. The Spin-off will also have no consequences under collective bargaining laws for the employees of the Future Continental Group. To the extent that the relevant employer company is bound by collective provisions as party to a collective agreement or by virtue of its membership in an association, this will remain unaffected by the Spin-off. The Spin-off will also not affect the validity of the various share-based remuneration plans (LTI Plans) in place in the Continental Group. Remuneration awards under the current LTI Plans of the Continental Group have been granted to employees of companies of the Future Automotive Group. The remuneration awards under the LTI Plans of the Continental Group that have been granted but are still outstanding will either be settled without any changes or will be adjusted to reflect comparable performance indicators of the Future Automotive Group. The details of the transition to performance indicators of the Future Automotive Group have not yet been agreed. The LTI Plan for the period beginning in 2025 provides that, in the event of the Spin-off, the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) shall be linked to targets of the Future Automotive Group. The Future Automotive Group also reserves its right to review the group of eligible employees and the terms of the LTI Plans at a later date with effect for future tranches and to better align them with the focus of the Future Automotive Group. However, no decisions have yet been taken in this respect. Moreover, CA Holding SE reserves its right to consider the introduction of new share-based remuneration plans. CA Holding SE has not yet commenced business operations and does not have any employees. Therefore, the Spin-off has no consequences for the employees of CA Holding SE. The Spin-off will also have no direct consequences for individual rights of the employees of the other companies of the Future Automotive Group. They will remain employed by their respective employer companies; their employment relationships will not be affected by the Spin-off. In particular, the Spin-off will not affect the validity of the LTI Plans. To the extent that tranches of the LTI Plans that have not yet been terminated or settled as planned are based on the stock exchange price of the Continental AG share, an adjustment may be made as a result of the Spin-off at reasonable discretion. The same applies to the extent that the LPI Plans or other employee remuneration schemes are based on KPIs of the Continental Group; here, too, an adjustment to reflect the situation at the Future Automotive Group may be made. It is intended that the LTI Plan for the period beginning in 2025 will be based (for the time being) on the share price of Continental AG and that a later adjustment may be made at reasonable discretion. With regard to the sustainability criteria, it is intended that, when and to the extent the Spin-off occurs, two different lists of criteria shall apply for the employees of the Future Continental Group and for the employees of the Future Automotive Group. Moreover, the Spin-off will not affect the validity or content of pension commitments that may have been made by the respective employer companies. For the majority of the employees of the Future Automotive Group, these commitments are partly covered by special funds that are currently held in trust by a trustee appointed by the Continental Group under so-called contractual trust arrangements (CTAs). When the Spin-off takes effect, these special funds shall be transferred to a new trustee in order to continue an equivalent security coverage. According to the current planning, Continental Treuhander e.V. is to be replaced by an external trustee. The Spin-off will also have no consequences under collective bargaining laws for the employees of the Future Automotive Group. To the extent that the relevant employer company is bound by collective provisions as party to a collective agreement or by virtue of its membership in an association, this will remain unaffected by the Spin-off. On December 17, 2024, Continental AG concluded a framework reconciliation of interests and a partial reconciliation of interests with the group works council of Continental AG for the implementation of transfers of employees from Continental AG (as holding company) to the Automotive, ContiTech and Tires group sectors. In addition, a partial reconciliation of interests was concluded for the Automotive group sector on February 12, 2025, which, among other things, contains provisions regarding the organizational changes in connection with the establishment of the central corporate functions. The concluded group works agreements will continue to apply collectively after the Spin-off of the Automotive group sector, which will leave them unchanged to the extent that they can continue to be performed in accordance with their purpose. Within the scope of the general strategic direction, headcount reductions at the establishments of CAT GmbH have been planned, announced and in some case already completed as follows: Planned reduction targets for the "FRED" project were announced on February 13, 2024. They concern, among others, several sites in Germany and are planned to be implemented by the end of 2025. As part of the "Transformation 2019-2029" measure, the plant at the Babenhausen site is planned to be closed by December 31, 2026 and the remaining employees are to be laid off. As part of the "Rhine-Main site consolidation" project, it is planned to relocate the employees of the Schwalbach site by December 31, 2025 and those of the Babenhausen site by December 31, 2026 to the Frankfurt/Main site. The closure of CAT GmbH's Wetzlar site is planned and was announced on March 26, 2024. According to the current business planning, the closure is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. According to the reconciliation of interests concluded on June 4, 2024, the closure of the Gifhorn site is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2028. On February 18, 2025, project "Adapt R&D" was announced which, according to the current business planning, will lead to a headcount reduction in the development business areas of several sites in Germany and is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. In connection with the Spin-off, the gradual relocation of the production of ESS bellows from the Hanover-Vahrenwald site to Jicin/Czech Republic was announced on January 30, 2025. According to the current business planning, the relocation is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. CA Holding SE intends to grant an incentive bonus to a certain limited number of employees at the management levels below the future executive board of CA Holding SE who have special responsibility in connection with the Spin-off and the successful independent operation of the business of the Future Automotive Group. In order to create a specific incentive for the beneficiaries to contribute to the success of the Future Automotive Group also over the medium and long term, the incentive bonus consists of the payment of a gross amount in two tranches. After the payment of the gross amount has occurred, each beneficiary must invest the respective resulting net amount in shares of CA Holding SE. The total target value of the gross amount for both tranches is based on the initial target price of 30 per share and - depending on the position of the beneficiary employee - half a year's or one year's gross annual base salary of the beneficiary. 50% of the total target value of the gross amount will be paid out when the shares of CA Holding SE are listed on the stock exchange (Tranche 1), with the shares to be acquired under Tranche 1 being subject to a three-year holding period from the date of acquisition of the shares. A further amount will be paid out 18 months after the stock exchange listing of the shares of CA Holding SE (Tranche 2), whereby the gross amount to be paid out for Tranche 2 will depend on the development of the stock exchange price of the CA Holding SE share. The shares to be acquired under Tranche 2 are subject to a three-year holding period from the date of acquisition of the shares. Depending on the development of the stock exchange price of the CA Holding SE share, the total volume of the incentive bonus plan will be in a range of approximately 8.3 million to a maximum of approximately 33.4 million. Consequences of the Spin-off for the representative bodies of the employees under works constitution law Works councils, youth and trainee representative bodies and representative bodies for disabled persons The existing establishments in Continental AG and the other establishments in the Continental Group are not affected by the Spin-off. The existence, composition and term of office of the existing works councils and central works councils, of the existing youth and trainee representative bodies and central youth and trainee representative bodies as well as of the representative bodies and central representative bodies for disabled persons will remain unchanged. Works agreements and central works agreements existing at the time when the Spin-off takes effect will continue to apply in the respective establishments or companies after the Spin-off has taken effect. From the time the Spin-off takes effect, the group works council, the group representative body for disabled persons and the group youth and trainee representative body in the Continental Group will continue to exist but will no longer be responsible for the companies of the Future Automotive Group because CA Holding SE together with its affiliated companies will form a separate group of companies. The separation of the establishments of the Future Automotive Group from the Continental Group in connection with the Spin-off will also result in personnel changes in the composition of the group works council, the group representative body for disabled persons and the group youth and trainee representative body at the level of Continental AG. Accordingly, those members of these bodies who are employees of the Future Automotive Group will cease to be members when the Spin-off takes effect. This currently concerns 20 members of the group works council, one member and two deputy members of the group representative body for disabled persons, and five members of the group youth and trainee representative body. However, group works agreements existing in the Continental Group at the time when the Spin-off takes effect will, as a general rule, continue to apply in the companies of the Future Automotive Group after the Spin-off has taken effect, to the extent that they can be performed in accordance with their purpose. In the event that a group works council will be established at the level of CA Holding SE, these agreements will continue to apply as group works agreements of the Future Automotive Group, and otherwise as central works agreements or works agreements in the companies of the Future Automotive Group. The establishments currently existing in companies of the Future Automotive Group are also not affected by the Spin-off. The existence, composition and term of office of the works councils and central works councils, of the youth and trainee representative bodies and central youth and trainee representative bodies as well as of the representative bodies and central representative bodies for disabled persons established for them will remain unchanged. Since CA Holding SE has not yet commenced business operations and does not have any employees, it does not have a works council or a youth and trainee representative body or a representative body for disabled persons. This situation will not change as a direct consequence of the Spin-off. However, after the Spin-off has taken effect, CA Holding SE will be the parent company of the Future Automotive Group. Thus, the prerequisites for establishing a group works council pursuant to Section 54 of the German Works Constitution Act (Betriebsverfassungsgesetz - BetrVG) will generally be fulfilled at CA Holding SE. If such a group works council is established, the prerequisites for establishing a group representative body for disabled persons pursuant to Section 180(2) of the Ninth Book of the German Social Code (Sozialgesetzbuch) will also be fulfilled. In addition, after the Spin-off has taken effect, the prerequisites for establishing a European works council in the Future Automotive Group will generally be fulfilled. However, it is intended to establish a Special Negotiating Body (SNB) and to enter into an employee involvement agreement with it in accordance with Section 21 of the German Act on Employee Involvement (SE-Beteiligungsgesetz - SEBG). This employee involvement agreement may result in the establishment of an SE works council, in which case the provisions of the German Act on European Works Councils (Europaisches Betriebsrate-Gesetz) are not applicable in accordance with Section 47(1) SEBG. Company committee and group committee of executive representatives The existence, composition and term of office of the company committee of executive representatives existing at Continental AG will not be affected by the Spin-off. After the Spin-off has taken effect, the group committee of executive representatives in the Continental Group will continue to exist as well but will no longer be responsible for the companies of the Future Automotive Group because CA Holding SE together with its affiliated companies will no longer be part of the Continental Group. Furthermore, the separation of the establishments of the Future Automotive Group from the Continental Group in connection with the Spin-off will result in personnel changes in the composition of the group committee of executive representatives of Continental AG. Accordingly, those members of the group committee of executive representatives who are employees of the Future Automotive Group will cease to be members when the Spin-off takes effect. This currently concerns two members of the group committee of executive representatives. Since CA Holding SE has not yet commenced business operations, a committee of executive representatives has not been established at CA Holding SE. After the Spin-off has taken effect, the prerequisites for establishing a group committee of executive representatives pursuant to Section 21 of the German Executive Committees Act (Sprecherausschussgesetz) in the Future Automotive Group will generally be fulfilled. The existence and composition of the committees of executive representatives currently existing at the companies of the Future Automotive Group will not be affected by the Spin-off. Economic commi TaxBandits now supports Form 8027 e-filing, enabling businesses to report tip income efficiently with accurate allocations, bulk filing, AI assistance, and live customer support. TaxBandits, a leading e-filing platform for businesses and tax professionals, now supports Form 8027, making the process of reporting tip income and allocated tips faster, more accurate, and more efficient. What Is Form 8027? Form 8027 is used by employers in the food and beverage sector, mainly those operating large restaurants or bars, to report tip income and allocate tips for their employees. This measure assists the IRS in monitoring compliance with tip reporting requirements and facilitates accurate tax reporting. 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Seamless Digital Integration: A strong luxury brand is consistent across all platforms. Digital Silk ensures brand storytelling, visuals, and user experiences align flawlessly across websites, social media, and e-commerce platforms. A strong luxury brand is consistent across all platforms. Digital Silk ensures brand storytelling, visuals, and user experiences align flawlessly across websites, social media, and e-commerce platforms. Exclusive Customer Experiences: Luxury consumers expect more than just a product; they seek a journey. Digital Silk creates interactive and immersive digital experiences that engage high-net-worth individuals and strengthen brand loyalty. "In the luxury space, branding is not just about aesthetics-it's about creating an experience that embodies style, exclusivity, emotion, and pulls people into something larger than themselves, something they want to be a part of," said Courtney Bozigian, Director of Brand Strategy at Digital Silk. "Our data-driven approach ensures that every decision is backed by industry research and consumer insights, allowing us to craft strategies that engage audiences with a blend of thoughtful innovation that honor a brand's heritage to drive measurable success." Merging Creativity with Technology in Luxury Branding Digital Silk seamlessly integrates artistic expression with cutting-edge digital technology to ensure luxury brands maintain their heritage while embracing modernity. The agency's approach focuses on balancing elegance with functionality, ensuring that every digital touchpoint reinforces the brand's premium positioning. Why Luxury Brands Choose Digital Silk Luxury brands seeking to establish a signature identity turn to Digital Silk for its expertise in high-end branding, immersive design and strategic marketing. By crafting tailored digital experiences, Digital Silk helps premium brands build lasting emotional connections with their discerning and high-end audiences. About Digital Silk Digital Silk is a full-service branding agency specializing in specializing in branding, web design and digital marketing. With a proven track record of delivering cutting-edge solutions, the agency empowers brands to achieve tangible results through strategic storytelling and engaging design. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/245246 SOURCE: Digital Silk A Breakthrough in Efficiency, Precision, and Sustainability for Commercial Label Production The commercial printing industry is evolving rapidly, and businesses seeking high-performance label printing solutions now have access to a game-changing innovation: the Epson ColorWorks CW-C8000. This high-speed industrial color label printer is designed to print thousands of labels per minute, delivering unmatched efficiency, precision, and reliability. "The Epson ColorWorks CW-C8000 is a revolutionary step forward for industries that depend on high-quality, durable, and customizable labels," said a representative from Epson. "With its cutting-edge technology, businesses can streamline operations while maintaining exceptional print clarity." Unparalleled Speed & Print Quality With its advanced print engine and high-speed capabilities, the Epson CW-C8000 sets a new benchmark for industrial label printing. It ensures crisp, vibrant labels at remarkable speeds, making it an ideal solution for retail, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, logistics, and manufacturing industries. Sustainability & Cost Efficiency This state-of-the-art printer is designed with eco-friendly features, reducing material waste and optimizing ink usage. Businesses looking to enhance their sustainability efforts will benefit from its efficient printing process, which minimizes environmental impact while maintaining superior quality. Versatility & Ease of Use The Epson ColorWorks CW-C8000 supports a wide range of label materials, including waterproof and weather-resistant options, ensuring that labels maintain their integrity in any environment. Its user-friendly interface and automation features reduce the need for extensive training, making it an accessible solution for businesses of all sizes. "This printer empowers businesses with industrial-grade label printing at an affordable cost," added the representative. "It's an essential tool for companies aiming to elevate their branding and operational efficiency." For more information on the Epson ColorWorks CW-C8000, visit OmegaBrand. About OmegaBrand OmegaBrand is a trusted supplier of advanced commercial printing solutions, offering a range of custom label printers from top manufacturers like Epson, Afinia, Primera Technology, iSys Label, Neuralabel, VIPColor, and UniNet. The company also provides blank labels, ink and toner cartridges, label rewinders and unwinders, finishing equipment, and printing software to optimize label production. Contact Details Contact: Basat khalifa Website: https://www.omegabrand.com/ USA Office: OmegaBrand 701 South Carson St., Ste 200-2639 Carson City, NV 89701 Canada Office: OmegaBrand 1325 Eglinton Ave East, Unit 219A Mississauga ON L4W 4L9 Toll-Free (USA/Canada): +1 (877) 842-8486 International Customers: +1 (416) 620-9772 SOURCE: OmegaBrand Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE:BHC)(TSX:BHC) (the "Company" or "Bausch Health") today announced that it has launched an offering (the "Offering") of $4.0 billion aggregate principal amount of new senior secured notes due 2032 (the "Notes") through its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, 1261229 B.C. Ltd., a company incorporated under the laws of British Columbia, Canada (the "Issuer") that, at the closing of the transactions will be a non-guarantor restricted subsidiary under the indentures that govern the Company's existing senior notes. In addition, the Company, through the Issuer, is seeking to enter into new senior secured credit facilities that are expected to consist of (i) a 5-year senior secured revolving credit facility in an amount of at least $400 million (the "New Revolving Facility") and (ii) a $3,400 million 5.5-year senior secured term loan B facility (the "New Term Loan Facility" and, together with the New Revolving Facility, the "New Senior Secured Credit Facilities"). The Offering and the entry into the New Senior Secured Credit Facilities are subject to market and other conditions. The Notes will be (i) secured, subject to customary limitations, by a first priority lien on substantially all assets of the Issuer, including a pledge of its direct equity interest in Bausch + Lomb and (ii) guaranteed by (x) the Company and subsidiaries of the Company that guarantee the Company's existing senior notes, with such guarantees secured by the assets of such guarantors, subject to customary limitations, by a first-priority lien that will rank pari passu with the liens securing the Company's existing first-lien senior secured notes and the New Senior Secured Credit Facilities and (y) certain subsidiaries of the Company that do not guarantee the Company's existing senior notes, with such guarantees secured by the assets of such guarantors, subject to customary limitations, by a first-priority lien that will rank pari passu with the liens securing the New Senior Secured Credit Facilities. The Company intends to use the proceeds from the offering of the Notes, together with the borrowings under the New Term Loan Facility, (i) to repay in full and terminate the Company's existing credit agreement, (ii) to redeem all of its 5.500% Senior Secured Notes due 2025, 9.000% Senior Notes due 2025, 6.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2027, 5.750% Senior Secured Notes due 2027 and its indirect subsidiary's 9.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2028 (collectively, the "Existing Notes"), (iii) to pay related fees, premiums and expenses and (iv) for general corporate purposes. The Company also intends, or a subsidiary of the Company intends, as applicable, to deliver a notice of conditional redemption for all of the Existing Notes at the redemption prices specified in the applicable indentures, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date of the applicable series of Existing Notes. The obligation to redeem the Existing Notes will be conditioned upon the consummation of the Offering and the funding of the New Term Loan Facility on or before each of the applicable redemption dates (which redemption dates could be delayed in the Company's sole discretion if this condition is not satisfied pursuant to the terms of the applicable indentures). Concurrently with the consummation of the Offering and the funding of the New Term Loan Facility, the Company or a subsidiary of the Company, as applicable, intends to discharge the applicable indentures governing each of the Existing Notes to the extent any such Existing Notes are not redeemed prior to the Closing Date. This press release does not constitute a notice of redemption of the Existing Notes. The Notes will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or any state securities law and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. The Notes will be offered in the United States only to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act that are also qualified purchasers within the meaning of Section 2(a)(51) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and to non-U.S. persons outside of the United States pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. The Notes have not been and will not be qualified for sale to the public by prospectus under applicable Canadian securities laws and, accordingly, any offer and sale of the Notes in Canada will be made on a basis, which is exempt from the prospectus requirements of such securities laws. This press release is being issued pursuant to Rule 135c under the Securities Act and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. About Bausch Health Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE:BHC)(TSX:BHC) is a global, diversified pharmaceutical company enriching lives through our relentless drive to deliver better health care outcomes. We develop, manufacture and market a range of products primarily in gastroenterology, hepatology, neurology, dermatology, dentistry, aesthetics, international pharmaceuticals and eye health, through our controlling interest in Bausch + Lomb Corporation. Our ambition is to be a globally integrated healthcare company, trusted and valued by patients, HCPs, employees and investors. Forward-Looking Statements About Bausch Health This news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may generally be identified by the use of the words "will," "anticipates," "hopes," "expects," "intends," "plans," "should," "could," "would," "may," "believes," "subject to" and variations or similar expressions. These statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance, are based upon the current expectations and beliefs of management and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. In particular, the Company can offer no assurance that the separation (including a potential sale of Bausch + Lomb) will occur on terms or timelines acceptable to the Company or at all, or as to the ultimate composition of any near-term financing activities, including the proposed use of proceeds therefrom, whether the conditions precedent to the redemption of the Existing Notes will occur, or as to the offering of the Notes, the entry into the New Senior Secured Credit Facilities, and details thereof. Actual results are subject to other risks and uncertainties that relate more broadly to Bausch Health's overall business, including those more fully described in Bausch Health's most recent annual and quarterly reports and detailed from time to time in Bausch Health's other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian Securities Administrators, which factors are incorporated herein by reference. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events, information or circumstances after the date of this news release or to reflect actual outcomes, unless required by law. Investor Contact: Garen Sarafian ir@bauschhealth.com (877) 281-6642 (toll free) Media Contact: Katie Savastano corporate.communications@bauschhealth.com (908) 541-3785 SOURCE: Bausch Health Companies Inc. AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B (Fair) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of "bb+" (Fair) of Middle East Insurance Company Plc (MEICO) (Jordan). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. The ratings reflect MEICO's balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management. MEICO's balance sheet strength is underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalisation being at the strong level, as measured by Best's Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). Concentration in the company's equity and real estate portfolios remain significant drivers of capital requirements. The balance sheet strength assessment considers MEICO's unleveraged balance sheet, adequate liquidity, sound reserving practices and moderate underwriting leverage. The holding company assessment stemming from MEICO's parent, Middle East Holding Company Plc (MEHC), is considered neutral, reflecting MEHC's strong level of risk-adjusted capitalisation, as measured by BCAR, with its solvency drivers similar to MEICO's. MEICO has a track record of modest operating profitability, demonstrated by return-on-equity ratios of approximately 3% over the past five years (2019-2023). Underwriting performance has been adversely impacted by the results in its motor third party liability (MTPL) line of business, which is tariffed and unprofitable for the Jordanian market, translating into modest overall technical losses (as calculated by AM Best) for MEICO since 2021. However, the company has maintained underwriting discipline in business lines in which it controls rates, leading to a steady improvement in underwriting results since 2022. Despite some volatility, investment performance has contributed positively to MEICO's operating results, as evidenced by a five-year (2019-2023) weighted average net investment return (including gains) of 2.8%, which has more than offset modest underwriting losses in recent years. MEICO's operating performance is expected to remain modest, negatively impacted by technical losses on the compulsory MTPL line of business. MEICO has established itself as a top-five player in Jordan's highly competitive and fragmented insurance market. Whilst the company's business is well-diversified by line of business on a gross basis, it remains highly concentrated in the motor line on a net basis. Growth in insurance services revenue in 2023 of 10.6% was primarily driven by the reallocation of MTPL insurance business to incumbent insurers following the exit from the market by some insurers. Prospectively, premium growth is expected to be modest. This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best's website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best's Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best's Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best's Credit Ratings, Best's Performance Assessments, Best's Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best's Ratings Assessments. AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specialising in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com. Copyright 2025 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250319907517/en/ Contacts: Marving Lopez Financial Analyst +44 20 7397 4389 marving.lopez@ambest.com Christopher Sharkey Associate Director, Public Relations +1 908 882 2310 christopher.sharkey@ambest.com Ghislain Le Cam, CFA, FRM Senior Director, Analytics +44 20 7397 0268 ghislain.lecam@ambest.com Al Slavin Senior Public Relations Specialist +1 908 882 2318 al.slavin@ambest.com New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - March 19, 2025) - Chief financial officers (CFOs) and chief information officers (CIOs) say they collaborate, but they hold distinctly opposite perspectives on how to measure the benefits of tech investments, whether investment budgets are adequate and which of them is responsible for making key decisions, according to a new KPMG survey. The survey, which included responses from 102 C-suite leaders and their direct reports, uncovers key insights to improve the CFO-CIO relationship. "Transformational success is realized when CFOs and CIOs join forces, steering technology to meet business needs. Their partnership is the cornerstone of executing organizational strategy and aligning on ROI, investments and responsibilities," said Sanjay Sehgal, KPMG U.S. Advisory Head of Markets. ROI on Technology Investment: A Point of Contention One of the most striking findings is that 39% of CFOs and 49% of CIOs consider the definition of technology ROI to be a contentious area. This disparity reflects broader trends identified in KPMG's latest pulse survey, where 79% of leaders in January prioritized productivity gains, compared to October, when 51% were focused on revenue gains, underscoring the evolving priorities in technology investments. Authority over AI and Technology Investment The survey reveals a notable division in perspectives from CFOs and CIOs regarding who holds primary responsibility for AI and technology investments. More than half of the respondents from both groups feel they are in charge, with 59% of CFOs claiming this responsibility, compared to 61% of CIOs. This overlap in perceived authority points to potential power struggles. CFOs and CIOs have different responsibilities that enable the success of technology investments. For example, the CFO is responsible for viability, budgeting and financial governance, while the CIO is responsible for the technical strategy, implementation and governance. Alignment on roles can optimize technology strategy, implementation and effective decision-making. Innovation Budgets: A Mixed Bag While 63% of companies dedicate more than 20% of their annual budget to innovation, perceptions about the adequacy of investment levels vary significantly. Nearly one-third of CFOs consider this budget insufficient, while a similar number of CIOs deem it excessive. CFOs and CIOs should align on the expected outcomes of a technology investment and how those outcomes will be measured. "An open checkbook isn't the answer," said Marcus Murph, KPMG U.S. Head of Technology Consulting. "CFOs and CIOs need to collaborate to execute strategy and achieve goals. Whether through AI or cloud, efficiencies must stem from technology. CFOs and CIOs need to align with the business strategy and seek efficiencies to fund the technological investments driving business transformation." Collaboration: A Path to Enhanced Business Outcomes CFOs and CIOs diverge on the benefits collaboration can have on improving operational efficiency and risk management. 57% of CFOs think collaboration can significantly improve operational efficiency, compared to 37% of CIOs. 51% of CFOs believe collaboration can enhance risk management, while only 29% of CIOs agree. "There's an ongoing debate over the ownership of business transformation, with CIOs focused on building and securing technology, and CFOs on leveraging the infrastructure to refine processes," said Sehgal. "Yet, both see themselves as responsible for driving business transformation." Action Steps for CFOs and CIOs Despite the points of contention, the survey finds that nearly all participants (92%) describe their relationship as collaborative, with a majority rating it as "very collaborative." To strengthen collaboration and bridge existing gaps, KPMG recommends: Open communication: Regular communication can enhance mutual understanding, help align perspectives and address concerns. More frequent meetings can foster a more collaborative environment and facilitate timely decision-making and real-time adjustments to strategies. Define role and responsibilities: Clearly identify areas of joint but differentiated ownership. Both CFOs and CIOs should take joint ownership of projects to ensure a unified approach. Develop a unified vision and strategy: Working together on strategy can help set clear goals and priorities. Establish a common framework and clear definitions, particularly for how to measure ROI. "By fostering collaborative relationships and aligning strategies, CFOs and CIOs can fortify their organization's competitive position in the market," said Murph. "The need for a unified approach to evaluate ROI is even more critical as the allocation of budgets to technology investments continues to grow." The online survey targeted CFOs and CIOs from US organizations with $1B or more in annual revenue and 1,000+ employees, spanning various sectors including electronics, finance, healthcare, and retail. Participants were screened for relevant titles and direct reporting lines to CFOs and CIOs. The findings underscore the need for harmonized efforts and strategic alignment between CFOs and CIOs to maximize the benefits of AI investments and drive financial outcomes. When CIOs drive the technology and align on financial outcomes with the CFO, organizations can realize operational efficiencies, sustainable growth or develop new or enhanced products. About KPMG LLP KPMG LLP is the U.S. member firm of the KPMG global organization of independent member firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. The KPMG global organization operates in 142 countries and territories and has more than 275,000 people working in member firms around the world. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. KPMG International Limited is a private English company limited by guarantee. KPMG International Limited and its related entities do not provide services to clients. KPMG is widely recognized for being a great place to work and build a career. Our people share a sense of purpose in the work we do, and a strong commitment to increasing access to education and opportunity, advancing mental health, and supporting community vitality. Learn more at www.kpmg.com/us. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/245240 SOURCE: KPMG LLP Tranche: 400m Coupon rate: 4.50% Maturity: March 2030 Rating: BB Regulatory News: Seche Environnement (Paris:SCHP) announces the successful placement of its first "Green Bond". From an initial amount of 350 million, the issue has been increased to 400 million to serve the largest possible number of French, European and non-European investors. The coupon, limited to 4.5% for a 5-year maturity, reflects the quality of Seche's credit profile and the attractiveness of this issue for green finance investors. On March 18, 2025, Seche Environnement successfully closed its first green bond issue to refinance the acquisition of ECO, Singapore's leading hazardous waste management company, completed in the summer of 2024. The funds raised will be used to repay the balance of the bank loan and credit facility ("RCF") which financed the ECO acquisition. The surplus will be used for general Group purposes. The bond attracted up to 1.8 billion in applications from over 140 leading national and international investors. The initial tranche of 350 million was increased by a further 50 million to accommodate the largest possible number of subscribers. For this green financing, Seche Environnement has established a sustainability framework ("Green Bond Framework" vIBPublishing_01102021 Seche Sustainability-Linked Bond Framework v14.docx based on the criteria of the European green taxonomy. This sustainability framework was the subject of an independent external opinion ("second party opinion") by Sustainalytics Seche Green Financing Framework Second-Party Opinion (2025) ): "Sustainalytics is of the opinion that Seche's green financing framework is credible, effective and aligned with the four main components of the 2021 Green Bond Principles and the 2023 Green Loan Principles... Sustainalytics believes that the eligible categories will have positive environmental impacts and advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, in particular SDGs 9, 11, 12 and 15. " The successful placement of this issue, which was largely oversubscribed by leading French, European and non-European investors, illustrates the quality of Seche Environnement's credit, the credibility of its actions in favor of the ecological transition for itself and its customers, and in particular its ability to invest in activities that have a positive impact on human health, the environment and biodiversity. According to Maxime Seche, Chief Executive Officer of Seche Environnement: "The success of our first green bond, based on an approach validated by Sustainalytics and in line with our ecological transition strategy, demonstrates the recognition by major players in green finance of the attractiveness of Seche's long-term credit profile, the relevance of its growth strategy in sustainable development markets and, more particularly, the credibility of its ambitions in terms of green investments in favor of its ecological transition and that of economic players." BNP Paribas acted as Global Coordinator and Sole Bookrunner, and Natixis as Joint Lead Manager. Seche Environnement was advised by Latham Watkins and BNP Paribas by Weil Gotshal Manges. Next communication Revenue to March 31, 2025: April 25, 2025 before market opening About Seche Environnement Seche Environnement is a benchmark player in waste management, including the most complex and hazardous waste, and in environmental services, particularly in the event of environmental emergencies. Thanks to its expertise in creating circular economy loops, decarbonization and hazard control, and to the cutting-edge technologies developed by its R&D, Seche Environnement has been contributing for nearly 40 years to the ecological transition of industries and territories, as well as to the protection of living organisms. A family-owned French industrial group, Seche Environnement supports its customers through subsidiaries in 9 strategic countries and more than 120 locations worldwide, including some 50 industrial sites in France. With some 7,300 employees, including around 3,000 in France, Seche Environnement generated contributed revenue of 1,110.5 million in 2024, of which around 32% outside France. Seche Environnement has been listed on Eurolist by Euronext (compartment B) since November 27, 1997. The stock is included in the CAC Mid&Small, EnterNext Tech 40 and EnterNext PEA-PME 150 indices. ISIN: FR 0000039139 Bloomberg: SCHP.FP Reuters: CCHE.PA View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250319121278/en/ Contacts: SECHE ENVIRONNEMENT Analyst Investor Relations Manuel ANDERSEN Head of Investor Relations m.andersen@groupe-seche.com +33 (0)1 53 21 53 60 Media Relations Anna JAEGY Head of Communication a.jaegy@groupe-seche.com +33 (0)1 53 21 53 53 Agreement Expands RCS Coverage Across the U.S., Enabling Businesses to Launch RCS for Business to Verizon Subscribers ATLANTA and STOCKHOLM, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sinch (Sinch AB (publ) (XSTO: SINCH), which is pioneering the way the world communicates through its Customer Communications Cloud, is highlighting its expanded partnership with Verizon, one of the largest mobile network operators in the US, to provide and enable RCS for Business Messaging (RBM) to Verizon subscribers. Announced alongside Sinch's presence this week at Enterprise Connect in Orlando, Florida, this expansion reinforces Sinch's strong partnership with Verizon. By broadening their partnership, Sinch and Verizon are empowering businesses across the U.S. to seamlessly deliver RCS messages to their customers, driving wider adoption and innovation in business messaging. Leveraging their combined expertise and resources, the two companies are accelerating the expansion of RCS coverage, bringing secure, feature-rich, and verified business-to-consumer messaging to Verizon subscribers - enhancing customer engagement, trust and overall communication experiences. RCS for Business offers branded messages, rich and interactive features, and advanced analytics such as read receipts. Businesses can build trust with their customers thanks to messages coming from a verified sender agent over a secure channel. "Partnering with MNOs like Verizon underscores our commitment to providing expanded reach for RCS with innovative communications solutions that enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty," said Lodema Steinbach, VP of Product and Carrier Relations, North America at Sinch. "With over 15 years of building the best super network and strong partnerships with Google and mobile operators globally, Sinch continues to pave the way for advanced communication solutions that meet the evolving needs of modern businesses and enables a better experience for end users." Sinch's Customer Communications Cloud enables businesses to harness the full potential of RCS through its comprehensive APIs, intuitive campaign builder, conversational AI tools, and integrations with platforms. Among the companies leveraging Sinch's RCS capabilities are EasyPark, Nespresso, leading delivery companies, and some of the world's largest banks. The company remains committed to expanding RCS for Business services and communications globally, ensuring businesses can leverage the latest messaging technologies to engage customers effectively. Sinch is hyper focused on leading and remaining on the bleeding edge of the next generation of digital customer communications. CONTACT: For more information please contact: Janet Lennon, Director of Global PR & Communications janet.lennon@sinch.com |1.206.914.6175 This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/sinch-expands-partnership-with-verizon-to-advance-rcs-adoption-302406131.html FULL YEAR REVENUES OF 93.5 MILLION, DOWN -7% AND -6% LIKE-FOR-LIKE MONTHLY RECURRING REVENUES UP +20% YEAR-ON-YEAR - ARR: 35.4 MILLION REPRESENTING 38% OF THE 2024 REVENUES 2024 EBITDA AT 1.1 MILLION 9.5 MILLION OF CASH & CASH EQUIVALENTS Paris, March 19, 2025 - Ateme (ISIN: FR0011992700) has published Full Year 2024 Results, as approved by its Board of Directors on 18 March 2025. The consolidated financial statements have been audited in full. The auditors' report will be published once the due diligence procedures required for the publication of the annual financial report have been completed. Consolidated data (in million) IFRS FY 2023 (12 month) H1 2024 (6 month) H2 2024 (6 month) FY 2024 (12 month) Change (24 vs. 23) Revenue 100.0 40.8 52.7 93.5 -7% Margin on direct costs 72.9 29.1 37.7 66.8 -8% Margin / Revenue (%) 72.9% 71.3% 71.5% 71.5% Gross profit 59.9 22.3 31.9 54.2 -9% Gross profit / Revenue (%) 59.8% 54.8% 60.4% 58.0% EBITDA[1] 2.7 (4.3) 5.3 1.1 -60% EBITDA / Revenue (%) 2.7% -10.5% 10.1% 1.1% Operating profit (2.4) (6.9) 2.9 (3.9) Financial profit / loss (1.5) (0.2) (0.6) (0.8) Tax income (0.1) (1.3) 0.7 (0.6) Group net profit (4.0) (8.3) 2.9 (5.4) Full Year 2024 Results Total revenues for the year to December 31, 2024, stood at 93.5 million, down -7% versus 2023 and by -6% on a like-for-like basis. Monthly recurring revenues (MRR[2]) rose from 2.5 million in January 2024 to 3.0 million in January 2025, reflecting the strong pace of MRR creation throughout 2024, notably with six new Enterprise Licenses in Q4. As a result, Ateme begins 2025 with 35.4 million in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR), representing 38% of the 2024 revenues, up from 29.6 million a year ago, representing 30% of the 2023 revenues. Margin on direct costs stood at 66.8m, down -8% and implying a margin of 71.5% of revenue, 1.4 point down compared to 2023 due to an unusual low margin deal in Asia including a substantial third-party servers component Gross profit stood at 54,2m, down 9%. The Second Half gross margin amounted to 60.4%, up from 54.8% in the First Half. As communicated in September 2024, the company ended the fiscal year with lower opex (down -7% at 58.2 million vs 62.3 million) and headcount (544 vs 578) compared to 2023. These operational efficiency savings, while preserving the innovation and sales agility, were focused on Sales and Marketing, down 2.8 million, and on R&D, down 1.3 million, respectively -9% and -5% down year-on-year. G&A was kept flat. EBITDA for the period was 1.1 million, compared to 2.7 million in 2023. This decrease was primarily due to a 6 million decline in the margin on direct costs, which was partially offset by a 4 million reduction in operating expenses. The operating loss was 3.9 million, and the net loss was 5.4 million, including a 1.3 million financial interests, 0.5 million in foreign exchange gains, and 0.6 million in taxes. Shareholders' equity stood at 33.6 million as of 31 December 2024. Liquidity increased to 9.5 million from 5.6 million a year earlier, primarily due to a 1.2 million decrease in inventory and 3.6 million from factoring, with a reduction in financial borrowings[3] to 13.0 million (vs. 17.1 million the year prior), due to the Group's financial deleveraging. The Group's adjusted net financial debt[4] position decreased by 8 million by the end of 2024, at 3.5 million (vs. 11.5 million in 2023). Looking ahead Improving profitability remains the top priority for this year. Everything has now been put in place, with reorganization and cost rationalization efforts undertaken since Summer 2024, to ensure this impact materializes in 2025. Looking further ahead, Ateme reaffirms its medium-term objectives for 2027: Consistent revenue growth to reach 130 million; Direct cost margin of 99 million; EBITDA of 22 million; Monthly recurring revenue (MRR) of 4 million. These objectives align with Ateme's 10-year growth trajectory and the cost-reduction measures implemented since 2024. Michel Artieres, Chairman and CEO of Ateme, commented: "We are closing 2024 with a positive EBITDA and the addition of 6 million in ARR throughout 2024, allowing us to start 2025 with a significant portion of our expected growth already secured. The remainder is expected to come notably from a rebound in our North American business. With our organizational restructuring completed and expenses stabilizing, this should have a very noticeable impact on our profitability" Next publication: April 24th, 2025: 2025 First Quarter Revenue June 11th, 2025: Annual Shareholder Meeting About Ateme Ateme is a global leader of video compression and delivery solutions helping Tier-1 Content Providers, Service Providers and Streaming Platforms to boost their viewership and subscription engagement. Leveraging a unique R&D task force in the video industry, Ateme's solutions power green sustainable TV services, improve end-users' quality of experience, optimize the total cost of ownership of TV/VOD services and generate new revenue streams based on personalization and ad insertion. Beyond the technology agility, Ateme's value proposition is to partner with his customers by offering a great flexibility in the engagement and business models matching their financial priorities. A consequence is a rapid shift to Recurring Revenues, boosting the company resilience and creating long term value for the shareholders. Founded in 1991, Ateme has 550 employees spread over its headquarters in France and 20 offices around the world including the USA, Brazil, Argentina, UK, Spain, Germany, the UAE, Singapore, China, Korea, Canada and Australia. Ateme has been listed on the Paris Euronext market since 2014 and in November 2020 it made the acquisition of Anevia, a provider of OTT and IPTV software solutions. In 2024, Ateme served close to 1,000 customers worldwide with revenues of 93 million, of which more than 90% outside its home market. Find out more: www.ateme.com. Name: ATEME - ISIN Code: FR0011992700 - Ticker: ATEME - Compartment: C Ateme INVESTOR RELATIONS PRESS RELATIONS Michel Artieres Chairman and CEO Mathieu Omnes Tel: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 92 ateme@actus.fr Amaury Dugast Tel: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 74 adugast@actus.fr DISCLAIMER This press release does not constitute or form part of and should not be construed as any offer for sale of or solicitation of any offer to buy any securities of Ateme, nor should it, or any part of it, form the basis of or be relied on in connection with any contract or commitment whatsoever concerning Ateme's assets, activities or shares. All statements other than historical facts included in this presentation, including without limitations, those regarding Atemes' position, business strategy, plans and objectives are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included herein are for illustrative purposes only and are based on management's current views and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks. For illustrative purposes only, such risks include but are not limited to impact of external events on customers and suppliers; the effects of competing technologies competition generally in main markets; profitability of the expansion strategy; litigation; ability to establish and maintain strategic relationships in major businesses; and the effect of future acquisitions and investments. Ateme expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any projections, forecasts or estimates contained in this presentation to reflect any change in events, conditions, assumptions or circumstances on which any such statements are based, unless so required by applicable law. These materials are supplied to you solely for your information and may not be copied or distributed to any other person (whether in or outside your organization) or published, in whole or in part, for any purpose. [1] EBITDA: earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation. Underlying EBITDA equals Group pre-tax profit before deduction of interest, depreciation, amortisation and impairment charges on non-current assets, and staff share-based payments, but after impairment of inventories and trade receivables. It shows profit generated by business activities regardless of financing conditions, tax constraints and the upgrading of operating assets. Non-recurring expenses (one-off, unusual or infrequent items) are excluded. [2] Monthly Recurring Revenue is defined as the sum of (1) the monthly revenue from support contracts in hand, and (2) the monthly revenue from multi-year licensing contracts in hand (capex), and (3) the monthly revenue from license lease contracts (OPEX). [3] excluding bank debt relating to French research tax credit (CIR) pre-financing, factoring contract and IFRS 16 lease liabilities. [4] adjusted net financial debt = borrowings (excluding bank debt relating to French research tax credit (CIR) pre-financing, debt from factoring contract and IFRS 16 lease liabilities) -cash and cash equivalents. ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: xmtqYspqlW2VyptvYstmm2VrmZuXxGmUZZWXlpRqlsmZaZyUxWaTaZmbZnJhmmZv - Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com. ------------------------ Copyright Actusnews Wire Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-90519-pr_ateme_results_fy_2024_20250319_en.pdf Pricing Team Senior Vice President Wei Xie Assumes Responsibility of the Company's Product Team American Integrity Insurance Company, a preeminent property insurance carrier in the Southeast, is proud to announce that it is broadening the role of Senior Vice President Wei Xie. He will now manage the company's Product team, in addition to leading its Pricing and Actuarial Services team. As Senior Vice President of Pricing and Product, Wei and his consolidated team will lead the charge as American Integrity continues its expansion into new states and enters Florida's commercial residential property market. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250319394225/en/ Wei Xie, Senior Vice President of Pricing and Product, American Integrity Insurance "Despite the crisis facing Florida's property insurance market these past few years, American Integrity has remained safe, solvent and secure, thanks in large part to the actuarial expertise demonstrated by Wei and our Pricing team," said American Integrity President, Jon Ritchie. "He also worked closely with members of the Product team to create products that keenly adapted to market conditions, allowing us to deliver unparalleled insurance solutions to our customers and partners. Wei's new role maximizes his forward-thinking approach to pricing strategy, actuarial analysis and product design." Wei, who has served as Senior Vice President of the company's Pricing and Actuarial Services team since 2023, began his American Integrity career as a Vice President in 2018. In addition to navigating American Integrity's journey through Florida's challenging property insurance market throughout his almost seven-year tenure, he has also helped position the company for growth by developing products for customers transitioning back to the private market from the state-run insurance company of last resort. "Our company is based in one of the most dynamic and evolving property insurance markets in the world," said Bob Ritchie, Founder and CEO of American Integrity. "As we continue to gain market share in Florida and grow throughout the Southeast, Wei's strategic oversight of our Pricing and Product teams will ensure we remain at the forefront of delivering competitive, innovative solutions tailored to our policyholders' needs." "I'm honored to step into the role of SVP of Pricing and Product, expanding my responsibilities to lead both the Product and Pricing teams," said Wei. "As American Integrity continues to innovate in the insurance space, I look forward to driving strategic growth, delivering value to our customers, and shaping the future of our products. The road ahead is exciting, and I'm eager to contribute to our mission of providing more accessible insurance solutions." About American Integrity Insurance Group American Integrity Insurance Group is one of Florida's leading providers of residential property insurance, serving more than 370,000 policyholders across Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. Headquartered in Tampa, the company is committed to innovation, exceptional service, and community impact. With plans to expand its market presence and product offerings, American Integrity remains at the forefront of the industry, empowering homeowners and fostering a culture of integrity and excellence. For more information, visit www.aii.com or follow us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Instagram. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250319394225/en/ Contacts: Media Contact: Toni Logan tlogan@aii.com 813-512-6672 PRESS RELEASE Performance of Global Bioenergies' sustainable aviation fuel confirmed: injection and combustion tests carried out Injection tests defined in collaboration with Safran Aircraft Engines and carried out by CERTAM Combustion tests performed by ONERA Evry, 19 March 2025 - 05:45 p.m.: Global Bioenergies' Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) has been tested in collaboration with Safran on the injection phase, and with ONERA on the combustion phase. The Company supplied a batch of SAF to Safran, the world's second-largest aircraft equipment manufacturer, to evaluate the specific properties of Global Bioenergies' SAF, used in its neat form, during the fuel injection phase prior to combustion in the engine. This phase is crucial to ensure, among other things, high efficiency and therefore lower fuel consumption. A test campaign was carried out near Rouen at CERTAM (regional innovation center of technological exchange in aerothermal and engines). Frederic Ollivier, CTO at Global Bioenergies, says:" The various simulations carried out by the CERTAM demonstrator have enabled us to test the behavior of our fuel under various conditions representative of an aircraft engine. Injecting Global Bioenergies' SAF, without blending it with kerosene, produces a spray of fine, homogeneous droplets, very similar to the spray from Jet A-1, the standard fossil kerosene. These tests are feeding into the data that enable a better match between engine and fuel." ONERA, the French aerospace research center, has also carried out tests on a laboratory burner to quantify the particles emitted during combustion of Global Bioenergies' SAF. Emission levels were measured using neat SAF from Global Bioenergies, Jet A-1 as a control, and a blend of 50% SAF and 50% Jet A-1 (the maximum proportion currently authorized by ASTM when certifying Global Bioenergies' process). These three batches of fuel were injected into the laboratory burner in order to quantify and characterize the non-volatile particles emitted during combustion, i.e. soot. Several representative conditions were tested to simulate soot emission levels, both on the ground and in flight. The results obtained using neat SAF from Global Bioenergies show a 40-99% reduction in soot emissions compared with Jet A-1 fuel, depending on the conditions tested in the laboratory. The results obtained from the 50-50 blend show a reduction in particulate matter that is globally proportional to the SAF incorporation rate. Louise Ganeau, research engineer at ONERA, explains:" Soot emitted during fuel combustion has an impact on air quality in airport areas. Incorporating SAFs such as Global Bioenergies' into the fossil fuel landscape would help reduce soot emissions locally, and cut particulate pollution. Furthermore, from an environmental standpoint, SAF have a role to play in reducing net CO2 emissions thanks to the way they are manufactured." Marc Delcourt, co-founder and CEO of Global Bioenergies, concludes:" The properties of our fuel had already been validated when it obtained ASTM certification. The tests carried out today in the best French laboratories go even further in characterizing our product. These validations strengthen the attractiveness of our offer." About GLOBAL BIOENERGIES As a committed player in the fight against global warming, Global Bioenergies has developed a unique process to produce SAF and e-SAF from renewable resources, thereby meeting the challenges of decarbonising air transport. Its technology is one of the very few solutions already certified by ASTM. Its products also meet the high standards of the cosmetics industry, and L'Oreal is its largest shareholder with a 13.5% stake. Global Bioenergies is listed on Euronext Growth in Paris (FR0011052257 - ALGBE). Contacts GLOBAL BIOENERGIES +33 (0)1 64 98 20 50 invest@global-bioenergies.com (mailto:invest@global-bioenergies.com) Follow our news Receive information about Global Bioenergies directly by subscribing to our news feed on https://www.global-bioenergies.com/inscription-newsletter/ (https://www.global-bioenergies.com/inscription-newsletter/) Follow us on LinkedIn Global Bioenergies (https://www.linkedin.com/company/global-bioenergies) NewCap - Investor relations Louis-Victor Delouvrier Aurelie Manavarere globalbioenergies@newcap.eu (mailto:globalbioenergies@newcap.eu) +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94 NewCap - Media relations Nicolas Merigeau globalbioenergies@newcap.eu +33 (0)1 44 71 94 98 Attachment Regulatory News: GenSight Biologics (Euronext: SIGHT, ISIN: FR0013183985, PEA-PME eligible), a biopharma company focused on developing and commercializing innovative gene therapies for retinal neurodegenerative diseases and central nervous system disorders, today confirmed that its definitive annual results for the fiscal year ended 2024 are in line with the estimated figures published on February 27, 2025. Confirmation of Results The definitive consolidated and individual accounts, which were reviewed by the Audit Committee on March 17, 2025, and approved by the Board of Directors on March 18, 2025, confirm the following key financial indicators as previously estimated: Annual Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS) Item 2024 Definitive 2024 Estimated 2023 Definitive ( million) ( million) ( million) Operating Income 2.6 2.6 3.0 Operating Profit (loss) (15.8) (15.8) (29.7) Financial Profit (loss) 1.8 1.8 3.5 Net profit (loss) (14.0) (14.0) 26.2 Cash and Cash equivalent 2.5 2.5 2.1 Total Debt 37.7 37.7 39.8 Total Assets 10.8 10.8 9.1 Information availability Final certification by the auditors will take place after completion of the required procedures to file the universal registration document with the Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF)1 Going concern The Individual and Consolidated Financial Statements were prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern. As such, no adjustments have been made to the financial statements relating to the recoverability and classification of the asset carrying amounts or classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company not be able to continue as a going concern. Financial Position and Recent Funding As of December 31, 2024, the Company had 2.5 million in consolidated cash and cash equivalents compared to 2.1 million on December 31, 2023. With the equity-with-warrants-attached financing announced in March 2025 (approximately 0.9 million) and the anticipated collection of approximately 1.1 million in Research Tax Credit (CIR), and based on current operations, plans, and assumptions, this balance should fund operations until early May 2025. However, this funding is insufficient to cover operational requirements for the next 12 months. The Company's financial debt includes a state-guaranteed loan, an EIB loan, and convertible notes held by Sight Again and Heights Capital, totaling 26.4 million (nominal and interest, undiscounted value). Financial obligations As of December 31, 2024, the Company had not met the scheduled repayment obligations for certain loans, leaving 0.5 million outstanding. The Company initiated discussions with its banking partners to extend the maturity dates of these loans. While no lender-neither the EIB, Heights Capital, nor the banks that granted the PGE-has issued a default notice or formally demanded payment of the overdue amounts as of today, non-compliance with the original repayment schedule may constitute a breach of obligations. Discussions are still ongoing. As a result of these payment delays, financial debts have been reclassified as current liabilities on the Company balance sheet. These include a state-guaranteed loan, an EIB loan, and Heights Capital convertible notes, totaling 19.2 million (nominal and interest, undiscounted value). Heights Capital agreed to accept payment in shares rather than cash for the December 2024 and March 2025 convertible bond installments, despite the stock price falling below the threshold that would typically require cash amortization per the original agreement. Business update In November 2024, the Company submitted a request to the French medicines agency ANSM to restart the Compassionate Access Program (AAC) for LUMEVOQ. The Company received an initial set of questions on December 20, 2024, and provided responses on January 10, 2025. Following a second set of questions received on February 17, 2025, the Company submitted its responses on March 5, 2025. Based on this timeline, the Company expects the Compassionate Access Program to resume in April 2025. Financial Outlook and Mitigation Plans The Company expects that the AAC program, once operational, will contribute to extending the cash runway beyond the next 12 months and finance ongoing CMC, clinical and regulatory activities necessary for upcoming milestones, which includes the initiation of the new RECOVER Phase III clinical trial and UK MHRA marketing application for LUMEVOQ To address the potential gap between the AAC program's resumption and receipt of the first AAC payments, the Company is in active discussions for bridge financing contingent upon ANSM approval of the AAC program. The Company has also negotiated an accounts receivable assignment agreement with a bank to receive 80% of hospital invoice values within days of billing. The Company is scheduled to pay annual rebates on the 2025 AAC program in November 2026, amounting to approximately 45% of the AAC indemnities generated throughout 2025. Consequently, to supplement working capital requirements and fund ongoing operating expenses, the Company will need to pursue additional debt or equity financing or explore partnering or M&A opportunities before the second half of 2026. Going Concern Assessment The financial statements were prepared on a going concern basis as of December 31, 2024, with the following key assumptions: Successful negotiation with banks and financial partners to extend loan maturities and address defaults of contractual obligations ANSM approval and resumption of the AAC program in April 2025 Implementation of bridge financing post-ANSM approval to close any payment gaps Raising additional funds before the end of H1 2026 to finance operations and rebate payments due in November 2026 While the Company believes in its ability to raise additional funds or realize M&A opportunities, no assurance can be given that these objectives will be achieved or that sufficient funds will be secured at acceptable terms. Failure to secure adequate funding could require the Company to severely modify its operating plans, impair its ability to realize its assets and pay its liabilities in the normal course of business, or to be forced to enter into insolvency proceedings or cease its operations in whole or in part. Therefore, substantial doubt exists regarding the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. Financial Agenda GenSight Biologics will report its cash position as of March 31, 2025, on April 7, 2025. GenSight Biologics will hold its Annual General Meeting on May 12, 2025. About GenSight Biologics GenSight Biologics S.A. is a clinical-stage biopharma company focused on developing and commercializing innovative gene therapies for retinal neurodegenerative diseases and central nervous system disorders. GenSight Biologics' pipeline leverages two core technology platforms, the Mitochondrial Targeting Sequence (MTS) and optogenetics, to help preserve or restore vision in patients suffering from blinding retinal diseases. GenSight Biologics' lead product candidate, GS010 (lenadogene nolparvovec) is in Phase III in Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON), a rare mitochondrial disease that leads to irreversible blindness in teens and young adults. Using its gene therapy-based approach, GenSight Biologics' product candidates are designed to be administered in a single treatment to each eye by intravitreal injection to offer patients a sustainable functional visual recovery. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding product development prospects and financial projections. These statements do not constitute guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties. A further list and description of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements in this press release can be found in GenSight Biologics' regulatory filings with the French Autorite des Marches Financiers. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and estimates, which speak only as of the date hereof. Other than as required by applicable law, GenSight Biologics undertakes no obligation to update or revise the information contained in this press release. Detailed information Detailed information regarding the Company, including its business, financial information, results, perspectives and related risk factors are contained (i) in the Company's 2023 Universal Registration Document filed with the AMF on April 17, 2024, under number D.24-0299 (the "2023 URD"), and (ii) the amendment to the 2023 URD filed with the AMF on May 7, 2024, under number D.24-0299-A01 (the "Amendment to the 2023 URD"). These documents, as well as other regulated information and all of the Company's press releases, can be accessed on the Company's website (www.gensight-biologics.com) and/or AMF (www.amf-france.org). Your attention is drawn to the risk factors related to the Company and its activities presented in chapter 3 of its 2023 URD and in chapter 2 of the Amendment to the 2023 URD, in particular the liquidity risk presented in the chapter 2.2.1 of the Amendment to the 2023 URD. Annual Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS): Consolidated Balance Sheet As of December 31 In thousands of Euros 2024 2023 ASSETS Non-current assets Intangible assets 57 75 Property, plant and equipment 933 2,025 Other non-current financial assets 4,424 502 Total non-current assets 5,413 2,603 Current assets Trade accounts receivable 1 1 Other current assets 2,878 4,394 Cash and cash equivalents 2,464 2,134 Total current assets 5,343 6,529 TOTAL ASSETS 10,756 9,132 LIABILITIES Shareholders' equity Share capital 3,119 1,633 Premiums related to the share capital 206,606 190,937 Reserves (222,644) (197,051) of which cumulative translation adjustment (152) 33 Net income (loss) (14,001) (26,220) Total shareholders' equity (26,920) (30,702) Non-current liabilities Corporate bonds-non-current portion 0 0 Derivative liabilities non-current portion 3,960 559 Borrowings from Banks-non-current portion 0 0 Conditional advances-non-current portion 4,700 5,107 Lease liability-non-current portion 514 1,048 Other liability non-current portion 4,718 6,572 Non-current provisions 1,166 1,258 Total non-current liabilities 15,058 14,543 Current liabilities Corporate bonds-current portion 6,973 9,131 Derivative liabilities Current portion 0 0 Borrowings from Banks-current portion 6,341 7,474 Conditional advances-current portion 0 396 Lease liability-current portion 585 775 Trade accounts payable 6,357 5,634 Current provisions 0 0 Other current liabilities 2,362 1,880 Total current liabilities 22,618 25,290 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 10,756 9,132 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS): Consolidated income Statement As of December 31 In thousands of Euros 2024 2023 Operating income Revenues 1,500 1,267 Other income 1,125 1,697 Total operating income 2,625 2,963 Operating expenses Research and development 12,368 19,360 General and administrative 5,386 5,352 Sales and marketing 685 7,947 Total operating expenses 18,438 32,659 Operating profit (loss) (15,813) (29,696) Financial income (loss) 1,833 3,475 Income tax (21) 0 Net income (loss (14,001) (26,220) Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share (0.15) (0.54) Annual Consolidated Financial Statements (IFRS): Consolidated Cash flow statement As of December 31 In thousands of Euros 2024 2023 Cash flows from operating activities Net income (loss) (14,001) (26,220) Operating activities Amortization and depreciation 1,059 2,179 Retirement pension obligations 22 25 Expenses related to share-based payments 784 587 Other financial items (1,674) (3,689) Other non-monetary items Operating cash flows before change in working capital (13,810) (27,118) Accounts receivable 0 (1) Accounts payable, net of prepayments 155 (2,234) Other receivables 2,028 7,886 Other current and non-current liabilities (1,310) (3,197) Change in working capital 873 2,454 Net cash flows from operating activities (12,937) (24,663) Cash flows from investment activities Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment (1) (10) Acquisitions of intangible assets 0 0 Acquisitions reimbursement of non-current financial assets 0 0 Acquisitions reimbursement of current financial assets 19 219 Net cash flows from investment activities 17 209 New borrowings obtained (2) 0 14,182 Interests expenses (278) (368) Repayment of obligation under bond and bank financings (1,081) Repayment of obligation under finance leases (742) (792) Repayment of borrowings (2,153) 0 Treasury shares (27) (99) Subscription and exercise of share warrants 2,745 60 Capital increases, net of transaction costs 13,997 3,957 Net cash flows from financing activities 13,542 15,859 Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 623 (8,595) Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period 2,134 10,610 Effect of changes in exchange rates on Cash and cash equivalent (293) 119 Cash and cash equivalents at the close of the period 2,464 2,134 (2) For the year ended December 31, 2024, new borrowing obtained include the 2024 accrued interests of the bridge financing signed with investors in August 2023. In November 2023, the capital increase of 4.7 million, including the 4 million Tranche 2 triggered the automatic conversion of the 2023 OCAs at a conversion price of 0.7122 euros. ________________________________ 1 Subject to the finalization of their audit procedures, the Auditors plan to issue an unqualified opinion on the annual and consolidated financial statements and to include a paragraph concerning the significant uncertainty related to the going concern detailed in the notes to the annual and consolidated financial statements. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250319532079/en/ Contacts: GenSight Biologics Chief Financial Officer Jan Eryk Umiastowski jeumiastowski@gensight-biologics.com LifeSci Advisors Investor Relations Guillaume van Renterghem gvanrenterghem@lifesciadvisors.com +41 (0)76 735 01 31 MELBOURNE, Australia, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Safe & Together Institute, a global leader in domestic abuse-informed training and implementation, announced today the launch of "Safe & Together: An Introduction to the Model for Independent Children's Lawyers," a comprehensive online course developed in collaboration with National Legal Aid's Independent Children's Lawyer (ICL) Program to address the critical intersection of domestic and family violence (DFV) with children's best interests in family law proceedings. The training brings ICL professional development into alignment with the Safe & Together Model, which has been endorsed and implemented by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) since 2021. The course is designed to familiarize ICLs with concepts and practices adopted by numerous state and territory child protection organizations and provides ICLs with new perspectives on handling complex DFV cases, aligned with recent changes in the Family Law Act. "By providing ICLs with tailored training based on the same approach used to train court personnel, we aim to create a shared language and in understanding of key issues related to domestic abuse and children," said David Mandel, founder and CEO of the Safe & Together Institute. "This collaboration with National Legal Aid's ICL Program will ultimately lead to better outcomes for children and families navigating the family court system." Rather than providing prescriptive solutions, the course builds upon ICLs' existing professional judgment and legal expertise while focusing on developing critical thinking skills. Interactive activities promote learning engagement and knowledge retention, with bespoke material helping ICLs apply the Safe & Together Model to their best interest advocacy role for children. Key content areas include protection of children in family violence contexts, identification of protective parenting behaviors, understanding coercive controlling behaviors, analyzing the impact of family violence on children, changes to the Family Law Act and their implications, and assessment of complex DFV cases. "The development of this bespoke training for ICLs is an acknowledgement that ICLs are often at the forefront of these complex DFV matters requiring specialised knowledge and skills," said Mary Alex, National ICL Program Manager at National Legal Aid. "This online course represents a tangible step in our ongoing efforts to equip ICLs with the tools they need to navigate these difficult cases." The training is now available to all independent children's lawyers at http://icl.gov.au . About the Safe & Together Institute The Safe & Together Institute is a global leader in domestic abuse-informed training, consulting, and implementation support. Founded by David Mandel in 2006, the Institute's mission is to create, nurture, and sustain a global network of professionals and organizations working to improve systems' responses to domestic violence when children are involved. The Safe & Together Model provides a framework for partnering with domestic abuse survivors and intervening with domestic abuse perpetrators to enhance the safety and well-being of children. The Institute has trained thousands of professionals across the United States, Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, and other countries, working with child welfare systems, family courts, domestic abuse advocates, and other stakeholders to develop domestic abuse-informed practices and policies. For more information, visit https://safeandtogetherinstitute.com . About National Legal Aid National Legal Aid represents the eight independent Legal Aid Commissions across each state and territory of Australia, working collaboratively to deliver essential legal services with a focus on family law, criminal law, and civil law. Its mission is to uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of individuals, especially the vulnerable and disadvantaged. For more information, visit https://nationallegalaid.org.au . Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2645575/Safe_and_Together_Institute_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/safe--together-institute-launches-innovative-online-course-for-independent-childrens-lawyers-in-partnership-with-national-legal-aid-302406168.html By Jeff Wiltrout, Vice President - Corporate Strategy Cummins Water is something many of us take for granted. We turn on the faucet, and it's there-clean, safe, and ready to use. But for 2.2 billion people worldwide, access to safe water is anything but certain. It's a daily struggle, shaping every aspect of life-from health and education to economic stability. Every year, on March 22, the world comes together to recognize World Water Day, a global movement driving action against the water crisis. For Cummins, this mission extends far beyond a single day-it's at the heart of our commitment to sustainability, community impact and a more prosperous future for all. "We believe that access to clean water isn't just a necessity-it's a fundamental right," said Jeff Wiltrout, Vice President - Corporate Strategy at Cummins and Executive Sponsor of Cummins Water Works. "Through Cummins Water Works, we're not only tackling the global water crisis head-on, but also empowering communities to build a more secure future by partnering with leading water experts to invest and engage in sustainable, high-impact water projects around the world." Addressing the global water crisis According to the United Nations and World Health Organization, 1 in 4 individuals around the world lack access to safe water with 115 million people depending on surface water, like a river, to meet their basic needs. Compounding the water crisis is that inequalities exist, as women and girls are too often burdened with the task of collecting water to support their families. For many families, access to safe water is not just a necessity-it's the key to economic stability and well-being. For Francisca, a mother in Cajueiro, Brazil, the struggle for water was her daily reality. Eighteen years ago, when she moved to Cajueiro while pregnant with her son Gabriel, she built a home of her own-but one essential element was missing: safe water. Each day, Francisca walked a mile to collect water from a reservoir used by livestock, carrying heavy containers back to her home. The water was untreated, forcing her to boil it before use, yet even then, it still tasted bitter. Washing clothes meant multiple trips to the reservoir, and preparing meals carried the constant fear of waterborne illness. Determined to find a better way, Francisca learned about Water.org's partnership with Banco do Nordeste, a local lender in her community. Since 2021, Cummins has partnered with Water.org to expand access to safe water and sanitation improvements to communities living in poverty by helping individuals access small, affordable loans, which enable families to install household water connections and toilets. Through this collaboration, she was able to secure a small, affordable loan to bring lasting access to safe water for her family. "Now, we no longer have to worry about where we will get water," Francisca shared. "Everything has improved." With safe water at home, Francisca reclaimed the time and energy once spent sourcing water. Gabriel, now 18, attends school regularly without the risk of waterborne illness disrupting his education. Francisca's story is a testament to how access to safe water and financing unlocks opportunities-for individuals and entire communities. Learn more about Francisca's story here. Strengthening communities through sustainable solutions Initially focused on communities across Brazil, India, and Mexico, our partnership with Water.org quickly expanded to communities in Peru and the Philippines, reaching over 1.62 million people. And we're not stopping there. Through Cummins Water Works, we're working toward a bold goal: becoming net water positive in every region we operate by 2030. Already, we've achieved this in three of our seven global regions, delivering an estimated 2.4 billion gallons of water benefits. Cummins recently strengthened its commitment to communities in need by renewing its partnership with Water.org and pledging additional grants over the next three years. "At Water.org, we believe in the power of safe water to transform lives, create opportunity, and drive lasting change," said Gary White, Water.org CEO and co-founder of Water.org. "Our partnership with Cummins is a powerful example of how philanthropic and corporate collaboration can accelerate solutions to global challenges. Together, we are transforming lives by removing barriers to access to safe water and sanitation." Improving people's lives by powering a more prosperous world starts with a healthier planet, thriving communities and engaged citizens. Cummins is committed to advancing our global environmental sustainability strategy and supporting communities to ensure they are better because we are there. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Cummins Inc on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Cummins Inc Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cummins-inc Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Cummins Inc 19 March 2025 The Board of Directors of PRODWAYS GROUP has decided to implement the project to transfer the listing of PRODWAYS GROUP shares (hereinafter referred to as the "Company") to the EURONEXT GROWTH PARIS market, as approved by the Mixed General Meeting of shareholders. The Mixed General Meeting of shareholders of PRODWAYS GROUP, which met on March 10, 2025 at the LCL premises - 19 boulevard des Italiens - 75002 PARIS, approved, in accordance with the provisions of Article L. 421-14 of the Monetary and Financial Code, the project to transfer the listing of the Company's shares from the regulated Euronext Paris market to the organized multilateral trading system Euronext Growth Paris, and granted full powers to the Board of Directors to implement this market transfer. The Company announces that the Board of Directors, which met today, has decided to implement this transfer. Subject to the agreement of EURONEXT PARIS, this transfer operation will be carried out by delisting the shares from trading on the Euronext market and their simultaneous admission to trading on the Euronext Growth Paris market through an accelerated direct admission procedure, without issuing new shares. Reasons for the transfer project This project aims to allow PRODWAYS GROUP to be listed on a market offering a more flexible regulatory framework better suited to its size and market capitalization by reducing certain operational constraints specific to the Euronext Paris market. The transfer to Euronext Growth Paris should simplify the company's operations and reduce listing-related costs while allowing it to continue benefiting from the attractions of financial markets. Main consequences of the transfer project (non-exhaustive list): In accordance with current regulations, PRODWAYS GROUP wishes to inform its shareholders of the possible consequences of such a transfer, from its effective date: In terms of financial information: Periodic information: i n terms of periodic financial information, the company's obligations will be lightened, and in particular, without claiming to be exhaustive: The company will publish, within four months of the closing, an annual report (or a universal registration document incorporating it) including at least its annual (and consolidated) accounts, a management report, and the auditors' reports. It will also prepare a report on corporate governance with a simplified content. It will issue, within four months of the end of the first half (extended deadline), a half-yearly report including its half-yearly accounts and a related activity report. The Company intends to retain the IFRS accounting framework for the preparation of consolidated accounts. Permanent Information: PRODWAYS GROUP will remain subject to the applicable provisions on permanent information, which also apply to companies listed on Euronext Growth Paris. The company will continue to provide accurate, precise, and sincere information, bringing to the public's attention any information likely to significantly influence the share price and any information concerning the operations of its directors, in accordance with the provisions of Regulation (EU) No. 596-2014 of April 16, 2014, on market abuse. Regulated information (including privileged information) must always be disseminated effectively and comprehensively. The company continues to use a professional disseminator. In terms of executive compensation, the company will no longer be subject to the "say on pay" regime. In terms of minority shareholder protection: The protection of minority shareholders, in the event of a change of control, will be ensured on Euronext Growth Paris by the mechanism of a mandatory public offer in the event of crossing, directly or indirectly, alone or in concert, the threshold of 50% of the capital or voting rights; Furthermore, companies listed on Euronext Growth Paris only need to communicate to the market, in terms of changes in shareholding, the crossing of thresholds (upwards or downwards) of 50% and 90% of the capital or voting rights; However, in accordance with legal provisions, the company will remain subject, for a period of 3 years from its delisting from the Euronext Paris market, to the public offer regime and the maintenance of information obligations relating to threshold crossings and declarations of intentions as applicable to companies listed on Euronext Paris. It is specified that the Mixed General Meeting of March 10, 2025 did not approve the modification of the thresholds referred to by the obligation to declare statutory threshold crossings (2%, 3%, and 4% of the capital or voting rights, in accordance with Article 10 of the Company's articles of association). In terms of General Meetings: The formalism of General Meetings will be slightly relaxed: No obligation to publish a notice specifying the modalities for making available the documents submitted to the General Meeting; Exemption from posting preparatory documents for the General Meeting twenty-one days before the date of the General Meeting, but only on the date of the convocation (simplified content); No obligation to post the results of the General Meeting votes on the company's website. The Mixed General Meeting of Shareholders held on March 10, 2025 approved the amendment of the articles of association to provide for the possibility for a shareholder to be represented by any other natural or legal person of their choice, in accordance with the provisions of Article L. 22-10-39 of the Commercial Code. The modalities of convocation and admission conditions (record date) to the General Meeting will remain unchanged. The company will no longer be obliged to ensure a live broadcast of its meetings or to post a recording of them on its website. Liquidity of the share: Theoretically, as it is an unregulated market, the transfer to Euronext Growth Paris market could result in a change in the liquidity of PRODWAYS GROUP shares, which could be different from the liquidity observed on the regulated Euronext Paris market. The transfer could also lead some investors, favoring shares of issuers listed on a regulated market, to sell their PRODWAYS GROUP shares. It is specified that the liquidity contract concluded by the company would be maintained after the market transfer. Indicative provisional timetable of the operation (subject to the agreement of Euronext Paris) Early April 2025: submission to Euronext Paris of a request for delisting of shares from Euronext Paris and their admission to Euronext Growth Paris; submission to Euronext Paris of a request for delisting of shares from Euronext Paris and their admission to Euronext Growth Paris; Early May 2025 : authorization of the transfer by Euronext Paris : authorization of the transfer by Euronext Paris In May 2025: delisting of PRODWAYS GROUP shares from Euronext Paris (before the market opens) and admission of PRODWAYS GROUP shares to Euronext Growth Paris (at the opening) - first listing. Admission to Euronext Growth Paris will occur at the earliest after the expiration of a two-month period from the General Meeting, i.e., at the earliest on May 10, 2025. As part of the transfer to Euronext Growth Paris, PRODWAYS GROUP will be accompanied by TP ICAP Midcap as Listing Sponsor. About Prodways Group Prodways Group specializes in industrial and professional 3D printing with a unique position as an integrated European player. The Group has developed across the entire value chain of 3D printing (software, printers, materials, parts & services) with a technologically advanced industrial solution. Prodways Group offers a wide range of 3D printing systems and premium composite, hybrid, or powder materials (SYSTEMS division). The Group also manufactures and markets on-demand parts, prototypes, and small series printed in 3D, in plastic and metal (PRODUCTS division). Prodways Group serves a wide range of sectors, particularly in the medical field. Listed on Euronext Paris (FR0012613610 - PWG), the Group reported in 2024 revenue of 59 million. For further information: https://www.prodways-group.com Follow us and keep up with Prodways Group's latest news of Prodways group on Twitter and LinkedIn ! @Prodways Prodways Group Contacts INVESTOR RELATIONS Hugo Soussan Investor relations Tel: +33 (0)1 44 77 94 86 / h.soussan@prodways.com Anne-Pauline Petureaux Shareholders contact Tel: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 72 / apetureaux@actus.fr MEDIA CONTACT Manon Clairet Financial media relations Tel: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 73 / mclairet@actus.fr ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: xmxqZslnk2mYnWtqkpaZamhjnGtnmpGXaJKZyJScZpqdap+TlW5iaJzLZnJhmmdr - Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com. ------------------------ Copyright Actusnews Wire Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-90525-cp_prodways_mise-en-oeuvre-transfert-euronext-growth_en.pdf "Comprehensive Analysis of Chiplets Market by Processor, Packaging Technology, End-User, and Regions with Market Dynamics and Emerging Technologies Forecast" BOSTON, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the latest study from BCC Research, "Global Chiplets Market" will reach $42.8 billion by the end of 2029, growing at a CAGR of 41.9% from 2024 to 2029. This report focuses on five processor segments: CPUs, GPUs, FPGAs, AI-ASIC coprocessors, and APUs. It segments the market by packaging technologies such as 2.5D/3D, SiP, WLCSP, FCCSP, FCBGA and FO. The report also segments the market by end user, including enterprise electronics, consumer electronics, industrial automation, automotive, healthcare, military and aerospace. It also considers the IT, telecommunications, scientific research and gaming sectors. Covering the regions of North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the rest of the world (RoW), the study also examines market drivers, macroeconomic factors, and regional dynamics. The growing demand for high-performance computing (HPC) and the expansion of 5G technology underscore the relevance of this report in today's world. The chiplet market is experiencing significant growth due to the increasing need for high-performance, energy-efficient, and modular computing solutions. As the semiconductor industry faces challenges in further scaling down transistor sizes, chiplets offer a promising solution to overcome these limitations, enabling the development of more powerful and sophisticated computing systems. The factors driving the market include: High-Performance Computing (HPC): HPC uses supercomputers to solve complex problems in various fields, such as research and finance. Chiplets enhance HPC by integrating multiple specialized units on a single board, improving scalability and performance for tasks such as AI and scientific simulations. 5G's Growing Need for Chiplets: 5G technology requires high-speed, low-latency communication. Chiplets provide a modular solution, integrating processing, memory, and connectivity into one package. This optimizes performance and reduces power consumption, which is essential for supporting the massive volume of data traffic and numbers of connected devices in 5G networks. Request a sample copy of the chiplets market report. Report Synopsis Report Metric Details Base year considered 2023 Forecast period considered 2024-2029 Base year market size $5.3 billion Market size forecast $42.8 billion Growth rate CAGR of 41.9% for the forecast period of 2024-2029 Segments covered Processor type, packaging technology, end use industry Regions covered North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World (RoW) Countries covered U.S., Canada, U.K., Germany, France, Italy, China, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, India Market drivers HPC. 5G's growing need for chiplets Interesting facts: The CHIPS and Science Act 2022 boosted semiconductor production by about $53 billion in 2023. This was due to the U.S. share of global semiconductor manufacturing falling from 37% in 1990 to 12% in 2022. In 2023, Japan invested $13 billion to increase its semiconductor production, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers. In 2024, Singapore announced a $21.3 billion investment to enhance its R&D capabilities over five years. The report addresses the following questions: 1. What is the projected size and growth rate of the global chiplets market? The chiplets market was $5.3 billion in 2023. It will grow to $42.8 billion by the end of 2029, with an annual growth rate of 41.9%. 2. Which end-user segment will be dominant in 2029? Enterprise electronics will continue to have the largest share of the global chiplets market's end-user segment. 3. Which region has the largest share of the global chiplets market? The Asia-Pacific region. Emerging startups: Ayar Labs Inc.: Founded in 2015, Ayar Labs is developing high-speed optical interconnect solutions for chiplets, enabling faster and more efficient data transfer between chips. Founded in 2015, Ayar Labs is developing high-speed optical interconnect solutions for chiplets, enabling faster and more efficient data transfer between chips. SiFive Inc.: Founded in 2015, the company specializes in RISC-V processor IP and chiplet solutions that enable the development of customized and efficient systems-on-chip. Market leaders include: Achronix Semiconductor Corp. Advanced Micro Devices Inc. Broadcom Globalfoundries Inc. IBM Corp. Intel Corp. Nvidia Corp. Ranovus Samsung Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. Related reports: Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) Market: Investments vs Potential: The report is segmented by AI solution type (software, services, and hardware) and deployment mode (on-premise and cloud). It covers AI technologies such as machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, and context-aware computing and their applications across various industries, including BFSI, healthcare and retail. Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Life Sciences Market: This report analyzes the global AI market in the life sciences. Current and historical market revenues are estimated based on products, applications, end users, and regions. Purchase a copy of the report direct from BCC Research. For further information on any of these reports or to make a purchase, please contact info@bccresearch.com. About BCC Research BCC Research market research reports provide objective, unbiased measurement, and assessment of market opportunities. Our experienced industry analysts' goal is to help you make informed business decisions free of noise and hype. Contact Us Corporate HQ: 50 Milk St., Ste. 16 Boston, MA 02109, USA Email: info@bccresearch.com Phone: +1 781-489-7301 For media inquiries, email press@bccresearch.com or visit our media page for access to our market research library. Any data and analysis extracted from this press release must be accompanied by a statement identifying BCC Research LLC as the source and publisher. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2183242/BCC_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/global-chiplets-market-to-grow-at-41-9-cagr-from-2024-to-2029--302406233.html LONDON, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- GBS (Global Banking School) has launched a Breaking Down Barriers report with The Purpose Coalition in Parliament which showcases how it is changing lives through education and widening participation in Higher Education across the country. With over 35,000 students across state-of-the-art facilities in London, Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds, widening participation, addressing skills shortages and ultimately enabling social mobility is at the heart of what GBS does. GBS offers a range of programmes, with a focus on providing sector-relevant courses to students. These courses help to address issues facing the UK, like the national housing crisis and NHS waiting times. GBS also empowers student enterprise through a dedicated Entrepreneurship Team and an Enterprise Hub, helping students either launch new businesses or scale up existing ones. CEO of GBS UK, James Kennedy said the report showcases the importance of the work GBS has been doing since its establishment in 2010. "As a provider of Higher Education, if you really want to extend the offering of high-quality education to groups who normally miss out, you must go down a less traditional path," said Mr Kennedy. "That's what we at GBS do, and that's why we have managed to have a real impact across the UK in a relatively short space of time. "If you visit a GBS campus, you will notice that the busiest time is 6pm. "That's because our student cohort is mature-age, and they are fitting their studies around their busy professional and personal lives. "We offer classes during the week, on weekends and into the evenings. "We have structured our processes so that students don't need to fit into our model of operation - it is designed to fit around their needs. "The Office for Students' 2024 National Student Survey (NSS) 2024 clearly demonstrates that GBS is providing a positive educational experience for the vast majority of its students, with 93% of students in the UK reporting that they were satisfied with the quality of 'teaching on my course'. "In addition to its satisfaction scores in every category monitored by the NSS from the previous year, GBS ranks above the Higher Education sector average in every category. "In the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), GBS received a Silver rating for Student Experience and a Bronze rating for Student Outcomes, resulting in an overall Bronze rating. This recognition underscores our commitment to fostering a high-quality learning environment and ensuring successful outcomes for our students." Chair of the Purpose Coalition and former Education Secretary, Rt Hon Justine Greening, welcomed the report: "This report demonstrates how GBS is providing high-quality, transformative education which changes lives. Working in some of the most deprived parts of the country and catering for a diverse student population of all ages, it supports those who often face the biggest barriers to getting on in life and for whom conventional education routes are not an option. "On a recent visit to GBS' Greenford campus I saw firsthand how these opportunities were changing lives. In areas which have traditionally been left behind, they provide a boost for local and national economic growth, developing skilled workforces which are fit for the future." Chair of the Breaking Down Barriers Commission and former member of Sir Keir Starmer's Shadow Cabinet, Nick Forbes CBE, said: "This Government is committed to ensuring that everyone has access to opportunity, regardless of background or circumstance, so that they can make the most of their talents and potential. Three of the five missions it has set out for government closely align with and GBS's work that is showcased in this report - to kickstart economic growth, to build an NHS for the future and to break down barriers to opportunity." Link to report: Impact Report Final.pdf Infographic - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2645659/GBS_Success_1.jpg Infographic - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2645660/GBS_Success_2.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/gbs-global-banking-school--upskilling-communities-through-higher-education-302406249.html Divine API, a company specializing in astrology technology, has launched the Divine Astro plugin, a new tool designed for WordPress, Shopify, and Wix websites. Built on an Astrology API, the plugin provides daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly horoscopes, along with natal chart data, directly to site visitors. The introduction of Divine Astro follows significant growth in the company's user base over the past year. Tools such as the Horoscope API and Natal Chart API enable site owners-including bloggers and e-commerce operators-to enhance visitor engagement. Dinesh Gahlot, Founder and CEO of Divine API, noted that feedback indicates a 40% traffic increase for many users after integrating Divine Astro, attributing this to its delivery of personalized horoscope content. Divine Astro serves as a Horoscope WordPress Plugin and extends functionality to Shopify and Wix platforms. The plugin offers horoscopes covering categories like love, career, health, emotions, travel, and luck, alongside customizable Horoscope Widgets compatible with various websites. Installation requires minimal technical expertise, broadening its accessibility to site owners across these platforms. The plugin leverages an Astrology API to ensure accurate predictions, a feature that distinguishes it in the market. Data from early adopters shows increased visitor retention, with some Shopify sites reporting doubled dwell times and Wix users noting seamless widget integration. Divine API reports that the plugin aligns with rising interest in astrology, evidenced by millions of daily zodiac-related searches. Divine Astro is available with a 7-day free trial through divineapi.com, where site owners can access the plugin and widgets for WordPress, Shopify, and Wix. The company provides support to assist with implementation across these platforms. About Divine API Headquartered in New Delhi, Divine API develops astrology solutions for website integration. The Divine Astro plugin supports WordPress, Shopify, and Wix, while the Horoscope API and Natal Chart API offer additional tools for site owners. More information is available at divineapi.com. Media Contact Organization: Divine API Contact Person Name: Nitish Guglani Website: https://divineapi.com/ Email: admin@divineapi.com City: New Delhi State: Delhi Country: India SOURCE: Divine API Arkansas-Based VC Immersions Series Connects Founders with Top Investors Across the Country StartupNWA, an initiative of the Northwest Arkansas Council, is accepting applications for its May 2025 VC Immersions series, a program designed to lower barriers for startups seeking early-stage capital. Taking place May 14, the series will connect entrepreneurs with top-tier venture capitalists, offering access to critical funding, mentorship and the essential relationships needed to secure investor support. Since launching, VC Immersions has demonstrated significant success in connecting high-potential startups with top-tier investors. The initiative has already facilitated $6.7 million in early-stage financings and engaged more than 35 venture capital firms, bringing national investor attention to the Arkansas startup ecosystem. With growing interest from investors and founders alike, the program is poised to expand its impact even further in the coming months. "The VC Immersions series proves that great companies can come from anywhere," said Serafina Lalany, executive director of StartupNWA at the Northwest Arkansas Council. "The old VC model isn't built for founders outside traditional hubs, but this program changes that - giving them more exposure to top investors and the critical relationships they need to scale, wherever they choose." The upcoming May series will provide selected startups with exclusive access to one-on-one meetings with visiting VC firms, creating curated, high-value connections between entrepreneurs and investors. The program continues to build on the momentum of Arkansas' growing startup ecosystem, strengthening the state's position as an emerging hub for venture-backed innovation. The upcoming VC Immersion series will include: Investor engagement : Expanding the investor pipeline by bringing top-tier venture capital firms with relevant sector expertise to Arkansas. Curated startup-investor matchmaking : Providing targeted, high-quality connections between Arkansas entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. Strategic ecosystem partnerships : Leveraging relationships with accelerators, incubators and entrepreneurial support organizations to enhance the state's startup ecosystem. Investor education and roadshow events: Hosting targeted engagements in both coastal venture hubs and emerging secondary markets to showcase the potential of Arkansas startups. The 22 confirmed venture capital firms* span 12 states, such as California, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas and Wisconsin. Together, the firms represent more than $1.63 billion in assets under management. Participating VC firms include: 46 Venture Capital (Tulsa) Alpha Edison (Los Angeles) Braintrust Fund (Palo Alto) Cake Ventures (San Francisco) Cortado Ventures (Oklahoma City) The Council (San Francisco) Forum VC (New York City) Headwater Ventures (Minneapolis) HealthX Ventures (Madison, Wisc.) Iron Prairie Ventures (Kansas City, Kan.) Looking Glass VC (New York City) Next Frontier Capital (Bozeman, Mont.) Plains Ventures (Oklahoma City) Precursor VC (San Francisco) Redbud VC (Columbia, Mo.) Render Capital (Louisville, Ky.) RevTech Ventures (Dallas) Rogue Women's Fund (Portland, Ore.) Schematic Ventures (San Francisco) Sugar Capital (San Francisco) Tech Square Ventures (Atlanta) VSC Ventures (San Francisco) *More VC firms may be added prior to the event. All startups that apply will be included in StartupNWA's deal database, which is regularly syndicated to a network of more than 150 institutional investors across the country, further increasing exposure to funding opportunities. In addition, applicants will be invited to attend networking events where they can connect with investors and fellow entrepreneurs. Key dates for the program include the application deadline of April 7, with selection announcements expected by May 1. Further details, including the full schedule and investor lineup, will be announced closer to the event date. How to apply: Applications are open to all startups, and entrepreneurs do not need to be based in Arkansas to participate. Startups click here to apply . About the Northwest Arkansas Council Founded in 1990 by Sam Walton, J.B. Hunt, Don Tyson and several other business leaders, the Northwest Arkansas Council serves as a regional convener for economic and community initiatives. The Council excels at identifying challenges and championing solutions to enhance the prosperity of the Northwest Arkansas region. Key initiatives include work to advance quality of life, attract talent, improve the region's workforce, create job opportunities, upgrade infrastructure and keep up with the region's impressive growth. For more information, visit www.nwacouncil.org . Contact: Nate Green, Communications Director Northwest Arkansas Council nate@nwacouncil.org 501.650.4653 SOURCE: Northwest Arkansas Council VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / March 19, 2025 / Supreme Critical Metals Inc. (CSE:CRIT)(FWB:VR61)(OTC PINK:VRCFF) ("Supreme" or the "Company") announces that further to its previous announcement regarding the debt settlement agreements, the Company has amended the issue price per share to $0.13. The Company will issue a total of 5,749,169 common shares at a price of $.13 per share for a total of debt repayment of $747,392, subject to 4 month restricted hold and subject to exchange approval. Related parties transactions account for 1,190,769 of the shares to be issued to 4 directors and officers, making this a related party transaction. The Company is relying upon exemptions contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7 (a) of MI 61-101 as the fair market value of the shares being issued is less than 25% of the market capitalization of the Company. About Supreme Critical Metals Inc. SUPREME CRITICAL METALS INC. is a publicly traded diversified investment corporation actively exploring and investigating multiple opportunities in lithium, copper, silver, and precious metals. The Company adheres to strategic guidelines that prioritize regions conducive to mining, supported by favourable government regulations and existing infrastructure. For further information, please contact: George Tsafalas, Director Phone: Toll Free 1(778) 373-8578 E-mail: info@supremecritalmetals.com www.supremecriticalmetals.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (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 Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding future financial position, business strategy, use of proceeds, corporate vision, proposed acquisitions, partnerships, joint-ventures and strategic alliances and co-operations, budgets, cost and plans and objectives of or involving the Company. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. A number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause the actual results or performance to materially differ from any future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions and dependence upon regulatory approvals. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by securities laws. SOURCE: Supreme Critical Metals Inc. Las Vegas, Nevada--(Newsfile Corp. - March 19, 2025) - Bob's Repair AC, Heating and Solar Experts Las Vegas has been recognized as the largest residential installer of Trane HVAC systems in Las Vegas for 2024. The recognition is based on the company's installation of more than 1,500 Trane units over the past year, highlighting its continued growth and presence in the local HVAC industry. The achievement marks a significant milestone for the company, which has steadily increased its installation capacity since its founding in 2014. Over the past decade, Bob's Repair AC, Heating and Solar Experts Las Vegas has developed a reputation for reliability and efficiency, gaining the trust of homeowners across Las Vegas. The company's consistent performance and commitment to high standards have been key factors in earning this recognition as the largest Trane installer in the area. Bob's Repair AC, Heating and Solar Experts Las Vegas Recognized as the City's Largest Trane HVAC Installer for 2024 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10740/245159_15a154bcc47fcbc0_001full.jpg Trane, a globally recognized manufacturer of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, is known for its rigorous standards and reliable products. The recognition of Bob's Repair AC, Heating and Solar Experts Las Vegas as the largest HVAC installer in the city underscores the company's ability to meet Trane's exacting requirements while maintaining high-quality service for its customers. Installing more than 1,500 Trane units in a single year is not only a testament to the company's operational efficiency but also reflects the growing demand for dependable climate control solutions in Las Vegas homes. Bob's Repair AC, Heating and Solar Experts Las Vegas attributes this success to streamlined processes and skilled technicians. Each installation is carried out by trained professionals who follow industry best practices to ensure optimal performance and longevity of the HVAC systems. This commitment has helped the AC installation company maintain a low rate of mechanical failures despite the high number of systems installed. As part of its installer-manufacturer partnership with Trane, the Bob's Repair AC, Heating and Solar Experts Las Vegas technicians will continue receiving training on installing Trane systems. This ongoing training supports the company's commitment to high-quality installations, backed by a labor warranty of up to 10 years. Homeowners also benefit from the use of Trane-recommended components and round-the-clock technical support for any maintenance or troubleshooting needs. As Bob's Repair AC, Heating and Solar Experts Las Vegas continues to grow, its partnership with Trane strengthens the company's mission to provide Las Vegas homeowners with advanced HVAC solutions. About Bob's Repair AC, Heating and Solar Experts Las Vegas: Bob's Repair AC, Heating and Solar Experts Las Vegas specializes in HVAC installations, repairs, and maintenance for residential and commercial clients. Since 2014, the company has focused on providing high-quality workmanship with transparent pricing. The team undergoes regular training to stay updated on the latest HVAC technologies and partners with leading manufacturers like Trane. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/245159 SOURCE: GetFeatured Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 19, 2025) - Pelangio Exploration Inc. (TSXV: PX) (OTC Pink: PGXPF) ("Pelangio" or the "Company") announces an extension to the timeline for the completion of the Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for the Manfo Project. This extension follows the recent strategic agreement with FJ Minerals Limited ("FJ") for the option to acquire up to an 83% interest in the adjacent Nkosuo Project. Pending the due diligence period, the Nkosuo Project is expected to become an integral part of a larger Manfo-Nkosuo combined project. The Company has determined that additional time will be required to incorporate the newly available property and historical data into the updated MRE. The dataset, which includes historical drilling results, artisanal mining information, and structural continuity analysis between the Manfo and Nkosuo Projects, will allow for a more comprehensive and accurate assessment of the mineralization potential across the combined property. Key Considerations for the MRE Update: Drilled targets on the boundary of Manfo and Nkosuo may be modelled and included in a 43-101 compliant resource estimate. A review of the structural interpretation of the 4.4km mineralized corridor extending from Manfo into the Nkosuo to evaluate new Exploration Targets. A more comprehensive MRE that will allow for a more robust Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) on a Manfo-Nkosuo combined project. "The integration of the Nkosuo Project is a pivotal moment for Pelangio," commented Ingrid Hibbard, President and CEO of Pelangio. "By taking the necessary time to update the MRE , we are ensuring to fully assess and establish the right foundations for future development." Pelangio remains committed to transparency and technical diligence in its resource modeling efforts. The updated MRE is now expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2025, aligning with a broader exploration and development timeline of the Manfo-Nkosuo combined project currently being established. Qualified Person Mr. Kevin Thomson, P.Geo. (Ontario, #0191), Senior Vice-President, Exploration and Director, is a qualified person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Thomson approved the technical data disclosed in this release. About Pelangio Pelangio acquires and explores prospective land packages located in world-class gold belts in Ghana, West Africa and Canada. In Ghana, the Company is focused on its two 100% owned camp-sized properties: the 100 km2 Manfo property, the site of eight near-surface gold discoveries, and the 284 km2 Obuasi property, located 4 km on strike and adjacent to AngloGold Ashanti's prolific high-grade Obuasi Mine1, as well as the Dankran property located adjacent to its Obuasi property. See www.pelangio.com for further details on all Pelangio's properties. Forward-Looking Statements/ Cautionary Language 1 Neighbouring properties' deposits do not necessarily apply to the adjoining properties. See Anglo-Gold Ashanti Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserve Report at 31 December 2023. Certain statements herein may contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements or information appear in a number of places and can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements and information include statements regarding the Company's ability to complete the acquisition of the Nkosuo Project, the planned work programs, the Company's strategy of acquiring large land packages in areas of sizeable gold mineralization, the Company's plans to follow-up on previous work, and the Company's exploration plans. With respect to forward-looking statements and information contained herein, we have made numerous assumptions, including assumptions about the state of the equity markets. Such forward-looking statements and information are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statement or information. Such risks include the changes in equity markets, share price volatility, volatility of global and local economic climate, inability to obtain necessary approvals or permits in Ghana including a forest entry permit, gold price volatility, political developments in Ghana, and Canada, increases in costs, exchange rate fluctuations, speculative nature of gold exploration, including the risk that favourable exploration results may not be obtained, and other risks involved in the gold exploration industry. See the Company's annual and quarterly financial statements and management's discussion and analysis for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to the forward-looking statement and information. There can be no assurance that a forward-looking statement or information referenced herein will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Also, many of the factors are beyond the control of the Company. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward- looking statements or information. We undertake no obligation to reissue or update any forward-looking statements or information except as required by law. All forward-looking statements and information herein are qualified by this cautionary statement. 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/245301 SOURCE: Pelangio Exploration Inc. - Top 99th percentile - Named 'Industry Mover' - Among 'Top 5% S&P Global CSA Score' MELBOURNE, Australia, March 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Firstsource Solutions Limited (NSE: FSL) (BSE: 532809), an RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group company, today announced its inclusion in the prestigious S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook for the second consecutive year-this time with an even greater impact, earning recognition as an 'Industry Mover' and achieving a 'Top 5% S&P Global CSA Score' for FY2025. Further solidifying its ESG leadership, Firstsource achieved an S&P Global Sustainable1 ESG Score and CSA Score of 81-a significant 19-point increase from 2023-featuring in the top 99th percentile, and a top performer in the 'Professional Services' category. Companies that demonstrate an improvement of at least five percent in their S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) Score - representing the strongest performance enhancement within their industry - are considered 'Industry Movers'. In addition, the 'Top 5% S&P Global CSA Score' recognition is awarded to companies whose scores rank within 1% to 5% of the industry's top-performing organization. Dr. Sanjiv Goenka, Chairman of RPSG Group and Firstsource, shared, "Being recognized in the top 99th percentile, as an 'Industry Mover' and ranking in the 'Top 5% S&P Global CSA Score', among those featured in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook is a proud moment for Firstsource. This achievement reaffirms our commitment to embedding sustainability at the core of our business strategy - where responsible growth, innovation, and long-term value creation go hand-in-hand. As we continue to advance our ESG initiatives, from climate action to stronger governance and social impact, we remain focused on driving meaningful change for our clients, employees, communities, and the environment." At Firstsource, sustainability is embedded into their operations through FirstConscious-their holistic ESG framework that drives responsible growth and long-term impact. Over the past year, Firstsource has accelerated its ESG journey by achieving key milestones, including: Strengthened GHG Inventory & Assurance - Enhancing transparency and accountability in emissions reporting Comprehensive Climate Risk Assessment - Evaluated climate risks across geographies to build resilience Committed to SBTi and achieving NetZero emissions by 2050, with validation process currently underway. Adopted the Taskforce on Climate related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) framework to ensure transparency in climate-related risks and opportunities. Strengthened ESG Policies & Processes - Embedding sustainability deeper into governance and operations Aligning towards UN Global Compact's Ten Principles on human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption The S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook identifies industry leaders demonstrating outstanding corporate sustainability performance. Companies are rigorously evaluated through S&P Global's Sustainable1 Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA), and only the top performers within each sector earn a place in the Yearbook. Out of over 7,690 companies across 62 industries that were assessed for this year's Sustainability Yearbook, only 780 are Yearbook Members. The S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook is a trusted benchmark for corporate sustainability, assessing companies across environmental, social, and governance dimensions. For more details on the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2025, visit https://www.spglobal.com/esg/csa/yearbook/ About Firstsource Firstsource Solutions Limited, an RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group company (NSE: FSL) (BSE: 532809) (Reuters: FISO.BO) (Bloomberg: FSOL:IN), is a global leader providing transformational solutions and services spanning the customer lifecycle across Healthcare, Banking and Financial Services, Communications, Media and Technology, Retail, and other diverse industries. With an established presence in the US, the UK, India, Mexico, Australia, South Africa, and the Philippines, we make it happen for our clients, solving their biggest challenges with hyper-focused, domain-centered teams and cutting-edge tech, data, and analytics. Our real-world practitioners work collaboratively to deliver future-focused outcomes. (www.firstsource.com) Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2515360/Firstsource_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/firstsource-in-sp-global-sustainability-yearbook-2025-for-second-consecutive-year-302405729.html Applivery, a Madrid, Spain-based provider of a technology platform for endpoint management and app distribution, received a strategic investment from Supercell. The amount of the deal was not disclosed. The company intends to use the funds to accelerate its growth and continue to consolidate its position in device and software management on a global scale. Led by CEO Cesar Trigo, Applivery is a provider of a cloud-based endpoint management and app distribution platform, designed to help businesses manage and secure their digital ecosystem efficiently. Its technology enables IT automation, integration with identity providers for single sign-on (SSO), and zero-touch deployment of devices and applications. With a focus on security and scalability, Applivery offers a solution for companies looking to optimize their digital asset management. FinSMEs 19/03/2025 Castries, Saint Lucia, March 19th, 2025, FinanceWire PrimeXBT, a regulated global multi-asset broker, has introduced a new benefit to its Rewards Center in the form of cashback. Clients can now get back up to 20% of their trading fees and CFD spreads, with the amount being credited directly to their USDT or USD wallets (T&Cs apply). With this update, the broker aims to provide even more value for traders, who can now convert their rewards into real, usable funds, helping offset trading costs. Traders can claim cashback on any trades made from 18 February onwards. The amount available depends on their Rewards Center balance at the time of redemption. For example, if a client has paid 100 USDT in fees, they would be eligible for 20 USDT cashback. However, if the clients Reward Center balance was below 20 USDT, they would only be able to redeem an amount equal to their balance. At PrimeXBT, weve always focused on putting our clients needs first. Were committed to consistently providing them with added value through innovations like our Rewards Center. With the introduction of cashback, traders have a new way to redeem rewards, providing them with added flexibility and the ability to optimise their trading strategies, a PrimeXBT spokesperson said. The Rewards Centre is designed to provide traders with valuable incentives that can be used for trading. By completing Trader Tasks, participating in Trade & Earn campaigns, and claiming the Welcome Bonus users can earn up to $6100 in rewards which can be converted into Cashback or redeemed as a Deposit Bonus to increase trading balance by up to 20%, giving them additional funds to trade with. This reward model not only enhances trading opportunities but also encourages traders to develop their skills and market knowledge, creating a more engaging and rewarding trading experience. As traders and investors continue searching for the best trading conditions, PrimeXBT stands out for its trader-first approach. Innovative products like its Rewards Center and the recent introduction of Cashback prove the brokers dedication to giving clients more for less. With such a strong focus on traders needs, PrimeXBT continues to offer one of the most rewarding trading experiences available. To learn more users can visit PrimeXBT Disclaimer: The content provided here is for informational purposes only and is not intended as personal investment advice and does not constitute a solicitation or invitation to engage in any financial transactions, investments, or related activities. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. The financial products offered by the Company are complex and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. These products may not be suitable for all investors. Before engaging, you should consider whether you understand how these leveraged products work and whether you can afford the high risk of losing your money. The Company does not accept clients from the Restricted Jurisdictions as indicated on its website. Some services or products may not be available in your jurisdiction. Contact PrimeXBT [email protected] This is a paid press release and is distributed for general information only and is not intended to constitute investment advice. Proscia, a Philadelphia, PA-based software company improving pathologys transition to digital and AI, raised $50M in funding. The round, which brought the total amount to $130M, was led by Insight Partners along with AI Capital Partners (Alpha Intelligence Capitals US fund) and Triangle Peak Partners. Other investors included Avenue Venture Opportunities Fund, Emerald Development Managers, GPG Healthcare, Fusion Fund, Interwoven Ventures, and Razors Edge. The company intends to use the funds to grow its customer footprint and advance Concentriq, with focus on extending the platforms core AI capabilities. Led by CEO David West, Proscia is a software company accelerating pathologys transition to a digital, data-driven discipline and enabling AI to advance precision medicine. Its Concentriq enterprise pathology platform, precision medicine AI portfolio, and real-world data accelerate the development and use of novel therapies and diagnostics to drive the fight against most challenging diseases, like cancer. Pharmaceutical companies and a global network of diagnostic laboratories use its solutions each day. The company has FDA 510(k) clearance and CE-IVDR certification for its diagnostic software. FinSMEs 19/03/2025 During the prayer meet, Ayan requested the paparazzi not to ask celebrities for better shots read more Ayan Mukerji, who is known for directing films like Brahmastra, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and Wake Up Sid, held a prayer meet in Mumbai on Tuesday in memory of his late father and actor Deb Mukherjee. During the prayer meet, Ayan requested the paparazzi not to ask celebrities for better shots. I just felt like there would be a lot of commotion inside. Its a prayer meetits quite personal. If you feel you are not getting better shots, then I am sorry, but I think, for us, this will be a better arrangement today," Ayan told gathered paps. Advertisement We didnt have that kind of space here. There will be some shlokas inside. If there are too many photographers, then it will get very noisy. So please understand a little bit for today. I understand, but you guys also understand a bit today. This is a very personal event for us. Its not like Durga Puja. Its very different for us today. We will share some visuals with you later. Thank you," he concluded. Vicky Kaushal, Anupam Kher, Siddharth Roy Kapur, Aditya Roy Kapur and Arjun Bijlani among others attended the prayer meet. According to PTI, Deb Mukherjee passed away on March 14 morning after a prolonged illness at his home. We are deeply saddened to inform you of the passing of Mr. Debu Mukherjee, an actor and driving force of the North Bombay Durga Puja. He left us this morning, said his representative. He featured in films like Lal Patthar (1971), Adhikar (1971), Ek Bar Mooskura Do (1972), and Mein Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki (1978). His last onscreen appearance was in Shahid Kapoor starrer Kaminey, which was released in 2009. We Are China Guozhuang dance contest held in Sichuan Ecns.cn) 13:35, March 19, 2025 Participants in ethnic costumes perform Guozhuang dance during a contest in Jinchuan, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 18, 2025. (China News Service/Yuan An) A total of 18 teams attended the contest on Tuesday. A listed national intangible cultural heritage, traditional Guozhuang dance is a type of group dance and singing without musical accompaniment that is popular with the ethnic Tibetan people of Yunnan, Qinghai, Sichuan, Gansu provinces and the Xizang Autonomous Region. Participants in ethnic costumes perform Guozhuang dance during a contest in Jinchuan, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 18, 2025. (China News Service/Yuan An) Participants in ethnic costumes perform Guozhuang dance during a contest in Jinchuan, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 18, 2025. (China News Service/Yuan An) Participants in ethnic costumes perform Guozhuang dance during a contest in Jinchuan, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 18, 2025. (China News Service/Yuan An) Participants in ethnic costumes perform Guozhuang dance during a contest in Jinchuan, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 18, 2025. (China News Service/Yuan An) Participants in ethnic costumes perform Guozhuang dance during a contest in Jinchuan, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 18, 2025. (China News Service/Yuan An) Participants in ethnic costumes perform Guozhuang dance during a contest in Jinchuan, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 18, 2025. (China News Service/Yuan An) (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) Nasa astronaut Sunita Williams and her fellow three crewmates, including Butch Wilmore, finally touched down on Earth after being stranded in space for nine months. While they have all reasons to celebrate, readjusting to life back here is now the real challenge. Heres how they plan to do it read more After their initial medical checkups, Williams and her fellow astronauts will be flown to NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston. There, they will spend several days undergoing rehabilitation programmes designed to help them readjust to life on Earth. Image courtesy: Nasa After spending nine long arduous months in space, Indian-origin Nasa astronaut Sunita Williams and her fellow crewmates, including Butch Wilmore, are finally back on solid ground. The SpaceXs Crew Dragon capsule carrying the four astronauts made a safe splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico early Wednesday morning (IST), hours after leaving the International Space Station. The landing took place off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida, putting their unexpected journey to an end. Crew-9 had some surprise visitors Dolphins after splashing down this afternoon.#sunitawilliamsreturn pic.twitter.com/9NrFpUGBzh The Storm Chasers (@TStormChasers) March 18, 2025 Advertisement Williams, 59, and Wilmore, 62, had been stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) since June 2024 after their Boeing Starliner spacecraft suffered technical issues, turning what was meant to be a short test mission into an extended stay. But while the time in space is over, Williams transition back to life on Earth is just beginning. From medical evaluations to an intensive 45-day rehabilitation programme, heres what lies ahead for the Crew-9 astronauts. Immediate medical checks post splashdown As Williams and her fellow astronauts splashed down off the Florida coast, recovery teams were quick to assist them out of the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. To ensure their safety, they were placed on stretchers for initial medical checks. Welcome home, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore! After 286 days in the vastness of space, completing 4,577 orbits around Earth, you return as heroes. Your journey is a testament to human courage, resilience, and the boundless spirit of exploration. The world celebrates your safe pic.twitter.com/bTBCrN7X95 Dr Syed Naseer Hussain,MP Rajya Sabha (@NasirHussainINC) March 18, 2025 This is a routine procedure for astronauts returning from long-duration missions, as their bodies undergo significant physical changes in microgravity. After months without Earths gravitational pull, their muscles weaken, and bones lose density, making even simple movements challenging upon return. Also read: Why gravity will be Sunita Williams biggest challenge after she returns to Earth Advertisement They also experience dizziness, instability, and fatigue as their body suddenly readjusts to the Earths gravity. Another unusual aftermath of prolonged space travel is whats known as baby feet. Over time, the calluses astronauts develop on their soles begin to soften and peel off due to the lack of friction in space. This makes their feet extra sensitive upon returnalmost like those of a newborn. They also face major changes in the cardiovascular system as without gravitation the fluids in the body shift upward toward the head. Nasa astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore during a press conference from the International Space Station. The two have now spent over seven months in space. File image/AP Upon return, this fluid redistribution results in puffiness on the face, nasal congestion, and heightened pressure inside the skull. At the same time, the lower body experiences a deficit of fluids, making astronauts legs seem thinner and weaker. This phenomenon is called puffy-head bird-legs syndrome. Advertisement 45-day rehab programme at Johnson Space Centre After their initial medical checkups, Williams and her fellow astronauts will be flown to Nasas Johnson Space Center in Houston. There, they will spend several days undergoing rehabilitation programmes designed to help them readjust to life on Earth. Specialists from the Astronaut Strength, Conditioning, and Rehabilitation (ASCR) team will oversee their recovery and will help them with their reconditioning, reports NDTV. Rehabilitation begins immediately upon landing and continues for 45 days, with two-hour sessions every day, seven days a week. The recovery process is divided into three phases. Phase 1, which starts on landing day, focuses on walking, flexibility, and basic muscle strengthening. Phase 2 introduces balance exercises and cardiovascular conditioning, helping astronauts regain coordination. Phase 3, the longest phase, is dedicated to functional development, ensuring they can perform daily activities without discomfort. Nasas Sunita Williams Butch Wilmore stand at Kennedy Space Centre, on the day of Boeings Starliner-1 Crew Flight Test mission. Wilmore and Williams were stranded in space for nine months but finally returned to Earth on the SpaceX Crew-10 mission. File image/Reuters Each programme is tailored to the astronauts specific needs based on medical tests, mission duties, and even personal fitness preferences. Studies show that by the end of the rehab programme, astronauts not only regain their pre-flight fitness but, in many cases, emerge even stronger than before. Advertisement Post-mission debriefings Once their recovery is complete, Williams and her fellow astronauts will likely take part in debriefings to reflect on their mission. These sessions will cover their experiences, experiments, challenges, and key takeaways from their extended stay in space. Their insights will help Nasa improve future missions, especially those involving long-duration spaceflight. Williams is also expected to engage in public outreach. She will likely participate in educational programmes, motivational talks, and events aimed at inspiring the next generation of astronauts, engineers, and space enthusiasts. Reuniting with family After spending months in space, Sunita Williams is expected to prioritise time with her family and friends. Personal time is essential for an astronauts psychological well-being, helping them reconnect with loved ones and ease back into everyday life on Earth. Williams has spoken about the simple joys shes been looking forward tolong walks with her dogs and a refreshing swim in the ocean. Her husband, Michael J Williams, a retired federal marshal, has been caring for their two Labrador retrievers while she was away. Advertisement Also read: Sunita Williams returns to Earth: What is her connection to India? In a press conference last year, she shared how much she missed her family, friends, and pets. I know its tough for them too, being apart, but they understand, and everyones rooting for us to return with SpaceX Crew-9, she said. Meanwhile, her crewmate Butch Wilmore, an elder at his Baptist church, is eager to return to face-to-face ministeringand to once again enjoy the simple pleasure of smelling freshly cut grass. With input from agencies Though Taiwan just a dozen official diplomatic partners, it has 111 missions across the world. Taipei has frequently used aid as an outreach tool across the world. But how do Taiwans foreign relations shape its policies? How will it deal with US President Donald Trump back in the Oval Office? read more Taiwan has used aid as an outreach tool across the world. Reuters Editors Note: The tenth edition of Raisina Dialogue, Indias flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-economics, is now underway in Delhi. Firstpost, which has partnered with the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) for the summit, brings you this article on Taiwan amid continued rising tensions with China and Donald Trump back in the White House China this week conducted new military exercises near Taiwan. Beijing sent dozens of warplanes, including its J-10 fighter jets and drones to the areas near Taipei. Advertisement Of these, 42 crossed the median line along the Taiwan Strait the unofficial buffer between the two sides. China claimed the exercises were punishment for Taiwanese President Lai Ching-tes continued promotion of separatism. Taiwan, meanwhile, accused China of being a troublemaker. China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its territory, has vowed to bring it under control someday by force if necessary. But how do Taiwans foreign relations shape its security and economic policies? How will it engage with the new administration in Washington? Lets take a closer look: Taiwan and foreign aid As per Japan Times, though Taiwan just a dozen official diplomatic partners, it has 111 missions across the world. Taiwan has used aid as an outreach tool across the world. As per ModernDiplomacy.Eu, Taiwan first got aid from the US in 1951. The massive amount, $1.482 billion, was used to invest in infrastructure and industrial equipment. Taiwan in turn began providing aid to others in 1959. Taipeis first outreach was with technical missions in Vietnam and Africa. After Taiwan lost its UN seat in 1971, it carried out aid missions in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Taiwan uses aid to foreign nations as a device to counter Chinas attempts to diplomatically isolate it. Advertisement Taiwan occupies a unique position in global geopolitics, especially due to its unrecognized statehood. Under pressure from China, Taiwan uses foreign aid as a diplomatic tool to expand its influence in developing countries, particularly in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, the piece noted. Taiwan-US ties Arguably Taiwans most important foreign relationship is with the United States. As per PBS, Taiwan during Trumps first term increased its arms purchases from the United States with an eye on China. As per Time Magazine, Taiwan purchased $18 billion in military sales from America. This included a massive $8 billion for 66 fighter jets. The Trump administration, meanwhile, increased security ties with Taiwan by sending over an under-secretary from the State Department. Advertisement Trump himself, typically, has sent mixed messages on the subject. Trump has said that Taiwan should pay the US for defending it against China. If I answer that question, it will put me in a very bad negotiating position, Trump was quoted as saying by GlobalTaiwan.org. Trump has also slammed Taiwan for taking away the US chips business. You know, were no different than an insurance company. Taiwan doesnt give us anything, Trump was quoted as saying by Time Magazine. Donald Trump has sent mixed signals on Taiwan. AP On the other hand, Trump has also picked several ardent hawks on China in his cabinet including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. Advertisement We are against any sort of compelled, forced change of status. Thats been our policy; that remains our policy, Rubio said in February as per Time Magazine. The outlet quoted JD Vance as saying, We should make it as hard as possible for China to take Taiwan in the first place. America is stretched too thin. We do not have the industrial capacity to support a war in Ukraine, a war in Israel, potentially a war in East Asia if the Chinese invade Taiwan, so America has to pick and choose. The Chinese are focused on real power. Theyre not focused on how tough people talk on TV or how strong our alleged resolve is. Theyre focused on how strong we actually are, and to be strong enough to push back against the Chinese, weve got to focus there. Advertisement The fact that Im not sure whether Donald Trump will defend Taiwan may not be a bad thing, retired Lieutenant General HR McMaster, a former national security adviser under Trump, told Frontline. As per Time Magazine, Taiwan ), has a $73.9 billion trade surplus with the US. Most of it comes from semiconductors Taipei makes 90 per cent of the worlds most advanced chips and is home to the worlds largest chip manufacturing company (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company). Though the US continues to adhere to its one China policy which recognises Beijing as the official government of China and keeps diplomatic relations with Taiwan unofficial under the Taiwan Relations Act, it remains Taiwans biggest military backer by far. Taiwan has the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in DC as well as a dozen other offices in the US. Washington, meanwhile, has the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) in Taipei. Taiwan, for its part, said it will deepen military cooperation with the United States including intelligence sharing and holding joint tabletop exercises. The 2025 Quadrennial Defence Review (QDR) said Taiwan was planning to gradually deepen military exchanges with the US, including convening high-level strategic dialogues, observing drills, conducting joint tabletop exercises and sharing intelligence. The United States is an important strategic partner of our country and has close military exchanges and cooperation with us, the review said. Based on existing cooperation, it added that Taiwan would push for strategic cooperation between the two sides in multiple fields and at multiple levels. The review said Taiwan would seek to enhance the interoperability of the two countries armed forces, adding the cooperation would help boost Taiwans defence capacity in areas including long-range precision strikes, battlefield command and control as well as surveillance and reconnaissance. Ties with India Taiwan and India are trying to improve relation despite not having official ties. As per Hindustan Times, India and Taiwan set up officers in Taipei and New Delhi in 1995. New Delhi has the India-Taipei Association (ITA) office in Taiwan, while Taipei has three offices in India including the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center (TECC). Bilateral trade between India and Taiwan stood at $10.1 billion during the fiscal year ending in March 2024. In 2023, trade between the two was valued at $8.2 billion. The total investment of Taiwanese firms in India has crossed $4 billion. This ranges from footwear, machinery, automobile components to petrochemical and ICT products. The newspaper quoted Taiwans foreign minister Lin Chia-Lung was quoted as saying, I think the Indo-Pacific framework or the Quad just [bring] together several countries because we are now faced with similar geopolitical challenges. All these related countries are put under the same geopolitical framework and the reason [for this] is Chinas rising power and its expansionism. China is challenging the existing rules-based international order. I think it is legitimate that all countries, especially like-minded countries, get together and have closer cooperation and dialogue to face the challenge together, and among these [countries], India is especially important, he added. Ties with Europe According to GlobalTaiwan.org, in August 2022, it was then US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosis visit to Taiwan that inadvertently gave a fillip to European-Taiwan ties. Taiwan President Lai Ching-te in November called for the signing of an economic partnership agreement with the European Union, saying it would boost cooperation in semiconductors and that as democracies the two sides should be working together. Taiwan has pushed for the signing of investment and trade deals with the EU, in what would be politically significant for Taiwan given its diplomatic isolation and general exclusion from most global bodies and agreements. For its part, the EU has been courting Taiwan as a like-minded partner under the European Chips Act to encourage more semiconductor production in Europe and lessen dependence on Asia, despite the lack of formal ties with the Chinese-claimed island. Taiwanese investment in EU has been anchored by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) which in August launched a major new chip plant in Dresden, Germany, expected to be a key supplier to European industry and automakers. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co is the worlds largest chip manufacturer. Image Credit: Reuters However, the European Union too does not recognise Taiwan as an independent nation. The piece noted that the bloc is split on Taiwan with some members adhering to Chinas stance and the others insistent on backing Taiwan. Taiwan has few free trade agreements, though in 2023 it signed an Enhanced Trade Partnership with Britain and has applied to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, or CPTPP. Ties with Japan Japan too does not recognise Taiwan as an independent nation. However, that hasnt stopped them from reaching out to each other. As per Japan Times, both ruling parties are meetings. Meanwhile, think-tank level cooperation and invitations to state ceremonies have been exchanged. One of Taiwans top diplomats recently sang Kyotos praises. We are very happy we can talk more and more with Japanese officials and diplomats, unofficially, without major obstacles, Deputy Foreign Minister Francois Wu told Japan Times. Japan feels more and more comfortable working with Taiwanese officials, unofficially. Japan too does not recognise Taiwan as an independent nation. However, that hasnt stopped them from reaching out to each other. AP We are now being invited regularly to the emperors birthday celebrations, something that didnt happen several years ago, Wu said. The growing engagement is based on better relations between our peoples, and so what President Lai wants is to build on this momentum to enable greater unofficial interactions between high-ranking officials, Wu added. Taiwan is now considered by Japan, France, America and other countries as a friend. So we can talk with our friends, especially as we share more and more common interests, Wu said. The definition of unofficial can be as large as possible. How will Taiwan engage with the Trump administration? Experts say Taiwan is staring at a critical period in the years ahead and needs to tread carefully. For Trump, ultimately, what he cares about [is] the balance of trade, Chin-Hao Huang, associate professor at the National University of Singapores Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, told Time Magazine. Trumps ultimate red line is he wants to see jobs come back to the United States, Huang explained. He wants to see the semiconductor industry in the United States thrive again. So this means investment. As Haruka Satake wrote in East Asia Forum, With Trumps foreign policy approach largely transactional and focused on financial leverage, Taiwan will need to navigate a shifting dynamic that could reshape its relationship with both the United States and China. Satake, in her piece, noted how Trump has taken aim at Taiwans spending on defence. Trumps transactional foreign policy will likely demand increased financial contributions in military purchases, pressuring Taiwan to invest more in its own defence while supporting the US defence industry. Taiwan must navigate these pressures carefully, balancing economic stability with military deterrence within the complex USChinaTaiwan triangle, Satake warned. The piece in Global Taiwan, said Trumps threats on chips, pharma and steel have resulted in uncertainties and concerns in Taiwan and the broader world. However, it is important to note that Taiwan occupies a strategically vital position, both for regional security and for the defence of critical US interests in the Indo-Pacific, the piece added. It also noted that an attack on Taiwan by China would disrupt the semiconductor trade which would have massive repercussions around the world. Taiwan makes 90 per cent of the worlds most advanced chips. Reuters Despite Trumps unfavourable rhetoric toward Taiwan, the islands significant geopolitical and geostrategic leverage remains impossible to ignore for the United States, the piece concluded. But others arent so optimistic. As Steve Tsang of the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London, told Time Magazine, I havent seen any evidence that Trump cares much about Taiwan for being a shining example of a US-sponsored democracy. The evidence I have seen is that Trump is first and foremost for Trump, for which he would want to maintain a working relationship with Xi, so he could do some kind of a deal that would project Trump as a winner. With inputs from agencies Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet, has agreed to fork over $28 million to settle a class action lawsuit accusing it of racial bias. Though the tech giant confirmed the development, it insists it has not discriminated against anyone. But what happened? What has the lawsuit alleged? read more Google has agreed to settle a racial discrimination lawsuit for $28 million. Reuters Google has agreed to settle a racial discrimination lawsuit. The tech giant, a subsidiary of Alphabet, has agreed to fork over $28 million to end a suit accusing it of racial bias. Google, while confirming the development, insisted it had not discriminated against anyone. We reached a resolution, but continue to disagree with the allegations that we treated anyone differently, and remain committed to paying, hiring, and levelling all employees fairly, the company said. Advertisement But what happened? What do we know about the lawsuit? Lets take a closer look What do we know? As per BBC, the suit was filed in 2021 by ex-Google employee Ana Cantu. It claimed that Google paid white and Asian employees more than other ethnicities. It also alleged that white and Asian employees received better career opportunities. Cantu, who is Mexican and racially indigenous, in her plea alleged that employees who are ethnically Hispanic, Latino, Native American, among others, were given a lower starting salary than white and Asian workers. Cantu also claimed that employees from these ethnicities started their career at Google at lower job levels. As per The Guardian, Cantu filed the lawsuit on behalf of those with minority backgrounds at the tech giant. Cantu claimed she remained at her job level for seven years despite putting in top notch work at Googles people operations and cloud departments. This, as white and Asian peers received more pay and promotions. She claimed that white and Asian employees were also hired at senior levels compared to other workers even for doing the same job. She also accused the company of denying those who brought up the alleged issue as raises and promotions. Advertisement Cantu argued Googles actions violated the California Equal Pay Act. As per The Tribune, the case was built on a leaked internal document which allegedly showed people from different ethnicities were not being paid equally. The class action lawsuit comprised 6,632 Google employees in California between February 15, 2018, and December 31, 2024. Cathy Coble, one of the lawyers for the defendants called the employees brave. Suspected pay inequity is too easily concealed without this kind of collective action from employees. We hope this settlement will contribute to greater transparency and fairness within the tech industry, she said, as per The Tribune. The agreement with Google received preliminary approval last week from Judge Charles Adams of the Santa Clara County Superior Court in California. Advertisement He called the settlement fair, reasonable and a good result for the class. Adams said the settlement came after Cantus lawyers agreed this month to exclude Black employees from the proposed class, which Google had sought. Net settlement proceeds total $20.4 million, after deducting $7 million for legal fees, penalties tied to Cantus claim under Californias Private Attorneys General Act, and other costs. Adams scheduled a September 11 hearing to consider final settlement approval. Other racial discrimination lawsuits against Google This is far from the only lawsuit against Google alleging racial bias. As per NDTV, in March 2024, a black and deaf employee the first such worker Google has hired sued the giant. Jalon Hall has accused Google of racial and disability discrimination. Advertisement She claimed Google was, primary to its public image, a hostile work environment. She also alleged to have experienced racial bias. I felt humiliated, realising that I would not grow in my career, Hall told Wired. She also claimed that a manager called her an aggressive black deaf woman. Hall claimed she did not receive promotions due to inaccurate evaluations. Google is using me to make them look inclusive for the Deaf community and the overall disability community, Hall told the outlet. In reality, they need to do better. In 2022, a similar lawsuit accused Google of discriminating against Black employees. The plaintiff, April Curley, claimed that Black employees are hired at lower-level jobs, are paid less and denied career advancement. Advertisement The suit claimed that Google maintains a racially biased corporate culture that favours white men. Curley, who claimed she was hired by Google in 2014 to design a programme that would led the tech giant reach out to historically Black colleges, too said she was denied advancement. She claimed her hiring was a marketing ploy and that her managers began belittling her work and calling her an angry Black woman. It noted that Black people comprise just 4.4 per cent of employees and around three per cent of leadership and its technology workforce. Curley claimed she was fired in 2020 after bringing the issues to Googles attention. While Google claims that they were looking to increase diversity, they were actually undervaluing, underpaying and mistreating their Black employees, Curleys lawyer Ben Crump said in a statement. Google is one of several companies that are rolling back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. This comes in the backdrop of attacks from US President Donald Trump and his backers. However, critics say that these policies are essential to redressing what has been an historically unfair playing field for minorities. With inputs from agencies Germanys Bundestag, or Lower House of Parliament, passed a historic bill allowing it to sidestep its strict rules on debt to spend big on defence and infrastructure. Why is this move a big deal? And why does its timing matter? Lets take a closer look read more Conservative leader Friedrich Merz of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), who is likely to be the next German chancellor, had come out in favour of the package. Reuters Germany has made history. The Bundestag, or Lower House of Parliament, passed a historic spending package doing away with years of austerity. Germany is now set to invest extensively in the military and infrastructure and also release an aid package for Ukraine. The development comes in the backdrop of the ongoing war between Kyiv and Moscow. But what happened? And what does it mean? Lets take a closer look What happened? As per Politico, 513 lawmakers in the 720-member Bundestag over two-thirds voted for the new bill. Meanwhile, 207 voted against the bill. There were no abstentions. Advertisement Conservative leader Friedrich Merz of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), who is likely to be the next German chancellor, had come out in favour of the package. He received help from the Social Democratic Party (SPD) of outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the Greens. The CDU and SPD are currently in negotiations to form a centrist government following last months elections. The CDU had emerged as the largest party, while the far-right Alternative for Germany ( AfD) came second. As per BBC, the new law allows Germany to spend big on defence and infrastructure by sidestepping its strict rules on debt. It also creates a $547 billion infrastructure fund and sets aside $3.3 billion extra in aid for Ukraine. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks during a general debate of the German parliament Bundestag in Berlin, Germany, September 11, 2024. File Photo/AP The bill also allows Germanys 16 federal states to borrow 0.35 per cent of their GDP. However, it must be noted that the Bundesrat, or the Upper House of Parliament, still needs to approve the bill by a two-thirds majority. That vote is slated to be held on Friday. Senior officials of the conservatives and the Social Democrats have said they expect the upper house to pass the legislation. Advertisement The main hurdle to passage there appeared to fall on Monday when the Bavarian Free Voters agreed to back the plans. The conservatives and SPD wanted to pass the legislation through the outgoing parliament for fear it could be blocked by an enlarged contingent of far-right and far-left lawmakers in the next Bundestag starting March 25. The (AfD) and the far-left Die Linke both of whom have oppose the plans would have the numbers needed to block the bill in the new Parliament. Merz has justified the tight timetable with the rapidly changing geopolitical situation. To secure the necessary two-thirds majority in parliament, they CDU to integrate last-minute demands from the Greens party into their proposal. Advertisement What does it mean? The significance of this move cannot be overstated. Germany has been traditionally allergic to accumulating debt and spending heavily on the military. This is both as a result of the 2008 financial crisis and Germanys discomfort and acknowledgement of its Nazi past. As per BBC, Germany in the aftermath of the global financial crisis installed what is known as a debt-brake under the then Angela Merkel government. Under the constitution, Germany capped new borrowing at 0.35 per cent of the countrys GDP. Now, Germany can borrow all it wants and needs to spend on improving its defences. The development comes as Germany and other European nations have been under pressure to shore up their defences in the face of hostile Russia and shifts in US policy under President Donald Trump, which European leaders fear could leave the continent exposed. Advertisement Recent weeks have brought new urgency to efforts to further strengthen Germanys long-neglected military. The outgoing government created a special $109 billion fund to modernise it, which also helped Berlin meet the current NATO target of spending two per cent of GDP on defence. But that pot will be used up in 2027, and doubts have grown recently about the Trump administrations commitment to European allies. Germany has been traditionally allergic to accumulating debt and spending heavily on the military. AP Politico quoted Merz as saying such debt can only be justified under very specific circumstances. The circumstances are determined above all by [Vladimir] Putins war of aggression against Europe. Merz said Germany had been lulled into a false sense of security over the past decade. Advertisement The decision we are taking today can be nothing less than the first major step towards a new European defence community, Merz said. He said countries that are not members of the European Union such as Britain and Norway would be included in this bloc. The Social Democrats co-leader, Lars Klingbeil, said that Europe stands today next to an aggressive Russia on one side and an unpredictable United States of America on the other side. He said he favors doing everything to maintain indispensable trans-Atlantic cooperation, but we must now do our homework in Europe we must become stronger, we must take care of our own security. Outgoing Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said the plans were a strong signal that Germany is serious about its own security, about the security of Ukraine and about the security of Europe. But critics, including within his own party, accuse Merz of voter fraud for promising spending restraint during the campaign only to announce the shift in fiscal policy just days after winning. The Telegraph quoted Greens parliamentary co-leader Britta Haelmann as slamming Merz for rejecting every idea regarding reforming the debt-brake in the past, with such arrogance and populism it made one sick. However, she said her party was glad were making this decision given the current political and economic situation. The Telegraph quoted AfD leader Alice Weidel as calling the bill election fraud worse than anything Ive ever seen in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany. Weidel had moved Germanys highest court in hopes of stopping the package. Alice Weidel, co-leader of Germanys far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, addresses an election campaign rally in Halle, eastern Germany on January 25, 2025. (Photo: AFP) However, Germanys highest court rejected several bids to block the meeting of the outgoing parliament. A politicians greatest asset is credibility and with this embarrassing action, dear Merz, you have already squandered yours completely, Alternative for Germany co-leader Tino Chrupalla said. Voters feel cheated by you, and rightly. Its excellent news because it sends a very clear message, very clear message also to Europe that Germany is determined to invest massively in defence, said EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. Speaking alongside her in Copenhagen, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said: as a neighbouring country its fantastic news because we need a strong Europe. Meanwhile, the bill also provides hundreds of billions for infrastructure and policies to combat climate change. The German media has called the bill a fiscal bazooka. Move boosts euro, excites economists The move, which comes after years of contraction in Europes largest economy, have already given a fillip to euro zone yields, the euro currency and European shares. Economists too have hailed the move. In our view, this is a historic fiscal regime shift, arguably the largest since German reunification, said Robin Winkler, Chief German Economist at Deutsche Bank Research. Yet, as with reunification, a fiscal expansion does not guarantee success: the next government will need to deliver structural reforms to turn this fiscal package into sustainable growth. The massive funding boost represents a fiscal sea change for Germany, wrote Holger Schmieding of Berenberg Bank. He added that Merz and his team are rising to the challenges which Germany is facing in times of almost unprecedented geopolitical upheaval for Europe. The prospects of a borrowing bonanza lifted German investor morale by more than expected in March, the ZEW economic research institute said on Tuesday. The construction sector can look forward to a boost from the fund to overhaul Germanys creaking infrastructure while the defence industry also stands to gain. The prospect of a fiscal bazooka is causing expectations to skyrocket, said Alexander Krueger, chief economist at the private bank, Hauck Aufhaeuser Lampe. However, economists warned that further reforms such as cutting bureaucracy are needed to ensure sustainable growth. Fitch Ratings agency also warned on Tuesday Germanys coveted AAA rating could come under pressure in the longer run if its vast spending effort is not offset by consolidation measures, or fails to produce a lasting improvement in economic growth. With inputs from agencies Proposed at the G20 Summit in New Delhi in September 2023, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor is a network of road, rail and sea routes, which will connect New Delhi to Europe through West Asia. The corridor, many experts observe, will help act as a counter to Chinas Belt and Road Initiative and also improve New Delhis global standing read more Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud (left), and US President Joe Biden, shake hands next to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the India-Middle East-Europe Economics Corridor (IMEC) event during the G20Summit in New Delhi in September 2023. File image/AP Editors Note: The tenth edition of Raisina Dialogue, Indias flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-economics, is now underway in Delhi. Firstpost Ideas Pod at Raisina Dialogue organised by Observers Research Foundation (ORF) in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), will hold a session on Connectivity Blueprint from the Indo-Pacific to the Mediterranean on Day 3. In this article, we take a look at the significance of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In September 2023, at the G20 Summit in New Delhi, world leaders unveiled plans for an India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). Saudi Arabia, the European Union, India, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), France, Germany, Italy, and the United States all signed a Memorandum of Understanding, committing to work together to advance the project. The project is envisioned to serve as a strategic counterweight to Chinas sprawling Belt and Road Initiative. In fact, US President Donald Trump reiterated his commitment to the IMEC during Narendra Modis visit to Washington in February, calling it the greatest trade routes in all of history. But what purpose will the IMEC actually serve? How will it prove to be a game-changer as it has been touted? Lets find out. What is the IMEC corridor? The IMEC as proposed by India, Saudi Arabia, the European Union, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), France, Germany, Italy, and the United States is a network of railroads, ship-to-rail (road and sea) and road transport routes extending across two corridors, that is, the east corridor connecting India to the Gulf, and the northern corridor connecting the Gulf to Europe. As per the proposal, the IMEC would enable the transportation of goods and services from India to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel and Europe, and back, with the leaders involved saying that once completed it would improve efficiency, reduce costs, enhance economic unity, generate jobs, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. As foreign affairs specialist Robinder Sachdev told South China Morning Post, once built, the IMEC would cut transport times by up to 40 per cent, offering India more cost-effective access to European markets. When announced at the G20 Summit in New Delhi, PM Modi called the IMEC a beacon of cooperation, innovation, and shared progress. Meanwhile, then US President Joe Biden termed it as the real big deal. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD European Union Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen said the corridor was more than just a railway or a cable, it is a green and digital bridge across continents and civilisations. She further called it the most direct connection between India, the Gulf and Europe: with a rail link that would make trade between India and Europe 40 per cent faster. Image Courtesy: DrishtiIAS Whats the politics behind the IMEC? The corridor isnt just about economic integration or as some experts note about geoeconomics. It also has wider geopolitical implications. Many note that the IMEC is a way to counter Chinas Belt and Road Initiative as Beijings influence in the Gulf and West Asia continues to grow. Reiterating this view, Poornima Balasubramanian, a research scholar at the Department of Geopolitics and International Relations at Indias Manipal Academy of Higher Education, told The New Arab, The IMEC project can be seen as an alternative to Chinas BRI, this one being led by India and the US. Michael Kugelman, South Asia Institute director at The Wilson Center, also said the plan could be an important reply to the Belt and Road Initiative. If finalised, it would be a game changer that strengthens connectivity between India and West Asia and would aim to counter BRI, Kugelman wrote on X. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Alberto Rizzi, a policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, also noted that the IMEC would also allow India to bypass connectivity obstacles and respond to Chinese competition for the leadership of the Global South. Others also note that the IMEC may also hint at further normalisation of ties between Israel and the countries in the Gulf. What are the challenges to the IMEC? However, despite its many advantages of the IMEC, there are challenges that could hamper the corridor from becoming a reality. Firstly, geopolitical tensions namely the Israel-Gaza war could slow down the progress of the IMEC. As The Diplomat noted, For Israel, a permanent settlement in Gaza will remain a policy priority above IMEC for the foreseeable future. That will damage the prospects of Saudi-Israel normalisation, which some believe is a necessary condition for the operationalisation of IMEC. Theres also the fact that as Israel continues to bomb Gaza, it would make it difficult for many Arab countries to sit at the same table with the Jewish nation, let alone plane for regional integration projects. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Theres also the issue of financing. Currently, Saudi Arabia has pledged $20 billion for the IMEC. However, this is a tiny fraction of the $600 billion that the G7 wants for the project by 2027. Furthermore, none of the member countries have any financial obligations for the IMEC, leaving much of the funding outlook uncertain. Many geopolitical experts note that the absence of regional players such as Egypt, Oman and Turkey from the IMEC could be problematic. They argue that these countries absence not only limits IMECs outreach, but it also risks creating inefficiencies for a project already poised with structural logistical, financial, and geopolitical hurdles. The IMEC enhances Indias connectivity, economic opportunities and global standing. Representational image/PTI So, how does India benefit from IMEC? But despite the many issues, analysts note that the IMEC once operational will be highly beneficial to India in a number of ways. Robinder Sachdev told the South China Morning Post, The IMEC enhances Indias connectivity, economic opportunities and global standing, while also serving as a multilateral counterbalance to Chinas [Belt and Road Initiative], in partnership with the G7 and regional players. It will also enable New Delhi to strengthen ties with the Western world, particularly Europe. This is of utmost significance as US President Donald Trump is upending the world order with his unpredictability. The IMEC also enables India to further its trade and economic relations with the Arab Gulf region. Through the IMEC, Indias economic presence in the region will increase and create opportunities for Indian companies, already active in the area, to invest in building the missing infrastructure. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The IMEC will also connect New Delhi to the offshore gas fields in the Eastern Mediterranean; this is significant as Indias need for energy and gas continues to grow. With the IMEC, India will also be a big player at a global level. As the Indian Express notes in one report, With greater integration with its eastern and western neighbourhoods and the larger world, the big power aspiration can be realised. Hence, the underlying geopolitical objective in joining the IMEC is rooted in the Indian aspiration to develop faster and become a global power. And beyond the economic benefits, the IMEC will also enable cross-cultural interactions and foster mutual understanding. The initiative can bridge ideological and religious divides, promote tourism, educational opportunities, and a more integrated regional identity. With inputs from agencies The Trump administration has released thousands of pages of files linked to the assassination of John F Kennedy. The newly released documents talk about the assassin Lee Harvey Oswalds connection to the Soviet Union and have reignited conspiracy theories about the involvement of a second shooter and the role of the CIA read more President John F Kennedy waves from his car in a motorcade approximately one minute before he was shot, on November 22, 1963, in Dallas. Riding with President Kennedy was First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy (right), Nellie Connally, and her husband, Texas Governor John Connally. AP Who killed JFK? More than six decades later, the assassination of John F Kennedy continues to fascinate the world. There is no dearth of conspiracy theories. Now as promised by Donald Trump, his administration has released thousands of records related to the killing that shook America. Soon after taking office, Trump signed an executive order directing the release of classified files related to the assassinations of JKF, Robert F Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. While many files related to the presidents assassination have been made public, the documents released on Tuesday had previously been redacted. Advertisement Trump said on Monday that people have been waiting for decades to see the 80,000 pages of records related to Kennedys assassination. On Tuesday, more than 1,100 files of 31,000 pages were posted on the US National Archives and Records Administration website. It might take some time before researchers and history buffs scan all the documents. But heres what some of the revelations are. Lee Oswalds connection to the Soviet Union Kennedy was shot dead by Lee Harvey Oswald, a US marine deserter. He fired two shots at the US president as his motorcade passed a school book depository in Dallas, Texas. The assassin had stationed himself there with a rifle; it was where he worked. A third shot was fired but it missed JFK. While the Warren Commission, set up to investigate the assassination, concluded that Oswald acted alone, many believe the killing to be part of a larger conspiracy. One of the secret government memos looks at the theory that Oswald, who had visited the Soviet Union and was married to a Russian, was acting on behalf of the Soviets. Addressed to the Moscow info director, it refers to a 1991 interview with US professor EB Smith who met Slava Nikonov, former deputy director at the Soviet Unions KGB and the grandson of former Soviet Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov, in Moscow. According to the memo, Nikonov had reviewed five thick KGB files to determine if Oswald was linked to the spy agency. Nikonov is now confident that Oswald was at no time an agent controlled by the KGB From the description in the files, he doubted anyone could control Oswald, but noted that the KGB watched him closely and constantly while he was in the USSR, the documents noted. However, one of the earlier documents already published revealed that Oswald communicated with a KGB officer while at the Soviet embassy that September, two months before the assassination. Nikonov also said that Oswald had a stormy relationship with his Soviet wife, who rode him incessantly. Oswald was a lousy shot The document dated November 20, 1991, revealed that Oslwads marksmanship was poor. The KGB files also reflected that Oswald was a poor shot when he tried target firing in the USSR, the document said. Advertisement Some conspiracy theorists have used his bit of information as proof to fuel the conspiracy theory that the assassin did not act alone. Many believe that Oswald was innocent and often focus on how difficult it is even for a good marksman to fire three shots at a moving target and hit it. The theory of the second shooter It has been long debated that a second shooter was involved in the assassination. However, the Warren Commission concluded that Oswald acted alone and fired three shots in 8.6 seconds. Ballistic reports and witness testimonies in the newly released documents refer to the third shot. According to the files, a shot might have been fired from the Grassy Knoll, which was an elevated area ahead of JFKs motorcade. This contradicts the belief that there was only one gunman involved. Advertisement In 1979, the US House Select Committee on Assassinations concluded that based on acoustic evidence there was a high probability of a second shooter. Documents related to the 1963 assassination of President John F Kennedy are displayed after they were released following an order from US President Donald Trump, in Washington DC, on March 18. Reuters An ignored warning about a possible assassination The files, now made public, also unseal the correspondence from Sergyj Czornonoh, who claims that in August 1963, he warned the American vice-consul in the Bulgarian capital Sofia about the plan to assassinate Kennedy, according to a report in Washington Times. Czornonoh was given information about Oswald by Wasilev Consul, who worked in the Soviet embassy in Bulgaria. He said Consuls girlfriend came to my room and repeated that Mr Lee Harvey Oswald is [sic] assassin. He will kill President Kennedy. Czornonoh said he had warned a US State Department official on August 19, 1963, three months before the killing, that Oswald had a weapon and he should go see him. The official did not pay heed to the warning, the memo claims. Advertisement Director told me you too can have a weapon so what if Oswald got a weapon, Czornonoh wrote in a letter to the US House Select Committee on Assassinations in 1978. President John F Kennedy greets a crowd at a political rally in Fort Worth, Texas several hours before his assassination on November 22, 1963. The killing that shook America and the world continues to fuel conspiracy theories. File photo/Reuters The CIA link to the JFK assassination The files released by Trump make a mention of Gary Underhill, a former CIA agent, who was found dead less than six months after he alleged the agencys involvement in the killing. A small clique within the CIA was responsible for the assassination, says a line from the documents, drawing significant attention. The documents also mention that after the assassination, Underhill left Washington in a hurry and took refuge with friends in New Jersey. Newly released JFK files tell a story about how Gary Underhill, who worked for the CIA, was found dead after he revealed to friends that the CIA was responsible for JFKs assassination. The day after the assassination, Gary Underhill left Washington in a hurry. Late in the pic.twitter.com/psZkYQ5COi Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 19, 2025 Advertisement Underhill, who served as an intelligence agent during World War II, was an expert on limited warfare and small arms. He was a researcher and writer on military affairs, and many top brasses in the Pentagon knew him on a first-name basis. He had good terms with high-ranking CIA officials, according to the files. Another memo from November 1963, showed that a CIA office raised an alarm over Oswalds activities, including his visits to Soviet and Cuban embassies in Mexico City weeks before the shooting. However, senior officials reportedly ignored the warnings, raising questions if the agency was negligent or complicit. Many experts believe that the CIA or others may have kept secret files related to Oswalds movements in Mexico Coty, reports The Washington Post. Documents related to the 1963 assassination of John F Kennedy are displayed after they were released following an order from Donald Trump, in Washington DC. Earlier releases revealed that Oswald visited Mexico City before the killing. Reuters The involvement of the mafia? The newly released files point to the possible involvement of organised crime. According to a report in ABC7, Chicago was a training ground for Cuban militia. It suggests the possibility of a coalition between mobsters, Cubans who were against Fidel Castro, and rogue CIA elements. The motive could be Kennedys handling of the Bay of Pigs invasion, a failed attack launched by the CIA to push Castro from power. An inscription reading RIP JFK adorns a slat of the wooden picket fence at the top of the Grassy Knoll in Dealy Plaza in Dallas, November 22, 2013. The picket fence plays a major role in many conspiracy theories about the Kennedy assassination, with some theorists believing that one or more gunmen may have fired on the president from behind the fence in addition to suspect Lee Harvey Oswald who was in the Texas Schoolbook Depository building. Reuters Jack Ruby, who killed Oswald Soon after the assassination, Oswald was arrested on suspicion of murder. He was shot dead a few days later by Jack Ruby, an owner of a local nightclub, who claimed he acted over his distress at JFKs death. While Ruby died of cancer four years later serving a prison sentence for Oswalds, his role has been speculated. A memo written by FBI Director J Edgar Hoover hours after Oswald was killed appealed to the US government to assure the public that it was the former marine who assassinated Kennedy. The documents released by the Trump administration are likely to reignite conspiracy theories. However, some files are still held back. Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, said that the National Archives and Records Administration was working with the Department of Justice to expedite the unsealing of these records. She also said that the publication of the papers was an example of the Trump White House ushering in a new era of maximum transparency. However, will these tranches of documents settle the many unanswered questions about JFKs assassination? With inputs from agencies Tensions are high in Maharashtra over calls from some right-wing groups and politicians to raze Mughal ruler Aurangzebs tomb in the state. However, the grave is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Heres what this means read more Mughal ruler Aurangzeb has been dominating the political discourse in Maharashtra since the release of the Bollywood movie Chhaava, based on the life of Maratha king Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and his battle against the 17th-century emperor. The western state is witnessing clamour from some right-wing groups and politicians to demolish the grave of Aurangzeb at Khuldabad in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. Violence erupted in Nagpur on Monday after protests by Hindu nationalist groups against Aurangzebs tomb triggered rumours of a desecration of a holy book. Amid growing calls for the razing of the Mughal emperors grave, heres why it cannot be removed by the Maharashtra government. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD ASI protects Aurangzebs tomb Mughal emperor Aurangzebs grave is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as a Monument of National Importance. As the Centre is responsible for its maintenance, the Maharashtra government cannot remove it. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis , who has backed the demand for demolishing Aurangzebs grave, said on Monday that it was unfortunate that the government has to protect the Mughal emperors final resting place. It is unfortunate that the government has to take responsibility for the protection of Aurangzebs grave, despite his history of persecution. However, I assure you, if any attempt is made to glorify his legacy through mahima mandan, it will not succeed, Fadnavis reportedly said at an event to inaugurate a temple dedicated to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the Thane district. He previously claimed that Aurangzebs tomb became an ASI-protected site under the rule of the previous Congress regime. We all also want the same thing, but you need to do it within the framework of the law, because it is a protected site. The site was put under ASIs protection during the Congress regime some years back, CM Fadnavis said last week. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The row over the Mughal ruler began after Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi praised Aurangzeb, claiming some depictions in the movie Chhava were wrong. The film shows a graphic portrayal of how Chhatrapati Sambhaji was tortured to death by the Mughal emperor. Azmis remarks created a huge uproar, leading to his suspension from the Maharashtra Assembly for the ongoing Budget session. Later, a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and BJP MP, Udayanraje Bhosale, called for the demolition of Aurangzebs tomb. This further fuelled the matter, with Hindu right-wing groups demanding its removal. How ASI protects historic sites ASI, which falls under the Union Ministry of Culture, is responsible for protecting and maintaining certain historical monuments and archaeological sites. These places are declared of national importance under the relevant provisions of The Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904 and The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 (AMASR Act). According to the Ministry of Culture, the rich heritage conserved and preserved by ASI across the country includes palaces, forts, prehistoric rock shelters, Neolithic sites, rock-cut caves, stupas, megalithic burials, temples, churches, synagogues, mosques, tombs, bathing ghats, tanks, water reservoirs, bridges, and so on. There are 3,697 ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains that are currently preserved by ASI, the Union ministry said in a press release last December. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Under the AMASR Act, no construction is allowed around a protected site. Section 19(1) of the Act states, No person, including the owner or occupier of a protected area, shall construct any building within the protected area or carry on any mining, quarrying, excavating, blasting or any operation of a like nature in such area, or utilise such area or any part thereof in any other manner without the permission of the Central Government. Mughal emperor Aurangzebs tomb is protected by ASI. Wikimedia Commons There are strict penalties for destroying, defacing, altering or removing a protected monument. The legislation also empowers ASI to regularly carry out inspections of protected monuments to examine their condition in order to preserve and conserve them. The organisation can also take action against encroachments including by filing a police complaint and asking local authorities for its removal. Can ASI-protected sites be delisted? Yes, the Central government can delist ASI-protected monuments but not the state government. Delisting of a monument or heritage site means it would no longer be conserved, protected, and maintained by ASI. Section 35 of the AMASR Act states: If the Central Government is of opinion that any ancient and historical monument or archaeological site and remains declared to be of national importance by or under this Act has ceased to be of national importance, it may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare that the ancient and historical monument or archaeological site and remains, as the case may be, has ceased to be of national importance for the purposes of this Act. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies Violence broke out in Maharashtras Nagpur earlier this week over the tomb of Aurangzeb. Now an FIR at the Ganeshpeth Police Station states that a female police officer, who was trying to control the mob, was allegedly molested. Rioters attempted to disrobe her and made obscene gestures toward other female officers, it states read more The alleged assault on female officer happend as security forces struggled to control a mob of over 1,000 people, who went on a rampage, pelting stones, vandalising shops, and torching vehicles, creating a scene of terror. File image/ PTI Nagpur witnessed a night of chaos earlier this week as violent clashes erupted over the demand to demolish Mughal emperor Aurangzebs tomb Amid the mayhem, a female police officer became a victim of assault, with the polices FIR stating that rioters attempted to disrobe her. The report also mentions that the mob then made obscene gestures toward other female officers before moving ahead. The horrifying incident unfolded as security forces struggled to control a mob of over 1,000 people, who went on a rampage, pelting stones, vandalising shops, and torching vehicles, creating a scene of terror. Advertisement As tensions flared, authorities imposed an indefinite curfew in sensitive areas, bringing life to a standstill. Heres a detailed look at the current situation. Women officers assaulted by Nagpur rioters As the violence escalated in Nagpur, female police officers who were trying to restore order became prime targets for the enraged mob. According to an ANI report citing the FIR registered at Ganeshpeth Police Station, the accused not only misbehaved with an officer but also touched her uniform and body while making obscene gestures. The officer was pinned down in a narrow lane in Bhaldarpura by stone pelters, her uniform torn in the scuffle. While the officer was groped, she managed to fend off a full-scale assault, The Times of India reports. Another officer of the RCP squad also faced harassment during the riots, it added. ACP Anita More was also attacked with stones as she found herself cornered in a bylane, surrounded by violent rioters. Several female officers are also reported to be injured by stone pelting. According to TOI, a single FIR at Ganeshpeth Police Station has booked over 650 rioters under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1932, the Public Property Damage Prevention Act, 1984, the Maharashtra Police Act 1951, and other relevant laws. As the violence escalated in Nagpur, female police officers who were trying to restore order became prime targets for the enraged mob. Image for Representation. PTI Police sources confirmed that 51 activists from a minority democratic party were also named in the case. The clashes left around 70 people injured, with nearly half of them being police officers. Among the injured were four DCPs, one of whom was attacked with an axe by a 15-year-old boy. So far, nearly 60 to 65 rioters have been arrested, while another 17 individuals have been detained, India Today reported. Advertisement What triggered the violent clashes? The violence in Nagpur erupted after rumours spread that a holy book belonging to the Muslim community had been burned during an agitation by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal at Shivaji Putla Square near Mahal Gate. According to an official police order, around 200 to 250 members of these right-wing groups had gathered on March 17, demanding the removal of Aurangzebs tomb in Khultabad. Bajrang Dal and VHP workers take part in a protest, demanding the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzebs tomb, in Nagpur on Monday. PTI As per reports, the recent release of the film Chhaava, which portrays Maratha king Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharajs execution at the hands of Aurangzeb, reportedly reignited anger against the Mughal ruler. During the protest, the mob allegedly burned effigies of Aurangzeb and a religious chadaran act that inflamed tensions with the opposing community. Advertisement By evening, the situation spiralled out of control. Nearly 1,000 people took to the streets in retaliation, resorting to large-scale stone-pelting, vandalism, and arson. Multiple vehicles, police vehicles, traffic control booths, and houses were damaged as the violence spread, severely disrupting law and order. VIDEO | Visuals from Nagpur where violence erupted on Monday as stones were hurled at police. The city saw several incidents of stone-pelting and arson. (Source: Third Party)#NagpurViolence pic.twitter.com/sr37c1dxxE Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 17, 2025 Advertisement An eyewitness from Hansapuri described the mayhem caused by a masked group that stormed the area. A team came here, their faces were hidden with scarves. They had sharp weapons, stickers, and bottles in their hands. They started the ruckus, vandalised shops, and pelted stones. They also torched vehicles, the eyewitness said. Charred remains of two-wheelers lie on a roadside in the aftermath of violence that erupted on Monday, in Nagpur. PTI The situation became so volatile that authorities had no choice but to impose an indefinite curfew in sensitive areas. Restrictions were placed on movement and public gatherings to prevent further escalation. Advertisement Even 24 hours later, nearly 30 per cent of Nagpur remains under curfew, with 1,000 police personnel, riot control squads, and the state reserve police force deployed across communally sensitive zones. According to TOI, an additional 8,000 police officers have been placed on standby as the situation in Mahal and Hansapuri remains tense. How have officials reacted? Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio, has urged people to remain calm and avoid falling for rumours. Everybody should maintain peace. The administration is taking all necessary measures, he said, appealing for restraint amid the escalating tensions. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, who represents Nagpur in Parliament, also called for peace in a video message posted on X. He acknowledged that religious tensions had flared up due to certain rumours. I assure you all that the government will take action against those who have committed mistakes or engaged in illegal activities. The chief minister has already been informed about this situation, so I request everyone not to pay attention to rumours, Gadkari stated. Maharashtra Minority Commission Chairman Pyare Khan condemned the violence, calling it an unfortunate incident. He claimed that those responsible were not locals but outsiders who came to incite unrest. The people involved in this violence are not from Nagpur. Some anti-social elements came from outside and created unrest, he claimed. However, the opposition has strongly criticised the state government, questioning the collapse of law and order. Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Aditya Thackeray called it a failure of the state machinery in Fadnaviss own hometown. The law and order of the state has collapsed like never before. Nagpur, the home city of the CM and home minister, is facing this, he wrote on X. Congress leader Pawan Khera also weighed in, pointing out that Nagpur, a 300-year-old city, had never witnessed such communal violence before. Riot broke out in the Mahal area of Nagpur, the hometown of Maharashtra Chief Minister. In those 300 years of history, no riot has occurred in Nagpur. We should all ask why such a situation formed. BJP is in power in both the Centre and State. If VHP and Bajrang Dal organised a protest demanding the removal of the tomb of Aurangzeb, did the Government make no arrangements to maintain law and order? Khera questioned. With input from agencies Nasa astronaut Sunita Williams finally returned to Earth after her prolonged nine-month stay at the International Space Station. Her roots can be traced to the village of Jhulasan in Gujarats Mehsana, which is now celebrating her safe comeback with special prayers, yagnas and firecrackers. Williams father, Deepak Pandya, is of Indian origin, explaining her love for Indian food. She also carried a Ganesh idol with her during her mission read more Hindu priests and villagers attend a yagna during a special prayer meeting held for the safe return of U.S. astronaut Sunita Williams inside a Hindu Temple at her native village Jhulasan in the western Indian state of Gujarat, India August 18, 2024. Reuters Nasa astronauts Sunita Williams and her crewmate, Butch Wilmore, finally returned to Earth after their prolonged nine-month stay at the International Space Station (ISS). As the news of their safe splashdown reached India, a village in Gujarat erupted in celebration. Williams father is of Indian origin and her roots can be traced to Jhulasan in Mehsana district. From special prayers to aartis and yagnas, villagers rejoiced and burst firecrackers, welcoming her home. Lets take a closer look. Advertisement Sunita Williams link to Gujarat village Williams paternal village is Jhulasan village in the Mehsana district of Gujarat. She was born on September 19, 1965, in Euclid, Ohio, US, to Indian parents Deepak Pandya and Bonnie Pandya. Her father, a neuroscientist, moved to the United States in 1957 and married Slovene-American Ursuline Bonnie. According to the citizen engagement platform, the Government of Gujarat, the tiny village has a population of roughly 7,000 people who are proud that the astronaut is connected to their village. People celebrate after the splashdown of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and the safe return of U.S. astronaut Sunita Williams at her native village of Jhulasan in the western Indian state of Gujarat, India March 19, 2025. Reuters In fact, there is a small library in the village that is named after her fathers family home as well as her grandparents. Williams has reportedly made three trips to Jhulasan after successfully completing space missions: in 1972, 2007 and 2013, according to BBC. During one of her visits, she also donated funds to a school in her ancestral town, which still has a photo of her grandparents in its prayer hall. For many years, Williams has also served as an inspiration in India, particularly for young ladies who aspire to touch the stars. The celebration When India learnt of the safe splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico, Jhulasan erupted in lavish festivities. ANI shared visuals showing villagers celebrating, bursting firecrackers, lighting diyas, offering sweets, and singing bhajans in temples in gratitude. Their trust was finally rewarded when they kindled an Akhand Jyot (eternal flame) at the nearby temple of Goddess Dola Mata and prayed for her safe return for months. Advertisement Her cousin, Dinesh Rawal, had even organised a yagna in Ahmedabad seeking divine blessings for a smooth landing. Speaking about her return, he told CNN-News18, We are really very happy today. We prayed entire night for safe landing. Last nine months were not easy for us. We were really worried Sunita is very brave. Hindu priests and villagers attend a yagna during a special prayer meeting held for the safe return of U.S. astronaut Sunita Williams, inside a Hindu Temple at her native village of Jhulasan in the western Indian state of Gujarat, India March 19, 2025. Reuters According to Williams cousin, Navin Pandya, a grand procession will be held in her honour, accompanied by prayer chanting and fireworks to create a festive atmosphere similar to Diwali and Holi. The villagers are keen to invite her to the village in future. People react after the splashdown of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and the safe return of U.S. astronaut Sunita Williams at her native village of Jhulasan in the western Indian state of Gujarat, India March 19, 2025. Reuters We have organised a procession with Sunita Williams photograph and will perform a dhun (prayer chanting) at the temple. We had been offering prayers and lighting the Akhand Jyot for her safe return. This Jyot will be offered to Goddess Dola Mata on Wednesday after her return to Earth, said Pandya. Advertisement Also read: In Graphics | How does the human body change in space? Love for samosas Williams was the first astronaut to eat samosas on the ISS, according to NDTV. In an interview with the channel in 2016, she had said she planned to bring a statue of Lord Ganesh, whom she referred to as her good luck charm, on her next space mission. I love samosas. I had asked for some special things that reminded me of home, and one of those things was samosas. And so my family was somehow able to work with Nasa we get some care packages when we are up in space for a long time, and so they put the samosas in there, and it was a nice surprise, she said. Advertisement When asked what she planned to bring on her next journey, the astronaut replied that it would most likely be a Ganesh idol. She had previously taken the Bhagvad Gita into space. Something for my niece and nephew, who are both Indian. I will probably bring something for them, some Indian toys as well as probably another Ganesh, because Ganesh is my good luck charm Im more of a just a spiritual person. I just know hes there with me, guiding (me), she said. Also read: 4 days to go: How Nasa plans to bring back Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore Friendship with Kalpana Chawla Williams added that she had been close friends with Kalpana Chawla, another astronaut of Indian descent, since they first met when she joined Nasa. We did a lot of things together. Did a lot of nature walks, went bike riding quite a bit, just talked a lot. Shes just the type of person that you would automatically connect with. And probably our similar backgrounds, just having Indian parents, you know, lent itself to that, she said. Advertisement Speaking about concerns over Chawlas death when the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated before reentry into the Earths atmosphere in 2003, Williams said, I knew we would come to a conclusion and understand exactly what happened to Space Shuttle Columbia. And we would fix that problem. And moving on from there, I think all of the Columbia crew, all the members there, were all good friends of ours in the astronaut office. And I think what their dream, their vision, was just to continue and to explore. And, so, it worries us all. I think every time we or any of our friends from the office get on a rocket, its a big explosion essentially that youre sitting on. But those are calculated risks, she added. The homecoming The celebrations started following the Dragon spacecrafts successful splashdown, which brought Williams back along with Crew-9 members Butch Wilmore, Nick Hague, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. Following the landing, Hague delivered his first message that the crew was grinning ear to ear, according to CNN. At 5.57 pm (3.27 am IST), the SpaceX Crew Dragon spaceship sped through the atmosphere before releasing parachutes for a soft splashdown off the coast of Florida. As the gumdrop-shaped spacecraft, named Freedom, floated smoothly on the waves under a sunny sky, ground crews cheered. Freedom had been burned from enduring temperatures as high as 3,500 degrees Fahrenheit (2,000 degrees Celsius) during re-entry. Splashdown of Dragon confirmed welcome back to Earth, Nick, Suni, Butch, and Aleks! pic.twitter.com/M4RZ6UYsQ2 SpaceX (@SpaceX) March 18, 2025 Freedom was soon lifted aboard a larger recovery vessel. As teams unlocked the hatch, the astronauts were assisted onto mobility aids one by one while displaying thumbs-up gestures and waving. They will next start a 45-day rehabilitation course in Houston after being transported there by helicopter. Teams at Nasas Johnson Space Centre in Houston will focus on helping the astronauts re-acclimate to Earths gravity. PROMISE MADE, PROMISE KEPT, the White House posted on X, asserting a claim that US President Donald Trump accelerated the recovery timeline. PM Modis invitation to Williams In a letter to Williams, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished her well and a safe return. He added that her accomplishments were a source of pride for 1.4 billion Indians. In the letter dated March 1, PM Modi said, When I met President Trump or President Biden during my visits to the United States, I inquired about your well-being. 1.4 billion Indians have always taken great pride in your achievements. Recent developments have yet again showcased your inspirational fortitude and perseverance. Even though you are thousands of miles away, you continue to remain close to our hearts. The people of India are praying for your good health and success in your mission." As the whole world waits, with abated breath, for the safe return of Sunita Williams, this is how PM Sh @narendramodi expressed his concern for this daughter of India. Even though you are thousands of miles away, you remain close to our hearts, says PM Sh Narendra Modis pic.twitter.com/MpsEyxAOU9 Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) March 18, 2025 In the letter, Modi recalled his 2016 visit to the US, where he also met Williams late father, Deepak Pandya. Bonnie Pandya, Williams mother, must be keenly waiting for her return, according to the letter. After your return, we are looking forward to seeing you in India. It will be a pleasure for India to host one of its most illustrious daughters," he added. Falguni Pandya, Williams sister-in-law, confirmed to NDTV that they plan to visit India soon. We dont have exact dates, but shes definitely going to come to India soon. I hope this year. Earlier, speaking to News18, Pandya recounted her visit to India for the Kumbh Mela in February, where Williams was fascinated about the festival. She even sent a picture from space of the Kumbh Mela. When I shared my pictures of the Kumbh Mela with her, she sent me a picture from space. It was an iconic picture of the Kumbh Mela," she said. The prolonged stay Williams and Wilmore were on a Boeing Starliner spacecraft to test its maiden crewed voyage in June 2024 and went on space expedition for a little over a week. However, the space administration determined that their Boeing Starliner was unsuitable to transport the two astronauts back to Earth due to propulsion problems. Williams had been waiting for the replacement shuttle to return to Earth from the ISS ever since. There had been a lot of speculation around Williams and Wilmores extended space mission. But according to CNN, the astronauts have denied being stranded, abandoned, or stuck on numerous occasions. Thats been the narrative from day one: stranded, abandoned, stuck and I get it, we both get it, Wilmore told CNN in February. Help us change the narrative, lets change it to: prepared and committed despite what youve been hearing. Thats what we prefer. With inputs from agencies The glamorous beauty contest is at the centre of a political debate in Telangana. The opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader KT Rama Rao has accused the Revanth Reddy-led Congress government of splurging crores of public money on a beauty pageant while the state battles Rs 71,000-crore financial deficit read more The 72nd Miss World pageant is expected to be a dazzling affair in Telangana, bringing beauty queens from across the globe onto one stage. But instead, the glam contest is at the centre of a fierce political debate in the state. The ruling Congress government views the event as an opportunity to put Telangana on the global map, but the opposition, led by the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), isnt convinced. With the state already struggling with financial constraintsincluding difficulties in paying salaries and meeting essential expensescritics argue that splurging crores of public money on a beauty pageant is a waste. Advertisement So, whats at the heart of this controversy? And how has Congress defended its decision? Heres a closer look. BRS attacks Congress BRS Working President KT Rama Rao (KTR) has strongly criticised the Revanth Reddy-led Congress government for allocating Rs 200 crore to host the Miss World pageant, calling it an unjustifiable expense at a time when Telangana is facing financial woes. Pointing to delays in pension payments, government salaries, and welfare schemes, KTR took to social media to question the states financial priorities. He wrote on X, The Congress government wants us to believe all is well in Telangana. Apparently, according to theminvestments are pouring in, agriculture is thriving, welfare is at its peak, and the CM is working 18 hours a day. Then why did the CM suddenly admit yesterday that there is negative growth and a deficit of Rs 71,000 crore? Is Telangana rising or falling?" So Congress Govt wants us to believe that all is well in Telangana Apparently according to them - Investments are coming in thick & fast - Agricultural Sector is growing - Welfare is at its highest - CM is working 18 hours a day Then why did the CM turn approver all of a KTR (@KTRBRS) March 17, 2025 Accusing the government of hypocrisy, KTR drew a comparison between the Miss World event and the Formula E race, a global motorsport event planned under the previous BRS regime. The Congress government had scrapped the race, citing financial constraints. KTR raised this issue and wrote, If Formula E was deemed wasteful, how is spending four times that amount on a beauty contest justified? He went on to challenge Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to explain the perverse logic behind this decision. Advertisement Apparently spending 46 Crore for Formula - E race in Hyderabad was wrong & will attract cases being filed But spending 200 Crores of public money to conduct Miss World, a beauty contest is right !! What is this perverse logic? Can you please explain @RahulGandhi Ji ? https://t.co/Ss2A75vv8z KTR (@KTRBRS) March 11, 2025 The BRS has long been critical of the Congress governments financial handling, accusing it of squandering state funds on promises made during the 2023 election campaign. The opposition argues that instead of fulfilling commitments like farm loan waivers and welfare schemes, the government is prioritising events that do not directly benefit the people. On Tuesday, as the state budget was being presented in the Assembly, BRS lawmakers staged a protest, carrying dried crop samples to highlight what they called a Congress-made drought. Rejecting the Miss World event, they demanded the government provide Rs 25,000 per acre in compensation to struggling farmers, NDTV reported. Advertisement Congress hits back In response to the allegations, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has staunchly defended the decision to host the Miss World Pageant. He instead turned the blame towards his predecessor, K Chandrasekhar Rao, accusing him of bankrupting Telangana. Reddy accused the BRS of having left the incoming Congress government with a massive public debt that requires monthly interest payments of Rs 1.53 lakh crore. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has staunchly defended the decision to host the Miss World Pageant. He instead turned the blame towards his predecessor, K Chandrasekhar Rao, accusing him of bankrupting Telangana. File image If such a big amount had been saved, this government would have built houses for allfarm loans could have been waived for another 70 lakh people, he was quoted by ANI. Senior Congress leader Rohin Reddy also echoed similar sentiments. Financial crunches are the burden levied by the previous BRS government. Our Chief Minister has pursued this event to Hyderabad, and the world will be watching, He said, adding that, unlike the last government, the Congress leader went through the proper channels to bring this pageant to the state. Advertisement All about the 72nd Miss World pageant The Miss World pageant, one of the most prestigious international beauty contests, is set to take place in Hyderabad from May 7 to 31, 2025. The event is expected to attract contestants from over 120 countries, offering a platform to showcase Telanganas cultural heritage and tourism potential. On Tuesday, Miss World organisation and Telangana Tourism posted a picture of reigning Czech Miss World Krystyna Pyszkova draped in a bright pink silk saree at various locations inside the Yadagirigutta Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple premises. Visiting the Yadagiri Gutta temple brought me joy and peace of spirit. .. And this is just the beginning! I cant wait to see more of Telangana and its hidden gems! they wrote in the caption. Advertisement Nikita Porwal, who was crowned Femina Miss India World 2024, will represent India in the esteemed beauty pageant. With input from agencies Tesla, owned by Elon Musk, is becoming a target both in America and around the world. Musk, who was put in charge of the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) by US President Donald Trump, has called the attacks insane and wrong. But what happened? read more People protest outside of a Tesla store during in New York City. Reuters Since Donald Trump returned as US president, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has been a constant presence at his side. Now Musk, who heads up the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), and his Tesla brand are becoming a target. Showrooms of the Electric Vehicle manufacturer have been set ablaze and Cybertrucks vandalised. Musk is referring to these incidents as Tesla terrorism. But what do we know about the rise in violent attacks? Lets take a closer look: Advertisement What happened? Tesla is becoming a target both within the United States and abroad. Tesla showrooms, vehicle lots, charging stations and privately owned cars have all been targeted. As per Fortune, four Teslas were torched in Berlin last week. In Canada, Tesla was removed from an international auto show over safety concerns. There has been a clear uptick in Tesla attacks since President Donald Trump took office and empowered Musk to oversee a new Department of Government Efficiency that is slashing government spending. Experts on domestic extremism say its impossible to know yet if the spate of incidents will balloon into a long-term pattern. In Trumps first term, his properties in New York City, Washington and elsewhere became a natural place for protest. In the early days of his second term, Tesla is filling that role. Tesla is an easy target, said Randy Blazak, a sociologist who studies political violence. Theyre rolling down our streets. They have dealerships in our neighborhoods. Musk critics have organised dozens of peaceful demonstrations at Tesla dealerships and factories across North America and Europe. Some Tesla owners, including a US senator who feuded with Musk, have vowed to sell their vehicles. Advertisement But the attacks are keeping law enforcement busy. As per ABC News, two Teslas were set ablaze in Missouri recently. Prosecutors in Colorado charged a woman last month in connection with a string of attacks on Tesla dealerships, including Molotov cocktails thrown at vehicles and the words Nazi cars spray-painted on a building. And federal agents in South Carolina last week arrested a man they say set fire to Tesla charging stations near Charleston. An agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives wrote in an affidavit that authorities found writings critical of the government and DOGE in his bedroom and wallet. Advertisement The statement made mention of sending a message based on these beliefs, the agent wrote. A number of the most prominent incidents have been reported in left-leaning cities in the Pacific Northwest, like Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, where anti-Trump and anti-Musk sentiment runs high. An Oregon man is facing charges after allegedly throwing several Molotov cocktails at a Tesla store in Salem, then returning another day and shooting out windows. In the Portland suburb of Tigard, more than a dozen bullets were fired at a Tesla showroom last week, damaging vehicles and windows, the second time in a week that the store was targeted. Advertisement A number of Cybertrucks have been vandalised. Image Credit: Reuters Four Cybertrucks were set on fire in a Tesla lot in Seattle earlier this month. On Friday, witnesses reported a man poured gasoline on an unoccupied Tesla Model S and started a fire on a Seattle street. As per ABC News, three Teslas were vandalised in Massachusetts on March 11. According to CNN, seven Tesla charging stations outside of Boston were set ablaze. In New York, six protesters were taken into custody for occupying a showroom. In Las Vegas, several Tesla vehicles were set ablaze early Tuesday outside a Tesla service center where the word resist was also painted in red across the buildings front doors. Advertisement Authorities said at least one person threw Molotov cocktails crude bombs filled with gasoline or another flammable liquid and fired several rounds from a weapon into the vehicles. This was a targeted attack against a Tesla facility, Dori Koren, assistant sheriff for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, was quoted as saying by ABC News. Was this terrorism? Was it something else? It certainly has some of the hallmarks that we might think the writing on the wall, potential political agenda, an act of violence, Spencer Evans, the special agent in charge of the Las Vegas FBI office, said at a news conference. None of those factors are lost on us. Fall from grace Tesla was once the darling of the left. Helped to viability by a $465 million federal loan during the Obama administration, the company popularized electric vehicles and proved, despite their early reputation, that they didnt have to be small, stodgy, underpowered and limited in range. More recently, though, Musk has allied himself with the right. He bought the social network Twitter, renamed it X and erased restrictions that had infuriated conservatives. He spent an estimated $250 million to boost Trumps 2024 Republican campaign, becoming by far his biggest benefactor. Musk continues to run Tesla as well as X and the rocket manufacturer SpaceX while also serving as Trumps adviser. Tesla stock doubled in value in the weeks after Trumps election but has since shed all those gains. Trump gave a boost to the company when he turned the White House driveway into an electric vehicle showroom. The president promoted the vehicles and said he would purchase an $80,000 Model S, eschewing his fierce past criticism of electric vehicles. Tesla did not respond to a request for comment. Musk briefly addressed the vandalism Monday during an appearance on Senator Ted Cruzs podcast, saying at least some of it is organised and paid for by left-wing organizations in America, funded by left-wing billionaires, essentially. This level of violence is insane and deeply wrong, Musk wrote Tuesday on X, sharing a video of burning Teslas in Las Vegas. Tesla just makes electric cars and has done nothing to deserve these evil attacks. The progressive group Indivisible, which published a guide for supporters to organize Musk Or Us protests around the country, said in a statement that all of its guidance is publicly available and it explicitly encourages peaceful protest and condemns any acts of violence or vandalism. Some Tesla owners have resorted to cheeky bumper stickers to distance themselves from their vehicles new stigma and perhaps deter would-be vandals. They say things like I bought this before we knew Elon was crazy or I just wanted an electric car. Sorry guys. Prices for used Cybertrucks, Teslas most distinctive product, have dropped nearly eight per cent since Trump took office, according to CarGurus, which aggregates used car vehicle listings. The market as a whole remained steady over the period. The White House has thrown its weight behind Musk, the highest-profile member of Trumps administration and a key donor to committees promoting Trumps political interests. Trump has said Tesla vandalism amounts to domestic terror, and Trump has threatened retribution, warning that those who target the company are going to go through hell. US President Donald Trump has claimed attacks against the EV firm amount to domestic terrorism. File Image/Reuters Attorney General Pam Bondi was also quoted by ABC News as calling the attacks domestic terrorism. Bondi said shed opened an investigation to see how is this being funded, who is behind this. If youre going to touch a Tesla, go to a dealership, do anything, you better watch out because were coming after you, Bondi said Friday on Fox Business Network. In a statement Tuesday, she vowed to continue investigations that impose severe consequences, including for those operating behind the scenes to coordinate and fund these crimes. What do experts say? That Tesla is growing increasing unpopular particularly in Germany. The correlation with Musks behaviour cannot be overlooked, Shahar Silbershatz, head of the Danish market research firm Caliber, was quoted as telling Handelsblatt by Fortune. Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs told ABC News the developments are all be tied to [Musks] time at Doge. It has been a distraction for the company and its been a problem for the brand, Frerichs said. Colin Clarke, a senior research fellow at the Soufan Center, said left-wing political violence tends to target property rather than people. He views the rise of neo-Nazi groups as a bigger security threat at this point. Its not the type of act that I would prioritise, Clarke said. Not right now compared to all the other threats that are out there. Theresa Ramsdell is the president of the Tesla Owners of Washington state, a club for Tesla enthusiasts, and she and her husband own three of them. Hate on Elon and Trump all you want thats fine and dandy, its your choice, she said. It doesnt justify ruining somebodys property, vandalizing it, destroying it, setting it on fire. Theres other ways to get your voice heard thats more effective. Someone recently slapped a no Elon sticker on the tailgate of her Cybertruck, but she said she doesnt intend to stop driving her Teslas. Other club members have taken a similar view, she said. I love my car. Its the safest car, Ramsdell said. Im not going to let somebody else judge me for the car I drive. With inputs from agencies US astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Butch Wilmore are back on Earth after nine months in space. They will grow shorter now that they are back home. Heres why read more Nasa astronaut Sunita Williams is helped out of a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft onboard the SpaceX recovery ship MEGAN after she, NASA astronaut Nick Hague, and Butch Wilmore, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov landed in the water off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida, March 18, 2025. Reuters After being stuck in space for nine months, Nasa astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Butch Wilmore returned to Earth on Tuesday (March 18) in a SpaceX capsule. The Crew Dragon spacecraft had a splashdown off Floridas coast, hours after it departed from the International Space Station (ISS). Now that they are back on Earth, the duo will have to readjust to life with gravity. This means that the changes their bodies had experienced in space will reverse. Williams, Wilmore and the other two astronauts who returned in the SpaceX capsule will also grow shorter. Advertisement Heres why. Changes in astronauts bodies in space From their DNA to vision, astronauts bodies change in a significant way during space travel. Microgravity is responsible for many of the changes that astronauts experience in space. Without Earths gravity, they start to lose bone density and their muscles begin to diminish. A stay in space could also affect their weight, immune and cardiovascular systems, vision and DNA. Studies show that astronauts could also lose motor control, coordination and balance in space, which puts them at a higher risk of injury. Astronauts also become taller in space, developing a space height. Bodily fluids shift during their stay in space, which could give them chicken legs and a puffy head. Most of these changes reverse shortly after the astronauts return to Earth. There is some individual variability on how quickly they recover, but it is pretty impressive to see how they will turn the corner and really adapt quickly, Dr Joe Dervay, one of Nasas flight surgeons, told CNN. Oftentimes, if you look at them a couple days later, you really have no idea what theyve just done for the last several months. Why astronauts get taller in space Astronauts height in space can increase up to 3 per cent while living in microgravity, according to Nasa. For example, astronaut Kate Rubins went from 56 to a space height of 57. This happens as a persons spine straightens when not exposed to the pull of Earths gravity, making them taller. Williams has previously spoken about space height. In an old interview, the Nasa astronaut discussed the changes in the human body during space travel. Calluses on your feet disappear because you dont walk, and fingernails and hair grow faster. Without gravity, some wrinkles on your face might go away due to a couple of reasons, one because there is a fluid shift. Your spine also expands because theres no pressure on the cartilage between your vertebrae, making you slightly taller in space," she explained. Advertisement This image taken from video provided by SpaceX shows Nasas Suni Williams being helped after exiting the SpaceX capsule, March 18, 2025. SpaceX via AP As per Nasa, astronauts get taller in space because of changes in the spinal column, which affects body measurements such as sitting height, eye height, standing height, how space suits fit, and much more. The slight increase in height makes astronauts vulnerable to back pain in space and slipped disks after their return to Earth. Is space height permanent? No. Like most other changes in astronauts bodies in space, the increase in height also reverses when they are back on Earth. Astronauts growing tall in space is short-term as their heights return to normal in a few months after their return to Earth, as per Space.com. Williams and Wilmores bodies will also recover now that they have returned to Earth. They will be staying at Johnson Space Center in Houston for the coming days before the flight surgeons give them the go-ahead to return home. Advertisement Almost every organ system in the body is impacted to some degree whether its the skin, the neurovestibular, the bone, muscle, the immunological system, the cardiovascular system so we have programs that our Human Health and Performance team focuses on to try and make sure that were covering all those areas, Nasas Dervay told CNN. With inputs from agencies At Raisina Dialogue 2025, Vikram Misri highlights Indias confidence in Viksit Bharat and the pressing need for multilateral reforms read more Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue 2025 in New Delhi on Wednesday, during the session titled The Big Picture: The World in 50 Minutes, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stressed the urgency of UN reforms, warning that 2025 is a make-or-break moment for multilateralism. Reforming global governance: A critical tear for the UN Misri addressed the pressing issue of global governance, particularly in the context of the United Nations, which marks its 80th anniversary in 2025. He underlined the urgency of addressing the crisis of multilateralism, warning that if substantial reforms do not begin this year, they may be indefinitely delayed. Advertisement One of the crises that filters through a lot of other areas into the world is the crisis of multilateralism, both global governance in the economic sphere and all other spheres. And therefore, I would feel that if with everything thats going on this year, the challenge is to trade, to multilateral finance and governance, I would like to think that if the worm doesnt turn in 2025 with regard to the crisis in multilateralism, then I dont know what else will turn it, he said. Misri stressed that India remains committed to advocating for a more equitable global order and will continue working towards meaningful reforms at the United Nations. Indias journey to 2047: Confidence in Viksit Bharat When asked about Indias progress towards becoming a developed country by 2047, Misri expressed confidence in the Viksit Bharat initiative, emphasising its potential global impact. I believe that Indias growth and development journey through Viksit Bharat, aiming for a developed India by 2047, is bound to have a systemic impact on global metrics due to the sheer scale at which things unfold in the country. And Im convinced that in a net sense that will be a positive impact, Misri said. He highlighted the strategic planning behind the initiative, noting its extensive reach across multiple sectors, including commerce, finance, technology, health, education, foreign policy and security. The scale is awesome. The manner in which it is being pursued is particularly striking across multiple agencies at multiple levels. The attention that it receives at the highest level of government combined with the attention to granular detail, these are I would say pretty unprecedented, he added. Advertisement Acknowledging external factors influencing Indias journey, Misri pointed out that challenges such as global conflicts, technological competition and climate issues remain pressing concerns. All strategy has to survive first contact with reality. And if I look from my perspective, I mean, obviously, there will be developments in the domestic sphere, but since I look more, spend most of my day looking at the international plate, what I see is that the trends that were already underway in 2023 have not gone away. In certain senses, they have sharpened. However, he maintained that Indias leadership, strategic vision and international partnerships would help the nation overcome these hurdles. We are by no means freeloaders on the international system. I would be the first to confess that we dont have the deepest pockets, but we do bring a lot of creativity and innovation to the table when it comes to development partnerships, especially with countries in our neighbuorhood and countries of the Global South, the India foreign secretary said. Advertisement Global relations: The toughest challenge In a thought-provoking moment, Misri was asked to evaluate the most difficult geopolitical relationships among the US-Russia, US-China, and US-EU dynamics. The foreign secretary, deftly avoiding a multiple-choice-style answer, provided a nuanced perspective. Youre really naming a lot of countries, arent you? You know, I answered multiple-choice questions 37 years ago, but I did that because that was a condition precedent to getting this job. Since then, all the time that I have been in the diplomatic service, Ive learned not to answer multiple-choice questions, Misri remarked, drawing laughter from the audience. On a more serious note, he stressed the importance of the Russia-Europe dynamic, stating that it might hold the key to resolving several global issues. I think among the other characters, there are equally important dyads that need attention. And I would, in particular, say that the Russia-Europe dyad is one that should get a lot of attention and focus because that, in a sense, may hold the keys to the resolution of a lot of other issues. Keep in mind the fact that this is also one of the dyads among all of these where you have a case of two countries that are terrestrial neighbours but also have a lot of stress in their relationship, Misri said. Advertisement Misri highlighted Indias confidence in its developmental trajectory while acknowledging the complexities of international diplomacy. As India advances toward 2047, its engagement in global governance and strategic partnerships will be crucial in shaping not only its own future but also that of the world. India can bet on the US in Asia. Europe will always remain an also-ran despite its progressive credentials. When it comes to regional bullies, its the hammer that counts read more US President Donald Trump has said that he would absolutely consider withdrawing the United States from NATO if member nations do not meet their financial obligations. File image/AFP The most powerful security grouping in the world is struggling. Recently, the Secretary General Mark Rutte said that membership for Ukraine in the North Atlantic Treaty (NATO) is off the table, a position that is completely opposite to what the Europeans have been willing to state so far. That was after a meeting with US President Donald Trump, who has long been insisting that it was the threatened expansion of NATO to Russias very borders that started the debilitating war. Advertisement Be that as it may, the point is that it is not just about Ukraine. The rest of NATO is getting its collective arms twisted in more ways than one, jeopardising the Trans-Atlantic amity that underpins it. This churning has implications for everyone, including India, for whom it means that a bulwark against unpleasant folks in the neighbourhood may have been eroded. The Ukraine war is to end The general caving in to the US steamroller was most apparent in the recent presser between the NATO chief and Trump, which had the former in a more than conciliatory mode, praising the US president for all his actions even in the last term, as well as his wisdom in pushing for an end to the Ukraine war. Thats quite a turnaround, since cries of backing Ukraines sovereignty and punishing Russia have been the dominant tone of dialogue in European circles. But it seems there is a quiet shift in thinking. The recent London Conference, while strong on emotions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy being feted and praised, was short on actuals, with the final statement stressing the need for US involvement for security guarantees. In other words, Europe has rather belatedly realised that fighting a nuclear power needs a nuclear guarantee of sufficient proportions. Frances 290-odd nuclear weapons are hardly any replacement to that of the US, with more than 5,000, which is about the size of the Russian arsenal. Besides, at no time has Paris agreed to provide a guarantee to Europe. The UK has even less, besides being tied by the leg to the US, after a 1958 agreement whereby the US designs, manufactures and maintains its arsenal. So thats pretty much that where Ukraine is concerned, and its hardly likely to get all its territory back. Thats not something anyone is even considering for an eventual peace. Advertisement Its all about the money The presser also had the NATO chief adding that Europe has now allocated $800 billion in extra defence spending, just days after Trump was heard talking of calibrating US involvement in NATO and not defending those who paid less than the 2 per cent mandated by the organisation. That set the proverbial cat among the pigeons. Germany announced a $536 billion spending bill that required a constitutional change to increase defence and infrastructure spending. The UK is set to increase to 2.5 per cent of GDP as well as a fiscal stimulus for the defence sector. Frances President Emmanuel Macron is pressing for an increase from 2.1 to 3 per cent of GDP as well, despite a large fiscal deficit. Advertisement Denmark has opted for an acceleration fund for defence, as have Belgium and much of East Europe. In short, Trump has been able to settle the decades-long arguments on European spending on defence. After all, this pressure began from the time of George W Bush who repeatedly expressed his frustration at Europes reluctance to step up but without much effect. Now it seems another win for the ebullient US president. The Greenland project All that is, however, tame in light of what Trump now wants NATO to do. During that same presser, he said that NATO may have to be part of his push to annex Greenland for the sake of international security in the Arctic. The NATO chief countered courageously that he didnt see a role for the organisation but concurred on the dangers and the need for more icebreaker ships. Advertisement Trump replied that the US was ordering 48, none of which would be available to Canada, a NATO member, unless Toronto paid for it. He also completely discounted Denmark, whose territory Greenland happens to be, as too far away to be of any consequence. While he counted up Russian ships operating in the Arctic, not a word was said about China, which has ramped up icebreaker production and is now importing oil via the Arctic route. Meanwhile polar ice is melting at record rates, a fact that Europes strong environmental policies recognise as a disaster, but Trump simply shrugs away. The US President intends to drill for minerals and station more troops in one of the most environmentally sensitive areas of the planet, and there seems little anyone can do about it. Europe could, perhaps. Advertisement That NATOs European members would assist Trump in wrenching away a territory that belongs to one of its own, is unimaginable. While Washington could transition Greenland towards merger, the point is that the strain on the Alliance is severe. A weakened NATO is not good for India in a neighbourhood where some have expansionist ambitions. Any rift is likely to encourage more tentative probing. But heres the basic fact. While Europe will look to India for defence sales and greater cooperation, China remains Europes third-largest trading partner, even as it struggles with the loss of Russian resources and rising public debt. Increased defence spending is not going to help. The US is certainly Chinas top trading partner, and Trump calls the Chinese president his friend. But no US administration will allow the Chinese to surge ahead. Thats set in concrete. Between the two, India can bet on the US in Asia. Europe will always remain an also-ran despite its progressive credentials. When it comes to regional bullies, its the hammer that counts. And no one can say Trump doesnt wield a heavy one. The writer is a Distinguished Fellow at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, New Delhi. She tweets @kartha_tara. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. The allegations levelled against Reuters and Raphael Satter paint a troubling picture of modern journalism, where accusations of bias, ethical misconduct, and disregard for legal standards threaten to erode public trust read more In any democracy, the media and press are the fourth estate and pillar of strength. Social media has complicated this task. They are the bridge, listening and articulating posts between the people, parliament and the executive. But they have to be true to their critical role in nation building and not undermine the country due to sheer ideological or pecuniary compulsions, lest they lose their credibility. Unfortunately, that is turning out to be true in many cases across the world where the power of media is being capitalised for regime change agendas as part of the gray-zone warfare. India is not immune from such onslaughts; rather, it has become a major target ever since it has begun to exercise an independent foreign policy driven by strategic autonomy and national interest. Advertisement I thought of commenting on this particular case because it also involves the revocation of the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card of the journalist concerned since I was associated with the launch of the Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card that was changed subsequently into the OCI card to acknowledge and facilitate the emotional connection of the Indian diaspora and provide them easy access and facilities nearly like those available to Indian citizens. However, some have abused this privilege. It is a kind of lifelong visa, and one should remember that a visa is not a matter of right it is at the discretion of the issuing state. US leadership has also made it amply clear through the recent statements and revocation of visas and residencies of scores of foreigners, including Indians. A growing controversy recently emerged surrounding Reuters and its journalist Raphael Satter, with critics accusing them of engaging in biased and propagandistic reporting against India. At the heart of the debate is Reuters portrayal of Appin, a now-defunct Indian cybersecurity firm, as a hacking-for-hire operationa depiction that has drawn sharp criticism for relying on outdated information and lacking solid evidence. These allegations have sparked a broader discussion about the integrity of journalism, especially when funded by entities like the US Agency for International Development (USAID), which have been exposed threadbare by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for social deception, and the actions of Satter themselves face accusations of ethical breaches and anti-India bias. Biases are personal and prejudicial, but when against a country in an organised manner, they need to be called out, as they impinge on the very sovereignty of the nation, and Satter is no exception to this rule. Advertisement Accusations against Reuters and Raphael Satter Reuters coverage of Appin has become a focal point of contention. Critics argue that labelling the firm a hacking-for-hire entity is an oversimplification that rests on stale data and fails to provide concrete proof. Many see this as part of a deliberate effort to damage Indias international reputation. The involvement of USAID, which provides funding to Reuters, has intensified these concerns, with some suggesting that the reporting aligns suspiciously with geopolitical interests aimed at undermining India. Raphael Satter, a Reuters journalist, has been singled out for particular scrutiny. He is accused of harbouring an anti-India bias. An Indian court had issued orders to stay his past article. In a recent piece for The Guardian, Satter claimed his visits to India were solely for family reasonsa statement critics dispute, pointing to a defamation case filed against him as evidence of ulterior motives. Advertisement Further complicating matters, Satter allegedly conducted journalistic work in India using an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card without the necessary approvals, raising legal and ethical questions about his activities, which are ultra vires unless a proper permission has been granted by the concerned authorities. Critique of Satters Guardian Article and Conduct Satters article in The Guardian has drawn fierce criticism for what many perceive as a contradictory stance: he is professing respect and affection for India while simultaneously demeaning it. Readers and analysts have described the piece as dripping with bias, arrogance, and a mercenary approach to journalism, lacking both objectivity and sensitivity toward India and its people. The tone, often characterised as condescending and patronising, has only deepened the backlash. Advertisement Beyond his writing, Satters actions have come under fire for allegedly flouting Indian laws. He is accused of violating the privacy policies of a job website, blackmailing citizens for information, and breaching media ethics by offering jobs to sources. Critics also claim he conducted investigations in India without registering as a journalista serious legal violation. Additionally, reports of Satter inviting a former female employee to Goa and texting her late at night have raised further concerns about his professionalism and ethical boundaries. Support from Other Media Outlets The controversy has not gone unnoticed by other media voices. John Rossomondo, alongside, in the past, Daily Express, EU Reporter, Indian News Media and many others, have all weighed in, accusing Satter and USAID-funded Reuters of orchestrating a hit job on India. Advertisement They describe the reporting as social deception journalism, driven by geopolitical propaganda and personal vendettas, rather than a pursuit of truth. This chorus of criticism ipso facto underscores the growing unease about Reuters credibility in this context. Conclusion The allegations levelled against Reuters and Raphael Satter paint a troubling picture of modern journalism, where accusations of bias, ethical misconduct, and disregard for legal standards threaten to erode public trust. From the questionable portrayal of Appin to Satters alleged breaches of Indian law and professional norms, the controversy raises critical questions about accountability in the media. As voices from across the globe join the critique, the need for transparency, fairness, and respect in reportingparticularly on sensitive international mattershas never been more apparent. The author is the former Indian Ambassador to Jordan, Libya and Malta and is currently a Distinguished Fellow with Vivekananda International Foundation. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. The US Director of National Intelligence at the ongoing Raisina Dialogue emphasised shared values and interests that could harmonise foreign policies, which initially seem overly self-focused read more Trump is rubbing all world leaders the wrong way. His bromance with Modi, however, seems a glaring exception. There were signs aplenty of this mutual affection. Trumps newly appointed Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who was on a two-day visit to India, confirmed it further before taking a return flight to Washington on Tuesday. Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue where she delivered an address and had a one-on-one with ORF president Samir Saran, Gabbard, to a question, replied, what we saw with PM Modis early visit to Washington was a reconnection of two old friends, referring to the prime ministers visit to Washington soon after Trumps inauguration on January 20. Advertisement It was a significant visit in more ways than one, with Trump playing host to Modi before any European leader. Conducted under the cloud of Trumps tariff threats, it signalled the herald of a more transparent relationship where immediate concerns, such as trade imbalance, would get as much play as long-term interests but the dynamic between the two dimensions will depend on the personal equation between the two leaders. Gabbard Tuesday reinforced what Modi had hinted at during his podcast with Lex Fridman, that both leaders remained connected even when the US president was facing four years of political wilderness. She clarified that even when Trump was not in office, he and PM Modi continued to build upon that friendship. She added, Obviously, thats a personal friendship but its one that is indicative of their approach to leadership and their priorities of listening to the needs of their respective people and setting policy, and taking action towards serving their best interests. This is important because both Modi and Trump has similarities in the way they conduct diplomacy, placing a premium on personal bond, camaraderie and connection. Recall that Modi during the podcast had talked warmly about the way Trump had taken an impromptu lap around the stadium at his request during the Howdy Modi event in Houston, Texas, in 2019, and reiterated the mutual trust and strong bond that he shares with Trump. It triggered an interesting chain of developments. The episode by American podcaster Fridman, that went viral among a global audience, was shared by the US president on his Truth Social platform, following which Modi made his debut on the Trump-owned site and quickly gained a huge following. The dynamic between the two world leaders may solve what appears to be an intractable problem. How do you reconcile America First with India First? Gabbard weighed in with the answer. Advertisement Just as President Trump is committed to America first, putting the safety, security and freedom of the American people at the forefront of his policies and his decisions, Prime Minister Modi is committed to India first This is the expectation of any leaders commitment to their people, to serve them, to put their interests at the forefront of their decisions. But this should not be misunderstood to mean that America First is America alone. She invoked the shared values and interests that would be instrumental in synergising the foreign policies that on the surface appear hyper-focused on self-interest. It is our shared values that will continue to shape the future of our partnerships, and while we represent our own sovereign nations with unique perspectives and unique by working together, honestly, transparently and strategically, we can ensure a more peaceful, free, prosperous future for our people worldwide, she said. Advertisement Worth noting that Modi had expressed a similar sentiment when confronted with the question. Even after being shot, he (Trump) remained unwaveringly dedicated to America. His life was for his nation. His reflection showed his America First spirit, just as I believe in nation first. I stand for India first and thats why we connect so well. By all indications, the Trump 2.0 administration doesnt appear to be the giant ogre to India as the world makes it out to be. Gabbard, the US Director of National Intelligence, met the spy chiefs of major nations in New Delhi in a meeting chaired by Indias National Security Advisor. And later had a one-on-one with Doval. She also met the prime minister and Indias defence minister, Rajnath Singh, and said of her interactions that Its been a constructive few days where Ive been engaging with our Indian counterparts, working to continue to build off of the momentum that was created by President Trump and PM Modis joint statement issued in Washington, DC after their Oval Office meeting. Advertisement The partnership between our two countries has been strong for decades, and under the Leadership of great leaders and true great friends. Her emphasis on true great friends wont be missed in India. The writer is Deputy Executive Editor, Firstpost. He tweets as @sreemoytalukdar. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Nicolai Ruge, the Special Representative for Maritime Security in Denmarks foreign ministry said that while countries like Denmark and Sweden and their other colleagues from the European Union are trying to keep the Arctic a low-tension area, the region is changing read more The Arctics regions character is changing. With a subzero climate and its remote location, the Arctic has stayed isolated for long. But countries like Russia and China have already set their eyes on the region in an effort to tap its vast natural resources. Speaking at Firstposts IdeasPod as part of the annual Raisina Dialogue organised by ORF in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Nicolai Ruge, the Special Representative for Maritime Security in Denmarks foreign ministry said, There are plenty of natural resources in the high north, but theyre also very difficult, complicated and risky to exploit. But that doesnt mean that that interest in the high north will evade and will go away. We are seeing an increased interest from China. Advertisement China has been increasingly active in the Arctic region, pursuing a multifaceted strategy that include economic, scientific, and strategic interests. Arctic is changing Ruge said that while countries like Denmark and Sweden and their other colleagues from the European Union are trying to keep the Arctic a low-tension area, the region is changing. Just that historically the Arctic used to be a low-tension area. We are definitely trying to keep it that way. But being realistic, it is changing. I mean, we do see a military buildup by Russia and the region and we have to respond as well, he said, adding that Moscow is also trying to limit the freedom of navigation for its interests in the region. Unclos will stand In anticipation of threats by belligerent countries that might harm the security of maritime theatres, the UN established a Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) that sets out a legal framework for the use of the worlds oceans and seas. When asked whether Unclos will be able to deter the threats from Russia and China, the Danish ambassador said, I think in terms of Unclos will stand. There are so many global interests in what Uncloss stands for and I think it will stand because we all benefit from global trade and the majority of global trade is transported on the high seas. The US presidency of G20 in 2026 risks derailing the progress made during previous presidencies of developing nations in areas like climate change and sustainable development read more Keiti da Rocha Gomes, Director at Instituto de Pesquisa Economica Aplicada (IPEA), Brazil (centre) and Victoria Panova, Scientific Supervisor of the BRICS Expert Council and Managing Director of the National Committee of BRICS Research, Russia (left) speak at Firstposts IdeasPod The Donald Trump administration of US will assume the presidency of Group of 20 (G20) bloc in 2026, and experts are concerned about its repercussions for key issues of global importance, including climate change and sustainability. Trump, who championed the slogan of drill, baby, drill, risks derailing the progress made during previous presidencies of developing nations like Indonesia, India, Brazil and now South Africa. For instance, sustainable development and climate action were one of the key priorities during G20 presidency of Brazil in 2024. Not just that, the Brazilian government, along with the United Nations, also launched a joint initiative to combat climate mis and disinformation. Advertisement When asked about challenges that the US presidency could bring for the progress on climate front, Keiti da Rocha Gomes, Director at Instituto de Pesquisa Economica Aplicada (IPEA), Brazil, warned that the world should expect setbacks in the coming year. While speaking at Firstposts IdeasPod as part of the annual Raisina Dialogue organised by Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Keiti warned that the US administration wont prioritise the issues put on the table by past presidencies. I think that you probably are going to see reduction in emphasis on the importance of agenda like climate change, sustainability, and also inequalities, she said. But she hoped that this approach adopted by the US wont stay for long, and countries would come together eventually to find solutions to these global problems. Meanwhile, Victoria Panova, Scientific Supervisor of the BRICS Expert Council and Managing Director of the National Committee of BRICS Research, Russia, hailed the previous G20 presidencies for helping the bloc brave the most difficult of times, including the pandemic in 2020 under Saudi Arabia, and then the Russia-Ukraine war and the crisis in Gaza. Advertisement Taking an optimistic line, Victoria hoped the US would take into account concerns of the developing world because it realises that no global problem cant be solved without their contribution and participation. She recalled how, despite differences, top economies of the world came together after the 2008 financial crisis to provide for a platform to discuss and resolve all problems. At that point, the developed economies realised that nations that matter, like India, China, Brazil, South Africa, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, need to be taken on board to find solutions. United States were the first to host it (G20), were coming back to the initiator once again, she said. Advertisement Top navy officials from India, Japan, US, Australia and the Philippines were asked whether they could continue to rely on President Trumps administration for security cooperation. Here is how they responded read more Top navy officials from key Indo-Pacific nations speak at Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi With the rise of a strictly transactional administration in the US, experts and observers have begun doubting Washingtons commitment to security alliances throughout the world, including in the Indo-Pacific region. For instance, US President Donald Trump earlier this month criticised the terms of US-Japan security alliance. We have an interesting deal with Japan, that we have to protect them, but they dont have to protect us Who makes these deals? Trump questioned. On Wednesday (March 19), top navy officials from India, Japan, US, Australia and the Philippines were asked whether they could continue to rely on President Trumps administration for security cooperation during a session at the Raisina Dialogue event in New Delhi. Advertisement Responding to the question, General Romeo S. Brawner, Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines, asserted that he is confident that the US was with the Philippines. He added that they have received lots of good signals from the staff of President Trump regarding cooperation. While there is a reduction in the (American) support to Europe, we are foreseeing an increase in the support to the Indo-Pacific region, General Brawner added. Meanwhile, General Yoshihide Yoshida, Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff, Japan, stressed the significance of the US-Japan security alliance, saying it was very much reciprocal. The US has an obligation to defend Japan, and Japan has an obligation to provide the US with bases, he said, addressing Trumps doubt over what he suggested were unfair terms. He suggested that the alliance didnt face any threat because it fulfilled the interests of both nations. The focus of the security strategy is overlapped to focus on how to deter (challenges) in the Indo-Pacific, he added. The official said that Japan enhances the deterrence and response capabilities of the US in the region. Advertisement Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander, US Indo-Pacific Command, United States of America, addressed the question by reiterating statements by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reflecting the USAs commitment to building a stronger military, reform defence acquisition system and to security alliances in the Indo-Pacific. Admiral Paparo also underscored the significance of the January 21 meeting of the Japan-Australia-India-US (Quad) foreign ministers, held just a day after President Trumps inauguration ceremony. During the summit, the four ministers concurred on promoting cooperation to strengthen regional maritime, economic, and technology security. He added that across every single front, the audio and video has matched regarding USAs commitment to security alliance, in reference to Americas words and actions. Advertisement Experts emphasised the urgent need to address the funding gap for climate adaptation and resilience, particularly in vulnerable regions. They also expressed optimism about the potential for innovative financing mechanisms and collective action to address the climate resilience gap, urging governments, investors and people to prioritise adaptation as a critical component of climate action. read more The Raisina Dialogue 2025 brought together global experts to discuss financing climate resilience, a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of climate action. While mitigation efforts continue to receive the lions share of climate fundingover 80%adaptation and resilience remain underfunded despite their profound socio-economic and cultural implications. Speaking at Firstposts IdeasPod as part of the annual Raisina Dialogue organised by Observers Research Foundation (ORF) in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Pepuke Bartowi, director of the Bridgetown initiative and special adviser on climate resilience to the Prime Ministers office of Barbados, highlighted Barbados ground-breaking debt-for-climate swap. Advertisement The initiative, among the first of its kind, has helped the country restructure $300 million in debt, saving $130 million over a decade. These funds are being reinvested into critical projects such as a sanitation and agricultural water treatment plant, addressing key climate adaptation needs for the water-scarce island nation. Bartowi emphasised the necessity of strong project pipelines, trusted financial partnerships, and technical expertise to successfully implement such mechanisms. She underscored the importance of scaling up financial guarantees beyond multilateral development banks, calling on bilateral donors to step in with contingent guarantees that could help mobilise domestic capital markets and attract private investment. She advocated for a collective approach, wherein countries facing similar climate challengessuch as coastal erosion, water scarcity, and soil degradationcould work together to develop and fund adaptation projects. Dr. Nilanjan Ghosh, Vice President of Development Studies at ORF India, echoed these concerns, pointing out the stark imbalance in climate finance allocation. He noted that investors prioritize mitigation projects due to their clear return on investment (ROI), whereas adaptation projects often lack direct economic returns and are perceived as public goods. Advertisement However, Ghosh cited the Global Commission on Adaptations 2019 findings, which estimated that every dollar spent on adaptation yields a $4 return over a decadea figure he suggested might be even higher. Ghosh called for a paradigm shift in financial mechanisms, advocating for the recognition of social rates of return rather than just economic returns. He suggested expanding market frameworks beyond carbon trading to include ecosystem services such as storm surge protection, fisheries support, and mangrove regeneration. By doing so, he argued, adaptation projects could become more financially viable, attracting greater investment. The session highlighted the urgent need for policy innovation, financial incentives and institutional mechanisms to bridge the funding gap in climate resilience. Advertisement Experts stressed the importance of blended finance models, robust governance structures and capacity-building efforts to ensure that adaptation receives the attention and investment it deserves. While speaking to Firstpost on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue 2025, Former President of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed said his countrys safety, security and prosperity depend on good relations with India read more Former President of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed said his countrys safety, security and prosperity depend on good relations with India. In an exclusive conversation with Firstpost, Nasheed said the island region cannot afford to have bad ties with India. Nasheed spoke on the sidelines of the 2025 Raisina Dialogue, organised by ORF. When asked about his take on India-Maldives relations and how it survived a turbulent phase when the countrys President Mohamed Muizzu first came to power, Nasheed kept an optimistic stance. Well, the Maldives safety, security and prosperity depend on good relations with India and we could never have bad, afford to have bad relations with India, he explained. Sooner or later, everyone, any new leader understands this and then turns it around. The anti-India sentiment is not a general sentiment in the Maldives, he added. Advertisement Nasheed maintained that he was elected as Maldives president because he is pro-India. I got elected, I know our people, it is not a common sentiment in the Maldives, he added. The China question During the initial stage of his presidency, Muizzu maintained a pro-China stance, which briefly soured the island nations ties with India. Nasheed maintained that while China is enlarging its footprints around the world, the burden of debt cannot be ignored. Well, China has recently been enlarging its footprints all over the world and it is doing the same in the Maldives as well. They have done some infrastructure projects and these projects have landed us in a lot of debt, he said. So, we are now heavily in debt distress and we must be very mindful about our finances, the former Maldivian president furthered. When asked if Muizzus stance is accepted in the country or not, Nasheed said: Well, no one likes debt, so it would be difficult to justify that and so that justification didnt come and wasnt done. You make the environment your products Nasheed was part of the panel discussion titled Destiny or Destination: Culture, Connectivity and Tourism. Other than Nasheed, the panel comprised James Lawless, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Ireland; Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, United Arab Emirates and Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa, India. During the discussion, Nasheed threw light on how Maldives made a living out of tourism. We started tourism in the 70s, we made a living out of it. On the back of tourism, we have become a middle-income country, Nasheed said on the panel discussion which took place on the third day of the Raisina Dialogue. The former Maldivian President recalled that during the COVID-19 pandemic, many come to Maldives to work remotely. We developed infrastructure to make Maldives their second home, he said. Nasheed emphasised that tourism in the country has been very conscious of the environment. You dont destroy your environment, you make it your product, he concluded. Advertisement The ongoing Israel-Hamas war took the spotlight at the panel discussion, titled Beyond the Crises: Prospects for Peace and Progress in the Middle East, which was held on the third day of 2025 Raisina Dialogue read more Raisina Dialogue 2025 Day 3: Beyond the Crises: Prospects for Peace and Progress in the Middle East. Image: Source: Firstpost The October 7 attacks by Palestinian armed group Hamas on Israel in 2023 is viewed as a watershed in the long-standing West Asia crisis over the status of Palestine. But many ask, did the conflict actually start with October 7 attacks that killed over 1,100 people? Is Israel chasing a realistic goal of finishing Hamas? What is not being addressed is the real cause behind the whole thing. The conflict did not start from October 7. The thing started 70 years ago with the occupation of Palestine, said Abla Abdel-Latif, the executive director and director of research at the Egyptian Centre for Economic Studies, on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue, the forum for annual discussion on burning geopolitical and geo-economic issues. Advertisement Latif was in New Delhi to participate in the event hosted by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Responding to the resumption of military strikes by Israel on Gaza, she said West Asia is in the middle of the crisis now that Israel has ended the brief ceasefire. Latif told Firstpost that it is not a realistic goal to completely get rid of Hamas. This will only prolong the war. A two-state solution is the ultimate way of reaching any sort of reconciliation, she said. Latif argued that political reconciliation needs to come first before anything else. She mentioned political resolution in the conflict should be based on three principles 1) Palestinians have the right to the land, 2) push for a two-state solution, and 3) theres is no such thing as overtaking Gaza. She mentioned that the ongoing conflict is being looked at Israel and Hamas are two equal sides, which is not the case. While speaking to Firstpost after the panel discussion, titled Beyond the Crises: Prospects for Peace and Progress in the Middle East, Latif insisted that the region should pay more attention to the recovery and reconstruction of Gaza plan proposed by Egypt. The ongoing Israel-Hamas war and hopes for a ceasefire in Gaza were the key talking points at the panel discussion, held on the third day of Raisina Dialogue 2025. The discussion revolved around the stark contrast between the regions potential for economic transformation and persistent conflicts between its key actors. The panel comprised: General David Petraeus, Partner, KKR & Chairman, KKR Global Institute, United States of America; Eden Bar Tal, Director General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Israel; Abla Abdel-Latif, Executive Director and Director of Research, Egyptian Centre for Economic Studies, Egypt; Rainer Rudolph, Vice-Chairman, Munich Security Conference, Germany; Oana Popescu Zamfir, Director, GlobalFocus Center, Romania. Advertisement The experts overseeing the topic spoke about Israels strategy in the war, the human cost and the economic implications of a wider West Asia crisis, the role of the European Union in conflict resolution and the change in the US strategy after January 20 when US President Donald Trump came back to the White House. Israels strategy in the war While speaking on Israels military strategy in West Asia, General Petraeus admitted that October 7 was a major military and intelligence failure for Israel. However, he hailed Israels dynamic operation in Hezbollah and its frequent clashes with Iran, insisting that it helped in ensuring security in the wider region. Gen. Petraeus noted that Israels operation in Gaza and control over the Philadelphi Corridor prevented Iran from sending weapons to Hamas militants. He also mentioned that while the recent change in the Syrian regime is by no means consolidated it prevents Iran from arming Hezbollah. He also mentioned that, with the overthrow of former Syrian President Bashar-al-Assad regime, Iran cannot use the route it had to supply weapons to Hezbollah. Advertisement When giving his take on the hopes for a permanent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the General said: I would love to see it end but you will have to achieve the objective to end it. He insisted that Israel should focus on the countrys Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus three objectives, i.e. destroying Hamas, keeping Hamas from governing and bringing the hostage back. He went on to propose a fourth objective which is to provide better life to the Palestinians without Hamas in the picture. Gen. Petraeu said, Israel has degraded Hamas, they might have the number but they are limited to guerilla operations. Advertisement Hamas has to be assessed to be the equivalent of the Islamic State. Once we get rid of Hamas, we can actually provide a better life. If we dont do this the prospect of getting Palestine to live peacefully with Jews will be difficult, he said. Radicals and moderate Giving his take on the resolution of the conflict, Eden Bar Tal, Director General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Israel said: In order to solve the problem you have to figure out what the underlying issue is. There is a huge difference between radicals and moderates and radicals cannot be negotiated, he said. Tal recalled that Israel was out of the Gaza Strip back in 2005. He mentioned that the Jewish country injected money and supplies into Gaza. Ultimately, Tal noted that radicalism must be addressed with deradicalisation i.e. transformation in schools, media and other institutions, which takes time. Advertisement He supported his argument by saying that due to Israels operation, the Lebanese government is moving to moderate. Theres a light at the end of the tunnel, he remarked. Europes role in West Asia The idea of Europe being absent in West Asia also floated during the panel discussion. However, Rainer Rudolph, Vice-Chairman, Munich Security Conference, Germany, argued that several European nations, including Germany, provided a large chunk of humanitarian aid to Gaza. He pointed out that the continent has been immediately affected by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Although, he did agree that more needs to be done in this regard. Europe realising we have to shape our foreign policy the way we werent used to, he said. Oana Popescu Zamfir, Director, of GlobalFocus Center, Romania said that initially, the European Union was trapped in the phenomena whether the body was ever meant to be a geopolitical actor. She insisted that the group needs to look outside because all these conflicts are related. The more unpredictable the Trump administration becomes, the more demand will be for the EUs role, she said. EU will not be able to defend its interests by being absent in other affairs it is a matter of leveraging strategic advantage. However, Zamfir noted that the only fear that she has is that the EU has never been good at dealing with two crises at a time. The Trump factor The panel agreed that the USs strategy towards Israel has completely changed since January 20, when Trump came back to power. While commenting on the change, Gen. Petraeus said that he was pleased to see a tougher stance on Iran. He said that withdrawing from Afghanistan was unnecessary and the way the US sent the wrong message to Russia. We should be doing more in Lebanon and Iraq in a very skillful way he said. Coming back to Hamas, Gen. Petraeus said, You can reconcile with those who are reconcilable, Hamas is not reconcilable. He recalled Israel made concessions with Hamas and Gazans in the past, but the conflict still happened. Tal took a stern approach to the matter. He said that the current administration wont be fooled by the political prisoner narrative, referring to how Gaza is known as an open-air prison. Latif disagreed with both the panelists, saying, The US policy is not correct in the region. It is bringing China into the region. Their policy is biased to Israel and is reducing USs role in West Asia making organisations like the Brics more powerful. I am not sure who is irreconcilable Hamas or Netanyahu, she said. The amendment to Hungarys assembly law criminalises organising or participating in events that contravene the countrys controversial child protection law, which prohibits any depiction or promotion of homosexuality to individuals under 18 read more Hungarys Parliament has passed a bill banning Pride parades in a major setback for the LGBTQ+ community in the country. The new law will also allow authorities to use facial recognition technology to identify and fine participants later. The new law is the latest in Prime Minister Viktor Orbans crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights and is the first of its kind in the history of the European Union. The ban found support from 136 MPs after it was put for a vote in the parliament on Tuesday. Advertisement The amendment to Hungarys assembly law criminalises organising or participating in events that contravene the countrys controversial child protection law, which prohibits any depiction or promotion of homosexuality to individuals under 18. Attending a pride parade in Hungary would now attract a fine of 200,000 Hungarian forints. Budapest pride to defy ban Despite the ban being set into motion, organisers of the Budapest pride parade have said that they will go ahead with the event. This is not child protection, this is fascism. The government is trying to restrict peaceful protests with a critical voice by targeting a minority. Therefore, as a movement, we will fight for the freedom of all Hungarians to demonstrate," they said in a statement. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Budapest Pride, uniting thousands in a powerful demonstration of the communitys fight for freedom, safety, and equal rights, despite ongoing efforts by those in power to undermine their dignity. Rights groups condemn ban Several thousand protesters chanting anti-government slogans gathered after the vote outside Hungarys parliament. They later staged a blockade of the Margaret Bridge over the Danube, blocking traffic and disregarding police instructions to leave the area. A statement by Amnesty International said, The spurious justification for the passing of this law that events and assemblies would be harmful to children is based on harmful stereotypes and deeply entrenched discrimination, homophobia and transphobia. This law is a full-frontal attack on the LGBTI community and a blatant violation of Hungarys obligations to prohibit discrimination and guarantee freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, it added. With inputs from agencies India has an extensive history of participation in peacekeeping missions. Given Russias rejection of forces from any Nato member country sending peacekeepers, New Delhi has emerged as a key alternative read more Indian Peacekeeping forces have been involved in various missions the world over. Reuters British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have been leading efforts to forge a peacekeeping plan for intervening in the Russia-Ukraine war. Despite over 30 European nations expressing their willingness to contribute forces in the event of a peace deal, Russia has repeatedly rejected the idea of peacekeeping troops from North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) countries being stationed in Ukraine. Moscow has made it clear that any deployment involving troops from Nato member nations would be a non-starter: an unsurprising demand given Moscows deep-rooted opposition to what it sees as Western military encroachment on its borders. Advertisement Attention is now turning to alternative contributors including India. Shashi Tharoor on Indian peacekeepers in Ukraine At the Raisina Dialogue 2025, former Indian minister and ex-UN under-secretary general Shashi Tharoor highlighted the prospect of India sending peacekeeping troops to Ukraine. While he acknowledged that any such decision would depend on multiple factors, he suggested that, under the right conditions, India could be open to playing a role in stabilising post-war Ukraine. The fact that the two parties seem to be ready to agree to peace, the fact that there would presumably be some very serious international backing for an international peacekeeping ventureall of those things have to be borne in mind, Tharoor said. For an Indian government person making such a decision, those considerations would really have to be uppermost before they say yes or no. He went on to highlight Indias extensive history in global peacekeeping, noting that New Delhi has deployed a quarter of a million peacekeepers across 49 different missions. This is a country with an extensive record of having gone out to places far removed from Indias direct interest in order to serve the cause of peace. So, why not, he said, suggesting that Indias credibility and experience as a neutral peacekeeper could make it a viable candidate for such a mission. READ MORE: I am the one with egg on my face: Shashi Tharoor on his 2022 stand on Russia-Ukraine war | Raisina Dialogue Tony Abbott backs Indias role The idea of India stepping into the peacekeeping role was also endorsed by former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott in a separate session at the same event. Speaking during a panel discussion titled Rescripting the Liberal Order: Can Tariffs Trump China?, Abbott said that Indias global rise should be matched with an expanded role in international security efforts. Abbott referred to the comments made by Tharoor saying a panelist at an earlier session of the Raisina Dialogue also spoke about the possibility of India sending a peacekeeping force to Ukraine if and when there is a ceasefire agreement in place. As Russia stands opposed to the deployment of a European Union peacekeeping force, there have been suggestions about India stepping in. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has met both Russias Vladimir Putin and Ukraines Volodymyr Zelenskyy, visiting Moscow and Kyiv with the message that this is not the era of war. Both Putin and Zelenskyy have hailed PM Modis efforts to bring peace in Ukraine. Advertisement India has repeatedly dismissed the criticism that it has been neutral in the over three-year war, asserting it is on the side of peace. But it has not commented on sending its troops as peacekeepers in Ukraine. Previously, Abbott had lauded PM Modis leadership and the countrys rise over the last decade. News agency IANS quoted Abbott as saying he wanted to see India overtake China as a critical supplies chain leader and also as one of the real leaders of the free world. With inputs from agencies India is deepening its engagement with Latin America, fostering economic cooperation, technological collaboration and stronger people-to-people ties to shape a more inclusive multipolar world read more Pabitra Margherita, Minister of State, Ministry of External Affairs addressing the Raisina Dialogue on March 19, 2025 in New Delhi On the third day of the Raisina Dialogue 2025 in New Delhi, Pabitra Margherita, Minister of State, Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday stressed upon Indias commitment to fostering partnerships with the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) nations. Indias commitment to a multipolar world and Global South Highlighting Indias vision for an inclusive global order, Margherita stated, We in India believe that in order to build an inclusive and just order, it is imperative to forge strong partnerships with the developing world. Advertisement He specifically highlighted the importance of LAC nations in Indias global outreach. Countries of Latin America and the Caribbeanour LAC partnersoccupy a very significant position in our diplomatic and economic engagements. We share similar aspirations and support a multipolar world order that serves the needs of the Global South. Expanding cooperation with LAC nations Margherita pointed out that India has been proactively engaging with the LAC region, especially following Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Guyana for the second India-CARICOM summit. The Prime Minister proposed cooperation in various sectors, including capacity building, agriculture and food security, renewable energy, climate change, innovation technology, and trade. Building on this momentum, he noted, I had the opportunity to follow up on the Prime Ministers engagement roadmap during my visits to The Bahamas, Barbados and Nicaragua. There is great potential for boosting economic cooperation, increasing trade and investment and fostering robust people-to-people ties between India and LAC nations. Trade and investment: A growing partnership Margherita highlighted Indias economic engagement with LAC countries, noting that bilateral trade had reached $35.73 billion in the financial year 2023-24. There is a high level of complementarity between our economies. Indias demand for natural resources and agricultural products can be met through imports from LAC, while India can serve as a trusted source of consumer products, he said. Advertisement He further elaborated on Indias growing presence in the LAC pharmaceutical industry. Our pharmaceutical industry has significantly expanded its footprint in the region, Margherita noted. On the topic of trade agreements, he remarked, There is increasing interest in expanding the scope of the preferential trade agreement between India and LAC markets. India is the fifth-largest trading partner of Brazil and Argentina. Collaboration in energy security and sustainable development Speaking on strategic resource acquisition, Margherita said, In the first-ever overseas acquisition of lithium resources, India signed an agreement with Argentina to lease five lithium blocks for exploration and eventual extraction. He highlighted the LAC regions wealth of natural resources, stating, Latin America with its rich reserves of oil, natural gas and minerals can play a crucial role in advancing Indias goal of energy security and diversification. Advertisement India and LAC nations are also collaborating on biofuels and ethanol production. Our cooperation in biofuels is opening new pathways for sustainable energy solutions, he affirmed. Technology, infrastructure and development cooperation Margherita emphasised Indias role in technology-driven development in the LAC region. There has been growing LAC participation in Indian initiatives like the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and Mission LiFE, the minister said. He also highlighted Indias contribution to digital infrastructure citing the adoption of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in Trinidad and Tobago. Efforts are underway to promote UPI in Guyana, Peru, and Jamaica, he added. Discussing Indias development assistance, he said, India is funding development projects in several LAC nations including healthcare initiatives in Suriname, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, St Kitts and Nevis, the Dominican Republic and Barbados. He also mentioned Indias $23.37 million line of credit for the supply of two aircraft to Guyana and a major power transmission project in Nicaragua, which is expected to be completed soon. Advertisement Cultural and academic ties Reflecting on the deep-rooted historical ties between India and LAC, Margherita said, Our links with the region go back centuries to the arrival of Indian indentured labourers in the Caribbean. Our strong emotional and cultural bonds can go a long way in strengthening our ties. He cited Prime Minister Modis suggestion at this years Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to create a comprehensive database of the Indian diaspora in LAC. This will help enhance engagement with the Indian-origin communities in the region, he said. Education and academic collaborations are also key pillars of India-LAC relations. Indian scholarships and training programs in IT, medicine and engineering have enabled students from LAC nations to gain expertise and contribute meaningfully to their nations, he said. Advertisement Looking ahead, Margherita expressed optimism about future collaborations. There is immense potential for new opportunities and enduring partnerships between India and LAC. With our shared heritage and deeper understanding, our cooperation will only grow stronger. Our spirit of friendship will only flourish further. Over 50 per cent of ships are currently built in China, with the second-largest economy of the world holding sway over a massive fleet of 6,000 ships. So, how can Quad nations counter Chinas dominance in this crucial industry? read more Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of the Economic Advisory Council of the prime minister, Government of India; Brent Sadler, Senior Research Fellow, The Heritage Foundation US (left) speak at Firstposts IdeasPod The global shipbuilding industry today is primarily controlled by China, giving Beijing an advantageous position in world trade. Over 50 per cent of ships are currently built in China, with the second-largest economy of the world holding sway over a massive fleet of 6,000 ships. So, how can Quad nations counter Chinas dominance in this crucial industry? Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of the Economic Advisory Council of the prime minister, Government of India, has said this can change if Quad countries manage to deepen their cooperation to build a serious shipbuilding ecosystem. Advertisement While speaking at Firstposts IdeasPod as part of the annual Raisina Dialogue organised by Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi, Sanyal said US, India, Japan and Australia can co-operate in certain areas to increase efficiency. Speaking of India, he said, We have some of the technology, we have the steel, we have the men. He added that Americans and Japanese certainly have much better-quality engines. For example, there are certain areas where we could maybe just build the hulls, hand it to the Americans to get it out in various ways, or the Japanese can put in the software, Sanyal suggested. Quad is a natural fit, he added. Meanwhile, Brent Sadler, Senior Research Fellow, The Heritage Foundation US, added that the Quad can also co-operate with like-minded nations, an informal group of nations to assure a growth in this critical maritime industrial sector. He then highlighted several steps that the US administration is taking to boost shipbuilding in the country. He highlighted how the Donald Trump administration has announced plans to resurrect the American shipbuilding industry. For that purpose, the White House has created a new office of shipbuilding. He added that the US was also working on the Ships for America Act, and the legislation would be there in the coming two or three months. Advertisement Speaking about Indias focus on the shipbuilding industry, Sanyal also highlighted several steps being taken by the government of India. He said that New Delhi was in the process of creating a maritime fund to help build infrastructure. He also talked about financial backing from the government, including in the form of long-term loans. So the point is we are paying a great deal of attention to this, he said, adding, We are very pleased to see that, America too is doing that. Experts from Lithuania and Poland, both member nations of the European Union, spoke to Firstpost during the Raisina Dialogue 2025 about Chinas relationship with the European bloc read more The European Union (EU) has long struggled to define its relationship with China. As the worlds second-largest economy and a major trade partner, China holds significant economic sway over Europe. However, concerns over human rights, economic coercion, and geopolitical security continue to create divisions among EU member states. While some nations seek deeper economic engagement, others are calling for a more confrontational approach. This divergence has led to a fragmented European stance on China. Advertisement At the Raisina Dialogue 2025, Firstposts IdeasPod initiative invited Laimonas Talat-Kelpsa, Political Director, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lithuania and Magorzata Bonikowska, President, Centre for International Relations, Poland for their insights on the complicated EU-China relationship. Here are the key takeaways from the interview conducted by Gautam Chikermane, the Vice President of Observers Research Foundation (ORF) (which organises the conference in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs). WATCH: Why EU cant agree on China Lithuanias hardline stance: A case for decoupling Lithuanias experience with China is a prime show of the tensions between economic pragmatism and political sovereignty. In 2021, Lithuania found itself at the center of a diplomatic confrontation after allowing Taiwan to open a trade office in its capital, Vilnius. While similar arrangements existed in other European nations, Lithuanias decision was particularly sensitive because it was the first such move since 2004. This was not a fight of Lithuanias choosing, said Laimonas Talat-Kelpsa, Political Director at Lithuanias Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Our intention was not to worsen relations with any country. What we did in 2021 was simply follow a path already taken by many European nations to open a trade office in Taiwan and allow the Taiwanese people to have representation in Lithuania to expand commercial and trade relations, he added. China retaliated by imposing trade restrictions and even erasing Lithuania from its customs register, effectively cutting off Lithuanian exports. Rather than backtracking, Lithuania chose to fully decouple from China, diversifying its trade towards other Asian markets. That decoupling has made Lithuanias economy stronger and our political institutions more resilient, Talat-Kelpsa explained. We have diversified our trade to other Asian markets, and we are doing fine. Advertisement Polands balancing act: Strategic engagement with China In contrast to Lithuanias hardline approach, Poland has pursued a more pragmatic strategy, maintaining close economic ties with China while reinforcing its commitments to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) and the United States. Poland is one of the key European participants in Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and in 2011, it signed a strategic partnership with Beijing. As of 2023, Polands trade with China amounted to 50 billion. However, this relationship is heavily imbalanced, with Poland importing 47 billion worth of goods from China while struggling to gain access to the Chinese market. We want to sell more to China, but accessing their market is not easy, said Magorzata Bonikowska, President of Polands Centre for International Relations. Yes, in 2011, Poland signed a strategic partnership with China. At the time, many European nations were keen to do business with China, which led to closer economic ties. Advertisement According to Bonikowska, Poland remains cautious, particularly regarding Chinas role in critical infrastructure and telecommunications. Regarding Huawei, the company operates in Poland we can buy Huawei phones. However, we have been cautious about allowing it into strategic contracts, she stated. Europes fragmented approach: Three distinct camps The contrasting policies of Lithuania and Poland spotlight broader divisions within the EU. The strategies EU member nations have taken towards China can be grouped into three categories: Economic engagement: Countries like Germany prioritise economic ties with China and seek to expand trade and investment opportunities. Strategic balancing: Nations such as Poland aim to maintain trade relations while keeping a strong partnership with the United States and Nato. Hardline opposition: Countries like Lithuania advocate for full decoupling from China, emphasizing national sovereignty and reducing economic dependence. While the EU has a unified trade policy, China has the option of engaging with each of the member states on a bilateral basis. When asked if such an arrangement should be implemented by Beijing, Talat-Kelpsa answered in the negative. I wouldnt subscribe to the idea of dividing the EU into single member-state policiesits impractical, he said. Why have 27 different policies when you can have one? Thats the logic of European integration over the past 6070 years. The EU does act as one in key areas like trade, customs, and competition policy. It is the second-largest economy in the world after the US, Bonikowska noted. Advertisement Challenges ahead: Security, trade, and geopolitical shifts Beyond economic concerns, Europe faces critical security challenges. Russias ongoing war in Ukraine has reshaped European defence strategies, forcing the EU to reconsider its security policies. Both Lithuania and Poland are among the leading European nations in military spending, with Lithuania committing 4 per cent of its GDP to defense, set to rise to 5 per cent, and Poland already approaching the 5 per cent mark. Additionally, Chinas alignment with Russia has raised alarm bells in Europe. If Beijing provides direct support to Moscow, it could prompt a reassessment of European-China relations. Chinas support for Russia is a concern for us, Bonikowska said. If China assists Russia, we will have to rethink our relationship with China. At the same time, Europe faces uncertainty regarding US foreign policy, particularly if a future Trump administration adopts a more isolationist stance. As Europe works to reduce its dependence on Chinese technology and supply chains, it is also exploring alternative partnerships with nations like India, though trade volumes remain significantly lower. Advertisement Taiwans war is already underway it is just being fought in cyberspace, on the ocean floor, and in global markets. As China escalates its grey zone tactics. Experts from Japan and Taiwan explain what is happening read more Taiwan is already at war not with bombs and bullets, but with an invisible, relentless campaign of cyberattacks and undersea sabotage. Every day, Taiwan faces 2.4 million cyberattacks, a figure that has doubled in just a year. These digital incursions, attributed to China, are not merely disruptions they are part of a sustained strategy to weaken Taiwans institutions, destabilize its governance, and probe its defenses. We already have experienced a kind of war-like situation from Chinas cyberattacks, said I-Chung Lai, President of Taiwans Prospect Foundation, while speaking at Firstposts IdeasPod during the Raisina Dialogue 2025. Advertisement Every day, 2.4 million cyberattacks target Taiwan. Thats double what we saw in 2023. Despite this, we have not seen major cyber incidents disrupting public infrastructure hospitals remain open, government functions continue. While Taiwan has so far withstood the onslaught, the escalation is clear: China is testing Taiwans resilience, preparing for a moment when these attacks might escalate. Cutting the cables: Taiwans digital lifeline at risk Beyond the digital battlefield, another silent threat looms beneath the waves: Taiwans undersea cables. Since 2023, at least 11 undersea cables have been damagedsome connecting Taiwan to offshore islands, but others forming critical links between Taiwan and the rest of the world. The 11 damaged cables mostly affected Taiwans offshore islands, but if China damaged all 28 key cables14 in the north and 14 in the southit wouldnt just affect Taiwan. The entire Indo-Pacifics data network would be disrupted, said Lai. Hiroyuki Akita, a foreign and international security commentator at Nikkei Asia, sees a clear intent here. Cyberattacks and cutting undersea cableswould be the beginning of a full-scale invasion by China, Akita explained. Over 90 per cent of the flow of international data and information happens through the undersea cablesnot only in Taiwan, but in all regions of the world, he said, before adding, China will prevent Taiwan from sending any information out of Taiwan. Damaging these cables would not only isolate Taiwan digitally, but also disrupt international markets and security communications across the region. This isnt hypotheticalwhen a major earthquake in southern Taiwan damaged undersea cables years ago, stock markets in the Middle East suffered immediate disruptions. This tactic is part of Beijings broader grey zone warfare strategy coercive tactics that fall short of direct military confrontation but gradually erode Taiwans security and economy. Advertisement Lessons from Ukraine: Taiwans path to resilience Taiwanese officials have studied Russias invasion of Ukraine carefully, recognizing parallels in Chinas strategy. Akita, who visited Ukraine and interviewed President Volodymyr Zelensky in December 2023, drew three major lessons for Taiwan: Self-defense comes first. If you want support from other countries, you must first fight for yourself, Akita said. Nations that demonstrate the will to defend themselves are more likely to receive external assistance. Alliances must be built in peacetime. You cannot mobilize global support after being attacked, he warned. Taiwan must strengthen its partnerships now. Infrastructure resilience is key. Despite relentless Russian bombings on Ukraines power grids, transportation, and telecommunications, Kyiv and other cities continued functioning. Taiwan must ensure similar resilience in the face of an attack. Under the ceasefire deal drafted under former US president Joe Bidens administration, a second phase of the truce should have begun in early March read more The body of a Palestinian killed in an Israeli airstrike is brought to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. Source: AP The Israeli army on Wednesday urged residents in Gaza to evacuate combat zones in the northern and southern parts of Palestine, a day after it resumed air strikes as ceasefire talks with Hamas faltered. In a post on X, military spokesman Avichay Adraee warned people in Beit Hanun, Khirbet Khuzaa and Abasan al-Jadida that these areas are dangerous combat zones and they should move to shelters in western Gaza City and Khan Yunis for their own safety. Advertisement Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that the massive overnight strikes on Gaza were only the beginning and that future negotiations with Hamas will take place only under fire. The strikes have left nearly 400 people dead with hospitals in Gaza overwhelmed and short on medical supplies to treat the injured. Hamas has already felt the strength of our arm in the past 24 hours. And I want to promise you - and them - this is only the beginning, Netanyahu said in a video statement. The Israeli premier added from now on, negotiations will take place only under fire, before adding: Military pressure is essential for the release of additional hostages. Not closed the door A Hamas official has told AFP that the group has not closed the door on negotiating a truce deal with Israel. Hamas has not closed the door on negotiations but we insist there is no need for new agreements, Taher al-Nunu told AFP on the phone from Cairo, also calling for Israel to be forced to implement the ceasefire. There is no need for new agreements in light of the existing agreement signed by all parties, he added. Under the ceasefire deal drafted under former US president Joe Bidens administration, a second phase of the truce should have begun in early March. With inputs from agencies As the situation in Gaza takes another turn, Israel doesnt rule out the possibility of yet another ground operation in the Strip against Hamas and other armed groups. Eden Bar Tal, the Director General of Israels Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spoke with Firstpost exclusively on the matter. Excerpts: read more In an exclusive interview with Firstpost, Eden Bar Tal, Director General of Israels Ministry of Foreign Affairs talked about the ongoing conflict with Hamas and Israels strategic objectives. Bar Tal also talked about broader regional dynamics, including the threat posed by Iranian proxies like Hezbollah and the Houthis, as well as Israels strong and evolving relationship with India. Bar Tal praised Indias support and expressed optimism about deepening ties between the two nations, both strategically and culturally. Edited excerpts: Advertisement Firstpost: To start with the latest developments, a lot has been happening in Israel. We know there were strikes this morning, and according to some reports, around 400 people have been killed in Gaza. Would it be safe to say that the ceasefire is over? Eden Bar Tal: The ceasefire formally ended on the 42nd day of the agreement, following six weeks of truce during which hostages were released. Unfortunately, some were released deceased. According to the agreement, there was no ceasefire beyond the 42nd day. During this period, Israel refrained from military action and allowed time for mediators to negotiate a withdrawal proposal. However, Hamas used this time to rearm, recruit terrorists, and prepare additional attack sites. Even now, Hamas is planning further invasionsnot on the scale of October 7th, as they lack the same capacity, but with the same intent. Hamas remains an active terrorist organisation that controls Gaza, and despite ample time for negotiation, it has refused to release hostages or lay down its weapons. Israel has no choice but to act in order to free its hostages and protect its citizens. Many of those kidnapped, including children, have suffered unimaginable atrocities. No moral society could accept such actions. Israel gave mediators sufficient time to negotiate, agreeing to every reasonable proposal put forth, while Hamas rejected them all. This is the nature of Hamasit does not act morally or rationally by any standard of normal, moderate human behaviour. For them, terror is not a means to an end but the end itself. And Israel cannot accept that. Advertisement Firstpost: Are the Americans fully supporting the actions you have taken? Eden Bar Tal: If you listen to President Trump, the Secretary of State and other high-ranking officials, they have made it very clear: Hamas must immediately release all hostages, lay down their weapons, and leave Gaza. This is the official U.S. policy, which aligns exactly with Israels stance. We are all on the same page because there is no alternative solution to this crisis. Firstpost: Will this strike be followed by a ground operation, similar to what we saw earlier? Eden Bar Tal: Naturally, we cannot disclose any further details about Israeli plans to the public. However, we will take every measure necessary to free the hostages. I would say that the objectives of this war, which Hamas started, were outlined from the beginning by the Israeli cabinet and have remained unchanged." Advertisement Firstpost: What are Israels goals in this offensive and has Israel achieved any of them in more than a year of fighting? Eden Bar Tal: First of all, this war has lasted longer due to operational constraints. We have made efforts to avoid harming unarmed civilians, which is extremely challenging. I dont believe any other military in the world would act as Israel has. Independent experts, including those from the UK and the US, have analysed this and confirmed it scientifically. Israel is the only army in the world that has kept civilian casualties relatively low despite the difficulties. Hamas exploits civilians as human shields, using their homes and families to protect themselves. This is why the conflict has been prolongedwe prioritize human lives. Advertisement Hamas embeds itself within the population, avoiding uniforms except for ceremonial purposes. In combat, they blend into civilian areas, using homes, public buildings, and infrastructure as fighting positions. This makes operations complex, but we are doing our best to both achieve victory and protect innocent lives. Firstpost: I understand, but when you talk about winning, every operation begins with clear objectiveswhether its eliminating Hamas or securing the release of hostagesneither of which has been fully achieved. Given the actions taken over the past year, are you satisfied with Israels progress? And if you relaunch the offensive, do you believe it will achieve those goals?" Advertisement Eden Bar Tal: If I recall correctly, at the start of the war, there were over 250 hostages. So far, we have successfully secured the release of nearly 200 of them. That is a significant achievement, as we have prioritized minimizing casualtiesboth civilian and hostagethroughout the process. As for Hamas, they have lost most of their operational capabilities. While they used the ceasefire to regroup and reorganise, our primary objectives remain unchanged: to remove Hamas from governing Gaza, dismantle its infrastructure, and secure the release of all remaining hostages. Currently, around 59 hostages remain in captivity. Unfortunately, we fear that many of them may no longer be alive due to Hamas brutal treatment. However, we will see this operation throughfreeing as many hostages as possible and ensuring that Hamas is eliminated as a threat. Firstpost: What is your key demand from Hamas? Is it just the release of hostages, or have you specified additional conditions? Eden Bar Tal: No matter how Hamas tries to portray itself, the reality is that it continues to maintain control over Gaza, rearm itself, and fund its activities through propaganda aimed at the Western world. It manipulates humanitarian aid, using supplies meant for civilians to build weapons and traps, preparing for further attacks. Hamas has openly declared its intention to repeat the October 7 attack. Its leaders have explicitly stated that they will carry out similar assaults again and again. No normal country would allow such threats to go unanswered. Would India accept this? Would Britain? Would the U.S.? Our stance is clear: Hamas must release all hostages, lay down its weapons, and leave Gaza. That is the only way this war ends. Firstpost: Now that you have relaunched this offensive and have not confirmed whether it will evolve into a ground operation, do you believe the conflict will remain confined to Gaza, or do you see hostilities spilling over into Lebanon as well? Eden Bar Tal: Lebanon is a different story. We encourage the international community to support its government and the Lebanese people. Hezbollah, heavily backed by Iran, has controlled Lebanon for many years, but now there is an opportunity for the country to regain its freedom. We urge everyone to help Lebanon on this path to becoming a stable and sovereign nation once again. I still remember Lebanon in the early 1970sit was known as the Switzerland of West Asia. It was a breathtakingly beautiful country with wonderful people. Now, if Lebanon continues on its current trajectory and resists Hezbollahs dominance while preventing Iran from financing its influence, it has a real chance to recover. We hope Lebanon will leave the Iranian-backed radical camp and join the moderate world. We remain cautiously optimistic about its future. Firstpost: Right now, the US has held directed secret talks with Hamas. What sort of a deal are the Americans exploring with them and are you okay with that? Eden Bar Tal: First of all, there are no direct negotiations with Hamas, except regarding the mechanism for a potential deal. President Trump has made it very clear who is pushing for negotiations and under what conditions. The position of the United States aligns completely with Israels: the hostages must be released immediately, Hamas must lay down its weapons, and they must leave. The previous proposal involved a 50-day ceasefire in exchange for Hamas releasing half of the hostages at the beginning and the rest at the end, provided negotiations were successful. Israel agreed to this framework. Now, we have to see what the negotiations yield, but we are not going to allow Hamas to benefit from a ceasefire without ensuring the release of our hostages. Firstpost: US President Trump has pledged full military support to Israel. At the same time, his administration is calling for the swift release of an American hostage held by Hamas. Do you feel pressure to reach a quick resolution? Eden Bar Tal: On the contrary, we are grateful to the new administration for its full support, especially to President Trump. More than that, they have made it very clear and openly demanded the release of all hostages, including American, Israeli, and other foreign nationals still being held. We see no difference between our policy and that of the United States and there is no pressure. Firstpost: Weve also seen developments in other parts of the region, particularly in Yemen. What is your assessment of the situation? Eden Bar Tal: This is another example of Irans involvement, and I believe it must be addressed directly. Iran cannot continue to operate behind the sceneswhether through Hamas, Hezbollah or the Houthis. It is Iran that is orchestrating these actions. President Trump made this clear yesterday in a way that resonated across West Asia. He stated unequivocally that Iran is responsible for the Houthis actions, providing them with advanced weaponry and logistical support. The United States has now escalated its response, and Britain has also joined in addressing the Houthi threat. President Trump has made it clear that the Houthis must be stoppedand that the US will take the necessary steps to ensure that happens. We fully agree with the Trump administration that the Houthis pose a major threatnot just to Israel, but to global maritime trade. Their attacks jeopardize shipping routes from Asia to Europe and beyond. Whats particularly alarming is how the Houthis have blended terrorism with piracy. They have found ways to profit from the chaos, reportedly selling protection to certain shipping companies, generating billions in revenue. This is a dangerous mix of terrorism and organised crime, a violent mafia operation that threatens the global supply chain and drives up the cost of goods worldwide. The United States and the international community are right to take decisive action. Such terrorism and piracy cannot be allowed to dictate global trade and destabilize economies. Firstpost: Tell us about your relationship with India and how it has evolved, especially during this conflict. What role, if any, do you see New Delhi playing in a resolution? Eden Bar Tal: First of all, we deeply appreciate Indias position and support. Strategically, Israel analyses global affairs much like the United States does, assessing different regions with a similar approach. India, too, understands how to identify and counter radical elements, recognising their strength and influence. The October 7 attack was seen by radical groups as a major victory, despite the consequences that followed. In their ideology and culture, any large-scale attack is deemed a success, regardless of the cost. This dangerous mindset, fuelled by indoctrination, is now spreading beyond the region and reaching other parts of the worldincluding India. It is a serious threat that all moderate nations must acknowledge and confront together. There is also a historical aspect to our relationship. We are talking about two ancient civilisationsamong the oldest in the worldwith deep cultural similarities. While we do not share religious ties, there is a strong cultural connection. Both India and Israel have historically been moderate nations, which at times has led to miscalculations by radical elements. Because we do not react with immediate aggression, extremists sometimes mistake our moderation for weakness. However, through experiencesometimes painful experiencewe have learned that while moderation is a virtue, it must be accompanied by vigilance and strength. India is one of our closest friends, and we deeply admire and respect it. Looking ahead, I believe we have great prospects for collaboration. It is essential to bring our people closerthrough business communities, NGOs, and cultural exchangesbeyond just government-level relations. From my visits to India, I know that the Indian people are warm, welcoming, and moderate, the kind of people you want as friends and allies. I strongly believe that our two nations will work together on many frontsfor our mutual benefit and the betterment of humanity. Firstpost: In India, we say that we exercise strategic patience with some of our neighbours, but they continue to test our patience. Eden Bar Tal: And I hope they do not mistake that for weakness. Sometimes, when neighbours perceive patience as weakness, it leads to misjudgements. I believe October 7 is an example of that. I dont want something similar to affect our friendship with India. So, learn from our lessonswe paid a heavy price for it. We must draw conclusions from our painful experience of being a little too optimistic and misjudging the true nature of our adversaries. Please remember, this happened just 18 months ago. Firstpost: A growing number of Indians are taking up jobs in Israel. What steps are you taking to ensure their safety? What is your message to their families here? Eden Bar Tal: First of all, I want to tell the families dont worry. Everyone there, including Israelis, is like my own children and my family. They are safe in the same way. This rule protects everyone equallywe dont distinguish between citizens and non-citizens, whether Israeli, Indian, or anyone else. Everyone is the same in Israel. I believe you have been to Israel, so you know how Israelis are. They dont treat outsiders with hostility, and Israel is a very secure place. Its a safe and friendly place. Many Israelis, especially in their 20s, consider India one of their top travel destinations. My daughter recently returned from traveling abroad, and her last stop before coming home was India. My younger daughter, like many others, loves India. So, I would say to the familiesthey will have a great time. Just be careful when driving, whether in India or Israel, as its the number one risk. If you drive carefully, everything will be fine. Firstpost: Thats reassuring. Thank you very much for taking the time and for your words of reassurance. Eden Bar Tal: Thank you very much and I appreciate your time and appreciate this interview and thank you very much for it. Firstpost: The headline will suggest that you ruled out a ground operation, but you havent done so. Eden Bar Tal: We dont rule out anything. According to AFP, two of the UN workers had leg injuries and a third had bandages on both arms and abdomen, with traces of blood on his chest read more A foreign United Nations worker died and five others were left injured in Gaza on Wednesday after Israel struck its headquarters in the region, the health ministry said in a statement. A statement from the health ministry said there was one death and five severe injuries among foreign staff working for UN institutions due to the bombing of their headquarters by the occupation in the central governorate a short while ago, adding they had been taken to the Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. Advertisement According to AFP, two of the UN workers had leg injuries and a third had bandages on both arms and abdomen, with traces of blood on his chest. Gazas civil defence agency said earlier Wednesday that 13 people had been killed in Israeli air strikes on the Palestinian territory since midnight. Israel denies attacking UN building Meanwhile, the Israeli army has said that it did not strike the UN building in Gaza. Contrary to reports, the IDF (army) did not strike a UN compound in Deir el-Balah, the army said in a statement, while an army spokesperson told AFP: I confirm there was no IDF operational activity there and that the IDF didnt strike the UN compound. 970 deaths in 2 days The Hamas-run health ministry on Wednesday said that Israeli strikes have killed 970 Gazans in just two days. The country launched fresh attacks after talks on negotiations faltered. The death toll from the war in the Gaza recorded by the ministry at midday on Monday (1000 GMT) stood at 48,577. By midday on Wednesday, the figure had risen to 49,547, it said. With inputs from AFP More than 1,100 files consisting of over 31,000 pages were posted on the website of the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration read more President John F. Kennedy waves from his car in a motorcade approximately one minute before he was shot, Nov. 22, 1963, in Dallas. File image/ AP Previously classified documents related to the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy were released Tuesday evening following an order by President Donald Trump shortly after he took office. More than 1,100 files consisting of over 31,000 pages were posted on the website of the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. The vast majority of the National Archives collection of over 6 million pages of records, photographs, motion pictures, sound recordings and artifacts related to the assassination have previously been released. Advertisement Larry J. Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics and author of The Kennedy Half-Century, said he had a team that started going through the documents but it may be some time before their full significance becomes clear. We have a lot of work to do for a long time to come, and people just have to accept that, he said. Trump announced the release Monday while visiting the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, saying his administration would be releasing about 80,000 pages. We have a tremendous amount of paper. Youve got a lot of reading, Trump said. The National Archives said on its website that in accordance with the presidents directive, the release would encompass all records previously withheld for classification. Researchers have estimated that 3,000 or so files had not been released, either in whole or in part. And last month the FBI said it had discovered about 2,400 new records related to the assassination. Many who have studied whats been released so far by the government say the public shouldnt anticipate any earth-shattering revelations from the newly released documents, but there is still intense interest in details related to the assassination and the events surrounding it. Trumps January order directed the national intelligence director and attorney general to develop a plan to release the records. Advertisement Kennedy was killed on Nov. 22, 1963, on a visit to Dallas. As his motorcade was finishing its parade route downtown, shots rang out from the Texas School Book Depository building. Police arrested 24-year-old Lee Harvey Oswald, who had positioned himself from a snipers perch on the sixth floor. Two days later, nightclub owner Jack Ruby fatally shot Oswald during a jail transfer. A year after the assassination, the Warren Commission, which President Lyndon B. Johnson established to investigate, concluded that Oswald acted alone and that there was no evidence of a conspiracy. But that didnt quell a web of alternative theories over the decades. Advertisement Oswald was a former Marine who defected to the Soviet Union before returning home to Texas. Files in the new release included a memo from the CIAs St. Petersburg station from November 1991 saying that earlier that month, a CIA official befriended a U.S. professor there who told the official about a friend who worked for the KGB. The memo said the KGB official had reviewed five thick volumes of files on Oswald and was confident that Oswald was at no time an agent controlled by the KGB. The memo added that as Oswald was described in the files, the KGB official doubted that anyone could control Oswald, but noted that the KGB watched him closely and constantly while he was in the USSR. It also noted that the file reflected that Oswald was a poor shot when he tried target firing in the Soviet Union. Advertisement In the early 1990s, the federal government mandated that all assassination-related documents be housed in a single collection in the National Archives and Records Administration. The collection was required to be opened by 2017, barring any exemptions designated by the president. Around 500 documents, including tax returns, were not subject to the 2017 disclosure requirement. Trump, who took office for his first term in 2017, had said that he would allow the release of all of the remaining records but ended up holding some back because of what he called the potential harm to national security. And while files continued to be released during President Joe Bidens administration, some remained unseen. Advertisement Sabato said that his team has a long, long list of sensitive documents it is looking for that previously had large redactions. There must be something really, really sensitive for them to redact a paragraph or a page or multiple pages in a document like that, he said. Some of its about Cuba, some of its about what the CIA did or didnt do relevant to Lee Harvey Oswald. Some of the previously released documents have offered details on the way intelligence services operated at the time, including CIA cables and memos discussing visits by Oswald to the Soviet and Cuban embassies during a trip to Mexico City just weeks before the assassination. A US judge on Wednesday denied a bid by President Trumps administration to dismiss detained Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalils challenge to the legality of his arrest by immigration agents over his participation in pro-Palestinian protests but moved the case to New Jersey read more Muslim protestors pray outside the main campus of Columbia University during a demonstration to denounce the immigration arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist who helped lead protests against Israel at the university, in New York City, US, on March 14, 2025. Reuters File A US judge on Wednesday denied a bid by President Donald Trumps administration to dismiss detained Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalils challenge to the legality of his arrest by immigration agents over his participation in pro-Palestinian protests but moved the case to New Jersey. Manhattan-based US District Judge Jesse Furman agreed with the Justice Department that he did not have jurisdiction over the case. Furman ordered the case moved to federal court in the state of New Jersey, where Khalil was held at the time his lawyers first challenged his arrest in New York. Advertisement Furman did not rule on Khalils bid to be released on bail from detention. Neither Khalils lawyers nor the Justice Department immediately responded to requests for comment. Khalil, 30, was arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on March 8 outside his university residence in Manhattan. His lawyers have said he was targeted in retaliation for his role advocating for Palestinian rights, meaning the arrest violated free speech protections under the US Constitutions First Amendment. The case has become a flashpoint for the Republican presidents pledge to deport some non-U.S. citizens who took part in the protests against Israels military campaign in Gaza that swept American college campuses including Columbia after the October 2023 attack against Israelis by Palestinian militant group Hamas. Trumps administration has said these protests included support for Hamas and antisemitic harassment of Jewish students. Student protest organizers have said criticism of Israel is being wrongly conflated with antisemitism. Khalil, who is of Palestinian descent, entered the United States on a student visa in 2022, married his American citizen wife in 2023, and secured lawful permanent residency - known as a green card - last year. Khalil became one of the most visible leaders of Columbias pro-Palestinian protest movement while completing coursework for a masters degree in public administration. He is due to graduate in May. Advertisement In ordering his removal, the administration has cited a little-used provision of the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act allowing the deportation of any lawful permanent resident whose presence in the country the secretary of state has reasonable grounds to believe could harm U.S. foreign policy. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on March 16 that taking part in pro-Hamas events runs counter to U.S. foreign policy. Khalils lawyers have said their client has no ties to Hamas, and have said he acted as a mediator and negotiator during the protests. They also have said the administration is unlawfully targeting non-US citizens for removal based on protected speech, and asked Furman to immediately release Khalil. Advertisement Khalils wife, Noor Abdalla, is eight months pregnant with their first child and has not been able to travel to Louisiana to visit him. Because the provision of the 1952 law used to justify Khalils deportation has been invoked so infrequently, it has been tested just once before, legal experts said. The late federal Judge Maryanne Trump Barry - Trumps older sister - found the provision unconstitutional in the 1990s in a case involving a former Mexican official wanted on criminal charges in his home country. Barry said noncitizens in the United States legally could not be removed at the sole discretion of the secretary of state without a meaningful opportunity to be heard. Advertisement The administration of former President Bill Clinton appealed that ruling and it was reversed on a technicality that did not address the laws constitutionality. Rwanda has denied supporting M23. It says its military has been acting in self defence against Congos army and a militia founded by some of the perpetrators of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. read more Rwanda-backed M23 rebels advanced further into Congolese territory on Wednesday, entering the outskirts of Walikale, a town located about 125 kilometers (80 miles) northwest of Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of Congos largest city. The conflict in eastern Congo intensified in January when the M23 rebels, supported by Rwanda, captured the strategic city of Goma, followed by Bukavu in February. Walikale, a town of approximately 15,000 people, is now under threat, bringing the rebels within 400 kilometers of Kisangani, Congos fourth-largest city. Advertisement On Tuesday, Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame held their first direct talks in Qatar since the M23 rebels escalated their offensive in January. Qatar mediated the meeting, which aimed to address the ongoing insurgency. Congo and Rwanda reaffirmed their commitment to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, but the joint statement offered no specifics on how that ceasefire would be implemented or monitored. The United Nations says Rwanda has supported the ethnic Tutsi-led rebels by providing arms and sending troops. M23 is one of about 100 armed groups that have been vying for a foothold in mineral-rich eastern Congo near the border with Rwanda, in a conflict that has created one of the worlds most significant humanitarian crises. More than 7 million people have been displaced. The rebels are supported by about 4,000 troops from neighboring Rwanda, according to U.N. experts, and at times have vowed to march as far as Congos capital, Kinshasa, about 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) to the east. The U.N. Human Rights Council last month launched a commission to investigate atrocities, including allegations of rape and killing akin to summary executions by both sides. According to a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP), even Vietnamese too joined the boycott call on social media and bombarded the companys Facebook page with comments criticising the move. Later, Chagee removed the controversial map from its mobile app but it failed to convince angered Vietnamese and Malaysians read more Chagee, a popular Chinese tea chain, is facing boycott calls in Malaysia after consumers spotted a distorted map of the South China Sea on its mobile app. The map reflected Beijings unilateral nine-dash line claim over the hotly-contested waters, triggering a nationalist outrage on social media. A host of nations, including Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines and Vietnam dispute Chinas expansive claims in the resource-rich waterway. The boycott call was led by a Malaysian Facebook group, called Malaysian-souled Chinese. The group posted on the social media platform that the Chinese tea chain has insulted the sovereignty of our maritime region. Advertisement As Malaysians, we must stand together. I call on our patriotic brothers and sisters to boycott this brand to defend the sovereignty and dignity of our country. This comes as Malaysia is finding itself at odds with Beijing over the latters claims over the South China Sea. In August last year, it was revealed through a leaked diplomatic note that China has demanded Malaysia immediately halt all activities in an oil-rich maritime area off Sarawak state on Borneo island. Beijing also accused Kuala Lumpur of occupying areas that fall under its nine-dash line claim. According to a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP), even Vietnamese too joined the boycott call on social media and bombarded the companys Facebook page with comments criticising the move. Later, Chagee removed the controversial map from its mobile app but it failed to convince angered Vietnamese and Malaysians. You want to do business in another country while stealing land, islands, and the country itself? No matter how famous you are, go home! wrote one Vietnamese Facebook user Sophie Luu. Notably, Chagee is also preparing to enter Vietnam, another nation in the region contesting Chinas sweeping claims over the South China Sea. Some have speculated that Chagees plans to launch operations in the country may never go forward now. Advertisement Consumers in Islam-dominated Malaysia pivoted towards Chinese brands, after they ditched American companies owing to Washington DCs steadfast support to Israel against Gaza-based Hamas. But embracing Chinese companies seems to have brought more headache for them. (With inputs from agencies) According to the International Organization for Migration, 140 people have died or gone missing while attempting the central Mediterranean crossing so far this year. read more Six people lost their lives, and 40 others are missing following a migrant shipwreck in the Mediterranean, according to a statement by the United Nations on Wednesday. Italian authorities are conducting search operations for survivors near the island of Lampedusa. The coastguard confirmed that search and rescue centers in Malta and Tunisia have been notified as part of the ongoing efforts to locate the missing individuals. A spokesperson for the UNHCR informed AFP that the rescued individualssix men and four womenreported there were 56 people on board, originating from Ivory Coast, Mali, Guinea, and Cameroon. Advertisement According to the AGI news agency, survivors, who are now receiving psychological support, stated that some of the missing had fallen overboard due to rough sea conditions. In a separate incident, the ANSA news agency reported that another group of 40 migrants arrived on Lampedusa after traveling from Sfax in metal boats. Still too many dead in a new shipwreck in the Mediterranean, Chiara Cardoletti, the Italy representative of the UN refugee agency UNHCR, said on X. An inflatable dinghy carrying 56 people left the Tunisian port of Sfax on Monday before getting into trouble, she said. After a few hours of sailing, the dinghy began to deflate and take on water. Six bodies recovered. 40 missing, she wrote. Italys coastguard said it pulled 10 people to safety and was scouring the area for survivors. Due to the particularly adverse weather and sea conditions, the search operations are being carried out with the support of various aircraft which will take turns in overflying the area, the coastguard said in a statement. Those included aircraft belonging to Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, it said. The dinghy was reportedly found partially deflated off the tiny rocky outcrop of Lampione, to the west of Lampedusa, which lies closer to North Africa than Europe. Advertisement Around 8,743 migrants have arrived in Italy so far this year, slightly more than in the same period last year, according to Italys interior ministry. Save the Children said that number includes almost a thousand unaccompanied minors. Far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has adopted a tough stance on migrants, vowing to stop arrivals, which are down sharply on 2023 figures. The country is the first port of call for many people who make the perilous journey on small boats from North Africa to Europe. Melonis flagship plan is to outsource migrant processing to Albania a non-EU country and speed up repatriations of failed asylum seekers. Advertisement But the scheme, closely watched by Europe, has run into several legal hurdles and the purpose-built centres in Albania currently stand empty. With inputs from agencies The inflatable dinghy, which was originally carrying 56 people from Sfax in Tunisia on its way to Italy, began to deflate and take on water after a few hours of sailing. Italian media said there were 10 survivors read more A migrant boat en route from Tunisia in North Africa to Europe sunk, leading to the death of at least 6 onboard. Another 56 are missing. Image used for representative purpose/Reuters Forty migrants are missing, and six bodies have been recovered following a shipwreck in the Mediterranean, according to a report from the United Nations on Wednesday, March 19. Italian media indicated that the incident occurred near the island of Lampedusa. Too many more dead in a new shipwreck in the Mediterranean: saved on a rubber dinghy, the survivors report having left Sfax in Tunisia on the 17th, UNHCR representative Chiara Cardoletti said on X. Advertisement Ancora troppi morti in un nuovo naufragio nel Mediterraneo: salvati su un gommone i superstiti riferiscono di essere partiti il 17 da Sfax in Tunisia in 56. Dopo qualche ora di navigazione, il gommone ha iniziato a sgonfiarsi e prendere acqua. 6 corpi recuperati. 40 dispersi. Chiara Cardoletti (@chiaraUNHCR) March 19, 2025 The representative also added that the inflatable dinghy, which was originally carrying 56 people, began to deflate and take on water after a few hours of sailing. Italys coastguard and financial police pulled 10 people to safety six men and four women off the tiny rocky outcrop of Lampione, according to Italian media reports. Survivors claimed that some of the missing people had fallen overboard in rough seas, according to the AGI news agency. The tragic incident comes just a day after a migrant boat sank in international waters off the southern coast of Cyprus. State-run television in the West Asian country reported Monday (March 17) that seven bodies have been recovered and two people had been rescued after a boat carrying migrants sank off the south coast of the island. Advertisement The rescue mission could not find any more survivors despite long hours of recovery efforts. Local media said that 21 people, mostly Syrian migrants, were on board the boat. The vessel was found on Tuesday morning by the Search and Rescue Coordination Centre. It had sunk four days ago. With inputs from agencies The cuts are part of the broader effort by billionaire Trump adviser Elon Musk s Department of Government Efficiency Service to slash the federal workforce and dismantle U.S. agencies read more Roughly 50,000 to 60,000 civilian jobs will be cut in the Defense Department, but fewer than 21,000 workers who took a voluntary resignation plan are leaving in the coming months, a senior defense official told reporters Tuesday. To reach the goal of a 5% to 8% cut in a civilian workforce of more than 900,000, the official said, the Pentagon aims to slash about 6,000 positions a month by simply not replacing workers who routinely leave. Advertisement A key concern is that service members may then be tapped to fill those civilian jobs left empty by the hiring freeze. But the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide personnel details, said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wants to ensure the cuts dont hurt military readiness. The cuts are part of the broader effort by billionaire Trump adviser Elon Musk s Department of Government Efficiency Service to slash the federal workforce and dismantle U.S. agencies. Acknowledging that some military veterans will be among the civilians let go, the official would not estimate how many but agreed it could be thousands. The department is using three ways to accomplish the workforce cuts: voluntary resignations, firing probationary workers and cutting jobs as employees routinely leave. The official said the military services and Pentagon officials are going over the personnel on a case-by-case basis to ensure cuts dont affect critical national security jobs. Officials would not say how many Defense Department civilians requested the voluntary resignation plan also known as the Fork in the Road offer but said more requested it than the number who eventually were approved. The defense official said the vast majority were allowed but that in some cases, people were denied for national security reasons or to make sure that too many people in one office didnt all leave. He added that Hegseth also has given the secretaries of the military branches and Defense Department personnel leaders the authority to grant exemptions to the hiring freeze. An average of 70,000 civilians are hired each year, which amounts to about 6,000 a month, he said. Because the services have a good deal of latitude in determining which jobs should not be subject to the freeze, its not clear what portion of those 70,000 would actually be eliminated. Advertisement Plans to cut probationary workers, which the Pentagon said targeted about 5,400 of the roughly 54,000 in the department, are already on hold due to court challenges. Federal judges ordered the administration to rehire thousands, if not tens of thousands, of probationary workers that had been let go, finding legal problems with the way the mass terminations were carried out. The official added that Hegseth is confident the staffing cuts can be done without negatively affecting military readiness. The Pentagon chief last month in Germany noted that he was planning to welcome DOGE to the Pentagon, adding that there are waste, redundancies and headcounts in headquarters that need to be addressed. Advertisement Across the government, about 75,000 federal workers are being let go through deferred resignation program buyouts. And at least 24,000 probationary employees were initially let go in the now-paused mass firings across multiple agencies since Trump took office, according to lawsuits challenging the firings. The government has not confirmed that number. The personnel reductions come as top Democrats on the House Judiciary and House Oversight committees have filed a lengthy Freedom of Information Act request questioning whether the Trump administrations DOGE Service is operating outside the bounds of federal law, The Associated Press has learned. In addition, President Donald Trump has ordered a large-scale reduction in force to cut jobs and reduce the overall size of the government. Defense officials could not provide any details on what that would do at the Pentagon or what proposed cuts are being discussed. Advertisement At the Raisina Dialogue 2025 in New Delhi, experts debated the future of global green finance. Jayant Sinha, president of Eversource Capital and Alok Sharma, Former COP26 president, discussed shifting energy policies, private investment and carbon trading. Can global collaboration on climate action withstand growing geopolitical divides? read more Women take images of installation of placards by Greenpeace with the word Persist written on it as the message to the next years COP30 in Brazil during the COP29 United Nations climate change conference, in Baku, Azerbaijan November 22, 2024. File Image/Reuters Among the myriad of sessions on the third day of the Raisina Dialogue 2025 in New Delhi, the Whats Next for the Green Deal? discussion stood out, addressing the evolving dynamics of global green finance and technology. This session, taking place as part of Firstposts Idea Pod series, revolved around how trade barriers, energy security concerns, and shifting political priorities particularly in the United States are impacting the global green finance agenda. Advertisement The panel comprised Jayant Sinha, president of Eversource Capital in India and a visiting professor in practice at the London School of Economics; Alok Sharma, the former president of COP26 and currently a climate and finance fellow at the Rockefeller Foundation in the United States; and was moderated by Mannat Jaspal, director & fellow, climate and energy at the Observer Research Foundation Middle East, United Arab Emirates. The United States has rekindled its focus on fossil fuels, leading to a reevaluation of its commitments to green initiatives. Concurrently, Europe faces new spending priorities, potentially diverting attention from sustainability goals. These developments have contributed to a slowdown in the momentum for a global consensus on green finance and technology. Initially, there was optimism that private capital would increasingly flow towards green projects, signalling a shift towards sustainable investments. However, recent trends suggest that this enthusiasm may have waned. Dealing with a changing landscape for Green Finance The global economic order has seen increasing protectionism with supply chain monopolisation and trade conflicts shaping policy decisions. This, coupled with the resurgence of fossil fuel investments in the US and shifting European spending priorities, has raised concerns about the feasibility of large-scale green financing. Hours into taking office for his second term as United States President, Donald Trump withdrew the US from the 2015 Paris Agreement. Theres a lot of chatter right now about the fact that the Green New Deal is off because of the changes in the United States, said Sinha. However, he pointed out that for India, the green transition remains an economic imperative. For us, the green transformation is a matter of pure economics and pure survival, independent of what happens geopolitically. Advertisement Sinha highlighted how Indias solar energy potential makes renewable energy a natural choice. We are a country with a lot of solar irradiation. Given where technology is headed, solar energy is going to be cheaper than coal, and thats without even considering climate change, he explained. (L to R) Alok Sharma, former president of COP26; Jayant Sinha, president of Eversource Capital in India; and Mannat Jaspal, director & fellow, climate and energy at the Observer Research Foundation Middle East, during the session at Firstposts Idea Pods studio at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi on March 19, 2025. File Image/Firstpost He also pointed out that India spends over $200 billion annually on fossil fuel imports, making a shift to renewables a logical move. Its absolutely in our interest to continue to pursue the green transformation. For India, Net Zero is massively net positive. With rising trade barriers, growing nationalism, and diverging energy policies, concerns about a fractured global response to climate change remain high. The panel agreed that international cooperation is crucial, but reforms in financial structures and regulatory frameworks are needed. Advertisement How to balance economic priorities and green investments Former COP26 President Alok Sharma recalled that despite geopolitical challenges, the Glasgow Climate Pact was successfully negotiated. We faced similar headwinds COVID-19, strained national budgets, and economic uncertainty but nearly 200 countries still came together because they understood the economic self-interest of climate action, he said. Sharma also highlighted alarming economic risks of climate inaction. The Asian Development Bank has suggested that unless you take action on climate, by 2070 it could affect 25 per cent of Indias GDP. However, he argued that transitioning to a greener economy also brings benefits. Theres a huge economic upside in terms of jobs, in terms of the economy, in terms of export opportunities. Also Watch: But financing remains a major hurdle. You add up all the climate funds that exist, they amount to significant sums, but we need trillions of dollars annually, Sharma noted. He highlighted the role of the private sector in mobilising green capital. When I was in government, we set up Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JET-Ps) with developing nations to help them build clean energy infrastructure. But this requires regulatory reform, planning reform, and above all, it requires the private sector to be able to get economic returns. Advertisement The cost of capital in Green Energy India, one of the largest emerging markets, requires significant investment to fund its clean energy transition. If we have to do this right, we need to deploy $50 to $100 billion a year, every single year, into green investments in India, Sinha stated. He estimated that India requires nearly a trillion dollars over the next 10 to 15 years to meet its sustainability targets. However, he pointed out disparities in financing costs. A company like Tata Steel, when it raises money in the UK, does so at one cost of capital. When it raises for the same project in India, it faces another, higher cost due to sovereign risk, he explained. Also Read | Brace for setbacks in combating climate change, warn experts as US takes over G20 presidency in 2026 This discrepancy discourages international investors from channelling funds into Indias green economy. Sharma added that one of the most critical financial reforms would be to integrate climate risk into investment decisions. If every corporate and financial institution priced climate risk into every financial decision, the money would actually flow in the right direction. Advertisement The energy security dilemma A major theme of the discussion was the global energy security challenge. While private and public investments in clean energy are rising, fossil fuel investments still dominate in many parts of the world. Last year, we had about $2 trillion going into clean energy globally, but a trillion still went to fossil fuels, Sharma noted. That ratio has improved over the past five years, but were still not where we need to be. India has already seen shifts in investor sentiment. Because of strong policy signalling, banks dont want to invest in fossil fuels anymore, Sharma observed. However, he acknowledged that the scale of renewable energy deployment is still not high enough. Were not making enough fossil fuel investments, but were also not making enough clean energy investments. How do we balance the rising energy demand of the future? The rise of protectionist trade policies globally poses challenges to the implementation of cross-border carbon trading mechanisms. Such mechanisms are crucial for setting a global price on carbon and encouraging emissions reductions where they are most cost-effective. The discussion left attendees with pressing questions: Can green finance survive political and economic upheavals? Will global collaboration on climate change continue despite growing polarisation? Raisina Dialogue is a premier conference on geopolitics and geo-economics hosted by the Observer Research Foundation in collaboration with Indias Ministry of External Affairs. Firstpost has partnered with the Raisina Dialogue to bring exclusive content to its viewers and readers. The event, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 17, featured New Zealands Prime Minister Christopher Luxon as the chief guest and keynote speaker. Chinese livefire drills near the Australian cost last month were a wake up call for the country and should make countries in the region come together to face the Chinese challenge, said experts Rory Medcalf and Masafumi Ishii at Firstpost Ideas Pod during the Raisina Dialogue 2025 read more In a discussion hosted by the Firstpost during the Raisina Dialogue 2025, leading experts on the Indo-Pacific said that Chinese naval drills near the Australian coast last month were a wake-up call for Australia and were enabled by the US withdrawal from the world stage. Last month, a Chinese navy flotilla sailed into Australian exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and held live-fire drills that rattled Australia and neighbouring New Zealand and disrupted civilian air traffic. To be sure, such exercises are in line with international law but against well-established customs where nearby countries are informed of such exercises. Chinese livefire drills were first picked up by a commercial airline pilot who informed Australian authorities. Advertisement Rory Medcalf, the Head of National Security College at the Australian National University, said that the exercises were a wake-up call for Australia that sent an intimidating signal and nations in the region need to brace for more such aggression. Medcalf further said, We need to be able to ensure that in future Chinese naval and military activity in our region is not only not a threat to our interests, but it cannot be, if you like, activated during times of crisis in ways that can threaten us. So I think were at the beginning of a very long game here. However, Medcalf said that it was inevitable that China would have a growing role and presence in the southern Pacific ocean with growing economy and military and challenge for countries in the region going forward is how to manage ties with China without letting China dominating them and threatening their interests and values. Ideas Pod By Raisina Dialogue X Firstpost #RaisinaDialogue2025: In conversation with @Lisa_Singh, CEO, Australia India Institute, Australia, @Rory_Medcalf, Head, National Security College, Australian National University, Australia and Masafumi Ishii, Special Adjunct Professor, pic.twitter.com/0qSsKjT4F9 Firstpost (@firstpost) March 19, 2025 Advertisement Masafumi Ishii, a Special Adjunct Professor at the Faculty of Law at Japans Gakushuin University, suggested that the Chinese action in the Australian EEZ was enabled by the US withdrawal from the world stage in President Donald Trumps second term. He said that that the bigger background of this is that the US is leaving from the region and the resultant vacuum would benefit China unless Australia and like-minded nations check such ambitions. Ishi said, Somebody has to fill the gap, fill the bucket, and then I think the responsibility will be heavily on the shoulder of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and other democracies in the region who are both able and ready to defend the existing order. So we should and stick together. And then for us, the most important rule is, as you said, is the rule of law. So I think we cannot overemphasise the importance of it. Advertisement Ishi further said a multilateral grouping that could be called an Asian Quad may be propped to counter China in the Indo-Pacific region. Medcalf said that developmental outreach is critical to Chinas growing influence in the region and Asian countries should come together to counter it. Medcalf said, With the self-sabotage of USAID recently, it puts a greater burden on Australia, Japan, New Zealand and others. You know, the Europeans, I think even India I would say to contribute to the stable sovereign development of the region on the defence and naval side. Look, I think the good news is that Australia has already been working for a number of years with Japan to build some quite strong middle player arrangements. We have a very close security relationship with Japan. Were doing a lot more with India. Advertisement Ishii argued that such a collective front should be put in security of the region as well where nations should support the Philippines and Indonesia that are often at the receiveing end of Chinese aggression. Ishii said, What China has done in recent weeks is just testing your resolve to defend the South Pacific countries. And then I think you should be in charge of that. And Japan is more active in Southeast Asia because its in the backyard. So I think we need to step up efforts and cooperation with countries such as Philippine, who is supposed to be the US ally, but I think they need their help. And also the most important country in the region is, I think, Indonesia when it comes to Southeast Asia. So I think we need to somehow engage in Asia. Theyve just joined the Brics, which is okay and their decision. But I think we need to engage them to our side as well. The best way to do it is to create what I call the Asian quad of Indonesia, India, Japan, Australia. You know, Indonesia, India, and Australia already have a trilateral meeting. So if they accept Japan as a fourth member, we can create Asian Quad. Advertisement Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the exchange as one of the largest of the war and said that some among the Ukrainians released had been persecuted by Russia for fictitious crimes read more Kneeling adults and children pay their respects as the coffin of a Ukranian service man is driven by in a bus to the Lychakiv Cemetery in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv on March 19, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. AFP Russia and Ukraine have exchanged 372 soldiers in a prisoner swap brokered by the United Arab Emirates, Moscow and Kyiv said Wednesday. Prisoner swaps and the exchange of remains of killed soldiers is one of the only areas of cooperation between the warring countries since the Kremlin launched the Russian invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. The Kremlin announced the swap on Tuesday, following talks between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. The Russian defence ministry said it had handed over 175 Ukrainian prisoners of war and 22 seriously wounded Ukrainian captives while Kyiv had delivered 175 Russian prisoners in return. Advertisement Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the exchange as one of the largest of the war and said that some among the Ukrainians released had been persecuted by Russia for fictitious crimes. Zelensky said that some of the Ukrainians returned on Wednesday had fought in the southern city of Mariupol, which was subjected to a brutal siege by Russian forces in the early months of their invasion. The Ukrainian leader, who has called for an all-for-all exchange with Russia as part of ceasefire negotiations, thanked the UAE for its mediation and vowed to return all prisoners. Russia said it returned the Ukrainian wounded prisoners as a gesture of goodwill while Zelensky said the nearly two dozen Ukrainians had been returned through measures outside of exchanges, without elaborating. All the Russian soldiers are in Belarus, where they are being provided with the necessary psychological and medical assistance and given the opportunity to contact their relatives, the Russian defence ministry said. The two sides have swapped hundreds of prisoners since Moscow launched its Ukraine offensive in February 2022. The Panama-flagged Daban, one of dozens of non-sanctioned vessels drawn to the Russian oil trade by fat margins following the January 10 U.S. sanctions, was received at a berth run by the privately-controlled Qingdao Haiye Group at the port of Qingdao, two people familiar with the matter said read more Crude oil tankers lie at anchor in Nakhodka Bay near the port city of Nakhodka, Russia. File image/ Reuters A ship carrying Russian crude transferred from three smaller tankers that are under U.S. sanctions unloaded last week at a Chinese port, shiptracking data shows, ending an unusual month-long voyage highlighting the efforts of producers and traders to keep Moscows oil flowing despite tightened curbs. The Panama-flagged Daban, one of dozens of non-sanctioned vessels drawn to the Russian oil trade by fat margins following the January 10 U.S. sanctions, was received at a berth run by the privately-controlled Qingdao Haiye Group at the port of Qingdao, two people familiar with the matter said. Advertisement Kpler and LSEG data showed the Daban, a very large crude carrier (VLCC) carrying two million barrels of Russian Sokol oil, discharging into Qingdao on March 13, ending a voyage from Russias Far East that would ordinarily take about a week. The Daban transferred oil from Aframax-sized tankers Vladimir Arsenyev on February 3, Captain Kostichev on February 9 and Victor Konetsky on February 10 at Nakhoda Bay in Russian territorial waters, according to tanker tracker Kpler. The three vessels came under U.S. sanctions on January 10. Unlike the international waters near Malaysia and Singapore, Nakhoda Bay is not known as a regular site for ship-to-ship (STS) transfers of oil, making Dabans movements more conspicuous, traders said. The Daban is managed by Hong Kong-based Confident Apex Ltd, according to LSEG data, but contact information for the company was not available. STS transfers often take place to mask a cargos origin. China has said it opposes unilateral sanctions. An unexpected ban by Chinas state-owned Shandong Port Group in early January that prohibits callings by U.S.-designated tankers, followed shortly by Washingtons toughest-yet sanctions on Russian oil exports, initially stalled trade of Russian oil into top buyers China and India and sent freight rates soaring. Freight costs for an Aframax-sized tanker jumped five-fold in February from before the January sanctions to about $7.5 million for a voyage from the Russian Far East to north China. Advertisement The Dabans cargo was initially headed to the port of Yantai in Shandong province, a refining hub and top destination for oil sanctioned by the United States. Yantai, part of Shandong Port Group, rejected the cargo, said several trading sources. Telephone calls to Yantai Port Group went unanswered, and Yantai Port did not immediately reply to an email seeking comment. Before the Haiye discharge, a handful of other Chinese terminals, including two privately managed facilities, received sanctioned vessels in the aftermath of the tightened sanctions, Reuters reported. A Haiye official did not immediately comment when contacted by telephone. The company did not respond to an emailed request for comment. Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, President Recep Tayyip Erdogans main political rival, was detained days ahead of his potential nomination as the presidential candidate for the opposition Republican Peoples Party. In a video message, Imamoglu alleged a handful of people were trying to steal the will of the people read more Turkish authorities have been accused of staging a coup against the countrys next president by the opposition party after a key figure was detained on Wednesday (March 19) on charges of corruption and aiding a terror outfit. Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, President Recep Tayyip Erdogans main political rival, was detained days ahead of his potential nomination as the presidential candidate for the opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP). Media reports showed Turkish police wearing riot gear deployed outside Imamoglus house, along with dozens of police vehicles. Advertisement Imamoglus video message In a video posted on X, the Istanbul Mayor alleged a handful of people were trying to steal the will of the people. I am saddened to say, a handful of people who are trying to steal the will of the people, have sent the dear police, the security forces implicating them in this wrongful doing, Imamoglu said. Hundreds of police officers have been sent to the door my house the house of the 16 million people of Istanbul, the mayor was quoted as saying by CNN. Imamoglu is currently facing two separate investigations, including related to charges of leading a crime organisation, bribery as well as tender rigging. Adding to his woes, the Istanbul University on Tuesday (March 18) said it had annulled the mayors degree over irregularities. Notably, a university degree is required in Turkey to run for presidential elections. The cancellation of degree essentially bars him from contesting in polls. Imamoglu alleged the universitys decision was illegal and he would seek relief from court. The decision of the Istanbul University Board of Directors is UNLAWFUL he said. The days when those who made this decision will be held accountable before history and justice are near. Erdogans authoritarian tendencies Erdogan, who has been at the helm in Turkey for over two decades, is often criticised for brazen display of authoritarian tendencies. Under his watch, the country has seen a sharp increase in the expansion of the prison system. The country is rapidly building new prisons to accommodate the growing number of political prisoners, journalists, academics and activists accused of opposing the regime. The Justice Ministrys General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses revealed on March 3 that a whopping 398,694 people were languishing in the countrys prisons, leading to overcrowding. Turkey has a prison population rate of 466 per 100,000 people, a record. To put the numbers into perspective, when Erdogan rose to power in 2002, there were less than 60,000 prisoners in the country. Advertisement (With inputs from agencies) As trade, technology and corporations become instruments of geopolitical influence, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlights the growing weaponisation of global systems and Indias strategic approach in these evolving circumstances read more In an era where economic tools, digital platforms and financial networks are increasingly being weaponised, nations must navigate a complex and shifting scenario of strategic competition. Speaking at the annual Raisina Dialogue in New Delhiorganised by the Observer Research Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of External AffairsUnion Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar highlighted various approaches to addressing weaponisation, particularly as global goods like SWIFT, social media, and telecom become increasingly vulnerable to this trend. Advertisement Treading through the reality of weaponisation One way is to stay on the right side of weaponisation so that you dont get hit while others do. But heres the realitythe world today makes business decisions by factoring in national security in a way it did not before, especially in the digital era. Its not just about cost; its about comfort and trust. So, if you are looking at this seriously today, Jaishankar said. And certainly, when we look at India and the world today, we see that we are currently engaged in three major trade negotiationswith the EU, the UK, and now the United States. These are our growth markets, our technology partners. This is where people go for education and tourism. In many ways, they are our connectivity partners and strategic partners. So, when we make choices, it is no longer just about efficiency and cost. I think non-economic factors increasingly influence business decisions, the Union Minister said. Sometimes, we may find ourselves in a situation where we have to devise an alternative because it becomes a necessity of the day. But I would argue that this is more of an aberration rather than a strategic desire to replace a particular system. If we can make the current system work for us, that is the smarter thing to do, he added. Corporations and foreign policy: A growing influence When asked by moderator Palki Sharma, Managing Editor of Firstpost, whether foreign policytraditionally designed to deal with countriesmust now adapt to the growing power of corporations, citing Elon Musk and Starlink as an example where a single decision could alter the course of the war in Ukraine, Jaishankar was asked if foreign policy needs to evolve or if such matters should be left to regulators and financial institutions. Advertisement Responding to this, Jaishankar said, Historically, thats not entirely the case. I would remind you of a company called the East India Company, which became so big. But its a valid point. The market capitalisation of many companies today could probably entitle some of themperhaps evento be part of the G20. So, this is a reality we have to deal with. Sometimes, you engage with them in tandem with the government. Sometimes, you deal with them directly. But you have to engage with themthis is a necessity in my business. Weaponisation of trade and economic restrictions When it was pointed out that, historically, India has shied away from weaponising trade and financial institutionsand that the External Affairs Minister himself was not in favour of national sanctionsJaishankar was asked whether, given the changing landscape, trade barriers, tariffs, tech sanctions, or tech restrictions were now finding a place in Indias foreign policy. Advertisement Tariffs, sanctions, export controlsI think, whether we like it or not, they are a reality. Countries use them. In fact, if one looks at the last decade, I would say we have seen a much greater weaponisation of pretty much any kind of capability or economic activity. It could be financial flows, energy supplies, or technology. This is the reality of the world, Jaishankar said. So, since I take the world as it is, we have to negotiate our way through it and see how best we can serve our own country. Because at the end of the day, for a governmentfor a commissar of the governmentyou fight for your business. You fight for your business because youre fighting for employment and for the comprehensive national power, of which business makes a very important contribution, he said. Advertisement I think today, the lines dividing different domains have eroded. And overall, if you look at international relations, it is a less restrained culture today than it was a decade ago. Thats something we all need to handle, the minister said. Jaishankar made it clear that the blurring lines dont bother him because he sees it as evolution. I simply accept it as part of the playing conditions. So, for me, its part of the assumption, part of the challenge, and something that I would deal withideally, even leveragewhere I can, the minister said. Officials in the United States Taipeis main backer and biggest arms supplier have previously cited 2027 as a possible timeline for a Chinese invasion of Taiwan read more A Navy miniature is seen in front of displayed Chinese and Taiwanese flags in this illustration. Reuters Taiwanese troops will simulate possible scenarios for a Chinese invasion in 2027 during the islands annual war games, the defence ministry said Wednesday, as Beijing maintains military pressure on Taipei. China insists self-ruled Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to seize the island by force. Officials in the United States Taipeis main backer and biggest arms supplier have previously cited 2027 as a possible timeline for a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Advertisement Taiwans Han Kuang exercises, which the ministry said would be held from July 9-18, are conducted every year across Taiwan to simulate defending the island against Chinese attacks. In a report submitted to parliament on Wednesday, the ministry said this years scenarios would be based on Chinas grey-zone intrusions and possible actions of the Chinese Communist militarys invasion of Taiwan in 2027. Commanders at all operational and tactical levels will plan scenarios and situations from a practical perspective based on the possible actions of the enemy, the report said. The aim was to verify the ability of troops at all levels to execute plans, thereby building a military force that can respond quickly and maintain high combat readiness, the report said. Beijing regularly deploys fighter jets, warships and coast guard vessels near Taiwan, and has held several major military drills around the island in the past year. Analysts have dubbed these actions grey zone tactics that fall short of an act of war and serve to exhaust the islands armed forces. Defence Minister Wellington Koo warned Wednesday that the time it would take for China to switch from an exercise to combat was not necessarily as long as we used to think. Advertisement We have some key early warning signs that we need to monitor, Koo told reporters, without elaborating. More than 50 Chinese aircraft took part in joint combat patrols around Taiwan on Monday, the defence ministry said previously, days after Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te called China a foreign hostile force. Beijings foreign ministry said the actions were in response to US support for Taiwan and a warning to the Taiwan independence separatist forces. A delegation of Thai officials and media arrived in Chinas northwestern Xinjiang region on Wednesday, seeking to calm worries about mistreatment of a group of 40 Uyghurs who were deported from Thailand last month read more A delegation of Thai officials and media representatives arrived in Chinas northwestern Xinjiang region on Wednesday to address concerns regarding the mistreatment of 40 Uyghurs who were deported from Thailand last month. According to Reuters, Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said in Bangkok that the delegations mission was to reassure the public. Thailand conducted the deportation in a secretive pre-dawn operation, which drew strong criticism from Western contries. Last week, the US imposed visa sanctions on unnamed Thai officials in response to the deportation. Advertisement Rights organisations have accused Beijing of widespread abuses against the Uyghurs, a predominantly Muslim ethnic minority of approximately 10 million people in Xinjiang. However, Beijing denies these allegations and claims that Western countries are interfering and spreading falsehoods. The Thai government, which said the Uyghurs were deported after spending a decade in detention, has consistently said it received assurances from China regarding their safety. According to Reuters, Canada and the US had offered to resettle the Uyghurs who had been returned to China, but that Bangkok feared upsetting China. Thailand said it had received no concrete offers, however. The 40 people deported were from a group of 300 Uyghurs who fled China and were arrested in 2014 in Thailand. Some were sent back to China, others to Turkey and the rest kept in Thai custody until last months deportation. If any country wants anything more or wants clarity, we are happy to provide it there is nothing we cannot disclose. It only depends on time, Paetongtarn was quoted as saying. Her government said on Tuesday that only five of the 40 Uyghurs will be made available during the visit. China played down the significance of the mission, giving no details. At a regular briefing on Wednesday, the Chinese foreign ministrys spokesperson, Mao Ning, reiterated that the repatriation had been a normal law enforcement cooperation with Thailand. She added that the rights of those concerned were being observed according to international laws. Advertisement Among the 40 deported Uyghurs, most have already returned home, while a few who were previously ill were still receiving treatment in hospitals, Thailands defence ministry said in a separate statement on Wednesday, citing a briefing from Chinese officials. The delegation, accompanied by officials from Chinas public security ministry, was expected to form two groups, according to Thai government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub. One would visit the Uyghur returnees at their private residences about 100-200 km (60-125 miles) from the city of Kashgar, on Wednesday afternoon. The other group would speak to Uyghurs more than 500 km away via a video call, and also visit local villages, a mosque and speak with Islamic religious leaders, Jirayu said. Advertisement With inputs from agencies This weekends strikes killed at least 53 people, including children, and wounded others. The campaign is likely to continue, part of a wider pressure campaign by Trump now targeting the Houthis main benefactor, Iran, as well. read more This handout photo released by the US Defence Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) shows a US F/A-18 Super Hornet attack fighter jet taking off from the US Navy's Nimitz-class USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier at sea on March 16, 2025. Image- AFP President Donald Trump Wednesday declared that Yemens Iran-backed Houthi rebels will be completely annihilated, issuing a stern warning to Tehran against continuing its support for the group. This statement comes amid an ongoing US military campaign targeting the Houthi rebels. Iran must stop the sending of these Supplies IMMEDIATELY. Let the Houthis fight it out themselves. Either way they lose, but this way they lose quickly, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. Advertisement Trump has launched a new campaign of intense airstrikes targeting Yemens Houthi rebels. Why did the US launch the new airstrikes? The Houthi rebels attacked over 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones, sinking two vessels and killing four sailors, from November 2023 until January this year. Their leadership described the attacks as aiming to end the Israeli war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The campaign also greatly raised the Houthis profile in the wider Arab world and tamped down on public criticism against their human rights abuses and crackdowns on dissent and aid workers. Trump, writing on his social media platform Truth Social, said his administration targeted the Houthis over their unrelenting campaign of piracy, violence and terrorism. He noted the disruption Houthi attacks have caused through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, key waterways for energy and cargo shipments between Asia and Europe through Egypts Suez Canal. We will use overwhelming lethal force until we have achieved our objective, Trump said. The judge has also ordered the administration to permit USAID to reoccupy its currently closed headquarters at the Ronald Reagan Building if the lawsuit challenging the agencys closure succeeds. The administration is likely to appeal the decision read more A federal judge in the US has ruled that Elon Musks Doge might have violated the Constitution by discontinuing USAid and ordered the Trump administration to reverse some of the actions employed to shut down the organisation. US District Judge Theodore Chuang informed the Department of Government Agency and the US government that he has halted the termination of USAid officials and contractors and directed the reinstatement of former employees official email access. Advertisement The judge also ordered the administration to permit USAID to reoccupy its currently closed headquarters at the Ronald Reagan Building if the lawsuit challenging the agencys closure succeeds. The administration is likely to appeal the decision. The case was brought to court by dozens of unnamed former USAid employees in Maryland and the lawsuit filed by them targeted Musks role in overseeing the deletion of USAids official website and the closure of its headquarters. How has this violated the Constitution? If a president could escape appointments clause scrutiny by having advisers go beyond the traditional role of White House advisors who communicate the presidents priority to agency heads, Chuang wrote, the appointments clause would be reduced to nothing more than a technical formality. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has maintained that the moves which eventually culminated in USAids shutdown were monitored by the agencys leaders, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and acting administrator Pete Marocco, who were taking recommendations from Musk. However, Chuang dismissed that argument regarding the closure of USAID headquarters and the removal of its website, stating that the administration failed to present any evidence of formal authorization by a USAID official. Under these circumstances, the evidence presently favours the conclusion that contrary to defendants sweeping claim that Musk acted only as an advisor, Musk made the decisions to shutdown USAIDs headquarters and website even though he lacked the authority to make that decision, he said. In 2024, the US intelligence community warned that Moscow had stepped up its efforts to undermine support for Kyiv through sabotage operations against US and Europe read more As Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin grow closer, US administration is reportedly scaling back on programs to monitor Russian hybrid warfare. File image/AP The Trump administration has quietly halted a coordinated US government effort to counter Russian sabotage, disinformation, and cyberattacks, easing pressure on Moscow even as its shadow war against Western nations continues, according to multiple former and current officials cited by Reuters. The effort, initially led by President Joe Bidens National Security Council (NSC) and involving at least seven national security agencies, was designed to monitor and disrupt Russian hybrid warfare operations. European allies had been key partners in the initiative, which focused on intelligence-sharing and developing joint countermeasures to sabotage plots and cyber intrusions. However, since President Donald Trump took office in January, much of that work has ground to a halt, Reuters cited eleven officials as saying. Advertisement A coordinated effort left in limbo The Biden administration had intensified these efforts in response to mounting intelligence that Russia was escalating covert attacks on Western targets, including arson attacks across Europe and attempts to assassinate individuals aiding Ukraines war effort. In 2024, the US intelligence community warned that Moscow had stepped up its efforts to undermine support for Kyiv through sabotage operations, prompting Biden to direct US agencies to enhance intelligence-sharing with European partners and establish working groups to coordinate responses. One high-profile success came when US intelligence tipped off Germany about an assassination plot targeting the CEO of Rheinmetall, a major defense manufacturer supplying weapons to Ukraine. German authorities were able to disrupt the plan, illustrating the effectiveness of the US-led initiative. But in the months since the administration changed hands, regular coordination meetings between the NSC and European national security officials have gone unscheduled, according to former officials involved in the process. The NSC has also stopped formally coordinating cross-agency efforts with the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and the State Department. White House officials have not clarified whether the working groups will be reinstated. In response to questions about the change in policy, the White House deferred to the NSC, whose spokesperson, Brian Hughes, insisted that the US continues to assess and counter threats to national security. President Trump has made it abundantly clear that any attack on the US will be met with a disproportionate response, Hughes said. Russias ongoing shadow war Russias hybrid warfare campaign intensified after it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago. Moscows intelligence agencies have since expanded their operations beyond Ukraine, targeting Western infrastructure, businesses, and individuals seen as supporting Kyivs resistance. Advertisement Among the most brazen incidents was a series of arson attacks across Europe in 2024, including a fire at a London warehouse linked to a Ukrainian-born businessman. These incidents, part of a broader campaign to destabilise European resolve, spotlighted the need for coordinated countermeasures. Congress has allocated $175 billion in aid to Ukraine since the war began, making the US a key target in Moscows retaliatory operations. Under Biden, US national security agencies had worked with European counterparts to create joint response protocols, including new arrest procedures and potential harsher prison sentences for those convicted of participating in Russian-backed sabotage efforts. Some of these measures remain under discussion in European capitals, but US involvement in pushing them forward has largely ceased, officials say. Advertisement Concerns over shifting priorities For many career officials in the US national security establishment, the decision to halt these efforts raises concerns that the Trump administration is deprioritising Russian hybrid threats, despite intelligence warnings. Biden officials had briefed Trumps incoming team on the importance of continuing the initiative before he took office, urging them not to let Russias influence operations go unchecked. However, with key agencies now disengaging from the effort, the extent of US intelligence-sharing with Europe remains unclear. With inputs from Reuters According to a Pentagon report on Chinas military and security development published in December, the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has a battle force of more than 370 ships and submarines, including more than 140 major combat vessels. read more The US military is planning to equip its advanced fighter jets with long-range anti-ship missiles to enhance its air strike capabilities in a potential conflict with China in the Indo-Pacific region, according to a media report. Citing a contract notice from the US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), defence news website The War Zone reported Tuesday that the US Navy is working to integrate a version of the AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) onto the F-16 Viper fighter jet. Advertisement A December Pentagon report on Chinas military and security developments revealed that the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Navy possesses a fleet of over 370 ships and submarines, including more than 140 major combat vessels. The US has expressed concern over Chinas Dongfeng-21D missile, an anti-ship ballistic missile known as the carrier killer". which is believed to be capable of striking aircraft carriers from a range of approximately 1,500 to 1,700 kilometers. Amid growing worries about munition stockpiles and naval shipbuilding capabilities, the US military has been bolstering its air-launched anti-ship capabilities to prepare for a potential confrontation with China in the Pacific. This comes as the production gap between the US and China continues to widen. In the notice posted on Monday, NAVAIR said it intended to enter into sole source negotiations and subsequently award a cost-plus fixed-fee delivery order to Lockheed Martin Corporation-Missiles Fire Control, the South China Morning Post reported on Wednesday. The anticipated [delivery order] is for required integration and test support of the AGM-158C-1 missile on the F-16 aircraft platform, the notice said. The AGM-158C-1 is part of the AGM-158 Joint Air to Surface Standoff Missile developed by Lockheed Martin and is the main version of the LRASM in production. The stealth weapon has a range of 322km and features several advanced features, including autonomous route-planning supported by a suite of onboard electronic support measures that allows the missile to automatically alter its course in response to sudden threats, as well as better track its target via its radio-frequency emissions. Advertisement The integration of the LRASMs onto F-16s would likely boost the US Air Forces anti-ship ability, the Post report said. The notice comes as the US military has been expanding the number of the LRASM launch platforms in an effort to ramp up preparedness for a potential conflict in the Pacific, especially with China, which has the worlds largest navy fleet. Anti-ship capabilities could see an outsize role in a potential war in the Asia-Pacific over speculation that Beijing could launch an attack across the Taiwan Strait, the Post report said. One scenario would see the PLA Navy sail past the first island chain towards the Philippine Sea and the strategically important eastern side of Taiwan. Advertisement Denying the Chinese military access to the Pacific Ocean through this route would be a significant factor in determining the outcome of such a conflict, it said. China asserts Taiwan is part of its mainland and vows to reunite the estranged island by force, if necessary. While not recognising Taiwan as an independent state, the US has been asserting that it is opposed to any attempt to take it by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons for defence. With inputs from agencies Zelenskyy was being briefed about Tuesdays 90-minute call between Trump and Putin that saw the Kremlin leader agree to a limited 30-day halt on strikes against Ukraines power grid. read more US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said that he had a very good call with Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy, adding that he sought to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs. Just completed a very good telephone call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine. It lasted approximately one hour. Much of the discussion was based on the call made yesterday with President Putin in order to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs, Trump said. Advertisement He added, We are very much on track, and I will ask Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, to give an accurate description of the points discussed. Kyiv said Zelenskyy was being briefed about Tuesdays 90-minute call between Trump and Putin that saw the Kremlin leader agree to a limited 30-day halt on strikes against Ukraines power grid. This was the first interaction between the two leaders after the White House fiasco where Trump and his vice president JD Vance blasted on the Ukrainian leader over his conduct of handling the conflict. Putin agreed to pause strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities for 30 days following a call with Trump on Tuesday, having turned down the US presidents earlier proposal of halting all hostilities. Trump-Putin likely to meet Meanwhile, US envoy Steve Witkoff told Bloomberg that Trump is likely to meet Putin in the near future. You know, I cant speak for them, but my best bet would be that its likely to happen. They have a great rapport together. They had a great rapport in the first Trump administration, he said. He added, It was on display yesterday. This was really a very positive, very proactive, outcome oriented call, and thats who President Trump is. Hes there to get to the goalline. And we did a we went a long way yesterday to doing that. Advertisement Riyadh talks 2.0 US Security Adviser Mike Waltz has said that the next round of negotiations on Ukraine war ceasefire in Riyadh will happen soon. He said, I spoke today with my Russian counterpart Yuri Ushakov about President Trumps efforts to end the war in Ukraine. We agreed our technical teams would meet in Riyadh in the coming days to focus on implementing and expanding the partial ceasefire President Trump secured from Russia. According to the Houthis military spokesperson, cruise missiles and drones struck the USS Harry S. Truman carrier group in an attack that was the fourth within 72 hours' read more This grab from footage shared by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) on March 15, 2025 shows a cruise missile being fired from the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64) at sea during operations against Yemen's Houthis. AFP Yemens Houthis claimed on Wednesday to have launched a fourth attack in 72 hours on an American fleet in the Red Sea, while the US military insisted its operation against Iran-backed rebels was still proceeding. According to the Houthis military spokesperson, cruise missiles and drones struck the USS Harry S. Truman carrier group in an attack that was the fourth within 72 hours. An hour before, the US Central Command acknowledged its continuous operations against Iran-backed Houthi terrorists. Advertisement Beginning Saturday, the United States unleashed significant attacks against the Tehran-backed militia, sparking widespread protests in the war-torn country and retaliatory attempts that, according to a US general, were mostly ineffective. Washington has promised to strike Yemen with fatal and overwhelming force unless the Houthis cease shooting on the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The commerce route handles around 12% of worldwide marine traffic. The Houthis, who are part of Irans axis of resistance against the US and Israel, have been impeding commerce since the beginning of the Gaza conflict, claiming solidarity with Palestinians. The Houthis stated the US attack will not deter their support for Gaza. The US aggression will not deter the steadfast and struggling Yemen from fulfilling its religious, moral, and humanitarian duties toward the Palestinian people, the Houthis said in a statement Wednesday. On Tuesday, the Hamas-allied rebels also took responsibility for a missile intercepted by Israel, and vowed to escalate attacks after the resumption of massive military operations in the Gaza Strip. Tuesdays missile, which the Houthis said targeted an air base, was the first reported attack on Israel from Yemen since the January 19 ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. Advertisement Israel said it intercepted a missile launched from Yemen, after air raid sirens sounded in Beersheba and parts of the Negev desert. A military statement later said that a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted by the IAF (air force) prior to crossing into Israeli territory. The Houthis supreme political council condemned the Zionist enemys resumption of aggression against the Gaza Strip. The wave of Israeli strikes in Gaza, by far the deadliest since the truce took effect, killed more than 400 people, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory. The massive, overnight operation threatened to resume the devastating war, with Israels prime minister deeming it essential to ensure the release of hostages in Gaza. Advertisement Hamas accused the Israeli government of effectively signing a death warrant for the remaining captives. In a session on hybrid warfare at the Raisina Dialogue, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan said that warfare has moved into the domain of cognition and you can change governments by changing public opinions without waging wars read more In the present world where warfare is evolving fast, you dont need to fight wars to dictate governments actions, but can do so by changing the public opinion, said Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan. At a session on hybrid warfare at Raisina Dialogue 2025 organised by Observer Research Foundation (ORF), Chauhan explained that modern warfare has not not only converged various domains, such as the land, maritime, air, and cyberspace, but has moved from physical geogrphies to cognitive geographies. Advertisement When wars were just physical, physical geography was important. When wars became hybrid, the human geography became important. Today, I think cognitive geography of the society is becoming equally important. You have to find out where the society gets its information from, what influences it, and how they see it. After all, all democratic governments are hostage to public opinion. If public opinion can be changed, you can change government decisions without resorting to violence. Thats how warfare is evolving, said Chauhan. Discussing the way technology has changed warfare, General (Retired) David Petraeus, a former US Central Commander and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), said that Ukraine has emerged as a world leader in military technology. He said that the way Ukraine has developed advanced drones since the Russian invasion and deployed them in the battlefield, it is building the technology of tomorrow today. When the guns fall silent, Ukraine will be the defence Colossus of Europe, said Petraeus. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, while the nation has depended heavily on the West for arms and ammunition, it has developed a domestic drone industry that has been appreciated for their role in beating back the invading Russian forces as well as conducting constant strikes on Russian energy and defence facilities deep inside the country. Just this week, Ukraine said it had struck the Russian refinery that supplies up to half of Moscows fuel. Ukraine has also used drones to rain havoc on the Russian navy in the Black Sea. Ukraine has destroyed a third of Russian Black Sea fleet since the war began in 2022, including warships, landing ships, and at least one submarine, according to an unclassified British intelligence assessment. The cyber attacks by non-state actors on institutions such as hospitals or banks are also part of the global hybrid warfare as these cyber-criminals are proxies of certain countries and are aligned with their foreign policy suggested Pavlina Pavlova, a cybersecurity expert at the think tank New America. Advertisement Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he would speak to President Donald Trump later on Wednesday and that the US should monitor any potential ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia focusing on energy facilities read more Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attends a joint press conference with Finnish President Alexander Stubb (not pictured) at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland, on Wednesday. Reuters File A day after a call between US President Donald Trump and and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin failed to agree on a full ceasefire in Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he would speak to President Trump later on Wednesday and urge US to oversee Ukraine-Russia energy ceasefire. According to a Politico report, Zelenskyy made this announcement at a press conference alongside Finnish President Alexander Stubb in Helsinki and said that Putins words are at odds with reality. Advertisement I will be contacting President Trump today, we will be discussing the details of his call with Moscow," Politico quoted Zelenskyy as saying. Zelenskyy said that the US should monitor a partial Russian-Ukrainian ceasefire on energy infrastructure after Moscow agreed to temporarily pause attacks on Ukrainian energy sites. The United States should be the main controlling entity, AFP quoted Zelenskyy as saying at the press conference. Zelenskyy also warned against heeding to Putins demand to halt military aid for his country. I do not believe that we should make any concessions in terms of assistance for Ukraine, but rather there should be an increase in assistance for Ukraine, added Zelenskyy. After the highly anticipated Trump-Putin call on Tuesday, the much-anticipated ceasefire concerning energy infrastructure strikes lasted only an hour as Moscow and Kyiv accused each other of launching air attacks. While Kyivs air force said it destroyed 72 of 145 drones launched by Russia overnight, Russias defence ministry said its units downed 57 Ukrainian drones. The Kremlin accused Ukraine of countering US-Russia efforts to resolve the conflict, saying it had tried to strike Russian energy infrastructure after Putin and Trump agreed a halt on such attacks. Unfortunately, so far see there has been no reciprocity on the part of the Kyiv regime. There were attempts to strike our energy infrastructure, AFP quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying. Advertisement These attacks are countering our common (Russian-American) efforts, he added. Peskov said Putin and Trump trust each other and want to normalise US-Russia ties after more than three years of Moscows Ukraine offensive. Presidents Putin and Trump understand each other well, trust each other and are intent to gradually move towards the normalisation of ties, AFP quoted Peskov as saying. Late Tuesday, Trumps war envoy, Steve Witkoff, announced that new peace talks between American and Russian negotiators are set to take place this weekend in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. With inputs from agencies Eric Migicovsky, the founder of Pebble smartwatch, has introduced two new watches through his new company Core Devices: the Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2. These devices carry forward the original Pebble design, leveraging PebbleOS, which Google open-sourced in January 2025. Core 2 Duo Eric Migicovsky called the Core 2 Duo a do-over of the Pebble 2, now packed with modern upgrades. It features a crisp 1.26-inch black-and-white e-paper display and runs over 10,000 Pebble apps and watchfaces. The watch has a lightweight polycarbonate frame in black or white, targets IPX8 water resistance, and includes a microphone and step and sleep tracking. It uses a standard 22mm watch strap. Migicovsky highlighted its 30-day battery life, up from the Pebble 2s 7 days. It runs on a Nordic nRF52840 BLE chip and offers a speaker, a quieter and stronger linear resonance actuator (replacing the vibrating motor), and buttons with up to 30% longer lifespan in testing. Additional sensors include a barometer and compass. Quick specifications: Core 2 Duo 1.26 ultra-crisp black & white e-paper display 10,000+ Pebble apps & watch faces Lightweight polycarbonate frame (White/Black) IPX8 Water-resistant Microphone, speaker, step & sleep tracking Barometer, compass, standard 22mm strap 30-day battery life (up from 7 days) Nordic nRF52840 BLE chip Linear resonance actuator (quieter & stronger) More reliable buttons (30% longer lifespan) Core Time 2 This is my dream watch, Migicovsky said, describing the Core Time 2 as everything the Pebble Time 2 aimed to be and more. It boasts a 64-color, 1.5-inch e-paper display53% larger with 88% more pixels (200228 vs. 144168) than its predecessor. It also supports over 10,000 Pebble apps and watch faces. The Core Time 2 features a metal frame and buttons (likely CNC-milled aluminum) in black, white, and possibly a third color, with a flat glass lens for reduced glare compared to the curved lens of the Pebble Time family. It offers a 30-day battery life (estimated), a touchscreen, a heart rate monitor, IPX8-targeted water resistance, step and sleep tracking, a microphone, a speaker, and a linear resonance actuator. It uses a standard 22mm strap. Migicovsky noted its industrial design mirrors the Pebble 2, slightly enlarged for the bigger display. Quick specifications: Core Time 2 1.5 64-color e-paper display 10,000+ Pebble apps & watch faces Metal frame & buttons (Black/White + possible 3rd color) 30-day battery life (estimated) Flat glass lens (reduced glare & reflections) Touchscreen, heart rate monitor IPX8 Water-resistant Step & sleep tracking, linear resonance actuator Microphone & speaker Standard 22mm watch strap Software and Compatibility Both watches run open-source PebbleOS, enabling core features like notifications, timelines, watchfaces, alarms, timers, calendars, music control, and basic fitness tracking. Migicovsky emphasized that most of the 10,000+ existing PebbleOS apps and watchfaces work immediately, though some may connect to outdated web services. On the Core Time 2, older apps will show with a border until developers update them for the larger display. Migicovsky added that a companion app for Android and iOS is in development, led by his friend Steve, a former Pebble colleague, alongside crc32, a longtime Cobble developer working with him since last summer. An updated SDK for creating new PebbleOS watchfaces and apps is also underway, he said. Development Updates The Core 2 Duo is advanced in its progress, with dozens of units already produced for testing. Button enhancements are verified, and PebbleOS is compiled for the new architecture, running smoothly on the watch. All firmware development is open-source, available on GitHub and Discord. Migicovsky revealed he took a financial risk by starting development before PebbleOS went open-source, aided by a supplier with leftover Pebble 2 components. For the Core Time 2, component selection, initial industrial and mechanical design, and sourcing of long-lead-time parts are complete. Prototyping is underway. Migicovsky credited Googles PebbleOS release for accelerating software development, a rare advantage in hardware projects where software typically lags. Shipments are planned for December 2025, with details like final frame color options to be shared later this year, he noted. Pricing and Availability Both watches are available exclusively for pre-order at store.rePebble.com. Due to limited display inventory, production will be restricted. Migicovsky urged pre-ordering, as sign-ups on rePebble already exceed planned units. Pre-orders are fully refundable until shipping. Colorado Mesa University leadership was inundated with emails after an alleged white supremacist was announced to be speaking on campus, a Daily Sentinel open records request shows. Once the speaker event was announced, John Marshall, president of CMU, and members of the Board of Trustees fielded inquiries from faculty, students and the community. Those were in response to a March 7 letter from Marshall in which he condemned the views of Jared Taylor while affirming the right of the student-run Western Culture Club to invite him. Marshall, as he mentioned in numerous response emails, did not name the speaker nor the club in his letter as to not give either free PR, he wrote. He does plan on participating in counter-demonstrations. The dozens of emails the Sentinel received range from March 6-10, the early days of the news breaking. Most of the messages are ones of condemnation. Some appear to erroneously believe CMU itself invited Taylor. Others acknowledge the universitys reasoning but believe a line has been crossed. CMU would not support a hypothetical speaker who espoused child abuse. Or dog fighting. What about a eugenics proponent who is anti-disability?, wrote Megan Riddle, a visiting instructor of English. At some point, your office would say no. CMU HAS to dictate to student clubs and faculty who is and is not allowed on campus because it is the privilege and responsibility of campus admin to oversee the protection of ALL students. Marshall is steadfast that he finds Taylors views abhorrent but hasnt budged in his belief that the student-run club has the right to host the event. He reaffirmed this in response to a student who worried about the fallout from the event. Specifically, the student expressed concern that allowing the rhetoric to spread could push students to become alt-right supremacists and that (h)ate will only drag the student body down more. In response, Marshall wrote: Hate speech, as most define it, is protected speech. And our task with respect to racist speech is to challenge it, expose it for the warped and dehumanizing worldview that it is, and articulate a better and more compelling argument not to censor or cancel it, he wrote. This is exceptionally difficult. I will also reflect that I understand your concerns and I would ask you join me in peacefully pushing back on hate with our values or love and dignity. But regardless, I respect and appreciate your views. Alumni also wrote to Marshall or The Board of Trustees expressing their concerns. Derek Wagner, the vice president of external relations and chief of staff at CMU, also floated the idea in one email of setting up a meeting with the organizers and Vice President of Student Affairs Jody Diers. OTHER VIEWS Marshall did receive plenty of support for his decision and reasoning from members of the board of trustees, students and faculty, as well. Joyce Sekharan, a member of the Board of Trustees, wrote in one email with a link to Taylors Wikipedia page: Wow, thats honestly pretty horrifying, so I definitely understand not promoting it. Thanks. Some of the emails also stemmed from an article that detailed growing concerns of hate on campus from The Revolutionist, a left-wing publication. Marshall was sent a link to that article and wrote in response, Yes, Im aware of the antifa lunatic who runs that blog. He and Anne Landman lace me up periodically, referring to local blogger Anne Landman. Marshall received one email criticizing him for condemning Taylors views from Richard Marksbury, a former professor and dean emeritus at Tulane University in Louisiana who fought to keep a New Orleans statue of a Confederate general up. Wagner sent Marshalls letter to local elected officials as a heads-up and invited them to counter-demonstrations. Grand Junction Mayor Abe Herman floated joining the demonstration. Randall Reitz, the mayor pro-tem, expressed interest pending the time of a Housing Authority meeting. In response to a follow-up email to City Council, member Scott Beilfuss said he was floating the idea of attending the event to verify who attends and what is said. Jason Nguyen said he would attend and Dennis Simpson said he would not. The other City Council members did not respond by press time. Taylor distances himself from the white supremacist label but has widely been referred to as one by experts. Many of Taylors views are widely associated with the white supremacist and white nationalist movements in the U.S. The event is sponsored by the Western Culture Club, founded by a student named Max Applebaugh. Jason Lee Van Dyke, a Texas attorney who has represented members of far-right extremist and neo-Nazi groups, is sponsoring $1,000 for the event on the grounds that its a free speech issue. Colorado Mesa's student newspaper The Criterion first reported on Van Dyke's involvement. Counter demonstrations such as a campus unity party are also planned. Taylor is slated to speak at 6 p.m. on March 27 in room 213 of the University Center. Saturday Night Mostly clear. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 64F. NNW winds shifting to E at 10 to 15 mph. Two Rivers is excited to invite you to an exclusive opportunity to learn, connect and take action for downtown revitalization. This free Main Street America & Montana Main Street Workshop will be held Tuesday, March 25, 8 a.m. to noon at the Glasgow Elks Lodge. Calling all business owners, community leaders and revitalization champions! Join us for an exciting workshop on Building a Campaign in Support of Revitalization. Learn how to develop an annual campaign that effectively engages downtown merchants, business outside of downtown and local residents. Through storytelling, fundraising tools and proven strategies, youll discover how to inspire investors and partners to support Main Street revitalization efforts. Whether youre a small business owner, nonprofit leader or community advocate, this session will give you the tools to make a real impact. This is your chance to network, gain valuable insights, and be part of the movement to create a stronger, more vibrant Valley County! Let us know youre coming by registering here: https://form.jotform.com/250504991678164 The Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame honored its newest and 17th class of inductees during the MCHF Annual Induction Ceremony & Western Heritage Gathering Feb. 7 - 8 at the Heritage Inn in Great Falls. Nearly 600 people attended the weekend's events. On S... Greetings From Helena We have reached the halfway point of the session referred to as transmittal. This is when the bills which were first introduced in the House must pass out of committee and/or the House floor and make their way over to the Senate and vice versa. Now i... Director General Defence Intelligence Agency to embark on Australia Visit from March 19 India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Posted On: 18 MAR 2025 10:40AM by PIB Delhi Director General Defence Intelligence Agency (DG DIA) Lt General DS Rana is set to embark on an official visit to Australia from 19-21 March 2025. This visit aims to further strengthen bilateral defence intelligence cooperation and enhance strategic engagement between India and Australia. During the visit, DG DIA will hold discussions with senior Australian Defence officials, including the Deputy Secretary, Department of Defence, Director General of National Intelligence (DGNI), Chief of Defence Intelligence and the Chief of Joint Operations of the Australian Defence Forces (ADF). These high-level interactions will focus on intelligence-sharing mechanisms, regional security cooperation, and avenues for further collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region. As part of the visit, DG DIA will also visit the Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQ JOC) to gain insights into Australia's operational framework and joint command structures. He is also scheduled to interact with the Director of the Australian Geospatial Organisation (AGO). Additionally, engagements at the Lowy Institute, a leading international policy think tank, will facilitate discussions on strategic defence and security dynamics. Honouring the strong defence ties and shared military traditions between India and Australia, DG DIA will lay a wreath at the Australian War Memorial. The visit will also include attending the Last Post Ceremony, a solemn tribute to the fallen soldiers, symbolising mutual respect and remembrance for the sacrifices made in service to the nation. This visit underscores the deepening intelligence and security cooperation between India and Australia, reinforcing both nations' commitment to maintaining peace, stability, and security in the region. ******* SR/Anand (Release ID: 2112082) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Speech by President von der Leyen on European defence at the Royal Danish Military Academy European Commission Statement Mar 17, 2025 Copenhagen "Check against delivery" Thank you, Prime Minister, dear Mette, Dear Cadets, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am honoured to be here today with you. There is no more inspirational group of people to speak to than women and men who have chosen to devote their careers and their lives for the security and freedom of others. Your mental and physical fortitude - your sense of duty and honour - are a testament to yourselves, your families, and to your nation as a whole. This historic Academy is one of the reasons I chose Denmark to speak about security. And to make the case that if Europe wants to avoid war, Europe must get ready for war. Denmark is acutely aware of its own security and threats. Not least because of its unique and strategic geography but also because of recent events: I am of course talking about the ongoing war in Ukraine and conflicts in other theatres but also the repeated and continued attacks on critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. And, of course, the ongoing competition for influence in the Arctic region, including Greenland. To all the people of Greenland - and of Denmark as a whole - I want to be clear that Europe will always stand for sovereignty and territorial integrity. And it is against this complex backdrop that I salute the Prime Minister's decision to increase defence spending to 3% of GDP in the next two years. This is true leadership. Dear Cadets, If we look back over each generation of cadets who have graduated from this institution, they have each faced their own challenges. For those in the postwar years, it was about finding their way in that dangerous time. It is almost exactly on this day in March 1948 that Denmark stationed naval assets on your islands of Anholt, Ls and Sams. It was done because of very real fears of an imminent attack from the East. These events ultimately led to Denmark's historic decision to join NATO the following year. And being part of NATO meant that for generations that followed, their duty was also about protecting peace across the world to help secure our own freedoms. But somewhere along the line, the era of the peace dividend gradually set in. The idea took hold that spending on defence should be ramped up during conflict eras - but should just as quickly be driven down in times of relative peace. With the help of NATO and the transatlantic alliance, these times of relative peace seemed to be a permanent state. The truth is we quickly convinced ourselves that this truly exceptional period that saw the Iron Curtain and Berlin Wall come down and entire nations and people set free was a new norm. This led to underinvestment in defence and, frankly, to over-complacency. Our adversaries used that time not only to re-mobilise but also to challenge the rules that govern global security. And that brings me to today. The era of the peace dividend is long gone. The security architecture that we relied on can no longer be taken for granted. The age of spheres of influence and power competition is well and truly back. Just take Russia. We already know its determination to deny other countries their right to choose their own path. And now Russia is on an irreversible path to creating a war economy. It has massively expanded its military-industrial production capacity. 40% of the federal budget is spent on defence. 9% of its GDP. This investment fuels its war of aggression in Ukraine while preparing it for future confrontation with European democracies. And just as these threats increase, we see our oldest partner - the United States - move their focus to the Indo-Pacific. Dear Cadets, We may wish these things were not true. Or that we did not have to say them so bluntly. But now is the time to speak honestly so that every European understands what is at stake. Because the discomfort of hearing these words pales into insignificance with the pain of war. Just ask the soldiers and the people of Ukraine. The point is that we must see the world as it is - and we must act immediately to face up to it. Because a new international order will be formed in the second half of this decade and beyond. So as we stand here today, Europe faces a fundamental choice about its future. Do we keep reacting to each challenge in an incremental and cautious way? Or are we ready to grasp this opportunity to build a more secure Europe? One that is prosperous, free and ready, willing and able to defend itself. Dear Cadets, The answer is clear. The choice is none. Europe is ready to step up. We are ready to take control of the change that is inevitable. Because we cannot afford to be pushed around by history. This means, acting now is a must. Acting big is a conditio sine qua non for speed, scale and strength by 2030. This is what Denmark and others are doing. This is what Germany is deciding on today. These decisions are both historic and necessary. By 2030, Europe must have a strong European defence posture. "Readiness 2030" means to have rearmed and developed the capabilities to have credible deterrence. "Readiness 2030" means to have a defence industrial base that is a strategic advantage. But to be "2030 ready", we need to move now. And that is where the EU comes in. To be clear: Member States will always retain responsibility for their own troops, from doctrine to deployment, and for the definition of the requirements of their armed forces. But there is a lot that is needed at European level. And tomorrow we will present a roadmap for "Readiness 2030". I would like to briefly touch on four key priorities. The first and overarching priority is a surge in defence spending. We all know there was an under-investment in defence for too long. Member States' defence spending has now increased by more than 31% since 2021. That is better - but not enough. Still far lower than that of the US, Russia and China. Rebuilding European defence will require massive investment over a sustained period, both public and private. This is why the Commission put forward a plan to unleash EUR 800 billion investment in European defence. This includes a new instrument - called SAFE - that can quickly unlock EUR 150 billion for Member States. This will help us buy better, buy faster, and buy more European. And it will facilitate joint procurement. A good example is the Danish lead-nation model. It delivers fast and reliably. Investments should go into priority capability domains for which action is necessary at European level, in alignment with NATO. But we also need to support Member States to increase their own defence budgets. This is why we are proposing to activate what we call the National Escape Clause. This will give countries much more flexibility to spend more on defence without falling foul of fiscal rules. This holds the potential to mobilise additional defence expenditure of up to 1.5% of GDP. Or some EUR 650 billion over the next four years. And we are working to draw in also private financing - whether from the EIB or on the capital markets. To my second point: What we invest in - and how we invest - is just as important as how much we spend. We must close our capability gaps. And we must do this in a European way. That means large-scale, pan-European cooperation to address gaps in priority areas. That starts with fundamentals like infrastructure and military mobility. By 2030, we need a functioning EU-wide network of land corridors, airports and seaports that facilitate the fast transport of troops and military equipment. At the same time, we need to invest in air and missile defence, artillery systems, ammunition and missiles. And we have to learn the lessons from the battlefield and the changing nature of modern warfare. We have seen the importance of drones and counter-drone systems in Ukraine. Europe needs to develop all types of unmanned systems and the advanced software and sensors behind them. The same goes for cyber, or using military AI, or quantum computing. The scale, cost and complexity of projects in these areas go far beyond any single Member States' capacity. But together as Europeans, we can master this challenge. This is why we must develop large-scale projects and step up collaborative procurement in these areas. That means pooling demand, shorten lead times and ensure interoperability. Ladies and Gentlemen, The third priority for European defence is perhaps the most strategic. And that is increasing support for Ukraine. This is what we call the steel porcupine strategy. Because we need to make Ukraine strong enough to be indigestible for potential invaders. So we need to invest in Ukraine's strength in deterrence through denial. We have done a lot already. We have supported Ukraine with about EUR 50 billion in military support alone and trained more than 73,000 Ukrainian troops. And our support for Ukraine's accession to the European Union remains as strong as ever. But there is a lot more that we can do. To help make this a reality, we will set up a joint Task Force with Ukraine to coordinate the EU's and Member States' military support to Ukraine. But Ukraine can support us too. In fact, there is a lot that we can learn from the transformation of Ukraine's defence industry. The innovation, speed and scale of its industrial base is remarkable. It is a huge asset for Ukraine, and it is a blueprint for Europe. So we need to speed up Ukraine's integration in the European defence equipment market. And our industry is learning from Ukraine's defence industry. Ukraine's industry has the daily battlefield experience, how to innovate just in time and produce faster, cheaper, and more intelligent. This brings me to my fourth priority: strengthening Europe's defence industrial base. We have many competitive and world leading defence companies. And many SMEs that are developing new technologies at the cutting edge of innovation. But our industrial base still has structural weaknesses. It is not yet able to produce defence systems and equipment in the quantities and speed that Member States need. It remains too fragmented with dominant national players catering to domestic markets. We need to turn the tide. It starts with investment in Europe. Today, the majority of defence investment goes outside Europe. In other words: good jobs outside Europe. Research, development and innovation outside Europe. This is not sustainable. We must buy more European. Because that means strengthening the European defence technological and industrial base. That means stimulating innovation. And that means creating an EU-wide market for defence equipment. In addition, companies need a steady stream of multi-year orders to steer investment and ramp up capacity. Pooling our demand and joint procurement is therefore even more important. We will set up a European Military Sales Mechanism to help make this happen. Member States need to be able to fully rely on European defence supply chains, especially in times of urgent need. And a European market would deliver that. It will be a driver for our prosperity and industrial competitiveness as much as for our security. It will unleash innovation, research and skills. We will put forward a Defence Omnibus to simplify rules and regulations - from certification to permitting to joining existing contracts. And we will convene a Strategic Dialogue with the Defence Industry to look at all the obstacles they face. Dear Cadets, I know that my message to you today was stark. I painted a picture of a world fraught with danger. But we are stronger than we think. And we are not in this alone. Europe is more united than ever. It is more determined than ever. And it has partners, friends and allies that it can work with and count on. Security challenges often have global implications. What happens elsewhere can quickly happen over here and vice-versa. And most of the threats we face are cross-border, whether that is a Russia determined to regroup; or hybrid or cyberattacks; or threats in space or at sea. So that is why we are fully committed to working with NATO and the United States. Our security is indivisible. That is why we are working to break new ground on security with the United Kingdom and other partners within Europe, in our neighbourhood or within the G7. From Canada to Norway. And even as far afield as India and other parts of Asia. Like all young cadets in all of those countries, your lives and careers will be devoted to building and securing peace, freedom and prosperity. But I would like you to remember that freedom is not a process. It is a constant struggle. I am not sure whether I have the right English word. But there is a word in Ukrainian. The word "volia". "Volia" means freedom, but it also means courage and will to fight for freedom. That is every generation's duty. That is what we are working for, because Europe is more than a Union, it is our home. Thank you and long live Europe. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary of State Marco Rubio with Guy Benson of Fox News Radio US Department of State Interview Marco Rubio, Secretary of State Via Teleconference March 17, 2025 QUESTION: Well, it's my honor to welcome back to the show for the first time in his new capacity Marco Rubio, who is now the Secretary of State of the United States of America - of course, a long-time U.S. senator from the great State of Florida. Secretary Rubio, welcome back. It's great to have you here. SECRETARY RUBIO: Thanks for having me on. It's good to be with you in this new role. QUESTION: I saw a report out of the Pentagon just minutes ago that day three of U.S. strikes against the Houthi terrorists in Yemen now underway. I've seen some talk and chatter online from certain precincts wondering why are we bombing Yemen. Is this in our vital national interest to be engaged in this? I think the answer is yes. Obviously, the President fully agrees and has issued these orders. From the Trump Administration, U.S. perspective, Secretary, why is this the correct course of action against the Houthis? SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, first of all, it's wrong to think about it as we're bombing Yemen. We're bombing the Houthis, and they happen to be located in Yemen. They've taken control of parts of the territory of Yemen. They claim to be the government, but they really aren't. It's basically a terrorist organization that over the last 18 months has attacked United States naval vessels 174 times. So I would ask anyone who says what you just said, who raises that point: If we get attacked 174 times by any group in the world, what should our response to that be? I ask anybody, if you get attacked - our naval ships, 174 times, commercial vessels - I mean, all these things that people like to buy whether you're ordering it on Amazon or buying it from a store, the whole product that you need, or maybe you're in a business that relies on these things for sales. They all come on cargo ships. They've been attacked close to 150 times in the last 18 months. So, what do you do with a group that attacks your Navy 174 times or this group that attacks commercial shipping 150 times? You just leave them there, you let them keep attacking? You go ahead and say, okay, well, I guess we just can't ship through there anymore because these guys are there? No, I think the answer everyone would say is you've got to take them out and that's what we're doing. We're going after their ability to attack our Navy ships and their ability to attack our commercial shipping, period. That's what we're doing. We're doing the world a favor by doing that, because it's not just our ships that they're attacking. But they're attacking us more than anybody else. QUESTION: Yeah, no, I think it's clearly in our interests but also the interests of the world and open trade and lowering costs of the goods that gets driven up if you have to ship around the Horn of Africa. So, the reasons are plenty, and I'm glad that this is finally happening. I think it's really delayed from the Biden administration. Now you guys are getting down to business and doing what should have been done a while ago. There's also a message here not just indirectly but as of today also directly from President Trump to the Iranian patrons of the Houthis. Talk about that message as well. SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, the Houthis don't exist - I mean, first of all, the Houthis don't have the ability to do this without Iran helping them, okay? They don't - I mean, they've learned how to make them, these drones and these sophisticated anti-ship drones, but this technology is coming from somewhere. Iran is helping them. Iran is helping them make these things, Iran is providing them the money to do these things, Iran is providing them with targeting information that they can use against us. I mean, without Iran, there is no Houthi threat of this magnitude. I mean, there's a Houthi threat inside of Yemen, but not a Houthi threat against our Navy and against commercial shipping. So, Iran owns this problem. I mean, they created this Frankenstein monster, and now they got to own it. And I think we should hold them responsible. And as the President has said, if these guys keep doing this, we owe Iran responsible for having created it. So, I think that's the second point that I would make. I wouldn't go any further than what the President said today, but he's very serious about - I was actually with him when he put that message out. He's very serious about it because he knows, unlike Joe Biden, that this is a group that was allowed to grow into the threat they've become because the Biden administration didn't do anything about it. QUESTION: You have been intimately involved in trying to pursue President Trump's stated goal of ending Russia's war against Ukraine in a way that is sustainable. It seems to me at least that the Ukrainians have taken a number of constructive steps now toward peace in a war where they've been victimized. You've got the aggressors, the Russians, they're willing to talk. I know you've had U.S. delegations sitting across from the Russians. There's a phone call coming up between President Trump and Putin as well. Have you seen meaningful movement yet to your satisfaction from the Russian side of this? SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, I don't think there's been movement to our satisfaction from anybody yet. I think what we have seen is that we're closer - we're not close to peace. I mean, I think there's a lot to be worked on, but we're closer than we were two weeks ago or closer than we were six months ago. This war is going on three years, and the President wants it to end. I think everyone should agree that this war needs to end, and the question is how do you end it in a way that it doesn't restart again. So, the plan basically was, can we get these guys to stop shooting at each other and sit down and have a negotiation over how to end this permanently. That's been the President's goal. We got a good commitment from Ukraine last week in Saudi Arabia. I went there. I met with them. They agreed to stop shooting and freeze everything where it is, and we can get to talking about how to end this permanently. And now we got to get something like that from the Russians. So, there's been good meetings. Ambassador Steve Witkoff, our special envoy, met with Putin himself last week; had a productive meeting. It wasn't a waste of time, came back with some information, but we'll know more tomorrow after the President speaks to Putin. And hopefully we'll be in a better place. But I think the President needs - President Trump needs to be applauded for trying to find peace. And look, he's the only leader in the world right now that can do this. The Chinese can't do this. The Europeans can't do this. The only leader in the world right now that has any chance at all of bringing this thing to an end is President Trump, and I think he needs to be applauded for even putting so much time and effort and dedicating so much attention to this. QUESTION: Here on the home front, Secretary Rubio, there's been a real point of emphasis from the Trump Administration on protecting the American people from dangerous foreign gangs. We've seen a lot of that infiltration over the course of a four-year border crisis that has finally been put to an end by President Trump, but there's still a lot of bad people here who came here illegally, and there is this process to remove a lot of them from the country, and that's causing, as you know, some controversy. There was this deportation - a series of flights of alleged Tren de Aragua gang members - that a judge ordered those flights to basically turn around, and the administration said nope, they're in international waters, out of U.S. airspace already, that doesn't apply. That might get fought out in courts and appealed further. I would imagine that issue isn't over. But some of those alleged Tren de Aragua gang members are now in prisons in El Salvador. I've seen some concern expressed that there is not concrete evidence that all of the people who were deported to those Salvadorean prisons are confirmed members of Tren de Aragua, and there is no recourse if someone was incorrectly swept up, and that there's no due process for someone who might want to appeal that. What's your response to that? Is that a legitimate concern? SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, first of all, I would say that every single person that was on that plane was in the country illegally, one way or the other, in terms of the Venezuelans and the Tren de Aragua guys. So, what was on that plane was MS-13, identified MS-13 criminals, wanted for crimes in El Salvador where they came from. And when I went - met with President Bukele, he has a list of people he wants to put on trial in his country for committing crimes over there, and he's got a very safe and good prison system, so we sent them on that plane. And then there were these people - look, we have local intelligence authorities, police departments, FBI, others that have spent now the better part of a year assembling a roster of known gang members, of people they know are part of Tren de Aragua. And so, these people were part of that list. Now, assuming - let's just assume - and I'm not saying this is the case, because I think there's high fidelity and confidence that in fact that's exactly what every single one of them was - but if one of them turns out not to be, then they're just illegally in our country and the Salvadorans can then deport them to Venezuela. But they weren't supposed to be in our country to begin with. They were here illegally. They were all here illegally, all the people that are on that list. The important thing to note here is our country was flooded with these - this is one of the most dangerous gangs. And I say "gangs;" it's really a terrorist organization. They've been designated as such. I designated them terrorists at the President's orders, and rightfully so. We've been asking for this stuff for over a year. This is one of the most dangerous groups that's ever been operating inside the United States of America. Incredibly well organized, violent - I mean, unbelievably violent. Some of them were at Guantanamo on their way to deportation. The military guards that were watching them were like, these are the worst people we've ever interacted with. It's a prison gang that broke out of Venezuela, flooded into our country - were flooded into our country by the Venezuelan regime. And we've got to get them out of our country. And they really should be going to Venezuela. Venezuela should be taking them, but they refuse to take them. And so, we are fortunate to have a friend like President Bukele who, as part of my meeting with him said we will take them for a fraction of what it costs you guys to house them in your own prison system. But these people need to be out of our country. These are people that are responsible for kidnappings, rapes, extortion, murders. I mean, some of - it is the single most dangerous - it's an enemy alien - an alien enemy group, I mean, that's infiltrated our country and is waging war on the United States of America, and there's a lot of evidence that these groups were allowed to operate and grow by the regime in Venezuela, which I guarantee you has no problem pushing them towards the United States to undermine us here, and because they don't want them in their country doing these things. So, I think it was a great move by the President. I think it was a very helpful thing that El Salvador did for us and President Bukele, and we're grateful to him for it. And frankly, I feel like we should continue to do it. QUESTION: And the judge who said these had to stop and the administration saying, well, it actually doesn't apply - do you expect that to be appealed? SECRETARY RUBIO: Oh yeah, it already has been appealed. Because, I mean, first of all, we're talking about an operation here that involves the Department of Defense, because these are alien enemies and has been declared as such by the President. Second, look, obviously the others will be more aware of sort of, like, where the planes were and the logistics of it, but I think there's a fundamental question to ask here, and that is: How can a judge sitting in Washington, D.C. have jurisdiction over three planefuls of criminals flying over the Gulf of America? Really gotten out of control here, where we have these judges, district judges, anywhere in the country - you can find a district - all you got to do is go find a judge anywhere in America to issue these orders that apply nationally. But when those orders touch on the President's right to set foreign policy, which is what this was in many ways - this is foreign policy, it's national security - you've got a big problem. You've got courts here that basically are completely out of control, and can you imagine if those planes had turned around and come back? And you know what else is ironic to me? We have courts out there that had no problem - no problem - with people being fired from the military, fired from their jobs for not getting vaccinated. They had no problem with that. They had no problem with cities and counties and local governments telling churches you cannot meet during the pandemic, you cannot exercise your religious liberties. But they will go and bend over backwards to bring back and secure the alleged rights of rapists and kidnappers and extortionists and dangerous enemies of the United States. It's unbelievable to me. Unbelievable. QUESTION: Yeah, it's like kind of the Johnny-come-latelies as well on free speech, where they're trying to frame some of these deportations of Hamas supporters - they're saying, oh, well, this is punishing speech, when they've never seemed to have any interest in free speech for American citizens. But in this case, they're ignoring the criminal behavior of these people to try to turn it into a speech issue. I know that you've been on fire on that issue in the interviews that I've seen. I do want to ask you - only have a minute left together with you, Secretary Rubio - you just came back from Canada. You were up there for those G7 meetings. How was your reception in Canada given the strains between our countries right now - the 51st-state trolling, all of that? How did that go for you as a representative of the United States and the Trump Administration? SECRETARY RUBIO: Well, it went fine. I mean, first of all, it was a G7 gathering, so it wasn't about the Canada issue. It just happen to be hosted by Canada, sort of a remote location or what have you. And certainly, it came up, and I think sometimes - I mean, it's dominating their news, and at the end of the day it is what it is, but ultimately, I mean, we had a lot of other issues to talk about of great importance. I mean, we're aware of it - I mean, it dominates Canadian news, it's like the only thing they talk about is this thing. But at the end of the day, when it comes to the trade piece of it, this is ultimately - it's not about Canada; it's not about Mexico; it's not about the European Union. It's about everybody. The President rightfully states that the state of global trade is completely unfair to America - completely unfair. So, I get why all these countries are unhappy, because they got a great deal going on and they want to keep it going. The President says no, we're going to reset the baseline, the baseline of trade, so that it's fair. Everyone - what do you charge us, we're going to charge you. And then we can negotiate - countries that want to can negotiate with us on a one-on-one bilateral basis to see if we can come up with trade deals with them that are fair to both sides. But we have to negotiate from a new status quo. We can't negotiate from an old - the existing status quo, which is completely - why would any of these countries negotiate with us new trade deals if the one they have now is unfair and benefits them? Why would they give that up? QUESTION: Marco Rubio is the 72nd Secretary of State of the United States of America. He's our guest here on The Guy Benson Show. Secretary Rubio, thank you so much for your time. We look forward to chatting again. SECRETARY RUBIO: Absolutely. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Files Civil Forfeiture Complaint Against Aircraft Used by Nicolas Maduro Moros in Violation of U.S. Sanctions and Export Control Laws Tuesday, March 18, 2025 For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs Note: View the forfeiture complaint. The United States today filed a civil forfeiture complaint in the Southern District of Florida against a Dassault Falcon 900 EX aircraft, bearing tail number T7-ESPRT, which was smuggled from the United States under false pretenses and operated for the benefit of Nicolas Maduro Moros (Maduro) and his representatives in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (the Maduro Regime) in violation of U.S. sanctions and export control laws. The aircraft was seized last year in the Dominican Republic at the request of the United States. Today's filing alleges that the Dassault Falcon 900 EX aircraft was purchased and maintained in violation of U.S. sanctions against Maduro and the Maduro Regime. According to the complaint, the aircraft is forfeitable based on violations of U.S. law, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and money laundering violations. Since 2014, the United States has imposed sanctions against targeted individuals, entities, and sectors in Venezuela to address the increasing political oppression and corruption in Venezuela by the Maduro Regime. On March 8, 2015, the President found that the situation in Venezuela constituted an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States and declared a national emergency pursuant to IEEPA to deal with that threat. See Executive Order (E.O.) 13692. In 2017, 2018, and 2019, President Trump took additional steps regarding the national emergency declared in E.O. 13692. On Aug. 5, 2019, the President issued E.O. 13884 "in light of the continued usurpation of power by Nicolas Maduro and persons affiliated with him, as well as human rights abuses, including arbitrary or unlawful arrest and detention of Venezuelan citizens, interference with freedom of expression, including for members of the media, and ongoing attempts to undermine Interim President Juan Guaido and the Venezuelan National Assembly's exercise of legitimate authority in Venezuela." E.O. 13884 prohibits the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to the order, including the Government of Venezuela and the Maduro Regime; the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person; and, any transaction that evades or avoids, has the purpose of evading or avoiding, causes a violation of, or attempts to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in the order. The complaint alleges that on or about Jan. 23, 2023, a company purportedly based in the Caribbean island country of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (Foreign Company 1) entered into a contract to purchase the Dassault Falcon 900 EX aircraft from a company in Florida for $13,250,000. The complaint further alleges that the individual in charge of purchasing the aircraft purportedly on behalf of Foreign Company 1 was a Venezuelan national (Foreign Principal 1), who concealed the fact that he was representing or associated with the Maduro Regime. The complaint further alleges that Foreign Company 1 merely acted as a nominee owner of the Dassault Falcon 900 EX aircraft as it was formed shortly before the purchase, in June 2022, and was struck from the register of St. Vincent companies for failure to pay annual fees two years later, in May 2024. The complaint further alleges that funds used to purchase the Dassault Falcon 900EX aircraft were sent via multiple wire transfers from different countries, including Malaysia, using both U.S. dollars and euros, and that Foreign Company 1 used an email address with a ".ae" domain from the United Arab Emirates to correspond with the Florida-based seller even though Foreign Company 1's representatives allegedly had Spanish names and some of the emails contained the phrase "Enviado desde mi iPhone," or Spanish for "Sent from my iPhone." The complaint further alleges that the Dassault Falcon 900 EX aircraft was flown from the United States to St. Vincent on or about April 3, 2023, and approximately five hours later, it departed for Caracas, Venezuela, piloted by two members of the Venezuelan Presidential Honor Guard, and accompanied by a second aircraft that operates out of a Venezuelan military base. The complaint further alleges that, since May 2023, the Dassault Falcon 900 EX aircraft has flown to and from Venezuela at least 21 times and Maduro has been seen traveling with the aircraft on official visits to other countries, including for a December 2023 prisoner exchange with the United States. As alleged, in March 2024, the Dassault Falcon 900 EX aircraft was flown to the Dominican Republic for service and maintenance where Foreign Company 1 held itself out to be the owner, concealing from the Dominican-based jet maintenance company that the aircraft had been purchased and operated for benefit of the Maduro Regime. The complaint further alleges that on at least two occasions in May 2024, Foreign Principal 1, purportedly acting on behalf of Foreign Company 1, and other Venezuelan individuals, including military personnel, attempted to retrieve the Dassault Falcon aircraft from the Dominican Republic. Following the attempts by the Venezuelan individuals to retrieve the Dassault Falcon 900 EX aircraft, the U.S. government obtained a seizure warrant and requested that the Dominican Republic seize, detain, and transfer the Dassault Falcon aircraft. Pursuant to U.S. request, the aircraft was transported back to the United States on Sept. 2, 2024. That same day, the Maduro Regime issued a statement admitting the Dassault Falcon aircraft "has been used by" Maduro. A second Dassault Falcon aircraft identified by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) as blocked property of Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA), the sanctioned Venezuelan state-owned oil and natural-gas company, and illegally serviced and maintained in violation of U.S. sanctions, also was seized in the Dominican Republic at the request of the United States government on Feb. 6, 2025. The Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security Miami Field Office is investigating the case, along with the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Santo Domingo. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Paster and Jorge Delgado for the Southern District of Florida and Trial Attorney Ahmed Almudallal of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are handling the matter. The Justice Department's Office of International Affairs and HSI El Dorado Task Force Miami provided significant assistance in working with authorities in the Dominican Republic. The United States thanks the Dominican Republic for its assistance in this matter. Topic: National Security Components: National Security Division (NSD) USAO - Florida, Southern Press Release Number: 25-271 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Minister Tsahkna: We can't prohibit ourselves from using weapons that Russia is prepared to use against us Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 18.03.2025 Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said he was in close contact with neighbouring and nearby countries to make common moves towards withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention that bans anti-personnel mines, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was working on a draft law to that effect. The Riigikogu will decide on the withdrawal from the convention. "Our neighbour Russia is an aggressor who is and remains the most serious security threat to not just Estonia but to all of Europe," Tsahkna said. "Compared to 2004, when Estonia joined the convention, the security situation has deteriorated considerably because for more than three years now, Russia has been waging a full-scale war against Ukraine. Russia is seriously violating its international obligations, using military aggression to achieve its goals, and has withdrawn from international agreements or is blatantly violating them. The foreign minister said that in light of the current security environment, it was essential to evaluate all measures to strengthen our deterrence and defence capabilities, and provide our defence forces with the necessary flexibility and freedom of choice. "Russia has not joined the Ottawa Convention, which bans anti-personnel mines, and it is not right that we are prohibiting ourselves from using weapons that Russia is prepared to use against us." The foreign minister said discussions over the Ottawa Convention were underway in our neighbouring and nearby countries. Today, the defence ministers of the Baltic States and Poland released a joint statement on plans to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Baltic and Polish defence ministers recommend withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Defence 18. March 2025 - 9:02 In a joint statement issued on Tuesday, the defence ministers of the Baltic States and Poland recommend withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention, which bans the use of anti-personnel landmines. The ministers state in the joint declaration that the security situation in our region has significantly deteriorated since the ratification of the Ottawa Convention. "Military threats to NATO Member States bordering Russia and Belarus have significantly increased. In light of this unstable security environment marked by Russia's aggression and its ongoing threat to the Euro-Atlantic community, it is essential to evaluate all measures to strengthen our deterrence and defence capabilities. We believe that in the current security environment it is paramount to provide our defence forces flexibility and freedom of choice to potentially use new weapons systems and solutions to bolster the defence of the Alliance's vulnerable Eastern Flank," the statement reads (PDF). According to Estonian Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur, the joint statement by the four countries does not change the fact that, based on the military assessment of the Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces, there is no need to adopt previously banned anti-personnel landmines for Estonia's national defence. "Throughout the entire discussion on anti-personnel landmines, we have adhered to the principle that decisions regarding the Ottawa Convention should be made in solidarity and coordination within the region. At the same time, we currently have no plans to develop, stockpile, or use previously banned anti-personnel landmines. In acquiring military capabilities, we will continue to be guided by the needs and requests of the Estonian Defence Forces," Pevkur explained. "Of course, Estonia and our regional allies remain committed to upholding international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians, even after withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention," Pevkur added. Since the Ottawa Convention is an international treaty, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will coordinate the next steps of the withdrawal process in Estonia. The Ottawa Convention prohibits signatory states from using, stockpiling, producing, and transferring anti-personnel landmines and requires their destruction. Estonia joined the Ottawa Convention in 2004. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Rising life expectancya window into China's social progress 13:45, March 19, 2025 By Wu Jun, Zhang Wenhao ( People's Daily Senior residents have lunch in a community cafeteria in Fudong neighborhood, Ruichang, east China's Jiangxi province. (People's Daily Online/Wei Dongsheng) At a recent press conference on people's livelihood, Lei Haichao, head of China's National Health Commission, announced that the average life expectancy of Chinese citizens reached 79 years in 2024, marking a 0.4-year increase from 2023 and achieving the target set by China's 14th Five-Year Plan(2021-2025) ahead of schedule. Life expectancy is a hypothetical metric indicating the average number of years a newborn is projected to live if current age-specific mortality rates remain constant. Wu Jian, head of Zhengzhou University's College of Public Health, clarified that life expectancy differs from average lifespan: "Life expectancy is a predictive estimate based on existing healthcare conditions and mortality patterns. It rises as medical advancements reduce mortality rates." Wu emphasized that life expectancy serves as a critical indicator of population health, reflecting societal progress in healthcare, environmental hygiene, and quality of life. Senior citizens take a dancing lesson in a senior university in Suqian, east China's Jiangsu province. (People's Daily Online/Xu Jianghai) Lei highlighted China's global standing: among 53 upper-middle income countries, China ranks fourth in life expectancy; within the G20, it places tenth. Notably, China's life expectancy surpasses that of 21 high-income nations, a result Lei attributed to traditional Chinese health practices and lifestyle choices. Eight provincial-level regions -- Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Guangdong, and Hainan -- have achieved life expectancies exceeding 80 years. "China holds clear potential for further gains in longevity," Lei noted, "as public demand for health improvements grows and sustained efforts remain essential." Zhang Shuijun, chief physician at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, linked the longevity gains to China's socioeconomic development and healthcare advancements, underscoring the role of national medical insurance policies and the Healthy China initiative. However, he cautioned that rising life expectancy also signals an expanding elderly population. By the end of 2024, China's population aged 60 and above had surpassed 310 million. To address aging-related challenges, China issued a document on deepening reform and development of elderly care services in December last year. The document outlined a comprehensive framework for establishing an elderly care system tailored to China's conditions, ensuring better protection for the aging population. An AI-assisted elderly care robot tests blood pressure for a senior resident in a social service center in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang province. (People's Daily Online/Long Wei) Key measures for reforming elderly care services include accelerating the development of a three-tier urban-rural care network: establishing county-level integrated service platforms, township- and street-level regional elderly care centers, and community-based elderly care stations. This aims to create a "15-minute elderly care service accessibility" system. The reforms also focus on coordinating home-based, community, and institutional care models to provide demand-driven, integrated medical and elderly services. These include meal services, medical support, personal hygiene assistance, and emergency response services. Additionally, care institutions will be categorized into three types: basic social security, publicly subsidized, and market-driven models, thereby meeting diverse elderly care needs. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Germany Federal Foreign Office 18.03.2025 - Press release A Federal Foreign Office Spokesperson issued the following statement today (18 March) on the situation in South Sudan: The most recent escalation of violence and the political tensions in South Sudan are a threat to stability in the entire region and a major setback on the path towards lasting peace. There are disturbing reports that airstrikes have claimed many lives. President Kiir and First Vice President Machar have a responsibility to resume the dialogue with one another, so that further violence is prevented and the peace agreement of 2018 can be implemented at long last. We urge all stakeholders to exercise maximum restraint and to refrain from any actions that might lead to a further escalation of the situation. We again condemn in the strongest possible terms attacks on UNMISS personnel. UNMISS must be able to perform its important mandate to protect the civilian population and support the implementation of the peace agreement. Israel launches airstrikes across Gaza Strip, exposing 'inherent fragility' of the negotiation process: expert Global Times By Xu Yelu Published: Mar 18, 2025 11:41 PM Israel launched a wave of airstrikes across the Gaza Strip early on Tuesday, saying it was striking dozens of Hamas targets, in its heaviest assault in the territory since a cease-fire took effect in January, according to the AP. At least 412 people were killed, Xinhua News Agency reported. Israeli airstrikes killed several senior officials in the Hamas-run government during the strikes early Tuesday, Palestinian security and medical sources said, according to the Xinhua News Agency. In response to a question regarding the current situation in Gaza, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Tuesday that China is closely following the ongoing situation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. We hope parties will work to enable the continuous and effective implementation of the cease-fire agreement, refrain from any escalatory action and prevent further deepening the humanitarian disaster, Mao said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the strikes because of a lack of progress in ongoing talks to extend the cease-fire. Officials said the operation was open-ended and was expected to expand, the AP reported. "Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength," Netanyahu's office said, according to the report. Many of those killed in the attacks were children, Al Jazeera reported, citing Gaza's Ministry of Health. The military action by Israel highlights the inherent fragility and instability of the negotiation process, Zhu Yongbiao, director of the Center for Afghanistan Studies at Lanzhou University, told the Global Times on Tuesday. At present, it appears that Israel may adopt a more resolute stance and take firmer action against Hamas. This could potentially lead to a further escalation of the conflict, Zhu said. Israel's actions and statements indicate that the two sides have not reached an agreement on the new cease-fire proposal. Against this backdrop, Israel is attempting to pressure Hamas into accepting the proposal through military strikes, Niu Xinchun, executive director of the China-Arab Research Institute of Ningxia University, told Jiefang Daily. Israel informed the US about its latest attack on Gaza before it happened, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Al Jazeera reported. Niu pointed out that unlike former US president Biden, who constrained Israel, the current US president encourages Israel to take military action. These changes are undoubtedly a great source of encouragement for Israel, according to Jiefang Daily. If the violent conflict continues, there is a heightened risk of increased civilian casualties and a worsening humanitarian crisis, Zhu warned. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.N. chief 'shocked' by the number of civilians killed in new Israeli strikes on Gaza IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 18, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has been "shocked" by the mounting civilian casualties resulting from Israel's latest airstrikes on Gaza. "The Secretary-General is shocked by the Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, in which a meaningful number of civilians have been killed," read a UN statement attributed to his deputy spokesperson, Farhan Haq Haq emphasized the urgent need to uphold the ceasefire agreement and ensure the resumption of humanitarian aid to the besieged territory. The new wave of Israeli attacks, coordinated in advance with the United States, has targeted residential areas, schools, and shelters housing displaced individuals. The White House confirmed that Israel consulted with President Donald Trump before launching the offensive. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the airstrikes have claimed the lives of at least 412 people, including women and children, with the death toll expected to rise. Over 500 people have also been injured, overwhelming Gaza's already strained medical facilities. Guterres "strongly appeals for the ceasefire to be respected, for unimpeded humanitarian assistance to be reestablished and for the remaining hostages to be released unconditionally," the statement added. 9341**4353 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The U.S. is complicit in 'war of extermination' in Gaza: Hamas IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 18, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- The Palestinian resistance movement says the United States' advance knowledge of Israel's deadly strikes on Gaza "confirms its direct partnership in the war of extermination" against the Palestinian people. The White House acknowledged on Tuesday that it was consulted by Israel before it resumed the airstrikes and shelling in Gaza, which has left more than 400 Palestinians dead, including many children. Abdul Latif Al-Qanou, a spokesperson for Hamas, said the acknowledgement "exposes the blatant American complicity and bias with the occupation." "With its unlimited political and military support for the occupation, Washington bears full responsibility for the massacres and the killing of women and children in Gaza," he added. The official said that the violation of the January ceasefire agreement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was aimed at imposing new terms for future negotiations. Qanou added that Hamas has been fully committed to the agreement, while the occupying regime refused to move to its second phase. He called on the international community to press for putting an immediate end to the bloodshed in Gaza. Sami Abu Zuhri, another senior member of Hamas, also said that the Israeli regime seeks to destroy the ceasefire agreement and impose a new agreement "written with the blood of the people of Gaza," in which the surrender of resistance groups is ensured. Noting that Netanyahu's goal will not be achieved, he warned that this new round of aggression would lead to the "execution sentence" of Israeli prisoners. 9341**4353 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel steps up annexation of the occupied West Bank: U.N. report IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 18, 2025 The United Nations Human Rights Office has reported a significant expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank in violation of international law. The findings, covering the period from November 1, 2023, to October 31, 2024, were released on Tuesday and are set to be presented to the U.N. Human Rights Council later this month. The report highlights "significant" settlement growth in the West Bank, including East al-Quds, which Palestinians seek as the capital of their future independent state. It references data from Israeli organizations revealing plans for tens of thousands of housing units in both new and existing settlements. The expansion has fueled growing concerns among Palestinians of annexation, especially as U.S. policy shifts under President Donald Trump have paved the way for new settler outposts in areas earmarked for a future Palestinian state. U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk condemned the Israeli settlement activities. "The transfer by Israel of parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies amounts to a war crime." He called on the international community to take meaningful action and urged Israel to cease settlement activities, evacuate settlers, halt the forcible transfer of Palestinians, and address attacks on Palestinians by the settlers and Israeli forces. Currently, around 700,000 Israeli settlers reside among 2.7 million Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and East al-Qudsterritories seized by Israel in the 1967 war. Most countries and the United Nations view Israel's settlements as illegal under international law. 4353 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran condemns renewed Israeli attacks on Gaza as continuation of 'genocide and ethnic cleansing' IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 18, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqae has expressed Iran's strong condemnation of renewed Israeli attacks on Gaza, which have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians, including many children. In a statement on Tuesday, Baqae described the resumption of deadly aggression in Gaza as a "continuation of genocide and ethnic cleansing" in the occupied Palestinian territory. He said the attacks, which have so far claimed the lives of at least 404 Palestinians, are being carried out with a "green light" from the United States. Baqae called on all countries and the United Nations to take immediate steps to halt the atrocities and address the unprecedented violations of international law by Israel, which he said are carried out with the full backing of the U.S., Britain, and other Western nations. He further emphasized the responsibility of the Islamic world to prevent additional killings and acts of genocide in occupied Palestine. Baqae urged the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to take decisive measures to expedite the prosecution of Israeli leaders in the International Criminal Court and to enforce rulings issued by the International Court of Justice. 4353 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Condemnations keep pouring in over U.S.-led attacks on Yemen IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 18, 2025 North Korea and Venezuela have joined other countries in condemning recent deadly airstrikes carried out by the U.S. and British warplanes on Yemen. "Washington 'indiscriminately' targeted civilians and property in Yemen by mobilizing air and naval forces, including an aircraft carrier," the KCNA state news agency quoted Ma Dong Hui, North Korea's ambassador to Sana'a as saying. "The military attack by the United States is a violent violation of the U.N. Charter and international law, and is a blatant infringement on the territorial sovereignty of another country that cannot be justified by any means," Ma said. While condemning the U.S-led attacks on Yemen, the North Korean envoy said that Washington was "obsessed with realizing geopolitical ambitions" through "illegal and reckless military actions." Meanwhile, Venezuela strongly condemned the U.S and the U.K.'s military intervention in Yemen, calling it a violation of the country's sovereignty. In a statement Monday night, the Venezuela government said that these attacks only bring further destruction and suffering to the Yemeni people, without offering real solutions to the region's challenges. It also called for an immediate end to the attacks on Yemen and urged Arab and Islamic governments to take action in defense of the rights and lives of those suffering from the aggression. "The only path to peace in the region is a return to international legitimacy, the enforcement of U.N. Security Council resolutions on Palestine, and an end to all hostilities against the region's peoples," the statement said. The large-scale strikes were launched by President Donald Trump at the weekend that resulted in the death of at least 53 people, including women and children. Several world countries, including Iran and Cuba have denounced the U.S.-led attacks on Yemen as blatant violation of international law and warned against the consequences of the continuation of such aggression. 4399**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.N. refutes Pentagon's claim, confirms civilian casualties in U.S. airstrikes on Yemen IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 18, 2025 The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has acknowledged civilian casualties in U.S. strikes on Yemen, despite the Pentagon's claim that the attacks only targeted military sites. UNICEF issued a statement after Alexus Grynkewich, the director of operations for the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters on Monday that there was "no credible indication of civilian casualties" in the ongoing attacks on Yemen. The statement confirmed the death of at least two boys and the injury of two others in Sa'ada while stressing the protection of children and civilians at all times. Since Saturday evening, American and British warplanes have conducted dozens of strikes against Yemen, targeting multiple locations in provinces of Sana'a, Sa'ada, Al-Bayda, Hajjah, Dhamar, Ma'rib, and Al-Jawf. The Yemeni armed forces announced that the U.S.-led attacks that continued on Monday left at least 53 people dead and 101 wounded, most of them civilians, including women and children. Pentagon renews threats The U.S. claims the action was in response to operations against American and Western ships in the Red Sea, but Yemenis insist that any attacks on the ships were in retaliation for the U.S. military adventurism. Earlier, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell, during a briefing, renewed threats against Yemen, saying the U.S. will use "overwhelming lethal force" on Houthis (Ansarullah) until it achieves its goal. He further claimed that that airstrikes over the weekend will not turn into "an endless offensive" and are not about regime change in the Middle East but is about "prioritizing American interests." President Donald Trump had personally issued the order for the Yemen offensive as he confirmed in a social media post soon after the U.S. military began pounding the Arab country, saying "the deadly force will go on until goal is achieved." "Today, I have ordered the United States military to begin action against Yemen's Ansarullah," Trump wrote, claiming, "It has been more than a year since a U.S.-flagged commercial ship safely passed through the Suez Canal, the Red Sea or the Gulf of Aden. The last American warship to pass through the Red Sea was attacked more than a dozen times by the Houthis four months ago." Trump's anti-Iran rhetoric The U.S. president missed no chance to implicate Iran in Yemen's retaliatory attacks on ships belonging to the U.S. and its key allies, including Israel. "Let no one be fooled! Hundreds of attacks carried out by the Houthis were all originated from Iran and designed by Iran," he claimed. Continuing his accusations, Trump said on Monday that Iran dictates every move to Yemen's Ansarullah, provides them with weapons, money and highly advanced military equipment, and even provides them with what he called "intelligence." Iran has, time and again, rejected the U.S. accusation with regard to either arming Yemen or playing role in the country's internal affairs. "We have always declared - and we declare again today - that the Yemenis are an independent and free nation in their own land, with an independent national policy," Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Chief Commander Major General Hossein Salami reacted to Trump's remarks on Saturday. Salami said that Iran always openly claims full responsibility for any action it takes and "publicly announce responsibility for any military operation or support it provides." 4399**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel kills over 400 Palestinians in large-scale airstrikes on Gaza IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 18, 2025 The Israeli military has carried out large-scale strikes on the Gaza Strip, killing at least 412 Palestinians, in gross violation of a ceasefire with the Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas, that took effect nearly two months ago. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office issued a statement, saying that the regime would continue military attacks in response to Hamas' alleged refusal to accept Israel's proposals for the next round of ceasefire. The Israeli military claimed that it had targeted Hamas-related sites, but news agencies reported that many civilians, including children, had been killed in the strikes. The Gaza ceasefire, which took effect on January 19, had three phases, but Israel insisted on extending the first phase, which Hamas ruled out. The Israeli regime had also carried out several strikes on Gaza prior to the Tuesday airstrikes, killing more than 150 Palestinians. Palestinian resistance also issued a statement, saying that Israel violated the ceasefire agreement and endangered the lives of the Israeli prisoners being held in Gaza. The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said that Israel had consulted with U.S. President Donald Trump prior to the launch of the airstrikes. The New York Times quoted Leavitt as saying that President Trump has made clear that Hamas "will see a price to pay." International mediators - Egypt, Qatar, and the United States - could not bridge the gap between Israel and Hamas to establish a permanent ceasefire. According to Gaza's Health Ministry, at least 48,577 Palestinians have been killed and 112,041 wounded in Israel's aggression on the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023. 4208**9417**4482 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Parliamentary Secretary Artjoms Ursulskis: development of the EU's defence industry and increasing capabilities is a homework for all of us Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 18.03.2025 "The development of the EU defence industry and a rapid increase in capabilities is the most important "homework" for all of us, and means taking responsibility for our own security. This will also help the EU to provide Ukraine with strong political support and rapid military assistance. It is also important to accelerate the process of Ukraine's accession to the EU. In parallel, the sanctions pressure on Russia must be increased, as well as strengthening the EU's energy independence by completely rejecting Russian energy resources," the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Artjoms Ursulskis, underlined at the meeting of the General Affairs Council in Brussels on 18 March. In a discussion on the draft conclusions of the European Council on 20-21 March, Artjoms Ursulskis also called for stepping up efforts to protect critical energy infrastructure at sea and on land. As concerns the EU's next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028-2034), a balance needs to found between new and traditional priorities in order to promote the EU's competitiveness as much as possible. In an exchange of views on the EU's relations with the United Kingdom, the Parliamentary Secretary emphasized that Latvia supports the formalisation of relations - signing of agreements in the areas of foreign affairs, security and defence policy. This is important in the current geopolitical situation. As a priority, Latvia would support a non-binding partnership with the United Kingdom in the security and defence sector. In an informal discussion with the leader of the Belarusian democratic forces, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the Parliamentary Secretary reaffirmed Latvia's unwavering support for the Belarusian democratic forces and called for increased pressure against the Lukashenko regime and its repression of civil society, the democratic opposition, and media representatives. The General Affairs Council also achieved agreement on the joint legislative priorities of EU institutions for 2025, and policy objectives for the next five years. Recommendations were then approved on the economic policy of the euro area for 2025. This took place as part of the annual European Semester, a framework for coordinating economies, budgets, and the employment and social policies of the Member States since 2011. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ministry of Defence proposes Latvia's withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Defence 03/18/2025 - 09:34 In Latvia International cooperation Information prepared by Media Relations Section Due to changing regional security and Latvia's defence needs, after consultations with allies, and in order to show solidarity and unity with other countries in the region, the Ministry of Defence of Republic of Latvia proposes Latvia's withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention, following similar decisions from Estonia, Lithuania and Poland. "We are looking into all possible options when it comes to strengthening Latvia's deterrence and defence capabilities. There is a regional agreement with defence ministers of Poland, Lithuania and Estonia to recommend withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention, thus strengthening our borders. We must prepare as Russia continues to pose a serious threat to the region, regardless of how hostilities in Ukraine develop. Withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention has the potential to ensure the production of anti-personnel mines. At the same time, we will continue to respect international norms and humanitarian law, and we will consult with our allies," Defence Minister Andris Spruds emphasizes. Ministry of Defence and the National Armed Forces have conducted an assessment of Latvia's participation in the Ottawa Convention, analysing the effectiveness of the military use of anti-personnel mines, the political aspects related to the position of other allies towards the obligations of the Convention. The practical aspects of acquiring or producing such munitions have also been assessed. The assessment has concluded that it is possible to develop anti-personnel mine production relatively rapidly in Latvia and in other countries of the region. Latvian industry has the necessary capabilities and metalworking sector is highly advanced. Such regional approach will reduce dependence on foreign supplies, especially in the field of explosives and warheads. Consultations with allies, particularly with NATO member states whose troops are serving in Latvia, played an important part in the assessment. Allies have expressed their understanding of Latvia's possible withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention and reaffirmed further defence cooperation. Ministry of Defence notes that the exchange of information with the Allies will not be disrupted by the withdrawal process. Ministry of Defence, together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs , in scope of their competences, will promptly prepare and submit a draft law on withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention to the Cabinet of Ministers for consideration. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for submitting the draft law as the ministry competent for drafting of laws on accession to conventions. At the same time, legislative initiative will also require inter-institutional coordination. The draft law will then be reviewed by the Parliament, which will make the final determination on the withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention. If Parliament votes in favour of the withdrawal, other Member States, the UN Secretary-General and the UN Security Council will be duly notified. Withdrawal will take effect six months from filing of the withdrawal application with the depository. Ministry of Defence would like to emphasize that Latvia will continue to fully respect international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians in armed conflicts, while ensuring its own security. Any possible acquisition, deployment and use of unguided anti-personnel mines will be based on military logic and defence capability development priorities. Part of the munitions that the armed forces have already acquired and will continue to acquire are various types of mines, both anti-tank and guided anti-personnel mines. The Ottawa Convention was signed in 1997 at the end of the Cold War. The Ottawa Convention has 164 adherents, including all NATO members (except the USA). Latvia acceded to the Ottawa Convention by adopting the Law of 19 May 2005 "Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction". The Ottawa Convention stipulates that signatory States undertake never under any circumstances to use anti-personnel mines; to develop, produce, otherwise acquire, stockpile, retain or transfer to anyone, directly or indirectly, anti-personnel mines; to assist, encourage or induce, in any way, anyone activities to engage in any activity prohibited to a State Party under the Convention. A State cannot suspend its membership in the Convention - it can only terminate it. The decision to withdraw from the Convention must be taken by the Latvian Parliament - Saeima. The withdrawal process is set out in Article 20 of the Ottawa Convention. According to it, a State Party has the right to withdraw from the Convention by notifying the other States Parties, the Depositary (UN Secretary-General) and the UN Security Council. The instrument of withdrawal must include an explanation of the reasons for the withdrawal. A Member State which has expressed its wish to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention shall cease to be a Member State six months after receipt of the notification by the depositary. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Budrys meets with the head of NATO: words will not deter Russia, only NATO military power can do it Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs Updated 2025-03-18 On 17 March in Brussels, Lithuania's Minister of Foreign Affairs Kestutis Budrys met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. They discussed preparations for the NATO summit in The Hague, increasing military support for Ukraine, European security challenges, and the need for NATO allies to increase defence spending. At the meeting, the Minister stated that NATO allies are united by a fundamental commitment to our common security, and Article 5 of the NATO treaty is its indispensable core. According to Budrys, it is important to continue nurturingt he transatlantic bond, as it is the foundation for of the Alliance's strength. The Minister emphasized that Lithuania took takes its own and collective security seriously. According to the Minister, Lithuania's decisions in the field of security and defence testify to this. "We are among the leaders in defence spending among NATO countries, currently allocating nearly 4% of GDP. From 2026, we will invest 5-6% of GDP in defence thereby increasing not only our own security but also that of our allies and the entire Alliance. NATO's strength is measured by its defensive capabilities and our ability to act together. Therefore, we must be strong and united," said Budrys. The Minister emphasized that, at the NATO summit in The Hague, it is essential to agree on a defence spending limit of 3-3.5% of GDP, as this would more adequately meet the Alliance's needs compared to the current 2%t commitment. "Europe must do its homework. We need to be ambitious in increasing defence spending, as this is the only way we can be secure. It is important that each country in the Alliance takes responsibility and demonstrates a strong commitment to our common security through its actions. This is only possible by putting money on the table and prioritizing defence. Words will not deter Russia, driven by imperialist ambitions, only NATO's military power can do it," said the Minister. Minister Budrys met with the NATO Secretary General for the first time. Dutch politician Rutte was appointed as NATO Secretary General in October 2024. He served as the Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 2010 to 2024. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lithuania withdraws from the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence 2025-03-18 International cooperation | Security and defense policy On March 18 at 9 a.m. (Vilnius time), Lithuania, Poland, Latvia and Estonia announced their withdrawal from the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (Ottawa Convention). Military threats to the countries bordering Russia and Belarus have significantly increased over the past years, that requires strengthening deterrence and defence capabilities. The unanimous recommendation to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention which Baltic and Polish Ministers of Defence have come up with in an intense debate sends a strategic message: all possibilities will be exhausted to strengthen deterrence and ensure effective defence while freely availing of military solutions of free choice. The decision to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention is passed by the President and the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania. Lithuania ratified the Ottawa Convention in 2003. The threat perception has changed fundamentally since then, the security situation has deteriorated and the former legal commitment is now seen as a curtailment of Lithuania's capabilities and choice in national defence. "The common regional decisions sends a clear message: countries bordering russia are prepared to use everything possible to protect their citizens. We have reached a unanimous position in an intense debate that represents the united standpoint of the Baltic states and Poland regarding the difficult geopolitical situation. We want to establish mutual principles to ensure the most effective possible border protection. We have also discussed our standpoint with the Allies, on the ground or in preparations. I am grateful to them for the constructive approach to the sensitive situation we are in,' says Minister of National Defence Dovile Sakaliene. Russia, the aggressor in the war in Ukraine, is not a party to the Ottawa Convention. It has vast stockpiles of anti-personnel mines and use them intensely against a signatory of the Ottawa Convention, Ukraine. Anti-personnel mines are an effective and relatively low-price means to disrupt pedestrian movement of infantry forces and establish a strong and hardy defence line to block an advancing force. Lithuania will continue adhering to the recognized principles and norms of the international law addressing methods and means of warfare and protection of civilians despite denouncing the Ottawa Convention. Lithuania is absolutely serious about it commitments concerning implementation of the Geneva Conventions and the Additional Protocols and will do everything required to mitigate any humanitarian implications of anti-personnel mine use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Tragedy foretold and stain on our collective humanity': Special Rapporteur warns of mass ethnic cleansing in the West Bank Press releases Special Procedures 18 March 2025 GENEVA -- Palestinians face serious risk of mass ethnic cleansing as Israel advances its long-held plan to take Palestinian lands and evacuate them of Palestinians under the fog of war, a UN expert warned today. While ethnic cleansing is not a standalone crime, it involves actions that constitute war crimes, crimes against humanity, and even genocide, said Francesca Albanese, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967. In October 2023, the Special Rapporteur warned that Israel would use the "war against Hamas" to acquire Palestinian land and further displace Palestinians. "What Israel is doing in occupied Palestine today has strong echoes of 1947-1949 Nakba and the 1967 Naksa," Albanese said. "The world meanwhile is pretending not to see history repeating itself," she said. In 16 months, Israeli forces have killed 48,570 Palestinians in Gaza and displaced 1.9 million. Israel's relentless bombardment has devastated the strip, making return impossible. Even Western governments now propose forcibly relocating survivors. "This idea is unlawful and adds insult to injury," Albanese said. Beyond Gaza, Israeli forces and settler militias have escalated violence in the West Bank. Since January 2025, more than 40,000 refugees from Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams were forcibly displaced from their homes, and nearly 70 killed. Albanese said the West Bank faces its worst military assault since the second intifada, marked by air strikes, armoured bulldozers and controlled demolitions to conduct raids, demolish homes and destroy villages and critical infrastructure including farmland. "We are witnessing new 'Trails of Tears' in the West Bank, mirroring Gaza's fate. In 2025, such injustice is not only unacceptable but a stain on our collective conscience," the Special Rapporteur said. As of 23 February, the Israeli Minister of Defence authorised military reinforcements in the West Bank, preventing 40,000 displaced Palestinians from returning to northern areas. Settler-led attacks backed by the Israeli army between January 2023 and January 2025 have displaced over 2,275 Palestinians, including 1,117 children. History demonstrates that Israel's strategy for a "Greater Israel" free of Palestinian presence relies on forcibly displacing and repressing Palestinians, the Special Rapporteur recalled. Albanese noted that destroying Palestinian lives, homes, and infrastructure while denying their return advances this goal. . "Israel's conduct aiming to ethnically cleanse the land between the river to the sea, amounts to a genocidal campaign to erase Palestinians as a people. "The international community must uphold its obligation to protect Palestinians from annihilation. The only way is to enforce the ICJ Advisory Opinion that has recognised the unlawfulness of, and ordered an unconditional end to, Israel's ongoing presence in the occupied Palestinian territory and imposed binding provisional measures on Israel to prevent the commission of genocide in Gaza," the Special Rapporteur said. "Israel's Prime Minister and former Minister of Defence are wanted by the International Criminal Court, and States must support the ICC arrest warrants," Albanese said, calling also for targeted sanctions, halting all arms transfers, banning trade with Israel that may harm Palestinians, and prosecuting those responsible for crimes in the occupied territories. "Palestine is a wound. What is happening to the Palestinians is a tragedy foretold, and a stain on Israel's history for which we bear collective responsibility. It is never too late for the world to stand up and do the right thing." Francesca Albanese is the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967. Special Rapporteurs/Independent Experts/Working Groups are independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights office acts as the secretariat for Special Procedures, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including OHCHR and the UN. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the UN or OHCHR. Country-specific observations and recommendations by the UN human rights mechanisms, including the special procedures, the treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review, can be found on the Universal Human Rights Index https://uhri.ohchr.org/en/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli Occupation Violates the Sanctity of Ramadan with Massacres, Attacks on Mosques, and Bans on Prayers Another Bloody Week Before Israel's Reversal of the Ceasefire Agreement in Gaza Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) 18-03-2025 The period from March 11-17, 2025, one day before the Israeli occupation forces ended the ceasefire agreement, witnessed numerous violations that set the stage for this reversal. The most notable incident was the targeting of a charity in Beit Lahia, which resulted in the deaths of nine Palestinians. The OIC's Media Observatory for Israeli Crimes Against Palestinians monitored the week leading up to the escalation of Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip. During this period, the Observatory recorded a total of 116 martyrs, including 79 individuals whose bodies were recovered from under the rubble and 149 wounded. Since October 7, 2023, the total number of Palestinian martyrs has reached 49,517, with 118,741 injured. Furthermore, the Observatory reported today, Tuesday, that there were 330 martyrs, the majority of whom were women and children, and 440 wounded in one of the most horrific attacks by Israel on the Gaza Strip. For weeks, the occupying forces have completely prevented the entry of aid into the Gaza Strip and have attempted to control the distribution of this aid while pushing to enable an American company to carry out the mission. This comes before resuming military aggression on the Strip, which could return conditions in Gaza to the catastrophic state that ended on January 19, 2025, when the ceasefire agreement came into effect. The occupying forces, in their aggression against the Gaza Strip, have disregarded the sanctity of the holy month of Ramadan, continuing their systematic attacks against mosques in the West Bank as well. They stormed the courtyards of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, evicting stationed worshippers on the second Friday night of Ramadan. Additionally, they have imposed strict restrictions on the entry of worshippers to Al-Aqsa from the cities and villages of the West Bank or from occupied Al-Quds itself. For the second week, they have also refused to hand over the Ibrahimi Mosque in the Old City of Hebron to the Palestinian Waqf administration, as is customary every Friday during Ramadan. The occupying forces blew up the main gate of Al-Nasr Mosque in the Nur Shams camp in Tulkarm and subsequently conducted a search. Over the past week, the number of individuals arrested by the occupying forces in the West Bank has reached 206, coinciding with 40 attacks by settlers on West Bank villages. Settlers burned five cars in the village of Duma in Nablus and the village of Umm Safa in Ramallah. Others stole a water tank, raided tents, and damaged electricity and internet networks in the northern Jordan Valley in Tubas. Another group of settlers stole 13 heads of sheep in the town of Yatta in Hebron, while another group grazed their sheep on Palestinian lands in the northern Jordan Valley. Settlers, protected by the occupying forces, stormed the archaeological site of "Banat Ya'qub" on the outskirts of Tulkarm and toured its interior. From March 11 to March 17, 2025, the number of settlement activities reached seven, with the most notable being the legalization of the settlement outpost "Edorim," built on Palestinian land in Dura, which has now been transformed into a settlement. Meanwhile, settlers established a new settlement outpost on the summit of Mount Ras Zeid, affiliated with the town of Hawara. In an effort to seize land for settlement projects, settlers bulldozed areas south of the village of Qaryut in Nablus and an additional five dunams of land north of the village of Iskaka in Salfit, adjacent to the "Nove Nehemiah" settlement outpost. They bulldozed approximately 70 dunams of land, uprooted 80 olive trees, and demolished stone walls and a well for collecting rainwater in the town of Bidya in Salfit. Moreover, the occupying forces bulldozed Palestinian land to pave a new settlement road leading to the pastoral settlement outpost. They also uprooted 40 olive trees, and settlers set up tents near the village of Raboud in Hebron. In terms of building demolitions and land confiscation, the occupying forces demolished and blew up seven homes in Tulkarm, Jericho, and Qalqilya, in addition to burning six apartments in Tulkarm. They demolished fruit and vegetable stalls in the town of Anata in Al-Quds, two car showrooms in Ramallah, a cafe in the Nur Shams refugee camp, a warehouse in Tulkarm, and an agricultural facility in Ramallah. They also bulldozed land planted with olive trees in the village of Madama. Additionally, the occupying forces issued a military order confiscating approximately 1,200 square meters of land in the eastern part of Qalqilya. They confiscated a water tanker in Tubas, three bulldozers in Tulkarm, Ramallah, and Salfit, equipment from the Southern Electricity Company's maintenance crew in Yatta, and a recreational motorcycle in the village of Halhul in Hebron. Regarding attacks on medical personnel, the occupying forces detained the staff of the Palestinian Red Crescent and assaulted a paramedic while he was on duty in Tulkarm camp. They also severely beat an ambulance crew, resulting in bruises among its members. The injured were subsequently transferred to the hospital in the village of Odala in Nablus. In total, the number of diverse Israeli crimes within just seven days reached 1,613, ranging from mass massacres to sheep theft, affecting various Palestinian areas. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement by the Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, and Polish Ministers of Defence on Withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention Poland - Ministry of National Defence 18.03.2025 Since ratifying the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (Ottawa Convention), the security situation in our region has fundamentally deteriorated. Military threats to NATO Member States bordering Russia and Belarus have significantly increased. In light of this unstable security environmentmarked by Russia's aggression and its ongoing threat to the Euro-Atlantic communityit is essential to evaluate all measures to strengthen our deterrence and defense capabilities. We believe that in the current security environment it is paramount to provide our defence forces flexibility and freedom of choice to potentially use new weapons systems and solutions to bolster the defence of the Alliance's vulnerable Eastern Flank. In light of these considerations, wethe Ministers of Defence of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Polandunanimously recommend withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention. With this decision, we are sending a clear message: our countries are prepared and can use every necessary measure to defend our territory and freedom. Despite withdrawing, we will remain committed to international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians during armed conflict. Our nations will continue to uphold these principles while addressing our security needs. We appreciate the understanding and support of all Allies and partners who recognize the dire security challenges we are facing and respect our decision in this matter. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PH Navy willing to escort civic group's 3rd mission to WPS Philippine News Agency By Priam Nepomuceno March 18, 2025, 6:17 pm MANILA -- The Philippine Navy is willing to escort the third mission of the Atin Ito Coalition in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) in May for security purposes, an official said Tuesday. "The PN, the Armed Forces, to include other government agencies, are always ready to support them in their endeavor and to provide assistance if and when necessary," Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson for the WPS, Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad said in a press briefing. Trinidad hoped that the civic group will coordinate with the appropriate government agency to ensure its mission's success. Also, he said the presence of PN vessels in the WPS is based on the patrol plans of the Northern Luzon Command and Western Command. "In the event of specific details like (a) particular request for escorts by different civic society groups, this will be taken up on a case-to-case basis," he said. Aksed if the PN's patrol plans jived with Atin Ito Coalition's activity, the PN official said that it would be "good to have them at the same time on the same date." On Monday, the group announced the holding of a "peace and solidarity Sea Concert" for its third mission in the WPS. The activity scheduled for the last week of May aimed to unite fisherfolk, artists, and advocatesboth national and internationalin a powerful call for peace, unity, and solidarity. Meanwhile, Trinidad said that the PN, along with the rest of the military, will do its mandate to ensure the integrity of the national territory. He made this comment when asked what the Navy would do to ensure that plans of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to set up maritime research stations in Recto Bank, Rizal Reef and Pagasa Island are not bothered by any foreign intrusion. "The interference conducted by foreign players in the WPS against the other government agencies is beyond our control. What we could assure other government agencies and the Filipino public is that your Armed Forces will keep performing its mandate to ensure the integrity of the national territory, to include protecting all features wherein there (is) the presence of other government agencies. titiyakin natin na masamahan natin sila (we will see to it that they are escorted) if needed, when needed," Trinidad said. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address DOJ: Duterte habeas suit 'moot,' lacks merit Philippine News Agency By Benjamin Pulta March 18, 2025, 6:08 pm MANILA -- The Department of Justice (DOJ) has asked the Supreme Court to deny the writ of habeas corpus sought by the children of former president Rodrigo Duterte for being moot and lacking merit. In its consolidated compliance filed by mail on March 17, the DOJ noted that the ultimate purpose of the writ of habeas corpus is "to relieve a person from unlawful restraint." "The writ exists as a speedy and effectual remedy to relieve persons from unlawful restraint and as an effective defense of personal freedom. It is issued only for the lone purpose of obtaining relief for those illegally confined or imprisoned without sufficient legal basis. It is not issued when the person is in custody of a judicial process or a valid judgment," it said. "The petition for writ of habeas corpus is already moot because respondents no longer have legal and physical custody of FPRRD," the DOJ said. The respondents in the petitions include Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, and Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Marbil. Duterte was arrested on Tuesday last week after the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) served the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). He was sent to The Hague, The Netherlands on the same day. The DOJ reiterated that in extending assistance to Interpol, the Philippine government, led by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., "is merely complying with its international obligations and performing his role as the chief architect of the country's foreign policy." In an interview with reporters, Remulla said asking the ICC to bring back Duterte might not be possible as the arrest was already a "done deal." He also said that the Philippine government's investigations into extrajudicial killings (EJKs) would continue, as Duterte himself, on numerous occasions in the past, has said he is willing to face the charges against him. "Tuloy tuloy yun (It continues), we've been doing our work on the EJKs, it's slow grinding police work, law enforcement work that we have to pick up because the reports are not complete. We just have to recreate many of the records and many of the things that happened," Remulla said. "Basta tayo (For us), as a country we should remain united in the spirit of justice. We just want justice to be done to all concerned. Whether they are victims or they are the ones who perpetrated injustice, then let justice be done. That should unite us as a country. Gusto natin lahat ng hustisya (We all want justice)." Meanwhile, the Supreme Court said Tuesday it has taken up the habeas petition and has directed the Duterte children to file a "traverse" on the government's position. "The SC directed petitioners Sebastian Duterte, Veronica Duterte, and Paolo Duterte to personally file a traverse in response to the Consolidated Compliance within a non-extendible period of five days from receipt of notice," SC spokesperson Camille Ting said. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Major PH Navy missile systems to be fired in Balikatan 2025 Philippine News Agency By Priam Nepomuceno March 18, 2025, 3:54 pm MANILA -- The Philippine Navy (PN) will fire three major missile systems in its inventory when its naval units join live-fire exercises for this year's iteration of the "Balikatan" exercises with American forces in late April. This was announced by PN flag officer-in-command Vice Admiral Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta in a press briefing at the Navy headquarters in Manila on Tuesday. "We will launch the C-Star surface-to-surface (missile), the Spike (Non-Line of Sight) NLOS (missile), and the Mistral surface-to-air missiles from our Navy assets. Our involvement in the combined exercise is instrumental in strengthening interoperability, enhancing our collective response to regional security challenges, and ensuring that we remain ready to confront emerging threats," he said. Formally known as the South Korean-manufactured LIG Nex 1 SSM "sea-skimming" surface-to-surface anti-ship cruise missile, the C-Star is the primary weapon of the two Jose Rizal-class guided missile frigates in PN service. Meanwhile, the Israeli-made Rafael Advanced Defense System Spike NLOS missile system is the main weapon of the Acero-class fast attack interdiction craft, which is entering Navy service. Also to be fired are the French-made MBDA Mistral 3 surface-air missiles, the primary anti-air weapons of the two Jose Rizal-class frigates. Ezpeleta said the live-fire exercises, scheduled in Mariveles, Bataan on April 21, are part of the "multilateral maritime exercises" where the PN will join the maritime strike component. "This live-firing or this live-missile firing represents a significant advancement in our operational capabilities and marks a step in redefining, or refining, shaping realistic and combat-ready military doctrines," he said. As the PN is about to observe its 127th founding anniversary in May, Ezpeleta reaffirmed the Navy's commitment to building a modern and multi-capable naval force capable of contributing to regional peace and stability. "We are enhancing our capabilities to serve as reliable protectors of the seas that the Filipino people can be proud of," he said. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel to attack other countries if it liquidates Palestinian cause; anti-Israeli military action 'ideal': Al-Houthi Iran Press TV Tuesday, 18 March 2025 10:10 PM The leader of Yemen's Ansarullah popular resistance movement warns that the Israeli regime will start attacking other countries if it manages to defeat the Palestinian cause of liberation from its occupation and aggression, recommending military action by the world's Arab and Muslim countries against the regime. "If Israel succeeds in liquidating the Palestinian cause, it would undoubtedly extend its aggression to other countries unrestrained," Abdul-Malik al-Houthi cautioned during a televised address on Tuesday. "Those relying on agreements with Israel should recognize that Israel disregards commitments, even when guaranteed by the US," he added. The Yemeni leader was referring to the regional Arab states that had either entered United States-facilitated rapprochement agreements with the regime or contemplating the prospect, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Saudi Arabia. The remarks came after the regime resumed its intensified deadly aggression against Gaza earlier in the day, despite a standing ceasefire agreement that took effect in January with the aim of ending more than 15 months of a war of genocide against the coastal sliver by Tel Aviv. According to Palestinian health officials, 424 people were killed in the attacks on Tuesday alone, including 174 children and 89 women. More than 600 others were wounded as Israeli forces targeted homes, mosques, and shelters. The bombardments have exacerbated an already dire humanitarian crisis, with medical supplies running out and border crossings remaining closed for the 17th consecutive day. The escalation is aimed at forcing the Gaza-based Palestinian resistance movement Hamas into releasing those of the regime's captives, who remain in Gaza in one batch, without Tel Aviv's keeping its side of the bargain by letting the ceasefire deal transit into its second phase, releasing thousands of Palestinian prisoners, ceasing its bloodletting in the Palestinian territory, and enacting a complete withdrawal from it. Amid the situation, al-Houthi said, "Military action by Arab and Islamic regimes [against the occupied Palestinian territories] is ideal." Such operation, however, was "unlikely," he added. 'Arm Palestinian resistance; boycott Israel' The Yemeni leader, meanwhile, asked, while refusing to strike the regime, "why don't they (the world's Arab and Muslim countries) provide military support to Palestinian fighters?" He advised the countries to supply weapons to Palestinian resistance movements as a counterweight to substantial military support for the regime on the part of the West, especially the US. "Palestinian resistance needs financial and military support; Arab and Muslim states are responsible for providing this." Among the Arab and Muslim states, al-Houthi urged Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE to impose economic boycotts on Tel Aviv to deprive it economically. He lamented Arab states' refusing to "make any serious efforteven minimallyto oppose its (the regime's) aggression." This is while "watching genocide in Gaza without action is disgraceful, shameful, and a stain on humanity. No one will escape shame and divine punishment for standing by while Gaza's genocide occurs," the Yemeni leader stated, describing the fresh Israeli escalation as Tel Aviv's resuming the genocidal warfare. He condemned the US for lavishing billions of dollars in terms of financial and military aid on the regime and its markedly stepping up the support during the genocide. "Israel's heinous crimes and genocidal campaign rely heavily on American support and complicity," al-Houthi said. The Yemeni official also reminded that the regime had consulted Washington before resuming the genocide -- as announced by the White House earlier -- saying the intensified Israeli raids have "occurred with American advice, as openly admitted by American officials." Sana'a, though, would keep up and escalate its pro-Palestinian strikes amid the circumstances, besides continuing to stand up to the US's deadly aggression towards Yemen that has notably increased since Saturday in an attempt to force the Arab Peninsula nation into stopping its operations against Israeli targets. "We reaffirm our commitment to intensifying our actions against Israel at the highest level," al-Houthi said, adding, "We will confront any American aggression on Yemen resulting from our operations against Israel." "We will spare no effort to support them (the Palestinians)... Ultimate criminality, aggression, tyranny, and injustice characterize the Israeli enemy, requiring jihad (struggle) for God's sake." Throughout the world, people should, in the meantime, resort to whatever form of protest and resistance at their disposal, such as demonstrations, boycotts, and media campaigns, to incapacitate and shame the Israeli and American war machine and military industrial complex, the Yemeni official noted. "Every individual should support Palestine in their field, specialty, and capabilities." 'Hamas not to cower' Elsewhere in his remarks, al-Houthi put it past the Israeli regime to be capable of forcing Hamas into accepting its demands through either the escalation towards Gaza or its siege of the territory. "Hamas will never compromise on obligations regarding the second phase, nor bargain to avoid war." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli policy of West Bank annexation amounts to 'war crime': UN rights chief Iran Press TV Tuesday, 18 March 2025 7:01 PM UN High Commissioner Volker Turk says the Israeli policy of expanding and consolidating settlements across the occupied West Bank amounts to "a war crime." "The transfer by Israel of parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies amounts to a war crime," Turk said in a statement on Tuesday. The UN rights chief said Israel must evacuate all settlers from the occupied West Bank and make reparations for decades of illegal settlement. "Israel must immediately and completely cease all settlement activities and evacuate all settlers, stop the forcible transfer of the Palestinian population, and prevent and punish attacks by its forces and settlers." The UN rights chief urged the international community to take meaningful action against the occupying entity. A recent report based on research between November 1, 2023 and October 31, 2024 said there had been a "significant" expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East al-Quds. It has cited reports by Israeli non-governmental organizations of tens of thousands of planned housing units in new or existing settlements. The findings will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council. The UN has repeatedly said the alarming Israeli settlement expansion and legal changes in the occupied West Bank fly in the face of international law. Around 700,000 Israeli settlers live in the occupied West Bank and East al-Quds. Most United Nations member states consider settlements built in the West Bank and other territory Israel captured in 1967 to be illegal under international law. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address OIC condemns Israel's renewed aggression on Gaza Iran Press TV Tuesday, 18 March 2025 7:00 PM The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has strongly condemned Israel's resumption of military aggression against the Gaza Strip, saying it holds the occupying regime fully responsible for the ongoing crimes against the Palestinians. The OIC made the remarks in a statement on Tuesday, after hundreds of Palestinians, including women and children, were massacred in renewed Israeli attacks on Gaza earlier in the day. The organization further noted that Israel's new assaults constitute a continuation of war crimes and genocide against the Palestinian people. The OIC further called on the international community, particularly the UN Security Council, to assume its responsibility by bringing an immediate end to the Israeli aggression, opening crossings, ensuring delivery of humanitarian aid to all parts of Gaza, standing up against attempts to displace the Palestinian people and annex their land, and providing international protection for them. Over 400 Palestinians, including women and children, were killed on Tuesday after the occupying regime resumed its genocidal war on Gaza, undermining the fragile two-month-long truce agreement with the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas. The surprise airstrikes, which drew a wave of condemnations worldwide, have raised fears of fully reigniting the 17-month-long genocidal onslaught on Gaza. The White House says Israel consulted with US President Donald Trump's administration before launching its overnight wave of strikes in Gaza. Hamas has held the United States responsible for Israel's renewed aggression against defenseless civilians in Gaza, saying the occupying Israeli entity and its backers must be held accountable for crimes in the blockaded territory. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemen announces successful hypersonic missile strike on Israeli airbase Iran Press TV Tuesday, 18 March 2025 6:58 PM The Yemeni Armed Forces have announced the successful targeting of Israel's Nevatim Airbase, from which the attacks on Gaza are being carried out, using a hypersonic ballistic missile named "Palestine-2." The operation was conducted in solidarity with the Palestinian people and in response to "the criminal massacres by the Zionist enemy" in Gaza, according to a statement by the Yemeni Armed Forces on Tuesday Yahya Saree, the spokesman for the Yemeni forces, said the operation "achieved its objective." Earlier in the day, the Israeli regime claimed it had intercepted a missile launched from Yemen after air raid sirens sounded in several areas in the southern parts of the occupied territories. The Yemeni statement warned that Yemen would expand its list of targets within occupied Palestine in the coming hours and days if the Israeli assault on Gaza does not cease. The Yemeni Armed Forces said the Arab nation would not stand idly by while witnessing massacres against Palestinians in Gaza. They pledged to utilize all available capabilities to defend and support the oppressed in Palestine. "Yemen's leadership, people, and military will not remain silent while witnessing these massacres against our brothers in Gaza." "With God's help, the Yemeni Armed Forces will dedicate all their resources to defending and supporting the oppressed in Palestine until these crimes against our brothers in Gaza cease," the statement said. It also highlighted Yemen's continued opposition to US policies in the region and its commitment to disrupting Israeli maritime activities until the blockade on Gaza is lifted and humanitarian aid is allowed into the besieged territory. This strike marks Yemen's first direct attack on the Israeli-occupied territories since the Gaza ceasefire deal took effect in January. The ceasefire had largely contained the US-Israeli genocide in Gaza, but the regime's Tuesday attacks on the Strip, which killed over 400 Gazans and injured hundreds more, marked a resumption of hostilities. Yemen had previously issued Israel a four-day ultimatum to lift the total blockade of Gaza, which it said violated the ceasefire agreement, or face retaliation. Israel's defiance led Yemen to announce the resumption of its naval operations against Israeli-linked ships in the region. The US and Britain have carried out a series of deadly attacks on Yemen in recent days in support of Israel. Yemen has responded with several operations targeting American warships in the Red Sea. Yemen had launched scores of drone and missile attacks on passing ships and Israeli territory during the Gaza genocide in solidarity with the Palestinians. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Gaza massacre: Hezbollah says Israel, US 'two sides of same bloodthirsty coin' Iran Press TV Tuesday, 18 March 2025 6:42 PM Lebanon's Hezbollah says the regime of Benjamin Netanyahu is attacking unarmed people in Gaza with the Trump administration's backing since neither of them honors the agreements they make. The resistance group condemned Israel's renewed war on the besieged territory that threatens the complete collapse of a two-month ceasefire agreement between Tel Aviv and Hamas. Hezbollah said the decision of Netanyahu's regime "to overturn the ceasefire and reignite the war, in full partnership with the US administration and amid disgraceful international silence, confirms that this rogue entity and the US administration respect no commitments or agreements." Tel Aviv and Washington, Hezbollah said, are "two sides of the same bloodthirsty coin, knowing only the language of killing and destruction." Hezbollah urged the international community to immediately take action "to stop this crime." The Lebanese group reiterated its "full and unwavering support for the heroic Palestinian resistance and the honorable people of Gaza." The Israeli military launched deadly airstrikes across the Palestinian territory early Tuesday, killing more than 400 Palestinians, including children. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Tel Aviv consulted with the Trump administration ahead of the devastating attacks. Hamas said it holds the Trump administration "directly responsible" for the resumption of Tel Aviv's hostilities in Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli airstrikes kill al-Quds brigades spokesman in Gaza Iran Press TV Tuesday, 18 March 2025 6:15 PM Naji Abu Saif, also known as Abu Hamza, the spokesman for the Al-Quds Brigades, the military arm of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, has been killed in a fresh wave of Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip. The strikes also killed his wife and several family members in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. The movement condemned the "treacherous and spiteful assassination," accusing the "Nazi-Zionist criminal entity" of carrying out the attack with the support, encouragement, and funding of the US administration, while the world remained in "cowardly silence." "The martyred spokesperson was known as a voice of the resistance, fearing no reproach in his devotion to Allah, eloquent in his speech, and courageous in his heroic positions in defense of the resistance and the rights of our people, never wavering in his stance," the movement said in a statement. It added that the attack "will only strengthen our determination to continue defending our people and their rights until the goals of this aggression are completely thwarted." Israel launched its heaviest attacks since the start of the ceasefire overnight, with Gaza's health ministry reporting over 400 fatalities. Among those killed were several Gazan officials and resistance commanders. The Nasser Salaheddine Brigades confirmed the death of Mohammad Mahmoud Al-Batran, the commander of the artillery unit and a member of the military council in the central brigade, during the strikes. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas holds US 'directly responsible' for Israel's renewed aggression Iran Press TV Tuesday, 18 March 2025 5:01 PM The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has held the United States, the Tel Aviv regime's biggest benefactor, responsible for Israel's renewed aggression against defenseless civilians in the besieged Gaza Strip. "The acknowledgment by the US administration that it was informed ahead of the Zionist aggression confirms its direct participation in the genocidal war against the Palestinian people," the statement read. The White House says Israel's new attacks on Gaza are in coordination with the US and Donald Trump's administration was consulted by the Israeli officials. Hamas underscored the "blatant American complicity and bias towards the occupation." More than 410 Palestinians were killed in Gaza after Israel resumed its strikes on the blockaded territory and ended a ceasefire deal with Hamas. Hamas further said that Washington's unconditional support and continued military aid to Israel constitute the crimes of conspiracy to commit genocide. "With its unlimited political and military support for the occupation, Washington bears full responsibility for the massacres and the killing of women and children in Gaza." Hamas also said that the occupying Israeli entity and its backers must held accountable for crimes in the besieged Palestinian territory. "The international community must act immediately to hold the occupation and its backers accountable for committing crimes against humanity." Hamas has said Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet have decided to overturn the ceasefire agreement, leaving Israeli captives to an unknown fate. It demanded ceasefire mediators hold the regime fully responsible for violating the agreement. The Palestinian group has accrued the US of refuting its alleged commitment to preserving the ceasefire. Separately, Hamas spokesman Abdul Latif al-Qanou said Netanyahu has decided to resume the genocidal war to escape his internal crisis. Senior Hamas official Izzat Al-Rishq said the enemy won't achieve through war and destruction what it failed to achieve via negotiations. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad, for its part, said the new aggression will not give Israel the upper hand over the resistance, and won't extricate the regime from the crises currently plaguing it. Hamas also called on people of Arab and Islamic nations as well as the free people of the world to hold rallies in protest at Israel's offensive on Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Shocked': UN chief slams fresh Israeli massacre in Gaza Iran Press TV Tuesday, 18 March 2025 4:15 PM United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed shock over the massacre of hundreds in indiscriminate Israeli airstrikes on Gaza on Tuesday, which have drawn widespread denunciation from the global community. "The secretary-general is shocked by the Israeli airstrikes in Gaza," UN spokesman Rolando Gomez said during a press briefing in Geneva. The surprise airstrikes, which killed at least 413 people, shattered a ceasefire that had been in place since January, raising fears of fully reigniting the 17-month-long genocidal onslaught on Gaza. Gomez added that the UN chief "appeals for the ceasefire to be respected, for unimpeded humanitarian assistance to be re-established, and for the remaining hostages to be released unconditionally." Other UN agencies and international humanitarian organizations also condemned the strikes. 'Nightmare must end' UN rights chief Volker Turk expressed horror at the attacks, saying they will "add tragedy onto tragedy." "This nightmare must end immediately," Turk emphasized, adding that "the last 18 months of violence have made abundantly clear that there is no military path out of this crisis." "The only way forward is a political settlement, in line with international law. Israel's resort to yet more military force will only heap further misery upon a Palestinian population already suffering catastrophic conditions," he concluded. 'Fueling hell on earth' Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, warned that resuming hostilities would fuel "hell on Earth." "Awful scenes of civilians killed, among them children, followed waves of heavy bombardment from Israeli forces overnight," the UNRWA chief posted on X. "Fuelling 'hell on Earth' by resuming the war will only bring more despair and suffering. A return to the ceasefire is a must." 'Nightmare scenario materializing' Rosalia Bollen, a UNICEF spokeswoman based in Gaza, described the harrowing impact of the strikes. "People were woken up very abruptly by very loud explosions in the middle of the night as Israel launched airstrikes across the Gaza Strip early Tuesday," she said. "The ground was trembling," Bollen noted, adding, "This nightmare scenario has been on everyone's mind. It's just heartbreaking that it is materializing right now, shattering the last piece of hope that people had." She called for the immediate reinstatement of the ceasefire and the lifting of the blockade on aid supplies without delay. 'Horrified by strikes' UN Human Rights spokesperson Thameen Al Kheetan said he was "horrified" by Israel's airstrikes. Speaking at the daily UN press briefing in Geneva, Al Kheetan asked "all states with influence to do all in their power to achieve peace and avoid further suffering of civilians." "Israel's resort to yet more military force will only heap further misery upon a Palestinian population already suffering catastrophic conditions. This nightmare must end immediately," he asaid. 'Death sentence for Gaza's children' Save the Children strongly condemned the renewed violence, stating the international community "cannot turn a blind eye as children in Gaza once again are at risk of being killed, maimed, displaced, starved, and left even more vulnerable to disease and the elements." Rachael Cummings, the organization's humanitarian director in central Gaza's Deir el-Balah, described the collapse of the ceasefire as "nothing short of a death sentence for Gaza's children." The denial of aid during the holy month of Ramadan, she said, constitutes "a grave violation against children." "We demand an immediate and definitive ceasefire and restrictions on humanitarian aid to be immediately lifted," Cummings added. "Anything less is a catastrophic failure to uphold international humanitarian law and protect the most vulnerable." Dozens of children were among the over 400 victims killed in the airstrikes. Hamas said that Essam al-Dalis, the head of its government in Gaza, was among several officials killed. The Red Cross reported that many medical facilities in Gaza were "overwhelmed" by the influx of casualties, while the World Health Organization warned of critical shortages of medicines. Medical charity Doctors Without Borders also highlighted the dire situation, stating that its teams had received large numbers of wounded patients at their field hospital, clinic, and at the Nasser Hospital. Israeli officials stated that their attacks were open-ended and expected to escalate further. The Gaza truce largely halted more than 15 months of Israeli genocide in Gaza but its future is in limbo after Israel refused to enter talks on the second phase of the ceasefire after the first one ended in early March. Hamas said Israel was "deciding to overturn the ceasefire agreement," describing it as "a decision to sacrifice the occupation's prisoners and impose a death sentence on them." Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior leader, said the strikes aimed to "undermine the ceasefire agreement and attempt to impose a surrender agreement, written in the blood of Gaza." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas says Israel assassinated 5 senior officials along with families in Gaza Iran Press TV Tuesday, 18 March 2025 3:26 PM The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas says several of its senior members have been assassinated after being directly targeted by Israel's military forces on Tuesday. Gaza's fragile ceasefire was shattered early Tuesday as the Israeli military launched deadly airstrikes across the Palestinian territory, killing more than 400 Palestinians, including children. The resistance group said in a statement that "a number of government and emergency committee leaders were martyred in the Gaza Strip as a result of the brutal and sudden aggression on the Gaza Strip at dawn today." "These leaders, along with their families, were martyred after being directly targeted by the Zionist occupation forces' aircraft." The head of the Hamas government, Essam al-Dali, interior ministry head Mahmud Abu Watfa and Bahjat Abu Sultan, director-general of the internal security service, are among the martyrs, Hamas said. These leaders, according to Hamas, were responsible for "distributing aid, preventing "thieves" and "bandits" (in reality, collaborators with the Zionist regime), protecting the security of the Palestinian people, and ensuring fairness and social cohesion amid the most difficult of circumstances." "They are being assassinated in an attempt to create chaos, famine and internal conflict." In a separate statement, Gaza Government Media Office said two top police officers were among those assassinated. These leaders, it said, "worked tirelessly since the beginning of this genocidal war to alleviate the suffering of their people and who fulfilled their responsibilities with dedication and sacrifice." Hamas also reiterated that the resistance will stand "firm with our nation against this brutal aggression." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Renewed Israeli attacks on Gaza 'continuation of genocide, ethnic cleansing': Iran Iran Press TV Tuesday, 18 March 2025 1:38 PM Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei has strongly condemned renewed Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, describing them as a "continuation of genocide and ethnic cleansing" in the besieged territory. Baghaei made the remarks in a statement on Tuesday, hours after Israeli airstrikes on Gaza left hundreds of Palestinians, including women and children, dead. He went on to say that the United States bears full responsibility for the killings in Gaza, noting that the Israeli attacks are being carried out with a "green light" from Washington. Baghaei further called on the international community to take on its responsibilities and stop the Israeli regime's war crimes in Gaza, which "are carried out with the full backing of the US, Britain, and other Western nations." The Foreign Ministry spokesman also said failing to address Israel's blatant violations of international law will erode the legal system of norms based upon the UN Charter, warning against the catastrophic consequences of such conditions for global peace and security. Baghaei also highlighted the Muslim world's responsibility to prevent the continuation of acts of genocide in occupied Palestine, urging the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to take decisive measures to expedite the prosecution of Israeli leaders in the International Criminal Court (ICC), to enforce rulings issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and to stop the delivery of arms and financial supports for the occupying regime. Over 400 Palestinians, including women and children, were killed on Tuesday after the occupying regime resumed its genocidal war on Gaza, undermining the fragile two-month-long truce agreement with the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas. Overnight Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, which were the deadliest since a ceasefire began in the besieged territory, drew a wave of condemnations worldwide. Israel launched its brutal war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, but the regime failed to achieve its declared objectives despite killing more than 48,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children. The Tel Aviv regime accepted Hamas's longstanding negotiation terms under the three-phase Gaza truce, which began on January 19. Later, however, Israel refused to move forward to the second stage of the ceasefire, which required it to withdraw the occupation troops from Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Condemnations pour in after Israel unleashes deadliest Gaza strikes since ceasefire agreement Iran Press TV Tuesday, 18 March 2025 11:23 AM Overnight Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, which were the deadliest since a ceasefire began in the besieged territory, have drawn a wave of condemnations worldwide. Over 410 Palestinians, including women and children, were killed on Tuesday after the occupying regime resumed its genocidal war on Gaza, undermining the fragile two-month-long truce agreement with the Hamas resistance group. China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said Beijing was "highly concerned about the current situation between Israel and Palestine." She also called for the parties to "avoid any actions that could lead to an escalation of the situation, and prevent a larger-scale humanitarian disaster." 'Spiral of escalation' Russia also warned of a potential "spiral of escalation" in Gaza amid renewed Israeli genocidal attacks. "The latest aggravation of the situation, the return to a spiral of escalating tensions, this is what worries us," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. He said Moscow is monitoring the situation very closely and expects it to return to a "peaceful course." Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urged respect for the ceasefire in Gaza, where "there's already been enormous suffering." He also said that his country will continue to stand up for peace and security in the region. In X posts, Dutch Foreign Minister Casper Veldkamp called on warring sides to implement the Gaza truce deal in full and protect all civilians. Humanitarian aid should be made accessible to those in need, he said, adding that "all hostilities must end permanently." Additionally, the head of the UN's humanitarian affairs bureau described as "dreadful" the news of Israel's deadly attacks on Gaza. "Our humanitarians have done everything possible to save as many lives as we could in Gaza. Immense suffering among survivors. And now this," Tom Fletcher said on X. "Everyone with influence must insist this stop." In a statement, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) blasted the far-right cabinet of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for resuming its "horrific and genocidal" attacks on Gaza, and "killing hundreds of civilians in a matter of hours." "Netanyahu would clearly rather massacre Palestinian children in refugee camps than risk the disintegration of his cabinet by exchanging all those held by both sides and permanently ending the genocidal war, as required by the ceasefire agreement," said the largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization in the US. Israel launched its brutal Gaza onslaught on October 7, 2023, but the regime failed to achieve its declared objectives despite killing more than 48,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children. The Tel Aviv regime accepted Hamas's longstanding negotiation terms under the three-phase Gaza truce, which began on January 19. Later, however, Israel refused to move forward to the second stage of the ceasefire, which required it to withdraw the occupation troops from Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemen says 'fully ready' for 'long naval battles with new methods to stun enemies' Iran Press TV Tuesday, 18 March 2025 10:12 AM Yemen's defense minister has pledged the country's full combat readiness to retaliate against enemies' acts of provocation and aggression in kind, warning that the nation's Armed Forces were set to engage in drawn-out naval confrontations with the adversaries in the same context. Major General Mohammed Nasser al-Atifi made the remarks as tensions are running high between Yemen and the United States after US President Donald trump ordered deadly airstrikes across Yemen on Sunday night. The raids were launched hours after the Ansarullah resistance movement warned that the Yemeni Armed Forces would target the American aircraft carrier, and warships in the region. Yemen asserts that it will continue its pro-Palestinian operations against sensitive and strategic targets across the occupied territories and the Israeli ships crossing key waterways. "Yemen has already issued public warnings that it will not be forced to remain silent about the Zionist aggression in its brutality, starvation, and unjust siege of the Palestinians in Gaza, and that it will meet the siege with a siege and escalation with escalation," Atifi noted. He reiterated that. "If the Zionist enemy does lift its siege on Gaza people, the Yemenis armed forces are ready to develop the confrontation in proportion to the size of the challenge and any emergency situation." The official was referring to the Israeli regime's having blocked the entry of vital aid items into the Gaza Strip, including foodstuffs, medicine, and water. The regime strictly retains the blockade, while recurrently carrying out deadly attacks against Gaza in violation of a standing ceasefire agreement that was hoped to end more than 15 months of a genocidal war by Tel Aviv against the already impoverished and heavily devastated coastal sliver. The violations spiked markedly on Tuesday, claiming the lives of more than 350 Gazans, mostly women and children. Atifi reaffirmed Yemen's unwavering support for Gaza, stating that the nation would continue its efforts until justice was achieved for Palestinians and their suffering ended. Yemen had stopped its pro-Palestinian strikes after the ceasefire took effect in January. It, however, resumed the operations targeting Israeli ships after the Israeli regime failed to heed a deadline by Sana'a to lift the siege and let aid reach the Palestinian territory. Al-Atifi emphasized that Yemen's military capabilities, including missile forces, drones, and naval units, were at peak readiness to undertake missions in defense of Arab and Islamic nations. The Yemeni defense minister highlighted that all necessary military measures had been implemented following the expiration of the deadline for removal of the siege. He cautioned that his country would not remain passive in the face of ongoing Israeli aggression, stressing that any escalation by the regime would be met with proportional responses. The official, meanwhile, warned the states supporting the Israeli regime or providing naval protection to its vessels. Atifi was referring to the United States and the UK, which had resorted to heavy offensive naval buildup off Yemen's coastline, and had escalated its attacks on the Arab Peninsula country to try to stop its pro-Palestinian strikes. Sana'a has been responding to the intensified attacks by targeting American warships, and enhancing its preparedness to take on the naval assets. The Yemeni official, however, clarified that Yemen's decision to prevent Israeli ships from navigating the Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Gulf of Aden, and the Arabian Sea did not threaten international maritime navigation in those areas. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel violently raids West Bank villages amid escalated aggression over past weeks Iran Press TV Tuesday, 18 March 2025 8:46 AM Israeli regime forces have raided a number of villages on the outskirts of the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah, amid the illegal entity's ramped-up aggression on the Palestinian territory over the past weeks. Palestine's official news agency WAFA, citing local sources, said the occupation forces violently stormed the Nabi Saleh village in the northwest of Ramallah on Monday evening, using live ammunition and teargas canisters. "The occupying forces barged their way to the downtown part of the village, while simultaneously firing barrages of live ammunition and teargas canisters, triggering confrontations," the agency reported. The Israeli soldiers detained a number of youths following the evening prayers in the vicinity of a local mosque in the Nabi Saleh village. Moreover, the news agency reported that gun-toting Israeli forces raided the nearby village of Aboud and fired volleys of concussion grenades, with no immediate information on the number of casualties or detention cases. According to WAFA, dozens of Palestinians also suffocated in an Israeli raid in the al-Arroub refugee camp, north of the occupied West Bank city of al-Khalil, on Monday evening. The occupying forces stormed the refugee camp and fired barrages of live ammunition, rubber-coated steel bullets, and bombs toward civilians' houses, causing dozens of civilians to suffocate from excessive tear gas inhalation. Citing local sources, the news agency said the Israeli forces also on the same day assaulted Palestinians in the al-Matwai Valley, west of the occupied West Bank city of Salfit. The occupation forces were reported to have attacked Palestinian-registered vehicles passing in the area, causing damage to several vehicles. "The colonists beat up a civilian and spewed pepper spray in his face," WAFA added. Earlier in the day, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Francesca Albanese warned that the West Bank faces the threat of mass ethnic cleansing by Israel as the occupying entity is carrying out its plans of taking over the entire Palestinian territory and displacing its inhabitants. Albanese said the threat of Israel's mass ethnic cleaning of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank is quite "real," stressing that ethnic cleansing involves acts that constitute war crimes, crimes against humanity, and even genocide. Israel has been conducting a large-scale assault against the West Bank for the past several weeks which is by far the single longest Israeli aggression in the territory since the second Palestinian Intifada in the early 2000s. The massive aggression has so far displaced at least 40,000 Palestinians in the course of just a few weeks, the vast majority of them from refugee camps in the occupied West Bank. The assault comes against the backdrop of a 17-month aggression on the besieged Gaza Strip, which has so far left at least 48,577 Palestinians dead. The Israeli regime was forced to agree to a ceasefire deal with the Gaza-based Palestinian resistance movement Hamas in January. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Jihad of victory': Palestinian groups hold US accountable for renewed genocide, vow resistance Iran Press TV Tuesday, 18 March 2025 7:56 AM Palestinian groups have blasted Israel for resuming its genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, as the regime conducts its deadliest aerial assaults on the besieged territory since a January ceasefire. The condemnations came on Tuesday, after the Israeli strikes killed over 350 Palestinians and injured 1,000 others across Gaza in a blatant violation of the truce with the Hamas resistance group. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the air raids because of a lack of progress in the talks aimed at making Hamas release Israeli captives without a troop withdrawal from Gaza. Netanyahu's office said in a statement that "Israel will, from now on, act ... with increasing military strength." Hamas said it viewed the Israeli attacks as a unilateral cancellation of the Gaza ceasefire, warning that the strikes expose the captives "to an unknown fate." The Palestinian Islamic Jihad resistance movement said the renewed aggression will neither give Israel the upper hand over the resistance nor extricate Netanyahu and his regime from the crises they are escaping from. "Rather, it will further weaken them and accumulate more failures, leaving them humiliated and submissive," it added. The Islamic Jihad, which is based in Gaza, also noted that Israel will not achieve what it has been unable to achieve during the genocide thanks to the steadfastness of oppressed Palestinians and the bravery of resistance fighters. Meanwhile, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) said the occupation violated the Gaza truce by its brutal strikes with prior planning and American partnership. "All international parties must act immediately to stop the war of extermination resumed by the ... war criminals." it pointed out. The group also urged Arab people and those seeking freedom to condemn Israeli atrocities and besiege the embassies of the occupying entity and the United States. It further called on the Arab League to work towards the lifting of the Israeli siege on the Gaza Strip and ending the war of extermination against Palestinians. Additionally, the Palestinian Mujahideen Movement held the US administration responsible for the Zionist regime's resumption of its genocide in Gaza. Netanyahu and his criminal cabinet, it said, "will not succeed in breaking the will of our people and their resistance, just as they have failed throughout more than 15 months of genocide and ethnic cleansing." Mediators failed to 'deter Zionist arrogance': Ansarullah Yemen's Ansarullah resistance movement condemned in the strongest terms fresh Israeli Gaza raids and horrific massacres, saying they were conducted amid unlimited American support for the usurping regime. The group's political bureau censured the parties mediating and guaranteeing the Gaza ceasefire for failing to "deter Zionist stubbornness and arrogance." Israel launched its brutal Gaza onslaught on October 7, 2023, after Hamas carried out a historic operation against the usurping entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people. The Tel Aviv regime failed to achieve its declared objectives of freeing captives and eliminating Hamas despite killing more than 48,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, in Gaza. Israel accepted Hamas's longstanding negotiation terms under the three-phase Gaza truce, which began on January 19. Later, however, Israel refused to move forward to the second stage of the ceasefire and blocked the entry of all humanitarian aid into Gaza in breach of international law. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address West Bank faces 'mass ethnic cleansing' amid Israeli plan of takeover: UN rapporteur Iran Press TV Tuesday, 18 March 2025 6:41 AM A high-ranking United Nations human rights official has warned that the West Bank faces the threat of mass ethnic cleansing by Israel as the occupying entity is carrying out its plans of taking over the entire Palestinian territory and displacing its inhabitants. In remarks on Monday, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory Francesca Albanese warned that the threat of Israel's mass ethnic cleaning of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank is quite "real", the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported. She stressed that ethnic cleansing involves acts that constitute war crimes, crimes against humanity, and even genocide. The UN official's warning comes as Israel has been conducting a large-scale assault against the West Bank for the past several weeks which is by far the single longest Israeli aggression in the territory since the second Palestinian Intifada in the early 2000s. The massive aggression has so far displaced at least 40,000 Palestinians in the course of just a few weeks, the vast majority of them from refugee camps in the occupied West Bank. Albanese further stressed that the current Israeli aggression in the West Bank is characterized by airstrikes, armored bulldozers, and controlled demolitions and destruction of villages and vital infrastructure, including agricultural land. The UN rapporteur also emphasized that the Tel Aviv's strategy is aimed at realizing the so-called "Greater Israel" free of Palestinian presence, adding that to achieve this goal, the regime relies on forced displacement and oppression of the Palestinian people. Albanese warned that Israel's plan to "ethnically" cleanse the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea is tantamount to a "genocidal campaign" to erase the Palestinians as a nation. The UN official renewed her call on the international community to fulfill its obligations to protect Palestinians from annihilation, stressing that the only way is to implement the International Court of Justice (ICJ)'s Advisory Opinion. The Advisory Opinion has already found that Israel's decades-long occupation of the Palestinian territories is "unlawful", and that its "near-complete separation" of people in the occupied West Bank breached international laws concerning "racial segregation" and "apartheid." Under the ICJ's judicial statement, Israel must take all measures within its power to prevent acts of genocide in the besieged territory and to punish incitement to genocide, among other orders. Last week, Albanese said the entire world knows the Israeli regime is currently repeating in the West Bank what it has done in the besieged Gaza Strip and that it wants all Palestinians to leave their land, while Arab countries and the international community do nothing. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Death toll soars past 400 as Israel launches massive airstrikes across Gaza Iran Press TV Tuesday, 18 March 2025 4:21 AM The Israeli military has killed at least 412 Palestinians, mostly children and women, throughout the Gaza Strip's entire expanse during a large-scale violation of Tel Aviv's ceasefire agreement with the Gaza-based resistance movement Hamas. Reports said those killed in included at least 77 people in Khan Younis in southern Gaza and at least 20 people in Gaza City in the north. At least 500 other Palestinians were also injured during the bloodletting, Palestinian news agency Sama reported on Tuesday. According to the agency, the raids did not spare any part of the already war-battered and mostly devastated coastal sliver, targeting residential structures, schools, and refugee centers. Reporting on the fresh deadly escalation, Qatar's Al Jazeera television network reported that explosions had rang out throughout Gaza's northeastern areas, where the regime's spy aircraft and warplanes have been engaging in extensive overflight. The ceasefire took effect in January in the hope of ending the regime's 15-month-plus war of genocide against Gaza that began after Hamas and its fellow resistance groups from the Palestinian territory launched a historic operation against the occupied Palestinian territories. The operation saw the fighters venture deep inside the territories, encircling strategic Israeli bases and ensnaring 240 Zionists, including some American-Israelis. Since initiation of the ceasefire deal, the regime has been routinely violating it besides blocking the entry of vital aid items into Gaza, including foodstuffs, medicine, and water, in an attempt to pressure Hamas into releasing those of the captives, who remained in the group's captivity, in one batch. Hamas has released 25 living captives and the remains of eight others in exchange for more than 2,000 Palestinian prisoners during the implementation of the first phase of the deal. The movement has denounced Tel Aviv's efforts at sabotaging the agreement, urging that release of the remaining captives is conditioned upon implementation of a second phase. Earlier, the regime's Ma'ariv newspaper reported, citing its sources, that Tel Aviv had turned down a proposal for, what it called, "selective release" of the American captives. The sources said the regime has told the United States that diplomatic efforts towards enabling release of the remaining captives had ended. They also said the regime's so-called "security cabinet" had allowed its prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and minister for military affairs Israel Katz to determine the time for resumption of the genocide. Netanyahu's office, meanwhile, alleged that the regime had resumed its military attacks on Gaza after, what it termed as, Hamas' turning down Washington's proposals for extension of the ceasefire. This is while Hamas has been constantly engaging with Qatari and Egyptian mediators towards keeping up the ceasefire, despite the disruptive Israeli efforts. More than 48,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, have perished during the genocide in addition to hundreds more who have been killed as a result of the Israeli violations of the deal. Trump's green light The White House says Israel consulted with US President Donald Trump's administration before launching its overnight wave of strikes in Gaza. "The Trump administration and the White House were consulted by the Israelis on their attacks in Gaza tonight," Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said. New forced displacement The Israeli military's spokesman Avichay Adraee ordered residents of the several Gaza areas to "evacuate immediately", saying their neighborhoods will become "dangerous combat zones". Adraee said civilians in the areas of Beit Hanoon, Khirbet Khuza'a, Abasan al-Kabira and Abasan al-Jadida should head to shelters in western Gaza City or Khan Younis. Hamas: Israel exposes captives to 'unknown fate' Reacting to the most recent massacres, Hamas voiced reprehension over Netanyahu and his "Nazi" administration's resuming their aggression and genocidal war against defenseless civilians in the Gaza Strip. "We hold the criminal Netanyahu and the Nazi-Zionist occupation fully responsible for the repercussions of the treacherous aggression on Gaza, and for the defenseless civilians and our besieged Palestinian people, who are subjected to a brutal war and a systematic policy of starvation," it added. The regime, the group lamented, had decided to "overturn the ceasefire," exposing the captives to an "unknown fate." Hamas has previously reported the death of scores of the captives as a result of incessant and indiscriminate Israeli bombardments of Gaza. "We demand that the mediators hold Netanyahu and the Zionist occupation fully responsible for violating and overturning the agreement," the group asserted. Hamas also urged the Arab world, including its major institutions, as well as notable international organizations to take a firms stance concerning the aggression. The United Nations and its Security Council has to press Tel Aviv into abiding by the UNSC Resolution that mandates an end to the Israeli aggression against Gaza and complete withdrawal of all Israeli forces from the territory, the group underscored. It finally called for global protests, urging that "the free people of the world have to raise their voice in rejection of the resumption of the Zionist war of extermination against our people in the Gaza Strip." Netanyahu's lifeline to escape internal crises Senior Hamas official Izzat al-Rishq said, "Netanyahu has decided to resume the genocidal war, considering it a lifeline to escape his internal crises." "The enemy will not achieve through war and destruction what it failed to achieve through negotiations." He added that, "Mediators are required to reveal the truth about Netanyahu's betrayal of the ceasefire agreement and to hold him solely responsible for fueling the fire in Gaza and the region." Al-Rishq asserted that, "Military pressure and brutal aggression will not break the will of our people and our resistance." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemeni Armed Forces attack US aircraft carrier for third time in 48 hours Iran Press TV Tuesday, 18 March 2025 3:26 AM The Yemeni Armed Forces have announced yet another attack on US forces in the Red Sea region, utilizing missiles and drones to prevent an imminent American assault on the Arab country. The Yemeni forces said in a statement on Tuesday morning that the American aggressor bears full responsibility for militarizing the Red Sea and expanding the scope of confrontation through its ongoing aggression against Yemen. "Over the past few hours, the Yemeni Armed Forces have successfully targeted the US aircraft carrier USS Harry Truman in the northern Red Sea with two cruise missiles and two drones, and targeted a US destroyer with a cruise missile and four drones," the statement said. "The targeting of the aircraft carrier is the third in the past 48 hours. The enemy was struck by a state of confusion, which prompted many of its warships to retreat towards the northern Red Sea region, and an air attack that was being prepared against our country was thwarted," it added. The Yemeni Armed Forces warned that they will continue targeting all hostile forces in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea until their aggression ends. The forces affirm that they will not cease targeting all hostile targets in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea until the aggression against the Arab country stops. The Yemeni statement said that the armed forces are ready to confront any American and Israeli escalation in the coming hours and days. The statement further emphasized that Yemen's armed forces will maintain the ban on Israeli-bound ships passing through the declared zone of operations until the blockade on the Gaza Strip is lifted. This came as the United States claimed to carry out major airstrikes across Yemen on Sunday night, hours after the Ansarullah resistance movement warned that the Yemeni Armed Forces would target the American aircraft carrier, and warships in the region. On Saturday night, the US carried out large-scale military strikes on the Yemeni capital Sana'a and multiple other provinces across the country, leaving dozens of people, including women and children, killed and injured. American and British warplanes launched 47 airstrikes on several sites in Yemen's capital, Sana'a as well as on areas in the northern province of Sa'ada, the central province of al-Bayda, and the southwestern province of Dhamar. At least 31 people, mostly women and children, were killed in the aerial and naval attacks ordered by US President Donald Trump. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iravani condemns US aggression against Yemen and 'baseless accusations' against Iran Iran Press TV Tuesday, 18 March 2025 1:34 AM Iran has strongly condemned recent accusations by senior officials of US President Donald Trump's administration as entirely "baseless" and denounced American aggression against Yemen. Iran's ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations Amir Saied Iravani made the comments on Monday in a letter to the UN chief and the president of the Security Council. "I wish to express my deep concern and unequivocal condemnation of recent belligerent statements by senior officials of the United States administration, including the president of the United States, while they were attempting desperately to unlawfully justify the US' acts of aggression and war crimes against Yemen, leveling baseless accusations against the Islamic Republic of Iran and openly threatening the use of force against Iran," he wrote. At least 53 people, mostly women and children, were killed and 101 others wounded after the US carried out the first attacks against Yemen since President Trump took office in January. The US launched its large-scale military strikes on the Yemeni capital Sana'a and multiple other provinces across the country on Saturday night. Trump, in a statement on Saturday, said the US holds Iran "fully accountable" for its support for Yemen's Ansarullah resistance movement. He said support for the movement must "end immediately," warning that Washington will hold Tehran fully accountable. Iravani said that US officials' anti-Iran rhetoric constitutes a blatant violation of fundamental principles of international law and the UN Charter. "Such inflammatory rhetoric constitutes a blatant violation of fundamental principles of international law and of the United Nations Charter, particularly Article 2(4), which prohibits threats or use of force against sovereign states," he said. He added that "the Islamic Republic of Iran firmly rejects and condemns these reckless and provocative statements." Iravani warned that any act of aggression against Iran will have severe consequences, for which the US will bear full responsibility. He urged the UN Security Council to denounce such inflammatory statements. "Iran calls on the Security Council to take a clear and principled stance in denouncing such inflammatory statements and to call that the United States comply with its obligations under the UN Charter," the Iranian official said. "As we have repeatedly emphasized, the normalization of threats of force sets a dangerous precedent and poses serious risks to international peace and security. The Security Council must not remain silent in the face of such blatant provocations," he said. The Iranian diplomat also condemned the recent military aggression and unlawful use of force against Yemen by the US and UK. Iravani said such actions flagrantly violate Yemen's sovereignty and territorial integrity, contravene international law, and pose a serious threat to regional peace and stability. "The Islamic Republic of Iran unequivocally condemns the recent military aggression and unlawful use of force against Yemen by the United States and the United Kingdom," he said. "These actions flagrantly violate Yemen's sovereignty and territorial integrity, contravening international law, the United Nations Charter, and relevant Security Council resolutions, thereby posing a serious threat to regional peace and stability," Iravani stated. "As a responsible member of the international community, the Islamic Republic of Iran has consistently adhered to its obligations under international law, and supports maritime safety and freedom of navigation," he said. He said Yemeni forces operate independently in their decision-making and actions, and their operations are conducted in support of Gaza and in response to violations of their country's territorial integrity. This came as the United States claimed to carry out major airstrikes across Yemen on Sunday night, hours after the Ansarullah resistance movement warned that the Yemeni Armed Forces will target the American aircraft carrier, and warships in the region. On Saturday night, the US carried out large-scale military strikes on the Yemeni capital Sana'a and multiple other provinces across the country, leaving dozens of people, including women and children, killed and injured. American and British warplanes launched 47 airstrikes on several sites in Yemen's capital, Sana'a as well as on areas in the northern province of Sa'ada, the central province of al-Bayda, and the southwestern province of Dhamar. At least 31 people, mostly women and children, were killed in the aerial and naval attacks ordered by Trump. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US might not cut pledged Pacific aid, NZ foreign minister says After talks in Washington, Winston Peters said he was 'more confident' that aid meant to counter China might stand. By Alex Willemyns 2025.03.18 WASHINGTON -- The Trump administration might let hundreds of millions of dollars in aid pledged to Pacific island nations during former President Joe Biden's time in office stand, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said after talks in Washington on Monday. The Biden administration pledged about $1 billion in aid to the Pacific to help counter China's influence in the strategic region. However, Trump last month froze all disbursements of aid by the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, for 90 days pending a "review" of all aid spending under his "America First" policy. New Zealand's foreign minister told reporters on Monday that he had exited meetings with Trump's USAID acting head, Peter Marocco, and his national security adviser, Mike Waltz, "more confident" about the prospects of the aid being left alone than he was before. Peters said he had a "very frank and open discussion" with American officials about how important the aid was for the Pacific, and insisted that they "get our point of view in terms of how essential it is." "In our business, it's wise to find out the results before you open your mouth, but we are looking ahead with more confidence than when we arrived," Peters said, pushing back against claims that the Trump administration would be "pulling back" from the Pacific region. "We don't know that yet. Let's find out in April, when that full review is done on USAID," he said. "But we came away more confident than some of the alarmists might have been before we arrived." Pacific theater The Biden administration sought to rapidly expand U.S. engagement with the small island nations of the Pacific after the Solomon Islands signed a controversial security pact with China three years ago. The deal by the Solomon Islands sparked a frenzied diplomatic battle between Washington and Beijing for influence in the strategic region. Biden subsequently hosted Pacific island leaders at back-to-back summits in Washington in September 2022 and 2023, the first two of their kind. He pledged hundreds of millions of dollars at both meets, appearing to tilt the region back toward Washington. The first summit included announcements of some $800 billion in aid for the Pacific, while the second added about $200 billion. But the region has since been rocked by the Trump administration's decision to freeze all aid pending its ongoing review. The concerns have not been helped by a claim from Elon Musk, who Trump tasked with cutting government waste, that USAID will be shuttered. "You've got to basically get rid of the whole thing. It's beyond repair. We're shutting it down," Musk said in a Feb. 3 livestreamed video. However, the New Zealand foreign minister, who also met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday, said he held out hope that Washington would not turn back on its fight for influence in the Pacific. "The first Trump administration turned more powerfully towards the Pacific ... than any previous administration," he said, "and now they've got Trump back again, and we hope for the same into the future." 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Public servants kept in dark as Laos merges government ministries The number of ministries will be reduced from 17 to 13 to cut costs and improve efficiency. By RFA Lao 2025.03.18 -- Laos will merge several government ministries, reducing their number from 17 to 13, in a bid to cut costs and improve efficiency, the ruling Lao People's Revolutionary Party said in a plan released over the weekend. The party's Central Committee said the restructuring was "necessary" to streamline and strengthen state affairs. But state employees said they were "confused" by the decision, noting that they had yet to receive any direct order and didn't know what it meant for potential job cuts. "We haven't seen any official documents yet," an official with the Ministry of Planning and Investment said on Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity due to fear of reprisal. "We heard a rumor ... through social media" which said the Central Committee would "reduce employees or offer early retirement," he said. Merging ministries The administration plan released over the weekend called for merging the Ministry of Planning and Investment into the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Energy and Mines into the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. It also said the Ministry of Natural Resources would be combined with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry to become the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. Additionally, the Ministry of Home Affairs was placed under the purview of the Party Central Committee's Personnel and Organization Committee. Separately, the government's media affairs department will now be overseen by the Party Central Committee's Propaganda and Training Board. The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism will become the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The changes come as the leadership of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, or LPRP, approach the end of their five-year tenure, with elections for leaders set for next year. Lao is a one-party state, and leaders are selected by party officials. According to the ruling party's administration plan, the number of state employees totaled 168,572 in 2024, excluding members of the armed forces. It was not immediately clear how many state employees would be affected by the restructuring. A Ministry of Home Affairs employee with knowledge of the Administration Plan confirmed to RFA on Monday that a merging had been agreed upon, but wasn't yet underway. "We're keeping our eyes on the news," said the employee, who also declined to be named. "They should send official notifications and hold press conferences [to proceed with the merge]. But as of now we are working as usual." 'A lot to get done' A high-ranking official with the Ministry of Energy and Mines told RFA that she was unclear how state employees will be structured going forward, and said it may "take some time" to rearrange the workforce. "We have to wait for the process," she said, adding that "I hope our new layout will be better." The Energy and Mines official also noted that this is not the first time the ruling party has updated its plan, explaining that "it is normal to adjust administration to be on the right track, suitable with current conditions." Another official from the Ministry of Energy and Mines could only say that the move had begun, adding that "it must be a lot to get done." After the central administration restructuring is completed, the government will turn to rearranging local administration, which is expected to take place in July, state employees told RFA. The Central Committee has also called on the National Assembly's Standing Committee to look into reducing the number of parliamentary committees from nine to five for its 2026-2030 term. In addition to the restructuring, Laos is also amending its Constitution and other laws to regulate state affairs, which the National Assembly will debate and approve during an extraordinary session next week. Translated by RFA Lao. Edited by Joshua Lipes and 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Could The EU Become A Military Superpower? By Rikard Jozwiak March 18, 2025 The Briefing: Could The EU Become A Military Superpower? Only two weeks after a European Union summit where the bloc's leaders pledged to spend billions on defense in a "watershed moment for Europe,"they are returning to Brussels for another meeting on March 20-21. This time, the EU's leaders aim to solidify plans for strengthening Europe's defense autonomy amid ongoing doubts about the US commitment to protecting European nations and sustaining military support for Ukraine. In the runup to the summit, the bloc's foreign ministers on March 17 talked about EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas's latest proposal to find money for Kyiv. And on March 19, the European Commission is set to unveil a white paper on the future of European defense. The paper is expected to come up with ideas on how to create a proper integrated European defense market and to flesh out the proposal, made in the European Commission's ReArm Europe plan, where the EU executive would generate up to 800 billion euros ($872 billion) for defense spending over the next four years. As always in Brussels, there are doubts about how credible all this really is. Diplomats I have spoken to agree that it's a good first step, but, as one senior EU official told me, "The devil is always in the details, and there are plenty of devils here." Looking closer, it does seem that the 800 billion figure is very ambitious with lots of big ifs. If -- and how quickly -- this proposal can be translated into new weapons and ammunition. And if any of those weapons will make it to Ukraine. The facts are clear. The EU defense commissioner, Andrius Kubilius, noted in the European Parliament last week that Europe currently has a defense shortfall of at least 500 billion euros, and is lacking "thousands of tanks and armored vehicles." European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, also addressing the Strasbourg chamber, noted that, on average, EU countries contributed just short of 2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) on defense.Washington is pushing for 5 percent, whereas NATO, according to sources within the military alliance, is toying with the idea of making 3.7 percent the official target at its official Hague summit in June. Still, even if there is a substantial and rapid increase in defense spending, privately European diplomats say it could take a decade for Europe to carry out major military operations without US help. In Europe at the moment, intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance are almost all exclusively provided by the United States. Rearming Europe? ReArm Europe aims to address the EU's dependency on the United States by making EU nations increase their defense budgets. But will they? Of the 800 billion euros Von der Leyen is hoping to generate, 650 billion euros could be raised by relaxing defense spending regulations for EU member states over the next four years. This proposal would permit each member state to allocate an additional 1.5 percent of their GDP toward military expenditures. While this extra fiscal space is welcomed, few believe all capitals will use it. The remaining 150 billion euros are a loan scheme secured against unused EU budget funds that 20 countries in the bloc, without triple-A credit ratings, can use. These loans should finance purchases from European defense producers, although it's not clear if all the components in such equipment need to be from EU countries, or if they could come from non-EU states such as Norway, Switzerland, and Turkey. The problem here is that it is still a loan and many of the countries, notably in southern Europe, that need to increase their defense spending are heavily indebted. Also, some northern EU states are questioning the logic of this proposal, with the Dutch parliament recently and narrowly passing a nonbinding resolution to reject the ReArm Europe plan with the argument that it just gets the bloc into even more debt. Then there is the third part of Von der Leyen's proposal, which would allow member states to use for defense the more than 300 billion euros funds left in the EU budget that normally would go to the bloc's poorer regions for infrastructure investment. The issue here, once again, is that it is voluntary. And that means that while it can't be blocked by Russia-friendly countries such as Hungary and Slovakia, as it doesn't require unanimity, some countries just won't bother, unless they're forced. Bonds And Bazookas Then there is Germany. The incoming chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has promised a real "spending bazooka," which includes a proposal that defense spending above 1 percent of GDP be exempted from the restrictions of Germany's constitutional debt brake. At the moment, the brake limits the structural budget deficit to 0.35 percent of GDP, except in emergencies. This could unlock a German defense splurge of billions and is something that is generally welcomed in Brussels. Not quite so much in other European capitals, where there are fears Germany will spend most of it on its own domestic firms and create something of an unfair advantage. This could, in turn, potentially trigger renewed calls from southern European states for Brussels to issue joint eurobonds, especially for defense investment. A similar thing was done to combat the Continent-wide recession after the coronavirus pandemic. Issuing joint bonds is anathema for most northerners, notably the Netherlands and Germany, but with Berlin clearly indicating that splurging on defense is a must, the proposal may eventually fly. Military Mobility And The Danish Model Eurobonds, or "defense bonds" as they are now being rebranded, are likely to make it into the European Commission's white paper on the future of European defense. But the things to really look out for here are some of the nitty-gritty proposals on military mobility. It may not seem like the most urgent thing, but EU officials are pointing out how important it is to be able to quickly move military equipment from one EU member state to another. As it stands now, that wouldn't be easy. There are no harmonized rules across the bloc on, for example, moving military vehicles from one EU country to another in the event of an emergency. Initiatives such as strengthening bridges, railways, and roads to be able to carry heavier military loads are also suggested in the paper. Another aspect likely to be included is the idea to integrate Ukraine's defense market into the EU market as the country slowly but steadily is moving toward membership of the union. This is seen by manyEuropean diplomats as a real win for the EU, as Ukraine now in fact boasts perhaps the Continent's most capable army and is "ahead of the curve compared to the rest of us on things like military drones," as one EU official familiar with the matter told me. The document will, in this respect, also promote the so-called Danish model of supporting Ukraine. This approach involves EU member states directly procuring defense equipment manufactured in Ukraine or establishing joint ventures with Ukrainian defense companies. The idea of training Ukrainian soldiers in Ukraine and not only in the EU is also being put forward. Helping Ukraine But these plans are all for the future, and the question remains what Brussels can do for Ukraine right now. Kyiv has indicated that it may need as much as 33 billion euros of additional military support this year. With the United States possibly not contributing much to this, the EU needs to find most of that cash urgently. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas put forward a new plan to EU member states last week, seen by RFE/RL, which proposes a voluntary scheme that encourages participating states to "deliver military support to Ukraine in 2025 with a provisional value of at least 20 billion euros and potentially reaching 40 billion euros pending Ukrainian needs." The text gives a deadline of April 30 for those participating to declare how they plan to meet their respective contributions and states that payments should be committed no later than June 30 to ensure deliveries by the end of this year. The plan says this money should mainly go to large-caliber artillery ammunition, air-defense systems, missiles, drones, fighter jets, and training of Ukrainian troops. It should also support other contributions from member states, for example, sending troops to Ukraine in the event of a peace deal. The paper still suggests countries should contribute based on their economic weight, meaning gross national income (GNI). This idea has previously angered France, which claims that trackers of military supportfor Ukraine such as the Kiel Institute for the World Economy are wrong, and that Paris does many things in secret and is also willing to send actual boots on the ground in Ukraine to safeguard a potential future cease-fire. Looking Ahead On March 19, the European Commission will come up with an action plan on how to help the steel industry in the European Union. This would normally not trigger too much interest, but now it's a different story as the United States on March 12 announced it was slapping a 25 percent tariffon steel (as well as aluminum) imports from the bloc. The bloc will roll out countermeasures in April, but the fear is that a full-scale transatlantic trade war will break out, causing severe damage to many sectors of the EU's economy. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/eu-army-defense- ukraine-nato/33350822.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address March 18, 2025: Russia recently established the 7th Separate Unmanned Systems Reconnaissance Strike Regiment. This unit consists of 1,300 personnel who operate 41 drone attack units and 61 reconnaissance units. Each unit consists of several drones. The regimental personnel contain electronic, communications, medical and hardware support specialists. Eventually By September of this year Russia will have converted the 7th Regiment into a regiment with a headquarters, an attack drone battalion and three reconnaissance/attack drone battalions. This organization had its origins in a late 2024 decision by the Russian general staff to convert these informal drone units into regular army organizations. This is part of a Russian effort to duplicate the success of the Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces. In 2024 Ukraine established the Unmanned Systems Force or USF. Ukraine built 1.5 million drones in 2024 and are in the midst of building four million drones in 2025. The Ukrainian USF does not control the drones Ukrainian forces use regularly but instead develops new drone models and organizes mass production for those new models that are successful. Russia is emulating the Ukrainian approach but using different names and slightly different characteristics. A major problem for both sides is obtaining enough drones to make these new ideas work. NATO countries have been producing drones and sending them to Ukraine. In 2025 Ukrainian drone production will mean that any NATO donations are a very small part of the drone supply Ukrainian troops have. Drones have been 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. The growing number of longer range drones enable Ukraine to strike targets deep inside Russia. These attacks now include drones dropping guided bombs that glide many kilometers. This way the bombs strike Russian targets unexpectedly. All this has been catastrophic for Russia, which denies that the Ukrainian drones are doing much damage and that Russia shoots most of them down. The truth, as revealed by satellite photos, and FPV videos released by Ukraine and some Russian soldiers shows major damage inside Russia. On the internet, WhatsApp sometimes shows these attacks in real time. Both Russian and Ukrainian forces are sending in quadcopter drones controlled by soldiers using FPV/First Person Viewing goggles to see what the day/night video camera on the drone can see. Most FPV 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. This is an awesome and debilitating weapon when used in large numbers over the combat zone. Drone operators can also call in artillery, rocket, or missile fire, or even an airstrike. Larger, fixed wing drones are used for long range operations against targets over a thousand kilometers inside Russia. A major limitation to the expansion of drone operations was the need for trained drone operators. These operators need dozens of hours of training before they are able to start operating these drones, and even more hours of actual use before they are able to make the most out of the system. These small drones are able to complete their missions most of the time, whether it is a one-way attack or a reconnaissance and surveillance mission. 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. This massive use of FPV-armed drones has revolutionized warfare in Ukraine and both sides are producing as many as they can. Earlier in the Ukraine War Russia used Iranian Shahed-136 drones that Iran sold for about $200,000 each. Russia now has a factory, built with Iranian assistance building a Russian version of the original Shahed-136 drone. Ukraine demonstrated that you could design and build drones with similar capabilities at less than a tenth of what the Shahed-136 cost. The Iranian drone was more complex than it needed to be but the Russians needed more drones and the new factory was one way of filling the need. Ukrainian drone proliferation began when many individual Ukrainians, or small teams of them, designed and built drones. The drones served as potential candidates for widespread use and mass production. This proliferation of designers and manufacturers led to rapid evolution of drone capabilities and uses. Those who could not keep up were less successful in combat and suffered higher losses. Each month several hundred thousand drones are built in Ukrainian factories or home workshops. Russia has tried to copy this method but has had less success than the Ukrainians. Military leaders in other nations have noted this and are scrambling to equip their own forces with 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 often works for a while is electronic jamming of the drones control signal. Russia pioneered this approach and still has a lead over Ukraine in this area. 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 from to land for later use. The jammers are on the ground and can be attacked by drones programmed to home in on the jamming signal. Countermeasures can be overcome and the most popular one is to control a drone via a fiber optic cable. Ukrainians had the advantage of material and intellectual support from NATO countries. In the end the winner of any stage of the war was the side that was the most resourceful and innovative. This process has been present in warfare for centuries but during the last century the changes and innovations came so quickly that the process was visible. This disrupted the long-established missions each of the military services had established. Israeli forces are now using a variety of drones in combat that are similar to what the Ukrainians are using. The United States is equipping its infantry with more drones for reconnaissance and attack. American troops began using drones over twenty years ago and are now using more of them because of the heavy usage in Ukraine. NATO countries are producing drones and sending them to Ukraine. Drones have been an unexpected development that had a huge impact on how battles in Ukraines current war is fought. Drones were successful because they were cheap, easily modified, and expendable. EU Politicians Make Push For Radio Free Europe Funding After Trump Cuts By Rikard Jozwiak March 18, 2025 European Union politicians said they are continuing their push into possible support for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty after the US government moved to cut the Prague-based broadcaster's funding amid concerns its closure would be a blow to pro-democracy media. Czech European Affairs Minister Martin Dvorak told reporters in Brussels on March 18 that several nations have supported the initiative so far but the bloc must act quickly as "it would be a big mistake to let this institution die." "We must initiate some interest and meet with commissioners and some states. At this point, that initiative has been supported by seven other nations, and after we make the initiative public at the General Affairs Council, more countries will join us," Dvorak said, adding the issue needs to be resolved in a matter of "several weeks." At the initiative of the Czech Republic, a meeting of foreign ministers from the bloc's 27 members on March 17 addressed the issue with the future of RFE/RL unclear due to the cutting of its Congress-approved funding by the administration of President Donald Trump over the weekend. EU Countries Voice Their Support Of RFE/RL While Dvorak said he did not want to reveal the names of the countries that have voiced their support for the move, diplomatic sources told RFE/RL that Germany, Austria, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, Slovenia, Poland, the Czech Republic, and the three Baltic nations are among those who support the initiative. "The financial challenges faced by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty put independent journalism at serious risk in regions where the free press is silenced, from Russia and Belarus to Iran and Afghanistan," Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said in a post on X. " If RFE/RL disappears, disinformation and propaganda will fill the void. That would a direct win for those who seek to undermine democracy.... Europe cannot let that happen. Protecting a free press means protecting democracy. Access to fact-based reporting is not just a principle, it is a necessity for security and fundamental freedoms," he added. Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said after the March 17 foreign ministers meeting that he sensed "a certain interest" from other EU members in his country's initiative, and that "it is our responsibility to seriously deal with this issue." Radio Free Europe's Cold War History Lipavsky's Polish counterpart, Radek Sikorski, also voiced support for RFE/RL, recalling how his father listened to the station as well as the Voice of America broadcaster during the Cold War. "It's how we learned the basic facts about our own countries because communist propaganda was so tightly controlled," he told reporters. "And these institutions continue to do similar work for autocracies today." Trump signed an executive order late on March 14 that aims to reduce seven federal agencies -- including the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and other federal broadcasters. The order, which also targets agencies that deal with homelessness, labor disputes, and community development, gave the heads of each governmental entity named seven days to submit a report confirming full compliance. Hours after the executive order was published, a letter from USAGM said the Congress-approved grant that funds RFE/RL, headquartered in the Czech capital, Prague, had been terminated. RFE/RL President and Chief Executive Officer Stephen Capus said canceling the grant agreement would be "a massive gift to America's enemies," a point that was echoed by many media rights watchdogs, democracy advocates, and politicians. Added US Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee: "The Trump administration's latest effort to dismantle entities established and funded by Congress that provide accurate, unbiased information to hundreds of millions of people in countries where press freedom is under attack undermines the US commitment to democracy." 'Critical Lifeline' "If President Trump gets his way, those who depend on US-supported independent media as alternatives to Chinese and Kremlin run media outlets and those living under authoritarian regimes will lose a critical lifeline." The USAGM is an independent US government agency that oversees the broadcasting of news and information in almost 50 languages to some 361 million people each week. The total budget request for the USAGM for fiscal year 2025 was $950 million to fund all of its operations and capital investments. This includes media outlets such as RFE/RL, Voice of America, Radio Free Asia, the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (Radio Marti), Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN), and the Open Technology Fund. "Sweden has cosigned a Czech initiative to look for ways in which the EU and its member states can support Radio Free Europe and its role as a voice of freedom, where it is needed the most," Swedish EU Affairs Minister Jessica Rosencrantz said. Trump, who has taken several moves to slash government spending since taking office for a second term in January, clashed with the USAGM over editorial independence and the direction of programming during his first term. He has reiterated those concerns again since retaking office. Supporters of the broadcasters say they are an important arm of US diplomacy. RFE/RL operates in 23 countries and 27 languages across Central and Eastern Europe, the Near East, and Central Asia. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/czech-eu-rfe-funding- europe-trump-cuts/33351645.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hundreds Reported Killed After Israel Begins Deadly Strikes On Gaza, Lebanon, Syria By RFE/RL March 18, 2025 More than 300 people were reported killed after Israel launched deadly air strikes in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon, and southern Syria in what it said were targeted attacks against extremists planning terror assaults, reigniting tensions that threatened to engulf the region in a new, bloody conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he instructed the military to take "strong action" against Iran-backed Hamas -- deemed a terrorist organization by the United States and EU -- in response to the Islamist group's refusal to release all remaining hostages and its rejection of new cease-fire proposals. "Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength," Netanyahu's office said in a statement. The strikes represent the biggest escalation in the conflict since the cease-fire was reached in mid-January. Citing medical officials under the control of Hamas, several media outlets reported that the death toll across the Gaza Strip had reached at least 326 people from the attacks. The information could not independently be confirmed. The United Nations' Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory called the strikes "unconscionable" and demanded an immediate reinstatement of the ceasefire. "People in Gaza have endured unimaginable suffering. An end to hostilities, sustained humanitarian assistance, release of the hostages and the restoration of basic services and people's livelihoods, are the only way forward," Muhannad Hadi said in his statement. Israel's military said the Gaza strikes targeted mid-level Hamas commanders and leaders and the group's infrastructure. Along with the strikes against Hamas in Gaza, the Israeli military said it conducted air strikes in southern Lebanon and southern Syria as well. It said it was prepared to continue attacks against Hamas for as long as necessary and would expand the campaign beyond air strikes. Israeli tanks and soldiers operated extensively in Gaza during the previous retaliatory action. The White House was consulted by Israel in its latest strikes on Gaza, a White House spokeswoman told Fox News. "As President [Donald] Trump has made it clear -- Hamas, the Houthis [in Yemen], Iran, all those who seek to terrorize not just Israel, but also the United States of America, will see a price to pay. All hell will break loose," press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox. Trump on March 5 warned Hamas that there would be "hell to pay" if it does not immediately release all hostages after the White House confirmed that it had conducted secret talks with the extremist group. Reuters quoted a senior Hamas official as saying that Israel is "unilaterally ending" the Gaza cease-fire agreement and that the action put the fate of the remaining Israeli hostages in jeopardy. The violence comes amid disputes between Israel and Hamas over ways to maintain the three-phase cease-fire that began on January 19, including the exchange of remaining hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Two weeks ago, Israel cut off all food, medicine, fuel, electricity and other supplies to the territory's around 2 million people to pressure Hamas to accept a new proposal to extend the cease-fire. Much of Hamas's leadership was killed during Israel's retaliatory campaign in Gaza following the extremist group's bloody cross-border attack in Israel on October 7, 2023. The Hamas-led militants' attack on settlements in southern Israel killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, with 251 hostages being taken to Gaza. Some two dozen remain in Hamas control. Israel struck back by launching a devastating war in the Palestinian enclave that has killed tens of thousands of people, according to local authorities, and displaced most of Gaza's 2.3 million residents. Following the cease-fire agreement - which led to the release of numbers of hostages and prisoners -- the Israeli military has often conducted attacks against Hamas as well as strikes against Hezbollah locations in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah has also been designated a terrorist organization by the United States, while the EU has deemed its armed wing but not its political section as a terror group. Much of its leadership was also killed during Israel's 14-month war against the group prior to a US-brokered cease-fire in November. In the renewed attacks, Israel said it struck two Hezbollah leaders in the southern Lebanese town of Yohmor. It said the men were "observation operatives." The military said other, unspecified strikes were carried out against Hezbollah sites in Lebanon. In Syria, Israel has seized a buffer zone in the south after the collapse the brutal autocratic regime of Bashar al-Assad in December. It described the move as a preemptive measure against the former Islamist insurgents who overthrew Assad and now control Syria. On March 17, Syrian authorities said Israeli strikes hit a residential area in the southern city of Daraa, killing three people. The report could not be verified. Israeli said it was targeting military command centers and weapons sites in southern Syria belonging to remnants of Assad's forces and that they posed a threat to Israel. Assad fled Syria and in December and was reported to be in Russia, which along with Iran, was a major backer of his regime. Assad assumed power in 2000 upon the death of his father, Hafez al-Assad. With reporting by Reuters and AP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/israel-hamas-gaza- lebanon-hezbollah-syria-netanyahu-iran/33351249.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address OSCE Chair Demands Respect For Constitution To End Bosnia's Crisis By RFE/RL's Balkan Service March 18, 2025 The chairperson-in-office of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Elina Valtonen, demanded respect for Bosnia-Herzegovina's constitutional framework during a visit to Sarajevo on March 18, as a political crisis centering on the country's Bosnian Serb entity Republika Srpska deepens. Valtonen, who is also the Finnish foreign minister, was visiting the country at a time when Republika Srpska's under-pressure, pro-Russian President Milorad Dodik appears to be pushing his territory ever closer to secession while ignoring arrest warrants for him and other top politicians issued by Bosnia-Herzegovina's Prosecutor's Office. "I call on all political leaders to respect the constitutional framework and to refrain from any actions that could lead to further destabilization of the country. Constructive dialogue is very important for moving forward," Valtonen said. Valtonen additionally stressed the importance of the Dayton Accords, an agreement that ended war in Bosnia three decades ago and now underpins a complicated system of governance wherein the Bosniak-Croat Federation coexists with the ethnic Serb-dominated Republika Srpska under a weak central government. Valtonen said the country should continue to pursue reforms that she called "a fundamental element on the path to EU integration." Dodik, a veteran of the political scene in Republika Srpska, was once seen as a moderate who advocated for cooperation with the international community and supported Dayton. But over time he has cultivated a more nationalist image, often confronting both Bosnia's central government and the Office of the High Representative for Bosnia-Herzegovina -- a position established under Dayton in order to oversee the implementation of civilian aspects of the agreement. Bosnia's current crisis stems from Dodik's conflict with Hans Christian Friedrich Schmidt, the diplomat who has occupied the role of high representative since 2021. It has accelerated toward a breaking point ever since the state Bosnian Court sentenced Dodik to jail over his failure to execute Schmidt's decisions in a first-degree verdict on February 27. Since then Republika Srpska has passed laws barring state-level law enforcement and judicial organs from the entity while adopting the draft of a new constitution for the territory. The last of those steps is arguably the most radical of all, aiming to redefine the Serb entity as a state of the Serbian people, grant it the right to self-determination, and establish its own national army. Valtonen was appearing in Sarajevo alongside Elmedin Konakovic, Bosnia's Foreign Minister, who blasted Dodik and Republika Srpska's Prime Minister Radovan Viskovic for escalating the standoff. "This best describes the current state of the country: On one side, we have threats called Dodik, Viskovic, and others, and on the other side, we have opportunities to develop our economy and provide prospects for the people of Bosnia," Konakovic said, stressing the country's desire for integration with the EU. Dodik had the right to reman in office and appeal against the February 27 verdict that sentenced him to a year in jail and barred him from political activity. But instead he ignored a court summons, triggering the arrest warrants issued for him, Viskovic, and parliamentary speaker Nenad Stevandic by state-level prosecutors on March 12. "We will not respond.... If they think the solution is to see Dodik in handcuffs, that is their prerogative, but that does not mean they can do it. I will do my job and I will never leave Republika Srpska," Dodik vowed at a press conference. The OSCE said the recent moves made by the Respublika Srpska leadership directly violate the constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The laws passed by the entity's parliament in recent weeks have also earned condemnation from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and several foreign embassies in the country. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/osce-valtonen-respect- constitution-bosnia-crisis-dodik/33351610.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Spanish Government demands resumption of ceasefire in Gaza Spain - Ministry of Foreign Affairs PRESS STATEMENT 033 Tuesday, March 18, 2025 The bombardment of the Gaza Strip, which has left hundreds of civilian casualties, must stop immediately. Spain demands the resumption of the ceasefire as the only way to achieve the release of all hostages and alleviate the humanitarian situation. Indiscriminate attacks on the civilian population are a violation of international humanitarian law. -NON OFFICIAL TRANSLATION- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Aid should never be used as a political tool: UK statement at the UN Security Council Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Gaza. 18 March 2025 Location: United Nations, New York Delivered on: 18 November 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered) Thank you President and thank you to USG Fletcher for his sobering briefing. I also want to thank Algeria and Somalia for calling this meeting - an initiative which the UK fully supports considering the alarming humanitarian situation. President, this meeting comes at a critical moment. As my Foreign Secretary has said, the civilian casualties from Israeli strikes overnight are appalling. I want to be clear, a return to fighting will only result in the deaths of further Palestinian civilians, Israeli hostages and IDF soldiers. This conflict cannot be resolved through military means. We want to see the ceasefire re-established as soon as possible. The humanitarian situation in Gaza was already catastrophic. After 17 days, Israel continues to block all aid entering Gaza. Crossing points have been shut off. Bakeries are closing. Hospitals and desalination plants are running on generators that could stop at any moment. This is horrifying and unacceptable. Humanitarian aid should never be used as a political tool. We are calling for the following urgent steps to bring this terrifying situation back from the brink. First, we call for the protection of civilians, and for safe, rapid, unimpeded humanitarian access. We call on Israel to fulfil its international obligations and allow for a rapid and unhindered resurgence in the flow of aid. This includes the supply of items such as medical equipment, shelter items, and water and sanitation equipment, essential to meet humanitarian and early recovery needs in Gaza, but which remain restricted. Failure to deliver this not only risks undoing the vital humanitarian progress made during phase one of the ceasefire agreement; it also risks violating international humanitarian law. Second, we urge all parties to return urgently to dialogue and to implement the ceasefire agreement in full, including scaling up aid and releasing the 59 hostages who have been cruelly held by Hamas for over 500 days and have endured unimaginable suffering. For Israel to be secure, these terrorists can have no role in Gaza's future. But cutting off aid and resuming the fighting is not a means to this end. Finally, we reiterate that civilians of Gaza who have suffered so much must be allowed to return to their homes and rebuild their lives. Colleagues, we urge all parties to return to the ceasefire deal and get back to the path of peace. A negotiated two-state solution is the best way to ensure long-term security for both Israelis and Palestinians. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Cyprus talks show 'new atmosphere' between divided island's leaders: Guterres 18 March 2025 - UN-led efforts to kick-start talks on the divided Mediterranean island of Cyprus have resulted in agreements on new trust-building measures. There's a positive "new atmosphere" surrounding the discussions, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Tuesday. Speaking in Geneva after a second day of informal talks, the UN chief underscored his commitment to ensuring the security and well-being of the Cypriots - the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots - "from the very start of my mandate...today was another attempt to find a way forward". Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides and Ersin Tatar, leader of the Turkish Cypriots, had gathered in Geneva along with guarantors Greece, Turkiye and the United Kingdom at the request of the UN chief. Common ground "Mr. Tatar and Mr. Christodoulides have agreed the following group of initiatives to build trust," he said, listing "opening of the four crossing points, demining, creation of a technical committee on youth, initiatives on the environment and climate change including the impacts on mining areas; solar energy in the buffer zone and the restoration of cemeteries". The UN has pushed for negotiations towards a settlement of the issues which led to the division of the island, with the Security Council authorising a UN peacekeeping force in 1964, UNFICYP. In the absence of a permanent agreement, the force remains on the island to supervise ceasefire lines, a buffer zone and to support humanitarian activities. Previous push for progress Mr. Guterres attempted to bring the two sides together in 2017 at the Swiss Alpine resort of Crans-Montana but talks ultimately broke down. A further push was made in 2021. In contrast, the latest discussions saw "meaningful progress", the UN chief insisted. "I hope that the confidence-building measures or the initiatives to build trust, together with the decision to have very soon a next meeting and the acceptance by all of the appointment of a Special Envoy on Cyprus to prepare the next steps, demonstrates the sense of commitment and the sense of urgency that I believe were extremely important. It's a new atmosphere." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Human Rights Council focuses on Iran, Syria, Venezuela 18 March 2025 - Top independent experts reported to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Tuesday, putting the records of Iran, Syria and Venezuela under the spotlight during the 47-member body's latest session. Council-appointed experts pointed to grave violations of fundamental rights in Iran, linked to popular protests following the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022. Sara Hossein, chair of the Fact-Finding Mission on Iran, said that during peaceful protests, "children were killed and severely injured after being fired at with ammunition containing metal pellets". The youngsters then faced extremely violent treatment in detention - including torture and rape, according to the investigators' latest report. No acknowledgement "For two years, Iran has refused to adequately acknowledge the demands for equality and justice that fuelled the protests in 2022. The criminalisation, surveillance and continued repression of protesters, families of victims and survivors - in particular women and girls - is deeply worrying," she said. Today in Iran, State-led repression of basic freedoms continues, Ms. Hossain maintained, with victims, survivors and their families "harassed, intimidated and threatened". Shaheen Ali, who also serves on the Fact-Finding Mission, said that although it was the Iranian Government's "primary duty to provide redress to victims, we have heard from countless victims and survivors that they have neither confidence nor trust in Iran's judicial and legal system, to provide meaningful truth, justice and reparations." "It is therefore imperative that comprehensive accountability measures also continue to be pursued outside the country." The Iranian delegation strongly opposed the probe's findings. Truth must emerge: Syria The Syria crisis also featured at the Human Rights Council, where head of the Commission of Inquiry on Syria, Paulo Pinheiro urged greater efforts to uncover the truth about the fate of tens of thousands of disappeared people, victims of the Assad regime. Mr. Pinheiro welcomed the new caretaker authorities' willingness to work with his investigators on several human rights issues, while warning that Syria's economic and humanitarian situation "remains catastrophic". At the same time, humanitarian funding is dwindling, the veteran rights investigator said, warning that economic despair is known to fuel violence, calling for an end to all sanctions "and the removal of other barriers to recovery and reconstruction". Meeting families He said his team of investigators had met many families whose missing loved ones were not among the prisoners released in December following the immediate overthrow of the old regime. "They now want the truth about their fate, and they want justice," he said. "The clarification of the fates of the tens of thousands who remain disappeared will require a large-scale effort led by the caretaker authorities along with technical support from human rights and humanitarian entities, including Syrian civil society," he added. "We stand ready to assist those efforts, including by sharing the relevant data we have gathered since 2011, and reiterate the importance of preserving all related evidence and information that can aid in this regard." Political Repression in Venezuela In her presentation to the Council, Marta Valinas, chair of the Independent International Fact-finding Mission on Venezuela, highlighted ongoing severe human rights violations, including political repression, arbitrary detentions, and persecution. The 2024 presidential election results were contested but ultimately dismissed by the Supreme Court of Justice without thorough examination. The National Electoral Council failed to release the total vote count or polling station tally sheets, raising concerns about electoral transparency. Ms. Valinas stated. "Credible testimonies indicated that council members received political instructions to announce a predetermined result - deviating from the result obtained at the polling booths." Before the presidential inauguration on 10 January 2025, there was a surge in arbitrary detentions of opposition figures and perceived dissidents. Security forces and civilian groups, known as "colectivos", suppressed anti-government protests, leading to numerous rights violations, she said. The mission also investigated fatalities during post-election protests. One significant incident involved the death of seven people during a protest near the San Jacinto Obelisk in Maracay, Aragua state, last July. After analysing over 80 videos and 100 photographs, the mission confirmed that members of the Army and the Bolivarian National Guard had used firearms against protesters. Deaths due to 'health complications' Ms. Valinas expressed concern over the deaths of multiple detainees in state custody, attributed to "health complications". Investigations revealed that many detainees were subjected to torture and inhumane treatment. She cited one case where an individual was believed to have suffered beatings with wooden and metal rods under interrogation. In response, the Venezuelan Government rejected the findings, calling them politically motivated and biased. The Venezuelan representative stated, "this mission produces its propaganda based on invented or politically motivated sources, without scientific rigour and with malicious premeditation." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement by Muhannad Hadi, Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory on the urgent need to reinstate a ceasefire UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Waves of airstrikes occurred across the Gaza Strip since the early hours of the morning. Initial and unconfirmed reports indicate that hundreds have been killed. This is unconscionable. A ceasefire must be reinstated immediately. People in Gaza have endured unimaginable suffering. An end to hostilities, sustained humanitarian assistance, release of the hostages and the restoration of basic services and people's livelihoods, are the only way forward. 18 March 2025 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan calls for the protection of the population and respect for humanitarian efforts amid rising tensions in Upper Nile State UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (Juba, 18 March 2025) The Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan, Ms. Anita Kiki Gbeho, expresses deep concern over the escalating violence in Nasir, Ulang, and Baliet counties, Upper Nile State, affecting the population and disrupting humanitarian operations. Ms. Gbeho calls on all those involved in the fighting to respect and protect the population, humanitarian workers, and critical infrastructure. "The violence is putting already vulnerable communities at greater risk and forcing the suspension of life-saving services," she said. "I urge all actors to allow humanitarians to safely reach those in need, especially women, children, and the elderly." Since late February, the violence has displaced an initial 50,000 people, of which 10,000 have crossed into Ethiopia. The insecurity has led to the relocation of 23 humanitarian workers and the closure of the cholera treatment unit in Nasir, worsening the ongoing outbreak. Nasir, Ulang, and Baliet report approximately 840 cases over this period. The situation in Nasir follows other incidents across South Sudan since January, including in the Greater Equatoria, Greater Bahr el Ghazal, where violence has impacted the population and resulted in displacement. "The humanitarian community is doing all it can, but insecurity and global funding cuts are impacting our ability to deliver critical assistance," Ms. Gbeho added. "The little we have must be protected so that urgent support for people most in need can be provided. Currently, 5.4 million people, over half of them children, require life-saving assistance and protection before the flood season starts." Ms. Gbeho reaffirmed the United Nations' commitment to working with the Government of South Sudan and partners to support affected communities and address the root causes of violence and instability. 18 March 2025 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UNRWA Commissioner-General: We welcome the vote to continue Swiss funding UNRWA 18 Mar 2025 From Philippe Lazzarini, the UNRWA Commissioner-General as posted on his official X account (previously known as Twitter) I welcome the Swiss parliament vote this morning to maintain funding to UNRWA. This is a show of solidarity by the Swiss people to civilians impacted by the war in Gaza and Palestine Refugees across the Middle East. This will allow the agency to continue providing assistance & critical services. Thank you Switzerland for your generosity & commitment to human rights & international law. Switzerland Background Information: UNRWA is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. The United Nations General Assembly established UNRWA in 1949 with a mandate to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to registered Palestine refugees in the Agency's area of operations pending a just and lasting solution to their plight. UNRWA operates in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, The Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. Tens of thousands of Palestine refugees who lost their homes and livelihoods due to the 1948 conflict continue to be displaced and in need of support, nearly 75 years on. UNRWA helps Palestine Refugees achieve their full potential in human development through quality services it provides in education, health care, relief and social services, protection, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance, and emergency assistance. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address March 18, 2025: Ukraine has a Foreign Legion of volunteer soldiers from over a dozen countries. This is not unusual. It happened in earlier conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and during World War II and the Spanish Civil war. Ukrainian President Zelensky called for foreign volunteers shortly after the Russians invaded three years ago. Ukraine formed an International Legion and soon found thousands of foreign volunteers to fill its ranks. Many had no military experience and Ukraine had to arrange training. Some NATO countries helped out by providing informal training to their citizens headed for Ukraine. Initially foreign volunteers signed six month contracts to serve. Volunteers could back out of their contract if they wanted to. In less than a year the contract was modified to prohibit withdrawal for any reason. If you had a valid family emergency, you would be released. Many of these volunteers renewed their contracts several times and many have been in Ukraine for two years or more. For volunteers who were killed, Ukraine sends the body hack home if the body can be retrieved. Wounded volunteers are given first aid by the Ukrainians but many of their home countries will take back their wounded citizens for treatment. There is a language barrier because few of the volunteers speak Ukrainian or Russian. In combat the language barrier does not matter much because hand signals are frequently used. For pre-battle briefings a translator can be found so the volunteers know where they are going and what they are going to do. Most volunteers quickly acquire knowledge of a few dozen Ukrainian terms used by the military, which is how the German and Russian armies in World War Two were able to use so many recruits who did not speak German or Russian. Ukrainian foreign volunteers provide friends and family back home with a personal and accurate view of the war. This is often done with cellphone videos. Some of these videos and transmitted back home in real time. These videos provide proof of Russian atrocities and the generally barbaric behavior of Russian troops. The media back home cant say whatever they like because these videos get around and keep the local media honest, or at least accurate. For example, when Russian troops heard English-speaking European volunteers yelling at them from a nearby trench, the Russians claimed that NATO soldiers were actively aiding the Ukrainians. That backfired when further investigation by Western reporters revealed the presence of foreign volunteers. There are also a large number of volunteers serving as support personnel or assisting the Ukrainians to rebuild as well as helping Ukrainian civilians made homeless by the fighting. Many of these civilians move to the west, with many planning to return when the war is over. The volunteers help the civilians with this. Some volunteers have come to know Ukraine and its people quite well. Because of that many plan to remain after the war to help rebuild the country. They could also find a wife, because the Ukrainian casualties and potential conscripts fleeing to the West have reduced the possibility of Ukrainian women finding a husband. Resumed Hostilities, Blocked Aid Destroying Ceasefire Gains in Gaza, Security Council Hears Meetings Coverage Security Council 9881st Meeting (AM) SC/16023 18 March 2025 As Israel resumes airstrikes over Gaza and blocks entry of humanitarian aid into the Strip, the modest gains made during the ceasefire are being destroyed, Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, told the Security Council today. "Overnight, our worst fears materialized," he added, noting unconfirmed reports of hundreds of people killed on 17 March. Recalling his recent visit to the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel in February, he said that despite the devastation he saw "my trip coincided with some of Gaza's better days" because a ceasefire was in place and humanitarians were delivering hundreds of trucks every day. "Not anymore," he reported. Since 2 March, Israeli authorities have halted the entry of all lifesaving supplies, including food, medicine, fuel and cooking gas, for 2.1 million people. Repeated requests to collect aid sitting at the Karem Shalom border crossing have also been systematically rejected, no further hostages have been released and Israel has cut power to southern Gaza's desalination plant, limiting access to clean water for 600,000 people. Further, international staff of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) are no longer able to rotate into and out of Gaza due to recent Knesset legislation. He also highlighted new registration rules for international non-governmental organizations, as well as a law under consideration to impose high taxes on donations from third States to Israeli humanitarian and human-rights groups. Also pointing to the urgent crisis in the West Bank, he said that 95 Palestinians have been killed, including 17 children, since the start of 2025. Additionally, Israeli military operations in the northern West Bank have displaced 40,000 Palestinians, while hundreds of Israeli settlers have launched large-scale attacks on Palestinian villages. Outlining three urgent asks, he called on the Council to enable the entry of humanitarian aid and commercial essentials into Gaza, renew the ceasefire and fund the humanitarian response. Palestine Says Death Returns to Gaza, Israel Says Hamas Responsible The Permanent Observer for the State of Palestine, noting that this meeting was initially called to discuss Gaza's humanitarian situation, added: "Now we gather here after a series of deadly Israeli attacks that killed, last night alone, hundreds of Palestinians." Bombardment, death, devastation, fire and fear are yet again spreading throughout Gaza, he said. "Ceasefire works it is the only thing that does," he stressed, stating that it stopped the bloodshed, allowed the release of hostages and prisoners and enabled the delivery of humanitarian aid. Unilateral, self-serving and irresponsible decisions cannot be used as excuses for breaking it. "While the Trump Administration has prioritized the release of hostages, it is evident that [Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin] Netanyahu's concern for his political survival far outweighs his concern for the survival of the hostages," he added. The Arab Summit endorsed a clear vision and a solid plan for a different trajectory for Gaza and Palestine "these efforts should be supported, not compromised and sabotaged", he urged. The international community must also support the Palestinian Government's assumption of its responsibilities throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the deployment of a UN-mandated mission throughout the Territory, a permanent ceasefire and the two-State solution. "This is a historical moment, where everyone must choose where they stand and what vision they want to see prevail," he said. However, Israel's representative stressed that "the return to fighting is a necessity", reaffirming his country's commitment to bring home its hostages and defeat Hamas. Hamas has refused to release hostages and has repeatedly rejected all offers by the United States and mediating countries even during Ramadan he said, spotlighting the Israel Defense Forces' precise attacks on Hamas targets. For months, Israel took unprecedented steps to facilitate humanitarian aid into Gaza, he asserted, adding that these efforts are "not speculation, not political rhetoric"; they are "documented, verifiable and confirmed by the organizations distributing and supplying the aid". The hostages still held in brutal captivity by Hamas should be paramount for those truly concerned about humanitarian crises, he said, adding: "Any discussion of humanitarian suffering that does not begin with the hostage release is not an honest discussion." "The slander that the people of Gaza are currently starving is quite simply untrue," he continued, stating that "claims that electricity cut-off has plunged Gaza into humanitarian collapse are greatly exaggerated". Rather, any suffering in Gaza is due to Hamas' hijacking of aid for its violent ends. Pointing to certain Council members' efforts to malign Israel, he stressed: "If this Council wishes to address suffering, then it must demand the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages." Some Council Members Also Point to Hamas Along similar lines, the representative of United States emphasized that the blame for resumed hostilities lies solely with Hamas, which has steadfastly refused "every proposal and deadline they've been presented". Hamas prefers to hold hostages captive and hide amongst the people of Gaza, she said, dismissing the allegation of indiscriminate attacks by the Israel Defense Forces. Underlining the need to tackle Iran's "malign influence and State sponsorship of terror", she said that Middle Eastern countries have an "historic opportunity to reshape their region". Echoing that, Panama's delegate said that the suffering in Gaza is the direct consequence of Hamas' extremist actions, "which unleashed this tragic spiral of violence". He, too, condemned Hamas' current refusal to meet the commitments agreed upon and release additional hostages. France's representative highlighted the international conference to be held in June, chaired by his country and Saudi Arabia, on the implementation of the two-State solution. The reconstruction plan for Gaza put forward by the Arab League must exclude Hamas from Gaza's governance, he said. "The terrorist attacks committed by Hamas and other terrorist groups on 7 October 2023 constitute the worst anti-Semitic massacre since the Shoah", and he therefore reaffirmed France's solidarity with the Israeli people. Others Point to Israel's Responsibility as Occupying Power Algerians understand the cruelty of occupation "because we endured it for over 130 years", that country's delegate recalled. "This deliberate blockade, timed to coincide with the holy month of Ramadan, is a calculated effort to break the resilience of the Palestinian people," he stressed. Further, he observed that "the Israeli occupying Power is using water yes, water as a weapon of war." Once again, Palestinian blood has become a tool for the calculations of Israeli politicians, and he called on mediator countries to ensure compliance with the ceasefire. Blocking trucks, cutting off electricity, mistreating non-governmental organizations, preventing Muslims from accessing the Aqsa Mosque compound "these are all tactics of the oppressor", stated Pakistan's representative. The manner in which the Council and the international community respond to such atrocities will have a lasting impact on the nature of the world order. He also pointed out that international humanitarian law prohibits targeting military targets in civilian facilities. The Republic of Korea's representative said that Hamas' refusal to carry out its obligations does not justify blocking humanitarian aid or using it as a bargaining chip. He cited Under-Secretary-General Fletcher's remarks during a 12 March press briefing: "I said to my colleague: Why are the dogs so fat? And he said: Because the dogs are looking for corpses." Israel must immediately cease its offensive, he stressed, urging all parties to return to the negotiating table. The representative of Denmark, Council President for March, spoke in her national capacity to spotlight Israel's obligation, as the occupying Power, to ensure that the civilian population does not lack food or other basic needs, including water. Sierra Leone's delegate also noted that Israel, as the occupying Power, has obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention and international humanitarian law. They, along with the representatives of the United Kingdom and China, were among the many speakers who underscored the need for an immediate ceasefire. Somalia's speaker, expressing concern that Israeli strikes in Gaza were taking place during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, also said that worshipers at the Aqsa Mosque compound must be able to freely and safely perform their religious rituals. The Russian Federation's delegate warned against delays, noting that many have died because of the Council's earlier inability to decide on a ceasefire. Several speakers condemned Israel's decision to halt humanitarian aid into Gaza. "This decision is illegal," emphasized Guyana's representative, who also highlighted the impact on women many have died from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth because of the restrictions. She also noted the 13 March report of the independent international commission of inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which points to Israel's systematic use of sexual, reproductive and other forms of gender-based violence since 7 October 2023. Slovenia's representative, noting that it is roughly one year since the International Court of Justice issued provisional measures relating to humanitarian aid, famine and starvation in the case brought forward by South Africa, said that it is unacceptable that "our conversations are still the same". Greece's delegate added that UNRWA's role is indispensable with millions in urgent need of primary health services, education and shelter. "War has not left the next generation in Gaza untouched," he said, noting that thousands of children died, were injured or separated from their families and internally displaced. The unhindered and continuous flow of aid into all parts of Gaza should remain a priority, and he also voiced support for the Arab plan put forth by Egypt. Also speaking today was the Permanent Observer of the League of Arab States, who urged implementation of the first phase of that plan, adopted during an Arab League meeting in Cairo and later endorsed by a ministerial meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). He also urged the Council to activate international oversight mechanisms to guarantee the safe and sustainable delivery of aid and ensure the protection of Palestinian civilians. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US, French Host First-ever Military Hackathon at Sea US Navy 18 March 2025 From Ensign Rachael Jones PHILIPPINE SEA -- Data scientists aboard the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and the aircraft carrier FS Charles De Gaulle (R 91) conduct the first-ever military Hackathon at sea during Exercise Pacific Steller 2025. Pacific Steller is a multi-large deck event hosted by the French Navy in the Philippine Sea. This exercise was designed to advance coordination and cooperation between French, Japanese and U.S. maritime forces while simultaneously demonstrating capabilities in multi-domain operations, promoting a shared dedication to regional stability and highlighting the U.S. Navy's enduring power projection capability. Hackathons, more commonly hosted by tech companies, universities and community groups, are events that typically last several days. They bring people together to collaborate on solutions for a common problem or identify new opportunities within the technology space. Vinson hosted a Data Science @ Sea (DS@S) team aboard the ship during the Pacific Steller exercise. DS@S is a program that was established in November 2022 with a broad mandate to use all available operational and intelligence data to solve warfighting problems at the tactical edge. The team includes a mix of uniformed and civilian personnel. By having the DS@S team aboard Vinson, the Navy continues to maintain its operational advantage by understanding when and how to innovate unique solutions to entrenched operational problems. The objective of this bilateral Hackathon was to develop unique insights about surface and air platform behaviors and characteristics derived from shared tactical data link data. The two teams participating in the Hackathon consisted of the data scientist team from the French Carrier Strike Group aboard Charles De Gaulle and the DS@S team aboard Vinson. "When approached about the idea of a Hackathon with our French allies during Pacific Steller, I knew this would be an innovative part of the exercise and stimulate deeper collaboration," said Rear Adm. Wosje, commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1. "As a result of this event, our teams are stronger and have even more knowledge about how data can be viewed and, more importantly, shared with allies in an operational environment." Although this exercise proved it is possible to link mutual data and knowledge together between the two allied navies, it was not as easy as the teams originally thought it would be. Isaac Schmidt, Center for Naval Analysis field representative and DS@S chief data scientist, had never done a Hackathon before and found it to be challenging. "I think ourselves and the French all faced similar struggles during the hackathon, but this experience forced us to understand our raw, ground-truth data." This unique exercise allowed the two teams to achieve the mutual objective of sharing and understanding field data while in an operational environment, within a 24-hour period. "We, and our French counterparts, learned an enormous amount when it came to data collection, aggregation, cleaning and organization," Lt. Cmdr. Adam Reiffen, CSG-1 intelligence officer and the DS@S officer-in-charge, reflected. "Our DS@S team has never worked with other countries like this before. I think these kinds of events will enhance our data interchangeability with other navies." The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address USS Vermont Returns Home From First Western Pacific Deployment US Navy 18 March 2025 From Petty Officer 1st Class Scott Barnes JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Vermont (SSN 792) returned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam March 16, following a seven-month deployment, the submarine's first deployment to the Western Pacific. 104 Sailors assigned to Vermont earned their first Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, since the submarine's departure from Pearl Harbor in August 2024. "The crew exceeded even the highest expectations, from job accomplishment to professional development," said Command Master Chief Robert Antrim, Vermont's chief of the boat. He continued, "Our senior Sailors were patient with our first-time deployers and took the time to train and mentor them on both job-specific and personal preparations. I'm immensely proud of how well the team performed together despite the lower level of deployment experience." During the deployment, Vermont's crew conducted port visits to Busan, South Korea, Yokosuka, Japan, and Apra Harbor, Guam. "I'm proud of our team and how hard they worked to get ready for Vermont's maiden Western Pacific deployment," said Cmdr. Michael Lilleberg, Vermont's commanding officer. "They performed well during every aspect of the deployment, accomplishing all tasking, and providing the operational commander flexibility and lethality with which to prepare and shape the battlespace." Vermont saw 20 Sailors advance to the next pay grade, and 32 Sailors earned various submarine qualifications during the deployment. In a historic achievement, Royal Australian Navy Lt. Cmdr. James* earned his U.S. Navy Submarine Warfare Device, or "dolphins", in a ceremony as part of Vermont's December 2024 port visit to Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka. "My most memorable achievement this deployment was having the opportunity to qualify as assistant navigator. I really enjoy the navigation aspect of my rate. Being able to qualify what is, essentially, the most senior position for navigation on my first tour and deployment was a lot of hard work, but very satisfying to achieve," said Electronics Technician, Submarine, Navigation 2nd Class Jorge Lopez. Vermont is the third U.S. Navy ship named after the Green Mountain State. Vermont was administratively commissioned in April 2020 and is the first Block IV Virginia-class fast-attack submarine. *Per Royal Australian Navy protocols, submariners' last names are not publicly released. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Seabees Prove Their Versatility by Constructing, Innovating, Supporting JTF-SG US Navy 18 March 2025 From Sgt. 1st Class ShaTyra Reed-Cox, Joint Task Force Southern Guard NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba -- Operating with precision, efficiency, and self-sufficiency, the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133 embodies a spirit of tirelessly building, repairing, and sustaining the infrastructure that keeps Joint Task Force Southern Guard (JTF-SG) running. "From the moment Operation Southern Guard began, the NMCB 133 Seabees have been an indispensable force, working behind the scenes on projects both big and small," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Dexter Buchanan, JTF-SG deputy engineer. "Whether constructing essential facilities, repairing infrastructure, or fabricating solutions on the fly, these naval engineers are the foundation of mission success." Much like worker bees sustaining a hive, the Seabees have created their own fully functional operational hub within Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Their lightweight water purification system allows them to generate their own potable water, reducing logistical strain and ensuring sustainability in remote environments. Their on-site material liaison ensures they have the resources they need without relying on external support. "The ability of the Seabees to operate independently has significantly eased the burden on JTF-SG's engineering and logistical resources," said U.S. Navy Lt. Alexander Watson, NMCB 133 detachment officer in charge. "This autonomy allows for an increased operational tempo, enabling the JTF to focus on its own sustainment while simultaneously providing assistance for the Seabees with Class IV. We are able to focus on mission-critical tasks without relying on external assistance." Additionally, Hospital Corpsman Second Class Tanner Robinson, the team's sole medical professional, serves as the first line of medical care for the Seabees, handling everything from minor injuries to routine health concerns. "I'm the only one here who can provide medical care for our team," Robinson said. "I can administer medications, conduct physical exams, test water quality, and I'm on call 24/7. If a Seabee needs medical attention, I'm the first stop." Equipped with surgical tools and minor surgical kits, Robinson can perform sutures, apply Dermabond, or use staples depending on the location and severity of an injury. However, for more advanced care such as X-rays or specialized treatments, he works closely with the 36th Medical Company Area Support (MCAS)-operated Role II medical facility. "If it's something beyond my scope, the MCAS personnel step in to facilitate advanced care," Robinson said. "I recently had to use their services, and they were incredibly accommodating. We have a great working relationship, and it ensures that our Seabees get the care they need." Beyond their independent projects, the Seabees have seamlessly integrated with U.S. Army units, demonstrating the true meaning of joint operations. Working alongside Soldiers from the 119th Inland Cargo Transfer Company (ICTC), the two units have developed a strong working relationship built on mutual support and cooperation. ICTC Soldiers have been assisting the Seabees by using their Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacements (MTVRs) to move heavy equipment and supplies across the installation, ensuring that materials are delivered efficiently to project sites. In return, the Seabees have used their expertise to enhance the quality of life for the ICTC Soldiers, constructing gym weight racks so they can maintain their physical readiness while deployed. "The partnership between our unit and the Seabees has been incredible," said Cpl. Rashaun Dorsey, a cargo specialist assigned to the 119th ICTC. "We communicate well and help each other accomplish our goals. We're making it work as much as we can." The Seabees' ability to contribute beyond their traditional mission speaks to their adaptability and dedication, not just to construction and engineering but also to fostering teamwork and camaraderie across the joint force. For the ICTC Soldiers, having a gym setup closer to their work site has been a game-changer. "A lot of us work out regularly, but we're constantly working and don't have time to travel across the bay every day to get to the gym," Dorsey said. "Since they built the gym racks, we've been able to keep up with our training routine without missing a beat." According to U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Ryan McPhall, NMCB 133 operations chief, this is not the first time the Seabees have used their skills to improve the well-being of their fellow service members in a joint environment. "It's been a 'scratch my back, I scratch yours' kind of relationship," McPhall explained. "Every deployment, we help out by building something small, and in return, they open up opportunities for us like going on morale flights or using their Fit Boxes. It's a way to support each other, and it's what makes joint operations work so well." This spirit of mutual support strengthens inter-service relationships, ensuring that all troops have what they need to stay mission ready. By working together in austere environments, they are not only constructing facilities and moving equipment but also building a culture of cooperation that enhances the overall effectiveness of the mission. They've also been involved with improving the field living accommodations for troops, ensuring they have functional, comfortable spaces to rest after long shifts while supporting DHS-led migrant operations. "One of the most impactful areas has been the improvement of utilities for blue forces and illegal aliens (IAs). We've established containerized shower and latrine facilities as well as repaired significant damage to existing hardstand facilities," said Watson. "We've been able to provide essential services that meet the growing needs of the influx of Sailors, Marines, Soldiers, Airmen, and IAs. Without these critical infrastructure improvements, the camps would not be able to properly house and sustain personnel, severely hindering JTF-SG's ability to carry out its mission effectively." Throughout Operation Southern Guard, the Seabees have taken on projects of all sizes, proving time and again that their versatility, adaptability, and problem-solving skills are second to none. Where others see obstacles, the Seabees see opportunities to innovate. "The Seabees' unique capabilities have enabled them to tackle complex engineering challenges with ease, making them a critical component of JTF-SG success in engineering requirements," said Buchanan. "Their contributions have been instrumental in driving the success, and JTF-SG relies heavily on their expertise to get the job done." The Seabees have embraced this mission as more than just an opportunity to showcase their expertise. It's also a chance for professional development. While working on critical infrastructure projects, the Seabees are using this deployment as a training ground to advance their careers by completing the Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist (SCWS) qualification course. The SCWS program ensures that Seabees gain a deeper understanding of expeditionary construction, combat engineering, and operational readiness in joint environments. For many, this deployment serves as a real-world extension of their training, allowing them to apply their skills in an active mission setting. "The best way to master our craft is by applying our skills in real-world operations," said U.S. Navy Utilityman First Class Seth Grace, NMCB 133 camp czar. "With the SCWS, one of our criteria is going through a field exercise. This has served as our field exercise. You can talk about it all day, but seeing how the camp is set up and run is different, it makes the training real." Earning the SCWS badge is a significant milestone in a Seabee's career, demonstrating proficiency in tactical and technical skills, weapons handling, construction operations, and leadership. By completing the qualification while deployed, Seabees are not only contributing to the mission but also refining their capabilities for future assignments. "Everything we do in the homeport training phase prepares us for missions like this," Grace added. "The overall mission for Seabees is to be able to support major operations. Deployments like this help sharpen our skills so if a war ever kicks off, we'll be ready to deploy and build." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ready on Day One: U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and U.S. Sixth Fleet Reserve Enterprise US Navy 18 March 2025 From Navy Reserve U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/Sixth Fleet Public Affairs NAPLES, Italy -- Chief of Navy Reserve Vice Adm. Nancy Lacore's initial fighting instruction in 2024 directed reservists to focus efforts on preparations and readiness to respond to the call when needed, "We will posture our Force for warfighting by accelerating the pace of organizational development and strengthening our warfighters. The Navy Reserve Force will be READY on DAY ONE!" A key tenet of Lacore's push for warfighter readiness, is reserve capacity to support Maritime Operations Centers (MOCs). In the event of a large-scale crisis or conflict, MOCs are where commanders will direct forces at the operational level of war (OLW). To better support this need, the previously combined U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (CNE-CNA)/Sixth Fleet (C6F) reserve units have realigned under two separate echelons, CNE-CNA (Echelon II) and C6F (Echelon III). This shift will allow Sailors to train on specific needs of their respective higher headquarters. These actions support a realignment of staffs with their active component that started after a surge in operations across the area of responsibility. "The events in the eastern [Mediterranean] were a catalyst for that," said Capt. Matt Hawkins who led a team in the force design as reserve chief of staff (RCOS) for NR CNE-CNA. "[It's important] getting the right manpower in place so that when we fill those billets with people, we have a structure in place to train them and optimize our warfighting readiness." Over the last few years, the Navy Reserve's combined CNE-CNA and C6F units took this call to action seriously by delivering on needs and requests from their active-duty counterparts. The reserve enterprise was then comprised of 13 units with approximately 500 billets and supported around 12 major exercises each year along with support to relief roles spanning a wide area of operations in Europe and Africa. Today, under the force redesign, the CNE-CNA and C6F Reserve Force structure comprises 17 units, with over 650 billets and Reserve members, which will continue to provide functionally aligned support to both Echelon II and III commands. Since 2022, Sailors contributed to operations such as Eastern Mediterranean Operations (EMED OPS), Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), the Sudan crisis, multinational naval exercises, and other maritime operations. "When we got the call to support EMED OPS, we happened to be going through Unit in the Spotlight at our Navy Reserve Center," said Capt. Kate Walker. "At the time, I served as Reserve Fleet Command Center Director. I wanted to take things further and be able to react to increased operations with greater strategic depth, so I proposed a plan to realign reserve capability for CNE-CNA and C6F. We've been fortunate to have had so much involvement and support from both the active and reserve components to move forward with our realignment plan," added Capt. Walker who now serves as Reserve CNE/CNA Fires and Effects Director. Walker is one of many Sailors assigned to CNE-CNA and C6F reserve units who quickly activated to support multiple operations from 2022 to now. In her most recent support role, Walker served as the fleet command center (FCC) director in Naples, Italy. Her team successfully turned over an all-active duty watch floor within one week of joining forces. Overall, they provided 227 days of support and over 5,000 hours of watch standing. "Today's Navy Reserve force is focused on warfighting readiness and real time support," said Rear Adm. Larry Watkins, Acting Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa. "From exercises to real world needs, our Reserve Sailors have demonstrated that they're capable, ready, and making a difference in this dynamic theater of operations." Walker said she believes her role in the FCC demonstrated how Reserve Sailors can complement active duty counterparts, so that when called upon, they are fully trained and qualified to support their "MOB-to-billet" assignment. Walker said one reason she was able to deploy rapidly was because her family is supportive of her contributing to a mission she cares about. "I felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be," said Walker. "I'm fortunate that my family was understanding and supportive." From maritime operations to multinational maritime exercises, Reserve Sailors advance partnership and interoperability. Cutlass Express 2025, one of three African regional "Express" series exercises, brings together regional and international Allies and partners throughout East Africa and the Western Indian Ocean to improve combined maritime law enforcement capacity, promote national and regional security. Reservists provided MOC training and guidance to partner nation watchstanders at different locations throughout the exercise. Overall, enterprise-wide in fiscal year 2024, CNE-CNA and C6F Reserve Sailors completed just over 6,000 days of Active Training, 3,372 days of Active Duty Training. This represents a 26 percent increase in overall training days from the previous fiscal year. "The tasks our units, our Reserve force, has accomplished over the last few years are phenomenal," said Capt. Suzanne Krauss, commanding officer of NR C6F HQ. "From operations supporting the Joint Forces Maritime Component Command for Ukraine response, Turkiye HADR, Sudan evacuations, to eastern Mediterranean support of United States Naval Forces Central Command for events in Gaza. We've asked a lot from our team. Our Nation and our Navy has asked a lot from our team and they continue to deliver!" NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemen targets Israel's Nevatim airbase with ballistic missile IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 19, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- The Yemeni army has launched a missile strike on Israel's Nevatim airbase in the southern occupied territories, using a Palestine-2 hypersonic ballistic missile. Al-Masirah TV announced that the Yemeni army targeted the Nevatim air base with a hypersonic missile on Tuesday evening. In a statement, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, the spokesperson for the Yemeni army, said the missile successfully hit its target. Brigadier General Saree said that if the aggression against the Gaza Strip does not stop, the Yemeni armed forces will expand their attacks on the occupied territories in the coming hours and days. He said the Yemeni nation, leadership, and army will not remain silent in the face of the crimes of the Israeli regime against the residents of the Gaza Strip. 2050**4482 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China blocks South Korean inspection of disputed sea structure: Seoul The Chinese side reportedly said the structure was an aquafarm. By Taejun Kang for RFA 2025.03.19 TAPEI, Taiwan -- South Korean and Chinese authorities faced off at sea for two hours last month after Chinese authorities blocked the South's attempt to investigate a steel structure set up by Beijing in their overlapping waters in the Yellow Sea, according to South Korea's foreign ministry. The standoff occurred on Feb. 26, when South Korea's Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology deployed its research vessel RV Onnuri to examine the structure in the Provisional Measures Zone, or PMZ - a contested area where the exclusive economic zones of both nations overlap. South Korean intelligence had earlier detected China's construction of a mobile steel structure measuring more than 50 meters in both height and diameter in the waterway, also known as the North Sea As the RV Onnuri approached, four Chinese personnel in two rubber boats intercepted it, preventing South Korean researchers from deploying inspection equipment, officials from the South's foreign ministry told media. Although the South Korean vessel said its investigation was legitimate, the Chinese side said the structure was an aquafarm and asked the Korean vessel to leave. In response, South Korea's coast guard dispatched patrol ships, resulting in a standoff with Chinese maritime authorities that lasted for two hours. Some of the Chinese civilians were reportedly carrying knives but no physical clash occurred. "We have delivered our firm position to China regarding the reported incident," South Korea's foreign ministry spokesperson Lee Jae-woong said in a press briefing on Tuesday. "We are actively working with related government agencies to ensure the legitimate maritime rights and interests in the Yellow Sea." China has neither declined nor acknowledged the reports. Such confrontations are rare between China and U.S. ally South Korea, which have built up extensive business relations despite China's support for South Korea's main rival, North Korea. In a response to a question about the reported dispute, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that she was "not familiar with the specifics" but added that the situation in the Yellow Sea was "stable." "Regarding the maritime disputes between the two sides, China and the ROK maintain sound communication through the dialogue and cooperation mechanism of maritime affairs, and the maritime law enforcement authorities of the two countries also have smooth communication channels," said Ning, referring to South Korea by its official name, the Republic of Korea. South Korea and China signed a China-ROK Fishery Agreement in August 2000, which came into effect in June 2001. The agreement established a PMZ in the Yellow Sea, allowing fishing vessels from both countries to operate within the zone and the joint management of marine resources. The agreement prohibits any activity beyond navigation and fishing in the PMZ. Despite the agreement, China has installed several large steel structures in the zone, including two in April and May of last year, and another this year, raising concerns in South Korea over potential territorial disputes. China has insisted that the structures are for aquaculture purposes. 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 18 March 2025 - Day 1119 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 in total, 120 combat clashes have taken place since the beginning of this day. Ukrainian defenders continue to decisively interrupt the attempts of the Russian enemy to advance into the depths of Ukrainian territory, giving him a fiery impression. Russian invaders launched one missile strike using three missiles and 43 air strikes using 54 air strikes. In addition, 755 kamikaze drones were involved for an impact and carried out about 4200 shelling at the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements. In the Kharkiv direction, the Russian opponent attacked the positions of Ukrainian units near vovchans k and towards small shapkivka. The Defense Forces successfully repelled 10 attempts of the opponent to advance. Cossack Lopan suffered an air strike. In the Kupians komu direction, Russian forces carried out 5 offensive actions near Petropavlivka and Zagrizovoye. Ukrainian units stopped all attacks of the enemy. In the Lyman direction, Russian invaders 12 times stormed the positions of Defense Forces near Yampolivka, Nadia and in the direction of Green Valley and New. In the Sivers komu direction, the Russian opponent twice stormed the positions of Ukrainian units in the area of the settlement of Verkhnyokamianske. Since the beginning of the day in the Kramators komu direction, Russian forces attacked in the areas of Chasovoye Yar, Kurdyumivka, Predtecinyogo and Orihovo-Vasilivka, five attempts by Russians to suppress Ukrainian defenders from occupied positions were unsuccessful, there is still one confrontation in progress. On the Torets komu direction today, 21 encounters occurred. Russian forces stormed the positions of Ukrainian units in the areas of Ozaryanivka, Friendship, Toretska. Currently, there are still two clashes in progress. In the Pokrovsky direction, since the beginning of this day, Russian forces attacked 29 times in the areas of settlements Oleksandropil, Green Field, Elizabeth, Beam, Kotline, Preobrazhenka, Kotlyarivka, Bogdanivka, Yasenove, Zvirove, Udacne, Oleksiyivka and Andriyivka. Ukrainian defenders have fought back 25 attacks, 4 more clashes continue so far. Today, according to preliminary data, 129 Russian occupants were defecated in this direction, 78 of them - irrevocably. In addition, Ukrainian soldiers destroyed six units of automotive equipment, four mortars, one buggy, a motorcycle and an UAV control point, and also damaged two tanks, two units of automobile equipment and a cannon. Ukrainian defenders repelled 6 attacks of the zagarbnikiv in the area of konstantinopol. In the direction of Gulyaipil, Russian forces twice unsuccessfully tried to advance in the direction of Privilny and Free Field. The aviation of Russian terrorists caused four strikes in the areas of egorivka, gulyaipol and zaliznychny. In the Orihiv direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled three attacks in the areas of the settlements of Sherbaka and Stepovo. In the pridniprovs komu direction, Russian forces three times unsuccessfully attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders. In Kurshina, the Defense Forces repelled 21 assault actions of Russian invaders. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Treasury Targets Mexico-Based Leader of Transnational Criminal Organization Responsible for Smuggling Thousands of Migrants Across the U.S. Southern Border U.S. Department of the Treasury March 18, 2025 WASHINGTON -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Jumilca Sandivel Hernandez Perez (Hernandez Perez), a key leader of the Lopez Human Smuggling Organization (HSO), a Guatemala-based Transnational Criminal Organization responsible for the smuggling of thousands of illegal aliens from Guatemala, through Mexico, and into the United States. Additionally, Hernandez Perez has coordinated her illegal activity with members of the violent U.S.-sanctioned drug trafficking organization, La Linea, which among other heinous acts is responsible for the November 2019 murders of nine American citizens, including six children, in the Mexican state of Sonora. "Today's action underscores the Trump Administration's commitment to targeting the criminal actors like Hernandez Perez and the Lopez Human Smuggling Organization, that perpetuate the illegal migration crisis and threaten the safety and security of Americans," said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. "Treasury is committed to using all available tools to disrupt these criminal schemes and hold the perpetrators accountable." Special agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso, along with the assistance of multiple law enforcement partners, initiated an operation against the Lopez HSO in 2023 that spanned three states and resulted in a series of indictments and arrests. On July 25, 2024, the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico announced additional indictments against the Lopez HSO and a La Linea cartel member who has assisted in the organization's human smuggling operations across Mexico and into the United States. La Linea, also known as the Juarez Cartel, was most recently designated pursuant to Treasury's counternarcotics authorities in 2021. Today, OFAC also issued an alert to raise awareness of sanctions and criminal liability risks for foreign financial institutions and other entities with exposure to international cartels recently designated as terrorist organizations, some of which had been previously designated as transnational criminal organizations engaged in human smuggling and other violent acts. These actions advance the Trump Administration's commitment to prioritize the security of Americans by targeting criminal groups that contribute to crime and violence along our southern border, including though illegal migration. FURTHER DISRUPTION OF THE LOPEZ HUMAN SMUGGLING ORGANIZATION On July 25, 2024, OFAC sanctioned the Lopez HSO and several of its key members. The organization has been involved in the smuggling of illegal aliens from Guatemala to the United States via Mexico. The Lopez HSO has primarily smuggled illegal aliens to New Mexico, Arizona, and California, but also has run operations through parts of Texas and transported illegal aliens to Virginia and other states far from the U.S.-Mexico border. The organization is known to purchase fraudulent Mexican documents and pay cartel fees to facilitate the movement of illegal aliens through Mexico. On July 17, 2024, a federal grand jury in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico returned an indictment against Jumilca Sandivel Hernandez Perez (Hernandez Perez) and other members of the Lopez HSO for their role in a conspiracy to transport and harbor illegal aliens. Hernandez Perez has coordinated with La Linea, a U.S.-sanctioned drug trafficking organization, to bring illegal aliens into the United States. Members of the Lopez HSO, including Hernandez Perez, have exploited the U.S. financial system with their criminal activity, utilizing U.S. banks to receive and issue payments as part of their human smuggling operations. The Lopez HSO is believed to have generated between $104 million and $416 million in illicit proceeds from their human smuggling activities between September 2020 and 2023, charging smuggled persons between $13,000 to $16,000 each. Today, OFAC is sanctioning Hernandez Perez pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13581, as amended, for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the Lopez HSO. Today's action against the Lopez HSO was conducted in close coordination with the HSI-El Paso Field Office, the Department of Justice Criminal Division's Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico, the HSI Human Smuggling Unit, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection's National Targeting Center, under the Extraterritorial Criminal Travel Strike Force program. This action follows a recent FinCEN Southwest Border Global Targeting Order, furthering Treasury's efforts to combat drug cartels and other criminal groups at the southern border. 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, OFAC's regulations 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. U.S. persons may face civil or criminal penalties for violations of E.O. 13581, as amended. Non-U.S. persons are also prohibited from causing or conspiring to cause U.S. persons to wittingly or unwittingly violate U.S. sanctions, as well as engaging in conduct that evades U.S. sanctions. OFAC's Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines provide more information regarding OFAC's enforcement of U.S. sanctions, including the factors that OFAC generally considers when determining an appropriate response to an apparent violation. 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. For detailed information on the process to submit a request for removal from an OFAC sanctions list, please click here. For more information on the individual designated today, click here. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Defence nanosatellite launched into orbit Issued by Defence Media 18 March 2025 A fully operational, Australian-made nanosatellite has been launched from the United States into low-Earth orbit. Buccaneer Main Mission, known as a CubeSat, is the second of two CubeSats launched under the Buccaneer project, following the successful launch of Buccaneer Risk Mitigation Mission in 2017. Buccaneer Main Mission's objective is to collect high-frequency measurements in low-Earth orbit, to better understand radio-frequency propagation through the ionosphere. "The in-orbit outcomes from Buccaneer Main Mission will inform future space-based capability for Defence, and the technology and knowledge gained will be available for Australian industry for use in developing future capabilities," Chief Defence Scientist, Professor Tanya Monro AC, said. The cutting-edge payloads were designed by Defence Science and Technology Group, who also integrated the full satellite and qualified it for space worthiness, supported by the Royal Australian Air Force and Space Command in Defence's Joint Capabilities Group. South Australia-based small space business, Inovor Technologies Pty Ltd, developed and built the satellite bus, which is the main body and structural component of the nanosatellite. The collaboration effort with Defence Industry was critical to the successful launch of Buccaneer Main Mission. "The launch of the nanosatellite is a testament to the ingenuity of the Australian space industry and academia base, and demonstrates how Defence is harnessing the key expertise and facilities available on our home soil," Professor Monro said. A nanosatellite is defined as any satellite weighing between one and 10 kilograms. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address March 19, 2025: Russia is conducting a disruptive clandestine operation against NATO countries in an effort to create disunity and eliminate any willingness to continue supporting Ukraine. This effort included the use of Russian sleeper agents that had been in Ukraine and Western Europe since the 1990s. Ukraine became an independent state in 1991 and Russian leaders resolved to get it back, using any means it had available. This led to the 2022 invasion when Russia concluded that stern measures were needed to, as Russian propaganda described it, prevent NATO from adding Ukraine to its list of nations that would eventually overwhelm and destroy Russia. Russias European NATO sleepers were not fully activated until Russia realized their 2022 invasion was faltering. There was no public announcement of this but, by 2024, the Ukrainian security service, or SSU, detected several Russian agents operating in Kherson, which is near the Black Sea northwest of Crimea. Three Russian spies were arrested and apparently none of these men admitted to being sleepers or knowing anything about sleepers. That was not unusual, as sleepers and the agents they hire locally know that as long as they disclose nothing. In a revealing move, Russia proceeded to whatever it could to free these loyal agents. The agents were described as innocent Russian citizens being persecuted by NATO for mysterious and nefarious reasons. Russia never explained what those reasons were. Russia believes that conventional warfare waged in Ukraine plus unconventional warfare carried out worldwide complement each other. Russian efforts to destabilize Africa are supposed to divert attention and resources headed to Ukraine. To make this happen, Russian spies, assassins, and propagandists continue their efforts. The reality was that revolution and subversion efforts worldwide have long been used by the Soviet Union and later Russia to exploit whatever opportunities were available to disrupt and diminish support for groups hostile to Russia, while encouraging local leaders that support Russian objectives. For example, in 2016, Russian operatives recruited criminal gangs to cause trouble in the tiny Balkan state of Montenegro and disrupt efforts by that country to join NATO. That attempt failed when several foreign agents and pro-coup Montenegrin politicians were detected, arrested, prosecuted, and imprisoned. In February 2022, Russian agents tried to organize widespread protests that would justify imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine. This effort would be aided by pro-Russian factions in the Ukrainian government. These factions were supposed to make it possible for pro-Russian groups belonging to the Ukrainian parliament and government to seize power. That effort failed because the Russians overestimated the number of pro-Russian officials in the Ukrainian government and the Russian invasion did not immediately succeed, as the Russians expected. There were too many Ukrainians willing and able to fight and defeat the Russian invaders. Since 1949, NATO has been preparing to defend Western Europe from a Russian attack. Until 1989 Russia had massed several hundred thousand troops in East Germany along with several thousand tanks, most of them T-72s. There were thousands more tanks waiting in Ukraine, then part of the Soviet Union. Starting in 1989, when the wall dividing Russian controlled east Berlin from the NATO controlled west Berlin came down, the situation changed in a radical and unexpected way. Back then Russia was called the Soviet Union because it had more territory and twice as many people as the current Russian Federation. In 1991 the Soviet Union collapsed into 14 independent nations. The two largest were the Russian Federation and Ukraine. The current Russian leader Vladimir Putin always wanted to put the Soviet Union back together and he began to do that in 2014, grabbing several Ukrainian provinces. Then he invaded Ukraine in early 2022. Ukraine was seeking to join NATO and their application was being processed. To be a NATO member Ukraine had to acquire Western tanks and warplanes because NATO is about all members using similar weapons, not Russian ones. The Ukrainians were in the process of converting when Russia attacked. That was because Russia wanted Ukraine to be part of the new Russian Empire, not the NATO alliance that defended members from Russian aggression. The Russian attack did not go well, with their initial attack force losing most of their tanks and more than half a million soldiers dead, wounded, missing or taken prisoner. This was a startling revelation to NATO and a major disappointment to Russia. NATO amassed substantial forces to defeat a Russian attack and that attack eventually came, in early 2022, against NATO applicant Ukraine. This clarified the long unanswered question of what would have happened if Russia had attacked NATO forces during the 1949-1991 Cold War. The Russian attack against Ukraine was not as massive as the one the Soviet Union forces in Eastern Europe were prepared to make against NATO forces in West Germany and beyond. The Ukrainians halted the Russian attack and inflicted heavy casualties on the Russians while doing so. After a year of fighting the Russians had lost most of their modern tanks along with nearly half a million troops killed, wounded or missing. A growing number of Russian soldiers preferred desertion or surrendering to Ukrainian forces to dying in Ukraine. Over a million military age Russian men left the country legally or otherwise to escape military service and the possibility of death or disabling wounds in Ukraine. Russian tank losses were so heavy that Russia eventually used Cold War era T-55, T-62 and T-64 tanks taken out of storage, refurbished and sent to fight and get destroyed in Ukraine. Ukrainians are finding dead Russian soldiers armed with World War 1 era Mosin-Nagant rifles. Some 39 million of these rifles were produced between the 1890s and 1973 and Russia had a lot of them in storage for an emergency. That emergency was supposed to be someone else invading Russia, not Russia invading Ukraine, a former part of Russia that does not want to become part of Russia again. For both NATO and Russia this answers the question of what would have happened if Russia attacked NATO forces during the Cold War. Since Ukraine was not yet a NATO member, NATO could not send troops to assist Ukraine but NATO has sent over $200 billion in military and economic aid to Ukraine. Eventually some NATO members suggested that NATO soldiers be sent to Ukraine, as advisors and trainers for Ukrainian forces. Currently some NATO members send some of their troops to neighboring Poland, a NATO member, to train Ukrainians on how to use and maintain all the weapons and equipment NATO has sent to Ukraine. Most NATO members just train Ukrainians in their home countries. NATO aid played a major role in stopping the Russian invasion and pushing the Russians back. Albanese Government invests more than $400 million to maintain Navy vessels locally The Hon Pat Conroy MP Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Minister for International Development and the Pacific 18 March 2025 The Albanese Government has secured more work for Australians to maintain and sustain vessels for the Navy through a $400 million contract with Navantia Australia. The seven-year contract secures about 200 local jobs, primarily in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, while underscoring the Government's commitment to supporting small and medium enterprises that are critical to Australia's defence industry and national security. Under this contract, Navantia Australia has been appointed as the first multi-class Design Support Contractor, responsible for providing through-life engineering and design knowledge on the Navy's Canberra class helicopter landing docks and landing craft, the Supply class ships and Hobart class guided missile destroyers. This contract will also see Navantia Australia engage with Australian small and medium businesses to deliver critical engineering work, ensuring work is spread across the domestic supply chain. It is the first of several Design Support Contracts that Defence will establish for other Navy capabilities, providing greater efficiency and effectiveness in the engineering and design support provided across Australia's maritime fleet. This agreement is part of the Albanese Government's record investment of up to $159 billion over the next decade in maritime capabilities that will deliver continuous naval shipbuilding and sustainment in Australia. Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Industryand Capability Delivery, Pat Conroy: "The Australian defence industry has grown under the Albanese Government and now employs more than 100,000 people. This contract is yet another example of our commitment to supporting them and the businesses that employ them. "Through this contract, we have secured 200 jobs and are supporting our sovereign defence industry which is delivering critical engineering work for our Navy and helping to keep Australia safe. "The Albanese Government is committed to ensuring more work on our naval vessels is done locally, supporting more work for Australian small and medium businesses and jobs for Australians." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New lease of life for long-range submarine array By Corporal Jacob Joseph 18 March 2025 Work is under way to overhaul a kilometres-wide and 300-metre-tall transmitter array in the remote West Australian town of Exmouth. The Naval Communication Station Harold E Holt is a US-Australian very-low-frequency transmitting station capable of sending messages to submarines deep underwater. In a town where the mercury reaches the high 40s, Australian and American subject-matter experts will collaborate with contractors to overcome extreme conditions and isolation, according to Navy Intelligence and Information Warfare's Lieutenant Commander Heath Crawford. Thirteen towers support hundreds of tons of wire antennae, criss-crossing like a spider's web to create a giant geometric pattern more than 400 hectares in area, hundreds of metres in the sky. Tower Zero, once the tallest structure in the Southern Hemisphere at 387 metres, sits in the middle of the array and above the helix house. Inside looks like something lifted from the pages of a Jules Verne novel, with copper antenna tuning equipment supported by more than 100 tonnes of wood. Almost everything inside the helix house is made of a special resin-infused wood composite, even the nuts and bolts. High electromagnetic fields heat metal to the point where it can melt through wood. "It's a Cold War artefact but physics don't change," Lieutenant Commander Crawford said. "I don't think anyone who steps in fully understands the system's uniqueness because it is so different to anything anyone's seen before." It is the first major upgrade to the helix house since the US Navy commissioned and opened the facility in 1967. As a way of shoring up global coverage for its fleet of nuclear submarines, the US looked to expand its network of very-low-frequency transmitters into Australia during the height of the Cold War. The nearby town of Exmouth was established to support the station along with hundreds of US personnel and their families. In 1992, the US Navy passed command to the Royal Australian Navy. The station is now operated and maintained by Defence. The array towers are an ever-present symbol of the town's origins. However, the region's military history stretches back to World War 2, when the North-West Cape was home to a US submarine and communications facility. It was the launch pad for Z Special Unit's behind-enemy-lines raids on Japanese forces in Singapore, including the loss of 23 allied commandos during Operation Rimau. The operation's original planning map now hangs in the communication station's main office. Sharon Jones, who works for the Maritime and Strategic Communications SPO at Harold E Holt, moved to Exmouth before the Americans handed over control. She remembered a time when backyard fences were discouraged and American hospitality was the talk of the town. "You didn't have to follow the footpaths, you could just walk through people's backyards," Mrs Jones said. "The 4th of July and New Year's Eve were big open things with celebrations everywhere and a pipe band would lead people from one place to another. "People thought that when the Americans left, the town wouldn't exist. "We've gone through so many changes; Exmouth has become more of a tourism town recently." But despite the changing nature of Exmouth, Lieutenant Commander Crawford said the transmitter remained an important capability into the future. Construction will commence on a rolling schedule in order to maintain assured communications with allied submarines operating in the region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 9th Australia-India Defence Policy Talks Issued by Defence Media 18 March 2025 The 9th Australia-India Defence Policy Talks (DPTs) were held in New Delhi on 17 March. The Indian delegation was led by Joint Secretary Shri Amitabh Prasad, while the Australian side was led by First Assistant Secretary International Policy Division, Department of Defence Australia Mr Bernard Philip. The eighth DPT was held in 2023. Over the years, Defence has emerged as an important pillar of India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Both sides welcomed sustained progress in bilateral defence cooperation, including the growing frequency and complexity of defence exercises and exchanges. This included several first-time milestones, finalisation of key agreements and participation in each other's major defence trade expositions. The ninth DPT reviewed defence outcomes of second Ministerial Foreign and Defence Ministers' 2+2 in November 2023, intersessional 2+2 consultations at secretary level in October 2024, the second Annual Leaders' Summit in November 2024. The discussions focused on cooperation priorities including maritime domain awareness, reciprocal information sharing, industry and science and technology collaboration, and exercises and exchanges including deployments from each other's territories. The two sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. India and Australia are committed to working together to promote a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. The two sides agreed priorities and preparations for the next 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue to be held in Australia in 2025. The two sides reiterated their commitment to work on formulating long-term vision of defence and security collaboration between the two countries as envisioned by both prime ministers, to enhance collective strength, contribute to both countries' security and make an important contribution to regional peace and security. The two sides explored possibilities of Defence Industry collaboration. The two sides called upon respective agencies on both sides for acceleration cooperation in field of defence science and technology collaboration. The two sides agreed next steps to deepen cooperation and interoperability across maritime, land, and air domains, including working with multilateral partners. As part of the visit, Australian delegation will be visiting Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders shipyard. The Australian co-chair will be calling on Defence Secretary, India on 18 March 2025. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pacific security leaders gather to advance regional cooperation Issued by Defence Media 18 March 2025 Pacific heads of military, law enforcement, customs and immigration will convene in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, for the seventh Joint Heads of Pacific Security (JHoPS) meeting from 18 to 20 March 2025. Established in 2019, JHoPS encompasses 24 Pacific island jurisdictions, two observer countries (the United States and Japan), and seven regional observer organisations. The annual meeting provides a unique opportunity for regional security leaders to connect and drive Pacific-led responses to regional security challenges. This year's theme is 'align and collaborate to advance our collective security.' Leaders will consider new ways to enable collective action and operational cooperation, underpinned by improved interoperability between nations. At this year's meeting, members will be asked to consider drafting instructions for a Regional Operations Deployment Framework, share expertise on maritime law enforcement responses, and undertake practical tabletop exercises focused on enhancing interagency and regional collaboration. Australia is committed to working alongside our Pacific partners on regional initiatives to enhance means of effective cooperation. Quotes attributable to Commander 1st (Australian) Division, Major General Ash Collingburn AM DSM, representing Chief of the Defence Force, Admiral David Johnston AC RAN "I thank our friends and hosts, Papua New Guinea, for their leadership of the forum this year, which provides a key opportunity to advance practical, Pacific-led security cooperation. "It is in our shared interest to work together with increasing efficiency, and develop more rapid and capable frameworks in support of a secure and resilient region." Quotes attributable to Australian Federal Police Commissioner, Reece Kershaw: "The region faces a range of multidimensional security challenges, both traditional and non-traditional, which require collaborative solutions based on common understanding. "The AFP will continue to invest in initiatives such as the Pacific Police Support Group, which will bring a multinational police response capability to the region and deploy for a range of activities, from planned events to natural disaster responses. "The AFP is committed to partnering with Pacific law enforcement partners through mutual resource sharing initiatives and training." Quotes attributable to Australian Border Force Commissioner, Gavan Reynolds: "JHoPS allows for the heads of security agencies to consider how their critical functions keep communities safe. "This type of information exchange between Pacific partners sets us up well to respond to emerging security challenges. I look forward to discussions on how we can further strengthen our collective ability to meet our security needs." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Prime Minister Carney meets with Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Sir Keir Starmer Prime Minister of Canada - Mark Carney March 17, 2025 London, United Kingdom Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, met with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (UK), Sir Keir Starmer, as part of his visit to strengthen ties with steadfast and reliable partners for our economy and security. Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Starmer emphasized the importance of building a stronger Canada-UK relationship. The leaders highlighted transatlantic security and the trade and investment relationship between Canada and the UK. To that end, they discussed opportunities to expand the Canada-UK trade corridor and responsibly leverage technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum to benefit workers and economies in both countries. The prime ministers reiterated their steadfast support for Ukraine as it continues to defend itself against Russia's unjustifiable war of aggression. Prime Minister Carney expressed Canada's support for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, highlighted support for Ukraine as a key part of Canada's G7 Presidency, and commended the UK's leadership efforts toward a lasting and sustainable peace. Anchored in long-standing alliances, shared histories, and enduring ties, the leaders agreed that the partnership between Canada and the UK will only get stronger. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Prime Minister Carney strengthens Canada's security and sovereignty Prime Minister of Canada - Mark Carney March 18, 2025 Iqaluit, Nunavut Now more than ever, we need to reaffirm Canadian sovereignty by strengthening our military, bolstering our Arctic security, and unleashing the North's economic potential. Prime Minister Carney was today in Iqaluit, Nunavut, to announce initiatives in partnership with Inuit leaders to build the Nunavut economy and strengthen Canadian security and sovereignty in the Arctic. First, Prime Minister Carney announced that Canada intends to partner with Australia to develop advanced Over-the-Horizon Radar technology. This partnership will include developing Canada's Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar system, an investment of more than $6 billion that will provide early warning radar coverage from threats to the Arctic. A key component of Canada's NORAD modernization plan, the radar system's long-range surveillance and threat tracking capabilities will detect and deter threats across the North. Collaboration with Australia on this critical technology will further deepen our long-standing bilateral defence relationship, while supporting Canada's commitment to strengthening North American defences in partnership with the United States. The Prime Minister confirmed the partnership in his call with the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, earlier today. Second, Prime Minister Carney announced that Canada will take on a greater, sustained, and year-round Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) presence in the Arctic - an investment of nearly $420 million to protect our sovereignty across land, air, and sea. With an expansion of its Northern and Arctic operations and training exercises, and the deployment of more personnel, the CAF will be better placed to defend Canada's Arctic presence and sovereignty- - while enabling greater collaboration with NATO Allies. Third, to advance reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit, and Metis, Prime Minister Carney announced over $253 million in new support to build a stronger economy across Nunavut, including: $94 million to upgrade power plants in Cambridge Bay, Gjoa Haven, Igloolik, and Iqaluit. These important energy upgrades will ensure that Nunavut communities have access to safe and dependable power. to upgrade power plants in Cambridge Bay, Gjoa Haven, Igloolik, and Iqaluit. These important energy upgrades will ensure that Nunavut communities have access to safe and dependable power. Almost $74 million to improve critical housing infrastructure, accelerate housing development, and help meet the growing demand for affordable housing. to improve critical housing infrastructure, accelerate housing development, and help meet the growing demand for affordable housing. Almost $66 million to build, renovate, and repair hundreds more homes across Nunavut, including for Indigenous Peoples and underserved groups. to build, renovate, and repair hundreds more homes across Nunavut, including for Indigenous Peoples and underserved groups. $20 million to help the Nunavut Nukkiksautiit Corporation complete the first phase of the development of its hydroelectricity facility which will, once complete, provide renewable energy security and create jobs across Nunavut. Following a positive and constructive meeting with the Premier of Nunavut, P.J. Akeeagok, the two leaders agreed to continue to work together in partnership on shared priorities in the Arctic. The Prime Minister also met with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated as well as the President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Natan Obed, to reinforce the fundamental importance of their leadership and to establish a link of collaboration on major infrastructure projects. With an enhanced Arctic focus, the Canadian government is improving our military readiness, creating more high-paying jobs, and growing a stronger economy across the North. Working closely with Indigenous Peoples and our Allies, we will fortify the Arctic by strengthening our year-round presence, accelerating defence spending, unleashing the North's economic potential, and reasserting Canada's sovereignty and security. Quote "Canada is, and forever will be, an Arctic nation, and we can never take our sovereignty and security in the region for granted. Our government will strengthen Canada's Arctic security, bolster partnerships with our closest Allies, unleash the North's economic potential, and reaffirm reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. Canada will remain a strong, secure, and sovereign nation." The Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada Quick Fact The Arctic region is central to Canada's national identity, prosperity, and security. The Canadian Arctic covers 40 per cent of Canada's territory and more than 70 per cent of its coastline. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Uyghur activists in France re-file transnational repression case in Paris court Case stems back to events that occurred during Xi Jinping's visit to France in May 2024. By RFA Uyghur 2025.03.17 -- Two Uyghur activists in France have re-filed a complaint to a Paris court alleging that China engaged in transnational repression against them, the France-based European Uyghur Institute said. Dilnur Reyhan, the director of the institute, and one of the filers of the case, made the announcement at a press conference last week. She and Gulbahar Jelilova, a Uyghur re-education camp survivor, claim that during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to France in May 2024, Chinese citizens organized by the Chinese Embassy attacked a protest led by the institute, and later, surveilled Jelilova's home and tried to take her hostage. Shortly after these incidents, Jelilova and Reyhan filed a complaint with the Paris court, but it has not yet ruled on their complaint. So they filed another complaint on March 10. "China's actions are not only threats against Uyghurs in France but also against all Uyghurs in exile," Dilnur Reyhan said in a telephone interview with RFA Uyghur. She explained that their previous filing was a "simple complaint." They are now filing an "individual complaint" because the first filing received no response. "The reason behind the Chinese Embassy's actions is to intimidate the entire Uyghur diaspora," she said. "Even if you live in France, the message they're trying to send is that they can do whatever they want. We refuse to let them go unpunished." A simple complaint in French law alerts authorities that a crime may have occurred and triggers an investigation, according to a French government website. An individual complaint, meanwhile, is a mechanism by which claimants can request "enforcement of rights guaranteed under international law," according to the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights. "What we're really addressing in our complaint is not China's transnational repression but the continuation of China's genocide against the Uyghurs," said Reyhan. "Our complaint focuses on China's attempt to extend the Uyghur genocide by causing psychological harm to Uyghurs in the diaspora." The other complainant, Gulbahar Jelilova, was not available for comment because she has been hospitalized for ailments related to torture she experienced while being detained in what some describe as concentration camps. US labels crackdown a 'genocide' Since 2017 the Chinese government began a crackdown, herding an estimated 1.8 million Uyghurs and other Turkic minorities into re-education camps and prisons. China claims that these camps are vocational training centers where people learn job skills, but the United States in 2021 classified the crackdown as a "genocide." Regarding the first complaint, it may be because of potential damage to Sino-Franco relations that the court has not opened a case, Jerome Carsenti, a lawyer for the European Uyghur Institute said. He was not able to answer whether the French government has conducted any investigation into the complaint. But Dilnur Reyhan said that one of the people who threatened Gulbahar Jelilova outside her home was an employee of the Chinese Embassy in France, who was later deported. "This is not just repression directed only at Uyghurs, but an incident that occurred in France, which is considered the cradle of democracy," she said. "It is also an attack on France's democratic values and credibility." She also explained that during the protest that coincided with Xi's visit, she and 10 others protested in front of the Chinese embassy, and sprayed red paint on what she described as Chinese "propaganda boards." "And they sued me over it," she said. "Although their complaint was dismissed in March 2023, they reopened the case in June 2024." The court case over the red paint incident commenced on March 12, and has received extensive coverage in French media. Although Dilnur Reyhan and others arrived at court that day, the hearing did not take place because representatives from the Chinese Embassy, who filed the complaint, did not show up to the hearing. French newspaper Le Monde described this case by stating: "China's goal is to force people like Dilnur and Gulbahar Jelilova into silence and prevent their activities. China is attempting transnational repression by creating judicial harassment against people in exile." "The judge suggested that the Chinese embassy might not be aware of this court date, so we can't dismiss the case yet and need to give the embassy a chance to respond. The court has been rescheduled for October 13th," said Reyhan. Additionally, Le Monde published an article about an open letter signed by more than 100 scholars, in support of Dilnur Reyhan, calling on the French authorities to address the issue of transnational repression and the attack on the freedom of speech of a researcher. Translated by Alim Seytoff. Edited by Eugene Whong and 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Some US media outlets have notorious track record in China coverage, says FM on VOA staff placed on leave Global Times By Global Times Published: Mar 18, 2025 04:39 PM In response to a question that some Chinese media called Voice of America (VOA) a "lie factory that stirs up conflict" when reporting the news that virtually the entire VOA staff of 1,300 had been placed on leave, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Tuesday that "I won't comment on Chinese media reports or on adjustments to US domestic policies, however, it's no secret that some US media outlets you mentioned have a notorious track record in their China coverage." On March 15 local time, Michael Abramowitz, director of VOA, an international broadcaster whose parent agency is the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), confirmed on social media that he and "virtually the entire staff" of 1,300 had been placed on leave, according to Reuters. A day earlier, the White House ordered budget cuts for multiple federal agencies. Funding for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, and Middle East Broadcasting Networks, also part of USAGM, has been frozen. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China sets economic growth target with confidence People's Daily Online (People's Daily Online) 09:41, March 18, 2025 On March 11, 2025, China's annual "two sessions," the annual meetings of China's top legislature, the National People's Congress (NPC), and the top political advisory body, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), concluded in Beijing. At press conferences held during the event, foreign journalists raised many questions about China's economy. How should we view China's economic outlook, and what steps are being taken? By examining the key topics highlighted by foreign media, we can sense the strong momentum behind China's high-quality economic growth. The report on the work of the government delivered at the third session of the 14th NPC set a GDP growth target at around 5 percent for 2025, which is a medium to high level target compared to major economies and is above some international forecasts. What's driving this confidence, and is the target achievable? China is fully confident in achieving the economic growth target of around 5 percent this year as there is a solid foundation, support and guarantees, Zheng Shanjie, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, told a press conference on March 6. Looking back, China has delivered impressive economic results. Between 2020 and 2022, China's GDP grew at an average annual rate of around 4.5 percent, with a growth rate of 5.2 percent in 2023. Despite facing complex domestic and global challenges in 2024, China met its key economic and social development goals. The country's GDP surpassed 130 trillion yuan (about $17.95 trillion) for the first time, growing by 5 percent. Today, China's high-quality development is gaining momentum. New industries, business formats and models now account for over 18 percent of GDP. China's new energy vehicle production has exceeded 13 million units, making up more than 60 percent of global output. Integrated circuit production is increasing rapidly, with exports hitting a record 1.1 trillion yuan. Total R&D spending has surpassed 3.6 trillion yuan, up 8.3 percent, while the number of domestic enterprises holding valid invention patents has grown by 16.1 percent to nearly 500,000. These figures highlight the rapid emergence of new growth drivers and reinforce China's positive long-term economic outlook. The around 5 percent growth target offers guidance for improving the quality of economic development while ensuring reasonable growth. It also signals China's commitment to high-quality development, encouraging both domestic and international audiences to view China's economy in a reasonable manner. A key focus at this year's "two sessions" was what policies China might introduce to boost consumption and position domestic demand as a main driver and stabilizer of economic growth. The government work report mentioned that China will take a people-centered approach and place a stronger economic policy focus on improving living standards and boosting consumer spending. The country will boost and upgrade consumption to stimulate economic flows and industrial upgrading. The government work report also said China should adopt a more proactive fiscal policy, and apply an appropriately accommodative monetary policy. The country has raised its deficit-to-GDP ratio by one percentage point compared to last year, and will issue ultra-long special treasury bonds totaling 300 billion yuan to support consumer goods trade-in programs. The country will reduce financial burdens, increase spending power, boost the supply of quality products and services, create effective demand, and improve the consumption environment to boost consumption through tangible measures. Recently, China's consumer market has continued to expand, with increasingly diverse and innovative spending scenarios. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, total retail sales of consumer goods reached approximately 48.8 trillion yuan in 2024, up 3.5 percent from the previous year. During the "two sessions," China's efforts to expand and steer its opening up drew considerable attention from foreign media. With global economic growth losing momentum and increasing challenges to globalization, China's economic policy signals are crucial not just for its own development but for global economic development and prosperity as well. Regardless of changes in the external environment, China should remain steadfast in its commitment to opening up. The country should steadily expand institutional opening up and take the initiative to open wider and advance unilateral opening up in a well-ordered way, so as to promote reform and development through greater openness, according to the government work report. In 2024, China's 5 percent economic growth contributed roughly 30 percent to global growth. China has given all the least developed countries with which it has diplomatic relations zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines starting from Dec. 1, 2024, driving an 18.1 percent increase in imports from relevant nations that month. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on March 18, 2025 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: March 18, 2025 20:16 At the invitation of the Namibian government, President Xi Jinping's special envoy and Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Peng Qinghua will attend the inauguration ceremony of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in Windhoek on March 21. Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will attend the 11th China-Japan-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Tokyo, Japan on March 22. While he is in Japan, Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeshi Iwaya will co-chair the Sixth China-Japan High-Level Economic Dialogue. ZDF: In Germany, there are discussions about publishing all available information about the origin of the COVID pandemic, including findings by the intelligence service allegedly saying that the virus most likely originated in a lab in Wuhan. What is China's stance on it? 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. On the COVID-19 origins-tracing, we firmly oppose all forms of political manipulation. 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. Anadolu Agency: Israel started a large-scale attack in Gaza Strip early in the morning, breaking the ceasefire. Over 300 people, most of them women and children, were reported to be killed so far in this military operation, and civilian casualties are mounting as we speak. What is China's comment about the situation in Gaza? Mao Ning: China is closely following the ongoing situation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. We hope parties will work to enable the continuous and effective implementation of the ceasefire agreement, refrain from any escalatory action and prevent further deepening the humanitarian disaster. Shenzhen TV: We noted that in the Report on the Work of the Government, China set the 2025 GDP growth target at around five percent. According to some media comments, this target is ambitious, showing China's clear resolve to maintain growth. Some believe, however, difficulty to hit the target awaits China. What's your comment? Mao Ning: This year, China's GDP growth target of around five percent is set in light of the science-based assessment of evolving dynamics both at home and abroad, full confidence in high-quality development, and the balance between qualitative and quantitative progress. The target offers a glimpse of China's general principle of striving hard to pursue progress while ensuring stability. Despite mounting tariff barriers, a complex external environment and other challenges, we are fully confident in achieving the growth target. On demand, China has an enormous market and great potential for domestic demand. On supply, China has the most complete industrial system and considerable capacity for production. On institutional strengths, China has effective governance mechanisms featuring long-term plans, sound regulation, and coordination between central and local governments. On policy tools, China will adopt a more proactive fiscal policy and an appropriately accommodative monetary policy to fully buttress high-quality growth. A new development paradigm with domestic circulation as the mainstay and domestic and international circulations reinforcing each other is being fostered at a faster pace. Our diverse trading partners cover more than 230 countries and regions in the world. China is capable of guarding against the uncertainty brought by external shocks. Yesterday, competent authorities shared information about China's economic performance for January and February, which shows that the momentum of economic rebound has been sustained and the policy measures are showing effect. We will further deepen reform and expand opening up. The giant ship of China's economy will continue to cleave the waves and sail steadily toward the future, which will benefit China and provide the world with much-needed stability. Yonhap News Agency: According to the ROK government, on February 26, an ocean research ship tried to investigate a steel structure set up by China in the provisional maritime zone in the Yellow Sea. As the ROK research vessel approached within 1 kilometer of the structure, China Coast Guard and other Chinese on rubber boats blocked the vessel. What is China's position on this? Mao Ning: I am not familiar with the specifics you mentioned. What I can tell you is that China and the ROK have overlapping claims on maritime rights and interests. The two sides are advancing negotiations on maritime delimitation and in the meanwhile, actively carrying out cooperation in the provisional maritime zone in accordance with the China-ROK Fishery Agreement. Regarding the maritime disputes between the two sides, China and the ROK maintain sound communication through the dialogue and cooperation mechanism of maritime affairs, and the maritime law enforcement authorities of the two countries also have smooth communication channel. The situation in the Yellow Sea is stable at the moment. Reuters: Two questions. President Trump said that the Chinese leader may visit the U.S. in the not too distant future for talks. Does China have any comment on this? Second question, the U.S. Commerce Department said that using DeepSeek on government devices is banned. Do you have any comment on this? Mao Ning: On your first question, I have no information to read out on that. On your second question, China opposes overstretching the concept of national security and politicizing trade and tech issues. We will firmly safeguard the lawful rights and interests of Chinese enterprises. AFP: Australia said today that it raised concerns with China and Hong Kong authorities after Kevin Yam was targeted with wanted letters that referenced alleged national security offenses in Hong Kong and also included a Hong Kong police email address on the letter. Does the Foreign Ministry have a response to this? Mao Ning: Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs that brook no external interference. Australia blatantly interfered in Hong Kong's rule of law. China strongly deplores and firmly opposes it. We urge Australia to respect China's sovereignty and rule of law in Hong Kong to foster good conditions and atmosphere for sustainable development of China-Australia relations. Reuters: Reports say that a delegation of Thai government officials is visiting China this week to check on the welfare of Chinese citizens who were deported from Thailand back to Xinjiang. Does China have any comment on this? And can you confirm the visit? Mao Ning: This visit is part of the normal friendly exchanges between China and Thailand. I'd like to refer you to the competent authorities for more specifics. I can tell you that Xinjiang will keep its door open to the world and we welcome people from all walks of life in the international community to come and visit Xinjiang. AFP: There are reports today that Chinese authorities are investigating CK Hutchison's sale of its overseas ports after the company agreed to sell its Panama operations. Can the Ministry confirm these investigations or give any details? Mao Ning: On your specific question, I'd refer you to competent authorities. Let me stress more broadly that China firmly opposes moves that infringe on and undermine other countries' legitimate rights and interests through economic coercion, hegemonism and bullying. Bloomberg: President Donald Trump has moved to close the agency that oversees Voice of America and Radio Free Asia and that has drawn praise from China and Cambodia. The Global Times used an editorial to celebrate the closing of VOA, which it called a "lie factory" for "stirring up conflict." We are wondering if the Foreign Ministry has any comment. Mao Ning: We are not going to comment on U.S. adjustment of its domestic policies and the views of Chinese media. But on those U.S. media you mentioned, their blemished track record on China coverage is hardly a secret. AFP: I just wonder if you could provide any more information on Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to Japan for the trilateral meeting. Mao Ning: Foreign Minister Wang Yi will travel to Japan to attend the 11th China-Japan-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers' Meeting and exchange views with the Japanese side and the ROK side on advancing the trilateral cooperation as well as on regional and international issues of common interest. While he is in Japan, Foreign Minister Wang Yi will co-chair with Foreign Minister Iwaya the Sixth China-Japan High-Level Economic Dialogue, which is an important step to implement the common understandings between the leaders of the two countries reached in their meeting in Lima. The two sides will enhance macro policy coordination and identify key areas and direction for cooperation going forward through this dialogue. Foreign Minister Wang Yi will also meet with political figures of Japan and heads of organizations dedicated to China-Japan friendship. For the specifics, we will release readouts in a timely manner. Please check back for updates later. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Countless people have taken to using Google when searching for health or wellness-related concerns over the years. Now that AI Overviews have become a regular part of the Google Search experience, results for such searches will now feature AI answers with a mix of user suggestions. Health Questions on Google Search: AI Answers, User Suggestions At Google's annual health and wellness-focused event called "The Check Up," the company shared that it is delivering massive AI updates that will also be part of the experience for users on Search. Instead of users getting the normal AI Overviews together with the top website results, Google's latest AI-focused approach will deliver results that mix both AI-generated answers, as well as user suggestions that it collected from websites, forums, and more. According to Google, the new "What People Suggest" feature will be found alongside the AI Overviews results. While this also uses AI to gather information easily and categorize these suggestions, the content will still come from humans across the internet. Google Search's Transformation With AI Since last year's I/O, Google has made it clear that its path forward will focus on AI, which will be applied across different products, including its search engine. Google has since focused on giving users AI-powered search results when using their search engine. This was later known as the feature called "AI Overviews," which summarizes the entire search results that Google has crawled from the web, giving users the gist of the information they are looking for. While AI Overviews still included real results from the web, Google has since experimented with the so-called "AI Mode," which only shares AI-generated results in chatbot-answer form. Despite these advancements, not all topics users search for will get purely AI-generated answers, as is the case with health and wellness-related searches. Hong Kong 'monitoring social media' under year-old security law The Article 23 legislation has broadened the police dragnet when it comes to 'seditious' comment. By Chen Zifei for RFA Mandarin 2025.03.18 -- In the year since Hong Kong passed its "Article 23" legislation, national security police have hauled in the friends of a pro-democracy activist in Taiwan over comments he made on social media, and are increasingly monitoring people's social media interactions. Fu Tong, who now lives in democratic Taiwan, said police back home seem to be targeting online speech since the passing of a second national security law that includes a broader "sedition" offense than earlier legislation. "It's pretty serious now," Fu told RFA in an interview on Monday. "Before, they would just read my posts. But since Article 23, they have even been monitoring my interactions with my friends." A friend of his was hauled in for questioning by national security police after Fu left a comment on their Facebook account, he said. "Now, I daren't leave comments on my friends' Facebook [posts]," he said. The Safeguarding National Security bill, commonly known as Article 23, was passed on March 23, 2024. It came amid a crackdown on dissent that has used both the 2020 National Security Law and colonial-era sedition laws to prosecute and jail people for protest and political opposition in unprecedented numbers. Chilling effect The government said the legislation was needed to plug "loopholes" left by the 2020 National Security Law and claims it is needed to deal with clandestine activity by "foreign forces" in the city, which the ruling Communist Party blames for the 2019 mass protest movement that was sparked by plans to allow extradition to mainland China. The law proposes sentences of up to life imprisonment for "treason," "insurrection," "sabotage" and "mutiny," 20 years for espionage and 10 years for crimes linked to "state secrets" and "sedition." It also allows the authorities to revoke the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passports of anyone who flees overseas, and to target overseas activists with financial sanctions. The concept of "collusion with foreign forces " runs throughout the draft bill, and sentences are harsher where "foreign forces" are deemed to be involved. Fu said Article 23 has had a chilling effect on Hong Kong-related activism, even overseas, with fewer exiled Hong Kongers turning out for protests and other events in Taiwan. He said activists still plan to go ahead with a protest marking the first anniversary of the Article 23 legislation in Taipei on Sunday, however. Eric Lai, a research fellow at the Center for Asian Law, Georgetown University, said there are other examples of the law being used to censor social media. In May 2024, Hong Kong police arrested jailed human rights lawyer Chow Hang-tung and five other people the first arrests to be made under the recently passed Article 23 security law for making social media posts with "seditious intent" ahead of the anniversary of the June 4, 1989, Tiananmen Square massacre. Being watched He said the government is using the legislation to bolster the feeling that ordinary people are being watched. "Over the past year, the most common charge used to prosecute people under Article 23 has been sedition," Lai said. "Sedition is kind of a catch-all offense, and the government is using it to target more ordinary Hong Kongers." "The point is to warn Hong Kongers that they're not immune just because they're not a political figure ... and that ordinary people are also being monitored when they go online," he said. The government hasn't made public details of the number of prosecutions under the law to date, but Lai said that the cases that make the news may only be the tip of the iceberg. He said the recent confiscation of exiled pro-democracy lawmaker Ted Hui's assets only came to light because Hui himself spoke out about it. He said the law grants sweeping powers of surveillance to the authorities, increasing the size of the police dragnet to include everyday comments and activities. "The biggest difference between Article 23 and the 2020 National Security Law is that Article 23 provides more powers for the Hong Kong government to chip away at the system," Lai said. "The government can decide not to parole people if it judges them to be a threat to national security, and it can prevent defendants from seeing a lawyer, and hold them in police stations for longer than before," he said. He said it was significant that the Court of Appeal allowed an injunction against the banned 2019 protest anthem "Glory to Hong Kong" after the Article 23 legislation was passed. 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Thai delegation heads to China to check on deported Uyghurs The US has imposed visa sanctions on some Thai officials over the deportations. By Kunnawut Boonreak for BenarNews and Pimuk Rakkanam for RFA 2025.03.18 BANGKOK -- Thailand's deputy prime minister was due to travel to the Xinjiang region on Tuesday to check that China is keeping a promise on the safety of 40 Uyghur men who Thailand deported despite warnings from the U.S. and others that they faced torture if sent back. Thailand put the men on a plane to Xinjiang on Feb. 27, saying China had given assurances that they would not be mistreated and no third country had committed to take them. They had been held at an immigration detention center in Bangkok since escaping China's persecution in 2014. Human rights groups are skeptical of China's assurance on their safety while a State Department official confirmed to Radio Free Asia that U.S. diplomats offered to resettle the Uyghurs either in the United States or a third country. The leader of the Thai delegation, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, said he and his team were due to meet five of the men as others had moved to various parts of the huge region, but he would hold online video calls with others. "We will visit a care center and listen to a briefing on how China treated them after we have sent the 40 Uyghurs back, and visit their homes if possible," Phumtham, who is also defense minister, told reporters on the eve of the three-day trip, referring to several of the men who had been sick. Thai reporters would be allowed to cover the delegation's visit, he said, adding the team would meet at least one of 109 Uyghurs Thailand sent back to China in 2015. Thailand is the only U.S. treaty partner in mainland Southeast Asia and their relationship stretches back 200 years. The kingdom was a stalwart U.S. ally throughout the Cold War while Thailand has also developed strong ties with China, the region's dominant economic player. China is among the top trading partners and foreign investors in Thailand, and its main source of foreign tourists. Analysts said Thailand's decision to deport the 40 men back indicated a diplomatic tilt towards China. The U.S. had made a request that the Uyghurs not be sent back and Marco Rubio had called directly on Thailand not to deport them at his Jan. 15 confirmation hearing to become secretary of state. Rubio condemned the deportation "in the strongest possible terms" and last Friday he announced visa sanctions against unidentified Thai government officials involved in the affair. The European Parliament also condemned the deportation saying it violated international law. Responding to the U.S. sanctions, Thailand reiterated that it had received assurances from China on the Uyghurs' safety and it would follow up on their well-being. It said it had a long history of helping displaced people and would continue to do so. Under pressure Phumtham reiterated that Thailand had not received a commitment to take the men and China had been pressing to get them back. "If a third country had wanted them, I would have accepted that but I couldn't wait because China kept pressing me," he said. "We said all along we are a small country, taking no side," he said. "Thailand doesn't want enemies." The U.S. has since 2021 described China's persecution of the mostly Muslim ethnic Uyghurs as a "genocide," leveling accusations of torture, forced sterilization and slavery against Chinese officials. China denies that. China said the 40 men were "illegal border crossers" and their repatriation "was normal law enforcement cooperation between China and Thailand to combat illegal immigration and human smuggling." China's state-backed Global Times newspaper said on Monday the U.S. sanctions against Thailand were "hypocritical meddling in China's internal affairs under the guise of human rights." Human Rights Watch called on the Thai delegation to press Chinese officials about their abuses against Uyghurs and seek unfettered access to the 40 men. "The Thai delegation visiting Xinjiang shouldn't take part in Chinese government choreography and image laundering, but instead report on how Uyghurs are really being treated," said the group's Asia director, Elaine Pearson. Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang. BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news service. 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address North Korea orders people to change names that sound too South Korean A government edict says that people should choose names in line with the revolutionary spirit. By Kim Jieun for RFA Korean 2025.03.18 -- North Korea has ordered that parents give their children names that reflect the country's revolutionary spirit -- and in some cases has even told people to change their names if they sound too South Korean, residents told Radio Free Asia. It's another example of pushback against what authorities in Pyongyang view as an infiltration of South Korean capitalist culture. But it also reinforces recent declarations that South Korea is no longer considered part of the same country, and that in fact South Koreans are no longer part of the same race of people, residents said. Almost every Korean name has a specific meaning, and in the South, parents have the freedom to choose any name without much interference from the state. But in the North, the government prefers that children be given names that convey loyalty to the state, sound militaristic or express personal virtues. Recently, it's become trendy in North Korea to give children names that have good meanings and are easy to pronounce, a resident from the northern province of Ryanggang told RFA Korean on condition of anonymity for safety reasons. For girls, they include Su Bin (outstanding brilliance), Da On (all good things coming), A Ri (noble and precious), or Si A (righteous and pure character). For boys, there's Do Yun (inner strength), Ha Yul (the word of God), Ji U (close, similar-minded, friend), and Min So (good citizen). But these have now somewhat fallen out of favor according to the order -- and residents think it might be because the government is implying they sound kind of South Korean. Instead, the government has suggested names that convey the party's eternal love for the people, like Eun Hye (grace), Eun Dok (benevolence), and Haeng Bok (happiness). Or names that reflect loyalty to the party, like Chung Song (loyalty), Chung Sil (Sincerity) and Chung Bok (Devotion). The resident said that if names sounded too South Korean, people would be required to change them, but didn't provide any examples of that happening. Commitment to the revolution The new naming rules are meant to reinforce commitment to the revolution, the resident said. "The party's directive is to name children in a way that preserves Juche ideology and national identity," she said, referring to the country's founding ideology of self-reliance. "This essentially means that children's names should never be given in a way that could allow the South Korean puppets to be considered as fellow compatriots." (The North Korean government often uses the derogatory term "puppets" to refer to South Koreans, implying that the South is a U.S. puppet state.) The government hopes that if North Koreans have patriotic names, then fewer will share names with South Koreans, the resident said. Ordinary people are not happy with the order, she said. "Some people are expressing discontent, saying, that naming a child should be the parents' decision, not the party's," she said. "The authorities are forcing this revolutionary name changes, controlling every aspect of our lives." 'Not Loyal' In some cases, people with a perfectly acceptable given name are made to change it because of their family name, a resident of the northwestern province of North Pyongan told RFA. "One resident named their child Chung Song (loyalty), but had to change it because their surname is An," he said. "An" means peace, but it has the same pronunciation as the word that means "not." "The name An Chung Song therefore means 'not loyal,' so the authorities ordered the name to be changed," the second resident said. When people heard this, they sarcastically started suggesting negative names for people with the name An, he said. "Maybe Chung Song should change his name to Byon Jol (treacherous), so he'd be An Byon Jol (not treacherous)," the second resident said. "They are laughing at the authorities' behavior." He said that most residents consider the order baffling, because the parents chose these names with hopes for their children's success, and shouldn't have to change simply because the government thinks they are South Korean. "If socialism can be shaken by just a name, where is the so-called invincibility of the North Korean system?" Translated by Leejin J. Chung. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2016, 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address STRENGTHENING MARITIME CO-OPERATION: CHIEF OF NAVY, RNZN, VISITS INDIA India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Posted On: 18 MAR 2025 5:31PM by PIB Delhi RAdm Garin Golding, Chief of Navy, Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN), is in India on an official visit from 16 to 21 Mar 25, towards strengthening maritime cooperation and bilateral ties between the two Navies. His engagements include high-level discussions and operational interactions at New Delhi and Mumbai. The visit began on 17 March with RAdm Golding attending the Raisina Dialogue. On 18 March, he laid a wreath at the National War Memorial, paying tribute to India's fallen heroes. This was followed by a ceremonial Guard of Honour and a bilateral meeting with Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, CNS, where discussions focused on enhancing naval ties, joint training initiatives, and maritime cooperation. The New Zealand Navy Chief will also be interacting with senior defence leadership, including Chief of the Defence Staff, Chief of the Army Staff, Chief of the Air Staff and the Defence Secretary, reaffirming New Zealand's commitment to regional security He will also be going to Mumbai where he will interact with the personnel of Western Naval Command, visit indigenous destroyer INS Surat, and explore avenues for future collaboration in ship maintenance and technology. On 20 March, a significant highlight will be the reception onboard HMNZS Te Kaha, hosted by the Prime Minister of New Zealand, further strengthening India-New Zealand maritime relations. RAdm Garin Golding's visit marks a significant step in the evolution of India-New Zealand defence relations, fostering deeper naval cooperation and reinforcing mutual interests in the Indo-Pacific. ***** VM/SPS (Release ID: 2112362) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address ICGS Saksham makes port call at Antsiranana, Madagascar India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Posted On: 18 MAR 2025 5:02PM by PIB Delhi Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Offshore Patrol Vessel Saksham made a port call at Antsiranana, Madagascar on March 18, 2025 as part of its overseas deployment to friendly countries in the Indian Ocean Region. During the visit, ICGS Saksham's crew will engage with the Madagascar Coast Guard in joint training sessions and knowledge exchange programs focused on Marine Pollution Response (MPR), Maritime Search and Rescue (M-SAR), and Maritime Law Enforcement. The schedule includes cross-deck training, cultural engagements and friendly sporting events, further strengthening the camaraderie between the two maritime forces. ICG personnel will also conduct specialised training on Marine MPR, focusing on handling oil spills, chemical spills and marine pollution incidents to enhance Madagascar's preparedness for environmental emergencies. Additionally, 10 NCC cadets and 10 Assam Rifles personnel onboard the ship will participate in beach clean-up drives and awareness programs in collaboration with local youth organisations as part of the 'Puneet Sagar Abhiyan', reinforcing the importance of marine conservation. ICGS Saksham's visit to Madagascar aligns with India's broader maritime vision, 'SAGAR - Security and Growth for All in the Region', emphasising regional stability, security, and sustainability. The deployment reflects India's proactive engagement with Indian Ocean nations, highlights its shipbuilding capabilities under 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat', and fosters stronger diplomatic & security ties. *** VK/MR/KB (Release ID: 2112329) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Raksha Mantri meets Netherlands Defence Minister in New Delhi India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Both countries explore possibilities of defence industrial collaboration & working together in domains like AI Posted On: 18 MAR 2025 4:44PM by PIB Delhi Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held a meeting with the Defence Minister of the Netherlands Mr Ruben Brekelmans in New Delhi on March 18, 2025. They discussed elevating the bilateral cooperation in areas like defence, security, information exchanges, Indo-Pacific and new & emerging technologies. The two Ministers explored the possibilities of collaboration in shipbuilding, equipment and space sectors, optimising the complementariness in skills, technology & scale of the two countries. They also discussed working together in domains like Artificial Intelligence and related technologies, besides connecting the respective defence technology research institutes and organisations. In a post on X after the meeting, Raksha Mantri stated that India looks forward to further elevating its defence partnership with the Netherlands. ***** VK/Savvy (Release ID: 2112311) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran set to increase daily gas extraction by 500 million cubic feet IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 18, 2025 London, IRNA -- The capacity of gas extraction in Iran will increase 50% more to its current daily production capacity, according to a contractor involved in a project. Ehsan Mohammadi, the contractor of the Belal Gas Field development project, says the country's gas extraction capacity is expected to rise by 500 million cubic feet (14.2 million cubic meters) per day following the development of this gas field. Mohammadi made the speculation on the sidelines of the installation of the wellhead jacket for the Belal Gas Field, located at the shared border between Iran and Qatar in the Persian Gulf, on Tuesday. On the eve of the anniversary of the nationalization of the Iranian oil industry, the contractor said that drilling operations for this shared Iran-Qatar gas field will begin following the installation of the wellhead jacket and the rig. He also said that the Iranian Offshore Engineering and Construction Company is developing the well deck, while POSCO is handling the drilling process. Emphasizing that this gas field comprises eight wells, he said Iran's gas condensate production will rise by 10,000 barrels per day, as well. The National Iranian Oil Company commissioned the PetroPars Company as the general contractor for the Belal Gas Field development project. 4208**4399 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran is looking to nullify sanctions: Parliament speaker IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 18, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf says the Islamic Republic is actively pursuing both the removal and nullification of anti-Iran sanctions at the same time. The speaker said that Iran is engaged in discussions with five signatories of the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), aiming to reach a consensus that would facilitate the lifting of economic and diplomatic sanctions against the Islamic Republic while also circumnavigating existing embargoes. Regarding U.S. President Donald Trump's recent letter and Iran's response, Qalibaf said that the Iranian Foreign Ministry is addressing this matter and will prepare an official reply. He also said that Trump withdrew from the JCPOA in his first term, despite the United States having signed the agreement. Approximately 20 days ago, Trump issued an executive order outlining his administration's policy toward Iran, which called for the control of Iran's nuclear and missile programs, as well as unconventional weapons like drones, the speaker said. However, Qalibaf criticized the U.S. president for failing to address the benefits Iran would gain from accepting these demands. Trump issues order and urges Iran to do it under pressure, and after that, let's see what will happen, Qalibaf said, questioning the nature of such a negotiation. Iran remains committed to its obligations under the JCPOA, with the three European signatories, along with China and Russia, still involved in the agreement, he said, emphasizing that Iran is open to negotiations provided there are tangible economic benefits. According to the speaker, economic benefits mean that the Central Bank of Iran should be able to engage in commercial and monetary exchanges, allowing the country to export oil, secure international shipping insurance, and attract foreign investment. In conclusion, he said that Trump's statements contradict these essential requirements for any potential negotiation. 4208**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran warns the U.S. of grave consequences in case of any potential aggression IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 18, 2025 New York, IRNA -- Amir-Sa'eed Iravani, Iran's ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations, says any act of aggression would result in severe consequences, for which the U.S. would be fully accountable. In a letter to the U.N. Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council on Monday, Iravani condemned reckless and provocative statements from U.S. officials, including President Donald Trump. Iran's diplomat expressed his country's deep concerns over the recent hostile remarks by senior U.S. government officials, terming the statements as a violation of fundamental principles of international law and the United Nations Charter, which prohibit the threat or use of force against sovereign nations. The ambassador reiterated Iran's commitment to maintaining international peace and security, adding that the country is firmly resolved to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national interests against any hostile measures. The United States has been trying to illegally justify its aggressive actions and war crimes against Yemen, he said, adding that Washington has openly threatened to use force against the Islamic Republic of Iran while "leveling baseless accusations" against Tehran. The envoy called on the Security Council to take serious note of inflammatory statements and demand the United States comply with its obligations under the UN Charter. The full text of Iravani's letter to the U.N. is as follows: Excellency, Upon instructions from my government, and further to the letter dated 11 February 2025 (S/2025/89), I wish to express my deep concern and unequivocal condemnation of recent belligerent statements by senior officials of the United States administration, including the president of the United States, while they were attempting desperately to unlawfully justify the U.S.'s acts of aggression and war crimes against Yemen, leveling baseless accusations against the Islamic Republic of Iran and openly threatening the use of force against Iran. Such inflammatory rhetoric constitutes a blatant violation of fundamental principles of international law and of the United Nations Charter, particularly Article 2(4), which prohibits threats or use of force against sovereign states. In light of these grave violations, the Islamic Republic of Iran firmly rejects and condemns these reckless and provocative statements. Iran calls on the Security Council to take a clear and principled stance in denouncing such inflammatory statements and to call that the United States comply with its obligations under the UN Charter. As we have repeatedly emphasized, the normalization of threats of force sets a dangerous precedent and poses serious risks to international peace and security. The Security Council must not remain silent in the face of such blatant provocations. While committed to its obligations to international peace and security, the Islamic Republic of Iran will resolutely defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national interests under international law against any hostile action. The Islamic Republic of Iran warns that any act of aggression will have severe consequences, for which the U.S. will bear full responsibility. The Islamic Republic of Iran unequivocally condemns the recent military aggression and unlawful use of force against Yemen by the United States and the United Kingdom. These actions flagrantly violate Yemen's sovereignty and territorial integrity, contravening international law, the United Nations Charter, and relevant Security Council resolutions, thereby posing a serious threat to regional peace and stability. As a responsible member of the international community, the Islamic Republic of Iran has consistently adhered to its obligations under international law, and supports the maritime safety and freedom of navigation. The Islamic Republic of Iran has never been involved in any activities inconsistent with the provisions of relevant Security Council resolutions on Yemen. Consequently, Iran strongly and categorically rejects any accusation on the violation of relevant Security Council resolutions on arms embargoes in Yemen or involvement in any destabilizing activities in the region. I wish to emphasize once more that Ansarullah and the Yemeni authorities operate independently in their decision-making and actions, asserting that their operations are conducted in support of the people of Gaza and in response to violations of Yemen's sovereignty and territorial integrity. I also take this opportunity to categorically reject the false and unsubstantiated accusations made against the Islamic Republic of Iran by the representatives of the United States regarding Yemen, as well as by the United Kingdom and France, who accused Iran of destabilizing activities in the region during the Security Council's open briefing on 6 March 2025, under the agenda item "The situation in the Middle East" (9873rd meeting). These allegations are entirely baseless and lack any credibility. Iran views these unfounded claims as a deliberate and calculated attempt by these three states to deflect attention from their own complicity in the genocide and war crimes committed by the Israeli regime against the Palestinian people in Gaza and other nations in the region, as well as their failure, as permanent members of the Security Council, to hold Israel accountable and compel it to adhere to peace and security in the region. I should be grateful if you would circulate the present letter as a document of the Security Council. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration. 7129**9417 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN Human Rights Council 58: UK Statement for the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran Statement for the Joint Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran. Delivered by the UK's Permanent Representative to the WTO & UN, Simon Manley. 18 March 2025 Location: Geneva Delivered on: 18 March 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered) Special Rapporteur, Your report and presentation this morning are clear: the human rights situation in Iran remains appalling. Iran has bolstered its surveillance practices to target women and girls. The temporary suspension of the hijab and chastity bill is simply not enough. Iran must repeal mandatory veiling laws and permanently cease plans for mandatory citizen surveillance. Religious minorities continue to face systemic targeting and repression. The past year has seen an escalation in the arrest and detention of Baha'i women as authorities seek to suppress their religious identity and autonomy as women. Executions have reached a critical level - over 900 people put to death last year - with an increasing number of them women. Many of those were put to death following unfair trials and for offences that simply do not meet the most serious crimes threshold. Only 10 per cent of these executions were publicly announced. Mr President, It has been more than 2 years since the Iranian people took to the streets to call for Woman Life Freedom. More than 2 years since the brutal crackdown on these nationwide protests. More than 2 years and accountability, sadly, remains a distant hope. The Fact Finding Mission has clearly stated - investigations must continue. This Council must not let impunity prevail. The Iranian people deserve justice. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The U.S. denies reports of sinking of Iranian intelligence ship IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Mar 19, 2025 New York, IRNA -- Two American media outlets, citing a U.S. military official, have denied reports that the U.S. military had sunk an Iranian intelligence ship in the Red Sea. The Newsmax website and the Washington Examiner reported on Tuesday local time, quoting a U.S. defense official, that the Zagros had docked at the Bandar Abbas port in Iran. Previously, Saudi media outlet Al-Hadath claimed that the U.S. had sunk the Iranian reconnaissance and intelligence ship Zagros in an attack coordinated with the Israeli regime's bombing. The Newsmax website also wrote that this erroneous report is being published amid escalating tensions in the region. 2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Netanyahu's testimony in corruption trial cancelled amid renewed Gaza genocide Iran Press TV Tuesday, 18 March 2025 9:45 AM The Israeli prime minister's testimony in a corruption trial has been canceled due to "security developments," following the renewed attacks on Gaza which have so far killed hundreds of people, including many children. According to the Hebrew-language Maariv daily newspaper, Benjamin Netanyahu had asked for his testimony on Tuesday to be cancelled, hours after the 75-year-old chairman of Likud right-wing political party oversaw the heavy bombardment of the besieged Palestinian coastal territory. Netanyahu is facing charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. He appeared before the court on Monday in one of three long-delayed cases that he has described as a political "witch-hunt." Netanyahu's trial began on May 24, 2020. Under Israeli law, he is not required to resign unless convicted by the so-called Supreme Court, a process that could take several months. Opposition leaders accuse Netanyahu of escalating the Gaza war to evade his trial, and achieve a victory that could protect him from conviction and keep him in power. The Democrats party leader Yair Golan said the prime minister resumed the war in Gaza for political survival, arguing that soldiers and captives are "just cards in his game of survival." "Netanyahu is using the lives of our citizens and soldiers because he trembles in fear of us the public protest against the dismissal of the head of the Shin Bet," the left-wing leader said in reference to Netanyahu's recent decision to fire Ronen Bar, the director of the regime's so-called internal security service - known as Shin Bet. Israelis "must not let the madness win" and instead protest in order to save Israel "from the hands of this corrupt and dangerous man," he said as he called for mass rallies. More than 350 Palestinians, mostly children and women, have been killed in Israeli air attacks on Gaza that started at approximately 2:30 a.m. local time (0020 GMT) on Tuesday, shattering the ceasefire agreement with the Palestinian Hamas resistance movement. Netanyahu's office said the fresh onslaught was in response to Hamas's "repeated refusal" to release remaining captives in Gaza, and the group's failure to agree on ceasefire proposals from US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and other mediators. In return, Hamas blasted "Netanyahu and his extremist administration" for overturning the January 19 ceasefire and "exposing prisoners in Gaza to an unknown fate." The resistance group also called for the "free people of the world" to protest the devastating attacks on the Palestinian territory. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Report: Rohingya militant groups kill, torture community's refugees in Bangladesh Their actions - murdering 'informants,' forced recruitment and extortion - may be war crimes, Fortify Rights says. By Shailaja Neelakantan and Zia Chowdhury for BenarNews 2025.03.18 WASHINGTON and DHAKA -- On New Year's day last year, a Rohingya community leader, Mohammad Faisal, shared a poem he wrote about fear and violence in Bangladesh refugee camps and shared it on social media. Three days later, suspected militants from his own community abducted him under the cover of darkness and shot him dead for doing so, Southeast Asian NGO Fortify Rights said in a report released Tuesday. "Rohingya rebel members in Bangladesh are killing, abducting, torturing, and threatening Rohingya refugees arriving from Myanmar, which may amount to war crimes," Fortify Rights said in a press statement accompanying the report. Its 78-page report, "I May Be Killed Any Moment," noted that three key elements must be present to establish a war crime - an armed conflict, a prohibited act committed against a protected person and a nexus between the conflict and the act committed. "[F]ortify Rights has reasonable grounds to believe that all such elements are satisfied." The new report documents killings, abductions, torture, and other violations against Rohingya refugees committed, Fortify Rights says, by mainly two rival militant groups, the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, or ARSA, and Rohingya Solidarity Organization, or RSO. The report draws on interviews with 116 people, including Rohingya survivors and eyewitnesses, Rohingya militants, U.N. officials, humanitarian aid workers, and others, about the ongoing violence in the camps. It said that killings of Rohingya refugees by Rohingya militant groups in Bangladesh's refugee camps had doubled year-on-year since 2021, with a total of at least 219 from then until last year. However, the more than 90 people killed in 2023 included dozens of reported members of the two rival militant groups killed in clashes between them, Fortify Rights said. Muhib Ullah, a Rohingya Muslim leader who was killed by suspected militants in the refugee camps in September 2021, helps a computer operator at his office in the Kutupalong camp in Ukhia, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, April 21, 2018. (Mohammad Ponir Hossain/Reuters) Why would Rohingya militants strike fear among their own community of refugees who fled decades of persecution and terror in their homeland in Myanmar? "[The] militant groups intimidate, threaten, and harass Rohingya refugees to forcibly recruit new members, prevent them from reporting abuses to the authorities, and gain political control of the camps," the report said. "Militants have also abducted Rohingya refugees for refusing to join or collaborate with them and for opposing militant groups in the camps," Fortify Rights said, noting that the militants use abductions and torture to extort money for their activities. In 2022, refugees told Radio Free Asia affiliate BenarNews that ARSA was also against the repatriation of the Rohingya to Myanmar, but they did not elaborate on the reason. ARSA and RSO both have said they are fighting to liberate the Rohingya people in Myanmar's northern Rakhine State from junta-aligned military forces and the Arakan Army, an armed separatist group. Rakhine is where most of the Rohingya Muslim ethnic minority community lives. However, Fortify Rights said, RSO had been collaborating since last year with the Burmese junta against the Arakan Army rebels. The junta comprises the same security forces whose brutal 2017 crackdown led to some 740,000 Rohingya fleeing across the border to Bangladesh and now staying in camps in Cox's Bazar in the southeastern part of the country. The junta launched the offensive in response to coordinated attacks by ARSA rebels in Rakhine. "While barely mentioning the Myanmar military junta," ARSA's leader, in a May 2024 video, focused on combatting the Arakan Army, which wants to "liberate" the state of Rakhine from the army, Fortify Rights said. Comprising mainly Rakhine Buddhists, the Arakan Army claimed it respects the rights of Rohingya, but experts say they carried out mass arson attacks on Rohingya villages last year. After the military toppled an elected government in Myanmar in 2021, the country descended into a civil war with junta security forces battling a variety of armed ethnic groups. ARSA chief arrested ARSA and RSO, though, continue to publicly deny responsibility for any wrongdoing, said the report. Attaullah Abu Ammar Jununi, then commander-in-chief of ARSA, said in 2017 that "atrocity, violence, and injustice against any innocent civilians is not in [our] principles or policy," the NGO said. ARSA had also denied responsibility for specific incidents of violence in the Bangladesh refugee camps, including the killings of camp leaders and a prominent community leader, Muhib Ullah, whose assassination in September 2021 caused outrage outside Bangladesh as well. But Bangladesh authorities, who after years of denying ARSA's presence in the camps finally admitted in June 2022 that Muhib Ullah's killing had been ordered by ARSA's Ataullah. And Bangladesh police on Tuesday said that he and other accomplices had been arrested the previous evening in a town near Dhaka. They had been conducting secret meetings to plan "sabotage and criminal activities," police said. The arrested were found in possession of around US$175,000 and some steel weapons. Of 29 people accused of links to Muhib Ullah's killing, 18 accused have been arrested so far, while 11 others are absconding, police told BenarNews on Tuesday. Murder and a slew of other criminal activities were common occurrences in the camps where nearly 1 million refugees are sheltering, some Rohingya in Cox's Bazar told BenarNews. Muhammed Jubair, acting president of the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights, said several armed groups were involved in the crimes. "Various crimes, including murder, are being committed in the camps," he said. "It is difficult to say whether the crimes that occur are war crimes or not." A former ARSA member told Fortify Rights in November 2023 that the group didn't work "according to humanitarian principles" for the community. One especially brutal incident is detailed in the report. A 23-year-old Rohingya man was abducted, tortured, dismembered, and left to die in the refugee camps - but he survived. He spoke to Fortify Rights about what happened to him. "[T]hey cut off my leg first. I was able to hear the sound that they were cutting off the bones of my leg with a big knife," he told Fortify Rights. ['They] took half an hour to cut me. My arm was cut just above my elbows." BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news organization. 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Villagers flee as fighting rocks Myanmar's delta Arakan Army fighters push into neighboring regions after taking most of Rakhine state. By RFA Burmese 2025.03.18 -- War is encroaching into Myanmar's rice-basket Ayeyarwady River delta, residents said on Tuesday, as fighters from the powerful Arakan Army, or AA, rebel group pile pressure on the military as they push out of their home territory. The AA has defeated forces of the junta that seized power in 2021 in almost the whole of Rakhine state, and while it focuses on the last military-controlled pockets, it is also building on its momentum to attack into the Magway region to the northeast, Bago to the east and Ayeyarwady to the south. More than 1,000 people from three delta villagers in Ayeyarwady's Lemyethna township, about 35 kilometers (20 miles) to the west of Myanmar's main river, were forced to flee from their homes as fighting erupted on Monday when junta forces tried to expel the AA from the area they recently occupied. "Le Khon Gyi, Wut Kone and San Kone, those villages had to move. There were about 1,000 people," said one resident who declined to be identified for security reasons. It was the first time there had ever been fighting in the area, residents said, another indication of the unprecedented setbacks the junta has suffered over the past 18 months as ethnic minority insurgents and allied pro-democracy fighters battle to end military rule. The military is hoping to retake lost territory during the current dry season, and expand its area of control in the run-up to an election due by January, which it hopes will re-assert its authority and legitimacy, at home and abroad. Anti-junta forces reject an election under military rule as a farce and have vowed to defend their areas of control. Monday's battle was near the Pathein-Monywa highway, a major north-south road connection where military patrols had increased, residents said. Neither the AA nor the military's 344 Artillery Battalion which operates in the area has released any information about casualties. Their spokespeople were not available for comment. The AA draws its support from Rakhine state's mostly Buddhist ethnic Rakhine people. Of all of Myanmar's insurgent forces, it is closest to defeating the military in a state and taking power. The loss of the state would be an unprecedented blow to the military and would force China, which has major investments in the state, to deal directly with the insurgents to protect its interests. Chinese companies have energy facilities on the coast from where oil and gas pipelines run all the way to its Yunnan province, and it also has plans for a deep sea port as part of its Belt and Road Initiative. Tightly controlled military-run media has not reported on the dire situation facing its forces in the state and rarely gives any detail about fighting anywhere. On Tuesday, the military-run Myanmar Alin newspaper did mention the war in Rakhine state but only in connection with the disruption to the education system. Fewer than half of all school leavers in the state were able to take their college entrance exams, all in the last three pockets of territory under junta control, because of the fighting, it said. Translated by Kiana Duncan. Edited by RFA Staff. 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address What's Behind The New Wave Of Violence In Pakistan's Balochistan? By Abubakar Siddique March 18, 2025 Balochistan, a vast mineral-rich province in southwestern Pakistan, has been the scene of a simmering separatist insurgency for nearly a quarter-century. But a remarkable rise in violent attacks in the strategic region bordering Afghanistan and Iran and home to the marginalized Baluch minority has highlighted the region's fragility. On March 16, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant group pursuing Balochistan's secession from Pakistan, claimed an attack on security forces in the remote district of Noshki. Pakistani officials said the attack, a suicide truck bomb, killed three soldiers and two civilians. But the BLA claimed the attack killed 90 soldiers. Train Hijacking Just last week, the group declared a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, and others hijacked a passenger train in Balochistan's historic Bolan Pass. The unprecedented attack, even by the standards of Pakistan's violent recent past, went on for more than 36 hours. The BLA claimed it killed hundreds of members of the security forces traveling on the train. The Pakistani Army, however, said it killed dozens of militants in a successful rescue operation that freed most of the hostages. RFE/RL could not independently verify the conflicting claims of the two sides in the sparsely populated region inaccessible to journalists. But the rising violence marked a significant escalation at a critical time for Pakistan as the Muslim nation of 250 million people reels from political turmoil, economic downturn, and an escalating insurgency by the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamic State-Khorasan in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. "The major drivers of the worsening conflict are changes within the BLA and the worsening political and economic crises," said Zafar Baloch, a Balochistan researcher based in Britain. "The current outcome was predictable because the BLA has transformed," he said. He said that during the past seven years, the BLA turned from a nationalist insurgent group into "a highly sophisticated, disciplined militant group, which now possesses sophisticated arms." Pakistani officials have frequently blamed the easy availability of sophisticated US arms left behind in Afghanistan. Groups such as the BLA and TTP now use sophisticated night-vision goggles, sniper rifles, and other military gear possibly acquired from Afghanistan. Since the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan, violence by both the Baluch separatist rebels and Islamist TTP has been on the rise. Pakistan has blamed Afghanistan's Taliban government and its regional archrival India for the rising violence. Kabul and New Delhi have rejected Islamabad's claims. During the past year, Baluch separatists carried out 175 attacks, up from 110 the year before. These attacks killed and injured nearly 700 people, most of whom were members of the security forces. Imtiaz Baloch, an analyst covering Balochistan for Khorasan Diary, a website tracking militant groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan, said the BLA's increasing organizational sophistication is behind the rising violence. He said the Majeed Brigade, the BLA's suicide squad, which works under its central command led by its leader Bashir Zeb, is now capable of planning and conducting sophisticated attacks. "Their intelligence-gathering capacity has increased, which results in meticulous planning for attacks such as taking an entire train hostage," he said. "Now they appear capable of successfully laying traps for the security forces," he said. Increasingly Sophisticated Attacks In addition to the Majeed Brigade, the BLA claims to have separate guerrilla, special forces, and intelligence units that have launched increasingly sophisticated attacks against Pakistani troops and Chinese workers involved in numerous infrastructure, energy, and mineral extraction projects in Balochistan. Baloch, the analyst in Islamabad, argues the Pakistani government's failure to win over Balochistan's alienated residents through a genuine political process and dispensing justice has harmed its legitimacy in the impoverished region where literacy and development levels are low. "The state is unable to connect to and address the problems of ordinary citizens," he said. Experts maintain that Balochistan's political crises have been extenuated by Islamabad's strategy of supporting figures loyal to the military over ethno-nationalist parties that hold genuine popularity among the Baluch populace. However, these Baluch political parties, whose leaders have led most elected provincial governments since the 1970s, lost controversial parliamentary elections in February 2024. The Baluch parties accused Islamabad of widespread rigging in the province. Sarafaz Bugti, a Baluch politician supported by the military, promised to defeat militant groups by promoting good governance and bringing development to Balochistan. But a year later, violence in Balochistan is mounting, which has added to public skepticism of Islamabad's promises. "The Baluch have given up on parliamentary politics, which has increased the lure of groups such as the BLA for the youth," said Baloch, the researcher in Britain. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/violence-pakistan- balochistan-taliban-afghanistan/33350877.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Navy and Pakistan Navy to conduct PASSEX joint naval exercise in Arabian Sea 18.03.2025 (08:30) A detachment of Russian Navy ships consisting of the corvettes Rezky, Aldar Tsydenzhapov of the Russian Federation, and the Pacific Fleet's medium sea tanker Pechenga will participate in the PASSEX drills together with the Navy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The sides agreed to conduct the exercise during a visit by the Pacific Fleet detachment to the Pakistani port of Karachi. On Monday, the Russian detachment's commanding officers participated in the conference and a series of official meetings with senior officers of the Pakistan Navy, where the participants discussed the details of the joint exercise. After the talks, the sides exchanged commemorative souvenirs and left notes in the books of honourary guests. The crews carried out guided tours visiting each other's ships. The Russian officers saw the drills designed to enhance survivability of the corvette Babur. The PASSEX exercise is take place in the Arabian Sea on the last day of the Russian detachment's stay. The ships of the states will train manoeuvres employing shipborne helicopters, communication, and other aspects of cooperation. Department for Media Affairs and Information NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Putin's Broken Promise: Russian Conscripts Dying In Ukraine Invasion By Ulviyye Asadzade, RFE/RL's North.Realities and RFE/RL's Siberia.Realities March 19, 2025 In March 2022, weeks after ordering a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged to "mothers, wives, sisters, and fiancees" that he would deploy only "professional military personnel" in what has become Europe's bloodiest conflict since World War II. That pledge quickly rang hollow, with numerous reports that young conscripts were being coerced into signing military contracts almost immediately after induction and shipped to the front line in what the Kremlin calls its "special military operation." Three years later, Russian conscripts are still being sent to the front -- and dying -- after signing such contracts, activists and relatives say. "The Russian Army finds it relatively easy to recruit 18- and 19-year-old conscripts," Artyom Klyga, a lawyer with the Movement of Conscientious Objectors, a Russian antiwar group, told RFE/RL. "These young soldiers are frequently encouraged to sign a contract to become professional soldiers, often without fully understanding what they are agreeing to," Klyga added. Ahead of Russia's spring draft set to begin on April 1, the Russian-language news outlet Vyorstka reported that at least 25 conscripts were killed in Russia's western Kursk region following Ukraine's surprise incursion there in August. The average age of these conscripts was 20, according to Vyorstka, which based its figure on an analysis of news reports and obituaries posted on social media. Many of their deaths only became known in recent months. One of the Russian conscripts killed in Kursk was 19-year-old Zakhar Sosnin, whose family told RFE/RL's Siberia Realities they were in the dark about how he ended up signing a military contract. "We found out later. We still don't understand why he signed it. We were told that he 'died in the battle for the Kursk region,' and that's it. He was just a child," one of his relatives said. Klyga told RFE/RL that Russian law technically prevents conscripts from being deployed to combat with less than four months of service. If they sign a contract, however, they can be sent immediately. "Most of the time they have no access to lawyers or human rights organizations -- they simply have no choice," he said. In some cases, relatives have said they are certain their conscripted sons did not sign military contracts. In October, several conscripts from a Russian tank division received 305,000 rubles ($3,600) after they supposedly signed contracts with the Russian Defense Ministry, RFE/RL's North Realities reported. The mother of one of these conscripts told North Realities that her son had not signed any contract. "We are horrified because we don't want to fight," she said. 'They're Just Kids!' Anxiety and anger among relatives of Russian conscripts surfaces regularly. Last month, the administration of the town of Verkhnyaya Salda, some 2,000 kilometers east of Moscow in Russia's Sverdlovsk region, posted a tribute on social media to 19-year-old conscript Daniil Selyayev, informing readers that he had been killed in battle in the Kursk region in November. Under the post, which featured a photo of Selyayev in his military uniform, commenters posted biting responses about his death, which authorities said occurred while he was distributing "humanitarian aid." "A conscript. And they said they wouldn't be involved. Very, very sad for the boy," one wrote. One commenter responded that conscripts are sent to the front after signing contracts or after serving first for five months, drawing a sharp rebuttal from another. "That's not true! They're taking conscripts there! We even have our own Telegram chat for mothers whose children are at the border. No one asks them where they are taken after training," the commenter wrote. "Why are conscripts being deployed for the special military operation?! They're just kids! It's the state's duty to bring them home alive and well," wrote another. While many Russian families are outraged with the government for reneging on Putin's pledge not to send young, inexperienced men to the front lines, public resistance is rare amid the Kremlin's escalating crackdown on dissent since the beginning of the Kremlin's all-out war on Ukraine, Russian military analyst Yan Matveev told RFE/RL. Aleksandr Bastrykin, head of Russia's powerful Investigative Committee, said this month that since Russia's February 2022 invasion, his agency had initiated 615 criminal cases involving charges of "discrediting" or spreading "fake" news about the Russian military -- controversial statutes that the Russian government has wielded to silence critics. "The power of repression within the country is strong, and the security forces, along with the courts, harshly suppress any active discontent," Matveev said. Russian casualties -- killed or wounded -- exceed 700,000, according to Western estimates as of December. An analysis by the International Institute for Strategic Studies estimated that since Russia's 2022 invasion, at least 172,000 Russian soldiers have been killed and 611,000 wounded, more than half of them severely and unable to fight again. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russian-conscripts-youth- dying-ukraine-putin/33351828.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The EU mobilises international support for Syria's transition and the region raising 5.8 billion European Commission Press release Mar 17, 2025 Brussels On 17 March, during the ninth edition of the Brussels Conference on "Standing with Syria: meeting the needs for a successful transition" hosted by the European Union, the donor community pledged a total amount of 5.8 billion. This financial commitment, in such a pivotal historical moment, shows the willingness of the EU and the international community to support Syria and its people, towards an inclusive transition and pave the path to rebuilding the country. The overall figure includes the nearly 2.5 billion pledged by the EU for 2025 and 2026, announced during the Conference by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. The total amount pledged by the EU and its Member States amounted to almost 3.4 billion, reaffirming them as the largest donor to Syria and neighbouring countries hosting Syrian refugees. The Ministerial meeting brought together representatives from EU Member States, neighbouring countries, other partner countries, international organisations, including the UN, and international financial institutions; as well as Syria interim Foreign Minister al-Shaibani, who attended the Conference for the first time since its launch. The event was successful in mobilising vital financial support to address the most pressing needs for a successful transition. Since 2011, providing to date nearly 37 billion in response to the Syrian crisis, the European Union and its Member States have been the largest donors of humanitarian and resilience assistance to Syria and the region. As key supporter of Syrian civil society, the EU also intends to promote a future meeting of Syrian civil society from across Syria and the diaspora, in Damascus, later this year. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Brussels IX Conference on "Standing with Syria: meeting the needs for a successful transition" - Joint Press Statement by the Co-chairs (High Representative Kallas and Commissioners Suica & Lahbib) and Foreign Minister H.E. Asaad Hasan Al-Shaibani of the Syrian transitional government European Council / Council of the European Union International ministerial meetings Statements and remarks 18 March 2025 11:52 The Brussels IX Conference on "Standing with Syria: meeting the needs for a successful transition", hosted and chaired by the European Union (EU) on 17 March 2025, gathered key regional and international partners together with the Syrian Arab Republic. Building on the ministerial meetings in Aqaba (14 December 2024), Riyadh (12 January 2025) and Paris (13 February 2025), the Co-Chairs and Syria's Minister for Foreign Affairs reaffirmed their wish to work together to ensure the success of the post-Assad transition. The Co-chairs recalled the EU's commitment to the enduring principles that have guided, since the first Brussels Conference in 2017, the EU's efforts to support the Syrian people and their host communities in neighbouring countries, including ensuring respect for fundamental freedoms as well as international humanitarian law. The Co-chairs reaffirmed the EU's support for the unity, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria and highlighted the key role of inclusive state institutions and the fight against all forms of discrimination and extremism. Recognising the historic opportunity to rebuild Syria as a free, inclusive, united, sovereign, stable and peaceful country, grounded on the respect of human rights and international law, the Co-chairs reaffirmed the EU's commitment to support Syria's inclusive transition with a view to ensuring lasting peace and prosperity for all Syrians, without distinction of any kind. Both parties concurred on the necessity, including via the National Dialogue process, to ensure that the transition delivers on the aspirations of all components of Syrian society, and for all Syrians, both in the country and in the diaspora, to have the opportunity to reunify, stabilise and rebuild their country, restore justice and freedom and ensure accountabilityn a spirit of reconciliation. Both parties agreed on the necessity of implementing and supporting the agreement reached on 10 March 2025 with the Syrian Democratic Forces. They reaffirmed the critical importance of preventing the resurgence of terrorism, including Daesh, and touched upon the urgent need to address the issue of non-Syrian nationals held in camps in North-East Syria. Both parties agreed that rebuilding Syria is a collective and holistic effort, which needs to be inclusive, Syrian-led and Syrian owned, in which the United Nations have an important role to play alongside other stakeholders. They stressed the urgent need to alleviate the suffering of two million Syrians living in camps, as well as those whose livelihoods are affected by external threats on Syrian borders. Both the Co-Chairs and the Syrian Foreign Minister reiterated their call for the full respect of Syria's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Recalling the historic opportunity to guard against persistent security threats, they agreed on the importance of achieving the full destruction of chemical weapons in Syria, and recalled the important role of OPCW in this regard. Both parties further underlined the need to work collectively towards discovering the fate of the 150,000 forcibly disappeared Syrians, particularly in Assad's prisons, whose fates remain unknown, and the EU reaffirmed its support to national and international efforts in this respect. Recognising the urgent need to restore trust and security within Syrian society, the Co-Chairs and the Syrian Foreign Minister condemned the violent attacks by Assad regime remnants against security forces, and rejected any exploitation of Syria's situation by any state and non-state actors, including manipulation of information. They reiterated their strongest condemnation of the subsequent retaliation, which resulted in horrific crimes against civilians by a number of armed groups and stressed the utmost necessity of holding all perpetrators accountable. They concurred that swift justice is essential to prevent such crimes from ever recurring again and to ensure that all Syrians, without distinction of any kind, can live without fear in the new Syria. The Co-Chairs welcomed the commitments made by the transitional government, and in particular the establishment of an investigative committee, and called for the UN International Independent Commission of Inquiry to also investigate these acts. The Co-chairs and Syria's Minister for Foreign Affairs emphasised the urgency of meeting the needs of the Syrian people and welcomed the pledging efforts deployed by donors for the benefit of Syria and the region announced today, during the Brussels IX Conference. Following the exchanges conducted in Paris on 13 February 2025, they welcomed the intention to establish a new coordination framework to complement and accelerate an inclusive socio-economic recovery and reconstruction. The Co-chairs also re-affirmed their sustained support to accelerated economic recovery and resilience in Syria, to help foster Syria's state and local institutionsas much as its thriving, diverse and invaluable civil society, building on the already existing longstanding EU support and re-confirmed in this Conference. The EU's approach in this respect will be commensurate with developments in the country. They also acknowledged the importance of continued support to refugee-hosting countries as long as conditions for voluntary, safe, sustainable and dignified returns are not fully met. The Co-Chairs conveyed the EU's intention to support the holding of an event with civil society in Syria, later in 2025, in line with the EU's longstanding support to Syria's civil society. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address State Secretary Kravik's remarks at the donor conference for Syria in Brussels Government of Norway Speech/statement | Date: 18/03/2025 By State Secretary Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik State Secretary Andreas Kravik's remarks at international donor conference for Syria hosted by the EU in Brussels. Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, I would like to make five observations, in part based on my recent visit to Syria. In my view, these are critical for "a successful transition" to a free, stable and inclusive Syria. First, we appreciate your desire that any transitional process be Syrian-led and Syrian-owned. We commend this approach as it is vital to ensure the transitions credibility and long-term impact. The role of the international community should be to provide support without dictating the process or its outcome. Second, we must give the Syrian transitional authorities a chance to succeed. Sanctions must be lifted. Financial and technical support must be provided. And our efforts must be coordinated and based on Syrian needs. Third, as has been stated by Syria's authorities, inclusive governance is vital for stability and prosperity. We express our support for free and fair elections. Civil society must be involved. Minorities must be respected. Women's rights must be upheld to ensure economic growth and human rights compliance. We welcome the continuation of the national dialogue and the constitutional declaration. We think Syria would benefit from cooperating closely with the UN. Fourth, security is essential. Syria's territorial integrity must be respected. Israel's incursions onto Syria must end. The country's unity, independence and territorial integrity must be respected. We welcome the agreement between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the transitional authorities and look forward to its implementation. However, the recent violence along the coast is alarming. Accountability will be the first real sign that the old rules have changed in the new Syria. We welcome the rapid formation of the investigative committee which must be transparent and independent. It is imperative to recognize the critical importance of transitional justice to achieve long-term peace. Fifth and final, the humanitarian needs are still enormous. Norway will continue to provide substantial humanitarian assistance to Syria and neighboring countries. In Syria, we will also support reconstruction of vital infrastructure such as water, electricity, and health, and capacity building of Syrian authorities. That is why, In 2025, Norway initially pledge 65 mill. Euros to Syria and the region, out f which at least 35 million will be allocated to Syria. Syria's future is important for the Syrian people first and foremost but also for all of us. Equally, a "successful transition" depends on us all. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Syria's HTS militants enter Lebanese town, ransack homes Iran Press TV Tuesday, 18 March 2025 9:44 AM Militants aligned with Syria's ruling Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) regime have entered parts of a Lebanese town, ransacking homes, reports say, after shelling of Lebanon's border areas killed several and wounded dozens of others. HTS militants entered parts of the Lebanese town of Hawsh al-Sayyed Ali after a declared ceasefire on Monday, Arabic-language al-Ahad TV television network reported on Tuesday. It added that the Lebanese Army has not yet entered the part of the town where HTS militants are present. At least seven people were killed and 36 others wounded after the militants launched an attack against Hawsh al-Sayyed Ali in Hermel District, located in Lebanon's eastern province of Baalbek-Hermel, al-Ahad reported on Monday. It added that rocket shells, launched from the countryside of al-Qusayr in Syria, also hit the nearby town of al-Qasr. Separately on Tuesday, the Lebanese al-Mayadeen television news channel reported that HTS militants had occupied five kilometers of the border town and were ransacking homes. Lebanese and Syrian defense officials agreed late Monday to a ceasefire to end two days of border clashes, which began after Damascus accused Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement of crossing into Syria on Saturday and of abducting and killing three soldiers from the Syrian side. Hezbollah strongly dismissed the allegation by Syria's HTS-run administration in a statement on Sunday. The Lebanese National News Agency later reported that the bodies of three Syrian militants had been handed over to Syria via the Lebanese Red Cross. Last month, more than 10 people were injured after shelling from Syria's Qusayr countryside targeted border towns in Lebanon's Hermel region. Multiple reports confirmed that HTS militants target residential homes in Lebanon's border areas rather than hitting Hezbollah sites. Moreover, Lebanese tribes are currently resisting against invading HTS militants. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Three killed, over dozen wounded as Israeli strikes hit military bases in Syria Iran Press TV Tuesday, 18 March 2025 6:26 AM Israeli warplanes have carried out a series of strikes on former Syrian army outposts near the capital Damascus and in the southern Dara'a province, in the latest string of attacks targeting the country's military infrastructure following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government. The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that at least three civilians lost their lives and more than a dozen others were injured late on Monday when a string of aerial raids hit military installations in Dara'a. The Britain-based monitoring group said a number of airstrikes targeted the 132nd Brigade in Daraa al-Mahatta neighborhood. Flames went up into the sky following the attacks, as medics and firefighters rushed to the area to provide medical assistance to and protect people affected by the blaze. Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that Israeli jets continued to circle over southern Syria following the assaults. Israeli fighter jets also attacked the 175th Regiment in Izraa town north of the city of Dara'a. In a statement, the Israeli military said it launched a series of airstrikes in southern Syria, "striking military targets" belonging to the former Syrian army. Warplanes struck command centers and military sites, where, according to the statement, weapons and military vehicles had been stored. "The presence of military assets in southern Syria poses a threat to Israel," the military said. Later on, Israeli military aircraft launched airstrikes targeting a number of sites close to al-Kiswah city, located approximately 13 kilometers (8 miles) south of the capital Damascus. There were no immediate reports available on possible casualties or the extent of damage caused. Militant factions, led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, toppled Assad's government on December 8, 2024. Since the collapse of Assad's government, the Israeli military has been launching airstrikes against military installations, facilities, and arsenals belonging to Syria's now-defunct army. Israel has been widely condemned for termination of the 1974 ceasefire agreement with Syria, and exploiting the chaos in the Arab nation in the wake of Assad's downfall to make a land grab. The United Nations has condemned ongoing Israeli attacks inside Syrian territory and continuing violations in and around the buffer zone created as part of a 1974 ceasefire agreement with Damascus. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN Human Rights Council 58: UK Statement for the Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic. Delivered by the UK Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders. 18 March 2025 Location: Geneva Delivered on: 18 March 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered) Mr President, Commissioners, thank you for providing your reflections from your recent historic visits to Syria. We welcome the access you have been granted by the interim authorities, and the promising steps they have taken to pursue evidence gathering and preservation efforts. We would also like to acknowledge the important sentiments we heard from His Excellency the Permanent Representative of Syria this morning. Your reports to date have left us with no illusions: Assad oversaw a reign of terror and tyranny that systematically oppressed the Syrian people with complete impunity. As part of the transition Syrians must, finally, see accountability and justice. We therefore support the continuation of the Commissioners' work, which provides a clear evidence base for the Syrian people in their pursuit of this. But we must be realistic. National reconciliation and processes to address violations and abuses will take time. The journey towards truth, reconciliation and healing will require vigilance. Recent reports that large numbers of civilians have been killed in the coastal areas of Syria are horrific. The answer to those horrors cannot be further retribution. It must lie in the interim authorities' commitment to the protection of all Syrians, in word and deed. Commissioners, How can the international community support Syria to ensure that sensitive information and sites are preserved to ensure eventual accountability? NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement: UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini at the Brussels Conference on Syria UNRWA 18 Mar 2025 Excellencies, As the future of Syria takes shape, UNRWA - the United Nations Agency for Palestine Refugees - remains a lifeline for a highly vulnerable community: Palestine Refugees in Syria, and those who fled to Jordan and Lebanon. In an inclusive Syria, the rights of all people, including Palestine Refugees, must be protected. UNRWA stands ready to work with Syrian authorities and international partners to protect Palestine Refugees' rights; enhance access to basic services; and promote better socioeconomic inclusion, in support of peace and stability. The Agency provides essential, public-like services to more than 400,000 registered Palestine Refugees in Syria. More than 90 per cent live under the poverty line, relying on UNRWA's emergency cash assistance to meet basic needs. Over 50,000 girls and boys receive education in more than 100 UNRWA schools. Our health teams provided more than a million primary healthcare consultations last year, in 22 health facilities and two mobile clinics. To maintain our current services and accompany the political transition in Syria, UNRWA requires an urgent infusion of funding as well as clarity and a clear delineation of its role within a time-bound political process that addresses the question of Palestine. Thank you. Background Information: UNRWA is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. The United Nations General Assembly established UNRWA in 1949 with a mandate to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to registered Palestine refugees in the Agency's area of operations pending a just and lasting solution to their plight. UNRWA operates in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, The Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. Tens of thousands of Palestine refugees who lost their homes and livelihoods due to the 1948 conflict continue to be displaced and in need of support, nearly 75 years on. UNRWA helps Palestine Refugees achieve their full potential in human development through quality services it provides in education, health care, relief and social services, protection, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance, and emergency assistance. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Army anti-landing exercise held on Day 2 of 'immediate response' drills ROC Central News Agency 03/18/2025 05:50 PM New Taipei, March 18 (CNA) Taiwan's first-ever "immediate combat response" drills entered the second day on Tuesday, with the Army simulating anti-landing combat to keep Chinese forces from reaching Taipei, the country's capital and main economic and political hub. With the help of M3 amphibious rigs, the Army's 53rd Engineer Group deployed oil barrels and floating platforms as obstacles in waters off New Taipei's Tamsui District in a scenario that simulated People's Liberation Army (PLA) ships and landing craft air cushions approaching the shore. The troops created two types of obstacles, with the first type consisting of a floating platform, TNT, and an oil barrel. Once detonated, the TNT could destroy or capsize PLA surface vessels. These obstacles were placed in the Tamsui River estuary to target enemy vessels attempting to enter the river. The second type of obstacle, deployed further upstream, was a combination of floating platforms, water mines and "steel hedgehogs," which are intended to incapacitate approaching enemy ships. The Army Guandu Area Command has stored amphibious rigs and components for creating obstacles to ensure they can be deployed rapidly when needed, a source with knowledge of the matter told CNA. As the obstacles were being placed, An Army AH-64E Apache helicopter flew over the Tamsui River. The chopper flew back to Tamsui after completing a reconnaissance mission in the nearby Bali District and reporting to the ground command center, according to the source. Meanwhile, various types of tanks and armored vehicles rolled into their designated strategic positions in Bali upon receiving an order from the command center. The vehicles mobilized for the drill included CM11 tanks, and CM33 and CM34 armored vehicles. The five-day drills are the first of their kind and are being conducted based on the assessment that the PLA could unexpectedly pivot military exercises or "gray zone" activities -- provocative or aggressive actions that fall just short of an open conflict -- near Taiwan into a real attack, a military source told local media on March 12. (By Wu Su-wei and Sean Lin) Enditem/AW NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Latest military threats show China a 'troublemaker': Taiwan officials ROC Central News Agency 03/18/2025 03:08 PM Taipei, March 18 (CNA) China's ongoing provocations of Taiwan with gray zone tactics and military exercises have intensified regional tensions and shown that China is the "troublemaker" threatening peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, officials said Tuesday. Defense Minister Wellington Koo () and Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) head Chiu Chui-cheng () described China as the "troublemaker" endangering regional peace, a day after Beijing launched what the Ministry of National Defense called "joint combat readiness patrols." The relatively large-scale patrols included more than two dozen Chinese military aircraft crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait and dozens more flying into Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) in collaboration with Chinese naval vessels. China's Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) on Monday described the movements as a "military exercise" in response to Taiwan President Lai Ching-te's () promoting Taiwan independence, provocation of Taiwan independence and separatism, and foreign interference. Asked to distinguish between "joint combat readiness patrol" and "military exercise," Koo said the "patrols" are usually conducted by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) on a weekly basis and involve "more PLA Air Force and Navy assets, and Chinese naval vessels advance to 24 nautical miles off Taiwan's coasts." China conducted two joint combat readiness patrols on Monday, Koo said, and has resorted to any excuses they could find to justify their actions. Taiwan's military launched its first "immediate response" military drill () on Monday in response to different scenarios, including a situation such as Monday's harassment. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs offered a different interpretation of the military patrols on Monday. Spokesperson Mao Ning said the patrols were responses to "the U.S. State Department's alteration of documents on U.S.-Taiwan relations" that endangered peace across the Taiwan Strait. Mao was referring to the State Department's change of a Taiwan-U.S. relations fact sheet published on its website in mid-February, when it removed a line indicating Washington's long-held stance of not supporting Taiwanese independence. In a statement issued late Monday, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs "strongly condemned" China's military action that it said jeopardized cross-Taiwan Strait peace and stability. The "troublemaker" description came on the heel of President Lai's recent public remarks in which he designated China as Taiwan's "foreign adversary." China had tried to paint Taiwan as the troublemaker in cross-strait relations in the past. (By Lin Ching-yin and Chris Wang) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tech firm faces NT$2.17 million fine over Chinese funding ROC Central News Agency 03/18/2025 07:14 PM Taipei, March 18 (CNA) Financial technology provider AnyTech () will be fined NT$2.17 million (US$65,770) for violating rules governing Chinese investment in Taiwan, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) on Tuesday. The Taiwanese subsidiary of the company was found by an MOEA investigation to be partly funded by the Chinese state, despite the company being based in Singapore. Explaining the ministry's decision to penalize the company, Economics Minister Kuo Jyh-huei () told lawmakers at the Legislative Yuan on Tuesday that some of AnyTech's financial backing came from Beijing-based Rivere Tech (). Rivere Tech is a Chinese enterprise that is 25 percent owned by China SME Development Fund Co., a national-level equity fund in which the Ministry of Finance of the People's Republic of China is a major shareholder, Kuo said. Under Article 73 of the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area, Chinese companies "may not engage in any investment activity" in Taiwan unless permitted by the relevant authorities. Kuo pointed to Article 93 of the same act, which empowers Taiwanese authorities to levy an administrative fine of up to NT$25 million on entities that violate the aforementioned article. Concerns over AnyTech's Chinese financial backing were heightened due to its involvement with Cathay United Bank, one of Taiwan's largest commercial banks. AnyTech had established a subsidiary in Taiwan based on its Singaporean credentials and took on a project to upgrade the bank's core credit card system in Taiwan. However, Peng Jin-lung (), chairman of the (FSC), told lawmakers on Tuesday that Cathay United Bank told the FSC that the bank's new credit card system had not yet gone live. The bank also told the FSC that it had performed a security review of the system and found "no backdoor vulnerabilities," Peng said. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Cathay United Bank said it notified AnyTech on Feb. 24 that it would terminate its contract early. An internal cybersecurity review, completed on March 14, showed "no suspicious backdoors, malicious network connections, encryption, or obfuscation, and no risk of information leakage," the Taiwanese bank said. Cybersecurity is a growing concern in Taiwan, especially in relation to China, whose ruling communist party has repeatedly stated its intention to annex the island. Last Thursday, President Lai Ching-te () said after a national security meeting that Taiwan "must adopt proactive, effective measures to prevent China from engaging in cognitive warfare against Taiwan or endangering cybersecurity." (By Lin Ching-yin, Lo Yuan-chun and James Thompson) Enditem/AW NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China sends 59 warplanes and 9 vessels near Taiwan ROC Central News Agency 03/18/2025 03:14 PM Taipei, March 18 (CNA) China sent 59 warplanes and nine vessels in Taiwan's vicinity on Monday after a few days of relative calm, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said Tuesday. Of those aircraft, more than two dozen crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and the others entered Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ), a flight map released by the MND showed. Two balloons were also detected navigating over waters just north of Taiwan during the period between 6 a.m. Monday and 6 a.m. Tuesday. The ministry said it scrambled combat air and sea patrols and deployed defense missile systems to track the Chinese military aircraft. On Tuesday, the MND also unveiled video footage of Taiwanese naval vessels monitoring the Chinese military ships operating in waters around Taiwan, including the Keelung (Kidd)-class destroyer watching China's Type 052D destroyer Guilin. It also showed surveillance photos of Chinese attack drones and various unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that were taken by a Taiwan Air Force F-16V fighter jet and Navy P-3C anti-submarine aircraft. The relatively large-scale Chinese military mission was detected as Taiwan was beginning a five-day "immediate response" military drill consisting of various aircraft and naval vessels aimed at quickly countering sudden Chinese military actions. In the previous four days, China did not conduct any mission in Taiwan's vicinity with more than seven aircraft, according to MND maps. An ADIZ is a self-declared area in which a country claims the right to identify, locate and control approaching aircraft, but it is not part of that country's territorial airspace as defined by international law. (By Wu Shu-wei and Ko Lin) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese FM, Taiwan Affairs Office address PLA exercises around Taiwan Straits Global Times By Li Yawei Published: Mar 18, 2025 12:56 AM China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and China's State Council Taiwan Affairs Office both responded on Monday to inquiries regarding military exercises around Taiwan Straits, with foreign ministry spokesperson saying Taiwan question is at the very core of China's core interests, and "if the foundation is shaken, whatever above it cannot stand." In response to a question that it is learned that the Chinese military has conducted drills near the Taiwan Straits, which some believe this has something to do with US State Department's recent revisions to the statements on its Taiwan policy on its website and "Taiwan independence" forces' unconscionable acts, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China's relevant military operation is necessary, lawful and legitimate in order to defend national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity. It's a firm response to external forces who are hellbent on abetting and aiding "Taiwan independence," and a warning to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces' unconscionable acts. Mao said that the US has recently taken a series of wrong steps on the Taiwan question. In particular, the US State Department removed important statements that show the US is committed to the one-China policy and does not support "Taiwan independence" in the fact sheet of its so-called relations with Taiwan on the website, which shows the US gravely backpedaled on its position on Taiwan-related issues. This is another egregious example of the US's intention of using Taiwan to contain China, and its move to abet and aid "Taiwan independence", which sends a gravely wrong signal to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces. Mao emphasized that the Taiwan question is at the very core of China's core interests and the one-China principle is the bedrock of the political foundation of China-US relations. If the foundation is shaken, whatever above it cannot stand. "Taiwan independence" and cross-Straits peace and stability are as irreconcilable as fire and water. The pursuit of "Taiwan independence" will lead nowhere. Those who attempt to use Taiwan to contain China will get burned for playing with fire, she said. On the same day that Mao addressed the matter, Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for China's State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, also responded to media inquiries on Monday evening, noting that the PLA's exercises near the island of Taiwan serve as a resolute punishment for Lai's continuous promotion of the separatist fallacy of "Taiwan independence" and the escalation of cross-Straits confrontation. Chen said that the exercises are a powerful deterrent against the provocations of the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, a stern warning against external forces interfering and causing trouble, and a legitimate and necessary action to defend national sovereignty and maintain peace in the Taiwan Straits. Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Monday that China's military exercises are activities arranged within the scope of its sovereignty and in accordance with its own policy agenda, unaffected by external rhetoric or actions. These exercises demonstrate China's resolve to safeguard its sovereignty and express its unwavering commitment to national reunification, he noted. The US has long interfered in China's internal affairs, pursuing a strategy of "using Taiwan to contain China," aimed at delaying or even indefinitely prolonging China's reunification, said Li. Such actions violate United Nations resolutions, the fundamental principles of international relations, and the consensus of the international community. Li noted that ultimately, they will only tarnish the US' reputation, undermine global security and stability, and expose the US as a disruptor of the international order. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Drills near Taiwan 'firm response' to external forces, separatists: China Iran Press TV Tuesday, 18 March 2025 11:18 AM Beijing has described its recent military drills near the self-governing island of Taiwan as a "firm response" and warning to external forces helping separatist groups in the Chinese Taipei. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday that the drills were "necessary, lawful and legitimate," adding that they served as a warning to separatist activities, which she described as "unconscionable." "It's a firm response to external forces who are hell-bent on abetting and aiding Taiwan independence and a warning to Taiwan independence separatist forces' unconscionable acts," she said at a daily press conference in the capital Beijing. Mao's comments came as the Chinese military launched exercises near the self-riled island earlier in the day, involving 54 Chinese aircraft, including J-10 jets and drones. Taipei's Defense Ministry stated that the Chinese aircraft were detected flying to the north, west, southwest and east of the self-ruled island as well as 42 planes crossing the Taiwan Strait's median line. Commenting on the latest statement of the G7 group, in which the member states expressed their concerns about China's alleged threat to maritime security and stability in Taiwan, Mao condemned it as a "mischaracterization of the facts and truth." She also stressed that the Taiwan question is "at the core of China's interests." "Freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea has never been an issue. The G7 should stop sowing discord and provoking disputes. We absolutely reject the G7's blame-shifting," the spokesperson added. Over the past years, China has intensified military activities around Taiwan, including large-scale war games, as it continues to assert its sovereignty over the island while the Taipei government rejects Beijing's claims. China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, also opposes any foreign interactions or visits by the island's leaders, especially those involving the United States. The US severed diplomatic relations with Taipei in 1979 and established them with China. While recognizing the "One China" policy, Washington continues to maintain contacts with the island and supply it with weapons. According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the total amount of US arms supplies to Taipei has surpassed $70 billion in recent years. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese envoy calls on Israel to renounce "obsession with use of force" Xinhua) 15:04, March 19, 2025 UNITED NATIONS, March 19 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Tuesday urged Israel to "renounce its obsession with the use of force" and immediately cease military operations in Gaza, after the latest Israeli airstrikes killed hundreds of Palestinians. "China regrets the harm done to the hard-won ceasefire and is gravely concerned about Israel's resumption of hostilities in Gaza. We strongly condemn this," Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, told the Security Council. "Military means is not the way to solve the Palestinian-Israeli issue," he stressed. "The stark contrast between 15 months of bloody conflict and 42 days of ceasefire clearly shows that the indiscriminate use of force is not the right way to bring back hostages and may even put them at greater risks." "Since the ceasefire agreement was reached, it should be fully and seriously implemented in good faith, and no attempt should be made to alter or undermine it midway," Fu said. Meanwhile, China strongly opposes the weaponization and politicization of humanitarian aid, he said, adding that the use of humanitarian aid as a bargaining chip violates international law, especially international humanitarian law. Fu urged Israel, as the occupying power, to fulfill its obligations under international humanitarian law and immediately restore full humanitarian access to Gaza. China, he said, supports the Gaza recovery and reconstruction plan jointly initiated by Egypt and other Arab states, and supports an early launch of reconstruction underpinned by the principle of Palestinians governing Palestine, whereby the Palestinian people can rebuild their homes in their own territory. The Chinese ambassador also expressed his concern about what he called "a dangerous sign" in the region facing multiple challenges. "For some time now, we have witnessed a dangerous sign in the Middle East. As the international rule of law and international order are violated and undermined, the law of the jungle seems to reign. This is worrisome and concerning," he said. Fu called on the Security Council, as the primary body for maintaining international peace and security, to put a prompt end to such chaos, and take further actions to bring about a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, restore peace in the Middle East, and achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Palestinian question. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) China steps up air and sea incursions near Taiwan Taiwan's defense ministry reported 59 sorties by Chinese aircraft and ships over Monday night. By RFA Staff 2025.03.18 By RFA Staff TAIPEI, Taiwan - China has increased incursions by its aircraft and warships in the Taiwan Strait with 59 sorties reported from Monday evening to Tuesday morning, as it repeated warnings against any "external interference" on the "Taiwan question." Taiwan's ministry of defense said 43 of the sorties crossed the median line in the strait, which has long served as the de-facto boundary between the self-governed island and the mainland. Besides fighter jets, a number of unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, were deployed, as well as two balloons. Taiwan's armed forces "closely monitor maritime and aerial activities," and are conducting joint operations to track and respond to Chinese incursions, the island's ministry said. Beijing considers Taiwan a breakaway province that needs to be "reunified" with China, by force if necessary. China has waged a campaign against what it sees as "separatist" efforts by Taiwan and warned other countries against "meddling in the Taiwan issue." Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a regular press briefing on Monday that Beijing "firmly opposes official interaction of any form between China's Taiwan region and countries having diplomatic ties with China." "The Taiwan question is at the core of China's core interests, which brooks no external interference," Mao said, repeating a long-held position. "The government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China," the spokeswoman said. "Taiwan is never a country, not in the past, and never in the future." China often steps up incursions and warnings in response to visits to the island by U.S. legislators, or visits overseas by the island's leader, but there was no obvious factor being this week's activity apart from recent diplomatic efforts by Taiwan to reinforce cooperation with "like-minded" countries and democracies. Taiwan immediately dismissed the Chinese spokesperson's comments. "Such cliches that contradict the facts, reverse right and wrong, and go against the will of the 23.5 million Taiwanese people are not worth refuting," the island's foreign ministry said. The ministry reiterated its position that Taiwan is "a sovereign and independent country." "China has no right to interfere in the exercise of any legitimate rights of a sovereign state," it said. Foreign ministers of the Group 7 world's most developed countries emphasized at a meeting last week "the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait." The ministers reiterated in a statement their opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion. 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC Ministry of National Defense 2025/03/18 PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Date 6 a.m. Mar. 17(Mon.) to 6 a.m. Mar. 18(Tue.) (UTC+8) PLA activities 59 sorties of PLA aircraft and 9 PLAN ships operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 43 out of 59 sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's northern, central southwestern and eastern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy ships, and coastal missile systems in response to detected activities. PRC balloon activities 2 PRC balloons were detected during this timeframe. 1140318_PLA activities_1.jpg 1140318_PLA activities_2.jpg 1140318_PLA air activities in the vicinity of Taiwan.jpg NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address No one allowed to split Taiwan from China: mainland official People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 09:47, March 19, 2025 BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese mainland official Song Tao on Tuesday stressed that no individual or force will be allowed to split Taiwan from China, warning that "resolute actions will be taken" if separatist forces dare to cross the red line. Song, head of both the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks at a release ceremony for a book on the Taiwan question, which includes information on related policies and the development of cross-Strait relations. "Our determination to solve the Taiwan question and achieve national reunification is firm as rock," he said. Song said that the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is now on an irreversible historic course, adding that the goal of national reunification must and will be accomplished. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address "With its high deterrence capacity, our heroic army has become an effective force globally" Presidency of The Republic of Turkey 18.03.2025 Speaking after an iftar dinner with Military Academy cadets, President Erdogan said: "Our heroic army, a source of pride for our nation, has become an effective force globally with the high deterrence capacity it has gained." President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered a speech after an iftar dinner with Military Academy cadets in Ankara. "WE ARE MOVING FORWARD WITH CONFIDENT STEPS TOWARD OUR GOAL OF A TERROR-FREE TURKIYE" Drawing attention to the intensive efforts exerted in the recent period to permanently get rid of the scourge of the separatist terror in the country, President Erdogan said: "We are moving forward with confident steps toward our goal of a terror-free Turkiye, which will secure the prosperous future of our 85 million citizens and strengthen our internal front. We will soon see the results of these efforts, with our region reaching the climate of permanent peace it has been longing for." "TURKIYE STANDS WITH OUR PALESTINIAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS" Describing Turkiye's goal as to make sure that peace and brotherhood prevail in the region, President Erdogan noted: "I want to state this very clearly and unequivocally: we will firmly stand against those who, with the delusion of a promised land, seek to drown our region in blood, tears, and oppression. Just like a century ago, those attempting to re-design our geography with the intention of invasion will find Turkiye standing against them." "The Zionist regime has once again proven itself to be a terrorist state that thrives on the blood and tears of innocents through the brutal attacks it carried out on Gaza last night," President Erdogan stressed. Underscoring that perpetrators of the atrocity in which over 400 Palestinians were martyred will be held accountable for every drop of blood, President Erdogan continued: "During these blessed days, we as Turkiye stand with Gazan innocents and our Palestinian brothers and sisters. We will step up our diplomatic efforts to stop the massacre, restore calm, and re-establish the ceasefire." "STRENGTHENING OUR MILITARY AND INCREASING ITS DETERRENCE WILL CONTINUE TO BE OUR PRIORITY IN THE PERIOD AHEAD" Highlighting the impressive distance Turkiye has covered in defense industry, President Erdogan said: "Our heroic army, a source of pride for our nation, has become an effective force globally with the high deterrence capacity it has gained." Pointing out that the Turkish military contributes to peace in various regions of the world extending from Afghanistan to Somalia, from Iraq to Kosovo, President Erdogan stated: "We will continue to stand with our friends in every region where our friendship and support are sought. One of our main supporters in this process is the Turkish Armed Forces. Strengthening our military, increasing its deterrence, and boosting its capabilities will continue to be our priority in the period ahead." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK and EU to ramp up pressure on Russia and boost defence initiatives The EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas will meet the Foreign and Defence Secretaries in London to discuss coordinating cooperation on Ukraine. 17 March 2025 EU foreign affairs chief arrives in London for talks with Foreign and Defence Secretaries as joint efforts intensify to curb Russia's economy UK-EU foreign policy consultations will focus on united support for Ukraine, countering Russian hybrid threats and working to step up collective defence spending talks will underline need for a secure and prosperous Europe and UK - a foundation of the government's Plan for Change As part of the UK's commitment to strengthen ties with Europe and work together to secure the region's future, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, will arrive in London today (Tuesday 18 March) for discussions with the Foreign and Defence Secretaries on ways to dial up pressure on Russia and deliver just and lasting peace in Ukraine. The talks, part of a new era of UK-EU relations, will coordinate cooperation on Ukraine, and discuss efforts to increase economic pressure and ensure Russia pays for the damage it is causing to Ukraine - as well as stepping up action against hybrid threats, like cyberattacks, election interference and rampant Russian disinformation. As part of the government's commitment to increase defence spending and keep the British people safe and secure for generations to come, the Foreign Secretary and the High Representative will review efforts to boost European defence spending, including through innovative initiatives, and bolstering wider military readiness in support of NATO. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: A strong and secure Britain is a foundation of our Plan for Change. This cannot be achieved without strengthening our shared European security and coming together with our partners to ensure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. More than three years on since Putin's illegal full-scale invasion, we are facing a once-in-a-generation moment for our continent. It's vital we upgrade our partnership with the EU and work together to bring an end to this war and deliver security of all of our citizens. The UK and EU - along with other international partners - have already jointly imposed sanctions on Russia, depriving its economy of $450 billion since February 2022. Both have also worked together to train Ukrainian soldiers through the UK's Operation INTERFLEX and the EU's Military Advisory Mission to Ukraine, which between them have trained over 120,000 soldiers. The Chief of the Defence Staff will also host Kallas for a briefing from The Commander INTERFLEX and the EU's Liaison Officer for the Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine. Discussions will focus on around how to build on the success of Operation INTERFLEX by enhancing the training offered to Ukraine Defence Secretary John Healey said: This government is stepping up on European security; deepening our defence relationship with our EU and NATO allies is vital during this critical period. European security starts in Ukraine. The UK and EU are united in our resolve to back Ukraine with the military firepower they need to stand up to Russia's illegal invasion and secure a lasting peace. The talks build on the UK's increased engagement with the EU, after the Prime Minister joined European Council meetings in February and earlier this month, and EU Presidents von der Leyen and Costa attended the Leaders' Meeting on Ukraine in London. Ahead of the first UK-EU Summit on 19 May and the UK-hosted Berlin Process Summit later this year, discussions are expected to also include other areas of cooperation such as stability in the Western Balkans, where both the UK and EU play a leading role in maintaining peace and security. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PM call with Prime Minister Mitsotakis of Greece: 18 March 2025 The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, this afternoon. 18 March 2025 The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis this afternoon. The leaders discussed the Coalition of the Willing call that the Prime Minister chaired on Saturday, and both leaders agreed that all must work together to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position. The Prime Minister updated Prime Minister Mitsotakis on the upcoming military planning meeting taking place this week in the UK. He reiterated that Europe's defence and security is paramount, and both leaders agreed that the political momentum must continue to achieve a peace that will be secure and that will last. The Prime Minister underscored that the ball is in President Putin's court and that Russia must come to the table to accept the US ceasefire deal. They agreed to stay in touch. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Minister Tsahkna in Brussels: We need to increase pressure on Russia to achieve a lasting peace Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 18.03.2025 Today 17 March, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna attended a meeting of the European Union's Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, where the agenda included Russia's aggression against Ukraine, European-US relations, and the situation in the Middle East. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha joined the meeting via video and gave an overview of the situation on the front. Foreign Minister Tsahkna also attended the EU-organised annual conference for donors of Syria. Foreign Minister Tsahkna said that today's meeting focused mainly on continued assistance to Ukraine on the one hand, and raising the cost of the war for Russia on the other. "With its continued attacks against Ukraine, Russia is proving that it is not interested in peace. In these circumstances, we must continue providing military assistance to Ukraine and putting economic pressure on Russia to force it to change course," Tsahkna said, emphasising the need to start serious discussions about mobilizing the frozen sovereign assets of Russia. "The EU must act quickly to avoid a situation where in only a few months, Russia could be rewarded with the return of its frozen assets," Tsahkna said, referring to the possibility that due to the opposition of some EU member states, the sanctions imposed against Russia may not be extended and its assets may not remain frozen. "The frozen assets should be mobilised immediately and used for the benefit of Ukraine. The law adopted in Estonia last year proves that there are no legal impediments to this," the foreign minister emphasised. Tsahkna joined his Nordic and Baltic counterparts and the German foreign minister in a meeting with the EU's Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos in Brussels today to discuss further steps in Ukraine's path to EU membership. Additionally, he had a bilateral meeting with Adam Szlapka, Poland's Minister for European Affairs. The foreign minister also took part in the annual donors' conference for Syria, organised by the European Union to discuss the EU's future actions in relation to Syria. In February, the EU abolished several sanctions, including restrictions on energy, banking, transport, and reconstruction, that had been imposed against Syria previously. For the first time, Syria officially took part in the conference, represented by Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani. At the conference, Foreign Minister Tsahkna announced that Estonia would allocate 50 000 to support Syria, with a focus on education (including digital competence in education) and business. Around 17 million people need humanitarian aid and protection in Syria and 90% of the country is living in poverty. 13 million people suffer from food insecurity, there is a shortage of bread, fuel and other essentials, and living costs in Syria have tripled in the past three years. Nearly half of school-aged children have no access to education and 15 million people need healthcare assistance. The country is affected by large-scale displacement and a devasted economy, and homes, critical infrastructure and farmland have suffered extensive damage. Estonia is allocating humanitarian aid through its strategic partners Estonian Refugee Council and NGO Mondo. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The UN Commission: Russia continues perpetrating crimes against humanity in Ukraine through widespread, systematic and coordinated acts of torture and forced disappearances Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 18.03.2025 "Russian authorities have committed enforced disappearances and torture of the Ukrainian civilian population. Those crimes were perpetrated as part of a widespread, systematic attack and pursuant to a coordinated state policy, and therefore constitute crimes against humanity," the United Nations Independent International Commission on Ukraine has established. The Commission is to present its report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on 19 March 2025. !The livestream of a discussion on the Commission's report at the UN Human Rights Council can be watched on the UN Web TV site (https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1z/k1zx7l2v1g) starting from 10.30 EET on 19 March. Conclusions of the Commission's most recent report to the UN Human Rights Council Russian authorities had detained civilians for prolonged periods of time, transferred them to detention facilities in areas temporarily occupied by Russia or deported them to the Russian Federation, and systematically refused to provide information about the detainees to their families. A number of those detained died or were killed during that time. Displacement and deportation of civilian population is a war crime. In addition, Russian authorities have perpetrated other crimes, including wilful killings, torture, sexual violence, and forced labour. With most victims of enforced disappearances being men of fighting age, it was usually women who, while seeking refuge, searched for their missing male relatives and, in addition to working and caring for their children and loved ones, have had to invest considerable financial and time resources and overcome bureaucratic hurdles and the deliberate and collective policy of concealment of information by the Russian authorities. Often, in their search efforts, the women themselves became victims of sexual violence. Russian authorities applied torture in a coordinated manner and according to a division of labour among the entities involved. The most brutal forms of torture were used during interrogations. The Commission points to the Federal Security Service and the Investigative Committee directly answerable to the President of Russia as the entities ordering and carrying out torture. Further on, orders were also passed down to the Federal Penitentiary Services and the Russian Armed Forces. On earlier occasions, the Commission had already documented the use of sexual violence as a form of torture mostly against male detainees. In the present report, the Commission focuses on the perpetrators' treatment of women - humiliating them emotionally and degrading physically, causing serious damage to their health, and an indelible psychological harm. The brutality of Russian authorities also manifested itself on the battlefield. The Commission established that Russia's armed forces had received orders not to take prisoners and had perpetrated war crimes by killing the wounded and captured soldiers, as well as those who surrendered. At the conclusion of its report, the Commission sets out ten recommendations to Russia: among other things, to cease aggression, end the use of torture, prevent sexual violence, end enforced disappearances and transfers and deportations of civilians, end killing of wounded soldiers, ensure that the perpetrators of crimes are held accountable. The Commission recommends that UN Member States and organizations strengthen judicial and non-judicial accountability mechanisms, as well as providing support for the rehabilitation and reintegration of victims. The Interactive Dialogue with the Commission will include a statement by 25 EU Member States, a statement by the Baltic states and Nordic countries (NB8), and a statement by the Group of Friends of Accountability for the Aggression Against Ukraine. In all those statements, Latvia will strongly condemn the atrocities committed by Russia. At the conclusion of its 58th session in early April, the UN Human Rights Council is expected to adopt a resolution sponsored by Ukraine to extend the mandate of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine for another year. The Commission received its mandate in 2022, and has since submitted three reports to the UN Human Right Council and three reports to the UN General Assembly. The Commission is carrying out a very important work by collecting and documenting evidence of the violations of international law perpetrated by Russia. See the full text of the report here. Report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump and Putin hold phone talk, agree on 'energy and infrastructure ceasefire' in Ukraine Global Times By Global Times Published: Mar 19, 2025 09:33 AM US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin agreed in a phone call on Tuesday that the peace in Ukraine "will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire." They spoke about the need for peace and a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Both leaders agreed this conflict needs to end with a lasting peace. They also stressed the need for improved bilateral relations between the US and Russia, the White House said in a statement. Meanwhile, they agreed to "immediately" launch technical negotiations on the implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, as well as on the full ceasefire and permanent peace in Ukraine, according to the White House. It is not immediately clear how Ukraine will respond to the limited ceasefire plan. Kiev has said it is ready to accept the 30-day truce proposed by Trump, but the White House did not suggest that Putin had agreed to sign off on it, Xinhua reported. The White House also didn't mention if Putin, during the talk, demanded the suspension of foreign military aid to Ukraine during the ceasefire, nor issues on land concessions and the future of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, the largest nuclear facility in Europe, according to Xinhua. Putin "immediately gave the Russian military the appropriate command" in response to Trump's proposal for Russia and Ukraine to mutually stop striking energy infrastructures, the Kremlin's press service said after the phone call, according to Xinhua. "A future with an improved bilateral relationship between the United States and Russia has huge upside. This includes enormous economic deals and geopolitical stability when peace has been achieved," said the White House statement. Regarding Iran and the Middle East, the White House said "the two leaders shared the view that Iran should never be in a position to destroy Israel," while discussing US-Russia "potential cooperation" in the Middle East to prevent future conflicts in the region. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated UK's "unwavering support" for Ukraine in a phone talk with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday evening, according to a Downing Street statement. "The prime minister spoke to President Zelensky this evening. They discussed progress (US) President Trump had made towards a ceasefire in talks with Russia," the statement said. "President Zelensky updated on the situation on the frontline and the prime minister reiterated UK's unwavering support," the statement noted. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed on Tuesday that any peace negotiations regarding the conflict in Ukraine must fully involve the Ukrainian government. Referring to a phone call between Trump and Putin regarding a ceasefire in the energy and infrastructure sectors, Scholz described it as "a first important step" but stressed the need for a full ceasefire as soon as possible, according to Xinhua. French President Macron echoed this sentiment, affirming Europe's continued support for Ukraine to ensure a stable and lasting resolution. He welcomed the Trump-Putin discussions as "moving in the right direction," Xinhua reported. President Zelensky told reporters he hopes to learn details of the phone conversation between US President Trump and Russian President Putin from the US leader, TASS reported. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN migration agency forced to restructure amid significant budget cuts 18 March 2025 - The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is undertaking "essential structural adjustments" at its Geneva headquarters and globally, in response to a substantial 30 per cent reduction in donor support for 2025 - including a significant decrease in projects funded by the United States. The funding cuts have severe repercussions for vulnerable migrant communities, exacerbating humanitarian crises and undermining essential support systems for displaced populations, the UN agency said in a statement on Tuesday. The adjustments involve "scaling back or ending projects affecting over 6,000 staff members worldwide" and implementing a structural realignment at headquarters, reducing staffing by approximately 20 per cent - or more than 250 staff. Necessary measures "These measures are necessary to ensure that IOM can continue delivering lifesaving humanitarian assistance to migrants and vulnerable communities worldwide," the statement continued. "We aim to drive solutions for displaced populations and support governments in managing migration for the benefit of societies and migrants." IOM operates under a project-based funding model, established by its Member States, which allows for flexibility and responsiveness to global humanitarian needs. However, when funding for specific projects ends the impacts can be far-reaching, particularly for vulnerable communities with limited support options. The Organisation's priority remains serving vulnerable populations despite the constrained funding environment, the statement stressed. Affordability first To achieve this, IOM is moving positions to lower-cost regional offices and country missions, streamlining staffing, and identifying opportunities to better coordinate with other humanitarians. These decisions have been communicated to Member States and are built on the historic budget reform efforts passed by the IOM Council in 2022, IOM spelled out. "These changes will save costs and enable us to extend greater support globally, providing essential humanitarian assistance in crises worldwide," the statement said. The necessary adaptations will also enable IOM to develop new funding, maintain essential oversight and accountability, and streamline operations. Throughout this process, IOM has prioritised mitigating risks to both staff and operations by ensuring that reductions are applied strategically and in consultation with affected teams, while frontline assistance remains protected. Staff dedication deeply valued "We recognise the impact these decisions will have on colleagues who have dedicated years to IOM's mission," the statement underlined. "We deeply value the dedication and service of our staff, past and present, who have worked tirelessly to support migrants and displaced communities worldwide." At a time when conflict, climate-induced disasters, and economic instability are driving record levels of displacement, migration is central to global security, stability, and sustainable development. IOM called on the international community not to sideline migration governance. The agency said it remains committed to its core mission and ensuring that migration and displacement remain central to the global policy debate. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address SEOUL, South Korea, March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bedrock, the worlds first multi-asset liquidity restaking protocol, has announced a partnership with Pentabase, a leading Web3 marketing firm in Korea. Entered into a partnership with Pentabase , a leading Web3 marketing firm in Korea. , a leading Web3 marketing firm in Korea. Focused on expanding Bedrocks brand awareness and activating the community in the Korean market awareness and activating the community in the Korean market A representative stated, We plan to introduce Bedrocks innovative restaking solutions to Korean users. The partnership is focused on expanding Bedrocks brand awareness and activating its community in the Korean market, with plans to aggressively pursue business initiatives targeting the region. Bedrock, supported by OKX Ventures, Babylon co-founders, and other major investors, is pioneering the multi-asset liquidity restaking space. Initially launching uniETH on EigenLayer, it is now breaking new ground in the Bitcoin liquidity staking market with uniBTC. uniBTC is a Bitcoin-based liquidity staking token designed to allow BTC holders to earn rewards while maintaining liquidity. Currently, Bedrock has over $500 million in Total Value Locked (TVL), supporting assets including uniBTC, brBTC, uniETH, and uniIOTX. Through integrations with EigenLayer, Babylon, and IoTeX, it provides enhanced yields and security across chains. To build customized yield strategies for uniBTC holders, Bedrock collaborates with Uniswap, Curve, Compound, Pendle, Corn Protocol, Gearbox, and Morpho, and has partnered with key grant providers such as Arbitrum, Optimism, and Zeta Chain. As the finality provider for Babylons Cap1 program via RockX, Bedrock leverages five years of node operation experience to ensure low gas fees and zero slashing risks. This technical advantage helped Bedrock capture a 30% market share in Babylons Phase1 staking and achieve the highest points per stake in Cap2 performance, establishing itself as a market leader. Bedrocks brBTC, with over $140 million in TVL, is redefining Bitcoins utility in the BTCFi 2.0 era. By enabling cross-protocol restaking of Bitcoin derivatives, brBTC addresses liquidity fragmentation through unified strategies, expands income opportunities via multi-protocol access, and maximizes ecosystem efficiency through secure cross-platform integration, playing a key role in the BTCFi market. Additionally, Bedrocks robust security solutions, including audits from respected firms such as Peckshield and Blocksec, Chainlink integration, and 24/7 real-time monitoring, further strengthen asset protection. Pentabase , a leading Web3 marketing firm in Korea, specializes in the development and execution of marketing strategies for Web3 and blockchain projects, helping global blockchain projects enter the Korean market. With this partnership, Pentabase will focus on enhancing Bedrocks brand value and effectively communicating its restaking solutions to local users. A Bedrock representative stated, Korea is one of the key global markets with strong interest in blockchain and DeFi. Through this collaboration with Pentabase, we plan to engage more closely with the Korean community and introduce Bedrocks innovative restaking solutions. Contact Information Company Name: PENTABASE Contact Person: Noah Email: info@pentabase.io Company Website: https://pentabase.io/ Disclaimer: This press release is provided by PENTABASE. 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. Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an "as-is" basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b7153dd9-de99-4c0b-8919-e8a4728b5ee5 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1847c5c5-40ff-4597-9cb9-196f6ff6085e https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a692a435-40de-4280-be6f-738db5b1c03a Results expected in May 2025 Last patient in the U.S. in the ongoing NCX 470 Denali Phase 3 trial has also completed their last visit and results remain on track for Q3 2025 March 19, 2025 release at 7:30 am CET Sophia Antipolis, France Nicox SA (Euronext Growth Paris: FR0013018124, ALCOX), an international ophthalmology company, today announced that the last patient completed their final visit in the Whistler Phase 3b clinical trial investigating the dual mechanism of action (nitric oxide and prostaglandin analog) of NCX 470 in intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering. The Whistler Phase 3b trial enrolled 18 healthy volunteers with ocular hypertension in a double-masked, placebo-controlled study investigating the action of NCX 470 on aqueous humor parameters including trabecular meshwork outflow and episcleral venous pressure. Each subject participated in the trial for approximately 8 days. About NCX 470 NCX 470, Nicoxs lead clinical product candidate, is a novel NO-donating bimatoprost eye drop, currently in Phase 3 clinical development for the lowering of IOP in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Results of Mont Blanc, the first of the two Phase 3 clinical trials, have been extensively published and are available on our website. The second Phase 3 clinical trial, Denali, is currently ongoing. The last American patient in Denali has completed their final visit, with Chinese patients completing theirs, and the results are expected in Q3 2025. Mont Blanc and Denali have been designed to fulfill the regulatory requirements for safety and efficacy Phase 3 trials to support NDA submissions in both the U.S. and in China, where NCX 470 is exclusively licensed to Ocumension Therapeutics. NCX 470 is also licensed exclusively to Kowa for Japan. DENVER, March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With the imminent implementation of the European Union Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, new regulatory rules are set to accelerate sustained investment in cryptocurrency trading systems. In this evolving regulatory environment, ELTFV Exchange is actively expanding into the European market by establishing localized compliance teams in key regional hubs to better meet the regulatory requirements and trading needs of European users. The EU MiCA regulation is regarded as one of the most comprehensive cryptocurrency regulatory frameworks globally. Its core objective is to provide a unified legal framework for the crypto-asset industry, thereby enhancing market transparency, protecting investor interests, and preventing financial crimes. MiCA mandates that trading platforms strictly comply with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorist Financing (CTF) requirements while ensuring the safety of user funds. This necessitates that cryptocurrency exchanges upgrade their technological infrastructure, strengthen data protection, and enhance compliance audits. Adhering to its long-standing commitment to user security and compliance-driven operations, ELTFV Exchange is proactively addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by MiCA. The platform is gradually building compliance teams across major European markets. These teams, composed of experienced legal, financial, and technical experts, are dedicated to ensuring that all aspects of the platform operations align with the latest EU regulatory requirements. To better serve European users, ELTFV Exchange plans to launch more innovative financial products that comply with MiCA regulations in the near future, including stablecoins and tokenized assets. This initiative will not only expand the platform market reach but also provide users with a wider range of investment options. As the importance of the European market continues to grow, ELTFV Exchange will remain closely aligned with regulatory developments, adhering to a strategy of compliance and innovation. The platform aims to provide users with superior services and a safer trading environment. Looking ahead, ELTFV plans to establish strategic partnerships with multiple European financial institutions and technology companies to offer more diversified financial solutions, empowering investors with exceptional trading support in the rapidly evolving cryptocurrency market. Media Contact: Company: ELTFV Blockchain Service Limited Contact Person: Faiz Razak Position in the company: Marketing Director Email: faiz@eltfv.org Website: https://www.eltfv.org Disclaimer: This press release is provided by ELTFV Blockchain Service Limited. 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. Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an "as-is" basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e39055db-1662-4a5d-b2ce-35457b6f318e VICTORIA, Seychelles, March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MEXC, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, announced the launch of DEX+, the market's first innovative CEX and DEX hybrid product that provides a seamless, one-stop experience for both on-chain and off-chain trading. This development marks a significant milestone in the evolution of hybrid crypto trading platforms. DEX+ allows users to trade directly on decentralized exchanges (DEXs) through the MEXC app and website, offering access to a wide range of on-chain assets. The initial version of DEX+ will support the Solana ecosystem, enabling users to trade over 10,000 tokens available on Raydium and pump.fun, with future expansion to additional DEXs and blockchain networks, with support for the BSC chain launching on March 26, allowing users to trade trending assets on BSC soon. DEX+ stands out by addressing many of the common pain points faced by users on traditional DEX platforms. Conventional DEX interfaces require users to navigate multi-step interactions with complex on-chain processes such as token approvals, transaction signings, and cryptocurrency swaps. MEXC's DEX+ simplifies this process entirely. Users can transfer funds directly into their DEX+ account and execute buy and sell orders without dealing with intricate on-chain operations. This approach makes decentralized trading more accessible, especially for new crypto users. "MEXC's DEX+ bridges the gap between centralized efficiency and decentralized freedom. Despite the growing popularity of DEXs, the lack of user-friendly interfaces and high transaction fees remain a significant hindrance to widespread adoption. Through DEX+, MEXC aims to solve these issues by providing a familiar, CEX-like trading experience while retaining the benefits of accessing on-chain assets. Users can seamlessly switch between centralized exchange and DEX+ features," said Tracy Jin, COO of MEXC. MEXC is dedicated to offering a diverse range of accessible assets through its listing strategy and innovative products, all while ensuring top-tier security for its users . MEXC delivers comprehensive custodial wallet management for DEX+ users, ensuring security at an institutional level. Additionally, the platform offers Proof of Reserves , ensuring asset integrity and exceptional transparency. Users' assets are backed 1:1, and customer fund compensation requirements are fully covered. This dual-layer protection ensures unmatched security for user assets. Furthermore, MEXC announced its collaboration with GoPlus, an independent third-party security provider that inspects the safety of all trading pairs listed on the platform. This added measure boosts user confidence and transparency, allowing them to trade with greater assurance and peace of mind. Moving forward, MEXC's DEX+ is expected to play a pivotal role in the continued growth of DeFi and DEX ecosystems. As more users transition toward decentralized trading platforms, integrating CEX and DEX models will become increasingly important. With DEX+, MEXC strives to stand at the forefront of this innovative trend. To celebrate the successful launch of DEX+, MEXC is pleased to announce its incentive program: new users completing trades of 100 USDT or more on the DEX+ platform will be eligible to receive a 20 USDT reward. For more details, please visit: https://www.mexc.com/dex-rewards . About MEXC Founded in 2018, MEXC is dedicated to being "Your Easiest Way to Crypto." Known for its extensive selection of trending tokens, airdrop opportunities, and low fees, MEXC serves over 34 million users across 170+ countries. With a focus on accessibility and efficiency, our advanced trading platform appeals to both new traders and seasoned investors alike. MEXC provides a seamless, secure, and rewarding gateway to the world of digital assets. For more information, visit: MEXC Website X Telegram How to Sign Up on MEXC For media inquiries, please contact MEXC PR Manager Lucia Hu: lucia.hu@mexc.com Disclaimer: This press release is provided by MEXC. 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. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an "as-is" basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6a38849c-6875-4997-9c07-705dcab201f4 TALLINN, Estonia, March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In an impressive showcase of investor confidence, Xrpturbo (XRT) has surged past a key milestone, raising over 100,000 XRP in its rapidly progressing presale. With momentum continuing to build, the project is now preparing to unveil a highly anticipated demo of its innovative AI-powered launchpad on the XRP blockchain. [ Buy XRT Tokens ] Xrpturbos Rapid Presale SuccessInvestors Rush to Join Since the presale began, Xrpturbo has quickly captivated the attention of crypto investors and XRP enthusiasts alike. Already surpassing 100,000 XRP raised, it has sold over 30% of its presale hard cap of 300,000 XRP in just a matter of days. Investors eager to capitalize on the emerging AI-agent crypto trend are fueling this remarkable growth, clearly identifying Xrpturbo as one of the hottest XRP-based investment opportunities for 2025. Introducing XrpturboAI Innovation Meets XRP Blockchain Xrpturbo is the XRP blockchains first-ever dedicated AI-Agent launchpad. Its groundbreaking platform is designed to simplify and enhance decentralized finance (DeFi) applications by enabling users and project teams to create advanced AI-driven agents. These AI agents can automate complex tasks, such as executing trades, managing smart contracts, analyzing market data, and handling real-time social media engagement. With Xrpturbos launchpad, Web3 projects can effortlessly tokenize ownership of their products and AI agents, selling these tokens directly to investors. Why Investors Are Rushing To Acquire $XRT Tokens At the core of Xrpturbos rapidly expanding ecosystem is its native $XRT utility token , limited to a total supply of only 100 million tokens. This capped supply structure ensures long-term scarcity, driving sustainable demand and potential value appreciation. $XRT tokens offer multiple lucrative benefits: Priority Launchpad Access: Investors holding a minimum amount of $XRT tokens receive early access to new, high-potential AI and Real-World Asset (RWA) projects launching on the Xrpturbo platform. Staking Rewards & Revenue Sharing: Token holders can stake their $XRT to earn passive income from platform-generated fees, promoting long-term holding and incentivizing community growth. Exclusive Utility: Fees on the platform, including token minting and locking tools, are paid exclusively in $XRT tokens, creating continuous token demand. 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A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a3acdf1d-8509-442d-8018-5499c8bdf430 CASTRIES, Saint Lucia, March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PrimeXBT , a regulated global multi-asset broker, has introduced a new benefit to its Rewards Center in the form of cashback. Clients can now get back up to 20% of their trading fees and CFD spreads, with the amount being credited directly to their USDT or USD wallets (T&Cs apply). With this update, the broker aims to provide even more value for traders, who can now convert their rewards into real, usable funds, helping offset trading costs. Traders can claim cashback on any trades made from 18 February onwards. The amount available depends on their Rewards Center balance at the time of redemption. For example, if a client has paid 100 USDT in fees, they would be eligible for 20 USDT cashback. However, if the clients Reward Center balance was below 20 USDT, they would only be able to redeem an amount equal to their balance. At PrimeXBT, weve always focused on putting our clients needs first. Were committed to consistently providing them with added value through innovations like our Rewards Center. With the introduction of cashback, traders have a new way to redeem rewards, providing them with added flexibility and the ability to optimise their trading strategies, a PrimeXBT spokesperson said. The Rewards Centre is designed to provide traders with valuable incentives that can be used for trading. By completing Trader Tasks, participating in Trade & Earn campaigns, and claiming the Welcome Bonus users can earn up to $6100 in rewards which can be converted into Cashback or redeemed as a Deposit Bonus to increase trading balance by up to 20%, giving them additional funds to trade with. This reward model not only enhances trading opportunities but also encourages traders to develop their skills and market knowledge, creating a more engaging and rewarding trading experience. As traders and investors continue searching for the best trading conditions, PrimeXBT stands out for its trader-first approach. Innovative products like its Rewards Center and the recent introduction of Cashback prove the brokers dedication to giving clients more for less. With such a strong focus on traders needs, PrimeXBT continues to offer one of the most rewarding trading experiences available. To learn more users can visit PrimeXBT Disclaimer: The content provided here is for informational purposes only and is not intended as personal investment advice and does not constitute a solicitation or invitation to engage in any financial transactions, investments, or related activities. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. The financial products offered by the Company are complex and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. These products may not be suitable for all investors. Before engaging, you should consider whether you understand how these leveraged products work and whether you can afford the high risk of losing your money. The Company does not accept clients from the Restricted Jurisdictions as indicated on its website. Some services or products may not be available in your jurisdiction. Contact PrimeXBT pr@primexbt.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7d53f74d-0e0f-433f-96db-5a8177925741 CEOs representing Canadas energy industry released a letter to Canadian federal political leaders outlining an urgent action plan to strengthen Canadian economic sovereignty, through our energy industry. The open letter calls for a rapid, dramatic regulatory restructuring to enable investment in critical oil and natural gas infrastructure across Canada. OTTAWA, Ontario, March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This morning, an open letter from 14 CEOs representing the four largest pipeline companies and 10 largest oil and natural gas companies was delivered to Canadas political party leaders. This is in answer to inquiries on how Canada can respond to escalating global energy security challenges and the urgent need for pragmatic energy strategies. To read the full letter and view the signatories, please visit: http://www.tcenergy.com/open-letter-to-party-leaders Build Canada Now Its time for Canadians to claim our economic sovereignty. In recent months, each of us have been asked what needs to happen to ensure Canada has control over its economic destiny, and what we can do to make sure we have full access to global markets and trade. We are saying its time to roll up our sleeves as a country, and build needed energy structure, says Adam Waterous, Executive Chairman, Strathcona Resources Ltd. Canadians now recognize the need for us to grow our energy sector and build energy infrastructure, including new oil and natural gas pipelines, and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) export terminals. They want a country-wide push to champion our products and pipelines, and to unleash the potential of our natural resources. Everyone wants our country to continue to prosper and our export-focused economy to grow, he adds. Canada has vast reserves of oil and natural gas, and credible forecasts predict they will remain amongst the worlds largest sources of energy for decades to come. Canada can provide for its own domestic needs, while also exporting around the world. The country can be a leader in global energy security by being a provider of affordable, lower emission, democratically and responsibly produced energy. Canada can compete against any major global energy producer. Realizing Canadas opportunity will take collaboration between industry, government and Canadians. Today, the federal government does not have the right policies, or the regulatory framework to support oil and natural gas investment. Delays in permitting processes for critical infrastructure often results in billions in lost economic opportunities for Canadians. Its time for change. These are barriers we have imposed on ourselves that need to be removed, now, says Francois Poirier, President and Chief Executive Officer, TC Energy. An action plan for Canadian leaders The letter outlines a clear plan with five calls for action. For the oil and natural gas sector to expand and for energy infrastructure to be built, Canadas federal political leaders need to: Simplify regulation. The federal governments Impact Assessment Act and West Coast tanker ban are impeding development and need to be overhauled and simplified. Regulatory processes need to be streamlined, and decisions need to withstand judicial challenges. The federal governments Impact Assessment Act and West Coast tanker ban are impeding development and need to be overhauled and simplified. Regulatory processes need to be streamlined, and decisions need to withstand judicial challenges. Commit to firm deadlines for project approvals. The federal government needs to reduce regulatory timelines so that major projects are approved within 6 months of application. The federal government needs to reduce regulatory timelines so that major projects are approved within 6 months of application. Grow production. The federal governments unlegislated cap on emissions must be eliminated to allow the sector to reach its full potential. The federal governments unlegislated cap on emissions must be eliminated to allow the sector to reach its full potential. Attract investment. The federal carbon levy on large emitters is not globally cost competitive and should be repealed to allow provincial governments to set more suitable carbon regulations. The federal carbon levy on large emitters is not globally cost competitive and should be repealed to allow provincial governments to set more suitable carbon regulations. Incent Indigenous co-investment opportunities. The federal government needs to provide Indigenous loan guarantees at scale so industry may create infrastructure ownership opportunities to increase prosperity for communities and to ensure that Indigenous communities benefit from development. All CEO signatories of the letter are ready and willing to engage so that energy projects move forward promptly, and construction of critical infrastructure can begin for the benefit of Canada and all Canadians. -30- Media Inquiries: Media Relations media@tcenergy.com 403-920-7859 or 800-608-7859 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1a4b87ee-4ff8-454a-a69b-bc80d7485bcf PDF available: http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/cdb8d38d-0f01-4259-ab70-aafa5e1cae4c ROCHELLE PARK, N.J., March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ZRG, the fastest-growing full-service global talent advisory firm, announced today the appointment of Bennett B. Borden to its Board of Directors. A pioneer at the intersection of AI, data science, and ethics, Borden brings a deep understanding of how organizations can harness AI to transform decision-making, optimize human capital, and navigate the complexities of algorithmic governance. Borden, an attorney, data scientist, and AI strategist, has built a career advising Fortune 500 companies, global technology leaders, and government agencies on how to leverage AI while mitigating risk. His expertise spans industries including technology, insurance, financial services, healthcare, and life sciences, helping companies deploy AI responsibly and profitably. Bennett doesnt just understand AIhe understands its impact on leadership, decision-making, and business transformation, said Larry Hartmann, CEO of ZRG. AI is reshaping the workforce, and we want to be at the forefront of that conversation. With Bennett on our Board, were doubling down on our commitment to helping clients navigate the new realities of talent, leadership, and digital strategy. Bordens career began at the CIA, where he used machine learning and data analytics to predict and influence organizational behavior. As a partner at some of the worlds most prestigious law firmsincluding Gibson Dunn, Drinker Biddle & Reath, and DLA Piperhe has counseled major enterprises and government agencies on AI compliance, algorithmic fairness, and data strategy. He has also built and led AI-powered legal and risk solutions, auditing enterprise AI models for bias, transparency, and operational risk. Most recently, Borden founded Clarion AI Partners, a firm dedicated to helping organizations establish strategic AI frameworks and responsible AI development. He was previously recognized by The Financial Times for his groundbreaking work in data analytics and machine learning. AI is changing everythinghow we lead, how we hire, how we make decisions, said Borden. ZRG is already ahead of the curve in integrating data-driven talent solutions, and Im excited to help push that vision even further. The firms that adapt fastest to AIs potential will outpace their competitors in ways weve never seen before. Bordens appointment reinforces ZRGs position as the leading modern talent advisory firm that blends AI, human intelligence, and proprietary insights to help organizations build high-performing teams. One of the most important roles for a companys Board and executives is to set AI strategy, ensuring there are processes in place for the company to make well informed decisions about whether and how to utilize AI safely and effectively, Borden said. Successful firms must oversee the operation of AI-based solutions by establishing mechanisms that provide sufficient information that results in the intended outcomes without causing unintended harm. AI presents opportunities for competitive advantage and innovation while also presenting significant potential for risks. Boards and corporate leaders need to assess the impact of AI on corporate strategy and risk, he added. Borden graduated with highest honors from George Mason University with a B.A. in Government and International Politics. He went on to earn his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center, where he graduated cum laude and was a Legal Writing Fellow. He later earned his Master of Science (MSc) Business Analytics from NYUs Stern School of Business. About ZRG ZRG is a global talent advisory firm that is changing the way companies hire and manage talent. ZRGs data-driven approach to executive and professional search has been changing the way clients think about how to find top talent. The companys digital Zi platform combines talent intelligence, candidate insights, and process improvement to dramatically deliver executive searches quicker and with proven better results. Today, with the help of private equity investor RFE Investment Partners, ZRG is among the fastest growing firms in the search industry and provides a full suite of retained search, on-demand talent, and consulting and advisory solutions across the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Australia. Media Contact : John Mooney, Over the Moon PR, 908-720-6057, john@overthemoonpr.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0ac8063f-dfc9-4c9d-a937-fde83699adf1 ORLANDO, Fla., March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Temenos (SIX: TEMN), a market leader in banking technology, today announced the opening of a new Innovation Hub in Central Floridabringing its technology development closer to US clients and accelerating the future of banking. Expanding its US footprint, Temenos will recruit approximately 200 technology and product developers at the new hub, fueling cutting-edge research and development for US-specific banking solutions powered by transformative technologies like Generative AI (GenAI). This modern, collaborative space is designed for hands-on co-innovation, enabling Temenos, its clients, and partners to work side by side in developing real-world banking solutions. Financial institutions visiting the hub will gain direct access to the latest technology and work alongside Temenos experts to shape the next generation of banking. Jean-Pierre Brulard, CEO, Temenos, said: Were delighted to launch our Innovation Hub in Central Florida, a growing tech center that provides access to top talent. This investment is in line with our strategy and commitment to the US market, further investing in our product, expanding our go-to-market capabilities and scaling through strategic partnerships. By bringing our technology development closer to our American clients, were accelerating customer-centric innovation tailored for the US market. Barb Morgan, Chief Product & Technology Officer, Temenos, commented: The Temenos Innovation Hub is a game-changer for Temenos and our US clients. With our relentless focus on innovationinvesting around 20% of revenues in R&Dthis center will be a powerhouse for building the future of banking. Its not just about showcasing our market-leading solutions; its about collaborating with our clients and partners to solve real challenges and drive the next wave of banking technology with our US clients and partners. Temenos has engaged with the Orlando Economic Partnership (OEP) to facilitate the opening of the new Innovation Hub. This partnership will help Temenos to build stronger relationships with the tech community in Central Florida, access top talent and make the most of incentives such as training grants. Temenos joins a number of leading high-tech firms and banks in Central Florida with easy access to the thriving tech ecosystem and the wider Florida High Tech Corridor. As the ninth-fastest growing place in the United States1, Orlando is emerging as a major technology center with tech job growth projected at 27% by 20302. The area benefits from the presence of The University of Central Florida (UCF), one of the USs largest universities, and a number of STEM-focused institutions. This will give Temenos access to a large pool of top tech talent, as well as the potential for partnerships to drive future innovation. Tim Giuliani, President and CEO of the Orlando Economic Partnership, said: With strong infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and an expanding tech ecosystem, Central Florida is a prime location for tech companies looking to grow and innovate. We are pleased to see Temenos expanding in our region, and our team at the Orlando Economic Partnership is proud to continue supporting their expansion by connecting them to the right locations and resources. The investment in its Innovation Hub will create hundreds of high-skilled jobs and further strengthens our reputation as the destination for innovation in financial services. About Temenos Temenos (SIX: TEMN) is the worlds leading platform for banking, serving clients in 150 countries by helping them build new banking services and state-of-the-art customer experiences. Top performing banks using Temenos software achieve cost-income ratios almost half the industry average and returns on equity 2x the industry average. Their IT spend on growth and innovation is also 2x the industry average. For more information, please visit www.temenos.com. ____________________________ 1 https://realestate.usnews.com/places/rankings/fastest-growing-places 2 https://www.cio.com/article/304356/10-fastest-growing-us-tech-hubs-for-it-talent.html Dublin, March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Main Battle Tanks - Market and Technology Forecast to 2032" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The report provides a concise overview of the current technology in main battle tanks, along with anticipated future developments in the sector. It explores the various forces shaping the market, including technological advancements, regulatory environments, and the strategic dynamics among competing firms. The analysis delves into how the market is structured regionally, identifying key competitors and outlining the market's competitive landscape across different geographic areas. The main battle tank (MBT) market is poised for significant growth, driven by evolving global security dynamics. Factors such as the war in Ukraine and China's rising influence have shifted military force structures from counterinsurgency operations to preparing for high-intensity conflicts, making MBTs indispensable on modern battlefields. These tanks provide critical capabilities, including direct fire support, infantry protection, and mobility. However, they are not standalone assets and must operate alongside mechanized infantry forces for optimal effectiveness. Despite their advantages, MBTs face substantial challenges, primarily the high costs of acquisition and maintenance. Many armies grapple with low tank availability due to expensive maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) processes, while the cost of new MBTs continues to rise. Some nations have turned to acquiring used tanks for upgrades, but this option is increasingly limited as available inventory diminishes. This gap presents opportunities for manufacturers offering competitive prices or "hot transfers" of equipment from national military inventories when available. The war in Ukraine has further highlighted the defence industry's struggle to meet increased demand for tanks, upgrades, and spare parts. Post-Cold War defence spending cuts left many production lines insufficient for the current surge in demand. Addressing this requires partnerships and investments in expanded production capabilities. However, uncertainties about post-conflict military spending make such investments risky. Historical examples, such as Germany's scaled-down procurement programs, underscore the financial and political uncertainties facing defence companies. The MBT market remains highly competitive, fragmented, and politically influenced. Nations aim to maximize returns on these expensive investments, often through collaborations and joint ventures. However, this trend poses challenges to traditional manufacturers, potentially disrupting established industry dynamics. In this evolving environment, the MBT market must navigate financial, political, and operational uncertainties to meet growing global defence needs. Key Topics Covered: 1 Executive Summary 1.1 Trends and Insights 1.2 Main Findings 1.2.1 Main Battle Tanks market summary by Region 1.2.2 Main Battle Tanks market summary by Contract Type 1.2.3 Main Battle Tanks market summary by Type 1.3 Key Conclusions 2 Introduction 2.1 Scope 2.2 Definitions 2.3 Methodology 2.3.1 Methodology of the report 2.4 Who will benefit from this study? 3 Technologies and Developments 3.1 Main battle tanks operational concepts 3.1.1 Armoured and mechanized formations ORBAT 3.1.2 Mobile Firepower Platforms (MFP) / Light Tanks 3.2 Main battle tanks design considerations 3.2.1 Situational Awareness 3.2.2 Tactics 3.2.3 Signature Management 3.2.4 Countermeasures 3.2.5 Counter-UAS Protection 3.2.6 Active Protection 3.2.7 Armour 3.2.8 Mitigate 3.3 Autonomy and Manned-Unmanned Teaming 3.4 Remotely operated turrets 4 Market Overview 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Main battle tanks market volume distribution over forecast period by Region 4.3 Competitive landscape 4.3.1 North America 4.3.2 Europe 4.3.3 Asia-Pacific 4.4 Impact of the war in Ukraine 5 Market Dynamics and Forecast Factors 5.1 Market Segmentation 5.2 Drivers 5.3 Trends 5.4 Opportunities 5.5 Challenges 6 Country Analysis 6.1 Overview 6.2 North America 6.2.1 United States 6.2.2 Canada 6.3 Europe 6.3.1 Austria 6.3.2 Cyprus 6.3.3 Czech Republic 6.3.4 France & Germany - Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) 6.3.5 Italy 6.3.6 Lithuania 6.3.7 United Kingdom 6.3.8 Netherlands 6.3.9 Poland 6.4 Asia 6.4.1 Japan 6.4.2 Singapore 6.4.3 Taiwan 6.5 Middle East and Africa 6.5.1 Bahrain 6.5.2 Egypt 6.5.3 Israel 6.6 Latin America 6.6.1 Brazil 6.6.2 Peru 7 Market Forecast to 2033 by Region 7.1 Main Battle Tanks Market by Region overview 7.2 Main Battle Tanks market Region by Contract Type overview 7.2.1 North America market by Contract Type overview 7.2.2 Europe market by Contract Type overview 7.2.3 Asia-Pacific market by Contract Type overview 7.2.4 Middle-East & Africa market by Contract Type overview 7.2.5 Latin America market by Contract Type overview 7.3 Main Battle Tanks market Region by Type overview 7.3.1 North America market by Type overview 7.3.2 Europe market by Type overview 7.3.3 Asia-Pacific market by Type overview 7.3.4 Middle-East & Africa market by Type overview 7.3.5 Latin America market by Type overview 7.4 Opportunity Analysis 8 Market Forecast to 2033 by Contract Type 8.1 Main Battle Tanks Market by Contract Type overview 8.2 Main Battle Tanks market Contract Type by Region overview 8.2.1 New market by Region overview 8.2.2 Upgrade market by Region overview 8.2.3 Used market by Region overview 8.3 Main Battle Tanks market Contract Type by Type overview 8.3.1 New market by Type overview 8.3.2 Upgrade market by Type overview 8.3.3 Used market by Type overview 8.4 Opportunity Analysis 9 Market Forecast to 2033 by Type 9.1 Main Battle Tanks Market by Type overview 9.2 Main Battle Tanks market Type by Region overview 9.2.1 Main Battle Tank market by Region overview 9.2.2 Armoured Recovery Vehicle market by Region overview 9.2.3 Armoured Engineering Vehicle market by Region overview 9.3 Main Battle Tanks market Type by Contract Type overview 9.3.1 Main Battle Tank market by Contract Type overview 9.3.2 Armoured Recovery Vehicle market by Contract Type overview 9.3.3 Armoured Engineering Vehicle market by Contract Type overview 9.4 Opportunity analysis 10 Leading Companies 10.1 General Dynamics Land Systems 10.1.1 Introduction 10.1.2 Products and Services 10.1.3 Recent Developments and Contracts 10.1.4 SWOT Analysis 10.2 BAE Systems 10.3 Hyundai Rotem 10.4 KNDS 10.5 Hanwha 10.6 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries 10.7 Iveco 10.8 BMC 11 Results and Conclusions Full List of Companies Featured BAE Systems BMC Elbit Systems EODH General Dynamics Land Systems Hanwha Defense Hyundai Rotem IMI KNDS Deutschland KDNS France Komatsu Leonardo Leonardo DRS Mitsubishi Heavy Industries PGZ Group Rafael Defense RBSL Rheinmetall RITEK Thales Australia For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/mz5q4w About ResearchAndMarkets.com VIENNA, Va., March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Castellum, Inc. (the Company and Castellum) (NYSE-American: CTM), a cybersecurity, electronic warfare, and software services company focused on the federal government, today announced the closing of its previously announced public offering of 4,500,000 Units at a public offering price of $1.00 per Unit. Each unit consisted of one share of common stock and one warrant to purchase one share of common stock. The warrants are immediately exercisable at $1.08 per share and will expire 60 days from the date of issuance. The shares of common stock and warrants are immediately separable and were issued separately. Gross proceeds from the offering were approximately $4.5 million before deducting placement agent fees and offering expenses. Castellum intends to use the net proceeds of the offering for working capital and general corporate purposes. Maxim Group LLC acted as the sole placement agent, on a reasonable best-efforts basis for the offering. A shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-284205) relating to the securities being offered was previously filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) and became effective on January 24, 2025. The shares of common stock and shares underlying the warrants were offered only by means of a prospectus. A preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to and describing the terms of the public offering have been filed with the SEC. A final prospectus supplement and an accompanying prospectus relating to the offering has been filed with the SEC and is available on the SECs website at www.sec.gov . Copies of the final prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to the public offering may be obtained by contacting Maxim Group LLC, at 300 Park Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10022, Attention: Prospectus Department, or by telephone at (212) 895-3745 or by email at syndicate@maximgrp.com. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction. About Castellum, Inc. Castellum, Inc. (NYSE-American: CTM) is a defense-oriented technology company that is executing strategic acquisitions in the cybersecurity, MBSE, and information warfare areas - http://castellumus.com/. Forward-Looking Statements: This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, based on current expectations and assumptions concerning future events or future performance of the company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are only predictions and speak only as of the date hereof. Words such as will, would, believe, and expects, and similar language or phrasing are indicative of forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are outside of the Companys control, that could cause actual results to differ (sometimes materially) from the results expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, including, among others: the Companys ability to close the described equity financing; its ability to effectively integrate and grow its acquired companies; its ability to identify additional acquisition targets and close additional acquisitions; the impact on the Companys revenue due to a delay in the U.S. Congress approving a federal budget; and the Companys ability to maintain the listing of its common stock on the NYSE American LLC. In evaluating such statements, prospective investors should review carefully various risks and uncertainties identified in Item 1A. Risk Factors section of the Companys recently filed Form 10-Q, Item 1A. "Risk Factors in the Companys most recent Form 10-K, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission which can be viewed at www.sec.gov. These risks and uncertainties, or not closing the described potential equity financing in this press release, could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Except to the extent required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, a change in events, conditions, circumstances or assumptions underlying such statements, or otherwise. Contact: Glen Ives President and Chief Executive Officer Phone: (703) 752-6157 Info@castellumus.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a0792b57-251a-4b24-8adf-09fcf21736c1 San Francisco, CA, March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Evinova, a global clinical trial technology company with proven published outcomes for sponsors, sites and patients, announced today an agreement with Quantum Leap Healthcare Collaborative (QLHC) to incorporate Evinovas remote patient monitoring (RPM) solution into I-SPY 2.2. I-SPY 2.2 is the largest and longest-running 'platform' trial that provides a framework to study multiple novel therapeutic treatment arms for women with newly diagnosed, locally advanced breast cancer. Evinovas RPM module will be used to alert healthcare professionals of early symptoms of interstitial lung disease (ILD), a potential adverse event for one treatment arm in the study. One of the primary goals of I-SPY 2.2 is to get better treatments to patients faster and with fewer side effects. New bispecific antibodies and antibody drug conjugates have the promise of eliminating traditional chemotherapy, but they too are associated with potential serious side effects. One of those complications is ILD, but early identification may be the key to preventing it from becoming a serious complication. Evinova makes it possible for us to monitor people using the drug every day, from the comfort of their home. Using Evinovas RPM solution in the study will help us, as providers, to identify and intervene early when ILD symptoms initially present. We are studying how this solution can improve the patient experience and minimize toxicity that is what we all want to achieve, said Dr. Laura Esserman, founder of the I-SPY trials and QLHC. Evinovas RPM solution enables real-time monitoring of patients' health status and treatment intake between clinical visits and alerts healthcare providers of the potential onset or worsening of symptoms related to a potential toxicity, in this case ILD. With this information, healthcare providers can triage patients in need of further clinical evaluation and intervene promptly based on guidelines, potentially reducing the likelihood of progression to high-grade ILD and dose reduction, hold or interruption of treatment. With real-time alerts to both patients and sites, Evinovas RPM solution for toxicity monitoring enables care teams to review and take proactive actions based on guidelines said Cristina Duran, President, Evinova. At Evinova, were passionate about accelerating better health outcomes through technology like RPM that enables global life science leaders to overcome critical research challenges and deliver a better clinical trial experience for both sites and patients. In addition to pulmonary toxicity monitoring, Evinova has RPM modules for gastrointestinal, stomatitis and oral thrush symptom monitoring, with more in development based on patient need and drug side effect profiles. About Evinova Evinova is a global health-tech business, accelerating the delivery of better health outcomes by propelling the life sciences sector forward in digital health, from the inside. Through our application of science-based expertise, evidence-led rigour and human experience-driven insight, our digital solutions are deliberately designed so that everyone can reach better health outcomes together. Evinova is a separate health-tech business within the AstraZeneca Group. Please visit Evinova.com or follow the company on social media @Evinova. About Quantum Leap Healthcare Collaborative Quantum Leap Healthcare Collaborative (QLHC) is a 501c(3). It is nonprofit pioneer that designs, implements, and succeeds at building and iterating creative and nimble solutions that drive meaningful results for patients. Our mission is to better serve patients by accelerating and innovating health care through approaches that challenge the status quo of science and care. All our efforts focus on achieving our long-term vision to improve human health for all through personalized medicine by bridging the gap between research and care. QLHC provides operational, financial, and regulatory oversight to I-SPY. For more information, visit https://www.quantumleaphealth.org/. Attachment MONTREAL, March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HPQ Silicon Inc. (HPQ or the Company) ( TSX-V: HPQ , OTCQB: HPQFF , FRA: O08 ), a technology company specializing in green engineering processes is excited to update shareholders on the latest battery results at the 1,000-cycle milestone [1] from its France-based affiliate, NOVACIUM SAS (Novacium). The Novacium GEN3 18650 batteries demonstrate exceptional performance, maintaining a capacity of over 3,000 mAh even after 1,000 cycles. Impressively, these batteries retain approximately 80% of their original capacity at this milestone, delivering 18% more capacity than traditional graphite benchmark batteries. This translates into a substantial cumulative energy gain of 30% over graphite-based alternatives after 1,000 cycles [1]. Excellent capacity behaviour during testing Batteries with Novacium GEN3 silicon-based anode material exhibit a slow and linear capacity decrease over their lifespan (1,000 cycles). This sets them apart from most similar batteries, which typically experience a rapid capacity drop within the first hundred cycles before the decline slows down. A linear degradation profile is advantageous as it enables precise modeling of capacity retention over time, facilitating more accurate lifetime performance predictions. Additionally, it maximizes cumulative energy throughput by mitigating early-stage capacity losses, thereby enhancing overall battery efficiency and longevity. Reaching the 1,000-cycle milestone with such outstanding results [1], especially under a realistic testing protocol, is a powerful validation of Novaciums unique and commanding expertise in blending proprietary advanced silicon-based materials with high-grade artificial graphite. This combination creates an anode material that can be seamlessly integrated into commercial lithium-ion batteries, regardless of their size (18650, 21700, 26650, or 4680), said Dr. Jed Kraiem, COO of Novacium. Furthermore, the strength of these results is being reinforced by a new series of tests, for which results which will be communicated very soon. Unmatched Performance of GEN3 Silicon-Anode Material Graph 1A presents the absolute variation in battery capacity (in mAh) of the 100% graphite reference (the blue line) and GEN3 batteries (the yellow line), over 1,000 cycles [1]. Additionally, Graph 1B highlights the relative capacity variation for the same batteries used in Graph 1A. Unmatched Performance at 1,000-cycle At the 1,000-cycle mark, 18650 batteries equipped with Novacium's GEN3 silicon-based anode materials continue to deliver exceptional performance, maintaining capacities exceeding 3,000 milliampere-hours (mAh) and retaining roughly 80% of their original capacity. In comparison, benchmark batteries made with high-grade artificial graphite provide approximately 2,500 mAh, highlighting GEN3's notable 18% capacity advantage [1]. In total energy throughput, Novacium's GEN3 batteries delivered around 3,500 Ampere-hours (Ah) over 1,000 cycles compared to about 2,700 Ah from graphite-based batteries, marking over a 30% increase in total energy output [1]. Graph 1B illustrates this advantage by comparing the relative capacity retention over 1,000 cycles for batteries using Novacium's GEN3 material against the graphite benchmark batteries. The GEN3 batteries demonstrate a more stable degradation profile, underscoring significant progress in material reliability and performance. Further context highlights GEN3s performance advantage when compared to widely used commercial 18650 cells: Panasonic NCR18650GA (3,500 mAh): Retains 70% capacity after ~300 cycles [2,3] , At 300 cycles, the GEN3 battery capacity was around 94% [6 ] . Retains 70% capacity after ~300 cycles , LG MJ1 (3,500 mAh): Retains between 70% and 80% capacity between 300 and 400 cycles [3,4] , Between 300 and 400 cycles, the GEN3 battery capacity was between 92% and 94.5% [6 ] Retains between 70% and 80% capacity between 300 and 400 cycles , Samsung 30Q (3,000 mAh): Retains ~60% capacity after 250 cycles [5] , At 250 cycles, the GEN3 battery capacity was around 96% [6 ] . Retains ~60% capacity after 250 cycles , These benchmarks clearly position Novaciums GEN3 technology as a superior, longer-lasting alternative in lithium-ion battery development [7]. From the outset of our silicon anode material initiative, Novacium and HPQ chose a bold strategy by testing full-size, commercial-grade 18650 batteries to demonstrate the effectiveness of our proprietary silicon-based materials," said Bernard Tourillon, President and CEO of HPQ Silicon Inc. and NOVACIUM SAS. Direct comparisons with commercially available batteries underscore the real-world advantages and distinctiveness of our approach. By combining Novaciums expertise in silicon-anode technology with HPQs proprietary high-throughput manufacturing capabilities, we are strategically positioned to meet the rapidly growing demand for silicon-based anode materials across various battery sizes, including 18650, 21700, 26650, and 4680. Silicon-Based Materials Market Set to Grow Amid Rising Battery Demand Approximately 95% of the anode material in todays lithium-ion batteries is graphite [8]. HPQ-Novaciums silicon-based material seamlessly integrates into existing manufacturing processes, replacing up to 10% of that graphite without requiring costly retooling or process overhauls. This positions us to capture 5% to 10% of the total graphite market, both now and in the future. According to Benchmark Minerals Intelligence (BMI), the global graphite market is projected to grow from approximately 5.7 million tonnes in 2025 to 11.1million tonnes by 2030 [9]. This expansion translates into an addressable market of 555,000 to 1.1 million tonnes for silicon-based material by 2030 [10], valued between US$27.5 billion and US$55.0 billion [11]. With the increasing demand for advanced battery technologies, our solution offers a scalable and cost-effective pathway to enhancing lithium-ion battery performance while tapping into a rapidly growing market. We are ready to leverage the battery expertise and silicon anode innovations developed throughout 2024 to deliver materials with low operating costs, minimal carbon footprints, and exceptional performance. HPQs strategy remains focused on producing silicon-based materials for the 3C markets (Computer, Consumer, and Communication)a US$12 billion market today, projected to grow to US$38.3 billion by 2030 [12]. This market is perfectly suited for the materials we have already validated at this stage of our development," said Bernard Tourillon, President and CEO of HPQ Silicon Inc. and NOVACIUM SAS. "Our next step will be to establish, either independently or through partnerships with industrial players, a pilot plant capable of manufacturing silicon-based anode materials at scale." Acquisition of full ownership of the provisional patent to produces fumed alumina (AlO) and fumed titanium (TiO) with no royalties or other obligations required HPQ Silicon announces that it has acquired all rights, title, and interest held by the inventors in the provisional patent and devices for an innovative one-step manufacturing process to make fumed alumina (AlO) and fumed titanium (TiO)two materials essential for the advancement of next-generation lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery cathodes, (refer to the February 19, 2025, release). The company thus becomes the owner of the Patent, the intellectual property and the attached priority rights, free of any assignment or charge of any kind whatsoever. This arms length acquisition will be completed and paid by means of the issuance of 1,254,545 units by the Company, priced at $0.22 per share for a total value of $276,000, with the units to be distributed among the inventors. Each unit consists of one (1) common share and one-half (1/2) warrant of the Companys capital stock. Each full warrant grants the holder thereof the right to purchase one common share at $0.285 per share for a period of four years from the date of the closing of the transaction. All shares issued as part of this transaction are subject to a mandatory hold period of four months and one day, in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. The transaction and unit issuance are subject to customary regulatory approvals, including approval by the TSX Venture Exchange. Having full ownership of the provisional patent to produces fumed alumina (AlO) and fumed titanium (TiO), with no royalties or other obligations, addresses a key question raised by potential technical and financial partners interested in our silicon-based anode materials, said Bernard Tourillon, President and CEO of HPQ Silicon Inc. REFERENCE SOURCES [1] Novacium technical team analysis of the data from the ongoing charging and discharging cycle tests conducted at a world-leading university, the name of which is kept confidential for competitive reasons. [2] https://www.orbtronic.com/content/Datasheet-specs-Sanyo-Panasonic-NCR18650GA-3500mah.pdf [3] https://www.farnell.com/datasheets/2634739.pdf [4] https://www.dnkpower.com/lg-inr18650-mj1-battery-3500mah-3-635v/ [5] https://e2e.ti.com/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-discussions-components-files/196/INR18650_2D00_30Q_5F00_datasheet.PDF [6] Information provided "as is" and for reference purposes only, as there is no way to confirm that the testing protocol used by Panasonic, LG, and Samsung is the same as the one used for GEN3 batteries. [7] Management's opinion is based on a review of capacity and durability data from commercially available 18650 batteries [8] Link to source for Graphite in batteries [9] Source: Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, December 2024 from NMG February 2025 Investor deck page 22. [10] The addressable market of 555,000 to 1.1 million tonnes per year are based on Management assumptions that the Graphite conversion will range between 5% to 10% of the annual graphite market in 2030. [11] The US $ 25.7 Billions is taken by multiplying 550,000 t by US$ 50 per Kg, while the US$ 55.0 Billions is taken by multiplying 1,100,000 t by US$ 50 per Kg. [12] Link to source for 3C market date. About NOVACIUM SAS Novacium is an HPQ - affiliated company that started in Q3 2022. This green technology startup is based in Lyon, France and is a partnership with HPQ and three of Frances leading research engineers, Dr. Jed KRAIEM PhD, Novacium's Chief Operating Officer (COO), Dr. Oleksiy NICHIPORUK PhD, Novacium's Chief Technical Officer (CTO), and Dr. Julien DEGOULANGE PhD, Novaciums Chief Innovation Officer (CIO). Novacium is a new Research and Development company which allows researchers to develop their own technology in high-added-value fields connected to renewable energy and allows HPQ Silicon Inc. a Canadian company, to expand the depth and reach of its technical team to help develop its silicon and new renewable energy projects. About HPQ Silicon HPQ activities are centred around the following five (5) pillars: 1) Becoming a green low-cost (Capex and Opex) manufacturer of Fumed Silica using the FUMED SILICA REACTOR, a proprietary technology owned by HPQ Silica Polvere Inc being developed for HSPI by PyroGenesis. 2) Becoming a producer of silicon-based anode materials for battery applications with the assistance of NOVACIUM SAS. 3) HPQ SILICON affiliate NOVACIUM SAS is developing a low carbon, chemical based on demand and high-pressure autonomous hydrogen production system. 4) HPQ SILICON affiliate NOVACIUM SAS is developing a new process to transform black aluminium dross into a valuable resource. 5) Becoming a zero CO 2 low-cost (Capex and Opex) producer of High Purity Silicon (2N+ to 4N) using our PUREVAPTM Quartz Reduction Reactors (QRR), a proprietary technology owned by HPQ being developed for HPQ by PyroGenesis. For more information, please visit HPQ Silicon web site . Disclaimers: This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words "may", "plan", "will", "estimate", "continue", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "in the process" and other similar expressions which constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current expectation and assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, our expectations regarding the acceptance of our products by the market, our strategy to develop new products and enhance the capabilities of existing products, our strategy with respect to research and development, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product development, and uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process. Such statements reflect the current views of the Company with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and other risks detailed from time-to-time in the Company's ongoing filings with the securitys regulatory authorities, which filings can be found at www.sedar.com. Actual results, events, and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements either as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. 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. This News Release is available on the company's CEO Verified Discussion Forum , a moderated social media platform that enables civilized discussion and Q&A between Management and Shareholders. Source: HPQ Silicon Inc. For further information contact: Bernard J. Tourillon, Chairman, President, and CEO Tel +1 (514) 846-3271 Email: Info@hpqsilicon.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0258b27c-7fed-401c-98be-ab4454070965 LEHI, Utah, March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hona , the leading innovator in client engagement software for law firms, today announced the launch of Honas Voice AI . The advanced voice AI solution is uniquely designed to tackle some of the legal industrys most persistent challenges: managing client communications and client intake without dropping inbound leads. With its unique features, Honas Voice AI enables law firms to respond to clients swiftly, prevent leads from reaching out to competitors and deliver a positive experience. Research found that nearly half of clients struggle to reach law firms by phone and the majority expect a response outside of standard business hours. Honas Voice AI is a new AI-powered voice assistant that manages calls, qualifies potential clients, answers questions and seamlessly integrates call data into the firms CRM for instant record creation and follow-up. Trained by legal industry experts, Honas Voice AI helps law firms capture every lead while significantly reducing staff workload, freeing lawyers and their teams from repetitive tasks. Hona, the top client communication portal software for law firms, supports firms nationwide across personal injury, family, immigration, criminal defense and bankruptcy practices. Honas Voice AI expands the companys suite of tools, which includes a step-by-step visual case tracking system, all built to address gaps in client communication and improve the client experience in the legal industry. Managing client communication is a full-time job for lawyers, making it challenging to dedicate time to capture new leads. Even missing a single lead can significantly impact a law firms bottom line, potentially costing thousands in lost revenue, and theyre often lost simply because the first call isnt answered, said Manny Griffiths, Co-Founder and CEO of Hona. With Honas Voice AI, firms can ensure every lead is immediately captured and qualified, eliminating manual data entry, saving time and capturing potential revenue opportunities for the firm while improving the client experience. Statistics reveal that one in three calls to law firms goes unanswered, and 67% of potential clients move on to another firm if no one picks up. Honas Voice AI is already proving to be a successful solution to these challenges with firms experiencing up to 20% higher conversion rates due to faster lead engagement, while also reducing costs per acquisition. This ensures that every potential case is viable before it reaches the intake team. Honas Voice AI is designed for legal professionals, addressing the pain points that directly impact firm growth and efficiency: Smart Call Qualification : Identifies the caller type as a lead, current client or referral and gathers intake details using firm-defined qualification criteria. : Identifies the caller type as a lead, current client or referral and gathers intake details using firm-defined qualification criteria. 24/7 Coverage for Overflow & After-Hours Calls : During high call volumes, Honas Voice AI answers 100% of calls and routes them appropriately. : During high call volumes, Honas Voice AI answers 100% of calls and routes them appropriately. Automated Lead Documentation & CRM Sync : Eliminates manual data entry by instantly generating detailed case records with complete call transcriptions. : Eliminates manual data entry by instantly generating detailed case records with complete call transcriptions. Customizable Call Outcomes: Depending on firm needs, Honas Voice AI transfers high-value calls to live intake teams, schedules consultations or sends follow-up messages based on firm needs. In addition to the general availability of Honas Voice AI, Hona announced it will host the first annual DISRUPT Legal Summit in May, where legal tech leaders and industry innovators will explore AIs role in modern law firm operations. Attendees will gain exclusive insights into how firms leverage AI to abandon outdated processes, reduce intake inefficiencies, improve client retention and maximize revenue. Registration is open at hona.com/disrupt-legal-summit . Honas Voice AI is now available generally to all law firms. For more information, please visit hona.com . About Hona Hona is a leading software solution for law firms, dedicated to revolutionizing client communication by automating updates, data collection and communication processes. With a commitment to connection and efficiency, Hona empowers law firms to deliver exceptional service and growth while reducing administrative labor. Learn more at www.hona.com . Media Contact: Angela Petersen SamsonPR angela@samsonpr.com Charleston, SC, March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Like many from his generation, Russell Russ H. Sackett never knew his grandfather Eugene H. Sackett, yet he discovered a lot about him through the letters he wrote home while stationed in the Philippines after enlisting in the 1st North Dakota Volunteers during the Spanish-American War. Just as the extraordinary preservation efforts of Andrew Carroll, who serves as the founding director of the Center for American War Letters at Chapman University in California, were inspired by a family member so, too, were Sacketts. After being entrusted with his grandfathers wartime correspondence and a collection of 300 stereoscopic cards by his Aunt Mary, Sackett felt compelled to preserve his own familys history and began meticulously researching the Philippine-American War, cross referencing events with his grandfathers missives. The result of his efforts is a new book offering a fascinating look at the Philippine-American war from the eyes of a North Dakota volunteer. There is something for every history buff to enjoy, Sackett says. In Dear Folks at Home, Sackett has compiled a collection of letters to chronicle his grandfather Eugenes experience as a volunteer in the North Dakota regiment. Originally called to fight the Spaniards during the Spanish-American War, Eugene was sent to the Pacific Theater. However, by the time he and his comrades arrived in the Philippines, the Spanish-American War had ended, and the Philippine-American War had begun. The letters Eugene wrote to his parents offer unique insight into the insurrection and subsequent conflict in the Philippines, reflecting the sentiment of American soldiers stationed there while also offering readers a firsthand account of a lesser-known war in American history. Dear Folks at Home is available for purchase on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com. About the Author: Russell H. Sackett began his career in cultural resources management as an archeologist before becoming a historic architect. With a lifelong interest in history, he began researching his grandfathers wartime experiences after received a collection of his letters from his aunt. Dear Folks at Home is his first book. Media Contact: Russell H. Sackett rufiunis@aol.com Available for interviews: Author, Russell H. Sackett Attachment PHOENIX, March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Award-winning technology innovator Lofty today announced that Realty Executives International has engaged with the company to offer to their extensive network of franchisees, teams, and agents the Lofty AI-powered platform. To learn more about how Lofty empowers everyone from the agent to the enterprise to make more money, visit https://lofty.com/ . With over 150 brokerages across North America, Realty Executives is always looking for unique ways to help its franchisees accelerate profitable growth, support the unique needs of the brokerage business, and enable real estate professionals at all levels to increase production while maintaining the privacy of their leads and database. With Lofty, Realty Executives brokerages, agents, and teams can leverage a flexible org structure with needed permissions and controls, as well as innovative reporting capabilities to track agent performance and ROI from advertising spend. Coupled with the platforms lead generation programs such as Lofty Blast , and empowered by innovative tools like Lofty Present and Social Studio, Realty Executives users will be able to increase their productivity while streamlining the home buying and selling experience for their clients, from search to settlement. Real estate professionals at every level need to leverage technology, particularly a strong CRM, if they want to compete and grow in this market, said Patrick van den Bossche, President of Realty Executives International. Presenting Lofty as a tech option provides our network with an additional opportunity to drive revenue from their existing databases. Through our strategic relationship, those in our network who opt in to the Lofty service offerings can benefit from a competitive cost model. As a Realty Executives franchise owner, I am excited to offer our teams and agents easy-to-use technology that can help them start making money quickly, said Mike Tezak, Broker/Owner of Realty Executives Premier in Valparaiso, Indiana. Loftys practical applications are not just technology for technologys sake but mapped to how our agents actually work. Plus, these proven innovations will help us to recruit and retain high producing agents and deliver a real return. Unlike other technology applications that are too rigid and too cumbersome for brokerages and agents alike, Loftys AI-powered enterprise platform is custom-built for how real estate professionals operate from the agent to the enterprise and everything in between. With proven innovations that are designed to close deals faster and generate revenue, Lofty enhances agent workflows and eliminates the need to toggle between multiple applications, saving everyone time and money. As an enterprise platform with enhanced reporting capabilities and extensive custom branding options, Lofty provides the technological foundation needed to gain a competitive edge in the real estate market. Modern real estate brands like Realty Executives understand that technology can serve as a true catalyst for business growth. But to be effective, the applications must be seamlessly woven into the fabric of how real estate brokerages operate their firms and how their teams of agents execute day-to-day activities, noted Brian Hoialmen, Chief Strategy Officer, Lofty. With the comprehensive Lofty platform and our AI-powered tools, we can empower everyone at every level of real estate operations with the proven innovations needed to close more deals and make more money. To learn more about how Lofty can help your enterprise meet business growth goals, visit www.lofty.com . About Lofty Inc. Lofty Inc. (formerly Chime Technologies) provides an AI-powered platform that helps real estate professionals increase their productivity and accelerate business growth. Featuring award-winning technology, the Lofty platform is designed to optimize every step of the real estate journey, from search to settlement. By leveraging one unified hub, customers can automate marketing programs, streamline the sales process, and maximize collaboration between agents empowering them to spend more time building relationships and their business. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Lofty operates as a US subsidiary of Moatable, Inc. (OTCPK: MTBLY ). For more information, visit lofty.com. About Realty Executives International Founded in 1965, Realty Executives is one of the largest and most established real estate systems with over 5,000 members working across the globe. As the only brand named after its people, their Executives, the company operates with the philosophy that the network and the people that represent it come first. Creator of the first ever 100% commission concept, Realty Executives attracts and retains the most productive, efficient, and successful real estate professionals in the industry through our unparalleled brand, technology, training, and concierge services. For more information, visit RealtyExecutives.com. Charleston, SC, March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In the early 1980s, careers in the oil and gas industries were primarily male-dominated, and technology was rapidly advancing. Sally Goodson, a young engineering graduate, had the opportunity to work in the unique culture of the offshore oil and gas industry as one of the first women in charge of designing, building, and installing offshore oil rigs. The story of her experiences, including living on the rigs as the only woman, is told in Upstream Dream. Meet Sally Goodson, an accomplished engineer, consultant, and industry professional whose journey to the top was fraught with challenges. Now, she shares her story in her new book Upstream Dream for people of every background to resonate withholding to the tenets that belief in yourself, your skills, and your dreams can get you anywhere in life, even with insurmountable roadblocks in your way. It was her determination to succeed as an engineer that gave her the motivation to conquer the technical challenges of the 1980s offshore oil and gas industry and her enthusiasm that allowed her to overcome some of the cultural biases she encountered along the way, said Sally of her younger self. Upstream Dream is Sallys telling memoir of her journey from a young, upstart college grad to becoming a significant influencer of global energy standards. Its perfect for all readers who want to learn about the offshore oil and gas industry's challenging technical and cultural advancements in the 1980s. Upstream Dream is available for purchase online at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com. For more information about the author, please visit any of her social media platforms Facebook: Sally Goodson LinkedIn: Sarah Goodson About the Author: Sally Goodson, founder of Goodson Energy Advisors LLC, has nearly 40 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. After earning a B.E. from Vanderbilt University in 1979, she worked on offshore platform design and project economics for Chevron. She later earned an MBA from Southern Methodist University and joined the American Petroleum Institute, where she managed API audits and standards committees. Sally, a global expert on energy standards, has spoken internationally on API Standards. Now retired, she resides in Southeastern North Carolina with her Maine Coon cat, Tiffany. Media Contact: Sally Goodson, sallygoodson@verizon.net Available for interviews: Author, Sally Goodson Attachment NEW YORK, March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Glimpact , the first platform for analyzing the overall systemic environmental impact of products and organizations, released today their holiday ad campaign study revealing surprising insights into the environmental footprint of leading brands social media ad campaigns. The study assessed video ads posted on TikTok between November 11 and December 31, 2024, from brands including H&M, Burberry, Lululemon, Old Navy, Macys, Abercrombie, Ralph Lauren, Zara, and Victorias Secret, using the PEF method to quantify their environmental impact. The PEF (Product Environmental Footprint) method is a standardized, science-based approach developed by the European Commission to assess the environmental impact of products and organizations across their entire life cycle. By analyzing multiple impact categories beyond carbon emissions, including resource depletion and pollution, the PEF method provides a comprehensive and comparable measure of sustainability performance. H&M Leads in Views and Environmental Impact, with Significant Reduction Opportunities H&Ms TikTok ad had the highest environmental impact of the nine campaigns analyzed, with 8.4 million views and a footprint equivalent to driving halfway around the globe. Campaigns from Lululemon and Burberry followed, each with an environmental impact comparable to driving across the Atlantic Ocean twice. In contrast, brands with fewer views, such as Abercrombie, Macys, and Old Navy, had the lowest environmental footprints. To compare the impact of different campaigns more effectively, Glimpact assessed environmental footprint per 1,000 views. This revealed that video length, file size, and resolution are major drivers of environmental impactfactors well within brands control. Shorter, lighter videos significantly reduce the overall footprint, providing a clear opportunity for brands to make their digital advertising more sustainable. Beyond Carbon: Broader Environmental Impacts Must Be Addressed The study found that carbon emissions (climate change impact) accounted for only 30-33% of an ad campaigns environmental footprint. Other key contributors included mineral and metal resource use (20-29%), fossil fuel consumption, and particulate matter pollution. This highlights the importance of considering a broad range of environmental factors beyond carbon emissions when assessing sustainability efforts. End-User Devices Drive Majority of Impact The study revealed that 80-85% of the environmental impact of digital ads comes from the devices used to view them. While energy consumption contributes to this footprint, the production of smartphones, tablets, and computersparticularly the extraction and processing of finite mineral and metal resourcesplays a leading role. For H&Ms campaign, 27% of the total environmental impact was attributed to the production of these devices alone. TikToks Format Increases Environmental Impact Glimpact also found that TikToks video-heavy, full-screen format results in approximately 10% higher environmental impact than other social media platforms when running the same ad. This suggests that brands can further reduce their footprint by optimizing content for different platforms. Actionable Insights for Brands to Reduce Impact Brands looking to minimize the environmental impact of their digital ad campaigns can take several steps: Reduce video length and file size : Lighter, shorter videos significantly lower environmental footprint. For example, reducing the Lululemon video length and weight by 25% correlates to a 25% reduction in overall campaign impact. : Lighter, shorter videos significantly lower environmental footprint. For example, reducing the Lululemon video length and weight by 25% correlates to a 25% reduction in overall campaign impact. Choose platforms strategically : Running the same ad on platforms like YouTube instead of TikTok could reduce impactH&Ms campaign, for example, would have saved emissions equivalent to a drive from Los Angeles to Austin. : Running the same ad on platforms like YouTube instead of TikTok could reduce impactH&Ms campaign, for example, would have saved emissions equivalent to a drive from Los Angeles to Austin. Educate consumers on viewing habits: Encouraging users to watch ads on smartphones rather than tablets, which have 8 times the impact, can help reduce overall footprint. The environmental footprint of brands digital ad campaigns often goes overlooked, but it is substantial. Brands need to acknowledge this impact and assess it with a systemic approach. In this way, they can understand where their impact comes from, identify the real stakes of the ecological transition, and act credibly and effectively to contribute to a resolution for the environmental crisis, stated Christophe Girardier, Co-Founder and CEO of Glimpact. To view the full study, visit https://www.glimpactnews.com/h-m-holiday-tiktok-ads-environmental-impact . About this Study This study was performed to analyze the environmental impact of video advertisements. The advertisements chosen for this study were published by H&M, Burberry, Lululemon, Old Navy, Macys, Abercrombie, Ralph Lauren, Zara, and Victorias Secret. This study considered the environmental impact of video ads published on TikTok between November 11th and December 31st 2024; ad engagement statistics were recorded between January 9th and January 11th 2025. This study was performed using the Glimpact technology, which has the capability of modelling the environmental impact of a media campaign across its entire life cycle, according to the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) method. For more information on the framework for this study, evaluating the environmental impact of media campaigns, or the Glimpact SaaS platform, please contact the Glimpact team. About Glimpact Glimpact, a sustainability venture with operations in New York, France and Belgium, is the first digital platform enabling the assessment of the overall environmental impact of products and organizations based on the new scientific doctrine of the EU. It provides access to the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) methodology, developed by the European scientific community and adopted by the EU in 2021. Glimpact allows all stakeholders to not only measure the environmental footprint of their products or organizations but more importantly, to identify effective actions to reduce it. The French government has selected Glimpact as the coordinator for one of the methods considered in the government experiment on environmental labeling of food and textile products. The company is a member of the technical committee assisting the Ministry of Ecological Transition in defining the modalities of environmental labeling mandated by the Climate and Resilience Law. Glimpact has been chosen by the European Commission, following a global tender, to implement legislation for the battery and photovoltaic solar panel sectors. This legislation will require these actors to display the environmental footprint of their products measured using the PEF methodology. Glimpact already boasts solid expertise and experience with major players in the industry and distribution, including Lacoste, Decathlon, Mars, Gant, Carrefour, Puratos, Manutan, Spadel, Adeo, Lyreco, Pimkie, Chantelle, Celio, Aigle, Galler, and Bewital. For more information, visit https://www.glimpact.com/ . Media Contact Olivia Ludington Firecracker PR olivia@firecrackerpr.com 1-888-317-4687 ext. 702 Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/43c3a0a3-c36c-4361-8826-26230f61e23a https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/16683989-fa0f-4453-9f40-6d0486f01e3c BRISTOL, R.I., March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Roger Williams Universitys Mario J. Gabelli School of Business (GSB) continues to be recognized among the top undergraduate business schools in the nation and was ranked No. 59 in Career Outcomes in the 2025 Poets&Quants rankings released on March 17. A 100 percent placement in careers or graduate school within six months of graduation, along with guaranteeing every student will participate in a real-world internship, contributed to the business schools outstanding career-outcomes ranking. The ranking also reflects the success of an innovative partnership between the Gabelli School of Business and the universitys Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD), supporting business school students with a staff member dedicated to professional development and career advising. This national ranking recognizes the excellence and career-focused curriculum of a Roger Williams University Mario J. Gabelli School of Business education, said Diya Das, Dean of the Gabelli School. Our students are taught by world-class faculty and gain real-world practice through internships, consulting experiences with actual clients, student-managed investment funds, designing advertising campaigns for large corporations, and international learning experiences, ensuring they graduate ready to succeed in a competitive global marketplace. The Poets&Quants methodology measures academic experience, career outcome for graduates, and admissions standards. In addition to a high academic experience ranking, RWUs business school was ranked No. 78 in the U.S. for undergraduate business education. Attachment Dublin, March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Drone-Powered Business Solutions - Global Strategic Business Report" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global market for Drone-Powered Business Solutions was valued at US$17.9 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach US$47.5 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 17.6% from 2024 to 2030. This comprehensive report provides an in-depth analysis of market trends, drivers, and forecasts, helping you make informed business decisions. Drone-powered business solutions are transforming industries by enabling more efficient, cost-effective, and innovative ways to conduct operations. From logistics and agriculture to construction and telecommunications, businesses across various sectors are increasingly turning to drones to enhance productivity, improve data collection, and streamline workflows. Drones are especially beneficial in industries that rely on large-scale inspections, monitoring, or delivery systems, where their ability to access difficult or hazardous areas quickly and safely offers a significant advantage. What's Driving the Growth of Drone-Powered Business Solutions? The growth in the Drone-Powered Business Solutions market is driven by a variety of factors, including the increasing demand for automation, the need for more efficient data collection, and the rising focus on reducing operational costs. As industries such as agriculture, logistics, construction, and mining seek more efficient ways to manage operations, drones have become a key enabler of these goals. By automating repetitive tasks, improving data accuracy, and reducing the need for expensive human labor or equipment, drones are helping businesses increase productivity and lower costs. Technological advancements, particularly in AI and sensor technologies, are another important factor driving market growth. As drones become more intelligent, autonomous, and capable of performing complex tasks, businesses are finding more ways to incorporate them into their operations. From autonomous delivery systems to real-time data analysis, drones are transforming how businesses gather information and make decisions. These technological improvements are making drone-powered solutions increasingly accessible and practical for businesses of all sizes. Finally, the expanding regulatory landscape is also supporting the growth of drone-powered business solutions. As governments around the world create frameworks to safely integrate drones into national airspace systems, more businesses are confident in adopting drone technologies for commercial purposes. Regulatory advancements have helped create clear guidelines for drone operations, ensuring that businesses can use drones in a compliant, efficient, and safe manner. With the regulatory environment becoming more conducive to drone usage, the market for drone-powered business solutions is poised for continued growth. What are the Key Drivers Fueling the Growth of Drone-Powered Business Solutions? Several key factors are contributing to the rapid growth of drone-powered business solutions. One of the main drivers is the increasing demand for operational efficiency and cost reduction across industries. Drones help businesses save time and money by automating tasks that would otherwise require significant human labor or expensive equipment. For example, in logistics, drones are used for last-mile delivery, reducing delivery costs and time. Similarly, in agriculture, drones enable farmers to monitor crop health remotely, allowing them to make more informed decisions about resource allocation and reducing the need for manual labor. Another significant growth driver is the widespread adoption of drones for data collection and analysis. Drones equipped with high-definition cameras, thermal sensors, and LiDAR technology can collect vast amounts of data from hard-to-reach areas, providing businesses with detailed, real-time insights. This data is invaluable in industries such as construction, where accurate surveying and mapping are essential for project success, or in mining, where drones can inspect dangerous sites and map out resource deposits. The use of drones allows businesses to gather more comprehensive data faster than traditional methods, making them a key asset for data-driven decision-making. Additionally, advancements in drone technology, including improved flight times, better sensors, and enhanced autonomy, are driving the market. Drones are becoming more sophisticated, allowing for longer flights, better stability in adverse weather conditions, and the ability to carry more powerful sensors. These advancements enable businesses to use drones for more complex tasks, such as delivering large packages, surveying large areas, and conducting multi-sensor inspections with greater accuracy and efficiency. As drone technology continues to improve, businesses will have even more opportunities to integrate drones into their operations. Report Features: Comprehensive Market Data: Independent analysis of annual sales and market forecasts in US$ Million from 2024 to 2030. In-Depth Regional Analysis: Detailed insights into key markets, including the U.S., China, Japan, Canada, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa. Company Profiles: Coverage of players such as CYBERHAWK Innovations Ltd., DELAIR SAS, Drone Powered Solutions, DroneDeploy, EagleEye Drones Pvt. Ltd. and more. Complimentary Updates: Receive free report updates for one year to keep you informed of the latest market developments. Segments Drone Type (Rotary Blade Drone, Fixed Wing Drone, Hybrid Drone) Application (Filming & Photography Application, Mapping & Surveying Application, Surveillance & SAR Application, Delivery Services Application, 3D Modeling Application, Data Acquisition & Analytics Application, Other Applications) Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 142 Forecast Period 2024 - 2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $17.9 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $47.5 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 17.6% Regions Covered Global Key Topics Covered: MARKET OVERVIEW Influencer Market Insights World Market Trajectories Economic Frontiers: Trends, Trials & Transformations Drone-Powered Business Solutions - Global Key Competitors Percentage Market Share in 2025 (E) Competitive Market Presence - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial for Players Worldwide in 2025 (E) MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS Integration of Stealth Features Sets the Stage for Next-Generation Military Drones AI-Driven Logistics Drones Bode Well for Combat Supply Chain Optimization Demand for Countermeasure-Resistant Drones Highlights Need for Advanced R&D Global Defense Budgets Allocate More Resources to Drone-Based Modernization Growing Focus on Autonomous UAV Interception Expands Opportunities in Defense AI-Driven Drone Solutions Propel Growth in Logistics and Delivery Operations Integration of Drones in Warehouse Operations Expands Opportunities in Inventory Management Emerging Use Cases in Emergency Deliveries Highlight Market Potential Drones for Property Inspections Propel Growth in Real Estate Markets AI in Drone-Powered Surveys Expands Market for Land Management Solutions Demand for Aerial Filming with Drones Drives Growth in Media Production Drone Applications in Oil Spill Monitoring Bodes Well for Environmental Protection AI-Powered Pipeline Monitoring Expands Addressable Market in Oil & Gas FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS: Some of the 34 companies featured in this Drone-Powered Business Solutions market report include: CYBERHAWK Innovations Ltd. DELAIR SAS Drone Powered Solutions DroneDeploy EagleEye Drones Pvt. Ltd. FlyWorx - Aerial Drone Services Parrot Drone SAS Phoenix Drone Services LLC Sky-Drones Skylark Drones For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/jvnubq 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. Attachment HIGHLIGHTS Aircore drilling to test priority targets expected to commence in late-March, weather dependent, at the Balla Balla Gold Project. Drilling is planned to target zones of structural complexity and splay faults proximal to the Sholl Shear Zone, under generally shallow cover. The Sholl Shear Zone is a fertile, long lived, crustal-scale feature which trends over 200 km in the northern Pilbara. Geological interpretation has identified folded and offset mafic and ultramafic stratigraphy in complex zones around splays off the Sholl Shear Zone. Several prospects are delineated for drill testing including Ramquarry, Cockerell, Babbage and Beaufort. Mapping and sampling campaigns completed at the Tibooburra and John Bull Gold Projects in NSW. PERTH, Wash., March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Novo Resources Corp. (Novo or the Company) (ASX: NVO) (TSX: NVO) (OTCQB: NSRPF) is pleased to announce the imminent start of a maiden aircore drill program at the Balla Balla Gold Project (Balla Balla), designed to test target zones of structural complexity in the Sholl Shear Zone and associated structures under cover. Landscape at the Balla Balla Gold Project Balla Balla Gold Project Balla Balla is an early-stage exploration project centred on the Sholl Shear Zone (Figure 1). Novo executed a Determination Wide Aboriginal Heritage Protection Agreement with the Kariyarra Aboriginal Corporation (KAC), enabling the grant of application E47/4703 in November 2024. A site avoidance heritage survey has since been completed with KAC, and a Programme of Work approved by the regulator (DEMIRS) in Q4 2024, enabling first pass aircore (AC) drilling to be conducted over priority targets. Novo has identified several prospects over a 10 km trend. These include interpreted fertile structures and important splay faults of the Sholl Shear Zone that will be targeted in Novos maiden AC program. The program will test below shallow cover and is ready to commence in late-March 2025, weather dependent. Historical drilling in the areas suggests cover sequences in the order of 25 m vertical depth (maximum). AC drilling is designed to quickly and effectively drill through the unconsolidated cover sequence to the harder basement rocks, whilst also providing a good end of hole basement rock sample for geological identification and geochemical testing purposes. Figure 1: Novo Tenure in the Central Pilbara showing major structural architecture, priority prospects and the location of the Balla Balla Gold Project The Sholl Shear Zone is a significant geological feature extending for more than 200 km along the northwest coast of the Pilbara. It is recognised as a kilometre-wide crustal-scale structure that played an important role during deposition within the De Grey Superbasin and is interpreted to have been reactivated, providing potential pathways for volcanism and related gold mineralisation.1 Mineralisation in the Pilbara Craton is often associated with shear zones and faulted contacts between different rock units. These structural features create spaces where mineralising fluids can circulate and deposit gold. The Sholl Shear Zone, being a major crustal-scale structure, played a significant role in this process as both a fluid conduit and focusing corridor. Interpretation of regional fault architecture from available data sources also infers that the Loudens Fault and similar structures intersect both the mineralised Mallina Fault and the Wohler Shear in the Mallina Basin, and the Sholl Shear Zone further north (Figure 1). This setting, in addition to the known Cu and Cu-Au fertility associated with the Sholl Shear Zone in the Karratha District suggests high prospectivity along the Sholl Shear. The Mallina Basin hosts the 12.7 Moz Au De Grey Mining (ASX: DEG) Hemi gold deposit.2 Balla Balla hosts an area of significant structural complexity proximal to the intersection of the Loudens Fault and Sholl Shear Zone with large, high density rotated blocks, folded stratigraphy and a varied geology providing local rheological contrast between different rock units. These ingredients can act to help focus potential mineralised fluid into secondary and tertiary structures which are being tested by this drill campaign. Figure 2 Balla Balla geological interpretation showing complex structure, priority targets and planned aircore drill program ___________________________________ 1 Van Kranendonk, M. J., Hickman, A. H., Smithes, R. H., & Nelson, D. R. (2002). Geology and tectonic evolution of the Archean North Pilbara Terrain, Pilbara Craton, Western Australia. Economic Geology, 97(4), 695-732 2 Refer to De Greys ASX Announcement, Hemi Gold Project Mineral Resource Estimate 2024 dated 14 November 2024, available to view at www.asx.com.au. No assurance can be given that a similar (or any) commercially viable mineral deposit will be determined at Novos Balla Balla Gold Project. Drill targeting is based primarily on geophysical interpretation and historic drilling due to the presence of surface cover across the prospect areas. Several prospects will be targeted in the current program including: Ramquarry tests a zone of structural complexity and interpreted fault splays from the Sholl Shear Zone, in addition to the contact of the interpreted Sherlock Intrusion. The northeast aircore lines at Ramquarry also target an isolated, fault-bound wedge of Mallina sediments that appear to host mafic to ultramafic intrusions. A broad transect of the Sholl Shear Zone where it contacts the Mallina Formation and Portree Suite granite will also be tested. tests a zone of structural complexity and interpreted fault splays from the Sholl Shear Zone, in addition to the contact of the interpreted Sherlock Intrusion. The northeast aircore lines at Ramquarry also target an isolated, fault-bound wedge of Mallina sediments that appear to host mafic to ultramafic intrusions. A broad transect of the Sholl Shear Zone where it contacts the Mallina Formation and Portree Suite granite will also be tested. Beaufort - targets a rotated block of interpreted Sherlock Intrusion abutting the Sholl Shear Zone. - targets a rotated block of interpreted Sherlock Intrusion abutting the Sholl Shear Zone. Babbage targets folded magnetic and non-magnetic units interpreted to have rheology contrast and space creation in the hinges of the folds. targets folded magnetic and non-magnetic units interpreted to have rheology contrast and space creation in the hinges of the folds. Cockerell - targets significant structural complexity including folded units and cross cutting second order structures splaying from the Loudens Fault with potential competency contrast along trend from Babbage. Initially, AC drill lines will be conducted at nominal 640 m spacing with hole centres spaced at 50 m. Drill lines are orientated at 140 degrees (drill azimuth) to ensure optimal coverage to test NE-SW striking target structures and the broad stratigraphic trend. Holes will be drilled to blade refusal (i.e. to the capacity of the AC drilling rig) to obtain bedrock geological information, and a stick of core will be collected for analysis at the end of hole. Drilling is scheduled to commence late March 2025, dependent on weather. NSW Exploration Program Field teams have completed mapping and sampling campaigns at the Tibooburra and John Bull Gold Projects in NSW, improving the geological interpretation and understanding of controls on mineralisation. Assay results are now being received for both NSW projects and, in addition to geological mapping and modelling, will provide final support for drill program design. RC drilling at both NSW projects is scheduled for Q2 2025, likely commencing at the Clone prospect (Tibooburra), and post completion of the Balla Balla AC drill program. Authorised for release by the Board of Directors. CONTACT Investors: Mike Spreadborough +61 8 6400 6100 info@novoresources.com North American Queries: Leo Karabelas +1 416 543 3120 leo@novoresources.com Media: Cameron Gilenko +61 466 984 953 cameron.gilenko@sodali.com QP STATEMENT Mrs. Karen (Kas) De Luca (MAIG), is the qualified person, as defined under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, responsible for, and having reviewed and approved, the technical information contained in this news release. Mrs De Luca is Novos General Manager Exploration. JORC COMPLIANCE STATEMENT The information in this news release that relates to previously reported Exploration Results from Novos NSW Gold Portfolio is extracted from Novo's ASX announcement entitled Novo Strengthens Portfolio with Two High-Grade Gold Project in NSW, Australia released to ASX on 13 December 2024 which is available to view at www.asx.com.au. The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the original market announcement and that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in the relevant market announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed. The Company confirms that the form and context in which the competent persons findings are presented have not been materially modified from the original market announcement. The information in this news release that relates to the previously reported exploration target at Belltopper is extracted from Novos ASX announcement titled Belltopper Mineralisation Modelling Defines Prospectivity released to ASX on 25 September 2024 which is available to view at www.asx.com.au. The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information in the original market announcement and that the form and context in which the Competent Persons findings are presented has not been materially modified from the original market announcement. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Some statements in this news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian and Australian securities law and regulations. In this news release, such statements include but are not limited to planned exploration activities and the timing of such. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Such factors include, without limitation, customary risks of the resource industry and the risk factors identified in Novos annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2024 (which is available under Novos profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and at www.asx.com.au) and in the Companys prospectus dated 2 August 2023 which is available at www.asx.com.au. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date those statements are made. Except as required by applicable law, Novo assumes no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any change to any forward-looking statement contained or incorporated by reference herein to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting the forward-looking statements. If Novo updates any forward-looking statement(s), no inference should be drawn that the Company will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. ABOUT NOVO Novo is an Australian based gold explorer listed on the ASX and the TSX focussed on discovering standalone gold projects with > 1 Moz development potential. Novo is an innovative gold explorer with a significant land package covering approximately 5,500 square kilometres in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, along with the 22 square kilometre Belltopper project in the Bendigo Tectonic Zone of Victoria, Australia. Novos key project area in the Pilbara is the Egina Gold Camp, where De Grey Mining (ASX: DEG) is farming-in to form a JV at the Becher Project and surrounding tenements through exploration expenditure of A$25 million within 4 years for a 50% interest. The Becher Project has similar geological characteristics as De Greys 12.7 Moz Hemi Project#. Novo is also advancing gold exploration south of Becher in the Egina Gold Camp, part of the Croydon JV (Novo 70%: Creasy Group 30%). Novo continues to undertake early-stage exploration elsewhere across its Pilbara tenement portfolio. Novo has also formed a lithium joint venture with SQM in the Pilbara which provides shareholder exposure to battery metals. Novo has recently strengthened its high-quality, Australian based exploration portfolio by adding the TechGen John Bull Gold Project in the New England Orogen of NSW, and Manhattan Tibooburra Gold Project in the Albert Goldfields in northwestern NSW. Both projects demonstrate prospectivity for significant discovery and resource definition and align with Novos strategy of identifying and exploring projects with > 1 Moz Au potential. These high-grade gold projects compliment the landholding consolidation that forms the Toolunga Project in the Onslow District in Western Australia. Novo has a significant investment portfolio and a disciplined program in place to identify value accretive opportunities that will build further value for shareholders. Please refer to Novos website for further information including the latest corporate presentation. *An Exploration Target as defined in the JORC Code (2012) is a statement or estimate of the exploration potential of a mineral deposit in a defined geological setting where the statement or estimate, quoted as a range of tonnes and a range of grade (or quality), relates to mineralisation for which there has been insufficient exploration to estimate a Mineral Resource. Accordingly, these figures are not Mineral Resource or Ore Reserve estimates as defined in the JORC Code (2012). The potential quantities and grades referred to above are conceptual in nature and 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. These figures are based on the interpreted continuity of mineralisation and projection into unexplored ground often around historical workings. The Exploration Target has been prepared in accordance with the JORC Code (2012), as detailed in the Companys ASX announcement released on 25 September 2024 (available to view at www.asx.com.au). The Tonnage range for the exploration target is 1.5Mt to 2.1Mt, the Grade range is 6.6g/t Au to 8.4g/t Au and the Ounces range from 320koz Au to 570 koz Au. The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information that materially affects the information included in the original market announcement and that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in the original market announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed. Dr Christopher Doyle (MAIG) and Dr Simon Dominy (FAusIMM CPGeo; FAIG RPGeo), are the qualified persons, as defined under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, responsible for, and having reviewed and approved, the technical information relating to the Exploration Target. Dr Doyle is Novos Exploration Manager - Victoria and Dr Dominy is a Technical Advisor to Novo. #Refer to De Greys ASX Announcement, Hemi Gold Project mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) 2024, dated 14 November 2024. No assurance can be given that a similar (or any) commercially viable mineral deposit will be determined at Novos Balla Balla Gold Project. Figures accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/386fe095-3e7a-49a9-868d-5a020b667fb9 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/13e5e298-fcbc-4bb6-acae-69f862d557d6 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3f28a1c7-0b21-4f70-9004-25290f273dd5 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/64230af4-ebf0-4648-8417-e9a3422ffab1 CHICAGO, March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The SBB Research Group Foundation named Eric Sun, a recipient of its STEM scholarship. The $2,500 award empowers students to create value for society by pursuing higher learning through interdisciplinary combinations of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Eric Sun, a sophomore, is pursuing a dual BA/MS in Physics and a BSE in Computer Science at the University of Pennsylvania. Eric also conducted significant research at Yale, eventually publishing and presenting his work at MIT. He is the director of a coding nonprofit that serves over 2,000 students in rural areas and partners with organizations to teach skills like machine learning and programming. Eric is dedicated not only to his studies but to the academic access of so many others. Its exciting to support a student who will impact others in this way," said Matt Aven, co-founder and board member of the SBB Research Group Foundation. For eligibility criteria and more information on the Foundations STEM scholarship, please visit http://www.sbbscholarship.org. 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 sponsors the SBB Research Group Foundation STEM Scholarship, supporting students pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) degrees. In addition to its scholarship program, the Foundation provides grants to support ambitious organizations solving unmet needs with thoughtful, long-term strategies. Contact: Erin Noonan Organization: SBB Research Group Foundation Email: scholarship@sbbrg.org Address: 450 Skokie Blvd, Building 600, Northbrook, IL 60062 United States Phone: 1-847-656-1111 Website: https://www.sbbscholarship.com/ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bf0fe208-3a88-41a5-be55-b6aa44163981 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Prime Biome is a leading skin and gut microbiome rejuvenation supplement that has taken the wellness world by storm. This innovative formulaoffered as delicious gummiestargets the gut-skin axis to promote a vibrant complexion and healthy digestion from the inside out. In a short time, Prime Biomes popularity has skyrocketed, earning a devoted consumer base and significant buzz among beauty enthusiasts. The supplements promise of youthful skin, improved digestion, and holistic wellness has made it a standout in the beauty-from-within market. However, Prime Biomes success has also attracted unwanted attention in the form of counterfeit products. Imitation Prime Biome gummies have begun circulating on various online marketplaces, misleading consumers with tempting prices and similar packaging. These fake products not only defraud customers financially but could also pose health risks, as their ingredients and manufacturing standards are questionable. With reports of counterfeits causing confusion among buyers, the need for awareness is greater than ever. Prime Biome has garnered significant attention, and in light of growing concerns, this expert review is designed to help consumers confidently distinguish genuine Prime Biome from counterfeits. Below, we explore the allure of unofficial marketplaces, reveal the tell-tale signs of fake Prime Biome, and provide clear steps to ensure you receive only the authentic supplement. Whether you're a seasoned Prime Biome user or a curious newcomer, these insights will protect your health, beauty, and wallet from fraud. Let's dive into effective ways to spot the real Prime Biome and avoid imitations. Learn more about Prime Biome on the official website by tapping here. The Allure of Unofficial Marketplaces for Prime Biome Prime Biomes surge in popularity has led many consumers to look beyond the official website in search of bargains or faster purchases. Unofficial marketplacessuch as Amazon, eBay, Walmarts third-party seller platform, Etsy, and even social media storefrontshave become inundated with listings that claim to sell Prime Biome. These platforms are popular because they are user-friendly, familiar, and often promote discounted prices. Its easy to understand why a beauty enthusiast might be tempted by a Prime Biome listing on Amazon with two-day shipping, or an eBay auction starting at a fraction of the usual cost. Reasons Consumers Stray to Unofficial Sources: Lower Pricing and Deals: Flashy ads showing Prime Biome at 50% off or bundle deals on Amazon/Etsy can be hard to resist. Everyone loves a good deal, and counterfeit sellers know this they often lure buyers with prices well below the official rate. Convenience and Speed: Major marketplaces offer the convenience of adding Prime Biome to your cart alongside other items, plus fast shipping for Prime members. The ease of one-click purchasing on familiar sites like Amazon or Walmart.com can make the official site seem like just one more step. Perceived Credibility: Consumers may assume that if a product is listed on a big-name platform, it must be legitimate. After all, sites like Amazon are household names theres a baseline of trust that unscrupulous sellers exploit by appearing to be just another vendor. Limited Awareness: Some buyers simply might not know that Prime Biome is sold exclusively through the official website. If its not immediately obvious, they might think third-party sellers are authorized. A quick search showing Prime Biome on multiple sites might give the impression its widely distributed in retail, which is not the case. While these unofficial marketplaces promise convenience or savings, the truth is they come with serious risks. The very factors that make these platforms attractive anonymity of sellers, vast product listings, and lack of direct oversight from the manufacturer create an environment where counterfeit supplements can thrive. Consumers should remember that if a deal for Prime Biome seems too good to be true, it probably is. In the sections that follow, well arm you with knowledge to discern genuine Prime Biome from imposters and explain why the official source is always the safest bet. Experience genuine quality and safety with Prime Biomeskip the risky deals on unofficial sites. Click here to visit the official website, secure your authentic supplement. Identifying Fake Prime Biome Products: Spotting the Real from the Counterfeit Not sure if the Prime Biome in your cart is the real deal? Youre not alone. Counterfeiters have become increasingly sophisticated, often replicating the look of authentic products. However, there are key features and clues that can help you distinguish a genuine Prime Biome supplement from a fake. Heres what to look for: Official Packaging Details: Authentic Prime Biome comes in a high-quality, sealed bottle with a glossy label and professional design. The genuine label prominently displays the Prime Biome logo and the words Skin & Gut Essential Probiotics in overlapping teal and pink circles, along with benefit markers like Dermal Balance, Digestive Support, and Healthy Weight. The bottle has a white child-safe cap and contains exactly 30 gummies. Counterfeits might have slightly different colors, low-resolution printing, or inconsistencies like missing symbols. Labeling Specifics and Ingredient List: The Supplement Facts on an authentic Prime Biome will list the unique blend of ingredients that make this formula effective. Genuine Prime Biomes proprietary blend includes clinically studied probiotics, botanical extracts (like Babchi or Lions Mane), vitamins (e.g., B6, B12, folic acid) and other elements supporting skin and gut health. A fake product might list only generic ingredients (for example, just ACV, beet root, and vitamins, omitting the specialized probiotics) or have typos and grammatical errors on the label. If the ingredient list seems overly simplistic or doesnt match the one provided on the official Prime Biome website, you could be looking at a knockoff. Batch Numbers and Expiration Dates: Authentic Prime Biome bottles are stamped with a lot number and expiration date as part of quality control. This information is usually printed in a clear, standardized font (often on the bottom of the bottle or the side of the label). It helps the company trace each bottle back to its manufacturing batch. Counterfeit products often lack valid batch numbers or use the same number on every bottle. If the bottle you received has no lot number or an expiration date that seems strangely far out (or already expired!), its a sign of inauthenticity. Quality Seals and Branding: Prime Biome prides itself on quality, so authentic bottles may feature seals like GMP Certified and Lab Tested either on the packaging or the website imagery. While a counterfeit might try to copy these, they often appear as mere printed graphics without any verification. The feel of the packaging can speak volumes: real Prime Biome labels are securely affixed and use vibrant colors; fakes might have peeling labels or dull color reproduction. Trust your instinctsif the product presentation looks subpar or different from what youve seen in official images, err on the side of caution. Verified Seller Credentials: Perhaps the most important indicator is who you are buying from. Authentic Prime Biome is sold directly by the manufacturer via the official website and is not authorized for resale on Amazon, eBay, or other outlets. If youre purchasing online, check the sellers name. On Amazon, for instance, it should say Ships from and sold by Prime Biome if it were official (currently, Prime Biomes policy is to sell only on their own site, so any Amazon seller is unofficial). On eBay or Etsy, there is no authorized seller at allso any listing there is automatically suspect. A verified distributor will always be listed on the Prime Biome website; if a sellers name doesnt match the official sources, dont trust it. Why Buy Prime Biome Direct from the Official Website? Because it is the only way to guarantee authenticity and effectiveness. When you purchase from Prime Biomes official website, you know youre getting the formula that was carefully developed by a board-certified dermatologist and produced in a certified facility. This means youll receive the full benefits of the product the potent probiotics, collagen-boosting ingredients, and antioxidants at the proper dosages all of which might be absent or insufficient in counterfeits. Moreover, the official site often provides customer protections: secure payment, a satisfaction guarantee, and customer support for any queries. None of these assurances apply when buying from an unauthorized third party. In short, if you want the real Prime Biome experience glowing skin, improved digestion, balanced weight management, and better overall wellness always stick with the official purchasing channels by clicking here. Prime Biome Unofficial Sources and Associated Risks Despite warnings, some consumers still venture to buy Prime Biome outside of the official site, often learning a hard lesson. In this section, we explore the most common unofficial sources where fake Prime Biome products are found and the specific risks tied to each. Real customers have shared cautionary tales that underline why its dangerous to trust these channels. Read on for an eye-opening look at why the lowest price or the easiest purchase isnt always worth it. Risks on Major Online Marketplaces (Amazon, eBay, Walmart) Big online marketplaces are usually the first stop for shoppers which is exactly why counterfeiters target them. If you search Prime Biome on Amazon or Walmart.com today, you might find listings that appear legitimate, complete with product images and even customer reviews. However, these listings are often posted by third-party sellers with no affiliation to the official brand. Here are common pitfalls and real experiences from these platforms: Commingled Inventory on Amazon: Amazons system sometimes mixes stock from different sellers in the same warehouse bin. This means even if one seller had authentic supply (in rare cases) and another had fakes, a buyer could receive the counterfeit. One customer reported ordering Prime Biome via Amazon and receiving a bottle that looked off the label colors were faded and the seal was broken. Upon using the gummies, they experienced severe bloating and nausea, symptoms they never had when using an official bottle previously. This strongly suggested the Amazon-sourced product was a fake. In their own words, It messed up my gut. When I order from the actual Prime Biome website, I feel wonderful that Amazon sellers product was nothing like the real thing. Amazon eventually refunded this customer, but the unpleasant experience and health scare were already endured. Tempting Bulk Deals on eBay: eBay is replete with listings for Prime Biome Gummies often at cut-rate prices. Many of these sellers have numerous units available, which is immediately suspicious for a product thats supposed to be exclusive. For example, earlier this month a seller on eBay offered multiple bottles of Prime Biome for as low as $16 each if bought in bulk, whereas the official price per bottle is higher due to the products premium ingredients. At least 7 buyers jumped on this deal. One of them, thinking theyd scored a bargain, later complained that the gummies tasted oddly chemical and had a strange aftertaste, and that there were no noticeable benefits after a month. Worse, that eBay seller had a no-returns policy leaving the customer stuck with useless (and possibly unsafe) gummies and out nearly $100. The risk on eBay and similar auction sites is high: not only might you get a fake product, but you typically cannot get your money back if you discover its counterfeit. Walmart and Other Online Retailers: Platforms like Walmart.com, Overstock, or Wish have third-party marketplaces where sellers can list items, similar to Amazon. Consumers have reported seeing Prime Biome appear on Walmarts site through third-party vendors. These often carry the same risks: inconsistent packaging and items shipping without proper seals or documentation. One Walmart marketplace buyer recounted receiving a plastic jar with a loose lid and a generic label (no Prime Biome branding at all) when they ordered what was advertised as Prime Biome. It was essentially a random skin gummy product being misrepresented. The pitfall here is the false sense of security buyers trust the big retail name, not realizing the item is coming from an unknown seller operating independently. Aside from potentially wasting money on a fake, theres a health risk: you have no idea whats actually in those off-brand gummies. They could be ineffective sugar pills or contain unsafe ingredients not tested by any regulatory oversight. In summary, while major marketplaces are convenient, buying Prime Biome from these sites is a classic case of buyer beware. The common thread in testimonials is disappointment at best, and adverse reactions at worst. No matter how glossy the listing or how many 5-star reviews it shows (counterfeit sellers often plant fake positive reviews), the only verified 5-star source for Prime Biome is through the official outlet. Dont let a fake seller ruin your journey to better skin and health. Dangers of Buying Prime Biome on Social Media (Instagram, Facebook Marketplace) Social media has evolved into a shopping hub, but with that comes a wild west of unregulated sales. If youve seen ads or posts on Instagram or Facebook promoting Prime Biome (especially with unbelievable discounts or claims), pause before you click Buy. Fraudulent sellers love social media because its easy to create fake pages and target ads to interested consumers. Heres what can happen: Deceptive Instagram Ads: You might scroll through Instagram and see a slick ad: Prime Biome Gummies 50% Off for 24 Hours! . It might even have the Prime Biome logo and images of the product. Influencers or sponsored posts could tout amazing results. But behind some of these ads are swindler operations. A consumer named Alicia shared her experience: I came across an Instagram ad from an account that looked just like Prime Biomes official profile same logo and pretty images. They were offering a Buy One Get One Free special through a link in bio. I impulsively ordered, and what I got was shocking. What arrived in the mail was a poorly packaged item: a cheap plastic jar with no branding, containing foul-smelling gummies. The seller disappeared the Instagram page was gone a week later and Alicia never got a response or a refund. She later learned the real Prime Biome team never runs promotions via random Instagram DMs or unofficial pages. Facebook Marketplace Deceivers: On Facebook Marketplace, locals sometimes list items for sale. There have been instances of Prime Biome for sale unopened by individuals. These could be people reselling a legitimate product, but more often they are trying to offload counterfeits by pretending they bought extra or received it as a gift and dont need it. Consider the risk: even if the seller is in your city, once you meet up or pay them (often via cash or peer-to-peer apps), you have zero buyer protection. A case in Chicago involved a woman who met a Marketplace seller in a parking lot to buy two bottles of Prime Biome at a heavy discount. Later she noticed the labels had printing errors and the safety seals were just gluey stickers. Indeed, they turned out fake and the seller was long gone, profile deleted. The buyer not only wasted money but also worried for days whether the few gummies she tried might have harmful ingredients. Fraud via Imitation Pages: Deceivers sometimes create Facebook pages or groups impersonating Prime Biome or a fan community. Theyll drop links claiming to be the official store. If you click and purchase via those links, you might actually be entering credit card details into a fraudulent site. Not only could you receive counterfeit goods, you could also compromise your personal and financial information. The danger on social media is that its easy to trust a friendly profile picture or a page with a name like Prime Biome Official Store (notice maybe an extra space or misspelling). Always double-check by going to Prime Biomes verified social media pages or website. The genuine company often posts warnings about fake profiles and will never ask you to buy through a private message or a non-official checkout process. In essence, while Instagram and Facebook are great for connecting with brands, purchasing through unverified social media sellers is extremely risky. The excitement of a flash sale or a personalized offer can quickly turn into regret. Stick to viewing social media for information and inspiration when its time to buy Prime Biome, use the secure, official channels only. Avoid the pitfalls of counterfeit offers on social mediaskip those dubious Instagram ads and Facebook Marketplace deals. Tap here to visit the official Prime Biome website, where you can shop securely and confidently for the genuine product, free from the risk of imitation. Independent Online Retailers and Prime Biome Counterfeits Beyond the well-known marketplaces, theres a sprawl of independent websites and online vitamin/supplement stores that may claim to stock Prime Biome. These sites might show up on Google searches or in banner ads, often with names similar to health stores (for example: bestnutraonline.com or primebiome-sale.com). Its crucial to approach these with skepticism: Unauthorized Websites Mimicking the Official Site: Some counterfeiters create entire websites that look like the Prime Biome official site. They may use the same logos, product images, and even copy text from real Prime Biome literature. The URL might be the giveaway perhaps a slight misspelling (e.g., primeblome.com with an extra letter, or using a different domain like .net or .store instead of the real one). If you land on a site that isnt the exact official domain, do not enter your payment info. Many victims have shared stories where they thought they were ordering from the manufacturer, only to never receive any product at all. The fraudsters simply took the money and vanished. In other cases, a package did arrive weeks later, containing something that was clearly not Prime Biome (once, even a random bottle of cheap multivitamins!). The financial loss can be significant, and since these websites are transient, its incredibly difficult to get a remedy or even track down who charged your card. Supplement Shops with No Credentials: You might find Prime Biome listed on a general supplement retail site that sells many brands. Be cautious Prime Biome has not partnered with retail chains or small online shops to distribute its product. If a site other than the official one is claiming to sell it, they are not getting it from the manufacturer. They could be reselling (which raises questions of how they obtained stock) or selling counterfeits. One such independent site was offering Prime Biome Extreme Skin & Gut Formula with an outdated photo of the product. A customer, Devon, ordered from this site, enticed by a $10-off first-time customer coupon. What he received was an expired batch of genuine-looking Prime Biome (upon checking the lot number with customer support, he discovered it was from a batch the company recalled due to a labeling misprint). It appears this retailer somehow got hold of discarded or old stock and sold it off. Using such a product can be ineffective or even unsafe. Devon noticed the gummies had hardened and the taste was off, which means even if something isnt a blatant fake, improper storage or expired goods are another risk of not buying direct. Malware and Data Theft: Another hidden danger of sketchy independent sellers is the security of their websites. Some counterfeit sites are downright dangerous in that they may inject malware or steal personal data. If youve ever clicked a link to Buy Prime Biome and ended up at a page that looks poorly made or asks for strange details, exit immediately. Its not just about losing money on a fake supplement identity theft and credit card fraud are real threats from these dubious operations. The official Prime Biome site is secured (look for the lock icon and https:// in the address bar) and will never ask for information unrelated to your purchase. In contrast, a fake seller might not protect your data at all. Customer Prime Biome Stories Financial and Health Fallout Many who have gambled on unauthorized sites regret it. We heard from a customer who bought from a site because it claimed to have a limited stock from an official distributor. After paying, she received an email with no tracking number and the site went offline two days later. She had to cancel her credit card to stop further charges. Another buyer got product from a small online store, but after taking the Prime Biome gummies for a week, he developed an allergic rash. Upon investigation, the ingredients listed didnt match the real formula it contained an unknown herbal extract likely responsible for the reaction. These scenarios underline that saving a few dollars isnt worth endangering your health or losing your hard-earned money. Second-hand Websites and Prime Biome: A Risky Combination The rise of second-hand and resale platforms (like Craigslist, OfferUp, Mercari, or community forums) has also led to Prime Biome being hawked in ways it was never intended. Seeing a supplement on a second-hand site should immediately raise alarms. Prime Biome is meant for consumption, and buying any consumable second-hand is a recipe for trouble: Unknown Storage Conditions: When you buy Prime Biome from an unofficial reseller, especially an individual, you have no idea how the product was stored. Was it left in a hot car, sitting for months in a garage, or unsealed and tampered with? The efficacy of probiotics and vitamins can degrade with improper storage (excess heat, humidity). One user shared on a forum that they bought an unopened Prime Biome from someone on Craigslist who claimed it didnt agree with them. The price was half of retail. Later, the buyer noticed the expiration date was very close and the gummies had partially melted into a blob at the bottom of the bottle clear signs of heat exposure. Consuming such a product could mean youre not getting the benefit (the active cultures might be dead) or worse, the product could be contaminated. Tampering and Adulteration: In second-hand sales, even if the bottle is presented as sealed, theres a risk it was opened and re-sealed deceptively. Unscrupulous individuals might remove some gummies, replace contents with something else, or dilute a product, then reseal it to appear new. With Prime Biomes distinctive seal, this is hard, but not impossible for determined fraudsters. We strongly advise against ever purchasing a bottle that isnt coming straight from the company. A great deal from a reseller could turn into a nightmare if whats inside has been adulterated. Think of it like buying a second-hand jar of baby food its just not worth the danger. Health Hazards of Used Supplements: Unlike a used book or gadget, a supplement is something you ingest. If someone is reselling, say, an opened bottle (I tried a few, didnt like them, selling the rest), do not buy or use it. There are countless ways an opened supplement can become unsafe: microbial growth once exposed to air, accidental contamination from the persons hands, or mixing with other substances. Even if sealed, theres the chance its a counterfeit as discussed. The bottom line is, you simply cannot verify the quality or safety of Prime Biome unless you buy it new from the source. Some consumers have reported feeling no effects from second-hand purchases likely because the product was degraded or fake meaning they missed out on the great benefits of authentic Prime Biome and wasted time thinking the product doesnt work for them, when in fact they never had the real thing. In summary, second-hand platforms are a dangerous place for wellness products. The few dollars saved are not worth the uncertainty of what youre putting in your body. When it comes to something as important as your skin health, digestion, and overall well-being, always choose safety and certainty by obtaining Prime Biome through legitimate channels. Conclusion: Why Authentic Prime Biome Matters Counterfeit or substandard versions of Prime Biome are more than just a financial swindler they rob consumers of the very benefits that make the supplement so popular. Authentic Prime Biome is meticulously formulated and tested to ensure it delivers on its promises of youthful skin, improved digestion, balanced weight management, and restored gut health. When you invest in the genuine product, you are investing in a research-backed, quality-controlled supplement that works in harmony with your bodys microbiome to produce real results. Users of authentic Prime Biome often report smoother, glowing skin and reduced breakouts, thanks to the dermal balance the formula provides. They experience less bloating and more comfortable digestion daily, due to the powerful probiotics and enzymes at work. Many even notice more balanced energy levels and weight management support, as the product helps optimize metabolism and nutrient absorption. These life-enhancing benefits are exclusive to the real Prime Biome no cheap knock-off can replicate that. On the flip side, consider the dangers posed by counterfeit products: at best, a fake Prime Biome does nothing meaning youve thrown money away and lost time in your wellness journey. At worst, it can contain harmful ingredients or contaminants that could cause side effects, allergic reactions, or other health issues. Financially, pursuing counterfeits can lead to loss of money with no recourse, especially when deceivers disappear after the sale. Moreover, using a counterfeit can shake your confidence in the product; someone might wrongly conclude Prime Biome doesnt work when in fact they never had the authentic formula to begin with. This guide exists to prevent those scenarios and keep consumers on the right track. Authenticity matters because your health matters. Prime Biomes true formula underwent rigorous development (remember, it was conceived by experts like board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jessica Burgy, specifically to ensure efficacy and safety). Every genuine bottle represents that commitment to quality. When you buy authentic, you support the continued research and integrity of a brand focused on real results and you protect yourself from the unknowns of the gray market. In closing this section, lets reiterate a simple principle: Only the authentic Prime Biome can deliver authentic results. No matter how enticing a deal or how urgent the desire to start a regimen, taking a moment to verify your source will pay off immensely in the long run. In the next section, well hear from real customers who learned firsthand the importance of this, and how choosing authentic Prime Biome changed their lives for the better. Tap here to visit the official Prime Biome website and invest in a research-backed, meticulously formulated supplement that truly works for you. Shop authentic today and experience the real results! Prime Biome Consumer Testimonials and Case Studies Nothing underscores the importance of authenticity better than hearing from those who have walked the path. Below, we share genuine experiences from users who encountered counterfeit Prime Biome products, as well as glowing testimonials from those enjoying the true benefits of the authentic supplement. These stories serve as caution and inspiration, highlighting the stark contrast between fake and real Prime Biome experiences. The Fake Fiasco Turned Success Julias Story: I consider myself a savvy shopper, so when I saw Prime Biome on sale through an online vendor, I jumped at it. The package arrived and right away I felt something was off the branding was slightly different. Still, I tried the gummies for 3 weeks and saw no changes in my skin or digestion. In fact, I started getting headaches which never happened with other probiotics. Frustrated, I reached out to Prime Biomes official customer support. They confirmed my bottle was a counterfeit. I was upset but determined: I ordered directly from the official site and wow, what a difference. Within two weeks on the real Prime Biome, my chronic bloating reduced and my skin started clearing up. It was night and day. Im sharing this so others dont make my mistake. Only the genuine product gave me the results Id heard about. Julia R., Dallas, TX. Dodging a swindler and Thriving: I almost fell for an Instagram promo for Prime Biome, but then I remembered a friends warning about fakes. I decided to play it safe and ordered from primebiome.com instead. Best decision! Three months in, my complexion has a new glow and I feel lighter and more energetic. I later saw comments exposing that Instagram seller as a fraud. Im so glad I trusted my gut (pun intended) and went official. Prime Biome has truly been a game-changer for my confidence and health. Marissa L., Seattle, WA. Loyal to Authentic Kevins Results: Ive been using Prime Biome for six months, and I always buy straight from the source. In a Facebook group, I saw others complaining theirs wasnt working, and it turned out they bought cheap on eBay. No wonder! My advice: dont risk it. The real Prime Biome helped my IBS symptoms and my skin is clearer than its been in 10 years. My wife says Im proof that it works, as long as you get the right stuff. Were both taking it now and loving the results. Kevin D., Atlanta, GA. These testimonials highlight a common theme: the authentic Prime Biome delivers on its promises, whereas counterfeits lead only to disappointment (or worse). Julias case shows how a negative experience can turn positive once the genuine product is used. Marissas account emphasizes how avoiding a swindler altogether saved her from trouble and let her reap rewards from day one. Kevins story reinforces long-term trust in the brand and real health improvements over time. If you have encountered a suspicious Prime Biome or have a story of your own, remember youre not alone many consumers have faced this, and by sharing information we create a community vigilant against fraud. The take-home message from these case studies is clear: Prime Biomes transformative benefits are real but you can only enjoy them with a real Prime Biome product. Dont let a counterfeit experience sour you. Learn from these voices and make the smart choice to stick with authenticity. Tap here to visit the official Prime Biome website and experience the real difference for yourself! Reporting Suspected Counterfeit Prime Biome Products: Your Step-by-Step Guide If you suspect that youve encountered a fake Prime Biome whether you saw a sketchy listing online, purchased a product that seems illegitimate, or even received a counterfeit its important to take action. Reporting these incidents helps protect other consumers and allows the brand to pursue and shut down fraudulent sellers. Heres a step-by-step guide on what you can do: Prime Biome: Reporting on Major Marketplaces Amazon: If you come across a Prime Biome product on Amazon sold by an unauthorized third party, navigate to the product page and look for the Report incorrect product information or Report abuse link (usually near the reviews or Q&A section). In your report, state that the item is suspected to be counterfeit and unauthorized by the brand. Additionally, you can contact Amazon Customer Service directly to lodge a complaint about a counterfeit seller Amazon takes counterfeit claims seriously and has a dedicated team (Amazons Counterfeit Crimes Unit) working on such issues. Provide them with the order ID (if you purchased it) and explain the discrepancies you found. eBay: On an eBay listing, scroll to the bottom and click Report item. When prompted, choose the reason such as Prohibited and Restricted Items > Counterfeit item or authenticity disclaimer. Describe that Prime Biome is not authorized for resale on eBay and the listing is likely selling a fake product. If you already bought it and realized its fake, contact eBays customer support through the Resolution Center to report the seller and open a case for a refund, citing that the item is counterfeit. eBay will investigate and often side with the buyer in counterfeit cases. Walmart.com: If you suspect a third-party seller on Walmarts website is offering bogus Prime Biome, you can report it by contacting Walmart customer support via phone or online chat. Provide the item ID or URL and explain that the product is unauthorized/counterfeit. Walmart may remove the listing if it violates their terms. They also have a Report a Listing feature in the Walmart Marketplace guidelines, which you can use to email details of the fraudulent listing to their trust & safety team. Etsy: Etsy primarily deals in handmade goods, but if someone lists Prime Biome there, its certainly not legit. On the listing page, click Report this item to Etsy. Choose Prohibited or restricted product and in the notes explain its a counterfeit supplement listing. Etsys team will review and can take it down. Since Etsy isnt a common place for this product, any listing you see is highly likely a swindler. Contacting Prime Biome Official Support The Prime Biome team wants to hear from you if youve encountered a fake. They are committed to protecting their customers and brand reputation. Heres how you can reach out: Email: Send a detailed email to the official Prime Biome customer support (for example, support@theprimebiome.com or the contact provided on their website). Include information such as where you saw or bought the product, the sellers name or link, purchase date, and why you believe its counterfeit (describe packaging differences, lack of effect, etc.). If you have photos of the item and receipt, attach them this evidence is very useful for their investigation. Contact Form: Many official sites have a Contact Us form. Fill it out with the relevant info. Select a subject like Report Counterfeit Product if available, or Order Issue if not, and provide the same details as above. Phone Support: If Prime Biome offers a customer service hotline, give them a call. Speaking directly can sometimes expedite the process. Explain the situation clearly and ask what steps theyd like you to take next. They might request the product be sent to them for analysis (in some cases, the company may even offer a replacement if its confirmed fake and you bought it unknowingly). Social Media (Direct Message): If you cant reach via email or phone, consider sending a direct message to Prime Biomes official Instagram or Facebook account. Legitimate brand accounts often respond to customer concerns there. Be sure to message the verified account (blue check mark, if applicable) to ensure your information reaches the real team. When reporting, be as factual and detailed as possible. The goal is to equip Prime Biomes team with information to track down the counterfeit supply chain or alert marketplace administrators. You will not get in trouble for reporting on the contrary, youre helping the community. Prime Biome and platforms like Amazon appreciate vigilant customers who flag illegitimate sellers. What Happens After You Report Fake Prime Biome Gummies? Once youve reported to the relevant parties, they will begin an investigation. Amazon/eBay/etc. may remove the sellers listings or suspend their account if evidence of counterfeit activity is found. Prime Biomes legal team may pursue cease-and-desist orders against persistent offenders. While you might not see immediate public action, know that every report contributes to the crackdown on fake products. If you provided contact info, you may get updates or follow-up questions. In some cases, law enforcement can become involved in larger counterfeit operations again, your report might be a piece of a bigger puzzle that helps shut down illicit operations. Finally, if you ended up with a fake product in hand, safely dispose of it once its no longer needed for evidence. Do not continue using it. And if you need a genuine replacement, head to the official site to place a fresh order with confidence (perhaps reach out to customer service occasionally they offer courtesy discounts for victims of counterfeits, as a goodwill gesture). By reporting counterfeit Prime Biome whenever you see it, youre not only looking out for yourself but also performing a public service. It creates a safer shopping environment for everyone. Thank you for being proactive and helping keep the marketplace honest! Safe Online Shopping: Protecting Yourself When Buying Prime Biome In the digital age, shopping smart is just as important as shopping for the right product. When youre ready to buy Prime Biome, following a few safe online practices will ensure you get exactly what you expect. Here are some recommended steps to verify authenticity and secure your purchase: Always Start at the Official Source: The simplest way to avoid fakes is to go directly to Prime Biomes official website for your purchase. Bookmark the official site (to avoid mistyping the URL later) or navigate via a trusted source (such as a link from Prime Biomes verified social media or a reputable news article). Remember, Prime Biome is not sold in stores so if you see it elsewhere online, question it. Make it a habit: official site first, and likely last. Check the Website URL and Security: Before entering any personal or payment information, double-check that the website address is correct. It should match exactly the official domain name of Prime Biome . Watch out for lookalike URLs with extra letters or different domain endings. Additionally, look for the padlock icon in your browsers address bar, indicating the site is secured with SSL encryption (the URL will start with https://). A secure, correct URL is a baseline for authenticity. If something looks off (no padlock, odd domain, broken English on the site), do not proceed with the purchase. Be Wary of Too-Good-To-Be-True Offers: Deceivers often attract buyers with unrealistically low prices or huge discounts. Compare the price with the official sites pricing. Prime Biome occasionally might have promotions, but they will be reasonable. If you stumble on a site offering Buy 1 get 3 free or 70% off, thats a giant red flag. Similarly, be cautious with bundle deals on third-party sites the official site will clearly advertise if any bundle savings exist. Trust your gut; its better to pay the standard price for certainty than to chase a massive sale into a trap. Use Secure Payment Methods: When buying online, especially a product like Prime Biome, opt for payment methods that offer buyer protection. Credit cards are generally safe because you can dispute charges if something goes wrong. Services like PayPal also have dispute resolution for items not received or not as described. Avoid direct bank transfers, wire services, or mailing cash/cheques these offer no recourse if youve been deceived. The official Prime Biome checkout will typically accept secure methods and possibly offer things like PayPal for customer convenience. If an unofficial seller insists on weird payment (e.g., Pay via gift card or Friends & Family transfer), thats a sure sign to walk away. Examine the Product Upon Arrival: Once you order Prime Biome from a trusted source and it arrives, do a quick inspection. Make sure the package is sealed and untampered. Check the label details against whats shown on the official site everything should match up (branding, ingredient list, grammar/spelling, lot number, etc.). Authentic Prime Biome will have a professional look and feel. If anything looks off, contact the official support immediately before consuming the product. In the unlikely event that a counterfeit slipped through (for example, a third-party seller fulfilled an order), the company will want to know and will likely assist you. Keep Records: Save your order confirmation, receipts, and any correspondence. Hopefully, youll never need it because your purchase will be smooth and authentic. But if any issue arises, having records makes it easier to resolve. This is particularly useful if you inadvertently bought from a marketplace youll need proof of purchase and communication to file disputes or reports as described earlier. By following these safe-shopping tips, you build layers of defense between you and the fraudsters. It may seem like a lot to consider, but in practice its quick: go to official site, ensure the page is secure, pay safely, and verify on arrival. These habits soon become second nature and can apply to all your online supplement or beauty buys, not just Prime Biome. Remember: Your health is precious, and so is your personal data and money. Taking a little extra time to shop carefully ensures that you receive the true Prime Biome product and all the benefits and peace of mind that come with it. Safeguard your health and wallet by shopping smartlyonly on the official site. Click here to visit Prime Biome's secure website, where you can verify every detail, pay safely, and receive the genuine product you deserve. Final Thoughts: Secure Your Prime Biome with Confidence As we wrap up this comprehensive guide, the overarching advice is clear stay vigilant, stay informed, and stick with the official source for Prime Biome. The journey to better skin and gut health is an exciting one, and Prime Biomes authentic supplement can be a powerful ally in that journey. By ensuring you purchase through legitimate channels, youre securing not just a product, but your own well-being and results. The enthusiasm and buzz around Prime Biome exist for good reason: countless users have experienced real transformations, from radiant skin to comfortable digestion. You deserve to experience those rewards in full, without interference from fraudulent products or sellers. Empower yourself as a consumer. Now you know exactly how to spot fakes, where the dangers lurk, and what steps to take to avoid or report them. Share this knowledge with friends and family who use supplements or are considering Prime Biome you might save them from a bad experience. The more we collectively reject counterfeit goods, the less incentive there is for counterfeiters to continue their schemes. In an age where online shopping is the norm, trust is the new currency. Trust the proven channels, and trust your instincts if something feels off. Prime Biome has established its brand on trust by delivering a quality, science-backed product that works. They, in turn, trust consumers to purchase wisely and uphold the integrity of the brand by avoiding illegitimate avenues. So, as you go forward, do so with confidence. Know that by choosing authentic Prime Biome, you are making a sound investment in your health and beauty. You are also sending a message that you wont be fooled by deceivers you value whats real. Should you need more information or want to make that secure purchase, head over to the official Prime Biome website or contact their friendly support team. They are there to ensure your satisfaction and safety every step of the way. Thank you for reading this experts guide. Armed with this knowledge, you can enjoy all the benefits Prime Biome has to offer, worry-free and full of enthusiasm for the positive changes ahead. Heres to youthful skin, a happy gut, and the confidence of knowing youve got the genuine article. Secure your Prime Biome today through official channels and embark on your wellness journey with peace of mind and excitement! Media Contact for Prime Biome Company: Prime Biome Contact Name: Jessica Burgy Email: PR@theprimebiome.com Address: 4711 34st N, Suite 3, St. Petersburg, Florida 33714, United States Disclaimers: The statements made in this press release have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). PrimeBiome is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary. Consult with a qualified healthcare provider before starting PrimeBiome, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are taking medications. References to scientific studies and institutions are for informational purposes related to broader research on gut health and skin wellness. They do not constitute an endorsement of PrimeBiome. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/df1bb782-776d-47d5-8928-a4391d105d50 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5d3b6e92-34fd-4d37-8091-744c20b27ce2 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3f7a3019-87af-4a08-970c-6ecb3e677957 Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses In Telus International To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options If you purchased or acquired securities in Telus International between February 16, 2023 and August 1, 2024 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310). [You may also click here for additional information] NEW YORK, March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against TELUS International (Cda) Inc. (Telus International or the Company) (NYSE: TIXT) and reminds investors of the March 31, 2025 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company. Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com. As detailed below, the complaint alleges that the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose that: (1) the Companys AI Data Solutions offerings required the cannibalization of its higher-margin offerings; (2) that Telus Internationals declining profitability was tied to the Companys drive to develop AI capabilities; (3) that Telus Internationals shift toward AI put greater pressure on the Companys margins than previously disclosed; and (4) that, as a result of the foregoing, Defendants positive statements about the Companys business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. On May 9, 2024, Telus International released its first quarter 2024 financial results, revealing a $29 million decline in revenue year over year. On the same day, the Company held an earnings call during which Chief Financial Officer, Gopi Chande was asked by an analyst to clarify what margin should look like on a go-forward basis as margins were down year-over-year and . . . were below the full year guidance. In response, Gopi Chande revealed that the margins generated by the Companys AI offerings can be a bit below average. On this news, the Companys share price fell $1.41 or 18.15%, to close at $6.36 on May 9, 2024, on unusually heavy trading volume. Then, on August 2, 2024, before the market opened, Telus International released second quarter 2024 financial results, revealing a significant slowdown in revenue generation: a $5 million quarter-over-quarter or $15 million year-over-year revenue decrease; a $23 million or 15% quarter-over-quarter adjusted EBITDA decrease; and 14.6% quarter-over-quarter reduction in adjusted EBITDA margin, from 23.3% to 19.9%. As a result, Telus International announced it had significantly reduced its full year 2024 fiscal guidance. The Company also disclosed that Jeff Puritt, then-President and Chief Executive Officer, would retire effective September 3, 2024. In an earnings call held the same day, Puritt disclosed that the transition of the Company towards a more technology centric and specifically AI fueled business, necessitates some cannibalization of our tenured and higher margin CX work. Puritt concluded that, ultimately, the Company is going to have to take it on the chin a little bit in terms of our historical margin profile and rely upon eating our own roommate cooking internally, referring the self-cannibalization of the business, in order to create the headwind we need to enjoy the margin yield that weve historically benefited from. On this news, the Companys share price fell $2.33 or 35.96%, to close at $4.15 on August 2, 2024, on unusually heavy trading volume. The stock continued to decline on the next trading day available, falling $0.83, or 20%, to close at $3.32 on August 5, 2024, on unusually heavy trading volume. The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not. Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding Telus Internationals conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others. To learn more about the TELUS International (Cda) class action, go to www.faruqilaw.com/TIXT or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310). Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, on X, or on Facebook. Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4c96193e-9e8a-4e5d-878a-3e41b441e24a MINNEAPOLIS, March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alissa Partee, Chief Operations Officer (COO), at Restaurant Technologies was recognized as one of the top Women in Business by the Minneapolis St-Paul Business Journal in early March. Partee first joined Restaurant Technologies in 2020 as Chief People Officer where she led the human resources team. During her tenure, Partee saw the company grow from 1,000 employees to over 1,500 nationwide. In addition to her CPO role, Partee expanded her horizons as the interim COO in 2024 where she led the implementation of a new nine-person operations excellence team. She transitioned into the COO role full-time in December 2025. As COO, Partee leads the operations team with five direct reports who lead over 1,100 operations team members and managers. She also chairs the Restaurant Technologies Safety Committee. What sets Alissa apart from other leaders goes beyond her job title. While she has proven her ability to successfully step into any role, she leads by showing that she cares about her team and empowering the employees at Restaurant Technologies to be their best, said Jeff Kiesel, President and CEO. Her experience as CPO and understanding of people has proven to be invaluable during her time as COO where she continues to excel. According to the Business Journal website, 2025 marks the 28th iteration of the award that honors the Twin Cities most influential women, including industry-leading executives, entrepreneurs, and business owners. Honorees are a whos who of women from the most recognizable companies across Minn. including US Bancorp, FanDuel Sports, and Teach for America, to name a few. Partee, along with the rest of the 2025 Minneapolis St-Paul Business Journal Women in Business class, will be honored at the Women in Business Awards and Expo in May. To learn more about Restaurant Technologies, visit rti-inc.com. Media contact: David Cheng Public Relations Manager Restaurant Technologies 612-308-9360 | dcheng@rti-inc.com About Restaurant Technologies Restaurant Technologies is the leading provider of commercial kitchen solutions for over 45,000 customers nationwide. Since 1999, its Total Oil Management and AutoMist solutions help Control the Kitchen Chaos for quick-service and full-service restaurant chains, independent restaurants, grocery stores, hotels, resorts, casinos, hospitals, and more. By automating the hardest tasks in the kitchen, Restaurant Technologies improves food quality, safety, and efficiency for its customers. Total Oil Management eliminates the manual handling of cooking oil through an automated solution that delivers, stores, filters, monitors, and removes oil. Restaurant Technologies also works with renewable energy partners to recycle used cooking oil into renewable fuels for a more sustainable business. AutoMist automates hood and flue cleaning to reduce fire risk and create a cleaner, safer work environment. Headquartered in Mendota Heights, Minnesota, Restaurant Technologies is privately held and operates 41 depots nationwide with more than 1,500 employees. For more information, visit www.rti-inc.com, or follow on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or X @RTIoil. Attachment Vancouver, March 18, 2025 - Canada One Mining Corp. (TSXV: CONE) (OTC Pink: COMCF) (FSE: AU31) ("Canada One" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Maria Mockova, as an independent director. Dr. Mockova holds a doctorate in Microeconomics with a Masters in Economic Diplomacy from the Prague University of Economics and Business, having spent three earlier years at the University of Economics in Bratislava, Slovakia with a focus on accounting. Early in her career, Dr. Mockova worked exclusively in Europe for advertising agencies specializing in international branding. She later held executive corporate and marketing positions for a global beverage company, in which she oversaw both the Czech and Slovak offices. With a strong background in accounting and operations, she has served on the board of private companies throughout her career and most recently extended her knowledge and expertise into the public market domain with an emphasis on early-stage juniors. In addition to her professional accomplishments Dr. Mockova speaks English, Slovak and Czech. Mr. Berdusco, President and CEO of the Company commented: "Dr. Mockova is an excellent addition to our board. Her wealth of experience with early-stage companies and their operations is a great benefit to Canada One and will enhance the team's capabilities as it continues to develop the Copper Dome project. We welcome her to the company." The Company also announces the resignation of Rodney Stevens from the board of directors. The Company would like to thank Mr. Stevens for his years of dedicated service as an independent director and wish him well in his future endeavours. About Canada One Canada One is a premier resource exploration company operating in Canada. From exploration to discovery to resource development, the Company is focused on creating growth and generating value for its investors and communities as it meets the growing global demand for critical metals. Copper Dome is the Company's flagship project with its northern border situated 1.5kms from Hudbay Mineral's Copper Mountain Mine deposits. About the Copper Dome Project The Project lies within the lower portion of the Quesnel Trough porphyry belt, a well-established mining district. The belt extends north from the Copper Mountain Mine, through the Elk, Brenda, Craigmont, Highland Valley, and New Afton mines. Previous drilling on the property has confirmed the presence of high-grade copper associated with northeast running geological structures similar to those seen at the Copper Mountain Mine: Past exploration has identified the presence of palladium (Pd), platinum (Pt) and gold (Au) mineralization on the Property Multiple zones of mineralization have been discovered on the Property to date Excellent infrastructure provides year-round access with low-cost exploration and low jurisdictional risk Past exploration includes, airborne magnetics flown over the entire Project, 51km of induced polarization (IP) surveyed over areas of interest, Airborne Magnetics and electro-magnetics (EM) surveyed over half of the Project area, 2,253 soil and 378 rock samples collected, over 8900m of diamond drilling and over 1km of trenching The Company also announces it has terminated the Abitibi East and Nellie option agreement, first announced October 18, 2023. There are no outstanding liabilities or obligations associated with the termination. On behalf of the Board of Directors of CANADA ONE MINING CORP. Peter Berdusco President and Chief Executive Officer Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation, statements relating to the future operating or financial performance of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this press release relate to, among other things: statements relating to the anticipated timing thereof and the intended use of proceeds. Actual future results may differ materially. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the respective parties, are inherently subject to significant business, technical, economic, and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: the timing, completion and delivery of the referenced assessments and analysis. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these times. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law. TSX Venture Exchange Disclaimer 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/245173 VANCOUVER, March 18, 2025 - Supreme Critical Metals Inc. (CSE:CRIT)(FWB:VR61)(OTC PINK:VRCFF) ("Supreme" or the "Company") announces the Company and third parties have reached debt settlement agreements whereby the Company will issue 7,473,920 common shares at a price of $.10 per share for a total of $747,392, subject to 4 month restricted hold and subject to exchange approval. Related parties transactions account for 1,548,000 of the shares to be issued to 4 directors and officers, making this a related party transaction. The Company is relying upon exemptions contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7 (a) of MI 61-101 as the fair market value of the shares being issued is less than 25% of the market capitalization of the Company. About Supreme Critical Metals Inc. SUPREME CRITICAL METALS INC. is a publicly traded diversified investment corporation actively exploring and investigating multiple opportunities in lithium, copper, silver, and precious metals. The Company adheres to strategic guidelines that prioritize regions conducive to mining, supported by favourable government regulations and existing infrastructure. For further information, please contact: George Tsafalas, Director Phone: Toll Free 1(778) 373-8578 E-mail: info@supremecritalmetals.com www.supremecriticalmetals.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (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 Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding future financial position, business strategy, use of proceeds, corporate vision, proposed acquisitions, partnerships, joint-ventures and strategic alliances and co-operations, budgets, cost and plans and objectives of or involving the Company. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to management. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. A number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause the actual results or performance to materially differ from any future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions and dependence upon regulatory approvals. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by securities laws. SOURCE: Supreme Critical Metals Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Vancouver, March 19, 2025 - Golden Cariboo Resources Ltd. (the "Company") (CSE:GCC) (OTC:GCCFF) (WKN:A402CQ) (FSE:3TZ) announces that two significantly sized gold in MMI soil anomalies have been identified north of the currently known extent of the Halo zone, beyond the previous drill campaign at the Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property (the 'Property'), located about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) northeast of Hixon, central British Columbia, Canada. David Mark, P.Geo., has provided an additional memo to the Company, following up on the details reported in News Release dated January 21, 2025. Detailed analysis of the MMI soil data, which covers an area of about 1.7 km x 0.5 km (1.1 miles x 0.3 miles) and located generally between Hixon Creek and Buckley Creek, "has revealed gold anomalies that have been shown to correlate with known gold mineralization of the trenching and diamond drilling program. This therefore shows that MMI is invaluable in outlining gold targets within the Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property. As such, it has revealed numerous gold anomalies throughout the MMI survey area that are new targets for future exploration. Two of the strongest targets are as follows: 1. A gold anomaly within the northern part of the survey area at its eastern edge. This anomaly is the strongest on the property and has dimensions of 240 meters (787 feet) northerly by at least 135 meters (443 feet) easterly with it being open to the east. This southernmost edge of this gold anomaly is located 260 meters (853 feet) north of the collar of drill hole QGQ24-20. 2. A gold-copper-silver anomalous zone with additional anomalous values in arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, molybdenum, lead, antimony, and zinc. It is located at the northern end of the survey area and its dimensions cover an area of at least 200 meters (656 feet) northerly by 500 meters (1640 feet) easterly with it being open to the north, west, and east. This southernmost edge of this anomaly is located 600 meters (1969 feet) north of the collar of drill hole QGQ24-20." These two significant anomalies are of strong exploration interest and, as recommended by David Mark, P.Geo., the Company will expand trenching and drilling activities to target these two northerly zones of the Property within the 2025 exploration season. The technical information in this news release has been reviewed by David Mark, P.Geo., a qualified person with respect to NI 43-101. About Golden Cariboo Resources Ltd. Golden Cariboo Resources Ltd. is rediscovering the Cariboo Gold Rush by proceeding with highly targeted drilling and trenching programs on its Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property which is almost fully encircled on 3 of 4 sides by Osisko Development (NSE:ODV/TSXV:ODV), partly intertwined with them at the north end of the Cariboo Gold Project, and located along favorable corridor adjacent the Spanish and Eureka thrust faults over a 94,899 hectare (234,501 acre) area. Historically, over 101 placer gold creeks on the 90 kilometer (56 mile) trend from the Cariboo Hudson mine north to the Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property have recorded production and successful placer mining continues to this day. Golden Cariboo's Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property is 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) northeast of, and road accessible from, Hixon in central British Columbia. The Project includes the Quesnelle Quartz gold-silver deposit, which was discovered in 1865 in conjunction with placer mining activities. Hixon Creek, which dissects the old hardrock mine workings, is a placer gold producing creek which has seen small-scale placer production since the mid-1860s. For further information please contact: GOLDEN CARIBOO RESOURCES LTD. "J. Frank Callaghan" J. Frank Callaghan, President & CEO Tel: 604-669-6463 VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS www.goldencariboo.com LIKE AND FOLLOW Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn Neither the "CSE" Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statements: This news release contains statements which constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company with respect to future business activities and plans of the Company. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" or similar expressions and includes information regarding; the expectation that the Company will receive all necessary exemptions and approvals to complete the Offering; the expectation that the Company will complete the Offering on the terms disclosed, or at all; the expectation that the proceeds will be used for property exploration and for general working capital; the Company's exploration plans with respect to its Quesnelle Gold Quartz Mine property; and the anticipated participation of the insider in the Offering. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions of management, including, without limitation, that the Company will receive all necessary exemptions and approvals to complete the Offering; that the Company will complete the Offering on the terms disclosed, or at all; that the proceeds will be used for property exploration and for general working capital; that the Company will have the resources required to proceed with its exploration plans; that the Company will not run into regulatory or other barriers in carrying out its business plans; that the insider will participate in the Offering, on the terms and conditions and in the amount currently expected by management; and that the Company will be able to rely on the exemption from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements on the basis anticipated. Additionally, forward-looking information involve a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, without limitation: that the Company will not receive the necessary exemptions and approvals to complete the Offering; that the Company will not complete the Offering on the terms disclosed, or at all; that the Company will be unable to use the proceeds for property exploration and for general working capital; that the Company may incur unanticipated costs; that the Company may not have the resources required to pursue its exploration plans; that the Company's operations could be adversely affected by possible future government legislation policies and controls or by changes in applicable laws and regulations; that the insider may not participate in the Offering on the terms and conditions and in the amount currently expected by management, or at all; and that the Company may not be able to rely on the exemption from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements on the basis currently expected. Such forward-looking information represents management's best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Neither the Company nor any of its representatives make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, sufficiency or completeness of the information in this news release. Neither the Company nor any of its representatives shall have any liability whatsoever, under contract, tort, trust or otherwise, to you or any person resulting from the use of the information in this news release by you or any of your representatives or for omissions from the information in this news release. The forward-looking statements herein speak only as of the date they were originally made. The Company has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. AgriQuinns: Young women entrepreneurs transforming agriculture through innovation GraphicOnline Business News Mar - 19 - 2025 , 07:25 AgriQuinns Ghana, a startup founded by four young women in 2023, is making waves in the agribusiness sector with its innovative approach to sustainable farming. The company, established through the Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC) AgriTech Challenge Classic, is proving that resilience, determination, and ingenuity can drive success in agriculture. The startup specialises in producing organic fertiliser from coconut waste, offering an eco-friendly alternative to chemical fertilisers. By repurposing agricultural byproducts, AgriQuinns is helping farmers improve soil fertility, increase crop yields, and reduce dependence on synthetic inputs. Their initiative not only supports sustainable agriculture but also contributes to rural economic growth and food security. Despite facing challenges in securing funding at the AgriTech Pro Finals in 2024, the team remained undeterred. They leveraged their expertise, training, and networks to scale their operations and attract customers. Their story underscores that success in agribusiness is not solely dependent on funding but also on passion, perseverance, and a deep understanding of the business environment. Co-founder Jessica Awaliga highlighted the importance of resilience in their journey, stating: Success is defined by the impact you create and the challenges you overcome. At AgriQuinns, we chose to keep pushing, and today, we are proving that resilience can lead to remarkable achievements. As an all-female-led enterprise, AgriQuinns Ghana serves as an inspiration to young women aspiring to venture into agribusiness. Their success demonstrates that women can play a transformative role in the agricultural value chain. Through its partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, the Kosmos Innovation Center has provided entrepreneurship training to many young people, including women, creating employment opportunities and fostering business growth. The success of AgriQuinns stands as a testament to the power of innovation and determination in driving meaningful change in Ghanas agricultural sector. Ato Forson: Cedi remains stable, government rolling out measures to strengthen currency GraphicOnline Business News Mar - 19 - 2025 , 06:39 Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has assured Ghanaians that the cedi has remained stable against the US dollar since February 19, 2025, on the interbank forex market. Addressing Parliament on Tuesday, March 19, he noted that as of March 14, the cedi was trading at GH15.53 per dollar, reflecting a 5.3 per cent depreciationan improvement compared to the 5.7 per cent depreciation recorded during the same period last year. Responding to a question from Mavis Nkansah Boadu, MP for Afigya Sekyere East, on the governments measures to curb the cedis decline, Dr Forson attributed the relative stability to tight liquidity policies implemented by the Bank of Ghana. He stressed that these measures have been effective in preventing further volatility on the forex market. The Finance Minister outlined key strategies aimed at sustaining the cedis resilience. These include the establishment of the Ghana Gold Board to enhance foreign currency reserves, bolstering forex market interventions, and prioritising expenditure cuts to ease pressure on the currency. Dr Forson further revealed that the governments "24-hour economy" initiative, set to be rolled out in the coming months, will include an import substitution policy. This, he said, is designed to reduce the countrys reliance on foreign goods, strengthen the local economy, and ultimately support the cedis stability. Previous article: See the members of the new GOIL Board Brij Fintech Ghana launches BrijX B2B currency swap platform in regulatory sandbox GraphicOnline Business News Mar - 19 - 2025 , 12:47 Brij Fintech Ghana, a licensed Payment Service Provider (PSP), has commenced a six-month pilot phase of its BrijX B2B Currency Swap Platform under the supervision of the Bank of Ghanas Regulatory Sandbox. The BrijX platform is designed as a digital marketplace facilitating direct currency swaps between the Ghanaian Cedi and the Nigerian Naira without relying on traditional foreign exchange channels. The initiative aims to provide businesses with a seamless and efficient cross-border transaction solution. As part of the pilot, Brij Fintech Ghana will conduct controlled testing of outbound transactions from Ghana to Nigeria for a select number of users, ensuring compliance with existing transaction limits. The company is partnering with Mobilemoney Ltd and G-Money Financial Services to test the product with their customers. Speaking on the development, a representative of Brij Fintech Ghana stated, This pilot marks a significant step towards enhancing financial inclusion and cross-border trade efficiency. We are confident that BrijX will provide a reliable and innovative solution for businesses engaging in transactions between Ghana and Nigeria. The Bank of Ghanas Regulatory Sandbox provides a controlled environment for fintech companies to test innovative financial products while ensuring consumer protection and regulatory compliance. If successful, the BrijX platform could revolutionise currency exchange between the two West African economies. Orange Growers seek policy and financial reforms to boost citrus industry GraphicOnline Business News Mar - 19 - 2025 , 08:09 The Orange Growers Association (OGA) has engaged the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) in a high-level discussion to address critical challenges in Ghanas citrus industry, including financing constraints, market inefficiencies, and post-harvest waste management. The meeting, held in Accra, brought together key industry stakeholders, processors, and government representatives to explore solutions aimed at stabilising and growing the sector. A key issue highlighted during the meeting was the lack of working capital for citrus farmers, with many struggling to sustain operations due to long payment cycles from processors. Although Ghana produced 440,000 tons of citrus in 2024, only 40 percent of the harvest was monetised, leaving farmers vulnerable to financial distress. Our biggest challenge is liquidity. We do not have the working capital to wait 60 days for payments. Farmers need immediate financial support to keep their farms running, Theodore Tsidi Kloba, Business Development Manager at OGA said. He explained that his outfit would like to leverage existing parastatals of the Ministry to find solutions to the prevailing issues. The meeting also addressed the significant volume of citrus waste, which presents an untapped US$100 million market opportunity in animal feed, biofertilisers, and essential oil extraction. Right now, we are throwing away what could be a major revenue stream, Mr. Kloba noted. If we invest in citrus waste processing, we can generate additional income for farmers while reducing environmental damage, he added. One of the most promising solutions discussed was black soldier fly farming, where citrus waste is used to produce protein-rich feed for livestock. We need to stop seeing waste as a burden and start seeing it as a business opportunity, Mr. Kloba noted. In response to these concerns, the sector Minister, Eric Opoku outlined potential interventions, which aim to integrate processing, storage, and financing support for farmers. He outlined the government's commitment to transforming the citrus industry into a major economic pillar. "The citrus sector represents one of our most promising agricultural frontiers, with production volumes now surpassing even some of our traditional staples. This government recognises that unlocking its full potential requires addressing the current liquidity challenges faced by our farmers and processors," he stated. Kwasi Etu Bonde, Technical Director at MoFA, also said the Ministry has already re-evaluating its framework to provide critical support for the industry. The meeting concluded with a commitment to pursue financial interventions, including a structured revolving fund for citrus farmers. Furthermore, there was a consensus to develop a waste-to-value strategy that supports livestock feed production, fertiliser manufacturing, and citrus oil extraction as well as engage other stakeholders, including policymakers, financial institutions, and private investors to create a sustainable citrus value chain. This is a defining moment for Ghanas citrus industry. With the right financial and policy interventions, we can transform citrus farming into a high-value agribusiness sector, Mr. Kloba added. Next article: Nigeria and Kenya among nations running out of HIV drugs - WHO Previous article: Nigeria and Kenya among nations running out of HIV drugs - WHO We rode out the storm: David Adjaye's firm projects confidence after 'worst year' www.bdonline.co.uk International News Mar - 19 - 2025 , 06:57 3 minutes read Adjaye Associates has insisted it is feeling bullish after reporting a loss of 720,000 and a downturn in revenue during the year that its founder David Adjaye faced allegations of sexual misconduct. The practice said its pre-tax profit margin would have stayed in the black without a one-off payment of 1.46m made after reviewing claims for withholding taxes from foreign jurisdictions. The firms latest accounts, covering for the year to December 2023, cover the period when Adjaye was accused of sexual misconduct towards three women, which he has consistently denied. The accusations, first published in the Financial Times, led to the practice being dropped from a number of high profile projects including the 57m International Slavery Museum in Liverpool. The fallout from the story also led to Adjaye stepping down from a number of key roles including as design advocate for the Mayor of London and a ceremonial association with architecture school the African Futures Institute. But the RIBA Gold Medal-winning architect made no mention of the allegations in the accounts, instead blaming the firms performance on a commercially challenging year for the construction industry at large, adding that a global economic slowdown had led to delays on a number of significant projects. While turnover dropped from 20.5m to 17.1m, a spokesperson for the practice described the fall in revenue as a blip and said the firm was feeling confident and carrying on. We had a storm thrown at us and we toughed it out, the spokesperson said, admitting that 2023 had been possibly the worst year that any architecture firm could have gone through. The firm also claimed that a cut in staff numbers during the accounting period from 96 to 85 was relatively minor given the circumstances, while describing its profit margin as commendable if the one-off tax payment was excluded. The spokesperson declined to comment on the tax payment, which the firm blamed for sending its pre-tax profit tumbling into the red from 2.5m in 2022. Turnover in the practices two largest markets also fell during the period, from 14m to 13m in the Middle East and from 4.8m to just 892,000 in Asia. However, income rose in Africa from 261,400 to 1.46m and from 684,000 to 984,000 in the UK. The firm paid a dividend of 1.9m during the year. Adjaye is listed as the sole director of the company, which is majority owned by its parent company Adjaye Holdings Limited, which is in turn majority owned by Adjaye. Major projects completed by the practice during 2023 included the King Salman Park Visitor Centre in Riyadh, the George Street Plaza and Community Building in Sydney and a residential tower in New York called 130 William. Next article: Nigeria and Kenya among nations running out of HIV drugs - WHO Previous article: Hollywood director arrested on charges of swindling Netflix out of $11M for a show that never aired What Dutch King Willem-Alexander said about human rights during state visit to Kenya Graphic.com.gh International News Mar - 19 - 2025 , 10:47 2 minutes read The Dutch King has referred to the human rights of Kenyans during a state visit to Kenya, which has coincided with mounting allegations of human rights abuses. "The people of Kenya, like those of The Netherlands, want their rights as free citizens to be respected and their voices to be heard," said King Willem-Alexander in Nairobi on Monday. He went on to say that the subject was up for discussion during his visit. "I am pleased that our countries' strong and mature relationship allows us to devote attention during this visit to issues such as human rights, good governance and accountability," Willem-Alexander added. More than 20,000 Kenyans signed a petition on Change.org asking Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima to reconsider their visit. The Dutch government last month said it received more than 300 emails asking for the cancellation, but that the state visit would proceed as scheduled. The Dutch royals arrived on Monday night and are expected to stay in Kenya for three days. King Willem-Alexander was honoured with a 21-gun salute and inspected an honour guard at Kenyan President William Rutos government office on Tuesday morning. Nairobi has been accused of arresting and detaining critics, especially after the June 2024 anti-government protests during which demonstrators stormed the parliament over new taxes passed by legislators. Along with cracking down on demonstrators and curbing free speech, the country also saw state-linked abductions of young men for social media posts deemed offensive to the President. In December, during demonstrations against widespread kidnappings and abductions, dozens of peaceful protesters were arrested. Kenya was among several African countries elected to the UN Human Rights Council in October 2024. AFRICANEWS Anas Aremeyaw Anas celebrates legal victory over Kennedy Agyapong GraphicOnline Mar - 19 - 2025 , 06:14 2 minutes read Investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas has secured a legal victory against former Ghanaian Member of Parliament Kennedy Agyapong, after a jury in the Essex County Superior Court in New Jersey found Agyapong liable for defamation. According to multiple media reports, the court awarded Anas a multi-million dollar settlement. In a statement posted on Facebook, Anas described the ruling as more than just a personal victory, calling it a decisive message to Ghanaian politicians that the media cannot be taken for granted. This decision is not merely a legal triumphit is a resounding affirmation that falsehood and character assassination have no place in our society, he wrote. He emphasised that the verdict reinforced a commitment to building a robust democracy that serves all Ghanaians. Reflecting on the legal battle, Anas noted the stark difference between the judicial systems of the United States and Ghana. He explained that proving defamation in the U.S. requires clear and convincing evidence of malice, making the jurys unanimous ruling in his favour even more significant. That the jury ruled unanimously in my favour underscores that Mr Agyapong acted both maliciously and recklessly in his attacks against me, he stated. However, he lamented that justice had eluded him in Ghana when he pursued a similar lawsuit in 2018. He recalled that despite Agyapongs own admission of lacking evidence, the Accra High Court dismissed his case. The ruling by Justice Eric Baah not only denied him justice but also portrayed him as a criminal. He cited Supreme Court Justice Kulendis later condemnation of the ruling as a violent abuse of judicial authority, calling it a stark reminder of systemic flaws within Ghanas judicial system that demand urgent reform. Anas further used the ruling to caution politicians against attempting to undermine the press. Todays outcome sends a powerful message, particularly to Ghanaian politicians: you cannot take the media for granted, he warned. He stressed the importance of press freedom and accountability, highlighting the role of journalists in scrutinising power and holding leaders responsible. Expressing gratitude to his legal teamAndrew Deheer, Esq., Arthur Wemegah, Esq., Evans Selasi Adika, Esq., and Odei Krow, Esq.as well as supporters who stood by him in his pursuit of justice, Anas reaffirmed his commitment to fearless journalism. The verdict, he asserted, was not just about him, but about upholding truth and ensuring that justice prevails over misinformation. COP Maame Tiwaa Addo-Danquah reassigned to Interior Ministry as Technical Adviser GraphicOnline Mar - 19 - 2025 , 19:48 2 minutes read In a swift turn of events, Commissioner of Police (COP) Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah has been reassigned to the Interior Ministry as a Technical Adviser to the Minister of the Interior, just hours after being named as the Director-General of Research & Planning at the Ghana Police Service. The reassignment was confirmed in a letter from the Presidency, which outlined her new role and responsibilities. "In line with this directive, you are hereby reassigned from your current position to the Ministry of the Interior, where you will serve as the Technical Advisor to the Honorable Minister. This reassignment takes immediate effect, and you are expected to liaise with the relevant authorities to ensure a smooth transition into your new role," the letter signed by Callistus Mahama, Secretary to the President stated. "His Excellency the President recognizes and deeply appreciates your unwavering dedication, professionalism, and invaluable contributions to the nation. It is his firm belief that your expertise and commitment will continue to serve the country effectively in your new capacity". The latest shake-up comes as part of a broader restructuring within the Ghana Police Service, led by Inspector-General of Police (IGP) COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno, who recently announced several reassignments aimed at improving leadership and operational efficiency in the Police Management Board (POMAB). Before this reassignment, COP Addo-Danquah recently returned to the Police Service after serving as the Executive Director of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). During her tenure at EOCO, she led efforts to combat financial crimes and corruption. She also previously held the position of Director-General of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), where she played a key role in several high-profile investigations. In her new role at the Interior Ministry, COP Addo-Danquah will be expected to liaise with key stakeholders to support policy formulation and security strategies aimed at enhancing law enforcement operations in Ghana. Ghana risks food crisis due to poor agriculture funding Parliaments Agric Committee chair Mohammed Ali Mar - 19 - 2025 , 13:35 2 minutes read Ghanas food security is under threat due to low investment in agriculture, the Chairman of Parliaments Agric Committee, Dr Godfred Seidu Jasaw, has warned. Speaking in an interview on Citi FM on Wednesday, March 19, Dr Jasaw criticised the governments budgetary allocation to agriculture, saying it is too small to drive growth and sustain food production. He noted that the 2025 budget allocated GHS 2.9 billion to the sector, including donor support, but the governments direct contribution is only GHS 1.5 billionan amount he described as inadequate. Mr Jasaw said this falls far below the African Unions directive for member states to allocate at least 10% of their budgets to agriculture. Ghanas allocation, he said, represents less than 1% of the total budget, trailing other sectors. He pointed out that the School Feeding Programme received GHS 1.7 billion, while the Road Fund was allocated GHS 2.8 billion, nearly double the agriculture budget. He also raised concerns about how previous agricultural funds have been used, stating that in the last budget, GHS 700 million was allocated to the Planting for Food and Jobs initiative, yet much of the remaining funds went into administrative costs, capital projects, and staff salaries rather than directly supporting farmers. Mr Jasaw called for urgent reforms in agricultural financing and suggested that part of the $13 billion Big Push infrastructure fund be invested in irrigation, mechanisation, and post-harvest storage to boost production. He also pointed to other funding sources, including the $20.2 million Savannah Investment Programme, $9.3 million from Korea EXIM Bank for digital transformation in agriculture, and $2.1 million from KFWs Outgrower and Valuation Fund. As a country, we cannot continue treating agriculture as an afterthought. If we do not invest strategically, we will soon face a major food crisis, he warned, adding that Parliaments Agric Committee will monitor spending to ensure funds benefit farmers and improve food production. Next article: UTAGs silence on illegal mining amounts to complicity Dr Zaato Ghana is not losing workforce but investing in them for the future Malik Basintale on Work Abroad Programme Mohammed Ali Mar - 19 - 2025 , 11:11 2 minutes read The Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), Mr Malik Basintale, has refuted claims that Ghanas new Work Abroad Programme could result in a brain drain. Instead, he insists it will boost the countrys human resource capacity. Speaking on March 18 2025, during the initiative's launch in Accra, Mr Basintale said the programme is designed to provide Ghanaians with global experience that will ultimately benefit the nation. We are not losing our workforce; we are investing in them, he stated. This programme allows our young people to gain international exposure, which they can use to transform Ghanas economy. The initiative, which is a partnership between the Youth Employment Agency, the Ghanaian-European Centre, and European labour institutions, aims to send skilled Ghanaian workers to Romania under structured and regulated conditions. Mr Basintale also underscored the potential contributions of returning workers to Ghanas economic growth. He argued that their earnings and expertise could be channelled into entrepreneurial ventures and local industries. This is a calculated move to strengthen our workforce. When these professionals return, they will bring capital, skills, and international connections to drive industrialisation and create jobs locally, he added. The government has promised strict monitoring measures to safeguard the rights of Ghanaian workers abroad, including fair wages and humane working conditions. Stakeholders, including labour analysts and migration experts, have praised the initiative, describing it as a proactive solution to Ghanas unemployment challenges The Minister for Labour, Jobs, and Employment, Dr Rashid Pelpuo, has stressed that legal and regulated migration is key to Ghanas workforce development. Dr Pelpuo stated that the initiative is a strategic effort to provide safe and legitimate avenues for Ghanaians to work in international labour markets. The future of labour mobility lies in structured migration, he said. We cannot allow our young people to risk their lives through irregular migration. This programme offers a secure and respectful alternative. Dr Pelpuo pointed out that remittances from the programme would significantly benefit Ghanas economy by increasing foreign exchange inflows. These remittances will provide financial support to families and small businesses, while also contributing to national development, he noted. Next article: SEND Ghana lauds govt for incorporating citizens inputs in budget Ghana launches first phase of Work Abroad Programme for skilled workers Mohammed Ali Mar - 19 - 2025 , 11:04 3 minutes read Ghana has launched the first phase of its Work Abroad Programme, with Romania as the initial destination for skilled workers. The initiative, led by the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) in collaboration with the Ghanaian-European Centre and European labour institutions, aims to provide structured employment opportunities while ensuring fair wages and safe working conditions. Speaking at the launch on March 18, 2025, YEA Chief Executive Officer Malik Basintale dismissed concerns that the programme could lead to brain drain. He explained that it would instead equip Ghanaian workers with valuable international experience that could benefit the countrys economy. This programme offers our workforce the chance to gain global exposure while making meaningful contributions to Ghanas economic development upon their return, he said. Ghanaian-European Centre on migration opportunities Andreas Bingen, Head of the Ghanaian-European Centre, described the programme as a step towards promoting labour mobility and legal migration for Ghanaians. This initiative is not just about employment abroad; it is about creating dignified work opportunities that strengthen both Ghanas economy and international partnerships, he noted. Mr Bingen added that Ghana is adapting to global labour migration trends, providing young professionals with access to legal and structured employment abroad. Rather than losing talent, we are providing opportunities for regular and circular migration. European industries need skilled workers, and this initiative allows young Ghanaians to gain valuable experience while positioning Ghana as a reliable source of skilled labour, he stated. Romanias role in the Programme Mr. Andre Petru Marin, General Manager of Structural Precision SRL, Romania, reaffirmed Romanias readiness to welcome Ghanaian workers and support their welfare. Our team has made all necessary arrangements to ensure a smooth transition for every Ghanaian worker. Upon arrival, they will be transported to their accommodation, receive additional training, and begin their employment, he said. Mr Marin assured that Ghanaian workers would receive fair treatment, competitive wages, and career advancement opportunities. We are eager to welcome skilled and motivated Ghanaian workers to Romania. This programme allows them to gain international experience, earn a stable income, and return home with skills that will support Ghanas development, he added. He also recalled the historical ties between Ghana and Romania, highlighting the role Romanian engineers played in Ghanas infrastructure development during Dr Kwame Nkrumahs administration. Labour Minister: Programme will address irregular migration Minister for Labour, Jobs, and Employment, Dr Rashid Pelpuo, said the programme provides a structured alternative to irregular migration and a way to tackle youth unemployment. The future of labour mobility lies in legal and organised migration. We cannot allow our young people to take life-threatening risks through irregular routes. This programme offers a safe, well-regulated alternative, he said. Dr Pelpuo assured that the government would closely monitor the programme to maintain transparency and prevent the exploitation of Ghanaian workers abroad. The Work Abroad Programme provides a lawful pathway for Ghanaians to access global job markets. We will ensure that every worker who participates is protected and fully benefits from the opportunity, he said. He also pointed out that remittances from Ghanaian workers abroad would help support families, businesses, and the national economy. Training and registration process To prepare workers for their new roles, Dr Pelpuo announced that the Management Development and Productivity Institute (MDPI) would provide pre-departure training for selected applicants. This training will equip participants with the necessary skills to adapt to their work environments while maintaining Ghanas reputation for hard work and discipline, he said. The government has introduced an online registration portal where interested applicants can apply, with selection based on clear eligibility criteria. Government seizes 56 excavators, arrests 18 in anti-galamsey crackdown Gertrude Ankah Mar - 19 - 2025 , 12:43 2 minutes read The government's intensified crackdown on illegal mining has resulted in the seizure of 56 excavators and the arrest of 18 individuals in a series of joint military and Forestry Commission operations across three regions. Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, disclosed this on Wednesday, March 19, while addressing Parliament on efforts to combat illegal mining, locally known as galamsey. The operations also led to the confiscation of 25 "chanfang" machines, two payloaders, three bulldozers, three pickup trucks, seven pumping machines, and four pump-action rifles, marking a significant step in the fight against environmental degradation. Amid reports of political actors obstructing the anti-galamsey task force in Dunkwa, Mr. Buah assured lawmakers that the arrests were made strictly based on illegal activities, without political bias. He emphasised that the fight to rid the country of illegal mining must not be influenced by political power. Anyone found engaging in illegal mining, regardless of their political connections, will face the full force of the law, he stressed. He also confirmed that investigations were ongoing into allegations of political interference in enforcement efforts. The minister outlined a comprehensive strategy to combat illegal mining, which includes stricter law enforcement, stakeholder engagement, alternative job creation, and the reclamation of degraded lands. Since assuming office in February, he has established two high-level committees to assess small-scale mining operations and recommend policy changes. One committee is focusing on illegal mining in forests and water bodies, while the second, composed of senior military and security experts, is analysing the terrain to propose actionable solutions. As part of broader reforms, the government has revoked all small-scale mining licences issued after December 7, 2024, citing procedural lapses. A newly formed licensing review committee has been tasked with auditing previously issued permits to ensure compliance. To enhance transparency, Mr. Buah announced plans to decentralise the licensing process, allowing district-level authorities to play a direct role in granting permits. The goal is to ensure that small-scale mining is conducted legally and sustainably to protect our environment and water bodies, he stated. To restore degraded lands, President John Mahama is set to launch the Tree for Life Restoration Initiative on March 21 in the Ashanti Region. The project aims to rehabilitate mined-out areas while creating green jobs for youth in affected communities. Additionally, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has introduced the Blue Water Initiative to restore heavily polluted river bodies. Mr. Buah assured Parliament that all confiscated mining equipment would remain in police custody until legal proceedings conclude, ensuring transparency in the handling of cases. Previous article: Government reclaims seven out of nine forest reserves from illegal miners Madina Court remands businessman over Ahmed Suales murder Justice Agbenorsi Mar - 19 - 2025 , 11:45 2 minutes read The Madina District Court has remanded a 35-year-old businessman, Daniel Koranteng, also known as Nana Amakye, in connection with the murder of investigative journalist Ahmed Hussein-Suale. Koranteng has been provisionally charged with murder, with committal proceedings expected to take place at the court. Prosecutors accuse him of unlawfully causing the journalists death on January 16, 2019. He has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to reappear before the court on April 1, 2025. Prosecutions case According to the prosecution, the petitioner, Ibrahim Kamir Tahidu, is a relative of the deceased, while the accused, Daniel Owusu Koranteng, is the Managing Director of ISPY Company. Both Ahmed Suale and the accused were employees of Tiger Eye P.I., the investigative firm led by journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas. The prosecution stated that the accused had multiple interactions with the deceased and his family before Suale's death. Court documents indicate that tensions escalated in June 2018 when Kennedy Agyapong, a Member of Parliament, broadcasted images of Ahmed Suale on Net2 TV, calling for retribution against the journalist. The prosecution claims that Suale later identified Koranteng as the individual who provided his photographs to Mr Agyapong. On January 16, 2019, following the publication of the deceaseds images, Ahmed Suale was shot and killed in Madina. Call records placed the accused in Madina near Suale's residence before and at the time of the murder, the prosecution said. Flight and arrest Further investigations revealed that the accused left Madina for his residence in Amasaman late in the evening at around 11:15 PM on the day of the murder. During the investigation, the accused declined multiple police invitations and later fled to the United Kingdom in August 2019. He subsequently returned to Ghana, and intelligence led to his arrest in Amasaman on March 15, 2025. He admitted knowing the deceased, visiting Hon. Kennedy Agyapong, and taking photographs with the deceased but denied selling the photographs to anyone, the prosecution told the court. The prosecution added that investigations are still ongoing. Next article: IGP reassigns former EOCO boss Maame Yaa Tiwa Addo-Danquah to Police Research and Planning department Previous article: Two in court over kidnapping of 80-year-old American; case adjourned National Buffer Stock Company to face parliamentary probe over funding, storage challenges - Dr Seidu Jasaw Mohammed Ali Mar - 19 - 2025 , 14:00 2 minutes read Parliaments Agric Committee has pledged to investigate challenges at the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) amid concerns over inadequate funding and substandard storage facilities. Speaking in an interview on Citi FM on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, the Chairman of the Agric Committee, Dr Godfred Seidu Jasaw, disclosed that he had visited NAFCOs headquarters and engaged with its new CEO, Mr Otu, to discuss the issues confronting the organisation. He revealed that NAFCO requires about GHS 700 million to operate effectively but has struggled with chronic underfunding. He also noted that many of its warehouses do not meet minimum food storage standards, and for nearly a decade, the company has focused more on storing imported food rather than purchasing and preserving surplus produce from local farmers. Dr. Jasaw criticised the management of NAFCO in recent years, arguing that it has not fulfilled its mandate. He explained that the buffer stock system was originally designed to stabilise food prices by purchasing surplus crops from farmers at guaranteed prices, storing them, and releasing them into the market when needed. However, poor planning and mismanagement have rendered this ineffective. In the last few years, the Ministry of Agriculture did not prioritise the buffer stock system. Instead, NAFCO had to rely on its own initiatives, such as the school feeding programme, to stay afloat. This is a complete deviation from its intended purpose, he said. Dr Jasaw assured that the Agric Committee will summon key officials, including representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and NAFCO, to provide explanations about the companys operations. He stressed that Ghana cannot continue to depend on food imports while local farmers struggle to sell their produce. He called for a restructuring of NAFCO to ensure it meets its core mandate of food security and price stability. NAFCO must be revamped to function effectively. If we continue down this path, we will spend more on food imports instead of supporting local production, he warned. Dr. Jasaw added that the Agric Committee will demand greater accountability in the management of buffer stock funds and push for improvements in storage infrastructure, increased local food purchases, and a long-term strategy to secure Ghanas food supply. Next article: Diaso installs new Odikro to foster unity and development Nestle Ghana celebrates International Women's Day with call for accelerated action Graphic.com.gh Mar - 19 - 2025 , 18:13 1 minute read Nestle Ghana Ltd marked this year's International Women's Day (IWD) on Monday, March 17, 2025, in Accra, with a call to accelerate the advancement of women in all sectors. The event featured a panel discussion on the theme #Life as a Career Woman Perspectives from Different Generations, which aligned with the global theme #AccelerateAction. Both female and male staff gathered for the occasion, engaging in insightful conversations and discussions. Related Article: Nestle Ghana to intensify sustainability initiatives in 2025 Panelists for the discussions included a Professor of Nutrition, Prof. Matilda Steiner-Asiedu and Founder of Flawless Beauty Salon & Combel Bella Ltd., Comfort Awuah. The panelists shared valuable insights on women's roles in the workforce, resilience and the diverse experiences that have shaped their careers. Sophia Benson, Human Resource Manager speaking at the event Human Resources Manager at Nestle Ghana, Sophia Benson spoke at the event, highlighting the importance of celebrating International Women's Day. She shared Nestles ongoing efforts to create a workplace where women feel valued, motivated and empowered to succeed. In her closing remarks, Corporate Communication and Public Affairs Manager, Mrs Deborah Kwabalah underscored the relevance and impact of the event, drawing on both her personal and professional experiences. Mrs Deborah Kwabalah, Corporate Communication and Public Affairs Manager speaking at the event New Parliamentary Service Board sworn in Pacome Emmanuel Damalie and Hilda Agyei-Lartey Mar - 19 - 2025 , 09:57 4 minutes read The Parliament of Ghana has inaugurated and sworn in a new six-member Parliamentary Service Board (PSB) for the Ninth Parliament. The event took place at the Speakers Conference Room at Parliament in Accra last Monday, as a crucial component of Parliament's operations as established by the Parliamentary Service Act (Act 460) pursuant to Article 124 of the 1992 Constitution. Members of the new PSB include the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, who is the Chairperson; the Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga; the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin; the Clerk to Parliament, Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror; a former Member of Parliament (MP) of New Juaben South, Dr Mark Assibey Yeboah, and a former MP of Afadjato South, Angela Oforiwaa Alorwu-Tay. The Board, also have the First Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor; and the Second Deputy Speaker, Andrew Asiamah Amoako, as Co-opted Members. The PSB has Nana Tawiah Okyir as its Secretary, who will be assisted by Mrs Linda Gyekye Boadu. The PSB will be responsible for overseeing the administration of the legislative body to ensure the smooth functioning of its operations. It is also expected to provide strategic direction for the effective and efficient functioning of Parliament and to ensure the welfare of the parliamentary staff and Members of Parliament (MPs). Achievement In his remarks, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, touted the achievement of the PSB of the Eighth Parliament; stating: It made significant strides in enhancing the operational capabilities of the service and enhanced, to some extent, the welfare of staff and Members of Parliament. He indicated that the Board played a major role in the innovation and expansion of various infrastructural projects, which had improved the office facilities and provided a conducive environment for the work of Parliament. The Speaker added that the previous Board, among other critical policies, approved a new organisational structure and grading of positions of the Parliamentary Service, which improved the career progression of the staff of the service. Despite the success chalked up by the previous PSB, the Speaker asserted that there were challenges still persisting that needed to be addressed, including security concerns for which he challenged the Ninth Board to resolve. One of these challenges is to secure the Parliamentary enclave to ensure its safety. The security of MPs and staff has been a very worrying matter for Parliament for some time now. We are actually very insecure here; we are not safe. Sometimes, people can jump in and attack members and staff, and any time there is an attempt to apprehend them, they escape over the wall, he said. The Speaker also urged the Board to put in place stringent mechanisms to achieve effective delivery of support services to members and committees of Parliament by the Clerk to Parliament, Monuments and staff of the Parliamentary Service. Minority Leaders proposal Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the Minority Leader, Mr Afenyo-Markin, affirmed that the MPs and Parliamentary Service needed enhanced security in support of the earlier charge of the Speaker to the PSB. He proposed as part of efforts to enhance the security of members to reconsider a discussion on building a new parliamentary chamber, which would be befitting of the status of Parliament with an elevated security. The MP of Effutu Constituency also called on the Ninth PSB to discuss issues about building a hospital for MPs and Parliamentary Service staff, because confidentiality was becoming an issue, compelling some MPs to seek health care in other countries. Majority Leaders counterproposal The Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business also supported the proposal of the Speaker and the Minority to enhance the security of the parliamentary enclave to ensure the security of MPs and staff. He, however, completely rejected the call by the Minority Leader for the construction of a new chamber and a hospital for the political class. Mr Speaker, I definitely don't believe that a hospital is a priority of this Parliament or should be the priority of this Parliament. Mr Speaker, we are very close to the Ridge Hospital, which I personally believe is adequate to provide the services that staff here will need. I don't believe that at this stage in the finances of this country, we should have a political class building a hospital, especially for itself and not wanting to mingle with ordinary Ghanaians and the facilities that they use. So, I totally reject a proposal to construct a hospital for Parliament and a new parliamentary chamber. We have a clinic, which is in keeping with what most establishments have, Mr Ayariga said. The MP for Bawku Central assured the Speaker that the PSB would work assiduously to meet the aspirations of Parliament, and serve Ghanaians. Two in court over kidnapping of 80-year-old American; case adjourned GNA Mar - 19 - 2025 , 15:11 3 minutes read The case involving two Nigerians accused of kidnapping an 80-year-old American has been adjourned to April 8, 2025. Emmanuel Adedoyin Adebayor, a 28-year-old trader, and Esther Ogbonna, a beautician, have been unable to meet their GH500,000 bail conditions. They appeared in court handcuffed and were escorted by the police. A third suspect, Dennis Poromo, remains at large. Adebayor and Poromo have been charged with conspiracy to commit a crime, specifically kidnapping and stealing. Esther faces an abetment charge. Both Adebayor and Esther have pleaded not guilty. According to the prosecution, on December 6, 2024, the police received a complaint from FBI agents at the American Embassy in Accra regarding the abduction of a U.S. citizen, Diana Christine Nelson. The 80-year-old victim had arrived in Ghana on November 22, 2024. Following investigations, police intelligence traced her to a hotel in Larteh Akwapim on December 8, 2024. Information gathered indicated that she was in the hotel with one of the accused persons. On December 11, 2024, police arrested Adebayor while he was attempting to withdraw money from the victims account using her U.S. ATM debit card. He later led officers to a house in Tema Community 11, where the victim was being held hostage. The victim, who appeared traumatised, was subsequently taken to the hospital. Investigations revealed that Adebayor had posed as Mark Hammond, a well-known U.S. actor, to lure the victim to Ghana. Esther, the second accused, picked the victim up from Kotoka International Airport and initially housed her in an apartment in East Legon Hills before moving her to Tema Community 11. Prosecution disclosed that Esther was responsible for taking care of the victim throughout her stay in Ghana until their arrest. The victim had arrived in Ghana with four mobile phones, all of which, along with her bank cards, were confiscated. "All the phones and her bank cards were seized from her, and she was warned not to disclose any information to anyone," the prosecution stated. Adebayor and his accomplice, Poromo, who remains at large, allegedly withdrew $15,821.70 from the victims bank account and demanded a ransom of $150,000 from her family. The victims bank cards and mobile phones, including a "Bru Phone," Samsung Galaxy A15, and iPhone 12, were recovered from Adebayor and Poromo. However, they had already sold some of the items at Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra. The police retrieved cash amounting to GH7,000 and GH4,000 from Adebayor, believed to be proceeds from the sale of the phones and part of the ATM withdrawals. However, the victims iPhone 12 was not recovered. EU says port-less devices are okay, opening the door for Apple According to Bloombergs Mark Gurman, Apple considered making the iPhone 17 Air its first port-less device. Such reports are nothing new, weve been hearing about a wireless-only iPhone since at least 2019. Apple reportedly decided to keep the USB-C port for now, allegedly because it feared a port-less phone would be against EU regulations. That is not the case, however. European Commission press officer Federica Miccoli confirmed to 9to5Mac that a device that supports only wireless charging is perfectly within the rules: Yes. Since, such radio equipment cannot be recharged via wired charging, it does not need to incorporate the harmonised (wired) charging solution. In other words, USB-C is only mandatory on portable battery-powered devices that support wired charging the goal was to kill off various incompatible wired charging standards. If wireless is the only way to charge a device, then no USB-C is required. Apple iPhone 17 Air (speculative renders) In fact, part of that same law that enshrined USB-C as the be-all and end-all wired charging port mandates that the EU should do the same with a wireless charging standard. The Commission will promote the harmonisation of wireless charging in order to avoid future fragmentation of the internal market and any negative effects on consumer and the environment. The Commission will monitor the evolution of all types of wireless charging technologies (not only inductive), particularly market developments, market penetration, market fragmentation, technological performance, interoperability, energy efficiency and charging performance. Luckily, that is essentially done at this point the original Qi is the lowest common denominator and Qi2 is a backwards-compatible upgrade. Of course, Qi2 is basically Apples MagSafe, the Wireless Power Consortium just made magnets optional. Anyway, the iPhone 17 Air will have a USB-C port on the bottom. But all bets are off for the 18 Air. Source Google's Gemini team seems to be on a roll lately. After launching Gemini with personalization a few days ago, today Gemini is getting two new features: Canvas and Audio Overview. These are quite exciting despite their dull names. Let's start with the latter. Audio Overview basically transforms any document you upload to Gemini into a podcast - or rather, it presents the information in the document in an audio podcast form, with two AI hosts. This was first seen in Google's NotebookLM, and it's now making its way to Gemini. What's more, it's available for everyone using Gemini, you don't have to be a subscriber to the paid plans. The only caveat is that this is available in English only for now, but more languages are promised to arrive "soon". To create an Audio Overview (podcast), just upload documents or slides "on a variety of topics" and then click the suggestion chip that pops up above the prompt bar. It will take a few minutes for each podcast to be generated. Audio Overview is available on the web and in the Gemini mobile app, and the podcasts can easily be shared and downloaded. Google suggests using it with "class notes, research papers, lengthy email threads or reports generated by Deep Research". Gemini is also getting Canvas, "a new interactive space within Gemini" designed to "make creating, refining and sharing your work easy". You can "effortlessly generate high-quality first drafts", then perfect your work with Gemini's feedback. Gemini can easily adjust tone, length, or formatting with quick editing tools. The best way to think about it is that it's designed for seamless collaboration with Gemini. And if once you're done you want to collaborate with other humans as well, you can export the Canvas to Google Docs with one click. Canvas also works with coding, streamlining "the process of transforming your coding ideas into working prototypes for web apps, Python scripts, games, simulations, and other interactive apps". Canvas lets developers "quickly create initial working versions of their projects and provides a space for students to quickly learn coding concepts". Throughout the process, Gemini collaborates with you to make iterative edits to your code too. Canvas is rolling out globally now to all Gemini and Gemini Advanced users in all languages. You can try it by selecting Canvas in the prompt bar. Source Samsung's Exynos 2500 chipset was initially supposed to be used in the Galaxy S25 family, but due to yield issues that didn't happen. Then we heard it would be put in the upcoming Galaxy Z Flip7, but a new report from Samsung's home of Korea today muddies the waters. Apparently there are disagreements inside Samsung's mobile division about this, and it's actually likely that the Exynos 2500 will only be used in the cheaper Galaxy Z Flip FE. That one is also now said to be arriving several months after the Flip7 and Fold7, which are presumably launching in July. So with this timeline, Samsung would have plenty of time to reach good yields with the Exynos 2500. But nothing is set in stone just now. Samsung apparently doesn't want to mess with the Flip's winning formula, which has so far always included a Snapdragon chipset, and alienate prospective buyers. That seems to be the logic behind relegating the Exynos 2500 to the cheaper model. At the same time, Samsung obviously doesn't want the Exynos 2500 debacle repeated next year with the Exynos 2600, so it's currently engaged in an "all-out effort" to make that one as perfect as it can be. It will also be developed earlier in the year than the 2500, so it can undoubtedly feature in the Galaxy S26 series. Source (in Korean) The Guam Bar Association on Wednesday said it mourns the loss of attorneys Sinforoso "Rossi" M. Tolentino and David W. Dooley, who both dedicated their lives to the law and left behind a legacy of excellence and leadership. Dooley passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 14, according to the Bar, while Tolentino passed away on Feb. 7. "Dooley dedicated 47 years to Guam's legal community. His absence will be deeply felt, but his contributions to the law and the community will endure," the Bar said in a statement. He moved to Guam in 1977 and started as an assistant attorney general in the prosecution division of the Office of the Attorney General and entered private practice a year later. Fast forward to 1997, he became a founding partner of the firm Dooley, Lannen, Keeler & Roberts, which ultimately became Roberts, Fowler & Visosky, where he continued to practice until his retirement in 2024. "Attorney Dooley dedicated his life to the law, serving Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and California for nearly five decades," the Bar said. "We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time." As a criminal prosecutor when he moved to Guam, Dooley was responsible for handling felony cases of all types, demonstrating his dedication to upholding justice in the community. When he entered private practice, he specialized in commercial law, real property development, litigation, insurance defense, employment, immigration, and tax matters. "His work in the region reflected his commitment to serving the people and businesses of the Pacific," the Bar added. 'Legacy will live on' Tolentino, according to the Bar, leaves behind a legacy of excellence, leadership, and unwavering commitment to his family and profession. "We honor his profound contributions to our island and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all whose lives he touched," the Bar said. "Rossi will be deeply missed, but his legacy will live on through his family, friends, and contributions to our island." Tolentino began his legal career at Carlsmith Ball LLP in Honolulu in 1989 before returning home, where he eventually led the Guam office through its most successful years, mentoring a team of local lawyers to continue its services. In 2024, he founded Tolentino Legal Counsel LLC. His expertise spanned corporate law, banking and finance, real estate, immigration, and estate planning. Beyond the law, he pursued a new passion in 2013, opening Pop's Bake Shop in Hagat with his wife, Anna. A respected leader, Tolentino served multiple terms as an officer of the Guam Bar Association's Board of Governors, as well as a board director of the Guam Chamber of Commerce, director of the Guam Employers Council, and trustee of St. John's School. Humanities Guahan, in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Humanities, awarded a total of $25,000 in grants to Career Tech High Academy Charter School, Department of Public Health and Social Services, Guam Human Rights Initiative Inc. to help them explore Guams historical, cultural, and social landscapes. The 2024 Community Grant Program cycle grants support non-profit organizations and local government entities for humanities programs that engage and empower public audiences, Humanities Guahan said in a release. Humanities Guahan said the three awardees represent a broad range of initiatives, each contributing to the preservation, documentation, and advancement of CHamoru knowledge, traditions, and lived experiences: 1. Career Tech High Academy Charter School, $10,000: The Marianas Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing, DDBHH, Community and CHamoru Sign Language Project will document the history of DDBHH communities in the Mariana Islands, featuring biographies of trailblazing DDBHH contributors, as well as CHamoru sign language. 2. Department of Public Health and Social Services, $10,000: I Tinangnga gi kannai-ta: The Stories of Guams Foster Care System, Resource Parents, and Youth will explore the history and impact of Guams foster care system through a documentary film and art exhibit featuring firsthand narratives and artwork created by foster children. 3. Guam Human Rights Initiative Inc., $5,000: The project Waves of Resilience: Poverty in the Marianas will provide community writing workshops for emerging writers to develop submissions for an anthology that explores poverty in the Marianas. Through the 2024 Community Grant Program, Humanities Guahan said it reaffirms its commitment to supporting the people of Guahan through funding and educational initiatives. Its mission is to foster community dialogue, inspire critical thinking, celebrate community, and enhance the quality of life for island residents through the transformative power of the humanities. Speaker Frank Blas Jr. on Wednesday said concerns about workplace violence could turn scheduled confirmation hearings into an oversight hearing on the Port Authority of Guam, following an alleged confrontation between Port General Manager Rory Respicio and another employee. Respicio, who is off-island, told the Pacific Daily News via text message, I recused myself so I wont comment. Blas said even though he hasnt received the official reports, what he has learned so far is worrisome. The concern we have with not just the workplace violence, but...does it affect the operations of the Port? And obviously, does it put the lives of the employees at the Port in jeopardy? he said. I want to trust that theres a police entity in use there, and that theyre taking the proper actions. And that remains to be seen. Again, I havent been given anything official with regard to that and Im relying on what has been provided to me unofficially. Blas said if theres truth to whats been circulating, there is reason to be concerned about the operations of the Port. He said this is obviously an internal issue that should be addressed by the front office. The speaker said based on Port oversight chair Sen. Jesse Lujans scheduled Port board members confirmation hearings, those hearings could turn into an oversight hearing on the Port if necessary. It appears that it needs to go that way, Blas said. There are multiple individuals involved, multiple individuals being named. Lets get to the bottom of it. Not privy to discussions Blas also wants to make it clear that even as hes currently the acting lieutenant governor of Guam, he has not been privy to discussions that may or may not have occurred at the governors office on Wednesday. And although he was well aware that as legislative speaker, he becomes the acting lieutenant governor in the event that Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio goes off-island, he did not know that Tenorio had departed in the morning. I got the correspondence at 1:25 p.m. today, that I was the acting lieutenant governor effective 7:30 this morning, Blas said. Its just ministerial in my role. I havent been issued any daily briefing, if there was any, with regard to the incident. The only thing Ive gotten is based on news reports. Blas was referring to news reports of an incident at the Port, and what the Port said in a statement that the incident is under review by the relevant authorities. Pacifico R. Martir, Port deputy general manager of administration and finance, said since this is a personnel matter, the agency is unable to comment on the specifics. Calls made to the Port Police were not answered and a voicemail message was not returned as of press time. Adelup: Hands off Krystal Paco-San Agustin, the governors director of communications, on Wednesday said in a statement that Adelup is aware of the information circulated and reported but it is not involved in the investigation. The Port has elected to handle this matter internally. Adelup is prepared to provide any support as necessary but cannot impose supervision over the matter, she wrote. Adelup, she said, does not condone violence of any kind in the workplace. The Government of Guam has clearly established guidelines and protocols to help maintain a safe work environment for all, she continued. To be absolutely clear: Adelup has not interfered with, directed, or influenced the Ports efforts to address this issue. Crash victim Darrin Bernardo asked Superior Court Judge Elyze Iriarte to award him $500,000 in damages, the maximum amount allowed under the Government Claims Act, during a bench trial held Tuesday. Bernardos claim stems from a motor vehicle collision early morning on March 24, 2023. He was on his way to work on Cross Island Road when a Department of Public Works bus, driven by Roy Joseph Q. Quintanilla, veered into his lane and collided head on with Bernardos Nissan Maxima. No students were aboard the bus but Bernardo sustained injuries that kept him bedridden and unable to walk for the next 20 months, according to court documents. Quintanilla was arrested that morning and charged with vehicular negligence as a third-degree felony and driving while impaired as a misdemeanor. Bernardos car was totaled and he was brought to Guam Memorial Hospital for treatment and care. A nurse who attended to him said he would be needing surgery, Bernardo said. But the hospital was full and all beds were occupied as the pandemic was winding down, he said. On the stand, Bernardo testified that he was discharged that same day with prescriptions for medicine and painkillers. He did not see a doctor until a few weeks later, when he was informed that he needed surgery. Quintanilla was charged and a grand jury indicted him two weeks later. In January 2024, Bernardo through his attorney Peter C. Perez filed a verified civil complaint against the government of Guam, Quintanilla and his supervisors Eric Mansapit and Anthony Gumataotao. Before his bench trial, however, Quintanilla entered into a deferred plea agreement, filed Feb. 5, 2025 and approved by Presiding Judge Alberto C. Lamorena III, on Feb. 13, 2025. In consideration of Quintanillas guilty plea to both charges, he would serve three years in jail, all suspended, with credit for time served. During the two-year deferral period, there could be a possibility of early closure at the Veterans Treatment Courts discretion, provided he enroll, participate and successfully complete all drug or alcohol counseling programs recommended, and pay a fine of $2,000. It also stated that Quintanilla shall be held liable for restitution to Bernardo, to be determined at a restitution hearing. During the bench trial, Perez reiterated the facts of the case and said that Quintanilla, in the employ of DPW under GovGuam, was responsible for changing the course of Bernardos life. Perez said Quintanilla operated a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, was charged for that, as well as negligence, and entered a deferred plea admitting to those charges. Attorney Tom Keeler, representing DPW out of the Office of the Attorney General, questioned the amount of damages that Bernardo claimed. He said he could see a cost for lost wages and a totaled vehicle but said there was no expert testimony to justify what Bernardos projected medical costs would be. Bernardo said at the time of his accident, he was the sole earner at his household and after the accident, he required constant care from his brother and mother, and his mother had to find a job to make ends meet. The judge took the matter under advisement, and is expected to issue a decision and order on the matter. United Airlines Guam-based flight attendants joined others worldwide in demonstrating against the airline management on Wednesday, demanding pay to match the companys industry claims. Joined by members of the pilots union on the busy intersection next to the Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport Guam parking lot, flight attendants held up signs and coaxed motorists to honk their horns in support. Many obliged. If United is going to say that they are the No. 1 airline in the system, they should pay the flight attendants. Pay us, the first responders, a fair share, a fair base, and the highest in the industry, said Rsei Isim, the local Guam United Flight Attendants president. United made $3.1 billion last year, second in profit, and the flight attendants are fifth in the industry. The numbers dont match. The local chapter is 250 flight attendants strong, said Isim, a number that has grown significantly lately. Guam is one of 14 total bases located in hubs such as London, Newark, Houston and Hawaii. All told, United employs about 35,000 flight attendants, said Isim. It has been three years since the current contract with management became amendable and while there are signs that management is willing to talk, Isim said the global union has not been presented with a satisfactory contract. Among other flight attendant concerns are safety issues, pay, benefits and scheduling, said Isim. When the current contract went into effect about seven years, the flight attendants had conceded pay in order to get a contract in place, he said. Now we want those things back. The more safe the flight attendants are, the more safe the flight, he said. The company has been dragging their feet for the last three years so we are demanding that the company pay us what we are worth. Public Auditor Benjamin Cruz joined senators on Wednesday in calling for the Guam Memorial Hospital Authority to, among other things, draw up employee contracts and provide written guidelines after an audit report found $105.9 million in payments to doctors in just four years amidst unclear hiring policies. The nearly four-hour oversight hearing on GMHA once again brought up long-known concerns about the public hospitals finances and other operational challenges, but this time around, under a different legislative committee chairmanship and a recent audit. Documentation must be in place to understand the reasoning for compensation disparities among physiciansall contracts must be written. Get it in writing, the public auditor said at the hearing, highlighting the importance of safeguarding against further fiscal and procedural mismanagement at GMH. Freshman Sen. Sabrina Salas Matanane, health committee chair, opened the oversight hearing by saying theres a culture of mismanagement that has been allowed to fester for years that must be addressed. We cannot continue to throw money at GMHA without ensuring proper management, she said. GMHA had lost $10 million of $20 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds due to non-compliance with U.S. Treasury guidelines, she said. This loss, she said, coupled with ongoing financial deficits and procedural lapses identified in a recent audit by the Office of Public Accountability, made it clear that reform was urgent. Senators raised concerns about GMHAs physician compensation practices, particularly with regard to the lack of external approvals for critical contracts. Notably, it was revealed that 30 out of 32 GG-1 physician-level employees had failed to execute required unclassified employment agreements a lapse valued at $25.5 million. Cruz reiterated the need for stronger internal controls and documentation practices at GMHA, and repeatedly urged that policies be put in writing. Balancing act Dr. Kwasi Nyame, GMHA chief medical officer, defended the hospitals physician hiring practices amidst ongoing staffing challenges. We are trying to balance the urgent need for physicians against the complexities of our internal policies, Nyame told senators. He acknowledged the difficulty in meeting staffing demands while adhering to GMHAs internal guidelines. His comments illuminated the need to balance the immediate staffing needs and the absence of standardized internal policies to govern hiring. Yuka Hechanova, GMHA chief financial officer, echoed these concerns, adding that the hospital faces significant barriers in hiring and retaining qualified medical professionals. There has been an increase in demand for temporary doctors, which has strained our resources, Hechanova said, pointing out the challenges GMHA faces in filling critical staffing gaps amidst a nationwide physician shortage. The public auditor, whos a former speaker and former chief justice, addressed the findings from OPAs recently released audit report, focusing on GMHAs inadequate oversight of procurement and physician compensation. We found that GMHA did not maintain or provide required fee schedules referenced explicitly within professional service agreements, Cruz said, pointing to a troubling lack of transparency and documentation in GMHAs operations. His remarks raised alarms over potential fiscal mismanagement and underscored the need for stricter oversight to safeguard public funds. Rodalyn Gerardo, GMHAs assistant administrator of operations, acknowledged the gaps in procedural documentation and assured lawmakers that GMHA was working to implement more rigorous policies. We are in the process of crafting clear internal policies regarding physician contracts and hiring practices, she said, though frustrations over the slow pace of reform remained palpable among those in attendance. Jordan Pauluhn, legal counsel for GMHA, spoke on the hospitals approach to contract compliance. I think thats one of our areas of disagreement over what approvals are required, Pauluhn said. We do frequent checks on these things for compliance internally and then, and one of the biggest checks since weve moved over to a lot of contracted physicians is they actually only get paid for the time that they spend working. However, his explanation of the hospitals decentralized approach to staffing and human resources policies raised further questions among senators about the clarity and consistency of GMHAs procedures. About lives Sen. Jesse Lujan, at the hearing, urged the focus on patient care rather than just financial issues. This oversight hearing is not merely about numbers; it is about lives and the quality of care provided to the people of Guam, he said. He called on GMHA to prioritize transparency and accountability to ensure that the hospital can fulfill its mission effectively. As the oversight hearing was wrapping up, Salas Matanane and others urged necessary reforms at GMHA. Again, while I am committed to working with you to find solutions, I expect GMH to take proactive and decisive steps to improve its operations. Again, the health committee chair said. Haiti - Technology : $13.5 million investment in solar energy On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, as part of an initiative to strengthen recovery and energy security in Haiti, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, and IDB Invest, a multilateral private sector development bank of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Group dedicated to the private sector, announced a $13.5 million investment in projects by Solengy Haiti S.A., a local solar energy company that provides solutions for households, schools, hospitals, and commercial and industrial customers, paving the way for greater access to electricity in the country. "As Haiti continues to face challenges, we remain committed to finding solutions that support its long-term recovery. This investment is a critical step in addressing the country's chronic energy challenges while advancing resilience and development," said Elizabeth Martinez de Marcano, IFC's Regional Director for Central America, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Colombia. "We are proud to partner with IDB Invest to support Solengy, an innovative Haitian SME that is driving positive change for households, businesses, and communities alike." "In the face of Haitis profound challenges, ensuring access to reliable and affordable energy is more critical than ever. This investment is a testament to the power of distributed energy in transforming lives, strengthening businesses, and fostering long-term economic resilience. At IDB Invest, we are committed to working with partners like IFC to scale innovative solutions that not only expand access to electricity but also drive sustainable recovery and development in Haitis energy sector," said Marisela Alvarenga, Chief Industries Officer (a.i) at IDB Invest. "This investment marks a significant milestone for Solengy and a crucial step toward transforming Haitis energy future," said Rowolson Kuhn, Founder and CEO of Solengy. "With this new funding, we will accelerate our efforts to expand solar access, strengthen our team and infrastructure, and empower more communities across the country [...]" Structured by IFC, the long-term financing package consists of a US$3 million senior loan from IFCs own account, a US$3 million senior loan mobilized by IDB Invest, a US$6 million subordinated loan from the Canada-IFC Blended Climate Finance Program, and a US$1.5 million grant from the Korea Green, Resilient and Innovative Development (K-GRID) program. The funds will be disbursed over several years, and will directly finance projects spearheaded by Solengy, ensuring a measured and impactful deployment of resources despite the ongoing political, economic and security issues. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43338-haiti-economy-solengy-haiti-submits-a-financing-request-for-its-expansion-to-the-ifc.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40047-haiti-energy-investment-of-$45-million-in-solengy-for-solar-in-haiti.html https://www.haitilibre.com/article-827-haiti-social-digicel-fait-de-l-humanitaire-gagnant-gagnant.html (in french) HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Politic : Tour of President of the Transitional Council in the North As part of efforts to strengthen strategic infrastructure and boost the regional economy, Fritz Alphonse Jean, President pro tempore of the Transition Council (CPT), toured the North and Northeast departments from March 16 to 18, 2025. This provided an opportunity for Fritz Alphonse Jean to engage directly with businesspeople and investors from the North and Northeast, as well as from the diaspora, on investment opportunities and available sources of financing. During this tour, he met with businesspeople from the diaspora and members of the North Chamber of Commerce to discuss investments related, in particular, to the redevelopment of Cap-Haitien International Airport. Airport construction and infrastructure management professionals from the United States participated in the discussions and have already secured the necessary financing for this first phase. Discussions also focused on the application for authorization for a free trade zone in Chinouette, an initiative led by a group of entrepreneurs from the North, Northeast, and the diaspora, which aims to promote industrialization and job creation in the region. As part of this mission, a working meeting and a visit were organized to the Caracol Industrial Park, a major economic hub in the Northeast. The park, which employed 12,500 workers a few months ago, has now seen its workforce reduced to approximately 3,500 due to the difficulties encountered in Haiti by the companies located there. Faced with this critical situation, the CPT intends to explore solutions to revive this strategic industrial zone. Improving access to energy was also discussed. The ongoing construction of two solar power plants with a total capacity of 12 megawatts, which will be added to the existing 10 megawatts of thermal power, should provide a more reliable energy supply for factories and surrounding communities. Furthermore, a meeting with community leaders provided insight into the education situation in the region. The discussions highlighted the shortage of teachers in some classrooms, a major challenge for access to quality education. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Diplomacy : Nesly Numa replaces Haitian Ambassador Weibert Arthus in Canada The Embassy of Haiti in Canada announces that Nesly Numa, Minister-Counsellor, has assumed the duties of Minister-Counsellor and Charge d'Affaires a.i. of the Embassy in Ottawa since March 17, 2025. The transfer of responsibilities took place during a farewell meeting between outgoing Ambassador Weibert Arthus and the mission staff. Nesly Numa, Charge d'Affaires a.i., affirmed his commitment to contributing to strengthening Haiti's representation in Canada for the benefit of bilateral relations between the two states. Learn more about Nesly Numa : Nesly Numa served as Minister-Counsellor, Deputy Head of Mission, and Head of the Political Section at the Haitian Mission in Canada from August 2021 to March 2025. He studied sociology at the State University of Haiti (Faculty of Human Sciences) from October 1998 to June 2002. He holds a BA in Sociology from the City University of New York in 2008 and a MA in Political Science from the same university in 2012. He specializes in urban policy and public administration. As part of the study abroad program, in May 2012, he traveled to Madrid, Spain, to complete his Master's program at Saint Louis University. Numa completed an advanced thesis on "An Analysis of Public Policymaking and the Implementation of IMF Macroeconomic Policies in Haiti," receiving an honors degree. His Master of Arts program enhanced his knowledge and skills, as well as his passion and commitment to the field of public administration and policy analysis. Numa is also a member of the Urban Affairs Association and the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management, International Social Policy, the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA), the Haitian Professional Development Group, Urban Policy Development, the Center for Public Policy and Administration, and the Center for Public Policy Research. After an extended stay in the United States, he returned to Haiti, where he accepted a diplomatic position as Vice Consul at the Consulate General of the Republic of Haiti in Curacao. After his term in Curacao, he was transferred to the Haitian Diplomatic Mission in Mexico as First Secretary from March 2014 to December 2018. During his time in Mexico, he was in charge of the consular section of the embassy. Nearly five years later, he was promoted and transferred to the Embassy of Haiti in Canada as Counselor. Two years later, he was promoted to Minister-Counsellor at the Mission. Numa also studied music at the National School of the Arts (ENARTS) from 1997 to 2000 (piano and clarinet). Numa speaks Haitian Creole, French, English, and Spanish. HL/ HaitiLibre by Claire Chambers One day I went to my workplace in York, northern England, where I checked my pigeonhole as usual. An airmail letter lay in the metal box. Its postmarks were from Pakistan, and a mans name and a Karachi address were scrawled on the back of the envelope. Because of the bimonthly columns I write for Dawn newspaper, I sometimes get email feedback. Occasionally people send me their books for review. But this slim package surprised me especially when I broke the seal and pulled out four pages of Urdu handwriting. It had been years, probably over a decade, since I received a personal letter. My teenage sons and twenty-something Urdu teacher, Fareeha, claim theyve never had one, apart from official dispatches. In this digital dunya, what a privilege it is to get a letter, and that too a piece of mail which had travelled a long way. This reaching out across distance and cultures reminded me of Saadat Hasan Mantos Letters to Uncle Sam sharp, satirical notes dissecting international politics and American power. Balrams letters to the Chinese Premier in The White Tiger also came to mind, with Aravind Adigas character telling Wen Jiabao about Indian corruption and inequality. My situation was different I was in the UK, not the US or China and the letter writers tone proved to be sincere rather than arch or ironic. Yet the impulse to communicate across borders felt equally urgent. In honour of Mantos Letters and to protect my correspondents anonymity, in this blog post I will call him Sami. I surmise, though, that he is much closer to my nephews age than my uncles. I gazed at the pages, drawn in by the Urdu script and feeling enchanted that someone had created these words with such dexterity. I exulted even more at the newfound reading skills which allowed me to decode bits and pieces. I wasnt linguistically equipped to easily decipher the whole letter. The first few lines were straightforward enough. His postal address was repeated, this time in Nastaliq. However, tellingly for this bibliophile, he did not provide any email or phone details. A standard polite greeting was given, and Sami went on to introduce himself. He explained he was a food science graduate but that his ghar ka mahol or home environment had instilled in him a love of literature. Here he name-checked two authors. The first was a writer whose detective novels I had been harbouring an ambition of reading in the original Urdu: Ibn-e-Safi. The other was new to me but my teacher Fareeha later told me he is brilliant: Ishtiaq Ahmed, who wrote spy novels as well as crime fiction. Sami had devoured all the thrillers by these novelists, both of whom are no longer alive. After these childhood peregrinations, he told me, his reading expedition had continued uninterrupted. Sami had been following my literary columns for years. Now he expressed pleasure at my affinity for his country and, latterly, for his language, Urdu. He told a cutting joke against his own people: .. ! UK jane ke liye adhay se zyadah Pakistani hama waqt tayyar rehtay hain aur munh terha kar ke angrezi bolne mein be-intiha fakhr mehsoos karte hain. Salam hai ap ki Urdu par is qadr mohabbat! He wryly compared my interest in Urdu to his belief that more than half of Pakistans citizens are ready to leave their country for the UK, and that they take immense pride in speaking English despite their contorted accents. I salute your love for Urdu! he added. Ironically, though, were he to hear me speak, hed find my own accent more twisted than his compatriots. Samis written Urdu was beautiful and witty, but also challenging for me because of the high-register vocabulary in places. For example, in relation to his and my respective enthusiasms, he twice used the Persianate term , khususi wabastagi, which I had to look up for its meaning of special affiliation or exclusive attachment. I dutifully wrote this down in my vocabulary list and resolved to use it in future conversations or writing exercises. I imagined my friends wah wahs if I busted out a khususi wabastagi while discussing the latest movie release. As I continued reading, I turned to artificial intelligence for more help, since my own natural abilities werent up to the task. Not only did Samis diction soar but getting familiar with his hand was also initially hard for me, as someone who almost always reads digitized text. Luckily, his writing was strikingly neat and structured, with a well-formed, evenly spaced Urdu script that maintained a steady slant and consistent letter size. Samis bold emphasis on certain words particularly at the end of sentences hinted at strong emotions, perhaps conviction, determination, or even a plea for understanding. The smooth flow of the text and the lack of excessive corrections indicated discipline and confidence, while occasional flourishes (like turning three-dot nuqte into a swooping arc resembling an apostrophe) lent a personal, expressive touch to Samis writing style. Handwriting isnt just about the sense; its a window onto the writers sensibility. I did what I call shining the Google Translate torch on the pages to make sure it didnt degenerate into a love letter or, worse, soft porn. This step seemed necessary before showing it to Fareeha, who is quite religious. The app is a lifesaver, as it can translate both handwriting and digital text. I was relieved to find that, unlike some of the emails Ive received, the message was neither sexualized nor abusive. In fact, the letter was a pure gift, and its ideas have been echoing in my mind ever since. In my most recent Dawn column, Id discussed the A-level text Aangan by Khadija Mastur. The letter writer knew Masturs name and had perhaps heard the title which translates as Inner Courtyard or The Womens Courtyard from his elders. My essay spurred him to buy and read the book. He went on to pen several pages of thoughtful literary criticism about the novel, remarking that he had never read anything like it before. This authorial inventiveness, he speculated, is perhaps why Aangan didnt receive the recognition it deserved in its time. He and I agreed that the novels unique aspect lies in its portrayal of a woman pursued with relentless ardour by a handsome and cultivated man named Jameel. What makes it arresting is that the protagonist Aliya uses her intellect and decision-making powers to reject Jameel. Notwithstanding the romantic novel framework and Jameels allure, Aliya realizes that certain disappointing personality traits make him undeserving of her love. Sami wrote a paragraph that my AI pals and I carry across to English as follows: You have rightly pointed out that purdah isolates girls significantly, especially in relation to men. Women interact extensively among themselves, but they dont get to meet decent men. If the men in their own families are good, its fine; otherwise, they must manage with whatever they have. This issue affects men too. Thats why Jameel remains fixated on Aliya in Aangan she is the only well-educated girl in his family. Even if there are similar girls in the neighbourhood, how would he know? Whats the point of hiding girls to the extent that both men and women end up making poor decisions? We regularly see such scenarios play out before our eyes even today. Sami thanked me for opening him up to this novel by a woman writing in the 1960s but reflecting on the period leading up to and just after the 1947 partition of the South Asian subcontinent. He noted that the vivid depiction of morning and evening routines, along with the overall atmosphere Mastur creates, adds further lustre to the novel. While reading, he felt as if he were sitting in pre-partition India. He sounded like a very open-minded Gen Z individual, much like several of the characters in the wonderful drama serial Tan Man Neelo Neel. In fact, most of the young people Ive met from Pakistan have no issue with India or Indians. Fareeha often says, Were the same people. Sami signed his epistle off with the request, Please continue your journey of learning and reading Urdu, and keep including people like us in your journey. Moved by Samis letter, I wanted to write an acknowledgement and gain some learning from the process. I took the sheets of paper to Fareeha in the hope she could help me craft a reply worthy of his marvellous missive. It took over two hours to write several drafts, culminating in this short, stilted response, which still had lots of crossings-out: Respected Sami sahib, Greetings. Im Claire, and I was both delighted and surprised to receive your letter. In this digital age, writing letters is not a common practice, and receiving one all the way from Pakistan is really an honour for me. Taking the time to write a letter amid a busy life is an admirable thing. Reading your letter brought me joy. Knowing that you read and enjoy my columns means a lot to me. It is even more gratifying to hear that my writing encouraged you to read Aangan and that you not only appreciated it but understood it deeply. Even though you come from a science background, your passion for literature is proof of the rich intellectual environment your parents fostered in your home. Your letter revealed an important insight to me: as a man, you recognized that purdah doesnt only affect women. If purdah is to be observed, then men play at least an equal part. Anyway, wherever in the world they are, in their gaze, their words, and their behaviour, the restraint and respect of men like you help women to feel safe and calm. I look forward to continuing this conversation and hope you will keep reading and engaging with Urdu literature. All good wishes, Claire After musing on this exchange, I couldnt help but return to some previous meditations. In a previous post for 3QD about Urdu handwriting, I shared how I resisted its graft for so long. After all, who was I going to write to in this day and age? Now I have my answer. Ive also received a valuable language lesson, and perhaps found a pen friend across continents, worldviews, and generations. On May 27, Microsoft will stop distributing and supporting its Remote Desktop app. The application allows remote access to Windows computers or individual Windows programs. Remote Desktop Apps obtained via the Microsoft Store will no longer be able to access Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop or the Microsoft Dev Box after May 27. Anzeige Microsoft will discontinue support for Remote Desktop Apps that were installed via an MSI file or on Android or iOS. This was announced by the data company. Microsoft wants users to switch to the confusingly named Windows App. The blog post does not reveal the reason for the surprisingly short notice of the Remote Desktop App's discontinuation. Instead, it highlights the advantages of the Windows app: support for multiple screens, changing screen resolutions and customizable display; easy switching between user accounts, optimized for Microsoft Teams, adjustable redirects to other devices; and access to various Windows services, including cloud PCs and virtual desktops, via a uniform interface. The disadvantages of the Windows app are so extensive that the blog post refers to a separate entry with several tabs as well as additional switching instructions. There is not even a risky beta version for Android and ChromeOS, only a preview that does not allow access to Windows 365 Frontline. Frontline is a version of Windows 365 that allows organizations to provide a cloud PC that can be used by multiple users with a single license. What the Windows app cannot do on Windows On Windows, the Windows app does not provide access to Azure Germany, Azure Government, Azure Virtual Desktop (Classic) and the Chinese Azure operated by 21Vianet. Single sign-on (SSO) with Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS) is not supported, nor is connecting to Azure Virtual Desktops via Private Link. There are also problems with connections via proxy servers that require authentication via proxy/HTTP. Integration into the local Windows Start menu is missing, as is the option to reset the application itself. The latter can at least be done via the Windows settings. There is access to Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop or the Microsoft Dev Box, but not to Remote Desktop Services or Remote PC. Anyone hoping to circumvent these hurdles by using the Windows app in the web browser may be disappointed: As with the native Windows app on Windows, access to Azure Germany, Azure Government, Azure Virtual Desktop (Classic), Azure operated by 21Vianet, Remote Desktop Services and Remote PC, as well as Single Sign-On (SSO) with Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS) and connecting to Azure Virtual Desktops via Private Link are missing. In addition, only Windows 365 services can be accessed directly and the download of certain .rdp files fails. Anyone using Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps must add Windows app URLs manually: .mcas.ms must be appended. To use Remote Desktop Services or Remote PC under Windows or in the browser, another method(RemoteApp and Desktop Connections, Remote Desktop Connection) must be used for now until the Windows app has grown up. Anzeige In the Apple world On macOS, there are restrictions on using Microsoft Teams remotely with the Windows app: the microphone set at the start of the session and the default speaker cannot be changed. The solution is called HUCA: Hang Up Call Again. In addition, when switching from the Remote Desktop app to the Windows app, there is the problem that the new application does not have access to saved passwords. This can be resolved using a multi-stage procedure, but must be repeated for each individual password. On iOS and iPadOS, the camera resolution and orientation can only be changed when the camera is reopened. And in the Vision Pro headset, the Windows app can only manage a single program window at a time. (ds) Don't miss any news follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Mastodon. This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication. Electricity from the sea: a power plant is to be built off the coast of Normandy that will generate electricity from the tidal currents. Anzeige NH1 is the name of the project, which is to be built in the Strait of Alderney, around 3.5 kilometers off the coast of Normandy. Four tidal turbines with a capacity of 3 megawatts each are to be installed on the seabed there. The European Union (EU) is funding the project with 31.3 million euros. The AR3000 turbines are similar to wind turbines, but the blades are much smaller. Moved by the passing water, they are expected to produce 34 gigawatt hours of electricity per year. According to manufacturer Normandie Hydroliennes, this is enough to supply 15,000 people. NH1 is scheduled to go online in 2028. Electricity from the sea The sea is constantly on the move, and its movements can be used to generate electricity. There are several possibilities. One is to harness the power of the waves with floating generators or generators attached to the seabed, such as the CX2 energy buoy. The other option is to tap into the tidal current, such as the Dragon 12 from Minesto, which produces electricity for the Faroe Islands. As the tides change regularly, electricity generation is easier to plan than with wind or solar power plants, for example. There are very strong tidal currents off the coast of France. Where NH1 is generated, the current reaches speeds of up to 12 knots (around 22 km/h) during spring tides. The world's first tidal power plant was also built on the French Atlantic coast: The Usine maremotrice de la Rance in Brittany, in the estuary of the River Rance near St. Malo, has been supplying electricity since 1967. Anzeige (wpl) Don't miss any news follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Mastodon. This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication. The 2024 Youth Barometer , published as a special anniversary edition, examines how young people's attitudes in Finland have changed over the past 30 years. Instead of focusing on a single theme, the study tracks shifts in responses to key questions posed since the first Youth Barometer in 1994. The findings highlight both the stability of Finnish youth policy and broader societal changes over the decades. One of the most significant developments is a sharp increase in political interest among young people. In 1997, only a third of young Finns expressed some level of interest in politics. By 2024, this figure had risen to 63 percent. Political engagement was at its lowest in 2008 when only 27 percent showed interest. Tomi Kiilakoski of the Finnish Youth Research Society says concerns about young people disengaging from society are not supported by the data. Instead, Finnish youth remain strongly attached to society, with 72 percent feeling a strong sense of belonging. Trust in institutions has also grown, particularly in international organisations. More young Finns identify as European, view EU membership as beneficial, and express increasing trust in NATO. Confidence in national security institutions, including the police and armed forces, has remained high throughout the years. Education has been a central theme in the Youth Barometer since its inception. The belief in the link between education and employment has remained strong among Finnish youth despite economic fluctuations. However, attitudes toward foreign workers have changed significantly. In 2013, only 37 percent of young Finns supported the idea that Finland needs more foreign workers. By 2024, this number had increased to 66 percent. The study also highlights changes in identity. More young people now identify as belonging to a gender or sexual minority. Since 2015, the proportion of non-binary youth has risen from zero to around two percent, while the total number of youth identifying as gender minorities now stands at five percent. The number of young people identifying as part of a sexual minority has also increased, rising from one in ten in 2020 to one in six in 2024. Among young women, the increase is particularly pronounced, with a quarter now identifying as part of a sexual minority. Konsta Happonen of the Finnish Youth Research Society notes that minority identity is linked to broader values and higher levels of social engagement. A concerning finding in the latest barometer is the decline in optimism about the future. In 2016, 83 percent of respondents viewed their personal future positively. By 2024, this had dropped to 61 percent. Optimism has also fallen significantly compared to 2018 and 2021. Ida Leino, chair of the Finnish Youth Council, calls for concrete measures to restore young people's confidence in the future and urges leaders to offer hope instead of focusing on crises. When asked about their aspirations by the age of 35, young people ranked close friendships as the most important. The importance of family, however, has declined. In 1998, 86 percent considered starting a family a key goal, whereas in 2024, only 69 percent shared this view. Life satisfaction among Finnish youth has fluctuated over the years but has gradually declined. The highest level of satisfaction was recorded in 2002 when 61 percent rated their life a 9 or 10 out of 10. In 2024, this figure had dropped to 44 percent. HT According to police statistics , automated speed enforcement captured over 500,000 violations in 2019. By 2024, this figure had fallen to just 137,000. Traffic enforcement cameras across Finland are increasingly inactive as police struggle to process speeding violations, despite new and expensive equipment being installed on roads. The number of fines issued through automatic traffic monitoring has dropped significantly in recent years, leaving many cameras empty or fitted with decoy units. The decline is widespread, with some regions seeing a reduction of up to 89 percent. In Espoo, the number of violations recorded by cameras has plummeted by 99 percent since the start of the decade. Finland has around 1,100 speed cameras, but only a fraction are operational at any given time. There are approximately 900 older grey box-style cameras, with just 160 active units among them. Of the 200 newer, slim-design cameras installed in recent years, only about 120 contain functioning equipment. The main issue is not the cameras themselves but the capacity of the police to process violations. Police Inspector Tuomo Katajisto from the National Police Board said that many cameras remain switched off to prevent overwhelming case backlogs. We could take many more photos of speeding drivers than we currently do. But if we keep all cameras active, cases would pile up and expire before we could process them, Katajisto explained. A legislative change in 2020 has made handling speeding fines more time-consuming. Minor speeding offences, previously subject to fixed fines, now require individual processing, increasing the administrative burden on police. Identifying the driver responsible for each offence has also become more complicated, further slowing down enforcement. In addition to staffing shortages, Finlands automatic traffic enforcement system has faced technical setbacks. The 2020 overhaul of the countrys road traffic law required a new digital system for processing violations, but the transition was not seamless. Complicating matters further, the gradual shutdown of Finlands 3G network disrupted older speed cameras, which relied on it to transmit data. New routers were required nationwide to restore functionality, but sourcing the necessary equipment caused further delays. By mid-2024, police had received 95 new routers, allowing them to restore connectivity to older cameras. However, police say enforcement is still constrained by human resources rather than technical capabilities. With limited capacity, police have adjusted enforcement strategies. Some cameras are turned off entirely, while others have their speed thresholds raised so that only the most severe speeding offences trigger fines. However, these changes are not made public, meaning drivers do not know when or where stricter enforcement is in place. Police have defended the approach, arguing that even inactive cameras serve a deterrent function. According to Katajisto, it is nearly impossible for drivers to distinguish between an active and inactive camera while speeding. The newer slim-design cameras, in particular, give no visible indication of whether they contain a working unit. Despite declining enforcement, authorities maintain that traffic monitoring remains an essential safety tool. In some areas, such as Eastern Finland, automatic enforcement has been fully staffed and running efficiently, leading to a significant increase in the number of recorded violations. HT The transition, which transferred responsibility from state-run TE Offices to 45 municipal employment areas at the start of 2025, has not gone smoothly. Municipal employmen t areas across Finland are struggling with budget shortages, forcing them to suspend wage subsidies and startup grants just months after taking over employment services from the state. Several regions report that funds allocated for employment support are already exhausted, largely due to commitments made last year that carried over into 2025. In the Kymppi employment area in South Ostrobothnia, discretionary wage subsidies have been halted for the remainder of the year. Similar problems are reported in Rovaniemi and the TyoLakeus region, where funds for both wage subsidies and startup grants have already been used up. The employment area of Central Ostrobothnia has seen its 1.5 million budget nearly depleted within the first few months of the year. As a result, authorities have been forced to shorten the maximum duration of wage subsidies and startup grants to spread remaining funds across more applicants. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment acknowledges the issue but says municipalities need time to adjust. This reform has only been in place for a few months, so its too early to make broad conclusions, said Ville Heinonen, a senior expert at the ministry. These kinds of challenges are expected in the early stages of such a transition. The core issue stems from the way financial obligations from 2024 were transferred to municipal employment areas without sufficient adjustments to their budgets. Many regions were unaware of the full extent of their inherited financial commitments when setting their 2025 budgets, leaving them with little room to maneuver. We were initially told that around 300,000 in obligations would carry over, said Perttu Kellomaki, director of the Central Ostrobothnia employment area. But in December, this figure was increased by another 1 million. By then, our budget was already set, and we had no way to respond. Despite these challenges, municipalities will receive some financial compensation from the state in April to cover unpaid commitments from 2024. However, these reimbursements will not help areas struggling to fund new wage subsidy applications this year. Kymppi employment area director Aki Ruotsala confirmed that no new wage subsidies will be granted in 2025, except for those supporting workers over 55, which remain a legal right. Some municipalities have reached out to government officials and MPs, requesting additional funding. However, with municipal budgets already under pressure, local leaders say they cannot rely on their own resources to fill the gaps. Kellomaki expressed concern that the funding shortfall could discourage jobseekers. Its important that people dont give up. Even if the financial situation looks bad, its the responsibility of policymakers to find solutions, he said. HT Trending in China | The rooftop artistry of Cut Porcelain Carving (People's Daily App) 16:02, March 19, 2025 Cut Porcelain Carving, a traditional decorative art from southern Fujian, transforms broken porcelain pieces into vibrant, three-dimensional designs that adorn rooftops. This intricate craft combines inlay, carving and painting techniques that enhance the aesthetic appeal of buildings, showcasing the charms of intangible cultural heritage. (Video source: Kuaishou, compiled by Di Chenjing) (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) Young people weave relaxation into life with needle and thread People's Daily Online) 10:16, March 19, 2025 A woman experiences tufting at a store in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (Photo/Liu Jing) As evening falls in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Wang Mengmeng, an office worker, returns home from the office. Instead of scrolling through short videos like usual, she takes out a ball of yarn and a crochet hook from her drawer, and begins crocheting a stuffed toy. The winding yarn and rhythmic clinking of the hook seem to slow her world down. "Crochet is my go-to stress reliever," Wang Mengmeng said. Her demanding job in internet operations often leaves her feeling on edge, but since stumbling upon crochet six months ago, she's been obsessed. Amid the hustle and bustle of city life, some young people are swapping their phones for crochet hooks and tufting guns in search of calm. Crochet, a traditional craft, uses a hook to weave yarn into different shapes and patterns, creating rich textures with various stitches. Tufting involves a special gun that embeds yarn or fibers into a canvas to create soft, fluffy designs. These days, both crafts have become go-to hobbies for those looking to unwind. On weekends, the sound of tufting guns echoes through a craft workshop in Xi'an. Among the participants is 22-year-old Wang Ruyi, who's making a cartoon-themed rug. "I was worried I'd mess it up, but after a quick 10-minute demo from the staff, I was good to go. Watching the soft design come together is so satisfying," Wang Ruyi said. According to shop owner Zhang Min, weekend slots need to be booked a week in advance, with most customers being young adults in their twenties and thirties. Popular patterns are in high demand. "Last week, a customer even brought in fan art of Nezha and Ao Bing for a custom piece," she said. Zhang observed that many visitors initially come just to take photos for social media but eventually get deeply immersed in the creative process. This trend has also fostered new social interactions. Many tufting workshops now offer "couples' collaboration" and "best friends' co-creation" experiences, while crochet enthusiasts gather at offline "yarn meetups" to exchange materials and techniques. "Sitting quietly and making crafts with strangers actually feels more relaxing than forced socializing," said Zhang Yao, a university student who has attended several of these gatherings. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) Artisan dedicated to reviving oil-paper umbrella making in SW China's Sichuan People's Daily Online) 13:27, March 19, 2025 Bi Liufu works on an oil-paper umbrella in Fenshuiling township, Luzhou city, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Photo/Bi Yuanshen) Bi Liufu, a 68-year-old national-level inheritor of the national intangible cultural heritage of the Fenshui oil-paper umbrella making craft, demonstrated his skill by putting up a 50-kilogram umbrella with a diameter of 3.5 meters at the Oil-paper Umbrella Museum in Fenshuiling township, Luzhou city, southwest China's Sichuan Province. The Fenshui oil-paper umbrella is China's only fully handmade umbrella of its kind. Each handmade Fenshui oil-paper umbrella requires 96 meticulous steps and uses carefully selected materials, including 3-year-old bamboo grown on sunny slopes to ensure strength and flexibility, and wood of specific tree species. "All materials must be prepared before the rainy season to prevent excess moisture, which could affect the umbrella's quality," Bi explained. Bi is the sixth-generation inheritor of the craft in his family. As a child, he and his elder sister helped their elders with tasks like threading and polishing bamboo, gradually learning the entire craft. In the 1980s and '90s, the rise of nylon umbrellas led to a decline in the oil-paper umbrella industry. As head of the Fenshui Oil-paper Umbrella Factory, Bi once tried cutting costs by replacing traditional tung oil with chemical oil. The move backfired the umbrella cloth turned sticky, and orders were returned. Learning from the setback, Bi switched back to tung oil. His dedication paid off. In 2008, the making of the Fenshui oil-paper umbrella was designated a national intangible cultural heritage. With government support and media attention, the craft regained its reputation. While preserving tradition, Bi also explores the cultural depth behind the umbrellas. To connect with younger generations, he and his team have developed nearly 1,000 new designs, featuring themes such as Peking Opera masks, giant pandas, and others. Today, Luzhou's oil-paper umbrella industry generates over 30 million yuan (about $4.14 million) annually, and the number of umbrella brands has grown from one to 15. As the industry flourishes, an oil-paper umbrella production chain has emerged across the province. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) A Japanese livestreamer was brutally murdered in front of her audience of over 6,500 viewers, marking a chilling escalation of violence between social media personalities and obsessive followers. Airi Sato, 22, was confirmed dead on Tuesday after suffering multiple stab wounds to her neck, head, and chest. Following the suspect's arrest, law enforcement has uncovered a possible motive behind the horrific crime. This tragedy underscores a disturbing trend in Japan, where content creators are increasingly becoming targets of violent attacks, often by individuals who feel betrayed or slighted by their online personas. Sato's Live-Streamed Attack On 11 March, Sato was livestreaming while walking along the JR Yamanote Line in Tokyo. Her content regularly featured footage of her daily life in Takadanobaba, Shinjuku, making it easy for followers to track her movements. It is believed her attacker pinpointed her exact location through her livestream before launching his assault. "It's not uncommon to see soto haishin, where streamers walk around outdoors while streaming," an acquaintance of Sato told The Mainichi Shimbun. "In the past, however, there have been incidents where viewers discovered a streamer's location, leading to dangerous situations." During the broadcast, 42-year-old Kenji Takano suddenly attacked Sato, stabbing her repeatedly in the upper body. Horrified viewers reportedly heard her screams for nearly a minute before a bloodied man turned the camera on himself. The stream then abruptly cut off. Police officers from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department arrived at the scene shortly after, finding a five-inch-long knife nearby. They arrested Takano on the spot. Sato was rushed to hospital but tragically succumbed to her injuries. Despite his arrest, Takano insists he never intended to kill Sato. The Motive Behind Sato's Murder Takano claims the attack stemmed from a financial dispute with Sato. The man allegedly first encountered her in late 2021 through her livestreams and eventually became a regular visitor at the restaurant where she worked. Over time, Sato allegedly borrowed money from Takano under various pretenses, citing lost wallets, frozen funds, and urgent financial troubles. Initially, the amounts were small, but they quickly grew. Takano claims he lent her around 13,000 ($16,500), which she never repaid. Feeling deceived, he pursued legal action and won a court case, yet Sato still made no effort to settle the debt. The situation escalated a day before the attack when Takano watched one of Sato's livestreams in which she discussed her future plans. Enraged, he allegedly tracked her location in real-time and travelled 160 miles from Oyama City to confront her. Authorities believe he meticulously followed her movements online before ambushing her. Although Takano remains in custody, he has not yet been officially charged. While Japan has one of the lowest crime rates in the world, Sato's death is not an isolated incident. The rise of live streaming has inadvertently given way to a new form of premeditated crime, where attackers exploit real-time broadcasts to locate and target their victims. The Dark Side of Live-Streaming The pursuit of connection and relatability has made social media influencers increasingly vulnerable. By sharing personal details and locations in real-time, they risk exposing themselves to dangerous individuals. Japan has already witnessed violent incidents involving livestreamers. In January 2022, a 33-year-old female streamer in Koshigaya, Saitama Prefecture, was murdered by a man in his 20s. According to reports, the woman had told the man she 'needed space'. Enraged by her rejection, he tracked her down and fatally attacked her in her home. Although authorities have not confirmed whether she was livestreaming at the time, they believe their relationship stemmed from her online presence. These dangers are not limited to Japan. In November 2023, American YouTuber Elliot Eastman, 26, was abducted and murdered in the Philippines while documenting his life in remote coastal towns. Disguised as police officers, four gunmen seized him in Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte, attempting to transport him by boat. Eastman resisted, leading the kidnappers to shoot him twice with an M16 rifle before dumping his body in the ocean. Investigators believe the attackers specifically targeted Eastman after seeing his social media posts about his travels and daily life. A Wake-Up Call for Online Safety Sato's tragic murder highlights the hidden dangers of live streaming, where real-time sharing can leave influencers exposed to obsessive followers and individuals with harmful intentions. As social media personalities navigate the blurred lines between their personal and public lives, they risk drawing in unstable individuals who may feel entitled to their time, money, or attention. This incident, along with others globally, emphasizes that while platforms provide connection and community, they also make content creators vulnerable to unpredictable threats. Originally published on IBTimes UK PepsiCo announced Monday it has acquired the prebiotic soda brand Poppi for $1.95 billion. The deal, which includes $300 million in anticipated cash tax benefits, effectively brings the net purchase price to $1.65 billion. PepsiCo's Chairman and CEO, Ramon Laguarta, emphasized that the acquisition aligns with the company's ongoing strategy to enhance its "better-for-you" offerings. "Consumers are seeking choices that align with their lifestyles and growing interest in health and wellness," he said in a statement. Laguarta also noted that this acquisition underscores PepsiCo's commitment to meeting the rising demand for healthier beverage options, a trend the company has been increasingly focused on. Poppi, founded by Allison Ellsworth in Austin, Texas, is known for its low-calorie sodas made with prebiotics and fruit juice, with each serving containing no more than 5 grams of sugar. The brand initially gained traction when Ellsworth began selling her homemade concoctions at farmers' markets before securing investment on the ABC show Shark Tank. It quickly expanded to major retailers nationwide. Ellsworth expressed her excitement about the acquisition, stating, "We can't wait to begin this next chapter with PepsiCo to bring our soda to more people." She highlighted how the partnership will allow Poppi to expand its reach while maintaining the unique qualities that have made it popular. PepsiCo's focus on healthier options is part of a broader industry trend. Coca-Cola is also expanding into the prebiotic soda space, launching its own offering, Simply Pop, targeting wellness-conscious Gen Z and millennial consumers. The prebiotic soda market, as a whole, is expected to reach a value of $54.5 million by 2034, according to Future Market Insights. Despite Poppi's success, the brand faced legal challenges last year when several class-action lawsuits were filed, alleging that its products did not live up to the advertised claims regarding gut health benefits. In response, Poppi removed references to "gut health" from its packaging in late 2023 and agreed to a settlement, including an $8.9 million fund for consumer payments. A hearing regarding the settlement is set for May 8. Laguarta has previously spoken about the broader shift toward health and wellness, acknowledging that the increased consumer awareness around topics like obesity drugs has influenced behavior. He reiterated that PepsiCo is committed to adapting its portfolio, noting that the company has focused on reducing sodium, fat, and sugar, while incorporating healthier ingredients such as plant-based proteins and whole grains. PepsiCo's acquisition of Poppi has been met with a positive market response, with PepsiCo shares rising nearly 2% in morning trading Monday. Hamas said it remained open to negotiations while calling for pressure on Israel Wednesday to implement a Gaza truce after its deadliest bombing since the fragile ceasefire began in January. Israel carried out fresh air strikes on Gaza on Wednesday, killing 13 people according to the territory's civil defence agency, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday's raids were "only the beginning". The United Nations and countries around the world condemned the high civilian death toll in the renewed strikes, which have killed more than 400 people, according to Hamas-run territory's health ministry. Hamas is open to talks on getting the ceasefire back on track but will not renegotiate the agreement that took effect on January 19, an official from the militant group said. "Hamas has not closed the door on negotiations but we insist there is no need for new agreements," Taher al-Nunu told AFP. "We have no conditions, but we demand that the occupation be compelled to immediately halt its aggression and war of extermination, and begin the second phase of negotiations." Negotiations have stalled over how to proceed with a ceasefire whose first phase expired in early March, with Israel and Hamas disagreeing on whether to move to a new phase intended to bring the war to an end. Instead, Israel and the United States have sought to change the terms of the deal by extending stage one. That would delay the start of phase two, which was meant to establish a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and was swiftly rejected by Hamas, which demanded full implementation of the original deal. "There is no need for new agreements in light of the existing agreement signed by all parties," Nunu said. Israel and the United States have portrayed Hamas's rejection of an extended stage one as a refusal to release more Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Netanyahu's office said he ordered the renewed strikes on Gaza after "Hamas's repeated refusal to release our hostages". In a televised address late Tuesday, the premier said: "From now on, negotiations will take place only under fire... Military pressure is essential for the release of additional hostages. "Hamas has already felt the strength of our arm in the past 24 hours. And I want to promise you -- and them -- this is only the beginning." The White House said Israel consulted US President Donald Trump's administration before launching the strikes, while Israel said the return to fighting was "fully coordinated" with Washington. The intense Israeli bombardment sent a stream of new casualties to the few hospitals still functioning in Gaza and triggered fears of a return to full-blown war after two months of relative calm. "Today I felt that Gaza is a real hell," said Jihan Nahhal, a 43-year-old from Gaza City, adding some of her relatives were wounded or killed in the strikes. "Suddenly there were huge explosions, as if it were the first day of the war." The Gaza health ministry said the bodies of 413 people had been received by hospitals, adding people were still under the rubble. A spokeswoman for the UN children's agency UNICEF said medical facilities that "have already been decimated" by the war were now "overwhelmed". Governments in the Middle East, Europe and beyond called for the renewed hostilities to end. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Israel's raids on Gaza "are shattering the tangible hopes of so many Israelis and Palestinians of an end to suffering on all sides". European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she told her Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar that the new strikes on Gaza were "unacceptable". Both Egypt and Qatar, which brokered the Gaza ceasefire alongside the United States, condemned Israel's resort to military action. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said the strikes were part of "deliberate efforts to make the Gaza Strip uninhabitable and force the Palestinians into displacement". Trump has floated a proposal to move Palestinians out of Gaza, an idea rejected by Palestinians and governments in the region and beyond, but embraced by some Israeli politicians. Israel's resumption of military operations in Gaza, after it already halted all humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza this month, drew an immediate political dividend for Netanyahu. The far-right Otzma Yehudit party, which quit his ruling coalition in January in protest at the Gaza ceasefire, rejoined its ranks with its firebrand leader Itamar Ben Gvir again becoming national security minister. The war began with Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which resulted in 1,218 deaths, mostly civilians, according to Israeli figures. Israel's retaliation in Gaza has killed at least 48,577 people, also mostly civilians, according to figures from the territory's health ministry. Of the 251 hostages seized during the attack, 58 are still in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead. An Indiana mother has been charged with multiple felonies after allegedly boarding a middle school bus and attacking an 8th grade student for reportedly bullying her son, breaking his nose in the process. The confrontation began after Latea Hentz's 13-year-old son reported being bullied by the 14-year-old boy involved in the altercation, Fox 59 reported. The bullying allegedly included physical and verbal abuse, including racist comments. On March 6, Hentz and her 17-year-old daughter boarded the school bus to confront the alleged bully, leading to the physical altercation. Hentz allegedly shouted threatening comments to the other children on the bus and joined in physically assaulting the boy, resulting in injuries to his face, including a fractured nose. Security footage and a viral video captured the event, which was shared widely on social media, drawing significant attention. Police later arrived at the scene, and Hentz was arrested on charges including criminal confinement, battery, intimidation and criminal trespass. The investigation revealed conflicting accounts of the bullying, with Hentz asserting that her son was the victim, while the 8th grader's family alleged that Hentz's son had been the bully. The mother now faces multiple felony charges, and her daughter and 13-year-old son could also face legal consequences. The school district has not yet taken formal action but has been involved in the investigation. Originally published on Lawyer Herald Hotel Indigo Menorca set to open summer 2026 joins a growing portfolio on Spain's Balearic Islands. IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world's leading hotel companies, is bringing its distinctive Hotel Indigo brand to the Balearic Islands for the first time with the opening of Hotel Indigo Menorca. Set to open in summer 2026, the hotel marks IHG's eighth open and pipeline Hotel Indigo property in Spain - contributing to the growth of its Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio in the market. The hotel presents a significant opportunity for IHG to strengthen its foothold in the Balearic Islands, complementing its existing Mallorca properties - Kimpton Aysla Mallorca and the recently signed Vignette Collection Mallorca, as well as Six Senses Ibiza. The 75-key conversion property will be a haven for travellers seeking a unique and locally inspired experience. Located in Mahon, the island's capital, Hotel Indigo Menorca is situated in a prime location overlooking the stunning port and has excellent transport links, including easy access to Menorca Airport making it the perfect base for exploring this idyllic island. Guests can enjoy a truly relaxing escape, featuring exceptional amenities such as private terraces in every room, a sea-view restaurant, a stylish bar showcasing local flavours, and an outdoor pool. The hotel's location in Menorca is renowned for its 300 days of sunshine, pristine beaches, and tranquil charm, ensuring a captivating international appeal. True to the brand's ethos, Hotel Indigo Menorca will be a unique reflection of its neighbourhood, with the island's story being woven into the guest experience. Beyond the ideal launchpad for guests, Hotel Indigo Menorca will be an integral part of the community, directly overlooking Isla del Rey and the renowned Hauser & Wirth art centre. Just steps away, Es Castell Marina's vibrant atmosphere invites guests to immerse themselves in Menorca's cultural and coastal charm. The signing of Hotel Indigo Menorca strengthens IHG's presence in Spain, where it operates 57* hotels and has another 15* in development. The property also joins a growing portfolio of Hotel Indigo properties in Spain, with four open and a further three in development. *Numbers as at 31 December 2024 unless otherwise stated. Hotel website AENDRE also welcomes Charlotte Cottier as a Senior Associate in the acquisitions team, where she will be sourcing opportunities in continental Europe. Charlotte joins from Tristan Capital Partners, a leading real estate PE fund, where she was there for 4.5 years as an Investment Associate focusing on hospitality. She also started her career in hospitality, graduating in hospitality management before pivoting into the real estate sector. View Charlotte Cottier Perez's LinkedIn Profile Charlotte Cottier Perez is a graduate of EHL in Lausanne - Switzerland Fairmont Orchid, a luxury resort along the Kohala Coast of Hawaii Island, is pleased to announce the appointment of Chef Zaid Khan as its new Executive Chef. In his role, Chef Khan will lead all creative and strategic initiatives across the resort's six restaurants, as well as hotel-wide events. His passion for sustainable dining practices and commitment to supporting local farms and fishermen will enhance the property's culinary offerings. Chef Khan brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles as Executive Chef at Fairmont Copley in Boston, Banquet Chef at Seattle's Fairmont Olympic Hotel, and Sous Chef at Fairmont Southampton in Bermuda. His international culinary journey has taken him from Australia's Hamilton Island to Vancouver, Canada, where he refined his approach to food inspired by local, sustainable ingredients. Born and raised in Brisbane, Australia, Chef Khan developed an early appreciation for fresh seafood, thanks to the city's proximity to the Gold and Sunshine Coasts. He fondly remembers learning the art of using spices from his grandmother in Fiji and credits his mother for instilling in him the importance of farm-to-table practices. His family raised their own livestock, harvested fresh produce, and fished their own catcha philosophy that remains at the core of Chef Khan's culinary approach today. The Young Hospitality Summit (YHS) is an annual three-day hospitality summit, taking place at EHL Hospitality Business School. The aim of YHS is bringing worldwide hospitality students together with industry leaders at EHL. The Summit has grown year on year by every measure since its launch in 2010. We are proud to have been sponsored by renowned companies such as: Dorchester Collection, Four Seasons, Expedia and Starwood Hotels, to name a few. YHS has and will always remain to be an entirely student-run hospitality event. We are a small team of ambitious students who are dedicated to improving professional opportunities for young talent in the hospitality industry. March 17 - Day 1 Keynote 1 - Carole Ackermann | 10:15 - Dr. Ackermann will share insights on hospitality competencies and how they can be applied to both hospitality & non-hospitality careers. She will also delve into employment expectations due to challenges relating to the three dimensions; Height, Width, and Depth. Passion for innovation - that's driving Carole. Having more than twenty years of leadership experience in SME's and large companies, she invests in start-up companies in the technology sector and supports female founding talents. She is President of the Lausanne Hotel School (EHL), Vice President of BVZ Holding with the most beautiful mountain railroad to Gornergrat and member of the Board of Directors of Allianz Suisse, BKW and BNP Paribas Switzerland. For years she has been a lecturer at the University of St. Gallen, where she is committed to providing students with practical insights and encouragement for entrepreneurship. Dr. Ackermann will share insights on hospitality competencies and how they can be applied to both hospitality & non-hospitality careers. She will also delve into employment expectations due to challenges relating to the three dimensions; Height, Width, and Depth. - that's driving Carole. Having more than twenty years of leadership experience in SME's and large companies, she invests in start-up companies in the technology sector and supports female founding talents. She is President of the Lausanne Hotel School (EHL), Vice President of BVZ Holding with the most beautiful mountain railroad to Gornergrat and member of the Board of Directors of Allianz Suisse, BKW and BNP Paribas Switzerland. For years she has been a lecturer at the University of St. Gallen, where she is committed to providing students with practical insights and encouragement for entrepreneurship. Panel 1 - Overtourism & Its Consequences | 12:00 - Focusing on the Width dimension of YHS 2025, the first panel will cover now omnipresent idea of overtourism, and how it has impacted key tourism markets. Panelists will share their expertise on their home markets (UK, Greece, Portugal), as well as perspectives as unique stakeholders (Owners vs. Destinations). Focusing on the Width dimension of YHS 2025, the first panel will cover now omnipresent idea of overtourism, and how it has impacted key tourism markets. Panelists will share their expertise on their home markets (UK, Greece, Portugal), as well as perspectives as unique stakeholders (Owners vs. Destinations). Keynote 2 - Guy Crawford | 13:05 - The hospitality industry is undergoing a profound transformation - balancing commercial viability with community impact and sustainability. Mr. Guy Crawford will explore the turnaround story of Highland Coast Hotels, a small group of hotels in rural Scotland backed by Private Equity and the Scottish Development Bank. March 18 - Day 2 Keynote 3 - Robert Mellwig | 09:25 - Mr. Mellwig will call upon 27 years of hospitality experience to share teachings about employer sentiment in hospitality and how it has changed over the years. As the demand for talent in hospitality grows, how do brands adapt? Mr. Mellwig will call upon 27 years of hospitality experience to share teachings about employer sentiment in hospitality and how it has changed over the years. As the demand for talent in hospitality grows, how do brands adapt? Panel 2 - F&B Innovation | 10:15 - F&B as an industry often gets overshadowed by lodging in the term "hospitality." The industry, however shows consistent growth and innovation to adapt to changing environments. Ludovic & Jhonathan will share how their firms have innovated to adapt to changing demands. F&B as an industry often gets overshadowed by lodging in the term "hospitality." The industry, however shows consistent growth and innovation to adapt to changing environments. Ludovic & Jhonathan will share how their firms have innovated to adapt to changing demands. Keynote 4 - Stowe Shoemaker | 15:45 - Dr. Shoemaker will share teachings from his latest book, Hospitable Healthcare. Hospitable Healthcare outlines the gap in service quality of healthcare providers and what they can learn from hospitality and service excellence principles. Dr. Shoemaker will share teachings from his latest book, Hospitable Healthcare. Hospitable Healthcare outlines the gap in service quality of healthcare providers and what they can learn from hospitality and service excellence principles. Panel 3 - Dynamic Pricing | 17:00 - Dynamic pricing plays into both the Depth & Height dimensions of the YHS 2025 theme. Depth by exploring the function of a revenue manager in maximizing a finite resource. Height by exploring how revenue management may serve as a gateway to accessibility. Panelists represent dynamic pricing in the hotel, tech, and ski resort industries. March 19 - Day 3 OpenAI recently announced a new shopping agent called Operator," one of many artificial intelligence agents that will be released from the big tech companies in the next few months. It is designed to independently perform tasks on behalf of consumers, including one of the most popular activitiesonline shopping. AI agents wont just make it easier to shop for retail items, it will also enable better shopping for things like insurance, new cars and flights. Consumers, not companies, will be the real drivers of the agent change. Theyll quickly embrace these readily available free online tools much more quickly than any airline will be able to. Consider agents as the mother of all public (internet) and private (email, documents, social media) search engines, capable of acting like a real-life assistant on overdrive: reading content, understanding images, coordinating with personal calendars, selecting locations and price limitations and even applying the right rewards options. Generative AI gives this type of search a super-power to understand millions of data points and prioritize and present offers that align with a shoppers needs and preferences at levels airline sites, aggregators or search engines of today can only dream about. Read the full article at Phocuswire Hospitality and tourism are more than just industries, they are the heartbeat of economies, cultures, and human connections worldwide. Every day, millions of hoteliers, restaurateurs, and tourism professionals dedicate themselves to creating unforgettable experiences, driving local economies, and shaping the way people explore the world. Yet, despite their central role, hospitality businesses face growing challenges. Economic shifts, environmental changes, evolving traveler behaviors, and rising operational costs demand smarter, data-driven decisions. However, access to high-quality, real-time market insights remains limited, controlled by third parties who profit from industry data without giving back. This must change. The future of hospitality should be shaped by those who create it, not by outsiders who capitalize on it. A New Model: Free Access, Ethical Monetization, and Shared Benefits of Anonymised Data HCommunity Foundation introduces a fair, transparent, and independent solution that ensures hospitality professionals regain control of their data and benefit directly from the insights they create. Free Access Hospitality and Tourism businesses gain real-time industry insights at no cost through the Market Watch Portal. Hospitality and Tourism businesses gain real-time industry insights at no cost through the Market Watch Portal. Data Brokerage Service Anonymized market data is ethically monetized, with 30% of revenue shared back with contributing hospitality actors. Anonymized market data is ethically monetized, with 30% of revenue shared back with contributing hospitality actors. Marketplace A platform where industry professionals can build and access applications, tools, and analyses, maintaining full control over their data. Were bringing power back to the people who make this industry thrive, giving them the control, insights, and support they need to overcome challenges and shape the future of hospitality. A Governance Model That Puts Hospitality First HCommunity Foundation is governed by and for the hospitality industry, not by corporate interests. Our model ensures that hoteliers, restaurateurs, and tourism actors remain in control, with a fast-moving, impact-driven approach that enables the industry to push forward, innovate, and adapt in real time. We act quickly, responding to industry needs with real solutions, real intelligence, and real results. Our governance structure guarantees fairness, neutrality, and representation, principles that fuel innovation and accelerate progress. Independent Swiss Foundation Ensuring neutrality, no private ownership Ensuring neutrality, no private ownership A Balanced Board Industry leaders overseeing strategic direction Industry leaders overseeing strategic direction Global Committees for Fair Representation Hospitality Businesses Committee (Hotels, Restaurants, Destinations), Tech Committee (Leading technology experts), Academic Committee (University and research professionals), Regional Committees (EMEA, NOAM, APAC) As a start, HCommunity Foundations founding Board consists of recognized industry leaders: Pascal Buchner Former CIO of IATA (2010-2024) Former CIO of IATA (2010-2024) Alessandro Inversini Full Professor at EHL Hospitality Business School, PhD in Communication Sciences Full Professor at EHL Hospitality Business School, PhD in Communication Sciences Christopher Meignier CEO of Blent, with 15+ years in Data and Hospitality Technology The first members of the HCommunity Foundation Committees will be welcomed soon, ensuring broader representation across the industry. These Committees will play a key role in shaping the foundations direction, fostering Collective Intelligence, and ensuring all industry stakeholders have a voice in this new, fair data economy. As part of this commitment to inclusivity, each of the three main Committees (Hospitality Businesses, Tech, and Academic) will elect a representative to join the Board, further strengthening industry participation and reinforcing a truly independant governance model. HCommunity - Market Watch Portal Source: HCommunity Foundation Market Watch Portal: The Most Comprehensive Real-Time Hospitality Insights Unlike traditional market intelligence services that charge expensive subscriptions, the HCommunity Foundation Market Watch Portal is free for all participating hotels, restaurants, and tourism actors, while providing a past, present, and future overview of the market. Best Pickup and Pace Solutions Providing the most advanced Pickup and Pace analysis in the industry. Providing the most advanced Pickup and Pace analysis in the industry. Food & Beverage Data Insights Providing in-depth analysis of F&B performance, menu trends, sales dynamics, and customer behaviors. Providing in-depth analysis of F&B performance, menu trends, sales dynamics, and customer behaviors. Dynamic Segmentation at Multiple Levels Markets, segments, and other custom parameters, enabling infinite possibilities for analysis. Markets, segments, and other custom parameters, enabling infinite possibilities for analysis. Automated Data Collection Seamless, real-time connection to PMS and POS systems through +100 direct connections. Seamless, real-time connection to PMS and POS systems through +100 direct connections. Live Market Trends & Benchmarking Past, present, and future demand, segmentation, persona insights, event tracking, and competitive performance comparison at local, regional, and global levels. Past, present, and future demand, segmentation, persona insights, event tracking, and competitive performance comparison at local, regional, and global levels. Real-Time Demand Tracking Anticipate shifts and optimize strategies. The Market Watch Portal is a true expression of Collective Intelligence, aggregating high-quality, real-time data from across the industry to provide insights that help businesses anticipate trends, optimize performance, and make informed decisions. Data Brokerage Service: An Innovative Model That Rewards and Empowers Hospitality Actors The HCommunity Foundation Data Brokerage Service is a pioneering business model that rewards and directly supports hospitality actors. By ethically monetizing anonymized market data, it feeds value back into the industry while maintaining transparency and fairness. Market Data at All Levels Hotels, restaurants, and tourism actors contribute to a high-quality, real-time dataset Hotels, restaurants, and tourism actors contribute to a high-quality, real-time dataset Revenue is Shared Back with Hospitality Professionals 30% of revenue from data monetization is redistributed to those who contributed 30% of revenue from data monetization is redistributed to those who contributed Ethical & Transparent Unlike the grey market, our data is fully consent-based and secure This model ensures that the industry benefits from the insights it produces and creates a fairer, more sustainable data economy. Empowering Destinations: A Virtuous Circle of Data & Growth Destinations (tourism boards, regional authorities, and city organizations) play a fundamental role in the global hospitality ecosystem. However, they often lack real-time, high-quality market insights to make informed decisions, relying instead on fragmented or outdated data sources. HCommunity Foundation changes this by providing Destinations with anonymized, real-time data that helps them analyze market trends, measure tourism impact, and optimize their strategies for sustainable growth. By accessing insights directly from the hospitality industry itself, Destinations can: Better understand visitor flows, demand patterns, and economic impact. Enhance tourism marketing strategies with real-time, data-driven decision-making. Support local hospitality businesses by aligning planning with actual market needs. This creates a virtuous circle: Destinations gain valuable market intelligence while supporting the hospitality industry that fuels their economy. Rather than relying on third-party data providers with opaque business models and opaque data sources channels, Destinations engage directly with the industry, ensuring that the data they use reinforces a fair and sustainable ecosystem. Through this collaboration, HCommunity ensures that Destinations are not just consumers of data, but active contributors to a more balanced, ethical, and forward-thinking industry. HCommunity - Market Watch Portal Photo by HCommunity Foundation Marketplace: Breaking Tech Barriers, Driving Innovation, and Building the Future The HCommunity Marketplace is where hospitality professionals, technology providers, and data experts come together to break traditional tech barriers and push innovation forward. Designed as an open ecosystem, the Marketplace empowers industry players to collaborate, experiment, and create, shaping the future of hospitality through data-driven solutions. A Platform for Growth and Innovation Develop and distribute applications that enhance operations, revenue management, guest experience, and beyond. Develop and distribute applications that enhance operations, revenue management, guest experience, and beyond. Access to Best-in-Class Solutions Discover a wide range of industry-focused tools, from AI-driven forecasting models to advanced benchmarking and automation software. Discover a wide range of industry-focused tools, from AI-driven forecasting models to advanced benchmarking and automation software. Full Data Control Hospitality actors remain in charge of their data, deciding how and with whom they collaborate. Unlike traditional platforms that take ownership, HCommunity ensures businesses retain control over their insights. Hospitality actors remain in charge of their data, deciding how and with whom they collaborate. Unlike traditional platforms that take ownership, HCommunity ensures businesses retain control over their insights. Breaking Tech Barriers with global Open API We remove limitations that have long hindered the industry, enabling seamless integrations and fostering an environment where anyone can innovate, without restrictions. We remove limitations that have long hindered the industry, enabling seamless integrations and fostering an environment where anyone can innovate, without restrictions. Innovation Through Collaboration The Marketplace is a space where hoteliers, restaurateurs, and tourism professionals unite to build solutions together, harnessing Collective Intelligence to solve industry-wide challenges. The Marketplace is a space where hoteliers, restaurateurs, and tourism professionals unite to build solutions together, harnessing Collective Intelligence to solve industry-wide challenges. A Trusted Hub for AI Development HCommunity is the perfect organization to support AI initiatives and development, ensuring that artificial intelligence in hospitality is built on ethical foundations, neutrality, and responsible data usage. By offering a structured environment for AI-driven solutions, the Marketplace fosters innovation while maintaining trust, compliance, ethic and fairness. By bridging technology and expertise, the Marketplace transforms raw data into real, actionable value, empowering hospitality actors to stay ahead, make smarter decisions, and shape the industrys future on their own terms. Supporters & Partners: Industry Leaders Aligning with HCommunity HCommunity Foundation is proud to have the support of leading tech companies, academic institutions, destinations, and hotelier associations, all of whom recognize the importance of fair, transparent, and independent data practices. Supporters play a strategic role in driving HCommunitys development and its positive impact on the Hospitality and Tourism industry, contributing expertise, resources, and networks. Our current Supporters include major players in hospitality technology (Protel, Mews, Lightspeed, Apaleo), academic institutions (EHL Hospitality Business School), and Hoteliers Associations, each of whom actively pushes for a more ethical and collaborative industry. Alongside our Supporters, HCommunity collaborates with a growing network of Partners who work with us to develop a neutral, transparent, and sustainable hospitality data ecosystem. With more than 100 direct system connectors already in place (including PMS, POS, and others), we ensure seamless data integration, enabling real-time insights and AI-driven decision-making at an unprecedented scale. And yes, the platform is already in Production with its first members. Our Vision: A Global, Fair, and Innovative Future for Hospitality HCommunity Foundation is more than a data platform, it is a movement to elevate the global hospitality industry, promote fairness, and drive innovation. Our vision is to support all industry players equally, foster technological advancement, and ensure sustainable growth worldwide. Equality of Opportunity We believe that all hospitality and tourism actors, regardless of size or location, should have equal access to quality market data. We believe that all hospitality and tourism actors, regardless of size or location, should have equal access to quality market data. Innovation & Excellence We push the boundaries of data intelligence, helping businesses make smarter decisions. We push the boundaries of data intelligence, helping businesses make smarter decisions. Industry Growth & Ethical Practices By collaborating with academics, technology providers, and local tourism organizations, we elevate the entire ecosystem through good practices. By collaborating with academics, technology providers, and local tourism organizations, we elevate the entire ecosystem through good practices. Supporting Developing Regions Tourism is a powerful economic driver, and we actively support initiatives that help developing areas grow sustainably through hospitality and tourism. Tourism is a powerful economic driver, and we actively support initiatives that help developing areas grow sustainably through hospitality and tourism. Knowledge & Experience Sharing We are committed to organizing national and local events, bringing together hospitality actors to share insights, experiences, and best practices in a collaborative environment. HCommunity Foundation is on a mission to empower the industry, encourage collaboration, and create a more resilient and thriving hospitality and tourism ecosystem. We Are Unlocking the AI-Powered Future of Hospitality For too long, the hospitality industry has been seen as slow to embrace technology, struggling to keep up with more data-driven sectors. That narrative ends today. With HCommunity, hospitality isnt adapting to the future, it is defining it. At a time when businesses face unpredictable market shifts, economic pressures, and evolving traveler behaviors, decision-making can no longer rely on outdated reports or intuition. HCommunity delivers something never seen before: real-time, AI-powered intelligence designed specifically for hospitality and tourism. Our platform doesnt just provide data, it understands it, learns from it, and anticipates what comes next. We process market movements at an unparalleled scale, detecting patterns before they emerge, allowing hotels, restaurants, and destinations to react in real time, or even before change happens. This is not just an evolution in hospitality intelligence; it is a revolution. For the first time, an entire industry has access to the same level of predictive power that financial markets, global retailers, and tech giants have relied on for years. But unlike traditional data providers who exploit industry insights for their own gain, HCommunity was built for hospitality, by hospitality. We are not just transforming how businesses make decisions, we are ensuring that the economic and social heart of entire regions beats stronger than ever. With the backing of the most forward-thinking technology innovators, academics, destinations, and hospitality leaders, we are proving that hospitality isnt behind, its ten steps ahead. The future is AI-driven, real-time, and built for those who create the worlds greatest experiences. And it starts now. Join the Movement HCommunity is a global initiative, and the platform is already in production and ready to welcome hoteliers, restaurants, and tourism businesses from all regions to take part in this transformation. Joining HCommunity means gaining free access to cutting-edge market insights, contributing to a fairer and more transparent data economy, and being part of a collective effort to redefine how the hospitality industry manages data. Destinations (tourism boards, regional authorities, and city organizations) can contact us at any moment to start a specific project, leveraging real-time, high-quality market data to enhance their strategic planning and decision-making. Be part of a movement that empowers hospitality professionals, fosters innovation, and puts control back where it belongs, with the people who create the industry's value. Visit www.hcommunity.io to learn more and join the movement. UTRECHT, The Netherlands According to BCD Travels Cities & Trends 2025 Asia Pacific report, Singapore, Tokyo and Hong Kong are the most visited cities in the region by APAC business travelers. The intercontinental list is led by Frankfurt, London and San Francisco. The report is based on BCD clients flight and rail data from 2024 in a range of APAC markets. Top 10 cities Singapores strategic location and vibrant economy plays no small part in the city-states popularity among business travelers. Reciprocal visa free policies with other countries in Southeast Asia, an increase in flight seat capacity throughout the region, and an overall reduction in flight fares has contributed to Singapores steady growth. These attractive reforms and overall pro-business infrastructure are a win-win for both business travelers and those attending meetings and events in Singapore. It remains unchallenged in the top spot within APAC cities, with a 20% increase from the previous year. Tokyo moved up to take the second spot with a 38% increase, followed by Hong Kong and Bangkok. Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai, Seoul, Taipei and Jakarta remained unchanged in their positions from the previous year, but welcomed the addition of Sydney into the No. 10 spot. Source: BCD Travel According to the Global Business Travel Associations first Business Travel Outlook Poll of 2025, APAC led global business travel spend growth last year, with more than three in four (78%) buyers from that region reporting a higher volume of trips compared to 2023 including 30% who saw a significant increase. The list of intercontinental cities is split between five cities in Europe and five in North America, and led by Frankfurt, London and San Francisco. Top 5 countries According to BCD flight data, Singapore once again was the most visited APAC country. China and Japan closely follow Singapores lead. The top five intercontinental countries remained the same from the previous year, with the U.S. leading the way. Source: BCD Travel Top routes According to BCD flight data, the most frequently traveled routes1 for APAC flights primarily depart from Singapore, which accounts for five positions in the top 10 city pairs. Interestingly, in intercontinental routes Shanghai to San Francisco placed as No.10, moving up from its previous position as No.17. Notably, three of the top 10 intercontinental routes originate from Bengaluru (to Frankfurt, London and Seattle). For intercontinental city pairs, Bengaluru to Frankfurt tops the chart. Source: BCD Travel Cabin class For APAC flights, most travelers (84%) booked economy and roughly only 15% booked business class. For intercontinental flights, the figures are split down the middle, with 45% booking business class and 45% booking economy. Connecting segments, direct flights and layover cities Direct routes are often the most sought-after due to convenience and comfort factors. Travelers increasingly demand value from in-flight service, and many seek premium travel options. Most APAC flights are direct (89%), largely due to the well-connected route networks within countries. In contrast, only 25% of intercontinental travel from APAC is direct. This could be due to flight times, high costs or the lack of direct flights. The top three layover cities in APAC are Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok. The top three intercontinental layovers are Dubai, Doha and Frankfurt. No doubt, all these bustling aviation hubs provide unparalleled airport facilities, shorter layovers, and convenient regional and international flight networks to business travelers worldwide. Rail travel Business travelers from any part of the world are sure to marvel at China and Japans extensive rail networks. In Japan, the reliability and punctuality of trains are well known; rarely are trains ever late. Efficiency and speed are hallmarks of the Shinkansen bullet trains which allow for fast travel between major cities, saving valuable time. Rail environments are clean, and easily accessible as they are often stationed in major business districts; while seats are known to be comfortable, with high connectivity. Additionally, private luggage shipping services make business travel easier. These services pick up a travelers luggage from a hotel or even a convenience store, and deliver at various different drop-off points. Business travel on the Chinese railway high-speed system is similar in quality, with extensive routes and economical fares, especially for medium-to-long distance journeys. The most popular routes are Changsha-Shenzhen, Shanghai-Suzhou, and Shanghai-Beijing. Source: BCD Travel Sustainability imperatives are a significant driver in business travel-related decisions. With lower carbon emissions per passenger compared to air travel, seamless city-center connections, and reliable scheduling, high-speed rail enables business travelers to maximize productivity while reducing their environmental impact. As businesses prioritize sustainability, encouraging rail-based business travel aligns with corporate environmental, social, and governance goals without sacrificing speed or convenience. Providing employees with resources or the latest trends in sustainability practices is the first step. Leveraging this information in an internal, online booking tool can allow them to find the details they need at their command, when they want. Externally, it is key to engage travelers by communicating through your various company channels. Olivia Ruggles-Brise, VP of Sustainability at BCD advises The full Cities & Trends APAC 2025 Report with insights about APAC business travelers can be found here. The Cities & Trends APAC Report is part of a series that includes rankings from the U.S. and Europe. These reports aim to provide valuable insights into business travel trends across different regions, helping companies make informed decisions and optimize their travel strategies. 1.Top routes combine data of multiple airports for the following cities: London (Heathrow, London Gatwick, Luton, Stansted and London City); New York City (John F. Kennedy, Newark and La Guardia); Shanghai (Pudong and Hongqiao) and Tokyo (Narita and Haneda). About the report Business travel has re-emerged with a vengeance. Changes in remote work policies, the increased use of AI and digital transformative technology, geo-political conflicts, environmental change, and the intertwining of travel and meetings are all contributing factors to an increase in business travel. Not surprisingly, APAC continues to expand as one of the worlds most dynamic and competitive markets for global trade and travel. BCDs Cities & Trends APAC 2025 editionshows the top destinations for APAC business travelers with insights into how they travel. The findings are based on BCD clients flight and rail data from 2024 in a range of APAC markets. About BCD Travel BCD Travel helps companies travel smart and achieve more. We drive program adoption, cost savings and talent retention through digital experiences that simplify business travel. Our 15,000+ dedicated team members service clients in 170+ countries as we shape a sustainable future for business travel. BCD's leading meetings and events management and global consultancy services complete our comprehensive suite of solutions for all aspects of corporate travel. In 2023, BCD achieved US$20.3 billion in sales. For more information, visit www.bcdtravel.com. Janneke Kraanen Manager, PR & Content Creation New York Mews, the leading hospitality technology platform, today announced it has raised $75 million, led by Tiger Global, a leading global investment firm, alongside existing investors Kinnevik, Battery Ventures and Growth Equity at Goldman Sachs Alternatives. This funding strengthens Mews leadership in hospitality, fueling its expansion in the U.S. and DACH, accelerating platform innovation with AI-powered revenue management capabilities, and driving strategic acquisitions. Mews experienced remarkable global growth during 2024. The company grew at over 50% year-on-year, processed over $10 billion in payments volume, and generated over $200 million in revenue. Mews signed marquee customers, including BWH Hotels, completed the acquisition of Atomize, and reached an impressive 20% market penetration in the DACH region. The latest funding marks a pivotal moment in Mews expansion strategy, with a focus on accelerating its growth in the U.S. - one of the most dynamic hospitality markets. Mews continues to capture market share and expand its footprint across North America, and recent milestones include: 2x revenue in North America year-on-year 2x the number of hospitality brands using Mews and welcoming forward-thinking brands including Lark Hotels, BWH Hotels and Weekender More than doubled the number of rooms and spaces managed via Mews, fast outpacing some of the most established PMS players in the U.S. Additionally, the investment will accelerate Mews R&D efforts, fuelling innovation that addresses the evolving needs of the modern hospitality landscape. By continuously investing in technology, Mews is shaping the future of hospitality management, offering unparalleled scalability, automation, and operational intelligence for some of the biggest hospitality brands in the world. "Tiger Global is a compelling partner for the next chapter of our journey, said Richard Valtr, Founder of Mews. Their experience with high-growth technology companies and category winners in the U.S., including Toast, Procore and ServiceTitan, is invaluable as we continue to expand our footprint, accelerate innovation, and pursue strategic acquisitions. This investment reaffirms our dedication to the U.S. market, where we have established strong leadership and have invested over $50 million to expand our business in the last couple of years. We will continue to invest substantially in the market, reinforcing our long-term strategy of global growth and leadership. Matt Welle, CEO of Mews, added: "Our vision has always been to redefine hospitality with spaces that put people at the heart, and this investment propels us even closer to achieving that goal. There are so many opportunities for AI to enhance both the guest journey and operational efficiencies in an industry that is so data rich. With Tiger Globals backing, were excited to build on the wave of innovation at the intersection of hospitality and AI, with Mews at the center of it. Sara Eadie, Tiger Global, commented: Mews is redefining what it means to deliver exceptional guest experiences in the hospitality sector and beyond. Our partnership with the Mews team marks an exciting step as they continue to expand in North America and strengthen their global market leadership. Eldison Law Firm represented Mews in this transaction. --- About Tiger Global Founded in 2001, Tiger Global is a New York-based investment firm pursuing a long-term approach to investing in leading, global public and private companies that leverage technological innovation. Tiger Globals public equity business includes fundamentally oriented long/short, long focused and crossover strategies, targeting investments in high-quality, public growth companies. The private equity business invests in early through late-stage companies that pursue innovative approaches to new and existing industries, building on over 20 years of experience investing in hundreds of businesses in more than 30 countries with more than 90 portfolio company IPOs. With a strong track record investing across sectors and stages, Tiger Global aims to be a thought partner to companies and their management teams across their lifecycle in public and private markets. The Firms mission is to generate world-class returns for its investors and to do so in a way that makes its employees, partners and portfolio companies proud. For media inquiries, please contact Katie Halfhead: [email protected] About Mews Mews is the leading platform for the new era of hospitality. Powering over 12,500 customers across more than 85 countries, Mews Hospitality Cloud is designed to streamline operations for modern hoteliers, transform the guest experience and create more profitable businesses. Customers include BWH Hotels, Strawberry, The Social Hub and Airelles Collection. Mews was named Best PMS (2024, 2025) and listed among the Best Places to Work in Hotel Tech (2021, 2022, 2024, 2025) by Hotel Tech Report. Mews has raised $410 million from investors including Growth Equity at Goldman Sachs Alternatives, Kinnevik and Tiger Global to transform hospitality. www.mews.com Katie Kershaw at Kershaw and Company Communications Manager 07539 437 238 [New York: 19th March 2025] BP Stays, a trailblazer in boutique hospitality, has selected Mews, the leading hospitality cloud, to power its rapidly growing portfolio of luxury serviced apartments in New York and New Jersey. Since launching in 2018, BP Stays has expanded to 85 units across prime locations, offering a seamless, host-free model that eliminates the unpredictability of traditional Airbnb stays. Unlike conventional short-term rentals, BP Stays combines the best elements of boutique hotels with the privacy and comfort of a luxury apartment. Guests enjoy a professional, fully serviced experience, featuring 24/7 concierge support and meticulous daily cleaning. This forward-thinking approach has redefined hospitality, attracting thousands of satisfied guests and cementing BP Stays reputation as the number one priority for travelers in search of excellence. We are at the forefront of a hospitality revolution, said Ivan Betti, COO of BP Stays. From day one, our mission was clear: create a sophisticated, fully serviced alternative to Airbnb that eliminates the hassle of staying in a strangers home. To maintain our rapid growth, we needed a hospitality platform as dynamic as we are - Mews was the obvious choice. Their automation, integrations, and best-in-class technology allow us to scale while delivering the exceptional experience our guests expect. Initially, BP Stays relied on Airbnb for bookings, which resulted in significant commission fees and limited brand control. The implementation of the Mews Booking Engine enabled the company to increase direct bookings, maximize profitability and strengthen guest relationships through personalized experiences and tailored communication. By migrating to Mews, BP Stays also centralized its operations, improving financial reporting and streamlining guest communication. Onboarding for all apartments was completed in just two months with minimal impact on daily operations, setting the group up for continued growth. BP Stays is revolutionizing short-term hospitality, said Richard Valtr, Founder of Mews. Their ability to blend luxury, technology and operational efficiency sets them apart from traditional Airbnb listings and serviced apartments alike. Were excited to support their journey as they continue to raise the bar for serviced apartments in New York and beyond. Were seeing an increasing number of fantastic operators blurring the lines between hotels, Airbnbs and extended stay properties, and its where our flexible technology stands out. About BP Stays For more information, visit BP Stays website. About Mews Mews is the leading platform for the new era of hospitality. Powering over 12,500 customers across more than 85 countries, Mews Hospitality Cloud is designed to streamline operations for modern hoteliers, transform the guest experience and create more profitable businesses. Customers include BWH Hotels, Strawberry, The Social Hub and Airelles Collection. Mews was named Best PMS (2024, 2025) and listed among the Best Places to Work in Hotel Tech (2021, 2022, 2024, 2025) by Hotel Tech Report. Mews has raised $410 million from investors including Growth Equity at Goldman Sachs Alternatives, Kinnevik and Tiger Global to transform hospitality. www.mews.com Katie Halfhead Senior Communications Manager ATLANTA, GA - Hotel owner, operator and developer, Hotel Equities (HE), announced today a strategic partnership with well-respected, Arkansas-based Pinnacle Hotel Group. Pinnacles current hotel portfolio and its robust development pipeline will be integrated into Hotel Equities management platform effective May 1st and includes properties from globally recognized brands Marriott, Hilton, and IHG. This partnership builds on an existing relationship, as HE already manages the recently opened AC Hotel by Marriott Kansas City Downtown, of which Pinnacle is an owner. With additional hotels in Pinnacles development pipeline, the collaboration further strengthens both companies' growth and expansion efforts. HE continues to be focused on aligning with best-in-class ownership groups to drive performance, enhance guest experiences, and optimize operational efficiencies through the added corporate support and resources. Our team is honored to welcome Pinnacle to the HE family. Weve had the privilege of witnessing Pinnacles leadership firsthand through our collaborations over recent years, and their track record speaks for itself. With a foundation of trust, shared values, and a unified vision for long-term success, we look forward to strengthening this relationship and achieving great things together. Brad Rahinsky, President & CEO of HE Pinnacle Hotel Group, led by Principals Chet Patel, Rocky Govind, Shawn Govind, and Nayan Nagin, has built a strong reputation for developing and operating high-performing hotels in key markets. As the company has continued to grow, Pinnacle recognized the need for a management partner with the scale, resources, and expertise to support its expanding portfolio while also creating greater career opportunities for its team members. When selecting a management partner, it was essential to align with a company that not only shares our passion for hospitality but also has the ability to support our long-term growth. Hotel Equities offers a scalable future and were confident this partnership will drive meaningful results for our hotels, associates, and guests while also creating new opportunities for our team members to grow their careers. Chet Patel, Principal of Pinnacle Hotel Group The transition process began with an initial town hall meeting that occurred last week, providing associates with an open and transparent forum for Q&A and dialogue. This important first step is critical, according to the HE team, to create a positive first impression that sets the stage for long-term success, and to ensure clear communication and alignment before the official transition takes place on May 1st. Al Smith, HEs President of Hotel Operations, reinforced HEs commitment to sustaining excellence across Pinnacles portfolio. We take great pride in exceeding expectations - both for our guests and for our ownership partners. We are eager to bring our support, proven strategies and added resources to Pinnacles hotels, ensuring they achieve peak performance and deliver exceptional hospitality. HEs continued expansion through strategic partnerships is a testament to its disciplined growth strategy. This partnership is another example of HE growing smart with the right partners. We are selective about who we align with and Pinnacles strong acumen in developing hotels and their vision for the future is representative of the type of engaged, forward-thinking owner partners we seek. Together, we will drive sustainable growth and long-term success. Joe Reardon, HEs Chief Development Officer With a portfolio that includes some of the industrys most recognizable brands, Pinnacles integration into the HE platform further strengthens HEs portfolio of best-in-class hotels. Learn more about Hotel Equities by visiting www.hotelequities.com . About Pinnacle Hotel Group Pinnacle Hotel Group, an Arkansas-based hospitality company, has been shaping the industry for over 30 years through strategic hotel development and expansion. With a portfolio of properties in Arkansas and the surrounding states, the company focuses on developing high-quality hotels that cater to evolving market demands. Pinnacle specializes in developing hotels across select-service and full-service segments, leveraging its deep expertise in branding and market positioning . By fostering strong community partnerships and identifying prime locations for prospective hotel projects, the company continues to drive growth in the hospitality sector. To learn more about Pinnacle Hotel Group, visit phghotels.com. About Hotel Equities Hotel Equities (HE) is an award-winning full-scale hotel ownership, management, and development firm with a portfolio of approximately 300 hotels, resorts and outdoor hospitality locations throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Fred Cerrone, CHA, serves as Founder and Chairman; Brad Rahinsky serves as President and CEO. For more information on Hotel Equities, visit hotelequities.com. Sommer Shiver Director of Communications & Marketing +1 678 678 4444, x19 Hotel Equities The Caribbean hotel market has long been one of the most enviable and robust sectors in the global hospitality industry. Thanks to its convenient proximity to the United States, the Caribbean offers an unbeatable combination of weather, sun, and adventure, attracting millions of visitors annually and fueling tourism-dependent economies. Following the 2020-2021 downturn in the travel industry due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the market continues to improve and flourish, albeit at a slower pace in the last 12 months compared with prior years. This recovery is further supported by strategic investments in infrastructure, enhanced tourism offerings, and targeted marketing campaigns aimed at attracting diverse traveler segments. Industry Snapshot The Caribbean hotel market has shown remarkable resilience following the pandemic, with demand rebounding strongly. According to the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), the region welcomed more than 28 million visitors in 2023, a substantial increase compared to previous years, reflecting strong pent-up demand for leisure travel. In the first half of 2024, international arrivals to the Caribbean increased by 10% year over year. This was a 13% increase compared to 2019, before the pandemic. This surge highlights not only the enduring appeal of the Caribbean but also the successful efforts of local governments and tourism boards in revitalizing the industry. However, the Caribbeans growth was more modest than the Americas, which saw a 15% increase over the same period. Major destinations such as the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Puerto Rico have reported near or above pre-pandemic occupancy rates. Luxury and all-inclusive segments continue to perform exceptionally well, driven by increased consumer preference for high-end, experience-based stays. Additionally, the introduction of new flight routes and improved air connectivity has played a pivotal role in facilitating this growth. Caribbean Hotel Performance, Year to Date October (Data Source: STRCoStar) Source: Integra Realty Resources, Inc. 2024 Market Performance As of the latest available data in 2024, the Caribbean hotel market has demonstrated notable performance metrics: Occupancy Rates: For the 12-month period through October 2024, the average hotel occupancy in the Caribbean stood at 66.21%, reflecting a 1.47% increase over the prior twelve months. Average Daily Rate (ADR): For the same period, the ADR reached $326.65, marking a 3.46% rise over the previous year. Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR): RevPAR increased by 3.21% to $225.82, year-over-year. Although growth remained positive in all three metrics through October 2024, the pace has slowed compared to the sharp increases seen in the immediate post-COVID years of 2022 and 2023. However, these continued improvements highlight a strong rebound and sustained demand for Caribbean hospitality offerings. Growth has been fueled by higher luxury travel demand, improved tourism infrastructure, and continued digital transformation across the industry. Furthermore, the rise in remote work and flexible travel arrangements has encouraged longer stays, contributing positively to hotel revenues. In 2024, the Caribbean experienced a significant increase in international air arrivals, surpassing 2019 levels by 13% in the first half of the year. This surge in air travel directly contributed to the improved hotel performance metrics observed during the same period. The heightened influx of tourists led to higher occupancy rates, which, in turn, enabled hotels to implement strategic pricing adjustments, resulting in increased Average Daily Rates (ADR) and Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR). The strong correlation between rising air arrivals and enhanced hotel performance underscores the critical role of accessible and increased air travel in driving the Caribbeans tourism and hospitality sectors. Notably, partnerships between airlines and local tourism boards have facilitated the expansion of direct flight options, making the region more accessible than ever before. Hotel Statistics by Country, 12 Months Ending October 2024 (Data Source: STRCoStar) Source: Integra Realty Resources, Inc. Island-Specific Performance The ultra-luxe destinations with a predominance of luxury villas and condo-hotel units show the highest ADRs based on STR/CoStar data (T-12 through Oct. 2024). These include St. Barth at $2,518, Anguilla at $1,623.68, and Turks & Caicos at $1,168.59. These three markets are truly outliers, with all the other top Caribbean markets having T-12 ADRs ranging from $208 (Dominican Republic) to $895 (Antigua & Barbuda). Other standouts include the Cayman Islands ($681) and the USVI ($434). The popularity of these destinations is often linked to their exclusive offerings, pristine natural environments, and premium hospitality services tailored to affluent travelers. In terms of growth or improvement in ADR, the Dominican Republic tops the list at 14.6% year-over-year, followed by Curacao at 11.8% and Barbados at 9.4%. The islands with the most growth in occupancy include the USVI (+13.8%) and St. Lucia (+7.0%). It should be noted that some of the islands with significantly improved rates paid in the form of lower occupancy, such as the Cayman Islands and the Bahamas. This dynamic highlights the delicate balance between pricing strategies and occupancy rates, where premium pricing can sometimes lead to reduced volume but higher overall revenue. In terms of overseas arrivals, Puerto Rico increased by 18% year-on-year in the first half of 2024. This was largely due to an increase in arrivals from the United States. Next door, in the USVI, arrivals to St. Thomas and St. Croix increased 16.5% during the same period. These increases reflect both strong marketing efforts targeting U.S. travelers and improved flight connectivity, enhancing the islands appeal as convenient getaway destinations. Emerging Trends Driving Growth Resurgence of Luxury and All-Inclusive Resorts: The demand for luxury accommodations and all-inclusive experiences has surged. Travelers seek seamless, high-quality stays that offer safety, exclusivity, and personalized services. Brands such as Sandals Resorts, Marriott, and Hilton have expanded their all-inclusive portfolios in response to this demand, especially in the luxury sector. This trend is further supported by travelers growing desire for curated experiences that combine relaxation with cultural immersion. Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Developments: Implementing sustainability programs has become a major factor influencing hotel investments in the Caribbean. Properties are integrating renewable energy sources, water conservation techniques, and waste reduction strategies. These programs not only broaden the market of tourists but can also improve the bottom line since energy costs in the Caribbean are some of the highest in the world. Travelers are increasingly prioritizing eco-friendly accommodations, making sustainability a competitive advantage for hospitality providers. The Rise of Boutique and Lifestyle Hotels: While large-scale resorts dominate the market, there is a growing niche for boutique and lifestyle hotels that offer unique, culturally immersive experiences. These properties appeal to travelers seeking personalized service, locally inspired designs, and community-driven initiatives. Such hotels often serve as cultural ambassadors, offering guests authentic experiences that reflect the local heritage and traditions. Technology Integration and Digital Innovation: The adoption of AI-driven booking platforms, contactless check-ins, and bright room technology is becoming more prevalent across the region. Innovations like virtual concierge services and smart room features are enhancing the guest experience, streamlining operations, and meeting the evolving expectations of tech-savvy travelers. Growth in ADR and Occupancy by Country 2024 (Data Source: STRCoStar) Source: Integra Realty Resources, Inc. Ongoing Market Challenges Despite the positive momentum, several challenges persist: Climate Change and Natural Disasters: The Caribbean remains highly vulnerable to hurricanes and rising sea levels. Hotels must invest in resilient infrastructure and disaster preparedness strategies to mitigate these risks. Proactive measures, such as sustainable building practices and robust emergency response plans, are essential to safeguard both assets and guests. High Operating Costs: Energy costs, labor shortages, and supply chain disruptions contribute to the regions high operational expenses. Hoteliers are increasingly seeking cost-effective solutions, such as renewable energy and automation. Additionally, strategic sourcing and local partnerships can help mitigate some of these cost pressures. Regulatory and Taxation Hurdles: Each Caribbean country has its own investment regulations, tax policies, and labor laws, which can complicate expansion efforts for international hotel brands. Navigating these regulatory landscapes requires strategic planning and local partnerships. Collaborating with local stakeholders can also foster community support and streamline operational processes. Workforce Challenges: The hospitality sector faces talent shortages due to cost-of-living challenges, migration, and seasonal employment patterns. Many properties invest in training programs and competitive incentives to retain skilled workers. Developing robust employee engagement strategies and offering career advancement opportunities can improve retention and attract top talent. Investment and Development Opportunities The Caribbean remains an attractive market for hotel investments, with numerous development opportunities: From the continually growing hospitality offerings in the Dominican Republic to smaller destinations known for safety and luxury, such as the Cayman Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands, emerging market destinations such as Grenada, St. Vincent, and the Grenadines offer pristine landscapes, government incentives, and a growing tourism infrastructure. Resort Renovations and Upgrades: Many older properties are undergoing renovations to meet evolving consumer expectations. Investors are modernizing design aesthetics, integrating technology, and enhancing sustainability features to remain competitive. Renovations often focus on upgrading guest rooms, enhancing wellness facilities, and incorporating eco-friendly materials. Luxury and Wellness-Oriented Resorts: The wellness tourism market is booming, and the Caribbean is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend. Spa retreats, holistic wellness centers, and health-focused resorts are in high demand, attracting health-conscious travelers. Incorporating wellness offerings, such as yoga retreats, spa therapies, and organic dining options, can significantly enhance a propertys appeal. Vacation Rentals and Alternative Accommodations: Besides the rapid increase in private homes offered as accommodations in the Sharing Economy, investors are exploring opportunities to develop villa communities and branded residences catering to affluent travelers who prefer private, home-like settings. These properties often provide high levels of privacy, exclusive amenities, and personalized services, making them highly desirable for luxury travelers. Future Outlook The Caribbean hotel market continues to recover strongly, with robust demand drivers supporting future growth. While economic uncertainties and climate risks pose challenges, the regions natural beauty, strategic location, and ongoing infrastructure investments position it as a premier global tourism hotspot. The market is also experiencing a dynamic transformation driven by changing traveler preferences, sustainability initiatives, and technological advancements. Despite high costs and climate vulnerabilities, the region presents numerous opportunities for investors, hoteliers, and developers. Hoteliers and investors who prioritize sustainability, digital transformation, and experiential offerings will be best placed to thrive in this evolving market. As tourism continues to rebound, the Caribbean remains a compelling and resilient investment destination, poised for sustained growth and long-term success through innovation and responsible tourism practices. With continued investment in infrastructure, workforce development, and sustainable practices, the Caribbean hospitality sector is well-positioned to maintain its momentum and adapt to future challenges. Reprinted from the Hotel Business Review with permission from www.HotelExecutive.com. Accor proudly announces the launch of its white paper, Sustainable Expansion of Greek Tourism, an industry report exploring how sustainability can drive long-term growth and resilience in Greeces tourism sector. In 2024, Greece welcomed a record-breaking over 35 million international visitors, reaffirming its status as one of the worlds top travel destinations. As tourism continues to thrive, so does the need for responsible expansion-one that balances economic growth with environmental stewardship and cultural preservation. With its strong and expanding presence in Greece, Accor considers the country a strategic priority, and this white paper reflects its commitment to supporting the evolution of sustainable tourism. Featuring perspectives from leading experts and influential voices in hospitality and tourism, the white paper presents forward-thinking strategies to ensure Greece remains a world-class travel destination for generations to come. Reflecting Accors commitment to sustainable hospitality, it underscores the group's dedication to fostering innovation and investing in the future of Greek tourism. Key highlights from the white paper include: Embracing sustainability: Practical steps for integrating sustainable practices in tourism operations, from renewable energy adoption to reducing environmental footprints. Practical steps for integrating sustainable practices in tourism operations, from renewable energy adoption to reducing environmental footprints. Fostering local engagement: Insights into enhancing collaboration between local communities, businesses, and government to drive inclusive economic growth. Insights into enhancing collaboration between local communities, businesses, and government to drive inclusive economic growth. Redefining luxury tourism: Exploring how Greeces authentic cultural experiences and sustainable practices align with the evolving expectations of todays travellers. Exploring how Greeces authentic cultural experiences and sustainable practices align with the evolving expectations of todays travellers. Innovative hospitality models: Examples and frameworks that exemplify sustainable tourism development, positioning Greece as a leader in eco-conscious travel. The white paper was created with the input of key experts in the Greek hospitality and tourism sector alongside Accors experts in Sustainability, Development, Design & Technical Services, Marketing, Loyalty, Sponsoring & Guest Experience. Andreas N. Fiorentinos , Secretary General Greek National Tourism Organisation , Secretary General Greek National Tourism Organisation Ioanna Dretta , CEO Reds, President Marketing Greece, BoD Ellaktor, BoD Quest, Ex Minister of Tourism , CEO Reds, President Marketing Greece, BoD Ellaktor, BoD Quest, Ex Minister of Tourism Alexandros Thanos , Executive Director, Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) , Executive Director, Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) Chloe Laskaridis , Chairwoman of the BoD Lampsa Hellenic Hotels, Greece , Chairwoman of the BoD Lampsa Hellenic Hotels, Greece Stavros Mitsis , Managing Director Mitsis Group, BoD Member at Greek National Tourism Organisation, BoD Member at SETE (Greek Tourism Confederation), BoD Member at Marketing Greece S.A., BoD Member at Rhodes Hotel Association, BoD Member at Athens-Attica & Argosaronic Hotel Association , Managing Director Mitsis Group, BoD Member at Greek National Tourism Organisation, BoD Member at SETE (Greek Tourism Confederation), BoD Member at Marketing Greece S.A., BoD Member at Rhodes Hotel Association, BoD Member at Athens-Attica & Argosaronic Hotel Association Agapi Sbokou , CEO at Phaea, Vice President at SETE, Vice President at Marketing Greece , CEO at Phaea, Vice President at SETE, Vice President at Marketing Greece Kalia Konstantinidou, Owner Empiria Group, BoD Member at Enterprise Greece The full version of the Sustainable Expansion of Greek Tourism" white paper is available here. About Accor, a world-leading hospitality group Accor is a world-leading hospitality group offering stays and experiences across more than 110 countries with over 5,600 hotels and resorts, 10,000 bars & restaurants, wellness facilities and flexible workspaces. The Group has one of the industry's most diverse hospitality ecosystems, encompassing around 45 hotel brands from luxury to economy, as well as Lifestyle with Ennismore. ALL, the booking platform and loyalty program embodies the Accor promise during and beyond the hotel stay and gives its members access to unique experiences. Accor is focused on driving positive action through business ethics, responsible tourism, environmental sustainability, community engagement, diversity, and inclusivity. Accor's mission is reflected in the Group's purpose: Pioneering the art of responsible hospitality, connecting cultures, with heartfelt care. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France. Included in the CAC 40 index, the Group is publicly listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States. For more information, please visit group.accor.com or follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok. Daniela Tondini Accor Navigating Crisis: The Increasing Necessity of Emergency Travel Plans - Image Credit Pexels As global volatility and climate disasters increase, emergency travel management is becoming more crucial for companies to ensure business continuity and the safety of their employees. Recently, the world has witnessed escalating levels of volatility, including climate disasters and geopolitical unrest. These evolving conditions have underscored the increasing importance of emergency travel management. Companies are finding it more necessary than ever to have robust travel plans to move personnel during crises and maintain business continuity efficiently. A case in point is Storm Ciaran, which left 1.2 million homes without power in France, necessitating a fast and strategic crisis response. The energy firm overseeing the issue activated its rapid intervention force for electricity, which required a well-coordinated nationwide deployment of technicians. This process involved more than simple travel logistics; it demanded a comprehensive and instantaneous crisis response. CWT, a global leader in business travel management, activated its crisis unit in response to this incident. It provided 24/7 traveler assistance and real-time booking support, working closely with the customer's emergency response unit. They successfully handled urgent accommodation requests, securing hundreds of daily bookings totaling 29,000 room nights. Thanks to their longstanding supplier partnerships, the team was able to secure accommodations at remote locations, ensuring the smooth running of operations. Such complex travel scenarios are not limited to emergency crew deployments. Increasingly, companies are also finding evacuating staff from unsafe environments necessary. According to Stephane Samuel, Customer Support Director, companies used to deal with an average of one weather crisis yearly. Now, they are managing around five such crises annually. This trend underscores the need for a structured crisis response that combines continuous information sharing, daily reporting, and rapid mobilization. Joanne Jackson, Global Operations Director at CWT Energy, Resources and Marine, notes that each evacuation scenario is unique. She cites an example of a company that had to evacuate a client's employees from Kazakhstan after a power loss. The complexity of these situations extends to evacuating employees and sometimes entire families, including children and pets. The demand for emergency travel management will increase for commercial organizations over the next decade. A 2024 World Economic Forum survey cited in the CWT GBTA report, "2040: Baseline, Boom or Bust," reveals that 63% of leaders predict a turbulent outlook, with less than 10% expecting stability over a 10-year horizon. Coupled with the impacts of climate change, the importance of duty of care in travel management will become even more critical. As global volatility rises, companies must adapt by implementing expertly managed travel programs. Real-time tracking, risk assessment tools, and strategic partnerships will become crucial in ensuring seamless evacuations and minimizing disruption. Working with trusted partners like CWT can help businesses prepare for any eventuality, ensuring they can respond rapidly and effectively during crises. Discover more at CWT. Pendry Nashville - Image Credit Pendry Hotels Walker & Dunlop, Inc. has arranged a $253 million construction loan to support the development of Pendry Nashville and Pendry Residences Nashville, a forthcoming 30-story hotel condominium tower in Nashville's Paseo South Gulch district. The Walker & Dunlop New York Capital Markets team, which includes Aaron Appel, Keith Kurland, Jonathan Schwartz, Adam Schwartz, Michael Diaz, Sean Bastian, and Jackson Irwin, organized the loan. Bank OZK and InterVest Capital Partners provided the financing package on behalf of SomeraRoad and Trestle Studio. Walker & Dunlops Hospitality team members Jay Morrow and Carter Gradwell worked closely with SomeraRoad during the process and collaborated with the New York Capital Markets team. The project is the third phase of the Paseo South Gulch master-planned micro-neighborhood developed by SomeraRoad. Pendry Nashville Hotel & Residences will offer 180 hotel rooms and 146 luxury condominiums branded by Pendry. Once completed, the development will feature various amenities, including multiple upscale dining options, curated event spaces, and separate pools for hotel guests and residents. Aaron Appel, senior managing director and co-head of New York Capital Markets at Walker & Dunlop, expressed confidence in SomeraRoad's long-term vision for the neighborhood. He noted that despite some capital providers becoming cautious about complex mixed-use developments, this transaction highlights the availability of liquidity for such unique projects backed by qualified sponsors. The construction of the hotel and residences is set to begin immediately and is scheduled to open in 2027. Hotel Indigo Menorca - Image Credit IHG Hotels & Resorts IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced its first Hotel Indigo in Menorca, Spain, set to open in summer 2026. This marks the eighth Hotel Indigo property in Spain. IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed its first Hotel Indigo property in Menorca, Spain. Set to open in the summer of 2026, this strategic development marks Spain's eighth Hotel Indigo property. The Hotel Indigo Menorca provides IHG with an opportunity to solidify its presence in the Balearic Islands, complementing its existing Mallorca propertiesthe Kimpton Aysla Mallorca, the recently signed Vignette Collection Mallorca, and Six Senses Ibiza. Housed in a 75-key conversion property, Hotel Indigo Menorca is an ideal destination for travelers seeking a one-of-a-kind, locally-inspired experience. The hotel is situated in Mahon, the island's capital, and offers a port view. With excellent transport links, including proximity to Menorca Airport, the hotel provides an ideal base for exploring the island. Hotel Indigo Menorca will offer an array of luxurious amenities, including private terraces in every room, a sea-view restaurant, a bar offering local flavors, and an outdoor pool. The hotel's location, known for its 300 days of sunshine, pristine beaches, and tranquil charm, is expected to attract international guests. Advertisement In line with the Hotel Indigo brand ethos of reflecting the local neighborhood, the Menorca property will incorporate the island's story into the guest experience. Located directly opposite Isla del Rey and the renowned Hauser & Wirth art center, the hotel is set to become an integral part of the community, inviting guests to immerse themselves in Menorca's captivating cultural and coastal allure. Willemijn Geels, Vice President, Development, Europe, IHG Hotels & Resorts, spoke about the rapidly expanding Hotel Indigo brand, which aims to capture the spirit of local neighborhoods worldwide. Ms. Geels expressed delight at IHG's growth in Spain, crediting the local knowledge of their partners at Senator Hotels & Resorts, which is instrumental in differentiating IHG from competitors in the market. Daniel Rossell, Owner of Senator Hotels & Resorts, also expressed enthusiasm about the expanding partnership with IHG, highlighting IHG's industry leadership and collaborative approach. The signing of Hotel Indigo Menorca strengthens IHG's presence in Spain and adds to the growing portfolio of Hotel Indigo properties in the country. As of December 31, 2024, IHG operates 57 hotels in Spain, with an additional 15 in development. Image Credit IMD Future-ready travel companies, such as Booking Holdings, Airbnb, Delta Air Lines, and Marriott, successfully balance technological advancement with authentic human connection. Key trends shaping the travel industry include AI technology, personalized experiences, responsible tourism, and 'bleisure' a blend of business and leisure. The Travel Future Readiness Indicator, published by the IMD, has revealed that future-ready travel companies strategically balance technological advancement with authentic human connection. The study ranks 33 of the world's largest travel companies, including online travel agencies, hotels, hospitality companies, airlines, and cruise lines. Booking Holdings (parent company of Booking.com, Kayak, and Priceline), Airbnb, Delta Air Lines, and Marriott were identified as industry leaders. These leading companies demonstrate that strong cash flow is crucial for sustainable innovation, enabling investment in mature technologies that offer tangible competitive advantages. This balance of technology and human touch is expected to be a defining factor in the success of travel companies as the industry evolves. The report also highlighted key trends predicted to shape the travel industry by 2025. These include the use of AI technology, a focus on personalized experiences, a commitment to responsible tourism, and the growth of 'bleisure' travel, which combines business and leisure. Companies are advised to adapt by adopting eco-friendly practices, deploying AI for personalization, offering unique experiences, providing wellness services, and catering to solo travelers. AI agents such as OpenAI's Operator and China's Manu are beginning to revolutionize travel booking, potentially disrupting traditional travel agencies by enabling autonomous trip planning. This indicates a future where technology and AI play an even more significant role in the travel industry. Emerging Laws Propel Hotels Towards Digital ID Solutions - Image Credit Unsplash+ New European laws drive the hospitality industry to adopt digital identity solutions for identity verification, enhancing operational efficiency and guest experiences. Experts recommend hotels act proactively by integrating digital ID systems with their IT systems to ensure smooth compliance and leverage the opportunity to deliver a fully digital travel experience. New identity verification regulations are pushing the hospitality industry in Europe toward adopting digital identity solutions. Spain, for example, now requires all hospitality-related businesses to provide guest information to the Ministry of the Interior for national security purposes. These new regulations raise concerns over potential check-in delays, burdensome record-keeping, and data privacy. Experts urge hotels to transition from manual to digital identity verification methods, reducing friction and errors. Nick Price, CEO of NetSys Technology, and Gillian Jones, senior business development manager of Condatis, stress the importance of integrating digital ID systems with complex hotel IT infrastructure to standardize identity across platforms. The European eIDAS 2 identity wallet regulation offers a potential solution for privacy issues these laws raise. Digital identity wallets allow individuals to confirm their identities across the European Union while maintaining control over their data, sharing only necessary information at the transaction point. The European Commission has proposed a new EU Digital Travel app focusing on travel identity. In addition to border crossing, the app could facilitate digital identity sharing throughout travel journeys. Roger Olivieira's startup, VerID, aims to streamline this process by connecting with multiple EU digital ID wallets and other travel credentials. Price and Olivieira emphasize the potential of digital ID adoption for enhancing guest service and experience, not just for compliance. They visualize a future where guests can check in, customize their stay, and access their rooms entirely through their phones, eliminating the need for a front desk and allowing hotel staff to focus on hospitality. The shift towards digital identity in the hospitality industry is not an option but an inevitability. Hotels that act now can turn compliance into a competitive advantage, streamlining operations and enhancing guest experiences to future-proof their businesses. Those who delay might struggle to keep up in the rapidly digitizing world. Discover more at PhocusWire. Zion Lutheran Church to Host German Dinner in Pittsfield PITTSFIELD, Mass. Zion Lutheran Church will host a German community dinner on Friday, March 21, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The menu will feature goulash with egg noodles and red cabbage, and chocolate cherry cake for dessert. Tickets are $20 per person and $12 for children 12 and under. Take-out will be available. Beer and wine will be available for dine-in patrons. Due to ongoing construction at Zion Lutheran Church, the dinner will be held at the First United Methodist Church, located at 55 Fenn St. Dalton Select Board OKs Concrete Sidewalks for Orchard Road DALTON, Mass. The Select Board voted to have concrete sidewalks for the Orchard Road reconstruction. The anticipated start date of the project, according to the town manager, is April 1, Select Board member Marc Strout said on his selectman's Facebook group. The base bid of $923,807.36 does not include a full sidewalk. The base bid included a small center area to be paved with bituminous asphalt, Town Manager Tom Hutcheson said during the Select Board meeting last week. To have sidewalks, the board had to accept from the alternates proposed that had additional cost estimates. The board voted to have the entire sidewalk to be concrete, which would bring the total cost of the project up to approximately $1,051,295. A majority of that will be covered by the $1 million state MassWorks grant that the town was approved for last year. The remaining approximately $51,000 would have to be covered using the rural road funds that the town receives. Alternate A would extend the sidewalk using asphalt all the way to Routes 8 and 9 from the center and would have cost an additional $63,850, bringing a total cost of about $987,657.36. Alternate B was for the outer sections of the two additional stretches of sidewalks to be made of concrete, which has a bit for an additional cost of $44,695. Alternate C was for the stretch of the sidewalk between Route 9 and Route 8 to be made of concrete for an additional cost of $18,900. Having the whole sidewalk be concrete is anticipated to cost an additional $63,595, combining the base bid with the cost of alternate B and C. That plan would bring the project to $1,051,252.36, the sidewalk option sheet said. "For the additional sidewalk, it was just asphalt around $64,000 is already being covered as part of the grant, plus another $13,000, so I think that's a good deal for a long stretch of concrete sidewalk," Select Board Vice Chair Dan Esko said. "That's basically, we're paying $51,000 for that entire stretch of concrete sidewalk. And that's, that's good value, I think, for our money but that's my opinion." According to the project engineer, SK Design Group Inc., existing typography of the area such as trees, poles, and a fire hydrant, is preventing one continuous sidewalk along the stretch of the road. The sidewalk needs to be constructed on the east side of the road, beginning at Route 9 and extending to Pease Avenue. Then, from the south of Pease Avenue and the river, the sidewalk has to be built on the west side. "That is the current plan to place it on the other side would be substantially more expensive and would result in a very substantial delay to the project," Hutcheson said. Resident Amy Musante expressed her concerns with this design which she has raised at several meetings. She said that it was unsafe for children to have to cross the street twice rather than once. Musante also emphasized a concern she has raised during numerous meetings that the construction of a sidewalk along the edge of her farmland could negatively impact the soil health. The farmland is protected under an Agricultural Preservation Restriction. According to a soil analysis by Cornell and UMass, there are already issues with the land's soil health, particularly in the northeast corner, which is not along the sidewalk, caused by runoff from Route 9, she said during a meeting in February. "Soil scientists have suggested to me that looking at the magnesium levels there, that it's likely the result of runoff from Route 9, so efforts to keep the road from freezing and the salt has is contaminating the soil, and that's going to be a big uphill battle to try to get around that, in my efforts to try to reclaim that field in a more healthy situation than it's been maintained by previous use," Musante said. If the sidewalk is constructed there the town will have to put salt on it to keep it safe for residents, she said. "I'm concerned that will further contaminate the field along that that area. And so I think that's a legitimate concern on my part, regardless of what the chemicals that they use," Musante said. "Not only would that harm the soil ecology, but it also impacts the soil structure, and this leads to the build-up of water and saturated soils, which basically means you're going to get more pooling and more runoff. And that's not something that obviously, anybody wants along Orchard Road there." Background on the Orchard Road Reconstruction: The road, which is often used as a connector to Route 9, has had flooding for many years because of undersized drainage pipes, Highway Superintendent Edward "Bud" Hall has previously said. Most of the flooding is in the middle of the road and into abutting residents' yards, sometimes reaching a depth of 6 inches near the Pease Avenue and Appletree Lane intersections to the East Branch of the Housatonic River. The reconstruction includes a new drainage system that will replace the piping and catch basins with new and bigger pipes and move them to the center of the road from Pease Avenue to the bridge. The blacktop on the other side of the road, near Wahconah Country Club and from the Massachusetts Public Works building to Route 9, will be replaced. Letter: Black History Month Op-Ed To the Editor: February is the shortest month of the year, and yet, it is the month that we assign one of the year's most important celebrations. While some think that Black History Month is a time to learn about racism and slavery, in reality it is much more: It is a time to recognize the contributions of Black and brown people to our society. According to an article published by Zinn Education Project, the creator of Black History Week, Carter G. Woodson, "believed that Black history was too important to America and the world to be crammed into a limited time frame." In restricting the celebration of Black history to one month, we are sending a message to American teachers that one month is enough to educate the American youth about the rich diversity and impact of Black history. Let's first consider the fact that Black history spans a wide variety of topics. Most teachers limit their discussions of Black history to slavery and the Civil Rights Movement, spending only about 9 percent of class time throughout the year on it. I am in no way denying the importance of these topics, however, I believe that there are so many others worth teaching. Things like the Harlem Renaissance, and the many achievements of Black and brown Americans in different fields are largely being neglected in classrooms. It is my sincere hope that sometime in the future we see Black history get ingrained into the curriculum throughout the year. As I mentioned in the introduction, the creator of Black History Week believed that it deserved to be expanded. In fact, he himself imagined a Black History Year as the evolution of his original concept. If Woodson believed this back in the early 1900s, then we, in our modern day society, should be able to realize his vision. Learning about Black history year-round can not only help students better understand it, but also can help build a more unified, inclusive community. Lastly, it is key that we recognize that Black history IS American history. America was literally built on the back of centuries worth of slavery. And on top of that, Black and brown people have done everything from helping America win the space race, to inventing the traffic signal, and performing the first ever successful open heart surgery! With so many incredible contributions, there is no reason why Black history should not be taught as American history. There is no point in making the differentiation, other than to divide. In conclusion, schools should not limit their discussions of Black history to only one month. With the wide array of topics to talk about, the benefits that would come with lessons on it over the whole year, and the fact that Black history is American history, too, I see no reason for these confinements. I may only be 14 years old, but I hope that you listen to me when I say that the world would be so much better if we made every year Black History Year. Quinlan Nesbit North Adams, Mass. Quinlan is in Grade 8 at Berkshire Arts & Technology Public Charter School The highly-anticipated realme 14 Series 5G takes state-of-the-art smartphone performance to the next level, bringing a complete package that blends power and clarity. The latest Number Pro Series is equipped with a flagship-level processors, massive batteries, and SUPERVOOC Charging In addition to the Triple Sony Cameras, this latest release features flagship-level processors, massive 6000mAh batteries, and outstanding SUPERVOOC Charging, delivering an all-around experience that seamlessly fits all types of users. Launching on March 20, the realme 14 Pro+ 5G and the realme 14 Pro 5G meet the needs of the Squad. Be it capturing stunning photos, embarking on a rugged adventure, or requiring high performance for productivity - these devices can handle everything with ease. Flagship-level Processors for Seamless Performance At the core of the realme 14 Series 5G are two powerful processors, ensuring smooth performance across all tasks. The realme 14 Pro+ 5G is equipped with the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, delivering next-generation efficiency and speed. In comparison, the realme 14 Pro 5G features the Dimensity 7300 Energy 5G Processor, optimized for power and performance. Both chipsets support dual 5G nano SIM cards, keeping the Squad connected with fast, stable internet at all times. Thanks to improved processing power, the Squad can effortlessly stream high-resolution content and run heavy mobile gaming titles with zero interruptions anytime using only their mobile data. Compared to the previous generation, both processors deliver enhanced speed and responsiveness, allowing apps to load faster and multitasking to feel incredibly seamless. Minimal Downtime with Impressive Battery and Charging A powerhouse device needs a battery that can keep up thus, the realme 14 Series 5G features a 6000mAh battery, providing all-day power without constant recharging. Even with its massive capacity, the battery is packed into a slim design, making both devices easy to hold and carry. The 6000mAh Battery also has long-life capacity so the Squad can expect that their device will maintain good battery health even after years of daily use. For those moments when a quick charge is needed, plugging in the phones for just a few minutes before heading out provides enough charge to last throughout the day, thanks to realme's SUPERVOOC technology. The realme 14 Pro+ 5G comes with an 80W SUPERVOOC Charge, reaching from zero to 50% in just 23 minutes and a full charge in under an hour. Meanwhile, the realme 14 Pro 5G supports 45W SUPERVOOC Charge, reaching 50% in 36 minutes. Massive Storage and RAM The realme 14 Pro+ 5G is also perfect for those who need massive storage, featuring 512GB of internal storage to keep large files easily accessible without worry. Game files, high-resolution movies, and endless recordings fit effortlessly, making it the ideal device for media lovers. For seamless multitasking, the realme 14 Pro+ 5G also offers up to 26GB of total RAM, thanks to realmes Dynamic RAM Expansion technology. With 14GB of additional Virtual RAM, multitasking feels more seamless, reducing lags and improving response time, perfect for users who demand the most from their devices. With top-tier processors, a massive battery, rapid charging, and ample storage, now is the perfect time to pre-order the realme 14 Series 5G to get an exclusive deal. Head over to any official realme Store nationwide and sign up for the pre-order list to enjoy a P1,000 discount, plus get a FREE TechLife Bluetooth Speaker 2 worth P1,799. At the same time, dont miss out on the realme 14 Series official launch on Facebook this coming March 20. Save the date and tune in to catch all the exciting details, features, and surprises in store for the Squad. Keep posted on the latest news and announcements from realme, visit the brands official website, and follow its Facebook page. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice George Orwells son has expressed concern over some of his late fathers work. Richard Blair, 80, was adopted by Orwell and his wife after they struggled to conceive naturally. The British writer is widely considered one of the most influential authors of the 20th century, with 1984 and Animal Farm having become cultural touchstones around the world. But Blair, who describes himself as a left-wing Conservative has not followed in the footsteps of his revolutionary socialist father. He admitted that some of the writers work makes him uncomfortable. He was very black and white about categorising people, Blair told The Guardian. The sandal-wearing, bearded liberal-lefties with sweaters, he didnt like them at all. And shopkeepers were usually right-wing types. Asked if he thought his father was a snob, Blair did not have a straightforward answer. I dont know, he said. The problem was he spoke with an Old Etonian accent, so that didnt help, did it? When he went to Spain and was introduced to John McNair, the Tynesider, who was with the Independent Labour party, McNair said, Christ, whos this bloody tosser? Then he found out hed written Down and Out in Paris and London and Burmese Days and realised who he was. And he goes: Oh, OK! Orwell has received some backlash over the years for comments about Jewish people in his book Down and Out in Paris and London. Was he antisemitic? Blair asked. From Down and Out in Paris and London, you might say that he was, but I think he was commenting about what other people think of Jews. This is not what I think about a Jew, it is what other people think about Jews and Im just recording it. Orwells writing made a global impact but its legacy has been marred by claims of misogyny and antisemitism ( PA ) He added: Im not absolutely certain that he disliked Jews any more than he disliked anybody else. He was a bit anti-Scots for a while. But, towards the end, he was actually quite proScots. Had he lived for another 20 years, I think there is no question that he would have revised his thoughts on a lot of what he had written, because he was open to criticism and if he was wrong he would say so. Orwells views on women were another point of controversy, with Blair admitting that his father could come across as predatory. I would like to think his attitude towards women would have changed, because its a bit stark, he said. Asked if he thought Orwell was misogynistic, Blair replied: I think perhaps he was. He did have a roving eye. He pushed the envelope. Blair added: He had an open mind and he was able to think beyond the norms of everyday living and behaviour. That said, when Blair was asked to consider whether his fathers views would be accepted today, he responded: Probably not. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Gal Gadots Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony has been disrupted by protesters. A clash between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli supporters ensued just as Tuesdays ceremony was set to begin. Several dozen individuals approached the tented-off area, Variety reported. Pro-Palestinian protesters carried signs saying Heros Fight Like Palestinians and Viva Viva Palestina, and stole a pro-Israel individuals flag, according to Variety. Police responded quickly, resulting in a 15-minute delay to the festivities. Gadot, 39, who was born in Israel, has been an outspoken advocate for the country amid its ongoing conflict with Palestine. At just 20 years old, Gadot served as a combat fitness instructor in the IDF for two years, which included the Israel-Lebanon war in 2006. After the events of October 7, 2023, Gadot posted in support of Israel on Instagram. I stand with Israel you should too. The world cannot sit on the fence when these horrific acts of terror are happening!" she wrote at the time. She has since elaborated on her stance, telling Variety, I had to speak up. I could not be silent. I was shocked by the amount of hate, by the amount of how much people think they know when they actually have no idea. Im not a hater. Im a grandchild of a Holocaust survivor who came to Israel and established his family from scratch after his entire family was erased in Auschwitz, Gadot continued. And on the other side of my family, Im eighth generation Israeli. Im an indigenous person of Israel. I am all about humanity and I felt like I had to advocate for the hostages. However, being vocal in her support of Israel has attracted an influx of attention from both sides of the conflict. Protesters could be reportedly be heard chanting throughout the ceremony, which was attended by Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins and Fast and Furious actor Vin Diesel. Gadots husband, Jaron Varsano, and four daughters were also present for the unveiling ceremony. Once she took the podium, Gadot acknowledged her humble beginnings. I'm just a girl from a town in Israel, she said during her speech. This star will remind me that with hard work and passion and some faith, anything is possible. The Independent has reached out to Gadots representative for comment. open image in gallery Snow White star Gal Gadot had her Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony disturbed by protesters on Tuesday ( Getty Images ) open image in gallery Protesters disrupted Gal Gadots Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in Los Angeles, California ( Getty Images ) Earlier on Tuesday, Gadot appeared on a pre-taped episode of The Drew Barrymore Show where she revealed the scary health issues she faced during her fourth pregnancy. The star had a blood clot in her brain while eight months pregnant with her daughter, Ori. I had massive headaches that completely put me down, she said. I was in bed and I couldnt hear or see anything. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Gadot previously shared details of the frightening ordeal on Instagram and while appearing as a guest on The Tonight Show. She said doctors were dismissive of her symptoms, attributing them to a nasty migraine. It wasnt until she was rushed to the hospital that she learned her condition was life-threatening. open image in gallery Gal Gadot received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday ( Warner Bros ) It was the first time that I felt what it meant to be scared to death, Gadot said. And again, had I known better, they could have just put me on blood thinners and done. Appearing on Drew Barrymores show, Gadot had a message to other women. Always advocate for your health, Gadot told the audience. Always. Listen to yourself, advocate for your heart. If anything, you just over-checked yourself, right? Thats OK. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Lawyers acting for Ryan Reynolds have filed a motion to dismiss Justin Baldonis lawsuit against the Deadpool star, saying the It Ends With Us director cannot sue over hurt feelings. Baldoni and his It Ends With Us co-star Blake Lively, who is married to Reynolds, are involved in a number of legal actions related to her claim that she was sexually harassed by him and his claim that she and Reynolds attempted to destroy his career. In one lawsuit, Baldoni claimed that Reynolds used the character of Nicepool in Deadpool & Wolverine to lampoon Baldonis woke feminist image. In the new legal filing, as reported by Variety, Reynolds lawyers did not dispute that Nicepool is based on Baldoni, but argued that Baldoni had shown thin-skinned outrage by complaining. Baldoni also accused Reynolds of calling him a sexual predator. Reynoldss lawyers did not deny this, but instead argued that could not be regarded as defamation if Reynolds genuinely believed it. The motion states: The law establishes that calling someone a predator amounts to constitutionally protected opinion While Mr Baldoni may not appreciate being called a predator, those hurt feelings do not give rise to legal claims. open image in gallery Ryan Reynolds (left) filed to dismiss Justin Baldonis lawsuit against him over a character in Deadpool 3 ( Getty ) It goes on to argue that rather than offering a provably false statement of fact, Reynolds was simply offering his unabashed negative opinion of Mr Baldonis character. The motion continues: Mr Reynolds has a First Amendment right to hold Mr Baldoni or any man who Mr Reynolds believes sexually harassed his wife in deep disdain.' Reynoldss lawyers also argue that it is substantially true that Baldoni is a predator based on his own statements. According to the motion, Baldoni has confessed during podcast appearances to crossing boundaries in his younger days due to his pornography addiction. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. The motion argues: It would be perverse to permit Mr Baldoni to build an entire brand complete with a podcast, Ted Talk, and books off of his confessions of repeatedly mistreating women, only to turn around and sue Mr Reynolds for $400 million for simply pointing out in private what Mr Baldoni has bragged about in public. In a statement to The Independent in response to the motion to dismiss, Baldonis lawyer Bryan Freedman said: "Mr Reynolds exploitation of his enormous power in Hollywood continues, this time arrogantly asking to be dismissed from the case despite his publicly documented involvement extending far beyond just being a supportive spouse. Mr Reynolds was a key player in the scheme, defaming Justin around Hollywood, strong-arming WME into dropping Justin as a client, and trying to destroy Justins career however possible. His fingerprints have been all over this smear campaign against Justin and the Wayfarer team since day one. Mr Reynolds now attempts to reduce plainly cognizable claims to hurt feelings, sending a clear message that bullying is acceptable. After lighting a match, Mr Reynolds now seeks to run from the flames. It wont work. The Wayfarer Parties claims against him are real, and they are serious. Mr Reynolds can appear on as many sketch shows as he wants and feebly try to make light of his current situation, but we will not stop until he is held accountable for his actions." open image in gallery ( Disney ) Earlier this year, Freedman appeared on The Megyn Kelly Show to highlight Reynolds alleged mockery of his client through the character of Nicepool. In a clip played during the show, Nicepool, a variant of Reynoldss character, introduces himself to Deadpool and Hugh Jackmans Wolverine for the first time. Oh my goodness, wait until you see Ladypool. She is gorgeous, a man bun-wearing Nicepool says of Livelys mutant mercenary. She just had a baby, too, you cant even tell. I dont think youre supposed to say that, Deadpool retorts. Nicepool responds: Thats ok. I identify as a feminist. What do you make of that? Kelly asked Freedman. What I make of that is that if your wife is sexually harassed, you dont make fun of Justin Baldoni, the lawyer replied. You dont make fun of the situation. You take it very seriously. File HR complaints. You raise the issue and follow a legal process. Baldoni is also suing The New York Times for libel over their reporting of Livelys claims. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Fans of the Saw horror film franchise are responding to reports that the latest instalment, Saw XI, is unlikely to meet its September release date and could even be cancelled altogether. Saw XI was initially scheduled for release in September 2024 but this was later pushed to September 2025. Lionsgate confirmed Saw XI in December 2023, shortly after the release of Saw X in September that year. Producer Oren Koules told SFX Magazine at the time that the sequel would be a follow-up to Saw X, as Cecilia is still alive and Tobin and Shawnee are in a foreign country still. So that, to me, would be the natural place to take at least the next one, he said. Kevin Greutert, who directed Saw VI, Saw 3D and Saw X, was set to return for Saw XI, as were the stars Tobin Bell, reprising his role as John Kramer or the Jigsaw, Shawnee Smith as Amanda Young and Costas Mandylor as detective lieutenant Mark Hoffman. The newest film, however, appears to have been totally dead for almost a year, Bloody Disgusting reported, adding that fighting between producers was to blame. A still from Saw X ( Lionsgate ) Its totally dead. Its 100 per cent over. Almost a year now, an unnamed source told the outlet. Everything went sideways in January 2024, the source added, the producers started fighting. One producer tried to plow forward with the film, the report said, but the other put up roadblocks and Lionsgate didnt have anyone to smooth over the disagreement. Greed and ego won, the source said. The Hollywood Reporter carried a similar update, with more information from Saw XI screenwriter Patrick Melton, who also wrote Saw IV, Saw V, Saw VI, and Saw 3D. Melton, along with writing partner Marcus Dunstan, said he turned in a draft of the script for Saw XI in spring 2024, but hasnt heard anything since then. We havent heard anything since May. Its stalled at a managerial level. It has nothing to do with the creative or anything else. Theres higher-level things at play, Melton said. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Saw XI may or may not be made, but we have a very timely story in it, and I hope it gets made just because of that. It taps into the same themes of Saw VI, where youre a citizen, you feel angry and frustrated with something, you feel like you cant do anything, and John Kramers going to do it. The reason its held up is just, theres inter-squabbling between producers and Lionsgate. They just cant quite get on the same page. The franchise launched in 2004 and, after grossing $104m (80m) on a budget of just $1m (770,573), spawned multiple sequels, the last of which, Jigsaw, was released in 2017. A spin-off starring Chris Rock, titled Spiral: From the Book of Saw, was released in 2021. Fans of the longtime gory horror franchise are understandably upset, especially considering Saw X went on to gross $125m (96m) worldwide on a budget of $13m (10m) and opened to positive reviews from critics. In The Independents review of Saw X, critic Clarisse Loughrey said: Ten films in and its a routine were so intimately familiar with that itd be hard to call any element of Saw X original but returning director Kevin Greutert knows whatll satisfy his audience: a few buckets of blood and the gag-inducing sound of crunching bone. Here, theyll get exactly what they want. Responding to reports that the films production has stalled, one fan wrote on X: That sucks. I fell in love with the franchise after seeing Saw X. I couldn't believe how good it was, so I went back and watched all of the movies. It's now my second favorite horror franchise behind Halloween. I hear Saw 11 might be cancelled. I was really looking forward to this movie, it actually is one of my most anticipated movies of the year. It's already been delayed, as it was supposed to come out last year, said another. Talk about FUMBLING the bag. Saw X put the franchise back on the map. And at an all-time high too. 11 shouldve been a no-brainer. The Independent has reached out to representatives of Lionsgate for comment. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Alto Knights is built around its own take on the famous diner scene in Michael Manns Heat: two titans, two ends of the moral spectrum, sit across from each other in a booth, like generals engaged in a tete-a-tete in no mans land. The twist is that, this time, both men are Robert De Niro. Heres a project that, on paper, is made to lure a certain kind of cinephile into a state of ecstasy. The actor, in dual roles, works off a script by Nicholas Pileggi, the former journalist who adapted his own non-fiction books into the films Goodfellas (1990) and Casino (1995). It may not be Martin Scorsese behind the camera this time, but director Barry Levinson has his own pedigree, having made the likes of Diner (1982) and Bugsy (1991). The films cinematographer, conveniently, is Heats own Dante Spinotti. Yet that headline scene, in reality, slips by without much incident. De Niro plays both Vito Genovese and Frank Costello, key figures in New York crime history, whose friendship-turned-rivalry led Genovese to order a hit on Costello. The men were not twins, relations, or individuals famously known to bear a physical resemblance (theyre played by two different actors in flashback). Instead, De Niros doubled presence would imply a metaphorical link the impulsive Genovese, quick to dip his toes into the risky world of narcotics, represents the Jungian shadow, the ugly desires repressed by Costellos stoic, more honourable brand of criminal. But De Niro, as mighty as he may be, cant distinguish these two men in a way that justifies the stunt. Costello sees the actor in a mode of affable nonchalance, describing corruption and bullet-riddled bodies as if they were no less a part of working life as filing paperwork. Genovese, however, doesnt come across as especially volatile. Hes the same with a squeakier voice (theres a touch of his Goodfellas co-star Joe Pesci) and prosthetics that make it look like hes wearing an inside-out latex mask of Robert Duvall. Theres a presumed weight and urgency to The Alto Knights, considering not only the talent involved, but the fact its story has been bouncing around Hollywood since the late Seventies, only to be snatched up by Warner Bros CEO David Zaslav shortly after his ascension into the role. But Pileggis screenplay and Levinsons scattershot direction, like De Niro, make little out of the clash of ideologies at the films centre. What could be biblical, feels passionless. We spend almost no time with the men in their younger, fonder years (perhaps because, without The Irishmans pricey de-ageing technology, it would mean time away from De Niro), so understand little about their bond or first spark of division. Instead, Levinson and his editor, Douglas Crise, rely on a confusing bit of framework: out of nowhere, an older Costello will begin addressing the camera as if he were a talking head in a Netflix true crime documentary, intercut with newspaper headlines, photographs, brief flashbacks, and historical footage. Robert De Niro and Robert De Niro in The Alto Knights ( Warner Bros ) At other times, the film more successfully follows traditional narrative. Theres an extended, Goodfellas-esque quarrel about the history of Mormonism between Genovese and his lackey Vincent Gigante (Shoguns Cosmo Jarvis, the films secret MVP for his physical dedication to the role of gormless pawn whose neck strains painfully against his tight shirt collars). Sure, The Alto Knights might provide double the De Niro, but you could easily achieve the same effect by playing Goodfellas and Casino on two screens side by side. It would be about as cohesive an experience. Dir: Barry Levinson. Starring: Robert De Niro, Debra Messing, Cosmo Jarvis, Kathrine Narducci, Michael Rispoli. 15, 123 minutes. The Alto Knights is in cinemas from 21 March Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice At this point, Disneys live-action princesses should be able to sue for damages. Snow White, like The Little Mermaid before it, has thrust a promising new star into the centre of a lazily conceived, visually repellent remake, depending entirely on her talents to drive its machine. But its offered her nothing in return not on screen nor support behind the scenes, considering our new Ariel and Snow White, Halle Bailey and Rachel Zegler respectively, are both women of colour targeted by rampant racist abuse online. Zegler, like Bailey, was born for a role like this. Shes a classic theatre kid, bouncing off her first onscreen role as Maria in Steven Spielbergs West Side Story to give us a wide-eyed, deeply earnest Snow. Theres a touch of Judy Garland in how she delivers the characters new signature power ballad, Waiting on a Wish, with a beautifully clear voice and dreamy naivety. But Waiting on a Wish, while the catchiest of the new tracks provided by The Greatest Showmans Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, is also a perfect case study of Disneys increasingly procedural attitude towards its live-action remakes. Its a highly produced, machine-like approximation of a Disney song, created to fill the gap left by the 1937 originals Im Wishing, banished in fear of the implication that this princess is still waiting around for a man to give her purpose. Out, too, goes the majority of the narrative, replaced by a few buzzwords about bravery and being a fathers daughter. They never amount to anything beyond the lesson that good leaders always remember peoples names (sure, but are there not more inspiring lessons to be taught than basic etiquette?) Still in are the necessary nostalgic trademarks: the Evil Queen (Gal Gadot) and her magic mirror, the poisoned apple, and the seven dwarves. Of course, Disney is well aware of how troubling it is to characterise people with dwarfism as fairytale denizens. However, instead of using this as an opportunity to dismantle stereotypes through a reimagined narrative and platform seven actors with dwarfism in the process, the studio has summoned up the most corporate response possible. Human beings have been replaced with uncanny CGI caricatures that will make you yearn for the simple horrors of 2004s The Polar Express. There are two actors with dwarfism in the cast Martin Klebba voices Grumpy, while George Appleby plays an unrelated role but neither are given the spotlight they deserve. Director Marc Webb and cinematographer Mandy Walker struggle to impose any visual coherence between scenes shot on location and inside a studio. Characters will suddenly emerge from a colour-drained, flatly lit bit of woodland into a caramelised, abrasively artificial recreation of (supposedly) that same woodland. The Evil Queen is dripping in sequins and costume jewellery, which would suggest the anticipation of a camp performance, only to receive not a drop of that in return (Gadots involvement in organising screenings of an IDF-produced film about 7 October has led to calls from activists to boycott the film). Rachel Zegler in Snow White ( Disney ) The films prince, played by Andrew Burnap and, for some reason, called Jonathan, is essentially Disney cannibalising itself, as he has the same thief backstory and curtain bangs as Tangleds Flynn Rider. Theres self-cannibalisation at work, too, in Sandy Powells costumes, which are dour replicas of their animated counterparts. At times, Zeglers bob leans dangerously close to little Dutch boy. Whats most disheartening about it all is how predictable Disneys choices have become. With Snow White, theyve finessed their formula do the bare minimum to make a film, then simply slap a bunch of cutesy CGI animals all over it and hope no one notices. Dir: Marc Webb. Starring: Rachel Zegler, Gal Gadot, Andrew Burnap, Ansu Kabia, Patrick Page. PG, 109 minutes. Snow White is in cinemas from 21 March Get the inside track from Roisin O'Connor with our free weekly music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Sean Diddy Combs warned Kanye West to be careful and encouraged him to get back to making music in an alleged phone call from jail. The embattled music mogul and rapper, 55, is currently being held at a federal detention center in New York City as he awaits trial for a litany of charges, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has denied all of the allegations. This s*** is wicked, wicked, wicked. So you be careful, Combs told West, 47, in a recording of an apparent phone call shared Monday on Instagram by The Shade Room. I need you out there, you feel me? he continued. And have some f***ing fun, because we not having no fun in in here. Get back behind the mic, have some fun, chop up them samples. Have some fun. Get back to smiling. F*** these other motherf***ers. Theyll waste your time, he said. So put that love in your heart, and enjoy yourself, man. When I get out there, man, I want to see you f***ing tear down the stadiums. I need to see you back on that stage, actually rapping and actually performing and everything. I be dreaming of that s***. West concurred: Yeah, its time for me to grab the mic and get back [out there]. I love music again. There was a time when everything was so frustrating. I cant even explain it. Alleged video footage shows Kanye West on a phone call with Diddy ( Getty Images ) Telling West to jump in [his] bag, Combs said: We gonna have years and decades to f***ing fight these motherf***ers. He further encouraged West to return to his music roots, saying: Right now, enjoy your life. This is coming from me to God to you. Fall back in love like when you was making the beats in the Chi, referring to Wests hometown of Chicago. Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial. Terms apply. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial. Terms apply. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. So I love you, man, I appreciate you, and thanks again. Im gonna see you soon, he said, with West replying: Yes, sir. Thats how its gonna be. You gonna definitely beat this s***. But Im gonna call you back. Itll be good to hear your voice again. I got like 59 more days before trial, so Ill definitely be touching in to tap into your energy or something. Play me some s*** over the phone. Give me some f***ing life. This s*** is f***ing sad. Im Puf Daddy in jail. This s*** insane, West replied, after which Combs claimed: The devil is a liar. He again warned West to be careful out there, because they definitely trying to end us. Im gonna beat this s*** and get next to you. We gon raise our families and become the kings that we supposed to be, Combs added. The Independent has reached out to representatives for both West and Combs for comment. West, who is embroiled in several controversies of his own, has been a fervant supporter of Combs, who has since been hit with a string of additional lawsuits accusing him of sexual assault, sexual abuse and harassment following his initial September arrest. Earlier this week, the Flashing Lights rapper released a new song featuring Combs and his eldest daughter, North. Wests ex-wife Kim Kardashian has reportedly threatened to take legal action against him for going against her wishes and releasing the song. Get the inside track from Roisin O'Connor with our free weekly music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Playboi Carti sent Kanye West a tempered four-letter message after the Donda rapper came after him for wanting to make music with his daughter North West. YE, the 28-year-old Sky artist wrote on X Wednesday. STFU [shut the f*** up]. Playboi Cartis message comes a day after the music star reached out to Wests ex-wife Kim Kardashian about working with their 11-year-old daughter, whos famously featured on a few of her dads tracks. TELL ME[sic] NIECE NORTH SEND ME A SONG, he wrote, tagging Kim, who then reposted it on her own Instagram story. West then took to X to mock Playboi Carti. HEY NORTH YOUR DAD GAVE ME MY BIGGEST SONG AND CO SIGN AND I LEFT HIM OFF OF MY ALBUM BECAUSE OF HIS TWEETS, West wrote. OH BUT NORTH YOU MY NIECE I GOTTA USE YOUR VOCALS. In a separate post, West added: I HELD MY TONGUE ABOUT MOT[sic] BEING ON CARTI ALBUM HIM GOING TO MY EX TO ASK MY DAUGHTER TO BE ON A SONG 2 DAYS LATER WAS TOO FAR NOBODY FINNA PLAY WITH ME. Playboi Cartis bid to work with North comes after West dropped a new song entitled Lonely Roads Still Go to Sunshine, featuring disgraced rapper Sean Diddy Combs, his son King Combs, and North. West released the track in a post on X, sharing a four-minute and 44-second-long video of a black screen with the music playing over the top. open image in gallery Playboi Carti (left) told Kanye West to STFU on X ( Getty ) LONELY ROADS STILL GO TO SUNSHINE new song by PUFF DADDY feat. His son KING COMBS my daughter NORTH WEST and new Yeezy artist from Chicago Jasmine Williams, his caption read. Combs is currently being held behind bars at a federal detention center in New York City as he awaits trial for a handful of charges, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. The music producer has denied all of the allegations against him. Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial. Terms apply. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial. Terms apply. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. In an Instagram post on Monday, The Shade Room shared a recording of an apparent phone call between West and Combs, during which Combs warns West to be careful. Its not clear if West called Combs, or if Combs called West from jail. open image in gallery Kanye West just released a new song entitled Lonely Roads Still Go to Sunshine, featuring disgraced rapper Sean Diddy Combs (center), his son King Combs, and North (right) ( Getty ) This s*** is wicked, wicked, wicked. So you be careful, Combs can be heard telling West. I need you out there, you feel me? And have some f***ing fun, because we not having no fun in in here. Get back behind the mic, have some fun, chop up them samples. Have some fun. Get back to smiling. F*** these other motherf***ers. Theyll waste your time, he continued. So put that love in your heart, and enjoy yourself, man. When I get out there, man, I want to see you f***ing tear down the stadiums. I need to see you back on that stage, actually rapping and actually performing and everything. I be dreaming of that s***. West then responds: Yeah, its time for me to grab the mic and get back [out there]. I love music again. There was a time when everything was so frustrating. I cant even explain it. Telling West to jump in [his] bag, Combs said: We gonna have years and decades to f***ing fight these motherf***ers. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Its a privilege to feel like the barriers are down. Its funny; these words may come from Anna Chancellors mouth, but I feel as though shes plucked them directly from my brain. Weve been talking for half an hour or so, in which time the Four Weddings and a Funeral actor has cried, shared the details of her late daughters sensational-sounding wake, and comforted me about my own deceased father. The barriers arent just down theyre non-existent. In an ironic twist, wed kicked off our conversation discussing decidedly more guarded interview styles. What do you think of actresses as a whole? Chancellor fires at me with genuine curiosity she keeps asking questions in return, more interested in opening a dialogue than performing a soliloquy and I mutter that Ive never met any of the shiny Hollywood kinds. They probably get trained in publicity, she muses. I wonder if they even practice? When you see somebody like J-Lo give an interview, shes so slick, so perfect! But authenticity, as Chancellor quickly proves, is far more interesting than perfection. At 59, she is one of those actors blessed with an instantly recognisable face, anchored by an exquisite chin dimple and eyes that seem perpetually aglitter with mirth, as if someones just told her a really filthy joke. Its a face that, along with an imposing 5ft 10in stature, has landed her countless comedically haughty roles. Shes played characters ranging from posh, arch Julia Piper in Kavanagh QC and snooty, scheming Caroline Bingley in the BBCs iconic Pride and Prejudice in the Nineties to more recent turns as the deliciously awful Melanie Aickman in The Split and fabulously foul-mouthed Lady Frances Grey in My Lady Jane. Yet its a face that is still, 30 years after the fact, best known for playing Henrietta Hugh Grants odious ex in Richard Curtiss romcom Four Weddings. Does it get on her nerves that people continue to think of her as Duckface? No, I dont mind at all! And, curiously, I really like ducks. I dont care what people call me. I dont care what people think about me, she says. The only person you really want to have respect for is yourself. Youve got to be kind of into yourself its important. (For what its worth, Chancellor agrees that Grant shouldnt have ended up with Andie MacDowell: He should have married Kristin [Scott Thomas]. That was a tragedy!) Now, Chancellor is swapping screen for stage for the first time in nearly nine years, stepping into the role of grand dame Mrs Betterton in April De Angeliss Playhouse Creatures. Set in the 1660s at the point when women were finally allowed to perform in public after King Charles IIs ascendance to the English throne, the play features an ensemble cast of five women. The narrative revolves around their dressing room camaraderie and bitter rivalry as Betterton gets pushed out to make way for a younger model a theme that still resonates today, would Chancellor say? open image in gallery Anna Chancellor (right) with her Four Weddings Nineties co-star Andie MacDowell ( PA ) Its maybe a tiny bit depressing, the way it is still relevant, she says. I play an older actress whos basically fired because shes too old. And she says the world wants to see the younger actresses. Her characters husband, also an actor, is set to be partnered with these younger models on stage instead, which is what happens today, isnt it? You get old boy actors playing opposite much younger wives. Same old thing But Chancellor isnt bitter about the realities of her industry. Oh, I totally get the obsession with young, beautiful girls of course I do. And Ive got it too. You know, there are a couple of girls in our play and they are so electric. And young women dont necessarily have it easy either these days, she argues. I dont know if theres been great strides forward with this Instagram thing of everyone taking mad selfies of themselves the whole time, she ponders. I dont know how liberated young women are, or young women feel you'd be able to tell me. How do you feel? I totally get the obsession with young, beautiful girls of course I do While Im flattered at the notion of being considered young, I concede that this might be a question better directed at someone 10 years my junior. But I venture that the pressure to look good, to improve yourself through lotions and potions and surgeries, seems to have only increased thanks to social media. What we are really meant to be focusing on, ultimately, is our characters, our personalities because that is what makes you attractive, she says. I find vanity a real turn-off. It kind of grosses me out. Does it give her the ick, to borrow a bit of Gen Z parlance? Ha, yes! It gives me the ick. The conversation around societal expectations for women to remain forever young seems to have ramped up in recent years, further fuelled by films like 2024s body horror hit The Substance. But Chancellor doesnt sound even vaguely threatened by the next generation of women coming up behind her. Is there any sense of jealousy? Well Chancellor bites her lip; blinks back tears. I mean, my daughter was ravishing. And I think one of the great gifts that we had in our relationship was that I was never jealous of her. I was always so proud of her. open image in gallery In rehearsal for 'Playhouse Creatures' at the Orange Tree Theatre ( Ellie Kurttz ) All roads lead, inevitably and inexorably, back to Poppy, Chancellors only child, who died in September 2023 from leukaemia at the age of 36. Chancellor and poet Jock Scot had Poppy when the former was just 21, still a student at drama school. She regales me with stories of her brilliant daughter: of how Poppy, aged four, strutted into a room, sporting a feather boa to perform a really, properly good dance; of the way she would sing to distract herself while getting blood taken; of the time she jumped out of a plane to raise money for charity. Theres an air of Gilmore Girls to these anecdotes: a thick-as-thieves closeness, humour and intimacy that recall the mother-daughter duo at the heart of the series. Poppy is partly the reason why Chancellor has never had a weird thing about getting old; when she was alive, she begged her mother to promise never to touch her face. She loved me how I am, you know? Chancellor says, voice breaking just a little. open image in gallery Anna with her daughter, Poppy, at an event in 2015 ( Getty ) Playhouse Creatures is only Chancellors second acting job since Poppys death, and shes still in that tender stage where everything is exposed and visceral as if your ribs have been cracked open, your heart quivering and steaming in the open air. I spend my life crying! she tells me, half-laughing as she wipes away more tears. The truth is, I cant not do it. Luckily, Im not so self-conscious that I mind. It is, presumably, what processing grief is. This propensity to break down in public comes with unexpected benefits that lowering of barriers mentioned previously, for one. Though she worried she might be too emotional for her latest theatrical turn, its been really, genuinely fantastic, she says. And because Im in this extra raw stage, its given me this very close connection with everybody in the room. It allows for a more intimate relationship with people. From everything that Ive read, it sounds, I proffer tentatively, like Poppy had a good death: that she had settled her affairs, made amends, accepted that the end was coming. Chancellor nods thoughtfully. Poppy had written a very coherent death plan, even before she was diagnosed. The consensus is that you need to plan for what you want because it makes it easier for everybody, it makes it less horrendous. And you know what is actually very nice? Once theyve died, you can follow their wishes, so you still feel connected. That will be my life now: ceremonies and making things and talking to people about grief Poppys was no run-of-the-mill death plan. It included meticulous details for an elaborate wake, complete with glittering gold tinsel curtains, pyrotechnics and a theme inspired by Baz Luhrmans Romeo and Juliet. There was also an open casket. The dog sat on her body for a bit, the Jack Russell, Chancellor recalls. Everyone was like, Take her off! Im like, shes fine. Death is very funny and very beautiful. A First Nation Canadian Indian friend was persuaded to perform a ceremony with drums and sage. Although shes not really a shaman, smiles Chancellor. Poppy and I were very strong believers in just making up things making up a ceremony, doing what you feel is right, making it fun she adds, conjuring up an image of the rites and rituals invented by sisters Cassandra and Rose in Dodie Smiths coming-of-age classic I Capture the Castle. That will be my life now: ceremonies and making things and talking to people about grief. That will be part of the commitment to keeping the relationship going because I believe that its not a relationship that ends just because they die. This is an ever-evolving, ever-deepening relationship. open image in gallery Chancellor plays Mrs Betterton in Playhouse Creatures ( Hugo Glendinning ) At that, Chancellor asks if I personally have known grief, and I find myself telling her about my father who died of cancer when I was 11. Its made me really think about kids because kids dont have the ability to do what I can do, she says thoughtfully. Im a grown-up. Ive lived life. I know some things. Im on a sort of spiritual journey anyway. But when youre a kid, you don't really have An outlet? No. And its not got any better. They talk about mental health but actually, there is no support. Unless youve got f***ing money, there is nothing. Its the only time in our conversation that Chancellor has sounded really, genuinely angry otherwise, the experience of losing Poppy seems to have made her only more zen-like. Yes, things could go wrong at any time; no, shes not going to expend energy worrying about it. Im not obsessed with my own survival any more I don't mind dying, she says. In the meantime, Chancellor is focusing on the things she can control. I would like to be helpful to people, she says. I just want to be a good vibe. Why not? open image in gallery Chancellor has starred in series including My Lady Jane ( Getty ) Which is not the same as trying to be good all the time, she hastens to add, noting how often in her career she has been cast as the bitch. Lets face it, were all bitches. I mean, do you know anyone who isnt, really? Chancellor cites research from Gabor Mate, a Canadian physician who posited that women suffer from autoimmune disorders and get ill because theyre constantly attempting to be too good. Youre denying your shadow parts, and youre twisting yourself into a shape, she says. It just creates a lot of problems if youre too good so dont be good. Be more bitch. Its amusing to hear this from a woman who seems anything but. Being knocked sideways by death has, if anything, forged Chancellor into a person who is kinder and gentler than most. I saw the best of people, she says simply. There was so much love deep, deep levels of humanity. I feel like that has been changing my consciousness, to have witnessed love at that level. And to love your own child that much Of course its tragic to lose them, but its a privilege to love. It just is. I dont know about being more bitch, but I do feel we could all stand to be a bit more Anna. Playhouse Creatures opens on 21 March and runs until 12 April at the Orange Tree Theatre before touring to Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford, from 22-26 April and Theatre Royal Bath from 28 April-3 May 2025 Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Oh, how Netflix has been crying out for a series like Adolescence. Over the past few years, the company that kicked off last decades great streaming revolution has entered a qualitative nosedive. The content has kept coming, thick, fast and predictable; despite huge budgets and a ream of big-name stars, however, critical successes have been few and far between. The very word Netflix has become, for many, an unfortunate prefix for the word slop. Which makes a series like Adolescence all the more impressive. Created by Jack Thorne (This is England 86, 88 and 90) and Stephen Graham, who also stars, the four-part drama focuses on Jamie (Owen Cooper), a 13-year-old boy accused of fatally stabbing a female classmate. Its an intelligent, stylistically adroit and timely piece of work, tugging at important issues surrounding teenage masculinity, online radicalisation and incel culture. Each episode is shot in a single take a feat of invention and endurance for both the crew and the actors involved. Responses have been candent, from both critics and viewers: Adolescence is a triumph. But while its success represents a rare win for Netflix, British broadcasters particularly the BBC might well be ruing it. The thing is, Adolescence doesnt just make the bulk of Netflixs original slate pale in comparison, but the vast majority of British TV. It is exactly the sort of programming that the BBC has sought to build its brand upon classy but accessible; topical and socially conscious; appointment viewing; in modern parlance. But, in truth, the BBC cant claim to have put out anything on this level lately. Go back to 2020, and the broadcaster was putting out shows such as I May Destroy You, Normal People, and Small Axe. In the half-decade since, its hard to think of anything that really holds a candle to them. Likewise, Channel 4 was once a force to be reckoned with in the world of meaty, button-pushing British drama. Lately though? Zilch. The UKs traditional broadcasters are facing, in corporations such as Netflix, an existential threat. Its not just that streaming has lured viewers away from traditional television through technological convenience; the globalised distribution method has opened up a whole world of new competition for Britains national broadcasters. Now, the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 arent just competing with each other, but with American media titans and the attendant money, stars and production values that come with them. Its understandable that the BBC isnt churning out series like Stranger Things, glossy TV blockbusters with budgets as high as $30m per episode). Thats not a battle its equipped to fight. But Adolescence? Thats Netflix beating the BBC at its own game. Whats more, Adolescence is not the first instance of this. Just last year it was Baby Reindeer that took Netflix by storm a chewy and universally acclaimed British miniseries from comedian Richard Gadd, based on Gadds own experiences with a stalker. And while that series has been subsequently tangled up in lawsuits and controversies surrounding its real-life inspirations, theres no denying Baby Reindeers considerable artistic worth, as a fascinating and thoughtful study of traumas complexities. Again, this series ought to scream BBC, or perhaps the more irreverent Channel 4, back when Channel 4 was more reliable in its creative commissioning. That it went to Netflix instead is both a sign of the times and a missed opportunity the fact that the BBC has snared Gadd for his next series, the forthcoming Half Man, suggests it knows it, too. And yet, while bosses of the BBC et al might not be thrilled by the attention Netflix is getting, there is a more positive way of looking at things. It is good that Adolescence was made, and that it was brought to the screen with clarity and integrity intact. It is a welcome reminder that the best British TV can stand toe-to-toe with its international competition, that creators need to go Hollywood to achieve real and meaningful success. Its easy to bash Netflix a lot of the time and a lot of the time its deserved. But Adolescence is a powerful piece of television, and theres only one place to watch it. Make of that what you will. Adolescence is streaming now on Netflix Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Gino DAcampo has revealed he is making his TV return after sharing photos on set in Ireland. The Italian chef, 48, is making a comeback to screens after he denied a string of claims that he made sexualised comments and gestures to female employees behind the scenes of his popular programmes. ITV News reported dozens of former staff and freelancers detailed unacceptable, distressing and horrendous experiences while working with DAcampo over a period of more than 12 years. Taking to Instagram recently, DAcampo unveiled his return to TV, sharing a photo of him dressed as a car mechanic in overalls with dirt on his face. What a fantastic experience in Ireland working on a new series, he wrote alongside the behind-the-scenes images. I cant wait for you guys to see it p.s Happy St Patricks Day. DAcampos fans were quick to support his latest project in the Instagram comments. Anything with Gino in it I am so down to watch, one person wrote. Meanwhile, another fan added: Can't wait to see you back on our screens. Claims against the TV chef include one woman who alleged that she saw the This Morning regular appear to threaten a colleague over an ice cream. I was present when Gino said to the runner, If you dont get me a Cornetto, I will f*** your girlfriend, she said. I felt appalled, disgusted, embarrassed and very angry. Another female crew member told ITV News he was using his power to bully and intimidate us. For what? A cookery programme. Someone else claimed that on a magazine shoot in 2011, DAcampo told her in front of the crew that he wanted to turn her over and f*** me up the a***. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. DAcampo is set to make his TV comeback after he was forced to deny a string of inappropriate behaviour allegations ( Getty ) Speaking to ITV News, she recalled a ripple of laughs from people present, but said that nobody objected to the comment, although she felt horror and shock. I definitely saw it as some kind of power play, she said. The very act of what he said was aggressive. I felt like Gino, in that moment, was very entitled and he felt very safe. DAcampo has seen his shows removed from ITV schedules as a result of the accusations against him, which he has strongly denied. The TV chefs legal team said at the time: Mr DAcampo categorically denies these allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos has shared his two cents amid the ongoing backlash surrounding Meghan Markle and her new lifestyle show, With Love, Meghan. Sarandos, the head of the streaming service since 2020, spoke about the companys future in tandem with the stake Netflix has in the relaunch of the Duchess of Sussexs company, As Ever. Were a passive partner in Meghans company, and its a big discovery model for us right now, he told Variety. When asked what motivated him to bet on Meghan, Sarandos said: I think Meghan is underestimated in terms of her influence on culture. When we dropped the trailer for the Harry & Meghan doc series [in 2022], everything on-screen was dissected in the press for days, he continued. The shoes she was wearing sold out all over the world. The Hermes blanket that was on the chair behind her sold out everywhere in the world. People are fascinated with Meghan Markle. She and Harry are overly dismissed. open image in gallery Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos says people underestimate Meghan Markle amid ongoing backlash against her ( Getty ) Netflix struck a $100m partnership with Harry and Meghan five years ago, producing several projects of theirs including Harry & Meghan (the docuseries), Polo and Heart of Invictus. Meghans new series is the latest project in line, and it was just renewed for a second season. The show follows Meghan as she unveils her repertoire of hosting and cooking tips inside her Montecito, California kitchen with A-list guests including The Office actor Mindy Kaling, her Suits cast mate Abigail Spencer, and two other celebrity chefs Alice Waters and Roy Choi. While the show debuted in the global top 10 on the platform, many people have since spoken out to criticise Meghan and her eponymous show. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. open image in gallery Meghans new Netflix show With Love, Meghan has received mixed reviews ( Netflix ) In Mondays episode of The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, Fallon mocked Meghan for a viral moment in her show when she transferred pretzels from one plastic bag to a personalized one for a guest to enjoy. While playing the Trivia Night segment, Fallons sidekick Steve Higgins asked: What is the number one question that mystifies scientists? Fallon responded: Is there life on another planet? Higgins told Fallon he was incorrect, revealing the answer, Why does Meghan Markle make her own pretzel bags? They dont know why. Thats interesting, Fallon said, laughing. She takes it from one bag and puts it in another bag, and that confuses people. The Independent gave Meghans show a one-star review, calling it queasy and exhausting. The second season of With Love, Meghan is coming in the autumn and has already finished filming, according to Netflix. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Sex Lives of College Girls has been canceled at Max just months after the release of its third season. The Independent understands that the hit coming-of-age show, co-created and written by Mindy Kaling, has been shelved by the streamer. However, Warner Bros. TV is reportedly looking to find a new home for the series, sources told The Hollywood Reporter. The series, which debuted in 2021, followed four college freshman roommates as they navigate their newfound freedom at New Englands prestigious Essex College. Pauline Chalamet, Amrit Kaur, Alyah Chanelle Scott, and rising pop star Renee Rapp made up the lead ensemble for the first two seasons before Rapp, 25, exited the series to focus on her music career. In her place, season three welcomed Gracie Lawrence as the fourth roommate. British actor Mia Rodgers, Ruby Cruz, comedian Tig Notaro, and Bless this Mess alum Belle Adams also joined as new cast members. Pauline Chalamet as Kimberly (left) and Alyah Chanelle Scott as Whitney in season 3 of 'The Sex Lives of College Girls' ( Max ) News of the cancelation has left fans utterly devastated. A real tragedy cause last season was good, one person wrote on X. Worst news and its only Tuesday, a second declared. A third likened the cancelation to the feeling of gettting ghosted after three amazing dates. Make it make sense! they demanded. Thats unfortunate, a fourth added. Their story was truly interesting, in my opinion. This show deserves a Season 4. Come on, streaming platforms dont let us down, another argued. Season three concluded with what co-showrunner Justin Noble previously described as a satisfying and honest happy ending, leaving some viewers to wonder if it was intentionally meant to act as an end to the series. However, Noble insisted at the time that that wasnt the case. No one told us to, like, wrap up the show or anything like that, he told The Hollywood Reporter in January. I think just me as a creator, Im losing interest in cliffhangers. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. The Sex of College Girls was well-received by critics following its 2021 debut, with many praising its joyful tone. That sentiment shifted after the release of its latest season, amid Rapps absence. Addressing her departure in a 2023 interview with The Independent, Rapp said that while she was forever grateful for getting cast in the series, For the first time ever now, I see myself as an artist and Im really proud of that. Its the only thing Ive wanted in my entire life, she added of the release of her debut album. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Chinese court has sentenced an engineer to death for espionage and selling state secrets to foreign intelligence services, the Ministry of State Security said. The former assistant engineer at a research institute, identified only by his surname Liu, was held guilty of leaking sensitive information, a crime that the ministry said had severely endangered national security. Liu copied classified papers before leaving his post, driven by resentment over stalled career progress and perceived unfair treatment. He attempted to sell the material after taking financial losses from failed investments, the ministry said. He meticulously planned his espionage activities, using multiple aliases, anonymous communication channels and encoded messages to avoid detection, the Global Times reported. Liu established contact with a foreign intelligence agency, offering to sell classified documents. The agency took the material at a low cost and severed ties with him. Undeterred, Liu continued seeking buyers and travelled to multiple countries over six months, further compromising national security, the ministry said. The security services tracked Lius activities and arrested him after gathering substantial evidence. The ministry did not disclose the timeline of the case, including when the verdict was delivered but confirmed that he had been sentenced to death with lifelong deprivation of political rights. The case highlights Chinas increasing focus on national security and espionage threats. In recent years, authorities have intensified warnings about foreign intelligence agencies targeting Chinese citizens, particularly those working in sensitive industries. The Ministry of State Security, which launched an official WeChat account in 2023, has used social media to caution citizens against espionage risks and foreign recruitment tactics. China remains secretive about its use of the death penalty, with execution statistics classified as state secrets. Last year, the ministry announced that a former employee at one of China's state agencies had been given a rare death sentence for leaking "state secrets after he was accused of handing over his USB drive to foreign spy agencies. File. Protesters demanding release of writer and businessman Yang Hengjun during a rally in Canberra on 20 March 2024 ( AFP via Getty ) The man surnamed Zhang provided a "large number of top-secret and confidential state secrets to foreign spy intelligence agencies, seriously endangering China's national security", the ministry posted on WeChat on 6 November 2024. While it did not reveal his full name or his previous job, the ministry said Zhang was once "a core confidential personnel of a state agency" and was exposed to a large number of state secrets at work. After leaving his job, Zhang became an "important target for foreign spy intelligence agencies to win over and subvert". Chinese lawmakers passed a wide-ranging update to Beijing's anti-espionage legislation in April, banning the transfer of any information related to national security and broadening the definition of spying. In a separate case earlier last year, a Beijing court handed Australian writer Yang Hengjun a suspended death sentence on espionage charges in February, a decision the Australian government described as "harrowing". A suspended death sentence in China gives the accused a two-year reprieve from being executed, after which it is automatically converted to life imprisonment, or, more rarely, fixed-term imprisonment. The individual remains in prison throughout. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Donald Trumps decision to slash funding for the government-run Voice of America and Radio Free Asia is being celebrated by Chinese state media for eliminating fake news. The president signed an order last weekend ending grants to federally funded news organisations and instructing them to put almost the entire staff on leave. He accused VOA of being "anti-Trump" and "radical". The cuts were announced by the US Agency for Global Media, the parent company of VOA and similar media entities like Radio Free Europe and Radio Free Asia, which were set up to counter the propaganda and influence of communism. VOA immediately put nearly 1,300 staff on leave in the wake of Mr Trumps order. The Global Times, the English-language mouthpiece of the Chinese Communist party, cheered the decision in an editorial, claiming VOA had long spread malicious falsehood about China. "The so-called beacon of freedom, VOA, has now been discarded by its own government like a dirty rag," the editorial said. The newspaper criticised VOAs track record when it came to China-related reporting. From smearing human rights in Xinjiang to hyping up disputes in the South China Sea and from fabricating the so-called China virus narrative to promoting the claim of Chinas overcapacity, it continued, almost every malicious falsehood about China has VOAs fingerprints all over it. "Voice of America has been paralysed! And so has Radio Free Asia, which has been as vicious to China, former Global Times editor Hu Xijin said. This is such great news." The Beijing Daily, another paper run by the Chinese Communist Party, said VOA was notorious for spreading lies and rumours about the Uyghur "genocide" in Xinjiang. Beyond China, former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen, who ruled his country for about four decades as an autocrat, welcomed Mr Trump's move. This is a major contribution to eliminating fake news, disinformation, lies, distortions, incitement, and chaos around the world coming from the propaganda machine that President Trump has stopped funding," he said on Monday. Margarita Simonyan, editor of the Russian state broadcaster RT, hailed the awesome decision by Mr Trump. Today is a holiday for me and my colleagues at RT and Sputnik. This is an awesome decision by Trump! Ms Simonyan accused the American state-funded media outlets of spreading fake news and brainwashing Russians. We couldnt shut them down, unfortunately, but America did so itself, she said on RTs weekly talk show. open image in gallery Donald Trump is dismantling the federal agency that oversees Voice of America ( EPA ) Clayton Weimers, US executive director of the press advocacy group Reporters Without Borders, said that authoritarian regimes were "the biggest winners" of Mr Trumps decision. "Many of them, like China, are looking forward to filling the gap left by American leadership in media freedom with their own propaganda," Mr Weimers said. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, the top Democrat on the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, claimed the Trump administrations move would severely weaken our ability to compete with Beijing and ultimately make us less safe. Media outlets funded by the American government provide real reporting to millions living under authoritarian regimes, countering CCP distortion", Mr Krishnamoorthi said, and allowing Chinese people to "question the CCP's propaganda and aggression towards the US and our allies and partners". open image in gallery Steve Lodge, whose father Robert Lodge was a VOA correspondent, protests outside the media outlets headquarters in Washington ( EPA ) VOA was established in 1942 to counter Nazi propaganda during World War II and promote American perspectives around the world. After the war, it was put to use countering communist influence and expanded to operate in around 50 languages, including English, Mandarin, Russian, Persian, Urdu, Hindi, and Swahili. At its height, it reached some 360 million people per week. Radio Free Europe was established in 1949 to counter Soviet influence during the Cold War. Radio Free Asia was founded in 1996 and focused on countries with authoritarian governments such as China, North Korea, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos. It stood out for its reporting on Chinas Xinjiang, where authorities were accused of holding more than one million Uyghur Muslims in detention camps without trial. Beijing denied the accusations of rights abuses and claimed the detention facilities were "re-education camps" for suspected extremists. Bay Fang, the president and chief executive of Radio Free Asia, said Mr Trumps order gutting his organisation was a reward to dictators and despots, including the Chinese Communist Party, who would like nothing better than to have their influence go unchecked in the information space. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice South Korean and American troops practised storming North Koreas network of strategic and fortified underground tunnels with four-legged robot dogs and drones during military drills to train for potential combat with Kim Jong Uns military. Photos shared by the South Korean army of the drills showed the robot dogs navigating and searching a subterranean facility and detonating remote-controlled explosives to seal the tunnel shut. The drill was part of the ongoing annual Freedom Shield exercises and involved some 370 US and South Korean troops. They were practising a war scenario with North Korea, which is believed to have a vast network of fortified tunnels stretching from key command centres to the border with the South. The two armies practised blasting and sealing off tunnels to trap and kill occupants and fighting their way inside if needed, in Paju, Gyeonggi province, close to the border with North Korea. open image in gallery South Korean robot dogs take part in drills with US military ( U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Michelle Lessard and KPfc. Hyung Ju Lee ) South Koreas Dronebot Combat Group used reconnaissance drones to detect tunnel openings while its mechanised military forces removed or neutralised any enemy forces or obstacles present on the surface near the tunnel entrances. This was followed by the Special Mobility Support Brigade sending walking robot dogs to seal off the tunnel using explosives and to destroy the ventilation, water, and power supply apparatus. open image in gallery Freedom Shied drills included training for underground warfare to blast tunnels ( U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Michelle Lessard and KPfc. Hyung Ju Lee ) It was an invaluable opportunity for South Korean and US troops to be in one team and share underground combat strategies, Lt Col Hwang Hyeon Jo, commanding the Engineer Battalion of the Special Maneuvers Support Brigade, a dedicated underground warfare force, told Korea JoongAng Daily. We were able to accumulate diverse operational experiences and identify areas for improvement in underground warfare. North Koreas tunnels are suspected to be connected to the offices and residences of Mr Kim and his top officials, providing possible escape routes during war, South Koreas Army Ground Operations Command said on Monday. open image in gallery A South Korean soldier uses an anti-drone gun during a drill on the sidelines of the annual Freedom Shield joint military exercises with American forces ( AFP via Getty ) The tunnels were also believed to house nuclear and chemical weapons warheads near the border with South Korea, ready to be deployed in the event of war, the military said. North Korea began digging tunnels following the Korean War, during which the US military relentlessly bombed 22 of the countrys major cities, killing an estimated 282,000 people. Lt Col Jang Yun Seong, public affairs officer of the 25th Infantry Division, said last week that the drills involving uncrewed systems would change the way they operated in high-risk zones. By deploying robots alongside personnel, we aim to minimise human casualties while gathering critical intelligence in real time, he said. The integration of uncrewed systems is fundamentally changing how we approach high-risk operations. open image in gallery An American military helicopter hovers in the sky during a combined drill with South Korean soldiers from the 15th Infantry Division at the Rodriguez Live Fire Complex ( Getty ) The 11-day Freedom Shield exercises, scheduled to conclude on Thursday, began on a disastrous note when South Korean military jets accidentally bombed a residential area, destroying buildings and injuring dozens of people. The exercises have continued without incident since then and the media was given rare access to the drills as US and South Korean troops targeted weapons of mass destruction at a remote training site in the mountains. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice An indefinite curfew was declared in Nagpur in the western Indian state of Maharashtra after clashes erupted over demands by Hindu groups to demolish the tomb of a 17th-century Mughal ruler. A curfew remained in effect for the second consecutive day on Wednesday across 10 police jurisdictions of Nagpur, a day after more than 50 people were detained amid violence sparked by protests against Emperor Aurangzebs tomb. State lawmaker Chandrashekhar Bawankule said 34 police personnel and five civilians were injured during the violence while several houses and vehicles sustained damage. Senior police officer Ravinder Singal confirmed that at least 50 people had been arrested. Police earlier said at least 15 officers were injured in the clashes and one of them was in serious condition. The violence erupted after right-wing Hindu group Vishwa Hindu Parishad burned an effigy of Aurangzeb, demanding that the government raze his tomb in Khuldabad, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, formally called Aurangabad. They claimed the tomb was a reminder of centuries of oppression, atrocities, and slavery of Hindus during Muslim rule in India. The agitation by Hindu groups started after the release of Bollywood film Chhaava, which portrayed Aurangzebs execution of a local Hindu king called Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. The chief minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, said in the state assembly that Chhaava has ignited peoples anger against Aurangzeb. Police presence around Aurangzebs tomb in Khuldabad has been tightened ( AP ) In Nagpur, tension escalated when rumours spread that a Muslim holy book had been desecrated during the effigy burning. Muslim groups marched near a police station, leading to stone-pelting and attacks by masked individuals carrying weapons. Mr Fadnavis condemned the violence and ordered strict action. I have told the police commissioner to take whatever strict steps are necessary, he said. He had earlier said the violence looked like it was a well-planned attack. On the second day of the curfew, shops and businesses in central Nagpur remained shut as security was heightened across the city. Security was also tightened around Aurangzebs tomb in Khuldabad town. Maharashtras deputy director general of police, Rashmi Shukla, instructed district police chiefs to watch carefully for even minor incidents that could spark unrest, according to The Indian Express. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad denied involvement in the clashes. The groups general secretary, Milind Parande, said in a video message that they wanted a Maratha memorial to be built in place of the tomb. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Thai burglars meticulously planned heist went badly wrong when he trapped himself inside the jewellery shop he intended to rob. The man hid inside a Yaowarat gold shop in a shopping mall in Chiang Mai until closing time, donned a Scream Ghostface mask and broke into the store, police say. He used a metal bar to force open the lock on the shops retractable iron gate after the shopping mall closed on Monday, said police colonel Yannapol Pattanachai, commander of Mae Ping police station. After slipping inside the shop he pulled the gate shut behind him to stay unnoticed. The burglar took several gold necklaces and walked back towards the gate, only to realise that he couldnt lift it from the inside. The gate was too close to the shops display counter and couldnt be moved, The Nation reported. In desperation the suspect searched for an exit at the back of the shop but found no way out, police said. A 21-year-old suspect arrested from the scene has been identified by police by only his first name, Aesara. The incident took place off the Chiang Mai-Lampang Superhighway in Chiang Mais Mueang district. Suspect wore a Scream movie mask to evade security cameras inside the shopping mall in Chiang Mai, Thailand ( AFP via Getty ) Police say staff found him stuck when they arrived for work on Tuesday morning, locked him in further and called the police. Police say Aesara told them he spent three days studying the target and was convinced he had planned the perfect robbery. Travelling from Na Noi district in Nan province, he dressed in black and wore the infamous Ghostface mask from the film Scream to evade security cameras, police said. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The arrest of former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court was a victory for justice, Nobel laureate Maria Ressa said. Theres a sense that impunity ends and that the idea of an international rules-based order can perhaps still exist, she said at an event in Berlin. Mr Duterte was dramatically arrested at Manila airport on 11 March and flown to The Hague to face the ICC. The international court is investigating alleged crimes against humanity during the former presidents war on drugs in his country, which left thousands of people dead, mostly poor Filipinos. Ms Ressa drew parallels between the Philippines under Mr Duterte and the state of democracy in the West, particularly in the US. She warned that the forces that enabled Mr Dutertes rise social media manipulation and disinformation were now fueling democratic backsliding in the West. I joke all the time that the Philippines went from hell to purgatory, the Filipino-American journalist said. My only worry is that the West and America is at the stage we were at in 2016, when youre descending to hell. To watch this deja vu twice, it is like a bad punishment for me. Her comments came a few days after Mr Dutertes first appearance before the ICC. open image in gallery Maria Ressa says the damage Rodrigo Dutertes brutal war on drugs caused the Philippines should serve as a cautionary tale for other democracies ( AFP via Getty Images ) Ms Ressa won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021 for her fight for press freedom in the Philippines. She had co-founded and ran Rappler, an investigative website that exposed government corruption, disinformation campaigns and alleged extrajudicial killings during Mr Dutertes war on drugs. In spite of being harassed, arrested and slapped with multiple legal cases, Ms Ressa and Rappler continued to report on state-sponsored violence and the erosion of democracy in the country. The Duterte administration labelled her a threat, accusing her of spreading fake news and even linking her to an alleged coup plot. open image in gallery Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte was arrested in Manila on 11 March and flown to The Hague to face the ICC ( REUTERS ) Ms Ressa said the damage Mr Dutertes brutal war on drugs had caused the Philippines should serve as a cautionary tale for other democracies. In 2016, when the drug war began, I was like, Oh my god, this is going to affect a generation of Filipinos. And it has, Ms Ressa said. So yes, hes arrested but theres so much damage that now needs to get rebuilt. What we learned in the Philippines is that you are at your greatest power when the attacks begin, she added. If you are silent, you give consent. If you are silent, you give up your rights. This is that moment where you have to ask yourself, what are you willing to sacrifice for the truth? Because if you dont, if you bury your head in the sand like an ostrich, you will lose your rights. Sign up to our free money newsletter for investment analysis and expert advice to help you build wealth Sign up to our free money email for help building your wealth Sign up to our free money email for help building your wealth Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Sir Keir Starmers proposed benefit cuts have sparked a heated debate among Independent readers, with opinions deeply divided over the government's approach to welfare reform. A recent poll revealed that 68 per cent of readers do not support the proposed changes, fearing they will disproportionately harm disabled and chronically ill individuals. When we asked for your views, readers feared the reforms ignore the realities of long-term illness, with fluctuating conditions making rigid assessments unfair. A minority of readers supported the reforms, agreeing that the welfare system needs change and that too many people are claiming benefits unnecessarily. While some welcomed the Right to Try scheme, they stressed the need for long-term support. Others agreed with the governments position that work provides purpose and identity and that more should be done to support people in returning to employment. Heres what you had to say: Right to Try scheme a very welcome addition I have been supported by both ESA and PIP for the last five years due to multiple long-term physical, mental, and neurodivergent conditions that affect everything from my joints, immune system, executive function, and social interaction. These benefits have allowed me to keep living independently something that, being in my 40s, has been essential to my well-being and has also meant I've not needed to access social housing or other support services. I would love to be able to do something constructive with the little energy and ability I have left after doing essential life chores, but I would need assurances that I would be able to access suitable long-term support to do so and that, I think, is my number one concern with any change in the benefit process. The Right to Try scheme is a very welcome addition, and I think it will encourage more people to re-enter the workforce. Many long-term health conditions can fluctuate in their symptoms and can also be affected by stress and anxiety, which can bring on flare-ups a worsening of these symptoms. Where you're unlucky enough to have multiple conditions, these flare-ups can cause a domino effect, each one affecting the other, leaving you unable to even fulfil self-care needs. The process of claiming benefits is arduous and stressful, sometimes taking up to six months, and I can speak from experience that the prospect of going through it all again if it turns out that the role you choose is causing you harm is so distressing that it makes you avoid thinking about it. I also think JSA and ESA should be merged to allow for cross-channel support and function, with the added benefit of likely cutting a lot of unnecessary red tape on all sides. immiscibility Reassessment stress I have real concerns about the changes that may be coming. I know from experience of helping and supporting a family member who has been sick since childhood with physical disabilities. The stress and fear every time reassessment takes place is overwhelming. Physical abilities decrease, but we have to fight all the time. Assessments should be videoed. No account is taken of good and bad days and extra costs, e.g. buying pre-grated cheese because you can't grate it, or ready-chopped veg because you can't cut. Again, it seems to be demonising and punitive to everyone. Gillywicks Cancer treatment I watched Streeting on Sunday tell a story of a friend with cancer who was offered sick leave, but felt well enough to work, and did. Streeting concluded that many should be working instead of going on leave. I too have cancer and currently have radiation treatment, and I am working. But I would never suggest others do so. For a start, it is job dependent, as in many jobs it is not acceptable to be sleepy or fatigued. For others, psychological factors will come into play. Streeting should rely on doctors to decide and busy himself with developing plans, which he will need more than ever after deleting NHS England. Mp Work gives purpose and identity The government is right in that work gives us purpose, identity, and often somewhere to make social connections. Children and young people are our future, so while reform is needed it should not be about cost-cutting but about those investments that are required for people to have jobs that will give them a rich and fulfilling life. Ithinkweknowtheanswertothat Not a lifestyle choice I am in disbelief that I am reading these headlines under a Labour government. I worked from the age of 13, I worked through college and university, I worked whilst pregnant and returned to work when both babies were 10 months old. I am now 40. My eldest son has ASD and ADHD; he has an ECP (Education, Health and Care Plan) which I fought tooth and nail for. He requires medication and a different type of support and parenting than a neurotypical child of the same age. He is doing well, but it has taken a lot of work, balance, and proactive advocacy from me to safeguard his care and well-being. A tip in that balance means a spiral into crisis, non-verbalism, school refusal, self-harm, and food rejection. I get CA and DLA for him. A few years before he was diagnosed, I too was diagnosed with an inherited cancer called Lynch Syndrome, which led to me having a total hysterectomy at 32. Within seven months, I was in excruciating muscular and joint pain, I was regularly falling, I was forgetting information and struggling to recall simple details like my own name, I was fatigued to the point of collapse, I started experiencing tremors, spasms, and intense migraines. I became hypersensitive to sound and smell and my mental health plummeted. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a much-maligned and misunderstood illness. My life completely changed. At work, I was unreliable, making mistakes; I couldnt concentrate, and I was often too weak to move. When I could work, I would be getting calls from the school. I lost my job. I fought for PIP. My husband works over 50 hours a week. I am not lazy, I am not a scrounger; I am a woman with an illness trying to keep my head above water and keep my son healthy at the same time. I feel sick with nerves. Id be 25k better off in work. This isnt a lifestyle choice. Sarahintheshire Cutting the number of claimants There is a need to cut the cost of the welfare budget. That can be achieved in two ways: either by cutting the individual benefits or by cutting the number of claimants. I favour the latter; far too many claimants are fiddles and need to be weeded out. MORDEY Failure to understand cause and effect There seems to be a real failure to understand cause and effect, both from Starmer's Labour and the Conservatives before them. If they are genuinely concerned about increasing numbers of people needing to claim disability benefits, they ought to be looking at the reasons why Long COVID, mental ill health exacerbated by current affairs, lack of access to physical and mental health care, and the general inaccessibility of workplaces of all kinds for disabled people. If they're concerned about financial deficits, they ought to be ensuring that major corporations like Google and Amazon contribute their fair share in tax to pay for the public infrastructure they depend on to operate in the UK. Treating disabled people as costs to be managed is callous. Expecting disabled people to work themselves into an early grave just to be less of an economic burden is reprehensible. Evil begins when you begin to treat people as things. Juno Tax the wealthiest properly Why on earth can't this government tax the wealthiest properly so that they spend the same amount in GDP terms as the poorest do? I understand that the benefits bill is ballooning out of control and, yes, target benefit fraud, but I think it's an utter disgrace that they're planning on targeting the most vulnerable in society under the guise of extra support. The Treasury would earn far more if they also targeted the tax evaders and avoiders. A crying shame that just when we need this Labour government to succeed, they're alienating the very people who voted for them. Don't get me wrong, I would NEVER vote Reform or Tory within my lifetime, but Labour really need to become the socialist government that we elected them to be and stop pandering to the RW media. Amy Substantive questions on disability benefits Where in the debate about disability benefits are the substantive questions? Questions like: why is being disabled more expensive than being able-bodied, and on average by how much? How is cutting a non-out-of-work benefit PIP going to increase the number of people employed when it will most likely lead to disabled employees losing their jobs? Why are workplaces so significantly stressful, and why arent more employers doing more to create less stressful and healthier workplaces? Given that the very richest have seen their already immense wealth soar over the past several years, why are they allowed to escape paying their fair share towards repairing the nations economy and public finances? What kind of moral arguments can legitimately be claimed by privileged, often well-off or very well-off politicians who decide to implement policies that attack the most vulnerable and poorest in society? DisgustedOfMiddleEngland It's a cut, not reform It's not "reform" if you start from a pre-decided amount of money you want to save. It's a cut. More sympathetic assistance to help those who can and want to get back into work is fine (and should, of course, have been happening already), but that needs to be in place and bedded in before any "reform" to payments is even considered. Otherwise, it's a cut. Maxcastle No balancing the books There's no "balancing the books" as, despite what Thatcher claimed, managing an economy is nothing like managing a household budget. All Starmer, Reeves, and Kendall are doing is implementing unfinished Tory policy on welfare. And these red Tories are reigniting the tradition of demonising the disabled. So many people with disabilities want to work. You'd be hard-pressed to know this the way Starmer et al. are talking. Apparently, it's moral to cut benefits for the disabled, but not moral to fail to follow through with the promise while in opposition to impose a wealth tax. And Labour are pretty much denying the existence of disability. That's going too far. Benitas Who is going to employ these people? People who have gone through the most invasive work capability tests, and who are found totally unfit for any work, are really ill people. Now, all of a sudden, they are to have monies taken from them and be forced to look for work just who is going to employ these ill people? Many people are on prescription drugs that don't allow them to operate mechanical things or drive; they leave people feeling drowsy, i.e., painkillers again, who is going to employ these people? Ramned Make work pay What's the truth? Just how much do the sick and disabled get paid? What sanctions, tests, and exams do they have to face? I think most of those on the sick are in, or are very close to, poverty but give me facts! And maybe, with the soaring cost of living, the government should have a good look at making work pay again that might help get people back to work! Headsgone Cost of living and workers' wages Average workers do not get a decent wage; food, fuel, goods prices, and energy prices are gigantically high. These are the factors that the government should be looking at to tackle and balance the scale, so people can afford to spend more. Worker Labour has turned its back Looks to me that the Labour Party has turned its back on those who support them. I already rescinded my party membership when Corbyn was kicked out. They are going to be clobbered in the next GE. Perhaps for the first time ever I will vote Green. AlexBR Some of the comments have been edited for this article for brevity and clarity. You can read the full discussion in the comments section of the original article here. The conversation isnt over. To join in, all you need to do is register your details, then you can take part in the discussion. You can also sign up by clicking log in on the top right-hand corner of the screen. Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Archaeologists have unearthed the tomb of a yet unknown Egyptian pharaoh who ruled 3,600 years ago during a time of political instability in the region. The royal tomb was found at a depth of around 7m below ground level at the ancient Mount Anubis necropolis in Abydos, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said. The find provides new evidence of the development of royal tombs at the necropolis. Abydos is one of the oldest cities of ancient Egypt, dating back to the Abydos Dynasty, a series of kings who ruled Upper Egypt between 1700 and 1600 BC. The mystery pharaohs tomb consisted of a limestone burial chamber covered with mudbrick vaults reaching a height of approximately 5m. Section of the tomb of mystery Egyptian king ( Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities ) Archaeologists also found faded inscriptions on either side of the entrance leading to the burial chamber. One was of the goddesses Isis and Nephthys and the other set of yellow inscription bands once bore the king's name in hieroglyphs, they said. The surviving decorations and texts bear similarities to the art and inscriptions discovered at the tomb of King Senebkay, scholars said. Mohamed Abdel Badie, head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector, said the newly discovered tomb appears much larger than previously known mausoleums attributed to the Abydos Dynasty. The name of the mystery tombs owner has not been determined yet but it surely belongs to one of the kings who reigned before Senebkay, he said. The latest find came days after archaeologists found the royal burial site of another Egyptian pharaoh named Thutmose II. Turkiye recovers Roman bust and ancient plates from Denmark The latest dig also unearthed a pottery workshop from the Roman era in the village of Banawit, north of Abydos. Preliminary analysis suggests the pottery workshop was used during the Byzantine era and reused as a cemetery in the 7th century AD, possibly extending into the 14th century, the ministry said. Evidence unearthed at the Banawit site points to it being one of the largest factories supplying the ancient Egyptian region with pottery and glass. Excavations found evidence of several large kilns at the site, storage areas for vessels as well as a collection of 32 potsherds used for writing in Demotic and Greek scripts. These potsherds, known as ostraca, detail commercial transactions at the time and the method of paying taxes, researchers said. Several burials were also discovered at Banawit, including mudbrick tombs containing skeletons and mummies. These were likely family graves, researchers said. One of the burials included the mummy of a sleeping child wearing a colored fabric cap and another had the skull of a woman in her 30s. Archaeologists also found wheat roots and remains of ancient plant seeds at the site, including doum palms and barley. Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A venomous snake with three sharp fangs has been found in an unprecedented discovery in Australia. The death adder with a rare mutation was spotted during a venom milking programme at the Australian Reptile Park. The Australian Reptile Park has no record of a three-fanged snake in the collection for at least 20 years. In that time, we have housed thousands of snakes and done hundreds of thousands of milkings, the park told The Independent in a statement. The death adder is one of the most dangerous reptiles, with likely the fastest strike of any snake in the world. The snake typically has only two fangs. It is found across Australias Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia, preying on frogs, lizards and birds. Unlike most other Australian venomous snakes that actively search for prey, the death adder sits inconspicuously concealed in leaves, sand or gravel and ambushes prey that come to it. open image in gallery Three-fanged death adder found in Australian Reptile Park ( Australian Reptile Park ) Before antivenom programmes began, the adders were so deadly that 60 per cent of their bites to humans were fatal. Their large fangs, 6-8mm in length, stand out as they are more mobile than those of other venomous snakes. One death adder that has been part of the Australian Reptile Parks venom extraction programme for about seven years has now been found to have an extremely rare third fang. It was found next to one of the other fangs on the left side of the snake's mouth, park manager Billy Collett told Live Science. open image in gallery Three-fanged death adder milked for venom at Australian Reptile Park ( Australian Reptile Park ) The park shared a video of the ultra-rare reptile being milked for its venom, revealing the third fang. I was milking it one day and noticed it had two fangs on one side, Mr Collett said. Venomous snakes are known to constantly replace their fangs, and it was initially expected that the death adder too might drop its third fang at some point. Then I noticed that when milking, venom comes out of both those fangs. It is bizarre, Mr Collett said. This is very rare. I have never seen a functioning third fang like that, he added. It actually makes me really nervous milking this girl. If You See This Pretty Octopus, Never Ever Touch It The third fang appears to enable the rare snake to produce "massive yields" of venom per bite than usual, making it even more deadly, the manager said. "Unfortunately, we don't actually know what has caused the third fang to develop and don't currently have the facilities to run any tests, a spokesperson for the park told Live Science. The snakes high venom yield is actually helping us save lives, Mr Collett added, even though it "might actually be the most dangerous death adder in the world". Visitors can spot the rare snake at the Australian Reptile Park at Somersby on the Central Coast of New South Wales. The park is home to 250 venomous snakes that are milked on a fortnightly basis as part of its venom programme. Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The sewer systems of Florida are teeming with an abundance of alligators, racoons, and a dozen other animals using the drain pipes to traverse the city, scientists reveal in a new study. Wildlife across the world are forced to navigate human-altered environments as rapid urbanisation continues. A new study, published in the journal Urban Naturalist, examined how wild animals use Floridas well-connected subterranean stormwater sewer systems (SSS). Researchers used camera traps to find how wildlife exploited this pathway, particularly in the states Alachua County. Overall, scientists found a total of 35 species of vertebrates using the sewer system to navigate, including amphibians, reptiles, and birds. The abundance of animals down there was surprising, study co-author Alan Ivory from the University of Florida told the New York Times. Seven species of reptiles were also found, including the American alligator species Alligator mississippiensis documented across the greatest number of sites. Most of the reptiles were found at sites that held water for more than half of the study period, researchers said. Some reptiles, including the turtle species Yellow-bellied Slider, appeared to be using the pipes as corridors between ponds, scientists said. The study suggests several animals are using the sewer system to avoid crossing busy roads. A few other animals, especially smaller ones, appear to be swept into sewers after storms carry large amounts of water into the system, researchers say. Of the 5 sites, 4 of the sites where alligators were observed were simple culverts, and for this reason most of the alligator observations were of animals swimming from one pond to another (35 of 50 observations), thereby avoiding crossing busy roads, scientists wrote. Raccoons and small bats native to the southeastern US made most of the observations in the sewer system, pointing to their widespread presence in the subterranean pipes. Among other animals spotted by the camera traps included, possums, armadillos, cats, black rats, squirrels, egrets, wrens, and toads. Our research offers a comprehensive exploration of vertebrate diversity within an unconventional urban habitat and provides valuable insights into the relationship between SSS and species utilisation patterns, scientists wrote. They hope the findings could lead to more ecologically conscientious urban planning strategies. US: Camera Trap Captures Rare Footage of Bobcat Hunting Alligator Citing a limitation of the research, scientists said the true count of some reptiles could be greater in the sewers as the camera trap system used in the study relied on an animal being warmer than its surroundings to trigger image capture. The detection probabilities of amphibian and reptile species are likely lower than the detection of the endothermic species, they said. Researchers call for further studies to better understand why some amphibians and reptiles enter the sewer system to help prevent them from becoming trapped. If amphibians are falling in from the curb, and are unable to exit, exclusion devices and climbing aids could be implemented to prevent such wildlife from being trapped within SSS, they said. Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The blood rain that turned an Iranian islands coastline crimson last week was due to the local soil containing high concentrations of oxidised iron, experts said. Social media footage showed rainwater streaming down a cliff to the beach on Hormuz Island, located in the Strait of Hormuz at the junction of the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf. One of the videos of the rare sight that garnered over a million likes on Instagram showed tourists watching blood-red rainwater flow down the island, dubbed rainbow island due to its colourful soil and mineral deposits. "The island is a salt dome, a teardrop-shaped mound of rock salt, gypsum, anhydrite, and other evaporites that has risen upward through overlying layers of rock, Nasas Earth Observatory explained. Rock salt or halite is weak and buoyant, so it loses its brittleness and flows more like a liquid when under high pressure." open image in gallery A woman walks along the beach on Hormuz island ( AFP via Getty ) The phenomenon of blood rain usually occurs when high concentrations of red-coloured dust or particles are mixed into rain, giving it a crimson appearance, the UK Met Office said. In the case of the Iranian island, however, the crimson colour of the shoreline was a result of the regions iron-rich red soil interacting with rainwater, Simon Frasers University earth sciences professor Brent Ward told CBC News. A previous study found that iron was the most abundant of all analysed metals in the soil. The rising mass is not purely made of salt, the observatory said in a statement. Embedded within it are layers of clay, carbonates, shale, and iron-rich volcanic rocks, some of which have taken on vivid shades of red, yellow and orange as they moved upward and interacted with water and minerals from other rock layers. Blood Moon Captivates Skywatchers During Lunar Eclipse The islands soil is so rich in minerals it is used as a local spice, playing an important role in the regions food culture. The red soil is used in the preparation of a special local bread in Hormuz called tomshi. Scientists warn against using the soil in cuisines due to its heavy metal content. The native people of this region of Iran call this soil 'Gelak' and use it as a spice. They turn the red soil into a sauce and use it in a variety of foods," a 2023 study published in the journal Chemosphere noted. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Police are renewing a hunt for a man who raped a woman in Watford more than three decades ago. The Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire (BCH) Major Crime Unit has re-opened the cold case, which happened in nursing accommodation at Watford General Hospital on 16 April 1991. Police understand that the offender broke into the victims room by climbing onto a first-floor flat roof and entering through a window which had been left ajar. The perpetrator threatened to kill the victim, a student nurse who was in her early thirties at the time, before raping her. The offender, described as a white man between 5 foot 8 and six foot tall who would now be in his mid-fifties, is believed to have made off in the direction of Cassiobury Drive via the undergrowth and wooded area. open image in gallery The Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire (BCH) Major Crime Unit re-opened the case after it happened more than 30 years ago ( Getty Images ) He wore a long-sleeved grey jumper with a distinctive red and blue diamond pattern on it and was in possession of a knife with a white handle. Detective Inspector Caeva Taylor, senior investigating officer, said: A sample of DNA was taken from the crime scene in 1991, and it was uploaded it to the national DNA Database, but to date we have not found an exact match. We never give up on cases like these, and were now trying a new approach known as familial searching. Officers are speaking to people with a similar DNA barcode to the perpetrator, but they stressed that these people were not suspects. They may be able to lead us to the offender in other words, they may be related to him. The force added they were only carrying out these DNA searches for this crime and they werent allowed to use it to assist with other investigations. DI Taylor continued: I want to take this opportunity to appeal to anyone who either worked or lived in the area around Watford General Hospital, or Cassiobury Drive, in April 1991. If you recognise the description of the offender or know any information that may assist with our ongoing investigation, please contact us. Police asked that anyone with more information report it online or speak to an operator in their Force Communications Room via the online web chat. People can also call the non-emergency number 101 and quote Op Otterington. For anonymous tip-offs, they said people could contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Gun laws must be urgently reviewed to tackle serious shortcomings after a teenager plotting a school massacre was able to purchase a shotgun with a forged licence he made on his computer, a police commissioner has warned. Nicholas Prosper, then 18, killed his mother, brother and sister with the weapon, which he bought from a legitimate private seller for 650 along with 100 cartridges. He had planned to use it to kill 30 schoolchildren at a nearby primary school in a meticulously planned attack he hoped would make him one of the worst mass killers in history. But he was forced to abandon his plot after neighbours heard a violent struggle with members of his family and called the police, who swarmed the area after discovering lifeless bodies of his mother, brother and sister inside their Luton council flat. Prosper pleaded guilty to the murders of his mother Juliana Falcon, 47, and his siblings Kyle, 16, and Giselle Prosper, 13, and was today sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 49 years. Following the court hearing, Downing Street condemned the "appalling crime" and said the government is "urgently looking" at how controls can be tightened in the private sale of firearms. An investigation concluded that the person who sold the shotgun to the triple killer had not committed any offences. open image in gallery Nicholas Prosper bought his gun with a forged licence (Bedfordshire Police/PA) In a letter to home secretary Yvette Cooper, the Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner John Tizard has called for an urgent review of firearms licensing. The loner discovered that lethal weapons can be traded privately if the buyer is able to produce a genuine-looking paper firearms certificate to the seller. Under current laws, sellers have seven days to notify the police of a firearm sale or exchange, but they don't have to confirm with police that the certificate is genuine before exchange. In the letter, Mr Tizard said: This case has exposed a major system failure and some serious shortcomings in the current law. I believe that new legislation is needed to ensure public safety and to restore confidence in firearms licencing policy and process when firearms are sold or exchanged. I believe that one viable option would be for anyone wishing to purchase a firearm to provide documented confirmation from the police service that they have a legitimate entitlement to own a firearm, as well as proof of identity to the vendor. This confirmation needs to be shared by the police with the vendor ahead of sale and exchange. It is clear to me that there should be a national database of firearm licence holders or the ability of police services to be able to interrogate each others databases. He called for the issue to be addressed as matter of urgency and suggested any changes could be made through the current Crime and Policing Bill. open image in gallery (L-R) Giselle Prosper, 13, Juliana Prosper (nee Falcon), 48, and Kyle Prosper, 16 ( PA Media ) Prosper carefully researched online how to make a fake gun licence and learned enough about clay pigeon shooting to pretend to be an enthusiast who might want a shotgun. He downloaded a blank firearms certificate and used a website which allows you to amend pictures so he could create his own fake. He first became a member of GunTrader UK in April 2024. In August that year, he tried and failed to buy a gun on the site, but on 30 August was able to buy a shotgun and cartridges through an advert on a site called Gunstar. Prosper offered 650 plus 30 petrol money, well above the asking price of 450. The seller said he seemed polite and well spoken when they met in a car park outside the family flat the day before his attack, where he showed him the forged certificate. In order to get a genuine firearms licence in the UK, individuals have to satisfy their local police force that they do not pose a threat to public safety. Those wanting a schedule one firearm, such as a rifle, have to have a good reason to own the weapon but shotgun applicants do not have to, provided the police are happy that they are fit to hold a gun licence. open image in gallery Prosper was sentenced at Luton Crown Court (Elizabeth Cook/PA) ( Elizabeth Cook/PA ) Prospers actions were cold, deliberate and without sympathy or emotion, prosecutor Timothy Cray KC told Luton Crown Court, adding he wanted to imitate and even surpass other mass killers around the world. He had carried out surveillance on St Josephs Catholic Primary School, his former primary school, and selected a distinctive black and yellow costume for the attack. He was prevented from seeing through the scheme by chance and circumstance alone, Mr Cray said. No 10 has vowed to look into tightening gun laws in the wake of the shooting. The prime ministers official spokesman said: "The case has exposed some deep and long-standing weaknesses in the private sale of firearms and we are urgently looking at how we can tighten these controls." Home secretary Yvette Cooper added: It also shows an urgent need to look at the very disturbing way some young people are becoming fixated with extreme violent material online and the real dangers to our communities as a result. From tech companies to law enforcement to schools, and right across society, stronger recognition of the nature of this threat is needed, and stronger action to prevent this kind of terrible violence. This government will not shy away from taking the actions that are needed to keep communities safe. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A warped teenager desperate for notoriety who shot his own family and plotted to massacre four-year-olds in their school classroom has been jailed for life with a minimum of 49 years. Nicholas Prosper was 18 when he murdered his mother, brother and sister in September last year as part of a horrifying plan to become the deadliest mass killer in history. He will be 67 years old before he is considered for release. He was spared a rare whole-life order for the murders, which he carried out with a shotgun he purchased with a forged licence. His mother Juliana Falcon, 48, was found with a gunshot wound to the head following the early-morning attack in their flat in Luton, along with his younger sister Giselle Prosper, 13, who was sheltering under a dining table. His brother Kyle Prosper, 16, was shot in the chest and head and also suffered over 100 knife wounds. A judge told him he is highly dangerous, and that he will never be released unless experts deem he no longer poses a risk to society. Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said: You intended to unleash disaster on the community of Luton. Your plans were intelligent, calculated and selfish. Your ambition was notoriety. You wanted to be known posthumously as the worlds most famous school shooter of the 21st century. "The lives of your own mother and younger brother and sister were to be collateral damage on the way to fulfil your ambition." She added: Words such as heartless and brutal are insufficient to describe the horror of those last moments of the people who were closest to you. open image in gallery Prosper was sentenced at Luton Crown Court ( PA ) Prosper, now 19, had refused to leave his cell on the morning of his sentencing at Luton Crown Court, but the judge ordered him to attend, telling him: You have to face the consequences of your actions. He appeared in the dock wearing a grey T-shirt and refused to stand as his sentence was handed down, holding his head in his hands. Less time already served on remand, he must spend at least another 48 years and 177 days in prison. Members of Prospers family sobbed in the public gallery as the horrific crimes were detailed by the judge. In a statement read on their behalf outside court, they said they were horrified to learn of the atrocity Prosper had planned as they paid tribute to Ms Falcon, Kyle and Giselle. He had completely isolated himself from us over the past year, and we had no knowledge of his intentions, they said. We now see the deaths of Juliana, my son Kyle and daughter, Giselle, had much more meaning and importance. Their deaths and the fast response of Bedfordshire Police stopped any other family in the community going through the pain we have suffered. The killer had admitted to the three murders as well as charges of purchasing a shotgun without a licence, possession of a shotgun with intent to endanger life and possession of a kitchen knife in a public place. In prison he told a staff member I wish I had killed more as he revealed he had hoped to kill at least 30 children and two teachers at his former primary school in a bid to exceed the death toll of the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut, US, in which 28 children and adults died. open image in gallery (L-R) Giselle Prosper, Juliana Prosper and Kyle Prosper ( PA ) The court heard that he had planned his attack for more than a year, carrying out surveillance at St Josephs Catholic Primary School and meticulously forging a shotgun licence on his computer. He had intended to shoot his family as they slept and lie in wait at their eighth-floor flat before ambushing the 9am early years assembly at the school, which was less than a mile away. However, he was forced to abandon his plot after neighbours heard a violent struggle with his family at around 5am. He hid nearby as police swarmed the area, but eventually gave up and gestured to a passing police car with blood on his clothes and glasses. Officers discovered his double-barrelled shotgun and 30 cartridges hidden in a bush. When he was arrested he was inappropriately cheerful and engaged the officers in conversation, asking if the local schools were locked down. Prospers actions were cold, deliberate and without sympathy or emotion, prosecutor Timothy Cray KC told Luton Crown Court, adding he wanted to imitate and even surpass other mass killers around the world. Investigators found he had researched other mass school shooters and their manifestos, and had an interest in the darkest sides of humanity. He had also selected a distinctive black and yellow uniform to help him be remembered. Footage played to the court showed him dressed in the outfit, complete with a yellow bucket hat, brandishing a wooden post like a gun. open image in gallery Prosper wearing the outfit he planned to wear for his killing spree and holding a piece of wood as a mock gun ( PA ) The day before the attack he purchased a shotgun and 100 cartridges for 650 cash from a private seller, who delivered them to his flat in Luton, after he sent him the forged shotgun licence. He spent the rest of the day carrying out online searches about arterial anatomy, including do you die if shot in the neck, man shoots woman in the head at close range and one relating to necrophilia. In a pre-recorded video posted to his Facebook page at 6.22am, after the shooting, he said his sister Giselle had made incorrect choices while playing the video game The Walking Dead, and for that her face will be mutilated further than is necessary. Referring to an eight-year-old fictional character called Clementine in the zombie apocalypse game, he added: "I am the chosen one, chosen by Clementine. I am guided as Christians are guided by Jesus Christ." However Mr Cray said his explanations for the crime should be treated with caution, adding: The idea that he was solely or even mainly motivated by a video game does not square with the amount of research he put into researching other mass killers. The senior investigating officer at Bedfordshire Police, detective chief inspector Sam Khanna, said: I have never encountered anyone capable of such horrific acts whilst showing no remorse. I have been utterly shocked and appalled by the actions and plans of the offender in this case and am pleased that this truly evil individual will now be serving a significant proportion of his life behind bars. Chinese youth stimulate new consumption trends People's Daily Online) 14:05, March 19, 2025 Young people show lacquered fans during an activity of the 12th National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities of China. (Xinhua/Hu Chao) In today's market, many young people no longer focus solely on a product's practical functions. Instead, they place greater value on emotional connections and in-depth experiences that goods provide, with emotional value becoming a key driver behind their purchasing decisions. Sales data from 2024's "Double 11" shopping festival revealed that young consumers shift their focus from "whatever is cheap" to "whatever I like." Meanwhile, consumption models driven by digital technology have become crucial factors in their purchasing decisions. These changes reflect more than a shift in consumer attitudes among the younger generationthey're reshaping China's consumer market, making it more individualized, experience-focused, and technology-oriented. "These Jellycat plush toys with their smiling faces make me feel incredibly warm. I just can't help but want to collect another one," said Chen Kela, a post-90s tech worker. Photo shows an anime enthusiast at the 16th China Western Animation & Culture Festival. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao) Chen has a special fondness for plush toys. These toys aren't just cute decorations but also important sources of comfort and companions in her daily life. Jellycat, a British brand known for plush toys, has become a massive hit in recent years. Despite its relatively high unit price, consumers' enthusiasm remains undeterred. Like Chen, many people treat these toys as emotional outlets for self-satisfaction, assigning them special meaning. When purchasing these toys, consumers aren't just buying physical products but also acquiring the emotional value they bring. "I'm willing to confide my inner feelings to these dolls or figurines," Chen said. In her early days of studying abroad and entering the workforce, these plush toys provided her with comfort and encouragement. "They don't give negative feedback or judgments. You can safely confide in them," she added. Consumers select smart watches at a store in Nankang district, Ganzhou, east China's Jiangxi Province. (People's Daily/Zhu Haipeng) In recent years, as young people's need for emotional resonance has increased, self-indulgent consumption, which means making purchases that bring personal satisfaction, has emerged as a new trend. According to a 2023 report issued by the China Consumers Association, beyond seeking value for money, emotional value becomes a crucial factor influencing young consumers' purchasing decisions. Additionally, an increasing number of young consumers are willing to pay for hobbies and goods that promote well-being. Products offering emotional value, such as ornamental fish, vegetable seeds, hydroponic vegetables, and mushroom sticks, are selling like hotcakes on multiple platforms. The continuous expansion of self-indulgent consumption has boosted growth in various industries, including toys and blind boxes, providing consumers with diverse options and emotional satisfaction. Many people choose to splurge on personal interests to alleviate stress and enhance their life quality. Young people construct self-identity through consumption while seeking emotional value, making self-indulgent consumption a hot trend, said Sun Jin, a professor at the Business School under University of International Business and Economics. Hanfu enthusiasts visit the Beilin Museum in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (Xinhua/Li Yibo) Chinese youth aren't just pursuing self-satisfaction through purchases, but also through social interactions. Anime conventions, craft shops, and popular photo spots are becoming new social venues for young people. At various anime conventions, cosplayers mingle with one another, and exhibition booths display various IP-derived products, attracting anime enthusiasts. Zhao Chunfang, a first-year university student, feels relaxed and comfortable at anime conventions. For her, anime conventions aren't just places to spend money but also vibrant social platforms. This model integrating social interaction with consumption is gradually becoming part of young people's social lives. A woman takes photos of blind boxes of Chinese animated blockbuster "Ne Zha 2" at a store of Pop Mart, a Chinese manufacturer of art and collectible toys, on Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street in Shanghai. (Photo/Wang Chu) Zhou Mohai, a 23-year-old graduate student, is often drawn to popular photo spots recommended on social media. "Social media recommendations always make me want to visit these places to take photos," Zhou said. One weekend afternoon, she visited the iconic caisson ceiling at the Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum and was amazed by the ancient craftsmen's ingenuity. She paid another female visitor to take photos of her with the caisson ceiling. Zhou considered this paid photography arrangement highly cost-effective, as she avoided the high costs of professional photography while making new friends. From exchanging goods at anime conventions to hiring photo-taking companions and sharing craft experiences, young people are redefining consumption in innovative ways. In these emerging scenarios, they're not just consumers but participants and creators, making each consumption experience unique and memorable. "Today, more businesses prioritize scenarios and emotional connections, attracting younger generations through unique engagements. From themed restaurants to experiential retail and interactive marketing, the future consumer market will no longer be just a place for commercial transactions but a platform for emotional exchange and cultural creation," Sun said. In recent years, with the rapid development of smart technology and gradual price reductions, young people have become the main force in tech consumption. Tourists take selfies in front of an internet-famous cafe in a village in Shanwei, south China's Guangdong Province. (Xinhua/Jiang Hongjing) The continuous emergence and application of new technologies bring more possibilities for new types of consumption, driving comprehensive upgrades in consumption scenarios, methods, and experiences. Emerging tech products like smart home devices, wearable devices, portable photography equipment, and generative artificial intelligence are gradually shaping young people's consumption patterns and lifestyle habits. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A retired couple who say a 19-storey office tower is blocking the light in their 1m apartment next to the Thames are suing in a case which could see the 35m building demolished. Stephen and Jennifer Powell are complaining that the Arbor tower, part of the 2bn Bankside Yards development, is reducing the natural light getting into their 6th-floor apartment in South Bank designer block Bankside Lofts and making it hard for them to read in bed. The development is set to consist of eight towers, including mega-structures 50 storeys high, with Arbor being the first and so far only building completed between 2019 and September 2021. But the block, which cost nearly 35m to build, is now facing the threat of being torn down after the Powells and their 7th-floor neighbour Kevin Cooper sued, seeking an injunction to protect their right to light. The couple and their neighbour are alternatively seeking damages which could be worth millions if their injunction is not granted. open image in gallery Arbor Tower, centre, with Bankside Lofts to the left ( Champion News ) But co-developer of the site Ludgate House Ltd is fighting the claims, insisting that the tower doesnt block enough light from the neighbouring trios 1m plus flats to give the owners a valid claim. Their lawyers say the couple could solve the issue of lower light levels causing them problems when reading in bed by simply turning a light on. They also accuse the neighbours of trying to hold them to ransom and protest that demolishing the Arbor tower would be a gross waste of money and resources. Londons High Court heard that the couple have lived in their 6th-floor flat in the yellow ochre Bankside Lofts building on the south bank of the river for more than 20 years, having moved in in 2002, whilst property finance professional Mr Cooper bought his 7th-floor flat in 2021. The trio complain about reduced light into their apartments and want an injunction compelling the developer to alter plans for the rest of the planned towers to account for the light being blocked by Arbor or, if there is no other option, to knock the building down. open image in gallery Bankside Lofts ( Champion News ) In written arguments put before the court, their barrister Tim Calland told Mr Justice Fancourt: The Bankside Yards development will consist of eight towers, the tallest of which stretches to 50 storeys in height. The marketing material for Arbor describes it as a mega-structure and boasts of exceptional natural light. The claimants maintain that this will have been achieved wrongfully at the expense of their light. Light is not an unnecessary add on to a dwelling. Light does not just give pleasure, but provides the very benefits of health, wellbeing and productivity which the defendants are using to advertise the development. That is the reason claimants have brought their claims. Mr Cooper, who chose his flat for its phenomenal light, places considerable value, as do his family, on the light he receives in a dwelling, not just for simple illumination but for the wellbeing of those who reside there. Mr Powell, who has had his residence at Bankside Lofts for over 20 years, chose the flat over those with better views because it was flooded with light. The only way to vindicate the claimants right of light to preserve that access to adequate light is with an injunction. If an injunction is refused, the claimants will have been denied their right of light and the defendant will have taken something for nothing. The remedy that the claimants seek is an injunction preventing the retention of Arbor in such a way as to cause a nuisance. The claimants objective is not the demolition of Arbor if that can be avoided. They have always said they would accept alterations to the rest of the development as a means of restoring their light. An injunction would only involve the demolition of Arbor if the defendants wanted it to, he told the judge. He went on to say that the Arbor tower cost 34.9m to build in 2019, but estimated that it could have been as much as 42.2 in 2021 if the developer had been forced to wait whilst negotiating the right to light with Mr Cooper and the Powells. open image in gallery Jennifer, left, and Stephen Powell ( Champion News ) Explaining that the flat owners want a share of that multimillion-pound saving if their injunction is refused, he said: If an injunction is refused, the claimants will say that damages should be awarded in lieu of relief. They contend that such damages should be assessed as a fair price that might have been agreed for the release of their rights to allow Arbor to be built. The defendant sought to profit by ignoring the claimants rights and taking the light for itself, denying the claimants even the level of light sufficient according to the ordinary notions of mankind, whilst at the same time advertising premises at the development as enjoying exceptional levels of natural light, which it claims promote productivity and wellbeing. It is the defendant that has rushed ahead in building Arbor without resolving rights of light to which it knew the land was subject. He insisted any release fee awarded to the flat owners should be sustainable and calculated as a share of the defendant's profits from building Arbor, rather than a non-infringing building. The defendants chose to rush ahead with the construction, propelled no doubt by its investors demands, and left the solution to the rights of light issues to another day, he said. The claimants have lost not only value in their properties but also their ability to insist on their light. Where a defendant has acted wantonly and quite unreasonably in relation to his neighbour, he may be ordered to repair his wanton and unreasonable acts by doing positive work to restore the status quo, even if the expense to him is out of all proportion. John McGhee KC, for Ludgate House Ltd (LHL), in his written submissions told the judge: The claimants seek injunctive relief requiring the defendant to demolish an occupied 19-storey office building known as Arbor on the grounds that it has caused them nuisance by interfering with the rights of light which they enjoy. Whether Arbor is considered on its own or together with the [whole] development, LHL denies that there will be any actionable interference with the rights of light. The reduction in light caused by Arbor is not such as to substantially interfere with the use or enjoyment of the flats and as such is not an actionable nuisance. LHL has engaged extensively with all other owners of neighbouring buildings whose light might be affected. In almost all other cases, they have agreed to release any claim of interference with their light in return for modest sums by way of compensation. The flats remain usable and desirable and, on any view, valuable. In respect of the bedroom in Mr and Mrs Powell's flat, the reduction in light is primarily around the headboard of the bed...anyone reading in bed would use electric light to do so for much of the time anyway. The injury is a minor one. Ultimately, both Mr Cooper and the Powells are using these proceedings to seek to extract a ransom payment. The court ought not to order the demolition of Arbor. It would be a gross waste of money and resources and would deprive the area of much-needed office accommodation, the barrister added. He said all the other parts of the development enjoy legal protection from property rights claims brought by nearby residents under an indemnity provided by local authority Southwark Borough Council under Section 203 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016. Arguing that an injunction forcing them to tear down Arbor would be pointless, he told the court: LHL would obtain planning permission for the erection of a building of the same or similar height, the construction of which would then be protected by section 203. He went on to argue that the lucrative negotiating damages sought by the claimants are not appropriate and that if a nuisance is found, an injunction should be refused and damages paid on the basis of a diminution in the value of their flats, of not more than 25 per cent. The claimants case is that they are entitled to millions more than the value of their respective flats, he said. But one cannot sensibly conclude that it feels right to award more than or indeed anywhere near the full value of flats which they retain and which remain valuable and usable. He added that the Powells had previously been offered 36,000 to release their right to light and Mr Cooper had been offered 26,000. Both apartments are estimated to be worth more than 1m. The hearing continues. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Charles Goadby never wanted to rely on a penny in subsidies for his farm in the green and pleasant lands of the north Warwickshire countryside. As a proud dairy farmer, the 47-year-old father-of-two wanted to focus every square inch of his 1,400 acres on food and milk production, and once believed post-Brexit environmental subsidies threatened to turn many farmers into subsidy junkies. But a significant squeeze on margins and the wish to bring in cash for a robotic milking system led to a rethink and on Wednesday, he met a farming expert to discuss an application for the governments sustainable farming incentive (SFI). Providing winter bird feed and creation of grass margins along watercourses could warrant 10,000 a year, Mr Goady estimated, and give access to capital funding for the wanted farming equipment. But last week, Labour announced that SFI, which was launched in 2022, was now fully subscribed and closed to new applications with immediate effect. Under 1bn worth of deals already agreed, farmers are paid for managing land to protect soil, restore hedgerows and boost nature recovery. open image in gallery Charles Goadby says pressures on farming had turned him to the government nature-friendly subsidy scheme but too late with Labour closing the project for new applications ( Charles Goadby ) I was gobsmacked, said Mr Goadby, who said he now makes just 50 a week from his farming business already propped up by the conversion of industrial units. He said he now lives off his wifes primary school teacher salary. It will impact us hugely, you take away the SFI, you take away another income while we try desperately to survive. You dont make a penny from farming anymore, its unsustainable and so we now need the support. This is devastating. Mr Goadby, who has around 700 cows and also grows wheat, barley and oats, said the governments abrupt closure of SFI was another attack on the farming sector, months after chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a change to inheritance tax for farmers. open image in gallery Farmers protested outside the House of Parliament last week on changes to inheritance tax and scrapping of SFI ( PA ) With my father aged 81, were looking at a succession plan, but we fear inheritance tax will destroy us, Mr Goadby said. How are we going to raise 800k, and pay it over 20 years? Were going to have to sell up land to survive which will make us less viable. In his community, Mr Goadby said two farmers had killed themselves over the past two years. There will be more from this [scrapping of SFI], he added. Food security minister Daniel Zeichner told the Commons last week that the government planned to redesign the SFI programme. The scheme was the largest part of new environmental land management (Elms) project which replaced EU-era farming subsidies. open image in gallery Farming minister Daniel Zeichner told the Commons that the government planned to redesign the SFI programme ( PA Media ) Also impacted is Northamptonshire farmer Ben Aveling, who had already seeded 20 acres of low input grassland for a yet-to-be submitted application for cash under the SFI programme. The land, Mr Aveling said, could have been used for growing wheat, raising 16,000. The 39-year-old father of three has already heavily diversified his 250-acre farm. Three years ago he set up a glamping business and created an online farm shop. He said: Farming has become less profitable, and so we have focused on other ways to make money such as through environment schemes but to now hear it has been closed off despite our work is bitterly disappointing. It feels like an absolute onslaught on farming with another thing taken away from us as we struggle to survive. Labour is putting food security at risk, and that places at risk our job to feed the nation. open image in gallery Farmer Ben Aveling said the closure of the SFI scheme was another attack on the farming sector ( Ben Aveling ) Last week, farmers gathered by the Houses of Parliament to protest over the scrapping of the scheme, as well as the changes to inheritance tax. The rise in anger in the farming community has also put many newly-elected rural Labour MPs in a difficult position. Around 40 have reportedly joined a rural growth group, sending a letter to Ms Reeves on their concerns over the inheritance levy. In November, Labour peer Baroness Ann Mallalieu warned the party faced a wipeout of rural MPs at the next election. On Tuesday, farmers met Mr Zeichner to discuss their concerns over the scrapping of SFI in a meeting organised by the National Farmers Union (NFU). President Tom Bradshaw said: We made it clear to the minister that this decision not only threatens the livelihoods of numerous farmers, especially upland farmers, commoners and tenants, but also undermines the ability of farm businesses to deliver environmental work. Sarah Lee, director of policy at the Countryside Alliance, told The Independent: Farmers are being asked to navigate an increasingly uncertain landscape, from concerns about the farm tax to broader economic pressures, while continuing to produce high-quality food and tackling biodiversity decline and climate change. This decision comes at a time when confidence in the farming sector is already fragile. Closing to applications without immediate clarity on what comes next risks exacerbating uncertainty. A government spokesperson said: We inherited farming schemes which were underspent, with farms missing out on millions of pounds. The government proudly secured the largest budget for sustainable food production in our countrys history. We now have a record number of farmers into schemes and more money being paid to farms than ever before. As a result, we have now hit the maximum limit of the scheme and have stopped accepting new applications. The government will reopen a new and improved SFI scheme with more details coming this summer. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The display of human remains in museums has long been a contentious issue. Last week, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Afrikan Reparations (APPG-AR) published a report on the African human remains collected by British museums during, and due to, colonialism and the slave trade. Introduced by the MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy (the APPG-ARs chair), and produced by Afford (The African Foundation for Development), the publication of the report, Laying Ancestors to Rest, is another high-profile and meaningful intervention in an area where developments now seem inevitable. The report makes a number of recommendations. First, that the sale of human remains should be made illegal in the UK. It also suggests that the Human Tissue Act of 2004 should be amended to make stipulations about remains older than 100 years. This would include banning their public display without consent from the Human Tissue Authority and ensuring that museums obtain a licence from the authority for their storage. Its further recommended that the UK parliaments culture, media and sport committee should launch an inquiry into restitution. Laying Ancestors to Rest should be welcomed. It seems likely to be successful in achieving at least one of its recommendations. Calling for a ban on the trade in human remains in Britain, as the report does, is not particularly controversial. However, the reports blanket approach towards banning the display of human remains without consent is, in the present environment, unlikely to succeed. open image in gallery The Pitt Rivers Museum at the University of Oxford (pictured) removed shrunken heads from display in 2020 ( PA Wire ) The report itself hints at the reasons for this. The success of its recommendations rests on the financial health of the UKs museum landscape. Resources matter, not least in terms of the relationships which those resources allow museums to build. Instead of a blanket response, developments in this area are likely to be piecemeal both due to the significant effort required to carry out the task effectively and the limited resources many museums have to do so. In that sense, it is unclear whether calling for a blanket ban now is all that useful, other than as a wake-up call. This point is not to absolve museums for their historical part in this situation. It is though, to argue that work in understanding the collections of human remains held by British museums where they come from, who they might belong to has, at times (and certainly not in all circumstances), been happening. It is also to clarify what the often slow-paced norms of effective understanding and restitution are. In 2020, for example, the University of Oxfords Pitt Rivers Museum removed its well-known collection of tsantsa (shrunken heads) from display. The removal happened with a view to working with Shuar and Achuar delegates to decide on the best way forward with regard to the care and display of the human remains. That work continues. A few years earlier, Laura Peers, then curator of the Americas collections at the museum, wrote about the slow, quiet and bureaucratic process of returning a single femur collected by a missionary as a medical curiosity, from an Indigenous nation with whom I have longstanding professional and personal relationships. Such work is, when it happens, painstaking and careful. Even with the best of intentions, it is not a fast process. Funding restitution The often-halting nature of that work is likely to continue. Museum professionals particularly newer museum professionals know that this work has to happen and are, I would argue, in large part invested in doing it. In a contemporary funding environment marked by almost continuous cuts, even the most dedicated staff will find their actions curtailed. They may, in some cases, be able to remove remains from display, as the report recommends (and as the Pitt Rivers Museum has done). However, securing consent for the limited display of mummified Egyptian bodies, for instance, will be challenging. Without funding, it is difficult to build the relationships necessary for conversations about consent, ownership and restitution. In his afterword to the report, Dan Hicks of the University of Oxford writes that this is a time of immense hope and optimism for British museums. The problem is that that hope in part rests on the funding that he also admits has been subject to austerity and swingeing cuts. The contradiction is not difficult to see particularly when the reports recommendations are similar to the 2018 one written for French collections by cultural researchers Felwine Sarr and Benedicte Savoy. The Restitution of African Cultural Heritage: Toward a New Relational Ethics, which was commissioned by the French president, Emmanuel Macron, has been widely read. It has catalysed thinking beyond current international legal norms when it comes to restitution. Yet progress on the goal of restitution even in France has been slow, at least in part due to the time involved in building the new relationships that the report calls for. There is also the question of whether attitudes regarding restitution within African countries are consistent. By February 2024, France had returned only 26 objects to Benin and one (a sword) to Senegal. Worse still, the legislative picture across British collections remains complex. Collections such as the Pitt Rivers Museum have been able to move on restitution because they are university collections. As such, they are subject to different legislation than national collections such as the British Museum or the V&A, which were established by acts of parliament and are funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. As the V&As director, Tristram Hunt, recently wrote, the UKs national museums remain in debilitating stasis on restitution. Hunt argues that this is the case because these collections are hampered by the proscriptions of the 1983 National Heritage Act. That act by rule or by choice, dependent on your view effectively forbids such collections from disposing of objects, including human remains. As Laying Ancestors to Rest recommends, this situation needs to change. The likelihood is, however, that any change will come more slowly and with more deliberation even than the report itself acknowledges is necessary. Progress on this issue is by no means impossible. But without real political will and without the money to back it up, a blanket approach to the display and restitution of human remains in British museums remains difficult to enforce. William Carruthers is a Lecturer in Heritage at the School of Philosophical, Historical, and Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Essex This article was originally published by The Conversation and is republished under a Creative Commons licence. Read the original article Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The co-owners of a tanker involved in a collision with a cargo ship in the North Sea have praised the crew for their exceptional bravery and quick action. Stena Immaculate tanker and cargo ship Solong collided off the cost of East Yorkshire on March 10. The explosive collision left a sailor presumed dead in the North Sea, with the alarm first raised on the Humber Estuary. HM Coastguard said 36 people were rescued from both vessels involved in the collision and taken safely to shore in Grimsby. The Marine Accidental Investigation Branch is trying to establish the cause of the collision. open image in gallery Crowley posted a photo on social media site Instagram showing 19 crew members ( Crowley Corporation/PA Wire ) Crowley, the maritime operations company based in Florida, who manage the oil tanker, posted a photo on social media site Instagram showing 19 crew members. Our deepest gratitude and respect goes out to our 23 mariners from the Stena Immaculate for their exceptional bravery and quick action during the recent allision to their ship in the North Sea, the company said in a statement. Their decisive efforts and teamwork to execute critical fire and emergency duties helped to save lives, protect the integrity of the vessel and minimize the impact on the environment. Against disastrous circumstances, the crew had the operational focus to ensure fire monitors were active in order to provide boundary cooling water, which resulted in limited impact to just one of the 16 cargo holds. Their dedication to safety not only for themselves but for others sets a powerful example for the entire industry. Crowley said at least one cargo tank carrying A1-jet fuel was ruptured in the collision. However, it is said the spill has had a limited impact, with the maritime company saying it remained unclear how much Jet A1 fuel was released when it was hit by the Solong, but an initial review showed it had evaporated due to exposure to fires on both vessels. open image in gallery Stena Immaculate tanker at anchor in the North Sea, off the coast of Withernsea, east of England, after it was hit by the MV Solong container vessel on March 10 ( AFP via Getty Images ) Owners of the Solong have also admitted tiny plastic pellets, held in containers on board, were released and have since been found on beaches in Norfolk and Lincolnshire. A clean-up operation is now underway as the plastic pellets pose a danger to wildlife. It has also been revealed that the container ship failed steering-related safety checks last July, and 10 other deficiencies were also highlighted during an inspection. The captain of the Solong, 59-year-old Russian man Vladimir Motin, appeared at Hull Magistrates Court on Saturday charged with gross negligence manslaughter. No plea was entered. He was remanded in custody to appear before the Central Criminal Court in London on April 14. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A security expert previously tasked with protecting MPs from extremist threats in the wake of Jo Coxs murder says children watching Andrew Tate videos are a red flag. Philip Grindell, who worked for the Met Police for 30 years, played a leading role in preventing an assassination attempt on then-MP Rosie Cooper who was targeted in a murder plot in 2017 by neo-Nazi Jack Renshaw, who was jailed after buying a machete to kill the West Lancashire MP. Mr Grindell told The Independent he was worried about loners who obsessed over the Tate brothers as much as any loyalist to far-right or Islamic extremism traditionally associated with targeted attacks. If you have a young child following the Tates for example and watching their videos I would consider that to be a red flag. That is emulating somebody who is dangerous, he said. open image in gallery Mr Grindell says children watching Andrew Tate should be considered a red flag ( AP ) Tate, a self-described misogynist, and his brother Tristan left Romania for the US late last month. They are under investigation in the eastern European country for crimes including human trafficking, trafficking of minors, sexual intercourse with a minor and money laundering. They have denied all wrongdoing. Mr Grindell also said the UK was seeing an increase in targeted attacks, like the murders of young girls carried out by teenage killer Axel Rudakubana in Southport. They are cold, calculated and planned - there's no emotion involved. These lone actors always start with a grievance and they decide that the only way they can resolve this grievance is violence. These people dont make threats to their target - there is no warning, Mr Grindell said. open image in gallery Following the murder of Jo Cox, Philip Grindell set up the team responsible for the protection of MPs ( Phillip Grindell ) The counter-terrorism expert joins a growing chorus of voicing its fears over harmful online influences, as former England manager Sir Gareth Southgate on Tuesday warned callous, manipulative and toxic operators were fuelling a crisis facing a generation of young men. In January a leaked Home Office report identified misogyny and and violence against women as gateways to extremist beliefs. The concerning behaviours identified included spreading misinformation, influencing racism, and involvement in an online subculture called the manosphere, according to a copy of the review commissioned by home secretary Yvette Cooper following the summer riots triggered by misinformation spread after the Southport attack. BBC reported in January that Ms Cooper disagreed with some of the central findings of the report and will push the Government to continue to focus on Islamist and far-right extremism. Last week it was revealed jailed crossbow killer Kyle Clifford turned to Andrew Tate the night before he murdered ex-partner Louise Hunt, her sister Hannah Hunt and their mother Carol Hunt. open image in gallery Jack Renshaw was jailed for life for plotting to murder Rosie Cooper MP ( Greater Manchester Police ) A jury heard the murders were fuelled by the violent misogyny promoted by Tate, after it emerged that Clifford searched for the controversial social media influencers podcast before carrying out the killings of the three women. Mr Grindell said: The two Tate brothers are definitely toxic. They are inspiring and developing a system of misogyny, which is already a problem, and now they're trying to make misogyny legitimate. Mr Grindell said it was irrelevant whether the extremism was based in extreme Christianity, school shootings, or misogyny: Its the same thing its still manipulation of peoples minds. Its why as parents you have to know what your children are watching. The irony here is if we saw that same child watching an Islamist preacher we would be getting excited by that saying they are clearly being groomed into terrorism. But these other people are doing exactly the same thing but not the same subject matter. Its exactly the same process, the emulation. They are being inspired by someone online filling their minds with poison, he said. open image in gallery Philip Grindell outside New Scotland Yard, his workplace of 30 years ( Philip Grindell ) He said that while someone like Osama Bin Laden clearly carried a greater threat [than the Tates] because of his intent and capabilities to carry out a mass atrocity, Tate poses a different level of threat as his intent and capabilities are different. Mr Grindell, who set up his own security firm Defuse after leaving the Met Polices Specialist Operations Unit, now works to identify threats to his clients before they escalate to violence in real life. With death threats flooding social media, he said tech companies scrapping their fact-checking departments will only make their sites hostile and more unpleasant in the future. Philip Grindell shares his advice on personal security in his new book called 'Personal Threat Management: The practitioner's guide to keeping clients safer' now available on Amazon. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Millions of benefit recipients are set to see their incomes cut or their entitlements taken away following Labours decision to slash 5 billion from the welfare spending bill. A slate of reforms were announced by Liz Kendall on Tuesday, as expected focusing on health and disability-related benefits. The two most commonly claimed the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and the health element of Universal Credit are both set to see major changes. The work and pensions secretary said: Theres clear evidence that shows good work is good for health and plays a vital role in recovery. Too many disabled people and people with health conditions want to work but are denied the right support to do so. Tackling this is central to our commitment to spread opportunity and improve the health of the nation. open image in gallery Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said the current social security system was failing the very people it is supposed to help (James Manning/PA) ( PA Wire ) But preliminary analysis suggests that the changes will see around 900,000 PIP claimants worse off by 2,400 per year in 2028/29. Meanwhile, around 2.4 million families claiming the health element of Universal Credit will lose around 280 a year, the research from the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) found. And this is just the impact on those currently claiming the benefit. From April 2026, the rate of the UC health element will be cut by nearly 50 per cent, from 97 per week to 50 per week. This will be mean 2,500 less a year for new claimants, even after the 7 a week flat-rate rise to the standard UC allowance. The government is set to release a full assessment on the impact of the changes next week, revealing exactly how many people will be affected and how. James Taylor, Executive Director of Strategy at disability equality charity Scope, said: The biggest cuts to disability benefits on record should shame the government to its core. They are choosing to penalise some of the poorest people in our society. Almost half of families in poverty include someone who is disabled. The announcement will inevitably come as a disappointment to millions of disabled people living the UK, many of whom will now be faced with a real-terms cut to their livelihoods. There is no replacing the income that will be lost from the changes, but it can be helpful to ensure you are claiming all the support you are entitled to. Heres a guide to some of the other support available for those who are concerned about the cuts: Think you might be eligible for health benefits? Claim now First things first, these changes are not coming in immediately. They will be subject to lengthy consultations and a legislative process which means they will take a while to come into force. The earliest scheduled changes are set to come into effect in April 2026, when UC rates for those in receipt of the UC health element will be frozen, and is slashed for new applicants. This means anyone who believes they are eligible for the health element of Universal Credit should consider applying as soon as possible. This will ensure that they are able to keep the receiving the payment at the previous amount, worth a massive 2,500 a year. It is also worth considering applying for PIP now if you think you might be eligible. It wont be until November 2026 that the criteria for the benefit is changing to make it more difficult to claim, and until 2028 that the assessment for it is combined with the one for UCs health element. Get a local care needs assessment For those who need help with coping day-to-day, local councils have an obligation to offer support through their social services. Anyone can request a care needs assessment from their local council, either by calling them or online. It works similar to PIP, providing support for specific needs. open image in gallery Millions of disabled benefit claimants will be affected by the changes announced on Tuesday ( Getty Images ) This could be things such as equipment like a walking frame or personal alarm; changes to the home, like as a walk-in shower; practical help from a paid carer; and day care for your child if either you or they are disabled. To assess eligibility, the council will arrange an assessment with someone from their services, like a social worker or occupational therapist. They may also recommended that you be referred for a home adaptations assessment, something else you can also apply for yourself. Over 66? Look into Attendance Allowance Attendance allowance is a benefit for pensioners who have a disability or health condition severe enough to need someone to regularly help them. The DWP benefit can pay up to 108.55 a week, adding up to an total of 5,644. Crucially, the payment is not means-tested, meaning anyone who qualifies will get it regardless of their income or savings. There are many common health conditions that could qualify a person for attendance allowance. These include arthritis, blindness, heart disease, Parkinsons and asthma. Attendance allowance is paid at two rates depending on the level of care that is needed. The higher rate is worth 108.55 a week, while the lower is worth 72.65 a week. Other services available Benefits support The Trussell Trust and Citizens Advice offer a Help through Hardship helpline on 0808 208 2138. It is a free and confidential phone service that provides advice to people experiencing hardship. Turn2Us provides a free benefits calculator to help people find out what benefits they can claim. The charity also offers a grants search service and PIP helper. Local services for benefits and support can be found on the Law Centres website, as well as the Citizens Advice Bureau finder. For the latest benefit payment dates and updates, you can visit The Independents regularly updated guide. Mental health support Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Labour minister sent out to defend the governments welfare cuts has admitted he could not live on the 70 a week universal credit young people could be forced to survive on. In an interview with BBC Newsnight, Torsten Bell, former chief executive of the left-leaning Resolution Foundation think tank, said the 5bn welfare cuts involved tough choices. Under the current system, those who are out of work are able to claim universal credit to help with living costs, which is currently worth around 70 per week for single people under 25. open image in gallery Torsten Bell said left-wing critics were defending a Tory benefit system ( Torsten Bell ) Personal independence payments (PIP) are paid on top of universal credit to supplement the income of those with disabilities, but around a million people will lose them as the eligibility criteria are tightened. Asked about plans to reduce welfare provisions, the pensions minister admitted he absolutely couldnt live on 70 each week. Pressed on why he is expecting young people to live on that amount, he said: Well no, I have a mortgage to pay, adding that the benefits system exists to provide housing benefit support for young people as well. Mr Bell argued the current system is a disaster for young people and accused left wing critics of defending a Tory benefit system. Despite the reforms, Mr Bell vowed: People with significant disabilities will be protected. They will. Not only will they be protected within the universal credit system, which is the one you're mentioning, but they'll also be able to apply for PIP. So people with significant disabilities, if they are young, if they're currently receiving UC health, they will continue to receive it. And if they have significant disabilities, they will still be allowed to apply for PIP. Mr Bell said the previous system has failed and is driving up the number of people who are out of work and receiving benefits. And, asked about critics of the government, including former Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell, Mr Bell said: I've said this gently to John and to others that they are defending a Tory benefit system that writes off millions as unable to work. As the war of words escalated, Mr McDonnell hit back, saying: Torsten Bell has just accused me of defending a Tory welfare system. That is a lie. I have consistently called for reform of the system but not a reform based upon billions of pounds of cuts that will harm and put the lives of disabled people at risk. open image in gallery Liz Kendall said the current benefit system is failing ( AP ) Responding to the cuts, the now independent MP Mr McDonnell warned in the Commons: The reality is trying to find up to 5bn worth of cuts by manipulating, by changing, the PIP rules, the criteria will result in immense suffering and weve seen it in the past loss of life. Other critics included left-wing Labour MP Clive Lewis, who asked whether ministers understood the pain and difficulty that this will cause millions of people, while Labour chair of the work and pensions committee Debbie Abrahams accused the government of balancing the books on the backs of sick and disabled people. Work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall said the bulk of the changes, aimed at saving 5bn by 2030, would fall on PIP by raising the threshold that people can qualify for it. She pointed out there were 1,000 new PIP claimants every week, a level she said was unsustainable. Announcing the cuts, Ms Kendall told parliament the current social security system is failing the very people it is supposed to help and holding our country back. Despite the changes marking the largest welfare cuts since 2015, ministers have been unable to rule out further slashing the bill further down the line. open image in gallery Prime minister Keir Starmer supported Ms Kendalls benefit cuts ( PA Wire ) Resolution Foundation chief executive Ruth Curtice told BBC Radio 4's Today programme a million people will completely lose their right to PIP through the cuts. She said: "The government haven't given us a number for how many will be affected, and because they've made quite a detailed change to the system, we can't tell exactly who will be affected. "I think it would have been good if the government had told us yesterday, but given what they've told us about how much they're planning, the Resolution Foundation estimate it's around a million people who are losing their entitlement to PIP completely." Despite the barrage of criticism, Sir Keir Starmer said on Tuesday: This government will always protect the most severely disabled people to live with dignity. But were not prepared to stand back and do nothing while millions of people especially young people who have potential to work and live independent lives, instead become trapped out of work and abandoned by the system. It would be morally bankrupt to let their life chances waste away. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Rachel Reeves has ruled out "tax and spend" policies ahead of her crunch spring statement next week. The chancellor is under pressure to fill a hole of around 20 billion in the public finances as she scrambles to meet her own financial rules following higher-than-expected borrowing and disappointing economic growth. A further blow to her plans came on Friday, when official figures showed government borrowing had soared past February forecasts. In an interview with the BBC, Ms Reeves signalled that she would not raise taxes, amid expectations of swingeing cuts to government departments in her statement on Wednesday. "We can't tax and spend our way to higher living standards and better public services. That's not available in the world we live in today," she said. UK Government borrowing has soared above forecasts last month (Jordan Pettitt/PA) ( PA Wire ) It is thought the chancellor will raise the spectre of Liz Truss's disastrous mini-budget, which led to severe marked turmoil, in the run up to her statement, arguing cuts are necessary to avoid a similar fall out. The defence budget has already been boosted by the governments controversial decision to slash spending on aid in half, a move which triggered the resignation of the international development minister. Sweeping cuts to welfare, totalling more than 5 billion, were also announced this week, prompting another backlash from Labour backbenchers. When she delivers her spring statement, Ms Reeves will be responding to new forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility made after the Bank of England reduced its forecasts for growth this year. Public sector net borrowing was 10.7 billion in February, 4.2 billion more than had been forecast by the OBR. Former Labour work and pensions secretary Lord Blunkett has urged the chancellor to loosen her fiscal rules. "I would like the chancellor to loosen a little the self-imposed fiscal rules, this is Treasury orthodoxy and monetarism at its worst," he told BBC Radio 4's the Week in Westminster. "I would lift them marginally. I would raise the self-imposed rule by at least 10-15 billion and I would spend a great chunk of it on what we did back in '97 with the new deal for the unemployed." Earlier this week, Treasury minister Darren Jones denied the government was "blindly cutting spending" and moving towards austerity. Ms Reeves also told the BBC: "I recognise that with the privilege of doing a job like the one I'm doing today also comes a great deal of scrutiny. I absolutely believe that every policy that I announce, every pound of public money, of taxpayers' money that I spend, and every pound that I take from people is properly scrutinised. That's part of the job." The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Kanye West launched into a social media tirade against his former mentor Jay-Z and Beyonces seven-year-old twins as the rappers tumultuous relationship reached a crescendo. West, 47, peddled rumors that the Texas Hold Em hitmaker used in vitro fertilization to conceive Rumi and Sir Carter while questioning their cognitive development in an X post which was later removed and then reposted. Wait has anyone ever seen Jay-Z and Beyonces younger kids they're r*******, he tweeted Tuesday. No like literally and this is why artificial insemination is such a blessing having r******* children is a choice. West reuploaded the post early Wednesday morning, with the addition: If Twitter take my s**t down them so be it but I need yall to no Jay-Jay Z or nobody have no power over me. The rapper, who has faced severe backlash for his antisemitic, homophobic and misogynistic remarks on the platform in recent weeks, went on to post another seven times about Jay-Z and Beyonce in just over 20 minutes. The tweets came just hours after West caused further outrage as he was recorded wearing a swastika chain around his neck alongside white supremacist Nick Fuentes. open image in gallery Kanye West, photographed at the Grammy Awards last month, attacked Jay-Z and Beyonces youngest children on X ( Getty Images for The Recording Academy ) Concerning the Jay Z and Beyonce tweet n***** said I woukd [sic] regret it, he wrote in his most recent post. I regret taking it down my Twitter is a one way conversation. The rappers have fallen out multiple times throughout the years since their first meeting in 2000, when the West produced a track for Beanie Sigel, a signee to Jay-Zs Roc-A-Fella Records. Their first major public rift occurred after Jay-Z and Beyonce decided to skip Wests wedding to Kim Kardashian in 2014. West told Charlamagne tha God he was hurt on iHeartRadios The Breakfast Club in 2018. After Kardashian was robbed at gunpoint in Paris in 2016 while West was performing in New York, the rapper reflected later while on stage that same year, alleging that Jay Z wasnt supportive of him. The next day, West was hospitalized for stress and exhaustion, reportedly suffering from hallucinations. In 2018, however, Jay-Z told David Letterman that West was his little brother. By 2022, West said that Beyonce should let her husband cheat on her. open image in gallery Kanye West and Jay-Z, pictured in 2004, have fallen out and made up multiple times throughout the years ( Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock ) Just hours before attacking Jay-Z and Beyonce on X, West unloaded on rapper Playboi Carti who was arrested on aggravated assault charges for an alleged incident involving his girlfriend in 2023 claiming that they were both violent towards women. Carti beat women, I beat women but everybody hate Diddy, West tweeted on Tuesday evening. Sean Diddy Combs awaits trial for a litany of charges, including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. West followed up the X post by tweeting: Make up sex be crazy after a big fight. The 24-time Grammy Award-winning artist has also attacked other hip-hop stars in recent days, including Cardi B, Iggy Azalea and Kendrick Lamar. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Documents relating to Prince Harrys US visa application have been unsealed in court but with heavy redactions over fears he would be exposed to harm and harassment. A US court had ordered the release of the documents based on a freedom of information request by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative US think tank in Washington DC, who alleged that the Duke of Sussex concealed past drug when moving to the US in 2020, which should have disqualified him from obtaining a visa. The claims centre around revelations in Prince Harrys 2023 memoir Spare, in which he wrote about having previously taken cocaine, cannabis and psychedelic mushrooms, in 2020. The foundation argued that Prince Harrys right to privacy was outweighed by an intense public interest in whether he received special treatment during the application process when moving with his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, after they stepped down as senior royals. Application forms for US visas specifically ask about current and past drug use. Admissions of drug use can lead to rejection, although immigration officers have discretion to make a final decision. In the book, Prince Harry wrote that he first tried cocaine at the age of 17. "It wasn't much fun, and it didn't make me particularly happy, as it seemed to make everyone around me, but it did make me feel different, and that was the main goal," he added. He also wrote about using marijuana, saying "cocaine didn't do anything for me", but "marijuana is different, that actually really did help me". The Duke and Duchess of Sussex ( Getty Images ) In September last year, Judge Carl Nichols ruled in favour of the DHS and said public interest did not outweigh Prince Harrys right to privacy. But in a reversal last week, Judge Nichols ordered the government to file redacted versions of the princes application documents to the court docket by the end of Tuesday. In the event, very little information was disclosed in the documents which were released. No details have been given as to what Prince Harry put on his immigration form. The documents released are supporting declarations and court transcripts created in the course of Heritage Foundation's case. They run to some 80 pages, with half of them redacted. A chief freedom of information officer within the US Department for Homeland Security (DHS) argues in the documents that releasing Prince Harrys visa documents "would potentially expose the individual to harm from members of the public". The declaration from Jarrod Panter, submitted to the court in April last year, reads: "The USCIS [United States Citizenship and Immigration Services] routinely protects from disclosure the non-immigrant/immigrant status sought by third parties who do not have permission from the beneficiary to receive this information. "To release such information would potentially expose the individual to harm from members of the public who might have a reason to manipulate or harass individuals depending on their status in the United States." "To release his exact status could subject him to reasonably foreseeable harm in the form of harassment as well as unwanted contact by the media and others," he added. Neither Prince Harry nor The Heritage Foundation could immediately be reached for comment. President Donald Trump said last month he would not deport Harry, Ill leave him alone, he reportedly said. Hes got enough problems with his wife. Shes terrible. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Millions of Americans will soon be required to visit a Social Security Administration office rather than interact with the agency over the phone as it rolls out tighter identity-proofing measures in an effort to limit fraudulent claims. From March 31, recipients must verify their identity using the agency's my Social Security online service, and those who are unable to will be required to visit an agency field office in person to complete the verification process, the agency announced on Tuesday. The service will no longer be available over the phone. The change will apply to new and existing Social Security recipients from March 31. Retiree advocates warn that the change will negatively impact older Americans in rural areas, including those with disabilities, mobility limitations, those who live far from SSA offices and have limited internet access. The plan also comes as the agency plans to shutter dozens of Social Security offices throughout the country and has already laid out plans to lay off thousands of workers. In addition to the identity verification change, the agency announced that it plans to expedite processing of recipients direct deposit change requests both in person and online to one business day. Previously, online direct deposit changes were held for 30 days. The Social Security Administration is losing over $100 million a year in direct deposit fraud, Leland Dudek, the agencys acting commissioner, said on a Tuesday evening call with reporters his first call with the media. Social Security can better protect Americans while expediting service. He said a problem with eliminating fraudulent claims is that the information that we use through knowledge-based authentication is already in the public domain. This is a common sense measure, Dudek added. open image in gallery Demonstrators gather before a hearing regarding the Department of Government Efficiency's access to Social Security data ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) More than 72.5 million people, including retirees and children, receive retirement and disability benefits through the Social Security Administration. Connecticut Rep. John Larson, the top Democrat on the House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee, said in a statement that by requiring seniors and disabled Americans to enroll online or in person at the same field offices they are trying to close, rather than over the phone, Trump and Musk are trying to create chaos and inefficiencies at SSA so they can privatize the system. The DOGE website says that leases for 47 Social Security field offices across the country, including in Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Kentucky and North Carolina, have been or will be ended. However, Dudek downplayed the impact of its offices shuttering, saying many were small remote hearing sites that served few members of the public. Many Americans have been concerned that SSA office closures and massive layoffs of federal workers part of an effort by President Donald Trump and Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency to shrink the size of the federal government will make getting benefits even more difficult. Musk has pushed debunked theories about Social Security and described the federal benefit programs as rife with fraud, and called it a Ponzi scheme suggesting the program will be a primary target in his crusade to reduce government spending. Voters have flooded town halls across the country to question Republican lawmakers about the Trump administrations cuts, including its plans for the old-age benefits program. In addition a group of labor unions last week sued and asked a federal court for an emergency order to stop DOGE from accessing the sensitive Social Security data of millions of Americans. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice An investigation into another arson attack on Teslas has been elevated to the FBIs Joint Terrorism Task Force, officials have revealed. President Donald Trump has vowed to treat those who vandalize Teslas in mounting attacks to protest Elon Musks job cuts and the dismantling of the federal government through the Department of Government Efficiency as domestic terrorists. Musk is the owner of Tesla and has seen his public opinion - and stock price of the car company plummet - since he joined the White House to slash the government budget. Those people are going to go through a big problem when we catch them, Trump warned last week as he was promoting Musks Teslas outside the White House. Musk posted a video of the burning cars at the Tesla facility in Las Vegas on social media with a single word response: Terrorism. open image in gallery The FBI has joined the investigations into the mounting number of attacks and vandalism against Tesla vehicles ( AP ) open image in gallery President Donald Trump has vowed to treat those who vandalize Teslas in mounting attacks to protest Elon Musks job cuts and the dismantling of the federal government through the Department of Government Efficiency as domestic terrorists ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Molotov cocktails were used to torch the cars in the Tesla facility early Tuesday, said law enforcement authorities. Local officials said that the fires were set intentionally in what appeared to be a targeted Tesla attack. The suspect used the makeshift firebombs and at least one firearm to shoot into three different vehicles, officials said at a press conference. Las Vegas Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren said five vehicles were damaged and two were set ablaze. The suspect approached the business wearing all black. It wasnt yet clear if he operated alone, noted Koren, who said the police presence is being stepped up at Tesla facilities. What began as an arson investigation is now being probed by the FBIs Joint Terrorism Task Force, FBI Special Agent Spencer Evans said at the press conference. Violent acts like this are unacceptable, said Evans. Its a federal crime. We will come after you, we will find you and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Former Republican Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger has dared President Donald Trump to arrest him after the commander-in-chief erroneously claimed that the pardons issued by former President Joe Biden were void because of the use of an autopen. Kinzinger was one of two Republicans on the House Select Committee investigating the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot and was pardoned by Biden amid fears that Trump would go after those who probed the insurrection that led to his historic second impeachment. In a recent rant, Trump indicated that he may have an appetite to come after individuals such as Kinzinger. Trump said Sunday that the pardons were void because of claims that they were signed using an autopen. Kinzinger appeared on CNN on Monday night, daring Trump to take action. First off, Im trying to figure out what hes trying to distract from because thats what all this is always a distraction to try to get peoples attention, said Kinzinger. Or maybe he hasnt felt like hes gotten enough attention. But look ... Its like, bring it on, he added. The Oversight Project, which is part of the rightwing think tank the Heritage Foundation, took to social media earlier this month to share its claims that documents signed by Biden were not valid because they had allegedly been signed electronically. The preemptive pardons for members of the House Select Committee investigating the Capitol riot were part of that batch of files. Many conservatives have claimed that the Biden pardons are invalid if an autopen was used, but former President Barack Obama also used the method, which isnt forbidden by the constitution, with several legal experts making that point since the start of the controversy. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) speaks during a campaign event for Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris at Washington Crossing Historic Park on October 16, 2024. He dared Trump to bring charges against him on Monday ( Getty Images ) Similarly, memos from 1929 and 2005 from the Office of the Solicitor General and the Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel state that a hand signature isnt required to receive a pardon. Additionally, according to an 1868 ruling, presidential pardons are final after they have been delivered, HuffPost noted. Im like, look, we made it very clear what happened on January 6, said Kinzinger. America made a decision. And there is one person thats obsessed about the sixth because he still has been basically deemed guilty in the court of public opinion, and thats Donald Trump. And he cant handle it, he added. He obsesses about it. Fox News reported that it had looked at more than 20 executive orders signed by Biden between 2021 and 2024 and found that they had identical signatures. But the network also noted that that signatures were also the same on Trumps executive orders that he signed during both his first and his current term in office. Speaking to NBC News on Monday, Trump said he had used autopen signatures. Regarding possible charges, Kinzinger said, My reaction to him is like, you know what? Then bring it! Stop talking about it! Stop being all verbose. Stop pretending like youre tough. Bring the charges then if you really want to do it because we will crush you in court, he added. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A federal judge has denied the Trump administration's move to dismiss a case from Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student activist who was detained by immigration enforcement agents and jailed in Louisiana over his involvement in pro-Palestine demonstrations on campus. Khalil is currently detained in a Louisiana facility, more than 1,300 miles from New York, and has been placed in deportation proceedings. In his order Wednesday, New York District Judge Jesse Furman moved the case to New Jersey, where Khalil was detained at the time his lawyers filed for his release. Khalil has remained in Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention for more than a week as his lawyers challenge the targeted, retaliatory detention and attempted removal of a student protester because of his constitutionally protected speech. The arrest of Khalil, a lawful permanent resident married to a U.S. citizen who is eight months pregnant with their child, has sparked international outrage 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. Administration officials have accused Khalil of antisemitic activities and supporting Hamas, which he has denied. Officials concede he has not committed any crime, but claim he can be removed over what they characterize as potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences. His attorneys argue his arrest and detention and attempted removal from the country, which is currently blocked have violated his First Amendment right to freedom of speech and his Fifth Amendment right to due process of law, among other claims. open image in gallery Demonstrators outside a federal courthouse in Manhattan protest against the detention of Palestinian student activist Mahmoud Khalil on March 12 ( REUTERS ) At the heart of this case is the important question of whether and under what circumstances the government may rescind a persons lawful permanent resident status and remove him from the United States, Furman wrote. The judge said a transfer of Khalils case, rather than dismissal, is the path that courts usually take in these circumstances. That path is all the more appropriate in this case, as a dismissal of Khalils lawsuit challenging his arrest would toss Judge Furmans earlier court order preventing the government from deporting him while his legal challenge plays out, the judge wrote. In many ways, this is indeed an exceptional case, and there is a need for careful judicial review, according to Furman. Such judicial review is especially critical when, as here, there are colorable claims that the executive branch has violated the law or exercised its otherwise lawful authority in an arbitrary and discriminatory manner, he added. And in an exceptional case, it is all the more important for a court to apply well-established principles to the facts, lest emotions or passions interfere with reasoned analysis; that is the essence of the rule of law. The judge said he did not believe that Khalils transfer was done to prevent his lawyer from promptly challenging his detention in federal court, and that his movements from facility to facility do not appear to be that unusual. But requiring Khalil to relitigate his case in Louisiana would also mean litigating far from his lawyers, from his eight-months-pregnant wife, and from the location where most (if not all) of the events relevant to his petition took place, the judge wrote. A New Jersey court is the one and only district that could hear a challenge for his release, as well as his other claims of constitutional violations, he said. open image in gallery Mahmoud Khalil, a prominent organizer of Columbia Universitys pro-Palestine demonstrations, was detained by ICE and moved to a detention facility in Louisiana, where he was processed to be deported from the country before a legal challenge against his arrest ( REUTERS ) 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. 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 in court filings last week. On March 8, plainclothes federal agents followed Khalil and his wife into the lobby of an apartment building, and two other officers approached from inside the building, the filing states. They never produced a warrant, according to his attorneys. He was moved to a detention facility in New Jersey and then flown to Louisiana the next day. I am a political prisoner, Khalil said in a public statement published March 19. The Trump administration is targeting me as part of a broader strategy to suppress dissent in which visa-holders, green-card carriers and citizens alike will all be targeted for their political beliefs, he said. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A group of House Democrats are pleading with President Donald Trump to reconsider his disgraceful and discriminatory proposed travel ban that could impact 43 countries, according to a draft that circulated over the weekend. The deadline for Trumps order directing cabinet members to draft a list of countries that should face travel restrictions because their "vetting and screening information is so deficient" is Thursday. A reported draft of the list showed citizens from 43 countries could soon be restricted from entering the U.S.A. A White House official previously told The Independent no decision had been made. As the daughter of first-generation Iranian immigrants, I saw firsthand how Trumps cruel and xenophobic 2017 travel ban hurt families like mine, Rep. Yassamin Ansari, who penned the letter, said in a statement shared with The Independent. Just a few years ago, my grandmother an American citizen died without ever getting the chance to see her sister again. The newly proposed Trump travel ban is disgraceful and discriminatory. It does nothing to make us safer, but instead hurts our economy and our national security while emboldening extremists. Trump has billed the restrictions as a step toward protecting the U.S. from foreign terrorists and other national security threats. But Ansari, Illinois Rep. Brad Schneider, and more than 30 of their Democratic colleagues argued in a letter to Trump that his proposed travel ban is reckless and could actually do more harm than good. There is absolutely no national security imperative to wholesale ban travelers from large swaths of the globe, the Wednesday letter shared with The Independent reads. Nationality is simply not correlated with threats to our security. open image in gallery A group of House Democrats wrote a letter to President Donald Trump in opposition to his proposed travel ban that could target 43 countries, according to a draft released over the weekend ( REUTERS ) The travel ban could damage the U.S. economy, erode the trust of allied nations, and undermine the countrys moral standing on a global stage, the Democrats argued. Economically, a blanket ban could negatively impact the job market, tourism industry, and global trade. Our nations prosperity depends on open, secure, and mutually beneficial engagement with the world, not isolation, fear, and discrimination towards outsiders, the Democrats wrote. Broad restrictions also threaten to undermine relationships with allies, meaning the U.S. could risk losing these nations intelligence-sharing and counterterrorism efforts, which are critical to U.S. defense. Our retreat on the global stage from Ukraine to USAID is already prompting a turn away from the U.S. and our values and instead towards our adversaries, like Russia and China, they warned. The U.S. has long held the reputation as a compassionate leader, welcoming refugees, students, and individuals seeking a better life for themselves and their families. But these restrictions would inflict unnecessary hardship on these individuals who pose no threat, the letter added. We urge you to reconsider this extreme approach as it poses significant economic, moral, and security challenges that outweigh its intended benefits, the Congress members continued. open image in gallery Rep. Yassamin Ansari, an Arizona Congresswoman who co-led a letter to Trump opposing his 'dangerous and disgraceful' proposed travel ban ( House of Representatives ) The Democrats urged his administration to work with Congress to pursue commonsense reforms, like pathways to citizenship for hardworking, longtime residents, streamlining the visa process for families and employers, compassionate treatment of immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees, as well as addressing legitimate national security concerns. The letter comes as reports of the proposed ban over the weekend sparked fears about how international travelers, workers and students should prepare for what could be an imminent ban. Leaders at Ivy League schools have already warned international students and community members ahead of spring break to prepare for uncertainty when they plan on returning to the U.S. A pair of law professors at Yale similarly warned international students about a looming travel ban, in an email obtained by The Guardian. The professors advised that the students could be questioned about their support for Palestine noting the risk that their answers could get their visas revoked. We cannot advise you on how to answer such questions, the professors wrote, but you should be prepared to respond to them. The email was sent Sunday, two days after the Trump administration moved to revoke the green card of Columbia graduate student Mahmoud Khalil and detained him in ICE custody. Similarly at Brown University, Russell Carey, the schools executive vice president for planning and policy, sent out an email. Potential changes in travel restrictions and travel bans, visa procedures and processing, re-entry requirements and other travel-related delays may affect travelers ability to return to the U.S. as planned, the Brown Daily Herald reported. Olivia Troye, the former Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Advisor to former Vice President Mike Pence, also condemned the move, writing on X: As someone who worked on this at DHS as a national security officialI have a lot to say about the travel ban. I warned that it would be significantly worse in a second Trump term. 43 countries?! What justification are they going to use this time? Rep. Brad Schneider, who also led the letter to Trump, said the proposed bans represent a troubling step backwards. He continued in a statement: We diminish our country and our childrens future by surrendering to isolation and irrational suspicion. A draft of the list, obtained by the New York Times, separated countries into three sections red, orange, and yellow to denote the level of restriction. The red list includes 11 countries whose citizens would be entirely forbidden from entering the US: Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen. The orange list includes 10 countries whose citizens will be required to have specific visas: Belarus, Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, Sierra Leone, South Sudan and Turkmenistan. They will have to sit for in-person interviews to obtain a visa, the outlet reported. The yellow list contains 22 countries, mostly African nations, that the Trump administration is giving 60 days to address concerns over alleged vetting deficiencies. If these countries dont comply, they risk being placed on the red or orange lists, the Times reported. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A federal judge was alarmed by allegations that the so-called Department of Government Efficiency provoked a dramatic standoff this week with the U.S. Institute of Peace, culminating in what attorneys for the agency called a hostile takeover fueled by threats and harassment. Federal prosecutors have threatened institute officials with criminal prosecution, DOGE members warned that a private security contractor would lose government contracts, and the institutes president was forcibly removed by several law enforcement agencies events that attorneys with the Department of Justice have not disputed. In a hearing in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, District Judge Beryl Howell asked Justice Department attorneys whether Donald Trumps administration could enforce his executive order seeking to shutter the agency without using the force of guns and threats by DOGE against American citizens. I mean, this conduct of using law enforcement, threatening criminal investigations, using arms of law enforcement probably terrorizing employees and staff at the institute, when there are so many other lawful ways to accomplish the goals why? she said. Just because DOGE is in a rush? The institute is not a federal agency but an independent nonprofit established by Congress under President Ronald Reagan. Its headquarters in Washington, D.C., is not government property, and its personnel are not federal employees. The institute employs roughly 600 people in the United States and overseas with a congressional mandate to help resolve international conflicts. open image in gallery DOGE agents have effectively taken control of the U.S. Institute for Peace following a series of events that a lawsuit characterized as a hostile takeover fueled by threats and harassment ( AP ) On Monday, DOGE agents emptied the building and installed DOGE agent Kenneth Jackson as acting president. Jackson has been tapped to join the boards of several agencies gutted by DOGE, and he was recently nominated by Trump as a senior official at the U.S. Agency for International Development, which DOGE chief Elon Musk has threatened to throw into the wood chipper. A lawsuit seeking to block the Trump administration from shutting down the agency describes a takeover by force that followed a dramatic series of events following the presidents executive order signaling the institutes expected termination. The lawsuit brought by the institute and members of its board against Trump, DOGE and administration officials argues that the Trump administration unlawfully fired the institutes president George Moose after forcing out board members and replacing them with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, among others. Howell, however, denied a request for a temporary restraining order that would block DOGE from taking over the institute while a legal challenge plays out, noting that its a complicated entity with an unusual structure. But she said she is offended by DOGEs conduct. On Sunday, institute board members agreed to lock the office and suspend the buildings private security contract with Inter-Con after DOGE agents showed up last week. FBI agent Doug Silk then told the institutes security chief Colin OBrien that he was the subject of a Justice Department investigation, according to OBriens sworn statement in court documents. OBrien said he told his wife to lock the doors of their home, fearing FBI agents would show up to question him. On Monday, Washington, D.C.s Metropolitan Police Department said they were contacted by the U.S. Attorney's Office now under the direction of longtime Trump ally Ed Martin and sided with Jackson, who is described in a police statement as the institutes president, not Moose. DOGE agents then allegedly pressured Inter-Con vice president Derrick Hanna to hand over his spare keys to get into the building by threatening to revoke the companys government contracts. O'Brien said that when police arrived at the building around 5:30 p.m. Monday, officers were joined by Jackson and DOGE agents. I was told by D.C. police officers to stay put and not move. I was physically blocked by a D.C. police officer from moving about the building, OBrien wrote in his statement. I asked if I could retrieve my car keys and my car, and they said no. He said police then witnessed D.C. police retrieve lock picking equipment from a car. open image in gallery Demonstrators in Washington, D.C. protest DOGE efforts to slash the federal workforce and shutter agencies on March 10 ( Getty Images ) During Wednesdays hearing, a deflated Judge Howell said she was offended on behalf of American citizens that the institutes staff could be treated so abominably. And to strong-arm a private contractor? To threaten people with criminal investigations? she asked Brian Hudak, chief of the civil division of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington. That doesnt strike you as a little offensive? The White House has defended DOGEs actions and the removal of the institutes president and board. President Trump signed an executive order to reduce [the institute] to its statutory minimum, deputy press secretary Anna Kelly said in a statement. Rogue bureaucrats will not be allowed to hold agencies hostage. The Trump administration will enforce the Presidents executive authority and ensure his agencies remain accountable to the American people. DOGE under the U.S. DOGE Service has led a crusade across the federal government to fire tens of thousands of workers and slash billions of dollars in spending, which faces an avalanche of lawsuits questioning Musks authority and the presidents alleged constitutional abuses. On Tuesday, in a court ruling that appears to be the first to restrain Musk himself for his actions in the Trump administration, a federal judge ordered the billionaire and DOGE to reinstate access to email and payment systems for all USAID employees and contractors. That order also blocks the administration from taking any other actions to try to shutter the agency, including firing workers or placing them on leave, deleting websites, shutting bureaus and closing buildings. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice For over half a century, one thing was a constant in the Oval Office: the Swedish ivy plant above the fireplace - until now, that is. As the second Trump administration moved in, the plant was replaced by a range of golden objects. The ivy had seen a host of visitors since it was first perched atop the Oval Offices mantel including Nelson Mandela, Pope John II, Margaret Thatcher and Whitney Houston, The Washington Post noted. During the presidencies of Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter, the ivy was bushy before being cut down during the reign of Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. It appears in Bill Clintons presidential portrait. When the second George Bush arrived, it was split into three shrubs. It grew into a wider, hedge-like plant during the presidency of Barack Obama, who briefly changed it out for a different kind of ivy before it was cut into two smaller plants during Trumps first term. During President Joe Bidens time in the White House, the ivy once again grew bushier. While it was still there when Trump returned to office in January, it was gone by last month. Numerous people have descendants of the ivy in their homes, The Post noted. Clippings have been handed to White House staff when they leave their posts, and they have, in turn, given parts of the plants to friends and family. open image in gallery Donald Trump meets with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on February 4. By the time of the meeting, the ivy that has been on Oval Office staple for decades had been removed ( AFP via Getty Images ) Rico Gardaphe worked in the Office of Presidential Correspondence during the Obama administration. He told the paper that his Brooklyn home is overrun by the ivy. I kept a spreadsheet of all the people Ive ever worked with, he said. Its been my goal to get every one of them a clipping. It was at the very bottom of things that I decided to get upset about, he said regarding the ivys February disappearance from the Oval Office. On March 8, Mother Jones reported in a headline that The Countrys Most Famous Houseplant Is Missing. At a reception in Dublin, Ireland, in 2000, Clinton told the attendees: In the Oval Office of the president, on the mantel, there is a beautiful ivy plant which has been there for almost 40 years now. It was given to President Kennedy by the then-Irish ambassador to the United States as an enduring sign of the affection between our two people. However, the story may not be true, The Post noted, as the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library told the paper, Unfortunately, we havent been able to find evidence of the plants origins. open image in gallery Trump had the Ivy during his first term - but not his second ( Getty Images ) Kennedy scholar Barbara Ann Perry told the paper the oldest photo she has been able to find of the plant in the Oval Office is from the Ford White House. It does not make sense, does it? For an Irish ambassador to give Swedish ivy, said Perry. I mean, its still possible that the Swedish ambassador gave President Kennedy this gift. However, the plant, Plectranthus verticillatus, comes from South Africa and is in the same family of plants as mint and sage. The White House ivies get switched out and rest up in a greenhouse between their stints in the Oval Office, which is where the ivy was moved, without being replaced, last month, according to The Post. So why the change? Each new presidents decorate the White House to their individual tastes, and the second Trump administration has replaced the ivy with golden artifacts from the White House collection, including a bronze basket made in France in about 1815, handed to the Nixon administration in 1973. To each of the baskets sides are urns acquired by President James Monroe in 1817, not long after the British burned the White House during the War of 1812. The outer two pieces come from the Eisenhower administration and are usually stationed in the Vermeil Room. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Months after the valuation of X (formerly Twitter) was estimated to have fallen by 80 percent, investors are now pegging the social media platforms value at $44 billion, the same amount Elon Musk purchased the site for in 2022. According to The Financial Times, investors are now exchanging stakes in the company at increased value in a secondary deal as the worlds richest man looks to raise additional capital to pay off some of the debt he financed to buy X. The Times reported that in a primary round, Musk aims to bring in $2 billion through selling equity in the company, which will be used to offset a billion dollars in junior debt. The new $44bn valuation represents a rebound for Musk and the groups investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia Capital, 8VC, Goanna Capital and Fidelity Investments. The deal would help set a price for the upcoming primary round, the Financial Times noted. Bloomberg reported last month that Musk was pursuing a new round of fundraising that would value X at the same price he acquired it for which he admitted at the time he was obviously overpaying to buy the social media platform. This also represents the first time that Musk has raised money for the site since he took it private following his acquisition of the then-Twitter. open image in gallery Investors are now valuing X (formerly Twitter) at the same price that Elon Musk paid for the site in 2022. ( Leon Neal/via REUTERS ) Musk, who is now President Donald Trumps first buddy and is in charge of the administrations dismantling of the federal government, saw the social media giant plummet in value immediately after taking it over. After firing roughly three-quarters of the companys workforce and all but eliminating the platforms moderation policies, along with utilizing X as his own personal megaphone to sound off on his increasingly extremist political views, Musk has seen a large chunk of users flee the site and a number of businesses pull their advertising. With revenues initially sinking under Musks leadership, investment giant Fidelity Investments estimated last fall that its shares in the company were worth almost 80 percent less than they were at the time of Musks acquisition. This suggested at the time that the value of X was down to only $9.4 billion. The turnaround in Xs price tag is likely due to several factors. One is that the companys flatlining advertising revenue has possibly rebounded to pre-Musk levels. According to sources who spoke with the Financial Times, the social media platform recently posted about $1.2 billion in adjusted earnings for 2024, which is roughly equal to the companys performance before the 2022 purchase. At the same time, though, one person who spoke to the outlet said the earnings figure was wildly adjusted. Amid concerns among sponsors that their advertisements were appearing next to antisemitic and racist content, prompting a large-scale pullback of ad buys, Musk sued a global advertising alliance and blue-chip companies over the massive advertiser boycott, calling it illegal. We tried peace for 2 years, now it is war, he tweeted last August. Meanwhile, companies like Amazon whose founder, Jeff Bezos, has cozied up to Trump in recent months have increased their advertisement spending on X. Besides the supposed increase in revenue, investors increased confidence in X could also be due to large Wall Street banks having sold the vast majority of the $12.5 billion in loans Musk took out to purchase the site. Interest in buying up the loans had greatly improved following Trumps electoral victory and Musks emergence as one of the presidents top advisers and allies. Growth in the valuation was also likely due to Musk sweetening the pot by giving a 25 percent stake in his artificial intelligence startup xAI to investors in X last year. Since then, the AI company has improved in value to $45 billion, adding additional security to investors in the social media site. Still, as Musk is convincing investors that X which he hopes to turn into a do everything app eventually is worth $44 billion, his fortunes elsewhere havent been as rosy. While he initially saw his net worth explode shortly after Trumps election, much of that increase has dissipated in recent weeks due to the sharp market sell-off of Tesla, in which Musk has a massive stake. With the electric car maker experiencing plummeting sales across the globe and protests at dealerships in the United States, largely due to Musks far-right political pivot and alliance with Trump, the tech moguls shares in Tesla are no longer his most valuable asset. The growing unpopularity of Musk and dwindling Tesla sales figures even prompted Trump to hold an infomercial for the EVs on the White House lawn earlier this month despite the presidents longstanding disdain for electric cars. With several Teslas spread across the driveway and the president reading off pre-written facts about the cars, Trump stood next to Musk and promoted the beautiful vehicles and even vowed to buy one personally. Everythings computer, Trump gushed after climbing into one car alongside Musk. Meanwhile, the president declared that anyone who vandalizes or sets fire to a Tesla would be treated as a domestic terrorist. Since then, the FBIs Joint Terrorism Task Force has begun investigating arson attacks at Tesla facilities. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trumps administration has released what are believed to be all the U.S. government's remaining classified files on the assassination of President John F Kennedy in 1963. For the first time, thousands of previously unseen pages of government documents are now available regarding the former president's violent, untimely death in Dallas' Dealey Plaza. The document dump also includes details relating to the assassinations of Senator Robert F Kennedy and civil rights leader Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. It is unclear whether any new or especially shocking information is contained within the trove of newly released documents. Jefferson Morley, the author of a newsletter called "JFK Facts" and the author of three books about the CIA and its possible relation to the assassination, told USA Today that the document dump could be a "joke of a release" or it could add significant new information to Americas understanding of JFK's death. But no one will know for sure until the documents are studied in full. The documents were made public along with the following message from the National Archives and Records Administration: In accordance with President Donald Trumps directive of March 17, 2025, all records previously withheld for classification that are part of the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection are released. Donald Trump speaks to the press during a visit to the Kennedy Center of the Performing Arts Monday. Trump told the press that he planned to make public all of the governments still unreleased documents related to the assassinations of John F Kennedy, Robert F Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr. ( REUTERS ) National Archives officials said they worked with agencies from across the federal government to compile the records. The documents are available online or can be viewed in person via hard copy or through analog media at the National Archives in College Park, Maryland. At present, not all of the documents have been digitized, but that process is underway. The agency said that some details were redacted, but that the information kept private was related to tax return information and can be legally withheld under IRS privacy prohibitions. On Monday, Trump visited the JFK Center of the Performing Arts, where he has installed himself as the board's chairman, and told reporters that he planned to release the assassination records the following day. "People have been waiting for decades for this," he said. "We have a tremendous amount of paper. You've got a lot of reading. I don't believe we're going to redact anything. Trump promised during his campaign to release the documents, and began working toward their declassification on the first day of his second term. He signed an executive order calling for the full release of all government documents relating to the assassinations of Kennedy, his brother, and King. The release comes just a month after the FBI said it had found some 2,400 records relating to Kennedy's assassination. The deaths of all three leaders Kennedy's in particular have been the subject of conspiracy theories and finger pointing for decades. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trumps administration released thousands of classified documents related to the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy, but researchers say the trove excluded two-thirds of the promised files. On his third day in office, Trump ordered a full and complete release of all John F. Kennedy assassination records, with researchers anticipating some 3,500 documents that had never been shared with the public. The highly anticipated document dump happened Tuesday but some experts say that only a third of the redacted files were released. One of those experts is Jefferson Morley, the vice president at the Mary Ferrell Foundation, a database on the JFK assassination files. Tuesdays release is an encouraging start, Morley posted on X late Tuesday. But he also noted that only approximately 1,124 of the withheld documents had been released. The tranche didnt include two-thirds of the promised files, any of the 500 IRS records or the recently discovered FBI files, he noted. President Donald Trump ordered a full and complete release of files related to the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy but experts say many of them have not yet come out ( AP ) Last month, the FBI said it had found about 2,400 records relating to the assassination. Nonetheless, this is the most positive news on the declassification of JFK files since the 1990s, Morley continued. These long-secret records shed new light on JFKs mistrust of the CIA, the Castro assassination plots, the surveillance of Oswald in Mexico City, and CIA propaganda operations involving Oswald, he said. The release of the records regarding Kennedy, who was assassinated during a visit to Dallas, could potentially put an end to the many conspiracy theories that have surrounded his death for decades. "People have been waiting for decades for this," Trump said Monday at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. "We have a tremendous amount of paper. You've got a lot of reading. I don't believe we're going to redact anything. The files described 24-year-old Lee Harvey Oswald who was arrested for the assassination but killed before he was tried as a poor shot. Larry J. Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics and author of The Kennedy Half-Century, told the Associated Press that reviewing the released records will take some time. We have a lot of work to do for a long time to come, and people just have to accept that, Sabato said. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Karoline Leavitt issued a fiery rebuke to a French politician calling for the Statue of Liberty to be returned, with the White House press secretary stating his country should be very grateful to the U.S. that its not speaking German right now. Raphael Glucksmann, a member of the European Parliament and Frances center-left Place Publique party, called for the New York Harbor-based landmark to be brought home claiming that the U.S. no longer represents the values embodied by Lady Liberty after siding with tyrants. Leavitt said that President Donald Trump would absolutely not return the statue a gift from France some 140 years ago and clarified the U.S.s role in helping liberate France from Nazi occupation during World War II. My advice to that unnamed low-level French politician would be to remind them that its only because of the United States of America that the French are not speaking German right now, she said in a briefing Monday. So they should be very grateful to our great country. open image in gallery Karoline Leavitt issued a scathing rebuke to the French politician calling for the Statue of Liberty to be returned ( EPA ) Glucksmann made the remarks during a convention during a Place Publique movement Sunday. Give us back the Statue of Liberty, he said, according to Agence France-Presse. Were going to say to the Americans who have chosen to side with the tyrants, to the Americans who fired researchers for demanding scientific freedom: Give us back the Statue of Liberty. France gifted the statue, which stands 305 feet tall and weighs 450,000 lbs, to the U.S. on July 4, 1884, to commemorate the 108th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. open image in gallery The Statue of Liberty was gifted to the U.S. on July 4, 1884 ( Getty Images ) The iconic copper-clad sculpture was created by Frederic Auguste Bartholdi and currently sits on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. There is a replica of the statue in the Seine River in Paris. The U.S. likely would not have won the Revolutionary War had it not been for financial backing from the European nation. The U.S. did not return the favor when the French Revolution began in 1789. We gave it to you as a gift, Glucksmann continued, citing the United States founding values of freedom and liberty. But apparently you despise it. So it will be just fine here at home. He concluded his remarks by stating France would welcome top researchers who had been fired in the cuts to the National Institutes of Health and similar organizations. open image in gallery Raphael Glucksmann, a member of the European Parliament and Frances center-left Place Publique party, called for the Statue of Libertys return to France on Sunday ( AP ) Glucksmann, a member of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, is a staunch supporter of Ukraine. Last month, Trump and Vice President JD Vance accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of gambling with World War III during a contentious Oval Office meeting. The Ukrainian president left the White House without signing a minerals deal to secure U.S. help in ending the war with Russia. Earlier this month, Zelensky softened his stance and said he was ready to work under Trump's strong leadership and that it was time to make things right between the two nations. Trump is expected to hold a call with Vladimir Putin on Tuesday in an attempt to convince the Russian President to accept a ceasefire and end the conflict with Ukraine. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Senator Lisa Murkowski boldly declared she did not fear Elon Musk spending money against her as she criticized the indiscriminate firing led by his Department of Government Efficiency. Murkowski delivered her annual joint address to Alaskas legislature on Tuesday and during her address, she attacked DOGEs treatment of federal workers. The Trump administrations approach lacks the type of planning you need to avoid unintended consequences, and it lacks the fundamental decency you need when dealing with real people, she said. Public servants are not our enemies. Theyre our friends and neighbors, and they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. During a later press conference, she pushed back against criticism that she is not a better Republican or that she should get out of the party. I'm not going to compromise my own integrity by hiding from my words when I feel they need to be spoken. I'm going to take the criticism that comes, she said. It may be, it may be that Elon Musk has decided he's going to take the next billion dollars that he makes off of Starlink and put it directly against Lisa Murkowski. And you know what? That may happen. Sen. Lisa Murkowski mildly criticized Trump during her joint address to the state legislature and a press conference afterward. ( Getty Images ) The Alaska Republican senator has occasionally opposed President Donald Trump, having voted to convict him for his actions on January 6. She also voted against the confirmation of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and FBI Director Kash Patel, but approved some of Trumps more firebrand nominees such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr to lead the Department of Health and Human Services and Tulsi Gabbard as director of National Intelligence. Murkowski has also in the past criticized the Trump administrations attempts to freeze federal spending. Alaska holds ranked-choice voting, which allows Murkowski to not have to compete in a partisan primary like the one she lost in 2010 to a Tea Party candidate. Murkowski later won a write-in candidacy that same year. Murkowski said that the criticism she receives for staking out her positions has made her Republican colleagues less willing to criticize Musk or Trump. I get criticized for what I say, and then everybody else is like, Well, how come nobody else is saying anything? she said. Well, figure it out, because they're looking at ... how many things are being thrown at me, and it's like, Maybe I just better duck and cover. Murkowski also criticized Trumps tariffs against Canada and his criticism of Ukraine. Theyre already harming our timber industry, and we have Canada threatening tolls on goods trucked to our state, she said. Or foreign policy ... I am stunned by a turn of events that threatens to abandon Ukraine and collapse long-standing alliances from NATO to NORAD. But Murkowski said her criticism against Trumps policies was not explicitly anti-Trump. I am standing up for my role as a duly elected senator and a member of the congressional branch, standing up for my responsibilities under the Constitution, and I think I can do that without it being interpreted that I am against Trump, she said. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The aftereffects of Senate Democrats decision to help Republicans pass legislation to avert a government shutdown without securing any concessions are still being felt. Having won nothing including assurances that congressionally approved legislation would not be touched by DOGE cuts voters are furious with the Senate minority leader. His allies are doing absolutely nothing to throw him a lifeline. First, there was House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries telling reporters and news outlets that he disagreed with his colleagues strategy. Then it was Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, widely viewed as Schumers greatest threat in a Democratic primary, calmly laying out the frustrations of the base, especially progressives and younger voters, in an in-studio evening interview with CNNs Jake Tapper. Then finally, the knife from Nancy Pelosi, speaker emerita and continued power broker in the House caucus. I myself dont give away anything for nothing, she said at a press conference. I think thats what happened the other day. A classic Pelosi backhand, coupled with her statement of support for Schumers continued leadership of the Senate caucus. She, like other Democrats, has seen the writing on the wall and just delivered the same kind of non-endorsement that the former speaker gave Joe Biden in the wake of his disastrous June 2024 debate performance a tacit green light for the avalanche of calls for Biden to drop out which followed. The pressure has forced Schumer into doing the rounds on center-left media where he has sought to both acknowledge the frustrations of his partys base while maintaining that there was nothing he could have done to achieve a better outcome. He even postponed his book tour over concerns of meeting protesters at small-venue events. open image in gallery Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer led nine other Democrats in voting to break a filibuster on a GOP bill to avert a shutdown, despite calls to negotiate protections against DOGE. ( AP ) His damage control journey has included two stops for interviews with MSNBCs Chris Hayes, a lengthy sit-down with The New York Times, and a stop on The View, where the Senate Democratic leader found no refuge from the anger and disappointment aimed in his direction. "I think you caved. I don't think you showed the fight this party needs right now, because you're playing by a rulebook where the other party has thrown that rulebook away," co-host Sunny Hostin said. True, Schumer responded, presumably to the latter half of Hostins comment. Shed go on to accuse him of clearing the way for Republicans to gut Social Security. That bill, he told the co-hosts, was bad. I hated it, but it does far less damage [than a shutdown]. Were going to fight, were going to fight them on tariffs, were going to fight them on Social Security. Were going to stick it to them and fight hard. His apology tour comes as congressional Democrats are facing some of their worst approval ratings in recent memory. With no alternatives willing to publicly step forward and challenge his leadership yet (the earliest leadership elections would take place is late 2026), Schumer is nevertheless already stuck defending his political future. "I am the best leader for the Senate, he told CBS Mornings on Tuesday. I am the best at winning Senate seats." The swearing-in of the next Congress and the next referendum on Chuck Schumers leadership is still a long way away. For better or worse, hell have plenty more opportunities in the months ahead to prove that he can embody the Democratic bases desire to fight. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Editors note: Pseudonyms were used for the family in this story to protect their identity amid their deportation case When 10-year-old Sara Hernandez Garcia woke up feeling dizzy and in aching pain, her parents feared the worst. They bundled her and their four other children into the car and raced from their home in the Rio Grande Valley to the Texas Childrens Hospital in Houston. It had been a year since the childs emergency surgery for a brain tumor - but she still required constant care to prevent seizures. That morning her parents, Maria and Juan, prayed Sara would get the medical attention she needed but while passing through the Sarita Checkpoint on February 3 en route to the hospital, a new nightmare for the family began. Maria and Juan were detained, accompanied by their four young children, and taken to a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol facility, held for 24 hours before being piled into a van and deported to Mexico. Maria and Juan are also now separated from their eldest child, 17-year-old Fernando, a U.S. citizen, who remained in America. The familys desperate efforts to find medical care has broken up their home, landed them in the middle of a political battle and has them living in fear. That morning, waking up and thinking they needed to get their child to the emergency room and then suddenly, on the way to getting her to medical care, they get picked up and just sent out of the countryits absurd, the familys immigration attorney Daniel Woodward told The Independent. They are really struggling right now, he added. open image in gallery A family, whose faces are blurred to protect their identities, were detained while on the way to take 10-year-old Sara to the hospital. She needed medical care but her parents were ended up in the deportation system instead ( Texas Civil Rights Project ) Maria and Juan have six children ages 6, 8, 10, 13, 15 and 17. Five are U.S. citizens who have never known any other home than America. The undocumented couple has lived in the U.S. since 2013 and has no criminal record. None of that mattered as the parents were quickly deported when they entered the system. Now, they are fighting to be allowed to return to America so they can get their daughter care - as a family. Their plight is detailed in a complaint filed by the Texas Civil Rights Project with the Department of Homeland Securitys Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. The family allege customs officers confiscated some of Saras medication and the children were kept in deplorable conditions for 24 hours after during the deportation process, according to the filing obtained by The Independent. They also allege CBP denied urgent medical care to a vulnerable and disabled U.S. citizen child. Hilton Beckham, Customs and Border Protections assistant commissioner of public affairs, said the allegations were false and irresponsible. CBP abides by strict legal and humanitarian standards, with processing facilitiesincluding those in the Rio Grande Valley Sectorunder continuous internal and external monitoring to ensure proper medical care, nutrition, welfare checks, and humane conditions, Beckham said in a statement to The Independent. The health and well-being of those in custody remain a top priority, with access to necessary medical attention always ensured. open image in gallery A 10-year-old U.S. citizen had emergency surgery for a brain tumor last year. When she woke up last month feeling unwell, her family raced her to the Texas Childrens Hospital but Customs and Border Protection officers detained the entire family and then had them deported to Mexico ( Texas Civil Rights Project ) Maria and Juan, who do not have legal status, moved to America in 2013 in search of a better life. They worked hard and are valued members of their community, the complaint stated. They are dedicated members of their local church, it read. Maria and Juan have no criminal records and spent decades working to build a better life for their children. The children thrive in school, especially in music and art. The eldest, Fernando, dreams of joining the U.S. military after he graduates from high school. In addition to Saras complex medical needs, her 15-year-old brother, Manuel, and 13-year-old sister, Elizabeth, were born with a rare heart rhythm disorder called Long QT Syndrome. They require regular medical observation, and Manuel wears a heart monitor. Saras health rapidly deteriorated in 2023 when she began to display symptoms. Her left foot started to turn at an odd angle. She had stomach pain, according to the complaint. She was doing worse in school. She started pulling her hair and complained of headaches. Doctors diagnosed her with autism, but Maria and Juan worried that they were missing something. Their fears came true when Sara suffered a seizure in February 2024 and was rushed to hospital. There, doctors discovered a tumor in her brain and she was airlifted to Texas Childrens Hospital in Houston. Sara nearly died at one point and Maria thought she was holding her daughters lifeless body in her arms, the complaint says. Surgeons performed an emergency procedure to remove the tumor and, fortunately, Sara survived. They told the parents it was a miracle. open image in gallery Maria and Juan Hernandez Garcia, pictured in happier times with their children in the car, have worked hard and are prominent members of their community. Their family detailed their lives and fight to get back to the U.S. in filings to the Department of Homeland Security ( Texas Civil Rights Project ) In the year that followed, the surgery caused struggles for Sara and her family. The right side of her body is partially paralyzed, she wears a leg brace and often forgets words. Every day, the child must take medication to prevent seizures, and her parents carry an emergency nasal spray in case she has one. Maria stopped working to care for her daughter, which hit the family financially. When Sara complained of a painful headache last month, Maria and Juan didnt hesitate to get her to the specialists overseeing her care. But they never made it. Instead, the family was stopped at the Customs and Border Patrol Sarita Checkpoint. They presented documentation regarding Saras medical condition, as they had done several times before when passing through to get to the hospital in Houston. This time was different. The Trump administrations directive for a large-scale mass deportation was in place. Maria and Juan explained their situation to the officers and showed them the childrens birth certificates to prove they were U.S. citizens. They also handed officers a letter that explained Sara is a patient at the hospital undergoing treatment for a brain tumor and that because of the grave nature and complexity of her disease, she must be able to get to the hospital. Rather than let Sara proceed to Texas Childrens, CBP officers detained the entire family, the complaint says. Customs and Border Protection denies the allegation. An officer then called staff at Texas Childrens Hospital and received confirmation that Sara was a patient, according to the complaint. At this point, officers neither allowed the family to proceed to Texas Childrens nor brought her to a local facility to address her potential medical, the complaint says. Officers took no action at all to ensure Sara got the care she needed. Instead, they confiscated her medication. After six hours at the check point, the family was transferred to a nearby detention facility where they allege they suffered a series of abuses and humiliation from customs officers. After 24 hours, the whole family was put in a van and dropped off in Mexico. These children have grown up in the U.S. They've gone to U.S. schools and were doing well, Woodward told The Independent. And their mom said to me at one point that the children always wanted to know Mexico and see where they and where their parents are from. But not like this. open image in gallery The family was passing through the Sarita Checkpoint in Texas on the way to the hospital, as they had done many times, when officers detained them. They remained there for six hours before they were taken to a nearby detention facility for 24 hours and put on a bus to Mexico ( US Customs and Border Protection ) Now the family is living in rural Mexico staying with relatives and lying low out of fear the children could be kidnapped by gangs once they learn they are U.S. citizens. They are also fighting to try and get back to the U.S. As a result, Maria and Juan are keeping the children at their relatives property. They cannot go to school or the doctor. They have not left the property in nearly a month, the complaint says. Sara urgently needs access to more medication and to see the doctors who are overseeing her care. All the while, their 17-year-old son Fernando remains in the U.S. separated from his family. She is due for an MRI in the U.S. right now, Woodward said. And then she's also struggling with the medication, he added and explained that the familys logistics and loss of income now make that near impossible. Woodward said it is possible that Customs and Border Patrol made a mistake with the case and didn't know what they were doing at the time. But if it was not a mistake, he added the case was indicative of an administration with a complete lack of humanity. If this wasn't a mistake, I think it speaks to a complete lack of humanity and recognition that families deserve to belong together, Woodward said. That U.S. citizen children deserve to get healthcare in the U.S. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The town hall for Nebraska Republican Rep. Mike Flood quickly descended into chaos on Tuesday night as he attempted to answer questions regarding Elon Musk, President Donald Trumps tariffs, the new U.S. stance towards Ukraine, and other issues. Flood, who held the town hall in Columbus, Nebraska, in the face of guidance from his party not to do so, was booed and had his constituents yelling at him during the event. The Republicans have told its members to host call-ins and live-streamed town halls instead. That advice was issued after several lawmakers events were widely shared online amid protests and complaints about the Trump administration from attendees. Republicans, including Speaker Mike Johnson, have blamed Democratic activists. Flood faced an aggravated crowd from the get-go, with attendees booing, yelling responses to his remarks, and cheering when one constituent shared a complaint, with one attendee holding a sign saying liar, according to The Hill. One of the more chaotic moments came after a voter slammed Flood for saying that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was disrespectful following last months now-infamous Oval Office meeting. First of all, I do want to say shame. I want to say shame for your comment, your quote that you said, President Zelenskys approach today was disrespectful to President Trump and undermines the goal of bringing peace and that. So shame on that, said the voter. Responding to a previous question, Flood had said that he backed Ukraine, supported earlier aid to the country and that he thinks they shouldnt have to hand over any land to Russia, prompting applause from the crowd. U.S. Rep. Mike Flood (R-NE) arrives at a House Republican candidates forum in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill on October 23, 2023, in Washington, D.C. Flood faced angry voters during a town hall on Tuesday night ( Getty Images ) Flood was also accused of not doing enough to help constituents with their concerns. Congressman Flood, I just heard you in the last few minutes say that you support NATO, that you will not allow cuts to Social Security, that you support Ukraine, but talk is cheap, one person said, according to The Hill. Our president, our vice president and Elon Musk have caused damage, theyve humiliated the United States because weve failed them. We are failing to support democracy. We have a president that openly supports [Russian President Vladimir] Putin instead, and I have called your office over and over, and I have received answers from you, and they do nothing about any of those things, he added. You have done nothing. When are you going to do something? There was raucous applause from the crowd as Flood told the attendee he was wrong before citing his previous backing of Ukraine. Shouting also erupted as Flood attempted to answer a question regarding cutting Medicare, with the representative urging the crowd to remain calm and allow him to answer the question. Flood faced a barrage of questions about Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency. The representative was confronted with boos and thumbs down when he said he supported Musks efforts to slash the federal government. You talk about national security, yet you have done nothing to stop Elon Musk and his little band of tech geeks, one attendee told Flood. They went in, and they had read-write access to the agencies, and that is a huge national security threat. The fact that you have not done anything to stand up to him, and this talk of, I support Trump, I support Elon Musk, thats not enough, okay, she argued. We need actual action. We need actual cybersecurity experts to go in and make sure that our government is secure because Trump is in the pocket of Putin, and you are letting him continue. Separately, Flood was asked, What are you doing to stop the activities of unelected and unconfirmed Elon Musk? I know you disagree with what Mr. Musk is doing, I know you disagree with the way this is rolling out, but this is the process that we are using to find waste, fraud, and abuse, said Flood to boos and shouting, according to The Hill. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trump on Tuesday claimed his administration would not openly defy court orders despite declarations from top aides to not care about judges decisions amid a slew of rulings across the country against immigrant deportations and federal firings. Trump appeared to take the multiple court losses personally. He told Fox News host Laura Ingraham in an interview that nobody has been through more courts than I have, citing his experience as a criminal defendant in multiple court cases and countless civil lawsuits over the years, and complained he has had the worst judges in the various cases. But when pressed by Ingraham on whether his administration would flout court orders from judges who have ordered his administration to stop deporting people under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act and on other court orders blocking his administrations effort to shutter the U.S. Agency for International Development and fire tens of thousands of federal workers, Trump insisted that he never did defy a court order as president. No, you can't do that, he said. But the president also claimed that the courts are ruling against him because they are staffed by very bad judges who shouldnt be allowed to make decisions that impinge on what he has claimed to be part and parcel of his authority as president. Trump blasted veteran jurist U.S. District Judge James Boasberg the chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia whose impeachment he had called for earlier in the day a lunatic. Trumps launched his tirade against Boasberg after the federal judge held an emergency hearing on Monday to press government lawyers on defying a Saturday evening emergency order barring deportation of any Venezuelan national targeted under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act. Trump had invoked the act late last week, claiming the country was under an invasion by Tren de Aragua, a criminal gang which the administration has declared to be a foreign terrorist organization linked to the Venezuelan government. Boasbergs order directed the administration not to remove anyone from the country after a group of Venezuelan nationals filed suit. The government has not deported those five named plaintiffs. But planes carrying roughly 250 others who were accused by the Trump administration of being members of Tren de Aragua left airports in Texas during a Saturday evening hearing shortly before Boasberg issued the order. On Monday, at a second hearing demanded by Boasberg, the jurist became irate when Department of Justice lawyers insisted that they had urgent national security reasons for keeping the planes in the air instead of turning them around as ordered. Any plane that you put into the air in or around that time, you knew that I was having a hearing at 5, the judge reportedly said. Trump and his supporters subsequently called for Boasburg to be impeached because the president did not like his order. That protpted a rare rebuke from Supreme Court Chief Justice Roberts, who branded calls for impeachment inappropriate. Trump told Ingraham he believes his administrations policy will ultimately be upheld by the Supreme Court, which includes three justices who were named to the bench during his first term, because the job of getting people out of our country that are murderers, that are absolutely the worst people ... that's a presidential thing. He added: You have local judges, local federal judges ... that want to really take over. I think some of it's for the publicity. They love the publicity. All of a sudden they're on the front page of every newspaper, but they have no right to be. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Columbia University faces a Thursday deadline to respond to a sweeping set of demands from the Trump administration, which has made an unprecedented threat to permanently pull $400 million in federal funding unless the Ivy League university makes changes to address how it responds to antisemitism on campus. Last week, the administration said that as a precondition of maintaining financial ties to the federal government, the university would need to ban face masks, up police powers on campus, change its disciplinary process, put its department of Department of Middle East, South Asian, and African Studies under receivership, and adopt a definition of antisemitism that critics say bars criticizing Israel, among other changes. The threats from the White House have prompted a wide range of opinions from observers. Some, like Columbias Jewish alumni association, called for the school to accept the changes. We urge Columbia to ignore all media framing, TAKE THIS LIFELINE, and act decisively now to restore the mission and the future of the university, it wrote in a statement on X on Wednesday. This has been an immensely difficult time. Let's not lose this opportunity to restore our beautiful school's legacy. Others argue that the Trump administration is trying to exert authoritarian control over the campus, where left-leaning protesters have sharply criticized both the Biden and Trump White Houses role in supporting Israel during its conflict with Hamas, a war that human rights groups say has morphed into a genocide. Columbia has been focus of protests against Israel-Hamas war and crackdown on campus protest since late 2023 ( AP ) This attempt to discipline and control a university campus is a transparent hallmark of authoritarian rule and harshly violates the central mission of education: teaching, research, and service to the broader society for the public good. We also believe it to be illegal, the American Association of University Professors said in a statement when the Trump administration first outlined its demands. Legal experts say the Trump administration may have skipped key steps in a provision of the Civil Rights Act in asserting campus discrimination against Jews at Columbia. There has been no express finding, there has been no record, there has been no opportunity for a hearing, Samuel Bagenstos, a law professor at the University of Michigan and former general counsel for the Health and Human Services Department told The Associated Press. This is just dramatically in violation of the procedural requirements under Title VI. Critics say the administration is already cracking down on campus dissent, pointing to the recent immigration arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a recent Columbia grad and U.S. green card holder who was detained by immigration agents at a university-owned apartment. The White House has admitted Khalil, who could soon be deported, did not break any laws, but rather that the Secretary of State determined his protest activities were harmful to U.S. policy interests. Other campuses will be keenly watching for Columbias response. The Department of Education has warned at least 60 colleges and universities they could face repercussions if theyre deemed to have failed to protect Jewish students. The White House has also pushed universities on other issue areas, suspending $175 million in funding to the University of Pennsylvania because it allows a transgender athlete in its swimming program. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Donald Trumps administration admits that many of the dozens of Venezuelan men deported to El Salvadors notorious mega prison have no criminal record whatsoever. But a lack of a criminal record does not indicate they pose a limited threat, according to a sworn statement from an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official submitted in court filings. A lack of specific information about each individual actually highlights the risk they pose, according to ICE official Robert Cerna. It demonstrates that they are terrorists with regard to whom we lack a complete profile, he wrote. The extraordinary statement was included in court filings from the Trump administration calling on a judge to reverse his order that temporarily blocks deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, a move that government lawyers called an affront to the Presidents broad constitutional and statutory authority to protect the United States from dangerous aliens who pose grave threats to the American people. District Judge James Boasberg has ordered government attorneys to respond to several questions about the timing of the flights, when the planes left U.S. airspace, and who was on them to determine whether officials intentionally defied his court order. The Trump administration has appealed the injunction, and Department of Justice attorneys have argued that there is no justification to order the provision of additional information, and that doing so would be inappropriate. Those answers would disclose sensitive information bearing on national security and foreign relations, according to a court filing from Justice Department lawyers. In this photo provided by El Salvador's presidential press office, prison guards transfer deportees from the U.S., alleged to be Venezuelan gang members, to the Terrorism Confinement Center in Tecoluca, El Salvador, Sunday, March 16, 2025 ( El Salvador's presidential press office via AP ) Three flights allegedly containing members of Venezuelas Tren de Aragua gang left the United States for El Salvador on Friday night despite the judges verbal and written orders that expressly blocked them from taking off. A timeline is crucial to determine whether the administration openly defied the order, citing Trumps unprecedented claim of executive authority what critics fear is a threshold that shreds critical checks and balances. The implications of the governments position are staggering, attorneys for deported Venezuelan immigrants wrote to an appeals court Tuesday. If the President can designate any group as enemy aliens under the Act, and that designation is unreviewable, then there is no limit on who can be sent to a Salvadoran prison, or any limit on how long they will remain there, they added. At present, the Salvadoran President is saying these men will be there at least a year and that this imprisonment is renewable. Trump, meanwhile, has demanded the judges impeachment, drawing a rare rebuke from Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts on Tuesday. For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision, he said in a statement to reporters. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose. The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers has also criticized the administrations arguments and condemned the presidents attacks. Accusations without evidence, the denial of access to legal counsel, and the apparent defiance of court orders not to deport accused individuals without a hearing represent a dangerous departure from these principles, association president Christopher A. Wellborn said in a statement. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Donald Trump has overturned an executive order signed by Lyndon B Johnson in 1965 to jettison a requirement that federal contractors must enforce rules against segregation in their workplaces. The General Services Administration last month issued a memo to all federal agencies pointing out that Trumps order no longer requires businesses paid with taxpayer dollars in contracts to ensure they wont have facilities like segregated dining areas for Black and white employees. State and federal laws still outlaw segregation in all companies, including government contractors, but New York University constitutional law professor Melissa Murray told NPR that Trumps message in lifting the ban is significant and disturbing. "It's symbolic, but it's incredibly meaningful in its symbolism," she said, noting that the changes conflict with laws established by the government in the 1950s and 1960s "that led to integration." The fact that they are now excluding those provisions from the requirements for federal contractors speaks volumes," Murray told NPR. open image in gallery President Donald Trump has jettisoned an executive order signed in 1965 that banned segregation in the workplaces of federal contractors ( PA Wire ) Under the Federal Acquisition Regulation a set of rules used by federal agencies to write contracts between the government and contractors a clause required any company receiving a contract to maintain integrated workplaces. "The Contractor agrees that it does not and will not maintain or provide for its employees any segregated facilities at any of its establishments, and that it does not and will not permit its employees to perform their services at any location under its control where segregated facilities are maintained," clause 52.222-21 of the regulation says. Under the regulation, integrated facilities are defined as work areas, drinking fountains, transportation, housing, restaurants, and other areas that do not segregate based on "race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin." The ACLU condemned the move, saying the executive order "is not only undoing decades of federal anti-discrimination policy, spanning Democratic and Republican presidential administrations alike, but also marshaling federal enforcement agencies to bully both private and government entities into abandoning legal efforts to promote equity and remedy systemic discrimination." open image in gallery The ACLU condemned the move, saying the executive order "is not only undoing decades of federal anti-discrimination policy, spanning Democratic and Republican presidential administrations alike, but also marshaling federal enforcement agencies to bully both private and government entities into abandoning legal efforts to promote equity and remedy systemic discrimination." ( Getty Images ) Trumps executive orders undermine obligations dating back to the Johnson administration that firms doing business with the U.S. government and receiving billions in public dollars are held to the highest standards in remedying and preventing bias," the ACLU added. The Department of Commerce, the Department of Homeland Security, and the National Institutes of Health have reportedly already notified staff overseeing federal contracts that they should begin instituting the changes outlined in Trump's executive order. "FAR 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities and FAR 52.222-26 Equal Opportunity will not be considered when making award decisions or enforce requirements," stated a recent notice sent by the National Institutes of Health. At present, all businesses operating in the United States are still subject to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Trump's executive order stands in conflict with that and state laws requiring integration, meaning any challenge between the two would likely have to be settled in court. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice As the Trump administration pushes out controversial policy changes, thousands of declassified files concerning the 1963 assassination of former President John F. Kennedy have been released. While historians, journalists and amateur sleuths pour over the files looking for a scrap of anything new, many have speculated that their release is a distraction tactic by the administration. The 2,200 files containing approximately 63,000 pages were posted by the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration Tuesday evening after President Donald Trump ordered their release. People have been waiting for decades for this, Trump declared at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts during a visit Monday. We have a tremendous amount of paper. You've got a lot of reading. I don't believe we're going to redact anything. That didnt stop the internets anger. The JFK Files are just another nothing burgera distraction meant to divert attention from the real damage Trump and Musk are doing to this country, political strategist Chris D. Jackson said in a post on X. Stay focused. open image in gallery President Donald Trump ordered the release of 63,000 pages of the JFK files, but as historians, journalists and amateur detectives pour over them, others are questioning the motive and the timing behind the decision ( REUTERS ) The latest Trump release comes after he promised to declassify documents related to the countrys most infamous crimes. Weeks ago, he released files related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation - which were largely panned for their redactions and scant information. Now, a similar sentiment was appearing online related to the JFK files. In 2023, the National Archives estimated that 99 percent of the governments documents related to JFKs assassination had been made public, leading many to question the motive and timing of the Trump release. DISTRACTION: Trumps release of JFK files is likely to cover a very non productive call with Putin, former U.S. Navy officer and Kyiv Post journalist Chuck Pfarrer said. Despite forcing UKR into negotiations Putins demands remain maximalist. One of the frustrating things about this whole JFK Files talk is the fact that nothing new needs to be released and the truth can already be found in what we have, another person commented in a post on X. And again, there is no smoking gun in there. It's another distraction and a crass and despicable one at that. open image in gallery The release of the files comes at a particularly volatile moment for the Trump administration, leading some to claim that it is a distraction. The National Archives estimated in 2023 that 99 percent of the governments documents related to JFKs assassination had already been made public. ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Another wrote: Seriously, MAGA. How many more times before you realize youre being played? Epstein files? Nothingburger. JFK files? Mostly the same s*** Biden released. Trump's JFK file release is just a rehash of Biden's 2023 drop, with minor tweaks. More hype than substance, classic distraction tactic to fool people into thinking he's delivering big. Yawn, someone else said. 18,000 pages of JFK files, in an unsearchable format, released on the eve of escalation in the Middle East, another noted. Talk about a distraction. Jefferson Morley, vice president of the Mary Ferrell Foundation, a nonprofit that operates a database of government records on the event, contested Tuesday that only two-thirds of the promised documents had been made public. The ex-Washington Post reporter added that the release also didnt include any of the recently discovered FBI files after the bureau said it had discovered 2,400 new records related to the assassination last month nor any of the 500-plus Internal Revenue Service records. Nonetheless, this is most positive news on the declassification of JFK files since the 1990s, he added in his statement. Amid the release of the files, this week Trump is negotiating with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over the war while fresh Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza reportedly with the presidents blessing. At home, meanwhile, the administration is battling federal judges after they ignored court orders blocking their efforts to carry out mass deportations. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A federal judge has issued a nationwide injunction that blocks Donald Trumps administration from removing transgender service members in all U.S. military branches after a lawsuit challenged his sweeping command to remove all transgender troops, end their gender-affirming healthcare and deny new trans recruits. In a loss for the Trump administration, Tuesdays order from District Judge Ana Reyes in Washington, D.C., temporarily blocks the presidents ban as well as a Pentagon memo with additional guidance. She gave the administration until 10 a.m. March 21 to appeal. One minute after that deadline, the order will automatically take effect, she said. The courts order which follows a lawsuit from more than 20 trans service members is intended to maintain the status quo of military policy regarding transgender service that existed immediately before Trump issued his executive order, Reyes wrote. Judge Reyes argues that a categorical ban on trans service members in the nations military discriminates based on transgender status and sex and because it is soaked in animus. Its language is unabashedly demeaning, its policy stigmatizes transgender persons as inherently unfit, and its conclusions bear no relation to fact, she wrote. open image in gallery A federal judge has blocked Donald Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and administration officials from implementing the presidents ban on transgender troops in the U.S. military ( AFP via Getty Images ) The presidents January directive claims the adoption of a gender identity inconsistent with an individuals sex conflicts with a soldiers commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, even in ones personal life. The judge also ordered the Trump administration to maintain and continue the military statuses of the 20 plaintiffs, a group that includes decorated U.S. military service members across all branches. The plaintiffs service records are remarkable, Reyes said during a hearing this month. Youre going to get rid of all these very qualified people who the military has spent millions of dollars into training specialized jobs for no other reason than they have had gender dysphoria or they transition, she said. The judges order means a huge burden lifted off me and my family, said U.S. Army Reserve 2nd Lt. Nicholas Talbott, the lead plaintiff in the case. Its a tremendous step forward for so many people, he told reporters Wednesday. Were going to stay mission-focused and combat-ready because at the end of the day, thats really all that matters. U.S. Army Major Erica Vandal said trans service members have been struggling with a lot of uncertainty since the campaign season and since the [executive order] was put in place. All of that is sort of tempered, knowing theres a fight ahead. But its a step in the right direction, she said. I receive nothing but support, acceptance and love from her colleagues and leadership, and regardless of the rhetoric thats out there, I continue to be the professional expected of us and serve with honor with these individuals, Vandal said. open image in gallery U.S. Army Reserve 2nd Lt. Nicolas Talbott, center, is the lead plaintiff in a federal lawsuit challenging the Trump administrations ban on transgender service members ( AFP via Getty Images ) Across a series of lengthy court hearings, Department of Justice lawyers repeatedly appeared to tie themselves in knots under the judges questioning. The judge poked holes in the data included in a Department of Defense memo, asked simple questions about the scope of the ban which government lawyers failed to answer, and scolded attorneys for their apparent lack of preparedness. A memo from Pentagon leadership revealed in court documents on February 26 gave military officials 30 days to identify all trans troops, and all removals must be completed no later than June 25. The order also immediately bans access to gender-affirming care for all trans service members. Pentagon guidance claims that 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. During a hearing in February, the judge condemned the presidents demeaning, biologically inaccurate and frankly ridiculous language in an executive order that revoked federal recognition of trans, nonbinary and intersex people an order that forms the basis for a flood of other actions from the administration targeting trans Americans. Judge Reyes suggested that, taken together, Trumps executive orders against trans people scream animus, or are motivated by prejudice. open image in gallery Talbott, pictured speaking to reporters in February, called the injunction a tremendous step forward for so many people ( AFP via Getty Images ) The court's unambiguous factual findings lay bare how this ban specifically targets and undermines our courageous service members who have committed themselves to defending our nation, according Jennifer Levi, GLAD Laws senior director of transgender and queer rights, which is representing the plaintiffs. Given the Court's clear-eyed assessment, we are confident this ruling will stand strong on appeal. Shannon Minter, legal director with the National Center for Lesbian Rights, said the courts actions shield our troops from the harmful effects of this irrational ban. It would have ended careers of dedicated transgender servicemembers and created personnel gaps, leaving others to fill critical roles. The ban's harmful impact and rushed implementation show that it was motivated by prejudice," Minter said in a statement shared with The Independent. "Our plaintiffs include lifelong military personnel who served in combat in Afghanistan, come from multi-generation military families, and have received honors like the Bronze Star, he added. This ban is unjustifiable and attacks brave servicemembers, recruits, and families who sacrifice so much for our country. This story was first published March 18 and has been updated with developments Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Donald Trump is facing a backlash from some of his most loyal MAGA supporters over his decision to launch widespread airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen and a threat to launch a wider war with Iran. Trump ordered the U.S. military to launch decisive and powerful Military action against the Iran-backed group on Saturday in response to its attacks on global shipping in the Red Sea, which the Houthis claim are being carried out in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. U.S. officials said the strikes could last for weeks, and Trump has raised the prospect of a much larger war after threatening Iran with dire consequences if the Houthi attacks continue. But some key MAGA figures have spoken out against the expanding military action, arguing it contradicts his promises to end endless wars and his America First campaign slogan. Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News star who is deeply embedded within Trumps inner circle, warned the president this week that a strike on Iran could cause a war that would lead to thousands of American deaths in the region. The cost of future acts of terrorism on American soil may be even higher. Those arent guesses, the MAGA podcaster added on Monday evening. Those are the Pentagons own estimates. A bombing campaign against Iran will set off a war, and it will be Americas war. Dont let the propagandists lie to you. Carlsons intervention is all the more relevant because he was considered vital in talking Trump out of striking Iran during his first term . open image in gallery A fighter plane takes off, said to be, for an operation against the Yemen's Houthis at an unidentified location in this screengrab taken from a handout video released on March 18, 2025. ( US CENTCOM via X/Handout via REUTERS ) Marjorie Taylor Greene, Georgia congresswoman and one of MAGAs most loyal footsoldiers, also posted an indirect message that seemed to suggest her disapproval of threatening war with Iran. I have not heard a single American say they want another war in the Middle East or anywhere else. Not one. All Ive heard is a loud cry demanding our government and its leaders PUT AMERICA FIRST! she wrote on X on Monday. I dont support going to war on behalf of other countries. I support peace and fixing our own massive problems for our own people. Its literally my job title. U.S. Representative, she added. In a previous interview , Greene said Trumps promise to end never-ending foreign wars was a major reason why she supported him. Numerous other high-profile figures who supported Trump appear to have been taken aback by his action in Yemen. Glenn Greenwald, a former liberal commentator who switched to supporting Trump primarily for his supposed anti-war views, expressed surprise that the president had reneged on a campaign promise. He said that by bombing Yemen and making threats to Iran, Trump was flirting with the real war that could blow up the entire Middle East, after a campaign that Donald Trump ran twice now, three times really, pledging to keep the United States out of Middle East wars. Ann Coulter, a former MAGA stalwart, and Ron Paul, a libertarian figurehead popular in the MAGA movement, and Grace Chong, a producer on Steve Bannons War Room, have also criticized the bombing. Trump was critical of Biden when he launched military action in Yemen, saying on Tim Pools podcast: Recently, they're dropping bombs all over Yemen. You don't have to do that. Trumps involvement in Yemen is part of a much broader entanglement linked to Israels war in Gaza, which has been raging for nearly one and a half years. The Houthis, an Iran-backed group that controls most of Yemen, joined the conflict some two weeks after Hamas launched a surprise attack that killed some 1,400 people in southern Israel. As Israels bombing campaign against Gaza was well underway, the Houthis fired a barrage of missiles and drones toward Israel and said the attacks would continue until the war stopped and humanitarian aid was delivered to Gaza. For weeks these missiles, supplied by Iran, continued to be fired towards Israel. Less than a month later, the group started attacking all ships that it claimed were heading to Israel. In reality, it also targeted ships with tenuous or no links to the country at all. Trumps predecessor, Joe Biden, launched a series of airstrikes against the Houthis with limited success. The Houthis had launched more than 100 attacks targeting shipping from November 2023, before suspended operations when the Gaza ceasefire came into effect in January. open image in gallery In this photo taken from video released by Ansar Allah Media Office via Al Masirah TV channel shows a wounded child being taken for treatment at a hospital in Saada, Yemen, Saturday, March 15, 2025 following airstrikes over multiple targets in the country. ( Al Masirah TV via AP ) The latest round of fighting began again when Israel launched a massive bombing campaign across Gaza killing hundreds and bringing an end to a two-month ceasefire that Trump played a role in brokering. Trump has given his full backing to Israel in its bid to destroy Hamas, but he may now be drawn deeper into that war as Israel relaunches its assault on the beleaguered strip. He is hoping that a much fiercer round of strikes against the Houthis will succeed where Biden failed in stopping the group targeting shipping. The Yemeni health ministry said Sunday that dozens of people were killed by U.S. strikes over the weekend, most of them civilians, including women and children. Houthi leaders said they would escalate attacks in response to the U.S. bombing. Jamal Amer, the Houthi foreign minister, told Reuters on Monday: Now we see that Yemen is at war with the U.S. and that means that we have a right to defend ourselves with all possible means, so escalation is likely. History has shown that Trumps own supporters are the only group capable of convincing him to change course. During Trumps first term in office, Carlson who has positioned himself as the leader of the American rights isolationist wing when it comes to foreign policy split from the rest of his Fox News cohorts and sharply criticized the presidents decision to authorize the killing of Irans top general Qasem Soleimani. Following Iranian counter-attacks, Carlson hosted a show that appeared to be laser-focused on convincing the president to refrain from escalating the situation with the Middle Eastern country. I continue to believe the president doesnt want a full-blown war, Carlson declared. Some around him might, but I think most sober people dont want that. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The White House on Wednesday said Americas intelligence community would continue to share information with the Ukrainian government to bolster Kyivs defensive efforts after President Donald Trump and Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky had a Wednesday phone call. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at a daily press briefing that Trump had fully briefed Zelensky on his 90-minute conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin and relayed the key issues discussed during that Tuesday morning conversation. She also said the two leaders had agreed that their respective countries would continue working together to bring about a real end to the three-year-old war which started with Russias unprovoked invasion in February 2022. They reviewed the situation in Kursk and agreed to share information closely between their defense staffs as the battlefield situation evolved. President Zelensky asked for additional air defense systems to protect his civilians, particularly Patriot missile systems, and President Trump agreed to work with him to find what was available, particularly in Europe, Leavitt said. Leavitt told reporters that Trump and Zelensky had also agreed on a partial ceasefire against energy and said negotiating teams would soon meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss expanding that effort to encompass the Black Sea on the way to a full ceasefire. She added that Zelensky and Trump discussed Ukraine's electrical supply and nuclear power plants and suggested that the United States could take ownership of Ukraines energy infrastructure as a way of providing what she called best protection going forward. The presidents instructed their teams to move ahead with the technical issues related to implementing and broadening the partial ceasefire. The presidents instructed their advisors and representatives to carry out this work as quickly as possible, she said. ( Associated Press ) The White House readout of the conversation came just hours after Trump described it as a very good telephone call in a post on his Truth Social website. Trump said the conversation, which started at approximately 10:38 a.m. ET, lasted approximately one hour and consisted of a discussion with Zelensky that he said was based on the call made yesterday with President Putin in order to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs. We are very much on track, Trump added. Trumps call with Zelensky comes as Kyiv continues to weather attacks on energy infrastructure despite Russian leader Vladimir Putins claim to have ordered a halt to such attacks following his phone call with Trump. On Tuesday, the Kremlin said Putin had agreed to stop strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure for the next month, and a separate readout issued from Moscow said the two leaders had a "detailed and frank exchange of views" on Ukraine, with Putin stressing that any resolution to the conflict must be "comprehensive, sustainable and long-term and take into account Russia's own security interests. It was emphasized that the key condition for preventing the escalation of the conflict and working towards its resolution by political and diplomatic means should be a complete cessation of foreign military assistance and the provision of intelligence information to Kyiv, the Kremlin added. But despite Putins promise to Trump to halt attacking Kyivs energy grid, Russian forces continued to pound Ukrainian infrastructure overnight and continuing into Wednesday, with Ukrainian military officials blaming an overnight Russian missile attack for leaving part of Slovyansk city without electricity. Meanwhile, Russian authorities said Ukraine attacked an oil depot near the village of Kavkazskaya. The call between Trump and Zelensky is the first direct contact between the two leaders since Trump administration officials threw Zelensky out of the White House after what was supposed to be a triumphant visit by the Ukrainian leader to mark the signing of a mineral rights deal devolved into an Oval Office shouting match that ended with a vulgar, grievance-filled rant from President Donald Trump and taunts about Zelenskys supposed lack of gratitude from Vice President JD Vance. Zelensky left the White House roughly an hour after the emotional eruption, cutting short talks that were supposed to cement an economic relationship between Washington and Kyiv and create a mechanism to repay the billions in American military aid that has been sent to Ukraine since 2022. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Conservative media mogul Rupert Murdoch was so livid that one of the newspapers he owns published a piece that described former CNN reporter Oliver Darcys newsletter as a must-read that he called up the editor-in-chief and berated her over it, media startup Breaker reported. According to Breaker, which was recently launched by former Daily Beast editor-at-large Lachlan Cartwright and New York Times correspondent Ravi Somaiya, Murdoch rang up Wall Street Journal top editor Emma Tucker over media reporter Isabella Simonettis recent piece about Darcys new Status News site. Representatives for the Wall Street Journal and Murdoch did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Featuring an interview with Darcy, who announced that he had brought over his former Reliable Sources editor Jon Passantino from CNN, Simonettis article touted the quick success that Darcy has enjoyed since starting Status last August. open image in gallery Right-wing media mogul Rupert Murdoch recently called up Wall Street Journal editor Emma Tucker to berate her over a positive article about Oliver Darcys newsletter. ( Getty Images ) Darcys newsletter, Status, which launched in August, is fueled by juicy tidbits about media deals, newsroom spats and executive moves. He was first to report that then-New York Magazine correspondent Olivia Nuzzi had a romantic relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and that ABC News was going to re-sign anchor George Stephanopoulos last fall, she wrote. Status has accumulated more than 70,000 total subscribers since August and is on track to surpass $1 million in annual recurring revenue by the end of 2025, Simonetti added. At the same time, Darcy has been a vocal and unapologetic critic of Fox News, the right-wing cable giant that Murdoch created and owns. Besides relentlessly describing the channel as pro-Trump propaganda for years now, Darcy has used Status to ramp up his aggressive reporting and coverage of the top-rated cable network. For instance, Darcy noted last month that Brendan Carr, President Donald Trumps handpicked FCC commissioner, has been on a tear threatening media outlets and news broadcasters with investigations. At the same time, Darcy pointed out, Carr has curiously spared Murdochs Fox Corporation amid the sweeping FCC crackdown. The former CNN media reporter also spoke with Preston Padden, a one-time Murdoch executive who has led an effort to have the FCC revoke Foxs broadcasting licenses over Dominion Voting Systems defamation lawsuit, a case that Carr has so far ignored. I watched Trump signing executive orders in the Oval Office. And you know who was standing right there with him? Rupert! Padden told Darcy. So what are my chances of getting Trumps FCC to take our petition seriously? Zero. It is likely this ongoing criticism of Fox, along with some pointed shots by Darcy at the Journal itself, that prompted Murdoch to personally rage at Tucker over Simonettis report. One Journal reader was absolutely livid about the piece and made their complaints vehemently known to Editor-in-Chief Emma Tucker, Breaker wrote. Rupert Murdoch, who owns the Journal, called Tucker and berated her about the article, a person with knowledge of the matter tells us. Following Breakers story, Darcy used his own newsletter to take the opportunity to give a heartfelt thanks to the 94-year-old media baron for reading Status, adding that the sites inbox is open if he wanted to give any other feedback. Subscribe to the newsletter that apparently triggers Rupert Murdoch, Darcy snarkily posted on social media. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Canadas new prime minister, Mark Carney, announced a C$6bn (3.2bn) deal with Australia to develop a military radar system in the Arctic capable of detecting hypersonic missiles amid increasing security threats from the Donald Trump administration. Mr Carney warned that Canadas adversaries were increasingly emboldened while its closest ally, the US, was shifting priorities. His announcement came amid a crisis in Canadas relations with the US, brought on by Mr Trumps belligerent rhetoric. The US presidents threat to destabilise Canadas economy with high tariffs and repeated comments about making it Americas 51st state cast doubt on Ottawas longstanding defence alliance with Washington. The over-the-horizon radar developed by Australia is expected to provide early warning coverage to Canada. Radar systems are usually designed to detect and track targets at extremely long ranges, typically beyond 1,000km. Unlike conventional radars, which are limited to line-of-sight detection, the OTH radar uses ionospheric reflection or surface wave propagation to extend the range. The radar system will be deployed under Norad, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, a major US-Canadian defence agreement to manage and defend their skies. The radar systems long-range surveillance and threat tracking capabilities will detect and deter threats across the North, Mr Carneys office said in a statement. Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese said in a social media post that he held a call with Mr Carney on Tuesday, and they affirmed their deep friendship and commitment to a world where all countries can cooperate, trade and thrive. open image in gallery Mark Carney shakes hands with defence minister Bill Blair as he arrives in Iqaluit, Nunavut, on Tuesday ( AP ) Ahead of his swearing-in, Mr Carney had said the US could no longer be trusted and he was yet to have a phone call with Mr Trump amid an intensifying trade war. He characterised the deal to defend the Arctic as an effort to assert Canadian sovereignty over the region. The new radar system is set to replace the ageing North Warning System, which relied on radar stations from Alaska to northern Quebec but lacked the ability to detect more sophisticated modern missile threats. Canada will spend C$420m (225m) to expand its Arctic operations, conducting training exercises and deploying more personnel. The prime minister said Canada will have a greater sustained year-round presence. Canada unveiled a plan to modernise Norad in 2022, and announced on Tuesday that it will collaborate with Australia on a mega defence deal over the next 20 years. Australia and the US had been discussing exporting the radar technology to the US. However, in the wake of Mr Trump's threats, Ottawa moved fast and struck a deal with Canberra. open image in gallery File. The Bastion anti-ship missile systems take positions near Nagurskoye, Russia, on 17 May 2021 ( AP ) The US military reportedly supported Canadas decision to go with the Australian system, an anonymous Canadian official told Bloomberg. Australias cutting-edge technology came with a smaller physical footprint than the American alternative, the person said, adding that it could be developed more quickly. Only eight countries Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the US have territory within the Arctic, one of the most strategically and environmentally challenging regions. Developing military technology and keeping personnel in the Arctic is a major challenge because of its extreme weather conditions. Conventional equipment does not work properly in Arctic conditions, and maintaining bases that can be staffed for the entire year is a challenge because access to the area is limited. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Russian military agents set fire to an Ikea store in Lithuania last year because Ikeas colours are the same as Ukraines flag, prosecutors alleged, labelling the attack an act of terrorism. The arson attack in Lithuanias capital, Vilnius, came just days before a shopping centre in nearby Poland was also torched. Arturas Urbelis from the Lithuanian prosecutor generals office said the Ikea store was not chosen at random. Ikeas colours are the same as Ukraines flag this has strong symbolic meaning, The Telegraph reported him saying. We regard this act as an act of terrorism with serious consequences, he added in The Guardian. Investigators have linked the attack from May last year to Russian military intelligence, through a chain of more than 20 intermediaries, Mr Urbelis told reporters. The chain includes the organisers, then more organisers for certain goals, then more intermediaries, all down to the perpetrators. It is a multi-stage, very complex system, he said in The Telegraph. The suspects who carried out the attack were two Ukrainians, Mr Urbelis said, who had agreed to set fire to and blow up shopping centres in both Lithuania and Latvia for 10,000 (8,400). It is obvious that the persons we have identified, the perpetrators and the intermediaries, are also linked to the criminal acts committed in Poland, Mr Urbelis added. Just three days after the attack on Ikea, a separate arson attack destroyed Warsaws largest shopping centre. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the Lithuanian investigation confirmed Polands suspicions that Russia was behind the attacks. Dear allies, the investigation of the Lithuanian prosecutors office has confirmed our suspicions that responsible for setting fires to shopping centres in Vilnius and Warsaw are the Russian secret services, he wrote on X. Good to know before negotiations. Such is the nature of this state. Polish prosecutor Przemyslaw Nowak said in the Guardian there were several organised groups that plan and carry out acts of sabotage. After Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we have indeed observed an increase in the activity of foreign services in Poland, including primarily the services of Russia, he said. The revelations come after Britain and its allies uncovered a staggeringly reckless campaign of Russian sabotage across Europe last year. The head of MI6 Sir Richard Moore accused Russia of behaving in a dangerous and beyond irresponsible way in a speech last year, in which he outlined Moscows plans to sabotage countries who have aided Ukraine. We have recently uncovered a staggeringly reckless campaign of Russian sabotage in Europe, even as Putin and his acolytes resort to nuclear sabre-rattling to sow fear about the consequences of aiding Ukraine and challenge western resolve, he said in November. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Pope Francis, in a letter published on Tuesday, said the illness which has left him hospitalised for a month has made him more aware of the absurdity of war. Writing from Rome's Gemelli hospital, where he has been treated for a lung infection and pneumonia since February 14, the 88-year-old pontiff shared his renewed conviction in diplomacy and the need for stronger international organisations. The letter, published in Italian daily Corriere della Sera and addressed to the paper's editor-in-chief Luciano Fontana, reveals how Francis's health struggles have sharpened his perspective. His illness had helped to make some things clearer, including the "absurdity of war", he wrote. "Human fragility has the power to make us more lucid about what endures and what passes, what brings life and what kills." Francis also underscored the power of language, urging the media to recognise the profound impact of words. "They are never just words: they are facts that shape human environments," he wrote, advocating for responsible communication that fosters unity and truth, rather than division and manipulation. He called for a "disarming" of words to achieve peace both in minds and on Earth. open image in gallery The Vatican released a photo of the Pope on Sunday, the first new image released since he was hospitalised on February 14 The Pope's letter comes amid signs of improvement in his health and as Vatican officials dismiss speculation about his potential resignation. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's Secretary of State, firmly rejected such suggestions, indicating Francis's continued commitment to his papal duties. Absolutely no, Cardinal Parolin told journalists on Monday. Meanwhile, preparations continue for his meeting with King Charles III scheduled for April 8. Cardinal Parolin has visited Francis twice during his hospitalisation, most recently on March 2, and said he found Francis better then than his first visit on February 25. Francis is now able to spend some time during the day off high flows of oxygen and use just ordinary supplemental oxygen delivered by a nasal tube, the Holy See press office said. Doctors are also trying to cut back on the amount of time he uses a noninvasive mechanical ventilation mask at night, to force his lungs to work more. While those amount to slight improvements, the Vatican is not yet providing any timetable on when he might be released from hospital. However, Buckingham Palace announced on Monday that King Charles III was scheduled to meet with Francis on April 8 at the Vatican. Such state visits are always closely organised with Parolin's office, suggesting that the Holy See believed the pope would be back home by then, barring any setbacks. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Vladimir Putin has declared a Easter truce in Ukraine, ordering his forces to end hostilities at 6pm on Saturday until the end of Sunday. The Russian Defence Ministry said it had given instructions on the ceasefire to all group commanders in the area of the "special military operation", which is the Kremlin's term for the war. However, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukrainian air defence units had hours earlier repelled an attack by Russian drones saying this showed Moscow's true attitude to Easter and the lives of people. The Russian president has an extensive history of breaking peace agreements. Last month, Mr Putin broke an energy infrastructure ceasefire hours after telling Mr Trump his forces would stop attacks. Earlier this year, Mr Zelensky handed a document to Mr Trumps Ukraine envoy detailing what he said were the 25 ceasefires Russia had violated since the start of its aggression in 2014. . Below, we look at some of those agreements and how exactly these previous ceasefires broke down. The Minsk Agreements open image in gallery Talks between Vladimir Putin, Francois Hollande, Angela Merkel and Petro Poroshenko lasted through the night in 2015 ( Retuers ) After pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych was ousted in 2014 following the Euromaidan revolution, Mr Putin sent plainclothes Russian soldiers into the southern Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea, and then into the eastern Ukrainian regions of Luhansk and Donetsk. Fighting quickly broke out as Russia denied involvement. Moscow claimed it was Ukrainian separatist forces. Nonetheless, by September of that year, Ukraine, Russia and the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR) convened for the first of what would be many peace talks. They were brokered by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). On 5 September, the first of two agreements was signed in the Belarusian capital of Minsk. Its provisions included prisoner exchanges, the delivery of humanitarian aid and the withdrawal of heavy weapons. But a day later, Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council announced that Russian troops had fired at Ukrainian positions at least 10 times. The ceasefire failed to materialise into anything substantive. By the turn of the year, fighting had intensified. Pro-Russian insurgents attacked Ukrainian positions at Debaltseve, a transport hub near the administrative line between Donetsk and Luhansk, eventually forcing a Ukrainian withdrawal by mid-February. At that point, a second agreement was underway in Minsk, this time overseen by German chancellor Angela Merkel and French president Francois Hollande. The agreement came into effect on 15 February but lasted only a few minutes, as Russian units fired on a Ukrainian checkpoint near Zolote in Luhansk Oblast, according to Ukraine's military. Easter and Christmas ceasefires open image in gallery Pro-Russian fighters patrol the streets of Makiivka, in the suburbs of the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk in 2015 ( AFP/Getty ) For the next four years, Russia and Ukraine agreed to several ceasefires a year, often timed with Christmas, Easter or the harvest, around June/July. Not a single one held for very long. On several occasions, the OSCE helped broker agreements, but skirmishes broke out quickly. Neither side believed a truce could hold. Soldiers would fire at one another within hours of the supposed start of a ceasefire. The OSCE said both sides would also deny them access to inspect military equipment, though they said the Russian-backed rebels were typically guilty of the more serious violations of ceasefire agreements. Back in 2022, just a few months after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a ceasefire was proposed to take place between 21 and 25 April. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres put forward the idea, aiming to "open a series of humanitarian corridors" and allow for the "safe exit of all civilians wishing to leave areas of confrontation". But the plan never came to fruition. While Ukraine expressed support for the proposal, Russia rejected it, saying it did not want to give Kyivs forces a chance to rest. Russias deputy permanent representative to the UN, Mr Dmitry Polyansky, called the proposal insincere and claimed it would give Ukrainian troops more time to regroup and receive weapons. Zelenskys 2019 and 2020 attempts open image in gallery Ukrainian soldiers ride an armoured vehicle to Debaltseve, eastern Ukraine, Donetsk region ( AFP/Getty ) It was just two months after the comedian-turned-politician Mr Zelensky assumed his role as the president of Ukraine that he found himself opposite Mr Putin for the latest round of peace talks. Ms Merkel and the new French president Emmanuel Macron oversaw the talks. In a written statement, the countries agreed to the release and exchange of all conflict-related detainees by the end of 2019. They also pledged to disengage military forces in three additional regions of Ukraine by the end of March 2020, without specifying which regions would be affected. But it was a deal that was doomed to fail. We saw differences today, Mr Macron admitted at the time. We didn't find the miracle solution, but we have advanced on it. The following July, another agreement was struck, one that did reduce the level of fighting but never quite stopped it completely. 2025 energy infrastructure ceasefire Mr Putin broke his promise to Mr Trump to stop attacking Ukraines energy infrastructure just hours after his agreement with the US president. In a readout of a call between the two leaders in March, the Kremlin said Mr Trump had requested that Russia refrain from striking energy infrastructure. It added that Mr Putin had responded positively to this request and had immediately given the Russian military the corresponding command. But Russia fired several ballistic missiles and nearly 150 drones across Ukraine a few hours later, cutting off electricity in the eastern city of Slovyansk, damaging two medical facilities in the northeast Sumy region, and wounding people in the capital of Kyiv. Russian state media then claimed that Ukrainian drones had hit an oil facility in the Krasnodar Krai region, sparking a small fire at an oil depot located near the village of Kavkazskaya. Russian site Shot posted a video of a fire in what seemed like an industrial area, but it was unclear if this was of the actual attack. Ukrainian governmental and local authorities posted extensive footage of Russias attacks. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice An 81-year-old hunter has gone on trial for killing a protected brown bear that attacked him and mauled both of his legs. Andre Rives was boar hunting with 15 others in the Pyrenees when he noticed two bear cubs during the November 2021 incident, Le Parisien reported. "I had no choice but to face a bear that was going to eat me, he told a court in France, explaining that he had been targeted by the cubs mother. The pensioner said he was grabbed and dragged by the bear as he tried to fight her off. "Our eyes met and then she charged me," he told the court. She grabbed my left thigh, I panicked and fired a shot from my rifle. She backed away growling, went around me and bit my right calf. I fell, she was eating my leg. I re-cocked my rifle and fired. Rives is on trial alongside the other members of the hunting party. The hunters were questioned about why they were in a nature reserve, and argued the markings were not clear. The police investigation found that the bear, named Caramelle, was killed 400 metres outside of the authorised hunting area, according to Le Parisien. Rives has been banned from hunting since the event, but said he would like his rifle back so he could continue his hobby with his friends. open image in gallery A bear in the French Pyrenees, captures by a camera trap in 2020 ( Pays de l'Ours/AFP via Getty Ima ) He faces up to three years in prison for the bears death and a 150,000 (126,000) fine for the destruction of a protected species, Le Parisien reports, while the other hunters face fines for shooting without authorisation in a state reserve. Judge Sun Yung Lazare said the trial was not a pro-shooting or anti-shooting trial, but rather a trial to decide whether a bear had been illegally killed. Environmental and animal protection groups have also taken part in the case. Alain Reynes, President of the Bear Country Association, told Le Parisien it was easy to target the hunter in this trial but the key issue was whether the group had respected the hunting information and training that is available. The One Voice Association argued that signage in the area was clear, and the hunters should not have gone near Caramelles territory. Brown bears are a threatened species in the Pyrenees, but since a reintroduction program that began in the 1990s their numbers have grown, from 76 bears in 2022 to at least 83 bears in 2023, Phys Org reports the French Biodiversity Agency as saying. Caramelles has been preserved in taxidermy by the Toulouse Natural History Museum, Le Parisien added. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Large parts of Spain are set to be hit by 70mph winds as the country is struck by the fourth named storm in less than two weeks. Storm Martinho is expected to bring more strong winds and heavy rain to much of the country, with widespread warnings from the nations forecaster Aemet. It comes after two people lost their lives in flooding caused by Storm Laurence earlier this week. Dozens of roads across Spain have been closed due to storm damage, with trains and flights also cancelled according to local news reports. And it is not just the mainland that is affected; the Canary Islands government advised residents against unnecessary travel ahead of fierce winds forecast in the archipelago. open image in gallery Yellow and orange weather warnings have been issued by Spain's weather bureau for large parts of the country for Thursday ( Aemet ) The Canaries are under a yellow alert for powerful wind gusts of up to 43mph, less than a week after major flooding in Tenerife and Gran Canaria caused widespread damage . La Palma remains under a yellow alert for Thursday with gusty westerly winds. Storm Martinho will bring more bad weather to close out the week, following storms Jana, Konrad and Laurence. A day of instability is expected across the Iberian Peninsula due to the passage of a front associated with Storm Martinho, the weather bureau said. Orange weather alerts have been issued for Asturias, Cantabria and Galicia primarily for strong winds across Thursday, with gusts of up to 68mph forecast for Asturias. open image in gallery The Spanish weather bureau has issued a warning for strong gusty winds on La Palma on Thursday ( Aemet ) In Galicia, on the west coast, winds of up to 54mph are forecast with strong gusts, and sea swells of up to seven metres. The bureau has also issued yellow weather warnings for large parts of the country for Thursday. Wind gusts of between 43mph and 55mph are expected particularly in the north west. In the south, Aemet forecasts Storm Martinho will bring heavy rainfalls from Thursday, with some regions in the south around Seville expected to get up to 40mm of rainfall in a day. Aemet said rain and thunderstorms will be locally heavy and persistent in the west of Andalucia on Thursday and through to Friday. open image in gallery A van swept away by the flooding in Casasola, Malaga, on Tuesday ( AP ) Dramatic footage of Storm Laurence shows cars being swept away in flood waters in Murcia with roads turned into rivers as the region was hit by torrential rain on Tuesday. Video from Telemadrid showed vehicles piling up in a river while murky water ran through the streets as bad weather continues to lash Spain, with Barcelona forecast to get up to 100mm of rain on Wednesday. In Aguilas, nine people were rescued from vehicles according to local media reports after the storm hit the town on Tuesday morning. La Razon reported the coastal town got about 70 litres of rain per square metre in the space of an hour. open image in gallery Residents clear mud from the streets after heavy rains in Campanillas, Malaga ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) The mayor of Aguilas, Maria del Carmen Moreno called for calm, La Razon reported her saying, "Losing a car doesn't matter; losing a human life does, as emergency services responded to more than 70 incidents across the region. In Malaga, heavy rains and flooding forced hundreds of evacuations on Monday evening and dozens of rescues on Tuesday in particularly badly hit towns, El Pais reported, with rainfall of up to 100 litres per square metre recorded in parts of Andalusia. Separately, emergency services in Seville have found the bodies of a man and a woman whose vehicle had been swept away in flooding on Tuesday, El Pais reports. The body of a man was found underneath the vehicle on Wednesday morning, while the womans body was found on Tuesday afternoon. The body of a 70-year-old cyclist was also found on a riverbank after he went missing on Monday in Anora, and El Pais reported investigators were working to determine whether he was also killed by the storm. A British familys overseas home in Alicante, near Murcia, was hit by a tornado last week, flinging debris across the property and causing extensive damage, the Daily Mail reported. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump have agreed to shackle Ukraine after hours of talking on the telephone over ceasefire terms, which wont work but are intended to further divide Ukraine and Europe from the White House. The leaders agreed that the movement to peace will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire and permanent peace, the White House said in a statement about the call. The Kremlin added: It was emphasised that the key condition for preventing the escalation of the conflict and working towards its resolution by political and diplomatic means should be a complete cessation of foreign military assistance and the provision of intelligence information to Kyiv. So there has not been a Russian agreement to a ceasefire. But if there is to be one, then all foreign military and intelligence assistance has to stop. That means the Anglo-French efforts to create a coalition of the willing to back Ukraine and support a long-term peace with military muscle must stop. US assistance must stop, again. All intelligence sharing, by both the US and other Nato members, must also be ended. Ukraine, Russia has demanded, must be hog-tied, muzzled and blinded before substantial talks can begin. The terms set out by the conversation will lead to talks being started almost immediately in the Middle East. Neither the White House nor the Kremlin has mentioned any concessions on the part of Russia ( Reuters ) Who will attend them is a tricky question to answer as Ukraine cannot accept the Kremlins demands. And Europe has already set about dividing itself from the American security structures after Trumps infidelity to Americas allies. In what initially looks like an olive leaf, the Kremlin said that Putin had immediately issued orders to his forces to end attacks on Ukraines energy infrastructure. Kyiv, Washington and Moscow may believe, should do the same. This suits the Kremlin tactically. Ukraine has been staggeringly effective in attacking the energy infrastructure of Russias military. A pause in those long-range assaults on gas lines, pool refineries and other energy nodes is essential for Russia while it sets about reinforcing its efforts to continue to plough into Ukraine. Neither the White House nor the Kremlin has mentioned any concessions on the part of Russia. Worse still, from Ukraines point of view, is continued talks between Russia and the US on a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea. Ukraine has largely won the battle for the Black Sea. It sunk the Moskva, Russias greatest battleship, and has driven its fleet out of the area where it skulks in Russian ports. A ceasefire in the Black Sea will give Russia time to manoeuvre its fleet into an attacking formation, without fear. Ukraine and Europe will reject the results of these talks but welcome the continued process. Its nothing but a distraction and will buy time for Europe, the UK, Canada, Australia and much of the civilised world to put together enough support for Ukraine to allow Kyiv to continue to defend democracy in the West without America. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Since returning to the White House in 2025, US President Donald Trump has dramatically reshaped US policy toward Russia, adopting a markedly softer stance on Vladimir Putin and the ongoing war in Ukraine. This approach has included cutting military aid to Ukraine, and pressuring Kyiv to accept unfavourable terms to end the fighting. Trump is also weakening Americas negotiating position by repeatedly and prematurely signalling the concessions the US is willing to make. Historically, Russia has responded to strength, not appeasement. As US diplomat and historian George Kennan famously stated in his 1946 Long Telegram, the Soviet Union understood only the language of power. He was proven right throughout and since the Cold War, Western concessions have often invigorated rather than calmed Russian aggression. Trumps transactional approach to diplomacy is reinforcing this established pattern, emboldening Moscow, and diminishing any prospect of a just resolution to the Russo-Ukrainian war. Undermining US leverage Since February, President Trump has taken several actions that align with Russian strategic interests. These have included: Cutting military aid to Ukraine, despite bipartisan warnings that reducing support could shift battlefield momentum in Russias favor Blocking Nato membership and refusing security guarantees for Ukraine, signalling that territorial expansion can be rewarded rather than deterred Blaming Kyiv for the war while downplaying Russias responsibility and ignoring the indisputable reality that Russia invaded Ukraine, a stance that echoes Kremlin propaganda narratives Criticising Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for postponing elections under martial law, despite Ukraines constitutional justification Siding with Russia, North Korea and Belarus to vote against a UN resolution condemning Moscows actions and supporting Ukraines territorial integrity. This approach mirrors historical examples of Western appeasement, from Neville Chamberlains 1938 Munich Agreement to the weak enforcement of President Obamas red line in Syria in 2013. By preemptively offering concessions, Trump has weakened US leverage, removing any incentive for Putin to negotiate in good faith. Unlike Western democracies, Putins Russia operates on power dynamics rather than diplomatic courtesies. Trumps early giveaways such as suggesting the recognition of Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories will therefore be seen in Moscow as a show of weakness, not goodwill. This weakens the US leverage in negotiations, and by extension that of its allies too. open image in gallery Since February, President Trump has taken several actions that align with Russian strategic interests ( Sputnik/AFP/Getty ) 20th century history confirms that Russia only responds to forceful deterrence. The Reagan administrations Cold War military buildup undeniably contributed to the Soviet Unions economic collapse, and Nato expansion in the 1990s and early 2000s deterred Russian ambitions in Eastern Europe. More recently, the weak US response to the 2014 annexation of Crimea paved the way for Russia to launch its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Trumps diplomatic overtures, unaccompanied by credible enforcement mechanisms, project weakness rather than pragmatism. This only encourages Moscow to escalate rather than compromise. Alienating Americas allies While Trump attempts to broker a deal with Putin, European allies are growing increasingly wary of US commitment to transatlantic security. His administration downplayed Russias threat at the 2025 Munich Security Conference, shocking European leaders. US disengagement has now pushed the continent toward urgently building an independent defence strategy, potentially weakening Nato cohesion. The aforementioned voting alongside Russia at the UN on a Ukraine-related resolution will have further fractured Americas alliances. Trumps policies risk creating a strategic vacuum, forcing Europe to act alone while simultaneously emboldening Russia and China to expand their geopolitical ambitions. Putin will not compromise Recent peace talks in Saudi Arabia illustrate Russias strategic approach to negotiations. Moscow actively blocked the participation of US special envoy Keith Kellogg, showcasing its attempt to manipulate the diplomatic process. This follows a classic Russian negotiating tactic of prolonging talks while making unrealistic demands. In Saudi Arabia, these included keeping occupied Ukrainian territories, limiting Ukraines military capabilities, and forbidding foreign peacekeepers. open image in gallery Putins Russia operates on power dynamics rather than diplomatic courtesies ( AP ) As analysts have pointed out, Putin does not intend to stop the war, only to reshape the battlefield on his terms. Trumps miscalculations therefore leave Russia free to continue its offensive in the knowledge that US pressure on Ukraine will weaken any resistance. A fragile ceasefire, as is currently under negotiation, will allow Russia to regroup and launch new attacks, and could be broken at any time. China will also be watching closely. If Trump hands Putin a win, Beijing may feel emboldened to escalate its military efforts in Taiwan and the South China Sea. Trumps credibility crisis A recent poll found that over half of Americans believe Trump is too close to Russia. His willingness to publicly signal diplomatic compromises, such as preventing Ukraine from joining Nato, reveals a weak negotiating style that undermines US credibility on the global stage. Trumps approach echoes his past diplomatic missteps, which some have described as cowboy diplomacy a strategy that prioritises personal deal-making over structured policy, ultimately leading to strategic blunders. Far from strengthening US leverage, his premature openness about concessions gives Putin room to dictate the terms of engagement. Trumps misreading of Putins playbook is leading to a weaker US position, a more vulnerable Ukraine, and a divided Nato. History clearly shows that Russia only respects power, not appeasement, yet Trumps diplomacy appears to offer unilateral concessions with little strategic gain. Unless the US reverses course and reasserts its leadership in defending Ukraine and deterring Russia, Trumps policies will not end the war but ensure that it drags on, only with Moscow instead of Europe or the US dictating its terms. Christo Atanasov Kostov is an Associate Professor of History and International Relations at IE University. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice An international effort to trace and rescue tens of thousands of children kidnapped from Ukraine to Russia and prosecute those responsible has been crippled by the US state departments deletion of evidence. The Trump administration cut funding to Yale Universitys Humanitarian Research Lab, which was compiling a database of alleged Russian war crimes, including the abduction of an estimated 35,000 children from occupied areas of Ukraine, last month. Using satellite imagery and other surveillance systems provided through the US government, the Yale researchers were monitoring 116 sites in Russia. A Yale source said the US state department deleted the evidence which would have been used as part of rescue efforts to get the children home to Ukraine. It would also have been used to prosecute those behind their abductions including Russian president Vladimir Putin. It is unclear whether it was by accident or intent, but it may reveal or it may cause potential criminal liability for the Trump administration, given international prohibitions against the destruction of war crimes evidence, the Yale insider told The Independent. open image in gallery Yale insiders claims the US state departement deleted details on an arrest warrent for Russian president Vladimir Putin ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images ) Further liability could be attached to the Trump administration for the destruction of evidence in the prosecution of Putin, who has been indicted by the International Criminal Court. Researchers and lawyers working with the Yale project have also had to stop sharing the data with the European Union which is also investigating the abduction of children through EUROPOL. They [the state department] deleted the crime base on the arrest warrant on Putin... whether they did it by accident, or they did it on purpose it's a hell of a favour, the Yale source told The Independent. The worst part of this is not that it screws up prosecution, that's bad. The worst part is that it screws up our active efforts to try to get the kids back across the front line, physically, they added The team works closely with SaveUkraine, a charity that has repatriated 610 Ukrainian children so far and the Ukrainian government. Trump held talks with Putin on Tuesday over the future of Ukraine. Since his inauguration he has consistently taken a strongly pro-Russian position on Ukraine and derided its democratically elected president Volodymyr Zelensky as a dictator. open image in gallery Zelensky endured a difficult trip to Washington to meet Trump in February ( AP ) Mr Zelensky has made the return of his countrys young people from Russia a priority in ceasefire, and longer term peace negotiations between Ukraine, the US, and Russia. The Yale university project had been one of the US state departments most important contributions to international law and the prosecution of alleged war crimes. It had produced 16 major reports on Ukraine and contributed to six indictments at the ICC against Russians. Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, his commissioner for childrens rights, are among those facing an international arrest warrant issued by the ICC as individually responsible for unlawful deportation and the unlawful transfer of children from parts of Ukraine captured by Russia. Lvova-Belova has claimed to have adopted a Ukrainian orphan. Russia has illegally annexed four Ukrainian provinces it has captured large parts of, has issued Russian passports to its residents, and is forcing young men into its army to fight their own country under the Kremlins banner. Moscow has also tried to eradicate the Ukrainian language from the school curriculum in the occupied areas. And has forcibly transferred large numbers of children deep into Russian territory. Mass murder and forced removals of Ukrainians under Stalin resulted in a genocide known as the Holodomor, when more than three million people were starved to death in the early 1930s.. Details of alleged war crimes were held on a highly secure database code named Caesar, several Yale sources said. The 1996 Jones War Crimes Act, a federal criminal statute, prohibits all violations of the Geneva Convention as part of US criminal law. It is a war crime under Geneva to destroy evidence of a war crime, the Yale expert told The Independent. The US State Department has been contacted for comment. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Russia launched a mass drone attack on Ukraine's energy grid mere hours after Vladimir Putin agreed with Donald Trump to halt such strikes although the US president has claimed efforts to secure a ceasefire are "very much on track". Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the overnight barrage proved Mr Putin's word was "very much at odds with reality" before holding his own call with Mr Trump on Wednesday, a call the US president said had been "very good" and had helped to "align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs". "We are very much on track," Mr Trump said on the Truth Social platform straight after the call the first time he had spoken to Mr Zelensky since a public bust-up between the two at the White House last month. Lasting an hour, the call was significantly shorter than the one held with Mr Putin the previous day, but was called fantastic by the White House. The strikes launched by Russia highlight just how big a gap Washington must bridge over a peace deal, with Mr Putin having refused to back a full 30-day ceasefire already agreed by Kyiv. Mr Zelensky said the drone strikes had knocked out the electricity for parts of the city of Slovyansk in eastern Ukraine, and had hit other civilian infrastructure, including two hospitals and more than 20 houses. Ukraine's state railway company said that part of the network was hit both in the early strikes and later on Wednesday afternoon. "Even last night, after Putin's conversation with... Trump, when Putin said that he was allegedly giving orders to stop strikes on Ukrainian energy, there were 150 drones launched overnight, including on energy facilities," Mr Zelensky said at a news conference in Helsinki with the Finnish president Alexander Stubb, before his call with Mr Trump. Mr Zelensky said that "words of a ceasefire" were not enough. "If the Russians don't hit our facilities, we definitely won't hit theirs," he added. Other European nations also expressed their scepticism over Mr Putins actions. "Attacks on civilian infrastructure in the first night after this supposedly pivotal and great phone call have not abated," Germany's defence minister, Boris Pistorius, told the German broadcaster ZDF. "Putin is playing a game here." The offer to temporarily stop attacking Ukrainian energy facilities counted for nothing and Mr Trump would have to win greater concessions, he added. In response to Mr Zelensky's comments on the drone attack, the Kremlin claimed it had called off planned attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, and had shot down seven of its own drones that were heading towards Ukraine. It accused Kyiv of failing to call off its attacks in what it called an attempt to sabotage the agreement. Officials in the southern Russian region of Krasnodar said a Ukrainian drone attack started a small fire at an oil depot. Mr Zelensky struck a more positive tone in his statement after the call with Mr Trump. He called it a positive, very substantive and frank conversation and said that under American leadership, lasting peace can be achieved this year. He said that Kyiv stood ready to implement the limited ceasefire, which would halt strikes on energy and other civilian infrastructure. Ukraine and Russia also announced they had carried out an exchange of 175 prisoners each in a deal brokered by the United Arab Emirates. Russia said it also freed an additional 22 wounded Ukrainians as a goodwill gesture. Such exchanges have happened throughout Russia's invasion, but this was one of the largest. However, there are few signs that Mr Putin is planning to budge on demands that would be red lines for Kyiv when it comes to a peace deal, not least that to agree to a full ceasefire Moscow would require all Western military aid to Ukraine to cease. Following the spat at the White House between Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky, the US paused military aid for a time, spooking European allies to up their support for Kyiv. They would be deeply wary of any such agreement. Indeed, Mr Zelensky used his call with Mr Trump to push for additional air defence systems, particularly US-made Patriots, to protect from Russian aerial assaults. The White House said Mr Trump agreed to work with him to find what was available, but added the caveat that would be "particularly in Europe. Trump administration officials have sought to play up the progress on a ceasefire, with US envoy Steve Witkoff saying on Wednesday that Mr Trump and Mr Putin are likely to meet, given that "they have a great rapport together". "I tend to believe that President Putin is operating in good faith. He said that he was going to be operating in good faith to the president yesterday, and I take him at his word," Mr Witkoff told Bloomberg, striking a different tone to some European allies. Attention now turns to talks between the US and Russia which are expected to take place in Saudi Arabia this Sunday, to see just how serious Russia is. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Donald Trump has floated the idea of taking control of Ukraines nuclear power plants, in a phone call with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky. The conversation on Wednesday was described as positive by both sides and was mainly aimed at securing a truce between Ukraine and Russia on aerial attacks against one anothers energy infrastructure. Mr Zelensky suggested the call had focused on the US takeover of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which is under Russian control. open image in gallery A Russian serviceman patrols the territory of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station in Energodar on May 1, 2022 ( AFP via Getty Images ) But a statement from the White House, penned by Mr Trumps secretary of state Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz, spoke of the potential American acquisition of multiple stations, including Ukraines electric supply and nuclear power plants. The unexpected request follows an ongoing conversation between the two countries to facilitate the US purchase of critical Ukrainian mineral resources, estimated to be worth hundreds of billions of dollars. Those talks broke down after a public feud between Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky at the White House last month. Mr Zelensky also said after the call that a halt on energy strikes in the war with Russia could be established quickly but warned Ukraine would respond in kind if Moscow violated the terms of the limited ceasefire. I understand that until we agree (with Russia), until there is a corresponding document on even a partial ceasefire, I think that everything will fly, Mr Zelensky said, referring to drones and missiles. Just hours after Vladimir Putin agreed to immediately order his army to halt strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure in a call with Mr Trump on Tuesday, Russian missiles and drones pummeled Ukrainian cities, underscoring the difficulties in securing a ceasefire that will hold. Russian drones knocked out the electricity for parts of the eastern Ukrainian city of Slovyansk on Tuesday night before Moscow proceeded to fire around 150 missiles and drones at targets across Ukraine overnight, hitting civilian homes and medical facilities. Moscow accused Ukraine of doing the same after state media reports suggested Ukrainian drones had hit an oil facility in the Russian region of Krasnodar. The Independent could not verify this claim nor the footage provided by state media purporting to show the aftermath of the attack. The two sides have been exchanging aerial attacks on energy infrastructure for more than a year. Ukraine started striking deep into mainland Russia at the beginning of 2024 in an attempt to disrupt Moscows Russian oil and gas flows and the revenue it derives from sales of energy abroad. Russia, meanwhile, has been bombing Ukraines energy infrastructure since October 2022. The Kremlins primary aim, experts say, is to destroy Ukrainian morale and cripple Kyivs economy. The rate of strikes often jumps during the winter months as Russia literally tries to force Ukrainians into the cold. Between March and September last year, Russia launched nine long-range attacks on Ukraines electric power system, according to United Nations estimates. The strikes had reverberating effects causing harm to the civilian population, the UN wrote. The largest of those attacks, on 26 August, killed seven people and left dozens more wounded. Russia fired 127 missiles and 109 drones, around half of which were destroyed. More than half of Ukraine was hit, with swathes of the country plunged into blackouts. A year earlier, in December 2023, Russia unleashed one of its most devastating air attacks of the war on Ukraine, killing 31 civilians, wounding more than 160 others and hitting cities and infrastructure across the country. In early June 2023, the Russians blew up and completely destroyed the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant, causing the Dnipro Rivers banks to burst. Thousands of homes were flooded. Damages from the dams destruction are currently estimated at $586 million. These attacks have extended to nuclear sites. In February, a Russian drone struck the former nuclear power plant at Chernobyl. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UNs nuclear watchdog, said that its team at the site heard a large explosion shortly before 2am local time. While radiation levels were kept under control, experts cautioned that Russia was acting recklessly. Were getting closer and closer to possible disaster, Serhii Plokhy, who tells the story of the occupation of Chernboyl in his 2024 book Chernobyl Roulette, told The Independent later that month. Citywide blackouts across Ukraine have left civilians without access to electricity for significant chunks of the day. open image in gallery Houses are seen underwater in the flooded town of Oleshky, Ukraine, after the Kakhovka dam was destroyed ( Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) In a paper published last month, the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE), estimated that the total damages to Ukraines energy sector after three years of Russias full-scale invasion is $14.6 billion (11.3 bn). All the countrys coal-fired power plants and hydroelectric plants under Ukrainian control have been damaged since February 2022. At least 20 combined heat and power plants have been hit. At least nine thermal power plant units have been damaged, and one of them was completely destroyed as a result of a direct Russian missile hit. KSE writes that the costs of restoring these facilities are likely to significantly exceed the estimated damages due to significant physical wear and tear and technological obsolescence of damaged and destroyed equipment. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Seizing the opportunity to drive a wedge between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, Ukraines president has moved swiftly to usher the American president back towards his corner. By respecting, vocally, Trumps efforts to get a ceasefire with Russia, Ukraine has exposed Putins deep reluctance to agree to any lowering of hostilities until he can be sure of permanently mangling Ukraines sovereignty. According to a briefing on a call between Volodymyr Zelensky and Trump, the US president has calmed down, stopped calling him a dictator, and come up with an agreement to supply some badly needed air defences for Ukraine. Trump suspended military aid and intelligence sharing to drive Zelensky to talks on a 30-day ceasefire. President Zelensky thanked President Trump for a productive start President Zelensky thanked President Trump for the support of the United States, especially the Javelin missiles that President Trump was first to provide and his efforts towards peace," the White House said. Zelensky did a lot of thanking and got some of what he needs back by carefully echoing what the White House was saying. President Zelensky asked for additional air defence systems to protect his civilians, particularly Patriot missile systems, and President Trump agreed to work with him to find what was available, particularly in Europe." open image in gallery Putins rejection of US ceasefire terms is likely to have stung for Trump ( AP ) Zelensky knows that Putins rejection of the terms that the US and Ukraine agreed for a ceasefire will have smarted for Trump. Putins sudden additional demand that all foreign military and intelligence assistance be suspended to Kyiv must have especially stung Trump, who wanted to see Moscow sign up to his pre-cooked plan. So now the US and Ukrainian presidents reviewed the situation in Kursk and agreed to share information closely between their defence staffs as the battlefield situation evolved. Ukraines forces have dug in on high ground in Russian territory along their border, and concentrated forces there, to try to stop the advance that drove them out of the rest of the salient they captured from Moscow last year. The high ground allows them to protect routes into Ukraines Sumy province. This week Zelensky said that Putin was massing troops on Ukraines northern border for what looked like a renewed invasion. Now Zelensky has got Trumps ear he is trying to make sure that the US president has a vested interest in what happens in Kursk. A regular feed of Ukrainian intelligence will flatter the US president and give him a sense of personal investment in what happens there. Zelensky, who was one of Ukraine and Russias most celebrated comic and straight actors, is starting to understand his new American audience. The White House went on: "The two leaders also agreed on a partial ceasefire [of attacks] against energy [infrastructure]. Smart Ukrainian move. Both Kyiv and Moscow ignored the Kremlins announcement of a partial ceasefire to protect both nations energy systems the previous night with Ukraine enjoying a successful drone attack on a Siberian oil refinery in Kemerovo. open image in gallery Now Zelensky has Trumps ear, he will be keen to make sure the president feels a personal investment in the conflict ( PA ) But Zelensky said he was keen on the Russian proposal. One of the first steps toward fully ending the war could be ending strikes on energy and other civilian infrastructure. I supported this step, and Ukraine confirmed that we are ready to implement it," he said after the Trump call. The White House wants credit for Trumps initiative. Zelensky is smart enough to give it in church-like call-and-response exchanges. They agreed this could be the first step toward the full end of the war and ensuring security. President Zelensky was grateful for the president's leadership in this effort, and reiterated his willingness to adopt a full ceasefire, the Oval Office said. Zelensky echoed: We instructed our teams to resolve technical issues related to implementing and expanding the partial ceasefire. Ukrainian and American teams are ready to meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to continue coordinating steps toward peace:. To add some financial incentives Zelensky headed off previous speculation that Putin might be somehow allowed to hang on to Europes biggest nuclear power plant at Zaporizhzhia, instead suggesting America could own it. Trump liked that idea. The White House said: President Trump also discussed Ukraine's electrical supply and nuclear power plants. He said that the United States could be very helpful in running those plants with its electricity and utility expertise, American ownership of those plants would be the best protection for that infrastructure and support for Ukrainian energy infrastructure." The Trump administration has undermined the prosecution of Putin for alleged war crimes at the International Criminal Court and efforts to find and repatriate up to 35,000 children who may have been abducted from Ukraine into Russia. The State Department shut down the project tracking them and building a case against Putin and deleted the evidence. Zelensky has made the return of the missing children a central demand in any peace talks. The White House is now echoing his views. President Trump promised to work closely with both parties to help make sure those children were returned home, Washington said. Major gaps still exist between the US and Ukraine. First is that Trumps administration will not acknowledge that Russia invaded Ukraine. The White House has agreed with Russia that Ukraine will have to concede territory it has lost to Moscow. And Ukraines request for US military support to guarantee its security after any peace deal is signed remains off the table, as far as Trump is concerned. But Putin may fear that the unison he has enjoyed with the White House is now discordant as Kyiv and Washington start singing a few lines together. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Doctors in Gaza described scenes of armageddon as they struggled to tend to hundreds of dead and wounded, including children with severed limbs, as Israel launched some of its deadliest-ever strikes, shattering the relative calm of a ceasefire. The ferocious bombardment came after Israel had imposed a two-week blockade on aid, supplies, and electricity, crippling the emergency responses. It pounded swathes of the strip early Tuesday morning, bringing an already struggling healthcare system to its knees. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the strikes because of Hamass rejection of a new ceasefire proposal. He vowed that Israel would from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength. Palestinian health officials said that in just a few hours alone, over 400 people had been killed, the vast majority women and children. open image in gallery Catherine Russell, from UNICEF, said: Hundreds of people have reportedly been killed, including more than 130 children, representing the largest single-day child death toll in the last year ( AP ) Doctors told The Independent they could not cope with the injured and dying, as a total blockade on supplies meant they lacked basic necessities, including diesel for generators and essential surgical items like gloves, swabs, and syringes. Gaza Health Ministry officials said that only seven of the territory's hospitals were providing services. Dr Muhammad Abuafash, director of Palestinian Medical Relief, who rushed to treat those at al-Ahli hospital in Gaza City, said the few medics available struggled to decide who to treat first, as patients and bloodied bodies intermingled on the floor. The vast majority of the wounded are children. Were talking about large numbers of children with severed limbs, he said in desperation, adding that emergency workers were still pulling the wounded and the dead out from under the rubble. There are not enough medical facilities or supplies, nor are there enough medical personnel. The doctors deal with injuries without preference, unfortunately. Dr Tanya Haj-Hassan, a paediatric intensive care physician working with Medical Aid for Palestinians inside Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza, described being woken before dawn by an airstrike frenzy. The ER was just chaos, patients everywhere on the floor, she said in a voice recording, adding that the paediatric intensive area unit beds were full and in the first couple of hours, more than 70 bodies were brought in and taken immediately to the morgue. There were probably three men, and the rest were all children, women, the elderly it was everybody caught in their sleep, still wrapped in their blankets. Terrifying, a level of horror and evil that is hard to articulate. It felt like armageddon. Dr Mohammad Qishta, a Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) emergency doctor at Nasser Hospital, said the emergency department was disastrous. We received no less than 400 cases in less than two hours. We received many bodies and parts of bodies, most of them children and women, he continued. Palestinian civilians and international aid workers described being shaken awake at 2am by the sound of heavy bombing as Israel launched some of the strongest attacks in the 15-month war. open image in gallery A Palestinian girl sits among the rubble of the Qrayqea family house ( AFP via Getty ) It was one bomb after the other, sometimes with just a few seconds between them. I could see the sky lighting up, said Rosalia Bollen, at the UNs childrens agency Unicef, from al-Muwasi camp, a coastal area Israel has said is a protected humanitarian zone. Everyone was yelling, and I heard ambulances. We knew that some of those bombs hit tents and schools that were shelters for people. We know there were dozens of children killed and scores more injured. The sound of drones and the rumbling of planes has been uninterrupted. Catherine Russell, executive director of Unicef, added: Reports and images emerging from the Gaza Strip following todays attacks are beyond horrifying. Hundreds of people have reportedly been killed, including more than 130 children, representing the largest single-day child death toll in the last year. Mr Netanyahus office released a statement that the army had been instructed to take strong action after Hamass repeated refusal to release our hostages, as well as its rejection of all proposals it has received from US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and from the mediators. The Israeli military said it had started to strike what it claimed were targets belonging to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, including weapons stockpiles and launch posts. The attack, during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, could signal the full resumption of a war that has already killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and caused widespread destruction across Gaza. It also raised fears about the fate of around two dozen Israeli hostages held by Hamas since the 7 October attacks on southern Israel, who are believed to still be alive. open image in gallery Relatives of the hostages calling for their release and expressing concerns that the resumption of fighting in Gaza puts their loved ones at risk ( AP ) A senior Hamas official said Mr Netanyahu's decision to return to war amounts to a death sentence for the remaining hostages. In Israel, families of the hostages expressed their desperation, with the largest faction of the families saying: Our greatest fear has come true the Israeli government has chosen to abandon the hostages. Resuming fighting will cost more hostages their lives, they said as they announced a wave of rallies in Israel. We must stop the fighting and immediately return to the negotiation table to reach a comprehensive agreement for the return of all hostages. Hamas official Izzat al-Risheq accused Mr Netanyahu of launching the strikes to try and save his far-right governing coalition and called on mediators to reveal facts on who broke the truce. Hamas said at least four senior officials were killed in Tuesdays strikes. In Israel, many have also accused Mr Netanyahu of putting domestic politics first, ahead of an important budget vote next week, and also amid multiple trials where he is accused of corruption. The ceasefire was first drafted to consist of three phases, the first of which expired two weeks ago and saw Hamas hand over 25 living hostages and the remains of eight others in exchange for the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Phase two, which is yet to be fully negotiated, was supposed to pave the way for a long-term ceasefire, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the return of all hostages. However, the extreme-right of the Israeli government including Itamar Ben-Gvir, minister of national security, who resigned in protest, have fiercely rejected ending the war and withdrawing from the besieged strip. open image in gallery Palestinians carry a body pulled from the rubble of the Qrayqea family house, destroyed by Israeli strikes ( AFP via Getty ) Mr Netanyahu needs to meet an end-of-the-month deadline for passing a budget or his government will collapse and the country would be forced into early elections. He has struggled to reach an agreement with coalition partners. Following Tuesday's strikes, the far-right Jewish Power party of Mr Ben-Gvir announced it was returning to Mr Netanyahu's coalition. Mr Netanyahu was also due to appear in court this week to testify in his ongoing corruption trials, which have cast a long shadow over his terms in office. The Israeli premier has vehemently denied the charges and portrayed the legal proceedings as a political witch hunt. He has also frequently, and unsuccessfully, requested that his hearings be cancelled so he can focus on the war in Gaza. His wish was apparently temporarily granted on Tuesday the latest session has been cancelled due to the renewed hostilities. The renewal of the campaign against Hamas, which is supported by Iran, came as the US and Israel stepped up attacks this week across the region. The US launched deadly strikes against Iran-allied rebels in Yemen, while Israel has targeted Iran-backed militants in Lebanon and Syria. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Israel launched dozens of attacks on targets across the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, bringing the relative calm of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas to an abrupt end. More than 400 Palestinians across Gaza have been killed, including women and children, according to health officials. Israel says the operation is open-ended and expected to expand, raising fears of the 17-month-old war reigniting. This preemptive offensive will continue as long as necessary, and will expand beyond air strikes, the Israeli military said in a statement. Here's what to know about how the strikes came about and what might come next. What happened to the ceasefire? The ceasefire agreed to in mid-January was a three-phase plan, the first of which ended two weeks ago. Israel balked at entering substantive negotiations over the second phase, which were meant to lead to a long-term ceasefire, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the return of all hostages taken by Hamas in its October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that started the war. The ceasefire was supposed to continue as long as talks over the second phase went on, according to the agreement reached after more than a year of negotiations mediated by the United States, Egypt and Qatar. During the first phase, Hamas returned 25 living hostages and the remains of eight others in exchange for the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Israeli forces also withdrew to buffer zones inside Gaza, and hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians returned to northern Gaza. No further hostage releases were called for under the agreement until the second phase. open image in gallery The body of a Palestinian killed in an Israeli army airstrikes is brought to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City ( Copyright 2025, The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Hundreds of aid trucks had been entering daily. But two weeks ago, Israel cut off all food, medicine, fuel, electricity and other supplies to the territorys around two million people to pressure Hamas to accept a new proposal. The new plan would require Hamas to release half its remaining hostages the militant groups main bargaining chip in exchange for a ceasefire extension and a promise to negotiate a lasting truce. Israel made no mention of releasing more Palestinian prisoners a key component of the first phase. Hamas refused the new proposal, accusing Israel of trying to sabotage the existing agreement. Is the ceasefire over? Unless mediators step in, Israel's surprise attack could mean a full return to fighting in a 17-month war that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and caused widespread destruction across Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has repeatedly threatened to resume the war, said he ordered the strikes because of Hamas' rejection of the new proposal. He said Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength." The White House said it had been consulted and voiced support for Israels actions. open image in gallery A man walks through the rubble of a destroyed section of a school-turned-camp in Gaza City ( AFP via Getty Images ) Hamas accused Netanyahu of upending the ceasefire agreement and exposing the remaining hostages to an unknown fate. In a statement, it called on mediators to hold Israel fully responsible for violating and overturning the agreement. The attack came during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. No major fighting has occurred in Gaza since the ceasefire took hold on January 19, but Israeli strikes have killed dozens of Palestinians who the military said had entered unauthorised areas, engaged in militant activities or otherwise violated the truce. What is Netanyahu's situation? Netanyahu has come under mounting domestic pressure, with mass protests planned over his handling of the hostage crisis and his decision to fire the head of Israels internal security agency. Families of hostages still held in Gaza expressed concern on Tuesday over their loved ones. We are shocked, angry, and terrified by the deliberate dismantling of the process to return our loved ones from the terrible captivity of Hamas, the Hostages Families Forum said. But Netanyahu has also faced demands from his hard-line allies not to allow any deal in Gaza that falls short of Hamas' destruction. Negotiations with Hamas over a second phase could have brought pressure for compromises over how Gaza will be ruled in the future. open image in gallery Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ( via REUTERS ) Netanyahu's critics say his firing of the security agency chief and a string of other dismissals are part of a broader campaign aimed at undermining independent government institutions. They say hes doing this to maintain power while on trial for alleged corruption and facing public pressure to accept his own responsibility for policy failures in the lead-up to Hamas' surprise attack on October 7, 2023. What else is happening? A resumption of fighting in Gaza could have repercussions around the region. Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels denounced the Israeli strikes, saying the Palestinian people will not be left alone in this battle" indicating a possible resumption of the Houthis' strikes on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The United States launched a new airstrikes over the weekend targeting the Houthis in Yemen in retaliation for its attacks on shipping. At least 53 people were reported killed. U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday warned Iran would suffer the consequences for any further Houthi attacks, threatening to widen the conflict further. New Gaza violence could also shake the ceasefire that Israel reached with Hezbollah in November, which stopped months of deadly exchanges of fire over the Israeli-Lebanon border. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Israels military has launched dozens of strikes on targets across the Gaza Strip, shattering a ceasefire with Hamas . Health officials in the Hamas -run strip said more than 400 Palestinians have been killed in the strikes , which started early on Tuesday and continue. More than 600 people have been injured. The Israeli military said in a statement: This preemptive offensive will continue as long as necessary, and will expand beyond air strikes. Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned the strikes were just the beginning and any further negotiations would continue only under fire. Heres what we know about the strikes, and what could happen next. Why did Israel launch the attacks? The war in Gaza was triggered by an attack by Hamas on 7 October 2023, during which around 1,200 people were killed and 251 people were taken captive. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said the strikes were ordered after Hamass repeated refusal to release our hostages. The strikes came two months after a ceasefire deal was brokered to temporarily halt the conflict, with Israel's retaliatory offensive inside Gaza having killed more than 48,000 Palestinians, according to the Gazas health ministry, and laid waste to the territory home to 2.3 million people, who face severe shortages of medicine, fuel and food. Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength, Mr Netanyahus office said in a statement. Hamas still holds 59 hostages. open image in gallery A woman mourns as she identifies a body in the Al-Ahli hospital ( AP ) The Israeli military said it launched a series of preemptive strikes targeting mid-ranking military commanders, leadership officials and terrorist infrastructure belonging to the Hamas terrorist organisation. In a statement issued shortly after strikes began, Israel Katz, Israels defence minister, said the gates of hell will open in Gaza and that Hamas would be hit with a force it has never seen before if it did not release all remaining hostages it holds. Key Hamas figures were killed in the attacks including Essam al-Da'alis, head of the Hamas government and the most senior figure of authority in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli military said. Other political leaders and ministers were killed, as well as many women and children, according to medics and Palestinian officials in Gaza. The Israeli military said it was prepared to spread out in all areas, including through increased personnel at borders and the Aerial Defence Array. In the wake of the new strikes, Hamas accused Israel of breaching the ceasefire and jeopardising efforts by mediators to secure a permanent truce. open image in gallery A body of a Palestinian killed in an Israeli army airstrikes is brought to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on Tuesday ( Copyright 2025, The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) What has happened to the ceasefire? The ceasefire agreement involved a three-phase plan. Under the first, six-week phase, Hamas returned 25 living hostages and the bodies of eight others, in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. Israeli troops also withdrew from some buffer zones in Gasa allowing displaced Palestinians to return home to northern Gaza. Negotiations over phase two were meant to lead to a long-term ceasefire, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the return of all hostages taken by Hamas during the 7 October attack. But since that ceasefire ended two weeks ago, the sides have not been able to agree on a way forward with a second phase aimed at releasing the 59 remaining hostages, 35 of whom are believed to be dead, and ending the war altogether. open image in gallery Palestinians inspect a destroyed area of Al Tabien school on Tuesday morning following Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City ( EPA ) Israel has cut off all aid to Gaza in a bid to pressure Hamas to accept a new proposal the return of all remaining hostages in exchange for further prisoner releases and a 30- to 60-day truce. Hamas has refused such a proposal, which does not mention any release of Palestinian prisoners, and has accused Israel of trying to sabotage the existing agreement. Hamas instead wants to follow the ceasefire deal reached by the two sides, which calls for negotiations to begin on the ceasefire's more difficult second phase, in which the remaining hostages would be released and Israeli forces would withdraw from Gaza. What has the White House said? The White House confirmed it had been consulted by Israel ahead of the strikes, and blamed Hamas for the attack . National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes said Hamas "could have released hostages to extend the ceasefire but instead chose refusal and war. US envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff , who had aided mediation efforts, had earlier demanded Hamas release the remaining live hostages or pay a severe price. Mr Netanyahu's office also said that Hamas had "rejected all offers it received from the US presidential envoy, Steve Witkoff, and from the mediators." open image in gallery Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Natanyahu said Israeli must fight Hamas ( via REUTERS ) Is any peace deal now over? Mr Netanyahu said the country would continue to target Hamas after the group has refused offer after offer to release our hostages. So, I want to assure all our friends around the world, Israel will fight and Israel will win. We will bring our people home and we will destroy Hamas, he said in a statement on Tuesday evening. We will not relent until we achieve all these vital goals and we will not rest until we give our country a future of peace, prosperity and hope." Earlier on Tuesday a senior Hamas official, Izzat al-Risheq, said Mr Netanyahu's decision to return to war amounts to a "death sentence" for the remaining hostages The families of Israeli hostages said their greatest fear had been realised, saying the conflict risked the lives of their loved ones and urged an immediate return to a ceasefire. The lives of our loved ones hang by a thread and cannot endure much longer. After surviving months in captivity against all odds, they are now in critical danger, a statement from the families said. The families also urged mediators to put pressure on Hamas to release the hostages. The window for saving our loved ones is closing. They cannot survive much longer. The time for action is now, they said. Hamas has urged mediators to hold Israel "fully responsible for violating and overturning the agreement." open image in gallery People displaced by conflict and fleeing from Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Stri ( AFP via Getty Images ) What will happen next? Israels military has ordered an evacuation of parts of eastern Gaza. The evacuation orders, which cover the northern town of Beit Hanoun and other communities further south, suggest that Israeli troops may launch renewed ground operations. A return to war would allow Mr Netanyahu to avoid the tough trade-offs called for in the second phase of the agreement and the thorny question of who would govern Gaza. It would also shore up his coalition, which depends on hardline populist parties who want to see the war continue until Hamas is completely destroyed. Danny Danon, Israels ambassador to the United Nations, said the strikes on Gaza will continue. The Security Council will convene tomorrow to discuss the situation in Gaza. It is time for the countries of the world to take seriously our unwavering commitment to bring back all our hostages home and defeat the enemy, he wrote on X. Nothing will stop us from fighting to free our hostages who have been held in brutal Hamas captivity for 527 days. We will show no mercy against our enemies while our hostages languish in Hamas terror tunnels. But Mr Netanyahu will face pressure over the remaining hostages. Tens of thousands of Israelis have taken part in mass demonstrations calling for a ceasefire and return of all captives. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice In the early hours of Tuesday, families in Gaza were shaken awake by the return of ferocious bombardment from the air and land. The tense calm of a fragile ceasefire brokered by the US, Qatar, and Egypt and in place since January had been shattered. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the renewed offensive, vowing that Israel will from now on act against Hamas with increasing military strength, blaming the group for its repeated refusal to release our hostages, as well as its rejection of all of the proposals. It comes just two weeks after he ordered Israel to cut off all food, medicine, fuel, electricity, and other supplies to Gazas two million people to try and put pressure on Hamas to accept a new deal. Mr Netanyahu has seemingly refused to bow to pressure from the families of the hostages to continue the truce and bring their loved ones home. On Tuesday morning the largest faction representing hostages families said their greatest fear has come true the Israeli government has chosen to abandon the hostages. They warned that resuming fighting will cost more hostages their lives, before saying: We must stop the fighting and immediately return to the negotiation table. Hamas militant group, meanwhile, accused Netanyahu of upending the ceasefire agreement and in a veiled threat, said the fighting exposed the remaining hostages to an unknown fate. open image in gallery A man treads through rubble in Gaza City as the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel is broken ( AFP via Getty ) So what happened? The ceasefire was supposed to consist of three phases, the first of which expired two weeks ago and saw Hamas hand over 25 living hostages and the remains of eight others in exchange for the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Phase two, which is yet to be fully negotiated, was supposed to pave the way to a long-term ceasefire, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the return of all hostages taken by Hamas in its attack on Israel that started the war in 2023. However, ending the war and withdrawing from the besieged strip has been fiercely rejected by the extreme-right flank of the Israeli government, including Itamar Ben-Gvir, minister of national security, who resigned in protest when the initial Gaza ceasefire began in January. In fact, hardline cabinet members have, at several points, threatened to bring down Mr Netanyahus fragile coalition if he does not return to the fighting. One concern in Israel is that Mr Netanyahu is more preoccupied with satisfying his far-right partners ahead of a budget vote next week and saving his political skin while he is on trial, than bringing his citizens home and building peace. Israeli media reported on Tuesday morning that Ben-Gvir was poised to return to the heart of government, possibly within days. As Amir Tibon, a correspondent for left-leaning newspaper Haaretz, put it on X (Twitter): Netanyahu had a choice return the hostages to their families or return Ben-Gvir to the government to pass a budget. And he chose Ben-Gvir. open image in gallery Benjamin Netanyahu attends his ongoing trial on corruption charges at the district court in Tel Aviv last month ( EPA ) Mr Netanyahu was also due to appear in court on Tuesday to testify in his ongoing corruption trials, which have cast a long shadow over the embattled premiers terms of office and future. The Israeli leader has vehemently denied the charges and portrayed the legal proceedings as a political witch hunt. He has frequently, and unsuccessfully, requested that his hearings be cancelled so he can focus on the war in Gaza. His wish was apparently temporarily granted on Tuesday the latest session has been postponed due to the renewed hostilities. Another theory in Israel is that the decision to return to war in Gaza is related to fierce criticism Mr Netanyahu has faced over his decision last week to oust his domestic intelligence chief, Ronen Bar. Israeli media has reported that he fired Bar to thwart planned investigations into how Hamass 2023 attack happened and into Israeli connections with funding streams to the militant group. All of this has provided a fraught backdrop to already messy and muddy negotiations for a lasting truce in recent days, with all sides Hamas, Israel, or Donald Trumps top negotiator Steve Witkoff putting forward unsuccessful proposals. Mr Netanyahu has made it clear that he does not want to move to phase two and instead suggested an extension of phase one which would require Hamas to release half of its remaining hostages the militant groups main bargaining chip in exchange for a ceasefire extension and a promise to negotiate a lasting truce. However, Israel has made no mention of releasing more Palestinian prisoners, a key component of the first phase. Hamas is adamant phase two must begin but suggested their own temporary proposal, which involved releasing a living American-Israeli hostage and the bodies of four dual nationals who had died in captivity but this was also rejected, with Mr Netanyahu calling it manipulation. open image in gallery Both Israel and Hamas rejected a bridge proposal made by US envoy Steve Witkoff ( AP ) Mr Witkoff, a long-time friend of Trump who got the January deal over the line, has reportedly spent multiple hours with Qatari negotiators in Doha in the last week and may have even okayed the first direct talks between US and Hamas officials. He put forward a slightly different bridge proposal that apparently has also not been embraced. Israels renewed offensive has already killed hundreds of civilians in Gaza, with medics saying that the strips destroyed healthcare system, crippled by aid blockade, cannot cope with the influx of wounded. In Israel, families of hostages fear their loved ones have simply been forgotten and will also perish in the bombardment. A complete return to war in Gaza could once again trigger regional conflict, dragging in the Houthis in Yemen and the Iranians into the mix especially after Trump ordered strikes on the Yemeni capital Sanaa and Red Sea region this week. Peace in the region is at stake. Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The European Space Agency has released the first data from its Euclid space telescope, which hopes to understand the mystery of dark energy and dark matter. The first tranche of data shows three patches of the sky, each of which shows an array of galaxies. It shows a part of the sky that is more than 300 times the size of the Moon when it is seen from Earth. Eventually, Euclid hopes to map a full atlas of the universe, scanning more than a third of the sky. Euclid, launched from Florida in 2023 on a planned six-year mission, is an orbiting observatory gathering data on how the universe has expanded and how its structure has formed over time and amassing information about the nature of dark energy and dark matter and the role of gravity on large scales. The survey areas disclosed on Wednesday account for only about half a percent of the mission's eventual goal. The data represents just one week of observations including one scan of each of the three regions, but it covers 26 million galaxies up to 10.5 billion light-years away. A light-year is the distance light travels in a year, 5.9 trillion miles (9.5 trillion km). The Big Bang event roughly 13.8 billion years ago initiated the universe, which has been expanding ever since. The universe's contents include ordinary matter as well as dark matter and dark energy. Ordinary matter - stars, planets, gas, dust and all the familiar stuff on Earth - represents perhaps 5% of the contents. Dark matter is invisible material that may make up about 27% of the cosmos. Dark energy, an enigmatic component thought to be responsible for the accelerated expansion of the universe, may account for 68%. The newly released Euclid images hint at the large-scale organization of galaxies in what is known as the cosmic web, essentially the backbone of the universe. In this web, there are concentrations of galaxies with voids of space in between, as if the galaxies were sitting on vast empty bubbles. The cosmic web's structure offers clues about dark matter and dark energy, according to the researchers. Astrophysicist Carole Mundell, the European Space Agency's director of science, called Euclid a "dark detective." "We now understand about 5% of the universe," Mundell said. "The other 95% is dark and is unknown." Euclid measures the various shapes and the distribution of galaxies with its high-resolution imaging visible instrument, or VIS, while its near-infrared instrument, or NISP, determines galaxy distances and masses. Euclid eventually is expected to obtain images of more than 1.5 billion galaxies. "It is exploring more distant objects in the universe with a greater amount of sky explored than any survey before for objects so far away," astrophysicist Chris Duffy of Lancaster University in England, one of the scientists involved in the research, said of Euclid. Duffy's part of the Euclid research focuses upon transient objects - ones that appear only briefly - such as stellar explosions called supernovae seen in the observations. A first detailed catalog of more than 380,000 galaxies of various shapes and sizes, classified according to features such as spiral arms and central bars as well as traits that indicate a galactic merger, was released on Wednesday. This represents "the first chunk of what will be the largest-ever catalog of the detailed appearance of galaxies," said University of Toronto astrophysicist Mike Walmsley, one of the Euclid scientists. Light traveling toward Earth from faraway galaxies is bent and distorted by normal matter and dark matter in the foreground in an effect called gravitational lensing. It is one of the tools used by Euclid to study how dark matter is distributed. Researchers have been sifting through the Euclid data to identify strong gravitational lenses, and have identified about 500 such candidates. "The invisible dark matter in massive galaxies warps space, bending light rays like a magnifying glass. This magnifies and distorts the galaxies behind them into arcs and rings, and measuring the distortion lets us measure the invisible dark matter. But the galaxies must be very precisely aligned, so this strong lensing effect is very rare," Walmsley said. "Euclid is the best instrument ever built for finding these, because it can take an exceptionally sharp image of wide patches of sky AAA while telescopes like Hubble and the James Webb Space Telescope are designed to look at much smaller patches," Walmsley added. The next Euclid data release, planned for October 2026, will cover an area 30 times larger than Wednesday's release. Additional reporting by agencies On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Israel has launched a ground incursion into central Gaza, shattering hopes of a renewed truce, as the countrys defence minister warned they would step up attacks with an intensity not seen before. The Israeli military said it had resumed targeted ground activities in central and southern Gaza to retake part of the strategic Netzarim corridor, an area that cuts the besieged territory in half. This came a day after its air force launched an intense wave of strikes, shattering a ceasefire and killing more than 400 people, including at least 130 children according to estimates, in one of the deadliest days in the 17-month conflict. On Wednesday, Israel escalated the violence as its troops pushed deeper into Gaza, with Israeli defence minister Israel Katz issuing a final warning to the people in Gazans that unless the hostages were returned and the Hamas militant group eliminated, the alternative is complete destruction and devastation. Palestinian families in the north and east of the strip told The Independent they were forced to flee their homes again, after Israeli quadcopters dropped leaflets telling them to evacuate. In a sign of the spiralling violence, also on Wednesday, the United Nations said a foreign staffer was killed and four others wounded when an explosive device was dropped on one of its headquarters in the centre of the strip despite the location being known to all parties involved in the conflict. The Israeli military denied involvement in a statement to The Independent. Defence minister Katz warned that increase in military activity was just the first step. open image in gallery The city of Khan Younis is hit by an IDF airstrike on Wednesday ( Reuters ) The rest will be much more difficult, and you will pay the full price. If all the Israeli hostages are not released and Hamas is not eliminated from Gaza, Israel will act with an intensity you have never seen before, he said in a bleak warning. Take the advice of the US president: return the hostages and eliminate Hamas, and other options will open up for you, including going to other places in the world for those who wish. "The alternative is complete destruction and devastation." Israel launched a devastating offensive on Gaza in October 2023 in the wake of a bloody attack by Hamas on southern Israel, during which 1,200 people were killed and 250 hostages taken, according to Israeli estimates. Since then, Israels ferocious bombardment has killed more than 49,000 people in the besieged strip, according to Palestinian health authorities, and caused a humanitarian crisis with shortages of food, fuel, and water. In January, the US, Qatar, and Egypt negotiated a three-phased ceasefire offering respite for Gaza's 2.3 million residents after 17 months of war that has reduced the enclave to rubble and forced most of its population to evacuate multiple times. The first phase, which expired two weeks ago, saw Hamas hand over 25 living hostages and the remains of eight others in exchange for the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinians. Phase two, which is yet to be fully negotiated, was supposed to pave the way for a long-term ceasefire, a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the return of the remaining hostages. But Israel accused Hamas of violating the terms of the deal and imposed a full blockade on aid two weeks ago. On Tuesday they launched a surprise wave of airstrikes, so intense they were described by international medics on the ground as an armageddon. Doctors in three different hospitals in the strip told The Independent of emergency rooms flooded with injuries, including children with severed limbs. Palestinian surgeon Khaled al-Ser at the Nasser hospital in Khan Younis described picking through the melted remains of civilians at the morgue, only to find the body of his nine-year-old cousin. open image in gallery Dr Khaled al-Ser next to Nasser Hospital before it was destroyed in February 2024 ( Supplied ) Dr Ser described the horror of what he saw in such gruesome detail that The Independent has decided not to publish the graphic scenes. Dr Mohamed Abu al-Salmiya, the director of Shifa hospital, which until intense Israeli bombardment was Gazas largest medical centre, said they were struggling to treat children with severe burns because they lacked medicines, painkillers, and anaesthesia. At Ahli hospital also in Gaza City, Muhammad Abuafash, director of Palestinian Medical Relief, said they were having to amputate childrens limbs despite lacking basic surgical supplies because of the aid restrictions. In Israel, meanwhile, families of the hostages still held by militants, in desperation, took to the streets demanding that Israel halt the offensive, fearing their loved ones would be killed in the fighting. We must stop the fighting and immediately return to the negotiation table to reach a comprehensive agreement for the return of all hostages. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The mother and travelling companion of one of six victims of suspected methanol poisoning in Laos is demanding the UK government put the country on its travel no-go list. Simone White, 28, a London lawyer, died along with two Australian backpackers, two Danes, and an American after becoming unwell while visiting the town of Vang Vieng a popular stop on the backpacker trail through southeast Asia. They were staying at the Nana Backpacker Hostel, which offered free shots of spirits thought to be tainted with methanol. The substance causes coma, convulsions, blindness, nervous system damage and death, according to the UK Health Security Agency. Simone was travelling with her friend Bethany Clarke, who had met her in Asia after a stint working in Australia. open image in gallery Care free: Bethany Clarke (front) and Simone Clarke (back) on in Laos on the day they were both poisoned with methanol ( Bethany Clarke ) Bethany was also hospitalised but has recovered. Now, along with Simones mother, Sue White, she is campaigning for greater awareness of the risks of methanol poisoning and for the Foreign Office to warn against travel to Laos. Bethany told The Independent: The UK should impose a ban on trips to Laos. The Lao authorities are failing to be honest and transparent about whats happened. Were the Foreign Office to warn against travel to Laos, the effect would be to invalidate most travel insurance policies and put the nation off-limits to many British travellers. The call follows reports that no action will be taken against 11 people arrested in connection with the mass poisoning. Bethany said: We found out that the 11 detainees were released without charge. One of the Danish fathers phoned me and said there's been a big meeting which we weren't aware of over in Laos, with the British ambassador, the Danish ambassador. He said: Were you told the outcome? I said I didn't even know a meeting was taking place, but during the course of the conversation, I said at least the 11 employees are still detained. He said no, they were released two weeks ago. We'd never been told. We were given no updates at all. The Danish father that I spoke to said his understanding was the Lao government are very reluctant to pursue the investigation. They do literally want it swept under the carpet. The second thing that came out of the meeting was that they're saying that it wasn't a distillery problem. It did come from the hostel the alcohol was tampered with at the hostel. So I don't know why they let the employees go. Thavone Siharaj, deputy chief of the Lao Embassy in London, said that the government in Vientiane immediately ordered investigations into the incident to identify the actual cause of the deaths and to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice in accordance with the laws. He said the owner and staff of Nana Backpackers Hostel have been released because there is not sufficient evidence to extend their detention according to the law. But he added: They are committed to cooperate with the authorities and their passports are kept with the police as long as the investigation is not completed. A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: We are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Laos and we are in contact with the local authorities Last week the junior Foreign Office minister, Hamish Falconer, said in a written answer: The risks of methanol poisoning are included in our travel advice pages where we see evidence of a trend that is likely to affect British nationals in that country or territory. We include information about the risks from methanol poisoning or counterfeit alcohol in our travel advice pages for Cambodia, Costa Rica, Fiji, Indonesia, Laos, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam. In determining what we include in our travel advice, we assess a range of factors, including drawing on local knowledge and monitoring trends in consular cases. open image in gallery Seeking justice: Sue White, mother of Simone White ( Bethany Clarke ) Sue White is hoping that politicians including Laura Trott, Conservative MP for Sevenoaks & Swanley, will add to the pressure on the Lao authorities. It's just so difficult to kind of get any kind of justice, she said. Methanol poisoning occurs in a wide range of locations popular with travellers. The substance is tasteless and has only a faint smell, making it impossible to tell if a drink is contaminated. Bethany Clarke and Sue White are also campaigning for funding to be organised for testing strips for travellers to detect whether methanol has been added to drinks. At present there is no straightforward method to assess if the poison is present. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Malaysia will resume its search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook announced on Wednesday. The government has reached an agreement with exploration firm Ocean Infinity to recommence the search for the wreckage, which disappeared en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing in 2014. The Boeing 777, carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew, vanished without a trace, creating one of aviation's most enduring mysteries. The new search area, located in the southern Indian Ocean, will cover an estimated 15,000 sq km (5,790 sq miles). Ocean Infinity will operate under a "no find, no fee" agreement, meaning they will only receive payment if the wreckage is located. The agreed-upon fee for a successful discovery is $70 million. This renewed effort offers a glimmer of hope for closure to the families of those lost aboard MH370. This renewed effort offers a glimmer of hope for closure to the families of those lost aboard MH370 ( AP ) "The government is committed to continuing the search operation and providing closure for the families of the MH370 passengers," Loke said in a statement. The government in December said it had agreed in principle with Ocean Infinity's proposal to resume the hunt for MH370. The firm had conducted the last search for the plane that ended in 2018 but failed on two attempts. Those followed an underwater search by Malaysia, Australia and China in a 120,000 sq km (46,332 sq mile) area of the southern Indian Ocean, based on data of automatic connections between an Inmarsat satellite and the plane. A ship that will look for the missing plane was deployed to its Indian Ocean search zone late last month, ship tracking data showed, even though a deal had yet to be signed with the government. It was not immediately clear how long the search contract with Ocean Infinity would be. Loke had previously said it would cover an 18-month period. Two Nasa astronauts who were stuck in space for the last nine months have finally returned home. Sunita Suni Williams and Barry Butch Wilmore left Earth in June 2024 on a test flight that was intended to last roughly nine days. Their stay on the International Space Station was extended following issues with their Boeing Starliner spacecraft that raised concerns. Williams and Wilmore returned in a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft alongside Crew-9 mission members Nick Hague and Russian Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. Footage shows the craft splashing down in the Gulf of Mexico as crews raced to greet them. All four smiled and waved as they were pulled from the capsule and taken away for medical examinations. Sir Keir Starmer has backed calls for Netflix series Adolescence to be shown in Britains parliament and in schools. Speaking during Prime Ministers Questions on Wednesday, 19 March, the prime minister revealed that he and his teenage children had been watching the show, which follows the family of 13-year-old schoolboy, Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper), who is accused of the brutal murder of a young girl. Stephen Graham plays Jamies father, Eddie. The show explores topical issues including incel culture, misogyny and the online manosphere. This violence carried out by young men, influenced by what they see online, is abhorrent and we have to tackle it, Sir Keir told the House of Commons. Sir Keir Starmer hit out at Nigel Farage during Wednesday's Prime Minister's Questions, saying he "can't even lead a party that fits in the back of a taxi". The prime minister was responding to a question from Reform UK MP Lee Anderson, who asked how much the earth's temperature would decrease if Britain reached net zero tomorrow. Answering his question, Sir Keir said: "Net zero is of course not easy, but its a huge opportunity to boost our growth, our jobs our economy. And so he knows my views on that. But, theyd have better ideas if they stopped fawning over Putin. And I understand the member for Clacton [Farage] wants to be prime minister, but he can't even lead a party that fits in the back of a taxi." Donald Trump says he and Vladimir Putin did not discuss Ukraine aid in their phone call on Tuesday, 18 March. The Kremlin said after the call that the Russian leader emphasised that any conflict resolution would require an end to all military and intelligence assistance to Ukraine. In an interview with Fox, the US president added: We talked about a lot of things but aid was never discussed. Hours after the call, Putins forces launched a major air raid on energy infrastructure in Ukraines Slovyansk city late last night. The Russian leader had told Mr Trump he would pause such attacks. The White House has declared that Russia and Ukraine have never been closer to peace following a phone call between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky. The US president spoke with the Ukrainian president on Wednesday (19 March) after Trumps 90-minute conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin the day before. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, reading aloud from a statement to the press, called the discussion between Trump and Zelensky fantastic. Lasting peace under President Trump's leadership can be achieved, the statement continued. This week, a meeting between the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), the Republic of Cyprus, alongside the guarantor powers of Greece, Turkey and the UK, is due to take place in Geneva under the backing of United Nations secretary general Antonio Guterres. This marks the second round of discussions since the 2017 Crans-Montana talks, where negotiations fell apart after the Greek-Cypriot side negotiated in bad faith and walked away from a compromise. Previous UN proposals, led by Kofi Annan, were presented to both peoples in referendums in 2004, having been initiated by leaders on both sides. While the Turkish Cypriots overwhelmingly approved the proposals, 76 per cent of Greek Cypriots, stirred up by their president, Tassos Papadopoulos, flatly rejected them. But 2017 is a political lifetime ago; around the world, the rules-based order which has underpinned world stability since the 1940s is collapsing. Nonetheless, it is a system which has allowed this crisis to remain just that a crisis. The inaction on the Cyprus issue which has frozen this struggle in time simply cannot be allowed to endure. Fresh thinking is required to excise this tumour from the body of Europe. To me, the answer to this issue is simple. The only realistic way forward for the island is a two-state solution a view shared by the TRNC and Turkey. The Greek Cypriots remain doggedly committed to the long-failed federal proposal. The realpolitik of the situation is stark. Greek-Cypriot president Nikos Christodoulidess performance in the polls is dire 55 per cent of respondents in a recent poll expressed a negative view of his leadership and his handling of the Cyprus issue was backed by only 36 per cent. With legislative elections due to be held in the south next year, the Marxist-Leninist far-left AKEL Party are currently surging in the polls. (AKEL began life as the Communist Party of Cyprus). Christodoulides is simply not going to give any ground in these talks and provide AKEL with a useful cause celebre. This is particularly important, given that AKEL has long advocated for the removal of British forces from Cyprus and the handover of the UKs strategically vital Sovereign Base Areas spurred on by the Chagos debacle. This would be disastrous to our interests in the region. So where can meaningful change come from? The EU will not be present a positive step, given the ludicrous comments from Ursula von der Leyen, who declared a few years ago that the EU would never ever accept a two-state solution for the island. This leaves the door open for the UK and its representative, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office minister Stephen Doughty, who have the ideal platform to demonstrate leadership, cut the Gordian knot and attempt to find a sustainable solution to a problem that has plagued Europe for decades. TRNC president, Ersin Tatar has previously criticised the UK for no longer serving as a neutral guarantor in Cyprus. It is fair to say that the Greek-Cypriot viewpoint has become the norm, spoon-fed to ministers and diplomats alike in the Foreign Office. Im not sure that is fair. The problem arises from the fiction that the internationally recognised Republic of Cyprus controls the whole island, which it does not and in practice never will, compounded by the EUs decision of which to my regret I was a party of allowing the south to join the EU as if it represented the whole island. I acknowledge that any shift in position will have to be approached carefully, especially by the UK, given the strategic importance of its sovereign bases in the south. However, the potential benefits of a settlement in Geneva for both the south and the north in the long run make it a goal worth actively pursuing. Following publication of this article, the High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus in the UK, Dr Kyriacos Kouros, write to say: I agree with Mr. Straw that the issue has gone on too long, and that fresh thinking might help us conclude that last mile needed to resolve it. The protracted nature of the conflict, however, illustrates the dysfunctionality of the current international system, which applies double standards. Especially in the case of Cyprus, in 1974 and the years preceding, the international response to the military aggression that took place against Cyprus fell short of what one would expect under the UN Charter. On the matter of a simple solution for Cyprus, which Mr. Straw suggests as a two-state solution, is a claim that aligns him with the view of the occupying power in Cyprus and its subordinate local administration. This simple approach overlooks the reality that the international community, including successive British governments, has not endorsed it, for the simple reason that it would be legitimising the product of military aggression. I urge Mr. Straw to reconsider the narrative he has adopted for over a decade now, on what is essentially an argument for the delegitimisation of the internationally recognised government of the Republic of Cyprus. Furthermore, accepting military interventions as a resolution to any conflict, no matter how longstanding, would only open a Pandoras box, replacing one problem with a worse one. Greek- and Turkish-Cypriots alike are deeply traumatised by the conflict in Cyprus, and we seek a viable and lasting settlement. Businessman used alleged affair and brain aneurysm to delay payment, lawsuit claims Kildare-based businessman Paul Wright has been accused of stealing millions of dollars of client funds Paul Wright has been accused of using money to fund a lavish lifestyle John Mulligan Wed 19 Mar 2025 at 03:30 Paul Wright, a Kildare-based businessman who it has been alleged has stolen millions of dollars from US investors, has been accused by a firm suing him in the US of delay antics in an effort to thwart the legal action from progressing. ALT21 said it wants to automate certain steps in FX that can reduce operating costs, ensuring the customer can save money. Photo: Getty The Series A funding round is one of the largest ever in the sector in Europe and will be used to scale up the business, which promises to slash the cost of foreign exchange (FX) transactions, hedging and payments for business users. 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 Irish households are channelling increasingly large amounts of money into risky financial investments including crypto in part because they cant use the money to buy homes, new Central Bank research has found. The trend underscores the unintended consequences that continue to play out as a consequence of policies put in place after the property crash that act to restrict home ownership and are aimed at protecting the financial stability of banks, households and the wider economy. In cinemas; Cert G How do you solve a problem like Snow White? Structurally unsound and tonally uneven, this long-delayed live-action remake of the 1937 Disney animated classic has been doomed since day one. Numerous controversies threatened to derail its production. Rachel Zeglers casting as the eponymous heroine a smart choice, given the actors triumphant debut as Maria in Steven Spielbergs impeccable West Side Story adaptation angered conservative commentators who believed a Latina actress shouldnt be front and centre of a traditional Disney princess feature. Thats nonsense, obviously, and Zegler held her head high, as she should. The dwarf problem is trickier to digest. The great Peter Dinklage, an actor who has a form of dwarfism, was the first to criticise Disneys live-action remake, before cameras had started rolling. Youre progressive in one way, said Dinklage, and youre still making that f**king backwards story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together, what the f**k are you doing, man? Not everyone agreed with Dinklage, but, in the end, our friends at the Mickey Mouse House decided not to hire actors from the dwarfism community. Instead, Snow Whites irksome woodland pals are now CGI creations, made to resemble their old-school cartoon counterparts. This, as Im sure you can imagine, creates a whole new set of complications. There is more. Zegler criticised the original picture (a major no-no, apparently). Opposing political stances Zegler is pro-Palestine and her colleague, Israeli actress Gal Gadot, supports Israel have made it next-to-impossible for cast members to promote the film together. And we havent yet mentioned Zeglers Trump comments (she is not a fan of the US president). Its all a bit of a mess, really. But hey, none of this has anything to do with the final picture and thats the only thing that matters, right? Directed by Marc Webb (500 Days of Summer, The Amazing Spider-Man), from a screenplay by Erin Cressida Wilson (Secretary, The Girl on the Train), this gargantuanly budgeted big-screen fairy tale plots a slightly different course to its beloved predecessor. Snow White, named so because of her chilly arrival (she was born in a blizzard), is raised by a couple of giddy royals with kind hearts and lovely singing voices. Wealth inequality is a myth in these parts, it seems, and the kingdom is a sunny one, populated by all-singing, all-dancing townsfolk who are more than happy to share the responsibility of raising a future queen. One day, without warning, Snow Whites dear mother passes. In a heartbeat, the childs father marries the first person who looks at him (Gadots Evil Queen). You probably know all this. In time, father exits the picture and a troublesome mirror (Ive never understood that bit) upsets the horrible boss. The queen then orders a conflicted huntsman (Ansu Kabia) to murder Snow White, which he doesnt, and eventually we arrive at a cottage in the woods where magical miners make their racket and a handsome bandit (Andrew Burnap, in the updated prince role) catches Snow Whites eye. A rickety combination of the new and the old there, and thats to be expected. There is, however, just one thing missing: a pulse. Flattened and flavourless, like a cheap pantomime at Christmas, this new and unimproved Snow White spends most of its time looking for a personality to call its own. It never finds one and that isnt Zeglers fault. Shes the best thing about this jumbled, washed-out presentation and the only performer who knows how to deliver an old-school showstopper. Burnap, a Cary Elwes-esque hero, minus the charisma, is no match for her, and our creepy CGI dwarf friends cant keep up. Its simple: you either make a cartoon or you commit to the live-action bit you cant have it both ways, not like this. It just looks strange. Elsewhere, classic musical favourites (Heigh-Ho, Whistle While You Work) sit awkwardly alongside clunky contemporary duds (think The Greatest Showman without the melodies). And then theres the wicked stepmother issue. Miscast and perhaps mismanaged too, Gadot has neither the wit nor the presence to make it work. Its a painful performance laborious and charmless and it wont do her career any favours. Two stars Advisers say Storms Darragh and Eowyn show Ireland is not ready to cope with severe weather Ireland needs a national climate-damage register to record the growing impact of storms and other extreme weather events, the Climate Change Advisory Council has said. It said Storms Eowyn and Darragh had shown how poorly equipped the country was to cope with extreme weather. It said a register, recording the economic, social and environmental impacts of extreme events, would help with better preparations in future. The time to act is now. Government cannot procrastinate any longer, said Professor Peter Thorne, chair of the councils climate adaptation committee. Proactive action can and must improve our preparedness for, and response to, rapidly emerging climate risks, to protect and support people, and future-proof our communities. This must be underpinned by robust climate data and services. The council said Storm Eowyn in January, which set a record with sustained hurricane force winds of 142kmh, had shown how exposed the country was. It left 768,000 premises without power, more than 200,000 without water and over one million telecom customers without broadband or phone coverage. Agricultural damage also resulted in farm sheds, polytunnels and forestry plantations flattened. Insurance companies said the cost of damage they were paying out on stood at close to 300m. Eowyn came just a month after Storm Darragh, which also caused widespread damage, with power cuts to 395,000 households, farms and businesses. Huge disruption to trade and travel on the busy Ireland-UK sea route also resulted when the ferry terminal at Holyhead Port in Wales was put out of action. The storms came against a backdrop of continuing changes to Irelands climate, with the council noting that 2024 was the fourth warmest year on record in Ireland despite prolonged spells of cloud and some severe rainfall events with resulting flooding. The global backdrop was even more alarming, with 2024 being the warmest year on record, ocean temperatures and sea-level rise continuing to increase and greenhouse gas concentrations at their highest ever. Looking ahead, the council warned that Ireland could expect more severe rainfall events, with or without more storms, as well as increasing heat, longer dry spells and up to a metre of sea-level rise as the century progresses. In a report to the Environment Minister, the council said there must be more investment in information systems to monitor the events and impacts. There is limited timely and systematic information available on the economic, social and environmental impacts caused by specific extreme weather events in Ireland, the report says. The impacts of these events on critical infrastructure and services, the built environment and productive assets such as agricultural land and forestry are also likely to become increasingly severe. It said efforts had stalled to develop an app the Weather Impact Register (Wire) for local authorities at the frontline of extreme weather preparations. The establishment of a national climate damage register would serve to improve our understanding of extreme weather events and their impacts and support more robust preparedness and planning for future extreme events. Irish employee accused of spying and corporate espionage by software giant admits destroying his phone at centre of claim Keith OBrien claimed he had been under complete duress and alleged he, his wife and children had been harassed, tracked and followed in supermarketsLast week the court heard he fled Ripplings office in Temple Bar, Dublin, after being served with legal papers in the caseOver the weekend there has been a witch-hunt against me. Journalists calling to my house, Mr OBrien claimed, before telling Mr Justice Mark Sanfey he was sorry for destroying the phone Keith OBrien. Shane Phelan Wed 19 Mar 2025 at 14:22 An Irish employee accused of spying and corporate espionage by a multi-billion-dollar US software company has destroyed the phone at the centre of the claims against him. The family of the late John Logue were hit with a double tragedy with his tragic farming death on Tuesday. On Tuesday emergency services responded to an incident in the Pullytean Road area of Castlederg in Co Tyrone. Mr Logue, understood to be aged in his 40s, tragically died at the scene. The family has been previously bereaved before Christmas last year, after the passing of Charlie Logue, Johns father. Tributes poured in for the devoted father, who is understood to have had a young family. Sharing his sympathies is DUP councillor for the area, Keith Kerrigan. "My sympathies are with the family. I know that Johns father, Charlie passed away just before Christmas, said the representative. It was really a tragedy, it shows the dangers facing those working in the farming business. It was a farming death which is doubly tragic, with the passing of Johns father in November." Sinn Fein councillor for Derg, Caroline Devine, said the community was shocked by the loss of the young father. "Aghyaran is a tight knit rural community, everybody knows each other. So John and his family are well known, she said. "The whole community is just really shocked, it is such a tragic loss. "I would like to offer my condolences to the family. Also speaking of the loss was fellow Sinn Fein councillor and Dearg representative, Ruairi McHugh. I offer my sympathy to the family, and the friends of the family. I have no doubt that the community will come around to support the family in the coming day, said the Dearg representative. In a post on social media, a spokesperson for The Anglers Inn expressed their sympathies and paid tribute to their late patron. We are very sorry to hear of the tragic passing of local man John Logue, a familiar face here at the bar, they said. John was a devoted father whose face lit up when chatting about his son, our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time. May he rest in peace. One comment in response to the pubs tribute read: Heartbreaking news, John was such a kind caring person. Thinking of all the family at such a sad time. The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) confirmed that they attended an incident in the area at 5.24pm on Tuesday. NIAS despatched one rapid response paramedic to the incident, said a spokesperson. No patients were taken from the scene. Two fire appliances from Castlederg Fire Station and a specialist rescue team also attended the scene. A spokesperson for the NI Fire Service said: Firefighters were called to reports of a rescue on Pullytean Road, Killeter, Castlederg. "Unfortunately one person died at the scene. "Firefighters made the scene safe and the Health and Safety Executive were informed about the incident. Firefighters left the scene at 10.45pm. The PSNI added: "The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time and the Health and Safety Executive have been informed. A spokesperson for the Health and Safety Executive said: "We are working to establish the facts surrounding the incident and while our enquiries are ongoing it would not be appropriate to comment. 19.03.2025. . Photo Shows : Palestine Protesters outside Leinster House who protested over the recent bombings in Gaza before marching away from Leinster House.Photo: SAM BOAL/Collins Photos 19.03.2025. . Photo Shows : Palestine Protesters outside Leinster House who protested over the recent bombings in Gaza before marching away from Leinster House.Photo: SAM BOAL/Collins Photos Dublin city centre came to a standstill this evening with Luas and bus services temporarily suspended due to a protest in support of Palestine. The protest began outside Government buildings on Kildare Street and made its way to O'Connell Bridge, where hundreds of demonstrators staged a sit-down protest. Luas services were suspended between Dominick and St Stephen's Green during the busy commuting hours. Dublin Bus services were also affected. "Stop the bombing now. We are the people, we wont be silenced, protesters shouted, as Palestinian flags and signs were waved in the air. The Dublin protest follows similar events across capital cities calling for peace in Palestine, including thousands in New York and in Paris yesterday. Groups including Mothers Against Genocide and Social Right Ireland posted videos of the Dublin city centre standstill, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Demonstrators gathered to protest on Kildare Street, before migrating to the OConnell Bridge junction around 7pm, a main thoroughfare for cars, the Luas and buses. Those attending this public gathering in Dublin City Centre have now peacefully dispersed, said a garda spokesperson. Traffic and public transport services in the area are now returning to normal. The Israeli military said today its forces resumed ground operations in the central and southern Gaza Strip, as a second day of airstrikes killed at least 48 Palestinians, according to local health workers. The renewed ground operations came a day after more than 400 Palestinians were killed in airstrikes in one of the deadliest episodes since the beginning of the conflict in October 2023, shattering a ceasefire that has largely held since January. The Israeli military said its operations extended Israel's control over the Netzarim Corridor, which bisects Gaza, and were a "focused" manoeuvre aimed at creating a partial buffer zone between the north and the south of the enclave. The Palestinian militant group Hamas said the ground operation and the incursion into the Netzarim Corridor were a "new and dangerous violation" of the two-month-old ceasefire agreement. In a statement, the group reaffirmed its commitment to the deal and called on mediators to "assume their responsibilities". Former Eurovision winner Charlie McGettigan with Joan Frier and Frances Elliot from the Forget me Nots Choir. Photo: Julien Behal Eurovision star Charlie McGettigan is calling on all patient choirs to take part in a contest as research shows the health benefits of singing. Participating choirs are being asked to submit a short one to two minute video recording of their performance and a note explaining how being part of the choir positively impacts its members health and well-being. The contest was launched today by Novartis, the pharmaceutical company which is the official sponsor of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, hosted in our headquarters city of Basel, Switzerland, from May 13 to 17. The former Rock n Roll Kids Eurovision winner, who will be among the judges, said: Ireland has a long, proud association with the Eurovision. We have won seven times, and this year marks the 60th anniversary of Irish entries to the Song Contest. "Reaching this milestone demonstrates the enduring power of music to bring people together, so I am delighted to be involved in the patient choir contest. Fellow judge Hilary Moss, Prof of Music Therapy Hilary Moss at the University of Limerick, said : Singing connects people across all cultures, creating community and reducing social isolation. There is growing evidence that singing in groups boosts immunity and lung function, improves mental health and reduces pain perception. "From a participants perspective, it also provides the potential to improve quality of life and may help to manage your condition. So I am excited to be part of this initiative, and see the positive impact of music on the lives of people living with chronic illnesses. A spokesman for the company added :Designed to celebrate musics therapeutic power, choirs such as the Forget Me Nots Choir which collaborates with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, the Irish Cancer Societys Relay for Life Survivor Choir and The Irish Heart Foundations Rhythm of Recovery Choir are taking part. Patient choirs who would like to participate in this event can contact novartischoirs@edelman.com. Novartis Ireland will announce the result in early May, with the winning choir invited to perform in its offices in Dublin. Public voting will be open from April 14 to 30 , making up 33pc of the final score. Voting will be available on the Novartis LinkedIn page and website. The Eurovision Song Contest is one of the most watched non-sporting events globally, attracting over 170m viewers during the finals. Caitriona Walsh, Managing Director and Country President, Novartis Ireland said it is delighted to sponsor this years Eurovision Song Contest and in Ireland, we are particularly excited to host the patient choir contest. The competition celebrates people coming together, musics therapeutic power and its ability to improve patients lives. "It also underlines our commitment to diversity and partnering with communities and supporting patients at every step of their journey. We wish all participating choirs the very best of luck. Hospitals avoided a surge in patients on trolleys after St Patricks weekend following a move to roster more senior consultants and essential staff, but 40 patients were still waiting a day for a bed yesterday morning. Overall, there were 230 patients on trolleys either in emergency departments or on wards yesterday morning, with another 352 emergency patients across the hospitals in surge facilities. Forty patients were waiting more than 24 hours for a bed, 23 of whom were in University Hospital Limerick (UHL). This compared with 617 patients on trolleys after the St Brigids holiday weekend last month, with 745 people in surge capacity and 208 waiting over 24 hours. HSE chief Bernard Gloster and Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill ordered hospitals to have senior doctors and other essential staff rostered for the St Patricks weekend to ensure patient flow as the HSE steps up its drive for a five-over-seven working week for key staff. Mr Gloster previously told the Irish Independent: The only way the health service can respond to the kind of demand we are seeing is to function later in the evening and in to Saturday, if not the whole weekend. Ms Carroll MacNeill said she wanted to see more consultants on site rather than on call. A breakdown of patients waiting in emergency departments yesterday morning showed some hospitals, such as Beaumont in Dublin or Portlaoise and Tullamore, had no patients on a trolley. The busiest included Cork University Hospital, Our Lady of Lourdes, Drogheda, St Vincents Hospital, Dublin, Wexford University Hospital and Letterkenny University Hospital, Donegal, but overall, emergency department trolley numbers did not breach 16 in any of the hospitals. UHL had just three patients on trolleys in its emergency department, with 36 on trolleys in wards. Commenting on the figures, the minister said: The number of patients waiting on emergency department trolleys at 8am over this bank holiday weekend was down 54pc compared to the St Patricks bank holiday weekend in 2024. This was despite attendances being at the same level as this time last year. This period also saw discharges from acute hospitals increase by 10pc. Of particular note was the increase in discharges on Saturday and Sunday, with an increase of 179 patients discharged compared to the same period in 2024. Meanwhile, the minister is reviewing an interim briefing report from the Health Information and Quality Authority, which is examining whether the mid-west should get a second emergency department to relieve overcrowding in UHL. Not since the height of the Brexit wars, seven or eight years ago, has an EU leaders summit been as focused on issues so central to Irish interests as this weeks meeting in Brussels. John Paddy Hemingway, the Lucky Irishman who was shot down four times, was a true hero of World War II Pilot, who has died aged 105, was last Battle of Britain survivor John Paddy Hemingway at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, in 2022 in front of a Hurricane fighter of the type he flew in World War II. Photo: Collins Kim Bielenberg Wed 19 Mar 2025 at 03:30 If ever there was a World War II pilot who had nine lives, it was the Group Captain John Paddy Hemingway. He stands for the worst kind of toxic masculinity, says Tanaiste Taoiseach says he does not take too much note of McGregor criticism Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said he does not take much note of criticism levelled at him by Conor McGregor. Mr McGregor criticised Mr Martin and his Governments policies on immigration and public safety as he visited US President Donald Trump at the White House on St Patrick's Day. The Taoiseach said the mixed martial arts fighter did not speak for Ireland and that the Government was made up of elected representatives. Speaking before a Cabinet meeting, Mr Martin said: As far as the Government is concerned its an elected Government, by the way and were very focused on increasing the policing in the public order capacity. But I dont take too much note of his criticism other to say that he does not speak in any shape or form for the Irish people. And we will continue to work in Dail Eireann and in engaging with the opposition in Dail Eireann who are elected also. And we will engage in terms of the best policies to develop for this country into the future. It comes as McGregor was condemned by the most senior figures in the Coalition yesterday. Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said that McGregor does not represent the men of Ireland. McGregor praised Mr Trumps work ethic as inspiring as he met him in the Oval Office on Monday, while the president described him as fantastic. UFC fighter Conor McGregor speaks in White House on Monday. Photo: Reuters The Dubliner told reporters in the West Wing that he was going to voice concerns about immigration issues in Ireland when he spoke to Mr Trump. McGregor, who has previously stated an intent to run for the Irish presidency, claimed the Government was one of zero action with zero accountability. Mr Martin, who had met Mr Trump days earlier, and Tanaiste Simon Harris have described McGregors comments as wrong and not representative of Ireland. His visit to the White House came months after he was found civilly liable in a High Court damages case in Dublin taken by a woman who accused him of rape. Nikita Hand won her claim against McGregor after accusing the fighter of assaulting her in a penthouse at the Beacon Hotel in Dublin in December 2018. Ms Hand (35) was awarded 250,000 in damages. A judge at the High Court later said the jury had conclusively determined that McGregor had raped Ms Hand. McGregor is appealing against the outcome of the civil case. Speaking yesterday, Mr Donohoe said his heart fell when he saw that McGregor had been invited to the Oval Office, and added that he does not represent the men of Ireland. We are trying to create a very different Ireland. Conor McGregor did not represent Ireland in his engagement with president Trump. We are a country that is about making the case for openness, for decency, for respect, he said. Paschal Donohoe said his heart fell when he saw Conor McGregor in the White House For respect in terms of how men treat women, and for making the case for the progress that we have to make in that area. Mr Harris said McGregor represents the very worst of toxic masculinity. Its for president Trump to invite wherever he wants to his home, and hes perfectly entitled to do whatever he wishes, he said. But let me be very clear, Conor McGregor is not here in the US representing Ireland or the people of Ireland. Hes here in a personal capacity. He doesnt speak for Ireland. He doesnt speak for the people of Ireland. He has no mandate to do such. Rachel Morrogh, chief executive of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, said the meeting between Mr Trump and McGregor was a very sinister event. Ms Morrogh described the engagement as an attempt to normalise sexual violence and rebuild McGregors reputation. She told RTEs News At One that she was writing to the US embassy over what she said was a really callous indifference to every survivor of sexual violence. Asked about Mr Martins criticism, McGregor told Sky News: I am an employer of over 200 people, almost 300 people in the country of Ireland. Hes an employer of none. Every available metric available to us has shown that the Government of Ireland currently has failed the people of Ireland. In 10 years, Dublin City Centre has gone from one of the safest cities in Europe, to one of the most dangerous. So, shame on him for saying that, speaking down on an Irishman. I wont speak about him personally, throw a jab I could, I could throw many jabs at him, I could throw jabs handily at them. However, I speak on the metrics, and the metrics show they failed the people of Ireland. They do not represent the people of Ireland. During his meeting with Mr Martin in the Oval Office last week, Mr Trump described McGregor as great. The majority of people in the countrys workforce disagree with Meta boss Mark Zuckerbergs comments that corporate culture has become subdued and needs more masculine energy. A total of 55pc of professionals said they disagreed and believed corporate culture had evolved for the better, according to a survey by recruitment firm Robert Walters. But 45pc agree with his remarks, which indicates a significant divide in opinion when it comes to what makes a good workplace culture. The survey of 1,000 Irish professionals also reveals that half of Irish women believe there is a shortage of inspiring females at work. A total of 22pc said they had no examples, while 30pc said they hardly ever encountered them. Suzanne Feeney, country manager at Robert Walters Ireland, welcomed greater gender pay gap reporting but said more diverse voices needed to be heard in senior leadership. Further hampering this, she said Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg sparked controversy for his comments on corporate culture becoming neutered and needing more masculine energy on a Joe Rogan podcast in January. Ms Feeney said the comments symbolised a growing rift in many workplaces. Zuckerbergs comments touch on an important discussion around the direction of workplace culture, she said. However, making associations with male and female energies creates an us versus them attitude rather than resulting in any meaningful improvements being made. Meanwhile, the survey showed that 52pc of female professionals feel there is a lack of representative figures in the workplace. A total of 38pc do not feel their hard work is recognised as much as their male peers. A third said there is inadequate support and opportunity for progression. Some 43pc of women felt personal development programmes would help them advance. Ms Feeney said visibility issues persisted and while companies were implementing strategies, they needed to ensure womens advancement was supported at every career stage. Personal development plans should be designed to address the specific challenges faced by women at work, she said. Aspects like providing flexible work options for caregiving responsibilities, setting realistic and achievable targets as well as providing women experiencing menopause leave options that dont jeopardise their career growth. Recent research by Grant Thornton found that one in seven Irish firms have no women in their senior management team, an increase of almost five percentage points since last year. Ireland ranked sixth-worst of 31 countries surveyed worldwide for businesses with no women in senior management. The Government is determined to secure the retention of the nitrates derogation. Pollution of rivers with farm waste reduced last year as efforts to avoid penalties increased, early indications show. Nitrogen concentrations at 20 river sampling sites fell, according to monitoring by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The agency says it expects the trend will be repeated when full results come in from all river sampling sites, although it warned that levels in some rivers remained unacceptably high. Nitrogen pollution is caused mainly by farm fertilisers and manure being washed from fields into adjoining waterways. The impacts are devastating for rivers, as the nitrogen causes an overload of nutrients, supercharging algal growth, robbing the waters of oxygen and destroying plant and animal life. Beef and dairy farmers in some parts of the country are facing orders from the EU to reduce the number of animals they keep per hectare if river water quality does not improve. Under the nitrates derogation, Ireland has been able to keep a higher animal stocking rate per hectare than other member states, but this is due to expire this year. The Government has insisted it will fight to have it renewed by demonstrating that steps can be taken to improve water quality without reducing livestock numbers. Agriculture is the primary source of nitrogen in Irish rivers and there is significant action under way within the sector to improve water quality, Dr Eimear Cotter of the EPA said. It is therefore very welcome to see these early signs of improvement. It is important that the sector builds on this momentum and continues to implement actions to reduce nutrient losses in a targeted way. The 20 sample sites used for the EPA report were on the rivers Boyne, Dodder, Avoca, Slaney, Nore, Blackwater, Suir, Bandon, Lee, Fergus, Corrib, Maigue, Garavoge and Moy. While nitrogen concentrations fell at all locations, those in the south-east of the country remained above the acceptable threshold. EPA programme manager Jenny Deakin said extra attention was needed in these areas. She added that work was also needed on many rivers and lakes to deal with the additional problem of phosphorous pollution. Phosphorous, which comes from urban wastewater as well as agricultural sources, also causes algal growth and suffocates other freshwater life. 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 There is no timeline for a decision on the future of a TD who has been been suspended from the Social Democrats parliamentary party. Eoin Hayes was indefinitely suspended in December after making incorrect statements about his shares in a company linked to the Israeli military. He had originally told the media and his party colleagues that he divested shares in his former employer, Palantir Technologies, prior to being elected to Dublin City Council in June. But he later revealed that he sold the shares in July after taking office for a pre-tax figure of 199,000. The company supplies technology to Israels military. The Social Democrats had been calling for economic sanctions against Israel months before Mr Hayes election to the council. He became a TD in November. His suspension was reviewed by the national executive and now sits with the parliamentary party for any further consideration. Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore (Niall Carson/PA) Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore said Mr Hayes was held to account immediately and suspended from the party when the matter came to light. However she said there is no timeline for the parliamentary party to make a further decision on the matter. She added: Eoin Hayes was suspended from the parliamentary party, theres been no decision made on readmitting him. Asked how long a decision would take, she said: Theres been no decision made on it, thats it. Theres no further information for you. Pressed for a timeline for a decision by the partys national executive, Ms Whitmore said: The executive undertook their review and it is a matter for the parliamentary party. Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon (Brian Lawless/PA) As the Dail reconvenes on Wednesday, attention has been drawn to committees which have yet to be formed amid the ongoing speaking rights row. Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon said he wanted to get stuck into committees right now. Asked if Mr Hayes was being ruled out of the calculus of the partys representation for the purposes of allocating positions on committees, Ms Whitmore said: Eoin Hayes is currently not a member of the parliamentary party, hes been suspended. Pressed for a yes or no answer, she said: The committees are not being set up, hes not a member of the parliamentary party at the moment. Asked about the lack of timeline presented by the party, Labour party whip Duncan Smith said he would let the Social Democrats deal with their own controversy. He said the Social Democrats would not appreciate any comment from Labour on the matter. However, when asked if Labour had set timelines for similar matter, he said: We have very rigorous internal structures to deal with whatever the matter might be. I mean, its hard to comprehend, because something like this has never happened with us. Taoiseach Micheal Martin was laughing about Irelands housing crisis in the Oval Office with Donald Trump, the Dail has been told. The sniggering interaction with the US president had hurt a lot of people, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said. Such sniggering was a cowardly act, she added. Mr Martin responded: No-one was sniggering at any housing problem, its pathetic you know that. No one is going to buy in to your propaganda, your feigned outrage. Ms McDonald said the White House meeting came after Mr Martin and other ministers had cynically misled the public on the key issue of housing during the general election. She was speaking after the Central Bank warned yesterday that the Government would miss its housing targets for the next three years. Mr Martin had been laughing about Irelands housing crisis with Mr Trump, she alleged. The Taoiseach hit back by saying she had not the courage or the guts to go to Washington at all. Ms McDonald said that last week, Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers, was caught out for misleading the public by not disclosing a report from within his own department. The finance document said the target of 40,000 new housing units in 2024 would not be achieved. Ms McDonald asked whether it had been shared with government colleagues, and said it would be incredible if it had not been. You were sitting in the Oval Office laughing about Irelands housing crisis. The American president stated that the housing crisis is because Ireland is doing so well that its a good problem, she said. You replied, thats a pretty good answer, Mr President. Do you think its a pretty good answer for people locked out of home ownership, for renters crucified with rip-off rents? For young people unable to get a start in life, choosing between staying at home with their parents or going to Australia? Do you think its a good answer for mothers and fathers forced into homelessness or children being raised in B&Bs and in hotel rooms? she asked. Your sniggering interaction hurt a lot of people, Taoiseach. You made light of their suffering. So, the Government misleads people on housing at home, and then laughs at them abroad. Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik also drew attention to Mr Martins interaction with Mr Trump about housing. She said the Government had been moving at a snails pace on housing, and agreed that the outgoing coalition had misled the public on achieving housing targets during the general election campaign. Claims of achieving 40,000 homes last year were nothing more than government propaganda, she said. The Central Bank was projecting a fall in completions in years ahead because the financing was not there, she said. Mr Martin had said at the White House that the number one issue in Ireland was housing. Weve got to build more houses, and build them faster to give the young people of Ireland an opportunity to buy a home or to afford to rent a house, he said. He added yesterday: I addressed the housing issue in a serious and substantive way when I was asked during the press conference. Ive consistently said that this is the number one issue. He told Ms McDonald: You chose not to go to Washington, a big mistake, in my view. He repeated that 50,000 houses a year were needed, but Social Democrats acting leader Cian OCallaghan said the target for this year was 41,000 homes. He asked whether it was going to be met. Mr Martin said that no matter what target was set, the opposition would claim government failure. If the Government exceeded its target, as it did in 2022, the opposition would claim that the target was not set high enough. The Taoiseach said there had to be work on getting developers and private sector investors to work on brownfield sites. He admitted there had been a significant decline in planning permissions last year. We want to get to 41,000 this year. Its going to be very challenging, he said. I have no truck with the masculine toxicity of Conor McGregor, Taoiseach said in response to criticism from Ruth Coppinger Ruth Coppinger says that "two rapists met in the White House on St Patrick's Day" in Dail Two rapists met in the White House on St Patrick's Day, People Before Profit TD Ruth Coppinger has said. The Dublin West deputy availed of Dail privilege to make the accusation against Donald Trump and Conor McGregor - without Leas Cheann Comhairle John McGuinness taking her to task. "I've no truck with the masculine toxicity of Mr McGregor," the Taoiseach said in the course of a long reply in which he focused on the visit itself. Ms Coppinger began her contribution by saying Mr Martin had stayed silent in the Oval Office when President Trump had said McGregor was his favourite Irishman. He had then joked about Mr Martins father being a boxer, she said in the Dail chamber. "On St Patrick's Day, two rapists met each other in the White House, two men found guilty by juries to be rapists," she said. "So we had this sight on St Patrick's Day of Conor McGregor representing this country's views, an insult to the country, and an insult to your Government, actually, because he slated you. "So much for your diplomatic mission with Trump." What had happened was "an insult to women", she said. "When you normalise genocide, when you normalise misogyny, this is what happens. I actually asked you, before you went, how you felt about dealing with a sexual predator like Donald Trump," Ms Coppinger said. "And that was the insult that he delivered to your Government and to this people on St Patrick's Day. Your visit was completely obliterated and overshadowed by the real Donald Trump." In November, McGregor was found civilly liable in a High Court damages case in Dublin taken by a woman who accused him of rape. Nikita Hand won her claim against McGregor after accusing the fighter of raping her in a penthouse room at the Beacon Hotel in Dublin in December 2018. Ms Hand was awarded 250,000 in damages. A judge at the High Court later said the jury had conclusively determined that McGregor had raped Ms Hand. McGregor is appealing against the outcome of the civil case. Last year, former magazine columnist E Jean Carroll won $5m in damages from Mr Trump when a New York jury in her civil case alleging he raped her in 1996 found he sexually abused her and later defamed her. Mr Trump has been the subject of multiple accusations of sexual misconduct by women. In December, he lost an appeal against the verdict in the Carroll case on the basis that the trial judge should not have let jurors hear evidence about the Republicans alleged past sexual misconduct against women. He is again appealing. Mr Martin said in reply to Ms Coppingers statements that the visit to the United States "honours a long tradition of celebrating Irish America and the role that the Irish played in the building of America, and the historic ties which exist there. "In fairness to you, you've had a very consistent anti-American position for decades, irrespective of who was president. That has been your position," the Taoiseach told Ms Coppinger. He then spoke of the economic links with United States, saying hundreds of thousands of jobs in Ireland depended on them. Interrupted by Ms Coppinger, Mr Martin said: "I publicly stated my position on Conor McGregor, but you asked me, 'How did a trip go?' "And you also, deputy, twisted it to suit your own agenda. You didn't ask it in an honest, upfront or truthful manner." Mr Martin then declared: "I have no truck with the masculine toxicity of Mr McGregor, but he's not a member of this House. I don't want to give him anything." Rosie O'Donnell has said it is 'heartbreaking to see whats happening politically' in the US. Photo: Getty American actress and comedian Rosie ODonnell said she is thrilled and honoured to have been asked to appear on the Late Late Show on Friday. In her first exclusive Irish TV interview since moving to Ireland, the US talk show host, comedian and actress will be sitting down with host Patrick Kielty. Ms ODonnell moved to Ireland with her child Clay in mid January. In a Tik Tok video earlier this month the 62-year-old revealed that she is in the process of getting Irish citizenship as she has Irish grandparents. She said she intends to live outside of the US until it is safe, you know, for all citizens to have equal rights there, thats when we will consider coming back. Today in a post on her Substack account, Ms ODonnell indicated that had just finished her pre-interview for the Late Late Show on Friday. RTE said she will be chatting about the welcome she has received in Ireland thus far and why she made the decision to move to her grandparents homeland. Viewers will also hear of her reaction to being mentined during the Taoiseach's visit to the White House, when US President Donald Trump goaded her. Speaking on her Substack, Ms ODonnell said that cruelty is a a centrepiece in his [Trumps] criminally incompetent administration. How fascism has arrived and the time to name it so - is long past be careful my Americans friends text watch what u say, fear - a tool they use in dictatorships to shut us all up but the world is waking out in the streets in 80 plus nations all for us - for democracy, Ms ODonnell said. She added: For decency demanding humanity prevail here in our young country where we are called to live life liberty and the pursuit of happiness and I believe we will one day again. Rosie O'Donnell has said it is 'heartbreaking to see whats happening politically' in the US. Photo: Getty The New York born commentator said that she is looking forward to going on a live show as having no safety net brings out the best in everyone. Trump has long had a feeling of animosity towards ODonnell whom he has called a slob and a degenerate. CNN has previously dated the feud between the pair back to 2006 when ODonnell called Trump a snake oil salesman and he described her as a real loser. She will also be speaking about why she wants people to join her next month in the Same Chance Walk for Autism with AsIAm. Also appearing on Friday night is country superstar Daniel O'Donnell. The Donegal native is back on tour in Ireland this year and will join Kielty to talk trips with family, touring and the lengths he has gone to for his fans in a chart-topping career that has spanned four decades. Comedian and actress Roisin Conaty known for Game Face and After Life will also be in studio Friday night. She will speak of growing up in London with Irish parents and spending summers in Kerry and will also be chatting about the new series LOL: Last One Laughing UK with Jimmy Carr and why she was so glad that she didn't have to even try keep a straight face amongst some of the funniest people in comedy. Off the back of another great year for the Irish at Cheltenham after taking home the Prestbury Cup, two legends of the sport will speak of their achievements. Four-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner and leading jockey at this years festival with four winners, jockey Paul Townend will speak to Kielty. He will be joined by Cheltenham 2025 double winner and the only female jockey ever to win a Grand National, Rachael Blackmore. Government will receive an update on the potential impact of US tariffs and EU countermeasures today following their travels abroad as part of the St Patricks Day programme, which included Taoiseach Micheal Martins meeting with US President Donald Trump. It comes after Mr Trump raised concerns about the massive trade imbalance between the US and Ireland during his Oval Office meeting with Mr Martin. He also claimed Ireland has got the entire US pharmaceutical industry in its grasp and that the EU has treated the US very badly as the threat of further tariffs loom. US tariffs of 25pc on all imports of steel and aluminium products and derivatives came into effect worldwide on March 12, with the EU later announcing countermeasures against the US that will come into effect from next month. The EU announced plans to reintroduction suspended tariff measures on April 1, while proposed new measures will come into effect in mid-April. In response to the EUs retaliation, Mr Trump threatened to introduce a 200pc tariff on alcoholic drinks and it is anticipated that he will announce a further round of measures on April 2. Tanaiste Simon Harris is expected to update Cabinet on the work of the cross-Government body tasked with analysing the impacts of these measures on Ireland later today. A meeting of the Government Trade Forum, which will engage with domestic stakeholders ahead of further potential tariffs, will take place on March 21. There is 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, including the US-linked pharmaceutical companies. Nearly half of all Irish goods exported in January went to the US, according to figures published by the Central Statistics Office yesterday. The export of medical and pharmaceutical products increased by 68pc in January compared with 12 months previous, and represented 61pc of total exports that month. Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe said that while the figures were only for one month, that single month does point to a broader way in which our trade has been structured with the United States. When it comes to goods, theres a very healthy surplus, when it comes to services there is a deficit, that has meant over the last number of years our overall trade balance has been one of deficit, he said. What we need to do now is work with the United States on the issues theyve raised. I tried wellness therapies across Ireland, from sexuality workshops to rage rooms these were the best ones In a new series for TG4, broadcaster Aine Ni Bhreisleain travels the country trying out wellness treatments and therapies. But which ones are valuable, and which are just another way to spend money? Aine Ni Bhreisleain tries out a variety of wellness practices in new series 'Sonas'. Photo: TG4 Chrissie Russell Wed 19 Mar 2025 at 19:30 Howling at the moon in torrential rain might not have been on Aine Ni Bhreisleains bingo card of dream wellness experiences, but in many ways, thats exactly why she wanted to do it. How a rabble rouser with fake rosary beads stirred up sectarian violence against Liverpools Irish Catholics David Swift, author of new book Scouse Republic, on the paranoia and rabble rousers that made the citys conflict between Catholics and Protestants more bitter and more chronic than anywhere else except Belfast Recast as a Celtic city: The Anglican (left) and the recently built Catholic cathedrals of Liverpool in 1967. Photo: Mirrorpix/Getty David Swift Wed 19 Mar 2025 at 03:30 In the centuries after the Reformation, Liverpool mostly avoided the religious disputes that characterised other parts of Britain. With people of various faiths working alongside each other on ships and on the docks, it would have been bad for business. Ian ODoherty: Simon Harris is right for once we should roll out the red carpet for a Donald Trump state visit With Ireland to assume the European Union presidency in the second half of next year, what better time for us to be at the centre of an EU-US summit? Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One. Photo: Reuters Ian O'Doherty Wed 19 Mar 2025 at 03:30 Lets be honest, we now live in a world of the unexpected. Even so, few of us would have had Simon Harris inviting Donald Trump on a state visit marked on our bingo card. US president Donald Trump with Russian president Vladimir Putin at the G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan in 2019. Photo: AP Ceasefires are not turned on or off with a figurative flick of a switch. Plunging millions of lives into the darkness of war ought to be an outrage to our humanity. Four-hundred Palestinian lives were ended when Israel shattered a truce in place since January. What took several months of shuttle diplomacy to build was blown away in seconds. Meanwhile, in Ukraine, while anxiously anticipating word of the phone call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky reminded the world what was really on the line: Every day in wartime is a matter of human lives. He had every reason to be fretful he has attended ceremonies for initial portentous agreements with Moscow, only to see them trampled into the earth of his homeland by Russias invading troops. He can be forgiven for looking a gift horse in the mouth and recognising it may well be a Trojan one. The funereal mood music accompanying the global splintering of once-solid relationships resonated in the German Bundestag, where a vote to release a 1tn defence spending plan was approved. A dalliance with neo-imperialism seems to be once more reflected in the new world order. The powerful are once again flexing muscles to exercise their dominion. Mr Trumps motivation to bring an end to a war that has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives may be admirable. As the president said: Each week brings 2,500 soldier deaths, from both sides, and it must end. But any engagement with Vladimir Putin risks being swallowed by the maw of devouring ambitions. Before speaking with Mr Trump, the Russian president spoke of Western dominance slipping away and new centres of global growth emerging. US president Donald Trump with Russian president Vladimir Putin at the G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan in 2019. Photo: AP Russia bombards Ukraine energy grid as Zelensky says he will hold talks with US When the 90-minute call concluded, Kirill Dmitriev, Putins special envoy said: Under the leadership of President Putin and President Trump, the world has become a much safer place today. In truth, what has been agreed looks to be incremental moving in the right direction, but a long way short of building a sustainable settlement. Agreeing not to attack energy infrastructure for 30 days might pass as a goodwill gesture, but Ukrainians will hardly be dancing in the streets. What about attacks on civilians? Russia remains the aggressor. It may be welcomed that Moscow and Washington have acknowledged their mutual interest in a normalising of their relations. Yet it is hardly enough to dispel concerns about Putins expressed intention to subordinate Ukraine, or to restore the Russian empire. A White House statement read: The two leaders agreed that a future with an improved bilateral relationship between the United States and Russia has huge upside. But given the juddering shift to aggressive America First prerogatives, the people of Ukraine, and much of the rest of the world, are entitled to ask: An upside for whom? All accept the conflict must end, but the damnable question remains at what cost? Gambling with a rules-based international order for a short-term win is a dangerous bet. Conor McGregor and US president Donald Trump in the Oval Office. Photo: The White House/X. A perfect storm has coalesced in the White House, with the most powerful man in the world now being in debt to, and being manipulated by, the richest man in the world. While Donald Trump seeks personal aggrandisement and a cheap grift, Elon Musk pursues his vision of a techno-utopia, with himself the enlightened overlord, despite a strong whiff of fascism. And this tempest has swept up all manner of freaks, degenerates, law-breakers and sexual offenders like moths to a campfire or flies to dung, such as Laura Loomer, Kanye West, Roger Stone and Conor McGregor. McGregors praise of Trump was shameful and embarrassing to all reasonable-thinking Irish men and women. The flash green silk suit just reconfirmed the old Irish expression: Cuir sioda ar ghabhar agus is gabhar i gconai e. (Put silk on a goat and it is still a goat). R Healy, Mullagh, Co Cavan Youd have to wonder if the US president deliberately snubbed us on our big day So, Conor McGregor gets to meet Donald Trump on St Patricks Day while our Taoiseach only gets a slot the previous Wednesday for his meeting with the US president. One has to wonder if this was a deliberate snub on the part of the Trump administration. One also has to wonder if it was wise for the Taoiseach to say nothing when Trump praised the MMA fighter, saying: I do happen to like your fighter, hes got the best tattoos Ive ever seen. Conors great, right? It looks like Queensberry rules are no longer in date. John Glennon , Hollywood, Co Wicklow White House shenanigans on St Patricks Day introduced a diabolical double act As regards the shenanigans in the White House on St Patricks Day, Im sure my late mother would sum it all up in her best Munster Gaeilge: Aithniomn ciarog ciaroig eile. It takes one to know one. Padraig O Donnachdha, Co An Lu Ireland should be looking to shore up other, better ties across the Atlantic The White House has humiliated Ireland on what should have been its proudest day. Irish people, please get over your romantic fascination with the US and sign the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). Know your friends. Gerard Walsh, Port Elgin, Ontario, Canada Houthi attacks in the Red Sea are targeting innocent and vulnerable seafarers Edward Horgan complains about the ongoing attacks against the Islamist Houthi regime in Yemen by the US, France, UK and Israel (Perhaps countries should be less willing to inflict war upon other nations, Irish Independent, Letters, March 17). Since November 2023, the Houthis have been launching missile and drone attacks on random merchant ships peacefully sailing in the Red Sea. Over 50 ships have now been damaged. Most of the crews on these ships come from poor countries. On March 6 last year, for example, a Houthi missile struck the Barbados-flagged cargo ship True Confidence. Of the crew, two Filipinos and one Vietnamese died. Another four were critically injured. As someone with many seafarers in my extended family, I know just how vulnerable sailors are when at sea in cargo ships. Its disappointing that Mr Horgan deprecates efforts to protect them. Karl Martin, Bayside, Dublin 13 Theres fine line between informing and inflaming when reporting the news Once, when I was under pressure from journalists about an issue, someone remarked to me that reporters prefer funerals to weddings theres simply more news in a tragedy than a celebration. Ksenia Samotiys reflection on the medias obsession with outrage reminded me of that (In our age of commodified outrage, only the likes of Trump and Orban can thrive, Irish Independent, March 18). Bad news sells, but rage really sells. Populists and demagogues understand that people are more likely to engage with what provokes them, and media outlets knowingly or not play along. The line between informing and inflaming has blurred, with the latter proving far more lucrative. Reasonable people will always be able to tell the difference between news and noise. But there will always be those who will willingly choose to be deceived. Enda Cullen, Tullysaran Road, Co Armagh Samotiys excellent piece on how we consume news is well worth a read for all Ksenia Samotiys article (March 18) on the way we consume news is an excellent piece of journalism. Well worth a read. Patrick Staunton, Churchtown, Dublin Politicians must face up to their responsibility, not force parents into courts It is reported our Government is spending millions of euro battling in the courts, parents of children requiring assessments (State spends millions to fight families in courts over child assessment delays, Irish Independent, March 18). Parents requesting constitutional and basic civil rights for children are forced, at great expense, to resort to the courts to have rights afforded. I say, shame on our politicians and senior civil servants. I ask, where is their decency, honesty and integrity? They need to face their responsibilities to the people of Ireland and children with special needs in particular. This country is sadly lacking in accountability when it comes to expenditure of taxpayers funds. Michael Moriarty, Rochestown, Co Cork Irish rugby team has some questions to answer and a new passion to discover I have to agree with M OBriens reflections on a less than stellar season for Ireland in the Six Nations (We fell short of greatness the players now need to prove they have the mettle, Letters, March 18). The team has gone backwards, but the causes can be addressed. I would have given a shout out to Andrew Porter, who was outstanding throughout the campaign. We have lost three greats in Peter OMahony, Cian Healy and Conor Murray, big shoes need to be filled. We have the players to do it, but we need to discover new heart and passion. E Toal, Galway City Schools and Youthreach centres in Cork County have been invited to take part in Creative Clusters for the two years commencing September 2025. Up to 575,000 for schools nationally has been made available this year for Creative Clusters, enabling up to 210 schools to come together across 42 clusters. Creative Clusters supports clusters of three to five schools to work together on building capacity in creativity with the support of a specialist facilitator. The programme is open to primary and post-primary schools, including special schools, as well as Youthreach centres. Fine Gael TD for Cork North West John Paul OShea welcomed the announcement: This is a great opportunity for local schools to get together, for the children to participate and work together, sharing creativity, building new friendships and having fun whilst doing so. Creative Clusters support includes release time for schools to meet and develop their project, as well as funding of up to 15,000 to help bring their creative plans and ideas to fruition over the course of two years, from 2025 to 2027. The resources provided will help the schools and Youthreach centres to build a project of learning and activities tailor-made for their community with their students. Minister for Education, Helen McEntee said: This is a wonderful opportunity for schools and Youthreach centres to work together on a creative project of their choice. Schools are given complete freedom to design and develop their own project, with support from a local facilitator and their local education support centre. Creative Clusters will help schools to further enhance creativity in their classrooms. It will support students of all ages to develop creative and critical thinking skills, learning to adapt and collaborate as well as to enjoy and explore artistic and creative expression, she added. To date, Creative Clusters has given 588 schools in 210 clusters the opportunity to work together to develop creative projects and collaborate on new ideas based on their local experience and unique perspective. Each Creative Cluster will receive funding of 3,000 per school over a two-year period to implement their project in the 20252027 school years. For example, a cluster of three schools would get 9,000 over two years while a cluster of five schools would receive 15,000 over two years. The application process will remain open until Thursday, April 10, 2025. The 151-year old Cobh Clock Tower has fallen into disrepair The Cobh Clock Tower, which dates back to 1874, has had a long and storied history, intertwined with that of the harbour town. Over its 151-year history, the building has served as a court of enquiries, the harbourmasters office, the town hall, an art gallery, and is currently occupied by a Chinese Restaurant. However, the buildings facade, and in particular, its clock tower, have fallen into disrepair in recent years. None of its four clocks are currently in operation, while major cracks have appeared in the outside, as well as damage to its weathervane. However, last weekend saw an announcement from local Labour Councillor Cathal Rasmussen, that an agreement has been made between the co-owners, the Port of Cork and Cork County Council, to restore the damage and disrepair the clock currently finds itself in. I have been raising this for over five years as a Councillor in Cobh, Rasmussen told the Irish Independent. Step one was that they had to go away and get engineering surveys done and stuff like that. Then COVID came along and upset everything, it got delayed between one thing and the other. In November, a series of meeting started to take place between the Port and the Council because, you see, its owned 50/50 between both sides. I was keeping a brief on those meetings, but I wasnt announcing anything publicly. As I understand, an agreement has been made between both parties. They are both happy with the costings, theyre happy with work that should proceed. A further meeting will take place in the next week or two, and then after that there will be a further announcement as to when the work is going to start. Its not clear yet how much the restoration works will cost, how much onus will fall on both the Port of Cork and Cork County Council, and where exactly the money will come from. Last month, over 8 million was awarded to various projects as part of the Built Heritage Investment Scheme, which includes funding available to repair, restore, and protect historic structures, including landmark public buildings. Previous musings on restoration have been made previously, most recently in September 2023, when the Port of Cork tweeted As a historic building that was originally built as an office for the Cork Harbour Commissioners, representatives of the Port of Cork, [Cork County Council] and [Cork Harbour Chamber] are working together to evaluate and progress the necessary refurbishment of Cobhs Clock Tower. We are pleased to be working together towards a common goal to help bring this landmark back to life for the community of Cobh and beyond to admire. The Clock Tower in Cobh is in need of restoration Its why local activist for the works, Padraig O Maolain, says he is cautiously optimistic following last weekends announcement. Weve been let down plenty of times before, said O Maolain, who runs the Twitter page @ClockTowerCobh. This building has become an eyesore in the heart of the town of Cobh. When were so dependent on tourism, its been a source of great frustration to the people of Cobh that it has left become so dilapidated, considering as well that its a listed, heritage building, thats in an architectural conservation area. However, Rasmussen said that last weekends announcement is a clear sign of intent from both parties that the works will indeed go ahead. The Port of Cork had loads of plans. Originally, they were going to have the second terminal berth down there as well, but the difference now is that both sides have come together, theyve agreed on the money to be spent, so now its just getting on with it and getting the work done. Up to now, theyve never had a plan as such. My argument is that the building has to be maintained on the outside first, and thats going to happen now which is great. My understanding is that, between now and the summer, scaffolding will be arranged. I was hoping that it would be done in the off-season, but I would be happy that if scaffolding goes up within the next month or two, and work starts, thats fine too. Local activist O Maolain says that they have concerns about whether the work that is planned will be architecturally sensitive to the building, given its historical importance to the town. We are apprehensive that the Port of Cork and Cork County Council are planning to do a tuppence ha'penny restoration of the building at this stage, and we dont want a restoration of polyfilla and paint only. No statement has been made yet as to what theyre going to do with the clocks, the weathervane, or the PVC windows. If theres a proper restoration of the building to be done at this stage, then they have to bring in conservation professionals, who will restore the plaster. There were also PVC windows put in during the mid-2000s that are completely unsuited to the heritage nature of the building. Were worried that theres no costings to this, theres been no consultation about this, and we just hope that this isnt just another kite thats been flown. Despite having the motorway as a town bypass, Fermoy still experiences high volumes of traffic, with many drivers avoiding the motorway tolls. The local authority are progressing with a safety scheme on the N72 Christchurch Junction Fermoy revealed Padraig Barrett a senior official with Cork County Council. The information was provided to councillors at last Tuesdays Northern Committee meeting after several councillors expressed concerns about the increase in traffic congestion in Fermoy town. Independent councillor William OLeary said traffic congestion issues are constantly being raised with him by business owners and residents alike. The town is suffering big time. Fermoy is now becoming what Macroom was before the new bypass was put there. It is the only town on the M8 that is tolled. I understand there is no easy fix here with regards to what we can do. The contract with the toll is there until 2034 at the earliest. It is becoming a bigger issue. What can be done? queried Cllr OLeary to alleviate traffic congestion in the town. It has benefitted from the bypass in that it brings business into town but because of the toll it is now suffering big time. We have that M8 traffic and then you have the N72 going through the town. I had a previous motion in regarding a feasibility study. It is the biggest issue coming up in the town. We dont want a situation where people will avoid the town because of congestion. Fianna Fail councillor Deirdre OBrien agreed that the congestion in Fermoy is huge and said solutions need to be found to ease the traffic situation through the town. Independent councillor Peter ODonoghue said traffic in Fermoy is chaotic but stressed that the proposed new design cannot impede traffic in anyway. Traffic cannot be impeded in any way with the new design. Traffic in Fermoy is absolutely chaotic and it is a major issue. We cant impede the traffic in any way especially coming over the bridge. I am looking forward to the new design. Director of Services with Cork County Council Mr Barrett told the councillors that the issue of traffic congestion in Fermoy is something the local authority are very aware of. He revealed they are looking at opportunities and possibilities for funding for a traffic assessment for the town. Regarding the Christchurch Junction improvements, Mr Barrett stressed the importance of slowing traffic down. What we are progressing with there is a safety scheme. There are seven million people living on this island today. The move nationally is to reduce the number of serious injuries and fatalities on our roads. The numbers of people dying and being seriously injured is wholly unacceptable. Mr Barrett acknowledged that congestion will be an impact of slowing traffic down at the junction. Part of the move to reduce that is to slow traffic down and to remove conflicts between pedestrians and traffic. The consequence of that is slowing traffic down and congestion will be an impact of slowing that traffic down. Christchurch Junction is a complex, complicated and unorthodox layout, said Mr Barrett. It will require to be narrowed and slowed significantly to facilitate safe passage for pedestrians. There are a lot of vulnerable members in our community who need legible simple and short traffic pedestrian crossings to go about their daily business. Christchurch will be one of those locations. When we bring that scheme back there will be consequences from a traffic point of view for that scheme. I would ask you to consider all members of our community when you are looking at those, he added. The parade marched through the main street in Macroom and the iconic Shamrock lights made a return See all the images in the gallery below The Flower of Macroom, Lara O'Sullivan, and pals keeping up a great tradition in the St Patrick's Day parade on Monday. Macroom's old friends in the Woodland String Band leading the parade in the Cork town in what was the Philadelphia marching band's 25th appearance there. Macroom was covered in a sea of green during the St Patricks Day parade. This years parade was particularly special as the world-renowned Woodland String Band from Philadelphia made their 25th appearance in Macrooms parade. Retired President and current Financial Secretary Tom Loomis previously told The Corkman that every trip to Macroom gets etched into his memory. The Loomis legacy continued in Macroom this year as Toms wife Mary Loomis was the grand marshal. The parade also saw the Ballingeary Pipe Band and the Cullen Pipe Band march while playing Irish music. Independent Councillor Martin Coughlan said there was a massive turnout. We had about 30 different groups in the parade, from floats to marching groups. It was one of our bigger parades, Mr Coughlan said. The float competition went ahead as planned, and the OSullivan School of Dancing won the Best Group float, while Event Videography won the Best Commercial segment with their Formula One inspired entry. Macroom St Patricks Day Woodland String band The overall Best Float was awarded to Ballinagree Vintage. Spectators braved the cold on the day but thankfully the rain stayed away. We were blessed with the weather, Mr Coughlan said. Spectators gave fantastic feedback to Mr Coughlan who said, everything went off without a hitch, which is fantastic. The parade marched through the main street in Macroom and the iconic Shamrock lights made a return. Volunteers from the Macroom Tidy Towns installed the lights, which have been shining since the turn of the millennium from the post office to the castle in the town. We put them up first to celebrate the millennium and ever since then we have put them up, except during Covid. Secretary of the Macroom Tidy Towns Lisa Manning said the lights are totally different and everyone loves the shamrocks. Jim Gavin, the Chair of the North East Inner City Implementation Board, says it has ambitious targets which will help resolve the challenges that remain in the area. At the launch of the NEIC Progress Report and Strategic Plan for 2024-2027, Mr Gavin emphasised the ongoing efforts to improve key areas like safety, education, employment and community wellbeing. The new Strategic Plan sets ambitious targets to help resolve the challenges that remain for the area, he said. It demonstrates our commitment to work with all stakeholders to drive and deliver projects with clear direction and purpose. The board continues to work to empower the community and local businesses to achieve our shared vision for the area, he added. Mr Gavin said improved community safety and reducing crime were major priorities for the area, followed by education, support and well-being for children and families. Enhancing the condition and cleanliness of the area and supporting those living with and recovering from drug use, were other targets over the next three years. The report also highlighted several key achievements, including having almost 200 children from the area participating in the national St Patricks Day parade. The NEIC also hosted a recruitment fair with over 20 employers, as well as a roundtable with the Department of the Taoiseach and Maynooth University to address drug-related issues. In education, the National Centre for City Connects Ireland was launched, and a new Digital and Business Skills course was introduced. The Kickstart Entrepreneurship Programme also provided young people with opportunities to develop business ideas and prepare for self-employment. The NEIC Restorative Project was selected to join the Restorative Cities working group, and 45 Community Grants totalling 104,000 were approved for local sports, arts, and wellbeing initiatives. Also attending the launch of the 2024 progress report was Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Minister Paschal Donohoe. This report highlights some of the key impacts that NEIC-driven projects are having in the area and wider, particularly in the area of education, the Taoiseach said. City Connects is a prime example of how a successful pilot programme launched in the North East Inner City can influence national policy. Education is the great leveller and this important programme is helping to ensure students receive the services and resources they need to thrive and reach their potential. Significant progress was also achieved in the P-TECH Programme introduced into NEIC schools in 2019. In April, we saw the first cohort of graduates receive their special purpose awards and in September we saw the roll out of the P-TECH education progression option, which provides students with a stepped pathway into higher education. All of the progress made to date has built a strong foundation for the newly developed Strategic Plan for the North East Inner City Initiative for the next three years. I know Jim and the Board will continue to work collaboratively with the community and its representatives, local businesses, government departments and agencies to achieve the goals set out in the Strategic Plan, he added. US comedian Kal Penn was hosting The Kelly Clarkson Show on St Patrick's Day. Pic: Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty Images A popular US comedian and actor, best known for his role in Harold and Kumar, has revealed he holds a Copper Face Jacks gold card, joking that it makes him an honorary Irishman. The nightclub on Dublins Harcourt Street is a popular late-night destination and was visited by US actor Kal Penn when he was in Ireland last summer. He also previously worked as a White House staff member during the Barack Obama administration, and shared the story of how he obtained the exclusive Copper Face Jacks gold card while visiting Dublin last year. I actually joke that Im half Irish inside because my fiance and I spend so much time in Ireland with friends and family and its always a great time, he said. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content When hosting The Kelly Clarkson Show for a St Patricks Day special, the actor said that a good friend of his was the one who introduced him to Copper Face Jacks. Now, if youve spent time in Dublin, you know Copper Face Jacks its an institution, he said. Its a legendary institution. Once were inside, were drinking, were dancing, and the manager, while were out on the dance floor, recognises me. So, he recognises me and gives me something called their gold card, which sounds fake, but is very real. It lets you skip the giant line and get in for free, anytime. Look, this sounds incredibly ludicrous, but these cards are so hard to get that people have done really crazy things to get one. There are people who have gotten tattoos in exchange for one, theres even a black market for these things. I would never sell it, he added. The 47-year-old frequently visits Ireland with his fiancee, and he always keeps his gold card on him at all times. He also spoke about showing the card to Irish diplomats in India, who were more impressed by it than by his work. Thats when they said Im officially an honorary Irishman, he said. Stephen Colbert, host of The Late Show in the US, was spotted enjoying a pint and mingling with locals in one of Dublins most iconic pubs over St Patricks weekend. Colberts witty and satirical commentary on current events, politics, and culture on The Late Show, has made him a household name in the US and beyond. While visiting Dublin, he dropped into The Cobblestone Pub in Smithfield, a venue famed for its live traditional Irish music. The pub shared photos of the host with staff members saying they were discussing everything except politics. Late Show Host Stephen Colbert paid a visit to Cobblestone Bar last night. He liked our beer and loved the music, they added. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content The pub also shared another picture of Colbert with the pubs owner, Tomas Mulligan. They described Colbert as an interesting man who was keen to enjoy a pint, soak up the atmosphere, and take time to chat with staff and fellow guests. While in Dublin, Colbert received the prestigious Gold Medal of Honorary Patronage at the Graduates Memorial Building in Trinity College on Saturday, awarded by the University Philosophical Society. The stories of the seven families who left Dingle for Wicklow almost 70 years ago will be the focus of a special evening at Templerainey Church on Thursday, March 27. In 1956 farmers in the west of Ireland were having a tough time. Their farms were small, their fields were scattered and they were still suffering the effects of the penal laws where, when a Catholic farmer died, his lands had to be divided among all his sons, leaving many unsustainable holdings. The Land Commission wanted to decongest these farms and so when they got possession of the Shelton Abbey Estate in Wicklow, they decided to offer a swap to seven families living in the Dingle area. This meant they would have larger, more productive farms and better land and it also gave them the chance to remain in Ireland instead of emigrating. They were settled in Kilbride, between Arklow and Avoca, and their lives changed forever. Many of the families had never set foot outside their own parish, most of them didnt speak English and they had little knowledge of where they were going. In a Raidio na Gaeltachta programme put together by Helen Ni She, one man tells a story about a Kerry farmer looking for a map of the world because he was moving to Arklow. The talk in Templerainey Church will be given by Muiris OSullivan, professor emeritus of archaeology at UCD, who was one of the Dingle children who came to Wicklow. He recalls how there was a great sense of being welcome but when they turned the key in the door, it was a very lonesome moment. Kathleen OShea was only six years old when she came to Wicklow. I didnt understand a word. We were to make our First Confession. Im not sure how the teacher found out, but I told her I didnt have any of the prayers in English because at home by night wed be saying the rosary and I had all the prayers in Irish. "The day of my First Confession, I went into the priest and I told him that I had seven mortal sins. The priest asked if I had killed someone, or what!. The Dingle families and many of their descendants became a part of the fabric of life in the area but, as Muiris OSullivan said: If Kerry are playing in Croke Park, for example, were all there. Not only are we there ourselves but the younger generation and children are there as well. They follow Kerry as well. We are still Kerry people, there is no doubt about that. This look back at Wicklows Kerry community will be held in Templerainey Church, which has recently undergone extensive renovations to combat the damage done by weathering over the years. This was carried out through a programme of extensive fundraising by the people of the area. At one point, Parish priest Fr Michael Murphy was obliged to place buckets around the church to catch the rainwater. It is hoped that the renovations to the three churches in the parish will mean they can be used for community events like this in the future. Entry to the event is free and refreshments will be served. It starts at 7:30pm. Kerry residents distressed after homes destroyed by water Its a frightening thing to see Tralee residents face third devastating flood in four years as Irish Water pipe bursts again, causing extensive damage to family homes Tralee resident Richard Kelter at his home which was destroyed by a burst water main. Photo Mark O'Sullivan. Stephen Fernane Kerryman Wed 19 Mar 2025 at 07:00 A number of residents at Shanakill in Tralee woke in the early hours of last Saturday morning to a deluge of water flowing through their homes after a public water mains burst. Award winners at the MTU Enterprise Showcase and Kerry Start-Up Challenge 2025 took place on the grounds of Munster Technological University, North Campus, Tralee. Photo Domnick Walsh. Over 14 early stage start-ups in Kerry recently got to exhibit their businesses to a panel of judges that comprised of Stephen Stack, Senior Branch Manager AIB, and President of Tralee Chamber Alliance, Anne Looney, External Services Manager MTU, and Tim Yeomans, Centre of Applied Bioscience Research (CABR). Each exhibitor had the opportunity to deliver a 90 second elevator pitch for the roaming judges at their exhibition stands. Judges then shortlisted four Start-Ups to pitch for the live pitching competition in front of a live audience. There was also a fantastic guest speaker address by Shane Finn of Outwest Clothing. The Enterprise Showcase is run in conjunction with the final showcase event for the Enterprise Irelands New Frontiers Program and supported by the MTU Innovation & Enterprise Month. New Frontiers is Enterprise Irelands national entrepreneur development program for innovative, early-stage start-ups. It is a three-phased program, based in 18 campus incubation centres across the country. In addition to providing entrepreneurs with training in all areas of business including financial arrangements, market research and validation, business processes, patenting, product development and sales training, the participants can also avail of mentoring from experienced business advisors and practitioners. Kerry participants are based at the Tom Crean Business Centre for the duration of the program and are supported in the development of an investor-ready business proposition. The Award Winners on the day included: Best New Business Idea: 1 Year Free Desk at the Tom Crean Business Centre *sponsored by Kerry Innovation Centre - Donagh O Buachalla; Ailtir Best Runner Up Business Idea : 500 *Sponsored by Kerry innovation Centre - Peter Regan, Tigre Motor Club Best Pitch: 500 * sponsored by MTU - Cian Mahony & Patrick Courtney, Mara Botanic Best Pitch Runner-Up: 250 * Sponsored by AIB - Shane Hannon, Mesh bio plastics Best Exhibition Stand: 500 * Sponsored by CABR - Alex Carey, The Fertility Studio Judges Choice Award; Tickets to Tech Industrys Alliance TechFest: *Sponsored by Tech Industry Alliance: Travis Slattery - Dojovision The next Phase 1 Program of Enterprise Irelands New Frontiers Program takes place part-time, over a Weekend Bootcamp in May 2025. Contact info@creancentre.com for more information and www.newfrontiers.ie There was widespread sorrow after the death of loving father-of-three, Paul Sprat OBrien in a single vehicle crash. Tributes have poured in for the 58-year-old Adamstown man who died tragically on Saturday night, March 15, while driving a motorcycle in Poulpeasty on the old Wexford Road. Mr OBrien, partner of Pauline and father of Donna, Aaron and Nathan, was known to many as a free spirit and kind person. Mr OBrien was also known for his love of motorbikes, with a fitting tribute from the Hyland family who run one of County Wexfords top retail establishments for motorcycles and supplies: To all Sprats family, our heartfelt condolences. Such a lovely man full of fun and craic, who absolutely adored his family and was such a proud grand father. May his gentle soul rest in peace. While some paid tribute noting that his life was taken too soon, another friend of Mr OBriens said: My deepest condolences to Paul's family on passing of such a great man. He was always up for the craic and always up to some some sort of mischief. May his gentle soul rest in peace, they added. In a separate tribute, friend of Mr OBriens family offered their condolences and said: May your gentle soul rest in peace, Sprat, and may your family find comfort in the love and memories they shared with you. Messages of support have also been issued to Mr OBriens family by staff at Wexford General Hospital, local councillors and TDs. Mr OBrien's remains will be reposing at his residence on Wednesday, March 19 from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. and his funeral mass is due to take place on Thursday, March 20 at 12 p.m. in St Abban's Church Adamstown with burial afterwards in St Abbans Cemetery. House private on Thursday morning. Mr OBrien is sadly missed by his loving father Michael, partner Pauline, children, grandchildren Logan and Liam, daughters-in-law Megan (Clancy) and Shauna (French), brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended family and friends. With the Irish diaspora flung to all four corners of the globe its almost become accepted that our national holiday will be celebrated no matter where are are. However, having lived for 20 years in one of Swedens largest cities, Ian Mocha Moloney had spent many a St Patricks Day wishing he could attend a traditional parade. This year he finally got to do so. But only after he organised it himself. Assisted by fellow Wexfordian Eilish Hartigan, the man known by everyone back home as Mocha organised the first ever St Patricks Day parade held in Gothenburg, Swedens second largest city. So busy was he organising the parade that the publican said he barely had two or three pints over the duration of the weekend. I was up to my eyeballs but it was a fantastic weekend, he said. Ive been living her for 20 years and theres never been a parade. Stockholm has a parade, Malmo has one, but were the second biggest city and we dont have one. The Irish community has become somewhat displaced here during that time, there was no bar or club to help bridge those ties and create those bonds. Recently elected to the board of the Swedish-Irish Society, Mocha used his connections to put together an event which surpassed all expectations. We thought wed maybe have a hundred people in attendance, but there were 350-400, among them the Irish ambassador to Sweden, Barbara Jones, and her consul, Ciaran Devlin. We were delighted, over the moon. The parade was featured on national television here and we had someone from Reuters reporting on it. Madeleine Moloney at the parade in Gothenburg. "To say it was a success would be an understatement, we had no big expectations for it but it turned out to be a carnival atmosphere. Theres a huge interest in Irish heritage here and it wasnt just Irish and Swedish at the parade, there were people from Mexico, Japan, all wearing green. Ive never experienced such enthusiasm, such vibrancy in the community this is long in the making, a dream, Ambassador Barbara Jones, who is originally from Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, told the Irish in Sweden podcast. Theyve just pulled off the most amazing thing. Almost a year in the making, the parade, which began and ended at the Contrast public house on Tredje Langgatan, started off from a conversation between friends. I said it to Eilish about creating one for the craic. She said we should give it a try, so we put a post up in May of last year asking if anyone was interested in helping to put it together. We had 11 people volunteer and we all met up; they were from Donegal to Dungarvan, Galway to Dublin. Some participants went the extra mile with their outfirs. From there the group went through all the usual regulations, applying for permits, getting sponsors, and spreading the word via social media. Featuring music from DJ Geraldine Fahy and traditional bands and performers, the inaugural Gothenburg parade is set to grow in years to come with Mocha already planning to expand the event. Its going to be even bigger next year. And we have plans to host other Irish events here now too, a Samhain-themed event for Halloween, some family friendly gatherings to strengthen bonds. Im planning on coming home for the Fleadh and Im going to speak to some trad musicians about coming to Gothenburg for the parade next year. Yet travelling home to Wexford is not as straightforward as Mocha would like, and he says this is an issue which is damaging potential economic ties between the nations. Theres no direct flight from Gothenburg to Dublin. After an event like this theres been a big spike in interest in going to Ireland, so both nations will end up suffering economically and culturally if we cant secure a direct route. I came home for Christmas with my family and it cost us 2,200 to get there and back. Parish of Powerscourt with Kilbride Services at Powerscourt with Kilbride: All Services are available on the Parish YouTube Channel. Service of Worship in St. Patricks Church, Powerscourt, for this Sunday The Third Sunday in Lent: 11.30am Holy Communion 2. Service of Worship in St. Brigids Church, Kilbride, for this Sunday The Third Sunday in Lent: 9.45am Morning Prayer 1. Churchs Ministry of Healing Quiet Day: He restores my soul, the Churchs Ministry of Healing Quiet Day, takes place this Saturday in Newcastle Parish Centre, Newcastle, County Wicklow, from 10am to 3pm. All are welcome. Tea, coffee provided. B.Y.O. lunch. Free eventdonations welcome. To book contact Jeanne: healing.dgdc@gmail.com. Sent for Lent: Agape Ireland invites you on a 4 week adventure to discover what it means to be Sent for Lent. Hosted in Crinken Church, Shankill, from 7.30pm to 9pm next Monday, and on Mondays March 31st, April 7th, and Apri1 14th. Irish Trefoil GuildGuiding for Life: Calling all former leaders of the Irish Girl Guides in Bray and the surrounding area. There is now a Trefoil Guild in Bray. Contact Anne at braytrefoilguild@gmail.com. St Marys Church Parish Website: www.enniskerryparish.ie is the Parish website of the Immaculate Heart of Marycheck it out for the latest information about our parish. Facebook Page: There is a facebook page for the parish of Enniskerry, incorporating all four churches which facebook users will find under Enniskerry parish with a cover photo of trees and profile picture of a quote from Pope Francis. Please give it a like and feel free to post news from your community. Enniskerry (also Curtlestown & Glencree) Parish Office opening times: Monday to Friday: 10am to 1pm; email: stmarys@enniskerryparish.ie; or call 01-2760030. St. Mochonogs Parish Office opening times: Monday: 9am to 2pm, Tuesday: (by phone) 10am to 1pm, Wednesday: 10am to 2pm, Thursday (by phone) 10am to 1pm. Closed Friday. Parish Churches Schedule of Masses: Enniskerry St. Marys: Saturday evening 6pm and also via parish webcam; Sunday 11am and also via parish webcam. Weekday Mass at Enniskerry is at 10.15am on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and also via parish webcam lay-led prayer service on Wednesday; and Saturday at 10.15am, and also available via the parish webcam. Masses in Curtlestown and Kilmacanogue are on Sunday at 10am. Mass in Glencree is at 9am on the first Sunday each month. New Music Ministry: Please join us if you would like the opportunity to sing and fill in from time to time when our regular musicians are not available. We currently meet on Tuesday evenings at 7.15pm in St. Marys Church. See you there. Baptism Requests: Requests for Baptism now take place online at www.enniskerryparish.ie. Downtime Thursday/Adoration: Downtime Thursday takes place on the last Thursday of the Month. The next Downtime Thursday will take place on Thursday March 27th from 7pm to 8pm in St. Marys Church, so why not pop into the church for some quiet time. You can sit in silence with candlelight and gentle music. Take a few minutes for yourself and just be. Light a candle, say a prayer. Just sit if thats what you need. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will take place. New Here?: You are very welcome. You can keep up to date with us through the parish webpage at www.enniskerryparish.ie. You can register as a parishioner by mailing us at stmarys@enniskerryparish.ie or stmochonogs@enniskerryparish.ie. If you wish to receive items, or if you would like to receive the Parish Link by email weekly please phone the Parish Office in Enniskerry on 01-2760030 (10am to 1pm Monday to Friday or email: stmarys@enniskerry.ie; and Kilmacanogue on 01-2021882 (10am to 1pm Monday to Thursday) or email:stmochonogs@enniskerryparish.ie. Broadcast List: A broadcast list for the parish is now up and running. This is to keep everyone up to date with what is happening in the parish and for easy communication in relation to building our communities. If you would like to have your name added to the list please contact Aideen at 086 8182 241. History Society Members and supporters of the Enniskerry History Society are asked to note that the following events will take place in the week ahead. Today (Wednesday) Professor Daithi O Corrain will present Destruction, Delay and Deja Vu: The Restoration of Dublins OConnell Street after the Irish Civil War, 1922-1933 at 6.30pm in Dundrum Library. Admission is free but booking is required call 01-204 7220 or email: dundrumlib@dlrcoco.ie; the AGM of the Greystones Archaeological & Historical Society will take place at 8pm in the Kilian Family Centre beside Holy Rosary Church, Greystones, and will be followed by a presentation from Rosemary Raughter on The Wynne Family. All are welcome admission is 3; Rob Goodbody will present Richard Toucher Father of Dun Laoghaires Asylum Harbour at 8pm to the Dun Laoghaire Borough Historical Society in the Royal Marine Hotel, Marine Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. All are welcomeadmission is 5. Free hotel parking is available for those attending this lecture. Tomorrow (Thursday) Historian in Residence Katie Blackwood will present Perms, Updos, Bobs and Shaved Heads. Womens hairstyles in Ireland 1900-1960 at 6.30 p.m. in Coolock Library, Barryscourt Road, Dublin 17. Admission is free but booking is essential call 01-222 8490 or email: coolocklibrary@dublincity.ie; Historian in Residence Dr. Mary Muldowney will present The Dublin Civic Survey Report of 1925 Innovative plans for the City at 6.30pm in Drumcondra Library, Millmount Avenue, Drumcondra, Dublin 9. Admission is free but booking is essential call 01-2228344 or email: drumcondralibrary@dublincity.ie.; Joan Kavanagh will present Grangegorman The Transportation Story at 7pm in Wicklow Town Library. Grangegorman Penitentiary in Dublin, which opened in 1836, was the first womens prison in Britain and Ireland, and had a special section for those sentenced to transportation to Australia. Admission is free but booking is required due to limited seating space to reserve a place call 0404 67025 or email Wicklowlocalstudies@wicklowcoco.ie; Brian White will present Traders of Bray Main Street Past and Present at 8 p.m. to the Bray Cualann Historical Society in The Royal Hotel, Main Street, Bray, Co. Wicklow. All are welcome admission is 8 for non-members. Paddy Barry will present The (Rocky) Road to Mongolia at 8pm to the Dublin Bray Old Gaffers Association in the Poolbeg Yacht and Sailing Club, Ringsend, Dublin 4, All are welcomedonation at the door in aid of the R.N.L.I. This Saturday Historian in Residence Dr. Mary Muldowney will present Defending the interests of Dublins poor: Sarah Cecilia Harrison at 2.30 p.m. in Cabra Library, Navan Road, Dublin 7. Admission is free but booking is required call 01-222 8310 or email: cabralibrary@dublincity.ie. Next Tuesday Brian White will present Wicklow Town through the Ages at 8pm to the Wicklow Historical Society in the De La Salle Parish Centre, beside St. Patricks R.C. Church, Wicklow Town. All are welcome donation. Next Wednesday (March 26th) Eamon Delaney will present The Old Tenements and the New Suburbs at 6pm to the Old Dublin Society in The Conference Room, Dublin City Library & Archive, 139-144 Pearse Street, Dublin 2. All are welcomeadmission is free and no booking is required. Enniskerry Library Opening hours are Tuesday 10.30am to 12.30pm & 1.30pm to 4.30pm; Wednesday: 2pm to 4.30pm & 6pm to 8pm; Friday: 10.30am to 12.30pm & 1.30pm to 4.30pm; Saturday: 10am to 2.30pm. The library is closed on Mondays and Thursdays and on the Saturdays of Bank Holiday weekends. The library can be contacted at 01-2864339 or email: enniskerrylib@wicklowcoco.ie. Online services including e-books, audio-books, digital magazines and newspapers and e-learning are available from the library website. Tomorrow (Thursday) the next Wicklow Local Studies local history lecture in Wicklow Library, Wicklow Town, takes place at 7pm when Joan Kavanagh will present Grangegorman The Transportation Story Grangegorman Penitentiary in Dublin, which opened in 1836, was the first womens prison opened in Britain and Ireland, and had a special section for those sentenced to transportation to Australia. Admission is free but booking is required due to limited seating space to reserve a place call 0404 67025 or email Wicklowlocalstudies@wicklowcoco.ie. Enniskerry Bridge Club Enniskerry Bridge Club meets every Tuesday night in the Parochial Hall (beside Poppies) at 7.30pm. New members are always very welcome. For more information please contact the Secretary at 085-7112179. Charabanc The next event takes place on Friday March 28th time to be confirmed. Meet in St. Patricks Church Car Park, Enniskerry, for a guided tour of St. Patricks Cathedral, Dublin. Actor/writer Richard Lynch plays the character of P.J. Mulpeter in his comedy/drama From the Shoulders Down which will be staged at Stratford/Grangecon GAA Clubhouse on Saturday April 5. Cleverly scripted and performed by writer/actor Richard Lynch, the show has previously been staged all over Ireland, and as far away as Canada, at the London Fringe Festival Ontario and North Quebec, winning rave reviews at many venues. Richard plays the character of P.J. Mulpeter, now sixty-five years of age, hails from somewhere in the midlands. He begins his final working day as a builders labourer, having soldiered for fifty years under the same construction firm Murray & Sons Construction. Working under three different generations of the same family. In a reflective mood he casts a backward glance at the highs and lows of his career on the pick and shovel. We meet him in the school classroom, his first flush of youth, digging foundations, mixing concrete, at the Marquee Dances, in the pub and the characters from building sites who shaped the pattern of his early life. More notably The Hat Reilly, a plasterer supreme, and the cheeky upstart who wouldnt be fit to wash the trowel after him, his boss Oul Murray, his close associate Larry the Lick himself, and the girl of his dreams, who stole his heart while they danced to Eileen Reid & the Cadets. Here you will meet a character who makes immediate impact with an audience. To say more would reveal too much and spoil the mystique. Dont miss it. Tickets 20 includes light supper. Booking; The Glen Shop. Barbara 085 1258295 Kate 0877739882 James 087-7679058 Dermot 086 8292309. Adolescence, a new Netflix series, has taken over the world's brain and how . Numerous Indian celebrities have given the show and its development rave reviews. Anurag Kashyap praised Adolescence on Instagram, but he also criticized Netflix India, saying that they would have rejected the idea if it had come from an Indian filmmaker. Here's why Anurag Kashyap called Netflix India morally corrupt He started his note by saying Just binge watched Adolescence . I am numb and envious and jealous that someone can go and make that . The performances from the Child actor Owen Cooper and Stephen Graham, who is not just playing the father but is also the co-creator of the show. In a recent remark, Anurag Kashyap attacked Netflix India, citing a Ted Sarandos post that commended innovative content. Sarandos' statements were met with suspicion from Kashyap, who contended that Netflix India functions very differently. He asserted that because Adolescence doesn't have a traditional black-and-white conclusion, the Indian division would have probably rejected it or cut it down to a 90-minute movie. After Sacred Games, Kashyap reflected on his experiences with Netflix India and charged that the platform lacked vision, empathy, and bravery. According to him, the series' team and leader were uneasy and often replaced, which made the creative process frustrating. In addition, he called the business "dishonest and morally corrupt. Read his entire note here: Also read: Adolescence ending explained: Was Jamie guilty? What led to the brutal murder? About Adolescence In the show, Jamie Miller, 13, is jailed for stabbing a classmate, altering the entire family's world. They have to contend with every parent's greatest nightmare due to the charges against their kid. It stars Owen Cooper, Stephen Graham and others. You can stream Adolescence on Netflix. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Gal Gadots long-awaited induction into the Hollywood Walk of Fame turned into an array of protests and controversy. The Israeli actress, widely known for her role as Wonder Woman, received her star in a ceremony that was delayed due to a face-off between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli demonstrators. According to Variety, the event outside the El Capitan Theatre saw protesters chanting slogans like Shame on Gal Gadot and Heroes Fight Like Palestinians. Some held signs referencing No Other Land, an Oscar-winning documentary about Israeli military actions in Palestinian territories. Others demanded an end to U.S. financial aid to Israel. Videos posted online showed police handcuffing demonstrators as tensions escalated. The protest came amid renewed Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, following a temporary ceasefire. Despite the commotion, Gadot did not address the ongoing conflict in her speech, instead choosing to focus on gratitude for her career and thanking Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins. Gal Gadots stance on Israel While Gadot refrained from political statements at the ceremony, her past comments on the Israel-Palestine conflict continue to spark backlash. Following Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the abduction of 251 hostages, the actress took to Instagram, writing: I stand with Israel, you should too. The world cannot sit on the fence when these horrific acts of terror are happening! Since then, over 46,000 Palestinians have been reportedly killed in retaliatory Israeli strikes. Gadot, who served in the Israeli military, remains vocal in her support for her country. She currently has a link in her Instagram bio directing followers to Bring Them Home Now, a group advocating for the release of Israeli hostages. In Hollywood where Gal Gadots Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony is about to begin, over a dozen pro-Palestine protesters have gathered, chanting Not another nickel, not another dime, no more money for Israels crime! pic.twitter.com/7FckRJBFyO Katcy Stephan (@katcystephan) March 18, 2025 In a recent interview with Variety, Gadot said she no longer engages in political discussions publicly, stating, After October 7, I dont talk politics because who cares about the celebrity talking about politics? Im an artist. I want to entertain people. I want to bring hope and be a beacon of light whenever I say anything about the world. Gal Gadots viral kiss with daughter sparks debate Amid the celebrations of Gal Gadots Hollywood Walk of Fame honour, a seemingly innocent moment between the actress and her four-year-old daughter, Daniella, ignited an online controversy. A video shared by People magazine showed Gadot kissing her youngest child on the lips, sparking a divided reaction across social media. While many fans viewed it as a heartwarming mother-daughter interaction, others criticized the gesture, calling it inappropriate and unusual. Comments ranged from disapproving takes like, Kissing your child on the lips is not normal, to outright dismissals of the backlash, with supporters defending the cultural differences in parental affection. Rachel Zegler feud with Gal Gadot Adding to the ongoing controversies, Gadots strained relationship with her co-star Rachel Zegler has fueled further debate. The feud reportedly escalated when Zegler, who has expressed pro-Palestinian views, took a subtle jab at Gadot. When she shared the Snow White trailer, she captioned it, Always the fairest of them alla statement that many interpreted as a dig at Gadot, who plays the evil queen in the upcoming Disney live-action film. Though neither actress has publicly addressed the tension, the ongoing conflict between their political stances has created a visible divide. While Gal Gadots star now shines on Hollywood Boulevard, the controversies surrounding her stance on Israel and her feud with Rachel Zegler continue to follow her. Whether she will continue to keep politics at arms length or find herself at the center of future debates remains to be seen. The internet is buzzing, and not in a good way. Gal Gadot, best known for playing Wonder Woman, was recently honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. However, the moment was far from celebratory. Both online and offline, protests erupted, with many questioning her acting skills and others opposing her political stance. The outrage has taken over social media, with netizens flooding timelines with criticism, sarcasm, and disappointment. A star amidst controversy Gal Gadot received her Hollywood Walk of Fame star on March 18. However, even before the event concluded, chaos unfolded. Protesters arrived with posters carrying slogans such as "Heroes Fight Like Palestine" and "Viva Viva Palestine." According to reports, chants of Up with liberation, down with occupation were heard, and one protester directly stated, We have no reason to celebrate an Israeli. The protests delayed the event by 15 minutes, yet the opposition remained loud and clear throughout. Gal Gadots response Despite the backlash, Gal Gadot went ahead with her speech, dedicating her honour to Hollywood actor Vin Diesel. She thanked him for believing in her and acknowledged the Fast & Furious director for giving her a chance in Hollywood. The actress attended the ceremony with her husband and four daughters, whose pictures from the event are now viral on social media. Netizens are not impressed While Gal Gadot celebrated her achievement, the internet had other thoughts. Social media exploded with criticism, sarcasm, and outright rejection of her Walk of Fame star. One user sarcastically wrote, If Gal Gadot can achieve a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, then you can achieve one as well. Just dont do anythingyoure on the right track. Gal Gadot did not deserve a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame, I said what I said Reema (@buddiesquad87) March 19, 2025 Another compared her acting skills to Bollywoods Arjun Kapoor, saying, If Gal Gadot has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, then Arjun Kapoor also deserves a star as well. Some questioned the credibility of the Walk of Fame itself, with one person stating, Its a little funny to think that there are people walking around who believe the Hollywood Walk of Fame still has any semblance of prestige; and that the same people know enough to hate Gal Gadot. Others were blunt in their critique of her acting, with one writing, Regardless of how you feel about Palestine, these people are right to protest Gal Gadot getting a starshes not a very good actress. Another went even further, saying, Gal Gadot is one of the most horrible actors this generation has ever seen, and she got a star??? I can probably act better than her. None of her movies are iconic, none of her movies are ever worth wasting money on. Beyond her acting, some were outraged at the timing of her honour, linking it to the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict. One user pointed out, On the same day that Israel breaks the ceasefire and returns to bombing and gassing Palestinian children in Gaza, Hollywood chooses to reward IDF soldier Gal Gadot with a star on the Walk of Fame. Another condemned the decision, calling it absolutely sickening and stating, The blood will never wipe off her coloniser's hands. The verdict? The internet says no gal gadot getting a star on the hollywood walk of fame when her costar is infinitely more talented is frying me, the hold her untalented ass has on the industry is wild eevee (@lordeoceanic) March 18, 2025 While many online users focused on her acting abilities, others saw her recognition as a political statement. The protests against Gadot werent just about Hollywood credibility but also about her past as an IDF soldier and her vocal stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict. Gal Gadot may have a star, but the internet isn't celebrating. Whether its her acting, her political stance, or the mere idea of what Hollywood considers fame-worthy, social media has made one thing clearthis win is far from unanimous. Fashion is a world of reinvention where hemlines rise and fall, aesthetic shifts overnight, and power players step in and out like characters in an ever-evolving runway drama. But three months into 2025, and we can safely say it has been particularly seismic. Creative directors are the visionaries shaping what we wear and how we dream. This year has seen a major shuffle at the top, with some of the biggest names bidding adieu to the fashion houses they changed. From Donatella Versace closing the chapter on a three-decade reign to Kim Jones making a grand exit from Dior, these departures mark the end of an era and the beginning of a new creative landscape. Whos stepping in next? Where will these titans land? And, most importantly, what does this mean for fashion as we know it? Lets dive into the years most talked-about exits and the legacies they leave behind. Credit: Instagram Donatella steps down from Versace After nearly 30 years at the helm of Versace, Donatella Versace announced her departure in March 2025, marking the end of an era. Having taken over after the tragic passing of her brother Gianni in 1997, Donatella redefined the house with her signature brand of unapologetic glamour like chainmail dresses, bold prints, and red-carpet moments that became literally pop culture history also through collaborations with celebrities like Beyonce, Lady Gaga, and Jennifer Lopez. As she steps away, one question lingers: Will Dario Vitale be able to fill her gold-studded stilettos? Credit: Instagram Sabato De Sarno calls it a day at Gucci Sabato De Sarnos tenure at Gucci was a study in quiet luxury minimalist, clean, and refreshingly subdued after the maximalist reign of Alessandro Michele. But just as fashion insiders were settling into his vision, he made a sudden exit in February 2025, leaving the industry in a state of whiplash. His collections focused on tailored essentials and quiet luxury, marking a significant departure from Guccis eccentric past. His departure raises questions about Guccis direction: Will the brand pivot once again, or is this just another chapter in its ever-evolving identity crisis? Credit: Freepik.com Kim Jones says goodbye to Dior Kim Jones has long been the master of blending streetwear with high fashion, turning Dior Men into a powerhouse of modern luxury. But in early 2025, he made a dramatic departure from the brand, following his exit from Fendi just months before. His tenure was defined by seamless collaborations, cutting-edge tailoring, and an effortless cool that kept Dior at the forefront of the industry. With both his high-profile gigs behind him, the speculation is already swirling where will Jones land next? Credit: Instagram Jonathan Anderson parts ways from Loewe One of the most innovative designers of his generation, he shocked the industry with his decision to step down from Loewe recently. During his tenure, he turned the Spanish heritage brand into a hub of artistic experimentation, blending surrealist elements with wearable luxury. His collections often featured sculptural leatherwork and playful deconstruction, making Loewe one of the most talked-about brands of the decade. Meanwhile, Loewes next chapter remains a mystery will it continue in the same experimental direction, or will a new creative lead bring a different perspective? These departures mark the end of an era, but in fashion, change is constant. The next wave of creative leadership is already on the horizon. Summer is here! In some cities, men are wrapping their faces with handkerchiefs, while women are shielding themselves with dupattas or masks to escape the dry, burning loo. In other cities, those same masks and dupattas are soaking wet within minutes, drenched in sweat as the humidity makes stepping outside feel like stepping into a steam room. While most people focus on protecting their skin with sunscreen, did you know your hair needs special care too? Just like you choose different SPF levels based on where you live, your shampoo should also match your city's summer weather. A shampoo that works in Delhis dry heat may not work in Chennai and Kolkatas humid climate. Which shampoo works best for your citys summer? Excess heat can strip away moisture, making hair dry and brittle, while high humidity can make it greasy and lifeless. As of today March 19, 2025, Kolkata stands at 35C with 47 percent humidity, Delhi at 32C with 35 percent humidity, Mumbai at 33C with 42 percent humidity, and Chennai at 32C with 70 percent humidity. This difference in weather means your shampoo should work with your environment, not against it. Moisture-rich shampoo for dry summers Cities with dry, scorching heat like Delhi need shampoos that provide extra hydration. Look for shampoos with moisturizing ingredients like argan oil, shea butter, or glycerin. These help lock in moisture and prevent hair from becoming frizzy and brittle. Avoid clarifying shampoos that can strip natural oils, making dryness worse. Credit: Freepik In Delhi people should go for shampoos which are hydrating, nourishing, and moisturizing shampoos. It is also beneficial to use a sulfate-free shampoo because sulfates take the moisture and oil out from the hair said Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi, director and chief dermatologist, MedLinks group of clinics from Delhi. Clarifying shampoo for oily scalp & humid weather Mumbai and Chennais humidity leads to excessive sweating and oil buildup. A clarifying shampoo with tea tree oil, jojoba extracts, or apple cider vinegar works best in such weather. It removes excess oil and sweat while keeping the scalp fresh. However, it shouldnt be too harsh, as over-cleansing can cause the scalp to produce more oil. Balancing shampoo for moderate humidity Cities like Kolkata, where humidity is moderate, need shampoos that strike a balance between hydration and oil control. Green tea or aloe vera-based shampoos are great choices as they maintain scalp health without making hair greasy or too dry. In Kolkata there are some problems which patients have: like dandruff issues, fungal infections, and these are very common. The condition of the infection also increases, when there is more sweating. Choosing the best type of shampoo all depends on what exactly needs to be applied. Suppose, if somebody has dandruff, they need to use ketoconazole-based anti-dandruff shampoo. There are many who use anti-dandruff shampoos, and if the anti-dandruff shampoos dry, then there is an inbuilt conditioner, like aloe vera which can at times not match with the scalp condition of the person said Dr Dolly Gupta, dermatologist & hair transplant surgeon from Kolkata. Speaking about the stark difference in weather in the two cities Dr Chaturvedi added A sulphate based shampoo will cause more damage in Delhi rather than in Kolkata. Hence it is always recommended to go for sulphate-free shampoos as they are detergents Mild shampoo for heat with cool nights Bangalores warm but pleasant nights mean you dont need intense moisture or strong cleansing shampoos. A gentle, daily-use shampoo with mild conditioning agents like coconut milk or rice water is perfect for keeping hair fresh without overloading it with hydration. Bangalore is dry like Delhi. But there, people's concern is that the skin becomes very dry and dehydrated. Hair becomes very dry and greasy. No matter what the condition people must go for sulphate free shampoos given that it makes the hair very dry and it is not recommended added Dr Gupta. Sulphate-free shampoos: A must No matter the weather, one golden rule remains: always opt for a sulphate-free shampoo. Sulphates strip natural oils, leading to dryness in hot regions and excessive greasiness in humid areas. A mild, sulphate-free formula ensures your shampoo works for your hair instead of against it. One shampoo is different from the other is a meat which can be checked via its frothing quality. If one is living in a big city like: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata which are polluted as per the international standards, I recommend regular shampooing of the hair. If one cannot manage it can be done on alternate days to keep the scalp clean said Dr Koushik Lahiri, a consultant dermatologist practicing at Wizderm skin and hair clinic of Kolkata. Your hair reacts to weather changes just like your skin. While you pick your SPF wisely, its time to choose your shampoo wisely too. Check your citys temperature and humidity levels, and pick a shampoo that keeps your hair healthy and fresh all summer long! The US-brokered uneasy ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip has broken down, and there are growing fears that the situation is likely to worsen further. The ceasefire, which was in place for nearly two months, broke down on Monday after Israel launched airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, killing more than 400 Palestinians. CREDIT: REUTERS Hamas leadership hit Hamas confirmed that Essam al-Dalalis, who held the position of head of the Hamas government in Gaza; Bahjat Abu Sultan, who oversaw the militant group's internal operations; Mahmoud Abu Watfa, the general manager of the Hamas interior ministry in Gaza; Ahmad Omar al-Hatta, director general of the Hamas justice ministry; and Abu Obeida Mohammed al-Jamasi, a member of its political bureau, were among those killed in the airstrikes. Israeli media also reported that Abu Hamza, the spokesman for the al-Quds Brigades, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad's military wing, has also been killed in the airstrike in Gaza. Why Israel resumed airstrikes Israel resumed airstrikes on Gaza in an effort to pressure Hamas, which still holds 59 of the hostages taken on October 7, 2023, to release them, as the deal to secure their return is stuck in limbo. CREDIT: REUTERS What Netanyahu said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has vowed to eliminate Hamas, warned the group that this was "just the beginning." "From now on, Israel will act against Hamas with increasing force. And from now on, negotiations will only take place under fire," he said, adding, "Hamas has already felt the blow of our arm in the last 24 hours. And I want to assure you: This is just the beginning." Hamas is responsible for this war. pic.twitter.com/JRabT6KAv4 Benjamin Netanyahu - (@netanyahu) March 18, 2025 Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump had issued what he called a "last warning" to Hamas to release the hostages. On the resumption of the airstrikes in Gaza, both the US and Israel have confirmed that Washington was consulted about the development. CREDIT: REUTERS Hamas reaction Meanwhile, Hamas, in a statement, said that it remains in constant contact with mediators and is engaging responsibly and positively with all proposals aimed at halting the Israeli "aggression" and lifting the blockade on Gaza. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Parents of Sudiksha Konanki, an Indian-origin student who has been missing for nearly two weeks now, have urged authorities in the Dominican Republic to declare the 20-year-old legally dead. Her parents, Subbarayudu and Sreedevi Konanki, said they believed she had drowned, and declaring her dead would bring some closure. CREDIT: REUTERS Parents hope for closure Initiating this process will allow our family to begin the grieving process and address matters related to her absence, the parents said in a letter to Dominican police. While no declaration can truly ease our grief, we trust that this step will bring some closure and enable us to honour her memory, they added. BREAKING: Parents of Sudiksha Konanki, American who disappeared while on spring break in the Dominican Republic, announce they believe she died in a tragic accident. "It is with deep sadness & heavy heart that we are coming to the terms of the fact that our daughter has pic.twitter.com/1EB0ibJ6Ln Breaking911 (@Breaking911) March 18, 2025 What happened to Sudiksha Konanki Konanki, a resident of Loudoun County in Virginia, and five female friends had travelled to the Dominican Republic on March 3. The University of Pittsburgh student disappeared at a beach near her hotel before dawn on March 6. Her clothes were later discovered on a beach nearby, and Joshua Steven Riibe, a 22-year-old American man who was last spotted with Konanki on the morning of March 6, was detained by local authorities. CREDIT: REUTERS Joshua Steven Riibe freed According to the authorities, there is no criminal investigation against him. Riibe reportedly told the police that he met Konanki the night before her disappearance. He said they were kissing in the sea when they were hit by a strong wave. Riibe said he was a former lifeguard and swam her to shore. After making it out of the water, he said he later saw her walking on the beach before he vomited and fainted. Joshua Riibe, the 22-year-old who was last with 20-year-old student Sudiksha Konanki the night she went missing, said in court that he's "ready to go home and go back to my life." Riibe, who is not charged with a crime, said Konanki's family hugged him and thanked him. pic.twitter.com/HhitsnU3LL ABC News Live (@ABCNewsLive) March 18, 2025 Multiple agencies, including the FBI, DEA, and the Dominican Republic police and armed forces, have been involved in the search for Konanki, but except for her dress and footwear, which were recovered from the beach, they have failed to make any progress in finding her. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur, found himself at the center of two contrasting situations this week. While his aerospace company, SpaceX, received widespread appreciation for bringing astronaut Sunita Williams safely back to Earth, his electric car company, Tesla, faced violent backlash in the United States. On Tuesday, multiple Tesla vehicles were set on fire at a Las Vegas service center, with the word RESIST spray-painted in red across the building's front doors. Elon Musk condemns attacks, calls it Insane Reacting to the attack, Musk described the violence as insane and deeply wrong. In an interview with Fox News, he expressed disappointment, stating that he had believed the Democratic party stood for empathy and compassion, yet now its supporters were resorting to acts like torching cars and firebombing dealerships. Donald Trump calls Tesla arson Domestic terrorism The issue also caught the attention of former U.S. President Donald Trump, who sided with Musk. When asked by Fox News whether he considered the attacks on Tesla an act of domestic terrorism, Trump replied, I think so. He further even confirmed that his administration was considering stronger legal actions against those responsible. Internet reacts: Praise for SpaceX, hate for Tesla While Musks Tesla faced attacks, SpaceX was basking in admiration. The successful return of Sunita Williams from space led to an outpouring of appreciation on social media. One user praised Musk, writing, Thank you, Elon and SpaceX, for bringing our astronauts home! You guys rock! Another expressed gratitude, saying, Thank you, Lord, for a safe return for astronauts! Im extremely happy and grateful to Elon & SpaceX. Thank you President Trump and Space X for your tireless effort to put America and its citizens first, Something the Biden administration never did. Heath Humble (@hhumble51) March 19, 2025 In contrast, Tesla was ridiculed and criticized on X (formerly Twitter). Tesla is a shitty car. Dont buy shitty cars, wrote one user. Another urged people to keep selling Tesla stocks, saying, Dont stop dumping, no matter what lies or tricks they come up with! Dont ever buy again! The situation highlights the divided public perception of Musks ventures. While his contributions to space exploration are celebrated, his car company remains a point for controversy, protests, and political debates. YouTuber Lee Jin Ho has sparked outrage with his latest video, claiming late actress Kim Sae Ron was secretly married and pregnant with her boyfriend, who is not actor Kim Soo Hyun. The video features leaked audio recordings allegedly of Kim Sae Ron admitting to the marriage and pregnancy, followed by an abortion. His claims come just a day after the late actress' family sued him for defamation. In January 2025, Kim Sae Ron posted photos with a mystery man, captioned "Marry," but quickly deleted them. Her team later dismissed the photos as being from a wedding-themed photoshoot. Kim Sae Ron's photoshoot with a mystery man| Credit: X On March 19th, YouTuber Lee Jin Ho released a video claiming late actress Kim Sae Ron was secretly married to the mystery man with whom she had shared the 'wedding-themed' photo on her Instagram. He also claimed she got pregnant before her passing. The video allegedly includes voice recordings of Kim Sae Ron discussing her relationship with a staff member. Kim Sae Ron claimed boyfriend shared the 'marry' post on Instagram According to the recordings, Kim Sae Ron confirmed that it was her boyfriend who had shared the couple photos on Instagram. She also shared that her boyfriend was controlling, revealing that he had access to her social media accounts and would get aggressive when drunk. When asked in the transcript how she met her boyfriend, she said, "He is just a civilian working for a conglomerate in New York. We met through an acquaintance, but that was a bit ago. He's usually fine but sometimes feels anxious. I have now deleted my KakaoTalk account. My boyfriend manages my KakaoTalk and Instagram accounts. I cant do anything and can only communicate a little via Telegram and text, but he keeps saying, 'I dont understand why you're hiding that you got married,' and 'I wish you had revealed it,' and we've argued a lot about it." Actress confirmed marriage to her boyfriend Additionally, Kim Sae Ron revealed that she was threatened into marrying her boyfriend and acknowledged that she couldn't back out of the marriage. Kim Sae Ron with her alleged boyfriend| Credit: X "While I was dating my current boyfriend, I happened to meet up with my ex while I was in Korea. There are problems to do with the company and B, so he said that he would just help me out with the issues even though we were broken up. So when we met up then, we were already broken up. I told everything to my ex and that I had a boyfriend, and we said goodbye like that. I was also not going to marry my current boyfriend and was actually about to break up with him. But then, I suddenly got pregnant," the actress told the staff. Kim Sae Ron revealed getting an abortion When the staff asked if she was still pregnant, the actress revealed she had an abortion, which led to her marrying her boyfriend. Notably, this alleged marriage and pregnancy occurred after her breakup with actor Kim Soo Hyun. YouTuber Lee Jin Ho claims Kim Sae Ron attempted suicide multiple times He said, "Currently, the family is raising serious concerns about Kim Soo Hyun, who was her boyfriend four years ago. However, the late Kim Sae Ron was actually married to another man and was living as a newlywed. The family has been sending information from her phone to Gaseyeon for further disclosure, which indicates they were aware of her marriage." The Youtuber added, "Kim Sae Ron attempted to end her life multiple times last year. As a result, she was rushed to the emergency room for urgent surgery, which cost more than 20 million won. Yet, none of her family members contributed to her hospital bills." Kim Sae Ron's family has claimed she dated Kim Soo Hyun from 2015-2021, while she was a minor, and was pressured to repay a 700 million won debt after a drunk driving accident. Kim Soo Hyun's team has denied the allegations, stating he didn't date her as a minor and didn't demand debt repayment. They offered to meet with Sae Ron's mother to provide explanations. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Kim Soo Hyun is seeking comfort with his family amid the ongoing controversy surrounding his past relationship with late actress Kim Sae Ron. The development comes after his agency has expressed concerns about his mental health, citing "extreme psychological distress" due to the scrutiny. Kim Soo Hyun is taking 'time to recover' amid dating scandal According to a source close to Kim Soo Hyun, the actor is currently residing with his family as he takes time to recover. The source told TV Report on March 19th, Kim Soo Hyun is currently staying with his family. They continued, Its unclear whether hes with his cousin or father, but Kim Soo Hyun is taking time to recover by staying close to his family. The official statement from his agency, Gold Medalist, will only be released after cross-checking with Kim Soo Hyun. Kim Soo Hyun's mental health woes Kim Soo Hyun's agency has claimed he's struggling with extreme psychological distress due to the ongoing controversy surrounding his past relationship with the late actress Kim Sae Ron. His agency stated that he's experiencing "extreme confusion and chaos" after being accused of contributing to Kim Sae Ron's tragic death. The agency issued a formal statement on March 14, stating that Soo Hyun's mental health had deteriorated rapidly, prompting immediate measures to ensure his psychological safety. This came after Soo Hyun was accused of dating Kim Sae Ron while she was a minor, which his agency denied, claiming that their relationship occurred when Kim Sae Ron was an adult. Credit: X "In addition, after their Garosero Research Institute live broadcast ended on March 12, people in cars with cameras were waiting in the companys parking lot and across the buildings main entrance," the statement added. Major setback for Kim Soo Hyun Kim Soo Hyun is facing significant professional setbacks amid the controversy surrounding his alleged involvement in the death of actress Kim Sae Ron. Several brands have cut ties with him, and the Korean reality show Good Day has removed scenes featuring the actor from their latest episode. His upcoming K-drama Knock Off is also at risk of cancellation, with rumours suggesting a delay or cancellation due to the ongoing scandal. "Kim Soohyun may go bankrupt" trends on weibo as per Korean media outlet reports that if Disney+ sues him for breach of contract, he may face bankruptcy. The K drama "Knock off" with Jo Bo-Ah is a high-budget production with the series being an 18-EP drama divided into 2 seasons. pic.twitter.com/8W189k8ovO Yashfa (@gllow_yashfa) March 19, 2025 Disney Korea, the show's distributor, has yet to confirm the release schedule. Meanwhile, sponsors like Safety Zone Korea, led by CEO Park Ki Pyo, have expressed concern over the situation and will decide their stance once Disney makes a decision. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Ryan Reynolds is seeking to dismiss Justin Baldoni's $400 million defamation lawsuit, claiming that Baldoni's lawsuit is based on "hurt feelings" rather than actual defamation. The lawsuit is part of a larger dispute between Baldoni and Reynolds' wife, Blake Lively, who has accused her It Ends with Us co-star of sexual harassment on set. Baldoni has denied the allegations and filed a countersuit against Lively and Reynolds. Ryan Reynolds files motion to drop him from Justin Baldonis defamation lawsuit Ryan Reynolds' legal team has filed a motion to dismiss Justin Baldoni's lawsuit, arguing that the defamation claims are unfounded. According to the filing, obtained by CNN, Reynolds allegedly called Baldoni a "predator" on two occasions, but the lawsuit doesn't dispute that Reynolds genuinely believed this to be true. Credit: X According to the lawsuit, Baldoni accused Reynolds of privately calling him a "sexual predator" and pressuring their shared agency, WME, to drop him. However, Reynolds' team argues that he genuinely believes Baldoni engaged in predatory behaviour, and therefore, his statements cannot be considered defamation. What's happened in the Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni lawsuit so far? The film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's It Ends With Us was overshadowed by tension between stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. Lively played Lily Bloom, while Baldoni directed and co-starred as Ryle, Lily's abusive husband. Credit: X The speculations surrounding tension between Lively and Baldoni first surfaced after the film's press tour when the pair kept their distance, avoiding joint photos and interviews. December 20, 2024: Lively files a complaint against Baldoni Blake Lively filed a lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, his production company Wayfarer Studios, and others involved with It Ends with Us, claiming sexual harassment and an attempt to damage her reputation. In a 10-page complaint filed with the California Civil Rights Department, Lively described a "hostile work environment" and accused the production team of engaging in an "Astroturfing" campaign. The complaint detailed incidents involving inappropriate behaviour on Baldoni's part, such as sharing nude images, discussing pornography addiction, and making sexual comments and physical advances. It also claimed Baldoni inquired about Lively's weight without her consent and added explicit content to the film outside the script, including sex scenes and oral sex. December 21, 2024: Baldoni faces heat after Lively's lawsuit Following the serious allegations, WME (William Morris Endeavor) quickly dropped Justin Baldoni from their roster. Baldonis lawyer, Bryan Freedman, strongly denied the accusations, calling them completely false. This development occurred on December 21, the same day the New York Times published its in-depth expose titled We Can Bury Anyone: Inside a Hollywood Smear Campaign. December 31, 2024: Baldoni Sues NYT for $250 Million Nearly 10 days after Blake Lively's lawsuit, Justin Baldoni and his publicists filed a lawsuit against The New York Times over their story about Livelys sexual harassment claims. The 87-page libel complaint accused the journalists of collaborating with Lively to spread false information. The NYT article was widely reshared by celebrities showing support for her. In the lawsuit, Baldoni's lawyer, Bryan Freedman, highlighted Lively's publicist, Leslie Sloanes past ties to Harvey Weinstein. The complaint also referenced a stern statement from Ryan Reynolds to Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios during a company-wide meeting on January 4, along with other key moments to support their claims. January 7, 2025: Freedman claims Ryan Reynolds mocked Baldoni with Deadpool & Wolverine character Nicepool Bryan Freedman accused Ryan Reynolds of mocking Justin Baldoni with the character "Nicepool," a parody of the Deadpool and Wolverine characters. Fans speculated that this character was a reference to Baldoni's perceived "pseudo-nice guy" persona. During his appearance on The Megyn Kelly Show, Freedman stated, What I make of that, is that if your wife is sexually harassed, you dont make fun of Justin Baldoni. He further highlighted the similarities between Baldoni and the character, pointing out that anyone who had seen the "hair bun" reference in the portrayal would recognize the connection to Baldoni. Freedman stressed that making light of a situation involving sexual harassment was inappropriate. January 16, 2025 Baldoni sues Lively and Ryan Reynolds for $400 million On January 16, Justin Baldoni filed a complaint demanding $400 million from Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, accusing them of defamation, extortion, and other claims. The 179-page filing argued that Reynolds and Lively used their power to take control of It Ends with Us away from its director and production studio. The lawsuit also claimed that the couple's attempts to gain acclaim failed; they directed their anger at Baldoni, labeling him a scapegoat. Just hours after the lawsuit was filed, Lively and her legal team described Baldonis legal action as another chapter in the abuser playbook. February 1, 2025: Baldoni launches website In February, Justin Baldoni and his team launched an online archive of evidence supporting his side. The archive included a detailed timeline with text messages, emails, and other communications related to the events surrounding the production and press coverage of It Ends With Us. February 19, 2025: Blake Lively's publicist seeks an out from the legal drama. On February 19, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds' publicist, Leslie Sloane, filed a motion to have herself and her company, Vision PR, removed from the ongoing legal battle with Justin Baldoni. She argued that Baldonis legal team had diverted attention from the sexual harassment lawsuit by dragging her and her company into the lawsuit as a smoke and mirrors exercise. February 28, 2025: Blake Lively hires crisis PR vet Nick Shapiro Blake Lively enlisted the expertise of Nick Shapiro, the CIA's former chief of staff, to advise on the legal communications strategy for her ongoing lawsuit. Shapiro will work alongside Lively's law firm, Willkie Farr & Gallagher, in the high-profile case against Baldoni. A spokesperson for Blakes law firm told Variety, The litigation team for Ms. Lively retained Mr. Shapiro to advise on the legal communications strategy for the ongoing sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit occurring in the Southern District of New York. Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's case will go to trial in May 2026. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. When NASA astronaut Sunita Williams touched down after a surprise nine-month stay on the International Space Station (ISS), her family wasn't just excited about her safe return they were buzzing about what shed be eating first. Spoiler alert: its not a fancy space meal but a humble yet iconic Gujarati dish Dal Dhokli made by none other than her mom! Credit: X After facing technical hiccups with Boeings Starliner that extended her ISS stay, Williams finally made it back to Earth on the SpaceX Crew-9 mission, splashing down off the Florida coast. While space agencies managed her safe return, her family back home was busy planning the real mission a warm, hearty, home-cooked Gujarati feast! Why Dal Dhokli is more than just food Imagine a steaming bowl of lentils simmered with earthy spices, soft wheat dough dumplings floating in it that's Dal Dhokli for you. Comfort, nostalgia, and a splash of tangy-sweet goodness, all in one pot. It's a dish that Gujaratis often whip up on lazy Sundays or rainy days a warm hug in a bowl, really. Credit: Pinterest For Williams, who famously carried samosas to space, this dish hits different. As her sister-in-law, Falguni Pandya, shared with the Republic Media Network, "No one can match her mothers cooking," emphasizing that Dal Dhokli will be the centerpiece of the homecoming meal. Pandya even joked that after surviving on space rations, this would be a "samosa party, but with Dal Dhokli leading the menu." Whats the hype about Sunita Williams favourite dish Dal Dhokli? Dal Dhokli is more than just food its a feeling. Typically served on slow afternoons when families gather, it's a dish thats meant to be savored. The preparation involves cooked dal (lentils) spiced with mustard seeds, cumin, curry leaves, and a hint of jaggery or lemon for that classic Gujarati balance of sweet and tangy. Wheat flour dough is rolled, cut into diamond shapes, and added to the simmering dal, creating hearty dumplings. Credit: Pinterest Traditionally enjoyed with ghee and a squeeze of lime, Dal Dhokli is an ideal blend of flavors and textures. Its like desi pasta comfort food with a twist. And if it can satisfy an astronaut whos traveled beyond our planet, it's got to be worth trying! Ingredients for Dal Dhokli Ingredients: 1 cup toor dal (split pigeon peas), 1 tbsp ghee, 1 tsp mustard seeds, 1 tsp cumin seeds, curry leaves, green chilies, ginger (chopped), 1 tbsp jaggery, Lemon juice, Salt, turmeric, red chili powder, coriander powder, 1 cup wheat flour (for the dhokli), Water Recipe of Dal Dhokli Step 1: Pressure cook toor dal with water, salt, and turmeric. Mash it once cooked. Step 2: Prepare the dhokli dough with wheat flour, salt, chili powder, turmeric, and water. Roll it out, cut into diamonds, and keep aside. Step 3: In a large pot, heat ghee, add mustard seeds, cumin, curry leaves, and green chilies. Step 4: Pour in the mashed dal, add water to adjust consistency, and let it boil. Step 5: Add jaggery, lemon juice, red chili powder, and coriander powder. Step 6: Drop the dhokli pieces gently into the simmering dal. Let them cook for 10-12 minutes. Step 7: Garnish with chopped coriander and serve hot with ghee. Sunita Williams' next steps: A trip to India? While the idea of visiting India in 2025 is still tentative, her family hinted at a possible trip where Williams hopes to reconnect with her roots and, undoubtedly, indulge in even more homemade delights. If theres a meet-and-greet, someone should definitely bring her a steaming bowl of Dal Dhokli. In a shocking incident, multiple Tesla vehicles were set on fire on Tuesday at the service centre in the United States, while personal details of car owners were also leaked on a doxing website called 'Dogequest. The incident has received the tech billionaire and Tesla owner Elon Musk's reaction to the ongoing anti-Elon Musk protests. On Tuesday, the spate of arson attacks against Tesla vehicles escalated over Elon Musk's controversial role in US President Donald Trump's administration. The protest started after a person torched five cars using Molotov cocktails in Las Vegas. According to the FBI investigation, the incident is considered to be a possible act of terrorism. Elon Musk's reaction to the protest leaves netizens buzzing A report by the New York Post revealed that in Kansas City, two Tesla Cybertrucks were set on fire. Well, these continuous protests against Elon Musk have sparked conversation on social media. One X (formerly called Twitter) user @GrageDustin, who is a columnist and political analyst, shared a post saying, Elon Musk saved free speech and the astronauts. "The left is repaying him by burning EVs and SWATing conservatives on this platform. Remind mewho are the fascists again?" he asked. Elon Musk saved free speech and the astronauts. The left is repaying him by burning EVs and SWATing conservatives on this platform. Remind mewho are the fascists again? Dustin Grage (@GrageDustin) March 18, 2025 The post was then shared by another user, who said, "Leftists have formed a violent crime ring," and this grabbed the attention of the Tesla owner, who shared the post with the caption, "Theyre bad people doing bad things." Theyre bad people doing bad things https://t.co/K5N4k88nO9 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 19, 2025 However, since the day the violence started, Elon Musk reposted the videos of the vehicles on fire and called the incident "terrorism". According to his later tweets, the level of violence is insane and deeply wrong; he tweeted, "Tesla just makes electric cars and has done nothing to deserve these evil attacks." Credit: X Netizens react to Elon Musk's tweet The reaction of Elon Musk garnered mixed reactions, as one supported the act and said, "And Donald is deliberately crushing the economy for his friends to get rich..." Another wrote, "They most definitely are! They have turned into completely unhinged and violent people! The madness needs to stop!" "This all stops when the criminals at the top funding this start being held accountable. When the first Democrat mega-donor goes down for funding this domestic terrorism against conservatives, it will all stop," one wrote. They most definitely are! They have turned into completely unhinged and violent people! The madness needs to stop! MAGAMOM (@megamom1252) March 19, 2025 "Treat them accordingly. No more free passes. Accountability has to be delivered." For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events. The controversy surrounding Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron intensifies as the Garosero Research Institute releases more incriminating evidence. Despite Gold Medalist's denials, the YouTube channel has unveiled a video purportedly showing Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron together at her residence. As the scandal unfolds, several industry figures have been implicated, with actor Park Seo Joon being the latest name to surface in connection with the controversy. Park Seo Joon gets dragged into Kim Soo Hyun's dating scandal Kim Se Ui, the head of Garosero Research Institute, sparked renewed speculation Park Seo Joon and Kim So Hyun's friendship on March 17, citing a past interview with Park Seo Joon that has raised eyebrows. The interview in question took place in October of the previous year on Jung Jae Hyung's YouTube channel "Fairy Jae Hyung," where Park Seo Joon shared a personal anecdote. He revealed that after completing his military service, The Queen of Tears star played a crucial role in helping him join an agency, sparking curiosity about the nature of their relationship. Park Seo Joon elaborated on the connection, saying, "After my military discharge, a mutual acquaintance who was close to Kim Soo Hyun at the time reached out on my behalf. They asked if I could meet with Kim Soo-hyun's agency, and he kindly facilitated the introduction." The Itaewon Class actor expressed his appreciation, recounting, "Thanks to Kim Soo Hyun's arrangement, I visited the agency and was immediately presented with a contract by the CEO. He assured me it was a standard agreement but encouraged me to review it with a lawyer if needed. Being new to the agency scene, I asked for time to consider it. Ultimately, I was impressed by the company's stature and decided to sign with them." However, Kim Se Ui offered a scathing assessment of the actors' friendship, describing it as "frail" and "weaker than a piece of paper." He also made a cryptic comment: "I took a look at Park Seo Joon's Instagram last night, and I think it's quite telling." Park Seo Joon's 'garo' connection On March 16, Park Seo Joon shared photos from Paris with the cryptic caption, "What did I do in Paris? Garo." The word "Garo" in Korean refers to the horizontal direction. Kim Se Ui interpreted this as a veiled reference to Kim Soo Hyun's nickname "YouTuber Kim Paris" and his alleged romantic exchanges with Kim Sae Ron, where they used the terms "horizontal" and "vertical" as affectionate codes. Kim Se Ui suggested that Park Seo Joon's caption was a subtle nod to this controversy. He continued, I even left a comment there. I support Park Seo Joon. Their friendship is truly weaker than a piece of paper. Kim Se Ui's public comment under Park Seo Joons post read, YouTuber Kim Paris is being exposed by Garo Sero Research Institute. We will work even harder to clear actress Kim Sae-rons name. Park Seo Joon, fighting! Park Seo Joon fans come to his defence However, fans of Park Seo Joon have now come to his defence, offering a different narrative. They claim that the phrase "horizontal" simply refers to the photo's orientation, as the image was indeed taken in a horizontal format. Furthermore, fans pointed out that Park Seo Joon has used similar captions in the past, including one from December 2024 that mentioned "vertical," suggesting that the caption was merely a reference to the photo's composition. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Save the U.S. Post Service! San Jose Protest Against Destroying USPS Agency Date: Sunday, March 23, 2025 Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Event Type: Protest Organizer/Author: National Assoc. of Letter Carriers & Allies Location Details: USPS Office - sidewalk out front 105 North 1st St. San Jose, CA 95113 10 AM Fight Like Hell! On Sunday, March 23, NALC branches are hosting local rallies to say "Hell no!" to dismantling the Postal Service. With branches holding events nationwide on the same day, we are sending a clear, unified message: Hands Off USPS! The South Bay Labor Council stands united with Union Brothers and Sisters as we continue to fight for equality, fairness, and dignity for local workers. Local rallies Nationwide will bring together NALC members (National Association of Letter Carriers) and the public to show support for letter carriers, all postal workers, and the postal service! Come join us in protesting the dismantling of USPS, a public service dedicated to serving all people throughout the United States. Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis in joint statements with Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon after their meeting in Ljubljana underlined that the two countries echo the voice of the EU in the UN Security Council. He stressed that it is particularly important at this time for the two countries to be united. Gerapetritis said that both countries are members of the UN Security Council and NATO allies, sharing common values, principles and challenges. He noted that Greece looks forward to further strengthening the coordination between Athens and Ljubljana for the upcoming Greek Presidency of the UN Security Council in May. Fajon, for her part, pointed out that the two countries share a similar way of thinking, a common Mediterranean identity and cooperate in various organizations such as the UN Security Council and EU Med9. Referring to the Cyprus issue, Gerapetritis stressed that Greece believes in the continuation of the discussions. "We believe that the UN framework is the foundation to move forward to the resolution of the Cyprus problem which will lead to the reunification of the island, he said. For her part, Fayon noted that Slovenia is committed to efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem in line with UN resolutions. During the meeting, Gerapetritis and Fayon discussed the strengthening of economic cooperation between Athens and Ljubljana in the fields of energy, innovation and science, trade, energy and investment. Regarding tourism, Fajon noted that Greece is the second favorite destination for tourists from her country. The direct flight from Ljubljana to Athens is a step in the right direction, she said. She also noted that Greece is the second favourite destination of Slovenians. "The second best position is not enough, but we will work to reach the top," Gerapetritis replied. Regarding the Three Seas Initiative (3SI), Gerapetritis stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation, noting that Greece became its 13th member in 2023. "It is important that the Aegean becomes the fourth sea in the whole project that unites many countries," he said. Regarding EU foreign policy and enlargement, which are priorities of the Slovenian Presidency, Gerapetritis stressed that 22 years have passed since the Thessaloniki agenda, which set the framework for the integration of the Western Balkans. "I think we need to take appropriate and strong action to accelerate the process obviously on the basis of the European acquis within the framework of the European acquis, international law and the principle of equal merit. But we need to speed up the process," he said, adding: Enlargement is crucial for Europe, we need an inclusive Europe and the bigger Europe is, the stronger it becomes. For her part, Fajon said that Slovenia is closely following developments in North Macedonia and Serbia and stressed that it is important for the Western Balkans to continue on the European path. Regarding the EU's defence autonomy, Gerapetritis pointed out that it is important to make it autonomous and self-sufficient. Referring to the EU's White Paper on defence, Fajon pointed out that any transfer of European funds meant for cohesion to defence "could prove problematic". We need to do more and faster to make Europe self-sufficient, she said. Referring to the war in Ukraine and the crisis in the Middle East, Gerapetritis said they had shaken the whole world. In particular, on Ukraine, he said that "we have some positive news from both sides, but also some negative news. The ceasefire seems to be insufficient. We need to form a mentality of peace and prosperity". While on the Middle East, Gerapetritis stressed: "We call for the ceasefire to be respected. The hostages must be released. And humanitarian aid in Gaza should flow unhindered. We are working together to ensure that this aid reaches those who need it." In response to a journalist's question following statements on the events in Turkey, Gerapetritis said: "Concessions from the rule of law and civil liberties cannot be tolerated. Persuasive answers are required for every alleged violation of these freedoms." iefimerida.gr A sudden cold snap has gripped Greece, bringing snowfall, strong winds, and a sharp drop in temperatures across the country. Snow fell on Mount Parnitha late Tuesday, prompting authorities to close roads. Snow also affected parts of Central Greece and the northeastern Peloponnese. Heavy rain hit eastern Central Greece, the eastern Peloponnese, and southern islands. Strong winds, reaching 10-11 on the Beaufort scale , disrupted the Aegean region. Temperatures plummeted to -6C in mountainous regions. The cold spell is expected to ease by Wednesday, with precipitation limited to Crete. Warmer weather is forecast from Thursday through Saturday, with temperatures gradually rising. Milder conditions are expected by Sunday. Meteorologist Sakis Arnaoutoglou said no further cold air masses are expected this month. iefimerida.gr A Greek court sentenced Roula Pispirigou to two consecutive life terms Tuesday, after finding her guilty of murdering her two youngest children. The court ruled unanimously that Pispirigou, 36, was responsible for the deaths of her 3.5-year-old daughter Malena in 2019 and her six-month-old daughter Iris in 2021. She is already serving a life sentence for the murder of her eldest daughter, Georgina. The court accepted findings that both Malena and Iris died from asphyxiation. Pispirigou showed no emotion as the verdict was read. Her ex-husband, the childrens father, was present in the courtroom. The prosecutor described Pispirigou as egocentric, accusing her of killing her children to save her marriage. The case has caused widespread outrage in Greece. iefimerida.gr Some angry protesters have stormed Akure communities to protest the alleged killing of five farmers by suspected herdsmen at Aba Oyinbo community in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State. INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that assailants invaded the community in the early hours of Wednesday, leaving five persons dead. READ MORE: Ondo Police Arrest Suspected Criminals, Recover N3.6m Cash Advertisement Reacting to the unfortunate incident, residents of Ondo towns, protested over the security challenge by blocking the road leading to Governors office on Wednesday. The protesters expressed displeasure and anger over the approach of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to the incessant killing of farmers in the state by the armed herdsmen. The demonstrators also stated that the state government failed to address the kidnapping and other criminal activities. Addressing newsmen during the exercise, one of the protesters, identified as Jonah, decried the increasing spate of killings, alleging that the attackers infiltrated the state through Edo. He said: We are being slaughtered without anyone doing anything. Akure North is under siege. We are farmers, not criminals. We are appealing to the governor, the police, the army, and Amotekun to save us before more lives are lost. Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has appealed to residents of the state to remain calm amid political crisis facing the oil rich state. Governor Fubara in a statement on Wednesday, emphasised that since assuming office in 2023, all his actions and decisions have been guided by his constitutional oath of office and a great sense of duty. He noted that despite his agreement to peace talk, set up by President Bola Tinubu, his administration still experienced frustration by Speaker Martin Amaewhule-Led lawmakers in the states House of Assembly. Advertisement The statement reads: I address you today with a deep sense of responsibility and calm, as we navigate this unfortunate moment in our states political history. Since assuming office as your governor, we have prioritised the protection of lives and property and ensured the continuous progress of our dear state. READ MORE: Tinubu Declares State of Emergency In Rivers State Amidst Crisis Even in the face of the political impasse, we have remained committed to constitutional order and the rule of law, putting the interest of our people above all else. This was why, immediately after Mr. Presidents intervention to broker peace, we did not hesitate to implement the agreed terms in good faith, including welcoming back commissioners who had previously resigned of their own volition. Furthermore, we moved swiftly to comply with the Supreme Courts judgment immediately after we received the certified true copy of the judgment to return the state to normalcy. Unfortunately, at every turn, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly frustrated our efforts, thus making genuine peace and progress challenging. At this critical time, I urge all Rivers people to remain peaceful and law-abiding. We will engage with all relevant institutions to ensure that our democracy remains strong and that Rivers State continues to thrive. We have always been resilient people, and we will face this situation with wisdom, patience, and unwavering faith in the democratic process. Recall that President Tinubu on Tuesday night, during a nationwide broadcast, declared a six months State of Emergency. Tinubu noted that the decision was made to restore peace amid political unrest and sabotage of nations resources facing severe threats by suspected pipeline militants. A fire erupted at Alagbede Tipper Garage in Ilorin South Local Government Area of Kwara State on Tuesday, destroying three out of the 42 trucks parked there. Reports indicate that the fire broke out around 1:45 a.m., originating from a waste collection truck parked with refuse inside. The fire swiftly spread to two other trucks before firefighters brought the situation under control. Advertisement READ MORE: Delta Police Intercept Arms Shipment, Arrest Suspected Gunrunner On Benin-Asaba Expressway Hassan Adekunle, the Kwara State Fire Services Principal Fire Officer and spokesperson, confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday. On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 01:35 hours, the Kwara State Fire Service received a distress call reporting a fire outbreak at Alagbede Tipper Garage, Ilorin. Responding swiftly, the fire crew arrived at the scene to find a fleet of trucks, some of which were already engulfed in flames. Through the efforts of the firefighters, the fire was contained, limiting damage to only three out of the 42 trucks in the garage. Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire originated from a waste collection truck that had been parked with refuse still inside. The refuse contained lit charcoal, which smouldered and eventually ignited, spreading to two other trucks before being extinguished, Adekunle said. The Kwara State Fire Service Director, Falade John, urged residents to remain vigilant and adhere to fire safety measures to prevent similar incidents. The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has vehemently rejected President Bola Ahmed Tinubus declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. The council views this move as unnecessary and politically motivated, sparking widespread concern among the Ijaw people. In a bold stance, the IYC has vowed to resist the state of emergency, citing its potential to undermine democracy and perpetuate instability in the region. Advertisement Reacting to the announcement made on Tuesday, IYC President Dr. Alaye Theophilus stated: We will never accept the decision of Mr. President to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State. This crisis has been engineered by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. We urge the President to reconsider this decision, Theophilus said. He claimed that the presidency had long planned the emergency declaration to benefit Wike, adding: It is unheard of for the President to declare a state of emergency in the 21st century when the crisis could still be peacefully resolved. While Governor Fubara has been advocating peace, Wike and the House of Assembly members have remained confrontational. Despite the growing tension, Theophilus urged Ijaw youths to remain peaceful while calling on President Tinubu to reverse the decision in the interest of the state. Social Democratic Party Vice Presidential Candidate in the 2023 election, Yusuf Buhari, has joined All Progressive Congress, on Tuesday. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the partys gubernatorial candidate in Kano State, Bala Gwagwarawa, and his supporters, dumped SDP for APC. The development of a coming following the arrival of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai in the party last week. Advertisement Recall that El-Rufai, in his resignation letter claimed that his exit from the ruling party was inspired due to what he described as lack of partys vision. Meanwhile, Yusuf and Bala, were formally received in Abuja by Barau, the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, and members of the partys National Working Committee. Also, 38 SDP local government chairmen and secretaries, 13 House of Assembly candidates, six House of Representatives candidates, and members of the partys State Working Committee joined APC on Tuesday. Speaking in Abuja, Barau described the defection as proof that any plan to use the SDP as a platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027 was dead on arrival. He said: Those who have been moving around the country, trying to woo people to the SDP, and thinking their effort will give birth to a platform that will challenge the APC in the next election, their idea has been confirmed dead on arrival. People have rejected that invitation. The former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, and others who have been mentioned have also said no. To add salt to an injury, those in the SDP are now moving to the APC. READ MORE: SDP Youths Reject El-Rufai Over Alleged Anti-Democratic Gesture, Party Hijacking Today, the vice presidential candidate, the governorship candidate in Kano State, and other heavyweights in the SDP have joined the APC. Also speaking over the defection, APCs National Chairman, Ganduje, described the new members arrival as great move. He said: APC is a party of inclusion, where every member enjoys equal rights to contest elections and contribute to nation-building. The party is dead because its Vice Presidential Candidate is here, the Governorship Candidate is also here, just as its other stakeholders. So Im sure today we are celebrating the burial of that party. I will say kudos to the Deputy Senate President for your effort to bring these important and heavyweight politicians to our party. Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau has declared that plans to use the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027 are dead on arrival. This statement comes as the SDPs Vice Presidential candidate, Yusufu Buhari, and the partys governorship candidate in Kano State, Bala Mohammed Gwagwarawa, defected to APC. Additionally, 38 local government chairmen, 13 House of Assembly candidates, and six House of Representatives candidates from the SDP have also joined the APC. Advertisement Speaking with news men on Tuesday Barau revealed: Let me start by saying that those who have been going around the country, trying to woo people to the SDP, and thinking that their effort will create a platform capable of challenging the APC in the next electionthe idea is confirmed to be dead on arrival. Why do I say that? People have rejected that invitation. People have said no, we are not coming to your party. The former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, and others who have been mentioned have also said no. And to add salt to the injury, those already in the party are now moving to our party, the APC. The SDP is going to be empty. Today, the Vice Presidential candidate, the Governorship candidate in Kano State, and other heavyweights in the SDP have joined the APC, he said. Barau assured the defectors of equal treatment within APC but emphasised that their entry also came with responsibilities, urging them to be active so they could be quickly recognised. Nigerian skit maker Oluwadolarz has finally addressed his breakup with his former fiancee, Ifeluv. Ifeluv accused Oluwadolarz of being unfaithful and neglecting his financial responsibilities, claiming he failed to keep his promises after their engagement. In a now-deleted Instagram post on Wednesday, Oluwadolarz stated that the issues started when he declined to take part in staged controversial videos and pranks proposed by Ifeluv, as he believed they would compromise his brand. Advertisement READ MORE: Is Rivers At War? Falz Questions Legality Of State Of Emergency The content creator claimed that Ifeluv left their home on the advice of her director, but he tried to reconcile with her in an effort to lessen the impact of their separation on their child. He rejected the accusations of infidelity with Lola, explaining that she had been visiting his studio apartment since the previous year and had even assisted Ifeluv with her shoots. Firstly, I wish to use this medium to appreciate everyone. Some were quick to judge while some remained indifferent. I appreciate all my colleagues that reached out to make sure I do not overreact or feel bad about the whole drama, he wrote. It only confirms change is a constant thing. Though the way it happened was never the way I wanted it to happen but it happened anyways. I will like to state here that l am coming out to say all these below because my son will eventually grow up and as we all know the Internet never forgets. So here it is: The issues didnt just start today. It all started a while ago when I declined participating in staged controversy videos and pranks because I felt it would compromise my brand. I have screenshots to support this. Since then, its been clear that shes been waiting for an opportunity to publicly drag me and achieve her aim. Or can anyone explain why would the mother of my child record and keep a video of me apologizing to her parents just because I wanted access to my son? This was a private moment and it was never meant to be documented. Or why post our private chats, showing me asking to reconcile after we separated? Lets be clear: She moved out because her director advised her to, and I later tried to make peace because I was worried about how this might affect my son. As for the recent accusations involving Lola, this feels like the opportunity shes been waiting for. Lola has been coming to my studio apartment since last year. She has asked me several times I should help her invite to her shoot now am wondering this same Lola suddenly became a problem. And how does seeing her in a guest restroom became a problem. The skit maker accused Ifeluv of lying about having surgery in order to gain sympathy and make her claims more believable. He also posted screenshots of their conversation, showing how Ifeluv had consistently pressured him to propose. She also claimed to have undergone surgery (for an appendix issue), but when l asked for the hospitals name and the cost, she refused to share it, he added. Strangely, the very next day, she was on a live TikTok video, shouting at the top of her voice. A day after that, she was already wearing tight clothes and eating solid, spicy food things that dont exactly align with someone recovering from surgery. Its becoming clear that this is about creating a narrative and playing the pity card to damage my reputation. But if standing my ground and defending myself makes me a manipulator and a narcissist in some peoples eyes, so be it. You pressured me every day to propose to you to the extent that you coincidentally asked me the same day I planned to surprise you and now you asking why did I propose. The fact that you were distant from me moved out because your director asked you to you still kept asking me to propose. SEE POST: Dr. Reuben Abati, a veteran journalist and former adviser to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has accused President Bola Tinubu of committing an impeachable offense. Abatis statement comes amidst the Rivers State crisis, where he argues that the president has overstepped his bounds. According to Abati, a governor cannot be removed from office by the presidents proclamation, citing this as the impeachable offense. Speaking to news men on Wednesday, Dr Reuben Abati had this to say: Let me first comment from an interpretation of the Constitution which the President himself highlighted. He said he was acting within the purview of Section 305 of the Constitution. Advertisement Section 305 of the Constitution explains the circumstances under which the President shall declare a state of emergency, and the conditions are properly stated, if the country is facing a threat of war or imminent war. Is Nigeria facing the threat of war in Rivers state? Thats one question. It also talks about, you know, a situation whereby something could happen in any part of the Federation where, you know, Nigeria, could find itself in a chaotic situation, the President is required to act. Number three, where the governor in that particular state does not immediately respond, you know, to the crisis situation and does not approach the President to act in the national interest. So those conditions are properly spelt out. However, that same section 305, says that the President, you know, will give a proclamation, which will be gazetted, and then well go to the National Assembly, and the National Assembly, if its in session within, I think, 48 hours would act. If its in recess within 10 days will act. If the National Assembly does not consider that particular proclamation gazetted valid, then it will vote otherwise, two thirds majority of the two houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives. And if that happens, the decision is abated. Let me now say that section 305 which the president quoted is the operative principle. Now lets look at what the President said. I think that the President has violated the Constitution even within the purview of Section 305 and he has violated the Constitution because he did not, he was not properly advised to respect that Section of the Constitution. In what regard did he violate that Section of the Constitution? In fact, he acted as a dictator by saying that the administrator that he has appointed can make regulations and laws will be made for the Rivers State House of Assembly by the Federal Executive Council. The Federal Executive Council does not have such powers. Section 11 of the same constitution says that, look, when there is a state of emergency, its only the National Assembly that can make laws for a state House of Assembly. Now, President Tinubu has appropriated unto himself the powers to make laws for the Rivers State House of Assembly. Thats an impeachable offense. I dont know whether the National Assembly will have the courage either to reject his gazetted proclamation or to proceed on an issue of impeachment against him for violating the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Now the other relevant portion of the Constitution is Section 188 of the Constitution which spells out how a governor can be removed from office. A governor cannot be removed from office by the proclamation of the president of Nigeria, it can only be really removed if there is gross misconduct, as you know, put as an allegation by the House of Assembly, and then the CJ is advised to form a panel of reasonable people, you know, people of distinguished qualities in the state. And if that panel now decides, within the purview of Section 180 that those allegations are wrong, that puts an end to that process. The President has not followed that. He has acted unilaterally. Section one, sub Section two of the same constitution says that this country, called Nigeria, cannot be governed except by the provisions of the Constitution. There is no provision in the 1999 Constitution that says that the president of Nigeria can unilaterally remove a governor, remove the deputy governor, remove the legislature in Nigeria. So, that, again, proves that this is a violation of the Constitution. The people who advised the president must be called to order. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have reached a tentative agreement on a partial ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war. The agreement calls for a 30-day pause on attacks on energy infrastructure. However, Putin declined to agree to a broader ceasefire, allowing attacks on Ukrainian civilians and cities to continue if necessary. The agreement was reached during a phone call between the two leaders. Trump disclosed the agreement in a statement, expressing optimism about a complete ceasefire. The development marks a potential step towards easing tensions in the conflict. Advertisement In a statement on Tuesday, President Donald Trump disclosed, stating: We the leaders have reached an understanding to work quickly towards a complete ceasefire to end this very horrible war. This war would never have started if I were President! Trump added. Many elements of a Contract for Peace were discussedThat process is now in full force and effect, and we will, hopefully, for the sake of humanity, get the job done! Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has revoked the land occupancy rights of the national secretariat of Peoples Democratic Party in Abuja. In a letter dated March 13, 2025, and addressed to PDP National Chairman, Umar Damagum, on Tuesday, the Director of Land Administration at the FCT Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, said that the decision was made due to non-payment of ground rent by the party. The letter, titled, Notice of Revocation of Right of Occupancy With File No. MISC 81346 in respect of Plot No.243 within Central Area District, Abuja. Advertisement FCTA official alleged that PDP has refused to pay the annual fee, expected of land owners for the right to occupy and use their property, in the last 19 years, between January 1, 2006 and January 1, 2025. The letter reads: This is despite the many publications made by the FCT administration since 2023 in several national dailies and on electronic media requesting all allottees of plots in the Federal Capital Territory to pay up every outstanding bills and ground rents on their properties. READ MORE: Rivers Crisis: Fubara Is Surrounded By People Who Want Him To Fail Wike You would please note that the said breaches by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national secretariat (MISC 81346) run contrary to the provisions of section 28, subsection 5 (a) and (b) of the Land Use Act. I am to further inform you that the subject property (Plot No. 243 Central Area, Cadastral Zone A00, Abuja) has thus reverted to the Federal Capital Territory Administration and the Administration will take immediate possession thereof. Pianist Andras Schiff has cancelled his U.S. concerts for the next season, including dates in May 2026 with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Read more Andras Schiff is canceling his U.S. concerts for the next season, including dates in May 2026 with the Philadelphia Orchestra. The Hungary-born British pianist and conductor said in a statement Wednesday that due to the recent and unprecedented political changes in the United States, I feel morally obligated to withdraw from all engagements in the U.S. for the 2025-26 season. Some people might say, just shut up and play. I cannot, in good conscience, do that, he wrote. We do not live in an ivory tower where the arts are untouched by society. Arts and politics, arts and society are inseparable. Therefore, as artists, we must react to the horrors and injustices of this world. Have we learned nothing from the course of history as recently as Europe in the 1930s? Perhaps not. Advertisement Schiff had been slated to appear with the Philadelphia Orchestra as both conductor and soloist in works by Bach and Mozart and in pure-orchestral pieces by Bartok and Kodaly on May 7, 8, and 9 in Marian Anderson Hall. The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts released a statement saying the group respects artists decisions to honor their own convictions. We believe that the arts can be a powerful force to bring people and communities together, furthering understanding and unity through a shared experience, and creating joy and inspiration for all. A replacement to take over Schiffs Philadelphia concerts next season is being sought, a POEA spokesperson said. Schiffs decision follows a similar one by German violinist Christian Tetzlaff and the Tetzlaff Quartet, who in February announced the cancellation of concerts in the U.S. There seems to be a quietness or denial about whats going on, Tetzlaff told the New York Times. I feel utter anger. I cannot go on with this feeling inside. I cannot just go and play a tour of beautiful concerts. Schiff has had a solid presence in Philadelphia, performing with both the Philadelphia Orchestra and Philadelphia Chamber Music Society. He appeared with PCMS 11 times between 1993 and 2018, in both solo and chamber music repertoire. The American people have spoken and we have heard them, Schiffs statement read. Yes, indeed, there is a new sheriff in town. Which has made it a very different town one that some of us no longer wish to visit. It is no longer obligatory. Thank you for your friendship and continued support. Lets not give up hope for better times. He first discovered it years ago, but one recent morning Chinese pianist Lang Lang was thinking about the lobster fried rice at Buddakan. I fell in love with that taste, he said of the dish, seasoned with Thai basil and saffron. But during that time I was a student and it was too expensive, so there was always somebody else taking me there. Advertisement Lang Lang no longer eats on a student budget. He lived in Philadelphia from 1997 to 2007 while studying at the Curtis Institute of Music and launching his career. But today he is perhaps the superstar of the piano world and lives in New York and Paris a little bit of Shanghai, as well. He plays about 85 concerts a year across the globe, which means he almost exclusively eats out. Back in town this week for a recital of Schumanns Kreisleriana and Chopin mazurkas Sunday in Marian Anderson Hall, he was looking forward to a visit to Pats or Genos. Cheesesteaks, yeah. I mean, look, here you have to do it. Its just a tradition. It was a real party food while we were studying here, he said during a chat in the lobby of the Rittenhouse Hotel. For a while, Lang Lang found it tough to come back to Philadelphia. Some important figures in his life were gone. Garys not here. Dicks not here, he said, referring to his onetime teacher and former Curtis director Gary Graffman, who lives in New York, and the late civic leader Richard A. Doran, an important mentor to the young pianist. Their absences left him feeling kind of a little bit left out in Philadelphia. But Lang Lang is now 42, married to pianist Gina Alice Redlinger with a 4-year-old son, and it is somehow time for a rapprochement between him and the city. I really needed this visit to reconnect with my heart in Philadelphia, he said. And Im not making this up, but very often in my dreams, I start walking on South Street. Somehow, just because that was [near] my first house, it has had the biggest impact. I dont know why in my dream when I walk, I always walk back to South Street. Its very emotional. Lang Lang has used his time this week to catch up with friends and old classmates over lunch and dinner in Philadelphia, and for a benefit performance in Pittsburgh with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra on Wednesday night. He has been rediscovering Philadelphia as an adult, visiting the Penn Museum to see its collection of Chinese art, and dropping in on a piano seminar class at Curtis. Hes run into old classmates on the street, like Curtis professor and New York Philharmonic principal clarinetist Anthony McGill. And he has sought out some old friends who really supported me, emotionally and also financially. Theyre all getting much older, but its really wonderful to see them. When hes in town, he likes to eat at Fuji Mountain, the Japanese restaurant on Chestnut St. And also of course Lacroix incredible restaurant. Before I was more into Asian food, but now Im OK with everything, so now I have many more possibilities. In New York, he likes the Greek restaurant Avra, on 6th Avenue and 50th St. all the seafood is so fresh and Nobu Fifty-Seven, on 57th St. And when in Paris, hes partial to Bistrot Le Champ de Mars near the Eiffel Tower, with its traditional French and international dishes. Its big portions, and very tasty and very casual. Its open late, so after practice I can always go there. The restaurants in Paris, New York, and Philadelphia are all fine and good, but the pianist saves his superlatives for one chef in particular. My mom is the best dumpling maker, he says, though he doesnt want her to work too much since she is often following him from city to city to help look after his son. Lang Lang is hoping to spend more time in Philadelphia in the future at Curtis, and in some of the schools his foundation has assisted with gifts of electric keyboards, curriculum, and other support. He also wants to show his son the city that has meant much to his artistic and personal development. The time in Philadelphia really impacted me a lot. The Philadelphia Orchestra took the challenge to take me to China, to take me to my home country to perform, which at that time not many people there even recognized me. And then theres Curtis. I still remember my first day when I arrived in the apartment, there was a Steinway B [a nearly seven-foot grand piano] sitting there. Sometimes getting up in the night, he would stop to touch the piano to see if this was real or not. It was just unbelievable. Of Philadelphia, he says: Everything started here. Lang Lang performs Sunday at 7 p.m. in Marian Anderson Hall, Broad and Spruce Sts. Remaining tickets are $300. ensembleartsphilly.org, 215-893-1999. Theres something very satisfying about experiencing live theater at its best: the chills after emotional monologues, the laughs despite desperate conditions, the collective gasp by the audience as tragedy unfolds, and the tears we wipe away as we leave. A sublime example now plays at the Arden Theatre in a sharp, finely tuned production of August Wilsons King Hedley II, running through March 30. The tragic drama centers on the Shakespearean stakes of economic anxiety and violence in Pittsburghs downtrodden Hill District neighborhood during the 1980s recession. Advertisement The titular King (played marvelously by Akeem Davis) returns home from prison, still haunted by his past but determined to change his future. Hes indignant and proud while also disarmingly funny and optimistic. In one moment, King fumes over an old enemy and in the next, he plants flower seeds in his barren backyard, tending to them gently, despite his mother, Ruby (Kimberly S. Fairbanks), warning him of bad dirt. They blossom even after King outlines them with barbed wire. The metaphor couldnt be clearer, yet its impact only strengthens as the play continues. The neighborhood isnt much different from parts of North Philadelphia, though Thom Weavers set design features an omnipresent eye, a nod to the 366-year-old sage Aunt Ester, who appears in previous Wilson plays in his Century Cycle. She dies in Hedley, marking a darker turn in the series but still looms large. READ MORE: James Ijames finds a very Philly attitude in August Wilsons characters The next best wise man is Stool Pigeon (Monroe Barrick), the kooky but prescient neighbor hoarding newspapers and preaching his refrain: God is a bad motherfer. He and Mister (Dax Richardson) provide comic relief as the ensemble navigates intersecting hardships and systemic inequalities. The entire cast works together seamlessly, with every actor delivering master classes in performance under the precise direction of James Ijames, the Pulitzer-winning playwright of Fat Ham. Wilsons rich text gives space to each character, like the especially compelling Tonya (Taysha Marie Canales), whose exasperation is palpable and unmistakably relevant. After years as a single mother while King was incarcerated, Tonya is pregnant again and wants an abortion. Canales shines during her gutting monologue explaining to King why she cant imagine becoming a parent again. I got to watch [my daughter] be thrown in a hole that will take a lifetime to crawl out of, and I cant do nothing to help her, Tonya says. Lamenting the likelihood that her future child might one day be shot by the police or friends, she continues: I dont wanna bring life into this world that dont respect life. Explosive scenes and emotional depth are as much a part of the journey as Wilsons clever one-liners, like the many jokes by Elmore (Kash Goins), (Thats why they call her a woman, she bring woe.) In one moment of levity, King goes to pick up photos at Sears (revealing the plays age), but there is a problem at the department store that led them to lose the images. An irritated King shows them his receipt, but its basically useless. The problem is, they telling me my receipt dont count. Its like they telling me I dont count, King says. Its a small, but illuminating exchange that called back to something else I heard on opening night. Before the lights dimmed, a patron behind me complained about another relatable annoyance: He tried buying food recently and a restaurant refused to take his cash, insisting they only accepted card payments. Its an illegal practice in Philly, he explained, but that fact didnt matter he was hungry, he had money to pay for what he wanted, and he still couldnt get food that day. Its like they telling me I dont count. Like that patron, like King, everyday people are constantly feeling the financial squeeze and the widening income inequality. The parallels between Ronald Reagan and President Donald Trump speak loudly in this production without their names ever being mentioned. The harsh realism of King Hedley II underscores the human cost, and immeasurable pain, of these burdens in its shocking ending. King Hedley II (Community/Arts) Pulitzer-winning playwright James Ijames returns to stage with a finely tuned production of August Wilsons King Hedley II, where the titular King (Akeem Davis) returns home from prison, haunted by his past but determined to change his future. Through March 30, 40 N. Second St., ardentheatre.org Theater reviews are produced independently by The Inquirer without editorial input by their sponsor, Visit Philadelphia. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, pictured at Philadelphia City Hall this month, said the "defendant created misery and financial ruin for several individuals who trusted him with their homes." Read more A Pottstown home contractor who presented bogus credentials and failed to complete work on projects for which he was paid more than $156,000 was sentenced to prison, prosecutors said Tuesday. Jared Wyllie, 48, pleaded guilty last year to receiving stolen property, court records show, and a Montgomery County judge sentenced him this month to three to six years in prison. He must also pay back the money to his victims, one of whom had to sell her home at a loss after paying him more than $100,000, according to Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday. Advertisement Wyllie and his company, PROjex LLC, in 2021 and 2022 signed contract agreements with four homeowners, who made some of their payments up front. Wyllie obtained permits from local municipalities using contractor licenses that investigators later found were registered to other entities that had nothing to do with his business. He initially faced additional charges including theft by unlawful taking and forgery, but those were later dropped, as is common in plea agreements. A persons home is their castle, and in this case, the defendant created misery and financial ruin for several individuals who trusted him with their homes, Sunday, a Republican, said in a news release Tuesday. James E. Tone, a public defender who represents Wyllie, didnt immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday. The home improvement work Wyllie agreed to perform included repairing water damage, replacing a leaking roof, finishing a basement, and demolishing walls and kitchens, according to court records. In one instance cited in court records, Wyllie began demolition work on a Chester County house, rendering it unlivable for a period of time, so his customer temporarily moved to a hotel. From February to April 2022, the victim paid Wyllie a total of more than $108,000. He ignored her calls or made excuses for why the work couldnt be finished. Wyllie ultimately did not complete the work as contracted, and the owner was forced to sell her home at a loss since she could not afford to have the renovations completed after Wyllies failure to deliver, the Attorney Generals Office said in a statement. Sunday encouraged homeowners to do research, check references, and get more than one estimate before selecting a contractor. A teacher at a middle school in Norristown told one of his eighth-grade students that she was beautiful and asked for permission to kiss her during a planned field trip to Washington, prosecutors in Montgomery County said Wednesday. John Richards, 57, was charged with attempted institutional sexual assault, attempted corruption of minors, unlawful contact with a minor, and related crimes after prosecutors say the girl, 13, told her father and the schools principal about the inappropriate text message. Advertisement Richards, a science teacher at Blockson Middle School, remained in custody Wednesday in lieu of $10,000 bail, court records show. There was no indication he had hired an attorney. In a letter sent to parents Wednesday, school district officials said that an employee faced serious criminal charges, without naming Richards, and that they are confident there are sufficient grounds to fire him. We want to emphasize that our focus is always on the safety, security, and well-being of each and every student, the statement read. We commend both school district personnel and the Norristown Police department for their immediate responses to address this matter with urgency and thoroughness. We are and will do everything in our power to support those impacted by this situation. Norristown police were called to Blockson on Monday morning after the girl reported Richards to administrators there, according to the affidavit of probable cause for his arrest. In an interview, the girl said that Richards had been looking at her in a way that made her uncomfortable, and she decided to record her interaction with him on her cell phone when he called her up to his desk during class. The video shows that Richards had typed out a text message in Spanish using Google Translate, and placed his phone on his desk for the girl to read, the affidavit said. In the message, Richards tells the girl that he is very nervous and says he would like to kiss her at least 2 times in Washington. The girl and her classmates were scheduled to attend a field trip to the city on Tuesday, and Richards was a chaperone for the trip. If you say no, that is ok, youre not any less beautiful. You dont need to tell me now unless you know the answer, Richards wrote in his message, according to the affidavit. He urged the girl to give him an answer before the bus arrived in Washington. The girl later told police the message shocked her. She said she didnt know what to do, because she didnt expect to hear that kind of language from an adult. Months earlier, around Christmas, Richards had asked for her address and then personally delivered a gift to her there, hugging her before leaving, according to the affidavit. Later Monday, Richards consented to have his cell phone searched by investigators. They found the original message seen in the girls video, as well as a second message to her in which he apologized, saying his words came out all wrong. Richards, in his second message, wrote that his heart skips a beat when he sees the girl and stares at her without meaning to. I wonder what you [sic] lips taste like, and I hope to god theres a chance for me to find out, he wrote, according to the affidavit. I dont know what else to say besides I think youre amazing. Richards is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on March 27. A mayor in Burlington County was arrested and charged with endangering her child in her BMW after she allegedly drove under the influence, Lumberton Township police said. Lumberton Mayor Gina LaPlaca allegedly was caught on a cell phone video driving her blue 2019 BMW erratically and almost crashing into a utility pole, according to the police complaint. Advertisement Police said they located the BMW and spoke with LaPlaca, who allegedly admitted to drinking and stated that she had recently picked up her son from day care. Police found an open container of an alcoholic beverage in her car, the police complaint said. LaPlaca, 45, was charged Monday with child endangerment and child neglect, as well as driving under the influence, driving with an expired license, and related offenses. She is scheduled to appear in court next month. Jason Carty, her husband, said in a statement: Millions of Americans struggle with addiction and never get help. Gina is someone who has struggled, and is now getting the help she needs. I ask that everyone keep her in their thoughts as she moves forward on her road to recovery. Please ignore the exaggerated political hyperbole and keep in mind her passion for helping others. This should not erase all the things she has accomplished for our community. Carty added: Gina is a loving and caring mother and stepmom to our son and her stepson. Our oldest is a teenager and can see the unkind things being said online. I ask simply that you respect our privacy, be better humans and please show some compassion, thank you. Earlier this month, LaPlaca resigned her position as the Neptune Township business administrator, a job she held since January 2022, the Asbury Park Press reported. Her resignation came shortly after a video was posted online of LaPlaca being escorted by police out of a Mount Holly Fire Commissioners meeting after a heated verbal exchange with audience members vocally criticizing the appointment of her husband, who is a firefighter, the Asbury Park Press reported. A riffle lies on the ground as police investigate the scene of a shooting on Wednesday near the 1700 block of Moore Street in South Philadelphia. Read more A Philadelphia police officer shot a man Wednesday after authorities tried to execute a court order to inspect a property in South Philadelphia and the 36-year-old resident answered the door holding a rifle, police said. Around 11 a.m., a worker with the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections, accompanied by two Philadelphia sheriffs officers and a locksmith, went to carry out an inspection at a property on the 1900 block of Morris Street that had been deemed unsafe. When they knocked, a man police did not identify answered the door armed with the weapon, said Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore. Advertisement The man would not let the officers enter, and then walked away, toting the rifle as he walked through the neighborhood, east on Morris, then south on South 18th Street and east on Moore Street, Vanore said. Hes armed with a rifle. They immediately back up. He wasnt allowing them into the property. And then at one point he leaves. He starts to walk, he said. L&I spokesperson Shemeka Moore said the inspector and locksmith ran to safety and were not injured. The sheriffs officers called for backup, and police responded, Vanore said. As the man walked down the 1600 block of Moore Street, he turned to face one of the officers, who fired his gun, striking the man in the right side of his torso, according to Vanore. The man was rushed to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, where police said he was in critical condition. The rifle was recovered at the scene, and police continue to investigate. Four people, including a mother and child, were sent scrambling as shots rang out in front of Little Susies Coffee & Pie, at South Chadwick and Moore Streets, as authorities closed in on the man with the weapon, said a woman who watched the scene unfold. We were running when we heard the shots, said the woman, who asked not to be identified, citing safety concerns. There was a guy in his car, parking. I just went up to him and was like, Hey, there was a shooting, can we get in? And he let me in. Moore said workers had gone to the property on Wednesday for a safety inspection. City records show the property had violations dating back to 2023. In October, inspectors found wires just hanging and partially demolished first-floor walls without the proper permits. The property failed another inspection March 11, city records show. Bucks County District Attorney Jen Schorn said Zachiry Kerschner put Bensalem police officers and the public in danger in January, when he pointed a loaded gun at the officers during a two-hour standoff. Read more Bensalem police were justified in shooting a Northeast Pennsylvania man who led them on a prolonged chase and standoff in January, during which he held a passenger in his vehicle hostage at gunpoint, officials said Wednesday. Zachiry Kerschner, 30, was killed during a Jan. 24 confrontation with officers after he ignored their commands to drop a loaded handgun and instead pointed the weapon at them, according to Bucks County District Attorney Jen Schorn. He told the officers he wasnt going back to jail, she said. Advertisement The officers actions were necessary to protect them and other members of the community from danger, the prosecutor said. Bensalem police first encountered Kerschner just before 4 p.m. on the day of the shooting when they pulled his car over for a window-tint violation near the intersection of Route 1 and Old Lincoln Highway, according to a statement from Bensalem Township Director of Public Safety William McVey. Kerschner and a passenger in the car, whom police did not name, refused to identify themselves and told the officers they had weapons in the vehicle. After nearly an hour of speaking with police, authorities said, Kerschner sped off, leading Bensalem officers on a 35-minute chase, during which he struck police vehicles and those of bystanders. The pursuit ended at a Liberty gas station on Bristol Pike, police said. During the subsequent two-hour standoff with the officers who had surrounded his vehicle, Kerschner turned his gun on his passenger, ordering the person to stay inside the vehicle, according to Schorn. The officers tried to negotiate with Kerschner, she said, at one point having his family members call him in an attempt to get him to surrender peacefully. When the officers deployed tear gas, authorities said, Kerschner pointed his gun at them, sparking the fatal gunfire. Kerschner was taken to Jefferson Torresdale Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His passenger was not harmed. Inside the vehicle, officers found two loaded handguns. An autopsy revealed that Kerschner had been intoxicated on methamphetamine and other illegal substances at the time of his death, Schorn said. Kerschner, of Mahoning Township, Carbon County, should not have been free at the time of the standoff and subsequent shooting, she said. Five months earlier, he pleaded guilty to felony gun possession in Philadelphia and was sentenced to 11 to 23 months in jail. But he was paroled on house arrest after three months in custody. Schorn said that was an illegally executed sentence that did not take into account his criminal history. He was unable to legally carry a gun at the time of his arrest because of felony convictions for theft and trespassing, court records show. One of those convictions stemmed from a burglary he committed in 2015, in which he stole money and a handgun from his neighbors home, according to reports from the Times News, a newspaper published in Lehighton. This is concerning because it was by agreement that the sentence imposed upon Kerschner was one that allowed him to be in the community and supervised by an agency that is overtaxed with limited resources, Schorn said. In a statement, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said the assertion that Kerschners sentence was illegally executed was flatly untrue, because he was still under court supervision while on house arrest. Im surprised any candidate for DA would claim that early parole from jail custody to house arrest custody with electronic monitoring is illegal, or even unusual, Krasner said, referencing the Republicans election bid this fall. I can only assume politics are interfering with DA Schorns judgment. Krasner, a Democrat, is running for reelection and seeking a third term in office. Finance major Joshua Owens dances onstage, as DJ Diamond Kuts (behind him) plays the music during a block party on campus at Community College of Philadelphia in 2024 to celebrate the school's new branding campaign. Read more Over the objection of the Community College of Philadelphia faculty and staff union, the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board has appointed a fact finder to help with negotiations. The college administration, which requested a fact finder in the hopes of averting a strike and securing a peaceful close to the semester, announced the development Tuesday afternoon. Advertisement The appointment of a fact finder provides an avenue to settlement that will protect our students from the harm that would come from a Federation strike so close to graduation, the college said in a statement. READ MORE: CCP administration says union has rebuffed bid for fact-finding in contract negotiations Under the fact-finding process, a neutral party reviews both sides offers and recommends a solution. Strikes by law are not permitted during the fact-finding process. But faculty union leaders have already raised questions about the legitimacy of the fact finder appointment, asserting that the college had missed the deadline to apply for one. The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, of which the labor relations board is a part, declined to comment on the timeliness of the fact finder request. Union copresident Junior Brainard, who called the colleges request for fact-finding a cowardly Hail Mary delay tactic, said the union remains focused on negotiating fair contracts for its members. He challenged the college to fairly negotiate rather than rely on a process that will take months to complete. We are prepared to take any necessary steps including lawful strike if needed, he said. The fact finder has 40 days to meet with the parties, review their positions and prepare a report, the labor department said. After the report is issued, the parties have up to 10 days to review it and accept or reject it. If either side rejects the report, the labor board will make it public and both sides will have 10 days to reconsider it. The Faculty and Staff Federation, the union, has scheduled a news conference outside City Hall on Thursday morning. The union represents about 1,200 full-time faculty, staff, and adjuncts and announced earlier this week that its members by a 97% majority voted to give their negotiating team the right to call a strike if necessary. No strike date has been set. READ MORE: CCP faculty overwhelmingly approve strike authorization vote The last time the union went on strike was 2007 and classes were canceled. The two sides have been negotiating for more than 14 months; previous contracts for faculty, staff and adjuncts expired Aug. 31. The college has been offering a three-year contract with raises of 5%, 4% and 4%, while the union is seeking a four-year pact with raises of 9%, 9%, 6%, and 6%. Arthur Steinberg, President of Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, is shown during a 2024 press conference. The PFT's initial contract proposal includes the elimination of the controversial 3-5-7-9 proposal, the addition of parental leave, more prep time for teachers, and more. Read more The Philadelphia School Districts largest union has demanded that it formally end a controversial sick-day policy that penalizes teachers and other workers from taking their contractually earned time, and that it pay teachers for oversize classes, award parental leave to members, and more. The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers shared details of its recent contract proposal with its nearly 14,000 members this week. Financial proposals are forthcoming as the union prepares to negotiate a new contract. The current pact expires in August. Advertisement Arthur Steinberg, PFT president, said the union submitted a lengthy proposal to district leaders on Tuesday. PFT is negotiating a contract that makes sure our public schools are building a better future for Philadelphia, Steinberg said in a message to members obtained by The Inquirer. A growing city can only thrive with strong neighborhood public schools that are well-staffed and resourced. The proposals come amid a time of significant upheaval for education, with the state and city budgets months away from being settled and President Donald Trump moving toward gutting or eliminating the U.S. Department of Education. And they come as the district prepares to introduce, debate, and eventually adopt a budget proposal for the 2025-26 school year. The school system, with about 114,000 students in 216 schools and a $4.5 billion budget, is unique in Pennsylvania it cannot raise its own revenue, but depends on the state and city for the bulk of its funding. The federal government kicks in about 10% of the districts funds. Even without any salary increases that are likely to come from a new PFT deal, district officials were projecting an eventual budget deficit in their five-year plan absent increases in aid from the city, state, and other funders. It is not clear exactly where the money would come from to pay for a new teachers contract. Philadelphias educator salaries lag other local school systems, despite tougher working conditions. Steinberg said in the member message that Philadelphias top-paid teachers earn $107,495, while Abingtons earn $122,264, Cheltenhams are paid $125,749, and Lower Merions $134,565. The other districts have had more salary growth in recent decades Philadelphias teacher salaries have increased by $2.6 million over 35 years, Cheltenhams by $3.6 million, Abingtons by $3.7 million, and Lower Merions by $4.1 million. The Philadelphia School District typically does not comment on ongoing negotiations. Officials were not immediately available to comment. Here is a rundown of whats included in the PFTs shoot-the-moon proposal, sure to be the subject of significant negotiations in the coming months as the two sides meet in the middle: An end to 3-5-7-9 Philadelphia teachers now have 10 sick days per school year, but they are penalized progressively simply for taking them. The policy, known as 3-5-7-9, works this way: After a teachers third occurrence, whether a single sick day or the third in a consecutive stretch of days, principals are instructed to have an informal conversation with the instructor and write a memo documenting the episode. After the fifth occurrence, the teacher gets a warning memo in the permanent file; after the seventh, the teacher gets an unsatisfactory incident memo in the file and a formal conference. A teacher who reaches nine occurrences gets a second unsatisfactory incident report, a recommended suspension, and conferences with the principal and assistant superintendent. Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. has signaled he understands the antiquated policy hurts the districts attempts to retain current teachers and recruit new ones. Paid parental leave PFT members currently get no paid parental leave. Union leaders want to change that, adding 12 weeks of leave. Smaller class sizes, extra pay for oversize classes The proposal would also lower class sizes significantly. Class sizes are now capped at 30 students for kindergarten through third grade and 33 for all other grades. PFT wants no more than 18 students in K-3, 22 in 4-8, and 25 in higher grades. Research shows that higher class sizes typically correlate to lower student achievement, but reducing class sizes is expensive. Even with contractual limits, the district sometimes now over-enrolls classes, with no penalty for doing so. The PFT wants to establish a $20 per student per day fee for affected teachers. More prep time, considerations for special ed teachers The union wants teachers to have one preparatory day per quarter, and increased prep time during the week 360 minutes per week for all teachers. Some teachers now are guaranteed 225 minutes per week, depending on grade level. Special education teachers would get a 45-minute period per week to work on Individualized Education Plans, documents required by federal law for all students who receive special education services. Faster term pay, or else The PFT wants to force the district to pay retirees and those who leave the district their accumulated termination pay for sick and vacation time within 75 days and, if it fails to do so, require the district to pay 2% interest. The school system has historically lagged in getting term pay to employees who leave the district; at one point, some employees waited years for the money they were owed. That has improved some, but those who depart the district usually do not receive checks for months after they leave. New caseload limits for counselors and nurses If enacted, the contract would set a limit of a 750-student caseload for school nurses, with a maximum of 225 students who need daily nursing services and 125 students with significant medical needs. The district would also stop requiring certified school nurses to cover other schools when there are vacancies or absences, and instead establish a pool of floating nurses. It would also mandate maximum caseloads of 400 students for elementary school counselors, 150 students for middle school counselors, and 200 students for high school counselors. Mandating art and music for all, and more Other proposals include: Debbie Lee, president of the Abington Education Association, speaks to teachers and community members during a "walk-in" outside Copper Beech Elementary School in Glenside on Wednesday. They gathered to protest potential federal funding cuts to local schools under President Donald Trump's administration. Read more A second-grade teacher in the Abington School District, Debbie Lee worries about the potential impact on kids in her classroom if federal funding is cut as part of sweeping changes to the U.S. Department of Education. Funding from the federal Title I program, for instance, enables schools to provide students with more individualized support in reading and math, Lee said which is imperative for us to do our job. Advertisement On Wednesday morning, Lee, the president of the Abington Education Association, led a walk-in protest outside an elementary school in her district for similarly worried teachers hoping to send a message to federal lawmakers that they need to preserve education funding as President Donald Trump moves to dismantle the federal Education Department. If we dont raise our voices when our students needs are at risk, Lee said in an interview, who will do it? Similar protests in which teachers gathered outside their schools, then walked inside together were held around the region, including in Central Bucks, and across the country before school Wednesday, as part of an effort by the National Education Association to draw attention to the uncertainty surrounding the Education Department and the billions of dollars it awards to schools. Last week, the department laid off more than 1,000 people, reducing its staff to nearly half its size at the start of the year. Trump has said he wants to eliminate the department entirely, giving more power to states and parents. So far, the department has not announced any reduction in the main funding streams it awards to K-12 schools. But some local officials are concerned about the departments ability to distribute money, given its gutted staff. The Trump administration has also threatened to cut funding to schools over diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. And given the presidents aim to ultimately close the department, advocates say, school funding could be at stake. The concern we have is theyre going to make the functions of that department impossible to execute, said Adam Clark, region advocacy coordinator for the Pennsylvania State Education Association. Even if the federal government does not cut funding, he said, there could be interruptions. Federal funding accounts for a relatively small share of K-12 school budgets, which in Pennsylvania are funded primarily by local property taxes and state aid. In Abington, non-stimulus federal funding accounted for 2.1%, or $3.6 million, of district revenues in 2023; in Central Bucks, that total was 1.7%, or $6.5 million. (Federal money for free and reduced lunches accounted for 35% of food service revenues in Central Bucks that year, and 50% in Abington, according to the PSEA.) Some of Pennsylvanias poorest districts, however, rely more on federal money; Philadelphia, for instance, gets about 10% of its funding from the federal government. Our system has been under-resourced systematically for far too long, said Blithe Riley, a Philadelphia parent who organized a walk-in Wednesday at C.W. Henry Elementary School in Mount Airy. Any cuts to the Department of Education would exacerbate already existing inequities, Riley said. School leaders say what federal funding covers is crucial including through Title I, the program that sends added money to schools with high concentrations of poor students, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, for students with special needs. And cuts to federal education funding would affect more than just district schools, Clark said. Pennsylvanias intermediate units, which rely more heavily on federal money, provide services not only to districts, but also to charter schools and private schools. Intermediate units employ special education staff, including psychologists and speech language pathologists, and also provide early intervention services for children ages 3 to 5. In 2023, 16.6% of the Bucks County Intermediate Units revenues came from federal non-stimulus money, according to the PSEA; the share for the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit was 26.4%. In Central Bucks, walk-ins were held Wednesday outside all district schools, with about 40 staff members per building participating, said Cara Alderfer, president of the Central Bucks Education Association. The districts superintendent, Steven Yanni, had sent community members a message earlier in the week, informing them of the plans and instructing that only school staff will be permitted on school property during the times the walk-ins are taking place adding that anyone who did not comply would be referred to police. (A district spokesperson, Michael Petitti, said Wednesday there were no reported issues involving unauthorized people on school property or other disruptions during or after the walk-ins.) In Abington, Lee, the union president, said the demonstration was not intended to be partisan. Our students matter, she said. Unfortunately, legislators make decisions and dont understand how it affects us at home. Temple University provost Gregory N. Mandel will step down this summer after more than three years in the position, the university announced Tuesday. It marks the second major change in the universitys top administration since John A. Fry arrived as president Nov. 1. Mary Burke, vice president for institutional advancement, resigned earlier this month, but her departure was immediate. Changes in top administration often occur after a new president arrives. Advertisement I have found myself deeply missing the opportunity to engage in research and teaching the next generation of legal professionals, Mandel said in a statement to the campus community, calling his time as provost one of the greatest honors of my career. READ MORE: Temple's law dean promoted to provost He will return to the law school faculty and serve as senior adviser to the president when he departs as provost on July 13, the university said. In an interview, Mandel said the decision to step down was completely his and comes after serving the university during one of the most turbulent times in its leadership history. I have been in this role with four different presidents, he said. I hopefully have been able to provide some stability for the university during that time. Mandel, who had been Temples law school dean, was named interim provost in August 2021 by then-president Jason Wingard and got the permanent post later that year. In April 2023, amid turbulence over a graduate student worker strike, the fatal shooting of a campus police officer, and Wingards leadership, the faculty union voted no confidence in Mandel and Mitchell L. Morgan, chair of the board of trustees. READ MORE: Temple aid to help make tuition free for low-income Philadelphia families But Mandel remained in place through the leadership of the late JoAnne A. Epps, who had stepped in as acting president after Wingard resigned, and Richard M. Englert, who became president after Epps sudden death in September 2023. Over the last several years, he has helped guide the university and its 17 schools and colleges through times of both uncertainty and transition, Fry said in a message to the campus. Even in times of challenge, Greg always remained focused on Temples mission of access and excellence. We are in a stronger place today because of his efforts. The university intends to conduct a national search for a new provost, Fry said in a message to the community. David Boardman, who has been dean of the Klein College of Media and Communication since 2013-14, will serve as interim provost for the next academic year, Fry said, but will not be a candidate for the permanent post. Boardman will remain dean as well and will continue planning and fundraising for the new building, while senior associate dean Deborah Cai will serve as acting dean and be responsible for oversight of the college, Fry said. READ MORE: Temple starts new program to help prepare Philadelphia middle school students for college Under Mandel, the university last year launched the Temple Promise program, which makes tuition and fees free to first-time, full-time college students from low-income families who live in Philadelphia, and last month it began the Temple Future Scholars program, a mentoring and college-readiness program for seventh graders in some Philadelphia public schools. The university last week joined the University Innovation Alliance, an organization of public universities aimed at finding innovations to improve learning and increase college attendance, retention, and graduation rates. Temple came on the alliances radar in part because of Temple Promise. The college also achieved its highest ranking in U.S. News & World Report under Mandels leadership. Prospect Medical Holdings is working on an agreement to sell Crozer-Chester Medical Center and other Delaware County units to an undisclosed nonprofit. Read more A lawyer for Crozer Healths owner, Prospect Medical Holdings, told a federal bankruptcy judge Wednesday that the for-profit company is in the early stages of negotiating an agreement to sell its two hospitals in Delaware County to an unnamed nonprofit. A bankruptcy hearing scheduled for next Wednesday is key. At that hearing, Prospect will either ask for approval of the sale or to close Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Chester and Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park, William Curtin, of Sidley Austin LLP, told U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Stacey Jernigan. Advertisement We are making good progress. Critical parties, both those that are known to your honor and those that hopefully will be known to your honor at some point in the very near future, have been working literally 24 hours a day on this, Curtin told Jernigan. The Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office has been involved in the negotiations. We are cautiously optimistic that we have a long-term plan, Melissa Van Eck, a lawyer in the office, told Jernigan. READ MORE: Crozer patients in limbo as Delco health systems future remains uncertain Prospect, based in California, had already filed a motion on March 7 to close the hospitals on an expedited basis, possibly by March 14. But that didnt happen, largely because state officials and others pressured the Foundation for Delaware County to provide $7 million for payroll though next Friday. The judge asked if the foundation, which supports community health needs, is still part of the talks. The foundation is anticipated to be part of the long-term solution, Curtin said, but the foundation cant run hospitals, so thats the missing piece, and I think were much closer to filling that critical missing piece now than we were a week ago or even yesterday. During the hearing, the foundations attorney did not address the foundations ongoing role. Were anxious to hear about the long-term prospects, said Scott Cousins, of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP. Before the foundation provided its $7 million, an infusion of $20 million from Pennsylvania and Delaware County kept the facilities open under the management of an outside consultant starting late last month. State officials have been working to preserve jobs for Crozers 3,200 employees and health-care services in an area that doesnt have other easily accessible options. In a letter to Judge Jernigan Monday, Delaware County officials and state elected officials noted that the closure of Crozer would likely lead to collateral job losses at businesses that serve the hospitals and medical offices. Crozer is Delaware Countys largest health-care system. It operates a trauma center, as well as a burn unit, and provides maternity services and behavioral health care. The next closest hospitals are Main Line Healths Riddle Hospital near Media and Trinity Health Mercy Fitzgerald in Darby, both nearly 10 miles away by car. Prospect filed for bankruptcy protection Jan. 11, with plans to keep paying workers at Crozer only through the end of that month. Officials from Gov. Josh Shapiros administration, and the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office have worked for more than a year on a plan to get Crozer into the hands of a new nonprofit that would be backed by major nonprofit health systems in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Those efforts have faltered because of a lack of funding to absorb Crozers losses and pay for upgrades of outdated buildings and equipment. Since President John F. Kennedys assassination, little has quelled the questioning of the official story on what happened in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963. A year after Kennedys murder, the Warren Commission, which investigated the killing, found that Lee Harvey Oswald was the lone assassin in Dealey Plaza. For more than six decades, conspiracy theorists and assassination researchers have questioned that explanation, pinning the killing on everything from the Mafia to the government itself. Advertisement Now, the American public is getting a look at the remaining classified documents in the case following an executive order issued by President Donald Trump days after he began his second term. Trump made a similar move during his first term, but held some files back at the request of the CIA and FBI. Whether the newly released documents more than 2,000 in total will quiet the decades-long questioning remains to be seen, but experts have said no bombshell information is likely to emerge. READ MORE: Unredacted JFK assassination files released, sending history buffs hunting for new clues However, at least some of that questioning can be traced back to a Philadelphia lawyer who was one of the first public critics of the Warren Commission. In 1964, Vincent Salandria, a Philadelphia native who earned a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania, emerged as a staunch critic of the official story on Kennedys killing. He would remain an ever-present voice among his fellow critics until his death in 2020. Salandria, who worked as a history teacher at Bartram High School before moving into administrative work with the school district, is considered a pioneer among assassination critics and researchers. Here is a look back at Salandrias story through Inquirer coverage and his own writing. A foundational JFK assassination researcher Salandrias role as one of the earliest Kennedy assassination researchers can trace its roots to October 1964. That month, Salandria attended a Philadelphia Bar Association meeting at City Hall that feted Arlen Specter, then an assistant district attorney at the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office who had recently finished his work with the Warren Commission, following the release of the Warren Report. Specter is famously credited with developing the so-called single-bullet theory, which states that Kennedy and Texas Gov. John Connally were wounded by the same projectile at Dealey Plaza. Salandria, who had visited the assassination site and read the Warren Report ahead of Specters appearance at the event, took great issue with that conclusion and confronted the future Pennsylvania senator. Salandria, at the behest of his colleagues, would later write an article detailing his criticisms of Specters conclusions. Only weeks after the meeting, the article appeared in a November 1964 issue of the Legal Intelligencer, the countrys oldest law publication, and is considered to be among the first published criticisms of the Warren Reports forensic findings. During their October confrontation, Salandria wrote, Specter asked whether he would have had the commission kill a man in a reenactment of the assassination. The joke fell upon ears which detect no humor in murder, Salandria wrote. In his article, Salandria used a technical analysis to rebut the commissions explanation of the number of shots, their source, and the wounds Kennedy suffered. The killing, Salandria concluded in his piece, was not the work of Oswald or at least not Oswald alone. Evidence in the case, he said, pointed to multiple shooters, and therefore meant a conspiracy. It was, he would later contend, a coup detat. No, Im not a nut By 1967, Salandria had already garnered a reputation as a pioneer critic of the Warren Report, The Inquirer wrote. Salandria had continued publishing articles questioning the official story of the assassination, and giving lectures. The local media began to take notice, but not in a favorable way. The Inquirer recounted Salandrias beliefs on the assassination in a January 1967 column, headlining it The Fine Edge of Believability. In it, Salandria told the columnist his take on Kennedys killing, contending that CIA and military leaders had Kennedy killed because they feared he was planning to end the Cold War by improving the United States relations with Russia. Such reconciliation, Salandria said, would have ended or severely diminished the power of the military-industrial complex. So, Kennedy had to go, and with Oswald lined up as the perfect patsy, the deed was done, Salandria said. And, whats more, he added, everyone knew it. People know what happened. Theyve always known, Salandria said in 1967. They just needed someone to bring it out into the open. Thats what Im trying to do. While Salandria acknowledged his ideas may have been controversial, The Inquirers columnist seemed to dismiss them, writing that the sad part was that Vincent Salandria really believed in everything he said. No, Im not a nut, Salandria said at the time. I arrived at this scientifically. Its not crazy. It makes a lot of sense. So who was Kennedys killer? A key element of Salandrias work on the Kennedy assassination was that while he believed the presidents killer was not Oswald, the identity of the actual killer was not all that relevant and we likely would never know it, anyway. Instead, what mattered was the implication of Kennedys murder. We have been enormously manipulated and controlled since that time, Salandria told the Daily News in 1978, the 15th anniversary of the assassination. The inquiries [into Kennedys death] have been utilized by the power structure to damage the psyches of America, to destroy the capacity of the American people to govern themselves, to cripple their ability to analyze and render them impotent as citizens. Americans, he added, were barbarized by the assassination. Kennedys presidency, he said, represented the last center of the old politics, and with an official explanation of his murder, however questionable, the country was offered stability. Abandon all hope you know what the truth is, but youre not going to get it from your government, Salandria said. Oliver Stone brings Kennedy back to the forefront With his release of the political thriller JFK in 1991, director Oliver Stone brought mainstream cultural attention to conspiracy theories around the Kennedy assassination. The film, The Inquirer wrote following its release, seemed to be a murder mystery aimed at detonating the 26-volume Warren Commission report. The movie focuses on Warren Report critic and assassination researcher Jim Garrison, who like Salandria believed Oswald was a scapegoat and the killing was the result of a deeper conspiracy. Salandria supported Garrisons work and, with the films release, asked the former New Orleans district attorney to pass along a message to Stone lauding the directors pivotally important work, The Inquirer reported in 1991. A final meeting with Specter Nearly 50 years after Kennedys assassination, in January 2012, Specter and Salandria had a final meeting with a lunch at the Oyster House in Center City. Salandria recounted the lunch in an article published by the Coalition on Political Assassinations about a month after Specters death that October. At the meeting, which Salandria described as courteous and respectful, Specter asked Salandria about their 1964 confrontation. According to Salandria, Specter said that in that meeting, he had been accused of corruption over his conclusions about Kennedys murder. Now, in 2012, Salandria said, Specter wondered whether the charge could instead have been incompetency. I told him that I could not change it to incompetency because I knew then from his public record, as I know now, that he was not incompetent, Salandria wrote. But, he added, if he had to do it all again, he would have changed his harsh criticisms of the former senator. While he viewed the Warren Report as a lie, Salandria noted that its findings worked to calm the U.S. public in a period of great crisis. Had any serious countermovement emerged in the wake of Kennedys murder, he contended, there would have been a catastrophic loss of life. The death of a pioneer Salandria died in August 2020 at age 92, while walking his dog in Philadelphia. Tributes remembered him as having provided the foundational work from which much of the contemporary criticism of the official story on Kennedys killing has since emerged. Perhaps unexpectedly, however, during the previous dump of Kennedy assassination documents during Trumps first presidency in 2017, Salandria was unimpressed. As he told CBS News Philadelphia that year, little was likely to come of the new releases. We became militarized and now were involved in perpetual war, Salandria said. I dont think the American people want to accept the idea that the vital aspects of our republic were shot away at Dealey Plaza and we have a militarized society. Two men serving in the U.S. Air Force have filed a lawsuit in Camden federal court seeking to overturn President Donald Trumps executive order banning transgender service members in the military. In a separate legal challenge, a federal judge in Washington ruled Tuesday evening that the ban is unconstitutional, but stayed her order until Friday to allow the government to appeal. Advertisement In the New Jersey lawsuit, U.S. District Judge Christine P. OHearn in Camden earlier on Tuesday ordered a hearing in the case scheduled for Monday. In a complaint dated March 17, lawyers for Master Sgt. Logan Ireland and Staff Sgt. Nicholas Bear Bade argue that the ban is a violation of the due process clause of the Fifth Amendment, which prohibits the federal government from denying any person equal protection of the laws. Trump signed his order Jan. 27 reversing the existing policy of the U.S. military to allow transgender service members. Bade is stationed at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in Burlington County, and Ireland recently was stationed there as part of a multi-week training program, the complaint says. They have built their lives around their military service and hope to stay in the Air Force until retirement, the complaint says. Under Trumps order, both plaintiffs have been placed on administrative absence and have been told they can continue to serve only if they do so as women, the complaint says. It is not possible, though, for either Plaintiff to serve as a woman because each one has medically transitioned to be and live as a man, the complaint says. Both plaintiffs fear that as early as next week, involuntary administrative separation proceedings will be initiated against them because of their transgender status, the complaint says. The Trump administration has singled out transgender people to brand them as inherently immoral and unfit, according to the complaint, but the plaintiffs lawyers argue that they have a constitutional right not to be separated and that their transgender status has nothing to do with their fitness or ability to serve. The Associated Press reported last week that roughly 2,000 transgender people serve in the military, a number representing less than 1% of the total number of active-duty service members. Ireland and Bade are represented by Stapleton Segal Cochran LLC in Marlton, Langer Grogan & Diver P.C. in Philadelphia, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders in Boston, and the National Center for Lesbian Rights in San Francisco. According to the complaint, Ireland, 37, has been with the Air Force for 14 years and is currently a flight chief in the Office of Special Investigations. Ireland has completed tours of duty in Afghanistan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates, the complaint says. He has received numerous accolades and recently received his commands number-one endorsement recommendation to receive an officer commission. In January, he applied to Officer Training School. On March 6 while at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, Ireland was told by his leadership that he would have to comply with female regulations and standards, including dress, grooming, and facilities standards. Because he is a man, he cannot do this, the complaint says. Ireland has since been made to involuntarily return to his home base in Hawaii. Last week, he learned that his application for Officer Training School was denied without explanation, the complaint says. Bade, 44, has served in the Air Force for six years and recently was deployed to Ali Al Salem Airbase in Kuwait as a member of the bases security forces, the complaint says. He was supposed to remain in Kuwait until April. Bade was told he could voluntarily begin separation, be involuntarily separated, or leave his deployment and temporarily go on administrative absence, the complaint says. He chose to go on temporary administrative absence and was forced to return to his home base in New Jersey. Having to return to his home base because of the ban has also resulted in Staff Sergeant Bades status as a transgender male being made generally known to other members of the military, exposing information that he previously treated as private medical information, the complaint says. Two women watch as the USAF Thunderbirds fly along the shore at the 2023 Visit Atlantic City Airshow practice day. Read more Jets are returning to the New Jersey skies this summer, and thankfully none of them are piloted by Aaron Rodgers. The Atlantic City air show is back on after it was previously canceled. The Visit Atlantic City Soar & Shore Festival now will take place July 15 and 16. Advertisement The airshow has always been an incredibly popular event in Atlantic City, and we are excited to be able to partner with Herb Gillen Airshows to bring back this experience for our locals and visitors alike, said Visit Atlantic City president and CEO Gary Musich in a statement. Visit Atlantic Citys recent acquisition of the DO AC brand enabled it to focus more on leisure events like the air show, and its partnership with Gillen will allow the event to evolve over time, Visit AC spokesperson Jessica Kasunich said. The South Jersey Transportation Authority is no longer involved with the event, she said. In December, the Greater Atlantic City Chamber said the free event would take a strategic pause for 2025. The chamber had canceled the 2024 show just a month before it was scheduled to take place because a major act had pulled out of the event, it said. The Airshow is important for our casinos, businesses, and for our tourism and hospitality industry as a whole, and the Small administration has always offered our support to do what needs to be done to make sure this event lives on, Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. said in a statement. When the cancellation was announced last year, Small said it was not the citys call. I want to be clear: This is the chambers decision, he said at the time. Were going to be partners with the chamber to make sure the air show comes back. Through no fault of our own, this is where we are. The Wildwood air show, which was scheduled after the Atlantic City cancellation, is still on for Sept. 5 and 6. The Atlantic City air show, which was also called Thunder Over the Boardwalk, has been held since 2003 and has drawn hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The show has generated more than $70 million in economic activity a year, according to the Greater Atlantic City Chamber. Six Bhutanese residents five who are from the Harrisburg area, and one who is from nearby Cumberland County were detained by ICE in recent weeks, despite their permanent legal status. Read more HARRISBURG Six former Bhutanese refugees from central Pennsylvania who hold legal status in the United States were detained by ICE, as President Donald Trumps administration moves into a new, more aggressive phase of immigrant detentions, including of those who came here legally. The detainment of the Bhutanese residents five who are from the Harrisburg area, and one from nearby Cumberland County was discussed at a news conference in the state Capitol building Tuesday, in which local Bhutanese leaders and Democratic state lawmakers advocated for their immediate release and called on Pennsylvanias federal elected officials to help them return home. Advertisement Tilak Niroula, the head of the Bhutanese Community in Harrisburg, a civic organization, said that Bhutanese residents in the area are law-abiding citizens, but that if any of the people being detained did something wrong, they should have been given due process through the judicial system. The families were not given an explanation of why their loved ones were being held by ICE, or if they were, it was not understood due to a language barrier. The names of the detainees have not been released by local officials; Niroula, however, disclosed three of their names, with the permission of their families: Ashok Gurung, 32; Bikash Gurung; and Maita Gurung, 43. They are not related to one another. All six of the detainees are men ages 30 through 55 and were picked up from their homes or public spaces this month, Niroula said. The three whose names were disclosed each appear to have some form of criminal record, including mostly nonviolent offenses such as public drunkenness or harassment, according to state court records. Only some of the detainees appear in the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainee database, said Dauphin County Commissioner Justin Douglas, with two of the Pennsylvanians now being held by ICE in a Texas detention center, two in Moshannon Valley Processing Center in Northwestern Pennsylvania, and two they have not been able to locate. Refugees in the United States must apply one year after their resettlement for full legal status and permanent residency often called getting a green card. After five years, they are eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship. Refugees go through an arduous, yearslong background process before they are resettled in the U.S. that often includes living for a time in a refugee camp near their home country. This differs from the asylum process, in which people arrive in the U.S. and say they need protection but do not immediately need to prove their persecution in their home country. Devi Gurung, whose younger brother Ashok Gurung is one of the detainees and was picked up by ICE in his driveway on March 9, said through a translator that her brother has been in the United States since 2012, and served a four-year sentence for assault from 2013 to 2017. He has been working as a mechanic his release, she added. The Inquirer was not immediately able to locate his criminal records. We live in a climate of fear, since he has already served for what he had done, Devi Gurung said in a tearful interview through an interpreter. He was working. He was leading a normal life, and to be picked up like this, we are very surprised and we want him back. Bishwa Chhetri, who is Bhutanese, said he knew one of the other detainees by a nickname, and described him as a sweet unhoused man who seemed to have mental health challenges and has family who lives nearby. He was picked up by ICE while on the street earlier this month. Harrisburg is home to one of the largest Bhutanese refugee communities in the country, with many former refugees settling there permanently for its job opportunities, affordable cost of living, and physical likeness to their home country, PennLive reported. There are an estimated 25,000 Bhutanese people living in the Harrisburg area. Chhetri said the recent ICE detentions have chilled the community, leading some Bhutanese residents to avoid leaving their homes in fear of getting detained. State Sen. Patty Kim, a Democrat representing the area, noted during the news conference that the Bhutanese community in Harrisburg is diverse, with some Hindus and some Christians, all of whom play a critical role in the Harrisburg economy and community. Its amazing how quickly this community has put away their past trauma, started a new life, and has contributed in many ways to our region, Kim added. We are lucky to have them. At least 70,000 Bhutanese-Nepali refugees live in the United States, research shows, their path to this country long and torturous. Many have been refugees twice, first in their ancestral homeland of Nepal, and again in their country of resettlement. In the mid-1980s, the Bhutanese government launched a One County, One Nation campaign to unify the countrys culture and religion, sparking political violence against Bhutanese Nepalis and causing a major refugee crisis. Within a few years, tens of thousands of ethnic Nepalese fled or were expelled from Bhutan, and more than 100,000 ethnic Nepalese refugees from Bhutan moved into camps in southeast Nepal, according to the U.S. State Department. In 2006, the United States and seven other countries Australia, Canada, Denmark, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom began a large-scale resettlement program. Federal lawmakers representing the area, including U.S. Sens. John Fetterman and Dave McCormick and U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, did not respond to requests for comment. Gov. Josh Shapiros office also did not respond to a request for comment. We were forcefully evicted once, Niroula said during the news conference. There is no way we can go back to that same country where we were brutally tortured and forcefully evicted by the government of Bhutan. Staff writers Jeff Gammage and Ryan W. Briggs contributed to this article. Anthony Wright, who spent 25 years behind bars for a killing prosecutors now say he did not commit, took the witness stand Wednesday at the perjury trial of the homicide detectives who helped send him to prison and said they forced him to sign a false confession. But under questioning from defense lawyers, Wright quickly found himself cast as a liar. Advertisement One of the attorneys, Brian McMonagle, told the jury Wright had been telling himself lies [for] so long that he started to believe them. Wrights testimony came during the trial of Detectives Martin Devlin, Frank Jastrzembski, and Manuel Santiago, who are charged with perjury and false swearing for allegedly lying about key evidence in the homicide investigation. Prosecutors say the three men lied to keep an innocent man in prison and to cover up their own wrongdoing during the investigation. Though Wright is not on trial, Wednesdays testimony made clear the defense strategy of challenging his innocence in the 1991 rape and killing of 77-year-old Louise Talley in Nicetown. Wright was found guilty in 1993, but his conviction was overturned and he was granted a new trial when DNA evidence implicated another man. A second jury acquitted Wright in 2016. READ MORE: Trial opens for three Philly homicide detectives charged with lying on the witness stand to keep an innocent man in prison McMonagle on Wednesday tried to poke holes in Wrights long-held insistence that he had an alibi on the night of Talleys slaying, that detectives coerced him to confess, and that they refused to let him see the confession when he signed it. The attorney also noted that Wright had accused others of lying about him as he contends the detectives did. Witnesses at Wrights 1993 trial placed him at the homicide scene, but Wright denied that and said he did not know any of his accusers. Others said he ransacked Talleys house to get money for a drug habit. Wright said he had never used crack cocaine. Wright grew visibly frustrated with questions after nearly three hours on the stand, insisting his account has not materially changed. Common Pleas Court Judge Lucretia Clemons reminded attorneys several times that this proceeding is not Wrights 2016 retrial. Prosecutors say the three detectives, now retired, lied on the stand at Wrights retrial and in depositions in the federal civil rights lawsuit he filed against the city after his acquittal. They say Devlin and Santiago lied about the confession, while Jastrzembski lied about key evidence that linked Wright to the murder scene. Following Wrights testimony, prosecutors spent the afternoon introducing transcripts and DNA sample results for the jury evidence that is expected to become more central in the trial in the coming days. Testimony is expected to continue Thursday. From left, F.W. de Klerk, President Bill Clinton, and Nelson Mandela appear at ceremonies honoring the two South African leaders with the Philadelphia Liberty Medal at Independence Hall on July 4, 1993. Read more In the maelstrom that passes for foreign policy in the Trump administration, its approach to South Africa like its approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts shines a spotlight on its racist first principles. In February, the administration halted all U.S. aid to South Africa, falsely accusing the country of seizing agricultural property from Afrikaners the white descendants of early Dutch settlers who are less than 10% of the population but own much of the countrys farmland without compensation. Trump then invited Afrikaners to immigrate to America, a suggestion they received mainly with derision and mirth. Now, our secretary of state has expelled South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool for doing nothing more than stating the obvious: that U.S. policy amounted to a white supremacist response to growing demographic diversity in the United States. Advertisement The administration has pursued this course even though it is obviously self-defeating. For one thing, South Africa has the largest economy, most mineral resources, and most stable democracy on the entire continent. For another, it is finally in the process of emerging from 20 years of state capture that is, moving beyond leadership that corruptly used state assets for personal gain. Instead of nurturing this, the U.S. is cutting off aid and commerce, all while perilously flirting with state capture itself. The only possible outcome will be to drive South Africa, for 35 years a determinably nonaligned nation, into the waiting arms of Europe, China, and Russia. As an American lecturer at the University of Cape Town during the 1980s, I observed the increasing political tensions and domestic strife that characterized the last dying years of apartheid. In those days, America had moral standing on the global stage, and South Africa was the pariah state. Having now witnessed the rise of MAGA, the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, and the coronation of Elon Musk, I cannot help but reflect on how much todays United States resonates with apartheid South Africa, and there is much to learn from the comparison. Of course, in South Africa, the Black population long outnumbered the white population; it was democracy that caught up with the demography. In America on the other hand, we are witnessing demography catching up with democracy. Both have in common a growing fear by a white electorate that it will soon become a permanent minority in national governance. Should demographic trends continue, the United States will become a majority-minority country. Hawaii, New Mexico, California, Texas, Nevada, the District of Columbia, and all populated U.S. territories have majority-minority populations, while Maryland, Georgia, Florida, Arizona, New Jersey, Mississippi, and Louisiana are not far behind. In most of these states, children of color are already in the majority. The needs, voices, and demands of the majority of the population, particularly the young generation, cannot so easily be ignored. Both have in common a growing fear by a white electorate that it will soon become a permanent minority in national governance. The core problem for the American right is that demography is destiny. Fully aware of this, the Republican Partys reaction to Americas changing demography has been to exploit a deep core of racism or more properly, racial fear that characterizes much of the United States, just as it did in the American South after the Civil War and in apartheid South Africa. How else can we explain the systematic abandonment of virtually every core principle of conservatism: limited executive power, robust foreign engagement with European allies, fiscal restraint, belief in the rule of law, and constitutional originalism? What is left to defend? GOP rhetoric now incorporates the tool kit of despots: mythology, dissembling, demonization, hysteria, and loyalty tests. All are familiar, and the result of the same calculation made by much of South Africas white population: that democracy itself was an existential threat, and therefore in defense of familiar prerogatives, anything was fair game. Americas lurch to the right has a great deal in common with South Africas transition from apartheid to democracy. During the last apartheid-era elections in 1987, with the country under increasing pressure to accept democracy, the dead-ender Conservative Party, led by A.P. Treurnicht (famously nicknamed Dr. No), became the official opposition, displacing the liberal Progressive Party. Prime Minister P.W. Botha, mainly concerned about competition from the growing right flank, intransigently refused to be influenced by international sanctions. In the clash between ideology and sanctions, ideology won every time. Yes, sanctions set the stage, but only a timely change in leadership altered the dynamic. Botha, the Groot Krokodil, had a stroke and was replaced by F.W. de Klerk, who began a series of changes that culminated in his speech to Parliament on Feb. 2, 1990, in which he announced the release of Nelson Mandela and the unbanning of the African National Congress party. Even after negotiations began, on the cusp of democracy, a cherished Black leader, Chris Hani, was assassinated by a group of conspirators that included a Conservative Party member of Parliament. There was grave concern the military might flip and that violence on the right would disrupt the transition. Demographic change is inexorable, and leadership matters. Like apartheid-era South African whites, todays Republicans will eventually need to choose between an accommodation with the coming majority or an even deeper dive into the rabbit hole of intransigence and voter suppression. Remaining in power will require ever more extreme measures, ever less democracy, and ever more reliance on disinformation, conspiracy theories, intimidation, and thought control. South Africa had the extraordinary good fortune that leaders emerged most notably Mandela and de Klerk who, notwithstanding the real threat of violence from their flanks, understood complexity, accommodation, common purpose, and the rule of law. At this point, we are not so lucky. Andrew Sillen earned his doctorate at the University of Pennsylvania in 1981. He is a visiting research scholar in the department of anthropology at Rutgers University and the author of Kidnapped at Sea: The Civil War Voyage of David Henry White. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, a Haverford College alum and the schools largest donor, is making waves in President Donald Trumps administration, according to a far-ranging CNN article about him published Tuesday. Lutnick was a major backer of Trumps reelection campaign, donating $5 million to his PAC and raising $15 million in August at a fundraiser at his home in the Hamptons, on New Yorks Long Island. He outspent longtime Trump supporters and became a major architect of the presidents cabinet as cochair of his transition team. Advertisement Lutnick is the CEO of financial firm Cantor Fitzgerald. On Haverfords Main Line campus, he is a familiar presence, with buildings named after him, his best friend, and his company. He was confirmed as commerce secretary on Feb. 18 with a 51-48 vote split along party lines. None of the Democratic senators from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware voted for his confirmation, though they each supported at least two other Trump nominees, and Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voted for eight. Here are takeaways from CNNs dive into Lutnicks reputation in the White House so far. Lutnick cheers for tariffs on TV, but privately disagrees with Trumps approach Lutnick has become a cheerleader for Trumps trade war with a near constant presence on cable television, CNN reported. But he has privately told friends that he is not thrilled that Trump fractured trade relations with Canada and Mexico by raising tariffs from the start instead of using them as leverage down the line. While his frequent television appearances have shown his public-facing loyalty to Trumps tariffs agenda, they have not landed smoothly with everyone. Two Fortune 50 executives told CNN that they have not been able to get meetings with Lutnick, as they have with other senior members of Trumps administration, and one anonymous executive lamented that Lutnick is too busy being on f television. A White House official objected to that narrative to CNN and said that the secretary has been in regular contact with business leaders. White House spokesperson Kush Desai argued that all of Trumps staffers are playing from the same playbook and are aligned on Trumps agenda. READ MORE: How Senators in the region are voting on Trumps cabinet picks Lutnick really wanted to be treasury secretary Lutnick aggressively campaigned for himself to be treasury secretary instead of Scott Bessent, a billionaire hedge fund manager who used to be aligned with the Democratic Party and was picked for the role. Lutnick argued that he was most loyal to Trumps tariffs agenda and even publicly secured the backing of Elon Musk. That stunt resulted in transition aides comparing Lutnick to Dick Cheney, who selected himself after leading the search for George W. Bushs 2000 vice presidential candidate. White House staff felt as if they had to pick sides during confirmation hearing preparations, and there is still lingering tension surrounding Lutnick and Bessent, CNN reported. READ MORE: Howard Lutnick, Haverford Colleges largest donor, could shape a second Trump administration A really good bad cop Lutnick has what CNN described as a New York brashness. This has rubbed some the wrong way, but it has also been embraced. Lutnick has excelled in a good cop, bad cop partnership with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum during trade negotiations with Canadian provinces, according to Kevin OLeary, a Canadian businessman close to the Trump administration, who told CNN that Lutnick is a really good bad cop. Fast and loose with the facts CNN reported that some of Trumps allies are not pleased that Lutnick can be fast and loose with the facts. Lutnick said ahead of the election that now-Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would not lead that department if Trump was elected. This was shortly after Kennedy publicly stated that Trump promised him control over public health in his new administration, and shortly before he was nominated for the role. Lutnick also told CNN in October that Elon Musk would not work in the Trump administration but instead would write software he would give to the government. He also recently struck a different tone from Trump about whether to expect a recession. I would never bet on recession, Lutnick said on NBCs Meet the Press. No chance. Trump, on the other hand, said on Fox that he does not like to predict things like that and that there is a period of transition. Former City Councilmember Bobby Henon, who was recently released from federal prison after serving time on public corruption charges, is working as a union electrician at the Convention Center. Its a full-circle moment for Henon, who was an electrician earlier in his career and eventually rose through the union ranks to become political director of the influential International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 98. Advertisement READ MORE: Former City Councilmember Bobby Henon has been transferred from federal prison to a Philadelphia halfway house, attorney says That gig led to Henon winning a Philadelphia City Council seat in 2011. But it also led to his downfall in 2021, when he and longtime labor leader John J. Dougherty were convicted on federal bribery charges. Prosecutors accused Henon of doing the bidding of Dougherty, widely known as Johnny Doc, while serving on Council in exchange for a $70,000 union salary that Henon collected along with his city pay. Ultimately, a jury agreed, convicting Henon on 10 counts, including conspiracy, bribery, and honest services fraud. I tried my best to help every Philadelphian, especially those who were vulnerable and those in need please know, I never took a day off, Henon said during his 2023 sentencing hearing. By putting the interest of my union first, I failed you. Bobby Henon is still a dues paying member of IBEW Local 98 and, like any other member, he is entitled to solicit his own job, Mark Lynch Jr., who replaced Dougherty as the unions business manager, said in a statement. I can confirm that he is currently working as an electrician at the Convention Center. Bobby paid his dues to society and has every right to seek gainful employment. We wish him all the best. Henon is not the only electrician-turned-Council member in recent Philadelphia history to be convicted on corruption charges and seek work as an electrician after being released. Rick Mariano, who represented the 7th District from 1996 to 2006, also got his start as an electrician and tried to return to his original profession after getting out of prison. Mariano, however, told reporters that he struggled to find electrician jobs post-incarceration. Attempts to reach Henon were unsuccessful Tuesday. He represented the Lower Northeast Philadelphia-based 6th District from January 2012 to January 2022, and was seen as a rising star in Philly Democratic politics until he and Dougherty were indicted in 2019. Henon was released last month from a federal prison in Lewisburg, Pa., to serve out the remainder of his 3-year sentence in a Philadelphia halfway house. Dougherty, who was convicted in a separate trial of embezzling union funds and sentenced last summer to serve six years, remains in prison in Lewisburg. Signs advertise homes for rent in North Philadelphia in 2021. An official with Philadelphia's Department of Licenses and Inspections told City Council members this week that L&I is looking into proactively inspecting the city's rental homes instead of mainly relying on tenants' complaints to trigger inspections. Read more Philadelphia is looking into proactively inspecting rental homes for safety and health instead of relying on tenants complaints to trigger inspections, according to a city official who testified at a City Council hearing Tuesday. The Department of Licenses and Inspections has started working with the Pew Charitable Trusts to conduct research to establish some best practices that can be implemented here, said Bridget Collins-Greenwald, commissioner of the quality-of-life division at L&I. Advertisement Well work with the mayors office and managing directors office and our partners at [the Philadelphia Housing Development Corp.] to actually get some good recommendations together, she said. And hopefully some are just a process fix and then some will probably be a little bit larger, I imagine. A 2021 Pew report found that L&I inspected only about 7% of Philadelphias rental units in a year, which the department attributed to limited resources. The city estimates that it has 250,000 rental units, Collins-Greenwald said. Tenant advocates, Council members, and city officials have talked for years about the need for more inspections of the citys rental homes, so they dont endanger residents. As city budget negotiations continue between Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and Council members, advocates and city lawmakers are calling for funds for proactive inspections in a city with old housing stock and a lack of affordable rental options for residents. OnePA Renters United Philadelphia, a coalition of renters unions and advocates, and Philly Thrive, an advocacy group for racial, economic, and environmental justice, are asking the city to allocate $10 million for L&I to start a pilot program to proactively inspect rental homes. The city gives [property] owners a license to rent. And I need the city to make that license mean something to protect renters, said Theresa Howell, a renter and member of OnePA Renters United Philadelphia. The reactive inspection system that L&I currently has is inadequate. READ MORE: A landlords neglect and Phillys lax oversight left a 12-year-old girl dead, mom alleges To help guide L&I as it considers policy and operational changes, Pew plans to provide examples from other cities and research findings to consider, Chris Arlene, who leads Pews policy work in Philadelphia, said in an interview. Pew anticipates its research will begin in the coming weeks and will last roughly four months. Looking to Washington The rental inspection program in the nations capital used to be complaint-driven like Philadelphias, but Washington now has a proactive inspection program. Proactive housing inspections have been a key part of the districts tool kit to help maintain our stock of multifamily housing and make sure tenants are receiving the conditions required by law, Keith David Parsons, an administrator in a code enforcement office in Washingtons Department of Buildings, said at Tuesdays Council hearing. He said that as an early adopter of this relatively novel approach, the city is happy to share resources. The city inspects rental properties with one or two units when their owners receive a business license to rent. More than half the residential units in Washington about 180,000 are licensed multifamily apartment buildings with three or more units, Parsons said. Owners of these properties have to participate in inspections as a condition of their rental licenses. The city schedules inspections using a risk-based algorithm that takes into account information such as the age of a building, how much time has passed since it was last fully renovated, when it was last inspected, and results from previous inspections, Parsons said. With nine inspectors completing more than 16,000 inspections per year, it would take more than 10 years to inspect every rental unit, he said. When the proactive inspection program started in 2009, inspections were randomized. But rental property owners wanted more control over when their buildings were inspected. So Washington started using the algorithm in 2018, Parsons said. The city notifies rental property owners 60 days before a scheduled inspection and requests permission from tenants to enter their homes. Helping landlords fix rental properties Philadelphia relies on small rental property owners to provide affordable housing for residents. But affording repairs can be a challenge for these landlords. Those with 15 or fewer rental units in no more than five buildings can apply for loans to make repairs through the Philadelphia Housing Development Corp.s Rental Improvement Fund. The community development organizations fund gives loans of up to $25,000 per property. Eligible landlords who agree not to substantially raise rents can get the loans forgiven after 10 years. The program is funded by Councils $400 million Neighborhood Preservation Initiative and has its own inspectors. Since the program launched in the summer of 2023, the fund has allocated $8.2 million for repairs, said Rachel Mulbry, director of policy and strategic initiatives at PHDC. Some of the most common repairs include fixes to roofs, electrical systems, plumbing, and heating and cooling systems, Mulbry said at Tuesdays Council hearing. The Rental Improvement Fund is the citys most recent and largest attempt to support Philadelphia small landlords to make needed repairs and improvements, she said. Mulbry said PHDC could scale up the program to help more landlords make repairs if the program had more resources. She said the program soon plans to offer a loan to finance more expensive repair work at unoccupied rental properties and encourage more energy efficiency improvements. Barnes joined Marsh in 2001 as an environmental consultant and has since held several senior leadership positions internationally. She has advised clients on risk and insurance issues, with a focus on energy transition and sustainability. Before her current role, she served as energy & power Leader for the US and Canada, based in Houston. He said one reason for this change is that much of the industry now expects to allow staff to work from home for some of the time, or at least have work flexibility. Theres no longer a need, he said, to push for that during an interview. The changing nature of risk analysis means that businesses are expected to stay abreast of a variety of risk factors, but this becomes increasingly difficult, as illicit actors are adapting their tools, he said. While we are yet to see what this year will hold, risk professionals and compliance teams will need to be at the top of their game with the best support, technology, and knowledge available to ensure they can protect and grow their businesses. We are delighted to sign a new partnership agreement with Munich Re Specialty. From the inception of Rural Affinity in 2006, Munich Res expertise has been instrumental for us to achieve our goals and ambitions. They have a detailed understanding of our business and the important solutions we provide to the agricultural industry in regional Australia, he said. The INA also plays an important role in supporting independent agents through education and technology adoption, particularly in the wake of the challenges in standardizing benchmarks across diverse network models. The INA has taken steps to assist members in making informed technology decisions by developing a dedicated department to analyze new tools, said Diane Wagner, VP of strategic planning and education for First Choice MarshBerry. Under the proposed legislation, utilities that adhere to their risk mitigation plans would be considered to have met a standard of care and would not be held responsible for wildfires caused by factors outside their control or right-of-way. The legislation also grants the state insurance commissioner the authority to assess fees on insurers to establish and fund the association. While insurers could recoup these fees from policyholders, the bill specifies that they could not be used to justify rate increases. The fees would not be classified as premiums for regulatory purposes. A Florida House panel has advanced a measure that could undo much of the work that has been done in the Sunshine State to reduce premiums, and could shift the financial burden of legal battles in insurance disputes back on to insurers in certain cases, reviving a debate over consumer protections and industry stability. Complicating matters, notices of a $78 balance and a cancelation warning were sent to the Lindlands Arkansas address while they remained in Norway. The agency, which allegedly received copies of the notices, failed to notify them. Their policy lapsed on October 27, 2021, for nonpayment. Less than six months later, the Lindlands' uninsured home was destroyed by fire. Their insurer denied the claim. Following a temporary pause in February, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on March 14 that the government is likely to prevail in defending the orders, stating they do not violate the First and Fourth Amendments. At the time of initial funding, there were 313 Fortified-certified roofs in the state, according to the auditors report. As of Feb. 1, 2025, that number had increased to 5,413, representing a 17-fold growth over two years. The report noted that 64% of these certifications were not funded by the LFHP. Greenpeace used malicious and deceptive tactics to disrupt the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline and keep it from going forward, an attorney for the company behind the project said Monday. But attorneys for the environmental advocacy group said during their closing arguments that Greenpeace had little involvement with the 2016-17 protests that are central to the case. A North Dakota jury began deliberating Monday after a weekslong trial over Dallas-based Energy Transfers argument that Greenpeace defamed the company and disrupted the project. What is the case about? The energy company and its subsidiary Dakota Access accused Greenpeace International, Greenpeace USA and funding arm Greenpeace Fund Inc. of defamation, civil conspiracy, trespass, nuisance and other acts, and is seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in damages. Nine jurors and two alternates heard the case after it went to trial in late February. Their verdict will include what damages, if any, to award. Trey Cox, an attorney for the pipeline company, highlighted damages per claim totaling nearly $350 million. The lawsuit is linked to the protests against the oil pipeline and its controversial Missouri River crossing upstream of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribes reservation. The tribe has long opposed the pipeline as a risk to its water supply. The pipeline has been transporting oil since mid-2017. What did the company say? Cox said Greenpeace exploited a small, disorganized, local issue to promote its agenda, calling Greenpeace master manipulators and deceptive to the core. Greenpeace paid professional protesters, organized or led protester trainings, shared intelligence of the pipeline route with protesters and sent lockboxes for demonstrators to attach themselves to equipment, Cox said. Among a number of alleged defamatory statements were that the company deliberately desecrated burial grounds during construction, which Cox said was done to harm Energy Transfers reputation in the international investment community. The company made 140 slight adjustments to its route to avoid disturbing sacred or cultural sites, he said. Greenpeaces lies impacted lenders, Cox said. Energy Transfer suffered $96 million in lost financing and $7 million in public relations costs, he said. The pipeline was delayed by five months, and the company lost $80 million because it couldnt turn on the spigot on Jan. 1, 2017, when oil was to start flowing, Cox said. He asked the jury to find the Greenpeace entities liable. It needs to be done for Morton County. It needs to be done for Morton Countys law enforcement and the next community where Greenpeace exploits an opportunity to push its agenda at any cost, Cox told the jury, referring to the county where the protests were centered. How did Greenpeace respond? Attorneys for Greenpeace said Energy Transfer didnt prove its case or meet its legal burden for defamation or damages, that Greenpeace employees had little or no presence or involvement in the protests, and that Greenpeace had nothing to do with the companys delays in construction or refinancing. A letter signed by leaders of Greenpeace International and Greenpeace USA and sent to banks involved in the projects construction loan contained the alleged defamatory statement about desecrating burial grounds, which Cox equated to digging up dead bodies. Greenpeace International attorney Courtney DeThomas said the other side hasnt shown how the one act of signing a letter with 500 other organizations damaged them, and that the letter would have been sent to the banks with or without Greenpeaces name on it. Thousands of protesters were already at Standing Rock by the time the letter was signed, she said. Greenpeace USA attorney Everett Jack Jr. disputed the companys claims as including costs from months before and years after the protests, with no witnesses to say that the Greenpeace entities were the cause. Jack also said no law enforcement officers or any of Energy Transfers security personnel testified that Greenpeace was the cause of any violence or property destruction, or was a leader, organizer or instigator in the protests. He said law enforcement did a phenomenal job of watching the protests. Greenpeace representatives have criticized the lawsuit as an example of corporations abusing the legal system to go after critics and called it a critical test of free speech and protest rights. An Energy Transfer spokesperson said the case is about Greenpeace not following the law, not free speech. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits A federal criminal complaint was unsealed today charging the Director of United States Customs and Border Protections (CBP) Center for Excellence and Expertise over Automotive and Aerospace Engineering with engaging in a scheme to defraud the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and lying to federal agents, Acting United States Attorney Julie A. Beck announced. Beck was joined in the announcement by Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Daniel Altman, Executive Director of CBPs Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR). Serina Baker-Hill, 55, of Detroit, is a career employee of CBP. Following a series of floods in the Detroit area in August of 2023, Michigans request for a federal disaster declaration was approved, which allowed residents to apply for FEMA assistance. Baker-Hill applied for FEMA assistance for flood damage and a FEMA inspector determined there was damage to the basement in Baker-Hills home. During the inspection, Baker-Hill informed the inspector she was not able to live safely in the home while the repairs were being made. Consequently, FEMA approved benefits for Baker Hill to assist with home repairs and for two months of rental assistance. The approval letter from FEMA indicated that the rental assistance money was to be used solely to help Baker-Hill pay rent and essential utility costs while she was in temporary housing. According to Baker-Hills bank records, none of the FEMA money was used for rental, hotel, or utility expenses. Video surveillance at the home showed that Baker-Hill and her husband continued to live in the home after receiving the rental assistance funds from FEMA. Additionally, records for the home do not show a significant drop in utilities consistent with the property being unoccupied during this time. Baker-Hill was later interviewed by FBI and CBP-OPR agents and informed them that she has never committed illegal activity of any kind and had never defrauded the U.S. government. A complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Trial cannot be held on felony charges in a complaint. When the investigation is completed, a determination will be made whether to seek a felony indictment. The investigation of this case was conducted by the FBIs Detroit Border Corruption Task Force and CBP-OPR. Investigative assistance was also provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eaton P. Brown. Source: U.S. Attorneys Office, Eastern District of Michigan Topics Fraud FEMA The Trump administration dismissed two Democrats on the US Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday, in the latest example of the White House asserting control over US agencies. The commissioners, Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, were told of their dismissal in an email from the White House personnel office. The five-member FTC enforces antitrust and consumer protection laws, including those related to the privacy of financial information and children online. The president just illegally fired me, Bedoya said in a social media post. This is corruption plain and simple. Today the President illegally fired me from my position as a Federal Trade Commissioner, violating the plain language of a statute and clear Supreme Court precedent, Slaughter said in an emailed statement. Why? Because I have a voice. And he is afraid of what Ill tell the American people. A White House official confirmed the firings but did not comment further. The FTC declined to comment. Your continued service on the FTC is inconsistent with my Administrations priorities. Accordingly, I am removing you from office, the email said, according to a copy viewed by Bloomberg. Slaughter said she is considering legal options including a lawsuit. Alvaro said he planned to sue over his dismissal. Ill see the president in court, he said on X. He is testifying before a Colorado legislative panel on Wednesday. The FTC does not require a quorum to conduct business so the panel can continue to bring cases with only two commissioners. Removing the Democrats leaves the FTC, which has a staff of more than 1,200, with two Republican commissioners Chair Andrew Ferguson and Commissioner Melissa Holyoak. Trump has nominated a third Republican, Mark Meador, to fill the vacancy left when FTC Chair Lina Khan, a Biden appointee, stepped down. Meadors nomination has advanced in the Senate but still requires a full chamber vote. Reshaping Agencies The firings are the latest by Trump to challenge a 90-year legal precedent that shields members of independent agencies part of his administrations move to gain greater influence across the government. Since taking office in January, Trump has dismissed other members of independent agencies, including a Democratic commissioner from the National Labor Relations Board, and two Democrats on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. He also fired the Democratic members of an independent intelligence review board created in the wake of Sept. 11 terror attacks, the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board. Former NLRB member Gwynne Wilcox has sued over her removal, and a federal court ordered her reinstated. The Justice Department is appealing. Bedoya was nominated by former President Joe Biden and joined the commission in May 2022 for a term that expires in September 2026. Slaughter arrived in 2018 during the first Trump administration and was later confirmed to a second term through September 2029. Humphreys Executor A 1935 Supreme Court case, known as Humphreys Executor v. United States, upheld job protections Congress created to shield FTC commissioners from being fired except in cases of malfeasance or neglect. The ruling green-lighted the independent agencies that now proliferate across the federal government. The Justice Department said recently that it believes that Supreme Court decision is at odds with the Constitution and said that it would push the high court to reverse it. Independent agencies like the FTC, the Securities and Exchange Commission and others have members who are presidentially appointed, but not subject to White House control. The Supreme Court in 2020 ruled that the president could fire the director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for any reason, striking down a similar shield Congress had created for that position. Business and anti-regulatory groups have pushed the court to go further, arguing that the Constitution also gives the president authority to fire the leaders of multimember commissions that perform executive branch functions. However, in January, the Supreme Court turned away an appeal brought by an Oklahoma-based company that argued the president should have the authority to fire members of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which sets standards on products and can seek multimillion-dollar fines from violators. Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation blueprint for a second Trump term assembled by his allies and administration alumni, identified the Humphreys Executor case as one that should be revisited. Trump himself distanced himself from the document during the campaign, but has hired many of its authors. Photo: Alvaro Bedoya, right, and Rebecca Slaughter during a hearing in 2023. Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Topics Politics Concerns about Florida-based insurance carriers masking profits with the help of affiliated companies has spilled across the border into Georgia, with one state senator calling for an investigation. Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes, D-Duluth, this week sent a letter to Georgia Insurance Commissioner John King, asking for a comprehensive look at whether insurers in the state are running a shell game and diverting revenue to managing general agents, according to local and state news reports. Kings office issued a statement noting that the Florida market has faced unique challenges and a probe by the Georgia insurance department is unnecessary, according to Atlanta News First and WSB news reports. Kings office already reviews insurers agreements with affiliates. Parkes urged the investigation after Tampa and Miami newspapers obtained a Florida regulators draft report that suggested that some Florida property insurance carriers had reported losses of $432 million in recent years but their MGAs chalked $1.8 billion in profits. The Florida House of Representatives Insurance and Banking Subcommittee held a hearing last week on the matter and has scheduled another for Thursday. Industry insiders have said the allegations raised by the OIR report dont tell the complete story. The issue could play a role in Georgia Gov. Brian Kemps move to push significant tort reform through the General Assembly this year. Senate Bill 68 was approved by a House committee Tuesday, a month after it won a Senate vote. Kemp and other supporters have said the changes could limit excessive lawsuits and help trim insurance costs. Crowds of business owners and doctors came to the Georgia Capitol to support the bill. But people who had sued businesses in recent weeks rallied as Democrats argue the bill is a handout to businesses and insurance companies, the Associated Press reported. Topics Carriers Profit Loss Florida Insurance Wholesale Georgia Tesla Inc. was granted approval in California to begin carrying passengers in its vehicles as Elon Musks company takes steps toward offering ride-hailing services. The California Public Utilities Commission said in an emailed statement Tuesday that it approved the electric-vehicle makers bid for whats known as a transportation charter-party carrier permit. That will allow Tesla initially to drive its employees on a prearranged basis in company-owned vehicles, before later transporting members of the public. Bloomberg reported last month that Tesla had applied for the permit as it works to launch a promised ride-hailing business, opening a new revenue stream and putting it in competition with the likes of Uber Technologies Inc., Lyft Inc. and Waymo. Musk has said Tesla would roll out driverless ride-hailing in Austin in June and aimed to offer it in California by the end of the year, without offering specific details. The new permit is separate from those used by ride-hailing companies, which offer similar services for compensation using smartphone apps. The approval also does not allow Tesla to offer rides in autonomous vehicles, the California commission said. Teslas shares reversed postmarket declines on news of the permit, rising 0.4% as of 4:55 p.m. in New York. Musk said on a call with investors late last year that the company was already offering transportation to employees in the Bay Area with a safety driver using a Tesla-developed app. The company didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. A ride-hailing business with human drivers could pave the way for Tesla eventually to introduce robotaxi service in California, where Waymo already operates a driverless fleet in San Francisco. Tesla has made a big bet on autonomous driving, robotics and artificial intelligence as the primary business of selling EVs struggles. The company is facing a significant sales slump thanks to its aging lineup and a growing backlash to Musks close affiliation with President Donald Trump. Top photo: A Tesla Model S in Palo Alto, California, on Tuesday, Jan 28, 2025. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg. Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Topics California Tesla SAN FRANCISCO, March 19, 2025 Comulates leading accounting automation platform has reached an industry milestone in record time, now partnering with more than fifty Top 100 insurance brokers in the U.S. Building on this momentum, the company has unveiled BALANCE, a first-of-its-kind insurance accounting conference. Comulates rapid adoption across insurance back offices has continued to accelerate, with recent partnerships including Lockton, Risk Strategies, and World Insurance Associates. This milestone follows Comulates recent $20M funding round, which included a strategic investment from Workday, the HR and finance platform trusted by many of the industrys largest companies. The alliance further accelerates Comulates transformation of the insurance back office. As our partner community has grown, accounting teams have increasingly expressed a desire to connect and collaborate in person, said Jordan Katz, Co-Founder and CEO of Comulate. We noticed less of a focus on insurance accounting teams in the industry, so we created BALANCE to fill this gap, and the response has been overwhelming. BALANCE 25 will take place at the Four Seasons in Denver, Colorado, from October 22 24th, 2025. The conference brings together leading agencies, thought leaders, and digital solutions transforming the insurance industry. Attendees will participate in breakout sessions along with curated networking activities, and will be the first to experience the latest product announcements from Comulate. About Comulate Comulate is the technology company leveraging AI to transform the insurance industry. Consistently chosen by large brokers, Comulates category-defining accounting automation platform eliminates 90%+ of manual work, creating a radically exciting future for the insurance back office. To learn more about Comulate, visit: www.comulate.com Media Contact press@comulate.com Topics Agencies Training Development Montreal, QC & New York, NY, March 18, 2025 Sinistar, a full-service insurance technology platform that connects insurers to a large and rapidly growing community of property owners (hosts) ready to accommodate displaced policyholders, announced that the company has joined Guidewires Insurtech Vanguards program. This initiative is led by property and casualty (P&C) cloud platform provider, Guidewire (NYSE: GWRE), to help insurers learn about the newest insurtechs and how to best leverage them. Sinistar is both honored and excited to join the Guidewire Insurtech Vanguards program! Trusted by over 50 insurers in the United States, Canada, France and Switzerland, many of which are Guidewire clients, Sinistar has helped thousands of families relocate to a perfectly matched temporary home with speed and comfort during a claim. Our solution saves adjusters time, reduces insurers claims costs, and brings diverse supply options into the insurance relocation market, all while our team focuses relentlessly on delivering exceptional client experiences. We look forward to co-innovating with Guidewires guidance, tapping into the community of likeminded insurtechs, and bringing immense value to our shared clients and partners in the P&C industry, said Alexis Vertefeuille, Founder and CEO, Sinistar. Insurtech Vanguards is a community of select startups and technology providers that are bringing novel solutions to the P&C industry. As part of the program, Guidewire provides strategic guidance to and advocates for the participating insurtechs, while connecting them with Guidewires P&C customers. We are thrilled to welcome Sinistar to the Insurtech Vanguards program, shared Laura Drabik, Chief Evangelist, Guidewire. Their innovative platform leverages the combined powers of the sharing economy, machine learning, and competitive bidding marketplaces, creating great value for insurers, displaced families, and their hosts. We cant wait to see how they innovate and flourish within the program. With a user-friendly interface and AI-driven home-matching, Sinistar simplifies the relocation process, reducing both time and costs. Sinistars insurer clients get the best possible rates while their policyholders benefit from comfortable short and long-term stays that feel like home. About Sinistar Sinistar, established in 2017, is a pioneering technology platform in the insurance claims relocation sector specializing in providing temporary housing for displaced families. Sinistar connects claims adjusters with highly rated and vetted local hosts who offer fully furnished accommodations. The platform is specifically designed to support insurance companies and claims adjusters in finding cost-effective, high-quality housing for clients who have been impacted by property damage or loss and disasters such as fires or floods. Contact: Vlad Koltchine VP, Business Development Sinistar Inc. +1 (647) 460-1919 vlad.koltchine@sinistar.com www.sinistar.com Topics InsurTech Tech It isnt every day that one gets to buy a bit of Irish cultural and economic history when making a land purchase, so there should be a considerable turnout for the auction of the original Tayto farm in County Meath next week. The 119-acre holding at Curraghwalls goes under the hammer on Friday, March 28, at the auction rooms of Robert B Daly & Sons on Laurence Street, Drogheda, Co Louth. This Sunday, the television show Raised by the Village is back. It is my favourite programme to work on. For the show, I travel all over Ireland to meet wonderful farming families and I also get to work with teenagers living in urban areas. When I was asked to be involved, I told the producer that the issues would mostly be based on smartphones. Sure enough, every teenager we encountered was stuck in their phone, struggling to go to school, and isolated and lonely. The smartphone has done incredible damage to adolescents. I was talking at a school recently and I was describing my charity in the Philippines, explaining that if they wanted to come and experience working with the Badjao tribe they would have to give up their phone for two weeks. Several students came up to me afterwards and said they would love to go, just to experience life without phones for two weeks. I think teenagers want a break from them, but dont know how to, because nobody else is taking a break. It is a question I always ask students, How many of us here would agree to take a break from the phone if everyone would agree to it? The response is always very positive. When the producers are talking with the teenager about to head off on their adventure in Raised by the Village, one of the first things the teenager says is, There is no way Im giving up my phone for a week. They cant envisage life without it. They are disturbed not to know who will keep their winning streak going on whatever gaming app they are on; or how they will go to sleep if the phone isnt next to them. These smartphones have enveloped our childrens lives and attention. They are designed to grab the attention and to keep it. Streaks are a clever and insidious way to keep users engaged in apps. A student said to me recently, If I go to the Philippines, who will keep my streak on Duolingo? She was genuinely panicked. Her friend said, Get your sister to keep the streak going. Thats what I do. They are being trapped by all the design features of these apps. Notifications, the like button, infinite scrolling, etc, all keep children bringing traffic to the app. That is where all the money is made. So, they are selling your childs attention. They are making billions of euro from that and our children are stuck in their bedroom not going to school, and have fewer activities in their life, fewer friends in real life, and are bullied more, excluded more, and swamped with notions of perfect body image. They are being fed more extreme material by the algorithms and recommender systems, because thats what grabs their attention. Thats the business model. Teagan and The Morrisey family in Cork in Raised By The village So, we, as parents, have to get our arms around this thing. Bringing in a boundary for phone use is vitally important for a peaceful life. What is remarkable about Raised by the Village is that every teenager who takes part in it hasnt thought about their phone after the first day. In some cases, we have to remind them that we have their phone. Oh, yeah, I forgot about that. It is always striking how quickly they fall in to life without the phone, and how quickly they go back to life with it. The teenagers on the show love working on the farm. They always sleep so well after their exertions, and get stuck in to all the activities demanded of them. When Im chatting with them, I try to show them how incredible they have been over the week; how competent they are and how loved they have been by the family. I always try to show them how they have lived without the phone. The teenagers talk about the energy they have after sleeping so well, how they feel better in themselves and how they now think they are more capable than they previously thought. They also talk about being tired in a positive way. They explain that when they are up all night on their phone, it is a different kind of tiredness, whereas working on the farm tires them, but it is a good kind of tired. When I ask them what they will change about their lives after this experience, they always say the same thing, Im going to use my phone less. Thats an important insight for them to gain. I have been fortunate, working on this programme, to meet so many farming people around this country. I always say it to my wife, Erica, when I come back from a days shooting. I met the good people of Ireland again, I tell her. We are a great people. The hospitality and love the families show the teenagers coming to the farm for a week always gets me in the old rag and bone shop of the heart. Im a little emotional when I leave the farm. I think thats because the farmers connect me to my grandmother and her people. They are loving, caring, genuine country people from Cork. I always loved when they called out to visit my grandmother. Id come in and sit with them and chat about life. I might even get a few quid, too. I was with the Larkin family in Galway over the Christmas break. The father had cooked the most magnificent ham. We were all there, sitting around the ham and chatting and eating. His wife, daughters and son, sitting there, too, chatting away about life and how the experience went. I was really moved by that experience, because it makes me think about the way life is today: Children stuck up in their rooms, missing out on life all around them. Working on Raised by the Village has been a remarkable experience. This is all any of us really need: We need to feel supported and heard. As the Catholic Church across the country struggles to balance the loss of ageing priests through death and retirement, with a shortage of younger men devoting their lives to the priesthood, the Diocese of Kerry is putting its fate in the hands of lay people. Last month saw the initiation of 25 pastoral leaders into the church during a ceremony in Killarney. The Diocese of Kerry is the first to introduce this historic change, allowing lay people to take on roles traditionally carried out by a priest, in a bid to bridge the gap caused by the declining numbers of priests. The diocese, which is made up of 53 parishes ranging from North Cork to Valentia Island, is one of the largest of the 26 dioceses in Ireland. With more than 139,000 Catholics in the diocese, there is a significant shortfall in the number of priests to administer to parishioners, with just 46 working priests last year. Records show 28 priests incardinated in the diocese have since retired or work outside of the diocese. The ministry of pastoral leaders marks a new milestone for the diocese and will involve the coordination and support of pastoral ministry in parishes. The leaders will work with the clergy and parish secretaries on a voluntary basis and carry out tasks such as bringing Communion to people who are housebound. Making history Tipperary native Dermot Walsh is one of the 25 pastoral leaders making history within the Catholic church, although he admits his spiritual journey has not always been plain sailing. The retired bank manager, who has lived in Caherciveen, Co Kerry, for the past 26 years, said he had embarked on a long journey to find his faith, having grown up in a traditional Irish family where his perception of God was enveloped in a sense of fear. Mr Walsh said he grew up in a church-centered household, where Mass, devotions, and the rosary were to the forefront. Dermot Walsh at the Daniel O'Connell memorial church, Caherciveen: He is both 'daunted and excited' to take up his new role. Picture: Alan Landers. His memories of the Catholic Church as a child revolved around a rule-based society, based on reward and punishment. You would keep the rules and the rules will keep you. If you dont you were in trouble, he said. It was a god of appeasement and fear, he said. The father of five, and grandfather to 14 children, now considers himself a person often with doubt but continuing the search in faith for truth. Mr Walsh came across the pastoral leader role by accident one Sunday evening when reading the parish newsletter. After much deliberation, he decided to take part in the course, attending a meeting in Killarney, where the rest is history, he said. One of the aspects of the pastoral leader course involves a faith formation programme, which is accredited by Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, and takes two years. The intensive course, consisting of monthly meetings in Killarney and two-hour lectures online each week, gives the participants an opportunity to study the Bible and further deepen their faith. Mr Walsh said these lectures helped give him an education in Catholicism that I just didnt have before, admitting as Irish people, we dont pick up the Bible to read it. One aspect he found interesting was an investigation into the spiritual aspect surrounding the afterlife. Mr Walsh, who has been appointed to the Iveragh pastoral area, said he was both daunted and excited to take up his new role. The pastoral area comprised of five parishes, including Valentia, Caherdaniel, Caherciveen, Ballinskelligs, and Waterville is now only served by three priests, one of whom is retired but is staying on to help with parish demands. Mr Walsh said there was no end to the roles they may be asked to undertake as pastoral leaders, which they must serve for three years. The Pope suggested dont be afraid to make a mistake, and one of the things that it makes clear, and, of course, the last thing I want to do is make a mistake. Im very cautious as well, he said. Mr Walsh, who has previously held roles as an eucharistic minister and on the Catholic Marriage Advisory Council within the church, said the changes he had been a part of within the church had been incredibly positive. Were no longer priest helpers. Were co-workers. Weve co-responsibility for the parish. Having previously held roles as a eucharistic minister and reader in her local parish, there was little wonder retired teacher Maureen Williams was gently nudged towards the role of pastoral leader. The retired English and religion teacher, who moved to Kerry from London five years ago, admitted she feared the commitment at first, before deciding to give the course a go. The parish priest approached me and said you could do this. As I looked at it, I realised it was going to be a very interesting course, she said. The academic and theological training was exceptionally high quality with Mary Immaculate College. Strong faith Ms Williams, who has lived in Fenit, Co Kerry, for the past five years, has always had a strong faith. She was raised by Catholic parents and involved in the faith formation of staff and implementation of the Catholic ethos in her school. She described the process of returning to study as a blast from the past, although she said she thoroughly enjoyed the calibre of the modules on offer. A lot of the work was on pastoral reflection, theological reflection and made us think very much about the specific context of the church in Ireland today. It has gone through massive changes in the past few decades, she said. Maureen Williams will help with the planning of special events and Masses, including Christmas, Easter, and Masses in the lead-up to State examinations. Picture: Don MacMonagle Although the pastoral role varies within each diocese, Ms Williams said her specific role within the Spa diocese would involve visiting elderly people and working with the liturgy group. She will help with the planning of special events and Masses, including Christmas, Easter, and Masses in the lead-up to State examinations. Although much of the diocese will understand the need for lay people to assist the priest, she acknowledges some elderly parishioners may not accept a lay woman administering the eucharist. Its a process of change, Ms Williams said, adding we will explain to people that the priest can come as well if they need the sacrament of the sick or I can bring them the eucharist to their homes, or I can come and say prayers with them, or just come and chat. She feels the introduction of lay ministers within the Catholic church will be positive for the parish, adding the parish priest will no longer be responsible for everything. I think more people will see that the church isnt just a building and its not just the priest in the building the church is the people. The church is about us being together and acknowledging the presence of God, not just the traditional ways of the church. Although the pastoral leaders are the first to participate in these roles, there is great comfort in the relationships they have built with one another throughout their two and a half years of training. The 25 leaders consist of five men and 20 women, ranging from retirees to parents juggling young children and everything in between. Its people from literally every corner of the diocese, from Cork to the end of the Dingle Peninsula to North Kerry, Ms Williams said. She said this bond and shared experience within the group provided great comfort and confidence going forward in their position. Its lovely to have that network of people, she added. That bond was really important, as it is a new role, and knowing that there are lots of other people that you can just go to and share experiences and prayers with. Irelands critical infrastructure is vulnerable to the ever-increasing impacts of extreme weather events, and the Government cannot procrastinate any longer on addressing the issue, experts have said. The Climate Change Advisory Council said action needed to be taken now to better prepare the country for the next major weather event, just a few months after Storm Eowyn wreaked havoc and left hundreds of thousands of homes without power and water. In the first publication of its annual review series for 2025, the council called for the creation of a national climate demand register to monitor and record the economic, social and environmental impacts of extreme weather events. The time to act is now, its chair Professor Peter Thorne said. Proactive action can and must improve our preparedness for and response to rapidly emerging climate risks, to protect and support people, and future proof our communities. This must be underpinned by robust climate data and services. The report from the Climate Change Advisory Council said 2024 was the warmest calendar year on record globally, with many significant climate events occurring around the world, such as severe flooding, wildfires, and droughts. It said the fingerprints of climate change are increasingly evident in how much more intense and frequent these events are. At the same time, Irelands climate is also changing, with a range of storms causing significant flood damage, widespread power outages and coastal erosion last year. However, Storm Eowyn in particular highlighted how our critical infrastructure lacks resilience to extreme weather events, according to the council. The impacts of Storm Eowyn were devastating and compounded the impacts experienced during Storm Darragh in December 2024 and the snow and ice hazard event in early January 2025, the report said. "Across Ireland, 768,000 premises were left without power. This compares with 395,000 premises left without power during Storm Darragh and 375,000 during Storm Ophelia in 2017. "ESB reported that it took 19 days to fully restore all connections compared with the seven and eight days taken during Storms Darragh and Ophelia, respectively. While the wind speeds associated with the storm were unprecedented in the observational record, there is substantial uncertainty about whether the intensity and frequency of storm events is projected to change. To help mitigate against the effects of such storms in future, the council said a national climate damage register would help monitor the impacts of extreme events in a uniform and standardised manner and support more robust preparedness and planning. Furthermore, it said the Government must ensure the funding and necessary supports were in place to sustain and improve the national climate observation system. Professor Thorne added: If we do not put the structures and resources in place, we will increasingly expose people and communities to the destructive effects of extreme weather events, magnifying future costs and risks to society. The impacts of human-induced climate change reached new lows during 2024, and some of the consequences will be "irreversible" for hundreds if not thousands of years, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has said. Its warning comes as Irelands Climate Change Advisory Council has said the country must become better prepared for the next major weather event after Storm Eowyn wreaked havoc in January and exposed Irelands vulnerability and lack of resilience. In its latest State of the Global Climate report, the WMO said 2024 was the warmest year on record and likely the first to be more than 1.5C above the pre-industrial level as many parts of the globe were forced to deal with the massive economic and social upheavals from extreme weather. In response to the WMO findings, United Nations secretary general Antonio Guterres said all the data shows us that, while the outlook is not good, limiting long-term global temperature rise to 1.5C is still possible. Leaders must step up to make it happen, seizing the benefits of cheap, clean renewables for their people and economies with new national climate plans due this year, he said. The report from the WMO also found: Atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide at its highest levels in the last 800,000 years; Each of the last 10 years were individually the warmest ever on record; New records have been set for ocean heat in each of the last eight years; The three lowest ever Antarctic ice extents were recorded in the last three years; And the rate of sea level rise has doubled since satellite measurements began. WMO secretary general Celeste Saulo said it all added up to a wake-up call that we are increasing the risks to our lives, economies and to the planet. Massive economic losses Data for 2024 show that our oceans continued to warm, and sea levels continued to rise, she said. The frozen parts of Earths surface, known as the cryosphere, are melting at an alarming rate "Glaciers continue to retreat, and Antarctic sea ice reached its second-lowest extent ever recorded. Meanwhile, extreme weather continues to have devastating consequences around the world. A huge tree was completely uprooted by Storm Eowyn outside Spiddal, Connermara. Picture: Eamonn Farrell / RollingNews.ie She said tropical cyclones, floods, droughts and other extreme events in 2024 led to worsening food crises and massive economic losses. In response, she said the WMO and the global community are stepping up efforts to strengthen early warning systems and climate services to help societies be more resilient to extreme weather and climate. Ms Saulo said: We are making progress, but need to go further and need to go faster. Only half of all countries worldwide have adequate early warning systems. This must change. 'Proactive action' Meanwhile, the Climate Change Advisory Council has said Ireland must establish a national register to monitor and record the economic, social, and environmental impacts of extreme weather events. It said climate changes fingerprints are increasingly evident in the scale and frequency of extreme weather events here, adding that we needed to urgently adapt to this situation. It cited the recent impacts of devastating storms such as Storm Eowyn as demonstrating the need for decisive steps. The time to act is now, its chair, Peter Thorne, said. Government cannot procrastinate any longer. Proactive action can and must improve our preparedness for and response to rapidly emerging climate risks, to protect and support people, and future-proof our communities. This must be underpinned by robust climate data and services. If we do not put the structures and resources in place, we will increasingly expose people and communities to the destructive effects of extreme weather events magnifying future costs and risks to society. The Irish Aviation Authority has denied it required alternate flight paths at Dublin Airport on foot of safety concerns, stating its role is solely to evaluate the safety of the paths with which it is presented. In a submission responding to a draft decision by An Bord Pleanala on nighttime flights at the airport, the IAA said that if the planning board had been uncertain regarding the authoritys role in determining those flight paths then it should have engaged directly with the regulator to obtain clarity. This is preferable to making assumptions regarding what is required for safe operations, the submission said. A report by an inspector with An Bord Pleanala underpinned the draft decision, which concerns a relevant action by airport administrator Daa seeking to alter the terms of planning for the Dublin Airports north runway. The report was delivered last September and asserted that night-time flights at the airport should be dramatically cut from their current levels. The flight paths initially approved for the north runway when it secured planning in 2007 would have seen aircraft fly in a straight line following takeoff. However, when the runway opened in August 2022, flights were instead turned at takeoff and diverted across a number of north Dublin and Meath communities, leading to an outcry among residents. The inspectors report described the decision to alter the flight paths as an IAA requirement. It also said that Daa had asserted repeatedly that the decision related to a safety issue and that no submissions had been received from the IAA regarding the requirement. Responding to that decision, the IAAs submission said that ABPs inspector had been under a misconception regarding the authoritys supposed role in requiring a diversion in the takeoff routes. The IAA did not specify any such requirement, the submission said, adding that flight paths are the responsibility of the aerodrome operator. A spokesperson for Daa said that new flight plans had been implemented per a safety issue as set down by ICAO (the International Civil Aviation Authority) which sees flights off parallel runways required to turn at takeoff for safety reasons. That ICAO requirement - which dates from 2004 - applies to runways in which air traffic operates independently, or without regard to, the activity on a parallel runway. In its submission, the IAA noted that there are different possible options regarding the flight paths in order to comply with safety requirements, such as operating the north runway in a dependent fashion, that is where air traffic can only take off or land on one parallel runway at any one time. More than 500 incidents of disinformation by hostile states, involving almost 70,000 posts and other online content, were identified by the EUs security and diplomatic service in the last year. The European Union External Action (EEAS) said the 38,000 online accounts and channels involved reveal the vast online infrastructure Russia and China use for Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) activities. Launching their third report on FIMI, the EUs diplomatic chief Kaja Kallas, said this activity was one of the biggest international threats to democratic societies. A threat that cuts into the heart of democracy, falsehood presented as facts, we have data being manipulated, we have outright lies being told, she said. She said that official Russian and Chinese channels are only the tip of the iceberg, boosted by an extensive covert network of state-linked channels hidden from the publics eye. The report identified 90 countries that were affected in their survey, conducted between November 2023 and November 2024. It said that Ukraine remains the main victim of FIMI attacks, accounting for almost half of the incidents, followed by France, Germany, and Moldova. Elections were a key target of FIMI attacks, with 42 Russian FIMI attempts recorded during the June European elections, the report said. It said that social media remained the hotbed of FIMI activity, with X, owned by Elon Musk, alone accounting for 88% of the detected activity. Social media remained the 'hotbed' of activity, with X, owned by Elon Musk, alone accounting for 88%. Picture: Evan Vucci The report said the 505 incidents of FIMI that they detected and analysed was a sample and that those incidents involved 38,000 unique channels, across 25 platforms and a total of 68,000 pieces of content. It found that 322 organisations were targeted, including the EU and Nato, the armed forces of certain Western countries and independent media, such as Le Parisien, BBC, France 24, Der Spiegel and La Stampa. The EEAS documented 41 cases where artificial intelligence was used. Last year alone, more than 90 countries and over 300 organisations were targets of attacks, Ms Kallas said. From the Paris Olympic and Paralympic games, to the presidential elections in Romania and Moldova. "We saw everything from disinformation about farmers protests in Germany, to biased material trying to legitimise Russias influence in the Middle East. Ms Kallas, who is EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, said FIMI was a major global threat. She said some critics dismiss FIMI as just a communications issue, but it was actually a tactic of war. She added: Sometimes it doesnt come directly from the mouth of the Russian ambassador. It comes from where you least expect it. For example, the Kremlin-operated Doppelganger campaign imitated the websites of Le Monde, Die Welt, The Guardian, and other renowned outlets. Ms Kallas said the information space is nothing less than a geopolitical battleground where we are currently losing the war. She said: Russia has invested over a billion euros in their state-controlled propaganda outlets in the last few years. "It is increasing [this] year on year." Continued Chinese development boosts opportunities for China-UK relations: ambassador Xinhua) 08:08, March 19, 2025 Chinese Ambassador to Britain Zheng Zeguang addresses the 2024 UK-China Business Forum in London, Britain, March 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ying) Zheng called on both sides to maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges, implement the outcomes of previous dialogues, and strengthen cooperation while properly handling differences between the two countries. LONDON, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador to the United Kingdom (UK) Zheng Zeguang has called on business communities in both countries to seize the opportunities presented by China's continued stable development. Zheng made the statement at an event held on Monday briefing the "two sessions": the annual meetings of the National People's Congress - China's top legislature, and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Zheng said this year's sessions have shown the world that China is committed to advancing the country's modernization with high-quality development. China will firmly act as an "enabler," providing "more stability and positive energy for the world," in areas such as economic development, sci-tech innovation, green transition, and global peace and stability, he added. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, co-chairs the 10th China-UK Strategic Dialogue with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, in London, Britain, Feb. 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ying) The "two sessions" also showed the success of China's political system, the ambassador stressed, adding that it is "the secret behind the two miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability" in China. Highlighting the importance of a stable and constructive China-UK relationship in a chaotic and turbulent world full of challenges, the ambassador called on both sides to maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges, implement the outcomes of previous dialogues, and strengthen cooperation while properly handling differences between the two countries. Sherard Cowper-Coles, chairman of the China-Britain Business Council, said that a Chinese government report released during the sessions responds to tackling serious challenges in a coherent and disciplined way. "It talks about increasing consumption, putting more money in the pockets of the Chinese people, stimulating innovation and opening China up more to investment, and inviting visitors around the world not just commercial businesses, but the tourists and students as well, all very very important," Cowper-Coles said. This photo taken on March 5, 2025 shows the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli) Michael Mainelli, former Lord Mayor of the City of London, acknowledged that this is a pivotal moment for the UK in the relationship between China, and the global community. He said the sessions "have set the stage for policies that will influence not only China's trajectory but also its interactions with the world." As a global financial and technology center, London looks forward to strengthening cooperation with China in finance, green finance, artificial intelligence and other fields, Mainelli noted. Sherard Cowper-Coles, chair of the China-Britain Business Council, speaks at a roadshow of the second China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) in London, Britain, May 24, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ying) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) A schoolteacher who claims she was falsely identified online as the so-called GAA Catfish has secured an interim injunction restraining her school from continuing a disciplinary process potentially leading to her dismissal. Niamh Farrell, from The Spires, Portadown, Co Armagh, has claimed in the High Court she was wrongly identified online as the person responsible for catfishing the practice of deceiving people online often in an attempt to lure them into a relationship various individuals in activities that were the subject of several podcasts by entertainment duo The 2 Johnnies. Arising from her identification and allegations made against her, Ms Farrell faces a disciplinary process brought against her by Colaiste Eanna, the secondary school on Ballyroan Rd, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16, where she has worked as a music teacher since 2019. Mr Justice Brian Cregan on Wednesday granted Conor Power, senior counsel for Ms Farrell, an interim injunction restraining the disciplinary process. The case, brought by Ms Farrell against the schools board of management, came before the judge on an ex parte basis, with only one side represented. Ms Farrell had been due to attend a disciplinary meeting with the board of management of the school next Tuesday, facing the risk of dismissal from her position. Disciplinary process In a sworn statement to the court, Ms Farrell says she has concerns that the school is relying on a completely flawed and unlawful disciplinary process in an effort to dismiss her, and is doing so because of the public attention that focused on the school and pressure from some parents in the wake of her being falsely identified as the GAA catfish. She is seeking orders restraining the schools board of management from taking any further step in the disciplinary process, any further step on foot of the report compiled by principal, and from interfering with her performances of her duties and responsibilities as a teacher. She says that her dismissal would have catastrophic consequences for her career and reputation. Podcasts published by The 2 Johnnies in 2022 described the alleged activities of an individual who created fictitious social media profiles, using those profiles to communicate with other people, often men, many of whom were involved in the GAA community. The podcasters published a follow-up episode on the subject in January this year. The podcasts did not name the individual alleged to have carried out the catfishing activities. Ms Farrell says that she became aware in 2022 that she had been wrongly identified by persons unknown to her as the alleged catfisher subject to the podcasts. Ms Farrell strenuously denies that she is the person behind the GAA catfish. Earlier this month, Ms Farrell says she was informed of an investigation report prepared by the principal of Colaiste Eanna for the purposes of a disciplinary process being brought against her. The report refers to the alleged activities of the GAA catfish, and Ms Farrell says, seems to consider that I have admitted to being that person [behind the GAA catfish]. Ms Farrell says that she has always denied that she is the person behind the GAA catfish, including to the principal of her school. The teacher raises various concerns with the principals investigation report, alleging that it fails to comply with even the most basic requirements of fair procedures and natural justice. It is her case that she is unclear as to the accusations made against her in the investigation report, and insofar as she is accused of engaging in catfishing, there is no evidence in the report to support such a claim. She says that as a result of the allegations made about her online, An Garda Siochana and the Police Service of Northern Ireland were in contact with her for the purposes of checking on her welfare. Her contact with the police forces, she says, has been mis-characterised by the report prepared ahead of the disciplinary meeting, and is instead framed as somehow supporting an allegation of wrongdoing. She says that she has never been accused of any criminal wrongdoing. She also notes that the investigation report references 63 communications received by the school from parents regarding the unfounded and hearsay allegations made against me online. Some of the allegations alleged serious criminal conduct, but I certainly have not been the subject of any police investigation, she says. She says that the report makes assertions that allegations made against her online have impacted on the school community, including staff and students. While stating that she regrets that the unfounded allegations have had such an impact, she says it is unclear to her how she is responsible for such allegations. Mr Power, for Ms Farrell, said that it seems that the allegation brought against his client in the investigation report is that she has brought the school into disrepute. The report also makes references to communications made by parents threatening to protest outside the school, Mr Power said. Ms Farrell says in her pleadings that the speculation online naming me as the GAA Catfish was, and remains, a source of significant distress to me. It has caused me severe distress and anguish and has affected my physical and mental health and my general wellbeing, she says. Mr Justice Cregan granted various interim injunctions, including an order restraining the board of management from taking further steps in the disciplinary process until further order of the court. The case returns next week. An initiative piloted in Co Cork could serve as a national template for easing the housing crisis by providing group homes for like-minded people. Cork County Council teamed up with ONE, the Defence Forces veterans charity, to create the pilot. It resulted in three residents moving out of the five-room ONE veterans support centre in Cobh and into a council house. This freed up vital accommodation for the charity, and instead of building costly individual one-bed units to house the men, the local authority was able to save taxpayers money by putting them under one roof. The council is in ongoing discussions with ONE to house another three men, and the local authoritys head of housing, Maurice Manning, says it is actively seeking similar initiatives across the community. ONE national chief executive Cormac Kirwan is urging other local authorities to follow the Cork County Council initiative, and not just for his charity, which has support centres all over the country and is set to open another one in Cork City. He said the charitys residential centres are nearly always full, and theres huge demand for the live-in spaces it has. Ex-military personnel are ideal candidates for such projects because of the camaraderie they build up as they're used to sharing accommodation on bases," he said. Mr Kirwan believes such projects could be extended into the wider public as there must be loads of likeminded people of certain ages and shared interests who would get on in group housing. Hugh Ferguson, 78, an ex-soldier originally from Galway, was one of those who was previously housed at the ONE centre at Harbour Row, Cobh. Like one of his new housemates in the council house in the same town, William Hourihane, 66, who served with the reserves, he maintained its a no-brainer to put like-minded people together in social housing. However, both acknowledged that living in each others pockets in barrack dormitories has made it easier for people like them to bond. Their new home, although purchased for them by the county council, was decked out with appliances by ONE, and other charities including the local Lions Club. Independent Ireland councillor Ger Curley, who is ex-Navy, praised Mr Manning and John Lawlor, who runs the ONE residential centre in Cobh, for their foresight. Yes, its easier for former Defence Forces personnel to get on with each other because of their training. But this pilot scheme could be pushed out to other like-minded people who get on. It is a lot cheaper to put three people in one house than build three individual units for them. It makes complete sense, Mr Curley said. Also, the lads living in their new home can share the utility bills, whereas those in individual units cant. Thats another plus as is people living together in one house and not on their own where being isolated can lead to mental health issues, Mr Curley added. The Tanaiste has said he is "alarmed" after Hungary's parliament passed a law banning Pride events and allowing authorities to use facial recognition software to identify attendees. Hungary's prime minister Viktor Orbans right-wing populist party brought forward the law as part of a continued crackdown on the countrys LGBT+ community. The measure passed in a 136-27 vote, having only been brought forward on Monday morning. It amends Hungarys law on assembly to make it an offence to hold or attend events that violate Hungarys contentious child protection legislation, which prohibits the depiction or promotion of homosexuality to minors under 18. Attending a prohibited event will carry fines up to 200,000 Hungarian forints (504), which the state must forward to child protection, according to the text of the law. Reacting on Wednesday, Simon Harris said the move restricted LGBTQ+ rights even further. Picture: PA Reacting on Wednesday, Simon Harris said the move restricted LGBTQ+ rights even further. In a statement, he said: "I am alarmed that the Hungarian Parliament has passed legislation which further restricts the rights of the LGBTQ+ community in Hungary. "The EU is founded on fundamental values which all Member States are obligated to uphold and defend. This development is the latest in a series of measures by the Hungarian Government which targets civil society space, independent media and minorities, including the LGBTQ+ community. Ireland will continue to stand up for those targeted by such regressive measures. "We will also continue to strongly support the LGBTQ+ community in Hungary, and will vocally defend their rights, as guaranteed under EU Law. "We urge the Hungarian Government to cease targeting the LGBTQ+ community in Hungary and urge them to abide by their obligations under EU Law." Justice minister Jim OCallaghan has been accused of a dereliction of duty for failing to deal with online misinformation and the spread of the far-right. Gary Gannon, Social Democrats TD for Dublin Central, raised concerns about a lack of work done in the aftermath of the Dublin riots to examine those who incited the unrest. He welcomed some updates from Mr OCallaghan, including more gardai in Dublin city as well as the ability to deploy water cannons where necessary. However, Mr Gannon said that it appeared that there was no mention of the far-right within a Policing Authority report, which he described as an oversight. Mr Gannon referred to previous comments by Mr OCallaghan, where the justice minister spoke about not spending a huge amount of time looking at whats online because theres so much inaccurate information. He said that this was unacceptable, given online communications and social media was where the riot was sparked in the first place. I absolutely do think its a dereliction of duty and it just dismisses where these groups are organising and where theyre fomenting their hate, Mr Gannon said. He added that there needs to be an enhancement of Garda intelligence, including extra staff. The Social Democrats TD claimed the failure to publish the Policing Authority report until now shows that there isnt an urgency to tackle dangers in Dublin city. Theyre [the Government] just missing in action, Mr Gannon said. Meanwhile, Mr Gannon also hit out at former MMA fighter Conor McGregor attending the White House for St Patricks Day, saying that he was far from representing Ireland. He said that Mr McGregor did not have the self-awareness to understand the ridiculousness of what he was saying. When Tanaiste and foreign affairs minister Simon Harris travels to Lebanon in the coming weeks, top of his to-do list will be to put pressure on authorities there to bring to justice the killers of Irish peacekeeper Private Sean Rooney. With hearings involving one of the suspects adjourned three times since his arrest more than two years ago, Mr Harris will doubtless have concerns to raise. There are also issues closer to home that need to be dealt with. Unanswered questions include those raised around the vehicles, communications, and navigation systems the Defence Forces were using in Lebanon at the time. They also include questions around operating procedures related to convoys and pre-departure briefings. Also at issue is to what extent were all the soldiers in the two-car convoy fully briefed about dealing with so-called "denial of movement" incidents. There had been at least six of these incidents where Unifil vehicles had been stopped by groups of unidentified men in southern Lebanon in just over a year before Pte Rooneys vehicle was stopped. While the Lebanese authorities are being left to deal with the criminal element of what happened on the night of December 14, 2022, everything else is down to the UN and the Irish Defence Forces. To date, the best version of events centres around what happened after Pte Rooney arrived at a southern Lebanese checkpoint on the night of December 14, 2022, at about 10pm. Not far from the coast, it is a point at which Unifils area of operation ceases and where troops normally stretch their legs and have a break. The scene of the attack in Lebanon which led to Private Sean Rooney's death. Both vehicles had arrived there, carrying a number of men who were due to fly home from Beirut Airport. One of those was Trooper Shane Kearney, from Cork, who was travelling with Pte Rooney on what is known as an administrative run. The two-hour trip was from Irish Camp Shamrock, near At-Tiri, about 13km from the Israeli border, to Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport. In the two years before the convoy set out, Hezbollah had reportedly been busy establishing what the US think tank, The Atlantic Council, later described as a new and visible military footprint in the heart of Unifils area of operations. They had even managed to establish their own firing ranges in southern Lebanon. As a result, members of the paramilitary organisation and supportive locals were always likely to be nervous when they saw any military vehicle. As a result, Unifil troops usually stuck to set routes, drove closely together and also maintained regular radio contact especially if travelling without a Lebanese Armed Forces escort. The trip from Camp Shamrock takes about 25 minutes to get to the outskirts of the coastal city of Tyre, and before moving straight up along a stretch near the coast to the airport. From Tyre, it takes about 15 minutes to get to the checkpoint at the River Litani, and it was at this point that things started to go very wrong. While both sets of men got back in their vehicles to carry on to Beirut, only one of the two vehicles moved off at about 10.26pm local time. This was the lead vehicle, in which Pte Rooneys senior officer Captain David Kelly was in. The Irish Examiner has been told Pte Rooney could not move because his vehicle had failed to start after its onboard electronic counter measures, used to jam radio waves to prevent remote detonation of improvised explosive devices, had been turned on. While it was on, it interfered with the vehicles electronic key. The electronic counter measure (ECM) had been configured before Pte Rooneys vehicle had left Camp Shamrock, and nobody in his vehicle knew how to operate it properly because, according to sources, they had not been trained in how to do so. As well as jamming the electric key, it is understood the ECM also prevented Pte Rooney using onboard Defence Forces radio communications. If they had been trained in how to bypass the ECMs jamming capabilities, they would have known there was usually a specific frequency to allow troops to use their radio. The drive from the checkpoint to a junction that leads onto the main Highway 51 into Beirut is four minutes up a straight piece of road. Peacekeepers normally then take a sharp right at a roundabout, cross over Highway 51, and then take a slip road before heading north to Beirut. The Irish Examiner has been told the senior captain David Kelly has told investigators he believed Pte Rooney was behind him. This is because a vehicle with the same or similar headlights followed him from the checkpoint. Capt Kelly is only understood to have realised Pte Rooney was not behind him at 10.44pm, 18 minutes after he last saw Pte Rooney and his colleagues. Up to that point, he and his men were oblivious to the equipment struggles of their colleagues struggles they eventually overcame. After a period of time, Pte Rooney and his colleagues managed to get their vehicle working, and they pulled away from the checkpoint, back up that four-minute stretch of road towards the junction and that sharp right turn to get onto Highway 51 to Beirut. But instead of taking the same route as Capt Kelly, Pte Rooney drove straight past a sharp turn right. He drove up the Adloun section of the old coast road, past a service station, before he passed the town of Saksakieh after about 11 minutes, before going to the town of Sarafand. It is from around here, according to local media reports, that Pte Rooneys vehicle was followed for a period by men on mopeds. One of them is understood to have attempted to approach his vehicle. The soldiers who were all armed would have been told in this scenario not to stop, to keep windows shut and keep going. However, another source has since alleged a routine face-to-face briefing that usually happened between new peacekeepers and local Lebanese civilians had not happened. In these briefings, peacekeepers are advised on how to de-escalate various situations. Word is said to have spread among locals about a suspicious vehicle in the area, as it now drove towards the next available junction onto Highway 51, near the town of Al-Aqbieh. At 10.50pm, contact was finally made between the two vehicles via their respective WhatsApp accounts, it is understood. Capt Kelly had to radio through to Camp Shamrock and ask for a private number for anyone in Pte Rooneys vehicle. He is understood to have later told his superiors he again spoke to his second-in-command and one of the four in Pte Rooneys vehicle at 11.20pm. At some stage in his attempt to get to Pte Rooney, Capt Kellys vehicle suffered a puncture and stopped. They are understood to have heard shots being fired and believing themselves to be under fire ducked for cover in nearby fields. Moments before Capt Kelly and his colleagues vehicle had to stop, Pte Rooney and his colleagues had arrived in or near al-Aqibiyah. A crowd of at least 30 people are understood to have surrounded the vehicle and it was stationary for an amount of time, according to mobile phone videos shot from apartments overlooking the street. However, Pte Rooney drove away from the crowd as attempts to break into the vehicle succeeded in opening the back of his vehicle. Video of what happened next shows the vehicle swerving past a group of people near a junction of two roads between Sarafand and al-Aqibiyah, which is a known stronghold for the paramilitary organisation Hezbollah. The vehicle appears to collide with a parked car and then is driven up the main street out of the village and on the Baisariyeh road towards Route 51, just a few minutes away. As the vehicle leaves, however, a volley of shots can be heard being fired at and into the vehicle from behind. It is understood at least two gunmen allegedly linked to Hezbollah fired at the vehicle. It is clear from the video its tailgate was down and the back of the armoured vehicle was exposed. Moments later, it collided with a pylon and crashed into a shop. Trooper Kearney sustained serious injuries. The men were tended to by paramedics from the Risalah Scouts Ambulance service before being rushed to nearby Raai Hospital, 12 minutes away. Members of the Lebanese Armed Forces were very quickly on the scene, immediately securing the soldiers weapons, their ID cards and name badges, their bags and other luggage, and even their watches. These were all handed over to the Irish Defence Forces later and it was ascertained none of their weapons had been discharged at any point during or after the initial confrontation. Lebanese soldiers were placed outside the entrances to the hospital which was described as being in a state of chaos at the time to ensure the safety of the wounded soldiers inside. They also stood guard outside each of the rooms where the soldiers were. One of those rooms contained two soldiers who had escaped serious injury. Someone who spoke to them shortly after their arrival later described them as being in a state of shock and very concerned for their safety and for the welfare and whereabouts of their colleagues. They were unaware Trooper Shane Kearney had sustained extremely serious head injuries when the vehicle had overturned. They were also unaware Pte Rooneys body was laid out in another room nearby. Unifil completed what is known as an administrative report in January 2023, which is understood to have concluded Pte Rooneys death followed a series of unfortunate situations. This report was then sent to the United Nations in New York, where there was then a board of inquiry convened, and it then produced another report. Other reports have also been written by gardai, the Lebanese Armed Forces, and the Defence Forces. However, neither the UN or the Unifil reports are full investigative reports. They are instead reviews on protocols and procedures. As a diplomatic source with knowledge of the Pte Rooney case has pointed out to the Irish Examiner, the UNs board of inquiry is a review of administrative procedures and whether or not proper administrative processes were followed. Among the documents that were provided to the Irish government last year was an unredacted version of this report. The diplomatic source said: The reports and annexes amounted to several hundred pages. The BOI report was provided without redactions, as was the case in 2023, although the annexes to that report were redacted, consistent with the redactions made to the Unifil investigation reports. Pte Rooneys family have only seen a smaller folder of heavily redacted documents they were not allowed to take away with them. No sooner had the Rooney family lawyer Darragh Mackin raised issues around the lack of information provided to the family, than a fresh inquiry was suddenly announced by the Government last November. This inquiry, led by senior counsel Michael Delaney, will look into how among other things Defence Forces personnel are trained and briefed, how convoys are planned and how standard operating procedures worked in this case. The launch of the inquiry may in time help establish what failings occurred. Both the Defence Forces and the Department of Defence were asked about issues of concern around Pte Rooneys death, but they said it would be inappropriate for them to comment due to the ongoing inquiries by both the Dublin Coroner and Mr Delaney. Last week, a court judgement by District Court judge Conor Fottrell regarding the failure by Tusla the child and family agency to have a social worker allocated to around 250 children in State care in the Greater Dublin area, contrary to court orders and good practice, was published. It attracted widespread attention from various quarters, including from the Irish Association of Social Workers (IASW). Matt Murphy, laid to rest on Sherkin Island, West Cork, last week, profoundly impacted my path in life over the 30-plus years I had the pleasure of knowing him. I was just one of more than 600 research volunteers, referred to endearingly by the islanders as the Bods, who had the privilege of working at Sherkin Island Marine Station. The marine station, nestled on the northern shores of Sherkin in Roaringwater Bay, was co-founded by Matt alongside his late wife, Eileen, in 1975. Over 40 years, Matt facilitated the collection of an extraordinary volume of data, including Irelands most extensive phytoplankton monitoring programme, studies on rocky shore ecosystems, otters, birds, underwater macrofauna, rock pools, insects, and plants. He published four books and an environmental newspaper, ran conferences, and facilitated an extensive schools outreach programme. Every time I read another headline about the imperative of EU Rearmament, I cant help but think of the Talking Heads song, "We're on a road to nowhere." I guess you have to take the chuckles when they come. At the weekend, a journalist friend and I laughed at an article detailing how the German army struggles to recruit Zoomers. The Germans have invested 100 billion in new equipment for the German armed forces, but staffing is a problem. Gen Z is not looking to die for their country or any other European country a quarter of the young recruits who signed up in 2023 left the German army rapidly. My journalist friend joked: What do you mean there are no flat whites on the frontline? Joshing aside, maybe Gen Z has a point, but more of that later. Sophia Besch, a senior researcher at the Washington Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, was quoted in the article as saying: We have to ask ourselves what young Germans would be willing to fight for today. Is it Germany? Is it the European project? She raises an interesting point. The European project What is the European project now? If we lose the compassionate postwar societies that make Europe Europe, what exactly are we being asked to defend? As America steps away from giving us security guarantees, European countries are figuring out how to afford massively increased defence spending. As I wrote last week, spending on defence will necessitate deep cuts elsewhere, most likely to welfare, which is what the UK chancellor Rachel Reeves is hinting she will do in the spring. The consensus seems to be that spending on defence will have to rise beyond 2% or 3% of the GDP. However, not everyone is on board. Earlier this month, international scientists released a manifesto against the proposal to rearm the European Union, countering the belligerent narrative we are being asked to swallow. They point out that humankind faces tremendous global challengesthe last thing we need today is the Old Continent to move from a beacon of stability and peace to becoming a new warlord. A cynical part of me wonders if the drive to spend on arms is partly linked to a desire to boost Europes flagging economy. I accept thats a simplistic analysis, but the political risks and moral hazard of slashing welfare to spend on defence are stark. As the tom-toms of war sound in the background, it can feel like we are sleepwalking our way back to a darker past. The founders of the European project envisaged a united, prosperous, and peaceful Europe that would act as a bulwark against other European wars. Unity was the ultimate goal after the carnage of the Second World War, with a consensus primarily constructed on Christian social teaching that included respecting human rights and an agreement to shield citizens. As the EU has been hit by a series of challenges, including the 2007 financial crisis, austerity, Brexit, covid-19 and the war in Ukraine, policymakers worry about weakening social cohesion across Europe, a rise in political polarisation and a drift towards populism. Is potentially cutting social welfare likely to exacerbate this drift? The statistics on rising income equality within Europe vary according to the sources you consult. However, one Eurostat I read suggests that 21% of the EU population is at risk of poverty or social exclusion. A snapshot of our country shows a growing demand for support from the voluntary sector for basic necessities like food, heating and hygiene products. Another concern across Europe is that younger generations have fewer opportunities and reduced social mobility than their parents due to the rising cost of living, precarious work, and lack of housing. None of this contributes to well-being and a sense of togetherness, a societal asset we must protect. If we cut social welfare budgets for defence spending, which is polluted thinking, we create a world of even greater inequality and, therefore, greater political intransigence. Suppose we allow Trump and Putin to define our European project and tilt us towards a world of aggression, war, and conquest, a zero-sum game with winners and losers. In that case, we presumably create fertile conditions for more Giorgia Melonis, Marine Le Pens, and Viktor Orbans to flourish. Social cohesion through national service Now is the time to strengthen the European Union and its values. Targeted investment in social cohesion is crucial to ensuring solidarity across Europe rather than cutting welfare. To this end, while I am sympathetic to the Zoomers who leave the German army because they dont want to fight, we should consider introducing a year, if not two, of national service for all young Europeans, with military and non-military options. We constantly read about how young people are floundering and suffering from high anxiety. The pandemic led to an even greater atomisation and a lack of purpose, which the sociologist Emile Durkheim called anomie. Anomie can happen on an individual and societal level with a loss of sense of social belonging and a breakdown of social norms that keep us connected. I have long believed that we live in a world where rights are everything, and responsibilities are sidelined. This has been unhealthy. On the military side, armies fall far short of their recruitment goals. This might help to encourage suitable recruits into the defence forces. If this sounds too right-wing and North Korean or Israeli to you, Switzerland has a national service programme, yet neutrality is a core principle of Swiss foreign policy. Compelling young people from diverse backgrounds to mix, collaborate, and work for a greater good, in this case, European ideals, would foster greater social understanding, civic pride, unity, and a greater sense of purpose. Asking young people to get on board to generate enthusiasm for the European project could be a positive social integrator and a way to build a united Europe. It should be mandatory. There should be no exceptions for the children of the well-heeled to finagle their way out of service. You could have the option to defer until after your education is completed. For example, if you were a junior doctor, you could give back to the State rather than head to the nearest airport after an expensive education heavily subsidised by the taxpayer. Yes, it would be a huge administrative task, but we are at a turning point where we need to think big. The European Community is figuring out how to fund the war machine, so presumably, they can create a common fund to initiate a social cohesion project like this and fight for unity and peace. More than ever, we need people to believe in a shared set of distinctly European values and to promote an understanding of what it means to be a European. To do this, we must remind ourselves why the European Union was established and what the last peak in nationalistic thinking led to. We can rebuild a common European house without losing our souls. Part of that is fostering ecosystems that go beyond weapons and contribute to building a more resilient Europe in a time of conflict. I can see it now: logos on recruits' T-shirts. Dont dim your light; shine brightly for Europe. Municipal workers in Kocani dug graves on Tuesday for the dozens of young people killed in a nightclub fire as protests were held in cities across North Macedonia. Authorities said the nightclub blaze in the eastern town early on Sunday was caused by indoor use of pyrotechnics and numerous safety violations at the venue, killing 59 people and injuring more than 150 during a live concert. The fire has sparked outrage over alleged bribery and corruption linked to the safety violations at the nightclub. Crews used excavators to dig rows of graves in Kocani as the town awaits the burial of young residents whose remains are still being processed for identification. People light candles as thousands gather in protest for the victims of a massive nightclub fire in the town of Kocani, in Skopje, North Macedonia (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu) Its very bad, very bad. I have been crying for three days, resident Dragi Ignjatov said. Children of our friends are gone. It cant be worse than this, for Macedonia and for our city. Late on Tuesday, rallies were held in solidarity with the victims families with thousands gathering in the capital Skopje, holding up candles and mobile phone flashlights during the nighttime event. Pensioner Zoran Jovanovski said he hoped the tragedy would trigger reforms to fight corruption. The solution is very hard. There needs to be a change in mentality a different way to run this country, he said. Government officials appealed for calm after some demonstrations a day earlier had turned violent. Protesters in Kocani overturned a van, hurled rocks at a municipal building and smashed a cafeteria believed to have shared ownership with the nightclub. Investigations have so far revealed that the club was operating at least double its 250-person capacity without proper licensing. Officials say the numerous safety violations included no emergency exits, insufficient fire equipment, the use of flammable cladding and no sprinkler system. Many victims were trampled as panicked concertgoers rushed towards a single exit. Neighbouring Serbia and Bulgaria, which immediately offered assistance following the tragedy, observed a day of national mourning on Tuesday in solidarity with North Macedonia. Medical specialists from the Czech Republic, Serbia and Israel have arrived to support treatment efforts for the injured, Health Ministry officials said. The European Union is helping transport burn victims to nearby countries. Around 50 patients are being treated in mostly neighbouring and nearby countries, the majority of them with serious burns. The disaster has intensified scrutiny of corruption in North Macedonia, which the EU has previously identified as a major obstacle to the countrys accession to the bloc. Authorities are investigating allegations that club owners bribed officials to bypass safety regulations. The government has ordered nationwide inspections of all nightclubs and other entertainment venues. In neighbouring Greece, North Macedonias foreign affairs and health ministers visited a hospital where three burn victims, aged 19, 25 and 26, are being treated in intensive care. Foreign minister Timco Mucunski described the fire as the most tragic moment in the history of my nation. Speaking to reporters in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki, he said: This is a moment that will most likely remain in our collective memory for our lifetimes. But what will also remain in our collective memory and we must never forget is the solidarity that we have received. The leader of a far-right party has returned to Israels government as national security minister after a wave of strikes that killed more than 400 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Itamar Ben-Gvir had left Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus coalition in January in protest over the ceasefire with Hamas, which was shattered by Israels bombardment on Tuesday. US President Donald Trump has begun a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the White House has said. Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed on Tuesday to stop attacking Ukrainian energy facilities temporarily but declined to endorse a full 30-day ceasefire that President Donald Trump hoped would be the first step toward a permanent peace deal. Moscow and Kyiv accused each other on Wednesday of launching air attacks that damaged infrastructure just hours after their leaders agreed to a limited ceasefire to halt attacks on energy infrastructure. Mr Zelenskyy, in a joint briefing in Helsinki with Finnish president Alexander Stubb, said Putin's words were not enough and that Ukraine would provide a list of energy facilities it hopes the US and allies would help monitor. "Even last night, after Putins conversation with Trump, when Putin said that he was allegedly giving orders to stop strikes on Ukrainian energy, there were 150 drones launched overnight, including on energy facilities," he said. "I really want there to be control. But I believe that the main agent of this control should be the United States of America. "If the Russians will not strike our facilities, then we will definitely not strike theirs." Earlier, the White House meanwhile has described the call between Mr Trump and Mr Putin as the first step in a movement to peace that Washington hopes will include a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and eventually a full and lasting end to the fighting. But there was no indication that Mr Putin had backed away from his conditions for a prospective peace deal, which are fiercely opposed by Kyiv. Mr Zelenskyy said that one of the most difficult issues in future negotiations would be the issue of territorial concessions. For us, the red line is the recognition of the Ukrainian temporarily occupied territories as Russian, he said. We will not go for it. Shortly after the lengthy phone call between Mr Trump and Mr Putin on Tuesday, air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv, followed by explosions as residents took shelter. Despite efforts to repel the attack, Kyiv's air force said it destroyed 72 of 145 drones launched by Russia overnight on Wednesday, while Russia's defence ministry said its units downed 57 Ukrainian drones. Separately, authorities in the Krasnodar region bordering the Crimean Peninsula, which was annexed by Russia in 2014, reported that a drone attack there started a fire at an oil depot. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. An N.C. House Select Committee is recommending that the General Assembly change a state law forcing districts to start school the Monday closest to Aug. 26 and end no later than the Friday clo Germanys parliament has sanctioned a significant surge in spending, marking a departure from years of fiscal conservatism, with the aim of stimulating economic growth and enhancing military expenditure for a new phase of European collective defense. This endorsement in the Bundestag provides a substantial boost to conservative leader Friedrich Merz, granting the chancellor-in-waiting access to hundreds of billions of euros for ramping up investments following two years of contraction in Europes largest economy. Under pressure to strengthen their defenses in light of an aggressive Russia and shifts in U.S. policy under President Donald Trump, Germany and other European nations are striving to ensure their security. We need your consent to load this rte-player content. We utilize rte-player to manage additional content that may set cookies on your device and gather data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preferences. Mr. Merzs conservatives, alongside the Social Democrats (SPD), who are negotiating to form a centrist coalition following last months election, aim to establish a 500 billion fund for infrastructure and modify constitutionally mandated borrowing rules to facilitate increased defense spending. The decision we are making today regarding defense readiness represents nothing less than the first significant step towards a new European defense community, he stated. Next, the legislation must be reviewed by the Bundesrat, the upper house that represents the governments of Germanys 16 federal states. A major obstacle to its passage appeared to diminish yesterday when the Bavarian Free Voters agreed to support the proposals. The conservatives and SPD were eager to pass the legislation through the outgoing parliament, fearing it might face opposition from an expanded contingent of far-right and far-left representatives in the next Bundestag convening on 25 March. Germany has faced pressure to bolster its defenses amid changes in U.S. policy. Mr. Merz has defended the expedited timeline due to the swiftly evolving geopolitical climate. The proposals have already elevated euro zone yields, the euro, and European stocks over the past week. Germanys blue-chip DAX index, which had been nearing record highs before the vote, saw some gains recede, while yields on ten-year bonds slightly decreased following the widely anticipated endorsement of the spending plan. The euro, which has gained strength recently with news of the agreement, eased slightly. This decision has the potential to redefine our nations history, signaling a positive beginning for Germany and for Europe, asserted SPD leader Lars Klingbeil. Europe is facing an aggressive Russia on one side and an unpredictable United States on the other. Easing the debt brake The reforms represent a significant rollback of the so-called debt brake imposed following the 2008 global financial crisis, a measure that has since been criticized as outdated and constraining for Germanys fiscal policy. The prospects of a borrowing surge have elevated German investor confidence more than anticipated, according to the ZEW economic research institute. The construction industry can expect an influx of resources from the fund to revamp Germanys aging infrastructure, while the defense sector is also poised to benefit. The anticipation of a fiscal bonanza is driving expectations to new heights. In the absence of tariff disputes, these expectations could have been even brighter, remarked Alexander Krueger, chief economist at the private bank Hauck Aufhauser Lampe. Conservative leader Friedrich Merz is pictured speaking in the Bundestag. However, critics, including some within his own party, accuse Mr. Merz of voter fraud for initially pledging fiscal restraint during the campaign only to announce a shift in fiscal policy shortly after achieving victory. A politicians most valuable asset is credibility, stated Tino Chrupalla, co-leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), during the discussion. With these disconcerting actions, Mr. Merz, you have utterly squandered yours. Voters feel betrayed by you, and rightfully so. Economists warn that additional reforms are essential, such as reducing bureaucracy, to ensure sustainable growth. Fitch Ratings has also cautioned that Germanys esteemed AAA credit rating could face pressure in the long term if its expansive spending strategy is not balanced by consolidation measures or fails to yield lasting growth improvements. Taoiseach Micheal Martin has condemned Israels airstrikes across Gaza this morning, which have led to hundreds of civilian casualties, stating that there must be an immediate halt to all hostilities in the region. Reports indicate strikes occurred in various areas, including northern Gaza, Gaza City, and Deir al-Balah, Khan Younis, and Rafah in central and southern Gaza. According to the health ministry in Gaza, the death toll from these strikes has escalated to at least 413. The airstrikes have drawn condemnation from high-ranking UN officials, as well as from Egypt, Turkey, and Jordan. For the sake of the civilians in Gaza, who have already endured unimaginable hardships, there must be a prompt end to all hostilities, said Mr. Martin. Damage following the airstrikes is visible in the Shejaiya residential district, east of Gaza City. The remaining hostages need to be released. Their families have suffered for far too long. I have consistently called for the unconditional release of all hostages held in Gaza, he continued. We must immediately resume humanitarian access to the people in Gaza, and at a significant scale. This is not only a requirement of international humanitarian law but also a moral obligation. I urge all parties to step back from the edge of renewed all-out war and focus instead on reaching a permanent resolution to the fighting and creating a pathway to peace. The UNs human rights chief earlier expressed horror at the Israeli strikes on Gaza, which Palestinian authorities claim have resulted in hundreds of deaths, thus ending a two-month ceasefire with Hamas. I am horrified by last nights Israeli airstrikes and shelling in Gaza, which have reportedly killed hundreds, according to the Ministry of Health in the strip. This will add tragedy upon tragedy, stated High Commissioner Volker Turk. Israels continued military actions will only inflict further suffering on a Palestinian population already facing catastrophic conditions. UN Human Rights chief Volker Turk remarked that the strikes will bring about additional tragedies. UN chief Antonio Guterres expressed being shocked by the airstrikes and reiterated the necessity for a ceasefire, as stated by a spokesperson. He strongly appeals for the adherence to the ceasefire, for humanitarian assistance to be resumed unimpeded, and for the unconditional release of the remaining hostages, the spokesman said. Israel has committed to continuing its military operations in Gaza until all hostages are returned and has unleashed its most intense bombardments since a truce came into effect on January 19. The initial stage of the ceasefire, facilitated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, had largely halted over 15 months of conflict in Gaza that was sparked by Hamass attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Strikes were documented in various regions, including northern Gaza, Gaza City, as well as central and southern locations like Deir al-Balah, Khan Younis, and Rafah. The Gaza health ministry has reported that the death toll from the strikes has increased to at least 413. So far, 413 martyrs have been received in hospitals in the Gaza Strip, stated a health ministry release, adding: Several victims remain trapped under the rubble, and efforts are ongoing to retrieve them. Hamas, which has not yet responded to the airstrikes, accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of deciding to resume war following a deadlock in truce talks, warning that returning to conflict could be a death sentence for those hostages still alive in Gaza. The Red Cross aid agency has reported that medical facilities in Gaza are overwhelmed due to the recent Israeli strikes. Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris described the airstrikes as deeply disturbing. Reports of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza are deeply concerning. We need to see a permanent end to hostilities and a pathway to peace. pic.twitter.com/VLY3MKbtox Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) March 18, 2025 In the meantime, Turkey has condemned Israels strikes on Gaza as a new phase in its genocide policy. The Turkish government stated that Israel is defying humanity through its violations of international law. The massacre of hundreds of Palestinians in Israels attacks on Gaza demonstrates that the Netanyahu administrations genocide policy has entered a new phase, the foreign ministry declared. Egypt has likewise condemned the strikes, asserting that they violate the ceasefire agreement and represent a dangerous escalation in the ongoing conflict. US President Donald Trump has made available materials related to the 1963 assassination of former president John F. Kennedy, fulfilling his campaign promise to enhance transparency regarding this shocking incident in Texas. A significant batch of electronic copies of documents was uploaded to the National Archives website last evening, with expectations that over 80,000 additional materials will be published after Justice Department lawyers spent considerable time reviewing them. The digital files, which include PDFs of previously classified memos, provide insights into the tense atmosphere of the time, particularly concerning US relations with the Soviet Union, shortly after the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis that brought the world close to nuclear conflict. This release is likely to captivate those with a long-standing interest in the dramatic historical context surrounding the assassination and John F. Kennedy himself. An initial assessment of the documents did not reveal any deviations from the established narrative. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services under Mr. Trump, and a direct descendant of Robert Kennedy as well as John F. Kennedy, has suggested that the Central Intelligence Agency was involved in his uncles assassination, a claim that the agency has declared to be unfounded. John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas in 1963. Jack Schlossberg, JFKs grandson, mentioned on X: The Trump administration did not provide any advance notice to President Kennedys family regarding the release. Fredrik Logevall, a Harvard historian and author of JFK: Coming of Age in the American Century 1917-56, remarked that the newly released documents may help clarify the historical narrative. Its beneficial to release all documentation, ideally in an unredacted format. However, I do not anticipate significant new revelations that would fundamentally alter our understanding of the event, he stated. One document marked secret contained a typewritten account with handwritten annotations detailing a 1964 interview conducted by a Warren Commission researcher with CIA employee Lee Wigren, who was questioned about inconsistencies in information provided to the commission by the State Department and the CIA regarding marriages between Soviet women and American men. At the time of the assassination, Oswald was married to a Soviet woman, Marina Oswald. Documents from the US Department of Defense dating back to 1963 addressed the Cold War dynamics of the early 1960s and US involvement in Latin America, focusing on efforts to undermine Cuban leader Fidel Castros support for communist movements in other countries. These documents indicate that Castro would likely avoid provoking a conflict with the United States or escalating tensions to a level that could seriously and immediately endanger the Castro regime. It seems more probable that Castro would intensify his backing of subversive forces in Latin America, the document states. The assassination of JFK is attributed to Lee Harvey Oswald. Another document released from January 1962 outlines a top-secret initiative titled Operation Mongoose, or simply the Cuban Project, which was a CIA-led effort of covert operations and sabotage against Cuba, authorized by Kennedy in 1961 with the objective of toppling the Castro regime. Shortly after taking office in January, Mr. Trump signed an order regarding the release of these documents, prompting the Federal Bureau of Investigation to uncover thousands of additional materials related to the Kennedy assassination in Dallas. In the rush to comply with Trumps directive, the US Justice Department instructed several lawyers who manage sensitive national security issues to urgently examine records pertaining to the assassination, according to an email viewed by Reuters. President Trump is ushering in a new era of maximum transparency, stated Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard in a post on X. Alice L. George, a historian and author of The Assassination of John F. Kennedy: Political Trauma and American Memory, noted that the American publics fascination with assassinations and the pressing questions about government transparency contribute to the sentiment that there must be crucial evidence concealed within these files. However, she expressed skepticism regarding whether government records would satisfy the lingering questions people have. I anticipate that more records may continue to be released, she explained. I sincerely doubt any will unveil major revelations. The Warren Commission report was comprehensive, but it was compiled while many key participants were still alive. Its far more challenging to uncover the truth when most of those involved are deceased. The murder of Kennedy has consistently been attributed to a lone gunman, Oswald. In the decades since, the Justice Department and various federal agencies have reaffirmed that conclusion. Yet, polls indicate that a significant number of Americans continue to believe his death was the result of a conspiracy. Additionally, Mr. Trump has pledged to release documents regarding the assassinations of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and Senator Robert Kennedy, both of whom were killed in 1968. He has granted additional time to develop a plan for those releases. Zelensky to Engage with Trump, Urges US to Oversee Ceasefire Compliance Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he will have a conversation with US President Donald Trump later today, emphasizing that the United States should oversee any potential ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia with a focus on energy infrastructure. Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed yesterday to temporarily cease assaults on Ukrainian energy facilities but stopped short of supporting a comprehensive 30-day ceasefire that President Trump envisaged as a pathway to a lasting peace agreement. Moscow and Kyiv have each accused the other of launching airstrikes that damaged infrastructure just hours after their leaders agreed to a limited ceasefire aimed at protecting energy assets. During a joint briefing in Helsinki with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Mr. Zelensky stated that Mr. Putins assurances were insufficient and that Ukraine would compile a list of energy facilities that they hope the US and its allies will help monitor. If the Russians refrain from striking our facilities, then we will certainly not target theirs. Earlier, Kyivs air force reported the destruction of 72 out of 145 drones launched by Russia overnight, while Russias defense ministry claimed it had downed 57 Ukrainian drones. We need your consent to load this comcast-player content. We use comcast-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preferences Putin unwilling to make concessions Following the phone call between Mr. Putin and Mr. Trump yesterday, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas remarked that Russia cannot be trusted. If you review the two summaries from the call, it is evident that Russia does not truly wish to make any concessions, Ms. Kallas conveyed to reporters in Brussels. Ukraine has accused Russia of effectively dismissing the ceasefire proposal, noting a continuous barrage of strikes on civilian infrastructure just hours after Moscow agreed to a temporary halt on attacks against energy facilities. The United States has advocated for an immediate 30-day ceasefire as an initial measure to bring an end to the ongoing three-year war. However, during the phone call yesterday, Mr. Putin asserted that any comprehensive agreement would depend on the West ceasing all military assistance and intelligence to Ukraine. While the call did not achieve the significant ceasefire that Ukraine had hoped for, it did result in a more limited commitment to halt attacks on energy infrastructure for 30 days. Today, Russia and Ukraine are also set to exchange 175 prisoners each as a goodwill gesture, with further discussions planned to occur immediately in the Middle East. An explosion is seen in the sky over Kyiv during a Russian drone strike amid Russias attack on Ukraine. Explosions were heard, and air raid sirens sounded in Ukraine just hours following the conversation between Mr. Trump and Mr. Putin. Mr. Zelensky reported, There have been strikes, particularly on civilian infrastructure, including a hospital in Sumy. It is attacks like these at night by Russia that devastate our energy sector, our infrastructure, and the daily lives of Ukrainians, Mr. Zelensky noted. Today, Putin effectively rejected the proposal for a complete ceasefire. Meanwhile, across the border, Russian emergency service officials indicated that debris from a thwarted Ukrainian drone attack sparked a fire at an oil depot in the village of Kavkazskaya. Mr. Zelensky has alleged that Russia is not prepared to end this war. In Kyiv, many war-weary Ukrainians appeared to concur. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously expressed support for a US-proposed 30-day ceasefire. Details to work out Mr. Trump, asserting that he has an understanding with Mr. Putin, has been striving to fulfill a campaign promise to mediate an end to the Ukraine conflict. He shocked the world in February by announcing the initiation of direct talks with Russia to resolve the conflict, which raised concerns among allies about a potential capitulation to Russian demands. The US president characterized his latest conversation with Putin as good and productive. We agreed to an immediate ceasefire on all energy and infrastructure, with an understanding that we will work swiftly to achieve a complete ceasefire and ultimately, an end to this very terrible war between Russia and Ukraine, Mr. Trump later shared on his Truth Social platform. Throughout the conflict, Russia has conducted severe attacks on Ukraines energy infrastructure, while Ukraine has retaliated by bombing various Russian oil installations. Moscow also emphasized that a broader truce would hinge on its long-standing demands for a complete cessation of Western military and intelligence support to Ukraines armed forces. A Kremlin announcement further stated that Ukraine must not rearm or mobilize while any ceasefire is in effect. In a televised interview following the Trump-Putin call, US envoy Steve Witkoff indicated that ceasefire discussions would resume on Sunday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He acknowledged that there are still some details to work out, particularly regarding negotiations for a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and eventually a comprehensive truce. Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to temporarily halt attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities. Read more: Russia agrees to pause strikes on Ukraine energy targets for 30 days. Count on us In an interview with Fox News, Mr. Trump acknowledged that persuading Mr. Putin to agree to a full ceasefire would be challenging, noting that Russia has the advantage. Since seizing Crimea in 2014 and commencing its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia currently occupies about a fifth of Ukrainian territory. The US has made it clear that Ukraine may have to concede territory in any resolution, raising concerns that Mr. Trump could pressure Kyiv into an inequitable deal. Western allies have observed with trepidation as Mr. Trump has shifted years of US policy that staunchly supported Ukraine, highlighted by his publicly contentious exchanges with Mr. Zelensky in the Oval Office. The UK and French governments have been working to form a so-called coalition of the willing to safeguard any ceasefire in Ukraine. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed their commitment to continue providing military assistance to Ukraine following the Kremlins statement, with Mr. Scholz saying, Ukraine can count on us. Yet, soldiers on Ukraines front lines expressed skepticism about the prospect of a swift peace. How can you trust those who attack you and kill civilians, including children? questioned Oleksandr, 35, who has returned to military training in the Donetsk region after sustaining injuries in combat. Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) The Israeli newspaper Arab 48 reports that Israeli airstrikes shattered the supposed ceasefire in Gaza on Tuesday, dropping heaving munitions on inhabited apartment buildings and killing entire extended families who lived in them, with a death toll of at least 420, and over 500 wounded. Many bodies were still under the rubble and uncounted. The Palestinian Minister of Health in Gaza said that among the corpses were 175 children, 89 women, and 32 elderly. Some 6 Hamas leaders were killed, so the Israeli government appears to have murdered from the skies some 84 innocent civilians for every senior target. International law and US and NATO military doctrine require the minimization of noncombatant deaths and woundings in military operations. For this reason, NATO has not permitted joint military exercises with the Israeli forces for the past year and a half. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) writes, According to initial reports, among the areas and facilities hit are At Tabeen Governmental School in Ad Daraj area of Gaza city, Az Zawayda area in Deir al Balah, a site for internally displaced persons (IDP) in Al Mawasi area, in western Khan Younis, and IDP tents in Tal as Sultan area, in western Rafah. The 540 wounded are out of luck, since Israel has deliberately and wantonly destroyed most hospitals in Gaza and none is fully functional. There are some field hospitals set up by aid organizations but Israel has blockaded medical supplies for the past two weeks. Although the killing of hundreds of innocent civilians is egregious, it should be remembered that the Israeli government has also cut off Gaza from food, medicine and other essential supplies. (OCHA) reports that: Over one million people risk being left without food parcels in March, if supplies are not allowed into Gaza, compared with more than two million people reached during the first 42 days of the ceasefire, the Food Security Sector warns. That is, Israel is on the cusp of half-starving a million persons. Half the population in Gaza consists of children. If this kind of deliberate infliction of malnutrition on a population made up so extensively of minors were perpetrated by any other government in the world, the US State Department would be jumping up and down blue in the face denouncing it for war crimes. OCHA continues, Between 10 and 20 per cent of 4,500 surveyed pregnant and breastfeeding women are malnourished, a recent analysis by the Nutrition Cluster reveals. Malnourished embryos can suffer permanent cognitive damage. American evangelicals and Catholics who are so upset about abortion as killing a human being would have to be similarly exercised about permanently blighting an embryo if they were going to be consistent. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who ordered the massacre and announced the resumption of his total war on the people of Gaza, is wanted for war crimes on a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. The International Court of Justice is considering a complaint brought by South Africa against Israel for violation of the 1948 Genocide Convention, and in January 2024 issued a preliminary injunction against Israel on the grounds that the charge of genocide is plausible. Although Netanyahu gave as his pretext for the atrocity the failure of Hamas to release the remaining 25 or so living Israeli hostages and the bodies of another 25 deceased ones, it seems obvious that cutting off all food and supplies to Gaza and then bombing it to smithereens is more likely to kill the remaining hostages than to free them. Most hostages were released in phase 1 of the ceasefire negotiated by the Biden team shortly before leaving office and then by Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff. Netanyahu refused to enter into Phase 2 of the process, however, at the end of February. Although he blames Hamas, there is no reason to believe its leadership was not willing to implement Phase 2. Children, Digital, Dream / Dreamland v3 / ChatGPT, 2025 In fact, Netanyahu wanted all the hostages released immediately so that he could reignite the war on Gaza civilians, to please his far, far, far right cabinet. He appears to have become convinced that no such quick release is likely, and so he just restarted his genocidal air campaign. He has anyway been routinely bombing Gaza even during the supposed ceasefire, and has killed dozens of Palestinians every week in March. As he committed Tuesdays atrocity, Netanyahu was able to bring back into his cabinet Itamar Ben-Gvir, who returned as Minister of National Security after resigning over the January ceasefire. Ben-Gvir has been convicted of racist incitement and has waved around guns menacingly in public and distributed guns to mobs. As a Kahanaist he was on a US State Department terrorist watch list in the first years of this century. Netanyahu needs the extreme-right, the Israeli equivalent of neo-Nazis, to ensure his majority in parliament and to safeguard his government from falling in a vote of no-confidence. He is on trial for corruption and hopes to use the perquisites of office as prime minister to avoid the fate of former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who was prosecuted for corruption and jailed. The Israeli justice system, like the Jim Crow system of the US Deep South, is useless for protecting the rights of minorities, but it is ruthless in pursuing government officials charged with corruption. Netanyahu rightly guesses that the Trump regime will do nothing to interfere with his resumption of the genocide. Note from Juan Cole: I used to write letters to totalitarian governments on behalf of Amnesty International complaining about their detention of political prisoners for mere thought crimes. One of the worst offenders was Communist Czechoslovakia, which did not even bother to reply. I could not have imagined in 1987 that in 2025 people in Prague would have the right to freedom of speech but that there would be permanent residents of the United States held as prisoners of conscience. It is a dark day. Mahmoud Khalil: Dictated over the phone from ICE Detention Original document here. March 18, 2025 My name is Mahmoud Khalil and I am a political prisoner. I am writing to you from a detention facility in Louisiana where I wake to cold mornings and spend long days bearing witness to the quiet injustices underway against a great many people precluded from the protections of the law. Who has the right to have rights? It is certainly not the humans crowded into the cells here. It isnt the Senegalese man I met who has been deprived of his liberty for a year, his legal situation in limbo and his family an ocean away. It isnt the 21-year-old detainee I met, who stepped foot in this country at age nine, only to be deported without so much as a hearing. Justice escapes the contours of this nations immigration facilities. On March 8, I was taken by DHS agents who refused to provide a warrant, and accosted my wife and me as we returned from dinner. By now, the footage of that night has been made public. Before I knew what was happening, agents handcuffed and forced me into an unmarked car. At that moment, my only concern was for Noors safety. I had no idea if she would be taken too, since the agents had threatened to arrest her for not leaving my side. DHS would not tell me anything for hours I did not know the cause of my arrest or if I was facing immediate deportation. At 26 Federal Plaza, I slept on the cold floor. In the early morning hours, agents transported me to another facility in Elizabeth, New Jersey. There, I slept on the ground and was refused a blanket despite my request. My arrest was a direct consequence of exercising my right to free speech as I advocated for a free Palestine and an end to the genocide in Gaza, which resumed in full force Monday night. With Januarys ceasefire now broken, parents in Gaza are once again cradling too-small shrouds, and families are forced to weigh starvation and displacement against bombs. It is our moral imperative to persist in the struggle for their complete freedom. I was born in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria to a family which has been displaced from their land since the 1948 Nakba. I spent my youth in proximity to yet distant from my homeland. But being Palestinian is an experience that transcends borders. I see in my circumstances similarities to Israels use of administrative detention imprisonment without trial or charge to strip Palestinians of their rights. I think of our friend Omar Khatib, who was incarcerated without charge or trial by Israel as he returned home from travel. I think of Gaza hospital director and pediatrician Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, who was taken captive by the Israeli military on December 27 and remains in an Israeli torture camp today. For Palestinians, imprisonment without due process is commonplace. I have always believed that my duty is not only to liberate myself from the oppressor, but also to liberate my oppressors from their hatred and fear. My unjust detention is indicative of the anti-Palestinian racism that both the Biden and Trump administrations have demonstrated over the past 16 months as the U.S. has continued to supply Israel with weapons to kill Palestinians and prevented international intervention. For decades, anti-Palestinian racism has driven efforts to expand U.S. laws and practices that are used to violently repress Palestinians, Arab Americans, and other communities. That is precisely why I am being targeted. While I await legal decisions that hold the futures of my wife and child in the balance, those who enabled my targeting remain comfortably at Columbia University. Presidents Shafik, Armstrong, and Dean Yarhi-Milo laid the groundwork for the U.S. government to target me by arbitrarily disciplining pro-Palestinian students and allowing viral doxing campaigns based on racism and disinformation to go unchecked Columbia targeted me for my activism, creating a new authoritarian disciplinary office to bypass due process and silence students criticizing Israel. Columbia surrendered to federal pressure by disclosing student records to Congress and yielding to the Trump administrations latest threats. My arrest, the expulsion or suspension of at least 22 Columbia students some stripped of their B.A. degrees just weeks before graduation and the expulsion of SWC President Grant Miner on the eve of contract negotiations, are clear examples. If anything, my detention is a testament to the strength of the student movement in shifting public opinion toward Palestinian liberation. Students have long been at the forefront of change leading the charge against the Vietnam War, standing on the frontlines of the civil rights movement, and driving the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. Today, too, even if the public has yet to fully grasp it, it is students who steer us toward truth and justice. The Trump administration is targeting me as part of a broader strategy to suppress dissent. Visa-holders, green-card carriers, and citizens alike will all be targeted for their political beliefs. In the weeks ahead, students, advocates, and elected officials must unite to defend the right to protest for Palestine. At stake are not just our voices, but the fundamental civil liberties of all. Knowing fully that this moment transcends my individual circumstances, I hope nonetheless to be free to witness the birth of my first-born child. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Standard Lithium Ltd. (Standard Lithium or the Company) (TSXV:SLI) (NYSE American:SLI), a leading near-commercial lithium company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Karen G. Narwold, NACD.DC as an independent member of its board of directors. Robert Cross, Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, commented, The Standard Lithium Board is excited to welcome Karen as an independent director. Karen brings over 30 years of executive leadership experience within the manufacturing and chemicals space, including most recently as Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Albemarle Corporation. Her significant experience in legal, governance, regulatory and government affairs and operational matters will be invaluable as Standard Lithium seeks to develop its world class projects across the Smackover. Karen is an accomplished senior executive with an impressive breadth of experience that will be a significant addition to Standards board, said David Park, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Standard Lithium. Her leadership at Albemarle was critical as they transformed into a global leader in lithium production, and we expect her experience will be crucial as Standard Lithium seeks to do the same. Ms. Narwold brings over 30 years of experience leading legal, compliance, external affairs, governance, human resources and corporate development functions for multinational companies. Prior to her service at Albemarle, from which she retired in 2023, Ms. Narwold served as Vice President and Strategic Counsel of Barzel Industries, and as Vice President, General Counsel, Human Resources and Corporate Secretary for GrafTech International. Ms. Narwold currently serves on the Board of Directors for Ingevity Corporation, where she is a member of the Audit Committee and the Chair of the Sustainability & Safety Committee. Ms. Narwold is NACD Directorship Certified and holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Connecticut and a Juris Doctor from the University of Connecticut School of Law. About Standard Lithium Ltd. Standard Lithium is a leading near-commercial lithium development company focused on the sustainable development of a portfolio of large, high-grade lithium-brine properties in the United States. The Company prioritizes projects characterized by the highest quality resources, robust infrastructure, skilled labor, and streamlined permitting. Standard Lithium aims to achieve sustainable, commercial-scale lithium production via the application of a scalable and fully integrated Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) and purification process. The Companys flagship projects are located in the Smackover Formation, a world-class lithium brine asset, focused in Arkansas and Texas. In partnership with global energy leader Equinor, Standard Lithium is advancing the South West Arkansas project, a greenfield project located in southern Arkansas, and actively exploring promising lithium brine prospects in East Texas. Additionally, the Company is advancing the Phase 1A project in partnership with LANXESS Corporation, a brownfield development project located in southern Arkansas. Standard Lithium also holds an interest in certain mineral leases in the Mojave Desert in San Bernardino County, California. Standard Lithium trades on both the TSX Venture Exchange (the TSXV) and the NYSE American under the symbol SLI. For more information on Standard Lithium, please visit the Companys website at www.standardlithium.com. Investor and Media Inquiries Chris Lang Standard Lithium Ltd. +1 604 409 8154 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words anticipate, believe, estimate, expect, target, plan, forecast, may, will, schedule and other similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to intended development timelines, future prices of commodities, accuracy of mineral or resource exploration activity, reserves or resources, outcomes of commercialization, regulatory or government requirements or approvals, the reliability of third party information, continued production of lithium chloride solutions, consistent ongoing lithium recovery quantities, continued access to mineral properties or infrastructure, fluctuations in the market for lithium and its derivatives, changes in exploration costs and government regulation in Canada and the United States, and other factors or information. Such statements represent the Companys current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / March 19, 2025 / Faraday Copper Corp. ("Faraday" or the "Company") (TSX:FDY) (OTCQX:CPPKF) is pleased to announce the results of seven drill holes from its ongoing Phase III drill program at the Copper Creek Project, located in Arizona ("Copper Creek"). Three holes were drilled in the American Eagle area, three in the Rum area and one in the Horsecamp area. Paul Harbidge, President and CEO, commented "These results continue to expand the near surface mineralization in the American Eagle area, further validating the potential to define a significant open pit mineral resource in this area and unlock further economic value for the project. Drilling at the Rum and Horsecamp areas confirmed our thesis that these mineral systems are exposed at a shallow level and we see exploration potential at depth. We expect to deliver the updated mineral resource estimate and technical study in the second half of 2025, which will include nearly 40,000 metres of additional drilling from the Phase II and III programs." Highlights At the Southern margin of the Banjo breccia, drill hole FCD-24-094 intersected multiple mineralized intervals, providing further confidence in the potential to define a significant open pit mineral resource in the American Eagle area. Drill results include: 18.49 metres ("m") at 0.98% copper and 1.64 grams per tonne ("g/t") silver from 198.00 m, within 80.90 m at 0.44% copper and 0.99 g/t silver from 135.61 m. 30.00 m at 0.25% copper and 0.93 g/t silver from 9.00 m in porphyry vein-hosted mineralization. 56.57 m at 0.59% copper and 1.58 g/t silver from 427.29 m within 139.49 m at 0.32% copper and 1.01 g/t silver from 365.27 m. This intercept corresponds to the Boomerang breccia and surrounding porphyry vein-hosted mineralization. At Rum, drill hole FCD-24-095 intersected 19.74 m at 0.83% oxide copper from surface in porphyry and breccia. (For true width information see Table 1) The American Eagle area, as mapped on surface, covers approximately 800 m by 1,000 m and is host to numerous prospective breccias and porphyries which have strong copper geochemical signatures (Figures 1 to 3). These surface expressions locate above the large underground porphyry mineral resource1, which is approximately 500 m to 1,100 m depth below surface. Historically, the near-surface mineralization was not adequately tested as previous drilling was vertical to steeply inclined. Mapped geology, isolated historical drill intercepts and historical small-scale mining highlight the potential for near-surface mineralization. The Company has reported assay results for twenty-three drill holes2 from this area as part of the current program. These results provide a broad framework of the geology, structure, and alteration and confirm the potential for significant near-surface copper mineralization. Drilling continues in the area. Drill hole FCD-24-094 was collared 100 m northeast of the American Eagle breccia and drilled to the southeast targeting the Boomerang breccia at the southern margin of Banjo. The hole intersected hydrothermal breccia from 155 m to 213 m and from 445 m to 485 m whereas the remainder of the drill hole was granodiorite. Alteration associated with breccia intervals is sericitic whereas kaolinite and sericite are associated with porphyry-style veins outside the breccias. Mineralization occurs as chalcopyrite in breccia cement, disseminated as well as in porphyry-style veins. Drill hole FCD-24-093 was collared 60 m west of Banjo and drilled to the northeast. It targeted a breccia, which crops out approximately 70 m north of the Banjo breccia. Granodiorite is the dominant lithology to 110 m, followed by igneous cemented breccia with variable hydrothermal overprint to 135 m. A porphyry dyke was intersected from 135 m to 137 m after which the hole entered granodiorite to the end of hole. The alteration associated with the breccia interval is sericite-kaolinite. Chalcopyrite is the dominant copper mineral and occurs together with pyrite in breccia cement and porphyry-style veins. Drill hole FCD-24-097A was collared 160 m southeast of the American Eagle breccia and drilled to the south, targeting the Prada breccia. The hole starts in igneous cemented breccia for the top 21 m followed by hydrothermal breccia. From 34 m to 113 m the dominant lithology is granodiorite, followed by porphyry to 129 m. From there to the end of the hole hydrothermal breccia is the dominant lithology. Alteration associated with breccia is quartz-sericite with variable amounts of kaolinite and tourmaline. Chalcopyrite occurs together with variable amounts of pyrite forming breccia cement. The Rum area is located approximately 700 m northwest of the resource area (Figure 1). It features several breccias and porphyries intruding Glory Hole volcanics over an area of approximately 250 m by 400 m. Copper oxide and secondary sulphide mineralization is observed near surface in breccias and surrounding wall rock. Drill hole FCD-24-095 was collared in porphyry, approximately 10 m from the Rum breccia contact and drilled to the east. It intersected 14 m of porphyry, followed by hydrothermal breccia to 53 m. The hole enters porphyry thereafter to 114 m, followed by Glory hole volcanics to the end of the hole. The uppermost 53 m of the hole are affected by sericite-kaolinite alteration and oxidation related to weathering, penetrates to approximately 70 m depth. Copper mineralization occurs in the form of malachite, chrysocolla and local chalcocite. Silver values greater than 1 g/t in hydrothermal breccia are observed from 27 m to 53 m. Drill hole FCD-24-086 was collared northwest of the Rum breccia and drilled to the southeast. It intersected Glory Hole volcanics for the first 150 m followed by hydrothermal breccia to 220 m. The hole then intersected porphyry to 284 m and Glory Hole volcanics until 370 m. Hydrothermal breccia dominates thereafter to the end of the hole. The upper hydrothermal breccia domain is characterized by sericite and lesser-chlorite alteration and abundant pyrite cement whereas the lower domain is kaolinite-sericite altered with pyrite cement. Drill hole FCD-24-092 was collared west of the Rum South breccia and drilled to the east. It intersected Glory Hole volcanics to 93 m followed by porphyry to 104 m. From 104 m to 214 m breccia dominated with some intervals of porphyry. The hole then enters Glory Hole volcanics to 289 m and granodiorite to the end of the hole. Breccia is associated with sericite and kaolinite alteration and contains pyrite and chlorite in the cement. Elevated silver, together with other pathfinder elements, is observed from 120 m to 214 m, which is suggestive of copper mineralization at depth. The Horsecamp area is located approximately 2.5 km southwest of the Rum area. Several hydrothermal breccias crop out in the area (Figure 1). These are part of the Western Breccia trend to the west of the resource area. Geology and alteration characteristics of the area suggest that the shallow parts of hydrothermal systems are preserved in the area which suggests exploration potential exists at depth. Drill hole FCD-24-090 is the first reconnaissance drill hole targeting a breccia zone in the Horsecamp area, approximately 2.5 km southwest of the Rum area. The hole intersected mostly Glory Hole volcanics with narrow porphyry dykes and igneous cemented breccias present between approximately 200 m and 312 m. Intercepts of hydrothermal breccia are present at 360 m to 363 m, 389 m to 392 m, 402 m to 413 m and 436 m to 441 m. Alteration is moderate to locally intense sericite with biotite-potassium feldspar and actinolite present in the lower half of the drill hole. Pyrite occurs throughout the hole but increases with depth. Trace amounts of chalcopyrite have been recorded between 250 m and 310 m. The results from this hole will inform future drill planning in this area. Next Steps Phase III drilling commenced in October 2023 and has been focused on near-surface mineralization in new targets, primarily within the American Eagle area. The Company will have completed nearly 40,000 metres of incremental drilling beyond the current Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE")1, which represents a significant opportunity to enhance the project value. Remaining assay results are expected from the American Eagle area and district exploration targets and will be released as they are received, analyzed and confirmed by the Company. The Company anticipates the release of an updated technical study in the second half of 2025. Figure 1: Plan View Showing Surface Geology and Location of Drill Holes Note: The open pit shell is based on constraints used in the MRE as presented in the Copper Creek Technical Report1. Figure 2: Plan View Showing Surface Geology and Location of Drill Holes in the American Eagle Area Note: The open pit shell is based on constraints used in the MRE as presented in the Copper Creek Technical Report1. Figure 3: Isometric View Showing Phase III Drill Holes in the American Eagle Area Note: The open pit shell and underground footprint are based on constraints used in the MRE as presented in the Copper Creek Technical Report1. For drill holes not reported herein, refer to news releases on the Company's website at www.faradaycopper.com and on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Table 1: Selected Drill Results Drill Hole ID From To Length True Width Cu Au Ag Mo (m) (m) (m) (m) (%) (g/t) (g/t) (%) FCD-24-093 115.23 178.08 62.85 62 0.18 N/A 0.45 0.0006 Including 115.23 131.20 15.97 10 0.33 N/A 0.69 0.0005 FCD-24-094 9.00 39.00 30.00 30 0.25 N/A 0.93 0.0008 and 135.61 216.51 80.90 30 0.44 N/A 0.99 0.0009 Including 198.00 214.49 18.49 7 0.98 N/A 1.64 0.0005 and 365.27 504.96 139.49 139 0.32 N/A 1.01 0.0007 Including 427.29 483.86 56.57 56 0.59 N/A 1.58 0.0010 FCD-24-095 0.00 19.74 19.74 19 0.83 N/A 0.40 0.0002 FCD-24-097A 40.45 57.12 16.67 9 0.16 N/A 0.92 0.0010 and 143.30 223.81 80.51 40 0.26 N/A 0.97 0.0007 including 177.22 207.31 30.09 15 0.38 N/A 1.51 0.0009 and 389.29 407.55 18.26 9 0.45 0.01 1.29 0.0021 FCD-24-086 No significant results FCD-24-090 No significant results FCD-24-092 No significant results Note: All intercepts are reported as downhole drill widths. Mineralization includes bulk porphyry style and breccia mineralization. True widths are approximate due to the irregular shape of mineralized domains. N/A: Not analyzed. Table 2: Collar Locations from the Drill Holes Reported Herein Drill Hole ID Easting Northing Elevation Azimuth Dip Target Depth Depth (m) () () (ft) (m) FCD-24-093 549112 3623535 1337 072 50 Banjo North 721.9 236.83 FCD-24-094 549100 3623423 1307 120 70 Banjo South and Boomerang 1539.1 504.96 FCD-24-095 547278 3625760 1399 100 45 Rum 441.3 144.78 FCD-24-097A 549128 3623275 1295 185 60 Prada 1336.9 438.61 FCD-24-086 547084 3625868 1386 105 45 Rum 1372.2 450.19 FCD-24-090 546084 3625173 1294 190 45 Horsecamp 1530.1 502.01 FCD-24-092 547140 3625675 1414 90 45 Rum South 905.1 296.96 Note: Coordinates are given as World Geodetic System 84, Universal Transverse Mercator Zone 12 north (WGS84, UTM12N). Sampling Methodology, Chain of Custody, Quality Control and Quality Assurance All sampling was conducted under the supervision of the Company's geologists and the chain of custody from Copper Creek to the independent sample preparation facility, ALS Laboratories in Tucson, AZ, was continuously monitored. The samples were taken as core, over 2 m core length. Samples were crushed, pulverized and sample pulps were analyzed using industry standard analytical methods including a 4-Acid ICP-MS multielement package and an ICP-AES method for high-grade copper samples. Gold was analyzed on a 30 g aliquot by fire assay with an ICP-AES finish. A certified reference sample was inserted every 20th sample. Coarse and fine blanks were inserted every 20th sample. Approximately 5% of the core samples were cut into core and submitted as field duplicates. On top of internal QA-QC protocol, additional blanks, reference materials and duplicates were inserted by the analytical laboratory according to their procedure. Data verification of the analytical results included a statistical analysis of the standards and blanks that must pass certain parameters for acceptance to ensure accurate and verifiable results. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Faraday's VP Exploration, Dr. Thomas Bissig, P. Geo., who is a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). Notes 1 The Mineral Resource Estimate is presented in the report titled "Copper Creek Project NI 43-101 Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment" with an effective date of May 3, 2023 (the "Technical Report"), available on the Company's website at www.faradaycopper.com and on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. 2For drill holes not reported herein, refer to news releases on the Company's website at www.faradaycopper.comand on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. About Faraday Copper Faraday Copper is an exploration company focused on advancing its flagship copper project in Arizona, U.S. The Copper Creek Project is one of the largest undeveloped copper projects in North America with significant district scale exploration potential. The Company is well-funded to deliver on its key milestones and benefits from a management team and board of directors with senior mining company experience and expertise. Faraday trades on the TSX under the symbol "FDY". For additional information please contact: Stacey Pavlova, CFA Vice President, Investor Relations & Communications Faraday Copper Corp. E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Website: www.faradaycopper.com To receive news releases by e-mail, please register using the Faraday website at www.faradaycopper.com. Cautionary Note on Forward Looking Statements Some of the statements in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking statements" and are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and are necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Faraday to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements and forward-looking information specifically include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the exploration potential of the Copper Creek property. Although Faraday believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements should not be in any way construed as guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include without limitation: market prices for metals; the conclusions of detailed feasibility and technical analyses; lower than expected grades and quantities of mineral resources; receipt of regulatory approval; receipt of shareholder approval; mining rates and recovery rates; significant capital requirements; price volatility in the spot and forward markets for commodities; fluctuations in rates of exchange; taxation; controls, regulations and political or economic developments in the countries in which Faraday does or may carry on business; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, competition; loss of key employees; rising costs of labour, supplies, fuel and equipment; actual results of current exploration or reclamation activities; accidents; labour disputes; defective title to mineral claims or property or contests over claims to mineral properties; unexpected delays and costs inherent to consulting and accommodating rights of Indigenous peoples and other groups; risks, uncertainties and unanticipated delays associated with obtaining and maintaining necessary licenses, permits and authorizations and complying with permitting requirements, including those associated with the Copper Creek property; and uncertainties with respect to any future acquisitions by Faraday. In addition, there are risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining, including environmental events and hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins, flooding and the risk of inadequate insurance or inability to obtain insurance to cover these risks as well as "Risk Factors" included in Faraday's disclosure documents filed on and available at www.sedarplus.ca. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. This press release is not, and under no circumstances is to be construed as, a prospectus, an offering memorandum, an advertisement or a public offering of securities in Faraday in Canada, the United States or any other jurisdiction. No securities commission or similar authority in Canada or in the United States has reviewed or in any way passed upon this press release, and any representation to the contrary is an offence. Vancouver, British Columbia TheNewswire - March 19, 2025 Westward Gold Inc. (CSE: WG, OTCQB: WGLIF, FSE: IM50) (Westward or the Company) is pleased to announce that it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement (the Offering) of up to 32,500,000 units (each, a Unit) at a price of C$0.08 per Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of up to C$2,600,000. Each Unit will be comprised of one common share of the Company (each, a Common Share) and one common share purchase warrant (each, a Warrant). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share of the Company at a price of C$0.12 for a period of 24 months following the closing date of the Offering. The Company is also pleased to welcome its newest strategic shareholder, Crescat Capital LLC (Crescat), who will be subscribing for 12,500,000 Units for gross proceeds of $1,000,000, with an option to increase their participation to a maximum of 18,750,000 Units for gross proceeds of $1,500,000. Crescat will be subscribing through Crescat Portfolio Management LLC on behalf of its five (5) Pooled Investment Funds. The net proceeds from the Offering will be used primarily for (i) drilling at Westwards flagship Toiyabe Hills Property in Nevada, where a 5,000-meter program across up to 10 holes is planned to test the Companys Campfire Target Complex (see press release dated February 27, 2025, for additional information), and (ii) general working capital purposes. Closing of the Offering is subject to receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including from the Canadian Securities Exchange (the CSE). The Common Shares and Warrants issued in relation to the Offering will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day, in accordance with applicable securities laws. Certain finders fees may also be payable to qualifying parties in accordance with the policies of the CSE. The Offering will not result in the creation of a new Control Person of the Company (as such term is defined in the policies of the CSE), as the Warrants are not exercisable if such exercise would result in the holder, together with any person or company acting jointly or in concert with the holder, owning, or exercising control or discretion, over 20% or greater of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company. Certain insiders of the Company intend to acquire Units in the Offering. The participation by such insiders in the Offering will constitute a related party transaction as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (MI 61-101). Such participation is expected to be exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101, based on the fact that neither the anticipated fair market value of the Units subscribed for by the insiders, nor the consideration for the Units to be paid by such insiders, will exceed 25% of the Companys current market capitalization. The securities being offered have not, nor will they be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons in the absence of U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from the U.S. registration requirements. This press 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 the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About Westward Gold Westward Gold is a mineral exploration company focused on developing the consolidated Toiyabe Hills Project located in the Cortez Hills area of Lander County, Nevada, and the Coyote and Rossi Projects located along the Carlin Trend in Elko County, Nevada. From time to time, the Company may also evaluate the acquisition of other mineral exploration assets and opportunities. For further information contact: Andrew Nelson Chief Financial Officer Westward Gold Inc. +1 (604) 828-7027 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.westwardgold.com The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. This news release contains or incorporates by reference forward-looking statements and forward-looking information as defined under applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, which address events, results, outcomes, or developments that the Company expects to occur are, or may be deemed, to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are generally, but not always, identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expect", "believe", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate, potential, on track, forecast", "budget", target, outlook, continue, plan or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions or statements that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved or the negative connotation of such terms. Such statements include, but may not be limited to, information as to strategy, plans or future financial or operating performance, such as the Companys expansion plans, project timelines, expected drilling targets, and other statements that express managements expectations or estimates of future plans and performance. Forward-looking statements or information are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements or information, including, without limitation, the need for additional capital by the Company through financings, and the risk that such funds may not be raised; the speculative nature of exploration and the stages of the Companys properties; the effect of changes in commodity prices; regulatory risks that development of the Companys material properties will not be acceptable for social, environmental or other reasons, availability of equipment (including drills) and personnel to carry out work programs, that each stage of work will be completed within expected time frames, that current geological models and interpretations prove correct, the results of ongoing work programs may lead to a change of exploration priorities, and the efforts and abilities of the senior management team. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Companys forward-looking statements or information. These and other factors may cause the Company to change its exploration and work programs, not proceed with work programs, or change the timing or order of planned work programs. Additional risk factors and details with respect to risk factors that may affect the Companys ability to achieve the expectations set forth in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are set out in the Companys latest management discussion and analysis under Risks and Uncertainties, which is available under the Companys SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, described or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Companys forward-looking statements and information are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations, and opinions of management as of the date of this press release, and other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements and information if circumstances or managements assumptions, beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, or changes in any other events affecting such statements or information. HALIFAX, NS, March 19, 2025 /CNW/ - Fortune Bay Corp. (TSXV: FOR) (FWB: 5QN) (OTCQB: FTBYF) ("Fortune Bay" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the commencement of drilling at Howland Lake on the Murmac Uranium Project ("Murmac" or the "Project"), located in northern Saskatchewan near Uranium City. The program is expected to include up to six drill holes, totalling approximately 900 metres, to further test the Howland Lake electromagnetic ("EM") conductors which returned uranium intercepts from first-pass drilling. As demonstrated from previous exploration results, the Project has potential to host high-grade, basement-hosted deposits typical of the Athabasca Basin. Exploration work at Murmac is being funded by Aero Energy Limited (TSXV: AERO) (OTC Pink: AAUGF) (FSE: UU3) ("Aero"), and is being operated by Fortune Bay, under an Option Agreement that was executed on December 15, 2023. Highlights: High-Grade Follow-Up: Drilling to be focused at Howland Lake North on targets along strike of drill hole M24-017 that intersected 8.40 m at 0.30% U 3 O 8 , with individual assays up to 13.80% U 3 O 8 over 0.10 m . Additional drilling is planned at Howland Lake South, along strike of drill hole M22-012 that intersected 0.17% U 3 O 8 over 0.10 m . Drilling to be focused at Howland Lake North on targets along strike of drill hole M24-017 that intersected at 0.30% U O , with individual assays up to over . Additional drilling is planned at Howland Lake South, along strike of drill hole M22-012 that intersected 0.17% U O over . Compelling Drill Target Support: Selected drill targets (Figure 1) are backed by favorable criteria for high-grade basement-hosted deposits, including EM conductor breaks, structure, and significant hydrothermal alteration noted in historical drill holes. Known mineralized cross faults and strong radon-in-water anomalies from recent surveys further support target selection (see News Release dated February 20, 2025 ). Selected drill targets (Figure 1) are backed by favorable criteria for high-grade basement-hosted deposits, including EM conductor breaks, structure, and significant hydrothermal alteration noted in historical drill holes. Known mineralized cross faults and strong radon-in-water anomalies from recent surveys further support target selection (see News Release dated ). Focused Drilling Program: The winter 2025 drilling program will be focused on priority targets developed at Howland Lake which will be more efficiently tested from ice-based drill hole locations. Numerous other priority targets have also been identified along Murmac's extensive graphitic corridors (>35 kilometres of strike) that warrant future drill testing. Dale Verran, CEO for Fortune Bay, commented "Alongside Aero Energy, we are excited to have started this next phase of exploration at Murmac, directed at drill testing a set of priority targets at Howland Lake. These targets possess the necessary criteria for a meaningful basement-hosted discovery, and we are looking forward to the results." Technical Disclosure Details regarding previous Fortune Bay drill results from 2022 and 2024 can be found in news releases dated October 8, 2024, and December 13, 2022, respectively. Further details regarding historical exploration/drilling and exploration results noted in this news release can be found within the Saskatchewan Mineral Assessment Database (SMAD) references 74N07-0011, 74N07-0173 and 74N07-0277. Fortune Bay has verified several of these occurrences through field prospecting and sampling, however there is a risk that any future confirmation work and exploration may produce results that substantially differ from the unverified historical results. The Company considers the unverified historical results relevant to assess the mineralization and economic potential of the property. Qualified Person The technical and scientific information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Gareth Garlick, P.Geo., Technical Director of the Company, who is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. Mr. Garlick is an employee of Fortune Bay and is not independent of the Company under NI 43-101. About Fortune Bay Fortune Bay Corp. (TSXV:FOR, FWB:5QN, OTCQB:FTBYF) is an exploration and development company with 100% ownership in two advanced gold projects in Canada, Saskatchewan (Goldfields Project) and Mexico, Chiapas (Ixhuatan Project), both with exploration and development potential. The Company is also advancing seven uranium exploration projects on the northern rim of the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, which have high-grade potential. The Company has a goal of building a mid-tier exploration and development Company through the advancement of its existing projects and the strategic acquisition of new projects to create a pipeline of growth opportunities. The Company's corporate strategy is driven by a Board and Management team with a proven track record of discovery, project development and value creation. Further information on Fortune Bay and its assets can be found on the Company's website at www.fortunebaycorp.com or by contacting us as This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by telephone at 902-334-1919. On behalf of Fortune Bay Corp. "Dale Verran" Chief Executive Officer 902-334-1919 Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions, and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. Words such as "expects", "aims", "anticipates", "targets", "goals", "projects", "intends", "plans", "believes", "seeks", "estimates", "continues", "may", variations of such words, and similar expressions and references to future periods, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to the Company, the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, the Company's objectives, goals, intentions or future plans, statements, exploration results, potential mineralization, timing of the commencement of operations and estimates of market conditions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to failure to identify targets or mineralization, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals, political risks, inability to fulfill the duty to accommodate First Nations and other indigenous peoples, inability to reach access agreements with other Project communities, amendments to applicable mining laws, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing or partnerships needed in the future, changes in equity markets, inflation, changes in exchange rates, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in the development of projects, capital and operating costs varying significantly from estimates and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, and those risks set out in the Company's public documents filed on SEDAR+. 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, 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. 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. For more information on Fortune Bay, readers should refer to Fortune Bay's website at www.fortunebaycorp.com. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Highlights Drilling Coverage at La Verde Doubled and Continuing to Expand First-pass drill coverage now extends across an area measuring 1,000 m by 550 m : 27 reverse circulation ("RC") holes for 8,162 m drilled to date 27 reverse circulation ("RC") holes for drilled to date Assay results pending for fifteen drill holes: Assay turnaround time from laboratories slower than usual due to peak summer drilling season in the high Andes Assay turnaround time from laboratories slower than usual due to peak summer drilling season in the high Andes Shallow porphyry mineralisation remains open in all directions: Drilling planned to continue Drilling planned to continue Deeper diamond drill testing being planned: 8 of 12 drill RC holes reported to date recorded significant mineralisation to end-of-hole Development Studies Update Pre-Feasibility Studies (PFS) for Costa Fuego and Huasco Water in final stages of completion PERTH, Australia, March 19, 2025 /CNW/ - Hot Chili Limited (ASX: HCH) (TSXV: HCH) (OTCQX: HHLKF) ("Hot Chili" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on continuing drilling operations at the La Verde copper-gold porphyry discovery ("La Verde"), located approximately 30km south of the Company's Costa Fuego Copper-Gold Project ("Costa Fuego" or "the Project") planned central processing hub at low elevation in the coastal range of the Atacama region, Chile. The Company previously reported a 400 m by 550 m discovery footprint at the La Verde, extending from shallow depth to approximately 300 m vertically, confirmed by assay results from the first 12 RC drill holes, which all recorded broad zones copper-gold porphyry mineralisation (refer to announcement dated February 11, 2025). Eight of these holes recorded significant mineralisation to end-of-hole, as displayed in figures 2 to 4. Hot Chili is continuing to undertake systematic step-out drilling at La Verde with 27 RC drill holes (for 8,162 m) completed to date, including seven drill holes to the south of the initial discovery footprint testing potential for "blind" extensions below gravel cover. Surface gravels obscure the underlying geology and appear to be limited to 10 - 15 m vertical thickness in the southern extent of drilling as displayed on page 1 of this announcement. Drill coverage has more than doubled since mid-February 2025 with first pass drilling extended across an area measuring 1,000 m by 550 m and tested to the depth of RC drilling capability (up to 350 m vertical) as displayed in figure 3. Assay results for fifteen holes are pending. RC drilling is expected to continue, and the Company is planning an initial phase of diamond drilling to test below broad, higher-grade, copper-gold zones intersected by Hot Chili's drilling and which remain open at depth. The Company has experienced delays in turn-around time for drill assay results from regional laboratories due to peak summer drilling season in the high Andes. This is expected to moderate over the coming months moving into winter season. The Company looks forward to releasing further exploration updates and assay results as they become available. This announcement is authorised by the Board of Directors for release to ASX and TSXV. For more information please contact: Christian Easterday Managing Director Hot Chili Tel: +61 8 9315 9009 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Carol Marinkovich Company Secretary Hot Chili Tel: +61 8 9315 9009 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Graham Farrell Investor & Public Relations Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit Hot Chili's website at www.hotchili.net.au Qualifying Statements Qualified Person NI 43-101 The technical information in this announcement has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Christian Easterday, MAIG, Hot Chili's Managing Director and a qualified person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Competent Person JORC The information in this announcement that relates to Exploration Results for the La Verde project is based upon information compiled by Mr Christian Easterday, the Managing Director and a full-time employee of Hot Chili Limited, who is a Member of the Australasian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG). Mr Easterday has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposits under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a 'Competent Person' as defined in the 2012 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves' (JORC Code). Mr Easterday consents to the inclusion in this announcement of the matters based on their information in the form and context in which it appears. Disclaimer 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 announcement. Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this announcement that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and Australian securities legislation. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "expect", "imminent", "opportunity", "planned", "potential", "projected", "upcoming", "would be", "should be", "will", variants of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In this announcement, forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to: the Company's plans with respect to continued drilling and drill testing; the anticipated timeline for receiving assay results and completion of the PFS for the Costa Fuego and Huasco Water projects; the timing prospects, and projections related to the Company's business and projects and the anticipated success thereof. In preparing the forward-looking information herein, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to assumptions: that the Company's ongoing drilling, economic studies (including the Costa Fuego PFS and the PFS-level study for the Huasco Water joint venture project) and other programs will proceed as planned and that the results thereof will be consistent with the Company's expectations; that the Company will have, or will be able to obtain, sufficient funding to finance the foregoing; that the foregoing will be funded and completed on the expected timeline; that all requisite information, including assay results, will be available in a timely manner; that the current exploration, development, environmental and other objectives concerning the Costa Fuego Project can be achieved and that its other corporate activities will proceed as expected; that the current price and demand for gold and copper will be sustained or will improve; that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner and that all necessary governmental approvals for planned activities on the Costa Fuego Project will be obtained in a timely manner and on acceptable terms; that permitting and operations costs will not materially increase; the continuity of the price of gold, copper and other metals, economic and political conditions and operations; that drilling and related equipment will be available as required and on reasonable terms; the continuity of tax rates and operating costs; and the assumptions set out in the technical report titled "Costa Fuego Copper Project NI 43-101 Technical Report Mineral Resource Estimate Update" dated 8 April 2024, with an effective date of 26 February 2024 (the "Technical Report"), a copy of which is available on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, in the Company's public filings with the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and the Company's Canadian public disclosure record. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from a conclusion, forecast or projection contained in the forward-looking information in this announcement, include, among others: operational risks and contractual obligations; the industry-wide risks and project-specific risks identified in the Technical Report and the Company's public filings; changes in exploration programs based upon results of exploration; sovereign risks associated with the Company's operations in Chile; recruitment and retention of qualified and/or key personnel; future financial needs and availability of adequate financing; fluctuations in mineral prices, currency and exchange rates; market volatility and economic conditions; ability to exploit successful discoveries and retain title to mining concessions; environmental risks; financial failure or default of joint venture partners, contractors or service providers; changes in estimated mineral resources or unexpected variations in quantity of mineralized material, grade, or recovery rates; the nature of mineral exploration and mining and uncertainty of commercial viability; the Company's lack of operating revenues; risks related to governmental regulations, the ability to obtain necessary licenses and permits, prior unregistered agreements, transfers or claims and other defects in title to mineral projects; risks to employee health and safety or disruption to operations in the event of an outbreak of disease; estimates used in budgeting and economic analyses proving to be incorrect; risks that necessary financing will be unavailable when needed; and other risks and uncertainties described elsewhere in this announcement and in the Company's public filings with the ASX and the Company's Canadian public disclosure record. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from those projected in such forward-looking information, there can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information in this news release is based on plans, expectations, and estimates of management as at the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking information, other than as required by applicable law. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 19, 2025) - Astra Exploration Inc. (TSXV: ASTR) (OTCQB: ATEPF) (FSE: S3I) ("Astra" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce that it has received all required permits to commence its maiden drill program at the La Manchuria Project located in the Deseado Massif of Santa Cruz, Argentina. The drilling permit was issued by the State Secretariat for Environmental Supervision and Control under the Ministry of Energy and Mining of the Province of Santa Cruz, Argentina. Field crews were on site last week preparing for mobilization of the fully funded 2,500 metre drill program which the Company expects to commence by the first week in April. Astra's CEO, Brian Miller commented: "We are excited to get underway with our inaugural drill program at La Manchuria. This first program aims to test the new geological model and expand the high-grade mineralization into areas previously not drilled, both along strike and parallel to known veins. I believe Astra's business proposition has never been stronger with such an exciting target, a fully funded drilling program and tightly held share registry. Discovery success is the most rapid wealth creation phase of our industry, and we stand on that precipice with La Manchuria today." The Company plans to provide additional news release updates in the coming weeks providing further details of the drill targets and geology. Astra's in-country team led by Exploration Director, Diego Guido, who is a globally recognized low sulphidation epithermal (LSE) expert, believes the high-grade historic intercepts are open to expand at depth and along strike. These results include: 20.5m grading 10.4 grams per tonne (g/t) gold and 810 g/t silver, 4.0m grading 26.3 g/t gold and 3,156 g/t silver and 2.0m grading 52.6 g/t gold and 3,274 g/t silver 1.6m grading 257 g/t gold and 4,237 g/t silver Reference: Updated Technical Report on The Mineral Resources of The La Manchuria Project, Santa Cruz Province, Argentina" with an effective date of February 28, 2019. Shallow cover conceals the system to the west and south at the Main Zone and presents the opportunity to make a significant discovery. The extension of mineralization under cover is a common characteristic of the newest epithermal systems discovered in the Deseado Massif, including large deposits like Cerro Negro. Qualified Person The technical data and information as disclosed in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Darcy Marud, who is an Independent Director of Astra. Mr. Marud is a Practicing Member of the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario and is a qualified person as defined under the terms of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. About the Company Astra Exploration Inc. is a precious metals exploration company based out of Vancouver, BC that is actively building a portfolio of high-quality projects in some of the most important mining jurisdictions in Latin America. The La Manchuria gold-silver project in Santa Cruz, Argentina, over which Astra has an option to acquire 90% interest, is a high-grade gold and silver epithermal deposit located in in the Deseado Massif which hosts multiple world-class epithermal deposits including Cerro Vanguardia and Cerro Negro, Santa Cruz, Argentina. The 100% owned Pampa Paciencia gold and silver project in northern Chile is located in the Paleocene mineral province in proximity to such major operating mines as Spence and Sierra Gorda. The project shares several important geological similarities to other Paleocene epithermal gold-silver deposits including Faride and El Penon. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When or if used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan", "forecast", "may", "schedule" and similar words or expressions identify forward- looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to the Company's business activities; exploration on the Company's properties; completion of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement; receipt of all required regulatory approvals; and marketing initiatives. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, without limitation: development of the industry in which the Company operates; risks associated with the conduct of the Company's business activities; risks relating to reliance on the Company's management team and outside contractors; currency fluctuations; risks regarding the failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; laws and regulations governing the industry in which the Company operates; the ability of the communities in which the Company operates to manage and cope with the implications of COVID-19; the economic and financial implications of COVID-19 to the Company; operating or technical difficulties; employee relations, labour unrest or unavailability; stock market volatility; conflicts of interest among certain directors and officers; lack of liquidity for shareholders of the Company; litigation risk; and other risk factors disclosed in the Company's public disclosure documents available on the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations. Results Indicative of Expansion Potential Highlight Intercepts Include 37.5m grading 2.93% CuEq and 52.6m grading 2.54% CuEq Assays Pending for Expected Down-Dip Expansion of Mineralized Lenses Tesla Zone Exploration Ongoing to Support Future Maiden Resource Estimate VANCOUVER, BC, March 19, 2025 /CNW/ - Foran Mining Corporation (TSX: FOM) (OTCQX: FMCXF) ("Foran" or the "Company") is pleased to announce additional results from the ongoing 2025 winter drill program at the Company's 100%-owned McIlvenna Bay Project in east-central Saskatchewan. Click Here to Watch Erin Carswell, Foran's VP Exploration, discuss the Company's latest exploration results. The first infill drill hole of the winter drill program at Tesla has returned robust intervals from the central part of the Tesla Zone, with drill hole TS-25-37 successfully intersecting multiple zones of almost-continuous mineralization over an unprecedented 143m of core length. These intercepts correlate well with previous drilling but have yielded thicker than average mineralized intervals, underscoring Tesla's expanding growth potential as drilling further delineates the Zone. Winter drilling continues with seven drill rigs focused on the Tesla infill program, one drill targeting the Bridge Zone and one additional rig testing high priority regional exploration targets in the vicinity of McIlvenna Bay. Key Highlights Drill hole TS-25-37 intersected multiple zones of massive and semi-massive sulphides and associated stringer and breccia zones from the heart of the Tesla Zone: The intercepts in TS-25-37 represent the most significant mineralized intersection at Tesla by grade-thickness to date. Significant assay results from Hole TS-25-37: 52.6m grading 1.75% Cu, 2.04% Zn, 22.0 g/t Ag and 0.41 g/t Au (2.54% CuEq), including 10.1m grading 3.17% Cu, 0.44% Zn, 36.1 g/t Ag and 1.04 g/t Au (3.79% CuEq); and 8.7m grading 1.68% Cu, 9.81% Zn, 21.8 g/t Ag and 0.15 g/t Au (4.65% CuEq) 37.5m grading 0.41% Cu, 7.76% Zn, 25.1 g/t Ag and 0.20 g/t Au (2.93% CuEq), including 24.9m grading 0.28% Cu, 10.62% Zn, 28.3 g/t Ag and 0.15 g/t Au (3.65% CuEq); 22.3m grading 0.92% Cu, 0.16% Zn, 16.5 g/t Ag and 0.23 g/t Au (1.10% CuEq), including 5.5m grading 1.49% Cu, 0.30% Zn, 20.9 g/t Ag and 0.29 g/t Au (1.71% CuEq) Hole TS-25-37w1 is located 65m down-dip of TS-25-37 where it also intersected similar thickened lenses of massive and semi-massive sulphides and associated stringer and breccia zones. Assays are pending for this hole and further analysis is required to confirm the significance of any mineralization therein. Erin Carswell, Foran's Vice President, Exploration, commented: "Tesla has delivered another stunning surprise this winter, revealing an exceptionally thick intersection in the central part of the zone. The cumulative thickness of mineralization in hole TS-25-37 is twice that of our previous best intercept, significantly expanding a zone of high-grade copper mineralization that was previously discovered in Hole TS-23-10. Additionally, a down-dip wedge hole has identified another broad interval of sulphides (assays pending) that should further strengthen the lenses. Accurately assessing the controls on this 143m thick package of mineralized rock will require further drilling, most likely from the footwall side of Tesla after ice melt. Most excitingly, it is an indication of the upside that still remains at Tesla and Bridge as we continue working towards our maiden resource estimate." 2025 Winter Drill Program Foran's current 2025 ice-based winter drill program will be the largest in the Company's history, encompassing over 30,000m of drilling and utilizing eight drill rigs to further delineate and grow the Tesla and adjacent Bridge Zones. Current drilling is focused on confirming the continuity of Tesla mineralization and tightening up the drill hole spacing across central parts of the Tesla Zone as we work towards completing a maiden resource estimate. A ninth rig is focused on testing high priority regional targets in proximity to the McIlvenna Bay Deposit, which is currently under construction. To date, Foran's drilling has defined multiple lenses of zinc and/or copper-rich mineralization over a strike length of at least 1,200m and 500-700m in the down dip direction at Tesla. The winter program is targeting a series of larger 200-300m gaps in the current drill spacing across the Tesla and Bridge Zones, utilizing wedging and directional drilling technologies to maintain the efficiency and precision of the drilling at tighter spacings. A plan map showing the location of TS-25-37 relative to the previous drilling that currently defines the zone is provided in Figure 1 below. TS-25-37 targeted the central part of the Tesla Zone in an area where previous drilling from multiple directions had identified anomalously thick zones of mineralization. These early holes intersected the zones at low angles, so TS-25-37 was drilled from frozen muskeg to provide a perpendicular intersection and better characterize the mineralized lenses in this part of the zone. This hole also began to infill a large +200m gap between drill holes in the central part of the currently defined Tesla Zone. A longitudinal section through the Tesla Zone showing the current density of drilling is provided in Figure 2, which also shows the location of the pierce point for TS-25-37. TS-25-37 intersected a substantially thickened zone of mineralization, advancing our interpretation and providing important information on the probable true thickness of the lenses. The geology in this part of Tesla is complex, and additional drilling will be required to fully understand the geometry. However, given the significant widths of mineralization intersected to date it is likely that this area will be an important contributor as the Tesla Zone continues to grow. Assay composites from TS-25-37 are provided in Table 1 below. TS-25-37 TS-25-37 successfully intersected an area of thickened mineralization in the central part of the Tesla Zone that had been previously identified by drill holes TS-23-10 and TS-23-14w2 (see below for additional details). The bulk of the mineralization in this hole is contained in four discrete sulphide zones that occur between 1,289.9m and 1,432.1m, containing a combined 119.2m of mineralization. Figure 3 provides a series of representative photographs showing the various styles of mineralization encountered in TS-25-37. The upper zone of mineralization in TS-25-37 was intersected at a higher elevation than anticipated, at a depth of 1,289.5m. Mineralization commenced with an upper interval of dominantly stringer-style pyrite and chalcopyrite hosted in a chlorite-sericite-carbonate altered felsic unit together with narrow intervals of massive sulphide. This was followed downhole by a broad zone of massive to semi-massive sulphides, dominantly consisting of coarse-grained pyrite in a fine grained red-brown sphalerite matrix with local chalcopyrite (Figure 3A). The entire interval returned 37.5m of mineralization grading 0.41% Cu, 7.76% Zn, 25.1 g/t Ag and 0.20 g/t Au (2.93% CuEq), and included a thick massive to semi-massive sulphide interval grading 10.62% Zn over 24.9m. A second lens was intersected at 1,342.3m, consisting of a narrow upper zinc-rich massive sulphide lens and followed by copper stockwork style mineralization to 1,349.2m, similar to that shown in Figure 3B. This copper stockwork style mineralization consists mainly of stringers of pyrite and chalcopyrite in chlorite-sericite-carbonate altered schistose unit. The interval graded 0.80% Cu, 1.48% Zn, 21.7 g/t Ag and 0.18 g/t Au (1.38% CuEq) over 6.9m. The third lens was intersected at 1,353.2m and consisted primarily of pyrite and chalcopyrite forming both stringers and breccia-style zones of mineralization in a strongly chlorite altered unit. Overall, this lens graded 0.92% Cu, 0.16% Zn, 16.5 g/t Ag and 0.23 g/t Au (1.10% CuEq) over 22.3m, including a 5.5m interval grading 1.49% Cu, 0.30% Zn, 20.9 g/t Ag and 0.29 g/t Au (1.71% CuEq). Finally, the fourth lens began at 1,379.5m where the hole intersected an unprecedented 52.6m interval grading 1.75% Cu, 2.04% Zn, 22.0 g/t Ag and 0.41 g/t Au (2.54% CuEq). This thick zone is characterized by copper-rich stockwork and breccia zones which are interbedded with two massive sulphide zones, including an 8.7m core length of zinc and copper rich massive sulphide (Figure 3C) that graded 9.81% Zn, 1.68% Cu, 21.8 g/t Ag and 0.15 g/t Au (4.65% CuEq). Thickened Telsa Lens: Supporting Drill intercepts The occurrence of a thickened zone of mineralization in the central part of Tesla is supported by the results from several drill holes completed both this season and in previous drilling campaigns. In addition to the newly reported, standout intercept from TS-25-37, the interpretation of thicker zones of mineralization in the core of Tesla is supported by surrounding historical drillholes TS-23-10, TS-23-14w2 and newly drilled hole TS-25-37w1, all of which intersected above average thicknesses of mineralization and in most cases higher than average grades. All four drillholes are plotted on the cross section provided in Figure 4, which shows the current preliminary interpretation for this part of the Tesla Zone. TS-23-10 was drilled during the 2023 winter program and returned the most significant Tesla intersection by grade-thickness prior to the drilling of TS-25-37. TS-23-10 intersected several zones of mineralization including one of the best copper intersections returned to date from Tesla, as highlighted by a 39.0m interval grading 2.86% Cu, 0.88% Zn, 41.4 g/t Ag and 0.74 g/t Au (3.98% CuEq), which included an 11.2m interval grading 4.97% Cu, 1.72% Zn, 60.2 g/t Ag and 1.26 g/t Au (6.88% CuEq). See Foran's April 20, 2023 news release for additional information. TS-23-14w2 was drilled during the summer of 2023 to follow up on the above results from TS-23-10. It was designed as a 'scissor hole', approaching the mineralization from the opposite direction in order to provide additional spatial constraints and confirm lens geometry. TS-23-14w2 successfully intersected a long core length of mineralization, including the same large lower zone as hole TS-23-10, returning a 49.6m core interval grading 0.25% Cu, 9.32% Zn, 37.0 g/t Ag and 0.32 g/t Au (3.37% CuEq). See Foran's December 14, 2023 news release for additional information. Finally, TS-25-37w1 (assays pending) was drilled as a wedged hole from TS-25-37 and intersected the mineralized horizon approximately 65m down dip from the parent hole. TS-25-37w1 appears to have intersected similar mineralization as TS-25-37 with a wide zone of massive sulphide over an approximately 80m core length consisting of dominantly massive to semi-massive coarse-grained pyrite +/- chalcopyrite in a strong red-brown sphalerite matrix with minor associated stringer zones. The upper mineralized interval is followed approximately 100m downhole by a second similar massive to semi-massive zone and associated stringer-style mineralization. The identification of copper and zinc-bearing minerals has been confirmed by TruScanTM XRF core scanning data, but laboratory assays are pending for this hole and further analysis is required to confirm the significance of any mineralization therein. A photograph of a section from the upper massive sulphide interval is provided in Figure 5 below. Foran's Geoscience & Exploration team is currently investigating the potential geological or structural mechanisms behind the apparent thickening of the mineralization in this central part of the Tesla Zone. As the area will likely have a significant positive impact on the future resource estimates, additional drilling to tighten up the current drill hole spacing is planned from the footwall in the spring/summer of 2025. Table 1 2025 Winter Program Assay Results Hole Zone From_m To_m Interval_m Cu % Zn % Ag g/t Au g/t CuEq % TS-25-37 MS/CS 1289.5 1327.0 37.5 0.41 7.76 25.1 0.20 2.93 Including MS 1300.4 1325.3 24.9 0.28 10.62 28.3 0.15 3.65 TS-25-37 QV 1333.0 1336.0 3.0 0.23 1.22 66.8 0.41 1.12 TS-25-37 MS/CS 1342.3 1349.2 6.9 0.80 1.48 21.7 0.18 1.38 Including MS 1342.3 1343.0 0.7 0.41 10.30 21.7 0.18 3.66 TS-25-37 CS 1353.2 1375.4 22.3 0.92 0.16 16.5 0.23 1.10 Including CS 1370.0 1375.4 5.5 1.49 0.30 20.9 0.29 1.71 TS-25-37 MS/CS 1379.5 1432.1 52.6 1.75 2.04 22.0 0.41 2.54 Including CS 1392.0 1402.0 10.1 3.17 0.44 36.1 1.04 3.79 And MS 1403.9 1412.6 8.7 1.68 9.81 21.8 0.15 4.65 And CS 1413.1 1419.1 6.0 2.91 0.53 33.9 0.31 3.15 TS-25-37 CS 1444.1 1447.1 3.0 1.00 0.22 9.7 0.16 1.11 TS-25-37 CS 1450.1 1452.1 2.0 0.52 0.15 9.1 0.10 0.62 Note 1: Composite widths are presented as core lengths. Additional drilling will be required to confirm the geometry of the mineralized zones, but generally true widths are thought to be 80-85% of core length. Intervals generally composited using a 0.5% Cu cut-off grade in the stringer zones. Copper Equivalent values calculated using metal prices of $4.00/lb Cu, $1.50/lb Zn, $20.00/ounce Ag and $1,800/ounce Au and LOM metallurgical recovery rates derived from test work on blended ores for the McIlvenna Bay Deposit completed as part of our April 2022 Feasibility Study: 91.1% Cu, 79.8% Zn, 88.6% Au and 62.3% Ag (MS massive / semi-massive sulphide, CS Copper Stockwork/Stringer, QV quartz-carbonate-albite alteration/veining, L3 Lens 3 (McIlvenna Bay), L2 Lens 2 (McIlvenna Bay), CSZ Copper Stockwork Zone (McIlvenna Bay)). To date no metallurgical test work has been completed on the Tesla Zone or Bridge Zone mineralization. Quality Assurance and Quality Control Drilling was completed using NQ size diamond drill core and core was logged by employees of the Company. During the logging process, mineralized intersections were marked for sampling and given unique sample numbers. Sampled intervals were sawn in half using a diamond blade saw. One half of the sawn core was placed in a plastic bag with the sample tag and sealed, while the second half was returned to the core box for storage on site. Sample assays are performed by the Saskatchewan Research Council ("SRC") Geoanalytical Laboratory in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. SRC is a Canadian accredited laboratory (ISO/IEC 17025:2017) and independent of Foran. Analysis for Ag, Cu, Pb and Zn is performed using ICP-OES after total multi-acid digestion. Au analysis is completed by fire assay with AAS finish and any samples which return results greater than 1.0 g/t Au are re-run using gravimetric finish. A complete suite of QA/QC reference materials (standards, blanks, and duplicates) are included in each batch of samples processed by the laboratory. The results of the assaying of the QA/QC material included in each batch are tracked to ensure the integrity of the assay data. Qualified Person Mr. Roger March, P. Geo., Principal Geoscientist for Foran, is the Qualified Person for all technical information herein and has reviewed and approved the technical information in this release. The Company's head office is located at 409 Granville Street, Suite 904, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6C 1T2. Common Shares of the Company are listed for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") under the symbol "FOM" and on the OTCQX Best Market under the symbol "FMCXF". About Foran Mining Foran Mining is a copper-zinc-gold-silver exploration and development company, committed to supporting a greener future and, empowering communities while creating value for our stakeholders. The McIlvenna Bay project is located within the documented traditional territory of the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, comprises the infrastructure and works related to development activities of the Company, and hosts the McIlvenna Bay Deposit and Tesla Zone. The Company also owns the Bigstone Deposit, a resource-development stage deposit located 25 km southwest of the McIlvenna Bay Property. The McIlvenna Bay Deposit is a copper-zinc-gold-silver rich VHMS deposit intended to be the centre of a new mining camp in a prolific district that has already been producing for 100 years. The McIlvenna Bay Property sits just 65 km West of Flin Flon, Manitoba, and is part of the world class Flin Flon Greenstone Belt that extends from Snow Lake, Manitoba, through Flin Flon to Foran's ground in eastern Saskatchewan, a distance of over 225 km. The McIlvenna Bay Deposit is the largest undeveloped VHMS deposit in the region. The Company filed its NI 43-101 compliant 2025 Technical Report on the McIlvenna Bay Project, Saskatchewan, Canada (the "2025 Technical Report") on March 12, 2025, with an effective date and report date of March 12, 2025, outlining a mineral resource in respect of the McIlvenna Bay Deposit estimated at 38.6 Mt grading 2.02% CuEq in the Indicated category and an additional 4.5 Mt grading 1.71% CuEq in the Inferred category. Investors are encouraged to consult the full text of the 2025 Technical Report which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca under the Company's profile. The Company's head office is located at 409 Granville Street, Suite 904, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6C 1T2. Common Shares of the Company are listed for trading on the TSX under the symbol "FOM" and on the OTCQX under the symbol "FMCXF". CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements, as defined under applicable securities laws (collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements"). These statements relate to future events or to the future performance of Foran Mining Corporation and reflect management's expectations and assumptions as of the date hereof or as of the date of such forward looking statement. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited, statements regarding our objectives and our strategies to achieve such objectives; our beliefs, plans, estimates, projections and intentions, and similar statements concerning anticipated future events; as well as specific statements in respect of our exploration plan's focus and objectives, including regarding targets, rigs, timing, drilling locations, and expected results; statements made in the video that is hyperlinked to this news release; our 2025 winter drill program, including our targeted 30,000 metres to be drilled; the growth potential and relationship of, and our ability to expand and further delineate, the McIlvenna Bay Deposit, Tesla Zone and Bridge Zone mineralization; the continuation and strengthening of McIlvenna Bay Deposit, Tesla Zone and Bridge Zone mineralization; our ability to construct and commission the McIlvenna Bay Project; our drilling pipeline; our understanding and interpretation of geology and mineralization, including in respect of the McIlvenna Bay Deposit, Tesla Zone and Bridge Zone; our ability to gather data in respect of and prepare a potential future resource estimate for Tesla Zone; our drilling techniques; the importance of the zone where TS-25-37 intersected mineralization and the area's potential to contribute to the Tesla Zone; our commitment to support a greener future, empower communities and create value for our stakeholders; expectations regarding our development and advanced exploration activities; and expectations, assumptions and targets in respect of our 2025 Technical Report. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release speak only as of the date of this news release or as of the date specified in such statement. Inherent in forward-looking statements are known and unknown risks, estimates, assumptions, uncertainties and other factors that 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 contained in this news release. These factors include management's belief or expectations relating to the following and, in certain cases, management's response with regard to the following: the Company's reliance on the McIlvenna Bay Property; the Company is exposed to risks related to mineral resources exploration and development; and the additional risks identified in our filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR+ in Canada (available at www.sedarplus.ca). The forward-looking statements contained in this news release reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant operational, business, economic and regulatory uncertainties and contingencies. These assumptions include the availability of funds for the Company's projects; availability of equipment; sustained labour stability with no labour-related disruptions; all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals are received in a timely manner; and the ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, described or intended. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and should note that the assumptions and risk factors discussed in this press release are not exhaustive. Actual results and developments are likely to differ, and may differ materially, from those expressed or implied by the forward looking statements contained in this press release. All forward-looking statements herein are qualified by this cautionary statement. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. If the Company does update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements, unless required by law. Additional information about these assumptions, risks and uncertainties is contained in our filings with securities regulators on SEDAR+ in Canada (available at www.sedarplus.ca). A community of Palestinian Bedouins has decried a major theft of their livestock in the occupied West Bank, where the UN says violence from Israeli settlers is taking place in a climate of impunity. On March 7, dozens of Israeli settlers, some of them armed, attacked Palestinian residents in Ras Ein al Auja while under the protection of Israeli forces, according to the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Resident Haitham Suleiman Zayed described how around 40 vehicles arrived in the pastoral area in the Jordan Valley, accompanied by "army forces and armoured Israeli vehicles". More than 1,500 livestock were stolen, he said. "We tried to confront them by throwing stones at them to make them move away from this enclosure, but we could not do that", Zayed, 25, told AFP, adding that Israeli forces had intervened to protect the thieves, whom he referred to as settlers. Contacted by AFP, the Israeli military referred to a police statement issued the day after the incident. The statement said police had intervened after receiving a report regarding the theft of 50 sheep from Zohar's farm -- a settler outpost run by Zohar Sabah, an Israeli targeted in November by United States sanctions against settlers involved in acts of violence. The sanctions introduced by the administration of former president Joe Biden were cancelled by President Donald Trump on his return to power. - 'War crime' - "Police and (Israeli) forces began searching for the flock and arrived at a Bedouin encampment near the Palestinian village of Auja, where they located the (settler's) stolen flock", the Israeli police statement said. "The Palestinian suspect was arrested and taken for interrogation, where he admitted to the act," it added. OCHA said that according to eyewitnesses, "settlers physically assaulted and injured a Palestinian man, stole approximately 1,400 livestock, killed 12 goats, and damaged at least three houses and several solar panels." The Palestinian man injured during the confrontation was "restrained by Israeli police while settlers beat him," the UN office added. Israel has occupied the West Bank since the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. Excluding annexed east Jerusalem, the territory is home to nearly three million Palestinians and around 490,000 Israelis who live in settlements considered illegal under international law. "The transfer by Israel of parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies amounts to a war crime," UN rights chief Volker Turk said in a statement on Tuesday. "Israel must immediately and completely cease all settlement activities and evacuate all settlers, stop the forcible transfer of the Palestinian population, and prevent and punish attacks by its security forces and settlers," he added. His comments came as his office released a new report on the situation in the West Bank between October 2023 and last November. "The line between settler and state violence (has) blurred to a vanishing point, further enabling an increase in violence and impunity", the report said. - 'Main goal to displace' - OCHA said that Israeli settlers in February bulldozed an area of Ras Ein al Auja to build a road connecting two settlement outposts. "From Masafer Yatta in the south to the northern Jordan Valley in the north, there is not a single square meter safe from settler attacks," said Zayed. "The main goal is to displace people," he added. Throughout the Gaza war, violence in the West Bank -- a separate Palestinian territory -- has soared, as have calls to annex it, most notably from Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Since early last year, the territory has seen a string of attacks by Palestinians on Israeli targets, as well as violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinian communities. Since the start of the war in October 2023, Israeli troops or settlers have killed at least 911 Palestinians, including many militants, according to the Palestinian health ministry. Palestinian attacks and clashes during military raids have killed at least 32 Israelis over the same period, according to official figures. KILDARE South Fine Gael TD and Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and the Marine, Martin Heydon, has welcomed confirmation of funding of 598,117 for eight Kildare community centres under the Community Centre Investment Fund. He said: These Kildare allocations are part of a 26 million investment nationwide announced by Government today. The Community Centre investment fund is a fund that was set up by Fine Gael in recognition of the important role played by community groups right across the country in providing communal spaces for local groups, organisations and people to gather. These grants will make a really big difference to local facilities in our communities, whether its refurbishment works, installing a new kitchen or carrying out energy upgrades, this funding will make a real difference to those that avail of these centres. Minister Martin Heydon visiting County Kildare Leader Partnership which received funding under the latest round This funding is all about giving our communities a helping hand from Castledermot to Kilcullen and Kildare town, Newbridge to Caragh and Sallins, we are making our towns and villages better places to live, work and raise a family. Minister Heydon said: The voluntary and community sector provide so much to our local communities across Kildare, and the programme for Government commits to continuing to support communities in the work they do. Its fair to say that in good times and bad, our community centres are so important for our older people, our young people and families alike. They are safe and welcoming places for friends, neighbours and indeed those who are socially isolated to come together, and as we reach the fifth anniversary since the first COVID restrictions, we now appreciate the value of connectivity, which community centres provide. I would like to take this opportunity today to say a big thank you to the committees and volunteers who run these centres throughout the year. We couldnt do it without you, concluded Minister Heydon. A TERRIFIED Kildare man who was caught in a chance encounter with gardai holding over 200,000 of cannabis in an attempt to pay off a 2,000 gambling debt has been jailed for three years. Kenneth Philpott (64) was pulled over after being spotted by gardai driving in a bus lane. Mr Philpott of River Forest, Leixlip, Kildare pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of the drugs on 10 April 2024. He has no previous convictions. Passing sentence last Friday, Judge Martin Nolan said certain parties had taken advantage of the defendants gambling debt to traffic these drugs. He said Mr Philpott had made a huge misjudgement in agreeing. The judge took into account the mitigation in the case, including his co-operation, good history, work record and the level of fear and coercion involved. Judge Nolan said drugs offences such as this were well-trodden ground for the court. He said this was a very normal type of case where obligations were created through a partys behaviour before taking advantage of the obligation. He said Mr Philpott was a mature man who had made a very bad decision. Judge Nolan said he could depart from the mandatory minimum sentence of ten years due to the circumstances of the case, but said it was a substantial amount of drugs. He set a headline sentence of six years imprisonment, but said as there was very good mitigation he would cut that in two and imposed a sentence of three years imprisonment. Garda Ronan Doolin outlined to the court that gardai stopped a car observed going into the bus lane. The driver, Philpott, was co-operative but very nervous, prompting suspicion and a search of the car. Mr Philpott told gardai there were packages in the car and gardai recovered 7kg of cannabis in taped packages, valued at 140,000. During a follow-up search of his home, gardai recovered a further 80,000 worth of cannabis. Mr Philpott gave gardai admissions in relation to his own role only. He said he had worked most of his life working and managing casinos but suffered a stroke two years previously so had to slow down. He was working as a croupier across Dublin but had built up a gambling debt of 2,400 from playing cards. Mr Philpott, described as a working man from a good family with a grown daughter, had not been put under any pressure to repay the debt until one week before this offence. He described being terrified of the people he was working for. The court heard there were threats made against his family and home and he felt he had no choice. He travelled from his home to pick up the drugs, dropped some to his house and shed and then returned to pick up a second load. He was on his way home with the second load when he was stopped by gardai. Defence counsel said Mr Philpott was a good family man whose wife and daughter have always been his priority. He has been getting counselling from Gamblers Anonymous and was remorseful for his involvement in this offence. He handed up a letter from the accused to the judge. He said Mr Philpott had been very successful in martial arts in his earlier life and represented Ireland in many tournaments. He asked the court to take into account that he was someone who had lived his entire adult life as a constructive and productive member of society and his community. He had been completely self-sufficient his entire life, worked hard and brought up his daughter. He said his client had made immediate admissions and gardai did not dispute the threats he outlined. He did not anticipate him coming before the courts again. Counsel said his client shouldnt be here, but he is here and was taking full responsibility for the reasons he was before the court. James Cox Here, we have a look at the topics likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come. Widespread condemnation of McGregor/White House meeting Taoiseach Micheal Martin's meeting with US president Donald Trump in the White House went off without any negative incidents, something Mr Martin would have been looking to avoid after the fiery Oval Office encounter with Volodymy Zelenskiy. Mr Martin was criticised by opposition TDs over an awkward laugh when Mr Trump made a joke about Ireland's housing crisis, but other than that the visit was considered a success. That was until it was completely overshadowed by Mr Trump's surprise visitor on St Patrick's Day, Conor McGregor. McGregor made a number of unfounded claims about immigration to Ireland in the White House press briefing room before his meeting with Mr Trump. He also labelled Ireland America's "little bro", adding: "We wish to be taken care of by the big bro." McGregor praised Mr Trumps work ethic as inspiring as he met him in the Oval Office on Monday, while the president described him as fantastic. Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Tanaiste Simon Harris quickly issued statements in which they said McGregor does not represent Irish people, and has no mandate to speak for the Irish public. Opposition figures also criticised McGregor, and rieterated that he does not speak for the Irish public. His visit to the White House came months after he was found civilly liable in a High Court damages case in Dublin taken by a woman who accused him of rape. Nikita Hand, also known as Nikita Ni Laimhin, won her claim against McGregor after accusing the professional fighter of raping her in a Dublin hotel in December 2018. Ms Hand, 35, was awarded damages and costs after a three-week trial last year in which the jury found him civilly liable for assault. A judge at the High Court in Dublin later said the jury had conclusively determined that McGregor had raped Ms Hand. McGregor is appealing against the outcome of the civil case. Rachel Morrogh, chief executive of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, said the meeting between Trump and McGregor was a very sinister event. Ms Morrogh described the engagement as an attempt to normalise sexual violence and rebuild McGregors reputation. She told RTEs News At One that she was writing to the US embassy over what she said was a really callous indifference to every survivor of sexual violence. In a strongly-worded statement on his Instagram account, former taoiseach Leo Varadkar referred to the case in which a jury found McGregor civilly liable in a case taken by a woman who accused him of rape. Mr Varadkar wrote: "Good Irish dads teach their sons to detest men like Conor and their daughters to avoid men like him. Irish America know this. Irish exports to US Nearly half of all Irish goods exported in January went to the US, according to figures published ahead of expected US tariffs imposed on the EU. There was an 81 per cent increase in the value of Irish exported goods compared with January 2024 (worth 11.7 billion). The export of medical and pharmaceutical products increased by 68 per cent in January compared with 12 months previous, and represented 61 per cent of total exports that month. Figures published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) on Tuesday indicate that the US was also Irelands largest market for imports. Jane Burmanje, CSO statistician, said: Exports of goods to the United States were 11.7 billion euro in January 2025, accounting for 48.4% of total good exports, while imports of goods from the US were 2.1 billion euro, representing 19.7% of total imports, making it the largest market for Ireland in this period. Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe said that while the figures were only for one month, that single month does point to a broader way in which our trade has been structured with the United States. Abroad US president Donald Trump and Russian president Vladimir Putin agreed during a call on Tuesday to seek a limited ceasefire against energy and infrastructure targets in the Russia-Ukraine war, according to the White House. The White House described it as the first step in a movement to peace it hopes will eventually include a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and a full and lasting end to the fighting. Both leaders agreed this conflict needs to end with a lasting peace, the White House said in a statement. The blood and treasure that both Ukraine and Russia have been spending in this war would be better spent on the needs of their people. The White House said negotiations would begin immediately on those steps. It was not immediately clear whether Ukraine is on board with the phased ceasefire plan. Ann O'Loughlin Web Summit co-founder and majority shareholder Paddy Cosgrave allegedly engaged in a campaign of "blackmail" against former director Daire Hickey in an attempt to secure his shares in the company, it has been claimed before the High Court. The Commercial Court is hearing a "bitter" multi-million legal row involving the tech conference giant being fought out between Mr Cosgrave and minority shareholders and former directors Mr Hickey and David Kelly. Mr Cosgrave is suing Mr Kelly over alleged breaches of his duties while acting as a director. Mr Kelly and Mr Hickey are suing Mr Cosgrave for alleged minority shareholder oppression and breach of a profit-sharing agreement. Bernard Dunleavy SC, for Mr Cosgrave has told the court his client was suing Mr Kelly, alleging he had been "disloyal" to the company when acting as a director through the creation of a tech investment fund to rival those of Web Summit and "co-opt" financial opportunities. At the court on Thursday Eoin MCCullough SC, for Mr Hickey, said the board of the holding company for Web Summit "appears to accept that Mr Cosgrave is spending company money to defend himself in both of these sets of proceedings and that figures from auditors Grant Thornton suggests a legal expenditure as much as 7 million". Mr McCullough said this was in light of Mr Cosgrave receiving a "sign-on bonus" of 1 million in April last year when he returned to Web Summit after he resigned in October 2023 over social media posts concerning Hamas and Israel. Counsel said it is alleged that Mr Cosgrave was a "very difficult person to work with", who was "highly unpredictable". Mr McCullough said that Mr Cosgrave's "demands went unsupervised" and that the court will see that "when questioned he [Mr Cosgrave] reacts with extraordinary vitriol". Mr McCullough said Mr Cosrgove had pursued "vendettas" and had refused company information, strategy and finances to Mr Hickey, who had complained about corporate governance as a shareholder between 2019 and 2021. Mr McCullough said Mr Cosgrave ran a "campaign to destroy Mr Hickey" over an alleged incident in 2016 in New Orleans where an employee of Web Summit complained about remarks made over drinks by Mr Hickey about another person, who accepts the remarks were "unacceptable" and "not appropriate" though made in jest. Counsel said his client was told that the matter had been resolved and was not given a chance to respond to the employee's letter of complaint and would have done so at the time to give his version of events if he knew of the letter. Investigation Mr McCullough said Mr Cosgrave had appeared to suggest he did not know of the complaint at the time but had later ordered an investigation into the matter to "attack" Mr Hickey. In messages seen by the court, Mr Cosgrave allegedly says that Mr Hickey was to "get nothing, absolutely nothing" for his shares before allegedly releasing a series of social media posts about the complaint against Mr Hickey without naming him in an attempt at "blackmail". Counsel said Mr Cosgrave claimed online that he was writing a book called "sex, drugs and the appointment of a sexual predator to a State board". The court heard Mr Hickey was an RTE board member at the time and Mr Cosgrave was making "wild allegations to damage him". Mr McCullough told the court that Mr Cosgrave was also "annoyed" by a 2021 profile of him that appeared in the Irish Independent and concluded that Mr Hickey was a source for the article. Counsel said that Mr Cosgrave then compiled a "detailed dossier" of the 2016 incident to "blackmail, destroy and intimidate" his client into "giving up his shareholding" and attempted to disseminate it to journalists. Counsel said that Mr Kelly was told by Mr Cosgrave to ring Mr Hickey and say the matter would not be made public if Mr Hickey returned his shares to the company and cut all ties with Web Summit. Counsel said Mr Cosgrave "used the company" to conduct "campaigns and vendettas of various types but not just in business" to the financial detriment of the company and the interests of Mr Hickey, who owns 7 percent of Web Summit, and Mr Kelly, who owns 12 percent. Mr Hickey's share in the company is valued between 19.6-25.2 million. Counsel said Mr Cosgraves remuneration "dramatically" increased at the time Mr Hickey was being denied "basic" financial information when still a director. Mr Hickey resigned as an employee in 2017 and as a director in 2019. Mr McCullough said when Mr Cosgrave returned to the company last year, his basic salary was 950K with the sign-on bonus of 1 million, but in 2022 and 2023 he received a bonus of 2.5 million for each year. Counsel said that Mr Cosgrave also benefited from several loans from the company at a low rate of interest. The case continues before Mr Justice Twomey and is scheduled to last nine weeks. Ellen O'Donoghue Martha Lovett Cullen was just 25 years old when her mum died of breast cancer in August 2024, around a year after being diagnosed. The young Dublin woman is now calling on the Minister for Health to improve breast cancer screening for women with dense breasts. Martha launched a petition on Friday, March 7th, calling on Jennifer Carroll MacNeill to pass a breast density notification law. This law would require all women to be notified whether they have dense or non-dense breast tissue after a mammogram. Marian Lovett, Marthas mum, was just 61 when she died of breast cancer. Her children were 19 and 25 years old. Marian had a clear mammogram in 2022, but a year later, she was diagnosed with terminal, stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. She later discovered that she had dense breast tissue, which makes it harder for a mammogram to detect breast cancer. Marian was never told she had dense breasts, so was unaware that a mammogram would be less effective at detecting breast cancer. At the same time she was being told she had cancer, she was also told that she had very dense breasts, which could have masked her tumour on her mammogram, Marians daughter Martha explains. She went through treatments, but in August 2024, just after turning 61, she went into hospital with side effects from chemo. Marian was kept in the hospital for around a month, while the side effects were treated. Everything was going to plan, she was making great progress and then, just kind of out of nowhere, the cancer just kind of burst like a dam and took over, and then she was gone very suddenly within the space of like a day or two, Martha says. Even when she was ill, she was very frustrated by the fact that if she had just been notified of her breast density, then they might have caught the cancer earlier, if she had gone for an ultrasound or an MRI, she might still be here today. Martha is now campaigning to try and get something done about breast density notification in Ireland, so it doesnt have to happen again to women like my mum. My mum was very much an advocate for speaking up for things, speaking up for people and for things that are wrong or things that should be called out on, she was very much a feminist. She was outspoken and confident and just really a force of nature, Martha says. She didnt think it was fair that such a small piece of information wasnt given to her sooner, because just the fact that its something you should be told, where you would be told if you had high blood pressure or high cholesterol because it is a risk factor for developing breast cancer as well as it going unseen. She was very inspiring and raised me and my brother to very much stand up for what is right and make change in things that need it. In every state in America, when a woman gets her first mammogram, in the letter they receive with their results, they are also given their level of breast density and so if they want to go for an ultrasound or to go back for further scans, they have the option to do that, according to Martha. Its the same I think, in Germany, most of Australia, Canada, Belgium, France, like a lot of countries, its just part of their system that when you start to get your screenings later on in age, its just part of the report you get, because theyre aware that dense breast tissue can mask anything sinister that might show up on a mammogram, so its much safer for women with dense breasts to get ultrasounds and in some cases, MRIs, Martha explains. Women should ask about their breast density when getting their mammogram results and insist on being told, Martha believes. When you look at scan examples, its very clear when a woman has dense breasts because theres just a lot of white, a lot of imaging shows up as white because dense breasts have more fibrous and glandular tissue and less fat, which shows up as white on a mammogram. Its a very obvious finding and a very visual finding and a radiologist is kind of able to tell at a glance whether a woman has dense breasts or non-dense breasts, so it doesnt take a whole other process or screening, it doesnt take anything further, she says. Marian Lovett lived a very normal life, her daughter says. She did not eat unhealthily, drank in moderation, never had any major health issues and had no history of cancer on either side of her family. We were all just very shocked when she was diagnosed, but something that I think we were all very glad about was that in the year that she was ill, she didnt let it dampen her spirit, she didnt let it discourage her from living her life the way she wanted to live it, Martha says. She did two different courses in Trinity in the last five years, postgrads, to do with health innovation actually, just because she wanted to, and it was something she was interested in. She was always just coming up with ways to make things better. She kept up with things and always had ideas for how, just how things could be made better for women, especially in Ireland, just given the way that I think womens health is often pushed to the side in this country and its not made a priority, Martha says. Her mum followed the Vicky Phelan case very closely too, and was outraged by how that ended. I think they really need to do better in that respect, especially given that a lot of other countries, including countries in Europe are. Were basically just lagging very far behind. We miss her every day, Martha says about her mum. Nothings really the same anymore now, without her. But doing all of this kind of work has also made me feel closer to her in a way, because I know that its what she would want me to be doing and getting the word out there. I just feel like shes with me throughout all of this. Marthas petition calling on improvements to breast cancer screening for women with dense breasts can now has over 5,900 signatures, and can be found here. A local TD is calling for a more visible garda presence on our streets following scenes of horrible violence in Callan last week. At least one person was seriously injured following a fracas that took place in the middle of the day in Callan on Thursday. The violent brawl occurred at lunchtime on Bridge Street, in the centre of the town, outside a number of open businesses. One man was taken to hospital by ambulance. Numerous videos of the incident circulated online. Traffic on the one-way street was backed up and witnesses described cars going in both directions. Motorists caught in the ensuing traffic hold-up witnessed the incident, as did local secondary school students. Kilkenny TD Peter Chap Cleere says a visible garda presence is needed and he will be championing the county when it comes to the allocation of new gardai - after a drop of 10% in local garda numbers in four years. Many of the teenagers had to walk past the incident to return to school after their lunch break and some were reported to be too upset by what they witnessed to return to class. READ MORE: Check out our photo galleries from the St Patrick's Day parades in Kilkenny, Urlingford, Thomastown, Goresbridge - Click here! Locals are shocked and have condemned the horrible violence witnessed in the town. It is believed the incident was a row between two local, feuding groups. Videos of the incident are circulating, showing a group of up to six men, in various states of undress, with punches being thrown. Deputy Cleere highlighted that the number of gardai in Carlow Kilkenny has reduced by 10% in the last four years, with only 312 gardai in the garda district, while there were 350 four years ago. The local population has been increasing at the same time, he added. Deputy Cleere said: We have to see more gardai on the street, the more we have the better. The recent garda recruitment campaign was massively oversubscribed, he pointed out and said I will be championing that they dont just stay in Dublin. Irish people have real pride in the force. People yearn for the sight of a garda, but the real challenge is we havent enough gardai to do that. More gardai are needed, particularly in Kilkenny, and they need more resources. The real frustrating thing for gardai is the amount of bureaucracy in their job, Deputy Cleere said. The Carlow Kilkenny TD went on to say that the amount of red tape gardai deal with and being stuck behind a desk instead of being out on the street, keeping people safe, is not the job they signed up for. As homelessness and a shortage in housing supply continue to impact the daily lives of people in County Kilkenny, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald visited the Good Shepherd Centre last week to speak to some of the service users and volunteers facing the issue. Thirty-nine people accessed emergency accommodation locally according to the Department of Housing in January. So, the visit carried huge importance. "I have been here before but Im always impressed by the tenacity and the ability to innovate and do incredible things on a limited budget, its very impressive," she said on her visit, stating, she had a significant meeting with the Good Shepherd Centre on how the service and similar services can be 'scaled up'. "We know that homeless numbers are increasing, thats a damning reality of our society," she said, noting the burden of accommodation is being left with voluntary organisations. FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE "Voluntary organisations have had to fight so hard for decent wages and and for pay parity, the State does not make it easy for people or for organisations who are stepping up to the plate to provide what are essential services." "In an ideal work of course the government should meet all of these needs but they dont," she added. "We know that people that are at work find it difficult to find a place to rent, not to mind buy and with all of these pressures going on, we have a government that spoofed about the number of houses that have been delivered," the Sinn Fein leader said. The leader of the Opposition also acknowledged the issue of homelessness is beyond Dublin, impacting counties such as Kilkenny also. "I can understand the criticism that 'it's not all about Dublin," McDonald admitted. "Dublin faces particular challenges just because of the size of the city but is important that experiences in places like Kilkenny and other cities, towns and villages are known." Meanwhile, the Sinn Fein leader also expressed her desire to see an increase in party representation from/in County Kilkenny. Currently, there is one TD and MEP from the county and just one representative on the council. "We're determined to grow. Kathleen Funchion is an established and such a popular political figure in Kilkenny so when she wasnt running (in the General Election) we were conscious that they were very big shoes to fill," she said, hailing new candidates Natasha Newsome Drennan and Aine Gladney-Knox. "I think we have the basis for optimism but what its all about now is hard work," affirming they will grow that number in the years to come. READ NEXT: Kilkenny food lover 'on cloud nine' after winning 'wonderful award' MORE TO FOLLOW... Award-winning comedian Al Porter has announced dates for his much-anticipated new stand-up show ALGORITHM which begins at the end of August in Naas and finishes in February 2026 in Offaly. Al will take the show to The Watergate Theatre in Kilkenny on November 29 for one unforgettable performance! 'ALGORITHM delivers a candid, energetic and fun loving look at everyday life for the thirty two year old Tallaght man. From asking such pertinent questions as how do you cope with your parents empty nest syndrome? to how in gods name do you godparent a German? He is one of the few Irish comics to have been nominated for a Perrier Award (like Tommy Tiernan and Dylan Moran before him) and in 2023 he picked up the 'Spirit of the Fringe' award from Fringe Legend Mervyn Stutter. READ MORE: Kilkenny venue hits out at 'no shows' that are 'killing the industry' Al says of this new show, This show came about because the algorithms on my social media were consistently nudging me and my partner to get assessed! And it got me thinking! How are algorithms shaping our life? Most of us encounter them every day on social media. "Its become a buzz word and everybodys got a pretty good idea of how they work! Maybe this can also give us a deeper understanding of ourselves what do I engage with in my own life? Theyre a mirror to our highs, lows, loves and hates! So, can we crack a formula for happy living in a complicated world? Sounds serious, but thats the point it doesnt have to be! Just like our feed, in life, we see more of what we pay attention to, so maybe we can be looking for the funny side! he concluded. This follows up Als comeback tour in 2023/4, which was a show about recovery, redemption and a lot more. Chortle gave that show four stars saying it was "gloriously upbeat, no self-pityirrepressible stand-up storytellinga powerhouse comeback. 'ALGORITHM' is Al at his very best a showman that puts funny first with rapid fire laughs and punchy, sharp, self-deprecating comedy. To get your tickets today you can go here. Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Thunderstorms likely. Rainfall will be locally heavy at times. 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. Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri will end its refugee program March 31 due to lack of federal funding. A person dressed in black shot and set fire to several Tesla vehicles at a repair facility in Las Vegas early March 18, police said, in what the FBI is investigating as a possible act of domestic terrorism. On May 22, 2011, a tornado raged through Joplin, Missouri. Now, 14 years later, it is the subject of a new Netflix documentary. "The Twister: Caught in the Storm" is a new feature-length documentary that tells the story of the EF-5 tornado that went through Joplin in 2011. The tornado ranked as the seventh deadliest tornado in US history, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The tornado left 158 people dead and injured over 1,000 people. It had wind speeds over 200 mph and wrecked 13 miles of the city. The film focuses on a group of Joplin High School seniors in the class of 2011. Their high school graduation occurred the same day the tornado hit, and the school was destroyed by the storm. One 18-year-old student, Will Norton, was killed in the tornado while returning home from his commencement ceremony. RELATED: Man who recorded viral video of tornado in Rolla recounts ordeal Tad Peters and his father were at a QuikTrip on I-44 in Rolla when an EF-2 tornado tracked through the city. The release of the documentary comes days after several tornadoes tracked through Missouri, killing 12 people in the state. Among those was an EF-2 tornado that hit Rolla Friday, injuring one person. "The Twister: Caught in the Storm" is available on Netflix starting Wednesday. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. BLACKPINK's Jennie has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in K-pop history, becoming the first female solo artist to chart three songs simultaneously on the Billboard Hot 100. This historic feat was announced Tuesday after two tracks from her debut solo album Ruby ranked on the Billboard Hot 100. A pre-release single also re-entered the rankings. Specifically, "Handlebars feat. Dua Lipa" entered the chart at No. 80, and the title track "Like JENNIE" debuted at No. 83. Additionally, her song "ExtraL featuring Doechii" re-entered the Hot 100 at No. 99. This achievement makes Jennie the first K-pop soloist to have three songs charting on the Hot 100 at the same time. It also makes her the first female K-pop soloist to have six songs on the Hot 100, including three previous entries like "One of the Girls," "Mantra," and "Love Hangover." Released on March 7, Ruby is Jennie's first full-length solo album. It features 15 tracks, including collaborations with artists like Dua Lipa, Dominic Fike, and Doechii. The album debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 and No. 3 on the UK Official Albums Chart. It also topped iTunes charts in 21 countries and digital sales charts in China. Outside of charts, Jennie was honored with the Global Force Award at the Billboard Women in Music 2025 ceremony, becoming the first Korean soloist to receive this accolade. "From rising stars to legendary icons, this year's honorees are redefining what it means to be a trailblazer in the industry," Billboard's Editor-in-Chief Hannah Karp said. "It's a privilege to continue Billboard's tradition of recognizing the women who are pushing the boundaries of music and culture, and we can't wait to share this incredible night with our global audience." Jennie recently held the "Ruby Experience" concert series, which took place in Los Angeles, New York, and Seoul from March 6 to 15. Proceeds from the concert were dedicated to supporting wildfire recovery efforts in Los Angeles. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. KUNMING, March 17 (Xinhua) -- While blueberry bushes in most parts of China are just beginning to bloom, early-ripening varieties in southwestern Yunnan Province are already being harvested. Farmers are currently working tirelessly to pick and pack the fresh berries, which swiftly make their way to markets across China and beyond. Originally native to North America, blueberries have found a second home in China. In 2024, the country's blueberry cultivation area surpassed 73,000 hectares, yielding around 500,000 tonnes of berries, making China one of the fastest-growing blueberry producers in the world. Yunnan Province, with its ideal climate and extended growing season, has emerged as a leading production hub, contributing about 30 percent of the national output. Thanks to its unique geographical conditions, abundant sunlight, significant temperature variations between day and night, Yunnan offers an optimal environment for blueberry cultivation. "Yunnan is a natural habitat for blueberries," said He Jiawei, head of the Institute of Alpine Economic and Botany, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Science. The province is home to 46 wild blueberry species -- more than half of China's total, making it one of the best production areas worldwide. The city of Mengzi in Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture is home to over 2,300 hectares of greenhouse-grown blueberry cultivation space, generating over 3 billion yuan (about 418.48 million U.S. dollars) in revenue and improving incomes and livelihoods for more than 20,000 local farmers. Min Hongwei set up a 12-hectare blueberry plantation base in Mile, another city in Honghe, last year. "During peak harvest season, our workforce jumps to over 150 people, most of whom are local villagers. They can earn at least 150 yuan per day, and some make as much as 300 yuan," he said. Yunnan's blueberry boom has attracted over 100 domestic and international companies to Honghe, creating jobs for more than 100,000 people. According to the province's agricultural department, Yunnan's blueberry cultivation area reached 16,660 hectares in 2024, producing 171,000 tonnes with an estimated industry value of 17 billion yuan. While Chinese blueberries were initially grown for domestic consumption, they are now making their mark on the international stage. Chen Canling, sales manager of Anmei, an agriculture and technology company, said the company had successfully entered the Malaysian market this year. "To meet export standards, we've implemented precision management throughout the supply chain from harvesting techniques to packaging and international logistics," Chen said. "Our goal is to export 300 tonnes of blueberries this year." "Every four days, we airfreight two tonnes of blueberries to Dubai," said Wang Rui, chairman of Fengji, an agricultural development company, adding that customers in Dubai can enjoy fresh blueberries from Yunnan in about 40 hours. China's blueberry exports are rapidly gaining momentum. According to Kunming Customs, in 2024, the customs office in Mengzi supervised the export of 1,425 tonnes of blueberries, accounting for over half of China's total blueberry exports and making it the country's top blueberry exporter. "Since China first exported homegrown blueberries to Russia in 2020, they have reached more than 10 countries and regions, highlighting the immense market potential of Chinese blueberries," said Li Yadong, a professor at Jilin Agricultural University. James Cox The Association of Catholic Priests has issued a statement over Conor McGregor's White House meeting with Donald Trump, in which they said his views on migrants are "contrary to our understanding of the message of Jesus". The group said he does not speak for Irish people or Catholics, and that he "confuses personal opinions with truth". A statement read: "As people who value both our Irishness and our Faith, we wish to state clearly that Mr. Conor McGregors speech in the Oval Office, where he purported to be speaking on behalf of the Irish people, was not representing what we value and hold dear. We believe that he confuses personal opinions with truth. "The sentiments expressed by Mr McGregor in his speech in the White House in respect of migrants and refugees, are contrary to our understanding of the message of Jesus." They also said McGregor's views "are in stark contrast to those of the recently appointed Cardinal Archbishop of Washington, Robert McElroy", when he said: Our truth is the person of Jesus Christ. The task of a Christian is to notice that Jesus first instinct is not to judge or condemn but to embrace people, to help them with whatever issue theyre dealing with, and to address the different elements of woundedness or exclusion they have in their lives. The statement concluded: "The reasons for inviting Mr McGregor to the White House on our national holiday are to be questioned. We wish it to be known that he did not represent us." The UFC fighter has mentioned his Catholic faith in the past. McGregor's St Patrick's Day meeting at the Oval Office has been widely condemned by government and opposition politicians. Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Tanaiste Simon Harris said McGregor does not represent Irish people, and that he has no mandate to speak for the public. Conor McGregor and his family pictured with US president Donald Trump and his adviser Elon Musk in the Oval Office. In a strongly-worded statement on his Instagram account, former taoiseach Leo Varadkar referred to the case in which a jury found McGregor civilly liable in a case taken by a woman who accused him of rape. Nikita Hand, also known as Nikita Ni Laimhin, won her claim against McGregor after accusing the professional fighter of raping her in a Dublin hotel in December 2018. Ms Hand, 35, was awarded damages and costs after a three-week trial last year in which the jury found him civilly liable for assault. A judge at the High Court in Dublin later said the jury had conclusively determined that McGregor had raped Ms Hand. McGregor is appealing against the outcome. Mr Varadkar wrote: "Good Irish dads teach their sons to detest men like Conor and their daughters to avoid men like him. Irish America know this. ART students from Heywood Community School enjoyed a fabulous trip to Italy this spring, when they viewed famous artworks and made magical memories along the way. The sixth year group travelled to Rome and Florence to view and study renowned Renaissance works, which feature in their Leaving Certificate Visual Studies course. The tour began in Rome to view Michelangelos Sistine Chapel, The Last Judgment and Rapheals School of Athens. After a wonderful visit to the Trevi Fountain, they travelled to Florence by train for a two-day tour. The action-packed visit consisted of visits to the Bargello, Uffizi Gallery, Galleria dell'Accademia and Florence Cathedral. Students sketched and studied works from their course such as Brunelleschi, Giotto, Cimabue, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Rapheal, Uccello and several others. Students also had a chance to explore the city, visiting markets and local landmarks such as the Ponte Vecchio and Piazzale Michelangelo, during the enjoyable and educational visit. STRADBALLY woman Ellen Deegan who is a Hodgkins Lymphoma survivor is calling on the community to go all in against cancer for the Irish Cancer Societys Daffodil Day which takes place on Friday 28 March. Ellen was diagnosed with cancer when she was 15 after developing a lump on her neck and experiencing ongoing fatigue. She is is now thankfully doing well and wants to encourage the community to support this years Daffodil Day. Ellen said: I will always remember the day I was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma. It was only when the doctor began discussing chemotherapy and wigs that I fully realised I had been diagnosed with cancer. I was so young. I didnt properly process it all. I broke down at the thought of losing my hair, I loved it so much and couldnt bear the idea of not having it anymore. Every euro raised on Daffodil Day is crucial and makes a real lasting difference, fuelling life changing cancer research and vital support services, I would encourage everyone to please get out there and donate on Daffodil Day on March 28 and show your support for those affected by cancer in your local community. The Irish Cancer Society ensures that every person affected by cancer has a place to turn to, the support they need and the hope that there will come a day when no one in Ireland dies from cancer. Thanks to the generosity of the Irish public, the Irish Cancer Society invests in groundbreaking cancer research and delivers crucial free support services for people affected by cancer, throughout Laois. In 2024 the support provided almost 400 free lifts to bring Laois-based cancer patients to their treatment. Over 310 free counselling sessions to people living in Laois and over 280 nights of free Night Nursing care to allow cancer patients in Laois to die at home surrounded by loved ones. Irish Cancer Society CEO Averil Power said: One in two of us will hear the words Youve got cancer in our lifetimes. There isnt a family in Ireland that hasnt felt the impact of a cancer diagnosis. Right now, a child is hearing the words Its cancer. A parent is holding on to hope for a treatment that hasnt been discovered yet. And a researcher has an idea that could turn that hope into reality. Your support on Daffodil Day fuels life changing cancer research and vital free services and supports. We really need this years Daffodil Day to be the biggest yet to ensure we can be there for those who need us most in 2025. And we cannot do this without you. Ms Power said: Your generosity on Friday 28 March means patients and their families will have free supports like counselling, transport to treatment and Night Nursing services. Every year, communities across Laois show up and paint the town yellow in support of cancer patients and their families. Were urging you to stand with cancer patients once again, by going all in against cancer and getting involved or donating this Daffodil Day. Your generous support means everyone affected by cancer in Laois will have access to the support they need, when they need it most. Where the donations go: The supports that the Irish Cancer Society provided last year to people in Laois 30 can help provide transport for a patient to and from their chemotherapy treatment using the Irish Cancer Societys Transport Service. 50 can help provide vital clinical equipment for an Irish Cancer Society Night Nurse. 55 will help pay for the cost of one hour of Night Nursing, providing end of life care to a patient in their own home. 60 will cover the cost of a counselling session to help a person cope with a cancer diagnosis in their life. 455 will help cover the cost of one night of Night Nursing, providing end of life care to a patient in their own home. For more information about Daffodil Day log onto https://www.cancer.ie/daffodilday CLLR Aisling Moran suggested that as a way of tackling illegal dumping in Laois that property owners should be mandated to have refuse collection bins on their premises. The cost of providing bins, she said, could be included in private tenants rent, including those in council owned houses. Speaking at the February meeting of Laois County Council she said: The tenants could be charged 20 a month. At least if the bins are outside the houses theres less chance of illegal dumping. Theyre not going to put their rubbish in the back of their cars and drive 10 miles out the road to dump it, if there is a bin outside their house that is already paid for. Cllr Ben Brennan described the illegal dumping around the county as completely out of control. He said: Theyre just healing it up at the side of the roads. Everyday along the Relief Road in Graiguecullen theyre just dumping along it. Laois County Council are doing their best trying to keep it clean and theyre getting called out every day over it. We need more staff and cameras. They just drive up in the middle of the day and dump. They dont care anymore. Senior council official Georgina Ireland said that there are legal issues surrounding the imposition of a bin charge in council accommodation rental contracts. She said that discussions on the issue are currently taking place within the environment section of the council. Independent cllr Aisling Moran suggested that as a way of tackling illegal dumping in Laois that property owners should be mandated to have refuse collection bins on their premises. Cllr Moran asked that similar to other private rental contracts where maintenance and electricity costs are included could the council not include, in its rental contracts, a fee for bins? In reply Ms Ireland said: A local authority rental agreement would have to be entered into and we havent done that before. We are discussing whether or not we can put that in our tenancy agreements. Its not the same as a private tenancy agreement, where the landlord of the property can do that. Regarding the illegal dumping in Graiguecullen Ms Ireland said that council is currently looking at erecting CCTV cameras, but some issue still exist around data protection and GDPR legislation. By Cate McCurry, PA Three men have been jailed for 20 years each for the murder of Ian Ogle in Belfast. Two other men have been sentenced to 17-and-a-half years in prison for their role in the murder of the Belfast man. Glenn Rainey, 38, from Ballyhalbert Caravan Park, Walter Ervine, 43, from Litchfield Street in Belfast, and Robert Spiers, 41, from Millars Park in Dundonald, were handed prison sentences of 20 years each. Jonathan Brown, 39, from Whinney Hill in Dundonald, and Mark Sewell, 45, of Glenmount Drive in Newtownabbey, who pleaded guilty to the murder, were sentenced to 17-and-a-half years. Mr Ogle was 45 when he was beaten and stabbed 11 times just yards from his Cluan Place home in the east of the city in January 2019. Three others who admitted assisting those involved in the murder, and one man who pleaded guilty to withholding information, were given suspended sentences. Christopher Haire, 55, from Killagan Bend in Belfast, 42-year-old Jill Morrison from Wolff Close in Belfast, and 37-year-old Thomas McCartney, also from Wolff Close, all admitted a charge of assisting offenders, while Reece Kirkwood, 27, from Belvoir Street in Belfast, pleaded guilty to withholding information. Robert Spiers has been jailed for 20 years for the murder of Ian Ogle (Liam McBurney/PA) Haire was handed a two-year prison sentence which has been suspended for three years. Morrison, who is married to Brown, was handed an 18-month prison sentence, suspended for three years. McCartney was sentenced to 12 months, suspended for three years, while Kirkwood was given a two-year prison sentence, suspended for three years. Mr Justice McFarland told Belfast Crown Court that significant aggravating factors applied in the case. Justice McFarland said the factors include that it was a pre-planned murder; that it was a revenge vigilante attack which involved a group of five masked men and it was perpetrated against a single unarmed man, and it was a sustained attack with the use of weapons. He said it was further aggravated by the murder taking place on a public street; that threats were made to a bystander that he remained silent about the incident; that there was a successful effort to dispose of incriminating evidence, such as clothing and mobile phones; that the underlying purpose of the attack was to intimidate a group of people and to force them to leave the area. I am proposing to treat each of the five in the same way as I am satisfied that this was a cohesive unit with a commonality of purpose, he told the court. Although Spiers had armed himself with a knife without the knowledge of the others, and intended to kill Ian Ogle, given the overall conduct of the other four, I do not consider that lesser intention on their part is significant and could be regarded as a mitigating factor. On 18 March during a march in the capital, San Jose, attended by hundreds of his supporters, Costa Ricas Presidentcalled for the resignation of Attorney General End of preview - This article contains approximately 386 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options A student at Colonia High School in Woodbridge has tested positive for tuberculosis, a potentially dangerous lung disease. In a letter sent to the school community Friday, Principal Chris Chiera said the student is being treated and is doing well. School officials are working with Middlesex County health officials to identify students and staff who might have been exposed to the infected student. Anyone identified as a close contact will be screened. Tuberculosis is a bacteria infection that mostly affects the lungs, but can potentially spread to other organs. According to the American Pulmonary Association, a person must generally have close contact with an infected individual for a substantial amount of time to get TB. Casual, limited contact is not enough to transmit it. It can spread through the air if an infected person coughs, sneezes or spits, according to the World Health Organization. Tuberculosis can be cured with medication. The World Health Organization says symptoms include: prolonged cough (sometimes with blood) chest pain weakness fatigue weight loss fever night sweats The kidneys, brain, spine and skin can also be affected. Anyone seeking more information call the Middlesex County Office of Health Services Tuberculosis Control Center at 732-321-5297 or the Woodbridge Health Department at 732-855-0600, ext. 5012. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Karen Read addressed her flirty exchanges with Brian Higgins in the docuseries "A Body in the Snow." Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff During Karen Reads first murder trial for the alleged murder of Boston police officer John OKeefe, the jury heard about Karens flirtatious relationship with Brian Higgins. Read who pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence of alcohol, and leaving the scene of a deadly crash was OKeefes girlfriend at the time of his death in January 2022. The couple had relationship problems in the months leading up to OKeefes death, and Read began exchanging flirty text messages with Higgins, a federal ATF agent. Higgins read some of those text messages aloud when testifying at Reads trial, which began in April 2024. After Read called him hot in one text, Higgins asked whether Read was happy in her relationship with OKeefe. Its very, very complicated. He and I dated when we were kids and then his sister died and everything got fked up, Read texted back to Higgins. OKeefe took custody of his niece and nephew after his sisters death, and Reads role in the childrens lives became a source of tension in their relationship. The relationship felt less healthy as time went on, mainly because of the dynamic among the four of us. I was getting closer to the kids, I was spending more time there [at Johns house]. I had more of a role, and it seemed to bother John, Read said in the Investigation Discovery docuseries A Body in the Snow: The Karen Read Trial. Read noted that she began her correspondence with Higgins shortly after she and OKeefe fought during a trip to Aruba at the end of 2021. Brian Higgins and I had kind of a flirtatious back and forth for about two weeks, maybe a little less. And that was on on the heels of my issues with John in Arbuba, she said. It was a lot of alcohol, and it just escalated from there. Brian Higgins testified during Karen Read's first trial. AP Read described the trip to Aruba as a lot of booze and late nights. Marietta Sullivan, one of OKeefes family friends, testified that Read very loudly told me to go f myself across the lobby after seeing her and OKeefe hugging in Aruba. It was just a bad, bad trip and thats how we started 2022. And then that rolled into the Higgins flirtation, Read said in A Body in the Snow. Higgins testified that he and Read kissed on one occasion, but Read doesnt like to think of their relationship as an affair. READ MORE: Karen Read recalls shocking moment John OKeefes mom turned against her I dont even like to use the phrase having an affair, because I wasnt married. Thats one aspect of this that frustrates me is, Karen was flirting with somebody else or attempting to hook up with someone else, but I mean, John and I were just dating, she said in the Investigation Discovery docuseries. Just dating. And were middle age. And we didnt pay a mortgage together, we didnt have life insurance together, we didnt have kids together. While Read doesnt think her interactions with Higgins constitute an affair, it was still difficult for her to hear their text messages read aloud in court. It felt like the walls were closing in during the Higgins text messages. I could feel my parents, like, shrinking, and that was painful, she said. I felt like I was having an endoscocopy without a sedative. Thays exactly what it felt like. Read admits that there were issues in her relationship with OKeefe, but she says that doesnt mean she intentionally hit OKeefe with her car and left him to die in the snow, as prosecutors claimed during the trial. I think if you look under the hood of anyones relationship, or go through anyones phone and theyve taken multiple cell phones of mine like, yeah, Ive argued with John. We argued that day [of his death], Read said. If thats evidence of murder, then I guess a lot of people have evidence that theyre capable of murder on their cell phones. Reads legal team argued during the trial that Read is being framed for OKeefes murder. The attorneys claimed that several witnesses used their resources as law enforcement officials to cover up what really happed to OKeefe before he was found in the snow outside fellow police officer Brian Alberts home in Canton, Massachusetts. Reads first trial ended in a mistrial in July 2024 due to a hung jury. Her second trial is scheduled to begin on April 1. Episodes 1-4 of A Body in the Snow: The Karen Read Trial are now available to stream on MAX. Episode 5 will premiere on Investigation Discovery and MAX on Wednesday, March 19, at 9 p.m. EST. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips/. County Kildare has been listed as one of the nine counties which has experienced no road fatalities so far this year. As reported by the Irish Independent, a total of 34 people have died on Irish roads so far this year, in comparison to the 47 people who were killed in the same period last year. The publication also noted that experts are perplexed that Ireland posted a near-30pc increase in deaths last spring, before the country conversely recorded a decline in deaths over the summer and into autumn. So far this year, the fatalities consist of 17 drivers, eight pedestrians, three passengers, five motorcyclists and one pedal cyclist. Kildare ranks alongside Waterford, Clare, Tipperary, Louth, Wicklow, Monaghan, Leitrim and Longford as the counties which have recorded no road fatalities thus far. Last year, a high number of road fatalities were recorded across Ireland - a total of 174 people died in 160 fatal collisions in 2024. The figures, which were published by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) on January 1 last, followed an analysis from provisional fatal collision reports compiled from An Garda Siochana. READ NEXT: Kildare school is fundraising for new class for children with autism The Department of Education has been accused of kicking the can down the road over the funding of a Dublin school which is facing closure. The Sacred Heart Junior School, in the Killinarden area of Tallaght, had said it will have to close because it can no longer afford to pay basic bills. Principal Orla McLoughlin said the school has suffered massive underfunding for many years due to cuts from the Department of Education. In a letter to parents last week, she 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 did not receive emergency funding. The Department of Education has since committed to an early payment of capitation grant which was due in June. The school is to receive the funding this week in a bid to avoid the April 1 closure. Fianna Fail TD John Lahart said the grant will help alleviate immediate cashflow issues. However, People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Paul Murphy said said this does not deal with the underlying issue. He added: It just kicks the can down the road of a lack of funding for a school in one of the most deprived communities in the country. The Senior National School is only a few months behind in terms of financial crisis. They are saying that they wont be in a position to open from September of this year unless they get substantially more funding. Mr Murphy said the prospect of the school entering into remote teaching presents a huge crisis for families in the area. He added: This is because of a lack of funding, the debts are mounting up and they effectively cant afford to keep the lights on to keep the building heated. They have been in touch with the Department of Education over a number of months, highlighting the shortfall in terms of funding, and appealing for extra funding to be given and so far, the appeals have fell on deaf ears. Mr Murphy said: Its particularly outrageous when you contrast it with the funding that is made available to private schools on an annual basis, over 140 million euros spent by the State on annual basis to pay the salaries of teachers in private schools. Just one example: Glenstal Abbey, which has fees of 14,600 euro a year more than the entire disposable income of some families in Killinarden receiving almost 1.4 million euro in State funding last year. Whereas what Killinarden Sacred Heart needs is a few tens of thousands of euro to remain open, and so far that funding has not been made available. Its absolutely disgraceful. The Department of Education previously said it was committed to offering all available and appropriate supports to the school. The school is now engaging with the departments Financial Support Services Unit to address its financial situation. The department has requested further details from the school to determine what targeted support can be provided. Carrick-on-Shannon is ranked among the best places in Ireland to take a driving test, recent research has found. The insurance company, Quote Devil analysed driving test centres nationwide to identify locations where learners have the highest chance of passing on their first attempt. The test centre in Carrick-on-Shannon secured the second spot, boasting an average monthly pass rate of 61.8 percent. Each month, the test centre receives an average of 139.8 applications, with 89.2 percent of them scheduled within a month. The average waiting time for a test in Carrick-on-Shannon is 17.2 weeks and approximately five applicants fail to show up each month. Loughrea, County Galway, claimed the top position in QuoteDevils rankings with an average monthly pass rate of 64.8 percent. Clifden, also in County Galway, rounded out the top three with the highest pass rate among all analysed centres - 71.2 percent. Meanwhile, data from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) for February revealed that over 74,600 people across Ireland are waiting for a driving test date. Calls for reform have intensified as the backlog continues to grow. The RSA states that no applicant should wait more than 10 weeks for a test, yet none of Irelands 61 test centres currently meet that target. In January, the waiting time for a test in Leitrim reached six months. To address the delays, the RSA and Department of Transport are recruiting additional testers in an effort to reduce wait times. READ MORE: Leitrim champions of breastfeeding support to be honoured at Gala Awards Dromod village could see the development of 19 new homes, pending planning approval. An application was submitted to Leitrim County Council on March 6, proposing the construction of a total of 19 residential units at Mac Oisin Place, Drumod Beg. The proposed development includes eight three-bedroom, two-storey, semi detached houses; ten four-bedroom two-storey semi detached houses; and one four-bedroom, single storey, detached house. The proposal also includes a new site entrance off the existing estate road, along with car parking, landscaping, connections to all public services and other ancillary works. Leitrim has the lowest rate of new house construction in Ireland by a significant margin. According to data from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, just 101 homes were commenced in the county last year, the lowest nationwide, followed by Carlow (213) and Longford (248). Submissions on the proposed development in Dromod are open to the public until April 9. Leitrim County Council is expected to issue a decision by April 30. READ MORE: Leitrim champions of breastfeeding support to be honoured at Gala Awards Sia Musunama Dempster Willie with Liberian students, and others at the book launch held at the Liberia Learning Center in Paynesville City on March 13, 2025. The Temple of Justice, the seat of the Supreme Court KYLE Hayes father gave evidence in court this Wednesday morning that he relies on his son to assist in the running of his dairy farm. The Limerick senior hurler will learn this Friday if a suspended jail sentence for violent disorder will be triggered by a dangerous driving conviction. Limerick Criminal Circuit Court heard this Wednesday morning that the All Star hurler's case has "attracted the most enormous degree of publicity". Liam Hayes, the father of the five-time All-Ireland-winning hurler, was called by the defence as a witness at this Wednesday's hearing. Mr Hayes outlined the important role his son plays on the family dairy farm after he suffered from significant ill health in 2022. He confirmed that he had required major surgery and is not as physically robust as he once was. He (Kyle) is doing everything at the moment. He lives at home. He is there on a 24/7 basis. He starts with me in the morning at 5am and after his day job when he comes home if he is not training and during the night if there are cows calving, said Liam Hayes. Brian McInerney SC, appearing with Liam Carroll BL, instructed by solicitor Sarah Ryan, represented Mr Hayes, aged 26, of Ballyashea, Kildimo, Co Limerick. Answering questions from Mr McInerney, Liam Hayes agreed that he runs an average-sized dairy farm and milks cows on a daily basis. Letters were handed in to the judge from a Dr John English which said Liam Hayes had a coronary artery bypass graft and remains on life-long medication. A second letter was handed in, from Edwin Murphy, a veterinary surgeon with Adare Veterinary Clinic. Mr Murphy said after Liam Hayes adverse health event in July 2022 he was unable to work until the spring of 2023 and in his absence Kyle Hayes took over the running of the dairy farm. Mr Murphy said Liam Hayes has lacked the physical strength and endurance he previously had in relation to calving cows, training first-time milkers and being available at night to monitor cows calving. Mr Murphy said in the letter that Kyle Hayes now does the more difficult work on the farm. Mr McInerney said later in the hearing that Kyle Hayes has two brothers who reside locally but are unavailable at this time to render any assistance to Liam Hayes and wont be able to for some time in the future. State solicitor for Limerick, Padraig Mawe had earlier given a summary of the evidence of a dangerous driving conviction near Mallow when Kyle Hayes drove at 155kmph and overtook nine cars on July 14, 2024. Mr Mawe also gave a summary of the evidence of the original offences in October, 2019 - violent disorder convictions in a nightclub in Limerick city and adjacent to it following a trial when Kyle Hayes was 21. Mr Mawe said Kyle Hayes and others engaged in violence against the victim Cillian McCarthy, who was 20 at the time. The State solicitor said Mr McCarthy suffered a fracture to the right orbital floor (eye socket) and required surgery to repair the fracture. The court heard Mr McCarthy suffered from severe headaches, numbness below the eye and double vision. Mr Mawe said gardai gave evidence that they saw Kyle Hayes kicking a male on the ground but it was not identified as Mr McCarthy. Kyle Hayes (pictured below) was found not guilty of assault causing harm to Mr McCarthy. In March 2024, Judge Dermot Sheehan imposed an 18-month prison sentence on Kyle Hayes for engaging in violent disorder in the Icon nightclub and a concurrent two-year jail sentence for the violent disorder on Upper Denmark Street, Limerick city. The sentences were suspended on condition that he be bound to the peace and be of good behaviour during that two-year term Mr Mawe said this Wednesday morning that it is matter for Judge Dara Hayes, presiding, to revoke some or all or none of the suspended sentence. Mr McInerney submitted that the interests of justice would not be met by invoking a jail sentence. Counsel said the triggering offence of dangerous driving is wholly different in character to the violent disorder convictions. Mr McInerney said Kyle Hayes has a quasi-dependent parent, is a single, unattached man who lives at home with his parents, has a responsible job and engages in sport. Judge Hayes said he knows Kyle Hayes has won six or five All-Irelands but went on to say this has no relevance. Kyle Hayes, from the dock, clarified it was five. READ MORE: BREAKING: Judge adjourns decision on Limerick hurler Kyle Hayes' suspended sentence Mr McInerney said the triggering offence of dangerous driving is a million miles away from the original offences. Mr McInerney said the original trial, district court, circuit court appeal and triggering matters attracted the most enormous degree of publicity. Judge Hayes said there are cases that attract publicity and there are cases that do not attract publicity. The media are entitled to report, said Judge Hayes. Judge Hayes thanked Mr Mawe and Mr McInerney and said he wished to consider matters. The judge adjourned the case to Friday morning at 10.30am in Limerick Criminal Circuit Court when he will give his decision. Nvidia is fighting to hang onto its command of artificial intelligence, as the technology evolves to chips outside of the data center. Major tech companies have been racing to build data centers, the facilities where AI models are trained and run globallyand where Nvidias AI chips dominate. But as AI technology rapidly develops, the data centerand in turn, Nvidiaface new competition. It all comes down to where the process of generating answers from AI models, known as inference," takes place. Right now, inference is largely happening in data centers. But in the future, powerful chips from companies such mobile-chip specialist Qualcomm could move inference out of data centers and onto smartphones and personal computers. The stakes for the booming AI inference market are highinference already makes up around 40% of Nvidias data-center revenue and growing fast. It wont be long before it overtakes training models as the principal source of AI revenue for chip players. Theres a higher-level battle ongoing between Nvidia and Qualcomm here," wrote technology analyst Dean Bubley, founder of Disruptive Analysis. The biggest change in AI this year has been the introduction of so-called reasoning models, a new technique for inference. These models break down problems step-by-step, using much more computing resources than earlier AI modelsas much as 100 times more, according to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. At this months Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the worlds largest mobile and communications trade show, Qualcomm and Micron made their case for where inference goes from hereand Nvidia showcased how it plans to maintain its lead. Qualcomm says the need for continuous availability, quick response times, privacy security, and lower costs mean that AI inference will inevitably shift to users devices. It makes sense to run it on the device for a lot of different reasons, and its going to happen," Qualcomm Chief Financial Officer Akash Palkhiwala told Barrons in an interview at MWC. Carrying out inference on a mobile device, however, can drain battery life quickly. Another issue is that AI chips can process data faster than memory systems can deliver it, limiting inference performancethe so-called memory wall"which can create a frustrating lag for users. Memory-chip specialist Micron Technology is working on fixes. Its newest chips for high-end smartphones will allow for up to 15% power savings compared with previous generations. Microns potential solution to the memory wall" could be semiconductor architecture that enables some inference operations directly inside memory chipsknown as processing-in-memory. Qualcomm and Micron hope that consumers will buy premium smartphones equipped with their chips to handle AI inference. But the uptake could be slowworldwide smartphone shipments are only forecast to grow 2.3% this year, according to the International Data Corporation. Meanwhile, Nvidia says its ready-made solution can be implemented immediately. It aims to sell its chips to telecommunications companies, arguing that local wireless infrastructure is the right place to carry out AI inference. Its close enough to the user to reduce lag, while also taking advantage of existing power supply, the company says. Its a hard sell. Telecommunication companies are wary of making significant investments after spending heavily on 5G infrastructure for paltry returns. However, Nvidia has multiple takers for its plan. Last week, South Koreas Samsung Electronics said its integrating Nvidias hardware to allow its wireless network to act like a data center. Verizon Communications earlier this year announced its AI Connect" suite of products for businesses, which includes a partnership with Nvidia. Most notably, Nvidia formed a close relationship with Japanese telecom-and-internet company SoftBank, which is championing the concept. The two companies have run technology trials together and jointly estimate that telco operators can earn roughly $5 in inference revenue for every $1 they invest in combined AI and wireless infrastructure. The move beyond text-based AI to other media, such as sound and video, will be key to illustrate the advantages of carrying out inference on wireless networks, including preserving device battery, Mauro Filho, director of AI-RAN America at SoftBank, told Barrons. Having the ability to transfer some of those workloads to the network enables low latency and the convenience of on-the-device [AI] simultaneously, instead of having to choose," Filho said. However, there are skeptics of the idea that wireless networks can ever play a major part in AI processing. The majority of overall compute for AI, whether training or inference, will be concentrated in large data centers, or in devices. The bit in the middle has less power supply," Disruptive Analysiss Bubley wrote. There will inevitably be a mix of inference happening in data centers, via wireless infrastructure, and on devices, but the exact proportions will determine which companies emerge as the winners. At the moment, Nvidia still has a clear advantage. Big technology companies are locked into using its chips for their huge investments in data centers and will want to use the same hardware for inference as they did for training AI models. Chip sales to telecoms operators would cement Nvidias position further against Qualcomm and other would-be challengers trying to bring AI out of the data center. Comparison advertising is getting more confrontational as brands work harder to catch consumers attention, while the general tone of social media lowers the barrier to trading insults. Attack ads, of course, are almost as old as advertising itself. But the back-and-forth, and often taunting edge of todays online discourse is increasingly seeping into advertising, both in its digital and traditional forms. Home-rental company Vrbo, for example, this month put up billboards describing itself as Airbnbs hotter, cooler, friendlier long-lost twin that never has hosts." One of the billboards was placed within view of Airbnb headquarters in San Francisco. The ads were an escalation in a continuing Vrbo campaign that showcased uncomfortable rental properties with standoffish hostsbut hadnt previously called out Airbnb by name. The ads addressed frustrations that travelers associate with all vacation rentals, not just Airbnbs, according to a spokesman for Vrbo, part of Expedia Group. Whether the ad made an impression on consumers or not, Airbnb noticed. CEO Brian Chesky shared a photo of the billboard on his Instagram account along with an image of a laughing face. Vrbo just spent millions on ads that appear to be as confused as they are desperate," an Airbnb spokesman said when asked for comment, even giving Airbnb more visibility than their own name." Attack ads have a long history. From early 20th century tobacco sellers to the makers of personal computers more recently, companies have battled for market share by trading insults through paid media, according to Pinar Yildirim, professor of marketing and economics at the University of Pennsylvanias Wharton School and co-author of a 2022 report on the effects of negative campaigns. Famous examples include the long-running Pepsi Challenge," begun in 1975, which depicts consumers choosing Pepsi over Coca-Cola in blind taste tests, and the Get a Mac" campaign in the 2000s, which portrayed Apple computers as cooler and more powerful than their nerdy PC competitors. Attack ads can help newcomers establish a presence by associating themselves with a better-known nameeven if its in a negative way, said Yildirim. The practice might be intensifying as brands work harder to reach consumers in digital spaces, though it comes with reputational, financial and, in some cases, legal risks, she said. Last year, for instance, Mondelez International sued Dutch chocolate brand Tonys Chocolonely for violating its intellectual property rights by mimicking the Milka brands signature purple wrapper in a campaign insinuating that other, larger chocolate makers use underpaid cocoa farmers. A Hamburg court granted a preliminary injunction, and the two companies later reached an agreement to resolve the suit, according to a Tonys Chocolonely representative. But the brand didnt drop the issue. In January, Tonys Chocolonely mocked a Made to Share" campaign by Mondelezs Cadbury by again implying that the packaged-food giant profited from exploitative practices in the cocoa industry. In challenging its larger rivals, Tonys Chocolonely aims to raise awareness of key issues in the cocoa industry, such as forced and child labor and deforestation, according to the representative. Mondelez didnt respond to requests for comment, but has said that No amount of child labor in the cocoa supply chain should be acceptable." Attack ads are more heavily regulated in Europe than in the U.S., where the Federal Trade Commission states that the use of truthful comparative advertising should not be restrained by broadcasters or self-regulation entities." Elsewhere in the world, attack ads can descend into viral free-for-alls. Last month, McDonalds China went after market leader KFC with a campaign for CFC," or cage-free chicken, insinuating that McDonalds chicken was more ethically raised and of higher quality. Like Vrbo in San Francisco, McDonalds China placed its CFC" ads directly outside KFC locations. KFC fought back, with social-media posts underscoring the K in its name to reinforce its own brand. But dozens of companies in unrelated sectors, ranging from cars to toothpaste, quickly jumped in with their own twist on the campaign. Subway China, for example, posted NFC = no fried chicken" on RedNote, a Chinese photo and video app similar to Instagram. History shows that extended fighting between brands can damage consumer perception of entire categories, according to Yildirim. Building on past research, her study found that negative advertising wars reduce demand for all involved parties," since consumers grow weary of battling brands with similar products. Advertising tear-downs in the U.S. have come to more closely resemble the contentious comment threads that often accompany social-media posts and online news articles, according to Chris Danton, co-founder of brand consulting firm In Good Co. The shift reflects the normalization of social-media behavior, where people tend to kind of go after one another and be nastier than they might be face to face," Danton said. Sometimes it means literally sniping in the comments. Rival prebiotic soda brands Poppi and Olipop had a social-media brawl last month after Poppi delivered vending machines to some TikTok creators as part of a campaign timed to coincide with the Super Bowl. A number of TikTok users knocked the campaign for focusing on well-to-do influencers, while Olipop criticized Poppi in comments on several posts, with some claiming that the machines cost $25,000 each. Poppi co-founder Allison Ellsworth swiftly took to TikTok, describing the comments as misinformation being spread out there by one of our competitors." The unhinged brand is just the norm now," said Ashley Rutstein, a freelance creative director who runs the popular @StuffAboutAdvertising account. Its not novel anymore, and for younger generations I think is the expected tone for brands. They like the honesty." Some advertisers are asking AI to do their dirty work. Allegra, an antihistamine from Opella, in January released a Drowsy Prompts" campaign built around TikTok clips of celebrities asking ChatGPT to describe the side effects of competing products such as Benadryl, sold by competitor Johnson & Johnson. The AI obliges, telling Broadway actor Mary Kate Morrissey a detailed story about a blur of surreal moments and unintentional comedy" as exhaustion takes over. By letting the AI develop copy on its own, the Opella team hoped to give Allegra more personality and avoid the tedious language of traditional pharmaceutical marketing. Its about making sure were breaking through the clutter," said Alberto Hernandez, chief growth officer at Opella. One small brand even took a shot at a household name that isnt a competitor. Hatch, a maker of bedside devices designed to help people sleep, this year went viral on TikTok for its billboards blaming Apple iPhones for unwanted late nights. One ad noted that the new Hatch Restore 3 Doesnt have your exs number," then, with an arrow pointing at a nearby iPhone billboard, says the other device Will let you text your ex at 2 AM." Hatchs goal was less to attack Apple than to define its own brand in a concise and conversational way, said Executive Creative Director Rinee Shah. If were doing a challenger campaign, who is the enemy? The enemy is phones and doom-scrolling, because its very detrimental to sleep," said Shah. The video has racked up more than nine million views on TikTok since January. Hatch succeeded in raising its profile by highlighting an issue all too common among anxious sleepers without going truly negative. More marketers will attempt to strike this balance, according to Danton of In Good Co. A brands ability to cut through is pretty minimal these days," Danton said. They cant do it without being sensational." Write to Patrick Coffee at patrick.coffee@wsj.com. BENGALURU : Jay Kreps, co-founder and chief executive of Confluent Inc., is betting big time on powering global enterprises with real-time streaming data solutions that can help their artificial intelligence (AI) models provide accurate, timely decisions in areas like fraud detection, recommendations, and automation. Early data technology involved multiple databases storing and retrieving static information, or data at rest". Modern businesses, instead, rely on interconnected systems, requiring seamless data flow across applications. In todays dynamic environment, companies need data in motion that constantly flows between applications. Confluent bridges this gap," Kreps told Mint in an interview during his visit to India on Wednesday. He was in Bengaluru to speak at Confluent's user conference called Current. Confluent enables data in motion" through Apache Kafkaa popular open-source platform that was co-created by Kreps himself. Originally developed at professional networking platform LinkedIn, and now managed by the Apache Software Foundation, industries use Kafka for real-time operationsretailers track sales, banks manage transactions, and logistics firms coordinate deliveries. AI applications, too, depend on real-time data integration, making streaming essential for leveraging language models in business operations. This shift has driven Confluents growth, positioning it at the core of real-time data streaming across industries, according to Kreps. AI adoption: India leads the way India, he believes, remains at the forefront of tech adoption, leading in both AI and real-time data streaming. Confluent has partnerships with companies like Jio Platforms, Swiggy, Meesho, and Viacom in India. Weve partnered with Jio Platforms, which offers a cloud service, and we're making Confluent available on their Jio Cloud, part of the Azure West region," he said. For instance, Jios network and companies like Viacom are leveraging Confluents technology for analyticsscaling events like the Indian Premier League (IPL) opening day viewership to over 590 million. Swiggy, on its part, uses Confluent for data metrics, governance capabilities, and real-time delivery insights to help its data team streamline complex workflows and scale operations quickly during peak demand. Kreps underscored that the Confluent Platform and Connect portfolio are fully managed by engineering teams based in Indiabuilt in India for the world". He added that India is one of Confluent's biggest and fastest-growing regions, with the team growing 50% last year". Our engineering presence here is on par with our Bay Area team, driving major projects like Tableflow, a feature we launched today." Tableflow helps Confluent users turn their streaming data from Kafka into organized tables (in Apache Iceberg or Delta Lake). This makes it easier to store, manage, and analyze real-time data in a structured way so that businesses can quickly access and use the information for reporting, analytics, or AI and Generative AI (GenAI) applications. Confluent plans to continue hiring in the Asia-Pacific region and grow it by another 20%, especially in India. Kreps added that Indias investment in digital infrastructure has positioned it as a global leader. Payments here use Kafka and Confluent extensively. The scale is orders of magnitude higher than in the US, where payments are periodic. In India, they happen everywhere, all the time. Its exciting to be part of this transformation," Kreps said. The missing piece: High-quality data To be sure, with AIs rapid advancement, integrating real-time data has never been more crucial. However, he acknowledged that AI adoption presents challenges, particularly for enterprises managing legacy systems and being presented with a multitude of application programming interfaces (APIs). AI models trained on general internet knowledge lack company-specific insightsunlocking that data is key," he explained. Furthermore, AI development requires structured, high-quality data, something many businesses struggle with. Many tech teams are still learning how to integrate AI effectively into workflows," he added. According to Kreps, who is also on the board of AI startup Anthropic, which develops Claude LLM models, there's just incredible work happening to make these AI models smarter and smarter, and that solves a lot of problems in terms of the scope and scale and reliability of what they can do". Also Read: Adobe diversifies beyond its cash cow to sell AI to businesses He acknowledged, though, that there are still some big missing pieces" beyond the models. For instance, a lot of companies' data is spread over 1,000 different databases and applications and SaaS (software-as-a-service) systems", which makes integration with these models a big challenge". The good news, however, is that while there is a lot of different models, and a lot of innovation on the models, in terms of the interface to customers, there's a fair amount of similarity". The key, Kreps believes, is to feed models live data from various databases and applications, which is particularly important for AI-driven agentic systems, where models act autonomously. Without accurate, up-to-date data, these systems struggle to make informed decisions. As models advance, more AI agentic applications will become practical, reshaping enterprise workflows, according to Kreps. Being the co-creator of Kafka, Kreps is naturally bullish on open source, too. Open-source AI models have driven innovation, with companies like Meta and DeepSeek producing strong results. The impact on future models remains to be seen." Meanwhile, as AI transforms industries, its effect on jobs remains a topic of debate. In the short term, AI boosts productivity without reducing employment. For example, coding tools enhance efficiency but dont replace engineers," Kreps noted. However, long-term impacts are harder to predict. While past innovations didnt cause mass unemployment, they did disrupt industries. AIs broad capabilities make its future impact more uncertain," he said, adding that adaptation is, hence, essential. Technology evolves rapidly, and staying still means getting left behind," Kreps concluded. Coffee Day Enterprises Ltd (CDEL) has negotiated a 205-crore settlement with Ares SSG Capital Management to be paid over three years , after the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) set aside bankruptcy proceedings against the operator of coffee chain Cafe Coffee Day on 27 February. A part of this settlement hinges on the coffee chain achieving certain parameters linked to higher earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Ebitda) over the next three years, two people familiar with the development said. CDEL told the exchanges on Monday that the companys board had approved a settlement of 205 crore with IDBI Trusteeship. Breakdown of the settlement IDBI managed two of Ares SSG Capital Managements funds - India Opportunities Fund and India Special Situations Fund. This settlement of 205 crore includes the amount "realized on sale of 12.41% of the pledged and invoked shares of Coffee Day Global Limited owned by the Company, by the lender to a third party for 55 crore," the company told the exchanges on Monday. While the board of CDEL has approved this settlement in principle, the company is expected to sign an agreement with Ares Managment later this week. "An initial payment of 80 crore is to be paid on signing the agreement, which includes 55 crore from the sale of the pledged and invoked shares by the lender. A sum of 75 crore will be paid within one year of the settlement. The last tranche will be paid on achieving certain parameters," the first of the two persons cited earlier said, both of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity. The second person said that the last tranche of 50 crore hinges on Coffee Day Global achieving higher Ebitda milestones, and CDEL crossing a certain upper threshold in share price over the next three years. Stock of Coffee Day Enterprises Ltd rose by its daily maximum of 5%, closing at 24.54 apiece on the BSE after news broke of the settlement. If the group does not meet the two parameters, the last tranche falls off, and it would have paid Ares SSG only 155 crore in all. Ares Management did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday. Path to recovery The agreement brings to an end insolvency proceedings against Coffee Day Enterprises, which IDBI Trusteeship had initiated after the company defaulted on a 228 crore loan. Also Read: Insolvency against Coffee Day resumes as NCLAT fails to pass order within deadline In March 2019, IDBI Trusteeship, which managed the two Ares SSG Capital Management Funds, subscribed to 1,000 non-convertible debentures through a private placement, investing 100 crore. At the time, the firm was called SSG Capital Management. It was taken over by Ares Management in 2022 and its Asian division thereafter assumed the name Ares SSG Capital Management. CDEL defaulted on coupon payments due between September 2019 and June 2020. On 28 July 2020, IDBI Trusteeship issued a default notice to CDEL and later filed an insolvency application, which resulted in the NCLT admitting the case in August 2024. This was challenged by CDEL in the NCLAT, which set aside the NCLT ruling last month. Thereafter, Ares and CDEL negotiated in private to arrive at the settlement. With the settlement of this loan, the group would be left with a total debt of 1,068 crore. The bulk of this debt over 800 crore is expected to be restructured by CDGL in negotiation with several asset reconstruction companies," the second person said. One of Indias first coffee chains, Coffee Day plunged into crisis after its founder V.G. Siddhartha died by suicide in July 2019, leaving behind a coffee enterprise with over 7,200 crore in debt. The company has since been paring its debt through sale of non-core assets and loan restructuring. Bengaluru: US-based Prologis Inc., the worlds largest owner of warehouses, plans to invest around $500 million in India by 2026 to build a large portfolio of warehousing parks in the country. The company could double its investment in India in the 5-7 years following the initial $500 million outlay, chief investment officer Joseph Ghazal said in an interview. Prologis, which counts Amazon Inc. as its biggest client, plans to build and lease warehousing parks in India as well as develop build-to-suit facilities for customers. We have very big growth ambitions for India. The Grade A warehousing market is underserved and there is huge potential for growth," said Ghazal. Indias economic growth, regulatory environment, consumption levels, and our customer base here are the driving factors as well. We are here for the long-term." Prologis plan is to first establish its presence in five major Indian citiesDelhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, and Chennai. Over the past year, Prologis has acquired three land parcels in India to build warehousing assets200 acres in Sriperumbudur near Chennai, 40 acres in Hosur, and 30 acres in Hoskote in a joint venture with developer RMZ Corp. Hosur and Hoskote are on the outskirts of Bengaluru. Prologis is an integrated platform, which provides design, leasing, property management, customer solutions. The plan is to recreate what we do globally in India," Ghazal said. Prologis India pipeline The San Francisco-headquartered Prologis entered India in 2023 after withdrawing plans to operate in the country back in 2007-08 because of the global financial crisis. Prologis global real estate portfolio spanned 1.3 billion sq.ft. with $198 billion assets under management, as on 31 December. To expand and scale up fast in India, Prologis plans to acquire land and build projects from the ground-up as well as acquire assets. Vineet Sekhsaria, head of India, Prologis, said construction was underway at the Sriperumbudur and Hoskote sites and would begin shortly at Hosur. There are more in the pipeline. We will develop the projects mostly on our own, and will have partners in some. We are open to partnerships to grow and scale," Sekhsaria added. Prologis also ventured into data centres a few years ago. Ghazal said while the companys focus in India was on its core warehousing and logistics business, it may bring its ancillary businesses to the country in the future. In India, Prologis will compete with market leader Indospace, Blackstone-owned Horizon Industrial Parks, Ascendas Firstspace, and ESR India among others. India has a total warehousing stock of about 438 million sq.ft. in its top eight cities, of which around 238 million sq.ft. is Grade A space. Around 100 million sq.ft. of this 238 million sq.ft. is owned by institutional operators and investors, compared with just 28 million sq.ft. in 2019. A number of institutional operators and investors are looking at India or are already operational here," said Chandranath Dey, head (operations and business Development), logistics and industrial, India, at JLL, a property advisory. The entry of a global leader such as Prologis is a big thing for Indias warehousing sector, and will add a lot of value and credibility." New Delhi: Vodafone Idea Ltd is discussing ways to catch up with larger rivals Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel Ltd in the domestic satellite internet race, even as it is set to roll out its 5G cellular broadband network. Jio and Airtel recently announced partnerships with US-based Starlink Services to roll out Elon Musks satellite internet service in India, although they will have to wait for government approvals. Vodafone Idea, Indias third-largest telecom service provider, may look to offer services enabled by satellite internet such as high-speed internet in remote areas where fiber cables needed for fixed-line broadband are not yet available, said chief technology officer Jagbir Singh. There are some internal discussions ongoing (on launching satellite internet services)," Singh told Mint in an interview. "There are open questions like the cost of the devices and regulatory approvals on using satellite for terrestrial connectivity." That said, Vodafone Idea doesnt have any partnerships in the satellite internet space, unlike Jio and Airtel. Apart from the Starlink partnership, Jio has a joint venture with Luxembourg-based SES and Airtel with London-based Eutelsat One Web to offer satellite internet in India. Vodafone Idea is launching its 5G services in key Indian cities beginning Wednesday, more than two years after its rivals kicked off their high-speed cellular networks. In the December quarter, the telecom operators subscriber base declined 7.1% from a year earlier to 199.8 million, although it managed to narrow its net loss to 6,609 crore from 6,986 crore. Also read | Everyone's punting on Vodafone Idea. Is it worth the risk? Vodafone Idea is currently focusing more on 5G. Its business will not be affected in the near to medium term due to partnership of rivals with Starlink," said Prashanth Tapse, senior vice presidentresearch, at Mehta Equities, a broking firm. The Indian government has decided that the spectrum for satellite internet will be allocated administratively but the final allocation is still pending. California-based Starlink is the largest player in the satellite communications space globally, controlling a constellation of nearly 7,000 small satellites in earths lower orbit. Jeff Bezos Amazon Ltd also runs an initiative called Project Kupier to provide high-speed satellite broadband services. As of December, Starlink had more than 4.6 million subscribers globally. Also read | Satellite internet services may finally commence by June 2025 Vodafone Ideas expansion amid hurdles Vodafone Idea is targetting 75,000 sites across India for rolling out its 5G services over the next three years. In April last year, the telecom operator raised 18,000 crore through a follow-on public offer to expand its network infrastructure. Its average revenue per user (ARPU) marginally improved to 173 in the December quarter from 166 a year earlier, although it is lower than Jios 203 and Airtels 245. We have done profiling of customers in places where we are deploying 5G to identify places where density of 5G usage is high. We will use a targeted approach to better serve our customers and offer a good experience," said Singh, Vodafone Ideas CTO. As Vi executes its expansion plan entailing a capital expenditure of 50,000-55,000 crore over the next three years, its management remains confident of resolving the pending issue of adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues to the government, which is about 80,000 crore. AGR is used to determine the revenue that telecom companies must share with the government towards spectrum licensing charges. The government is the largest shareholder in Vodafone Idea with a 23% stake. Government is actually the largest stakeholder in this entire exercise, so they are cognizant of this fact and (we are) confident that they will find a solution," Vodafone Idea chief executive Akshay Moondra said during the companys post-earnings call with analysts on 12 February. Also read | Supreme Court junks Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Ideas pleas on miscalculation in AGR dues Despite the companys focus on expanding its 5G network, analysts remain cautious about its prospects. Before posting growth in their subscriber base post rollout of 5G we should first see subscriber retention by Vi, which is needed for sustainable operations," said Tapse of Mehta Equities. JM Financial analysts Dayanand Mittal and Shivam Gupta added in a 23 February note that Vodafone Ideas long-term sustainability is still contingent on significant favourable government support", and that the company needs to boost its ARPU to over 370 by financial year 2027 to meet its dues to the government. Also read | Starlink, Airtel and Jio: A trifecta to transform Indias digital future New Delhi: Ola Electric Mobility Ltd stands to lose out on government subsidies for electric vehicles if it fails to register more than 16,000 two-wheelers sold in February by the end of this financial year. The benefit can be claimed by the automaker only after the vehicle is registered, according to the guidelines of the scheme. The company informed the stock exchanges last month that its vehicle sales for February would not be accurately reflected on Vahan, the government website that tracks daily new vehicle registrations, because it was renegotiating contracts with registration service providers. Since then, theres been no update from the company on whether the renegotiations have concluded and one of the registration agencies has taken the company to bankruptcy court. Ola Electric registered 8,651 electric two-wheelers in February, according to data on Vahan. Thats just over a third of the over 25,000 units that the company said it sold in February, a shortfall that could halve the benefits it gets for each two-wheeler sold under the government's flagship EV subsidy scheme if their registration isnt completed by the end of March. The company "sold more than 25,000 units in February with a market share of over 28%," Ola Electric said in a press release dated 28 February. Ola Electric sold each scooter at a 10,000 discount to avail of the subsidy. If the company fails to register all its February sales in the two weeks left for FY25, it may stand to lose as much as 5,000 for every vehicle sold during the renegotiations with the registration agencies. Registration is key Under the 10,900-crore PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme, vehicle makers have to sell their products at a discounted or subsidised price and the government reimburses them for the difference. The scheme, launched in October 2024, is set to run till the end of FY26. For electric two-wheelers sold and registered in FY25, automakers will get a maximum subsidy of 10,000 per unit. The incentive is set to be halved to 5,000 per vehicle in FY26, as per the scheme notification. Ola registered 24,380 electric two-wheelers in January and 8,230 units so far in March. While a company may record a sale once a customer pays for an EV, it becomes eligible for the subsidy only after the vehicle is registered as per the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989. An emailed query to Ola Electric on 16 March and a follow-up reminder on WhatsApp on 17 March did not elicit a response from the company. Ola Electric is currently renegotiating contracts with its two registration service providers, a person with direct knowledge of the matter in the company told Mint, requesting anonymity. The person said the company is speeding up its registrations, but did not reveal how Ola Electric intends to achieve its target. Also Read | Ola Electrics scooter deliveries hit as it renegotiates contracts with vehicle registration agencies to cut costs The renegotiations resulted in prolonged delays in the deliveries of Ola Electric scooters, according to store managers and complaints posted by buyers on social media, Mint reported on 14 March, with the waiting period stretching to 20-45 days from 5-7 days before February. The company informed the stock exchanges on 12 March that it has completed an initiative aimed at reducing costs and improving customer experience. In addition to cost savings, these changes have resulted in reducing average vehicle inventory from approximately 35 to 20 days, and reducing delivery time for customers from 12 days to 3-4 days," Ola Electric said in the exchange filing. Legal action Within a month of Ola Electric alerting the stock exchanges about its renegotiations with vehicle registration service providers Rosmerta Digital Services Pvt Ltd and Shimnit India Pvt Ltd on 19 February, the two-wheeler maker faced legal action from one of the agencies. Also Read | Trouble for Ola Electric: Consumer watchdog orders probe into complaints Rosmerta Digital Services has filed an insolvency plea against Ola Electric over unpaid dues with the Bengaluru bench of the National Company Law Tribunal, as per a stock exchange filing dated 15 March, indicating that the company's registration woes are far from resolved. As per the PM E-DRIVE scheme's guidelines, automakers can submit weekly claims for reimbursement of subsidies, but not later than 120 days from the sale of the vehicle. WASHINGTONPresident Trump insisted Russia would be the easier partner on the path to peace with Ukraine. But his Tuesday phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin only underscored the Kremlin is so far the bigger obstacle. The question now facing Trump is whether to apply real pressure on Putin to make concessions or try to wring more compromises out of Kyiv than he already has. In his call with Trump, Putin agreed to halt attacks on Ukraines energy infrastructure for a month and to further negotiations toward a permanent cease-fire. But it was far less than Trump aimed for, and certainly less than the monthlong unconditional pause Kyiv accepted earlier. After the call, Moscow said in a statement that Ukraine would have to agree to curtail its military mobilization and stop rearming, lengthening the list of Russian conditions for a deal. Trump said Putin on the call didnt ask for a military assistance pause during a Tuesday night interview on Fox Newss The Ingraham Angle." We didnt talk about aid at all," he said. Now Trump has the dilemma of either trusting Putin to make peace, or pressuring the Kremlin to make a deal, which could derail his larger goal of rebuilding Washingtons ties with Moscow. Either way, Trump has lashed the fate of his early presidency to Putin, testing whether the Americans desire for a deal could overcome the Russian leaders goal of subjugating Ukraine. Trump genuinely wants to stop the slaughter, he finds it incomprehensible," said Fiona Hill, a former White House adviser on Russia during Trumps first term. But what hes not realizing is that for Putin, this is the price hes willing to pay, no matter how colossal it may seem from the outside." Putins goal, she said, is to dominate Ukraine and reassert Russias position in Europe writ large." Trump revealed to the Washington Examiner shortly after the two-hour call that hed held previously unreported conversations with Putin over the past month, all of which he described as positive. A full cease-fire was still in play, he said. I think well end up making a deal. Its a good start." But overnight, Russia struck the energy grid of Slovyansk in Ukraines east, calling into question just how closely Putin intends to stick to the cease-fire he agreed to with Trump. Since his inauguration, Trump has mostly chosen to pressure Ukraine. After an Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky turned sour, Trump cut off military aid and intelligence sharing to Kyiv. The tap only reopened after Ukraine agreed to a 30-day cease-fire following a meeting with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia. But Ukraine, a country fighting for its survival, was always the weakest partner in the three-way negotiation. Any efforts to force Russia to heel would be much harder. Russia has successfully retooled its economy to a wartime footing despite unprecedented sanctions from the U.S. and Europe, and redirected its trade toward partners like China and India. Today, Moscow feels like it is winning the war and has shown little inclination to negotiate. While Trump has mused publicly about applying more sanctions, he has preferred niceties with Moscow. We will be working quickly to have a Complete Ceasefire and, ultimately, an END to this very horrible War between Russia and Ukraine," Trump posted to social media shortly after the Putin call. We will, hopefully, for the sake of Humanity, get the job done!" In his dealings with Trump, Putin has parried any real moves toward a peace deal by praising Trumps efforts but raising objections to details he has proposed, said Wiliam Taylor, former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine who is now a distinguished fellow at the Atlantic Council, a Washington-based think tank. The phone call continued that effort and promoted Putins broader agenda of continuing the war in Ukraine while throwing Trump enough tidbits to keep him from getting angry, he said. If Putins goal is to drag things out, then he seems to be dragging it out effectively," he said. Speaking to reporters, Zelensky criticized Putin for not agreeing to an unconditional cease-fire, alleging that Russia was preparing new offensives in Ukraines south and north. He also blasted Putins demands that Ukraine cease mobilization and the West end arms deliveries. That was the ultimatum since the start of the war. He hasnt changed," Zelensky said. His whole game is to weaken us as much as possible." Putin envisions concessions that extend beyond the borders of Ukraine, the Kremlin readout of the call suggests. The readout said that the leaders talked about the Middle East and the Red Sea, and praised signs of a new bilateral relationship in which the U.S. and Russia voted in unison at the U.N. Perhaps the most significant outcome was the implicit acceptance of U.S.-Russia cooperation on key international and bilateral issues," wrote Tatiana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center. This marks an obvious victory for Putin, who seeks to decouple bilateral relations from the Ukraine war." But Stanovaya said Putin also scored a tactical victory. Crucially, Putin managed to reject the proposal for a full cease-fire while turning the situation to his advantage without making concessions," she wrote on X, formerly Twitter. This is very bad news for Ukraine, which is increasingly being treated as a bargaining chip in this game." Trump hasnt shied from talking tough about Russia. He brandishes sanctions and other financial weapons, saying he will deploy them if Russia doesnt agree to a permanent cease-fire. And he reminds captive audiences that he authorized the first shipments of lethal arms to Ukraine following Russias initial invasion of Crimea and the countrys east. Just because Trump didnt broker a final deal this week doesnt mean one wont come together later, some analysts said. They also praised the idea of a slower negotiation to avoid misunderstandings and miscalculations. A phased cease-fire is likely to be a much more effective approach," said Samuel Charap, chair of RANDs Russia and Europe program and previously negotiated arms-control deals with Moscow as a U.S. official. It builds confidence because each step is verifiable and a way of signaling intentions." But Trump also has his eyes on the bigger prize of rekindling U.S.-Russia relations and pulling the pariah state back into the global community, including rejoining the G-7. Punishing Russia would further isolate Moscow and delay any possible rapprochement with the West. Trump will have to walk a tightrope to get the Ukraine deal done while keeping the hopes of a broader agreement alive. That could help Putin use the negotiations to ensure a lasting peace never comes. This will be a long process," said Kurt Volker, Trumps Ukraine envoy in the first term. Putin still seems to think he can achieve his maximalist demands." Write to Alexander Ward at alex.ward@wsj.com, Alan Cullison at alan.cullison@wsj.com and Matthew Luxmoore at matthew.luxmoore@wsj.com Andaman and Nicobar Islands, known for biodiversity and isolated ancient tribes, is in the news as India moves to promote tourism and industry in the archipelago. What impact might these projects have and what are the concerns raised by environmentalists and locals? What are the govts plans for the islands? In 2021, the government introduced the Great Nicobar Project worth over 72,000 crore, which includes an airport, a sea cargo terminal called Galathea Bay Port, and a natural gas and solar power plant. Work on the Galathea Bay Port is expected to start first, with 11 firms having expressed interest in the project worth 44,000 crore. The government also plans to promote tourism in the uninhabited islands of the archipelago, according to a report by Hindustan Times. Besides this, the Union shipping ministry reportedly wants to build an international cruise terminal, according to The Hindu. What is the status of these projects? In September last year, the Union government formally notified Galathea Bay Port as a major port, although work is yet to start. It has also allocated funds to promote tourism in heritage sites located on the islands. Per a ministry of tourism statement released this week, the Union government has allocated 27.57 crore since 2016-17 to develop various islands in the archipelago and the capital city Port Blair. The island authorities are also promoting tourism by opening beaches late into the night, launching new eco-tourism resorts, and privatising the government-run Megapode Resort in Port Blair in 2023-24. Read more: This hotel chain doubles down on spiritual tourism, luxury & metro hubs Does Andaman and Nicobar have much tourism? Domestic tourists to the island grew 37% to over 323,000 in 2023 and then more than doubled to 710,000 in 2024, although fewer than 12,000 foreign tourists visited that year. In FY24, the shipping ministry sanctioned 28 projects worth over 5,400 crore for Lakshadweep and for Andaman and Nicobar Islands including a new port for passengers and tourists at Port Blair. How will the projects affect the islands? Ideally, these should boost the local economy. Galathea Bay Port is expected to handle a large amount of cargo by 2028. In September 2024, Port Blairs Veer Savarkar airport started flights to southeast Asia. However, tourism revenue isnt growing fast. Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIIDCO) reported a 5% increase in revenue to 490 crore in FY24 but profits after tax were down 4%. However, these projects could hurt the islands sensitive ecology and protected tribes. What are the concerns on the environment? Environmentalists say the Centre is compromising the ecology for these mega projects. In 2021, it declared a minimum eco-sensitive zone of just 0-1 km near the proposed Galathea Bay Port, leaving the surrounding area with no protection. The Nicobar Islands are one of four major biodiversity hotspots in India. Endangered giant leatherback turtles lay eggs at beaches near the proposed port. A petition in the Calcutta High Court filed by a former tribal affairs secretary alleges that the plan violates forest and tribal laws. Read more: BWH Hotels eyes growth in India with 100 properties in 5-7 years Mumbai: The market regulator may review its contentious proposal to introduce a gross limit for all clients trading in index options after receiving feedback against such a rule from several market participants, a person aware of the development said. The Securities and Exchange Board of India's planned review comes after brokers, proprietary desks and institutional traders flagged risks of reduced market liquidity and higher trading costs in India's derivatives market if the rule is implemented. The regulator recently proposed to change the way of calculating open interest (OI) and introduced a new gross limit for index options. Open interest refers to the outstanding or open derivatives positions of all participants. Sebi believes the move will help curb manipulation in individual stocks and accurately reflect risks in index options. According to three brokers Mint spoke with, the new gross limit will reduce liquidity and widen bid-ask spreads, raising the cost of executing a trade. The bid-ask spread is the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay (the bid price) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept (the ask price). The likely loss of liquidity by Sebi's proposal could make it costlier for clients to enter and exit markets, brokers fear. Also read | Sebis settlement system under fire: Delays, discretionary powers spark concern "Sebi will look into the comments, and consider revising the proposal for gross limits. However, the end result will be that those looking to manipulate trading will not be able to do so", the person cited earlier said. Sebi received close to 1,000 responses. While the feedback was unequivocal against the new gross limit proposal, most of it contained positive feedback on the shift to calculating OI using delta, the person cited earlier said on the condition of anonymity. Sebi has proposed calculating open interest of index options based on delta, which measures the change in option price for every point change in the underlying stock or index. For instance, if the spot Nifty changes by Re.1 and the Nifty option changes by 50 paise, the delta is 0.5. Market participants said a gross limit to address risks doesn't make sense, as the simultaneous buying and selling of options at different levels itself seeks to reduce risk. "This proposal of adding the net long and short deltas separately goes against the basic principles of encouraging lower risk positions versus higher risk positions," said Rajesh Baheti, director of Crosseas Capital, which specializes in jobbing and arbitraging. Also read | Madhabi Puri Buchs Sebi tenure: A legacy of reform, controversy, and resistance Net limit measures the difference between the long and short options deltas, while gross limit sums up the deltas of all purchased and sold options. However, Sebi has stressed on the need for a gross limit, stating options risk was not determined by delta alone, but by parameters like volatility and time as well, which net delta doesn't capture. Sebi added it didn't want to introduce the complexity of setting explicit limits for each of these parameters. Market participants were asked to submit comments by 17 March. Sebi received close to 1,000 responses, and most of it contained positive feedback on the shift to calculating OI using delta, the person cited earlier said on the condition of anonymity. "By adding the net deltas, the positions of big funds will be crimped as they won't be able to hedge their portfolios effectively and to the desired volume, impacting overall market liquidity," said an official with a broking firm which has opposed the proposal. He claimed that most brokers were against totalling net positions to calculate an end of day gross limit of 1,500 crore. Also read | NSE vs BSE: Sebis curbs, exchange moves reshape options market A Sebi spokesperson didn't respond to queries. Sebi's latest proposals follow its 1 October directives tightening derivatives trading for retail traders, who it said suffered a 1.8 trillion loss trading derivatives during FY22-24. Their loss was the gain of counter-parties like large proprietary traders and foreign portfolio investors. The current proposals are believed by brokers to be aimed at containing excessive options speculation by prop and institutional traders. "There is a growing belief in the market that these revised limits, especially the gross limits, could significantly impact the ability of large proprietary trading desks (prop), high-frequency trading (HFT), and foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) to trade as they have been," said Ashish Nanda, president and head of digital business at Kotak Securities. "This could lead to a drop in trading volumes, though the exact extent remains unclear, with estimates varying widely. " Also read | How Sebis serial crackdown crimped F&O volumes and crashed broking-firm stocks Absolute number-wise limits for index options and futures were introduced during the pandemic outbreak when the market slumped 32% to a low of 7511.10 in March 2020, induced by FPI selling of a record 61973 crore during that month. Prior to the pandemic, a 5% limit of overall open position existed for clients, a broker said. Since the covid-19 pandemic, Indias healthcare sector has been having a dream run. Buoyed by an aging demographic with rising incomes, along with improving penetration of medical insurance and medical tourism, the Nifty Healthcare Index has outperformed the broader market by recording a 25% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in the last five years. Within the healthcare sector, Aster DM Healthcare Ltd has grown phenomenally. The Bengaluru-based integrated healthcare service provider has more than 5,000 beds in 19 hospitals across five states in the country and has seen the revenue grow by 22% CAGR over the last five years. Its Ebitda margin has expanded from 11% to 20%, leading to 37% CAGR growth in its operating profit. Its stock has reflected this fundamental strength and has appreciated in tandem during the period. Ebitda is short for earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. View Full Image Aster DM's stock reflects the company's fundamental strength. However, despite continued healthy fundamental growth, it has turned into a trigger-happy stagnant counter over the past year. The separation of its Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) business, massive dividend payouts, 99% promoter pledge, and other events have triggered intermittent spikes in the stock price. But bogged down by the heavy weight of the promoter pledge, the stock has been trending sideways since April 2024. GCC segregation, dividend payout, and the catch The company announced the separation of its GCC business on 3 April 2024. A consortium of investors led by Fajr Capital, a sovereign-backed private equity firm, acquired a 65% stake in Aster GCC while Aster DMs promoters retained 35% ownership and operational and management rights. The separation of businesses was aimed at allowing strategic and financial flexibility to focus on the unique geographies, thereby unlocking investor value. Up to 80% of the transaction proceeds, amounting to almost $1 billion, were distributed as dividends of 118 per share. This resulted in its stock price accelerating from 418 apiece on the date of announcement to almost 560 in the days leading up to the ex-dividend date. However, to enable this transaction via a bridge loan, the company had to pledge 99% of its promoter holding. Bogged down by this heavy promoter pledge, the stock promptly fell back to 350 apiece by the end of April 2024. Healthy Q3 show vs subdued sentiment Early in February, Aster announced 11% year-on-year revenue growth to 1,050 crore in the quarter ending 31 December 2024, while its profits grew faster due to margin expansion. The Ebitda margin expanded from 17.7% to 19.3% during the period, resulting in 20% year-on-year growth in Ebitda to 202 crore. The bottom line expanded 30% from 62 crore in Q3FY24 to 81 crore in the latest quarter. Revenue growth was driven by the addition of 271 beds over the past year, of which 249 beds were added in its primary clusters, Kerala. Its core business of hospitals and clinics (93% revenue contribution) continued to drive growth. Its mainstay clustersKerala and Karnataka & Maharashtrathat contribute almost 90% to revenues continued to command higher average revenue per occupied bed (ARPOB), leading to sustained Ebitda margin expansion. This more than made up for the bed expansion-led lower occupancy in its Kerala cluster, as well as the low-ARPOB and low-occupancy-driven subdued margins in its Andhra Pradesh and Telangana cluster. Furthermore, almost 60% of its revenue came from niche specialities, which tend to have higher ARPOBs, while the payor mix also improved with 30% exposure to TPA/insurance. As a result, blended ARPOB improved from 39,300 to 44,200 during the year. Notwithstanding this show of strength, the stock eroded about a fifth of investor wealth by the end of February. Freedom to expand While the company had repaid a significant portion of its bridge loan using the GCC sale proceeds, a technical glitch had prevented it from freeing up the pledged shares. Earlier this month, after new lenders ploughed in fresh funds into Aster DM, the company was able to renegotiate existing debt at better terms. They were also able to free up a significant portion of the promoter pledge. Now only 41% of promoters shares are pledged. The lower promoter pledge is expected to enable the company to negotiate better terms with its lenders, allowing smoother capital expansion. The promoters plan to use the higher internal accruals after the merger with Quality Care to further reduce the pledge over the next couple of years. Quality Care merger Aster DM is set to merge with Blackstone and TPG-backed hospital chain Quality Care. The merger, which received the boards approval in November 2023, will create Aster DM Quality Care, wherein Asters shareholders will own a majority stake of 57.3%. Asters promoters will hold 24%, while Quality Cares promoters 30% in the merged entity. Aster DM Quality Care would house four leading hospital brands under its umbrellaAster DM, CARE Hospitals, KIMS Health, and Evercare. The combined entity will have double the scale with more than 10,000 beds in 38 hospitals across 27 cities in India and Bangladesh and 7,314 crore in revenues. The combined revenue and bed capacity would make it one of the top three healthcare providers in India with a broader and deeper national footprint. The backend operations of the entities are also planned to be merged, which would bring scale-related synergies by bringing down material and procurement costs as well as corporate overheads. Moreover, with continued cost efficiencies, rising medical value travel and improvement in occupancy from 67% to 70%, margins are expected to improve from 19% to 21% by 2026-27. Also Read: Hospital chains set for stable Q3 despite seasonal challenges The merger has received shareholder approval, while regulatory approvals from the Competition Commission of India, National Company Law Tribunal, and stock exchanges are pending. The competition watchdogs approval is likely in a couple of months, and the merger is expected to go through by Q3FY26. Capacity expansion continues The company plans to invest 1,000 crore for capacity expansion over the next five years, 850 crore of which will be dedicated towards its primary cluster, Kerala. That said, the company is open to expanding in new states such as Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. With double-digit increase in bed capacity as well as improving ARPOB with a focus on oncology and neurology, the company aims to take its consolidated bed capacity to around 12,000 by 2026-27 and nearly double its revenues to almost 13,500 crore by 2029-30. For more such analyses, read Profit Pulse. Greenfield projects are expected to expand its geographical footprint, but brownfield expansion will be the focus. Expansion in the high-RoCE mature hospitals with established brand presence is expected to contribute two-thirds of the new bed additions, resulting in Ebitda margin expansion to 25% by 2029-30. Moreover, thanks to healthy accruals, Asters debt and liquidity position is expected to remain stable. Ananya Roy is the founder of Credibull Capital, a SEBI-registered investment adviser. X: @ananyaroycfa Disclosure: The author does not hold any shares of the companies discussed. The views expressed are for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult a financial professional before making any investment decisions. My B-school friends went out yesterday, and the CA in our group sent this (Excel) sheet with the split. Kinda love it *laughing emoji*." When Sneha Prabhu posted this on X two months ago, she didnt expect the tweet to blow up the way it did. The responses just wont stopI had to mute the notifications after a point," recalls the 24-year-old entrepreneurship student from Hyderabad. At last count, her tweet had over 500 quote tweets, nearly all saying the same thing: Has your CA friend heard of Splitwise?" Founded in 2011 by Jonathan Bittner, Marshall Weir and Ryan Laughlin, Splitwise is a US-based expense-sharing platform with over 10 million Android downloads globally (data for iOS downloads was not available). The app allows users to log shared expenses, track individual contributions and settle debts without the hassle of manual calculations. Prabhus now-viral tweetnearing a million viewsindicates that Splitwise is perhaps the go-to app for expense tracking among young urban Indians. Between December 2024 and February 2025, India accounted for 13.71% of the platforms website trafficthe second-highest after the US, which led with 32.4%, according to data from analytics firm Similarweb. Also read: The best non-mobile phone gadgets from MWC Barcelona But a cursory glance at social media reveals its more than thatits a cultural phenomenon. It appears in travel reels, fuels tweets linking credit scores to unpaid Splitwise debts, and inspires Spotify Wrapped-style spending analysis among users who assign a personality type to their friends based on how they use the app. Its popularity persists despite major payment platforms like Google Pay incorporating group bill-splitting features. Even with its limitations, which have driven some users to seek alternatives or develop their solutions, Splitwise continues to be the top choice for Indian Gen Z and millennial roommates, co-workers, couples and travel buddies. Splitwise is a cultural phenomenon. It appears in travel reels, fuels tweets linking credit scores to unpaid Splitwise debts, and inspires Spotify Wrapped-style spending analyses among users who assign a personality type to their friends based on how they use the app Shreevar Chhotaria, 27, has been using Splitwise since 2017 when he was a college student in Pune, sharing a rented apartment with five friends. Every expense went on the appgroceries, house help salaries, group trips. Splitwise was like our seventh roommate," says the marketing professional. It helps sidestep the awkwardness of asking people to pay up. Id just say, Clear my Splitwise, instead of saying the more uncomfortable, You owe me money," he says. Over the years, Splitwise has become more than just an expense tracker for Chhotaria. It feels like a memory log now," he says. It reminds me of the group trips I took, where and what we ate, even the day we bought our first microwave in that rented apartment back in college." Splitwise has made trip planning easier for Gauri Bansal, a product and strategy manager at a consumer internet company. A user for nearly a decade, she, too, discovered the app in college. While I enjoy organising travel, I wouldnt take on the role of the orchestrator of a trip without the app," she admits. It takes off the burden of accountability of the individual and puts it on the entire group to some extent." As a product leader, however, Bansal sees its flaws. The first issue is with group creation itselfits not intuitive. The option sits in the top right corner instead of a tab at the bottom of the screen,where it makes discovery simpler and removes unnecessary friction." The premium upgrade prompt is another frustration. It appears when adding multiple expenses in a row, forcing a 10-second delay before the next entry. Free users are also limited to just four or five entries per day. Forcing every user through the same friction threshold is a bad idea," says Bansal. Tracking expenses among flatmates is a regular activity, while group trips are occasional. Yet, the app throws the same restrictions at both sets of users. The real problem, says Bansal, is that theres just not enough value behind the paywall." Splitwise did not respond to Mints queries, and there is no public data on how many users subscribe to its paid service, Splitwise Pro. Mint spoke with more than six Splitwise users across geographies, all were on the free version. Only one had a Pro user in their circle. Tracking expenses among flatmates is a regular activity, while group trips are occasional. Yet, the app throws the same restrictions at both sets of users. As its issues become more apparent, some users are turning to building and using homegrown alternatives. One such app, Splitkaro, was founded by Bhuwan Bharat in 2019. Avinash Mishra joined as a co-founder in 2021 after years of urging Splitwise to improve certain features. In a way, Splitwise pushed us to build Splitkaro because they never responded to my user feedback or fixed their issues," says Mishra, a former software engineer and product manager at MakeMyTrip. Splitkaro has over 50,000 monthly active users (MAUs), he claims. Bengaluru leads in user base, followed by Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad. It also has users in the US, he adds. What makes Splitkaro better? No limits on expense entries, no ads, fairest shares with the item-wise splitting of online and offline bills," Mishra says. The premium version offers analytics and automated expense tracking from SMS and UPI apps. Currently, around 2% of users opt for the paid plan, which costs 125 per month or 450 annually. The startup is bootstrapped. Mishra says they avoided institutional funding after seeing similar apps struggle under investor pressure. Splitwise has over the years received a total of $30 million in VC funding, as per Tracxn, a global startup data platform. Its tough to get people to pay for utility apps, but were betting on it. Group expense tracking is just the startwe want to be the go-to app for all things finance. The WhatsApp for finance," Mishra adds. Devansh Gajjars journey to building Meris (Greek for a portion or division) follows a familiar pattern. It didnt make sense to pay a premium to split expenses, so my friends and I decided to create our alternative," says the product designer, currently associated with an international company on contract as a product designer. Originally built for personal use, Meris was co-founded by Gajjar, Pranshu Khanna, and Harsh Mehta less than a year ago. When we announced it on Twitter, 300-400 people joined the waitlist within two weeks," he recalls. A few months later, they secured approval to launch on Apples App Store. Meris will be available on Android soon, says Gajjar. While acknowledging Splitwises role in creating the market, Gajjar sees Meris as the next step. We are the Slack to their Microsoft Teams," he says, positioning Meris as a sleeker, more modern alternative to a cumbersome Splitwise. Atharva Kharbade, an early Meris user from Bengaluru, appreciates its Gen Z-focused design. Besides the usual paywall issues, I find Splitwises payment reminders too aggressive, whereas Meris takes a gentler approach. Even its slogan reflects this ethos: Divide bills, not friends," he says. Praveen Nagaraj, an Indian-American software engineer, plans to launch SplitShare, a Splitwise rival, in Q2 2025. Announcing it on X last week, he called Splitwise outdated and overpriced for basic features. Unlike other competitors, he has no monetisation plans. There are so many free tools out thereIm just following their footsteps. I love building useful tools," he says. New alternatives may seem promising, but Splitwise dominates mindshare. Chhotaria, a longtime user, says, Im so used to the app despite some of its irritating aspects that youd have to convince me a lot to switch." Bansal believes people simply havent found a strong enough alternative. On a trip with European friends, she used Splitser, a Dutch equivalent, and found it worse. For these challengers then, the real hurdle isnt just building a better app, it would be marketing the app to users already accustomed to Splitwises flaws and strengths. SPLIT THE DIFFERENCE Indian users are increasingly looking for apps that integrate with UPI and provide better localization. Group expense management is just the beginningthese startups aim to build broader personal finance tools. Splitkaro No entry limits; no ads, UPI-based tracking in premium plan Meris Gen Z-friendly design, iOS-first approach, plans for Android launch Splitshare Upcoming app with a free model, aiming to disrupt the space Also read: vivo V50: Lacks sheer horsepower but shines in the camera department Most of us associate Berkshire Hathaway with Warren Buffett and the late Charlie Munger, but in the early 1970s they were part of a trio that also included Rick Guerin. All three possessed exceptional analytical skills and a deep understanding of value investing principles. Yet most people have only heard of the first two. Buffett once said when markets crashed nearly 70% in 1973-74, Guerin, who had borrowed heavily to invest in equity, faced devastating margin calls. This forced him to sell his Berkshire Hathaway shares to Buffett for less than $40 each. Those shares are worth about $740,000 today, making this one of history's most expensive lessons in patience. The power of compounding The mathematical magic of compounding represents perhaps the strongest argument in favour of patience in investing. Compound interest is the "eighth wonder of the world", according to a quote popularly (but perhaps incorrectly) attributed to Albert Einstein. Even if the attribution is incorrect, though, the point stands. Compound interest is what allows investments to grow exponentially, but its true magic only materialises over long periods of time. An investment that's growing at an average annual return of 8% will double approximately every nine years, but over two decades or more, the same investment could multiply several times over. This exponential growth explains why investors who remain patient often achieve dramatically better results than those who frequently enter and exit positions. Also read | Unlocking global markets: How to diversify with portfolio management services The snowball effect of compounding is silent but powerful, transforming modest investments into substantial wealth over time. For instance, 10,000 invested with an average annual return of 7% would grow to about 20,000 in 10 years. But if allowed to compound for 30 years, it would balloon to 76,000. This shows why patience isn't merely a virtue in investing it's essential to building wealth. Leverage is a double-edged sword Financial markets naturally fluctuate owing to economic events, geopolitical developments, and changes in investor sentiment. Without patience, these natural market rhythms can trigger emotional decision-making, including panic selling during downturns or chasing overpriced assets during bull runs. Adding leverage to to mix when investing in volatile assets can increase your returns when the bet works in your favour, but will wipe you out quickly if it doesn't. Benjamin Graham said it best: In the short run, the market is a voting machine but in the long run, it is a weighing machine". By being patient and resisting the urge to invest using leverage, you can avoid costly mistakes that compound negatively over time. Those who use leverage dont have an option but to sell at loss during downturns, so it's best avoided. Psychological discipline of successful investing Success in investing depends as much on discipline as on analytical skill. Patience is the cornerstone of emotional discipline and crucial for achieving exceptional long-term results. Fear and greed represent powerful forces that can derail even the most sophisticated investment strategy. Patient investors develop the capacity to resist these emotional triggers, making decisions based on fundamental value rather than market sentiment. This psychological discipline manifests in several ways. Patient investors avoid checking their portfolios obsessively as they understand that daily fluctuations have little bearing on long-term performance. They stick to their investment strategy rather than chasing the latest fad. Perhaps most importantly, they recognise that investing excellence comes from temperament rather than intelligence specifically, the ability to remain calm and focused while others panic. Also read: How cyber insurance protects you against financial fraud Patient investing serves as a reliable method for accumulating wealth steadily and achieving financial security. By consistently contributing to a well-diversified portfolio, investors can work toward meeting their long-term objectives, whether retirement, buying a home, or funding a child's education. Long-term investing also offers significant tax advantages, as holding investments for more than a year results in lower capital-gains tax. This tax further amplifies returns for patient investors, providing another powerful incentive to take a long-term view. Slow and steady wins the race Guerin's story serves as a reminder of how impatience (and leverage) can derail even the most promising investment career. While he still achieved reasonable financial success, his name gradually faded from the investment world while Buffett and Munger became legends. Buffett later explained the critical difference between them: Charlie and I always knew we would become incredibly wealthy. We were not in a hurry. Rick was just as smart as us, but he was in a hurry." Also read | Income tax hack: Do this by 31 March to avoid interest on advance tax shortfall The Oracle of Omaha also said, If you're even a slightly above-average investor who spends less than you earn, over a lifetime you cannot help but get very wealthyif you are patient." This shows that while you don't have to be exceptionally intelligent to succeed in investing, discipline and patience are non-negotiable. Abhishek Kumar is a registered investment advisor and founder of SahajMoney. The leader of a war-torn African nation has put a secret deal on the table for President Trump: Help his country defeat a powerful rebel force in exchange for access to a trove of minerals needed by U.S. high-tech firms. In a Feb. 8 letter to Trump, Felix Tshisekedi, president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, offered mining opportunities for the U.S. Sovereign Wealth Fund, an entity Trump had launched a few days earlier. Your election has ushered in the golden age for America," Tshisekedi wrote in the letter, which has been seen by The Wall Street Journal. Our partnership would provide the U.S. with a strategic advantage by securing critical minerals such as cobalt, lithium, copper and tantalum from the Democratic Republic of Congo." In exchange, Tshisekedi asked Trump for a formal security pact" to help his army defeat M23, a Rwandan-backed rebel group that recently routed Congolese soldiers, United Nations troops and private mercenaries and seized key cities in Congos mineral-rich east. The Congolese letter didnt specify what kind of military backing it wants from the U.S. A White House official said it doesnt provide details on the private correspondence to the president." The offer comes at the same time Tshisekedi is in negotiations with Erik Prince, a Trump ally who founded the controversial private-military company then called Blackwater. If the talks succeed, Prince would help the Congolese government collect and secure taxes from mining operations, according to Congolese and Western officials. Scores of militias operate in the wilds of eastern Congo. The latest clashes constitute aftershocks from the 31-year-old Rwandan genocide, in which ethnic Hutus slaughtered Tutsis by the hundreds of thousands. When Tutsi forces under current Rwandan President Paul Kagame defeated their Hutu rivals in 1994, many Hutu extremists fled across the border into Congo. Rwanda has denied providing military backing to M23, whose members are predominantly Tutsis, and says its only interest is in securing its own borders and protecting ethnic kinsmen from persecution in Congo. But a U.N. panel of experts reported in December that Kagame had dispatched 4,000 soldiers to help M23, and both Rwanda and Uganda are scrambling to secure Congolese minerals. The U.N. said Rwanda received 150 tons of smuggled coltan from a Congolese mine M23 fighters control. The Congolese proposal is an effort to take advantage of both Trumps transactional approach to foreign policy and a global race for natural resources to supply American technology companies and automotive giants. In his pitch, Tshisekedi predicted that a partnership with Congo would advance Americas global competitiveness in aerospace, cars, data centers and artificial intelligence. Tantalum, extracted from coltan, and cobalt are critical components of smartphones and laptops, and are used by Apple, HP and Intel, among other American companies. Lithium is the main component of electric-vehicle batteries. Last year, Elon Musk, chief executive of Tesla and leader of Trumps efforts to shrink the federal government, called the mineral the new oil." A Tshisekedi spokeswoman confirmed the letters authenticity and said talks with the U.S. over access to Congos natural resources were ongoing. It is in both our interests that American companieslike Apple and Teslabuy minerals direct from source in the DRC and unlock the engine of our mineral wealth for the benefit of all the world," she said. An informal intermediarya banker who advises mining companies in the African countrysent the Congolese offer letter to Trumps office, which forwarded it to the White House National Security Council, according to a person familiar with the matter. The NSC then invited the intermediary to provide a briefing on the proposal, the person said. On the day of the meeting, the Treasury Department unveiled sanctions against Rwandas minister of state for regional integration, James Kabarebe, and M23 spokesman Lawrence Kanyuka Kingston over their involvement in the Congo conflict. The sanctions had been in the works long before they were announced, according to the person familiar with the matter. The State Department referred to the press release sanctioning the Congolese rebels and the Rwandan official but declined to comment further. The DRC is interested in partnering with the Trump administration to end the conflict and stop the flow of blood minerals via Rwanda," the Tshisekedi spokeswoman said. Prince has yet to sign a deal with Congo. But his representatives were in Kinshasa, Congos capital, last week to discuss his potential role in securing the countrys mining revenue, according to a Western official. Two Congolese government officials said representatives from the presidents office, finance ministry and state miner Gecamines have been leading the talks with Prince since last month. Those negotiations have gained steam as the Congolese government has watched its mining revenue decline in parallel to military advances by M23. Under the prospective contract, Prince would help Kinshasa crack down on fiscal evasion from mining producers and exporters, including by providing security for tax collectors, according to the Western official and another person familiar with the matter. Prince, a former Navy SEAL, gained prominence and notoriety during the Iraq war, when his company Blackwater provided security guards for U.S. officials and contractors. Last year, representatives of Erik Prince also discussed with Yemeni officials a plan to bring foreign contractors to unseat Houthis rebels from the Red Sea coastline, according to Yemeni officials and a person familiar with the matter. The effort, which was not accepted, would have been repaid in oil cargoes, the person said. In 2004, four Blackwater contractors drove past a U.S. Marine checkpoint in the Iraqi city of Fallujah and stumbled into an insurgent ambush. The four were killed, dismembered and set on fire, with two of the bodies suspended from a bridge. The incident was among the events that sparked the first battle for Fallujah. Three years later, Blackwater guards killed 14 Iraqi civilians in Baghdad. Four of the guards were convicted in the U.S. in 2014. Trump pardoned the men in 2020. Since Trump was inaugurated in January, he has made access to natural resources for American companies a cornerstone of his foreign policy. American diplomatic talks with Iraq have focused on talks to resume oil flows for U.S. companies that have been blocked for two years by a dispute between the government in Baghdad, the Kurdish authorities and Turkey. Natural resources have also been a significant factor in the Trump administrations dealings with Venezuela, Ukraine and Russia, while the president has set his sights on Greenland, a Danish possession, largely because of its reserves of rare-earth minerals. Write to Benoit Faucon at benoit.faucon@wsj.com, Nicholas Bariyo at nicholas.bariyo@wsj.com and Alexander Ward at alex.ward@wsj.com The "catfish effect", named after the practice of adding catfish to tanks of cod to keep them active during transportation, describes how a strong competitor can energize a stagnant market. Teslas entry into India could be just the jolt the country's electric vehicle (EV) industry needs. In business, the effect is clearly visible in the runaway success of Chinese electric vehicle companies barely six years after Tesla set up a wholly-owned Gigafactory in Shanghai with generous incentives from the government. Today, China produces more than 60% of the world's electric cars and 80% of the batteries that power them. What's more, in 2024 Chinese company BYD delivered 1.777 million EVs, ahead of Teslas 1.774 million. Significantly, this shift in the global EV business happened not because the Chinese government banned Tesla from the country but because it welcomed the company with billions of dollars in incentives by way of cheap land, loans, tax breaks and subsidies. Which is why JSW Group chairman Sajjan Jindal's recent remark that Tesla's entry into Indias electric vehicle (EV) market will not be easy, isnt just wishful thinking, it may also be off the mark in terms of what the move could mean for Indian industry. Indeed, the implied aversion to an MNC betrays a familiar insularity but also misses the opportunities that it offers. Also read: Sajjan Jindals claim on Elon Musk not succeeding in India leaves internet divided, That ego will be shattered While Jindals statement was made in the context of Teslas impending entry, the difficulties hes alluded to apply to all other MNCs in the sector. Hyundai is currently grappling with a proxy advisors objection to its related party transactions, while Volkswagen and Kia Motors have faced charges of tax evasion, though the South Korean company has subsequently received an all-clear for changing its practice. And these are only the survivors. General Motors, Ford and Harley Davidson are among those that quit earlier, either because of poor sales or owing to the difficult business environment. Why, even Chinese auto major SAIC Motor divested a 51% stake in its subsidiary MG Motor India to Jindals JSW Group after realizing that going solo wasnt the way to make it in India. Mostly, the failures of auto MNCs have been attributed to their flawed understanding of the Indian market and their inability to evolve appropriate business models for price-conscious Indian customers. Jindals remarks, though, suggest there might be more to it than that. Tata Motors, one of the two Indian carmakers he said Tesla would find hard to beat, is suddenly having existential doubts. Its brief and recent success came on the back of a small but growing market for EVs thats hitherto been relatively protected. EV sales are now slowing, forcing the company to go back to ICE engine-based vehicles. Clearly, it has failed to open up the market purely on the strength of its vehicles and has failed to demonstrate groundbreaking innovation. Teslas arrival could expose its weaknesses while spurring it to compete. Also read: Tesla price in India: How much will Elon Musks cheapest EV cost even with lower tariffs? The only real success by a foreign company in Indias auto sector in the past 40 years has been Suzuki whose technology and know-how have catapulted Maruti to its leadership position. With tariff wars dominating the global trade landscape, India must use its vast consumer market as a bargaining tool with its trading partners like the US. If giving access to Tesla serves the larger interests of the economy, Tata Motors, M&M and JSW will just have to lump it. There are real gains to be made for Indias auto industry and its broader economy from investments in manufacturing by a company like Tesla. China leveraged Tesla's presence and investment to kickstart its domestic EV industry through technology transfer and increased competition. Tesla's reliance on local suppliers helped strengthen China's EV supply chain, including battery technology and other crucial components. Its presence in the Chinese market created a competitive environment, forcing domestic EV companies to innovate and improve their products and technologies if they wanted to compete. Teslas entry into India too could act as a spark plug, igniting Indias auto sector much like Nokia did for telecom in the late 1990s. When Nokia entered India, it didnt just sell phones, it triggered a mobile revolution, paving the way for a flood of competitors. Today, India is a global telecom powerhouse, with affordable devices and widespread connectivity. In a world of rising trade tensions, Indias vast market is its horsepower; throwing Tesla into the mix can jumpstart a domestic EV ecosystem while challenging incumbents to up their game. As a tariff-happy America under Donald Trump puts Chinas export-oriented economy on notice with trade barriers, Beijing is doubling down on efforts to stimulate domestic demand. Local consumption has weakened sharply in recent years, weighed down by a property slump, a market in which much Chinese savings are parked, even as income prospects have dimmed amid a jump in unemployment. This weekends stimulus package reflects those concerns. Under it, Chinas government has announced dozens of small moves aimed at easing peoples financial burden and pushing fiscally strapped local administrations to clear their dues to businesses. The steps are wide-ranging, although mostly indirect and temporary, raising doubts over their efficacy. Among other things, they cover subsidized retail loans, wage-hike provisions and subsidies for childcare and elderly support. Some of its ideas seem like shop-level banners. It recently declared a trade-in scheme, for example, to get people swapping old gadgets for new. This is hardly the broad-based generation of demand it needs. Beijing hopes to sustain last years 5% GDP growth this year too, but with trade headwinds threatening to push that target beyond reach, a fiscal thrust was a must. Accordingly, it said its fiscal deficit would widen to 4% of GDP from 3% earlier. The details, however, make the overall impact of its spending hard to assess. Consumer confidence, which sank as Chinas economy slowed, may prove hard to revive in the face of softening prices. Its price index slipped into deflation territory in February for the first time in over a year. Retail sales growth slumped to 3.5% last year, less than half the rate recorded the year before. Bank deposits are on the rise, signalling the sort of thrift that comes from income anxiety and expectations of lower price tags. While any kind of state expenditure can push money around to counter such weaknesses, Beijings moves seem bent on meeting social goals instead of optimizing outlays to achieve a bang for the buck through market forces. Its subsidy plans for childcare and the elderly address articulated needs, for instance, but may prove relatively weak as sales spurs. Given Chinas grim outlook on exports, what it requires is people buying a lot more of the stuff it has been shipping out, especially to the US. A policy shift away from export orientation to home consumption isnt new to China. For over a decade, Beijing has been trying to restructure its economy and reduce its reliance on overseas markets, but with little success. Its latest moves, even if they amount to sizeable outlays, look unlikely to trigger a buying boom of the scale required. Meanwhile, it is unclear if Chinese factories will churn out merchandise at the same pace. As scale-backs are painful, they will probably be a last-resort in most sectors. Overproduction would expose overseas markets to the risk of Chinese excess being dumped thereor sold below cost just to meet volume levels needed for the benefits of scale. The costs borne by these manufacturers, distorted as they are by hidden state subsidies, have always been opaque. So its not easy to spot dumping. Yet, like other countries, India must stay alert to unfair trade practices. Sharply reduced prices of Chinese goods should raise red flags. We may need levees (or levies) to hold off spillovers from China. Ideally, Beijing should exercise self-restraint. But thats not something we can count on. Lets not let our guard down. US Republicans have long thought that what the federal government does can be done better, faster or cheaper by the private sector. So it should not shock anyone that US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently revealed a larger agenda that sheds light on the Trump administrations seemingly indiscriminate cuts to federal workers and agencies. President Donald Trump s overarching goal, Bessent said, is to reprivatize the economy." That casts Elon Musk and his unofficial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in a new lightas the vehicle for slashing agency functions to a skeletal state and outsourcing the rest to what would be a much more lightly regulated private sector. Musk himself at a recent Morgan Stanley conference suggested that the government privatize as much as possible." The DOGE cuts so far are not enough to make a dent in the national debt or offset Trumps proposed tax cuts for the wealthy. Nor do they make government more efficient, which would require a thoughtful assessment. There is no evidence that the fraud, waste and abuse" Musk claims to have discovered amount to anything more than spending with which he and Trump disagree. But as a means to push the nation closer to mass privatization of services? Now the cuts make sense. Yet, cuts like these will create considerable disruption to American life, particularly the parts of the country where Trump is most popular. Norman Ornstein, a political analyst at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, said he has never seen efforts so rapid and widespread. The people who will suffer the most damage are in red states," he told me. But we are going to start seeing horror stories all over the country. People who dont think government does anything for them will discover what it means when there is no more safety net, no protections, no more Stage 4 clinical trials because private companies wont fund them." The problem with privatization is that it seldom works. Private companies operate under different parameters from the federal government. Their primary goal is to maximize profit. Consider the post office. Mail must go to every nook and hamlet in the US, no matter how remote. Wells Fargo, in a report on privatizing the postal service, recommends eliminating the costly universal service obligation." Delivery to unprofitable regions such as rural areas could become intermittent or just stop. Trump won 63% of the vote in rural areas and small towns. In many rural areas, mail carriers remain a lifeline, bringing vital prescriptions to seniors who are either housebound or far from a pharmacy. The Department of Veterans Affairs, for instance, fills 80% of its prescriptions by mail service. Moving to private mail delivery could reduce accessibility and raise prices. About 60% of veterans voted for Trump. Or take education. Trump has ordered Education Secretary Linda McMahon, a former pro wrestling promoter with no practical education experience, to shutter her department or come as close as possible. The department spends most of its money helping rural students, students with disabilities and low-income students. A majority of low-income Americans voted for Trump. Trump has also made a priority of school vouchers, which let families use tax money earmarked for public school to send their kids to private school. But vouchers seldom fully cover private school tuition and other costs such as books, uniforms and transport. More importantly, such schools can pick and choose attendees, leaving few options for disabled students or those with special needs. When put to a ballot test last November, voters in Nebraska, Kentucky and Colorado all rejected vouchers. Then theres weather forecasting, which is crucial to mitigating the effects of extreme weather. Yet, Musk cut over 1,300 workers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, including the National Weather Service and the Hurricane Center. Again, Trumps own voters will shoulder most of the burden. An analysis by the AP found that red states have received 15% more per capita in federal disaster aid since 2011, because they have been slightly more exposed to natural disasters. Conservatives have been nibbling around the edges of privatizing government functions for at least 40 years, but with Trump and Musk, they have hit the jackpot. Once departments and agencies are skeletonized by Musk and Trump, they will be too crippled to fulfil their duties. And if companies step in to provide these essential services, the public may find they are priced out of reach. Bloomberg Despite fiscal constraints and rising opportunity costs, election campaigns in India remain significantly dominated by promises of freebies, cash transfers and subsidies . This makes transparency in subsidy spending more critical than ever. However, accountability remains elusive, given the countrys lack of good-quality and timely data on the actual subsidy expenditure of states. This makes it difficult to distinguish between justifiable welfare measures and politically motivated giveaways. The Comptroller and Auditor General has consistently underscored the need for such differentiation, but this requires a fundamental improvement in Indian subsidy reporting practices. India faces three key challenges in this context. Definitional ambiguity: The absence of a standard, universally accepted definition of subsidy allows states significant leeway in determining what to include or exclude under that head, highlighting the urgent need for a uniform framework. Freebies, tax rebates, cash transfers and implicit subsidies are often selectively omitted or included, making comparisons difficult. For instance, Tamil Nadus Vidiyal Payanam Scheme, which offers free bus rides for women, is classified as a subsidy, while a similar scheme in Punjab does not feature in its subsidy statement. Such inconsistencies arise across virtually all states. Odisha stands out as the only state that has consistently reported implicit subsidy burdens since 2009-10. Despite discussions on standardizing definitions, no uniform approach has been successfully implemented, leaving room for misclassification and opacity. Off-budget financing: A second issue arises from the use of off-budget mechanisms to finance subsidy programmes, effectively bypassing scrutiny. For example, Andhra Pradesh reported a subsidy expenditure of just 0.5% of its gross state domestic product (GSDP) in 2022-23. However, like many other states, its extra-budgetary burden was many times higher, primarily driven by liabilities incurred by state public enterprises managing food and power subsidies. This practice conceals potentially significant liabilities, thereby risking financial credibility and debt sustainability. Deferred payments: Indias cash-based accounting system enables governments to defer subsidy payments and obscure the true cost of subsidy programmes. Deferred payments shift current burdens to future budgets, while present payments may represent settlements of past deferrals. The power sector is a stark example of this practice. States frequently defer payments to distribution companies for subsidized electricity. Between 2009-10 and 2020-21, unpaid subsidy reimbursements across Indian states totalled 74,000 crore. Of this, 27,000 crore was cleared in the subsequent two years, highlighting how deferred payments can skew fiscal data, place additional burdens on future administrations and complicate inter-temporal analyses of states fiscal health. These three challengesdefinitional ambiguity, off-budget financing and deferred paymentshave far-reaching consequences for fiscal governance and transparency. Together, they also hinder Indias ability to align itself with international financial reporting standards, a key requirement under the G20 Data Gaps Initiative. Emerging reforms and the road ahead: Recent central government reforms signal progress towards greater fiscal transparency, serving as a model for states. Since 2019-20, the Centre has published its off-budget borrowings, while 2023-24 saw the release of a consolidated document on state-reported borrowings. Notable steps by the Union government include the discontinuance of off-budget financing and the use of bond issuances in place of past cash subsidies. These national-level reforms must now extend to all Indian states so that the country as a whole can sustain the central governments momentum on improved accountability of fiscal spending. As India aims to leverage data for development," it is vital to establish accurate and comparable subsidy reporting systems for evidence-based policymaking and ensuring that public funds are deployed effectively. Lessons from Odishas consistent record of reporting implicit subsidies and the Centres transparency reforms should serve as templates for state-level action. India should align its statistics with internationally comparable data on government finances. This would enable economic analysts to examine consolidated government data without the worry of state-level input distortions. Indias subsidy framework is at a critical juncture. Without addressing definitional ambiguities, off-budget financing and deferred payment practices, fiscal opacity and inefficiency will persist, limiting the countrys ability to fund critical investments in health, education and infrastructure. By adopting standardized, tech-enabled and internationally accepted reporting mechanisms, India can build a more transparent subsidy system and strengthen its fiscal governance. Accurate, timely and comparable data across all levels of government will not only enhance fiscal discipline, but also enable the Indian state to maximize the delivery of value for taxpayers money. As fiscal pressures remain and public scrutiny grows, this shift is now a necessity. The authors are, respectively, distinguished fellow at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP) and former member of the 15th Finance Commission; research associate at CSEP; and research analyst at CSEP. Even before we could get to see the results of the seventh economic census (conducted in 2019-20), plans are afoot to conduct the eighth one in the coming months. Indias economic census is supposed to be a comprehensive database of all firms in the country, including micro-enterprises. It is supposed to be conducted every five years and serve as a sampling frame for informal-sector surveys. These surveys are then used to estimate the informal sectors contribution to national output. Ever since the first economic census was launched in the mid-70s, there have been recurrent complaints regarding data quality: both from within the statistical establishment and from outside. Since the economic census is conducted jointly by the National Statistical Office (NSO) and state directorates of economics and statistics (DES), the exercise has been marred by coordination, staffing and supervision problems. When the seventh economic census was being conceived, given the delays in the sixth iteration and doubts over data quality, the National Statistical Commission had recommended that the next one not be conducted till those problems were sorted out. But the NSO went ahead with its plans and deployed staff from the information technology ministrys Common Service Centres (CSC) to conduct the census. The role of state DES was minimized. The results were even more disappointing than earlier, and may not be released. Given the troubled history of Indias economic census, it is worth considering other alternatives to map the spread of enterprises across the country. Some small enterprises that are not part of the GST net are registered under other state laws (such as the Shops and Establishments Act or Co-operative Act). If each enterprise is assigned a unique state ID, it is possible to develop a meta-database of all such enterprises (and their establishments) in a state. This database can then be dynamically updated based on information about the renewal of registrations. This approach will obviously leave out a vast number of micro-enterprises that are not registered under any Act and may not be inclined to do so. Think of roadside vendors selling bhel puri or pakodas. So we would still need sample surveys to track these micro-enterprises. The NSO could take a leaf out of the Registrar General of Indias (RGI) playbook. Faced with incomplete registration of births and deaths, the RGI had initiated the Sample Registration System (SRS) in the 1960s to provide reliable estimates of vital statistics in the country. The RGI draws up a random sample of villages and urban settlements across the country after each census, and continually monitors them for the next decade. Part-time enumerators are hired to track all births and deaths in the selected villages and urban blocks. The data is verified periodically by another team. A similar approach could help track the activities of micro-enterprises across the country. An Enterprise Sample Registration System (ESRS) could help fill important gaps in our understanding of Indias invisible economy. The ESRS approach could help us track the births, deaths and rebirths of micro-enterprises over time. Quinquennial economic censuses or annual surveys of unincorporated enterprises (in new villages or urban blocks each year) will not be able to do so. Such an ESRS project would be able to capture the economic contribution of even those tiny enterprises that spring up only at a certain time of the year (say, a banta soda seller who sells those bottles only in the summer) or at a certain time of the day (say, a roadside pakoda-seller who sets up her cart only for a few hours every evening). It would help quantify the volatility and dynamism inherent in Indias micro-enterprise sector. As in the case of the SRS project, the ESRS project should be launched only after detailed pilots have been conducted in different parts of the country. If these trials succeed, the ESRS should replace the economic census and the surveys based on it. What if all enterprises could be brought under the formal registration net? What if every Indian grew fabulously rich, and no one needed to set up micro-enterprises in this country? In such a scenario, the ESRS can be wound up. But that day is unlikely to arrive anytime soon. Just look at the data from Chinas latest economic census. The worlds manufacturing powerhouse offers regular jobs to millions of Chinese factory workers. Yet, many more workers have to find work in micro- enterprises spread across the country, as the countrys 2023 economic census data shows. Even if India were to build large numbers of mega-factories, and even if India were to replace China as the factory of the world, it will still be home to millions of micro-enterprises. If India struggles to meet its manufacturing goals, the number of such tiny enterprises will only be higher. Rather than wishing them away, Indian policymakers need to study the countrys micro-enterprises closely. They should understand their needs and try to respond to them. Reliable and regular data on micro-enterprises would also help investors and analysts who need to track every aspect of the Indian economy. On the whole, we need fresh thinking on how to track our micro- enterprises better. The author is a Chennai-based journalist. On Tuesday, March 18, the US District Judge Theodore Chuang ruled that Elon Musk and the Trump Administration violated the US Constitution by shutting down USAID. Now, Tennessee pastors with the Southern Christian Coalition are speaking out on how the cuts are an "affront to the Christian faith and the call of Jesus," regardless of their Constitutionality. The Coalition is calling on Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty to call on President Trump to reverse course and restore funding to USAID efforts. Reverend Rick Roberts, Pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church in Donelson, said the following in a video statement: "As a Christian pastor I take the words of Jesus seriously and that we need to follow His call if we claim the Christian faith. In Matthew 25 Jesus says we will be judged on whether we feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked and care for the sick and the prisoner by saying, Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. So dismantling of USAID by the Trump administration is a pretty clear violation of the words of Jesus to us as Christians. The cuts to USAID have already led to multiple deaths from those who no longer have access to their HIV medication, and could lead to 'over 10 million additional HIV cases and three million HIV-related deaths,' according to WHO. Not to mention, it looks like these cuts will likely lead to an additional 200,000 polio cases a year and 10.6 million cases of tuberculosis, including a potential 2.2 million deaths that will not be prevented in the void of US foreign aid funding." Roberts continues by accusing those in the Christian faith of not adhering to their own standards: "How can those who claim the Christian faith and claim to be 'pro-life' condone the cruel removal of support from those Jesus has called us to care now? Cheering for and accepting sickness, suffering, and death is not only contrary to the Christian faith, it's in direct contrast to a basic human ethic of empathy and compassion, and a denial of the reality that in a global community we are all connected to each other and our futures on the earth are intertwined." TN Pastors condemn Trump administration over attempts to dismantle Dept. of Education Pastors from across Tennessee are speaking out against President Trump's decision to eliminate half of the the department's workforce, saying the action will immensely harm children and schools. He ends his statement by asking the Tennessee Senators to speak up: "So, I call on our elected leaders, especially Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, who publicly claim the Christian faith, to call on President Trump and his administration to change this inhumane cut to crucial global aid and restore not only resources that support love of our global neighbor, but also restore trust in America as a stable global leader." For more information, visit the Southern Christian Coalition website. The best restaurants and hospitality business owners in Longford were honoured at the Leinster Regional Final of the Irish Restaurant Awards in the Killashee Hotel, Kildare. All of the Longford winners now compete for the Regional and All Ireland titles, which will be announced at the Irish Restaurant Awards All-Ireland Final on Monday, May 19 at the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin. There was success for twelve Longford businesses across eighteen categories and there were over 1000 attendees at the presentation ceremony on Tuesday, March 11. Also Read: Longford County Council hopes to restore roadside water pumps The County Longford winners were: Best Restaurant Jodhpur Indian Restaurant Best Chef Lisa Vocella, Vocellas Best Restaurant Manager Amit Prasher, Jodhpur Indian Restaurant Best Hotel & Guesthouse Restaurant PVs Longford Best Use of Social Media The Rustic Inn Employee Excellence Award Frances Nugent, Spice India Longford Best Casual Dining Spice India Longford Best Gastro Pub The Rustic Inn Best Cafe Menara Cafe Best Contemporary Irish Cuisine PVs Longford Best Newcomer Oyama Sushi Japanese Restaurant Pub of the Year Duignans Tallyho Best Wine Experience Vocellas Best Customer Service Macs Shack Best World Cuisine Chan Oriental Best Sustainable Practices Fiona Egan Cloughan Farm & Cookery School Innovator of the Year Fiona Egan Cloughan Farm & Cookery School Local Food Hero David and Martina Burns, Richmount Cordial Company Also Read: 'Can I be bridesmaid?'- DWTS finalist Jack Woolley announces engagement Speaking at the ceremony, Sean Collender, President of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, said, The awards are 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. On International Women's Day, Saturday, March 8, professors and researchers from UCD, Aberdeen University and DCU hosted the third in a series of Women's Deliberative Cafes in co:worx, Edgeworthstown. Longford native, Dr Shelley Deane, Department of Law and Government DCU, explained that the research seeks to better understand the shared challenges faced across the island of Ireland, to unpuzzle together how things work "down here" and "up there", and how we might work together better in the here and now, and learn policy lessons for the future of the debate about constitutional issues on the island. Longford County Council members Peggy Nolan and Uruemu Adejinmi listened and offered insights and local representative perspectives to the participants who travelled from mid-Ulster and stayed at the Longford Arms and enjoyed the hospitality of the Edgeworth centre, and a tour from Matt Farrell on International Women's Day. The work of the day was conducted in co:worx. Also Read: Ukrainian man living in Longford wonders what 'Peace' may cost The event in Edgeworthstown was the third event in a series of deliberative cafes with womens groups across the island. Two events took place in mid Ulster (Bellaghy and Cookstown) and on March 22 there will be a fourth and final event of this series of locally-based deliberation in Ballina, Co Mayo. The research is being conducted by Professor Jennifer Todd UCD Geary institute, Professor Joanne McEvoy University of Aberdeen and Dr Shelley Deane Law and Government at DCU. Dr Deane explained, The aim of these deliberative cafes supported by ARINS (Analysing and Researching Ireland North and South) a collaboration between the Royal Irish Academy and the Keough Naughton Institute at the University of Notre Dame, and the Department of Foreign Affairs, is to facilitate deliberation among women on a cross-community and cross-border basis. Also Read: Twelve Longford restaurants see a very successful Irish Restaurant Awards Over the course of a day, our participants come together to discuss their shared policy and political problems, exploring the extent to which these challenges are shared across different locations, what they feel should be done to ameliorate these problems, and how political representatives can play a part. Dr Deane said the involvement of participants from different locations is a central element of the deliberation, allowing the women to make connections, share experiences, and learn from one another. At Edgeworthstown, we had 30 participants from Longford, Monaghan and Mid Ulster. Mid-Ulster council very kindly provided a mini-bus for the Mid-Ulster women to attend. Dr Deane concluded, The final deliberative cafe is on Saturday, March 22 in Ballina Library and we hope to have Longford women sharing their insights in Mayo. If Longford women would like to attend the Ballina event, they are welcome to contact shelley.deane@dcu.ie Limerick hurler Kyle Hayes will learn on Friday if he will be sent to jail or not. The 2024 Hurler of the Year nominee appeared before Limerick Criminal Circuit Court this Wednesday to learn if a suspended prison sentence for violent disorder is triggered by a dangerous driving conviction in Mallow District Court. State solicitor for Limerick, Padraig Mawe gave a summary of the evidence of the dangerous driving conviction near Mallow when Mr Hayes drove at 155kmph and overtook nine cars on July 14, 2024. Mr Mawe also gave a summary of the evidence of the original offences in October, 2019 - violent disorder convictions in a nightclub and adjacent to it following a trial when Mr Hayes was 21. In March 2024, Judge Dermot Sheehan imposed an 18-month prison sentence on Mr Hayes for engaging in violent disorder in the Icon nightclub and a concurrent two-year jail sentence for the violent disorder on Upper Denmark Street, Limerick city. The sentences were fully suspended on condition that he be bound to the peace and be of good behaviour during that two-year term. READ MORE: LATEST: Met Eireann pinpoint disastrous weather u-turn after glorious few days Brian McInerney SC, appearing with Liam Carroll BL, instructed by solicitor Sarah Ryan, represented Mr Hayes during this Wednesday's hearing. Mr McInerney submitted that the interests of justice would not be met by invoking a jail sentence. He said the triggering offence of dangerous driving is wholly different in character to the violent disorder convictions. Judge Dara Hayes, presiding, said he wished to consider matters and adjourned the case to Friday morning when he will give his decision. Irish premier Micheal Martin has said he does not take too much note of criticism levelled at him by Conor McGregor. The mixed martial artist has been condemned by the most senior figures in Irelands coalition after he criticised the government on a range of issues during a meeting with US President Donald Trump on St Patricks Day. McGregor praised Mr Trumps work ethic as inspiring as he met him in the Oval Office on Monday, while the president described him as fantastic. The Dubliner told reporters in the West Wing that he was going to voice concerns about immigration issues in Ireland when he spoke to Mr Trump. McGregor, who has previously stated an intent to run for the Irish presidency, claimed the Irish Government was one of zero action with zero accountability. In particular, he criticised Mr Martin and his governments policies on immigration and public safety. His visit to the White House came months after he was found civilly liable in a High Court damages case in Dublin taken by a woman who accused him of rape. Nikita Hand, also known as Nikita Ni Laimhin, won her claim against McGregor after accusing the professional fighter of raping her in a Dublin hotel in December 2018. Ms Hand, 35, was awarded damages and costs after a three-week trial last year in which the jury found him civilly liable for assault. McGregor is appealing against the outcome of the civil case. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Mr Martin said the mixed martial arts fighter did not speak for Ireland and that the government was made up of elected representatives. As far as the government is concerned its an elected government, by the way and were very focused on increasing the policing in the public order capacity. But I dont take too much note of his criticism other than to say that he does not speak for for the Irish people in any shape or form. And we will continue to work in Dail Eireann and in engaging with the opposition in Dail Eireann who are elected also. And we will engage in terms of the best policies to develop for this country into the future. Senior spokespeople for the Government said it had not received any notice that McGregor would be meeting Mr Trump and that there had been no engagement with the White House about the matter since. A spokesman also said the Government would not be raising objections with the US administration as this could have the appearance of legitimising the notion that McGregor was in the White House as a representative of Ireland rather than as a private citizen. Crime By Chris Boyle Published: March 19 2025 BJA Renovations Corp., president, vice president, and manager were charged in June 2024 for failing to pay more than $140,000 in prevailing wages and unemployment insurance on projects. Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a North Babylon asbestos removal and demolition labor company and its executive leadership pleaded guilty to failing to pay more than $80,000 in prevailing wages that they owed employees for public work projects at schools in the Merrick and Oceanside Union Free School Districts between 2019 and 2021. The company and its president also pleaded guilty to falsifying Unemployment Insurance Contribution returns with New York State, resulting in a shortfall to the States Unemployment Insurance coffers of more than $60,000. BJA Renovations Corp., located in North Babylon, and Joseph Demasco, 67, a manager at the company, pleaded guilty today before Judge Christopher Quinn to Labor Law 220(3)(d)(i)(2) Failure to Pay the Prevailing Wage (an E felony). BJA Renovations Corp. also pleaded guilty to Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree (an E felony). The guilty plea requires Demasco to pay restitution jointly and severally with BJA Renovations Corp. totaling $81,592 for the prevailing wage charges and $63,036 for the falsification of the Unemployment Insurance Contribution returns. Demasco and BJA Renovations Corp. face debarment for five years, which will prohibit him and the company from working on New York State Public Work contracts during that period of time. Demasco is expected to be sentenced to up to three years in prison on May 14, 2025. If the defendant pays $25,000 of restitution by the time of sentencing, his sentence will be reduced to six months incarceration and five years probation, with the remainder of the restitution to be paid through probation. The companys president, Nicholas Barnett, pleaded guilty on March 4, 2025, before Judge Anthony Paradiso to Labor Law 220(3)(d)(i)(1) Failure to Pay the Prevailing Wage (an A misdemeanor) and Falsifying Business Records in the Second Degree (an A misdemeanor). He is expected to be sentenced in on April 30, 2025, to three years probation and faces debarment for five years. The companys vice president, Dana Petrizzo, pleaded guilty on March 4, 2025, before Judge Paradiso to Disorderly Conduct. The defendant was sentenced to a Conditional Discharge the same day. We do not tolerate companies that exploit their employees or deceive the public. BJA Renovations Corp. and its leaders shortchanged hardworking people when they should have made sure that they were paid fairly, said DA Donnelly. These very employees showed up day in and day out, putting their health and safety at risk, only to be denied the wages and benefits they were entitled to. We remain committed to standing up for workers and holding businesses accountable when they break the law. New York State has zero tolerance for those who cheat the Unemployment Insurance system or shortchange their workers out of hard-earned pay, said New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. I am proud of the New York State Department of Labor's continued partnership with the Nassau County District Attorney's Office in the areas of Unemployment Insurance and prevailing wage. Together, we will continue protecting law-abiding businesses and stamping out worker exploitation in all its forms. DA Donnelly said that between June 2019 and November 2019, BJA Renovations Corp. performed work on public work projects at the Merrick Union Free School District as a subcontractor at the Birch School, Roland A. Chatterton School, and Norman J. Levy Lakeside School. Certified payroll records were filed with the Merrick Union Free School District on behalf of the defendant and allegedly signed by Petrizzo as Vice President. The pay rate recorded on the payroll records was $44.00 per hour for Hazardous Construction Laborer and $37.44 for a Construction Laborer. The actual hourly pay provided to employees was allegedly only $35.00 per hour and employees were paid in mostly cash. The correct prevailing wage rate under New York State Labor laws during this time period for a Hazardous Material Laborer was $52.70 per hour in wages and benefits and $68.96 per hour in wages and benefits for a Construction Laborer. The weekly payroll was delivered to the worksite by Demasco or Barnett, who also worked as a supervisor for the Merrick project. Additionally, between June 2021 and September 2021 the company performed work on a project at the Oceanside Union Free School District, specifically at Oceanside High School. Payroll records filed with the school district, and allegedly signed by Petrizzo, recorded a rate of pay of $44.00 per hour for Hazardous Construction Laborers and $37.44 an hour for Construction Laborers. Employees were allegedly paid $35.00 per hour in cash and sometimes by check. Payroll deliveries were made by Demasco or the site supervisor, Barnett. The correct prevailing wage rate under New York State Labor Laws during this time period for a Hazardous Material Laborer was $52.70 per hour in wages and benefits and $74.70 per hour in wages and benefits for a Construction Laborer. On February 21, 2020, BJA Renovations and Barnett as president prepared and filed a Quarterly Combined Withholding, Wage Reporting, and Unemployment Insurance Return with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance and the New York State Department of Labor recording that the total wages paid to their 15 employees between July 1, 2019, and September 30, 2019, totaled $52,904. The certified payroll records for BJA Renovations Corp. during that same period recorded a total payroll paid to four of the employees listed on the return and eight employees not listed for a total of more than $185,000. The underreporting of the actual payroll defrauded the Unemployment Fund in the amount of $63,036.80. The defendants surrendered to NCDA Detective Investigators on June 7, 2024. NCDA thanks the New York State Department of Labor for its partnership in this investigation. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: March 19 2025 On March 15, 2025, an off-duty MTA police officer was driving his personal vehicle on Route 110 and Francine Avenue in North Amityville when he struck and killed a man. The New York Attorney Generals Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has opened an investigation into the death of a civilian who died on March 15, 2025 following a motor vehicle accident involving an off-duty Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) police officer in Suffolk County. Shortly after midnight on March 15, 2025, an off-duty MTA police officer was driving his personal vehicle on Route 110 and Francine Avenue in North Amityville when he struck and killed a man. The man was pronounced dead on scene. Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSIs assessment indicates an officer may have caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident. Houthi Spokesman Mohammad Abdul Salam meets with Islamic Republic Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran. (Khamenei.ir) Iran has made private requests to Yemens Houthis to cool tensions in the Red Sea, according to Reuters. The report states that two senior Iranian officials said Iran sent a message to the Houthis envoy in Tehran to de-escalate the ongoing conflict with the US and requested that Oman convey a similar message to the group. US Central Command (CENTCOM) began a large-scale operation against the Houthis, the Iranian-backed terrorist group officially known as Ansar Allah, on March 15 and has carried out daily strikes since. The Trump administrations goal for the operation is to restore freedom of navigation and reestablish American deterrence, according to Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell. The Houthis have carried out hundreds of attacks against commercial and US military vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden since 2023. The groups operations have been in support of Hamas during its war with Israel in Gaza that began after Hamass terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Publicly, Brigadier General Hossein Salami, the chief commander of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), recently distanced the regime from the Houthi rebels. The Yemenis are an independent and free nation in their own land, with an independent national policy, Salami remarked. He also dismissed claims that Tehran explicitly supports Houthi attacks, insisting, We [Iran] publicly announce responsibility for any military operation or support we provide. Tehrans military support for Houthi terrorists Despite Iranian officials downplaying ties with the Houthis, the steady flow of weapons from Tehran suggests otherwise. In January 2024, CENTCOM intercepted an Iranian shipment carrying over 200 packages that contained medium-range ballistic missile components, explosives, unmanned underwater/surface vehicle (UUV/USV) components, military-grade communication and network equipment, anti-tank guided missile launcher assemblies, and other military components. Efforts to disrupt this supply chain escalated in October 2024, when the US Treasury Department sanctioned Iranian and Chinese entities facilitating Houthi weapons procurement. The Office of Foreign Assets Control targeted key procurement operatives and suppliers located in Iran and the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) that have enabled the Houthis to acquire dual-use materials and components needed to manufacture, maintain, and deploy an arsenal of advanced missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) against U.S. and allied interests. Iranian leaders public statements regarding recent US attacks on the Houthis have also been defiant. Wars have consistently brought disgraceful military defeats for Global Arrogance and the United States, yet they have still not learned their lesson. [] We warn all enemies that we will confront any threat and will respond even more forcefully, Salami stated. US President Donald Trump continues to emphasize Irans support for the Houthis and promised repercussions for the Islamic Republic should its proxy group continue its attacks. Every shot fired by the Houthis will be looked upon, from this point forward, as being a shot fired from the weapons and leadership of IRAN, and IRAN will be held responsible, and suffer the consequences, and those consequences will be dire! Trump stated in a post published on Truth Social and X. Iran-Houthi relations: From ally to proxy During the initial stages of the Houthis war against Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in 2014, Tehran reportedly advised the group against seizing Sanaa, Yemens capital. The Houthis defiance of this warning suggested they operated independently of Iran at the time, acting more as an ally than a proxy of the Islamic Republic. Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al Houthi initially hesitated to align publicly with Irans Axis of Resistance, the Tehran-backed network consisting of Iraqi militias, Lebanons Hezbollah, and Gazas Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. When asked about the Houthis ties with Hezbollah, the Houthi leader acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue, stating, This issue is raised with great sensitivity. He further remarked, We often make it clear that we are starting our relations in the Islamic arena, foremost of which is the resistance, carefully avoiding full identification with the Iran-led axis. However, as the Houthis war against Persian Gulf states intensified, so did their reliance on Iranian arms. By 2023, Houthi government head Abdulaziz Bin Habtour confirmed the groups status as an official Iranian proxy, declaring, We are part of the Axis of Resistance. Tehran recalculating its proxy doctrine Irans calls for the Houthis to temper their actions seem to reflect a broader recalibration of its proxy strategy. After Trump won the US election, a leader of the Iran-backed Iraqi Al Nujaba militiaa US-designated terrorist groupdisclosed to Lebanons Al Akhbar on December 23 that factions within Iraqs Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) had agreed to halt attacks on Israel and would remain silent on Syria. Esmail Ghaani, the commander of the IRGC-Quds Force, which is tasked with the regimes external operations, met with PMF leaders in February to discuss restructuring their command hierarchy and refining operational priorities, signaling a shift in Tehrans approach to its regional proxies. Ghaani also instructed the PMF to cease attacking US forces in Iraq during his February visit. Without Qaanis direct intervention it would have been impossible to convince Kataib Hezbollah to halt its military operations to de-escalate the tension, a senior commander of an Iran-backed militia told Reuters in February. Janatan Sayeh is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focused on Iranian domestic affairs and the Islamic Republics regional malign influence. Bridget Toomey is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focusing on Iranian proxies, specifically Iraqi militias and the Houthis. Luxembourg Times subscribers can now benefit from complimentary access to The New York Times and its wide range of news, investigations, analysis, games, recipes, reviews and more. The New York Times is a trusted source of quality, independent journalism. With more than 11 million subscribers across a diverse array of print and digital products, The New York Times has evolved into a diversified media company with curious readers, listeners and viewers around the globe. The Luxembourg Times already offers subscribers access to a selection of Financial Times and Bloomberg reporting. We are proud to now include access to The New York Times to our one-year subscription. Read more about the terms and conditions to receive an access code to The New York Times as an existing or new subscriber. The New York Timess mission is to seek the truth and help people understand the world. This aligns with the Luxembourg Timess mission to help readers understand Luxembourg and be their go-to source for news and information about politics, business, finance and life in the Grand Duchy. From Donald Trumps second presidency to Europes swing to the right, from the climate crisis to conflict, division and socio-economic strife - trustworthy journalism is more important than ever to stem the tide of fake news and misinformation that is threatening societies and democracies the world over, said Luxembourg Times editor-in-chief Cordula Schnuer. As social media giants like Meta and X abandon fact checking, reliable information is becoming ever more valuable, she said. The Luxembourg Times is stepping up to this challenge, cutting through the noise and reporting the news with honesty, integrity and fairness. With access to The New York Times in addition to the Luxembourg Times, subscribers will receive a wealth of information to navigate these turbulent times. Global business advisory firm EisnerAmper has announced the opening of its Luxembourg office, further expanding its audit, tax and advisory services. The firm has not disclosed the number of employees it plans to hire for the new location. The office will focus on helping businesses navigate Luxembourgs complex regulatory and reporting landscape. It will specialize in fund structuring, financial reporting and compliance, including adherence to CSSF regulations. There is a growing demand for local expertise and audit solutions in Luxembourg, particularly among private equity firms, said Irina Gershengoren, partner at EisnerAmper. Consideration of regulations and Luxembourg reporting obligations is crucial. Were excited to collaborate with EisnerAmper Luxembourg, whose expertise will help clients navigate local requirements and ensure regulatory compliance. The firm will leverage its global network to provide clients with expanded access to European financial markets. Through our membership with EisnerAmper Global, we can offer clients a full suite of services, including financial statement audits, tax planning and consulting, said Ilias Ntougas, director at EisnerAmper Luxembourg, in a press release. The creation of two cross-border functional zones (ZFTs), Luxembourg-Wallonia north and south, has been in the works since 2021 and officially launched a year ago. The zones will help boost cooperation between Luxembourg and Belgium, authorities hope. The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the Belgian province of Luxembourg used to form a single territory, which belonged successively to the Southern Netherlands, then to the French Empire and finally to the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. In 1839, the French-speaking part of Luxembourg was ceded to Belgium, while the remainder of the Grand Duchy remained under the sovereignty of the King of the Netherlands until full independence in 1867. Also read: How Luxembourg lost three-quarters of its territory Despite this separation, the province of Luxembourg and the Grand Duchy are still very close today. Whether in terms of language, culture or, above all, economic relations, the links are numerous and authorities on both sides want them to grow further. Five projects approved The two ZFTs, bringing together Belgian and Luxembourgish municipalities, are all about local projects designed to improve living conditions and quality of life for local residents. On the Belgian side, the northern zone includes municipalities such as Gouvy, Bastogne, Libramont, Habay, Martelange and Attert. On the Luxembourg side, Wiltz, Troisvierges, Redange and Boulaide have given their agreement. In the southern zone, on the Belgian side are Arlon, Etalle, Virton, Aubange and Messancy; on the Luxembourg side: Steinfort, Petange, Mamer and Kaerjeng. In short, neighbouring municipalities that are all keen to develop synergies between the two Luxembourgs. The municipalities on either side of the border that form part of the two cross-border functional areas. Photo credit: Idelux Five new projects were announced this week at a press conference that included Luxembourg Regional Planning Minister Claude Meisch and the Minister-President of Wallonia, Adrien Dolimont. The first project is a pedestrian-bicycle link between Barnich-Sterpenich school and Kleinbettingen station. This project will also serve two other schools and form part of the Luxembourg cycle network. The communes of Arlon and Steinfort will part finance the project, backed by 60% European support - just over 1 million. Also read: Cycle path to connect Arlon and Luxembourg Also in the south of both Luxembourgs, a cross-border bridge will be built over the Eich river, and links will be created between the Belgian-Luxembourg cycle networks. A cycle-pedestrian path will be built to the north of Clemency to provide a direct link between the Attert cycle path and the Belgian network at Selange. Once again, the project will be co-financed by the communes of Messancy and Kaerjeng, with 60% support from European funds: around 225,000. Two parks, five senses In the northern ZFT, a cross-border project called Discovery SenStory, or DSENS, linked to tourism has been approved. It aims to promote the theme of sensory experimentation across the border as a collaboration between the Houtopia educational and recreational centre in Houffalize on the Belgian side, and the Parc Sennesraich centre in Lullange (Wincrange) on the Luxembourg side. Also read: Number of Belgian cross-border commuters in Luxembourg is stagnating The Voies d'Eau-trefois project aims to promote the water-related crafts and industries of the past. The aim is to highlight shared industrial heritage by, for example, installing a themed installation in Wiltz. A related idea is for a heritage railway project in Bastogne, where visitors will be able to step back in time to when the town was connected to the railways and many Bastogne workers were already travelling to Luxembourg as cross-border workers to staff factories. Creating healthcare synergies The WaLuxSante initiative has been approved and is also part of the project. Its goal is to strengthen cross-border cooperation in healthcare in the rural Wallonia-Luxembourg border area, in particular by taking advantage of the framework agreement on healthcare between Belgium and Luxembourg, signed some two years ago. Creating synergies between the two healthcare systems will aid efficiency and allow residents to better use services on both sides of the border in rural areas. There are seven other projects (three for the southern ZFT and four for the northern) that are currently under consideration and will be submitted to decision-making committees in late May and early June. They cover a range of themes, including mobility, health, the water cycle, biodiversity and the economy. (This article was published by Virgule. Translation and editing by Alex Stevensson.) Excessive alcohol consumption is leading to more than one person being hospitalised every single day in Luxembourg, according to data published by the health ministry. Between 2018 and 2023, there were 3,639 hospitalisations in Luxembourg due to excess alcohol consumption, an average of 1.6 per day. Of the 3,639 hospitalisations, 3% concern young people aged 12 to 18, according to figures released by Health Minister Martine Deprez on Monday, in response to a written parliamentary question jointly submitted by DP deputies Andre Bauler and Gilles Baum. In their question to the minister, the MPs point out that, according to the German press, the number of alcoholic teenagers who have had to be hospitalised is falling, having dropped by 28% between 2022 and 2023. Asked whether the same trend is occurring in Luxembourg, Deprez revealed that 3% of all people hospitalised are teenagers, which is equivalent to more than 100 young people over the period from 2018 to 2023. Compared to the German study mentioned above, among the population of young people aged 12 to 18, the proportion of adolescents hospitalised in Luxembourg for alcohol poisoning was 0.040% and 0.043% in 2023, she said, adding that in Germany the rate was 0.19% in 2022 and 0.14% in 2023. Given the low number of cases, it's difficult to identify a clear trend, the minister added. More hospitalisations in summer At the request of the deputies, Deprez also revealed that from 2018 to 2023, hospitalisations due to excessive alcohol consumption were more frequent during the months of July to October, especially among adults. According to the data, during that period, 362 hospitalisations due to alcohol were reported in July alone, making it the month with the highest number. February, on the other hand, was the month with the fewest hospitalisations, at 232. In one of its latest campaigns on the risks of alcohol, the Health Ministry has emphasised that alcohol is the cause of around 60 health problems, including some cancers, and its consumption is associated with a greater risk of injury, violence and accidents. Alcohol consumption is also associated with a decrease in economic efficiency and the emergence of other problems, such as absenteeism from work, decreased productivity and performance and an increase in crime. (This article was originally published by Contacto. Translation and editing by Audrey McGaw) If we go by the usual schedule, were probably a little under three months out from this years Worldwide Developers Conferencechances are itll be announced before the end of this very month. It promises to be quite the event. Thats in no small part because Apples found itself in an unusual position this year: the company has already copped to the fact that some of the most impressive features from last years WWDC keynoteSiris ability to use personal context and take action in various appswill not arrive on time, and we dont know exactly when they might ship, if ever. So, at this years WWDC when Tim Cook greets the in-person crowd and fires up the keynote video, what exactly are we going to see, and hows it going to play? No feature left behind* Back in 2012, Apple made a bold move and replaced Google Maps as the provider of its built-in mapping software with a homegrown solution in iOS 6. That was, to put it politely, a debacle: for millions of users, the Apple map app went from robust to untrustworthy overnight, and the company (rightfully) earned itself a black eye. The situation was so bad, in fact, that Tim Cook, only a year into his tenure as CEO, took to Apples website with an apology, writing, We will keep working non-stop until Maps lives up to the same incredibly high standard. Granted, the situation with these Apple Intelligence features is a little different. Yes, the company demoed them at WWDC and subsequently used them as the basis for an iPhone advertising campaign in the fall, but unlike with Maps, its not as if their absence has made customers phones less useful than before. Still, this kind of overpromising, while far from unheard of in the tech industry, isnt the way that Apple tends to conduct itself. Thats not to say it doesnt happen; the company has gotten over its skis in the past, such as when it pre-announced a wireless charging mat that it would never be able to ship. Embarrassing as that was, a hardware accessory is hardly critical to the companys success; Cook certainly didnt put out a public mea culpa about it. Instead, like the announcement of the Apple Intelligence delay, the news on AirPower came via a Friday press statement. That said, Im of the opinion that a miss of the level of Apple Intelligence probably should involve a public apologyif not Tim Cook writing on Apple.com, then at least a sit-down explanation with some of the press. But so far that hasnt seemed to be forthcoming, which raises the question: will the company acknowledge it at WWDC? Theres a lot of drama at Apple leading up to WWDC25 in June. Foundry Ignore and override This years keynote is sure to be jam-packed, with the company demoing new features across the half-dozen platforms it maintains. Its certainly easy to imagine Apple bulling ahead, confident in the power of its fabled reality distortion field, pretending nothing untoward has happened and that everything is fine in Cupertino. But if this years announcements include, as is not unlikely, another crop of Apple Intelligence features, well, that becomes a trickier proposition. How do you build on features that didnt ship? Its hard to make the argument that youre bringing the second-generation of Apple Intelligence features when the first never finished shipping. Or do you blithely re-introduce those capabilities like Bullwinkle trying to pull a rabbit out of his hat? More to the point, how do you expect developers, customers, and the media to treat any such announcement? The virtue of being up on stage, especially with a pre-recorded video, may mean that everybody has to listen to what you have to say, but you can bet that its going to be greeted with a whole lot more scrutiny and skepticism after the fact. The Apple Intelligene slides at WWDC 2025 might be a bit less cheerful. Apple Quiet professionals Heres the thing: it didnt have to be this way. Apples playbook has long been to sit tight on a project until its ready to shipor, more importantly, until you know its not going to ship. This is the company that spent ten years looking at building a car and killed that project off without ever so much as acknowledging it, much less releasing an actual product. But you cant be mad at the company for not shipping something it never said it would ship. (Well, you can, but that seems a little unreasonable.) The Vision Pro is another good example. By all indications, plans for the companys headset date back as far as 2008, no doubt well before the product was technologically feasible. If anything, you could argue that the company maybe should have sat on it longer to get the price down, but theres certainly no argument that the Vision Pro technology works as demonstrated. General consensus seems to be that Apple was caught flat-footed by the intense success of generative AI and had to scramble to catch up. It certainly seems like the company acted out of fear to try and not look like it was irrelevant, but from this vantage it seems like that decision may have backfired. Now, instead of simply looking out of touch, Apple looks, worse, like it cant get the job done. The popular virtualization software Parallels Desktop is the best virtual machine for running Windows on a Mac weve tested, and this March the maker is offering 25% off Parallels Desktop 20. Thats a tempting offer in anyones book. In our review of Parallels Desktop we described it as one of the best options for Mac users who need to run Windows, Linux or even macOS as a virtual machine on their system. Parallels Desktop 20, which arrived in September 2024, is an impressive upgrade, and a strong focus on developers and AI means its now a powerful tool for developers on all platforms. Parallels Desktop 20 brought support for the new Apple Intelligence features that arrived with macOS Sequoia. With Parallels Desktop installed on your Mac you can enjoy Apple Intelligence features in Windows as well as use various tools, such as Coherence mode, in which the Windows desktop is hidden and your applications are run directly from your Mac desktop in a separate window. You can also access Windows tools such as the Start menu via your Macs menu bar. In addition, the latest update makes it possible to run the Intel version of Windows on an M-series Mac. Price comparison: How good this deal is The standard price for the 12-month subscription to Parallels Desktop 20 for Mac is normally $89.99 per year. This means you can save around $25 compared to the usual price with this deal! You can currently get the the standard version of Parallels Desktop 20 for Mac on a 12-month subscription for $74.99 / 67.49 / CA$97.49 / AU$86.25. Thats a 25 percent saving on the usual price of $99.99 / 89.99 / CA$129.99 / AU$115. U.S. U.K. Canada Australia Usual price $99.99 89.99 $129.99 $115 Deal price $74.99 67.49 $97.49 $86.25 Saving $25 22.50 $32.50 $28.75 If youre based in the U.K. or Australia you can even save on the perpetual licence for Parallels Desktop 20. Usually a one-time purchase for 104.99 or AU$179.99, this is currently 78.74 or AU$134.25 in those two countries respectively. GUIYANG, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has stressed the importance of adhering to high-quality development and driving growth by further deepening reform and opening-up comprehensively, during his inspection in southwest China's Guizhou Province from Monday to Tuesday. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, called on the province to firm up confidence, work hard, and take steady steps to advance Chinese modernization. On Monday afternoon, Xi visited a village of the Dong ethnic group in Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture. He inspected the surroundings and local shops, stopping from time to time to chat with store owners, tourists, and villagers. At an exhibition center, he learned about the preservation and inheritance of Dong culture. He also observed the batik-making process at a specialty industrial base. Xi emphasized that the cultures of ethnic minority groups are an integral part of Chinese culture and should be preserved as well as creatively transformed and developed. The Chinese president also sat down with villagers for amiable chats. As he departed, Xi expressed the hope that they can further revitalize the countryside as the Chinese modernization advances. Xi also visited the provincial capital Guiyang, where he heard the provincial authorities report their work on Tuesday. Xi underscored the need to strengthen innovation-driven development with the real economy as the foundation. He called for actively developing strategic emerging industries and enhancing industries such as the digital economy and new energy. He also asked the province to protect the environment well and transform its ecological strengths into development advantages. Xi demanded resolute efforts to eliminate local protectionism, market segmentation and "rat race" competition to create a stable, fair, transparent and predictable environment for businesses. Calling openness "an important element" of the business environment, Xi urged Guizhou to take an active part in the country's all-around opening up drive. Xi emphasized the need to develop modern, efficient agriculture with distinctive mountain characteristics tailored to Guizhou's local conditions, while cultivating leading industries with regional features and lasting market competitiveness. Highlighting Guizhou's rich historical heritage, vibrant revolutionary culture, and diverse ethnic traditions, he stressed the importance of harnessing these strengths to drive economic and social development. Xi noted that achieving high-quality development requires unwavering adherence to the Party's leadership. He noted the launch of a Party-wide education campaign to implement the Party central leadership's "eight-point decision" on improving conduct, saying that it is a key task for Party building this year. He asked Party organizations at all levels to encourage Party members and officials to uphold exemplary conduct and make concentrated and concerted efforts to drive development. Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, accompanied Xi on the inspection tour. Update: Uber, Lyft, Logan Airport reach agreement to avoid worlds highest drop-off fee --- A fee hike for ride-hailing trips to Logan Airport that Uber claims would be the highest in the world could soon be in store for travelers. The Massachusetts Port Authority board on Wednesday will review a slate of fee increases for traveling to Logan, including a round-trip fee of $15 for taking an Uber, Lyft or similar service. A record-breaking 43 million passengers flew through Logan Airport in fiscal year 2024. This fiscal year, trips are up more than 7%, Massport Aviation Director Ed Freni told the board in February. Nearly 30% of passengers used a ride-hailing app for airport travel. Massport officials hope to respond to the rising passengers and traffic and fund new infrastructure improvements, State House News Service reported last month when agency staff presented the package of fee increases affecting most ways travelers get to the airport. The fees would increase gradually over the coming years, reaching their peak in fiscal year 2029. According to the News Service, the proposal includes: The flat fee for an Uber or Lyft drop-off or pickup would increase from $3.25 to $7.50. Combined, a trip to and from the airport with the ride-hailing services would cost $15. Employee parking would rise from $175 per month to $275 per month. The maximum daily rate for drive-up parking close to the airport terminals would increase from $41 to $51. The maximum rate for economy parking would go from $32 to $42 Limo pickup fees would increase from $3.25 to $7.50. Taxi fees would double from $2.25 to $5.50. Many of the fees have remained flat for years. The board set the current ride-hailing fees in 2019, the employee parking fees in 2017 and the limo and taxi fees in 2007. The higher fees on Uber and Lyft would make the round-trip total the highest at any airport in the world, Josh Gold, Ubers senior director of public policy and communications, told the News Service last month. At Logan, passengers may only catch Ubers or Lyfts from the central parking garage. People in personal vehicles, however, can stop curbside in front of the terminals. Gold said that dynamic is unfair. If youre paying the highest rate, you should get access to what we feel is the best service, which is curb access, he said. If youre paying absolutely nothing, which is what personal vehicle owners are paying, you probably shouldnt be taking up a lot of dwell time on the curb and taking up a lot of curb space. In presenting the fees last month, Massport staff wrote that the higher fees are intended to influence behavior and generate revenues needed to support ground transportation investments, which are needed to adapt to the rising masses flying through Logan. The board will receive a presentation on the proposed fee hikes at its meeting Thursday morning, where members could give their approval. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. at Massports office at One Harborside Drive in East Boston. The board also last month approved a new fee for cruise passengers traveling through the Flynn Cruiseport in South Boston. The fee, which will eventually reach $15 per passenger, will fund the majority of a critical $105 million infrastructure project that officials said will better equip the port to accommodate larger ships and more passengers. The fee will begin next year at $3 per passenger and rise by $3 annually until it reaches $15 per passenger in 2030. Material from the State House News Service was used in this report. The Boston Teachers Union had planned to rally Wednesday night outside Mayor Michelle Wus annual State of the City speech. But that plan was scrapped Tuesday night. The union said it had tentatively reached a long-sought new contract with the city, and rather than protesting outside the mayors address, it would begin the process of informing teachers across Boston about the details of the agreement. This tentative agreement includes important guarantees such as improved in-classroom staffing levels for students with disabilities; meaningful changes to wages especially for paraprofessionals; and other key improvements to learning and working conditions in the Boston Public Schools, union President Erik Berg said in a statement Tuesday night. The proposed contract extends three years, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, Superintendent Mary Skipper and School Committee Chairperson Jeri Robinson wrote in a joint letter to district families Tuesday. The breakthrough in negotiations followed months of negotiations and public advocacy from Bostons largest labor group for educators, including demonstrations and informational picketing lines. A previous agreement covering 8,500 union members including teachers, school nurses, psychologists, guidance counselors, paraprofessionals, and substitutes expired Aug. 31. The union said its members, now numbering more than 10,000, would need to review the details of the agreement and ratify it in a vote. The group could also elect to return to the bargaining table seeking a better deal. The tentative agreement includes a raise in wages for all educators, with a particular focus on our lowest paid workers, the joint letter from the mayor, superintendent and school committee chair read. We have engaged in a robust and productive process, and we look forward to our continued work with BPS educators and staff as BTU members review the agreement and prepare for their ratification vote. More information on the agreement will be available once the agreement is formalized, the letter read. The rally previously planned for Wednesday night would have occurred outside Wus annual address outlining how Boston fared in the last year and the direction the city is headed. The speech at MGM Music Fall next to Fenway Park is scheduled for 7 p.m. Ahead of the rally, the union said teachers were frustrated that they remain without a new contract for over 200 days. The group said its central issues in the negotiations were wages for staff, including drastically underpaid paraprofessionals, and ensuring that classrooms were sufficiently staffed with educators to serve students of all learning abilities. People held signs outside the courthouse where men accused of buying sex at a Cambridge-area brothel ring were set to attend a hearing last week. Irene Rotondo The ringleader of a Cambridge brothel that attracted high-end clientele in its multi-million, cross-state operations was sentenced to prison on Wednesday. Han Lee, 42, of Cambridge was sentenced in a Boston courtroom to serve four years with one year of supervised release. Lee was also ordered to pay over $5.4 million in forfeiture and to pay restitution for an amount to be determined in the future, for leading the sophisticated sex trafficking network that generated over $5.6 million in revenue, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Han Lee didnt just recruit women to sell their bodies for sex she built a criminal enterprise designed to thrive in the shadows, evading law enforcement while profiting off her victims like commodities, said U.S. Attorney Leah Foley. Lee had been arrested and charged in the fall of 2023 alongside her accomplices, Junmyung Lee, 31, of Dedham, and James Lee, 69, of Torrance, Calif. The three were indicted by a federal grand jury in Feb. 2024, and Han Lee pled guilty in September to one count of conspiracy to persuade, induce, entice and coerce one or more people to travel interstate for prostitution, and one count of money laundering conspiracy. Last week, the names of several men accused of buying sex at the brothels were made public in court proceedings, though the prosecution and defense attorneys declined to confirm the spellings of their names. One of the men was 76 years old, while others were 28 and 44. In an affidavit, the men are described as politicians, pharmaceutical executives, doctors, military officers, government contractors that possess security clearances, professors, lawyers, business executives, technology company executives, scientists, accountants, retail employees and students. More of the 28 accused mens identities are expected to be made public in future hearings scheduled for March 21 and 28. Since at least July 2020, the brothels were operated by Lee and her lackeys at multiple locations in Cambridge and Watertown, and in eastern Virginia. Altogether, the locations garnered about 9,450 dates with trafficked women that made over $5.6 million in proceeds, according to Foley. Han Lee primarily trafficked Asian women and lured them with furnished luxury apartments where they were expected to live and engage in prostitution. To not draw attention to the establishment, Lee established house rules for sex workers at the brothels. These included, No laundry after 9 p.m. Always be mindful of your neighbors when you open and close the door. Be careful when you close the door. Turn on the TV in the living room, according to an affidavit filed in federal court. She had more rules like turning on music while working, being careful with cigarettes, not going outside with heavy makeup, and being mindful of using the heater when working ... in winter. Lee did not allow red lights or other colored lights in front of the door and told the women to never talk on the phone in the hallway of the apartment. While the brothels were operating, Han Lee lived a lavish lifestyle, according to prosecutors. She shopped at Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga and Jimmy Choo, all the while concealing the millions of dollars in payments earned through the ring. During hearings on Friday, explicit text messages with accused sex buyers sent to a number on the Lees website called bostontop10.com were also made public. These included the false names of women accused buyers would specifically request, and payments from accused buyers that ranged from $250 for 30 minutes to $350 for one hour and up to $840 for three hours. To conceal her proceeds, Lee deposited hundreds of thousands of dollars to personal and third-party bank accounts, and through peer-to-peer transfers. Money orders were also purchased, which were then used for brothel rent and utilities. Junmyung Lee pled guilty in Oct. 2024 and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 18. James Lee pled guilty in Feb. 2025 and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 28. Regional discount retailer Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL) is taking over 15 former Big Lots locations in eight states up and down the East Coast, including one in Massachusetts. OSJL currently operates 159 stores across the Northeastern U.S., the company said in a news release about the acquisitions. All of the Big Lots conversions are expected to conclude by May or June of this year when they will reopen as Job Lot shops, OSJL indicated. In total, OSJL said it plans to open up to 22 new stores this year, including the 15 former Big Lots. It marks the first time the Rhode Island-based company is opening stores in Maryland and Delaware. Read More: Major discount retailer to close about 140 of its stores nationwide In Massachusetts, a new Ocean State Job Lot will open at the former Big Lots at the Webster Commons shopping plaza at 112-120 East Main St. in Webster, just off Interstate 395. OSJL purchased the property in February for $14.5 million, and an employee then told MassLive the store was slated to stay open until Monday, March 17. Big Lots announced it was going out of business at the end of 2024 following a failed merger. There were 17 Big Lots locations in Massachusetts at the time. About half of Big Lots' stores were later saved under a deal struck with Gordon Brothers Retail Partners, in which it acquired the companys assets and ability to transfer them to other retailers and companies, while also offering leases for sale for hundreds of stores in 48 states. Gordon Brothers said in a press release last December that Variety Wholesalers, Inc. intended to acquire 200-400 Big Lots stores and operate under the Big Lots brand. The deal did not salvage any of the Big Lots stores in Massachusetts under the new ownership. Other stores shifting from Big Lots to OSJL locations are: Dover, Delaware Seaford, Delaware Auburn, Maine Chester, Maryland Easton, Maryland Elkton, Maryland Barnegat, New Jersey Cape May, New Jersey Somers Point, New Jersey Dansville, New York Liverpool, New York Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Trexlertown, Pennsylvania Morrisville, Vermont OSJL said these converted stores will range in size from 27,188 square feet to 43,021 square feet. Expanding into new markets has long been part of our strategic plan, but like everything else we do, it needs to be done with value in mind, said Marc Perlman, principal owner and CEO of Ocean State Job Lot, in a statement. Perlman added that the expansion marks an exciting chapter for OSJL. We look forward to introducing our unique brand, friendly service, and extraordinary savings to customers in each of these new communities, he said. This is not the first time OSJL has converted other shuttered retailers' locations. In 2024, OSJL opened stores in four former Christmas Tree Shops, and plans to open a two more of these stores in early 2025. Since 2019, the retailer has also converted 12 former Toys R Us stores into OSJL locations, it added. The company plans to hire up to 70 jobs at each new location including full-time, part-time and seasonal employees. OSJL, founded in 1977, is known for is variety of home goods, apparel, pet supplies, seasonal products, kitchen pantry supplies and food sales. Two people were shot in Wakefield Tuesday night in what appears to be a targeted incident, police said. The shooting happened just after 7 p.m. on Lakeshore Drive, Wakefield Police said in a Facebook post. Police flooded the area, along with the area near Cumberland Farms on Lowell Street. Police believe the double shooting was an isolated incident and the victims were targeted. The department did not say how seriously the victims were injured. WCVB reported that both victims were taken to a hospital. NBC 10 Boston reported two men sustained serious injuries. This is an active scene and there will be a significant law enforcement presence in the area this evening, police wrote. By 10:30 p.m., police K-9s were searching the neighborhoods around Lakeshore Drive looking for evidence, police said. Veterinarians are working around-the-clock to save the lives of three small chihuahuas that were caught in a Springfield home fire on Monday. The dogs 4-year-old Daylilah and 5-year-old siblings Peluche and Savanna survived a fire that killed several dogs and cats, according to the vice president of the MSPCAs Animal Protect Division, Mike Keiley. After the fire, the three dogs were brought by emergency crews to a local veterinary hospital, the MSPCA-Angell said. Veterinarians determined the dogs were in severe respiratory distress and suspected they also suffered from some neurological issues, the MSPCA added. Given the tenuous state of their health and prolonged hospitalization expected, the dogs owners surrendered them in Springfield, which is when we were called, Keiley said of the situation. Once the dogs were determined to be stable enough for transport, they arrived at the MSPCAs Boston facility on Tuesday evening, where they were immediately rushed to intensive care. Keiley said the MSPCA was contacted due to its status as the only animal welfare organization in Massachusetts thats able to take on dogs like these, given the level of care they need. Keiley hopes the dogs will pull through thanks to the MPSCAs world-class veterinarians and state-of-art equipment at our hospitals, and will eventually finding loving new homes through the groups adoption centers. For now, the chihuahuas remained in oxygen cases and are being treated with various fluids and medications, the MSPCA-Angell said. Keiley called the dogs fighters, adding they are fighting for survival, and were doing everything we can to help them. He said that the MSPCA is hopeful that the dogs will begin showing signs of improvement in the coming days. [R]ight now were in a holding pattern, waiting to see how they react to the treatments theyre currently on, Keiley said. The MSPCA said it will continue to post updates about the chihuahuas on its social media pages. The group anticipates the dogs care and recovery will cost more than $20,000, and encouraged those interested in supporting the MSPCA with donations to do so on its website. Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor takes the stand during the Karen Read trial in Norfolk Superior Court in June 2024. Kayla Bartkowski/The Boston Globe The family of former Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor, who was fired by the agency on Wednesday over conduct during the investigation into Karen Read, said the agency had scapegoated him. During Reads first trial, Proctor admitted to sending derogatory text messages about her, calling her a whack job and saying he wished shed kill herself. Proctor also shared details of his investigation into Read in text messages to friends and family. Two investigations are underway after a vehicle struck a fire truck that already responded to a rollover crash with a school bus on Interstate 93 in Andover Wednesday, Massachusetts State Police said. Just before 3 p.m., troopers went to the initial crash involving a Jeep and a school bus, State Police said in a statement. The Jeep rolled over, though the driver was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. No children aboard the bus were hurt, State Police said. This crash prompted a closure of two lanes on the northbound side of I-93, MassDOT said in a post on X at 3:21 p.m. By 3:53 p.m., the lanes were reopened. But after first responders arrived, a black Toyota struck one of the fire trucks before it drove off, State Police said. Troopers broadcast a description of the vehicle, but State Police did not share any further information. Both crashes continue to be under investigation. Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor on the witness stand during Karen Read's first murder trial in June 2024. Michael Proctor, the lead investigator in the Karen Read case, was terminated from his position as a Massachusetts State Police trooper, the agency announced Wednesday morning. Proctors termination comes after he testified during Reads trial last year about sending derogatory text messages about her, calling her a whack job and saying he wished she would kill herself. A State Police Trial Board, after three full days of hearings between January and March, found Proctor guilty of violating two State Police regulations: unsatisfactory performance and alcoholic beverages. Col. Geoffrey Noble accepted the boards recommendation to terminate Proctor. The unsatisfactory performance charge is directly tied to the Read investigation. The trial board found Proctor sent derogatory, defamatory, disparaging and/or otherwise inappropriate text messages about Read to other individuals. The board also found Proctor provided sensitive and/or confidential information about Read, potential witnesses, and/or potential investigative steps in the case to non-law enforcement personnel. During Reads trial, he testified about texting his sister and friends from high school about the investigation during its early stages. The alcoholic beverages violation is tied to a cold case investigation on Cape Cod, during which Proctor and a Canton Police detective got drinks. My decision to terminate Mr. Proctor follows a thorough, fair, and impartial process, Noble said in a statement. I have weighed the nature of the offenses, their impact on our investigative integrity, and the importance of safeguarding the reputations of our dedicated women and men in the State Police. This decision reflects our unwavering commitment to upholding our values, enhancing public trust and ensuring the highest standards of service and accountability. A lawyer for Proctor said he would appeal the decision to the Civil Service Commission, a forum where Michael Proctor will receive actual due process in a fair and impartial hearing. In a statement, Proctors family said they were truly disappointed by the boards decision. Despite the Massachusetts State Polices dubious and relentless efforts to find more inculpatory evidence against Michael Proctor on his phones, computers and cruiser data, the messages on his personal phone ... are all that they found, the family said. The messages prove one thing, and that Michael is human not corrupt, not incompetent in his role as a homicide detective, and certainly not unfit to continue to be a Massachusetts State Trooper, they continued. State Police regulations require members to perform their duties in such a manner as will maintain the highest professionally accepted performance standards in carrying out the functions and objectives of the State Police, according to the departments rules and regulations. Unsatisfactory performance can also include failure to conform to work standards. The regulations also bar members from drinking alcohol on duty. Brian Williams, the president of the State Police Association of Massachusetts, said the process leading to Proctors firing was flawed. The Departments decision to sacrifice Trooper Proctor to appease the media rather than making a decision based on the facts and evidence presented during the trial board is disappointing but not surprising, Williams said in a statement. The Association believes that Trooper Proctors termination is excessive. Read is accused of killing her boyfriend, Boston Police officer John OKeefe. Her second trial is scheduled to begin April 1. Proctors termination is likely to have impacts beyond Reads second trial next month. Attorneys for at least four clients whose cases involved Proctor received letters informing them of his then-pending discipline. Among them are attorneys for Brian Walshe, who is charged with killing his wife, Ana, in 2023. Proctor was the lead investigator into her disappearance. The Social Security Administration announced this week a significant change to benefit claims and direct deposit changes. Social Security, headed by Acting Commissioner Lee Dudek, wrote that the agency will transition to new identity proofing procedures. Americans deserve to have their Social Security records protected with the utmost integrity and vigilance, Dudek said in the announcement. For far too long, the agency has used antiquated methods for proving identity. Social Security can better protect Americans while expediting service. The Social Security Administration will enforce online digital identity proofing and in-person identity proofing. Claims will no longer be able to be completed by phone, though people who cant use the agencys my Social Security online system can start claims over the phone, but must verify their identity in person before completing the claim. The agency is recommending calling 800-772-1213 to request an in-person appointment to begin and complete the claim. That may get more challenging for some as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) plans to close nearly 50 Social Security offices across the country. The agency is undertaking a two-week transition plan, which will conclude on March 31. After that time, the Social Security Administration will enforce online digital identity proofing and in-person identity proofing. People who do not already have a my Social Security account can create one at www.ssa.gov/myaccount/. Additionally, direct deposit changes will be expedited to one day, according to the announcement. Dudek is a 25-year federal employee recently promoted to head the Social Security Administration by the Trump Administration. The Social Security Administration had recently opened an investigation into Dudek over whether he improperly shared information with DOGE associates and then the Trump Administration promoted him. In a recent memo to staff, Dudek said: Personally, I have made some mistakes, which makes me human like you. I promise you this, I will continue to make mistakes, but I will learn from them. My decisions will always be with the best intentions for this agency, the people we serve, and you. Avocados are stored in crates at a packing plant in Uruapan, Michoacan state, Mexico on Feb. 9, 2024. AP Photo/Armando Solis, File April may be an expensive month at the grocery store and not just because of the price of eggs. President Donald Trump instituted a 25% tariff on products from Mexico and Canada as well as a 10% tariff on most imports coming from China. A recent report from the New York Times found that retaliatory tariffs being imposed by those countries in what is amounting to a trade war will disproportionately affect those living in counties that heavily voted for President Trump. But the U.S.-imposed tariffs on Mexico and Canada are the ones that will particularly hurt Americans at the grocery store. The United States by far imports the most food from those two countries $20 billion from Mexico and $18 billion from Canada, according to the World Bank. MoneyTalkNews assembled a list of eight of the grocery items most dependent on imports from these countries, where inflated prices will be passed on to consumers. Avocados The USDA reports that nearly 90% of avocados sold in the United States in recent years come from imports, with the vast majority of those coming from Mexico. That means the rich, large-pitted grocery item will almost definitely see an uptick at the store once the Mexican tariffs take effect. The United States imported an annual average of 2.25 billion pounds from Mexico between 2019 and 2021, up from 55 million pounds on average in 2001 through 2003, according to the USDA. Between 2019 and 2021, 88% percent of all imported avocados came from Mexico, 7% came from Peru, 3% from the Dominican Republic, and 1% from Chile. Orange juice Many probably think of Florida oranges, but domestically, its actually California that is now the leading producer of oranges. Despite that, the vast majority of orange juice in the United States 75% is imported from either Mexico or Brazil, with Mexico making up about two thirds of the imported juice, according to the USDA. Orange juice is the most popular juice beverage in the U.S., the USDA reported, which means a lot of people are going to be checking the price tag at the grocery store. Fresh broccoli The Mexican tariffs are set to hit those broccoli crowns hard. The U.S. imports more broccoli than it exports and the vast majority of what it imports comes from Mexico, according to the USDA. The USDA reports that 95% of the annual 608 million pounds of imported fresh broccoli comes from Mexico. That 608 million is nearly double what the United States was importing in 2013. Fresh string beans String beans, also known as snap beans, have imports that largely come from Mexico, according to the USDA. The U.S. is a net importer of string beans, averaging 235 million pounds a year from 2021 through 2023, with Mexican imports representing more than two-thirds of that amount. Sweet corn Corn?! Yes, corn. The United States exported about 148 million pounds of its own sweet corn from January to October in 2024. But it imported even more 181 million pounds, according to the USDA. And where did it come from? More than 90% came from Mexico, the USDA reported. Canada was a distant second with about 5%. Cabbage Heres where Canada comes into the picture. The USDA reports that the U.S. imported nearly three times as much cabbage than it exported from 2021 to 2023. Those imports represented more than 230 million pounds. Canada represented about 49% of those imports. The other 51% came from Mexico. The United States imported nearly three times as much cabbage than it exported in 202123 with imports from Mexico represent 51 percent and Canada representing 49 percent. Tomatoes According to the USDA, 3.9 billion pounds of tomatoes got imported to the United States between January and October of 2024. A whopping 90% of those imports come from Mexico. That import number has been growing over recent years, and was 3% higher than the previous year. Tequila Da-da, da-da, da, da, daa tequila! ... will soon be more expensive. It shouldnt be a big surprise that the agave-based alcoholic beverage famed to be produced in Mexico would be affected by the Mexican tariffs. The USDA confirms that virtually all tequila consumed in the United States comes from Mexico basically 100%. That amounts to more than 200 million liters of the stuff, the USDA reports. Part of a file, dated April 5, 1964, details efforts to trace Lee Harvey Oswald's travel from Mexico City back to the United States, is photographed in Washington, Oct. 26, 2017. AP Unredacted files related to the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy were released Tuesday evening. About 2,200 files consisting of over 63,000 pages were posted on the website of the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. The vast majority of the National Archives collection of over 6 million pages of records, photographs, motion pictures, sound recordings and artifacts related to the assassination had previously been released. President Donald Trump told reporters on Monday that the release was coming, though he estimated it at about 80,000 pages. We have a tremendous amount of paper. Youve got a lot of reading, Trump said while visiting the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. There is an intense interest in details related to the assassination, which has spawned countless conspiracy theories. Here are some things to know: Trumps order Shortly after he was sworn into office, Trump ordered the release of the remaining classified files related to the assassination He directed the national intelligence director and attorney general to develop a plan to release the records. The order also aimed to declassify the remaining federal records related to the 1968 assassinations of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. After signing the order, Trump handed the pen to an aide and directed that it be given to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Trump administrations top health official. Hes the nephew of John F. Kennedy and son of Robert F. Kennedy. The younger Kennedy, whose anti-vaccine activism has alienated him from much of his family, has said he isnt convinced that a lone gunman was solely responsible for his uncles assassination. Nov. 22, 1963 When Air Force One carrying JFK and first lady Jacqueline Kennedy touched down in Dallas, they were greeted by a clear sky and enthusiastic crowds. With a reelection campaign on the horizon the next year, they went to Texas for a political fence-mending trip. But as the motorcade was finishing its parade route downtown, shots rang out from the Texas School Book Depository building. Police arrested 24-year-old Lee Harvey Oswald, who had positioned himself from a snipers perch on the sixth floor. Two days later, nightclub owner Jack Ruby fatally shot Oswald during a jail transfer. A year after the assassination, the Warren Commission, which President Lyndon B. Johnson established to investigate, concluded that Oswald acted alone and that there was no evidence of a conspiracy. But that didnt quell a web of alternative theories over the decades. The JFK files In the early 1990s, the federal government mandated that all assassination-related documents be housed in a single collection in the National Archives and Records Administration. The collection was required to be opened by 2017, barring any exemptions designated by the president. Trump, who took office for his first term in 2017, had said that he would allow the release of all of the remaining records but ended up holding some back because of what he called the potential harm to national security. And while files continued to be released during President Joe Bidens administration, some remain unseen. The National Archives says that the vast majority of its collection of over 6 million pages of records, photographs, motion pictures, sound recordings and artifacts related to the assassination have already been released. Researchers have estimated that 3,000 files or so havent been released, either in whole or in part. And last month, the FBI said that it had discovered about 2,400 new records related to the assassination. The agency said then that it was working to transfer the records to the National Archives to be included in the declassification process. Around 500 documents, including tax returns, were not subject to the 2017 disclosure requirement. Whats been learned Some of the documents from previous releases have offered details on the way intelligence services operated at the time, including CIA cables and memos discussing visits by Oswald to the Soviet and Cuban embassies during a trip to Mexico City just weeks before the assassination. The former Marine had previously defected to the Soviet Union before returning home to Texas. One CIA memo describes how Oswald phoned the Soviet Embassy while in Mexico City to ask for a visa to visit the Soviet Union. He also visited the Cuban Embassy, apparently interested in a travel visa that would permit him to visit Cuba and wait there for a Soviet visa. On Oct. 3, more than a month before the assassination, he drove back into the United States through a crossing point at the Texas border. Another memo, dated the day after Kennedys assassination, says that according to an intercepted phone call in Mexico City, Oswald communicated with a KGB officer while at the Soviet Embassy that September. The releases have also contributed to the understanding of that time period during the Cold War, researchers said. When the third episode of A Body in the Snow gets underway, Karen Reads defense is in full swing preparing for her forthcoming trial. The third and fourth episodes of the docuseries aired Tuesday night, providing a glimpse at how Reads defense built its theory that she is being framed for the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John OKeefe. The episodes feature glimpses of Read and her lawyers planning their strategy both before her first trial started and then during the trial, aided by clips of witness testimony. Heres what we learned. Reads claims of a coverup As she does throughout the series, Read denies hitting OKeefe with her car, as prosecutors have said she did. She tells the camera that despite her heavy drinking that night she doesnt black out. I have no memory of a 200-pound man hitting my car, she says, adding there is no part of me that thinks I hit John. Read more: Takeaways from the first two episodes of new Karen Read docuseries It is only when Read saw Ring camera footage from OKeefes home that she realized what may have happened to her right rear taillight, pieces of which were found at the scene of OKeefes death. The footage shows Reads SUV hitting OKeefes as she leaves his house on the morning of Jan. 29, 2022 in search of him. Reads lawyers have seized on that video to further their claim she is being framed, as they explain in the series. They have accused the lead investigator, Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor, of smashing the taillight and planting pieces of it at the scene. The broken taillight created an opportunity they took advantage of, Read attorney David Yannetti says. Another lawyer for Read, Alan Jackson, says Proctor knew the family that owned the home OKeefe was found outside of, and had for decades. The police culture there [in Canton] is deeply, deeply connected, Jackson says. Later, Read describes Brian Albert, who owned the home on Fairview Road where OKeefe was found in 2022, as the don. Albert was in charge of that family, that crew, Jackson says. He was the brains. If anyones going to know how to cover up a crime, its Brian Albert, adds Yannetti. What actually happened to OKeefe, according to Reads lawyers Toward the end of the third episode, Reads lawyers lay out what they believe actually happened to OKeefe on Jan. 29, 2022. Jackson tells the camera Read and her lawyers believe OKeefe exited her car and walked into 34 Fairview Road. (Prosecution witnesses testified he never did during Reads first trial). Once inside the home, they believe OKeefe was confronted before going down to the basement where words were exchanged and punches flew, Jackson says. Whoever killed him likely didnt intend to, Yannetti says. We believe they just went too far. But Brendan Kane, a longtime friend of OKeefes, rejects that theory. Why would you put Johnnys body on your front lawn? he says, adding that the Alberts have a set of train tracks behind their home that would have been a more likely place to intentionally leave a body. Nothing points to anyone other than Karen. Read during the trial Kane criticizes Read for not showing a modicum of sadness or loss during the trial. Its quite unprofessional the way they all carried on while Johns family has to watch that, adds Tara Kerrigan, an ex-girlfriend of OKeefes. But viewers see that Reads behavior during the trial, during which she largely sat stoically, was intentional. If shes too stoic, then shes uncaring, Jackson says. If she smiles, then shes not taking it seriously enough. I also dont want to look b****y, Read adds. She acknowledges the difficulty of the trial for OKeefes family, saying, Im sure [they] hate every part of this. But Ive done nothing wrong, she says. She also speaks to how difficult the trial was for her, saying she wakes up nervous and anxious each day. I like being in control, Read says, adding, I want to scream at that judge: is this a game? The series finale airs Wednesday night. If you want a ground-level look at Americas unfolding trade war with Mexico and Canada, Carter Everitt has you covered. Everitt is the vice president of marketing at Mariposa, a 45-year-old gift and tableware company based in Manchester, along the North Shore, a little more than an hour out of Boston. The company is most known for our frames, which are made out of recycled aluminum imported from Mexico, she said. The company works with 150 artisans south of the border. You can find its products at such high-end retailers as Macys, Neiman Marcus and Pottery Barn. Earlier this month, the Trump administration imposed 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports into the U.S. The Republican White House hit Mexico and Canada, two of the nations biggest trading partners, with 25% tariffs on other goods. The White House also slapped a 20% levy on Chinese goods. Thats sent small companies, such as Mariposa, which employs 25 people here in the Bay State, scrambling to make adjustments, Everitt told MassLive. The firms owners were headed to Mexico on Monday in an effort to start new product lines that are not aluminum-based, because this, as it is, could put us out of business, Everitt said. Everitt and her husband, who described the White Houses trade war as an existential threat, told their story as they waited for U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, D-6th District, to start a Saturday town hall with his constituents. They were among the roughly 600 people who filled the auditorium at Masconomet High School in Boxford in Essex County. And like everyone else in the room, they were hoping to tell the Salem Democrat their story and maybe, just maybe, get some help. The company is splitting the cost of the aluminum tariff with its factory in Mexico. And the firm spent last week working on a price increase that it plans to announce to its retailers, she said. But when it comes to the one-two punch of the duties on aluminum and all other imported goods from Mexico? We would just not be able to absorb that, she said. The economic impact is real. The 25% tariff on Mexican imports is expected to hit up to $236 billion in goods, according to an analysis by The Tax Foundation. The White Houses steel and aluminum tariffs alone will impact $41 billion worth of goods coming into the country, according to that same analysis. As of 2021, Massachusetts did $7.1 billion worth of trade with Mexico, according to a fact sheet compiled by the Mexican government. The bulk of that total, $4.3 billion, came from imports. About a third of those imports (35%) were semiconductors and other electrical equipment. If Mariposa does have to hike its prices, thats going to dramatically affect sales, Everitt said. Because, I think, consumers right now, their confidence is shrinking with whats happening to the economy. And now were going to have to increase prices? Its going to really hurt us. That sentiment, too, is buttressed by the numbers. Consumer confidence has sunk to a two-year low as the White House, which has acknowledged the discomfort caused by its policies, attempts to reshape the economy in Trumps nativist image. In an interview backstage before Saturdays town hall, Moulton said he believed tariffs were not automatically bad. Rather, the problem lies with the White Houses chaotic execution of its economic policies. Everitts moment with Moulton came about midway through that Saturday town hall. She had just started describing her company and asked him for his help when the North Shore lawmaker jumped in. Can I take a wild guess? Mariposa? he asked. Yes! Everitt told him. So look, Ill be honest with you. I dont know the exact answer to your question, but we will find out, he told her. And its a great example of why its important not just to come to town halls but to reach out to my office because we have to take on a lot of these cases ... follow up with my team [afterward], and then well do whatever we can to assist. That nabbed Moulton an enthusiastic thank you so much, from Everitt. Moultons promise of assistance might not have been enough to end the cross-border trade war. But for a little company on the North Shore, it was a potentially big win. With the arrival of spring conditions, warm, sunny and wet weather are due to follow. But so too are types of pollen that stir up peoples allergies. Among the primary allergens in the United States are trees, grass and ragweed, which all reach their peaks at different times of the year, according to AccuWeather. Even if we have an average season, we could easily see a few-day period of some extreme pollen when things dry out and there is a week of warm temperatures, especially in the Northeast, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist and Allergy Expert Alan Reppert said in AccuWeathers report. Pollen from trees starts off allergy season after the pollen grows off of trees when temperatures range between the 40s and 50s, AccuWeather reported. While cold weather in the eastern United States so far this year has staved off tree pollen becoming an irritant, Reppert told AccuWeather that there can still be a week period of very high levels. But the part of the country that could see the worst tree pollen is not expected to be New England. Rather, part of the Gulf Coast, across the central Plains and into the northern Rockies and Pacific Northwest should get the worst brunt of it, AccuWeather wrote. When tree pollen should peak across parts of the United States. Courtesy of AccuWeather Overall, Massachusetts and the rest of southern New England should start to reach an average peak in early June, the weather forecasting company stated. In June and July, the Northeast and the Pacific Northwest should see the worst of grass pollen, right on the heels of tree pollen waning, AccuWeather stated. It can last through the summer and into the early fall before the sun angle starts to decrease low enough or a frost occurs, Reppert said in the report. Grass pollen should reach higher-than-average levels across the Northeast this summer. Courtesy of AccuWeather Much of the United States outside of these areas should see the average amount of grass pollen, with the Southeast and Colorado and parts of the states around it seeing lowered amounts. Ragweed pollen enters New England between mid-July and mid-August, AccuWeather stated. The Northeast and much of the United States, excluding the Mountain States and the Pacific Northwest seeing low levels of ragweed, should see average levels. Virginia, the Carolinas, much of Texas and Louisiana, along with portions of Mississippi and Alabama could see high levels peak due to the rise in tropical moisture, AccuWeather wrote. Weed pollen should reach average levels when it arrives this summer. Courtesy of AccuWeather Forecasters recommend staying inside during the early morning hours when allergens are at their highest. Keep windows shut and use the right air filters to prevent pollen from entering your home and, as AccuWeather said, embrace the rain. Rain can wash out pollen from the air, making the time after a long rain or heavy downpour a great time to enjoy the outdoors with lower pollen counts, forecasters wrote. Also make sure to change your clothes after being outside, as pollen can cling to clothes and spread while indoors. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 07: Bridget Moynahan attends a discussion for the book, "You Never Know: A Memoir" at 92NY on May 07, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images) Getty Images A renowned Hollywood actress, author, and model, leads this years distinguished award recipients named by the St. Patricks Parade Committee of Holyoke. Bridget Moynahan, best-known for her role as Erin Reagan in the hit CBS television series, Blue Bloods, will wear the green in the line of march during the annual Holyoke St. Patricks Parade on March 23 as recipient of the John F. Kennedy National Award. The award is presented annually to an American of Irish descent who has distinguished themselves in their chosen field. Candles, messages and other items were left in front of the Saga nightclub to remember David Carrasquillo, a local rapper shot dead there on Sunday, May 29, 2022. SPRINGFIELD The family of man shot to death in a bar bathroom three years ago is now suing the owners and employees of the long-closed business. The suit filed by the estate of David Carrasquillo accuses the principals of Gandolfia Associates LLC and the unnamed security firm they hired for safety lapses saying they allowed a city man to bring a gun into Saga VIP Lounge and pull the trigger. David Pierce of the Chester Railway Station and Museum speaks about a model of the region with Emily Meehan, tourism sales manager of Meet Boston. With the state's Massachusetts 250th commemoration of the American Revolution nearing, more than 460 travel professionals gathered Tuesday for the 2025 Massachusetts Governors Conference on Travel and Tourism at the MassMutual Center. (Jim Kinney / The Republican) The Republican SPRINGFIELD This 250th anniversary of the American Revolution the opening shots of Lexington and Concord rang out in April 1775 is a major business opportunity for the states $23.6 billion-a-year travel and tourism industry. 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Shannon was immediately rushed to Temple Street Children's Hospital in Dublin where a surgeon and his team were waiting to take her to theatre. After a lengthy operation, they eventually succeeded in stopping the bleed and Shannon spent 11 days in ICU recovering. She is continuing her recovery in St Gabriel's Ward in Temple Street at present. However, there is still more to come for the 11-year-old girl as she will have to undergo another operation in Beaumont Hospital on April 4, 2025 to remove the AVM on the brain that caused the bleed as there is a risk of another bleed especially within the year. READ MORE: "It was hell" - Mayo man completes challenge of running for 24-hours around Achill In the bio on a GoFundMe page which has been set up to go towards her recovery needs, the family explained: "Initial assessments of Shannon has shown that she is very weak down her left hand side and there is damage to both of her eyes. The extent of both injuries are yet unknown until she fully recovers after her next operation and rehabilitation can start. "It is also unknown how long her rehabilitation will take in Dublin as it will be at her pace and her needs will become obvious as time passes." The family continued: "Considering her prognosis when she arrived at Temple Street she is doing amazing. Shannon will be spending the next few months in Dublin but we can't wait to get her home to her twin sister Muireann, little brother Brian, all her family, friends and teachers at Saula National School and back on to the pitch for Achill Rovers and Achill LGFA and Irish dancing with O' Connor School of Dancing." The family have said they are grateful for the love and support shown to them at this time. A MAYO secondary school has paid tribute to a former pupil who suddenly died in his home on St Patrick's Day morning. St Brendan's College in Belmullet posted a tribute to former pupil Oisin Gruddy from Toorglass, Belmullet who passed away suddenly on St Patrick's Day. The sudden death of the young man was met with shock and sadness in the Erris town and as a result the St Patrick's Day parade was cancelled as a mark of respect to his family. Oisin completed his Leaving Cert in St Brendan's College in 2022 and this afternoon the secondary school posted a tribute on its Facebook page describing Oisin as an outstanding student and a wonderful role model. It is with profound sadness that as a school community we remember Oisin, a cherished member of the Leaving Certificate Class of 2022. Oisin was an outstanding student, excelling in both academic and practical subjects, where his intelligence, skill, and dedication shone brightly. He was a young man of immense talent, quiet determination, and kindness, leaving a lasting impression on all who had the privilege of knowing him. READ: Strong Mayo connections in Philadelphia for St Patrick's Day Parade Beyond his achievements, Oisin was a supportive friend, a hardworking student, and a wonderful role model. His presence brought warmth to the school community, and his generosity in helping others reflected his caring and selfless nature. His legacy of perseverance, kindness, and excellence will never be forgotten. Our thoughts are especially with Oisins heartbroken family, particularly his sister Treasa who is a member of this years Leaving Certificate class. No words can ease the pain of such a loss, but please know that Oisins light will continue to shine in the memories of all who had the honor of knowing him. May his kind and gentle soul rest in peace. Oisin is survived by his heartbroken parents Marty and Shirley and siblings Treasa and Iollan. His remains will repose at McDonnells Funeral Home, Belmullet on Wednesday evening from 5.30pm until 8.30pm. His Funeral Mass will take place at the Church of the Sacred Heart, Belmullet on Thursday at 2pm followed by burial in Glencastle New Cemetery. New data has revealed that the number of reported burglaries in Mayo has decreased by 19% in the past 12 months, compared to the same period as last year. This is the highest decrease among all 28 Gardai divisions in Ireland. Leading home security expert, PhoneWatch highlights that this is an extremely positive outcome, but homeowners still need to be vigilant and take more proactive steps to continue to improve their home security measures. According to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), burglaries have risen sharply across both urban and rural areas. It highlights the urgent need for all homeowners to review their home security measures. On a national level, burglaries have increased by 10% in the same period, with a harrowing 9,981 having occurred. The data outlines that 21 of the 28 Gardai divisions have experienced an increase in burglaries within this period. READ MORE: Mayo-based company encourages food entrepreneurs to apply for incredible Food Academy 2025 With the combined Roscommon and Longford Gardai division enduring the highest rate of increase in the country at 56% (277 burglaries), Tipperary increased by 50% (371 burglaries), Westmeath by 35% (272 burglaries), Wicklow increased by 33% (301 burglaries) and Limerick by 27% (571 burglaries). The CSO report did also outline other positive decreases in burglaries within some Gardai divisions as the Wexford and Dublin Eastern divisions had the joint second highest decrease at -5% (292 and 361 burglaries respectively) and Kildare had a decrease of -2% (465 burglaries). Eoin Dunne, Managing Director of PhoneWatch commented, "This 10% increase in burglary rates means that 878 more homes compared to the previous 12 months had to endure a burglary and the traumatic aftermath that comes with it. Even one burglary is one too many. In a recent survey conducted with Bounce Insights, its no surprise that 50% of homeowners outlined that theyre more concerned about a break-in in their home now compared to a year ago. "Regardless of whether burglary rates increase or decrease in your Gardai division, our message to Irish homeowners never changes. Its imperative you take control of your home security, as burglars are opportunists and identify a weakness in security very quickly and capitalise on this. Homeowners need to act on their security concerns and implement simple but effective home security recommendations, to help deter burglars from their homes," he concluded. Cabots of Westport, a Mayo-based family business that produces chilled foods, is encouraging start-up and early-stage food and drink Irish businesses to apply for the Food Academy 2025. With applications now open, start-up and mid-stage food entrepreneurs have a unique opportunity to take their products from concept to consumer, gaining expert mentorship, retail insight and exposure through this incredible programme. Supported by SuperValu and the Local Enterprise Office, the Food Academy provides a launchpad for food and drink producers, equipping them with the tools to thrive in the competitive retail landscape. With consumer interest in homegrown, innovative products at an all-time high, now is the perfect time for new producers to take the leap and apply. The Food Academy has surpassed 260 million in retail sales over the past 11 years, highlighting the programmes significant impact. In 2025, Food Academy products are projected to generate 30 million in retail sales, reflecting strong consumer demand for local, high-quality, and sustainable Irish food. At the same time, changing consumer habits are shaping new opportunities for food producers. The latest trends emphasise an increasing demand for organic products, fermented foods and gut health products, as well as vegetarian, plant-based, and high-protein options, exemplified by Food Academy producers. This includes All Real- who specialise in protein bars that are handmade with 100% natural ingredients, and Thanks Plants- who produce meatless meats out of whole food ingredients. This wave of innovation reflects the rapid speed of new product development across the Irish food sector. READ MORE: Mayo girl who spent 11 days in ICU with bleed on brain to undergo another operation This year, the Food Academy has launched an exciting new partnership with Technological University Dublin. Through this collaboration, Food Academy participants will benefit from an enhanced training programme at TU Dublin, complementing the ongoing training provided by the Food Academy, and offering participants an additional opportunity to enhance their business skills. Notably, the Food Academy is now the only accredited producer development programme, leading to a Certificate in Entrepreneurship from TU Dublin, which recognises and accredits the skills gained through this unique programme. Speaking about his experience with Food Academy, Redmond Cabot, founder of Cabots of Westport, said, In 2015, we joined SuperValus Food Academy, which has been key in expanding our reach and supporting sustainable growth. We are dedicated to using only fresh, natural ingredients, with no additives or preservatives which includes everything from freshly squeezed citrus to premium oils. "Based on the wild, Western edge of Europe, we embrace sustainable, hand-made food production. Our strategy is to offer fresh, high-quality foods, deliver profit, ensure staff wellbeing, and operate ethically. Were a sustainable business, and our success is thanks to SuperValu, the Food Academy, and the support of our loyal customers and colleagues, he concluded. Over the past 11 years, more than 1,000 producers from 26 counties of Ireland have successfully completed the Food Academy programme. This initiative has provided these entrepreneurs with a unique opportunity to showcase their innovative products on SuperValu shelves all year round. Since its inception in 2013, Food Academy producers have collectively generated 260 million in product sales within SuperValu, supporting 1,500 jobs in the economy. Apply for the Food Academy today here. The closing date for applications is Friday, April 4 at midnight. by Adam Buckman , Featured Columnist, March 19, 2025 Linda Lavin was a busy lady in her final year, capping a 50-year TV career with a starring role in a new Hulu comedy series being released posthumously later this month. And what a role it is. In the show, titled Mid-Century Modern and premiering March 28, Lavin plays Nathan Lanes mother -- a bit of casting that might be the canniest of this century so far. That alone should arouse interest in this new show about three gay men living together in Palm Springs, where mid-century modern homes are prevalent. Lavin died on December 29 at the age of 87. According to obituaries, the cause of death was lung cancer. It was reportedly diagnosed at a late stage. advertisement advertisement Nevertheless, in 2024 alone she was seen in a guest-starring role on Elsbeth and a recurring role in the Netflix real estate comedy No Good Deed." She was also filming her starring role in Mid-Century Modern. In the show, she plays Sybil Schneiderman, mother of Bunny Schneiderman, played by Nathan Lane, 69. Bunny is described by Hulu as a successful businessman with one foot in retirement. The rest of the four-member ensemble are Matt Bomer, 47 (above photo far left), and Nathan Lee Graham, 56 (second from right). Bomer plays Jerry Frank, an airline flight attendant who was once a Mormon married to a woman, until his wife told the congregation he was guy. Graham plays Arthur Broussard, who is dignified, elegant, brilliant, says Hulu. Although the three friends are of different ages, circumstances in each of their lives bring them together in the same household -- the home Bunny shares with his mom, golden girl Sybil. Mid-Century Modern consists of 10 episodes. Spoiler alert: Lavin is seen in most of them. Lavin was a very successful, versatile actress in a career that dated back to the Broadway stage in 1962. In 1987, she won a Tony Award for the Neil Simon play Broadway Bound. She was best-known for playing the title role in the fondly remembered 1970s and 80s sitcom Alice, which ran for nine seasons on CBS (1976-85). The show was a made-for-TV adaptation of the 1974 movie Alice Doesnt Live Here Anymore starring Ellen Burstyn and directed by Martin Scorsese, his fourth movie. At least two other TV veterans from the world of sitcoms are seen in guest-starring roles in Mid-Century Modern -- Rhea Perlman (Cheers) and Judd Hirsch (Taxi). Mid-Century Modern was created and co-produced by Max Mutchnick and David Kohan, co-creators of Will & Grace. by Sarah Mahoney @mahoney_sarah, March 19, 2025 Image above: promotion for Vuoir, the No. 1 most-resold brand. Younger consumers continue to disrupt fashion retail -- not just in what they wear, but how they buy. In 2024, U.S. secondhand clothing sales jumped 14%, with Gen Z and Millennials driving a wave of resale adoption across both digital and social platforms. New data from ThredUps 2025 Resale Report, produced in partnership with GlobalData, pegs total U.S. secondhand apparel sales at $49 billion the strongest growth since 2021, with the category growing five times faster than the broader apparel market. Online resale platforms, including ThredUp, Poshmark, the RealReal and Gilt, posted a 23% jump. Financial pressure is still the top driver. Nearly 60% of survey respondents say theyre watching prices more closely in light of potential tariffs and trade uncertainty -- and say theyll thrift more if new clothes get more expensive. Deal-seeking remains the top motivation, followed by the thrill of the hunt and access to premium brands. Sustainability is fourth on the list, though it's rising in importance. advertisement advertisement Still, consumers remain skeptical of fashions environmental progress. Some 56% of younger shoppers say brands arent doing enough to address fashions impact on the planet. While physical thrift and consignment stores remain important, digital ease is rapidly reshaping consumer behavior. Nearly half (48%) of respondents say that improvements in personalization, search, and product discovery make shopping secondhand as easy as buying new. Social commerce is growing fast, and 39% of younger shoppers bought secondhand apparel through social platforms in the past year. Half of those purchases were shared on social media. Facebook Marketplace led the pack, followed by Instagram, TikTok Shop, and YouTube. In a ranking of most-thrifted brands, Vuori surged to the top spot, bumping Lululemon to second. Quince, Reformation, and Sezane round out the top five. Alo Yoga made its first appearance in the top 10, while Patagonia ranked sixth. Activewear continues to be the category most in demand, especially among younger consumers looking for performance and style at a discount. Resale is no longer a side bet for brands. ThredUps survey found that 94% of retail executives say their customers already participate in resale up four points from last year. And brands are evolving to meet that demand. About a third of secondhand buyers purchased directly from a brands own resale program in 2024, rising to 47% among younger shoppers. Trade-in incentives are proving powerful: nearly half (47%) of respondents say theyre more likely to make a first-time purchase with a brand that offers shopping credit for used items a 25-point increase from the prior year. Globally, secondhand sales climbed 15% in 2024 to $227 billion and now account for 9% of the total apparel market. ThredUp forecasts global resale sales will reach $367 billion by 2029, with U.S. growth increasingly powered by new shoppers expected to drive 60% of incremental gains over the next five years. Consumers aged 18 to 44 will make up 68% of that growth. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, March 18, 2025 Federal Communications Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, a Democrat, will exit the agency this spring, more than two years before his term officially expires. Starks, who was nominated to the agency in 2018 by President Donald Trump, did not say why he was leaving. He was recently confirmed to a second term, which was set to last through July 2027. His departure will leave the FCC with just three members -- Republicans Brendan Carr and Nathan Simington, and Democrat Anna Gomez. By law, the agency is required to have three members of the president's party and two of the opposing party -- meaning that Starks' replacement must be a Democrat. President Donald Trump recently nominated Senate staffer Olivia Trusty to serve as the 3rd Republican at the agency, but the Senate hasn't yet confirmed her. advertisement advertisement During his tenure at the FCC, Starks opposed Trump's 2020 attempt to force the agency to regulate online speech. In May of that year, Trump issued an executive order that directed the Commerce Department to petition the FCC for regulations that could discourage social media platforms from removing users' posts without a "reasoned explanation. Specifically, Trump wanted to tie companies' ability to rely on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act -- which protects social platforms from lawsuits over posts by users -- to the platforms' content policies. Trump issued that order after Twitter, now X, alerted users to dubious claims in two of his tweets. Like some other Republicans, Trump claimed that tech companies squelch conservative opinions more than liberal viewpoints. Starks said he was skeptical that the FCC could issue the regulations Trump sought. His resignation comes as Carr, the current FCC Chair, has repeatedly suggested he would like to see the government wield more control over social platforms' editorial policies. We must dismantle the censorship cartel and restore free speech rights for everyday Americans, he tweeted last November, soon after he was tapped to helm the agency. He also recently said in a letter to the CEOs of Google, Meta, Apple and Microsoft that their companies played significant roles in what he described as an unprecedented surge in censorship. Carr went on to accuse the companies of participating in a censorship cartel that included advertising and fact-checking organizations. Earlier this month, Carr asked Google to address allegations that the virtual multichannel video programming distributor YouTube TV marginalizes faith-based programming -- despite the fact that the FCC doesn't regulate such companies. by Ray Schultz , March 18, 2025 The Financial Times is expanding its coverage of trade and economics under the Trump administration and to that end has appointed Claire Jones as US economics editor, based in Washington DC. Jones, who joined the FT in 2011 and most recently served as international economy news editor with the global economy team in London, will oversee coverage of the Federal Reserve, financial regulation, monetary and fiscal policy, economic data and trends, and global economic governance, FT says. In addition, Aime Williams has been named US trade and climate correspondent to cover the impact of the Trump administrations trade and climate policies in and the impact of tariffs on trading partners. Williams, who joined the FT in London in 2016, has been serving as US climate correspondent. advertisement advertisement In another staff promotion, Amanda Chu has been appointed as US economics correspondent, based in New York. Chu will report on major economic data releases and institutions and write data-driven stories on how investment patterns react to shifts in politics, policy and global markets. Chu joined FT in 2021, and previously worked as US energy reporter and a lead writer for the Energy Source newsletter. The Trump administrations policies continue to reverberate across markets and industries. From tariffs and tax cuts to the evolving trade-climate nexus, these decisions will have far-reaching implications, says Brooke Masters, US managing editor. Under Claires leadership, our expanded team will provide FT readers with authoritative, in-depth reporting on this increasingly complex economic landscape. by Colin Kirkland , March 19, 2025 Since emerging as the most likely company to partner with TikTok in the U.S., Oracle is considering a sale of the social media company's stateside operations while potentially allowing for China-based owner ByteDance to remain in full control of the app's powerful algorithm. According to Bloomberg, a proposal was circulated within the Trump administration last week that would have Oracle work with US buyers to vouch for the safety of users data, according to the people, who discussed the plan on condition of anonymity citing its confidentiality. This proposed deal would see the development of an updated version of TikTok specific to the U.S. that would not contain a back door that Chinas government could exploit. advertisement advertisement User protections are a key area of focus moving forward with the deal, with user data security essential to addressing concerns included in the recently passed Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act. The law, which was passed in January, demands that foreign-owned entities do not own more than 20% of the app, and do not possess direction or control over the platform. In addition, the law states that foreign-owned entities do not have an operational relationship with regard to its content recommendation algorithms or data sharing. Therefore, with regard to recent reports on the developing deal between the U.S., TikTok, ByteDance and Oracle, there are elements that do not satisfy the law. The deal is already being met with scrutiny in Washington. According to The New York Times, Oracle met with top aides on Capitol Hill on Tuesday to discuss the legitimacy of working with ByteDance without posing a national security risk. The law is clear: Any deal must eliminate Chinese influence and control over the app to safeguard our interests, Representative John Moolenaar -- a Michigan Republican who heads the House committee focused on China wrote in The National Review this week. While Vice President J.D. Vance is confident that the White House will reach a deal by the April 5 deadline, it is unlikely that this current deal will satisfy the new law. It is also unlikely that potential changes made to satisfy the law would convince ByteDance to agree to a deal. Since the U.S. government has proposed a TikTok selloff, ByteDance has consistently stated that it would not agree to selling TikTok's algorithm to the U.S. If this current deal is not finalized with Oracle, President Trump may further extend the deadline. by Colin Kirkland , March 19, 2025 As Meta rolls out the first stage of Community Notes -- a controversial user-dependent content-moderation program based on Xs current system -- a new report highlights deep-seated flaws in the approach based on its current performance on Elon Musks social-media app. According to Bloombergs recent analysis of 1.1 million Community Notes on X, posted between the start of 2023 and last month, the system has fallen well short of counteracting the incentives, both political and financial, for lying, and allowing people to lie. Furthermore, many of the most cited sources of information that make Community Notes function are under relentless and prolonged attack -- by Musk, the Trump administration, and a political environment that has undermined the credibility of truly trustworthy sources of information, the news source continues. advertisement advertisement Since Musk integrated Community Notes into X, shortly after he purchased the app in 2022, the content-moderation approach has become a symbol for the billionaires free speech mission, in which users have the power to bypass traditional gatekeepers and decide what content is acceptable and accurate. There are reputable studies that showcase the benefits of crowdsourced fact-checking, highlighting the approach's ability to reduce the spread of misleading posts by an average of over 60% -- or that Community Notes can be as accurate as traditional fact-checking, or even that the approach results in much higher trustworthiness than fact-checking. However, the majority of notes regarding divisive topics are never displayed, because users cannot agree, which highlights the approachs major downfall -- users must agree on a note's validity for it to be publicly shown. According to Meta, notes won't be published unless contributors with a range of viewpoints broadly agree on themit won't be published unless people who normally disagree decide that it provides helpful context. In studies, this approach to moderating misleading or harmful content has proven to be ineffective. According to the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), 73% of Community Notes related to political topics on X are never displayed, although they are providing reliable context. Another study conducted last month by Spanish fact-checking site Maldita found that 85% of all Community Notes are never displayed to X users. Bloomberg found that even notes that are published and initially rated helpful get removed 26% of the time after disagreement ensues. The removal rate is even higher for certain contentious topics and figures, Bloomberg notes. From a sample of 2,674 notes about Russia and Ukraine in 2024, the data suggests more than 40% were unpublished after initial publication. Removals were driven by the disappearance of 229 out of 392 notes on posts by Russian government officials or state-run media accounts, based on analysis of posts that were still up on X at the time of writing. As other studies have shown, Bloomberg adds that pro-Russia voices corral their social-media followers to strategically vote against a proposed or published note. This may be even more likely to happen across Facebook, Instagram and Threads, which have billions more active users than X. Despite Musk's insistence that crowdsourced fact-checking counteracts the untrustworthy influence of legacy media, Bloomberg found that ironically, mainstream media sources make up the backbone of Community Notes on X. Sites categorized by online security group Cloudflare as news & media and magazines accounted for 31% of links cited within notes, Bloomberg notes. Social networks were the next leading category with 20%, followed by educational sites with 11%. Bloomberg's analysis shows that the top 40 most-referenced domains within Community Notes -- which accounted for 50% of all notes on the platform -- included Reuters, The BBC, and NPR. These are three news sources Musk has publicly attacked. Furthermore, in a random sampling of 400 notes citing X posts a source showed 12% being posted by professional journalists and media organizations, and in a sample of 400 random YouTube clips, mainstream media footage was present in 29%. But despite consistent reportage of Community Notes flaws and its own Safety Councils warnings, Meta is moving ahead with the program, implementing it across its most popular social apps, used by a total of 3.3 billion people across the globe. Your Neanderthal genes might be the reason you fight infections better- find out how ancient DNA shapes your health! Highlights: Neanderthal DNA strengthens the immune system and regulates inflammation Denisovan genes help with altitude adaptation and oxygen use Paleogenetics reveals that human evolution is more complex than a linear progression Did you know? Neanderthal DNA can affect your response to COVID-19. Certain Neanderthal gene variants have been linked to increased resistance! #neanderthaldna #humanevolution #genetics #healthboost #medindia Neanderthal DNA can affect your response to COVID-19. Certain Neanderthal gene variants have been linked to increased resistance! #neanderthaldna #humanevolution #genetics #healthboost #medindia Advertisement Challenges of Paleogenomics Advertisement Neanderthals: Closer Relatives Than We Thought Trusted Source The Nobel prize in physiology and medicine - 2022 Go to source Trusted Source Trusted Source Reconstructing contact and a potential interbreeding geographical zone between Neanderthals and anatomically modern humans Go to source Trusted Source How Neanderthal DNA Still Protects Us Today Immune System Boost Trusted Source The contribution of Neanderthal introgression to modern human traits Go to source Trusted Source Skin and Hair Adaptations Trusted Source The Contribution of Neanderthals to Phenotypic Variation in Modern Humans Go to source Trusted Source Altitude and Oxygen Adaptation Trusted Source Denisovans and Homo sapiens on the Tibetan Plateau: dispersals and adaptations Go to source Trusted Source Inflammatory Response Regulation Trusted Source Detection of Neanderthal Adaptively Introgressed Genetic Variants That Modulate Reporter Gene Expression in Human Immune Cells Go to source Trusted Source Complexity of Human Evolution Looking to the Future The Nobel prize in physiology and medicine - 2022 - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36776693/) Reconstructing contact and a potential interbreeding geographical zone between Neanderthals and anatomically modern humans - (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-70206-y) The contribution of Neanderthal introgression to modern human traits - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36167050/) The Contribution of Neanderthals to Phenotypic Variation in Modern Humans - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28985494/) Denisovans and Homo sapiens on the Tibetan Plateau: dispersals and adaptations - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34863581/) Detection of Neanderthal Adaptively Introgressed Genetic Variants That Modulate Reporter Gene Expression in Human Immune Cells - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34662402/) Recent advances in paleogenetics have reshaped our understanding of human evolution and how our ancient ancestry influences modern health. One of the most fascinating discoveries in recent years is the evidence that Neanderthal DNA still exists in modern humans and continues to play a protective role in our immune system and overall health. Professor Rimantas Jankauskas from the Translational Health Research Institute at Vilnius Universitys Faculty of Medicine explains how these genetic remnants from our ancient cousins are more influential than previously thought.Paleogenetics, the study of ancient genetic material, has emerged as a critical field in understanding human evolution. Extracting genetic material from ancient remains is no easy task- it requires highly controlled laboratory conditions to prevent contamination from modern DNA."The best-preserved genetic material is found in cold environments, where samples from Greenland have survived for up to two million years," explains Prof. Jankauskas. In contrast, in regions like the Baltics, DNA preservation typically lasts tens of thousands to 100,000 years, depending on the soil's composition and environmental factors. Water and high temperatures are particularly damaging to DNA, which is why extracting genetic material from cremated remains is nearly impossible."Preparing a single sample can require an entire pack of disposable gloves," Jankauskas notes. Once the research reactor is operational, access will be restricted to specially trained staff to maintain sample integrity.One of the most groundbreaking discoveries in paleogenetics came when Swedish geneticist Svante Paabo decoded the Neanderthal genome, earning him the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (). This research has fundamentally changed how we view human evolution.For years, human evolution was thought to be a straightforward progression from Homo erectus to Neanderthals and eventually to modern humans. However, genetic evidence now confirms that modern humans and Neanderthals were closely related and capable of interbreeding ().Today, approximately 4-5% of the DNA in modern Europeans comes from Neanderthals. "Some researchers claim that Neanderthals were genetically closer to modern humans than brown and polar bears are to each other," says Jankauskas. This close genetic relationship raises intriguing questions about the influence of Neanderthal DNA on our modern physiology and health.The presence of Neanderthal DNA in modern humans is not just a fascinating relic of our evolutionary past- it has functional benefits for our health today.Neanderthal genes have been linked to a stronger immune response (). Studies have shown that certain Neanderthal gene variants help modern humans combat infections and viruses more effectively. This is especially valuable in resisting bacterial and viral pathogens.Neanderthal DNA also contributes to variations in skin tone and hair texture (). These traits likely evolved as adaptations to different environmental conditions, such as exposure to sunlight and temperature extremes.Research on the Denisovans- a subspecies closely related to Neanderthals- has revealed that certain gene variants inherited from them enable better adaptation to high-altitude, low-oxygen environments. This is particularly evident in populations living in the Tibetan plateau ().Some Neanderthal gene variants are associated with an increased inflammatory response, which may have helped early humans fight infections and heal wounds more quickly. However, this heightened response may also contribute to autoimmune diseases in modern humans ().Paleogenetic research has revealed that multiple human species coexisted at the same time. Neanderthals dominated Europe, while the Denisovans inhabited East Asia. Interestingly, Denisovans were identified not through bone remains but from genetic fragments discovered in modern populations.These insights challenge the long-held notion of human evolution as a linear process. Instead, human history reflects a complex pattern of migration, interbreeding, and genetic exchange among different human species.Understanding the role of Neanderthal DNA in modern health is more than just an academic curiosity- it has real implications for medicine and genetics. Identifying beneficial genetic traits inherited from Neanderthals could pave the way for new treatments for infections, immune disorders, and inflammatory conditions."As we decode more ancient genomes, we may discover even more about how our evolutionary past shapes our present and future health," concludes Jankauskas. The Neanderthal legacy lives on in our genes, quietly protecting and influencing us in ways we are only beginning to understand.Source-Medindia The Marine Corps has removed more than a dozen videos, photos and stories about Navajo Code Talkers as part of an ongoing Trump administration purge of policies, programs and materials that highlight diverse groups of service members such as women and minorities. The service's lead spokesperson told Military.com on Tuesday that the Marine Corps identified 16 posts about the historic World War II group that were tied to National Native American Heritage Month and removed them to adhere to President Donald Trump's executive orders and Pentagon policy. The service is keeping more than 540 pieces of content related to the Code Talkers on its sites. Hundreds of Native American Code Talkers were instrumental to Allied victories during World War II by using their unique language to obfuscate communications to the enemy, often embarking on dangerous missions, including in the Pacific where Navajo Marines are routinely credited by historians for helping the Corps take Iwo Jima in a bloody amphibious assault. Read Next: Last Surviving Pilot from the Battle of Britain, John 'Paddy' Hemingway, Dies at Age 105 Dr. Zonnie Gorman, a historian and daughter of the late Dr. Carl Gorman, one of the original 29 Navajo Code Talkers, said when she first heard that the military was removing references to the group's legacy, specifically in the aftermath of an Axios report, it "angered me, it upset me, it saddened me. I mean there were so many different types of emotions that I was feeling, and I'm still really feeling." "The Code Talkers' story is history and to me what's happening -- not just with the Navajo Code Talkers but overall with this DEI thing -- is that it's an attempt to erase history," she said in a phone interview with Military.com on Tuesday. "It really upsets me as a historian to see this happening in our day. You wouldn't think that it would be happening. It's unbelievable." The spokesperson, Lt. Col. Joshua Benson, said that heritage month posts about the Montford Point Marines -- the first Black service members to join the Corps during the onset of World War II who faced racial discrimination at the segregating training camp known as Montford Point in North Carolina -- were also removed. He did not provide the number of posts that were removed or how many remain. The move is the latest in a growing list of censored materials celebrating the military contributions of women and service members with minority backgrounds. The Pentagon has ordered the military to scrub its vast collection of online media -- following a purge of programs and policies -- and flagged items included a World War II Medal of Honor recipient, the Enola Gay, and the first woman to pass Marine infantry training, according to The Associated Press. On. Jan. 29, Trump issued an executive order directing the military to abolish what his administration refers to as "diversity, equity and inclusion" initiatives. However, the definition of that term remains unclear, and many of the services have rushed to eliminate programs, policies and content related to women, troops with minority backgrounds, and LGBTQ+ service members. In some cases, such as the Air Force's removal of information related to the Tuskegee Airmen -- a historic group of Black airmen, there has been widespread public outcry and the military has backtracked. "The USMC maintains its long-standing relationship with Montford Point Marines and Navajo Code Talkers," Benson said in an emailed statement Tuesday. "The warfighting legacy of our Corps includes Montford Point Marines and Navajo Code Talkers -- that's an indisputable fact, and per SECDEF's guidance, we will continue to celebrate the valor and success of these military heroes. "We will not shy away from creating content that supports our Montford Point Marines and Navajo Code Talkers, it just will not be associated with a cultural awareness month," Benson added. Late last month, the Department of Defense gave the service less than a week to remove all content related to "diversity, equity and inclusion" from its sites, including posts celebrating Black History Month, National Native American Heritage Month, Women's History Month and other cultural awareness months. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth issued a memo in January titled "Identity Months Dead at DoD" notifying the military that it would no longer mark or celebrate those months. On Monday, Axios reported that 10 articles mentioning the Code Talkers were scrubbed from Army and Pentagon websites and that the Defense Department's URLs related to these articles now included the letters "DEI," presumably for "diversity, equity and inclusion." It was unclear which websites and how many were removed by the Army, and a spokesperson for the service declined to comment on the report to Military.com, referring the publication to the Department of Defense. One post from the Army that appears with a dead link was published in December 2011 and was titled "Classified code mission delayed recognition for Navajo Marines." An archived version of that story shows it was published in relation to National Native American Heritage Month, which occurs in November. The Marine Corps declined to comment on the Army's reported scrubbing of Marine Navajo Code Talkers from its sites. "I can't speak to how the other services did their work," Benson said, referring to the content review and adding that the Marine Corps "did a surgical strike" on more than 10,000 items in its assessment "to verify we weren't erroneously deleting items." "Only a handful of items were removed and only when they were attributed to 'cultural awareness months,'" he added. "The same photo removed due to the 'cultural awareness month' connection is still accessible in its original posting and historical context. It was not a blanket sweep and delete." The guidance from the administration has resulted in various interpretations and outcomes from the services, and indeed, the Marine Corps has shuttered pages related to its Culture and Inclusion Branch at Quantico, Virginia, and a program that sought to recruit "historically underrepresented populations" into the reserves amid the purge, Military.com previously reported. The Washington Post reported Monday that a page celebrating Pfc. Ira Hayes, a Pima Indian who was one of the Marines pictured raising the U.S. flag on Iwo Jima in 1945, was removed from the DoD's website. Other Pentagon pages celebrating women and a Medal of Honor recipient were also removed, Military.com found, and were labeled "DEI" in their URLs. Benson said that 543 pieces of content on the Navajo Code Talkers remain live on its website, nearly 400 of which are news stories, photos and videos. The others were publications, orders and administrative messages. An administrative message published in 2022 that relates to National Native American Heritage Month remained up as of Tuesday. One such piece of Marine Corps content that was removed, though it was unclear whether it included references to the Code Talkers, was published last year and titled "National American Indian Heritage Month on Okinawa." It featured a senior enlisted Marine interview about the heritage month. A National Native American Heritage Month video that depicts the history of the Code Talkers was also removed from the service's official website. Posts related to Navajo Code Talkers Day, which occurs in August, were still available on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, or DVIDS, as of Tuesday. "Code Talker," a memoir written by Chester Nez and Judith Schiess Avila, remains on the commandant of the Marine Corps' professional reading list as well, according to the Marine Corps Association's website. A post honoring the Code Talkers and referencing National Native American Heritage Month from last year is still on the service's Facebook page. Gorman, the historian and daughter of a Navajo Code Talker, explained that in World War II, the Marine Corps was looking for better means of communications to thwart Japanese and German operations. When the idea of using Navajo Code Talkers was presented to service leadership in February 1942, she said, the Marine Corps was "open to it," adding that it recruited a pilot group in which her father served. She said that the Marine Corps gave them a list of roughly 200 terms to code within their language, in addition to creating a specialized alphabet. By August 1942, the service sanctioned the program and sought to recruit more Navajo men to join the effort, Gorman said, leading to hundreds of Code Talkers who served in major battles during the war. "The Marine Corps has always, always had nothing but high praise for the Navajo Code Talkers in World War II," she said. Gorman remembered growing up in the 1970s and witnessing Marine Corps recognition for the Code Talkers, adding that she saw high-ranking Marines, including commandants, "literally come to tears when they talked about the Navajo Code Talkers. It's just always been something they have respected and are proud to have as part of the Marine Corps history." However, the services have not handled or communicated the removal of such content in uniform ways amid the ordered purge, and Gorman said she understood that the Marine Corps was in a difficult position of complying but still maintaining the heritage she said it is proud of. "They're between a rock and hard place," Gorman said. "I commend them for standing strong. Yes, they did what they did, but I don't have any ill feelings toward the Marine Corps for taking down the few that they took down because they've left up a lot, and I think they're going to continue to do that." Related: Navajo Corporal Becomes First Marine Authorized to Wear Traditional Native Hair TEL AVIV, Israel When a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas began two months ago, Herut Nimrodi knew it would take time before her son was released from captivity in Gaza. The 20-year-old soldier was meant to be part of the second phase of the deal winding down the war. But with Israel's surprise bombardment of Gaza, she fears he might not come home at all. I really wanted to believe that there is still a chance to reach a second stage without renewing this war. But it feels like my building of hope has collapsed, and I have no idea what to do next, Nimrodi said Tuesday. Nearly 60 families have relatives still held in Gaza. About two dozen hostages are believed to be alive. During the ceasefire's first phase, which began in January, Hamas released 25 Israeli hostages and the bodies of eight others in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. But since that phase ended early this month, the sides have not been able to agree on a way forward. Israel's renewed airstrikes threaten to end the fragile deal. Nimrodi's son, Tamir, was abducted from his army base when Hamas stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostage. She's had no sign of life. He hasn't been declared dead by Israel. Its so sad that this is the only solution that they could find, she said, lamenting the government's decision. The strikes early Tuesday killed more than 400 people and shattered a relative calm along with hopes of ending the war that has killed over 48,000 Palestinians. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he ordered the airstrikes because of lack of progress in talks to extend the ceasefire. Officials called the operation open-ended. The return to fighting could deepen the painful debate in Israel over the fate of the remaining hostages. Netanyahu and his hardline governing partners believe renewing the war will put pressure on Hamas to free them and move Israel closer to its goal of destroying Hamas' military and governing capabilities. But most hostage families, and large parts of the Israeli public, believe such goals are unrealistic. They say time is running out, particularly after the recent releases of emaciated-looking hostages who later described harsh conditions in captivity. Hamas accused Netanyahu of upending the ceasefire and exposing the hostages to an unknown fate. Families of hostages called on supporters to protest with them outside Israels parliament Tuesday. Some families who already know their relatives in Gaza are dead called the governments decision unacceptable. "This is not only a disaster in every way, shape or form on how the hostages keep suffering, being chained to walls, starved, abused, but also the death toll that keeps rising on the Gazan side, Udi Goren said. His cousin Tal Haimi was killed on Oct. 7 and his body was taken into Gaza. Goren said the international community must pressure Hamas, Israel and the mediators the United States, Egypt and Qatar to end the war. Returning to fighting? Did you listen to a word of what we, the returnees released in the last deal, have been saying to you?" former hostage Omer Wenkert wrote on Instagram. Romi Gonen, among the first hostages to be freed in the ceasefire's first phase, said she would never forget what it felt like in captivity to hear the bombs after previous ceasefire talks collapsed and realize she wouldn't be freed any time soon. I beg you, the people of Israel, we must continue to fight for them," she said on Instagram. Sylvia Cunio, whose two sons are held hostage, accused Israel's leaders of not having a heart. It isnt right to continue the fighting. I want my children back home already. If he wants to kill me, the prime minister, let him do that already because I wont get through this, she said on local radio. Nimrodi said shes worried the airstrikes might not only harm her son and the other hostages but also make their living conditions worse. The last time she saw Tamir, he was a funny teenager who rode horses and loved learning about geology and astronomy, she said. The two had a similar humor and used to talk about everything. While she's terrified of what's to come, she said she won't stop fighting to see him again. Please, keep strong, survive, she said, addressing him. So theres a chance for us to meet once more. ___ Associated Press writer Natalie Melzer in Nahariya, Israel contributed. The U.S. military wants to keep training at Pohakuloa, so it's ready to quickly send troops to Asia and the Pacific. DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip Israel said Wednesday its troops retook part of a corridor that bisects Gaza, and its defense minister warned that attacks would increase with an intensity that you have not known until Hamas frees dozens of hostages and gives up control of the territory. The military said it had retaken part of the Netzarim Corridor that divides northern Gaza from the south, and from where it had previously withdrawn as part of a ceasefire that began in January. That truce was shattered Tuesday by Israeli airstrikes that killed more than 400 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The advances by Israel on Wednesday which included sending more troops to southern Gaza threatened to drag the sides into all-out war again. The ceasefire had given war-weary Palestinians some respite, allowed a much-needed surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza and led to the release of dozens of hostages who had been held for more than 15 months. Within Israel, the resumption of airstrikes has raised concerns about the fate of roughly two dozen hostages held by Hamas who are believed to still be alive. A Hamas spokesman, Abdel-Latif al-Qanou, said the advance of ground forces in Gaza was a clear sign that Israel had backed out of the truce and was reimposing a blockade. There have been no reports of rocket attacks by Hamas since Tuesday's bombardment. Also Wednesday, the United Nations said one of its employees was killed in Gaza and five others were wounded in an apparent strike on a guesthouse. It was not immediately clear who was behind the strike, the U.N. said. Israel launches limited ground operations in Gaza The military said that its limited ground operation in Gaza would create a partial buffer between northern and southern Gaza. It wasnt immediately clear whether the move would entirely close the Netzarim route, blocking Palestinians from traveling north or south through it. Israel used the roughly 4-mile (6-kilometer) Netzarim Corridor as a military zone during the war. It ran from the Israeli border to the coast just south of Gaza City, severing the territorys largest metropolitan area and the rest of the north from the south. Israel says it will order new evacuations for Palestinians in Gaza soon Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who had fled northern Gaza for the south were prevented from returning throughout the war, until Israel withdrew from Netzarim in January. Many of them have since returned. But Katz, the defense minister, said the military would soon order Palestinians to evacuate from combat zones. The air force attack against Hamas terrorists was just the first step. The rest will be much more difficult and you will pay the full price, he said in a video statement addressing the population of Gaza. Israel continued with airstrikes in Gaza on Wednesday, though at a lower intensity than Tuesday, saying it hit dozens of militants and militant sites, including the command center of a Hamas battalion. It denied Palestinian claims that it hit the U.N. guesthouse. A UN worker is killed in a strike Jorge Moreira da Silva, head of the U.N. Office for Project Services, declined to say who carried out the strike in the central city of Deir al-Balah. He said the explosive ordnance was dropped or fired and the blast was not accidental or related to demining activity. He did not provide the nationalities of those killed and wounded. The U.N. body carries out infrastructure and development projects around the world. Moreira da Silva said strikes had hit near the compound on Monday and struck it directly on Tuesday and again on Wednesday. He said the agency had contacted the Israeli military after the first strike. Israel knew this was a U.N. premise, that people were living, staying and working there, he said. Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, a military spokesperson, said the explosion was not caused by Israeli fire. There were no forces around that building, no aerial attacks on that area, he said. After the strike Wednesday, the wounded were rushed to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in central city of Deir al-Balah. One man was carried inside on a blanket held up by medical workers. Another lay on a hospital bed, his knee bandaged. A blue protective vest emblazoned with UN rested on a nearby bed. Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed in Israel's new offensive The Gaza Health Ministry said at least 436 people, including 183 children and 94 women, have been killed since Israel launched the strikes early Tuesday. It said another 678 people have been wounded. The military says it only strikes militants and blames civilian deaths on Hamas because it operates in densely populated areas. Gazas Health Ministry records do not distinguish between civilians and combatants. The war has killed nearly 49,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, and displaced 90% of Gazas population. The Health Ministry doesnt differentiate between civilians and militants but says over half of the dead have been women and children. The war erupted when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages. Most have been released in ceasefires or other deals; 59 hostages remain, and more than half are believed to be dead. Israel and Hamas were set to negotiate an extension of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, which lasted six weeks. But those negotiations never got off the ground. Hamas has demanded that Israel stick to the terms of the initial ceasefire deal, including a full withdrawal from Gaza and an end to the war. Israel, which has vowed to defeat Hamas, has put forward a new proposal that would extend the truce and free more hostages held by Hamas, without a commitment to end the war. The breakdown of the ceasefire was met with anger in Israel, where many support the plight of the hostage families to free their loved ones. Israels return to a military campaign came as Netanyahu faces mounting domestic pressure, with mass protests taking place over his handling of the hostage crisis and his plan to fire the head of Israels internal security agency. ___ Frankel reported from Jerusalem and Magdy from Cairo. The Navy plans to send a second warship to patrol the waters off the U.S. by the end of this week after a destroyer was deployed on Saturday as part of the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration and the border, a U.S. official confirmed to Military.com on Wednesday. The official, who was given anonymity to discuss military plans, told Military.com that a second destroyer will deploy from the West Coast, joining the USS Gravely, which left a naval base in Virginia over the weekend headed for the waters around the U.S.-Mexico border. U.S. Northern Command announced Saturday that the Gravely deployed with a Coast Guard law enforcement detachment aboard, allowing the vessel to conduct missions such as ship interdictions and drug seizures. The Trump administration has already deployed thousands of troops to the southern border and designated Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations amid promises to curb border crossings. Read Next: Bill to Provide Full Retirement, Disability Pay to Combat-Injured Veterans Is Reintroduced by Lawmakers The Coast Guard seemed to reveal the plan to deploy a second warship on Tuesday when it released a statement that touted its success in interdicting drug shipments at sea and repeatedly mentioned it was working with more than one Navy ship. "U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) deployed two U.S. Navy warships to the southern border to support Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Coast Guard operations," the statement said. Cmdr. Liza Dougherty, a spokeswoman for Northern Command, wouldn't confirm or deny the plan for a second destroyer to join the Gravely. The Coast Guard's statement said "these U.S. Navy warships" -- plural -- "will operate in direct support of the Coast Guard and carry Coast Guard law enforcement teams." Adm. Kevin Lunday, the Coast Guard's acting commandant, was also quoted in the news release as saying that "these Navy ships provide unique capability to complement U.S. Coast Guard operations to achieve 100% operational control of the border." Unlike a Coast Guard cutter, a Navy destroyer is a far more heavily armed vessel -- the Gravely alone can carry 96 missiles, including Tomahawk Land Attack cruise missiles -- and it is moving into the area after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wouldn't rule out conducting strikes into Mexico less than two months ago. However, for now, officials say that the mission of these destroyers will be assisting the Coast Guard with patrolling the border. Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich, the operations boss for the Joint Staff, who briefed reporters Monday, said that the Gravely would "be involved in the interdiction mission for any of the drugs and whatnot that are heading in." It is not clear how long the destroyers plan to be at sea carrying out their mission -- several officials wouldn't say, citing operational security -- but Northern Command's news release on the Gravely used the phrase "scheduled deployment," which typically means a multiple-month mission. The deployment of not one but two warships to the waters off the U.S. is highly unusual. Northern Command, which has been around since 2002, is largely set up to cover defense of the homeland, and its commander oversees much of the waters off the coast of America and Mexico but not Central America or the Caribbean. The latter belong to the head of U.S. Southern Command. Officials at the Navy's History and Heritage Command told Military.com on Wednesday that Navy ships do frequently participate in short exercises, operations and patrols within Northern Command, but deployments of multiple months are very unusual outside of a disaster response. The officials said that, since the Cuban Missile Crisis, Dominican Republic, and various Haiti incidents were all within the Southern Command's area of responsibility, "it's entirely possible there hasn't been anything major since Vera Cruz in 1914." The Battle of Vera Cruz was a seven-month military conflict between the U.S. and Mexico that took place in the Mexican port city of Vera Cruz amid poor diplomatic relations between the two countries that stemmed from the ongoing Mexican Revolution. -- Patricia Kime contributed to this report. Related: Navy Destroyer Deploys Off US and Mexico as Part of Pentagon Border Focus KYIV, Ukraine President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday that they had a constructive call about moving toward a ceasefire between Kyiv and Moscow, with the White House suggesting that the U.S. take control of Ukrainian power plants to ensure their security. Trump told Zelenskyy that the U.S could be "very helpful in running those plants with its electricity and utility expertise," according to a White House statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz that described the call as "fantastic." Trump added that "American ownership of those plants could be the best protection for that infrastructure." The call between Trump and Zelenskyy came a day after the U.S. leader held similar talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Trump's call with Zelenskyy was about half the length of his call Tuesday, during which Putin agreed not to target Ukraine's energy infrastructure but refused to back a full 30-day ceasefire. In a social media post, Trump said his call with Zelenskyy was to "align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs" as he seeks to bring a halt to fighting. "We are very much on track," Trump added, saying Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz would provide further details of the conversation. Prior to his call with Trump, Zelenskyy said Putin's limited ceasefire pledge was "very much at odds with reality" following an overnight barrage of drone strikes across the country. "Even last night, after Putin's conversation with ... Trump, when Putin said that he was allegedly giving orders to stop strikes on Ukrainian energy, there were 150 drones launched overnight, including on energy facilities," Zelenskyy said at a news conference in Helsinki with Finnish President Alexander Stubb. The Kremlin says Kyiv isn't upholding its end of the bargain Russia responded by saying it had halted its targeting of Ukraine's energy facilities and accused Kyiv of attacking equipment near one of its pipelines. "Unfortunately, we see that for now there is no reciprocity on the part of the Kyiv regime," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. The White House described the call between Trump and Putin as the first step in a "movement to peace" that Washington hopes will include a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and eventually a full and lasting end to the fighting. But there was no indication that Putin backed away from his conditions for a prospective peace deal, which are fiercely opposed by Kyiv. Russia is holding the ceasefire proposal 'hostage' The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, said that Putin's demands during the call with Trump would amount to "Ukrainian capitulation." "Putin is attempting to hold the temporary ceasefire proposal hostage in order to extract preemptive concessions ahead of formal negotiations to end the war," the ISW said in an analysis of readouts from the calls. Stubb called the discussions between Putin and Trump a step in the right direction, but Finland's president said that Russia needs to end its aggression. "There are only two ways to respond to the proposal of the president of the United States: it's a yes or a no no buts, no conditions," Stubb said. "Ukraine accepted a ceasefire without any forms of conditions. If Russia refuses to agree, we need to increase our efforts to strengthen Ukraine and ratchet up pressure on Russia to convince them to come to the negotiating table." White House national security adviser Mike Waltz said on social media that he and his Russian counterpart, Yuri Ushakov, agreed Wednesday that their teams would meet soon in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, "to focus on implementing and expanding the partial ceasefire President Trump secured from Russia." It was not immediately clear who would be part of the delegations or if Ukrainian officials were also invited to take part in the Saudi Arabia talks. Ukraine and Russia trade accusations Shortly after the lengthy phone call between Trump and Putin on Tuesday, air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv, followed by explosions as residents took shelter. Despite efforts to repel the attack, several strikes hit civilian infrastructure, including two hospitals, a railway and more than 20 houses, Zelenskyy said. Russian drones were reported over Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Sumy, Chernihiv, Poltava, Kharkiv, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk, and Cherkasy regions. The Russian Defense Ministry said its military had launched seven drones at power facilities related to the military-industrial complex in Ukraine's southern Mykolaiv region, but that it shot them down after receiving Putin's order to not hit energy infrastructure. Moscow accused Ukraine of targeting its energy facility in the Krasnodar region bordering the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014, several hours after the Putin and Trump talks. The ministry said that three drones targeted oil transfer equipment that feeds the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, causing a fire and leading one oil tank to lose pressure. "It is absolutely clear that we are talking about yet another provocation deliberately concocted by the Kyiv regime, aimed at derailing the peace initiatives of the U.S. president," the ministry said. Russia said that its air defenses intercepted 57 Ukrainian drones over the Azov Sea and several Russian regions the border provinces of Kursk and Bryansk and the nearby regions of Oryol and Tula. Zelenskyy said that "words of a ceasefire" weren't enough. "If the Russians don't hit our facilities, we definitely won't hit theirs," Zelenskyy said. Meanwhile, the two combatants said Wednesday that they had each swapped 175 prisoners in one of the largest exchanges of the war. Ukraine's red line Zelenskyy rejected Putin's key condition that Western allies stop providing military aid and intelligence to Ukraine. He said that doing so would endanger lives if citizens were blind to incoming air raids, and lead to the continuation of the war. "I don't think anybody should make any concessions in terms of helping Ukraine, but rather, assistance to Ukraine should be increased," Zelenskyy said. "This will be a signal that Ukraine is ready for any surprises from the Russians." Nigel Gould-Davies, senior fellow for Russia and Eurasia at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said that it was "completely unsurprising" that Putin rejected the ceasefire, adding that it's "imprudent for him to tell President Trump that directly, since Trump has made ending the war a very, very high priority." "What we have now, in effect, is a competition or rivalry between Kyiv and Moscow to persuade Trump that it's the other side that is responsible for preventing Trump from achieving his goal of ending the war," Gould-Davies said. Zelenskyy said that one of the most difficult issues in future negotiations would be the issue of territorial concessions. "For us, the red line is the recognition of the Ukrainian temporarily occupied territories as Russian," he said. "We will not go for it." Yehor Konovalov in Kyiv, Dasha Litvinova in Tallinn, Estonia, Geir Moulson in Berlin, Aamer Madhani and Zeke Miller in Washington, and Brian Melley in London contributed to this report. At the turn of the 20th century, Adrian Carton de Wiart was struggling academically. While considering whether to continue pursuing a law degree at the University of Oxford, he desperately sought clarity. When he found it, he discovered that his future lay not in a courtroom but on a battlefield. Carton de Wiart left Oxfords hallowed halls to enlist in the British military and fight in the Boer War in South Africa. He so desperately wanted to fight on the front lines that he signed up even though he was not from England and was too young to serve. He even used a false name, partly to disguise his intentions from his father. At that moment, I knew, once and for all, that war was in my blood, Carton de Wiart, who was born in Belgium in 1880, recalled in his autobiography, Happy Odyssey. I was determined to fight. I dont know why the war had started, and I didnt care on which side I had to fight. If the British didnt fancy me, I would offer myself to the Boers. Read Next: Civil War Nurses, USS Constitution Commander Among Female Veterans Removed in Pentagon DEI Sweep Sir Adrian Carton de Wiart fought for the British during the Boer War, World War I and World War II. (Wikimedia Commons) The British wisely fancied him. During four decades of service that saw him receive more than 30 military medals, Carton de Wiart transformed himself into a larger-than-life military hero. Called the Unkillable Soldier, he fought in three major conflicts and refused to stay sidelined for long despite losing an eye and hand in battle, surviving multiple plane crashes and being taken prisoner during World War II when he was in his early 60s. Thats just the short list of what Carton de Wiart, who became a British citizen in 1907 and later was knighted, endured in war. In fact, he was wounded so often that the medical facility in which he often recuperated kept a pair of pajamas waiting for him. Adrian Carton de Wiart first saw combat with the British Army during the Boer War in South Africa from 1899 to 1902. (Wikimedia Commons) Strong of mind and body -- he once ripped apart a deck of cards as a sign of his physical strength -- Carton de Wiarts pain tolerance was first tested during the Boer War, which ran from 1899 through 1902 and pitted British forces against Afrikaner settlers known as Boers in southern Africa. Wounded in the stomach and groin, he returned to England to recover and came face to face with his father, who finally discovered the truth of his military service. Initially livid at his sons deception, Carton de Wiarts father eventually relented and allowed him to continue serving his adopted country. Carton de Wiart made his father proud as few could match the young soldiers fighting spirit, especially during World War I. In the early stages of the Great War, Carton de Wiart was serving with the Somaliland Camel Corps in east Africa, trying to fight back a rebellion, when he was shot twice. One bullet cost him his left eye while another tore off part of his left ear. He didnt check his stride, but I think the bullet stung him up as his language was awful, said Lord Hastings Ismay, who served alongside Carton de Wiart in Somaliland and went on to become NATOs first secretary-general. The doctor could do nothing for his eye, but we had to keep him with us. He must have been in agony. If so, Carton de Wiart wasnt likely to admit it. He was fitted with a glass eye, which irritated him so much that he threw it away. Wearing a black eye patch that became as synonymous with him as his aggressive, sometimes reckless, nature, Carton de Wiart finally made it to the Western Front, a longtime goal. During the Second Battle of Ypres near the French-Belgian border in the spring of 1915, German artillery severely wounded Carton de Wiarts left hand. Shrapnel, along with fragments from his own watch, left two fingers dangling, and when doctors refused to remove them, Carton de Wiart did so himself, ripping them off. A surgeon later amputated the hand. German prisoners help to carry wounded British soldiers back to their trenches after an attack near Ginchy, France, during the Battle of the Somme during World War I in 1916. (AP Photo/PA Files) No one would have blamed Carton de Wiart if he sat out the rest of the war, and yet he came back from more. His heroism reached another level at the Battle of the Somme -- a five-month engagement that resulted in more than a million casualties -- after the Germans killed three Allied commanders near La Boiselle, France, in early July 1916. Carton de Wiart stepped up, commanding all three of their units, dodging enemy fire as he relayed orders between them and pulling out grenade pins with his teeth before lobbing the explosives with his one good arm. For his actions, Carton de Wiart received the Victoria Cross -- the British militarys highest honor. Later on in WWI, Carton de Wiart even survived a shot to the head during a night mission, the bullet miraculously passing through his skull without causing any permanent damage. Frankly, I had enjoyed the war, Carton de Wiart said. It had given me many bad moments, lots of good ones, plenty of excitement. Adm. Adrian Carton de Wiart (far right on back row) served as Britains representative in China after surviving being a POW during World War II. He attended the 1943 Allied conference in Cairo, Egypt, that included (front row, from left) Chinas Chiang Kai-shek, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. (AP Photo/Office of War Information) By comparison, Carton de Wiarts service during World War II was uneventful, but there was that time his seaplane crash-landed on a fjord and another instance when his plane went down in the Mediterranean and he swam to shore, only to be captured by the Italians. He was held as a prisoner of war for two years, escaping once for eight days by posing as a peasant. After his release in 1943, Carton de Wiart served as Britains military representative to China until 1946. Carton de Wiart died in 1963 at the age of 83, but his exploits have inspired generations of service members in the United Kingdom, including British soldier Thomas ODonnell. His left knee shattered in Afghanistan in 2010, ODonnell improbably returned to active duty two years later. When he did, he evoked an almost mythical figure he never met to put his arduous recovery in perspective. I want to make it clear that I went through nothing like as much as he endured, ODonnell modestly stated. Carton de Wiart is like RoboCop. Want to Know More About the Military? Be sure to get the latest news about the U.S. military, as well as critical info about how to join and all the benefits of service. Subscribe to Military.com and receive customized updates delivered straight to your inbox. The Braves are returning Rule 5 pick Anderson Pilar to the Marlins, reports Jesse Rogers of ESPN. Neither club has made an official announcement related to Pilar. Atlantas 40-man roster count will drop from 39 to 38. Rule 5 picks have to be put on waivers before being returned to their original club. Its unclear if that has already taken place with Pilar. Assuming he winds up back with Miami, he wont need to take up a 40-man spot with that organization. Pilar, 27, has spent most of his career in the Rockies organization but signed with the Marlins prior to 2024. He then had a good year across three levels, tossing 58 innings with a 2.64 earned run average. He struck out 30.6% of batters faced while issuing walks just 5.6% of the time and getting grounders at a 46.9% clip. That prompted Atlanta to grab him in the Rule 5, which allowed them to bring him into camp and get a close-up look at him. Unfortunately, Pilar wasnt able to make the most of the opportunity. In six spring outings, he punched out 12 opponents but also issued six walks and ten hits, leading to nine earned runs. Players selected in the Rule 5 draft cannot be optioned to the minor leagues. Given that spring performance, a contending club like Atlanta cant really afford to have him figure it out in meaningful games, so theyll let him go. As mentioned, Rule 5 players need to be put on waivers if the selecting club is relinquishing them. Any claiming club would need to operate under the same parameters, not sending Pilar to the minors. If he clears waivers, he will no longer have Rule 5 status and then hell be offered back to the Marlins, who can keep him as non-roster depth. Atlanta started camp with two Rule 5 picks, the other being infielder Christian Cairo. Taken from Cleveland, Cairo is hitting .179/.294/.250 in camp, which doesnt bode well for his chances of sticking with Atlanta. Turning back to the Atlanta bullpen, the club has tried to bolster the group on the cheap. They have kept their payroll just south of the competitive balance tax while signing various veterans to minor league deals, including Craig Kimbrel, Hector Neris, Enyel De Los Santos, Buck Farmer, Chasen Shreve and many more. Thats a situation that could potentially lead to some tough roster choices, but the club has seemingly been making those in recent days. They traded Angel Perdomo to the Angels recently, opening up one spot. Returning Pilar opens a second. Cairo would open a third. They also released Jake Diekman, subtracting one guy from the NRI pile. The Giants sold a 10% ownership stake in the franchise to the private equity firm Sixth Street this week, as first reported by Ken Belson and Lauren Hirsch of The New York Times. The team did not confirm the specific share that it sold but announced what it called a strategic partnership with the firm on Tuesday. Financial terms remain unreported. Team president/CEO Larry Baer said in a statement that the deal allows (the Giants) to further strengthen our franchise on the field and in the community. The New York Times writes that the Giants intend to use the money for improvements to Oracle Park and the Mission Rock mixed-use development surrounding the stadium, as well as the teams Spring Training complex in Scottsdale. Baer downplayed the possibility that the sale would have an impact on the teams player payroll. This is not about a stockpile for the next Aaron Judge (a former free agent target), Baer told The New York Times. This is about improvements to the ballpark, making big bets on San Francisco and the community around us, and having the firepower to take us into the next generation. A static image of Michigan's top and bottom 50 school districts for graduation rates in the 2023-24 school year. An interactive version, with the data behind each district, can be found lower in this story. Scott Levin | slevin@mlive.com There were 288 Michigan school districts in 2023-24 that had high schools with 100 or more seniors. The 50 districts with the highest graduation rates all sent 94% or more of its seniors through the door with a diploma in four years. 22-year old Haley the polar bear has moved to the Detroit Zoo. Photo provided by the Detroit Zoological Society NOVI, MI - We are getting our first look at Haley, the Detroit Zoos newest polar bear. The 22-year old, who is named after the comet, was born on November 15, 2002. She has lived at the Memphis Zoo since she was 4. Her move to the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak was recommended by experts from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to help ensure healthy, genetically diverse and sustainable polar bear populations in human care. The Detroit Zoo is now home to three polar bears: Nuke, a 20-year-old male, and Suka, a 12-year-old female. Zoo officials say after settling in behind the scenes, Haley is ready to explore her public-facing habitat in the Arctic Ring of Life, which is one of the largest polar bear habitats in North America. Haley is such a special and inquisitive bear, said Mike Murray, VP of life sciences for the Detroit Zoological Society. We know Haley will be a terrific ambassador for her species, which faces threats from melting sea ice, climate change and pollution in the wild. We cant wait for our guests to meet her. The Arctic Ring of Life features 4 acres of outdoor and indoor spaces including a 70-foot-long glass tunnel, exploration station and ice cave. The habitat is also home to rescued southern sea otters, Finn, Kit and Monte. The Detroit Zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through March 31. Starting April 1, the Zoo will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, talks to reporters after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivered the State of the State address on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, inside the Michigan House of Representatives chamber at the Michigan State Capitol. (Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com) Michigans Republican-led House has approved a long-term plan to fund the states crumbling roads and bridges. Legislators passed a nine-bill package Wednesday, March 19, that would reroute roughly $3.14 billion in annual revenue to roads. The bills will be sent to the Democrat-led Senate for consideration. MONROE, MI -- A 4-year-old girl was rescued Monday after she was spotted being chased by a pack of dogs while wearing only a diaper. According to the Monroe Public Safety Department, police officers were dispatched to the 800 block of Washington Street around 12:16 p.m. Once on scene, police found the child, who was suffering from apparent injuries. A passerby/witness to the ordeal wrapped the child in a blanket while medical personnel treated her. The child sustained cuts and abrasions to her feet, legs, and chest. She was also treated for exposure to cold temperatures. A police investigation determined the girls 27-year-old uncle was supposed to be caring for the child. The man was interviewed at the Monroe Police Department where he was eventually arrested on a charge of fourth-degree child abuse. Police did not publicly identify the suspect. Child Protective Services has been notified in the regard to the matter and is now involved in the investigation. Moose, a German shorthaired pointer, went missing Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in Delhi Township, Mich., after his owner's vehicle was stolen with him inside. Ingham County Sheriff's Office DELHI TOWNSHIP, MI A man is accused of stealing a vehicle with a dog inside during the early hours of Tuesday near Lansing, police said. The vehicle was later found but the dog was no longer inside. The Ingham County Sheriffs Office shared photos of Moose, a German shorthaired pointer, asking for the communities help in finding him. By Tuesday afternoon, Moose was reunited with his very grateful owner, police said. Around 2 a.m. Tuesday, deputies responded to a report of a stolen vehicle in the area of Cedar Street and Holt Road in Delhi Township, the sheriffs office said. The owner told them that Moose was in the vehicle. Deputies established a suspect, and the vehicle was found around 9 a.m. It was about three miles away, abandoned at Cedar and College Road. Moose was not inside. The suspect, a 26-year-old Mason man, was arrested at 11 a.m. in the 1600 block of North College Road. He faces possible charges for the thefts of the dog and vehicle; the investigation will be turned over to the local prosecutors office for review. Moose was later found in good health and returned to his owner. People hangout on the beach at Grand Haven State Park. Charlie Nick | MLive.com Spring arrives tomorrow and summer will be here before we know it. If youre looking forward to the warmest months of the year perhaps planning a Fourth of July party, family camping trips or beach days the Farmers Almanac has an extended forecast to help you plan. Predictions include record-breaking warm temperatures and near-average precipitation for most of the country. RELATED: Spring warm-up may go on hold for Michigan, but only for a short while Summer begins on Friday, June 20, and will arrive with unsettled to stormy conditions for most of the country, that includes Michigan and the Midwest, according to the forecast. For Michigan and neighboring states Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin the almanac predicts it will be a sultry, thunder-filled summer. Heat will be in full force by July, with much of the nation sweltering with above- to high-above average temperatures, the forecast says. More long-time high temperature records may be broken this year. RELATED: This Lake Michigan lighthouse is celebrating its 150th anniversary this summer For the Fourth of July holiday, the weather could be against us. Around this time, the almanac predicts that severe thunderstorms will sweep into the Midwest, perhaps threatening celebrations. The Midwest is expected to have fair weather for Labor Day, the forecast says. RELATED: Watch for these birds to return as spring arrives in Michigan Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for an area of the Upper Peninsula today. Heavy snow and gusty winds are expected. Graphic provided by the NWS MARQUETTE, MI - A large section of the central and eastern Upper Peninsula is under Winter Storm Warnings today as a late-season storm is forecast to bring up to 12 inches of heavy snow, and gusty winds are expected to cause blowing and drifting over roads. Snowfall rates could reach 2 inches per hour, with whiteout conditions developing on some roads and state highways, the National Weather Service said. A late-season winter storm will bring moderate to heavy snow and strong winds to portions of central and eastern Upper Michigan this afternoon through tonight. The worst conditions are expected to start late this afternoon and have shifted southeast with the latest forecast, NWS meteorologists in Marquette said. The combination of high winds and heavy, wet snow will result in difficult travel conditions and potential power outages. Travel could be dangerous to impossible in spots by this evening; especially along M-28 from Marquette to Munising, where frequent whiteouts are possible. The Upper Peninsula counties shaded in bright pink on this map are under a Winter Storm Warning. Graphic provided by the NWS The Winter Storm Warnings for the central and eastern U.P. counties go into effect Wednesday morning and last until early Thursday. The counties covered by the warnings include: Luce, Menominee, Delta, Schoolcraft, Marquette, Alger, Iron and Dickinson. It looks like the heaviest band of snow could run from Iron Mountain and stretch northeast into Munising and Grand Marais. Up to a foot of snow is possible. Winds gusts to 40 mph are forecast. A man accused in a 35-year-old murder may have his case dismissed after a Washtenaw County judge declined to send him to trial. Jacob Hamilton | jhamilt3@mlive.com PITTSFIELD TOWNSHIP, MI -- A man accused in a 35-year-old murder may have his case dismissed after a judge declined to send him to trial. During a Tuesday, March 18 preliminary exam, Washtenaw County District Court Judge Karl Barr said he did not hear evidence that Buster Robbins, 69, killed Beverly Ann Wivell, who was found dead on the side of the road in Superior Township in 1989. Construction on several road improvement projects will begin throughout Burton over the next few months. (MLive file photo) BURTON, MI As winter comes to a close, the city of Burton is moving forward with several road improvement projects set to begin in the coming months. The Burton City Council approved the road projects, which will cost a total of approximately $437,567, at its Monday, March 17, meeting. Heres a look at the upcoming projects and their associated costs. North Genesee Road rehabilitation A milelong stretch of North Genesee Road, spanning from Davison Road to Burtons city limits, is now set for construction. The council voted unanimously to approve $154,330 for a contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation for the rehabilitation project during its March 17 meeting. The North Genesee Road project will include concrete pavement rubblization, joint repairs, crack repairs, hot mix asphalt resurfacing, aggregate shoulders, permanent signing, and pavement markings. In total, the project is expected to cost $771,650, and the city will use $617,320 in funds from the Federal Highway Service to help it pay for the project. The city was awarded the funds in January. It is unclear when work on the North Genesee Road project will begin, but the city will have until Nov. 24, 2026, to spend the federal funds it received for the project. North Grand Traverse Road rehabilitation Looking ahead to the fall, the council unanimously approved $85,880 for construction engineering services for its planned rehabilitation of North Grand Traverse Road from Bristol to Hemphill roads. The construction engineering for the project will be completed by ROWE Professional Services. Construction of the half mile stretch of North Grand Traverse will cost an estimated total of $751,679 and is expected to begin between August and November. Pavement marking program Council members also unanimously approved $197,356 for this years pavement marking program which will be administered by M & M Pavement Marking Inc., which provided the lowest bid. Theyre really a good company, Abbey said. We had two bids. The other one was $100,000 higher than that one. According to DPW Director Charles Abbey, bids for this years paving program came in higher than previous years, with a company representative citing market prices and material costs as major reasons for the increase. It went way up, all the way around, Abbey said. We will budget for these additional costs in this coming budget. Striping and handwork on local roadways is expected to be completed from May 1-31. Further striping on city roads will be completed from Sept. 1-30. City Council members also approved the transfer of $75,916 from its Major Street Fund to the budget for its paving program. New traffic device at intersection of Bristol and Vassar roads The council also unanimously approved a cost-sharing agreement with the Genesee County Road Commission and Michigan Department of Transportation for the installation, operation, and maintenance of a new mounted beacon flasher at the intersection of Bristol and Vassar roads in Burton. The city has agreed to cover 75% of the cost of maintaining and operating the device while the county will cover the remaining 25%. The state will cover 80% of the installation cost, while the city will cover the remainder of the cost, though the citys portion of the cost remains unclear at this time. Want more Flint-area news? Bookmark the local Flint news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Flint daily newsletter. Secure Logistics, a trucking company near Rockford specializing in food and pharmaceutical transportation, is hosting a retirement liquidation auction. (File photo: John Kuntz, cleveland.com) Courtesy ROCKFORD, MI A West Michigan trucking company is hosting an online retirement liquidation auction starting March 25, where dozens of trucks, trailers, tools, office equipment and more will be listed for sale. Secure Logistics, 8620 Algoma Ave. NE, is also auctioning two commercial buildings with 12,000-square-feet of space and 10 acres of land. Its a complete liquidation, so were selling everything they own the building, the tools, everything, said Reid Stroven, vice president of commercial truck and trailer sales at Miedema Asset Management Group. The auction starts at 8 a.m. March 25 at Miedemas Orbitbid.com and wraps up the following day at 6 p.m. Items for sale include 35 high-quality, well-maintained semi-trucks, 55 semi-trailers, as well as shop tools, office equipment, tires and various truck parts. Some tools and equipment could go for as little as $5, while the trucks and trailers are expected to fetch bids of $100,000 and up, Stroven said. A look at all the items for sale can be found here. Anyone interested in bidding on the items can check them out in person before doing so from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 24-26, according to a release. The website for Secure Logistics says the companys owners are retiring, and thanks the community for the years of business and support. In addition to the truck and equipment sales, Secure Logistics is also auctioning its land and buildings. Bids for those items are due by April 23, with more information on the bidding process and property available here. GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Several dozen Grand Rapids Public Schools educators and community members gathered Wednesday to protest cuts to the federal education department. The walk in protest at Union High School was organized by the Grand Rapids Education Association (GREA), the districts teachers union. Its part of a nationwide movement by the National Education Association (NEA) to oppose cuts to the federal Department of Education (DOE). An Omeisaurus replica, part of the Dino Adventures exhibit on display outside of John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. In the background is a Edmontosaurus replica. Joel Bissell | MLive.com GRAND RAPIDS, MI - John Ball Zoo is ready to welcome the community to a new season beginning Friday, March 21. The 2025 season marks the Grand Rapids zoos 134th year of operation. It will be filled with fun, educational events and some new animals. Related: New African lions restore the roar at John Ball Zoo for upcoming season We are truly looking forward to seeing the community return to the zoo for what will be an amazing season, said Peter DArienzo, CEO of John Ball Zoo. Our stellar team has been hard at work these past months creating experiences for our guests to enjoy and hopefully inspire the next generation of leaders, scientists, and conservation advocates by creating lasting memories for those who visit. This season, John Ball Zoo has a number of exciting events in store, including the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival and Wildlife Exploration Days, a 5K race, Summer Nights and more. Several new animals have also been introduced this season, including a warthog and two new lions, Amara, a 6-year-old female, and her 9-year-old male companion, Upepo. This includes the zoos newest interactive exhibit, The Power of Pollinators: Tiny Creatures That Make BIG Things Happen! which will open in July. We cant wait for everyone to see what we have planned, DArienzo said. John Ball Zoo is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on opening day. Throughout March, the zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Guests may reserve their tickets online before their visit or purchase in person. Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter. HOLLAND, MI A beloved cafe that reopened last year under new ownership has closed its doors for good. The Good Earth Cafe at 159 S. River Ave., Suite 240, in Holland closed earlier this month after less than a year inside its new location, according to a post on Facebook. This journey has been a heartfelt one, the post read. Through faith and grace, we found a new home for The Good Earth Cafe with a vision to continue the mission: to see you, listen to your feedback, give back to the community and serve you, your family, friends and coworkers with lovingly made bagels, breakfasts, lunches and drinks. The post did not give a reason for the sudden closure, but many users commented that the new location inside the Towers on River hurt the business. The Good Earth Cafe had been a staple of downtown Holland for decades prior to its reopening at the Towers. Todd and Michelle Girdis purchased the business from Dave and Cheryl Komen, who ran the cafe on East Seventh Street from 1999 until December 2023. The purchase agreement left the Girdis family responsible for finding a new home for the business. The new location was meant to allow the cafe to grow with the community for the next 20 years, Todd Girdis said last year. I had been coming to the former cafe for a number of years for breakfast, and I saw having a local place for the community to gather, surrounded by hospitality, kindness, ability to serve others; that attracted Michelle and I to purchasing the business, he said. Girdis did not immediately respond to questions at the time of publishing. The spacious, 4,500-square-foot cafe featured tributes to the original location such as pieces of the original tin ceiling, the fish tank and a gathering space with sofas, a community library and chalkboard. Many employees from the East Seventh Street location also helped run the Towers cafe. Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter. Superintendent Jeff Beal looks on during a Jackson Public Schools Board of Education meeting at Jackson High School. J. Scott Park | jpark4@mlive.com JACKSON, MI - For the first time in over a decade, Jackson Public Schools faces a future without Jeff Beal. Members of the Jackson Public School Board accepted Beals resignation as superintendent Tuesday, beginning the process of finding his successor. The $730,000 investment includes substructure repairs, steel pin and link plate replacement, and expansion joint improvements. (Photo/Michigan Department of Transportation) MDOT NEWAYGO COUNTY The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) plans to improve the M-37 bridge over the Muskegon River. This $730,000 investment, made in partnership with contractor Anlaan Corp., will cause closures from Monday, March 24 through Friday, June 27. Road officials said the repairs will improve the bridges safety and extend its service life. The work includes substructure repairs, steel pin and link plate replacement, and expansion joint improvements. Through lane closures and traffic shifts, the M-37 bridge will keep open one lane in each direction. During construction, M-82 will be closed at the intersection with M-37 and detoured on Evergreen Drive. Based on economic modeling, the investment is expected to directly and indirectly support seven jobs. Want more Muskegon-area news? Bookmark the local Muskegon news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Muskegon daily newsletter. BAY CITY, MI Mayor Chris Girard has vetoed a resolution that deemed Bay City as a welcoming community for all people regardless of their immigration status. In the mayoral veto resolution issued Wednesday, March 19, Girard wrote that the city mayor has the duty to ensure all legislative actions serve the best interests of Bay City residents particularly in protecting public safety and financial stability. Willie V. Allen enters the courtroom of Saginaw County Circuit Judge Manvel Trice III for his murder trial on Jan. 23, 2025. Cole Waterman SAGINAW, MI Inflamed with murderous jealousy, an Illinois man drove more than 300 miles to a Saginaw County home to kill his ex-girlfriend. His actions have resulted in him being sentenced to spend the rest of his life in a Michigan prison. Saginaw County Circuit Judge Manvel Trice III on March 19 sentenced 63-year-old Willie V. Allen to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. The mandatory sentence was a foregone conclusion since a jury found Allen guilty of first-degree premeditated murder at the end of his January trial. CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) Stuck in space no more, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams returned to Earth on Tuesday, hitching a different ride home to close out a saga that began with a bungled test flight more than nine months ago. Their SpaceX capsule parachuted into the Gulf of Mexico in the early evening, just hours after departing the International Space Station. Splashdown occurred off the coast of Tallahassee in the Florida Panhandle, bringing their unplanned odyssey to an end. Within an hour, the astronauts were out of their capsule, waving and smiling at the cameras while being hustled away in reclining stretchers for routine medical checks. It all started with a flawed Boeing test flight last spring. The two expected to be gone just a week or so after launching on Boeings new Starliner crew capsule on June 5. So many problems cropped up on the way to the space station that NASA eventually sent Starliner back empty and transferred the test pilots to SpaceX, pushing their homecoming into February. Then SpaceX capsule issues added another months delay. Sundays arrival of their relief crew meant Wilmore and Williams could finally leave. NASA cut them loose a little early, given the iffy weather forecast later this week. They checked out with NASAs Nick Hague and Russias Alexander Gorbunov, who arrived in their own SpaceX capsule last fall with two empty seats reserved for the Starliner duo. Wilmore and Williams ended up spending 286 days in space 278 days longer than anticipated when they launched. They circled Earth 4,576 times and traveled 121 million miles (195 million kilometers) by the time of splashdown. On behalf of SpaceX, welcome home, radioed SpaceX Mission Control in California. What a ride, replied Hague, the capsules commander. I see a capsule full of grins ear to ear. Dolphins circled the capsule as divers readied it for hoisting onto the recovery ship. Once safely on board, the side hatch was opened and the astronauts were helped out, one by one. Williams was next-to-last out, followed by Wilmore who gave two gloved thumbs-up. Wilmore and Williams' plight captured the worlds attention, giving new meaning to the phrase stuck at work and turning Butch and Suni into household names. While other astronauts had logged longer spaceflights over the decades, none had to deal with so much uncertainty or see the length of their mission expand by so much. Wilmore and Williams quickly transitioned from guests to full-fledged station crew members, conducting experiments, fixing equipment and even spacewalking together. With 62 hours over nine spacewalks, Williams set a record: the most time spent spacewalking over a career among female astronauts. Both had lived on the orbiting lab before and knew the ropes, and brushed up on their station training before rocketing away. Williams became the stations commander three months into their stay and held the post until earlier this month. Their mission took an unexpected twist in late January when President Donald Trump asked SpaceX founder Elon Musk to accelerate the astronauts return and blamed the delay on the Biden administration. The replacement crews brand new SpaceX capsule still wasnt ready to fly, so SpaceX subbed it with a used one, hurrying things along by at least a few weeks. Even in the middle of the political storm, Wilmore and Williams continued to maintain an even keel at public appearances from orbit, casting no blame and insisting they supported NASAs decisions from the start. NASA hired SpaceX and Boeing after the shuttle program ended, in order to have two competing U.S. companies for transporting astronauts to and from the space station until its abandoned in 2030 and steered to a fiery reentry. By then, it will have been up there more than three decades; the plan is to replace it with privately run stations so NASA can focus on moon and Mars expeditions. Both retired Navy captains, Wilmore and Williams stressed they didnt mind spending more time in space a prolonged deployment reminiscent of their military days. But they acknowledged it was tough on their families. Wilmore, 62, missed most of his younger daughters senior year of high school; his older daughter is in college. Williams, 59, had to settle for internet calls from space to her husband, mother and other relatives. We have not been worried about her because she has been in good spirits, said Falguni Pandya, who is married to Williams cousin. She was definitely ready to come home. Prayers for Williams and Wilmore were offered up at 21 Hindu temples in the U.S. in the months leading up to their return, said organizer Tejal Shah, president of World Hindu Council of America. Williams has spoken frequently about her Indian and Slovenian heritage. Prayers for their safe return also came from Wilmores Baptist church in Houston, where he serves as an elder. After returning in the gulf Trump in January signed an executive order renaming the body of water Gulf of America Wilmore and Williams will have to wait until theyre off the SpaceX recovery ship and flown to Houston before reuniting with their loved ones. The three NASA astronauts will be checked out by flight surgeons as they adjust to gravity, officials said, and allowed to go home after several days. ___ By Marcia Dunn AP Aerospace Writer AP journalist Deepa Bharath contributed to this report. ___ 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. Former Republican gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon is considering running for office again. In this MLive file photo, Dixon speaks during the Michigan Republican Party's Red Wave Party at the State Capitol Building in Lansing on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022. (Cory Morse | MLive.com) Cory Morse | MLive.com Former Republican gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon is considering running for office again. Dixon, who ran unsuccessfully against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in the 2022 midterms, announced on Tuesday, March 18, that she is weighing another potential bid for governor or a new run for U.S. Senate. I will soon decide where my experience and talents would most benefit the state we love so dearly, she wrote in a statement posted to her Facebook page. It would be my honor to serve the great people of Michigan. Dixon said she wants to help turn the state around after the lost decade of Democratic leadership under Whitmer. Over the last six years, we have seen Gretchen Whitmer drive our state into the bottom 10 nationally, she wrote. It is time to bring Michigan back and lead once again. Together, we can chart a path that grows jobs and drives down costs, brings manufacturing home, gives taxpayers their money back, makes our government transparent, and sets our kids up for bright futures. Dixon, who previously worked as an executive in her late fathers Muskegon steel company, lost to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer by 470,000 votes about 11 percentage points in the Nov. 8, 2022 election. RELATED: Michigan Republican Party blames election losses on Tudor Dixon, Trump If elected to office, Dixon promised to work together with Trump, who she praised for his work securing the border, bringing manufacturing jobs home and boosting energy independence. Whitmer, who was first elected as governor in 2018, is term-limited and cannot seek reelection. Michigans gubernatorial election will take place on Nov. 3, 2026. The list of candidates running to replace Whitmer include Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist; Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson; Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson; Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, R-Porter Township, who is running as a Republican; and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, a longtime Democrat who is running as an independent. U.S. Sen. Gary Peters announced this year that he will not seek reelection when his term ends in 2027, setting the stage for an open 2026 race. RELATED: Buttigieg wont seek Michigan U.S. Senate seat, eyes presidency, report states President Donald Trump speaks to the media at Mar-a-Lago, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. (Pool photo via AP) AP During a Fox News interview this week, President Donald Trump reiterated his call for Canada to become the 51st U.S. state and called former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus political associates nasty. I deal with every country, indirectly or directly, Trump said on a Tuesday, March 18, episode of The Ingraham Angle. One of the nastiest countries to deal with is Canada. Trump told host Laura Ingraham that Canada was meant to be the 51st state and criticized the U.S.s northernmost neighbors international trade tactics. The people that now this was (former Prime Minister Justin) Trudeau the people that good old Justin I call him Governor Trudeau his people were nasty, and they werent telling the truth, Trump said in the interview. They never told the truth. You know that, you know, theyd say, Well, we dont charge. Well, they do. They charge tremendous, they charge tremendous; and, if you look at dairy products, what theyve done to our farmers Id go up to Iowa, Id go up to different places, Nebraska and they would always complain about Canada, how they get ripped off. The interview remains available online in full on the Fox News YouTube channel. Trump talks about Canada at about the 17:50-mark in the video. Trumps statement comes one week after his nominee for U.S. ambassador to Canada a Michigan politician said Canada was a sovereign state, showing some disagreement with the president on the issue. Pete Hoekstra, a former Congressman and former chair of the Michigan Republican Party, during a U.S. Senate confirmation hearing on March 13 said Canada shouldnt be even jokingly referred to as the 51st state. Canada is a sovereign state, yes, Hoekstra said in response to a question at the hearing in Washington, D.C. Trump has rankled Canadians by insisting their country join the U.S. The two countries are embroiled in a trade war Trump started after he slapped tariffs on aluminum, steel and other goods brought in from Canada. In response, Canada hiked tariffs on a variety of American imports. In his opening statement last week, Hoekstra said that, as someone from Michigan, I do have a special appreciation for Canada as a neighbor. He said 36 states view Canada as their No. 1 trading partner and that he frequently interacted with Canada on trade and other issues when he was in Congress. Senators have yet to vote on Hoekstras nomination. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A Ford F-150 Lightning demonstrates at the 2022 North American International Auto Show begins with media preview day at Huntington Place in Detroit on Wednesday, Sept. 14 2022. Michigan power companies cant stand in the way of residents using the batteries inside their Ford electric vehicles to keep the lights on during power outages, state utility regulators have ruled. The automaker currently offers a home backup feature with its all-electric F-150 Lightning, turning the truck into a generator replacement during power outages. At Fords request, the Michigan Public Service Commission ruled on March 13 that Lightning owners dont need written permission from their utilities before using the technology, as is frequently the case with home power sources that could interact with the grid, like residential solar installations. This order makes it simpler for customers to use their electric truck to power their home potentially for days if the electric grid goes down," said Ford spokesperson Sam Schembari in a statement. The order comes as electric vehicle makers are increasingly offering options for car owners to use their wheels to power household appliances, or even feed power back onto the grid during times of high demand with so-called bidirectional charging. The proliferation of EVs and distributed power sources offers both challenges and opportunities for the grid, experts say. Read more: Michigan utility will deploy AI-powered devices to gauge electric vehicle impact on grid Michigan regulators said the ruling they issued is believed to be among the first of its kind in the country dealing with an EV home backup system. Michigan is the automotive state, and coordination and cooperation between our strong automotive industry and our electric utilities is important, said Public Service Commissioner Katherine Peretick before voting to OK the measure. While General Motors, Nissan, Hyundai, Volvo and other carmakers offer or plan to offer EVs with similar backup features, the ruling only applies to Ford, according to state regulators. The F-150 Lightning, Fords first electric truck, is the only of the automakers models to currently offer the possibility. A Ford F-150 Lightning vehicle is parked outside the Michigan Capitol during an industry event in Lansing, Mich., on May 9, 2023. Ben Orner | MLive.com Implementing it requires a certain Ford charging station and a separate hard-wired home integration system, with an inverter and transfer switch. The equipment plus installation costs isnt always cheap, with some owners reporting price tags of more than $10,000 all told. Because the system only kicks on when the power is out and does not operate in parallel with an electric utilitys power distribution system, it doesnt require power companies to sign off first, Michigan regulators ruled. In some parts of the country, like California and Maryland, F-150 Lightnings are being used in utility pilot programs to test exporting power back to homes while the grid is under high demand or selling it back to the grid itself. Energy sources that are interconnected with the grid usually require utility permission to ensure the power infusion doesnt cause instability, harm equipment or pose a danger to electrical workers. Some see potential in treating millions of EVs as a collective energy system that could be used to store cheap solar and wind power when it is abundant and then discharge it to power buildings as part of a localized microgrid, or in coordination with the larger electric system. Fleets of bidirectional EVs have demonstrated the potential in partnerships between universities, school districts and power companies, offering a revenue stream to the vehicle owners and a grid resilience opportunity for utilities, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. In a regulatory filing, Ford said it does intend to offer grid-connected bidirectional charging, but customers would have to go through the permission process with their utilities. In Michigan, the company chose to seek the ruling not because customers had butted heads with utilities but because they had some of the best experiences in the country, said Valerie Brader, an attorney representing Ford, in comments to the Public Service Commission. State utility regulators say they havent received any customer complaints related to EV home backup systems. The regulatory action could still be a model for other states, avoiding the need for litigation in thousands of individual utility territories across the country, according to Brader. Right now, we are at the start of the moment where vehicles do more than they ever have to interact with our electrical distribution grid, she said. Boston Red Sox Alex Bregman fields a fly out to end the second inning of a spring training baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays in Fort Myers, Fla., Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) AP DETROIT -- All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman said he expected to sign with the Detroit Tigers until the Boston Red Sox swooped in with a competitive offer in the last 30 minutes. Bregman agreed to a three-year, $120 million contract with the Red Sox five weeks ago, ending one of the most closely watched free-agency sagas of the winter. With significant deferred money, the deals present-day value is closer to $95 million. Bregman can opt-out after Year 1 and Year 2 of the deal. The Tigers reportedly offered a six-year deal worth about $171 million, also containing deferred money. The Tigers did not offer an opt-out opportunity until after the 2026 season. It was kind of crazy, Bregman said this week on Foul Territory. I met with a lot of teams, but everything happened in the last 30 minutes. It was kind of rapid-fire. We thought we were going somewhere else the entire time, then in the last 30 minutes, we talked to Boston, and the deal got done. It was definitely different than I expected, but it was a good process. Im super thankful to be here. Where did Bregman think he would ultimately sign? Honestly, we thought we were going to Detroit the entire time. Then, at the last second, Boston came in, he said. Bregman, who turns 31 later this month, is a two-time All-Star and MVP finalist known for his power, plate discipline, and excellent defense at third base. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch, who managed Bregman with the Astros from 2015-2019 and still lives in Houston during the offseason, played an active role in Bregmans recruitment. But it wasnt enough to get over the hump. We have a great relationship, Bregman said of Hinch. Hes an amazing manager, great guy. We talk all the time -- we were talking all offseason. Detroit had a really good team last year, and theyve got a good team again this year. I wanted to be somewhere I felt we could win. It was between Houston, Boston, Detroit, and Chicago. All four are winning organizations, and I had great conversations with all of them. Ultimately, Im super excited to be here in Boston. I can already feel the energy from the city, from the fans. Bregman could return to free agency as soon as this winter if he exercises his opt-out. Although the Tigers could surely use him right now, its not clear if theyd be interested in being suitors again after being left at the altar this time. Was I disappointed? I wouldnt characterize my emotions that way, said Tigers president Scott Harris after Bregman signed with Boston. We want players who want to be here. I say it a lot because I mean it: We want players who want to be Tigers. He chose to sign somewhere else. Thats fine. We knew that was a possibility throughout this process and planned for that outcome. Were going to be just fine without Alex Bregman. We still have a clubhouse that just got to the postseason and beat a team with Alex Bregman. So it clearly can be done. Alabama State guard Shawn Fulcher (12) makes a free throw during the second half of an NCAA basketball game in the championship of the Southwest Athletic Conference Championship tournament against Jackson State, Saturday, March 15, 2025, in College Park, Ga. (AP Photo/Erik Rank) AP March Madness kicks off on Tuesday with Saint Francis and Alabama State starring in the First Four. Stream Saint Francis vs. Alabama State in the First Four on Sling TV Orange. Get your first month of Sling TV half off here After Saint Francis and Alabama State go head-to-head, No. 11 seeds UNC and San Diego State take the court. The action repeats on Wednesday as American vs. Mount St. Marys and Texas vs. Xavier round out the First Four competition and settle the official 64-team bracket. The winner of Saint Francis vs. Alabama State will advance to the first round and face a No. 1-seeded Auburn team on Thursday in Lexington, Kentucky. Alabama State enters the competition as 3.5-point favorites. Watch No. 16 Saint Francis (16-17) vs. No. 16 Alabama State (19-15) When: 6:40 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 Where: The UD arena in Dayton, Ohio Stream: Sling TV Tickets: Buy tickets at Vivid Seats, SeatGeek, and Ticketmaster. Use code MLIVE20 for $20 off Vivid Seats orders exceeding $200. What is Sling TV? Sling TV is a streaming service with live sports, TV, and movies. Get access to 9 exclusive sports channels and 35 total channels with Sling Orange. For a limited time, get your first month of Sling for $23. Heres a quick look at when severe thunderstorms may hit far southwest Lower Michigan and then remain strong into southeast Lower Michigan. Heres the radar forecast starting at 6 p.m. this evening and ending at 1 a.m. tonight. This gives you the idea the storms will at least happen during that time period. Radar forecast from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. tonight, March 19-20, 2025. NOAA The severe thunderstorms will be in northern Illinois around the start of the forecast animation at 6 p.m. The severe storms may be moving into the far southwest corner of Lower Michigan around Benton Harbor in the 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. time frame. Between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. expect the storms to stretch from Grand Rapids and Lansing to Jackson and Coldwater. From 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. the storms should be weakening but still robust and through the Flint, Saginaw, Bay City, and Ann Arbor areas. Finally the thunderstorms will move through the Detroit area between 10 p.m. and midnight. The storms should be below severe levels by 10 p.m. Expect a fairly stormy hour or so at any one spot over southern Lower Michigan this evening. The severe weather threats are actually an isolated tornado and isolated damaging wind gusts. The latest data shows some swaths of grass-whitening snow will come across Lower Michigan tonight and Thursday. The weather scenario stays the same from what we talked about yesterday. Rain and thunderstorms this evening will change to snow showers overnight. The snow spurts will move across all of southeast Lower Michigan Thursday morning into early afternoon. Heres the radar forecast showing the swath of snow showers moving across Lower Michigan Thursday. This wont be a steady snow. It will be spurts of snow varying in intensity. One thing is for sure. March snow can come down really heavily for short periods. Radar forecast from midnight tonight to 5 p.m. Thursday, March 20, 2025 NOAA The newest total snowfall forecast shows the heavy snow in the U.P., moderate snow over northwest Lower Michigan and now some streaks of snow for southern Michigan. Total snowfall forecast from tonight through end of snow Thursday afternoon. NOAA The big change is a swath of possibly one inch to three inches of snow over the Thumb, Saginaw area, Bay City area, Flint area and near Lansing. Elsewhere over southern Michigan we can still expect less than one inch. The entire Traverse City area, Charlevoix and Petoskey are looking for two inches to four inches of snow by noon Thursday. The Upper Peninsula still awaits a total of six inches to 10 inches of snow by noon Thursday. Temperatures will warm up to 35 degrees to 37 degrees Thursday afternoon. Any roads that have snow on them should melt off with temperatures several degrees above freezing. BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said Tuesday that China is willing to maintain close high-level exchanges with France, strengthen strategic coordination, and jointly uphold genuine multilateralism. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks when having a phone conversation with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic adviser to the French President, at the latter's request. During the phone conversation, Wang requested Bonne to convey Chinese President Xi Jinping's greetings to French President Emmanuel Macron. The current international situation is increasingly complex and intertwined, with significant rises in uncertainty and instability, said Wang. Noting that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in World War II, Wang said that it is essential for China and France, as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and comprehensive strategic partners, to enhance strategic communication at this significant historical juncture. Wang said that China is willing to maintain close high-level exchanges with France, strengthen strategic coordination, jointly uphold genuine multilateralism, uphold the status of the United Nations, protect the international trade order, ensure the stability of global industrial and supply chains, oppose unipolar hegemony, reject placing one country's self-interest above the common interests of all nations, and prevent the world from returning to the law of the jungle. In the current situation, it is of important and positive significance for China and Europe to resolve specific economic and trade frictions through consultation. China hopes that France will work with China to send a positive signal of unity and cooperation and promote the healthy and stable development of China-France and China-Europe relations, noted Wang. Bonne requested Wang to convey Macron's greetings to Xi. He said that France attaches great importance to and cherishes the friendship and mutual trust between France and China. Under the current complex international situation in particular, France looks forward to maintaining high-level exchanges and close strategic communication with China to jointly resist camp confrontation. Bonne said that France opposes trade wars and tariff wars, and is willing to properly resolve economic and trade frictions through consultations with China, promote balanced and sustainable development of economic and trade relations between France and China and also between Europe and China, and maintain the international economic and trade system based on World Trade Organization's rules. The two sides exchanged in-depth views on the Ukraine issue. Bonne briefed Wang on the position of the French side, saying that France is willing to strengthen coordination with China and expects China to play an important role in reaching a just, stable and sustainable peace agreement on Ukraine. Wang said that China has advocated resolving the crisis through dialogue and negotiation from the very beginning, and welcomes all efforts towards a ceasefire, which is a necessary step towards peace. At the same time, this process should respect the will of the parties concerned, should not be imposed by a third party, and should not only serve the interests of any one country. China supports the achievement of a fair, lasting and binding peace agreement acceptable to all parties concerned, and believes that all parties and stakeholders should participate in the peace talks process in due course. 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I Accept Debaroti Adhikary USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Gulf share of Indias remittances has declined; US pipped UAE in 2023-24: RBI survey Ishaan Gera USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Adrija Chatterjee is an Assistant Editor at Moneycontrol. 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I Accept India unlikely to retaliate on steeper US tariffs on steel, aluminium; safeguard duty primarily to check Chinese imports Adrija Chatterjee is an Assistant Editor at Moneycontrol. She has been tracking and reporting on finance and trade ministries for over eight years. Yaruqhullah Khan USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Manish M. Suvarna is Senior Correspondent at Moneycontrol. 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I Accept 'Will dig them out from their graves': Maha CM Fadnavis promises strict action against those who attacked Nagpur cops Siddharth Chakravorty USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept 59-year-old tailor from Kerala reaches Everest Base Camp solo with help from YouTube tutorials Shubhi Mishra USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept MIT researcher says lack of assertiveness could be holding you back at work, gives 3 tips Shubhi Mishra USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept After Sunita Williams' safe return, SpaceX Dragon will now fly an Indian astronaut on a historic mission MC Science Desk Read the latest and trending science newsstay updated on NASA, ISRO, space missions, planets, asteroids, black holes, AI, quantum physics, galaxy discoveries, and more exciting breakthroughs. Sheetal Kumari USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Rajni Pandey is a seasoned content creator with over 15 years of experience crafting compelling stories for digital news platforms. Specializing in diverse topics such as travel, education, jobs, science, wildlife, religion, politics, and astrology, she excels at transforming trending human-interest stories into engaging reads for a wide audience. Rajni Pandey USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept LONDON, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador to the United Kingdom (UK) Zheng Zeguang has called on business communities in both countries to seize the opportunities presented by China's continued stable development. Zheng made the statement at an event hosted on Monday briefing the "two sessions": the annual meetings of the National People's Congress - China's top legislature, and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Zheng said this year's sessions have shown the world that China is committed to advancing the country's modernization with high-quality development. China will firmly act as an "enabler," providing "more stability and positive energy for the world," in areas such as economic development, sci-tech innovation, green transition, and global peace and stability, he added. The "two sessions" also showed the success of China's political system, the ambassador stressed, adding that it is "the secret behind the two miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability" in China. Highlighting the importance of a stable and constructive China-UK relationship in a chaotic and turbulent world full of challenges, the ambassador called on both sides to maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges, implement the outcomes of previous dialogues, and strengthen cooperation while properly handling differences between the two countries. Sherard Cowper-Coles, chairman of the China-Britain Business Council, said that a Chinese government report released during the sessions responds to tackling serious challenges in a coherent and disciplined way. "It talks about increasing consumption, putting more money in the pockets of the Chinese people, stimulating innovation and opening China up more to investment, and inviting visitors around the world not just commercial businesses, but the tourists and students as well, all very very important," Cowper-Coles said. Michael Mainelli, former Lord Mayor of the City of London, acknowledged that this is a pivotal moment for the UK in the relationship between China, and the global community. He said the sessions "have set the stage for policies that will influence not only China's trajectory, but also its interactions with the world." As a global financial and technology center, London looks forward to strengthening cooperation with China in finance, green finance, artificial intelligence and other fields, Mainelli noted. NASA and SpaceX Wrap Up Press Conference on Crew-9s Safe Return NASA and SpaceX wrap up their post-splashdown press conference after successfully bringing Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore back to Earth following an unexpected nine-month stay in space. While Sunita and Butch did not attend the conference, NASA officials confirmed that both astronauts are doing well. However, they emphasized that readjusting to Earths gravity will take time, and the duo is currently undergoing medical evaluations before reuniting with their families. The emotional return saw Sunita and Butch wave and smile as they emerged from the SpaceX Dragon capsule, which splashed down off the coast of Florida, surrounded by a pod of curious dolphinsa rare and heartwarming moment. The duo had originally left Earth in June 2024 for a planned eight-day test mission aboard Boeings Starliner capsule, but technical failures made the spacecraft unsafe for return, forcing them to extend their stay on the ISS for nearly 10 months. Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Arindam Roy USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Danish Khan is the editor of Technology and Telecom. He was previously with the Economic Times and has tracked the sector for 13 years. Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Danish Khan USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Windows shutdown, Intel outside: How Huawei plans to ditch US tech giants MC Tech Desk Read the latest and trending tech newsstay updated on AI, gadgets, cybersecurity, software updates, smartphones, blockchain, space tech, and the future of innovation. Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Ankita Chakravarti USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Surabhi Pandey USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Pragya Trivedi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Elon Musk says these 3 tech titans are among the smartest people he knows Armaan Bhatnagar USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Europe and Canada are eyeing alternatives to American-made fighter jets. Here's why Sonalee Borgohain USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept More than two weeks after Oval office row, Trump, Zelenskyy hold very good call Deblina Halder USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Overtime salary? How NASA may compensate Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore for 9-month stay in space Surabhi Pandey USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Sunita Williams Returns: Musk's 'thank you' note for Trump after SpaceX capsule successfully brings back NASA astronauts Surabhi Pandey USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept UBS client says his wife moved in with their wealth adviser. It got messy Arindam Roy USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept US suspends some efforts to counter Russian sabotage as Trump moves closer to Putin Sonalee Borgohain USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Why Sunita Williams 286-day unscheduled space stay might be a blessing in disguise for NASA researchers Chhabi Kala USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Zelenskiy to speak with Trump on Wednesday, says US should monitor ceasefire 101Reporters USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Zelenskyy says Putin's vow not to hit Ukraine's energy infrastructure 'at odds with reality' 101Reporters USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept TCPH issues alert to residents that it is investigating two suspected Measles cases View Photo Tuolumne County, CATuolumne County Public Health (TCPH) is warning the public that it is investigating two suspected cases of measles involving Summerville High School and Adventist Health Sonora (AHS). The department cautions the public about potential exposure for anyone at the campus between Monday, March 10, and Tuesday, March 11, 2025, and at the hospitals emergency room between the late evening of Saturday, March 15, and the early morning of Sunday, March 16, 2025. This is an emerging situation; details are pending, and we will update the public as soon as further information is available, stated health officials, adding, As part of the investigation, Summerville High School is coordinating closely with public health. Summerville Union High School District takes the health and safety of its students, staff, and our community seriously, and we will be working closely with Tuolumne County Public Health through the process of identifying any risk to our students, staff and community, states Michael Merrill, superintendent of Summerville High School. As we reported here last week, California had five confirmed measles cases, and county health put out an alert to the public advising on the best way to protect against the highly infectious disease. In todays press release, they advise that exposed individuals should monitor for symptoms and confirm if their measles vaccination is up to date. Unimmunized persons or those with unknown immunization status who were at these locations during the aforementioned dates and times are at risk of developing measles from 7 to 21 days after being exposed and should monitor for symptoms, shared health officials, adding, Exposed individuals who have been free of symptoms for more than 21 days after exposure are no longer at risk. TCPH provided this list of what exposed individuals should do: Review their immunization and medical records to determine if they are protected against measles. People who have not had a measles infection or received the measles immunization previously may not be protected from the measles virus and should talk with a healthcare provider about receiving the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR) or Proquad. Monitor themselves for illness with fever and/or an unexplained rash from 7 days to 21 days after their exposure (the time period when symptoms may develop). If symptoms develop, they should isolate at home and avoid contact with others. Talk to their healthcare provider. Call ahead of their visit to a healthcare facility and make them aware of their measles exposure and symptoms. Public health can assist healthcare providers in appropriately diagnosing and managing your care. An infected person can spread measles up to four days before a rash appears and up to four days after the rash appears. Measles is an airborne illness that can infect others when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs, or sneezes. Health officials stress that the virus can stay in the air and on surfaces for many hours, even after the infected person has left. If others breathe the contaminated air or touch the infected surface and then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth, they can become infected. Young children and those who are pregnant or have weakened immune systems are at a higher risk for life-threatening complications from infection. TCPH provided these common symptoms of measles: High fever (higher than 101F) Cough Runny nose Red and watery eyes Rash 3-5 days after other signs of illness. The measles rash typically starts at the face and then spreads down to the rest of the body. Most health insurance covers the cost of vaccines, according to TCPH, noting that being vaccinated against measles, mumps, and rubella with the MMR or MMRV vaccines is the strongest defense against this disease. The MMRV also guards against varicella or chickenpox. If taken in two doses, they are 97 percent effective. That drops to 93 percent if just one dose is taken. If 95% of the population has received both doses of the vaccine, the transmission of measles within the community can be stopped, stress TCPH officials. For more measles information, click here. Valley Dale Apartment Project Artist Rendering View Photo Sonora, CA The Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors voted by slim margin to allow the construction of an affordable housing apartment project at 14562 Peaceful Valley Road. The board spent over two and a half hours at Tuesdays meeting discussing the proposal, submitted by the developer, the Stanislaus Regional Housing Authority, and hearing concerns. It will include 56 residential apartment units, along with a community room, community kitchen, maintenance room, laundry facilities, and playgrounds. There will be 20 three-bedroom units, 15 two-bedroom units, 18 one-bedroom units, and 3 studio units. The main criticisms raised about the project had to do with increased traffic, noise, and aesthetics. The board added requirements that no street parking be allowed, fences be built on the north side of the project, and a traffic calming development plan be created in relation to the nearby Indian Rock Center. Supervisors Jaron Brandon, Ryan Campbell, and Mike Holland voted in favor of the project and Steve Griefer and Anaiah Kirk were opposed. Kirk and Griefer both voiced concerns about the traffic limitations in the area, especially if there was a wildfire. Kirk also proposed that the county decide the paint colors for the project, to help with the aesthetics. Griefer asked that the project be returned to staff for potential changes and further review. However, the three other members felt the project was ready to move forward. Campbell argued that the county already has a bad reputation when it comes to development projects and argued that additional steps are unnecessary. Holland acknowledged that it is a tough decision, but added, We talk non-stop about how we need more housing. He noted that the area will be developed at some point, as it is a part of the county that allows for future growth. The project was approved, 3-2. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) California faces a $6.2 billion budget gap in the states Medicaid services, which could force Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democratic lawmakers to reevaluate future coverage for some of the 15 million people who receive health care through the program, including immigrants. The shortfall comes a year after California launched an ambitious coverage expansion to provide free health care to all low-income adults regardless of their immigration status. Thats costing far more than the state projected. California also is bracing for major budget hits if Republicans in Congress follow through with a plan to slash billions of dollars in Medicaid and potentially jeopardize coverage for millions of people. California provides free health care to more than a third of its 39 million people. Heres what to know about Californias Medicaid gap: Did expanding coverage to adult immigrants cause the gap? Partly. California first extended health care benefits to low-income children without legal status in 2015 and later added the benefits for young adults and people over the age of 50. The program was expanded again last year to cover adults ages 26 to 49. The cost of the recent expansion to cover all low-income adults is $2.7 billion more than the state budgeted because California underestimated the number of people who would sign up for services. California officials said they only had a month of data last year when the state had to produce projections for the budget. The state hasnt said how many people have enrolled through the expansion. Last year, the state projected about 700,000 state residents who are living in the U.S. illegally would gain full health coverage to access preventive care and other treatment. Other factors that are putting pressures on state budgets across the country also played a role in California, state officials said. Those included $540 million in rising pharmacy costs and $1.1 billion from other issues, such as a larger enrollment by older people. In Illinois, which also expanded coverage in recent years to more low-income residents regardless of immigration status, Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker is proposing a $330 million cut to coverage for immigrants ages 42 to 64, citing rising costs. What is California doing about the shortfall? Newsoms administration last week told lawmakers it took out a $3.44 billion loan, the maximum allowed under state law, from the general fund to make payments for this month. The Department of Health Care Services, which oversees the states Medicaid program, this week said it will need an additional $2.8 billion to cover costs already committed through June. That money will need to be approved by the Legislature in April. The state has proposed ending pandemic-era protections that have prevented it from disenrolling people from Medicaid. Newsoms administration is also bracing for significant variability after President Donald Trumps immigration crackdown. Will California roll back coverage for immigrants without legal status? Newsom told reporters this week that rolling back the coverage expansion is not on my docket. Other Democratic leaders, including Speaker Robert Rivas and Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire, also vowed to safeguard benefits for immigrants but acknowledged tough choices ahead. The budget hole has reignited criticism from Republican lawmakers about the expansion. Californians should not be forced to shoulder the burden of radical Democrats reckless financial mismanagement, state Sen. Brian Jones said in a social media post this week. Newsom recently defended the expansion in one of his podcast episodes, adding that making preventive care accessible to all low-income people helps save the state money in the long run. How will Congress plan to cut Medicaid funding affect California? The $6.2 billion budget gap is solvable, lawmakers said this week. But Congress threats of a Medicaid funding cut could add further strain. California would have to cut coverage, limit enrollment or raise taxes to help cover the costs if Congress follows through. State officials said theyre certain it would upend coverage for millions of people in the state. Even with the largest state budget in the country at roughly $322 billion, California doesnt have the capacity to backfill services funded by the federal government, officials said. More than half the states Medicaid funding comes from the federal government. For the next fiscal year, thats roughly $112.1 billion. Federal funding doesnt cover costs related to preventive care for immigrants without legal status. By TRAN NGUYEN Associated Press Marondera A massive police investigation is underway following a brazen armed robbery at Alpha Omega Farm in Marondera, the home of tenderpreneur Wicknell Chivayos in-laws. The incident, which saw 20 armed men make off with US$74,100 in cash and other valuables, has cast a shadow over what should have been a time of celebration for the Muteke family, coming just days after Chivayo paid a substantial bride price for his wife, Lucy Lulu Muteke. In response to the audacious crime, Chivayo, known for his close ties to President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his lucrative government contracts, has offered a US$100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators and the recovery of the stolen money. The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the details of the robbery in a statement released on Tuesday, March 18th. According to national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the incident occurred at approximately 1am when a group of 20 unidentified suspects, armed with rifles, pistols, bolt-cutters, machetes, and iron bars, attacked the farms security personnel. Said Nyathi: 20 suspects who are yet to be identified and armed with rifles, pistols, bolt-cutters, machetes and iron bars attacked the farm security personnel. The suspects went on to assault family members, cut burglar screens and forced open doors. They then gained entry into the family house. The robbers proceeded to assault family members, cut burglar screens, and force open doors to gain entry into the main house. In addition to the US$74,100, the suspects stole a pistol, Samsung S24, Samsung S23, and Samsung Galaxy A35 mobile phones, among other valuables. The ZRP has appealed to the public for any information that may assist in identifying and apprehending the suspects. Meanwhile, Chivayo has taken to social media to express his outrage and offer a substantial reward for information. Chivayo wrote on social media: USD100,000 CASH REWARD OFFERED It is with UTMOST REGRET that I share a very UNFORTUNATE incident that occurred at my in-laws residence in Marondera during the early hours of this morning , 18th March 2025. According to information confirmed by the Zimbabwe Republic Police , a case of armed robbery is under investigation involving 20 suspects who UNLAWFULLY gained access to my in-laws residence at Alpha and Omega Farm and stole a significant sum of MONEY and various valuable items. I STRONGLY CONDEMN such cowardly criminal conduct and kindly request the public to cooperate with the police by providing any information that could lead to the identification and arrest of these offenders. To support this PUBLIC effort , I am offering a reward of USD 100,000 in hard CASH to anyone who will provide CREDIBLE information leading to the positive IDENTIFICATION of ANY or ALL of these SHAMELESS robbers , their residential locations or other significant particulars and ultimately their ARREST. This reward is offered on a NO QUESTIONS ASKED basis , provided any of the culprits are identified and apprehended. If you have information that could assist in this investigation, please immediately contact: CID Homicide, Harare: +263 24 2758031 Detective Chief Inspector Jachi: +263 77 275 3003 Detective Inspector Mkandla: +263 77 262 9755 CID Marondera, Detective Chief Inspector Chikomwe: +263 77 222 1143 CID Provincial Community Relations Liaison Officer, Detective Inspector Muteweri: +263 77 303 5028 Police General Headquarters Press and Public Relations (WhatsApp): +263 71 280 0197 Any nearest police station Your cooperation and assistance will be CRUCIAL to bringing these offenders to justice . The US$74,100 seized in the armed robbery was reportedly part of the US$125,000 Chivayo paid as lobola (bride price) for Lucy Lulu Muteke more than a week ago. While Chivayo was rumoured to have paid $300,000 in lobola, he publicly stated it was nearer $20,000, although he confirmed sending $75,000 to his in-laws to prepare for the ceremony. Details emerging from the police investigation suggest a meticulously planned and executed operation. Police learnt that the farm is guarded by three armed guards from a private security company and a fourth who is directly employed by the Mutekes. A guard from DM Security who was watchman at the southside guardroom told police that just after 1AM he was grabbed from behind by a man and he quickly noticed a group of about 19 men armed with rifles and pistols, and some carrying bolt cutters, machetes and iron bars, approaching. The gang assaulted the guard while demanding to know where the other guards were located before his hands were tied from the back with cable ties. The gang entered the farm house yard and quickly subdued a second guard who was disarmed of his CBC shotgun. A third guard keeping watch at the main entrance was struck several times on the head with iron bars before the gang entered the house by cutting off a padlock securing the burglar screen with a bolt cutter. Lulus brother, Gerald Muteke, 37, one of the occupants in the house, met the robbers in the passageway and they demanded cash. He quickly handed over $18,000, his Sarsilmaz pistol, a Samsung S21 and Samsung S24. The invaders also opened a bedroom occupied by Vimbai Muteke, 43, who handed over $1,100, her mobile phone and keys to the safe which was stored in the main bedroom. The robbers seized $55,000 from the safe, police were told. Police were called to Alpha Omega Farm after gunshots rang out and Chivayos father-in-law Christopher Mudzingwa Muteke sent an SOS to a local farmers group. Some farmers turned up to assist but quickly retreated after realising it was a military-style operation upon seeing a large group of well armed and very organised men, ZimLive heard. A big white truck was seen parked near the property. The incident has raised concerns about the security situation in the Marondera area and the potential involvement of highly organised criminal elements. The police investigation is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. Chivayo is close to President Emmerson Mnangagwa and makes most of his money from state tenders and contracts some of them corrupt funded by taxpayers. Breaking News via Email Related Pin Share Share 0 Shares Bulawayo Six suspected armed robbers were killed in a dramatic shootout with detectives near the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls toll gate early Tuesday morning, as the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) intensifies its crackdown on rising armed robberies across the country. According to police reports, the suspects met their demise after resisting orders from law enforcement officers and opening fire, prompting a swift and decisive response. National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident in a statement, reiterating the ZRPs unwavering commitment to combating armed robbery syndicates. He warned that any form of confrontation by criminals would be met with appropriate force. The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms a shoot-out incident with six armed robbery suspects along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls tollgate on March 18, 2025 between 2am and 4am, said Comm Nyathi. The deadly encounter followed a robbery at the Young Money General Dealer shop in Insiza, where the suspects had allegedly spent the entire day monitoring the premises while posing as patrons. Nyathi said in a statement: The suspects spent the whole day monitoring and drinking beer at the Young Money General Dealer shop in Insuza. Later, they pounced on on the two bar attendants while armed with pistols, knives and axes. The suspects then pounced on the two shop attendants, armed with pistols, knives, and axes. They proceeded to tie the victims hands with electric cables, cover their faces with blankets, and demand cash and gold. The suspects ransacked the shop, stealing an undisclosed amount of cash, groceries, a 48-volt lithium battery, an inverter, an amplifier, a nine-kilogramme gas tank, and several mobile phones. They demanded gold and cash. The suspects ransacked the whole shop and took away an unknown amount of cash, groceries, a 48 volts lithium battery, inverter, amplifier, a nine kilogrammes gas tank and cell phones, said Comm Nyathi. They loaded the loot into their getaway silver Honda Fit vehicle, registration (AEY 4843). and fled. The shop owner, after being alerted to the robbery, promptly notified the police, setting in motion the chain of events that led to the fatal confrontation. A police patrol spotted the Honda Fit vehicle as it approached the toll gate along the Victoria Falls Road. Detectives ordered the suspects to stop, but they resisted, attempting to ram through the boom gate. A check along Victoria Falls Road spotted the Honda Fit vehicle as it was moving towards the toll gate. Detectives ordered the suspects to stop and they resisted. The suspects went on to hit the boom gate at the toll gate, said Comm Nyathi. In the ensuing shootout, all six suspects sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals, where they unfortunately succumbed to their injuries. They were arrested and taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals where they all unfortunately passed on, said Comm Nyathi. Following the shootout, police recovered two pistols with four live rounds, two gas-operated pistols, two knives, and an axe from the suspects vehicle. They also recovered some of the stolen property, including groceries, a lithium battery, an inverter, a nine-kilogramme gas tank, and an amplifier. The police recovered two pistols with four live rounds, two gas operated pistols, two knives and an axe. Some of the property stolen from the complainants, which include groceries, lithium battery and inverter, nine gas tank and an amplifier were recovered from the vehicle, said Comm Nyathi. The ZRP reiterates that there is no going back in the fight against armed robbery syndicates. Any form of confrontation will be responded to through appropriate measures, Nyathi said. In Harare, Officer Commanding Police in Harare Province, Commissioner Maxwell Chikunguru, issued a stern warning to criminals, declaring that law enforcement agents would not relent in their efforts to restore order. Speaking at the handover ceremony for the refurbished ZRP Warren Park Police Station, Comm Chikunguru emphasized the need for increased vigilance and community involvement in combating crime. It is no longer safe to keep large sums of money at home or at business premises as we are witnessing alarming cases of safes being blasted or removed with their contents, said Comm Chikunguru. To those who choose the path of crime, let me be clear: the full weight of the law will find you. It wont be long before we round you up and take you where you belong, behind bars, he said. Although overall crime in Harare North District saw a slight decrease last year with 19 376 reported cases compared to 19 474 in 2023, the province continues to grapple with violent crime, particularly armed robberies. Comm Chikunguru urged the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement by reporting suspicious activity. We need community input on who is involved in these crimes, where they are occurring, and everything else, so that we can effectively respond,he said. We will not tolerate corruption in any form, regardless of where it may arise within our ranks. He commended officers in Harare North District, led by Chief Superintendent Ushe, for their efforts in keeping crime figures stable, despite the growing challenge of violent robberies. Comm Chikunguru said effective policing requires community involvement and trust. He urged officers to foster good relations with the public and said arrests should not be seen as a conflict between police and society. Quoting British law enforcement pioneer Robert Peel, he said: The community are the police and the police are the community. He praised the Warren Park community and its Crime Liaison Committee for their continued support, noting past contributions such as vehicle donations, fencing and construction of police facilities. With the strong support we have witnessed today, I am confident we will succeed. Let criminals know that its no longer business as usual, he said. Breaking News via Email Related Pin Share Share 0 Shares Marondera Zimbabwes media fraternity is reeling from the brutal murder of Watson Flexy Munyaka, a key member of the investigative journalism team Dug Up, just days after the organisation released a bombshell recording of Zanu-PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa criticising Vice President Constantino Chiwenga. Munyaka, 38, was allegedly abducted and thrown from a moving vehicle in Marondera on Monday afternoon, sparking fears of a targeted hit linked to his work. The team behind Dug Up, an investigative journalism group that has unearthed some high-profile scandals recently, is living in fear after one of its members, Watson Flexy Munyaka was killed in mysterious circumstances. Maynard Manyowa, with who Munyaka worked with at the Dug Up, revealed that no valuables seem to have been stolen from Munyaka during the murder, leading to the belief that it was a targeted hit. Good evening everyone. My brother Watson Flexy Munyaka has indeed passed away. Watson was a brother and a colleague. A dear part of what we have been doing at Dug Up. He was central to what we used to do at Khuluma Afrika too. Watson was murdered and his body was dumped in Marondera this afternoon. According to hospital staff, neither expensive gadgets nor money were removed from his body which makes us believe he may have been targeted for work with us. It is a terrible and devastating blow. Manyowa said Munyaka had been a crucial member of the Dug Up investigative team. Watson was one of the many pillars that allowed us to conduct in-depth queries in Zimbabwe. He was our boot on the ground. An experienced researcher who knew how to conduct a thorough investigation. I have lost a brother, a friend, and a rock behind the scenes. Manyowa added that the Dug Up team now feared for their lives, given what had happened to their colleague. May I add that we know probably as much as you do. The same info you have is what we have. I am far away, and until there is a post-mortem and police release, we can only go by what hospital staff say. We can only hope police provide answers rapidly and unfortunately, given the nature of Watsons recent work, we cant help but be both suspicious and terrified. The timing of Munyakas death, coming so soon after Dug Ups explosive expose, has fuelled widespread speculation that his murder was politically motivated. In the recording, Mutsvangwa launched an unrestrained attack on Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, labelling him cruel, illiterate and an electoral liability. Mutsvangwa harbours ambitions of being Zanu PF leader and sees the retired army general as a stumbling block to the realisation of that dream. He used an interview with Dug Up to hammer Chiwenga, while also casting doubt on his war credentials. The interview was recorded on February 17, 2025, but was not released until Friday, ZimLive understands. Chiwenga has requested a meeting with Mnangagwa on Monday to discuss Mutsvangwas outburst, ZimLive understands. The source of Mutsvangwas indignation appears to be a push by Chiwenga for Mnangagwa to anoint him as his successor which would close the door on other aspirants. Mutsvangwa said: That guy wanted to be anointed to become president, to become a successor to the president. So you want to remove the president but before you do so you want him to appoint, to annoint you. How do you do that? Youre squaring a circle! (Robert) Mugabe used to say I will nominate, I will give you my successor but the president (Mnangagwa) is saying no, we must go for elections. Thats normal for a democratic party. Zanu PF will hold its elective congress in 2027, a year before Mnangagwas second and final term is due to end. Mutsvangwa is dismissive of Chiwengas prospects of winning the mandate from Zanu PF supporters and going on to clinch the presidency in general elections due in 2028. Chiwengas decision to get his then wife Mary Mubaiwa arrested in 2019 for his attempted murder and then blocking her bid to seek medical attention in South Africa had alienated him from female voters, Mutsvangwa opined. Can you imagine half of the electorate are women in this country, more than half, and youve decapitated the legs and limbs of your former wife through cruelty and youre refusing her to see her children including one she came with into your marriage, Mutsvangwa said. Mnangagwa had wanted to pardon the former model but Chiwenga said you cant do that, Mutsvangwa claims. He wreaks of cruelty against all women in the country. He cant win, he doesnt want elections and the president has uppended him by saying were going to congress, can you go and sell yourself to the electorate, the party electorate, and meanwhile youve baggage like that, he added. Mutsvangwa also said Chiwengas lack of a formal education made him unfit to be president, mocking him for his failure to read the letter l properly in English words, often reading it as r an influence from the Shona language which has no l. Said Mutsvangwa: Remember if you want to know if a Shona person never went to school put an L in front of them. Because R comes from the mother and L comes from the teacher. Thats the basic litmus test of an illiterate Shona person. So he never managed to graduate from the mothers alphabet. That you went to the war is not an excuse, some of us went to war but returned to school and went to university. Going to war is no substitute for illiteracy and ignorance. You were commanding an army by contrivance, while youre an illiterate. Commanding an army of boys and girls who joined the war coming from Thekwani, Tsambe, Mukaro and Cyrene. These are the people who fought and went back to school and you wind up as their commander. How do you command such an erudite and educated army while youre illiterate? You think you can endear yourself to them? Meanwhile, Police have launched investigations into a case where a 38-year-old man died after being thrown out of a moving vehicle in Marondera on Monday afternoon. National police spokesperson, Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident. The Zimbabwe Republic Police is investigating the circumstances in which Watson Munyaka aged 38 died in Marondera Central Business District on March 17 at around 2.10 pm after being thrown out of a moving Toyota Fortuner along Fifth Street. The victim was taken to Marondera Provincial Hospital where he was pronounced dead, he said. The Zimbabwe Republic Police is appealing for information that may assist to shed light on the incident as investigations continue. More details will be released in due course. Socialite and Vice President Kembo Mohadis nephew, Jacob Kudzayi Mutisi who is an engineer by profession, sent an email to My Zimbabwe News and many other media houses titled Who Killed the Journalist Who Secretly Recorded Chris Mutsvangwa? The email reads: Watson Munyaka, who secretly recorded prominent ZANU-PF official Chris Mutsvangwa, died in unclear circumstances after being thrown from a moving Toyota Fortuner. The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has launched an investigation, but how can they claim to be searching for suspects when the most obvious leads are right in front of them? Munyakas death follows a disturbing trend of journalists and whistleblowers facing brutal retaliation for exposing sensitive information. If his recordings of Mutsvangwa contained damaging revelations, his murder may not be a random act of violence but a targeted silencing. Who owned the vehicle he was thrown from? Who was inside? These are the immediate questions ZRP should be asking. Yet, history suggests that Zimbabwean authorities have little interest in solving crimes that involve political figures or sensitive state matters. Instead, such cases are either buried under endless investigations or dismissed entirely, for example Itai Dzamara. The public has every reason to be skeptical. If the police are genuinely seeking suspects, why not start by questioning those who stood to gain from Munyakas death? This killing is not just a tragedy but a test for Zimbabwes justice system. If ZRP is serious about finding the perpetrators, they must investigate without fear or favour. Otherwise, this will go down as yet another politically motivated killing swept under the rug another stark reminder that in Zimbabwe, truth can be a death sentence. The circumstances surrounding Munyakas death are highly suspicious. Maynard Manyowa, Munyakas colleague at Dug Up, stated that nothing of value was taken from his body, leading the team to believe he was specifically targeted because of his work. The email from Jacob Kudzayi Mutisi further fuels speculation, questioning the effectiveness of the police investigation and highlighting a history of unresolved cases involving political figures. Breaking News via Email Related Pin Share Share 0 Shares Azerbaijans Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov told journalists on March 13 that the final hurdles between a peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan are now resolved. Armenias foreign ministry said the same, explaining that the text is in place and only the timing and location of the signing still need to be ironed out. In order for the peace deal to move forward Armenia reportedly conceded on two longstanding demands from Baku: the withdrawal of third-country forces from the border and waiving of international legal claims against Azerbaijan. Absent from the proposed deal, however, are any resolutions to long-standing sticking points between the two sides, such as the Zangezur Corridor across southern Armenia, which would connect Azerbaijan to its exclave Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic (and Turkey) and is wholeheartedly opposed by Iran. On the very same day the two countries announced the deal, the Azerbaijan president said he doesnt trust Armenia and attacked the Western media, France, and USAID, offering to provide the Trump administration details on the agencys operations in the country in order to help drain the swamp. Azerbaijani media also keeps pushing the line that Armenia is preparing for war. Azerbaijani sources report Armenia is deploying offensive weapons purchased from India along the border with Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan. Additionally, ITV claims Armenia is preparing for war with Azerbaijan. pic.twitter.com/zrceekYqgA Clash Report (@clashreport) March 16, 2025 The reason I am so suspicious of any arrangement Armenia enters into with Azerbaijan is how heavily embedded the US is in the country, e.g., the US armed forces now has representatives stationed in the Armenian Defense Ministry. And Im struggling to think of an example off the top of my head of when the US helped shepherd a deal to bring peace and prosperity to any region of the world. On top of that, Azerbaijan is in bed with the Israelis. So we have here two countries at odds since the dissolution of the USSR, but which are in other ways now two sides to the same coin due to their international partners. Indeed, should there be another round of fighting between the two sides, it would be a situation in which Turkey and Israel are largely arming and supporting Azerbaijan as happened in the 2020 conflict and Armenia is using recently supplied weaponry from the likes of France, India, and the US. So lets look at some potential ulterior motives for this peace deal. There are really two options, which are detailed in the infamous 2019 RAND report Extending Russia much of which has come to pass that of course includes a section on the South Caucasus. Even the authors thought it unlikely at the time that Washington would be able to peel Armenia away from Moscow as has happened over the last few years. But the report also mentions how important the region is for American efforts to destabilize Iran: While the principal aim of these policies would be to extend Russia, closer relationships with Georgia, Azerbaijan, or Armenia might yield important secondary benefits for the United States. The geographic position of Azerbaijan makes it a prime location for both intelligence-gathering and deterrence measures relating to Iran, especially because many of Irans Kurdish and Iranian populations are concentrated near the Azeri-Iranian border. Even if Baku maintains it is at odds with Washington, it is already accused by Iran of allowing Israel to operate intelligence operations out of its territory. But lets first look at how a potential deal would affect Moscow before turning to Tehran. Shrinking Russian Presence Despite the ongoing tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan, what the proposed deal does include is a blow to the Russian presence in the region as it reportedly calls for the complete removal of third-party forces from the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, which Bne Intellinews says is a likely reference to Russian peacekeepers and security forces. This continues a trend of sidelining Russia, which is keen on opening more logistics corridors in the region. Moscow previously handled peace talks between the two sides before Armenia pushed for dialogue in Western formats and eventually Baku and Yerevan held one-on-one talks. On October 8, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian and Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the withdrawal of Russian border guards from the Armenian-Iranian border checkpoint. And earlier this month Armenia took over the checkpoint on its border with Turkey although it remains non-operational. Since 1992 Armenias borders with Turkiye and Iran had been the responsibility of Russian troops. And as Armenia has embraced NATO, there has been increasing talk of closing the Russian military base at Gyumri in Armenia. Roughly 2,000 Russian peacekeepers arrived on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border in late 2020 after Moscow brokered a ceasefire that suspended fighting in the second Karabakh War. They had already started to leave last year after Armenia recognized Nagorno-Karabakh as Azerbaijan territory (as it is internationally) and then blamed Moscow for not preventing the Azerbaijan takeover, which led to the displacement of more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians. The steady outflow of Russian forces from the region could pose an issue on the proposed Zangezur Corridor, a 42-kilometer strip of land in southern Armenia wedged between Azerbaijan and its exclave, Nakhchivan, and bordered by Iran to the south. It is one of the best routes at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, and is therefore one of the most watched pieces of land for the vital issues of energy transfer and trade logistics. Baku wants travel of people and cargo between Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan to be free of inspection and customs and expects Yerevan to agree to the deployment of Russian border guards along the corridor. Moscow agrees with the deployment of its border guards, even if it doesnt see eye to eye on the customs issue (it wants the Russians to conduct the security checks). Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says that Yerevan is ready to unblock transport and economic routes within its sovereignty, jurisdiction and territorial integrity. In the past he has floated the idea of Russia monitoring the corridor remotely and entrusting Zangezurs security to foreign private security forces. This despite Point 9 of the trilateral statement signed between Azerbaijan, Russia, and Armenia in 2020 following the Second Karabakh War, which reads: All economic and transport links in the region shall be unblocked. The Republic of Armenia shall guarantee the safety of transport communication between the western regions of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic with a view to organize the unimpeded movement of citizens, vehicles and cargo in both directions. Control over transport communication shall be exercised by the Border Guard Service bodies of the FSS of Russia. Then theres the timing of the peace announcement, which some argue didnt sit well with the Kremlin: The announcement comes amid media speculation of escalation and delays in Armenia-Turkey rapprochement, stalled over 2 years without a Baku-Yerevan peace dealall as U.S.-Russia talks on Ukraine reshape Europes security. In short: Moscow wont be happy. https://t.co/3csYUosUtj Olesya Vartanyan (@Olesya_vArt) March 13, 2025 So a win for the West I guess? Is that why French President Emmanuel Macron and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock are cheerleading the announcement? And GOP Representative Joe Wilson who chairs the U.S. Helsinki Commission is saying stuff like this: I am grateful to learn that the two great nations of Azerbaijan and Armenia are close to signing a historic peace deal. The peace deal will make stability and prosperity possible for the entire region and beyond! Make South Caucasus Great Again! Joe Wilson (@RepJoeWilson) March 13, 2025 Its worth pointing out that even if Russian peacekeepers exit, Armenias economy remains mostly reliant on its big neighbor to the north, and Russia is heavily intertwined with the oil and gas industry in Azerbaijan so much so that its largely Moscow benefiting from the EU importing more gas from Azerbaijan in order to make up for the loss of Russian pipeline gas. But what about those other peacekeeping forces that have been in the news a lot lately those from the EU that maniacs like Starmer and Macron want to send to Ukraine? Well, here theyre in Armenia. What will happen to them? From EVN Report: Azerbaijani officials have specifically pointed to the EUs monitoring mission in Armenia (EUMA), whose mandate was recently extended. Security Council chief Armen Grigoryan said in late February that the provision is a general wording about the presence of third forces, which can pertain to the EU too, but there is no specific mention of the EU monitoring mission. Pashinyan stressed that these provisions will enter into force only after ratification. Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan told parliamentarians on March 14 that after the agreement is signed, ratified and enters force, we will reach acceptable and mutually beneficial solutions with our European Union partners regarding cooperation with the civilian mission. But its unclear if Armenia believes that third-party forces applies to EU personnel. According to Armenian political analyst Ruben Mehrabyan, its not certain they do since the observers are not stationed at the border but only approach certain areas for monitoring purposes. Its all enough to wonder why a deal was announced at all. Yet regardless of the reasons behind that decision, more fighting or an outbreak of sustained peace could mean another headache for Iran. Iran Encirclement While the Armenia-Azerbaijan deal could be viewed as a minor setback for Russia, its likely the larger target is Iran as one more piece in the US-led pressure campaign. The NATO-Israel push to further isolate and destabilize Iran with a NATO Turan Corridor which sees the West link up hypothetical client states across Irans north looks to be steadily progressing. As Armenia works with the West, Tehran sees both Israel and Turkey pursuing expansionary projects with the blessing of NATO while Azerbaijan is closely aligned with both Israel and Turkey. The State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan is set to acquire a 10% stake in a major gas field off the coast of Israel. Aliyev and Erdogan are allies of the Zionist regime and throughout the #GazaHolocaust, they have provided cheap fuel to Tel Aviv. pic.twitter.com/mXkkFXBt6d Seyed Mohammad Marandi (@s_m_marandi) February 1, 2025 And Armenia, which had enjoyed a close relationship with Tehran, is now also turning into a NATO forward operating base. Here is Irans major concern, from the Gulf International Forum: The Strategic Council of Foreign Relations in Tehran, whose director is Irans former Minister of Foreign Affairs Kamal Kharazi, warned against the construction of the Zangezur Corridor in an article titled Conspiracy to Create NATOs Turan Corridor. In that article, the council indicated that the corridors completion would have significant geopolitical consequences for Iran, Russia, and China. This corridor has been introduced to NATOs Turan Corridor, a project ostensibly supported by Israel and NATO, and Turkey and Azerbaijan are alleged to want to foment ethnic unrest in the areas of Iran where Turks live by building this corridor. The author of the article believes that NATOs Turan Corridor is supposed to directly bring NATO onto the northern border of Iran, the southern border of Russia, and western China in Xinjiang and complete the plan to encircle these countries and lay the groundwork for their disintegration. NATOs presence in the Caucasus and Central Asia complements Russias blockade plan from the Black Sea, Chinas blockade from the South China Sea, and Irans blockade from the Persian Gulf. While Irans Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Friday Tehran welcomes the agreement, Tehran has in the past made clear that any territorial changes along its border with Armenia and Azerbaijan which includes any Zangezur Corridor are red lines: Regional peace, security and stability is not merely a preference, but a pillar of our national security. Any threat from North, South, East, or West to territorial integrity of our neighbors or redrawing of boundaries is totally unacceptable and a red line for Iran. Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) September 5, 2024 The implementation of the Zangezur Corridor would be a negative for Tehran in about every conceivable way. Iran would be eliminated as a bypass route around Armenia. Details from Al Monitor: Iran earns a 15% commission from Azerbaijans gas supplies to Nakhchivan. It serves also as a route for Turkish exports to Central Asia. An average of about 12,000 Turkish trucks use the route monthly, with Iran charging passage fees of up to $800 for their 1,800-kilometer (1,120-mile) journey to the Turkmenistan border. Ankara hates the fact it must go through Iran for trade with other nations of its great Turkic project, as it will have to do with a recent major gas deal agreed to with Turkmenistan. More than just the money at issue for Iran is that it doesnt want to lose influence over Azerbaijan, which relies on transit through Iran to connect to its exclave. Turkic peoples, including Azerbaijanis, also make up roughly 20 percent of the population in Iran, and in the countrys West Azerbaijan and East Azerbaijan Provinces the population is mostly Azeris and Kurds. Baku makes some noise about self-determination there, but American neocons especially dream of using the Azeris and Kurds to destabilize the country. Eldar Mamedov has written at Responsible Statecraft about what a stupid and reckless idea this is, but has that ever stopped the US before? Oddly enough, Irans current president Masoud Pezeshkian, who came to power after his predecessor died in a helicopter crash on a return flight from Azerbaijan, is part ethnic Azeri, as is Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei. Here we should also mention the peace steps between Turkey and the Kurds as another potential piece sliding into place for the encroachment eastwards of Greater Israel, Greater Turkey and the NATO stalking horse. Back in January we wrote about a potential deal between Turkey and US over the Kurdish question and the lifting of an unofficial military tech embargo on Turkey. That has been steadily progressing as restrictions are eased on Ankara and as the US encouraged its Syrian Kurdish proxies to ink a deal with the Al Qaeda government in Damascus. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose government plays a major role in Damascus, backed the deal. Consider the following: The agreement could stave off further conflict in northern Syria at a time of uncertainty over the future of US forces deployed there. Turkey is also reaching peace agreements with the Kurds, which is part of the escalating tensions between Tehran and Ankara. Armenian officials are suddenly taking a much softer stance towards mortal enemy Turkey as discussions on restoring diplomatic ties continue. The Syrian government is ignoring Israeli aggression against Syria and is instead attacking Hezbollah in Lebanon. Turkey is aligning more closely with the Gulf states, which are assisting in the US-led attacks on Iran ally Yemen. Take a step back, and it looks like an encirclement of Iran, with a NATO push into the South Caucasus Caspian region. Tehran is dealing with HTS-led Nakba in Syria, Yemen under attack, threats from Israel and the US, endless sanctions, and Turkey, the US, Europe, and the Gulf states aligned against it. Azerbaijan supplies 40 percent of Israels energy needs. The strong weapons-for-energy relations between the two countries is already a major concern for Iran where the media report on secret Israeli military bases in Azerbaijan and the belief that sabotage against Iran is frequently directed by Israel from Azerbaijan. The French and Americans have fully weaseled their way into Armenia where the US has one of its largest embassies in the world. And the Syrian Project backed by the Americans, Israelis and Turks are bringing the Kurds into the fold (or at least in the case of the Turks, putting off that fight until a later date) and likely looking to use them against Iran. Should there be an agreement allowing a Turkish-Azerbaijan corridor along the Armenia-Iran border, that would essentially mean Iran is boxed in by NATO and friends. And some observers, such as Fiorella Isabel (based in Moscow) and Vanessa Beeley (Lebanon following her exit from Syria after the HTS takeover), believe that Russia is slowly drifting toward that camp through its ties to the Gulf states, Israel, and perhaps whatever the Americans are offering as part of a wider Ukraine deal, which could include agreements in Syria and the South Caucasus. It should be noted that Russia has supported the opening of the Zangezur Corridor through southern Armenia despite the fierce Iranian objections. Regardless, it looks increasingly unlikely Moscow would do all that much to aid Iran as it comes under more pressure from the US, Israel, and friends. The Best-Laid Plans Any grand designs in the Middle East and South Caucasus are just as likely to go up in flames than meet with success. There are plenty of problems just with the potential peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan, such as fierce opposition in Armenia (and the US) to the proposals. Baku is also insisting that constitutional changes must take place in Armenia to remove references in the document that implicitly challenge Azerbaijans sovereignty over Karabakh. Armenian PM Pashinyan denies such references even exist but will make changes nonetheless. From Bne Intellinews: Richard Giragosian, head of the Regional Studies Center in Yerevan, has suggested that constitutional reforms in Armenia could take until 2026 at the earliest, meaning that a fully ratified peace may still be years away despite the diplomatic breakthrough. Well have to wait and see how that might align with other aspects of the maximum pressure campaign on Iran, but the American empire is persistent (see the decades working to topple the Assads in Syria), and Trump administration officials are, after all, saying that the fight against Yemen will be a long one. While the US and Israel might be unwilling to engage Iran directly due to Tehrans ability to defend itself with or without Russian assistance Washington will have no such qualms about ramping up the destabilization efforts and trying to entice someone else to do its fighting. For now the US is in what it would likely see as a win-win situation: either Armenia and Azerbaijan resolve their differences and are part of the solution or theres truth to Azeri media reports that more fighting is on the horizon. In the case of the latter, another war could destabilize Irans northern border while Azerbaijan and Turkey would likely take their corridor by force. Either way, Iran becomes more isolated and has another major problem to worry about. From Politicos European AM newsletter. Headline EU forges ahead in Putins shadow. The bazooka image is unfortunate. Recall that Hank Paulsons bazooka, intended to prevent a Federal rescue of Fannie and Freddie, quickly proved to be a dud: DRIVING THE DAY: EUS DEFENSE BAZOOKA REARM UPDATE: Two weeks after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen revealed her ReArm Europe plan, the EUs executive body will today unveil new details on how the proposal will work as Brussels tries to up its defense game. Playing it safe: At the heart of the proposal is a 150 billion loan scheme known as SAFE. According to a draft of the proposal seen by my defense and finance colleagues, the Commission will open the door to foreign allies such as South Korea, Japan and potentially the U.K. and Canada to play a role. (While loans will only be available to EU countries, friendly states from outside the bloc can take part in joint weapons purchases.) Keeping it in the family: In a nod to France, which has argued that EU defense initiatives should be limited to European companies, the Commission is offering preferential treatment to European companies.t a minimum 65 percent of funds must be spent on weapons components manufactured in Europe and Ukraine. Loosening the fiscal rules: Amid the blizzard of announcements this lunchtime, the Commission will also outline how countries military spending will get special treatment under the EUs budget rules. Defense spending up to a maximum of 1.5 percent will be exempt each year. But as our FS team reports, the Commission will propose a four-year limit to that. Speaking of which: Germany followed through on its plan to throw budgetary caution to the wind, with the parliament on Tuesday passing a landmark bill that paves the way for billions of euros in debt-financed spending on infrastructure and defense.The move marks a U-turn in the fiscal policy of the EUs biggest economy after years of self-imposed austerity under a debt brake. Yves here. As the famed short seller David Einhorn was wont to say, No matter how bad you think it is, its worse. That is true in spades of the IDF. Below, Tom Neuburger reports on a coverup masquerading as an investigation of the IDF use of Palestinians as human shields, typically in clearing buildings. The fact that this investigation took place suggests there was too much evidence of this disgusting, cowardly practice to keep it under wraps. The only good news in this sick picture is even the IDF is unhappy with Netanyahu escalating in his campaign in Gaza (and Lebanon and the West Bank and Syria) if nothing else on pragmatic grounds, that its forces are overstretched. For instance (see here at 3:45) reservists are refusing call up orders. By Thomas Neuburger. Originally published at Gods Spies IDF soldiers with Palestinian captive. Source: Haaretz. Photo: David Bachar There are four Slaves in a platoon, twelve in a battalion, and 36 in a brigade. Report in Haaretz on the IDF use of human shields In my early life I lived in the city of Chicago. I have many stories of that unusual town, some personal, some about what went on around me. Like any large world city it has its own character, its mark. Chicagos mark is corruption, glorious, public and bold. Two stories, one thats passed on as legendary stuff, and one I saw reported the year I moved out. The first: In 1970, a longtime Democrat and Illinois Secretary of State, Paul Powell, suddenly died. Powell, unmarried, lived at a hotel in Springfield, the Illinois capital. When a friend went to sort out his belongings, he found $750,000 stuffed into a variety of containers, including shoeboxes, a Marshall Fields gift box and numerous attache cases. The phase under the bed was used a lot. That wasnt the extent of his corruption; his whole estate was worth millions when millions was money, much of it in improperly manipulated racetrack stock. The $750,000 was just the cash part. Adlai Stevenson III, then-state treasurer and son of the man who ran (twice) against Dwight Eisenhower, quipped about Powell on hearing news of his death:His shoeboxes will be hard to fill. (Not true. Illinois is inventive.) The second involves a report of a Federal investigation into ticket-fixing judges. I had just left the city, but the newspaper reports, with headlines like Chicago cleans up its act, were national. Weeks went by. The papers were hitting it hard. Then, when the results were released, it was true beyond doubt: The town was clearly corrupt; two judges had been found and were brought up on charges. And thats when I knew the investigation was also corrupt. Two judges? On any day in my seven years living there, I could ask any lawyer to find me a crooked judge to fix any violation short of vehicular manslaughter. I could do it each day for a year and not repeat judges. The saps who took the indictments? Retirement must have been near and the payback substantial. Chicago knows how to say Thank you. Just ask Paul Powell, should you run into him. A Deadlier Example Which brings us to the point of this piece. Seems the Israeli Military Police went looking for evidence that Israeli soldiers were using Palestinians as human shields to clear houses and areas deemed otherwise dangerous. If they thought a place might be rigged, they sent in a Palestinian to find out first. Did this really occur? The MPs investigated and, shock! The stories were true. Guess how many instances they found? All of six. Is the inquiry a PR stunt, on a much more deadly par with the Illinois judges? Short answer: Yes. Thanks to DropSite News, we have this translation of a Haaretz op-ed by Anonymous, an IDF soldier. Read and weep. I saw that six investigations were opened by the Military Police (MP) regarding the use of Palestinians as human shields, and I almost choked. Ive seen cover-ups in my life, but this is a new low. In Gaza, human shields are used at least six times a day. If the MP wants to do its job seriously, they should open at least 2,190 investigations. But the MP just wants to pretend to the world that were investigating ourselves, so they find a few scapegoats and pin everything on them. I was in Gaza for nine months. I saw many new procedures. One of the worst was the Mosquito Procedure: innocent Palestinians were forced to enter homes in Gaza and clear them, meaning checking for militants or explosives. We gave it various names, Mosquito Procedure, Shawish (slaves), Platforms. I first encountered this in December 2023, two months into the ground maneuver. This was long before the shortage of Sting dogs became the insane and unofficial excuse for this insane and unofficial procedure. I didnt understand back then how common it would become. Today, almost every company holds Shawish, [slaves] and infantry forces dont enter a house before the Shawish clears it. This means there are 4 Shawish in a platoon, 12 in a battalion, and 36 in a brigade. At least. Were holding a layer of slaves, and the MP is trying to cover it up with six investigations. This is as much of the article as DropSite printed, but the original is here, and Google Translate seems to work well on it. Later in the report we learn: An officer friend told me about an incident that happened to them: in one of the houses that the Shawish had cleared, they encountered a terrorist. The Shawish was an adult (innocent), and when he realized he had messed up he peeed in his pants out of fear. I dont know what happened to him. I was afraid to ask. Theres no question that depravity runs deep in the IDF, as corruption does in Chicago. Not with every Israeli that would be unfair and unlikely but with a critical mass, for this to go on. Will Israel escape judgment? I doubt it. But judgment could take a while. Yves here. This post contains informative details on the ongoing row between Judge James Boasberg and the Department of Justice, which defied his order in a deportation of Venezuelans for the planes containing the detainees en route to El Salvador return to the US. The lawlessness of this Administration is stunning. First, as Judge Napolitano, who was a judge, has pointed out, the notion that Boasbergs order was no longer operative because (per the unverified assertion) the planes were in international air space, is laughable. The entire chain of command, along with the pilots and crew on the planes, were under US jurisdiction. Second, the idea that a verbal order somehow does not count is also a joke. Trump being Trump, he has attempted to escalate by threatening Judge Boasberg with impeachment. An obliging stooge in the House, Brandon Gill, has filed articles of impeachment. That comes after Chief Justice John Roberts having cleared his throat (Reuters called it a rebuke) after Trump made that threat, to stress that the way to handle unfavorable decisions is not to seek removal of the judge but to appeal. NBC News provided an update of the duel between the Boasberg and the DoJ after the time of the filings discussed below. Sadly it appears the judge has fallen for the DoJ position on jurisdiction, although it is possible he is casting his net wider than necessary (as in flight details) to catch acts of perjury: In his ruling Monday, Boasberg said that if the Justice Department takes the position that it will not provide more details about the flights under any circumstances, it must support such position, including with classified authorities if necessary, and that it could file those arguments under seal, if necessary. The Justice Department declined to do so, noting it has appealed Boasbergs earlier ruling. If, however, the Court nevertheless orders the Government to provide additional details, the Court should do so through an in camera and ex parte declaration, in order to protect sensitive information bearing on foreign relations, the filing said. Boasberg did just that a short time later, directing the government to provide him with the following details regarding each of the two flights leaving U.S. airspace before 7:25 p.m. on March 15, 2025: 1) What time did the plane take off from U.S. soil and from where? 2) What time did it leave U.S. airspace? 3) What time did it land in which foreign country (including if it made more than one stop)? 4) What time were individuals subject solely to the Proclamation transferred out of U.S. custody? and 5) How many people were aboard solely on the basis of the Proclamation? Let us not forget that anyone on US soil has due process rights per Article 5 and 14 of the Constitution. These Venezuelans were merely charged. They have the right to respond to accusations and have the evidence on both sides weighed by a finder of fact, as in a judge or jury. But this Administration wants to make itself the decider of all rights in the US. By Angry Bear. Originally published at Angry Bear As Joyce Vance states, thats not how it works. If a judge is considering whether a party, especially the government, is in contempt of an order, the judge gets whatever information they need. Otherwise, it is contempt. Deportations: Its not where it starts, its where it ends, Civil Discourse Just ahead of the hearing scheduled for 5 p.m. Eastern in the case we discussed last night, the Justice Department asked Judge James Boasberg to vacate the order setting the hearing. The government didnt want to have to show up. Their reason? They wrote they werent in violation of the two temporary restraining orders (TROs) he issued over the weekend, the first for the five named plaintiffs in the case and the second for the remainder of the group subject to deportation. DOJ also told the Judge that the government is not prepared to disclose any further national security or operational security details. In my experience, thats not how it works. If a judge is considering whether a party, especially the government, is in contempt of an order, the judge gets whatever information they need. Otherwise, contempt. But thats not how the government played it today. When Judge Boasberg indicated he would hold the hearing nonetheless, they appealedsort of. The government had already taken an appeal of the two temporary restraining orders the court entered. Today, they filed whats known as a Rule 28(j) letter with the Court of Appeals in that case. This rule provides parties with a vehicle for letting the court know about new authority, for instance a new Supreme Court case that is handed down after they brief or argue their case. Instead, they used it to demand that the hearing be canceled and a new judge be assigned to their case. Its not really a motion, so there is nothing for the Court of Appeals to grant (or deny) here. Not exactly stellar lawyering. The government argued that the district court may force the government to disclose sensitive national security and operational security concerns or face significant penalties from the court. The Government cannotand will notbe forced to answer sensitive questions of national security and foreign relations. Lets take that apart. For one thing, the government and its foreign ally, El Salvadors president, have been bragging about these deportations all over social media, including with video of detainees being forced off the planes in stress positions. The flight information is public. So its difficult to discern whats sensitive here. In any event, courts, as Judge Boasberg pointed out during the hearing, are capable of taking in sensitive information out of the public eye and even classified information in SCIFs, something that happens frequently, especially in Washington, D.C. The only real takeaway from the governments arguments on paper and in the hearing was that they really didnt want to be there. Pro lawyering tip: Telling a judge the questions he wants answered are flagrantly improper when contempt allegations are on the table is a strategy that will make even an even-keeled judge like Judge Boasberg still more intent on getting to the truth. This letter from DOJ to the court is a clear expression of the administrations mistaken belief that the president is more powerful than the other branches of government rather than a co-equal sharer of power as envisioned by the Founding Fathers. This administration continues to say the quiet part out loud, and the quiet part is that Donald Trump wants total controlthe governments lawyer told the Judge today that Trumps decisions, once the plane was outside of U.S. territory, could not be reviewed by a court. Trump wants to be a democratically elected president who owes obedience to the law and service to the people in name only. When the Judge took the bench, he confirmed, in a deceptively mild manner, that the Court of Appeals hadnt granted the request to suspend the hearing. Lee Gelernt, the head of the ACLUs Immigrants Rights Project, argued for the plaintiffs. Abhishek Kambli, a DOJ lawyer and member of the Federalist Society who was previously a high-ranking official in the Kansas attorney generals office, represented the government. The Judge clarified the reason for the hearingit wasnt about the merits of the TROs hed entered over the weekend. It was solely for fact-finding about the governments adherence with orders, in other words, whether the government had violated them and should be held in contempt. The Judge began to ask questions. First, he wanted to know whether the five named plaintiffs in the case were still in the United States. Kambli responded, Yes, thats what Ive been told. Perhaps it was just an expression, but in context it was hard to read it as anything other than a lawyer being careful to make clear that anything he said in court was based on what the client, here the United States of America, told him. Thats unusual for a government lawyer. If Id had any doubts about the clients candor, I wouldnt have gone into court. But were now in an era where Justice Department lawyers are either Trump loyalists or forbidden by AG Bondis new policy from declining to sign motions or appear in court when directed to. So, the court gets, thats what Ive been told. The Judge also had questions about the timeline and numbers of people involved. But when he asked how many planes departed Saturday carrying Venezuelans being deported under Trumps proclamation, the response was, those are operational issues and Im not authorized to provide that information. Kambli told the Judge, I am authorized to say that no flights took off after the written order issued by the court and that the timing of two flights plaintiffs had said they were concerned about had no material bearing on the situation. And that, Kambli apparently hoped, would be that. Thats the only information I can give, he said, citing national security and diplomatic concerns. There were a few upshots. One was that it became clear that the governments position was that it was entitled to ignore everything the Judge said in court on Saturdayhe expressly told them to turn any planes in flight aroundand was only bound by the written order he issued after the fact. When the government insisted it couldnt share the requested information with the Judge, he pressed them on the law, insisting that they could based on his experience as a judge on the FISA court (as we mentioned last night), and finally pointed out that even in the exceptional case where the government could withhold information from the court, they still had to make a strong showing as to why that was justified. The government didnt offer anything along those lines here. With the appearance of a careful judge making his record before he disciplines a recalcitrant party, the Judge then gave the government until noon tomorrow to file answers to a series of questions he specified or explain why they werent providing answers. Then came an interesting moment, the only time during the hearing where Judge Boasberg actually used the word contempt, where he asked Kambli two additional questions about when Trump signed the proclamation that allegedly triggered his ability to deport members of the Tren de Aragua gang and how many people subject to deportation were in the U.S. His lead-in to the questions was to say that they didnt relate to contempt, confirming, of course, that the earlier questions did and that the government was at risk. By the time the hearing was over and the government had its marching orders from the court, the arguments they were making were also clarified: They didnt have to obey the courts oral ruling. Even if they did, they had obeyed it because the planes were beyond U.S. airspace before the court ruled, so the Judge didnt have jurisdiction over the planes. The Judge made the same point we discussed last night: that if the government disagreed with the courts order, it should have returned the detainees to the United States and appealed it. The governments response was that because the president is the commander-in-chief and he can direct military forces, he has Article II powers under the Constitution that are not subject to judicial review. That meant, Kambli said, that they were free to ignore the courts order and continue the flights. That was where the hearing ended up. The Judge got in a parting shot, saying he would hear from the government tomorrow, Tuesday, by noon and that I will memorialize this in a written order, since my oral orders apparently dont carry much weight. All of this flies in the face the way government lawyers conduct themselves in court. The government complies with court orders, even ones it disagrees with, in both the letter and the spirit. Any challenges to them are made in court. Its hard to overstate how much of a change this administrations approach is, specifically when it comes to the level of (dis)respect shown for a judges order. What shouldnt get lost here is that this case also involves horrific human rights abuse. The Trump administrations argument is that these are bad people. Some of them may be. But they have been put in custody in one of the worst prisons in the world at the expense of American taxpayers instead of simply being deported to their home country. They received no process; they have little recourse. So, for instance, if a U.S. citizen were swept up in the arrests, they would have had no opportunity to establish theyd been wrongfully detained. The result would be not just deportation but imprisonment in a foreign country in harsh conditions if this is permitted to stand. No court has confirmed the governments assertion that these detainees are all dangerous gang members. The process of using tattoos to determine gang membership, which the government used for at least some people, is far from precise, and people caught up in this have no chance to challenge the assessment. Trump asked for gang members, and ICE delivered. This is where the Trump administration has started, but its likely not where they hope it will end. For many Americans, deporting violent gang members will sound like a good idea, constitutional niceties be damned. They are the perfect group of people for a government test case. As lawyers like to say, good facts make good law, and what better justification for questionable deportation than getting dangerous people out of the country. But its important to understand that we protect everyones rights in this country, not just people we like. And it couldnt be clearer why. Its a steep slippery slope from the alleged gang members (no court has confirmed that designation) to a noted surgeon (the Boston case) and then onto others. If the law doesnt apply, then the government is free to violate peoples rights at will. And when this case gets to the Supreme Court, as it will, if the administration wins, then its pretty much open season. Anything goes. It is a bleak moment in history. Yves here. Below, Andrew Korybko looks at whether Russia will take the logical next steps in its war of continuing to move further West. Notice that one of the logical next areas from a military perspective, Sumy, at least per 2010 election results, was not Russia friendly. However, one can argue Ukraine put it on the menu by launching its bone-headed Kursk stunt from there. A second reason is an advance into Sumy would put Russia within close striking range of Kiev. While that might not be enough to get Zelensky to call for new elections, an alternative way for him to get out of Dodge would be our afore-mentioned government in exile gambit, which his UK and EU besties would enthusiastically support. That would still set the stage for new elections (I assume the Rada could call them; experts please opine) and leave Zelensky and his allies kvetching but not able to do all that much. A second issue in What does Russia do next is its apparent distaste for now to take major cities. Russia seems to prefer to bypass them and/or cut off supply routes and wait for the retreat or collapse of Ukraine forces before it attempts clearing and occupation. I have not looked at maps to see what that means for Kharkiv city, which is Ukraines second largest city and has a pre-war population of about 1.5 million. Due to its high proportion of ethnic Russians and that oblast bordering Russia, securing it would seem to be a priority. And speaking of buffers. when the West started using long-range missiles, Foreign Minister Lavrov pointed out that the effect would be to increase the amount of territory Russia would need to take in order to secure what it deemed to be Russia, as in now including the four disputed oblasts in pre-2022 Ukraine. This question becomes recursive, and Lavrov never resolved that matter. For instance, if the longest missile the West might use has a 300 km range, that implies needing a safety zone 300 km wide at the western borders of Russia and the new Russia of the four oblasts. But is that a DMZ? What becomes of the people, communities and productive enterprise in that safety zone? Even if they were demilitarized, they would still be vulnerable to attack if what was left of Ukraine, Banderite insurgents, or belligerent EU members wanted to carry on the fight. And the Russian idea for the proper width of any such zone is probably over 500 km. If memory serves me right, the longest range Western missile is the German Taurus, at over 500 km. But the German Bundestag twice refused to approve Ukraine requests for their use (Prime Minister Scholz backed the second nein). However, Germany now has an uber-hawk Prime Minster in Freidrich Merz who may succeed in getting this Parliament to authorize Taurus deliveries to Ukraine. Finally, it is odd to see the degree to which Korybko parrots patently bogus Western talking point with no caveats, like the notion that Europe could pump Ukraine full of arms. Europe has drained its weapons caches and has very little in the way of indigenous production capacity. It would either have to procure weapons from the black market, which did not work out well when it tried buying howitzer shells, or the US, which does not have all that much capacity either and has competing priorities. It also seems peculiar that Korybko treats the peace process as being in Russian interests, when Russian officials from Putin on down are still harping on Western duplicity and hostile intentions (see the Lavrov interview with Judge Napolitano, Larry Johnson, and one other interlocutor, or Putins remarks right before his Trump call to the Pleanary Session of the RSPP Congress: Sanctions are neither temporary nor targeted measures; they constitute a mechanism of systemic, strategic pressure against our nation. Regardless of global developments or shifts in the international order, our competitors will perpetually seek to constrain Russia and diminish its economic and technological capacities. Moreover, whereas the so-called Western elites previously attempted to cloak this confrontation in propriety, they now evidently seem to no longer feel the need to be concerned about appearances, nor do they intend to be. They not only routinely threaten Russia with new sanctions but churn out these packages incessantly. One gains the impression that even the architects themselves have lost track of the restrictions imposed and their targets. Here, the Ministry of Finance has tallied them. I state with confidence: 28,595 sanctions against individuals and legal entities. This exceeds by a significant margin all sanctions ever imposed on all other nations combined. Even if there is some gesture from their side say, they propose to lift or ease something we can expect that another way will be found to exert pressure, to throw a spanner in the works, as was the case with the well-known JacksonVanik amendment. The Soviet Union, against which it was originally introduced, no longer existed, and relations between Russia and the United States of America were at their absolute best, as good as they could possibly be. Yet the amendment continued to remain in force. And when it was seemingly repealed, it was in fact simply replaced with another restrictive instrument against Russia. Recall this: repealed, then supplanted. I reiterate: sanctions and restrictions are the reality of the existing new stage of development that the entire world, the entire global economy, has entered. The global competitive struggle has intensified, assuming increasingly sophisticated and uncompromising forms. Thus, literally before our eyes, a new spiral of economic rivalry is unfolding, and under these conditions, it is almost embarrassing to recall the norms and rules of the World Trade Organisation, once zealously promoted by the West. Once When? When these rules advantaged them As soon as they became disadvantageous, everything began to change. And all these negotiations stalled. And, in fact, no one needs them anymore. This is evident, and I have emphasised it repeatedly: a return to pre-existing conditions is impossible. So Russia will continue to prosecute the conflict. The only questions are how and how far. By Andrew Korybko, a Moscow-based American political analyst who specializes in the global systemic transition to multipolarity in the New Cold War. He has a PhD from MGIMO, which is under the umbrella of the Russian Foreign Ministry. Originally published at his website This might be the only way to ensure Ukraines demilitarization if diplomacy fails. The nascent RussianUS New Detente didnt lead to a ceasefire during the latest PutinTrump call, thus meaning that the hot phase of the Ukrainian Conflictcontinues, albeit with a proposed cessation of attacks on energy infrastructure provided that Kiev agrees. At present, Russia is on the brink of completely pushing Ukrainian forces out of Russias Kursk Region and into Ukraines Sumy Region, while the southwestern Donbass front has seen Russian troops approach the gates of Dniepropetrovsk Region. Putin will soon be faced with the fateful choice of either keeping Russias ground campaign limited to those four former Ukrainian regions that voted to join Russia in September 2022s referenda or expanding it to include Sumy, Dniepropetrovsk, and/or (once again) Kharkov Regions. The second scenario is attractive is because it could enable Russia to go around frontline defenses in Donbass and/or Zaporozhye and thus advance its goal of fully capturing the entirety of the regions that it claims. The precedent for doing so rests in last Mays push into Kharkov, which aimed to achieve in Donbass what the abovementioned Dniepropetrovsk push could achieve in Zaporozhye, but it quickly stalemated and didnt achieve the intended goal. The battlefield conditions have changed quite a lot since then so perhaps even a push into Sumy Region, which is much further away from the disputed territories, could have a chance of setting into motion a domino effect if its only just comparatively more successful. Ditto for if Russia simultaneously advances into all three Sumy, Kharkov, and Dniepropetrovsk Regions but doing so, or even just significantly advancing into one of them, risks making Trump mistakenly think that Putin was just buying time with their talks and isnt sincere about peace. That perception might then prompt an overreaction that could see him strictly enforcing secondary sanctions on Russian energy in order to deal a heavy financial blow to the Kremlin and/or pulling out all the stops in arming Ukraine. Nevertheless, hardliners might still try to persuade Putin to risk that on the presumption that Trump is bluffing about escalating to de-escalate if their talks fail, but thatll be difficult to pull off since Putin is the consummate pragmatist and thus averse to taking major risks. That said, they might get him to act more boldly then usual by arguing that further on-the-ground gains might be whats ultimately required to force Ukraine to peace on Russias terms, after which it can then withdraw from those other regions. Apart from the aforesaid motive, this sequence of events is also predicated on Putin expecting that the Europeans would defy Trump by continuing to pump Ukraine full of arms even if the US cuts it off yet again, which would turn any ceasefire into an opportunity for Kiev to rearm to Russias disadvantage. It could therefore accordingly follow that Russias only realistic recourse might be to expand its ground campaign into Sumy, Dniepropetrovsk, and/or Kharkov Regions to continue demilitarizing Ukraine. On that note, this would advance the proposed goal of creating a demilitarized Trans-Dnieper region east of the river and north of the territories that Russia claims as its own, which was elaborated on here. Everything leading up to this scenario takes for granted that Trump wont meaningfully escalate to de-escalate, or that this wouldnt impede Russias expanded ground campaigns, and that the Europeans wont conventionally intervene either. None of this can be taken for granted, though, so its a huge risk. For that reason, Putin might continue playing it safe for now by keeping Russias ground campaign limited to the four former Ukrainian regions that Moscow claims as its own, though perhaps authorizing small-scale advances into adjacent regions on a case-by-case basis. These could be approved to chase retraining Ukrainian soldiers to their next major fortifications in Sumy, Dniepropetrovsk, and/or Kharkov Regions in order press Russias advantage but without seriously besieging those areas for the time being. The purpose could be to signal Russias ground escalation dominance so that Trump does his utmost to coerce Ukraine into concessions in order to avoid the broader escalation that he might otherwise feel pressured to go through with to save face if Russia achieves a breakthrough and steamrolls westward. This sort of goodwill gesture would be different from the prior ones in the sense that Russia would continue advancing while negotiating instead of pulling back like before for the sake of clinching a deal. All the same, Russia would also exercise self-restraint by not fully pressing its advantage since that could prompt an overreaction from the US that might dangerously complicate the peace process. So long as Russias intentions are communicated to the US in advance, any escalation should remain manageable. This approach would still entail some risks, but typically cautious Putin might feel comfortable enough with their reduced odds to conclude that the potentially game-changing benefits are worth it. California approves 22% State Farm rate hike amid wildfire fallout; insurers flee mismanaged state California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara provisionally approved a 22% rate hike for State Farm homeowners insurance due to wildfire losses and market instability. Insurers like Allstate and Farmers are exiting Californias high-risk market, forcing homeowners onto the state-backed FAIR Plan, which offers limited coverage. A State Farm executive was fired after a secret recording revealed controversial remarks about wildfire victims and strategies to pressure regulators for rate hikes. Critics argue the rate hike unfairly burdens homeowners, with experts warning that insurance costs will likely continue rising in the foreseeable future. California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has provisionally approved a 22% rate hike for State Farm homeowners insurance, citing the financial strain of devastating wildfires and a deteriorating insurance market. The decision, announced on Friday, comes as thousands of residents struggle to rebuild after losing homes in the January wildfires, while others face the grim reality of being dropped by their insurers altogether. The provisional hike, which still requires final approval after a public hearing on April 8, highlights the deepening crisis in a state critics describe as "woefully mismanaged" under Governor Gavin Newsoms leadership. State Farm, one of Californias largest home insurers, covers more than 1 million homeowners. The company argues that the rate increase is necessary to cover $7.6 billion in estimated wildfire losses, including over 8,700 claims totaling $1 billion from the January fires alone. State Farm General, the companys California subsidiary, warned that its capital reserves have been depleted, leaving it unable to pay future claims without raising rates. A market in crisis The provisional approval reflects a broader trend of insurers fleeing Californias high-risk market. Companies like Allstate and Farmers Insurance have either dropped policies or halted underwriting altogether, forcing homeowners to turn to the state-backed FAIR Plan, which offers basic fire insurance for high-risk areas. Many are already anxious about losing their coverage and being forced onto the FAIR Plan, Lara said during a recent meeting with State Farm executives. The FAIR Plan, while a lifeline for some, often provides inadequate coverage, leaving homeowners vulnerable. In the Pacific Palisades alone, State Farm dropped 1,600 policies last July, leaving many residents without protection when the wildfires struck. Execs secret recording sparks outrage Adding fuel to the fire, State Farm executive Haden Kirkpatrick was fired after being secretly recorded discussing the companys strategy to pressure Californias Department of Insurance into approving rate hikes. Kirkpatrick, who believed he was on a Tinder date, was recorded saying, Well go to the Department of Insurance and say, Were overexposed here, you have to let us catch up on [our] rates. Hell say Nah. And well say, OK, then we are going to cancel these policies. Kirkpatrick also made controversial remarks about wildfire victims, suggesting homes in the Pacific Palisades should never have been built. Its a fking desert, he said, adding that residents chose the area for natural areas around them for their ego. State Farm quickly distanced itself from Kirkpatricks comments, calling them inaccurate and in no way representative of the companys views. A temporary fix or a growing burden? While State Farm called the provisional rate hike a step in the right direction, critics argue it places an unfair burden on homeowners who are already struggling to recover. I think the rate increase is ridiculous, said Michael Van Every, a San Jose resident whose policy was dropped two years ago. The insurance commissioner needs to do a better job, and thats not 22% increases. Lara has demanded State Farm justify the hike with data at the April 8 hearing and has called on the company to halt non-renewals and seek a $500 million capital infusion from its parent company. However, even if the hike is approved, it may not be enough to stabilize the market. State Farm customers can expect that their rates are going to continue to go up for the foreseeable future, said Amy Bach of United Policyholders, a nonprofit advocating for policyholders. As California struggles with the fallout of wildfires and a collapsing insurance market, the provisional rate hike underscores the challenges facing homeowners and insurers alike. For residents like Van Every, who now rely on the FAIR Plan, the future remains uncertain. Its getting difficult to find insurance, he said. But its still a free market, so if Im not happy with State Farm, Ill have to shop somewhere else. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com CBSNews.com NBCBayArea.com NYPost.com Compound found in ROSEMARY and SAGE could REVERSE Alzheimers disease Alzheimer's disease affects nearly 7 million Americans and is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. A compound found in rosemary and sage, carnosic acid, has been transformed into a groundbreaking treatment for Alzheimer's disease. Researchers at the Scripps Research Institute in California developed a derivative, diAcCA, which reduces brain inflammation and restores nerve cell connections. The treatment, tested on mice, improved memory and cognitive function, offering hope for fast-tracked clinical trials. The science behind carnosic acid In a breakthrough that could change the lives of millions, scientists have discovered that a humble herb found in kitchens worldwide may hold the key to reversing Alzheimer's disease. Researchers at the Scripps Research Institute in California have harnessed carnosic acid, a potent antioxidant found in rosemary and sage, to create a new drug called diAcCA. This compound not only reduces brain inflammation a major driver of Alzheimer's but also restores the brain's nerve cell connections, crucial for learning and memory. The findings, published in the journal Antioxidants, reveal that diAcCA is activated only in areas of the brain affected by inflammation, minimizing potential side effects. With Alzheimer's disease affecting nearly 7 million Americans and ranking as the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S., this discovery offers a glimmer of hope for patients and their families. Carnosic acid is a naturally occurring compound in rosemary and sage, known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Historically, these herbs have been used in traditional medicine for their cognitive-enhancing benefits. Modern science is now validating what ancient healers long suspected: These plants contain powerful compounds that can protect and heal the brain. The Scripps team faced a significant challenge in using carnosic acid as a treatment. In its pure form, the compound is unstable and breaks down before it can reach the brain. To overcome this, they created diAcCA, a derivative that remains stable until it reaches the gut, where it converts back into carnosic acid and enters the bloodstream. Professor Stuart Lipton, a lead researcher on the project, explained, "We did multiple different tests of memory, and they were all improved with the drug. It didn't just slow down the decline; it improved virtually back to normal." Preliminary studies have promising results The study involved 45 mice genetically engineered to develop Alzheimer's-like symptoms by the age of five months. The mice were divided into groups and given either diAcCA or a placebo three times a week for three months. The results were striking: Mice treated with diAcCA performed significantly better in cognitive tests, such as navigating a water maze and recalling fear-associated memories. Microscopic analysis revealed fewer plaques and protein tangles in their brains, along with increased nerve cell connections and reduced inflammation. Higher doses of diAcCA yielded the most dramatic improvements, suggesting a dose-dependent effect. Dr. Lipton noted, "By combating inflammation and oxidative stress with this diAcCA compound, we actually increased the number of synapses in the brain." A new hope for Alzheimer's treatment While diAcCA is not yet a cure for Alzheimer's, it represents a significant step forward in the fight against dementia. The compound's ability to target inflammation without harming healthy tissue sets it apart from many existing treatments. Moreover, its potential to enhance the effectiveness of other Alzheimer's drugs could revolutionize how the disease is managed. The fact that carnosic acid is already recognized as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) could expedite its journey to clinical trials. This means that millions of patients suffering from Alzheimer's may soon have access to a treatment that not only slows the disease but also restores cognitive function. The use of rosemary and sage for cognitive health dates back centuries. Ancient Greek scholars wore rosemary garlands to enhance memory, and medieval herbalists prescribed sage to treat mental decline. Today, science is catching up to these age-old practices, proving that nature often holds the answers to our most pressing health challenges. Sources include: Dailymail.co.uk Pubmed.gov Pubmed.gov Ukraines demographic crisis: Corporate push for 8 million migrants sparks fears of cultural transformation Ukrainian business leaders and international organizations are advocating for the importation of 8.2 million migrants to counter the severe population loss caused by the war with Russia. This plan aims to address labor shortages but has sparked intense debate over its cultural and demographic implications. Ukraine faces a dire demographic crisis, with millions of men killed or displaced. Vasily Voskoboinik, a key proponent of the plan, argues that importing workers from countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, India and North Africa is a practical solution, as increasing birth rates would take decades to impact the labor market. Critics, including conservative commentator Raheem Kassam, warn that such large-scale migration could fundamentally alter Ukraines cultural and demographic identity, potentially transforming it into what some describe as "the first African nation in Europe." They also highlight potential strains on public resources and national identity. In the U.S., former President Donald Trump is considering revoking the temporary legal status of 240,000 Ukrainian refugees, potentially forcing their deportation. This move has left many Ukrainian families in limbo, as they lack homes or communities to return to in war-torn Ukraine. The situation in Ukraine reflects wider global debates on migration, with Europe grappling with cultural identity and public finance concerns, and the U.S. reevaluating its migration policies. For Ukraine, the decision to import millions of migrants could determine whether it rebuilds as a distinct nation or undergoes a profound transformation. In the wake of Ukraines devastating war with Russia, a startling proposal has emerged from the nations corporate elite: the importation of 8.2 million migrants to replace the staggering loss of Ukrainian lives. This plan, championed by business leaders and international organizations, has ignited fierce debate over Ukraines future, with critics warning of a profound cultural and demographic shift that could transform the nation into what some have called the first African nation in Europe. The demographic catastrophe Ukraines population has been decimated by years of conflict, with millions of men killed or displaced. Vasily Voskoboinik, head of the All-Ukrainian Association of Companies for International Employment, recently appeared on state television to sound the alarm. We have a demographic catastrophe, he declared. Either we encourage our women to have more children, which would take 1820 years to reflect in the labor market, or we must realistically seek labor migration from other countries. Voskoboiniks solution? Importing millions of workers from non-Western nations such as Bangladesh, Nepal, India, North Africa and Central Asia. This proposal, however, has raised eyebrows among conservative critics, who point to studies showing that non-Western migrants have been a net drain on public finances in other European countries. The plan is not without precedent. Europe has long relied on migration to address labor shortages, but the scale of this proposal is unprecedented. If implemented, migrants would account for approximately 17.5 percent of Ukraines population, fundamentally altering the nations demographic makeup. A warning from the past Raheem Kassam, a prominent conservative commentator, foresaw this development as early as May 2024. Speaking to War Room host Stephen K. Bannon, Kassam warned, Clearly, the plan isnt to keep young Ukrainian men alive to rebuild the nation after all this is done So, who do you think they intend to import into Ukraine to rebuild the country? If I can put it so bluntly, Ukraine will be the first African nation in Europe in 10 to 15 years time. Kassams prediction has proven eerily prescient. He further cautioned that the push for mass migration would be framed as a moral imperative: Theyve got a base for mass migration like youve never seen before, and theyve got a moral imperative for it as well: We have to rebuild! Of course! We need all these people! Bring em in, theyre academics and doctors and so forth. This rhetoric, Kassam argued, masks the long-term consequences of such a policy, including the erosion of national identity and the strain on public resources. The U.S. angle: Trumps stance on Ukrainian migrants While Ukraine grapples with its demographic crisis, the United States is also re-evaluating its approach to Ukrainian migrants. President Donald Trump recently announced that he is considering revoking the temporary legal status of 240,000 Ukrainians who fled the war with Russia. This move, part of a broader rollback of Biden-era migration programs, could place thousands of Ukrainians on a fast-track to deportation. Were not looking to hurt anybody, were certainly not looking to hurt them, and Im looking at that, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. There were some people that think thats appropriate, and some people dont, and Ill be making the decision pretty soon. The potential revocation of legal status has left many Ukrainian families in limbo. Liana Avetisian, a Ukrainian refugee now living in Iowa, expressed her fears: We dont know what to do. Her family fled Kyiv in 2023 and now faces the prospect of losing their legal status in the U.S. Andrij Dobriansky of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America highlighted the plight of these refugees: Many of these people do not have homes to return to. Were talking about people whose entire towns have been leveled altogether. Where would we be sending them back to? Nothing. A broader pattern The situation in Ukraine and the U.S. reflects a broader pattern of shifting attitudes toward migration. In Europe, the influx of migrants from non-Western nations has sparked debates over cultural identity, public finances and national security. In the U.S., the Trump administrations crackdown on migration programs has drawn both praise and criticism, with supporters applauding the emphasis on national sovereignty and critics decrying the humanitarian consequences. For Ukraine, the stakes are particularly high. The nations survival as a distinct cultural and political entity hangs in the balance. As Kassam warned, the importation of millions of migrants could transform Ukraine into a nation unrecognizable to its own people. Conclusion The push for mass migration to address Ukraines demographic crisis is a stark reminder of the far-reaching consequences of war. While the immediate need for labor is undeniable, the long-term implications of such a policy cannot be ignored. As Ukraine stands at a crossroads, the decisions made today will shape its future for generations to come. For conservatives, this moment serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of sacrificing national identity and sovereignty on the altar of economic expediency. The question remains: Will Ukraine rebuild itself, or will it become a nation transformed beyond recognition? Only time will tell. Sources include: TheNationalPulse.com TigerDroppings.com Reuters.com ZeroHedge.com WELLINGTON, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese research icebreaker Xuelong 2, or Snow Dragon 2, opened its decks to the public on Tuesday at Lyttelton Harbor in Christchurch, New Zealand, attracting around 600 visitors, including local officials and members of the public. Currently on China's 41st Antarctic expedition, the Xuelong 2 is making its second stop in Christchurch on this voyage. As part of the visit, Chinese and New Zealand Antarctic researchers held an academic seminar aboard the vessel, discussing polar marine biology, chemistry and geology. During its port call, the Xuelong 2 conducted personnel rotations and resupplied before continuing its mission in the Ross Sea for an oceanic survey. Digital IDs: A convenient future or an invitation to surveillance? The adoption of digital drivers licenses and enforcement of the REAL ID standard has sparked a heated debate between convenience and privacy. Critics fear federal overreach and erosion of individual liberties, while supporters argue digital IDs are essential for security in a digitized world. Over 20 states, including California, Arizona and Virginia, now offer digital drivers licenses integrated into mobile wallets. Proponents cite global trends and convenience, but privacy advocates warn of a trajectory toward increased federal control and surveillance. The REAL ID Act, initially aimed at standardizing ID security post-9/11, has expanded in scope, raising constitutional concerns. Critics argue it enables federal overreach, with the Department of Homeland Security granted broad authority over ID usage. Privacy advocates dispute TSA enforcement timelines and warn of a "phased approach" toward full compliance by 2027. Critics highlight fears of real-time federal access to personal data through digital IDs, with concerns over smartphone integration enabling government control over devices. Blockchain technology and digital ID systems are seen as tools for a "surveillance-based technocracy," potentially coercing compliance with policies like vaccine mandates. While some lawmakers advocate for digital IDs to combat fraud and AI-driven impersonation, others resist federal encroachment. States like Idaho and Texas are considering bills to block federal mandates, while Illinois pushes for digitization by 2026. The tension underscores a broader struggle to balance innovation with privacy and limited government. As more states shift to digital drivers licenses and the federal government tightens enforcement of the REAL ID standard, a heated debate has erupted over the balance between modern convenience and individual liberties. Critics warn that the push for digital identification systemsmarketed as streamlined solutionsthreatens to erode privacy and empower a federal "technocracy," while supporters argue the technology is essential for security in an increasingly digitized world. With Californias recent adoption of digital drivers licenses and a looming May 7 TSA enforcement deadline, the stakes have never been higher for Americans navigating this contentious crossroads. The rapid expansion of digital IDs sparks alarm Californias integration of digital drivers licenses into Apple, Google and state-specific wallets represents the latest phase of a national push toward state-issued digital identities. Over 20 states, including Arizona and Virginia, now offer similar systems, with more poised to follow. Proponents, like Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, cite global trends and "convenience" as justifications. Yet, privacy advocates see a darker trajectory. The REAL ID Act of 2005, enacted after 9/11 to standardize ID security, has evolved beyond its original scope. Its implementation, repeatedly delayed due to bureaucratic and pandemic-related hurdles, now looms over millions of air travelers. While the TSA claims the May 7 deadline will enforce REAL ID compliance for flights, privacy advocates dispute this timeline. Twila Brase, co-founder of the Citizens Council for Health Freedom, explains that the enforced rule is a "phased approach" culminating in 2027. "On May 7, you wont need a REAL ID to fly," she asserts, referencing a 2006 court ruling allowing passengers to refuse ID under certain conditions. Despite assurances, the expansion of digital wallets and state-issued IDs has critics concerned about federal overreach. Brase warns, "The REAL ID is meant for federal control overall, your identification and all your transactions." The Department of Homeland Securitys 2014 rule, which grants the Secretary the authority to designate "any other purposes as deemed necessary" for REAL ID use, further raises constitutional alarms. Privacy advocates sound the alarm on federal overreach Central to the critics fear is the claim that digital IDs create a mechanism for the federal government to access personal data in real time. Brase argues that embedding REAL ID credentials into smartphones grants authorities "remote, real-time access" to devices, echoing Twila Brases March 6 podcast remarks: "Once the government gets access to your phone they can shut it down, they can put constraints on it." This worry isnt speculative. James F. Holderman III, director of investigative research at Stand for Health Freedom, calls digital ID systems a tool for a "surveillance-based technocracy," enabling control over activities like medical care, financial transactions and even social credit. Brase highlights blockchain technology as a vehicle for "coercing compliance" with policies, such as vaccine mandates. "You can see that by digitizing, it would make it so much simpler to go toward a global identification and control system," she said. The Fourth Amendments protection from unreasonable searches and seizures also looms large. Brase argues state drivers licenses should remain independent of federal oversight, maintaining constitutional limits on federal power. "This is an unconstitutional federal takeover," she insists, noting state DMVs increasingly aligning with federal mandates risks surrendering sovereignty. Congressional support for digital IDs amid rising concerns Even as states like California embrace digital IDs, lawmakers grow divided. Rep. Bill Foster (D-Ill.) recently called for a digital identity system to combat fraud and AI-driven impersonation, urging bipartisan support. "Digital IDs cant solve privacy until we solve identity verification," he argued at a 2025 identity summit. His vision entails a federal role in standardizing secure credentials, potentially curbing the tens of billions wasted on identity fraud annually. Yet, Fosters optimism overlooks vocal opposition. Republicans, once wary of a national ID, now see value in digitizing voter verification, while Democrats prioritize countering deepfakes. Still, tech giants involvement in identity management and blockchain-based systems fuels unease. Catherine Austin Fitts, a former HUD official, warns of financial control: "This could threaten personal savings and property taxation without representation." The tension escalates as some states resist. Idaho and Texas are considering bills to block federal encroachment, while others, like Illinois, race toward digitization by 2026. Brases coalition continues lobbying states to opt out of REAL ID fullya temporary respite for residents in non-compliant states like Texas but a tenuous safeguard against a growing techno-authoritarian tide. Convenience requires parameters The push for digital IDs epitomizes a core American dilemma: can we harness innovation without surrendering autonomy? The REAL ID Act was born of post-9/11 security concerns, but its evolving contours threaten to consolidate power in federal hands. As states divergeprioritizing convenience or resistancethe nations founding principles of privacy and limited government hang in the balance. Support for digital identity may be inevitable, but without strict safeguards, the cost could be liberty itself. Sources include: ChildrensHealthDefense.org CNBCNews.com MeriTalk.com JPMorgan Chase bows to legal pressure, promises not to debank customers on religious or political grounds for now JPMorgan Chase will update its Code of Conduct by late July to explicitly prohibit debanking based on religious or political affiliations, addressing politicization in financial services. The policy change follows pressure from the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) and a shareholder proposal from Bowyer Research. JPMorgan has faced criticism for debanking conservative and religious groups, raising doubts about the sincerity of its new policy. A 2024 Congressional investigation exposed systemic misuse of the banking system to target conservatives, underscoring the need for reform. While a step forward, skepticism remains due to JPMorgan's past actions, requiring continued advocacy to ensure lasting protections. JPMorgan Chase, the largest bank in the U.S., has agreed to amend its Code of Conduct to explicitly prohibit debanking customers based on their religious or political affiliations. This policy change, set to take effect by late July, marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle against the politicization of financial services. However, the victory is not without its caveats. JPMorgan Chase's history of debanking conservative and religious groups raises questions about the sincerity and permanence of this shift. The policy revision comes after relentless pressure from the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a conservative legal advocacy group, which has been at the forefront of challenging JPMorgan Chase's debanking practices. ADF's efforts, coupled with a shareholder proposal from Bowyer Research, forced the bank to the negotiating table. In exchange for the shareholder withdrawing its proposal, JPMorgan agreed to adopt language in its Code of Conduct that explicitly states it will "not tolerate discrimination" based on "religion, religious affiliation or religious views" or "political opinions, speech or affiliations." "This is a major victory for free speech and religious freedom in the marketplace," said Jeremy Tedesco, ADF senior counsel and senior vice president for corporate engagement. "No American should ever fear losing access to their bank account because of their religious or political views, and we are glad to see Chase taking tangible steps to implement these critical protections." The policy change is a stark departure from JPMorgan's recent track record. In 2021, the bank debanked conservative groups Defense of Liberty and Arkansas Family Council. A year later, it abruptly canceled the account of former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback's National Committee for Religious Freedom, offering no explanation. (Related: JPMorgan Chase closes business accounts of vaccine critic Dr. Joseph Mercola.) These actions, among others, have fueled accusations that JPMorgan and other major banks have been complicit in a broader trend of politicized debanking, often aligning with the priorities of the Biden administration. A win for free speech or merely a PR stunt? A Congressional investigation in December 2024 revealed alarming details about how the federal government has weaponized the banking system to surveil and target Americans with conservative viewpoints. The report, titled "Financial Surveillance in the United States: How the Federal Government Weaponized the Bank Secrecy Act to Spy on Americans," exposed how banks were instructed to flag transactions containing keywords like "Trump" and "MAGA" as potential indicators of "domestic terrorism." Even purchasing a Bible or exercising Second Amendment rights was enough to draw suspicion. This systemic overreach, facilitated by the Bank Secrecy Act, underscores the extent to which financial institutions have been co-opted as tools of political suppression. JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has consistently denied that the bank engages in debanking based on political or religious views. Yet, the bank's actions tell a different story. The recent policy change, while commendable, feels less like a genuine commitment to fairness and more like a calculated response to mounting legal and public pressure. As Tedesco noted, "[The bank's] good-faith negotiations and willingness to listen to its shareholders should encourage us all." However, the bank's history suggests that its newfound commitment to neutrality may be fleeting, especially if the political winds shift again. JPMorgan Chase, as the nation's largest bank, sets the standard for the financial industry. Its decision to adopt these protections could inspire other institutions to follow suit. Yet, the fight is far from over. Debanking remains a global phenomenon, with governments and financial institutions worldwide using access to banking services as a weapon against dissent. For now, JPMorgan Chase's policy change is a win for free speech and religious liberty. But as history has shown, vigilance is essential. Without continued pressure from advocacy groups like ADF and a watchful public, the gains made today could easily be undone tomorrow. The battle against debanking is not just about protecting bank accounts it's about safeguarding the fundamental rights that define a free society. Visit Biased.news for more similar stories. Watch this Fox Business report about JPMorgan Chase ending its policy of debanking customers based on political or religious grounds. This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Major banks debanking Christians. National Australia Bank now debanking customers for "mean" speech. DEBANKING SPREE: UK banks are closing more than 1,000 accounts a day with little explanation. Sources include: ReclaimTheNet.org LifeNews.com ArmstrongEconomics.com Brighteon.com Missouri AG takes action against Planned Parenthood over alleged violations of abortion laws Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey issued a cease-and-desist order against Planned Parenthood, alleging the organization conducted chemical abortions without complying with state health and safety regulations, including failing to file required complication reports and lacking an approved complication plan. Bailey cited a Missouri statute requiring abortion providers to have a plan for handling medical complications from chemical abortions. He argued that Planned Parenthood's actions were unlawful, despite a court injunction on a related regulation but not the statute itself. On March 12, Bailey enforced a temporary restraint, halting Planned Parenthood's ability to perform chemical abortions in Missouri, accusing the organization of repeatedly violating state laws and endangering women's safety. Missouri is among 13 states with strict abortion restrictions or bans. Abortion advocacy groups are countering these measures by distributing abortion pills, supporting interstate travel for abortions, and pushing for state constitutional protections. Former President Joe Biden has urged Congress to codify a federal right to abortion, aiming to override state-level restrictions. Meanwhile, pro-life groups continue to oppose such efforts, reflecting the ongoing national debate over abortion access. Missouri Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey has issued a cease-and-desist order against Planned Parenthood, alleging that the organization has been conducting chemical abortions without complying with state health and safety regulations. In a letter dated March 5, Bailey warned Margot Riphagen, the head of Planned Parenthood Great Rivers-Missouri, that their failure to file required complication reports and lack of an approved complication plan made their chemical abortion practices unlawful. Bailey cited a Missouri statute that requires abortion providers to have a plan in place for handling medical complications arising from chemically induced abortions. "My understanding is that any chemically induced abortion you would perform would involve a drug or chemical satisfying the trigger in this statute," Bailey wrote. "As you know, a court in Jackson County has preliminarily enjoined a regulation passed under this statute, but not the statute itself. Because your facility does not appear to have an approved complication plan, it is unlawful for your organization to perform any chemically induced abortions in Missouri." Bailey followed through on his warning on March 12, issuing a temporary restraint that effectively halts Planned Parenthood's ability to perform chemical abortions in the state. The attorney general accused the organization of "refusing to file required complication reports" despite being aware of the legal obligation to do so. "Planned Parenthood has a documented history of subverting state law, including failure to file complication reports. This cease-and-desist letter ensures that basic health and safety standards are met. Given Planned Parenthoods history, I will continue to ensure their compliance with state law." "Planned Parenthood has demonstrated a disturbing pattern of performing abortions without the necessary complication plans, failing to report complications, and willfully violating state law. It is my duty to enforce the law and protect the lives and safety of Missourians. Missouri will not tolerate Planned Parenthoods blatant disregard of the law and the safety of women," Bailey added. In turn, Planned Parenthood now lost the access to perform any chemical abortions in Missouri. Abortion advocacy groups working to counteract pro-life measures Currently, 13 states have enacted laws that either ban or significantly restrict abortion access, namely Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia. However, abortion advocacy groups have been actively working to counteract these measures. These strategies include facilitating the distribution of abortion pills, providing legal protections and financial assistance for interstate travel to access abortion services, pushing to codify abortion "rights" in state constitutions and establishing new abortion facilities near state borders where pro-life and pro-abortion policies intersect. Additionally, former President Joe Biden urged Congress to enshrine a federal "right" to abortion into law before he leaves office. Such legislation would not only reinstate the Roe v. Wade framework but also expand it by prohibiting states from enacting nearly any pro-life measures. But just like pro-abortion groups, pro-lifers have also been working hard to defeat them. (Related: Abortions drop to ALMOST ZERO in Texas after state's near-total ban on infanticide.) Check out Abortions.news for more stories related to the murder of the unborn. Watch Ivory Hecker of Next News Network discuss the Texas Freedom Caucus threatening abortion providers and their allies. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Abortions in the U.S. HAVE INCREASED since the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Abortion rates in North Carolina drop by over 30% following implementation of PRO-LIFE LAW. Abortions in Illinois surge 54% as neighboring states enact pro-life legislation. Abortions in Texas drop 97% after Roe v. Wade overturn. Abortion industry wants legal immunity to kill live-birth babies who survive botched abortions. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com 1 LifeSiteNews.com 2 LifeSiteNews.com 3 Brighteon.com Mystery yellow foam sickens over 100 surfers as dead fish wash up on South Australian beaches A mysterious yellow foam at South Australian beaches caused respiratory and eye irritation in over 100 surfers and beachgoers, prompting a multi-agency investigation. Dead fish, including protected leafy seadragons, were found alongside the foam at Waitpinga and Parsons beaches, raising environmental concerns. Symptoms reported include sore throats, dry coughs, irritated eyes, and blurred vision, with some experiencing issues even outside the water. Authorities suspect the foam may be linked to a microalgal bloom, with investigations ongoing to rule out pollutants or diseases as causes. Beaches remain closed, and warning signs have been posted as officials assess the health and environmental risks. A mysterious yellow foam washing up on South Australian beaches has left more than 100 surfers and beachgoers suffering from respiratory and eye irritation, prompting a multi-agency investigation into the potential environmental and health risks. The foam, accompanied by dead fish and leafy seadragons, appeared at Waitpinga and Parsons beaches within the Newland Head Conservation Park near Victor Harbor over the weekend. Authorities have temporarily closed the beaches as they work to determine the cause of the foam and its impact on marine life and human health. Surfers report alarming symptoms Local surfer Anthony Rowland was among the first to raise the alarm after experiencing symptoms while surfing at Waitpinga Beach on Saturday. We all experienced a sore throat, dry cough, and irritated eyes. Some even reported blurred vision. It lasted 24 hours or so, Rowland said in a social media post. He noted that the symptoms were not limited to those in the water, as people in the nearby carpark also began coughing and experiencing throat irritation. Rowland described the scene as unsettling, with yellow foam and dark green tide lines visible on the beach. I noticed a lot of different species of fish dead on the beach, including a handful of leafy seadragons, he said. Leafy seadragons, a protected species native to South Australia, are rarely seen washed ashore, raising concerns about the severity of the environmental impact. Environmental implications and government response The South Australian government has launched an investigation involving the Department for Environment and Water, the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA), the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), and SA Health. Initial findings suggest the foam may be linked to a microalgal bloom, a phenomenon caused by changes in water temperature, light, or rainfall. Fish kill events can be brought on by a variety of causes including environmental factors such as temperature, rainfall (or lack of) and water quality including salinity or oxygen levels, or by disease or pollutants, a PIRSA spokesperson said. The agency is working to rule out infectious diseases and determine the exact cause of the marine deaths. SA Health Principal Water Quality Adviser David Cunliffe warned that exposure to algae, including in aerosols, can cause allergic-type responses such as respiratory and eye irritation or skin rashes. These symptoms disappear when the exposure stops or following washing in clean water, he said. The incident has left the local surfing community rattled. Rowland, who has lived in the area for nearly four decades, said he had never seen anything like it. We want answers because this isnt normal, he said. Ive lived down here since I was three years old, Im 42 now, never seen this out here at Waitpinga. Other beachgoers reported similar symptoms, with some describing a yellowy foam and a chemical-like smell in the air. Taryn, a local who visited Waitpinga Beach on Saturday, said her group began coughing within minutes of arriving. After a couple of hours, I started to move up into the sand dunes because there was obviously something not right, she said. As authorities continue their investigation, the beaches remain closed, and warning signs have been posted advising visitors of a possible health risk from algal bloom. The appearance of the mysterious yellow foam and the subsequent illness of over 100 surfers have raised serious questions about the health of South Australias coastal waters. With dead fish, including protected species like leafy seadragons, washing ashore, the incident underscores the potential environmental consequences of algal blooms and other marine disturbances. Sources for this article include: TheEpochTimes.com ABC.net.au 9News.com.au Trump administration asks Supreme Court to roll back injunctions on executive order that ends birthright citizenship The Trump administration has filed an emergency application with the Supreme Court to partially lift preliminary injunctions issued by lower courts against President Donald Trump's executive order to end birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants and temporary visa holders. Federal courts in Maryland, Massachusetts and Washington state blocked the order, arguing it violates the 14th Amendment, which guarantees citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil . The administration seeks to narrow the injunctions to apply only to specific plaintiffs, not nationwide. Acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris urged the Supreme Court to limit the scope of the injunctions, allowing executive agencies to develop guidance on implementing the order. The administration claims universal injunctions hinder the enforcement of the executive order nationwide. Judge John Coughenour, who presided over the Washington state case, called the order "blatantly unconstitutional," emphasizing the clarity of the 14th Amendment's protections. Supporters, like Eric Ruark of Numbers USA, argue the order addresses a loophole in immigration law, advocating for stricter citizenship requirements, such as requiring at least one parent to be a permanent legal resident or U.S. citizen. The Trump administration has filed an emergency application with the Supreme Court to urge them to partially lift multiple preliminary injunctions issued by lower courts against President Donald Trump's executive order to end birthright citizenship in the United States. On his first day in office, Trump signed an executive order that will exclude children of undocumented immigrants and those on temporary visas, such as students, workers or tourists, from automatic citizenship. (Related: Trump seeks to end BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP when he returns to the White House next month.) The order was set to take effect by Feb. 19 but federal district courts in Maryland, Massachusetts and Washington state blocked it. They argued that the executive order sought to overturn a long-standing constitutional right enshrined in the 14th Amendment, which guarantees citizenship to anyone born on U.S. soil since the ratification of American Immigration Polivy in 1868. In line with this, Acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris filed a brief on March 13. Harris asked Chief Justice John Roberts and the Supreme Court to narrow two injunctions, issued by courts in Washington state and Maryland, so that they apply only to the specific plaintiffs in those cases. Harris also requested that the court fully stay a third injunction from Massachusetts. "Those universal injunctions prohibit a Day 1 Executive Order from being enforced anywhere in the country," Harris wrote. "While the parties litigate weighty merits questions, the Court should 'restrict the scope' of multiple preliminary injunctions that 'purport to cover every person in the country,' limiting those injunctions to parties actually within the courts' power." Additionally, the administration asked the justices to allow executive agencies to proceed with developing guidance on how to implement the birthright citizenship order, which aims to redefine who qualifies for automatic citizenship under the 14th Amendment. "This court should declare that enough is enough before district courts' burgeoning reliance on universal injunctions becomes further entrenched," her brief read, adding that "only this court's intervention can prevent universal injunctions from becoming universally acceptable." Ruark: It is necessary to address the loophole in U.S. immigration law Trump's executive order was based on the argument that individuals residing in the U.S. illegally or on a visa were not "subject to the jurisdiction" of the country and, as a result, should be excluded from the category of those entitled to birthright citizenship. Judge John Coughenour, who presided over the birthright citizenship case in Washington state, characterized the president's order as blatantly unconstitutional. "Having served on the bench for over 40 years, I cannot recall another case where the legal question at hand is as clear -cut as this one," said Coughenour, a judge appointed by Republican President Ronald Reagan . Supporters of the move, including Eric Ruark of NumbersUSA, argue that it is necessary to address what they see as a loophole in U.S. immigration law. "Simply crossing the border and having a child should not entitle anyone to citizenship," he said. NumbersUSA supports policies that will reduce immigration, particularly by advocating for legislation that requires at least one parent to be a permanent legal resident or U.S. citizen in order for their children to qualify for citizenship. Head over to Trump.news for more stories about the president's immigration policy. Watch this clip from Next News Network about ending birthright citizenship. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Federal judge halts Trumps birthright citizenship order, calling it "blatantly unconstitutional." Fact check: What the dishonest fake news establishment media gets wrong about "birthright citizenship" and the 14th Amendment. Trump unveils $5M "gold card" for U.S. citizenship. Sources include: NTD.com MSN.com APNews.com Brighteon.com Trumps ICE delivers on border security: 33,000 illegal aliens arrested in just 50 days In the first 50 days of Trump's second administration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 33,000 illegal aliens including 1,000 gang members, 39 terrorism-linked individuals, and 14,000 convicted criminals exceeding Biden's FY2024 at-large arrests. ICE intensified immigration enforcement, ending "catch and release," detaining violators, and arresting 44 foreign fugitives and 29 suspected terrorists. ICE operates at full capacity with 47,000 detention beds filled, risking space constraints and potential releases without additional congressional funding. ICE collaborates with local law enforcement via the 287(g) program, partners with federal agencies for detention space, and uses tools like the CBP Home app to prioritize high-priority cases. The second Trump administration's Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested approximately 33,000 illegal aliens across the United States in the first 50 days of President Donald Trumps administration. This number not only surpasses the total number of at-large arrests made in Fiscal Year 2024 under former President Joe Biden, but also underscores the Trump administrations commitment to restoring law and order to America's immigration system. The arrests, which took place between Jan. 20 and March 10, include 14,000 convicted criminals, 9,800 individuals with pending criminal charges and 1,155 suspected gang members. Also included were include more than 1,000 suspected gang members and 39 individuals linked to terrorism. Moreover, 44 foreign fugitives and 29 known or suspected terrorists were apprehended, highlighting the critical role ICE plays in safeguarding national security. These numbers far exceed the 483 gang-related arrests recorded during the same period last year, signaling a dramatic shift in enforcement priorities. ICE officials attribute this success to the agency's renewed focus on its core mission: Enforcing immigration laws and protecting American communities from criminal aliens. (Related: ICE detentions soar to highest level since 2019 as Trump administration tightens immigration policies.) Under the Trump administration, ICE has been unleashed from the constraints of the previous administration, which critics argue prioritized political correctness over public safety. Acting ICE director Todd Lyons emphasized that the agency has ended the controversial "catch and release" policy, which allowed illegal aliens to remain in the U.S. while awaiting court hearings. Instead, ICE is now arresting and detaining individuals who violate immigration laws, ensuring they face consequences for their actions. Challenges ahead: Detention space and funding A significant portion of these arrests was made possible through the 287(g) program, a partnership between ICE and local law enforcement agencies. This program allows trained local officers to assist in identifying and detaining criminal illegal aliens, effectively expanding ICE's reach and efficiency. Combined with at-large arrests and the Criminal Alien Program, which targets incarcerated individuals who are in the country illegally, ICE has been able to achieve unprecedented results in a short period. Despite these successes, ICE faces significant challenges, particularly regarding detention space. The agency is currently operating at full capacity, with approximately 47,000 detention beds occupied. Officials have warned that without additional funding from Congress, they may be forced to release detained individuals due to space constraints. To address this issue, ICE is collaborating with other federal agencies, such as the U.S. Marshals Service and the Federal Bureau of Prisons, to secure additional detention space. The agency is also urging Congress to allocate more resources to support its enforcement efforts. The Trump administration's aggressive enforcement strategy sends a clear message to those who violate U.S. immigration laws: There will be consequences. Lyons stated that these arrests are "just the start," with plans to further increase enforcement measures in the coming months. While ICE has not yet disclosed the total number of deportations since Trump took office, officials confirmed that removals are occurring at an accelerated rate. The agency is also utilizing innovative tools, such as the CBP Home phone application, to encourage illegal aliens to self-deport, saving valuable resources for more pressing cases. The Trump administrations achievements stand in stark contrast to the Biden era, which ICE officials accused of "cooking the books" on arrest data. Under the previous administration, tens of thousands of migrants were counted as arrests despite being processed and released back into American communities without enforcement action. This practice, according to Lyons, undermined ICEs mission and allowed dangerous individuals to remain at large. Trump campaigned on a promise to secure the border and enforce immigration laws and the American people responded with their votes. In just 50 days, his administration has delivered on that promise. The message is clear: Under Trump, the era of lax enforcement is over and the rule of law has been restored. Watch this video about the deportation of 538 illegal immigrants, including dangerous gang members. This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Chicago residents rally behind ICE deportations as DOJ lawsuit targets sanctuary policies. ICE begins NATIONWIDE raids targeting criminal illegal immigrants. ICE raids underway as Trump administration launches historic DEPORTATION operation. Sources include: YourNews.com ABCNews.com NYPost.com Brighteon.com The Wests support for Israel is the #1 threat to free speech President Trump has made a post on Truth Social saying federal funding will be cut to universities which allow illegal protests on their campuses, obliquely referring to pro-Palestine demonstrations against Israels genocidal atrocities. (Article by Caitlin Johnstone republished from CaitlinJohnstone.com.au) All Federal Funding will STOP for any College, School, or University that allows illegal protests, Trump said. 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! Elise Stefanik, Trumps nominee for ambassador to the UN, made it clear that this was the Trump administration taking a position on anti-Israel hate. Antisemitism and anti-Israel hate will not be tolerated on American campuses, tweeted Stefanik with a screenshot of Trumps Truth Social post. Excuse me? Anti-Israel hate will not be tolerated Is the Trump administration working to outlaw protest and criticism of a foreign nation? https://t.co/SvjNaAOQJi Mel (@Villgecrazylady) March 4, 2025 Trumps declaration follows a completely insane statement from health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr which makes the targeting of pro-Palestine protests much more explicit. Anti-Semitism??like racism??is a spiritual and moral malady that sickens societies and kills people with lethalities comparable to historys most deadly plagues, said Kennedy. In recent years, the censorship and false narratives of woke cancel culture have transformed our great universities into greenhouses for this deadly and virulent pestilence. Making America healthy means building communities of trust and mutual respect, based on speech freedom and open debate. Leaving aside Kennedys ridiculous claim that antisemitism kills people with lethalities comparable to historys most deadly plagues in modern times and all the weird mental contortions hes performing to turn this into a Health and Human Services issue, conflating pro-Palestine protests with antisemitism and then claiming it needs to be eliminated as a pestilence squarely contradicts Kennedys asserted support for speech freedom and open debate. Kennedys bat shit crazy remarks align with an accompanying statement from Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, who says, Americans have watched in horror for more than a year now, as Jewish students have been assaulted and harassed on elite university campuses. Unlawful encampments and demonstrations have completely paralyzed day-to-day campus operations, depriving Jewish students of learning opportunities to which they are entitled. It's so perfect that RFK's first big initiative to "Make America Healthy Again" is cracking down on "anti-Semitic" political speech. Especially after we had to sit through all his melodramatic lectures about how he was joining the GOP because it was the new Party of Free Speech https://t.co/1xryFAuPZU Michael Tracey (@mtracey) March 4, 2025 They are using the completely fictional narrative of antisemitism on university campuses to stomp out protests against Israeli atrocities in the United States. They couldnt be more transparent about it. Which is why civil rights groups like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) immediately released statements denouncing this move by the Trump administration. It is disturbing to see the White House threatening freedom of speech and academic freedom on U.S. college campuses so blatantly, said Cecillia Wang, legal director of the ACLU. We stand in solidarity with university leaders in their commitment to free speech, open debate, and peaceful dissent on campus. Trumps latest coercion campaign, attempting to turn university administrators against their own students and faculty, harkens back to the McCarthy era and is at odds with American constitutional values and the basic mission of universities. Todays message will cast an impermissible chill on student protests about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, says FIRE. Paired with President Trumps 2019 executive order adopting an unconstitutional definition of anti-Semitism, and his January order threatening to deport international students for engaging in protected expression, students will rationally fear punishment for wholly protected political speech. There's a massive distortion of free speech doctrine being circulated to justify the Trump Administration's punishment of universities that allow "illegal protests" against Israel. It's obviously a 1st Am violation to condition funding on holding or rejecting certain views. https://t.co/QqqHl85dp0pic.twitter.com/ldlkLLSN9Q Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) March 4, 2025 If you support freedom of speech you now have an ethical obligation to oppose Israel, even if you didnt before. Western governments support for Israel is the biggest threat to free speech in our society today. Civil rights are being stomped out throughout the western world to protect Israeli information interests, and speech is being suppressed in support of Israel more aggressively than with any other topic. Were not seeing this level of all-out warfare against free expression on any other frontline??not Russia, not vaccines, not election security, not on any kind of ideological front. The wests support for Israel is the number one threat to free speech in the west today, and nothing else comes anywhere close. Trumps latest announcement about illegal protests against Israel on university campuses is just the latest escalation in what has been an ongoing assault on all criticism of the Zionist entity. Were seeing journalists and activists persecuted and fired for opposing Israels genocidal atrocities in Gaza, protests violently shut down by police, new laws shoved through at alarming speed to help target pro-Palestine demonstrators, massive amounts of social media censorship across all major platforms??all while the mainstream press commit extremely egregious journalistic malpractice with obfuscations in their reporting and punditry designed to spin Israels abuses in a positive light. Even if youve never cared about Israel before, you should be opposing it if you care about the existence of free speech in your society. Hell, you should be aggressively resisting this war on speech even if you support Israel. When civil liberties are being snuffed out one by one with increasing brazenness in defense of a foreign state, then everyone who claims to stand for freedom has an obligation to stand against it. Read more at: CaitlinJohnstone.com.au Renewable rhymes with unreliable: Germanys first offshore wind farm to be DECOMMISSIONED Germany's Alpha Ventus offshore wind farm, a pioneering project commissioned in 2010, is set to be decommissioned after 15 years due to the expiration of government subsidies, highlighting the economic challenges of offshore wind energy. The wind farm relied on a subsidy under the country's Renewable Energy Sources Act. The facility is unprofitable without it, revealing the financial unsustainability of offshore wind without government support. Offshore wind farms face harsh marine conditions including saltwater corrosion, powerful waves and extreme weather leading to frequent breakdowns, costly repairs and significant logistical difficulties in maintenance. Upgrading Alpha Ventus with modern turbines is complicated by the limited reuse of existing infrastructure. The cycle of dismantling and replacing aging wind farms raises environmental and financial concerns, contradicting the sustainability narrative of renewable energy. The decommissioning of Alpha Ventus underscores the broader issues of high maintenance costs, logistical inefficiencies and environmental vulnerabilities, challenging the viability of offshore wind as a sustainable energy solution. Germany's Alpha Ventus offshore wind farm, once hailed as a pioneering achievement in the green energy revolution, is set to be decommissioned after 15 years of operation a stark reminder of the unsustainable realities of renewable energy. The facility located 40 kilometers (24.85 miles) northwest of the German island of Borkum in the North Sea served as a symbol of progress when it was commissioned in 2010. News of its shutdown came after its generous subsidies from the German government expires. Under Germany's Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG), the wind farm received $0.154 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) a rate that made its operation feasible. But with the subsidy gone, the operators receive a mere $0.039 cents per kWh, rendering the project unprofitable. The end of government subsidies reveals the harsh truth: Without massive government subsidies, offshore wind energy is neither economically viable nor environmentally sustainable. (Related: Green energy failure: UK spends over 1 billion this year to turn off wind farms and start up gas plants.) "Economic operation is not possible with this level of support," said a spokesperson for the German Offshore Test Field and Infrastructure (DOTI), the wind farm's operator. DOTI is a consortium made up of the German energy firms EWE and RWE, alongside the Swedish state-owned power company Vattenfall. Clean energy built on shaky foundations The challenges of offshore wind energy extend far beyond financial dependency. Offshore wind farms like Alpha Ventus face relentless wear and tear due to the harsh marine environment. Saltwater corrosion, powerful waves and extreme weather conditions accelerate the degradation of turbine components leading to frequent breakdowns and costly repairs. Unlike onshore wind farms, accessing and repairing offshore turbines is a logistical nightmare. Weather constraints and the need for specialized equipment and personnel make maintenance both time-consuming and prohibitively expensive. As Blackout News reported, these factors result in "more significant losses in electricity generation and revenue," further undermining the economic viability of offshore wind projects. Even the operators of Alpha Ventus acknowledge the limitations of their aging infrastructure. While upgrading the wind farm with modern turbines is theoretically an option, the spokesperson admitted that "the question arises as to which parts of the facility from the first phase of offshore technology could be meaningfully reused." This raises another critical issue: the environmental and financial costs of dismantling and replacing outdated wind farms. DOTI head Eric Richter noted that Alpha Ventus marks "the beginning of a new phase in offshore wind energy in Germany, in which many large wind farms will need to be dismantled and replaced with new ones." This cycle of construction, decommissioning and reconstruction is not only wasteful, but also contradicts the narrative of renewable energy as a sustainable solution. The story of Alpha Ventus exposes the green energy revolution as a scam built on shaky foundations. Offshore wind farms, touted as the future of clean energy, are unsustainable without perpetual government subsidies. Their high maintenance costs, logistical challenges, and environmental vulnerabilities make them a poor investment compared to more reliable energy sources. As Germany prepares to dismantle its first offshore wind farm, it is time to confront the uncomfortable truth: The so-called green energy revolution is a costly illusion, propped up by taxpayer money and false promises. Watch this clip about offshore wind turbines torturing whales. This video is from the Exposing The Agenda channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Green energy's dark side: bird deaths, graveyards of broken blades, and other ecological harms. "Clean" energy wind turbine DISASTER in Iowa leaves town on hook for MILLIONS in damages. Noise from offshore wind development authorized by NOAA linked to alarming number of whale deaths. Sources include: WattsUpWithThat.com NoTricksZone.com NWZOnline.de Brighteon.com Mark Zuckerbergs REAL NAME is Jacob Greenberg and he is the GRANDSON of DAVID ROCKEFELLER, hence the POWER of FAKEBOOK Still think Facebook was created by some no-name "wiz-kid" college student? Wrong. Did you know that the Rothschilds own nearly 10 percent of all Facebook shares and that Facebook was funded with $500 million from a CIA-owned bank? True story. Zuckerberg is a Jewish surname of Germany and has Yiddish origin meaning "sugar mountain, which is a clandestine term for the mountain of information everyone plugs into Fakebook for the CIA to extract, analyze, categorize, classify, and use against the populace for control , money, mass censorship, brainwashing youth, persecution, invasion of privacy, and political warfare. Zuckerberg is a pseudonym name derived from his great grandparents, Corinne Zuckerman Greenberg and Maurice Greenberg. Mark Zuckerbergs entire story is fake about his (real) age and being a Harvard dropout and was part of the scheme to hoodwink investors. Of course, all of fake news media, across the board, including Big Media, Big Tech, Google and all of social media (except for maybe X) will outright deny this and publish counterarguments and shilling excuses trying to debunk it. Thats all funded by Zuck bucks and the Rockefeller empire war chest (and probably some USAID billions). Fakebook Founder Mark Zuckerberg, a.k.a. Jacob Michael Greenberg, is backed by the Rockefeller Family billions and the CIA The Greenbergs and the Rockefellers are behind the Facebook I.P.O., a.k.a. Fakebook. The social media site was never really about people reuniting with their high school buddies, but rather it was always about people plugging all their private and personal information into a social hub that collected it all for spying, tracking purchase habits, and political control purposes. How much information have YOU plugged into Fakebook? Ever notice the ad popups relate to searches you made on other hubs, devices and search engines? Wonder why that is? You can simply be talking to someone in your home about something very specific, like your pets health problem, and suddenly Facebook will start showing you ads for veterinarians in your area and expensive pet medications. Did you vote for Trump and post comments and memes about it before and after the election? The Biden Regime, CIA, and FBI kept records of this. This is how they arrested many of the innocent protesters from January 6th. Some of those patriots never even went inside or even to the Capital but were tracked and traced for posts they put on Fakebook and groups they joined on there. Get off of Fakebook now. Delete your profile, if it will even let you. Stop posting there. Zuck is not supporting Trump or quitting his mass censorship of Conservatives. Thats a big fat lie. He just doesnt want to be arrested by Trump and the new DOJ for helping fix the Biden FAKE win of 2020. Do your own research and dont use Google. Try the search engine Brave BETA and get more truth news and real information. Bookmark Censored.news to your favorite websites for truth news about abortions, suicide, and mental health horror stories that are being censored from mass media while you read this. Sources for this article include: NaturalNews.com DailyMail.co.uk Netanyahu declares full-scale war in Gaza, vows to continue fighting only under fire Israel has resumed full-scale military operations in Gaza, with Netanyahu vowing to continue until hostages are freed and Hamas is eradicated. Hundreds of Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes, sparking fears of a humanitarian crisis and international condemnation. Families of Israeli hostages protested, accusing Netanyahu of prioritizing political survival over their loved ones' lives. The U.S. faced criticism for supporting Israels campaign, with human rights advocates calling it complicity in a "genocidal assault." Netanyahu dismissed accusations of sabotaging peace talks, calling them "lies," and vowed relentless pursuit of military goals. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Tuesday that Israel has resumed full-scale military operations against Hamas in Gaza, declaring that negotiations for a ceasefire will proceed "only under fire." The announcement came after a devastating wave of Israeli airstrikes killed hundreds of Palestinians, reigniting fears of a humanitarian catastrophe in the besieged enclave. Netanyahu, speaking from Tel Aviv, vowed to continue the war until all Israeli hostages are returned and Hamas is eradicated, dismissing accusations that he sabotaged peace talks for political gain. The renewed violence has sparked outrage among hostages' families, who protested outside Israels parliament, accusing the government of abandoning their loved ones. Meanwhile, the U.S. has faced criticism for its unwavering support of Israels military campaign, which many argue has enabled a genocidal assault on Gaza. Netanyahus defiant stance Netanyahus televised address marked a significant escalation in the conflict, which had been under a fragile two-month ceasefire. He declared that Israels military objectivessecuring the release of hostages and dismantling Hamaswould be pursued relentlessly. "We will continue to fight until all of our war goals are achieved," he said. The prime minister rejected claims that he had undermined peace negotiations to maintain his political coalition, calling such accusations "lies." He also lashed out at the media, accusing critics of echoing Hamas propaganda. "They have no shame, no red lines," he said. Netanyahus defiant tone was met with protests in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, where families of hostages and anti-government demonstrators gathered to demand an end to the war. Elias Shraga, chairman of the Movement for Quality Government in Israel, accused Netanyahu of prioritizing his political survival over the lives of Israelis and Palestinians. "This is a dangerous mixture," Shraga told CNN, adding that Netanyahu was willing to sacrifice his own people to preserve his governing coalition. The Israeli airstrikes, which began overnight Monday, targeted areas across Gaza, including Beit Lahia, Rafah, and Nuseirat. Gazas Health Ministry reported more than 400 deaths, with hospitals overwhelmed by the influx of casualties. Medical staff described the scenes as reminiscent of "Armageddon," with one doctor telling the BBC, "Everybody's mood was just shattered because we knew it was the start of the war again." The strikes also killed key Hamas figures, including Major General Mahmoud Abu Watfa, the deputy interior minister in Gaza. However, the high civilian toll has drawn condemnation from international observers, with Egypt calling the attacks "a blatant violation" of the ceasefire agreement and "a dangerous escalation." U.S. backing draws criticism amid humanitarian crisis The White House confirmed it was aware of Israels plans to resume military operations and gave its tacit approval. U.S. National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes stated that Hamas "could have released hostages to extend the ceasefire, but instead chose refusal and war." This support has drawn sharp criticism from human rights advocates, who argue that the U.S. is complicit in what they describe as a genocidal campaign against Palestinians. The resumption of hostilities has left families of Israeli hostages in despair. Liran Berman, whose twin brothers are still held by Hamas, told the BBC, "The Israeli government is not perfect, and Israel is not doing enough, because my brothers are not home." Protesters outside the Knesset accused Netanyahu of abandoning the hostages, with one banner reading, "The future of the coalition or the future of Israel." Netanyahus declaration that "this is just the beginning" suggests that the conflict in Gaza is far from over. With hundreds dead, hospitals overwhelmed, and hostages families protesting, the human cost of the war continues to mount. Meanwhile, the U.S. faces growing scrutiny for its role in supporting Israels military campaign. As the bombs fall and the death toll rises, how many more lives will be lost before peace becomes a priority? Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com CNN.com BBC.com Putin and Trump agree to PARTIAL CEASEFIRE in Ukraine, but path to lasting peace remains uncertain Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to a 30-day limited ceasefire targeting energy infrastructure during a two-and-a-half-hour phone call. This marks a rare diplomatic engagement between the two nations amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict. While both leaders described the call as positive, their visions for peace differ significantly. Putin demanded an end to Western military aid to Ukraine, demilitarization and recognition of Russias annexation of Ukrainian territories, while Trump proposed a broader ceasefire and emphasized progress toward ending the war. Putin announced an upcoming prisoner swap involving 175 prisoners of war from each side and the return of 23 critically wounded Ukrainian servicemen. This was seen as a goodwill gesture but did not address the core issues of the conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky cautiously welcomed the partial ceasefire but sought more details before full endorsement. European leaders, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron, called the agreement a "good start" but stressed that any deal must include Ukraine and protect its sovereignty. The path to a permanent resolution remains uncertain due to deep mistrust, Putin's demands and skepticism from European allies. While the ceasefire on energy infrastructure offers temporary relief, broader peace negotiations face significant hurdles, including disagreements over territorial claims and military aid. Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump discussed a potential settlement to the Ukraine conflict, agreeing to a limited ceasefire targeting energy infrastructure during a phone call lasting two and a half hours on Tuesday, March 18. While both sides described the conversation as positive, significant hurdles remain to achieving a lasting peace, with Putin demanding an end to Western military aid to Ukraine and Trump pushing for a broader 30-day ceasefire. The call, which included discussions on prisoner swaps, bilateral cooperation and the need for a permanent resolution, marks a rare moment of diplomatic engagement between the two nations amid a war that has raged for over three years. (Related: Trump and Putin poised for ceasefire talks as envoy reports "positive" progress in Ukraine negotiations.) The most immediate outcome of the call was a mutual agreement to halt strikes on energy infrastructure for 30 days. Trump proposed the idea, and Putin immediately ordered the Russian military to comply. The White House described the move as a first step toward broader peace negotiations, which will include discussions on a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and a full cessation of hostilities. However, the Kremlin's statement revealed that Putin declined to commit to a full month-long ceasefire, citing concerns over Ukraine's ability to adhere to agreements and the need for a robust monitoring mechanism. Putin also emphasized the "barbaric terrorist crimes" allegedly committed by Ukrainian militants against Russian civilians in the Kursk region, underscoring the deep mistrust between the two sides. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky cautiously welcomed the partial ceasefire but stressed that Kyiv would need more details before fully endorsing the plan. "We are favorable to the idea of both sides halting attacks on each other's infrastructure," Zelensky said in a statement. "But we are waiting for details from the American side." Prisoner swap and humanitarian gestures In a rare display of goodwill, Putin informed Trump of an upcoming prisoner swap with Ukraine. The exchange will involve 175 prisoners of war from each side, with Russia also returning 23 critically wounded Ukrainian servicemen. The move was seen as a confidence-building measure, but it did little to address the broader issues at the heart of the conflict. Putin reiterated his demand for the "complete cessation of foreign military aid and the provision of intelligence information to Kyiv," framing these conditions as essential to achieving a lasting peace. While both Trump and Putin expressed a commitment to ending the war, their visions for peace remain starkly different. Putin outlined a series of maximalist demands, including the demilitarization of Ukraine, a ban on Kyiv's NATO membership and recognition of Russia's annexation of four Ukrainian regions in 2022. These conditions, if accepted, would effectively undermine Ukraine's sovereignty and independence. Trump, for his part, framed the call as a step toward a broader peace agreement. "We agreed to an immediate ceasefire on all energy and infrastructure, with an understanding that we will be working quickly to have a complete ceasefire and, ultimately, an end to this very horrible war," he wrote on his Truth Social platform. However, Trump's remarks have raised concerns among European allies, who fear that the U.S. may prioritize securing a deal over protecting Ukraine's interests. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, speaking alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, called the partial ceasefire "a good start" but stressed that "there cannot be an agreement without Ukraine." The Putin-Trump call represents a rare moment of diplomatic engagement in a conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions. The agreement to halt strikes on energy infrastructure, if upheld, could provide temporary relief to war-weary civilians on both sides. Head over to WWIII.news for updates on the Ukraine war. Watch the video below that talks about Ukraine agreeing to Trump's ceasefire proposal. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: U.S. resumes military aid to Ukraine after Kyiv agrees to 30-day ceasefire, but Russia holds the cards. Zelensky rejects territorial concessions as Putin weighs ceasefire proposal. Sources include: RT.com TheGuardian.com Brighteon.com SpaceX brings stranded astronauts home after nearly 10 months in space NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams returned to Earth after a 10-month mission, initially planned for one week, due to Boeing Starliner malfunctions. SpaceXs Crew Dragon capsule safely brought the astronauts home, ending a rescue mission delayed by political controversies. Elon Musk criticized the Biden administration for postponing the rescue, claiming it was influenced by election concerns. The astronauts conducted 150 experiments during their extended ISS stay, contributing valuable research for future space exploration. After a mission that was supposed to last just one week turned into a nearly 10-month odyssey, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore, 62, and Suni Williams, 59, finally returned to Earth on Tuesday. The duo, along with fellow astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, splashed down safely in the Gulf of America off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida, aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. The dramatic rescue mission, orchestrated by Elon Musks SpaceX, marked the end of a saga that had become mired in technical failures and political controversy. The astronauts journey began in June 2024 when they launched aboard Boeings Starliner spacecraft for what was intended to be a brief test flight to the International Space Station (ISS). However, a series of malfunctions, including helium leaks and thruster issues, left the Starliner unfit for their return. NASA and Boeing decided to send the spacecraft back to Earth unmanned, leaving Wilmore and Williams stranded on the ISS. A rescue mission delayed SpaceX, which has become a cornerstone of NASAs commercial crew program, stepped in to bring the astronauts home. Elon Musk, SpaceXs founder, has publicly criticized the Biden administration for delaying the rescue mission, claiming it was postponed for political reasons. We definitely offered to return the astronauts earlier, Musk said in a recent interview. The astronauts were only supposed to be there for eight days, and theyve been there for almost ten months. That doesnt make any sense. Musk alleged that the Biden administration rejected SpaceXs initial rescue proposal in September 2024, fearing a potential disaster ahead of the November election. President Donald Trump, who has been vocal about the issue, accused Biden of abandoning the astronauts. The most incompetent president in our history has allowed that to happen to you, Trump said in a message to the astronauts earlier this month. A triumphant return The Crew Dragon capsule, named Dragon Freedom, undocked from the ISS early Tuesday morning and began its 17-hour journey back to Earth. As it re-entered the atmosphere, traveling at 17,500 miles per hour, the capsules heat shield glowed red-hot before four parachutes deployed, slowing its descent to a gentle 16 miles per hour. The capsule splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico at approximately 5:57 p.m. EST, greeted by SpaceX recovery ships and even a school of dolphins. On behalf of SpaceX, welcome home, mission control radioed to the crew. What a ride, replied Hague, the capsules commander. The astronauts, grinning from ear to ear, were helped out of the capsule and into wheelchairsstandard procedure for those readjusting to gravity after prolonged spaceflight. A productive stay despite being unplanned During their extended stay on the ISS, Wilmore and Williams conducted around 150 experiments, logging approximately 900 hours of research that will contribute to future space exploration. The work we do on the International Space Station benefits the nation, benefits people on Earth, and are the building blocks for going back to the moon and to Mars, said Joel Montalbano, NASAs deputy associate administrator for space operations. The astronauts 286-day stay ranks as the sixth-longest continuous space mission in history, just behind astronaut Peggy Whitsons 289-day record. Despite the challenges, Wilmore and Williams maintained their composure, even as their ordeal became a political flashpoint. The safe return of Wilmore, Williams, Hague, and Gorbunov is a testament to the resilience of the astronauts and the ingenuity of SpaceX. While the mission highlighted the risks of space travel and the complexities of international collaboration, it also underscored the importance of private-sector innovation in advancing human exploration. As the astronauts undergo medical evaluations at Johnson Space Center in Houston, their story serves as a reminder of the challenges and triumphs of space exploration and the need to keep politics out of the equation when lives are on the line. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com NYPost.com FoxBusiness.com FoxNews.com SpaceX capsule rescues stranded astronauts at the International Space Station The SpaceX Dragon capsule successfully docked at the International Space Station (ISS) on March 13, retrieving NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore after an unexpected nine-month stay in space. Williams and Wilmore's prolonged mission began due to technical issues with the Boeing Starliner capsule, which prevented their timely return to Earth. The delay sparked political controversy, with claims that the astronauts were stranded for election-related reasons, denied by NASA officials who emphasized safety and operational considerations. Williams and Wilmore expressed relief and excitement as they prepared to return to Earth and reunite with their families following their mission. The successful retrieval of Williams and Wilmore highlights the resilience of astronauts, the importance of international cooperation and the enduring spirit of space exploration. The crew of the SpaceX Dragon capsule successfully docked at the International Space Station (ISS) early Thursday, March 13, retrieving two astronauts who had been stranded in space for an unexpected nine months. NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore were greeted by a unique welcome from their ISS crewmate, Nick Hague, who donned an alien mask upon their arrival. The mission, which also delivered four new astronauts to the ISS, comes after a series of technical and political challenges that kept Williams and Wilmore in orbit much longer than anticipated. The docking of the SpaceX Dragon capsule marked the end of a long wait for Williams and Wilmore, who were initially expected to return to Earth after just eight days in space. Their extended stay began when the Boeing Starliner capsule, which was supposed to bring them home, encountered numerous technical issues and was deemed unfit for the return journey. Hague, already aboard the ISS, greeted the incoming crew with a festive touch by wearing an alien mask, adding a lighthearted moment to the otherwise tense situation. (Related: Elon Musk's SpaceX tapped to rescue 2 astronauts stuck in space aboard malfunctioning Boeing Starliner.) Williams and Wilmores journey back to Earth is now set to begin as early as Wednesday, following a period where they will assist the incoming Crew-10 members, including NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan's Takuya Onishi and Russia's Kirill Pesko, in adapting to life aboard the ISS. Williams expressed her relief and excitement in a post-docking interview, stating, "It was a wonderful day. Great to see our friends arrive." The politics of rescue The prolonged stay of Williams and Wilmore in space became a focal point during the U.S. election after claims emerged that their return was delayed for political reasons. President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk alleged that the astronauts were left stranded to avoid making Trump appear successful in their retrieval. Musk even disclosed that he had offered to rescue them eight months prior, but the Biden administration reportedly declined, fearing it would enhance Trump's standing in the election race. These allegations were met with skepticism by NASA officials, who denied any political interference in the mission timeline. Ken Bowersox, NASA's associate administrator, acknowledged that while discussions about the timing may have occurred, they were not part of his purview, emphasizing that safety and operational considerations were paramount. As the Crew-10 settles into their six-month mission at the ISS, Williams and Wilmore look forward to reuniting with their families. Williams, who missed her two dogs and family, including her husband Michael and mother Bonnie, expressed her eagerness to return home. Similarly, Wilmore, a father of two teenage daughters, shared his daughters' sentiments about the ordeal, with daughter Daryn describing it as mentally exhausting. The return of Williams and Wilmore brings closure to a mission that captured global attention due to its unexpected twists and the ensuing political debate. Their story underscores the resilience and adaptability of astronauts, who must navigate not only the challenges of space exploration but also the unpredictability of earthly politics. The successful docking of the SpaceX Dragon capsule and the retrieval of Williams and Wilmore mark a significant milestone in space exploration, highlighting the importance of international cooperation and the enduring human spirit in overcoming adversity. Despite the political and technical hurdles, the mission stands as a testament to the dedication of astronauts and the relentless pursuit of advancing space exploration for the benefit of humanity. Watch the video below where Trump blasts Biden for abandoning NASA astronauts in space for "political reasons." This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Stranded NASA astronauts face difficulties in space as they wait to be rescued in February 2025. Military trains for astronaut rescues at sea amid rising space travel and ISS missions. Astronauts stranded at International Space Station told they might not return until February thanks to faulty Boeing Starliner. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk TimesOfIndia.IndiaTimes.com Brighteon.com Trump administration DEFIES federal judge, proceeds with deporting gang members The Trump administration deported over 250 Venezuelan Tren de Aragua (TdA) and 23 MS-13 members to El Salvador under the Alien Enemies Act, despite a federal judges emergency order to halt the expulsions. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg issued an emergency ruling to stop the deportations, but the administration proceeded, defying the court order. Critics, including the ACLU, argue the administration violated due process, with claims some deportees were fleeing the gangs they were accused of joining. They warned of dire consequences, including imprisonment in El Salvador. The White House cited public safety and presidential authority under the AEA, which allows deporting noncitizens deemed threats during war or invasion. TdA was designated a foreign terrorist organization. The DOJ appealed the restraining order, arguing it undermines presidential authority, sparking debate over executive power and judicial oversight. The second Trump administration has proceeded with the deportation of criminal gang members from the U.S. under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act (AEA), defying a federal judge's order to halt these expulsions. Over the weekend, the White House ordered the deportation of criminals part of the Salvadoran MS-13 and Venezuelan Tren de Aragua (TdA) gangs. But in an eleventh-hour attempt, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued an emergency ruling to block the deportation of the TdA members. The order by Boasberg, appointed to the bench by former President Barack Obama, commanded the White House to halt deportation flights and reverse aircraft already en route. "Any plane containing these folks that is going to take off or is in the air needs to be returned to the U.S.," the magistrate said. "This is something that you need to make sure is complied with immediately." But Boasberg's order issued Saturday, March 15, fell on deaf ears as the Trump administration went ahead with the deportations. As confirmed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, over 250 TdA members were sent on a deportation flight to El Salvador. Alongside this, a total of 23 MS-13 members were also flown to El Salvador to face justice in the country. (Related: MS-13 and Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gangs could form ALLIANCE, warns FBI agent.) White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasize the administration's commitment to enforcing the AEA as necessary to protect public safety. The law allows the president to deport noncitizens deemed a threat during times of war or invasion. "These are the most violent, heinous criminal monsters you could ever imagine," she said in an interview. "The president invoked this authority to deport nearly 300 of them, who are now in El Salvador, where they will be behind bars where they belong rather than roaming freely in American communities." TdA deportations: A hardline move or legal overreach? The Trump administration has sparked a legal and political firestorm, with critics accusing the administration of overstepping judicial authority and prioritizing executive power over due process. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) argues that the deportations were based on flimsy evidence. Some individuals were fleeing the very gang they were accused of belonging to, it adds. "The Trump administration's intent to use a wartime authority for immigration enforcement is as unprecedented as it is lawless," said Lee Gelernt, deputy director of the ACLU's Immigrants' Rights Project. Incidentally, the organization represents several plaintiffs accused of being TdA members. Gelernt also warned that the deportees faced dire consequences, including imprisonment in El Salvador a sentiment Boasberg agreed with. True enough, the deportation flight carrying the MS-13 and TdA members landed in El Salvador on Sunday, March 16. The gang members were then hauled to the maximum-security Terrorism Confinement Center, as confirmed by Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele. The administration's legal justification hinges on U.S. President Donald Trump's earlier executive order designating Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization, coupled with the Alien Enemies Act, which has not been invoked since World War II. Despite concerns, the Trump administration has shown no signs of relenting. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi criticized the magistrate's ruling, accusing him of prioritizing "TdA terrorists over the safety of Americans." The Department of Justice has appealed the temporary restraining order, arguing that it undermines the presidents authority to remove dangerous individuals from the country. As the legal battle unfolds, the deportation of TdA members underscores the Trump administration's hardline approach to immigration and border security. Watch this Fox Business report about the Trump administration's deportation flights to Ecuador. This video is from the InfoWarSSideBand channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Internal Homeland Security memo warns Tren de Aragua is now active in 16 states and Washington, D.C. Texas judge threw out prosecutions of Tren de Aragua gang members who crossed border illegally. Violent "Tren de Aragua" prison gang from Venezuela terrorizes, takes over El Paso hotel. Sources include: YourNews.com ABCNews.go.com Breitbart.com Brighteon.com Trump admin seeking to deport Israel critic as a foreign policy threat, not lawbreaker The Trump administration is seeking to deport "anti-Semitic" pro-Palestine activist Mahmoud Khalil not because he broke any law but instead because his political activism poses a "national security risk" that threatens US "foreign policy." (Article by Chris Menahan republished from InformationLiberation.com) "The allegation here is not that he was breaking the law," a White House official told Bari Weiss' Free Press. So there's no claim that this person violated any laws -- just that his political speech makes him a "national security risk" because he espoused views "contrary to the foreign policy of the US." Hard to recall a more blatant and unapologetic abridgment of the First Amendment pic.twitter.com/SYpwBHIWsy Michael Tracey (@mtracey) March 11, 2025 From The Free Press, "The ICE Detention of a Columbia Student Is Just the Beginning": On Saturday evening, federal immigration authorities arrested an anti-Israel activist who helped lead protests against the Jewish state on Columbia Universitys campus after Hamass October 7, 2023 attack. As progressive activists and free speech advocates protested the move to revoke Mahmoud Khalils green card over civil liberties concerns Monday, President Donald Trump warned that Khalils arrest would be the first of many to come. Indeed, a White House official told The Free Press that the basis for targeting Khalil is being used as a blueprint for investigations against other students. Khalil is a threat to the foreign policy and national security interests of the United States, said the official, noting that this calculation was the driving force behind the arrest. The allegation here is not that he was breaking the law, said the official. He was mobilizing support for Hamas and spreading antisemitism in a way that is contrary to the foreign policy of the U.S., said the official, noting the Trump administration reviewed intelligence that found Khalil was a national security risk. "The Trump administration is seeking to deport Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil specifically via INA Section 237 (a)(4)(C) after Secretary Rubio "found that his presence and activities in the U.S. would compromise a compelling US foreign policy interest, rendering him deportable," a senior State Department official tells me," Fox News' Bill Melugin reported on Tuesday. The statute renders deportable "an 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..." Zeteo reported Tuesday that a State Department source told them Marco Rubio did personally sign off on the deportation order. Trump and his lackeys initially tried to justify the move to have Khalil deported by claiming he was some sort of horrible "pro-terrorist" lawbreaker but now they're just admitting he broke no laws and it's his opposition to Israel that makes him a threat to US "foreign policy." Read more at: InformationLiberation.com Fani Willis $54K penalty exposes culture of secrecy and corruption in Trump prosecution Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis was ordered to pay $54,264 in attorneys fees and litigation costs for intentionally violating Georgias open records laws. The ruling by Judge Rachel Krause highlights a pattern of secrecy and hostility in Willis office, particularly regarding requests for documents related to special prosecutor Nathan Wade. The case revealed questionable financial arrangements between Willis and Wade, who was paid over $600,000 for his work on the Trump prosecution. Wades undisclosed romantic relationship with Willis and his spending on lavish vacations raised ethical concerns and potential conflicts of interest. Willis office was found to have treated open records requests from attorney Ashleigh Merchant with hostility, refusing standard communication practices. Judge Krause ruled that the offices actions were intentional, not done in good faith, and were substantially groundless and vexatious. The ruling underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in government. Repeated violations of open records laws by Willis office undermine public trust and highlight the dangers of unchecked power, particularly in politically charged cases. The case serves as a wake-up call for greater transparency and ethical standards in public office. While the financial penalty is a step toward accountability, systemic reforms are needed to ensure public officials adhere to the rule of law and uphold the integrity of the justice system. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has been ordered to pay $54,264 in attorneys fees and litigation costs for intentionally violating Georgias open records laws, a ruling that underscores a troubling pattern of government opacity and potential corruption in her high-profile prosecution of former President Donald Trump. The decision, handed down by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Rachel Krause, reveals a disturbing disregard for transparency and accountability within Willis office, raising serious questions about the integrity of her case against Trump. This ruling is not just a legal rebuke; it is a damning indictment of a public official who has repeatedly flouted the law while pursuing a politically charged prosecution. For conservatives who value limited government and the rule of law, this case is a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked power and the urgent need for accountability in public office. A pattern of secrecy and hostility Judge Krauses ruling highlights a deliberate effort by Willis office to stonewall legitimate requests for public records. Attorney Ashleigh Merchant, who filed the motion to disqualify Willis from the Trump case, sought documents related to Nathan Wade, the special prosecutor appointed by Willis. Wade, who was paid more than $600,000 for his work on the case, was later revealed to have been in an undisclosed romantic relationship with Willis. The court found that Willis office was openly hostile to Merchants requests, treating them differently from other open records inquiries. Dexter Bond, the Open Records custodian for Willis office, testified that he refused to communicate with Merchant by phone, a standard practice he followed with other requestors. Judge Krause noted that this behavior indicates a lack of good faith and concluded that the offices failures were intentional, not done in good faith, and were substantially groundless and vexatious. This is not the first time Willis has been penalized for violating open records laws. Earlier this year, she was ordered to pay nearly $22,000 in attorneys fees to a conservative watchdog group after failing to provide documents in response to another lawsuit. These repeated violations suggest a troubling culture of secrecy and a blatant disregard for the publics right to know. Financial impropriety and ethical concerns The records at the center of this case shed light on the questionable financial arrangements between Willis and Wade. Wade, who resigned from the Trump case amid revelations about his relationship with Willis, reportedly paid for lavish vacations and other expenses during their time together. Merchant argued that both Willis and Wade may have financially benefited from Wades appointment, raising serious ethical concerns about the legitimacy of the prosecution. This scandal is reminiscent of past abuses of power by public officials who have used their positions for personal gain. The Watergate scandal, for example, exposed how unchecked authority can lead to corruption and undermine public trust. In Willis case, the lack of transparency and potential conflicts of interest threaten to erode confidence in the justice system and fuel perceptions of political bias. A broader threat to government accountability The implications of this ruling extend far beyond the Trump case. Georgias Open Records Act is designed to ensure transparency and hold public officials accountable. When government agencies violate these laws, they undermine the publics ability to scrutinize their actions and hold them to account. For conservatives, this case is a stark reminder of the importance of limited government and the need for robust checks and balances. When public officials operate in the shadows, they are more likely to abuse their power and act in their own self-interest. The $54,000 penalty imposed on Willis is a small price to pay for restoring accountability, but it is only a first step. A call for accountability and reform Fani Willis repeated violations of open records laws are a glaring example of government overreach and corruption. Her actions not only undermine the integrity of the Trump prosecution but also erode public trust in the justice system. People must demand greater transparency and accountability from public officials. This case serves as a wake-up call for all Americans who value the rule of law and limited government. It is a reminder that unchecked power corrupts, and that people must remain vigilant in holding their leaders accountable. The $54,000 penalty is a step in the right direction, but it is not enough. Systemic reforms are needed to ensure that public officials are held to the highest ethical standards and that transparency is not just a buzzword, but a fundamental principle of governance. As Judge Krauses ruling makes clear, the stakes could not be higher. The integrity of the justice system depends on it. Sources include: YourNews.com FoxNews.com NewsMax.com Sorry, something doesn't look right. Something seems unusual about your device or browser. Please contact support. Due to scheduled maintenance from Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 10 PM to Sunday, March 16, 2025, at 2 AM, there may be interruptions for our News Gazette Digital subscribers. During this time frame, please click on any News Gazette website content without logging into your News Gazette Digital subscription account. Thank you for your patience during this scheduled maintenance. Download Now The News-Gazette mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Read the News-Gazette on your mobile device just as it appears in print. Metabolic and hormonal effects Reproductive health Bone and cardiovascular health Neuropsychiatric considerations Future research and clinical implications Conclusion Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) were initially developed to regulate blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, their therapeutic effects extend beyond glycemic control, particularly in weight management and metabolic disorders. Recently, GLP-1 RAs have gained prominence for their role in weight loss, leading to their approval for obesity treatment.1 Beyond diabetes and obesity, GLP-1 RAs exhibit a broad spectrum of physiological effects that significantly impact women's health. These include cardiovascular protection, neuroprotection, and metabolic regulation, which can influence conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and osteoporosis. Emerging evidence suggests that GLP-1 RAs modulate hormonal balance, lipid metabolism, and inflammatory pathways, offering potential therapeutic benefits in reproductive health and menopause-related metabolic changes. Furthermore, GLP-1 RAs have shown promise in reducing cancer risk, particularly in hormone-related malignancies such as breast and ovarian cancer.1 This article explores the unexpected effects of GLP-1 RAs on womens health, highlighting their impact on metabolic, reproductive, cardiovascular, and neuropsychiatric health while identifying gaps in research and future clinical implications. Image Credit: fizkes/Shutterstock.com Metabolic and hormonal effects GLP-1 RAs have emerged as promising therapeutic agents in managing metabolic and hormonal disturbances in PCOS. Originally developed for T2D, these agents enhance insulin sensitivity by reducing insulin resistance, as demonstrated by significant declines in Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) scores. Improved insulin sensitivity is closely linked to favorable changes in body composition, such as decreased BMI and waist circumference, which are critical for PCOS patients who often present with obesity.2 Furthermore, GLP-1 RAs have been shown to modulate the hormonal milieu in PCOS. They contribute to a mild reduction in androgen levels, evidenced by decreases in total testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), while simultaneously increasing sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels. These shifts help to restore a more balanced hormonal profile, potentially mitigating the hyperandrogenism that underlies many PCOS symptoms.2 In addition to metabolic and androgen improvements, GLP-1 RAs appear to influence menstrual cyclicity positively. Enhanced insulin sensitivity and direct effects on the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian axis may promote more regular ovulatory cycles and improved fertility outcomes.2 Download your PDF copy now! Reproductive health GLP-1RAs have demonstrated benefits in restoring ovulation, particularly in women with PCOS, by improving insulin sensitivity and reducing androgen levels. However, their impact on endometrial receptivity and implantation remains unclear.2,3 GLP-1RAs influence the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, enhancing gonadotropin secretion and improving ovarian function. While this supports fertility, concerns persist about their effects on early pregnancy. Limited data suggest GLP-1RAs may alter endometrial receptivity, potentially affecting implantation success rates. Animal studies indicate GLP-1RA treatment improves ovarian morphology in PCOS models, but human data are sparse.2,3 During pregnancy, GLP-1RAs may impact fetal development due to their metabolic effects. Current guidelines advise discontinuation before conception due to unknown teratogenic risks. Furthermore, their influence on placental function and fetal growth requires further investigation.3 Overall, GLP-1RAs offer promise in reproductive medicine, particularly for obesity-related infertility. However, their safety and efficacy in pregnancy require more research to determine optimal use in fertility treatments and assisted reproduction technologies (ART).3 Who Should Take Weight Loss Injections, and Who Shouldnt? Bone and cardiovascular health GLP-1RAs influence bone metabolism by promoting bone formation and reducing resorption, potentially mitigating osteoporosis risk. However, some studies indicate an increased risk of fractures, possibly due to weight loss-associated reductions in bone mineral density (BMD).4 Postmenopausal women, already at heightened risk for osteoporosis, may benefit from GLP-1RAs anabolic effects on bone, yet data on long-term fracture risk remain inconclusive. The cardiovascular benefits of GLP-1RAs are well-established, with clinical trials demonstrating reductions in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), improved endothelial function, and lower blood pressure. These benefits are particularly relevant for women who often present with atypical cardiovascular symptoms and higher heart failure risk.4,5 Despite these advantages, concerns about potential adverse effects, including gastrointestinal intolerance and possible cardiovascular adaptations that may influence bone health, warrant further investigation. A personalized approach considering individual bone and cardiovascular risk profiles is essential when prescribing GLP-1RAs to women, particularly those with osteoporosis or high cardiovascular risk.4,5 Role of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists for Weight Loss Play Neuropsychiatric considerations Emerging reports indicate potential neuropsychiatric effects of GLP-1RAs, including mood changes, appetite suppression, and cognitive function implications. Patients have reported both positive and negative mood alterations. Some individuals experience improved well-being, reduced anxiety, and better emotional stability, potentially linked to weight loss and metabolic improvements. Conversely, others report increased depression, anxiety, and, in some cases, suicidal thoughts. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has begun monitoring these concerns.6 GLP-1RAs significantly reduce appetite, which may help control compulsive eating behaviors. Notably, some users report a reduction in cravings for not just food but also substances like alcohol and nicotine, suggesting a potential role in managing addictive behaviors.6 Preliminary evidence indicates that GLP-1RAs may influence cognitive function by modulating neurotransmitters and inflammation. Some users report clearer thinking and improved focus, while others experience brain fog or fatigue, potentially linked to hypoglycemia. While GLP-1RAs offer substantial benefits, their psychological impact requires further investigation to ensure long-term safety.6 Are GLP-1 Drugs the Future of Alcohol Addiction Treatment? Future research and clinical implications Current studies focus on short-term efficacy, but gaps persist regarding the impact on reproductive health, hormonal balance, and bone density over prolonged use. Ongoing research aims to assess GLP-1 RAs influence on menstrual irregularities, fertility, and pregnancy outcomes. Given their appetite-suppressing properties, concerns arise about potential nutritional deficiencies and their consequences on maternal and fetal health. Additionally, their effects on postmenopausal women, especially regarding osteoporosis risk, warrant further investigation.7 The metabolic and cardiovascular benefits of GLP-1 RAs are evident, yet sex-specific responses remain unclear. Womens hormonal fluctuations may alter drug efficacy and side effect profiles, necessitating gender-stratified trials. Furthermore, the psychosocial impact, particularly in those with eating disorders, requires careful evaluation.7 Future research should prioritize longitudinal studies to determine safety and effectiveness in diverse female populations. Tailored dosing and monitoring guidelines must be developed to mitigate risks while maximizing benefits. Addressing these gaps is critical to ensuring that GLP-1 RAs serve as a safe and effective intervention for womens metabolic health.7 Conclusion Current evidence supports the efficacy of GLP-1 RAs in managing T2DM and obesity, with additional benefits for cardiovascular and renal health. However, specific considerations are necessary for women, including reproductive health, pregnancy, and long-term metabolic outcomes. While GLP-1 medications show promising weight loss effects and glycemic control, their safety in pregnancy remains uncertain, necessitating alternative therapeutic approaches for women of childbearing age. Emerging research focuses on optimizing GLP-1 therapies through combination treatments, novel oral formulations, and personalized medicine approaches. Investigations into sex-specific metabolic responses, hormonal influences, and potential long-term adverse effects are crucial for refining treatment guidelines. Moreover, research into GLP-1s impact on PCOS, menopausal metabolic shifts, and osteoporosis risk is gaining attention. Clinicians should adopt an individualized approach, considering patient-specific factors such as age, reproductive plans, comorbidities, and tolerance. Ongoing trials and real-world data will further shape best practices, ensuring the safe and effective use of GLP-1 medications in women. Collaborative, interprofessional care remains essential in maximizing benefits while mitigating risks associated with this drug class. References Zhao, X., Wang, M., Wen, Z., Lu, Z., Cui, L., Fu, C., Xue, H., Liu, Y. and Zhang, Y. (2021). GLP-1 receptor agonists: beyond their pancreatic effects. Frontiers in endocrinology, 12, 721135. Zhou, L., Qu, H., Yang, L., & Shou, L. (2023). Effects of GLP1RAs on pregnancy rate and menstrual cyclicity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a meta-analysis and systematic review. BMC Endocrine Disorders, 23(1), 245. SolaLeyva, A., Pathare, A. D., Apostolov, A., Aleksejeva, E., Kask, K., Tammiste, T., ... & Salumets, A. (2025). The hidden impact of GLP1 receptor agonists on endometrial receptivity and implantation. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, 104(2), 258-266. Xie, B., Chen, S., Xu, Y., Han, W., Hu, R., Chen, M., Zhang, Y. and Ding, S. (2021). The impact of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists on bone metabolism and its possible mechanisms in osteoporosis treatment. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 12, 697442. Ferhatbegovic, L., Mrsic, D., & Macic-Dzankovic, A. (2023). The benefits of GLP1 receptors in cardiovascular diseases. Frontiers in clinical diabetes and healthcare, 4, 1293926. Arillotta, D., Floresta, G., Guirguis, A., Corkery, J.M., Catalani, V., Martinotti, G., Sensi, S.L. and Schifano, F. (2023). GLP-1 receptor agonists and related mental health issues; insights from a range of social media platforms using a mixed-methods approach. Brain sciences, 13(11), 1503. Cooper, D. M., Rothstein, M. A., Amin, A., Hirsch, J. D., & Cooper, E. (2023). Unintended consequences of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists medications in children and adolescents: a call to action. Journal of Clinical and Translational Science, 7(1), e184.https://doi.org/10.1017/cts.2023.612 Further Reading Since becoming only the second Alzheimer's-modifying drug to gain American Federal Drug Administration approval in 2023, sales of lecanemab, known by its brand name Leqembi, have risen steadily, reaching $87-million USD in the last quarter of 2024. In its Phase 3 clinical trial, lecanemab slowed cognitive decline by 27 per cent overall, yet one subset of data suggested little to no benefit in females, though the cause of the difference was not clear. An FDA committee voted unanimously that the Phrase 3 trial verified the clinical benefit of lecanemab. Even so, several follow-up papers focused on the trial's apparent sex difference result to cast doubt on prescribing lecanemab to females. To test whether the lecanemab trial truly showed a sex difference in drug effectiveness, McGill PhD candidate Daniel Andrews, in collaboration with researchers led by neuroscientist Prof. Louis Collins, ran simulated trials on openly available Alzheimer's patient data, using the same demographics and constraints as the lecanemab trial. They found that indeed lecanemab was probably less effective in females than males in the Phase 3 trial. However, there was insufficient evidence to say the drug was totally ineffective in females. In some patients, lecanemab causes serious side effects. Andrews' and Collins' findings should better prepare clinicians to decide whether the potential benefits of lecanemab outweigh the potential harms in female patients, and may inform future consideration of the drug's approval in other countries. The findings also suggest ways future drug trials can better account for sex differences. Their results were published in The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association on Jan. 29, 2025. Modern humans descended from not one, but at least two ancestral populations that drifted apart and later reconnected, long before modern humans spread across the globe. Using advanced analysis based on full genome sequences, researchers from the University of Cambridge have found evidence that modern humans are the result of a genetic mixing event between two ancient populations that diverged around 1.5 million years ago. About 300,000 years ago, these groups came back together, with one group contributing 80% of the genetic makeup of modern humans and the other contributing 20%. For the last two decades, the prevailing view in human evolutionary genetics has been that Homo sapiens first appeared in Africa around 200,000 to 300,000 years ago, and descended from a single lineage. However, these latest results, reported in the journal Nature Genetics, suggest a more complex story. "The question of where we come from is one that has fascinated humans for centuries," said first author Dr. Trevor Cousins from Cambridge's Department of Genetics. "For a long time, it's been assumed that we evolved from a single continuous ancestral lineage, but the exact details of our origins are uncertain." Our research shows clear signs that our evolutionary origins are more complex, involving different groups that developed separately for more than a million years, then came back to form the modern human species." Professor Richard Durbin, co-author, Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge While earlier research has already shown that Neanderthals and Denisovans two now-extinct human relatives interbred with Homo sapiens around 50,000 years ago, this new research suggests that long before those interactions around 300,000 years ago a much more substantial genetic mixing took place. Unlike Neanderthal DNA, which makes up roughly 2% of the genome of non-African modern humans, this ancient mixing event contributed as much as 10 times that amount and is found in all modern humans. The team's method relied on analysing modern human DNA, rather than extracting genetic material from ancient bones, and enabled them to infer the presence of ancestral populations that may have otherwise left no physical trace. The data used in the study is from the 1000 Genomes Project, a global initiative that sequenced DNA from populations across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The team developed a computational algorithm called cobraa that models how ancient human populations split apart and later merged back together. They tested the algorithm using simulated data and applied it to real human genetic data from the 1000 Genomes Project. While the researchers were able to identify these two ancestral populations, they also identified some striking changes that happened after the two populations initially broke apart. "Immediately after the two ancestral populations split, we see a severe bottleneck in one of them-suggesting it shrank to a very small size before slowly growing over a period of one million years," said co-author Professor Aylwyn Scally, also from the Department of Genetics. "This population would later contribute about 80% of the genetic material of modern humans, and also seems to have been the ancestral population from which Neanderthals and Denisovans diverged." "However, some of the genes from the population which contributed a minority of our genetic material, particularly those related to brain function and neural processing, may have played a crucial role in human evolution," said Cousins. The study also found that genes inherited from the second population were often located away from regions of the genome linked to gene functions, suggesting that they may have been less compatible with the majority genetic background. This hints at a process known as purifying selection, where natural selection removes harmful mutations over time. Beyond human ancestry, the researchers say their method could help to transform how scientists study the evolution of other species. In addition to their analysis of human evolutionary history, they applied the cobraa model to genetic data from bats, dolphins, chimpanzees, and gorillas, finding evidence of ancestral population structure in some but not all of these. "What's becoming clear is that the idea of species evolving in clean, distinct lineages is too simplistic," said Cousins. "Interbreeding and genetic exchange have likely played a major role in the emergence of new species repeatedly across the animal kingdom." So who were our mysterious human ancestors? Fossil evidence suggests that species such as Homo erectus and Homo heidelbergensis lived both in Africa and other regions during this period, making them potential candidates for these ancestral populations, although more research (and perhaps more evidence) will be needed to identify which genetic ancestors corresponded to which fossil group. Looking ahead, the team hopes to refine their model to account for more gradual genetic exchanges between populations, rather than sharp splits and reunions. They also plan to explore how their findings relate to other discoveries in anthropology, such as fossil evidence from Africa that suggests early humans may have been far more diverse than previously thought. "The fact that we can reconstruct events from hundreds of thousands or millions of years ago just by looking at DNA today is astonishing," said Scally. "And it tells us that our history is far richer and more complex than we imagined." The research was supported by Wellcome. Aylwyn Scally is a Fellow of Darwin College, Cambridge. Trevor Cousins is a member of Darwin College, Cambridge. Fan Zhang, PhD, sees artificial intelligence as a pathway to finding an effective way to combat an intractable enemy: rheumatoid arthritis. Zhang is an assistant professor in the University of Colorado Department of Medicine's Division of Rheumatology and also is affiliated with the Department of Biomedical Informatics on the CU Anschutz Medical Campus. She recently received a highly competitive grant from the Arthritis Foundation to further her work in harnessing AI to better predict the onset of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in particular patients, and a new paper documents the latest steps in her work. Zhang's research focus is developing methods involving computational machine learning using algorithms to learn from data and make predictions to study RA and other autoimmune diseases, drawing on large-scale clinical and preclinical single-cell datasets. That work, she says, could drive targeted interventions that could prevent the disease's progression. There's been significant research into how to treat a patient after someone is diagnosed. But there have been fewer studies into developing preventive strategies and identifying which healthy people are at risk of developing RA in the next couple of years. That's much more challenging. So we focus on enhancing disease prediction, ultimately enabling early disease prevention." Fan Zhang, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of Colorado Department of Medicine's Division of Rheumatology Bridging data science with translational medicine RA is a chronic autoimmune disease, meaning it's a disorder in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy tissue, causing inflammation. Although RA is often associated with swelling, pain, and stiffness in the joints, it can affect various parts of the body, including the heart and lungs. It's estimated about 18 million people worldwide live with RA, 1.5 million of them in the United States. Nearly three times as many women have the disorder as men. Available treatments can reduce inflammation and provide some relief, but there are no effective preventive treatments and no cures. The cause is uncertain, although RA has been associated with certain genes that may be triggered by a range of external factors. Research has shown that many people who eventually develop RA symptoms experience immunological abnormalities that can be detected though blood tests years before the symptoms appear. Yet the length of this symptom-free "preclinical" phase can vary widely, and some people with these abnormalities never develop the full disease. What's needed, Zhang says, are more precise ways to predict which people with preclinical abnormalities or with a family history of RA will progress to the full disease and how soon. Zhang describes her work as a "bridge" between data science and translational medicine. "Our research is very interdisciplinary," Zhang says. "We have large-scale data from patients with autoimmune disease, so that gives us the opportunity to apply our AI tools to various cohorts of patients." Zhang's team analyzes data on genetics, genomics, epigenetics, protein, and other factors from individual cells at various time points over long periods known as single-cell multi-modal sequencing. "Putting all these things together, we can hope to more robustly identify new and more accurate markers for prediction, combined with clinical characteristics" she says. Pinpointing key immunological changes The study presented in Zhang's new paper "Deep immunophenotyping reveals circulating activated lymphocytes in individuals at risk for rheumatoid arthritis," published March 17 in The Journal of Clinical Investigation helped lay the foundation for her next phase of research, supported by a new $150,000 Arthritis Foundation grant. With this new funding, Zhang's lab will apply their advanced computational tools to complex datasets collected from a large preclinical trial called StopRA. This, Zhang says, will strengthen her collaboration with CU rheumatologist Kevin Deane, MD, PhD, as they compare people who progressed to the disease with those who didn't. The goal is to pinpoint changes in the immune system associated with the progression from preclinical RA arthritis to symptoms. In this publication, funded through a National Institutes of Health grant, Zhang and her colleagues analyzed RNA and protein expression in cells to compare people at risk of developing RA to those with symptoms as well as healthy people. They found "significant" differences in certain types of immune cells, particularly the expansion of specific T cell subtypes, in the at-risk group. Those cells "could be a promising marker" for RA onset, Zhang says, and could lead to improved prevention strategies. But she says coming up with reliable markers is "still a ways off," and will require even larger and more geographically diverse datasets to see if the results she's seeing hold up. Zhang is the corresponding author of this publication; her lab's postdoctoral fellow, Jun Inamo, MD, PhD, is the first author; and Deane and another rheumatology colleague, V. Michael Holers, MD, are among the co-senior authors. Zhang, who has been at CU Anschutz just over three years following a postdoc fellowship at Harvard Medical School, says the Aurora campus is uniquely suited for this kind of collaborative research, "with all the expertise and resources surrounding you. This is one of the leading places for autoimmune disease research for translational impact." Brain implants hold immense promise for restoring function in patients with paralysis, epilepsy and other neurological disorders. But a team of researchers at Case Western Reserve University has discovered that bacteria can invade the brain after a medical device is implanted, contributing to inflammation and reducing the device's long-term effectiveness. The groundbreaking research, recently published in Nature Communications, could improve the long-term success of brain implants now that a target has been identified to address. Understanding the role of bacteria in implant performance and brain health could revolutionize how these devices are designed and maintained." Jeff Capadona, Case Western Reserve's vice provost for innovation, the Donnell Institute Professor of Biomedical Engineering and senior research career scientist at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center Capadona's lab led the study, which examined the presence of bacterial DNA in the brains of mouse models implanted with microelectrodes. To their surprise, researchers found bacteria linked to the gut inside the brain. The discovery suggests that a breach in what is known as "the blood-brain barrier," caused by implanting the device, could allow microbes to enter. "This is a paradigm-shifting finding," said George Hoeferlin, the study's lead author, who was a biomedical engineering graduate student at Case Western Reserve in Capadona's lab. "For decades, the field has focused on the body's immune response to these implants, but our research now shows that bacteria-some originating from the gut-are also playing a role in the inflammation surrounding these devices." In the study, mouse models treated with antibiotics had reduced bacterial contamination and the performance of the implanted devices improved-although prolonged antibiotic use proved detrimental. The discovery's implications go beyond device failure. Some of the bacteria found in the brain have been linked to neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and stroke. "If we're not identifying or addressing this consequence of implantation, we could be causing more harm than we're fixing," Capadona said. "This finding highlights the urgent need to develop a permanent strategy for preventing bacterial invasion from implanted devices, rather than just managing inflammation after the fact. The more we understand about this process, the better we can design implants that work safely and effectively." Capadona said his lab is now expanding the research to examine bacteria in other types of brain implants, such as ventricular shunts used to treat hydrocephalus, an abnormal buildup of fluid in the brain. The team also examined the fecal matter of a human subject implanted with a brain device and found similar results. "This finding stresses the importance of understanding how bacterial invasion may not just be a laboratory phenomenon, but a clinically relevant issue," said Bolu Ajiboye, the Robert and Brenda Aiken Professor in biomedical engineering at the Case School of Engineering and School of Medicine and scientist at the Cleveland VA Medical Center. "Through our strong translational pipeline between CWRU and the VA, we are now investigating how this discovery can directly contribute to safer, more effective neural implant strategies for patients." The research was supported by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Advanced Platform Technology Center, National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense and the Donnell Institute Professorship Endowment. People suffering from severe alcohol and opioid addiction are to be offered a revolutionary new technique involving planting electrodes in the brain to modulate brain activity and cravings and improve self-control. The technique known as deep brain stimulation is to be trialled at Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, and Kings College Hospital, London. The team behind the Brain-PACER: Brain Pacemaker Addiction Control to End Relapse study is currently recruiting individuals with severe alcohol or opioid addiction who are interested in taking part. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a neurosurgical procedure that delivers ongoing stimulation to the brain. DBS acts as a brain pacemaker to normalize abnormal brain activity. It is well-tolerated, effective and widely used for neurological disorders and obsessive compulsive disorder. Although there have been several proof-of-concept studies that suggest DBS is effective in addictions, Brain-PACER a collaboration between the University of Cambridge, Kings College London and the University of Oxford is the first major, multicentre study to use DBS to treat craving and relapse in severe addiction. While many people who experience alcohol or drug addiction can, with the right support, control their impulses, for some people, their addiction is so severe that no treatments are effective. Their addiction is hugely harmful to their health and wellbeing, to their relationships and their everyday lives. Initial evidence suggests that deep brain stimulation may be able to help these individuals manage their conditions. Weve seen how effective it can be for other neurological disorders from Parkinsons to OCD to depression. We want to see if it can also transform the lives of people with intractable alcohol and opioid addiction. Professor Valerie Voon, Chief Investigator, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge The primary aim of the Brain-PACER study is to assess the effects of DBS to treat alcohol and opioid addiction in a randomized controlled trial study. Its mission is twofold: to develop effective treatments for addiction and to understand the brain mechanisms that drive addiction disorders. DBS is a neurosurgical treatment that involves implanting a slender electrode in the brain and a pacemaker under general anaesthesia. These electrodes deliver electrical impulses to modulate neural activity, which can help alleviate symptoms of various neurological and psychiatric disorders. Keyoumars Ashkan, Professor of Neurosurgery at Kings College Hospital and the lead surgeon for the study, said: Deep brain stimulation is a powerful surgical technique that can transform lives. It will be a major leap forward if we can show efficacy in this very difficult disease with huge burden to the patients and society. During surgery, thin electrodes are carefully placed in precise locations of the brain. These locations are chosen based on the condition being treated. For addiction, the electrodes are placed in areas involved in reward, motivation, and decision-making. Harry Bulstrode, Honorary Consultant Neurosurgeon at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Clinical Lecturer at the University of Cambridge, said: "We see first-hand how deep brain stimulation surgery can be life-changing for patients with movement disorders such as Parkinsons disease and essential tremor. Thanks to this trial, I am now hopeful that we can help patients and their families who have often struggled for years by targeting the parts of the brain linked to addiction." Dr David Okai, Visiting Senior Lecturer from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Kings College London, added: DBS is safe, reversible and adjustable, so it offers a flexible option for managing chronic conditions. We hope it will offer a lifeline to help improve the quality of life for patients whose treatment until now has been unsuccessful. Details on the trial, including criteria for participation and how to sign up, can be found on the Brain-PACER website. The research is supported by the Medical Research Council, UK Research & Innovation. Published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, the study aimed to provide robust insights into adolescent mental health trajectories in two different cultural contexts by comparing large samples of 11 to 16 years olds in London and Tokyo over time. The two studies are the Tokyo Teen Cohort (TTC) and the Resilience Ethnicity and AdolesCent Mental Health (REACH) cohorts from South London. Both groups collected data in the period 2014 to 2020 and at three different time points as the teenagers grew older. Researchers used the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ) to measure depressive symptoms. In both groups there was a difference between teenage boys and girls in the average level of depressive symptoms and this difference widened year-on-year. In the London sample the gender difference started slightly earlier (evident by 11-12 years) than in the Tokyo sample where it emerged between 11 and 14 years, and the average rate of change in depressive symptoms per year in London girls was around four times greater than among girls in Tokyo. By the age of 16 the difference in depressive symptoms between boys and girls in London was around twice as large as in Tokyo. The average level of depressive symptoms in teenage boys in Tokyo declined between ages of 11 and 16, whereas for boys in London it increased slightly over time, following a similar trajectory to that of teenage girls in Tokyo. Our study suggests that from around early adolescence onwards girls have higher levels of depression than boys in both Tokyo and London, but the disparity is larger, starts a bit earlier, and increases at a faster rate in London. The trajectory for boys in London closely mirrors the trajectory for girls in Tokyo. These findings suggest we need to rethink and challenge popular narratives around gender differences in mental health for example, the idea that girls are naturally or inevitably more likely to struggle with their emotional health and to understand the contexts and conditions that enable teenage girls and young people to thrive." Dr. Gemma Knowles, First Author, Lecturer in Epidemiology and Youth Mental Health at IoPPN, King's College London Currently the Global Gender Gap Index (GGGI) - an index designed to measure gender equality - ranks UK 15th out of 149 countries while Japan is ranked 125th. However, insights from young co-researchers from both cities suggests there are social influences at play which are not captured in these indexes. For example, teenage girls may assume adult roles and responsibilities at a younger age in London and there are lower levels of violence and crime in Tokyo. There are also differences in socioeconomic and political trends between the two places that could contribute to differences, for example, the prolonged period of austerity in the UK. Dr Knowles said: "This a complex area with a multitude of possible factors that may contribute to the difference between girls and boys and between the two places. We need to better understand the social contexts and experiences that give rise to gender inequalities in mental health and the conditions that support teenage girls to thrive. It's also important to understand how these social experiences interplay with young people's physical development at this age." An important part of this study was to investigate the extent to which scores derived from the measure SMFQ can be meaningfully and appropriately compared across genders, ages, and contexts. While these tests are not perfect, they found no evidence of incomparable measurement, which suggests that any differences in SMFQ scores between groups are due to real differences in depressive symptoms rather than differences in reporting. The study was funded by the Invitation Program for Foreign Researchers at the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health, the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science, and the European Research Council. A team at the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC) led by Dr. Andres Hidalgo has discovered a specialized population of neutrophils in the skin that produce extracellular matrix, helping to maintain the skin's resistance and integrity. The study, published in Nature, demonstrates that the immune system not only targets pathogens, but also physically strengthens the skin to prevent them entering the body. Neutrophils are an important type of circulating immune cell. The specialized neutrophils described in the new study populate the skin, where they produce collagen and other matrix proteins that strengthen the skin barrier. The discovery broadens understanding of the immune system and may lead to new strategies for treating skin diseases, inflammation, diabetes, and age-related conditions. Although neutrophils are best known for their microbicidal properties, the new study reveals an unexpected role for these cells in the generation and remodeling of the subepidermal extracellular matrix. The extracellular matrix is critical for maintaining the structure and function of the skin and other tissues, acting as a barrier to the entry of microorganisms and toxins." Dr. Andres Hidalgo First author Tommaso Vicanolo adds that the study, "demonstrates that these neutrophils help to maintain skin integrity under normal conditions and are activated in response to injury to generate protective structures around wounds that prevent the entry of bacteria and toxins." The study further shows that this structural function of skin neutrophils is regulated by the TGF- signaling pathway. By genetically deleting this pathway in mice, the authors showed that the deposition of extracellular matrix was diminished, resulting in skin that was more fragile and permeable. Hidalgo notes that, "This suggests that the interaction between the immune system and the body's structural components is much more direct than previously believed." Another fascinating result emerging from the study is that the activity of these skin neutrophils follows a day-night pattern, adjusting the production of extracellular matrix according to the body's circadian cycle. As a result, the skin of mice is more resistant at night than during the day, thanks to the nocturnal peak in neutrophil activity. Hidalgo underlines that, "This finding opens new avenues for investigating how internal body rhythms influence tissue defence, regeneration and repair." For Hidalgo, now at Yale University School of Medicine, the discovery of matrix-producing neutrophils not only broadens knowledge about innate immunity, but also suggests new treatment strategies for skin diseases and immunological disorders. He explains, "These findings will help develop treatments to strengthen the skin barrier in patients with inflammatory diseases or immunological alterations, including patients with diabetes and older adults." The authors conclude that this advance-the fruit of collaboration between various CNIC groups and laboratories in Germany, the United States, Singapore, and China, "signals a change in the way we view the immune system's protective role in the body." Dr. Hidalgo is currently investigating the possible implications of the study findings for fibrotic processes and cancer. The study was supported by funding from Fundacion "la Caixa", the Boehringer Ingelheim Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and the Swiss National Science Foundation. The CNIC is an affiliate center of the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), an executive agency of the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities. Directed by Dr. Valentin Fuster, the CNIC is dedicated to cardiovascular research and the translation of the knowledge gained into real benefits for patients. The CNIC has been recognized by the Spanish government as a Severo Ochoa center of excellence (award CEX2020-001041-S, funded by MICIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033). The center is financed through a pioneering public-private partnership between the government (through the ISCIII) and the Pro-CNIC Foundation, which brings together 11 of the most important Spanish private companies. Jaguar Land Rover Cancels Plan to Build EVs In India, Here's Reason Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 12:55 IST The news comes at a time when EVs already witnessing a low in demand from the past few months in the global market. Representational image. (Photo: Shahrukh Shah/ News18) The luxury car maker Jaguar Land Rover has reportedly cancelled its plan to build electric cars in India. Yes, you read it right. According to the reports, the company might not manufacture any EVs at the Tata Motors plant in southern India. The reports suggested that JLR has been dealing with the issue of finding the perfect price-quality balance for the locally sourced EV parts. After witnessing the issue, the company has reportedly decided to halt the talks with the local suppliers and decided to suspend projects. Recommended Stories The news comes at a time when EVs already witnessing a low in demand from the past few months in the global market. Impact on Tata? The reports also suggested that the JLRs decision might impact the Tata as well. Those who were waiting for Tatas most premium EV under the Avinya brand might see a delay in the launches as the company shares both platforms and components with JLR-branded EVs. New Facility Meanwhile, Tata is pushing its business operations in the country. To spread its roots, the company is setting up a new manufacturing plant in Tamil Nadu. The new facility is expected to kickstart the operations somewhere in September this year. Once done, it will produce around 2,50,000 units of vehicles per annum. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all About the Author Shahrukh Shah Shahrukh Shah, Sub-Editor at News18, loves to write about everything that moves on wheels. With years of experience and the required skill sets, he is contributing to the auto section, where he let people know ... Read More Shahrukh Shah, Sub-Editor at News18, loves to write about everything that moves on wheels. With years of experience and the required skill sets, he is contributing to the auto section, where he let people know ... Read More Get the latest updates on car and bike launches in India including reviews, prices, specs, and performance. Stay informed with breaking auto industry news , EV policies, and more, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: March 19, 2025, 12:55 IST 'Almost 40-50 Percent White Collar Jobs...' Entrepreneur Arindam Paul Warns Threats Of AI To Workforce Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 10:36 IST Arindam Paul, co-founder of Atomberg Technologies, warned on LinkedIn that AI could cut 40-50% of white-collar jobs, threatening the middle class. His post sparked mixed reactions. Several users underline the potential of AI to create new jobs in society as done by computers in the late 20th century. A LinkedIn post by young entrepreneur Arindam Paul, co-founder of Atomberg Technologies Private Limited, warning of the threat of AI to eradicate at least 40-50% of white-collar jobs has gone viral, sparking a heated debate among netizens. In the post, Arindam argued that most people, including our leaders, still fail to understand how significant a threat AI could pose to our economy. He further stated in the post that almost 40-50 per cent of white-collar jobs that exist today might cease to exist and that would mean the end of the middle class and the consumption story. Recommended Stories Arindam asserted that Indias manufacturing sector is nowhere near where it should be when it comes to generating jobs that pay 3-6 lakh rupees per year. Our IT services and BPOs will see a big reduction in manpower and, in many cases, their business. While I think companies like Infosys etc. will survive and some might even thrive, even in that case, they wont be employing nearly as many people as they do," he added in the LinkedIn post. He underlined about the irony of AI in the workforce. He stated that while corporations are currently pleased that AI could reduce manpower, increase efficiency, and improve the bottom line, they forget that without jobs and money in consumers hands, there will be no top line. In the following comments, Arindam explained that while AI might create new jobs in the long run, the impact of job losses could be felt in the short term. Netizens Showed Mixed Reactions Several users emphasised the potential of AI to create new jobs in society, as computers did in the late 20th century. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Pranav Dandekar, the co-founder and CEO of Wings, questioned, Your analysis seems to assume that AI will not create any new jobs/categories of jobs." Another user named Siddharth Singh said that most AI jobs would require a higher level of skills that would not be easy to acquire, indicating the skills gap that could arise. About the Author Varun Yadav Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst... Read More Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst... Read More First Published: March 19, 2025, 09:57 IST Stocks To Watch: Bajaj Auto, Airtel, Hindustan Zinc, LIC, L&T, NTPC, And Others Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 13:00 IST Stocks to watch: Shares of firms like Bajaj Auto, Airtel, Hindustan Zinc, LIC, NTPC, L&T, and others will be in focus on Wednesday's trade Stocks to Watch Today: Market Movers, Gainers, Losers, and Investor Insights Stocks To Watch On April 19: After a week-long consolidation, the markets broke out strongly, surging nearly 1.5%, continuing their recovery momentum. In todays session, stocks like Bajaj Auto, L&T, Bharti Airtel, Hindustan Zinc, Dr. Reddys, and others will be in focus due to key developments. Hero Motors Recommended Stories Hero Motors Limited and Germanys SchmiedeTechnik Plettenberg Announce Joint Venture to Manufacture Forged Powertrain Parts in India Bharti Airtel Bharti Airtel has secured shareholders approval for the sale of its passive infrastructure business to its subsidiary, Indus Towers, through remote e-voting. Dr. Reddys Dr. Reddys and Alvotech have announced the FDAs acceptance of the biologic license application for AVT03. Bajaj Auto Bajaj Autos board has reappointed Rajiv Bajaj as MD & CEO for another five years, starting from April 1, 2025. The company has also approved a Rs 1,500 crore infusion into Bajaj Auto Credit Ltd to strengthen its financial arm. LIC LIC has confirmed its plans to expand into the health insurance sector, stating in a regulatory filing that it is in advanced talks to acquire a substantial stake in a standalone health insurance company. NTPC NTPC is set to raise Rs 4,000 crore by issuing non-convertible debentures (NCDs) on March 20. These 15-year tenure NCDs will offer an annual coupon rate of 7.26% and the funds will be used for capital expenditure, loan refinancing, and corporate needs. Larsen & Toubro Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has scheduled a board meeting on March 21, 2025, to discuss a potential fundraising initiative through a debt issue. GR Infraprojects GR Infraprojects has secured a Rs 4,262.78 crore highway project contract from NHAI for the Agra-Gwalior road. This includes developing a six-lane expressway and upgrading NH-44 in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. Brigade Enterprises Brigade Enterprises and Gruhas, co-founded by Zerodhas Nikhil Kamath, have launched Earth Fund, a Rs 200 crore investment platform aimed at proptech and sustainability-driven startups. Zydus Lifesciences Zydus Lifesciences has received final approval from the USFDA to manufacture and market apalutamide tablets, a generic version of Erleada, used in the treatment of metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer. Hindustan Zinc top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Hindustan Zinc, a Vedanta Group subsidiary, has been fined Rs 5.42 lakh by the BSE and NSE for failing to meet board composition norms, specifically a shortfall in the required number of Independent Directors as per SEBIs listing regulations. Disclaimer: Disclaimer: The views and investment tips by experts in this News18.com report are their own and not those of the website or its management. Users are advised to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. About the Author Aparna Deb Aparna Deb is a Subeditor and writes for the business vertical of News18.com. She has a nose for news that matters. She is inquisitive and curious about things. Among other things, financial markets, economy, a... Read More Aparna Deb is a Subeditor and writes for the business vertical of News18.com. She has a nose for news that matters. She is inquisitive and curious about things. Among other things, financial markets, economy, a... Read More Stay updated with all the latest news on the Stock Market, including market trends, Sensex and Nifty updates, top gainers and losers, and expert analysis. Get real-time insights, financial reports, and investment strategiesonly on News18. First Published: March 19, 2025, 07:54 IST CSJMU Result 2025 Released For UG, PG Semester Exams; Direct Link Here Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 12:53 IST CSJMU Results 2024: Students who have concerns regarding their marks can apply for re-evaluation or scrutiny within 15 days of the result declaration. CSJMU Result 2024 for BA, BSc, BCom, MA, MSc, and MCom programmes at csjmu.ac.in Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University (CSJMU) has announced the odd semester exam results for various undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) courses. Students enrolled in BA, BSc, BCom, MA, MSc, and MCom programmes can now access their mark sheets on the universitys website at csjmu.ac.in. Candidates will need to enter their roll number, date of birth, exam type and other details to check their results online. The examinations were held between December 2024 and January 2025. Recommended Stories CSJMU Results 2025: Steps To Check Semester Exam Scorecards Step 1 Students can download their results by visiting the official CSJMU website (csjmu.ac.in) and navigating to the Students tab. Step 2 Under this tab, they need to click Results and then select the semester examination results link. Step 3 The results can be accessed by entering their roll number and other required details. Step 4 Download and take a print out for further reference. The mark sheet contains information regarding the candidates including the students name, roll number, course and semester details, subject-wise marks, and overall percentage. One must thoroughly cross check all the details and in case of any error in the scorecards, students must get it rectified immediately. CSJMU Results 2025: Re-evaluation Process, Supplementary Exam Students who have concerns regarding their marks can apply for re-evaluation or scrutiny within 15 days of the result declaration. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all CSJMU also provides the option of supplementary exams for students who were unable to clear certain subjects. This allows them to make up for any backlog without losing an academic year. Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, formerly known as Kanpur University, was established in 1966 in Kanpur. By 2004, Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University had 202 affiliated colleges, including 77 aided and 125 self-financed institutions. Among these were 20 Ayurvedic and Unani colleges, with 10 government and 10 private institutions. In total, 952 colleges across eleven districts in Uttar Pradesh were affiliated with CSJM University. About the Author Sukanya Nandy Sukanya Nandy is a sub-editor at News18.com. She has been writing and reporting for the education and careers section of the website since 2021. She completed her graduation in English followed PG in Journalism... Read More Sukanya Nandy is a sub-editor at News18.com. She has been writing and reporting for the education and careers section of the website since 2021. She completed her graduation in English followed PG in Journalism... Read More First Published: March 19, 2025, 12:37 IST PARAKH-NCERT Holds Sessions With State Boards To Implement New NEP-Aligned Report Cards Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 09:54 IST Holistic Progress Cards are the new report cards developed for different school stages by PARAKH-NCERT to track students progress in a comprehensive manner instead of the traditional report cards that just focus on the marks obtained in each subject The HPC considers feedback from peers, parents, as well as self-assessment of students to track their progress in different domains throughout the year. (PTI) PARAKH, a standard-setting body under the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), has been conducting workshops with school education boards across the country to start implementing the Holistic Progress Cards (HPCs) a new format of assessment at the secondary stage. While most state boards have implemented HPCs at the foundational and preparatory levels, they are yet to implement it at the secondary stage (classes 9 to 12). The initiative is being taken under the education ministrys department of school education and literacy. Recommended Stories HPCs are the new report cards developed for different school stages by PARAKH-NCERT to track students progress in a comprehensive manner instead of the traditional report cards that just focus on the marks obtained in each subject. This was done in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which envisages holistic assessment of students. PARAKH functions as the standard-setting body for student assessment and evaluation for all school boards across the country. While the HPCs for foundational stages (up to grade 2), preparatory stage (grades 3 to 5) and middle school (grades 6 to 8) were told to be implemented last year, the HPCs for secondary stage (grades 9 to 12) were released in June last year. The HPC considers feedback from peers, parents, as well as self-assessment of students to track their progress in different domains throughout the year. For senior classes, the progress card also includes parameters such as their plans for future, career choices, vocational skills that they have acquired or plan to pursue. Boards to prepare their own roadmap PARAKH is working with 34 school boards for implementing HPCs. The workshops that started this January have so far covered school boards under states and Union Territories (UTs) including Andaman & Nicobar, Gujarat, Maharashtra,Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), Nagaland, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Mizoram, Delhi and Manipur. Prof Indrani Bhaduri, CEO and head of PARAKH, said while most state boards have already implemented foundational and preparatory level HPCs, they are yet to implement it for middle and secondary stages. Each board is preparing their own roadmap to implement this format of assessment. The workshop emphasises on creating uniform assessment frameworks to bridge disparities across educational boards," she said. The workshops are being attended by teachers and principals from education zones and districts falling under each of the boards, who will be the master trainers for mentoring their respective departments on designing the assessment practices. According to a feedback letter to PARAKH from the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board on the workshop, it will form a core committee of the teachers who participated in the workshop. The committee will prepare a roadmap for implementation of HPC and standardised assessment practices. This committee will present its roadmap to the Board, and based on their recommendations, the timelines for its execution in schools will be decided," the letter read. However, participants from various boards said the workshops were insightful yet there are challenges still in designing authentic activities that effectively assess targeted competencies. The workshop helped clear the doubts on the HPCs format, especially for science and mathematics. But it will take more sessions to design the activities, against which students will be evaluated," a teacher from a Delhi school, who participated in the workshop held last month, said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Another participant from Haryana said developing clear rubrics (a scoring tool that helps assess components of a specific assignment) will need more time and focus to achieve the desired results. JH Zoremthanga, chairperson, Mizoram Board of School Education, said the board is working on developing a strategy to implement the HPCs for each of the stages. The sessions with PARAKH were beneficial in terms of understanding the format for teachers, who will be at the forefront of assessment. We are working out a roadmap to implement the same effectively," he said. About the Author Vatsala Shrangi Vatsala Shrangi, Assistant Editor at News18, reports on the HRD, Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways, and social sector. She has covered the Delhi government, education, transport, environment and various ... Read More Vatsala Shrangi, Assistant Editor at News18, reports on the HRD, Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways, and social sector. She has covered the Delhi government, education, transport, environment and various ... Read More First Published: March 19, 2025, 09:54 IST Sunita Williams' Homecoming: A Look Back At NASA Astronaut's Education And Career Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 11:38 IST Sunita Williams Returns To Earth: Williams set a female astronaut record with 62 hours and 6 minutes of spacewalk time. NASA Astronaut and U.S. Navy Captain (Ret) Sunita L. Williams. (Image/NASA) Sunita Williams Return: NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore safely returned to Earth on Tuesday after their mission aboard the International Space Station. The two astronauts originally launched on June 5, 2024, aboard Boeings Starliner spacecraft for its first crewed flight, expected to last just over a week. However, the mission was extended to nearly nine months after NASA decided to return the Starliner uncrewed. During this remarkable space expedition, Williams accumulated 62 hours and 6 minutes of spacewalk time, the most of any female astronaut and the fourth-highest on NASAs all-time list. Over the course of three spaceflights, Williams has spent a total of 608 days in space. Lets take a closer look at her education and illustrious career. Recommended Stories Born on September 19, 1965, in Euclid, Ohio to Dr Deepak and Bonnie Pandya, Sunita Williams journey to becoming one of NASAs most accomplished astronauts is nothing short of inspiring. Raised in Needham, Massachusetts, Williams developed an early fascination with exploration and adventurea passion that would shape her entire career. Alongside her husband Michael, Williams enjoys a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, and working on aeroplanes and cars, reflecting her hands-on, adventurous spirit. Early Education And Navy Beginnings Sunita Williams academic and professional journey began in Needham High School, where she graduated in 1983. Driven by a love for science, she pursued a Bachelor of Science in Physical Science from the prestigious U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1987. She furthered her education with a Master of Science in Engineering Management from the Florida Institute of Technology in 1995, setting the stage for an impressive career in the military and space exploration. Sunita Williams Career And Life Before NASA Upon graduation from the Naval Academy, Williams was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy in May 1987. Her naval career took off with a six-month temporary assignment at the Naval Coastal System Command, after which she was designated a Basic Diving Officer. She then moved on to the Naval Aviation Training Command, where she was trained as a Naval Aviator, officially earning her wings in July 1989. Her time in the Navy gave her invaluable experience in aviation, further solidifying her path toward space exploration. Becoming A NASA Astronaut In June 1998, Sunita Williams was selected as one of NASAs astronaut candidates, a monumental step in her career. She reported for astronaut training in August 1998, embarking on an intensive program that would prepare her for the rigors of space. The training included briefings on shuttle and International Space Station systems, extensive physiological and survival training, and flight training in NASAs T-38 jet. Williams dedication and determination were evident as she also trained in water and wilderness survival techniques, ensuring she was fully prepared for the challenges of spaceflight. Her hard work paid off when she was assigned to work with the Russian Space Agency in Moscow, contributing to the development of the Russian segment of the International Space Station (ISS) and collaborating with the first Expedition Crew. This international collaboration marked a significant milestone in her astronaut career. Sunita Williams Achievements Throughout her career, Williams accomplishments have been nothing short of extraordinary. Throughout three spaceflights, she accumulated an impressive 608 days in space, becoming one of NASAs longest-serving astronauts. Her dedication to space exploration was underscored by her record-setting 62 hours and 6 minutes of spacewalk time, the most by any female astronaut and the fourth-highest total in NASAs history. Awards And Recognition top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Williams contributions to space exploration have not gone unnoticed. She has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Distinguished Service Medal (DSSM) (2), the Legion of Merit, two Navy Commendation Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, and a host of other service awards. Sunita Williams Returns To Earth: Williams set a female astronaut record with 62 hours and 6 minutes of spacewalk time. 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 19, 2025, 11:04 IST Why Did Hamas-Israel Ceasefire Collapse, How Did Netanyahu End Gaza Deal? Explained Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Shilpy Bisht Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 14:12 IST Netanyahu said Israel had agreed to a new US proposal in which Hamas would release half the remaining hostages for a seven-week extension of the truce and a vague promise to launch negotiations over a lasting ceasefire Protesters demand the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, Israel, on March 18, 2025. (AP Photo) Hundreds of Gazans killed in Israels extensive strikes" on Tuesday has ripped apart the short-lived ceasefire deal, which came into effect in January. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has blamed Hamas for the renewal of the deadly aerial campaign. Recommended Stories He stated that the military has been instructed to take strong action" against Hamas following their repeated refusal to release our hostages" as well as its rejection of US proposals. What Was The Ceasefire Agreement? The deal agreed upon in January, under pressure from the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump one, called for a phased ceasefire aimed at freeing all the hostages abducted in Hamas October 7, 2023, attack and ending the war it caused. In the first phase, from January 19 to March 1, Hamas released 25 Israeli hostages and the bodies of eight others in return for nearly 1,800 Palestinian prisoners, including senior militants serving life sentences for deadly attacks. Israeli forces pulled back to a buffer zone, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians returned to what remained of their homes, and there was a surge of humanitarian aid. The second phase of negotiations was more difficult, with Netanyahu repeatedly doubting the deal and insisting that Israel was committed to returning all hostages and destroying Hamas military. In Qatar last week, Israeli and Hamas delegations gathered to negotiate how the ceasefire would progress and US envoy Steve Witkoff put forward his new bridging proposal" that would have extended the expired first phase. Why Was The Truce Broken? Israel believed that its two key objectives to return the hostages and to defeat Hamas are not both fully achievable together. Netanyahu had said in June that he doubted the possibility of a lasting ceasefire before Hamas is destroyed. We are committed to continuing the war after a pause, in order to complete the goal of eliminating Hamas. Im not willing to give up on that," he said. While Hamas did not want to release any further hostages in a next stage of the ceasefire unless it entails Israeli troops withdrawing from the Gaza Strip, as agreed in the original truce. As per a BBC report, the new US proposal is an attempt to retrieve more hostages while being non-committal on ending the war and whether Hamas will remain in some form. Witkoff accused Hamas of publicly claiming flexibility while privately making demands that are entirely impractical without a permanent ceasefire." Why Did Netanyahu Back Out? Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich had threatened to leave the coalition if Netanyahu went on to Phase 2 instead of restarting the offensive. Opposition parties have promised to support him in any agreement that brings back hostages, but his coalition would still be severely weakened, making early elections likely. By resuming strikes on Hamas, Netanyahu has gained Smotrichs continued support. The PM has also regained another far-right partner, Itamar Ben-Gvir, whose party had bolted in January over the ceasefire but returned to the coalition Tuesday, according to the Associated Press. Over 48,000 Palestinians were killed in the 15-month Israeli bombardment, according to local health officials, and much of Gaza was destroyed. When the truce took hold, Hamas immediately reasserted its rule. There is no agreement on who should govern Gaza after the war, and even if the Western-backed Palestinian Authority were granted nominal control, Hamas would have strong influence on the ground and could rebuild its military capabilities. For many Israelis, especially Netanyahus hawkish base and far-right allies, that would look like defeat. It would add to the criticism he already faces over security failures surrounding the October 7 attack, in which Hamas-led militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted 251. How Netanyahu Ended The Deal Netanyahu said Israel had agreed to what he described as a new US proposal in which Hamas would release half the remaining hostages in return for a seven-week extension of the truce and a vague promise to launch negotiations over a lasting ceasefire. Hamas refused, pointing out that the new proposal was different. In order to impose the new deal on Hamas, Israel stopped the import of all food, fuel and other humanitarian aid to Gaza. It later cut off electricity, affecting a vital desalination plant. Israel also said it would not withdraw from a strategic corridor on Gazas border with Egypt, as stipulated in the agreement, the Associated Press said. What Trump Said On Ceasefire Trump took credit for brokering the ceasefire in January, but since then has appeared to sour on it. He has warned that all hell" will break loose if Hamas does not immediately release the hostages, while saying thats a decision for Israel to make. Trump has also proposed that Gazas roughly 2 million Palestinians be permanently relocated so that the US can take ownership of Gaza and develop it as a Rivera of the Middle East". Netanyahu has embraced the plan, which has been universally condemned by Palestinians, Arab countries and human rights experts, who say it would violate international law. The White House said it was consulted ahead of Tuesdays strikes and supported Israels decision. What Is The Situation In Gaza? Reports say the Israeli military has published a map, ordering Palestinians to leave a huge area along the perimeter of the Gaza Strip, where no doubt thousands of Gazans had returned to. Hamas has called for a halt to Israels military operation and has not said it will return to fighting. Many people were having their pre-dawn meal, part of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, when explosions started in Gaza. Israel says Hamas is still holding 59 hostages all but one who were taken on October 7, 2023. Twenty-four of the hostages are believed to still be alive. Israels ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, warned Hamas to release all the hostages, stating we will show no mercy on our enemies". top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The statement by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum expressed shock and anger at what it called the deliberate dismantling of the process to return our loved ones". Officials said the health system was struggling to cope with the number of injured, which the Hamas-run health ministry put at more than 660. Twenty-five out of 38 hospitals in the region are out of service, the ministry says, as quoted by BBC. 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 19, 2025, 14:12 IST Bengal Higher Education Crisis: 1,000 Colleges, 38 Universities Lack NAAC Nod, Reveals Centre Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Karishma Jain Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 18:49 IST West Bengal has 1,514 colleges and 58 universities. However, only 514 colleges and 20 universities have received accreditation from the NAAC. In other words, 1,000 colleges and 38 universities are operating without NAAC recognition. Education has not been a strong suit for the West Bengal government. (Representative image) A staggering 1,000 colleges in West Bengal lack NAAC accreditation, the Centre revealed in Parliament on Wednesday in response to an unstarred questiona fact that may put the state government in an embarrassing position. West Bengal has 1,514 colleges and 58 universities. However, only 514 colleges and 20 universities have received accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). In other words, 1,000 colleges and 38 universities are operating without NAAC recognition. BJP MP Samik Bhattacharya, who raised the question, claims this raises serious concerns about the quality of higher education in the state. Recommended Stories NAAC accreditation is crucial for ensuring quality education, funding opportunities, and student benefits. The Ministry of Education has even waived NAAC fees for government colleges and conducted special workshops to assist institutions in applying. Despite these efforts, why are so many colleges still unaccredited? Students deserve better! We urge the state government and educational institutions to take immediate action to improve academic standards," said the BJP MP. Education has not been a strong suit for the West Bengal government. The state has been rocked by alleged teacher recruitment scams and multiple protests. Coincidentally, Bhattacharyas question was answered by Union Minister of State for Education Dr Sukanta Majumdar, who is also the Bengal BJP President. Immediately after responding to the Rajya Sabha MPs question, Majumdar took to social media to lash out at the TMC government, stating, The TMC govts negligence is ruining the future of millions of students in WB." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all West Bengals Higher Education Crisis Under Failed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees Govt! Over 1,000 colleges & 38 universities in WB lack NAAC accreditation a shocking failure of governance! Despite the Centres support, why is the TMC government failing students & pic.twitter.com/y7amW5mhcg Dr. Sukanta Majumdar (@DrSukantaBJP) March 19, 2025 Students deserve quality education, better infrastructure, and global opportunities. We demand immediate action to fix this mess!" 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 19, 2025, 18:43 IST BJP MLA Yatnal Booked For Alleged Derogatory Remarks Against Actress Ranya Rao Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 09:13 IST Claiming that Ranya Rao is a multi-language actress and has respect in society, the complainant alleged in the FIR that BJP MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal's remarks against the actress were objectionable, vulgar, and disrespectful. BJP MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal (Photo/X: @BasanagoudaBJP) BJP MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal was booked for his alleged derogatory remarks about Kannada actress Ranya Rao, who was recently arrested in a gold smuggling case, police said. Based on a complaint from Akula Anuradha, the case was registered at the High Grounds police station in Bengaluru under Section 79 (Word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against Yatnal on Tuesday, they added. Recommended Stories In the FIR, the complainant accused the MLA of using derogatory remarks about the actress while speaking to the media in Vijayapura on Monday. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Claiming that Rao is a multi-language actress and has respect in society, the complainant alleged in the FIR that Yatnals remarks against the actress were objectionable, vulgar, and disrespectful." Harshavardhini Ranya, also known as Ranya Rao, the stepdaughter of senior Karnataka IPS officer DGP K Ramachandra Rao, was arrested on March 3 at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru after authorities seized 14.2 kg of foreign-origin gold bars worth Rs 12.56 crore from her possession. Following her arrest, a raid at her residence led to the recovery of gold jewellery valued at Rs 2.06 crore and cash amounting to Rs 2.67 crore. Investigators suspect she was part of a larger smuggling network. First Published: March 19, 2025, 09:13 IST CRPF Chief Enforces Fresh Tenure Rule, Major Reshuffle Begins Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 07:30 IST According to sources, a few days ago, the director general sought a list of officers who had completed three years in the directorate to reassign them to different roles. In the first order, the DG has transferred the inspector general (IG) of personnel and the IG of CoBRA, the elite anti-Naxal wing of CRPF Sources indicate that in the coming weeks, the CRPF will undergo a major reshuffle, with transfers at multiple levels from DIG to ADG. The force is expected to complete this reorganisation ahead of union home minister Amit Shahs deadline to eliminate Naxalism. Representational image/PTI With the transfer of two key positions, newly appointed CRPF director general (DG) GP Singh has decided not to retain officers in the directorate for more than three years. According to sources, a few days ago, the DG sought a list of officers who had completed three years in the directorate to reassign them to different roles. Recommended Stories In the first order, the DG has transferred the inspector general (IG) of personnel and the IG of CoBRA, the elite anti-Naxal wing of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Anshuman Yadav, a 1998-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre with extensive experience in the CRPF, has been transferred as IG, North East Sector. The officer has headed various key departments including intelligence, VIP security, etc. Danesh Rana, from the union territory (earlier J&K) cadre, has been appointed the IG of the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) following the repatriation of the outgoing official to his parent cadre. Additionally, Sonal V Misra has been assigned charge of three departmentsprovisioning, personnel, and workstwo of which are additional responsibilities. Further changes are expected as Charu Sinha, IG Southern Sector, is set to be repatriated in April, and two other IGs have already completed two years in their posts. In another order, the directorate has instructed the placement of assistant commandants to fill deputy commandant vacancies. Officers have been posted within the same CoBRA battalions for the remainder of their tenure against these vacancies. CoBRA battalions are facing a severe officer shortage, leading to staffing gaps at the company level. This has forced the CRPF to extend the age limit for officers leading operations, raising concerns over fitness levels. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Beyond transfers, the DG has also directed the force to monitor the Body Mass Index (BMI). He has taken up several pending transfer and promotion issues, though due to their complexity, resolutions may take longer. Sources indicate that in the coming weeks, the CRPF will undergo a major reshuffle, with transfers at multiple levels from DIG to ADG. The force is expected to complete this reorganisation ahead of union home minister Amit Shahs deadline to eliminate Naxalism. The CRPF remains the primary armed police force tasked with this mission. About the Author Ankur Sharma With over 15 years of journalistic experience, Ankur Sharma, Associate Editor, specializes in internal security and is tasked with providing comprehensive coverage from the Ministry of Home Affairs, paramilitar... Read More With over 15 years of journalistic experience, Ankur Sharma, Associate Editor, specializes in internal security and is tasked with providing comprehensive coverage from the Ministry of Home Affairs, paramilitar... Read More First Published: March 19, 2025, 07:30 IST Garba, Dhol & Firecrackers: Sunita Williams' Ancestral Village In Gujarat Celebrates Her Safe Return Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 18:47 IST As Williams landing neared in the early hours of Wednesday, all eyes were on her, with Jhulasan residents gathering at one place to view the event live on a television screen Videos showing firecrackers lighting up the sky in the early hours have been circulating on X. The ancestral village of Indian-origin NASA astronaut Sunita Williams in Gujarats Mehsana district was illuminated as residents of Jhulasan celebrated her safe return on Wednesday. The celebrations included bursting firecrackers, distributing sweets, dancing, and offering prayers to the local deity. Jhulasan, the ancestral home of Williams father Deepak Pandya, has been buzzing with excitement since news of her delayed return from the ISS emerged. Recommended Stories As soon as a SpaceX capsule carrying Williams and astronaut Butch Wilmore splashed down near the Florida coast in the US, following their nine-month stay at the International Space Station (ISS), the villagers erupted in joy. They burst firecrackers, danced, and chanted Har Har Mahadev". With Williams landing approaching in the early hours of Wednesday, all eyes were on her, as residents of Jhulasan gathered in one place to watch the event live on television. Videos showing firecrackers lighting up the sky in the early hours have been circulating on X. The villagers were seen dancing as news of Williams landing spread. #WATCH | Mehsana, Gujarat | People express joy and burst firecrackers in Jhulasan the native village of NASA astronaut Sunita Williams after the successful Splashdown of SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying Crew-9 at Tallahassee, FloridaNASAs astronauts Sunita Williams and pic.twitter.com/fKs9EVnPSf ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2025 Students from the local government school joined the celebrations by performing garba, a traditional Gujarati folk dance, and took out a procession carrying Williams photo to the nearby temple of Goddess Dola Mata. As the procession made its way from the school to the temple, the students danced, sang, and distributed sweets along the way. #WATCH | Mahesana, Gujarat: Students at CP Gajjar High School in Jhulasan, astronaut Sunita Williams native village, perform Garba to celebrate her safe return to Earth pic.twitter.com/lo2dwaTItK ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2025 Teachers and locals said their prayers to the goddess had been answered, as Williams had returned safely. The procession and the prayers at the temple were a way to give thanks for her safe return. Vishal Panchal, the principal of the local primary school, expressed the villages pride and excitement. The daughter of our village is the pride of the world. She stayed in space for such a long time and came back safe. We performed garba, burst firecrackers and distributed sweets. Our happiness knows no end," he said. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also congratulated Williams via a post on X, saying, We, in India, take immense pride in Sunitas connection to our land, celebrating her as a shining example of our shared heritage and aspirations." In his post, CM Patel extended heartfelt congratulations to our very own Sunita Williams and the Crew9 astronauts on their safe return to Earth after an extraordinary nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station". top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Williams space mission was initially scheduled to last seven days but was extended due to a technical glitch. Williams and Wilmore ended up spending 286 days in space278 days longer than expected. They circled the Earth 4,576 times and travelled 121 million miles (195 million kilometres) by the time of splashdown. (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 : Gujarat, India, India First Published: March 19, 2025, 18:31 IST Kerala Lottery Results LIVE: Fifty Fifty FF-133 Winners For March 19, 2025 Soon; First Prize Rs 1 Crore! Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 10:59 IST Kerala Lottery Result Guessing Numbers: Check the Live Updates and full list of winning numbers for Fifty Fifty FF-133 lucky draw for Wednesday, March 19, 2025 here from 3 pm. Kerala Lottery Fifty Fifty FF-133 Results: The first prize winner of Fifty Fifty FF-133 will get Rs 1 crore. (Image: Shutterstock) KERALA LOTTERY FIFTY FIFTY FF-133 RESULT ON WEDNESDAY, 19.3.2025, LIVE UPDATES: The Kerala State Lottery Department is set to announce the results of the Fifty-Fifty FF-133 lucky draw on Wednesday, March 19. The grand prize winner will take home a whopping Rs 1 crore, while the second and third prizes stand at Rs 10 lakh and Rs 5,000, respectively. Check the Live Updates and Full List of Winning Numbers here from 3 pm. KERALA LOTTERY FIFTY FIFTY FF-133 GUESSING NUMBERS Recommended Stories 3012 3021 3102 3120 3201 3210 0312 0321 0132 0123 0231 0213 1302 1320 1032 1023 1230 1203 2301 2310 2031 2013 2130 2103 KERALA LOTTERY RESULT: FIFTY FIFTY FF-133 PRIZE STRUCTURE 1st Prize: Rs 1 crore 2nd Prize: Rs. 10 lakh 3rd Prize: Rs. 5,000 4th Prize: Rs. 2,000 5th Prize: Rs. 1,000 6th Prize: Rs. 500 7th Prize: Rs. 100 Consolation Prize: Rs. 8,000 FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR FIFTY FIFTY FF-133 WINNING NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE OF RS 1 CRORE IS: To be updated WINNING NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE OF RS 10 LAKH IS: To be updated WINNING NUMBERS FOR 3RD PRIZE OF RS 5,000 ARE: To be updated WINNING NUMBERS FOR CONSOLATION PRIZE OF RS 8,000 ARE: To be updated WINNING NUMBERS FOR 4TH PRIZE OF RS 2,000 ARE: To be updated WINNING NUMBERS FOR 5TH PRIZE OF RS 1,000 ARE: To be updated WINNING NUMBERS FOR 6TH PRIZE OF RS 500 ARE: To be updated WINNING NUMBERS FOR 7TH PRIZE OF RS 100 ARE: To be updated HOW TO CONFIRM KERALA FIFTY-FIFTY FF-133 LOTTERY RESULTS? Visit keralalottery.info, the official website of the Kerala Lottery Department, to view the Fifty-Fifty FF-133 lottery results. Download the PDF file containing the list of winning numbers for easy access. Verify your ticket details and confirm the results at the Kerala Government Gazette office. HOW TO CLAIM YOUR PRIZE MONEY? Verify the official lottery results to check if your ticket number is among the winners. Prize claims must be submitted within 30 days from the draw date. To claim your winnings, visit the Kerala Lottery office at Gorky Bhavan, near Bakery Junction, Thiruvananthapuram. Bring your original lottery ticket along with a valid photo ID (such as an Aadhaar card, passport, or drivers license) for authentication. Higher prize amounts may require additional paperwork, including a claim form and tax-related documents. Follow the official verification process to ensure a smooth and hassle-free prize collection. DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO CLAIM PRIZE MONEY A self-attested photocopy of the winning ticket with both sides clearly visible. Recent passport-sized photographs that have been certified by the Gazette. Attach a signed copy of your PAN card for verification purposes. Carry a valid identification document, such as a ration card, voter ID, PAN card, or Aadhaar card. HOW TO DOWNLOAD A PDF WITH THE FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS Go to the official Kerala Lottery website. Locate and click on the Fifty Fifty FF-133 results link. The winning numbers will appear on your screen. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Check the results directly on the website. Click the download option to save the results as a PDF file. 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 19, 2025, 09:00 IST Kerala Man Escapes After Killing Wife; Arrested From Hospital Premises Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 14:36 IST The man, who killed his wife, fled from the scene right after committing the crime. He was later found sitting in his car in the premises of the government medical college hospital. Image used for representation A 26-year-old man, who was on the run after hacking to death his wife by barging into her house, was caught hours after the crime in this north Kerala district, police said on Wednesday. The accused, Yasir, a native of Puthuppady, killed his wife Shibila (23) and attacked her parents following a family dispute at their house in Engapuzha here on Tuesday night. Recommended Stories The young couples daughter was also present in the house when the gruesome incident happened. The woman died on the spot, while the injured parents were rushed to nearby hospitals, police said. After the crime, the accused managed to flee from the scene in his car. Police, however, tracked his mobile phone locations and traced him to the premises of the government medical college hospital here after a few hours. He was spotted sitting inside the car and was arrested. "The murdered woman was living with her parents for some time due to alleged harassment and assault by the accused. She also recently lodged a police complaint citing threats from Yasir," a police officer said. Local people alleged that the accused used to consume synthetic drugs and liquor. There were also reports that he had piled up the clothes of Shibila and burnt it and posted its pictures as his WhatsApp status before leaving the crime scene on Tuesday. But, the police didnt confirm this. PTI LGK KH top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all . . Location : Kerala, India, India First Published: March 19, 2025, 14:36 IST Maharashtra's Matheran Closed Indefinitely As Locals Protest Against Tourist Scams Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 20:49 IST The residents and traders have demanded that the tourist spot would be completely shut until the administration curbs the fraudulent activities. The hotel industry, e-rickshaw associations, traders, social organisations have also announced their support. (File) Matheran, a popular tourist destination in Maharashtra will shut down indefinitely from March 18 as residents and traders under the Matheran Paryatan Vachav Sangharsh Samiti (MPVSS) commenced an indefinite strike against increasing fraudulent activities targeting tourists. The protestors highlighted issues of fraudulent activities and overcharging by touts and horse operators at Dasturi entry point. Despite multiple complaints, authorities have failed to act, forcing residents to call for a complete closure, Pune Pulse reported. Recommended Stories Matheran Travel Guide: Top Things To Do And How You Can Reach The Hill Station The residents and traders have demanded that the tourist spot would be completely shut until the administration curbs the fraudulent activities. The hotel industry, e-rickshaw associations, traders, social organisations have also announced their support. As per the report, allegations of tourists being misled and overcharged by some horse operators have led to growing dissatisfaction among residents. Frustrated with the inaction of the administration, locals had submitted a formal protest letter to the revenue department, municipal council, forest department, and police on February 27. However, authorities failed to address their demands, leading the MPVSS to announce the strike from Tuesday, declaring Matheran will remain completely closed until their demands are met. Former municipal council president and MPVSS member Manoj Khedkar stated that the strike would continue until tourist-targeted malpractices cease, Times of India reported. The tourists visiting Matheran were unaware of the strike and faced difficulties as all establishments remained closed. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all We had no idea about such a strike. All the shops were closed, which forced us to return home immediately. Since vacations have already started and summer is picking up, Mumbaikars find this hill station nearest to their homes, which is why it has become a popular destination. This kind of stir during the peak season will deprive the visitors of spending quality hangout time, away from the city," Nitin Pagar, a tourist from Ghatkopar, told Times of India. Meanwhile, a horse operator defended their position, saying horses have always been essential to Matheran and negative social media reviews have contributed to declining tourism. About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More Location : Matheran, India, India First Published: March 18, 2025, 23:33 IST Merchant Navy Officer's Wife Went On Manali Trip To Hide His Murder, But Insta Posts Rang Alarm Bells Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 14:09 IST The investigation into the case brought to fore an extramarital affair between Saurabh Rajput's wife Muskaan Rastogi and her lover Sahil Shukla. Saurabh Rajput and Muskaan Rastogi married in 2016. Instagram Posts, Manali Trip: How Merchant Navy Officers Wife Covered-Up His Murder A Merchant Navy officer- Saurabh Rajput- from Meerut was murdered, chopped up and the 15-odd pieces of his body were put into a drum and sealed with cement, the police said. The investigation into the case brought to fore an extramarital affair between Saurabh Rajputs wife Muskaan Rastogi and her lover Sahil Shukla. Recommended Stories A Happy Marriage Saurabh Rajput and Muskaan Rastogi married in 2016 for love after which the Merchant Navy officer left his job to spend more time with his wife. His family did not like the decision taken by Saurabh which resulted in friction- owing to which he moved out with his wife to a rented house. In 2019, Muskaan and Saurabh had a daughter after which Saurabh found out that Muskaan was having an affair with his friend Sahil which led to tension between the couple. Eventually, Saurabh decided to rejoin the Merchant Navy. Sleeping Pills, Murder And Drum Saurabhs daughter turned six on February 28 for which her father returned home. Muskaan and Sahil had decided to murder Saurabh, as per their statement to the police. Muskaan mixed sleeping pills in Saurabhs food on March 4 and once he was asleep, she and Sahil murdered him with a knife. Following this, Muskaan and Sahil chopped up the body, put the pieces in a drum and sealed it with wet cement in order to dispose of the body. When people asked about Saurabh, Muskaan told them he had gone to a hill station. She and Sahil then travelled to Manalu and uploaded pictures from Saurabhs phone on his social media handles- with the aim of misleading people. When Saurabh did not take any calls from his family members for several days, they filed a police complaint. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all How Muskaan And Sahil Confessed To Murder After the complaint, Muskaan and Sahil were taken into custody where they confessed to the murder. Meerut City police chief Ayush Vikram Singh said, On suspicion, we took his wife Muskaan and her lover Sahil into custody. During questioning, they said that on March 4, they killed Saurabh with a knife. They chopped up the body, put it in a drum and sealed it with cement. Police have recovered the body and sent it for autopsy. We have taken the two in custody and they will be presented in court." Location : Meerut, India, India First Published: March 19, 2025, 13:46 IST Police Say Key Nagpur Suspect Fahim Khan Gathered Mob Before Rioting, Take Him In Custody Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Vani Mehrotra Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 14:20 IST Fahim Shamim Khan has been arrested in the March 17 Nagpur clashes. An FIR in the case states he incited violence and gathered a mob in at least two different places before the clashes. Fahim Shamim Khan named main accused in Nagpur violence (Photo: Social Media) A First Information Report (FIR) in connection with the March 17 Nagpur violence has identified Fahim Shamim Khan as the one who gathered dozens of people in at least two different places, hours before the Nagpur riots. He was arrested on Tuesday night and will remain in police custody until March 21. Recommended Stories The FIR, accessed exclusively by CNN-News18, states that Fahim Khan, who has emerged as the key suspect, first asked people to gather near a police station and then near a mosque in the Mahal area of Nagpur, where the clashes erupted. Police are probing his role in the clashes. The FIR states that Khans group had earlier submitted a memorandum at Ganeshpeth Police Station, demanding legal action against the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) activists following a protest. However, this later led to a violent outbreak. Multiple videos from March 17 have shown rioters purportedly raising slogans in support of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, and referring to him as Alamgir Hazrat. Khan allegedly provoked people, incited violence, and played a role in spreading rumours that a holy book was desecrated. In a press conference on Wednesday, the Nagpur Police said they were investigating if the violence was masterminded by one person or a group. We are verifying the names coming up in relation to the rioting," Nagpur Police Commissioner Ravinder Singal said. WHO IS FAHIM KHAN? According to the information available, 38-year-old Fahim Khan is a member of the Minorities Democratic Party in Nagpur. He contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Nagpur against Union Minister Nitin Gadkari but lost. NAGPUR VIOLENCE: THE FIR DETAILS According to the FIR, members of the Bajrang Dal and the VHP protested for the removal of Aurangzebs tomb and burnt his symbolic effigy on the occasion of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharajs birthday. To stop the protesters, a group of nearly 60 people gathered at a police station under the leadership of Fahim Khan. ALSO READ | Attack On Police Wont Be Tolerated: Maharashtra CM Fadnavis Calls Nagpur Violence A Conspiracy Though the mob was instructed to maintain peace, another 500 people of the same community gathered and incited riots. They raised provocative slogans and spread rumours to create unrest. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The mob used dangerous weapons like axes, stones, and petrol bombs to attack the police. They also made obscene gestures and comments towards female police officers and attempted to molest one of them. About the Author Mayuresh Ganapatye Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. He previously worked with... Read More Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. He previously worked with... Read More First Published: March 19, 2025, 13:10 IST Pakistani Woman Caught Entering India, Says She Fled Husband's Abuse, Looked Up Route On Google Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 14:33 IST The woman entered the Indian territory after crossing the barbed wire on the India-Pakistan border, but BSF personnel soon got hold of her, police said. BSF is questioning the woman to determine the motive behind her entry. (Image for representational purposes only) The Border Security Force (BSF) caught a 30-year-old Pakistani woman on Sunday night while she was attempting to infiltrate into India through the border in Rajasthans Ganganagar district. Security agencies are currently working to unravel the mystery behind a the womans unauthorised entry into the country. The woman identified herself as Amaira and claimed to be from Pakistans restive Balochistan province, PTI reported Deputy Superintendent of Police Prashant Kaushik as saying. DSP Kaushik confirmed that the woman had not yet been handed over to the police, as BSF and intelligence agencies were still questioning her to determine the motive behind her entry. Recommended Stories She claimed to be fleeing domestic violence in Balochistan, but her conflicting statements and suspicious search history have prompted authorities to dig deeper into her background. The woman claimed to be from Daghri Khan village in the restive Kech district of Balochistan. During interrogation, she alleged that she was escaping domestic abuse by her husband, Wasim, who runs a shop in both Balochistan and Muscat. She stated that after enduring years of mistreatment, she had taken refuge at her parents house in Karachi before deciding to cross the border into India. The security personnel investigated the womans mobile phone and search history, which further raised suspicions about her intentions. A senior police officer revealed that the woman had searched about the status of women in India on Google and concluded that the situation for women in India was better than in Pakistan. Impressed by this, she decided to escape to India," the officer said. The woman allegedly used Google Maps to navigate her way to the international border. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Sri Ganganagar Superintendent of Police Gaurav Yadav confirmed that BSF personnel detained her near the Vijeta border post in the Anupgarh sector. She was later handed over to Anupgarh police for further questioning. The police have not found any evidence of espionage or other suspicious activity so far, but security officials remain cautious due to the sensitive nature of the India-Pakistan border. Concerns have also emerged over her apparent ease in crossing the highly guarded border and her knowledge of border routes. Given the complexities of the case, security agencies are considering conducting a mental health evaluation to assess her psychological state. Location : Ganganagar (Sri Ganganagar), India, India First Published: March 19, 2025, 14:33 IST The 100-year-old 'stick man' sign is one of 'the best known examples in the country', a long-time auctioneer told Yahoo. An extremely rare antique Shell motor oil sign has sold for over $133,000. Source: Getty/Burns and Co Auctions A 100-year-old incredibly rare Shell motor oil sign has sold for a whopping $133,975 smashing an Australian record set just months ago. The pristine treasure triggered quite a bidding war last Thursday after staff at Burns and Co Auctions in Victoria trekked 3,200km to a remote property in Roma, Queensland to collect the special antique. Ashley Burns, who has been an auctioneer for a decade, first learned about the prized blue enamel stick man sign when a man phoned to inquire about the item hanging in his shed. He stated he had the sign for around 35 years and initially purchased it out of an old panel/painting business for $500, Burns told Yahoo News Australia. It didnt take long for Burns to realise he was onto something remarkable and four days and a lengthy road trip later, it arrived at Burns and Co Auctions. A light clean revealed its exquisite condition. ADVERTISEMENT The auctioneer told Yahoo this particular sign is extremely valuable because of its age, its impressive original gloss and size with three separate pieces totalling 1.8 metres tall and 2.7 metres wide. Its very hard to find a sign of this size, this old with three matching panels and in this condition, Burns said. Its one of the best-known examples in the country. Subject matter is also important. Pictorial, embossed enamel and Shell [are] very, very keenly sought after, he added. The 100-year-old 'stick man' sign is one of 'the best known examples in the country', Burns said. Source: Burns and Co Auctions Sale of 1920s enamel sign breaks Aussie record Hype around the sign began to grow in the weeks leading up to the auction after the company posted a photo of it on social media. With pre-bidding starting 20 days prior, the item had already reached $75,000 when the live auction began. ADVERTISEMENT Collectors battled it out until the final hammer came down, with the lucky winner paying $133,975 30 per cent higher than the previous record, which was also held by Burns and Co Auctions after another yellow Shell enamel sign sold in January 2024. It was this event that prompted the Queensland man to inquire about the value of his own garage decor. Earlier this year, Burns told Yahoo Finance the value of 'garagenalia' memorabilia and relics related to the motor industry have tripled in price in the past five to seven years, with the rise of the man cave during Covid lockdowns when online auctions took off. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Ranya Rao Gold Smuggling Case: Co-Accused Tarun Raju Denied Bail By Special Court; Here's Why Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: March 20, 2025, 00:21 IST DRI, opposing Rajus bail plea, stated that it had forensic evidence, including call records and financial transactions, linking Ranya Rao and Tarun Raju. It also claimed to have established that the duo had founded Vira Diamonds Trading LLC as a partnership firm with a 50:50 stake Ranya Rao and Tarun Raju. File images/X Tarun Raju, the co-accused in the gold smuggling case involving Kannada actor Ranya Rao, has been denied bail by the special court hearing the case. While Rajus counsel argued that he was not a flight risk and a resident of Bengaluru, they also contended that there were no pending legal cases against him and sought bail. Recommended Stories DRI, opposing Rajus bail plea, stated that it had forensic evidence, including call records and financial transactions, linking Ranya Rao and Tarun Raju. It also claimed to have established that the duo had founded Vira Diamonds Trading LLC as a partnership firm with a 50:50 stake. The business, based in Dubai, was set up to import gold from Geneva and Bangkok. Rao had reportedly invested Rs 8-10 lakh to start the company. The DRI further argued that mobile phones and other electronic devices belonging to Ranya and Tarun indicated they were in Dubai on March 3. Additionally, Ranya had booked a ticket from Dubai to Hyderabad on the same day. It is also alleged that Rao deposited cash into Taruns account on March 3 while he was in Dubai and was present there to hand over the gold to her before she travelled to India. DRI claimed that a lookout notice issued in Taruns name revealed he attempted to flee India upon his return and that he had been involved in gold smuggling multiple times. Opposing his bail plea, the DRI further stated that the co-accused had travelled to Hyderabad from Dubai on the day of Ranya Raos arrest using money sent by the actress to purchase flight tickets. It also observed that both Tarun and Ranya had travelled to Dubai 26 times earlier, indicating their involvement in the case. The tickets were purchased using her American Express card, according to DRI sources. The DRIs arguments also stated that Tarun and Ranya were friends from college and that Ranya was the primary investor in Vira Diamonds, while Tarun was the working partner. DRI sources said Ranya had invested in the company and made monetary payments on behalf of her business partner for gold sourced from European countries. It was also alleged that the duo had once been cheated by a supplier in Dubai to the tune of Rs 1.7 crore when they were not supplied gold. Explaining their modus operandi, DRI sources said they moved money through hawala from India to Dubai and had influential contacts and suppliers in Geneva and Bangkok. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Rao would purchase gold from wholesalers in Taruns name, as he held a US passport and did not require a separate visa. This made it easier to declare the goods at Dubai customs. Rao, whose bail application was rejected on March 14, has once again appealed to the court. She is currently under judicial custody after being arrested by DRI on March 3 at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru for allegedly smuggling 14.8 kilograms of gold from Dubai. About the Author Rohini Swamy Rohini Swamy, Associate Editor at News18, has been a journalist for nearly two decades in the television and digital space. She covers south India for News18s digital platform. She has previously worked with t... Read More Rohini Swamy, Associate Editor at News18, has been a journalist for nearly two decades in the television and digital space. She covers south India for News18s digital platform. She has previously worked with t... Read More First Published: March 20, 2025, 00:21 IST Congress Vs BRS Over 'Rs 200 Crore Beauty Pageant' Amid Rs 71,000 Crore Revenue Deficit In Telangana Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 16:22 IST The BRS has heavily criticized Congress for its flawed financial priorities and poor management of the state's economy, emphasizing the absence of development under Reddy's leadership. Left to right: Telangana CM Revanth Reddy and BRS leader KT Rama Rao Telanganas opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) slammed Chief Minister Revanth Reddy over spending Rs 200 crore on a beauty pageant when theres a deficit of Rs 71,000 crore. The opposition parties criticised the government over Rs 71,000 crore revenue shortfall, insufficient funds to pay salaries or Dearness Allowances, and no money for capital expenditure in the states budget. Recommended Stories On Tuesday afternoon, opposition lawmakers staged a protest during the reading of the annual budget in the Assembly. They held dried crops to highlight their allegations of a Congress-created drought" and criticised the funds allocated for the Miss World event. Instead, they called for Rs 25,000 per acre to support farmers affected by the crisis. Notably, Telangana will host the 72nd edition of the Miss World pageant from May 7 to May 31. Earlier this week, BRS leader KT Rama Rao also weighed in on the plans to host the 72nd Miss World pageant, blasting the perverse logic" of the ruling Congress in spending crores of public money" on the event while taking legal action against him over alleged irregularities in the Rs 46 crore Formula-E race scam. Apparently, spending 46 crore for the Formula-E race in Hyderabad was wrong & will attract cases being filed. But spending 200 crore of public money to conduct Miss World, a beauty contest, is right!! What is this perverse logic? Can you please explain @RahulGandhi Ji?" wrote KTR in a post on X on March 11. Apparently spending 46 Crore for Formula E race in Hyderabad was wrong & will attract cases being filedBut spending 200 Crores of public money to conduct Miss World, a beauty contest is right !! What is this perverse logic? Can you please explain @RahulGandhi Ji ? https://t.co/Ss2A75vv8z KTR (@KTRBRS) March 11, 2025 In another post on Monday, March 17, Rama Rao continued to criticise the Congress government and posted on X, The Congress government wants us to believe all is well in Telangana If that is true, why did the Chief Minister suddenly confess yesterday that there is negative growth and a deficit of Rs 71,000 crore? Is Telangana rising or falling?" So Congress Govt wants us to believe that all is well in TelanganaApparently according to them Investments are coming in thick & fast Agricultural Sector is growing Welfare is at its highest CM is working 18 hours a day Then why did the CM turn approver all of a KTR (@KTRBRS) March 17, 2025 The party, however, responded in a softer tone, with spokesperson Krishank explaining that their criticism was directed at the Congress double standards and hypocrisy" over the Formula-E corruption case involving KTR. The BRS has strongly criticised the Congress for its misguided financial priorities and its management of the states economy, particularly the lack of development under Reddys leadership. The Chief Minister, whose ongoing feud with KTR reached new heights last week following the latters this mad dog" remark, retaliated by accusing his predecessor, K Chandrasekhar Rao, of financially crippling Telangana. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Reddy further accused the BRS of leaving behind a massive public debt, with monthly interest payments of Rs 1.53 lakh crore, for the incoming Congress government to handle. If such a large amount had been saved, this government could have constructed homes for everyone farm loans could have been waived for another 70 lakh people," he was quoted by news agency ANI. Location : Telangana, India, India First Published: March 19, 2025, 15:23 IST 'Welcome Back, The Earth Missed You': PM Modi, Amit Shah Congratulate Sunita Williams As She Returns Home Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 13:55 IST PM Modi said, "Welcome back, Crew9! The Earth missed you. Theirs has been a test of grit, courage and the boundless human spirit." PM Modi congratulated Sunita Williams Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Sunita Williams and welcomed her back as she along with Butch Wilmore set foot on earth. Taking to X, PM Modi said, Welcome back, Crew9! The Earth missed you. Theirs has been a test of grit, courage and the boundless human spirit. Sunita Williams and the Crew9 astronauts have once again shown us what perseverance truly means. Their unwavering determination in the face of the vast unknown will forever inspire millions." The PM continued, Space exploration is about pushing the limits of human potential, daring to dream, and having the courage to turn those dreams into reality. Sunita Williams, a trailblazer and an icon, has exemplified this spirit throughout her career." Recommended Stories Welcome back, #Crew9! The Earth missed you.Theirs has been a test of grit, courage and the boundless human spirit. Sunita Williams and the #Crew9 astronauts have once again shown us what perseverance truly means. Their unwavering determination in the face of the vast unknown pic.twitter.com/FkgagekJ7C Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 19, 2025 We are incredibly proud of all those who worked tirelessly to ensure their safe return. They have demonstrated what happens when precision meets passion and technology meets tenacity," he added. Earlier, PM Modi wrote a letter to NASA astronaut Sunita Williams inquiring about her well-being. 1.4 billion Indians have always taken great pride in your achievements. Recent developments have yet again showcased your inspirational fortitude and perseverance," he wrote. President Droupadi Murmus Message For Sunita Williams President Droupadi Murmu congratulated the team behind the safe return of NASAs Crew 9 mission as she lauded Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams and her fellow astronauts for inspiring everyone with their perseverance, dedication, and never-say-die spirit. She said, Congratulations to the entire team behind the safe return of NASAs Crew 9 mission on Earth! Indias daughter Sunita Williams and her fellow astronauts have inspired everyone with their perseverance, dedication and never-say-die spirit." Congratulations to the entire team behind the safe return of NASAs Crew 9 mission on Earth! Indias daughter Sunita Williams and her fellow astronauts have inspired everyone with their perseverance, dedication and never-say-die spirit. Their historic journey is a tale of President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) March 19, 2025 The President added, Their historic journey is a tale of determination, teamwork and extraordinary courage. I salute their unwavering resolve and wish them excellent health!" Defence Minister Rajnath Singh applauded Sunita Williams time in space as historic, writing on X, Delighted at the safe return of NASAs #Crew9 on earth! The crew comprising of Indias daughter Sunita Williams and other astronauts have rewritten the history of human endurance and perseverance in Space." Delighted at the safe return of NASAs #Crew9 on earth! The crew comprising of Indias daughter Sunita Williams and other astronauts have rewritten the history of human endurance and perseverance in Space.Sunita Williams incredible journey, unwavering dedication, fortitude Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) March 19, 2025 top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri posted on X, Even when she was thousands of miles away for more than nine months on ISS, she was close to our hearts. 140 billion Indians joined the world in praying for her safe return. Young people around the world drew immense inspiration from the fortitude and perseverance with which she kept her chin up and continued with her good work for the betterment of humankind despite being personally stuck in an unpredictable situation." First Published: March 19, 2025, 11:25 IST 'We're Concerned...Important All Hostages Are Released': India Over Situation In Gaza Published By : PTI Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 17:55 IST India's comments came as Israel resumed air strikes in Gaza triggering uncertainty over the fragile ceasefire that it sealed with Hamas in January The MEA said India has also called for the supply of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza to be sustained. (Image: YouTube/MEA) India on Wednesday said it is concerned over the situation in Gaza and called for supply of humanitarian assistance to people of the conflict-hit Palestinian territory. Indias comments came as Israel resumed air strikes in Gaza on Tuesday triggering uncertainty over the fragile ceasefire that it sealed with Hamas in January. Recommended Stories According to the Hamas-run health ministry, over 400 people were killed in the Israeli bombing. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all We are concerned at the situation in Gaza. It is important that all hostages are released," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. We also call for the supply of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza to be sustained," it said in a statement. About the Author Oindrila Mukherjee Oindrila Mukherjee is a senior sub-editor who works for the rewrite and breaking news desks. Her nine years of experience in print and digital journalism range from editing and reporting to writing impactful st... Read More Oindrila Mukherjee is a senior sub-editor who works for the rewrite and breaking news desks. Her nine years of experience in print and digital journalism range from editing and reporting to writing impactful st... Read More First Published: March 19, 2025, 17:54 IST West Bengal Celebrates Soaring Rhino Numbers In Conservation Triumph Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 09:05 IST Jaldapara National Park, home to the second-largest one-horned rhino population after Kaziranga, witnessed a remarkable surge, with the 2025 census recording 331 (3) rhinos, while Gorumara National Park's rhino population stands at 61 Conducted on March 5 and 6, 2025, the rhino census spanned Jaldapara National Park, Gorumara National Park, Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary, and parts of Jalpaiguri Reserve Forests. (News18) West Bengal is celebrating a conservation triumph as its one-horned rhino population has reached 392 (6) in the 2025 census, marking a significant rise from 229 in 2013. The achievement underscores the success of the states dedicated conservation efforts, including enhanced protection measures, habitat management, and rigorous anti-poaching initiatives. Conducted on March 5 and 6, 2025, the rhino census spanned Jaldapara National Park, Gorumara National Park, Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary, and parts of Jalpaiguri Reserve Forests. The meticulous count, based on direct sightings, involved 631 forest staff, 85 trained elephants, and the collaborative efforts of 15 NGOs and civil society groups. Recommended Stories State forest minister Birbaha Hansda attributed the success to the combined efforts of the forest team, volunteers, and the support of chief minister Mamata Banerjee. Hansda emphasised the governments commitment to wildlife preservation, highlighting the increase in forest cover, improved animal facilities, and the resulting rise in rhino, elephant, and tiger populations. Jaldapara National Park, home to the second-largest one-horned rhino population after Kaziranga, witnessed a remarkable surge, with the 2025 census recording 331 (3) rhinos. Gorumara National Parks rhino population stands at 61 (3). Both parks boast a healthy age structure, with a promising ratio of adults, sub-adults, and calves, ensuring future population stability. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The census methodology involved dividing the rhino-occupied area into 4 sq. km blocks, establishing fixed observation stations and lines, and employing a combination of foot and elephant-back surveys. This comprehensive approach ensured accurate sightings and data collection, including gender, age, physical features, and location of each rhino. The success story of West Bengals rhino conservation is a testament to the power of collaborative efforts and dedicated conservation strategies, offering a beacon of hope for the future of this vulnerable species. About the Author Kamalika Sengupta Kamalika Sengupta, Editor, Digital East of News18, is a multilingual journalist with 16 years of experience in covering the northeast, with specialisation in politics and defence. She has won UNICEF Laadli Awar... Read More Kamalika Sengupta, Editor, Digital East of News18, is a multilingual journalist with 16 years of experience in covering the northeast, with specialisation in politics and defence. She has won UNICEF Laadli Awar... Read More First Published: March 19, 2025, 09:05 IST Man Returns From London For Daughter's Birthday, Wife And Her Lover Chop Him Up Into 15 Pieces Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 18:29 IST Police said the two accused -- the victim's wife and her lover -- went on vacation to Manali after killing him. She used his mobile phone and social media to send out messages and pictures to mislead family members about his whereabouts Merchant Navy officer from UP's Meerut was murdered by his wife and her lover. (Image: X) A 27-year-old woman and her lover allegedly stabbed her husband a merchant navy officer to death, chopped up his body into 15 pieces and sealed them inside a drum with cement. The incident took place in Uttar Pradeshs Meerut on March 4, days after the victim, 29-year-old Saurabh Rajput, returned from London for his daughters sixth birthday on February 28. Recommended Stories Police identified the woman as 27-year-old Muskan and her lover as 25-year-old Sahil, both of whom were arrested. They said Rajputs remains were recovered and sent for a post-mortem. According to the police, Muskan and Sahil went on vacation to Manali after killing Rajput. The woman used her husbands mobile phone and social media to send out messages and pictures to mislead his family members about his whereabouts, the police said. The police said Rajputs family, however, became suspicious when their calls to him went unanswered, and informed the police that he was missing. An investigation was launched after receiving information about the matter, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ayush Vikram Singh said. The police detained Muskan and Sahil and, during interrogation, they confessed to having stabbed Rajput to death on March 4. A case has been registered based on a complaint lodged by the victims family, they said. VICTIM EARLIER QUIT HIS MERCHANT NAVY JOB TO BE WITH WIFE Rajput and Muskan had a love marriage in 2016 following which the former left his job with the merchant navy to be with her, the police said. His family, who was already unhappy with their relationship, disapproved of his decision to quit his job, they said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The police further said following this, the couple started living separately in a rented house in Meeruts Indira Nagar Phase 1 and, in 2019, Muskan gave birth to their daughter. Rajput, however, discovered Muskans extramarital affair with Sahil, which led to tension in their marriage, they said. Eventually, Saurabh decided to rejoin the Merchant Navy, they added. (With PTI inputs) Location : Meerut, India, India First Published: March 19, 2025, 09:56 IST 'Will Dig Them Out From Their Graves': Fadnavis Vows Tough Action Against Those Who Attacked Nagpur Cops Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 19:17 IST The Chief Minister highlighted the role of rumors in escalating violence saying that the violence erupted due to a rumor about a religious symbol on the symbolic grave sheet. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis (File Photo) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday vowed to take strict action against the culprits who attacked the police personnel during the violent clashes in Nagpur this week. During the assembly session, Fadnavis termed the attack on police a planned conspiracy" and said, We will dig them out from their graves, but wont spare those who attacked police in Nagpur." Recommended Stories Read More: Attack On Police Wont Be Tolerated: Maharashtra CM Fadnavis Calls Nagpur Violence A Conspiracy He further highlighted how a mob pelted stones at the cops. A crowd of around 80 people was involved in stone-pelting. A police officer was attacked with an axe and three deputy commissioners were assaulted. Certain houses were deliberately targeted and one DCP was attacked with an axe," he said. The Chief Minister also highlighted the role of rumors in escalating violence saying that the violence erupted due to a rumor about a religious symbol on the symbolic grave sheet. He said, Rumours were spread that things containing religious content were burnt.It looks like a well-planned attack. No one has permission to take law and order into their hands." Read More: Nagpur Violence Seems Premeditated, Chhaava Film Reignited Peoples Emotions: Fadnavis Clashes broke out in Nagpurs Chitnis Park area in Mahal on Monday. Police were attacked with stones following rumours that a religious text had been desecrated during a protest by a right-wing group demanding the removal of Aurangzebs tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. Key Suspect Held, Say Police Meanwhile, a key suspect, identified as Fahim Shamim Khan, the one who gathered dozens of people in at least two different places, hours before the Nagpur riots, was arrested on Tuesday night and will remain in police custody until March 21. The FIR, accessed exclusively by CNN-News18, stated that Khan first asked people to gather near a police station and then near a mosque in the Mahal area of Nagpur, where the clashes erupted. Police are probing his role in the clashes. Read More: Police Say Key Nagpur Suspect Fahim Khan Gathered Mob Before Rioting, Take Him In Custody Multiple videos from March 17 have shown rioters purportedly raising slogans in support of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, and referring to him as Alamgir Hazrat. Khan allegedly provoked people, incited violence, and played a role in spreading rumours that a holy book was desecrated. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Nagpur Police DCP Rahul Madne said that several houses have been identified from where stones were pelted on the cops. We have identified the houses from which stones were pelted at us. Now their combing operation is going on and they will be arrested. Further interrogation in underway of those who have been arrested so far. As of now, five people have been arrested on the basis of CCTV footage," he said. About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More First Published: March 19, 2025, 17:38 IST Gal Gadot Celebrates Historic Hollywood Walk Of Fame Star With Family By Her Side; See Pics Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 17:52 IST Gal Gadot attended the ceremony with her husband Jaron Varsano and their four daughters. Gal Gadot will be next seen in Disneys live-action Snow White. (Photo Credits: Instagram) Recommended Stories Gal Gadots Hollywood Walk of Fame: Gal Gadot made history on March 18 as she became the first Israeli actor to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame . She attended the ceremony in Los Angeles with her husband Jaron Varsano and their four daughters Alma, 13, Maya, almost 8, Daniella, 3, and Ori, 13 months. The honour comes ahead of her upcoming role as the Evil Queen in Disneys live-action Snow White. Speaking to the audience, Gadot expressed gratitude for the recognition. Im just a girl from a town in Israel. To all the young people, especially the young girls, if a girl from Rosh Haayin can get a star on Hollywood Boulevard, anything is possible," she said. In an interview with Variety, she admitted that the honour felt overwhelming. I think that its going to take me time before I even realise that its real. I dont think that ever in my life I would dream to be able to go through the journey that Im going through, so Im very, very humbled and grateful and excited," she said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by GAL GADOT FAN (@forgalgadot) However, the ceremony was briefly disrupted by protests. According to Variety, pro-Palestinian protesters held signs reading Heroes Fight Like Palestinians" and No Other Land Won Oscar," referencing the documentary on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that won an Academy Award this year. Others chanted slogans like Shame on Gal Gadot" and Up up with liberation, down down with occupation." The outlet reported that nearly two dozen protesters gathered for each side. The ceremony was delayed for about 15 minutes and police intervened after an Israeli flag was taken by a protester. Gadot has been outspoken about her support for Israel especially following the October 7 attacks in 2023. She addressed the issue earlier this month at the Anti-Defamation Leagues annual summit where she criticised those who did not condemn Hamas. Never did I imagine that on the streets of the United States, and different cities around the world, we would see people not condemning Hamas, but celebrating, justifying, and cheering on a massacre of Jews," she said in her speech. Ahead of the event, Gadot explained to Variety why she has taken a stronger stance in recent months. When people were abducted from their homes, from their beds, men, women, children, elderly, Holocaust survivors, were going through the horrors of what happened that day, I could not be silent," she said. I was shocked by the amount of hate, by the amount of how much people think they know when they actually have no idea, and also by how the media is not fair many times. So I had to speak up," Gadot added. First Published: March 19, 2025, 17:10 IST Hrithik Roshan 'Locked Himself In Bathroom' When He Couldn't Say THIS, Says Rakesh Roshan: 'I Used To Feel Bad' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 08:14 IST Hrithik Roshan overcame speech difficulties to become a star with Kaho Naa Pyar Hai. Hrithik Roshan had a stuttering problem which he overcame. Hrithik Roshan became a star with Kaho Naa Pyar Hai, but it wasnt easy for him. He had to overcome personal challenges to build his confidence. Hrithik has spoken about his speech difficulties before, and now his father, Rakesh Roshan, has shared his thoughts too. Rakesh said he saw his son struggle and felt bad because Hrithik wanted to express a lot but couldnt because of his speech issues. He also remembered a time when Hrithik locked himself in a bathroom because he couldnt say Thank you, Dubai" properly. In a chat with ANI, when asked if Hrithiks problems frightened" him, Rakesh Roshan said, I used to feel bad that he wants to say so many things, he is so well educated, very intelligent but he used to hold himself back because of his stuttering. Once, I remember he was in Dubai and he wanted to just say thank you Dubai, and he used to get stuck on the word D. So he locked himself in the bathroom to learn those two sentences, to say Thank you Dubai." Recommended Stories Rakesh Roshan shared that he felt bad for Hrithik. He said, He is such a progressive man but something is holding him back but he worked so hard on it." He recalled how Hrithik would wake up every morning and read newspapers aloud in English, Hindi, and Urdu to work on his speech. He used to wake up in the morning and for one hour, he would read newspapers out loud in English, Hindi and Urdu and now, he doesnt stutter, for the last 10-12 years." Meanwhile, on the work front, Rakesh Roshan is officially stepping back from the directors chair for Krrish 4. Roshan has spoken up, confirming that the time has come to hand over the reins. In a recent interview with Bollywood Hungama, Roshan addressed the speculation, saying, The day has to come when I have to pass on the baton," he said. Its better I do it when Im in my senses, so I can overlook the process and ascertain whether its being done correctly. Tomorrow, if Im not in my senses and I have to pass it on, I wont know what theyre making." About the Author Shreyanka Mazumdar Shreyanka Mazumdar is Chief Sub Editor of the entertainment team at News18. With an unbridled passion for all things Bollywood, she loves deep-diving into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment world, bring... Read More Shreyanka Mazumdar is Chief Sub Editor of the entertainment team at News18. With an unbridled passion for all things Bollywood, she loves deep-diving into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment world, bring... Read More First Published: March 19, 2025, 08:14 IST Kim Soo Hyun's Show Knock-Off To Get Cancelled Amid Kim Sae-Ron Dating Controversy? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 08:54 IST Kim Soo Hyuns agency also recently confirmed that he was in a romantic relationship with Kim Sae Ron. Kim Soo Hyun allegedly started dating Kim Sae Ron when she was 15. (Photo Credit: Instagram) South Korean star Kim Soo Hyun has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons for a long time now. He has been accused of dating the late actress Kim Sae-Ron when she was a minor. Amid all this, it has now been reported that Kim Soo Hyuns upcoming show, Knock-Off is likely to get cancelled. Reportedly, Kim Soo-hyuns upcoming K-drama series Knock Off is likely to postpone its release or even cancel the show due to public outrage over its lead actor. The release schedule has not been confirmed," a Disney Korea spokesperson told Koreaboo.com. Recommended Stories The report further added that the sponsors and advertising partners of the show have also expressed concerns regarding the ongoing scandal. As a company that values youthful energy and innovative branding, we collaborated with Knock-Off in its production. However, this unforeseen scandal has disrupted the project, which is truly regrettable. We will determine our official stance after Disney releases its decision," Park Ki-pyo, CEO of South Koreas first-ever streetwear brand, Safety Zone Korea, said. Previously, several other brands also cancelled deals with Kim Soo-hyun. Besides this, the actor has also been removed from the reality show, Good Day. His scenes from the show have been removed. Meanwhile, Kim Soo Hyuns agency also recently confirmed that he was in a romantic relationship with Kim Sae Ron. The agency, Gold Medalist, issued a statement and addressed allegations that the actor dated Kim Sae Ron when she was a minor. The agency claimed that the two were in a relationship in 2019 and 2020. It further argued that the viral photo, which caused the controversy, was also taken in 2020 and not in 2016. Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron dated after she became an adult. It is completely untrue that they were in a relationship when she was a minor," a part of the statement read. Their claims that these images date back to 2016 are baseless. The two werent dating at that time. The clothes Kim Sae Ron was wearing at the time were released in June 2019 by the brand, so Garo Sero Institutes claim that the photo was taken in 2016 when Kim Sae Ron was a minor is impossible," it added. 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 19, 2025, 08:49 IST Originally from Asia, this invasive pest reproduces by self-fertilisation and can release thousands of juveniles, allowing it to spread aggressively. Freshwater gold clam self-fertilises and can reproduce rapidly, making it a serious threat to Australian waterways. Source: Queensland Government Authorities are urging the public to keep an eye out for a notorious species of clam one of the globe's "worst invaders" that's taking over Australian waterways. Particularly prevalent in Brisbane, conservationists and biosecurity agencies are warning Aussies to monitor for freshwater gold clam. The Invasive Species Council's Dr Carol Booth warned the pest, if left unchecked, can explode in numbers. "Another potentially terrible invader is now permanently established in Australia with the potential to transform freshwater ecosystems," Booth told Yahoo News Australia. "This clam tends to become extremely abundant (sometimes in excess of 10,000 a square metre) and outcompete native mussels. It can alter nutrient cycles, reduce water quality and transform food webs." Booth said during extreme weather events, large numbers die and release toxic amounts of ammonia. "It is on Europes list of 100 of the worst invaders," she said. ADVERTISEMENT "Globally it has cost upwards of $12 billion, with most costs documented in North America." Originally from Asia, the freshwater gold clam now inhabits Australian waterways, particularly in Brisbane. Source: Queensland Government 'Early detection' key in fight against invasive clam Biodiversity Queensland, a division of the state's Department of Primary Industries, urged both locals and visitors to Brisbane to keep their eyes peeled. "When youre out near waterways in Brisbane, be on the lookout and report freshwater gold clam. Early detection is key to containment and tracking of this pest," it said. "When boating, make sure you come clean and go clean to minimise the biosecurity risk of transferring this invasive species to new areas by: checking wheel arches on trailers, boat propellers, fishing tackle and footwear for river mud and debris." It warned of the importance of keeping boats, trailers, wetsuits, fishing rods and equipment clean, allowing it to dry completely before using them at other locations. Why is freshwater gold clam such a pest in Australia? Booth urged governments to invest more resources towards the fight against invasive species. ADVERTISEMENT "This species was recognised by the federal government as a high priority to keep out of the country a higher risk invader on Australias National Priority List of Exotic Environmental Pests, Weeds and Diseases Dataset," Booth said. But, like thousands of other invasive and introduced species across the country, the pest made its way here anyway. According to Booth, the failure to stop the gold freshwater clam from arriving and establishing in Australia is "yet more evidence that environmental biosecurity" across the nation needs "much more investment". Originally from Asia, freshwater gold clam reproduces by self-fertilisation and can release thousands of juveniles, allowing it to spread aggressively in rivers, lakes and other freshwater systems. It can cause serious infrastructure problems by clogging water pipes, irrigation systems, and hydroelectric facilities. Their ability to form dense colonies can lead to blockages, increasing maintenance costs for water treatment plants and industries that rely on freshwater systems. ADVERTISEMENT Yahoo News Australia has sought comment from Queensland's Department of Primary Industries regarding the extent of the infestation in the state. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. Kim Soo Hyuns Agency Questions Identity Of Kim Sae Rons Aunt, Fans Are Furious Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 10:38 IST Kim Sae Ron's aunt in a YouTube interview levelled serious allegations against Kim Soo Hyun, blaming him for the actress's death. Kim Soo Hyun has been in controversy for his connection to Kim Sae Ron. (Photo Credits: Instagram) In mounting troubles for South Korean actor Kim Soo Hyun following claims about his past relationship with the late Kim Sae Ron, the actress family recently held a press conference, opening up about the background behind the ongoing controversy. The family spoke about their daughters relationship as well as the leaked pictures and videos of Soo Hyun and Sae Ron, explaining that the actor has made false statements and caused more pain to the family. In response, Kim Soo Hyuns agency, Gold Medalist, also issued a lengthy statement, reacting to the claims. At one point, the agency even questioned the identity of the woman, who described herself as Kim Sae Rons aunt, further making allegations against the Queen of Tears star in a YouTube video. Noting that the whistleblower was referred to as Kim Sae Rons aunt in the interview, Gold Medalist explained that she is not her biological relative as the deceaseds mother does not have a married sister. Instead, the aunt who was recently interviewed is someone like a mother to Sae Ron, even more than her real mother." Recommended Stories It added that understanding the whistleblowers actual relationship with Sae Ron will impact public trust in the information shared. Following the agencys firm remarks about the claims, fans have been left divided over it. While many found it unnecessary to obsess over the minor detail, some pointed out how the actor himself once introduced his step-brother as a son to the media, as per Koreaboo. In response to The Qoo post, one wrote, He said his stepbrother was his cousin, LOL. Give me a break," while another added, But step-brother=cousin was okay? In the past, he introduced him as his cousin." How does the informants identity even matter?" another person asked. On the other hand, the agency also made many other clarifications in the statement, denying demanding compensation from the late actress for any damages or sending threatening letters to her, as claimed by the family. We had no intention to pressure her to repay the debt from the beginning, and the deceased and the bereaved family have never attempted to repay the debt since then," it read. A picture of Kim Sae Ron and a man speculated to be Kim Soo Hyun on instagram is now getting so much attention. The picture was posted June 22, 2017. pic.twitter.com/OD1iWPlAGw kulowe (@FreddieRod18602) March 17, 2025 The agency denied the recently leaked picture of the actor with Kim Sae Ron from 2017, clarifying that the man in the image was not the actor. It also asserted that Kim Soo Hyun never visited her apartment or met her in secret. 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 First Published: March 19, 2025, 10:29 IST Priyanka Chopra Flaunts Belly Button Diamond Ring As She Gets Papped At Airport, Fans React | Watch Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 14:42 IST Priyanka Chopra is currently shooting for SS Rajamoulis SSMB29. The shoot was going on in Odisha Priyanka Chopra spotted at the airport Priyanka Chopra is currently shooting for SS Rajamoulis SSMB29 with Mahesh Babu. The actress was in Odisha for the shoot and has returned to Mumbai today. She was spotted at the airport but what grabbed our attention was her belly button diamond ring. Priyanka Chopra was seen flaunting while posing for the camera. In the video, shared by Viral Bhayani, we can see Priyanka greeting paps with a smile before heading towards the car. Fans dropped heart emojis. Recently, The actress took to her Instagram account to share pictures from Holi celebration on set with her team. PeeCee arrived in Odisha a few days ago, to resume shooting for SS Rajamoulis highly anticipated film, co-starring Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran. Priyanka Chopra shared a few pictures on Instagram, giving fans a sneak-peek into her Holi celebration on set. She wrote that this year, it has been a working Holi for her, and she wished her fans on the special occasion. Its a working Holi for us Heres wishing everyone celebrating a very Happy Holi full of laughter and togetherness with your loved ones," she wrote. A close-up photo of the actress shows her cheek smeared with gulaal. She looks overjoyed as she enjoyed a simple celebration with her team. The next picture shows the actress happily posing with her hairstylist, makeup artist and other team members. Recommended Stories Watch the video here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) Soon after the pictures surfaced, fans went gaga over Priyanka Chopra. While one fan wrote, PC on the set of an Indian movie during holi!???? OMG are we back in 2010s or what. Im living so blessed," another fan commented, On the sets of SSMB29." A third comment read, Thats your song Happy Holi," while another one wrote, HOLI with RAJAMOULI." As per reports, the second schedule of SSMB 29 is currently underway in Odisha. The film officially kicked off in January with a closed-door puja ceremony, and an initial schedule was already completed in Hyderabad before the team moved to Odisha. This film marks Priyankas return to the Indian cinema after her 2019 film The Sky Is Pink. About the Author Akriti Anand Akriti Anand is Chief Sub Editor of the entertainment team at News18. A news writer with over a decade of experience, Akriti loves to keep a close watch on Bollywood celebrities and their social media. A post-g... Read More Akriti Anand is Chief Sub Editor of the entertainment team at News18. A news writer with over a decade of experience, Akriti loves to keep a close watch on Bollywood celebrities and their social media. A post-g... Read More First Published: March 19, 2025, 14:42 IST Rishi Kapoor Was Unhappy With His Career, Reveals Rakesh Roshan: 'Buddha Ho Raha Hoon...' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 16:55 IST Rishi Kapoor would get excited about playing new characters. Rakesh and Rishi. Rishi Kapoor had a stellar acting career before he passed away. However, there was a time when he was unhappy with his career trajectory as he was being offered the same kinds of roles. He confided in Rakesh Roshan and the filmmaker told ANI how Rishi Kapoor would get excited when hed get interesting offers. He did amazing work before he left us. All his last films were amazing. He took on different kinds of roles, and he was so happy. You will not believe he used to call me and say, Aaj maine yeh picture sign ki hai (Today I signed this picture)," Rakesh said. Recommended Stories Usme main ganja bhi ho raha hoon, buddha ho raha hoon, 80 saal ka. Roz mujhe makeup karna padta hai 4 ghante, 5 ghanta (In that Im playing a bald and old role, an 80-year-old. every day Ive to do makeup for 4-5 hours). In the middle, yes, he got a little bored. He would say, Yaar, wahi same cheez, wahi role, wahi kar raha hoon (Im doing that same thing, same role). He was a little dissatisfied with his career," added Rakesh. As for Rakesh Roshan, he is officially stepping back from the directors chair for Krrish 4. While rumours swirl around who will helm the fourth instalment of the iconic superhero franchise, Roshan has spoken up, confirming that the time has come to hand over the reins. In a recent interview with Bollywood Hungama, Roshan addressed the speculation, acknowledging the inevitable shift. The day has to come when I have to pass on the baton," he said. Its better I do it when Im in my senses, so I can overlook the process and ascertain whether its being done correctly. Tomorrow, if Im not in my senses and I have to pass it on, I wont know what theyre making." He made it clear theres no regret in stepping away. 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 19, 2025, 16:55 IST Finepoint | New Zealands PM Visits India: A New Dawn In The Making? Written By : News18.com Last Updated: March 18, 2025, 18:46 IST From pushing for a long-overdue trade deal to expanding defence ties, this visit has the potential to redefine India-New Zealand relations Prime Minister Luxon kicked off his five-day tour with a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (X) New Zealands Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is in India, and this visit is more than just a diplomatic courtesy callits a statement. Luxon has marked India as a top priority for his leadership, and hes here with big ambitions. Trade, tourism, and strategic alignment are at the heart of the visit, but theres more. Recommended Stories This is the first official visit by a New Zealand PM in a long time, and Luxon means business in every sense of the word. He wants a deeper engagement with Indianot just in trade but also in defence cooperation. Prime Minister Modi, meanwhile, stated that this budding new relationship will prove to be a match-winning partnership" for the people of both nations. Prime Minister Luxon kicked off his five-day tour with a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where he was received with a warm and traditional welcome. He also delivered the keynote address at the Raisina Dialogue, where he is the chief guesta clear sign that India is rolling out the red carpet. With nearly 6% of New Zealands population being of Indian origin, the two leaders acknowledged their countries deep-rooted people-to-people ties. A KIWI PRIME MINISTER PERSONALLY INVESTED IN INDIA Luxon is no stranger to India. Before entering politics, he had a long corporate career, working with companies like Unilever and was also the CEO of Air New Zealand. During his corporate career, he visited India frequently and became bullish on its economy. Now, as PM, hes bringing that business mindset to diplomacy. New Zealands trade with India currently hovers just around $1.7 billion annuallynot a figure that reflects the true potential of the relationship. Luxon wants to change that. He has openly campaigned for a trade deal with India and has now launched negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Talks had been stalled for over a decade, but his visit signals a renewed push to get them back on track. His objective is to double New Zealands exports and strengthen economic ties with India. New Zealand aims to increase sales of various goods, including agricultural products such as dairy, wool, and fruits, along with iron and steel, aluminium, and wood pulp. Additionally, the country seeks to expand its presence in sectors like education and tourism. STRATEGIC TIES: SHARED CONCERNS OVER CHINA But beyond the cultural connection and business ties, they recognised a shared challengean increasingly uncertain world. The two leaders have agreed to institutionalise defence and security cooperation, focusing on joint exercises, training programmes, and collaboration in the defence industry. PM Modi also emphasised the growing maritime security cooperation, pointing out that a New Zealand naval ship is making a port call in Mumbai. Both nations, as maritime powers, have a vested interest in keeping the Indo-Pacific stable, inclusive, and prosperous. And that means standing by the rules-based international order, particularly UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea). New Zealand and India have a commonalityboth have had to deal with Chinas growing assertiveness. Just like India faces border tensions with Beijing, New Zealand has been watching Chinas increasing presence in the Pacific with concern. Luxon knows that deeper defence cooperation with India could be a strategic win for both nations. The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to freedom of navigation and overflight in international waterssomething that has become a pressing issue as China flexes its muscles in the Indo-Pacific. A THORNY ISSUE: KHALISTANI SEPARATISM However, there is one potential roadblock in this budding relationshipKhalistani separatism. New Zealand has seen pro-Khalistan elements hold a so-called referendum" on breaking up India. Naturally, this has not gone down well with New Delhi. Without naming Khalistani separatism, PM Modi called out anti-India activities" taking place in New Zealand. Luxons government has acknowledged the issue and made it clear that New Zealand respects and recognises Indias sovereignty and territorial integrity. While this may not fully satisfy concerns in India, it is a step towards addressing the friction. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Luxons visit to India, therefore, is significant. Far beyond being just about trade numbers or diplomatic pleasantriesits about setting the stage for a stronger, more meaningful partnership. From pushing for a long-overdue trade deal to expanding defence ties, this visit has the potential to redefine India-New Zealand relations. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. About the Author Shubhangi Sharma Shubhangi Sharma is News Editor - Special Projects at News18. She covers foreign affairs and geopolitics, and also keeps a close watch on the national pulse of India. Shubhangi Sharma is News Editor - Special Projects at News18. She covers foreign affairs and geopolitics, and also keeps a close watch on the national pulse of India. First Published: March 18, 2025, 18:38 IST Opinion | Why Aurangzebs Grave Must Not Be Demolished Written By : News18.com Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 09:48 IST Mainly because that is exactly what he would want What the protestors in Nagpur and elsewhere should realise, however, is that they will be obliging both Aurangzeb and his current proponents by persisting with their demand for demolishing his grave. (PTI) As Nagpur seethes over the future of Aurangzebs grave in Khuldabad/ Daulatabad/Aurangabadnow Chhatrapati Sambhajinagarit may be germane to remember that the sixth Mughal Emperor actually did not want his last resting place to be embellished or commemorated in any way. That, in fact, is the most telling reminder of how orthodox a Muslim he really was. It was the British Viceroy Lord Curzon who had Aurangzebs burial spot beautified. Aurangzebs belief in the most austere form of Islam led him to decree that his grave be simple and unmarked, in a plot that he supposedly paid for by stitching skullcaps and copying the Quran rather than from state funds. His only concession to softer Islamic practices, probably, was that he bought that piece of land near the dargah of a 14th century Sufi saint of the Chishti order, Shaikh Zainuddin Shirazi, in the Tughlaq-era area called Rauza, rather than in Delhi. Recommended Stories The Rs 14 and 12 annas that Aurangzeb earned through his labour to finance his last resting place bought him a modest plot, three yards long and two yards wide. A red sandstone slab with a hollowed centre marks his grave but no inscription indicates its imperial occupant. Obviously, though, who the grave contained did not fade from public memory. Nearly 300 years later the Nizam of Hyderabad, under the benevolent eye of Lord Curzon, added marble decorations. If anything, Aurangzebs idea for his final resting place appeared to be inspired by his older sister Jahan Ara. She famously preferred to go into incarceration with her father Shahjahan rather than continue as Padshah Begum (first lady of the Empire) when her brother usurped the throne. She passed away in 1681, some 26 years before her brother, and was buried in an open-to-the-sky grave near the dargah of the 13th century Sufi, Nizamuddin Auliya in Delhi. The inscription she composed for her spartan grave seems to echo Aurangzebs own thinking: Huwal Hayyul Al Qayyum Baghair subza na poshad kase mazar mara Ki qabr posh ghariban hamin gayah bas-ast Al faqeera, Al faaniya Jahanara mureed Khwajgaan e Chist, Bint e Shah Jahan Badshah Ghazi Anar Allah Barhana (He is the Living, the Sustaining Let no one cover my grave save with green grass, For this is the fittest mantle for the tomb of the lowly The poor, the transient Disciple of the Chishtiya order, Daughter of Shah Jahan the Conqueror May Allah illumine his proof) Considering the vast amounts spent from the imperial exchequer to finance his father Shahjahans monumental marble ode to Mumtaz Mahalmother of his 14 children, including Aurangzebthe significant reduction in the number of similarly grand architectural projects thereafter is understandable. It could well be that Aurangzebs own overtly simple grave was meant to signal a back to basics for the dynasty that seemed to have become far too grandiose. Befittingly, the only large architectural project that Aurangzeb commissionedand which was bigger than any similar edifice that his father builtis Lahores Badshahi Masjid. It totally dwarfs Shahjahans more aesthetically pleasing Jama Masjid in Delhi. The dimensions and muscularity of Aurangzebs huge Lahore mosque were perhaps meant to reassert the Islamic power of the Mughal empire that its sixth ruler had battled all his life to protect and expand. That the only mausoleum Aurangzeb built was also for his wife, Dilras Banuas his Shahjahan had done for Mumtaz Mahalis significant too, inasmuch as it cost a fraction of what was spent on Taj Mahal. Completed in 1669, Bibi ka Maqbara cost precisely Rs 6,68,203 and 7 annas according to records though Aurangzeb had budgeted Rs 7 lakh. The Taj Mahal, originally called Rauza-i-Munawwara and completed in 1653 cost a whopping Rs 3.2 crore. Aurangzeb, by all accounts, was as fond of his aristocratic Persian-origin Shia wife as Shahjahan was of his similarly pedigreed main consort. But even then, Aurangzeb was not willing to splurge on a grand maqbara for Dilras Banu by dipping into state finances. That he made a mausoleum at all for her instead of choosing a modest grave as he decided for himself possibly showed that he could be swayed by emotion too, in the very early days of his long reign. Dilras Banu died a year before Aurangzeb killed his brothers and deposed his father to capture the Mughal throne and become the most austere and doctrinaire Islamic ruler that India had seen in a long while. And in hindsight it is pretty evident that he thought a far better use of the fabled riches of the Mughal Empire was to fund his unendingand ultimately doomedcampaigns to expand his empire, especially in the rebellious and fractious south. This months agitations in Nagpur and political oneupmanship centred on the removal of Aurangzebs grave in Khuldabad are probably not informed by knowledge of his views about his last resting place. But Akbaruddin Owaisi, the controversial MLA of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen from Hyderabad who had ratcheted up the controversy in May 2022 by offering a chadar and flowers at Aurangzebs grave, knew it would spark tension. So did the suspended Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi who gratuitously asserted two weeks ago, I dont consider Aurangzeb a cruel ruler", describing his battles with Shivaji as a struggle for power not communal, and insinuating that the superhit film Chhaava depicting Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharajs torture and death on Aurangzebs orders was wrong history". What was the intention of such statements? Why did he drag Aurangzeb into a new controversy? top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all What the protestors in Nagpur and elsewhere should realise, however, is that they will be obliging both Aurangzeb and his current proponents like Owaisi and Azmi by persisting with their demand for demolishing his grave. It will play into Aurangzebs own plans for his graveunmarked and forgottenas well as those of todays communal politicians who want to use him as a lightning rod for their own ends. Letting his grave remain as is, will foil all their objectives! The author is a freelance writer. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. First Published: March 19, 2025, 09:48 IST Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 14:42 IST Priyanka Chopra arrived in Mumbai today amid speculation that she might attend the IPL opening ceremony in Kolkata on March 22, 2025. She was in Odisha recently, filming for S.S. Rajamoulis SSMB 29. Reports said the RRR director wrapped up the Koraput schedule. Catch a glimpse of PeeCee as she arrived in Mumbai. Amid Aurangzeb Uproar, RSS Declares Mughal Emperor Not Relevant Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Karishma Jain Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 15:45 IST Following unrest in Nagpur sparked by protests against Aurangzeb's tomb, RSS spokesperson Sunil Ambekar declared the Mughal emperor not relevant. The organisation emphasised its focus on other priorities, including addressing attacks against Hindus in Bangladesh. Security arrangements at Aurangzeb tomb after Bajrang Dal and VHP's protesters in in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar demanded its removal, on March 17, 2025. (Photo: PTI) Aurangzeb is not relevant," said RSS spokesperson and Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh Sunil Ambekar when asked about the tensions in Nagpur. No form of violence is encouraged, and let the police conduct their investigation," said Ambekar in response to a question from CNN News18. As the RSS prepares to hold the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha in Bengaluru, discussions are expected to focus on pre-determined proposals, including attacks against Hindus in Bangladesh and outlining the organisations roadmap as it marks 100 years. However, this issue may also be brought up. Recommended Stories The Aurangzeb controversy has gained significance after Nagpur, the headquarters of the RSS, witnessed unrest near Chitnis Park in the Mahal area on Monday at around 7:30 pm. Protesters engaged in stone-pelting following rumours that a religious text had been burned during a demonstration by a right-wing group demanding the removal of Aurangzebs tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has denied allegations of burning any material and stated that it will not tolerate any attempts to glorify Aurangzeb following protests against his tomb, which led to violence in Nagpur. The organisation has also called for a victory memorial dedicated to the Marathas at the site where Mughal emperor Aurangzebs grave currently stands. The blockbuster film Chhaava, based on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharajs life, has reinforced his image as a martyr, intensifying anti-Aurangzeb sentiments in Maharashtra. This, coupled with historical animosity towards the Mughal ruler, has made any reference to Aurangzeb a politically charged issue in the state. Speaking about the RSSs growth and its relevance to todays youth, Ambekar emphasised that interest among young people in joining the organisation has been increasing. Contrary to the belief that membership has declined, he stated that the number of registrations has actually risen. Our focus is to achieve and assess what we describe as Panchaparivartanwhich includes family awakening, social harmony and connectivity, civic sense, environmental conservation, and a swadeshi lifestyle," Ambekar said. Noting that this Vijayadashami marks the RSSs centenary celebrations, he added that the baithak in Bengaluru will review the expansion of shakhas, evaluate whether the organisation has met its targets, and outline the roadmap for the future. Two proposals will be discussedone concerning Bangladesh and the other on the RSSs future roadmap," Ambekar said. When asked whether there has been a decline in the number of people joining the RSS, Ambekar dismissed such claims, stating, Numbers will speak for themselves." We will also be strategising ways to connect more people with the organisation," he added. He further mentioned that an outreach programme will be launched to engage those below the age of 40, as well as those between 40 and 60, to involve them in both organisational and nation-building efforts. The baithak (meeting), regarded as the RSSs highest decision-making body, is held annually. This year, it will take place at Janseva Vidya Kendra in Channenahalli, Bengaluru. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all When asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the RSS headquarters in Nagpur, Ambekar said he is welcome, adding that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had also visited in the past. Regarding the Congress government in Karnataka blaming the RSS and BJP for rising communal tensions in the state, Ambekar responded, They are politiciansthats what they will say. We are focused on peace and nation-building," he told CNN News18. About the Author Rohini Swamy Rohini Swamy, Associate Editor at News18, has been a journalist for nearly two decades in the television and digital space. She covers south India for News18s digital platform. She has previously worked with t... Read More Rohini Swamy, Associate Editor at News18, has been a journalist for nearly two decades in the television and digital space. She covers south India for News18s digital platform. She has previously worked with t... Read More First Published: March 19, 2025, 15:45 IST 'Even US After Killing Osama Bin Laden': Eknath Shinde On Aurangzeb's Glorification Amid Tomb Row Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 16:28 IST Addressing the Maharashtra legislative council about the Nagpur violence, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde questioned the glorification of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, whose tomb has become a point of contention with right-wing outfits demanding its removal Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde's pointed attack came during a spat between the ruling and opposition members in state legislative council. (Image: PTI) Amid a row over Mughal emperor Aurangzebs tomb, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde made a reference to how the United States did not allow Osama bin Laden to be buried on land and disposed of his body in the sea to avoid glorification. Addressing the state legislative council about the Nagpur violence on Tuesday (March 18), Shinde questioned the glorification of Aurangzeb, whose tomb has become a point of contention with right-wing outfits demanding its removal. Recommended Stories Who is Aurangzeb? Why should we allow his glorification in our state? He is a blot on our history," he said. Even the US, after killing Osama bin Laden, ensured that he was not buried on their land. They disposed of him into the sea to prevent any glorification." His pointed attack came during a spat between the ruling and opposition members after he took a swipe at Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Anil Parab, who alleged that he switched sides from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) to the BJP out of fear of central agencies. ALSO READ | Nagpur Rioters Tried To Molest Lady Cop, Made Obscene Gestures Towards Women Officials: FIR The deputy chief minister said the Mughal emperor had offered Maratha king Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje a choice to convert to Islam, but the latter refused and was tortured and killed. He slammed state Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkals comparison of the governance of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to Aurangzebs rule. Did Fadnavis ever torture anyone the way Aurangzeb did to his enemies?" he questioned, turning towards Parab, who was angered by the comment and demanded the right to respond. Council chairperson Ram Shinde, however, did not permit him to speak and his microphone remained muted. Despite this, he, Leader of the Opposition Ambadas Danve, Sachin Parab, and other legislators, stood in protest, seeking permission to counter Shindes statements, but none were allowed. Anil Parab should not forget that whatever I did, I did openly, and I did it to save the Shiv Sena from those who sympathise with Aurangzeb (Congress). It was the Congress that provided protection to Aurangzebs tomb," Shinde said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all About the violence, he earlier said the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal held a protest in Nagpur city followed by the burning of an Aurangzeb effigy. The police took action against the supporters, but by evening a rumour was spread that there was some religious scripture written on the effigy. It irked some people that later led to violence," he added. (With PTI 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 First Published: March 19, 2025, 16:27 IST Pixel 9a India Launch Soon: Price, Specs And More Details About iPhone 16E Rival Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 11:55 IST Google Pixel 9a launch is widely expected this week and here is a closer look at the specs, features and camera details of the new phone. The new Pixel 9a could borrow its design and hardware from the premium models. Google Pixel 9a Launch: Google is following Apples suite for product launches this year, which means we might see its new devices announced much before the usual timelines. The Pixel 9a is being heavily tipped to launch in March this year, and some even say that we could see the new mid-range Pixel model introduced this week itself. Earlier reports have said the Pixel 9a could launch on March 19 and pre-orders may start the same day while the sales starting from March 26 in various regions. Pixel 9a Launch: The New iPhone 16E Rival? Recommended Stories So what do we know about the new supposed iPhone 16E rival from Google? Reports mention the Pixel 9a is expected to include a 6.28-inch screen protected by Gorilla Glass 3. It is likely to be powered by a Tensor G4 processor with 128GB of storage and 8GB of RAM. The new Pixel model is tipped to feature a dual rear camera setup that includes a 48MP primary sensor and a 13MP ultra-wide lens. It will reportedly come with Android 15, and Google is probably going to give the phone seven years of OS updates. Google could pack the Pixel 9a with a 5,100mAh battery that supports both 7.5W wireless and 23W cable charging. According to reports, the device is likely to get IP68 rating for dust and water protection. Google Pixel 9a Launch Price And More top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The base model of the Pixel 9a is likely to come for EUR 549 (Rs 50,000 approx) in countries like Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, while the 256GB storage option costs EUR 649. Going by these figures we can expect the Google Pixel 9a price in India to start close to Rs 50,000 or probably higher if you compute various taxes and duties into the final cost. About the Author S Aadeetya S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr... Read More S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr... Read More News18 Tech delivers the latest technology updates, including phone launches, gadget reviews, AI advancements, and more. Stay informed with breaking tech news , expert insights, and trends from India and around the world . Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: March 19, 2025, 10:41 IST Samsung One UI 7 Update Release Date Confirmed: Check Full List Of Galaxy Devices Getting Android 15 In April Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: March 18, 2025, 15:38 IST Samsung Galaxy One UI 7 update: The Android 15 update was introduced with the Galaxy S25 series in January this year after a long delay for existing devices. Samsung's Android 15 update has been delayed for a long time Samsung Android 15 Update has been officially confirmed and now we know when the One UI 7 update will be coming to its existing Galaxy phones and tablet this year. The Android 15-based One UI 7 version was introduced with the Galaxy S25 series earlier this year, and after a long delay, the company seems finally ready to release the Android update for its older Galaxy devices. As you might know, the Galaxy S25 launch event in January was the official announcement of the One UI 7 version based on Android 15 but the older Galaxy phones have been waiting for the new update which has been stuck in the beta tests for a while. Recommended Stories Samsung Android 15 Update Coming To These Galaxy Devices Samsung has confirmed the release date of April 7, 2025 for the Android 15 update that will be available to a range of premium Galaxy phones, foldables and tablets. The company has not shared the exact timelines for all the devices but we finally know which of the Samsung products will be getting a taste of the Android 15 version next month. Galaxy S24 series S24, S24 Plus, S24 Ultra Galaxy S24 FE Galaxy S23 series S23, S23 Plus, S23 Ultra Galaxy S23 FE Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Z Flip5 Galaxy Tab S10, S10 Plus and S10 Ultra Galaxy Tab S9, S9 Plus, S9 Ultra top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The list here primarily includes the higher end Galaxy S-series phones, tablets and the foldable series. The company has a slew of mid-range Galaxy F, M and A-series phones that are not mentioned in the timelines, which effectively means their Android 15 update will take longer to reach the devices. These timelines clearly show the challenges faced by Samsung with the new version, which is claimed to be its biggest overhaul in years. We are hoping these timelines match up with the Android 15 release for Samsung users in India as well. Some of these users might get a taste of Android 15 in May, and by that time Google might even roll out the Android 16 update for the public. About the Author S Aadeetya S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr... Read More S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr... Read More News18 Tech delivers the latest technology updates, including phone launches, gadget reviews, AI advancements, and more. Stay informed with breaking tech news , expert insights, and trends from India and around the world . Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: March 18, 2025, 15:06 IST Tool theft costs Australian tradies tens of millions of dollars per yer. This Melbourne man wasn't about to become the latest victim. An Aussie tradie has recalled the shocking moment he confronted a trespasser allegedly trying to swipe tools from his ute, with dramatic CCTV footage capturing an altercation before the worker dragged the intruder to the curb "like a wheelie bin." The tradesman, Don, was at home in Melbourne last week when he noticed a figure sneak up his driveway before allegedly rifling through his tools stored in the back of his vehicle. Don said he didn't have time to think, quickly springing into action before realising the trespasser had a knife. He managed to remove the knife from the offender but not before he suffered a slash to the head. However after losing $30,000 worth of tools in a previous robbery, Don said he wasn't about to let it happen again saying "that's my livelihood, that's how I paid". It's a troublesome trend that's rising in prevalence in the state, with another tradie, Chris Wall, previously telling Yahoo News how he lost an estimated $14,00 worth of tools last year in an eerily similar incident when a thief "took everything". Moment Melbourne tradie overpowers knife-wielding thief Knowing what the would-be thief was likely hunting for, Don explained that the instant he noticed the hooded man creep up the side of his home last week, he knew he had to act. "In the moment adrenaline kicked in ... it's either fight or flight and I chose fight to be honest ," Don told A Current Affair. ADVERTISEMENT "I just attacked him straight away, I wasn't going to wait to see what he was going to do. We had a bit of a fight on the floor, he tried to get away from me, but I dragged him back and then took him out." Footage shows a brief struggle between the two men, but Don quickly manages to overpower the man. "This time I wasn't losing the tools, I'll tell you that much," he said, adding that the situation could have easily "been a lot worse". Melbourne tradie Don had tools stolen from him in the past. Source: A Current Affair "I do think about it, he could have stabbed me in the neck or stomach," he admitted. Don required six stitches at hospital but said he doesn't think the intruder "will be back". "He probably got a worse punishment than if the police had have come, to be honest," Don joked. ADVERTISEMENT While on this occasion, Don managed to get the better of the intruder, other Australians in the past haven't been so lucky. In fact, tool theft in Victoria costs tradies up to $20 million a year, according to The Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV). It's a big issue in the state but also rising trend right across the country. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. 7-Year-Old Girl In Coma After Squishy Toy Explodes During Viral TikTok Challenge Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 18:38 IST Scarlett Selby was trying a TikTok trend where people freeze a NeeDoh stress toy and then microwave it to make it softer. Scarlett Selbys father is warning others to get rid of the toy. (Representative Image) A 7-year-old girl from Missouri, Scarlett Selby, fell into a coma after a squishy toy exploded while she was trying to follow a viral TikTok challenge. Scarlett was trying a trend where people freeze a NeeDoh stress toy and then microwave it to make it softer. What was meant to be a fun experiment quickly turned dangerous when the toy exploded, and a hot, sticky substance splattered on Scarletts chest, mouth and chin. Her father, Josh watched in shock and tried to clean, but it got stuck to his hand. Scarlett was rushed to the hospital by her parents where doctors placed her in a coma to prevent her airways from swelling due to the burns on her mouth. Speaking with the Sun, the little girls father explained, Shed frozen the NeeDoh cube the night before and the next day she showed me it was rock solid and was playing with it. She stuck it in the microwave. I was watching her and saw her touch it to check it wasnt too hot when she pulled it out. It all happened so quickly. I heard her scream and it was like a blood-curdling scream. It had exploded all over her chest, mouth and chin." Recommended Stories My first thought was to try and wipe it off her. Whenever I touched her, my hand stuck to her. It was thick and sticky. I ripped her shirt off of her because it was stuck to her shirt as well. I took her as quickly as I could to the hospital. I was a complete mess. She spent a week in the hospital and for three days she was in a coma. I dont think I could speak to anybody without crying the entire time," Josh added. On the way to the hospital, Scarletts mother, Amanda, shared her daughter was screaming throughout the 30-minute drive and she felt devastated, scared and heartbroken seeing her child in so much pain. Once they reached the hospital, the doctors decided not to give Scarlett a skin graft right away. Doctors recommended waiting until Scarlett turns 12 to see how her body grows and if the scars stretch with her. For now, Amanda applies creams and ointments to help the healing. Despite the treatments, the scars are noticeable and they sometimes leave Scarlett upset. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Josh was deeply shocked and is now warning others to get rid of the toy to prevent similar accidents. He never imagined that something could explode outside the microwave like that and seeing his daughter go through such pain was the most difficult experience of his life. He explained that the liquid inside the toy is like glue and when it explodes, it sticks to the skin, making it impossible to remove. The company that makes the toy, Schylling Toys, has not yet given any response about the incident. However, their website has a warning that tells people not to heat, freeze or microwave the toy, as it could be dangerous. 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. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: March 19, 2025, 18:38 IST Kate Middleton On Prince Williams Salt And Pepper Beard: 'Not Sure How Long He Will Keep It' Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 14:15 IST During her St. Patricks Day visit to the Wellington Barracks in London, Kate Middleton spoke about her husbands facial hair. Prince William has been sporting a beard since last summer. (Photo Credits: X) Kate Middleton has shared her thoughts on Prince Williams new beard, a look that has been turning heads since last summer. While she didnt outright criticise it, her response hinted that she might not be entirely convinced about the change. According to a report in People, during her St. Patricks Day visit to the Wellington Barracks in London, the Princess of Wales spoke about her husbands facial hair while chatting with section commanders. These trends come and go. I was saying to my husband, Im not sure how long hes going to keep his for," she said. Recommended Stories While Kate didnt say much about it, a former royal aide gave a more straightforward take in an interview with 60 Minutes Australia earlier this year. He suggested that William wouldnt have kept the beard if his wife had objected. If she didnt like it, it wouldnt be there. I could tell you that," Knauf said. The couples daughter, Princess Charlotte, had a much stronger reaction when William first grew a beard. The 9-year-old didnt like it at all and made that very clear. Speaking at an event in South Africa last November, William said, Well, Charlotte didnt like it the first time. I got floods of tears, the first one I got tears, so I had to shave it off." Eventually, he managed to change her mind. I thought, Hang on a second. And I convinced her it was going to be okay," he added. When a reporter commented that Williams beard made him look more relaxed," he disagreed. Interestingly, you say that, because I couldnt be less relaxed this year, so its very interesting youre all seeing that," he said. In the past year, both Kate and King Charles were diagnosed with cancer. But its more a case of just crack on, and youve got to keep going," he added. It isnt the first time William has experimented with facial hair. He previously had a beard in 2008, though it didnt last long. His brother, Prince Harry, on the other hand, has kept one for nearly a decade. Beards even became a point of disagreement between the two brothers. In his memoir Spare, Harry revealed that he had to ask Queen Elizabeth for permission to keep his facial hair for his 2018 wedding to Meghan Markle. She approved but William wasnt happy about it. Willy always thought Granny had a soft spot for me. That she indulged me while holding him to an impossibly high standard. Because Heir, Spare, etc. It irked him," Harry wrote. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all William when pushed Harry again for clean shave look, Harry said, For the love of God, Willy, why does this matter so much to you?" Because I wasnt allowed to keep my beard," his brother replied. 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. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: March 19, 2025, 14:15 IST 'Living On Taxpayers' Money': British Woman's Online Confession Lands Her In A Thai 'Hell' Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 21:02 IST Ellis Matthews, a British woman, has been flaunting her 2,300-a-month lifestyle in Thailand, which she claimed was funded by UK benefits. She is now detained with her 4-year-old son. Ellis Matthews jailed in Thailand after boasting about UK benefits. In a bizarre twist of fate, a British woman who once flaunted her lavish lifestyle on the internet now finds herself behind bars in a Thai detention centre along with her young son. Ellis Matthews, 32, became an internet sensation after openly admitting on social media that she was living a 2,300-a-month lifestyle (approximately Rs 2.5 lakh) in Thailand, funded by benefits from the UK government. But her public confession quickly spiraled into a nightmare, leading to her arrest and a grim reality she now describes as hell". A Lavish Life Built on Taxpayer Money Recommended Stories Matthews, originally from UK, posted a controversial video on social media in which she claimed that her comfortable life in Thailand was financed by benefits provided by the UK government. She stated that she was receiving financial aid due to six mental health disorders and had been using the money to support her lifestyle in Pattaya, a popular tourist destination in Thailand. Her admission sparked outrage in the UK, with many questioning how she was able to claim benefits while living overseas. But the fallout didnt end with public backlash. On March 3, Thai authorities raided her residence in Pattaya and arrested her. Matthews and her four-year-old son were subsequently transferred to the Mothers and Children Immigration Detention Centre in Bangkok, a facility she now compares to a nightmare. Worse Than Hell: Life Behind Bars Speaking to the media from inside the detention centre, Matthews painted a harrowing picture of her new reality. This place is nothing less than hell," she said, adding, Its the worst jail you can imagine. Im locked in a cell with 16 other people all day, and no one speaks English. Its unbearably hot and so crowded that its hard to breathe." Matthews described how she and her son developed skin rashes and lice infestations. She claimed that rats roamed freely through the facility, and the food served is so unappetising that she suspects the meat might be rat or pigeon though guards insist its chicken. Even the rice, she says, makes her feel sick. Adding to her predicament, Matthews claimed that Thai authorities have offered her the option of deportation but only if she can purchase a plane ticket. However, with her bank funds inaccessible from detention, shes trapped in a bureaucratic limbo. Matthews case has only grown more convoluted since her arrest. Despite her dire circumstances, she has expressed reluctance to return to UK, even suggesting that she may renounce her British citizenship. Her story took an even stranger turn when she claimed to have received 1.6 million from Lancashire authorities during her childhood, a claim that has not been substantiated by any official records. Before her arrest, Matthews viral video had raised questions about the legitimacy of her benefits. In the clip, she had stated, I have six types of mental disorders that require treatment, which is why taxpayers money is used to help me." But following the backlash, she retracted her claims, insisting that it was all a joke and that she had not actually received any benefits. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Her situation inspired mixed reactions, with some expressing sympathy while others condemn her actions. A GoFundMe campaign was launched to raise 1,500 to support her legal fees and living expenses, but as of now, it has only collected 180. Matthews case has sparked debate over the oversight of government benefits and the responsibility of recipients. Was she genuinely exploiting the system, or was her social media confession exaggerated for attention? As Matthews remains behind bars in Bangkok, the truth behind her story remains uncertain. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: March 19, 2025, 21:02 IST Mumbai CEOs Hiring Decision Sparks Debate: Was This Womans Request A Red Flag? Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 16:30 IST A woman had been chosen for a senior-level position in a company. But instead of immediately accepting the offer, she wanted her husband to meet the CEO first. The CEO saw it as a sign that the candidate wasnt capable of making decisions independently. (Representative Image/Representative Image) Getting hired for a senior position is no small feat. But what happens when, after landing the role, a candidate makes an unusual request that instantly changes everything? Thats exactly what happened to a woman selected for a top role at a Mumbai-based company only to be rejected immediately after. Vinod Chendhil, CEO of the noodle brand Naturally Yours, took to X to share his surprise. Spoke to a candidate today, who wanted us to meet her husband after we had selected her. Instant reject," he wrote, making it clear that this was a dealbreaker. Recommended Stories Spoke to a candidate tdy, who wanted us to meet her husband after we had selected her.Instant reject. P.s: This was for a senior level hire. Vinod Chendhil (@vinodchendhil) March 18, 2025 The woman had been chosen for a senior-level position, but instead of immediately accepting the offer, she wanted her husband to meet the CEO first. Not just a casual introduction, though she expected him to interview" the company to see if it would be a good fit for her. For Chendhil, this was a glaring issue. He saw it as a sign that the candidate wasnt capable of making decisions independently. In another post, he clarified the situation. Because she wants her husband to say yes for her to join us. Why would an independent woman want that? Basically, she wants her husband to interview us to see if its ok for her to join. Shows she is totally dependent on him. How will she ever take any decisions, if she cannot take a basic one? And she is not an intern asking us to speak to someone elder, right? Huge red flag," he explained when asked why she was rejected. Bcas she wants her husband to say yes for her to join us. Why would an independent woman want that. Basically she wants her husband to interview us to see if its ok for her to join. Shows she is totally dependent on him. How will she ever take any decisions, if she cannot take a Vinod Chendhil (@vinodchendhil) March 18, 2025 The post triggered a discussion on X. Some agreed with the CEOs stance. I have had conversations with female candidates parents BUT at intern levels. Mostly to allay any anxiety around their kid being safe & taken care of (its their first job, so understood)," shared a user. At senior levels, its a crazy thing. Theres no way it would have worked. Good call," he added. Another entrepreneur joined in with a similar experience. True. We interviewed a person from Delhi who agreed to join in Bangalore but then said my family may not allow it and we said an immediate no," recalled a user. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all However, not everyone thought Chendhils decision was fair. Another user saw it from a different perspective. I hear you. But this isnt a red flag on her part. (And Im very aware that yours isnt a business of empowering women.) But its not a sign that she cannot make decisionsits a sign that her family wants to control where she works. You might as well have rejected a really solid candidate just because society is structured in a way that functions against women. She isnt totally dependent on him, if she was, she wouldnt be applying for the job. Also, my comment might miss a lot of nuance since I dont know the whole story but this doesnt make sense to me," she wrote. Chendhil responded by stating that his decision wasnt based on this one request alone. Other red flags" emerged during the candidates three-hour interview, he revealed. 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. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: March 19, 2025, 16:30 IST Samsung Users 'Lose Interest' In Android 15-Based One UI 7 Update; Here's Why Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 08:00 IST While Samsung claims that the One UI 7 update will bring a bold new design for greater personalisation and control to the user experience, many customers have expressed their frustration over its delayed release. Are you also waiting for the new update? (Photo Credits: Reddit) Samsung users are going crazy over the impending release of the One UI 7. The update, based on Android 15, is slated to be rolled out on April 7. Initially, the new version will be made available for some selected smartphones Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6. The other eligible devices such as the Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy S23 FE, Galaxy Z Fold5, Galaxy Z Flip5, Galaxy Tab S9 and S10 series will get the update in the subsequent weeks. While Samsung claims that the One UI 7 update will bring a bold new design for greater personalisation and control to the user experience", many customers have expressed their frustration over its delayed release. The majority of the other smartphone brands like Xiaomi, OnePlus, Sony and Motorola rolled out the Android 15 update in November last year. Recommended Stories While discussing the topic on Reddit, a user said, I understand that Android 15 earlier release date did mess with OEMs timelines a bit. But what happened here? Im pretty sure Samsung is the last major OEM to update their 2024 flagship phones to Android 15." They overcooked," quipped an individual. Echoing a similar sentiment, a person remarked, To be honest, I have lost interest. They can do whatever they want." Another shared, Samsung usually is a lot quicker at updates than this even on their lower-end stuff. I really dont know how they cocked this one up." One Redditor, however, appeared to be sceptical about the new UI version. Seriously, I dont see any deficiency in the current version whichever it is on my S24U. In fact, Im afraid theyre gonna change or take away something that I like in the next version," he wrote. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A Samsung user, visibly irked by the late updates, asserted that he might switch to Google Pixel. I love my S24 ultra but it would be cool to have more timely upgrades," he mentioned further. A Redditor, however, feels people should be more bothered about the stability of the OS rather than the Android updates as it doesnt matter that much feature-wise". With the One UI 7 update, Samsung is set to introduce a slew of features including AI Select, Writing Assist, Drawing Assist and Audio Erasers. Notably, these features were first unveiled on the Galaxy S25 series earlier in January. 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. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: March 19, 2025, 08:00 IST Tesla Vehicles Torched In Las Vegas Arson Attack, Elon Musk Calls It 'Insane' Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 14:50 IST According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, a person wearing "black clothing" carried out a "targeted attack" that destroyed the Teslas. The majority of people posted comments in favour of Elon Musk. (Photo Credits: Instagram) People on social media are scared after seeing a video of multiple Teslas burning. The Los Angeles incident is a part of the recent uptick in damage and protests directed at Tesla facilities and vehicles. A subject wearing black clothing" was observed setting many Tesla vehicles on fire, according to a statement issued by the Las Vegas Police regarding the recent attack. Happening this morning in my town of Las Vegas, several Tesla vehicles engulfed in flames! This is horrific and evil, it must stop immediately!!!!" Elizabeth Helgelien, a former state senator from Nevada, reposted the video and stated. Recommended Stories Happening this morning in my town of Las Vegas, several Tesla vehicles engulfed in flames! This is horrific and evil, it must stop immediately!!!! pic.twitter.com/XsRB2ONRgm Elizabeth Helgelien (@ElizabethForNV) March 18, 2025 In response to Elizabeth Helgeliens share, Elon Musk described the event as insane." He further stated This level of violence is insane and deeply wrong. Tesla just makes electric cars and has done nothing to deserve these evil attacks." This level of violence is insane and deeply wrong. Tesla just makes electric cars and has done nothing to deserve these evil attacks. https://t.co/Fh1rcfsJPh Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 18, 2025 According to NBC News, Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) told reporters, This was a targeted attack against a Tesla facility. We do believe that it is isolated at this time. We do not believe there is a further threat to the general public." At least five Tesla vehicles were damaged, including two that were engulfed in flames," the Assistant Sheriff stated, adding that the suspect used what appeared to be a Molotov cocktail and a firearm to conduct his attack." As the video grabbed attention, the majority of people posted comments in favour of Musk on social media. A user wrote, Just a few years ago, the people doing this were praising Tesla for being environmentally cautious. Now, look. VERY SAD!" Another commented, They need to be found, arrested, and convicted. This has to stop before someone is killed." This is awful," a user on X said. FBI should identify these people and sentence them a few years in jailthen it will quickly stop," another remarked. Some, though, held different opinions. You are so good at reading the future. You didnt see this coming?" an individual sarcastically posted on Musks post. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Your actions have consequences. Understand your faults," another X user warned. The police statement claims that in addition to finding multiple cars completely engulfed in flames, they also found the word Resist" spray-painted on the building nearby. 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. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: March 19, 2025, 14:50 IST Women In This City Spy On Their Partners On Dating Apps The Most Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 18:54 IST According to a report by the dating app CheatEye.ai, London has emerged as the city where women are most likely to suspect their partners of infidelity. 27.4% of Tinder searches in London aim to uncover cheating. Trust is often cited as the foundation of any strong relationship, but in the digital age, suspicion appears to be growing particularly in London. According to a recent report by the dating app CheatEye.ai, which monitors Tinder profiles across the United Kingdom, London has emerged as the city where women are most likely to suspect their partners of infidelity. The analysis, released earlier this week, found that 27.4% of all Tinder-related searches in London were aimed at uncovering a partners unfaithful behaviour. Notably, 62.4% of these searches were conducted by women seeking to verify whether their husbands or boyfriends were secretly swiping on Tinder. Recommended Stories After London, Manchester and Birmingham also ranked high on the list of cities where relationship trust issues were prevalent. In Manchester, 8.8% of Tinder searches involved suspicions of cheating, while Birmingham saw 8.3% of searches focused on uncovering infidelity. Birmingham, however, stood out for its gender imbalance a striking 69% of suspicious searches were conducted by women targetting male partners. Glasgow also made the list, with 4.7% of searches linked to infidelity concerns. In this Scottish city, 62.1% of the suspicious activity was directed at male partners. Expert Insights: Why Suspicion is Rising Relationship and infidelity expert Samantha Hayes attributed the growing trend to the increasing use of dating apps in major cities, particularly among younger adults. In big cities like London, the dating culture is more active, which naturally leads to increased suspicion and scrutiny of partners activities," Hayes explained. Young adults aged 18 to 24 were particularly anxious about the fidelity of their partners, she added. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Interestingly, the report highlighted that certain names were more frequently associated with suspicion. Men named Jack, James, and Josh and women named Emma, Chloe, and Laura were more likely to be the targets of these digital investigations. The findings reflect broader concerns about the impact of technology on modern relationships. Hayes noted that while dating apps offer new ways for people to connect, they also create new grounds for mistrust. When people have the ability to monitor and track their partners online behaviour, it creates a cycle of suspicion that can undermine trust," she said. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : London, United Kingdom (UK) First Published: March 19, 2025, 18:54 IST Israel Launches Ground Operation In Gaza After Airstrikes, Issues 'Last Warning' To Return Hostages Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 23:12 IST As part of the ceasefire, Israel had withdrawn from the Netzarim corridor, which it had used as a military zone and which bisected northern Gaza from the south Israeli tanks enter Israel from Gaza, in Israel. (IMAGE: REUTERS) Israel on Wednesday launched a limited ground operation" to retake part of a key Gaza corridor that bisects the territory. The move appeared to deepen a renewed Israeli offensive in Gaza, which shattered the two month long ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that had begun in January. Recommended Stories The Israeli military said that it has reoccupied the part of Netzarim corridor, which it had used as a military zone and which bisected northern Gaza from the south. Israel had earlier withdrawn from the Netzarim corridor as part of the ceasefire. Over the past 24 hours, IDF (military) forces have begun targeted ground operations in the central and southern Gaza Strip to expand the security perimeter and create a partial buffer between the north and south of the Strip," the army said in a statement. Israel Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Palestine citizens that Tel Avivs military would soon order evacuation from combat zones, and if Hamas doesnt release a dozen hostages, who have been held for more than 17 months, then the attack would become more fierce. Residents of Gaza, this is the last warning," Defence Minister Israel Katz said. Take the advice of the President of the United States. Return the hostages and remove Hamas, and other options will open up for you including the possibility of leaving for other places in the world for those who want to," he added. Earlier today, a UN staffer was killed and five others were injured in a strike on a UN guesthouse in the central city of Deir al-Balah in Gaza Strip. Jorge Moreira da Silva, head of the UN Office for Project Services told Associated Press that the explosive ordnance was dropped or fired" and the blast was not accidental or related to demining activity. However, the Israeli military has denied the reports of targeting the UN site. Meanwhile, the Gaza Health Ministry said at least 436 people, including 183 children and 94 women, have been killed, and 678 people have been injured since Israel launched the strikes early Tuesday. The Israeli military said in a statement that as part of the new offensive, it struck dozens of militants and militant sites on Wednesday, including the command center of a Hamas battalion. However, governments in the Middle East, Europe and beyond called for the renewed violence to end. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Israels raids on Gaza are shattering the tangible hopes of so many Israelis and Palestinians of an end to suffering on all sides". European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she told her Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar that the new strikes on Gaza were unacceptable". top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The resumption of fighting launched by Israel early Tuesday risks plunging the region back into all-out war. It came weeks after the end of the first phase of the ceasefire, during which Israel and Hamas exchanged hostages for prisoners and were set to negotiate an extension to the truce that was meant to bring about an eventual end to the war. (With inputs from agencies) About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More Location : Israel First Published: March 19, 2025, 21:09 IST Did Vladimir Putin Keep Donald Trump Waiting Over An Hour For High-Stakes Telephone Call? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 11:07 IST Ahead of the important telephonic conversation focused on Russia-Ukraine war, Vladimir Putin was seen attending an event where he was filmed laughing off a warning about being late. US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are seen. (Image: Reuters) US President Donald Trump was reportedly kept waiting by his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin for a scheduled phone call, a Daily Express report claimed. Ahead of the important telephonic conversation focused on Russia-Ukraine war, Vladimir Putin was seen attending an event where he was filmed laughing off a warning about being late. As the Russian president was speaking to industrialists and businessmen at an annual event in Moscow, his press secretary Dmitri Peskov said that Vladimir Putin doesnt know the time of the Donald Trump chat. Recommended Stories Dont listen to him, his work is to say things," Vladimir Putin said. At the event, Vladimir Putin gave an anti-West speech saying that the West will continue to undermine Russia even if it lifted sanctions imposed over its invasion of Ukraine. JUST IN: Putin jokes his press secretary Dmitri Peskov doesnt know the time of the Trump interview.Dont listen to him, his work is to say things," he says. Then hes asked about Trump maybe misunderstanding that Putin is talking about him, he says, He doesnt pic.twitter.com/GKIH8ZAOQB Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) March 18, 2025 What White House Said About The Putin-Trump Call? The White House said that the much anticipated talk between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin was delayed by nearly two hours, as per the Daily Express report. Following the conversation, the White House said that talks on securing a ceasefire in Moscows invasion were going well", AFP reported. Donald Trump has earlier said that he is ready to discuss what parts of occupied Ukraine that Russia will be allowed to keep. Although Ukraine and its European allies remain sceptical of Donald Trump as they have said that the US President may cede too much ground to Vladimir Putin, a leader for whom Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed admiration in the past. What Donald Trump Said Following Chat With Putin top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Following the call, Donald Trump said on his Truth Social platform that many elements of a final agreement have been agreed to, but much remains" to be settled. The talks were getting down to a very critical stage," he said. Location : Moscow, Russia First Published: March 19, 2025, 11:07 IST Trump Offers To Help Zelenskyy Secure Air Defence From Europe, Seeks Control Over Ukrainian Power Plants Curated By : Goal.com Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 23:51 IST President Trump pledged to help Ukraine get more air defense equipment from Europe. Trump and President Zelenskyy agreed their defense teams will share information closely. US President Donald Trump and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House. (AFP Photo) US President Donald Trump has pledged to help Ukraine get more air defence equipment from Europe as Kyivs forces battle Russia, the White House said Wednesday. In a phone conversation Tuesday, Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy also agreed that their defence staffs will share information closely" as the battlefield situation evolves, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told a briefing. Recommended Stories Trump also suggested to Zelenskyy that the US take ownership of Ukrainian power plants to ensure the critical facilities security. Trump told Zelenskyy that the US could be very helpful in running those plants with its electricity and utility expertise," according to a White House statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz. Trump added that American ownership of those plants could be the best protection for that infrastructure." The conversation between the two leaders came a day after the US president spoke with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Zelenskyy Backs Trumps Ceasefire Plan Zelenskyy said that Ukraine is ready to stop strikes on Russias energy and other civilian infrastructure. He also supported the USAs unconditional ceasefire" on the frontline. We believe that such steps are necessary to create the possibility for a comprehensive peace agreement to be prepared during the ceasefire," he wrote in a post on X. The Ukraine president said that Ukrainian and American teams are ready to meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to continue coordinating steps toward peace. We instructed our advisors and representatives to carry out this work as quickly as possible. We noted the positive work of our advisors and representativesRubio, Waltz, Kellogg, Yermak, Sybiha, Umerov, and Palisa. In further meetings, the teams can agree on all necessary aspects of advancing toward lasting peace and security guarantees," he added. I had a positive, very substantive, and frank conversation with President of the United States Donald Trump @POTUS. I thanked him for a good and productive start to the work of the Ukrainian and American teams in Jeddah on March 11this meeting of the teams significantly helped pic.twitter.com/JFBd5EeIkg Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) March 19, 2025 Earlier today, Zelenskyy, speaking at a press conference in Helsinki alongside Finnish President Alexander Stubb, stated he would discuss the next steps on the ceasefire proposal with the US President. Today I will have contacts with President Trump and we will discuss the next steps," Ukrainian President told the press. ALSO READ: Zelenskyy To Speak With Trump, Accuses Putin Of Rejecting Ceasefire After Missile Strikes Over Ukraine Tuesdays call between Trump and Putin did not result in the breakthrough ceasefire Ukraine had been hoping for after supporting the US-led proposal last week. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all However, during the call, Putin agreed to pause strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities for 30 days, following his conversation with Trump, after rejecting the US presidents earlier proposal to halt all hostilities. (With inputs from AFP, AP) 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 Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: March 19, 2025, 23:38 IST On March 18, reporters learned at a press conference held by the Anhui Provincial Government Information Office that the 2025 Anhui Merchants Conference, themed "Linking Global Anhui Merchants, Composing a New Era," will take place from March 21 to 23. The conference will gather the strength of Anhui merchants from around the world to support Anhui's significant development and leap forward. The conference will consist of an opening ceremony, special activities, and a segment titled "Famous Anhui Merchants Journey Through Beautiful Anhui." Over 800 guests are invited to attend. In terms of regional representation, participants will include not only Anhui entrepreneurs from within and outside the province but also representatives from Hong Kong, Macao, and overseas. The industries represented will span various sectors, featuring leaders from Fortune 500 companies, publicly listed companies, unicorns, and gazelle enterprises, as well as representatives from Anhui's time-honored brands and small to medium-sized enterprises. During the opening ceremony, several major projects will be signed, and a Anhui Merchants Industrial Fund will be established to further strengthen the province's advantageous industries and consolidate industrial capital. With the rapid development of Anhui's economy and the continuous improvement of its business environment, more Anhui entrepreneurs are choosing to return to their hometowns for investment and business ventures. Investment in projects created by Anhui merchants' return continues to grow. Since the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan, there have been 2,552 Anhui merchants' return projects under construction with investments exceeding 100 million yuan, accumulating a total investment of 437.33 billion yuan, with an average annual growth of 12.1%. The proportion of these projects in relation to total foreign capital utilization in the province has increased from 5.5% to 8.6%. In 2024 alone, there were 777 Anhui merchants' return projects under construction with investments exceeding 100 million yuan, with actual funds reaching 131.34 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 15.1%, surpassing the province's fixed asset investment growth rate by 10.4 percentage points. Source: anhuinews.com The community is calling for more transparency after the appearance of a strange looking koala linked to a 'secretive' government project. Australians have been asking questions after a koala emerged from the site of a secretive government project, wearing scientific equipment. Source: Zoe Scharenguivel The discovery of an underweight koala, with several high-tech monitoring devices attached to its body as it wanders the streets of a bustling Aussie suburb, has sparked calls for transparency from the government. Concerned Aussies dubbed the animal Robokoala and raised questions about whether the electronics were hampering its once carefree lifestyle of sleeping in trees and eating leaves. Gold Coast woman Zoe Scharenguivel was driving with her two kids in the car when she spotted the endangered marsupial on a busy road. Because the area was bordered by towering fences and most of the nearby habitat had recently been bulldozed, she was concerned the animal was lost. But as Zoe approached the animal she was quickly alarmed by its odd appearance. There was a collar with a VHF tracker around its neck, a pin stitched between its shoulder blades and a blue tag on its ear. I felt sick. I couldnt believe it. There was a rod in its back and a big cumbersome collar around its neck. I just want some information about what is actually going on, so I can share it with the community, she said. Related: Photos reveal grim 'clean up' as koalas flee secretive Coomera Connector project Concerned wildlife advocates dubbed the animal RoboKoala because of the devices attached to its body. Source: Wildlife Rescue Sunshine Coast/Zoe Scharenguivel Approval given for 'confidential' scientific project The koala discovery in the northern Gold Coast suburb of Helensvale sparked a storm of controversy on social media across Australia. With little information immediately available, important questions were raised by wildlife groups, but conspiracy theories about the purpose of the devices also spread. ADVERTISEMENT When Yahoo News put questions about the koalas appearance to Queenslands Department of Primary Industries (DPI), it confirmed ethics approval had been given to a company called Endeavour Veterinary Ecology (EVE) to use animals for scientific purposes. Specific details of EVEs activities are confidential. Only authorised departmental officers have access to information collected by the [DPI] about the use of animals for scientific purposes, it said. Related: Can koalas survive Queensland's housing crisis? What the tracking collars are used for While the appearance of the koala unnerved many, EVE maintains the devices theyve attached to the animal actually have an altruistic purpose. It has a contract with Queensland's Department of Transport (TMR) to monitor the movement and health of an endangered koala population that has been displaced by land clearing for a new motorway, the Coomera Connector. Most koala advocates support the general concept of monitoring because it provides information on how the animals are being impacted by the project. ADVERTISEMENT The VHF radio collars were developed over 10 years, and EVE says they dont hamper the movement of koalas, or the ability of joeys to cling to their mothers backs. Its CEO Michael Hornby told Yahoo News the companys aim is to deliver the best outcomes for at-risk and declining koala populations. He explained they have two purposes: Safety during the clearing of habitat: without tracking, about half of koalas aren't seen until it's too late. Using near real-time monitoring along with back-up VHF tags prevents accidental injuries or death caused by vegetation clearing machines. Health monitoring: Our devices send us GPS location and activity data, which our field staff check at least once daily. When we see that they might be in trouble or sick, we respond. We work collaboratively with the wildlife rescue groups as well, who might get called to one of our monitored koalas before we can get to it. EVE has developed GPS trackers that allow koalas to be monitored. Source: EVE Community frustrated as koala report redacted The Coomera Connector is designed to cut travel time between Gold Coast and Brisbane, and to build it, strips of land once considered some of the city's most important koala habitat have been bulldozed. Destruction associated with the project isnt visible from the street, and it's generally only apparent to the public when a strange occurrence takes place like a "Robokoala" wandering onto the street. ADVERTISEMENT Although EVE was happy to explain how the collars generally work, it was unable to respond to specific questions about its work with TMR due to what Yahoo understands are gag clauses in its contract. While huge sums of money have been invested in koala monitoring, nearly every detail on how the animals are being impacted by the Coomera Connector has been withheld by TMR. One key example is the annual compliance report TMR delivers to the federal environment department (DCCEEW). Producing this document was a condition of the Coomera Connector being green-lit by the Commonwealth because the construction is significantly impacting a species federally listed as threatened. The annual compliance report likely contains details of how many koalas have died after being displaced by the Coomera Connector and is informed by monitoring. But when concerned locals from advocacy collective the Coomera Conservation Group requested a copy, they were delivered a report that was heavily redacted, which has since been published online, and a subsequent freedom of information request for more detail was rejected. TMR and the Commonwealth maintain the animals affected are "ecologically sensitive" and therefore the report cannot be fully released. This classification is generally used to protect endangered species like "orchids or prize fish" that are highly collectable or at risk of harm from the public, but it remains unclear why koalas have been categorised in this way. TMR is set to release a second annual compliance report but there are expectations it will also be redacted. Why is releasing the koala monitoring data so important? If released in full, the reports would inform the public about the impact on koalas to date from Stage 1 of the Coomera Connector, which links the suburbs of Coomera and Nerang. This information would allow the community to respond before TMR continues with Stages 2 and 3, which will extend the road to Brisbane and likely displace more animals. ADVERTISEMENT What TMR would confirm with Yahoo is that 444 koalas have been recruited into the monitoring program since it began in August 2021, and 251 are currently being tracked in the wild. "This data has provided robust, scientific evidence and knowledge about the koalas in the Coomera Connector Stage 1 corridor," it said in a statement. There have clearly been some positive outcomes reported due to the monitoring program. Tracking and assessing koala health has enabled early detection of chlamydia, and this has resulted in large numbers being treated and potentially saved from sterility and death. Outcomes have been particularly impressive in the Pimpama River Conservation Area, a designated relocation site for koalas at immediate risk of harm from the Coomera Connector. When monitoring began, 63 per cent had chlamydia, and today there is currently no detectable disease in the resident population. Karina Waterman who heads the Coomera Conservation Group thinks results like this are "fantastic", but she's concerned TMR is "cherry picking" the information it publicly releases. It might all be fine, but we dont know. When theres an absence of information people dont know what conclusions to draw, Waterman said. Data is being publicly shared, but its not what people are looking for. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. Elon Musk Says 'SpaceX To Take Humans To Mars In Next 20-30 Years' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 14:19 IST NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, along with Crew-9 members Butch Wilmore, Nick Hague, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, were brought back to earth safely by SpaceXs Dragon spacecraft after spending nine months in space. SpaceX owner Elon Musk (Reuters Image) SpaceX owner Elon Musk has said that humans can go to Mars in the next 20-30 years. In an interview with Fox News, Musk claimed that SpaceX will take anyone who wants to on Mars." We would be able to take astronauts to Mars. In fact, we want to take anyone who goes to Mars," he said, adding, that is the long-term goal of the company." Recommended Stories Responding to how long it could take for the company to accomplish this, he said, I think we could do it in 20-30 years." Notably, SpaceXs Dragon spacecraft brought back NASA astronaut Sunita Williams along with Crew-9 members Butch Wilmore, Nick Hague, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov after nine long months. Expressing joy, Musk congratulated the SpaceX team for the excellent work". Thanks to the excellent work of the SpaceX team working with NASA, the astronauts are now safely home. And so congratulations to the SpaceX NASA teams on excellent work. And a huge nerve appreciation to President Trump for prioritising the return," Musk can be seen saying in the interview video, also shared by him from his X handle. Meanwhile, soon after Sunita Williams, along with Crew-9 members, entered the Earth, SpaceX confirmed with a tweet, Splashdown of Dragon confirmed welcome back to Earth, Nick, Suni, Butch, and Aleks!" India Celebrates Sunita Williams Return To Earth President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with several other celebrities and politicians, expressed joy at Sunita Williams return to Earth. The President said in a post on X that Indias daughter and her fellow astronauts have inspired everyone with their perseverance, dedication, and never-say-die spirit. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Congratulations to the entire team behind the safe return of NASAs Crew-9 mission on Earth! Their historic journey is a tale of determination, teamwork, and extraordinary courage. I salute their unwavering resolve and wish them excellent health!" she said. Welcome back, #Crew9! The Earth missed you," the Prime Minister said in his post. Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: March 19, 2025, 14:19 IST US Releases John F Kennedy Assassination Files: CIA Inconsistencies, Conspiracies, Other Revelations Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 07:29 IST The Trump administration declassified 80,000 pages of JFK assassination files, a case that still fuels conspiracy theories. Kennedy was killed on November 22, 1963, on a visit to Dallas. Former US President John F Kennedy (Photo: AP) The Donald Trump administration on Wednesday released the previously classified documents and files related to the assassination of former President John F Kennedy in 1963 a case that still fuels conspiracy theories more than 60 years after his death. The move follows an executive order issued by Trump in January directing the unredacted release of the remaining files related to the assassinations of Kennedy, his brother, former Attorney General Robert F Kennedy, and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr, to provide more transparency about the incident in Texas. Recommended Stories The National Archives has released millions of pages of records over the past decades relating to the assassination of then-President Kennedy in November 1963, however, thousands of documents had been held back at the request of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), citing national security concerns. The 1,123 files were posted on the website of the US National Archives and Records Administration. While an initial tranche of electronic copies of papers flooded into the National Archives website, a total of more than 80,000 were expected to be published after Justice Department lawyers spent hours scouring them. The vast majority of the National Archives collection of over 6 million pages of records, photographs, motion pictures, sound recordings and artifacts related to the assassination have previously been released. The Associated Press quoted Larry J Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics and author of The Kennedy Half-Century as saying that a team was going through the documents and that it may take some time before the full significance of the files becomes clear. On Monday, Trump had told reporters that his administration would be releasing 80,000 files, though it was not clear how many of those are among the millions of pages of records that have already been made public. Researchers had earlier estimated that 3,000 or so files had not been released, either in whole or in part. In February, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said it had discovered about 2,400 new records related to the assassination. WHATs THERE IN THE KENNEDY FILES? The digital documents included PDFs of memos, including one with the heading secret". According to Reuters, this document was a typed account with handwritten notes of a 1964 interview by a Warren Commission researcher who questioned Lee Wigren, a CIA employee, about inconsistencies in material provided to the commission by the State Department and the CIA about marriages between Soviet women and American men. The documents also included references to various conspiracy theories suggesting that Kennedy assassin Lee Harvey Oswald left the Soviet Union in 1962 intent on assassinating the popular young President. Other documents played down Oswalds Soviet connection. One dated November 1991 cited a report from an American professor named EB Smith who reported he had talked in Moscow about Oswald with KGB official Slava" Nikonov, who said he had reviewed five thick files about the assassin to determine if he had been a KGB agent. JOHN F KENNEDYs ASSASSINATION Kennedy was killed on November 22, 1963, on a visit to Dallas. As his motorcade was finishing its parade route downtown, shots rang out from the Texas School Book Depository building. Police arrested 24-year-old Lee Harvey Oswald, who had positioned himself from a snipers perch on the sixth floor. Two days later, nightclub owner Jack Ruby fatally shot Oswald during a jail transfer. A year after the assassination, the Warren Commission, which President Lyndon B Johnson established to investigate, concluded that Oswald acted alone and that there was no evidence of a conspiracy. But that didnt quell a web of alternative theories over the decades. In the early 1990s, the federal government mandated that all assassination-related documents be housed in a single collection in the National Archives and Records Administration. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The collection was required to be opened by 2017, barring any exemptions designated by the president. Trump, who took office for his first term in 2017, had said that he would allow the release of all of the remaining records but ended up holding some back because of what he called the potential harm to national security. While files continued to be released during President Joe Bidens administration, some remained unseen. About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. First Published: March 19, 2025, 07:29 IST No Reciprocity: Kremlin Accuses Kyiv Of 'Countering' US-Russia Efforts To End War Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 18:51 IST Kremlin said that Kyiv had tried to strike Russian energy infrastructure after Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump agreed a halt on such attacks. Russian President Vladimir Putin. (AFP photo) The Kremlin accused Kyiv Wednesday of countering US-Russia efforts to end the conflict in Ukraine, saying it had tried to strike Russian energy infrastructure despite Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump agreeing a halt on such attacks. Putin announced a 30-day pause on striking Ukrainian energy facilities following a call with Trump on Tuesday, after turning down the US presidents previous demand to pause all hostilities. Recommended Stories Unfortunately, so far see there has been no reciprocity on the part of the Kyiv regime. There were attempts to strike our energy infrastructure," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. These attacks are countering our common (Russian-American) efforts." Peskov said Putin had immediately" given the command to stop energy attacks on Ukraine, claiming that seven Russian drones were in the air" to be used on Ukrainian energy infrastructure but were instead shot down by air defences. Both countries attacked each other with drones after the Putin-Trump call. The Kremlin said Putin had only committed to a ceasefire in strikes on energy infrastructure, clarifying a discrepancy between Russian and US reports after US envoy Steve Witkoff said Moscow had agreed to halt strikes on all infrastructure. Kyiv had last week committed to an unconditional ceasefire with Russia. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Kremlin said that Putin and Trump trust each other and are intent to gradually move towards the normalisation of ties" more than three years into Moscows offensive. Peskov said the phone call between Trump and Putin lasted around two hours and that the pair had also discussed military aid to Ukraine, without giving details as it is quite a sensitive topic and probably should not be discussed in public". Location : Moscow, Russia First Published: March 19, 2025, 16:53 IST Zelenskyy Accepts Trump's Truce Plan, Says Ukraine Ready To Halt Strikes On Russian Energy Sites Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 23:58 IST The Ukrainian President further said that Kyiv is ready to pause strikes on Russian energy and civilian infrastructure. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy meets Donald Trump at White House. (Image: AP) In a telephonic conversation with US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday said that he has accepted the unconditional ceasefire proposal as proposed by the US. The Ukrainian President further said that Kyiv is ready to pause strikes on Russian energy and civilian infrastructure. Recommended Stories Read More: Donald Trump To Help Zelenskyy Get More Air Defence From Europe One of the first steps toward fully ending the war could be ending strikes on energy and other civilian infrastructure. I supported this step, and Ukraine confirmed that we are ready to implement it. Our teams discussed this step in Jeddah. The American side also proposed an unconditional ceasefire on the frontline, and Ukraine accepted this proposal as well. We will continue working to make this happen," Zelenskyy said in a post on X. I had a positive, very substantive, and frank conversation with President of the United States Donald Trump @POTUS. I thanked him for a good and productive start to the work of the Ukrainian and American teams in Jeddah on March 11this meeting of the teams significantly helped pic.twitter.com/JFBd5EeIkg Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) March 19, 2025 The announcement came a day after Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and secured an agreement for a 30-day halt on energy infrastructure attacks. Zelenskyy also thanked his US counterpart for a positive, very substantive, and frank conversation" and productive start to the work of the Ukrainian and American teams in Jeddah." I had a positive, very substantive, and frank conversation with President of the United States Donald Trump @POTUS. I thanked him for a good and productive start to the work of the Ukrainian and American teams in Jeddah on March 11this meeting of the teams significantly helped in moving toward ending the war. We agreed that Ukraine and the United States should continue working together to achieve a real end to the war and lasting peace. We believe that together with America, with President Trump, and under American leadership, lasting peace can be achieved this year," he said. Zelenskyy further hinted for an another meeting between officials of Ukraine and the United States in Saudi Arabia in the coming days for a second round of peace talks. Ukrainian and American teams are ready to meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to continue coordinating steps toward peace," he added. The Ukrainian President further said that he and Trump instructed their respective teams to resolve technical issues related to implementing and expanding the partial ceasefire". Ukrainian and American teams are ready to meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to continue coordinating steps toward peace. We instructed our advisors and representatives to carry out this work as quickly as possible," Zelenskyy said in his X post detailing the talks. Read More: Were Very Much On Track: Day After Putin Call, Trump Speaks To Zelenskyy Over Ukraine Truce In further meetings, the teams can agree on all necessary aspects of advancing toward lasting peace and security guarantees." Zelenskyy also thanked Trump for his support, adding that Ukraines desire for peace is what prompted the country to accept the USs proposal for an unconditional ceasefire. I highlighted the importance of President Trumps concept of peace through strength," he said. After the call, Trump, in a post on Truth Social, said the negotiations process is very much on track. He said that the discussion between the two leaders was based on the call made yesterday with President Putin in order to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs. During the conversation, Trump raised the possibility of the United States taking ownership of Ukrainian power plants. American ownership of those plants would be the best protection for that infrastructure and support for Ukrainian energy infrastructure," Karoline Leavitt told a briefing as reported by AFP. Tuesdays call between Trump and Putin did not result in the breakthrough ceasefire Ukraine had been hoping for after supporting the US-led proposal last week. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all However, during the call, Putin agreed to pause strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities for 30 days, following his conversation with Trump, after rejecting the US presidents earlier proposal to halt all hostilities. (With inputs from agencies) About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More Location : Kyiv, Ukraine First Published: March 19, 2025, 23:29 IST Ukraine's Zelensky Accuses Russia Of Rejecting Ceasefire After Putin And Trump's 90-Minute Phone Call Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 10:25 IST During a lengthy call on Tuesday, President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to a immediate halt in strikes on energy and infrastructure targets in the Ukraine war. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (AP Image) Hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with US President Donald Trump and agreed to an immediate ceasefire on all energy and infrastructure targets" in the Ukraine war, Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Moscow on Wednesday of effectively rejecting a US-backed ceasefire proposal. Kyiv reported a series of strikes on civilian infrastructure just hours after Moscow agreed to temporarily cease attacks on the energy grid. Recommended Stories Russia is attacking civilian infrastructure and people right now," Andriy Yermak, Zelenskiys chief of staff, said overnight on Telegram, as reported by Reuters. Authorities in Sumy, located in northeastern Ukraine, stated that drone attacks by Russia damaged two hospitals. While no injuries were reported, the strikes forced the evacuation of both patients and healthcare workers, said the Reuters report. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed during a lengthy call on Tuesday to an immediate pause in strikes against energy and infrastructure targets in the Ukraine war. My phone conversation today with President Putin of Russia was a very good and productive one. We agreed to an immediate ceasefire on all energy and infrastructure, with the understanding that we will be working quickly to achieve a complete ceasefire and, ultimately, an end to this very horrible war between Russia and Ukraine," Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social, after the call with Putin. The White House described it as the initial step in a movement toward peace," with hopes that it would pave the way for a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and a comprehensive, lasting resolution to the conflict. Additionally, the White House noted that negotiations on these measures would begin immediately" in the Middle East. Meanwhile, the Kremlin stated that Putin welcomed Trumps proposal for a maritime ceasefire and agreed to begin negotiations to further work out specific details of such an agreement." Putin also informed Trump that Russia and Ukraine are set to exchange 175 prisoners of war each on Wednesday, and Russia would also return 23 severely wounded soldiers to Ukraine, according to the Kremlin. Putin further urged Trump to halt foreign military and intelligence support to Ukraine as the US seeks to bring an end to Russias invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Earlier this month, Ukrainian officials had suggested a ceasefire covering the Black Sea, long-range missile strikes, and the release of prisoners during their meeting with the US delegation in Saudi Arabia. (With agency inputs) Location : Ukraine First Published: March 19, 2025, 10:12 IST Who Is Abhishek Kambli, The Indian-Origin Lawyer Representing Trump In Legal Battle Over Alien Enemies Act? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 18:12 IST Kambli, who joined the US Department of Justice as Deputy Associate Attorney General just a month ago, is now tasked with defending Trump's decision to invoke the Alien Enemies Act Indian-origin lawyer Abhishek Kambli. (Image via LinkedIn) Indian-origin lawyer Abhishek Kambli is representing US President Donald Trump in defending his use of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, which allows sweeping powers to deport individuals associated with foreign criminal organisations. Kambli, who joined the US Department of Justice as Deputy Associate Attorney General just a month ago, is now tasked with defending Trumps decision to invoke the Alien Enemies Act in an effort to send over 200 members of the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, to El Salvador. The gang has been linked to criminal activity, including drug trafficking, and Trump described them as an invading force." Recommended Stories Trumps action was the first time the Alien Enemies Act had been used since World War II. The law gives the president sweeping powers to deport non-citizens associated with hostile foreign entities, bypassing the need for a court hearing. However, hours after the move, US District Judge James E. Boasberg had blocked the deportation flights, arguing that a hearing was required to assess the situation further. In his argument, Kambli, who is representing Trump against Judge Boasbergs decision, had asserted that the deportation flights were already in international waters, meaning they could not be called back. However, the judge found Kamblis argument unconvincing, and Trump has since criticised the judge as an unelected troublemaker and agitator," according to a report by The Times Of India. Who Is Abhishek Kambli? Abhishek Kambli was born in India and moved to the US when he was just three years old. Before joining the US Department of Justice, Kambli served as Deputy Attorney General (Division Chief) at the Kansas Attorney Generals Office, according to his LinkedIn profile. Kambli also worked as an Assistant US Attorney, prosecuting federal crimes in the Southern District of Indiana, handling all phases of litigation in federal court. Additionally, Kambli served as a defence counsel in the US Air Force. He holds a JD from Notre Dame Law School. Kamblis earlier high-profile cases include blocking the Biden administrations $475 billion student loan forgiveness plan and securing an injunction against a rule that expanded the definition of sex" to include gender identity. What Is The Alien Enemies Act? The Alien Enemies Act was passed in 1798 during the administration of US President John Adams, amid fears of conflict with France. As part of the larger Alien and Sedition Acts, it gave the president authority to imprison or deport non-citizens from hostile nations during wartime. Although the Alien and Sedition Acts were largely repealed or allowed to expire, the Alien Enemies Act remained in force. The law has only been used three times in US historyduring the War of 1812, World War I, and World War II. Under this law, individuals who are considered subjects of a hostile nation" can be apprehended, restrained, secured, and removed." Trumps Justification For Invoking The Law Trump has framed his use of the law as a necessary measure to combat illegal immigration and protect the US from transnational criminal organisations. In his proclamation on Saturday, Trump had stated that the Tren de Aragua gang is closely aligned with the Venezuelan government, led by President Nicolas Maduro. The result is a hybrid criminal state that is perpetrating an invasion of and predatory incursion into the United States," he had said in a statement. The American President described the gangs actions as irregular warfare" against the US, noting their involvement in a wide range of criminal activities, including human trafficking and drug distribution. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Trump administration has repeatedly pledged to aggressively tackle illegal immigration, and the use of the Alien Enemies Act was seen as a key part of this plan. Even during his campaign, Trump hinted at using extraordinary powers to address illegal immigration and laid the groundwork through a series of executive orders on January 20. (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 : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: March 19, 2025, 17:50 IST 'We're Very Much On Track': Day After Putin Call, Trump Speaks To Zelenskyy Over Ukraine Truce Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 23:26 IST Zelenskyy had said he would discuss with Trump the previous day's phone call between the American leader and Russian President Vladimir Putin Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with US President Donald Trump. (File photo: Getty Images via AFP) A day after holding discussions with Russias Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump on Wednesday held a telephonic call with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss the Ukraine war. After the call, Trump, in a post on Truth Social, said the negotiations process is very much on track. He said that the discussion between the two leaders was based on the call made yesterday with President Putin in order to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs. Recommended Stories Just completed a very good telephone call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine. It lasted approximately one hour. Much of the discussion was based on the call made yesterday with President Putin in order to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs. We are very much on track, and I will ask Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, to give an accurate description of the points discussed. That Statement will be put out shortly," he said. Zelenskyy said that Ukraine is ready to stop strikes on Russias energy and other civilian infrastructure. He also supported the USAs unconditional ceasefire" on the frontline. We believe that such steps are necessary to create the possibility for a comprehensive peace agreement to be prepared during the ceasefire," he wrote in a post on X. The Ukraine president said that Ukrainian and American teams are ready to meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to continue coordinating steps toward peace. We instructed our advisors and representatives to carry out this work as quickly as possible. We noted the positive work of our advisors and representativesRubio, Waltz, Kellogg, Yermak, Sybiha, Umerov, and Palisa. In further meetings, the teams can agree on all necessary aspects of advancing toward lasting peace and security guarantees," he added. I had a positive, very substantive, and frank conversation with President of the United States Donald Trump @POTUS. I thanked him for a good and productive start to the work of the Ukrainian and American teams in Jeddah on March 11this meeting of the teams significantly helped pic.twitter.com/JFBd5EeIkg Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) March 19, 2025 Earlier today, Zelenskyy, speaking at a press conference in Helsinki alongside Finnish President Alexander Stubb, stated he would discuss the next steps on the ceasefire proposal with the US President. Today I will have contacts with President Trump and we will discuss the next steps," Ukrainian President told the press. Tuesdays call between Trump and Putin did not result in the breakthrough ceasefire Ukraine had been hoping for after supporting the US-led proposal last week. However, during the call, Putin agreed to pause strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities for 30 days, following his conversation with Trump, after rejecting the US presidents earlier proposal to halt all hostilities. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all ALSO READ: Zelenskyy To Speak With Trump, Accuses Putin Of Rejecting Ceasefire After Missile Strikes Over Ukraine (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 : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: March 19, 2025, 20:12 IST Zelenskyy To Speak With Trump, Accuses Putin Of Rejecting Ceasefire After Missile Strikes Over Ukraine Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: March 19, 2025, 17:25 IST "Today I will have contacts with President Trump and we will discuss the next steps," Zelensky said during a press conference in Finland Ukrainian President Zelenskyy meets Donald Trump at White House. (Image: AP) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday said that he would speak later in the day with US President Donald Trump to learn more details into Trumps phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin from the previous day and to discuss the next steps. Zelenskyy made the announcement during a press conference in Helsinki, where he was accompanied by his Finnish counterpart, Alexander Stubb. Recommended Stories Today I will have contacts with President Trump and we will discuss the next steps," Zelenskyy told the press. Putins Vow At Odds With Reality Zelenskyy further criticised his Russian counterpart for not honouring his vow to cease attacks on Ukraines energy infrastructure, stating that Putin was very much at odds with reality". This came after an overnight barrage of drone strikes across the country, including on energy facilities. Zelenskyy pointed out the contradiction, saying, Even last night, after Putins conversation with Trump, when Putin said that he was allegedly giving orders to stop strikes on Ukrainian energy, there were 150 drones launched overnight, including on energy facilities." The latest strikes on Ukraine came shortly after Putins refusal to support a full 30-day ceasefire during his call with Trump on Tuesday. The call between Trump and Putin did not result in the breakthrough ceasefire that Ukraine had been advocating for after endorsing the US-led proposal last week. However, Moscow had confirmed that it had agreed to pause Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. During the same press conference, Zelenskyy called for the United States to monitor the partial Russian-Ukrainian ceasefire on energy infrastructure, following Moscows agreement to temporarily pause attacks on Ukrainian energy sites. The United States should be the main controlling entity," he added. If the Russians dont hit our targets, we will definitely not hit their targets." Increase assistance for Ukraine The Ukrainian President also urged Kyivs allies to increase their support for Ukraine in response to Putins demand that the West halt military and intelligence assistance. I do not believe that we should make any concessions in terms of assistance for Ukraine, but rather there should be an increase in assistance for Ukraine," he said. Meanwhile, the Kremlin on Wednesday stated that Putin and Trump trust each other" and are keen to normalise US-Russia relations after more than three years of Moscows offensive in Ukraine. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, Presidents Putin and Trump understand each other well, trust each other and are intent to gradually move towards the normalisation of ties." He added that their phone call on Tuesday lasted for around two hours. (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 : Kyiv, Ukraine First Published: March 19, 2025, 16:16 IST Two council rangers shone lights into a parked 4WD with a roof tent in Perth over the weekend. Source: TikTok/jesse.and.cami Local governments around Australia continue to grapple with the issue of illegal camping as tourists in campervans travel the country on a budget, while others are forced into van life in a bid to beat the housing crisis. Footage captured by a couple currently doing "a lap" of Australia in their campervan shows the increased "anxiety" free campers can face when trying to find a safe place to park for the night. The video, which has been watched more than 40,000 times this week, shows council rangers shining torches into a 4WD with a rooftop tent while parked in a Perth street. "I think they [the patrols] are unnecessary unless there was probable cause like trash or a noise complaint, but this was at 3.30 am," travelling couple Jesse and Camille, who captured the footage in Scarborough over the weekend, told Yahoo News. "These poor backpackers were fast asleep and were woken up only to pack down their tent and go find another place to park in the city." ADVERTISEMENT It's unclear if the backpackers were fined or simply warned and told to "move somewhere else". Councils crack down on illegal camping across Aussie coasts There has been an uptick in the number of people looking for free camping spots and some are turning to illegal camping for a budget-friendly solution while travelling. This has seen many popular coastal locations inundated with loaded vans, making access difficult for locals. The City of Stirling told Yahoo News it has taken several measures to stop illegal camping in the area. "The City has installed 'no camping' signs at locations where camping is not permitted, such as our coastal carparks," a spokesperson said. "City officers monitor these areas on an ongoing basis and engage with illegal campers to explain that it is not a permitted activity." Car parks along popular coastal hotspots have been inundated with campers and caravans. Source: Suzanne King via Sunshine Coast News The City of Cockburn is a neighbouring council and it also detailed to Yahoo News its efforts to crack down on campers sleeping in their cars. ADVERTISEMENT "Unauthorised camping fluctuates with seasons, social and economic pressures and other contributing factors," a spokesperson said. "The City's officers conduct regular patrols of known unauthorised camping areas to deter the activity, at all times of day and night. "The City attempts to educate people about alternative housing options and areas they can camp legally. "We also liaise with state government agencies and key stakeholders to ensure there is a more consistent approach between land under the City's control, and land like Woodman Point and John Graham Reserve, which are under state government control." The Town of Cambridge council in Perth controversially turned off the hot water at beach showers last year to stop campers using the public amenities, with it only reinstated after a huge backlash from the community. Meanwhile the neighbouring City of Fremantle council introduced four-hour parking at popular South Beach to stop extended stays, with those staying over the time limit facing fines. Councils are clamping down on illegal camping. Source: Courier Mail/Liam Kidston Snap Send Solve, the council reporting app, told Yahoo News last year there have been thousands of reports of illegally parked caravans and RVs across the country. ADVERTISEMENT "These figures underscore a widespread issue across the country, particularly in urban areas where space is limited and pedestrian and road safety are critical," CEO Danny Gorog said. Aussies divided over illegal camping trend sweeping the country While councils and some locals welcome the crackdown to free up car parks, others have criticised it as many Aussies find themselves turning to mobile accommodation as the rental market becomes increasingly more expensive and the housing crisis continues to leave many homeless. Queensland woman Tania Davies previously told Yahoo News she and her husband were moved on after sleeping in their van at Eagleby Wetlands car park in Logan after council clamped down on illegal camping last year. An Aussie parent and their two children were forced to move into a caravan last month and admitted they are concerned about where they will park their car with campground fees and the cost of maintaining the caravan likely costing the same each day as "a three-bedroom townhouse a year ago". Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. In a shocking turn of events, a Bulawayo court yesterday heard that Detective Constable Cassandra Hove tragically died when a bullet ricocheted off a suspected armed robber and struck her in the left breast. The incident occurred during a covert operation in Pumula South suburb, early this month. The case has captured the nations attention with its surprising developments, after a police detective stationed at Hillside Police Station, Nomore Muradzikwa, 37, allegedly confessed to the fatal shooting. Muradzikwa appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Maxwell Ncube on charges of murder and was not asked to plead, before being remanded in custody to April 1. He was advised to apply for bail at the High Court of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. Muradzikwa is being represented by his lawyer, Mr Tinashe Tashaya of Sengweni Legal Services. Ms Nkanyezi Xaba represented the State. It was stated in court documents that the fatal shooting occurred on March 6, when Muradzikwa and the late Hove were part of a team leading a covert operation to apprehend suspected armed robbers in Pumula South suburb. The accused was armed with a CZ pistol serial number BSAP 44 when he advanced towards, Fikile Ncube aged 26, a male adult, NR 28-160313 K, residing at house number 14804 Pumula South, Bulawayo, a suspect in a robbery case investigated by CID Homicide, Ms Xaba told the court. He corked his firearm and shot at him hitting him once on the left elbow after which the bullet ricocheted and hit the deceased once on the left breast resulting in her death, read the circumstances of the case. Muradzikwa, who appeared to hold no emotion on the matter, was escorted to the courts by detectives from CID Homicide yesterday morning, with the matter only being heard in the afternoon. However, some of Hoves family members who attended the court hearing said they only learnt of Muradzikwas alleged confession through social media. They also expressed dissatisfaction with the police, whom they accuse of not informing them of the developments. Mr Abias Hove, a brother to the late Cassandra, said it would have been prudent for the police to notify them so that all relatives could attend court to hear the series of events of that night. We just learnt of this today, after seeing the developments on online papers and social media. Procedurally, I thought police should inform us about this, but we are disappointed that they did not do so, said Mr Hove. He said there are many questions that need answering to put their hearts and minds at ease. Its disenchanting that this man only confessed now, two weeks after the death of our sister. Where and what was he doing all this time? What were the police doing? There are a lot of questions that need to be answered, said Mr Hove. The late Hove died at the age of 37 and is survived by four children. A member of Bulawayos elite all-female CID unit known as Team Lozikeyi, she was buried at her rural home in Mataruse Village, Mberengwa District in the Midlands Province. The incident occurred around 8:40pm in the Habbek area of Pumula South suburb, where initial reports suggested that Hove and her colleagues were pursuing suspects involved in a series of armed robberies. Chronicle UPDATE Mar 19, 2025 6:30 PM CDT Joshua Riibe, the person believed by authorities to be the last to have been seen with a missing college student, has returned to the US. The 20-year-old flew back from the Dominican Republic on Wednesday, NBC News reports, after a stay he said was extended by officials who kept him under supervision and confiscated his passport. Riibe, who is from Iowa and attends college in Minnesota, has not been charged with any crime, Dominican Republic National Police said. Mar 18, 2025 6:13 PM CDT The family of a missing University of Pittsburgh student has asked authorities in the Dominican Republic to declare her dead, police say. Sudiksha Konanki, 20, was last seen on March 6 after she went to a beach near her hotel with friends during a spring break trip. Her father, Subbarayudu Konanki, urged authorities to consider possibilities including kidnapping after an initial search failed to find her body, but the family now believes she drowned, USA Today reports. On Tuesday, President Trump called for the impeachment of James Boasberg, the chief judge at DC's District Court who recently ruled against the Trump administration's deportation ordersdrawing a rare rebuke from Supreme Court Justice John Roberts. House Republicans are now moving toward impeachment anyway, with Trump supporters saying Boasberg's ruling to halt deportations of Venezuelan migrants was unlawful, as authority for the deportations is granted to the president under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, per the Hill. Impeachment article: Texas Rep. Brandon Gill, who introduced the resolution on Tuesday, alleged that Boasberg "overstepped his authority, compromised the impartiality of the judiciary, and created a constitutional crisis," per Axios. Gill also accused the judge in the impeachment article of trying to "seize power from the Executive branch and interfere with the will of the American people," per the Hill. While police say 19-year-old twins found shot dead on a mountain in Georgia earlier this month appear to have died in a murder-suicide, family members say no way. "My nephews wouldn't do this," aunt Yasmine Brawner writes of Qaadir Malik Lewis and Naazir Rahim Lewis on a GoFundMe page. She says the brothers had dreams of starting their own clothing line and would not have taken their own lives. However, "the preliminary investigation reveals the deaths to be a murder suicide," according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. On Sunday, GBI said autopsies had been completed, but the official medical examiner ruling and results "are pending additional forensic tests," per Fox News . Family members last saw the brothers on March 6, per WLS. The twins were scheduled to fly from Atlanta to Boston to visit friends at 7am following day but didn't make the flight, per WAGA and the New York Post. The plane tickets were still in their wallets when hikers discovered the men dead with gunshot wounds atop Bell Mountain in Hiawassee, a two-hour drive from the twins' home in the Atlanta suburb of Lawrenceville, before noon on March 8. But "they don't hike out there, they've never been out there. They don't know anything about Hiawassee, Georgia. They never even heard of Bell Mountain," uncle Rahim Brawner tells WXIA. He says the family "knew right away" that it couldn't have been a murder-suicide. "They had a huge support system. We know them. They wouldn't do anything like this," adds Yasmine Brawner. "Something happened in those mountains, and we want answers." Amid the tragedy comes more distress: Towns County volunteer firefighter Scott Kerlin, 42, among the first on the scene, has been charged with misdemeanor obstruction after he allegedly snapped and publicly shared photos of the twins' death scene, GBI said Tuesday, per People. He was also fired for violating department protocol, per WXIA. Attacks on Tesla dealerships will be treated as "domestic terrorism," Attorney General Pam Bondi said Tuesday as more Tesla vehicles in Las Vegas were targeted, per the New York Times . People have been selling off their Teslas , citing the behavior of Tesla CEO Elon Musk , a senior advisor to President Trump who's led efforts to slash government jobs. There have also been targeted attacks on Tesla vehicles across the country. A person fired shots at vehicles and windows at a Tesla dealership in Oregon last week. On Friday, vandals smashed windows and painted swastikas on a dealership near San Diego and a woman allegedly spraypainted anti-Musk messages on a Tesla facility in Illinois. At least five vehicles were set on fire Tuesday at a Tesla collision center in Las Vegas in what authorities described as a "targeted attack," per the Guardian. Security cameras recorded a person dressed all in black throwing Molotov cocktails around 2:45am. The suspect also fired bullets into vehicles and spraypainted "resist" on the facility's front doors, police said. "The swarm of violent attacks on Tesla property is nothing short of domestic terrorism," Bondi said in a statement, per the Times. "We will continue investigations that impose severe consequences on those involved in these attacks, including those operating behind the scenes to coordinate and fund these crimes." As "there is no stand-alone federal domestic terrorism law that includes penalties," the perpetrators of such crimes would be charged under other federal laws, though Bondi didn't specify which, per the Times. She did say the accused could face at least five years in prison. Both President Trump and Musk have described the vandalism as "terrorism." Trump has claimed the attacks are financially supported "by people very highly political on the left." Musk blamed Democrats in a Tuesday interview with Fox News. "It turns out when you take away people's, you know, the money they're receiving fraudulently, they get very upset," he said, per the New York Post. "They basically want to kill me because I'm stopping their fraud." The government released a new trove of documents related to the assassination of John F. Kennedy on Tuesday night. The gist of coverage Wednesday morning: It's going to take a while to get through them, and bombshells are unlikely. Unlikely: Major revelations changing the official narrative that Lee Harvey Oswald killed JFK while acting alone are not believed to be lurking in the files, though it's "not impossible," Harvard professor and JFK biographer Fredrik Logevall tells the Washington Post. Major revelations changing the official narrative that Lee Harvey Oswald killed JFK while acting alone are not believed to be lurking in the files, though it's "not impossible," Harvard professor and JFK biographer Fredrik Logevall tells the Washington Post. Oswald's whereabouts: Both the Post and the New York Times say the files may, however, fill in some blanks on Oswald's movements in the months ahead of the assassination, particularly in regard to his visits to the Soviet and Cuban embassies in Mexico City. They may also reveal what US agencies knew and shared about those visits at the time. A day after Vladimir Putin and President Trump spoke by phone, analysts are skeptical that Putin offered much in the way of concessions toward a ceasefire. In fact, the Russian leader "conceded little," writes Paul Sonne in a New York Times analysis, arguing that much of what Putin agreed to were actually Russian objectives. More: The deal: The 30-day stoppage to attacks on energy infrastructure is "the least costly partial ceasefire for Russia to agree to," regional expert Jon Richardson writes at the Conversation. Some 80% of Ukraine's energy infrastructure has reportedly already been destroyed, while Kyiv's attacks are "threatening one of the main funding sources of Moscow's war effort." Amid all the friction between the US and Canada at the moment, 35-year-old Jasmine Mooney has inadvertently become a very public face of it. Mooney, a Canadian national, was detained for 12 days by Immigration and Customs Enforcement over an issue with her visa application, reports the New York Times. She's now back home in Vancouver, BC, but her plight has made international headlines. And Mooney herself has written a lengthy first-person account in the Guardian. Mooney is more of an entrepreneur now, per ABC 10 in San Diego, but as an actor she appeared in American Pie Presents: The Book of Love, a direct-to-video spinoff of the movie series. Last month, Mooney applied for what's known as a TN visa at the border in San Ysidro, California, hoping to enter the US after being offered a marketing job at a wellness startup. She was told she needed to apply at a different locationa consulatebut instead of being allowed to return home to try again, she was taken into custody. "They say, 'Hands on the wall,'" she tells the Times. (The newspaper details the visa ups and downs of Mooney, who had previously worked for years in the San Diego area.) A serial bank robber with a sideline as a crime novelist could be back in federal prison before his next book comes out. Dorian Trevor Sykes, who completed his most recent sentence in February last year, is accused of robbing two banks in the Detroit area this month, NBC News reports. Police say the 41-year-old made off with $10,169 from the Credit Union One in Sterling Heights on March 6 and stole $3,400 from the Chase Bank in Lathrup Village on March 12. In the Chase robbery, Sykes allegedly handed the teller a note reading, "Give me all the money ... I have a gun ... I will kill everyone in here." Sykes has written numerous crime novels, including The Good Life, King of Detroit, and Born to Die, which is due to come out in May. Carl Weber at the Urban Books publishing house in New York told the Detroit News that Sykes' books tend to sell around 2,500 copies. Asked if he was a big success as a writer, Weber said, "He's pretty small fry, to be honest. He wouldn't be in this situation if he was." Police say Sykes fled the Credit Union One robbery in his black Mercedes and used a rented Rolls-Royce as a getaway car after the Chase robbery. He was arrested Tuesday. In 2020, Sykes was sentenced to five years in federal prison for two bank robberies he carried out on Aug. 12, 2019. In a sentencing memo, Assistant US Attorney Frances Carlson said Sykes robbed the banks "just six weeks after being released from a 17-year prison sentence for the same type of behavior." His "history paints a troubling and unmistakable picture of a person who has a complete disregard for the law," Carlson wrote. "Sykes has demonstrated by his unabated criminal behavior that he will not be deterred by restrictions and conditions placed upon him by the courts or by lengthy prison sentences." If convicted of the latest robberies, Sykes could be sent back to federal prison for 20 years. President Trump says he had a "very good telephone call" with Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday, the day after he spoke to spoke to Vladimir Putin about a ceasefire proposal. "Much of the discussion was based on the call made yesterday with President Putin in order to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs," Trump said in a Truth Social post. "We are very much on track." In a statement , Secretary of State Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz described the call as "fantastic" and said Trump and Zelensky had "agreed Ukraine and America will continue working together to bring about a real end to the war." Rubio and Waltz said the leaders "agreed on a partial ceasefire against energy." They said Trump also "discussed Ukraine's electrical supply and nuclear power plants. He said that the United States could be very helpful in running those plants with its electricity and utility expertise. American ownership of those plants would be the best protection for that infrastructure and support for Ukrainian energy infrastructure." Putin agreed to halt strikes on energy infrastructure Tuesday, but Zelensky said earlier Wednesday that Russia launched strikes overnight "targeting energy infrastructure, among other things," the Wall Street Journal reports. "Putin's words are very much at odds with reality," Zelensky said. Zelensky requested additional Patriot missile defense systems during the call, and Rubio said Trump "agreed to work with him to find what was available, particularly in Europe," the AP reports. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the US will continue sharing intelligence with Ukraine despite Russia's demand for the US to cut off the supply of weapons and intelligence, NBC News reports. In a post on X, Zelensky described the phone call with Trump as "positive, very substantive, and frank." "I thanked President Trump and the American people for their support," he wrote. "I stressed that Ukrainians want peace, which is why Ukraine accepted the proposal for an unconditional ceasefire." TDT | Manama Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com Bahrain was among the worlds 10 largest aluminium producers in 2024, turning out 1.6 million metric tonnes. The figure was close to the previous years total. Aluminium remains one of the kingdoms main exports, with shipments heading to the US and elsewhere bringing in $3 billion in 2023. A report by InvestingNews. com put global output at 72 million metric tonnes for 2024, up from 70 million the year before. Second-biggest supplier The UAE, which produced 2.7 million metric tonnes of aluminium and 2.4 million metric tonnes of alumina, was responsible for 8 per cent of American imports, making it the second-biggest supplier to the US. China led the world in aluminium production, turning out 43 million metric tonnes, which made up 60 per cent of the total. Its alumina production reached 84 million metric tonnes. India followed with 4.2 million metric tonnes, while Russias total climbed slightly to 3.8 million from 3.7 million in 2023. Ourput Producers raised their output in advance of new American trade duties, shifting supply routes. Chinese metal accounted for just 3 per cent of US imports in 2024. The Biden administration lifted tariffs on Chinese aluminium to 25 per cent, and in February 2025, the Trump administration added a further 10 per cent charge on all goods from China. TDT | Manama Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com The Chaturbhuj family is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Mr. Lalchand Chaturbhujdas, the esteemed Chairman of Chaturbhuj Mulchand & Sons, on Tuesday, 18th March 2025. A visionary entrepreneur and a pillar of Bahrains business community, Mr. Lalchands contributions have left a lasting imprint on the Kingdoms commercial and gold trade sectors. With a legacy spanning over seven generations, the Chaturbhuj familys association with Bahrain dates back to the early 1850s, when they established business interests in pearling, foodstuffs, and real estate. Mr. Lalchand played a pivotal role in the family's continued growth, spearheading diversification efforts that reshaped Bahrains gold industry. In 1948, he introduced gold bullion trading to the Kingdom, setting a new benchmark for the industry. He was the first to bring Mexican and Turkish gold coins, as well as sovereigns, into Bahrain, transforming the local market. His innovative foresight also led to the introduction of 24-carat 5 tola bars for goldsmiths, a move that significantly contributed to Bahrains gold manufacturing sector and earned him the title of the "Gold Man of Bahrain." Continuing his entrepreneurial journey, Mr. Lalchand established the Kingdoms first gold retail store in 1967 on the historic Bab Al Bahrain roada landmark establishment that remains operational to this day. His commitment to innovation extended to bespoke jewelry manufacturing, where he founded Gumaash Creations, specializing in "Made in Bahrain" jewelry with a particular focus on natural pearl craftsmanship, preserving the nation's cultural heritage. Beyond his business acumen, Mr. Lalchand was a respected figure in the community. The Chaturbhuj family has maintained strong ties with the Bahraini Royal Family, and in a testament to their longstanding relationship, the late H.H. Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa personally visited Mr. Lalchand in Manama to offer condolences on the passing of his father, Mr. Chaturbhujdas. The family continues to hold deep gratitude for the kindness and support extended by the Royal Family throughout the years. Mr. Lalchands passing marks the end of an era, but his legacy of entrepreneurship, innovation, and commitment to Bahrains prosperity will continue to inspire generations to come. The Chaturbhuj family remains devoted to honoring his vision, ensuring that his contributions to the Kingdoms business landscape endure for years to come. His memory will forever be cherished, and his impact will remain woven into the fabric of Bahrains history. ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- A local rehabilitation facility has a new leader. Debbie Hoffman is now chief executive officer of ClearSky Rehabilitation Hospital of Elwood-St. Joseph. The 30-bed facility provides rehabilitative care to people recovering from injuries, illnesses or medically-complex conditions. Hoffman, who is a registered nurse, has more than 30 years of healthcare experience, including leadership positions at acute care hospitals in Kansas and Missouri. She most recently was director of nursing operations at ClearSky. Because I began my career in nursing, quality patient care and safety have always been my priorities, Hoffman said. Im passionate about helping patients recover fully so they can regain independence and quality of life. Im looking forward to leading the team at ClearSky Elwood-St. Joseph as we continue to advance patient care, foster innovation, and ensure the hospitals long-term organizational success. Hoffman became a licensed practical nurse after attending Northwest Technical School in Maryville, Missouri, and then earned an associates degree in nursing from Southwestern Community College in Creston, Iowa., and a bachelors degree in nursing from Maryville University, St. Louis. She also has a masters degree in management and leadership from Webster University in St. Louis. ST. JOSEPH, Mo. Policy allows for officers to pursue a criminal suspect in a stolen car but St. Joseph police follow this rule with caution considering the danger and cost involved. Following a police incident in the North End of St. Joseph Sunday night involving a stolen vehicle, law enforcement is addressing the importance of stopping criminal acts. The police department has for years allowed officers to pursue suspects who have or are committing a felony and are considered a serious risk to public safety if they are not immediately apprehended. Circumstances that would require the initiation of a pursuit involve first-degree assault, crimes involving a firearm or a kidnapping. However, with developing security systems across the city, officers are detecting stolen vehicles more frequently and retrieving them from criminals as they are driving. We have license plate-reader systems placed all over town and when those go through intersections, we get hits and we can get officers in the area quickly to try to apprehend those vehicles, said Sgt. Richard McGregory with the St. Joseph Police Department. While St. Joseph police are urged to conduct pursuits only for violent and imminent situations, they sometimes can be prompted following a vehicle being stolen. Are we going to chase a stolen vehicle just because we see it? No, McGregory said. But if that vehicle was involved in a carjacking, abduction or something of that nature, thats when our supervising and command staff will come in and they can manage a dispute where it can be ended safely without any threat to the public. Often, police take other actions to detain a suspect without putting the public at risk. Whenever possible, we utilize alternative methods such as stop sticks or utilizing the radio to have officers get ahead of the vehicle if they can get stop sticks in place, we can disable the car and try to apprehend them on foot, McGregory said. The police departments goal is to balance the effect of law enforcement while minimizing risk to the community. Not pursuing stolen vehicles at all allows thieves to operate without fear and they will continue to balance the effect of law enforcement while minimizing risk to the community, officers said. Beijing (Gasgoo)- On March 18, Chery Automobile held its intelligent strategy conference in Wuhu, Anhui. The event marked the official release of Chery Group's intelligent strategy and showcased key technological advancements, including the Falcon smart driving system, humanoid robots, and AI large models for smart cabins. Photo credit: Chery Chery introduced its "Falcon" smart driving system, which will be implemented across all of the group's brands and models in 2025. The system consists of three tiers: Falcon 500, an end-to-end large model-based integrated driving and parking system supporting highway NOA, urban memory navigation, and automated parking; Falcon 700, featuring enhanced computing power for seamless full-scenario navigation, including valet parking and spot-to-spot smart driving; and Falcon 900, an L3 system utilizing VLA and world model for advanced autonomous driving. Expanding beyond vehicles, Chery is investing in future mobility solutions such as robotic automation, flying cars, Robotaxi services, and unmanned buses. Photo credit: Chery By the end of 2025, over 30 vehicle models across all powertrains (internal combution engine, hybrid, range-extended, and all-electric) will feature Falcon smart driving system, with global market deployment also in progress. The Chery Little Ant (eQ1) Smart Driving Edition, priced at around 60,000 yuan, will set a new benchmark for affordable smart driving, offering 23 intelligent driving features, including automatic and remote parking, as well as highway NOA. Chery's global user base has surpassed 16 million across over 100 countries. To meet diverse market demands, Chery is developing region-specific smart driving solutions, such as handling European roundabouts, Middle Eastern desert highways, and Southeast Asian high-density motorcycle traffic. With dual EU certifications for cybersecurity and software updates, Cherys smart driving system has accumulated over 4.5 billion kilometers in overseas operating distance. By 2026, Chery plans to introduce advanced intelligent driving models in Europe, accelerating the globalization of Chinese smart driving technology. "These salt marshes not only provide habitat for migrating waterfowl but also support a diverse array of wildlife and act as natural barriers to protect our coasts against the impact of storm surges," says Jana Cheverie, head of conservation programs with DUC in Atlantic Canada. "Protecting these habitats helps ensure the resilience of Nova Scotia's coastline and preserves a vital ecosystem that is important for many species." Melbourne Lake Salt Marsh Melbourne Lake Salt Marsh is located just outside of Yarmouth near Arcadia Salt Marsh, Tusket Islands Wilderness Area, and the Melbourne Lake Game Sanctuary. Here, 152 acres (61.5 hectares) of salt marsh meet 105 acres (42.5 hectares) of shrubland and forest, creating excellent habitat for a diversity of migratory birds, including red-tailed or sharp-shinned hawks, white-throated sparrows, lesser yellowlegs, bobolinks and red knots. McLean's Lake Road Salt Marsh Tucked into the coast in Port L'Hebert, McLean's Lake Road Salt Marsh is sandwiched between white sand beaches and coastal forest. The property comprises approximately 84 acres (34 hectares) of salt marsh, bog, and shallow-water marsh, as well as 316 acres (128 hectares) of forested upland and coastal barrens. Located just a few kilometres south of the Port L'Hebert Bird Sanctuary, and east of both Kejimkujik Seaside Adjunct and Thomas Raddall Provincial Park, the marsh is frequented by a wide range of bird species, including yellow warblers, osprey, eagles, kingfishers and snow buntings. The area is also important habitat for overwintering waterfowl. Salt marshes and sea-level rise Conserving and restoring salt marshes with undeveloped adjacent lands is a priority for DUC in Atlantic Canada. And preserving these habitats is increasingly a race against sea-level rise. As the ocean creeps inland, salt-marsh vegetation must move with it or be lost. The challenge is how to protect them in situ and give them the space to migrate inland in some of the most sought-after locations on Nova Scotia's coastlines. We encourage individuals interested in selling or donating coastal habitat to contact us. About Ducks Unlimited Canada Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is the country's largest land conservancy and a leader in wetland conservation. A registered charity, DUC uses sound science and partners with government, industry, non-profit organizations, Indigenous Peoples and landowners to conserve wetlands that are critical to waterfowl, wildlife and the environment. To learn more about DUC's innovative environmental solutions and services, visit www.ducks.ca. SOURCE Ducks Unlimited Canada Media: [email protected] VANCOUVER, BC, March 19, 2025 /CNW/ - Seva Canada is honoured to announce a $2 million gift from the Honey & Barry Sherman Legacy Foundation to address the urgent issue of global blindness and vision loss. This gift will enhance access to eye care services in underserved communities in Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond to transform the lives of millions of people in need. Seva Canada's honoured to announce a $2m gift from the Honey & Barry Sherman Legacy Foundation for global vision loss. Post this An ophthalmic nurse and a young female student helping to conduct visual acuity testing at an community outreach screening for children and adults in Tanzania. Photo by Joe Raffanti (CNW Group/Seva Canada Society) Honey and Barry Sherman Legacy Foundation Logo (CNW Group/Seva Canada Society) 90% of vision loss is preventable or treatable if people have access to eye care. Yet, there are an estimated 1.1 billion people living with vision loss, 43 million of whom are blind, and this number is growing. According to The Lancet, vision loss will increase by 55% by 2050 with most of those affected living in low- and middle-income countries. "We are thrilled to support Seva Canada and its work to expand community-based eye care around the world," said Alex Krawczyk, founder of the Honey & Barry Sherman Legacy Foundation. "This gift builds on the legacy of my parents who were committed to advancing health equity for everyone." "Eye care is one of the highest-impact public health investments that can be made in the global fight against poverty. Access to eye care services transforms lives by restoring sight and igniting opportunities for education, employment and overall well-being," said Liz Brant, Executive Director of Seva Canada. "This transformational gift from the Honey & Barry Sherman Legacy Foundation will give the gift of sight to people in need today and enable Seva Canada to invest in meeting the growing demand for eye care globally." Through the generosity of the Honey & Barry Sherman Legacy Foundation, Seva Canada will enhance its locally managed programs in Sub-Saharan Africa; expand eye care delivery to more people in South Asia and South America; and grow South-South eye care capacity-building projects, led by Seva's global partners. The Honey & Barry Sherman Legacy Foundation's incredible generosity will empower more communities to provide critical eye care to their own people including eye surgery, eyeglasses and medicine. When more people have healthy vision and can live their lives fully, entire communities benefit, creating a ripple effect of positive change and enhanced quality of life for all. About Seva Canada: (seva.ca) Seva Canada is a Vancouver-based charitable organization whose mission is to restore sight and prevent blindness in low- and middle-income countries. Since 1982, Seva has given the power of sight to more than 5 million people through life-changing surgeries and has provided eye care services including glasses and medicine to millions more. We work with local partners to create sustainable eye care programs that achieve long-term change, are culturally sensitive and reach those most in need - women, children and people living in extreme poverty and isolation. We work in Benin, Burundi, Cambodia, Ethiopia, India, Madagascar, Nepal, Tanzania and Uganda. Charity Intelligence named Seva Canada one of the Top 100 Rated Charities for the 8th year in a row in 2024. About the Honey & Barry Sherman Legacy Foundation The Honey & Barry Sherman Legacy Foundation supports charitable organizations focused on healthcare equity, human rights, scientific education, and Jewish community organizations with the hope of furthering the unfinished philanthropic dreams of Honey and Dr. Barry Sherman (z'l). Learn More about the Honey & Barry Sherman Legacy Foundation SOURCE Seva Canada Society For more information, please contact: Deanne Berman, Seva Canada, [email protected], 1-877-460-6622, seva.ca Siemens strengthens its leadership position in the healthcare sector with its competency in digitalizing facilities and operations, thus enabling the progression of smart hospitals. SAN ANTONIO, March 19, 2025 /CNW/ -- Frost & Sullivan recently researched the smart building solutions for the healthcare industry and, based on its findings, recognizes Siemens with the 2024 Global Company of the Year Award. Siemens is well-equipped with the domain know-how and technologies needed to support the evolution of smart hospitals that focus on staff productivity, digitized operations, and sustainability, addressing overcrowding and high operations costs in hospitals. Siemens Smart Infrastructure (SI) is shaping the intelligent, adaptive infrastructure market for the future by addressing the pressing challenges of urbanization and climate change through the connection of energy systems, buildings, and industries. SI provides customers with a comprehensive end-to-end portfolio from a single source. An increasingly digitalized ecosystem helps customers thrive and communities progress while contributing to protecting the planet. Siemens holistically understands hospital operations, which are often riddled with complexities and challenges, and offers smart building solutions by integrating three important infrastructures: medical technology (MT), operational technology (OT), and information technology (IT). The company addresses pertinent challenges with its smart hospital solutions including Building X. The digital building platform supports customers to digitalize, manage, and optimize their building operations, paving the way for sustainable, autonomous, and profitable facilities. It is part of Siemens Xcelerator, an open digital business platform that enables customers to accelerate their digital transformation easier, faster and at scale. The company's smart building solutions exhibit the highest level of digital transformation with the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), which allow for an advanced automation of hospitals, digital twins for operations, and predictive and prescriptive building maintenance. In addition to these, further Siemens' MT, OT and IT solutions enable hospitals to achieve their sustainability goals, increase medical staff productivity, enhance patient comfort and visitor experience, and maintain compliance with regard to indoor ambient conditions, health, and safety. Melvin Leong, Senior Director, Head of Homes and Buildings, Frost & Sullivan, observed: "Siemens leads in addressing challenges in the digitalization of hospitals with its advanced digital platforms and maintains its domination in the healthcare sector through the seamless integration of hospitals' MT, OT, and IT infrastructures and servicing their operational goals. Reinforcing its strong innovation and performance, Siemens grew its revenue by 3% despite continuous economic challenges in fiscal 2024." Siemens demonstrates resilience as a leading technology company, and this is reflected in its business performance. Its commitment to innovation has reinforced its leadership in smart building solutions including hospital infrastructure digitalization. The company's competitive advantage is in synergistic collaboration among its technical experts and cross functional teams, as together they deliver a top-notch customer purchase experience with its one-stop solutions, proprietary digital platform and software. With its unique proposition, Siemens can be considered ahead of its peers. Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents a Company of the Year award to the organization that demonstrates excellence in terms of growth strategy and implementation in its field. The award recognizes a high degree of innovation with products and technologies, and the resulting leadership in terms of customer value and market penetration. Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in various regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analyses, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry. About Frost & Sullivan For six decades, Frost & Sullivan has been world-renowned for its role in helping investors, corporate leaders, and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, megatrends, new business models, and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion. Contact us: Start the discussion. Contact: Camila Tinajero P: +54911 6713 2748 E: [email protected] About Siemens Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a leading technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, mobility, and healthcare. The company's purpose is to create technology to transform the everyday, for everyone. By combining the real and the digital worlds, Siemens empowers customers to accelerate their digital and sustainability transformations, making factories more efficient, cities more livable, and transportation more sustainable. Siemens also owns a majority stake in the publicly listed company Siemens Healthineers, a leading global medical technology provider pioneering breakthroughs in healthcare. For everyone. Everywhere. Sustainably. In fiscal 2024, which ended on September 30, 2024, the Siemens Group generated revenue of 75.9 billion and net income of 9.0 billion. As of September 30, 2024, the company employed around 312,000 people worldwide on the basis of continuing operations. Further information is available on the Internet at www.siemens.com. Siemens Smart Infrastructure Maike Wagner Phone: +41 79 448 9214; E-mail: [email protected] SOURCE Frost & Sullivan WANG XIAOYING/CHINA DAILY Global Times-The rising frequency of extreme weather events, from devastating wildfires to powerful tornadoes, serves as a stark reminder of the pressing urgency for global climate action. However, the recent reversal of US climate policies has cast a troubling shadow over global climate efforts, making the already uphill battle to combat climate change even more daunting. In the wake of a devastating weekend that claimed at least 42 lives due to tornadoes, dust storms and wildfires across the US, the country's National Weather Service warned of another impending weather system this week, bringing a mix of significant snow, strong winds and fire weather risks, according to an AP report on Tuesday. These events are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of climate-driven disasters that underscore the need for immediate climate actions across the world. The US has experienced a significant increase in the frequency and intensity of climate-related disasters in recent years. In 2024, there were 27 individual weather and climate disasters with at least $1 billion each in damages, trailing only the record-setting 28 events in 2023. Globally, extreme weather manifestations have been equally alarming, with intensified hurricanes, unprecedented wildfires and deadly flooding hitting countries like Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, Libya and others in recent years. This continuous escalation of extreme weather events leaves no doubt that the world is now facing an unprecedented climate challenge. The US, as one of the largest historical contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and a leading consumer of energy, is supposed to shoulder substantial responsibility in the global effort to combat climate change. Yet, at this critical juncture, the Trump administration's reversal of climate policies has raised serious concerns among environmental advocates and scientists. The choices made in Washington not only risk derailing US climate efforts but also threaten to have far-reaching and deleterious impacts on global climate actions. For instance, the US government's decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement marked a significant setback for global climate efforts. By exiting this accord, the US has abandoned its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting global climate action. Last week, the US government announced a wave of regulatory rollbacks including a repeal of emissions limits on power plants and automobiles, to boost industries from coal to manufacturing, and ramp up oil and minerals production, Reuters reported. These actions reflect a broader policy shift that prioritizes short-term economic gains and the interests of the fossil fuel industry over long-term environmental sustainability. The core motivation behind Washington's reversal of climate policies is to boost the US economy by bolstering the traditional energy industry. By favoring fossil fuels over renewable energy, the US government has effectively turned its back on the global transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy sources. From an environmental perspective, this short-sighted behavior is undoubtedly a major historical regression. Last year was confirmed as "the hottest year on record," with the global average temperature exceeding 1.5 C above the pre-industrial era for the first time. A regression of the US climate policies could mean that the world is running out of time and options to achieve climate goals. Also, by abandoning its leadership role in global climate governance, the US has created a vacuum that threatens to derail international efforts to address climate change. When the world's second-largest emitter of greenhouse gas shirks its responsibilities, other countries may be less motivated to uphold their own commitments. A domino effect could lead to a widespread weakening of global climate action, further exacerbating the climate crisis. The regression of the US climate policies is jeopardizing not only its own future but also the well-being of the entire planet. It is imperative that the US recognizes the gravity of this situation, reverses its regressive climate policies and actively engages in global climate governance. Failures to do so will exacerbate the climate crisis and force the world to pay an extremely heavy price for Washington's short-sightedness. A 46-year-old Monmouth County man was killed in a single-vehicle crash Monday in Evesham in Burlington County, authorities said. Kevin Pepper crashed into a utility pole while driving on Evesboro-Medford Road near Elmwood Road at about 5:50 p.m., township police said. Pepper, of Ocean Township, died of his injuries at an area hospital. Now called Monmouth Square, the former Monmouth Mall in Eatontown, New Jersey, has five new tenants opening in 2026, including Cava, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream and Strong Pilates. Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Several new businesses are coming to the redeveloped Monmouth Mall in Eatontown, New Jersey, in 2026. Now called Monmouth Square, the five new tenants take up close to 50,000 square feet of the shopping center owned by Kushner Companies, according to Asbury Park Press. The new eateries and fitness center are part of renovations to the shopping mall, which is becoming an open-air market with luxury apartments. They include: They will join the new Whole Foods Market, which is under construction and will anchor the mall when it opens in 2026. The businesses will also be situated next to the recently relocated Barnes & Noble, AMC Theatres, Macys, Boscovs, Buffalo Wild Wings, LensCrafters and Senior Citizens Activities Network (SCAN). These existing stores, restaurant, movie theater and SCAN will remain open as construction continues. According to Kushner Companies, 75% of the retail section of Monmouth Square is now pre-leased. The New York-based developer plans to convert the building from a traditional mall into a town center. It already demolished 40% of the malls retail space in September 2024 to make way for the revamped layout. The revamped Monmouth Square will include 1,000 new luxury apartments, restaurants, walking paths, and event space, as seen in this project rendering from Kushner Companies. Kushner Companies The newly designed shopping and dining area will have individual buildings for each business and medical office along with 1,000 new luxury apartments surrounding green space and walking paths. The setup is similar to Kushner Companies' Pier Village in Long Branch with luxury apartments, retail and dining, including its own Offshore Coffee Co. Monmouth Mall has been a fixture in Monmouth County for 66 years since opening in 1960. While the renovations bring back the malls original outdoor concept, the 1.5 million square feet of retail space was reduced to 900,000 square feet. New Jersey natives will remember the Monmouth Mall for its massive size. It was once considered New Jerseys largest shopping center and one of the 10 largest enclosed malls in the U.S. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Victoria Rosenthal can be reached at vrosenthal@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips. A New Jersey elementary school canceled a second-grade field trip to a center named for womens rights icon Alice Paul after a barrage of online bullying created a security risk, the school districts superintendent said. Fleetwood Elementary School in Mount Laurel had been sending students to the Alice Paul Institute recently renamed the Alice Paul Center for Gender Justice for at least a couple of decades without incident, Mount Laurel Schools Superintendent George J. Rafferty told NJ Advance Media. Three teachers were planning to accompany 76 second graders to the Burlington County center April 4, Rafferty said. The students were slated to learn about leadership and civic engagement at the center named after one of the states leading historic figures in the womens suffrage movement. However, a letter about the trip began to circulate on social media and conservative sites in recent days. Some questioned whether the second graders were being exposed to gender ideology propaganda during school hours. Critics on social media pointed to the Alice Paul centers recent name change to the Alice Paul Center for Gender Justice and a related statement of support for trans, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming people. Some online critics also questioned why parents were not being permitted on the trip as chaperones. No parental chaperones is a huge red flag. This is a teacher with an agenda, said one commenter on X, formerly known as Twitter. This is a blatant assault on innocence, stripping parents of their rights while the woke left brainwashes our kids. Trump would shut this down said another commenter. An image of a school letter to parents with details about the trip including the date of the visit, the schools name and names of the teachers was also uploaded to social media. Rafferty notified parents Tuesday that the trip was canceled due to safety concerns following the online backlash. Im not going to put an 8-year-old in danger to make a point, Rafferty told NJ Advance Media Wednesday. The superintendent told parents he remains supportive of the educational content that was planned for the students on the trip. This decision was made out of an abundance of caution to ensure the well-being of everyone involved and is not related to the curriculum or educational content of the trip, Rafferty wrote. The students were going to the center to learn about Pauls historic life, along with a lesson on leadership and civic engagement. The curriculum did not include transgender issues, according to the details on the centers website. Parents were not invited to be chaperones on the trip because of the limited space in the center, Rafferty said. Its a small location. Its not a real big house, and we had an adequate number of staff to supervise students, he said. Suffragist leader Alice Paul in 1920. (Harris & Ewing/Library of Congress via AP) AP Rachael Glashan Rupisan, the centers executive director, said she understood the schools decision to cancel the trip. We support the Mount Laurel school district, she said. The center hosts approximately 2,000 students on school field trips in grades K through 12 each year. We are deeply committed to providing age-appropriate educational learning, Rupisan said. The centers website says the curriculum for second graders combines educational games and art to help students engage concepts of civic engagement and leadership, and to identify themselves as leaders who can create positive social change. The center, founded in 1984, also offers an introduction to the life of Paul. She died in 1977 and was a prominent advocate on many womens rights issues. Paul was among the leaders of the successful effort to amend the U.S. Constitution to include the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote starting in 1920. In his letter to parents, Rafferty wrote that administrators, not teachers, recommend school field trips. The trips are then subject to school board approval. He provided a description of what the second graders would have experienced, had the visit to the center proceeded as planned. The content of this trip directly supports our second grade study of active citizenship, leadership and American progress over time, introducing students to key historical figures and movements that have shaped our nation, Rafferty wrote. Our students were set to explore the following: Who was Alice Paul? What were her major accomplishments? And how did she live her life?, Rafferty wrote. We understand that this may be disappointing, and we appreciate your support as we prioritize student safety, he added. Rafferty said Wednesday he was especially troubled by emails sent to the three teachers who were scheduled to take their students on the trip. The emails were very denigrating, but none rose to the level or a threat, he said. These are second-grade teachers. Theyre working with 8-year-olds and trying to give them a good learning experience, Rafferty said. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism you rely on and trust. Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com. New Jersey's Rachel Zegler lets her earnest approach and songbird voice shine in her latest big role Snow White. Disney When Rachel Zegler made her film debut in 2021, she looked and sounded like a Disney princess. Apparently, Disney thought so, too. Because before her performance as Maria in Steven Spielbergs take on West Side Story even hit theaters, she was announced as Snow White in the (partially) live-action musical adaptation of the 1937 classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Disneys first animated feature. Zegler, who grew up in Clifton, told NJ Advance Media that she was delighted to learn that Stephen Sondheim, who wrote the lyrics for the original 1957 production of West Side Story, had likened her voice to a nightingale. That songbird quality is on display throughout Disneys new Snow White" (in theaters Friday), and not just when shes singing and whistling with actual birds. So is the wide-eyed, earnest approach Zegler takes to the role, one reminiscent of her presence as Spielbergs Maria. It works because in this new telling of Snow White, the princess is a character who strives for kindness in all she does, but in her benevolence, shes also trying to rise to the occasion of becoming a leader in the mold of her parents, the former king and queen. Shes not sure if she can, because their goodness has been extinguished from the kingdom since the Evil Queen, played by Gal Gadot, took over and consolidated her power. Snow White, who spends her days cleaning the castle, wonders if she can become the leader her parents raised her to be. Disney Here, Snow White is diminished, but her vulnerability, and her empathy, is seen as her strength. Its a story about her desire to embrace those values as her power in the face of corrosive, dehumanizing fear. Zegler, 23, won a Golden Globe for her performance in West Side Story. In 2023, she led the film The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes as a musical character, tribute Lucy Gray Baird, before making her Broadway debut last year as Juliet in a reimagining of Romeo + Juliet, which had Zegler performing select songs in a Gen-Z-staged tale of star-crossed lovers. She was just announced as the star of a reimagined Evita on Londons West End. So even if shes not leading an actual kingdom New Jersey is no monarchy, at least not at the present time she can certainly sing her way there in a Disney movie. Criticism and controversy What about the controversy, you say? The word reared its head when so-called traditionalists objected to the casting of Zegler, who is of Colombian American heritage, in the role of a character who was said to have skin white as snow in the German fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm. The fairy tale had formed the basis for the original animated Disney movie directed by New Jerseys own David Hand (the animator was a Plainfield native). Disney traditionalists again criticized the casting of Zegler after she made comments at a Disney event about the original Snow White. They took issue with Zegler saying that Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was a movie that scared her as a child. She also said this new reimagining of Snow White would veer away from the fairy tale character counting on a prince to save the day. Rachel Zegler at the Hollywood premiere of "Snow White." Disney has cut down on press for the film given headlines of the last few years. Rodin Eckenroth | Getty Images Shes not gonna be saved by the prince and shes not gonna be dreaming about true love, Zegler said at the D23 event in 2022. Shes dreaming about becoming the leader she knows she can be and the leader that her late father told her that she could be if she was fearless, fair, brave and true. Fearless, fair, brave and true are indeed at the core of Disneys new Snow White story, despite their apparent decision to scale back press during the movies rollout and premiere. In the new story, written by Erin Cressida Wilson (The Girl on the Train, Secretary) and directed by Marc Webb (The Amazing Spider-Man), we are introduced to Snow White as a girl (Emilia Faucher). Shes a princess in a royal family that were told is magnanimous, more concerned with being fair to the people of the kingdom than fair in the sense of beauty, the obsession of the Evil Queen. The older Snow White (Zegler) wears her reminder to be fearless, fair, brave and true in a pendant around her neck, a remnant of the formerly happy life she enjoyed with her parents. After the death of her mother and the death of her father, who remarried the Evil Queen apparently without knowing she was evil (her dazzling beauty has magical powers, of course), Snow White is de-platformed as the new ruler, her vain, power-hungry stepmother, obscures all hope and goodness. Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, who has taken over the kingdom once ruled by Snow White's parents. Disney She fades away from public view and spends her days cleaning the castle its almost as if shes forgotten she is, in fact, Snow White. The influence of corrupt power has infiltrated all, creating a climate of fear where not only does a princess take a backseat, but everyone is also afraid of questioning or criticizing the queen. However, there is still a little spark as Snow White stands up for a man who has stolen a bunch of the queens potatoes. The people are hungry and struggling, she tells the queen, who would rather hoard food than dispense luxuries to the common people. Gadots Evil Queen expertly wears looks that channel the animated character in the original movie, but she isnt nearly as scary as the first Evil Queen, despite their shared sense of disdain for just about everyone else and quest to ascertain that they are, in fact, the fairest of them all. This is where live-action often falls short there are just some things that come across better in animation, including certain strains of villainy, the kind that can evoke both dread and awe. The original animated Evil Queen, then known as Queen Grimhilde. Disney CGI dwarfs, Dopey and new music Mirror, mirror on the wall, how does the rest of Snow White fare? You mightve heard a lot of fuss about the movies use of CGI, which is first evident in the films forest creatures a roly poly hedgehog, rabbits large and small, a Bambi-esque deer who are set to maximum adorable mode. Disney made the decision to go with CGI animation for the seven dwarfs, another element that was criticized when a first look at the film was released in 2023, when the films premiere was delayed by a year, from March 2024 to March 2025, during the Screen Actors Guild strike. READ MORE: Rachel Zegler almost didnt audition for West Side Story. The new Maria on the role that changed her life. New Jerseys Peter Dinklage, who, like Zegler, starred in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, had panned Disneys decision to revisit Snow White in the first place. In a 2022 interview on Marc Marons podcast, Dinklage, who has achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism, explained why he objected to the film being remade. Take a step back and look at what youre doing there, the Emmy-winning actor, who grew up in Mendham, said at the time. It makes no sense to me. Because youre progressive in one way but youre still making that f---ing backward story of the seven dwarfs living in a cave, what the f--- are you doing, man? Have I done nothing to advance the cause from my soapbox? I guess Im not loud enough. The decision to revisit the dwarfs of "Snow White" and the CGI rendering of the characters has drawn criticism. Tribune News Service The dwarfs in this telling of the story are indeed based on the original crew of characters who live together in a cottage in the forest, which is where Zeglers Snow White finds them. (Is this thing on Airbnb, because it puts all the cottagecore places to shame.) Sneezy sneezes, Sleepy has narcolepsy, Dopey is nonverbal, Happy is a jolly fellow, Grumpy is a grump (a reasonable response to the world, he posits) and ... you get the idea. Doc is the brains of the operation, able to treat a seriously injured person and spit out an AI-like summary on command. There is a lot of emphasis on Snow Whites relationship with Dopey, who in this telling, indicates that fear is keeping him from speaking. The bond between them is supposed to melt your heart and endear you to the characters and story to illustrate the kindness and humanity of the princess. Snow White has a special connection with Dopey, who is partially pictured at right. (Disney wasn't big on the dwarfs stills.) Disney She immediately connects with Dopey, who is the first one to see her up close. When hes bullied by his fellow dwarfs in their usually congenial but often rough-and-tumble household (that will happen when you live together for 274 years ... Were not friends, Grumpy says), she helps him find his voice through whistling. The classic whistle-heavy Snow White songs Whistle While You Work, performed by original Snow White actor Adriana Caselotti in the 1937 film, and Heigh-Ho, the returning-from-work anthem of the gem-mining seven dwarfs, are in full effect. READ MORE: How Hunger Games star Rachel Zegler, N.J.s Songbird, became a leading voice in film Joining them are new songs from Oscar and Tony-winning duo Pasek and Paul Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land). These songs drive at the heart of the films new approach to the old fairy tale (one reportedly guided in earlier stages by Barbie writer-director Greta Gerwig, who is not credited in the final screenplay). In Waiting on a Wish, Snow White sings about mustering the courage to become the leader her mother and father raised her to be. The wish shes waiting on is herself: Waiting on a wish, holding out for someday / Hoping somehow, some way, Ill become my fathers daughter, she sings. I close my eyes and see the girl Im meant to be / Is she a part of me Ive yet to find? Not a knight in shining armor "Princess Problems is another manifestation of the storys new approach. Zeglers Snow White performs the tune with Jonathan, her love interest, played by Andrew Burnap. Jonathan is instrumental to the story, but not central to it. To be sure, his connection to Snow White is a love connection, but its not the fulfillment of a perceived lack or longing. There is a kind of saving involved when Snow White is being hunted by the queens men, but she doesnt spend a huge chunk of the movie pining after Jonathan. Andrew Burnap plays Snow White's love interest, Jonathan. Giles Keyte | Disney You mustve mistaken me for a knight in shining armor, Jonathan says at one point. No ones making that mistake, Snow White replies. These little cutesy winks gesture to their more casual brand of chemistry, like how she finally learns his name after many exchanges. My names Jonathan, princess, he says, quickly jumping in to clarify his statement. Not Jonathan Princess. In the class-conscious Princess Problems, Jonathan, who is something out an outlaw bandit (he was the guy who stole the potatoes), calls out the princess and clues her in on the day-to-day travails of what its like to be a common person fighting for food: The odds cant be beaten, and a mans gotta choose / Will he eat or get eaten? Does that dampen your day? Do the facts make you frown? / Wakin' up to the real world is bringin' you down? / Well, that sounds an awful lot like princess problms, finally learnin' that lifes not fair. He could try being kind or whatever you said, he tells her in the song. Its just that Im partial to not bein dead. Snow White answers Jonathans argument for staying scrappy and focused on survival, maintaining that his none for all and all for none approach is devoid of hope, something he says is in short supply. But still, we have to try, she sings. Earlier in the movie, Snow White wistfully reminisces about the days when her parents would deliver apple pies to the public as a gesture of goodwill. You cant fix the world bakin apple pies, Jonathan sings. Touche. Snow White, rated PG, runs 1 hour and 49 minutes and opens in theaters Friday, March 21. Thank you for reading. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com and followed at @AmyKup on Twitter/X, @amykup.bsky.social on Bluesky and @kupamy on Instagram and Threads. Moatcity Gun manufacturer Henry Repeating Arms says it is making a strategic move to relocate its operations out of New Jersey and into the Midwest, according to a statement released by the company. The manufacturer will close its Bayonne operations and move jobs to its newly expanded headquarters in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. It will also move jobs to two additional facilities in nearby Ladysmith, Wisconsin. The closure affects 146 workers at the Bayonne operation, according to WARN notices filed March 13. Henry employs more than 800 people, according to its website. According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives, Henrys New Jersey facility manufactured 35,069 firearms in 2022. This included 25,012 rifles, 1,433 shotguns, and 8,624 handguns. The company said in the statement that the move out of New Jersey accommodates the need for increased production capacity and better supports the companys future growth driven by innovative firearms design. We are putting all of our eggs in one basket, the Wisconsin basket, because it makes us more efficient, more productive, and allows for more collaboration amongst our design and engineering teams, all while sustaining and enhancing Henrys solid reputation for quality, said Anthony Imperato, Founder and CEO of Henry Repeating Arms. With about 400,000 square feet of cutting-edge manufacturing operations in four facilities within minutes of each other, Henry Repeating Arms is well positioned for its next chapter. Andrew Wickstrom, president of Henry Repeating Arms, said the new phase will help the company grow. This transition allows us to double down on what we do best making world-class rifles, shotguns, and revolvers right here in the heart of America, said Wickstrom. Our Wisconsin operations have been essential to our success for a long time, and now it is the cornerstone of our bright future. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Stephanie Loder may be reached at SLoder@njadvancemedia.com. A 30-year-old man was arrested Tuesday after being found carrying a bag containing a knife and hunting bows outside a middle school in Middlesex Borough, officials said. Robert Villa, of Warren, Somerset County, was charged with three counts of unlawful possession of weapons on school property, Middlesex police said. Police were called to Von E. Mauger Middle School around 11:30 a.m. after getting a report of a man trespassing outside the building, authorities said. When officers arrived, the man wasnt on school property, but he was found nearby holding a camouflage-style bag a short time later. Von E. Mauger School, along with nearby Woodland Intermediate School and Watchung Elementary School, were placed in a shelter-in-place status after the man was first seen. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. A passerby walks through a gate to the Harvard University campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File) AP Harvard University announced on Monday that students whose families earn $200,000 or less annually will be able to attend the historic college tuition-free, starting in the fall. Eligible students will also receive financial aid to cover billed expenses based on their financial circumstances, according to a statement from the university. Putting Harvard within financial reach for more individuals widens the array of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives that all of our students encounter, fostering their intellectual and personal growth, Harvard University President Alan M. Garber said. By bringing people of outstanding promise together to learn with and from one another, we truly realize the tremendous potential of the university. The statement said students whose families make $100,000 or less annually would be able to attend Harvard completely free, with all billed expenses, including tuition, food, housing, health insurance, and travel covered. Each student will also receive a $2,000 start-up grant in their first year and a $2,000 launch grant during their junior year to help support the transition once they graduate, the statement said. The universitys new extension of financial aid will start during the 2025-2026 academic year, the statement said. Harvards latest financial move will enable approximately 86% of U.S. families to qualify for the universitys financial aid, according to the statement. Harvard has long sought to open our doors to the most talented students, no matter their financial circumstances, Hopi Hoekstra, Harvards Edgerley Family Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, said in a statement. This investment in financial aid aims to make a Harvard College education possible for every admitted student so they can pursue their academic passions and positively impact our future. In 2004, the university launched its Harvard Financial Aid Initiative, which fully covered tuition, food, and housing costs for students from families with annual incomes of $40,000 or below. Over the years, the family income requirement has increased from $60,000 in 2006 to $85,000 in 2023. In 2007, Harvard eliminated loans, providing all financial assistance through grants. The university also eliminated home equity in determining a familys ability to pay for college. We know the most talented students come from different socioeconomic backgrounds and experiences, from every state and around the globe, said William R. Fitzsimmons, Harvards dean of admissions and financial aid. Our financial aid is critical to ensuring that these students know Harvard College is a place where they can be part of a vibrant learning community strengthened by their presence and participation. Harvard has awarded over $3.6 billion in undergraduate financial aid since launching the initiative over 20 years ago. The universitys annual financial aid award budget is $275 million for the 2025-26 academic year. Currently, 55% of undergraduates receive financial aid, and their families paid an average of $15,700 for the 2023-24 academic year, according to the statement. Harvard isnt the only college trying to ease the financial burden for its students. For families who earn less than $100,000 a year, the University of Texas System announced in November 2024 that it would expand its free tuition program, NBC News reported. In addition, last year, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology also announced it would remove tuition costs for undergraduate students whose families make $200,000 or less, NBC News reported. Mosaic staff writer Vashti Harris can be reached at vharris@njadvancemedia.com. Welcome to Mosaic. Follow us on Instagram at @MosaicNJcom, on Facebook at MosaicNJcom, on Twitter (X) at @MosaicNJcom and on YouTube at @MosaicNJcom. Aya Elamroussi, a spokesperson for CAIR-NJ, speaks during a news conference urging support for efforts to combat rising Islamaphobia. Courtesy of NJ Spotlight News 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). At a time when bias incidents are on the rise, advocates gathered outside the Statehouse on Monday to commemorate the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. Islamophobia kills, said Imam Saffet Catovic, operations director for Justice for All. It is the primary driver of persecution and genocide worldwide. Its effects are devastating, The number of Islamophobic incidents is at its highest point since 1996, even topping the anti-Islam climate following the Sept. 11 attacks, according to a report recently released by CAIR-NJ, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which hosted Mondays event. CAIRs executive director Salaedin Maksut listed a few examples of the 8,658 incidents reported nationally in 2024, including 290 in New Jersey. Rutgers New Brunswick Muslim prayer hall was vandalized and trashed on Eid day, she began. There was an unprovoked physical assault of a Muslim protestor which landed him in the hospital, and he had to receive stitches. A cafe owner was harassed and threatened for her public expression of support for the Palestinian cause. There was a physical assault of a Muslim woman wearing a hijab in Jersey City leaving the Newport Mall. Advocates called for several specific actions to help reduce these bias incidents. Public officials use this opportunity to speak up and condemn harm against our Muslim community, said Maksut. And to also, when speaking about foreign issues, to use a balanced narrative and bring humanity to [the] Palestinian cause. Also, for the Trump administration to suspend the FBIs use and dissemination of the watch list. This list is almost entirely a list of Arabic and Muslim names. Several speakers also urged the Legislature to reject a bill that would adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance or IHRA, definition of antisemitism. The IHRA definition of antisemitism is a tool to silence criticism about Israel, not protect Jews, said Raz Segal, professor of Holocaust and genocide studies for Stockton University. Everyone in the U.S. has a First Amendment right to free speech, including criticizing the policies of any state. The Senate version of that bill [S-1292] moved out of committee, although the Assembly version hasnt had a hearing yet. In the meantime, a coalition of Jewish and Muslim scholars have put together an alternative definition that they hoped would be considered. Our document recognizes that the fight against Islamophobia is intertwined with the fight against antisemitism, said Segal. Added Sahar Aziz, director of the Center for Security, race, and Rights for Rutgers Law School: Today the most pervasive form of Islamophobia occurs on American college campuses, where Muslim, Arab, Palestinian and South Asian students are denied their right to exercise free speech. They are punished for partaking in a proud American tradition, one that distinguishes our democracy from authoritarian states: the right to non-violent protest to dissent against American policies. The advocates called for the Legislature to hold hearings on the rise of Islamophobia on college campuses. Welcome to Mosaic. Follow us on Instagram at @MosaicNJcom and on Facebook at MosaicNJcom and on YouTube at @MosaicNJcom. Chef Ciro Iovine slides a pizza in the oven at Song'E Napule restaurant in Rutherford, New Jersey, on Friday, March 14, 2025. Karim Shamsi-Basha Ive been to many Italian restaurants in New Jersey, each claiming they have the most authentic Neapolitan pizza and pasta dishes. And some do serve tasty and original dishes from that part of the world, where they yell at each other and wave their arms like a fight is brewing. Not to worry though, our friends from Southern Italy are just passionate about life, about everything, really. I experienced that exact vibe when I visited SongE Napule restaurant in Rutherford. Italian is the mother tongue there, and the rustic, chaotic and passionate Neapolitan atmosphere is as real as it gets. Ive seen it in Naples, that region in Italy where the vibrant melting pot of cultures comes with a side of good eats. SongE Napule chef Ciro Iovine, 43, immigrated to the United States 15 years ago. He started his food journey with restaurants in the Upper West Side and the Village, and now in Rutherford, New Jersey. Feast on authentic pizza at Song'E Napule restaurant in Rutherford, New Jersey, photographed (above) on Friday, March 14, 2025. Karim Shamsi-Basha Ive been a pizza chef since I was 13 years old, Iovine said with that thick Italian accent you only hear in Jersey. New York is great, but I love the people in New Jersey, and I want them to feel like theyre in Napoli when they dine here. This restaurant is my home, and I want to welcome people into my home. While Iovine was telling me this, a server came and asked him a question in Italian. Iovine waved his arms and spoke back with much gusto in Italian. Iovine is a seasoned chef and a father to four children. He is married to the love of his life, Austria Maldonado, 46, from the Dominican Republic. With my family that I love very much, and with our three locations, were very busy, always, Iovine said. But we still serve good food, and we focus on good service. Our customers happiness is very important to me. On to the review: The spaghetti alla nerano at Song'E Napule restaurant in Rutherford, New Jersey, is photographed on Friday, March 14, 2025. Karim SHamsi-Basha The Good My meal began with a Margherita pizza, the original Neapolitan pizza pie. The sauce had that tang you only get from those San Marzano tomatoes from Italy, and the cheese was flavorful and savory. I found out later that Iovine uses Fiore di Latte cheese as opposed to the Buffalo mozzarella used by most chefs. I also enjoyed the Starita pie with tomatoes, pecorino romano, anchovies from Cetara, organic Sicilian oregano and evoo Letizio from Sicily, (Extra virgin olive oil). Pasta was next, and I had the spaghetti alla nerano with zucchini, parmigiano reggiano, pecorino romano, shaved provolone and lemon zest. I wasnt excited about the zucchini at first, but I was pleasantly surprised. The cheese was earthy and hearty, then the zucchini brilliantly balanced those flavors with fresh and buttery notes. Lastly, I tried one of Chef Ciros signature dishes: Paccheri Genovese, pasta with slow-cooked veal, onion ragu, fresh basil and extra virigin olive oil. The veal was tender, the pasta was seasoned perfectly, and the onion ragu was a tasty addition. The Paccheri Genovese at Song'E Napule restaurant in Rutherford, New Jersey, is photographed on Friday, March 14, 2025. Karim Shamsi-Basha As if I could still eat, Chef Iovine brought me a dessert for the grand finish: The Delizia Al Limone, a soft sponge cake bathed in lemon infusion and topped with a delicate lemon creme. The dish was so good, I made room! The lemon notes balanced the sweetness brilliantly, and the texture was light and refreshing. The not so good The food at SongE Napule was delicious with ample flavors, but the pasta was perhaps a touch too al dente. I mentioned this to Chef Iovine, and he said thats how pasta is served in Napoli. Correction: With much gusto and passion, he said thats how pasta is served in Napoli. Maybe Ive been Americanized to a different degree of al dente. The Bottom Line With overwhelming enthusiasm, I highly recommend SongE Napule for your next meal. The food is more than delicious, the vibe is friendly and charming, and the staff will welcome you in with friendly and passionate gusto. Have you been to a restaurant that pleasantly surprised you? Share your thoughts, please. Im always looking for my next foodie adventure. Karim Shamsi-Basha may be reached at kshamsi-basha@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter & Instagram. Follow Mosaic on Instagram at @MosaicNJcom and on Facebook at MosaicNJcom. Two transgender men serving in the U.S. Air Force and based in New Jersey filed a federal lawsuit challenging President Donald Trumps plan to ban transgender people from the military on Monday, a day before a judge temporarily halted the plan. Master Sgt. Logan Ireland and Staff Sgt. Nicholas Bear Bade say theyve been told that to remain in the service they must return to living and appearing as women. It is not possible, though, for either to serve as a woman because each one has medically transitioned to be and live as a man, their lawyers wrote in the suit, filed in federal court in Camden. They also claim Trumps ban, via executive orders, violates the equal protection component of the Fifth Amendment and subjects transgender service members to unequal, harmful, and demeaning treatment. The federal judge in Washington, Ana Reyes, found Trumps order to exclude transgender troops likely violates their constitutional rights and delayed her order until Friday to give the administration time to appeal. Ireland, 37, is a 14-year veteran who serves as a flight chief stationed in Hawaii. He was recently based at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst for training exercises. Bade, 44, has been in the Air Force for six years and is stationed at McGuire. He serves in the security forces and was recently deployed in Kuwait. The suit seeks to halt the ban ahead of upcoming hearings during which the men fear they will be involuntarily administratively separated the term the Air Force uses for firing. The U.S. Department of Defense referred media inquires on the lawsuit to the U.S. Department of Justice, where a spokesperson said: The Department of Justice has vigorously defended President Trumps executive actions, including the Defending Women Executive Order, and will continue to do so. Each man has already suffered from the announced ban, the suit says. Both have been placed on administrative absence and have been informed that they only can continue to serve if they do so in their birth sex (i.e., as women), the suit claims. Further, Irelands McGuire service was cut short and he was summoned back to his Hawaii base and he recently learned that his application to become an Air Force officer was denied, despite receiving his commands endorsement and recommendation in December. And Bades leaders gave him three options: leave the Kuwait deployment and voluntarily quit the Air Force, decline and be involuntarily separated or go on administrative absence. He was supposed to be in Kuwait until April and was also summoned back to New Jersey. Ireland and Bade have served this nation honorably and with distinction and have built their lives around their military service and hoped to serve until retirement, the suit says. Both have received multiple commendations and awards. They and other trans members are being singled out by a Trump administration that seeks to brand them as inherently immoral and unfit. Simply put, Master Sergeant Ireland and Staff Sergeant Bade have a constitutional right not to be separated from military service based on their transgender status, a characteristic that has nothing to do with their fitness or ability to serve, the suit says. The Stapleton Segal Cochran and Langer Grogan & Diver firms filed the action with the GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders and the National Center for Lesbian Rights. The suit describes each of the mens gender transitions. Ireland started transitioning in 2012 after his enlistment. He began taking male hormones prescribed by a medical provider and continues to do so. He obtained a court-ordered name change and underwent transition-related top surgery in 2014 and had a hysterectomy and oophorectomy in 2017. His diagnosis of gender dysphoria has been confirmed by military medical providers, the suit says. In 2016, Ireland obtained a court-ordered gender marker change to male on his birth certificate, passport, and Social Security record and the military changed his listing in Department of Defense records from female to male. On March 6, 2025, while at McGuire, Irelands superiors said he would have to comply with female regulations and standards, including dress, grooming, and facilities standards. Because he is a man, he cannot do this. It is not possible for Master Sergeant Ireland to serve in the military as a woman, which he is not. He is a man, looks like a man, and has used mens facilities since his transition without incident, the suit says. Bade enlisted in March 2019, was promoted several times and began managing troops in 2023 after graduating from Airman Leadership School. He transitioned in 2014 and also started taking hormones. He has a diagnosis of gender dysphoria and continues to take male hormones. Bade also changed his name through the courts and had transition-related top surgery, in 2015. His birth certificate and passport also say he is a male and joined the Air Force as a male. When he returned to McGuire from Kuwait, other servicemembers were aware of his prior gender as a female, which he had hoped to remain a private medical information. The ban would mean he too would have to dress and groom as a woman. Because he is a man, he cannot do this. The ban also requires that he refer to himself using female pronouns and that others do so as well, the suit says. Both men say that subjecting them to female living quarters, bathrooms and showers would be extraordinarily disruptive. Both men want to serve as men, retire as men and will not voluntarily leave the Air Force. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com NEW YORK (AP) A Columbia University student activist detained by the U.S. government over his participation in pro-Palestinian demonstrations can challenge the legality of his detention, but the case should be heard in New Jersey, rather than in New York or Louisiana, a federal judge ruled Wednesday. Mahmoud Khalil, 30, a legal U.S. resident with no criminal record, was detained by federal immigration agents on March 8. He was held overnight at an immigration detention center in New Jersey before being moved to an immigration facility in Jena, Louisiana. Judge Jesse Furman in Manhattan called the legal challenge an exceptional case in need of careful legal review to determine whether the government violated the law or exercised its otherwise lawful authority in an arbitrary and discriminatory manner. Furman said New Jersey was the appropriate venue because Khalil was detained there when his lawyers sued the government. Federal authorities argued to move the case to Louisiana, saying Khalil was there because of a lack of available detention center beds in the metropolitan New York region and because of a bedbug infestation at a lockup in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Khalils lawyers said the transfer was a retaliatory action separating Khalil from his lawyers and an effort to find a jurisdiction where judges may be more favorable to the Republican administrations unusual legal claims. The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Government lawyers had said that if the case wasnt sent to Louisiana, New Jersey was also a proper venue. In a statement released by the American Civil Liberties Union, Khalils wife, Dr. Noor Abdalla, called Furmans order a first step. His unlawful and unjust detention cannot stand. We will not stop fighting until he is home with me, said Abdalla, a dentist and U.S. citizen who is pregnant with their first child. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has cited as grounds for Khalils deportation a rarely-used statute giving him sweeping power to deport those who pose potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States. The White House has accused Khalil of siding with terrorists, but has yet to provide support for the claim. President Donald Trump has described Khalils case as the first of many to come. Khalil, an international affairs graduate student, had represented student activists in negotiations with Columbia University over protests of the war in Gaza. The Trump administration is acting quickly to make an example of Columbia as it demands stronger action against allegations of anti-Jewish bias on college campuses. Hey there New Jersey! Heres your audio update highlighting why Gov. Phil Murphy vetoed a bill that would have criminalized the production and dissemination of deepfakes, a pharmaceutical company that announced hundreds of layoffs, and a man with a criminal past who was appointed to fill a borough council seat. Plus, well tell you about 31 bargain towns that have the lowest property taxes in New Jersey. Listen by clicking the play button above. This audio presentation is an editorially-curated selection of stories, selected by an editor, and then summarized and read aloud by artificial intelligence. Some variations in pronunciation, tone or diction may result. We want to know what you think! All feedback is valuable. After youve listened, take our 3-question survey here to let us know what you think. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. President Donald Trump talks as he meets NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (Pool via AP) AP A Danish politician floated a possible plan on Wednesday for President Donald Trump to take over Greenland. Rasmus Jarlov, a conservative member of the Danish Parliament, said in a social media post to X that he regrets approving Denmarks purchase of F-35 fighter jets from the United States. He suggested that the U.S. could threaten to deactivate Denmarks weapons unless they hand over Greenland to the U.S. Jarlov was responding to an article about theories that the Pentagon could remotely disable Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets with a kill switch. The report from Flight Global said the Pentagon denied there being a kill switch in the F-35 fighter jets that the U.S. has sold to its allies around the world. As one of the decision makers behind Denmarks purchase of F35s, I regret it. The USA can certainly disable the planes by simple stopping the supply of spare parts. They want to strengthen Russia and weaken Europa and are showing that they are willing to do tremendous damage to peaceful and loyal allies like Canada just because they insist on existing as a country, he wrote on X. I can easily imagine a situation where the USA will demand Greenland from Denmark and will threaten to deactivate our weapons and let Russia attack us when we refuse (which we will even in that situation), he added. I dont know if there is a kill switch in the F35s or not. We obviously can not take your word for it. As one of the decision makers behind Denmarks purchase of F35s, I regret it. The USA can certainly disable the planes by simple stopping the supply of spare parts. They https://t.co/rDucWMUXDz Rasmus Jarlov (@RasmusJarlov) March 19, 2025 He went on to call on Denmark and its allies to avoid using American weapons. Therefore, buying American weapons is a security risk that we can not run. We will make enormous investments in air defence, fighter jets, artillery and other weapons in the coming years, and we must avoid American weapons if at all possible. I encourage our allies and friends to do the same, he added. Trump has repeatedly floated annexing Greenland for national security reasons and did not rule out using the U.S. military or economic coercion to take over Greenland earlier this year. 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. Maybe youll see more and more soldiers go there, he said. I dont know. The Associated Press contributed to this report. FILE - Joe Rogan is seen during a weigh-in before UFC 211 on Friday, May 12, 2017, in Dallas. Spotify has penned a new multi-year partnership deal with Rogan, Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. The enormously popular show will soon also be available on competing platforms, including YouTube and Apple Podcasts. ( AP Photo/Gregory Payan, File) AP Thousands of files related to the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy were released on Tuesday night, sending conspiracy theorists and historians searching for more information into the deadly shooting. Popular podcaster Joe Rogan weighed in on the release of the files on Tuesday, writing in a social media post: So, who killed JFK?. Many conspiracy theorists have speculated that there may have been more than one person or group connected to the killing of Kennedy. Peter Savodnik, the author of The Interloper, responded to Rogan on X to reiterate that it was 24-year-old Lee Harvey Oswald who had assassinated Kennedy. The Interloper focuses on Oswalds life in Russia leading up to the killing of the president in Texas. Oswald. Its always been Oswald. This used to be easier for Americans to believe because there was a widespread faith in the institutions. Also: We used to be less stupid, less prone to mythical thinking, not so easily coopted by hucksters and conspiracy theorists, Savodnik wrote on X. Oswald. It's always been Oswald. This used to be easier for Americans to believe because there was a widespread faith in the institutions. Also: We used to be less stupid, less prone to mythical thinking, not so easily coopted by hucksters and conspiracy theorists. https://t.co/MYuEeOtoAx Peter Savodnik (@petersavodnik) March 19, 2025 Savodnik also warned that conspiracy theorists are no longer fringe and are the new mainstream. The facts of the case have not changed. We have changed. The conspiracy theorists and their many adherents believe theyre just asking questions. Really, they are betraying a profound alienation and ignorance, a malleability, a desire to believe that they lack agency, he said on X. President Donald Trump ordered the release of the remaining classified files related to the assassination shortly after being sworn into office earlier this year. Many conspiracy theorists have speculated that Oswald was not the only person behind the assassination. The FBI and the Warren Commission concluded that Oswald acted alone in the assassination and was not a part of a larger conspiracy. Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of the former president, criticized Rogan on Monday about his 2023 podcast episode with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who baselessly suggested that the CIA was involved in his uncles assassination. You gonna go through all the JFK assassination files tomorrow with your little butt buddy Bobby? You better after you spread all those lies? Youre not gonna go make sure that theyre true? he said in a video message to Rogan. Files in the new release included a memo from the CIAs St. Petersburg station from November 1991 saying that earlier that month, a CIA official befriended a U.S. professor there who told the official about a friend who worked for the KGB. The memo said the KGB official had reviewed five thick volumes of files on Oswald and was confident that Oswald was at no time an agent controlled by the KGB. The memo added that as Oswald was described in the files, the KGB official doubted that anyone could control Oswald, but noted that the KGB watched him closely and constantly while he was in the USSR. It also noted that the file reflected that Oswald was a poor shot when he tried target firing in the Soviet Union. In the early 1990s, the federal government mandated that all assassination-related documents be housed in a single collection in the National Archives and Records Administration. The collection was required to be opened by 2017, barring any exemptions designated by the president. Trump, who took office for his first term in 2017, had said that he would allow the release of all of the remaining records but ended up holding some back because of what he called the potential harm to national security. And while files continued to be released during President Joe Bidens administration, some remained unseen. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The 2025 "Spring Tour in Jianghuai: We Invite You to Explore" event is now in full swing, running from March to May. By refining and highlighting the natural landscapes and cultural imprints of the "Three Mountains, Three Rivers, and Two Lakes," Anhui's spring charm is poised to shine with accumulated depth. Cultural relics, intangible cultural heritage, Huizhou tea, Huizhou cuisine, Huizhou art, Anhui opera, Anhui charm, and Anhui medicinal resources will be vividly and dynamically presented in more scenic and lifestyle-oriented fashionable displays. These efforts will significantly enhance the integration of "science, intelligence, and fun," aligning perfectly with the evolving needs of travelers. Innovatively crafting a slow-paced, relaxed lifestyle amidst the idyllic landscapes of green mountains and clear waters, Anhui's spring transforms into an economy of ambiance and cultural creativity. Visitors can pluck fresh tea leaves on the mountains, savor Huizhou cuisine in cozy homestays, and explore spring-themed gifts at local markets. As they wander through the spring scenery, they can engage in intangible cultural heritage crafts, participate in science-themed activities, and unleash their energy through sports. City walks, country walks, and self-drive routes are adorned with blooming flowers, captivating stories, and scenic highlights, embodying the pure and refreshing aesthetic charm of Huizhou and Anhui. Across the region, unique "spring colors" bloom in every corner, while various industries embrace "tourism+" and "+tourism" initiatives, each showcasing its own beauty and contributing to a harmonious whole. The "spring economy" thrives on differentiated strategies, maximizing added value. Anhui's spring creates an aesthetic tone that allows visitors to seize the moment and express themselves, enabling more people to encounter their ideal lifestyle on the fertile land of Jianghuai. As a province rich in cultural and tourism resources, Anhui is bringing numerous projects to life, building modern, accessible, and engaging cultural tourism pathways and creative gateways. These efforts aim to establish renowned cultural IPs and landmarks. Anhui's spring unfolds like a dazzling tapestry, blending world-class landscapes, pristine natural beauty, rich regional culture, and emerging technological advancements into a vibrant spectacle. Source: Anhui Daily Elon Musk holds up a chainsaw he received from Argentina's President Javier Milei, right, as they arrive to speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in Oxon Hill, Maryland. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) A progressive group is trying a new strategy to try and unseat Republican congressional lawmakers: Put the focus on worlds richest man Elon Musk. Musk heads the Department of Government Efficiency, which, along with President Donald Trumps administration, is planning to slash 80,000 jobs at the Department of Veterans Affairs, according to a memo obtained by The Associated Press and other outlets. Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost. If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times, please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email. You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below. A New Orleans judge Tuesday granted Mayor LaToya Cantrells request to pause a ban on non-essential travel by her and other city employees while Cantrell challenges that law in court. In her suit Cantrell an avid traveler who has spent tens of thousands of city funds on trips to music festivals, conferences and other events alleges the council has no authority to regulate how she spends city funds beyond the annual budget ordinance, a law she has recently argued does not bind her or her administration. She also used the filing to air a variety of grievances, including her insistence that oversight conducted by the council is part of a personal vendetta against her for unclear reasons. According to Council President JP Morrell, the councils lawyers were only made aware of the mayors lawsuit against the council Tuesday morning. After he and lawyers from both sides waited for nearly four hours, he said he was frustrated by Orleans Parish Civil District Judge Marissa Hutabarats decision to grant Cantrells request without hearing arguments. It's completely and utterly ridiculous for a judge to make us wait three hours and not permit argument before making a ruling, Morrell told reporters following the decision. He also decried Cantrells decision not to veto the travel ban, which the council passed unanimously, but instead use taxpayer dollars to hire four lawyers to fight it. "The takeaway today is the mayor doesn't believe the charter should govern her ability to travel, and she'd rather waste taxpayer dollars on lawyers than actually going through the process of vetoing a bill and having public debate on it, Morrell said. The council passed the travel ban in response to the Cantrell administrations claims the city is in a financial crisis and cant afford to make good on a settlement deal it made with the school board it made last year. The city is supposed to pay the school system $20 million this year as a result of that deal. City sexual assault investigation into LaToya Cantrell aide still in limbo after 2 months It has been more than 60 days since Mary Bonney filed her complaint, but she told Gambit she has still not received an update on the investigation by the city. On the day the law went into effect, March 9, Cantrell attended the Yale Mayor's College Conference in Washington, D.C. Morrell said the council received some records about the trip on Monday and went to the mayors office with follow-up questions. In the lawsuit against the council, Cantrell called the travel ban an unlawful and unconstitutional abuse of power by the Council, whose authority extends only to the consideration and adoption of the annual operating budget appropriation ordinance; whereas the Mayor has executive and administrative rights and duties, including the power to pursue economic development opportunities on behalf of the City. The mayor and her lawyers also argue that the law is retaliation by the council against her. The Ordinance has no rational basis or foundation in concern for the public welfare; rather, it is part of a pattern of Council bias and retaliation against the Mayor, they wrote. The current ban goes through April, but the council is also considering extending the ban through the end of the year. There will be a hearing on the case on March 28, when both sides will be able to make arguments in front of Judge Sidney Cates. Tulane University revieved a face lift in 2004 with the donation of a new sign and four new columns that mark the St. Charles Avenue campus entrance to the campus. The sign was made with limestone from the same quarry as the originals a century ago and were modeled after Tulane's Gibson Hall. In the wake of the crises of the decade so far the pandemic, extreme weather and natural disasters, among others Americans have increasingly expressed their doubts about institutions, the government especially. Since Donald Trumps return to office and the rise of Elon Musk as a major political figure, theres been intense focus on a simple set of questions: What should the government be for? Who should it help? What explains its failures? In Opinions latest focus group, we spoke with 14 people from North Carolina who were either directly affected last year by Hurricane Helene, or who had close friends or family members who were. Because of that event, many of them were directly confronted with these questions of government help and trust in institutions. At a time when the future of many government services could change significantly, we asked them about what Mr. Trump and Mr. Musk are doing and how other leaders, like Joe Biden, handled the crisis. The whole system of fixing things is broken. Everything thats supposed to be in place is not there, one participant said, describing his worries about not only North Carolina but also places devastated by wildfires in recent years. Some worried about FEMAs future, even if they were deeply dissatisfied with the recovery efforts last year, others wanted to rethink it entirely, and others expressed frustration with the lack of understanding in this hyperpoliticized environment and the false claims that circulated last fall. And at a time when people including participants in this group expressed real concern and worry about government cuts, layoffs and funding changes, many also expressed a skeptical and dissatisfied view of how government performs today. What does government do well? One participant answered, Provide complicated explanations for why it does what it does. An Italian man recently had to fight charges of manslaughter after his five-year-old son hit an 87-year-old pensioner while learning to ride a bicycle in a Milan park. What was meant to be a rite of passage for a young boy, turned into a nightmare for his entire family and that of an 87-year-old woman who had the misfortune of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The woman was strolling through a Milan park with a 74-year-old friend when a boy crashed his bicycle into her causing her to fall and hit her head on the pavement. Although the pensioner claimed to be alright, the boys father, who was teaching him to ride a bike and had seen the crash, insisted that he call an ambulance. Unfortunately, the womans condition abruptly changed for the worse and, despite the efforts of the paramedics, she tragically lost her life. Photo: Ben Krb/Unsplash According to Italian news agency ANSA, the young boy lost control of the bike and hit the elderly woman at a moderate speed. The bicycle did not have stabilizers, which prosecutors later used as a motive to charge the father with manslaughter. They claimed that not preventing an event which one has the legal obligation to prevent was equivalent to causing it. Prosecutors argued that the father was guilty of not having adequately supervised the childs activity, thus creating a dangerous situation by placing a dangerous vehicle in the hands of a person incapable of adapting its use to the conditions of their surroundings It sounds dangerous, until you remind yourself that the dangerous vehicle was a childrens bicycle. Photo: Saul Bucio/Unsplash If found guilty, the 5-year-olds father faced prison time, as well as 200,000 euros ($219,000) in compensation to the victims family, unless he could prove that he was unable to prevent the incident. Luckily for the parent, Judge Luigi Iannelli in Milan cleared him of any criminal liability, arguing that the minor collision and its impacts could not have been predicted and that the man could not react quickly enough to stop it from happening. Mark Carney Where is the Democratic version of Canadas new prime minister Mark Carney, who forcefully rejected calls from Donald Trump to become our cherished 51st state. All our phony president cherishes are Canadas vast energy reserves. He doesnt give a fig (or maple leaf) about Canadians. We will never, ever, in any way, shape or form be part of the United States, said Carney. Its crazy. Its very simple. Thats all you can say. He then upped the ante, saying Canada may rethink its plans to buy Lockheed Martins F-35 fighter jets. Financial Times columnist Ed Luce says its time for corporate and civic leaders to speak up against Trumps assault on Americas democracy. Instead, the US establishment is scared of its own shadow. Trumps opponents are paralyzed by a collective action problem, wrote Luce. If one chief executive speaks out, that company will be punished. Only in numbers can there be safety. Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts issued a rare rebuke to Trump on March 18 after he called for the impeachment of a federal judge. Impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision, Roberts said in a statement. Its not exactly a ringing denunciation of the president, but hopefully it's a start before things are too late. Two over easy The Trump administration has asked the Danish Egg Association about how many eggs it can ship to the US in the bid to drive down prices. Thats pretty rich. The presidential groveling for eggs comes as he has threatened to get Greenland, which is the pride of Denmark, one way or another. Trump's tough talk on Greenland has soured Denmark's opinion of the US. A YouGov poll conducted in January found that 46 percent of Danes view the US as either a very or fairly big threat to their country, topping North Korea (44 percent) and Iran (40 percent). But the yolk is on Trump as Denmark and the rest of Europe have nary an egg to spare. They also are unwilling to bail out the American president as Easter, which is the Super Bowl of Eggs, approaches. Pity the American boys and girls with no eggs to color for their Easter baskets. Egg prices are up 60 percent since February 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. They jumped 15.2 percent in January and 10.4 percent in February this year, triggered by the avian flu. Thats not a good look for Trump, who magically promised to bring down consumer prices on the first day that he took office. Things are so bad that US border agents seized more eggs than fentanyl at the Canadian border this year, which kills Trumps rationale for launching a trade war against The Great White North. High egg prices somehow get under Trump's skin. He shared a link on Truth Social to an article by Republican firebrand Charlie Kirk, which was headlined: shut up about egg prices." America can make that dealas long as Trump shuts up about impeaching US judges. NATO throws in the towel. Dont worry. Its the group in Washington, not the one in Brussels. The National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) has decided that it will end years of confusion with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization by changing its name to Cinema United. That begs the question: What took it so long? Or even better, why did it opt for NATO in the first place. The Washington group was founded in 1965 via the merger of the Theater Owners of America and the Allied States Association of Motion Picture Exhibitors. The military alliance launched in 1949. The Cinema United rename comes with a new slogan: Moviegoing is Our Mission, which sounds a tad militaristic to me. Scribe Strategies & Advisors has inked a $840K contract with the Democratic Republic of the Congo to bolster its relations with the US. The Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group has been fighting in the eastern part of the DRC for a decade. The governments of the DRC and Rwanda called for a ceasefire on March 18. President Trump reportedly eyes deals to develop the DRCs trove of rare earth minerals, and may appoint Massad Boulos, father-in-law of his daughter Tiffany, as a peace envoy. Felix Tshisekedi, president of the DRC, is offering minining opportunities to the US for help in ending the civial war. Your election has ushered in the golden age for America, Tshisekedi wrote in the letter reviewed by the Wall Street Journal. Our partnership would provide the U.S. with a strategic advantage by securing critical minerals such as cobalt, lithium, copper and tantalum from the Democratic Republic of Congo. SS&A says its mission is to Make the US-DRC Relationship Great Again by fostering increased trade, investment, and bilateral cooperation through active engagement. It will engage the Trump administration to highlight the strategic importance that DRCs natural resources play in the global supply chain. Scribe founder Joe Szlavik spearheads the effort. He launched the shop in 1992 following a stint in the Bush I White House. The firms one-year contract went into effect on Feb 4, and automatically renews for another year. The DRC also is working with Trump-connected Ballard Partners, which signed a one-year $1.2M pact in January. A Moldovan national was banned from driving for four years when he was convicted of having no insurance for the second time. Tullamore District Court heard the latest offence committed by Anatolie Bucur (35), Moorhill Cottages, Clara Road, Tullamore was at Ballykilmurry, Tullamore on June 2 last year. A plea of guilty was entered by defending solicitor Patrick Martin following the issue of summonses by Garda Gillian McEllin. Sergeant Brendan Kearns told the court the man had previously been fined 750 for using a vehicle without insurance. Mr Martin said Mr Bucur was a Moldovan national who had been using a Romanian licence and he appreciated he would be getting a disqualification on this occasion. The solicitor added that his client was a married man who worked in a meat factory. Judge Andrew Cody imposed a fine of 1,000 in addition to the four-year disqualification from driving. READ NEXT: Three months off road for motorist speeding in Offaly in Mercedes READ NEXT: Out and about for a big Bank Holiday Weekend night on the town in Tullamore Tullamore College is delighted to celebrate the success of past pupil Sinead ODwyer, who has been named a semi-finalist for the LVMH Prize 2025one of the most prestigious awards in global fashion. Sinead, now a London-based designer, founded her eponymous womenswear brand in 2021. Her work is defined by a striking balance between soft sensuality and imposing toughness, creating deeply personal and emotionally driven narratives. With a strong commitment to diversity and inclusivity, Sinead designs luxury garments with craftsmanship, innovation, and sustainability central to each creation. The LVMH Prize, established in 2013, celebrates outstanding creativity and emerging talent in fashion. As a semi-finalist, Sinead will present her collection during Paris Fashion Week, where industry experts will select the finalists. Should she progress, she will be in contention for a 300,000 grant and a year-long mentorship from the luxury conglomerate LVMH, which owns brands like Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Givenchy - an opportunity that could significantly elevate her career. This is a remarkable achievement, and we are incredibly proud of Sineads journey from Tullamore College to the international fashion stage. A Taiwanese national is being prosecuted in Tullamore amid allegations that he had two fake driving licences - a Greek one and another from the Pacific island of Vanuatu. A Garda told Tullamore District Court that an alleged fake licence a Taiwanese national had was the worst he had ever seen. A hearing was scheduled for May 19 next after the prosecution of John Smith (41), Apartment 24, Block 1, Gallery Quay, Pearse Street, Dublin 2 came before Judge Andrew Cody. Mr Smith appeared in court with his solicitor, Patrick Martin, and is denying three alleged offences at Arden, Tullamore on the N52 road on September 2 last year. Mr Smith is accused of using a fake Greek driving licence which he knew or believed to be a false instrument. The man, who had the assistance of an interpreter in court, is also alleged to have driven without insurance and without a driving licence. Detective Garda David Harney told the court Mr Smith had provided him with another driving licence from Vanuatu which he said was of very, very poor quality. It's the worst fake I've ever seen, remarked Detective Garda Harney and he said the prosecution would have to be adjourned for it to be examined. Judge Cody viewed the licence when it was handed in to him and said that for the second time on the same day, somebody thinks it's Fools' Day. He commented on the licence: You couldn't for a minute believe that that's real, the printing is up and down and all over. Mr Martin said he would take instructions from his client and Detective Garda Harney said he had explained to the accused's interpreter that he believed the licence to be fake and that Mr Smith would be cautioned. The garda said he was told the licence had been obtained in the Vanuatu Republic which Mr Martin explained was an island in the Pacific. Prompting laughter in the courtroom Judge Cody responded: Not out near Clonbullogue or anything, no? Detective Garda Harney said he understood the defendant was a Taiwanese national with Vanuatu citizenship. When the court presenter, Sergeant Brendan Kearns, raised the issue of insurance, the garda said that the fake Greek driving licence had been accepted by Axa, hence the existence of an insurance policy in Ireland. Judge Cody noted that the driving licence charge which had been brought against Mr Smith related not to a Taiwanese licence but one from a different nation. Mr Martin said his client also had an international driving permit. The judge indicated that he would reserve a hearing date for the matter and remanded Mr Smith on continuing bail to appear in court on May 19 next. READ NEXT: Long-awaited work starts on important link road in Offaly He said the Vanuatese licence could be given back to Mr Smith and told the man: You should be warned now that's it's a time when you stop digging. He also told Mr Martin that Mr Smith could peddle that story at his own risk. Mr Martin said he could get the licence examined. Judge Cody then asked the interpreter if he had been interpreting for Mr Smith. When the man said he had, the judge replied: I haven't seen you move your lips in the last 15 minutes. READ NEXT: Doctor in Offaly retires after 40 years of dedicated service in general practice The interpreter indicated that he had been speaking to Mr Smith prior to the court and the judge told him that if he was in court as an interpreter he would have to interpret what was being said. Have you told him the risk of putting forward a fake licence to the court? Judge Cody asked. Mr Martin explained the judge's question and the interpreter said the accused man was aware of the risk. Judge Cody asked again if Mr Smith understood the risk and added: He's at risk of jail if he's spoofing to me about a fake licence. The judge also remarked to Detective Garda Harney that he might have to travel to Vantanese or wherever it is to check it out. A woman who stole social welfare payments in the form of job seekers allowance was given two eleven months custody terms at a Naas District Court sitting. Alina Korsinszki, 41, whose address was given as 14 The Way, Craddockstown Park, Naas, was prosecuted for 48 counts of theft on dates between May 2006 and April 2018, She was prosecuted in relation to two counts of forgery and one in relation to a false document on dates between 2006 and 2018. Most of the offences took place at the Department of Social Protection office in Newbridge. Detective Garda Michelle Faughnan told the court the defendant attended the office in May 2021 to get a picture taken for a public services card and her facial identity matched another person, allegedly of Italian origin who did not exist but had the same address and phone number. READ NEXT: Offaly detective says driving licence was 'worst fake' he had ever seen A subsequent search uncovered documents relating to both identities as well as a false Italian driving licence. The garda said the defendant is from Romania and when she arrived in Ireland, restrictions were in place relating to people from that country securing employment here. Det Gda Faughnan said the defendant was very cooperative. The defendant came here under the guise of an Italian national, which was a false identity and this person did not exist. The garda agreed with Mr Kennelly that the defendant was contributing to Irish society by pay of taxes and income dedication before losing her job in the recession. It was difficult to secure a work permit so she used Italian identity. She also agreed the defendant is a decent person. Mr Kennelly said the defendant came here from a poor background to get a better life and was sending money home and he handed in a lengthy reference from the employer. He described the case as necessity compounded by necessity. He said her crime was to be born in a country that cannot look after its people. This is a good woman, not a criminal," he said, adding that she had 5,000 in court to pay as a charitable donation if a custody term could be avoided. READ NEXT: Three months off road for motorist speeding in Offaly in Mercedes Mr Kennelly said the issue arose as a result of one of the greatest depressions ever experienced in this country. He said she did something silly and had gathered the compensation through sheer hard work. Mr Kennelly said that the defendant has paid over 100,000 in taxes, contributions and levies. The court heard that the overpayment amounted to 9,163.70 - all of which has been paid back by the defendant. Judge Desmond Zaidan criticised the fact that the Department of Social Protection did not raise questions about the case between 2006 and 2018. "It's embarrassing and raises a lot of questions about what measures they have in place to prevent fraud. It's mind boggling, but Im not surprised he commented. He noted the woman had no previous convictions but it was a sophisticated fraud done with the aid of others who gave her a false identity to do this. Leave was given to appeal. All-Star Limerick hurler Kyle Hayes is expected to find out later this Wednesday if he will be sent to jail or not. The 2024 Hurler of the Year nominee is due to appear before Limerick Criminal Circuit Court to learn if a suspended prison sentence is triggered by a dangerous driving conviction in Mallow District Court. The case had previously been adjourned on December 9 and February 11 last but it couldnt go ahead as Mr Hayes' dangerous driving conviction was appealed to Cork Circuit Court. Mr Hayes, aged 26, of Ballyashea, Kildimo failed to have the conviction overturned in Cork last week. The five-time All-Ireland winner said in direct evidence that nothing untoward happened when he pulled into the left hand lane having overtaken a few cars. He conceded that his driving was careless but denied that it was dangerous. Mr Hayes accepted that he was speeding when he was stopped by Garda Deirdre Barrett. The court heard that Mr Hayes drove at a speed of 155km/h and overtook nine vehicles near Mallow in what Cork South State solicitor Jerry Healy described as an utterly unacceptable manoeuvre. Judge Boyle Helen, in deciding not to overturn the conviction, said that the speed at which Mr Hayes was travelling was excessive. Mr Hayes disqualified for driving for two years and will be off the road from midnight on June 12. In March 2024, Judge Dermot Sheehan imposed an 18-month prison sentence on Mr Hayes for engaging in violent disorder in the Icon nightclub and a concurrent two-year jail sentence for the violent disorder on Upper Denmark Street, Limerick city. "They are both suspended in full," said Judge Sheehan at the time. The offences occurred on October 28, 2019 when Mr Hayes was 21. A jury had previously found Mr Hayes not guilty of assault causing harm on the same date at a trial in Limerick Criminal Circuit Court in December 2023. The terms of imprisonment were suspended on condition that he be bound to the peace and be of good behaviour during that two-year term. The matter is now back before Limerick Criminal Circuit Court and Judge Colin Daly will have to decide if he will activate Mr Hayes suspended sentence over the dangerous driving conviction. Brian McInerney SC, appearing with Liam Carroll BL, instructed by solicitor Sarah Ryan will represent Mr Hayes in court later this Wednesday. The State will be represented by John O'Sullivan BL, instructed by State solicitor Padraig Mawe. READ MORE | Shocking Garda report following St. Patricks Bank Holiday Weekend as two people dead The Taoiseach has refused to confirm whether he was made aware of a report from the Department of Finance which revealed the Government would not reach its 40,000 housing targets, days before the general election was called. The Dail was told on Wednesday that analysis produced by the Department of Finance confirmed that Government would not reach the purported 40,000 housing target. Taoiseach Micheal Martin came under pressure to reveal whether he was passed this information by then-minister for finance Jack Chambers. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said the report was handed to the minister days before the general election was called in early November last year. Taoiseach is refusing to answer a simple question: Did Jack Chambers make him aware of the Department of Finance's assessment that ruled out any hope of reaching 40,000 houses before the election campaign?@sinnfeinireland Pearse Doherty (@PearseDoherty) March 19, 2025 Senior government figures have been criticised for claiming during the election campaign that close to 40,000 new homes would be built in 2024, which would have been far in excess of its own targets. This was despite the Central Bank projecting in its September Quarterly Bulletin that completions would hit around 32,000. Data published by the Central Statistics Office earlier this year revealed that only a total of 30,330 new homes were completed last year below the target in the Housing for All plan of 33,450 new-builds in 2024. Opposition parties have continuously accused the Government of misleading the public on its housing figures. Ms McDonald said: The government knew in advance of the general election that you hadnt a hope of hitting 40,000 new homes for 2024. Just days before the general election was called, then-finance minister and Fianna Fail deputy leader Jack Chambers was handed an important report by the Department of Finance, and that report laid out in black and white that 40,000 homes would not be delivered. Nobody could seriously believe that the minister would have kept that information from government on the eve of an election. It was too important, so I assume he shared it with you. What I know is that Minister Chambers did not tell the public. On the contrary, two days after receiving this report, with the general election under way, he made the claim that government was on course to deliver 40,000 homes. And this untruth was repeated by you, by (Tanaiste) Simon Harris, by (former housing minister) Darragh OBrien, again and again throughout the campaign. Social Democrat deputy leader Cian OCallaghan called on the Taoiseach to confirm whether or not the former minister for finance shared the analysis from the department with ministers. Theres now a mountain of evidence that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael deliberately misrepresented housing delivery figures during the election, Mr OCallaghan told the Dail. You cannot continue to deny it. This is a comical alley routine that youre playing in terms of pretending this is somehow an honest mistake. Not content with massaging last years figures, targets for this year are now being clearly reverse engineered. He accused Mr Martin of refusing to give an answer when asked about this years housing targets. Defending the Governments position on the housing targets, Mr Martin said there were a number of projections throughout 2024 regarding housing completions. Weve exceeded targets, and particularly in 2022 and 2023, we exceeded Central Bank targets. We exceeded other targets who felt we would come in lower. Thats the position, Mr Martin added. The first quarter of the following year is when the statistics come in, and there are a variety of publications. Data was published in September by Central Bank and others. But the Central Bank had come in lower in previous years. It was extremely disappointing that we didnt make those targets in 2024. The overall Housing for All targets were exceeded in that three- year period. But thats not enough. We have to build more houses and build them faster. Meanwhile, Mr Martin also defended comments he made in the White House about Irelands housing crisis. It came after the crisis was described as a good problem to have by US President Donald Trump during their meeting last week, claiming it was because the country was doing so well. In response, Mr Martin told Mr Trump that it was a pretty good answer. Ms McDonald said Mr Martin was in the Oval Office laughing about Irelands housing crisis. She added: The American president stated that the housing crisis is because Ireland is doing so well, that its a good problem. You replied, thats a pretty good answer, Mr President. But Taoiseach, do you think its a pretty good answer for people locked out of home ownership, for renters crucified with rip-off rents, for young people unable to get a start in life, choosing between staying at home with their parents or going to Australia. Do you think its a good answer for mothers and fathers forced into homelessness, for children being raised in B&Bs and in hotel rooms. Your sniggering interaction hurt a lot of people. Taoiseach, you made light of their suffering, so government misleads people on housing at home and then laughs at them while rubbing shoulders with the powerful abroad. Mr Martin rejected the accusations, and described Ms McDonalds comments as pathetic. You accuse me of spoofing. I mean, get off the stage. Come off the stage, he added. No-one was sniggering at any housing problem. You know that. Its pathetic, the protestations and your attempt to exploit that particular moment and so forth, and completely oblivious and refusing to reference the actual substance in terms of what I said. Labour leader Ivana Bacik was also critical of the Taoieachs remarks at the White House. I think we were all surprised to learn that, in fact, these systemic failures were not the root causes of the housing crisis, the spiralling rents, unaffordable house prices and shamefully, rising record figures in homelessness. This apparently is because were doing so well in Ireland, she said. Its a good problem, not a bad problem. The words of President Trump, you might clarify if its a view you share Taoiseach, because in reply, you said, thats a very good answer, President. Im sure thats not the response you would give the Irish people today. And in fairness, Taoiseach, and I acknowledge this, you did continue on to elaborate that we do have to build more houses, and we do have to build them more quickly. I think we all agree with that, but what were not seeing from your Government is any sign of the necessary urgency or ambition, or any new ideas that would actually enable us to build more homes more quickly. There is nothing new about Democrats assisting the Republican agenda, forgoing opportunities to block disastrous legislation on procedural votes, and then making a show of "opposing" bills on a final vote, or openly supporting them while claiming to nonetheless be "against the bill" but afraid of something worse. There is nothing new about lying, scheming warmongers and Zionists parroting Israeli propaganda long after its thorough debunking, as a sort of pseudo-excuse for ongoing mass murder. But there is something new about large numbers of people calling out Democrats like Chuck Schumer on his charades. There is something new about other Democrats in Congress calling him out. This is a positive development to be taken advantage of. Chuck's advisors are paid good money to advise him to support a "strong Republican Party" as good for the United States, and to talk about how well he can work with his Republican buddies while exercising in the gym on Capitol Hill. (Does he check their ear buds for Nazi tunes? I doubt it.) All I have to offer Chuck is free, unsolicited advice. But it comes from thousands of people who've signed a petition and added their own comments. The petition itself reads: To Senator Chuck Schumer: You need to resign as leader of the Democrats in the Senate. Your aiding of the Republican agenda is not new, but the times have changed. The public is taking this thing seriously and carefully watching the pretenses. It is not enough right now to make a show of disagreeing. We need an actual opposition committed to halting Trump's destruction. Step aside. Here is a sampling of the comments that people have added to that, as a free service to this country and the world: Americans are really hurting right now. I am an elderly person dependent on my Social Security checks and Medicare. Musk and Trump are actively trying to destroy Social Security and Medicare. I am frightened and your determination to be complicit in this Republican driven destruction of our democracy and society is inexcusable and makes me feel powerless and unsafe. Shame on you! A failure to draw the line and support the majority of Dems who were willing to thwart the unlawful coup we see in Trump and his Republican minions was beyond disappointing. I have respected your leadership in the past but this is the end for me. Although I have been a registered independent for more than 6 years, the Democrats still act like I am a Democrat because they are constantly asking for money. This unwillingness to stand up and be ready to tell autocrats that they cannot get what they want is exactly the reason I am an independent. If this is leadership......well, I have certainly seen enough of it. A typically gutless and unprincipled move by a predictably corporatist -a.k.a. 'centrist'- Democrat. He's got his, and the rest of us will simply have to fight for the best deal we can get, if any. Thanks for selling us down the river, Chucky! A new leader who is willing to do bold things that will go viral daily is needed. A new, perilous world of Trump & co's blistering attack on all Americans hold dear about our nation demands new approaches and new leadership. Thanks for the many good moves you've made during your Senate career, Mr. Shumer. Please resign your post and Make Way for younger Democratic Party leaders with newer ideas and actions. Many thanks, sir. Acceding to bullies is absolutely wrong! The Democrats need a spine now! What this country needs is a REAL [expletive deleted] opposition party!' Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). 1871 Vereshchagin Apotheose des Krieges anagoria.JPG (Image by Wikipedia (commons.wikimedia.org), Author: Author Not Given) Details Source DMCA In early March, US president Donald Trump upped the stakes on his previous musings about purchasing Greenland from Denmark. "We need it really for international world security," he said in a speech to Congress. "And," despite disinterest in the notion from Greenlanders and Danes, "I think we're going to get it. One way or the other, we're going to get it." One way: Denmark and/or Greenland agree. The other: US military forces invade and occupy, and the US government annexes, Greenland. Those are really the only two ways. And while Trump has a well-earned reputation as a mercurial flip-flopper, he wouldn't keep bringing it up if he didn't have a persistent bee in his bonnet. The idea of acquiring Greenland isn't fundamentally as daft as it sounds -- the place is rich in natural resources and located conveniently to support the Arctic ambitions of whichever regime controls it -- but absent the consent of its inhabitants, the means of acquisition are necessarily reduced to war. And the thing about wars is that short little wars tend to turn into long big wars. I'd say "unexpectedly," but history says to expect it. Would Trump really pull that trigger? If so, it probably won't be over "national security" considerations. The reasons will be domestic and rooted in the economic chaos produced by his "trade war" antics. "If soldiers are not to cross international boundaries on missions of war," Otto T. Mallery wrote in 1943, "goods must cross them on missions of peace." At some point, that quote got shortened (and misattributed to Frederic Bastiat) in the popular mind to "when goods don't cross borders, soldiers will," which works just as well. The standard argument for Mallery's point is that international trade promotes amicable ties. If 50% of your oil or 30% of your grain comes from a trading partner, going to war means supply disruptions, shortages, and high prices. War is bad for the economies of nations engaged in international trade, so they're less likely to engage in it. There's a second argument, though, far more applicable to Trump in particular: Going to TRADE war ALSO means supply disruptions, shortages, and high prices. Supply disruptions, shortages, and high prices translate to domestic discontent. War provides a great distraction during times of domestic discontent. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Much has been written about the short presidency of John F Kennedy. He was the first Catholic president, a reformer who advocated for the New Frontier, a good speaker, and a charismatic person. However, and less mentioned, is how he supported soft power, or non-military power in Latin America. JFK started a program called the Alliance for Progress. Relationships between the US and Latin America were bad in the early 1960's when he entered office. Remember, Latin America joined the Allies in World War II. These countries in the American hemisphere increased their production of vital raw materials and kept their prices low after the war, when the United States began massive aid programs for Europe and Japan. At the same time, Latin American nations told us that they deserved economic assistance. The threat of Communism in Latin America was also on American policymakers' minds during the Cold War. In 1954, the Central Intelligence Agency funded and supplied a revolution that overthrew the leftist government of Guatemala. In 1959, Fidel Castro came to power in Cuba and by 1961, the US had severed relations with his government. In response to these developments, Kennedy pleaded for the Alliance for Progress. In requesting funds from Congress, the President stressed the need for improved literacy, land use, industrial productivity, health, and education in Latin America. The US needed to help Latin America, where "millions of men and women suffer the daily degradations of hunger and poverty" and "discontent is growing." The US would provide money, expertise, and technology to raise the standard of living for the people of Latin America, hopefully making the countries better able to resist communist influences. Congress voted for an initial grant of $500 million in May 1961. During the next 10 years, billions were spent on the Alliance, but its success was marginal and there were many reasons that the program was ultimately a failure. Congressmen were reluctant to provide funds for land redistribution programs in Latin America because they felt it was socialism. Latin American elites directed most of the funds into pet projects that enriched themselves but did little to help most of their people. The Alliance indeed failed in its effort to bring democracy to Latin America. By the time the program faded away in the early 1970s, 13 governments in Latin America had been replaced by military rule. Recently, our country has witnessed the Donald Trump Administration's attack on foreign aid. Early in his second term, Trump issued an executive order freezing most US foreign aid for 90 days, which has tumultuously disrupted programs that fight starvation and deadly diseases, run clinical trials, and seek to provide shelter for millions of displaced people across the globe. The US Agency for International Development is the central government organization that provides humanitarian aid, such as food, medical assistance, and disaster relief. The freeze has hit it the hardest. Foreign aid is a form of power, called soft power in international relations. It's a way of projecting power that also shows the humanitarian side of the American people. In addition, it turns other countries away from the China/Russia orbit. The Trump Administration's stance on foreign aid is a gift to the totalitarian/authoritarian orbit. Why? China's Belt and Road Initiative is an investment in countries around the world. What if relations grow warmer between Latin America and China? What happens when China installs a military installation in the Western Hemisphere, Latin America? There will be a counterbalancing act and high military budgets for years. Anyone who looks at the federal budget understands that military spending dwarfs foreign aid. Our current Cold War will become even colder. We need to ask ourselves a question as Americans. What type of country do we want to be? Where do we want to spend our money? What type of power do we believe in? Jason Sibert is the Lead Writer of the Peace Economy Project By: Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator The Russian air base at Hmeimin, near Latakia, Syria, has rescued over 8,000 Syrian minorities fleeing the recent sectarian massacres. Kremlin spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, said Russia is shocked by the tragic events in Syria. "The victims were innocent, peaceful civilians. The use of force against civilians is categorically unacceptable. It can in no way be justified," she pointed out. "We are certainly concerned about the developments in Syria and strongly condemn the massacres. Of course, we sympathize with the families of the victims," the diplomat added. According to testimonies of some of those sheltering at the air base, they have not felt any pressure from the Russian military officials who have welcomed them and have not been forced to leave. The displaced people, mainly from the Alawite community but also a small number of Christians, are being treated with respect and humanity and are being provided with basic humanitarian supplies. The Russian military provided them with a field kitchen, a medical center, and tents, but the situation remains difficult as the air base is not designed to host such a large number of people. Residents reported that Russian aircraft carrying humanitarian assistance, such as food, water, blankets, and tents had been provided, and have continued to arrive. A large Russian II-76 transport aircraft landed later at the base carrying medicines, treatments, and food. Russian sources said that Moscow would intensify its flights to the air base, reaching approximately 3-4 aircraft weekly. The Mayor of Latakia visited the air base calling on the people to return home, but the people were still very afraid. "We will not return until we ensure the arrest of these criminals, and with international guarantees that they will not return and repeat their crimes against us," said one anonymous resident at the base. Russian officials have assured the displaced people they can remain under their protection until an international solution has been reached regarding their safety. On March 10, Russia and the US asked the UN Security Council to meet concerning the violence against civilians in Syria. On March 14, the UN Security Council condemned the widespread violence perpetrated in Syria's Latakia and Tartus provinces since March 6, including mass killings of civilians among the Alawite community, and called on the interim authorities to protect all Syrians without distinction. Remnants of the former Assad regime staged an armed insurgency on the coast that is home to minorities such as the Alawite and Christian communities. The security forces responded to the attacks and deaths on their numbers with a brutal crackdown. According to human rights sources, hundreds of armed insurgents and security forces were killed collectively. The Abu Amsha and Hamsat divisions of the security forces were called in to respond and innocent unarmed civilians were caught in the cross-fire, as well as house-to-house raids that killed and looted civilian homes in the Latakia, Jeblah, Banias, and Tartus countryside on the coast. Eyewitnesses have confirmed it was the Abu Amsha and Hamzat groups who carried out the sectarian massacres and lootings. Human rights groups have estimated about 1,000 people were killed. The interim President Ahmad Sharaa has formed a committee to investigate the massacres and has promised to hold those accountable, even those who may be connected to his administration. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). In a world that's steadily embracing sustainability, functionality, and refined aesthetics, the rise in demand for paper bags, parcel bags, postage bags, and mailing bags is no surprise. These packaging solutions have transformed from mere carriers to stylish, brand-enhancing essentials-symbols of responsibility, thoughtfulness, and professionalism. And leading this shift is Mr Bags, a brand that has carved out a solid place in the hearts of both businesses and consumers. With their London, UK - Over the past 15 years, Cxosync UK has built a reputation as the premier executive networking platform, connecting business leaders, technology pioneers, and industry visionaries. With an unwavering commitment to quality and exclusivity, Cxosync UK ensures that every engagement delivers real value to senior decision-makers. The Secret to Cxosync UK's Success The core philosophy of Cxosync UK is simple: high-quality connections lead to high-value outcomes. Unlike traditional networking events, President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk speak to reporters in front of a red Model S Tesla vehicle on the South Lawn of the White House Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in Washington. JPMorgan analysts told clients last week that they expect Tesla to report its lowest number of deliveries since the third quarter of 2022 (Pool via AP) AP Will tech billionaire Elon Musks company survive as he continues to work with President Donald Trump? JPMorgan analysts told clients last week that they expect Tesla to report its lowest number of deliveries since the third quarter of 2022 and an 8% decline from the first quarter of 2024, according to a Forbes report. Ryan Brinkman, the analyst who leads the JPMorgan group, said Tesla is facing the acute effects of Musks more divisive new role in government, Forbes reported. We struggle to think of anything analogous in the history of the automotive industry, in which a brand has lost so much value so quickly, the JPMorgan analysts wrote, according to Forbes. The analysts also explained that Tesla appears to have the most to lose among car companies in the U.S. from the shifting regulatory backdrop, referring to Trumps potential rollback of electric vehicle tax credits. Tesla dealerships around the country have been the sites of massive ongoing protests for several weeks. Police have said there have been several incidents of vandalism connected to the protests, nicknamed Tesla Takedowns. The protests come as people speak out against Musk and the so-called Department of Government Efficiency. A recent CNN poll found that 53% have a negative view of Musk, with just 35% expressing a positive view on the billionaire. In response to the protests, Trump staged a photo op with Musk last week to showcase Tesla vehicles. Trump also railed against people who are boycotting Tesla, claiming that it is illegal to do so. To Republicans, Conservatives, and all great Americans, Elon Musk is putting it on the line in order to help our Nation, and he is doing a FANTASTIC JOB! But the Radical Left Lunatics, as they often do, are trying to illegally and collusively boycott Tesla, one of the Worlds great automakers, and Elons baby, in order to attack and do harm to Elon, and everything he stands for. They tried to do it to me at the 2024 Presidential Ballot Box, but how did that work out? Trump wrote on Truth Social. In any event, Im going to buy a brand new Tesla tomorrow morning as a show of confidence and support for Elon Musk, a truly great American. Why should he be punished for putting his tremendous skills to work in order to help MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN??? Trump added. Forbes noted that JPMorgan is just the latest firm to slash its first quarter delivery forecasts for Tesla, as Goldman Sachs and UBS have already done the same. READ MORE: Activists call for Oregon to dump $135M in Tesla stocks from pension fund Oregon man accused of trying to destroy Tesla car dealership with Molotov cocktails Tens of thousands in damage in overnight shooting at Tigard Tesla dealership, police say Shots fired into Tesla dealership in Tigard for the second time in a week The last Oregon location of a popular steak and seafood chain founded in Portland will close its doors this weekend, marking an end to the restaurants once sprawling local footprint. McCormick & Schmicks restaurant at Bridgeport Village will host its final day of service Saturday, March 22, a restaurant employee confirmed Wednesday morning. The Tigard restaurant, located at 17015 S.W. 72nd Ave., was the last remaining McCormick & Schmicks in the Portland area after two other locations shuttered over the past six years. The Beaverton Valley Times first reported news of the closure Monday. Internet-enabled cars outfitted with ever-growing numbers of sensors and cameras can offer performance and safety benefits, but they also can collect and transmit to car companies vast amounts of data. Oregon lawmakers are considering a bill that aims to give drivers more control over how automakers collect and use their personal data. Were beginning to understand that cars are a privacy nightmare, Rep. David Gomberg, D-Otis, said during a hearing over House Bill 3875 on Tuesday. Our cars know whether we prefer Starbucks or Dutch Brothers. Our cars know whether we worship on the weekend, or whether we stop by a local tavern on our way home from work every night. Gomberg, the bills chiefs sponsor, told lawmakers on the House Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that most modern vehicles today are equipped with gadgets that automatically collect, store and share data related to driving habits and other personal details often without the drivers knowledge. HB 3875 proposes to expand the states existing privacy laws to include car manufacturers. The Oregon Consumer Privacy Act, which went into effect last year, establishes data privacy requirements for businesses that have collected data on at least 100,000 Oregonians, and it gives consumers the right to access, delete or get copies of any personal data that was collected or sold. The law already applies to most major car companies. Supporters of HB 3875, however, say niche car brands and startups might slip under the threshold. The bill also would require passenger car manufacturers to get explicit consent from their customers to share or sell their data. It would exempt commercial truck manufacturers, including Daimler Truck, the German manufacturer that has its North American headquarters and some manufacturing in Portland. Critics of the bill include Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a powerful national auto industry lobby group, which argues that the bill would create an uneven playing field for smaller car manufacturers. Curt Augustine, senior director of state affairs for the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, testified that the bill unfairly requires small automakers to comply with Oregons data privacy mandates while keeping other similar-sized companies exempt. He argued that small car manufacturers shouldnt be treated any differently from other companies under the law. A 2023 report by the Mozilla Foundation, the nonprofit behind the open-source web Firefox browser, examined the data practices of 25 major car brands for privacy concerns. The study found that every automaker reviewed collected personal data from drivers, and only two both brands sold only in Europe gave customers the right to have their data deleted. Additionally, 21 of the 25 brands shared user information with third parties. The data collected isnt limited to driving habits. The Mozilla study found cars often linked to smartphones can gather information including basic personal identifiers, contact information and more intimate details like the users race and calendar entries. Oregon lawmakers on Tuesday also heard a related bill that aims to broadly expand the states data privacy law. House Bill 3899 proposes to extend the law to companies that collect personal data from at least 35,000 Oregonians. Companies that collect data on at least 10,000 consumers and generate at least 20% of their revenue from selling that data would also be subject to the law. HB 3899 also seeks to ban data collecting companies from selling precise location data which could allow someone to locate a person to within 1,750 feet of a consumer as well as any data belonging to a minor under 16 years old. It also aims to include protections for peoples health data, such as a consumers past or present physical or mental health condition. Supporters say that HB 3899 expands consumer protections under the states privacy law. Opponents argue that the bill would burden small companies that might not have the money to comply with stricter privacy laws. -- Kristine de Leon covers consumer health, retail, small business and data enterprise stories. Reach her at kdeleon@oregonian.com. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today. REI says it is actively working with law enforcement to catch a man who is suspected of targeting three stores in the Twin Cities as part of a one-person nationwide shoplifting spree that yielded more than $130,000 in merchandise from nearly two dozen of the outdoor gear retailers outlets. The day of thievery in the Twin Cities occurred on Dec. 20 at REIs in Bloomington, Maple Grove and Roseville, according to a search warrant affidavit filed in Hennepin County District Court last week. The affidavit points to a specific suspect. In the past 18 months, a male subject is actively traveling across the country and shoplifting large amounts of merchandise [at] REI stores, read the affidavit, which asked for a judges approval to search records associated with a cellphone with a Beverly Hills area code that belongs to the suspect. According to loss prevention staff, the suspect is responsible for 22 known incidents at an average of $6,192.85 per incident and a total loss to REI of over $130,000, the filing continued. The alleged perpetrator was identified by police in Arizona, where hes accused of stealing from two stores. A Flagstaff police detective spoke with the man, who denied knowing about any thefts. No arrests have been announced. Maple Grove police records spell out how the shoplifting went down at that citys REI, located in the Arbor Lakes commercial development. The man entered the store in the afternoon on the Friday before Christmas, where he brought high-end wind- and rain-resistant jackets into the fitting room, cut off the anti-theft sensors and concealed the garb on his body. The suspect made three trips in the fitting room in all, and left the store with 12 Arcteryx Beta SL jackets, which retail for $500 each. Company spokeswoman Megan Behrbaum said Monday night that REI investigators have been actively working on this case for several months. Our investigators have spent considerable time reviewing video including CCTV footage from neighboring stores to collect evidence, and partnering with police and detectives to move the case forward, Behrbaum said. We built a substantial case, which we have shared with our law enforcement and prosecution partners. REI, based in suburban Seattle, has long had a reputation as a ripe target for shoplifters. In the wake of an REI closing in Portland, a grassroots employee movement pointed to theft at the store as one of the factors leading to its closure. Theft ... has always been a problem at that location, and REIs policy doesnt deter shoplifting or any criminal behavior for that matter, read a posting last spring on REI Employees for Real Change, which has 1,600 followers on Facebook. In fact, many employees have gotten fired for trying to prevent theft, because REIs policy is no engagement. If its not secured to a fixture, its basically a free for all for anyone who wants to steal an item, and shoplifters know this. The Facebook pages founder, Aisling Concannon, told the Minnesota Star Tribune on Monday that a couple of my friends were fired [from the Portland store] as a result of trying to prevent theft. She said she was dismissed in 2015 after starting the page. At the time, employees told The Oregonian/OregonLive they thought that the inability to retain staff members on top of frequent shoplifting and a disagreement with the stores landlord contributed to the decision to close the location. Brian Brown, who worked at REI in Pittsburgh for six years until 2022, said, We were told not to engage individuals we expect or see shoplifting. We are supposed to immediately call managers, who then call security. Brown said new hires get a company policy handbook, but it did not include processes for dealing with shoplifters. Instead, Brown said, you start learning from the manager what that policy is. You never see it in writing. Behrbaum, the REI spokeswoman, explained Monday night that the companys shoplifting policy is focused on employee safety and serving our customers, which is like the approach other retailers also have in place. We dont want REI employees injured or putting themselves in potentially unsafe situations. ... Their safety will always take priority over the recovery of merchandise. Including its three stores in Minnesota, REI has locations in 43 states and the District of Columbia, according to the retailers website. 2025 The Minnesota Star Tribune. Visit startribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC Jami L. Resch was sworn in as the interim police chief in Springfield. She served as the Portland police chief from December 2019 to June 2020. Former Portland police Chief Jami Resch is set to lead a Lane County, Oregon, police department. Resch took an oath this week to become the interim chief of police in Springfield, according to a city news release. View of The Dalles and the Columbia River in Wasco County, which is among the counties that hit its target for new shelter beds under Gov. Tina Kotek's emergency homeless response plan. Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham, R-The Dalles, criticized Kotek's announcement about shelter bed progress in rural areas as being out of touch with the crisis unfolding on the ground. Terry Richard/Staff/2010 Rural communities in Oregon have jointly exceeded their target of creating 100 new shelter beds across the state by June 2025 as part of Gov. Tina Koteks emergency homeless response. In total, 387 new beds have been added in 17 counties. This is a testament to the change our local leaders can make in their neighbors lives when they have the resources, collaboration and flexibility they need, Kotek said in a statement Wednesday. Its a strong start, but the urgency remains, and we need to see this strategy through. U.S. Air Force fighter aircraft F-35 performs aerobatic maneuvers on the third day of the Aero India 2025, a biennial event, at Yelahanka air base in Bengaluru, India, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi, File) AP Questions are mounting in Canada and in Europe over whether big-ticket purchases of high-end U.S. weaponry, such as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, are still a wise strategic choice for Western countries worried about their investment in U.S. defense technology. In less than two months, U.S. President Donald Trump has upended decades of foreign policy. He has left NATO members questioning whether Washington will honor the trans-Atlantic alliances commitment to defend each other, if other European countries are attacked by Russia. Hes also made repeat overtures to Moscow and suspended most U.S. foreign aid. That could impact foreign sales of the Lockheed Martin-produced F-35 and other advanced U.S. jets like the F-16. As Russias war in Ukraine grinds on, its become clear that Eastern European NATO members still have vast stores of Soviet-era weapons in their stockpiles that werent interoperable with Western weaponry. A long-term plan to get all of NATO on similar platforms by replacing old Soviet-era jets with Western ones, particularly the F-16 and in some cases, the F-35 has gained momentum. Some of the NATO countries are now rethinking tying their defense to U.S.-made systems and potentially considering European jets. And the European Union on Wednesday announced a new drive to break its security dependency on the United States, with a focus on buying more defense equipment in Europe. In recent years, the EUs 27 nations have placed about two-thirds of their orders with U.S. defense companies. Angering an F-35 partner In Canada, where Trump has launched a trade war and has threatened economic coercion to make it the 51st American state, new Prime Minister Mark Carney has asked Defense Minister Bill Blair to review its purchase of F-35s. Canada has been a partner with the U.S. in developing the fighter. Blair will see if there are other options given the changing environment, a defense spokesman said. Carney on Tuesday announced an early warning radar system purchase from Australia worth Canadian $6 billion ($4.2 billion). Officials say it will have a smaller footprint than a similar American system. And in Portugal, the outgoing defense minister recently told a Portuguese newspaper that recent positions taken by Washington compelled a rethink about the purchase of F-35s. Portugal is considering various options to replace its F-16s. Youre not just buying an airplane, youre buying a relationship with the United States, said Winslow T. Wheeler, who spent three decades in U.S. Congress working for Democrats and Republicans on national security and defense issues. People in the past have not just welcomed, but craved that kind of relationship. The Netherlands and Norway, on the other hand, have recently voiced support for the F-35 program. The F-35 and a kill switch The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter was designed to combine stealth, maneuverability and attack capabilities in a single aircraft. Each jet costs about $85 million (78 million euros), and the price jumps to as high as $150 million (137 million euros) when supporting infrastructure and spare parts are included. About 1,100 have been produced to date for 16 military services across the globe. The F-35B, a variant that can take off from ship decks vertically, is the latest model. Its the most expensive weapons system the U.S. has ever produced, with estimated lifetime costs now expected to top $1.7 trillion. One of the ways the program was counting on reducing those costs was by selling more aircraft to international customers. But the Trump administrations recent stance on the Russia-Ukraine war has fueled fears that Washington may have similar ways to coerce buyers in a future fight such as by embedding a hypothetical kill switch in the F-35s millions of lines of programming. The Pentagons F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office, however, vehemently rejected that notion. There is no kill switch, the office said in a statement on Tuesday. We remain committed to providing all users with the full functionality and support they require. But thats not the only way to impact an allys program, Wheeler said. The F-35 requires constant U.S.-controlled tech upgrades to operate in combat. If a relationship with the U.S. soured and updates were delayed, it could make a jet, or even a fleet, inoperable, he said. Lockheed Martin said in a statement on Tuesday that the defense contractor delivers all system infrastructure and data required for all F-35 customers to sustain the aircraft. European jet alternatives The Saab Gripen, Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafale could see an increase in sales if other countries decide to forgo their F-35 purchases. But none of them have the F-35s stealth capabilities. The Swedish-made Saab Gripen is used by the militaries of Sweden, the Czech Republic, Hungary, South Africa,Brazil and Thailand. Conventional defense industry wisdom says its significantly cheaper than the F-35, Wheeler said. The Eurofighter Typhoon, part of the British, German, Spanish and Italian forces, is manufactured by a consortium of defense companies: Airbus, BAE Systems and Leonardo. The French-built Dassault Rafale twin-jet fighter is used by some branches of Frances armed forces. The governments of Egypt, India, Qatar, Greece, Croatia, the United Arab Emirates, Serbia and Indonesia have all signed contracts for Rafales. David Jordan, a senior lecturer in defense studies at Kings College London and co-director of the Freeman Air and Space Institute, said that previously, European leaders felt it was easier and more cost-effective to lean on the U.S. defense industry to get access to advanced weaponry. But the Trump administrations move away from Europe could be the turning point, Jordan said. It would require the continent to pool its money and resources often a sticking point among the countries into research and development, manufacturing and logistics. But, Jordan said, the European defense industry is more than capable of building what it needs within a decade. -- The Associated Press EPIQ Machinery Acquires 50% Stake in India-based Crane Manufacturer FAFECO Group Founded in 1971, FAFECO GROUP has extensive expertise in custom-designed cranes with units lifting capacities of up to 500 tons. Founded in 1971, FAFECO GROUP has extensive expertise in custom-designed cranes with units lifting capacities of up to 500 tons. March 19, 2025 - EPIQ Machinery announced the strategic acquisition of a 50% stake in FAFECO GROUP, one of India's leading crane and overhead crane manufacturers. Founded in 1971, FAFECO GROUP has extensive expertise in custom-designed cranes with units lifting capacities of up to 500 tons. The company operates three manufacturing facilities in Pune with an annual production capacity of 100 cranes. FAFECO serves a global customer base, exporting to Europe and Asia. By this acquisition, EPIQ Machinery consolidates its global presence, particularly in India, where it has successfully expanded its operations over the past 12 years through EPIQ ADF in Pune. "This acquisition is a natural step in our long-standing commitment to the Indian market," said Eloise Harvey, CEO, EPIQ Machinery. "FAFECO's proven expertise in industrial cranes aligns perfectly with EPIQ's vision of delivering fully integrated material handling solutions that combine robotics, automation and digitalization to optimize industrial operations." Shyam Gurnani, Managing Director at FAFECO, will retain a 50% stake in the company. A long-time trusted partner of EPIQ ADF, he will continue to play a key leadership role in the overall management of EPIQ INDIA, which now includes: FAFECO, ADF, STYMER, and NOVIMEQ. EPIQ noted that by combining FAFECO's strength in specialized crane manufacturing with EPIQ's expertise in robotics and automation the partnership will foster the next generation of smart, interconnected industrial operations. Both companies will maintain their existing operations while collaborating closely on innovation, process optimization, and market expansion, EPIQ added. Based in Montreal, Canada, EPIQ Machinery transforms heavy industrial material handling through Industry 4.0 capabilities, combining automation, robotics, and digitalization to deliver intelligent, end-to-end solutions. SOURCE: EPIQ Machinery Last year, a hacker infiltrated PowerSchool, a software company that offers cloud-based services to K-12 schools, then came back several months later to steal. The breach resulted in stolen personal data for millions of kids as well as some staff membersbut the loss of social security numbers, birthdates, and other valuable details didnt have to happen. Amid the notices rolling out to affected students and staff, news reports also made the rounds, revealing that the compromised PowerSchool employee account lacked a crucial protection: two-factor authentication (aka multi-factor authentication). Had 2FA been active, hackers wouldve had to pass a second checkpoint to successfully access PowerSchools internal systems. These days, in the age of multiple data breaches, having this extra security layer can save your butt should your password ever become known. (Plenty of people use a weak or even reused passwords, which are easy to crack, but phishing attacks can also expose a previously strong credential.) PowerSchool made a mistake in not enforcing MFA for its employees, especially those with access to sensitive data. Fortunately, you can avoid PowerSchools failureand you should. Even if youre not an IT worker, you still have valuable accounts like a primary email address, a bank account, and the like that deserve safeguarding. Apps that generate one-time codes (e.g., Google Authenticator or Authy) are your best mix of convenience and security, but if you want to be even more secure, you can instead opt to use a hardware key. (You should use two for safety, in case one is lost or destroyed.) Jared Newman / Foundry For these sensitive accounts, enable 2FA now. (And if you havent done so already, upgrade to a strong, random password, too.) It takes just a few minutes and can be set up on your phone. I recommend one-time codes generated by an app as the best mix of convenience and securitycodes sent over text message are less secure, as theres a risk of them being intercepted. Using one takes maybe another 15 seconds during login, if that. Be sure to also save your backup codes in a secure but easily accessible way. You should enable 2FA for any valued account with a password even if you can use passkeys with them. Passkeys are a fast and much stronger method of logging in compared to passwords, especially if you store them on a local device (versus in the cloud). But if you still have a password enabled, a passkey wont stop an attacker from being able to login with the password, if they have it. Only 2FA will. PowerSchool says notifications have been sent to those caught in the data breach, and has shared final details of an independent investigation of the incident. The information lost depends on the school district and what was stored in PowerSchools database, but the company says that anyone affected is entitled to two years of credit monitoring. For further defense, you can take several more powerful steps to protect your kidssome forms of identity theft are silent and can go undetected for years. Editors note: This article was originally published on February 18, but was updated to clarify the timeline of PowerSchools hack and additional context. Nvidia, AMD, and Intel have all latched onto AI-powered techniques as a way to enhance their graphics capabilities. Now Arm has entered the arena, shipping a new Arm Accuracy Super Resolution (Arm ASR) technology thats based on something AMD previously developed. Arm ASR was initially developed for mobile GPUs, not for PCs. But Arm showed off Arm ASR in a demonstration for Unreal 5, running its desktop renderer on a mobile platform. All told, Arm ASR sped up the rendering engine by 30 percent, suggesting that Arms customersincluding Qualcomm with its Snapdragon PCscould use the technology to eventually speed up PC graphics as well. Arm ASR, which was first announced a year ago, is being released today as an Unreal Engine plugin. A Unity plugin will be available later this year. Arm said that it plans to expand Arm ASR to other platforms, without specifying exactly which ones or when. Arm ASR is built upon AMDs FidelityFX Super Resolution 2 (FSR 2), the older and simpler version that takes lower-resolution images and upscales them, boosting frame rates via faster processing. (AMDs later iterations, including FSR 3 and FSR 4, also include frame generation.) Arm ASR uses temporal upscaling, however, said to be an improved version. Arm showed off Arm ASR in its new demonstration video: Arm said that game developers just need to enable the ASR plugin, configure the project settings to use Temporal Anti-Aliasing, and verify the integration. Prominent game studios, including Enduring Games, Infold Games, and Sumo Digital, have integrated Arm ASR into their development processes, leading to improved game performance at the same visual quality, Arm said. At this point, its not clear whether or not licensees like Qualcomm will have access to Arm ASR, given the unexpected IP litigation thats been brewing between the two. Last week, Qualcomm said that it had filed two additional briefs in its fight against Arm, which was largely settled in Qualcomms favor after Arm unexpectedly tried to cancel Qualcomms IP license. Those recent briefs ask the court to rule against Arm in an unresolved claim in the IP trial. The second motion supports Qualcomms separate attempt to sue Arm for breach of contract. In an emailed statement, Geraint North, vice president of developer platforms at Arm, declined to comment on whether Qualcomm would have access to the ASR technology. We dont comment on specific partners, however Arm Accuracy Super Resolution (Arm ASR) is now open-source and available to all developers to experience the benefits of Arm ASR in their mobile games and graphics projects, he said. To best support this community, we want to make Arm ASR as performant and portable as possible, maximizing the number of upscaling options that developers can choose from, North added. Arm ASR is not tied to any particular GPU implementation, and we test across a range of devices to ensure a good experience. It is true, however, that the Windows on Arm platform in general has struggled to run games, largely because of compatibility issues. As Qualcomm and the Arm ecosystem continue to try and resolve that issue, Arm ASR will probably make gaming on Arm more attractive to developers and end customers alike. This story was updated at 9:25 AM PT with additional comment from Arm. Aurelio Martinez performs on stage during day one of the Womad Festival 2011 at Charlton Park on July 29, 2011 near Malmesbury in Wiltshire, England. (Photo by C Brandon/Redferns) Redferns Aurelio Martinez, a famed and beloved musician and politician from Honduras, was among 12 killed in a plane crash Monday night in the Caribbean. According to reports, Martinez, 56, was onboard a Lanhsa airlines Jetstream plane that crashed off the coast of Roatan, Honduras. The plane had just taken off from Roatan and had reportedly suffered a mechanical failure before going down in the ocean. There were reportedly 17 people onboard, and five survived. BLAST reported that Martinez was a legendary Garifuna musician and politician, whose impact on Honduran culture was widely recognized. While his career began as a star musician, the site noted that he moved into politics and was serving as a representative in the Honduran National Congress. Belizes Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade issued a statement, acknowledging his death. Belize joins Honduras in mourning the passing of Aurelio Matinez Sauzo, one of six victims who perished in a plane crash near Roatan, Honduras, the statement on X read. Aurelio was a great friend of Belize and a true champion of Garifuna culture and music. As a renowned Garifuna musician, Aurelia was a powerful voice in preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of the Garinagu people. Aurelio, alongside Belizes Andy Palacio and Paul Nabor were instrumental in bringing Garifuna music to global stage and international recognition, the statement continued. His passing leaves a void in the world of music and culture, but his legacy will live on in the hearts of all who loved his art and his people. Belize expresses out deepest condolences to the government and people of Honduras amidst this tragedy and the Garifuna community worldwide. The York County Coroners Office has released the name of the man who died in a house fire near the Susquehanna River on March 4. Jeffrey Franek, 65, of the 5500 block of River Drive in Hellam Township, was identified by his dental records, the coroners office said in a release. An autopsy has been completed, but the cause and manner of death are still pending those results. The county coroners office was sent to the fire at 8:01 a.m. that Tuesday morning. The blaze was reported as a structure fire with entrapment a little more than an hour earlier, according to dispatch. Franek was pronounced dead at 8:30 a.m. York County Coroner Pam Gay told PennLive last week that several factors are involved in the identification process, including presumptive methods and scientific testing. The first step is looking up known residents of an address to narrow down possible IDs. However, Gay said that is not enough on its own. If there are no identifying characteristics, [well look at] artifacts found on them or clothing or personal property items that family would recognize as having been worn or carried the last time they were seen that could possibly help to confirm our presumption, she said. It is just not good or thorough practice to base an ID simply on a presumptive idea of who it is. Gay said if those methods dont work, but there is an idea of who it could be, her office typically obtains the possible victims dental records. A forensic odontologist then compares any teeth found at the scene to the dental records, which can take time, Gay said. The Hellam Township Police Department is the investigating agency, and the Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshals were also present at the scene to investigate, according to the coroners report. Authorities are searching for Sudiksha Konanki, who went missing while on vacation in the Dominican Republic. Provided The parents of a Pennsylvania college student who went missing in the Dominican Republic two weeks ago tearfully said Tuesday that they believe she is dead and there was no foul play involved. We are coming to the terms with the fact that our daughter has drowned, said Subbarayudu Konanki, the father of University of Pittsburgh junior Sudiksha Konanki, who disappeared on March 6 while vacationing with friends in Punta Cana. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) AP Karoline Leavitt has been in the news plenty since taking over as the White House Press Secretary under President Donald Trump, but one thing she hasnt often talked about is her marriage. That changed during a recent interview with Megyn Kelly. Turns out, there is a large age gap in her marriage. Leavitt is 27 and her husband, Nicholas Riccio, is 59. I mean its a very atypical love story, but hes incredible, Leavitt told Kelly. Hes the father of my child and hes the best dad I could ever ask for, she added. And he is so supportive, especially during a very chaotic period of life. I say, I walked into your life and its been a circus ever since, but God bless him because hes fully on board. Leavitt said she met Riccio while she was running for Congress in New Hampshire in 2022. A mutual friend of ours hosted an event at a restaurant that he owns up in New Hampshire and invited my husband, she said. I was speaking. We met and we were acquainted as friends, and then we fell in love. PEOPLE reported that the couple got engaged during the Christmas holiday in 2023, and their son, Nicholas Robert Riccio, was born on July 10, 2024. Riccio was reportedly homeless at one point, but developed a real estate empire and currently has an estimated net worth of $6 million. A report was issued from the National Weather Service on Wednesday at 6:18 a.m. for elevated fire danger until 7 p.m. for Westmoreland Ridges, Fayette Ridges and Higher Elevations of Indiana as well as Mercer, Venango, Forest, Lawrence, Butler, Clarion, Jefferson, Beaver, Allegheny, Armstrong, Washington, Greene, Westmoreland, Fayette and Indiana counties. "A combination of dry and windy conditions this afternoon will create an elevated risk of wildfire spread across Western Pennsylvania. Minimum relative humidity values will range from the teens to 25 percent accompanied by southerly wind gusts between 20 and 30 mph. Residents are urged to exercise caution if handling any potential ignition sources, such as machinery, cigarettes, or matches. Hold on to your cigarette butts! If dry grasses and tree litter begin to burn, the fire will have the potential to spread rapidly," states the weather service. Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service. CHEYENNE, WYOMING During the recent legislative session, a large group of Scouts from throughout Wyoming met with Governor Gordon to speak about Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America) and its activities in Wyoming. This same group of youth also took time during their visit to the Wyoming Capitol to be introduced to the members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate and observe the Wyoming Legislature in action. The group that met with the Governor was comprised of approximately 15 boys, 5 girls and 12 adult leaders. Three of the Scouts present were Eagle Scouts who ha... NAIROBI, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese technology firm Huawei has completed the second phase of a digital connectivity project targeting 21 primary schools in Kenya to boost learning outcomes among pupils, according to a statement issued on Monday. Through a partnership with the Kenyan government and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Huawei has supported the rollout of high-speed Internet connectivity in Kenyan schools, following its long-term digital inclusion initiative, TECH4ALL. Steven Zhang, deputy chief executive officer for public affairs at Huawei Kenya, said connectivity has improved the quality of learning in local schools, besides enabling head teachers to easily access management systems online. "Connectivity in the classroom is making learning more interesting, fun, and effective," Zhang was quoted as saying, adding that access to high-speed internet is improving access to education resources online, whether videos, curriculum, or experts, and in schools catering for special educational needs, connectivity is helping experts to provide assessment and rehabilitation services remotely. Phase one of the Huawei-supported DigiSchool project connected 13 schools to high-speed Internet, benefiting 6,000 students and teachers, with a thorough evaluation finding that 98 percent of learners admitted that connectivity met their educational needs, according to Huawei. In addition, 84 percent of students said the Internet makes learning more exciting, while 71 percent said online resources make complex ideas easier to understand. John Tanui, principal secretary in the State Department for ICT and Digital Economy, said the second phase of Kenya DigiSchool Connectivity Project, which also covered six schools for children with special needs, aligns with the government's quest to bridge the digital divide and foster inclusive growth. Louise Haxthausen, director of the UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa, said partnerships are key to boosting access to high-speed Internet in schools, ensuring that children and youth have access to equitable and quality education. Tracking Windows Server end-of-life dates is challenging with Microsoft's fast release schedule. This audit report aids IT professionals in identifying servers needing immediate attention. The color-coded Windows Server EOL report offers a network overview, categorizing machines as: End-of-life (EOL) Approaching EOL (within 12 months) Post-mainstream support Fully supported The report includes a query to identify vulnerable servers, showing remaining support days for each. This helps IT teams prioritize upgrades and reduce security risks from unsupported systems. Watch this video to learn how to enhance your Windows Server security and develop an effective upgrade strategy. The 2025 Merit Poker Carmen Series $5,300 High Roller has officially crowned a champion, as Dawid Smolka outlasted a record-breaking 270-entry field to claim the biggest-ever Merit Poker High Roller title and the $260,000 top prize at the magnificent Crystal Cove Hotel and Casino. Smolka, who entered the day as the chip leader, maneuvered his way through a tough final table before securing the victory in a heads-up battle against Johnny Lodden. The Polish pro, who boasts over $1,000,000 in live earnings, showcased his composure and big-stage experience to take down the title and etch his name in Merit Poker history. Final Table Results Place Player Country Prize 1 Dawid Smolka Poland $260,000 2 Johnny Lodden Norway $182,700 3 Kirill Shcherbakov Russia $131,900 4 Oleg Svintsov Russia $91,400 5 Merijn van Rooij Netherlands $67,040 6 Peteris Enders Latvia $53,700 7 Atanas Malinov Bulgaria $44,700 8 Cedric Schwaederle France $35,735 9 Andrey Pateychuk Russia $26,800 Winners Reaction Before Smolka posed for his winners photos and celebrated with a glass of champagne, PokerNews caught up with the newly crowned champion for a few words. When asked how he felt after securing the title, Smolka kept it simple: "I feel amazing. I just arrived yesterday, late registered this event, and it was a smooth ride without any problems. I was running pure." Having made multiple trips to Merit Poker, Smolka was asked what keeps bringing him back to Cyprus time and time again. "The service here is the best in the world, and that's the reason I keep coming back again and againand will every time." Smolka, who won the Warm-Up event at the 2024 Merit Poker Gatsby Series, now adds a High Roller trophy to his collection. But he made it clear that he has one more target in mind: "There is one missing... the Main Event. And of course, I'll be playing it this series." Final Day Action The day got underway with 39 players returning, all having secured a minimum cash of $7,600 and now setting their sights on navigating their way to the final table. It didnt take long for the field to shrink, with early eliminations quickly bringing the tournament down to the final three tables. Among those to fall before the redraw were Ran Ilani, Samuel Ju, and Fahredin Mustafov. The last remaining female player in the field, Soraya Estrada, saw her run come to an end in 22nd place after losing a race against Kyosuke Nagami. Meanwhile, Smolka continued to build his stack after spiking an ace to crack the pocket sevens of Iurii Grigorev, sending Grigorev to the rail. Soraya Estrada However, Smolkas path to the final table was not without setbacks. In one of the few difficult spots he faced throughout the day, his three-barrel bluff was picked off by Maxime Chilaud, who made the call with top pair. This was the only time Smolka dipped below his starting stack for the day before recovering and continuing his march toward the final table. Tobias Petersone of the most accomplished players in the fieldwas unable to build momentum and fell before the tournament reached its final two tables. By this stage, Kirill Shcherbakov had claimed the chip lead, using relentless aggression to accumulate chips. Shortly after, Simas Karaliunas found himself on the wrong side of a cooler when his pocket queens ran into the pocket aces of Lodden, bringing his tournament to an end in 12th place. Simas Karaliunas The final table bubble burst when Smolka eliminated Charbel Salloum. Smolka turned the nuts to leave Salloum drawing dead with top pair. Heading into final table, Smolka sat second in chips, with Shcherbakov leading the way as the clear front-runner. Final Table Action After Shcherbakov bluffed into Merijn van Rooij in one of the first hands at the final table, Smolka reclaimed the tournament chip lead. He wasted no time putting his stack to use, consistently raising and applying pressure on opponents looking to ladder. His aggression quickly paid off, as he eliminated the dangerous Andrey Pateychuk in ninth place after Pateychuk three-bet shoved pocket fives into Smolkas pocket sevens. Andrey Pateychuk When seven players were left, Smolka further tightened his grip on the tournament, amassing close to 40% of the chips in play. A pivotal hand saw him check-raise Van Rooij, then fire barrels on both the turn and river, forcing the Dutch player to fold. Shortly after, Atanas Malinovwho was making his second major final table of the series after finishing runner-up in the Warm-Up eventwas eliminated in seventh place at the hands of Shcherbakov. As the final table progressed, Peteris Enders and Van Rooij busted, leaving just four players remaining. At this point, Smolka and Lodden held the majority of the chips, with Smolka holding a slight lead. However, after Smolka check-shoved the river and forced a fold from Lodden in a critical hand, he further distanced himself from the remaining competition. Merijn van Rooij The next two eliminations came at the hands of Lodden, as Oleg Svintsov and Shcherbakov were sent to the rail, setting up the heads-up battle between Lodden and Smolka. Heads-Up Battle When play began, Smolka held 17,800,000 chips to Loddens 10,000,000, but Lodden quickly gained momentum and took the chip lead. A key moment came when Smolka overbet the river as a bluff, straight into Loddens straight flush, further shifting the momentum in Loddens favor. Despite the setback, and with Lodden now as the chip leader, Smolka quickly rebounded with a massive preflop cooler, getting all the chips in with pocket kings against Loddens Big Slick. Lodden flopped a flush draw but couldnt find the help he needed, allowing Smolka to regain the chip lead and put himself back in the drivers seat. Johnny Lodden Lodden, however, was not going down without a fight. The Norwegian battled back, managing to even the stacks before the final hand of the tournament. In a single-raised pot, Lodden four-bet shoved the flop with an open-ended straight draw and was called by Smolka, who held top pair, top kicker. The turn gave Lodden additional outs with a flush draw, but a blank on the river sealed his fate. Lodden had to settle for second place, while Smolka was crowned the champion of the record-breaking 2025 Merit Poker Carmen Series High Roller. Reflecting on the final stretch, Smolka admitted that heads-up play was his biggest challenge: "I think heads-up was the toughest challenge. It was pretty straightforward getting there, but once we were heads-up, it went back and forth. I pretty much won a preflop cooler and then stacked off when I was ahead. A Historic High Roller This event shattered records for a Merit Poker High Roller, with 270 entries generating a $1,242,000 prize pool, far surpassing the $500,000 guarantee. The previous largest field in a Merit Poker High Roller came in 2023, with 187 entries. As always, PokerNews will be back with live coverage of the Main Event here at the 2025 Merit Poker Carmen Series! Aiken Standard reporter Dede Biles is a reporter for the Aiken Standard. She covers Aiken County government, business and horse industry. To support local journalism, sign up for a subscription. See our current offers Aiken Standard reporter Matthew Christian is a reporter for the Aiken Standard. He covers the Savannah River Site, city of Aiken, politics and public safety and courts. Matthew previously covered government and politics for the Morning News in Florence. He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law and the University of Charleston in West Virginia. To support local journalism, sign up for a subscription. See our current offers Charleston, SC (29403) Today Tropical storm conditions possible. Rain diminishing to a few showers this afternoon. High around 85F. Winds NE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.. Tonight Tropical storm conditions possible. Showers this evening then scattered thunderstorms developing overnight. Low 74F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Growth & Development Reporter Caleb Bozard covers business, growth and development for The Post and Courier Columbia. He has previously written for The State and the Times and Democrat. He graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2023. Greenville, SC (29601) Today Sunny to partly cloudy. Hot. High 92F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. Low around 70F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Kingstree, SC (29556) Today Partly cloudy this morning, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 84F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Rain showers early will evolve into a more steady rain overnight. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low 71F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a half an inch. The More Situational Awareness for Industrial Control Systems (MOSAICS), developed years ago by scientists and systems engineers at Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic, is a technological innovation in cybersecurity aimed at defending against cyber actors who seek to compromise networks and remotely access critical industrial control systems. Mount Pleasant, SC (29464) Today Tropical storm conditions possible. Cloudy with occasional rain showers. High 83F. Winds NE at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Tropical storm conditions possible. Showers this evening then scattered thunderstorms developing overnight. Low 74F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Charleston, SC (29532) Today Some sun this morning with increasing clouds this afternoon. Slight chance of a rain shower. High near 90F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Showers this evening, becoming a steady rain overnight. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low 72F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. Tesla Inc.s work force in Buffalo rebounded quickly during the summer and fall after a round of layoffs hit the local plant last spring. Tesla finished last year with 2,059 full-time jobs at its Riverbend factory on South Park Avenue, up from 1,684 in late May after layoffs slashed its local staff by more than 15%, according to a report filed by the company with New York State and obtained by The Buffalo News through a Freedom of Information request. At that point last spring, Tesla was about 115 people below the 1,800-job target the company needed to meet to avoid a $41.2 million penalty from the state. But the hiring surge in the second half of the year allowed the company to easily surpass its job commitment. The report also highlighted the changing nature of the work being done at the Tesla plant, which was originally built as a facility to make solar panels and, later, Teslas complex and expensive solar roof. But after an early foray into solar panel manufacturing with its partner, Panasonic Corp., failed when Tesla purposely scaled back in solar energy installation business to free up funds for development of its Model 3 electric vehicle, the company focused the Buffalo factory on making superchargers for its electric vehicles and compiling data for its self-driving car technology. The Buffalo factory has produced most of the superchargers used at Teslas 7,000 charging sites worldwide with the majority in U.S., and is expected to begin producing fourth-generation chargers and charging cabinets this year that have larger capacity and are smaller and more efficient. The plant also is making prefabricated chargers that Tesla said can be installed in days, rather than weeks. This past year has been another excellent year for Tesla in Buffalo and throughout the state, said Jeff Munson, the treasurer for Teslas Silevo unit, in the report, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request. Tesla remains committed to making Gigafactory New York a world-class advanced manufacturing center. Tesla and the state also are close to finalizing an agreement first disclosed in August that would increase its job commitment in Buffalo by 340 positions to a total of 1,800, while reducing its statewide employment pledge, said Pamm Lent, an Empire State Development spokeswoman. The terms of the new agreement, which has been signed by Tesla, but not yet finalized by the state, will extend Teslas commitment to operate the Buffalo factory for five additional years, through 2034. It also affirms the companys pledge to spend $500 million to open an artificial intelligence supercomputer hub at the facility, state officials said. State officials believe the renegotiated agreement strengthens Teslas commitment to its operations in Buffalo, and potentially opens the door to further growth through the investment in the companys Dojo artificial intelligence initiative. The renegotiated agreement stems from Teslas realization that it would fall short of its statewide employment target, mainly because of state franchise laws that limit the number of locations where the company which sells directly to consumers, rather than through dealership franchises can sell its electric vehicles in New York. Those limitations have kept its statewide workforce from growing as much as Tesla expected. Revamped Tesla deal increases Buffalo job commitment and extends it for 5 years The deal also affirms the company's pledge to spend $500 million to open an artificial intelligence supercomputer hub at the Buffalo facility, state officials said. In addition to the job commitment, Tesla will: Agree to extend the agreement, which had been set to expire in 2029 with the possibility of another 10-year extension, to run through 2034. Pay $2 million a year in rent retroactive to 2024 and continuing through 2029. The rent will rise to $5 million a year during extension through 2034. Tesla had been paying $1 a year in rent. Invest $500 million in its Dojo artificial intelligence initiative in Buffalo by the end of 2029, including $350 million by the end of 2025. Dojo is a supercomputer that Tesla is developing to bolster its work on developing its autonomous driving system, which has become a big source of work at the Buffalo factory. If Tesla doesnt make its promised Dojo investments, its rent will be doubled until it does. Drop its statewide job commitment from 3,460 to 2,900 a 16.2% reduction and then increase it to 3,000 annually for the duration of the agreement. The revised agreement also tightens the conditions that would force Tesla to pay a $41.2 million penalty for missing its job and investment promises. And it eliminated a standard Empire State Development provision that gives companies leeway in meeting the job promises, typically because of fluctuations in the economy or business conditions. That provision typically says Empire State Development will not impose penalties if a company meets 85% of its job goals. The tentative agreement reached in August eliminated that provision, allowing penalties to be imposed for any shortfall, but it has since been revised to allow the state to impose penalties if Tesla falls below 95% of its job commitments in Buffalo or 85% statewide, Lent said. The Tesla plant, the centerpiece of the Cuomo administrations Buffalo Billion economic development program, was built and partially equipped with $958 million in taxpayer funds. The project initially was aimed at producing solar panels first through a startup called Silevo, then with solar energy installer SolarCity and finally Tesla, which bought SolarCity as it faced severe financial troubles. But the Buffalo factory failed to become the hub for solar panel production that state officials envisioned. Instead, Tesla shifted away from production of conventional solar panels as the solar energy installation business shrunk because the company devoted most of its resources to its electric vehicle and battery production and storage businesses. Latest Tesla earnings report makes no mention of solar roof product Once again, the company's first-quarter earnings report said nothing about Tesla's solar roof product, which is made at its factory in Buffalo that was built with $950 million in taxpayer funds. Tesla continues to use the Buffalo factory to produce its expensive and complex solar roof, which has failed to catch on commercially. Tesla has never said how many solar roofs it produces in Buffalo, but a report in the spring of 2023 from energy research firm Wood Mackenzie said the number was around 3,000 since 2016. The latest Tesla report said the company continues to make the solar roof in Buffalo, without saying how many it produced. In its place, the company has turned the Buffalo factory into a hub for production of its electric vehicle Superchargers, giving the Buffalo factory what was seen as a stable and potentially growing source of work as more people bought electric vehicles and there was a growing need to build out a nationwide network of charging stations. That was briefly brought into question after the Supercharger unit was disbanded over the summer, but Tesla Chairman Elon Musk has since reversed course and said the company plans to continue building out its charging network. Tesla also has hired hundreds of people to work on its autonomous driving programs for electric vehicles. Most of those positions are for data annotation work and requires a high school diploma. There also is growth potential from Teslas Dojo supercomputer, which is being installed in Buffalo and is expected to have received $350 million in investment from Tesla by the end of this year. Tesla also opened a 200,000-square-foot warehouse facility in Hamburg last year, which eventually is expected to employ 100 people, the company said. PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-19 21:50:16 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 979 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 SEMINOLE, FL / ACCESS Newswire / March 19, 2025 / Digital advertising is no longer just an option; it's a necessity for businesses striving to thrive in today's competitive marketplace. But for those who are just starting out, the realm of digital advertising can feel overwhelming. Where do you start? Which platforms should you use? How do you measure success? These are just a few of the questions that often leave beginners scratching their heads.To shed light on the subject, we spoke with marketing expert Esha Persad, whose decade-long experience in social media and digital marketing has helped countless businesses find their voice online. Based in sunny St. Petersburg and Seminole, Florida, Esha Persad has developed and executed high-impact campaigns that achieve meaningful results for brands of all shapes and sizes. With her signature mix of creativity and strategy, Esha is passionate about helping businesses unlock their full potential in the digital landscape.Below, Esha shares her top insights and strategies for anyone taking their first steps into digital advertising.What Is Digital Advertising, and Why Does It Matter?Before jumping into tools and tactics, it's essential to understand what digital advertising entails. At its core, digital advertising refers to delivering promotional content to users through online platforms such as social media, search engines, websites, and email.According to Esha, the value of digital advertising is undeniable. "It's one of the most measurable and scalable ways to connect with your target audience," she explains. Unlike traditional advertising, digital campaigns can be finely tuned to ensure your budget is spent reaching the right people at the right time.Getting Started with Digital Advertising1. Define Your GoalsEsha advises that the foundation of any successful advertising campaign is setting clear, measurable goals. Ask yourself what you want to achieve.Are you aiming to increase brand awareness?Drive website traffic?Generate leads or boost sales?"Having a defined goal helps you select the right platforms, craft compelling messages, and measure success effectively," says Esha.2. Know Your Target AudienceKnowing your audience is pivotal. According to Esha, the more you know about your potential customers-their demographics, interests, and online behaviors-the better you can tailor your messaging. Platforms like Facebook, Google, and LinkedIn offer built-in tools to help you analyze and define your target audience."For beginners, I recommend starting with one audience segment and gradually expanding as your confidence grows," she advises.3. Choose the Right ChannelsNot every platform is suitable for every business. Esha emphasizes the importance of selecting the channels where your target audience spends their time.Facebook & Instagram: Excellent for visual storytelling and customer engagement. Popular among brands targeting diverse age groups.Google Ads: Ideal for businesses with a strong focus on search intent or lead generation.LinkedIn: Perfect for B2B advertising campaigns and networking with professionals.Pro Tip from Esha Persad: Start small. "You don't need to be active on every platform right away. Choose one or two key platforms and build from there." 4. Craft Compelling ContentContent is king, and for digital advertising, it can make or break your campaign. Esha Persad stresses the importance of making your ads engaging, informative, and visually appealing. Use attention-grabbing headlines, strong calls to action, and high-quality visuals to captivate your audience."I always recommend testing different formats," she adds. "Carousel ads, video ads, and stories each appeal to audiences differently, so experimentation is key." 5. Start with a Modest BudgetMany beginners hesitate to spend on advertising, but Esha Persad reassures that even a small budget can yield results if spent wisely. Platforms like Facebook and Google Ads allow you to set daily spending limits, making digital advertising accessible even to small businesses."With smaller budgets, focus on learning and optimizing your ads," she suggests. "Digital advertising is all about testing, analyzing, and refining." 6. Track and Optimize Your CampaignsThe beauty of digital advertising lies in its measurability. Esha encourages beginners to take advantage of analytics platforms to monitor campaign performance. Keep an eye on metrics such as click-through rates (CTR), conversions, and return on ad spend (ROAS)."Every campaign has room for improvement," says Esha. "Pay attention to what's working-and what's not-and use those insights to adjust your strategy." Common Mistakes to AvoidEsha Persad believes that mistakes are part of the learning curve, but avoiding a few common pitfalls can save you time (and money).Overlooking the Importance of a Landing Page: Ensure your ads lead to a well-designed landing page that aligns with the ad's message.Not Testing Enough: Always A/B test different headlines, visuals, and calls to action to find what resonates best with your audience.Ignoring Mobile Optimization: With the majority of web traffic coming from mobile devices, it's vital to create ads and landing pages that look great on smaller screens.Why Now Is the Time to Invest in Digital AdvertisingEsha Persad emphasizes that the digital landscape is constantly changing, and businesses that prioritize digital advertising will gain a competitive edge. "The earlier you start, the sooner you'll understand your audience and learn what works for your brand," she says."Today's marketing is all about creating meaningful connections, and digital advertising makes that possible." Final ThoughtsFor anyone feeling daunted by the idea of launching their first digital campaign, Esha offers some parting words of encouragement. "Start small, stay curious, and don't be afraid to make mistakes. Every great campaign you see out there now started as an experiment." And when in doubt, remember to focus on how your ads can deliver value to your audience. "At the end of the day, it's all about helping your customers solve a problem or fulfill a need," she concludes.CONTACT:Esha PersadEmail: esha@ eshapersad.comhttps://eshapersad.com SOURCE: Esha Persad Marketing PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-19 22:05:37 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 745 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 AUSTIN, TX AND ROUND ROCK, TX / ACCESS Newswire / March 19, 2025 / Venkata Sai Swaroop Reddy's groundbreaking IEEE research titled "Modified AI-based Learning Approach to Secure Data using Deep Learning Algorithms," presented at the 2024 International Conference on Intelligent Computing and Emerging Communication Technologies (ICEC), has introduced significant innovations in cybersecurity. His pioneering work, recognized with a prestigious IEEE certificate of paper presentation, demonstrates a remarkable shift from traditional cybersecurity practices to proactive AI-driven solutions.The award-winning IEEE conference paper,"Modified AI-based Learning Approach to Secure Data using Deep Learning Algorithms,"unveils a paradigm shift in cybersecurity by leveraging advanced neural networks and deep learning methodologies. With an emphasis on Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), Autoencoders, Deep Belief Networks, and Deep Reinforcement Learning, this research presents an innovative approach to cyber risk analytics and AI-driven defense mechanisms.This paper underscores the efficacy of multilayer perceptrons (MLPs), convolutional neural networks (CNNs), and recurrent neural networks (RNNs) in detecting and neutralizing sophisticated cyber threats. The research further elaborates on optimization techniques, including Adam, Stochastic Gradient Descent (SGD), and Limited Memory BFGS (L-BFGS), ensuring robust AI model training for cybersecurity applications. The findings highlight the profound impact of deep learning-driven intrusion detection, malware analysis, and IoT security enhancement, heralding a new era of resilient cyber architectures.The research significantly enhances cybersecurity frameworks by employing sophisticated neural networks and advanced deep-learning methodologies. Leveraging Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), the approach proactively anticipates cyber threats, enabling organizations to neutralize attacks before they exploit system vulnerabilities. This revolutionary method departs from traditional security frameworks that typically react after breaches occur, thus marking a pivotal advancement in cybersecurity standards.Industry impact metrics demonstrate this research's effectiveness, including:Reduction in successful phishing attacks by up to 65%.Improvement in threat detection rates by over 40% compared to traditional rule-based systems.Reduction of cybersecurity operational overhead costs by approximately 35%."The future of cybersecurity is increasingly becoming AI versus AI," remarks Dr. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Senior AI Security Architect at Google. He further highlights, "Venkata Sai's research represents the cutting edge in AI-driven threat mitigation, showing that defensive AI can evolve alongside-and ahead of-intelligent cyber threats." Further validating his influence in AI and cybersecurity, Venkata Sai has also authored the influential book, "Generative AI in Action: From Neural Networks to Google Bard and ChatGPT," now widely adopted by enterprise leaders and cybersecurity professionals. The book provides comprehensive guidance on implementing Generative AI, addressing critical aspects from neural network evolution to ethical implications and practical enterprise applications. Also, This book meticulously dissects the evolution of neural networks, large language models (LLMs), and transformers, offering a lucid yet profound analysis of modern AI frameworks.Why This Book is Becoming Essential for AI LeadersExplains the Evolution of Generative AI - From early neural networks to cutting-edge LLMs, the book traces how AI has evolved to create human-like text, images, and decision-making systems.Enterprise AI Implementation Strategies - The book dives into real-world AI adoption-how businesses can leverage Generative AI to streamline operations, automate decision-making, and secure digital assets.AI Ethics and Security in the Generative AI Era - With deepfake threats, AI-generated misinformation, and adversarial attacks on the rise, the book provides guidelines for building ethical and secure AI applications."Generative AI is not just about text generation-it is fundamentally changing how security threats are identified and mitigated," says Dr. Arun Menon, Head of AI Research at OpenAI. "Venkata Sai's book is one of the first to connect the dots between Generative AI's potential and its implications for security, automation, and enterprise-scale AI adoption." Doctoral professors in the field, fellow AI researcher and IEEE member, acknowledges, "Venkata Sai's work bridges theoretical research and practical industry applications, profoundly influencing how businesses and national security infrastructures integrate AI-driven cybersecurity solutions today." With his IEEE-recognized research and authoritative writings, Venkata Sai continues to significantly shape the landscape of intelligent cybersecurity and generative AI, positioning himself as an essential voice for contemporary cybersecurity practices.About the Author: Sai Nallapa Reddy, the author of the Book "GENERATIVE AI IN ACTION FROM NEURAL NETWORKS TO GOOGLE BARD AND CHATGPT" is an esteemed researcher, AI expert, and author with a profound focus on cybersecurity, deep learning, and artificial intelligence. His work in machine learning-driven security frameworks and generative AI systems has been widely recognized, making significant contributions to both academia and industry.Media Contact Details:Bob White bob.white@protonmail.ch SOURCE: Sai Nallapa Reddy PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-19 22:13:16 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 402 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 BOSTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / March 19, 2025 / Block & Leviton is investigating Bakkt Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BKKT) for potential securities law violations. Investors who have lost money in their Bakkt Holdings, Inc. investment should contact the firm to learn more about how they might recover those losses. For more details, visit https://blockleviton.com/cases/bkkt What is this all about?Shares of Bakkt Holdings, Inc. fell over 31% in after-hours trading on March 17, 2025, after the company disclosed that Bank of America and Webull will not renew their commercial agreements, which expire in April and June 2025, respectively. Additionally, Bakkt Holdings announced it will be delaying the filing of its annual Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024.Who is eligible?Anyone who purchased Bakkt Holdings, Inc. common stock and has seen their shares fall may be eligible, whether or not they have sold their investment. Investors should contact Block & Leviton to learn more.What is Block & Leviton doing?Block & Leviton is investigating whether the Company committed securities law violations and may file an action to attempt to recover losses on behalf of investors who have lost money.What should you do next?If you've lost money on your investment, you should contact Block & Leviton to learn more via our case website, by email at shareholders@ blockleviton.com , or by phone at (888) 256-2510.Whistleblower?If you have non-public information about Bakkt Holdings, Inc., you should consider assisting in our investigation or working with our attorneys to file a report with the Securities Exchange Commission under their whistleblower program. Whistleblowers who provide original information to the SEC may receive rewards of up to 30% of any successful recovery. For more information, contact Block & Leviton at shareholders@ blockleviton.com or by phone at (888) 256-2510.Why should you contact Block & Leviton?Block & Leviton is widely regarded as one of the leading securities class action firms in the country. Our attorneys have recovered billions of dollars for defrauded investors and are dedicated to obtaining significant recoveries on behalf of our clients through active litigation in the federal courts across the country. Many of the nation's top institutional investors hire us to represent their interests. You can learn more about us at our website www.blockleviton.com , call (888) 256-2510 or email shareholders@ blockleviton.com with any questions.This notice may constitute attorney advertising.CONTACT:BLOCK & LEVITON LLP260 Franklin St., Suite 1860Boston, MA 02110Phone: (888) 256-2510Email: shareholders@ blockleviton.com SOURCE: Block & Leviton LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-19 15:40:37 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 992 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 RENO, NV / ACCESS Newswire / March 19, 2025 / Brookmount Gold (sic. Brookmount Explorations Inc.) (OTC PINK:BMXI), a gold exploration and production company, is pleased to confirm that it has filed its Annual Report & Financial Statements for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2024, with OTC MarketsFY 2024 Financial Highlights:Revenue for twelve months reached $18.45 million, an increase of 8.1% over the corresponding result in 2023 of $17.06 million. Revenue was comprised principally of the direct sale of gold. During 2024 the company mined more gold and the price for gold increased from 2023.Gross Profits increased 3.7% to $12,35 million compared to $11.91 million for fiscal year 2023. .Net income for 2024 was $9.18 million or $.07 Earnings Per Share (EPS), based on the outstanding share count on 11/30/24 of 140,225,689. This represents a 4.1% increase from the $8.95 million net income achieved in FY23. This is primarily a reflection of increased gold production and higher gold prices, together with a reduced tax provision.Total Assets increased to $53.63 million compared to $42,32 million on 11/30/23. This is a result of the increased cash flow generated which resulted in substantially more funds being generated and held by the joint venture for reinvestment.Total Liabilities decreased to $1.72 million on 11/30/24 compared to $2,10 million on 11/30/23, a 4.1% decrease. This is a result of a lower negotiated tax burden.For additional information, please visit www.otcmarkets.com for full filing details.Nils Ollquist, CEO of Brookmount Gold commented as follows: "We are pleased, but not entirely satisfied, by our growth during the past year. During the current fiscal year, we plan to take full advantage of achieving full operational control of our mining operations in Indonesia, through seeking greater efficiency in our mining activities, expanding our number of operating shafts and improving our ore processing sequence to reduce processing times. While the initial transition process to full ownership of the mine, in the first 2 months of 2025 slowed production, the foundation for incremental growth has now been established. Our objective is that the second half of 2025 will show production higher than the second half of 2024. As the price of gold continues to rise (recently trading above $3,000/oz for the first time), and we continue to mine successfully and profitably, the future for the Company is excellent, and will be enhanced by initiatives undertaken by management to enhance the market value of its shares and reward its shareholders for their patience during the past 2 years of rapid development".2024 Operational HighlightsIn 2024 the Company mined approximately 6,500 ounces (oz) of gold, a new company record, and has now recorded twenty-three consecutive profitable quarters.In July, the Company announced a definitive agreement for the acquisition of 100% ownership and control of The Company's mining operations at the Indonesian mine. In December, the Company completed the acquisition and took full operational control. Errin Kimball, Brookmount's Chief Geologist relocated to Indonesia to oversee the process and ensure a smooth transition. In January, the mine was reopened and mining operations recommenced.The Company commissioned a valuation report from an independent U.S.-based accounting/appraisal firm, to review and endorse a Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) analysis of the Indonesian gold operation's value to justify the purchase. The report ultimately derived a valuation of $168.7 million, thus paving the way for the purchase and 100% control of the mine and its operations. The $168.7 million appraised value is derived from a thorough and comprehensive analysis of historical and projected production, sales, operating expenses, earnings, and ore grades statistics.With full operational control, the Company now has the right to fully explore and exploit the 50-hectare property, including implementing a drilling program to carry the balance of provable reserves on our financial statements, while also guiding future gold exploitation. The Company is working with SGS Group, the worlds leading Testing, Inspection & Certification company with respect to conducting thermal imaging analysis of ore deposits on the property.The Company initiated a strategy of restructuring North American operations. Given that the majority of our North American properties are each at, or near, production status, Brookmount is proposing a strategy whereby these properties will be transferred into a separate listed entity to facilitate greater access to project funding and provide an independent listing and valuation platform. The transaction will be structured in such a way that several benefits will accrue to Brookmount, and most importantly, its shareholders.The Company launched a new social media platform to improve and streamline information delivery and communication with our stakeholders at all levels. This has led to enhanced communication and global visibility creating additional business opportunities for the company.About Brookmount GoldFounded in 2018, Brookmount Gold is a high-growth gold-producing company quoted on OTC Markets in the United States (OTC: BMXI). With operating gold mines in Southeast Asia and exploration and production assets in North America, the Company is focused on building production of existing assets to scale, in addition to acquiring and developing additional high quality gold assets with JORC/NI 43-101 verified resources.Safe Harbor Statements:Except for the historical information contained herein, certain of the matters discussed in this communication constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "could," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "predict," "project," "future," "potential," "intend," "seek to," "plan," "assume," "believe," "target," "forecast," "goal," "objective," "continue" or the negative of such terms or other variations thereof and words and terms of similar substance used in connection with any discussion of future plans, actions, or events identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding benefits of the proposed license, expected synergies, anticipated future financial and operating performance and results, including estimates of growth. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the fo PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-19 17:32:06 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 480 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / March 19, 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 YOU 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 Could Costco Wholesale, the popular warehouse membership club that is in the process of building its first Western New York location in Amherst, be planning a second location at the former Seneca Mall site in West Seneca? No one will say so on the record, but there are plenty of clues that it could be. A building the exact same size as the Costco being constructed in Amherst is planned for the West Seneca site. Plans filed by the developer with West Seneca indicate a discount club with a fueling facility, like the one Costco is planning in Amherst. It calls for a 164,576-square-foot discount club with 24 vehicle fueling positions. The building is exactly the same size as the Costco in Amherst, which calls for 16 fueling locations. The West Seneca town supervisor said he knows which discount club is planned for the site and that it will be a national big-box warehouse that will be a significant development in town. But he wont name the retailer. A restaurateur who was being recruited for an outparcel on the site said he was told it would be Costco. And West Seneca Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Joe Kirchmyer called the Costco rumors a worst-kept secret. Speculation always surrounds the opening of new Costco stores, because the company generally will not confirm the construction of new stores until just a few months before they open. A Costco has been under construction for months in Amherst, but the company still hasnt confirmed that location, which is expected to open in spring 2026. Traffic restriction near Costco site will last through the end of the year. But it has nothing to do with Costco A project to expand sewer capacity along the Niagara Falls Boulevard corridor in Amherst has narrowed a key roadway near The Boulevard retail center and the future site of the region's first Costco Wholesale store to a single lane, a restriction that is expected to remain in place through the holiday season. I cant affirm or deny. No comment, said West Seneca Supervisor Gary A. Dickson, with a laugh. The developer doesnt want to make it public, or the developer is not announcing it, and were going to stick with his desires. Dickson noted that the documents filed with the town do not specify Costco as part of the project. We also know how these things work out sometimes. There was that development over in Amherst (Station Twelve) that was supposed to be Williams Sonoma, was supposed to be all of the things and its empty, Dickson said. So, until they announce their intention, as far as Im concerned, everything is planned for, is hoped for, but you know, until we see digging in the ground, Im just being cautiously optimistic, Dickson said. He declined to say whether the proposed retailer is a concept that does not yet exist in Western New York. The Costco planned for Amherst would be the first in the local market. Anything of that stature, whether its that or a similar one, the whole development, will be huge, Dickson said. There are lots of advantages. Were eliminating a blatant eyesore at the entrance to the town. Kirchmyer said he has nothing official about the project but said he has heard that it could be a Costco. Thats the worlds worst-kept secret, I guess. Thats what we hear, too, he said. I honestly have nothing official, nothing in writing, but just like everyone else, thats the rumor weve heard as well. Everyone is being really tight-lipped on this one. Kirchmyer said that whatever company it is, theyre doing their homework. Theyre doing the environmental studies, the traffic studies. The traffic study alone goes over 600 pages, and theyre getting everything ready, Kirchmyer said. They want everything ready for when they do go to the Planning Board next month, and eventually the Zoning Board. But theyre doing it right. Its just such a huge project that its going to take some time. Days before Benchmark Streamline filed development plans for the Orchard Park Road project, at least one national restaurant chain that was contacted by developers about leasing an outparcel at the site said it was told Costco would be opening a location in the shopping plaza. The restaurateur, who was being recruited to open a location in the plaza, was told Costcos involvement was a done deal. The restaurateur spoke on the condition of anonymity because the conversations were private. Rochester-based Caliber Commercial Brokerage said it is months away from making any announcements about tenants at the site. The plans filed with the town, as well as an advertising flyer for The Ridge at West Seneca from Caliber and Albany-based Trinity Realty Group, do not identify Costco, but do list a 164,576-square-foot anchor building two doors down from Tops Markets that would fit the requirements for one of the warehouse clubs. We currently do not have a plan for this project. We are looking at several options showing various sizes of buildings and working on leasing the property now, said Matthew J. Lester, managing partner at Caliber. The Orchard Park Road site is bounded by Slade Avenue, Orchard Park Road and Ridge Road. Plans call for four anchor buildings around the perimeter of the space, with seven smaller outparcels of various sizes running through the middle of the property and at the edges. In addition to the main discount club anchor, there is a roughly 119,115-square-foot sports retail anchor and two 15,000-square-foot anchors. The Dicks House of Sport planned for the same retail project as Costco in Amherst is also roughly 120,000 square feet. The project will be heard by the Planning Board April 10. Costco could not be reached for comment. In Amherst, Costcos permits are under review, and work on the site is expected to begin this spring or summer. The club store is expected to be completed in spring of 2026. Benchmark Streamline purchased 12 vacant parcels for $7.96 million that would create a roughly 48-acre site in West Seneca. It encompasses most of the property where the former Seneca Mall was located. Dallas property investment company NS Retail Holdings bought the remaining 7 acres, which houses the Tops Markets and the land where a longtime Kmart was demolished several years ago. The former Seneca Mall, built in the 1960s, was demolished in the 1990s. The site has sat mostly vacant ever since. If the project goes through, Dickson said it will be a financial boost for the town. The taxes collected on a retail plaza will be several times increased over the vacant lot, he said, which pays around $200,000 in taxes split between the town, the county and the school. I would imagine that thats going to increase several, several times, which will benefit us and you know, by being retail, it doesnt put as much stress on the sewer system, which is something were always concerned about, as a residential project would, he said. PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-19 20:00:10 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 339 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW DELHI, IN / ACCESS Newswire / March 19, 2025 / Divine API, a company specializing in astrology technology, has launched the Divine Astro plugin, a new tool designed for WordPress, Shopify, and Wix websites. Built on an Astrology API, the plugin provides daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly horoscopes, along with natal chart data, directly to site visitors.The introduction of Divine Astro follows significant growth in the company's user base over the past year. Tools such as the Horoscope API and Natal Chart API enable site owners-including bloggers and e-commerce operators-to enhance visitor engagement. Dinesh Gahlot, Founder and CEO of Divine API, noted that feedback indicates a 40% traffic increase for many users after integrating Divine Astro, attributing this to its delivery of personalized horoscope content.Divine Astro serves as a Horoscope WordPress Plugin and extends functionality to Shopify and Wix platforms. The plugin offers horoscopes covering categories like love, career, health, emotions, travel, and luck, alongside customizable Horoscope Widgets compatible with various websites. Installation requires minimal technical expertise, broadening its accessibility to site owners across these platforms.The plugin leverages an Astrology API to ensure accurate predictions, a feature that distinguishes it in the market. Data from early adopters shows increased visitor retention, with some Shopify sites reporting doubled dwell times and Wix users noting seamless widget integration. Divine API reports that the plugin aligns with rising interest in astrology, evidenced by millions of daily zodiac-related searches.Divine Astro is available with a 7-day free trial through divineapi.com , where site owners can access the plugin and widgets for WordPress, Shopify, and Wix. The company provides support to assist with implementation across these platforms.About Divine API Headquartered in New Delhi, Divine API develops astrology solutions for website integration. The Divine Astro plugin supports WordPress, Shopify, and Wix, while the Horoscope API and Natal Chart API offer additional tools for site owners.More information is available at divineapi.com Media ContactOrganization: Divine APIContact Person Name: Nitish GuglaniWebsite: https://divineapi.com/ Email: admin@ divineapi.com City: New DelhiState: DelhiCountry: IndiaSOURCE: Divine API PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-19 13:01:39 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 637 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 DALLAS, TEXAS / ACCESS Newswire / March 19, 2025 / ePayResources presented three awards at its 29th annual conference, ePayConnect 2025, held March 10 - 12 at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Studios in Orlando. ePayResources 2025 Payments Awards ePayResources presented three awards at its 29th annual conference, ePayConnect 2025.Peter Tapling, APRP, Managing Director, PTap Advisory, LLC, was presented the Richard R. Oliver Leadership in Payments Award for his exemplary work in the advancement, implementation, and promotion of electronic payments. The recipient is a payments ambassador who has made outstanding contributions to the efficiency, security, and growth of the industry.Peter is a pioneer in the payments industry with a passion for learning, teaching, and mentoring. His drive and entrepreneurial spirit have helped develop and deliver vital technologies and education to many organizations and partners. His leadership, knowledge, and support were instrumental in developing the strategy and implementation of products used today to validate and secure payments across the Zelle, Paze, and Real Time Payment rails. Peter has also served as an Advisor to the ePayResources Board of Directors since 2019; as a member of the Board of the U.S. Faster Payments Council since 2020; as a Technology Advisor at Nacha since 2019; and is currently the leader of the Quantum Payments Project Team for Nacha's Payments Innovation Alliance.The Innovation in Payments Award was presented to Identifee and was accepted by Kevin Miyamoto, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer.This award honors an individual, team, or organization that has demonstrated significant achievement in developing or implementing innovative payments solutions or technologies. The recipient is a payments influencer that has broken ground to propel industry advancement.Identifee has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to advancing the payments industry by driving collaborative innovation through AI integration. Their partnerships with ePayResources, Nacha, and other payments associations stand out as models of industry-wide cooperation to enhance compliance, reduce risk, increase efficiency, and make complex regulations more accessible to payments professionals.Lily Ramos, Manager, Administration, ePayResources, received the association's first MERIT Award, which centers around the guiding principles of Members First, Excellence, Respect, Integrity & Trust, and Teamwork. The recipient is an individual on the ePayResources or ePayAdvisors team who portrays the Ideal Team Player spirit and has demonstrated outstanding drive, leadership, or service for the greater good of the organization.Lily is an exemplary team member whose dedication, proactive mindset, and embodiment of the MERIT principles have defined her 25-year tenure at ePayResources. She is beloved by members and colleagues alike for her warmth, dependability, and innovative contributions. She consistently goes above and beyond, from spearheading digital transformations that save hundreds of manual work hours to serving as a bilingual ambassador. Her steadfast commitment to service, adaptability to change, and unwavering focus on excellence, teamwork, and respect for others have made her the backbone of the organization."ePayResources is very grateful for the impact that Peter, Identifee, and Lily have had on our members and other payments industry stakeholders," said Jeff Foote, President and CEO, ePayResources. "We look forward to continuing to be the beneficiaries of their vast expertise and commitment to excellence." About ePayResources: ePayResources has been empowering financial institutions and businesses to be informed, compliant, and competitive in payments for 50 years. As an innovative Payments Association and a founding sponsor of the Center for Payments, we provide emerging and legacy payments expertise, professional development, and industry leadership through education, publications, compliance support, risk management, and advocacy. Our staff of nationally accredited payments and risk professionals provides situational analysis and response guidance on our Payments Answerline and keeps you informed of industry developments that impact operational processing, fraud detection, and your bottom line. Our subsidiary, ePayAdvisors, provides payments audits, risk assessments, and consulting. Visit epayresources.org and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.-END-Contact InformationAnne-Marie Leake VP, Communicationsaleake@ epayresources.org 804-363-5784SOURCE: ePayResources PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-19 17:20:39 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 484 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / March 19, 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 YOU 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 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 PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-19 17:20:51 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 462 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / March 19, 2025 / College Hospital Costa Mesa 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 College Hospital Costa Mesa.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On September 17, 2024, College Hospital Costa Mesa became aware of a security incident that disrupted the operations of some of its IT systems. Upon detection, College Hospital Costa Mesa 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 accessed some files on its systems between August 14, 2024, and September 17, 2024. College Hospital Costa Mesa conducted a comprehensive review of the impacted data to determine what information was compromised and identified affected individuals. On January 31, 2025, College Hospital Costa Mesa determined that these files contained sensitive personal information.Upon information and belief, the following types of sensitive personal information may have been compromised:name, Social Security number, and driver's license number.On March 10, 2025, College Hospital Costa Mesa filed a notice with the Attorney General of California and started the process of notifying impacted individuals.Compensation may be available for those individuals who received notice that their personal information was compromised.WHY YOU 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 College Hospital Costa Mesa, 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 PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-19 22:01:13 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 485 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 A collection of your favorite author's favorite authors on exhibition at the Park Avenue ArmoryNEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK / ACCESS Newswire / March 19, 2025 /Romney's book is as sharp an examination of the 'great forgetting' of female writers as you could wish for, uncowed by big-name critics, buoyed instead by the instincts of a single reader trusting her honest enjoyment over dusty tradition. -The Guardian The Jane Austen's Bookshelf CollectionThis year marks the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth. In celebration, rare book companyType Punch Matrixwill display the collection of books built by co-founder Rebecca Romney for her latest book Jane Austen's Bookshelf: A Rare Book Collector's Quest to Find the Women Writers Who Shaped a Legend at the65th Annual New York International Antiquarian Book Fair, which will be held April 3rd-6th at the Park Avenue Armory .Called a"gem of passionate criticism" by The New York Times, "a perfect project, a perfect book" by LitHub, and"a meditation on [...] what books can teach us" by The Washington Pos t, Jane Austen's Bookshelf chronicles Romney's efforts to build a book collection of Austen's favorite women authors. Selected by Town and Country ("A can't miss for Austen fans and literary lovers alike") and Book Riot as one of the most anticipated titles of 2025, and featured on both The Today Show and NPR's Morning Edition, Jane Austen's Bookshelf investigates the disappearance of Austen's heroes-women writers who were erased from the Western canon-to reveal who they were, what they meant to Austen, and how they were forgotten.According to Romney, "JAB recounts my experience reading and locating rare copies of books by these women, as well as drawing on connections between their words and Austen's. By gathering the works of these once-famed writers, the collection physically recreates Austen's bookshelf." Just as in the book, the exhibition will feature dozens of important editions by the writers who influenced Austen: Frances Burney, Ann Radcliffe, Charlotte Lennox, Charlotte Smith, Hannah More, Elizabeth Inchbald, Hester Lynch Thrale Piozzi, and Maria Edgeworth."I am thrilled to show the actual volumes that are described in the book," Romney continues. "Book collecting is about appreciating books as individual historical objects. I can't wait for these copies that inspired my book to begin to find their way into the hands of collectors and institutions." The collection will be on display (and books available for purchase) in Type Punch Matrix's booth (A3) at the New York Antiquarian Book Fair, opening at the Park Avenue Armory on Thursday April 3rd and continuing through Sunday April 6th.Questions may be directed to Brian Cassidy or Rebecca Romney at Type Punch Matrix.Email: info@ typepunchmatrix.com Telephone: 301-589-0789Address: 1111 E West Hwy, Third Floor, Silver Spring, MD 20910Contact InformationRebecca RomneyCo-founderinfo@ typepunchmatrix.com 301-589-0789Brian CassidyCo-Founder 301-589-0789SOURCE: Type Punch Matrix PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-19 02:30:41 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 462 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / March 18, 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=137011&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: 2025-03-19 08:00:31 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 517 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 This marks QED Investors' most significant investment in the region and the first one in the Gulf.DUBAI, AE / ACCESS Newswire / March 19, 2025 /NymCard, the only embedded finance platform operating across 10+ countries in MENA, has secured $33 million in its latest Series B funding round, led by QED Investors. This marks QED Investors' most significant investment in the region and the first one in the Gulf, underscoring the growing global confidence in MENA's expanding fintech ecosystem. NymCard - Shorooq Portfolio Company Omar Onsi, Founder and CEO, NymCardThe round saw strong backing from existing investors including Lunate, Dubai Future District Fund, Mashreq Bank, Knollwood, Reciprocal, FJLabs, and Endeavor, with the region's leading investment institution, Shorooq alongside new participation from Oraseya Capital, further validating NymCard's role in powering the future of embedded finance in the region.With this investment, NymCard is deepening its presence across 10+ markets in MENA, strengthening its payment infrastructure solutions to better serve banks, enterprises, fintechs, telecom providers, and more across its three core verticals: Card Issuing Processing, Embedded Lending, and Money movement.NymCard's nCore platform is the only issuer processor in MENA that fully owns its processing and switching technology, rather than licensing from third parties. This localized, full-stack infrastructure gives clients a competitive edge, enabling them to design, launch, and scale payment programs with unmatched flexibility. Built on modular APIs, nCore allows businesses to seamlessly manage card issuance, transaction processing, lending infrastructure, and real-time payments-all within a fully integrated financial stack that ensures speed, control, and efficiency."This investment is a testament to the strength of our technology and our commitment to enabling financial innovation in MENA," said Omar Onsi, CEO of NymCard. "With the backing of our investors, we will continue pushing the boundaries of payments and embedded finance, ensuring our clients have access to best-in-class payment infrastructure solutions backed up by solid program management capabilities. We are especially excited to welcome QED Investors on this journey, given their unrivaled experience in fintech across multiple geographies. Their expertise will be invaluable as we further expand our impact in the region." To date, NymCard has partnered with 50+ banks, fintechs, and enterprises, delivering personalized financial offerings across the region. In Saudi Arabia, NymCard aligns with Vision 2030, supporting the country's shift toward a cashless economy. In the UAE, where the focus is on digitizing money movement, NymCard plays a key role as a licensed entity under the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE). In Egypt, with its thriving fintech ecosystem, NymCard provides the flexibility and security needed for businesses to drive financial inclusion and innovation."NymCard is a true testament to the ripe and flourishing ecosystem we are seeing across MENA. " shared Gbenga Ajayi, QED Investors' partner, Head of Middle East and Africa. "By providing out-of-the-box card issuing and embedded finance solutions, NymCard is bridging the fintech gap and empowering businesses with the infrastructure they need to innovate. With its API-first approach, NymCard is expanding financial access for startups and enterprises, driving SME growth, and strengthening MENA's digital economy." Contact InformationTarek FouadChief Marketing Officerpress@ shorooq.com SOURCE: Shorooq PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-19 17:32:21 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 862 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 ANAHEIM, CA / ACCESS Newswire / March 19, 2025 /Natural Products Expo West,the largest gathering of the natural, organic and conscious CPG community, took over the Anaheim Convention Center for four days of samplings, tastings and exploring the latest innovations in the natural, organic and conscious consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry.Over 3,000 brands exhibited at Expo West, displaying products across natural and specialty food and beverage, supplements, personal care, organic, lifestyle and more. PATH Water, OATLY, Chomps, Organic Valley and Stonyfield were among the exhibitors. A record 30% of brands were new to exhibiting at Expo West, a sign of the health of the CPG industry.The 44th edition of Expo West brought over 64,000 attendees from the health and nutrition communities. Nearly two thirds of the attendee categories were qualified buyers, including retailers, distributors, hosted buyers and food service providers. The show has proven to be the best place to reach natural, organic and healthy lifestyle buyers."We have been coming to Expo West since 2013, and we continue to come back for the people and the opportunities given to meet with buyers and the natural products community," said Casey Mullen, Director of Strategic Development of Fungi Perfecti/Host Defense Mushrooms. "We launched a new line of mushroom gummies at this edition of Expo West!""The number and quality of our attendees this year reaffirms Expo West as the foremost event in the natural and organic CPG industry," shares Jeff D'Entremont, SVP of Informa Markets Health and Nutrition. "The rise in investors and hosted buyers this year, coupled with our sold-out business school programming, reflects not only the caliber of brands that exhibit with us and draw top retail buyers but also the rise in consumer awareness of the need for better-for-you products. There is strong optimism and a positive outlook for growth in this business community." The international presence at Expo West has expanded with over 123 countries represented, including Canada, Korea and Mexico. Countries such as Paraguay and Japan organized dedicated pavilions for exhibiting companies, showcasing the innovations brewing across the industry worldwide. Attracting a diverse array of international exhibitors and attendees, Expo West catalyzes industry collaboration and ignites groundbreaking innovations that propel the industry forward on a global scale.Several trends were evident while walking the expo halls, with numerous brands highlighting protein-rich products, sustainable packaging, global flavors, holistic health solutions, women-focused supplements, clean beauty products and more. To align with the ever-changing landscape, new Conscious Beauty and Wellness Beverage pavilions were introduced for the first time, capitalizing on consumer preferences for natural beauty products and functional and nonalcoholic beverages. The 2025 event attracted buyers from big-box stores and smaller retailers, including Aldi, Jimbo's, Thrive Market, Sam's Club, Sprouts Farmers Market and many more."Expo West is one of my favorite trade shows. Love looking for new and emerging brands, the exciting ways to network with my industry peers and the discoverability piece -really to learn all the new trends that are coming up in the new year," Heather Brand, Head of Perishables, Thrive Market said. "The energy at Expo West this year is so electric. There is so much growth and so much potential. Brands work really hard to get here, they put so much into their products and their brand story and it just comes to life at Expo West." True to New Hope Network's ethos, Natural Products Expo West proactively addresses and reduces its environmental impact. Through a partnership with local food bank Second Harvest, leftover product was donated at the end of the show. r.Cup was utilized as the serve ware provider, allowing guests to return used plastic cups for sanitizing and reuse, reducing plastic waste generated from Expo West.Newtopia Now, New Hope Network's experiential event dedicated to deepening relationships between buyers and brands and showcasing CPG innovations, will take place in Denver, Colorado Aug. 20-22, 2025. To learn more about Newtopia Now, visitwww.newtopianow.com About New Hope NetworkNew Hope Network is a leading authority in the healthy lifestyle products industry, offering solutions for the complete supply chain from manufacturers, retailers/distributors, service providers and ingredient suppliers. Through its comprehensive portfolio of content, events, data, research and consultative services, New Hope Network is dedicated to fostering a prosperous, high-integrity CPG and retail ecosystem that promotes health, joy and justice for all people while regenerating the planet. For more information, visit www.newhope.com About Informa MarketsInforma Markets, a subsidiary of Informa plc (LON:INF), creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. Our portfolio comprises more than 550 international B2B events and brands in markets including Engineering, Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Infrastructure, Construction & Real Estate, Fashion & Apparel, Hospitality, Food & Beverage, and Health & Nutrition, among others. We provide customers and partners around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, specialist digital content and actionable data solutions. As the world's leading exhibitions organizer, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, visit www.informamarkets.com Media Contactpr@ newhope.com SOURCE: New Hope Network PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-19 13:03:40 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 942 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA / ACCESS Newswire / March 19, 2025 / Sibannac, Inc.(OTC PINK:SNNC), a Nevada corporation (the "company"), is strategically expanding into the high-growth wellness tourism sector with its Starwalker Journeys-a series of luxury, transformational retreats, blending plant-medicine, consciousness exploration and curated travel experiences. Partnering withWilliam Henry , investigative mythologist and Ancient Aliens host, Sibannac is poised to lead the next wave of high-end wellness retreats.Plant-Medicine Retreats: Legal, Transformational, and CeremonialSibannac is breaking new ground with plant-medicine retreats, located at some of the most exclusive and scenic locations, both in the U.S. and abroad. Depending on local laws, the company is curating safe and legal premium journey experiences to fit the needs and desires of all travelers.In the U.S.Oregon- The first U.S. state to pass legal and licensed psilocybin (magic mushroom) experiences, trained facilitators provide guided journeys from licensed centers. Sibannac and Starwalker Journeys will cultivate the balance of the experience, including best-in-class accommodations, cuisine, outdoor activities and post-journey care.Colorado/Arizona- Colorado has passed legislation permitting psilocybin beginning in 2025 and Arizona is considering a similar framework.Sedona, Arizona- Just two hours from Sibannac's headquarters, Sedona is actively pursuing plant-medicine tourism. Already world-renown for its energy vortexes and breathtaking outdoors, Sedona is the perfect location for spiritual awakening retreats. Currently, cannabis-based tours are legal in the state. The company is working with logistics personnel on the ground to design the first Starwalker journey.Bozeman, Montana- The company is scouting locations in the state to provide a late summer excursion under the magnificent Montana sky. In addition to a cannabis-enhanced "night sky" tour, the full program will include outdoor activities blended with guest speakers and more.InternationalCosta Rica- We have established a relationship with a 5-Star property where Starwalker will offer an all-inclusive excursion in one of the most holistic locations in the world for plant-medicine healing.Ayahuasca and psilocybin are offered legally in a pristine setting by trained guides.A Groundbreaking Opportunity for Investors and Transformational TravelersSibannac isn't just riding the wave of psychedelic wellness tourism-it's creating the industry blueprint. With major travel agencies hesitant to engage in plant-medicine retreats, Sibannac is securing an early foothold in this lucrative niche, offering a fully legal, structured pathway to transformative travel experiences.By combining regulatory expertise, strategic partnerships, and global expansion, Sibannac is shaping the future of high-end plant-medicine retreats-a first-mover advantage that positions the company as a leader in this emerging space.Join the MovementVisit Starwalker Cafe now:Starwalker CafeStarwalker Cafe is now open for membership. Gain access to exclusive content, book upcoming retreats, and become part of a rapidly growing community of explorers.Stay tuned for more announcements as we expand our offerings and locations.Whether you're a traveler seeking a life-changing journey or an investor recognizing the unparalleled growth potential of this market, Sibannac is setting the standard for the next era of wellness tourism.About SibannacSibannac, Inc. (OTC Pink:SNNC) is a Nevada corporation founded in 1999 and located in Scottsdale, Arizona. Sibannac is a forward-thinking lifestyle and wellness company which currently specializes in creating and selling premium next generation wellness products in the consumer packaging goods industry. In addition to mainstream supplements, the Company is focusing on Amanita mushrooms, Kratom and Hemp-derived cannabis products for wholesale and retail sales and distribution.Sibannac is actively forging new partnerships within the wellness community, advancing experiential, educational, and tourism outreach initiatives that redefine the landscape of alternative health. The Company has officially launched the Starwalker Cafe, with TV celebrity, William Henry, of the hit show, Ancient Aliens. The platform is a premium content provider of podcasts, interviews and educational lectures focused on consciousness exploration.About William HenryWilliam Henry is a visionary author, investigative mythologist, art historian, and TV presenter, renowned for uncovering the hidden threads connecting ancient wisdom, spiritual transformation, and the modern quest for higher consciousness. As a Consulting Producer and the spiritual voice of Ancient Aliens for 16 seasons, he has guided millions through the mysteries of otherworldly encounters, lost civilizations, and ascension sciences. Beyond television, Henry is a leading figure in consciousness exploration, hosting the Gaia TV series Ascension Keepers, The Awakened Soul: The Lost Science of Ascension, and Arcanum. His expertise has made him a sought-after speaker at global conferences, where he delves into the intersection of history, symbolism, and the future of human evolution. For decades, Henry has led transformational journeys to the world's most sacred sites, including Egypt, France, England, and Spain, helping seekers unlock ancient gateways to enlightenment. Now, he brings this wisdom to Starwalker Cafe, a groundbreaking multimedia and wellness platform created in partnership with Sibannac. Through exclusive content, immersive experiences, and plant-based journeys, Henry is pioneering a new era of spiritual discovery, conscious expansion, and integrative wellness.About David MerskySibannac's CEO, David Mersky, has launched his social media channel,The Meru Sky , in which he discusses his personal journey with psychedelics and his mission to bring expanded consciousness to the world.For additional information and product updates, follow us and sign up for updates at: www.snncinc.comx.com/sibannacinc Media Contact:media@ snncinc.comFollow us on X: @SibannacIncCautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.This press release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements appear in a number of places in this release and include all statements that are not statements of historical fact regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of Sibannac, Inc. (the "Company"), its directors or its officers with respect to, PR-Inside.com: 2025-03-19 16:19:03 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 641 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TaxBandits now supports Form 8027 e-filing, enabling businesses to report tip income efficiently with accurate allocations, bulk filing, AI assistance, and live customer support.ROCK HILL, SC / ACCESS Newswire / March 19, 2025 / TaxBandits, a leading e-filing platform for businesses and tax professionals, now supports Form 8027, making the process of reporting tip income and allocated tips faster, more accurate, and more efficient.What Is Form 8027?Form 8027is used by employers in the food and beverage sector, mainly those operating large restaurants or bars, to report tip income and allocate tips for their employees. This measure assists the IRS in monitoring compliance with tip reporting requirements and facilitates accurate tax reporting. A business that satisfies the following criteria is required to file Form 8027:It is located within one of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia.Tipping by customers to food or beverage employees is a customary practice.The establishment employs more than ten individuals who cumulatively work more than 80 hours on an average business day. This is commonly referred to as the "10-employee test." TaxBandits: The Smart Way to E-File Form 8027TaxBandits has earned a reputation as a trusted solution for tax e-filing due to its commitment to efficiency, accuracy, and user experience. With the addition of Form 8027 e-filing, businesses from the food and beverage industry can now report tip income securely and confidently with the IRS.TaxBandits offers many powerful features for those who need to file Form 8027.Fast and Reliable E-Filing: TaxBandits provides an intuitive platform that makes the e-filing process straightforward and secure. The user-friendly interface ensures employers can easily complete their filings without delays or complications.Bulk 8027 Filing for Multiple Establishments: For businesses managing multiple food or beverage establishments, TaxBandits allows them toe-file Form 8027for all locations in a single submission. This feature helps save time and reduces the need for repetitive manual entry.Accurate Tip Allocations: TaxBandits automatically calculates tip allocations for each employee, reducing the risk of errors. This ensures the accuracy of tip reporting and keeps employers compliant with IRS requirements.Fax Determination Letters Directly to IRS: TaxBandits is working to roll out a new feature that will allow employers to upload their IRS determination letter based on the tip allocation rate and fax it directly to the IRS-saving time and streamlining the filing process.Real-Time Status Updates: With TaxBandits, employers can receive automatic notifications once the IRS processesForm 8027 filings . This ensures they stay updated without manually checking the status of their submissions.Smart AI Assistance: TaxBandits offers BanditAI, an AI-powered chatbot designed to provide real-time help and streamline the e-filing experience for businesses.World-Class Customer Support: TaxBandits offers robust customer support through live chat, phone, and email.Premium Solutions for Tax Professionals: Faster, Easier, More EfficientTaxBandits also offers tax professionals efficient tools to manage Form 8027 filings, including:Effortless Team Management: TaxBandits allows tax professionals to invite team members and designate particular roles (including Preparer, Approver, or Transmitter), thereby facilitating a seamless and efficient process for Form 8027 filings.Comprehensive Reports: Tax professionals can access detailed reports to gain insights into filing statuses, team performance, and overall filing efficiency. This feature helps them monitor their filings and maintain a streamlined workflow.Those required to file Form 8027 are encouraged to create a free account at TaxBandits.comand start the filing process today!About TaxBanditsThe 1099 and W-2 experts! TaxBandits is a SOC 2 Certified, IRS-authorized e-file provider of 1099 Form, Form W2, Form 940, Form 941, 1095-B, 1095-C, and W-9, serving businesses, service providers, and tax professionals of every shape and size.About SPAN EnterprisesBased in Rock Hill, South Carolina, SPAN Enterprises has been developing industry-leading software solutions for IRS e-filing and business management tools for over a decade. The SPAN Enterprises portfolio of products includes TaxBandits, Tax990, ACAwise, ExpressExtension, 123PayStubs, and TruckLogics.Please direct all media inquiries to Caleb Flachman, Marketing Manager, at caleb@ spanenterprises.com SOURCE: TaxBandits The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) on Wednesday said the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) remains operational and continues to produce on-spec refined petroleum products. Olufemi Soneye, the chief corporate communications officer of NNPC Ltd, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday evening. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) wishes to clarify that despite a minor incident at a section of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) earlier today, the plant remains operational and continues to produce on-spec refined petroleum products. NNPC Ltd assures the public that there is no cause for concern, as all sections of the recently rehabilitated plant are in full operation, Mr Soneye said. Earlier, the NNPC Ltd dismissed reports of an explosion at the Port Harcourt Refining Company in Rivers State. The state-oil company described the report as false, noting that what occurred at the refinery was a flare incident, which has been contained fully. Last November, NNPC Ltd said the Port Harcourt refinery had commenced production after a long period of rehabilitation. 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 NNPC Ltd said the refinery began truck loading of petroleum products on Tuesday, 26 November 2024. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print As part of efforts to strengthen domestic health funding, the Nigerian government has earmarked N700 billion to combat HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, while also enhancing immunisation efforts nationwide. This development comes amid the recent halt of US financial support for developing countries, including Nigeria, which has raised concerns about sustaining critical health interventions. The Chairman, House Committee on HIV/AIDS, TB, and Malaria, Amobi Ogah who disclosed this at the 2025 Pre-World TB Day press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, reaffirmed the governments commitment to addressing these health challenges. I must commend the President Bola Tinubus led administration for injecting N700bn for the fight against HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria and to improve immunisation. This was made possible with the help of our minister who is so dear to this country who believes that we can achieve it, he said. Tuberculosis World TB Day is commemorated on 24 March annually to raise awareness on TB, and to mobilise efforts including political commitment to resources and healthcare financing for TB towards its elimination. This years theme is, Yes! We can end TB: Commit, invest, and deliver. TB, an airborne disease caused by bacteria (mycobacterium tuberculosis) mostly affects the lungs. It is the second deadliest infectious killer disease (after COVID-19) and among the top 10 causes of death worldwide. 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 Globally, and according to the 2024 WHO global TB report, an estimated 10.8 million people developed TB in 2023, with 1.6 million people losing their lives, and 12 per cent of the global burden affecting the most vulnerable the children and young adolescents. TB remains a leading cause of death in Nigeria, with the country ranking sixth globally and first in Africa. Despite progress made in the fight against TB, the global burden of TB remains alarming, particularly in low and middle-income countries like Nigeria. Mr Ogah said the House Committee on HIV/AIDS, TB, and Malaria Control will continue to provide legislative mechanisms and interventions to support the fight against TB in Nigeria. He said the committee is also advocating for an increase in the Global Funds TB funding allocation from 18 per cent to 30 per cent. The committee on HIV will ensure transparency and accountability in the disbursement of these funds to ensure that funds made for interventions and programmes are judiciously spent and not mismanaged, he said. I want to assure you that we in the committee will continue to champion increase on domestic funding, that is the key. Progress so far In his remark, the Director of Public Health at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Godwin Ntadom, highlighted the progress made in Nigerias fight against TB through the implementation of WHO-recommended strategies. Mr Ntadom noted that the National TB and Leprosy Control Programme, in collaboration with partners, has significantly improved TB case detection and treatment. The country had its highest-ever TB notification of more than 400,000 TB cases identified in 2024 out of the estimated 506,000 Nigerians with TB. This translated to about 79 per cent treatment coverage and deserves commendation, he said. Similarly, we have made good progress in TB notification among children, increasing from just 8,293 in 2018 to about 43,000 children treated with TB in 2024. He, however, emphasised that despite these gains, undiagnosed TB cases remain a major concern, posing a risk of continued transmission. Mr Ntadom said each untreated patient can infect up to 15 others annually, and enrollment for drug-resistant TB treatment has remained suboptimal in recent years. To address these challenges, he reaffirmed the governments commitment to expanding TB screening, diagnosis, and treatment across both public and private healthcare facilities. He said efforts are also focused on community engagement, stigma reduction, service integration into maternal and child health programmes, and leveraging digital health solutions to enhance TB response. He assured that the government remains dedicated to meeting WHOs global End TB targets. More domestic funding for TB In her welcome address, the Acting Board Chair, Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, Queen Ogbuji-Ladipo, acknowledged that despite advancements in diagnostics, treatment, and prevention, TB persists, particularly affecting the vulnerable and underserved populations. Ms Ogbuji-Ladipo however, expressed optimism about Nigerias potential to eliminate TB, citing the dedication of healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, and advocates, along with innovations like shorter treatment regimens and digital adherence technologies. She further stated that Stop TB Partnership Nigeria has achieved significant milestones through dedicated advocacy and collaboration with both state and non-state actors. Our advocacy for increased resources, health policy reforms, and service integration for TB in Nigeria remains unwavering, she said. We will continue to push for a Nigeria free of TB through our strategies high-level advocacy, collaboration and partnership, capacity building, and research and information dissemination. She also noted that in light of the dwindling donor support, there is need for intensified advocacy for domestic resources now than ever. I encourage everyone to use their voices to support this cause. Let us work together, push for stronger policies, advocate for more domestic resources, and drive initiatives that focus on TB prevention, detection, and treatment, she said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has recorded 28 new confirmed cases and three deaths from Lassa fever. The centre stated this on Wednesday in its latest situation report for week 10, spanning 3 to 9 March. The report noted that the number of new confirmed cases decreased from 29 in week nine to 28 in the reporting week. It added that eight states were affected in the reporting week. The states affected are Ondo (Seven), Bauchi (11), Edo (Five), Taraba (One), Kogi (One), Plateau (One), Delta (One) and Anambra (One). More details In total for 2025, there have been 563 confirmed Lassa fever cases and 103 deaths, with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.3 per cent which is lower than the CFR reported for the same period in 2024 (18.9 per cent). The report stated that 14 states have recorded at least one confirmed case across 78 local government areas (LGAs). NCDC stated that 73 per cent of all confirmed cases have been reported from Ondo, Bauchi and Edo, while 27 per cent were reported from 11 other states. Of all the confirmed cases, Ondo accounted for 31 per cent, Bauchi 25 per cent and Edo 17 per cent. The centre noted that the predominant age group affected is 21-30 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:0.8. 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 It added that no healthcare worker was affected in the reporting week. Response efforts The NCDC said it has activated a multi-partner, Multi-sectoral Incident Management System to coordinate response activities at all levels. Other efforts include deploying National Rapid Response Teams to support control and management efforts using a One Health approach, conducting training for healthcare workers, and enhancing surveillance in affected states. It stated that despite the decline in cases, challenges persist, including late presentation of cases leading to a high CFR, poor health-seeking behaviour due to the high cost of treatment, and poor environmental sanitation conditions in high-burden communities. The NCDC said it continues to collaborate with international partners to improve case management and enhance surveillance. READ ALSO: WHO warns of worsening health crises amid funding cuts About Lassa fever Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic illness transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents or persons. Symptoms of Lassa fever include fever, headache, sore throat, general body weakness, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pains, and chest pain. In severe cases, it can cause unexplained bleeding from the ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and other body openings. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has reassured Nigerians, particularly Persons Living With HIV (PLWHIV), that the country has a steady supply of antiretroviral drugs and that HIV treatment services remain uninterrupted. This is in response to concerns raised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that Nigeria and seven other countries could face shortages of life-saving HIV medication due to the United States pause on foreign aid. The Director-General of NACA, Temitope Ilori, in a statement issued on Wednesday, noted that the federal government has taken proactive measures to prevent any disruption in HIV treatment services. Ms Ilori emphasised that the government has recently made some key financial commitments to cushion the impact of the US governments aid pause and close the immediate funding gap. The Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved $1.07 Billion to finance the healthcare sector reforms under the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity (HOPE) programme, and also approved N4.8 billion for HIV treatment, while the Nigerian Senate also recently allocated an additional N300 billion to the health sector in the 2025 budget, she said. These allocations are part of the governments efforts to cushion the impact of the US governments aid pause and close the immediate funding gap. 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 government has also earmarked N700 billion to combat HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria while also enhancing immunisation efforts nationwide. Ms Ilori noted that these financial commitments are also part of a broader strategy to strengthen Nigerias health system, ensuring that essential services such as HIV treatment, testing, and prevention remain uninterrupted. We want to assure Nigerians, particularly those living with HIV, that there is no shortage of drugs and consumables and no immediate stop of services for HIV treatment, testing, and prevention in Nigeria, she said. She said all treatment centres and pharmacies will continue to have sufficient antiretroviral drugs, ensuring uninterrupted access to care. WHOs warning The WHO had warned that disruptions caused by the US foreign aid suspension could reverse two decades of progress in the global fight against HIV, potentially leading to over 10 million new HIV infections and three million related deaths globally. The global health body also warned that countries such as Haiti, Kenya, Lesotho, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria, and Ukraine could face HIV drug shortages. PEPFAR, the US Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, which has funded HIV treatment for millions worldwideincluding in Nigeriafaced temporary funding suspension following an executive order issued by President Donald Trump in January. About two million Nigerians are currently living with HIV, with many of them benefitting from PEPFAR. As one of the countries with the highest HIV burden globally, Nigeria relies heavily on programmes such as PEPFAR for access to life-saving medications and healthcare infrastructure support. Over the years, PEPFAR has contributed over $6 billion to support Nigerias national HIV/AIDS response. Closing the gap While acknowledging the US governments and its partners significant contributions over the past two decades, Ms Ilori said Nigeria views this funding gap as an opportunity to take ownership of its HIV response and strengthen local solutions. She added that this is a crucial moment for the country to mobilise resources and ensure the sustainability of its HIV programme. She reaffirmed NACAs commitment to achieving HIV epidemic control in Nigeria and encouraged the public to rely on credible sources for updates regarding the countrys HIV response. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The death toll from the ongoing cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) outbreak in Kebbi State has risen to 55, affecting three Local Government Areas (LGAs), health authorities confirmed on Wednesday. The Commissioner for Health, Yunusa Musa-Ismaila, represented by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Shehu Nuhu-Koko, confirmed this during a press briefing in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the briefing was attended by representatives of development partners like the World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) and Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF). Mr Musa-Ismaila said the Public Health Department started receiving reports of people showing symptoms of fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and associated vomiting and dizziness, which in some cases resulted in deaths Following the receipt of these reports, active surveillance commenced with samples taken and sent to the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja to confirm the suspected outbreak of the disease, he said. At the same time case management of those cases commenced at the General Hospitals in the Aliero, Jega and Gwandu affected LGAs. 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 said 653 suspected cases have so far been recorded, and 17 samples have been sent to the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja for confirmation. He explained that five samples result returned negative from NRL Abuja, while five samples were positive, adding that of the sample results, Aliero LGA accounted for three, Gwandu LGA one, while Jega LGA also accounted for one. All the five positive cases of the patients were treated and discharged alive and seven samples result are pending from NRL Abuja, while 55 deaths (Gwandu 25, Jega 16, Aliero 14), have been recorded, he explained. Mr Musa-Ismaila also revealed that 3,000 doses of CSM vaccines were received from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and distributed across the three LGAs in communities with a high burden of the reported cases. Aliero LGA 1,550 people have been vaccinated, including the Kebbi State University of Science and Technology community in Aliero; Gwandu LGA 798 people have been vaccinated, and Jega LGA 450 people have been vaccinated. READ ALSO: Strange disease kills four university students in Kebbi He noted that as soon as additional vaccines arrive, the vaccination will continue statewide. He said an advocacy visit to stakeholders was carried out across the state in partnership with WHO, MSF, and UNICEF. He added that the state government had released N30 million to purchase drugs and other consumables for the response activities to cushion the effect. The commissioner also said that drugs and other commodities have been distributed to affected LGAs. Mr Musa-Ismaila added that isolation centres were set up in Gwandu, Jega, and Aliero, and drugs and other consumables were also provided. He called on the general public to comply with health instructions and report any suspected case to the nearest health facility for necessary action. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Osun State government has strongly criticised Ajibola Basiru, the national secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), for requesting President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Osun State. The state government said it viewed Mr Basirus request as a callous attempt to seize power through illegitimate means. Mr Basiru had praised President Tinubus declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and urged him to take similar action in Osun. The APC national secretary cited Governor Ademola Adelekes resistance to the reinstatement of APC council chairpersons, as ordered by a court, as justification. In response, Kolapo Alimi, the Osun State commissioner for information and public enlightenment, issued a statement that the situations in Rivers and Osun are different. Mr Alimi accused Mr Basiru and the APC of attempting to disrupt the peace in Osun for their own political gain. 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 statement emphasised that the APC, including Mr Basiru, is consistently trying to undermine Governor Adelekes administration. The government believes these efforts are driven by the APCs inability to win elections in Osun. The statement reads, It must, however, be emphasised that not only Basiru alone holds this obnoxious impression but the entire APC cohorts and their members/followers in Osun State, who on a daily basis, are scheming for one mischievous device or the other in order to come through the backdoor to take the reins of governance in the state. But by the grace of God and with the support of the people of Osun State for the administration of Ademola Adeleke, all the evil machinations against the peoples oriented government of Ademola Adeleke will not see the light of the day. READ ALSO: Reps canvass equipment for security agencies in Abuja Furthermore, we call on our President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to see through the antics of people like Ajibola Basiru, a rejected and frustrated politician and his already rejected APC apologists in Osun, by rejecting the wicked and baseless call for the declaration of the state of emergency in Osun. For any political observers in Osun State, its very clear that Osun APC lacks the popularity, political acceptance and sagacity to face and defeat Ademola Adeleke in any election, hence their resort to all forms of antics to get to power through the back door. One of such antics was their failed attempt to cause mayhem in the state through enforcement of a non-existent Court of Appeal judgment to reinstate their YES/NO chairmen and councillors. With that enforcement of the non-existent judgment, they almost put Osun into a state of anarchy, the statement concluded. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in Rivers State following protracted political crises caused by a power struggle between the suspended governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara, and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, the FCT minister. The crises affected governance and crippled the legislature in the oil-rich state. I feel greatly disturbed at the turn we have come to regarding the political crisis in Rivers State. Like many of you, I have watched with concern the development with the hope that the parties involved would allow good sense to prevail at the soonest, but all that hope burned out without any solution to the crisis, Mr Tinubu said in a nationwide speech in which he declared the state of emergency. The Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months, the president said. Tinubu heaps blame on Fubara One thing that stood out in Mr Tinubus speech was that the president blamed Mr Fubara while he stayed silent on Mr Wikes role in the crises. He mentioned how Mr Fubara demolished the Rivers House of Assembly Complex on 13 December 2023 and has, up until now, 14 months after, not rebuilt same. 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 Mr Tinubu dwelled extensively on the 28 February 2025 Supreme Court judgement, which tipped the balance of power in favour of Mr Wike and his allies. He referenced a portion of the judgement which said the suspended governor chose to collapse the legislature to enable him to govern without the legislature as a despot. He also said that the Supreme Court, in its judgement, read out a catalogue of judicial findings of constitutional breaches against Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Mr Tinubu also referenced the Supreme Court reinstatement of the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers as legitimate members of the Rivers House of Assembly and quoted the court ruling that said Mr Fubara cannot prevent the lawmakers from taking part in the assemblys proceedings. He said the governor had yet to implement the Supreme Court order on the presentation of the 2025 Rivers appropriation bill to the pro-Wike lawmakers. PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Fubara attempted to present a budget proposal to the assembly but was rebuffed by the pro-Wike lawmakers. When he visited the assembly quarters to present the budget, he was denied access to the facility. Some militants had threatened fire and brimstone against their perceived enemy of the governor who has up till now NOT disowned them, Mr Tinubu said. The latest security reports made available to me show that between yesterday and today there have been disturbing incidents of vandalisation of pipelines by some militants without the governor taking any action to curtail them. Apart from that both the House and the governor have not been able to work together, he added. What PANDEF said of Wike, peace effort in Rivers crises From the onset, Mr Wike has been a key figure in the Rivers crises. He has been the power behind the Speaker of the Rivers assembly and the 26 other lawmakers. An influential Niger Delta group, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), a few days ago, accused Mr Wike of stalling the groups effort to broker peace between the minister and Mr Fubara. The Chairperson of PANDEF, Godknows Igali, said the group set up a Peace and Reconciliation Committee in October 2024 to address the Rivers crisis. While the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has demonstrated a willingness to engage with this committee, the Honourable Minister has consistently rebuffed all attempts to reach him by opening up at dialogue. Given his open hostility and dismissive attitude toward PANDEF, the organisation can no longer subject these esteemed senior Nigerians on a peace mission to such levels of disregard and disrespect, said Mr Igali, a former Nigerian ambassador to Sweden. President Tinubu did not mention Mr Wikes name throughout his declaration of state of emergency speech. Where the president would have probably mentioned Mr Wikes name, he preferred to use contending parties. I have made personal interventions between the contending parties for a peaceful resolution of the crisis, but my efforts have been largely ignored by the parties to the crisis, the president said. The presidents decision to essentially leave out Mr Wike from criticism in the Rivers crisis was highlighted by the Rivers government in its official reaction to the suspension. The states information commissioner, Warisenibo Johnson, in a statement, questioned why the president suspended Mr Fubara from office but did not suspend Mr Wike as FCT minister despite what he said were the governors efforts to implement the Supreme Court ruling and maintain peace in the state. Unfortunately, at every turn, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by the minister of FCT, frustrated our efforts, thus making genuine peace and progress difficult, he said. That is why it is shocking that Mr President sacked the Governor and left his minister who is the principal actor. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President Bola Tinubu is currently meeting with the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas, at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja. The administrator arrived at the nations seat of power at 12.48 p.m. Mr Ibas, a retired vice Admiral and former chief of naval staff, from Cross River State, was appointed as Rivers administrator on Tuesday following the declaration of a state of emergency in the oil-rich state. He served as naval chief between 2015 and 2021 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. Apart from the declaration of emergency rule, President Tinubu, in a nationwide broadcast, also suspended the governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months. He cited the protracted political crisis, breach of the Constitution and security threats as reasons for the declaration of emergency rule. 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 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Today, most newspapers reported that President Bola Tinubu suspended the governor, deputy governor and state house of assembly of Rivers State. The crisis in Rivers State has dominated headlines for weeks, and the Presidents recent declaration of a state of emergency increased newspapers coverage of the issue. Tribunes report headline read, Tinubu puts Rivers under emergency rule. The Daily Times also reported, Tinubu declares state of emergency in Rivers. The Vanguards cover page headline rea,d Tension as Tinubu declares state of emergency in Rivers. Leadership said, STATE OF EMERGENCY: Tinubu Suspends Fubara, Deputy, Ti Rivers Lawmakers For 6 Months. 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 Tinubu Declares State of Emergency in Rivers State, This Day headline read. According to The Sun, Hurricane Tinubu sweeps out Gov Fubara, lawmakers. Punch reported, Emergency rule Soldiers, tanks move into Rivers Govt House. The Matrix reported, State Of Emergency In Rivers State: Outrage Trails President Tinubus Action. According to the Independent Newspaper, Tinubu Draws Criticisms Over State Of Emergency In Rivers. Daily Trust headline read, Tinubu erred by removing Fubara, dep Lawyer. The Point also reported, Tinubu declares state of emergency in Rivers. Other headlines are; Rivers pipeline explosion may cost $35.3m loss daily as state of emergency begins, The Guardian reported. It also wrote, Senate braces for backlash as social media bill scales second reading. The Hope newspaper reported, Ondo Police nab okada riders supplying food to kidnappers in forests. One of The Nations headlines read, House of Reps passes Tax Reform Bill. Business Day saysy, Widening skills gap keeps millions of Nigerians jobless. We thank Abiola Ayankunbi, a media management expert, for providing screenshots of the newspapers front pages. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The House of Representatives has urged the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to support the security agencies in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with the necessary equipment for the effective discharge of their duties. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the call followed a motion sponsored by Joshua Obika (LP-FCT) at plenary on Wednesday in Abuja. Moving the motion earlier, Mr Obika said there had been increasing security challenges in the FCT, which hosts the heads of the executive, legislature, judiciary and diplomats, as well as their aides and family members. He quoted Section 14(2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) as stating that the primary purpose of government is the provision of security and welfare of the people. The lawmaker also stated that Section 299(a) of the constitution vested legislative powers of the FCT in the National Assembly. This, he said, called for a passionate appeal for intervention of the House to support the provision of adequate security services within the FCT. 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 2024 scorecard of the FCT Police Command showed that 1,077 suspected criminals were arrested within the FCT, out of the 1,426 cases reported, while 140 police officers were lost in the line of duty. Recently, the FCT police command has identified about 17 criminal black spots in the FCT, which include the diplomatic zone, the new PDP secretariat, Gwarimpa, Angwan Tivi, Mpape, Mabushi and Maitama. The force should be supported with patrol vehicles and security gadgets to enhance the provision of adequate security services within the FCT, he said. In his ruling, the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the plenary, mandated the Committee on National Security and Intelligence to ensure compliance. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the use of the Conditional Cash Transfer Fund in the country. The resolution was a sequel to the adoption of a motion by Abass Adigun (PDP-Oyo) at a plenary on Wednesday in Abuja. Moving the motion, Mr Adigun said that the federal government, in partnership with the World Bank, developed a Social Safety Nets Programme for Nigeria in September 2016. He said that the National Cash Transfer Office is responsible for implementing the Household Uplifting Programme-Conditional Cash Transfers that cater for poor and vulnerable households across the country. The lawmaker explained that the programme was conceived as part of the federal governments larger growth and social inclusion strategies aimed at addressing key social concerns in the country. Mr Adigun said to ensure effective and efficient delivery of the programme in August 2024, nominees were informed that they would be paid the sum of N 50,000 each for three months. 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 said that details of the nominees were filled online in the portal dedicated to the programme and submitted to the National Cash Transfer Office. The lawmaker said the payment was to be made directly to the nominees bank accounts nationwide aimed at cushioning the effect of the economic hardship of the nominees, who are mostly the poor and vulnerable; READ ALSO: Reps canvass equipment for security agencies in Abuja Some nominees received payment months after the information was completed and submitted to the portal, while other nominees have not, and the National Cash Transfer Office has not responded to the payment of other nominees to date, he said. In his ruling, the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, mandated the Committee on Poverty Alleviation and Humanitarian Affairs to investigate the alleged delay in the payments to other nominees and report within four weeks for further legislative action. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) on Wednesday dismissed reports of an explosion at the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) in Rivers State. In a statement, Olufemi Soneye, the chief corporate communications officer of NNPC Ltd, described the report as false, noting that what occurred at the refinery was a flare incident, which has been contained fully. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has refuted reports of an explosion at the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) in Rivers State. The company clarified that what occurred was a flare incident, which has since been fully contained. There is no danger or health hazard to staff, the surrounding communities, or the environment. NNPC Ltd urges the media and the public to disregard any reports suggesting an explosion at the refinery, as they are entirely false, Mr Soneye said. Last November, NNPC Ltd said the Port Harcourt refinery had commenced production after a long period of rehabilitation. The state-oil company said the refinery began truck loading of petroleum products on Tuesday 26 November 2024. 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 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President Bola Tinubu, by declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State, may have saved Governor Siminalayi Fubara from being impeached, a senior official has said. The Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, stated this on Wednesday while fielding questions from reporters at the State House, Abuja. The state of emergency PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Mr Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the South-southern state on Tuesday. The president suspended Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all the House of Assembly members for an initial six months. He cited the disturbing incidents in the state in the last 24 hours, including explosions and vandalisation of petroleum pipelines linked to the political crises in the state, as the basis for his action. Many Nigerians and groups, including the NBA and PDP Governors Forum, have separately criticised Mr Tinubu for suspending the elected governor and lawmakers in violation of the Nigerian Constitution. 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 How declaration saved Fubara Before Mr Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, the state assembly had served a notice of alleged misconduct against Mr Fubara and his deputy Mrs Odu. Mr Fagbemi, while speaking with reporters, said the emergency rule ordered by Mr Tinubu may have favoured Mr Fubara. It appears so (that Mr Tinubu saved Mr Fubara from impeachment), the attorney-general said when a reporter asked him the question. Dont forget, I think yesterday (Tuesday), there was a notice of impeachment from the House of Assembly. If that impeachment had been allowed to take its full course, then the governor would have lost wholly and entirely. The senior lawyer said the state of emergency declared by the president could be seen as a compromise decision for both Mr Fubara and his political opponents led by FCT minister Nyesom Wike. He said, So, in a way, if you say its a compromise, I will agree that instead of allowing the impeachment process to continue, and which in the end, would have seen both the governor and the deputy governor out of office and would have been out for the entirety of the four-year term with the remainder of what it we have. We are one year, I think about nine months now, leaving a balance of two years and three months. So, if normalcy returns, Fubara may come in. But for now, it could be a compromise. I will agree. Decision not hasty, but tough Mr Fagbemi dismissed insinuations that Mr Tinubus was hasty considering that there was no violence in the state that prompted the declaration. The attorney-general argued that the president acted timeously because the law envisaged intervention in the event of imminent danger. People were killing themselves. Its no longer news. Its not a question of making up the story. We all read papers every day. Those who live there are living in fear. So, there is undoubtedly the need to come in, he argued. Mr Fagbemi stressed that Mr Tinubu was forced to make the declaration after he unsuccessfully made efforts to solve the impasse. I am certain that the President has acted timeously after giving them enough rope, and as the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, it was a tough decision for him to make. It doesnt present anybody with joy, to disrupt the flow of democracy or practice of it, he added. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President Bola Tinubu has appointed executive and non-executive board members for the newly established Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO). Adesegun Akin-Olugbade is the board chairman, while Abdu Bello, an engineer, has been appointed managing director. The president has also appointed four Executive Directors: Nafisatu Ali for Systems Operation, Shehu Abba-Aliyu for Systems Planning, Edmund Eje for Market Operations, and Babajide Ibironke for Finance and Corporate Services. The Non-Executive Directors include Lamu Audu, representing Generation; Folake Soetan for Distribution; Tajudeen Giwa-Osagie as Market Expert; Sule Abdulaziz for Transmission, and Mahmuda Mamman, permanent secretary at the Federal Ministry of Power. The National Council on Privatisation (NCP) will finalise the recruitment process. These appointments align with the Electricity Act of 2023. They followed a memorandum from Vice President Kashim Shettima and a rigorous selection process conducted by the Independent Board Nomination Committee (IBNC) in collaboration with Phillips Consulting Limited. 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 creation of NISO fulfils a key mandate of the Electricity Act (2023), which requires the unbundling of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) into a Transmission System Provider (TSP) and an Independent System Operator (ISO). The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) officially established NISO on 30 April, 2024. The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) are its subscribers, each holding equal equity shares. Bayo Onanuga Special Adviser to the President, Information & Strategy March 19, 2025 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Federal Capital Territory Executive Committee has approved contracts worth N2.18 billion for critical infrastructure and technology upgrades while revoking 4,794 land titles over unpaid ground rents. At a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Felix Obuah, Coordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), announced that the committee approved the procurement of essential earth-moving equipment to enhance the Development Control Departments efficiency. He said the contract, awarded to Mantrac Nigeria Ltd. for N1.94 billion, includes five CAT earth-moving machines, with delivery expected in three weeks. He the equipment comprise a CAT Wheel Loader 950 GC, an Excavator 320GS, a CAT Excavator GS23, and a Doxa B61. The Acting Executive Chairman of the FCT Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS), Michael Ango, disclosed that the committee approved N242.8 million for Microsoft 365 licences to automate processes, improve internal communication, and enhance data management through cloud storage. He noted that the initiative aligns with the FCTs broader strategy to boost revenue collection. 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 FCT revokes land titles over unpaid ground rents Meanwhile, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, Director of Lands, confirmed that the FCT Administration (FCTA) revoked 4,794 land titles due to unpaid ground rents. He explained that the revocation affected property owners with outstanding payments of ten years or more. However, he stated that a 21-day grace period has been granted for those owing between one and 10 years to settle their debts. Among the affected districts are Mabushi, Jabi, Dakibiyu, Katampe, Katampe Extension, and Kado. PDPs property among revoked titles Addressing concerns about the revocation of properties linked to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Nwankwoeze clarified that only one PDP-owned property in the Central Area was affected. He explained that the title was revoked due to 28 years of unpaid ground rent totalling N7.6 million. The property in Zone 5, which serves as the PDPs national headquarters, does not belong to the party. It was purchased by Senator Samaila Mamman Kurfi from Wadata Enterprises Nigeria Limited, he said, adding that the revocation notice was served to Kurfis registered address in Kaduna State. He emphasised that the exercise was not politically motivated, as affected entities also include the Nigerian Ports Authority, Central Bank of Nigeria, INEC, the National Universities Commission (NUC), NNPC, Conoil, Borno State Government, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), and the Federal Ministry of Environment. Mr Nwankwoeze urged all property owners to fulfil their financial obligations to avoid further revocations. Everyone should pay their ground rent. Additionally, all allottees must settle their Right of Occupancy bills and obtain their certificates, he said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Basiru, has welcomed President Bola Tinubus declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Tinubu, in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, declared the emergency, citing political tension and troubling security reports in Rivers. Mr Tinubu stated that recent security briefings revealed troubling acts of oil pipeline vandalism by militants, with no effort from the governor to address the situation. Reacting to the development, the APC scribe expressed hope that the emergency would help restore peace and order in the troubled oil-producing state. It is a welcome and positive decision by President Tinubu to restore order to Rivers, which was fast becoming a failed state, Mr Basiru stated. He lamented that both the executive and legislature in Rivers had failed in their constitutional duty to ensure the peoples welfare and security. 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 advised the Osun governor to take note and allow court-reinstated local government councils to function, or risk a similar emergency declaration in Osun. Meanwhile, the president has directed security agencies to safeguard lives, property, and vital infrastructure, including oil pipelines, across Rivers. By this declaration, Gov. Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected lawmakers are suspended for an initial period of six months, Mr Tinubu said. The president nominated Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired vice admiral, as administrator to oversee Rivers affairs in the interest of its citizens during the emergency. However, the states judiciary remains unaffected by the declaration and will continue to operate within its constitutional mandate. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Rivers State Labour Party Chair Hilda Dokubo has weighed in on the state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu. PREMIUM TIMES reported that during a national broadcast on Tuesday, Mr Tinubu suspended the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected lawmakers of the state House of Assembly for six months. Additionally, he appointed Ibokette Ibas, a retired vice admiral, as the sole administrator to oversee the states affairs. In response to the development, Mrs Dokubo, a former special adviser on youth affairs to ex-Governor Peter Odili, condemned Mr Tinubus decision in a statement on her Instagram page. The actress-turned-politician stated: State of emergency because for two years we have had peace! State of emergency because you want to capture the economic soul of Rivers state. 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 State of emergency because of one man? Shameless! Perhaps Mr President should say he wants to annex Rivers state. Animal Farm Furthermore, she compared Mr Tinubus declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State to George Orwells renowned novel Animal Farm. The 55-year-old urged every citizen of the state unfamiliar with the book to take the time to read it. The Animal Farm by George Orwell should be given to every Rivers State citizen as palliative. Meanwhile, someone tells Mr Jones to rein in his pigs, she noted. This was not the first time Mrs Dokubo criticised Mr Tinubu. This newspaper reported on 2 August 2024 that she lashed out at the president over the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests. She accused Mr Tinubu of funding counter-protesters to incite violence and undermine the demonstrations. Furthermore, she alleged that his administration directed security forces to employ repressive tactics similar to those used during the EndSARS protests. Mrs Dokubo also blamed Mr Tinubu and the APC for fueling nationwide unrest and oppressing citizens, asserting that INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu rigged the 2023 presidential election. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised concerns over escalating health emergencies across multiple regions, warning that millions remain at risk due to funding shortages and ongoing conflicts. Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Hanan Balkhy, said the situation has been further complicated by the United States recent decision to halt its financial contributions to the organisation. Ms Balkhy described the withdrawal as a major setback, highlighting the agencys longstanding reliance on US contributions for critical health interventions. The regrettable US announcement to withdraw will have an enormous impact on the WHO and the wider humanitarian sector, she said She explained that the Stop Work Order has already disrupted operations, particularly in emergency response efforts. In January, shortly after his inauguration, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the country from WHO, citing political influence within the agency. 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 Need for broader support Ms Balkhy highlighted that the United States has historically been WHOs largest contributor, providing 18 per cent of its 2024/25 biennial budget, along with significant voluntary funding for key programmes like polio eradication and disease surveillance in conflict zones. However, she noted that this heavy reliance on a single donor was unsustainable. We have long known that we must diversify our sources of funding, she said, emphasising the need for a broader, more balanced donor base. She urged more countries, particularly those in the Eastern Mediterranean region, to increase their contributions to safeguard vulnerable populations and strengthen global health security. Health crises escalate The situation in Gaza remains one of the most pressing concerns, with recent airstrikes reportedly killing hundreds. Ms Balkhy reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire, sustained humanitarian assistance, and the restoration of basic services. She explained that beyond Gaza, other conflict zones continue to strain global health resources. According to Ms Balkhy, the organisation is responding to 16 graded emergencies, including seven complex humanitarian crises and over 50 disease outbreaks, with six emergencies reaching the highest crisis level. In Sudan, 20 million people need urgent health assistance, and some 25 million will experience acute food insecurity by June this year. Yet, the health cluster response is only 5.6 per cent funded, she said. In Syria, 65 per cent of the population need emergency health assistance, at a time when 70 per cent of the health workforce has left the country, and fewer than half of the nations hospitals still function. But WHO faces a funding shortfall of more than 80 per cent. According to Ms Balkhy, funding shortages in Afghanistan could force the closure of 80 per cent of WHO-supported essential healthcare services by June this year and negatively impact gains made over decades in the fight against polio. READ ALSO: Malaria vaccination gains momentum as WHO targets 25 countries by 2025 She added that WHOs ability to manage cholera outbreaks in Yemen, provide trauma care in Gaza, and combat malnutrition in Sudan is at risk, as emergency health response efforts remain severely underfunded. Next steps Ms Balkhy revealed that Member States have agreed in principle to a 20 per cent increase in assessed contributions for the 202627 budget, pending approval at the World Health Assembly in May. However, she stressed that sustainable and diversified funding is critical to ensuring that WHO can continue to respond effectively to global health emergencies. In our own Region, there are nations increasingly making their mark in the humanitarian arena. We urge them to turn their attention to health. Their moment is now, she said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Nigerian President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the southern state of Rivers, suspending the state governor, his deputy and all elected members of the state assembly. The Nigerian leader, thus, joins the ranks of presidents of the West African country who declared such a state of emergency while in office. Others who have done so since the return to democratic rule in 1999 are Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan. Mr Tinubu, in a live broadcast, said he had received security reports in the last two days of disturbing incidents of vandalisation of pipelines by some militants without the governor taking any action to curtail them. In his address, the president highlighted the unfolding security crisis in the state, warning that, if unchecked, it could precipitate anarchy and a collapse of law and order. With all these and many more, no good and responsible president will standby and allow the grave situation to continue without taking remedial steps prescribed by the constitution to address the situation in the state, the president added. Ibokette Ibas, a retired vice admiral, was appointed administrator for a six-month period to take charge of the state. 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 suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara came hours after militants blew up pipelines in Rivers, hampering production and exports. The oil-producing state has been embroiled in a political crisis between Mr Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesome Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Mr Tinubu relied on section 305(5) of the Nigeria Constitution to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State with effect from Tuesday. Section 305 of the Nigerian constitution interprets a state of emergency as a situation of national danger, disaster or terrorist attacks in which a government suspends normal constitutional procedures to regain control. A state of emergency allows the president to immediately make any desired regulations to secure public order and safety. The president has the constitutional power to declare a state of emergency in any part of Nigeria. However, this proclamation must be published in the official government gazette and ratified by the National Assembly, requiring approval from two-thirds of its members. However, many lawyers say the president exceeded his powers by suspending elected officials in states. Lagos-based lawyer Ridwan Oke said the president outrightly lacks the power to suspend any elected official in the State as section 305 of the Constitution is absolutely silent on what happens to them when a State of Emergency is declared, The actions of the president to suspend them is absolutely ultra vires as expressio unius est exclusio alterius (express mention of one is to the exclusion of all others). Hence, where the constitution expressly gives you a power, if it is silent on some others, it only means your powers doesnt extend to that, Mr Oke said. History Apart from Mr Tinubu, former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan have relied on Section 305 of the Constitution to declare a state of emergency in some states. While Mr Obasanjo suspended two governors and declared a state of emergency, Mr Jonathan didnt suspend any governor in his proclamation of a state of emergency. Here is a timeline of emergency rule in Nigeria since 1999: 18 May 2004: Mr Obasanjo imposed a state of emergency on Plateau State, suspending Governor Joshua Dariye, his deputy and the State House of Assembly in the process. At the time, Mr Obasanjo accused Plateau officials of having wittingly and unwittingly encouraged acts that have subverted peace and tranquillity. He also accused the governor of failing to act to end a cycle of bloodletting violence between the Plateau States Muslim and Christian communities that claimed thousands of lives. The incident in Plateau set off retaliatory sectarian attacks in Kano, driving thousands of people to seek refuge in police barracks. After suspending the governor, Mr Obasanjo appointed Chris Ali, a retired army general, as administrator for a six-month period. 18 October 2006: Mr Obasanjo again declared a state of emergency in Ekiti State after state lawmakers removed the then-governor, Ayo Fayose. The legislators voted to remove Mr Fayose after finding him guilty of siphoning state funds into personal bank accounts and receiving kickbacks, an allegation he denied. Amidst the crisis, Mr Obasanjo suspended the states lawmakers and the then-deputy governor, Friday Aderemi, for six months. He also appointed a retired general to administer the affairs of the state and maintain security there for six months. 31 December 2011: Former President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Plateau, Borno, Niger and Yobe States in response to the rampant bombings and escalating violence of Boko Haram. He, however, did not remove any elected officials during the emergency period. 14 May 2013: Mr Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe State, citing raging insecurity as reasons for his actions. The elected officials remained in office during the emergency period. The military will take all necessary action to put an end to the impunity of insurgents and terrorists in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe, he said at the time. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print In mid-December, a 30-year-old Nigerian named Friday Adejoh posted a video on Instagram of his day cruising on a motor yacht off the Dubai coast. Life in 2024 amazing, he wrote. Mr Adejohs alleged victim may feel differently. Mr Adejoh is wanted in the US for allegedly playing out what is commonly known as a romance scam, according to an indictment filed in February 2024, which has not previously been reported. The indictment mentions multiple targets of the alleged scam, but focuses on one unnamed e-sport athlete who was allegedly defrauded of $1.3-million-worth of bitcoin. Just a few weeks after prosecutors say he cashed out that cryptocurrency, Mr Adejoh bought two properties in Dubai worth about $860,000 combined. Records from the Dubai Land Department show that he used a passport from the Caribbean island nation of St. Kitts and Nevis to make the 2020 purchases. 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 records show that he still owns one of the properties a one-bedroom apartment in the 75-storey SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences in the glitzy Business Bay area. According to the US indictment, Mr Adejoh created a profile on a dating app and called himself Mabel. Chatting on the app as Mabel, he allegedly coaxed money out of Victim 1, who lived in Orange County, California, and earned a living playing e-sports, which involves teams competing against each other in online games. Working with co-conspirators, including a fellow Nigerian named Chekwube Mefoh, Mr Adejoh set up a fraudulent cryptocurrency trading application and website using the name Whalepool.tech, according to prosecutors. The two men then allegedly convinced Victim 1 to deposit Bitcoin into cryptocurrency wallets they controlled or which were controlled by other co-conspirators. The other conspirators are unknown to prosecutors, according to the indictment. Prosecutors say the victim was told they would receive commission on those bitcoins. Neither Mr Mefoh nor Mr Adejoh responded to requests for comment sent via email and WhatsApp. Shortly after receiving questions from OCCRP, also sent on Instagram, Mr Adejoh wiped his social media accounts. However, reporters had saved screengrabs of many of his posts, including his day boating around Dubai. The posts show Mr Adejoh, who goes by the handle jerradpb on Instagram, apparently living a life of luxury. In one photo, he is petting a tiger at a zoo. Another one shows Mr Adejoh sitting on a BMW motorbike, and there are a couple of him with a yellow Lamborghini Urus. Lamborghini or Ferrari, Mr Adejoh asked in a post last August. In another post, he clarified: I love Porche too. OCCRPs Research and Data Team contributed to this story. (This story was first published by OCCRP, a Premium Times partner. We have their permission to republish). Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Dangote refinery on Wednesday announced the temporary suspension of sales of petroleum products in Naira. The company, in a statement signed by its management, said the decision is necessary to avoid a mismatch between its sales proceeds and its crude oil purchase obligations, which are currently denominated in dollars. Dear valued customers, We wish to inform you that Dangote Petroleum Refinery has temporarily halted the sale of petroleum products in Naira. This decision is necessary to avoid a mismatch between our sales proceeds and our crude oil purchase obligations, which are currently denominated in U.S. dollars, the statement said. The decision implies that marketers of petroleum products like petrol and diesel who want to buy the product from the Dangote refinery will pay in dollars. This will lead to an increase in the pump price of the products across Nigeria. The company said its sales of petroleum products in Naira has exceeded the value of Naira-denominated crude it has received. As a result, we must temporarily adjust our sales currency to align with our crude procurement currency. Our attention has also been drawn to reports on the internet claiming that we are stopping loading due to an incident of ticketing fraud. 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 is a malicious falsehood. Our systems are robust and we have had no fraud issues. We remain committed to serving the Nigerian market efficiently and sustainably. As soon as we receive an allocation of Naira-denominated crude cargoes from NNPC, we will promptly resume petroleum product sales in Naira. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this period, the company said. In July last year, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) directed NNPC Ltd to engage Dangote Refinery and other local refineries to resolve the dispute over the sale of crude oil to them. The FEC, presided over by President Bola Tinubu, also directed that crude oil sales to the refineries be made in naira and that the refineries, located in Nigeria, sell their refined products to the Nigerian market in naira. Last October, the Nigerian government said it had officially commenced the sale of crude oil and refined petroleum products in Naira. Last week, the Nigerian government said the policy framework enabling the sale of crude oil in naira for domestic refining remains in force. The Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, who also chairs the technical subcommittee on the presidential initiative on naira for crude sales, made this known in reaction to reports alleging unilateral termination of the crude oil sale agreement between NNPC and Dangote Refinery. At the time, the government said the reports did not reflect the realities of the ongoing work under the Federal Executive Council Initiative on the domestic sale of crude oil and refined products in Naira. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A new report has projected a surge in displacement across West and Central Africa, driven by conflict, insecurity, and humanitarian challenges. The Global Displacement Forecast Report 2025, released by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Tuesday, shows that ongoing conflict and attacks on civilians are fuelling increased displacement across the region, including in Nigeria. The report identified Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Cameroon, Chad, and the Central African Republic as the most affected countries, warning that millions are at risk due to escalating displacement, disease outbreaks, and instability. Burkina Faso alone is expected to see over 200,000 additional displaced people by the end of 2026, with similar trends emerging in neighbouring countries. Disease Outbreaks in Northeast Nigeria The report highlighted multiple disease outbreaks in Nigerias northeast, particularly in Adamawa and Yobe States, where health authorities are battling cholera, measles, cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM), diphtheria, pertussis, and vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (VDPV2). Findings from the reports indicated that Adamawa has recorded 41 cholera cases, resulting in three deaths, along with 54 measles cases and one fatality. Additionally, the state has documented 55 cases of CSM, leading to 13 deaths. 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 In Yobe, 445 suspected measles cases, 161 diphtheria cases, six VDPV2 cases, and 88 CSM cases have been reported, with eight deaths each from diphtheria and CSM. The report further stated that efforts to contain these outbreaks are severely constrained by inadequate funding, logistical challenges, low vaccination coverage, and limited laboratory capacity, raising concerns that the situation could escalate. Republic of the Congo According to the report, the escalating violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has forced the closure of Fataki General Hospital in Djugu Territory, leaving over 100,000 people without access to essential healthcare. On 14 March, local health authorities ordered the hospitals closure due to worsening insecurity. Medical staff and patients were relocated to safer areas, but overwhelmed health centres in these locations are struggling to meet demand, forcing many pregnant women to give birth at home without medical assistance. Additionally, the report stated that between 29 January and 10 March, an estimated 15,000 displaced persons returned to Rutshuru Territory from Goma and Uganda. However, with no humanitarian organisations currently operational in the area, returnees lack access to healthcare, mental health support, food, and other basic necessities despite the regions relatively stable security. Humanitarian crisis West and Central Africa have experienced a growing displacement crisis in recent years, driven by a combination of armed conflicts, climate change, and economic hardship. Countries such as Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Cameroon, Chad, and the Central African Republic have seen increasing violence from insurgent groups, and communal clashes, forcing millions to flee their homes. In Nigeria, particularly in the northeast, conflict involving Boko Haram and other armed terror groups has contributed to widespread displacement and humanitarian challenges. Across the region, disease outbreaks, food insecurity, and limited access to healthcare and education have worsened living conditions for displaced persons. Governments and international organisations, including OCHA, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and various NGOs, have continued to provide humanitarian assistance. However, challenges such as funding shortages, logistical difficulties, and security risks hinder large-scale intervention efforts. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The federal government has approved N32.880 billion under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to enhance healthcare delivery. The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammed Pate, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja, at the Ministerial Oversight Committee for BHCPF, during its 10th quarterly meeting to deliberate on the progress of BHCPF implementation. Mr Pate underscored the governments commitment to expanding healthcare access and affordability, particularly at the grassroots level. This meeting is a continuation of efforts to improve the governance of the health sector and expand affordability, emergency medical treatment, ambulance services, and health security through the various BHCPF gateways, he said. He said the funds would be disbursed to states, local governments and 10,000 primary healthcare centres (PHCs) nationwide through the BHCPFs four gateways. The minister reaffirmed the importance of accountability, stating that disbursement details will be publicly available on the BHCPF website to ensure transparency. 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 To strengthen oversight, he said that the government had activated independent verification agents and public financial monitoring offices to track resource utilisation. According to Mr Pate, 744 local healthcare workers have been engaged to help monitor fund allocation and service delivery. He said that the funds would not only provide commodities and health workers, but also ensure financial sustainability for PHCs. He said that the meeting also reviewed updated BHCPF guidelines to enhance governance structures and streamline fund allocation. The goal is to maximise these resources to improve child health and advance President Bola Tinubus vision for the health sector, he said. The emergency response gateway has played a crucial role in saving lives, particularly in cases of road traffic accidents and maternal emergencies. He stressed the need to raise awareness about available healthcare services and funding transparency, urging the media and civil society organisations (CSOs) to help disseminate information. Healthcare delivery The minister said the BHCPF governance reforms align with the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) to ensure effective collaboration between federal, state, and local governments in healthcare delivery. The minister reaffirmed the governments commitment to expanding healthcare coverage and ensuring that funds directly benefit communities. This is not just a plan; it is work already being done in collaboration with all levels of government, to improve healthcare for Nigerians, he said. The Board Chairperson, National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS), Jubril Ismail, said the system had played a crucial role saving lives in emergencies, and other critical situations. Mr Ismail said the nation had made significant strides in emergency response, with strong support in recent months ensuring effective service delivery. WHOs Country Representative, Walter Kazadi, said that the decision to maintain a 10 per cent national and 15 per cent sub-national disbursement factor is to prevent service disruptions until local government autonomy takes effect. A task team is overseeing this process, with ongoing consultations on improving financial mechanisms, he said. There is a need for stronger financial governance, improved coordination, and increased funding for Nigerias health sector. He said key stakeholders, including WHO, government agencies, state governments, and international partners must work together to ensure efficient resource allocation, service delivery, and long-term sustainability. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that BHCPF is a Nigerian government mechanism designed to sustainably finance and strengthen primary healthcare services. It supports improvements in service delivery, accountability, and emergency care. The BHCPF disburses funds through four main gateways; State-Level Gateway, Local Government Gateway, Primary Health Care Centre Gateway and Emergency and Specialised Services Gateway. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A former Nigerias Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has condemned the declaration of a state of emergency and suspension of Siminalayi Fubara as the governor of Rivers State. Mr Amaechi, who served as the governor of the state from 2007 to 2015, described the development as a very dangerous affront to the Nigerian Constitution, in a statement on Wednesday. The declaration PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Mr Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the South-southern state on Tuesday. The president also suspended Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and all the House of Assembly members for an initial six months. He cited the disturbing incidents in the state in the last 24 hours, including explosions and vandalisation of petroleum pipelines linked to the political crises in the state, as the basis for his action. Many Nigerians and groups, including the NBA and PDP Governors Forum, have separately criticised Mr Tinubu for the declaration and suspension of the elected governor and lawmakers in violation of the Nigerian Constitution. 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 Youve violated the constitution, Amaechi tells Tinubu In the Wednesday statement, Mr Amaechi said, by the suspension of Mr Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Tinubu has violated the constitution which he swore to uphold. A democratically elected state governor cannot be removed from office by a proclamation of Mr President. The suspension of two key democratically elected arms of government in Rivers State by Mr. President evidently violates our constitution, even within the scope and interpretation of Section 305 that the president cited in his broadcast, he said. The former minister noted that Section 188 of the constitution stipulates the circumstances under which an elected governor can be removed from office. It does not include a fiat declaration, decree of promulgation by Mr. President. Therefore, he (Tinubu) cannot appropriate such powers to himself, he said. Attempt to grab power Mr Amaechi said the unlawful suspension of elected democratic institutions in Rivers State points to a brazen attempt at power grab in the state by forces and persons who do not have such constitutional powers. The former governor said the unfolding events in the South-south state were orchestrated by some unnamed persons seeking to impose themselves on the people. At this inauspicious moment in our nations trajectory, all people of goodwill and conscience should rise to oppose this audacious violation of our constitution and rape of our democracy. Mr President must be made to know and understand in unmistakable terms that this illegality cannot stand, he said. He asked politicians across Nigeria to speak up and rise against the countrys descent into totalitarianism. State governors and legislators should speak up now. I urge the National Assembly to reject this illegality. As a former state governor and Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), I am not unaware of the role elected governors in the country can play to halt this descent and reverse the unlawful actions of Mr President, he stated. I commend the governors that have spoken publicly against the unlawful suspension. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Federal High Court in Abuja has vacated its earlier order restraining the Senate from suspending Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The judge, Obiora Egwuatu, lifted the injunction on Wednesday, clearing the way for the Senates disciplinary process. Court battle over suspension Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan had filed an ex parte motion seeking to halt an investigation by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, chaired by Neda Imasuem. The committee probed allegations of misconduct against her, stemming from an altercation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio during a 20 February plenary session. In her suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, she listed the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, its President, and the committee chairman as the first to the fourth defendants. On 4 March, Mr Egwuatu granted an interim injunction, suspending the Senates disciplinary process against her. 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 ruling also declared that any action taken while the suit was pending would be null and void. However, despite the courts directive, the Senate, on 6 March, proceeded to suspend her for six months, accusing her of misconduct. The Senate also directed that her office be sealed and all official properties in her possession returned to the Clerk of the National Assembly. Wednesdays proceedings At Wednesdays proceedings, counsel for the Senate, Chikaosolu Ojukwu a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, adopted a motion he filed on 17 March 2025, which sought, among others, An order discharging or staying the effect of Order No. 4 in the enrolled ex-parte orders of this Honourable Court made on 4 March 2025, as it prohibits the Senate from exercising its constitutional powers to make laws and such further orders as the court may deem fit and necessary in the circumstances of this case. He stressed that on 4 March, 2025, the court declared that any action taken during the pendency of this suit is null, void, and of no effect whatsoever. According to him, the said order was vague, ambiguous, and lacking in specificity as it does not specify which of the parties it is targeted at or referring to, and what actions it relates to. He argued that the law prohibits the granting of a vague order by a court of law, adding that the ex parte order was made to last until the determination of Natashas suit. By section 4 of the 1999 Constitution, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is one of the Houses of the National Assembly established to make laws for the peace, order, and good governance of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The said Order No. 4 of 4 March 2025, as granted, effectively restrains the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from conducting any of its legislative duties in accordance with its constitutional functions, he submitted. He contended that enforcing the said order has denied his clients fair hearing and would result in a constitutional crisis and anarchy, as the entire legislative duties of the Senate will be made to grind to a halt. The legal team of other defendants, including the Senate Presidents lawyer, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, a SAN, aligned with the submissions of Mr Ojukwu and urged the court to set aside the proceedings of March 4, including the orders made during those proceedings. However, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghans lawyer, Michael Numa, a SAN, urged the court to discountenance the submissions of the defence. He argued that the defence had not shown cause why the orders of the court should be set aside but was instead asking the court to set aside the orders. He described the development as clear legislative recklessness. Mr Ojukwu responded that there was a difference between court orders obtained by fraud and a bid to vary a subsisting court order. Court ruling Ruling on the submissions on Wednesday, the judge, Mr Egwuatu, held the position that setting aside the order nullifying any acAkpoti-Uduagh Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghans case will not in any way prejudice her case. The judge refused to set aside the proceedings of 4 March, wherein he made the orders, saying it was not part of the formal prayers of the defense. I set aside Order 4 made on 4 March 2025, the judge said. The court subsequently fixed 25 March for the hearing of all applications. Background The Senates disciplinary proceedings stemmed from an altercation between Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan and Mr Akpabio on 20 February. The altercation started when the former was asked to change her seat during plenary. The dispute reportedly involved the reallocation of her seat in the chamber. Following the incident, Adeyemi Adaramodu, a Senator, moved a motion, prompting the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions to open an investigation into alleged misconduct. On 4 March, the Federal High Court intervened, issuing an order restraining the committee from proceeding with its inquiry. The order, supported by an affidavit from Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghans legal team, emphasised that she had a constitutional right to due process before any disciplinary action. Despite this, the Senate moved forward with her suspension on 6 March. Akpoti-Uduaghans response In reaction to the Senates decision, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan, through her lawyers, commenced a contempted action by filing a Form 48 Notice of Disobedience of Court Order at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Citing Section 72 of the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act, 2004, her legal team warned that Mr Akpabio and other involved senators could be held in contempt of court, which could result in legal penalties, including imprisonment. The contempt notice, dated 7 March, was officially signed by the court registrar and served to the Senate leadership. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print There are indications that the Senate will on Thursday deliberate and approve the state of emergency declared in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu. The motion for a state of emergency proclamation was initially listed on the Order Paper for debate on Wednesday, with the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, listed as the sponsor. However, a few minutes into the plenary, Mr Bamidele, who represents Ekiti Central Senatorial District, moved a motion to postpone the debate. The motion was seconded by the Minority Leader, Abba Moro. In his remark, after the motion was taken, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, stated that the upper chamber has the authority to regulate its proceedings and announced that the debate would be rescheduled for 3:00 p.m. However, at about 2:40 p.m., the senate leader moved another motion for adjournment, delaying all items on the Order Paper, including the debate on the state of emergency, until the next legislative day. 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 Again, the minority leader seconded the motion, and the plenary was adjourned till Thursday. Although Mr Akpabio did not provide any reason for the adjournment, a source within the Senate alleged that some lawmakers were uncomfortable with the presidents decision, particularly concerning the suspension of the state governor and members of the state House of Assembly. The source, who did not want his name mentioned, said this prompted further consultations among senators before proceeding with the debate. Senate to consider proclamation Speaking with journalists, Ondo South Senator Jimoh Ibrahim confirmed that consideration of the proclamation of emergency rule would take place on Thursday. Mr Ibrahim, who chairs the Senate Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Activities, explained that the postponement was partly because some senators were fasting. First thing tomorrow morning, information will go to other members. Some members are fasting and praying in their homes. Tomorrow, they will be here, and then by 10 oclock, we pick it up. We are in tandem with Mr President. I am in tandem with Mr President because this borders on life and security. We dont joke with life and security, he said. The senator defended President Tinubus decision, clarifying that the president did not dissolve democratic institutions but only suspended them for six months to allow for dialogue and resolution of the crisis. And let me say, the president did not dissolve democratic constitutions. The President only suspended for six months, and these six months will enable parties to go to the table, find out their differences, and come so that there can be peace in River State and, by extension, Nigeria. So I think the president has acted in accordance with the constitution, he said. Mr Ibrahim argued that suspending democratic institutions during security threats is a global practice and that the presidents actions align with constitutional provisions. Like I said, the president did not dissolve democratic institutions. He only suspended them, and that is done anywhere in the world where security is the topmost on the dashboard of Mr. Presidents agenda, the Hope Agenda for 2027. Quorum Mr Ibrahim also dismissed the speculations that the Senate adjourned the plenary without deliberating on the state of emergency proclamation because it could not muster two-thirds of its members required by the constitution to approve the presidents request. He said democracy is about participation and that the number of senators present was enough to proceed. The two-thirds () of the Senate is 73, and the number of senators who signed the register for Tuesdays plenary was 78, including the presiding and principal officers. The Senate is a democratic institution, and the Senate has given room for more members who were not aware of this yesterday but got to know about it today to be able to come tomorrow and air their views. Democracy is about numbers, its about participation. So what we are saying is that we can adjourn it to tomorrow in order to give room for more people to come. We formed a quorum today, and 68 people signed the register. Even though there are 10 leaders of the Senate to reach, we are more than a quorum. We could as well go on, but we dont want people to say, Oh, it was 3 oclock they brought it when members are already praying. They are fasting, and then there are not many people on the floor, that is when they pass the proclamation. No, Mr Ibrahim said. President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on Tuesday. He said the move was to curtail the protracted political crisis in the state. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a former Deputy Director of Highways at the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Augustine Olowoniyan, and a surveyor, Sulaiman Muhammed, over the alleged diversion of N1.93 billion meant for land acquisitions. They were arraigned on Wednesday before a judge, Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Apo, Abuja, on three counts of corruption. According to the EFCC, the offences contravene section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000. Allegations The EFCC said the funds allocated for acquiring land titles for federal roads between March 2019 and July 2020 were misappropriated. One of the charges states: That you, Augustine Ojo Olowoniyan, while serving as Deputy Director of Highways and Project Coordinator for land title acquisitions, and you, Suleiman Abdulkadir Muhammed, while serving as a surveyor in the same department, between March 4, 2019, and October 21, 2019, in Abuja, used your positions to confer corrupt advantage upon yourselves by diverting N807.05 million earmarked for federal road land titles. Both defendants pleaded not guilty. 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 Bail hearing EFCC counsel Abba Muhammed, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), urged the judge to fix a date for commencement of trial. He urged the court to remand the defendants in a correctional facility. However, defence lawyers J.K. Kolawole and A.S.U. Garba sought a short adjournment to file bail applications, requesting that their clients remained in EFCC custody instead. Mr Onwuegbuzie adjourned the bail hearing till 3 April and remanded the defendants in the Correctional Centre, Luke, Abuja. Related In a related case, the EFCC separately arraigned Mr Olowoniyan on counts, accusing him of diverting N439.5 million in public funds. One of the charges reads: That you, Augustine Ojo Olowoniyan, while serving as Deputy Director of Highways and Project Coordinator for land title acquisitions, between March 27, 2019, and December 17, 2019, transferred 301.99 million to Chile Ushahemba, a staff member of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, and received 19.14 million in cash, which you converted for personal use. The EFCC stated that the offence constitutes a criminal breach of trust under Section 315 of the Penal Code Law. Mr Olowoniyan also pleaded not guilty. Mr Onwuegbuzie adjourned the case till 3 April for the bail hearing. Mr Onwuegbuzie adjourned the bail hearing till 3 April and remanded the defendants in the Correctional Centre, Luke, Abuja. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Wednesday, insisted that President Bola Tinubus declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State remains unconstitutional and impracticable. PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said this at a news conference in Abuja after the partys National Working Committee (NWC) meeting. Mr Ologungba said that no provision of the constitution empowered the president to dismantle a sub-national government or suspend a democratically-elected governor under any situation whatsoever. He described the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, a member of the PDP, and the House of Assembly members as an attempt to suspend the 1999 Constitution and overturn a democratic government. Mr Ologunagba argued that the state of emergency declared by the president was in violation of Sections 1(2), 14(2)(a), 180, 217(2)(b) (c) and 305 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) Also, Section 14(2)(a) states that sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria from whom government, through this constitution, derives all its powers and authority. 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 What it means is that for you to be in a position of authority in Nigeria, it must be by reason of the authority given to you by the sovereign vote of the people. That was demonstrated by the election of Gov. Fubara as the elected governor of Rivers, along with his deputy and, of course, the House of Assembly as an arm of government. The three arms of government are co-equal branch of government and thats why we talk about having rule of law and order in government. This constitutional sovereignty, as provided for in Section 14 is exercisable only by the people through their elected representatives, including state governors and legislators. The president, therefore, has no power whatsoever to override this sovereignty under any guise, he said. Mr Ologunagba added that Section 180 of the constitution also made it clear that the four-year tenure of a state governor commenced from the date of his swearing in. He said that the only means provided for in the constitution for the abridgment of the tenure of a governor was death, resignation, incapacitation or impeachment, and not by suspension by the president. According to him, the civil authorities in Rivers remain the governor, deputy governor and the state House of Assembly. He also maintained that under the provisions of the constitution, Mr Fubara remains the elected governor of the state. The PDP spokesperson, while expressing the partys continued support for Mr Fubara, called for calm in the state. Also speaking, the Chairman, PDP Caretaker Committee for South-south zone, Emmanuel Ogidi, said that the crisis in Rivers was all about 2027. Mr Ogidi alleged that it was all in an attempt to take over power in the state and other South-south states, which, he said, were PDP strongholds. Revocation of land titles On the revocation of Right of Occupancy to the PDP national secretariat by Federal Capital Territory Administration, Mr Ologunagba said that there was a pending court case as to the ownership of the property between NICON Insurance Limited and the party. He said that the case, in which PDP, FCT and FCT minister were defenders, was adjourned to 5 May. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, on Wednesday condemned another attack, forceful abduction, intimidation, assault, brutalisation of the staff and destruction of the facilities at the substation of the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) in Badagry, Lagos State by personnel of the Nigerian Army. Mr Adelabu, in a statement by Bolaji Tunji, his special adviser on strategic communication and media relations on Wednesday, said the attack which took place on Friday, 14 March, following a temporary power outage happening less than a week after a similar assault on the staff and the infrastructure of the Ikeja Electric Distribution Company (IKEDC) by the Nigerian Airforce. Mr Adelabu described the vandalism, destruction and forceful abduction of staff as not only unacceptable but also a direct threat to the stability of Nigerias power supply and the economic well-being of the country. The minister called on the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu to intervene by calling security operatives to order, noting that there are ways such issues could be handled without resorting to violence especially in a democratic setting. He noted that electricity infrastructure is the backbone of the Nigerian economy and a critical enabler of development. Attacks on these facilities and staff on duty undermine the efforts of the federal government to ensure stable and reliable power supply to homes, businesses, and public institutions. 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 repeated targeting of power infrastructure and the personnel of distribution companies by uniformed personnel, who are expected to protect national assets, are deeply troubling and raises serious concerns about discipline and accountability within our armed forces, Mr Adelabu was quoted as saying. The statement further noted that the Nigerian Army was emboldened to attack EKEDC facilities and staff because of the silence of the federal government on the earlier invasion of Ikeja Electric by the Air Force. The NSA has to wade into this matter in order to forestall further attacks. The minister added that the attack on EKEDC substation has resulted in significant damage, leading to power outages and disruptions in service to thousands of customers. This comes at a time when the government is working tirelessly to improve the efficiency and reliability of the power sector. Such actions are counterproductive and sabotage the collective progress we are striving to achieve. He called on the Nigerian Army to immediately investigate this incident and bring the perpetrators to justice. The Ministry of Power also urges the military high command to take urgent steps to educate and sensitise its personnel on the importance of protecting critical national infrastructure. The repeated occurrence of such incidents suggests a systemic issue that must be addressed with the utmost urgency, he added. Mr Adelabu said the power ministry remains committed to working with all stakeholders to safeguard power infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to all Nigerians. He said though he recognises the sensitive role of the military in safeguarding the country and protecting its assets, the military should see the power sector as a partner in progress and not its enemy. We appeal to all Nigerians, including members of the armed forces, to recognise the importance of protecting our power infrastructure. These facilities are vital to our collective prosperity, and their destruction harms us all, he said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print In this piece, I want to pay critical attention to the reform significance of the relationship between what has been called the cult of the generalists, on the one hand, and the necessity for more of a cadre of specialists or professionals, given the imperative and demand of the knowledge age, on the other. This discourse might appear academic at first glance. However, we immediately grasp its significance when we understand that a civil service system that must anticipate the challenges of the future needs to adequately articulate a governance, strategic and operational managerial framework that has the capability of preparing the civil service for such a future. How does this distinction affect the way we think about development on the continent? It does because it is intimately connected with the evolving nature of work, and how work mediates the significance and urgency of national productivity. The nature of work in the twenty-first century has changed drastically. Work is no longer place-based and a full-time/lifetime vocation. It is now more remote-based, and attended by all sorts of dynamics. This, therefore, brings to the fore the imperative of connecting this changing workplace with the traditional understanding of the public service in public administration studies. How a public service performs, therefore, has a lot to do with how the business model of the public service is organised and connected with the developmental framework of the state. When the Northcote-Trevelyan Report of 1854 was submitted, as part of the reform effort to transform the operational basis of the British Civil Service, it was founded on one of four significant premises: Entrants should not be recruited for life into a specific department but would enter a Home Civil Service that would facilitate inter-departmental staff transfers. Civil servants, therefore, would need to have had a general education and to be generalist rather than specialist in their knowledge and experience. One critical implication of this development was the emergence of the cadre system which served as the basis for the establishment of a generalist class administrative, executive and clerical as the top administrative echelon of the civil service system in a descending hierarchical order of responsibilities and qualifications. This elite administrative echelon was solely responsible for policy initiation and implementation. In its Nigerian incarnation, the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) offers three streams of general management courses, for professionals and administrators, that appeals to the lower, middle and top management cadres. These courses are general in the sense that they have nothing to do with the specialized training that participants and officers have as professionals before attending. The assumption behind the general management courses is that while an officer could remain a specialist until she gets to GL 14, advancing to the top management position requires taking on more general management responsibilities that demands more multidimensional financial, human and managerial imperatives. Thus, whether a generalist-administrator or core professional, becoming a top management officer is a status that leans more to general management, and is preparatory to becoming a permanent secretary a position that makes the officer simultaneously a chief administrative officer, chief policy adviser and chief accounting officer. The relationship between the cult of generalists that the Nigerian civil service system inherited from the British and the necessity of specialised and professional competence is one significant tension that the system has to contend with in terms of institutional reform. The colonial structure of the civil service was first addressed by the Gorsuch Commission of 1956 which recommended the creation of a cadre division of civil service personnel corresponding to general education standard of the period. The four divisions were: sub-clerical and sub-technical; clerical and technical; executive and higher technical; and administrative and professional. Each of these divisions was further divided into cadres. The professional class contained cadres like engineering, education, law, accountants, medical, etc. On the other hand, the contribution of the 1959 Newns Commission was the introduction of a Westminster organisational model which is more compatible with a ministerial framework. The Newns Commission recommended the grafting of the ministerial structures on the colonial departmental structure. This new arrangement, for instance, created the position of the permanent secretary on whom the Minister could depend on all decisional and administrative matters, especially those bothering on specific technical needs that require liaising with the professional heads of department. 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 Unfortunately, however, this wholesale transplantation of the Westminster model the most significant underlying structural arrangement of the Nigerian civil service system till date has constantly frustrated almost all reform intentions and implementation because it failed to take the peculiarity of the Nigerian context into consideration. The cadre system created a subsisting conflict between the generalists and the specialists, and this inevitably led to the tension that subverted service delivery efficiency in the departments. Within this system, key operational tasks are undertaken by generalist officers who have no expertise in the area. And this leaves the system weakened in terms of the urgent need for a specialist section with requisite professional qualification that matches competence with specific job and task. To cite a rather critical example, a very large proportion of the workforce at the Federal Civil Service Commission is made up of pool of generalist-officers who are without sufficient knowledge and expertise that could enable them deploy fundamental concepts and models in the field of HRM and public administration to bring professionalism to bear on their job. And this leaves a significant gap in terms of professionally trained and certified HR practitioners that are trained to take on specialised functions and tasks. Working under the influence of the Fulton Report of 1968, the Udoji Commission report made a valiant effort to dislodge the cult of generalists by recommending under the burden of performance management, central to the managerial revolution sweeping public administration the infusion of the public service with new professionals and specialists whose competences can be contracted to specific performance task within a result-oriented management system. The fundamental dimensions of the Udoji Report dealing with managerial dynamics were not implemented, unfortunately. The generalist-specialist controversy is not unique to public administration. It pervades the entirety of the managerial structure of both the public and private management, as well as executive government. And this is because it impinges on workplace efficiency and performance management. Within public administration, government organisations possess a strong preference for recruiting public officers with broad-based and multidisciplinary knowledge over those public officers the specialists with professional expertise and competences in specific fields and areas. This cult of generalists derives from a general belief in management and administration that a generalist approach is superior for managing complex policy issues and navigating diverse government functions, even when highly technical knowledge might be required. In the private sector, the concern is not different. The workplace of the twenty-first century is leaning more in the direction of multidimensional expertise a sort of Jack-of-all-trade. Indeed, there is the argument that generalists provide marginal value the extra value that people are willing to pay, far above the value that specialist create. And this is because generalist appeal more to the general population, and specifically the general managerial requirement of any institution or organisation. In both the public and the private sectors, the general manager is denoted by six fundamental tasks: (a) shaping and reshaping the workplace and its many environments, like dictating the performance standard, business concepts and personnel values; (b) designing strategic vision and mission; (c) strategically putting the available resources together; (d) attracting and harnessing the high performing managers and staff; (e) dealing with structural, institutional and organisational dynamics, decisions, and problems that anticipate future challenges; (f) supervising day-to-day operations and implementation of organisational decisions. I suspect, however, that no matter the acclamation for a generalist orientation in the public and private sectors, or even the argument for the specialists in government, arguing for either of them is in bad taste. Every organization or institution requires both. It is as simple as that. The reality of effective managerial presence in the public service requires that the generalist and the specialist possess a bit of competences required in the others domain, and this involve a range of subsidiary skills, for instance in policy analysis and project management. For instance, there is no generalist that would have any justifiable excuse not to have some significant and specialist expertise aside the general management skills. This is the core reason why core bureaucratic skills that were the competences of generalist administrators are now actively being professionalised. These include economists, planners, procurement, records management, financial management and accounting systems, Human Resources, organisation, operations and management research and management research, knowledge and talent management, training administration, HR information system, ICT, policy research and analysis, statistics and data management, decision science, investment planning and promotion, project management, negotiation, crisis and conflict resolution, strategic planning, pension management, PPPs, and so on. And on the other hand, to be an efficient professional public manager and administrator demands some significant generalist competences not only in people management but also some core establishment issues, especially in the management of the policy process and strategic planning. Such a specialist public administrator must have significant experience and expertise in the management of the five Ms of management: men (HR), money (finance), methods (management techniques), machine (technology), and materials (inventory, stocks and procurement). To offset the low efficiency and performance quotient of the system as well as the diminished managerial creativity of public officers, we need to insist, as a matter of regulatory gatekeeping, that every officer aspiring to top leadership positions in the civil service must acquire core specialist and generalist competency, and the system must see to it that officers are sufficiently rounded in these skills as part of professional development and leadership pipelining to top administrative level positions. This is a recognition of the fact that on the one hand, the civil service is not just an academic/intellectual space where candidates dazzle with erudition and breathe of intellectual rather than getting things done which is the core of bureaucratic professionalism. And on the other hand, running the business of government demands a whole multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary cocktail menu of a mix of strategic, tactical and operational skills. The reform program and strategy that must undermine the fundamental structural bases of administrative and managerial operation in the Nigerian civil service system must factor this understanding of the generalist-specialist dynamics and relationship into consideration. Taking them as adversarial opposites will not work for reform. Tunji Olaopa is chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission, Abuja; E-mail: [email protected] Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Katsina State Secretariat on Climate Change (KSSCC) has stated that it has taken note of a claim and temperature alert/advisory being circulated on social media across Nigeria that there would be a celestial incidence called Equinox (in next few days) from the 21st to 23rd of March 2025 in which: Based on the trending alert, the sun will come very close to the earth and beam its rays directly on the equator while the temperature will be between 45 and 50 degrees in Nigeria. Hence Nigerians were advised to: one, avoid direct contact with sunlight (especially for prolonged periods) as much as possible and secondary hydrate well (drink a lot of water). The advisory in the social media further counseled the Nigerian public to dress with heat sensitive clothing (short sleeves, light clothing, light coloured), avoid overcrowded settings, ensure proper ventilation to prevent Meningitis and double or triple the amount of water for children. Against the backdrop of the advisory in the social, the KSSCC issued its own caution as follows: While acknowledging the fact that there exists a celestial incidence called Equinox, the Katsina State Climate Change Secretariat however wishes to inform the general public; especially the people of Katsina state that there is no cause for alarm whatsoever. We wish to state that such occurrence is a normal astronomical event and happens twice yearly (March and September). However, the claim that the sun is coming very close to Earth is false and misleading. Our experts have confirmed that the Earths distance from the sun varies slightly due to its elliptical orbit, but the closest point (perihelion) occurs in January, not March and does not cause any harm. 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 Similarly, the claim that temperature will reach between 45 and 50 degrees is also exaggerated. While Nigeria experiences high temperatures during its dry season (FebruaryApril), however 4550C is extremely rare. The average March temperatures range from 3040C. There is also no credible meteorological forecast predicting 50C in Nigeria for March 2022, 2024. Such extreme heat would break historical records. Katsina State Climate Change Secretariat posits that while the temperature claim is exaggerated, the recommendations for heat safety are generally valid for dry land areas such as Katsina state, therefore the safety tips in the advisory are reasonable precautions for typical hot/dry weather in March. Citizens in Katsina state should avoid prolonged sun exposure in order to prevent heatstroke risk. Staying hydrated is also recommended in this season. Other precautionary advice like wearing light clothes, light colours and loose fabrics are also timely. Avoidance of congestion is also recommended in the hot season as overcrowded spaces trap heat and increase dehydration risk. Similarly, poor ventilation exacerbates heat-related illnesses; which could increase transmission risk for Meningitis. Katsina Climate Secretariat is therefore calling on the public to follow the above safety tips, but disregard the sensationalized claims about extreme temperatures or the suns proximity. We advise that people stay informed by checking on accurate weather forecasts from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET). It may interest the public to know that the Katsina state government under the able leadership of Malam Dikko Umaru Radda is paying maximum attention to the welfare of the populace and especially related to possible challenges of climate change. Part of the 2025 proactive measures to safeguard Katsina people and their livelihood against climate change issues of temperature, rainfall, windstorm and floods was the decision of the government in arranging a step-down capacity building trainings of government officials handling agricultural development, water resources management, forestry and livestock production. The capacity building and preparatory training against disruptive weather eventualities in urban and rural areas of Katsina state is also to cover relevant staff at local government level, as well as recently invigorated teams of agricultural extension officers across the state. In the same vein, the state Governor has strengthened a collaboration with international development partners (UNDP) to establish high resolution and smart weather stations in the three senatorial zones of the state. This commendable effort will position Katsina to be self-reliant in real time monitoring of temperature and other weather elements across the state; instead of relying on outside sources. As forestry and agro forestry remain a dependable means of combating climate change, the state Governor has repositioned the states forestry department by relocating it to the ministry of environment and making a huge budgetary approvals for raising of seedling towards a new programme introduced as social forestry. A designed intervention of tree plantations to serve as windbreakers against windstorms, as well as shelter belts against advancement of desert are at various stages of implementation. These interventions are capable of ameliorating ambient temperatures by 10 Degrees, as well as sequestration of carbon dioxide in millions of tons. The proactive decision of the Katsina state government in water harvesting is also worth mentioning here. It is now the determination of the state government to trap and retain at-least 40% of the annual rainfall in the state. This will enable abundance of ground and surface water for various uses such as irrigation farming; where the government has an ambitious target of scaling it up to 400% between 2025 and 2027. While calling on the people of Katsina state to be climate-response-ambassadors, we wish to convey the unrelenting determination of the Executive Governor in protection of the people from both natural and economic shocks; while prioritising on the welfare and security of the entire state. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Board of Unity Bank Plc has announced the appointment of Ebenezer Kolawole (FCA) as the Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer following the retirement of Mrs Oluwatomi Somefun who has completed her tenure as MD/CEO. The appointment was announced at the Banks 18th Annual General Meeting (AGM), held in Lagos on Wednesday, after securing necessary approval from its primary regulator, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Mr Kolawole is a seasoned and consummate banker with over three decades of industry experience. He began his financial services career at Caribbean Finance Limited (an affiliate of CFL in Cayman Island) in Kaduna in 1992. He later joined Ecobank where he worked in various departments of the Bank, both operations and finance suites and rose to the position of Deputy Financial Controller. He moved to Standard Trust Bank (STB) and worked at various strategic areas including Operations, Regulatory Risk Management and Finance suites and played a pivotal role in the STB/UBA merger. Post-merger, he served as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the United Bank for Africa. He moved to Mainstreet Bank as the Banks Group Chief Finance Officer (GCFO) and actively drove the turnaround and transformation initiatives of the Bank. He had a brief stint at Globacom, a foremost and Nigerias leading indigenous Telecommunication giant, where he served in various capacities for corporate business development. Mr Kolawole joined Unity Bank Plc as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in 2015. He was later, in February 2018, appointed the Executive Director to oversee Finance, Operations and Information Technology, where he played a key role in the Banks strategic transformation and cost optimization initiatives which enhanced the Banks performance and market feasibility. 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 In line with the Banks succession and business continuity plans, Mr Kolawole is saddled with the primary responsibility to finalise the Banks ongoing corporate programmes and other strategic business initiatives of the institution. Mr. Kolawole holds a First-Class (Hons) Degree in Accounting from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife. He has participated in several management/executive education programmes in Columbia Business School, New York, USA and TheWharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA. Mr Kolawole is a member of several professional bodies including: Fellow of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA); Fellow, Institute of Credit Administration, (FICA), Honorary Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (HCIB), Associate Member of The Nigeria Institute of Management (AMNIM); Member of the Institute of Directors etc. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has begun distributing free malaria drugs and test kits to strengthen the fight against the disease in the territory. The Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, FCTA, Adedolapo Fasawe, said at the event in Abuja on Tuesday, that efforts were ongoing to eliminate malaria from FCT. Ms Fasawe described the distribution of the free drugs and test kits, which would last for two years, as a decisive and deliberate action in the fight against malaria. She explained that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had paid the 2024 counterpart fund, which enabled the FCT to participate in the 2025 malaria programme. She described the fight against malaria as a fight for life as every single minute, a child dies of malaria in Nigeria. The mandate secretary said that plans had been mapped out to kick out malaria from the FCT and the country. 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 She said that malaria remains a leading cause of death among women and children under five years. According to her, Nigeria is responsible for 27 per cent of global malaria prevalence, the highest figure in the world. She added that a survey carried out by the World Health Organisation in 2024 indicated that 1.4 million, out of the about 6 million population of the FCT, suffered from malaria. This represents a five per cent malaria prevalence. Only one thing causes malaria mosquito. If we can eliminate mosquitoes, we can eliminate malaria, she said. She said that all drugs and test kits had been distributed to all public health facilities in the FCT, warning that any facility found selling the drugs would be sanctioned. She added that insecticide-treated nets have been made available for distribution to pregnant women and nursing mothers. Also, the acting Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Abubakar Ahmadu, said the programme would improve access to malaria care and reduce out-of-pocket spending on health. Mr Ahmadu urged healthcare practitioners to make judicious use of the kits and drugs. Maureen Ugochukwu of Famkris Healthcare Initiative said malaria remained Nigerias most pressing public health challenge. Ms Ugochukwu said that households spend scarce resources on treatment while businesses suffer during malaria attacks. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District have kicked off the process for the recall of the senator representing the area, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, as signature collection has started in some areas of the district. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports on Wednesday in Lokoja that constituents gathered at various signature collection points across the five Local Government Areas comprising the senatorial district. Some of the locations visited include Ajaokuta, Adavi, Okene, Lokoja, and Okehi Local Government Areas, where residents were seen participating in the signature drive. One collection point was Ihima community in Okehi LGA, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghans hometown, where people were observed queuing for the recall exercise. Abdullahi Usman, a resident of Ihima, told NAN that he joined the process willingly, saying they had lost confidence in Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghans representation. You can see the queue of people dissatisfied with her National Assembly performance, especially following the recent scandal in the Senate chamber. 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 We are sending a message to the world that we no longer trust her representation. Her actions have brought shame to us internationally, Mr Usman said. At the Ajaokuta collection point, Hajia Rabi Mohammed said, We want her to return home, so we can elect someone with a good reputation. Samuel Adamu, from Lokoja Metropolis, said the recall process began on Wednesday and would last two days across all polling units in the five LGAs. We believe that by Friday, March 21, well conclude collecting the signatures needed to file the petition for her recall, Mr Adamu explained. He added, This recall process is taken seriously. We tried to engage her repeatedly without success, highlighting the communitys frustrations. In response, Abdulrahman Badamasiuyi, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, described the recall effort as a sham and baseless. Mr Badamasiuyi urged constituents to ignore the planned verification exercise aimed at recalling Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan from the National Assembly. We want the Senate, Nigerians, and the world to know we stand firmly with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against her illegal suspension. She remains the one in whom we entrusted our mandate, and no one has the right to violate our democratic and constitutional choices. We hereby notify the Senate, Nigerians, and the world that Akpoti-Uduaghan retains our unwavering mandate to serve until May 2027, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A strange disease has killed four students of the Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero. The universitys registrar, Maimaru Tilli, confirmed the development to reporters in Birnin Kebbi on Monday. Mr Tilli stated, Yes, four students have died according to our records, but we do not know the cause yet. The Ministry of Health has cautioned us, and they have advised that there is a need to decongest students accommodation. Mr Tilli added that he had officially written to the Commissioner for Higher Education, Isah Tunga, seeking guidance on measures to curb the fatalities. Some students who spoke on the condition of anonymity revealed that the four students died mysteriously last week. 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 Although the cause of their death remains unknown, sources said World Health Organisation (WHO) officials have visited the university for an awareness campaign on the dangers of meningitis. PREMIUM TIMES understands that the Students Union Government (SUG) has also written to the university management to shut down the institution to prevent further casualties. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Rivers State Government says it is surprised at the State of Emergency declared on the state by President Bola Tinubu as the state was being properly governed by the Siminalayi Fubara administration. The states commissioner for information, Warisenibo Johnson, in a statement late on Tuesday, declared the stance of the state government. Yes, we have political disagreements, but good governance had continued, salaries have been paid, and great projects were being executed to move the state forward. Above all, Rivers State is safe, secure and peaceful under our watch, Mr Johnson wrote. PREMIUM TIMES reported that President Tinubu declared a State of Emergency in the state, a controversial decision that has raised concerns among many Nigerians. The president also suspended the governor, his deputy and the states lawmakers for six months. He also appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired vice admiral, as the administrator of the oil-rich state for six months. Mr Tinubu gave different reasons for his action including the political impasse in the state, the implications of a recent Supreme Court judgement and the wilful destruction of oil pipelines by militants allegedly sympathetic to Mr Fubara in his feud with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. In his statement, the Rivers commissioner questioned why Mr Tinubu suspended Mr Fubara from office but did not suspend Mr Wike, his minister of the federal capital. He said Mr Fubara tried to implement the Supreme Court judgement referenced by Mr Tinubu as well as other agreements reached on the political crises. 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 Unfortunately, at every turn, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by the minister of FCT, frustrated our efforts, thus making genuine peace and progress difficult. That is why it is shocking that Mr President sacked the Governor and left his minister who is the principal actor. Read the commissioners full statement below. HON. COMMISSIONER FOR INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS RIVERS STATE Our dear Rivers People, I address you today with a deep sense of responsibility and calm, as we navigate this unfortunate moment in our states political history. Since our dear Governor assumed office as your Governor, all his actions and decisions have been guided by his constitutional oath of office and a great sense of duty. He prioritized the protection of lives and property and ensured the continuous progress of our dear State. Even in the face of the political impasse, he remained committed to constitutional order and the rule of law, putting the interest of our people above all else. This was why, immediately after Mr. Presidents intervention to broker peace, we did not hesitate to implement the agreed terms in good faith, including welcoming back commissioners who had previously resigned on their own volition. Furthermore, we moved swiftly to comply with the Supreme Courts judgement immediately we received the certified true copy of the judgement to return the state to normalcy. These steps were taken not for personal gains but to foster peace, unity and stability in our dear State. Unfortunately, at every turn, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by the minister of FCT, frustrated our efforts, thus making genuine peace and progress difficult. That is why it is shocking that Mr. president sacked the Governor and left his minister who is the principal actor. Our priorities remained the security of lives and property and advancing the well-being and prosperity of Rivers people. Yes, we have political disagreements, but good governance had continued, salaries have been paid, and great projects were being executed to move the State forward. Above all, Rivers State is safe, secure and peaceful under our watch. At this critical time, we urge all Rivers people to remain peaceful and law-abiding. We will engage with all relevant institutions to ensure that our democracy remains strong and that Rivers State continues to thrive. We have always been a resilient people, and we will face this situation with wisdom, patience, and unwavering faith in the democratic process. God bless Rivers State. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Signed: Warisenibo Joe Johnson Hon. Commissioner for Information and Communications Rivers State Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Nigerian lawyers have faulted President Bola Tinubus declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Mr Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the south-southern state on Tuesday. The president also suspended Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu and all elected lawmakers of the Rivers assembly for an initial period of six months. He cited as the basis for his action the disturbing violence in the state in the last 24 hours, including explosions and vandalisation of petroleum pipelines, linked to the political crises in the state. Tinubu has no such powers A human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, told PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday night that Mr Tinubu suspended Governor Fubara in violation of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution. As an elected official, Mr Effiong said the governor cannot be suspended or removed by a presidential declaration. 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 lawyer argued that the provisions of Section (305) of the constitution did not empower the president to suspend or remove any elected governor. The president has no power under Section (305) of the constitution to suspend or remove a governor. The assumption of office of governor is elective, not appointive, he said, insisting that an elected governor is entitled to four-year tenure. Citing Section (180) of the constitution, the human rights lawyer stressed that a governor can only cease to hold office in the event of his resignation, impeachment, incapacitation or death. Anything outside these circumstances is unconstitutional, he said. Mr Effiong also said Mr Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers without complying with the constitutional provisions. He has not complied with the procedure for even declaring an emergency. The emergency has to be gazetted, and the National Assembly has to approve it. And to my knowledge, none of this has happened, he said. Another lawyer, Vincent Adodo, corroborated Mr Effiongs position that Mr Tinubu acted in violation of the Nigerian Constitution. Mr Adodo said that although the president has the power to declare a state of emergency based on certain constitutional conditions, he does not have the power to remove or suspend a governor. Theres nowhere in Section 305 where the president is empowered to remove or suspend a governor of a state, he said. What the president has done today, as far as I am concerned, is acting a script to favour his political ally, Nyesom Wike. The lawyer also said Mr Tinubus declaration does not have any effect under the constitution until it is approved by the National Assembly. As of today, we did not hear the president say they have approached the National Assembly to seek their approval. But a while ago, I just read that the president has deployed the military to take over the Rivers State Government House even before the National Assembly approves the declaration, he said. Nigeria is not ruled by an emperor where whatever the emperor says works. On what Governor Fubara should do in the face of the alleged illegality, Mr Adodo said: if I were Siminalayi Fubara, I would be in the High Court of Rivers State tomorrow (Wednesday) to challenge this unconstitutional act. For his part, Monday Ubani, a former chairperson of the Section on Public Interest and Development Law of the Nigerian Bar Association, said Mr Tinubu has the power to declare a state of emergency. Mr Ubani, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said the president must seek the approval of the declaration from the National Assembly. PREMIUM TIMES reminded the lawyer that the president declared a state of emergency with immediate effect during the nationwide broadcast. No. It cant take effect from today. The National Assembly has to debate it and approve it before it becomes functional, he responded. State of emergency: Political weapon or security measure? Meanwhile, Mohammed Adoke, a former attorney-general under the administration of Goodluck Jonathan, detailed why he opposed the removal of governors in three states where Mr Jonathan had declared emergencies in May 2013. Mr Jonathan, in May 2013, declared a state of emergency in the three northern states of Adamawa, Yobe and Borno in the wake of escalating attacks by Boko Haram insurgents. In his book Burden of Service: Reminiscences of Nigerias Former Attorney General, Mr Adoke recalled that Mr Jonathan had asked him to present his arguments against the removal of governors in the three states to the Federal Executive Council. The former attorney-general explained that the presidents request followed pressure from political actors asking him to remove the governors in the states due to the emergencies. When I got to council, I marshalled my argument that removing a governor was not part of the constitutional provisions in declaring a state of emergency and I told them declaring an emergency was constitutional, a shared responsibility between the President and the National Assembly, with the legislature having a superior dominion, he said. In the end, President Jonathan decided that he would not violate the constitution and did not extend the emergency and did not remove the three governors. Removing them during emergencies, to my mind, was simply illogical. Mr Adoke said Olusegun Obasanjo through his Attorney-General, Akin Olujinmi, had wrongly relied on the provision of an outdated Act the Emergency Powers Act of 1961- to justify the removal of a state governor. While the 1961 State of Emergency Act allowed for the removal of premiers, as Chief Olunjinmi alluded to, the 1979 constitution, and consequently the 1999 constitution, spelt out how to declare a state of emergency. The removal of a governor is definitely not included in the provisions, he said. The state of emergency has often been employed more as a political weapon to settle scores with opposing forces, not necessarily to address issues of actual or imminent threat to security. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print PT: Wheres Governor Fubara and his family right now? JOHNSON: I left the governor at about 2 a.m. today (Wednesday, 19 March). He was still in the Government House. PT: What is the mood inside the Government House like? JOHNSON: Well, the military presence is high. The SSS and the police have taken full dominance of activities there. We were allowed to go in there early this morning after a thorough screening. Because I was still doing a few things for the governor, so I was moving in and out. People were not molested. PT: How about Port Harcourt? Whats the mood in the city? JOHNSON: Well, theres silence of the graveyard. Rivers people are going about their various businesses. Theres nothing pointing to any action that may cause any breach. 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 PT: Yeah, but we just learnt about a fire incident at Port Harcourt Refinery. How true is this? JOHNSON: No, its not true. I spoke with my cousin, who is at the refinery, and he said nothing like that happened. PT: Has the new administrator arrived at the Government House? JOHNSON: No, he has not. You know that the matter is before the National Assembly. I want to believe that hell be waiting for the National Assembly to give the nod before hell take his oath of office, and then hell proceed to assume his assignment. PT: Hows Governor Fubaras mood right now? JOHNSON: He is very stable. I want to think that as a man, he would have accepted it the way it has come. PT: President Tinubu said when the militants threatened to blow up oil pipelines, Governor Fubara did not disown them. How true is this? JOHNSON: Last of what I heard about the Trans-Niger pipeline was yesterday morning, and after that we had another one in one of the local government areas in Rivers State. I want to believe that the governor would have put in certain measures with the security chiefs; its not that he would come on a broadcast station and begin to announce what we have done, but I am sure some measures were put (in place) to forestall further destructions. For anyone to allude to that as the reason for the state of emergency is like trying to call a dog a bad name in order to hang it. The governor is taking in the situation. I dont think there is anything to bother with. As of now, the governor does not have any power to do anything. We are waiting for the new administrator when he comes, life must move on. PT: Whats the lesson for everyone in this whole thing? JOHNSON: Well, its an action we never expected because the indices that should have taken us into a state of emergency were not there. In the ding-dong, we were fulfilling the Supreme Court judgement when this hammer came, and as a government we have no choice but to allow the will of God to prevail in this matter. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Police Command in Ebonyi State has announced the disappearance of a 35-year-old woman, Zainab Obini, on Tuesday. This is contained in a statement issued by the Commands spokesperson, Joshua Ukandu, in Abakaliki. Mr Ukandu, a superintendent of police, said Mrs Obini, of 10 Iroko Street, Ezi Egwu Enohia Itim, Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, was reported missing by her husband, Obini Chikwe. According to the spokesperson, Mrs Obini left her husbands residence on 3 March and has not returned since. The missing woman is 1.75 feet tall, fair-skinned, with no tribal marks. She speaks English, Igbo, and Arabic fluently. Mr Ukandu explained that Mrs Obini left after a disagreement with her husband and has not returned. Efforts to locate her have been unsuccessful. 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 Command urged anyone with useful information to call the police or report at the nearest police station, Mr Ukandu added. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print BERLIN, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As Europe accelerates its transition toward sustainable industrial automation and electric mobility, Godrej Enterprises Group is expanding its Motor Solutions business to meet the growing demand for high-performance motor components and special motors. With a strong presence in Germany, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and the UK, the company is deepening its partnerships with leading OEMs, delivering customized solutions that adhere to Europe's stringent quality and efficiency standards. Godrej Enterprises Group's Motor Solutions business manufacturing facility at Shirwal, Maharashtra, India "As businesses across Europe focus on high-efficiency motor solutions, our goal is to provide cutting-edge technologies that enhance performance, reliability, and sustainability ," said Xercsis Marker, EVP & Head, Motor Solutions Business, Godrej Enterprises Group. "With our robust R&D capabilities and deep-rooted partnerships, we are well-positioned to support the evolving needs of European customers. As India's manufacturing sector gains global recognition for innovation and precision engineering, we take pride in delivering high-quality, engineered solutions to European markets." With CE, UKCA, and IATF certifications, Godrej Enterprises Group ensures its motor solutions comply with Europe's stringent regulatory frameworks for efficiency, safety, and sustainability. The company leverages advanced laser-welded core packs, intricate thin lamination punching, and in-house stress relief annealing technology, enabling higher efficiency, durability, and performance for industrial automation and electric off-road vehicle applications. Godrej's strong engineering expertise has positioned it as a preferred supplier for OEMs seeking high-quality motor components. By offering precision-engineered solutions, the company helps automotive and industrial manufacturers enhance energy efficiency, reliability, and performance in next-generation mobility and automation systems. The business also plays a crucial role in diversifying supply chains, ensuring customers have access to reliable and cost-effective solutions amid evolving market demands. As part of its ongoing innovation strategy, the Motor Solutions business of Godrej Enterprises Group is set to introduce High-Precision Sheet Metal Components for Electric Off-Road Vehicles, designed to optimize energy efficiency and performance. This new offering reinforces Godrej's commitment to sustainability, supporting European industries in reducing their carbon footprint and improving operational efficiency. With a vision to become a one-stop provider of motor solutions in Europe, Godrej Enterprises Group remains committed to engineering excellence, sustainability, and customer-centric innovation. By integrating its manufacturing expertise, strong R&D capabilities, and deep OEM partnerships, the company continues to drive technological advancements that support Europe's shift toward sustainable industrial automation and electric mobility. About Motor Solutions Business, Godrej & Boyce, a part of Godrej Enterprises Group About Godrej Enterprises Group Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2645146/Godrej_Enterprises_Group.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2645147/Godrej_Enterprises_Group_Logo.jpg RIVERSIDE, Calif., March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In what is being described as one of the most devastating accidents of the decade, a catastrophic U-Haul fire on the westbound 10 Freeway left one driver seriously injured and a family in search of justice. The accident occurred when the front end of the U-Haul caught fire, rapidly spreading to the cabin and causing the brakes to ignite. With no other option, the driver was forced to leap from the burning vehicle, sustaining life-altering injuries in the process. Super Woman Super Lawyer Maryam Parman settles $42.75 Million Injury Case in Riverside Amid the chaos, the family of the injured victim turned to Riverside's top injury lawyer, Super Woman Super Lawyer Maryam Parman, who, along with her experienced team, dedicated years to uncovering the truth behind the accident and fighting for accountability. Through meticulous investigation and tireless advocacy, Super Woman Super Lawyer's firm secured a groundbreaking $42.75 million settlement for the victim. "This case was about more than just compensation; it was about justice for a family whose life was turned upside down in an instant," Super Woman Super Lawyer Maryam Parman stated. "We knew the road would be long, but we were honored to represent our client, assure that he received all the needed treatment for best possible recovery, and to be able to ensure that he now has a home retrofitted to his needs." The legal battle spanned years and required extensive analysis of mechanical failures and corporate negligence. Super Woman Super Lawyer's team worked relentlessly, navigating a complex web of liability to prove that the U-Haul company had failed to maintain their vehicles to safe standards. The landmark settlement not only provides a measure of relief for the victim and their family but also sends a powerful message about the importance of corporate responsibility. "Our victory is proof that with persistence and expertise, justice can prevail," Super Woman Super Lawyer added. For Riverside residents and beyond, this case underscores the vital role skilled injury attorneys play in holding negligent parties accountable and advocating for the rights of accident victims. While Super Woman Super Lawyer's name is well-known in Riverside for her commitment to accident victims, this outcome is a testament to the entire team's dedication to providing compassionate and assertive representation. For more information on Super Woman Super Lawyer and her team's work in helping accident victims, visit www.superwomansuperlawyer.com or contact her office directly. About Super Woman Super Lawyer: Super Woman Super Lawyer is the best injury lawyer in Riverside, CA , known for her tireless advocacy and exceptional track record in securing favorable outcomes for her clients. SOURCE Super Woman Super Lawyer The American Association of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery (AAAMS) has launched its Facial Aesthetics Mentorship Program in Beverly Hills, providing certified aesthetic medicine practitioners with hands-on experience treating clients under expert supervision. This first-of-its-kind program bridges the gap between training and independent practice through a revenue-sharing model, on-site medical oversight, and turnkey support, making it a cost-effective alternative to starting a private practice. BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Association of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery (AAAMS) today announced the launch of its groundbreaking Facial Aesthetics Mentorship Program, designed to bridge the critical gap between certification and independent practice for aesthetic medicine professionals. Located in AAAMS's premium Beverly Hills facility, this first-of-its-kind program offers certified injectors the opportunity to treat their own clients under expert supervision while earning income through a unique revenue-sharing model. The American Association of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery (AAAMS) "We've identified a significant challenge in the aesthetic medicine industry the difficult transition from classroom training to real-world practice," said Dr. Sam Assassa, President of AAAMS. "Our mentorship program provides the perfect solution by offering supervised clinical experience in a state-of-the-art facility, allowing practitioners to build confidence and clientele without the substantial upfront investment typically required to start an independent practice." The AAAMS Mentorship Program features several innovative components: Revenue-sharing model : Participants keep 50% of their treatment revenue after covering product costs : Participants keep 50% of their treatment revenue after covering product costs On-site Medical Director supervision : All treatments performed under expert guidance : All treatments performed under expert guidance Fully equipped treatment rooms : Premium Beverly Hills facility with all necessary equipment provided : Premium Beverly Hills facility with all necessary equipment provided Comprehensive malpractice insurance : Coverage included for all supervised activities : Coverage included for all supervised activities Turnkey administrative support: Scheduling, patient coordination, and operational assistance included The program is specifically designed for Registered Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, and MDs who have completed certification in Botox and dermal fillers through AAAMS or another accredited training entity. For a monthly fee of $500, participants receive 8 hours of supervised training per month, with additional hours available at $150 per hour. This represents a fraction of the cost of establishing an independent practice, which typically requires an initial investment of $10,000 to $50,000 or more. "The mentorship program helped me transition from classroom learning to confidently treating clients on my own," said Jessica M., RN, an early participant in the program. "Dr. Assassa's guidance was invaluable, and the ability to use the AAAMS treatment rooms was a game changer for launching my career in aesthetics." Due to the personalized nature of the program and limited capacity of the Beverly Hills facility, enrollment is limited. AAAMS is currently accepting applications, with priority given to recent AAAMS certification graduates. About AAAMS Since 2006, the American Association of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery (AAAMS) has been dedicated to training physicians, nurses, and practitioners in aesthetics and non-invasive cosmetic surgery. As the premier organization for formal training in aesthetic medicine, AAAMS sets the standards for safe and practical education. Our hands-on workshops and conferences provide comprehensive training to ensure excellence in patient care worldwide. Contact Information American Association of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA Phone: 310-551-9800 Email: [email protected] Website: www.aaams.net SOURCE The American Association of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery (AAAMS) WASHINGTON, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As a steadfast advocate for expanding patients' access to high-quality care, the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) again shared support for the Physician Led and Rural Access to Quality Care Act (H.R. 2191) reintroduced by Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Kevin Hern (R-OK), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX) and Lou Correa (D-CA). This legislation, originally introduced in the 118th Congress, seeks to improve access to care in rural areas through the expansion of existing physician-led hospitals. AAOS released a letter of support endorsing the legislation, highlighting how a removal of the physician ownership ban would: Ensure millions of rural Americans have access to healthcare services. Limit consolidation and address concerns about monopolies that could drive up costs. Create more opportunities to rescue rural hospitals on the cusp of closure. "When physicians lead hospitals, patients win," noted Adam Bruggeman, MD, FAAOS, FAOrthA, chair of the AAOS Advocacy Council. "Physician-led hospitals are a powerful solution to the consolidation plaguing our healthcare system. By lifting outdated restrictions on physician ownership, we can drive down costs, improve quality, and expand access to care, especially in underserved rural areas." LIFTING BARRIERS, ADVOCATING FOR PATIENTS According to American Medical Association, the number of physician-led hospitals grew from fewer than 70 in the early 2000s to approximately 250 by 2010, driven by the demand for general acute care facilities in certain markets and the benefits of facility specialization in enhancing clinical operations and surgical procedures. However, that growth came to a halt in 2010 with the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) which included a provision that effectively barred the expansion of existing physician-led hospitals and prohibited the establishment of new ones. H.R. 2191 proposes changes that would allow physicians to open new hospitals in rural areas provided they are more than 35 miles away from an existing hospital or critical access facility and permit grandfathered physician-led hospitals to expand. AAOS previously joined a coalition of 86 medical organizations in urging Congress to lift the ban on physician-led hospitals and pass H.R. 2191. The coalition letter illustrated the value of physician-led hospitals in providing higher-quality care at lower costs compared to other hospitals. "AAOS was founded on the mission of providing the highest quality musculoskeletal care. For millions of rural Americans, physician-led hospitals are a critical piece of the puzzle," said Annunziato Amendola, MD, FAAOS, FRCSC, DABOS, president of AAOS. "Our members recognize the value of legislation like the Physician Led and Rural Access to Quality Care Act in bringing affordable, accessible care to underserved communities." Read the full letter here. About the AAOS The American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Office of Government Relations promotes and advocates the viewpoint of the orthopaedic community before federal and state legislative, regulatory and executive agencies. Based in Washington, D.C., with additional staff in the AAOS' headquarters in Rosemont, Illinois, the Office of Government Relations identifies, analyzes and directs all health policy activities and initiatives to position the AAOS as the trusted leaders in advancing musculoskeletal health. For more information on all AAOS advocacy efforts, visit https://www.aaos.org/advocacy/ SOURCE American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons Funding to supercharge AI innovation and accelerate international and new vertical market expansion NEW YORK, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Dataminr, one of the world's leading AI companies, today announced it has secured $85 million in new funding from NightDragon and HSBC through a combination of convertible financing and credit. The new capital will allow Dataminr to accelerate its growth trajectory and continue to pioneer trailblazing Generative AI and Agentic AI capabilities that shape the future of real-time information. Dataminr will also use this new funding to expand its international go-to-market in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, and to power additional products in new verticals with its Platform API. Rising geopolitical tensions, economic instability, cybersecurity threats, and technological disruptions are creating unprecedented challenges for businesses and governments worldwide. As these risks converge, they pose potentially catastrophic consequences for corporations and governments that are unprepared. Without accurate, real-time information, informed decision-making becomes increasingly difficult leaving organizations vulnerable to missteps, miscalculations, and even disaster. "As global risks become increasingly complex, unpredictable, and catastrophic, the demand for real-time, AI-driven intelligence has never been more urgent. When seconds matter and truth is obscure, Dataminr is helping the world's leading organizations and governments make smarter, more informed decisions in real-time by pushing the boundaries of what's possible with AI," said Dave DeWalt, Founder and CEO, NightDragon. "NightDragon is honored to lead this latest investment in Dataminr, as we work together to build the future of reimagined real-time decision support and become the system of record for a growing number of verticals and industries." DeWalt will additionally join the Dataminr Board of Directors as Vice Chairman. "With this latest financing, HSBC is proud to support Dataminr in their growth as they expand internationally and develop new applications across additional verticals," said Prasant Chunduru, HSBC Head of Technology Credit Solutions. "Dataminr stands out in the current AI landscape through its unique ability to process billions of data signals in real-time, delivering organizations the critical intelligence needed to preempt emerging threats. Their innovative approach to multi-modal AI and real-time decision support enables industry-leading response-times." Dataminr has created a revolutionary real-time AI platform for discovering events, risks, and threats. Using its unique multi-modal Fusion AI which synthesizes images, video, sound and machine-generated sensor data, and text in 150 languages Dataminr performs trillions of daily computations, across billions of daily multi-modal public data signals and millions of public data sources to deliver the fastest, most accurate and most comprehensive real-time information. Dataminr has established itself as a leader in Generative AI, including its 2024 launch of ReGenAI, a breakthrough form of Gen AI that automatically regenerates live event briefs in real time as events unfold. In April 2025, the company will launch Context Agents, a novel Agentic AI capability that dynamically adds real-time context around breaking events, risks, and threats. Dataminr's AI platform is powered by more than 50 proprietary LLMs and multi-modal foundation models, all trained on Dataminr's 12+ year unique event and data archive. Dataminr's latest round of funding comes on the heels of strong momentum for the company, including: Strong Company Growth Dataminr is approaching $200M in ARR with strong growth across the enterprise, government, and defense markets. Dataminr is approaching in ARR with strong growth across the enterprise, government, and defense markets. Top Government and Enterprise Customers Dataminr customers now include two-thirds of the Fortune 50, half of the Fortune 100, more than 100 U.S. Government Agencies, and 20+ International Governments. Dataminr customers now include two-thirds of the Fortune 50, half of the Fortune 100, more than 100 U.S. Government Agencies, and 20+ International Governments. Cutting-Edge AI Innovation In 2024, Dataminr launched ReGenAI, a breakthrough form of Gen AI that automatically regenerates live event briefs in real time as events unfold. In April 2025 , the company will launch Context Agents, an Agentic AI capability that dynamically adds real-time context around breaking events, risks, and threats. Upcoming Agentic AI releases also include client-tailored context that synthesizes client data into live event descriptions, and PreGenAI, Agentic AI, and Gen AI Powered Predictive Intelligence that describes what might happen next as events unfold. In 2024, Dataminr launched ReGenAI, a breakthrough form of Gen AI that automatically regenerates live event briefs in real time as events unfold. In , the company will launch Context Agents, an Agentic AI capability that dynamically adds real-time context around breaking events, risks, and threats. Upcoming Agentic AI releases also include client-tailored context that synthesizes client data into live event descriptions, and PreGenAI, Agentic AI, and Gen AI Powered Predictive Intelligence that describes what might happen next as events unfold. New Partner Program New comprehensive Dataminr Partner Network helps partners grow with Dataminr's proven artificial intelligence platform that solves customers' complex real-time challenges across a wide variety of sectors, industries, and verticals. "We are excited to welcome esteemed investors NightDragon and HSBC, and thrilled to have security industry luminary Dave DeWalt join the Dataminr board as Vice Chairman as we seek to turbocharge our go-to-market efforts and meet growing global demand for our products. The era of Gen AI and Agentic AI holds immense new opportunities for Dataminr. We look forward to using this capital to continue pioneering trailblazing AI capabilities that solve tangible real-world problems for our customers," said Ted Bailey, Founder and CEO, Dataminr. In addition to their initial investment, NightDragon also intends to create a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for up to an additional $100 million in Convertible Financing Investment available to third-party investors. To learn more about Dataminr, visit www.dataminr.com About Dataminr Dataminr has created a revolutionary real-time AI platform for detecting events, risks and critical information from public data signals. The company's world-leading AI platform performs trillions of daily computations across billions of public data inputs from over one million unique public data sources. Dataminr is known for its trailblazing AI platform, which has pioneered multi-modal fusion AI - synthesizing terabytes of real-time data spanning text, image, video, sound, and sensor signals for accurate, real-time event detection across 150+ languages and 220+ countries. The company also pioneered ReGenAI, a breakthrough form of Gen AI that automatically regenerates live event briefs in real time as events unfold. Powered by more than 50 proprietary large-language models, Dataminr delivers the earliest actionable information to enhance the security and resilience of organizations, infrastructure, and people. For more information, visit www.dataminr.com . About NightDragon NightDragon is an investment and advisory firm focused on growth and late-stage investments within the SecureTech industry, including cybersecurity, safety, security and privacy. Its platform and vast industry network provide threat insights, deal flow, market leverage and operating expertise to drive portfolio company growth and increase shareholder value. Founded by Dave DeWalt, the NightDragon team has more than 25 years of operational and market expertise leading technology companies such as Documentum, EMC, Siebel Systems (Oracle), McAfee, Mandiant, Avast and FireEye. Read more about NightDragon at www.nightdragon.com . About HSBC Holdings plc HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of HSBC, is headquartered in London. HSBC serves customers worldwide from offices in 58 countries and territories. With assets of US$3,017bn at 31 December 2024, HSBC is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organizations. HSBC Bank USA, National Association (HSBC Bank USA, N.A.) serves customers through International Wealth and Premier Banking (IWPB) and Corporate and Institutional Banking (CIB). Deposit products are offered by HSBC Bank USA, N.A., Member FDIC. It operates Wealth Centers in: California; Washington, D.C.; Florida; New Jersey; New York; Virginia; and Washington. HSBC Bank USA, N.A. is the principal subsidiary of HSBC USA Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC North America Holdings Inc. HSBC Innovation Banking in the U.S. is a business division with services provided in the United States by HSBC Bank USA, N.A For more information, visit: HSBC in the USA Contact: Dataminr Media Relations [email protected] This document, including any statements, information, data, and content contained herein and any materials, information, images, links, sounds, graphics, or video provided in conjunction with this document (collectively "Materials") are being furnished by Dataminr and NightDragon for your general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal, tax, accounting or investment advice or an offer or solicitation with respect to the purchase or sale of any security , SPV, or pooled investment vehicle managed by NightDragon, its affiliates, or partners.. The Materials are not intended for use by persons in jurisdictions which prohibit or restrict the distribution of the Materials and in certain countries these Materials are only provided upon specific request. It is not intended for distribution to retail investors in any jurisdiction. Under no circumstances should the Materials, in whole or in part, be copied, redistributed, or shown to any person without consent from NightDragon. The Materials do constitute a distribution, an offer, an invitation, recommendation, or solicitation to sell or buy any securities in any jurisdiction. The Materials have not been reviewed by any regulatory authority in any jurisdiction. The Materials do not constitute investment advice and should not be relied upon. Any offer to sell or purchase interest in the funds and SPVs NightDragon and its affiliates manage will be made solely pursuant to a LPA. Investors should seek independent legal and financial advice, including advice as to tax consequences, before making any investment decision. Past performance does not guarantee future returns. None of the persons who provided comments in the announcement were compensated for their remarks. SOURCE Dataminr SACRAMENTO, Calif., March 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Alpha Aesthetics Partners, a leader in the medical aesthetics industry and a portfolio company of the Thurston Group, is thrilled to announce its partnership with Mint & Needle, a premier aesthetics practice based in Delaware. Founded in 2019 by Brandi Gregge, MSN, FNP-BC, Mint & Needle has earned a stellar reputation for providing best-in-class, whole-person aesthetic care. Alpha Aesthetics Partners Welcomes Mint & Needle As Its Newest Partner Brandi Gregge, a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, trainer, and aesthetic injector, established Mint & Needle with the mission of providing expert-led, science-backed treatments in a welcoming and empowering environment. Through a blend of regenerative medicine, injectables, skin rejuvenation, body contouring, and medical-grade skincare, Mint & Needle takes a holistic approach to aesthetics. In addition to its in-office treatments, Mint & Needle has developed its own medical-grade skincare line, ensuring patients have access to high-quality, science-driven products that support their aesthetic goals beyond the treatment room. With two thriving locations, Brandi and her team continue to set new standards for excellence, education, and innovation in medical aesthetics. John Wheeler, CEO of Alpha Aesthetics Partners, shared his excitement about the partnership: "Brandi and the Mint & Needle team have built an aesthetics brand that is as innovative as it is empowering. Their commitment to patient education, natural results, and advanced aesthetic solutions aligns seamlessly with Alpha's vision for the future of medical aesthetics. We're excited to welcome Mint & Needle into our network and support their continued growth and impact." Brandi Gregge expressed her enthusiasm for joining Alpha Aesthetics Partners, stating: "Being in a smaller market, I know how important it is to expand access to high-quality, cutting-edge aesthetic care. This partnership with Alpha Aesthetics Partners allows us to continue raising the barnot just for our practice, but for aesthetic care in Delaware as a whole. We're excited to expand our impact and bring even more excellence to the patients and communities we serve." About Mint & Needle: Founded in 2019 by Brandi Gregge, MSN, FNP-BC, Mint & Needle is a premier medical aesthetics practice dedicated to providing science-driven, patient-focused care. With expertise in regenerative medicine, injectables, skin rejuvenation, and body contouring, Mint & Needle offers treatments that deliver EmpowerMint, EnhanceMint, and NourishMinthelping patients look and feel their absolute best. With a strong emphasis on education and natural results, Mint & Needle is redefining aesthetic care in Delaware and beyond. About Alpha Aesthetics Partners: Founded in 2023, Alpha Aesthetics Partners aims to advance the medical aesthetics industry through best-in-class partner support and clinical training. With a vision to build the best operating and biggest network of medical aesthetics practices in the nation, Alpha Aesthetics Partners focuses on making medical spa ownership simpler and more collaborative, allowing partners to concentrate on providing world-class patient care. The company is a portfolio company of Thurston Group, with a rapidly growing presence across 27 locations in 11 states. About Thurston Group: Thurston Group is a private equity firm that focuses on building industry-leading companies in the healthcare services sector. Founded by its Chairman and CEO Patrick J. Haynes III in 1986, Thurston Group has returned over $4 billion of invested capital in its 39-year history. Thurston has an extensive track record of partnering with physicians and building fast-growing businesses, including Smile Doctors, US Endodontics Partners, US Oral Surgery Management, SGA Dental Partners, US Orthopedic Partners, Gen4 Dental Partners, ARC Health, Options Medical Weight Loss, Alpha Aesthetics Partners, and Modis Dental Partners, among others. Media Contact: Alpha Aesthetics Partners partnerwithalpha.com [email protected] SOURCE Alpha Aesthetics Partners Month-long Series Features Cuisine and Culture from Twin-Island Nation with Experiences from Local & Guest chefs, 'FAB Festival', 'Eat Like A Local' Experience and More ST. JOHN'S, Antigua, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority introduces Antigua and Barbuda Culinary Month, a new, exciting extension of the island's annual culinary series that has grown steadily since launching in 2023. During the month-long celebration in May, food lovers can discover local cuisine like pepperpot and fungee, goat water, ducana, saltfish and more through the Eat Like A Local experience and also enjoy a robust schedule of signature dining events. Also on the month's schedule is the evolved Food and Art Experience, now the FAB (Food, Art & Beverage) Fest, the Caribbean Food Forum - a regional food and hospitality industry symposium, and the much-anticipated Restaurant Week, featuring prix-fixe menus at over 30 restaurants throughout the island. "We are excited to see the growth of our annual culinary series," said The Honourable Charles Fernandez, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation and Investment. "Since launching in 2023, our signature culinary initiative has grown into a beloved and highly anticipated month for food lovers, both locally and from abroad. Antigua and Barbuda Culinary Month will continue to raise the visibility of our culinary excellence in the region and around the world, and we are certain our guests will be thrilled and impressed by the diverse food and cultural offerings. It is an important part of the Antigua and Barbuda Experience, along with other elements of our rich cultural identity to include music, art, and dance! I invite everyone to join us in Antigua and Barbuda for this exciting month of celebration!" Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority Announces Antigua Culinary Month in May Post this The roster of 11 visiting guest chefs exclusively of Caribbean and Antiguan and Barbudan heritage from Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom who'll partner with local chefs and restaurants on the island include: The schedule of events can be found here and include: For the latest information, list of participating restaurants, and details on special events, visit www.antiguabarbudaculinarymonth.com. ABOUT ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA Antigua (pronounced An-tee'ga) and Barbuda (Bar-byew'da) is located in the heart of the Caribbean Sea. The twin-island paradise offers visitors two uniquely distinct experiences, ideal temperatures year-round, a rich history, vibrant culture, exhilarating excursions, award-winning resorts, mouth-watering cuisine and 365 stunning pink and white-sand beaches - one for every day of the year. The largest of the English-speaking Leeward Islands, Antigua comprises 108-square miles with rich history and spectacular topography that provides a variety of popular sightseeing opportunities. Nelson's Dockyard, the only remaining example of a Georgian fort a listed UNESCO World Heritage site, is perhaps the most renowned landmark. Antigua's tourism events calendar includes the Antigua and Barbuda Wellness Month, Run in Paradise, prestigious Antigua Sailing Week, Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, Antigua and Barbuda Restaurant Week, Antigua and Barbuda Art Week and the annual Antigua Carnival; known as the Caribbean's Greatest Summer Festival. Barbuda, Antigua's smaller sister island, is the ultimate celebrity hideaway. The island lies 27 miles north-east of Antigua and is just a 15-minute plane ride away. Barbuda is known for its untouched 11-mile stretch of pink sand beach and as the home of the largest Frigate Bird Sanctuary in the Western Hemisphere. Find information on Antigua and Barbuda at: www.visitantiguabarbuda.com or follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/antiguabarbuda Facebook: www.facebook.com/antiguabarbuda; Instagram: www.instagram.com/AntiguaandBarbuda Media Contact: Charissa Benjamin, Savor PR Email: [email protected] SOURCE The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority Commentary: A telling example of the failing anti-China smear campaign Xinhua) 08:18, March 19, 2025 This photo taken on Aug. 12, 2024 shows the Drum Tower seen from the Jingshan Hill on the Beijing Central Axis on a sunny day in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Li Xin) Truth ultimately prevails. Western media risk ridiculing themselves unless they stop the fool's errand of smearing China by fabricating false narratives. BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- For years, smearing China has become routine for some Western media outlets. Truth, the holy grail of journalism, can be distorted or discarded when facts don't align with their predetermined narratives. A recent example is a so-called "investigation" aired on France 2 TV channel. Disguised as food vloggers, two reporters traveled to China's Shandong Province and tricked a factory staff member into letting them in under the pretext that they urgently needed the toilet. Inside the factory, they used hidden cameras to film a textile workshop, where they ran into a 12-year-old girl. The girl explicitly said she was visiting her mother because nobody was home to look after her during the summer break. But those reporters asked the girl to perform some task and then branded her a "child laborer" in the so-called documentary. However, that was not the end of their deception. The duo continued to claim that the factory employed workers from Xinjiang and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). This assertion is an outright lie. The truth is that they preposterously mistranslated words spoken by a female worker in a recruitment video of the factory on Douyin. In their production, "full attendance bonus" (pronounced "manqin jiang" in Chinese) was misrepresented as "Xinjiang," while "bonus for extra days" (pronounced "chaotianshu jiang" in Chinese) was twisted as the DPRK (pronounced Chaoxian in Chinese). To legitimize their claims, they turned to "sinologist" Adrian Zenz, a notorious China-basher whose pseudo-scholarly work on Xinjiang has already been debunked repeatedly. The fact that Zenz, who has long been proven to have zero credibility, remains a go-to source for Western media reveals a flagrant disregard for journalistic integrity. Soon after the so-called investigation was posted on YouTube, hundreds of comments condemned France 2's unethical tactics and blatant falsification. This incident is but one example of anti-China disinformation promoted by ideologically driven actors posing as journalists in the West. But these tactics are failing in a world of freer information flow. China's expanding openness to the world is allowing more people to see the facts with their own eyes rather than through the lens of Western propaganda. Numerous first-time visitors express shock at the disparity between Western media portrayals and what they experience. But why do some Western media outlets persist in smearing China? Are they really seeking to damage China's international image, create excuses for political suppression, and ultimately hinder its development? Yet China's achievements speak for themselves: It has lifted 800 million people out of poverty, contributed about 30 percent of global growth for more than a decade, and steadfastly championed multilateral cooperation. No amount of distortion can erase these facts. Truth ultimately prevails. Western media risk ridiculing themselves unless they stop the fool's errand of smearing China by fabricating false narratives. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 APMIC and Partners Launch Innovative AI Software Leasing Model to Help Enterprises Adopt AI at Lower Costs TAIPEI, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- APMIC, a global pioneer in delivering enterprise-grade AI solutions, announced its participation in the GTC 2025 conference. This marks APMIC's second appearance at GTC and the first public unveiling of its latest product, PrivAI, a private and easy-to-deploy AI solution tailored for enterprises. APMIC unveils its latest product, PrivAI, a highly secure and easy-to-deploy AI solution tailored for enterprises. Additionally, APMIC is collaborating with Ubilink, Taiwan's largest computing center established by Foxlink, and Glows.ai, an innovative startup, to introduce an innovative AI software leasing model. This solution supports a range of AI capabilities, from enhanced text retrieval to advanced multimodal inference, helping businesses renting Ubilink's AI servers with NVIDIA H100 GPUs and Glows.ai's GPU computing performance to build their own autonomous AI solutions quickly and cost-effectively while accelerating application development. APMIC Returns to GTC, Showcasing the New Enterprise Private AI Solution "PrivAI" On-Site The adoption of on-premises AI among enterprises is steadily increasing. According to a 2024 survey by U.S. investment firm Menlo Ventures[1], over 47% of companies have already chosen to develop on-premises AI solutions. Recognizing this growing demand, APMIC has been investing in enterprise on-premises AI research since 2017. APMIC joined NVIDIA Inception in 2023 and is participating in the GTC 2025 conference as one of the Taiwanese startups showcasing their innovations at the event. At GTC, the company will showcase its two core products: the debut of its enterprise private AI solution, PrivAI, and the all-in-one AI chatbot development platform, CaiGunn. These solutions provide businesses with high privacy and easy deployment options. Larger enterprises can adopt PrivAI for on-premises private AI deployment, ensuring data security and risk reduction. Meanwhile, smaller-scale projects can leverage CaiGunn to enhance customer service, knowledge management, and operational efficiency. This approach allows companies to gain market experience, build successful AI use cases, and accelerate AI transformation. "We are honored to participate in the GTC conference once again and to showcase Taiwan's strength in the software industry to the world, further accelerating the global AI transformation of enterprises," said Jerry Wu, Founder and CEO of APMIC. "APMIC will continue to advocate for the importance of developing autonomous AI for businesses. In addition to our well-known CaiGunn framework, we are also introducing the PrivAI enterprise private AI solution based on NVIDIA NeMo, an end-to-end platform for developing custom generative AI. We hope this will enable industries with high privacy needs, such as finance, defense, and healthcare, to deploy their own AI, running fully within their organizations." APMIC Accelerates Generative AI Expansion, Partnering to Launch Taiwan's First "AI Software On-Demand Leasing Model To help enterprises leverage AI at a lower cost, APMIC has partnered with Ubilink, a Taiwanese supercomputing center, and Glows.ai, an innovative startup, to introduce three cloud-based leasing solutions: PrivAI Basic RAG, PrivAI R1-Distill (70B), and PrivAI R1. Through "AI Software On-Demand Leasing Model", businesses renting Ubilink's AI servers with NVIDIA GPU computing performance via Glows.ai can access APMIC's built-in PrivAI software services at no additional cost. Depending on the selected version, the solutions support a range of AI capabilities, from basic RAG to the latest DeepSeek R1, along with data preprocessing, fine-tuning, and multimodal inference. With pricing starting at just $15 per hour, this offering provides affordable AI software and GPU computing performance integration, enabling businesses to efficiently convert data into AI-driven insights. Additionally, APMIC's collaboration with Foxlink extends beyond the supercomputing center to multiple AI application development projects. The two companies are actively working together to develop enterprise-specific AI models, robotic language models, and vision-language models (VLM). This partnership leverages Foxlink's strengths in hardware manufacturing and computing resources, combined with APMIC's expertise in AI software solutions, aiming to deliver innovative AI solutions across various industries. APMIC will continue to work with its partners to assist enterprises in deploying on-premises AI solutions, laying a solid foundation for the AI transformation of global businesses. APMIC is showcasing its core products, PrivAI and CaiGunn, as well as the APMIC website customer service chatbot and application cases, at booth 3025 during the GTC conference, from March 17 to 21. About APMIC APMIC (Accelerate Private Machine Intelligence Company) is a leading provider of enterprise-grade AI solutions, founded in Taiwan in 2017. Specializing in natural language understanding (NLU) technology, APMIC offers localized large language models and solutions, including PrivAI, an enterprise private AI solution, and CaiGunn, a one-stop AI chatbot solution. These solutions enable businesses to develop AI capabilities without programming by simply uploading documents. With applications in over 1,100 enterprises across industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, finance, and retail, as well as government departments, APMIC is dedicated to equipping every company with AI solutions, empowering everyone to seamlessly be part of the AI revolution. For more information, visit APMIC's official website: https://www.apmic.ai/ SOURCE APMIC LONDON, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - New research from the Future Insights Team at EcoOnline, a leading SaaS provider of safety and sustainability solutions, reveals that living in the happiest countries doesn't always mean working in the safest places. The "How Safe & Sustainable Is Your Workplace?" survey, based on insights from 3,600+ employees across Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark, found that half of all workers have been impacted by workplace accidents or work-related illnesses. Despite having some of the world's most comprehensive worker protection regulations, the findings show there is still room for improvement in workplace safety. Nordic safety statistics (CNW Group/EcoOnline) Nordic countries consistently top global well-being indexes, and this sense of security is partly reflected in workplaces, with 80% of employees feeling safe at work. Yet that leaves 20% who do not. Norway leads the region with 83% safety perception and 74% employer engagement in safety initiatives, demonstrating a strong safety culture. However, safety practices vary across regions, particularly in chemical safety training. While 79% of Norwegian workers receive chemical safety training, this drops to 60% in Denmark. To create consistent safety standards, businesses must invest in safety practices and close knowledge gaps across the region. Linking safety investments to employee well-being The survey reveals that Nordic employees highly value workplace safety with these as the top 3 areas they want further investment in: More safety training opportunities (36%) Increased safety initiative funding (32%) More time allocated to workplace safety efforts (31%) Employees believe that increased safety investments could lead to significant workplace improvements, including happier employees (47%), fewer sick days (33%), and better cross-departmental communication (26%). Growing demand for digital solutions The survey highlights a growing demand from employees for more technology to automate and streamline their safety practices at work, with respondents increasingly calling for mobile and digital tools in their incident reporting. While 47% of employees would opt for digital reporting systems, only 61% currently have access to a digital chemical management system falling to 53% in Finland. In Sweden, where the survey has run for three years, mobile reporting preferences have grownfrom 17% in 2023 to 24% in 2025. Meeting employee preferences for mobile and digital solutions can enhance safety reporting and strengthen workplace culture, creating more engaged safety practices. Aligning Happiness with Workplace Safety "Nordic countries consistently rank among the happiest in the world, a reflection of both life outside of work and within it," says Tom Goodmanson, CEO at EcoOnline. "Sustaining that well-being means ensuring workplaces are not only productive, but also safe and supportive. With 85% of employees considering the work environment in their job choices and 83% willing to leave due to poor conditions, safety isn't just a regulatory compliance issueit's essential to attracting and retaining top talent." View full infographic. About EcoOnline EcoOnline delivers innovative environment, health and safety (EHS), chemical management and ESG/sustainability technology solutions to forward-thinking leaders. SOURCE EcoOnline The partnership aims to advance pharmaceutical and life sciences ventures originating from BIRAD- Bar-Ilan University, turning laboratory discoveries into solutions that address unmet medical needs. RAMAT GAN, Israel and NEW YORK, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Arieli Group, a global investment firm, and BIRAD Research & Development Company Ltd., the technology transfer arm of Bar-Ilan University (BIU), have announced a partnership aimed at accelerating the commercialization of groundbreaking pharmaceutical and life sciences innovations developed by researchers at the University. Arieli Group and BIRAD team during the joint Bio Pitch event (Photo Credit: Shelly Bar) The partnership primarily targets the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors, with a focus on advancing commercialization and technology transfer, bolstering BIRAD's efforts to translate academic research into solutions that address unmet medical needs. Bar-Ilan University's renowned interdisciplinary research and world-class laboratories are developing cutting-edge technologies to benefit people globally. BIRAD continuously strives to transform this academic research into commercially viable solutions based on their strong expertise in licensing. Drawing on Arieli Group's diverse ecosystem and investment expertise, along with both partners' proven experience in venture creation and new technology development, the partnership is well positioned to support the advancement of pharmaceutical and life sciences technologies emerging from Bar-Ilan University. This partnership marks a significant step in developing innovative technologies, with BIRAD and Arieli Group working together to foster scientific progress that will positively impact both industry and society. As a first step, nine world-renowned researchers from Bar-Ilan University in the fields of immuno-oncology, neuropsychiatry and neurodegenerative diseases have begun working with experts from Arieli Group and the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries to advance the development of transformative innovations being developed in their laboratories. Established in 1955, Bar-Ilan University is one of Israel's largest academic institutions, with more than 20,000 students and over 800 senior faculty members. The University has a long history of commercializing cutting-edge technologies, driving groundbreaking advancements across multiple industries including healthcare, energy and more. Professor Zeev Zalevsky, Vice President for Academia-Industry Relations, said: "The partnership with Arieli Group aims to bring the pharma ecosystem to BIU, bridging the financial gap between transformative research and commercialization. Furthermore, we aim to provide the researchers with strong entrepreneurial skills and the technical tools to further advance their technologies." Evan Renov, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Arieli Group, added: "At Arieli Group, we are committed to bringing our expertise and broad ecosystem to transform BIU's cutting-edge research into real-world solutions. Partnering with BIRAD to support the commercialization of Bar-Ilan University's life sciences and pharmaceutical technologies is a natural extension of our mission. Together, we are focused on turning groundbreaking academic research into impactful solutions that address critical unmet medical needs and contribute to the advancement of global health." About Arieli Group: Arieli Group is a global investment firm committed to creating enduring prosperity. We partner with visionary entrepreneurs to transform bold ideas into groundbreaking technologies that shape the future. With a forward-thinking approach, Arieli invests in early and growth-stage companies across industries including cybersecurity, defense, deep tech, healthcare, energy, fintech, and agritech. Rooted in a third-generation family office, Arieli is dedicated to building the next generation of technologies and driving them forward. For more information, visit www.arieli-group.com. About BIRAD: BIRAD Research & Development Company Ltd. translates new inventions made at Bar-Ilan University into useful technologies and products that can be effectively commercialized, thus strengthening the economy, promoting innovation and improving lives. BIRAD's innovative approach, combined with Bar-Ilan University's rapid growth leading Israel's growth in students' number, including the largest Nanotechnology center in Israel and new Medical School in Safed, provides BIRAD with a wide range of opportunities. Thus, BIRAD offer corporate partnerships and alliances, intellectual property management, and technology commercialization through venture creation, sponsored research and licensing. For more information, visit www.birad.biz. Forward-Looking Statements This release contains forward-looking information about Arieli Capital LLC ("Arieli") which involves substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Accordingly, any statements included in this communication are not statements of historical facts but may be deemed to be forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are, in some cases, accompanied by words such as "may," "should," "would," "could," "plan," "intend," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "seem," "seek," "continue," "future," "will," "expect," "outlook" or other similar words, phrases or expressions and the negatives of such words, phrases or expressions. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Arieli's expectations of future events, future opportunities, global expansion and other growth initiatives, and Arieli's investments in such initiatives. These statements are based on various assumptions and known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, and actual results may differ materially. Neither Arieli nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the forward-looking statements. Arieli assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements or information contained in this communication except to the extent required by law. Contact: BIRAD Assaf E. Sagiv (PhD, MBA), VP Business Development +972-50-622-0274; [email protected] Arieli Group Nataf Dgani, Head of Marketing +972-54-757-3384; nataf@arieli-group.com Nurit Kantarovitz, VP Strategic Partnerships +972-54-441-6834; [email protected] Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2645309/Arieli_BIRAD_Team_Bio_Pitch_Event.jpg SOURCE Arieli Group; BIRAD WASHINGTON, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Conservation X Labs (CXL) today released a report on the outcomes and lessons learned from its Artisanal Mining Grand Challenges conducted between 2019 and 2022. The Challenges awarded over $1.75 million in prizes and funding to innovators working to address the environmental and social impacts of artisanal mining globally, and of artisanal and small scale gold mining (ASGM) in the Amazon. In March 2025, the price of gold reached new all-time highs, nearing $3,000 per ounce and increasing incentives for gold mining. The ASGM sector is responsible for producing nearly a quarter of the world's gold supply while also contributing to mercury pollution, deforestation, and ecosystem degradationparticularly in biodiversity hotspots across the Amazon, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Now more than ever, we need new solutions. From supporting pioneering satellite systems that track illegal mining to copper plates that recover mercury from mining waste, the Artisanal Mining Grand Challenges seeded a new generation of solvers and accelerated the development of solutions to transform the ASGM sector. CXL ran the Challenges with support from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the Andes Amazon Fund, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and Microsoft, in partnership with the Center for Amazonian Scientific Innovation (CINCIA) and a consortium of 22 partner organizations. Key outcomes highlighted include: Accelerated development of ASGM solutions: Innovations advanced across four categories: actionable and monitoring data, cleaner mining tools, remediation and restoration, and supply chain tools. Of them, 94% successfully increased their technology readiness levels through field-testing, mentorship, and training. Innovations advanced across four categories: actionable and monitoring data, cleaner mining tools, remediation and restoration, and supply chain tools. Of them, 94% successfully increased their technology readiness levels through field-testing, mentorship, and training. Increased global awareness and a new generation of solvers: The Challenges attracted applicants from 39 countries with finalists from 10 countries, with eighteen finalist teams selected to test and refine their solutions in real-world mining environments in Colombia , Ecuador , Guyana , Suriname, and Peru . 56% of finalist teams had never applied for USAID funding before, opening up new possibilities for USAID procurement and localization. The Challenges and supported innovations have garnered at least 210 press mentions across media outlets to date. The Challenges attracted applicants from 39 countries with finalists from 10 countries, with eighteen finalist teams selected to test and refine their solutions in real-world mining environments in , , , Suriname, and . 56% of finalist teams had never applied for USAID funding before, opening up new possibilities for USAID procurement and localization. The Challenges and supported innovations have garnered at least 210 press mentions across media outlets to date. Financial leverage: Innovators have raised over $7.1 million in follow-on funding, with every Challenge dollar helping to catalyze $1.93 in additional investment. Exposure through the Challenges helped donors in identifying promising new solutions to support through grantmaking, as well as position innovators to apply for funding from donors and investors. Major supporters such as USAID, the Moore Foundation, and the World Bank have gone on to fund initiatives that strengthen ASGM regulations, promote mercury-free technologies, and increase community engagement. The report identifies critical success factors for open innovation in this space, including flexible funding, experienced technical partners, local field-testing partners, and opportunities for cross-pollination. Despite progress, the report notes significant barriers remain for technological solutions supporting responsible ASGM, including fragmented funding landscapes, weak formalization, regulatory gaps, and lack of dedicated revenue streams for solutions in the sector. As funders and practitioners develop future solutions, it is critical to build the evidence base to allow for collective learning and adaptive management. "We've learned that transforming the artisanal gold mining sector requires innovative technologies in combination with strong local partnerships and enabling conditions," said Daphne Yin, Director of Impact at CXL and lead author of the report. "The solutions supported through these Challenges demonstrate significant potential. Their ultimate success depends on continued collaboration across sectors and sustained investment to create pathways to scale." To address these challenges, CXL and partners propose a network of place-based Innovation Hubs to advance existing solutions to scale, fill critical innovation gaps, and strengthen the ASGM innovation ecosystem. These hubs would facilitate partnerships between communities, governments, research institutions, and the private sector to create integrated solutions spanning the supply chain. "Place-based innovation hubs can bridge the gap between scientific breakthroughs and real-world implementation by providing sustained support for cleaner mining technologies, traceability systems, and restoration efforts," said Luis Fernandez of Wake Forest University's Sabin Center for Environment and Sustainability and CINCIA. "By embedding these hubs within ASGM-affected regions, we can ensure solutions are tested, adapted, and deployed where they are needed most. These hubs will foster collaboration among scientists, technologists, policymakers, and minersaccelerating the adoption of solutions that prevent deforestation and land degradation while promoting more sustainable economic alternatives." "The ultimate goal is to demonstrate and scale innovations that can facilitate a transition to environmentally and socially responsible ASGM," said Marion Adeney, Director of Fire and Amazon Programs at CXL. "We invite funders, the ASGM community of practice, and organizations working in environment, development, and public health to collaborate with us in this effort." Notes to editors The full report is available in English at Gold Reimagined: Outcomes & Lessons from Open Innovation to Transform the Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Sector, while a Spanish version of its executive summary is available here. Find out more about the Artisanal Mining Grand Challenge: The Amazon here . About Conservation X Labs Conservation X Labs operates at the intersection of biodiversity, technology and innovation to drive groundbreaking solutions to prevent the sixth mass extinction. By deploying cutting-edge technology, convening communities of interdisciplinary brilliance, and leveraging the power of the marketplace, CXL is uniquely positioned to boldly confront the planet's most pressing challenges. Founded in 2015, CXL has partnered with a wide range of public, social, and private organizations to launch global innovation challenges and has developed award-winning technologies in collaboration with institutions around the world. Learn more at www.conservationxlabs.org . Media Contact: Lindsey Garrison [email protected] Conservation X Labs SOURCE Conservation X Labs BARCELONA, Spain, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- From March 3rd to 6th, the "Mobile World Congress 2025 (MWC Barcelona 2025)", hosted by the GSMA, was held in Barcelona, Spain. MWC is the world's most influential exhibition in the field of mobile communications. This year's exhibition focused on six key areas: Beyond 5G, Connected Everything, Humanized AI, Digital Manufacturing, Disruptive Rules, and Digital Genes. It attracted approximately 2,700 companies from around the world to participate, including over 300 Chinese enterprises. BrainCo, a leading brain-computer interface technology company, showcased its BrainCo Intelligent Prosthetic Hand and BrainCo industrial Dexterous Hand for humanoid robots at the event, drawing significant attention from global telecommunications giants and international market partners. This time, BrainCo showcased a number of breakthrough achievements based on brain-computer interface technology. Among them, the performance of BrainCo Intelligent Prosthetic Hand experience officer, Guyue, wearing the hand to play the piano was particularly eye-catching. Through brain-computer interface technology, people with limb disabilities can precisely control the BrainCo Industrial Dexterous Hand to play melodious music, demonstrating the infinite possibilities of technology empowering life. On the spot, Guyue interacted closely with the UniTree's robot G1 using the BrainCo industrial Dexterous Hand, and the sci-fi scene of a "cyber human" touching a mechanical life was truly staged, provoking waves of amazement and applause. In addition, during the exhibition, the innovative application of BrainCo Industrial Dexterous Hand on a robotic arm was showcased. This technology not only enables remote control of fine operations such as turning on a switch but also captures hand movements through a camera, allowing the robotic arm and the hand to imitate human hand movements in real time with astonishing accuracy. As an important end effector for humanoid robots, BrainCo Industrial Dexterous Hand is also one of the most core technologies for humanoid robots to move towards generalization. At the booth of LegendRobot, as a key component of LegendRobot's "Kuafu" humanoid robot, BrainCo Industrial Dexterous Hand Industrial Dexterous Hand outstanding flexibility and precision. Gestures such as waving and giving a thumbs-up were performed smoothly and naturally, transforming complex mechanical control into flexible expressions like those of a human. This technological breakthrough not only endows robots with more expressive interactive capabilities but also offers new application possibilities in fields such as industrial automation and medical assistance. During the four-day exhibition, BrainCo's booth attracted the high attention of many international communication industry giants. Representatives from Vodafone, Orange, Deutsche Telekom in Europe, China Telecom, China Unicom, SoftBank in Japan in Asia, and the Ministry of Industry of South Korea, the communication department of the Thai government, etc. all came to visit and exchange. They all showed a strong interest in BrainCo's technology. During the trip to MWC, BrainCo not only showcased its leading technological achievements but also gained cooperation opportunities, opening up new development paths for expanding the global market. At the same time, BrainCo will always adhere to its original aspiration of using technology to make ordinary people's life better, making this cutting-edge technology truly serve human life and bring hope to more people in need. SOURCE BrainCo SHANGHAI, March 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CARsgen Therapeutics Holdings Limited (Stock Code: 2171.HK), a company focused on developing innovative CAR T-cell therapies, announced its 2024 Annual Results. Business Highlights CARsgen Pipeline Zevor-cel was approved by China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). As of December 31, 2024 , certification and filings for zevor-cel completed in 23 provinces or cities, covering over 200 healthcare institutes; CARsgen has received a total of 154 valid orders from its commercialization partner Huadong Medicine . , certification and filings for zevor-cel completed in 23 provinces or cities, covering over 200 healthcare institutes; CARsgen has received a total of 154 valid orders from its commercialization partner . Satri-cel ST-01 confirmatory Phase II trial for gastric cancer in China : enrollment has been completed, and the study has met its primary endpoint. Satri-cel received BTD designation from CDE of China NMPA. CARsgen plans to submit a New Drug Application (NDA) to the China NMPA during the first half of 2025. : enrollment has been completed, and the study has met its primary endpoint. Satri-cel received BTD designation from CDE of China NMPA. CARsgen plans to submit a New Drug Application (NDA) to the China NMPA during the first half of 2025. Results from the investigator-initiated trial (IIT) of satri-cel were published in Nature Medicine and at the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting. and at the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting. The results of the IIT of an allogeneic BCMA-targeting CAR-T product CT0590, which deploys the THANK-uCAR technology platform, were presented at the 2024 ASH Annual Meeting. technology platform, were presented at the 2024 ASH Annual Meeting. Developed THANK-u Plus platform as an enhanced version of THANK-uCAR allogeneic CAR-T platform. Multiple allogeneic CAR-T products in development, covering treatment areas such as hematologic malignancies, solid tumors, and autoimmune diseases. allogeneic CAR-T platform. Multiple allogeneic CAR-T products in development, covering treatment areas such as hematologic malignancies, solid tumors, and autoimmune diseases. Introduced Zhuhai SB Xinchuang to accelerate allogeneic CAR-T development in mainland China . . Cash and bank balances were around RMB1,479 million as of December 31, 2024 . Cash and cash equivalents and deposits at the end of 2025 are expected to be not less than RMB1,080 million . Expect to have adequate cash into the 2028. "In 2024, CARsgen achieved its first drug commercialization and made remarkable progresses in key pipeline products and technological innovations. Looking ahead, we will continue developing innovative CAR T-cell therapies to address the significant unmet medical needs," said Dr. Zonghai Li, Founder, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Scientific Officer of CARsgen Therapeutics. Zevor-cel: Approved by the NMPA and Launched in China Zevorcabtagene autoleucel (zevor-cel, R&D code: CT053) is an autologous fully human CAR T-cell product against B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA). On February 23, 2024, zevor-cel was approved by China's NMPA for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (R/R MM) who have progressed after at least 3 prior lines of therapy (including a proteasome inhibitor and an immunomodulatory agent). CARsgen entered into a collaboration agreement with Huadong Medicine for the commercialization of zevor-cel in mainland China. As of December 31, 2024, certification and regulatory filings for zevor-cel have been completed in 23 provinces or cities, covering over 200 healthcare institutes and we have received a total of 154 valid orders from Huadong Medicine. Updated results of the pivotal Phase II registrational trial of zevor-cel in China were reported as an oral presentation at the 29th European Hematology Association (EHA) Annual Congress, and a subgroup analysis was presented a poster at the 66th ASH annual congress. We anticipate that growth of sales revenue of zevor-cel will further accelerate with continuous marketing activities and broader insurance coverage. Satri-cel: Confirmatory Phase II trial Met Primary Endpoint, Plans to Submit an NDA Satri-cel is an autologous CAR T-cell product candidate against the protein Claudin18.2 that has the potential to be first-in-class globally. Satri-cel targets Claudin18.2 positive solid tumors with a primary focus on gastric cancer/gastroesophageal junction cancer (GC/GEJ) and pancreatic cancer (PC). Patient enrollment has been completed in confirmatory Phase II trial in China (NCT04581473) in advanced GC/GEJ. The study has met its primary endpoint of a statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) as assessed by the Independent Review Committee (IRC). Patients treated with satri-cel infusion achieved statistically significant improvement in PFS compared to those treated with physician's choice (paclitaxel, docetaxel, irinotecan, apatinib, or nivolumab). Based on the confirmatory Phase II clinical data, satri-cel has been granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) by the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of China NMPA. CARsgen plans to submit an NDA to the NMPA in China during the first half of 2025. Satri-cel is expected to become the world's first CAR-T therapy for solid tumors to be approved for market. Updated results from the investigator-initiated trial (CT041-CG4006, NCT03874897) were published in Nature Medicine in June 2024 and presented orally at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in June 2024. Additionally, more research findings have been published in prestigious academic journals such as the Journal of Clinical Oncology and the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer. A Phase I clinical trial for PC adjuvant therapy (CT041-ST-05, NCT05911217), and an investigator-initiated trial for GC/GEJ adjuvant therapy (CT041-CG4010, NCT06857786) are ongoing in China. Advancing the Development of Allogeneic CAR-T Products In addition to autologous products, CARsgen has also been advancing differentiated allogeneic CAR T-cell products utilizing the proprietary THANK-uCAR platform. CARsgen has recently developed the THANK-u Plus platform as an enhanced version of its proprietary THANK-uCAR allogeneic CAR-T technology to address the potential impact of NKG2A expression levels on therapeutic efficacy. The results of the IIT proof-of-concept study of an allogeneic BCMA-targeting CAR T-cell product candidate CT0590, which deploys the THANK-uCAR technology platform, were presented as a poster at the 66th ASH Annual Meeting in December 2024. The data indicates that CT0590 has achieved a DoR of over 20 months in patients with sCR, with a peak CAR copy number exceeding 280,000 copies/g gDNA, which is comparable to autologous BCMA CAR-T therapies, preliminarily demonstrating the durability of its efficacy. In addition, there are several universal CAR-T products under development, covering areas such as hematologic malignancies, solid tumors, and autoimmune diseases: CT059X: Targeting BCMA, for the treatment of R/R MM and R/R PCL. The first patient in the IIT achieved sCR at the Day-28 assessment. KJ-C2219: Targeting CD19/CD20, for the treatment of B-cell malignancies, as well as SLE and SSc. The IITs are ongoing. KJ-C2320: Targeting CD38, for the treatment of AML. The IIT is ongoing. KJ-C2114: For the treatment of solid tumors. KJ-C2526: Targeting NKG2DL, for the treatment of AML, other malignancies, and senescence. On February 25, 2025, CARsgen announced reaching agreements with an investment fund managed by Zhuhai Hengqin SB Xinchuang Equity Investment Management Enterprise (Limited Partnership) ("Zhuhai SB Xinchuang") to jointly invest in UCARsgen Biotech Limited ("UCARsgen"), to accelerate allogeneic CAR-T development in mainland China. Under the agreements, UCARsgen has secured the exclusive rights in mainland China for the research, development, manufacture, and commercialization of the following allogeneic CAR-T products from CARsgen Therapeutics: the BCMA-targeted allogeneic CAR-T cell therapy for the treatment of multiple myeloma and plasma cell leukemia and the CD19/CD20 dual-targeted allogeneic CAR-T cell therapy for the treatment of B-cell malignancies. An investment fund managed by Zhuhai SB Xinchuang (currently undergoing registration and filing procedures) subscribed to the newly increased registered capital of UCARsgen for a consideration of RMB 80,000,000, thus retaining an 8% equity stake in the registered capital of UCARsgen upon completion of the transaction, equity stake of CARsgen Therapeutics in UCARsgen will be diluted from 100% to 92%. Financial Highlights The revenue was around RMB39.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 mainly from zevor-cel, in which was calculated on the basis of ex-works price, rather than end-of-market prices. Our revenue is recognized upon completion of ex-works delivery of products. Besides, the Company received a milestone payment of RMB75 million from Huadong Medicine for zevor-cel for the year ended December 31, 2024. Due to the inherent time cycle of CAR-T manufacturing, there is a discrepancy between the number of orders obtained from Huadong Medicine and number of ex-works deliveries. The gross profit was around RMB14.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, with the selling and distribution expenses around RMB0.88 million. In the commercialization stage, we are demonstrating a strong cost competitive advantage, which is mainly due to self-manufacture for plasmids and vectors with stable output and high yield per batch. Cash and bank balances were around RMB1,479 million as of December 31, 2024. Cash and cash equivalents and deposits at the end of 2025 are expected to be not less than RMB1,080 million. We expect to have adequate cash into the 2028 excluding subsequent cash inflows. About CARsgen Therapeutics Holdings Limited CARsgen is a biopharmaceutical company focusing on developing innovative CAR T-cell therapies to address the unmet clinical needs including but not limited to hematologic malignancies, solid tumors and autoimmune diseases. CARsgen has established end-to-end capabilities for CAR T-cell research and development covering target discovery, preclinical research, product clinical development, and commercial-scale production. CARsgen has developed novel in-house technologies and a product pipeline with global rights to address challenges faced by existing CAR T-cell therapies. Efforts include improving safety profile, enhancing the efficacy in treating solid tumors, and reducing treatment costs, etc. CARsgen's mission is to be a global biopharmaceutical leader that provides innovative and differentiated cell therapies for patients worldwide and makes cancer and other diseases curable. Forward-looking Statements All statements in this press release that are not historical fact or that do not relate to present facts or current conditions are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements express the Group's current views, projections, beliefs and expectations with respect to future events as of the date of this press release. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and factors beyond the Group's control. As a result, they are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, and actual events or results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements and the forward-looking events discussed in this press release might not occur. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those detailed under the heading "Principal Risks and Uncertainties" in our most recent annual report and interim report and other announcements and reports made available on our corporate website, https://www.carsgen.com. No representation or warranty is given as to the achievement or reasonableness of, and no reliance should be placed on, any projections, targets, estimates or forecasts contained in this press release. Contact CARsgen For more information, please visit https://www.carsgen.com/ SOURCE CARsgen Therapeutics BETHESDA, Md., March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Celebrated clinical geneticist Stephen Cederbaum, MD, PhD, FACMG, has been named the recipient of the 2025 ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine's David L. Rimoin Lifetime Achievement Award in Medical Genetics. A founding member of the Society for Inherited Metabolic Disorders and the American College of Medical Genetics, Dr. Cederbaum is now a distinguished professor emeritus of Psychiatry, Pediatrics and Human Genetics at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). During the height of his career at UCLA, he developed a clinical program in inborn errors of metabolism and, alongside it, became a leading expert on urea cycle disorders, most notably arginase deficiency, a disorder in which the body lacks the final enzyme in the urea cycle and is, therefore, unable to rid itself of excess ammonia. Dr. Cederbaum worked on enzyme therapy for the disorder, which remains a focus of ongoing research. From his first exposure to arginase deficiency in 1972, Dr. Cederbaum devoted decades to outlining the biochemistry and pathology that underlie the disorder, as well as identifying successful therapies to treat it. He developed animal models that enabled the exploration of gene replacement and other early therapies for arginase deficiency. "As a physician-scientist, [Dr. Cederbaum] identified the genetic basis and mechanistic consequences of arginase deficiency and the role of arginine metabolism in multiple disease conditions," said Brendan Lee, MD, PhD, chair of Molecular and Human Genetics at Baylor College of Medicine. "As such, he traversed classical biochemistry, mouse genetics, human genetics and clinical research/care. I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Cederbaum when I started my independent career at a meeting at the Urea Cycle Disorders research conference. His scientific insightand witstood out to all, and his style of self-deprecating leadership in science and medicine has likewise been appreciated by both colleagues and trainees." Dr. Cederbaum did not limit his efforts to academic or clinical practice. He was also a keen advocate for public health, sponsoring a bill in California to include adults with inborn errors of metabolism in an existing Genetically Handicapped Persons Program. Dr. Cederbaum's efforts also spurred the broadening of mandated newborn screenings to include mass spectrometry, and he founded the California State Genetics Disease Branch Newborn Screening Guidelines Committee. Amid these accomplishments, he also found time to launch a support group for parents, which is now the ARD1-D Foundation; the organization now supports people with arginase deficiency and their families. He also served as an advisor to the National Urea Cycle Disorders Foundation, as well as mentoring and supporting students and colleagues. "His work ethic and humility stand out. Despite a long list of achievements, Dr. Cederbaum attributes success to his teams and colleagues. His dedication to patient care and advocacy is exemplary, with significant efforts to improve care in underserved regions, particularly in Latin America," said Marshall L. Summar, MD, ABP, ABMGG, CEO of Uncommon Cures LLC and Professor of Pediatrics at George Washington University. Dr. Cederbaum sees his connectedness more simply: "People mattered, and I always understood that one of the joys of clinical practice is just meeting people, getting to know people, the one-on-one," he says. "It may be that I'm an extreme example of someone for whom human interaction is very important, but I also always understood that my patients suffered from terrible disorders and that it really mattered how you interacted with them." A productive investigator, Dr. Cederbaum has authored or co-authored more than 180 peer-reviewed publications and more than 90 book chapters and reviews alongside his duties as a physician. Those publications include a study detailing the development of a mouse model for arginase deficiency (and gene transfer in those mice), cloning and characterizing the human and mouse types I and II arginase genes, and comparing the properties and functions of different arginases. "His combination of basic science and clinical research is almost unheard of in today's environment of ultra-specialization and sets him apart as both a pioneer and role model to the field," said Jerry Vockley, MD, PhD, chief of Genetic and Genomic Medicine and director of the Center for Rare Disease Therapy, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Dr. Cederbaum's research has not only defined the diagnosis and treatment of arginase deficiency but also opened new avenues of understanding the role of arginase activity in endothelial and breast cancer cells. Outside arginase investigations, he is responsible for identifying Letterer-Siwe Disease as an immunodeficiency instead of a malignancy and for defining and developing effective therapies for pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency, a rare disorder sparked by lactic acid buildup. Dr. Cederbaum built the foundation for his career with an undergraduate chemistry degree from Amherst College in Massachusetts in 1959, followed by a medical degree from New York University in 1963. A yearlong leave of absence before his MD allowed him to pursue bacterial genetics research at Massachusetts General Hospital. With his doctorate in hand, he completed a two-year internal medicine residency at Washington University, St. Louis, and then studied bacterial biochemistry at the National Institutes of Health. He returned to medical genetics with a 1970 fellowship at the University of Washington in Seattle. The following year, he joined UCLA, where he was a contemporary of the late Dr. Rimoin, for whom the current award is named. Dr. Cederbaum spent most of his five-decade career at UCLA, where he remains active today as a board member of the university's Faculty Club. Like many early-career researchers, Dr. Cederbaum knew the importance of choosing his research specialty. A lifelong lover of literature, he instinctively sought what Robert Frost termed "the road less taken." After meeting a few families impacted by arginase deficiency, he recognized that the disorder was poorly understood and began considering this new research path. "It was a road less traveled and an area in which I could make unique contributions. I started out having no real insight into how viable a long-term problem it was," he said. "It turned out to be one that could sustain a career for 50 years so it turned out to be very fortunate, though I didn't have that kind of insight at the time." Dr. Cederbaum's mentees continue to pursue these studies. Before being honored by the ACMG, Dr. Cederbaum received the Sherman Mellinkoff Award, the UCLA School of Medicine's highest honor; the Edward A. Dickson Emeritus Professorship Award, UCLA; the National Organization for Rare Disorders Rare Impact Award; he was the Arno and Gretel Motulsky Lecturer, University of Washington; and was a distinguished visiting professor at the Universidad National Autonoma de Mexico. "Dr. Stephen Cederbaum's remarkable contributions to the field of inborn errors of metabolism and newborn screening, with an emphasis on disorders of the urea cycle make him a well-qualified winner of the David L. Rimoin Lifetime Achievement Award," said Dr. Ann Garber-Rimoin, Dr. Rimoin's widow. "Using various forms of gene and mRNA therapy, his research has used both patient and animal models to improve clinical care, and to significantly impactnewborn screening policy. More recently, his research interests have been directed to the pre-symptomatic DNA screening for late-onset autosomal dominant disorders. Beyond his outstanding laboratory and clinical achievements, Dr. Cederbaum is known as a dedicated teacher and mentor, as well as a founder and supporter of patient support groups for patients with arginase deficiency. His kindness and genuine care for his patients further enhance his leadership role for his students and trainees. The Rimoin family is proud to recognize Dr. Stephen Cederbaum's outstanding career, and to honor him with the David L. Rimoin Lifetime Achievement Award." "Congratulations to Dr. Stephen Cederbaum for this well-deserved award. Dr. Cederbaum's life and work epitomizes the objective characteristics of the Rimoin award. His passion for teaching, mentoring, and care for patients and their families is admirable. He has championed the integration of clinical genomics care into the healthcare system. We are honored to be able to recognize his achievements," said Nancy J. Mendelsohn, MD, FACMG, president of the ACMG Foundation. Even after 50 years in the field, Cederbaum remains engaged with colleagues and community members. "To me, it's very important [to recognize] that you can always be better, and it's important to make yourself better," he said. "You're never finished with your obligations to society." About the David L. Rimoin Lifetime Achievement Award The David L. Rimoin Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honor given by the ACMG Foundation. It honors professionals who have made career contributions to medical genetics. Its namesake, Dr. David L. Rimoin, was a pioneer in the field of medical genetics who advanced the understanding of skeletal dysplasia, diabetes and Tay-Sachs disease. A committee of past presidents of the ACMG selects the recipient following nominations from the general membership. About the ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine The ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is a community of supporters and contributors who understand the importance of medical genetics and genomics in healthcare. Established in 1992, the ACMG Foundation supports the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) mission to "translate genes into health." Through its work, the ACMG Foundation fosters charitable giving, promotes training opportunities to attract future medical geneticists and genetic counselors to the field, shares information about medical genetics and genomics, and sponsors important research. To learn more and support the ACMG Foundation's mission to create "Better Health through Genetics," visit www.acmgfoundation.org . Barry Eisenberg [email protected] SOURCE American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics VIENNA, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The China-Austria Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum, in conjunction with a promotional event for the third China International Supply Chain Expo ("CISCE"), was held in Vienna, Austria. The gathering brought together over 200 representatives from trade and investment promotion agencies, business associations, and companies from both China and Austria. During the forum, China International Exhibition Center Group spotlighted the upcoming CISCE and inked cooperation agreements with key Austrian institutions and businesses. China-Austria Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum and 3rd CISCE Promotion Held in Vienna Ren Hongbin, chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade ("CCPIT"), praised the recent progress in Sino-Austrian collaboration across multiple sectors. He highlighted China's readiness to work closely with Austrian partners to leverage complementary strengths in resources and industrial frameworks. Ren also encouraged businesses from both nations to explore new opportunities for business expansion and invited Austrian businesses and institutions to participate in the 3rd CISCE. The event was attended by Christoph Matznetter, Vice President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, and Qi Mei, the Chinese Ambassador to Austria, among other prominent guests. Austrian representative, noted that the forum represented the first significant economic and trade event between Austria and China since the inauguration of the new Austrian government, underscoring its crucial role in strengthening bilateral relations. He affirmed China as a reliable partner and lauded the CISCE as a leading exhibition dedicated to enhancing international industrial and supply chain cooperation. He also expressed optimism about broader cooperation to address global challenges and uphold international trade norms. The China International Supply Chain Expo, recognized as the world's premier national-level exhibition focused on supply chains, aims to facilitate integration across upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors, connect businesses of all sizes, encourage collaboration between industry, academia and research institutions, while enhancing interaction between Chinese and multinational businesses. Under the theme Connecting the World for a Shared Future, it has emerged as a crucial platform for bolstering international cooperation in industrial and supply chains. The 3rd CISCE will be held from July 16th to 20th in Beijing, with exhibition zones featuring Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy, Smart Vehicle and more, with over 300 companies already confirming their participation. Earlier this year, the promotional events for CISCE were held in Germany, Switzerland, Portugal, and the UK to reinforce cooperative ties between China and European nations, broadening and deepening bilateral economic and trade relations. SOURCE China International Supply Chain Expo Inaugural Japan event to bring together global cloud-native leaders and innovators in Tokyo TOKYO, March 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), which builds sustainable ecosystems for cloud-native software, today announced the keynote speakers and conference sessions for KubeCon + CloudNativeCon Japan 2025 . The event, scheduled for 16-17 June, 2025 in Tokyo, will bring together developers, technologists, and industry leaders to discuss the latest cloud-native computing trends and innovations. The first KubeCon + CloudNativeCon Japan will serve as the premier event in the region for the cloud-native community, fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and networking among top industry experts. The event will include keynote addresses, technical sessions, deep-dive tutorials, and networking opportunities focused on advancing the cloud-native ecosystem. The first KubeCon + CloudNativeCon Japan will serve as the premier event in the region for the cloud-native community. Post this "KubeCon + CloudNativeCon has always been about bringing people together to drive innovation, and we couldn't be more excited to host our first one in Japan," said Chris Aniszczyk, CTO, CNCF. "Japan's tech community is full of incredible talent and creativity, and this conference will be a fantastic opportunity for developers and end users to connect, collaborate, and shape the future of cloud native computing." The community-curated schedule for KubeCon + CloudNativeCon Japan 2025 will feature sessions including: Conference highlights include: Registration Registration for KubeCon + CloudNativeCon Japan 2025 is open. Sponsorship opportunities are available for organizations looking to showcase their technologies and innovations to a global audience. You can find more information on sponsorships here . Diversity, Maintainer, and Need-Based Scholarships The Dan Kohn Scholarship program exists to support individuals who may not otherwise have the opportunity to attend KubeCon + CloudNativeCon Japan 2025. Complimentary registration and travel funding scholarships are awarded based on a combination of need and impact. Travel Funding Scholarship applications are due by 20 April, 2025 11:59 PM PT/ 21 April, 2025 3:59 PM JST. Complimentary Registration Scholarship applications are due by 11 May, 2025 11:59 PM PT/ 12 May, 2025 3:59 PM JST. Thank You, Sponsors KubeCon + CloudNativeCon Japan 2025 is made possible thanks to the generous support from our sponsors. Sponsorships are still open until 2 May. Press Members of the press who would like to request a press pass to attend should contact [email protected] . Additional Resources About Cloud Native Computing Foundation Cloud native computing empowers organizations to build and run scalable applications with an open source software stack in public, private, and hybrid clouds. The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) hosts critical components of the global technology infrastructure, including Kubernetes, Prometheus, and Envoy. CNCF brings together the industry's top developers, end users, and vendors and runs the largest open source developer conferences in the world. Supported by more than 800 members, including the world's largest cloud computing and software companies, as well as over 200 innovative startups, CNCF is part of the nonprofit Linux Foundation. For more information, please visit www.cncf.io . The Linux Foundation has registered trademarks and uses trademarks. For a list of trademarks of The Linux Foundation, please see our trademark usage page. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. Media Contact Kaitlin Thornhill The Linux Foundation [email protected] SOURCE The Cloud Native Computing Foundation Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, first female CEO in Collette's 107 year history, spotlights the vital role women-led businesses, entrepreneurs and artisans play in communities worldwide PAWTUCKET, R.I., March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Collette , the leader in guided travel experiences, honors several extraordinary women-owned and managed businesses, female entrepreneurs and artisans on its global tours for Women's History Month. By featuring these businesses, Collette aims to provide a platform for their work as well as giving travelers more authentic travel experiences and appreciation of local culture. "The skills, creativity and leadership of our women-led partners around the world is powerful, and deeply enriches the tour experience of each destination we visit," said Jaclyn Leibl-Cote , President and CEO of Collette. "We believe travel can be a force for good, by both supporting the vital work of local businesses and deepening cultural awareness and appreciation for our global communities worldwide." Some of the women-owned and managed businesses featured on Collette's 2025-2026 tours include: Kazuri Beads Factory: Nairobi, Kenya (Responsible Travel Highlight on African Safari: Kenya and Tanzania ) Kazuri Beads produces high quality, handmade ceramic jewelry and pottery, with a mission to empower disadvantaged women by providing fair wage employment and skills training. The workshop enables single mothers and vulnerable women to support their families through their artistry and talent. Their ethical business model offers employment while preserving a cultural heritage of Kenyan craftsmanship Hood River Lavender Farms: Hood River, Oregon (Responsible Travel Highlight on Pacific Northwest & California ) Hood River Lavender Farms is a woman-owned, fifth generation farm established in 2003. The founders create skin care products using lavender's healing properties. Their annual Lavender Daze Festival draws thousands to celebrate the peak bloom. Hood River Lavender Farms exemplifies a woman-owned family business blending horticulture with hospitality. Ama Hut Satoumian: Japan (Responsible Travel Highlight on Japan: Past & Present ) At Ama Hut Satoumian, female free divers grill fresh local seafood over a charcoal fire while sharing stories about their 2,000-year-old diving tradition and lives in the community. Travelers gain insight into their vital role in the regional pearl and seafood industries. Sheroe's Hangout: Ranthambore, India (Impact Moment on Mysteries of India ) This pay-what-you-choose cafe employs women who have survived harrowing acid attacks. Sheroes' Hangout aims to empower acid attack survivors while spreading awareness of violence against women in India. It represents the growing revolution of women who are standing up against the widespread femicide and female-based violence in India, all while supporting their livelihoods. Frantoio Doglia: Tuscany, Italy (Responsible Travel Highlight on Tuscany and the Italian Riviera ) Frantoio Doglia, owned by two sisters, produces high-quality extra virgin olive oil using traditional and organic methods. Their commitment to sustainability is featured in every step of their process. During the harvest, olives are hand-picked with rakes, adhering to time-honored traditions. By supporting Frantoio Doglia, travelers embrace sustainable farming all while experiencing the rich flavors of their exceptional olive oil and supporting a local women-owned business. Heritage Tours: Memphis, Tennessee, USA (Responsible Travel Highlight on America's Music Cities ) The Civil Rights City Tour by Heritage Tours in Memphis offers a captivating journey through some of the most prominent African American historical sites. Heritage Tours, which is Black and women-owned, highlights African American contributions to the city's rich heritage. Visitors have the unique opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations about the Civil Rights Movement while supporting a woman/BIPOC owned company. Penduka Village : Namibia (Impact Moment on Namibia & South Africa .) Penduka Village in Namibia, run entirely by women, is a social enterprise dedicated to gender equality and empowerment. Located by the scenic Goreangab Dam in Katutura, travelers go on a tour of the village and its manufacturing and hospitality facilities (led by one of the women who work there). These tours support the economic and social empowerment of these Namibian women Amal Women's Training Center: Morocco (Impact Moment on Colors of Morocco ) With a specific focus on training women, this non-profit empowers them to be successful, independent members of society. In a place where women are set in some old ways of discrimination, this organization exists to build them up. It is a safe and loving space where women can rewrite their narratives and step into power. Collette's 2025-26 season - its 107th season of travel and adventure - features over 170 tours worldwide to destinations such as Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia, North America and South America. Collette's tours come with an emphasis on travel during low-season months to ensure local economies that rely on tourism thrive year-round, while giving travelers the opportunity to experience destinations away from the bustle of peak tourist season. To support local communities and partners, address overtourism, and offer a regionalized approach, Collette has also put a focus on creating programs that stay in popular secondary cities like Ise Shima, Japan; Cornwall, England; Sarajevo, Bosnia; and Pienza, Italy. Beyond supporting these female-led enterprises on their tours, Collette also has industry leading internal and local programs that support women and families. For more information please visit at gocollette.com About Collette: As the longest-running tour operator in North America, Collette is the company travelers can trust. Leading with integrity, Collette's comprehensive travel protection plan, flexible tour pacing, and strong relationships within the travel space set it apart. The happiness of its travelers has been its roadmap since 1918 and today Collette offers over 170 tours to all seven continents and five distinct travel styles, including small group touring and river cruises. This third-generation family-owned business is dedicated to giving back in both local and global communities through its social responsibility platform. For more information, visit www.gocollette.com or call 1(800) 340-5158. Contact: Collette Sam LaFrance (401) 426-3710 [email protected] GoodKnight Marketing and Communications for Collette Michelle Zacharia (908) 868-5397 [email protected] SOURCE Collette Vacations MORRISTOWN, N.J., March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Crum & Forster (C&F) announces the promotion of Chris Livingston to Deputy Chief Information Security Officer (Deputy CISO). In this new role, Chris will play a key part in advancing the company's cybersecurity strategy, overseeing critical security functions, and ensuring the continued protection of business operations and client data. Chriss expertise, leadership, and strategic vision have been instrumental in advancing C&Fs cybersecurity initiatives. Chris joined C&F in June 2022 as Business Information Security Officer where he successfully led initiatives to enhance the company's cybersecurity posture by mitigating risks and aligning security efforts with business objectives. In his time with C&F, has been instrumental in developing and onboarding a world-class cloud and applications security program and an exceptional third-party risk management program. His efforts have strengthened C&F's security framework while fostering collaboration and innovation across business units. "Chris's expertise, leadership, and strategic vision have been instrumental in advancing C&F's cybersecurity initiatives," said Christopher Holden, Chief Information Security Officer for Crum & Forster. "In addition to expanding his responsibilities for the oversight of key security operations, Chris will direct the Security Operations and Engineering team and the Identity and Access Management team." As Deputy CISO, Chris will further strengthen security operations and bolster C&F's position as a great company to work with. His promotion reflects C&F's commitment to recognizing and advancing top talent. Among his many credentials, Chris holds CISSP and ITIL v.3 Foundation certifications. He earned a M.S. in Information Security Management from Stevens Institute of Technology and a B.S. in Management Information Systems and Economics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He is currently pursuing an MBA from St. Joseph's University. About Crum & Forster Crum & Forster (www.cfins.com) is a leading national property, casualty, and accident & health insurer, providing specialty insurance products through its admitted and surplus lines insurance companies. Founded in 1822, C&F is one of the oldest U.S. insurance companies, and today conducts business through a network of independent agents, brokers and wholesalers. C&F had $5.7 billion in gross written premium in 2024 and is rated "A" Excellent by AM Best (2024). The C&F logo, C&F and Crum & Forster are registered trademarks of United States Fire Insurance Company. To learn more, follow us on LinkedIn, X and Instagram. Media Contact Amy Whilldin AVP, Public Relations & Communications [email protected] SOURCE Crum & Forster SAN FRANCISCO, March 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Avive Solutions, Inc. announces the partnership with Dauphin County, PA in Avive's 4 Minute Community Program. Together with the Peyton Walker Foundation , Emergency Health Services Federation , and Dauphin County Department of Public Safety , Dauphin County joins cities like the City of Jackson, TN, Forsyth County, GA, the City of Carrollton, TX and their neighboring Cumberland County, PA in their adoption of the 4 Minute Community Program: an innovative, first-of-its-kind approach to cardiac arrest response. Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is a critical medical emergency that occurs when the heart unexpectedly stops beating normally. In the United States alone, over 357,000 out-of-hospital SCA cases are reported every year, with nearly 90% resulting in fatalities. Over the last two decades, millions of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) have been placed across the U.S., but survival rates have not improved. Dauphin's 4 Minute Community Program will work to strategically place 320 Avive Connect AEDs with individuals in their community to help increase bystander intervention and provide rapid response in a SCA emergency. The goal is to strengthen the links of the Chain of Survival with Avive's new technology and deliver lifesaving therapy with an AED to someone in cardiac arrest within four minutes of dispatch from 911. The program is actively recruiting citizen volunteers in Dauphin County to join its Cardiac Arrest Rapid Engagement (CARE) Team . What is the 4 Minute Community Program? The 4 Minute Community Program seeks to break down historical barriers to survival by closing the critical gap between SCA and the arrival of first responders. By leveraging historical data on cardiac emergencies in specific areas, the program equips CPR-trained community volunteers with Avive Connect AEDs. These volunteers, known as Cardiac Arrest Rapid Engagement (CARE) Team members, can be alerted by 911 and dispatched to nearby emergencies via a mapping system on their AED screen. Unlike traditional AEDs, the Avive Connect AED is the only AED integrated with 911 and the entire Chain of Survival. Avive leverages its REALConnect Software to enable Intelligent Response technology , which empowers 911 telecommunicators to dispatch nearby Avive Connect AEDs to the scene of SCA emergencies. Once triggered, AEDs within a one mile radius will flash a red screen and sound an alarm, giving CARE Team members directions to the scene and guiding them through the emergency with step-by-step CPR and defibrillation instructions. This seamless coordination between CARE Team members, next-generation AED technology, and emergency services establishes a new standard for SCA response. "We are deeply thankful for our ongoing partnership with the Peyton Walker Foundation in helping bring the 4 Minute Community Program to Dauphin. With Dauphin joining its neighboring Cumberland County, we are thrilled to extend access to lifesaving technology across Pennsylvania," said Sameer Jarfi, CEO and Co-Founder of Avive Solutions. "At its core, this program is not about cities or counties; it's about people and empowering communities to take action when every second matters. Dauphin's commitment to this initiative within their neighborhoods marks an important step toward driving meaningful change in Sudden Cardiac Arrest survival rates and improving emergency response." "Following the successful deployment of the 4 Minute Community program in Cumberland County, it has been our vision to continue to expand this program across multiple counties here in Central PA. This initiative will have a direct impact on increasing the survival rates of cardiac arrest - sparing many families from a lifetime of heartache. I'm incredibly proud to be part of this initiative and am so thankful for all of the partners who are supporting this. The 'Four Minute Community' has become part of my daughter's legacy," says Julie Walker, president of The Peyton Walker Foundation and mother of Peyton, whose young life was cut short due to Sudden Cardiac Arrest. "The expansion of the 4 Minute Community into Dauphin County marks a significant step toward improving survival rates for sudden cardiac arrest. This program directly empowers bystanders with the tools and technology needed to make a lifesaving difference in those critical first minutes before EMS arrives. We are proud to partner with Avive, the Peyton Walker Foundation, and Dauphin County to strengthen the Chain of Survival and provide our community with a groundbreaking approach to cardiac emergency response." - Matthew Kratz, Operations Manager, Emergency Health Services Federation. The 4 Minute Community Program in Dauphin County, PA As a 4 Minute Community, Dauphin County has integrated the Avive Connect AED with their 9-1-1 Department of Public Safety, so when a SCA or suspected SCA call comes in, telecommunicators will activate all the Avive devices that are within one mile of the suspected cardiac arrest emergency. Devices will alert CARE Team members when there is a cardiac arrest emergency nearby, and will immediately map them to the emergency. While high-quality CPR buys time, only a shock from an AED can restore a person's heartbeat and aid in saving their life. Dauphin County has been working hard for many years to decrease the time it takes to deliver high-quality care to a patient in cardiac arrest. It is a privilege to be working with this community and to join forces with them in their trailblazing efforts to save more lives from SCA. For more information and updates on Dauphin County's participation in the 4 Minute Community Program, please visit avive.life/4minutepa About The Peyton Walker Foundation: The Peyton Walker Foundation is dedicated to increasing awareness about sudden cardiac arrest and saving lives through heart screenings, CPR, and AED training. The foundation was created in memory of Peyton Walker, who tragically passed away at the age of 19 due to Sudden Cardiac Arrest. About Avive Solutions, Inc.: Avive Solutions, Inc. is a Brisbane, CA-based company dedicated to developing state-of-the-art Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) designed to be accessible, intuitive, and effective in saving lives during Sudden Cardiac Arrest emergencies. Avive's mission is to ensure that lifesaving AED technology is available in every community across the nation. Learn more at https://avive.life . Media Contacts: Julie Walker The Peyton Walker Foundation [email protected] Katerina Miras Avive Solutions [email protected] For more information, visit avive.life and peytonwalker.org . SOURCE Avive Solutions, Inc. End-to-End Workflow includes n-tier mapping, satellite analysis and customs clearance in under 10 minutes PARIS, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sourcemap, the leading supply chain regulatory software, is now live with EU TRACES and SAP ERP integration for EUDR customers. The fully automated Sourcemap EUDR solution maps every shipment down to the originating farms and forests, scans for deforestation using satellite imagery, and submits a Due Diligence Statement digitally to the EU TRACES platform, all within minutes. The process is triggered by an automated ERP API without any disruption of day-to-day operations. "Achieving instant EUDR compliance is mission-critical for importers, manufacturers, retailers and exporters. Sourcemap provides the only live ERP and EU Customs integrated solution that is capable of handling the massive quantity of data required for EUDR compliance," said Leonardo Bonanni, Founder and CEO of Sourcemap. The Sourcemap EUDR solution is ISO 27001-certified and has gone live with some of Europe's largest grocery, retail, electronics and food companies, encompassing thousands of sites and millions of shipments across all 44 EU member countries. About Sourcemap: Sourcemap is the leading supply chain regulatory software, trusted by over 250 brands with more than 5.5 million suppliers mapped across food, apparel, retail, electronics, automotive and manufacturing. Sourcemap provides automated solutions to meet all global supply chain due diligence requirements including US and EU forced labor regulations, the EU deforestation regulation, the Digital Product Passport and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive or CSDDD. Based in New York, Chicago and Paris, Sourcemap has been named TIME Invention of the Year 2022 and was listed among Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies in 2023. www.sourcemap.com Press Contact: Nicole Paleologus [email protected] Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2627660/Sourcemap_Logo_Logo.jpg MIAMI, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Euroky, the world's first physician-approved and evidence-based multifunctional vitality drink, has officially launched in Miami. Designed to optimize vitality and well-being, Euroky provides a scientifically formulated blend of premium ingredients to support rejuvenation, immunity, cognition, and energyall in a delicious, lightly carbonated beverage. Euroky Vitality Drink Debuts as the Worlds First Physician-Approved, Evidence-Based Multifunctional Vitality Beverage Developed by an American Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon and a seasoned food and beverage expert, Euroky delivers 5 grams of Marine Collagen from France, clinically shown to rejuvenate skin by reducing facial wrinkles, increasing elasticity, and improving hydration. Additionally this protein supports bone, tendon, and joint health while Biotin also acts to maintain healthy nails and hair. Euroky also enhances immune function with soluble fiber Beta-glucans from Wellmune, a proprietary ingredient and trademark of a Kerry Company, backed by extensive research demonstrating significant immune-boosting benefits, particularly for respiratory health. Complemented by Vitamin C and Elderberry Extract, Euroky promotes defense against environmental stressors while offering a refreshing wild berry flavor. Euroky combines Ginkgo Biloba and Ginseng, that increases blood flow and oxygenation to the brain, which enhances your focus and cognitive performance. Ginseng is also recognized for its role in boosting energy and stimulating intimacy. To provide sustained energy without the crash, Euroky combines natural caffeine from Green Tea with L-Theanine to provide energy without jitters or crashes. With Taurine and Glucuronolactone, this formula further enhances energy while supporting the body's natural detoxification process. Resveratrol, and essential vitamins B-12, D, and E, are added to enhance wellness. A slight amount of Cane Sugar makes this vitality drink all natural, with no artificial sweeteners at only 80 calories in a 12 ounce can. A Celebration of Science, Art, and Community Euroky's official launch party was a resounding success, drawing over 800 attendees from diverse backgrounds. The event introduced Euroky to the world and served as a platform to celebrate the intersection of science and the humanities. Artists from across the United States showcased their work, with a portion of the sales benefiting Silent Victims of Crime, a local children's foundation. Guests enjoyed live performances from national entertainers in dance and music, further emphasizing Euroky's commitment to fostering creativity and cultural expression. There is no healthier beverage on the market promoting vitalityallowing people to live a full and vibrant life. Euroky is gluten-free, non-GMO, and free from preservatives, making it a health-conscious choice for consumers enhancing one's physical and mental well-being. Euroky Vitality Drink is now available for purchase on Amazon. For more information, visit www.euroky.com and follow us @eurokyvitalitydrink. Media Inquiries For further information, please contact us at [email protected] Or message us @eurokyvitalitydrink on Instagram Contact: Camila Quinones Bernaola Euroky, LLC [email protected] www.euroky.com SOURCE Euroky SILVER SPRING, Md., March 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is providing an at-a-glance summary of news from around the agency: On Tuesday, March 18 , the United States District Court for the District of Maryland entered a consent decree of permanent injunction against Totally Cool, Inc., a Maryland -based manufacturer of ice cream and frozen desserts, and its CEO and owner, Michael J. Uhlfelder . On July 8, 2024 , the FDA suspended Totally Cool's food facility registration after an inspection of the firm revealed L. mono in the facility, as well as numerous failures of the firm to adhere to current good manufacturing practice for food safety, including sanitation requirements for employees and equipment. The consent decree prohibits Totally Cool and Mr. Uhlfelder from directly or indirectly receiving, preparing, processing, packing, holding, and/or distributing any article of food unless and until they meet certain requirements. , District Court for the District of entered a consent decree of permanent injunction against Totally Cool, Inc., a -based manufacturer of ice cream and frozen desserts, and its CEO and owner, . On , the FDA suspended Totally Cool's food facility registration after an inspection of the firm revealed L. mono in the facility, as well as numerous failures of the firm to adhere to current good manufacturing practice for food safety, including sanitation requirements for employees and equipment. The consent decree prohibits Totally Cool and Mr. Uhlfelder from directly or indirectly receiving, preparing, processing, packing, holding, and/or distributing any article of food unless and until they meet certain requirements. On Friday, the FDA issued a Letter to Health Care Providers to notify providers that we are aware that the United States is experiencing interruptions in the supply of hemodialysis bloodlines (also referred to as set, tubing, blood, with and without anti-regurgitation valve) because of recent supplier issues. The FDA has updated the medical device shortage list to include hemodialysis bloodlines (product code FJK). The disruption in availability of this device is expected to impact patient care and may require adjustments to the clinical management of patients requiring acute or chronic hemodialysis. The FDA expects the duration of this shortage to extend through early fall of 2025. The FDA is recommending health care providers experiencing delays in the supply of hemodialysis bloodlines consider strategies to conserve their use. Health care providers should use their clinical judgment in development and implementation of conservation strategies. The Letter to Health Care Providers includes important information about the hemodialysis bloodline shortage including: Additional information about hemodialysis bloodline products affected. Recommendations for health care providers. Actions that the FDA is taking to assess and mitigate the risk. Instructions for reporting problems with a device. is experiencing interruptions in the supply of hemodialysis bloodlines (also referred to as set, tubing, blood, with and without anti-regurgitation valve) because of recent supplier issues. The FDA has updated the medical device shortage list to include hemodialysis bloodlines (product code FJK). The disruption in availability of this device is expected to impact patient care and may require adjustments to the clinical management of patients requiring acute or chronic hemodialysis. The FDA expects the duration of this shortage to extend through early fall of 2025. The FDA is recommending health care providers experiencing delays in the supply of hemodialysis bloodlines consider strategies to conserve their use. Health care providers should use their clinical judgment in development and implementation of conservation strategies. The Letter to Health Care Providers includes important information about the hemodialysis bloodline shortage including: On Friday, the FDA announced the conditional approval of Felycin-CA1 (sirolimus delayed-release tablets) for the management of ventricular hypertrophy in cats with subclinical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). This is the first product approved for use in cats with HCM for any indication. Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle. HCM in cats causes thickening of the heart's left ventricle. It is the most common heart disease in cats and is one of the most common causes of death in cats. The drug is only available by prescription from a licensed veterinarian. On Friday, the FDA issued a safety alert warning consumers not to inhale or recreationally use any flavor of nitrous oxide in any size canister, tank, or charger. When inhaled, these products can result in serious adverse health effects, including death. For some individuals who regularly inhale nitrous oxide, this habit can lead to prolonged neurological effects, including spinal cord or brain damage, even after stopping use. 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 WASHINGTON, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) acknowledges the March 14 Executive Order, "Continuing the Reduction of The Federal Bureaucracy," and is actively reviewing its alignment with the Administration's previous directives, including the February 11 Workforce Optimization Initiative and February 26 Cost Efficiency Initiative. FMCS is examining how these Executive Orders and guidance work together to ensure a coordinated approach to efficiency, optimization, and mission focus across the federal government. In response to multiple inquiries from both media and clients, FMCS wishes to assure all stakeholders that we remain operational and are continuing to provide our statutorily mandated services, including tracking and servicing approximately 15,000 private sector collective bargaining agreements negotiated annually nationwide. With an annual budget of $55 million (less than 0.0014% of the federal budget), FMCS's work delivers extraordinarily outsized economic benefits. Using conservative estimates, FMCS's work saves the American economy well over $500 million annually. With a budget of $55 million (<0.0014% of federal budget), FMCS's work saves the US economy over $500 million annually. Post this Established under Title II of the Labor-Management Relations Act of 1947 (Taft-Hartley Act), FMCS was created as an independent agency to prevent and minimize labor-management disputes that could disrupt the free flow of commerce. FMCS is statutorily mandated to: Minimize labor disputes in the private sector through mediation and conciliation services. Support labor-management cooperation under the Labor-Management Cooperation Act, which directs FMCS to encourage joint labor-management initiatives to improve workplace relations. Manage dispute resolution in the health care industry as required by the Health Care Amendments of 1974, ensuring labor disputes do not disrupt health care delivery. Provide mediation services in federal sector labor disputes under the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978. Assist in disputes in the U.S. Postal Service under the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006 and provide fact-finding panels for supervisory pay disputes under the Postal Reorganization Act of 1980. To be clear, FMCS is still operational and performing our statutory functions of collective bargaining mediation work in the private and federal Sectors, USPS dispute cases, labor-management committee work, and providing arbitration panels. Mediation remains the most cost-effective approach, requiring fewer resources and delivering faster resolutions compared to labor disruptions, litigation, or administrative hearings. FMCS will continue working with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to secure approval of its efficiency-focused plans, ensuring alignment with administration priorities. For reference, FMCS remains statutorily required to provide mediation, conciliation, and voluntary arbitration under Title II of the Labor-Management Relations Act (Taft-Hartley). While other statutes have authorized additional activities, FMCS has refocused solely on its mandated functions, consistent with the Executive Orders. The U.S. Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service (FMCS) is the nation's premier public agency for dispute resolution and conflict management. FMCS was created by Congress as a neutral and independent government agency upon enactment of the Labor-Management Relations Act of 1947 (Taft-Hartley Act) and mandated to resolve industrial conflict and promote labor-management peace and cooperation, minimizing the impact of these disputes on the free flow of commerce. With headquarters in Washington, D.C. and offices across the country, the agency has a proud track record of decades of effective dispute resolution and conflict management services for employers and unions across industries and work activities in the private, public, and federal sectors. For more on FMCS or to request services, visit www.fmcs.gov SOURCE Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service PITMAN, N.J., March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA) has released a position statement highlighting the critical role of Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) in addressing the health impacts of global climate change on older adults. The statement aligns with the American Nurses Association (ANA)'s position on climate change, which recognizes climate change as a critical public health issue requiring urgent action. Like ANA, GAPNA emphasizes the responsibility of nurses to integrate climate science into education, research, and practice while working collaboratively with other health care professionals, community organizations, and policymakers to address climate-related health risks. Dr. Valerie Sabol, PhD, MBA, ACNP-BC, GNP-BC, ANEF, FAANP, FAAN, the primary author of the position statement and a past president of GAPNA, said, "As APNs, we must integrate climate-informed care into every aspect of geriatric health. Older adults face heightened risks from extreme weather, air pollution, and natural disasters, making it essential that we approach their care through a climate-informed lens." This position statement, backed by the latest data from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), emphasizes the necessity for APNs to integrate climate-informed care into their clinical practices, education, and advocacy efforts. With the aging global population expected to double by 2050, GAPNA recognizes that older adults are especially vulnerable to the direct and indirect effects of climate change, including extreme weather events, rising temperatures, air pollution, and threats to food and water security. Read GAPNA's full Position Statement here. As health care providers, APNs play a crucial role in mitigating and adapting to the health risks posed by climate change, including exacerbated cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, heat-related illnesses, mental health challenges, and increased vulnerability to natural disasters. GAPNA's position statement calls for APNs to take proactive steps, such as advocating for climate policies, promoting resilience in aging populations, and integrating climate science into geriatric nursing education and practice. GAPNA's position statement serves as a critical resource for clinicians, educators, and researchers dedicated to improving the health of older adults in a rapidly changing world. The organization calls for enhanced collaboration with other professional groups, such as the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments (ANHE), to provide education, advocacy, and strategies for addressing climate-related health issues. Key Impacts of Climate Change on Older Adults Heat-Related Illnesses : Older adults are susceptible to extreme heat, which can lead to heat stress, dehydration, and heat stroke. APNs must assess environmental risks when managing chronic conditions and prescribe medications carefully. : Older adults are susceptible to extreme heat, which can lead to heat stress, dehydration, and heat stroke. APNs must assess environmental risks when managing chronic conditions and prescribe medications carefully. Cardiovascular and Respiratory Stress : Rising temperatures and poor air quality exacerbate existing heart and lung conditions, increasing the risk of hospitalization and mortality. : Rising temperatures and poor air quality exacerbate existing heart and lung conditions, increasing the risk of hospitalization and mortality. Natural Disasters : Older adults are more likely to suffer from the physical and emotional toll of natural disasters, such as hurricanes, wildfires, and floods. APNs must help patients prepare disaster plans and ensure access to health care during emergencies. : Older adults are more likely to suffer from the physical and emotional toll of natural disasters, such as hurricanes, wildfires, and floods. APNs must help patients prepare disaster plans and ensure access to health care during emergencies. Mental Health Strain: Climate change-related events contribute to anxiety, PTSD, and depression in older adults, particularly those with preexisting mental health conditions. In addition to direct health risks, GAPNA acknowledges the psychological toll of climate change, such as ecoanxiety and trauma associated with environmental events. The statement emphasizes the importance of trauma-informed care for older adults facing these unprecedented challenges. GAPNA urges health care professionals, policymakers, and community leaders to join in addressing the health risks posed by climate change and to prioritize climate justice for aging populations. Dr. Sabol said, "The impact of climate change on older adults is not a distant concern; it is a present and growing crisis. APNs must lead the charge in advocating for policies that protect aging populations, ensuring they have access to the care, resources, and preparedness needed to navigate environmental challenges with resilience." About GAPNA The Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA) is the premier professional organization that represents the interests of advanced practice nurses, other clinicians, educators, and researchers involved in the practice or advancement of caring for older adults. https://www.gapna.org/ Media Contact Rebecca Klavens Communications & Media Relations Manager [email protected] (856) 256-2330 SOURCE Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association BEIJING, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, on March 5 took part in a deliberation with his fellow deputies from the delegation of Jiangsu Province at the third session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, the Xinhua News Agency reported. As one of the six deputies who gave a speech during the deliberation, Zhao Jianjun, an NPC deputy of Jiangsu delegation and the mayor of Wuxi, talked about how Wuxi, through green development and low-carbon transition, tried to build a beautiful Taihu Lake, China Central Television reported. Xi asked about the water quality of Taihu lake when he joined deputies from the Jiangsu delegation in 2023, Xinhua reported. He asked if blue-green algae persisted in the lake, which once caused the water quality to deteriorate severely. The beauty of the lake is described in the song "Taihu Mei," Xi said at the time. The lyrics describe the lake's natural resources and the local life. However, the thought of blue-green algae makes one feel uncomfortable, he said, Xinhua reported. "The Taihu Lake spans multiple provinces in the Yangtze River Delta. In recent years, we have adhered to an ecological priority and green development approach, achieving the best water quality in Taihu since there is monitoring record," said Zhao, the People's Daily reported. Zhao stated that Wuxi will continue to take proactive actions and collaborate within the development strategies of integrated development in the Yangtze River Delta and the Yangtze River Economic Belt, further amplifying the ecological value of harmonious mountains and waters, as well as the interdependence of the lake and the city, driving improvements in Taihu's water quality and algal conditions year after year. Every year during the two sessions, Xi participates in deliberations and discussions with deputies and political advisors. In many interactions, Xi shows great care of environmental protection and ecological conservation. In 2014, while participating in a deliberation with deputies of the Guizhou delegation, Xi asked in detail about costs to combat rocky desertification. The same year at Guangdong delegation, he asked about the PM 2.5 level in Pearl River Delta and the Dongjiang River water quality. In his deliberation during the two sessions in 2018, Xi told fellow lawmakers from Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to strengthen the protection of forests and wetlands, make more efforts to fight desertification and pollution, and build the "Green Great Wall" in the northern border of the motherland. Xi, in an article published in 2023 in Qiushi Journal, said that Chinese modernization is the modernization of harmony between humanity and nature. Promoting harmonious coexistence between humans and nature is a distinctive feature of Chinese modernization. We must be committed to green development. Green mountains are gold mountains. To protect the environment is to protect productivity, and to improve the environment is to boost productivity, Xi said while addressing the Leaders Summit on Climate via video link from Beijing in 2021. Beauty of Taihu Taihu Lake, located mostly in East China's Jiangsu Province, is China's third largest freshwater lake and nurtured the population- and industry-dense southern Jiangsu region. NPC deputy Yang Hengjun, a village Party chief from Jiangsu Province, clearly remembered March 5, 2023 when Xi joined the delegation discussions and asked about Taihu Lake. In response to the General Secretary's special care, a deputy from Suzhou reported our efforts and achievements in this regard, particularly the wastewater treatment, and this year mayor Zhao updated new progress we have made - Taihu Lake has seen its water quality improve to its best level in 30 years, Yang told the Global Times. In 2024, for the first time in three decades, the average water quality of the lake reached Grade III on the country's five-tier water quality system, meaning it was classed as "fairly good," according to the Department of Ecology and Environment of Jiangsu Province. The biodiversity index for aquatic life in the lake also improved to an "excellent" level, with the number of species in the basin increasing to 6,899, Xinhua reported. Elder generations from Suzhou, Wuxi and Changzhou, three manufacturing cities adjacent to Taihu, still remember how it was badly polluted. "When blue-green algae boom [due to eutrophication], the tap water was so stingy that we cannot use it to wash or bathe, not to mention drink and cook," Zhang Jingbo, a Wuxi-based composer, recalled the experience more than a decade ago. But it is completely different now as "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" has embedded in different sectors and people's daily life. In Yang's village, the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has reduced, certain household and agricultural wastes are transferred to fertilizers, sewage treatment is enhanced. People's living environment has improved; agriculture became more eco-friendly and organic products are yielding more incomes than before. The village has also developed photovoltaic projects and realized energy self-sufficiency. All these efforts also raised public awareness to protect environment and ecology, Yang said. In industry sector, plants of high pollution have been shut and others are transformed to minimize environmental impact, the Global Times learned. Li Aimin, a professor at School of Environment, Nanjing University and expert on pollution control of Taihu Lake, told the Global Times comprehensive measures have been adopted, including discharge control, upstream targeted pollution reduction, differentiated ecological restoration. The core is emphasizing ecological values, driving Taihu Lake's shift from ecological restoration to green development, Li said. Zhang the composer said as lyrics of the famous song go, "the beauty of Taihu lies in its water." Now the water is clean, and the wetlands are beautiful. For ordinary people, spending leisure time along the lake has become "such a pleasant thing." According to Li, Taihu Lake is poised to become a paragon of green development, integrating eco-tourism and leisure vacation functions, thereby achieving a harmony of ecological and economic value. In a group study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee in 2024, Xi pointed out that green development underlies high-quality development, and that the new productive forces in essence are green. Picture of harmony To embrace green development, China's top political advisory body set up a new sector on the environment and resources in 2023 to pool wisdom for the country's transition to a more eco-friendly and sustainable path. In 2024, Xi participated in a joint group meeting during the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). Xi urged political advisors from the sector of environment and resources to make new contributions to ecological and environmental protection and sustaining high-quality development with high-level protection, according to Xinhua. The story of Ulan Suhai Lake, in Bayannur of Inner Mongolia, is a vivid example of realizing both high-quality development and high-level protection. Since 2018, Xi had given multiple instructions on ecological management of Ulan Suhai Lake when joining delegations of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region during the two sessions. In an inspection to Bayannur in 2023, Xi stressed it is important to fully and accurately implement the new development philosophy on all fronts, adhere to holistic conservation and systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts, with sand control as focus and strengthening the eco-security shields in the northern region as fundamental goal. In recent years, the local authorities have actively sought out the "root causes" of pollution in Ulan Suhai Lake and developed "prescriptions" to address them, implementing a series of measures. For instance, to tackle pollution from industrial wastewater discharge, heavily polluting factories have been shut down, and wastewater treatment plants have been upgraded to ensure that all industrial wastewater is processed there, with discharge only permitted after meeting standards. To address pollution from agricultural irrigation, a comprehensive "Four Controls and Two Transformations" initiative has been widely launched, controlling fertilizer, pesticides, plastic film, and water use, as well as the resource utilization of livestock manure and straw. The integrated measures have "made a big difference" in my hometown, local tour guide Huang Jiangang told the Global Times, adding that pollution was tackled, desertification is besieged by afforestation and the lake became haven for wildlife. There are now more than 260 varieties of birds migrating and breeding in the lake area. Greater flamingos were spotted in May 2024, the first sighting of the species in the lake, according to Xinhua. The lake was little known by non-locals, but now more and more tourists are coming for its scenic views and various activities. Huang grasped the opportunity and became a tour guide, and the income is "beyond satisfaction." China's development concept in pursuit of harmony between human and nature looks beyond the anthropocentrism that prioritizes human interests above those of the natural world. Through scientific coordination of various factors within the natural environment and human society, Chinese modernization has pioneered a new approach to achieving coordinated progress in eco-social development and environmental protection, Fang Jingyun, an academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences and professor of Peking University, wrote on People's Daily. This article first appeared in the Global Times: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202503/1329904.shtml SOURCE Global Times NEW YORK, March 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") of GSK plc (NYSE: GSK) between February 5, 2020 and August 14, 2022, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important April 7, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline. So what: If you purchased GSK ADRs 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 GSK class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=34609 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] 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 7, 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: The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, defendants represented to investors that GSK removed Zantac, a treatment for heartburn and acid reflux, from the market "[b]ased on information available at the time and correspondence with regulators," and that GSK was "continuing with investigations into the potential source of NDMA, [a cancer-causing poison]." Defendants also assured investors that "GSK, the FDA [U.S. Food and Drug Administration], and the EMA [European Medicines Agency] have all independently concluded that there is no evidence of a causal association between ranitidine therapy and the development of cancer in patients," findings that were "consistent with other ranitidine data published prior to 2019." Finally, defendants claimed that they could not "quantify or reliably estimate the liability" GSK could face from Zantac-related legal proceedings. These representations were materially false or misleading. In truth, GSK was fully aware of the source of NDMA and had been for nearly 40 years before withdrawing Zantac from the market. Furthermore, defendants' representations about their ability to "quantify or reliably estimate the liability" deceived investors, who did not know that GSK had for decades concealed an internal study that implicated GSK's liability to Zantac users. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the GSK class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=34609 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. 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, 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 Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 [email protected] www.rosenlegal.com SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A. WASHINGTON, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Inspir Embassy Row is now open and welcoming residents. The new luxury senior living residence, proudly announces its comprehensive Integrated Care Model (ICM), establishing new standards in personalized senior healthcare through strategic clinical partnerships. This innovative approach combines in-house expertise with leading healthcare providers across the District to deliver coordinated, evidence-based care for assisted living and memory care residents. Through a strategic partnership with MedStar Health, Inspir Embassy Row provides residents with access to experienced geriatricians who have a deep understanding of senior care needs. MedStar Health is one of the most trusted healthcare systems in the region, known for its commitment to excellence in clinical care, research, and education. Residents will benefit from regular physician visits and coordinated medical oversight that integrates seamlessly with Inspir's comprehensive care model. The community's visiting physician, Dr. Guy Vin Chang, brings extensive experience in geriatric medicine and personalized care delivery, further enhancing the level of support available to residents. "Our interdisciplinary approach ensures that each resident receives care that's both comprehensive and personalized," said Jennifer Howell, Director of Integrated Care at Inspir Embassy Row. "With over 25 years of experience in senior care environments, I've seen firsthand how coordinated, team-based care leads to better outcomes. We understand that the senior living experience is not one-size-fits-all. That's why we've curated a network of clinical partners to ensure our residents have access to the specialized care and services they need, when they need it." The ICM, featuring 24/7 clinical staff coverage, real-time health monitoring, proactive wellness interventions, and specialized memory care protocols, represents a fundamental shift in how senior care is delivered. It ensures that each resident receives tailored support that evolves alongside their unique needs. Whether an individual is seeking to maintain their independence, requires memory care, or needs additional assistance with daily living, Inspir has the resources and expertise to deliver a comprehensive care experience. For more information about Inspir Embassy Row and its Integrated Care Model, or to schedule a tour, contact Laurie Thomas at [email protected] or call (202) 293-2100. About Inspir Inspir Modern Senior Living is a brand under Maplewood Senior Living focused on offering luxury senior living residences in major metropolitan or destination locations. The Inspir brand is the convergence of luxury accommodations, exceptional hospitality, cutting-edge technology, whole-person wellness and best-in-class care. Inspir's first community was built in Manhattan's Upper East Side and its second is under construction in Washington D.C.'s prestigious Embassy Row neighborhood. For more information, please visit www.inspirseniorliving.com or call (202) 293-2100. Media Contact Information: Warschawski Madeline Slezak (410) 367-2700 (484) 574-3528 [email protected] SOURCE Maplewood Senior Living As the March 19 record high of 74 (2012, set in the warmest March on record) falls victim to a downslope southerly wind, some may be thinking this warmth is going to have inevitable staying power. Not only is this not inevitable, it is actually entirely unlikely. Over the decades Ive been here, Ive tried to educate my followers about downslope winds, which include sometimes ferocious examples east of the Rockies. Such a wind is a warming and drying wind, in which air descending from a higher altitude heats by compression as it tumbles down into lower elevations. The ultimate known example of downslope warming occurred in Spearfish, S.D., east of the hills and mountains to the west. What folks in that region call the Chinook Wind took the Spearfish temperature, on Jan. 22, 1943, from -4 degrees to +45 degrees in 2 minutes! This was in the midst of an arctic air mass. The temp crawled up to 58 degrees a short time after and, as suddenly as it began, the Chinook dissipated and the Spearfish temperature fell back to -4 degrees by midday. The Chinooks can sometimes produce extensive damage, with downslope gusts tearing roofs off homes in eastern Colorado and Wyoming. Our downslope winds are far tamer. They can still dry the air in their descent, weakening showers as occurred last Saturday, when a line of showers and thunderstorms just to our west essentially fell apart in the downslope flow, as Id posted on X prior to their arrival Saturday. This downslope flow, back again on Wednesday, has already done Buffalo and vicinity a few good turns this month. We experienced two 75 degree days last Friday and Sunday (Sundays 75 came during a rain-free period just after noon, before the parade started), and will end up doing more of the same during Wednesday. However, the drying in this wind already dropped relative humidity to 25% to 30% by midmorning, and further drying has raised the wildfire danger across the region, especially with so much dry vegetative fuel around. There have been some cold days this month, but up to this point, the warmth has developed a strong dominance. The Buffalo monthly mean temperature, not yet counting Wednesday, is running +7.2 degrees above average, a large anomaly. As of this writing, we are on the warm side of a vigorous low pressure cyclone. The variety of weather surrounding such a deep low is evident in the current watches and warnings issued by the National Weather Service, with blizzard warnings covering a large swath of territory on the cold side of the storm from the upper peninsula of Michigan to the high plains of Kansas. There is also an unusually large area in brighter red, under red flag warnings for heightened probabilities of widespread wildfires posing a critical threat, along with high wind warnings for damaging gusts over much of the central plains and parts of the Midwest. There may also be a few tornadic supercells south of Chicagoland in the afternoon. Its safe to say, despite some disappointing changes in the offing, Western New York is getting off relatively easily. By Thursday morning, a strong cold front trailing from the low will be crossing our region, with limited moisture. Behind the front, readings will be falling through the 40s during the afternoon, an obvious far cry from Wednesdays 70s. The gusty post-frontal winds will add an extra chill to the air. By early evening, 30s will replace the 40s, and some light snow showers or mixed showers will replace the rain, for a few hours. Little or no accumulation is expected. On Friday, well start the morning in the mid-upper 20s. Plenty of sunshine will help with a chilly breeze and boost the afternoon high to the low 40s. After the midweek unseasonable warmth, that may sound harsh, but the average high at this time in March is only in the low 40s. Another cold front will cross the region Saturday morning, accompanied by scattered rain showers. An early high in the mid 40s will give way to falling temperatures behind the front. A few wet snow flakes may mix in during the colder afternoon, with no consequence to travel conditions. A chilly Sunday starts out in the 20s. The afternoon high will struggle to get out of the upper 30s, though a narrow ridge of high pressure will bring lots of sunshine and lighter winds, making Sunday the better of the two weekend days. Still another vigorous low system will send a period of wet snow and rain showers into the region late Sunday night into parts of Monday, along with gusty winds. The mixed showers will be occasional, but it will an unsettled, cold day when you factor in the wind, along with low-mid 40s. Not much improvement follows on a cold, breezy Tuesday, with fewer mixed showers and maybe just a couple of lingering mixed showers on a drier Wednesday. Both days bring nothing better than highs in the low 40s, with 30s on the hills. So, where are we headed in the extended range? As we reach late next week, the ensemble means (many multiple runs of models for a better sampling) are favoring an upper air pattern which has milder high pressure ridging over a portion of western North America, sending a chillier than average northwest flow around another stretched polar vortex to our north. The coloring in the depiction tells most of the story. This appears to be the 11th episode of a stretched polar vortex this cold weather season, which is statistically very unusual. In this case, were not looking at extreme or record cold, but this pattern favors below-average temperatures. The Climate Prediction Centers temperature probability outlook is in sync with this thinking. There are indications in all three ensemble means (American, European and Canadian) of relaxation in this pattern by next weekend, with a return to somewhat warmer-than-average temperatures. Always leave 'em on a high note, I say this time around. Take a road trip that's more than scenicit's cinematic. A statewide series of physical markers guide visitors to experience Utah. America's Film Set. SALT LAKE CITY, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Utah has been a destination for filmmaking for over 100 years, with its diverse landscapes playing a starring role in some of Hollywood's most iconic productions. Now, the Utah Film Trail created by the Utah Film Commission in partnership with the Utah Office of Tourism invites film enthusiasts to experience these iconic landscapes firsthand, with physical markers scattered throughout the state paying homage to the films or television shows produced at that real-world location. Utah Film Trail "Utah is known as America's Film Set for a reason," commented Virginia Pearce, Utah Film Commission Director. "Our iconic landscapes are famous for making movie magic. Now, the Utah Film Trail will take you off the beaten path to discover the settings of made-in-Utah films and television shows you've fallen in love with." The Utah Film Trail will bring visitors to the hideout of "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," onto the set of the infamous car scene in "Thelma & Louise," and back to the nostalgia of 1962 featured in "The Sandlot." A full list of markers on the Utah Film Trail can be found here . "Visitors have been drawn to Utah's image in film and television for over a century and the economic impact is significant. Film tourism has contributed $6 billion to the state's economy over the past decade," said Natalie Randall, managing director of the Utah Office of Tourism & Film. "The Utah Film Trail allows visitors to experience Utah through a different lens." Visual assets can be found here . Watch the trailer here . About the Utah Office of Tourism: The Utah Office of Tourism fulfills its mission to improve the quality of life for Utah residents through revenue and tax relief by attracting quality, well-prepared domestic and international visitation and motivating tourism spending within a sustainable tourism economy. Learn more at travel.utah.gov and visitutah.com . About the Utah Film Commission: The Utah Film Commission markets the entire state as a destination for film, television, and commercial production by promoting the use of professional local crew and talent, support services, Utah locations, and the Motion Picture Incentive Program. Learn more at film.utah.gov . SOURCE Utah Office of Tourism WASHINGTON, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Growth Energy, the nation's largest biofuel trade association, welcomed John Deere as its newest member. A global leader in the production of agricultural, construction, forestry, and turf equipment and solutions, John Deere has helped its customers produce food, fiber, fuel, and infrastructure worldwide for nearly 200 years. "John Deere is among the world's most recognizable brands, and we're thrilled to welcome them to our membership network," said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. "John Deere's decades of experience providing renewable fuel-compatible solutions to their customers demonstrates their commitment to a vibrant rural economy, and their membership at Growth Energy underscores the strong connection between biofuels and the farm economy. We look forward to leveraging their agricultural expertise as we work to champion policies that advance the biofuel industry and expand the bioeconomy." "Renewable fuels like corn ethanol deliver clear benefits by enhancing energy independence, reducing prices at the pump, and lowering emissions, all of which are made possible by our farmer customers," said Cory Reed, President of the Worldwide Agriculture & Turf Division for Production & Precision Agriculture at John Deere. "John Deere has long worked with farmers to advance and promote the use of crop-based renewable fuels, and we're proud to partner with Growth Energy to continue this critical work through policy advocacy, industry engagement, and public education." John Deere joins Growth Energy as a premium associate member, and will also have a non-voting seat on the association's board of directors. To learn more about Growth Energy's membership, click here. ABOUT GROWTH ENERGY Growth Energy is the leading voice of America's biofuel industry. Our members operate and support biomanufacturing facilities at the heart of America's bioeconomy, delivering a new generation of clean fuel options. For more information, visit us at GrowthEnergy.org, follow us on X (formerly Twitter) at @GrowthEnergy, or connect with us on Facebook. ABOUT JOHN DEERE It doesn't matter if you've never driven a tractor, mowed a lawn, or operated a dozer. With John Deere's role in helping produce food, fiber, fuel, and infrastructure, we work for every single person on the planet. It all started nearly 200 years ago with a steel plow. Today, John Deere drives innovation in agriculture, construction, forestry, turf, power systems, and more. For more information on Deere & Company, visit us at www.deere.com/en/news/. SOURCE John Deere Company ZURICH, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ArisGlobal, a leading life sciences technology company and creator of LifeSphere, today announced three new cutting-edge product offerings that will advance pharmacovigilance and regulatory operations. At Breakthrough 2025, its annual industry event, the company unveiled LifeSphere Unify, NavaX Insights, and Advanced Compliance Docs. LifeSphere Unify - R&D Compliance Platform ArisGlobal Logo (PRNewsfoto/ArisGlobal) The LifeSphere Unify Platform brings together data and processes across Safety, Medical Affairs, Regulatory, and Quality to enhance efficiency, ensure compliance, and drive innovation. Powered by NavaX, the Unify Platform allows users accelerated time-to-market for treatments, data-driven decision making, unmatched interoperability across domains, and seamless scalability and security. NavaX Insights ArisGlobal announced a powerful new LifeSphere NavaX capability designed to redefine how life sciences organizations extract real-time, actionable intelligence from complex and fragmented data. By leveraging Agentic AI, NavaX Insights autonomously sources, synthesizes, and contextualizes proprietary and public information to generate new knowledge. This advancement empowers organizations to: Anticipate emerging risks and regulatory challenges before they arise; Surface hidden patterns and relationships that traditional analytics would miss; Enable faster, smarter decision-making across pharmacovigilance and regulatory domains; and Move beyond traditional reporting to drive contextual intelligence. Advanced Compliance Docs Modernizing compliance with intelligent, cloud-based document management capabilities, Advanced Compliance Docs - powered by LifeSphere NavaX streamlines the creation, storage, and management of Pharmacovigilance System Master Files (PSMFs), Pharmacovigilance Agreements (PVAs), and aggregate reports such as PSURs, PBRERs, DSURs, PADERs, etc. Advanced Compliance Docs empowers organizations to: Automate document management, including ready-to-use, customizable templates with auto-populated safety, regulatory, and clinical data. Ensuring teams maintain regulatory compliance and inspection readiness while meeting evolving industry standards. Accelerating document retrieval by housing critical PV documents in a centralized, easy-to-access repository. Enabling seamless collaboration with secure, audit-ready workflows that accelerate approvals and reduce compliance risks. "We're thrilled to announce these new offerings as ArisGlobal continues to make investment in building the best applications leveraging the latest AI technology. The LifeSphere Unify Platform offers unmatched value in data sharing and interoperability, empowering organizations to seamlessly connect insights across the entire ecosystem. With NavaX Insights we're moving beyond automating processes for efficiency gains, enabling organizations with insights to make smarter, data-driven decisions faster than ever before. In a similar fashion, Advanced Compliance Docs is meeting the need for pharma re-evaluating their medical writing strategies to optimize costs and enhance efficiency," shared Ann-Marie Orange, CIO and Global Head of R&D at ArisGlobal. ArisGlobal continues to lead the industry in responsible AI adoption, reinforcing its commitment to innovation with integrity. The company recently signed the EU AI Pact, aligning with global best practices for ethical AI use in life sciences. Breakthrough 2025, held in Zurich, Switzerland, brings together top executives, industry leaders, and experts to explore the theme of "AI in Action", showcasing real-world applications of artificial intelligence in life sciences. For more information, visit https://www.arisglobal.com/breakthrough or follow ArisGlobal on LinkedIn. About ArisGlobal ArisGlobal, an innovative life sciences technology company and creator of LifeSphere, is transforming the way today's most successful life sciences companies develop breakthroughs and bring new products to market. Headquartered in the United States, ArisGlobal has regional offices in Europe, India, Japan, and China. For more updates, follow ArisGlobal on LinkedIn or visit arisglobal.com. SOURCE ArisGlobal Partners McKenna, Russo, Livingston, Burkett, and Burgy Lead with Trust, Talent, Proven Collaboration, and Over 80 Years of Combined Experience ANNAPOLIS, Md., March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- McKenna Russo is proud to announce the opening of its new law firm, bringing legal services to individuals, families, and businesses in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and nearby communities. With unwavering commitment to client success, the firm provides results-driven counsel and tailored solutions that meet each client's unique needs. McKenna Russo Attorneys at Law Founded by attorneys Maria Worthington McKenna, Michael Russo, Jr., Nicole Livingston, Brian Burkett, and Kelly Burgy, the firm brings together over 80 years of combined experience. McKenna Russo is dedicated to minimizing disruptions and delivering clients' peace of mind to confidently move forward. By simplifying complex legal matters, McKenna Russo provides clear, effective guidance tailored to each client's situation. Whether resolving disputes, safeguarding legacies, or protecting business interests, the firm ensures that clients receive personalized attention, informed counsel, and results-driven strategies. "At McKenna Russo, we're taking a bright and modern approach to operating our practice and counseling and delivering the best results for our clients" said Founding Partner Brian Burkett. "We are dedicated to advocating and upholding the goals of our clients who are preparing for their future, building their businesses, and navigating life's circumstances." "My goal is to help families and individuals plan for the future with confidence and peace of mind" said Founding Partner Nicole Livingston. "Estate planning is more than just drafting documentsit is about ensuring that your legacy, values, and wishes are preserved for the next generation. At McKenna Russo, we are committed to guiding our clients through every step of the estate planning process, empowering them to make informed decisions that will protect their loved ones for years to come." McKenna Russo prioritizes clarity, strategic problem-solving, and a steadfast commitment to client success. The firm is designed to be a steady hand in times of uncertainty, offering clients clear communication, personalized attention, and legal strategies that prioritize efficiency without sacrificing quality. "Legal challenges are often among the most critical and complex moments in a client's life," says Michael Russo, Jr., Founding Partner. "Our approach is straightforwardwe listen, we strategize, and we take action. Every case is unique, and we work closely with our clients to develop solutions that fit their specific goals." McKenna Russo provides legal services in estate planning, estate and trust administration, business law, real estate law, and litigation. Clients benefit from the firm's extensive experience, ensuring that their interests are protected through negotiation, mediation, planning, or litigation. "Our firm is built on a culture of collaboration, integrity, and client-focused service" said Kelly Burgy, Founding partner. "We've brought together a team that not only excels in their practice areas but also shares a commitment to providing thoughtful, tailored solutions for our clients." "Our clients don't just need an attorneythey need an advocate who genuinely cares about their concerns," said Maria Worthington McKenna, Founding Partner. "We focus on cutting through complexity, providing direct, practical advice, and delivering results that make a difference in their lives." For more information visit McKennaRussoLaw.com. About McKenna, Russo, Livingston, Burkett, Burgy McKenna, Russo, Livingston, Burkett and Burgy is a law firm providing strategic legal solutions in estate planning, estate and trust administration, business law, real estate, property disputes and litigation. With over 80 years of combined experience, our team brings deep legal knowledge and a steadfast commitment to achieving results that align with each client's unique goals. Based in Annapolis, Maryland, we serve individuals, families, and businesses throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. By simplifying complex legal matters with clear communication, personalized attention, and efficient strategies, we help clients navigate legal challenges with confidence through litigation, mediation, planning, and negotiation. SOURCE Mckenna Russo SAN JOSE, Calif., March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- MSI, a global leader in AI computing, high-performance server solutions, and intelligent automation, will showcase its latest AI-powered Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) and next-generation AI server platforms at NVIDIA GTC 2025, held from March 1821 at booth 909. By integrating NVIDIA MGX architecture and NVIDIA Jetson platforms, MSI is driving the future of smart factories, enterprise AI computing, and data-intensive applications. MSI: A Leading Force in AI Computing and Automation MSI Showcases Cutting-Edge AI Servers and Autonomous Mobile Robots at NVIDIA GTC 2025 With the rapid adoption of AI across industries, MSI has positioned itself as a pioneer in AI-driven infrastructure, delivering scalable, high-performance solutions for both enterprise AI servers and intelligent robotics. Through deep integration with NVIDIA MGX, NVIDIA Jetson, and NVIDIA Omniverse, MSI provides the essential hardware and software to power next-generation AI applications, enhance automation, and optimize industrial efficiency. MSI's comprehensive AI portfolio spans data centers, smart logistics, and industrial automation, reflecting its commitment to advancing AI innovation across multiple domains. Unleashing AI Computing Power: MSI's Next-Gen AI Server Platforms MSI's latest AI server lineup, powered by NVIDIA Accelerated Computing, is designed to support large-scale AI training, deep learning workloads, and enterprise HPC applications. Key platforms include: CG480-S5063 (4U AI Server): Designed for large language models (LLMs), deep learning, and complex data analytics, featuring dual Intel Xeon 6 processors, eight FHFL dual-width GPU slots with support for 600W. Xeon 6 processors, eight FHFL dual-width GPU slots with support for 600W. CG290-S3063 (2U AI Server): Built for scalable AI inferencing and training, featuring single-socket Intel Xeon 6 processor, four FHFL dual-width GPU slots, and PCIe 5.0 expansion for flexible configurations. These scalable, modular AI servers provide exceptional performance, efficiency, and adaptability, enabling enterprises to accelerate AI adoption while minimizing complexity and operational costs. "AI adoption is no longer optional for enterprisesit's essential," said Danny Hsu, General Manager of Enterprise Platform Solutions at MSI. "By integrating NVIDIA MGX, our AI servers deliver unmatched flexibility and computing power to support the most demanding AI workloads." Revolutionizing Smart Automation: MSI's AI-Powered AMRs Beyond AI servers, MSI is also leading the charge in industrial automation with its AI-powered AMRs, designed to enhance warehouse logistics, manufacturing efficiency, and supply chain optimization. Key innovations include: AI Navigation & Perception LiDAR-based real-time 3D mapping and dynamic obstacle avoidance. AI-Powered Motion Planning Deep learning algorithms optimize route efficiency and workflow execution. Fleet Coordination & Energy Optimization Intelligent multi-robot coordination and AI-driven battery management enhance scalability and sustainability. MSI's AMRs leverage NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano system-on-modules, NVIDIA Isaac Platform, and NVIDIA Omniverse, enabling real-time inference, fleet optimization, and digital twin simulations for seamless deployment in industrial environments. MSI's latest AMR solutions include the AMR-AI-Cobot Pro, an advanced robotic arm integrated with AI vision for precision assembly and material handling, and the AMR-AI-Lift Robot, designed for intelligent lifting, sorting, and automated warehouse management, enhancing operational efficiency across multiple industries. "The future of industrial automation lies in AI-powered robotics," said Albert UY, Assistant Vice President of MSI Customized Product Division. "Our AMRs, powered by NVIDIA's cutting-edge AI platforms, redefine efficiency, flexibility, and scalability in smart manufacturing and logistics." MSI AIoT: https://www.msi.com/to/aiot MSI AIoT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MSIAIoT MSI AIoT LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/msi-aiot MSI Global YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MSI Subscribe to MSI RSS Feeds via https://www.msi.com/rss for real-time news and more product info. About MSI AIoT MSI integrated server in conformity to the cloud idea, satisfy the needs of customers in industrial computers, introduced robots for AI living and realized automotive electronics with human technology to provide the optimum solution of AIoT. It is also a leading brand in AI, business, and IoT market. For more product information, please go to https://www.msi.com/to/aiot All rights of the technical, pictures, text and other content published in this press release are reserved. Contents are subject to changes without prior notice. SOURCE MSI Roma Patel Group to Open Four Naf Naf Locations, Starting with Greater Columbus Area This Summer CHICAGO, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill, a fast-casual restaurant brand known for its fresh, flavorful, and authentic Middle Eastern cuisine, is excited to announce a new franchise development agreement with Roma Patel, a prominent multi-unit franchise operator led by Roma and Suresh Patel. Roma and Suresh, who currently own and operate 20 Tropical Smoothie Cafe locations and other businesses across Ohio, Illinois and Texas, have signed a deal to open four Naf Naf locations in the greater Columbus area. Naf Naf Grill Coming soon to Columbus The first Naf Naf restaurant is slated to open this summer in Franklin County, with additional locations planned in the coming months. This partnership marks a significant step in Naf Naf's ambitious growth strategy as it continues to expand its presence in new markets, following the recent openings in North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee. "I chose to go into business with Naf Naf because I saw a brand with incredible growth potential, a unique and high-quality product, and a strong support system," said Roma. "Their commitment to authenticity and flavor, combined with a proven business model, made it an easy decision. I wanted to be part of something specialbringing bold, fresh Middle Eastern flavors to the community while building a successful business." Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill has experienced tremendous success in recent years, fueled by a growing demand for high-quality, fast-casual dining options. The brand is renowned for its menu featuring their award-winning shawarma, hand-shaped falafel, and in-store baked pita breadall made with premium ingredients and crafted using traditional recipes from the Middle East. "We are thrilled to partner with Roma and her team as they embark on this exciting journey with Naf Naf. Roma's track record of success in the franchise industry and her passion for bringing great food and hospitality to the community aligns perfectly with our vision for growth. Together, we are excited to bring the bold and delicious flavors of the Middle East to the greater Columbus area and beyond." said Greg Willman, Chairman and CEO of Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill. This new franchise development agreement highlights Naf Naf's continued momentum and dedication to creating authentic dining experiences in markets across the U.S. For more information about Naf Naf Franchising visit: www.nafnafgrill.com/franchising/ About Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill Naf is making fresh Middle Eastern cuisine a mainstream favorite across the United States. Inspired by tradition, Naf's genuine hospitality paired with handmade dishes derived from Old World recipes create a welcoming atmosphere where guests are invited to fan the flame of culinary exploration. Every order is customized to the guest's liking with choices of top-quality meats, like its award-winning Chicken Shawarma roasted on a vertical spit, to hand made falafel and pillowy pita baked in-restaurant throughout the day. Naf is headquartered in Chicago with 41 locations nationwide. For more information, visit nafnafgrill.com . SOURCE Naf Naf Grill SACRAMENTO, Calif., March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Acclaimed journalist and policy analyst Steven Greenhut this week released his latest book, The War on Suburbia, a compelling examination of how urban planning, government policies, and ideological battles threaten the future of suburban living. Published by the Pacific Research Institute, this book offers a critical look at how policymakers, environmentalists, and urban planners are reshaping the housing landscapeoften at the expense of those who choose suburban lifestyles. "America's housing policies should be about expanding choices, not limiting them," says Greenhut, who is director of PRI's Free Cities Center. "The push against suburbia isn't just about land useit's about control, and the people being squeezed the most are working families, young professionals, and retirees looking for affordability and quality of life." Greenhut dissects the rhetoric surrounding suburban development and transportation, challenging the assumption that sprawl is inherently bad while questioning whether government-imposed urbanist policies truly serve the public's best interests. He presents a balanced argument for a market-driven approach that empowers individuals to decide where and how they want to live. "The debate should not be about forcing people into cities or suburbs," Greenhut argues. "Instead of mandates and restrictions, we should be focused on removing barriers to housing and letting communities evolve based on real demand, not top-down planning." Through detailed analysis, policy critiques, and real-world examples, The War on Suburbia is a must-read for policymakers, urban planners, and anyone interested in the future of American housing. It is the seventh booklet in the Free Cities Center's series on urban policy. The Free Cities Center cultivates innovative ideas to improve urban life based around freedom and property rightsnot government. For review copies, interviews, or more information, please contact Matt Fleming at [email protected]. Download a copy of the new book here. Media Contact Emeline Bogle [email protected] (202) 970-9742 SOURCE Pacific Research Institute HOUSTON, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A new poll jointly released by Bayou City Hemp Company, Hemp Beverage Alliance and the U.S. Hemp Roundtable reveals that an overwhelming 68% of Texas voters want consumable THC to remain legal but strictly regulated, with measures such as age restrictions and warning labels. Only 20% prefer an outright ban. The survey results, conducted by Baselice & Associates, found strong bipartisan support for keeping THC legal and regulated: 57% of Republican voters support allowing THC to remain legalalmost double the number (29%) who favor banning it. support allowing THC to remain legalalmost (29%) who favor banning it. 72% of Independents favor keeping THC legal, with only 17% wanting a ban. favor keeping THC legal, with only wanting a ban. 80% of Democrats support legal but regulated THC, compared to just 10% for a ban These results sharply contrast with a January poll by the Hobby School of Public Affairs, which suggested 61% of Republicans wanted to ban consumable THCdespite 53% supporting the legalization of recreational marijuana, which itself contains consumable THC. The conflicting results indicated widespread misunderstanding about THC. Unlike previous surveys, this poll clearly defined the issue and presented voters with both sides of the argument: For a ban Citing concerns about psychoactive effects and the risks to children. For legal but regulated THC Emphasizing alternative benefits to alcohol, medicinal use, and responsible regulation. With this clearer framing, Texans overwhelmingly rejected a ban by a nearly 2.5 to 1 margin. Only 12% of voters remained undecided after hearing both arguments. "The people of Texas have spoken," said Ben Meggs, co-founder and CEO of Bayou City Hemp Company. "Votersincluding a majority of Republicanssupport keeping THC legal but well-regulated. The hemp industry has already proposed responsible regulations including lab testing, certification, warning labels, and strict age restrictions. Banning it outright goes against the will of Texans and destroys thousands of jobs created over the last six years." This week, the Texas Senate is set to vote on SB 3, a bill that would effectively prohibit consumable THC. The Hemp business community urges legislators to respect the will of Texas voters and instead enact commonsense regulations. "As the legislature considers Senate Bill 3, the Baselice & Associates poll confirms that voters across party lines support a well-regulated hemp marketnot prohibition," said Jonathan Miller, U.S. Hemp Roundtable General Counsel. "The responsible path forward isn't an outright ban, which would drive products underground and create unnecessary risks to public health. Instead, the legislature should enact thoughtful regulations that prioritize consumer safety, ensure product transparency, and maintain Texas' leadership in the fast-growing hemp industry." About the poll: Survey conducted by Baselice & Associates from March 10-12, 2025, among 600 likely Texas voters via live call and text-to-cell invites. Margin of error: 4%. Survey memo attached. SOURCE BAYOU CITY HEMP CO. NYC facial plastic surgeon Dr. Maurice Khosh has been named a 2025 Castle Connolly Top Doctor, a prestigious honor placing him among the top 7% of physicians nationwide. Recognized for his expertise in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, Dr. Khosh continues to deliver exceptional, patient-centered care in both surgical and non-invasive cosmetic treatments. NEW YORK, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Maurice Khosh, a highly respected cosmetic and facial plastic surgeon in New York City, has once again been named a Castle Connolly Top Doctor for 2025. This prestigious honor places him among the top 7% of physicians nationwide, recognizing his exceptional expertise, dedication to patient care, and contributions to the field of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. Dr. Maurice Khosh Castle Connolly has been identifying and honoring outstanding physicians for over 30 years, using a rigorous selection process that relies on peer nominations and a thorough vetting process. Dr. Khosh's inclusion on this exclusive list reflects the respect and admiration he has earned from his colleagues and reaffirms his reputation as a leader in facial plastic surgery. Patients seeking the highest quality medical care can explore the full list of 2025 Castle Connolly Top Doctors at www.castleconnolly.com and through its affiliated publications. Expert in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery As a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Khosh is known for his precision, artistry, and ability to achieve natural-looking results. He specializes in advanced rhinoplasty techniques, including procedures that enhance both aesthetics and functionality, particularly for patients with breathing difficulties. Additionally, he offers a comprehensive range of reconstructive procedures to address facial trauma, cancer-related defects, and other complex conditions affecting the nose, face, and scalp. Beyond surgery, Dr. Khosh provides a full suite of non-invasive cosmetic treatments, including facial rejuvenation procedures for the eyes, cheeks, lips, and neck. His approach prioritizes personalized care, ensuring that every patient receives the most effective treatment tailored to their unique needs. "Being recognized by my peers is always an honor, and I remain committed to delivering the highest level of care to my patients," says Dr. Maurice Khosh. About Dr. Maurice M. Khosh Dr. Khosh is widely recognized as one of the leading experts in his field. He completed his medical training at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, followed by a residency at Columbia University. He then pursued a prestigious facial plastic surgery fellowship at the University of Washington in Seattle before returning to New York, where he served as Director of Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center. As a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and an esteemed member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Dr. Khosh continues to set the standard for excellence in facial plastic surgery. He has been a consistent recipient of the Castle Connolly Top Doctor and Best Doctors in America awards, a testament to his surgical skill and dedication to patient satisfaction. For more information on Dr. Maurice Khosh's services, visit www.facedoctornyc.com or contact his office at 580 Park Avenue in Manhattan at (212) 339-9988. Media Contact Dr. Maurice Khosh Maurice Khosh, MD, FACS (212) 339-9988 [email protected] www.facedoctornyc.com SOURCE Maurice M. Khosh, MD, FACS. BEVERLY, Mass., March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- 19th March, Velico is pleased to announce that Our Blood Institute (OBI), the nation's sixth-largest independent blood center, will participate in Velico's Blood Center Education Program (BCEP). BCEP is a collaborative program which provides strategic blood system partners the opportunity to get hands on experience with the FrontlineODP (On Demand Plasma) system for spray drying plasma. OBI will evaluate the potential integration of the system into blood component production operations and provide critical feedback on the commissioning and operational aspects of the system. Velico's point of injury, Frontline ODP is expected to be a life-saving addition to the emergency medical services. Post this Our Blood Institute Joins Velicos Blood Center Education Program "This partnership underscores a shared commitment to innovation, education, and improved emergency preparedness in the critical field of prehospital blood transfusion. Velico's point of injury, Frontline ODP is expected to add resiliency to the US blood supply and be a life-saving addition to the emergency medical services patient toolkit." Richard Meehan, President, and CEO, Velico. Dr. John Armitage, president and CEO of Our Blood Institute, added, "Saving lives is the core of our mission at OBI. We understand that 'every second counts' when treating heavily bleeding patients. We are honored to help advance this groundbreaking technology, which has the potential to transform emergency medical response for EMS agencies, the military and others who save lives in the field before hospital care is accessible." About FrontlineODP Preventable death from hemorrhage following trauma is a global concern which has been targeted by trauma surgeons, emergency medical providers, mass casualty planners, the military and national governments as a top priority. Velico is laser focused on developing the Frontline ODP technology in support of this call to action. FrontlineODP is stored in a flexible plastic bag, it can be rehydrated with 200 ml of sterile water for injection (SWFI), becoming ready for transfusion in approximately 2 minutes. Unlike conventional plasma products that require refrigeration, FrontlineODP can be stored at room temperature, extending its availability in challenging environments including hospital emergency rooms, rural medical care facilities, prehospital transfusion by emergency medical first responders and the military. FrontlineODP is intended for use in the management of medical and traumatic hemorrhage where conventional plasma is unavailable or impractical for use. Investigational device. Limited by Federal (or US) law to investigational use. The FrontlineODP System is currently under investigation and has not received FDA approval for any indication. Velico's development program has been funded in whole or in part with federal funds from the Department of Health and Human Services; Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response; Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, under contract number 75A50121C00059. About Velico: Velico is a private US medical technology company, committed to the mission of eliminating preventable death from bleeding. Headquartered in Beverly, Massachusetts, USA. Velico personnel have substantial expertise and experience in transfusion medicine and medical device development. In support of its mission, Velico is developing partnerships with civilian, government and military blood center leadership, trauma surgeons, emergency medical physicians, military medics and first responders worldwide. For more information visit www.veli.co About Our Blood Institute Our Blood Institute is the sixth-largest independent blood center in the nation, with 17 donor centers in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas. OBI is the nonprofit provider for patients at more than 240 hospitals, medical facilities and air ambulances across all three states. OBI has 10 donor centers in Oklahoma and provides more than 95 percent of the state's blood supply to more than 160 hospitals, medical facilities and air ambulances. For more information visit ourbloodinstitute.org SOURCE Velico Medical, Inc ALBANY The president of the Seneca Nation of Indians said Tuesday that Gov. Kathy Hochul has promised to apologize on behalf of the state for horrors that took place at a former boarding school in Irving where Indigenous children were stripped from their families to be assimilated into U.S. culture. J.C. Seneca, who was elected president of the Seneca Nation in November, said the governor agreed to travel to Seneca territory and apologize for the states role in the former Thomas Indian School, located on the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation. He revealed the governors pledge during a Seneca Impact Day in Albany that drew dozens of visitors from the Seneca Nation community, as well as state lawmakers who represent Western New York. The Seneca Nation has, since 2002, had an agreement with the state to exclusively operate casinos in Buffalo, Niagara Falls and Salamanca. Seneca divulged that since his election, he has not engaged in discussions with the state about a new gaming compact and that it was not on his agenda when he met with Hochul for an hour last week. Seneca, joined by at least eight members of the Seneca Nations Council, mentioned an unpleasant history between the state and his community on issues involving the environment, Thruway and education funding. One of the things that was really important was to go back in history, because if we dont deal with our past we really cant deal with the future, Seneca said. We have to have a better foundation to build on. And thats what my initiative is to create a better foundation between the state of New York and the Seneca Nation and I believe were off to a good start. I think the governor is engaged. The governor agreed to issue the apology, though no formal date was scheduled, according to a person familiar with the situation. Seneca healing circle to focus on generations of boarding school trauma J.C. Seneca, owner of Native Pride Travel Plaza in Irving, will host a health and healing expo Saturday, which starts with a talking/healing circle to explore healthy ways to address addiction, mental illness and race-based intergenerational trauma. Governor Hochul is committed to strengthening the government-to-government relationship between the Seneca Nation and the State of New York, said Matthew Janiszewski, a spokesperson for Hochul. Last week, the governor met with President J.C. Seneca and other leaders of the Seneca Nation for a productive and meaningful conversation. We are committed to a continued dialogue around the unique challenges facing the Seneca Nation and further respectful collaboration in the years to come. The boarding school, initially known as the Thomas Asylum for Orphan and Destitute Indian Children, opened in 1855 on the Seneca Cattaraugus Territory. The state took it over in 1875, eventually changing its name to the Thomas Indian School. The school, which closed in 1957, was one of many boarding schools across the country where American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian children were forcibly removed from their families and communities and forced to endure physical and emotional abuse and in some cases death while being culturally assimilated, according to the U.S. Department of the Interior. The agency, starting in June 2021, launched an initiative to investigate the history of the schools, which existed from 1819 and the 1970s, as well as The Road to Healing, a 12-stop tour that allowed Indigenous survivors to share their stories with the federal government. Abuse at the Thomas lndian School, which included physical and sexual abuse and forced labor, manifested itself in drug addiction, depression, chronic illness, violence, self-hatred and survivors guilt, the Seneca Nation said. Wendy Oldshield, a Seneca member from Salamanca who visited Albany, said the school impacted the children of the students who experienced it. Parents would not teach their children the Seneca language out of fear that the children would be punished or beaten up, she said. I feel bad because I was not able to teach my kids the Seneca language or any of it, she said, her voice shaking. This just makes me very emotional because this is my people and I fight for my people and their language and to learn what we are all about. This is how the Thomas Indian School and other schools have affected us. In October, President Joe Biden apologized for the schools on behalf of the country. I believe the same thing should occur within the state of New York because of New York States role in regard to what happened at the Thomas Indian School, Seneca said. As a child, he walked the grounds of the campus with his father, former Seneca Nation President William Seneca, who had attended the school. Its chilling. Even as a kid and really not knowing totally what went on there, just the feeling that I was getting of that was a very emotional thing, he said. The mistreatment by the state of New York to our people is historic. The United States, the history with that as well. Asked about the status of the gaming compact, Seneca noted that he initially met with Seneca Nation community members to gauge what was important to them about the compact. He said his staff for the Senecas and state were looking to begin negotiations. The state has received a 25% share of the gaming profits in exchange for the nations exclusivity agreement. Seneca said he believes there should be a 0% revenue share with the state. New Yorks had a great deal for many years. Its time for us to have a great deal, Seneca said. And were going to do everything in our power to make sure that our people have the best compact that addresses Seneca people and Seneca needs. Sen. George Borrello, R-Silver Creek, a close ally of the Seneca Nation, urged the state to reach a deal with the Senecas. We need a fair compact that accurately reflects the current situation, Borrello said, and that situation is the State of New York has saturated the gaming market. They have taken away revenue and they expect that the same funds will be distributed in the same way. Thats not fair to anyone, especially not the Seneca Nation. NORWOOD, Mass., March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Patricia Industries' subsidiary Advanced Instruments, a manufacturer of analytical instruments for the biopharmaceutical and clinical markets, today announced the execution of a definitive agreement to acquire Nova Biomedical, a manufacturer of innovative analytical instruments and consumables that are vital in guiding the treatment of patients and the development of biotechnology therapeutics. Following the closing of the transaction, Advanced Instruments and Nova Biomedical will merge, creating a global life science tools platform that will operate under the Nova Biomedical name, with a diversified portfolio of analytical instruments, reagents and services. Byron Selman, President & CEO of Advanced Instruments, will lead the combined business, while Nova Biomedical founding shareholders Frank Manganaro, CEO and Dr. Chung-Chang Young, EVP of R&D, will stay with the company in a consulting capacity. For the full year 2024, the combined business generated sales of $621M. Over the past 10 years, pro forma organic sales growth has averaged approximately 8 percent. "Combining these two great companies aligns with our core strategy to develop and commercialize best-in-class technologies that deliver significant customer value across the biopharma and clinical markets," commented Mr. Selman. "The combination of our technologies, R&D strength, global sales network, dedicated teams and commitment to innovation will advance our collective ability to support customer workflows within various stages of drug development and bioprocessing and expand our footprint within the hospital and other healthcare settings, guiding patient care with our diversified product portfolio and supporting our growing customer base." "We are excited to unite with the Advanced Instruments team," said Mr. Manganaro. "Our companies share similar values and objectives including a vision for sustained innovation, a strong commitment to the end markets we respectively serve and above all a strong connection to improving patient care globally. Bringing together our strong teams, focus on innovation and dedication to the customer will strengthen our combined companies and support a bright future for Nova Biomedical." "Growing our platform companies within Patricia Industries is a key priority for us, and we are excited to accelerate Advanced Instruments' growth journey with the acquisition of Nova Biomedical, whose talented team we welcome to the Patricia Industries family," said Yuriy Prilutskiy, Co-Head of Patricia Industries, a part of Investor AB and owner of Advanced Instruments. "The combined business will be well-positioned to bring innovative technologies to customers across the clinical and bioprocessing markets, enable patients globally to receive better healthcare, and deliver long-term profitable growth all of which align with our purpose of creating value for people and society by building strong and sustainable businesses." Closing is subject to regulatory approval and is expected during the third quarter of 2025. Advanced Instruments was represented by UBS Investment Bank (financial advisor), Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP (legal advisor) and Cooley LLP (legal advisor). Nova Biomedical was represented by Jefferies (financial advisor) and David Polk & Wardwell LLP (legal advisor). For Further Information: Advanced Instruments Contact: Lisa Fahey 603-438-9080 About Advanced Instruments Advanced Instruments is a global provider of scientific and analytical instruments for the biotechnology, clinical, and food and beverage industries. For more than 70 years, the company's innovations have helped organizations improve quality of results, achieve reliable outcomes, and increase workplace productivity. Advanced Instruments has a diverse portfolio of products, including freezing point osmometers, technologies for cell line development, liquid handling verification instrumentation, cerebrospinal fluid cell counters, anaerobic jar systems, and testing standards and controls. Advanced Instruments is based in Norwood, Massachusetts and is majority owned by Patricia Industries. For more information, visit www.aicompanies.com. About Nova Biomedical Nova Biomedical is a global provider of analytical instruments and consumables for the biopharmaceutical and clinical markets. The company's innovative products are used in over 100 countries by leading biopharmaceutical companies and hospitals. Nova's clinical products provide point-of-care analysis and monitoring of critical analytes including blood gases and glucose used to diagnose and monitor patients in hospital settings. Nova's biopharmaceutical products provide mission-critical analytics for research laboratories and drug manufacturing facilities, accelerating and improving the drug development process and product quality. Nova is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts and has approximately 1,600 employees. www.novabiomedical.com About Patricia Industries Patricia Industries, a part of Investor AB, makes control investments in best-in-class companies with strong market positions, brands and corporate cultures within industries positioned for secular growth. Our ambition is to be the sole owner of our companies, together with strong management teams and boards. We invest with an indefinite holding period and focus on building durable value and capturing organic and non-organic growth opportunities. For more information, visit www.patriciaindustries.com. About Investor AB Investor, founded by the Wallenberg family in 1916, is an engaged owner of high-quality, global companies. We have a long-term investment perspective. Through board participation, as well as industrial experience, our network and financial strength, we work continuously to support our companies to remain or become best-in-class. For more information, visit www.investorab.com. SOURCE Advanced Instruments, LLC MILWAUKEE, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Regal Rexnord Corporation (NYSE: RRX), in conjunction with its participation at the Bank of America Global Industrials Conference 2025 in London, is providing the investment community with additional clarity related to estimated impacts from current and potential U.S. tariffs on imports from Canada, China, and Mexico, as well as on steel and aluminum. Based on information currently available, and excluding the potential impacts from any retaliatory tariffs, the Company estimates a gross, unmitigated annualized cost impact from tariffs that are currently in place at approximately $60 million. This estimate reflects that the vast majority of goods the Company imports from Canada and Mexico are compliant with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and so are currently exempt from tariffs. The Company has well-developed plans in place intended to fully mitigate the impacts of tariffs in the year at current levels and under a scenario where there is no USMCA exclusion. These mitigation plans may include supply chain realignments, production relocations, and productivity and pricing actions, and should enable the Company to be at least price/cost neutral on a dollar basis. The Company expects to be neutral on a margin basis by the end of 2025 under the tariff regime currently in effect, or by the first half of 2026 under a scenario where there are no USMCA exclusions. The Company is further clarifying that tariffs currently in place are expected to have a negligible impact on the Company's first quarter 2025 results. The Company undertakes no obligation to update the information in this press release related to the impacts of tariffs on future quarters, although it may do so from time to time as it believes is appropriate and as clarity around the tariff terms and duration, as well as progress on its mitigation efforts, becomes available. About Regal Rexnord Regal Rexnord's 30,000 associates around the world help create a better tomorrow by providing sustainable solutions that power, transmit and control motion. The Company's electric motors and air moving subsystems provide the power to create motion. A portfolio of highly engineered power transmission components and subsystems efficiently transmits motion to power industrial applications. The Company's automation offering, comprised of controllers, drives, precision motors, and actuators, controls motion in applications ranging from factory automation to precision tools used in surgical applications. The Company's end markets benefit from meaningful secular demand tailwinds, and include factory automation, food & beverage, aerospace, medical, data center, warehouse, alternative energy, residential and commercial buildings, general industrial, construction, metals and mining, and agriculture. Regal Rexnord is comprised of three operating segments: Industrial Powertrain Solutions, Power Efficiency Solutions, and Automation & Motion Control. Regal Rexnord is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and has manufacturing, sales and service facilities worldwide. For more information, including a copy of our Sustainability Report, visit RegalRexnord.com. Forward Looking Statements All statements in this communication, other than those relating to historical facts, are "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by their use of terms such as "anticipate," "believe," "confident," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "intended," "plan," "may," "will," "project," "forecast," "would," "could," "should," and similar expressions, including references to assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about expected market or macroeconomic trends, future strategic plans and future financial and operating results. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those presented or implied in the forward-looking statements in this communication include, without limitation: changes to and uncertainty in trade policy, including the terms, scope and duration of any tariffs on imports into the U.S. from Canada, Mexico and China, or tariff and import/export regulations or other trade restrictions imposed by the U.S. or other governments, including any retaliatory tariffs; the potential impact of tariffs on the Company's results; the Company's ability to successfully implement any tariff mitigation efforts, and the possible effect of mitigation efforts by the Company; the Company's substantial indebtedness as a result of the acquisition of Altra Industrial Motion Corp. and the effects of such indebtedness on the Company's financial flexibility; the Company's ability to achieve its objectives on reducing its indebtedness on the desired timeline; dependence on key suppliers and the potential effects of supply disruptions; fluctuations in commodity prices and raw material costs; any unforeseen changes to or the effects on liabilities, future capital expenditures, revenue, expenses, synergies, indebtedness, financial condition, losses and future prospects; unanticipated operating costs, customer loss and business disruption or the Company's inability to forecast customer needs; uncertainties regarding our ability to execute restructuring plans within expected costs and timing; actions taken by competitors and their ability to effectively compete in the increasingly competitive global industries and markets; dependence on significant customers and distributors; risks associated with global manufacturing, including risks associated with public health crises and political, societal or economic instability, including instability caused by ongoing geopolitical conflicts; risks associated with excess or obsolete inventory charges including related write-offs or write-downs; economic changes in global markets, such as reduced demand for products, currency exchange rates, inflation rates, interest rates, recession, government policies, including policy changes affecting taxation, trade, tariffs, import/export regulations, immigration, customs, border actions and the like, and other external factors that the Company cannot control; unanticipated costs or expenses that may be incurred related to product warranty issues; risks related to foreign currency fluctuations or changes in global commodity prices or interest rates; losses from failures, breaches, attacks or disclosures involving information technology infrastructure and data; costs and unanticipated liabilities arising from rapidly evolving laws and regulations, including data privacy laws, labor and employment laws, environmental laws and regulations, and tax laws and regulation; and other factors that can be found in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent periodic reports filed on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, which are available on our Investor Relations website. Forward-looking statements are given only as of the date of this communication and we disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. SOURCE Regal Rexnord Corporation JOHANNESBURG, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sasol will host a Capital Markets Day (CMD) on Tuesday, 20 May 2025 at Sasol Place, Sandton. A live webcast will be available, with registration details and dial-in information to be published on Sasol's website in due course: https://www.sasol.com/. The presentation will be made available on the website on the morning of the event. For further information, please contact: Sasol Investor Relations, Tiffany Sydow, VP Investor Relations Telephone: +27 (0) 71 673 1929 [email protected] SOURCE Sasol Limited NEW YORK, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study explains how a parakeet's brain helps it to mimic human words. By recording for the first time the brain activity of parakeets as they made sounds, a research team at NYU Grossman School of Medicine found that their brains generate patterns seen before only in humans as they speak. Published online March 19 in the journal Nature, the study mapped the activity of a group of nerve cells in the bird's brain called the central nucleus of the anterior arcopallium (AAC), which is known to strongly influence the muscles in its vocal organ. Different groups of AAC cells were found to produce sounds akin to consonants and vowels. When parakeets sing, certain cells become active at specific pitches, like pressing the keys on a piano, with the newfound pattern resembling the organization behind human speech. Based on their findings, the researchers suggest that humans and parakeets unlike any other animal studied so far share a similar connection between higher brain activity and sound production. "An important way to develop new treatments for speech disorders is to find animal models that can offer new insights into speech-related brain processes," said senior study author Michael Long, PhD, the Thomas and Suzanne Murphy Professor in the Department of Neuroscience, and faculty in the Institute for Translational Neuroscience, at NYU Langone Health. "The brain processes uncovered in parakeets may help to explain the mechanisms behind communication disorders affecting millions of Americans." These include apraxia (trouble planning speech movements) and aphasia (difficulty producing language), which can result from trauma caused by a stroke. Mystery of Humans and Parakeets "Incredibly flexible" spoken language is produced through delicate patterns in the human brain, the researchers say. To determine whether the patterns are unique to humans, the research team performed the first brain recordings in AAC of the budgerigar, a type of small parrot that can mimic hundreds of human words. Part of the study's results were focused on the contrast between the budgerigar's brain and that of the zebra finch, a songbird species known to produce complex vocalizations. While both species can imitate sounds using dedicated brain regions as well as specialized vocal organs, only parrots can produce human words. The zebra finch requires more than 100,000 practice trials to learn a rigid song, with experiments confirming that its brain establishes a fixed pattern of activity through a painstaking process of trial and error. In contrast, parakeets like humans can quickly adapt their vocal behavior. Using their internal "vocal keyboard," they learn to flexibly reuse and creatively recombine motor commands to achieve different sounds, the study found. Moving forward, the research team plans to study the higher brain functions that decide "which piano keys get pressed" via incoming signals to the AAC. Uncovering these processes may shed light on higher cognitive abilities in humans as well as on strategies that enrich the artificial intelligence models behind chatbots (large language models). "Our results confirm that AAC neurons systematically represent vocal pitch and exert precise control over it, with this system showing unprecedented commonalities with human brain activity," says lead author Zetian Yang, a postdoctoral scholar in Dr. Long's lab. "This work therefore establishes this parakeet as a critical new model for investigating speech motor control." This research was supported by funding from the Simons Collaboration on the Global Brain. About NYU Langone Health NYU Langone Health is a fully integrated health system that consistently achieves the best patient outcomes through a rigorous focus on quality that has resulted in some of the lowest mortality rates in the nation. Vizient Inc. has ranked NYU Langone the No. 1 comprehensive academic medical center in the country for three years in a row, and U.S. News & World Report recently placed nine of its clinical specialties among the top five in the nation. NYU Langone offers a comprehensive range of medical services with one high standard of care across 7 inpatient locations, its Perlmutter Cancer Center, and more than 300 outpatient locations in the New York area and Florida. With $14.2 billion in revenue this year, the system also includes two tuition-free medical schools, in Manhattan and on Long Island, and a vast research enterprise with over $1 billion in active awards from the National Institutes of Health. Contact: Gregory Williams, [email protected] SOURCE NYU Langone Health System MILWAUKEE, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ademi Firm is investigating ProAssurance (NYSE: PRA) for possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of law in its transaction with The Doctors Company. Click here to learn how to join our investigation and obtain additional information or contact us at [email protected] or toll-free: 866-264-3995. There is no cost or obligation to you. In the transaction, ProAssurance shareholders will receive only $25.00 in cash per share of ProAssurance common stock, with a transaction value of approximately $1.3 billion. ProAssurance insiders will receive substantial benefits as part of change of control arrangements. The transaction agreement unreasonably limits competing transactions for ProAssurance by imposing a significant penalty if ProAssurance accepts a competing bid. We are investigating the conduct of the ProAssurance board of directors, and whether they are fulfilling their fiduciary duties to all shareholders. We specialize in shareholder litigation involving buyouts, mergers, and individual shareholder rights. For more information, please feel free to call us. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Contacts Ademi & Fruchter LLP Guri Ademi Toll Free: (866) 264-3995 Fax: (414) 482-8001 SOURCE Ademi LLP BUENA PARK, Calif., March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Shopoff Realty Investments ("Shopoff") a national manager of opportunistic and value-add real estate investments, announced today that, in partnership with a national home builder, it has acquired a 13.75-acre property in Buena Park, California, that it plans to re-entitle for residential use. The property is currently occupied by Amway Corporation with a corporate sale-leaseback in place. The project is located in Orange County, with direct access to the major thoroughfare Beach Blvd. It's adjacent to the Metrolink line and less than a mile from both the Interstate 5 and State Route 91 freeways. The property is currently developed with two industrial buildings totaling approximately 370,031 square feet of space. The city is supportive of Shopoff's plans to re-entitle the site for residential use, which is anticipated to streamline the approval process. "Buena Park offers a tremendous opportunity for strategic redevelopment," said Shopoff Realty Investments President and CEO William Shopoff. "This acquisition allows us to capitalize on a prime Orange County location with significant accessibility and strong demand for new housing options. We're excited to be moving forward with the entitlement process for the proposed residential community." A total of $49 million in acquisition financing for the project was secured with support from JLL Capital Markets. The JLL Capital Markets debt advisory team representing the borrower was led by Senior Director Jamie Kline and Associate Kyle White. About Shopoff Realty Investments Shopoff Realty Investments is an Irvine, California-based real estate firm with a 33-year history of value-add and opportunistic investing across the United States. The company primarily focuses on proactively generating appreciation through the repositioning of commercial income-producing properties, the entitlement of land assets, and development projects. The 33-year history includes operating as Asset Recovery Fund, Eastbridge Partners, and Shopoff Realty Investments (formerly known as The Shopoff Group). Performance has varied in this time frame, with certain offerings generating losses. For additional information, please visit www.shopoff.com or call (844) 4-SHOPOFF. Disclosures This is not an offering to buy or sell any securities. Such an offer may only be made through the offering memorandum to qualified purchasers. Any investment in Shopoff Realty Investments programs involves substantial risks and is suitable only for investors who have no need for liquidity and who can bear the loss of their entire investment. There is no assurance that any strategy will succeed to meet its investment objectives. The performance of this asset is not indicative of future results of other assets. Securities are offered through Shopoff Securities, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC, 18565 Jamboree Road, Suite 200, Irvine, CA 92612. Contact: Jill Swartz Spotlight Marketing Communications 949.427.1389 [email protected] SOURCE Shopoff Realty Investments Agreement Expands RCS Coverage Across the U.S., Enabling Businesses to Launch RCS for Business to Verizon Subscribers ATLANTA and STOCKHOLM, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sinch (Sinch AB (publ) (XSTO: SINCH), which is pioneering the way the world communicates through its Customer Communications Cloud, is highlighting its expanded partnership with Verizon, one of the largest mobile network operators in the US, to provide and enable RCS for Business Messaging (RBM) to Verizon subscribers. Announced alongside Sinch's presence this week at Enterprise Connect in Orlando, Florida, this expansion reinforces Sinch's strong partnership with Verizon. By broadening their partnership, Sinch and Verizon are empowering businesses across the U.S. to seamlessly deliver RCS messages to their customers, driving wider adoption and innovation in business messaging. Leveraging their combined expertise and resources, the two companies are accelerating the expansion of RCS coverage, bringing secure, feature-rich, and verified business-to-consumer messaging to Verizon subscribers - enhancing customer engagement, trust and overall communication experiences. RCS for Business offers branded messages, rich and interactive features, and advanced analytics such as read receipts. Businesses can build trust with their customers thanks to messages coming from a verified sender agent over a secure channel. "Partnering with MNOs like Verizon underscores our commitment to providing expanded reach for RCS with innovative communications solutions that enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty," said Lodema Steinbach, VP of Product and Carrier Relations, North America at Sinch. "With over 15 years of building the best super network and strong partnerships with Google and mobile operators globally, Sinch continues to pave the way for advanced communication solutions that meet the evolving needs of modern businesses and enables a better experience for end users." Sinch's Customer Communications Cloud enables businesses to harness the full potential of RCS through its comprehensive APIs, intuitive campaign builder, conversational AI tools, and integrations with platforms. Among the companies leveraging Sinch's RCS capabilities are EasyPark, Nespresso, leading delivery companies, and some of the world's largest banks. The company remains committed to expanding RCS for Business services and communications globally, ensuring businesses can leverage the latest messaging technologies to engage customers effectively. Sinch is hyper focused on leading and remaining on the bleeding edge of the next generation of digital customer communications. CONTACT: For more information please contact: Janet Lennon, Director of Global PR & Communications [email protected] |1.206.914.6175 This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com The partnership with Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber allows Aleph to enter Formula 1, a sport that represents the pinnacle of speed, precision, and high performance, one that brings together the best talent in the world to compete at the highest level. Just like Aleph, F1 is the only truly global platform, uniting audiences across continents and bridging markets with innovation and expertise. With 24 races spanning the globe, F1 mirrors Aleph's commitment to connecting diverse markets and cultures, enabling growth in digital economies worldwide. For over two decades, Aleph has been breaking barriers, opening new frontiers in digital advertising, and ensuring businesses in every corner of the world have access to the tools they need to succeed. This partnership is a reflection of that mission. Just like an F1 team, Aleph operates in an environment of constant change, requiring adaptability, precision, and a mindset that embraces challenges as opportunities. Whether on the racetrack or in business, the ability to regroup, recalculate, and push forward is what defines champions. Gaston Taratuta, CEO of Aleph, commented: "This partnership is more than a sponsorship; it's a reflection of who we are. Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber and Aleph share the same relentless drivealways pushing the limits, always innovating, always looking ahead. Just like an F1 team, we thrive in an environment of continuous transformation, where resilience and strategic thinking define success. From overcoming challenges to reaching new heights, we see in Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber a partner that embodies the same values that have fueled Aleph's journey over the years." Beyond branding, this collaboration represents an opportunity to amplify Aleph's story on a global scale. The world of Formula 1 is not only about racingit is a space where technology, strategy, and performance come together to create groundbreaking achievements. By aligning with Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber, Aleph strengthens its presence as a key player in the digital economy, reinforcing its role in shaping the future of digital advertising across all markets. Stefano Battiston, Chief Commercial Officer of Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber, added: "We are thrilled to welcome Aleph as a partner. Both of our organizations operate in highly competitive and fast-evolving environments, where innovation, precision, and resilience are key. Aleph's vision of empowering businesses across the world through digital transformation aligns perfectly with our commitment to performance and technological excellence; it also reflects our partner-centric approach to the way we do business. We look forward to a dynamic collaboration that reflects our shared values and ambitions." As Aleph marks its 20th anniversary and continues its mission to expand digital access and create new opportunities for advertisers worldwide, this partnership serves as an affirmation of its truly global approach. The values that drive Alephinnovation, ambition, and the ability to navigate challengesare the same qualities that define success in Formula 1, the world where Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber operates. Whether in racing or business, the goal remains the same: to push forward, to lead, and to redefine what is possible. In the coming months, Aleph and Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber will explore new ways to integrate this partnership, further amplifying its impact across global markets. The road ahead is filled with opportunities, and as in every great race, the only way forward is full speed ahead. For media inquiries, please contact: Press contacts Maria Fernanda Zuloaga- SVP Global Marketing & Education. [email protected] About Aleph Aleph is a global network of digital experts innovating at the Intersection of media and payments. The company connects 60+ leading digital media platforms (including Amazon, Criteo, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Pinterest, Reddit, Snap, Spotify, TikTok, Twitch, Uber, X and others) across 150+ countries, enabling 26,000 advertisers to engage over 3 billion consumers. Localpayment, Aleph's fintech subsidiary, integrates media sales and payment service processing capabilities into a powerful solution for seamless global expansion for its clients while Digital Ad Expert is a premier education platform and offers certifications for individuals and custom-tailored solutions for businesses and governments and NGOs and IGOs such as UNESCO. About Sauber The Sauber Group of Companies is composed of two operational entities: Sauber Motorsport AG, which operates and manages its Formula One team; and Sauber Technologies AG, which focuses on third-party business in the areas of advanced engineering, prototype development and additive manufacturing, in addition to full and model-scale testing in the factory's state-of-the-art wind tunnel. The Sauber Group puts sustainability at the heart of its mission; its business, operating under the ISO 14001 environmental management standard, has been carbon neutral since 2011 and the company has achieved the Three-Star level in the FIA Environmental Accreditation Framework. Since its founding in 1970, the innovative Swiss company has been setting standards in the design, development and construction of race cars for various championship series, such as Formula One, DTM, and WEC. SOURCE Aleph Holding MINNEAPOLIS, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Minnesota House Rep. Robert Bierman (DFL-Apple Valley) recently met with mental health and substance use treatment clinicians at Nystrom & Associates Apple Valley Clinic to discuss the urgent need to increase funding for mental health and addiction treatment. One in five Minnesota adults and one in six children in Minnesota experience a mental health condition. Rep. Robert Bierman (DFL-Apple Valley), fourth from left, second row, with mental health and substance use treatment clinicians and leaders at Nystrom & Associates Apple Valley Clinic. "We all know that medical assistance is critical for health care coverage in Minnesota," said Rep. Robert Bierman when introducing a bill to address the chronic underfunding of the program. "Reimbursement rates to providers who serve these Minnesotans have fallen woefully behind. Our current rates are unsustainable and have created a crisis in access to care." Mental health providers in the community are typically paid on a transparent, direct flow-through model, meaning their take-home pay is directly impacted by the State's rate reductions that started in January and will total nearly 24% by 2027. "Mental health clinicians provide life-changing care. State reimbursement needs to reflect that," said Anh Kremer, chief strategy & development officer and general counsel for Nystrom. "We're so thankful for Representative Bierman's leadership. It demonstrates his ongoing commitment to ensuring Minnesotans have access to the life-saving behavioral health services they need," added Mark Peterson, CEO, Nystrom & Associates. Local leaders from Nystrom gave Rep. Bierman a tour of the Apple Valley clinic, which has 35 clinical providers who serve nearly 4,300 patients annually. The clinic offers a variety of mental health services, including outpatient therapy, psychiatry, community-based interventions, and psychological testing. "It's so important to talk with the people who work in the behavioral health field and learn how these reimbursement cuts affect them and the people they are trying to help," said Rep. Bierman. "It's crucial that we fund behavioral healthcare now more than ever." The bill Rep. Bierman is sponsoring, HF1005, would seek to combat the recent mental health cuts by requiring the Department of Human Services to implement the recommended higher rates found in the Minnesota Health Care Programs Outpatient Services Rates Study. About Nystrom & Associates Nystrom & Associates is a group of professional care providers from the fields of psychiatry, psychology, clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, professional counseling, alcohol and drug counseling, and nursing. With 1,800 employees and more than 60 locations in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota and Missouri, Nystrom provides care to individuals and families with personal, emotional, marital, or psychological problems. For more information on services available and to schedule an appointment, visit: www.nystromcounseling.com. SOURCE Nystrom & Associates GUANGZHOU, China, March 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The 137th Canton Fair, set to open on April 15 in Guangzhou, has hosted the Americas roadshow with a series of promotion events in Mexico, Peru and Brazil. A gateway to the Chinese market, the Canton Fair serves as the directory of trade facilitating international exchanges and economic cooperation. As China's No.1 Fair for international trade and exchanges, the Canton Fair continues to optimize trade structures, exhibition themes, events and services to elevate the exhibition experience for all guests. The Mexico promotion event was held on February 16 in Mexico City. Zhu Jian, Charge d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Mexico, spoke at the event about the win-win principle of China-Mexico economic and trade cooperation. He noted that the Canton Fair is an important platform for trade between China and Mexico and a window for China's high-level opening up to the outside world. He hoped that more Mexican business associations and enterprises can participate in the Canton Fair to promote cooperation with China and share the benefits of China's reform and opening up and economic development. The Canton Fair working group also visited Coppel Group and invited them to participate in regular Trade Bridge matchmaking events. In Lima, Peru, the Canton Fair promotion event on February 18 was joined by over 100 guests and the working group visited Cencosud Group, Falabella Group and surveyed local retail market as well to gain insights of the latest sourcing needs during their stay. Chinese Ambassador to Peru Song Yang stressed that the Canton Fair aimed to establish a platform for technological exchange and trade cooperation for global enterprises. China welcomes Peruvian business and industry professionals to participate and seize new opportunities. Jose Tam, President of the Peruvian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce (CAPECHI), stated that Peruvian entrepreneurs have a unique opportunity at the Canton Fair to experience China's development and product quality, as well as to engage in face-to-face exchanges with Chinese entrepreneurs. On February 20 and 21, the Canton Fair hosted the promotion conferences in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro which were attended by approximately 300 guests. The Deputy Director of China Foreign Trade Centre, Zhang Sihong, stated that the Canton Fair is an important platform for China's opening up to the outside world and promoting high-quality development of international trade. It plays a significant role in facilitating efficient connections between Chinese and Brazilian enterprises and promoting bilateral economic and trade development. The 137th Canton Fair will showcase more new highlights, providing better experience for global buyers and exhibitors. Tian Yuzhen, Deputy Consul General of the Chinese Consulate General in Sao Paulo, highlighted the Canton Fair as a key platform for China's foreign trade and international cooperation. He noted the complementary economic structures of China and Brazil, making them natural partners. Brazilian business associations and entrepreneurs are welcomed to seize the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the Chinese market, further strengthen cooperation, and jointly achieve the goal of mutual benefit and win-win development. Luiz Fernandes, General Manager of a local e-commerce company, noted that the Canton Fair is crucial for Brazilian companies' e-commerce. Chinese products are very popular in Brazil and many Brazilian companies look to establish partnerships with Chinese suppliers, and Canton Fair is the important link connecting trade activities. With an exhibition area of 1.55 million square meters and over 30,000 exhibitors, 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 SAN DIEGO, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Shipyard, one of the nation's fastest-growing independent agencies, is deepening its roots in California with the opening of its new headquarters in San Diego. Located at 185 West F Street in the heart of downtown, this expansion underscores The Shipyard's long-standing commitment to California. Rick Milenthal, Chairman and CEO, and Tammy Haughey, Managing Partner of The Shipyard open new California headquarters in San Diego. "We are doubling down on our investment in California because this state is the center of creativity and innovation. Since our founding, we've grown our business with creativity at the core of everything we do, always innovating and delivering exceptional work for our clients. Under Managing Partner Tammy Haughey's leadership, now is the perfect time to grow and elevate our presence in San Diego," says The Shipyard's CEO, Rick Milenthal. "We're excited to extend our ties to this vibrant business community," Milenthal added. Tammy Haughey, a veteran advertising executive, continues to lead the agency's West Coast operations. Her leadership ensures that The Shipyard's holistic operating model, leveraging craft and creative disciplines in paid, owned, and earned media, delivers on The Shipyard's philosophy of Engineering Brand Love and client success. Engineering Brand Love Across California With a long history of working with clients across the state, The Shipyard is California's agency. The Shipyard has engineered behavior change campaigns to make water conservation a way of life for Californians and given people reasons to love electric through their work with SDG&E and Veloz. They have traveled to every corner of the Golden State in service of their work with Visit California, helping to shape the California travel brand globally for more than 25 years and navigate in times of crises, most recently the LA Fires. Since 2007, their work in partnership with San Diego Tourism Authority has helped drive record-breaking performance for the destination. And In-N-Out has relied on The Shipyard to craft messaging for their vital Slave To Nothing and In-N-Out Foundation efforts. The agency's broader portfolio includes partnerships with California Grown, In-N-Out, Mammoth Lakes Tourism, San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, San Diego Gas & Electric, San Diego Tourism Authority, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, San Francisco Ballet, Snowbird, St. John's Health, Veloz, Visit Napa Valley, Visit SLO CAL, and Visit California, among others. A Legacy of Innovation and Growth With its headquarters in Columbus, Ohio, The Shipyard has rapidly expanded its presence nationwide. The decision to anchor West Coast operations in San Diego reflects the agency's strategic vision to position itself at the intersection of inspiration and industry. With a growing innovation economy, San Diego is a hub for cutting-edge industries, from biotech to tourism, and a place where creativity meets technology. "Like the shipbuilders working across the San Diego Bay's Working Waterfront, the crew at The Shipyard are relentless creators and problem-solvers dedicated to Engineering Brand Love across all consumer touchpoints. San Diego represents the perfect environment for our agency to flourish as we continue to work alongside our clients and positively contribute to enhancing quality of life in this place we call home," said Tammy Haughey, Managing Partner. The Shipyard will also maintain its offices in Sacramento and Newport Beach. About The Shipyard Collective The Shipyard Collective brings together talented individuals and organizations across the creative, communications, media, and digital landscape to grow brands that audiences can't help but love. It is uniquely designed and organized to Engineer Brand Love through partnerships, investments, and acquisitions of amazing organizations, with creativity and innovation at their core. Collectively, its agencies are recognized as one of ADWEEK's national Fastest-Growing Agencies (The Shipyard), the 2024 and 2023 Best Mid-sized Agency nationally by the Public Relations Society of America (Fahlgren Mortine), and Outside Magazine's best places to work (TURNER). Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, The Shipyard Collective has offices in Sacramento, San Diego, and Newport Beach, California; Denver, Colorado; Miami, Florida; Boise, Idaho; Chicago, Illinois; New York, New York; and Cleveland and Dayton, Ohio. Media contact: Beth Binger BCI (619) 987-6658 [email protected] SOURCE The Shipyard ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) proudly celebrates the recognition of two of its pristine beaches, Trunk Bay in St. John and Magen's Bay in St. Thomas, as a top 10 best beaches in the Caribbean in TripAdvisor's 2025 Travelers' Choice Best of the Best Awards. This prestigious recognition highlights the USVI's commitment to preserving its natural beauty and offering an unforgettable experience to travelers seeking sun, sand, and serenity. Trunk Bay St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands The beaches, lauded for their crystal-clear waters, soft sands, and inviting atmosphere, have long been favorites among visitors and locals alike. Their inclusion in the 2025 rankings reaffirms the USVI's status as a top-tier destination for beach lovers worldwide. "This honor is a testament to the beauty and appeal of our islands," said Joseph Boschulte, Commissioner of Tourism for the U.S. Virgin Islands. "Our beaches offer not only relaxation but also a gateway to explore the vibrant culture, rich history, and warm hospitality of the USVI." For more information on visiting the U.S. Virgin Islands and experiencing these award-winning beaches, please visit www.visitusvi.com. About the U.S. Virgin Islands About 40 miles east of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands comprise a United States territory located in the northeastern Caribbean Sea. The three islands are St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas, where the capital of Charlotte Amalie is located. Perfect for leisure or business travel, the U.S. Virgin Islands features breathtaking, world-renowned beaches, an international marine industry, European architecture, and a burgeoning restaurant industry. No passports are required from U.S. citizens traveling from the U.S. mainland or Puerto Rico. Entry requirements for non-U.S. citizens are equivalent to entering the United States from any international country. Upon departure, a passport is required for non-U.S. citizens. For more information about the United States Virgin Islands, go to www.VisitUSVI.com, follow us @VisitUSVI on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and Pinterest, and @USVITourism on TikTok, X and LinkedIn. SOURCE U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism Parents of 5,636 students entered the 2025-26 lottery hoping to be chosen for one of the 1,300 seats available. AUSTIN, Texas and SAN ANTONIO, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Valor Education, which has five charter schools in Austin and San Antonio, recently held its enrollment lottery for the 2025-26 school year due to overwhelming demand which outstrips the number of seats available at its schools next year. Parents of 5,636 students entered their child's name into the lottery, hoping to be randomly chosen for one of the anticipated 1,300 open seats available at the Valor schools this fall. This means seven out of ten students will likely end up on a waiting list. With over 4,000 students enrolled this school year and 5,000 additional children on the waitlist, Valor Education has been expanding to meet the growing demand in central Texas and beyond while staying true to its purpose of providing high-quality classical education to people of all backgrounds. The popular network of tuition-free classical charter schools has experienced enrollment growth of over 83% over the past three years after opening three new schools and expanding the capacity at its original campuses. As a network of charter schools, Valor does not receive the same level of facilities funding or access to lower-cost debt as independent school districts do from the state. Valor Education, which has five charter schools in Austin and San Antonio, held its enrollment lottery for 2025-26. Post this "Valor's highly intentional school culturefilled with joy, respect, and deep engagementis the foundation for our students' academic achievements. In an age of distraction and disconnection, we cultivate an atmosphere of attentiveness and warmth that inspires students to be fully present and deeply engaged," said Steve Gordon, Superintendent of Schools for Valor Education. "We walk alongside our students during their educational journeyproviding guidance, encouragement, and loving correctionall in the context of a community of friendship. We challenge each student to seek truth, goodness, and beauty and, in so doing, help them become more fully alive and truly free." Even with the high demand, it is not too late to apply. There are still some available seats at a few of the schools in certain grade levels for the 2025-26 school year. Families interested in joining the Valor community are encouraged to apply soon to secure a place for the upcoming school year. As a public charter school, Valor has no admissions requirements and welcomes students of all abilities and backgrounds. The free enrollment application takes less than five minutes and does not obligate you in any way. ABOUT VALOR EDUCATION Valor Education exists to educate the whole person in authentic communities for a full human life and is committed to providing high-quality tuition-free classical education to all students, regardless of background or ability. Through its K-12 charter schools and the Valor Institute, it builds communities dedicated to wisdom, virtue, and friendship. Its distinctive schools offer students an education rooted in the classical liberal arts tradition, from the Great Books to fine arts to advanced math and science. Valor serves over 4,000 students at its five charter schools throughout the Austin and San Antonio metro areas and has a waitlist of over 5,000 children. Learn more at valoreducation.org. Media Contact: Rachel Pruski Marketing and Communications Coordinator [email protected] (512) 569-0784 SOURCE Valor Education Texas-based Premier Synthetic Turf Franchise Announces Sunbelt Development Plans, 10 Units Already in Progress AUSTIN, Texas, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Waterloo Turf, the premier turf and synthetic grass franchise dedicated to helping people get their Saturdays back, has unveiled its franchise development plans for the United States. Waterloo Turf is looking for ambitious, team-oriented leaders to bring quality service to their local communities. Having only launched its franchise opportunity in December 2024, the brand has already seen tremendous interest with three potential franchisees and 5 units in development in Fort Worth, TX and Scottsdale, AZ. With an established presence in Austin and San Antonio, the brand is now targeting major metropolitan areas in the Sunbelt including Phoenix, Nashville, Dallas, and Miami to expand its franchise footprint. "Artificial Turf is quickly becoming the preferred alternative to lawns across the nation. Our franchise opportunity has been met with enthusiasm due to this crucial need for synthetic grass in areas where water conservation is key," said Tim Lovett, Co-Owner and CEO of Waterloo Turf. "We are looking for likeminded, aspiring franchise owners who want to provide their community with a high quality, much-needed service that will ultimately free up leisure time and weekends for clients and their families." A Coveted Franchise Opportunity Waterloo Turf offers a fresh opportunity for franchisees to enter a rapidly expanding industry on the ground floor, while capitalizing on the increasing demand for sustainable landscaping solutions in one of the fastest-growing industries in the United States. As a mobile brand with no physical storefronts or brick-and-mortar locations, the brand offers a unique opportunity for franchisees to enter the growing turf industry with a low upfront investment and minimal overhead, a model that is perfect for entrepreneurs who want to jump into a booming industry with the backing of a national franchise brand. Waterloo Turf offers services for both residential and commercial-based projects, delivering high-quality turf solutions for a wide range of properties including luxury homes, commercially owned areas, dog parks, daycares, schools and more. Growing Demand for Water Conservation and Lawn Alternatives Valued at USD 76.6 billion in 2022 and projected to reach USD 114.3 billion by 2028, the booming artificial turf industry is set to explode as consumer demand and water conservation legislation both take centerstage. In the sunbelt states (southern and southwestern states from Florida to California) where both the population and water demand are on the rise, the need for sustainable, attractive lawns that don't require much water is paramount. Artificial turf uses an average of only 1-2 gallons of water per square foot annually, compared to that of a traditional grass lawn which requires 55 gallons of water per square foot annually plus additional maintenance and pesticides. Quality, Consistent and Customizable Services Waterloo Turf is poised to be a frontrunner in delivering customizable, quality and sustainable outdoor living solutions to both residential and commercial-based projects. With its cutting-edge digital estimator tool, as well as specialized installation and support, the design process is collaborative and easy for both franchisee and customer. The brand offers high-quality turf solutions for a wide range of properties including luxury homes, commercially-owned areas, dog parks, daycares, schools, sporting stadiums and any other area requiring landscaping. Streamlined Franchisee Support and Easy Entry Led by top leaders in both franchising and turf, and backed by investors with over 60 years of combined franchise experience across 13 different brands, Waterloo Turf's franchise opportunity was built off proven, streamlined operations and ongoing corporate support. Waterloo Turf is seeking franchisees with a "team captain" mindset, offering a 10% discount to owners who are ex-NCAA athletes and ex-military. For more information, please visit https://waterlooturf.com/own-a-franchise/ About Waterloo Turf Founded in 2021 and franchised since December 2024, Waterloo Turf offers a unique opportunity for franchisees to enter the growing turf industry with a low upfront investment and minimal overhead. Waterloo Turf offers services for both residential and commercial-based projects, delivering high-quality turf solutions for a wide range of properties including luxury homes, commercially owned areas, dog parks, daycares, schools and more. Waterloo Turf promotes the ideal lifestyle of "Getting your Saturdays Back," allowing families and friends to focus on spending quality time together in their outdoor space. SOURCE Waterloo Turf By Cathe Caraway, Counsel, D.Law LOS ANGELES, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- I've seen a thing or two as an attorney of over 35 years fighting for workers' rights in California courts. One of my career highlights was winning Mendiola vs. CPS in 2015 a class action for security guards who were on duty 24 hours a day but were only paid for 8 hours. Another was joining the powerful team at D.Law in 2021. "We love working together, having fun together, and sharing the passion of building a great company together." Cathe Caraway has been an employment lawyer fighting for workers rights in California courts for over 30 years. Over the last few years, I've seen firsthand how our firm is not just a place to work, it's a place to thrive. In the legal industry that often prioritizes billable hours over personal growth and work/life balance, D.Law stands apart. Thanks to the mission set forth by our caring and fearless founder Emil Davtyan, we're developing the next generation of top-tier employment lawyers. At a time when many law firms are struggling to retain talent, D.Law stands out as a place where attorneys want to build their careers. It's not just about the cases we handle, it's about the way we are empowered to think, strategize, and lead. This is a firm that invests in its people, and in doing so, it is shaping the future of employment law in California. For those who aspire to make a real impact in employment law, D.Law isn't just a stepping stone, it's the destination. A Culture That Elevates, Not Depletes When I joined D.Law, I knew I was stepping into a firm that had already made waves in California's employment law landscape. But what I didn't fully realize was how transformative the experience would be, not just for clients, but for the attorneys who call this place home. D.Law isn't just a law firm; it's a launchpad for some of the most driven, strategic, and passionate legal minds in the field. It's where you come to refine your skills, do meaningful work, take on impactful cases, and be surrounded by colleagues who push you to think bigger and advocate harder. One of the most aspirational aspects of working at D.Law is the firm's intentional investment in its attorneys. Too often, young lawyers are thrown into the deep end without a life raft, expected to figure things out as they go. At D.Law, the approach is different. Legal careers often start in environments that can be unforgiving, where young attorneys are expected to sink or swim. At D.Law, the experience is different. Yes, the work is demanding. Yes, the stakes are high. But this is a firm that invests in its attorneys at every level, ensuring that they don't just survive, they thrive. Cutting-Edge Employment Law Practice The legal field is constantly evolving, and employment law in California is particularly dynamic. Between legislative changes, emerging workplace rights, and rapidly shifting employer obligations, staying ahead of the curve requires more than just keeping up with the law, it requires shaping it. D.Law prides itself on being at the forefront of employment law, representing clients in groundbreaking cases that help define best practices for businesses and protect employee rights. Attorneys here aren't just applying legal precedent, they are creating it. The firm's commitment to being ahead of industry trends means that our team is always learning, always strategizing, and always prepared to handle the next big challenge. For attorneys looking to build a practice in employment law, there's no better place to be. You are constantly exposed to high-level cases, encouraged to develop innovative legal arguments, and given the opportunity to play an instrumental role in shaping the future of workplace rights in California. Work That Matters One of the biggest draws of D.Law is the real impact attorneys get to make. This isn't a firm where cases feel routine or where attorneys are just another name on the letterhead. The work here has meaning, whether it's standing up for wrongfully terminated employees, ensuring that businesses comply with wage and hour laws, or advocating for workplace protections that set new industry standards. Every case is an opportunity to make a difference, and that sense of purpose is deeply ingrained in the firm's culture. Lawyers at D.Law don't just handle cases, they take on causes. And they do so with a level of dedication and strategic thinking that turns legal victories into real-world change. A Community That Elevates Great law firms aren't just built on legal expertise, they're built on people. Thanks to our founder Emil Davtyan, D.Law fosters a work environment where collaboration is valued, achievements are celebrated, and professional development is prioritized. It's a place where attorneys support each other, where successes are shared, and where the journey of becoming a top-tier employment lawyer is both challenging and rewarding. The firm actively invests in its people, offering ongoing training, Continuing Legal Education (CLE), and professional development opportunities that ensure its attorneys are not just excellent practitioners but also forward-thinking leaders in the field. Whether it's a litigation strategy session, a mentorship lunch, or an informal discussion about a recent court decision, there is a constant exchange of knowledge and ideas that makes everyone stronger. The D.Law Difference For attorneys looking to build a meaningful career in employment law, there is no better place than D.Law. It's a firm that believes in its people, that prioritizes professional growth, and that understands the power of hands-on experience. It's where legal careers are built, where the next generation of employment lawyers is shaped, and where every attorney has the opportunity to leave a lasting impact on the legal field. CONTACT: Armen Petrosyan; [email protected] SOURCE D.Law, Inc. Research firm and technology platform partner to serve ministry and faith leaders in expanded ways BOULDER, Colo., March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Gloo , a technology platform for the faith ecosystem, announced a strategic investment in Barna Group, a Texas-based research firm focused on how spiritual and cultural trends affect Christian leaders and Christian organizations. Gloo Invests in Barna Group Since 1984, Barna Group has conducted an expansive number of interviews over its 40-year history with topics ranging across faith and culture, leadership and vocation, and church trends. Often cited as the leading voice for research on faith and Christianity in the U.S. and increasingly on global faith trends, Barna maintains one of the most comprehensive databases of spiritual indicators. "We first partnered with Barna on the State of the Church initiative back in 2020," said Brad Hill, chief solutions officer at Gloo. "The culture of collaboration between our teams is outstanding, and we admire the care and professionalism the Barna team displays in everything they do. We see almost limitless potential to combine their world-class research and editorial and thought leadership with the platform capabilities and network from Gloo." Over the years, the two organizations have collaborated on several significant initiatives and projects. In 2020, the State of the Church initiative connected nearly 30,000 people with content, polls and free assessment tools that were critical during the COVID-19 pandemic. The joint initiative also produced the ChurchPulse Weekly podcast, as well as the book The State of Your Church: Measuring What Matters in Ministry . Barna has been the primary research partner with Gloo on the Faith and AI research series and the "State of" Series in connection with many other partners. To enable leaders to more easily find and use the wealth of Barna research and resources, Gloo provided the underlying technology for Barna Access Plus , the complete library subscription site for Barna research, trends and insights for Christian leaders seeking to transform lives. "For the past five years, Barna and Gloo have collaborated on initiatives to serve and support the Church," said David Kinnaman, CEO of Barna Group. "There's nothing quite as meaningful and fun as changing the world with people you like. The depth and range of our partnership have made both of our organizations better and, in turn, have helped us make a more meaningful impact for the leaders, churches and organizations we serve." In 2025, Barna will continue its focus on growth in digital products and services, including the development of dedicated resources for church leaders seeking to improve the health of their people and organizations. As a Gloo capital partner, Barna is expanding collaboration with other partners in the network, including Outreach, Carey Nieuwhof Communications, Midwestern Interactive and others. Barna is also leveraging Gloo AI to provide new products and services, which will be announced later in 2025. "We equip Christian leaders to understand the times and know what to do," Kinnaman said on Barna Group's vision for a renewed Church. "Now, more than ever, Christian leaders of all kinds need data and insights to lead well. Because of the Gloo platform capabilities, we've been able to share critical research for church and faith-based organizations more broadly than ever before." Barna Group and Gloo are currently collaborating on the State of the Church 2025 initiative designed to inform and equip ministry leaders. The initiative includes monthly research from Barna, paired with free church health dashboards and assessments so leaders can measure the flourishing of their people and the thriving of their church. More information is available at stateofthechurch.com . Gloo is a technology platform connecting the faith ecosystem. Gloo connects ministry leaders to values-based AI, resources, insights and funding so their people and communities flourish and their organizations thrive. Gloo enables trusted exchange between organizations and people so they can collaborate with greater confidence. Gloo serves over 100,000 faith and ministry leaders. Gloo is based in Boulder, Colorado. Barna Group is a leading research organization focused on the intersection of faith and culture. Since 1984, Barna has conducted more than two million interviews over the course of thousands of studies and has become a go-to source for insights about religion, leadership, vocation and generations. Barna is an independent, privately-held, nonpartisan organization based in DallasFort Worth, Texas. SOURCE Gloo News / National by Nevison Mpofu Background of the farm... There are more than 800 families who are being disadvantaged of their right and privilege to own land in Zimbabwe by an individual who is not even resident in Zimbabwe but stays in Canada. Bulawayo24.com has investigated such a scum in the midst of high economic challenges.Thousands of people are currently living in fear of a foreign based land developer who is threatening to drive off the 800 hectare farm more than 800 families constitutionally resettled in 2000 at the height of land reform program.Nicholas Nyandoro a once prominent share-holder of many companies to mention one of his companies Warwick Shares [Private] [Limited] has since 2019 strived on to evict families now almost struggling through courts to over-come threats of evictions and demolitions.Hundreds of families on a hot spotted farm currently in anger living 30kms from the city of Harare to the west close to Lake Chibero are almost breaking through violent threats of evictions and demolitions from a Zimbabwean foreign resident who has development desires back in his home country. This has taken heights with the media, concerned Harare residents and ZANU PF supporters, yet responsible authorities take a back seat on the hot ensuing case.Nicholas Nyandoro claims he bought the farm in 2003 after the farm was put on gazette constitutionally 1st September 2000. According to the Chairman of Warwick farm Clatyon Ndabaningi Matinyenya who represents affected families, Nyandoro the accused to the case is fighting through courts to evict and institute un-constitutional demolitions, thereby reversing gains of the land reform program of 2000." It means then they were selling each other state land. This land was constitutionally gazetted , meaning it belongs to the state .Why then is it that Nyandoro is still claiming to be owner of the farm. Still how could this be a deal transacted in 2003 three years after it was constitutionally put on gazette? It means then someone or some other people are being involved in this dirty deal". Matinyenya pointed out.Residents currently have been living on the farm since 2000. What disturbs is the fact that they still have no offer-letters. These people pushed on for some time until a certain time in 2019 the then Minister of Lands and Resettlements Douglas Mombeshora gave instruction that Warwick farm settlers must be given offer letters since they were constitutionally settled under the land reform program."We have no offer letters and tittle deeds. We have been working hard to get all these offer letters and deeds but we received no responses at all. In 2019 the then Minister of Lands and Resettlements.... Douglas Mombeshora gave instruction that Warwick settlers be given offer letters since they were settled under the Land Reform Program.""Mashonaland West Provincial office of Lands in Chinhoyi was instructed by the Minister Douglas Mombeshora in 2019. However the office never responded to us. It tells a lot to us that there are people who are against the decision made by the former Minister."They have interests in Warwick Share [Private] [Limited] Nicholas Nyandoro is one of the Directors of this company which took its name from the farm. The farm is registered under Warwick farm. The farm was called Warwick over the past years. The deed NUMBER still is the one of 1986..... Jonathan Samkange has this deal. He was the Lawyer of this company and he represented Warwick Shares [Private] Limited] since 2008. Now their Law firm is Chigwande Legal Practitioners. Jonathan Samkange was at the same time Director of Warwick Shares [Private] [Limited] . How come then is this not a deal? This was settled down by people who had interests on the farm", Chairman Matinyanya said.Ministry of Lands and resettlements Marias Dzinoreva Director of Acquisitions by then in his affidavit which he wrote in 2013 elucidated to court that Warwick Farm was wholly indigenously owned at time of acquisition in 2000 yet it was by then white owned farm. His affidavit was used in the application that was made by Warwick Shares [PVT] [LTD] at the high court to up-lift endorsements on tittle deeds REF-DEED Number 3919/86.[1] There was a default judgment on 25 November 2013 at High Court - Case No 10098/13. Respondents in the matter Minister of Lands and Resettlements and Register of Deeds respondents cited in the matter and it was ordered that 2nd respondent was ordered to uplift and cause removal endorsements on Deed of Transfer No 3919/86 in favor of applicant.2] That property under deeds of transfer 3919/86 be and is here-by declared private land. In 2014 the farm was re-gazette by the Government. After being on gazette, Warwick Shares [Private] [Limited] initiated another court process after realizing 2013 was superseded by events.In 2018 Warwick Shares [Private] [Limited] made another application at high court in which it cited Ministry of Lands and Resettlements as respondent. In that application they applied for de-listing of Warwick farm. They obtained another default judgment in favor of the applicant.1].. It was ordered the listing for acquisition by the respondent in - terms of Government notice 228/14 be and is here-by declared null and void .[2] The respondent is hereby ordered to de-list Warwick farm. It was then when Warwick Shares [Private] [Limited] started to hurl anger, threatening to evict settlers of Warwick Farm from 2019."Since that time in 2019, we have been living under threats of evictions and demolitions " echoed Chairman Matinyanya .Section 72[4] and 290 of the Zimbabwe Constitution is on settlers side. What-ever processes done by Warwick Shares [Private] [Limited] was in-validation of the constitution. The constitution is supreme of Zimbabwe and any Law, practice, custom or contact in-consistent with it is invalid to the extent of inconsistence. The obligations imposed by constitution are binding on every person, natural or juristic including the state and all Executive, Legislative, Judicial institutions and agencies of the Government at every level and most be fulfilled. If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here News / National by Gideon Madzikatidze/Simbarashe Sithole Harare Youth Transporters Association (Hayta) Chairperson, Mr Edmore Gwengwe has pledged two coffins and some few groceries to cover funeral requirements from amongst Kuwadzana-Dzivaresekwa junction victims following a fatal accident which occurred Wednesday morning along Harare-Bulawayo highway.Speaking to Bulawayo24.com crew this morning, Gwengwe has announced that the spirit of Ubuntu has forced him to assist the victims and was saddened to note that some of them were on their way to fend for their families."As HAYTA, we were saddened to note that amongst the victims, there were breadwinners and other entrepreneurs who were on their way in trying to make ends meet. They left their homes going to work so that their dependants would make a living, but it was unfortunate that they could not make it," Gwengwe said."The spirit of Ubuntu has forced us to contribute two coffins for decent burial of some amongst the victims and some few groceries to cover funeral expenses. We are not sure if the commuter omnibus that was involved in the accident was registered under local associations or not, but our heartfelt condolences goes to the families who lost their loved ones. Death is something which negatively impact on relatives and the dependents left behind, and it causes a lot of trauma and distress," Gwengwe added.Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed that the fatal road traffic accident involve three vehicles, a Toyota Hiace kombi, haulage truck and UD 70 truck which occurred early in the morning at the intersection of Bulawayo Road and Dzivarasekwa turn-off near Thuli Service Station.Seven people were killed while eight others were injured. It is alleged that the kombi driver failed to give way at the traffic lights controlled junction resulting in the accident.The HAYTA has been active in assisting and donating among various accident victims. It has also been active in complementing Governments efforts in fighting drug and substance abuse by assisting youths living on the streets who would have been rehabilitated from the vice.Gwengwe's organisation has also been playing a crucial mobilisation role when private transporters affiliated to HAYTA gave preferential treatment and waiver by employing people living on the streets to earn a better living. Valletta, March 19 : European countries have strongly condemned the latest deadly Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. The airstrikes, which took place early Tuesday, killed at least 413 Palestinians and injured 562 others, according to Gaza-based health authorities. The European Union (EU) urged Israel to end its military operations and reiterated its call for the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas, according to a joint statement issued Tuesday by Kaja Kallas, the EU's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, along with commissioners Dubravka Suica and Hadja Lahbib, Xinhua news agency reported. The EU called on Israel to exercise restraint and allow the unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid and electricity into Gaza. "We call on all parties to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law. The EU believes that the resumption of negotiations is the only way forward," the statement added. "France calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, which jeopardise efforts to free the hostages and threaten the lives of the civilian population in Gaza," the French Foreign Ministry said during an online press conference. The French government urged all parties to respect the ceasefire and engage in negotiations to ensure its sustainability. Additionally, France called on Israeli authorities to protect civilians and allow access to water, electricity, and humanitarian aid. Speaking before the Italian Parliament ahead of this week's European Council meeting in Brussels, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed deep concern over the renewed fighting in Gaza. She called for an immediate ceasefire and urged all parties to prioritize peace and humanitarian aid. "We are following with great concern the resumption of fighting in Gaza," Meloni said. "It jeopardizes the peace objectives we are all working toward, including the release of all hostages, a permanent end to the hostilities, and the return of humanitarian aid to Gaza." Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela condemned the "barbarous attacks" on Gaza in a post on X. "On behalf of the Maltese government, I strongly condemn these barbarous attacks. I cannot emphasize enough Malta's plight for peace, in Gaza, Ukraine and beyond." Slovenia also called on Israel to immediately cease all operations. "All parties must return to negotiations leading to a lasting peace and a two-state solution," the Foreign Ministry said in a post on X. It urged Israel to "cease all military operations immediately and allow all hostages to be returned," while also calling for the restoration of full humanitarian access. While speaking to the press in New Delhi after his speech at the Raisina Dialogue multilateral conference in India, Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar expressed concern over the latest developments in Gaza. He noted that the previous ceasefire had proved fragile and stressed the need to comply with international law in resolving the conflict. The strikes, which ended nearly two months of ceasefire, occurred amid ongoing indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas aimed at securing a new truce that could include both the release of hostages and an end to hostilities. Kyiv, March 19 : Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that even a partial ceasefire with Russia will be a positive result and will bring Ukraine closer to conflict resolution. Speaking during a video briefing following a phone call between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, Zelensky on Tuesday, said Ukraine supports any proposals that would lead to a lasting and just peace, Xinhua news agency reported quoting the Interfax-Ukraine news agency. He expressed interest in learning the details of the Trump-Putin conversation and sharing them with Ukraine's partners. "There are two sides in this war -- Russia and Ukraine. Without Ukraine's involvement, I believe reaching an agreement is futile," Zelensky stressed. He confirmed that Russia and Ukraine are planning a prisoner exchange under the "175 for 175" formula announced following the Trump-Putin talks. Commenting on Ukraine's military operation in Russia's western Kursk region, Zelensky said that Ukrainian forces remain in the area and will continue their mission as long as Ukraine needs this operation. Earlier in the day, Trump and Putin agreed that the movement to peace in Ukraine "will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire and permanent peace," the White House said in a statement. Trump and his Russian counterpart Putin on Tuesday agreed to a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war with a pause on attacks on energy and infrastructure and to begin negotiations for a full ceasefire and permanent peace starting immediately. The two leaders also discussed bilateral relations and the situation in West Asia in a lengthy phone call that lasted nearly two hours. The plan agreed by them will need to be affirmed by Ukraine. "The leaders agreed that the movement to peace will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire and permanent peace," said the White House in a readout of the call. Geneva, March 19 : United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the informal meeting on the Cyprus issue, held over two days in Geneva, Switzerland, had made "meaningful progress." The meeting, convened at Guterres' request, took place at the UN Office in Geneva. It was attended by Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides, Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, and representatives from Greece, Turkey, and Britain, the three guarantor powers, Xinhua news agency reported. Guterres stated that the talks had yielded progress, with both sides agreeing on a series of new trust-building measures, fostering a "new atmosphere" in the discussions. He also noted that the parties agreed to convene another meeting in late July and to appoint a new UN Special Envoy for the Cyprus issue. "Mr. Tatar and Mr. Christodoulides have agreed on the following group of initiatives to build trust," Guterres said, listing "opening of the four crossing points, demining, creation of a technical committee on youth, initiatives on the environment and climate change including the impacts on mining areas; solar energy in the buffer zone and the restoration of cemeteries." According to media reports, Christodoulides expressed "satisfaction with the outcome," while Tatar similarly stated that he was "satisfied" with the talks. Cyprus has remained divided since 1974, when a Turkish military intervention followed a coup by Greek army officers. A buffer zone separating the island's Greek and Turkish Cypriot parts has been under the oversight of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). Peace talks have been stalled since the collapse of a similar conference in Switzerland in July 2017. Since then, Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots have hardened their stance, advocating for permanent partition and international recognition of a breakaway state established by Turkey in 1983. Florida, March 19 : Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, along with NASA's Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, have returned to Earth after a lengthy journey that turned a planned eight-day mission into a nine-month in space. Florida, March 19 (IANS) Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, along with NASAas Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, have returned to Earth after a lengthy journey that turned a planned eight-day mission into a nine-month in space. The group, part of NASA/SpaceXas Crew-9, was brought back by SpaceXas Dragon spacecraft, which safely splashed down off the coast of Florida at 3:27 a.m. As the recovery operation unfolded, a beautiful and unexpected greeting awaited the astronauts. Dolphins were spotted swimming around the Dragon capsule while it was being retrieved from the ocean. The playful marine mammals circled the spacecraft, providing an almost magical moment before the capsule was lifted onto the recovery vessel. The recovery team carefully opened the side hatch of the capsule, marking the first time it had been opened since September. The astronauts, who had spent months in space, were helped out of the capsule and transported to Houston for a 45-day rehabilitation program. Crew-9as return to Earth had its fair share of challenges. Originally, the mission, which was to be the first crewed flight of Boeing's Starliner, was scheduled to last just eight days. However, due to technical issues with the Starliner capsule, Williams and Wilmore were left stranded in space. The propulsion problems with the Starliner led to its return in September without a crew. Faced with uncertainty about their return, NASA reassigned the astronauts to SpaceX's Crew-9 mission. In September, SpaceX sent a Dragon spacecraft to retrieve them, but only two crew members were on board, unlike the usual four, to accommodate the stranded astronauts. The Dragon capsule atop the Falcon 9 rocket was launched for the mission. Crew-10 has replaced Crew-9 at the International Space Station. Gaza, March 19 : Hamas announced that it remains in constant contact with mediators and is engaging responsibly and positively with all proposals aimed at halting the Israeli "aggression" against and lifting the blockade on Gaza. In a press statement, Hamas spokesman Abdul Latif al-Qanou said the movement has not rejected the proposal put forward by US President Donald Trump's envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, but has responded positively to it, Xinhua news agency reported. Al-Qanou accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of resuming the war to derail the agreement. He said Israel has tightened its blockade by closing crossings, preventing the entry of humanitarian aid, and refusing to enter the second phase of negotiations, to overturn the agreement and escalate the conflict. "Hamas is committed to maintaining the agreement and will continue to engage flexibly with mediators to prevent further aggression against the Palestinian people and hold the occupation accountable for its obligations," he said. Early Tuesday, Israel launched massive airstrikes across Gaza, killing more than 400 people and shattering a fragile ceasefire that took effect on January 19. Netanyahu said later in the day that the airstrikes were launched because Hamas rejected Israeli and US proposals to extend the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal that ended on March 1. The proposals demanded prolonging the first phase and Hamas freeing additional hostages. Netanyahu also said that Israel will escalate its renewed assault on the enclave and that "from now on, the negotiations (on Gaza ceasefire) will take place only under fire." Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said officials with Trump's administration "were informed before the attacks and supported it." The Israeli airstrikes have been widely condemned by the international community. United Nations, March 19 : UN humanitarian chief urged a renewed Gaza ceasefire and called on Israel to lift the blockade of life-saving aid and commercial supplies to the enclave, after the latest deadly Israeli airstrikes. "Overnight, our worst fears materialised. Airstrikes resumed across the entire Gaza Strip," said Tom Fletcher, UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, briefing the Security Council in a video call from Brussels. "New evacuation orders issued by Israeli forces, and once again, the people of Gaza living in abject fear," he added. Fletcher said suspending aid and commercial materials is reversing the progress achieved during the ceasefire and essential survival resources needed are now being rationed, Xinhua news agency reported. Since March 2, Israeli authorities have cut off the entry of all lifesaving supplies, including food, medicines, fuel, and cooking gas. They also have cut power to southern Gaza's desalination plant, limiting access to clean water for 600,000 people. This total blockade of life-saving aid, basic commodities and commercial goods will have a disastrous impact on the people in Gaza who remain dependent on a steady flow of assistance into the Strip, Fletcher warned. "We cannot and must not accept a return to pre-ceasefire conditions or the complete denial of humanitarian relief," he emphasised. "Civilians must be protected, and their essential needs must be met. International law must be respected." The UN relief chief called for allowing aid and commercial supplies into Gaza, and urged parties to renew the ceasefire. "Blocking food, water and medicine for people who need them is unconscionable," he said. "The return to hostilities overnight must cease. The suffering of the people of the region must end." Earlier, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said that the last 18 months of violence have made abundantly clear that there is no military path out of the Gaza crisis. "The only way forward is a political settlement, in line with international law," Turk said. New Delhi, March 19 : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised astronaut Sunita Williams and her fellow crew members for their extraordinary achievements in space, following their safe return to Earth. The Defence Minister on Wednesday, took to the social media platform X to express his delight, writing, "Delighted at the safe return of NASAas Crew-9 on Earth! The crew, comprising of Indiaas daughter Sunita Williams and other astronauts, have rewritten the history of human endurance and perseverance in space." "Sunita Williamsa incredible journey, unwavering dedication, fortitude, and fighting spirit will inspire millions across the globe. Her safe return is a moment of celebration for space enthusiasts and the entire world. Her courage and achievements make us all proud. Congratulations and a big thank you to all stakeholders for bringing them back safely on Earth," he added. Williams, along with NASAas Butch Wilmore, NASA's Nick Hague, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, returned to Earth on Tuesday evening, concluding what was meant to be a short eight-day mission that turned into an unexpected nine-month stay on the International Space Station (ISS). Their return came aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, which splashed down off the coast of Florida just minutes before 6 p.m. As announced by NASA, the recovery operation was successfully carried out, with the astronauts being lifted out of the capsule. Hague was the first to exit, followed by Williams, who emerged third. All three astronauts smiled and waved as they were assisted out of the spacecraft, marking the end of their prolonged stay in space. Williams and Wilmore initially launched to the ISS on June 6, 2024, aboard Boeingas Starliner spacecraft. However, after a malfunction in the spacecraft, they were left stranded. Their return was delayed until now when SpaceXas Dragon capsule was sent to bring them back to Earth. Abu Dhabi, March 19 : Continued Israeli airstrikes on civilian and residential areas in Gaza could lead to broader instability in the enclave and pose a risk of escalating violence across the region, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Foreign Ministry said. The ministry called for preventing the loss of more innocent lives and the worsening of humanitarian conditions in Gaza, stopping the punitive measures affecting civilians, and halting the escalation, Xinhua news agency reported quoting official Emirates News Agency (WAM). It also urged the international community to "push for a renewed ceasefire" and for the restoration of electricity, the reopening of crossings, and the sustained and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need in Gaza, WAM reported. The ministry reiterated the UAE's commitment to supporting global efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution and ensure the protection of civilians. The remarks came as Israel launched massive airstrikes across Gaza early Tuesday, killing more than 400 people and further shattering a fragile ceasefire that took effect on January 19. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said later in the day that Israel will escalate its renewed assault on the enclave and that "from now on, the negotiations (on Gaza ceasefire) will take place only under fire." Earlier in the day UN humanitarian chief urged a renewed Gaza ceasefire and called on Israel to lift the blockade of life-saving aid and commercial supplies to the enclave, after the latest deadly Israeli airstrikes. "Overnight, our worst fears materialised. Airstrikes resumed across the entire Gaza Strip," said Tom Fletcher, UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, briefing the Security Council in a video call from Brussels. "New evacuation orders issued by Israeli forces, and once again, the people of Gaza living in abject fear," he added. Mumbai, March 19 : Saba Pataudi, the sister of Bollywood actors Saif Ali Khan and Soha Ali Khan, is celebrating the birth anniversary of the late acting legend Shashi Kapoor. Saba took to her Instagram, and shared throwback pictures of the late actor with her mother, Sharmila Tagore. She also penned a long note in the caption, as she wrote, "Happy Birthday Shashi Uncle! My favorite amongst all of Ma's costars. Knew him the most. A gentleman. A star. A kind soul and wonderful human being. I miss your wicked sense of humor, so much like Abba. You both must have surely have connected on that trait. The British twins and yet Indian international origin. A Legend. #happybirthday #shashikapoor #sharmilatagore (sic)". Shashi Kapoor was the third and the youngest son of the late Prithviraj Kapoor, the patriarch of the Kapoor dynasty in Hindi cinema. Shashi Kapoor began his career as a child actor in 1948 with his brother Raj Kapoor's maiden directorial 'Aag', and had his first role as an adult in 1961 with Yash Chopra's political drama 'Dharmputra'. He established himself in 1965 with two blockbusters, 'Waqt' and 'Jab Jab Phool Khile'. This was followed by a period of lukewarm success. He made a notable comeback in 1974, and became the top five to six saleable stars of the time and starred in topgrossing Hindi films since the early-1970s to 1980s, such as 'Roti Kapada Aur Makaan', 'Deewaar', 'Chori Mera Kaam', 'Kabhi Kabhie', 'Fakira', 'Trishul', 'Kranti' and 'Namak Halaal'. He received critical acclaim for his portrayal of a reckless chieftain in 'Junoon', a businessman in 'Kalyug', a strict father in 'Vijeta' and an upright journalist in 'New Delhi Times' for which he won the National Film Award for Best Actor. He has been honoured with four National Film Awards, and has also featured in a number of English-language international films. The Government of India honoured him with the Padma Bhushan in 2011, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, in 2014, for his contribution to Indian cinema. Mumbai, March 19 : On her father Krishnaraj's eighth death anniversary, Bollywood superstar Aishwarya Rai Bachchan remembered her father and her daughter Aaradhya Bachchan paid her tributes to her grandfather. Taking to Instagram in the wee hours of Wednesday Aishwarya shared a few pictures. The first picture was a garlanded photo frame of Aishwarya's late father. The second had her daughter Aaradhya bowing her head in the picture of her grandfather to pay her respects. The next was a picture of Aishwarya bowing her head. Aishwarya captioned the post, "Love you eternally dearest darling Daddy-Ajjaaa. Thank you for all your loving blessings always." It was in 2017, when Aishwarya's father passed away in Mumbai after a prolonged illness. The former beauty queen is the daughter of Krishnaraj and Brindya Rai. She also has a brother Aditya Rai. Talking about the actress, Aishwarya got married to actor Abhishek Bachchan in 2007. They tied the knot in an intimate wedding ceremony at one of Amitabh Bachchan's bungalows- Prateeksha. The duo welcomed their daughter Aaradhya in 2011. On the work front, Aishwarya was last seen in Mani Ratnam's acclaimed film "Ponniyin Selvan: Part 2", which hit the screens in 2023. It also featured Vikram, Ravi Mohan, Karthi, Trisha Krishnan, Jayaram, Prabhu, R. Sarathkumar, Sobhita Dhulipala, and Aishwarya Lekshmi among others. It tells the story of Prince Arulmozhi Varman (who would become the emperor Rajaraja I) and his family as they tackle threats to the Chola Empire. On February 5, On Abhishek's 49th birthday, Aishwarya posted an adorable childhood photo of the actor. In the image, a young Abhishek could be seen riding a bicycle in the throwback photo. She captioned, "Here's wishing you Happy Birthday with happiness, good health, love and light God Bless" -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed News / National by Staff reporter At the time, chamber president, Neil Diamond, said the inquiries were from people who wanted to relocate to the US with their families.This week, Diamond has travelled to South Africa with his delegation, where he has met officials from the US embassy in Pretoria to hand over the names of individuals who have registered for relocation.Speaking to broadcaster Newzroom Afrika, Diamond said his organisation has been overwhelmed by the massive interest in the refugee programme."It was very important for the South African Chamber of Commerce in the US to travel to South Africa so that we could share the details of those folks that have registered on our website to receive more information and to express their interest in the refugee programme as contained in President Trump's executive order of February 7, 2025," he said."Immediately following the executive order, it was about 5pm US time, when we got the information. We related that information to some of the folks we knew in South Africa, and it just spread like a wildfire. By the time I woke up on Saturday morning, on February 8, I had 7,500 emails in my mailbox, over 2,500 texts, WhatsApp and Facebook messages - basically our mail serve crashed. We couldn't deal with the volume of inquiries that we received, which was totally unexpected."Diamond said the list of Afrikaners seeking to relocate was 67,042, and the majority of the people are young South Africans. The majority of the applicants are aged between 25 and 45."They have between two to three dependents, so it is a clear indication that people expressing interest are really a younger generation, maybe a generation that has not fully enjoyed the benefits of our country and are seeking to get better opportunity for their children," he said.In February, IOL reported that the US embassy in South Africa assured thousands of protesters who descended on the diplomatic mission to show support and hand over grievances directed at President Trump that their petition would be conveyed.At the time, IOL reported that thousands of South African Afrikaners had gathered at the US embassy in Pretoria voicing their support for Trump.Some of the people gathered outside the embassy were seen with posters written: "Mr Donald Trump Thank You Very Much"; "Make South Africa Great Again" and "Recognise the White Nation like Israel was recognised".Willem Petzer, who according to his Facebook page is an Afrikaner commentator, posted a video on social media where he said that more than 3,000 people were at the rally.In a YouTube video, Petzer said that people were there to show their support for Trump's actions that he had taken against the SA government due to the Expropriation Act.In a post shared on social media platform X, the US mission in Pretoria said it acknowledges the petition on South Africa's land policies."The US embassy in South Africa received a petition this morning (Saturday) addressed to President Donald Trump, seeking US support to change policies and laws affecting Afikaner (spelling error) community in South Africa."We will transmit the full text of the document to the president and secretary of State for immediate action," the embassy posted in February.Last month, IOL reported that Trump had made good on his promise to cut funding to South Africa over the government's land expropriation policy and resettle white farmers whose land will allegedly be expropriated.In a late-night Executive Order, Trump accused South Africa's government of "egregious actions" without providing any evidence, saying the recently enacted Expropriation Act 13 of 2024 would seize ethnic minority Afrikaners' agricultural property without compensation.Trump said this Act followed "countless government policies" designed to dismantle equal opportunity in employment, education, and business, and hateful rhetoric and government actions fuelling disproportionate violence against "racially disfavoured landowners". Washington, March 19 : The White House has said that US President Donald Trump has fulfilled his promise to "rescue" NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who had been stuck in space for months. The two astronauts returned to Earth early Wednesday morning, with their spacecraft splashing down off the coast of Florida at 3:27 a.m. (Indian time). Sharing a video of the dramatic moment on social media platform X, the White House called it: 'NASA astronauts splashdown to Earth after nine months stuck in space.' "Promise made, promise kept: President Trump pledged to rescue the astronauts stranded in space for nine months. Today, they safely splashed down in the Gulf of America, thanks to Elon Musk, SpaceX, and NASA!" the post read. Williams and Wilmore had originally launched aboard NASAas Boeing Crew Flight Test on June 5 last year for what was supposed to be an eight-day mission to the International Space Station. However, on June 6, as their Starliner spacecraft approached the ISS, NASA and Boeing identified helium leaks and issues with the spacecraft's reaction control thrusters. This forced the Starliner to return to Earth without its crew, leaving the astronauts on the ISS far longer than intended. By August, NASA decided to reassign the two astronauts to SpaceX's Crew-9 mission, where they joined NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. After spending more than nine months in space, the Crew-9 team finally returned to Earth on Wednesday. The situation had taken a political turn earlier this year when, on January 28, President Trump announced that he had personally requested SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to "go get" the two astronauts, accusing the Biden administration of virtually abandoning them in space. Musk later shared details of the discussion on social media, stating that Trump had asked him to ensure the safe return of Williams and Wilmore, who had been aboard the ISS since June 2024. Musk was vocal about his concerns, calling the astronauts' prolonged stay in space "terrible" and blaming the Biden administration for not acting sooner. Despite the growing controversy, NASA had consistently maintained over the past nine months that the astronauts were never "stranded." The agency repeatedly assured the public that Williams and Wilmore were safe and healthy throughout their extended stay aboard the ISS. Berlin, March 19 : German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed that any peace negotiations regarding the conflict in Ukraine must fully involve the Ukrainian government. During a meeting in Berlin on Tuesday, the two leaders underscored their unwavering support for Kyiv, emphasising that no decisions about Ukraine's future should be made "over the heads" of the Ukrainian people. They called for a "just and lasting peace." Their talks came ahead of a European Council summit in Brussels later this week, where Ukraine, European defence, and economic competitiveness will be key topics of discussion. "We are in complete agreement that Ukraine can rely on us," Scholz said at a joint press conference. Referring to a phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding a ceasefire in the energy and infrastructure sectors, Scholz described it as "a first important step" but stressed the need for a full ceasefire as soon as possible, Xinhua news agency reported. Macron echoed this sentiment, affirming Europe's continued support for Ukraine to ensure a stable and lasting resolution. He welcomed the Trump-Putin discussions as "moving in the right direction." According to Macron, France, Britain, and Germany have played a constructive role in persuading Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to accept a proposed 30-day ceasefire. "The first steps are in place, but our goal remains unchanged - to establish a fully respected, measurable, and verifiable ceasefire and launch peace talks that bring solid and lasting peace with guarantees," Macron said, emphasising that Ukraine must be directly involved in all negotiations. Miami, March 19 : Sofia Kenin won a first-round clash between Grand Slam champions at the Miami Open to set up a second-round showdown against another Grand Slam champion Coco Gauff. Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion from the United States, defeated new mom and two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic 6-4, 7-5 at the WTA 1000 hard-court event. Kenin took 1 hour and 25 minutes to level her head-to-head with former Miami champion Kvitova at 2-2. One of Kvitova's wins came here in 2018, but Kenin got the job done this time around in her home state of Florida. Former World No. 2 Kvitova, who defeated Elena Rybakina to win the Miami Open title just two years ago, gave birth to son Petr last July. Kvitova made her celebrated return to tour action less than a month ago, WTA reports. The Czech is still winless in her three appearances on court since her maternity leave ended. She fell to Jodie Burrage in the first round of Austin and to Varvara Gracheva in her Indian Wells opener. Former World No. 4 Kenin will now face current World No. 3 Gauff in an all-American second-round encounter. Kenin and Gauff have split their four career meetings on the WTA Tour. In another match, former Miami Open finalist Naomi Osaka survived a first-round scare from Ukrainian qualifier Yuliia Starodubtseva, coming from a set and a break down to advance 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 in 2 hours and 28 minutes. Osaka, the 2022 runner-up to Iga Swiatek, had not won a match since reaching the third round of the Australian Open in January, where she retired trailing Belinda Bencic by a set due to an abdominal injury. Next up is No. 24 seed Liudmila Samsonova, with whom she split two meetings last year. Mumbai, March 19 : The Maharashtra government has tabled the bill to amend the Maharashtra Stamps Act, 1958. This was necessitated after the Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar in his budget for 2025-26 proposed to mobilise additional revenue by revising stamp duty charged on certain documents. The bill was presented late Tuesday evening by the Minister of State Yogesh Kadam in the state Assembly. "Section 4 of the Stamp Act is proposed to be amended with a view to increase the rate of stamp duty, which is fixed long ago at the nominal amount of Rs 100 to Rs 500 in case of supplementary document if more than one document is used to complete the transaction," reads the bill. "Sections 10 and 10D of the Stamp Act are proposed to be amended with a view to facilitating online mode for payment (e-payment) and "certificate of stamp duty" in State Government Treasury a new provision for 'e-stamp certificate', so that people can pay stamp duty online at any time from anywhere," reads the bill. Further, the bill says, "Subsection (1) of section 31 of the Stamp Act is proposed to be amended with a view to increasing the adjudication fee from Rs 100 to Rs 1,000 for changeability of the instrument, applying to have the opinion of the Collector and to provide for depositing the certain amount of stamp duty specified therein while filing an application for adjudication of the executed instrument." Deputy CM Ajit Pawar has presented the Rs 7 lakh crore budget for 2025-26 projecting a revenue deficit of Rs 45,891 crore, fiscal deficit of Rs 1.36 lakh crore and debt stock of Rs 9.32 lakh crore. He had projected the state's own tax revenue worth Rs 3.87 lakh crore for 2025-26 against the revised estimate of Ra 3.67 lakh crore in 2024-25. Pawar had said in his budget speech that amid the constraints to propose new taxes or increase the prevailing taxes in the GST regime, he hoped to mobilise additional revenue of around Rs 1,200 crore by proposing revised stamp duty and Motor Vehicle Tax. Islamabad, March 19 : The Torkham border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan remained closed as the second round of ceasefire talks between designated religious, political, and tribal elders from both sides could not yield a breakthrough. The border was all set to open on Tuesday after almost a month of closure due to escalating tensions between the two nations over the construction of facilities by Afghan forces around the disputed border, according to media reports. Following the talks between both sides, it was decided to open the Torkham trade route, which was closed on February 21, for all types of movement. The situation in the Torkham border escalated on March 4 when talks for reopening the crossing failed, leading to an exchange of fire between Pakistani security forces and the Afghan Taliban fighters. The violent clashes have resulted in the death of many armed forces personnel and civilians near the border. Meanwhile, the border security officials from both sides were scheduled to meet on Wednesday morning to discuss and make the final decision regarding the reopening of the border. Syed Jawad Hussain Kazmi, the head of the Pakistani delegation, said that the Afghan team during the meeting had requested time to seek final approval from higher authorities in Kabul. However, no final decision had been conveyed. "We are still waiting for the Afghans to contact us, which has caused a delay in reopening the Torkham border," Kazmi told the country's leading daily, The Express Tribune. The prolonged closure has caused significant financial losses for traders on both sides. The Pakistani officials stated that all sorts of trade, including the transit trade, remained halted during the 24-day closure of the border. The cumulative losses to the national kitty because of the closure amounted to $72 million. "Hundreds of cargo trucks are stuck here, including transit goods. Some of these items have already perished, causing financial losses for traders. The governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan must find a solution to this problem," Mohammad Gul, a driver on the Torkham route, told leading Afghan media outlet TOLOnews. Torkham, one of the most important crossings between Afghanistan and Pakistan, handles the largest volume of trade and movement between the two countries. The conflict has inflicted a massive blow to the traders on both sides of the border, who have lost millions of dollars. Hundreds of travellers and patients, along with thousands of freight trucks, remain stranded on both sides of the Torkham crossing due to the standoff. Chennai, March 19 : Autorickshaw drivers in Chennai have gone on a 12-hour strike on Wednesday in protest against the Greater Chennai Police's (GCP) directive to integrate a QR code system into their vehicles. The strike, which began at 6 a.m. and will continue until 6 p.m., is also aimed at highlighting long-pending demands, including a fare revision, a government-run ride-hailing app, and a ban on bike taxis. The GCP introduced the QR code system on March 8, intending to enhance passenger safety, particularly for women and children. The system allows real-time tracking and includes an SOS feature for emergencies. However, auto drivers argue that instead of prioritising passenger safety measures, the government should first address their demands for better wages and working conditions. The Tamil Nadu Auto Workers Federation, affiliated with the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), has been advocating for a fare revision since a 2022 Madras High Court order directed the state government to update auto fares. However, despite discussions between the fare-fixing committee and auto unions, no revision has been implemented. Currently, auto fares in Tamil Nadu remain unchanged since 2013, with a base fare of Rs 25 for the first 1.8 km and Rs 12 per km thereafter. The unions are demanding a minimum fare of Rs 50, with Rs 25 per additional kilometre. Frustrated by government inaction, some drivers have independently raised their rates, charging Rs 50 as the base fare and Rs 18 per km, but only a small number have followed suit. Drivers are also demanding a state-run ride-hailing app similar to Kerala's dynamic pricing model. Many allege that private aggregators like Ola, Uber, and Rapido impose hidden charges that exploit both drivers and passengers. A government-regulated app, they argue, would ensure fair pricing, transparency, and additional revenue for the state. Selvarajan, an auto driver from Teynampet, noted a significant drop in daily rides. "Earlier, I used to get around 30 rides a day. Now, it has reduced to 15-20. Many bike taxi riders operate as a side business while commuting to their offices, further affecting our income," he said. Reports indicate that Chennai has 89,641 registered autorickshaws, with approximately 78,000 linked to private ride-hailing platforms. Meanwhile, the first phase of the QR code initiative has already seen 88,859 auto and shared auto drivers receiving QR codes. Auto drivers have also raised concerns about the durability of the QR code stickers, which they claim are made of paper-based material and are easily damaged. "These stickers wear out quickly, making them ineffective in the long run," said Sujith, another auto driver participating in the protest. In addition to fare revisions and a ride-hailing app, the unions are urging Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to fulfil his poll promise of providing a Rs 10,000 subsidy for purchasing new autorickshaws. The striking drivers have gathered at key locations, including Rajarathinam Stadium, Egmore, and Anna Salai near Tarapore Towers, staging demonstrations to press their demands. With the strike expected to last until evening, Chennai commuters are likely to face inconvenience, highlighting the growing tensions between autorickshaw drivers and authorities over long-standing issues. Karachi, March 19 : In yet another case of violence against women in Pakistan, a woman was set on fire by her husband in Karachi as she objected to him having relations with other women. She was tortured before being doused with petrol and set ablaze, leaving her with 40 per cent burns. Soon after the incident, the husband escaped from the scene and was arrested by the city police only after a couple of days. It is also reported that she was often subjected to abuse and torture by her husband. The injured woman is under treatment at Burns Ward of Civil Hospital in Karachi while the police started interrogating the arrested husband. Recently, a report issued by the Progressive Women's Association (PWA) in Pakistan reveals that about 300 Pakistani women are burned to death each year by their husbands or their husbands' families, and the violence is increasing, local media reported on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Tuesday organised a meeting on justice for women and gender minorities. While discussing the existing laws for women's protection, the HRCP expressed concerns over the low conviction rates in cases of rape, abduction, domestic violence, and harmful customary practices, according to leading Pakistani daily Dawn. The commission stated that crimes against women in Pakistan are frequently reported in the media, but the conviction rates for these offences remain alarmingly low. The commission stated that the gap between reported crimes and low conviction rates in Pakistan highlights serious weaknesses in the legal system. Weak investigations, social stigma, and delays in court cases create major barriers to justice. This lack of accountability allows violence to continue, making it difficult for survivors to seek justice and protection. Recently, the Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO) in Pakistan released its latest report, 'Mapping Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Pakistan 2024', providing a province-wise analysis of rape, honour killings, kidnapping/abduction, and domestic violence. The report highlights the alarming scale of GBV cases and the extremely low conviction rates in the country. The data reveals that a total of 32,617 cases of GBV were reported nationwide in 2024. 5,339 incidents of rape, 24,439 incidents of kidnapping and abduction, 2238 incidents of domestic violence, and 547 cases of honour killing were recorded in 2024, reports the leading Pakistani newspaper, The Express Tribune. Despite these alarming figures, conviction rates remain critically low across all provinces of Pakistan. The national-level conviction rate of rape and honour killings stands at a mere 0.5 per cent. Kidnapping and abduction cases have an even lower conviction rate of 0.1 per cent, and domestic violence cases with a conviction rate of only 1.3 per cent. Chennai, March 19 : Disclosing that S U Arun Kumar, the director of actor Vikram's eagerly-awaited action entertainer 'Veera Dheera Sooran', was a Martin Scorsese fan, actor S J Suryah, who plays the antagonist in the film, has now disclosed that this fact will be evident from the treatment of his film. Chennai, March 19 (IANS) Disclosing that S U Arun Kumar, the director of actor Vikram's eagerly-awaited action entertainer 'Veera Dheera Sooran', was a Martin Scorsese fan, actor S J Suryah, who plays the antagonist in the film, has now disclosed that this fact will be evident from the treatment of his film. Participating in an interview along with the other members of the cast ahead of the film's release on March 27, S J Suryah said, "S U Arun Kumar is a Martin Scorcese fan. That will be evident in his treatment of the story. He believes that everything about the story must be natural and realistic. That was a good takeaway for me from the film." Director Arun Kumar, for his part, said that he was never under any pressure as one would have expected a young director to be because of big stars being a part of his film. "As far as Veera Dheera Sooran is concerned, I have the feeling of having worked with some very good people. It was a very democratic space. All I needed to do was just tell them what I wanted. I usually don't act. I like to extract from the artistes," he said. "Irrespective of whoever the actor was, they would ask me, 'Arun, is this okay?' or 'Sir, what should I do'. I never had the feeling that I was doing a big movie with big stars, " he explained. Interestingly, 'Veera Dheera Sooran', which has an ensemble star cast including Chiyaan Vikram, S.J. Suryah, Suraj Venjaramoodu and Dushara Vijayan, will have its second part releasing first on March 27 this year. While the film has cinematography by Theni Eswar, it has music by G.V. Prakash Kumar. Editing has been taken care of by G.K. Prasanna. Art direction for the film is by C.S. Balachandar. Riya Shibu of HR Pictures is producing this film, an edge-of-seat action thriller. --IANS Mkr/ Mumbai, March 19 : Actor Sharad Kelkar has shared his excitement about voicing the iconic character of Ravan in the animated series "The Legend of Hanuman." Mumbai, March 19 (IANS) Actor Sharad Kelkar has shared his excitement about voicing the iconic character of Ravan in the animated series "The Legend of Hanuman." Describing the experience as nothing short of thrilling, Sharad opened up about the challenges and satisfaction of bringing such a larger-than-life character to life through his voice. Kelkar recently revealed that Season 6 takes his character to an entirely new level. On this Hanuman Jayanti, "The Legend of Hanuman" will make its highly anticipated return with an exciting new season that promises to elevate the epic saga even further. Speaking about voicing Ravan in the new season, Sharad Kelkar, shared, "Portraying Ravan in The Legend of Hanuman has been an incredible journey, and Season 6 takes his character to a whole new level. This time, the battle is not just about brute strength but also about intellect and strategy. Ravan is a master manipulator, and his mind games are more dangerous than ever as he seeks to outmaneuver Ram and strike where it hurts the most." He added, "Voicing this powerful and complex character has been a thrilling experience, and I can't wait for audiences to witness the depth, intensity, and drama that unfolds in this new season." Co-creator and executive producer of "The Legend of Hanuman," Sharad Devarajan, shared, "Season 6 of The Legend of Hanuman is not just a battle of swords and strength, but a war of the mind as Ravan seeks to break Ram's spirit through deception and strategy. Hanuman's latest quest continues our story of devotion, destiny, and the resilience of the human spirit, not just as a warrior, but as a symbol of hope. We are honored to continue this series with JioHotstar and push the boundaries of Indian animation, proving that our mythologies are not just stories of the past, but timeless epics that inspire us today and for generations to come." Produced by Graphic India and Sharad Devarajan, the new season of "The Legend of Hanuman" will stream on JioCinema starting April 12th. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Jaipur, March 19 : At least eight students were injured when the school bus they were travelling in met with an accident on the Jodhpur-Jaisalmer National Highway on Wednesday. The bus belonging to the Holy Mission School collided with a truck near Kui Inda Crusher, close to Balesar town. The incident, which took place around 9 a.m., left eight schoolchildren injured. The accident happened when the bus, carrying students and staff, had just passed the Kui intersection. A truck coming from the opposite direction suddenly attempted to turn towards a hotel without the driver checking the side mirror. This abrupt turn left the bus driver unable to control the vehicle, resulting in a collision. The impact was so severe that the truckas oil tank burst. Hearing the commotion, the nearby residents rushed to the scene. They were the first ones to reach the spot and helped evacuate the children from the bus. The injured students were taken to Balesar Community Health Center in private vehicles. Two children, in critical condition, were referred to Jodhpur for advanced medical care, while the remaining six were discharged after receiving first aid. Balesar police station in-charge, Mool Singh Bhati, confirmed that upon receiving news of the accident, he and his team reached the spot immediately. The injured students were taken to the hospital, and both vehicles were seized and brought to the police station. The rest of the students were transported to school in another bus. Fortunately, no life-threatening injuries were reported, and an investigation into the incident is underway. Recently, three students of the National Law University (NLU) of Jodhpur were killed and several others injured when a bus in which they were travelling met with an accident and overturned in Nagaur. The students were returning to the university from Chandigarh when the accident took place at about 5.30 a.m. on the Ladnun road. New Delhi, March 19 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday welcomed the safe return of NASA's Crew-9, which included astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who had been stranded in space for nearly nine months. New Delhi, March 19 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday welcomed the safe return of NASAas Crew-9, which included astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who had been stranded in space for nearly nine months. Taking to the social media platform X, PM Modi expressed his admiration for their resilience, saying, "Welcome back, Crew-9! The Earth missed you. Theirs has been a test of grit, courage, and the boundless human spirit. Sunita Williams and the Crew-9 astronauts have once again shown us what perseverance truly means. Their unwavering determination in the face of the vast unknown will forever inspire millions." PM Modi also praised the pioneering spirit of Sunita Williams, stating, "Space exploration is about pushing the limits of human potential, daring to dream, and having the courage to turn those dreams into reality. Sunita Williams, a trailblazer and an icon, has exemplified this spirit throughout her career." Expressing gratitude to those who worked to bring the astronauts back safely, the Prime Minister added, "We are incredibly proud of all those who worked tirelessly to ensure their safe return. They have demonstrated what happens when precision meets passion and technology meets tenacity." Williams, along with Butch Wilmore, Nick Hague, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, returned to Earth on Tuesday evening aboard SpaceXas Dragon spacecraft. The spacecraft splashed down off the coast of Florida just minutes before 6 p.m., marking the successful conclusion of an unexpected and prolonged stay on the International Space Station (ISS). The capsule was later retrieved by a recovery ship, and Hague was the first to exit. Williams emerged third, smiling and waving as she was assisted out of the spacecraft. Originally, Williams and Wilmore had planned to spend only eight days in space when they launched on June 6, 2024, aboard Boeingas Starliner spacecraft. However, due to a malfunction in the spacecraft, their return was delayed, and they were eventually brought back on SpaceX's Dragon capsule. Hyderabad, March 19 : Telangana Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Wednesday presented a budget of Rs 3.04 lakh crore for 2025-26. Presenting the second full-fledged budget of the Congress government in the state Assembly, he pegged the revenue and capital expenditure at Rs 2.26 lakh crore and capital expenditure at Rs 36,504 crore respectively. "For the fiscal year 2025-26, I am proposing a total expenditure of Rs 3,04,965 crore, with revenue expenditure of Rs 2,26,982 crore and capital expenditure of Rs 36,504 crore," he said. In July last year, the Finance Minister presented a Rs 2.91 lakh crore budget for 2024-25. Telangana's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) recorded a growth rate of 10.1 per cent during 2024-25 against the national growth rate of 9.9 per cent. At current prices, Telangana's GSDP stands at Rs 16,12,579 crore. The per capita income of Telangana in 2024-25 was Rs 3,79,751 crore, with a growth rate of 9.6 per cent. "In comparison, India's per capita income is Rs 2,05,579, with a growth rate of 8.8 per cent. Clearly, Telangana's per capita income is higher by 1.8 times, i.e., Rs 1,74,172. Reflecting the state's strong economic progress," he said. In 2024-25, the Services Sector contributed 66.3 per cent, the Agriculture and allied sectors contributed 17.3 per cent and the Industrial Sector 16.4 per cent to Telangana's Gross State Value Added (GSVA). "Government initiatives such as free electricity, Rythu Bharosa, farm loan waivers, and investments in irrigation projects have boosted farmers' confidence and strengthened the agricultural sector. At the same time, to further enhance the agriculture sector, we are actively promoting horticulture, animal husbandry, and aquaculture, ensuring diversified and sustainable growth for farmers." The industrial sector in Telangana provides employment to 22.5 per cent of the workforce. By adopting the "China +1" strategy, the government aims to develop Telangana into a global manufacturing hub in key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, electric vehicles, and renewable energy. The Finance Minister said the Telangana government has already expressed concern over the declining share of tax devolution for Southern states, including Telangana. Under the 14th Finance Commission, Telangana received 2.437 per cent of funds, which declined to 2.102 per cent under the 15th Finance Commission. "Our government represented that allocating fewer funds to well-performing states is unfair and advocated a more rational tax distribution system that incentivizes states contributing significantly to the nation's economic growth," he said. The state government has proposed reforms in the horizontal tax devolution, suggesting a shift away from the current "Per Capita Income Distance" criterion. Instead, it recommends assigning 50 per cent weightage to GSDP (Gross State Domestic Product) to ensure a more equitable allocation of resources for states driving national economic growth, he said. Stating that over the past decade, Telangana suffered numerous challenges, he said it was now progressing on the path of development. With the 'Telangana Rising 2050 vision', the government is shaping its policies and programmes to drive sustainable progress. "Our strategic roadmap for the next decade envisions a five-fold expansion of the current $200 billion state economy into a trillion-dollar economy," he added. Kolkata, March 19 : The Kolkata Police have issued lookout notices against 69 Bangladeshi infiltrators who procured Indian passports by furnishing fake documents after illegally entering the country through porous borders at different points in time. The lookout notices have been issued in apprehension that these 69 Bangladeshi infiltrators are still staying in hideouts in the country, especially in West Bengal, and might escape to other countries. The move comes amid the busting of fake passport rackets in the state and their identities getting revealed during the investigations. Accordingly, the concerned departments, including the immigration, customs, and different border guard agencies in the country, have been alerted. The agencies have been provided with details of these 69 Bangladeshi infiltrators against whom such lookout notices have been issued, sources from the city police said. The investigating officials suspect that these illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators might be of two categories. The first category includes those who are basically aeconomic refugees" and their intention to come to India was to look for avenues to earn their livelihoods. The second category, as apprehended by the investigating officials, might include those with links with underground terror groups operating from Bangladesh and might have entered India with nefarious motives, including the setting up of sleeper cells in West Bengal. Last week, the Kolkata Police submitted a charge sheet at a lower court in Kolkata about the fake Indian passport rackets operating from West Bengal. In the charge sheet, a total of 130 individuals have been named, and out of this, 120 are Bangladeshi residents and the remaining are Indian nationals. The main charges against the Bangladeshi nationals are that they created fake Indian passports by furnishing forged documents and paying huge money. The charges against the accused Indian nationals are that they played the role of facilitators for arranging fake Indian identity documents, including passports for these illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators. The cops investigating the fake Indian identity documents rackets have identified a specific pattern in the operations of such rackets in this particular crime. In the charge sheet, Abdul Hai, the retired assistant inspector who was earlier attached to the security control organisation of Kolkata Police and was arrested this year in connection with the fake passport racket in West Bengal, was named as an accused conspirator. The main charge against him was that he cleared police verifications for at least 52 applications for fake passports reportedly against payment of cash. Thiruvananthapuram, March 19 : Hours after Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore returned to Earth on Tuesday, March 18, following an unplanned extended stay on the International Space Station (ISS), the Kerala Assembly applauded their efforts. Leading the praise was Speaker A.M. Shamseer, who read out a congratulatory note after Question Hour. "The return of Sunita after a nine-month-long sojourn speaks of her determination, boldness, and commitment. This successful mission brings cheer to our country as well," Shamseer said. "Her success is a victory for women around the world and serves as an inspiration to our women and youth. It proves that dreams have no upper limits," he added. Shamseer also acknowledged the contributions of Butch Wilmore, Nick Hague, and Aleksandr Gorbunov. As he concluded the message, the entire 140-member Assembly applauded in unison, clapping their hands and thumping their desks. The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying Williams and her crewmates splashed down off the coast of Florida just before 6 p.m. local time, as announced by NASA. The capsule was then transported to the recovery ship, where Nick Hague became the first to exit nearly 50 minutes after splashdown. Williams emerged third. Sunita Williams and Wilmore had departed for the ISS on June 6, 2024, aboard Boeingas Starliner, intending to stay for eight days. However, a malfunction in the spacecraft delayed their return, extending their stay to 287 days. This was Williamsa third mission to the ISS. The station orbits Earth at an altitude of approximately 254 miles (406.4 km) and a speed of 4.76 miles per second. A collaborative effort by the space agencies of the United States, Russia, Japan, Canada, and Europe, the ISS was launched on November 20, 1998. Mumbai, March 19 : R Madhavan, Karisma Kapoor, Kriti Kharbanda, Chiranjeevi, Rakul Preet Singh, and several other celebrities have come together to celebrate the incredible return of astronaut Sunita Williams to Earth. Expressing their admiration and excitement, these stars took to social media to cheer for Williams' remarkable journey and safe return after her space mission. Madhavan shared a video capturing the spacecraft's safe landing, with a team of professionals assisting astronaut Sunita Williams as she emerged from the spacecraft. The '3 Idiots' actor captioned the post, "Welcome back to Earth our Dear Dear Sunita Williams. #sunitawilliams ..Our prayers have been answeredso wonderful to see you safe and smiling. After more than 260 uncertain days in space this is all Gods grace and millions of praying souls prayers being answered Great Job all at #spacexfalcon9 #nasa AND the entire crew. God bless you." Kriti and Karisma celebrated Sunita Williams' safe return to Earth by resharing her videos on their Instagram stories. Lyricist and poet Manoj Muntashir Shukla shared a video of Williams' water landing in the Atlantic Ocean. For the caption, he wrote, "If you remember this land, I, Returned from the skies too' Welcome Sunita! #welcomeback #WelcomeSunita #sunitawilliamsreturn #sunitawillams." Chiranjeevi tweeted, "A true blue blockbuster". He wrote, "Welcome back to earth Sunita Williams; Butch Wilmore !! Historic and heroic 'home' coming!!! Went for eight days to space and returned after 286 days, after an astonishing 4577 orbits around the earth! Your story is unmatchably dramatic, utterly nerve-wracking, unbelievably nail-baiting thriller and the greatest adventure ever. A true blue blockbuster!! More power to you!!! @Astro_Suni Kudos to #SpaceXDragon #Crew9 for bringing them back ! #SunitaWilliams." Rakul Preet also penned a heartfelt note, calling Sunita Williams' journey in space a testament to her strength and dedication. NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and her Crew-9 team made a remarkable return to Earth on March 19, following an incredible 9-month mission in space. Alongside Williams, astronauts Nick Hague, Butch Wilmore, and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov completed 4,577 orbits around Earth before safely splashing down in the Pacific Ocean. Bhopal, March 19 : A 21-year-old man was arrested in Madhya Pradesh's Burhanpur district for allegedly posting 'objectionable' content on social media, which led to tension in the area, police said on Wednesday. The incident came to light on Tuesday night when a group of people from the minority community, after offering 'Namaz' (prayer), gathered at the Kotwali police station to stage a protest. The protesters claimed that the content shared on Instagram was highly objectionable and had hurt their religious sentiments. They demanded immediate and strict action against the accused. Superintendent of Police Devendra Patidar and District Magistrate Harsh Singh reached the police station sensing the gravity of the situation. Responding swiftly, the police registered a First Information Report (FIR) around 10 p.m. and took the accused, identified as Devesh Dalal (21), into custody. He has been booked under Section 299 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023. To maintain peace and prevent any escalation, a heavy police force was deployed in Burhanpur town, where people from Hindu and Muslim communities reside in close proximity. The police also conducted a flag march in the area as a precautionary measure ahead of 'Rang Panchmi,' a post-Holi festival celebrated by the Hindu community. Burhanpur Superintendent of Police (SP) Devendra Patidar informed reporters that a large number of people had gathered to protest after the social media post went viral. "The police intervened promptly, pacified the crowd, and dispersed them peacefully. Preventive orders have also been issued, and we urge people to refrain from sharing or engaging with objectionable content," Patidar said. The police have assured that a thorough investigation is underway and appealed to citizens to maintain communal harmony and assist in upholding law and order in the district. The Situation is under control and an investigation is underway. Guwahati, March 19 : The process of transferring seven associates of radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh, who were arrested under the National Security Act (NSA) at Dibrugarh Central Jail, to Punjab, is approaching completion, officials said on Wednesday. The seven aides of Amritpal are set to be handed over to the Punjab Police team by the Dibrugarh jail authorities. In the past two days, four detainees -- Gurmeet Singh, Bhagwant Singh (alias Pradhan Mantri Bajeke), Daljit Singh Kalsi, and Basant Singh -- were released by the Dibrugarh jail authorities. Immediately upon their release, Punjab Police re-arrested them in relation to a case registered at the Ajnala Police Station in Punjab. The re-arrested individuals were subsequently presented before the Chief Judicial Magistrate's (CJM) Court in Dibrugarh. As per court orders, they were placed under transit remand on March 17 and 18 for further legal proceedings. Meanwhile, the remaining detainees -- Kulwant Singh, Harjeet Singh, and Kulwinder Pal Singh -- are expected to be released on Wednesday as their NSA detention period has expired. Following their release, Punjab Police will produce them before the judicial court in Dibrugarh and seek transit remand for further legal actions. Amritpal Singh, the leader of the 'Waris Punjab De' outfit, and his nine aides were lodged in the Dibrugarh jail in Assam as NSA was slapped on them two years ago. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Singh contested as an independent and emerged victorious from the Khadoor Sahib seat in Punjab. The detainees had been lodged in Dibrugarh Central Jail since March 2023, following a crackdown on Amritpal Singh and his associates in Punjab. Authorities had invoked the NSA due to concerns regarding their involvement in activities that could disturb public order and national security. According to a top Punjab Police official, the inquiry into the 2023 attack incident at the Ajnala police station would continue. The official further stated that 10 individuals who were detained under the NSA have not yet been formally arrested in connection with the attack on the Ajnala police station. He stated, "We are moving forward with the investigation. We will arrest the seven individuals in that incident and return them to Punjab. We will bring them here in that case and take forward the investigation," the senior police official added. New Delhi, March 19 : Rural areas in the country have availed over 75 per cent cancer treatments under the government's Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), Union Health Minister JP Nadda has informed. Nadda stated in the Parliament that the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme has enabled more than 68 lakh cancer treatments worth over Rs 13,000 crore across the country. Of these, more than 4.5 lakh treatments worth over Rs 985 crore were undertaken for "targeted therapies" against cancer. About 76.32 per cent of beneficiaries were from rural areas. The minister also mentioned about the recently rolled out nationwide screening drive for the management and prevention of non-communicable diseases, like diabetes, hypertension and cancers. The nationwide campaign, valid till March 31, aims to achieve 100 per cent screening of people aged 30 years and above. It is being conducted across Ayushman Arogya Mandir facilities and other healthcare institutions under the NP-NCD framework. The PMJAY scheme provides treatment for several cancers, including of breast, oral and cervical. It also provides more than 200 packages with more than 500 procedures of medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology and palliative medicine. Of these, 37 packages are related to targeted therapies such as chemotherapy for CA Breast, metastatic melanoma, chronic myeloid leukaemia, Burkitt's Lymphoma, and lung cancer, the minister informed. Those suffering from cancer and are below the poverty line can also avail of one-time financial assistance of up to Rs 15 lakh, provided under the Health Minister's Cancer Patient Fund (HMCPF). The minister said that the scheme provides for the sale of generic medicines at 50 per cent to 80 per cent price of branded medicines through Janaushadhi Stores and the 217 AMRIT Pharmacies. A total of 289 oncology drugs are given at half the market price. Nadda said that the government had in the budget announced it would set up 200-day care cancer centres at district hospitals in 2025-26. Further, under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD), 770 district NCD clinics, 233 cardiac care units, 372 district day care centres, and 6,410 NCD clinics at community health centres have been set up, he said. In addition, 19 state cancer institutes and 20 tertiary cancer care centres have been set up in different parts of the country to provide advanced cancer care. Cancer treatment facilities have been approved in all 22 new AIIMS with diagnostic, medical, and surgical facilities, he said. Two such centres where advanced cancer treatment is provided are the National Cancer Institute in Jhajjar, Haryana, with 1,460 beds, and the second campus of Chittranjan National Cancer Institute in Kolkata, which has 460 beds. There are 372 District Day Care Centres providing chemotherapy across the country. Patna, March 19 : After the Enforcement Directorate (ED) started questioning Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family members in the alleged land-for-job scam, the leader of the opposition, Tejashwi Yadav, has stated that such moves by central agencies would not rattle them. "As elections are scheduled this year, ED, CBI, and Income Tax will do their exercise, but it won't affect us. The central government wants to harass us, but they won't succeed. We have been questioned multiple times, but what happened? Nothing!" he said while speaking to media persons in Patna on Wednesday. Tejashwi alleged that cases against Lalu Prasad, Rabri Devi, and himself were part of a political conspiracy. "Had we not been in politics, would there be any case against us? This is all politically motivated. BJP is afraid of us, they know they will lose the Bihar Assembly elections, so they are misusing central agencies," he said. Tejashwi Yadav showed confidence in winning the Bihar Assembly election 2025, stating, "We will form the next government in Bihar." With Bihar politics heating up, the ED's questioning of Lalu Prasad Yadav on Wednesday is expected to further escalate tensions between the RJD and the BJP-led NDA in the state. Lalu Prasad Yadav along with his daughter Misa Bharti arrived at the Patna ED office earlier on Wednesday in a money laundering case linked to an alleged land-for-job scam. On Tuesday, ED had questioned former CM Rabri Devi and Tej Pratap Yadav for four and a half hours separately. Reacting to the back-to-back robbery incidents in Ara and Patna, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, accusing him of failing to control crime in Bihar. "In 20 years of Nitish Kumar's rule, Bihar has witnessed 60,000 murders and 25,000 rapes and gang rapes in Bihar and this is not my data; this is National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, which comes under the Union Home Ministry," Yadav said. "Criminals are roaming freely, creating havoc, while Nitish Kumar is in an unconscious state," he said. The robbery in Patna's Kankarbagh area, where Rs 1 crore was looted in broad daylight on Tuesday, has raised serious law and order concerns. Tejashwi Yadav has repeatedly blamed Nitish Kumar and the NDA government for their alleged failure to ensure public safety. Mumbai, March 19 : Actress Sanjana Sanghi, who is known for 'Rockstar' and 'Dhak Dhak', paid a visit to the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The temple holds a sacred space in her life. Sharing her deep-rooted connection with the city, she reminisced about her childhood trips from Delhi to Amritsar by train with her mother and brother. Talking about the same, the actress said in a statement, "Amritsar is very close to my heart. The Golden Temple has a place in our lives. I have been fortunate to celebrate my 18th birthday, 21st birthday, to say, almost 7-8 birthdays in Amritsar. And today, we are here to celebrate my parents' anniversary. Our trips might have become shorter due to professional commitments, but the divine essence remains the same". The actress also shared a rare insight into her spiritual practices, revealing how she has been blessed to do sewa at Gurudwaras, whether in Delhi or Mumbai. "I have deep admiration for the concept of sewa and langars at the Gurudwara, the act of giving, and being able to adopt that in my life has been transformational for me", she added. Sanjana's deep reverence for Amritsar and its spiritual significance continues to shape her life, reminding her of the values of humility and gratitude. The actress harbours deep love for travelling and experiencing different cultures. Last year, the actress went to Cartagena, Colombia for a vacation. She took to her Instagram stories and shared a gamut of pictures from her holiday, which included some drinks, foods, and picturesque locations for pictures. In one of the images, she was seen posing next to an old building, dressed in an asymmetrical dress paired with tie-up sandals and sunglasses. Another picture showed her posing with a public telephone. She even shared some images of the meals she tried in Cartagena. "Cartagena serving sunshine, ceviche and vibes of a lifetime", she wrote in the caption. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Mumbai, March 19 : Actress Malaika Arora took to social media to share a stunning poolside photo, embracing the power of self-love. With the caption "I like me better," the actress radiated confidence and self-empowerment. On Wednesday, Malaika shared a series of photos on her Instagram handle. In the first image, she is seen sitting and smiling by the poolside. One of the images have the text that read, "We get into our fierce 40s, fabulous 50s, sexy 60s, sassy 70s and just become more free to speak minds And it's beautiful." One blurry shot captures Arora laughing while sitting on a couch with her eyes closed, radiating pure joy. The final image showcases a plate of bread with paneer and tomatoes. Meanwhile, Malaika Arora recently made headlines after a video of her reprimanding a 16-year-old contestant for his inappropriate dance gestures, went viral. She requested the contestant's mother's contact information in response to the situation. In the latest episode of MX Player's "Hip Hop India Season 2," the young contestant's suggestive gestures toward Malaika during his performance left her visibly upset, leading to a firm reaction from the actress. After the performance, Malaika expressed her displeasure, saying, "Please give me your mother's phone number. You're just 16, and yet you're looking at me, winking, and blowing kisses during your dance." The situation was defused when the contestant's father was called on stage. Following this, Malaika and judge Remo D'Souza later had a lighthearted exchange with the contestant. Meanwhile, the Chaiyya Chaiyya girl is currently judging the reality show "Hip Hop India Season 2" with Remo D'Souza. She had previously served as a judge on several popular shows, including "Zara Nachke Dikha." She was part of the judging panel on "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa" in 2010 and on India's Got Talent. Malaika Arora had recently made a special appearance in the song "Majha Yek Number" from the Marathi film "Yek Number." -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Bengaluru, March 19 : Supporting Congress MLA Anil Chikkamadu's plea for relief to Adivasis and forest dwellers in Karnataka, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka urged the state government to address their grievances to prevent potential unrest. Speaking in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, Ashoka said, "There are concerns that people may turn to Maoism if their issues are not addressed. While we strongly oppose Maoism, neglecting these problems could worsen the situation. During my tenure as Revenue Minister, I visited MLA Anil's constituency and felt the need to provide land to the residents." Ashoka emphasized that despite his directives to forest officials during his tenure, no action was taken to resolve the locals' plight. Recalling his two-day visit to Chikkamadu's constituency, he described the hardships faced by residents, including the challenges posed by human-wildlife conflict. "Local residents are abandoning their homes due to harassment by Forest Department officials. Farmers who gave up thousands of acres for dam construction were told to live nearby, but are now being asked to vacate due to a Supreme Court order. This has led to daily unrest," he added. During the budget debate, Congress MLA Anil Chikkamadu from HD Kote constituency in Mysuru district highlighted the long-standing issues faced by displaced communities. He noted that 48 villages in HD Kote taluk were submerged to construct the Kabini Dam, and despite relocation, essential infrastructure remains absent. "In my constituency, 13 people have lost their lives in tiger and elephant attacks. I urge the government to install barricades along the forest fringes," Chikkamadu said. He also called for a special relief package for those rescued from bonded labour who have yet to receive promised amenities. Chikkamadu stressed the need for prioritizing backward taluks for funding, highlighting that 210 farmers displaced by the dam's construction have not received compensation. He demanded a special package for Chamarajanagar and HD Kote taluks and urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to take prompt action. Citing the 2012 High Court order, Chikkamadu pointed out that the rehabilitation of 5,345 Adivasi families remains unimplemented. He called for Rs 15 lakh to be allocated for self-employment programs for young Adivasi men and women. He also emphasized the need for qualified teachers in residential schools up to the 12th standard, noting that none of the 11 such schools in his constituency have B.Ed qualified staff. "Around 15,000 youths from the Adivasi community are working as hotel suppliers across the state, reflecting the urgent need for better support and opportunities," Chikkamadu concluded. Chennai, March 19 : American actor Kyle Paul, who is now playing a role in director Geethu Mohandas's pan Indian film 'Toxic', featuring Kannada star Yash in the lead, has now put out a video clip in which he is all praise for director Geethu Mohandas and her considerate Indian crew. In a video clip that is now doing the rounds on social media, Kyle Paul, who seems to be speaking from his hotel room, says, "I just had a really good experience from my movie set here in India. I am filming a movie called 'Toxic'." Informing that it was 3 in the morning, Kyle goes on to say, "(for a) scene, I had to have really, really high emotions but then, I had to speak in an Indian language called Kannada. I had to be emotional and I had to think about all these words that I barely understand. It just wasn't working in my head. I couldn't keep such a high emotion but then think logically about it, couldn't do it." He then goes on to speak about how considerate the director and the entire unit is. He says, "The director, her name is Geethu freaking adorable sweet Geethu. The whole time I was screwing up and she was like, 'You've got this.' She was just cheering me on the whole time. 'Take your time. We are here for you.' The whole crew was it truly was the best experience I ever had on set. It was me screwing up but it is just another reason I love India." Set to mark a significant milestone in Indian cinema, Toxic is the first large-scale Indian film to be conceptualized, written, and filmed in both English and Kannada. The film is set to be dubbed in multiple Indian and international languages, including Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam, paving the way for a truly cross-cultural film experience. At the helm of this ambitious project is the internationally acclaimed filmmaker Geetu Mohandas. Renowned for her emotionally resonant storytelling, Mohandas has earned prestigious accolades like the National Award and the Global Filmmaking Award at the Sundance Film Festival. Jointly produced by Venkat K. Narayana and Yash under KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations, Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-ups is poised to redefine the action genre, merging western precision with Indian intensity. --IANS Mkr/ Mumbai, March 19 : Bollywood actress Ananya Panday has revealed her new "friend" on set. The actress posted an image of the book 'Greenlights' by Matthew McConaughey with a caption that read, "My new friend between takes." Mumbai, March 19 (IANS) Bollywood actress Ananya Panday has revealed her new "friend" on set. The actress posted an image of the book 'Greenlights' by Matthew McConaughey with a caption that read, "My new friend between takes." It seems like Ananya has found a source of inspiration in the book, as she takes a break from her busy schedule. The 'Student of the Year 2' actress is currently shooting for her tenth film. A few days ago, Ananya reminisced about her debut film, 'Student Of The Year 2', as she returned to the very same shoot location to begin working on her tenth project. She took to her Instagram stories to share a video in which she gave a glimpse of her current shooting location. The clip showed the actress in a car, passing by a picturesque road bordered by lush green trees. Sharing the video, Chunky Panday's daughter wrote in the caption, "Shot SOTY 2 almost 7 years ago!!! In this exact location And shooting my 10th film here now." Ananya Panday has not yet disclosed the film she is currently working on. However, she has some exciting projects lined up, including "Kesari Chapter 2" with Akshay Kumar and R Madhavan, as well as "Chand Mera Dil." In November of last year, filmmaker Karan Johar revealed that Ananya would star alongside 'Kill' actor Lakshya Lalwani in the romantic drama "Chand Mera Dil." Directed by Vivek Soni, the romantic comedy is slated for release in 2025. Since making her debut in 2019, Ananya has appeared in a variety of films, including "Pati Patni Aur Woh", "Khaali Peeli," "Gehraiyaan," "Liger," "Dream Girl 2," and "Kho Gaye Hum Kahaan." Her most recent project was "CTRL," a thriller directed by Vikramaditya Motwane. The film, which also stars Vihaan Samat, follows the story of a social media influencer couple. After discovering her boyfriend's infidelity, the protagonist uses an AI app to erase his digital presence from her computer and social media accounts. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Raipur, March 19 : In a tragic road accident, three persons, including a one-year-old girl, died in the Mahasamund district of Chhattisgarh in the early morning hours of Wednesday when a container and a car collided head-on. The accident, which occurred on Temri road near Suarmal village under the Komakhan police station area, left six others injured who were admitted to different hospitals in Bagbahara, Raipur and Mahasamud. The injured persons included two children of four years each. According to the police, both of them are critical and have been referred to a hospital in Raipur. "The accident occurred at around 1 a.m. on Wednesday when the truck -- a large container -- collided with the car. The truck was coming from Maharashtra and heading towards Odisha. The car occupants, all of them were family members, were returning from a marriage at nearby Khursipar village to their home at Khopali Padav," Nitesh Singh Thakur, in-charge of the Komakhan police station and investigation officer told IANS over the phone. The officer further informed that the one-year-old girl Khushi and Johan Sahu (60) died on the spot while Punam Sahu, who was driving the car, died later in Mahasamund district hospital. Post-mortem examinations of the bodies have been performed and the injured persons are under intensive treatment. The truck driver fled the scene. A first information report (FIR) has been lodged while the police are on the hunt for the driver, the officer said. The collision was so severe that the Eco car was shattered into pieces. In another incident, a man died on the Dhamtari-Jagdalpur National Highway on Tuesday night. The bike rider collided with a truck parked in front of a dhaba near Purur. The collision was so severe that Jatin Netam (30) suffered severe head and chest fractures and succumbed to his injuries. The incident took place in Purur police station area. Patna, March 19 : Bihar's political landscape has heated up with Congress taking the 'padyatra' route to galvanize public support in the poll-bound state, slated to undergo Assembly elections later this year. Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar embarked on the 'Padyatra', demanding jobs and calling for an end to migration under the slogan, "Palayan Roko, Naukri Do" (Stop Migration, Provide Jobs). BJP mocked the Bihar's Congress leadership over the padyatra, saying that the grand old party has no political capital left in Bihar. The journey, which started on March 16 from Bihitiharwa Gandhi Ashram, is set to cover several districts of Bihar before culminating in Patna on April 14. Along with Kanhaiya Kumar, Bihar Congress President Akhilesh Singh and Bihar Congress In-charge Krishna Allavaru are also participating in the march. During the march, Kanhaiya Kumar took the opportunity to target the state government, criticizing its failure to prevent migration and provide jobs for the youth. Speaking about the purpose of the march, Kumar said, "This yatra is aimed at stopping the migration from Bihar and ensuring jobs for the unemployed youth. The current government has failed on both fronts." He further added, "While love letters can't be leaked, exam question papers are being leaked," in a scathing attack on the government. When asked about his future political plans, specifically which seat he would contest in the upcoming elections, Kanhaiya Kumar responded, "I will reveal which seat I will contest from after the conclusion of this padyatra." Meanwhile, BJP MLA Haribhushan Thakur criticised Congress' stance and leadership, stating, "The party has no political capital left. They are currently revolving around the 'Kalank Kumar' issue, who had supported the division of the country. Congress doesn't have the strength to bring about any change in Bihar; it is just limping along." Thakur continued, "Congress is like a dead entity. No matter how much oxygen you provide, it cannot revive. The party in Bihar is already dead and relies on crutches. It has no chance of coming back to power." RJD leader and MLA Rakesh Kumar Roshan, sharing his views said, "Kanhaiya Kumar's padyatra is for the people. We don't have any objection to it. He is not a new face; he has contested elections before. If Rahul Gandhi has faith in him, and if the results are favourable, it will be better for the Congress and for our alliance." Roshan further clarified that the INDI alliance remains strong despite any political movements, saying, "There's no rift within the alliance. We will fight the next elections under the INDI alliance and remain united." Hyderabad, March 19 : The Telangana High Court on Wednesday quashed a case registered against Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy in 2020 for flying a drone without permission to record visuals of a farmhouse at Janwada near Hyderabad. The case was registered against Revanth Reddy in March 2020 when he was the MP from Malkajgiri. He was arrested for flying the drone over the farmhouse reportedly belonging to BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao, who was then a state minister. Revanth Reddy had hired a drone for a photoshoot in support of his allegation that K.T. Rama Rao built the farmhouse in violation of government norms. Narsingi police of Cyberabad on March 4, 2020 registered a case against Revanth Reddy under Sections 184 (obstructing sale of property offered for sale by authority of public servant), 187 (omission to assist public servant) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). He was also booked under Sections 287, for using a drone in an unauthorised manner and Section 120, for criminal conspiracy under the IPC. Revanth Reddy had spent 20 days in jail before a court granted him bail. The Chief Minister had filed a petition in the High Court, seeking to quash the criminal cases registered against him. His counsel S. Niranjan Reddy argued that Janwada is not a prohibited area. He contended that the charges levelled did not constitute ingredients of the sections of the law invoked in the case. Last week, the High Court directed the Public Prosecutor for Home to file a counter affidavit in the petition. Meanwhile, the High Court has also quashed a case registered against BRS leader Rama Rao for making alleged derogatory remarks against Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. Saifabad police of Hyderabad had registered a case in August last year on a complaint by Rajya Sabha MP Anil Kumar Yadav that the BRS leader used derogatory language against the Chief Minister. KTR, as the BRS leader is popularly known, had approached the High Court, seeking to quash the case. During the arguments, the Public Prosecutor submitted to the court that KTR, who is holding a responsible position, used derogatory language against the Chief Minister. However, KTRas counsel T. V. Ramanarao argued that the allegations were false and politically motivated. He urged the court to quash the FIR. After hearing arguments from both sides, the court quashed the FIR. New Delhi, March 19 : Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday condemned Israel's latest military strikes on Hamas targets in Gaza, calling them an act of "cold-blooded murder." Israel launched heavy airstrikes on multiple locations across the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, marking its first major offensive since the ceasefire that began on January 19. The renewed assault followed the collapse of negotiations between Israel and Hamas. According to medical officials in Gaza, over 350 people were killed and more than 150 others injured in strikes in northern Gaza, Deir al-Balah, Khan Younis, Rafah, and Gaza City. Expressing her outrage on X, Priyanka posted, "The cold-blooded murder of over 400 innocent civilians, including 130 children, by the Israeli government shows that humanity means nothing to them. Their actions reflect an inherent weakness and inability to face their own truth." She further criticised the response of Western nations, stating, "Whether Western powers choose to recognise this or to acknowledge their collusion in the genocide of the Palestinian people or not, all citizens of the world who have a conscience (including many Israelis), see it." "The more criminally the Israeli government acts, the more they reveal themselves for the cowards they truly are. On the other hand, the bravery of the Palestinian people prevails. They have endured unimaginable suffering, yet their spirit remains resilient and unwavering," she added. Israel defended its military action, attributing the offensive to Hamas's refusal to release hostages and its rejection of ceasefire proposals from US Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff and other mediators. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office on Tuesday stated, "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz have instructed the IDF to take strong action against the Hamas terrorist organisation in the Gaza Strip." The statement further noted that Israel was intensifying its military campaign to achieve its war objectives, which include securing the release of hostages held by Hamas. "Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength. The operational plan was presented by the IDF over the weekend and approved by the political leadership," it said. The latest escalation comes as ceasefire negotiations broke down over disagreements on the next phase of the truce. Israel sought to extend the initial phase of the three-stage agreement, while Hamas insisted on progressing to the second phase, which was scheduled to begin on March 2 and involve further hostage exchanges. During the first phase of the ceasefire, Hamas released 33 Israeli hostages and five Thai nationals in exchange for around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. However, Hamas is still holding approximately 59 hostages. Los Angeles, March 19 : Hollywood stars Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain are getting some downtime on their spa day. Recently, the actresses shared a joint Instagram post of themselves keeping up with their beauty routines on the go. "Mothers' calling", Anne Hathaway, 42, and Chastain, 47, captioned the selfie of them wearing face masks on what appeared to be an airplane ride, reports 'People' magazine. They each looked cozy for their trip with Chastain rocking large, circular-framed eyeglasses, and the Interstellar stars wearing long-sleeved tops with a relaxed fit. The duo, both mothers of two, referenced their 2024 thriller, Mothers' Instinct, in the caption. "That movie left me TRAUMATISED!! That's how good you were", one person commented. Another wrote, "Awww the wives back together". As per 'People', the Instagram account for Prime Video, where the film is currently available for streaming, also got in on the fun, writing, "This made everyone's day". In the psychological thriller set in the 1960s and directed by Benoit Delhomme, Hathaway and Chastain star as neighbors Celine and Alice, respectively. Their close proximity to one other makes the wives and mothers naturally become the best of friends. However, after Celine's young son, who is the same age as Alice's, dies after a fall from the family's second-story home, Celine and Alice's bond is never the same. "Life's perfect harmony is suddenly shattered after a tragic accident. Guilt, suspicion and paranoia combine to unravel their sisterly bond", an official synopsis reads. Additional accidents begin to occur as Alice grows increasingly uncomfortable with her son Theo's own relationship with Celine. In January 2024, Jessica teased a preview of the then-upcoming thriller on social media. "Having a literal mother-off w @annehathaway", she captioned an Instagram post with the film's trailer. The clip showed life before the tragedy, carpool rides and sing-a-longs with the kids as well as festive house parties with the neighbors gathered together, followed by Celine finding her son Max seconds too late, and the torment both families faced as a result. "Of course, it's a different kind of film, but it's this idea of these two actresses coming together and playing this... the tension I think is very interesting", Jessica told IndieWire in April 2023 ahead of the film's release. "Thank God Annie and I love each other, so it's a little different than that experience", she added. Gandhinagar, March 19 : Aiming for faster and more transparent services, the Gujarat government has allocated Rs 3,259 crore for revenue reforms. During the 2025 Budget Session, Gujarat's Minister for Industries, Balwantsinh Rajput, on Wednesday presented a detailed overview of the state's revenue reforms in the House. Emphasizing the government's commitment to making revenue services more transparent, swift, and effective, he highlighted various policy, technological, and strategic improvements implemented over time. The revenue department's total budgetary demand of over Rs 3,259 crore was approved by the Assembly. "Gujarat has undertaken significant digital initiatives to enhance revenue services. Key services such as land ownership verification (khedut kharai), inheritance registration (varasai nodh), and digital property cards are now available online via the i-ORA portal. This digital transformation has allowed citizens to obtain approximately 36 revenue-related services from the comfort of their homes. By January 2025, over 2.91 crore digital copies of revenue documents had been issued," Minister Rajput said. The integration of i-ORA with e-Dhara and the City Survey Information System now ensures the immediate availability of digital property cards after non-agricultural land conversion approvals. Additionally, sensitive land records are being systematically digitized and preserved. Minister Rajput announced that Gujarat has simplified the process for obtaining land ownership certificates, resulting in a 55 per cent reduction in application backlogs. To accelerate approvals for non-agricultural land use, District Collectors now have the authority to grant approvals for transactions involving up to Rs 5 crore without additional state-level processing. Moreover, farmers, who were unable to purchase or apply for land acquisitions within the stipulated time, can now obtain landowner certificates as per the resolution passed on November 29, 2024. Additionally, permissions granted for non-agricultural land use without premium charges in the past will now require only a 10 per cent premium fee to be regularized. To enhance transparency and efficiency, all sub-registrar offices are being equipped with CCTV surveillance and online connectivity to curb unauthorised activities. "Under the Swamitva Yojana rural residents in Gujarat are now receiving property ownership cards. These property cards facilitate easy access to bank loans and financial support. As of now, 3,60,134 property cards have been distributed free of cost across 2,202 villages in the state," he said. "To further streamline public services, Gujarat has established 310 service centres delivering 148 government services to citizens. Of these, 42 services are processed within a single day. The state government also plans to modernise and upgrade these centres to enhance accessibility and efficiency," the Minister added. Minister Rajput also addressed Gujarat's disaster management strategies. He highlighted the state's proactive approach to handling emergencies such as floods, cyclones, and heavy rainfall. The government has established robust systems for rescue operations, temporary shelters, and post-disaster rehabilitation. Financial aid for human casualties, agricultural losses, and other damages has been systematically disbursed to affected citizens. "To make property registration more transparent and fraud-proof, Gujarat has introduced e-KYC verification for buyers and sellers through the Garvi web application. This process uses Aadhaar-based authentication, significantly reducing the risk of fraudulent transactions and legal disputes," he said. Despite Gujarat imposing one of the lowest stamp duties in the country, the state has witnessed a fourfold increase in stamp duty revenue over the past decade. In 2024, stamp duty collections reached Rs 11,765.23 crore, while registration fee revenue stood at Rs 2,066.83 crore. "A significant relief measure was announced for middle-class home buyers. The government has reduced stamp duty on hak kami (property transfer) transactions for deceased daughters in inherited properties from 4.9 per cent to a nominal Rs 200. Additionally, for home loans up to Rs 1 crore, the maximum registration fee has been reduced from Rs 25,000 to Rs 5,000, making housing loans more affordable, "he said. Islamabad, March 19 : The Torkham border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan was opened at 1 PM, Pakistan time, on Wednesday after remaining closed for 25 days. The border was sealed on February 21 after heated arguments over border disputes fueled tensions between the two countries. The situation became worse after March 4 when talks between the two sides for reopening of the border failed and border security forces from both sides exchanged heavy fire. The ensuing clashes resulted in the death of an Afghan Taliban border guard and injuries to two others. Since then, regular negotiations were being held between local tribal elders and through diplomatic channels to normalise the situation. A flag meeting was held at the border on Wednesday morning in which representatives from both sides were present. The decision to open the important trade route was announced after the meeting. Moreover, a ceasefire has been mutually agreed upon by both Pakistan and Afghanistan, which will remain in place until the next meeting of the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC). "We are satisfied with the Afghan authorities' decision. They have agreed to remove the controversial construction that had led to tensions between the two sides," said Syed Jawad Hussain Kazmi, head of the Pakistani Tribal Jirga. The Torkham border crossing is the most important trade route between the two countries as it facilitates daily trade of about $3 million and sees through a movement of over 10,000 people. However, on February 21, problems surfaced when the Afghan forces attempted to construct a military checkpoint near the border. Pakistan's Frontier Corps (FC) raised objection to the construction, claiming that the checkpoint was being constructed on the Pakistani side of the border. This ultimately led to the shutdown of the border crossing. On March 9, the Pakistani jirga met with a delegation from the Afghan Chamber of Commerce, conveying an official message about strict adherence to the agreed protocols with border reopening. "The joint jirga agreed to an immediate ceasefire and a second session was scheduled on March 17 which was attended by a 36-member delegation from Pakistan. They held talks with a 25-member delegation of the Afghan Taliban," said Kazmi, head of the Pakistani delegation. "The jirga also agreed that there will be a ceasefire until the 15th day of April and both countries will not carry out construction in the disputed areas," he added. The decision is being taken as a positive move from both sides because it would not only restore economic activity, but will also help in de-escalating the persisting tensions between the two countries along the porous borders. Kolkata, March 19 : The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday permitted Trinamool Congress' state General Secretary Kunal Ghosh to accompany West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on her coming tour to the UK where she will deliver a lecture at a college affiliated to the Oxford University. Kolkata, March 19 (IANS) The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday permitted Trinamool Congressa state General Secretary Kunal Ghosh to accompany West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on her coming tour to the UK where she will deliver a lecture at a college affiliated to the Oxford University. Ghosh, who was convicted in the multi-crore Saradha Group chit fund scam, is currently out on bail. The prime condition of that bail was that he was required to submit his passport to the court. On Wednesday, his counsel approached the High Courtas division bench of Justice Debangshu Basak and Justice Smita Das to get his passport freed so that he could accompany the Chief Minister. Hearing the matter, the division bench raised questions about his source of funds to bear the expenses of his overseas tour. Thereafter, Ghoshas counsel informed the court that his client would not be accompanying the Chief Minister as a Trinamool leader but as a representative of a newspaper with whom he is attached. The division bench then directed Ghoshas counsel to refer to that point in the documents of the petition. After the point was referred to in the documents, it gave conditional approval to Ghoshas foreign tour. Ghosh was directed to submit an amount of Rs 5 lakh to the court before leaving the country as a deposit. The tenure of his trip was also fixed for a limited period between March 21 and March 30. Besides delivering a lecture at a college affiliated with Oxford University, Banerjee is also scheduled to participate in an industry meet in London. As per the schedule of the Chief Minister fixed so far, she will be leaving Kolkata on March 22. First, she will fly to Dubai, and from there, will be flying to London. She will be returning to Kolkata on March 29. Chief Minister Banerjee visited the UK in 2015 too. There, she was accompanied by several members of her Cabinet, including the then-state Finance Minister Amit Mitra, who is the Chief Economic Advisor to the Chief Minister now. Seoul, March 19 : South Korea's national space agency on Wednesday announced a plan to establish a cross-sectoral education system aimed at fostering a total of 30,000 aerospace talents by 2045 as part of its long-term strategy to become a global space powerhouse in the face of the New Space era. Seoul, March 19 (IANS) South Koreaas national space agency on Wednesday announced a plan to establish a cross-sectoral education system aimed at fostering a total of 30,000 aerospace talents by 2045 as part of its long-term strategy to become a global space powerhouse in the face of the New Space era. The Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) revealed the initiative at a government policy meeting chaired by Acting President Choi Sang-mok, Yonhap news agency. The ambitious plan is designed to build a space industry ecosystem in response to the New Space era, which refers to the increasing role of private companies in the space sector. Under the plan, the agency will collaborate with related government ministries to expand the young talent pool in space science, foster mission-oriented specialists, and train a field-ready workforce. To this end, the agency aims to increase the number of young aerospace trainees from 300 to 1,500 per year. To achieve such a goal, KASA will develop space education programs for students and introduce public outreach initiatives similar to the NASA Space Ambassador Programme, which enlists volunteers to promote space exploration nationwide. Additionally, KASA plans to work on expanding space education in elementary and secondary schools through after-school programmes and integration with the new high school credit system. KASA's plan also includes an internship programme at KASA and three major space industry clusters to be built in Daejeon, South Jeolla Province, and South Gyeongsang Province, serving as a hub for recruiting and fostering talents in the local areas. To enhance practical training, KASA will operate strategy centers for space technology and support industry-academia partnership programmes. The acting president stressed the importance of developing human resources. "To become one of the five major global powers in space, we need to focus on fostering a professional workforce in the space industry, with active participation from young adults," Sang-mok said at the meeting. "The global technology war is also taking place in space." Sang-mok added the government will also work to promote more exchanges between universities and research institutes to help the country secure more advanced research and development capabilities in the sector. New Delhi, March 19 : The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday, approved the proposal for setting up a new brownfield ammonia-urea complex in Assam with an annual capacity of producing 12.7 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of urea with an estimated total project cost of Rs.10,601.40 crore The new project will come up on the existing premises of the Brahmaputra Valley Fertiliser Corporation Limited (BVFCL) at Namrup in Assam. It will have a debt to equity ratio of 70:30 through a Joint Venture (JV), under the New Investment Policy, 2012 read with its amendments on October 7, 2014. The tentative overall time schedule for the commissioning of the Namrup-IV project is 48 months, according to an official statement issued after the Cabinet meeting. Additionally, the Cabinet also approved the National Fertilisers Limited's (NFL) equity participation of 18 per cent in relaxation to the limits prescribed in Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) guidelines; and the constitution of an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) to oversee the process of setting up of Namrup-IV Fertiliser Plant. In the proposed JV, the Assam government will have 40 per cent equity, the BVFCL will have an 11 per cent share, the Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Limited (HURL) will hold a 13 per cent stake while National Fertilisers Limited (NFL) and Oil India Limited (OIL) will each own an 18 per cent share, according to the statement. The BVFCLas share of equity will be in lieu of tangible assets. The project will increase the domestic urea production capacity in the country, especially in the northeastern region. It will meet the growing demand for urea fertilisers in the North East, Bihar, West Bengal, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand. The establishment of Namrup-IV will be more energy efficient. It will also open avenues for additional direct and indirect employment opportunities for the people of the area. Besides, the project will help achieve the vision of self-reliance in urea in the country, the statement added. New Delhi, March 19 : As many as 4,928 villages have been declared as Adarsh Gram and 4,25,821 beneficiaries have benefited this fiscal to date, which has led to socio-economic development by ensuring adequate infrastructure and requisite services in the SC-dominated villages, the government informed the Parliament on Wednesday. Under the 'Grants-in-aid' component of the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana, 9,549 projects have been approved and central assistance of Rs 1,219.80 crore has been released, benefiting 2,01,006 SC beneficiaries, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Ramdas Athawale, told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply. PM-AJAY is a centrally-sponsored scheme being implemented since 2021-22. The scheme has three components -- Adarsh Gram, Grants-in-aid for District/State-level Projects for Socio-Economic betterment of Scheduled Caste (SC) Communities, and Hostels. So far, 866 hostels are sanctioned under the hostel component of PM-AJAY, covering 69,212 beneficiaries and an amount of Rs 936.27 crore has been released, thereby encouraging students belonging to scheduled castes to attain quality education. Out of the total hostels sanctioned, 96 hostels are under construction. Meanwhile, the government has introduced various schemes to promote entrepreneurship and innovation amongst scheduled castes. The Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Castes (VCF-SC), with a corpus of Rs 750 crore, provides concessional finance ranging from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 15 crore at a 4 per cent coupon rate. This fund is managed by IFCI Venture Capital Ltd. Additionally, the Ambedkar Social Innovation and Incubation Mission (ASIIM), supports SC students, researchers, and entrepreneurs in Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) and Atal Incubation Centers (AICs). Under ASIIM, Rs 30 lakh equity funding is provided over three years to help start-ups in sectors such as agriculture technology, IT, environment, waste management, and green energy. As of now, 245 SC-owned companies have been sanctioned financial assistance of Rs 588.4 crore under the Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Castes, including ASIIM, the government said. Thiruvananthapuram, March 19 : The cabinet of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has approved an elaborate programme to mark the fourth anniversary of his second term, according to a statement from the Chief Minister's Office issued here on Wednesday. Thiruvananthapuram, March 19 (IANS) The cabinet of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has approved an elaborate programme to mark the fourth anniversary of his second term, according to a statement from the Chief Ministeras Office issued here on Wednesday. Vijayan was sworn in for a second consecutive term on May 20, 2021. Although this marks the fourth year of his current tenure, it is the ninth straight year that he has led the state administration -- a historic achievement after first winning the 2016 Assembly elections and then securing re-election in 2021. As part of the celebrations, Vijayan will embark on a statewide tour across all 14 districts beginning next month. Local bodies will support the celebrations, which will include district-level events culminating in a grand state-level finale. The first event, led by Vijayan, is scheduled for April 21 in Kasaragod, the northernmost district of Kerala. "I will interact with beneficiaries of government schemes and key figures in each district. Additionally, a presentation showcasing the achievements of the government will be held, along with a week-long exhibition," Vijayan said. The programme will also feature wide-ranging discussions with various community groups, including students, women, professionals, members of the SC/ST community, and higher education and research scholars. State cabinet ministers will coordinate the events in their respective districts, supported by the Chief Secretary and other senior officials to ensure the programme's success. The district-level meetings will also address unresolved issues raised by the public during Vijayan's 2023 tour of all 140 assembly constituencies. Vijayan's decision to lead from the front comes as Kerala prepares for local body elections expected after August this year, followed by the 2026 Assembly polls. The recently concluded CPI(M) state conference has reportedly authorized Vijayan to spearhead efforts to secure a third consecutive term for his government, leaving no stone unturned in achieving that goal. Los Angeles, March 19 : Controversial rapper Kanye West has taken a break from his ranting on X, formerly Twitter, to release his new album 'Bully' via different full-length versions of a film with editing and topography by famed visionary Hype Williams. The rapper first tweeted a link to the film soundtracked by 'Bully', claiming that the album was "not finished and half the vocals AI" but wanted to test-run what listeners enjoyed, reports 'Variety'. A few hours later, he tweeted out three iterations of the 'Bully' film including a "screening version," a "post Hype version" and a "post post Hype version". As per 'Variety', in the films, the rapper's son Saint is shown in a wrestling rink, using a mallet to fend off aggressors over the course of 30 minutes. Those wrestlers include YOH, Toru Yano, Tiger Mask and El Desperado from New Japan Pro-Wrestling. The album itself is rich with soul samples spanning Cortex's 'Huit Octobre 1971' and the Supremes' 'You Can't Hurry Love'. 'Bully' was first announced in September 2024 during a performance at Wuyuan River Stadium in Haikou, China, where West premiered the song 'Beauty and the Beast'. That song ended up on this test version of the album, which he released amid a flurry of inflammatory tweets that targeted Jay-Z and Beyonce and their children. Kanye West explained that he released the album on his X account because he was trying to skirt the streaming system. He wrote, "I may stop using DSPs cause streams are fake and the French and Jewish record labels treat artistse like prostitutes". He also said that 'Donda 2' would arrive next, and asked his followers if they would prefer 'Vultures 3' or 'Donda 3'. The rapper has been on a public spiral over the past month, targeting Jews and pulling a bait-and-switch to sell t-shirts bearing a swastika on his store. New Delhi, March 19 : The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved the revised National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD) with an increased outlay of Rs 2,790 crore. The initiative, aimed at modernising India's dairy sector, received additional allocation for the 15th Finance Commission cycle (2021-22 to 2025-26). The government has added an extra Rs 1,000 crore to the scheme to strengthen dairy infrastructure and improve milk production and quality. "The revised program focuses on helping dairy farmers by improving milk procurement, processing, and quality control," according to the Cabinet. It aims to give farmers better access to markets, ensuring they get fair prices and boosting rural development. The scheme also includes the formation of new dairy cooperative societies and better support for milk processing in remote areas, particularly in the Northeast, hilly regions and Union Territories. The NPDD has already made a significant impact by benefiting over 18.74 lakh farmers and creating more than 30,000 jobs. It has also helped increase milk procurement capacity by over 100 lakh litres per day. "Advanced technology has been introduced for milk testing and quality control, with over 51,777 village-level testing labs strengthened and more than 5,000 bulk milk coolers installed," the Cabinet said. Under the revised scheme, the government plans to establish 10,000 new Dairy Cooperative Societies and two Milk Producer Companies (MPCs). "The initiative is expected to create an additional 3.2 lakh jobs, with a major focus on benefiting women, who make up 70 per cent of the dairy workforce," it added. The programme will also support cooperation between India and Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to improve dairy infrastructure in nine states, including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. With this revision, the NPDD aims to bring a new wave of growth in the dairy sector, supporting India's journey toward White Revolution 2.0. Chennai, Mar 19 : Director S U Arun Kumar, who has directed actor Vikram's much-awaited action extravaganza 'Veera Dheera Sooran', has now disclosed that he was a big fan of actor Vikram and that there was a time when he braved lathi blows from cops to watch the actor's superhit film 'Dhool' in a theatre in Madurai. Participating in an interview along with the entire cast of Veera Dheera Sooran, S U Arun Kumar said, "I share a special bond with both Vikram sir and SJ Suryah sir. I shall tell you details of both." While talking about how Vikram sir okayed this project in the first place, Arun also recalled how he had, as a school student, braved lathi blows to watch Vikram's film 'Dhool'. The director said, "When I was in school, I cut classes to go watch sir's 'Dhool' which had released in Madurai's Chinthamani theatre. Getting tickets for a show on the first day was next to impossible because of the huge rush. The cops would use great force to streamline the crowds and bring it under control. "You could get tickets only by standing in the queue then. So, when I was attempting to get a ticket, a cop thrashed me with his lathi, asking me to stand in an orderly fashion. The blow was so strong that my left shoulder got swollen. Despite that, I somehow struggled and got a ticket and entered the theatre. However, I was not able to see anything on screen because of fans dancing in front of the screen. In addition to that, there were pillars in the theatre that hindered my view. Determined not to miss out on the portions I had not been able to watch, I again came out, bought another ticket for the next show and watched the film again," he disclosed. Interestingly, 'Veera Dheera Sooran', which has an ensemble star cast including Chiyaan Vikram, S.J. Suryah, Suraj Venjaramoodu and Dushara Vijayan, will have its second part releasing first on March 27 this year. While the film has cinematography by Theni Eswar, it has music by G.V. Prakash Kumar. Editing has been taken care of by G.K. Prasanna. Art direction for the film is by C.S. Balachandar. Riya Shibu of HR Pictures is producing this film, an edge-of-seat action thriller. --IANS Mkr/ Chandigarh, March 19 : The third round of meeting by the Central government with protesting farmers, mainly from Punjab, was held on Wednesday here with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reiterating the government's commitment to the welfare of farmers. The next meeting is scheduled for May 4. Chouhan told the media that talks were held in a constructive manner and they will go on. The farmer leaders reiterated their long-pending demands, including a legal guarantee on the minimum support price (MSP) for crops. The government and the farmers had a constructive and cordial discussion lasting more than three hours, during which various legal, economic and other dimensions of the farmers' demands were explored and highlighted, a statement said. Chouhan was joined by his Cabinet colleagues Pralhad Joshi and Piyush Goyal, while Punjab was represented by Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian. Farmer leaders, including Jagjit Singh Dallewal, were present. Based on discussions, the government has decided to conduct stakeholder consultations with farmer organisations across the country, as well as with governments of states and union territories, and other stakeholders including traders, exporters and the food processing industry. It has been decided to continue the talks in the positive spirit, after the stakeholder consultations. The Union Ministers assured the farmers that the government would continue to pay a patient ear to the concerns of farmers and other stakeholders and that it would act in the interest of farmers. "The interest of farmers is paramount," the ministers assured the farmers. They appealed to the farmer community to adopt the path of dialogue and talks rather than of protest, noting that solutions will emerge only from dialogue and discussion. Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema said: "The meeting was held in a positive atmosphere. The data provided by the farmer unions regarding the implementation of MSP on all crops will be examined by the Centre," "There are no plans to remove protesting farmers from the Khanauri and Shambhu borders," he added. Bengaluru, March 19 : The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh, Sunil Ambekar, said on Wednesday that Mughal ruler Aurangzeb is no longer relevant anymore today. He made the statement while addressing a press conference regarding the announcement on the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha of RSS to be held from March 21 to 23. Asked about the recent Nagpur violence in Maharashtra, Ambekar said, "Any type of violence is not good for the health of the society. The police have taken cognisance of the incident and they will go about it." Asked about whether Aurangzeb is relevant today and his tomb should be moved, the RSS leader said, "I think not relevant." The statements have assumed significance as Sunil Ambekar is regarded as a top leader of the RSS and questions are raised by the Hindutva organisations and activists in Maharashtra about transferring the tomb of Aurangzeb away from the state and incidents of violence in Nagpur surrounding the issue. While answering a question over the statement against the RSS by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Ambekar clarified that the RSS is involved in building the nation peacefully. CM Siddaramaiah had said on the floor of the Assembly that the RSS provokes violence. "I have not seen the video of CM Siddaramaiah's statement. However, our Swayamsevak Sangh are involved in building this country peacefully. This has been an ongoing process since the first day. We are carrying out our work," Ambekar said. Answering a question on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the RSS headquarters in Nagpur on March 30, he added that earlier former Prime Minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee had visited the RSS headquarters and there is no need to attach any significance to it. Talking about the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha of the RSS, Ambekar said, "The discussions will be held on five key transformations, and two resolutions will be adopted. The first resolution will address issues related to Bangladesh, while the second will focus on the RSS's 100-year journey and future plans." "Everyone is aware of atrocities in Bangladesh on Hindus and other minorities. Earlier as well, the RSS condemned and we participated in the demonstrations. We are keen on anywhere either in Bangladesh or elsewhere in the world, Hindus' security and pride, sensitivity should be respected. That's the main point. We will discuss how to express it and what should be the further action," he said while answering a question. "The other resolution is journey of 100 years by the RSS. Because, this year, the RSS is completing 100 years, it was a long journey, lot of milestones and participation by RSS volunteers in huge number of social, political events or things related with national security and integrity. Swayamsevaks took part in all activities. They have taken initiatives. Now, what next is also important and it will also be discussed," the RSS leader added. Ambekar also said, "The Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha of the RSS will be held from March 21 to 23 in Channenahalli in Bengaluru. This meeting is crucial as it will focus on outlining the highest policy decisions of the RSS. The agenda includes a critical review of the organisation's activities and extensive discussions on future strategies." RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, along with the organisation's Sarkaryavah (General Secretary) Dattatreya Hosabale and other senior functionaries, will be participating in the meeting, he said. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP President J.P. Nadda will also attend the event, he added. RSS Chief Bhagwat will be present at all sessions of the meeting, which will continue till March 23, Ambekar said. The RSS will complete 100 years on Vijayadashami this year. After a gap of four years, the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha is being held in Bengaluru, making it a significant meeting in the organisation's history. In the meeting, RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale will present the 2024-25 report. The RSS' centenary celebrations will focus on reaching out to all sections of the society. Hyderabad, March 19 : Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy said on Wednesday that his government was trying to do justice to Scheduled Castes (SCs) through sub-categorisation. Day after the Assembly passed a Bill for sub-categorisation of SCs for fair distribution of reservation, leavers and representatives of various SC organisations called on the Chief Minister and expressed their gratitude. He said that the 'people's government' addressed the long-pending demand of SC sub-categorisation within a year after coming to power. Revanth Reddy said the previous government could not solve the issue during the 10-year rule. He added that he and some other MLAs were suspended from the Assembly for demanding sub-categorisation. The Chief Minister appealed to all SC organisations to extend gratitude to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for fulfilling the aspirations of the SC communities. "I would not have the power to find a permanent solution to the long-pending demand of SC categorisation if Rahul Gandhi Ji's support was not there," Revanth Reddy said. He added that the government constituted a one-man Commission on sub-categorisation to avoid legal hurdles in the future. The Commission submitted a 199-page report to the state government and based on the report, SCs have been divided into three groups to provide reservations, the Chief Minister said. He clarified that the SC sub-categorisation was not against any community. He claimed that the state government made strong arguments in the Supreme Court and worked hard for a judgment in favour of the SC categorisation. He said that the Supreme Court judgment has not been implemented in any state in the country and Telangana is the first state to implement it. He added that even BJP-ruled states have not implemented the Supreme Court order. Revanth Reddy said after the Supreme Court delivered its judgment, his government began the official process to implement the apex court's order and decided to find a solution to the rightful demand. The Chief Minister added that the government appointed Kumar Moglaram, who hails from the Madiga community, as Osmania University Vice-Chancellor (V-C). It's the first time in 100 years that someone from the SC community has been appointed as the V-C, Revanth Reddy said. He added that the government accorded priority to the Madiga community in the appointments in Council of Higher Education, Public Service Commission and Education Commission. He assured the SC community that it will be provided with more opportunities in the future. New Delhi: The scale and the audacity of the attack on the Jaffar Express, a passenger train carrying over 400 passengers in the Bolan region of Balochistan, underscores the growing boldness of insurgent groups in Pakistan. The incident, involving explosives to derail the train and the subsequent hostage-taking of civilians and security personnel, highlights the deteriorating security situation in volatile regions of Pakistan, like Balochistan. This violent act underscores the deepening security crisis in Pakistan, as terror networks gain strength and state authority continues to wane in volatile regions like Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Despite the severity of these challenges, the response from the Pakistani military has been marked by attempts to control the narrative rather than confront the root causes. Instead of acknowledging its own lapses, the military has focused on deflecting blame towards neighbouring countries, particularly Afghanistan. Such an approach risks further undermining trust and obstructing progress toward addressing the systemic issues driving unrest and insurgency in the region. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the hijacking of the Jaffar Express. The group stated that its specialised units, including the Majeed Brigade, carried out the attack, which involved derailing the train and taking hostages. The BLA described the operation as meticulously planned and claimed to have targeted security personnel while releasing women, children, and Baloch passengers Despite this during the March 14 press conference, the Pakistani military, represented by ISPR DG Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, continued its pattern of deflecting responsibility, making unsubstantiated accusations to shift attention from internal security failures. The DG claimed that Indian media had engaged in information warfare from the outset of the Jaffar Express hijacking incident. Further compounding the narrative, the ISPR described the train hijacking as part of a broader pattern of Afghan nationals actively participating in acts of terrorism within Pakistan. He accused Afghanistan of orchestrating the attack while claiming the primary sponsorship came from Pakistan's "eastern neighbour," a thinly veiled reference to India. These allegations targeted both neighbouring countries, presenting the incident as an externally orchestrated conspiracy against Pakistan. This approach exemplifies a desperate attempt by the Pakistani military to implicate external actors rather than confront the internal challenges that have allowed insurgent groups to flourish. By focusing on blame-shifting and controlling the narrative, the military risks undermining public trust and evading the necessary accountability to address its weakening authority in volatile regions like Balochistan. Blaming India and Afghanistan served as a convenient tactic for the ISPR to deflect responsibility for the Jaffar Express hijacking. Instead of focusing on addressing the internal security failures that allowed the attack to take place, the military attempted to shift attention outward, casting aspersions on neighbouring countries. However, this approach did little to address the underlying issues and has drawn significant criticism. The ISPR faced sharp disapproval for its delayed and opaque handling of the incident. Despite the severity of the crisis, it failed to provide timely updates or clear communication during the critical hours when accurate information was desperately needed. This lack of transparency not only exacerbated public anxiety but also created an information vacuum. Insurgent groups like the BLA and others have intensified their attacks, targeting security forces, infrastructure, and non-Baloch workers. In February 2025 alone, Balochistan accounted for 62 per cent of terrorism-related deaths in Pakistan, with 75 fatalities in 23 attacks. These incidents reflect the growing boldness of insurgent groups and the state's inability to curb their activities effectively. The Baloch people have long faced marginalization and exploitation. Enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and collective punishment have further alienated the Baloch population. The militaryas reliance on force rather than addressing legitimate grievances has only deepened the crisis. Human rights groups have documented cases of torture and extrajudicial killings. The military has largely dismissed these allegations, framing them as necessary measures against insurgents. However, this approach has only deepened mistrust and resentment among the Baloch population In the aftermath of the Jaffar Express hijacking, Pakistan's military has claimed that other countries are also implicated in incidents of enforced disappearances. Furthermore, they have dismissed the issue of disappearances in Balochistan as unrelated to the hijacking, framing it as an unwarranted justification for such acts. "People go missing globally, including in the US, UK, and India. They turn to their own forces and institutions," stated the DG ISPR. Instead of acknowledging the grievances or showing empathy toward the affected families, the military has chosen to defend the practice of enforced disappearances, further alienating the Baloch population and intensifying criticism of their approach. In response, Jalila Haider, a prominent lawyer and human rights defender, highlighted on X that the root cause of Balochistan's issues lies in the lack of access to justice. She emphasised that addressing this fundamental problem is essential for resolving the region's long-standing grievances. Her statement underscores the need for systemic reforms to ensure fairness, accountability, and the protection of basic rights for the people of Balochistan. She wrote, "Has forcibly disappearing people improved Balochistan's situation? Why not resolve 70 per cent of Balochistan's issue by ending enforced disappearances and presenting the accused in courts?" The Jaffar Express hijacking has exposed the state's inability to secure critical infrastructure and highlighted the growing influence of militant groups. Interestingly, prior to the Jaffar Express hijacking, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, a prominent Pakistani politician and cleric, made a striking statement in the National Assembly on February 18. In his speech, he openly criticised the government, asserting that it had effectively lost control over key regions such as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. His remarks highlighted the deteriorating state authority in these areas, where insurgency, lawlessness, and governance failures have become increasingly rampant. The persistent marginalization of the Baloch people, coupled with the state's weakening authority and oppressive policies, lies at the heart of the rising terrorism in Balochistan. Decades of systemic neglect, exploitation of natural resources, and denial of basic rights have fueled resentment and alienation among the Baloch population. Instead of addressing these grievances, the Pakistani military has relied on heavy-handed tactics, including enforced disappearances and collective punishment, while refusing to take accountability for its actions. This approach has not only deepened mistrust but also left the Baloch people with no legitimate avenues to voice their concerns or seek justice. As a result, insurgency and terrorism have surged, driven by a sense of desperation and the absence of meaningful alternatives. Without a shift toward accountability, justice, and inclusive governance, the cycle of violence is likely to persist, further destabilising the region. The insurgency in Balochistan is a guerrilla war waged by Baloch nationalists against the governments of Pakistan and Iran in the Balochistan region. Rich in natural resources like natural gas, oil, coal, copper, sulphur, fluoride and gold, this is the least developed province in Pakistan. Armed groups demand greater control of the province's natural resources and political autonomy. Insurgencies by Baloch nationalists have been fought in 1948, 1958-59, 1962-63 and 1973-77, with an ongoing and reportedly stronger, broader insurgency beginning in 2003. Baloch separatists argue that they are economically marginalized and poor compared to the rest of Pakistan. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), designated as a terrorist organisation by Pakistan, Britain and the United States of America is the most widely known Baloch separatist group. Since 2000, it has conducted numerous deadly attacks on Pakistani troops, police, and civilians. In August 2006, Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, was killed in fighting with the Pakistan Army, in which at least 60 Pakistani soldiers and seven officers were also killed. The separatist insurgency peaked after the killing of Bugti. In October 2013, the group Jaish al-Adl (JAA, Army of Justice), killed 14 Iranian border guards in an ambush in the town of Rustak, near the town of Saravan. Shortly thereafter, the Iranian authorities executed 16 Balochs, on charges ranging from terrorism to drug trafficking. Another group, Harakat Ansar Iran (Partisan Movement of Iran, HAI) killed two Basij officers and wounded numerous civilians in a October 2012 suicide bombing against the mosque of Imam Hussein, in the port city of Chabahar (Sistan and Baluchestan Province). However, since 2013, the strength and intensity of insurgency gradually declined. The 2013 elections resulted in the formation of coalition among Baloch and Pashtun ethno-nationalist political parties and they ruled the province for the next four years. The insurgency further weakened since April 2016 as four militant commanders and 144 militants surrendered under reconciliation. Around 600 rebels were killed and 1025 surrendered after accepting reconciliation in August 2016. In April 2017, another 500 Baloch rebels surrendered to the state, including members of Baloch Republican Army (BRA), United Baloch Army (UBA), and Lashkar-e-Balochistan (LeB). Other separatist groups in Balochistan are BLA, Baloch Liberation Front (BLF), Baloch Students Organization (BSO) and the Baloch Liberation United Front (BLUF). A Baloch leader, Saleem Baloch, who remained affiliated with the armed resistance against the State for over 20 years, decided (September 2020) to join mainstream politics. (Deepak Kumar is a security and strategic affairs analyst specialising in geo-politics and geo-economics. Views expressed are personal) Mumbai, March 19 : Actor Ravi Prakash, who predominantly works in Telugu and Tamil cinema, paid a visit to the revered Ambaji Mandir in Mount Abu ahead of shooting of his upcoming movie 'Jatadhara'. Located in the picturesque hill station of Mount Abu, Ambaji Mandir is a sacred pilgrimage site, attracting devotees from across the country. Ravi visited the temple to offer prayers and seek divine blessings for the success of Jatadhara. Talking about the same, "I'm thrilled to start this new journey with the blessings of God. It's a great honor to be a part of 'Jatadhara'. I feel Jatadhara aspires to break regional barriers; the film has its own niche in the genre, offering something truly unique to the Indian film industry. I am also excited to work with producer Prerna Arora and the Director". 'Jatadhara' is a supernatural thriller, and also stars Sudheer Babu, Sonakshi Sinha, and a great ensemble cast of Tollywood and Bollywood actors. 'Jatadhara' is produced by Zee Studios' Umesh KR Bansal, Prerna Arora, Aruna Agarwal, Shivin Narang. Co Producers Akshay Kejriwal and Kussum Arora, and Creative Producers Divya Vijay and Supervising Producer Bhavini Goswami. Ravi Prakash's commitment to delivering exceptional performances has earned him a reputation as a talented and reliable actor. He thoroughly immerses himself in every character he portrays, ensuring a genuine and captivating on-screen presence. With his passion for acting and relentless pursuit of excellence, Ravi Prakash continues to impress audiences and critics alike. The film promises to be a thrilling ride, with Ravi Prakash playing a pivotal role. With its unique storyline and talented cast, 'Jatadhara' is expected to make waves in the Indian film industry. Ravi's previous OTT release, 'Kobali', a gripping crime-revenge thriller, garnered him widespread appreciation for his outstanding performance. Chennai, March 19 : A 35-year-old history-sheeter was brutally hacked to death by an unidentified gang on Wednesday at Nasiyanur, along the Salem-Coimbatore National Highway in Erode district of Tamil Nadu. The victim, identified as John alias Chanakya, was a resident of SMC Colony in Kitchipalayam, Salem city. The attack occurred while he was traveling with his wife, Saranya, from Salem to Tiruppur in their car. A gang, following the couple in two cars, rammed into their vehicle and forced it to a stop at Nasiyanur. As John halted the car, the assailants attacked him with machetes, inflicting fatal injuries. He died on the spot. Saranya attempted to intervene but sustained injuries to her hand. She was rushed to a private hospital in the area for treatment. Police sources confirmed that John had multiple criminal cases against him, including attempted murder, at various police stations in Salem district. He had recently moved to Periya Palayam in Tiruppur district, where he was running a vehicle loan finance company. He was returning from the Annadanapatti police station in Salem, where he had gone for routine legal formalities when the incident happened. The brutal attack caused panic among motorists on the highway. Erode Superintendent of Police G. Jawahar upon receiving the information reached the spot. According to the police, the murder was carried out by an eight-member gang. While attempting to apprehend the suspects, officers opened fire, injuring four of them. They were arrested and are currently receiving treatment at the Government Medical College and Hospital in Perundurai. They will be shifted to Coimbatore Government Hospital for further medical care. The remaining four suspects managed to escape, and a manhunt has been launched to track them down. The body of John was sent to the Government Erode Medical College and Hospital in Perundurai for post-mortem. John's murder is the latest in a string of violent killings involving history-sheeters in Tamil Nadu. On Tuesday, former Tamil Nadu police sub-inspector Zakhir Hussein Bijli (64) was hacked to death in Tirunelveli. He was returning home on his motorcycle after morning prayers when a four-member gang intercepted him near Kaatchi Mandapam and brutally killed him using sharp weapons. On March 16, two history-sheeters, Arun Kumar (25) and Padappai Suresh (25), were also hacked to death in what police described as a gang rivalry attack. In another incident of violence, on March 11, another history sheeter, Vasoolraja (30), was killed in Kancheepuram after a gang hurled a country-made bomb at him. The explosion, which struck his chest, resulted in his immediate death. He had more than 20 criminal cases against him and had recently been released on bail. The recent surge in violent crimes has raised concerns over Tamil Nadu's law and order. Opposition parties, including AIADMK, BJP, and PMK, have criticized the ruling DMK government, alleging a failure to control criminal activities. AIADMK leader and Leader of Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami condemned the spate of murders, stating, "There is no need for me to explain the pathetic law-and-order situation under the DMK government." BJP Tamil Nadu chief K. Annamalai alleged that law and order had "collapsed" to such an extent that even a former police officer had been murdered in broad daylight. PMK president Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss also expressed serious concerns over the escalating violence in the state. Gandhinagar, March 19 : During the Budget Session 2025 of the Gujarat Assembly, state Health Minister Rushikesh Patel addressed concerns regarding staff vacancies in health centres across the Tapi and Valsad districts. He provided a detailed data, saying that in the Tapi district, Class-1 positions are 54.68 per cent filled, Class-2 positions stand at 85.50 per cent, and Class-3 and Class-4 positions at 76.04 per cent. In Valsad, Class-1 posts are filled at 42.5 per cent, Class-2 at 93.02 per cent, and Class-3 and Class-4 at 49.36 per cent, Minister Patel said. Speaking about recruitment efforts in Tapi, the Minister added that over the past two years, 16 College of Physicians and Surgeons-bonded doctors, 13 Postgraduate-bonded doctors, and 29 contractual doctors have been appointed, totalling 58 new hires. "Among the Tapi district's 38 Primary Health Centres (PHCs), 62 out of 68 Medical Officer (MO) positions are occupied. In Community Health Centres (CHCs), only four out of 12 specialist positions are filled, with specialists from nearby hospitals being deputed as needed. Additionally, services under the CM Setu scheme are being utilised to address shortages. All 24 MO Class-2 positions are filled, while in district hospitals, 31 out of 45 Class-1 positions and 26 out of 30 Class-2 positions are occupied," he said. In Valsad, the Minister said that in the past two years, 9 CPS-bonded, 10 PG-bonded, and 15 contractual doctors have been recruited, totalling 34. "Among PHCs, 91 out of 93 MO Class-2 positions are filled, while in CHCs, only 11 out of 32 specialist positions are occupied. Similar to Tapi, specialists from nearby hospitals are deputed periodically to mitigate shortages. All 40 MO Class-2 positions in CHCs are filled. In district hospitals, 23 out of 37 Class-1 positions and 21 out of 23 Class-2 positions are occupied." The Minister also outlined Gujarat's broader recruitment plans to address vacant healthcare positions. "For Class-1 specialists, the Gujarat Public Service Commission (GPSC) has received requisitions for 1,146 positions across 12 medical specialties. Except for Pediatricians and Dental Surgeons, preliminary exams for these positions have been completed. Final selections will be made post-interview, and appointments will be issued accordingly. Additionally, 435 PG doctors from government medical colleges are currently undergoing appointment procedures," Patel said. "For Class-2 Medical Officers, GPSC announced vacancies for 1,921 positions on November 21, 2024, and January 8, 2025, receiving more than 13,000 applications. The recruitment exam is scheduled for March 30, 2025. Recruitment is also ongoing for 1,903 vacant nursing positions, with competitive exams being conducted. Other paramedical vacancies are being filled as per the 10-year recruitment calendar, and the government has planned to recruit 1,479 urban health workers under state healthcare initiatives." The Minister highlighted Gujarat's significant expansion in medical education, which is expected to address staffing shortages in the long term. In 1995, the state had only eight medical colleges with 925 undergraduate (UG) seats, whereas today, 41 colleges offer 7,250 UG seats, ensuring a better supply of Class-2 doctors, Patel said. Similarly, PG medical seats have increased from 688 in 1995 to 3,719 today, with an additional 1,011 PG seats approved. This expansion is expected to help bridge the gap in Class-1 doctor vacancies in the coming years, the Minister added. Gandhinagar, March 19 : Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Committee Chairperson, Justice Ranjana Desai, has urged the residents of Gujarat to submit their suggestions and opinions regarding the proposed UCC in the state. The deadline for submissions, initially set for March 24, 2025, has now been extended to April 15, 2025, allowing more time for public participation in the state. The Gujarat government formed the UCC Committee to assess the necessity of implementing the UCC in the state. As part of its mandate, the committee is reviewing existing personal laws governing civil matters of Gujarat's residents. Based on its findings, it will propose a legal framework for the implementation of UCC. To ensure a comprehensive evaluation of all related issues, the committee has invited suggestions from Gujarat's residents, government agencies, non-governmental organisations, social groups, religious institutions, and political parties. Citizens and organisations can submit their views through the official web portal https://uccgujarat.in/, via email at ucc@gujarat.gov.in, or by sending written submissions to Block No. 1, A-Wing, Sixth Floor, Karmayogi Bhavan, Sector-10A, Gandhinagar by April 15, 2025. The UCC aims to establish a common set of civil laws for all citizens, irrespective of religion, caste, or gender, covering matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption. Article 44 of the Indian Constitution recommends the implementation of a UCC to promote uniformity in civil laws across the country. The issue has been widely debated, with supporters arguing that it ensures equality and justice, while critics emphasise the need to respect religious and cultural diversity. The debate over the UCC dates back to the pre-Independence era. The British colonial administration maintained different personal laws for different religious communities, which continued after Independence. When the Constitution was being framed, leaders like B.R. Ambedkar supported a common civil code to promote national integration and gender equality. However, due to opposition from religious groups and the socio-political complexities of post-Independence India, the implementation of UCC was deferred. Bhopal, March 19 : All seven bodies of those who drowned in Mata Tila dam reservoir in a boat accident on March 18 have been recovered by rescue teams, an official said on Wednesday. The operation, which lasted 24 hours, called off with all bodies sent for post-mortem and an investigation initiated in the incident. "Divers successfully retrieved all seven bodies, and the rescue operation has now concluded," confirmed a senior police officer from Shivpuri. The accident occurred on Tuesday at around 4.45 p.m. when a group of 15 people, all relatives and family members from Rajavan village were on a boat heading to Siddh Baba temple, situated on an island in the middle of the dam reservoir, for the Holi Phaag celebration. Unfortunately, before reaching their destination, the boat lost balance and capsized, throwing everyone into the water. Responding to their distress calls, local villagers present nearby, managed to save eight people, but seven others drowned. The first body, identified as Sharda Lodhi (55), was recovered 17 hours after the mishap on Wednesday morning at around 10 a.m. Subsequently, the State Disaster Relief Forces (SDRF) retrieved the remaining six victims one by one. Those who lost their lives included Sharda Lodhi (55), Leela Lodhi (40), Chaina Lodhi (14), Kanha Lodhi (7), Ramdevi Lodhi (35), Shiva Lodhi (8), and Kumkum Lodhi (15). Meanwhile, the survivors were identified as Shivraj Lodhi (60), Savitri Lodhi (40), Jasan Lodhi (12), Gulab Lodhi (40), Leela Lodhi (45), Ramdevi's husband Pran Singh Lodhi (50), Usha Lodhi (45), and Pradeep Lodhi (18). Pradeep was reportedly steering the boat. Expressing his condolences, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav approved an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh for each of the deceased's families. He also emphasised the importance of exercising caution while using boats on lakes and rivers. The Mata Tila dam, constructed in 1958 on the Betwa River, is situated in Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh, but shares its border with Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri district. Bengaluru, March 19 : The Karnataka Police Department on Wednesday suspended five police officers on charges of playing cards inside the Wadi police station in Chittapur taluk of Kalaburagi district after the video of their act went viral on social media. The suspended police officers were identified as Assistant Sub-Inspector Mohammad Mia, Head Constables Nagaraj, Saibanna, Imam, and Constable Nagabhushan. The suspension orders are issued by Kalaburagi SP Addur Srinivasulu. The SP has also issued a notice to SI Tirumalesh seeking an explanation regarding the incident. The suspended officers are allegedly ganged up on the first floor of the police station during duty hours to play cards. Two of the police officers were seen playing cards in their uniforms. The seven-second video has created outrage among the public and proved to be an embarrassment for the Congress government in Karnataka as it surfaced during the ongoing Assembly session. The incident took place in the constituency of RDPR, IT and BT Minister Priyank Kharge, who represents the Chittapur seat and is the in-charge minister of Kalaburagi. Reacting to the development, Minister Kharge, in a statement, said: "Following the viral video showing police personnel engaged in gambling at the Wadi police station in Kalaburagi district, the concerned officers have been suspended, and a notice has been issued to the station's Sub-Inspector." The minister stated that as soon as the video of police officers playing the gambling game 'ispit' (Andar Bahar) at Wadi police station came to his attention, he directed the district Superintendent of Police to conduct an inquiry and take necessary action. Upon investigation, it was revealed that the incident had occurred several months ago, as per the statement. "Our government will not tolerate any disciplinary violations by department staff or officials. There is no room for negligence in public service and law enforcement," Kharge asserted. Dhaka, March 19 : Several teachers of Dhaka University face an uncertain future after being barred from taking classes for allegedly supporting the Awami League Government which was ousted in August 2024. Nearly 50 teachers from various departments have been declared "unwanted" after the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus accused them of supporting former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during the July uprising, local media reported. In a clear case of political vendetta, the university administration had formed "fact-finding committees" while suspending these teachers from academic activities. However, even after several months, the teachers have not been able to return to the classrooms. It has been reported that several teachers and students in many universities across Bangladesh have been suspended indiscriminately after Yunus came to power. In a separate development on Monday, Dhaka University authorities suspended 128 students alleging them of attacking protesting students during the July uprising. Most of these students were members of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) , the student wing of Awami League, Bangladeshas leading newspaper Prothom Alo reported. The interim government had banned BCL under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009 in October 2024. Ironically, the interim government had lifted the ban on radical Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir on August 28 last year after assuming power. The Yunus government has been accused of suppressing people who supported the democratic government of Awami League led by Hasina. Several media reports have revealed political murders of a number of Awami league leaders, their families and supporters since Hasina's ouster. Referring to the incidents of rising mob justice during the interim government, a human rights forum based in Dhaka 'Ain o Salish Kendra' (ASK) in its report had mentioned the incident of a youth being beaten to death at Dhaka University that sparked harsh criticism across the country. Abdullah Al Masud, a leader of the Rajshahi University unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League, was beaten to death on September 7, 2024 after being assaulted in the Binodpur market near the university campus. Bangladesh has witnessed a surge in protest movements against the interim government over the past few months amidst massive deterioration of the law and order situation in the country. Greene County officials say they know they have reached a watershed moment: One of Virginias smallest counties geographically struggles to supply water to its growing population. Experts have told the county for years that the solution is a reservoir. But the $87 million price tag of constructing a reservoir and upgrading the town of Stanardsvilles infrastructure as well as concerns that a reservoir would be more susceptible to contamination than wells has paralyzed the countys board of supervisors. The White Run Reservoir has been in various stages of planning and development since 2008, but residents say its been needed longer than that. The reservoir was needed back in 2000, according to Michael Traber, a Ruckersville resident and former county planning commissioner. Its not due to growth. The reservoir is needed now. We dont have water now. This is not a problem in the future; its a problem now. Traber was speaking at a Feb. 24 meeting of Impact Greene, a group he co-founded to hold county officials accountable and improve the quality of life in Greene County. Even if population growth did not necessitate new infrastructure back in 2000, it certainly does now. The countys population has grown roughly 34% since 2000. Its infrastructure has not grown at the same pace. Traber told attendees he fully understands that its not an easy pill to swallow, especially considering how much the county has already spent. To date, the county has spent $16 million on the land purchases and rights and an additional $17 million for a total of $33 million preparing for the reservoir. That includes permits, engineering and more. At this point, the question is where is the county going to get the money to fund the rest of the reservoir, he said. But Greene County Director of Water and Sewer Tom Hutka says future growth can actually help bankroll new infrastructure, and that new infrastructure can guide future growth responsibly. We cant stop growth, Hutka said at the recent Impact Greene meeting. We cant tell a farmer he cant sell grandpas farm. What we can do is make it easier and more economical to build in the more urban area of Greene rather than buying 4 acres and needing private wells and sewers. We can steer growth with the reservoir. Hutka said that a portion of the funding for the reservoir can come from equivalent dwelling unit, or EDU, fees: charges developers pay to tap into existing water and sewer lines. According to Hutka and county documents, EDUs total $12,000 per housing unit for water and $10,000 for sewer. These are among the highest in the state and well above state averages, Hutka told The Daily Progress in an email. These are the fees used in our current financial plan and rate study which show we can cover expenses and finance the reservoir projects without relying on property taxes/general fund. In nearby Orange and Madison counties, the Rapidan Service Authority formerly a tri-county water and sewer authority Greene County pulled out of 2023 charges $10,000 each. Greene County Supervisor Francis McGuigan, nevertheless, says EDUs in Greene County should be higher: $18,000 each for water and sewer. EDUs need to be raised in accordance with verifiable population estimates and not unrealistic promises by developers of new housing starts, McGuigan posted Feb. 20 on Facebook, where he goes by the name the Greene Sentinel. McGuigan did not respond to a Daily Progress interview request. However, online he said he believes the county and a Virginia Tech review have overestimated the countys growth potential, and therefore the revenue EDUs at the current rates can provide. Bill Martin, another co-founder of Impact Greene and a former county supervisor and planning commissioner, says EDUs arent the only way the county can fund reservoir construction. In addition to EDUs and developers fees, there are grants, real estate taxes and water use fee adjustments that can be made temporarily to help with the costs. There is also the possibility of partnering with Orange County in an over-the-county-line sale. We dont need to rely only on EDUs, he told The Daily Progress. Hutka agreed. If we do have slow housing starts, we can still pay our debt, he told those at the Impact Greene meeting. We can still cover it through capitalized interest, through reserves. We have protections in place. We dont have to look at the general fund for help. Martin also noted the recent news that Greene and Orange counties are working together to see if the two cant share Greenes future reservoir while Orange builds out its own infrastructure. The possible agreement would mean Orange County would pay Greene fees, helping to cover the costs of the infrastructure. We need water and infrastructure updates now, said Traber. The Board of Supervisors has to move on this. EDUs arent the only thing to help us pay for it. Its on our elected supervisors to make the decision. Were overusing the water. Id love to see the Board of Supervisors move forward. McGuigan, however, has other plans. The supervisor has floated scrapping the reservoir plan and told his online followers he wants to drill baby drill. McGuigan said Greene County could boost its water supply by drilling wells. This, he said, would be the safer option. The reservoir is more prone to contamination, he posted on Facebook. It is possible tge [sic] entire reservoir would be nonfunctional for an extended period. Recall last years [sic] crisis in Oranges surface water last year. But it wasnt surface water contamination that caused the water crisis in northern Orange County last year, which left residents without access to clean water for nearly a week. According to the Virginia Department of Healths Office of Drinking Water, it was caused by a catastrophic failure at a water treatment facility, causing oil to leak into the water supply. But more than that, experts say the county does not have the groundwater necessary to provide long-term water supply via wells. A 2006 study conducted by geologists reported that two wells would increase the water supply for 10% but only for short periods due to aquifer drawdowns. Greene County does not have a highly productive aquifer, Hutka told The Daily Progress. This fact and a river that all but disappears during dry periods are the reasons for many decades of water supply problems for our community. For Martin, this leaves Greene County exactly where it was in 2000 and again in 2008: in need of a reservoir. Our water crisis is existential to Greene Countys future. We need the White Run Reservoir, he told The Daily Progress. New Delhi, March 19 : The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on Wednesday partnered with DigiLocker to help investors track their securities holdings and reduce unclaimed financial assets. This initiative, outlined in the SEBIas circular titled "Harnessing DigiLocker as a Digital Public Infrastructure for Reducing Unclaimed Assets in the Indian Securities Market," aims to enhance investor protection and streamline access to financial holdings. By integrating DigiLocker with the securities market, the SEBI is ensuring that investors can store and retrieve details of their demat accounts and mutual fund holdings securely. DigiLocker, which already provides access to bank account statements, insurance policies, and National Pension System (NPS) details, will now serve as a centralised platform for investors to manage their securities information. According to the government, a key feature of this initiative is the nomination facility. Investors can appoint data access nominees within DigiLocker, allowing them read-only access to the account in case of the investoras demise. "This ensures that legal heirs can easily locate and claim financial assets without unnecessary delays," the government said. To make the process smoother, the SEBI has enabled an automated notification system for nominees. If an investor passes away, the KYC Registration Agencies (KRAs), which are registered and regulated by the SEBI, will notify DigiLocker. Once notified, DigiLocker will automatically alert the nominated individuals, enabling them to initiate the asset transfer process with financial institutions. The KRAs will play a vital role in verifying information and ensuring a seamless transition of assets to rightful heirs. Meanwhile, the market regulator is slated to discuss major regulatory changes in its upcoming board meeting, which will be the first under the leadership of new Chairperson Tuhin Kanta Pandey. The agenda includes new security measures for demat accounts, ensuring the independence of clearing corporations, expanding the definition of Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs), and revising fee collection rules for research analysts. One of the key proposals aims to strengthen investor security by introducing a system similar to the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) for demat accounts. New Delhi, March 19 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah asserted in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that he is not in his position with anyone's mercy but has earned it by winning elections seven times. Shah made the remarks during a discussion on the functioning of the Home Ministry in the Rajya Sabha. The debate turned heated when Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Saket Gokhale raised questions about the CBI. In response, Shah clarified that the CBI does not fall under the jurisdiction of the Home Ministry. When Gokhale made a personal remark about him, Shah countered, saying, "I have not reached here with anyone's mercy or by opposing any ideology. There is no question of being afraid. I have won the elections seven times." During the debate, Shah reprimanded Gokhale for discussing matters beyond the Home Ministry's scope. "Perhaps he does not know that the CBI and other agencies he is mentioning do not come under the Home Ministry. If you want to discuss these subjects in detail, I am ready to respond," Shah said. Gokhale alleged that the CBI has registered 6,900 corruption cases, with 361 cases pending for over 20 years. His remarks prompted an uproar in the House as members of the ruling party and the opposition exchanged heated words. Addressing the allegations, Shah clarified that the pending CBI cases were filed on the orders of the Supreme Court and the High Court in connection with election violence in West Bengal. "Violence occurred during elections in Bengal. We won more seats, but our supporters were murdered, and women were assaulted. When victims approached the High Court, a CBI inquiry was ordered," he explained. Shah accused the Trinamool Congress of disregarding judicial authority. "You will not even listen to the High Court. The reason these cases are delayed is that there is not a single CBI special court in West Bengal," he added. Amid the tense exchange, Leader of the Upper House J.P. Nadda demanded that Gokhale apologise and retract his personal comments against Shah. "If he does not withdraw his statement, it should be expunged from the records," Nadda said. Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar directed Gokhale to withdraw his remarks. When the Trinamool MP refused, the Chair ordered the comments to be removed from the official records. The ruling party also took exception to other statements made by Gokhale. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju criticised the Trinamool MP's tone, stating, "We are open to suggestions, but such personal attacks lower the dignity of the Rajya Sabha." Vadodara, March 19 : In a crackdown on illegal gambling, the Gujarat Police's State Monitoring Cell (SMC) raided a gambling den in Garadi village of Vadodara Rural district, and apprehended 10 individuals, police said. The raid, which took place on the evening of March 18, led to the seizure of Rs 2.17 lakh in cash and valuables, exposing the local police's inaction in the area. Two main suspects, who were running the operation, managed to escape. According to a complaint filed by an Assistant Sub-Inspector from the Gandhinagar SMC, intelligence was received about illegal gambling activities in Garadi village's Motha Talavadi area. Acting upon this information, a surprise raid was conducted at 6 p.m., resulting in the capture of 10 gamblers. The two key operators of the gambling den fled the scene before they could be apprehended. A case has been registered under Section 12 of the Gujarat Prevention of Gambling Act at the Shinor police station. The arrested individuals hail from Vadodara city, Jambusar, Tilakwada, Dabhoi, Karjan, and Shinor talukas. During the raid, officials seized Rs 1.60 lakh in cash and 10 mobile phones worth Rs 57,000, bringing the total recovered amount to Rs 2.17 lakh. The significant cash seizure from a small village like Garadi has raised questions about the efficiency of Shinor police and its district staff, who were seemingly unaware of the ongoing gambling activities. The arrested individuals have been handed over to the Chandod police station for further investigation. The accused have been identified as Shailesh Shankar Prajapati from Vadodara, Ahmedkha Chhotukha Garasiya from Garadi, Talha Ismail Patel from Jambusar, Kirtan Bharat Brahmbhatt from Vadodara, Arvind Ambu Vasava from Tilakwada, Mohsin Akhtar Shaikh from Virpur, Amit Ramesh Panchal from Vadodara, Rahul Manu Kahar from Vadodara, Muzammil Mayuddin Mansuri from Dabhoi, and Zakir Kalu Malek from Choranda. Authorities are continuing their search for the two absconding suspects who were operating the gambling den. Further action is expected as part of the state's crackdown on illegal activities. Gujarat has witnessed several significant gambling-related incidents in recent times, highlighting the state's ongoing efforts to curb illegal betting activities. In Ahmedabad, during the Janmashtami festivities, law enforcement agencies intensified their operations against gambling. These raids led to the booking of 632 individuals and the seizure of assets worth more than Rs 60 lakh. The operations spanned all seven zones under the Ahmedabad City Police and the crime branch, resulting in 113 registered cases. Notably, Zone 5, encompassing areas like Bapunagar, Gomtipur, Rakhiyal, Amraiwadi, Khokhara, Nikol, Odhav, and Ramol, recorded the highest number of cases at 33. This was followed by 29 cases in Zone 4, 20 in Zone 2, and 11 in Zone 1. The eastern part of the city saw the most significant activity, with 69 cases filed, while 44 cases emerged from Sector 1 on the western side. In Zone 4, which includes areas such as Dariyapur, Shahibaug, Krishnanagar, Meghaninagar, Naroda, and Sardarnagar, 201 individuals were apprehended, marking the highest number of arrests in a single zone. In another notable incident, the Prevention of Crime Branch (PCB) in Ahmedabad busted a high-stakes gambling operation at a residential property near Khodiyar Farm on Ognaj Road. The raid resulted in the arrest of 16 individuals and the confiscation of assets totalling Rs 23.4 lakh. The seized items included Rs 7.2 lakh in cash, 18 mobile phones valued at Rs 4.61 lakh, three two-wheelers, a four-wheeler worth Rs 11.5 lakh, 104 playing cards, and seven card boxes. The operation was reportedly orchestrated by 58-year-old Dilipbhai Amrutlal Patel, the owner of the Khodiyar Farm property. The arrested individuals hailed from Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and nearby regions. They have been charged under the Gujarat Prevention of Gambling Act, with investigations ongoing to uncover potential links to a broader network beyond Ahmedabad. Chennai, March 19 : Conservationists in Tamil Nadu have called on the state government to designate the Samanatham water tank in Madurai as a protected site, citing its growing importance as a habitat for migratory birds. According to dedicated bird watcher A. Anparasu, the Samanatham water tank has emerged as a key refuge for migratory birds this season. He noted that species such as flamingos, Eurasian spoonbills, Siberian stonechats, and streaked weavers arrived in large numbers during the recent winter migration. Anparasu emphasised that converting the tank into a protected site would significantly enhance conservation efforts while also promoting eco-tourism in the region. The recent annual bird survey in Madurai district recorded over 21,000 birds across both wetland and terrestrial habitats - an increase from the previous year. In comparison, the 2024 bird survey documented 12,670 birds in Maduraias wetlands alone. The census also noted the presence of common migratory species, including the common sandpiper, marsh sandpiper, barn swallow, northern pintail, rosy starling, and blue-tailed bee-eater. Conducted in two phases, the bird survey tracks both resident and migratory bird populations. The terrestrial survey, held on March 15 and 16, recorded over 5,000 birds from 140 species across multiple locations, including Nagamalai Pudukottai, Arittapatti Biodiversity Heritage Site, Idayapatti sacred groves, Sirumalai South near Sholavandan, and Pasumalai. Among these, Sirumalai South near Sholavandan recorded the highest number of species in the terrestrial category. Meanwhile, the wetland survey on March 8, covering 25 major water bodies in the district, documented over 16,000 birds. Prominent locations surveyed included Samanatham, Sholavandan, and Kunnathur, with Nilaiyur and Samanatham tanks recording the highest diversity - each hosting more than 80 species. In light of these findings, Tamil Nadu Forest Department officials have submitted a proposal to the Public Works Department, seeking a no-objection certificate to designate Samanatham tank as a protected sanctuary. N. Ravindran, coordinator of the Iragugal Amrutham Nature Trust (ANT), which has been monitoring bird activity at Samanatham for the past five years, underscored the siteas ecological importance. "The tank hosts more than 80 bird species from 17 orders and 52 families. Of these, 25 per cent are winter visitors, highlighting its crucial role in the migratory path," he said. According to ANT data, Samanatham is home to 84 commonly found bird species, while 23 species are considered rare. In 2024, the tank recorded the highest bird count among wetlands, with 1,713 birds from 80 species. In terrestrial habitats, Mettupatti saw the highest count, with 3,483 birds from 55 species. Despite these rich avian populations, bird watchers express disappointment that Madurai district still lacks an official bird sanctuary. Conservationists hope that the growing bird numbers and ecological significance of Samanatham will prompt the government to take necessary action. Bhopal, March 19 : In a bizarre case, a Madhya Pradesh woman presumed dead for one-and-a-half year has unexpectedly reappeared leaving family, neighbours and particularly the police of two districts -- Mandsaur and Jhabua -- utterly stunned. Her family had already performed her last rites, and four individuals accused of her "alleged" murder are currently languishing in Thandla (330 km from Bhopal in Jhabua district) jail. Now, the woman who had been living in Navali village, Mandsaur made her family struggle to believe she was alive, her father promptly took her to the Gandhi Sagar police, station Mandsaur to report her return. Confirming the report, Taruna Bhardwaj, in-charge of Gandhi Sagar police station, told IANS that the woman revealed to the police that she had left with a man named Shahrukh from Bhanpura, Mandsaur. "After two days, she said she was 'handed over' to another person coincidently named as Shahrukh in Kota. She had been living in Kota ever since but managed to escape and return home," the police officer informed. The woman provided identification documents, including her Aadhaar and voter identity cards, to confirm her identity, the officer said. "We have handed over the matter to Thandla police station, Jhabua where her 'murder' was investigated," said the police officer. The woman, who has two children, was reunited with them after a year and a half, bringing immense joy to her family, also approached Thandla police station. Her father, Ramesh, had identified a body in 2023 after seeing a video of a fatal truck accident. The body bore a tattoo of her name and a black thread tied around the leg, leading him to believe it was his daughter. The family performed her last rites, and four men were arrested for her alleged murder. These men -- Imran, Shahrukh, Sonu, and Ejaz -- have been in jail ever since. The police handed over the remains to the family, who performed the last rites and held traditional ceremonies. "The woman hails from Navali village, Mandsaur; she came here with her family members and reported her reappearance. The accused, who are presently in jail, on the basis of her reappearance have filed an application in the local court. If court orders, the matter would be reinvestigated afresh. Higher authorities have been informed of the development," a senior police officer from Thandla, Jhabua district, told IANS. This interesting case raises numerous questions. Her account has also shed light on a potential human trafficking network, adding another layer of complexity to this already typical case. Aizawl/Silchar : , March 19 (IANS) Border Security Force (BSF) Director General Daljit Singh Chawdhary, who is on a three-day visit to Mizoram and southern Assam, conducted a comprehensive review of the operational scenario, assessed the force's preparedness and strength for border domination efforts. Aizawl/Silchar (Assam), March 19 (IANS) Border Security Force (BSF) Director General Daljit Singh Chawdhary, who is on a three-day visit to Mizoram and southern Assam, conducted a comprehensive review of the operational scenario, assessed the forceas preparedness and strength for border domination efforts. A BSF spokesman said that on Wednesday, the BSF chief visited border outpost (BOP) Steamer Ghat in Shri Bhumi district (formerly Karimganj district) on the Bangladesh border where he interacted with troopers and received an operational briefing from the unit Commandant and reviewed border domination efforts. He held a Sainik Sammelan and thereafter visited the riverine border area in a BSF watercraft, where he observed the complexities of securing the international border with Bangladesh. The spokesman said that on Tuesday, the BSF Director General visited BOP Parva among other BOPs located along the Indo-Bangladesh border in Mizoram where he reviewed border domination measures and interacted with commanders and troopers deployed in the area. He commended BSF personnelas unwavering dedication and professionalism in securing the challenging border and encouraged them to continue performing their duties with the highest level of commitment and zeal. Later, he arrived at BSFas Mizoram and Cachar (M&C) frontier headquarters at Masimpur in Silchar (Assam) where he conducted a detailed operational review. Chawdhary also interacted with officers and jawans during a Prahari Sammelan and had tea with them. The BSF chief was accompanied by BSF's Additional Director General, Eastern Command, Ravi Gandhi, Inspector General, M&C Frontier, Sanjay Kumar Misra, and other BSF officials. The BSF head during his visit to Aizawl held discussions with Mizoram Governor, Gen Vijay Kumar Singh (retd) on numerous border-related issues. Meanwhile, acting on specific information, alert troopers apprehended three Bangladesh nationals along the international border in Meghalayaas West Garo Hills District. Chennai, March 19 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday assured that those responsible for the murder of retired police sub-inspector Zakir Hussain Bijli in Tirunelveli would be brought to justice. Speaking in the Assembly, Stalin emphasised that his government would not allow anyone to take the law into their own hands. "Anyone involved in criminal activities will not escape the clutches of the law," he stated. The Chief Minister's remarks came in response to a special calling attention motion moved by Leader of Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami and other members of the House. The Chief Minister revealed that the police had registered a case based on a complaint filed by Bijlias wife and had launched an investigation. He added that two individuals from Thottipalam Street had surrendered in court, and a special police team had been formed to track down others involved in the crime. The police are also examining a video released by Bijli before his death, in which he spoke about receiving death threats. Preliminary investigations suggest that a land dispute between the retired policeman and Krishnamoorthy, also known as Mohamed Thowfeeque, may have been the motive behind the murder. Both Bijli and Thowfeeque had filed complaints against each other, and the police had been investigating the matter. Stalin confirmed that officers had conducted an inquiry after Bijli's video surfaced, but despite the ongoing probe, the murder took place. Bijli was killed on Tuesday morning while returning home on his motorcycle after offering prayers. A four-member armed gang intercepted him near Kaatchi Mandapam in Tirunelveli and fatally attacked him with sharp-edged weapons. Investigations revealed that Bijli was the administrator of the Murtim Zarkhan Dargah in Tirunelveli and was engaged in a legal battle over a 36-cent land parcel in the town. Local sources suggest that the dispute was related to a plot of land adjacent to Bijlias property, owned by the wife of Thowfeeque. Bijli allegedly claimed that the land was Waqf property and encroached upon it by installing a shed, while Thowfeequeas family maintained that the land was a private gift from his mother-in-law. The conflict had escalated over time, with police records showing that a case was filed against Bijli by Thowfeequeas family in January 2025. Authorities are now investigating whether this prolonged dispute led to the murder. Several political leaders, including Manithaneya Makkal Katchi leader M.H. Jawahirullah, VCK member Shanavas, CPI leader T. Ramachandram, and CPI-M leader Nagai Malai spoke on the issue. They urged the government to provide financial assistance to Bijli's family and offer a government job to one of his family members. New Delhi, March 19 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday reaffirmed his commitment to shaping a better future for the next generations after his meeting with Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates. Responding to the social media post by Gates on platform X, PM Modi said, "As always, an excellent meeting with Bill Gates. We spoke about diverse issues including tech, innovation, and sustainability towards making a better future for the coming generations." Gates is on his third visit to India in three years, engaging in high-level discussions about artificial intelligence, healthcare, agriculture, and digital transformation. His meeting with PM Modi was focused on India's development vision, particularly the 'Viksit Bharat 2047' goal -- an initiative aimed at making India a developed nation by its centenary year of Independence. The discussions between Modi and Gates emphasised how AI and digital infrastructure can revolutionise healthcare, education, and agriculture. "I had a great discussion with @narendramodi about India's development, the path to Viksit Bharat 2047, and exciting advancements in health, agriculture, AI, and other sectors that are creating impact today," Gates posted on X. The India AI Mission and the Gates Foundation are expected to collaborate on several initiatives, leveraging technology to improve public services and create sustainable solutions. Gates also met Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to explore new opportunities for agricultural development. Their conversation revolved around climate-resistant crops, biofortification, and AI-driven farming techniques, which can help Indian farmers tackle climate change and boost productivity. "The Gates Foundation is already working with us, and today we discussed where we can expand that collaboration," Chouhan said after the meeting. This visit holds special significance as it marks the 25th anniversary of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. For the first time, its Board of Trustees is convening in the Global South, with India chosen as the focal point of its global initiatives. Gurugram, March 19 : Political mercury has risen in Maharashtra following the Nagpur violence. After Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi praised the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, Hindu organisations have been protesting, demanding the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb, amid the chaos caused by the violence in Nagpur. The opposition is attacking the Devendra Fadnavis-led government, but the government claims that no accused in the riots will be spared. On the Nagpur violence and other issues, BJP leader Gourav Vallabh spoke to IANS on Wednesday. Gourav Vallabh stated that Abu Azmi attempted to destroy peace in Maharashtra in the name of Aurangzeb. He went on to say, "I want to tell all the supporters of Aurangzeb, whether they are Abu Azmi, Akhilesh Yadav, Uddhav Thackeray, or Sharad Pawar. In Maharashtra, Chhatrapati Shivaji is worshipped. He has been worshipped, is worshipped, and will continue to be worshipped. The supporters of Aurangzeb are trying to take the place of Chhatrapati Shivaji, which is not possible. In Maharashtra, Shivaji Maharaj was, is, and will always be great." Vallabh also asked Akhilesh Yadav if he considered Aurangzeb to be great and questioned why Uddhav Thackeray remained silent on the issue. Asked about Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar, Vallabh remarked: "Kanhaiya Kumar is not a relevant figure anymore, and there is nothing significant to talk about him. He has no understanding of the country, and he hasn't contributed anything important in his region. There is no place for such irrelevant people. He is just playing his drum with a handful of students at JNU. He has no importance in Bihar politics, and as for Delhi, we've already seen his fate twice. If he contests elections again, he will lose his deposit again." In response to Congress leader Shashi Tharoor's comments praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign policy, Gourav Vallabh said: "If there is anyone in the world who can meet the President of Russia and the President of Ukraine within two weeks, it is none other than India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is a testament to his personal stature and India's growing strategic importance on the global stage. The personal efforts of the Prime Minister, combined with India's strategic significance, played a crucial role in this achievement. It is a moment of pride for every Indian." Vallabh further said that Prime Minister Modi has the power to lead the world toward peace. He also suggested that Shashi Tharoor should start criticising Congress leaders now. He questioned why good people are distancing themselves from the Congress party. He added that Rahul Gandhi avoids going to Rae Bareli but makes sure to visit Vietnam, and the country wants to know the connection between him and Vietnam. Moscow, March 19 : Russia on Wednesday labelled the Ukrainian attacks against power infrastructure in the Kuban region of the country as sabotage and an attempt to disrupt the peace initiatives announced by President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump on the ongoing conflict. "Information has already been widely available about the command of the Russian President, the command of the Supreme Commander-in-chief of Russia about termination of strikes against Ukrainian power facilities for the period of 30 days at the moment of launching these attacks. The Kyiv regime did nothing to cancel them. Therefore, such actions definitely run counter to these common efforts," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told local media in Moscow on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Ukraine claimed that it will comply with the call to cease strikes on energy infrastructure facilities if a corresponding agreement is reached at the upcoming technical meeting with the United States in Saudi Arabia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that "energy facilities", "infrastructure facilities" should be included in the list of objects subject to the ceasefire. Zelensky mentioned that Kyiv needs to work out a mechanism to monitor compliance regarding the ceasefire. US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart on Tuesday held a telephonic conversation, highlighting the need for peace and a ceasefire to end the conflict with Ukraine. Trump and Putin agreed that the movement to peace would begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on the implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire, and permanent peace. These negotiations will begin immediately in the Middle East, read a statement issued after the phone call. However, according to the Russian Defence Ministry, Kyiv still continued to attack energy facilities in the Krasnodar Region with drones as a "premeditated provocation" aimed at undermining the peace initiatives. "We regret to note that, so far, there has been no reciprocity from the Kyiv regime. There have been attempts to attack our energy infrastructure facilities, as you are aware. Relevant information is available," said Peskov. Ahmedabad, March 19 : As part of an intensified crackdown on organised crime, the Gujarat Police's State Monitoring Cell (SMC) has identified 15 major bootleggers and gambling offenders across the state, compiling a list of their illegal properties slated for demolition, the police said on Wednesday. An official statement from the SMC confirmed that under the directive of the Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi, Gujarat's Director General of Police (DGP) Vikas Sahay, has ordered a 100-hour operation to take strict legal action against anti-social elements. Acting on this directive, the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Nirlipt Rai, and the Deputy Superintendent of Police (Dy SP) K.T. Kamriya have identified 24 individuals engaged in bootlegging, gambling, and illegal mineral and chemical theft. A total of 15 teams have been deployed across the state to act against unauthorised properties and encroachments linked to these offenders. Following a thorough investigation, the SMC uncovered 19 illegal construction and encroachments associated with these 15 criminals. The agency has submitted a proposal, backed by evidence, to the Municipal Commissioners of Ahmedabad, Rajkot, and Surat, along with the Collectors and District Magistrates of Mehsana, Bharuch, Kutch, Surendranagar, and Junagadh, recommending immediate demolition of these properties. The Police Commissioners and Superintendents of Police in the respective areas have also been alerted to ensure swift action. The probe further revealed that Girish alias Tommy Unjha Parshottambhai Patel (Ahmedabad City, Mehsana), Altaf alias Chha Pingh Hanifbhai Them (Rajkot City), and Puna Bhanabhai Bharwad (Kutch) had rented out or occupied residential properties without notifying the police or district authorities, in violation of legal requirements. Local police stations have been instructed to initiate action against them for failing to comply with notification norms. Additionally, Sotajbhai Harisinh Yadav (Surendranagar), a known mineral theft offender, was caught stealing electricity through an illegal connection at his residence. The Paschim Gujarat Vij Company Limited (PGVCL) promptly disconnected his power supply and registered a case against him at the PGVCL Post Office in Surendranagar. The SMC, in its official statement, highlighted that all legal measures, including property demolition and criminal charges, have been executed within just 72 hours as part of the ongoing operation to curb organised crime in Gujarat. Jaipur, March 19 : The Rajasthan High Court on Wednesday rejected the bail plea of Independent candidate Naresh Meena, who is in judicial custody for slapping Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Amit Chaudhary during the Deoli-Uniyara Assembly by-election. During the hearing, the Rajasthan government opposed Meena's bail, arguing that such actions by a public representative set a negative precedent for the society. In contrast, Meena's lawyer downplayed the case as a minor offence and pleaded for bail. However, after hearing both sides, Judge Anil Kumar Upvan denied the request. The case was initially scheduled for hearing on March 12, but due to the judge's busy schedule it was postponed. A fresh date was set for March 19, but the court ultimately ruled against granting bail. Advocate Lakhan Singh Meena said that the repeated postponements were due to the judge's tight schedule. The Deoli-Uniyara by-election was held on November 13, 2024. Residents of Samravata village boycotted the election, demanding that their village be included in the Uniara sub-division office. Supporting their protest, Naresh Meena staged a protest with the villagers. However, tensions escalated when Meena accused SDM Amit Chaudhary of forcibly facilitating votes for three people. During a heated exchange, Meena allegedly slapped the SDM. The following day, on November 14, 2024, police arrested Naresh Meena from the protest site. With his bail now rejected, Meena will remain in judicial custody as the case proceeds further. Earlier on February 18, the Rajasthan High Court had granted bail to Naresh Meena for last year's Assembly bypoll to the Deoli-Uniara constituency, in a case related to protesting and inciting a crowd outside the residence of former Minister Pramod Jain Bhaya. Justice Sudesh Bansal's bench approved his bail plea. However, despite securing bail in the mob incitement case, Naresh Meena would not be released from jail as the Rajasthan High Court had earlier rejected his bail plea on February 14 in connection with the violence in Samravata village. He was arrested in the case of slapping an SDM, for which a separate bail hearing will be held on Tuesday. During the hearing, the prosecution presented a previous High Court order rejecting Naresh Meenaas bail in the Samravata case, arguing that he had a criminal tendency and should not be granted bail. However, the court dismissed this argument, stating that every case has different circumstances and facts. The case dates back to September 2023, when Naresh Meena was accused of leading a protest outside Bhayaas house and inciting the crowd. Despite this, the police did not arrest him for nearly one and a half years. However, after he filed an anticipatory bail plea, the police arrested him from jail on February 3. Naresh Meena's lawyer, Mahesh Sharma, argued that the case was politically motivated, with allegations based solely on claims of inciting public unrest. Mumbai, March 19 : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday in the state Assembly reiterated that those who attacked the police during the violence on Monday in Nagpur will be brought to justice. "I repeat, those who attacked the police during violence in Nagpur, we will dig them out of their graves. We will not spare them. Everything else is forgivable but attack on the police is not forgivable. Therefore, the strictest action will be taken against them in a timely manner," he said during his reply to the debate on the Budgetary proposals for the Home Department. The Assembly approved the Home Department's demand worth Rs 36,614.68 crore. "Now, Nagpur is peaceful. It is famous for peace. There has never been a riot in Nagpur after 1992. It is clear that the incident that happened the other day was deliberately caused by some people. Aurangzeb's grave was burnt there. There was no inscription written on it. We have investigated this matter thoroughly. But messages like this were spread that the inscriptions were deliberately burnt and then violence broke," said the chief minister. "Those who disrupt social harmony and deliberately spread such rumours will also be held accountable. Some people have even been arrested. Therefore, we will not stop at any cost without taking very strict action," he said. "We face many challenges in terms of law and order. But the state government is trying to meet those challenges and provide the best possible law and order situation to the people of the state," he said. He further said that "in the Nagpur violence case, the Police Commissioner and I did not speak separately". "The Nagpur CP said that we are investigating whether this was premeditated or not. We have not come to a final conclusion yet. So there is no such thing as he said something different and I said something else." He was responding to a statement made by Congress legislator Nana Patole that CM and Nagpur CP made different remarks about the Nagpur violence. The Chief Minister said: "Maharashtra is a stable and progressive state and is known for peace and harmony. The government will take strict action if anyone disturbs the law and order in the state. No one should disturb the peace in Maharashtra. If anyone tries to disturb it, he will not be spared," he warned. The chief minister said that the government is working to increase the crime conviction rate by taking action. Fadnavis further said that the government has firmed up an elaborate plan to control the incidents of atrocities against women. He said that a women's support cell has been established at the police unit level. This cell is dedicated to women and arrangements have been made for women's complaints to be registered by women officials only. Courts will be functioning to settle crimes registered under the Women and POCSO Acts. Damini Squad, Nirbhaya Cell and Bharosa Cell have been started. He further said that women are being provided immediate help by dialing 112. The response time of this number is second in the country. "We are trying to reach number one. This number is linked to the central government agencies through the CCTNS system. Coordination cells have been established to prevent immoral human trafficking. Also, a Visakha Committee has been established to prevent atrocities on women," he added. According to the chief minister, Operation Muskan is being implemented in the state to search for children. 12 activities have been completed in this way. This initiative has been honored at the national level. Through this operation, 38,910 children have been found in the state and brought back to their parents. A special task force has been formed under the POCSO Act. Also, help is being provided through the 1098 toll free number. "The government is trying to reduce cyber crime in the state. For this, 51 labs have been set up. A headquarter called MahaCyber has been set up in Navi Mumbai. The most modern system in this field at the national level has been set up in the state. The cyber center is being converted into a corporation. The government is also considering forming a corporation to do this work in a professional manner. "The capacity to conduct cyber audits has been created by developing the system. The capacity to solve this crime within 24 hours of the commission of a cyber crime is being created. All banks and social media are being connected to the state's cyber platform. Action will be taken to prove the crime and return the amount defrauded during the golden hour," the Chief Minister said. Kathmandu, March 19 : In yet another initiative taken under the India-Nepal developmental partnership, a school built with the Indian government's financial assistance of Nepalese Rs 30 million was inaugurated on Wednesday. The Indian government's grant under 'Nepal-India Development Cooperation' was utilised for the construction of the building and other facilities at Shree Janakalyan Secondary School in Nepal's Makwanpur district. The project was jointly inaugurated by Lalit Bahadur Ghalan, Chief, District Coordination Committee, in Makwanpur and Bassist Nandan, First Secretary, Embassy of India in Kathmandu, on Wednesday. Several political representatives, government officials, social workers and teachers of the school, students and their parents were also present on this occasion. The project was taken up as a High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) with the support of India and was implemented through the District Coordination Committee, Makawanpur. The officials from Nepal, school management and other stakeholders appreciated the developmental support being provided by India to the people of Nepal. They expressed confidence that the infrastructure created would help provide better education to the students. It would also help create an improved environment for learning and contribute to the overall development of the education sector in the region. As close neighbours, India and Nepal remain engaged in wide ranging and multi-sectoral cooperation. The implementation of HICDPs reflects the continued support of the Government of India in bolstering the efforts of the Government of Nepal in the growth and development of its people by augmenting infrastructure in priority sectors, stated the Embassy of India in Nepal. India is the largest developmental donor of Nepal with the major portion of developmental assistance focussed on large-scale infrastructure projects under grants, necessary for the rapid development of Nepal, in the field of priority sectors such as health, education and connectivity. Earlier on Tuesday, Nepal's Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba met External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar in New Delhi on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue. "A highly fruitful interaction with EAM S Jaishankar. We took stock of bilateral ties, discussing ongoing engagements across sectors and identifying avenues for enhancing people-to-people and diplomatic exchanges. I expressed my appreciation for India's Neighbourhood First Policy and conveyed Nepal's continued prioritization of relations with India," Deuba posted on X after the meeting. Chandigarh, March 19 : To combat cross-border drug smuggling and narco-terrorism, the Punjab government on Wednesday conducted a trial of advanced anti-drone technology in Naushera Dhalla village, located close to the India-Pakistan border in Tarn Taran district. This demonstration in the Sarai Amanat Khan area, a hotspot for drone activity and cross-border smuggling for over two years, marks a crucial step in strengthening Punjab's defence capabilities, said the government. The trial, which was attended, among others, by Cabinet Minister Aman Arora and Jails Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, is a continuation of earlier demonstrations held in Mohali on March 4 and 5. Talking to the media on the sidelines of the trial, Arora said the event was aimed at analysing cutting-edge anti-drone systems designed to counter the growing threat of drone-based smuggling of arms, explosives, and narcotics. He emphasised the Bhagwant Singh Mann-led AAP government has been taking concrete steps to eradicate the drug menace, a crisis that previous governments failed to address. "For years, the drug trade has destroyed countless lives in Punjab, while previous governments turned a blind eye. Today, under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann's leadership, we are taking concrete steps to eliminate this scourge from the state." The anti-drone systems demonstrated by a private company featured detection, identification, and neutralisation capabilities, forming part of a broader strategy to fortify Punjab's second line of defence. These systems are expected to play a pivotal role in preventing illegal activities by targeting drones that cross the border, a growing concern for law enforcement. The trial was conducted in real-time scenarios to assess the effectiveness of the technology in challenging border conditions. Arora said while the primary responsibility for securing the international border lies with the Border Security Force (BSF), the state government has been taking proactive measures to complement these efforts. Bengaluru, March 19 : The Special Court for Economic Offences in Bengaluru dismissed the bail plea of the second accused, Tarun Raju, a close associate of jailed actress Ranya Rao in the gold smuggling case, on Wednesday. Justice Vishwanath C. Goudar reserved the order after hearing arguments from both sides. Presently, Tarun Raju is lodged in the Central Prison in Bengaluru. Tarun Raju is the grandson of a star hotel owner, located on Kumara Park East Road in Bengaluru. Meanwhile, the bail petition of jailed actress Ranya Rao was heard at the 64th City Civil and Sessions Court. The court has directed the prosecution to file its objections by March 21. Earlier, Counsel Madhu Rao appearing for the DRI at the Special Economic Offences Court, stated that Tarun and Ranya travelled together to Dubai about 26 times. They would leave in the morning and return by evening. Looking at this pattern, there is a high chance the accused could flee the country anytime. The lawyer representing DRI said that he (Tarun) was planning to go abroad. Tarun travelled from Dubai to Hyderabad. The ticket for this journey was booked by Ranya Rao. Additionally, Tarun gave gold to Ranya in Dubai, Counsel Madhu Rao said. He further submitted, "A Lookout Circular was issued against Tarun for questioning. Tarun attempted to escape. On March 8 of the month, Tarun attempted to escape from the country. Finding no other way, he travelled from Hyderabad to Bengaluru." "It was discovered during the investigation that Tarun is a US citizen. Why did Tarun have to go to Geneva? He claimed he was travelling to Geneva but came to Hyderabad and then to Bengaluru. If Geneva was the real destination, why this detour?" the counsel for the DRI asked. After Ranya Rao's arrest, forensic analysis was conducted on the evidence seized from her. During this investigation, her connection with the second accused was revealed, counsel Madhu Rao stated. The payment for purchasing gold in Dubai has been made, and this requires a detailed investigation. The international links in the smuggling network need to be investigated further. There are strong reasons justifying the accused's arrest, he stated. Senior counsel Devaraju, appearing for Tarun Raju submitted that according to the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Tarun is not the owner of the gold. He is not the one who transported the gold. As per Section 137, Subclause 3 of the Customs Act, the accused must be found in possession of the goods. However, this arrest seems to have been made merely due to media sensationalism, the counsel argued. He further submitted that apart from the allegations made by the first accused, there are no other charges against Tarun. Ranya Rao and Tarun started the Vira Diamonds Company. However, later in December 2024, Tarun was removed from the company. Actress Rao was arrested on charges of gold smuggling and misusing her father (DGP) Ramachandra Rao's name to escape security checks by availing the protocol reserved for officials of the highest rank. The DRI officials arrested Ranya Rao after seizing 14.8 kg of gold from her at the Bengaluru International Airport. The agency seized Rs 2.06 crore worth of gold and Rs 2.67 crore in cash from her upscale Lavelle Road flat, where she reportedly paid Rs 4.5 lakh in rent. On March 15, the Karnataka government placed jailed actress Ranya Rao's father, DGP K. Ramachandra Rao, on compulsory leave with immediate effect and until further notice in connection with the gold smuggling case. Mumbai, March 19 : Actor Ishaan Khatter took to social media to share a fun moment from his day as he rode an autorickshaw in Mumbai. In his post, the actor also playfully questioned the ongoing trend of elevator selfies, asking, "Are elevator selfies still a thing?" Taking to his Instagram handle, the 'Dhadak' actor shared a couple of his photos and videos from his autorickshaw ride. In the first selfie, Ishaan, clad in comfy clothes, could be seen posing in an elevator. In the next follow-up video, he could be seen traveling in an autorickshaw and smiling while looking at the camera. The third image shows Ishaan flaunting his toned body and washboard abs while posing shirtless. One of the videos features the actor working out in the gym. Meanwhile, Ishaan Khatter recently featured in the music video titled 'Pyaar Aata Hai' with Tara Sutaria. The heartfelt song features vocals by Rito Riba and Shreya Ghoshal. Produced by Anshul Garg under Play DMF, the track was filmed against the stunning backdrop of Kashmir's picturesque landscapes. Talking about the song, the 'Pippa' actor stated, "The moment I heard the song, I knew it was something beautiful. Rito has such a unique and heartfelt voice, and, of course, Shreya Ma'am brings a whole other level of magic to it. It was a joy working with Tara and shooting in Kashmirit truly elevates the emotions of the track." "Pyaar Aata Hai," which marked Ishaan and Tara's first onscreen collaboration, was released on March 7. Next, Ishaan Khatter is all set to star in the highly anticipated series "The Royals," where he will share the screen with Bhumi Pednekar. Netflix recently unveiled the teaser for "The Royals," which is slated to be a part of their 2025 release lineup. In the teaser, Ishaan portrays Aviraaj Singh, the charismatic heir to the royal throne of Morpur. He crosses paths with Bhumi's character, Sophia Kanmani Shekhar, a driven and no-nonsense CEO. "The Royals" marks the first collaboration between Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar. Madrid, March 19 : A man and his wife have been confirmed dead, and another person remains missing as torrential rain from storm Laurence continues to impact southern Spain, local authorities reported on Wednesday. Rescue services in the southwestern province of Seville recovered the bodies of the couple on Wednesday after their vehicle was swept away by floodwaters near the municipality of Constantina. The pair had been reported missing earlier. Meanwhile, a man in his seventies has been missing since Monday near the city of Cordoba. The Seville City Council activated an emergency plan on Tuesday, placing 14 rivers on red alert for flooding in the provinces of Seville, Cordoba, and Malaga, Xinhua news agency reported. At least two rivers, the Guadalhorce and Campanillas, overflowed, forcing evacuations in several neighbourhoods in Malaga and the nearby town of Cartama. Storm Laurence is the latest in a series of storms to hit Spain, which has received twice the average monthly rainfall in the first two weeks of March. Last month, the European Commission called for faster progress across the European Union (EU) to protect waters and better manage flood risks. According to the latest report on the state of water in the EU, only 39.5 per cent of EU surface water bodies have good ecological status while only 26.8 per cent of waters are achieving good chemical status. "This is mainly due to widespread contamination by mercury and other toxic pollutants," said the Commission, adding that water scarcity and drought are also growing concerns across most of the EU waters. Therefore, it recommended that states should increase compliance with EU water laws to adhere to pollution limits, improve wastewater discharge, and ensure sufficient funding to enable effective implementation of water management measures. They should also address persistent environmental challenges, such as chemical pollution, and promote water reuse, the Commission said. Member states need to invest in flood prevention, which must be based on ecosystem restoration, nature-based solutions, and early warning systems, it added, citing several massive floods affecting many EU countries, including Slovenia, Spain, Germany, Austria, Poland, Romania, and France over the past two years. Though much needs to be done, the commission also noted significant progress over the past few years. According to the report, marine macro litter on the EU coastline went down by 29 per cent from 2020 to 2021 compared to the 2015-2016 period. Meanwhile, single-use plastic on EU coastlines has been reduced by 40 per cent, and fisheries-related items and plastic bags were down by 20 per cent. New Delhi, March 19 : President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday noted that AI, which is disrupting the world with opportunities as well as challenges, has entered the field of media too but it can never replace "journalism based on human values". "Machines have already started compiling and editing reports. The day might not be far when they would be able to carry out most of the work of journalists. What they lack, however, is empathy, which will be the one ingredient that can help journalists beat AI. Journalism based on human values is not going to be extinct ever," the President said at the presentation ceremony of the 19th Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards. Stressing the importance of free and fair journalism for democracy, she noted that if the citizens are not well-informed, the democratic processes lose their very meaning. The President said that a thriving newsroom full of ideas is essential for the business of news, while highlighting the importance of a research wing to ensure quality and accuracy. She mentioned the Indian Express, the flagship of late Ramnath Goenka's media group, as exemplary in this regard. Holding that the soul of journalism must be strengthened in news gathering, she urged media organisations to devote more resources to encouraging the culture of reporting from the ground. Dwelling on the business models of the media, the President said that earlier, newspapers and magazines sought to offer qualitative reporting and analysis, leading to more sales, thus, meaning a good platform for advertisers, who subsidised the costs, but in recent times, this has been replaced by many hybrid models. She also flagged the hazard of deep fakes and other misuses of artificial intelligence for which all citizens must be sensitised, especially the young generation. President Murmu noted that the awards, which "recognise and celebrate the best of our journalism", also honour the legacy of Ramnath Goenka, the founder of the Indian Express group, and a great icon of Indian media. "He stood up for the freedom of the press before Independence as well as after Independence. His newspaper refused to buckle during the Emergency. The blank editorial it published became a telling symbol of a free press as well as a sign of hope for the restoration of democratic rights. Goenka-jias audacity was guided by the values he must have learned from our freedom movement," she said. "For Goenka-ji, the idea of service was not limited to journalism only. His association with the Father of the Nation similarly extended to other activities too," the President added. Instituted by the Ramnath Goenka Foundation, the awards, being presented since 2006, honour the best of journalism showcasing 20 outstanding contributions from print, digital and broadcast journalists across 13 categories, including investigative journalism, sports, politics and government, books, features, and regional languages. Gurugram, March 19 : The Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) has intensified its drive against encroachment and will remove all unauthorised entities and structures in Sector-29 and other areas of the city within 10 days' time to further resolve the rampant issue of encroachment in Leisure Valley Park and areas within its surroundings, officials said on Wednesday. GMDA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Shyamal Misra, had recently visited the park and flagged the issue of encroachments found on government land. He also directed to ensure that the park and its facilities are maintained for the benefit of the public. Issues pertaining to Gurugram's Sector-29 were also raised at various platforms by Gurugram-based Advocate Ravinder Jain, who is a member of the District Grievance Committee. Swinging into action, GMDA District Town Planner (DTP)-cum-Nodal Officer for Encroachments in Gurugram, R.S. Batth, along with the Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) officers inspected various areas of Sector-29. More than 100 unauthorised jhuggies (slums) were found encroaching the government land adjoining the Leisure Valley Park. Directives were earlier issued to the slum dwellers by the concerned officers to vacate the premises but they had failed to clear the space. During the inspection visit, it was also noticed that shopkeepers in a Booth Market in Gurugram's Sector-29 were utilising the public place as their private area and had taken five times the area over their allotted shop spaces. Additionally, illegal parking of buses was also reported in the parking of Leisure Valley Park. The space which has been designated for visitor parking was encroached by these buses, which were stationed without any due permission. R.S. Baath instructed all violators to clear their encroachment within two days' time. HSVP officials will also be issuing notice to all offenders violating the norms. During the inspection visit on Wednesday, R.S. Batth, the Enforcement wing of GMDA, along with officials of HSVP Estate Office-2 were present. aSector-29 is among the central locations of Gurugram and the Leisure Valley Park is one of the important landmarks of the city. All efforts will be taken to clear these key areas and make them encroachment-free. All concerned departments will cohesively tackle the situation within next 10 days," Batth said. Kochi, March 19 : The Kerala High Court on Wednesday orally expressed its ire at the rise in cases of influential accused securing bail on medical grounds and calling it "medical tourism". The court's oral observation came while it considered the bail pleas of the two main accused in the now infamous Kerala CSR funds scam, which, according to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, has an extent of Rs 231 crore, and has 48,384 people falling victim. As many as 1,343 cases have been registered till now. So far, two arrests have been made, which include 28-year-old Ananthu Krishnan, the alleged mastermind behind the massive scam and K.N. Anand Kumar, Chairman of the NGO Confederation and a well-known social activist in Kerala. When the bail pleas came up, the counsel for Anand Kumar informed the court that he was in a hospital due to cardiac issues and sought bail on medical grounds. It was then the judge orally remarked: "I will not entertain that medical ground, unless the prosecutor says that medical facility is not available in jailaInfluential people's bail applications in Kerala are becoming medical tourism...you tell me if he needs any other medical (treatment) that is not available in the jail." The court then pointed out the case of BJP leader PC George who secured bail on medical grounds in a hate speech case. "...After release, his son said I am so happy to the complainants because my father usually does not go to hospital. This is medical tourism. His son gave an open statement to the media that 'I am so happy'. That is indirectly for the judiciary. This is medical tourism in Kerala," the judge said. The scam, executed by a team led by the now two arrested involved deceiving victims by offering high-value consumer products -- such as scooters, laptops, and sewing machines -- at half the market price under the guise of a CSR initiative. The court has now asked Anand Kumar's counsel to either show that the treatment he requires is not available in jail or argue the case on grounds other than medical reasons and posted the case for further hearing on Thursday, when the orders for the bail pleas are expected. Mumbai, March 19 : Aamir Khan, Vidya Balan, Siddharth Roy Kapur, Ronnie Screwvala, and Ashutosh Gowariker recently met with New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to explore exciting opportunities for film destination collaborations. The meeting focused on enhancing ties between the Indian film industry and New Zealand, with discussions aimed at promoting the country as a prime destination for film productions. A source close to the development revealed that the Prime Minister personally invited these celebrities, encouraging them to explore New Zealand as a top destination for Indian film productions. The Prime Minister of New Zealand, RH Christopher, also shared a picture with them on social media, and wrote, "The film scene brings money into our economy which creates jobs and grows incomes and I want to see more of that. So it was great to catch up with a few Bollywood stars to get their thoughts on what more we can do!" In the photo, Aamir Khan, Vidya Balan, Siddharth Roy Kapur, Ronnie Screwvala, and Ashutosh Gowariker can be seen posing while Christopher Luxon takes a group selfie. On March 16, Christopher Luxon visited BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi accompanied by a 110-member delegation. The delegation included senior government officials, ministers, business leaders, and community representatives from New Zealand. During his visit to India, Luxon reportedly also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 17 to engage in wide-ranging discussions. This marks Luxon's first trip to India as Prime Minister, and he is traveling with one of the largest delegations ever seen for a New Zealand Prime Minister's visit. Christopher also visited Mumbai from March 19 to 20 before returning to Wellington. On Wednesday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met Christopher Luxon and held discussions for fostering deeper collaborations across key sectors. "Heartiest welcome to PM of New Zealand to Mumbai and Maharashtra. It was a privilege to meet and interact with PM and his delegation. Our discussions were both insightful and forward looking, focusing on strengthening bilateral ties and fostering deeper collaborations across key sectors," Fadnavis wrote in his post on X. Helsinki, March 19 : Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday that while Kyiv seeks a ceasefire, it will not accept any territorial concessions to Russia. Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelensky arrived in Finland on Tuesday afternoon for a one-day official visit, during which he met with Finnish President Alexander Stubb. At a joint press conference following their meeting on Wednesday, Zelensky emphasised that Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity remain non-negotiable when asked about the "red lines" in potential armistice talks. He stressed that a ceasefire would eventually be implemented, but Ukraine would not accept Russia's territorial demands. Zelensky declined to comment on details of a phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Xinhua news agency reported. He said he would wait until speaking with Trump directly before making a statement. In a telephone call on Tuesday, Putin and Trump discussed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and ways to restore bilateral ties. While not ruling out future negotiations between Ukrainian and Russian delegations, Zelensky insisted that talks could only proceed if Russia halted its attacks. He also reiterated Ukraine's readiness to send a delegation to the United States for ceasefire discussions. Stubb reiterated Finland's continued support for Ukraine, stressing that "Ukraine must emerge from the war as an independent country." Stubb underlined that besides the Ukrainian, Russian and US teams, there should also be a European team in the talks. Kyiv on Wednesday also accused Russian forces of launching a drone and missile attack on Ukraine overnight Wednesday, damaging energy and infrastructure facilities. In its statement, the Ukrainian Air Force said the attack involved two Iskander-M missiles, four S-300 guided missiles, and 145 combat and imitation drones. The attack has affected six regions in southern, northern and central Ukraine, it said. According to Ukrainian authorities, the attack damaged a railway power grid in the central Dnipropetrovsk region, a hospital in the northeastern Sumy region, and an enterprise and agricultural machinery in the Chernihiv region. Meanwhile, in the northern Kyiv region, two people were injured, and 18 private houses, 20 apartments, two shops and other civilian facilities were damaged Amaravati, March 19 : The Andhra Pradesh government will encourage private universities, Minister for Education, IT and Electronics Nara Lokesh said on Wednesday. He introduced the Establishment of Private Universities and Regulation Second Amendment Bill, 2025 in the Assembly which was unanimously passed. Nara Lokesh informed the members that Centurion University has been brought into the state despite certain issues with regard to technical aspects. He declared that the state government is keen on encouraging private universities. He told the House that the VVIT has made a request to be recognised as a private university as per the Central and the State regulations. It owns 50 acres of land and 4,75,278 feet build-up area besides having a Centre of Excellence and incubator. The VVIT also has 11 under-graduate and post-graduate courses along with 700 staff members with a student strength of 9,200. It wants to be converted into the VVITU under the provisions of the 2016 legislation. Lokesh said that whenever a university comes into being, it is necessary to amend the Act in the legislature and include the name of the university. Meanwhile, speaking in the Legislative Council during Question Hour, Lokesh said academic standards in schools plunged deeply due to the "imprudent decisions" of the previous YSRCP government. When compared to the academic standards from 2014 to 2019, during the YSRCP rule, Class 5 students felt it very difficult to read even the Class 2 Telugu books. "The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) has clearly mentioned that while 57 per cent of the students could easily read the books in 2014, the percentage has fallen to 37.5 during the YSRCP rule," the Minister said. In 2014, almost 80 per cent of the Class 8 students could easily read Class 2 Telugu books in 2014, but this has fallen to 53 per cent by 2024, Lokesh regretted. During the YSRCP government, the total strength of government schools and junior colleges came down by a whopping 12 lakh, he said. The YSRCP government had forcibly imposed inadvertent decisions and unplanned reforms on parents and teachers, he said and felt that the students opted for private schools as local issues were not taken into consideration while releasing the GO 117. Declaring that 10 to 15 radical reforms are being introduced in the academic sector by the TDP-led NDA government to improve the educational standards, Lokesh made it clear that political interference will be totally avoided in the process of the transfer of teachers. Meerut, March 19 : Parents of Muskaan Rastogi -- a woman accused of slaughtering her husband, Merchant Navy officer Saurabh Rajput, alongside her accomplice Sahil, demanded her execution. They told media: "She doesn't deserve to livehang her." Muskaan, who lives in Meerut, allegedly killed her husband with help of her lover Sahil, cut him into fragments and encased the remains into a plastic drum properly sealing it with cement. They are clamouring for justice to Saurabh who was working as Merchant Navy officer in a US firm. He had sailed home in February to celebrate his six-year-old daughter's birthday. But on March 4, the festivities turned fatal. Muskaan, with her lover Sahil Shukla, plunged a blade into Saurabh multiple times, carving his body into fifteen fragments. Muskaan and Sahil hid Saurabh's body in a plastic drum, sealed it with cement, and fled to the hills. They used Saurabh's phone to post deceptive snapshots in a bid to cover their crime. However, their plan fell apart when Saurabh's family took legal refuge. Under interrogation, Muskaan and Sahil crumbled, confessing their crime. Police cracked open the drum, retrieving Saurabh's butchered pieces for an autopsy. Meanwhile, a furious mob of lawyers descended upon Muskaan Rastogi and her lover Sahil Shukla outside the CJM court on Wednesday. Muskaan, the cold-blooded wife who had hacked her husband Saurabh Rajput into pieces, stood alongside Sahil who also stood in tattered clothes. Anyhow police scrambled to shield the pair from the onslaught. The police then took them into the courtroom. Muskaan and Sahil were publicly presented by the police, and Muskaan's vermilion mark -- a symbol of her broken marriage -- caught attention. When asked about it, she remained silent, her guilt evident. Lawyers then attacked them in front of the police, showing their anger. Muskaan's parents, Pramod and Kavita -- who live in Meerut, disowned her, calling her actions unforgivable. They revealed that Saurabh, Muskaan's husband, loved her deeply but lost everything because of her. Muskaan confessed to her parents that she and Sahil killed Saurabh, leading them to hand her over to the police. They blamed her drug addiction and affair with Sahil for the crime, as they feared Saurabh would disrupt their lifestyle. They said Saurabh had always supported Muskaan, even when she struggled. He left his career for her, but their relationship deteriorated. Muskaan's affair with Sahil led to suspicion and eventually murder. Their six-year-old daughter now lives with Muskaan's parents, who mourn Saurabh as their own son. "We handed her over," reports quoting Kavita said, "She was the problem." The Rastogis kept on mourning him as their own. "He was our son too," Kavita laments. "He gambled it all for her, and she repaid him with death." Saurabh and Muskaan fell in love and got married in 2016, but their relationship quickly went downhill. Saurabh gave up his career for Muskaan, which caused problems with his family. They moved into a rented house and had a daughter in 2019. However, their happiness turned into distrust when Saurabh found out about Muskaan's affair with Sahil. Though they considered divorce, Saurabh chose to stay for their daughter. In 2023, while he was away at sea, Muskaan and Sahil planned and committed a shocking, calculated murder. Mumbai, March 19 : Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Wednesday that Ukraine wants peace and end the war with Russia this year. "With the global support especially from India we could speak up and put up our side. We expect telephonic conversation between the Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump. We want just, long lasting and comprehensive peace. This Russian aggression is not just limited to Ukraine but about the world order, international principle and territorial integrity," Sybiha said at the conference on "Ukraine India: From Comprehensive to Strategic Partnership" organised by the World Trade Centre, All India Association of India and the Embassy of Ukraine. "Ukraine has accepted the ceasefire, it is important, it is about overall opportunities as well as about business opportunities. We have accepted the ceasefire proposal unconditionally. We expect the Russian side accept this proposal unconditionally. I reiterate that the peace should be just, long lasting and comprehensive," the Minister added. "The end of war will open up opportunities. There is a huge potential. Historically, India and Ukraine have got good ties. We want to develop bilateral relations, India's role is quite crucial. We really hope to boost the bilateral relations," he said. Foreign Minister Sybiha launched Ukraine's Consulate in Mumbai. He said: "The opening of the Consulate in Mumbai is a step in right direction as it will help further boost bilateral relations and trade between India and Ukraine. It is not just a coincidence that today in Mumbai Harbour a consignment of apples from Ukraine arrived here. Despite war we managed to do this." "If we succeed to implement the ceasefire it will help restore freedom which is quite crucial for our bilateral trade. It will lead to freedom of navigation," he added. According to the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, reconstruction is a huge opportunity for Indian businesses and companies to participate. "Russians by their missiles have damaged our infrastructure, including schools and hospitals worth $600 billion. We will need support for reconstruction. There are ample opportunities for you (India) to participate in this huge project," Sybiha said. The Minister claimed that with support from India, Ukraine will be able to achieve peace. On Tuesday, during an interactive session at the Raisina Dialogue held in Delhi the Ukrainian Foreign Minister said that although his country desires a peaceful resolution to the conflict, it will not compromise on its territorial integrity. He also added that just and lasting peace is possible under President Trump's leadership. He also said that it will be in global interest to achieve a long-lasting and just peace, saying that Ukraine is not opposed to the peace initiative as it has accepted the US proposal on a 30-day ceasefire with Russia. Patna, March 19 : The Patna High Court on Wednesday reserved its decision on petitions seeking the re-examination of the 70th BPSC Civil Preliminary Examination. The division bench of Acting Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar delivered the judgment after hearing multiple petitions, including a PIL filed on the matter. Petitioners alleged that large-scale irregularities, including a question paper leak during the exam on December 13, 2024, across 912 centres in Bihar. Advocate General PK Shahi, appearing for the Bihar government, rejected all allegations, stating no irregularities occurred and that claims of a paper leak were politically motivated. Justice A.S. Chandel initially heard the case before it was transferred to the division bench. Justice Arvind Kumar Chandel had earlier directed the state government and BPSC to submit an affidavit clarifying the situation by January 30, 2025. The division bench of Acting Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar has reserved its decision after extensive arguments from both sides. Senior lawyer YV Giri, representing the petitions, alleged that the electronic jammers installed at many examination centres did not function properly, potentially enabling malpractice. The exam was cancelled at Bapu Examination Centre (Kumhrar, Patna) which was held on December 13, 2024, and later re-conducted at 22 centres on January 4, 2025, which the petitioners claim violates constitutional provisions. They also alleged that several questions and answer choices were incorrect, impacting candidates' scores and overall results. Despite legal challenges, the BPSC declared preliminary results and announced main exam dates. The petitioners sought a stay on the 70th BPSC recruitment process, but the court refused to halt the main examination. The final verdict awaited after the court completes hearings. The judgment will decide whether the preliminary exam results stand or if a re-exam will be conducted for over 4 lakh candidates. Meanwhile, a group of BPSC candidates is still agitating at the Gardanibagh Dharna site demanding cancellation of the preliminary examination. Sanaa, March 19 : Yemen's Houthi group said Wednesday that it has targetted the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier in the Red Sea for the fourth time in the past 72 hours. In a statement aired by the group's al-Masirah TV, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said the operation was conducted with cruise missiles and drones, claiming it had succeeded in thwarting a "hostile US air attack." Sarea also vowed in the statement that the group would continue attacks on Israel until "the brutal aggression against Gaza ceases," referring to Israel's heavy bombardment of Gaza since early Tuesday, which has killed more than 400 people. The tension between the Houthis and the US military escalated as the United States launched new airstrikes on Yemen on Saturday after the Houthi group threatened last week to resume attacks on Israeli targets until humanitarian aid is allowed into Gaza. According to al-Masirah TV, the US military conducted fresh strikes on Yemen's northern province of Saada and the port city of Hodeidah on Tuesday night, following a Houthi missile attack on Israel's Nevatim Air Base earlier in the day, Xinhua news agency reported. So far, no casualties were reported from either side. The incident came after the Houthi group said earlier in the day that it "targetted the Nevatim Air Base (in Israel) with a 'Palestine-2' hypersonic missile, which successfully achieved its goal." The Israeli military said in a statement that the missile was "intercepted by the IAF (Israeli Air Force) before crossing into Israeli territory." The United States launched new airstrikes on Yemen on Saturday after US President Donald Trump vowed to continue attacks until the Houthis end attacks on Red Sea shipping. Last week, the Houthi group said it would resume attacks on Israeli ships in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Bab al-Mandab Strait until crossings into Gaza are reopened and humanitarian aid is allowed in. On Tuesday, Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi threatened in a televised speech aired by al-Masirah to "resume escalation at its highest levels and will do everything we can against" Israel if the renewed Israeli assault on Gaza does not stop. Dhaka, March 19 : In yet another sign of fast deteriorating law and order situation in Bangladesh under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, an alarming increase has been reported in the number of highway robberies, targetting mostly expatriates. According to Bangladesh Highway Police headquarters, such robberies have surged since the fall of the Awami League government in August 2024. In February 2025, some 74 robbery cases were registered, compared to 71 in January. On February 27 and March 1, two separate robberies took place in Chauddagram, Comilla, districts of Bangladesh targetting a Malaysian expatriate and a Kuwaiti expatriate, Bangladesh's leading daily Prothom Alo reported on Wednesday. Several such incidents are being reported on other major highways, including Dhaka-Sylhet, Dhaka-Mymensingh, Dhaka-Tangail, Dhaka-Bogra, Dhaka-Rangpur, and Dhaka-Madaripur Along with several other highways, the Dhaka-Chattogram highway is reported to be the most unsafe in the nation. Quoting the Highway Police sources, the newspaper revealed that trucks and vans carrying readymade garments, soybean oil, rods, and various goods are also often robbed by criminals posing as members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) or the Detective Branch (DB) of the police. Passenger buses on various highways are also targetted, with robbers boarding in disguise as passengers before carrying out the crime. A businessman in Bangladesh stated that his factory in Gazipur recently lost an entire shipment to robbers. According to him, many business owners avoid legal action as cases rarely result in recovery. When stolen goods are not retrieved, shipments are cancelled, leading to huge financial losses and damaging relationships with foreign buyers. The crimes, the report mentioned, are not limited to nighttime with the robbers intercepting passenger buses by blocking roads with felled trees even in broad daylight. Many organisations alleged that the rise in robberies is due to the inaction and lax patrols of law enforcement agencies. A surge in highway robberies and muggings across Bangladesh has raised serious concerns about travel safety, Dhaka Tribune reported According to reports, many robberies have occurred on highways across the country in recent weeks, with businessmen, expatriates, and even ordinary people falling victim, sparking widespread panic and raising concerns about the effectiveness of law enforcement. Albany planning officials have approved a package of state-mandated tweaks to local development laws aimed at addressing climate change and increasing affordable housing stock. The law requires cities to identify "climate friendly areas" where it will be OK to increase housing density. But not everyone is on board with their neighborhoods being identified as such. Following a public hearing on Monday, March 17, the Albany Planning Commission unanimously adopted changes to the citys comprehensive plan and map, zoning map and development code. The decision isn't final. The matter goes to the City Council for consideration in a few weeks. Approved by the Legislature in 2022, Oregons Climate-Friendly and Equitable Community rules are meant to dissuade the use of cars, cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions and encouraging people to walk, bike or ride transit more often. The rules require cities of more than 5,000 to create more accessible and walkable areas with homes, shops, restaurants and offices, neighborhoods they call climate friendly areas." The areas are intended to be places where people can live, work and meet their daily needs without driving by allowing for a mix of housing, businesses and amenities. If people live closer to where they need to get services or where they're employed, we might eventually reduce vehicle miles traveled and pollution due to transportation, Comprehensive Planning Manager Anne Catlin told the planning commissioners. Three members of the public spoke in opposition during the public hearing. They had concerns about traffic bottlenecks and transportation infrastructure in North Albany, a portion of which is one of the areas identified as the city with climate-friendly potential. They called for the proposed area in North Albany to be cut from the plan until the area can better support high-density housing. Former City Council member and North Albany resident Matilda Novak was among those who spoke out. She said she has nothing against climate friendly areas but thinks they need to be situated appropriately. I have seen a lot of changes since 1970 in North Albany, and I spoke out on the council with regard to climate friendly Zone 3 (identified as Zone C on the map) in North Albany because of all the changes, Novak said. There has been an immense amount of build out. Chiefly, I'm referring specifically to up Gibson Hill, lots of new subdivisions, lots of new homes, tons of traffic. Last year, a group of North Albany residents unsuccessfully tried to challenge the development of 80 townhomes that were originally slotted to be 22 single-family homes. The bumped-up development was allowed automatically under a different state law also designed to augment affordable housing. Novak said North Albany Road is massively clogged, with the proposed location of the climate friendly area in North Albany already experiencing a glut of traffic from 20 years of development. Traffic and safety are already huge issues there, she said. I just think it would be incredibly unwise to keep climate friendly area No. 3 even under consideration at this time maybe in the future when the transportation issues have been ironed out, Novak said. Catlin said the city studied areas around town that were already zoned to allow for most of the climate-friendly mixed uses and identified six proposed areas: One in North Albany One on the southside One on the eastside Two in the city center One downtown The area around Heritage Mall has been designated as a primary spot for climate friendly development. The climate friendly areas are being adopted as an overlay zoning district, Catlin said. That means, the base zoning is not changing, so all the uses that are currently allowed, all the standards that apply currently in the base zones is not changing." But, "there will just be some new uses and some new standards that will apply, she said. Those new uses, Catlin said, include townhomes, apartments, condominiums, offices, retail services and non-automobile-oriented commercial uses. Existing automobile-oriented commercial uses, such as gas stations and car washes, if already allowed in a base zone, will remain allowed. We were trying to find areas where there would be very few changes to the development standards and the uses allowed, so that we weren't hopefully surprising too many people by these changes, Catlin said. Under the state rules, Albany is required to designate enough land in climate friendly areas to accommodate nearly 9,000 housing units by 2040. Thats 30% of the projected total households in the city by that time. One of the requirements is implementing a minimum density standard for residential development not in a mixed-use building 15 units per acre in secondary climate friendly areas and 25 units per acre in primary areas. The City Council is slated to hold its own public hearing on the Climate-Friendly and Equitable Community rules at 6 p.m. April 9 at City Hall, 333 Broadalbin St. SW. Related stories: New York, March 19 : US-based advocacy group Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Wednesday urged that Pakistan should immediately end the forced return and deportation of Afghan refugees. Pakistan has set a March 31 deadline for the deportation of all Afghan refugees. However, much before the deadline, the Pakistani authorities have been accused of intensifying abusive tactics and other pressure on Afghan refugees to return to Afghanistan. Several reports revealed that Afghan refugees are facing massive harassment and abuse in Pakistan. Asking various human rights organisations to take action on their behalf, the Afghan refugees stated that despite holding valid legal documents, they are facing the threat of illegal detention, deportation, and discrimination. The deportation would pose serious risks to the refugees of persecution and economic hardship under Afghan Taliban rule. "Pakistani officials should immediately stop coercing Afghans to return home and give those facing expulsion the opportunity to seek protection," said Elaine Pearson, Asia Director at the Human Rights Watch. According to the rights watchdog, Pakistani police have raided houses, beaten and arbitrarily detained people, confiscating their refugee documents, including residence permits. They have also demanded bribes to allow Afghans to remain in Pakistan. The United Nations has reported that most Afghans who have returned to Afghanistan have cited fear of detention by Pakistani authorities as the reason they left. Masood Rahmati, an Afghan journalist, said that even Afghans who are registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) or who had valid residence cards were not safe in Pakistan. "We had PoR cards. But the police cut our cards and sent us to Afghanistan," an Afghan refugee stated. Narrating their harrowing experience in Pakistan, Afghan refugees told HRW that Pakistani police raided their houses or neighbourhoods both during the day and at night and took them or relatives to police stations to extort money. A 33-year-old Afghan woman living in Islamabad said the house raids in her area began at 4 am "as if they were looking for criminals. It's a very traumatizing experience". "They brought trucks and arrested people. If you don't open the door, they will enter through the windows. They don't care about children or older people. I know of people with valid visas who had to pay between Rs 20,000 and 100,000 Pakistani rupees (US$70 to $400) not to be arrested," HRW quoted Zahra, an Afghan refugee who has lived in Pakistan since 2023, as saying. A previous wave of deportations and expulsions from September 2023 through January 2024, drove over 800,000 Afghans a" many born in Pakistan or living there for decades a" to Afghanistan. Since November 2024, Pakistani authorities have renewed pressure to expel Afghans. More than 70 per cent of those returning have been women and children, including girls of secondary school age and women who will no longer have access to education. Returning Afghan refugees have generally had to abandon property and savings in Pakistan, and have few livelihood opportunities or little land in Afghanistan, the HRW stated. Last November, Pakistan's Interior Ministry announced that Afghans could not stay in Islamabad after December 31. By the end of December, police had detained over 800 Afghans in Islamabad. Since then, Pakistani authorities have called again for the expulsion of all Afghan refugees, the advocacy group stated. Chennai, March 19 : The Tirunelveli police on Wednesday arrested the prime suspect, Thowfeeque alias Krishnamoorthy, in connection with the murder of retired Tamil Nadu Police sub-inspector Zakir Hussain Bijli. The arrest followed a shootout in which the accused was shot in the leg after attacking a police officer with a sickle. Acting on a tip-off, a special police team tracked Thowfeeque to a hillock near Reddiyarpatti on the outskirts of Palayamkottai. As officers attempted to apprehend him, Thowfeeque allegedly attacked Head Constable Anand with a sickle, injuring him on the left shoulder. In response, the police shot him in the left leg to prevent further violence and secure his arrest. Both the injured accused and the head constable were rushed to Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital, where they are reported to be in stable condition. Bijli was murdered in Tirunelveli on Tuesday. In February, he had posted a video on social media expressing fears for his life, naming police officers Gopalakrishnan and Senthil Kumar, and accusing them of abetting those conspiring to kill him. He alleged that they had failed to take action against individuals involved in a land dispute that put his life at risk. Following his murder, there was widespread public outrage, with the issue being raised in the state Assembly. In response, Inspector Gopalakrishnan of Tirunelveli town was suspended from service. Disciplinary action has also been initiated against then Assistant Commissioner of Police, Tirunelveli Town, Senthil Kumar, who is currently serving as Assistant Commissioner of Police, Intelligence, in Coimbatore. Bijlias family received his body on Wednesday after Commissioner of Police, Tirunelveli City, Santosh Hadimani, assured them that action would be taken against the police officers named in his complaint. His son, Z. Rahman, expressed frustration over the lack of police action before the murder, saying: "The police ignored my fatheras complaint, forcing him to post a video on social media to alert the world about the threats he was facing. Now, the worst has happened. We demand a fair investigation by the CB-CID because we have lost faith in the Tirunelveli town police." AIADMK Tirunelveli district president Thatchai N. Ganesa Raja also criticized the police, claiming that their negligence directly contributed to Bijli's murder. He highlighted a controversial aspect of the case, pointing out that Thowfeeque had converted to Islam nine years ago, yet the police had registered a case against Bijli under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. "As per legal provisions, a person who has converted to Islam cannot be classified as a Scheduled Caste. Registering a case against Bijli under this Act was a blunder. Meanwhile, the police failed to act against those threatening his life. This murder exposes the failure of the police system," he alleged. New Delhi, March 19 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet against three individuals in connection with the December 2024 firing incident at the Hotel Highway King in Neemrana, Rajasthan. The crime was actually part of a broader conspiracy linked to Khalistani terrorist Arsh Dala. The agency has framed serious charges against the accused, given the conspiracy and execution of the plot by them. The three individuals, identified as Sachin alias Praveen alias Dholia, Yogesh alias Monu, and Vijay alias Kale, have been charged for their roles in conspiring to execute the attack on the hotel. The probe by the agency has revealed that the trio were in direct contact with Arsh Dala, a Canada-based designated terrorist, as well as several other individuals, including Dinesh Gandhi, Sorav Kataria, Kaushal Chaudhary, and Manisha, who were allegedly involved in the conspiracy. Narender alias Lally and Puneet, who were identified as attackers, were said to have been tasked with carrying out the firing as part of the larger plot orchestrated by the accused with the aid of Dala. According to the NIA, the attack was part of a plan to instil fear and promote the Khalistani movement in India. The NIA's chargesheet highlights the collaboration between the accused and Arsh Dalaas network. The accused have been charged under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA (P) Act], including sections 16, 17, 18, and 20, as well as Section 3/25 (1) AA of the Arms Act. Sachin and Yogesh face charges under the more severe sections of the law for their roles in the conspiracy, while Vijay has been charged under sections 18 and 20 of the UA (P) Act and for offences related to the possession and use of arms. The case has drawn significant attention due to its connection to international terror networks, highlighting the growing concerns over the involvement of terrorists operating from abroad in fuelling violence in India. The NIA continues its investigation as it works to uncover further details regarding the involvement of other individuals in the attack. New Delhi, March 19 : Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said on Wednesday that India has a zero tolerance policy for terrorism. The Defence Secretary reaffirmed this during a keynote address at the 14th meeting of ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)-Plus Experts Working Group (EWG) on Counter-Terrorism in New Delhi. He said, "India remains steadfast in its zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and believes in an approach that combines robust domestic mechanisms, enhanced intelligence-sharing, and strong regional cooperation." Delegations from 10 ASEAN members -- Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, The Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore and Thailand, including eight dialogue partners (Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, China, The US and Russia) along with Timor Leste and ASEAN Secretariat participated in the meeting. India is co-chairing the EWG on Counter-Terrorism for the first time. The Defence Secretary said, "Terrorism remains a dynamic and evolving challenge, with threats increasingly transcending borders, and the use of advanced technology, cyber tools and unmanned systems by terrorist groups necessitates a cohesive, forward looking and action-oriented approach. The Indo-Pacific region, given its geopolitical and economic significance, is particularly vulnerable to transitional terrorism and violent extremism, which calls for a comprehensive, adaptive, and deeply collaborative response." He emphasised that through the ADMM-Plus platform, India seeks to build synergy among the defence forces, security agencies, and policy frameworks to address emerging threats effectively. "In the complex, hyper-connected and fast-paced world, social and ecological systems are fragile. It is important to assess this risk to empower the Governments in priority setting and decision-making. Terrorism can destabilise governments, undermine civil society, and threaten social and economic development. We have a collective obligation to provide the decision-makers guidance to understand uncertainty and better weigh the impact on decision making," Singh added. ADMM-Plus EWG on Counter-Terrorism is being co-chaired by India and Malaysia for a three-year cycle. The Defence Secretary said, "By leveraging our collective expertise, enhancing capacity-building, and fostering deeper trust and cooperation, we can significantly strengthen regional security and counter-terrorism preparedness." According to Defence Secretary Singh in EWG on Counter-Terrorism, the focus will be on strengthening regional cooperation and improving interoperability among the Armed Forces through structured joint initiatives. He said, "The aim will be to counter the misuse of emerging technologies and addressing threats posed by terrorists through use of AI-driven propaganda, encrypted communications, drone technologies. Strengthening cyber resilience against online radicalisation and recruitment efforts will also be a focus area." He added that in 2027, India will host a field training exercise, aimed at stimulating real-world Counter-Terrorism scenarios, enhancing operational coordination, and testing rapid response mechanisms. He called for developing a whole of government and society approach to counter radicalisation and violent extremism and enhancing legal and financial frameworks to disrupt terror financing networks. He also congratulated Malaysia for assuming the chairmanship of ASEAN for the year 2025, extending India's full support. He acknowledged Malaysia's effort in effectively steering ASEAN under the current geopolitical scenario with the theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability'. He said that India is privileged to co-chair this crucial initiative alongside Malaysia. The Defence Secretary described India's relationship with ASEAN as a key pillar of its foreign policy, which is at the heart of the 'Act East Policy'. He reiterated India's strong support to a stable and unified ASEAN which serves as an institutional anchor of an important region. Beirut, March 19 : Aroldo Lazaro Saenz, head of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), reaffirmed on Wednesday the mission's steadfast commitment to supporting stability, fully implementing UN Resolution 1701, and reducing tensions through dialogue to achieve a permanent ceasefire. The UNIFIL chief made the remarks at a ceremony marking the 47th anniversary of the mission's establishment at its headquarters in southern Lebanon's Naqoura, which was attended by local Lebanese leaders, senior Lebanese army officers, other UN officials, and peacekeeping forces. "Our hearts go out to those who have lost their loved ones and homes," he said, also paying tribute to the 339 peacekeepers who have lost their lives in pursuit of peace in southern Lebanon since 1978. The UN official emphasised that following the ceasefire understanding reached between Israel and Lebanon in November last year, the mission is "entering a new phase, working alongside the Lebanese army to clear roads, carry out repairs, and remove explosives." However, he stressed that cooperation with the Lebanese government and local authorities is essential to ensuring the mission's safe and efficient operation, adding, "The Lebanese Armed Forces must remain the sole guarantor of security in the south." He also underscored that "the successful implementation of Resolution 1701, which calls on Lebanon and Israel to work toward a permanent ceasefire and forms the basis of UNIFIL's mandate, can only be achieved through joint efforts to prevent escalation, maintain stability, and strengthen state authority in southern Lebanon," Xinhua news agency reported. The UN Security Council established the UNIFIL in March 1978 to monitor the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and assist the Lebanese government in restoring effective control over the area. Its mandate has been expanded following the 2006 war to include supervising the ceasefire and supporting Lebanese forces in maintaining security. The mission has adhered to its duties during the latest round of cross-border fire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon since October 2023, which was triggered by the Gaza conflict. Thiruvananthapuram, March 19 : Protesting Asha workers in Kerala will continue their strike after two different conciliation talks that took place at two levels on Wednesday failed to reach a solution to the issue. Wednesday was the 38th day since the protest began in front of the state Secretariat here. In the afternoon, an hour-long conciliation meeting called by the director of the National Health Mission with the representatives of the protesting Asha workers was held with the two sides sticking to their stands. The NHM director, who was deputed to speak to the protesters' representatives expressed the inability of the state government to increase daily wages from Rs 232 to Rs 700 as demanded by the protesters. The director said the present financial position of the state government is appallingly poor and at the moment, none of their demands can be met but all these will be met favourably once when the financial situation of the state improves. Asha workers, who have been staying put before the Secretariat, demanding a hike in their monthly honorarium from Rs 7,000 to Rs 21,000, along with retirement benefits of a lump sum payment of Rs 5 lakh when they retire at the age of 62. "We went with a lot of hope and have returned with a heavy heart. We informed the director that we are unable to withdraw from the strike as we had raised only genuine demands," said a leader of the Asha workers who took part in the conciliation talks. Soon after this, the Asha workers shouted anti-government slogans and marched down the MG Road. Later hopes brightened up again when the word came that state Health Minister Veena George would meet them and the same team of leaders reached the state Assembly. However, after another hour of talks, the deadlock was unable to be broken as the two sides continued to stick to their stands. After the talks failed, the leaders said that the conciliation meeting called by the Minister was just meant to show the world that the government was trying to resolve issues. "Nothing has moved as the Minister was trying to cite the poor financial condition of the state government and wanted us to withdraw from the strike... and as and when things get better, they will do what can be done," said Mini, the leader of Asha workers. "The Minister said she is soon going to Delhi and will take up the issue with the Centre. Since nothing has happened after two rounds of meetings, we have decided to go forward with our protests and on Thursday we are beginning an indefinite fast and will not go back till our demands are met," Mini added. George later told the media that two rounds of discussion took place during the day. "I met them after they wanted to discuss the issue with the Minister. This is the second time I have met them. I requested them to withdraw the protest. The honorarium of Rs 7,000 given by the state and incentive of Rs 3,000 is equally borne by both state and government," said George. She said there are 26,125 Asha workers and around 450 are protesting, while 13,000 of them do not have insurance "and we have raised this with the Centre". "I have told them that I am soon meeting the Union Minister of Health and will raise all the issues raised by Asha workers," George added. Meanwhile with the talks now failing, the protesters, as announced on Monday, will intensify their protests when from Thursday morning, three of their leaders will begin an indefinite fast till their demands are met. Hearing their leaders announcing that the talks had failed, many of the protesting Asha workers were seen wiping their tears. "We are determined that we will not go back from here till our demands are met. We are going forward unitedly," a protester said and slammed the Pinarayi Vijayan government for failing to listen to their grievances. The Pinarayi Vijayan government has come under sharp criticism not just from the Congress-led UDF and the BJP but from various sections of society and with every passing day, the support base for the Asha workers is increasing, even as their indefinite fast starts on Thursday. IANS sg/vd Mumbai, March 19 : The opposition parties on Wednesday moved a no-confidence motion against the Maharashtra Legislative Council Chairman Ram Shinde accusing him of holding the proceedings of the Upper House in a biased and one-sided manner. The no-confidence motion has been signed by 15 members belonging to opposition parties including the Leader of the Opposition Ambadas Danve, Shiv Sena UBT legislator Anil Parab, Congress legislators Bhai Jagtap and Abhijit Vanjari and NCP-SP legislator Eknath Khadse. The no-confidence motion was moved in accordance with Article 183 (c) of the Constitution of India and Maharashtra Legislative Council Rule 11. "Maharashtra Legislative Council Chairman Ram Shinde is running the proceedings of the House in a biased and one-sided manner. The proceedings of the House are not being conducted according to the rules. He has lost the trust of the House as the rights of the opposition party and the opposition leader are being ignored, therefore the opposition party moved a no-confidence motion against him for his removal as the council chairman," reads the no-confidence motion. Danve said that the opposition has decided to participate in the House proceedings by wearing black badges from Thursday and boycott the business when deputy chairperson Neelam Gorhe will be on the chair. "Maha Vikas Aghadi had moved a no-confidence motion against Deputy Chairperson Neelam Gorhe on March 5. However, the Chairman Ram Shinde rejected it on Tuesday. The BJP group leader Praveen Darekar moved a motion expressing confidence in the deputy chairperson Neelam Gorhe despite it was not the part of today's order of the day. The Chairman also did not allow the Leader of the Opposition to present his stand. Due to this, the Maha Vikas Aghadi legislators walked out of the House today. They will also participate in the proceedings tomorrow by wearing black ribbons in protest," said Danve. He added that they will not participate in the proceedings if the Deputy Chairperson presides over the proceedings. Danve alleged that due to the brute majority, the ruling party had become arrogant as they rush through the motion without allowing the opposition to present their position. This was strongly opposed by the opposition parties. "Not allowing the opposition to speak is a hindrance to democracy. It undermines the culture and tradition of democracy," he said. Earlier, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis strongly defended the chair's move to reject the no-confidence motion against the deputy chairperson Neelam Gorhe. The Chairman Ram Shinde in his ruling had said that the no-confidence motion was not submitted in adherence to the stipulated rules and as per the time required for its submission and later its consideration. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena UBT legislator and former minister Aaditya Thackeray alleged that arbitrary governance is going on in both the Houses. "If we ask questions, there are no ministers, so what is the benefit of speaking and raising issues? Even if we try to bring a no-confidence motion in the Upper House, the work of rushing it is being done by the ruling party," he claimed. Kolkata, March 19 : West Bengal has revoked the incentive scheme to encourage the setting up of new industries in the state, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced in the Assembly on Wednesday, the second-last day of the second round of the Budget session. Citing the logic for taking the decision, the Chief Minister said that since already there had been enough infrastructure-related development in the state, the necessity for carrying along the separate incentive scheme has ceased. The incentive scheme was introduced for encouraging setting up of new industrial or business units in the districts, especially in the backward area of the state. Under the scheme, introduced during the previous Left Front regime, financial incentives were provided to the new entrepreneurs. However, that scheme was scrapped on Wednesday and for that purpose, a bill was brought on the floor of the house. As per the explanation of the state government previously when the scheme was introduced, adequate infrastructure for setting up new industries was not there in the districts. However, the state government has clarified, since during the last few years such infrastructure bottlenecks, especially as regards to electricity and water supply have been done away with, there was no point in carrying on with the incentive scheme separately. The Chief Minister told the house that the incentive was required since the priorities were not set and work was not done accordingly during the previous Left Front regime. "Now, new investments have already started flowing in the state. We have started a number of new development schemes for which funds are required, In such a situation, we will have to decide which scheme we should continue with and which we should revoke. That is why the incentive scheme has been revoked," Banerjee said. Chandigarh, March 19 : The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab claimed on Wednesday that it has achieved a victory for residents of Nayagaon and Kansal, located on the outskirts of Chandigarh, by reducing the eco-sensitive zone around the area to 100 metres, down from the proposed three km, benefitting over 40,000 residents. This decision has been approved by the Supreme Court, marking a major relief for thousands of families in the region. Expressing her delight over the decision, Kharar legislator Anmol Gagan Maan said, "The long-standing demand of the people of Nayagaon and Kansal to limit the eco-sensitive zone to 100 metres has finally been fulfilled. "For years, residents were burdened by the fear of demolition and the inability to get building plans approved. Today, the Supreme Court's approval of the 100-metre limit brings an end to these challenges, offering a much-needed respite to the people." Lawmaker Maan said the previous proposal to extend the eco-sensitive zone to 3 km would have rendered vast swathes of land unusable, severely impacting property values and creating hurdles for homeowners. The AAP government, staying true to its commitment to protect the interests of the people, worked tirelessly to ensure this issue was resolved in their favour. MLA Anmol Gagan Maan extended her gratitude to AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, saying, "This decision showcases the AAP government's dedication to safeguarding the rights and livelihoods of the people of Punjab. Despite numerous challenges and opposition efforts to push the limit to three km, our government stood firm and secured this victory for the residents of Nayagaon and Kansal." She said over 40,000-50,000 residents in the area would now benefit from this decision. The approval of building plans will now proceed without any legal or administrative hurdles, and the lingering fear of demolition has been permanently erased. Bengaluru, March 19 : The Karnataka BJP unit on Wednesday targeted the Congress-led government for creating a helpless situation for the police officers in the state. The BJP also charged that the government is not a 'police-friendly government' but a rioters'-friendly government existing in the state. BJP MLA and State BJP General Secretary, V. Sunil Kumar, made the statement in the Assembly while making a statement under the provision of 'Rule 69'. "The series of incidents in the state raise the question on whether the Home Department is working in the state or it's dysfunctional. Is the State Home Minister able to comprehend what's going on in the state? Is police inefficient? Have criminal elements able to gain upper hand over the police in the state or they colluded with each other?" asked MLA Sunil Kumar. "In the Udayagiri police station attack case reported from Mysuru city for an objectionable post, the police delayed arrests. The police vehicles were pelted with stones, the rioters tried to torch fire and displayed extreme behaviour. If the incidents of DJ Halli-KG Halli and Hubballi police station attack cases are considered, the reason was a social media post hurting the religious sentiment of one religion. If Hindus take such developments seriously, there will be similar incidents every day in the state as Hindu gods are targeted often," the BJP leader said. "It is clear that one group in the society is crossing the limits and the state government has turned a blind eye. Strict actions are initiated in other states when crimes are committed against women and society. In Karnataka, police are attacked and they are made helpless." "The state government is in friendly terms with criminals and rioters. The hands of police are tied against criminals. The state is not police-friendly, its rioters'-friendly. This is happening for the first time in the state," Sunil Kumar said, while criticising the Congress government in the state. "If police is attacked, the government does not give them free hand to deal with the situation, what about the morale of the police department under these circumstances? If Hindus come together in thousands there will not be any law and order issues, if Muslims come out in thousands there will be violence," he added. "Whether the police in the state have turned criminal friendly? The government has washed away its hands in the Israel Tourist gang rape case? The incident had taken place at the UNESCO heritage site -- Hampi, an international destination. The state has lost its dignity and honour in the case. How could the state fail to provide security to foreign tourists at this location? This is suspicious," Sunil Kumar said, while criticising the Congress government. "The state government labelled the accused person in the case of slashing of udders of cow as mad and sidelined the case in two days. The hopes that the government will consider the sentiments of Hindus who worship cows were dashed," the BJP leader added. "The online fraud has reached villages in the state. The Police department has completely failed. There are cases such as a student who used his fee for online investment, lost money and ended his life. In another case, the money reserved for a job was used and resulting in that person ending his life. The government needs to consider it as a social menace and take up effective action," he said. State Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister, Priyank Kharge, objected to the allegations levelled against the Congress government and said that the BJP leaders are always talking about Hindu-Muslim issues. "How can you make allegations on the government? What happened to Hindu activist Paresh Mesta case? The case was given to the CBI and the investigations ruled out foul play in his death case?" Kharge asked. MLA Sunil Kumar also said that in the capital city Bengaluru, the anti-social elements are roaming on bike flashing swords and other weapons. "Don't they (criminals) have fear of police? The state government should not protect the criminals and peace should be restored," he added. Kolkata, March 19 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, on Wednesday, while giving her reactions on the successful return of Sunita Williams from space, claimed to have studied space science. She also said that Williams should be conferred the Bharat Ratna award by the Union government. While addressing the second round of the budget session of the Assembly on Wednesday, the Chief Minister also referred to the tragedy of the death of Kalpana Chawla, the first woman of Indian origin to fly to space, who died in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in February 2003. "Kalpana Chawla too went to space. But she could not return. I have studied space science. There are cases where aeroplanes recover from technical glitches and return. I heard the spaceship through which Sunita Williams was travelling also developed some technical glitches. It could have turned into a fire mishap which had happened in the case of Kalpana Chawla. That is why they had to remain trapped in space for such a long time. I especially thank the rescue team for the successful return of Williams and her team members," the Chief Minister said. Speaking on the occasion, Mamata Banerjee said that since the origin of Williams is India, it is the duty of the Union government to facilitate her with the Bharat Ratna award. Claiming that she used to regularly enquire about the status of Williams and her team members while they were in space, the Chief Minister said a virtual tornado had been going on within her all these days. Earlier, she also made a post on the wall of her X handle welcoming "Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore back to earth, finally and safely, after so many days." "Our daughter of India returns to us, and we are deeply deeply happy and elated. We are profoundly happy for Butch Wilmore also. Hail their courage, hail their return, hail human glory! I congratulate the rescue team for their overwhelming support and success," the Chief Minister wrote. Chandigarh, March 19 : In a night action, after the third round of talks by the Centre, more than 300 protesting farmers, including farmer leaders Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal, were detained on Wednesday. Dallewal, who has been on a hunger strike since November last year, was hospitalised. While Pandher was detained from the Zirakpur barrier, other leaders, Dallewal, Kaka Singh Kotra, and Abhimanyu Kohar, were apprehended near Bestech Mall in Mohali. All places were on the outskirts of Chandigarh, the venue for their talks with the Union ministers, comprising Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Responding to the arrest of farmer leaders, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema said that the step was necessitated for the economic growth of the state. "It is important that we fight against unemployment too," he added. Also, before the police action, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Malvinder Singh Kang called for a collaborative and constructive approach to resolve the ongoing issues faced by farmers. He highlighted that Punjab's borders have been blocked for over a year, leading to significant economic losses, reduced investments, and a decline in tourism. Kang said: "Every Punjabi has always stood firmly with the farmers. Whether it was the black farm laws or any other challenge, the people of Punjab, urban and rural, youth, farmers, laborers, and businessmen, have supported the farmers' movements wholeheartedly. The repeal of the black farm laws was a victory achieved through unity and resilience." Kang pointed out the adverse effects of the prolonged border closures. "The closure of Punjab's borders, particularly at Shambhu, has not only created economic hardships but also affected religious tourism. The number of devotees visiting sacred places like Darbar Sahib has declined. Furthermore, the biggest challenge is the lack of investment, which is directly tied to industrial growth and employment generation. This is a pressing issue as unemployment is one of the root causes of drug abuse in Punjab." He urged the farming community to adopt a strategic approach to their struggle. "Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has also emphasized that most of the farmers' demands are related to the Central government. We need to take this fight to Delhi rather than causing further economic damage to Punjab by blocking our own borders. Punjab's economy, investments, and tourism are suffering due to these blockades." Reiterating support for the farmers, Kang added, "We urge our farmer brothers to reconsider their approach and shift their fight to the Central government. Let us unite for the betterment of Punjab without causing harm to our state's economy or its people." Imphal, March 19 : Twelve tribal organisations and six MLAs on Wednesday separately appealed for peace in Manipur's curfew-bound Churachandpur district while shops, markets, business establishment, government and private offices remained closed in the tension-hit district after the fresh violence erupted killing one person and injuring few others. The clashes erupted on Tuesday night between two different tribal ethnic groups belonging to the Zomi and Hmar tribes in the district. Kuki, Zomi and Hmar tribal communities are same ethnic groups. A police officer in Imphal said the violence occurred late on Tuesday night hours after a peace settlement was reached between the apex bodies of the two communities and the family members of two erring groups. The fresh hostility erupted after some people attempted to take down a flag of a Zomi armed group in the tribal-inhabited Churachandpur town. Before the security forces reached the area, mobs and armed cadres of both Zomi and Hmar tribes engaged in clashes and stone pelting. The security personnel later fired tear gas shells and fired several rounds in the air to disperse the warring crowds, the official said, adding that how the man was killed has not yet been confirmed. The deceased was identified as Lalropui Pakhumate (53). Security forces had to face a serious challenge in controlling the mobs that vandalised several properties even as shots were also fired by some armed cadres who had mingled among the crowds of both rival factions. A student body called a shutdown in curfew-bound Churachandpur district in view of the clashes between Hmar and Zomi people badly affecting the normal life in the tribal inhabited district. Six MLAs and 12 tribal organisations separately appealed for peace on Wednesday. The legislators in their appeal said: "We urge our community leaders and CSOs (Civil Society Organisations) to continue to work hard to maintain peace and tranquillity. We urge the state government particularly the district administration to take up all requisite measures for restoration and maintenance of law and order and peace and harmony in the district on topmost priority. We will do everything we can to achieve this goal." Making a joint appeal to maintain peace and communal harmony, the 12 organisations belonging to Hmar and Zomi communities, said that our collective commitments would ensure in restoring peace, healing wounds, and building a future where all communities of Churachandpur can co-exist with dignity and mutual respect. To prevent the recurrence of such misunderstandings and to foster mutual trust and communal harmony in the district, a joint peace committee would be established to monitor the situation and address any misunderstandings that may arise between communities in the future, these organisations said in a joint statement. District Magistrate Dharun Kumar S. in an appeal said that attacks and counter-attacks have been reported and there is an urgent need to restore peace and maintain law and order. He appealed to all to shun violent activities and not to take the law into their hands. A huge contingent of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) has been deployed in Churachandpur district town and adjoining mixed and sensitive areas to maintain a strict vigil and to prevent people from resorting to violence. Two tribal organisations in Manipur -- the Hmar Inpui and the Zomi Council on Tuesday withdrew the indefinite shutdown in Churachandpur district after the two communities settled the row over the severe assault of a senior Hmar tribal leader on March 16. The leaders of Hmar Inpui and the Zomi Council held a meeting with the families of the victims and attackers and settled the dispute as per local customary law and practices. The indefinite shutdown in Churachandpur district was called after Hmar Inpui General Secretary, Richard Laltanpuia Hmar, who was on his way home, was stopped, blindfolded, and severely beaten inside the campus of V.K. Montessori School on March 16 by the "local miscreants". Tuesday's meeting between the two tribal bodies and the families of the victim and the attackers decided that the "culprit family would hand over Rs 50,000 to the victim's family in lieu of traditional and customary peace feast". The medical superintendent of Churachandpur District Hospital, Tinglonglei Thangluai, said a mob stormed the hospital around on Tuesday night, intimidating staff and patients. The situation normalised after security forces intervened late on Tuesday night. Thiruvananthapuram, March 19 : Union Minister for Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Wednesday pointed out that Kerala is a significant contributor to the growth of tourism in India and promised total support of the Centre to take forward the state's pioneering initiatives in the tourism sector. Speaking at a meeting held here to review the progress of tourism projects in the state, Shekhawat said the state should focus on one or two iconic destinations even as it unveils new products to boost tourist footfall. Present on the occasion were State Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas and Union Minister of State for Tourism Suresh Gopi. "Kerala contributes immensely to the growth of tourism in India. Kerala's tourism sector holds huge potential for further growth. This calls for the launch of new products especially focussing on beach, Ayurveda, wellness, heritage, pilgrim and spiritual tourism. At the same time, the state should focus on one or two iconic destinations to further consolidate its standing as a global destination," said Shekhawat. He went on to add that Kerala has been at the forefront of attracting tourists by introducing novel products, and it should continue to do so. Holding that Kerala will continue to be a key contributor to India's tourism growth story, Riyas wanted the Centre to clear the state's proposal for a special package focussing on Ayurveda and beach tourism to scale up international and domestic arrivals, which will help increase the country's foreign earnings. "The Centre's support is vital in the global marketing campaigns being carried out by the state as a global destination of diverse attractions," said Riyas. He wanted the Centre to reconsider its decision to stay away from the Arab Travel Mart, scheduled for next month as India's participation in the Arab Travel Mart will boost the international tourist arrivals to the country and added that the Middle East is a key market of Kerala Tourism. The meeting then reviewed the progress of the Pilgrim Tourism Circuit project, which includes Sabarimala, Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple and Guruvayur Sree Krishna temple, the projects under Swadeshi Darshan 2.0, the PRASAD project, Thalassery Spiritual Nexus project, Beypore, Kumarakom and the Varkala Sivagiri projects. It also reviewed the progress of projects submitted by the state to the Centre. Bhubaneswar, March 19 : The Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Commissionerate Police has seized contraband brown sugar valued at Rs 72 lakh during raids at two different places in Bhubaneswar, a senior police officer said here on Wednesday. The sleuths have also arrested five persons and apprehended one juvenile on the charges of involvement in the drugs peddling. Police sources claimed that the Special Crime Unit (SCU) of twin-city police intercepted and seized 448 grams of contraband brown sugar worth around Rs 45 lakhs during a meticulously planned operation near Loyala School Square in Nayapalli area of Bhubaneswar on Tuesday. "Acting on credible intelligence, the SCU team, led by a senior officer, raided the location. During the search, the police team recovered the Brown Sugar from a backpack carried by the juvenile. His accomplice S.K. Sohit who was with him could manage to escape. The seized brown sugar was properly sealed and marked as evidence," added a senior police officer. The police during the course of investigation ascertained that the accused duo was part of a larger drug peddling network, with links to suppliers from West Bengal. The drug peddlers' duo had conspired to deliver the contraband to local peddlers in Bhubaneswar. The juvenile has been apprehended and booked under Sections 21(c) and 29 of the NDPS Act for the unlawful possession and trafficking of brown sugar in criminal conspiracy with S.K. Sohit, who is currently absconding. Police have launched a manhunt to apprehend the absconding accused. In another operation, the day patrolling party of Maitri Vihar Police Station in Bhubaneswar apprehended five habitual drug peddlers near Hatiasuni under Maitrivihar Police Station on Wednesday. The police seized brown sugar weighing 270 grams valued at Rs 27 lakh, a four-wheeler, scooter, four mobile phones and Rs 14,500 as cash from the possession of the accused persons. Gurugram, March 19 : A crime branch team of the Gurugram Police has arrested the prime shooter in connection with a liquor contractor murder case, officials said. The accused was identified as Tekchand, alias Mohit, a resident of Kheda Khurrampur village in Gurugram. He was arrested from Delhi's Najafgarh area on Wednesday following a massive manhunt conducted by the crime branch team of Manesar of the district police. "The arrested accused has confessed to his involvement in the killing and revealed that he was the prime shooter in the alleged case," Sandeep Kumar, spokesperson of the Gurugram Police, said. Kumar further informed that the accused will be taken into police custody to recover the murder weapon and to know the whereabouts of the absconding accused and his accomplices. 50-year-old liquor contractor, Baljeet Singh, a resident of Hayatpur village of Gurugram, was shot dead allegedly over a liquor business rivalry here in Gurugram on Tuesday. Two men also suffered injuries in the firing. The injured were identified as Ravinder (27) and Ram Kaushik of the same village. The deceased's nephew, Dinesh, who is also a complainant, told the police that Baljeet had taken many liquor contracts in the Jhajjar district. Earlier, a rival party consisting of Om Bhagwan, Deepak, Mohit Bhuria, and Naresh Sethi used to take contracts. When the victim took the contracts, those people started having a grudge against him. On Tuesday he, his uncle Baljeet, and his other companions were in his office at Jotram Chowk, Hayatpur Sector-93. His uncle Baljeet was sleeping on the bed. Meanwhile, two persons came to his office and started asking about Dinesh, then his companion told him that Dinesh was sleeping and asked him to go to another office. After this, those persons went out of the office and came back to his office, and one person shot his uncle Baljeet and the other person shot his companion Ravinder. When the armed assistants tried to flee the spot, his friend Ram attempted to catch them; the accused then shot Ram in the leg and rode away on the bike. "My uncle took the liquor contracts; his opponents shot and killed my uncle out of enmity," the complainant told the police. Meanwhile, the entire incident was captured by the CCTV cameras installed in the victim's office. CCTV footage of the incident showed Baljeet sleeping in his office, and Ravinder was also present there. In the CCTV footage, it can also be seen that the two bike-borne armed assailants wearing helmets arrived at the spot, and after committing the crime, they fled the spot. It is being said that the two assailants fired nearly half a dozen rounds. Bengaluru, March 19 : Karnataka BJP MLA Mahesh Tenginakai on Wednesday accused the State Home Minister G. Parameshwara and the Congress government of lying regarding the withdrawal of cases against 155 individuals involved in the Hubballi police station rioting case. He raised the allegation on the floor of the Assembly while making a statement under Rule 69. "Regarding the withdrawal of the Hubballi riots case, Home Minister Parameshwara had responded during the Winter Session. The State Home Minister said that on June 13, 2023, the Director of Prosecutions, Government Litigations, and the Department of Law had given their opinion in favour of withdrawing the cases. However, after checking with the concerned authorities, they clearly told me that they had not given any such opinion," the BJP leader alleged. "Who is lying here? Is it the Department of Prosecution, or is it the Home Minister? If any case is to be withdrawn, all legal procedures must be completed. The concerned department is saying they have not given an opinion at all. How was this matter even taken up in the Cabinet?" Tenginakai asked. Speaking about the incident, the BJP leader said, "On April 16, 2022, at 9:30 p.m., enraged by a WhatsApp status, thousands from the minority community laid siege to the Hubballi police station. They attacked the police. An FIR was filed, and 155 individuals were arrested. I want to highlight some details mentioned in the FIR." "The rioting began at 9:30 p.m. and continued until 12:30 a.m. The FIR states that an attempt was made to gather people by saying, 'Har ek ko apna kaam nibhana hai, ye sirf Anjuman walon ka kaam nahin hai. Har mujahid ka kaam hai. Agar hum hakikat mein imaan wala banna hai to iss ka muh tod jawab dena hai.'" "They even provoked people by questioning whether they would wake up only after the demolition of the Hubballi mosque and Baba Dargah. The accused, Wasim Akram Pathan, a Moulvi, had started the NGO Tanzim-E-Ashrafia and also ran a tours and travels company. He had also visited Pakistan and Bangladesh. During his visit to Karachi, he went to the headquarters of Dawat-e-Islami and received training in organising people," the BJP leader said, quoting the FIR in the Assembly. "The riots were severe, and policemen could have been killed. Many police officers were hospitalised. The rioters damaged the Police Commissioner's car, pelted stones at the police station, and attempted to set it on fire. They even tried to torch temples in the vicinity. The then government arrested 155 individuals," he added. After the investigation, the case was handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), he said. However, the Congress government made a controversial decision to withdraw the cases. "When Home Minister G. Parameshwara visited Hubballi, I questioned him about this. He just smiled and remained silent. Before the elections, Congress leaders in Hubballi had publicly said that they would withdraw the cases if their party came to power," Tenginakai alleged. "Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar wrote a letter to Home Minister Parameshwara requesting the withdrawal of cases. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also made a statement on the matter, saying that the cases would not be withdrawn. Even Parameshwara initially said that just because Shivakumar wrote a letter, the cases would not be withdrawn," the BJP leader said. "When the process of withdrawing the cases began, I had sought official information in the last session. I was informed that the Director of Prosecutions, Government Litigations, and the Legal Department had given their opinion. Later, the Cabinet Subcommittee cleared the matter, and the DGP also gave his opinion in favour of withdrawing the cases," he added. "On July 10, 2024, the Cabinet decided to withdraw the cases. On July 15, 2024, a government order was issued in this regard. I had specifically asked what the procedure was for withdrawing any case. This is a scheduled offence. We have no objections if cases against farmers or Dalits are withdrawn. However, I was given the answer that the opinion of the State Police Chief, the Director of Prosecution and Government Litigations are considered," he said. "The government further claimed that the opinion was also collected from the Legal Department and the Cabinet Subcommittee would verify it, and based on their recommendation under CrPC 321, it would be presented before the Cabinet. Only the cases approved by the Cabinet would then be presented before the court for withdrawal," Tenginakai added. He criticised the move of the Congress government, saying, "After the withdrawal of cases related to the Hubballi police station riot, an attack took place on the Udayagiri police station in Mysuru. The rioters believe they will be freed. Which police officer will dare to arrest rioters now? The police may think it is not worth taking the risk. What will be the situation in the state? Why is the government so concerned about releasing these criminals? The government should reconsider its decision to withdraw these cases." State Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil said Home Minister Parameshwara will give answers on the issues raised by the BJP members. Agartala, March 19 : In a shocking incident, a physically challenged woman was allegedly gang-raped by her husband and five of his friends, police said on Wednesday. An official said that police arrested the husband Subrata Dey and are on the lookout for five others suspected involved in the heinous crime. The official said that police registered a case of gang rape on March 14 in Amtali police station, near Agartala, and have arrested Dey so far. The accused is the victimas husband, who along with his five friends, committed the crime at Jogendranagar, on the outskirts of Agartala, the official said. According to police, Subrata Dey since his marriage has been residing at his in-laws' house in Jogendranagar. The gang-rape occurred recently and the victim's family filed an FIR in Amtali police station on March 14. During the crime, the victim's father and mother were not at home and police suspect that Subrata Dey and his friends committed the crime under the influence of alcohol. Prime accused Dey worked in a private pathological laboratory. Police have booked six accused in the case and are actively searching for the remaining five. The victim is a 75 per cent disabled woman. Officials said that the investigation was on in the fastest way and hoped that during the interrogation of Dey, police would be able to collect information about five other accused persons and would soon also be able to arrest them. Meanwhile, the case has sparked outrage, with demands for stringent punishment for the perpetrators. The police assured that justice would be served, emphasising that all efforts are being made to ensure the arrest of the remaining accused and to ensure justice for the disabled woman. Washington, March 19 : Ukranian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy has agreed to a partial ceasefire in the war against Russia that was discussed by US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, the White House said on Wednesday. Trump briefed Zelenskyy on a phone call about his conversation with Putin on Tuesday. The two leaders "agreed on a partial ceasefire against energy", Karoline Leavitt, the White House spokesperson said from a readout of Trump and Zelenskyy's phone call to be issued by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. "Technical teams will meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to discuss broadening the cease fire to the Black Sea on the way to a full cease fire," Levitt said further, adding, "They agreed this could be the first step toward the full end of the war in ensuring security." While President Trump had earlier proposed a 30-day ceasefire, which was accepted by President Zelenskyy, he and President Putin agreed instead on a limited ceasefire regarding only the energy and infrastructure sectors. Levitt described the Wednesday phone call between Trump and Zelenskyy as "fantastic". "President Trump fully briefed President Zelensky on his conversation with Putin and the key issues discussed. They reviewed the situation in Kursk and agreed to share information closely between their defense staffs as the battlefield situation evolved. President Zelensky asked for additional air defense systems to protect his civilians, particularly Patriot missile systems. And President Trump agreed to work with him to find what was available, particularly in Europe," Levitt said. She added: "President Zelensky was grateful for the President's leadership in this effort, and reiterated his willingness to adopt a full ceasefire. President Trump also discussed Ukraine's electrical supply and nuclear power plants. He said that the United States could be very helpful in running those plants with its electricity and utility expertise. American ownership of those plants would be the best protection for that infrastructure and support for Ukrainian energy infrastructure." Washington, March 19 : Ukranian leader Volodymyr Zelensky has agreed to a partial ceasefire in the war against Russia that was discussed by US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, the White House said on Wednesday. Trump briefed Zelensky on a phone call about his conversation with Putin on Tuesday. The two leaders "agreed on a partial ceasefire against energy", Karoline Leavitt, the White House spokesperson said from a readout of Trump and Zelensky's phone call to be issued by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. "Technical teams will meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to discuss broadening the cease fire to the Black Sea on the way to a full cease fire," Levitt said further, adding, "They agreed this could be the first step toward the full end of the war in ensuring security." While President Trump had earlier proposed a 30-day ceasefire, which was accepted by President Zelenskyy, he and President Putin agreed instead on a limited ceasefire regarding only the energy and infrastructure sectors. Levitt described the Wednesday phone call between Trump and Zelensky as "fantastic". "President Trump fully briefed President Zelensky on his conversation with Putin and the key issues discussed. They reviewed the situation in Kursk and agreed to share information closely between their defense staffs as the battlefield situation evolved. President Zelensky asked for additional air defense systems to protect his civilians, particularly Patriot missile systems. And President Trump agreed to work with him to find what was available, particularly in Europe," Levitt said. She added: "President Zelensky was grateful for the President's leadership in this effort, and reiterated his willingness to adopt a full ceasefire. President Trump also discussed Ukraine's electrical supply and nuclear power plants. He said that the United States could be very helpful in running those plants with its electricity and utility expertise. American ownership of those plants would be the best protection for that infrastructure and support for Ukrainian energy infrastructure." Mumbai, March 19 : The controversy surrounding the mysterious death of actress Disha Salian, who was also the manager of the late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, has resurfaced. The case, which has been the subject of intense scrutiny, has now taken a new turn after a petition was filed in court by Disha's father, accusing sexual assault and murder. The petition, which is set to be heard in court on Thursday, has raised serious questions regarding the involvement of Aditya Thackeray, the son of the former Chief Minister of Maharashtra Uddhav Thackeray. This issue is expected to be brought up in the state Assembly as well, adding to the growing pressure on former Maharashtra minister Aditya Thackeray. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane has been vocal about the case from the beginning. Launching a blistering attack on Aditya Thackeray, Rane stated, "I have been saying from day one that this was a murder and it should be investigated. The role of Aditya Thackeray should be investigated. From the very beginning, I have been demanding an inquiry into the names that are now being raised by his father in the petition. Now, his father has filed a petition in court, demanding a fresh investigation, and he has explicitly mentioned how the police had tried to protect the son of the then CM, Aditya Thackeray." Rane added, "Now we will know what it means to go under investigation. Those who were protecting him will have to open their mouths. Disha's father has filed a petition accusing Aditya Thackeray of gang rape and murder, demanding a new probe." Rane said that I have been saying from day one that this is murder and should be investigated. Aditya Thackeray's role must be examined, he said. As the investigation continues, the pressure on Aditya Thackeray is set to intensify, with new revelations coming to light and further political implications for the Shiv Sena leader. The case remains one of the most controversial and widely discussed incidents in Maharashtra's recent history. Meanwhile, in a significant development in the Disha Salian case, her father Satish Salian, has filed a petition in the Bombay High Court seeking legal action against several prominent individuals, including former Maharashtra Minister and Shiv Sena UBT MLA Aditya Thackeray, former Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar, and others. Satish Salian has requested the court to file charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against the accused. The sections mentioned include 376(D) (gang rape), 302 (murder), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence), 218 (public servant framing incorrect record), 409 (criminal breach of trust by a public servant), 166 (public servant disobeying law), 107 (abetment), 109 (abetment of an offence), 120(B) (criminal conspiracy), and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of a common intention). Furthermore, Satish Salian has requested that the investigation of the case be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for an independent and thorough inquiry. In response to the legal action, increased police security has been deployed outside Satish Salian's residence. The police presence aims to prevent any untoward incidents and ensure safety, following the filing of the petition in the court. A significant police force has been stationed around the building to maintain law and order. Additionally, Satish Salian has appealed to the police and media not to disturb him during this critical time. He expressed his inability to speak with the media, requesting that his privacy be respected as he is not in a state to provide any comments or engage in public discussions. Ramanagar : , March 20 (IANS) Karnataka Police arrested two individuals on Wednesday in connection with the case of pro-Pakistan graffiti found on the bathroom walls of the Toyota factory near Bidadi town, close to Bengaluru, in Ramanagar district. The accused have been identified as 24-year-old Haimad Hussain and 20-year-old Sadiq, both contract workers at the Toyota Boshoku Automotive India Company factory. They hail from the northern Karnataka region. The graffiti, written in Kannada using green paint, contained pro-Pakistan slogans such as 'Victory to Pakistan' and derogatory remarks against the people of Karnataka. The factory employs over 2,000 staff working in three shifts, with more than 600 employees present per shift. The incident came to light on March 16 during the first shift. The company put up a notice warning workers about the act. However, when the matter became public, thousands of staff members and Kannada activists gathered in front of the factory, demanding strict action. They alleged that a similar incident had been hushed up the previous year. The activists insisted that the culprits be dismissed and deported. In response, the company issued a circular stating that such actions would be considered an act of sedition under the law. It emphasised that the graffiti could create divisions among employees and lead to indiscipline. The company assured that legal action would be taken against those responsible. Following a complaint from the company's HR department, Bidadi Police registered an FIR and launched an investigation. Using technical evidence, including handwriting analysis, CCTV footage, and the interrogation of hundreds of employees, the police arrested the two suspects. Haimad Hussain and Sadiq have been booked under Section 67 of the IT Act and Sections 193 and 356 of the BNS Act. Further investigation is underway. The matter was also raised in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, where Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka expressed concerns over the incident. "Slogans of 'Pakistan Zindabad' were written in four different locations on the walls of the Toyota factory. The company has filed a police complaint. Where have we reached?" Ashoka questioned. "Earlier, 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans were raised inside the Vidhana Soudha. Now, such an incident has occurred in a reputed company like Toyota, which employs 10,000 people. The government has taken no action and is trying to cover it up. People are asking whether this government has any shame left," he remarked. "The miscreants involved in such crimes should be shot. That is the only way to control them," he demanded. "I do not generalise, but a few individuals have brought shame to the entire community. No action has been taken yet. Toyota is an international company with CCTV cameras installed everywhere. Despite this, the government has failed to act. Whose interests is this government protecting?" Ashoka asked. Gandhinagar, March 20 : Gujarat's health workers have launched an indefinite strike, demanding resolution of their long-pending issues. On March 18, in Botad, health employees submitted a memorandum to the District Collector, emphasising their need for justice. They warned that if their demands were not met, the union would take stricter action. In response, the state government has now taken a significant step. The Gujarat government, on Wednesday, invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) against the striking health workers. Under this law, health services are classified as essential, meaning that employees refusing to return to work could face severe consequences. The state government has hinted that fixed-pay employees participating in the strike could face termination. Notably, essential services like police and energy departments are already covered under ESMA. The striking employees, including Multi-Purpose Health Workers, Female Health Workers, and other medical staff, are demanding the cancellation of departmental exams, removal of salary discrepancies, and the implementation of technical grade pay. Their strike has intensified, with protest gatherings and demonstrations taking place across Gujarat. The health workers' protest is not new. Earlier, similar demonstrations were held in Khambhaliya, Dwarka, where employees submitted a memorandum to the Collector's Office. In Gandhinagar, protests were staged near the Satyagraha Chhavani. Despite repeated appeals, health workers feel their concerns have been ignored, leading them to take drastic steps. As the strike continues, the state government and protesting workers remain at a standoff. The next few days will be crucial in determining whether a resolution can be reached or if the confrontation escalates further. The Gujarat Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) of 1972 is a legislative measure aimed at ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of essential services within the state. Under this Act, the government holds the authority to prohibit strikes in services deemed essential to public welfare. The Act defines "essential services" to include all employment under the state government, encompassing officers and servants of the State Legislature Secretariat and the High Court. Additionally, any employment that the state government considers crucial for maintaining public utility services, public safety, or essential supplies can be declared as an essential service through a notification in the Official Gazette. In situations where the state government deems it necessary in the public interest, it can issue orders to prohibit strikes in these essential services. Such orders are published in a manner intended to effectively inform the affected individuals. On March 10, the Unterberg Poetry Center at the 92nd Street Y in Manhattan hosted a panel and readings in honor of Swedish-speaking Finnish author and illustrator Tove Jansson, whose iconic Moomin characters turn 80 this year. She created a world that is one of the most adored in modern literature, said author Makenna Goodman, who moderated the event. Goodman served as editor of Janssons memoir Notes from an Island, recently translated from the Swedish by Thomas Teal for Timber Press (Oct. 2024), and she believes that the imagination and appetite for Toves work is growing. The discussion also featured author Alexander Chee, who contributed the introduction for Notes from an Island; Leanne Shapton, artist, graphic novelist, and art editor for the New York Review of Books; and author Kate Zambreno, who wrote a story inspired by Janssons The Summer Book for the catalogue accompanying an exhibition of the artists work in Paris in 2023. Goodman began with an overview of Janssons oeuvre, including her Moomin comic strip and childrens books and the numerous adaptations theyve spawnedfrom television, film, and opera retellings to theme parks in Finland and Japanas well as 11 novels and short story collections for adults. Tove was constantly transforming, experimenting, and evolving her art, she said, and even today, over two decades after her death, readers continue to be moved deeply by her work, which is known and discussed more and more as a life-affirming philosophical project. Goodman also noted the utopian element of Janssons writing: She taught us that imaginative storytelling can convey deeply human, inclusive ideas, and that writing a freer world can open an important door in the collective unconscious. After Shapton read aloud a passage from The Summer Book (NYRB, 2008, trans. by Teal)in which an aging woman and her young granddaughter explore a cave on their island in the Gulf of FinlandGoodman posed what she called the guiding question for their conversation: What is it about Tove Janssons work that makes it so captivating? Zambreno said she was struck by the interwoven yet seemingly contradictory themes of community and isolation; the characters are alone in their own bubbles, yet they need each other. She also highlighted the collaboration between the human and the nonhuman throughout the authors books. Chee added, I think theres a lot of tenderness, and that the stories, across categories, are created out of a tremendous intimacy. He lauded Janssons directness and precision of language. Shapton agreed, saying, I think that economy comes from knowing how to draw; she looks really closely. The Moomins provided the perfect training ground for her verbal and visual sensibility. Next, Zambreno read an excerpt from Sun City, translated by Teal for NYRB (Feb. 2025)a satirical novel set in a retirement home in 1970s Florida. She appreciated the slowness and patience of the prose, as Jansson takes her time to conjure the atmosphere. Goodman noticed how she writes like a naturalist, the way she collects her materials and observations, while Chee pointed to the visual and sensual quality of her writing. He suggested that the satire succeeds because its sincere. For the evenings final reading, Chee shared an excerpt from Notes from an Island, Janssons recollections of the home she built with her longtime creative and romantic partner, artist Tuulikki Tooti Pietila, on Klovharun, an island in the Gulf of Finland. The women spent 30 summers living and working beside one another in that refuge before the elements became too difficult to endure in their old age. Zambreno commented on Janssons yearning for the sublime, which shines through her nature writing. The natural world inspired in her a sense of awe and humility; at times she felt she was not worthy of her island, Zambreno said. Goodman framed the island as a version of the utopian fantasy presented in Moominland: a paradise of collectivism and inclusivity and freedom. Focusing the dialogue on Janssons books for young people, Shapton argued that if you can write for children, you can write anything. Its the hardest formand theres not quite an understanding of just how hard it is. She believes Jansson held the key to unlocking the power of childrens literature because she remembered what its like to be a child. Zambreno reflected on the joy and magic in childrens books and cinema, and their ability to capture big ideas through the imagination, a kind of political act. The impact of Janssons writing was evident in the sheer volume of fan mail she received for the Moomins. Goodman said the author responded dutifully to 2,000 letters a year from readers. Finally, she became so exhausted that she handed the series over to her younger brother, Lars. Goodman wondered if that kind of correspondence is possible in the digital age. Zambreno said, I wouldnt be a writer if I wasnt in conversation with others. All of my books come from that. Even a notebook is a correspondence in a way. Chee spoke of a close, years-long connection he has forged with one of his readers through letters. Seeing the memoir (which she edited) in a new light, Goodman said, I actually now think Notes on an Island is a kind of correspondence between Tove and Tooti, whose art accompanies Janssons prose. As the discussion opened up to the audience, a middle school teacher said that her students respond strongly to her readalouds of the Moomins, finding the characters weird, but still relatable. Another attendee said that her son told her the Moomins gave him permission to live his gender identity; the inclusive politics of those books have become our [familys] politics. Distilling the appreciation of Janssons craft, Shapton praised her observation and quiet patience, or, as one illustrator in the crowd put it, she sees with her heart. Even as a number of federal courts order the Trump administration to reverse the slashing of the federal employee workforce spearheaded by tech billionaire Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency, the impact of the wide-ranging cuts is being felt nationwide. That is especially true in the Washington, D.C., metro area, where approximately 450,000 federal employeesalmost 6% of the regions entire workforcelive, work, and shop. But federal employees arent the only ones adversely affected by the cuts, noted Nick Salis, COO of Kramers, the DuPont Circle bookstore and cafe previously known as Kramerbooks & Afterwords. For weeks, government agencies have been canceling projects for which theyd hired contractors, and theres a ripple effect going through companies, Salis said. People are nervous. That nervousness has become palpable at the independent bookstores where many of these former federal employees and contractors shop, affecting their programming and, in some cases, their businesses. Salis reported that customer traffic and sales have declined at Kramers since the beginning of this year: The traffic hasnt been there, he said. Bookstore general manager Andrew Jones noted significant anxiety among customers, with a significant uptick of conversations with staff about politics and current events. (To wit, Salis added, the stores current bestseller is On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder.) They come to the bookstore and they see allies, Jones said, so they feel confident in speaking about their situation and thats happened a lot more in the last three or four weeks. Theres almost empathy in both directions: our empathy for their anxiety about whats going on and their empathy for how its affecting the bookstoreand it is affecting our bookstore. But were here, were doing what we can. While Salis acknowledged that its still kind of early and that some people think they can get their jobs back, he said that Kramers has been considering how best to respond to the situation, including how to support its employeessome of whom had applied for government jobs or were hoping to launch careers in government and thus have been affected by the layoffs and job freezes. Salis said that Kramers is making some employees full-time and extending the hours for others. Were starting with our own first, Salis said, and then we can move out towards the broader community. Laurie Gilman, the owner of East City Bookshop, said that her store is having a good 2025 so far but that she does not expect it to last. Even though were fine now, Im trying to plan for a 10% to 20% drop in revenue in the coming months and years, she said, adding that D.C. will be devastated by the cuts from DOGEas well as by the $1 billion in cuts coming to the District of Columbias current budget now that President Donald Trump has signed the recently passed GOP spending bill into law. And yet, Gilman added, East City has become a place of refuge since the November election. Weve always had strong community support, she said, but more people than usual stay and chat, tell us how glad they are that were in the community, spend time browsing, or sit down to read. Bradley Graham, the owner of Politics and Prose, calls it premature to assess the impact of government layoffs. P&P at least hasnt felt any dip so far, he wrote in an email to PWbut, he added, we have seen, anecdotally, customers actually buying more books, remarking that theyre out of work and so have more time to read. And, as Kramerss Jones noted above, at P&P, theres also been a noticeable uptick in conversations among shoppers about the general plight of federal workers and the precarity of government employment these days. Sufferin suburbs In Maryland, Amy Joyce, who opened Wonderland Books in Bethesda with Gayle Weiswasser four months ago, said that she has seen no decline in sales. But we see and hear the stress and anxiety of many of our customers, she added. We are fielding a lot of requests for escapist reads from people trying to find distraction and calm and doing all we can to provide a comforting space. To that end, Wonderland has set up a table display of cozy reads and is spotlighting books on autocracy, tyranny, and how to resist authoritarian regimes. As it is at Kramers, On Tyranny is the bookstores top-seller, with Joyce noting that the store cannot keep it in stock. Sales of classic dystopian novels, she added, have also spiked recently. Inspired by a customer buying books for a stranger who mentioned shed been fired from her job at USAID, the staff at One More Page Books in Arlington, Va., set up a shelf filled with books free for the taking for federal workers current, former, or in limbo, said manager Lelia Nebeker. The shelf contains advance reading copies and other publishers samples, as well as books donated by local authors whod heard about the initiative. We also had a jigsaw puzzle out on a table for a four days for anyone to work on, Nebeker said. So many customers are in that space. Theres so much uncertainty for them. Ally Kirkpatrick of Old Town Books in Alexandria, Va., said that shes noticed more people attending her stores events. I get the sense now is a time when our customers are needing social support, she explained. Our book clubs and events have been selling out more rapidly than usual. One event, held on March 16 in partnership with the Mid-Atlantic Border Collie Rescue organization and billed as bookstore puppy yoga featuring cute rescue animals, sold out before Old Towns staff could even promote it. Folks snapped those right up at $40 a ticket, all supporting the rescue organization, Kirkpatrick said. I think because, one, puppies are adorable, but two, its really tough out in the world right now. Everyone needs books and friends and puppies. This story has been edited for clarity CrossFit, a popular workout regimen featuring high-intensity movements practiced daily, has been called many things in the media, including a business, a brand, a community, and a cult. Anthropologist and a professor at Brooklyn College Katie Rose Hejtmanek (pronounced hate-monik) became fascinated with CrossFit as a cultural phenomenon. She spent two years doing its exercises and seven years studying its philosophy as well as the near-religious devotion people feel for the purportedly secular fitness practice and what it says about America and cultural Christianity. PW spoke with Hejtmanek about her book, The Cult of CrossFit: Christianity and the American Exercise Phenomenon (NYU, out now). How do you explain CrossFit to someone unfamiliar with it? Everyone seems to know what it is, at least in the U.S. And it's interesting, because they'll quickly say, Oh, it's a cult. There is a lot of lore around itits been in the media a lot. At the barest of bones, its a fitness regimen based on functional movements done with high intensity. How is it like a "church"? CrossFit is kind of about fitness, but really, it provides so much else to people. It builds a community with the same values, norms, ideologies, and hierarchies. The training is linked to disaster, war, and survivalfor facing the Apocalypse, which is a very Christian concern. It exemplifies how American culture today operates under the same Christian values as the time of white settler colonial expansion. Is this like a religious testimony that you need to be "fit" to be "saved?" A testimony is a particular kind of religious authoritative speech where you were lost, you found Christ, and then you are saved. This template of storytelling is also very Americanwe like to be redeemed. In the U.S., our understanding is that we need to live a purposeful life and that life needs to have a redemptive arc. Its a story that has deep Christian roots and we continue to tell that story. Its the story you find at the gym. What surprised you the most during your research and writing? The thing that really blew me away was coming back from the cross-cultural fitness research and seeing how hard it is to examine our own cultural context. I spent six months in CrossFit gyms in India and Australia, where I realized what I had been missing in my analysis. Australian and Indian interlocutors kept telling me about the American CrossFit stuff including the Apocalyptic, salvation-based approach. What most surprised me was all the white American Christianity that was planted hundreds of years ago that is still blooming. We almost can't even see it; its in the air that we breathe. What's the most important thing you want readers to learn from the book? Its not just about CrossFit and its not a critique or a takedown. I want it to help us make sense of American culture. If we understand it, we better understand American society and history. Through CrossFit, we can see so much about what our society values, our sense of our lives, and where we find meaning and connection. Cara Meredith was once a Christian camp fanatic, reveling in the play-packed days and dutifully attending the nightly Bible teachings designed to bring campers straight to Jesus once they realize theyre terrible sinners. Meredith spent weeks at camp throughout her childhood, moved up to summers on staff as a young adult, and strolled across the stage as a speaker in adulthood. Now, in her forthcoming book, she hopes to prompt reform in an institution she calls socially and spiritually exclusive. PW spoke with Meredith about her pivot on the institution and her forthcoming book Church Camp: Bad Skits, Cry Night, and How White Evangelicalism Betrayed a Generation (Broadleaf, Apr.). You loved camp for years. What changed as you grew older? I went through a spiritual evolution and realized the places I was benefitting from as a white, straight woman werent benefitting those who didnt have white skinor those in the LGBTQ+ community. I loved camp and I love the idea of camp, but I benefited from it and found a home and identity in it because I was what camp was looking for. My loudest and silliest self is what camp wanted. As my beliefs, practices and faith changed, I didnt fit into the camp environment anymore. Why do you write that Christian camps betrayed young people? To me, camp betrayed who Jesus really is, who God really is, what faith is supposed to be by making belonging a caveat. You had to look and believe a certain way instead of letting kids be kids. The whole point was to make kids feel like shit about themselves so they could accept what Jesus was offering. It became a transactional type of faith, and thats the betrayal. That is not who God is and not who Jesus is. What is your message to former campers? First, I hope the book will serve the audience who has felt betrayed or disillusioned by camp. They have been wrestling with the shame of feeling their entire personhood was worthless unless they said yes to Jesus. Second, I critique camp now because I love camp. Im not trying to burn camps to the ground. I hope that for those who are still in the white evangelical camping world, the book will produce conversations that produce change. Your book describes Christian camping as insular and exclusive, saying, look around the campfire pit and notice whos not there. Why must camps become more inclusive? We bring changes to these holy places because we cant afford to let hate and discrimination continue to fester like gaping wounds to those with whom we share a bond. Should parents keep sending their kids to Christian camps? The reality is that I believe in these places. Kids can get away from tech, break away from screens. But parents can go into the experience informed, having conversations with their kids beforehand or afterward. They can talk about gender exclusion, about race exclusion. Parents can say, We dont agree with everything, but you will benefit from being there. Underlining the continuing effect of the AI boom on Asia, Thailand has reportedly approved an estimated US$2.7 billion of investments in data centres and cloud services from both local and foreign firms. The announcement, made earlier this week, came from the countrys investment board which confirmed a number of specific projects. They include data centres from Chinese digital infrastructure company Beijing Haoyang Cloud&Data Technology, whose plan in Thailand includes a 300 megawatt data centre valued at THB72.7 billion (about US$2.2 billion). Another company coming on board is Thai company, GSA Data Center 02, which has proposed a THB13.5 billion (US$402 million) investment for a 35 MW data centre. Singapore-based Empyrion Digital, which develops and operates what it calls a new generation of future-ready sustainable data centres, plans to open a facility in Q1 2027. Empyrion is planning to invest 4.72 billion baht (US$140.5 million) in the 12MW data centre located in Bangkok. The facility is expected to span 9,960 square metres and offer connectivity to all fibre providers in the city. It will be optimised for AI and cloud workloads. As Reuters reports, these companies will join others already on the way, including TikTok, which in January announced plans to set up a data hosting service in Thailand, valued at THB126.8 billion baht (US$3.8 billion). Google has said it will invest $1 billion in Thailand. Amazon Web Services has announced a US$5 billion investment in the country over 15 years. Microsoft has also announced it will open its first regional data centre in Thailand. This is only the latest in some big investments of late. The Data Centre Dynamics website says that, in November 2024, the country's Board of Investment approved close to US$1.8 billion in data centre projects in Thailand, including a data centre for Google and another by GDS subsidiary DigitalLand Services. GDS is a leading developer and operator of high-performance data centres in China and South East Asia, Disputes about how America votes have raged since the 2020 pandemic-driven expansion of vote-by-mail. While mail balloting has continued to stir controversy, now noncitizen voting has taken center stage. Debate surrounding the issue will likely soon culminate as Congress prepares to consider the SAVE Act, which aims to block noncitizen registration and voting. To some, the legislation is a solution in search of a problem. They say noncitizen voting is illegal in federal and state elections, that federal law requires most states include on their registration applications a sworn statement affirming citizenship, and that penalties for noncitizen voting are severe enough to deter it. These arguments ignore the fact that Americas registration system lacks adequate defenses beyond deterrence, an applicants honesty, and noncitizens assumed disinterest in voting. These omissions are certainly intentional. One cannot dispute the reality that we are not equipped to screen out those noncitizens who either wittingly or unwittingly register to vote. Our existing voter registration process largely relies on an honor system. There are simply no comprehensive federal standards for verifying citizenship either by requiring that applicants provide proof of it at the front end or for officials to verify it using governmental databases on the backend. In fact, federal law undermines states who attempt to ensure only citizens register and gives a free pass to those whose policies enable it. A chief culprit is the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), also known as Motor Voter, an antiquated federal law that requires most states register individuals who visit the DMV and other government agencies. Congress drafted the NVRA so poorly that states interpret it to require their agencies offer voter registration to all customers, including those officials know or suspect are noncitizens. Some states such as California, Illinois, and Oregon have also implemented a turbo-charged Motor Voter process that automatically registers those who appear in their state DMV databases. These systems have proven sloppy at best, and reckless at worst, allowing the automatic registration of thousands of noncitizens, proving that states have no reliable method of verifying the citizenship of would-be voters. Just recently, Oregon announced that more than 1,600 noncitizens were registered through automatic registration, and referred three to prosecutors for illegal voting. Even the traditional Motor Voter process in Pennsylvania resulted in the registration of 8,700 noncitizens over a several year period. The NVRA does nothing to stop this. Worse, the Supreme Court has interpreted the law to severely restrict states from requesting proof of citizenship when voters register. Some, such as Arizona, have attempted to find workarounds, but it has been a challenge in practice. An important pending lawsuit will decide whether Arizona can maintain meaningful safeguards to ensure citizen-only voting or whether courts will read the NVRA and other federal laws to essentially foreclose those efforts. Another federal law, the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), at least aims to require officials to verify registrants identity, but it too falls short. HAVA requires individuals to provide their Drivers License number or last four Social Security digits when registering and that officials match it with information in DMV or Social Security Administration (SSA) databases. That may seem like a good start, but even though SSA and DMV have citizenship information on file, HAVA does not require either agency to provide it to election officials during the matching process. And lets face it, government agencies arent going to do much more than the legally required minimum. SSA does not provide citizenship information during the HAVA matching process and the only existing federal resource is the Department of Homeland Securitys SAVE database that a few states use to identify noncitizens. SAVE has major potential, but has limited current utility for various reasons, one being that officials must possess a specific identifying number issued to noncitizens in order to verify their citizenship status. Some states DMVs do provide election officials with lists of noncitizens, but they are incomplete, and cooperation is uneven among the states. The NVRA turned DMVs into Americas main registration hubs, but they are reluctant participants and are typically uninterested in doing no more than what the law requires. Naysayers will point to the serious criminal penalties for noncitizens registering and voting but cannot deny the very unserious safeguards preventing this from happening. It is imperative that federal policymakers fix the NVRA and HAVA and streamline access to federal and state records to empower election officials to ensure only eligible citizens can participate in our elections. Justin Riemer is Senior Advisor and Counsel to Restoring Integrity and Trust in Elections (RITE) and a partner at First Street Law. The U.S. is beating up on Canada. The friendship between the U.S. and Canada is historic but has fallen into an inexplicable confrontation. Bizarrely, President Trump has proposed that a fellow member of the powerful Group of Seven major economic powers should dissolve and become just another American state. Trump labels Canadas favorable trade balance with the U.S. as a subsidy. He's still threatening a 25 per cent tariff on imports from Canada ignoring the offsetting balances favoring the U.S. for trade in services and economic investment. He says he will apply similar tactics to other countries, including other close allies. Trump asserts his America First policy and to achieve this he steps away from the leadership of alliances, preferring to pressure rather than partner. His policy has deep roots, beginning with Sen. Henry Cabot Lodge in 1919. The highly esteemed Republican senator said, I must think of the United States first ... for if the United States fails, the best hopes of mankind fail with it. In short, America must lead and others should see its go-it-alone leadership as being in their own best interest. For Canada and other countries with proud national histories, powerful economies and enormous contributions to the common advance of civilization, this policy comes as a shock. They may simply acquiesce, provide a semblance of acceptance by appeasement, or assert their own places in the international community. They cannot pursue business as usual or hope for its return after Trump leaves the White House. Theres no going back. He embodies a change in the global political setting weve left behind the democratic Liberalism that was on the rise since World War Two. Sharing the North American continent makes Canada particularly vulnerable. As the larger player, Trumps U.S. seeks to dominate Canada and believes it is too dependent to resist. If Canada responds by reciting its past cooperation, contributions and common goals, they do not compare for him with the perceived unfair trade deficit. The Canadian economy equals Russias. It is the second largest country in area, surpassed only by Russia. Like the United States, it is rich in natural resources. It is virtually always a player on the international stage. But, at least to the U.S., Canadian partnership looks like Canadian dependence. Explaining diminished American concern about Russias aggression in Ukraine, Trump emphasizes, We have a big, beautiful ocean as separation. Canadas vast territory, like the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans, also provides a big, beautiful separation from Russia. The U.S. is the dependent on Canada here. Many Americans, possibly including Trump, believe that Canadians are just like Americans. Perhaps thats why people may believe that Canada as the 51st state is not as absurd as it really is. Canada has its own character and, in important ways, that matters. Health care, gun control, and abortion policies reflect the difference. As a confederation Canada has ten provinces, similar to states. Canada should make its own case. In a changed world, Canada need not change its character, but it may have to improve its personality. Modesty must not stand in the way of it taking independent action and asserting its role. Not only could that benefit the international community, but it could be the answer to America First. The Canadian armed forces must contribute more to continental defense, especially given the opening of the Arctic Ocean. Defense is not about the percentage of GDP being spent, but rather about whats needed for national security and international influence. Canada should not allow itself to be isolated, becoming a U.S. satellite. Its intelligence links with its allies must be improved. If it shares worries that trade arrangements are crumbling, it should develop its own proposal and bring the U.S. and Mexico to the table without waiting for Washingtons lead. As American military relations with Canada and Europe are loosening, the next time the European leaders meet to plan a joint Ukraine and defense strategy, Canada should be there. A common stance between Canada and Europe makes both military and economic sense. The answer to American nationalism should not be more nationalism. The victim of this short-term crisis may be a loss of trust of others in the U.S. The best answer is self-confidence and the creation of alternatives. Donald Trump plays to a world audience. The leaders of strong and independent countries, like Canada, must answer. That requires new partnerships and common action. The U.S. is not alone as the best hope of mankind, requiring others to follow. It is the greatest power, but it needs strong partners for balance, insight and burden sharing. Canada could do much to make that happen. Gordon L. Weil, a contributor to the Macdonald-Laurier Institutes Center for North American Prosperity and Security, has written for the Washington Post, the Financial Times and other publications. He served on the U.S. Senate and EU staffs and headed state government agencies. A California sheriff's deputy donned rescue gear and swam out into a canal to save two frightened dogs. ADVERTISEMENT The Fresno County Sheriff's Office said a citizen called recently to report two dogs trapped in the Friant Kern Canal, near McKinley and Viau Avenue in the Sanger area. "When the citizen attempted to rescue the dogs, they became frightened and swam away," the sheriff's office said on social media. Deputies responded alongside a Fresno Humane Animal Services officer and they started attempting to coax the canines closer to dry land. "Almost 45 minutes later, the dogs made their way to a small landing inside the canal, but were still unable to get out," the post said. A deputy with search and rescue experience donned rescue gear and went out into the water. He was able to leash the dogs with ropes supplied by rescuers and members of the public and bring them both back to safety. Music artists and longtime friends Brandi Carlile and Elton John will star in a concert special arriving April 6 on CBS. ADVERTISEMENT The special, titled An Evening with Elton John Brandi Carlile , will air at 8 p.m. EDT and stream live for Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers. The show will be available on-demand the next day on Paramount+. Filmed March 26 at the Palladium Theatre in London, John, 77, and Carlile, 43, will perform songs from their forthcoming album, Who Believes in Angels?, set for release April 4. The duo will also perform some of their greatest hits. In addition, John and Carlile invite "the audience into an intimate sit-down conversation on stage that will pull back the curtain on their 20-year friendship, the profound journey behind their latest collaboration and share intimate footage from their process," a press release reads. John recently appeared in the documentary Never Too Late and was named Time's Icon of the Year. Carlile performed during the SNL 50: Homecoming Concert in February to honor Saturday Night Live. Kat Graham and Sherri Shepherd were among the stars who attended the New York premiere of Tyler Perry's film Duplicity Tuesday. ADVERTISEMENT Graham, 35, wore a black dress with a gold jewelry to the screening at the Museum of Modern Art. In the movie, she portrays Marley, an attorney whose best friend's husband was fatally shot by police. "She is tasked with uncovering the truth behind the murder of her best friend Fela's husband," an official synopsis reads. "With the help of her boyfriend -- a former cop turned private investigator -- Marley's search for what really happened leads her down a treacherous maze of deception." Meagan Tandy, who stars as Fela, wore a green dress to the premiere, while Tyler Lepley, who plays Marley's boyfriend, wore a deep red jacket. Shepherd, who recently starred in Harlem, also attended Tuesday's ceremony wearing a glittering black skirt and jacket. Other attendees included Perry, who wrote and directed the film, and cast members Joshua Adeyeye, RonReaco Lee, Nick Barrotta, Jimi Stanton and Shannon Lanier. The film premieres Thursday on Prime Video. Lifetime / Reality TV World By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 03/18/2025 ADVERTISEMENT FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. star Juan Franco has claimed Karla Juarez and her family are blackmailing him and his estranged wife created a fake social media account to "bully" him."I'm being threatened and blackmailed under an NDA, bot accounts, this is crazy! WOW!!!" Juan captioned a tell-all video he posted on Instagram.Juan and Karla appeared to get along great and have fun with each other on 's 18th season, resulting in fans rooting for them as a couple and wanting to see more of their dance parties and music sessions.But Juan was lacking an attraction to Karla, and she, in turn, was left craving affection and validation that simply never came. The couple therefore chose to get a divorce on "Decision Day."While Juan and Karla were friends when they filmed the reunion special in Chicago one year after "Decision Day," their relationship has taken a drastic turn for the worse since then."I really, truly hate that it has come to this. It's sad," Juan said in his Instagram video.Juan insisted that he's only publicly discussed matters he and Karla previously agreed would be okay to air on ."The worst part about this is there were a lot of things that happened behind the scenes in confidentiality, and there are things that Karla did on the show, which I won't talk about because I don't want to hurt her personal integrity and reputation," Juan claimed."There are three things that Karla did that I should've just stepped away, but I didn't. I kept going out of respect and I'm never going to publicly talk about those."Juan also said Karla's family has things "that are confidential to their life" and he's not commenting on any of that."And these are confidential things that we signed NDAs and said that we weren't going to share. And they are literally blackmailing me because I'm talking my truth," Juan claimed."I'm being asked, 'Why didn't you like Karla?' Look, I'm not saying anything that wasn't televised! These were all things that were televised, and these were all concerns, and we talked about them."Juan insisted he had talked about his issues with Karla on the show and so his recent revelations on social media about why he didn't want to stay married shouldn't come as a surprise to viewers."So now they want me to change my narrative and they're blackmailing me. They are blackmailing me and telling me that if I don't talk nice about Karla -- which is basically what they're saying -- then, you know, I mean, it's crazy!" Juan alleged."I hate that this is happening, you know? I really thought highly of Karla and her family until now, because this is just crazy."Juan went on to claim that Karla created "a bot account" just to "go after" him and "talk crap about" his new girlfriend, whom he had debuted on Instagram last week."Who knows what they're going to post on that account," Juan said."And I'd just hate for this to go into legal [proceedings], you know, because I don't want it to go that way. I should be able to speak my truth without having people blackmail me and tell me things that were in confidentiality."Juan repeated how the situation is "sad" and "crazy.""This is truly crazy. I didn't think that I was going to have to deal with this. I should be able to speak my truth about my experience on and why it didn't work out with Karla," Juan stated.Juan said that while he had called Karla out during filming for her alleged faults or flaws, he chose not to "make a huge deal" out of them "like everybody else did."Juan continued, "I just respected her and said, 'Look, I don't agree with this, but let's have fun and let's keep going and see where we gel.' And we never gelled. We never gelled. Period. And that's it guys."Juan noted that he has "nothing" against Karla and her family but their alleged retaliation against him is "too much.""If you guys know her, reach out to her and say, 'Look, you need to relax. He had his experience on the show and it's a valid experience.' I mean, I should be able to talk about everything that was televised," Juan said."I'm not talking about anything that happened in confidentiality or private. And making accounts to bully me? This is just crazy. I never thought it was going to come to this, but, anyways, it is what it is."Juan revealed that if the alleged bullying and blackmailing goes any further, he will have to take the next step in defending himself."If it goes further, you know, I have a lawyer. He is already engaged and we will go after whoever we need to go after, if they're jeopardizing my integrity and reputation -- because this is wild. This is wild," Juan concluded.In a separate Instagram post, Juan called Karla "immature" for her alleged antics on social media.He also wrote to his followers, "[Karla] is not complying with [my] divorce request although we're protected by a contract. Karla has no issue calling out others' flaws telling them [they're] grimy, but when called out about her decisions on TV, she gets offended and has now created a bot account to bully me. This is sad."Juan added, "She came on my page to leave a crappy comment about me and my girlfriend...sad human being. God bless her."According to @MAFSfan, Karla's sister showed support for Karla on social media after Juan posted his rant on Instagram."Ouuwee Juancho, now that you got that off your chest, do you want to tell them the REAL reason it didn't work out and the BIG secret Karla has to keep for you after only knowing you for 24 hours... I'll sit here and wait," Karla's sister wrote.Juan replied to her, "Hey there, I never said anything about Karla on here that everyone didn't already see on TV except the fact that I wasn't fond of her attitude behind the scenes. Even that [was shown on TV] on the honeymoon."Karla's sister responded, "It's not blackmail. It's an invitation to speak the truth. Trying to defame Karla with your lies will not get rid of your insecurities Juanchito."Juan revealed specific reasons as to why he wasn't attracted to Karla and wanted to divorce her in his Instagram video.Part 2 of the : Chicago Reunion airs Tuesday, March 18 at 8PM ET/PT on Lifetime.Interested in more news? Join our Married at First Sight Facebook Group or click here to view our newspage!And click here for more updates on former cast members and info on where they are now! Instagram / Jenn Tran By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 03/18/2025 ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. alum Jenn Tran has returned to Miami to finish her Physician Assistant schooling.In a new Instagram video, Jenn wrote over video footage of herself getting ready, "Let's talk move to Miami," and she captioned her post, "The start of a new chapter!!!"Jenn told her followers in the video, "Get ready with me in Miami in my new apartment! What?!"Jenn elaborated, "Let's talk about the elephant in the room. Yes, I am in Miami. Yes, I am in my new apartment in Miami because I am going back to my normal life!""I am a PA student again," Jenn confirmed. "And I am very, very happy."Jenn left her "normal life" and pursued fame when she competed on Joey Graziadei 's season of The Bachelor, which filmed in late 2023 and aired in early 2024.Although Jenn didn't win Joey's heart on The Bachelor's 28th season, she went on to star on 's 21st season.Jenn got engaged to Devin Strader during her season finale, but they were already broken up by the time they filmed After the Final Rose last year. (Devin debuted his new girlfriend , Skyler Springstun, in February)."Let's be transparent. I took a year off of PA school and it's been so incredible," Jenn continued in her video."Who would have thought I would have said that? But my life has truly turned around."Following Jenn's devastating breakup in which Devin had allegedly slowly ghosted her and then dumped her in a brief phone call, Jenn competed on Dancing with the Stars' 33rd season and sparked romance rumors with her pro partner Sasha Farber Jenn fell in love with dancing and performing during her Dancing with the Stars stint, but she said her biggest passion in life is "helping people."Jenn continued, "PA school is just something that I've always dreamed of doing and completing. I only have a year left, so I knew in my heart that I had to go back."Jenn therefore shared that she had moved back to Miami about a month-and-a-half ago. Since then, she has stayed in two different apartments."I have a beautiful corner apartment with so many windows! I can't wait to give you guys a tour," Jenn boasted of her current place.Jenn admitted she still has a lot of boxes to unpack and her situation is a "hot mess.""It feels very bittersweet to be back because I love L.A. so much and I want to move there one day, so this apartment in Miami is very temporary right now," Jenn concluded.On 's 21st season, Jenn had flipped the script and proposed marriage to Devin at the Final Rose Ceremony that filmed in May 2024.After a tumultuous two months -- in which Jenn claimed Devin never prioritized her or made an effort to see her -- Devin broke up with Jenn in August of that year.On : After the Final Rose special in September 2024, Jenn announced that Devin's behavior before and after their split was excruciating, especially when he had followed The Bachelor alum Maria Georgas after the show and allegedly sent multiple women DMs on Instagram.On After the Final Rose, Devin didn't explain why exactly he had fallen out of love with Jenn and decided to dump her, except for saying that he "fell short" of her expectations for him in the real world."I found myself not being able to live up to the things that you need and deserve," Devin acknowledged during the finale broadcast.To make matters worse, Devin released personal text messages with Jenn from May through August 2024 alongside a 13-minute, tell-all video about his "truth" and "false narratives" about him on September 10, a week after finale aired on ABC.Devin claimed that despite Jenn's side of the story , he had been very "present" during their relationship and never ghosted Jenn or refused to attend couples counseling.Jenn therefore admitted to former The Bachelor star Nick Viall in Fall 2024 that she was outraged by Devin's invasion of her privacy and would likely have "trust issues" when dating men going forward.Sasha then helped Jenn to heal and move on. They appeared to soft launch a romance in December 2024.When rumors began to swirl about the status of Jenn and Sasha's relationship, Devin took opportunities to slam Sasha on social media.Devin, for instance, poked fun at Sasha's name for being a girl's name, and he also snapped that Sasha is "half the man" he is.On March 7, 2025, Sasha allowed fans to think he was hard launching his relationship with Jenn.Sasha posted a photo in which he and Jenn were walking his two dogs, and he captioned it, "Find a girl that looks at you like this."However, the second photo of the carousel showed one of the dogs looking at Sasha with adoration and love during the walk.Interested in more The Bachelor news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group K cans are compact suppressors, designed to be short, nimble, and maneuverable. This reduces the overall length of your weapon system, making it easier to handle inside structures and tight spaces. However, physics never takes a holiday, so a smaller silencer will take a hit on sound suppression compared to a larger one. Everythings a trade-off, and its a bargain that many operators leaving the wire and armed citizens wanting to defend their homes are willing to strike. That said, a short suppressor is still a suppressor, so itll still protect your hearing and those around you. WOLFPACK ARMORY DISRUPTOR 556K SPECS: Caliber: 5.56mm Length: 4.75 inches Diameter: 1.6 inches Weight: 7.8 ounces MSRP: $559 Based in West Virginia, Wolfpack Armory specializes in building custom and high-performance AR rifles and pistols in various calibers, including 7.62x39mm. Theyve also added suppressors to their portfolio, with their Disruptor line. It includes standard and long 30-caliber cans technically .358 cans, so they accommodate larger calibers like 9mm and .338 as well as standard and K-sized 5.56mm-specific silencers. Its that latter model that were reviewing here, the Disruptor 556K. True to K-can form, the Disruptor 556K is a tidy package at 4.75 inches long and 1.6 inches in diameter, weighing just 7.8 ounces without a mount. The blast chamber is threaded 1.37524 to accept industry-standard HUB mount adapters. The can comes with Wolfpack Armorys low-profile Plan B HUB adapter, as well as their Night Howler Plan B flash hider that you can mount on your host this is a nice touch and a $69 and $89 value, respectively. The silencer comes with a threaded endcap; its 1.12528, so its compatible with various aftermarket endcaps if you decide to swap it out, for example for a flash hider endcap. The Disruptor is machined from 17-4 stainless steel and is fully TIG-welded. There are four baffles in the K can; theyre traditional baffles but theyre clipped and vented. Its full-auto rated with a minimum barrel length of 10.5 inches. While the baffles are all welded, the suppressor is designed to be rebuilt and comes with a lifetime warranty. Wolfpack can re-core the baffles as needed. We tested the Disruptor 556K on a 16-inch Foxtrot Mike rifle. The point of impact shift between unsuppressed and suppressed was approximately 2 MOA; group sizes didnt appreciably change one way or another. Wolfpacks Plan B accessories are nicely machined and worked well. When detaching and reattaching the can, it consistently returned to zero within about 0.25 MOA. Average muzzle velocity per our Garmin Xero C1 Pro changed by less than 10 fps. As a K can, the little Disrupter wasnt super quiet, but it delivered solid performance for its size. Wolfpack will be updating the endcap that ships with the suppressor to be wipe-compatible for additional sound mitigation as desired. Wed classify the gas blowback as moderate. The Disrupters design is clean and understated, with good machining. Wolfpack ships a pair of spanner wrenches in the package, and there are convenient notches on the suppressor so you can comfortably crank on it. Since its fully welded, you cant disassemble it for servicing, so you can soak it for a while or dump it in a sonic cleaner. Available finishes include C-series Cerakote in black and flat dark earth, or raw heat-treated if youre looking for extra sexy bling. The Wolfpack Armory Disruptor 556K is compact and light, handling very well on short guns and 16-inchers too. Its reasonably priced, with street prices likely even lower. Its a solid choice for a defensive or duty weapon where handling is a key priority. And you can always opt for the standard-length Disrupter if you want to tip the scales toward more sound mitigation. Nokias Senior Vice President for the Middle East and Africa, Mikko Lavanti, has reaffirmed the companys commitment to the region, stating that it remains a key area for growth. He emphasised that Nokia will not be defocusing on the market, in contrast to rival Ericsson, which appears to have taken a different approach. In an interview with Developing Telecoms at the recently concluded Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Lavanti highlighted the opportunities in key markets, particularly Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Somalia. He revealed that some operator customers had asked current CEO Pekka Lundmark whether Nokia planned to follow its Nordic rival Ericsson in de-prioritising the MENA region. Earlier this year, Ericsson merged its Europe and Middle East & Africa divisions, a move CEO Borje Ekholm said would improve customer experience and efficiencies. However, some in the industry have interpreted this as Ericsson shifting focus towards markets where it holds a stronger position. We are actually not doing the same, as we continue to grow in the region, said Lavanti. We have grown significantly in the Middle East and Africa over the last three years, and we will continue to grow this year as well. According to Nokias Q4 2024 financial results, the Middle East and Africa division was the companys fourth-largest regional unit by net sales, contributing 633 million. Growth markets: Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Somalia Lavanti pointed to several countries where Nokia sees significant growth opportunities. In Saudi Arabia, operators STC, Mobily, and Zain acquired spectrum in the 600MHz, 700MHz, and 3800MHz bands in November 2024. Nokia is supplying equipment for all three operators as they develop their networks using these frequencies. Additionally, the company is securing deals as part of the Saudi governments initiative to expand rural connectivity. Nokia is also a key supplier for STC, which recently won a $8.7 billion government contract to build a 4G network for seven of the countrys 23 ministries. Similar developments are expected in Pakistan and Iraq, where operators are set to auction 5G licences later this year. We met yesterday with the [Pakistani] regulator, and the auction is expected to take place in the second quarter of this year, Lavanti said. Turning to Africa, Lavanti expects a wave of 5G licence awards and deployments across the continent. He also revealed that Nokia had won key tenders in Somalia, securing contracts to supply operators in the capital, Mogadishu. However, he acknowledged the challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa, where Chinese vendors like Huawei and ZTE hold a dominant position. New Leadership at Nokia Last month, Nokia announced that CEO Pekka Lundmark will step down, making way for Intel EVP & GM of Data Centre and AI, Justin Hotard, as the company shifts its strategy in pursuit of growth. On Hotards appointment, Lavanti commented: Justin brings a strong background in AI and data centres, which I see as a key driver for our mobile networks business, as well as our network infrastructure, cloud, and network services businesses. Im looking forward to gaining more insights from his experience at Intel and HP, and Im very pleased that we have someone with his expertise on board. A slew of bright, handwritten signs held by demonstrators and chants of union power surrounded the University of Georgia Arch Wednesday afternoon at a rally held by UGAs chapter of United Campus Workers of Georgia. The rally was in retaliation of federal funding cuts set forth by the Trump administration that have the potential to affect research, campus workers and educational quality a point of political tension that has been prominent across the nation for the past several months. The University of Georgias dozens of different undergraduate certificate programs provide students with the opportunity to take classes in a more focused and professional environment. A certificate, similar to a minor, requires students to take classes in one specified field of study, though minors are often not as focused and can require more classes. The Lyndon House Arts Center will launch the Circulating Stamp Project on the evening of Thursday, March 20, and will continue the event on April 17 and May 15. The project offers visitors the chance to create their own limited-edition postcard while visiting art venues around Athens across three separate Third Thursday events this spring. 'Expect India to keep doing well irrespective of geopolitics.' Singapore's sovereign wealth fund GIC, which started investing in India over 30 years ago, marks 15 years of its on-ground presence in the country. Lim Chow Kiat, CEO, and Pankaj Sood, head of direct investments, India & Africa, private equity and head of India office, discuss their investment approach, sectoral bets, and why they see India as a long-term growth market despite the current market meltdown in an interaction with Jaden Mathew Paul and Dev Chatterjee/Business Standard in Mumbai. Do you see the current geopolitical climate, including the US president's warnings to India on reciprocal tariffs as a challenge to the Indian economy? Lim: There is a significant degree of uncertainty, given all these changes are happening geopolitically. Every country is looking at this very closely. But I would say geopolitically, India enjoys a good position. India is able to have this sphere of independence. On that front, we are quite positive. In fact, we think India will continue to attract more investment as companies diversify their supply chain. I'm hopeful that more foreign direct investment and other investments would happen. This will help create more jobs and build up the middle class in India. How much has GIC invested in India so far? Lim: We don't go down to that sort of detail. In the last five years, we have doubled our exposures to India. In terms of numbers, in financial services alone, including banks, non-banking financial companies, insurance and asset management, our investment is around $20 billion as of today. That's a sector that is very in line with the Indian story of growth, expanding middle class, and digitalisation. GIC has also been very active in real estate and infrastructure, in the consumer area, in technology and healthcare. How do India's growth challenges compare to those of China? Lim: The demographics, reforms, use of technology and in recent years, large investments into physical infrastructure are really good stories that we like about India. The challenges remain in the creation of jobs as from jobs, you get income and from income, you get middle class spending. From middle class spending, you get profits. The reform measures are working and I could see more industries expanding. The other challenge that India has is the dependency on oil import that over time has been a challenge. But again we have seen policy measures and entrepreneurs working hard to sort of reduce that dependency by investing in green energy. IMAGE: CEO GIC Lim Chow-Kiat at the World Economic Forum in Davos, January 22, 2025. Photograph: Yves Herman/Reuters Will GIC's investments in 2025 exceed those in 2024, or do you anticipate a slowdown? Given the market downturn over the past six months and the decline in foreign institutional investor flows, how do you see the investment landscape shaping up? Lim: I would say valuation has improved in terms of deploying new money into the market. This market gyration, it's not all a bad thing. It creates more opportunities for deals to happen and we are seeing a good pipeline of deals. Sood: We have different teams looking at real estate infrastructure, health care, and financial services, among others. Wherever we think there is a better opportunity from a valuation cycle standpoint, we'd rather invest more than step back. Similarly, at any point in time, there are different sectors which are actually performing better and there are some sectors which pull back. We look for deployment opportunities in long-term sectors where valuations are more reasonable. Can we expect GIC to maintain the same investment momentum over the next five years and investments doubling within that time frame? Lim: Definitely we see strong momentum. I definitely would put that kind of ballpark. Sood: One has to take into account the potential of the market. We are expecting India to keep doing well, irrespective of the geopolitics as the domestic theme is very strong. Net capital outflows from FDI and FII standpoint have been marginally positive to negative whereas domestic flows are fairly strong. The Indian market has become more self-dependent from a capital point of view as well. Certain long-term investors like us could benefit from that. Are you concerned about the slowdown in consumption, particularly in urban markets? Sood: If we were very short term, we would definitely behave differently. But we think that long-term potential is still intact. I think these are times when you should be a bit more active and follow the herd. We are not saying we want to be contrarian. We are a long-term investor, and hence, our ability to weather some of these cycles in the short term allows us to be a bit more robust in our approach. Are you considering investments in the Indian IPO market? Sood: We have the entire setup in place to address such opportunities. In fact, we now have an on-the-ground public markets team, which was previously operating out of Singapore. With more space in our new office, it has physically relocated here, demonstrating commitment to the Indian listed space. Beyond this, we also have a large team in Singapore that evaluates listed investments across the entire life cycle -- pre-IPO, IPO, anchor investments in IPOs, post-IPO trading, block deals, and more. We have a team in San Francisco which is looking into startup ecosystems. Now, we have a team based here which looks into startups. India has a long-term capital gains tax, which some investors consider a hurdle for foreign investors. How do you view this? Sood: Taxes and regulations are part of the landscape for anyone investing in a country. If policies change, we just need to ensure that we understand that well and incorporate it in our equation of risk-reward and pricing, among other things. Disclaimer: This article is meant for information purposes only. This article and information do not constitute a distribution, an endorsement, an investment advice, an offer to buy or sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities/schemes or any other financial products/investment products mentioned in this article to influence the opinion or behaviour of the investors/recipients. Any use of the information/any investment and investment related decisions of the investors/recipients are at their sole discretion and risk. Any advice herein is made on a general basis and does not take into account the specific investment objectives of the specific person or group of persons. Opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice. Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com 'In this age of competition, we will not survive long if we do not provide quality service to our consumers.' IMAGE: RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra. Photograph: ANI Photo Reserve Bank of India Governor Sanjay Malhotra came down heavily on regulated entities like banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) for the spike in customer complaints in recent years, urging them to improve services and strengthen grievance redress in a time-bound manner. He said that senior executives, including chief executive officers (MDs), should spend time on the issue at least once a week. "In this age of competition, we will not survive long if we do not provide quality service to our consumers," Malhotra said in a speech on Monday at the annual conference of the RBI Ombudsmen. Commenting that the high number of customer grievances remains a serious concern, Malhotra cited data showing that complaints received under RBI's Integrated Ombudsman Scheme grew at a compound average rate of almost 50 per cent per year over the past two years, reaching 934,000 in 2023-24 (FY24). The number of complaints processed by the office of the RBI Ombudsman increased by 25 per cent, from about 235,000 in 2022-23 to almost 294,000 in 2023-24. "Not only are a large number of complaints getting escalated, but a large proportion -- nearly 57 per cent of maintainable complaints last year -- required mediation or formal intervention by the RBI Ombudsmen. "You would all agree that this is a highly unsatisfactory situation and needs our urgent attention," he said. He further noted that in FY24, the 95 scheduled commercial banks alone received over 10 million complaints from their customers. "If we take into account the complaints received by other RBI-regulated entities (REs), the number would be even higher." He warned that the 10 million complaints could grow further with a rapidly expanding customer base and an increasing range of products if banks do not take corrective action. Malhotra 'strongly' urged managing directors, CEOs, zonal and regional managers, and branch managers to dedicate time every week -- if not daily -- to grievance redress. "This is a must. All great CEOs find time to do it. We too must keep some time in our schedules to improve customer service and grievance redress," he said, emphasising that the goal should not only be to resolve complaints but also to ensure similar issues do not recur. He also asked REs to review their grievance redress systems. "Improving systems to reduce grievances is important, but setting up a robust grievance redress system is equally crucial for all REs." He suggested that large REs should have at least two levels of grievance redress, with unresolved issues escalating from a lower to a higher level. "The highest level should be at a fairly senior rank to ensure that requests are not rejected without being examined by a functionary empowered to make consumer-friendly decisions," he said. According to Malhotra, some of the major areas requiring improvement include know-your-customer (KYC) norms, digital frauds, mis-selling, and aggressive recovery practices. Speaking specifically on KYC, he said banks must ensure that once a customer has submitted documents to a financial institution, they are not asked to provide the same documents again. He said that once a customer updates their details with one RE of any financial sector regulator, the information is recorded in the Central KYC Records Registry (CKYCRR) and other REs are notified of the update. However, he pointed out that most banks and NBFCs have not enabled CKYCRR in their branches or business outlets, causing avoidable inconvenience to customers. "This should be facilitated at the earliest. It is in everyone's best interest." He also raised concerns about digital fraud, saying that unsuspecting customers continue to fall prey to scammers. "To combat this menace, REs need to not only put in place robust internal controls but also enhance digital financial literacy," he said. Looking ahead, Malhotra said artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionise grievance redress. "Integrating AI at every stage -- from complaint lodging to closure -- can create a seamless, efficient, and data-driven grievance redress system." At the same time, he cautioned banks and NBFCs to be mindful of the challenges and risks associated with AI adoption. "There are concerns about data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the complexity of AI-driven models... Human oversight, bias mitigation, and data privacy protections must be built into AI systems to ensure transparent and consistent outcomes," he said. Finally, he stressed the importance of maintaining the human element in an increasingly data-driven, automated world. "It is, therefore, critical that REs continue investing in human resources dedicated to customer service and grievance redress. "Training staff -- especially in behavioural aspects of customer service -- is essential," he added. Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com With India's EV penetration at just 2.5 per cent, the market presents an opportunity -- provided Tesla gets its pricing right. IMAGE: Model Y, Tesla's cheapest offering, starts at $35,000 in the US. Photograph: Kind courtesy, Makara Heng/Pexels Tesla is set to make its India debut with a 4,000-odd sq ft showroom in Mumbai's Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), one of the country's most expensive commercial hubs. Reports suggest a preliminary rental agreement has been signed at Rs 35 lakh per month. Since the news broke, there has been a debate on whether the Austin-based electric vehicle (EV) giant can succeed in the price-sensitive Indian market or will it need to compromise on profits. At 10,000 units a month, the Indian battery electric vehicle (BEV) market is, after all, relatively small. The potential impact on domestic EV manufacturers, government policies, and the broader market also remain subjects of speculation. In his recently published analysis, Sathyanarayana Kabirdas, vice president-Mobility at US-headquartered consultancy Frost & Sullivan, wrote that India's EV market is set for strong growth, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 34.5 per cent between 2023 and 2030. India Energy Storage Alliance estimates that cumulative EV sales crossed 4.1 million in FY 2023-24 (FY24), and it expects the number of operational EVs to exceed 28 million by 2030, he wrote. This growth potential is a lure for Tesla which saw a sales drop in 2024, after more than a decade of growth. IMAGE: A Tesla Model 3 electric vehicle in Haikou, Hainan province, China. Photograph: Casey Hall/Reuters Tesla dominates the US BEV market with a 40 per cent share of the US market of 1.3 million units; it holds 20 per cent in Europe (1.9 million units) and 10-12 per cent in China (11 million units, including hybrids). However, it faces mounting challenges. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), Tesla's 2024 European Union (EU) sales fell 13 per cent, with Germany seeing the largest decline at 41 per cent. As a result, the company's European market share dropped from 1.8 per cent to 1 per cent, and in January, sales fell 45 per cent year-on-year despite overall EV sales rising 37 per cent. Some say this is the impact of CEO Elon Musk's political interventions on European buyers. In the US, its home market, Tesla's sales fell 5.6 per cent in 2024 (633,762 units), marking its first decline since 2011. In contrast, China bucked the trend, with sales rising 8.8 per cent to a record 657,000-plus cars last year. However, recent reports suggest a year-on-year dip in its January 2025 sales in China. Tesla's global sales of 1.79 million cars in 2024 narrowly outpaced BYD (1.76 million), whose sales grew 12.1 per cent. Facing stiff competition, Tesla has been cutting its global workforce and offering incentives, such as a 10,000-yuan loan discount in China for one of its best-selling models, Model Y, and zero-interest loans for Model 3 and Model Y. Photograph: Mike Blake/Reuters Pricing it right With India's EV penetration at just 2.5 per cent, the market presents an opportunity -- provided Tesla gets its pricing right. Analysts at brokerage CLSA believe even a $25,000 Tesla EV wouldn't significantly threaten domestic automakers. Tesla's most affordable models -- Model 3 and Model Y -- start at $35,000 ex-factory in the US. For India, the company would either need to strip down features or accept losses. Even if India lowers import duties to 15-20 per cent, Tesla's prices would remain significantly higher than locally made electric SUVs from domestic players like Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki India, and Hyundai. CLSA said if Tesla launches a BEV at $25,000, it would come with meaningfully compromised features compared to its global models. Meanwhile, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in India already offer compelling features and competitive pricing. BNP Paribas analysts echo this sentiment. In our view, local production won't make sense unless Tesla can reduce the price to under $30,000 to allow for mass volumes in India, BNP analysts said. The average price of cars sold in India is Rs 11 lakh ($13,000). BNP said it estimated about 25 per cent of the industry volume to be of models priced above $23,000, which would be most at risk if Tesla launches a product below $30,000. The Indian automotive market offers an annual volume of around 1 million cars priced above $23,000. To tap into this segment, Tesla will need a lower-priced model, ideally under $30,000 and manufactured locally, BNP added. With the focus shifting to robotaxi and robotics, Tesla has, however, scrapped its low-cost Model 2 project, making a budget-friendly India-focused model unlikely. Additionally, its plans for a cost-efficient unboxed assembly process and a new plant in Mexico have been shelved. So analysts don't expect a similar setup in India. IMAGE: A Tesla car at a charging station. Photograph: Thomas Peter/Reuters A skewed policy? Tesla's arrival is also expected to influence India's EV import duty structure. Currently, India imposes a 110 per cent duty (including agriculture cess) on EVs priced above $40,000, a policy analysts believe may change following reciprocal tariffs from the US. Reports indicate a new EV policy is in the works, which may reduce import duty to 15 per cent. This would come with conditions: That automakers invest at least $500 million in local manufacturing (over and above land and basic infrastructure); start manufacturing within three years; and achieve 25 per cent domestic value addition (to be increased to 50 per cent within five years). The new policy would reportedly also allow OEMs to import 8,000 units annually at lower tariff for EVs priced above $35,000. The OEMs would be required to generate Rs 2,500 crore in revenue in year two, Rs 5,000 crore in year four, and Rs 7,500 crore in year five. Analysts at HSBC Research say that assuming an average selling price of Rs 35 lakh, Tesla would need to sell 7,000 units in year two, 14,000 in year four, and 21,000 by year five to meet these revenue requirements. Meanwhile, auto stocks have corrected in recent weeks amid speculation that the new policy may be tailored for Tesla's entry, creating an uneven playing field. We've invested over Rs 4,000 crore in India, but past investments have not been considered. This policy seems designed to accommodate Tesla, said the managing director of a leading foreign automaker, which also has an EV portfolio (he did not wish to be named). Analysts at HSBC Research also said it would be an unfair policy for the existing personal vehicle (PV) industry -- by being favourable towards imported vehicles over domestically manufactured internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. They added that lower import duty would require an investment of $500 million, which is not significant. Compare it to Mahindra and Mahindra's EV-focused capex from FY25 to FY27, which is $1.45 billion, HSBC Research said. A senior auto executive said the market buzz is that Tesla's initial shipments will come from its Berlin factory, which will produce right-hand-drive Model Y vehicles for India. Tesla, he added, will stir the market due to its strong brand appeal and tech-forward positioning. However, India is both price- and value-sensitive. Consumers here demand feature-rich cars, and potentially stripped-down Tesla models may not be enticing, he said. The Model 3, Tesla's cheapest offering, starts at $35,000 in the US. Even with reduced tariffs, road tax, and insurance, its Indian on-road price would be $40,000 (Rs 35-40 lakh). If Tesla positions itself 20-50 per cent higher than models like the Maruti e Vitara, Hyundai Creta E, and the Mahindra XEV 9e, it may not disrupt the domestic EV landscape significantly. Mahindra's XEV 9e and BE 6 secured 30,179 bookings on launch day, with a booking value of Rs 8,472 crore (ex-showroom) noteworthy, given that India's total EV passenger vehicle sales stood at 100,000 units in calendar 2024. Long-term impact India's BEV penetration stands at 2.4 per cent, compared to 12 per cent globally and 30 per cent in China. With narrowing cost differences between ICE and EVs, alongside stricter emission norms (CAFE III and IV), CLSA projects BEV penetration in India could reach 15 per cent by FY28, and 25 per cent by FY30. Even if Tesla captures 10-20 per cent of India's EV market by FY30, its overall PV market share would be just 2-5 per cent. At the recent Business Standard Manthan summit, India's G20 Sherpa and former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant dismissed concerns over Tesla dominating the market. Tatas and Mahindras will not allow Tesla to succeed; their prices are very competitive, Kant said. Tesla's presence, though, could accelerate EV adoption and drive greater consumer awareness. Tesla's ability to leverage reduced import duties could prompt other luxury automakers to adjust their pricing, Kabirdas wrote in his analysis. The new dynamics the company creates may prompt further policy adjustments to encourage EV adoption and support local manufacturers to compete effectively against foreign entrants, he wrote. Also, Tesla's "direct-to-consumer model may disrupt India's traditional dealership network, forcing automakers to rethink distribution strategies," Kabirdas wrote. Clearly, Tesla's success in India will depend on how well it navigates complex regulations, local sourcing norms, and foreign investment rules. For now, all eyes are on Musk's next move. Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com An ACMA-BCG report has targeted Indian auto component exports to hit $100 billion - nearly a fivefold increase from $21 billion currently. Photograph: Kind courtesy Amit Dave/Reuters Automotive (auto) component companies see a new opportunity to increase their exports manifold -- if India signs a bilateral agreement with the US, even after tweaking tariffs in this sector. An ACMA-BCG report has targeted Indian auto component exports to hit $100 billion -- nearly a fivefold increase from $21 billion currently. But for North America, India is a small market for auto component imports, accounting for 4 per cent ($6.7 billion) of its total requirement of $170 billion annually. However, for Indian auto component exporters, it is their largest market, accounting for 31 per cent of total exports of $21 billion. The US has been importing large amounts of components from Mexico, which accounts for a 38 per cent share of US auto component imports in key products like axles, brakes, steering systems, and wheels and rims, according to the ACMA-BCG report. According to the report, Mexican components are 2-5 per cent cheaper than Indian ones due to lower logistics and energy costs, as well as zero-duty tariffs -- giving them a cost advantage over India. Also, US carmakers are deeply integrated into the Mexican supply chain, with components moving to and from freely due to the free trade agreement. However, the 25 per cent duty imposed by the US -- which has now been deferred for a month -- if implemented, could turn the tide in India's favour. Import duties on auto components in India range from 5-15 per cent. So even if the US imposes reciprocal duties, Indian exports would still be cheaper and more attractive than those from Mexico. If India pushes its tariffs to zero, exports could become even more lucrative. But will this reduction impact Indian component players, as they will now have to face global competition with little or no protection? Photograph: Kind courtesy Tomasz Mikolajczyk/Pixabay A senior executive of an auto component maker says: The fact is that Indian auto components are already globally competitive; otherwise, we wouldn't be selling to the US, Europe, and all over the world. AND WE HAVE Ftas WITH Japan and KOREA. " In the case of China, the world's largest exporter of auto components, the US market has already been shrinking. Previous tariff regimes (Section 301 of the US Trade Act, which imposed a 25 per cent duty) have already caused Chinese exports to the US to decline from $31 billion in 2018 to $26 billion in 2023. This has also made Chinese components 20-25 per cent more expensive than Indian ones in major categories. And this could worsen, with Trump now proposing an additional 20% duty on all Chinese goods, creating a major opportunity for India to gain market share. However, a word of caution for Indian auto component players: while Chinese exports to the US have fallen, they have circumvented tariffs by shifting production to Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries, where exports to the US face no duties. India's auto component push: The US opportunity Untapped potential: India supplies just 4% of US auto imports, leaving room to grow Mexico leads: Holds a 38% share of US imports, dominating key segments Cost gap: Indian components are 2-5% pricier than Mexico's due to its FTA with the US Tariff twist: A 25% duty on Mexico could give Indian exports a price edge China's decline: India is already 20-25% cheaper than China, and new tariffs may widen the gap Competitive edge: Indian manufacturers assert they can take on global competition Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com ENTERPRISE Its called Walk Hard for a reason, said Ben Hollensworth as he helped his fraternity brothers soaking their feet in ice water as they waited for the rest of their group to arrive at the first stop of a 128.3 mile walk to Panama City Beach, Florida. Hollensworth is president of Troy Universitys chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity that spends their Spring break each year walking 128.3 miles to raise awareness about and funds for veterans served by Jeep Sullivans Bonifay, Fla., based-Wounded Warrior Outdoor Adventures. Friday the group was hosted for the night at First Methodist Church in Enterprise, the first stop along the six day March to the Sea. Some 60 baked potatoes, 40 pounds of chopped barbeque, and tray after tray of homemade desserts were prepared by First Methodist Church members who hosted the 35 walkers and 13 support staff members whose trek began at 7:30 Friday morning. A table in the dining room lined with baggies filled with candies, band aids and notes of encouragement had been assembled by children and youth of the church for their guests. How it began A now-national model for the fraternity, Walk Hard, begun by four ATO brothers in 2009, has become the annual philanthropy fundraiser for Troys chapter raising funds for Jeep Sullivans Wounded Warrior Outdoor Adventures. This years Walk Hard campaign raised $140,000. Through last year, the fraternity has raised more than $775,000 for the cause. Why we do this A TU junior and physical therapy major from Mobile, Hollensworth has walked the walk and is now a member of the support team. We always get asked why we do this, and the simple answer is, Because we can, Hollensworth said. Some of the veterans that we raise money for dont have limbs anymore, they are the ones that have put their lives on the line for us and that is why we do this for them. Im so blessed to be part of this walk, he said. These 28 miles to Enterprise today was our longest leg of the journey in a single day but its a blessing that we get this opportunity. We do a practice walk of about 12 miles the month before, but to be honest, the only way to prepare for a 128-mile walk is to walk 128 miles, he said with a smile. This walk is physically draining but its mentally draining too. These walkers here are some of the bravest guys I know. It is a real test of their physical endurance, but even that is a very small price in comparison to what our veterans have done for us. To be able to help those who have sacrificed so much is truly an honor, he said. I couldnt be prouder to say that I am part of this organization, let alone to serve as president. Hollensworth had high praise for Sullivans ministry. He takes these veterans on hunting and fishing trips and while they are out there, hes also teaching them the Gospel and that means more to us than just about anything else, he said. We are privileged to get this opportunity to help. Journey After spending the night at First Methodist Church in Enterprise, the fraternity traveled to Hartford, staying the night at Hartford Baptist Church; to Bonifay, Fla. staying the night at the National Guard Armory in Bonifay; to Vernon, Fla. staying at Camp Sonrise. Tuesday the group traveled to Ebro, Fla. staying at the State Park Campsite. Wednesday, they arrived in Panama City, Fla. stopping at the Panama City Beach Visitor Center before the final stretch into Pier Park. More information For more information on Jeep Sullivans Wounded Warrior Outdoor Adventures in Bonifay, Fla., call (850) 326-1771, visit www.jeepsullivan.com, or email jeep@jeepsullivan.com. Jeep Sullivans Wounded Warrior Outdoor Adventures, Inc. is not associated with the Wounded Warrior Project. Market downturns or regulatory shifts can reduce liquidity, making it harder to buy or sell assets when needed. Kindly note the image has only been posted for representational purposes. Photograph: Kind courtesy The Digital Artist/Pixabay United States President Donald Trump on March 2, 2025, announced the creation of a US crypto strategic reserve comprising Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana, and Cardano. This move is being seen as a major step towards legitimising cryptocurrencies and one that could trigger a bull run in this asset class. Market impact The announcement led to a surge in trading volumes, with the crypto market recording inflows of nearly Rs 300 billion overnight. "Such legitimisation of cryptos by the US government could drive mainstream adoption and increase institutional participation," says Balaji Srihari, vice president, CoinSwitch. He believes that establishing a US strategic reserve could spark a global accumulation race. Bitcoin and Ethereum are expected to maintain dominance due to their first-mover advantage, security, and institutional backing. "The inclusion of XRP, Solana and Cardano in the US reserve could significantly boost their adoption," says Raj Karkara, chief operating officer, ZebPay. Sustaining this momentum will depend on policy support, effective execution, market sentiment, and economic conditions. Several factors currently favour cryptocurrencies. The launch of Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) has been a key driver. "US spot Bitcoin ETFs have driven massive institutional inflows," says Karkara. Traditional financial institutions are embracing digital assets. "BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, now recommends cryptos as part of its model portfolio to clients," says Srihari. Handling risks Despite the bullish outlook, investors must assess the risks before increasing their exposure to cryptocurrencies. Volatility: Cryptocurrencies are highly volatile. "This is due to their nascent market stage, limited depth, and sentiment-driven trading," says Abhishek Kumar, a Securities and Exchange Board of India registered investment advisor and founder, SahajMoney. Only investors with a high risk tolerance should consider investing. Regulatory uncertainty: In India, cryptos exist in a regulatory grey area. "The key risk arises from the possibility of prohibition through pending legislation. Conflicting oversight from multiple regulators (like the Reserve Bank of India and Sebi), and the possibility of abrupt policy changes and retroactive enforcement of policies add to uncertainty," says Kumar. Regulatory gaps: Cryptocurrencies operate outside frameworks designed for centralised institutions. "This creates regulatory gaps where misleading practices and security vulnerabilities can flourish," says Kumar. Crypto investments also lack traditional consumer protections such as deposit insurance and circuit breakers. Liquidity risk: Market downturns or regulatory shifts can reduce liquidity, making it harder to buy or sell assets when needed. Investors should assess their ability to handle extreme price swings before investing. Kumar advises limiting crypto exposure to 1 to 5 per cent of one's portfolio. He also recommends a minimum five-year investment horizon. Srihari warns against excessive leverage. Security considerations Investors should choose exchanges with strong security measures. "Look for an exchange that has a history of robust security measures and minimal breaches," says Prashant Mali, cyber law expert and advocate, Bombay high court. Exchanges should offer multi-factor authentication, store a significant portion of assets offline to prevent hacking, and undergo regular security audits by independent agencies. Strong know your customer practices are also essential. "Nowadays, some exchanges offer insurance to protect users against losses due to hacking, which is useful," says Mali. Tax compliance Profits from cryptocurrency sales are taxed at a flat 30 per cent (plus applicable surcharge and education cess). "Only acquisition costs can be deducted. Expenses related to transaction fees, transfer costs, etc, cannot be deducted while computing taxable gains," says Suresh Surana, a Mumbai-based chartered accountant. Tax deducted at source of 1 per cent applies to crypto transactions, except in specific cases. Crypto losses cannot be offset against other income or capital gains from other assets, nor carried forward to future financial years. Tax classification depends on transaction patterns. "If transactions are infrequent and the crypto is held for the long term, the gains generally qualify as capital gains," says Surana. Conversely, frequent trading or business activities like mining or arbitrage lead to gains being classified as business income. Investors must disclose crypto gains or losses in their income-tax returns under 'Schedule VDA (virtual digital assets)'. Resident taxpayers holding cryptos on foreign exchanges must report them under the Foreign Asset Schedule in the ITR. Individuals with over Rs 50 lakh income (and not holding VDAs for business) must disclose crypto holdings in 'Schedule AL (Assets and Liabilities)'. Disclaimer: This article is meant for information purposes only. This article and information do not constitute a distribution, an endorsement, an investment advice, an offer to buy or sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities/schemes or any other financial products/investment products mentioned in this article to influence the opinion or behaviour of the investors/recipients. Any use of the information/any investment and investment related decisions of the investors/recipients are at their sole discretion and risk. Any advice herein is made on a general basis and does not take into account the specific investment objectives of the specific person or group of persons. Opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com There has been a 71 percent reduction in incidents of terror in the country under the Modi government and terrorists will now either go to jail or jahannum (hell), Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Lok Sabha during the Budget Session, in New Delhi, March 19, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo/Sansad TV Replying to queries from members during Question Hour, the minister said unlike in the past when terrorists were glorified and served "good food", the Modi government has a '"zero tolerance" policy towards terrorism that has helped bring down the cases of terror to zero in the hinterland. He listed several steps being taken to deal with cases of terror and claimed that after an amendment in the Act governing the National Investigative Agency, it is now investigating cases on foreign land including attacks on the Indian High Commissions in London and Ottawa and the consulate in San Francisco. "Earlier, terrorists were glorified and they were served good food. Today, the Modi government is working with the policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism, which has resulted in no terror incidents in the hinterland. There has been a 71 percent decline in terror activities in the country. "This is the Modi government which will work with a firm determination to end terrorism. Terrorists will either go to jail or to 'jahannum' (hell)," Rai told the members. The minister also dismissed complaints against the National Investigation Agency, terming them baseless. "I do not agree with the charge that there are complaints against NIA. If at all there are complaints, these are concocted and baseless made by such people who are having problems with stern action being taken against terrorists," he said after CPI MP Sandosh Kumar raised the issue of alleged complaints against the federal agency. The Minister of State for Home informed the members that the NIA has also spoken to some illegal immigrants who were deported by the United States and cases of human trafficking have also come out and serious investigation is being carried out in such cases after registration of FIRs. On terror-related cases, he said special courts have been set up in Jammu and Ranchi, and 23 such courts are elsewhere in the country that exclusively deal with such matters. On the number of undertrials and convicts charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act or other terror cases, the minister said, "So far 157 cases have been decided by courts, which is 95.544 per cent of total cases. In cases of terror financing, there is 100 per cent success." Rai also took a dig at Congress member Digvijaya Singh who raised the issue of bomb blast cases since 2011 which are still pending. "The incidents referred by the member, it is important to mention the timeline of such incidents which was during their tenure. "There are zero incidents taking place now in the hinterland," he asserted. "The Modi government adopts the policy of zero tolerance against terrorism and work is seriously being carried out and the government is working to deal with terrorism sternly which has helped reduce cases of terror. He said that 57 individuals have also been "declared terrorists and since 2014 as many as nine organisations have been designated as terror organisations under the UAPA". So far, 23 organisations have been named as unlawful, he informed the house. Nityanand Rai said that during investigation in some cases where the accused had their presence outside the boundaries of India, the need to amend the NIA Act in 2019 was felt and the same was done to deal with cases of terror and use of cyber technology. Agencies were given powers to investigate outside the country in cases related to terror and human trafficking, he said. "After the 2019 amendment, the NIA is currently investigating six cases including attacks on India High Commissions in London and Ottawa and the Indian consulate in San Francisco, where terror activities were given final shape on foreign land. "Similarly, 23 cases of human trafficking and 30 bomb attacks and one case of cyber crimes are being investigated, which is helping in curbing terror activities," the minister informed the house. In his written reply to a starred question, Rai listed out several achievements of the NIA. "As on 12.03.2025, the NIA has registered 652 cases since its inception and 516 cases have been charge-sheeted; 4232 accused have been arrested so far by the NIA and 625 have been convicted. "Out of a total of 157 decided cases, 150 have resulted in conviction. The conviction rate of the NIA investigated cases is 95.54 per cent. The NIA has seized/attached a total of 551 (movable and immovable) properties under UA(P) Act, worth 116.27 crore rupees," the minister said. Seeing astronauts floating around weightlessly inside the International Space Station may be fun but the absence of gravity has its effects on long-duration space travellers, who experience dizziness, nausea and an unstable gait when they return to earth. IMAGE: NASA astronaut Sunita Williams is helped out of a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft onboard the SpaceX recovery ship MEGAN after she landed in the water off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida, Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Photograph: Keegan Barber/NASA NASA astronauts Sunita Willams and Butch Wilmore, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov returned to Earth on Wednesday onboard SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft. For Williams and Wilmore, test pilots for Boeing's new Starliner capsule, an eight-day mission stretched to more than nine months as a series of helium leaks and thruster failures deemed their spacecraft unsafe. The spacecraft returned without them in September. Astronauts who have travelled on space missions earlier have reported facing difficulty in walking, having bad eyesight, dizziness and a condition called baby feet, where space travellers lose the thick part of the skin on the soles that become soft like that of a baby. "Once the astronaut returns to Earth, they are immediately forced to readjust again, back to Earth's gravity, and can experience issues standing, stabilising their gaze, walking and turning. For their safety, returning astronauts are often placed in a chair immediately upon return to Earth," the Houston-based Baylor College of Medicine said in a note on body changes in space. It takes astronauts several weeks to recalibrate themselves to life on Earth. The vestibular organ deep inside the ear helps humans keep their bodies balanced while walking on Earth by sending information about gravity to the brain. "In the low gravity of space, the information received from the vestibular organs changes. This is thought to confuse the brain, leading to space sickness. When you return to Earth, you experience the effects of Earth's gravity again, and thus gravity sickness sometimes occurs, with similar symptoms as space sickness," the Japanese space agency JAXA said. On Earth, gravity pulls blood and other body fluids into the lower part of the body but for astronauts experiencing weightlessness in space, these fluids accumulate in the upper parts of the body, making them look bloated. "Astronauts returning to Earth often experience dizziness when standing up, known as orthostatic hypotension. This occurs because gravity on the Earth is stronger than in space, and it is more difficult to deliver blood from the heart to the head," the JAXA said. The lack of gravity causes significant and often irreparable bone density loss. According to NASA, for every month in space, astronauts' weight-bearing bones become roughly one per cent less dense if they don't take precautions to counter this loss. To help combat this, astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) have a strict exercise regimen. "Astronauts are required to exercise two hours per day, using the treadmill or stationary bicycle, to avoid the bone and muscle deterioration that occurs in zero gravity. Without this exercise, astronauts would be unable to walk or stand up when they return to Earth after months of floating in space," NASA said. Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield reported to have experienced a weightless tongue on his return from a stint at the International Space Station in 2013. "Right after I landed, I could feel the weight of my lips and tongue and I had to change how I was talking. I hadn't realised that I learned to talk with a weightless tongue," Hadfield had said. Astronauts may also be more susceptible to infection and illness due to a suppressed immune system. "While we see that immune cells do not behave in the way they should in space, so far we haven't had any severe infection on board the Space Station, so cell altered behaviour is not directly transferable to immune protection," European Space Agency's flight surgeon Sergi Vaquer said in a blog post on the agency's website. Satish Salian, father of Disha Salian, former manager of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, on Wednesday said he has moved the Bombay high court seeking a fresh probe into the mysterious circumstances under which she was found dead in June 2020. IMAGE: Disha Salian, former manager of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. Photograph: ANI Photo The petition urges the HC to order registration of a First Information Report against Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray leader Aaditya Thackeray and transfer of the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation, he said. His lawyer Nilesh Ojha, however, said they were still in the process of filing the petition, and would get it numbered at the HC registry department on Thursday. The plea alleged that Disha Salian was brutally raped and murdered, and subsequently there was a politically-orchestrated cover-up to protect certain influential persons. The petitioner initially believed that the probe conducted by the city police was genuine, but has now learnt that it was a cover-up, it said. "The Mumbai police hastily closed the death as a case of suicide or accidental death without taking into account forensic evidence, circumstantial proof and eyewitness testimonies," the plea said. Disha Salian died on June 8, 2020, after falling off the 14th floor of a residential building in suburban Malad. The city police had then registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) case. Bollywood star Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead in his apartment in suburban Bandra on June 14, 2020. While the city police initially said it was a case of suicide, the case was handed over to the CBI later. Reactions from Aaditya Thackeray or the Sena-UBT were awaited. Bharatiya Janata Party minister Nitesh Rane, meanwhile, latched on to the development to target Aaditya, a former Maharashtra minister. "Aaditya Thackeray should speak the truth. He should resign as an MLA and face the probe," Rane told reporters. The Ranes and the Thackerays have been bitter enemies ever since Nitesh Rane's father and former Maharashtra chief minister Narayan Rane left the Shiv Sena after falling out with Uddhav Thackeray. Nitesh Rane, meanwhile, also reiterated his allegations that CCTV footage of Salian's building was made to disappear and pages of the society's visitors' register were torn off. "I have been saying this from day one that Disha Salian was murdered," the minister for port development and fisheries said. Yogesh Kadam, Minister of State in the Home department, said Salian's father should submit any proof that he has to the home department. "We will follow whatever direction the high court gives. There will be no party politics in the probe," he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday welcomed NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and her fellow Crew-9 members as they returned to Earth after a prolonged mission to the International Space Station, saying their unwavering determination will forever inspire millions. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams and her father Deepak Pandya at the Space Shuttle Columbia Memorial, June 7, 2016. Photograph: @narendramodi/X "Welcome back, Crew9! The Earth missed you," Modi said in a post on X. NASA astronauts Williams, Nick Hague and Butch Wilmore, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, returned to Earth early Wednesday onboard SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft, which splashed down in the sea off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida. For Williams and Wilmore, test pilots for Boeing's new Starliner capsule, an eight-day mission stretched to more than nine months as a series of helium leaks and thruster failures deemed their spacecraft unsafe. The spacecraft returned without them in September. "Theirs has been a test of grit, courage and the boundless human spirit. Sunita Williams and the #Crew9 astronauts have once again shown us what perseverance truly means. Their unwavering determination in the face of the vast unknown will forever inspire millions," Modi said. He said space exploration is about pushing the limits of human potential, daring to dream and having the courage to turn those dreams into reality. "Sunita Williams, a trailblazer and an icon, has exemplified this spirit throughout her career," the prime minister said. "We are incredibly proud of all those who worked tirelessly to ensure their safe return. They have demonstrated what happens when precision meets passion and technology meets tenacity," Modi said. ISRO Chairman V Narayanan said astronaut Sunita Williams' safe return was a remarkable achievement and a testament to NASA, SpaceX, and the USA's commitment to space exploration. He also said India would wish to utilise her expertise in space exploration. "Welcome back, Sunita Williams! Your safe return after an extended mission aboard the ISS is a remarkable achievement. A testament to NASA, SpaceX, and the USA's commitment to space exploration!" ISRO shared Narayanan's message on 'X'. He said Williams' resilience and dedication continue to inspire space enthusiasts around the world. "As Secretary DoS and Chairman ISRO, I on behalf of my colleagues extend a warm greetings to you and wish you a great day ahead," Narayanan said. "When Bharat under the leadership of Hon'ble PM Modi ji is working towards making India as a developed country, we wish to utilise your expertise in the space exploration," he added. Four employees of a graphics designing firm were charred to death and six others injured as a company minibus caught fire near Pune city on Wednesday morning, the police said. IMAGE: A bus catches fire in Pune's Hinjewadi area killing four employees of a private firm. Photograph: X The emergency exit door at the rear side of the bus could not be opened, leading to casualties, said an official. The incident took place in Hinjewadi area in the Pimpri Chinchwad municipal limits around 7.45 am, he said. The bus was ferrying 14 employees of Vyoma Graphics from Warje to Hinjewadi. The deceased were identified as Shankar Shinde (63), Rajan Chavan (42), Gurudas Lokare (45) and Subhash Bhosale (44), residents of Kothrud, Warje and Wadgaon areas of Pune. They worked as a supervisor, printing machine operator, courier person and paper cutting operator, respectively, the police said. When the vehicle was near Dassault Systems, a fire broke out near the driver's feet. Driver Janardan Hambardikar brought the bus to a halt as the flames spread, said Kanhaiya Thorat, senior inspector of Hinjewadi police station. The driver and some of the employees got down immediately, while the four deceased who were in the rear of the bus tried to escape through the emergency exit near them. "Preliminary probe suggests that they failed to get out in time as the exit door did not open. All four were charred to death. Six others sustained burn injuries," the official told PTI. Pradip Raut, a survivor, said fire spread within a few seconds. "I managed to jump off through a window, and moments later the bus was engulfed in flames," he said. Deputy commissioner of police Vishal Gaikwad said a short circuit could have triggered the fire, though experts from the Regional Transport Office will ascertain the exact cause. They will also probe why the emergency exit door malfunctioned, he added. The minibus was owned by Vyoma Graphics, said the police. Balasaheb Babar, maternal uncle of deceased Rajan Chavan, told PTI that he had been working as an offset printing machine operator at the company for two years. "He was the sole breadwinner of his family. He has two sons, aged between 8 and 12, and wife. His father has retired from service," said Babar. The same vehicle picked up Chavan and other employees every day, he said. Several farmer leaders including Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal were detained in Mohali while returning from a meeting with a central delegation, as the Punjab police also began evicting protesting farmers from Shambhu and Khanauri border points which have been closed for more than a year. IMAGE: Police remove temporary structures erected by farmers at Punjab-Haryana Shambhu Border, March 19, 2025. Photograph: ANI on X Farmer leader Guramneet Singh Mangat said the farmer leaders were detained in Mohali while they were headed to the Shambhu protest site after the meeting with the delegation led by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Punjab finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema justified the eviction of farmers from the protest sites, saying industries and businesses have been hit hard due to the prolonged closure of two highways -- "the lifelines of the state". "The AAP is committed to youths and generating employment. They will get jobs if the trade and industry functions smoothly," he said. BJP leader and Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu strongly condemned the detention of farmer leaders and alleged the AAP government in Punjab was trying to "sabotage" talks between the Centre and farmers. There were signs from early in the day of impending police action at the two protest sites as they witnessed heavy deployment even as the farmer leaders met the central delegation in Chandigarh. Farmers said ambulances, buses, firefighting and anti-riot vehicles have been deployed near the protest sites. The protesting farmers -- led by Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha -- have been camping at the Shambhu (Shambhu-Ambala) and Khanauri (Sangrur-Jind) border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 last year when their march to Delhi was thwarted by security forces. They have been protesting in support of various demands including a legal guarantee to MSP for crops. In Chandigarh, the fresh round of talks between farmer leaders and a central delegation to discuss various demands farmers remained inconclusive. After the meeting that lasted for more than three hours, Agriculture Minister Chouhan said, "The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere. The discussions took place in a positive and constructive manner. The talks will continue. The next meeting will take place on May 4." Following the meeting, as the departing farmers entered Mohali from Chandigarh after, they were met with heavy barricading in Mohali. Farmer leader Mangat said that Abhimanyu Kohar, Kaka Singh Kotra and Manjit Singh Rai were detained alongside Pandher and Dallewal. Pandher was detained from the Zirakpur barrier and taken to the Bahadurgarh Commando Police Training Centre in Patiala. Dallewal, who was in an ambulance, was also detained. Some farmers protested the police action and entered into a scuffle with the security personnel. In a statement, BJP leader and Union minister Bittu said he was shocked to hear the news of Punjab Police action against farmer leaders. He said three Union ministers who attended the meeting with the farmer leaders at Chandigarh were taken by surprise when they were informed about the police action. The police action is being seen in the context of the unease among industrialists in Punjab who have been pointing towards heavy losses they have incurred because of the closure of the Shambhu and Khanauri border points. Cheema said, "Trade has been suffering. Considering all these situations, this action has been taken. We have been telling farmer leaders that their fight was with the Centre. You fight with the Centre. We are with you. You are causing heavy loss to Punjab by closing the border." About 3,000 personnel, led by Deputy Inspector General of Police (Patiala Range) Mandeep Singh Sidhu, were at the Khanauri border point to evict protesters. Similarly, police personnel also reached the Shambhu border point to clear the road. At Khanauri, Sidhu told the protesters that the government has issued directions to clear the road. The DIG said the police consider them their elders and their own and have not come for any confrontation. But he also told them their strength of 3,000 outnumber the farmers' 200. The DIG warned the youths not to misbehave with security personnel policemen . The police officer said that prohibitory orders, banning the assembly of five or more people, has been imposed so their gathering is illegal. Additional Deputy Commissioner Sukhchain Singh announced on a loud speaker, asking protesters to clear the road in 10 minutes. Later, policemen detained the protesters and took them in buses stationed at the protest site. Police personnel could be seen dismantling the stages in Shambhu and Khanauri border points. At Shambhu protest sites, police deployed JCB machines to remove the structures set up by farmers at the protest sites. Many tractor-trolleys and other vehicles of protesting farmers could be seen standing at the road. Earlier, farmers at the Khanauri border point held a protest against police action against farmer leaders. They raised slogans against the Punjab government. After meeting with the central delegation in Chandigarh, farmer leader Kaka Singh Kotra said a heavy police deployment was made near the Shambhu and Khanauri border points. Many opposition leaders lashed out at the AAP government for police action against farmers. Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi dubbed "detention" of farmer leaders as an "attack" on the farming sector, calling the police action as unfortunate. Shiromani Akali Dal leader Daljit Singh Cheema strongly condemned the "detention" of farmer leaders. "This is highly undemocratic & illogical action and amounts to betrayal with the farm leaders. After the meeting the Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan himself said that the next meeting will be on May 4. "So Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann must explain what happened after the meeting & who gave orders to arrest the leaders immediately on the way back to their places ? The state government has stabbed the farm leaders in the back just to please their political mentors in Delhi. By doing so the Bhagwant Mann led AAP government want to crush the farmers' agitation. "It has exposed that Union government & Bhagwant Mann government are hand in glove with each other. The SAD demanded immediate release of all farm leaders without delay," said Cheema in a post on X. After being marooned in space for nine months, Astronaut Sunita Williams is back on earth along with her fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore. IMAGE: Sunita Williams is helped out of a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft onboard the SpaceX recovery ship Megan after she, NASA Astronauts Nick Hague and Butch Wilmore, and Roscosmos Cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov landed in the water off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida, Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Photograph: NASA Keegan Barber/Handout via Reuters IMAGE: Wilmore, Gorbunov, Hague and Williams are seen inside the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on board the SpaceX recovery ship Megan shortly after having landed in the waters off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida, March 18, 2025, here and below. Photograph: NASA Keegan Barber/Handout via Reuters Photograph: NASA TV/Handout via Reuters IMAGE: The SpaceX vehicle splashes down in in the waters off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida. Photograph: NASA Keegan Barber/Handout via Reuters IMAGE: Dolphins swim past the Space X Dragon capsule containing the space travelers following their return to earth from the International Space Station off the coast of Florida, March 18, 2025 in this still image from video. Photograph: NASA TV/Handout via Reuters IMAGE: Wilmore and Williams return to earth from the International Space Station in this still image from video. Photograph: NASA TV/Handout via Reuters IMAGE: Support teams work around the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft shortly after it splashed down in the waters off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida, March 18, 2025, here and below. Photograph: NASA Keegan Barber/Handout via Reuters Photograph: NASA Keegan Barber/Handout via Reuters IMAGE: The SpaceX Dragon capsule with the astronauts and cosmonaut on board is hoisted onto the recovery ship Megan after splashdown, March 18, 2025. Photograph: NASA TV/Handout via Reuters IMAGE: Wilmore reacts after he is helped out of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on board the SpaceX recovery ship Megan in this still image from video. Photograph: NASA TV/Handout via Reuters IMAGE: Wilmore is helped out of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on board the SpaceX recovery ship Megan. Photograph: NASA Keegan Barber/Handout via Reuters IMAGE: Nick Hague is helped out of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on board the SpaceX recovery ship Megan. Photograph: NASA Keegan Barber/Handout via Reuters IMAGE: Gorbunov is helped out of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on board the SpaceX recovery ship Megan. Photograph: NASA Keegan Barber/Handout via Reuters IMAGE: NASA Deputy Associate Administrator Casey Swails, left, NASA acting Associate Administrator Vanessa Wyche, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, NASA acting Administrator Janet Petro, NASA Associate Administrator for the Space Operations Mission Directorate Ken Bowersox, and NASA Director of the International Space Station and acting director of the Commercial Spaceflight Division, Robyn Gatens at the Space Operations Center at the Mary W Jackson NASA headquarters building in Washington, DC, here and below, watch the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft splash down. Photograph: Bill Ingalls/NASA Photograph: Bill Ingalls/NASA Photographs curated by Anant Salvi/Rediff.com Feature Presentation: Mahipal Soni/Rediff.com For Muslims around the world, the holy month of Ramzan is a time for devotion and discipline. But in Kauriya, a small village in Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh district, Ramzan also symbolises deep, interfaith camaraderie. IMAGE: A Ramazan drummer beats the drum as he walks through dark alleys to wake up Muslims for Sehri. Photograph: ANI Photo For the past 50 years, the Hindu family of Gulab Yadav has been ensuring that Muslims in the village wake up on time for 'Sehri', the pre-dawn meal consumed before fasting during Ramzan. For 45-year-old Yadav and his 12-year-old son Abhishek, sleep is a luxury they forgo during Ramzan. Every night at 1 am, the father-son duo sets out on foot, armed with a torch and a stick to ward off stray dogs, walks through the village, stops at every Muslim household, and don't leave until they are certain that the families are awake for Sehri. There is an old saying: "Foster such friendship that religion never becomes a barrier -- If you walk them to a temple, they should walk you to a mosque." Yadav embodies this sentiment, carrying forward a tradition started by his father Chirkit Yadav way back in 1975. While most mosques gave wake-up calls to the 'rozedaars' -- people observing fast during Ramzan -- using loudspeakers, a recent Supreme Court directive on noise pollution has led to stricter curbs on them at religious sites. As a result, Yadav's dedicated effort has become even more significant. Recalling his early years, Yadav said as a child he never fully understood why his father went out at night, waking people up for Sehri. But as he grew older, he came to appreciate the deeper meaning behind the tradition. "Now I find great peace in doing this," he said. A daily-wage labourer by profession, Yadav spends most of the year working in Delhi. But when Ramzan approaches, he returns to his village to uphold his family's five-decade-old custom. He hopes to instil a sense of responsibility in his son, just as his father did for him. Every night, he takes young Abhishek along, teaching him the importance of their family's sacred tradition. "I want my son to continue this after me, just like I did after my father," he said. After their father passed away, Yadav's elder brother took on the responsibility for a few years. "But when his eyesight weakened, he had to stop. Since then I have taken over, and I will keep returning every Ramzan to do this," he said. Yadav's commitment has not gone unnoticed. His efforts are widely appreciated in the village, and his Muslim neighbours regard him with deep respect. "Waking people up for Sehri is a noble deed. Gulab bhai makes sure that no one is left behind. He spends two hours making rounds through the village, and then he goes around once again to double-check that everyone has eaten. What could be more sacred than this," asked Shafiq, Yadav's neighbour, Shafiq also quoted a couplet perfectly capturing Yadav's work: "When both Gita and Quran preach love, why should there be discord between Hindus and Muslims?" He feels since Ramzan is one of the pillars of Islam, Yadav has set an inspiring example of Hindu-Muslim unity by helping his neighbours observe fast during the holy month. At a time when government restrictions on loudspeakers at religious sites have changed the way Sehri was traditionally announced, Yadav's personal touch -- knocking on doors, shouting out names and ensuring no one is left behind -- serves as a powerful testament to harmony and coexistence. His dedication spanning generations is not just a story of tradition, but a lesson for the world -- as Shafiq aptly put. The Delhi government's Anti-Corruption Branch has registered a case against former public works department minister and senior Aam Aadmi Party leader Satyendar Jain over alleged corruption in a Rs 571-crore CCTV project, an official said on Wednesday. IMAGE: AAP leader Satyendar Jain and his family members show their ink-marked fingers after casting their vote for the Delhi assembly elections, in New Delhi, February 5, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo According to the ACB, Jain allegedly accepted a bribe of Rs 7 crore to waive the liquidated damages penalty of Rs 16 crore imposed on Bharat Electronics Limited. The project, which was executed when he was a PWD minister in the previous Arvind Kejriwal government, was related to the installation of 1.4 lakh CCTV cameras across all 70 assembly constituencies. "Jain is accused of arbitrarily waiving liquidated damages worth Rs 16 crore imposed on BEL for delays in installing CCTV cameras across Delhi. "The waiver was allegedly granted after receiving a Rs 7-crore bribe," joint commissioner of police Madhur Verma said in a statement. The FIR was registered on Tuesday after obtaining prior sanction under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act from the competent authority. Multiple complaints have suggested that the project was executed in a shoddy manner, with several cameras found to be non-functional at the time of hand over, Verma said. A political tussle erupted following the FIR against the former PWD minister, with both the ruling BJP and the opposition AAP targeting each other. Although there was no immediate response from Jain, his Aam Aadmi Party called it a case of "political witch-hunt". On his part, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva accused Jain of accepting a bribe of Rs 7 crore. According to the statement issued by the ACB, the case is based on a news report which claimed that a bribe of Rs 7 crore was arranged for Jain, who was the nodal officer for the CCTV project, in exchange for waiving penalties imposed on BEL and its contractors. The penalties were initially levied in August 2019 by the then AAP government due to significant delays in the installation of 1.4 lakh CCTV cameras across Delhi's 70 assembly constituencies. During verification, a BEL officer provided a detailed complaint supporting the allegations. The complaint further alleged that in addition to waiving the penalties, additional orders for 1.4 lakh more CCTV cameras were awarded to BEL, Verma said. The bribe was allegedly routed through contractors who received the additional camera installation orders. Payments were reportedly made by inflating vendor order values, he said. The ACB is in the process of scrutinising relevant documents from the public works department and BEL. A case has been registered under sections 7 (offence related to public servant being bribed) and 13(1)(a) (criminal misconduct by a public servant) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, read with Section 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code, he added. A comprehensive investigation has been launched to determine the full extent of the conspiracy and the involvement of PWD officials and BEL executives, the statement said. Meanwhile, former Delhi chief minister and senior AAP leader Atishi slammed the BJP, accusing the saffron party of framing Jain in a false case. In a post on X, she said, "When investigating agencies leave their work and start political witch-hunting on the orders of the boss..." She also shared a document highlighting a reply by the BJP-led Centre in Parliament, which claimed that out of the 193 cases filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against political leaders in the past 10 years, only two resulted in convictions. In a video post on X, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva alleged that the previous government led by Kejriwal covered up the corruption case for years. "In 2017-18, the Kejriwal government awarded a contract of Rs 571 crore to Bharat Electronics Limited for installing CCTV cameras in Delhi. Due to delays, a penalty of Rs 16 crore was imposed in 2019 but Satyendar Jain waived it after taking Rs 7 crore bribe. The ACB completed its investigation in 2023 but the FIR was delayed due to AAP's cover-up act," Sachdeva claimed. Another senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh in a statement accused the BJP-led central government of again preparing a false case against Jain. "The Modi government is always trying to harass the Aam Aadmi Party, this is another attempt in the same sequence," Singh alleged. The fresh case has added to Jain's legal troubles. On March 2, the CBI informed a special court that it had secured approval from the Delhi lieutenant governor to prosecute Jain in a disproportionate assets case. The ED had arrested Jain in a money-laundering case linked to alleged hawala transactions in May 2022. He was granted bail in October 2024. Jain, who was a key AAP leader and minister in the previous government, faced a political setback in the recent assembly elections in Delhi, losing the Shakur Basti seat to BJP's Karnail Singh by nearly 21,000 votes. The BJP also claimed a landslide victory in Delhi, securing 48 out of 70 seats, leaving AAP with just 22. In this weeks edition of Lets Talk, were diving into a question every entrepreneur faces at some point: How do you know when your business is ready to take things to the next level? Its not just about intuition; its about recognizing the signs that your foundation is solid, your team is aligned, and your market is primed for more. Lets explore what it takes to confidently step into that next phase. Lets Talk More Lets Talk episodes Contribute to Dynamic Business Garry Valenzisi, Vice President & General Manager APAC, Iron Mountain Garry Valenzisi, Vice President & General Manager APAC, Iron Mountain Growth is a vital part of any business. But determining when youre ready to take things to the next level involves a combination of strategic assessment and readiness evaluation. For the best outcome, a structured approach is crucial. Having financial stability goes without saying, but for sustainable growth its important to review your market position and operational capacity. How do you fare against your competitors? Is there adequate demand for your product or service? If you have good levels of customer loyalty and receive positive feedback, this is a strong indicator that your business is delivering value and can attract a larger customer base. However, with this increased demand, it is essential to have the correct infrastructure, technology and workforce to handle the growth. This is where businesses should look to invest in scalable systems and processes that support long-term development. It is these systems and processes that will help to ensure that your business can effectively manage increased workloads without compromising on quality or performance. Once these essential foundations are in place, you can confidently take your business to the next level. Kim Clarke, Executive General Manager Enterprise, MYOB Kim Clarke, Executive General Manager Enterprise, MYOB The term next level will hold a different meaning for each business. For mid-sized businesses, they have a strong understanding of what drives productivity. They know what they need to change or invest in to get to the next level in this case, more output for every dollar they invest. These are strategic choices. Mid-sized businesses are also clear on risks and opportunities around their revenue lines, constantly looking to diversify. For this segment, this focus on productivity and diversification of revenue is driven by competition and the pursuit of growth, which is elevated when compared to other sectors of the market. This is evidenced in our Bigger Picture Report, which shows mid-sized businesses are leading the charge on productivity-fuelled growth and they do this through a relentless approach to innovation and investing in technology-led efficiencies in their operations. Productivity is a strength for mid-market businesses and there is every indication they are playing to this strength to achieve that next level. Luke McDonald, Senior General Manager Commercial Sales at Ingram Micro Luke McDonald, Senior General Manager Commercial Sales at Ingram Micro Scaling a business is about recognising when opportunity meets necessity. When technology infrastructure is holding your business back, its time to take the next step. With Windows 10 reaching end-of-service in October, organisations that dont upgrade risk security vulnerabilities, compliance issues, and operational inefficiencies. We live in a world where there are 7,000 password attacks per second (yes, per second). No organisation wants to be left with unsupported devices that could pose significant security risks. If your business is still on Windows 10, the question isnt if you should upgrade but whether you have enough time to do it before support ends. Partnering with experts who can guide the transition, provide financing solutions, and ensure you get the right devices will make all the difference. The right technology decisions today will define your businesss agility, security, and competitiveness tomorrow. The competitive advantages of AI help enrich the employee experience, improve customer engagement, improve efficiencies and foster innovation. Productivity tools like Copilot are already reshaping workflows. The clock is ticking, and deployments often take longer than expected due. The window to act is closing fast! Warren Schilpzand, Area Vice President of Australia, New Zealand and Japan at DataStax Warren Schilpzand, Area Vice President of Australia, New Zealand and Japan at DataStax Knowing when to take your business to the next level comes down to three key factors: your appetite for growth, the evidence to support your investment, and the ability to scale successfully. An appetite for growth means recognising opportunities to expand, whether through new markets, AI-driven efficiencies, or better customer experiences. The decision to invest should also be backed by clear evidence. What is the opportunity value? What needs to change for the investment to be successful? How fast do you need to move to take advantage of the opportunity? Finally, scaling successfully requires the right people and technology. Generative AI agents, combined with a strategic data approach, lower the barriers to scale by creating a framework that grows with your business. The DataStax AI Platform enables businesses to develop smarter AI solutions, including Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and Agentic AI applications. DataStax Astra DB, built on Apache Cassandra, provides a highly scalable database. With support for Google Cloud, AWS, and Azure, DataStax offers flexible deployment across cloud, on-prem, or hybrid environments, ensuring scalability without vendor lock-in. If your business has the vision, the data, and the tools to scale, youre ready for the next level. Janet Moeller, Founder, Jannic Education Solutions Knowing when your business is ready to scale is a blend of intuition and data. It starts with an intimate understanding of your customers pain points, a deep awareness of their struggles, and a clear, compelling answer. Rigorous market validation is essential. Rather than relying on the opinions of friends and family who dont want to hurt your feelings ask probing questions that reveal wider customer needs. Instead of asking what customers might do, ask what they already do. Understand why current solutions are not working and learn how much the problem impacts their work or life. The intensity of the problem indicates the price they will pay for a genuine solution. For tech startups, benchmarking against successful products in related industries offers valuable insights. Reaching the MVP stage signifies tangible progress, proving your concepts viability. Readiness extends beyond validation. Its about having the operational capacity, financial stability, and a clear strategic vision to support growth. Do you have the resources to meet increased demand? Is your team prepared for the challenges of expansion? When these elements align, thats when you know its time to take your business to the next level. Macro Zhang, VP Channel Strategy APJ, Veeam Macro Zhang, VP Channel Strategy APJ, Veeam Scaling a business isnt just about growing bigger, its about growing smarter. Many businesses either rush into expansion without the right foundations or hesitate too long and miss valuable opportunities. The key question isnt just if you should scale, but when and how to do it sustainably. In the IT industry, sustainable growth is critical. At Veeam, we see this firsthand in our Veeam Cloud & Service Provider (VCSP) program, where partners progress through Silver, Gold and Platinum tiers. Growth in this ecosystem isnt just measured in revenue, its about alignment, technical capability and strategic commitment. A partner moving up a tier does not just meet sales benchmarks, they demonstrate the expertise, customer impact and investment in innovation needed to thrive in a competitive landscape. For any business, true scaling comes from building the right ecosystem strong partnerships, continuous upskilling, and a clear vision for the next stage of growth. The right time to scale isnt just when you see demand increasing, but when you have the right capabilities, strategy and support in place to make that growth sustainable. Lauren Clemett, CEO, The Audacious Agency Have I done enough? Thats the question I hear most from business owners. Theyre unsure if theyre ready to step up, stand out, and truly compete. They want to know if they can take their brand to the next level by raising their profile and upping the ante against competitors. And my answer is usually, Youre probably more ready than you think. Many sadly hold back, hampered by the tall poppy syndrome so prevalent in Australia. Brilliant, innovative SMEs often underestimate their achievements, becoming the worlds best-kept secret. They think they need to have the perfect success story before seeking recognition. But thats simply not true. Success isnt always about massive financials or unicorn-and-rainbow narratives (90% of business awards dont even ask for financials). The path to success is rarely linear. Anyone judging you will want to see how you handled challenges, adapted, and ultimately achieved results. They want evidence. Thats the key. Show, dont tell is the award-winning mantra. Do you have case studies? Sales figures? Growth data? Evidence of innovation or impact? If you can demonstrate your achievements, youre ready to level up. Dont wait for perfect it doesnt exist. Ofer Tirosh, CEO of Tomedes Ofer Tirosh, CEO of Tomedes Recognizing when your business is ready for growth requires a thoughtful evaluation of several key factors. Growth isnt just about increasing revenue. Its about ensuring that your operations, team, and vision are aligned for long-term success. I believe readiness starts with aligning your capabilities with your mission. For us, scaling meant enhancing our ability to make AI translation more accessible to businesses across different industries, breaking down language barriers, and fostering seamless global communication. Key indicators of growth readiness include a consistently strong demand that exceeds your current capacity, a solid financial foundation to support expansion, and well-optimized processes that can handle increased workloads efficiently. Additionally, having a dedicated team that is adaptable, motivated, and equipped to take on new challenges is crucial. Sustainable growth happens when all these elements come together, allowing you to scale strategically rather than reactively. When these signs align, youre not just growing. Youre expanding with purpose, creating a broader impact while maintaining the integrity of your vision. Sharon Nouh, CEO, ProSpend My journey, starting with my travel agencies in Adelaide and Sydney, taught me firsthand about the importance of resilience and growth. I saw firsthand how manual processes were holding businesses back. This realisation led to the creation of Australias first expense management tool and laid the foundation for ProSpends growth. Taking your business to the next level requires continuous innovation and the support of a team that believes in your vision, especially in areas like finance where manual processes can slow growth. At ProSpend, we use AI and automation to streamline critical tasks such as reconciliation, invoicing, and fraud detection transforming how businesses handle financial operations and helping them expand their business. These technological advancements arent just about efficiency, theyre about empowering teams to focus on higher-value work. Strategic growth should be driven by data, market demand, customer insights and operational readiness. When these elements align, expansion is no longer a choice it becomes the logical next step for your business. There will always be risks in scaling, but if you have the vision, confidence, and the right factors in place, the risk is far lower than staying stagnant and missing growth opportunities. Jonathan Jeffries, Co-Founder, Think & Grow You know your business is ready to take things to the next level when ambition meets readiness. Growth isnt just about scaling revenueits about having the right team, systems, and market strategy in place. If youre consistently hitting (exceeding) targets, demand is outpacing supply, or youre seeing new market opportunities, its time to act. The biggest mistake founders make is waiting too longopportunities dont wait. The right moment to scale is when you have product-market fit, strong leadership, and a repeatable, scalable growth model. But growth isnt just about expansion; its about knowing where, when, and how to do it strategically. So, ask yourself: Do you have the right people focused on the right things, an aligned team & strategy? If the answer is yes, its time to leap. Satish Barot, Co-founder and CTO, Klearcom As a CTO, I believe a business is ready to scale when its product demonstrates both stability and scalability. At Klearcom, we knew we were ready to expand when our platform consistently delivered results across diverse environments from large enterprises to global contact centers. A key indicator for us was the ability to seamlessly automate complex IVR testing globally for large multinationals. This product maturity signaled that our solution could support higher volumes without compromising performance. Additionally, investing in building a highly capable development team was crucial in managing and driving growth effectively with a very robust product. For any business, if your product is stable, scalable, and adaptable and you have the technical infrastructure to support expansion its a strong signal that youre ready to take things to the next level. Fiona Campbell, Founder, VA Lead Network Taking your business to the next level isnt solely about increased demandyou need to be operationally ready if you want your businesss growth to be sustainable. Are your processes streamlined so your team is not repeating unnecessary tasks? Have you automated systems to reduce the need for manual labour and maintain consistent standards? Do you have clear and effective delegation and workflow protocols in place? Identify even small, recurring errors and issues now so that they dont become labour-intensive and expensive problems later when your business expands. Every team member should know their role and be able to contribute seamlessly. A business is ready for its next chapter when it isnt just chasing growth, but is structured to maintain what makes it great (like product quality, delivery times, and customer service) when it is time to level up. Anton Guinea, CEO, The Guinea Group Successful growth and transformational innovation depend on a leaders ability to bring their team along the journey, take bold actions and motivate others with care and consideration. Many businesses hit a ceiling not because of external limitations but because their leadership team isnt equipped to handle the complexities of expansion. How do you know your business is ready to grow? First, your leadership team must operate effectively under pressure. As your business scales, challenges grow, and leaders must adapt quickly, communicate clearly, and maintain control. Next, strong leaders must empower others. Growth stalls when leaders are trapped in daily operations instead of mentoring others and encouraging ownership. Prioritising strategic vision over routine tasks ensures long-term growth and a culture of leadership at every level. Finally, psychological safety is essential for all high-performing effective teams. Can your team challenge ideas and give honest feedback without fear? Businesses that scale successfully build trust, innovation, and resilience. Before focusing on external growth, invest in leadership development. A business can only grow as far as its leaders can take it. If your leadership is ready, so is your business. Nick Morgan, Chief Executive Officer, Triskele Labs Taking the next step should always be strategic but its also deeply personal. Moving into a new market or expanding product offering, is a fantastic milestone in a companys growth. However, rapid expansion for its own sake can lead to poor quality products and services, overwhelmed staff and sets up the business to fail. In cybersecurity, for example, trust is everything. Triskele Labs earned its reputation by being a reliable partner to businesses, and growth that didnt respect this foundation would have risked diluting the companys value. The decision to scale isnt a sudden realisation its the result of time spent carefully laying the groundwork, and listening closely to customers and the market. It must align with the pillars that brought you here. Expansion should enhance a companys ability to deliver a superior customer experience. Recognising opportunity is vital, but not at any cost. Triskele Labs has just opened a new office in Perth, expanding our Security Operations Centre capability, and for us, scaling without compromising quality means fewer alerts per analyst. A strong foundation ensures that this stage of growth is not an event in isolation, but sets a platform for future success. John Harding, General Manager, Managed Services, Konica Minolta Knowing when a business is ready to advance requires clear indicators that align with long-term strategic goals. One key factor is whether technology investments drive measurable improvements in efficiency, profitability, and risk management. Businesses that implement structured, best-of-breed solutions to enhance data accessibility and automate workflows gain a competitive advantage, improving decision-making and customer engagement. Fragmented systems and underutilised technology can hinder growth without a strategic approach to IT, creating inefficiencies and missed opportunities. Sustainable growth requires IT investments that are purposefully aligned with business objectives rather than made reactively. Businesses that take a long-term, structured approach built around a clear technology roadmap are more likely to scale successfully. This should include engaging external expertise, integrating IT with business strategy, and prioritising collaboration. Businesses can move forward with confidence when technology supports operational efficiency and innovation, knowing they have the right infrastructure and strategy to sustain growth. Ben Walker, Chief Doer, The Do Collective At The Do Collective, we believe growth isnt just about scaling up. Were very much in the growth phase of the business and we often get asked how big are you?, how many people do you have?. Sounds like a very one dimensional way to view growth doesnt it? Three years into the business and each time weve taken it to the next level weve considered three key factors: demand, capability and the vision. First, consistent client demand would indicate market validation. If brands are increasingly seeking our strategic and creative approach, not just for projects but for long-term partnerships, it signals that were not just another agency, but a go-to partner for brands and they see value in us. Second, internal capability is crucial. Growth should never come at the expense of quality. If weve built a strong leadership team, refined our processes and can deliver with excellence at scale, were in a position to expand (weve certainly learnt this along the way) whether that means growing our team, diversifying services, or entering new markets, such as the UK and the Middle East. Finally, its about staying true to our vision. The Do Collective was founded on the belief that what brands do is more powerful than what they say. If we see an opportunity to further that mission by elevating our offering, pushing creative boundaries, or deepening brand experiences then its time to grow. Jon Michail, CEO, Image Group International All leaders must accept that they are the face of the business. The strength of your personal brand and image is one of the largest indicators of whether your business is ready to level up. In this competitive world, reputation is built from external and internal perception, and it can make or break your growth potential. If your brand is gaining recognition, attracting a loyal audience, and establishing credibility in your industry, it may be time to take things to the next stage. A strong personal brand can lead to a trend of increasing engagement on social media, press coverage and even industry professionals reaching out for collaborations. If this sounds like your business, then youre making an impact! Its at this point that you can begin to capitalise on your growing reputation and solidify your position as an industry leader. Additionally, in a digital environment of distrust, if your business image is authentic yet intentional with consistent branding, high-quality content, and a clear messageit signals that youre ready for greater exposure. Whether its expanding into new markets, launching new products, or seeking investment, a well-managed reputation ensures that customers and stakeholders will see you as a trusted authority. Nick Murdoch, Founder & Managing Partner, Yango Nick Murdoch, Founder & Managing Partner, Yango Were in professional services with a very specialised skill set in data, media and marketing, so our product is the talent of our people. This makes scaling challenging. As more work comes in, more people are required to service it, making maintaining profitability an ongoing task. Scaling is an investment, so itll require capital upfront to get it moving, and it should provide a return on investment that ultimately leaves the business worth more than when you started, so make sure you measure the uplift. The triggers we look for are: Financial performance; The business needs to be performing well enough to keep directors, shareholders and other stakeholders happy with enough left over to fund investment in growing the business. People skills: When you know your team is killing it, the product is delivering for clients and feedback is good, then you know you have the right foundations to build on. Do not try to scale a team that is dysfunctional. Gut feel: Entrepreneurs secret sauce, back your feels and go for it, to win big you have to bet big. Mark Dunn, CEO, Wattwatchers There are three key indicators that will let you know when your business is ready to take it to the next level. First, the product must be fully developed, tested, and proven in the marketplace. When customers have used it in real-world applications and provided feedback that validates its effectiveness, its a strong sign that the business is ready to scale. Wattwatchers, for example, has seen this with customers using its platform to measure emissions and identify meaningful ways to reduce them. Second, the product must offer clear differentiation from alternatives, with customers recognising and valuing its unique functionality. This is particularly evident when early adopters not only use the product but also leverage its insights to drive meaningful outcomes, reinforcing its market value. Finally, demand should outpace internal capacity. When the volume of new leads exceeds what the current sales team can effectively manage, it signals the need for growthwhether that means hiring additional team members, expanding into new markets, or increasing operational capacity. When these three conditions alignproven product-market fit, clear differentiation, and surging demandthe business is in a strong position to take the next step with confidence. Alfie Lagos, Direct and Founder, Lexlab Alfie Lagos, Direct and Founder, Lexlab A fellow business owner once told me to always trust my gut. Ironically, I had a weird feeling about working with that very guy, and he ended up skipping town on a $6K invoice. So he was absolutely right! That motto has served me well ever since, helping me choose the right clients and grow our capital to enable smart expansion. Another key factor is ensuring you have consistent demand for your product, the financial backing to support your next move, and a clear plan for what growth actually looks like. Expanding too early can drain cash fast, and taking on investors means answering to people with their own expectations. Ideally, you want to fund the next step yourself so you are growing on your terms, not someone elses. So in summary, Im really just saying trust your gut instinct, and make sure you can afford it, ideally with your own money. Discover Lets Talk Business Topics Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. It involves India spending an estimated Rs 40,000 crores to Rs 50,000 crores and will take 10 to 15 years to develop. IMAGE: Indian Air Force fighter jets at Aero India 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo India is in talks with four countries to start an advanced jet-engine programme at home by the end of the year, according to a government official with knowledge of the matter. India has defence collaborations with the United States, France, Russia and the United Kingdom. "India is talking to all four," the official told Business Standard on condition of anonymity. The official said the "big decision" will need to be taken at the "appropriate level" of the Indian government, because it involves India spending an estimated "Rs 40,000 crores to Rs 50,000 crores (Rs 400 billion to Rs 500 billion)" over the next decade or more on making "a new thrust-to-weight class engine" for fighter jets. The project will likely be launched by the end of the year, the official said. "It will take 10 to 15 years to develop." Engines with a high thrust-to-weight ratio have shown to perform well in combat. At this time, fighters, especially stealth, use turbofan engines that reduce infrared signature while maintaining high thrust and low radar cross-section. India still buys a large chunk of defence goods from Russia, its traditional exporter, but the US and France have gained significant shares of the Indian defence market in recent years. The UK, which like the US, has an agreement on critical and emerging technologies with India, is also seeking to increase its share. "The government has to decide which way India should go," the official said, adding that New Delhi would "look at the geopolitics" and the extent to which a country would be willing to transfer the relevant technology for coproduction. The official indicated a plan might be ready within six months. The US, Russia, France and the UK are the main countries with expertise to independently build fighter engines. China has started manufacturing but little is known of its programme. India's State-owned Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has revived an old project under which engines for fourth-generation fighters are now being made. The engines, currently produced outside India for sixth-generation fighters, for instance, would require integration into the Indian defence systems if bought. Building advanced engines in India would also mean assembling the components. "You need to develop a host of new technologies (in India) in order to develop this new thrust-to-weight class engine," the official said. The jet engine is one of the most complex machines in the world. Besides speed, it has to function perfectly at high and low altitudes, temperatures and pressure. India relies on importing engines because it doesn't have a base to make them, other than the DRDO project. India's largest defence manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd has delayed its production of non-stealth fighters for the Indian Air Force, citing supply-chain delays in engine deliveries as a reason. The US company General Electric sells engines to HAL. The pending order, at $716 million, was signed in 2021 and is for 99 GE F404 (IN20) engines and support services for HAL's Tejas Mk1A jets. Some such jets are expected early next year. GE supplies its F119 engines to the US air force for F-22 (Raptor) fighters. Another US company, Pratt & Whitney, makes the F135 engines for the US air force's F-35 (Lightning II) stealth jets. The UK company Rolls-Royce provides its F402 Pegasus engines to the British Harrier (II) jets. The French company Safran produces the M88 engines for France's Rafale fighters. Of the many Russian companies, which make engines for combat aircraft, one coproduces engines with HAL for the MiG-29 jets that the IAF uses. India has begun a programme to make stealth, fifth-generation fighters, with mass production planned for 2035-2036. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com India on Wednesday said it is concerned over the situation in Gaza and called for supply of humanitarian assistance to the affected people as Israel resumed bombing in conflict-hit Palestinian territory shattering its fragile ceasefire with Hamas. IMAGE: A boy reacts, as Palestinians make their way to flee their homes, after the Israeli army issued evacuation orders for a number of neighborhoods, following heavy Israeli strikes, in Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip March 19, 2025. Photograph: Abd Elhkeem Khaled/Reuters New Delhi also underlined the need to release all hostages held by Hamas. "We are concerned at the situation in Gaza. It is important that all hostages are released," the ministry of external affairs said. "We also call for the supply of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza to be sustained," it said in a statement. India's comments came as Israel pounded Hamas targets in Gaza on Tuesday, triggering uncertainty over the ceasefire that came into effect on January 19. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, over 400 people were killed in the Israeli bombing. The Israeli action came after Israel and Hamas failed to agree on how to take forward the ceasefire deal from the initial phase. The deal comprised three stages. The negotiations on the second phase of the ceasefire pact were to start around six weeks back. But the two sides could not hold the talks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country will not "relent" until it achieves all "vital goals". "In the past two weeks, Israel did not initiate any military action in the hope that Hamas would change course. Well, that didn't happen," he said in a statement on Tuesday. "While Israel accepted the offer of President Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, Hamas flatly refused to do so," he said. "This is why I authorised yesterday the renewal of military action against Hamas," Netanyahu added. India has been pitching for the "two-State solution to the Palestinian issue with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security. An Israeli facial recognition system has helped the Delhi police solve a case of robbery at gunpoint, arrest two accused persons, and recover the entire stolen amount of Rs 80 lakh, officials said on Wednesday. Iimage used for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo The arrested accused have been identified as Mohammed Ali (21) and Samir (19), a police officer said. A trader's employee was allegedly robbed of Rs 80 lakh at gunpoint in the Chandni Chowk area on Monday. The accused fired a warning shot in the air before fleeing with the cash, the officer said. The police analysed footage from nearly 500 CCTV cameras installed in Chandni Chowk, Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Daryaganj and Lahori Gate areas. An Israeli facial recognition technology was used to identify the prime suspect, Mohammed Ali, which linked him to a previous case, deputy commissioner of police (North), Raja Banthia, said. The officer said the Israeli technology helps identify accused persons using a complete database. In this case, the police took a screengrab of the accused and matched his face with the database. "The similarity score was 32.09 percent. We got to know that the accused lived in Daryaganj, where teams were already working to trace the Scooty used in the crime," the DCP said. On March 17, Ajmal Bhai Ganesh (49), an employee of R K Enterprises and a resident of Patan in Gujarat, collected Rs 80 lakh from the Kucha Ghasiram area around 7 pm, Banthia said. "As he was heading towards his residence in Fatehpuri, Ganesh was intercepted by an armed man who attempted to snatch his bag. When Ganesh resisted, the accused fired a warning shot, seized the bag, and escaped," the DCP said. During the probe, the police identified a suspect wearing a blue shirt and a cap who followed the victim and was seen fleeing towards the Fatehpuri Masjid. Another accused was seen escaping towards Lal Qila on a Scooty, the DCP said. "The police later arrested Ali, a resident of Daryaganj, who disclosed the identity of his accomplice -- Samir -- during interrogation. Samir was arrested from Daryaganj," Banthia said. A raid at Samir's residence led to the recovery of Rs 79.5 lakh in cash, a semi-automatic pistol with three bullets, and other incriminating materials, the DCP said. Ali had prior knowledge of cash movement in the Kucha Ghasiram area and had conducted a recce before targeting the victim, the officer said. "While Ali identified the target, Samir executed the robbery. Both accused have been booked under the relevant sections of law," the DCP said. United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday celebrated the return of NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who were stranded in space for over nine months. IMAGE: NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore, Nick Hague, and Sunita Williams and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov are seen inside a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft onboard the SpaceX recovery ship MEGAN shortly after having landed in the water off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida, March 18, 2025. Photograph: NASA/Keegan Barber The White House's official X account posted, PROMISE MADE, PROMISE KEPT: President Trump pledged to rescue the astronauts stranded in space for nine months. Today, they safely splashed down in the Gulf of America, thanks to @ElonMusk, @SpaceX, and @Nasa! Donald Trump also shared a video on X of the splashdown with the caption, "USA! More winning." SpaceX CEO Elon Musk too congratulated the NASA and SpaceX teams on their successful return and thanked Trump for prioritising the mission. "Congratulations to the SpaceX and NASA teams for another safe astronaut return! Thank you to Donald Trump for prioritizing this mission!," he siad on X. NASA astronauts Sunita Willams and Butch Wilmore, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov returned to Earth on Wednesday onboard SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft after 9 months stuck in space. A group of rioters allegedly touched a woman constable inappropriately and tried to disrobe her during the violence that broke out in Nagpur city after protests against Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb, officials said on Wednesday. IMAGE: Fire personnel try to douse a fire after clashes erupt in Nagpur's Mahal area on March 17, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo The mob also hurled petrol bombs at the police during the violence, they said, adding that the police have so far arrested 51 rioters and slapped a total of 57 sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against them, they said. Violence erupted in central Nagpur's Chitnis Park in Mahal area on Monday around 7.30 pm, with stones hurled at police amid rumours that the holy book of a community was burnt during an agitation by a right-wing body for the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb located in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. "Total five FIRs have been registered in Nagpur in connection with the violence. One of the FIRs filed at the Ganeshpeth police station says that a group of people gathered at the Bhaldarpura chowk in the city and started attacking the police personnel. The crowd also hurled petrol bombs and stones at the police staff," an official said. "Taking advantage of the darkness, the group tried to touch a woman constable of the Riot Control Police (RCP) and her uniform, and tried to disrobe her. They used abusive language and passed vulgar remarks against other women police personnel. The rioters also made objectionable gestures towards them and attacked them," he said. Curfew continues to remain in force in many sensitive areas of the city in the wake of the violence. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said contrary to rumours, no chadar or cloth with Quranic verses was burnt during a protest in Nagpur city, and vowed to "dig out from their graves" those who attacked police during the subsequent violence. IMAGE: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis pays floral tributes to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj during the inauguration ceremony of 'Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj temple (Shaktipith)' at Maradepada in Bhiwandi, Thane, March 17, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo Rioters allegedly misbehaved with a woman constable and tried to disrobe her during the violence on Monday night. Mobs hurled stones and petrol bombs, injuring 33 police personnel including three Deputy Commissioner of Police-rank officers. The violence had been planned to disturb social harmony, claimed Fadnavis, an MLA from Nagpur and also the state home minister, speaking in the legislative assembly. "Whatever happened two days ago was a planned incident by a few people. I am not blaming any community....we did not find any ayat (Quranic verse) on the cloth that was burnt," said the CM. Rumours about a chadar with Quranic verses being burnt during a protest led by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad demanding removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb located in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district triggered Monday's violence, as per the preliminary probe. "We have verified this from all angles by magnifying videos and pictures of the protest," Fadnavis further said, replying to a debate on the budgetary demands of the home department. Some people deliberately forwarded messages containing the false rumour to incite communal disturbance, he alleged. Attacks on police personnel were unpardonable, the CM said, adding, "Such people will be given the strictest possible punishment. Those who have attacked police in Nagpur will be dug out from their graves. We will not spare them." "Nagpur is calm now. The city is known for peace. There has been no riot in the city since 1992. The violence was a planned incident by certain people. Only a replica of Aurangzeb's tomb was burnt (during the VHP protest). No `ayat' were burnt. We have verified that. But rumours were spread deliberately. Those who spread rumours to hurt social harmony will be dealt with sternly. Some people have been arrested," Fadnavis said. He also clarified that his statement about the violence did not contradict what the Nagpur police commissioner had said. "The commissioner said investigation would decide whether the violence had been planned. I have not said anything contradictory," he said. Residents of NASA astronaut Sunita Willaims' ancestral village in Gujarat's Mehsana district burst into celebrations on Wednesday morning as a SpaceX capsule carrying her and her colleague Butch Wilmore splashed down off the Florida coast. IMAGE: People celebrate after the splashdown of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and the safe return of U.S. astronaut Sunita Williams at her native village of Jhulasan, Gujarat, March 19, 2025. Photographs: Amit Dave/Reuters All eyes were on Willaims's safe return as those in Jhulasan gathered at a village temple to view the event live on a television screen. As soon as she landed, residents celebrated the moment by bursting firecrackers, dancing and chanting Har Har Mahadev'. Williams has been in the thoughts and prayers of the villagers, who were eagerly awaiting her safe return. Even as Willaims was on her way back, the villagers gathered at the temple performed yagna' and offered prayers. They said they have been performing yagna and have lit up Akhand Jyot' (eternal flame) on the premises for her safe return. Jhulasan, known as the ancestral home of Williams' father Deepak Pandya, was alive with excitement ever since the news of her proposed return, after a delayed stay at the International Space Station (ISS) around nine months ago, trickled in. Navin Pandya, her cousin, said that the villagers have been praying for her safety, taking care of the 'Akhand Jyot,' the eternal flame that was lit up for her safe return soon after she went to space over nine months ago. He said the villagers have planned a grand procession in her honour, accompanied by prayer chanting and fireworks to create a festive atmosphere similar to Diwali and Holi. A procession will be taken out from the village school to the temple where the Akhand Jyot' has been kept, with students joining the celebrations, he said. The 'Akhand Jyot' will be immersed after the procession reaches the temple, he said. We have organised a procession with Sunita Williams' photograph and will perform a dhun (prayer chanting) at the temple, said Pandya. He said the villagers are looking forward to inviting Williams to visit Jhulasan. Williams has visited India at least thrice, including in 2007 and 2013, soon after her space missions and has been honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2008. Her father, originally from Jhulasan, migrated to the United States in 1957. Vishal Panchal, principal of Jhulasan primary school, said elaborate arrangements have been made for Wednesday's celebrations. Williams' space mission was initially scheduled to last seven days but got extended due to a technical glitch. Her SpaceX capsule parachuted into the Gulf of Mexico, just hours after departing the ISS. Williams, who has completed 62 hours over nine spacewalks, holds the record for the most time spent spacewalking by a female astronaut. The police have so far arrested 54 people in connection with the Nagpur violence, while a search is on to trace the mastermind, Maharashtra minister Yogesh Kadam said on Wednesday, stressing that attacks on police personnel will be dealt with strictly. IMAGE: A road wears a deserted look after curfew on the second consecutive day in 10 police station limits, at Mahal in Nagpur, March 19, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo The minister of state for home told reporters that the strictest action would be taken against the perpetrators of violence, and the fear of the law would be instilled. "54 people have been arrested in connection with Nagpur violence. They dared to attack policemen. We will show what is meant by police fear. They will not be spared," Kadam told reporters. He said the government would ensure that the police morale is not affected, adding that instructions have been given to take the strictest action. "The police are looking for the mastermind behind the violence," Kadam said and warned of action against those circulating wrong videos on social media. Thirty-three police personnel, including three DCP-rank officers, were injured on Monday night when mobs went on a rampage, damaging vehicles, hurling petrol bombs and stones at police, and attacking houses. Rumours about a chadar with holy inscriptions being burnt during protests led by Vishva Hindu Parishad for the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb, located in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, was the prima facie trigger for violence. Some rioters allegedly touched a woman constable inappropriately and tried to disrobe her during the violence, as per an FIR. Gujarat MOS for home Harsh Sanghavi on Wednesday justified the 'bulldozer action' against anti-social elements, saying only opposition parties are upset whereas people are happy with such measures. IMAGE: Union Home Minister Amit Shah virtually inaugurates the 'Fast Track Immigration-Trusted Traveller Program' for citizens and OCI cardholders, as Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi (left) looks on, in Ahmedabad, January 17, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo Speaking in the assembly, Sanghavi also vowed strict action against those engage in "love jihad", who he said would be paraded on streets. He was responding to Congress's charge that the BJP government had acted strictly only against small-time goons but excluded "mining mafias and land mafias". "Instead of being happy, the Opposition is upset over the crackdown on such anti-social elements. Opposition alleges that such elements are not afraid of the police. "But their tone changes when Gujarat police's bulldozer razes the buildings constructed on government land," said Sanghavi while seeking the approval of the House for Budgetary allocations for the home department. He was referring to the demolition of illegally constructed houses of six of 14 accused arrested by Ahmedabad police on March 14 for attacking commuters and rioting in Vastral area of the city. "'Dada's bulldozer (read CM Bhupendra Patel) won't spare such elements who create ruckus after coming to Gujarat from other states," he added. He said the same people labelled as "anti-social elements" in the night are perceived as poor people by the opposition in the morning. "Dada's bulldozer will turn on anyone who comes to Gujarat and engages in riots. Miscreants were nabbed in hours and taught a lesson by police as per the law. Except for opposition MLAs, Gujarat is happy with the government's action," said Sanghavi. On the Congress' charge of the growing menace of drugs, the MoS home urged the Opposition not to politicise the issue, pointing out that Gujarat Police had seized drugs from other states including West Bengal. Attacking Congress for its allegation that the law and order situation has deteriorated under BJP rule, Sanghavi said cities in Gujarat were once identified with residential "dons" under the Congress rule, "like Latif in Ahmedabad". Gujarat ranked 33 in India's crime graph, the minister said citing the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data of 2022. "Similarly, Gujarat was at the 27th position in crime against children and 33 in economic crimes. In Gujarat, police do not hesitate to arrest those who can be seen standing beside me in a photo. It is a certificate that the police do not work under any political influence," he said. He said police will take strict action against those who engage in "love jihad". "We have to take action if Amjad poses as Amit to trap girls. We have to take action for the safety of our daughters. And, it is necessary to take out their procession so that people can see their faces" said Sanghavi. Amid a row over Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday said even the United States didn't allow Osama bin Laden to be buried on its land and disposed of his body into the sea to avoid any glorification. IMAGE: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Photograph: @mieknathshinde/X The pointed attack came amid a heated exchange between the ruling and opposition members in the legislative council after Shinde took a dig at Shiv Sena-UBT MLC Anil Parab. While addressing the council about the Nagpur violence, Shinde questioned the glorification of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, whose tomb has become a point of contention with right-wing outfits demanding its removal. "Who is Aurangzeb? Why should we allow his glorification in our state? He is a blot on our history," the deputy chief minister said in his closing remarks. He said the Mughal emperor had offered Maratha king Chhatrapati Sambhajiraje a choice to convert to Islam, but the latter refused and was brutally tortured and killed. Referring to Parab's allegation that Shinde switched allegiance from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) to the BJP out of fear of Central agencies, Shinde shot back, "Even the US, after killing Osama bin Laden, ensured that he was not buried on their land. They disposed him of into the sea to prevent any glorification". Shinde slammed state Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal's comparison of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's governance to Aurangzeb's rule. "Did Fadnavis ever torture anyone the way Aurangzeb did to his enemies?" he questioned and turned towards Parab and asked if the chief minister had tortured him. Angered by the comment, Parab stood up and demanded the right to respond. Council chairperson Ram Shinde, however, didn't permit him to speak, and his microphone remained muted. Despite this, Parab, along with Leader of the Opposition Ambadas Danve, Sachin Parab, and other legislators, stood in protest, seeking permission to counter Shinde's statements, but none of them were allowed to speak. Continuing his attack, Shinde said, "Anil Parab should not forget that whatever I did, I did openly, and I did it to save the Shiv Sena from those who sympathise with Aurangzeb (Congress). It was the Congress that provided protection to Aurangzeb's tomb." Multiple agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate, are probing a money laundering case linked to a resort owned by Parab's aide in Dapoli, and the legislator has been called several times for questioning. Shinde earlier informed the Upper House of the state legislature that VHP and Bajrang Dal supporters held a protest in Nagpur city followed by the burning of an Aurangzeb effigy. "The police took action against the supporters, but by evening a rumour was spread that there was some religious scripture written on the effigy. It irked some people that later led to violence," he added. The future of the technology industry could be based on a simple yet compelling shift: giving women the opportunity to reskill into technical rolesearning higher incomes as well as massive economic dividends. According to the Women in Tech: How Skills and Talent Diversity Drive Business Success study by RMIT Online and Deloitte Access Economics, women who transition into tech roles can earn an additional $31,100 per year, a 31% salary jump. Beyond individual paychecks, this shift could inject $4.3 billion into the economy, reshaping the workforce and addressing one of techs most persistent issues: a widening skills gap. The business case The benefits of reskilling women also go beyond equal pay. Due to higher productivity, reskilled workers generate an extra $16,400 in revenue per employee, research suggests. That would be a $278,700 annual windfall for a business with 50 reskilled workersthat could fund new projects, expansion, or innovation. Larger firms can gain much more, and by adding more women to the technology sector, they could gain an extra $1.8 million annually. These statistics depict an undeniable fact: closing techs gender gap isnt just about equityits about smart business. Nevertheless, even with these obvious advantages, women remain underrepresented in the industry. While they make up 44% of Australias larger workforce, they hold only 30% of the industrys jobs. Techs looming talent crisis Australias digital skills shortage is at breaking point. Over a third of companies mentioned a lack of skills in emerging fields like generative AI and digital transformation, important areas that are revolutionizing industries at breakneck speed. Australia will need 1.3 million tech professionals by 2030, but current estimates fall short by 100,000 workersa 10% deficit that could strangle innovation. This is where reskilling women into technology can be revolutionary. The report refers to 661,300 women in Australiawhose existing skillswhether administrative, educational, or health-relatedmake them perfect tech candidates. With special training, these women can be reskilled into the industry in just six months, offering a quick-fix solution to a serious workforce problem. Diversity as a catalyst The advantages of a diverse workforce have been universally validated, and the research confirms so. In companies surveyed, 59% experienced improved team performance and morale, and 58% experienced greater creativityboth obvious results of more women in technology. More than half also observed higher staff quality and enhanced customer satisfaction, demonstrating that diversity is not only a victory withinit enhances the competitive edge of a company. Nevertheless, there are obstacles. A whopping 67% of business leaders believe the tech sector can and should improve in this regard, listing cultural stereotypes and a lack of visible role models as the main obstacles. Simultaneously, 68% hope the government will step in, suggesting training grants, tax incentives, and policy changes to facilitate it more easily. Even with setbacks, there is momentum. 45% of tech CEOs report they provide reskilling programs, and 44% are working on actively improving representation. But to ramp up these efforts will require more than good intentionsit requires a coordinated effort from businesses, education providers, and policymakers. Nic Cola, CEO of RMIT Online, sees this as a defining moment: With over 600,000 women ready to transition into tech, were sitting on a goldmine of talent. But unlocking it will take more than intentit requires collective action. Deloitte Access Economics Rhiannon Yetsenga highlights the economic interest: Generative AI and new technologies could remake Australias place in the worldbut only if we can support them with the right workforce. Reskilling women is not just about filling job gaps; its about driving growth and innovation. The report makes one thing clear: Techs biggest challenge might only require $31,100 to solvebut the ROI is far higher.The sector has the potential, the expertise, and the evidence-based case to act. Now, its a matter of whether or not leaders will take action. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Odisha government to decide the remission plea of a "repenting" Ravindra Pal alias Dara Singh, who is serving life sentence for the murders of Australian missionary Graham Stuart Staines and his two minor sons in the state's Keonjhar district in 1999. IMAGE: The Supreme Court of India. Photograph: ANI Photo A bench of Justices Manoj Misra and K V Viswanathan asked advocate Shibashish Misra, appearing for the Odisha government, to take a decision in six weeks and apprise the court. The top court on July 9, last year, had issued notice to the Odisha government on the plea for Singh's premature release. Singh said he believes in the Karmic philosophy, and in order to cure the effects of bad Karma he has gained through his actions, he prayed for an opportunity to reform his character. In his plea, filed through advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, Singh said he had spent over 24 years in incarceration and "repented" the consequences of his action taken in a fit of "youthful rage". Seeking court's mercy, Singh assured to "give back to the society" through "service-oriented actions". He sought a direction to the state government to consider his case for the relief in accordance with the guidelines for premature release of life convicts issued in 2022 in the three cases in which he was convicted. Singh, 61, said he had undergone more than the qualified period of sentence of 14 years under the April 19, 2022 policy and spent 24 years of actual imprisonment without remission. "It is noteworthy that the petitioner has never been released on parole and even when his mother passed away, he could not perform her last rites as he was not allowed to be released on parole," he submitted. Singh said the appropriate authorities were under the legal obligation to consider his case for premature release under the "Guideline for Premature Release 2022" passed by the Odisha government. The authorities, he said, failed to act in accordance with the rules due to which his right to liberty, as enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution, was jeopardised. "The petitioner acknowledges and deeply regrets the transgressions perpetrated more than two decades ago. In the fervour of youth, fueled by impassioned reactions to the brutal history of India, the petitioner's psyche momentarily lost restraint," his plea said. The plea went on, "It is imperative for the court to scrutinise not merely the actions but the underlying intent, noting that there was no personal animosity harboured towards any victim." A mob led by Singh attacked Staines and his two sons--11-year-old Philip and 8-year-old Timothy--while they slept in their station wagon and then set the vehicle on fire in Manoharpur village of Keonjhar district on the intervening night of January 22-23, 1999. Singh, the main accused in the triple murder, was convicted and sentenced to death by a CBI court in 2003. The Orissa High Court commuted his death sentence to life imprisonment in 2005 and it was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2011. Mehendra Hembram, an accomplice of Dara Singh, is also serving life imprisonment in the case, while 11 other accused were acquitted by the high court due to lack of evidence. Staines and his wife Gladys worked with Mayurbhanj Evangelical Missionary organisation and cared for leprosy patients. Gladys Staines, who was awarded the Padmashree in 2005, said she had forgiven the killers of her husband and sons and that she held no bitterness against them. 'Pick up momentum and find opportunities from an intelligence-sharing standpoint.' IMAGE: America's Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, March 18, 2025. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Tuesday said her country's relations with India can strengthen further. During a short question-and-answer session after her speech at this year's Raisina Dialogue, a strategic affairs conference organised by the ministry of external affairs and the New Delhi-based think-tank Observer Research Foundation, Gabbard said the US and India would work closer. Gabbard, who met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior government ministers and officials during her two-day visit to India, said she had heard "directly from her Indian counterparts about the very serious concerns" they have about India's security interests. She, however, did not mention any third country by name. When asked about the bilateral relationship, particularly related to security, Gabbard said the US and India should look for the opportunities where they can build on "an already very strong partnership". "And again take advantage of the new administration (Trump's) coming in, to pick up that momentum and find those other opportunities, from an intelligence-sharing standpoint, knowing that in our role, our responsibility is to make sure that we are providing the best, timely and relevant intelligence-reporting to our leaderships that they can make the best, informed decisions." Gabbard said evolving cybersecurity needs and the vulnerabilities that exist have made working with emerging technologies and artificial intelligence necessary. During her speech, Gabbard said US President Trump and Modi, who met in Washington, DC, in February, are "routed in our shared values of peace, freedom, security and prosperity". She quoted the former US president John F Kennedy's 1963 'strategy of peace', which was a call for cooperation between the US and the erstwhile Soviet Union, and said Trump is committed to achieving peace through 'a strategy of realism and pragmatism'. Gabbard said in the current world, where wars are being fought, such leaders are needed to "engage directly with friends and adversaries alike" to prevent an escalation of conflict. "Just as President Trump is committed to 'America first', putting the safety, security and freedom of the American people at the forefront of his policies and his decisions, Prime Minister Modi is committed to 'India first', Prime Minister Luxon is committed to 'New Zealand first.'" New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon addressed the opening session of the conference on Monday. His country has signed a new defence agreement with India. The US and India have long-term defence agreements. "But this should not be misunderstood to mean that 'America first' is America alone," Gabbard said, adding that the new Trump administration is not "isolationist". Since Trump's second term began in January, the US has withdrawn from the World Health Organisation and the Paris climate accord. Trump has also blamed Ukraine for the war with Russia, the country that invaded it three years ago. Gabbard called the Indo-Pacific region "the geopolitical centre of gravity for the 21st century". When asked about the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), a grouping of the US, Japan, Australia, and India, she said the new Trump administration has engaged with US partners since "day one". Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com Matheran, a popular tourist hill station close to Mumbai has been indefinitely shut from Wednesday. The move has come after an organization 'Matheran Paryatan Bachao Sangharsh Samiti' (Save Matheran Tourism Struggle Committee) has called for the indefinite bandh due to growing menace of horse owners operating in the hill station. According to a report in Lokmat Times, a local Marathi newspaper, "The bandh is supported by the hotel owners, e-rickshaw associations, traders, and social organizations. Until the Matheran government shuts down the cheating enterprise, there has been a call for an indefinite bandh in Matheran." The report stated, "There is anger in other business community against local horse owners who are fleecing tourists monetarily resulting in low footfall to the hill station. The horse owners charge Rs 500 to Rs 1000 from tourists for a distance of 2 km and vehicles are not allowed to ply in hill station resulting in the declining of number of tourists," the report said. The word, Matheran, is derived from 'forest on forehead' in Marathi was discovered by Hugh Poyntz Malet, the British district collector of Thane in 1850. After which, the then Governor of Bombay, Lord Elphinstone envisaged it as a future hill station to beat the Bombay summer heat. It is one of the smallest hill stations of India and is two hour drive from Mumbai city. 'We will never recognise any part of territories occupied by the Russians.' IMAGE: A march in Kyiv, March 14, 2025 to honour fallen volunteer fighters who fought with the Ukrainian armed forces in the war with Russia. Photograph: Violeta Santos Moura/Reuters Ukraine is seeking a just, comprehensive and long-lasting peace plan and is ready to negotiate in this regard under the Donald Trump administration, the country's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said in Delhi on Tuesday. However, he added that the country wants "no compromise at the cost of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty." Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue multilateral conference, Sybiha said Kyiv has supported the US proposal for a ceasefire and is waiting to hear what the Russians say. "We have shared this position with our American friends and European allies. There should be nothing about Ukraine, without Ukraine. Nothing about Europe, without Europe," Sybiha said. "There will be no restriction to our military capacities, and no third country has the right to block our will to participate in any union, or alliances," he said. The most potent barrier to peace at the moment is how a negotiated retreat of Russian forces can be ensured from Ukraine's land. "We will never recognise any part of territories occupied by the Russians," Sybiha said. He pointed out that currently a fifth of the country remains under Russia. With already three years into the Russia-Ukraine war, both sides have endured heavy losses. Ukraine has lost 43,000 soldiers with over 390,000 being wounded and many Ukrainian cities have been flattened. Support for US position Sybiha also recognised Trump's role in trying to end the conflict. "Our approach is that now is the time for a strong diplomacy. We really believe that with the leadership of President Trump, we can achieve a just, long lasting, peace for Ukraine," he said. The comments come in the wake of a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Trump at the White House last month. The meeting was intended to seal a rare earth minerals agreement between the US and Ukraine as a way to pay back America for the funds it had provided to Ukraine. This would also act as a security guarantee against any further Russian aggression since US investments and resources would be in Ukraine. The meeting had devolved into a heated exchange with Trump pressuring Zelenskyy to negotiate a peace deal with Russia. During the parleys, US Vice-President J D Vance accused Zelenskyy of being 'disrespectful', criticising his approach during the discussions. IMAGE: Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, March 18, 2025. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters Sybiha attempted to put the differences to rest. "We are not the obstacle to achieving peace. Let us see what will be the response from the Russian side to settle the ceasefire," Sybiha said. Ukraine, he said, had agreed to a temporary ceasefire to shake off the perception that the war is becoming another frozen conflict. Ukraine is counting on the support of the international community because it is about the principle of territorial sovereignty as outlined under the charter of the United Nations and about the restoration of world order based on the rule of law, he added. Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com Before the violence and rioting that erupted in Nagpur on Monday, March 17, over Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb came provocative statements from various political leaders. Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com lists who said what that stirred the communal pot. IMAGE: Police personnel speak with locals after a clash broke out between two groups in Nagpur, March 17, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo March 4 Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Asim Azmi addressing journalists outside the Maharashtra assembly in Mumbai makes the statement, 'Aurangzeb was a good administrator, and India thrived under his rule.' Azmi is referring to Laxman Utekar's film Chhaava depicting the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj in which Aurangzeb is shown as a tyrant and barbarian. The Bharatiya Janata Party-led Mahayuti government moves swiftly to suspend Azmi from the assembly and demands his arrest. 'We will not allow Chhatrapati Shivaji and Chhatrapati Sambhaji to be insulted,' declares BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar. March 5 Azmi is suspended from the Maharashtra assembly for the rest of its Budget session. Even as Azmi approaches court against the decision, Naresh Mhaske, the Shiv Sena Lok Sabha MP from Thane, files a case against Azmi for praising Aurangzeb. March 7 Responding to Azmi's praise of the Mughal monarch, Udayanraje Bhosale, the BJP MP from Satara and a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, asks, 'What is the need for Aurangzeb's tomb? Bring in a JCB machine and raze the tomb.' 'Aurangzeb was a thief and a lootera. Why should he be glorified?' Bhosale asks. Aurangzeb's grave is located at Khuldabad in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (the city formerly known as Aurangabad) in Maharashtra. March 10 Responding to Bhosale's statement, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the home portfolio, says, 'Everyone believes that Aurangzeb's grave must be removed.' Addressing an event to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur, Fadnavis adds that the grave iis a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India and hence can be removed only after following the law. March 14 'We are ready to remove the tomb of Aurangzeb. It will be done in such a way that no one will know in advance. Journalists will learn about it only after it is done,' declares Nitesh Rane, the BJP's state minister for fisheries and port development. 'We have already planned and decided and it will surely happen. We are in government now so there is no need to fear,' Rane says, adding, 'We have five years to remove Aurangzeb's tomb.' 'Hindus must not buy meat from the Muslim community who sell halal meat. Hindus must only buy 'jhatka mutton sold by Hindus,' Rane states before launching 'Malhar certified' mutton, a platform aimed at certifying 'jhatka' mutton shops. March 15 Additional Sessions Judge V G Raghuwanshi grants Azmi anticipatory bail and raps the police for failing to produce the video in which Azmi praised Aurangzeb. The judge advises Azmi to be cautious and not make irresponsible statements to the media that could create a law and order problem. March 17, morning At a Shiv Jayanti programme around 40 to 50 workers of the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad reportedly protests in Nagpur against Aurangzeb's tomb in Khuldabad, demanding that it should be removed. The protest takes place at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in the Mahal area in Nagpur, where the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh headquarters is located. During the protest, the demonstrators cover an effigy of Aurangzeb with a green chaddar and burn it. Muslims soon reach the spot and ask the police to take action against the protestors for hurting their religious sentiments; they say the protestors are burning a chaddar with holy Islamic text written on it. The police reportedly drive the Muslim protestors away. March 17, evening The Muslims disperse in the afternoon, but mobs return in the night to attack the homes of Hindus in the Mahal area. Some 45 vehicles are torched by the mobs, and many policemen are injured in the stone-pelting. One of the five FIRs registered says a group of rioters allegedly touched a woman constable inappropriately and tried to disrobe her during the violence. March 18 The police arrest 52 rioters and curfew is imposed in some parts of Nagpur. Eight Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal activists surrender before the police and are arrested. 'The violent incident and riots in Nagpur seem to be pre-planned,' Chief Minister Fadnavis tells the Maharashtra assembly. 'Specific houses and establishments were targeted by the mob. It looks like a conspiracy.' 'The recent biopic of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj (Chhava) has ignited anger in people for Aurangzeb,' Fadnavis adds. March 19 RSS leader Sunil Ambekar has the last word on Aurangzeb: 'The question is, if Aurangzeb is relevant today, should the tomb be removed? The answer is that he is not relevant.' And yet the violence happened. 'I always cook from my heart,' says New York Chef Vijaya Kumar who won his third Michelin Star recently. IMAGE: Chef Vijaya Kumar at his South Indian restaurant Semma in New York. All photographs: Kind courtesy Vijaya Kumar When Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence came into the South Indian restaurant Semma (awesome in Tamil) in New York, Chef Vijaya Kumar's eyes widened. This was the second time she was coming for a meal. Jennifer's husband, Cooke Maroney, an art gallery director, accompanied her. They ordered a wide variety of dishes. At the end of the dinner, Jennifer told Vijaya, 'This is one of the best meals I have had.' On another night, he saw a woman in her late thirties shedding tears. Vijaya thought the food was too hot for her. So he walked up to her and said, 'Can I offer you sweet yoghurt?' She shook her head and said, 'These are happy tears. I have not had my mother's food for a long time. The food I ate took me back to my childhood and the memory of my mother. It seemed to me she made this food. I miss home' She told Vijaya she grew up in Tamil Nadu. Another native of Tamil Nadu did not shed happy tears. Instead, he smiled. On Instagram, former world chess champion Viswanathan Anand wrote: 'Chef Vijaya Kumar put out a spread that was summa dhool! Thanks for the generous hospitality. I had a lovely meal. 'Wow,' thought Vijaya. 'Food can create emotions and connections with people.' IMAGE: Chef Vijaya Kumar, right with Padma Lakshmi and Roni Mazumdar of Unapologetic Foods. Vijaya was in the news recently after having won a Michelin Star for the third year. Asked whether he felt stressed about winning the hallowed culinary accolade, Vijaya says, "It is a responsibility to uphold our culture. So, it is not pressure." The Michelin Web site states that the criteria for the awards are five: 'The quality of the ingredients, the harmony of flavors, the mastery of techniques, the personality of the chef as expressed through their cuisine and, just as importantly, consistency both across the entire menu and over time.' Throughout the year, Michelin inspectors have a meal at a restaurant many times, but they are anonymous. So, the chef does not know who the inspectors are. Vijaya says he ensures that every dish that comes out of the Semma kitchen is as perfect as it can be. "I always cook from my heart," he says. "You have to pay attention to the smallest details." He has a 10-member team of Asians and non-Asians, but his backbone is his college mate Suresh. IMAGE: Chef Vijaya with Viswanathan Anand. Semma started serving customers in October 2021. At the entrance, there is an upside-down kettuvallam, a traditional boat. "This was inspired by the houseboats in Alleppey," says Vijaya. A local architect, Wid Chapman, imported the materials and designed it. There are coir mats on the ceilings and hanging bamboo lamps and chairs. People make reservations online. You can book two weeks in advance. IMAGE: Chef Vijaya Kumar. On the day Chef Vijaya spoke to this correspondent, he mentions that there are 1,450 people on the notification list. That means, if anybody cancels, the restaurant would notify those on the list. On weekdays, it is about 1,000 people. That highlights the popularity of the 75-seater restaurant. The restaurant works from 5 pm. to 10 pm from Monday to Saturday. Every day, they do over 200 covers. The food is from Tamil Nadu. Vijaya is trying to replicate the food that he enjoyed in his childhood in the village of Natham, near Madurai. Semma imports all the spices, including black pepper, cardamom and cinnamon from India. "We make everything from scratch," says Vijaya. "Just like the way our mothers did at home. We provide home-cooked food in an elevated way." The staff begin their preparations in the morning. Asked whether he tempers the masala if the patron is non-Asian, Vijaya smiles and says, "Our company motto is 'Unapologetically Indian'. So we don't turn down the spices. Most of the patrons have travelled all over the world. They have eaten even spicier food on their travels. And in New York, there are cuisines from all over the world." IMAGE: The exterior of Semma. The most popular on the menu is the Gunpowder Dosa. The menu lists it as a rice and lentil crepe served with potato masala and sambar. It costs $21. "It is Podi Dosa," explains Vijaya and Semma sells about 150 dosas a day. Another popular dish is the Valiya Chemmeen Moilee, which comprises lobster tail, mustard, turmeric and coconut milk, priced at $55. A favourite is the Dindigul Biriyani, which consists of goat, seeraga samba rice (aromatic rice from South India), garam masala, and mint. That costs $42. The New York Times food critic Pete Wells called the Kudal Varuval, 'the most eyebrow-raising dish at Semma'. It is a dry curry of goat intestines. Vijaya was asked to replicate this food at the Gold Gala dinner on May 11, 2024, for 600 people in Los Angeles. It is a show that honours Asian American excellence. Vijaya collaborated with Padma Lakshmi at the event. "Padma had respect for the type of food we make," says Vijaya. "She has been a friend and mentor." IMAGE: The interiors of Semma. Farming ran in the family. His grandfather was a farmer. Since his father was in government service, Vijaya's mother looked after their farm. During school vacations, Vijaya spent time at his grandparents' farm. In his grandparents' village, the residents had no electricity and neither were there roads. There were no grocery stores. So the people had to make everything on their farms, including rice and vegetables. They also grew millet and ragi. Years later, at Semma, he has a dish called Thinai Khichdi, which comprises foxtail millet, taro root, pickled onion and appalam. "This dish is a tribute to my grandparents," the chef says. For lunch, his grandparents would forage for snails. His grandmother would set up a wood fire in the middle of the paddy field, placed a mud pot on it, and put in spices and snails. "The taste was delicious," remembers Vijaya. His classmates mocked him when he said he had snails. But when Vijaya went to culinary school, his teachers told him there was a French culinary delicacy called escargot. "It is the French word for snails," says Vijaya. "I chuckled. Back to my childhood, I thought." IMAGE: Dindigul Biryani. Photograph: Kind courtesy Paul McDonough "My grandparents lived to 90 years with no health issues," he says. "They did sustainable cooking. Now it is called natural organic cooking. They used natural fertilisers like leaves, the waste of the cows and goats. None of the farmers used chemicals." The animals did not have processed food. They ate whatever they found in the fields. The cattle remained uncaged. They could move around freely. The animals enjoyed the sunlight and the open fields. When the people ate those animals, it was healthy and had no side effects. "Now there are so many chemicals in the food," says Vijaya. "People give many medicines to the animals. And when we eat this food, we get many diseases." IMAGE: Valiya Chemmeen Moilee. Photograph: Kind courtesy Paul McDonough Right from a young age, Vijaya would help his mother and grandmother in the kitchen. His original dream was to become an engineer. He got admission to an engineering college, but his parents did not have the money to fund his education. So Vijaya focused on being a chef. He joined the State Institute of Hotel Management and Culinary Technology in Trichy. After completion of the three-year diploma course, he joined the coffee shop at the Taj Connemara in Chennai. He worked there from 2001 to 2003 A friend Muthu invited him to join the Dosa restaurant in San Francisco. So Vijaya took the plunge. He worked there for six years. Dosa closed after a run of 15 years, in September 2019, during the Covid pandemic. IMAGE: Kudal Varuval. Photograph: Kind courtesy Molly Tavoletti In 2014, Vijay opened Rasa in Burlingame in San Mateo, California. For five years in a row, he won a Michelin Star for contemporary South Indian food. But he dreamt of wanting to cook authentic South Indian food. He met Roni Mazumdar and Chintan Pandya, the owners of Unapologetic Foods. They had a few conversations and realised they had the same vision. And finally, they took the plunge with Semma. Asked whether he feels his life is like a dream, Vijaya says, My life is a huge blessing. I have put in a lot of hard work. Since my childhood, I have done nothing half-heartedly. That is why I have always been a class topper. But in the end, I have to admit it is destiny." Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com Dozens of people hold signs and banners from the sidewalk of the Western Avenue Bridge over I-91 protesting President Donald Trump on Friday, March 14. More protests are planned for this Friday and Saturday. Amanda Lindsey is a pediatric nurse practitioner at Grace Cottage Family Health in Townshend. She holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of Michigan and worked at the University of Michigan Mott Childrens Hospital, then as a pediatric nurse practitioner on the Heart Failure/Transplant team and with the Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery team, both at Primary Childrens Hospital in Utah. She is particularly interested in educating parents and in encouraging healthy lifestyle choices. Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland-Hanzas joins others at a St. Patrick's Day Rally on Monday, March 17, 2025, at the Centre Congregational Church in Brattleboro. The Thai government has announced a temporary waiver of re-entry permit fees for migrant workers from Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar, allowing them to return home for the Songkran holiday without additional costs. Karom Polpornklang, Deputy Government Spokesperson, stated that the measure is part of Thailand's effort to strengthen labor relations with neighboring countries and reduce financial burdens on migrant workers wishing to visit their families during the traditional New Year celebrations. The exemption applies to workers with valid work permits, allowing them to leave and re-enter Thailand without applying for a Re-Entry Permit. The waiver is effective from April 1 to May 15. Migrant workers who return to Thailand after this period will no longer be eligible for the exemption and will be required to follow the standard re-entry application process. Karom emphasized that migrant labor is a vital part of the Thai economy. The government aims to provide appropriate benefits and incentives to ensure workers can return with renewed morale, fostering a stable and productive workforce. In this Aug. 13, 2019, file photo, Nathan Carman carries documents as he arrives at federal court in Providence, R.I., where he faced civil charges over insurance issues regarding the boat aboard which he and his mother went out to sea for a night of fishing in 2016. Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook. WILMINGTON The owners of the three Matterhorn businesses at a North Main Street property will be adjusting their signs after alleged zoning violations. In January, Town Attorney Ed Adrian notified them of about unpermitted signs and the potential for fines or the matter to go to Environmental Court if changes aren't made. The signs in question mostly are related to advertising for the hotdog stand known as the Matterhorn Dog House, not the cannabis store Matterhorn Apothecary or Matterhorn & Reed, a separate space where spas are shown and sold. "We finally put them all together," Ronnie Horn, Matterhorn co-owner, said of the businesses at the Wilmington Development Review Board meeting Monday. Permitted signs include the signs Matterhorn Apothecary and Matterhorn & Reed, an open sign, an open flag and a sandwich board sign. A freestanding sign in the shape of a hotdog was built against conditions of a previous board decision, and has an unpermitted umbrella on top, according to Adrian's letter. New signs that were added but never permitted, Adrian wrote, include the "Dog House" signs above the ordering window where hot dogs are sold out of a small structure, a second open flag, four large yellow hot-dog related squarish signs, six more squarish menu related signs on the side of the building, five hot dog shaped signs promoting the food, "Ski Chairs Sold Here" signs, a small hot dog sign under the sign listing the hours, cash only/hours signage and a third open flag, which is on the hot dog stand. Matterhorn also was requesting four additional wood signs, according to the letter. Board Chairwoman Cheryl LaFlamme questioned whether the businesses were permitted to have a sign about selling chairs made of skis. "We sell items in our apothecary," said Matt Horn Sr., co-owner of the businesses and Ronnie's husband. "It's something we build and make." LaFlamme wondered if a "change of use" permit is needed for the property. "It's really going to be a judgement call on your end," Wilmington Zoning Administrator Jessica Roberts told the board. "They had the apothecary then they needed a new use to sell spas. You could say they need a new use for selling the chairs." Matt said the apothecary sells cannabis, candles, jewelry, cutting boards and gifts, and he doesn't understand why everything in the business needed to be permitted. Roberts suggested the board could view it all as a retail use. "We're trying to make a living here," Matt said. He noted the price of cannabis in nearby Massachusetts can be a lot cheaper for consumers to buy. "It's a very saturated market so you have to be expansive," Ronnie said. Wilmington has a sign ordinance with "a lot of sections," LaFlamme told the Horns, "and we appreciate the fact that you filed a new application and appreciate that you are here to talk about it." The ordinance says each commercial business can have one freestanding sign, one overhanging sign, one structure mounted sign designating an entry and one structure mounted sign facing a public area. "Tasteful advertising helps with sale of products," Matt said. A site visit after corrections are made is scheduled for 11 a.m. on March 31, and the hearing will continue at the board's April 7 meeting, which starts at 5 p.m. "I don't ever want to talk signs with you guys again, please," LaFlamme told the Horns. Green leaf chair at Matterhorn Apothecary stirs the pot WILMINGTON Presenting plans to add hot tubs and a hot dog stand on an upper portion of the When the plan to add hot tubs and a hot dog stand to the property was presented to the board in 2023, a group of residents raised concerns about the large green leaf-shaped chair outside. They viewed it as a sign and advertisement for cannabis. At the time, LaFlamme noted the chair doesnt have any words displayed so it isnt considered a sign. "Overall, there are some things that I think not all the visitors appreciate looking at," John Boyd of the Wilmington Baptist Church said at the hearing Monday. Boyd, the only interested party to provide testimony at the hearing, said he did enjoy a hotdog at the Matterhorn Dog House. Shaun Murphy of Guilford speaks after receiving accolades for his 23 years of service on local school boards at the annual Windham Southeast School District meeting Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Under the Taliban, Afghan women can't study at universities or work in most jobs. But 22-year-old Zahra Ali has created a small business that brings in an income and provides a much-needed resource to her neighbors. At her home workshop in Kabul, she builds rechargeable battery packs that help compensate for the country's unreliable power grid. "I produce a lot. I can't keep up with all the orders. It's because Afghanistan faces frequent power shortages," she explains next to a work bench full of batteries, soldering irons, and electrometers. Customers who buy the battery packs charge them when the electricity is flowing and then use them when power from the grid is intermittent or is cut off. Before the Taliban returned to power in 2021, she studied at the Herat Institute of Technology. Since then girls and women have been barred from secondary and higher education, and there are few places where they can work. The Taliban has allowed limited exceptions in the health and education sectors, but these jobs come with severe restrictions and the number of women in the workforce continues to fall, according to the United Nations. Women must also be accompanied by a male relative when traveling longer distance from their homes and can face harassment and checks even when close to home. "It's not easy to work in the current situation. It takes a lot of effort and courage," says Ali. "I have faced many obstacles, but eventually I decided to build this workshop to generate an income, so I won't have to rely on my family and friends." She says there were few women working in science and technology even before the Taliban resumed power, but she remains undeterred. "Producing power banks is not a job only for men. I mean that women can do it too, but we need to work hard and be committed." Thousands of protesters in North Macedonia gathered to protest corruption in the wake of a fatal nightclub fire on March 16. The fire attributed to stage pyrotechnics burst out during a concert in Kocani, killing 59 people. Protesters say unsafe conditions at the club should have been caught and prevented by inspectors. WASHINGTON -- Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)said it has sued the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM), along with USAGM officials Kari Lake and Victor Morales, to block their attempt to terminate RFE/RLs federal grant, which provides the broadcaster with funds to operate. The complaint, filed on March 18, argues that denying the funds Congress has appropriated for RFE/RL violates federal laws and the US Constitution, which gives Congress exclusive authority over federal spending. The suit was filed in the US District Court for the District of Columbia. "This is not the time to cede terrain to the propaganda and censorship of America's adversaries," RFE/RL President and CEO Stephen Capus said. "We believe the law is on our side and that the celebration of our demise by despots around the world is premature," he added. Morales is acting CEO of USAGM, while Lake is a senior adviser to Morales. Word of the suit comes as European Union politicians said they are continuing their push into possible support for RFE/RL after the US government moved to cut the Prague-based broadcaster's funding amid concerns its closure would be a blow to pro-democracy media. Czech European Affairs Minister Martin Dvorak told reporters in Brussels that several nations have supported the initiative so far but that the bloc must act quickly as "it would be a big mistake to let this institution die." "We must initiate some interest and meet with commissioners and some states. At this point, that initiative has been supported by seven other nations, and after we make the initiative public at the General Affairs Council, more countries will join us," Dvorak said, adding the issue needs to be resolved in a matter of "several weeks." At the initiative of the Czech Republic, a meeting of foreign ministers from the bloc's 27 members on March 17 addressed the issue with the future of RFE/RL unclear due to the cutting of its Congress-approved funding by the administration of President Donald Trump over the weekend. EU Countries Voice Support Of RFE/RL While Dvorak said he did not want to reveal the names of the countries that have voiced their support for the move, diplomatic sources told RFE/RL that Germany, Austria, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, Slovenia, Poland, the Czech Republic, and the three Baltic nations are among those who support the initiative. EU Ministers Discuss RFE/RL Funding After US Grant Cut No media source currently available 0:00 0:02:18 0:00 In a show of solidarity and support, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said in a statement on March 19 that it is "deeply concerned" by the U.S. governments move to end funding for RFE/RL and "close down an important source of reliable news in multiple languages for many millions of people." We stand in solidarity with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and hundreds of journalists at risk and also with their audiences who depend on their independent reporting and broadcasting, said Liz Corbin, director of news at the EBU. For many years, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has contributed valuable content and context to the Eurovision News Exchange from some of the most difficult places for news media to work. In the face of propaganda, censorship and manipulation, every outlet that serves the public good with trusted information must be protected and properly funded. RFE/RL's Cold War History Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski has also voiced support for RFE/RL, recalling how his father listened to the station as well as the Voice of America broadcaster during the Cold War. "It's how we learned the basic facts about our own countries because communist propaganda was so tightly controlled," he told reporters. "And these institutions continue to do similar work for autocracies today." Trump signed an executive order late on March 14 that aims to reduce seven federal agencies -- including USAGM, which oversees RFE/RL and other federal broadcasters. The order, which also targets agencies that deal with homelessness, labor disputes, and community development, gave the heads of each governmental entity named seven days to submit a report confirming full compliance. Hours after the executive order was published, a letter from USAGM said the Congress-approved grant that funds RFE/RL had been terminated. RFE/RL chief Capus said canceling the grant agreement would be "a massive gift to America's enemies," a point that was echoed by many media rights watchdogs, democracy advocates, and politicians. "Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is an important source of independent and fact-based news. We echo Czechia's call for joint EU support to make sure RFE/RL can continue its operations - promoting democratic values and press freedom, and countering foreign information manipulation," Caspar Veldkamp, foreign minister of the Netherlands, said in a social media post on March 19. 'Critical Lifeline' US Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said: "The Trump administration's latest effort to dismantle entities established and funded by Congress that provide accurate, unbiased information to hundreds of millions of people in countries where press freedom is under attack undermines the US commitment to democracy." If President Trump gets his way, those who depend on US-supported independent media as alternatives to Chinese and Kremlin run media outlets and those living under authoritarian regimes will lose a critical lifeline." The USAGM is an independent US government agency that oversees the broadcasting of news and information in almost 50 languages to some 361 million people each week. The total budget request for the USAGM for fiscal year 2025 was $950 million to fund all of its operations and capital investments. This includes media outlets such as RFE/RL, Voice of America, Radio Free Asia, the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (Radio Marti), Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN), and the Open Technology Fund. The 2025 budget request for RFE/RL itself was about $153 million, according to USAGM documents. RFE/RL operates in 23 countries and 27 languages across Central and Eastern Europe, the Near East, and Central Asia. With reporting by RFE/RL's Rikard Jozwiak Dozens of Su-30MK2 and Yak-130 fighter jets, along with Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters, are undergoing training in preparation for an aerial performance in Ho Chi Minh City to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Vietnam's reunification. Lieutenant Colonel Tran Thanh Luan, Deputy Commander of the 935th Air Force Regiment, Division 370 (Air Defense - Air Force Service), said during a training session at Bien Hoa Airport on Tuesday that the air force has structured its preparations for the aerial parade over two months. Vietnam's fighter jets rehearse for 50th reunification anniversary parade Vietnam's fighter jets rehearse for 50th reunification anniversary parade Su-30MK2 fighter jets practice for an aerial performance to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Vietnam's reunification, Bien Hoa Airport, March 2025. Video by VnExpress/Tuan Viet Since early March, dozens of pilots from various regions across Vietnam have gathered at Bien Hoa Airport, around 40 km from HCMC, to rehearse for the April 30 event, which will take place over the Independence Palace in downtown HCMC. The place marks the end of the Vietnam War on April 30, 1975. Over the past few days, pilots have been conducting formation flights with three to four aircraft, taking off from Bien Hoa Airport and flying through the airspace of nearby Binh Duong and Binh Phuoc provinces. The training includes maneuvers such as formation separations and circling in the sky, Luan said. He noted that many pilots were flying at Bien Hoa Airport for the first time and required time to familiarize themselves with the terrain. Additionally, the hot and humid weather in southern Vietnam has posed challenges, affecting pilots performance in executing complex aerial maneuvers. This has made careful preparation and training essential, he added. Three Yak-130 jets fly in formation. Photo by VnExpress/Thanh Tung To ensure safety, the Ministry of National Defense has mapped out the flight area over central HCMC, coordinated with civil aviation authorities, and finalized a detailed flight plan and route. "The air force is planning flights to prioritize safety while ensuring the public gets an optimal view of the performance," Luan said. The Air Defense - Air Force has mobilized five Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters from Hanoi and 27 Su-30MK2 and Yak-130 fighter jets for the training. Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters practice for the parade at Bien Hoa airport, March 2025. Photo by VnExpress/Thanh Tung In addition to the aerial display, a grand parade will take place on the morning of April 30 along Le Duan Street in front of the Independence Palace. The event will feature 21 ceremonial cannon shots synchronized with the Vietnamese national anthem, along with parades by military forces, civilians, and various organizations. Approximately 13,000 people are expected to participate in the parade, marking one of the largest celebrations in Vietnam to honor its historic reunification. President Donald Trump suggested during a call with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy that the United States take ownership of Ukraine's power plants as he seeks to bridge a wide divide between Moscow and Kyiv and secure a full cease-fire in Europe's largest war in decades. Trump told Zelenskyy that US ownership of Ukraine's electrical supply and nuclear power plants "would be the best protection for that infrastructure," according to a White House readout of the March 19 call, which preceded another night of Moscow and Kyiv exchanging drone strikes and hostilities on the battlefield. The proposal reflects Trump's belief that US ownership of Ukrainian assets would effectively serve as a security guarantee for the embattled country because Russia would presumably refrain from targeting them out of fear of escalation with the United States. Zelenskyy told reporters in an online briefing on March 19 that he and Trump discussed the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine during the phone call. He said he told Trump that Kyiv would be ready to discuss US involvement in modernizing and investing in the plant if it is returned to Ukraine. Kyiv's demand for security guarantees lies at the heart of the shuttle diplomacy between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States to secure a peace deal. Zelenskyy wants any final peace deal to include Western security guarantees for Ukraine to deter Russia from invading again, but Trump has so far refused to commit the United States to the country's defense. During the call, which the White House described as "fantastic," Trump promised to look into acquiring more Patriot anti-air missile systems for Ukraine, while Zelenskyy agreed not to target Russian energy assets for 30 days. Ukraine has struggled to protect its cities from Russian attacks due to a lack of air defense. Early on March 20, Ukraine's air force said that its air defenses shot down 75 out of 171 drones launched by Russia in an overnight attack, with 63 other drones redirected from their targets with use of electronic warfare. Ukraine's National Police said that at least 10n people were injured in an overnight air attack on the central Ukrainian city of Kropyvnytskiy, including four children. The strike damaged residential buildings and private homes. Several of the injured were hospitalized after receiving emergency medical care. Russia said that it had downed 132 Ukrainian drones overnight, with authorities in the Saratov region confirming that an airfield close to the town of Engels, which hosts a strategic bomber base, had been set on fire. Russia's aviation authority Rosaviatsia said arrivals and departures at the Samara and Saratov airports had been temporarily suspended. Zelenskyy Has 'Positive' Contact With Trump Zelenskyy described his first official contact with the US president since a disastrous meeting in front of the press on February 27, as "substantive and positive." But Ukrainian political analyst Petro Oleshchuk told Current Time that it is not clear whether the idea of US ownership of Ukrainian energy assets is something to take seriously or just another "innovative idea" on the part of Trump. "On the other hand this is perhaps a further development of the idea that was earlier proposed in the context of critical rare earths," said Oleshchuk, referring to the Trump-proposed deal over access to Ukrainian critical minerals that Zelenskyy left without signing during that visit to Washington. "It is clear Trump and his circle are looking for profitable things in Ukraine in order to justify for themselves and their partners the need for a US presence in Ukraine. But Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant is currently controlled by Russia. And it is hard to imagine how Trump is going to persuade Russia to get out of there," said Oleshchuk. Trump has made ending the war in Ukraine, which has killed or wounded more than a million people, a top priority for his administration. However, Moscow and Kyiv remain so far apart on key issues -- such as land exchanges and security guarantees for Ukraine -- that the Trump administration will need to use various carrots and sticks if it hopes to bring them together. In a social media post, Trump said the goal of his call with Zelenskyy was "to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs." So far, Trump has mainly leaned on Ukraine, temporarily halting military assistance until Zelenskyy agreed last week to a 30-day unconditional cease-fire. Putin rejected the cease-fire proposal during a March 18 call with the US president, settling instead for a temporary halt in energy and infrastructure strikes, the first de-escalation step of the war. Zelenskyy subsequently reciprocated. Putin agreed to continue talks with the United States toward achieving a full cease-fire. US negotiators will meet with Ukrainian and Russian counterparts in the coming days to work on extending the partial cease-fire to the Black Sea. Experts say that Putin has not given up on his goals of subjugating Ukraine and will seek to drag out the talks while his forces have the advantage on the battlefield. Russia wants to fully control the four regions of Ukraine it claims to have annexed in 2022. It would fall short of that goal were it to agree to a full-cease fire now. Trump has threatened to impose tough sanctions and tariffs on Russia if it obstructs the path toward peace deal, but experts question whether the US president would come down hard on Russia considering he values his relationship with Putin. Trump has shown that he can pressure Zelenskyy. Is he willing and able to pressure Putin? If not, then what is he going to do? Putin is making it clear that hes not changing his goals, Mark Katz, a Russia expert and professor emeritus of government and politics at George Mason University, told RFE/RL. Putin's Promise Shortly after Putin agreed not to target Ukrainian energy facilities and infrastructure during the partial cease-fire period, Russia stuck two hospitals and a railway power station, injuring several people. Russia has regularly targeted Ukraine's power infrastructure with missiles and drones in an attempt to break the will of the Ukrainian people by denying them light and heat in the winter. Zelenskyy said earlier that Russia had launched 150 drones at targets that also included energy facilities in the hours that followed the call between Trump and Putin. Russian troops late on March 19 carried out massive air strikes on Kupyansk that damaged critical infrastructure and caused fires at civilian structures, according to Kharkiv Governor Oleh Synehubov. Residents of Kyiv told RFE/RL that they did not put much faith in the agreement between Washington and Moscow. Luke Coffey, an analyst at the Hudson Institute, called Putin's concession on energy infrastructure strikes "the bare minimum" he could offer Trump. "With warmer weather in Ukraine, Putin likely would have scaled back strikes on energy regardless," he said in a tweet, adding that the Kremlin leader "remains the primary obstacle to peace." The Kremlin's readout from the talks suggested the scope of their agreement was limited to a pause in strikes on energy infrastructure, while the wording of the White House's statement differed slightly, referring to an "energy and infrastructure cease-fire." "There must be checks over Putin's words. And the United States could lead that monitoring.... We will write up a list of buildings and structures hit by Russian drones and missiles. If the Russians stop targeting our buildings, we will stop our strikes on Russian territories," Zelenskyy said. "There is a long path to reach first the cease-fire, and then a long-term peace," he added. The Kremlin has claimed that it halted any targeting of Ukrainian energy facilities immediately after the call with Trump, and instead accused Kyiv of launching attacks on equipment near one of its pipelines in spite of the agreement. Ukrainian drones struck an oil depot in Russia's Krasnodar region overnight, igniting a fire and damaging a pipeline connecting storage tanks, Russian emergency officials confirmed, adding that there were no casualties. Ukraine has often retaliated against the strikes on its power system by targeting Russian oil assets, such as refineries and storage facilities. Russia's war machine is heavily dependent on oil export revenues, which account for about a third of federal budget revenues. For this reason, argued Oleschuk, the analyst, adhering to the agreement prohibiting such strikes might handicap Kyiv just as much as it does Moscow. "People here say that the sanctions of the drones are often working more effectively against Russias oil and gas industry than the sanctions of the Western partners," Oleschuk told Current Time. While Trump described his call with Putin as "very good and productive," Zelenskyy expressed disappointment with the outcome, saying it showed Putin isn't interested in peace and was determined "to drag out the war." US envoy Steve Witkoff told Fox News on March 18 that fresh talks with Russia on the Ukraine war will now take place on March 23 in Jeddah. "The devil is in the details. We've got a team going to Saudi Arabia, led by our national-security adviser and our secretary of state, and I think, you know, we've got to figure out those details," Witkoff said. Zelenskyy said Ukraine is ready to send a team for further cease-fire discussions with the United States, while reiterating Kyiv will not recognize Russian sovereignty over any occupied Ukrainian territory -- a condition for any peace agreement that Putin has voiced several times. With reporting by Reuters and AP In March 2022, weeks after ordering a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged to "mothers, wives, sisters, and fiancees" that he would deploy only "professional military personnel" in what has become Europe's bloodiest conflict since World War II. That pledge quickly rang hollow, with numerous reports that young conscripts were being coerced into signing military contracts almost immediately after induction and shipped to the front line in what the Kremlin calls its "special military operation." Three years later, Russian conscripts are still being sent to the front -- and dying -- after signing such contracts, activists and relatives say. "The Russian Army finds it relatively easy to recruit 18- and 19-year-old conscripts," Artyom Klyga, a lawyer with the Movement of Conscientious Objectors, a Russian antiwar group, told RFE/RL. "These young soldiers are frequently encouraged to sign a contract to become professional soldiers, often without fully understanding what they are agreeing to," Klyga added. Ahead of Russia's spring draft set to begin on April 1, the Russian-language news outlet Vyorstka reported that at least 25 conscripts were killed in Russia's western Kursk region following Ukraine's surprise incursion there in August. The average age of these conscripts was 20, according to Vyorstka, which based its figure on an analysis of news reports and obituaries posted on social media. Many of their deaths only became known in recent months. One of the Russian conscripts killed in Kursk was 19-year-old Zakhar Sosnin, whose family told RFE/RL's Siberia Realities they were in the dark about how he ended up signing a military contract. "We found out later. We still don't understand why he signed it. We were told that he 'died in the battle for the Kursk region,' and that's it. He was just a child," one of his relatives said. Klyga told RFE/RL that Russian law technically prevents conscripts from being deployed to combat with less than four months of service. If they sign a contract, however, they can be sent immediately. "Most of the time they have no access to lawyers or human rights organizations -- they simply have no choice," he said. In some cases, relatives have said they are certain their conscripted sons did not sign military contracts. In October, several conscripts from a Russian tank division received 305,000 rubles ($3,600) after they supposedly signed contracts with the Russian Defense Ministry, RFE/RL's North Realities reported. The mother of one of these conscripts told North Realities that her son had not signed any contract. "We are horrified because we don't want to fight," she said. 'They're Just Kids!' Anxiety and anger among relatives of Russian conscripts surfaces regularly. Last month, the administration of the town of Verkhnyaya Salda, some 2,000 kilometers east of Moscow in Russia's Sverdlovsk region, posted a tribute on social media to 19-year-old conscript Daniil Selyayev, informing readers that he had been killed in battle in the Kursk region in November. Under the post, which featured a photo of Selyayev in his military uniform, commenters posted biting responses about his death, which authorities said occurred while he was distributing "humanitarian aid." "A conscript. And they said they wouldn't be involved. Very, very sad for the boy," one wrote. One commenter responded that conscripts are sent to the front after signing contracts or after serving first for five months, drawing a sharp rebuttal from another. "That's not true! They're taking conscripts there! We even have our own Telegram chat for mothers whose children are at the border. No one asks them where they are taken after training," the commenter wrote. "Why are conscripts being deployed for the special military operation?! They're just kids! It's the state's duty to bring them home alive and well," wrote another. While many Russian families are outraged with the government for reneging on Putin's pledge not to send young, inexperienced men to the front lines, public resistance is rare amid the Kremlin's escalating crackdown on dissent since the beginning of the Kremlin's all-out war on Ukraine, Russian military analyst Yan Matveev told RFE/RL. Aleksandr Bastrykin, head of Russia's powerful Investigative Committee, said this month that since Russia's February 2022 invasion, his agency had initiated 615 criminal cases involving charges of "discrediting" or spreading "fake" news about the Russian military -- controversial statutes that the Russian government has wielded to silence critics. "The power of repression within the country is strong, and the security forces, along with the courts, harshly suppress any active discontent," Matveev said. Russian casualties -- killed or wounded -- exceed 700,000, according to Western estimates as of December. An analysis by the International Institute for Strategic Studies estimated that since Russia's 2022 invasion, at least 172,000 Russian soldiers have been killed and 611,000 wounded, more than half of them severely and unable to fight again. Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has been detained by Turkish authorities days before he was expected to be nominated as the opposition candidate running in the 2028 presidential election, a move the European Union called "deeply concerning." Imamoglu, who is widely seen as a key rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was detained at his home early on March 19. His party said the move showed how strong a candidate he would be if he were to run against Erdogan. Turkeys state-run Anadolu Agency says the Istanbul mayor is among nearly 100 people, including businessmen and journalists, whose arrest warrants have been issued. The charges run the gamut from leading a criminal organization and extortion to bribery and illegally accessing personal data. Prosecutors specifically accused Imamoglu of being "the leader of a criminal organization" who allegedly extorted businessmen and laundered money. Ozgur Ozel, chairman of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), slammed Imamoglu's detention as an "attempted coup against our next president." Several European countries voiced concern over the developments in Istanbul, saying they feared the consequences on democracy over the move. The arrest of the mayor is deeply concerning, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, told reporters in Brussels. Turkey must uphold the democratic values, especially the rights of elected officials. Erdogan, the nation's premier leader since 2003, has been accused of rolling back democracy, jailing opponents, independently launching foreign interventions, and has crossed swords with EU member states, and deepened ties with Putin. "Erdogan in Turkey is using all the tactics employed by authoritarians to maintain his power. For example, before elections, he eliminates opposition leaders or strong potential rivals by imprisoning them or removing them in some way. These are well-known tactics, in fact," Ilhan Uzgel, a CHP deputy chairman, told RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service. The CHP is scheduled to hold its presidential candidate selection on March 23, and Imamoglu is the only person running. Imamoglu posted a video on social media early on March 19 vowing to "continue fighting against" Erdogan. "Those who are trying to usurp the will of our nation have involved my dear police officers," he said, appearing to suggest he was about to be placed in custody. "We are facing great tyranny. But I want you to know that I will not give up," he added. Netblocks, which monitors the connectivity of Web services, said Turkey had restricted access to multiple social media platforms following Imamoglu's detention. The blocked platforms include X, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. It has been a difficult week for Imamoglu. On March 17, his alma mater Istanbul University invalidated his diploma, alleging irregularities when he transferred from a university in Turkish-controlled Northern Cyprus in 1990. A university degree is a prerequisite for running in elections in Turkey, which is why Imamoglu's supporters argue the decision to nullify his diploma is politically motivated. The Istanbul mayor himself said the move was illegal, charging the university did not have the authority for the annulment. "This is not about me. This is about our future. No matter the challenges we face, we will not waver. We will not allow democracy to be undermined. We will not allow the will of the people to be overruled," he wrote on X after the annulment of his diploma. Imamoglu secured a second term as Istanbul's mayor last year, marking a significant victory for his CHP party in local elections. The party also won key cities like Ankara, dealing a historic blow to Erdogan's Justice and Development Party. This marked the first time since Erdogan's rise to power 22 years ago that his party lost nationwide elections. The defeat was particularly personal for Erdogan, who began his political career as Istanbul's mayor. Speaking to RFE/RL, some said they were hopeful but others questioned whether Russia could be trusted after its continued strikes on Ukraine. A hospital in the city of Sumy in northeastern Ukraine was hit by a Russian drone on March 19, hours after Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin discussed a possible cease-fire by phone. Dozens of patients were evacuated to shelter after the strike. It came as Russian forces stepped up attacks in the Sumy region after retaking much of the adjacent Kursk region of Russia where Ukraine launched a surprise incursion in summer 2024. A US federal judge ruled that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) likely violated the Constitution when it attempted to shut down the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and it ordered DOGE to cease further action against the agency. US District Judge Theodore Chuang in Maryland, in a preliminary ruling, ordered President Donald Trump's adviser Elon Musk and the agency he leads to restore access to USAID's computer systems for its direct and contract employees -- including thousands who had been placed on leave in late February. The ruling was in response to a suit filed by current and former USAID employees who claimed Musk and DOGE had no authority to close down the congressionally mandated entity, created in 1961. "Todays decision is an important victory against Elon Musk and his DOGE attack on USAID, the US government, and the Constitution, said Norm Eisen, head of the State Democracy Defenders Fund and a lawyer representing the 26 anonymous plaintiffs in the suit. The White House blasted the court decision. "Rogue judges are subverting the will of the American people in their attempts to stop President Trump from carrying out his agenda," spokeswoman Anna Kelly said. "The Trump administration will appeal this miscarriage of justice and fight back against all activist judges intruding on the separation of powers." In comments to Fox News, Trump confirmed that he plans to appeal the ruling. Chuang said there was evidence that Musk exercised significant authority legally reserved for an organization's officer while serving in a continuing government position. The White House contends that Musk was not in a government position but only serving as an adviser to Trump. Chuang also found that Musk and DOGE lacked authorization by Congress to take steps toward dismantling the agency. "There is no statute that authorizes the Executive Branch to shut down USAID," he wrote USAID is the primary US government agency responsible for administering civilian foreign aid and development assistance. It operates in more than 100 countries, distributing billions of dollars in foreign aid annually, and employs about 10,000 people around the globe. The Trump administration has criticized USAID programs as inefficient and misaligned with U.S. interests, arguing that some of the agencys functions could be handled by the State Department. Critics also contend that certain social and cultural programs funded by USAID do not align with its core mission. Since 2022, USAID has provided Ukraine with billions of dollars in humanitarian aid, development assistance, and direct budget support. Ukraine's crucial agriculture sector has been a key beneficiary. USAID said that, since 2022, it helped a third of Ukrainian farmers and provided them with seeds, fertilizer, and financing. Democratic members of Congress have challenged the Trump administration's attempt to fold USAID into the State Department, a move that calls into question funding for aid programs around the world, including billions of dollars in development aid to Ukraine. A recent report from the Congressional Research Service (CRS) said USAID in fiscal year 2023 managed more than $40 billion in combined appropriations to support projects in around 130 countries. The top three recipients of aid were Ukraine, Ethiopia, and Jordan. Afghanistan is also one of the top 10 recipients of USAID funding. With reporting by AP and Reuters A Yale University unit that has played a key role in gathering evidence on Russian war crimes committed in Ukraine will close down on March 28 after the US State Department cut funding. In an exclusive interview, the executive director of Yale's Humanitarian Research Lab, Nathaniel Raymond, told RFE/RL that the move was "a catastrophic blow" to efforts to document war crimes and bring people to justice. Raymond said the unit was currently tracking the location of 35,000 children abducted from Ukraine by Russia. Abducting children is a war crime, and Russian President Vladimir Putin has been indicted for it by the International Criminal Court (ICC). "The loss of our work is another win for those who want to obscure the truth and who want to prevent accountability," Raymond said. Massive Cuts In response to a request for comment from RFE/RL, the State Department confirmed funding had been stopped. For further details it referred reporters to MITRE, a nonprofit organization that works on government contracts, which did not immediately respond. Asked why he thought the funding was cut, Raymond said: "I wish I knew the answer to that. It's hard not to take it personally. But it also is part of a wave of cancellations across the humanitarian and human rights field." Since taking office, the US government has imposed massive cuts on USAID, the Education Department, and overseas broadcasting organization such as RFE/RL. The move is also a further instance of the Trump administration pulling back from international cooperation to document war crimes committed by Russia since it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. It comes after officials at Eurojust, the European Union's agency for criminal justice cooperation, told RFE/RL this week that Washington had stopped working with its unit specializing on war crimes committed in Ukraine. The International Center for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression (ICPA) provides logistical help, training, and other help to Ukrainian prosecutors investigating some 153,000 cases. Russia Taking Children From Ukraine The Yale unit's work is based on open-source investigation and has provided detailed evidence that Russia has a systematic program of taking children from Ukraine. In its last report, in December, Yale investigators documented the fate of 314 children who were subject to a "systematic program of coerced adoption and fostering" by Russian individuals and families. Raymond presented the findings to the United Nations Security Council, stating: "In at least one case, a sibling was separated by Russia from their brothers and sisters as part of a placement with citizens of Russia." Speaking to RFE/RL on March 18, Raymond said his team's work had been "truly heroic" in documenting war crimes and crimes against humanity for three years. It was, he said, trying to continue its work in its last days but this was hampered because its access to satellite imagery had also been cut. "We are tracking 35,000 children potentially within Russia and the occupied territories in over 100 locations, including reeducation camps and foster and adoption settings from the Black Sea all the way to the Pacific coast in Magadan," he said. Raymond also said his team had lost access to the vast archive of data it accumulated over three years. They had previously accessed the data through a State Department program. A group of US lawmakers have written to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying they believe the archive may have been deleted. The previous work included "documenting attacks on power generation infrastructure, which preceded four indictments by the International Criminal Court, including two against [Russian General Valery] Gerasimov and [former Defense Minister Sergei] Shoigu for alleged crimes against humanity." It also included work on damage to crop infrastructure and tracking adult detainees and prisoners of war. "That work has ended as well," said Raymond. Some of this data is still available to the ICC, Europol, and Ukrainian prosecutors, as it was handed over for previous cases. In total, the Yale unit's evidence helped six ICC indictments. "We are doing what we can with what we have left, but unfortunately, it's very little," Raymond said. The issue of returning abducted children has also been made a central point of any future peace deal between Ukraine and Russia. Asked about it on March 11, Rubio said "there will be a lot of issues to unravel -- among them, not least of which is the humanitarian concerns, the children." The draft conclusions from the March 20-21 EU summit, seen by RFE/RL, also highlight the issue. "A credible pathway to peace must include humanitarian relief efforts, notably the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of civilians and the return of all Ukrainian children and other civilians unlawfully deported and transferred to Russia and Belarus." Raymond said his team's work had been important not only in terms of accountability but "also in catalyzing diplomatic efforts, including efforts to negotiate for the children's return." The Air Ambulance has returned to its Athlone base, local Sinn Fein TD Claire Kerrane has confirmed. Having confirmed the news with the Operations Support manager this morning, Deputy Kerrane said: "I welcome the return of the Air Ambulance to Athlone. It returned yesterday. "I discovered last October that the Air Ambulance was to be re-located to Dublin last November until January to allow for works at the Athlone hanger. The works took longer than expected and the Air Ambulance was delayed returning. "I know some feared it may not return at all. "The majority of calls for the Air Ambulance come from County Roscommon and it is a critical part of our ambulance service. "We have heard disturbing reports recently of changes to the crew. However, I will be meeting with the Director of the Ambulance Service in their HQ tomorrow and I will be seeking clarity on this service," said the Roscommon/Galway TD. Micheal Martins visit to the White House was a throwback to the time when League of Ireland clubs played in the old European Cup and would meet a continental powerhouse. A draw or even a narrow defeat against the champions of Italy, Germany or Spain was hailed as a terrific result. It was the same when the Taoiseach entered the bear-pit of the White House press corps in the presence of US President Donald Trump and his acolytes. The general consensus is that Martin did as well as he could much like the League of Ireland standard-bearers in the past - and emerged relatively unscathed. This is despite Trump, while professing his love of Ireland, fulminating about American tech firms in Ireland. Even if those companies decide to stay here, the current US administration wants the firms to repatriate their profits to the US, which would slash our corporation tax profits. It is a sign about how expectations had been transformed in the build-up to the annual St. Patricks Day jamboree in Washington. If any previous US president had spoken so bluntly, we would have gone into meltdown. Everything is different in the era of Trump, when diplomatic meetings with heads of the state have been turned into reality TV set-pieces. From the Far Left claiming a few months ago that Martin shouldnt even go to the White House to then demanding he confront Trump about his attitude to Gaza, everything changed following Trump and Vice-President JD Vances verbal mauling of Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky. In the last few weeks, Martins trip became, simultaneously, the most anticipated and dreaded in history. To those who have criticised Martin for not being more forceful on the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, the response is: what would have been achieved if the Taoiseach had criticised the US government? It wouldnt have made a jot of difference to Trumps attitude towards Palestine or Ukraine while drawing the ire of The Donald upon this country. If anything, Martins handling of questions about Gaza were among the more impressive parts of the press conference. He tried to combat the way Ireland has been depicted by Netanyahu while still getting his point across that the Irish people favour a two-state solution in Gaza. Martin had less success when meeting Jewish representatives later in his trip with some groups opting out altogether. Irish diplomats will have to be on the top of their game to counteract any Israeli government attempts to portray Ireland negatively in the US corridors of power. Fellow EU leaders might be annoyed Martin let Trump get away with too much, but, ultimately, he boxed cleverly. Indeed, the Taoiseachs wry quip about his father being a good defensive boxer was one of the funnier moments of the press conference. It will probably take a while for a final verdict to emerge on how Martin did. Enda Kennys oft-referenced speech in 2017 about St. Patrick being an immigrant in front of a president notorious for his anti-immigration policies only garnered praise at home after the US media lauded Kenny. Nevertheless, from the moment Vance showed off his shamrock-pattern socks, it was clear that the traditional US goodwill towards Ireland is intact. While it is claimed that the oversized Irish influence in the US, spearheaded by the late John Hume and which probably reached its zenith in the Clinton era, is fading, it was notable that Trump and Vance decided to be cordial towards Martin. For context, Donald Tusk, the high-profile prime minister of Poland and former leading EU figure, was left waiting outside the Oval Office by Trump and eventually got a measly 10-minute meeting. Last weeks flurry of ministers visiting the US was the first serious indication that the Irish government is pivoting away from our traditional partiality towards the Democrats and trying to build bridges with the Republicans. Sensibly, Martin made sure to call into the Republican governor of Texas when visiting that state. As Trump gloated, albeit in his typically exaggerated way, the Irish-American vote or perhaps more accurately, the Irish component of the White Catholic vote - has shifted away from the Democrats to the Republicans. Of course, Trumps flattery doesnt butter any parsnips, and Irish butter exports to the US will suffer if he follows through on his threat of an extraordinary 200% tariff on EU goods. The president may have professed his love of Ireland last Wednesday, but just one day later he announced the extortionate tariffs that could decimate Irish whiskey and butter exports to the US. Thats Trump in a nutshell. Farmers and Central Team to Meet Again for Talks on MSP and Other Demands The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have been at the forefront of the farmers' protests. Farmers and Centre Meeting Today Latest News: A new round of discussions between protesting farmers and a central government delegation will take place today, focusing on various demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops. Sarwan Singh Pandher, a prominent farmer leader, confirmed that a 28-member delegation from the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha will represent the farmers in the talks. He emphasized that the farmers are hopeful for a resolution to their ongoing issues. Advertisement The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have been at the forefront of the farmers' protests. The previous meeting between the farmers and the central delegation took place on February 22, with the presence of key figures such as Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. During that meeting, the government requested data from farmers to support their demand for a legal MSP guarantee before engaging in discussions with experts. Farmers have estimated that a legal MSP guarantee would require an annual budget allocation of approximately Rs 25,000-30,000 crore. Advertisement Earlier, on February 14, a meeting was held between Union Minister Joshi and farmer representatives, following four rounds of inconclusive talks in February 2024. Since February 13 last year, farmers have been protesting at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana after security forces prevented them from marching to Delhi. In addition to their demand for a legal MSP guarantee, farmers are seeking a debt waiver, pensions for farmers and farm laborers, no increase in electricity tariffs, the withdrawal of police cases against them, justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence, the reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, and compensation for the families of farmers who died during previous protests in 2020-21. Himachal Leaders Demand Action Over Bhindranwale Posters on HRTC Buses Cabinet Minister Vikramaditya Singh also condemned the incident, calling it highly unfortunate. Himachal Pradesh News: A major controversy erupted in Himachal Pradesh after posters of slain militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale were forcibly pasted on buses operated by the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC). The incident has sparked widespread political reactions, with leaders across the state demanding immediate action. The issue was raised in the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly by Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, who called for prompt measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Advertisement Speaking in the Assembly and later to the media, Thakur expressed serious concern over the growing presence of individuals from outside the state engaging in activities that could disturb law and order. "Himachal Pradesh has always been a peaceful state where people live in harmony. However, these recent incidents, including outsiders displaying flags and taking the law into their own hands, cannot be allowed," Thakur stated. Referring to the shocking episode where an HRTC bus was stopped and Bhindranwales posters were pasted on it, Thakur added, "It is unacceptable that a bus was stopped in Punjab, posters of Bhindranwale were put up, and inappropriate slogans were shouted while wielding swords. I raised this matter in the Assembly today, and I urge the Chief Minister to personally speak with the Punjab Chief Minister to put an end to such incidents. Once such activities begin, they tend to escalate, which is neither good for Himachal nor for Punjab." Thakur called for strict action against those responsible, saying, "The perpetrators should be identified and punished. Punjab's Chief Minister must intervene to resolve this matter at the earliest." Advertisement Cabinet Minister Vikramaditya Singh also condemned the incident, calling it highly unfortunate. "Himachal Pradesh has always maintained cordial relations with all states. Incidents like these damage the state's reputation and hurt public sentiment, which cannot be tolerated," Singh said, emphasizing that maintaining law and order in border areas remains a top priority for the government. "The Chief Minister has taken note of these incidents. If such acts, involving pasting posters on Himachals buses, have happened in Punjab or Haryana, they are entirely condemnable. Every state has a responsibility to uphold mutual respect and harmony. The Chief Minister will discuss this matter with the Chief Ministers of Haryana and Punjab to ensure such incidents are not repeated," Singh stated. Singh also recalled a previous incident when Khalistani flags were placed on the gates of the Dharamshala Assembly during the BJP government's tenure, which he called "completely inappropriate." He stressed the need to remain vigilant to maintain peace and harmony in the state. Advertisement Addressing the international aspect of the issue, Singh pointed out recent protests abroad, including one where black flags were shown to India's External Affairs Minister in London. "Such activities are unfortunate. The Home Ministry must take this issue seriously and ensure that these incidents do not threaten India's unity," Singh added. Himachal Pradesh's Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani downplayed the situation, stating that it was not a widespread law-and-order crisis, but he acknowledged the seriousness of the matter. "This is an isolated incident. However, the Opposition Leader did raise this issue in the Assembly, along with the recent Bilaspur firing case, on which the Chief Minister has already taken action. Some individuals have been arrested," Dharmani explained. Referring to the presence of individuals waving certain flags and attacking police officers, Dharmani noted that legal action had already been initiated. He also emphasized that such incidents are not exclusive to Himachal, pointing to the frequency of similar events in Punjab. "The Punjab government must take this issue seriously. The central government, particularly Home Minister Amit Shah, must also take strong action against anti-India forces. Punjab has witnessed severe terrorism in the past, and unless both the Punjab government and the central government take decisive action, it will be impossible to curb such activities," Dharmani warned. Advertisement Dharmani further stressed that instability in Punjab also impacts neighboring states like Himachal. "Himachal will do its part, but Punjab's government must act decisively. This is a national security concern, and the Indian government must deal with such anti-national activities with an iron hand," he added. With leaders from across political parties calling for strong action, the issue of Bhindranwale posters on HRTC buses has become a significant political flashpoint. As the Himachal Pradesh government vows to take necessary steps, all eyes are now on Punjab's response and the potential intervention of the central government to address the matter. Image Courtesy: The Hindu Netizens view this as a clear display of dominance. Putin Leaves Trump Waiting Before Their Phone Call Meeting: Russian President Vladimir Putin kept former U.S. President Donald Trump waiting for over an hour before their scheduled phone call, according to various media reports. The two leaders were set to speak over the phone later on Tuesday to discuss the Russia-Ukraine war. Reports indicate that when the call finally took place, Putin refused Trump's request for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine. However, he reportedly agreed to limit attacks on Ukraines energy infrastructure. Following these events, netizens described Putins actions as humiliating Trump. An X-user, wrote, Holy shit. Putin is blowing off his meeting with Trump and making him wait. While speaking to a room full of oligarchs, the host turns to him and asks if hes going to be late. Putin shrugs. He completely humiliated Donald Trump. Advertisement Previously, Trump had repeatedly told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that he did not hold the upper hand in their last meeting at the White House. Putin's delay in attending the high-stakes call, combined with his refusal to grant the month-long ceasefire, is being seen by many netisens as a clear indication of who holds card now. An X-user wrote, "Putin is making Trump wait again. They two leaders were supposed to have met already, but Putin is still at some conference. When Putin is reminded of the meeting, everyone starts laughing - they're literally making fun of Trump and his convoy. (For more news apart from the news of 'Putin Leaves Trump Waiting Before Their Phone Call Meeting', stay tune to Rozana Spokesman.) Sunita Williams Returns to Earth After Extended Stay in Space The Dragon capsule deployed its parachutes before splashing down in the waters off the coast of Florida. Sunita Williams Returns to Earth After Extended Stay in Space: Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have safely returned to Earth after what was initially an eight-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS), which unexpectedly extended into a nine-month stay. The duo launched aboard a Boeing Starliner on June 5 last year and returned home this morning aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. The Dragon capsule deployed its parachutes before splashing down in the waters off the coast of Florida. Williams and Wilmore were accompanied by NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov on the 17-hour journey home. Advertisement Upon landing, a NASA team helped the astronauts exit the capsule, where Williams was seen waving and giving a thumbs-up. The spacecraft began its deorbit burn at 2:41 am, a maneuver in which it fired its engines to slow down, followed by a splashdown at 3:27 am, 44 minutes later. Crew-9, the team that had been aboard the ISS, undocked from the station at 10:35 am (IST). NASA shared a video of the moment the spacecraft detached, marking the start of their journey home. Elon Musk's SpaceX was responsible for the mission, with the Dragon capsule launched atop a Falcon 9 rocket. Crew-10 has now replaced Crew-9 at the space station. Advertisement President Donald Trump has praised the success of the mission, asserting that his administration kept its promise to bring the astronauts back. The White House responded, acknowledging that Trump had indeed fulfilled his commitment. A Long Wait in Space: From Eight Days to Nine Months Williams and Wilmore, both veteran Navy pilots, initially flew to the ISS for an eight-day mission, which was to be the first crewed flight of a Boeing Starliner. However, after the Starliner suffered propulsion issues, the spacecraft was deemed unfit for further missions and returned uncrewed in September. Advertisement NASA reassigned Williams and Wilmore to SpaceX's Crew-9 mission, with a Dragon spacecraft sent to the ISS with a two-person crew in September, leaving space for the stranded astronauts. After a series of delays, a relief mission with another Dragon capsule finally docked with the station on Sunday, bringing the astronauts back home. Challenges Awaiting the Astronauts Advertisement Astronauts returning from extended missions face several health challenges, including bone and muscle deterioration, radiation exposure, and potential vision problems. NASA warns that prolonged weightlessness leads to a loss of bone density, with bones becoming about one percent less dense per month in space if not actively countered. Muscles also weaken due to the lack of gravity, as they aren't used as much. Radiation exposure is another significant concern, as astronauts are exposed to higher levels of radiation without Earth's protective atmosphere and magnetic field. PM Modi Congratulates Sunita Williams Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a letter to Sunita Williams ahead of her return to Earth, which was made public on Monday. In the letter, dated March 1, Modi expressed his admiration for Williams' accomplishments and noted that he had discussed her achievements during his meetings with Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden. "1.4 billion Indians have always taken immense pride in your remarkable journey," wrote the Prime Minister. "Your perseverance and fortitude continue to inspire us all." Proud and strong at the command of NATO Battle Group Romania Since early January, colonel Thierry Denechaud has been the new commander of the Battle Group NATO Sevastopol in Cincu, Romania Proud and strong at the command of NATO Battle Group Romania Daniel Bilt, 19.03.2025, 13:58 Worth mentioning is the fact that in France, colonel Denechaud is commander of the 5th Dragons Regiment in Mailly-le-Camp, one of the oldest in the French army, founded in 1635 and the only interarms regiment in metropolitan France. The aforementioned regiment, which is made up of squadrons of Leclerc tanks, companies of mechanized infantry, recon units, engineers, artillery support, plays the role of the opposing forces in the Mailly-le-Camp training ground where all the French units are training. The regiment structure is almost identical with that of the NATO Battle Group in Romania, though at a smaller scale. During the Eagle Warrior 25 exercise at the training ground in Topraisar, in south-eastern Romania, close to the Black Sea, I asked colonel Denechaud if this helps him to improve his command here in Romania: Yes. First it eases our work, because we have already come with infantry troops, tank crews, recon troops and engineers. There are also servicemen from other regiments, because our troops were not enough. But we have this united army spirit, which is pervasive, you know. Notably, here in Topraisar weve also brought a unit of infantry and another one of engineers. And this is our identity to take action as joint forces. This is what we are going to do now with the allies and Romanian partners, to have this spirit of joint forces, joint arms, which we are sharing, to work together, colonel Denechaud went on to say. In spite of the short time, the colonel has already made some impressions about Romania, its people, history and geography. I didnt have enough time as everything moves on very fast, you know. Most of the time Ive been in the field to see how troops are training, because thats the most important thing. Ive been to the mountains for a while, and I believe its worth visiting the Carpathians, because they are impressive and also very interesting from the historical point of view. We are interested in the history of Romania, maybe, because its different from that of France. Romanias history is also impressive, you know. And I am looking forward to discovering the entire story. I havent discovered the Romanian cuisine yet, but it wont take me too long. Here in Dobrogea, the relief looks very much like in France, its a flat region. I believe each country has its own characteristics and you can discover everything, provided you are curious enough. I believe that Romania had the chance of having the Black Sea, this maritime part, plains and this mountainous region of the Carpathians. This makes you want to discover Romania, the French commander said. Colonel Thierry Denechaud, a native of Bourges, in central France, has immediately noticed the characteristics of the Romanian people, and not of the servicemen he interacts with. I believe the Romanian people is very hospitable and proud. I dont know it very well, because one month is a very short period of time, but I believe the Romanians are really proud people. There is a genuine welcome feeling and we see that every day wherever we go. It is very nice, when you are French and are welcomed like that, you know. I was surprise to learn that many Romanians have notions of French and there are many Romanians speaking the language. Its a real pleasure. They make this effort whenever they see the French flag so I am trying to speak Romanian a little bit. Dont know many words now, though, colonel Denechaud says. The Commander of the NATO Battle Group has made it to almost all the training grounds around Romania, which are hosting allied drills, such as Bogata, Cincu, Smardan, Topraisar, the Diham chalet in the mountains and next hell be visiting the shooting ground at Midia Cape, where artillery units are honing their skills by firing at targets on the Black Sea. (bill) March 19, 2025 UPDATE 1 A roundup of local and world news Newsflash Newsroom, 19.03.2025, 18:06 MEETING Romanias interim president, Ilie Bolojan, will attend the European Council meeting and the EURO summit in expanded format on Thursday and Friday, the Presidency has announced. High on the agenda of the Council meeting is ensuring European competitiveness, with three priority areas identified for debate: simplification and reduction of administrative burdens, consolidation of the energy market and the Union of economies and investments. The action plans for the automotive and steel sectors will also be addressed. Discussions are expected to pick up from the extraordinary meeting of the European Council on March 6 and address the latest developments regarding support for Ukraine, as well as issues related to European defense. EU leaders will also exchange views on developments in the Middle East, in particular the situation in Gaza and Syria, as well as progress in migration management based on the decisions taken at the European Council meeting of October 2024. ELECTION 5,683 people have so far applied for postal voting for the May presidential election in Romania. Romanian citizens abroad were able to register on a special online platform by March 4, as well as with their local polling stations, 2,611 such applications having been submitted so far. Romanian voters can visit any of the polling stations open abroad, even if they have not registered on the dedicated portal. Online registration is only necessary for postal voting or for setting up a polling station in settlements where at least 100 voters have opted to vote. The most requests for postal voting were registered in Germany, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, France, the United States, Spain and Italy. (VP) Businesspeople and taxation In Bucharest, businesspeople have received assurances from the Government that no new fiscal measures will be adopted without consulting the business community. Photo: loufre / pixabay.com Daniela Budu, 19.03.2025, 13:50 During a meeting with representatives of the Concordia Employers Confederation, Romanias PM, Marcel Ciolacu, has given assurances that the government will continue to maintain an open dialogue with trade unions and employers associations regarding economic decisions and reforms necessary for the sustainable development of the country. According to a government press release, the PM stressed the importance of reforms and attracting European funds to stimulate economic growth and reduce the budget deficit this year. At the same time, digitalization was addressed as the driving force behind reforms and the simplification of interaction between the business environment, citizens and authorities. They also discussed the involvement of the Concordia Employers Confederation in the process of reviewing the fiscal framework, by appointing a representative to contribute to the development of fair and stable measures for the business environment. Moreover, the representatives of the Confederation have received assurances that no new fiscal measures will be adopted without consulting the business environment, and the state budget will be based on reducing public spending, massive investments in the economy, without other increases in taxes and duties. In turn, the business people have once again asked the government for a predictable taxation system and have told the PM that labor taxation is too high in Romania. Recently, the president of the Confederation, Dan Sucu, has also stated that maintaining the flat tax rate has had beneficial effects on economic growth, but with a tax burden of over 40% for labor taxation in Romania, any tax increase will have a negative impact on the citizens incomes, consumption and implicitly the GDP. On the other hand, the business environment has drawn attention to the fact that in Romania there are many institutions that have similar control responsibilities. The executive director of the Confederation, Radu Burnete, stated, after discussions with the Prime Minister, that he is not asking for the checks on companies to stop, but he wants the applied sanctions to be proportional to the detected violations. Radu Burnete: We believe that through dialogue we could reach a common denominator. No one is saying that companies should not be controlled, they should be controlled!, but it should happen in a rational way and the punishments should be proportional and lead to the correction of the respective behavior. Regarding the order of the National Authority for Consumer Protection, which could oblige economic operators to display the commercial mark-up, in addition to the final price of the product on the shelf, Radu Burnete said: Such a thing is impossible. There are traders who have 20-30 thousand products. How can you display the mark-up on the shelf, especially since the mark-up changes, from producers to traders there are a lot of intermediaries. I think the Competition Council might also have something to say in this sense. said Radu Burnete, who added that discussing such a measure is completely unproductive. (LS) Romania and Addiction Treatment A roundtable on The Drug Epidemic in Schools and High Schools took place at the Parliament Palace in Bucharest The Chamber of Deputies (photo: cdepro) Mihai Pelin, 19.03.2025, 14:00 Updating the legislation to curb drug use and trafficking among students was the main topic of a roundtable organised by Parliaments abuse investigation committee, which brought together authorities, psychologists and parent organisations. In fighting drugs, a strengthened response capacity through an efficient partnership between schools, local authorities and families is a priority, said the interim Senate speaker, Mircea Abrudean. He emphasised that the government has a zero-tolerance policy towards drug traffickers, and highlighted the importance of treatment and reintegration of users, which requires integrated medical, psychological and social assistance services. In turn, the education minister Daniel David spoke about the involvement of parents and teachers in prevention: Daniel David: Prevention must be done by those who know how to do it. But you cant have prevention done only by specialists. You need to get parents involved, to have teachers involved and to have centers that provide scientifically validated treatments, which is still a weakness for us. Prosecutors with the Directorate Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism Offences have reported that some dealers are students recruited by trafficking networks. In fact, children are the ones who fall most easily into the trap of narcotics. In this context, the development of a national network of treatment centers for drug users is increasingly closer to being achieved. The Senate endorsed an emergency order on the prevention of drug use, a bill that stipulates that the recovery of addicts will take place in mental health centers. The funding will be provided by the government, from the budget of the health ministry. The Liberal Senator Nicoleta Pauliuc pointed out that the bill addresses the real problems faced by young people and society, life-shattering drug, alcohol, gambling or screen addictions. Nicoleta Pauliuc: Unfortunately, in Romania we do not have enough specialised addiction treatment centers. Many people who want to recover have nowhere to go, and the support they need comes too late and I think it is time to change this. The document was also supported by the parties in opposition. The SOS Romania Senator Ninel Peia proposes tougher measures against drug traffickers: Ninel Peia (TRACK): It is too little if we are to stop drug trafficking and use in Romania. Without coercive measures, we will not stop drug trafficking and use. Lets cut the evil at the root, because otherwise Romania will become a country of not only 10% drug users, but a country of major drug users. We will get to 5-6 million users in the years to come. After being endorsed by the Senate, the bill goes to the Chamber of Deputies for the decisive vote. (AMP) Oil futures failed to hold early gains and settled lower on Tuesday as concerns about supply disruptions eased following Russian President Vladimir Putin agreeing to refrain from attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure for 30 days. Worries about global growth due to the impact of U.S. government's trade tariffs weighed on oil prices. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development has warned that the Trump administration's tariffs would hurt growth in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Oil prices climbed higher earlier in the day amid concerns about supplies amid tensions in the Middle East, and on optimism about improved demand after China announced a 30-point plan to boost consumer spending. West Texas Intermediate Crude oil futures for April ended lower by $0.68 or about 1% at $66.90 a barrel. Brent crude futures settled at $70.56 a barrel, down $0.51 or 0.76%. Israel has launched a wave of air attacks across the Gaza Strip, breaking ceasefire and reigniting hostilities after stalled hostage negotiations. The air raids in the early hours of Tuesday reportedly killed more than 320 people, including many women and children. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the attacks due to a lack of progress in talks to extend the ceasefire and secure the release of remaining captives taken by Hamas in October 2023. The White House has voiced its support for Israel's actions. A weak dollar limited oil's downside. Markets now await weekly inventory data from the American Petroleum Institute (API) and U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). The API report is due later today, while the EIA inventory data will be out Wednesday morning. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Market Analysis Google has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Wiz, a New York-based cloud security startup, for $32 billion in an all-cash transaction. The acquisition, the largest in Google's history, is expected to strengthen its cybersecurity capabilities amid the growing influence of artificial intelligence and evolving security threats. Wiz will become part of Google Cloud, with the deal anticipated to close in 2026, pending regulatory approvals. Google underscored the strategic value of the acquisition, stating that Wiz's expertise in cloud security would be enhanced within its ecosystem. The company highlighted that the integration would improve multicloud security, automate threat detection, and help organizations safeguard their cloud environments against emerging risks. Wiz previously declined a $23 billion acquisition offer from Google, opting instead to explore an IPO. However, given the sluggish IPO market, the company reconsidered its options. The deal also comes amid shifting regulatory dynamics, with the tech industry anticipating a more favorable environment under the Trump administration following stricter oversight during President Joe Biden's tenure. Founded in 2020, Wiz has rapidly established itself as a leader in cloud security, reaching $100 million in annual recurring revenue within 18 months. Its suite of security solutions including threat prevention, detection, and response tools has attracted major enterprises. Despite joining Google Cloud, Wiz's products will remain compatible with competing platforms such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Oracle Cloud. This acquisition represents a rare large-scale deal for Google, which has historically favored smaller transactions. With Alphabet holding $96 billion in cash reserves, the deal underscores Google's deep commitment to advancing cloud security in the AI era. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Shares of China's BYD rallied on Tuesday after the company introduced a revolutionary charging that could power electric vehicles in nearly the same time it takes to refuel a gasoline car. BYD's Hong Kong-listed stock surged over 6 percent at market open, hitting a 52-week high before settling around 4.2 percent higher. The company claims this breakthrough enables EVs to gain a 400-kilometer, 249-mile range with just five minutes of charging. This innovation intensifies BYD's competition with Tesla and other automakers investing in fast charging technology. Tesla's latest superchargers currently offer up to 500 kilowatts, providing 270 kilometers of range in 15 minutes, while Mercedes-Benz recently announced its all-electric CLA could recharge up to 325 kilometers in 10 minutes. To support the new technology, BYD plans to deploy more than 4,000 ultra-fast charging stations across China, though it has not disclosed the financial investment or rollout timeline. Earlier this month, BYD launched a Hong Kong share sale to raise up to $5.2 billion, with proceeds expected to fund research and development, among other strategic initiatives. Industry analysts view BYD's latest advancement as a major step forward in EV charging. However, concerns remain about the strain such high-speed charging could place on power grids. To mitigate this, BYD plans to integrate energy storage units into its charging infrastructure, though this could increase costs. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News The U.S. Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service have announced that two IRS whistle-blowers who had been targeted for investigating Hunter Biden's evasion of taxes on his $8.3 million income would be brought in to the Treasury as Senior Advisors at Treasury Headquarters in Washington, D.C. "I am pleased to welcome Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler to the Treasury Department, where they will help us drive much-needed cultural reform within the IRS," said U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. "These veteran civil servants join us to help further the agency's focus on collections, modernization, and customer service, so we can deliver a more effective and efficient IRS experience for hardworking American taxpayers". Bessent appreciated Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa)'s efforts in Congress to support whistle-blower protections in order to improve transparency, accountability and root out the culture of retaliation. Under the Biden administration, Shapley and Ziegler were issued a gag order and persistently retaliated against for exposing the IRS and Department of Justice's obstruction of the federal criminal investigation into Hunter Biden's tax offenses. Grassley wrote to President Donald Trump last month urging him to support the two former IRS agents and hold their retaliators accountable. The former President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden's tax affairs have been under federal criminal investigation since late 2018, and in September 2024, he pleaded guilty to all of the tax charges. In December, Biden pardoned his son for all federal offenses committed between 2014 and 2024, including any potential offenses not yet discovered. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Mr Setlogane Manchidi, Head of Corporate Social Investments at Investec motivating students [PHOTO CREDIT: Ephreeda Banda] By: Ephreeda Banda Rhodes University hosted its annual Commerce Extended Studies Programme (CESP) welcome function at the Amazwi Literary Museum on the 11th of March 2025 in collaboration with Investec. The event warmly welcomed first-year students, introducing them to Investec's invaluable support throughout their academic journey. Since 2009, Investec has played a crucial role in the programme, offering financial aid, mentorship, and educational resources to ensure students have the necessary tools to succeed. Over the years, this partnership has transformed many lives, like providing students access to bursaries, textbooks, stationery, and even laptops during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2025 welcome function allowed students to engage with Investec representatives and gain insight into the continued support available to them. Investecs involvement in the programme has eased financial burdens and fostered a sense of belonging among students. The partnership has facilitated academic incentives such as awards ceremonies and mentorship initiatives, helping students develop professionally and personally. Mr Setlogane Manchidi, Head of Corporate Social Investments at Investec, emphasised that beyond funding, the programme is about creating opportunities for students to succeed. Rhodes gave us access to students with potential. The true value of transforming lives is taking those who may not have been the preferred candidates for university and giving them a chanceand they deliver results, he said. Prof Lynette Louw, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Commerce, spoke about the long-standing impact of the partnership and how it has evolved from a transformation initiative into a programme that consistently produces exceptional graduates. The collaboration has benefitted 840 students, many of whom have excelled in various fields, including accountancy, business, and leadership roles. Numerous CESP students have been recognised for their achievements, with some featured on the Deans List for Academic Merit and others securing leadership positions, such as in the Student Representative Council (SRC). One CESP alumna was elected to the 2024 Student Representative Council, while another received a Rhodes University Top 120 Student Leadership Award, she noted. Investecs sponsorship of mentoring initiatives, such as the Trojan Academic Initiative (TAI), has provided additional academic and personal development support for students, further strengthening their chances of success. The Faculty of Commerce, in collaboration with Investec, is also launching a longitudinal study to track alumni career progress and improve the programme for future students. We want to understand where our graduates work and how this programme has shaped their careers. This research will help us refine and improve our approach, Prof Louw added. Among the students who have benefited from this collaboration is Nkanyezi Mthimkhulu, a second-year BCom Extended Studies student. He shared his journey to Rhodes University, describing how, before arriving, he had no financial support and was the last person in his class to register for university. Despite these initial challenges, he worked hard and became the highest-achieving student in his first year in Theory of Finance, one of the most demanding modules. I never thought I would be the highest achiever in my first year, but through hard work and consistency, I managed to be the top achiever in Theory of Finance, he said. He expressed his gratitude for the financial and academic support provided, explaining that without it, many of the typical stresses faced by first-year students would have been overwhelming. For him, being part of a programme backed by Investec was a turning point, confirming his capabilities and solidifying his aspirations of becoming a Chartered Accountant. Being part of this programme gave me the chance to focus on my studies without constantly worrying about finances. I hope to work at Investec one day and contribute meaningfully to the company, he said. The welcome function was not just a formal event but a powerful reminder of how partnerships like this shape futures. It underscored the importance of investing in education and supporting students from diverse backgrounds, ensuring they have the resources, mentorship, and encouragement to succeed. As Investec and Rhodes University continue to collaborate, the focus remains on fostering academic excellence and professional growth, empowering students to achieve their ambitions and contribute positively to society. While the Thar Roxx has captivated the hearts of Indian discerning SUV buyers, Mahindra is continually updating its lifestyle SUV. The company has identified a few missing features on Thar Roxx and is offering them at no additional cost. These features can be seen with John Abrahams custom Thar Roxx. Lets take a closer look. John Abrahams 1 of 1 Custom Thar Roxx Mahindra just delivered John Abraham a custom Thar Roxx. The Bollywood actor is known to be an automobile enthusiast and own a fair share of cars and superbikes. The latest addition to his prized possessions is Thar Roxx finished in Stealth Black exterior colour. John Abraham was also present during the launch of Thar Roxx, which happened in Cochin, Kerala. John Abrahams custom Thar Roxx gets a few exterior addition like rear tail light grill along with JA badges (actors initials) on both sides. On the inside, we can see the same JA badges on headrests. Thar Roxxs VIN plate was already a special one and John Abrahams VIN is special still as it reads MADE FOR JOHN ABRAHAM. This Thar Roxx also had a Mocha Brown interior theme, which was launched recently. Seat upholstery was unique on John Abrahams unit. The actor looked thrilled to drive his latest possession and one that is purpose built to suit his taste and preferences. Thar Roxx Gets New Features Since its launch in August 2024, Thar Roxx has emerged as one of Indias most sought after SUVs. Thar Roxx was already well equipped and packed quite a lot of premium features unheard of in the lifestyle SUV segment. However, there was room for improvement and Mahindra has identified these features and is now offering them at no additional cost. The most important of these feature additions is a request sensor on door handles, which was a sore omission on Thar Roxx. Push button start feature now makes a lot more sense with the addition of request sensor as it offers a fully keyless experience now. Other notable add-ons with this update are aero front windshield wipers which should reduce the noise generated by previous conventional ones along with a sliding centre armrest for front occupants that should accommodate people of all frames and sizes. Other than these features, Thar Roxx remains the same as before. Under the bonnet, Thar Roxx comes equipped with either a 2.0L Turbo Petrol engine with up to 175 bhp and 380 Nm of or a 2.2L Turbo Diesel engine with up to 170 bhp and 370 Nm. Gearbox options include a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic. Only the Diesel engine equipped variants get 4WD transfer case. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, is welcomed by villagers singing the grand song of the Dong ethnic group while visiting the Zhaoxing Dong Village in Liping County of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province, March 17, 2025. Xi made an inspection tour in Guizhou Province from Monday to Tuesday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) GUIYANG, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has stressed the importance of adhering to high-quality development and driving growth by further deepening reform and opening-up comprehensively, during his inspection in southwest China's Guizhou Province from Monday to Tuesday. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, called on the province to firm up confidence, work hard, and take steady steps to advance Chinese modernization. On Monday afternoon, Xi visited a village of the Dong ethnic group in Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture. He inspected the surroundings and local shops, stopping from time to time to chat with store owners, tourists, and villagers. At an exhibition center, he learned about the preservation and inheritance of Dong culture. He also observed the batik-making process at a specialty industrial base. Xi emphasized that the cultures of ethnic minority groups are an integral part of Chinese culture and should be preserved as well as creatively transformed and developed. The Chinese president also sat down with villagers for amiable chats. As he departed, Xi expressed the hope that they can further revitalize the countryside as the Chinese modernization advances. Xi also visited the provincial capital Guiyang, where he heard the provincial authorities report their work on Tuesday. Xi underscored the need to strengthen innovation-driven development with the real economy as the foundation. He called for actively developing strategic emerging industries and enhancing industries such as the digital economy and new energy. He also asked the province to protect the environment well and transform its ecological strengths into development advantages. Xi demanded resolute efforts to eliminate local protectionism, market segmentation and "rat race" competition to create a stable, fair, transparent and predictable environment for businesses. Calling openness "an important element" of the business environment, Xi urged Guizhou to take an active part in the country's all-around opening up drive. Xi emphasized the need to develop modern, efficient agriculture with distinctive mountain characteristics tailored to Guizhou's local conditions, while cultivating leading industries with regional features and lasting market competitiveness. Highlighting Guizhou's rich historical heritage, vibrant revolutionary culture, and diverse ethnic traditions, he stressed the importance of harnessing these strengths to drive economic and social development. Xi noted that achieving high-quality development requires unwavering adherence to the Party's leadership. He noted the launch of a Party-wide education campaign to implement the Party central leadership's "eight-point decision" on improving conduct, saying that it is a key task for Party building this year. He asked Party organizations at all levels to encourage Party members and officials to uphold exemplary conduct and make concentrated and concerted efforts to drive development. Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, accompanied Xi on the inspection tour. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, waves to villagers while visiting the Zhaoxing Dong Village in Liping County of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province, March 17, 2025. Xi made an inspection tour in Guizhou Province from Monday to Tuesday. (Xinhua/Yan Yan) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits the Dong culture exhibition center in the Zhaoxing Dong Village in Liping County of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province, March 17, 2025. Xi made an inspection tour in Guizhou Province from Monday to Tuesday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspects a local base of special industry in the Zhaoxing Dong Village in Liping County of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province, March 17, 2025. Xi made an inspection tour in Guizhou Province from Monday to Tuesday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, sits with villagers around a firepit to discuss all-around rural revitalization at a drum tower while visiting the Zhaoxing Dong Village in Liping County of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province, March 17, 2025. Xi made an inspection tour in Guizhou Province from Monday to Tuesday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, sits with villagers around a firepit to discuss all-around rural revitalization at a drum tower while visiting the Zhaoxing Dong Village in Liping County of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province, March 17, 2025. Xi made an inspection tour in Guizhou Province from Monday to Tuesday. (Xinhua/Yan Yan) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with villagers while visiting the Zhaoxing Dong Village in Liping County of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province, March 17, 2025. Xi made an inspection tour in Guizhou Province from Monday to Tuesday. (Xinhua/Yan Yan) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with villagers while visiting the Zhaoxing Dong Village in Liping County of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province, March 17, 2025. Xi made an inspection tour in Guizhou Province from Monday to Tuesday. (Xinhua/Yan Yan) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with villagers while visiting the Zhaoxing Dong Village in Liping County of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province, March 17, 2025. Xi made an inspection tour in Guizhou Province from Monday to Tuesday. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, waves goodbye to villagers while visiting the Zhaoxing Dong Village in Liping County of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province, March 17, 2025. Xi made an inspection tour in Guizhou Province from Monday to Tuesday. (Xinhua/Yan Yan) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, waves goodbye to villagers while visiting the Zhaoxing Dong Village in Liping County of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province, March 17, 2025. Xi made an inspection tour in Guizhou Province from Monday to Tuesday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) Editor: WXY 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," said co-lead author Leonardo Feitosa, also a doctoral candidate at the Bren School, "ranging from 30 to 65%." 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. "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 rates -- like blue sharks, bonnetheads and angel sharks -- because 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," Feitosa said, "our results show that this could be a relatively simple and impactful strategy if it becomes necessary to sustain populations." For other sharks, maintaining healthy populations will require additional strategies. Methods to reduce catch rates to begin with -- such as banning the use of steel wire on longlines -- could 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. As global electricity demand grows, traditional energy sources are under strain. Oceans, which cover more than 70% of Earth's surface, offer vast potential for clean energy from renewable resources such as ocean currents and waves. However, marine renewable energy development is still in its early stages compared to wind and solar power. One challenge is identifying the most feasible and economically viable locations for ocean current energy projects. While many studies have focused on regional ocean current energy resource assessment, a global evaluation based on actual data has been lacking -- until now. Using more than 30 years of measured data from NOAA's Global Drifter Program (GDP), a unique study from the College of Engineering and Computer Science at Florida Atlantic University provides the most comprehensive global assessment of ocean current energy to date. And there's great news for Southeast Florida. Researchers explored the potential of capturing kinetic energy from ocean currents, focusing on power density estimation and its variation over time and location. The GDP includes about 1,250 satellite-tracked buoys that measure ocean currents and their positions. For this study, researchers used more than 43 million data points from March 1988 to September 2021. Results, published in the journal Renewable Energy, reveal that the waters off Florida's East coast and South Africa consistently exhibited high power densities, making them ideal for generating electricity from ocean currents. Specifically, these regions showed power densities above 2,500 watts per square meter, a value 2.5 times more energy dense than an "excellent" wind energy resource. The relatively shallow waters -- about 300 meters deep -- further enhance their suitability for extracting energy using ocean current turbines. In contrast, regions like Japan and parts of South America did not show similar power densities at these depths. "Our study revealed that about 75% of the total high-power density areas, covering around 490,000 square kilometers of the ocean, have energy levels between 500 and 1,000 watts per square meter. This suggests there's a lot of potential for harvesting energy from ocean currents, especially in regions where power densities are moderate yet significant for sustainable energy production," said Mahsan Sadoughipour, Ph.D., first author and graduate research assistant in the College of Engineering and Computer Science. "Our study also provides insights into the factors that can influence the accuracy of energy generation estimates such as environmental conditions and measurement methods." High power densities, more than 2,000 watts per square meter, are found off the Southeast coast of the U.S. from Florida to North Carolina and along the Eastern and Southeastern coasts of Africa (Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and Madagascar). Lower power densities are seen in the Eastern Pacific (Japan, Vietnam and Philippines), Northern South America (Brazil and French Guiana), and the Eastern coast of Australia. Another key finding from the study was the accuracy of power density estimates. In North America and Japan, the calculations were highly reliable, providing confidence in energy potential predictions. Additionally, comparisons with existing studies have confirmed the reliability of the findings in these regions, as the power density estimates closely matched measurements obtained through other measurement methods. However, areas like South Africa and parts of South America, particularly off northern Brazil and French Guiana, were harder to assess due to limited data or highly variable water conditions. "Regions like Brazil and South Africa have limited data available, which affect the accuracy of energy predictions, making it harder to fully assess their potential for energy extraction," said Yufei Tang, Ph.D., co-author and an associate professor, FAU Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, director of the FPL Center for Intelligent Energy Technologies (InETech), and a fellow of the FAU Institute for Sensing and Embedded Network Systems Engineering (I-SENSE). "Expanding data collection will refine our understanding and unlock the full energy potential. For example, region-specific studies using acoustic Doppler current profilers could better estimate energy production for submerged turbines." Findings also show areas like South Africa and Japan, while having high power densities, present more challenges due to deeper waters and complex flow patterns. Deep-water areas (1,000 meters or more) make energy extraction more challenging. "The relationship between depth and power density is crucial for turbine placement and design. Strong ocean currents are located near the sea surface where the total water depth typically ranges from 250 meters to more than 3,000 meters," said James H. VanZwieten Jr., Ph.D., co-author and an assistant professor in the FAU Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering. "This presents significant challenges, as turbines would require advanced mooring systems to keep them stable and operational. The increased depth also raises concerns about the cost and complexity of installation and maintenance, making it essential to develop specialized technologies for these challenging environments." Seasonal variations also play a significant role in energy availability. In warmer months for the Northern hemisphere (June to August), higher power densities are observed in regions like Florida, Japan and Northern Brazil, aligning with increased energy demand during these months. Similarly, highest power densities in South Africa occurs during their warmer months (December to February). These seasonal patterns indicate that ocean current energy could align well with periods of higher electricity demand associated with increased air conditioning usage, making it a potentially reliable source of renewable energy. "Accurate estimates of ocean current energy rely on critical factors such as data density, data type and flow variability," said Stella Batalama, Ph.D., dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science. "Findings from this study highlight the need to carefully consider these variables, and the provided energy characteristics will help ensuring that ocean current energy can be efficiently integrated into the broader renewable energy landscape." This work was supported in part by the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Energy and the FPL InETech at FAU. "This groundbreaking research further solidifies Southeast Florida as one of the premier locations for harnessing the power of ocean currents," said Gabriel Alsenas, director of FAU's Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center. "At SNMREC, we are proud to be at the forefront of domestic energy innovation, driving progress toward a more resilient future. With our unique access to an abundant ocean current, we are leading the way in incubating cutting-edge technologies that will increase our regional energy security and national energy dominance." In a recent, cross-institutional study partially funded by the National Institutes of Health, researchers report that healthy human airways are at higher risk for dehydration and inflammation when exposed to dry air, an occurrence expected to increase due to global warming. Inflammation in human airways is associated with such conditions as asthma, allergic rhinitis and chronic cough. Researchers say that as the Earth's atmosphere heats up, with relative humidity staying mostly the same, a property of the atmosphere called vapor pressure deficit (VPD) increases at a rapid rate. VPD is a measure of how "thirsty" for water air can be. The higher VPD becomes, the greater the evaporation rate of water, thus dehydrating planetary ecosystems. Based on mathematical predications and experiments, researchers now explain that higher VPD can dehydrate upper airways and trigger the body's inflammatory and immune response. In the full report, published March 17 in Communications Earth & Environment, they also say that such dehydration and inflammation can be exacerbated by mouth breathing (rates of which are also increasing) and more exposure to air-conditioned and heated indoor air. "Air dryness is as critical to air quality as air dirtiness, and managing the hydration of our airways is as essential as managing their cleanliness," says lead author David Edwards, adjunct professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. "Our findings suggest that all mucosa exposed to the atmosphere, including ocular mucosa, are at risk in dehydrating atmospheres." Edwards and the team first looked at whether transpiration, a water loss process that occurs in plants, occurs in mucus of upper airways exposed to dry air environments. High rates of transpiration have proven to cause damaging compression to cells within the leaves of plants, threatening plant survival. The team also sought to see if such compression occurred in upper airway cells. Researchers exposed cultures of human cells that line the upper airway, known as human bronchial epithelium, to dry air. After exposure, the cells were evaluated for mucus thickness and inflammatory responses. Cells that experienced periods of dry air (with a high VPD) showed thinner mucus and high concentrations of cytokines, or proteins indicating cell inflammation. These results agree with theoretical predictions that mucus thinning occurs in dry air environments and can produce enough cellular compression to trigger inflammation. The team also confirmed that inflammatory mucus transpiration occurs during normal, relaxed breathing (also called tidal breathing) in an animal model. Researchers exposed healthy mice and mice with preexisting airway dryness, which is common in chronic respiratory diseases, to a week of intermittent dry air. Mice with this preexisting dehydration exhibited immune cells in their lungs, indicating a high inflammatory response, while all mice exposed only to moist air did not. Based on a climate model study that the team also conducted, they predict that most of America will be at an elevated risk of airway inflammation by the latter half of the century due to higher temperatures and drier air. Researchers concluded their work by saying these results have implications for other physiological mechanisms in the body, namely dry eye and the movement of water in mucus linings in the eye. "This manuscript is a game changer for medicine, as human mucosa dehydration is currently a critical threat to human health, which will only increase as global warming continues," says study co-author Justin Hanes, Ph.D., the Lewis J. Ort Professor of Ophthalmology at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Medicine. "Without a solution, human mucosa will become drier over the years, leading to increased chronic inflammation and associated afflictions." "Understanding how our airways dehydrate on exposure to dry air can help us avoid or reverse the inflammatory impact of dehydration by effective behavioral changes, and preventive or therapeutic interventions," says Edwards. Collaborators and authors of this research include Aurelie Edwards, Dan Li and Linying Wang of Boston University; Kian Fan Chung of Imperial College London; Deen Bhatta and Andreas Bilstein of Sensory Cloud Inc.; Indika Endirisinghe and Britt Burton Freeman of Illinois Institute of Technology; and Mark Gutay, Alessandra Livraghi-Butrico and Brian Button of University of North Carolina. The authors report no conflict of interest. A portion of this research was funded by NIH grants R01HL125280, P01HL164320 and P30DK065988. Silk Street in Chaoyang District, Beijing, Chinas capital city, is not just a commercial landmark but also a dynamic incubator for female entrepreneurship in China. Since its humble beginnings as an open-air market in 1978, it has evolved into a modern shopping hub, welcoming millions of visitors annually. Today, 75% of its businesses are women-led, and 80% of its sales staff are female, showcasing the strength and creativity of women in commerce. Through initiatives like the "DESIGNER101" incubator and strategic partnerships with fashion institutions, Silk Street empowers women entrepreneurs with training, branding support, and global exposure. Beyond business, it actively contributes to womens and childrens welfare, supporting education and philanthropy. As a vibrant symbol of gender equality and innovation, Silk Street continues to champion female entrepreneurship, bridging tradition and modernity on the global stage. Photo provided to Guangming Online Photo provided to Guangming Online Photo provided to Guangming Online Photo provided to Guangming Online Photo provided to Guangming Online Photo provided to Guangming Online Editor: WXY With the long-term goal of creating living cells from non-living components, scientists in the field of synthetic biology work with RNA origami. This tool uses the multifunctionality of the natural RNA biomolecule to fold new building blocks, making protein synthesis superfluous. In pursuit of the artificial cell, a research team led by Prof. Dr Kerstin Gopfrich at the Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University has cleared a crucial hurdle. Using the new RNA origami technique, they succeeded in producing nanotubes that fold into cytoskeleton-like structures. The cytoskeleton is an essential structural component in cells that gives them stability, shape, and mobility. The research work forms the potential basis for more complex RNA machinery. One major challenge in constructing synthetic cells is manufacturing proteins, which are responsible for nearly all biological processes in the organism and thus make life possible in the first place. For natural cells, the so-called central dogma of molecular biology describes how protein synthesis occurs through transcription and translation of genetic information in the cell. In the process, DNA is transcribed into RNA and then translated into functional proteins that subsequently undergo folding to achieve their correct structure, which is key to proper function. "There are over 150 genes involved in this complex process alone," explains Prof. Gopfrich, who along with her team, "Biophysical Engineering of Life," conducts research at the Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University (ZMBH). Prof. Gopfrich's work starts with the question of how synthetic cells can be created that bypass protein synthesis, which is essential in living cells. She uses the technique of RNA origami, which is based on the idea that genetic information -- the blueprint for the cell structure, for example -- is translated using self-folding RNA alone. First, a DNA sequence is designed in a computer-assisted process. It codes for the shape that the RNA should assume after folding. To approximate the desired structure, suitable RNA motifs must be selected and translated into a genetic template that is ultimately synthesized as an artificial gene. To implement the blueprint it contains, RNA polymerase is used. The enzyme reads the information stored in the template and makes the corresponding RNA component. Algorithms specifically developed previously ensure that the planned folding occurs correctly. Aided by RNA origami, the Heidelberg synthetic biologist and her team succeeded in creating an essential structural component of synthetic cells -- an artificial cytoskeleton. The RNA microtubes, which are just a few microns in length, form a network that resembles a natural cell structure. According to Prof. Gopfrich, the nanotubes are another step toward building synthetic cells. The researchers tested the RNA origami in a lipid vesicle, a simple cell model system widely used in biology. Using so-called RNA aptamers, the artificial cytoskeleton was bound to the cell membranes. Through targeted mutations to the genetic template -- the DNA sequence -- it was also possible to influence the properties of the RNA skeleton. "In contrast to DNA origami, the advantage of RNA origami is that synthetic cells can manufacture their building blocks by themselves," stresses Kerstin Gopfrich. She adds that this could open new perspectives on the directed evolution of such cells. The long-term research goal is creating a complete molecular machinery for RNA-based synthetic cells. The current research was part of an ERC Starting Grant for Prof. Gopfrich from the European Research Council. Funding was also provided by the Human Frontier Science Program, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the Baden-Wurttemberg Ministry of Science within the framework of the Excellence Strategy of the German federal and state governments, and the Alfried Krupp Prize. The research results were published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology. Researchers from the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (UAB) and the Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology have identified the economic and political borders separating El Argar, considered to be the first state-society in the Iberian Peninsula, from its La Mancha and Valencia Bronze Age neighbours some 4,000 years ago. These communities, with less centralised social structures, maintained complex relations with the Argaric culture. The study, based on an innovative analysis of pottery production and circulation, opens the door to identifying similar border dynamics in other European societies contemporary to El Argar, and understand how the first states were formed in prehistory. The research is based on the analysis of the production and circulation of pottery vessels in the northern part of present-day Murcia, a borderland region between El Argar and the Valencian and La Mancha Bronze Age groups (2200-1550 BCE), in order to reconstruct the interaction dynamics between these groups. This has made it possible to delineate the frontier regions and social relations among these groups. The study was published in the Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory. It represents a pioneering study on prehistoric frontiers. "Any effort to understand the consolidation of the first states in recent prehistory must take into account how political boundaries were created and maintained. Nevertheless, in archaeology, borders have received relatively little attention, even though one of their key structuring concepts, 'archaeological cultures', implies spatial limits between social, economic and political entities," explains Roberto Risch, lecturer of the Department of Prehistory at the UAB and coordinator of the study. The analysis has allowed identifying clear interaction patterns between the core area of El Argar and its neighbours which demonstrate the existence of socioeconomic and political boundaries. "We have been able to observe active zones of exchange and negotiation, in which power relations and social differences could be traced through the circulation of pottery vessels," explains Adria Moreno Gil, researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology and the Saxony-Anhalt State Heritage Office, Germany, and first author of the study. The borderlands identified are marked by significant differences in the clay and pottery techniques used in different regions of the Segura river basin. In all the settlements of the southern half, there is predominance of typical Argaric ceramics made with clay found more than 100 kilometres further south, in the coastal mountains of Murcia and Almeria. This implies the existence of a distribution network of Argaric ceramics on a regional scale, controlled by the villages of the Argaric core area. Conversely, in the northern part of the study area there is a multiplicity of small pottery productions that used local clay. Such a marked contrast, researchers point out, must have resulted from significantly different economic systems. While El Argar was able to manufacture large quantities of pottery in the vicinity of very specific clay deposits and circulate them over great distances, the peripheral communities continued with a basically domestic and local-scale production. "All this led to the consolidation of asymmetrical relations between the groups of southeast Iberia, marked by the pre-eminence of El Argar, not only in the control of strategic resources, such as metals, but also of everyday objects such as pottery. The imposition of borders ultimately served to establish these unequal relations, which developed into a true core-periphery system," concludes Adria Moreno Gil. First state structures of El Argar The study now published reinforces the interpretation of the Argaric society as a highly integrated and uniform political and economic organisation, with circulation networks of raw materials and products much more developed than previously thought. "These results clearly support the hypothesis that the first state structures developed around 1800 BCE in Western Europe," says Roberto Risch. Before the study, it was known that the Argaric culture was an expansive society which, from a relatively small original core area of approximately 5,000 square kilometres, came to control a large region of the southeastern peninsula (about 35,000 square kilometers). However, the specific dynamics of the political, economic and social relations between El Argar and neighbouring groups and how these relations were materialised in a border area had not been the subject of study until now. Although the importance of borders for the functioning of states such as El Argar had been recognised, there was no research dedicated to the study of specific borderland spaces. New methodology for the study of prehistoric civilisations The researchers applied an innovative methodology based on extensive field survey, the analysis of ceramic materials, including a petrographic study, and spatial modelling using geographic information systems (GIS). This methodological combination has allowed for the mapping of ceramic production and circulation areas with a level of detail unprecedented in the Iberian Peninsula. "From a methodological standpoint, our study demonstrates that the analysis of ceramics is a key tool for understanding economic exchanges, social relations and the configuration of border spaces between political and economic entities, especially in contexts of complex and unequal dynamics such as this one," says Carla Garrido Garcia, predoctoral researcher at the UAB and co-author of the study. This methodology could be applied to the study of other cultures contemporary to El Argar, such as the Un?tice in Central Europe and the Minoan civilisation in Crete, to better understand how they structured and maintained their borders with neighbouring groups. These societies, like El Argar, developed complex economic and political systems, the dynamics of which have not yet been fully explored. The study was funded by the Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology (Halle Saale, Germany), the Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA) of the Government of Catalonia, and the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation. University of Texas at Dallas scientists are investigating how structures made from several layers of graphene stack up in terms of their fundamental physics and their potential as reconfigurable semiconductors for advanced electronics. Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a flat honeycomb pattern whereby each hexagon is formed by six carbon atoms at its vertices. Since graphene's first isolation in 2004 -- which later led to a Nobel Prize in physics -- scientists and engineers have intensely studied its unique physical properties as well as its potential applications. Dr. Fan Zhang, professor of physics in the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at UT Dallas, is a theorist who for more than a decade has been examining the electronic properties that emerge when layers of graphene are stacked in a chiral manner to form a rhombohedral structure. Tianyi Xu is a physics doctoral student who has worked with Zhang on the material. "There are two types of stacking orders that occur in graphite, which is a crystal found in pencil lead," Xu said. "A typical pencil lead consists of about 10 million layers of graphene." Hexagonal stacking, also known as AB stacking, occurs when even-numbered graphene layers are aligned, with the odd-numbered layers rotated 60 degrees relative to the even layers. In contrast, rhombohedral stacking, or ABC stacking, features a unidirectional, or chiral, 60-degree rotation for each successive layer. "Hexagonal stacking is more structurally stable, but rhombohedral stacking is much more remarkable because the chirality in stacking can make the electrons strongly correlated for extraordinary macroscopic quantum phenomena," Zhang said. In recent articles published in Science, Nature Physics and other journals, Zhang's group and experimental collaborators at the University of Gottingen in Germany and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology reported new findings about rhombohedral graphene. The researchers found that the family of materials behaves as semiconductors whose band gaps and electron densities can be continuously tuned by gate electric fields. They also discovered that, at extremely low temperatures, rhombohedral graphene exhibits novel magnetism and superconductivity, as well as the quantum anomalous Hall effect, depending on the gate electric fields that are applied to the device. "You would not usually observe all these effects in the same material, but they can occur in the same rhombohedral graphene device, and we can switch and even tune between the semiconducting, magnetic and superconducting properties in a single device," said Praveen Pai, a physics doctoral student in Zhang's group. "There is a great deal of interest in the quantum anomalous Hall effect, not to mention the coexistence of magnetism and superconductivity." Ninad Dongre, another UT Dallas physics doctoral student who works with Zhang, said that in order to change a conventional semiconductor's electron density or band gap, researchers have to adjust the chemical composition and make new samples. "This is time consuming and sometimes challenging," Dongre said. "With rhombohedral graphene, we can change a single sample with electric gates." Zhang will share his expertise and recent advancements in the physics of rhombohedral graphene with fellow scientists and students at an invited tutorial and an invited symposium during the week of March 16 at the American Physical Society's (APS) Global Physics Summit in Anaheim, California. His graduate students also will present research at the six-day annual conference, which is expected to draw more than 14,000 physicists and 6,400 students from around the world. One of the challenges of studying rhombohedral graphene is that it is difficult to fabricate an isolated sample in the lab, said Dr. Chiho Yoon, a research scientist in Zhang's group and a presenter at the APS meeting. A graphene few-layer sample typically consists of a combination of hexagonal graphene and rhombohedral graphene. "One side of the sample may exhibit ABC stacking, while the other side has AB stacking, with a defect in between," Yoon said. "It's crucial to identify the line defects and isolate the ABC region; otherwise, the AB region will overtake the ABC region during device fabrication. This process is exceptionally challenging, and we are fortunate to collaborate with experimentalists who possess cutting-edge nanotechnologies." In October 2024, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Germany selected Zhang for a Humboldt Research Award, which recognizes academics whose fundamental discoveries, new theories or insights have made a significant impact on their own field and beyond, and who are expected to continue making groundbreaking contributions. "I have been very fortunate. Not only have I seen our predictions confirmed, but the topic we initiated 15 years ago has evolved into a rapidly expanding field," Zhang said. "What makes me most proud are my students, postdocs and experimental collaborators -- together we are writing new chapters of discovery." Zhang's research is primarily funded by the National Science Foundation, including a Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) award, a Designing Materials to Revolutionize and Engineer our Future (DMREF) award and a recent grant focusing on 2D semiconductors. It is a deep question, from deep in our history: When did human language as we know it emerge? A new survey of genomic evidence suggests our unique language capacity was present at least 135,000 years ago. Subsequently, language might have entered social use 100,000 years ago. Our species, Homo sapiens, is about 230,000 years old. Estimates of when language originated vary widely, based on different forms of evidence, from fossils to cultural artifacts. The authors of the new analysis took a different approach. They reasoned that since all human languages likely have a common origin -- as the researchers strongly think -- the key question is how far back in time regional groups began spreading around the world. "The logic is very simple," says Shigeru Miyagawa, an MIT professor and co-author of a new paper summarizing the results. "Every population branching across the globe has human language, and all languages are related." Based on what the genomics data indicate about the geographic divergence of early human populations, he adds, "I think we can say with a fair amount of certainty that the first split occurred about 135,000 years ago, so human language capacity must have been present by then, or before." The paper, "Linguistic capacity was present in the Homo sapiens population 135 thousand years ago," appears in Frontiers in Psychology. The co-authors are Miyagawa, who is a professor emeritus of linguistics and the Kochi-Manjiro Professor of Japanese Language and Culture at MIT; Rob DeSalle, a principal investigator at the American Museum of Natural History's Institute for Comparative Genomics; Vitor Augusto Nobrega, a faculty member in linguistics at the University of Sao Paolo; Remo Nitschke, of the University of Zurich, who worked on the project while at the University of Arizona linguistics department; Mercedes Okumura of the Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Sao Paulo; and Ian Tattersall, curator emeritus of human origins at the American Museum of Natural History. The new paper examines 15 genetic studies of different varieties, published over the past 18 years: Three used data about the inherited Y chromosome, three examined mitochondrial DNA, and nine were whole-genome studies. All told, the data from these studies suggest an initial regional branching of humans about 135,000 years ago. That is, after the emergence of Homo sapiens, groups of people subsequently moved apart geographically, and some resulting genetic variations have developed, over time, among the different regional subpopulations. The amount of genetic variation shown in the studies allows researchers to estimate the point in time at which Homo sapiens was still one regionally undivided group. Miyagawa says the studies collectively provide increasingly converging evidence about when these geographic splits started taking place. The first survey of this type was performed by other scholars in 2017, but they had fewer existing genetic studies to draw upon. Now, there are much more published data available, which when considered together point to 135,000 years ago as the likely time of the first split. The new meta-analysis was possible because "quantity-wise we have more studies, and quality-wise, it's a narrower window [of time]," says Miyagawa, who also holds an appointment at the University of Sao Paolo. Like many linguists, Miyagawa believes all human languages are demonstrably related to each other, something he has examined in his own work. For instance, in his 2010 book, "Why Agree? Why Move?" he analyzed previously unexplored similarities between English, Japanese, and some of the Bantu languages. There are more than 7,000 identified human languages around the globe. Some scholars have proposed that language capacity dates back a couple of million years, based on the physiological characteristics of other primates. But to Miyagawa, the question is not when primates could utter certain sounds; it is when humans had the cognitive ability to develop language as we know it, combining vocabulary and grammar into a system generating an infinite amount of rules-based expression. "Human language is qualitatively different because there are two things, words and syntax, working together to create this very complex system," Miyagawa says. "No other animal has a parallel structure in their communication system. And that gives us the ability to generate very sophisticated thoughts and to communicate them to others." This conception of human language origins also holds that humans had the cognitive capacity for language for some period of time before we constructed our first languages. "Language is both a cognitive system and a communication system," Miyagawa says. "My guess is prior to 135,000 years ago, it did start out as a private cognitive system, but relatively quickly that turned into a communications system." So, how can we know when distinctively human language was first used? The archaeological record is invaluable in this regard. Roughly 100,000 years ago, the evidence shows, there was a widespread appearance of symbolic activity, from meaningful markings on objects to the use of fire to produce ochre, a decorative red color. Like our complex, highly generative language, these symbolic activities are engaged in by people, and no other creatures. As the paper notes, "behaviors compatible with language and the consistent exercise of symbolic thinking are detectable only in the archaeological record of H. sapiens." Among the co-authors, Tattersall has most prominently propounded the view that language served as a kind of ignition for symbolic thinking and other organized activities. "Language was the trigger for modern human behavior," Miyagawa says. "Somehow it stimulated human thinking and helped create these kinds of behaviors. If we are right, people were learning from each other [due to language] and encouraging innovations of the types we saw 100,000 years ago." To be sure, as the authors acknowledge in the paper, other scholars believe there was a more incremental and broad-based development of new activities around 100,000 years ago, involving materials, tools, and social coordination, with language playing a role in this, but not necessarily being the central force. For his part, Miyagawa recognizes that there is considerable room for further progress in this area of research, but thinks efforts like the current paper are at least steps toward filling out a more detailed picture of language's emergence. "Our approach is very empirically based, grounded in the latest genetic understanding of early homo sapiens," Miyagawa says. "I think we are on a good research arc, and I hope this will encourage people to look more at human language and evolution." This research was, in part, supported by the Sao Paolo Excellence Chair awarded to Miyagawa by the Sao Paolo Research Foundation. Everyone ages, but, sometimes, people outlive all predictions. Previous research has uncovered an unlikely factor related to longevity: intelligence (Backman & MacDonald, 2006; Bosworth & Siegler, 2002). However, intelligence isn't a simple characteristic. There are many traits that contribute to it that can be tested -- from memory to mathematical logic. In a 2024 Clinical Psychological Science study, Paolo Ghisletta of the University of Geneva linked longevity specifically to one of those traits: verbal fluency, the measure of one's vocabulary and ability to use it. Ghisletta's research used samples from the Berlin Aging Study, which started collecting data shortly before the Berlin Wall came down in 1989 (Baltes & Mayer, 1999). It tracked 516 people aged 70 to 105 from enrollment to their death, over as long as 18 years in some cases. The study measured factors like dental health, stress levels, and economic well-being, as well as cognition. This makes it a "rich and rare data set," said Ghisletta in an interview. For the current study, researchers sampled nine different cognitive tests to understand if different aspects of intelligence might be more closely linked to longevity than others. The tests measured four cognitive abilities: verbal fluency, perceptual speed, verbal knowledge, and episodic memory. Perceptual speed is a measure of one's ability to compare, scan, or perform pattern-assessing tasks with visual cues quickly. Verbal knowledge is a measure of one's vocabulary. Episodic memory is a measure of one's ability to recall and remember personal experiences. Each of these categories was measured with several tests. One of the tests, for instance, measured verbal fluency by requiring participants to name as many animals as they could within 90 seconds. Compiling data on the different cognitive skills, Ghisletta and his team incorporated information about how the participants' performance changed and estimated their risk of dying over time. They then developed a model that related the observed changes to risk of death. This required input from researchers across multiple universities with expertise in a type of data analysis called joint multivariate longitudinal survival model. "Today, it's gotten much easier to do this kind of research because there are more data available. There are more people who are willing to collaborate. There are better tools," Ghisletta said. Applying these novel tools, the researchers discovered that verbal fluency alone seemed to be significantly linked to longevity, though the explanation behind this connection is not clear. One popular theory, Ghisletta explained, is that the physical body is inextricably linked to mental, emotional, and cognitive processes. "All of these domains are just declining together, whether it's cognition, personality, emotions, or biological, medical decline in general," he said. Following that theory, verbal fluency would be a good measure of well-being, Ghisletta explained, because it's a complex process that relies on multiple cognitive abilities. This might include long-term memory, vocabulary, efficiency, and visual memory. So, when you're testing your verbal fluency, "you are doing something very interesting," he said. This research answers questions that Ghisletta has had since his time as a postdoctoral researcher in the 1990s. But it only became possible to perform analyses of this sort recently. He said this paper underscores the importance of collaboration between labs and makes him hopeful for more fruitful papers to come. "It's a good time to be doing research. I'm really happy to work with young PhD students and have them play around with these different data sets and variables and the theoretical questions that we want to answer," Ghisletta said. "Although we are building up knowledge, every day, there's still so much here to discover." IDS Ukraine, one of the largest bottled water and beverage producers in Ukraine, increased its net revenue by 25% last year, while its EBITDA surpassed UAH 1.35 billion, according to a company press release. According to figures published on the company's website, EBITDA grew by 53% compared to 2023, reaching UAH 1.35 billion. Net profit increased to UAH 708 million, doubling the previous year's figure, while annual revenue rose to UAH 6.87 billion 25.4% higher than in 2023. IDS Ukraine clarified that the revenue increase was driven by improved performance across key business segments. In the PET segment (bottled water in plastic packaging), net revenue for the year reached UAH 5.96 billion, exceeding the 2023 figure by over 26%. In the HOD segment (home and office delivery), net revenue grew by 21% to UAH 910 million, compared to UAH 752 million the previous year. "The economic growth throughout 2024 enabled IDS Ukraine to reach record tax contributions across all levels, amounting to UAH 1.15 billion. Since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, IDS Ukraine's tax contributions have totaled UAH 2.6 billion," the company stated. It was also noted that the Morshyn Mineral Water Plant Oscar paid UAH 370.4 million in taxes last year 65% more than in 2023 and more than double the 2021 figure. The Myrhorod Mineral Water Plant contributed UAH 164.6 million in 2024, an 84% increase from the previous year and more than double its 2021 level. Sustained operations and the launch of new products allowed the company to expand employment, increasing its workforce by 9% last year. IDS Ukraine's financial and business review for 2024 highlighted the company's ongoing commitment to employee welfare, including two salary increases during the year. Additionally, the company significantly expanded its capital investment program, reaching UAH 196 million a 63% increase from the previous year. This included upgrading its refrigeration equipment and implementing a new ERP system based on Microsoft Dynamics 365. Furthermore, IDS Ukraine initiated design work for alternative energy systems (solar power plants) at its facilities, with a total capacity of 1.4 MW. The company also reiterated that since the onset of the full-scale invasion, none of its shareholders have received any income, including dividends, due to government regulations prohibiting such payments. Financial reports confirm that hundreds of millions of hryvnias in unrestricted funds have accumulated in IDS Ukraine's accounts. Founded in 1996, IDS Ukraine is the country's largest national producer of bottled water. The holding includes the Morshyn Mineral Water Plant Oscar, the Myrhorod Mineral Water Plant, the distribution company IDS, and the water delivery operator IDS Aqua Service. The group owns the brands Morshynska, Myrhorodska, Alaska, and Aqua Life. As previously reported, Cyprus-based International Distribution Systems Limited, the parent company of IDS Ukraine, fell under Ukrainian sanctions in November 2023. The sanctions include asset freezes, restrictions on capital outflows, and prohibitions on increasing the charter capital of Ukrainian companies linked to Russian oligarch Mikhail Fridman and other Alfa Group co-owners. The nationalization process of IDS Ukraine is currently underway. Photo: pexels/ Nanda Gopal Lakshman The Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) has doubled the total funding for the call for applications for Swiss companies in Ukraine to CHF100 million (almost $1.14 million) and extended the deadline for submitting applications until March 31, 2025, the website of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine reported on Wednesday. "We received so many applications and saw such active interest from Swiss businesses that the partners decided to expand the program. An additional CHF50 million will be allocated to reconstruction projects in Ukraine in cooperation with Swiss companies. I am sincerely grateful to the partners for this decision, which will contribute to economic recovery," said First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko. According to her, the program is focused on implementing projects in the areas of civil protection, infrastructure and utilities reconstruction, as well as modernization of public services. It is noted that the competition is addressed to Swiss companies that have a legal entity in Ukraine and can make a significant contribution to the reconstruction and creation of added value for the Ukrainian economy. The department added that updating the competition conditions does not require re-submission of applications. However, those who have already submitted documents have the opportunity to make changes to their proposals. The Ministry of Economy noted that the competition is the beginning of the implementation of Switzerland's initiative to support Ukraine for 2025-2028 with a total budget of CHF1.5 billion ($1.7 billion). This, in turn, is the first stage of long-term 12-year support, the total amount of which will be CHF5 billion (almost $5.7 billion). According to information on the ministry's website, Swiss-Ukrainian cooperation has a long history, which has significantly intensified after the start of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Swiss government announced its readiness for long-term support for Ukraine back in April 2024, announcing the allocation of CHF5 billion over the next 12 years. In January 2025, during the World Economic Forum in Davos, a memorandum was signed between Ukraine and Switzerland on the allocation of the first CHF50 million for Swiss companies to implement projects in Ukraine. Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/ Russia attacked civilian infrastructure facilities in Ukraine immediately after a conversation between US President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, during which the parties agreed to stop such attacks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted. Around 40 Shahed drones are in our skies, and air defense is active. Unfortunately, there have been hits, specifically on civilian infrastructure. A direct hit by a Shahed drone on a hospital in Sumy, strikes on cities in Donetsk region, and attack drones currently in the skies over Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Sumy, Chernihiv, Poltava, Kharkiv, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk, and Cherkasy regions. It is these types of nighttime attacks by Russia that destroy our energy sector, our infrastructure, and the normal life of Ukrainians. And the fact that this night is no exception shows that the pressure on Russia must continue for the sake of peace, Zelenskyy said on X Wednesday night. According to him, right now, in many regions, you can literally hear what Russia truly needs. Today, Putin effectively rejected the proposal for a full ceasefire. It would be right for the world to respond by rejecting any attempts by Putin to prolong the war. Sanctions against Russia. Assistance to Ukraine. Strengthening allies in the free world and working toward security guarantees. And only a real cessation of strikes on civilian infrastructure by Russia, as proof of its willingness to end this war, can bring peace closer, Zelenskyy summed up. US President Donald Trump has said the aid to Ukraine was not discussed in his conversation with Putin, Trump said on Fox News' The Ingraham Angle show on Tuesday. When the host said that Kremlin media had already reported that Putin demanded an immediate end to aid to Ukraine in order to get to this multi-stage agreement, Trump responded negatively. No, we didnt talk about the aid, actually. We didnt talk about the aid at all. We talked about a lot of things, but the aid was never discussed, Trump said. The American president also mentioned the US interest in Russian reserves of rare earth minerals. To the host's reference to the criticism that Trump has faced since 2015, that he has more in common with Putin than with globalist leaders, perhaps with some NATO leaders, and in this case with Zelenskyy. You are both nationalists, the presenter said, referring to Trump and Putin. Well, I am a nationalist, but I am the nationalist of the United States, not for anybody else. And its interesting because none has been tougher on Russia than me. I am the one who pointed out to Nord Stream 2 and I stopped it. I stopped it its track. It wasn't anything particular, it was the biggest project they'd ever had. I stopped it, Trump stated. Any partial ceasefire will bring Ukraine closer to ending the war and will therefore be a positive result, notes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "I believe that even if there is a partial ceasefire, and an unconditional partial ceasefire, I believe that this is a positive result. In any case, this brings us closer to that one-year end to the war, or some steps that in any case are towards peace, and not towards further complicating military, combat situations on the front," Zelenskyy told reporters during a video call on Tuesday. He stated that he is skeptical about the statements of the Russian side. "This does not mean that we do not want a ceasefire, we are skeptical from the point of view of trust in the Russians - there is no trust in Putin. That is why I say that we need to understand how this will technically happen, so that it does not depend only on their wishes," the Ukrainian president said. Zelenskyy noted that after a conversation with US President Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin immediately said, gave the order to stop attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, but after that Ukraine was attacked by the Russian Federation. "This is, in principle, a response to what is happening. Russia, as far as I know, immediately during a conversation with President Trump said that they were giving the order to stop attacks on energy or long-range weapons, including martyrs. But now there is air raid alarm in Ukraine, that is, so far this is not working," he said. According to the president, he understands Putin's steps and he "will not allow" a ceasefire to be achieved quickly. "He will then use other steps, obstacles, let's call them conditionally. President Trump and his American colleagues, they have just spoken with the Russians about a possible ceasefire on energy infrastructure. I think that with such steps, it can probably work forward. As for Putin's political will, the alarm [announced in Ukraine] is the answer to you," Zelenskyy added. He noted that the meeting between the Ukrainian and American delegations in Jeddah took place on March 11 and since then Ukraine has been repeatedly attacked by the Russian Federation, which indicates the Russian side's unwillingness to end the war. "In principle, if you want the war to end and do not want it to start again, and Putin shows that he does not want it, he is afraid that the Ukrainians will disrupt it, but there is hard statistics. That is, since March 11, if you do not want the war to continue, the numbers will probably be different, and the numbers are as follows: 1,342 cluster bombs, eight missiles, 580 Shaheds, 44 Lancets, 250 other strikes. Not on the battlefield - we are talking about everything, about civilian infrastructure, first of all, when we talk about Shaheds and missiles and the like. That is, this is the answer," Zelenskyy said. Later he wrote on Telegram: "Ukraine is ready for the necessary steps, but now it is Russia that must demonstrate its readiness, because it is Russia that is prolonging the war and proving that only Moscow needs the war." All eyes in the middle of the week will be on the US central bank as it meets to decide on policy. No change is expected in the Federal Reserve's policy settings, but there is keen interest in the latest outlooks for the economy from its top officials. Rate-setters in Japan are also due to meet to decide on rates. They too are expected to stand pat. In the background, investors will be digesting the content of the previous day's telephone conversation between the Presidents of the US and Russia. Looking out to Softcat's interim figures, UBS analyst Michael Briest forecast a continuation of the trends seen by the company over the first three months of fiscal year 2025, as opposed to the weakness seen in its reseller peers. Gross profit was seen up by 10.2% over the half, with consensus anticipating a gain of 11.4%. Cost growth meanwhile was anticipated to have continued to moderate. Briest also expressed interest in any update as regards the impacts of Microsoft incentive changes to the business, given that Softcat was Microsoft's largest partner in the UK. London stocks were set to nudge higher at the open on Wednesday as investors eyed the latest policy announcement from the Federal Reserve. The FTSE 100 was called to open around five points higher. Danske Bank said: "We expect an unchanged rate decision which is also fully priced in the markets, but all eyes will be on Powell's communication about the outlook for further rate cuts as well as the updated rate and economic projections. "The Fed could also provide signals about further tapering or even completely ending QT over coming months." Investors will also be mulling the latest policy announcement from the Bank of Japan, which kept the policy rate at 0.5% as expected. "They highlighted that exchange rate developments are, compared to the past, more likely to affect prices," Danske said. "The market reaction to the decision was muted. With the outlook for another significant wage bump this year, we anticipate the BoJ will find room to hike rates again in July." In UK corporate news, Rio Tinto has asked shareholders to vote against a resolution from hedge fund Palliser Capital to review the mining giants dual listing in London and Sydney, calling it "value destructive". Palliser wants an Australia-only listing, claiming it would boost Rios share price. "A dual-listed companies structure unification is not required to provide the group with strategic flexibility," Rio Tinto said. Pfizer has fully exited its investment in UK-listed pharma group Haleon, selling off its remaining 7.3% stake for 2.5bn. The transaction marks an "important milestone" for Haleon, according to chief executive Brian McNamara, with Pfizer having held a 32% stake at the time of Haleons demerger from GSK in July 2022. "Nearly three years on from demerger, Haleon is in a position of strength and is well placed to capitalise on the significant opportunities ahead," he said. Shares in Ferrexpo were sharply lower on Wednesday, after the iron ore producer accused Ukraine of breaching international investment agreements. The London-listed miner, which has operations in Ukraine and is headquartered in Baar, said Ukraine had breached its obligations under treaties with both the UK and Switzerland. As a result, it had been left with "no option but to send the government of Ukraine a formal written notification of potential claims". Ferrexpo wants Ukraine to cease any unlawful actions and to enter into negotiations. It is the latest salvo in an escalating row between the miner and the Ukrainian authorities over its largest mine. Earlier in March, a Kyiv court approved a request by the prosecutors office to nationalise a number of corporate entities, including 49.5% of the corporate rights of Ferrexpo Poltava Mining. The ruling followed a probe by the State Bureau of Investigation of Ukraine, one of several state investigations against Ferrexpo. Most relate to Konstantin Zhevago, Ferrexpos main shareholder. The Ukrainian businessman and former politician has been sanctioned as part of a country-wide corruption crackdown. Zhevago denies all charges against him. Ferrexpo said on Wednesday: "These actions and decision are wholly without merit. They are contrary to Ukrainian law, and the underlying legal proceedings have been riddled with procedural defects and due process violations. "Further, there is no reasonable nexus whatsoever between these actions and decisions against the group and the supposed aim of the prosecuting cases against Konstantin Zhevago. Ferrexpos subsidiaries in Ukraine are wholly owned by Ferrexpo; Mr Zhevago does not own any shares in those entities." As at 0900 GMT, shares in the FTSE 250 stock were down 11% at 73p. The update came as Ferrexpo posted full-year results. It said it had seen a "dramatic" recovery in 2024, with total production surging 66% to 6.9m tonnes and revenues ahead 43% at $933.3m. However, lower average iron ore prices and higher production costs meant underlying earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation fell 30% to $69m. The pre-tax loss was $20.4m, although that an improvement on 2023s $68.4m. Lucio Genovese, executive chair, said: "Through another 12 months of operating during a time of war, our people remained determined, culminating in an increase in production and sales to the highest level since the start of the full-scale invasion. "I am very pleased and grateful that our organisation has been able to achieve such a dramatic recovery." Looking to the current year, he added: "We are closely watching the diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the war in Ukraine and are encouraged by the progress thus far. We must, however, remain vigilant." Ferrexpo did not provide production or cost guidance for 2025. Up to 750 staff at Santander face losing their jobs after the bank said it would close 95 branches in the UK. The Spanish lenders decision will leave it with 349 high street branches, with services or hours slashed at more than 50 others by June. Santander in January said it was not planning any permanent closures this year. The bank is changing 18 branches to become counter-free and another 36 would be cutting opening hours. UK banks have been implementing widespread branch closure programmes claiming most customers conduct transactions online. However, campaign groups say this has left many elderly and vulnerable people without access to the internet without vital services. Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com Superdrug is to expand its UK footprint by opening a raft of larger stores, the health and beauty retailer announced on Wednesday. The chain, which is owned by Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings, said it intended to open 25 best-in-class large stores in 2025, creating around 600 new jobs. The new stores will be located across the UK, including Leeds Briggate - which has already opened - Guernsey and Cribbs Causeway in Bristol. A number of shops will also be refurbished. Superdrug said its top largest 100 stores posted a 25% hike in sales in 2024, and saw an 8% uplift in footfall in January 2025. Bigger stores offer various treatments and services alongside traditional products, including ear piercings, manicures, eyebrow threading, fragrance counters and nurse clinics. Nigel Duxbury, Superdrug's property director, said the retailer wanted to boost customer experience. "This is just not about a quick and easy purchase, it is about engaging customers with added extras. "We can see from our sales last year that investing in and increasing the number of large format stores in our estate allows us to accelerate our bricks and mortar strategy." The retailer currently has around 780 stores in the UK and Ireland. Elon Musks vast stake in Tesla is no longer his most valuable asset as the electric car company continues to endure a sharp stock market sell-off. Musks stake in SpaceX, his private rockets and satellites business, is now the billionaire tycoons largest asset for the first time in five years, according to Forbes, which still pegs his net worth at $323bn more than anyone else in the world. Guardian The government risks disappointing voters hoping for cheaper energy bills in the next decade if it cuts the 8.3bn budget for GB Energy, a thinktank has warned. Researchers at the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) found that the publicly owned energy company set up by Labour to drive renewable energy and cut household bills will need to be fully funded if it hopes to build enough clean energy projects to meet 5% of the countrys electricity needs by the 2030s. Guardian Chris OShea, the chief executive of British Gas, is set to receive a 29pc pay boost to his basic salary taking his fixed pay above 1m as households brace for higher bills. The pay increase, which comes into force on April 1, will arrive on the same day that energy price rises take average consumer energy bills to 1,849 a year. Centrica, which owns British Gas, said Mr OShea was underpaid on his current salary of 855,000 compared with other FTSE 100 chief executives. He will now be paid 1.1m to take into account the companys growth and complexity. Telegraph Britain faces years of industrial decline and falling factory employment as high energy prices blamed on net zero undermine the manufacturing sector. EY Item Club said Britains manufacturing sector was on track for three years of falling employment in the face of energy costs that are four times as high as those in the US, and 50pc more than those paid by factories in France and Germany. Factory output is also expected to shrink by 0.6pc this year, the influential forecaster predicted. Telegraph Britains two largest steelmakers have warned that President Trumps tariffs are already leading to a loss of business from American customers. Tata Steel, based at Port Talbot, and British Steel, which runs the Scunthorpe steelworks, also raised concerns at potentially more dangerous collateral damage from trade barriers as large volumes of steel on the global market, once bound for America, could now swamp the UK. The Times One of the ongoing features at Shelf Awareness is our "Cool Idea of the Day," highlighting indie booksellers' creativity with their displays, events, promotions, community service, charity work, and much more. There are, of course, lots of cool ideas and only so much room to showcase them. Which brings me to today's indie adventure. I should preface this by admitting that I'm not the kind of guy who says "cool idea" much in real life, but I do appreciate the concept. Maybe my own version of cool is "good," which might sound a bit understated, but is meant to be the highest level of praise in the tradition of comedians ("That's funny.") and race horse trainers ("That's a nice horse."). In that spirit, here are some good ideas I noticed recently: More booksellers are setting aside a shopping day each week for their immunocompromised customers. Pearl Street Books in La Crosse, Wis., is introducing Mask Monday. Owner Beth Hartung told WEAU: "I thought about it. I did a little bit of research. It was an area that I never thought about before. I decided to do it on Mondays just to make it simple so people can remember. I think it feels really isolating if you can't go anywhere.... I'm a community member and that's what community members do for each other. I believe that the heart of what it means to be in a community with other people is to help each other stay safe." And Maggie Mae's Bookshop, Gresham, Ore., posted: "We're considering a weekly masking day to support our immunocompromised community members and would love your input! Let us know which day would best serve you, your family, and neighbors who would appreciate a safely masked space." With the tariff battles heating up internationally, Bleak House Books, Honeoye Falls, N.Y., sent "a message of solidarity and support for our friends and neighbors in Canada.... For a bookshop based in the Rochester area, we are closer to Canada than we are to, say, Manhattan. By a lot, actually. Since reopening BHB, we've had folks from Canada make the trek to our bookshop. We've also visited Canada ourselves several times.... Canadians dont want to see their country become the 51st state, and they dont want to become Americans. They are fine with the way things are. In fact, what they want more than anything--really, what people the world over want as well--is to be left the f*ck alone." Douglas Skelton and Sarah Frame Bookstore weddings and proposals have also gained in popularity, but the Scotsman reported that Sarah Frame, owner of the Book Nook in Stewarton, Scotland, added a new plot twist by "falling in love with a crime writer whom she wed in a special ceremony in her own boutique store," which was also just named Scotland's Independent Bookshop of the Year in the 2025 British Book Awards. A nice wedding gift indeed. Highlighting and/or working with other small businesses and services in their community is a longstanding indie bookseller tradition. From WordHaven BookHouse, Sheboygan, Wis.: "This Week's Trans-Friendly Small Business Shout-out goes to Relish in Sheboygan. Jane, Sara, and their team are welcoming, kind, and so positive toward everyone who walks through their doors (and they have a ShopPup, too)! They are also one of our Satellite Partners and have been amazing to work with. Please show them some love!" And Prologue Bookshop, Columbus, Ohio, noted: "This Must Be The Place is coming to Prologue Bookshop... to distribute naloxone and demonstrate how to properly administer in case of an emergency. @betheplace does great work in overdose prevention across the country at music festivals and locally in Franklin County, reaching people where they're at and giving them tools to save a life. We hope to see you here to help better equip our community with the knowledge and tools we need to keep looking out for each other." French bookseller Damn Fine Bookstore in Lyon found a way to serve book and film aficionados: "Take 20 book lovers, put them in front of the movie adaptation of a book they read recently, add a bit of coffee and some delicacies and you'll obtain a fantastic amazing cine book club! What a joy to watch a film all together and dissect the adaptation afterwards, it's the best of time." "Books: The Greatest Show On Earth": Anderson's Bookshop and Anderson's Toyshop, Naperville, Ill., shared a video of its new storefront window displays, noting: "Step right up to a bookish spectacle at Anderson's Bookshop. Magic, wonder and stories await--come see the show!" Silent book clubs are popular, as are variations on the theme like Speakeasy After Dark: "Bring your own book, buy a drink, and visit the Phoenix Books [Rutland, Vt.] pop-up, then enjoy two uninterrupted hours of reading. This event will take place at the Speakeasy Cafe... grab a drink, and join us to mingle, or grab a spot and start reading." I love the "Meet the Press" wall at Exile in Bookville, Chicago, Ill.: "It's that time, the changing out of our Meet The Press wall. So many wonderful small and independent presses to choose from, but this is one that we've been itching to highlight for awhile." I'm also a sucker for indie gratitude posts to delivery folks. This "Ode to UPS" from Novelette Booksellers, Nashville, Tenn. ("In the meantime here's a bad poem i wrote for our UPS guys, because I have no self control when my brain decides it's doing something stupid.") is definitely a prizewinner, ending with: UPS you are so very dear So please have no fear You can just leave the boxes here One person was injured as a result of an enemy attack in Bucha district, head of Kyiv Regional Military Administration Mykola Kalashnyk reported on Telegram. "As a result of an enemy attack in Bucha district, a person was injured. A 60-year-old man received wounds to both lower limbs. He is now hospitalized in a local hospital. The victim is receiving all necessary medical care," Kalashnyk wrote. According to preliminary information from the Administration, nine private houses were damaged and partially destroyed in three settlements of Bucha district. Fires in three townhouses were extinguished. Also, a grass fire was extinguished in Obukhiv and Fastiv districts. A private house was damaged in Boryspil district. Former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant has taken over as Chairperson for NIIT University effective 10 March 2025, succeeding scientist K Kasturirangan. This leadership transition marks a significant milestone in NUs journey towards fostering industry-aligned education to develop future-ready talent, the university said in a statement. It added that with Kant at the helm, it looks to scale in cutting-edge education, skilling, and global collaborations, continuing its mission of nurturing leaders and innovators of tomorrow. During his period at NITI Aayog between 2016 and 2022, Kant headed initiatives including Atal Innovation Mission, Aspirational Districts Programme, and the National Programme on Artificial Intelligence. He was also one of the member of launch the flagship programmes including Make in India, Startup India, and Ease of Doing Business reforms. Kant said It is an honour to join NIIT University, an institution that has consistently pioneered industry-linked education and skilling. In todays rapidly evolving economy, universities must play a central role in nurturing innovation and preparing youth for emerging opportunities. I look forward to working with the university to advance its mission of creating a new-age talent pool aligned with national and global priorities. Prof. Prakash Gopalan, President, NIIT University said We are privileged to welcome Shri Amitabh Kant as Chairperson of NIIT University. His visionary leadership in driving Indias innovation and skilling landscape will be invaluable in shaping NUs future. As we continue to strengthen our focus on technology, research, and industry integration, his guidance will help us take significant strides in developing a highly skilled, future-ready workforce. The Green Pencil Foundation, in collaboration with Imperial Auto Industries as its CSR partner, Jagran News as the media partner, and Radio Manav Rachna as the radio partner, successfully concluded the Clean and Green Faridabad Mission in five Government Senior Secondary Schools across the city. This months-long initiative aimed to instill sustainable habits among students, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and key national initiatives such as Swachh Bharat Mission, Vikshit Bharat Mission 2047, and the Prime Ministers Solar Energy Subsidy Scheme. A Two-Phase Approach to Sustainability Education The program was strategically designed in two phases: 1. Theoretical Sessions Students were educated about environmental sustainability, climate change, and responsible waste management. 2. Practical Implementation Included hands-on training, tree plantation drives, and the distribution of sustainable alternatives to reduce plastic waste. Participating Schools The initiative was successfully implemented in the following schools: Government Senior Secondary School, Sector 7E, Sihi, Faridabad Government Senior Secondary School, New Industrial Township 1 Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 28 Government Senior Secondary School, Sehatpur Government Senior Secondary School, Sector 21D Corporate and Community Support Strengthen the Mission The success of the initiative was driven by strong corporate and media support. Imperial Auto Industries played a pivotal role as the CSR partner, ensuring the smooth execution of the workshops and sustainability campaigns. Additionally, leading media houses Jagran News and Punjab Kesari, with their vast readership and viewership across India, provided significant media coverage, amplifying the impact of the mission. Gaurav Mishra, Co-founder of Green Pencil Foundation, emphasized the importance of strategic collaborations: Our mission wouldnt have been possible without the unwavering support of Jagran Connect. We also received extensive help from Radio Manav Rachna, which played a crucial role in spreading awareness through radio campaigns, engaging thousands of citizens in Faridabad. Meanwhile, DivyaKumari, CSR Manager at Imperial Auto Industries, highlighted the broader impact of the initiative: The Clean and Green Faridabad Mission goes beyond awarenessit drives real action. By integrating climate education, advocacy, and implementation, we are taking tangible steps toward climate mitigation and adaptation. Tangible Impact on 1,200 Students The Clean and Green Faridabad Mission directly benefited 1,200 students, equipping them with knowledge and practical tools to embrace sustainability. The initiatives impact was visible through active student participation in workshops, tree plantation drives, and the adoption of eco-friendly habits. Mohammad Sabeel, Representative of Green Pencil Foundation, expressed the organizations long-term vision: We want to take the Green Pencil Foundation and Imperial Auto Industries CSR partnership to the next step by expanding our climate and health initiatives to all 81 government schools in Faridabad. This will ensure a more widespread and lasting impact, transforming schools into sustainable learning environments. A Step Toward a Greener and Cleaner Future Sandy Khanda, Founder of Green Pencil Foundation, reiterated how the initiative aligns with national and global sustainability goals: Our mission directly supports the UN SDGs and major Indian initiatives like the Swachh Bharat Mission and Vikshit Bharat Mission 2047. Additionally, through this project, we are reinforcing the Prime Ministers Solar Energy Subsidy Scheme by encouraging students to adopt renewable energy solutions. Khanda further emphasized the importance of instilling sustainable practices in young minds: Sustainability should not be a choice; it should be a daily habit. To encourage this shift, we distributed metal water bottles to replace plastic ones, cloth bags to eliminate polythene usage, and cloth pads as an alternative to single-use plastic sanitary pads. Additionally, we planted 50 native trees across these five schools to create a greener learning environment. Community Recognition and Future Expansion Plans The initiative received high praise from educators and community leaders. Ms. Seema Gautam, Principal of one of the participating schools, applauded the Green Pencil Foundations efforts: Green Pencil Foundation and Jagran Connect are addressing one of the most pressing environmental concerns affecting our community. Their commitment to sustainability and youth education is truly commendable. A formal vote of thanks was extended to the District Education Officer, District Administration, and District Police Commissioner of Faridabad for their support in executing the initiative successfully. Looking ahead, Green Pencil Foundation aims to expand the initiative to all 81 government schools in Faridabad. Sandy Khanda shared the foundations future roadmap: Our goal is to make all government schools in Faridabad completely clean, green, and free from plastic waste. In the next phase, we plan to distribute bamboo toothbrushes and metal tiffins to further eliminate plastic waste from school premises. These efforts will bring us closer to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and building a greener future. A Movement for the Next Generation The Clean and Green Faridabad Mission is not just an environmental initiativeit is a movement that instills sustainable values in the next generation. By educating students and engaging communities, the project is paving the way for a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for all. With continued partnerships and collective action, the Green Pencil Foundation remains committed to transforming Faridabad into a model city for sustainability, setting an example for other regions across India. India and Norway are seeking to enhance their investment and trade relationship, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said on Tuesday following a meeting with Norway's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Espen Barth Eide. The leaders discussed avenues for increasing economic cooperation and enhancing cooperation in sectors of importance. When they met, they emphasized enhancing labor mobility and skill development, which had the potential to unlock new opportunities for the two nations. "India and Norway have the potential to really boost trade ties and have an ambitious goal of taking bilateral trade to ten times in a decade", Goyal said. The Indian Minister also underlined the importance of the EFTA-TEPA (European Free Trade Association - Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement) and its investment commitments, underlining its value to the India-Norway trade relationship. "Talked strengthening our bilateral trade and investment relations, increasing cooperation in skill development & mobility of workforce, importance of EFTA-TEPA and its investment obligations", Goyal tweeted. The ministers discussed critical current global trade challenges, WTO modernization, and shifting economic and geopolitical developments. They renewed their commitment to strengthening high-level business interactions that can propel collective development and economic development. The Union Minister also asked the businesspeople of both countries to work diligently towards meeting the objective. On its part, the EFTA has pledged to support investments with the objective of adding $100 billion to the stock of foreign direct investments in India over the next 15 years, and facilitating the creation of 1 million direct jobs in India, through such investments. foreign portfolio investments. The EFTA is providing 92.2 per cent of its tariff lines that account for 99.6 per cent of India's exports to the region. The investments do not include. The EFTA is providing 92.2 per cent of its tariff lines that account for 99.6 per cent of India's exports to the region. The market access offer of the EFTA includes 100 per cent of non-agri goods and tariff concession on Processed Agricultural Products (PAP). India is making available 82.7 per cent of its tariff lines encompassing 95.3 per cent of the EFTA exports out of which over 80 per cent imports consist of gold under the pact. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised astronaut Sunita Williams and her fellow crew members for their extraordinary achievements in space, following their safe return to Earth. The Defence Minister on Wednesday, took to the social media platform X to express his delight, writing, "Delighted at the safe return of NASAs Crew-9 on Earth! The crew, comprising of Indias daughter Sunita Williams and other astronauts, have rewritten the history of human endurance and perseverance in space". "Sunita Williams incredible journey, unwavering dedication, fortitude, and fighting spirit will inspire millions across the globe. Her safe return is a moment of celebration for space enthusiasts and the entire world. Her courage and achievements make us all proud. Congratulations and a big thank you to all stakeholders for bringing them back safely on Earth", he added. Williams, along with NASAs Butch Wilmore, NASA's Nick Hague, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, returned to Earth on Tuesday evening, concluding what was meant to be a short eight-day mission that turned into an unexpected nine-month stay on the International Space Station (ISS). Their return came aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, which splashed down off the coast of Florida just minutes before 6 p.m. As announced by NASA, the recovery operation was successfully carried out, with the astronauts being lifted out of the capsule. Hague was the first to exit, followed by Williams, who emerged third. All three astronauts smiled and waved as they were assisted out of the spacecraft, marking the end of their prolonged stay in space. Williams and Wilmore initially launched to the ISS on June 6, 2024, aboard Boeings Starliner spacecraft. However, after a malfunction in the spacecraft, they were left stranded. Indian microfinance is seeing signs of a revival after months of pressure from overleveraging by borrowers, a report by HSBC Research published on Wednesday said. The report highlights improving loan collections and higher disbursements in February, boosting confidence in the sector. Collection efficiency in the 'X bucket' category accounts with no overdue payments from the previous month improved to 98.5-99.5% in most states. This improvement has also helped reduce employee attrition rates, which had been a concern over the past year. Still, the industry remains challenged, most notably in Karnataka, where a government ordinance interrupted microfinance institution (MFI) activities in February. The state bill proposes exempting borrowers from repayment of loans borrowed from unlicensed and unregistered MFIs, a critical threat to lending institutions. In reaction, MFIs have taken steps to stabilize business and reduce the effect. In the future, HSBC Research forecasts credit expenses for MFIs to fall in the April-June quarter as asset quality improves. But new regulations that come into force from April 1, capping lending to borrowers, are expected to drive credit expenses up again. In spite of these challenges, microfinance-exposed banks are well placed to grow in the long term. According to HSBC Research, banks, thanks to their diversified portfolios and enhanced earnings resilience, are better placed than standalone MFIs. Their better asset quality and favorable valuations have the potential to offer investors superior returns. "With a diversified portfolio and strong earnings resilience, banks should beat standalone MFIs in the long term", the report added. A Volkswagen SUV could be seen with extensive damage in the vicinity of Seaview Avenue and Oceanside Avenue in Ocean Breeze in the wake of a crash on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. (Staten Island Advance/Luke Peteley) Luke Peteley STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Two people were taken to the hospital after a vehicle overturned in Ocean Breeze on Wednesday morning, officials said. A Volkswagen SUV could be seen with extensive damage in the vicinity of Seaview Avenue and Oceanside Avenue in the wake of the crash. The NYPD blocked a portion of Seaview Avenue heading toward Capodanno Boulevard for a period of time as officers cleared the road of shattered glass and debris. Airbags within the vehicle were visibly deployed. Much of the damage could be seen on the roof of the SUV and its front windshield. The crash was reported at 7:44 a.m., according to a spokesperson for the FDNY. Two individuals were taken to Staten Island University Hospital, just across the street from the crash site. The FDNY did not have conditions for the patients. In 2007, Vickie Gimbelman, executive director of Designer Greetings, looks over the company's product in its sample card room. ----- Designer Greetings, Arlington, SI based greeting card company, Founder and Executive Director Vickie Gimbelman, in the sample card room. staten island advance STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Bernice (Vickie) Gimbelman, a respected business entrepreneur and an innovative visionary leader who co-founded Designer Greetings with her husband, Jack, died Saturday in her Manor Heights home with her family by her side. She was 91. THE EARLY YEARS Born Bernice Landberg in the Bronx, (though she preferred to be called Vickie), she entered the work force as a secretary in Manhattan during the 1950s, where she honed her organizational and managerial skills. She married Jack Gimbelman in 1959 and the couple would eventually relocate to Coney Island, where their children, Steven and Fern, were born. In 1973, the Gimbelman family would cross the Verrazzano-Narrows and settle in the Manor Heights section of Staten Island in the Willowbrook/Meiers Corners area. BUSINESS VENTURES Prior to founding Designer Greetings, Jack had been an integral part of a greeting card company business partnership in Brooklyn, where he picked and processed orders. He sought to buy out his partners, venture out on his own and create Designer Greetings together with his wife, Vickie. Vickie Gimbelman in front of the Desginer Greetings building in Edison, N.J. (Courtesy/Gimbelman family) Staten Island Advance As a family-owned-and-operated business founded in 1982, Designer Greetings now produces one of the most extensive and award-winning greeting card lines in the United States. When we created Designer Greetings my mom ran the office and dad ran the business, said Steven Gimbelman, who added they are now the third largest greeting card publishers in North America that employs close to 1,000 full time and part time staffers. And it was my mom who brought her bookkeeping skills and office skills to the business. It was a perfect match. DESIGNER GREETINGS The Gimbelman family originally ran Designer Greetings from their dining room table and later from a warehouse in an empty firehouse located at 22 DeHart Ave. in Mariners Harbor. And it was later, at 250 Arlington Ave. in the same North Shore community where the business began to flourish. We built the building at 250 Arlington Ave. in 1990, which was 25,000 square feet, and then we relocated to Edison, N.J. in 2009 to a 130,000 square foot building, noted Steven. And we later added another 80,000 square feet and built an adjoining building of over 200,000 square feet. Over the years through acquisitions, weve acquired 20 greeting card publishers and distributors, which added to our growth. Stevens sister, Fern Gimbelman Zelekowitz, is the chief creative officer and assumes responsibilities running the art department. At a Designer Greetings groundbreaking ceremony are from the left, Julia Gimbelman, Vickie Gimbelman, Fern Gimbelman Zelekowitz, and Steven Gimbelman. (Courtesy/Gimbelman family) Staten Island Advance And after Jacks passing in 2004, Steven became the CEO and President of the company. THE ORIGINS OF THE GREETING CARD BUSINESS. We acquired the Cardsmart trademark in 2006 and we have been very blessed to have a wonderful company and wonderful parents who had the ability to start the company in 1982, he said. My mom was just amazing, daughter Fern reflected. She was involved with Pioneer Woman and the Staten Island Leukemia Association and did charity work at Temple Bnai Jeshuran and there are no words to describe the wonderful things people are saying about my mom. She worked up until the end, which is incredible. She was so, so, so, loved. The outpouring of love from everyone is incredible. From the left, Steven and Ania Gimbelman, Julia Gimbelman, Vickie Gimbeman, Neil Zelekowitz, and Fern Gimbelman Zelekowitz. (Courtesy/Gimbelman family) Staten Island Advance Even people who knew her for a year, she noted. They told me how special my mother was. And they didnt have to do that. They said we just have to tell you how much we loved your mother, who was 91 but was really 12 years-old. She was a kid at heart. She was literally 12 and such a joyful, loving person." My father, Jack, taught me about honesty, Fern said. My father was a very honest man. His word . . . you could take it to the bank. That was something really important growing up. I really admired that about him. I learned that from him. And I think, not only the employees, but the customers also respected him for his honesty. That was very important. During the beginning, my brother, Steven, was at Boston University, but he was still helping with selling and canvasing for accounts. And then my mom, Vickie, brought into the family the love, taking care of the employees, and I think thats where my brother and I learned how Designer Greetings was going to continue to be. My mom still came to work every day, and is so well respected by the company but probably by me the most. She has been an amazing role model to me, and I can only hope to grow up to be anything like her! SURVIVORS Vickie Gimbelman is survived by her son, Steven (Ania) and Fern (Neil) Zelekowitz, and grandchildren, Lex Zelekowitz and Julia Gimbelman. MEMORIAL SERVICE Funeral arrangements are being handled by Menorah Chapels, New Springville. Guests will be received Wednesday morning, March 19, between 10 and 11 a.m. at Congregation Bnai Jeshuran, 275 Martling Ave. in West Brighton, at which time a funeral service will be conducted. Interment will be in the New Montefiore Cemetery in West Babylon, N.Y. Donations may be sent to Congregation Bnai Jeshuran and to the Staten Island Leukemia Foundation. Luigi Mangione is escorted by police on Dec. 19, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith) AP STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. If you did do it, youre one of the few American heroes of the modern age. Thats the assessment of a 27-year-old South Shore resident about Luigi Mangione just one of the over two dozen comments submitted into the Advance/SILive.com by Staten Island Gen Zers. Mangione, 26, is presently being held in Brooklyns Metropolitan Detention Center for allegedly killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on Dec. 4, 2024, who is survived by his wife and two children. Thompson, 50, led the company the worlds largest healthcare firm according to ABC News since 2021. The New York Post reported that Thompson was under suspicion of insider trading by the Department of Justice at the time he was killed. Nearly two thirds of respondents to an informal Advance/SILive.com poll expressed support for Mangione, with over 90% agreeing that America has a problem with healthcare. The comments ranged from hearty support to outright hostility from Gen Zers. You are a monster who willingly orphaned children, a 22-year-old from the North Shore said. A South Shore 24-year-old replied, Keep fighting the good fight bro. Id want to have multiple in depth discussions with him [Mangione] about anything and everything..., a North Shore 22-year-old wrote. Along with telling him I support him either way, whether hes guilty or innocent. When posted to the Advance/SILive.com Instagram, hundreds of comments and over a thousand likes poured in. Justice is for the courts not the people, one commenter wrote. He broke the law no matter what his reason was. Another commented, What murdaaa? from the popular meme. Mangione could face the death penalty if he is found guilty in his federal case a sentiment that is unpopular among Staten Island Gen Zers, with 70% saying he should not face it if convicted. Mangiones next appearance in court is April 18, 2025, for USA v. Mangione in New York City. FDNY members who played a role in rescuing a man sinking in mud on March 13 were applauded by FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker for their work. Pictured are some of the members in attendance for a press event at Brookfield Park on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. (Staten Island Advance/Luke Peteley) Luke Peteley STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The blare of an FDNY engine signals the arrival of New Yorks Bravest and instills a sense of reassurance in those in need. This was especially the case for a pair of Staten Island siblings who were recently stuck in the dark woods of Brookfield Park in Great Kills. While the men and women who regularly save lives on the ground rightfully deserve credit for carrying out their duties, there are often those behind the scenes aiding those first responders on the job site fire alarm dispatchers. FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker lauded the recent efforts of two such dispatch officials during a press conference at the park Wednesday morning. FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker, left, and James Ahrens, deputy chief Division 8, right, applauded the work of FDNY members for a March 13 rescue at Brookfield Park on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. (Staten Island Advance/Luke Peteley) Luke Peteley On March 13, a brother and sister, ages 18 and 20, respectively, were walking their dogs in the park around 7:30 p.m., when they attempted to take a shortcut off of a trail. In doing so, the man became stuck in deep, muddy water and began to sink. As darkness and panic began to set in, the woman called 911. Awaiting on the other end of the line was Frank Festa, a fire alarm dispatcher who, coincidentally, lives in Travis. Frank called out for me, Matt, I need a hand. So I got on the phone with them and right away I said, I know exactly where you are, Matthew Scullin, a supervisor for fire alarm dispatch from Great Kills, said. Fortunately for the siblings, both dispatchers were relatively familiar with the park; Scullin had recently hiked with his family through the same woods in the fall. FDNY Fire Alarm Dispatcher Frank Festa, left, and Supervisor for Fire Alarm Dispatch Matthew Scullin were applauded for a March 13 rescue at Brookfield Park on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. (Staten Island Advance/Luke Peteley) Luke Peteley Together, Festa and Scullin began to devise a plan as to how to quickly and efficiently locate the lost siblings. While working to keep the pair calm, Scullin learned that there was a road with vehicles nearby. While narrowing down the location, Scullin says he was able to send Engine 165/Ladder 85, based in Richmond, to a corner with easy access for a company. Then another company would continue at the rear of the park along Forest Hill Road heading toward Costco with their lights and sirens on so the dispatchers could listen for the approaching vehicles and further direct the first responders. A brush fire unit from Annadale was also sent to the scene and was directed by Scullin to another trail near Costco. As soon as we heard the handie-talkie traffic in the background, we knew we were good, we disconnected the call, added Scullin. One of the firefighters on scene the day of the incident was Michael OHalloran of Engine 165. FDNY Firefighter Michael OHalloran, center, was one of the first responders who rescued a pair of sibling from the woods on March 13. Here he is speaking at a press event at Brookfield Park on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. (Staten Island Advance/Luke Peteley) Luke Peteley Upon arrival, OHalloran found the nervous man immobilized in mud up to his thighs. The man was concerned over the wellbeing of his dachshund, who he was carrying at the time. I didnt know how stuck he was, but he was in there good, OHalloran explained. So me and one of the other guys went in and we had to physically lift him up out of the mud. His feet were basically suctioned to the floor, thats what it felt like. Firefighters were able to safely retrieve the dog from the man before extracting him from the muddy mess, which he was trapped in for about 30 minutes, according to OHalloran. Obviously it instills a sense of pride in us, especially when it gets this much attention, Festa said of the efforts. It shows that just basically proves that what we do is very important and it makes us all very proud. Unsung heroes Tucker, who says he worked in a dispatch office back in the 1980s, applauded the work of these unsung heroes. Dispatchers are the voice of our members, theyre the voice that our members hear every day on the radio sending them to jobs, Tucker said. Theyre experts at coordinating our responses from the moment an emergency comes in over the telephone, to the fire ground scene, and they get our EMTs and paramedics and firefighters to your homes and to your offices and to parks like this with great efficiency. Over the past 24 hours, 140 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 a.m. Wednesday. "According to updated information, yesterday the enemy carried out 65 air strikes on the positions of Ukrainian units and populated areas, dropped 81 UABs, and used almost 2,200 kamikaze drones for destruction. The enemy also carried out 5,300 artillery attacks, including 88 from multiple launch rocket systems," the General Staff reports. Fellowship Baptist Church celebrated its 62nd anniversary on Sunday, March 16, marking a significant milestone in its history of leadership and worship. Faith Archibald for the Staten Island Advance STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Fellowship Baptist Church celebrated its 62nd anniversary on Sunday, marking a significant milestone in its history of leadership and worship. The celebration, which included morning and afternoon services, took place at 3036 Richmond Terr. in Mariners Harbor and featured three choirs, two praise dance teams, and preachers from both the home church and St. Philips Baptist Church. The churchs anniversary theme, which extends throughout the year, is Enhancing our relationship with God. Rev. Tracy Ward, associate minister from New Jerusalem Worship Center, preached at the first morning service, delivering a special message while the church joined in worship and reflection. The churchs anniversary theme, which extends throughout the year, is Enhancing our relationship with God. Faith Archibald for the Staten Island Advance Following the service, the churchs members and visitors gathered for a fellowship meal before continuing the celebration in the afternoon. During the afternoon program, members and guests reminisced about the churchs journey over the years, highlighting its history, significant milestones, and the impact it has had on the community all while expressing their gratitude. From the time of 14, the church has been my biggest support in everything that I have ever done to the point where now Im self published with their encouragement and because of them Im doing nothing but succeeding, said LaRita C. Phelps, member of Fellowship Baptist Church. The celebration, which included morning and afternoon services, took place at 3036 Richmond Terr. in Mariners Harbor and featured three choirs, two praise dance teams, and preachers from both the home church and St. Philips Baptist Church. Faith Archibald for the Staten Island Advance Dr. Tony Baker, pastor of St. Philips Baptist Church, encouraged the congregation to become an authentic community of believers. The church anniversary was marvelous. It was a blessing. It gave us fruitful thoughts. Now we have to get ourselves together and be a unit, not separated, said Nora L. Teasley, reverend of Fellowship Baptist Church. Said Lajuana Archibald, first lady of Fellowship Baptist Church: I was really impressed by the choirs coming together, with the youngest to the more mature. It was beautiful to see them come together as one. It really touched my heart. She shared how Tina Mccullers, the choir director for the A.D. Phillips, did an outstanding job directing the joined choir. About Fellowship Baptist Church Fellowship Baptist Church is well known for its impact on the community. The church provides mentorship, food distribution, and a pantry ministry to support those in need. It also offers essential resources, and assists with voter registration, helping both older residents and the youth engage in the electoral process. The church has embraced technology by expanding its media ministry, utilizing digital platforms to enhance outreach and engagement with the community. Were not just preaching in the church but now we are reaching out worldwide by streaming, said Alfredo Archibald, the pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church. In the next decade, the church aims to engage more young people and pass the torch to the next generation. In order to keep the church going, we have to teach the younger ones behind us, said Archibald. This includes not only pastoral leadership but also trustees, administrative roles, and various ministries. The goal is to restore traditions such as junior missionaries and junior ushers, encouraging youth involvement at every level. Archibald believes that without young people, the church cannot thrive, making their participation vital to its future. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. In honor of those who have died, here is a compilation of obituaries posted on SILive. Viewing times and guest books can be seen here. Maya Bank-Shikhman passed away on March 11, 2025, after a courageous battle with glioblastoma. Born in Moscow, USSR, on May 27, 1979, she emigrated to the United States in 1991, making her home in Dongan Hills. Maya was a dedicated project manager at Artnet Corporation and a passionate educator within the Staten Island nature community. Read the full obituary on SILive Anthony P. Barone died on Monday, March 17, 2025. Born and raised on Staten Island, he grew up in New Brighton and attended Curtis High School. Anthony earned his law degree from Fordham Law School in 1962 and began a law practice on Staten Island, also founding Regency Abstract, Inc. He served as President of the Staten Island Leukemia Association and the Richmond County Bar Association. Read the full obituary on SILive Albert George Palma, 74, of Staten Island, passed away on Feb. 24, 2025, in St. Augustine, Florida. Born on Dec. 7, 1950, in Brooklyn, he joined the NYC Transit Authority at 18, rising to Assistant Chief Facilities Officer before retiring. Albert also served six years in the U.S. Army National Guard, achieving the rank of Sergeant First Class. Read the full obituary on SILive Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story based on data from Legacy.com. It was reviewed and edited by Staten Island Live staff. So much for the tolerant left. Thats the take from Tesla CEO Elon Musk amid a spate of vandalism aimed Tesla vehicles and dealerships. Speaking with Fox News host Sean Hannity, Musk, a top advisor to President Donald Trump, chalked the attacks up to some kind of mental illness on the part of Democrats and those on the political left. Its really comes as quite a shock to me that there was this level of, really, hatred and violence from the left, Musk said, per the New York Post. I always thought the left, the Democrats, were supposed to be the party of empathy, the party of caring and yet theyre burning down cars, theyre firebombing dealerships, theyre firing bullets into dealerships, theyre just, you know, smashing up Teslas. The billionaire owner of social platform X said, Ive only done productive things. So, I think we just have a deranged theres some kind of mental illness thing going on here because this doesnt make any sense. Musk has caused controversy as he leads efforts to cut government waste as the guiding force behind Trumps Department of Government Efficiency. Attorney General Pam Bondi has said the anti-Tesla attacks are nothing short of domestic terrorism. Five Tesla vehicles were damaged after a fire broke out at a Tesla Collision Center in Las Vegas on Tuesday. Las Vegas officials blamed an arsonist hurling Molotov cocktails for the blaze. They pointed to the word RESIST that was spray-painted across the doors of the facility and said that gunshots were fired at other Teslas. I think there are larger forces at work here as well, Musk said. I mean, I dont know, whos funding this and whos coordinating this? This is crazy, he added. Ive never seen anything like this. Musk said that the attacks stem from his success at cutting government fraud and waste through DOGE. It turns out when you take away peoples you know, the money theyre receiving fraudulently, they get very upset, he said. A steady decline in beer consumption in the U.S. already has barley farmers on edge. Now those same growers are scared almost to death at what President Donald Trumps tariffs mean for their farms and livelihoods. The people who pay for tariffs are the farmers, barley farmer Steve Sheffels, vice president of the Montana Grain Growers Association, told Fast Company. We grow way more barley than we can possibly consume, so if those markets go away, then farmers are going to be competing for a much more limited number of buyers. Mexico is the third largest importer of U.S. barley and the biggest importer of U.S. malt, which is made from germinating kernels of barley and is a key ingredient in beer. Many barley farmers ship their produce to Mexico, which returns the barley to the U.S. in the form of popular Modelo, Corona and Pacifico brand beers. Theres a sinking feeling and a feeling of dread that things are bad, and things are going to stay bad for a while, Sheffels said. We are scared almost to death about tariffs. If Mexico issues retaliatory tariffs or buys barley from other trading partners, experts say it could deal another economic blow to American farmers as U.S. consumers increasingly eschew beer in favor of other alcoholic beverages or abstinence. Tariffs leveled against U.S. barley and other agricultural goods by Canada, the largest importer of U.S. malt barley, went into effect on March 4. Frayne Olson, crop economist at North Dakota State University, told Fast Company that farmers are worried that tariffs could decimate U.S. barley exports to Canada. Beer consumption has been on a downward swing and in 2024, it hit its lowest level in over 40 years as more Americans chose other alcoholic beverages, said Bart Watson, chief economist at the Brewers Association. Hard seltzer drinks and canned cocktails have provided stiff competition to beer, while Gen Zers and millennials are drinking less alcohol overall than most previous generations, according to a 2024 Gallup poll. Trump has said his tariffs are aimed at slowing the influx of illegal drugs and migrants into the U.S. He has acknowledged that the tariffs could have adverse economic impacts on Americans, at least in the short term. The Associated Press has retracted a story that included an erroneous quote from Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard regarding the relationship between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Fox News reported that AP quoted Gabbard as saying that Trump and Putin are very good friends. In reality, Gabbard, the former congresswoman from Hawaii, was referring to the relationship between Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India. The Associated Press has withdrawn its story about U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard saying President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are very good friends. Gabbard was talking about Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The AP will publish a corrected version of the story, the AP said in a statement. AP published an updated story reflecting Gabbards actual quote. Included is an editors note at the bottom acknowledging that the AP removed the original story containing erroneous reporting. AP has removed its story about U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard saying President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are very good friends because it did not meet our standards. We notified customers and published a corrected story with an editors note to be transparent about the error, the Associated Press told Fox News Digital in a statement. Alexa Henning, Gabbards deputy chief of staff, slammed the AP as total trash in a post on X. The @AP is total trash. DNI @TulsiGabbard was referring to PM Modi & President Trump and this is the headline they publish. This is why no one trusts the maliciously incompetent and purposefully bias [sic] media. If this isnt a clear example of pushing a solely political narrative, then nothing is, Henning wrote. The original headline, including in Hennings post, read: Gabbard says Trump and Putin are very good friends focused on strengthening ties. Things remained civil this time. Weeks after their infamous Oval Office blowup, President Donald Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy talked for about an hour on the phone on Wednesday. Unlike the fiery exchange last month, which led to Zelenskyy being booted from the White House, Trump said Wednesdays chat was a very good telephone call, the Daily Mail reported. The call came after Trump had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday as the U.S. leader seeks an end to Russias three-year war with Ukraine. Describing the Zelenskyy call on Truth Social, Trump wrote, Much of the discussion was based on the call made yesterday with President Putin in order to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs. We are very much on track. Zelenskyy said he had a positive, very substantive, and frank conversation with Trump and thanked the president for the productive start to the work of the Ukrainian and American teams in Jeddah on March 11 - this meeting of the teams significantly helped in moving toward ending the war. American and Ukrainian officials started peace talks earlier this month in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Talks that would include Russia are being planned. Zelenskyy said that with Trumps support lasting peace can be achieved this year. The Wednesday call marked the first time that Trump and Zelenskyy have spoken since the White House dustup, when Trump and Vice President JD Vance said that Zelenskyy was being disrespectful and hadnt shown enough gratitude for U.S. war aid. The explosive confrontation caused the cancellation of the signing of a rare earth minerals deal between the U.S. and Ukraine and led Trump to temporarily pause American military and intelligence aid to Ukraine. Support the Peninsulas only locally-owned newspaper. Subscribe! Subscribing annually brings you big savings. We also offer monthly and weekly subscriptions. Premium Subscription As low as $8.25 per week Premium Includes: -- Access to the Daily Journals e-Edition: a digital replica of our daily newspaper including crossword puzzles, games, comics, classifieds and ads. You can download a digital replica of the Daily Journal for offline reading. You can also clip & download articles or images from the e-edition to share with others The most recent 90 issues are available at any given time. -- Unlimited access to our award-winning online content -- Commenting access on all stories as a valued member of the DJ community -- NEW! Access to our online-only digital crossword puzzle. A new puzzle every day, seven days a week! Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff announced that the details of a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia will be worked out in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday. He said this on Fox News on Tuesday. We have some details to work out, of course, but that will begin on Sunday in Jeddah and beyond that well move to a full ceasefire and we had some good conversation today on ingredients to achieve that. So, all in all really positive results, Witkoff said. He added that the draft ceasefire agreement covers strikes on infrastructure in general, not just energy facilities. Witkoff stressed that the United States expects Ukraine to support the agreements reached during the talks between Trump and Putin. It is not yet known whether Ukraine will attend these talks. King George of Bankstown has returned to Macquarie Street. George Mladenov had spent a lifetime among the backroom brawlers of the NSW Labor Right, and was on the cusp of securing a spot on the partys Canterbury-Bankstown Council ticket, only to give it up to realise a lifelong dream when he appeared on Australian Survivor in 2021. George Mladenov from Macquarie Street to TV celebrity and back again. Credit: Nigel Wright Turns out the Machiavellian world of local Labor branches is an excellent training ground for reality TV. King George, as hes known on the show, became a fan favourite during his two seasons, and is set to appear on screens again later this year. Now between gigs, Mladenov has gone back to where it all began, doing some staffing work for his old boss, NSW Upper House MP Tania Mihailuk. 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 Last Anniversary is about a woman finding her way in the world, unexpectedly becoming part of an intriguing community and possibly discovering a place to call home. Along the way, she also finds herself caught up in a mystery. The tale brings together aspects of the lives of two women intimately involved in its creation: bestselling author Liane Moriarty and screenwriter-producer Samantha Strauss. Its set on Scribbly Gum Island, a fictional idyll on the Hawkesbury River created by Moriarty. I came up with the setting first, which is unusual for me, she explaains. Im not good at describing landscapes. But I went on a day trip with my parents to Dangar Island and I was fascinated by the fact that a lot of the residents worked in Sydney but came back via little boats to this amazing place. I thought it would be a wonderful setting for a novel, so I pretended Scribbly Gum would be next door. Teresa Palmer as Sophie Honeywell in The Last Anniversary. For Strauss, the story has familiar parallels. Years ago, when she was approached to adapt the novel for TV, she was in her late 30s, single and child-free, like its protagonist, Sophie Honeywell. But now, as the six-part series premieres, shes in her mid-40s and married with a four-year-old, much like another of its characters, Grace. That sense of connection to the characters, and the depiction of them at different stages, represents what she sees as one of the storys key qualities: a multi-generational perspective that resonates with a number of chapters in life. When we meet Sophie (Teresa Palmer), shes a 39-year-old journalist with a passion for romance novels and an insistently ticking biological clock. She writes magazine articles headlined Hip thrusts could be making you infertile and Is there love, actually? and lives alone. She endures disappointing dates with men who briskly ask how many arancini balls she ate after suggesting they split the bill. Director John Polson with author Liane Moriarty on the set of The Last Anniversary. However, Sophies life changes when she inherits a house on Scribbly Gum. Director John Polson has a dream cast to play the islands community, including Angela Punch-McGregor and Miranda Richardson as the matriarchs, Connie and Rose Doughty. Advertisement Secrets and lies await as Sophie becomes enmeshed in a tangle of relationships. Some involve the Baby Munro case, which day-tripping tourists are informed has been voted the No. 1 unsolved mystery in Australia. It hinges on the disappearance, decades earlier, of Alice and Jack Munro and the discovery of their baby, Enigma, in her cot. Sophies adjustment to her new circumstances include persuading her editor she might have a new angle on the case. Moriarty wrote The Last Anniversary more than two decades ago, but decided the adaptation needed someone younger and cooler to steer it. One phone call with Strauss, who created Apple Cider Vinegar for Netflix, convinced her she was the right choice: She understood the essence of the book. Shailene Woodley (left), Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman in Big Little Lies. Moriarty became hot property globally following the acclaimed 2017 adaptation of her sixth novel, Big Little Lies. Since then, there have been screen versions of Nine Perfect Strangers and Apples Never Fall. A third season of Big Little Lies is under way, as are adaptations of The Husbands Secret and Here One Moment. Loading The success of Big Little Lies had a range of ramifications. It meant that there were some incredible interludes in my life, and it gave me glimpses into another world, says Moriarty. I also felt very lucky because I know other authors have not had such a good experience having their books adapted. They havent been made to feel as welcome as I was. And, of course, it brought me many new readers. Strauss sees that series as a benchmark: Having that cast [Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Zoe Kravitz, Shailene Woodley and Laura Dern] in a show about what it means to be a woman, what it means to be a friend, what it means to be in a relationship, and having it as premium drama, with that budget, was a breakthrough. And to have a [domestic abuse] story like Celestes that everyone around the world saw, to know how she was feeling and how complicated it was to try to leave her husband. Advertisement With seven episodes, they could play with nuance and Jean-Marc Vallees direction and editing were inspirational. Having our stories told on such a scale really helped women. Like Big Little Lies, The Last Anniversary focuses on a range of issues affecting its female characters: post-natal depression, sexual harassment, the fears of 30-something women who long to be mothers and the frustrations of those who feel trapped at home. Angela Punch McGregor as Connie, Miranda Richardson as Rose and Helen Thomson as Enigma in The Last Anniversary. Moriarty describes her approach to the screen adaptations as very hands-off, but she did take a ferry to visit the Last Anniversary set. It was very hot and humid; my hair went all frizzy, she says, laughing. Watching the actors at work has given Moriarty valuable insight. I discovered that actors are a lot like writers: they observe people in the same way that we observe people and they bring in things from their own lives, she says. I wrote down the word gestures after watching actors, because I realised that they have to make the characters move. So, to try to find a way of improving my own writing, I thought Ive got to remember gestures. And while a crime or mystery is often a feature of Moriartys stories, Strauss thinks those elements only serve as a propulsive engine. She believes the real drawcard is the novelists skill with characters. What sets Lianes books apart is the specificity of the characters and the kindness with which theyre drawn, she says. A crime or mystery helps raise the stakes and is a hook that pulls you through. But I dont think these productions would be as special if Liane hadnt written such nuanced characters. Theyre wonderfully flawed and have hang-ups and history, but theyre written with love and forgiveness. Advertisement You go to dark places, but theres always light around the corner. Theres no meanness in her stories. Difficult things happen, but the spirit isnt cynical. Its unlike a lot of things on TV because theres such warmth to it. And while Moriarty happily admits my books did start selling better once I started killing off some of the characters, she is more interested in other elements within her stories. Im not interested in writing a police-procedural sort of novel, although I understand the need to keep the reader turning the pages, or the viewer bingeing, she says. With Apples Never Fall, I had the mother going missing, but what I was interested in was the children thinking about their parents marriage. Then I remember thinking Oh, now the police are going to have to get involved. But, for me, that wasnt the point. Sams saying exactly what I like to hear, which is that Im mostly interested in the characters. Loading For Moriarty and Strauss, the characters of Connie and Rose, in their strength and stoicism, represent quintessentially Australian qualities. Australians are funny and strong and can be blackly comic, says Strauss. We get on with things and we dont like talking about our feelings. When I look at those women, at my mother and how I remember my grandmother, thats how I think of them. Advertisement Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Save this article for later Remove items from your saved list to add more. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. A love-letter to the Philippines and its laidback drinking culture. 1 / 8 Chicken skin sandwich and Tito Ray cocktail. Justin McManus 2 / 8 The rooftop at the Filipino cocktail bar. Supplied 3 / 8 Gildas at Inuman. Supplied 4 / 8 Sari-sari sparkle cocktail. Justin McManus 5 / 8 Duck liver parfait. Justin McManus 6 / 8 W.A.M martin Justin McManus 7 / 8 Cheese with crackers, guava, honeycomb. Justin McManus 8 / 8 Cocktails and bar snacks on a city rooftop in Melbourne. Justin McManus Previous Slide Next Slide Filipino$$$$ Filipino ingredients, from ube to tapuy rice wine, are placed front and centre in tongue-in-cheek yet delicious drinks at this rooftop bar on Exhibition Street. The rest of the menu reimagines typical Melbourne bar snacks through a Filipino lens. A game-changing sandwich sees roast chicken skin made ultra-shattery and laid on white bread with sweet-sour inasal sauce (a popular Filipino chicken marinade). Lemongrass, makrut lime and other fresh herbs are packed in for extra punch. The rooftop is scattered with plants and candy-striped cushions for lounging on, while a more intimate bar inside is decorated with a deep-red stone bar, jade-coloured ruffled curtains and other flowing fabrics. Photo: https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua Russian troops have recently crossed the international border in Sumy region, their advance has been recorded in Lymany direction, in the direction of Chasiv Yar and in Toretsk direction; in Kurakhove direction there have been mutual changes - Ukrainian forces have advanced to the center of Kostiantynopil, Russian forces - to the southwest of this settlement, there is an advance of Russian forces in Zaporizhia region. This is stated in a review by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), citing geolocated footage published on March 16-18. Russian forces recently advanced across the international border in Sumy Oblast as part of continued ground operations to push Ukrainian forces from their remaining positions in Kursk Oblast. () Geolocated footage published on March 16 indicates that Russian forces recently advanced in southwestern Basivka (near the international border in Sumy Oblast and west of Sudzha), says a review posted on the ISW website on Wednesday. According to the review, Russian forces attacked west of Sudzha near Gogolevka, south of Sudzha near Guyevo, and near the international border in Sumy Oblast near Basivka on March 18. At the same time the ISW notes that Russian sources claimed on March 18 that Ukrainian forces attacked along the Sumy-Belgorod Oblast border southeast of the remaining Ukrainian positions in Kursk Oblast. In addition, the Institute analysts referred to Russian milbloggers, who claimed that Ukrainian forces attacked with tank, armored vehicle, and mine-clearing vehicle support from Sumy Oblast toward Demidovka, Grafovka, and Prilesye (northwest of Belgorod City) and that Russian forces repelled the attack. Several Russian milbloggers claimed that Ukrainian forces reached the 14H-472 road southwest of Demidovka before Russian forces repelled the attack. ISW also records the advancement of Russian troops in Lymany direction. Geolocated footage published on March 18 indicates that Russian forces recently advanced in a forested area west of Balka Zhuravka (formerly Nevske, northeast of Lyman). It is noted that Russian troops have recently advanced in the direction of Chasiv Yar. Geolocated footage published on March 17 indicates that Russian forces recently marginally advanced along Chekhova Street in western Chasiv Yar. Russian forces have recently advanced in Toretsk direction, as confirmed by geolocation footage published on March 17: advanced in northern Toretsk and to a building in Tsentralna Mine in western Toretsk. Changes are reported in Kurakhove direction. Both Ukrainian and Russian forces have advanced there. Assessed Ukrainian advances: geolocated footage published on March 17 shows that Ukrainian forces recently advanced within central Kostiantynopil (west of Kurakhove). Assessed Russian advances: Geolocated footage published on March 18 shows that Russian forces recently advanced southwest of Kostiantynopil, the Institute said in its report. Russian forces recently advanced in western Zaporizhia Oblast amid intensified Russian offensive operations in the area, likely as part of efforts to leverage Russia's deliberate stalling of the temporary ceasefire proposal to make battlefield gains, the Institute for the Study of War notes that geolocation footage released on March 18 shows that Russian troops have recently advanced into eastern Stepne (east of Kamyanske). Clive Palmers Trumpet of Patriots totally blows from a grammatical point of view, as far as Lorraine Phillips of Wollongong is concerned: Really? Destucts our communities? Perhaps this is the party for illiterates. Kevin Hunt of Kenthurst says that something that has always had me curious, but more so recently since its price went into orbit, is why is gold a safe haven? It has almost no intrinsic value apart from wedding rings, dental fillings and the bathroom fittings on oligarchs yachts, and therefore surely it is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. Why is not like any other hyped-up investment bubble, that could burst tomorrow if a whole bunch of people started thinking yeah, nah? I would like to add skunks to the comprehensive list of animals that dont do well when chancing their lives crossing the road (C8), writes Tim Ingall of Scottsdale, Arizona, USA. I know they arent Australian, but the unique, pungent odour experienced as you drive by a dead skunk is memorable for all the wrong reasons. A final thought; for all the jokes about chickens crossing the road, I cannot remember a single instance of seeing a dead chicken on the side of the road when driving on rural roads in either Australia or the US. Andrew Brown missed one animal in his Stupid Animal Road Ratings, says Judy Jones of Thornleigh. Our stupidest was outside Broken Hill, the second of a pair of emus, who despite us bearing down on it determinedly followed the first emu. Our choice was a road train coming towards us, a deep ditch off the road or the emu. The emu drew the short straw. Sorry, Emu but it was all about self-preservation. Janice Creenaune of Austinmer agrees and thinks that all those feathers make such a sad display on the tarmac. The ants in our backyard have suddenly started to dig, reports Ian Nicholls of Baulkham Hills. Does that mean a lot of rain is coming? Mum survived, but I didnt go to school for a month or two. On my first day back, I went through the gates and saw Hamish standing there, waiting for me. He took me to class and, from that moment on, he sat with me every day and made sure I was OK. He knew I needed distraction, so he was always thinking of things to do riding bikes or going back to his house. On weekends, wed train with these weights my grandfather gave me, pushing each other hard. Rawson : I met Hamo in year 7 at St Patricks College in Launceston. He was popular and good at sports; I was more reserved. We were in the same group, but in year 9, things changed for me. I grew up on a farm outside Launi with Mum, Dad and my sister. Dad had had a car accident just after I was born, which put him in a coma and left him with a limp. He had a lot of anger. He threw Mum through walls, gave her black eyes. When I was in year 8, they split up and Mum moved to Launi. Some time later, she met a new partner. When Dad found out, he burst into our house and chased Mum into the bathroom, where I was having a shower, and shot her twice. She was lying in a pool of blood on the floor. I got PTSD from it, but I didnt understand that till later. He had his own issues. At 16, he was diagnosed with Crohns disease. At first, he didnt say anything; he was trying to be stoic. Then he told me about it all, about how terrified and confused hed been. He said the first time he saw all the blood in the toilet bowl he thought he was dying. I sat with him in hospital when we were 16 and he got his first infusion. Hamo left school in year 11 and began a carpentry apprenticeship. I finished a year later and joined the navy; I served for eight years. Hamo went to Perth to work in the mines. We chatted during that time, but the connection got stretched. Then, in 2013, I left the navy and was living in Sydney and Hamo visited, and it was just like old times. Hed had enough of Perth and wanted a change. We discussed starting a gym together. He moved over in 2014, and we did our PT [personal-trainer] certificates. We started living together, which was interesting him with Crohns and me with my mental health. We drank a fair bit; we didnt know how to deal with it properly. But we also used a lot of humour, and wed wrap our arms around one another when we needed to. Id take his sessions when he couldnt do them, because losing so much blood with Crohns makes him exhausted. In 2021, we launched our gym, Vrtus. Were a good team. I get stressed thats my PTSD but hes calm and good at explaining things, whether to do with staff or the council. And hes great with people. They open up to him, which is what I did as a kid because he protected me and I felt safe, despite everything that had happened. Hamish: When Rawsons dad shot his mum, everyone knew. People were like, My god, whats going on in his family? Before he returned to school, a teacher came in and told the kids, Rawson is coming in today. Try to be kind. I didnt really know him, but when he walked into the classroom, I put my hand up and said, Sit over here! Come hang with me! I started talking to him about footy and sports, and he started yapping right back at me. We had a really tight group at school, and my older brother was there, so no one gave Raws shit. I wanted to help him because I came from a broken family, and I knew what it was like. A financial planner defrauded almost $4.5 million from his former partner, cousins and primary school friends to fund a voracious gambling addiction that betting companies fed with free tickets, client managers and reminders to his phone. Anthony Del Vecchio, 32, pleaded guilty to 24 charges of obtaining financial advantage by deception in the County Court of Victoria, after operating a private Ponzi scheme from February 2020 until December 2023, while employed by Freedom Finance Australia. Financial planner Anthony Del Vecchio defrauded almost $4.5 million from his former partner, cousins, primary school friends and several clients of Freedom Finance Australia to fund a voracious online gambling addiction. Del Vecchio persuaded some of his closest friends and relatives to invest in the stock market or fixed-term deposit funds, often using falsified documents purporting to be on Freedom Finance Australia letterhead. However, the funds were paid into Del Vecchios private Commonwealth Bank account, which he used to gamble across 52 separate online betting accounts, turning over $10 million. Porceddu said the pair created a plan, called Operation Continuity, to take a car, drive to the Grampians and blow up a bridge before creating an army to take over Australia. The pair became obsessed with carrying out Operation Continuity, the prosecutor said. The woman was killed in April 2023. Credit: Joe Armao Between October 2022 and April 2023, the pair planned out the operation, obtaining military gear, camouflage clothing and ration packs, sourcing fertiliser and trying to recruit other teenagers from their school, the court heard. In January 2023, the pair had spoken about their anticipation of their plan and of taking bodies and killing, and talked about the younger of the two having visions, the court was told. The victims son told his friend not to act prematurely on the homicidal rage consuming him, to pull himself together and not kill anyone too early, with the aim to carry out their operation in March or April that same year. Would you rather kill him now and have momentary satisfaction or rather wait and torture him for however long you want to and have much more satisfaction for longer, one text message read. On February 11, the victims son bought two machetes from an adventure store, but his mother later found the weapons and returned them. At school, the boys asked friends if they wanted to join their group, giving one a dark green bag to take home, which was later filled with camping and military supplies including World War II helmets and a tent, the court heard. Credit: Louie Douvis They told friends their plan was to eventually spread the word of God and planned to discuss this further at upcoming sleepovers. On April 5, 2023, the final day of school for the term, the court heard, the two friends went to the victims home under the guise of a sleepover, the court heard. They ate spaghetti bolognaise with the victim before she went to bed, telling her boyfriend on the phone that shed given the teens ice cream and that she loved him. About 10.30pm, Porceddu said, the victims youngest son was in bed when he heard his mother screaming what are you doing, stop, stop and youre killing me. When he ran downstairs to check, his brother told him to go away but when he saw his mother covered in blood he ran to a nearby police station to get help, the court heard. Soon after neighbours reported seeing two teenage boys in the victims white SUV crashing into walls in the car park as they attempted to drive, before fleeing the scene. They dumped the car in St Kilda before later catching a train out of Melbourne. They were later spotted walking along a road, dressed in camouflage gear and carrying large backpacks, by a country police officer who recognised them from an internal police alert. Loading Psychiatrist David Thomas, who assessed the victims son, said he believed the boy was suffering from a rare, delusional disorder at the time of the killing shared with the other teen, who also shared similar life experiences such as bullying. Thomas said that without this, and the pairs unique friendship, he believed the killing would never have occurred. The psychiatrist said the victims son believed he was carrying out Gods plan and both boys believed they had received their own separate communications from God encounters first shared with each other at a school camp which bonded them further. That shared delusion wouldve evolved from that conversation, Thomas said. I think [the victims son] knew that [killing his mother] was wrong in the sense that it was illegal, but it was right also because that was what was expected of him by God. Everything that was done, was done in pursuit of his really irrational goal. Loading More than a dozen friends and family members of the slain woman packed into the Supreme Court to listen to the case and read victim impact statements. The victims tearful mother told her grandson the killing had shattered her life. My grandchildren bring me the only joy but that is sad because one is missing and he has broken my heart, she told the court. The sadness is present everywhere. I cannot make any sense of it. The victims father said whenever he saw little blonde girls in the community, he would break down in tears as memories of his slain daughter returned. I miss [her] determination, her smile and her drive to do the right thing, he said. A willingness to help anyone at any time. Other friends and family of the victim spoke of the enormous void left behind, of a humorous, motivated young woman who was independent and determined to give anything a go. All also spoke of how dedicated she was to motherhood and to raising her sons. What would she say about [her killer son]? She was so loyal to her boys. When this was happening it mustve broken her heart that her own child could do such a thing, the victims best friend said. Defence barrister Amy Brennan said her client was neurodivergent and any time in custody would be particularly difficult, pushing for a longer parole period than usual. The hearing continues. Bureaucrats under Labor awarded almost $5.5 million to a fund aligned with the CFMEU to help encourage more women into construction, a week before allegations were made about members committing domestic violence. Industry fund Incolink won the funding from the Department of Employment on March 3 for a project partnering with groups including the National, Victorian and Tasmanian branches of the CFMEU to support training women in skilled roles to eliminate barriers to gender equity. The grant reveals an ongoing connection between Labor and the union despite Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Workplace Minister Murray Watt condemning the CFMEU and forcing it into administration last year for bullying, thuggery and violence against women. Bureaucrats under Labor awarded almost $5.5 million to a John Setka-backed fund aligned with the CFMEU. Credit: Rebecca Hallas Coalition spokesperson for women Sussan Ley said it was indefensible that Incolink partnered with the CFMEU won a grant to support women in the workforce, after this masthead and 60 Minutes on Sunday revealed multiple domestic violence allegations against women by members. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is pushing past internal party reluctance to embrace his deportation referendum idea even as top constitutional experts warn of the danger of giving politicians the power to rip up citizenship. Shadow treasurer Angus Taylor said on Wednesday the referendum was not formal party policy, but Dutton repeated his intention to explore a referendum on deporting dual nationals if new laws could not be drafted to make it easier to cancel citizenship for criminals. The opposition leaders thinking was detailed in this masthead on Tuesday, spurring days of debate about the Coalitions plans for citizenship at a time when backbenchers were privately calling for new economic policies. Turning the foray into an attack on Labor, Dutton chastised Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for ridiculing the referendum prospect as a thought bubble. Ride-share drivers in NSW will have the power to argue for minimum pay and conditions in a major overhaul of industrial relations laws that will hand gig-economy workers the power to take on the major operators. Despite opposition from major ride-share apps such as Uber and DoorDash, the Minns government is moving to enshrine changes to workplace laws that will give gig-economy workers in the transport industry the power to argue for conditions such as penalty rates in the Industrial Relations Commission. The NSW government is pushing ahead with changes to the gig-economy system despite pushback from operators. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer The bill, to be introduced into parliament on Thursday, will also remove archaic rules that prevent contract drivers who deliver milk and bread from applying for the same protections. The changes would allow platform companies, employers and unions to apply to the NSW Industrial Relations Commission for binding determinations on workers pay and conditions for the first time. Find stunning outlooks and suburban bliss galore in this weeks round-up of our top picks of the most luxurious properties across the country. Youll feel like youre on a luxury yacht at Gill House, a spectacular riverfront home spanning four levels with lift access. Six-metre-high ceilings in the main living zone capture water and city skyline views, while the adjoining terrace provides access to an infinity-edge pool. Each of the four bedrooms comes with an en suite, with the main claiming the entire top floor. Although the universities definition uses more cautious language than the alliances, it is still politicised. In addition to tying Zionism to Australian Jewish identity, it states: Substituting the word Zionist for Jew does not eliminate the possibility of speech being antisemitic. The new definition thus goes a step closer to advancing Zionism as a protected political ideology and identity. Some see Zionism as a modern project of Jewish self-determination. Others consider it a racist political ideology and a settler-colonial endeavour that displaces Palestinians. This political disagreement cannot be defined away. But in any case, Zionism is not elemental to Jewish identity. Jewish people subscribe to various political ideologies. Zionism was a minority position among Jewish people worldwide until the 1940s, and today non- and anti-Zionist positions can be found in Jewish communities. Tents set up at Deakin Universitys Burwood campus as part of a pro- Palestinian protest in May 2024. Credit: Eddie Jim Why then have universities adopted this definition? Over the past 18 months, campus protests, events, and speech supporting Palestine have been denounced as antisemitic and portrayed as a threat to Jewish safety. In our view, these actions rather are expressions of outrage at the mass slaughter and maiming of civilians, and the utter destruction of Gaza by the Israeli military. It is not antisemitic to protest conduct that the International Court of Justices Advisory Opinion describes as a regime of comprehensive restrictions imposed by Israel on Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory [that] constitutes systemic discrimination. Or to acknowledge report after report by human rights groups invoking international law regarding apartheid in these matters. Or for the International Criminal Court to issue warrants for the arrest of Israeli leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity. It is entirely reasonable, as part of political debate, that protesters address Jewish leaders and students who support or defend the current Israeli regime and its policies. This feels especially true when, on Tuesday, the Israeli Defence Force launched its heaviest airstrike against Gaza since the ceasefire began, with a reported death toll of over 400 people, including entire families. Loading The universities definition is also problematic in stating that criticism of Israel can be antisemitic when it calls for the elimination of the state of Israel. In law and genocide studies, the term elimination is associated with acts of genocide. However, questioning the legitimacy of the state of Israel or its present form grounded in historical, political, or moral arguments is neither genocidal nor antisemitic. These arguments will doubtless challenge those who strongly identify with Israel today, but they are nevertheless of genuine historical and political debate. Nor is it antisemitism or genocidal to discuss the possible political future of Israel/Palestine whether one-state, binational, or confederative arrangements in which all people enjoy equal rights. As it happens, we, the authors of this piece, disagree on the desired political model and future. Geoffrey Brahm Levey thinks Israel should be liberal-nationalist instead of ethno-nationalist, and address what its establishment has meant for Palestinians. Lana Tatour favours Palestinian liberation and one democratic polity that guarantees equality for all and remedies past injustices. A. Dirk Moses observes that ethno-nationalist projects of statehood, like the White Australia Policy and Zionism-in-practice, inevitably result in mass atrocity crimes and apartheid-like conditions for the remnant victims. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will not allow the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant in the Russia-occupied city of Enerhodar in Zaporizhia region to operate outside the Ukrainian energy system, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is convinced. "This is our station, it will not work without us. According to our intelligence, the Russians really want it to work without us. They are trying to drag the IAEA into this, but the IAEA is a serious international organization and so far they have not let us down. I really believe, I hope that this will be the case in the future, both near and far," Zelenskyy told reporters during a video call on Tuesday. At the same time, he noted that he knows nothing about the results of the discussion of the Zaporizhia NPP topic between US President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. "I know nothing about this except that this issue was raised in a very general way at the meeting of our teams in Jeddah and issues were discussed there, and I spoke about them with the teams. We held a consultation on important infrastructure, energy facilities of our state even before the meeting of our teams in Saudi Arabia ... Therefore, what kind of conversations America had with the Russians about the Zaporizhia NPP, I do not know yet, the details are unknown to me," the President of Ukraine said. "The station is ours, six units, they are important to us. Again, no one will allow it, the Ukrainian side will not allow them to have this station on the occupied part of our land working for the occupiers. This is our position," Zelenskyy added. Commentary By Lee Harding The Liberal Party of Canada has selected a non-MP to become prime minister, but precedent suggests he wont last long. Mark Carney represents the worst aspects of both John Turners and Michael Ignatieffs political rises and appears destined for the same electoral futility. When Pierre Trudeau stepped down as Liberal leader in 1984 after more than 15 years as prime minister, he left behind a parting gift: over 200 Liberal patronage appointments. His successor, John Turner, agreed to another 70. These appointments became a burden, weighing down Turners leadership before it had even begun. Like Carney, Turner was not a sitting MP when he became leader. Forced to call a snap election, he watched the Progressive Conservatives secure the first of two successive majorities. Now, history is repeating itself. Justin Trudeaus cabinet made 70 appointments in its final days, including 12 judges. That number doesnt include the 10 senators he appointed while Parliament was proroguednearly 10 percent of the 105-seat chamber. Like Turner, Carney must navigate a leadership legacy tainted by patronage and an unpopular outgoing prime minister. But does Carneys experience, reputation, and distance from Trudeau offer him a fresh start? It seems unlikely. Unlike Turner, Carney has never held elected office. Turner at least had a political track record. As a cabinet minister under two prime ministers, he handled high-profile Justice and Finance portfolios. He also benefited from a nine-year break from politics, distancing himself from the unpopular Trudeau. None of it mattered. Turner still lost. Liberals hope Carney can ride a wave of popularity after a dominant leadership victory, securing 85 percent support. But what did he really win? A former central banker, he climbed atop a heap of ruins. His victory over Chrystia Freeland, Karina Gould, and former MP Frank Baylis was less a competitive race and more a coronation. Freeland carried the baggage of Trudeaus policies, while the other two lacked national recognition. Carney, the only contender without direct ties to Trudeaus government, was the default choice. The Liberal Party is adrift, and he simply took the helm. But winning an uncontested leadership race is no guarantee of electoral success. Turners rise in 1984 was far more hard-foughthe overcame political heavyweights, including Jean Chretien and four other cabinet ministers, in a real contest for the partys future. Yet despite his credentials and broad support within the party, Canadians still rejected him. And unlike Turner, Carneys leadership victory raises serious legitimacy concerns. Liberal leadership races allow votes from permanent residents (non-citizens) and minors aged 14 to 17groups that have no say in a general election. Even more troubling, of the 400,000 votes cast, only 147,000 were verified. Carney received 126,000 of those votes, but nearly two-thirds of the ballots were rejected. Had those votes gone to any of his opponents, Carneys win would have been far from certain. A Rebel News petition calling for Elections Canada, CSIS, and the RCMP to audit the leadership vote is already circulating. While skepticism over the process is reasonable, its doubtful that meaningful answers will emerge. Beyond legitimacy issues, Carney shares another unfortunate trait with a failed Liberal leader: Michael Ignatieff. Ignatieff followed Stephane Dion, whose push for a carbon tax proved deeply unpopular. The Conservatives quickly branded Ignatieff, a long-time Harvard professor, as an elitist disconnected from ordinary Canadians. Their He didnt come back for you attack ads stuck, and Ignatieff led the Liberals to a historic defeat, falling to third-party status. Carney faces the same vulnerability. After years in England, he will struggle to shake the image of an out-of-touch globalist. His French, weaker than Ignatieffs, will also hurt him in Quebec, a province that abandoned the Liberals in 2011 in favour of the NDP. History suggests Carneys leadership will pave the way for another Conservative majority governmentjust as Turner and Ignatieffs failures did. Carneys leadership campaign combines the worst aspects of 1984 and 2011. As an unelected, elitist ex-pat with weak French, he carries a Liberal banner weighed down by both Trudeaus baggage and the deeply unpopular carbon tax. A Conservative government with a mandate for reform is increasingly likely. A slimmed-down civil service, reduced regulations, the abolition of the carbon tax, and renewed pipeline construction could all be on the horizon. After nearly a decade of Liberal rule, Canadas political pendulum seems set to swing back once again. Lee Harding is Research Fellow for the Frontier Centre for Public Policy By Preet Gill, Associate Lawyer Special to The Post As Canada's population continues to grow, evolve and age, the demand for skilled home care workers has never been higher. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), has demonstrated through their programs over the years that caregivers play an essential role in Canada to support vulnerable populations, including children, seniors and individuals with disabilities. Home care workers also enable families to continue working while ensuring that their loved ones are well cared for. The previous Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot programs ended on June 17, 2024, and were based on the amount of qualifying work experience an applicant had. To address Canadas ongoing need for home care workers, IRCC has introduced the new Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots. As an experienced home care worker, these new pilots may be the perfect opportunity for you if youre looking to build a future in Canada. The goal of these pilot programs is to make it easier for qualified caregivers to become permanent residents of Canada, offering opportunities for workers, while providing vital services within communities in Canada. The new pilots will facilitate the process for home care workers in both home support and home childcare fields to become permanent residents and find work with a range of employers. IRCC announced that there will be two streams: the Workers in Canada stream and the "Applicants not working in Canada stream. The Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot for Workers in Canada is scheduled to open on March 31, 2025. IRCC will begin by accepting PR applications for the Workers in Canada stream and will announce the opening of the Applicants not working in Canada stream in the near future. Furthermore, if you're a home care worker in Canada without valid status, the Workers in Canada stream will also open a limited number of spots for applicants who are out-of-status. At the moment, IRCC has not provided any details of this feature of the program. Essential Aspects of the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots: Permanent Residence in One Step: Qualified applicants can directly get Canadian permanent residence, no prior work experience in Canada is needed. As long as they meet the program qualifications, they can become permanent residents without having to work in Canada first. Reduced Language and Education Requirements: Under the new pilots, applicants will need to demonstrate that they have an education that is equivalent to a high school diploma and show their language proficiency meets Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4, or higher. This change makes the program more accessible to individuals who may not have high-level language skills or post-secondary education but are still qualified with the necessary experience to work in home care occupations. For more information on taking an IRCC-recognized language test, please see: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/caregivers/home-care-worker-immigration-pilots/language-test.html. No In-Canada Work Experience Required: Applicants are not required to have prior Canadian work experience to qualify under the new pilots. Instead, they will need to demonstrate recent and relevant work experience OR provide evidence of completing at least 6 months of related home care training. This process eliminates the need for Canadian work experience, meaning home care workers from other countries can apply directly if they meet the program's requirements. Job Offer: All applicants must have a full-time job offer in-home care within Canada, outside of the Province of Quebec. Under the new pilot programs, home caregivers with a job offer can choose from a variety of employers, including private households; home health care service providers; organizations providing personal care services in residential settings; and pediatric home health care services. This flexibility ensures that home care workers can find employment that suits their skills and experience. Are You Prepared for March 31, 2025? If youre a home care worker in Canada and interested in applying for permanent residency through the Workers in Canada stream, you will need to satisfy the following criteria: 1. Meet the Job Offer Requirement: Do you have a secure job offer from an eligible Canadian employer as a caregiver or a home care worker? 2. Ensure You Meet the Language Requirements: Have you taken an approved language test? Do you have a minimum CLB of 4? Please refer to the link above for details on taking an IRCC-recognized language test. 3. Demonstrate Relevant Work Experience: Do you have supporting documents, such as a reference letter from your previous employer(s), or other employment documents that prove your relevant work experience? Reference letters for immigration purposes are very specific and should correspond to the specific duties listed in the National Occupation Code (NOC) description for the position. It is advisable to specify the type of related and relevant work experience you have in the field. For example, did you work with children, seniors or both? For details on the importance of reference letters, please see our former blog here: https://canadian-visa-lawyer.com/immigration-essentials-getting-the-reference-letter-right/ 4. Demonstrate Relevant Education: Do you have an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)? ECA's are used by IRCC to verify an applicant's foreign education equivalency in Canada. It is advisable to obtain an ECA to confirm your education, as not all high school or secondary education credentials are considered equivalent to a Canadian high school diploma. The best and most reliable way to ensure that you meet the requirements is by confirming your education equivalency through an ECA. For information on IRCC-recognized ECA service providers, please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/partners-service-providers/foreign-educational-credential-assessment.html The new Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots present a unique opportunity for caregivers looking to build a future in Canada. With a path to permanent residency, reduced language and education requirements, and flexible work options, these pilots are designed to support both caregivers and the Canadian community. Ensure that you are prepared for the program's opening on March 31, 2025 and are able to adequately demonstrate that you meet the minimum requirements, placing you in a strong position to submit a complete application at the outset of the program. It is advisable to check IRCCs website regularly, as they will be updating the program details to provide prospective applicants with the full eligibility criteria before the pilots open. Preet Gill is an Associate Lawyer at Sas & Ing Immigration Law Centre in Vancouver, BC. She is committed to assisting clients with their immigration and residency goals in Canada. You can reach Preet by email at [email protected] or call her at 1-604-689-5444. Google says to buy cybersecurity company Wiz for $32 bn New York, March 18 (AFP) Mar 18, 2025 Google said Tuesday it will acquire cloud security platform Wiz for $32 billion, citing the need for greater cybersecurity capacity as artificial intelligence embeds itself in technology infrastructure. The all-cash deal brings Wiz into the Google Cloud operation, boosting the capacity of consumers to use "multiple clouds" and providing "an end-to-end security platform for customers, of all types and sizes, in the AI era," the companies said in a joint statement. The deepening influence of AI makes "cybersecurity increasingly important in defending against emergent risks and protecting national security," they added. The transaction, the largest ever sought by Google or parent Alphabet, will test US President Donald Trump's openness to large takeovers after resistance to such deals by the administration of his predecessor Joe Biden. Alphabet had been close to a Wiz takeover last summer, but company leaders opted to stay independent at the time with an eye towards an initial public offering, Wiz CEO Assaf Rappaport said in a message to employees after the earlier deal fell apart. Started in 2020 by the Israeli-born Rappaport and a team who sold a previous venture to Microsoft, Wiz is based in New York, with offices in three other US cities and Tel Aviv. In a webcast after the deal was announced, Rappaport said the service "continuously scans an organization's code and cloud environments, monitoring them in real time," allowing it to "prioritize the most critical risk based on real impact and (block) active threats." After the deal closes, Wiz will operate as a Google company that still provides services to other tech giants including Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure, making it like the operation of Mandiant, another cybersecurity company Google acquired three years ago, said Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud. "With Wiz, we believe we will vastly improve how security is designed, operated and automated, providing an end-to-end security platform for customers to prevent, detect and respond to incidents across all major clouds," Kurian said. Google's cloud business has grown significantly over the last decade, garnering more than $43 billion in revenue in 2024, up nearly 31 percent from the prior year. Wedbush analyst Dan Ives said the Google-Wiz deal could be the first of many with the departure of Lina Khan, the Biden-era head of the Federal Trade Commission, who was considered hostile to tech industry consolidation. "While the merger & acquisition environment has been extremely quiet to start the year, we believe that this acquisition will open the door to a massive wave of M&A across the tech landscape," Ives said in a note. The cybersecurity industry is especially well suited "as more cloud operators look to secure their cloud portfolios while more cyber names look to capitalize on their all-in-one platform approaches by scooping up undervalued companies and improving their offerings," Ives said. But the Trump administration's move to block Hewlett Packard's takeover of Juniper Networks stands as evidence of Trump's "potentially tougher stance on Big Tech M&A than the markets may have thought," said Briefing.com, which described Google's pursuit of Wiz as logical. Adding Wiz would "immediately make Google a meaningful contender in the cybersecurity market," Briefing.com said. Shares of Google parent Alphabet fell 2.3 percent in afternoon trading. Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official/13559 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he would like to know certain details of US President Donald Trump's phone call with Vladimir Putin on Tuesday. "He had a conversation, they discussed something, we heard some details. I would like to hear more details, especially since the American side is proposing that we all meet - not all of us, but groups - to meet in the Middle East. As I understand it, Saudi Arabia is meant," Zelenskyy said during a video call with journalists on Tuesday. He noted that Ukraine supports any proposals that lead to a lasting and just peace. "We will support it, but in order to support something, we need to understand what exactly. If President Trump has time, he is a busy man, if he has time, he will call at any time, he has a phone, so no problem. We are ready, we will discuss the next steps with him. With pleasure," the president said. He also stressed that it is important to find out the details of the conversation in order to talk with partners. "Since there are two sides to this war - Russia and Ukraine. And without Ukraine, it seems to me that reaching an agreement is futile," Zelenskyy said. Stench of death as Sudan army, paramilitaries battle for capital Khartoum, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2025 In a war-ravaged neighbourhood of Sudan's capital Khartoum, the stench from a gaping sewage pit is unbearable as Red Crescent workers pull a bloated body from deep underground. The volunteers say 14 more remain below. "They were shot in the head, some have crushed skulls," Hisham Zein al-Abdeen, head of forensic medicine at Sudan's health ministry, told AFP at the scene. The victims, he said, were either shot or beaten to death before being thrown in. Behind him, a truck idles, its flatbed already filling with bodies retrieved from the sewer well in East Nile, an eastern district of Khartoum now reduced to ruins. Nearly two years of war between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have left large swathes of the capital unrecognisable. Once a bustling metropolis, Khartoum has seen well over 3.5 million of its people flee since the war began, according to the United Nations. Millions more, unable or unwilling to leave, live among abandoned buildings, wrecked vehicles and what the army says are hidden mass graves. - A city destroyed - Since April 2023, the conflict has pitted army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan against his former deputy and RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. The war has left tens of thousands dead and uprooted more than 12 million, according to UN figures, with many living in makeshift camps and over 3.5 million fleeing across the country's borders. The RSF initially seized the streets of Khartoum, but in recent months, the army has clawed back territory, regaining control of Bahri -- also known as Khartoum North -- and East Nile to its east. Now, less than a kilometre separates army units in central Khartoum from the presidential palace, overrun by RSF troops at the start of the war. Despite these advances, Daglo remains defiant, vowing that his forces will not withdraw from the capital. "We will not leave the Republican Palace," Daglo said in a video address shared on Telegram. "We are coming for Port Sudan," he added, referring to the de facto capital on the Red Sea, where the government has been based since Khartoum fell. An AFP team, travelling under military escort, crossed from Khartoum's twin city of Omdurman -- recaptured by the army last year -- into Bahri and its war-ravaged outskirts. The convoy passed through eerie, abandoned neighbourhoods including Al-Haj Yousif, where the skeletal remains of shuttered shops and crumbling pavements stretch along the streets. Rubble, debris and discarded tyres litter the roads. Every few blocks, small clusters of people sat outside empty buildings and stores pockmarked with bullet holes. Hospitals and schools no longer function. The army said it has uncovered multiple mass graves, including one at the Omdurman courthouse. The civilians still in the city appear visibly shaken by the trauma of war. "At night, I used to hear gunshots. Then I saw them carrying bodies and throwing them in the well," said Salha Shams El-Din, who lives near the pit where she said RSF troops dumped bodies. - Starvation - For those who survived to see the army recapture the district early this month, life remains a constant struggle. There is no electricity, and clean water and food are scarce. On a quiet street in Bahri, some 40 women sat beneath a makeshift tent, preparing Ramadan meals at a community kitchen, one of many that struggled under RSF control. They stirred large pots of aseeda -- a thick porridge made from cornflour -- and lentils over open flames, using firewood. Gas is no longer available. Water trucks now come from Omdurman, an improvement from when residents had to risk sniper fire just to reach the Nile River, itself a health risk with no sanitation. The soup kitchens have become civilians' last line of defence against mass starvation, according to the UN. But throughout the war, they have struggled to stay afloat. With roads cut off, markets devastated and RSF fighters robbing volunteers at gunpoint, feeding those in need was nearly impossible. "When the RSF was here, we couldn't get money in. Any money we'd receive, they would take," said Mouayad al-Haj, a volunteer at the community kitchen in Bahri. "Now things are different, phone networks are back and we can at least go to Omdurman every two weeks to buy supplies," he told AFP. What began as a power struggle between Burhan and Daglo has spiralled into the world's largest displacement and hunger crisis. The conflict has decimated Sudan's infrastructure, crumbled an already weak economy and pushed millions to the brink of mass starvation. Famine has been declared in three displacement camps, according to the UN-backed Inegrated Food Security Phase Classification. In Khartoum alone, at least 100,000 people are suffering famine conditions, the IPC found. US federal judge suspends ban on transgender people in military Washington, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2025 A US federal judge on Tuesday suspended the Trump administration's ban on transgender people serving in the military, citing the principle of equality and dealing a blow -- if only temporary -- to the US president's agenda. Referencing the US Declaration of Independence, which states that all humans are "created equal," Judge Ana C. Reyes suspended President Donald Trump's late January order that excluded transgender people from the armed forces. That suspension, however, will be put on pause until March 21 to give the government time to file an emergency stay at a higher court, according to Reyes' decision. The order will nonetheless come as a blow to Trump's administration, which has made it a priority to strip protections for minorities since he took office. Trump's January 27 executive order stated that "expressing a false 'gender identity' divergent from an individual's sex cannot satisfy the rigorous standards necessary for military service." Since taking office, he has also declared that the US government will only recognize two sexes -- male and female -- that "are not changeable." The number of transgender people in the US military is estimated at about 15,000 out of around two million. Reyes's order used unusually strong language in parts to criticize the order banning transgender Americans from serving in the military. "The Military Ban is soaked in animus and dripping with pretext," the judge wrote. "Its language is unabashedly demeaning, its policy stigmatizes transgender persons as inherently unfit, and its conclusions bear no relation to fact." The judge said Trump "could have crafted a policy that balances the Nation's need for a prepared military and Americans' right to equal protection. They still can. The Military Ban, however, is not that policy." In February, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a memo preventing transgender people from joining the military and halting gender transition treatment for others who are already in uniform. The Pentagon has also said it would begin removing transgender troops from the military unless they obtain a waiver on a case-by-case basis, according to a February memo. The US military lifted a ban on transgender troops in 2016, during Democrat Barack Obama's second term as president -- but policies have seesawed under his successors Trump, Joe Biden and now Trump again. Transgender issues have roiled US politics in recent years, as states controlled by Democrats and Republicans have moved in opposite directions on policies ranging from medical treatment to what books on the topic are allowed in public or school libraries. Tuesday's order was in a case brought by a group of transgender people, either in the military or wishing to become so, to challenge Trump's latest executive order. Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official/13559 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump will hold a conversation on Wednesday, in particular to discuss details of the next steps to achieve peace. "Today I will have contact with President Trump. We will discuss the details with him today. I think the details of the next steps. We have already had a really good meeting of our teams. I think everything went well ... And I think I will hear from him the details of his conversation [with Putin] today," Zelenskyy said at a press conference at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki. Ecuador declares 'force majeure' emergency, cuts exports over oil spill Quito, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2025 Ecuador's state-owned oil company declared an emergency over a damaged pipeline and cut crude exports on Tuesday following a spill that polluted several rivers, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without drinking water, authorities said. The spill in Ecuador's northwest on Thursday was believed to have been caused when a landslide ruptured a major pipeline, releasing tens of thousands of barrels of oil. The crude has since spread to at least five waterways, including the Esmeraldas River that flows into the Pacific Ocean. State-owned Petroecuador, which manages the damaged pipeline, announced Tuesday it was suspending exports of the Oriente crude -- one of two varieties that the South American country produces -- due to the force majeure clause. The company hopes that invoking the clause will shield it from penalties and potential breaches of contract from clients. The "emergency declaration will not last longer than 60 days and aims to... allocate all necessary resources to minimize the impact of the force majeure event on hydrocarbon exploration, exploitation, transportation, and marketing operations," Petroecuador said in a statement. About half a million people have been affected in one way or another, many cut off from potable water in a region heavily reliant on rivers for this commodity, Esmeraldas mayor Vicko Villacis told the Teleamazonas network Tuesday. He estimated the amount of oil spilled at approximately 200,000 barrels. Petroecuador, which has not quantified the amount spilled, was using tanker trucks to recover as much as possible of the spilled crude from areas where many people make a subsistence living of fishing. Three ships are expected to bring drinking water to Esmeraldas starting Tuesday, the company said. The government has also declared an environmental emergency in the province, home to a wildlife refuge with more than 250 animal species. - Dependence on the rivers - Ecuador produced about 475,000 barrels of oil per day in 2024 -- one of its main export products. The burst pipeline is part of the Trans-Ecuadorian Pipeline System, which can transport 360,000 barrels per day on the 500-kilometer (310-mile) journey from the Amazon to the Pacific coast. "There are no life forms in the water" of two affected rivers where "a mixture of oil and water circulate," marine biologist Eduardo Rebolledo of the Catholic University of Esmeraldas told a local TV channel. "In rural Esmeraldas, drinking water is limited, people depend heavily on the rivers, and people use the river water," he said. In Rocafuerte, a fishing village in Esmeraldas, AFP saw several boats and their nets covered in black oil. "If it continues like this, we won't be able to fish anymore," resident Luis Cabezas said. Gaza civil defence says 13 killed in Israeli strikes overnight Gaza City, Palestinian Territories, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2025 Gaza's civil defence agency said Wednesday that 13 people had been killed in Israeli air strikes on the Palestinian territory since midnight. Israel "carried out several air strikes... which resulted in the deaths of 13 people and wounded dozens, including women and children, in Khan Yunes and Gaza City", Mahmud Bassal, spokesman for the agency, told AFP. Israel on Tuesday launched its most intense strikes on the Gaza Strip since a January 19 ceasefire between it and Palestinian militants Hamas ended more than 15 months of war. The bombardments, which came after the collapse of talks on extending the truce, killed more than 400 people, the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned late Tuesday that the strikes were "only the beginning" and that future negotiations with Hamas "will take place only under fire". "Hamas has already felt the strength of our arm in the past 24 hours. And I want to promise you -- and them -- this is only the beginning," he said in a video statement. Netanyahu's office also said early Wednesday that the Israeli government had "unanimously approved" his proposal to reappoint far-right politician Itamar Ben Gvir as national security minister. Ben Gvir had resigned in protest over the January 19 ceasefire agreement, which his Jewish Power party called a "capitulation to Hamas". Israel has vowed to keep fighting until the return of all the hostages seized by the Palestinian militants during the October 2023 attack on Israel that sparked the war. Hamas has not responded militarily so far, but in a statement it urged friendly countries to "pressure" the United States to bring to an end the strikes by its ally Israel. RSF attacks kill 50 in Khartoum in one week: rescuers Omdourman, Sudan, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2025 Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces killed at least 50 people in Khartoum during the past week, rescuers said Wednesday, as fighting with the army for control of the capital intensifies. "Khartoum is experiencing tragic conditions, with citizens in multiple areas facing widespread violations by the RSF and allied militias," the Khartoum Emergency Response Room, part of a network of volunteers coordinating aid across Sudan, said in a statement. The group said about 70 people, including 12 volunteers, had been abducted during the past week, and that forced displaced had sharply increased in the capital's centre, south and east. Cases of sexual violence had also been reported, though the exact numbers remained unclear due to fear and social stigma, the group said. Malnutrition, it added, had reached "dangerous" levels, leaving seven children dead since the start of March. The United Nations children's agency, UNICEF, says about 3.2 million children are expected to face malnutrition in Sudan this year. Famine has been declared in three displacement camps in the western region of Darfur as well as parts of the Nuba mountains in the south, according to a UN-backed assessment. The war between the RSF and the army, which began in April 2023, has escalated in recent months, with the army seeking to reclaim territory in Khartoum and beyond. In a video address shared Saturday on Telegram, RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo appeared wearing a kadamol headscarf, often associated with RSF fighters, and declaring his troops "will not leave the Republican Palace". The army said on Monday that its forces advancing on Khartoum from the south had converged with troops in the capital's centre, increasing pressure on rival paramilitary fighters and inching closer to retaking the city. Nationwide, the conflict has killed tens of thousands, uprooted more than 12 million, and created the world's largest hunger and displacement crises. In Khartoum alone, at least 3.5 million people have been forced from their homes due to the violence while at least 100,000 people are facing acute famine conditions, according to the United Nations. Russia threatens the entire EU, bloc's chief tells AFP Brussels, Belgium, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2025 Russia represents a threat for all European nations -- regardless of how far they lie from Moscow, EU chief Antonio Costa told AFP ahead of a leaders' summit on Thursday. "Naturally, Russia's neighbours are most concerned by Russia -- that goes without saying," Costa said in an interview. "But what is essential is for everyone to understand that this is a collective threat." As head of the Council representing the EU's member states, the 63-year-old Costa is tasked with forging unity -- be it on European rearmament or transatlantic relations -- between 27 countries with often divergent histories and goals. In Brussels this week, leaders' talks will once again be dominated by how to support Ukraine and bolster Europe's defences. With US President Donald Trump forging ahead with Russia's Vladimir Putin on negotiating a ceasefire in Ukraine, Costa voiced confidence Europe would have a role to play in any discussions on the country's future. "Under the leadership of France and the United Kingdom, we are preparing to take part in eventual security measures to maintain peace -- if and when it comes," he said. Here is Costa's full interview on the challenges ahead: Q: Some European countries appear more committed than others to rearming the continent. What can you do to mobilise all 27? A: "This threat we are facing concerns all of us. And that's why we are all united in our support for Ukraine. Because defending Ukraine is the front line of our own defence." Q: On defence, Europeans have long relied on buying American equipment. Is it time to start buying European? A: "It's a question of timeframe. The equipment we need now, we should buy where it is available -- from Europe, South Korea, Japan, the United States or Turkey. "Obviously if you look longer term, what matters is not just procurement but production. And for that we need to reinforce our industrial and technological base -- which we are already doing. "Buying European would seem to make sense, but what all member states underline is that for certain capacities, the big challenge is finding what we need -- because we just don't produce enough." Q: Does it make sense to be buying American F-35 fighter jets in light of concerns the United States could prevent them from being used in battle when the time comes? A: "The European Council does not decide what is bought or not. It creates the conditions for member states to be able to make purchases. Everyone has become aware of the issue here -- if you buy something but cannot control its use, that is a problem. "But we are not necessarily competing with the Americans. For the United States the geostrategic priority is no longer Europe but the Pacific. They are asking Europeans to take more responsibility for their own defence -- which means the Americans understand we need to develop our own defence capability. It's in our mutual interest. "That is why competing with trade tariffs, and risking a trade war, would be a big mistake. If you want to invest more, you don't want to trigger economic problems -- that is a lose-lose situation." Q: Do you still consider the United States a reliable ally? A: "The relationship between Europe and the United States has deep roots and will endure. It won't be lastingly impacted by the changes in leadership on either side of the Atlantic. "America's geopolitical pivot did not start with Trump and it will not end with Trump. So Europe must do what it needs to do, independently from the stance of the United States and of Donald Trump." Q: Is there a risk of Europe splitting over relations with Trump, with the leaders of Hungary and Italy for instance entertaining much warmer ties than other members? A: "No. Objectively, we always manage to reach decisions in the European Council. Hungary has been isolated from the other 26 states over the best way to make peace in Ukraine. "Twenty-six countries believed in a strategy of reinforcing Ukraine to arrive at a lasting peace, and Hungary has a different vision. But frankly when there is one voice diverging from 26, I don't think you can describe that as division." Q: Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin held new direct talks Tuesday on a ceasefire plan for Ukraine. Is that a cause for concern? A: "These are bilateral conversations. Neither Russia nor the United States need the European Union to speak to one another. And it is positive that Russia and the United States are speaking. "Our position is very clear: there can be no negotiation about Ukraine without Ukraine. Only Ukraine as a sovereign nation can decide when, how and how far these negotiations can go. "But I believe that everyone -- first and foremost the United States -- has understood that the question is not just about Ukraine, but about the security of Europe as a whole." EU top diplomat seeks shells for Ukraine, cutting back arms push Brussels, Belgium, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2025 EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Wednesday she had scaled back a push to supply Ukraine up to 40 billion euros in arms, to focus on supplying two million artillery shells. Europe has faced to calls to step up its military support to Ukraine as US President Donald Trump has plunged Washington's backing into doubt. Kallas floated a plan this month to get EU countries to commit to giving Kyiv from 20 to 40 billion euros in key weaponry in 2025. But the initiative -- which was based on member states contributing according to their economic weight -- was opposed by countries including Italy, Spain and France. "This is a long term thing that countries are not at this moment ready to agree," Kallas said Wednesday. She said that instead Brussels was now working getting member states to agree on meeting a Ukrainian request to rush two million shells to Kyiv worth five billon euros. "I think we can do it," she said. "That is a very, very short term. Either you chip in with cash, or you come in with the ammunition." Kallas was speaking ahead of the EU unveiling proposals on Wednesday on how to bolster its defences in the face of the menace from Moscow and doubts over US protections. A key part of that plan also involved bolstering Ukraine in the short term. The latest initiative from Kallas is set to be discussed by EU leaders at a summit in Brussels on Thursday. Taiwan's annual war games to simulate 2027 China attack Taipei, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2025 Taiwanese troops will simulate possible scenarios for a Chinese invasion in 2027 during the island's annual war games, the defence ministry said Wednesday, as Beijing maintains military pressure on Taipei. China insists self-ruled Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to seize the island by force. Officials in the United States -- Taipei's main backer and biggest arms supplier -- have previously cited 2027 as a possible timeline for a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Taiwan's "Han Kuang" exercises, which the ministry said would be held from July 9-18, are conducted every year across Taiwan to simulate defending the island against Chinese attacks. In a report submitted to parliament on Wednesday, the ministry said this year's scenarios would be based on China's "grey-zone" intrusions and "possible actions of the Chinese Communist military's invasion of Taiwan in 2027". "Commanders at all operational and tactical levels will plan scenarios and situations from a practical perspective based on the possible actions of the enemy," the report said. The aim was to "verify the ability of troops at all levels to execute plans, thereby building a military force that can respond quickly and maintain 'high combat readiness'," the report said. Beijing regularly deploys fighter jets, warships and coast guard vessels near Taiwan, and has held several major military drills around the island in the past year. Analysts have dubbed these actions "grey zone" tactics that fall short of an act of war and serve to exhaust the island's armed forces. - 'Early warning signs' - Defence Minister Wellington Koo warned Wednesday that the time it would take for China to switch from an exercise to combat was "not necessarily as long as we used to think". "We have some key early warning signs that we need to monitor," Koo told reporters, without elaborating. Koo made the remarks as Taiwan's military held a five-day "Rapid Response Exercise", which the defence ministry said was aimed at enhancing "readiness and response capabilities". This drill will be held twice a year and also at "unscheduled" times based on their assessment of "the intensity" of China's military exercises, Koo told parliament. "This is part of realistic combat training, sharpening commanders' decision-making and unit capabilities," Koo said. The drills coincided with more than 50 Chinese aircraft taking part in "joint combat" patrols around Taiwan on Monday, defence ministry data show. That came days after Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te called China a "foreign hostile force". Beijing's foreign ministry said the actions were in response to US support for Taiwan and a warning to the "Taiwan independence separatist forces". Rocked by Trump, EU seeks to kickstart defence push Brussels, Belgium, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2025 The EU on Wednesday sought to fire the starting pistol on plans to help member states bolster their defences, as Europe grapples with an aggressive Russia and the potential loss of US security protections. US President Donald Trump has turbocharged calls for Europe to rearm by casting doubt on Washington's central role in NATO and making overtures towards Russia on Ukraine. In a bid to give the EU's 27 countries the tools to ramp up spending, Brussels this month unveiled a raft of proposals it says could mobilise up to 800 billion euros ($875 billion). On Wednesday, the bloc's foreign and defence chiefs put flesh on the bones of those plans, setting a timeline -- starting from next month -- for member states to react. "This is a pivotal moment for European security. It is a pivotal moment for action," foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas said. The plan proposes easing the bloc's fiscal rules to allow states to spend much more on defence, a measure the commission says could potentially unlock 650 billion euros over four years. In a white paper unveiled Wednesday, Brussels urged EU countries to kick off that process by April. It also said they should approve "as a matter of urgency" an initiative to provide member states with up to 150 billion euros in loans backed by the EU's central budget. But the paper steered clear of recommending a bigger programme of joint borrowing, despite some EU countries arguing that the bloc needs the same massive infusion of cash it pumped in to recover from the Covid pandemic. "Right now, it's not there," Kallas said. "But is it completely off the table? I don't think so," she added, saying it could still be envisioned to finance flagship common projects between countries. - 'No big bang' - Bolstering Europe's defences is to top the agenda at an EU leaders' summit later this week, the third time in six weeks they will have urgently addressed the subject. "450 million EU citizens should not have to depend on 340 million Americans to defend ourselves against 140 million Russians who can't defeat 38 million Ukrainians," EU defence commissioner Andrius Kubilius said. "We really can do better. It's time for us to take responsibility for the defence of Europe." The proposals from Brussels are just a part of efforts being put into action by governments as they come to terms with the realisation the United States may no longer have their backs. The likes of Poland and the Baltic states have already ramped up their spending well beyond the NATO threshold of two percent of GDP. Lawmakers in economic heavyweight Germany on Tuesday took the seismic move of voting for a colossal defence and infrastructure spending package proposed by chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz. One EU diplomat said the white paper captured the "threat and urgency" of the challenge facing the bloc, but did not go far enough on ways to boost funding. "All in all there is no big bang," the diplomat said. A key part of the EU's proposals is not just to equip its forces to face the menace from Russia but also to make sure investments bolster European defence firms. Brussels said at least 65 percent of the cost of the weapons bought under the 150-billion-euro programme should be spent in the EU, Norway or Ukraine. The door appeared open for Turkey to be part any joint procurement scheme, but Britain would have to sign a security deal with the EU if it wants to come in on the project. Russia, Ukraine swap 372 POWs: Russian defence ministry Moscow, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2025 Russia and Ukraine have exchanged 372 soldiers in a prisoner swap brokered by the United Arab Emirates, the Russian defence ministry said Wednesday. The Kremlin announced the swap on Tuesday, following talks between US President Donald Trump and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Moscow returned 175 Ukrainian POWs, as well as "22 seriously wounded prisoners of war in need of urgent medical assistance", while Kyiv returned 175 Russian troops, the Russian defence ministry said. Russia said it returned the Ukrainian wounded prisoners as a "gesture of goodwill". "All the Russian soldiers are in Belarus, where they are being provided with the necessary psychological and medical assistance and given the opportunity to contact their relatives," it added. The two sides have swapped hundreds of prisoners since Moscow launched its Ukraine offensive in February 2022, in one of the few areas of cooperation between Moscow and Kyiv. S.Sudan carries out air strike against civilians: local official Juba, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2025 South Sudan has carried out another air strike against civilians in the northwest of the country, critically wounding a child, a local official and witness said on Wednesday, amid fears of renewed conflict. Clashes in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar have threatened to undermine their fragile peace-sharing agreement. The attacks have drawn international concern, with the United Nations warning the escalating violence has displaced at least 50,000 people since February. County commissioner James Gatluak said the assault began at around 3.30 am local time (0130 GMT), when the South Sudan army dropped multiple bombs on Nasir town's market and then a residential area. One woman was wounded, he said, with a young child in critical condition following the assault. "The people that are being affected most are the women and the children," he told AFP. A Nasir resident, Jany Manytap, confirmed the attack and the wounded, adding: "The airstrike targets everyone." Gatluak said the situation was "deteriorating" in Nasir, considered a stronghold of Machar's supporters, with humanitarian staff evacuated as the violence has escalated. It follows another aerial attack on Nasir earlier this week that killed 20 people, according to Gatlauk. Information Minister Michael Makuei Lueth said the strikes were part of "security operations", adding: "If you as a civilian happen to be there... then there is nothing we can do". The fighting threatens a 2018 peace deal between Kiir and Machar, who fought a five-year civil war that killed some 400,000 people. Kiir's allies have accused Machar's forces of fomenting unrest in Nasir County in league with the White Army, a loose band of armed youths from the vice president's Nuer ethnic community. Tensions spiked earlier this month when an estimated 6,000 White Army combatants overran a military encampment in Nasir. A rescue attempt by the United Nations led to the death of a UN crew member and senior South Sudanese general, among others. Information Minister Lueth has also confirmed the presence of Ugandan forces in Juba on a "military pact", a week after denying their deployment to South Sudan. The rising unrest has sparked international concern, with the head of the UN Mission in South Sudan, Nicholas Haysom, warning the country is "poised on the brink of relapse into civil war". Analysts fear the unrest is being fuelled by the devastating nearly two-year civil war in neighbouring Sudan, with armed men flowing back and forth across the border. "That is part of the biggest fear we are seeing now, where the two conflict systems could potentially merge," International Crisis Group's senior South Sudan analyst Daniel Akech told AFP. Leading ethnic Fulani figure shot dead in Mali Bamako, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2025 A prominent figure in Mali's ethnic Fulani community who managed a livestock market in Bamako was murdered in front of his home by unknown assailants, his son told AFP on Wednesday. Primarily nomadic herders, the Fulani people are often stigmatised across the wider Sahel region, accused of collaborating with the violent Islamist groups who stalk the region and of providing the bulk of their recruits. Boubou Cisse had already been abducted and held for several days last October during a strike against the closure of livestock markets, which Malian authorities suspected of being infiltrated by jihadists. On Tuesday Cisse, who was in his 70s, had his car intercepted by two unidentified gunmen while he was just outside his home in the Malian capital, one of his sons told AFP. "They blocked the road and asked his driver to stop. At that moment they shot three bullets into his head and neck," the son added. In an interview with Malian media, Cisse's chauffeur said that one of the attackers "was holding a camera to capture the scene after shooting the old man, then they ran off, leaving him lying in blood". Sekou Mamadou Barry, president of the Sahel country's largest Fulani association Tabital Pulaaku Mali, urged the Malian authorities to open an investigation into the "point-blank" shooting. Cisse "was an esteemed person of the Fulani community, known for his engagement towards peace and reconciliation", Barry said in a statement late on Tuesday. Mali's military ordered the closure of seven livestock markets in the wake of a jihadist attack in Bamako in September 2024 which killed more than 70 people, the capital's worst in nearly a decade. Authorities suspected that jihadists were hiding out in one of the markets, on which many livelihoods depend. Mali, ruled by a junta after coups in 2020 and 2021, has been grappling since 2012 with widespread unrest, largely fuelled by Islamist fighters linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group. Ukraine will not recognize the occupied territories as Russian, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. "As for the territories, this will probably be one of the sensitive and difficult issues in future negotiations. (...) For us, the red line is the recognition of the Ukrainian, temporarily occupied territories, as Russian. We will not go for it," Zelenskyy said at a joint meeting with the President of the Republic of Finland Alexander Stubb in Helsinki on Wednesday. According to Zelenskyy, the first step is still an unconditional ceasefire, "even if it is necessary to go through some paths, like ceasefire in the sky, ceasefire at sea, but it will still reach ceasefire on the entire front. (...) And then we will move on to other issues, among which I am sure territorial issues will be raised." Photo: president.gov.ua The next meeting of the teams in Saudi Arabia, which will be held at the technical level, will include military and energy workers, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. "The next meeting in Saudi Arabia, if we talk about a ceasefire, for example, on infrastructure, energy, etc., and we will also discuss shipping safety, that is, it will be a technical team that understands. On our side, there will definitely be military, there will be energy specialists and there will be people who understand very deeply the port infrastructure and other civilian infrastructure, that is, this is a technical level," Zelenskyy said at a press conference at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki. Where to live Golden Visas: the four European countries where you can still get citizenship by buying property Four European countries still offering golden visas to property buyers We really look forward to working with the New Brain primary school and harnessing the passion and enthusiasm our children share, on different sides of the globe, for protecting the environment and supporting pollinating insects! A spokesman for the refinerys owners Petroineos said: The publication of the first Project Willow report is a milestone event for Grangemouth that could mark the beginning of a transformation for the whole cluster and, in time, create many more jobs and growth opportunities across a variety of related industries in Scotland. Finnish President: If Russia refuses to cease fire, we must increase our efforts to strengthen Ukraine, increase pressure on Russia Photo: https://www.facebook.com/alexanderstubb/photos_by Finnish President Alexander Stubb has said that if Russia refuses to cease fire, partners must increase efforts to strengthen Ukraine and increase pressure on Russia to persuade it to sit at the negotiating table. "The United States wants peace. Russia, on the other hand, still has to show that it wants real peace. The first step in achieving peace is a ceasefire. There are only two ways to respond to the proposal of the President of the United States: yes or no. No buts, no conditions," he said at a joint press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki. Stubb stressed that Ukraine accepted the ceasefire proposal without any conditions. "If Russia refuses to agree, we must increase our efforts to strengthen Ukraine and increase pressure on Russia to persuade it to come to the negotiating table," the president said. At the same time, he noted the "strong role" that the United States, under the leadership of President Donald Trump, plays in these peace talks. "Yesterday's phone call between President Trump and President Putin was a step in the right direction toward a full, unconditional ceasefire. Trump wants to stop the killing, and he's right," Stubb said. As reported, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska are paying an official visit to Finland on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. The Finnish President's website notes that the official talks, which will take place at the Presidential Palace, will focus on Finland's support for Ukraine and steps to end Russia's aggressive war. In addition to the presidents, the discussions will be attended by, among others, Finance Minister Riikka Purra, Defense Minister Antti Edvard Hakkanen and Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen. At the end of the talks, the presidents will hold a joint press conference. President Zelenskyy's agenda also includes meetings with Parliament Speaker Jussi Halla-aho and Prime Minister Petteri Orpo. In the afternoon, President Stubb and President Zelenskyy and their wives will meet with students at the University of Helsinki, and the presidents will take part in a discussion session. Third, the ACC does not appear to be taking matters seriously. If it was, it would have been obvious to it that the allegations made against our client have no merit at all, as we explain below. Following the call, Russia reiterated that a full ceasefire would need to follow the complete cessation of foreign military aid and the provision of intelligence information to Kyiv. This would mean both the US and Europe withdraw military support for Ukraine after more than three years of war. Nvidia, once famed for powering gaming PCs, has catapulted itself to tech titan status, thanks to its pivotal role in artificial intelligence. Its rise, driven by the ravenous demand for its GPUs (graphics processing units) powerful chips for complex AI tasks such as training machines to learn on their own, create new content, and make decisions independently briefly transformed it into the most valuable company on the planet, surpassing a $3 trillion (23tn) valuation. Nvidia's success has propelled Mr Huang, who launched the company while working a graveyard shift at a fast-food restaurant, into the ranks of the worlds wealthiest individuals, with his net worth surpassing $114bn (88bn). Mr Trump, who took office for his first term in 2017, had said he would allow the release of all of the remaining records but ended up holding some back. And while files continued to be released during former president Joe Bidens administration, some remained unseen. I was shocked by the amount of hate, by the amount of how much people think they know when they actually have no idea, and also by how the media is not fair many times. So I had to speak up. Photo: https://www.facebook.com/minenergoUkraine If Russia does not strike Ukrainian targets, then Ukraine will definitely not strike targets in the Russian Federation, and the United States of America should be the subject of control over the ceasefire regime, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "I believe that the subject of this control should be the United States of America. And if we have a corresponding agreement, there will be a list of objects. We have a list again. A list of objects, civilian objects, energy objects, infrastructure objects. We will definitely prepare this list and give it to our partners. If the russians do not strike our objects, we definitely will not," Zelenskyy said at a press conference at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki. Historical experience shows that if Russia shown weakness, it will take advantage of it - President of Finland The President of the Republic of Finland, Alexander Stubb, supported Ukraines position regarding the need to continue military supplies to Kyiv. "I fully agree with President Zelenskyy. I think that historical experience shows that if you show Russia any form of weakness, they will take advantage of it. That is why I think that some of the key elements related to Ukraine's self-defense should concern, for example, intelligence," he said at a joint press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki. As reported, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska are paying an official visit to Finland on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. Costa and von der Leyen on Trump-Putin talk: We hope this is progress towards peace Photo: ANDBZ/ABACA European Council and European Commission Presidents, Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen, hope the phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin is a progress towards a just peace for Ukraine. They posted a corresponding entry on Wednesday on Costa's page on the social network X. A comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine must be the outcome of this terrible war. We hope that yesterdays phone call is progress in this direction. We remain steadfast in our support for Ukraine, the note reads. Investment in the Black Sea energy sector will provide Romania with the necessary safety guarantees, Chairman of Romania's National Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE) George-Sergiu Niculescu said on Wednesday at the Black Sea Forum. "This area of the Black Sea is a great hub and a great platform of energy resources. I must emphasise that Romania is the first country in the Black Sea region to have an Offshore Wind Energy Law. I must tell you for sure that we have huge ambitions. We want Romania to be the first country in the Black Sea region to develop a project for the production of electricity at the level of the Black Sea. We have significant investments in the Port of Constanta, because we cannot have an offshore wind sector without strong infrastructure in that port, which secures equipment operation and maintenance. I believe that the port of Constanta will win significant investment to develop the equipment in the port and I am convinced that Romania will be the first country in the Black Sea region to implement such technology. We are, after all, in a conflict zone, and the investment in the Black Sea energy sector will provide Romania with the necessary safety guarantees," Niculescu said. He added that the Black Sea area has a lot of potential in the energy sector. "The Black Sea area has a lot of potential in the energy sector. 2-3 years ago, in June, an American company started producing natural gas in the Black Sea area. The company is called Black Sea Oil & Gas. OMV Petrom will start producing natural gas from the Neptun Deep area. Over 100 billion cubic metres are in this natural gas field and the project will allow Romania to export natural gas, i.e. energy security to the countries in our vicinity." Niculescu underlined the importance of Constanta County in the energy sector, stressing that it is a "real energy hub" in full expansion. "I hail from Constanta; I am originally from Constanta and I am very interested in what is happening in Constanta and in the Black Sea area. I am a product of Constanta, I was born, I settled, I started a family there, I got an education, my whole career started in Constanta and I later came to Bucharest to be the deputy minister of energy, and my mission in the energy sector continues at the head of ANRE. It would be honest of me to say in this presentation that I will be a little subjective, having this affection for Constanta, which is clearly an energy security hub, is gaining momentum on the energy market. Considering that the county hosts the only nuclear power plant in the country, at Cernavoda, and Romania intends to continue its nuclear programme, doubling the area and power of the Cernavoda nuclear power plant from 1,400 MW to 2,800 MW of installed capacity." Also, in the region there are the largest wind power plants in the country, 500 megawatts installed in the Fantanele Cogealac area. "We also have very high potential for solar energy, also in Constanta County, which is why we say that the region is a real energy hub that is booming. Another very important strategic project, the same one, appeared in Constanta, is the high-voltage cable that connects the Caspian Sea to Europe. As a result of the memorandum of understanding and cooperation signed in September 2022, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania will participate in the development of this infrastructure with the role of transporting renewable energy, from renewable sources, from the Caspian Sea, through Azerbaijan, Georgia, to Europe, thus feeding Europe's economies," said Niculescu. On Wednesday, at the Parliament House, the 'Frontier of the Future for a secure and stable Europe' Black Sea Forum took place. The forum addressed current issues, such as regional security in the Black Sea region, fiscal sustainability and predictability for strategic investments in Romania and in the region, PPP, infrastructure & connectivity, logistics, infrastructure, energy, IT&C. A dialogue panel was dedicated to Ukraine's reconstruction and related strategic opportunities. The Ministry of European Investment and Projects (MIPE) is releasing, under the Healthcare Programme, a call for projects worth EUR 32 million to finance information, education and medical screening services for hepatitis B and C viruses. "The health of people infected with hepatitis B and C viruses is profoundly affected, and patients have the chance for a better life only if treatment is started in the early stages of the disease. Precisely for that reason, we will finance projects worth EUR 32 million from European money that will contribute to the target of eliminating viral hepatitis. Specifically, over 134,000 people will be informed, and of these, over 107,000 will benefit from screening," Minister of European Investment and Projects Marcel Bolos is quoted as saying in a MIPE press statement released on Wednesday. Hepatitis B and C viruses are seen as risk factors in the development of a form of liver cancer, and Romania has joined the other states to achieve the World Health Organization's goal of eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030. The following will benefit from screening from European money: vulnerable people, such as those with disabilities, mental health problems, disadvantaged ethnic minorities (e.g. Romanian citizens belonging to the Romany minority), migrants/refugees, people infected with HIV/AIDS, people in nursing homes, people in foster care s/child protection system, victims of domestic violence and human trafficking, etc.; socio-economically disadvantaged people such as those who are homeless, uninsured, who benefit from the minimum inclusion income, who live in overcrowded households or without sanitary facilities, unemployed, employees from families where the income per family member is below the minimum wage; people living in marginalised communities. Public hospitals dealing with the diagnosis, staging and treatment of chronic liver diseases and public universities of medicine and pharmacy are also invited to apply. They can implement the projects in partnership with entities relevant to the activities/sub-activities carried out, such as: other types of public health units providing medical services, universities, NGOs with relevant activity/experience within the funded actions. The projects can be submitted to the MySMIS2021 information system, between March 21 and June 16, 2025. Energy must represent our essential export commodity in the next 15 years and I believe that all our efforts, at the governmental level, at the business milieu level, must converge towards this absolutely essential element for future economic evolution, economic analyst Adrian Negrescu said on Wednesday at the Black Sea Forum. "I believe that it is absolutely essential that in the perspective of the coming years we really think about what we want in terms of investment focus, to stop trying to do absolutely everything from all perspectives and to focus on energy. Energy must represent our essential export commodity in the horizon of the next 15 years and I believe that all our efforts, at the governmental level, at the level of the business milieu, must converge towards this absolutely essential element for the future economic evolution. We have potential, we have someone to work with (...) From this perspective, I believe that there is room to make things work", said Negrescu. In his opinion, the legislation should be modified so that we "burn faster" the stages related to investment approvals in the case of predictable businesses in the medium and long term. "Unfortunately, the legislation does not benefit us, it needs to be changed. We need to speed up the stages regarding investment approvals, regarding the development of predictable businesses in the medium and long term, and from this perspective, I believe that changing the way we relate to this type of greenfield investment in our country with development potential in the eastern area should be important and essential for the current Parliament," the economic analyst argued. Adrian Negrescu stated that Romania should come up with a law for the reconstruction of Ukraine, "a business worth almost 500 billion dollars", through which to attract and support investors interested in this process from the neighboring country. "On the one hand, there is a need to change the legislation, so that we come up with, from my point of view, a Law for Ukraine, for the reconstruction of Ukraine, in which we, Romania, come up, of course, in accordance with the community acquis, in the association of reduced taxes, of an entire fiscal ecosystem meant to support, to attract investors to Romania and from here to develop the entire range of reconstruction services of the neighboring country. Romania could attract investments somewhere at the level of 50 billion euros in the development of industrial economic platforms associated with this region of ours, which would constitute a platform, first of all, for the reconstruction of Ukraine, a business of almost 500 billion dollars, to practically transform Romania into a technological hub in which industrial parks should be at the forefront. We have somewhere around 350 industrial parks in our country. Unfortunately, of these, only about 200 are active and almost none of them currently manage to offer what we all want: an offer of services, land, logistics spaces designed to attract major investors interested in the reconstruction process of Ukraine", explained the economist. The Palace of Parliament hosted on Wednesday the Black Sea Forum: Frontier of the Future for a secure & stable Europe took place - the most important economic and geostrategic event of this period. The forum addressed current issues, such as the theme of regional security in the Black Sea region, fiscal sustainability and predictability for strategic investments in Romania and the region, PPP, infrastructure & connectivity, logistics, infrastructure, energy, IT&C. A dialogue panel was dedicated to the topic of the reconstruction of Ukraine and the strategic opportunities in this direction. A The European Parliament's Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) has delivered a favourable opinion on the nomination of Lucian Romascanu as a member of the European Court of Auditors on behalf of Romania, 22 to 2 and five abstentions, according to an announcement on the committee's X account. Romascanu was heard on Tuesday by the CONT Committee, being asked questions and having his skills as a candidate for the European Court of Auditors assessed, in particular in the light of the requirements laid down in Article 286(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. It provides that "The members of the Court of Auditors shall be chosen from among persons who belong or have belonged in their respective states to external audit bodies or who are especially qualified for this office. Their independence must be beyond doubt." The CONT Committee delivers an opinion on the nomination of the candidate in the form of a recommendation to the plenary session. According to the CONT Committee's social media post, the plenary vote will take place in the next plenary session, from March 31 to April 3. The EP opinion is advisory, but there have been candidates in the past having been withdrawn after a negative vote by the EU legislature. The council, after consulting the European Parliament, shall adopt the list of members drawn up in accordance with the proposals made by each member state. The members of the Court of Auditors shall be appointed for a term of six years. The term of office of the members of the Court of Auditors shall be renewable. The members of the Court of Auditors may not, during their term of office, engage in any other occupation, whether gainful or not. When entering upon their duties they shall give a solemn undertaking that, both during and after their term of office, they will respect the obligations arising therefrom and in particular their duty to behave with integrity and discretion as regards the acceptance, after they have ceased to hold office, of certain appointments or benefits. A delegation of the forestry trade unions is set to meet on Wednesday with representatives of the Government, the Ministry of the Environment and of the Ministry of Finance, to discuss their claims, the president of the SILVA Federation of Forestry Unions, Silviu Geana, told Agerpres. Forestry unions protest on Wednesday, in front of the Government Palace, against the Government's decision to slash down the salaries of employees in the Romanian forest sector by 25%, while also cutting some other of their rights. "A delegation consisting of ten protesters will participate in a meeting with representatives of the Prime Minister's Chancellery, with the adviser responsible for the relationship with the unions, with representatives of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Water and Forests," said Silviu Geana. According to him, during the meeting with the authorities there will be discussed the problem of the government cutting down salaries in the forestry sector by 25% in 2025, plus other rights established in the statute of the forest staff, such as the firewood for the forest staff, the reorganization of the National Forest Administration - Romsilva, the lack of social dialogue. At the same time, the unionists will request the unlocking from the state budget of the amounts necessary for the management of the forests belonging to the state. "There are over 150 million RON the Government still owes our sector, for the administration of natural parks, thoroughbred horses and for the protection of private forests, for which the state provides an aid scheme. We also request the modification of the Forest Code to eliminate those quotas of shaped wood. There were two thresholds, one of 50 percent, introduced in 2025, and one of 70 percent, introduced in 2030 (editor's note). The Ministry of Environment and the Government will destroy Romsilva because these are costs that cannot be recovered. The wood needs to be sold on a free market, where demand meets offer, and not through stupid regulations made by politicians who didn't sell one cubic metre of wood in their lives," said the unionist. Managing illegal migration, securing the common Romanian-Bulgarian border area and EU's external border, as well as dismantling transborder organised crime networks, were among the topics addressed by Romanian Interior Minister Catalin Predoiu and his Bulgarian counterpart Daniel Mitov, during a meeting on home affairs in the new capacity as Schengen member states. "Managing border flows is important for the Interior Ministry. We want Romanian citizens to feel directly and concretely the accession to the Schengen Area. I understand that the Bulgarian side must continue repair works on the Ruse-Giurgiu Friendship Bridge, but I discussed with my counterpart and friend, Minister Mitov, concrete measures to ease traffic and support citizens crossing the border through mixed patrols and other operational measures to facilitate border traffic," Predoiu is quoted as saying in an Interior Ministry (MAI) press release sent to AGERPRES on Wednesday. He proposed that immediate attention be focused on strengthening control at external borders and ensuring safe mobility within the Schengen Area, combating organised crime networks and transborder threats, as well as improving responses to new challenges through the development of joint mechanisms to fight cybercrime and hybrid attacks. Combating drugs was also on the discussion agenda, with the ministers agreeing that a strengthened joint effort at the European level is needed to wage the war on drugs, with increased involvement from all police structures and effective international coordination with the support of EU agencies. "The Bulgarian minister thanked his Romanian counterpart for the permanent and consolidated cooperation at both leadership and technical levels between the ministries in the multiple areas of internal affairs, especially for the joint efforts to manage borders and effectively combat transborder organised crime, where intensifying cooperation between relevant structures in joint investigations was considered essential," the quoted source shows. The meeting is part of the dynamic calendar of ministerial-level contacts and continues the discussions held both bilaterally on February 3 in Svilengrad (in the context of the official ceremony launching joint patrols on the Bulgarian-Turkish border, with the participation of the Romanian minister, alongside the Bulgarian, Hungarian ministers and a representative of Austria's Federal Ministry of the Interior), as well as the most recent discussions at the March 5 Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting. The ministers' dialogue focused on the priorities of bilateral cooperation in internal affairs in the new capacity as member states fully applying the Schengen acquis, namely managing illegal migration, securing the common Romanian-Bulgarian border area and the EU's external border and dismantling transborder organised crime networks. Romania's energy market needs recovery and a sustainable approach, while we must find solutions for its normal and correct functioning, with long-term benefits on investments and for end customers, Chairman of the Association of Energy Suppliers in Romania (AFEER) Laurentiu Urluescu said on Wednesday at a specialist conference. "The last few years have been extremely challenging for the energy sector. Especially for electricity and natural gas suppliers, who play a key role in the functioning of the market. All the changes and measures have had a direct impact on our activity and on the development of the energy market in the long term. Since 2020, the health, economic, energy and geo-political crises have led the Romanian authorities to take exceptional measures. In the energy sector, the measures aimed at capping/compensating electricity and natural gas bills; such measures, which were at a level not seen in the other EU states, initiated in 2022 for a short period, were then extended until March 31, 2026 for natural gas and June 30, 2025 for electricity. However, the subsidies established by law to help consumers have not been paid in full by the state, but most of them have been borne by suppliers, generating state debts of several billion lei to them (...) Romania's energy market needs consolidation, long-term predictability and a sustainable approach," Urluescu said. He added that the amounts for compensation-capping in 2024, were almost entirely borne by suppliers, "who were forced to borrow from banks." "In the meantime, the responsible authorities only offer us assurances regarding the payment of these amounts, but they are slow to materialise. Currently, the budget allocated for 2025 provides for only RON 3 billion, an amount insufficient to cover the arrears and continue the compensation scheme. That is why we express our concern about the budgetary allocation of the new support scheme provided for by OUG 6/2025 and we ask for clarifications on the financing mechanism. Will this responsibility again remain in the hands of the suppliers? Under these conditions, it is easy for the state authorities to promise low prices and to set up support schemes on the pockets of others (suppliers), without pledging certain payment terms and without a real consultation of the financial impact of this scheme. The current situation puts suppliers in a precarious financial position, forcing them to take out loans to cover operational costs. They must pay in full the bills to producers, distributors, transporters, pay taxes to the state, including VAT and excise duties, while the state delays the reimbursement of the amounts owed, and, moreover, does not own certain payment terms." Urluescu added that, so far, suppliers have paid interest of hundreds of millions of lei, most of them being over-indebted. "Moreover, they are sustaining losses that they cannot cover. According to the legislation, suppliers collect from customers only a small part of the invoice, the rest having to be covered by the state. Instead, they have to pay the full bills to producers (for the purchased electricity, for the green certificates, the cogeneration bonus), to pay the bills to the energy and gas transporters and distributors, as well as the taxes to the state (excise duties and VAT on consumers' bills). It should be noted that, in the event of late payment of excise duty and VAT, the state charges late payment penalties; while on the other side there are numerous delays. We must recognise that any transition to deregulation will involve an impact, but we consider it essential that it is managed, so that the impact is minimised." The Association of Electricity Suppliers in Romania (AFEER) organised on Wednesday the ninth edition of its annual conference called "Re-liberalisation: Competition on the energy market to the benefit of all." The organisation, through AFEER Academy, has held seminars and speciality courses since 2020, with the interest from the participants being very high. Romania's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) welcomes the election of Oana Gherghinescu as executive director of the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA). "The strong support from the member states and the European Commission for Oana Gherghinescu in this leadership position is a confirmation of both the expertise and professionalism of the Romanian candidate, as well as the result of the intense political-diplomatic efforts and the active inter-institutional cooperation carried out to promote this candidacy at EU level," says MAE. Wednesday's election marks Romania getting a second position of executive director of a European agency, after the election of a Romanian diplomat at the helm of the European Labour Authority (ELA), in October 2020. According to the MAE, the vote "also reconfirms the certain added value that the Romanian experts in various European agencies and authorities bring in support of the objectives at EU level and, implicitly, the growing profile of Romania at European level." The European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) based in Valenciennes, France, is a key organisation in the European rail system, led by a management board comprising the EU member states and the European Commission. Since 2006, the ERA has worked to develop economically viable common technical standards and safety measures and targets in cooperation with the rail sector, national authorities, EU institutions and other bodies. Romania's constant support for Georgia's European journey was highlighted on Wednesday by the interim Chairman of the Romanian Senate, Mircea Abrudean, at the meeting with a delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Georgian Parliament, led by Nikoloz Samkharadze. Discussions focused on strengthening parliamentary cooperation and deepening bilateral relations between Romania and Georgia. Abrudean said that Romania remains firmly committed to keeping up an active and continuous bilateral dialogue, which significantly contributes to the development of political, economic and cultural relations between the two nations. "Our discussions focused on strengthening the ties between Romania and Georgia and on our constant support for Georgia's European journey and stability in the Black Sea region. In the context of developments in Ukraine, I voiced hope that peace will be restored soon. We also discussed deepening technical cooperation in order to implement major connectivity projects in the Black Sea region, including the green energy corridor' and the submarine cable that will connect Romania to Georgia, Azerbaijan and Hungary. We continue to work together for a more stable and prosperous future," the senator wrote in a social media post. A The world needs more nuclear energy, the CEO of Nuclearelectrica, Cosmin Ghita told Wednesday's debate dubbed "Does Nuclear Energy Have a Future in Europe?" held in Bucharest. He emphasized the key-role of government funding in facing the challenges in the energy sector. "The world needs more nuclear energy", pointed out Ghita. "When I talk about government support, on the one hand we have the funding and on the other hand there is the re-regulation of the entire ecosystem, to get things back on track", he said. The CEO of Nuclearelectrica emphasized that this type of project involving nuclear energy "needs a whole-of-society approach". "That is why we need a clear direction and consensus, despite the political successions, and to make sure that everyone is dedicated to the project, ready to start, for a new regulation, for a reconfiguration and for investments," he added. The event in Bucharest was organized by the Embassy of Poland, in the context in which this country is holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union until mid-year. Thus, Polish Ambassador Pawel Soloch conveyed the message of the Polish Secretary of State for Strategic Energy Infrastructure, Wojciech Wrochna. According to Wrochna, nuclear energy is a topical and important topic. "The unprovoked war on Ukraine and the attack on an independent and sovereign state have created a security situation of such severity that the world has not seen since World War II. The energy crisis, caused by Russia's brutal policy, shows us that if we want to stay on the path to decarbonization and security of supply, we must change the European way of thinking in these areas," the official said. He added that the nuclear solution improves energy independence and helps reduce demand for natural gas. "We consider that small modular reactors (SMRs) represent a complementary technology to large conventional reactors (...). Poland, like the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, has faced challenges in terms of energy transition and climate change. The European ambitions regarding the green energy strategy and the climate neutrality target in 2050 are a great challenge for other countries. That is why Poland and countries that have the same approach have established an alliance in the field of nuclear energy, to promote nuclear energy and improve its development and distribution in Europe", said Wojciech Wrochna. Head of the Presidents Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak reported on the continuation of work on protecting the interests of Ukraine, as well as on a clear strategy for further actions with partners. "Our work continues. Protecting Ukraine's interests, a just and lasting peace, a clear strategy for further actions with our partners. We are working," Yermak wrote on Telegram channel on Wednesday. President of Romania's delegation to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Permanent Council Iulian Lorincz and leader of the Save Romania Union (USR) senators Stefan Palarie met with Maria Telalian, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). During Tuesday's meeting, the USR representatives "raised an alarm about Russia's involvement" in Romania's elections, according to a pres release issued by the Save Romania Union (USR). "This is a critical moment, not only because we are on the brink of elections, but also because we need to rebuild trust in Romanian society. Romania has been and will remain a strong supporter of the parliamentary dimension of the OSCE and will continue to fight for a free, open and democratic society where fundamental rights are not only preserved but defended every day," said Iulian Lorincz. The deputy stressed "the real dangers that Russia poses to European democracies," including Romania, and highlighted the importance of mutual support between democratic societies, USR mentions. "There is no doubt: Russia has launched a hybrid war against Romania. If we allow Russia to act unchallenged now, we risk losing our democracy. Despite the internal political situation, Romania will maintain its full support for OSCE institutions, especially ODIHR, and for their essential electoral monitoring missions," said the USR deputy. The meeting also discussed the "crucial" role that the ODIHR mission will play in monitoring the presidential election, according to the release. "Romania has actively contributed to OSCE missions by sending observers for electoral processes across Europe, and ODIHR's decision to send 24 long-term observers to Romania is a guarantee that democratic standards will be upheld," the USR release reads. Iulian Lorincz further said that the final report of the ODIHR mission must cover "the entire electoral process and all decisions made by Romanian institutions," from the Central Electoral Bureau to the Constitutional Court, to "rebuild trust" in elections and democracy. "We are in the midst of a hybrid war with Russia. And it is becoming clear that the very essence of democracy - organising free elections - is becoming a vulnerability under siege. In such a battle, both the ruling power and the opposition must cooperate to organise fair elections. I was pleased to see that Director Maria Telalian is prepared to support Romania, including with proposals to improve the legislative framework so that elections be protected from interference and fraud," said Stefan Palarie. JENNINGS The City of Jennings is trying to overturn a court order to pay $2 million to a construction firm for cancelling its contract to build a new city hall and community center. Jennings City Attorney Shira Truitt filed a notice in St. Louis County Circuit Court this week that the city will appeal a decision Judge Richard Stewart handed down in December. Stewart on Dec. 12 ordered the city to pay Hankins Construction Company for damages it incurred after Mayor Gary Johnson canceled the companys contract to build a new city hall and community center. The contract had been approved under Johnsons predecessor. Johnson and city attorney Shira Truitt did not respond to requests for comment this week. The Hankins contract was part of a contentious political divide in Jennings, north St. Louis County city of 13,000, between Johnson and a majority of the city council in recent years. In 2022, then-Mayor Yolanda Austin and the city council approved an $11 million contract with Hankins for a new community center and city hall at Ada Wortley and Berkay avenues. But after Johnson unseated Austin in April of 2023, he issued an order stopping the project. Hankins sent a letter in to officials threatening to sue for damages, and a city council majority voted to reinstate the project. Johnson refused. Hankins sued the city in February of 2024. In December, Stewart granted Hankins motion to order Jennings to pay at least $1.7 million in damages to the firm for breach of contract and for costs, as well as $239,183 in interest and $50,800 in legal fees. Stewart said Jennings was required to respond to Hankins lawsuit months earlier, by March 2024, but didnt file its counterargument until last October, and didnt explain the delay. And after Hankins asked the court to grant it partial summary judgment because the city didnt respond, the city never offered a formal counterargument, Stewart said. Truitt had argued the city wasnt required to respond because its contract with Hankins included a clause that allowed the city to resolve any dispute via mediation, out of court. In October, the city council approved a new $7 million contract with Aspire Construction Services to build the community center, but not a new city hall. CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. Earthquake experts provided the first public look Tuesday at a new tool that projects and illustrates what would happen if the New Madrid Seismic Zone were to unleash another major quake, like it did two centuries ago and will eventually do again. Its only a matter of time before we have more big ones, said Jeff Briggs, the earthquake program manager for the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency, or SEMA. So we need to be ready. One of the worst-case scenarios with an epicenter in southeast Missouri, near Sikeston, would be the least disastrous of the three possibilities described by the model, with 533 deaths, more than 20,800 displaced households and $75.8 billion in damages. None of those fatalities would happen in the St. Louis area, although the city and its widespread brick buildings would still experience shaking and potential damage, said Brian Blake, the executive director of CUSEC, a nonprofit that aims to reduce deaths and other negative impacts from regional earthquakes. The new model developed by the Central U.S. Earthquake Consortium, or CUSEC, was unveiled and discussed Tuesday before hundreds of officials, emergency personnel and other attendees at SEMAs seventh annual Earthquake Summit, held this year in Cape Girardeau. The data, available through an online tool prepared over the last 18 months, show potential impacts mapped out down to the county level, currently detailing three scenarios if a Magnitude-7.5 or Magnitude-7.7 earthquake were to occur. Thats roughly on par with the series of three massive earthquakes that the New Madrid fault system produced over a period of weeks in 1811 and 1812, when Missouris Bootheel region was at the epicenter of some of the most powerful quakes the U.S. has ever experienced. That historic burst of seismic activity cracked sidewalks in Cleveland, rang church bells in Charleston, South Carolina, and was felt by President James Madison in Washington, D.C. Its unlikely that local quakes of that caliber will reoccur anytime soon, experts say. But its possible with a 7% to 10% chance of an earthquake that registers a Magnitude-7 or higher striking within the next 50 years, experts said. In modern times, the new data indicate that such an event would be catastrophic, resulting in hundreds to thousands of fatalities, depending on where the quakes epicenter occurs. The model projects what would happen from a single major earthquake, rather than a series of them. The deadliest and most destructive of the models three current scenarios would have an epicenter in northwest Tennessee. That case would leave 2,719 dead, more than 92,000 households displaced and incur $145.8 billion in damages, with severe impacts reaching into the Memphis area. The overviews of different scenarios provide breakdowns of impacts at the state and even county levels, including information such as projected hospitalizations, and how many thousands of buildings could require inspections after a major quake. That creates all kinds of possible applications for the data, Blake says, such as estimating how many engineers or architects could be needed for building inspections in the disasters aftermath even if real-world impacts differ, based on features of the earthquake or other variables in play. The tool is for planning purposes, said Blake. This gives us something to plan to. Now that they have the recipe, the models developers aim to expand it to include more scenarios building it into a choose-your-own-adventure planning tool, Blake said. But beyond the sheer numbers that the model projects, the impacts from another whopper of a New Madrid quake would be sprawling, as speakers described Tuesday. Risks would be far-reaching, aided by geological features of the region. For example, river soils easily transmit energy from an earthquake, posing a threat to many communities up and down the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. And areas in the New Madrid Seismic Zone, for instance, are also susceptible to threats from liquefaction, when earthquakes turn underlying soil into quicksand-like soup that can struggle or fail to support buildings and other things on top of it. The new data and many of the events speakers helped make the stakes of the next big quake abundantly clear. Its going to be a challenge unlike anything weve ever seen ... which is why its so important to talk about it, said Briggs, the earthquake program manager. ST. LOUIS The abrupt closing of The Last Hotel earlier this month jolted dozens of guests whod planned to stay there during a busy weekend. But the hotels difficulties were foretold in numerous lawsuits across three states. Those filings showed how a long-simmering feud between its two owners ultimately doomed the project that opened less than six years ago after a $54 million renovation of the historic former headquarters of the International Shoe Co. Business partners in the duos orbit became collateral damage, with accusations that an executive at one of the projects lenders inappropriately accepted gifts, while a hotelier appointed as a receiver begged a court to cut him loose due to the fighting. The hotels majority owner, Mike Qualizza, called the closure a tragedy that could have easily been avoided. Yet all signs pointed to an impending failure of the hotel at 1501 Washington Avenue. The hotel owes more than $118,000 in unpaid earnings or payroll taxes, over $50,000 in hotel taxes and $40,000 in property taxes. Two of its lenders have sued, one of which won a judgment for a $13 million loan. All the while, Qualizza, of Austin, Texas, and his longtime business partner, Neil Freeman of Florida, were fighting against each other in court, unable to reach consensus about how to run the place or whom to sell it to. We literally could have been out of this hotel three years ago, Qualizza, in a Friday interview, said of the failure to agree on a sale. Freeman said in court filings that Qualizza had accused him of securities and mail fraud, saying he had grown unhinged and confrontational. He accused Qualizza of using $210,000 in funds from The Last Hotel for his own personal legal fees. Records even indicate Freeman obtained court orders blocking Qualizza from direct communication with him. Freeman did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Qualizza and Freeman are longtime players in the federal New Market Tax Credit program that helped fund The Last Hotels construction. In 2002, they founded a firm that specialized in the complicated financing mechanism, Chicago-based Urban Development Fund, which claims to have overseen over $620 million in tax credits. Qualizza said the duos dispute began after he discovered securities fraud when Freeman stole a bunch of money from me by having him invest in a fake company. He declined to comment on Freemans allegation about his use of the hotels funds or share more details on his allegations, but The Last Hotel has borne the brunt of the falling-out. Lender trouble The hotel was well-received when it first opened in June 2019, complete with well-regarded restaurant and rooftop pool. But less than a year later, the pandemic upended the hotel market and the broader downtown economy. In April 2021, Freeman alleged in court filings that Qualizza unilaterally terminated a management agreement and installed his own company as manager of the hotel. That broke a franchise agreement with Hyatt, costing it a major flag affiliation. Hyatt pursued litigation against the hotels owners, eventually resulting in a $1.4 million settlement for which, Freeman claims in court filings, Qualizza didnt pay his share. Just 18 months after the hotel opened, U.S. Bank in January 2021 sued the developers over an unpaid $12 million construction loan. The developers countersued, accusing the bank of damaging the project by withholding financing that left it stuck with a high-interest temporary loan. The litigation is still pending. Online, Qualizza has gone after U.S. Bank, accusing it of organized crime and claiming its headed for a bank run. Qualizza alleges in court documents U.S. Bank sued over The Last Hotels loan due to personal animus against him because of his political beliefs and that the bank seeks to weaponize their banking power for their woke political principles. Qualizza appears to lean right politically, cheering FBI Director Kash Patels confirmation online and posting that former President Joe Biden was bought and paid for by China and Ukraine. There is some question about how viable the project even was to begin with and how much a friendship between two leaders in the New Market Tax Credit world influenced the deal. Qualizza claimed to have brought over $500 million in deals to U.S. Bank over the years, and he was friends with Zach Boyers, the CEO of U.S. Banks tax credit subsidiary, U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance. In a deposition Boyers took as part of the lawsuit, he admitted to accepting tickets from Qualizza for several concerts between 2016 and 2018, including Beyonce, Jay Z, Kendrick Lamar and U2 in Chicago. Qualizza also gave him multiple room nights at the Roosevelt New Orleans hotel around New Years Eve in 2019. Boyers in his deposition maintained the gifts were unrelated to the financing the bank would extend to the hotel project, though he also admitted he was reprimanded for accepting them after an internal investigation by the bank in early 2020. I offered to pay him for the tickets. He said hed cut up my check. I said Id get him back someday and I thought we had decades to do so, Boyers said in his deposition. It was a mistake on my part. U.S. Bank declined to comment. By September 2022, Freeman filed a lawsuit in St. Louis asking the court to appoint a receiver to manage the hotel. Qualizza filed a lawsuit in Chicago to block it. The litigation continued behind the scenes for years while The Last Hotel deteriorated. Guest reviews began turning negative. The bar was rarely open. The rooftop pool was dirty and rooms poorly cleaned. In various court filings, Qualizza and Freeman said they were deadlocked in the management of the company that operates the hotel. By last March, even Qualizza asked a Chicago judge to appoint a receiver who could finalize a sale of the hotel. The hotel was at imminent risk of closure, Qualizza wrote in court filings. One of its lenders, Octagon Credit Partners, had recently obtained a $13.3 million judgment against the developers. Once the hotel closes its doors it will become substantially less valuable and, perhaps, no longer saleable as a hotel and will likely be demolished and turned into a parking lot, Qualizzas lawyer wrote in a March 2024 motion in the Cook County lawsuit. Looking for a buyer Qualizza said in a court filing last year he had a buyer ready to close on a $29 million offer for the hotel just over half the cost of the development. He accused Freeman of refusing to agree to an earlier $34 million offer. Freeman said Qualizza wouldnt accept a $31 million offer in 2022. He only wants it sold when its someone he brings to the table, Qualizza said in an interview Friday. A sale never happened, even after the Cook County judge in May appointed a receiver to oversee one. On March 6, the hotel finally shuttered. In the days after, a manager at the adjacent City Museum said he saw people walking out of the hotel with televisions and refrigerators and reported it to police. Qualizza said in an interview he suspected it was theft from employees who had worked for the receiver appointed to manage the hotel. That receiver had recently gotten a court to let it off the job. A week before the hotel closed, a Cook County judge granted the request from the hotels receiver, Robert Habeeb of Maverick Hotels and Restaurant Management. Habeeb complained in an October court filing in Illinois that Qualizza constantly sends caustic and demeaning emails and lobs meritless accusations of inaction and misconduct. Qualizza claims Habeeb is incompetent and had a business relationship with Freeman that hadnt been disclosed prior to the court appointing the company. He says he only spoke to Habeeb once. They want to keep me from accomplishing anything, Qualizza said. They dont want to see the sale happen on my terms. DALLAS More than 63,000 pages of records related to the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy were released Tuesday following an order by President Donald Trump, many without the redactions that had confounded historians for years and helped fuel conspiracy theories. The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration posted to its website roughly 2,200 files containing the documents. The vast majority of the National Archives' collection of over 6 million pages of records, photographs, motion pictures, sound recordings and artifacts related to the assassination have previously been released. Larry J. Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics and author of "The Kennedy Half-Century," said it will take time to fully review the records. "We have a lot of work to do for a long time to come, and people just have to accept that," he said. Trump announced the release Monday while visiting the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, saying his administration would be releasing about 80,000 pages. "We have a tremendous amount of paper. You've got a lot of reading," Trump said. Before Tuesday, researchers had estimated that 3,000 to 3,500 files were still unreleased, either wholly or partially. And just last month the FBI said it had discovered about 2,400 new records related to the assassination. Jefferson Morley, vice president of the Mary Ferrell Foundation, a repository for files related to the assassination, said in a statement posted on the social platform X that the release is "an encouraging start." He said much of the "rampant overclassification of trivial information has been eliminated" from the documents. The National Archives said on its website that in accordance with the president's directive, the release would encompass "all records previously withheld for classification." But Morley said what was released Tuesday did not include two-thirds of the promised files, any of the recently discovered FBI files or 500 Internal Revenue Service records. "Nonetheless, this is the most positive news on the release of JFK files since the 1990s," Morley said. Interest in details related to Kennedy's assassination has been intense over the decades, with countless conspiracy theories spawned about multiple shooters and involvement by the Soviet Union and mafia. He was killed Nov. 22, 1963, on a visit to Dallas, when his motorcade was finishing its parade route downtown and shots rang out from the Texas School Book Depository building. Police arrested 24-year-old Lee Harvey Oswald, who had positioned himself from a sniper's perch on the sixth floor. Two days later nightclub owner Jack Ruby fatally shot Oswald during a jail transfer. A year after the assassination, the Warren Commission, which President Lyndon B. Johnson established to investigate, concluded that Oswald acted alone and that there was no evidence of a conspiracy. But that didn't quell a web of alternative theories over the decades. Oswald was a former Marine who defected to the Soviet Union before returning home to Texas. Files in the new release included a memo from the CIA's St. Petersburg station from November 1991 saying that earlier that month, a CIA official befriended a U.S. professor there who told the official about a friend who worked for the KGB. The memo said the KGB official had reviewed "five thick volumes" of files on Oswald and was "confident that Oswald was at no time an agent controlled by the KGB." The memo added that as Oswald was described in the files, the KGB official doubted "that anyone could control Oswald, but noted that the KGB watched him closely and constantly while he was in the USSR." It also noted that the file reflected that Oswald was a poor shot when he tried target firing in the Soviet Union. In the early 1990s, the federal government mandated that all assassination-related documents be housed in a single collection in the National Archives and Records Administration. The collection was required to be opened by 2017, barring any exemptions designated by the president. Trump, who took office for his first term in 2017, had said that he would allow the release of all of the remaining records but ended up holding some back because of what he called the potential harm to national security. And while files continued to be released during President Joe Biden's administration, some remained unseen. Sabato said that his team has a "long, long list" of sensitive documents it is looking for that previously had large redactions. "There must be something really, really sensitive for them to redact a paragraph or a page or multiple pages in a document like that," he said. "Some of it's about Cuba, some of it's about what the CIA did or didn't do relevant to Lee Harvey Oswald." Some of the previously released documents have offered details on the way intelligence services operated at the time, including CIA cables and memos discussing visits by Oswald to the Soviet and Cuban embassies during a trip to Mexico City just weeks before the assassination. ___ Associated Press writer John Hanna contributed from Topeka, Kansas. KYIV, Ukraine Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday that a vow by Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin not to attack energy infrastructure was "very much at odds with reality" following an overnight barrage of drone strikes across the country. Zelenskyy said that he would speak with U.S. President Donald Trump later in the day and expected to hear more about the American leader's phone call with Putin about a ceasefire and to discuss the next steps to be taken. "Even last night, after Putin's conversation with ... Trump, when Putin said that he was allegedly giving orders to stop strikes on Ukrainian energy, there were 150 drones launched overnight, including on energy facilities," Zelenskyy said at a news conference in Helsinki with Finnish President Alexander Stubb. Russia said it had halted its targeting of Ukraine's energy facilities and accused Kyiv of attacking equipment near one of its pipelines. "Unfortunately, we see that for now there is no reciprocity on the part of the Kyiv regime," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Russian strikes, which hit civilian areas and damaged a hospital, followed Putin's refusal to back a full 30-day ceasefire during discussions with Trump. The White House described the call between Trump and Putin as the first step in a "movement to peace" that Washington hopes will include a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and eventually a full and lasting end to the fighting. But there was no indication that Putin backed away from his conditions for a prospective peace deal, which are fiercely opposed by Kyiv. Stubb called the discussions between Putin and Trump a step in the right direction, but Finland's president said that Russia needs to end its aggression. "There are only two ways to respond to the proposal of the president of the United States: it's a yes or a no no buts, no conditions," Stubb said. "Ukraine accepted a ceasefire without any forms of conditions. If Russia refuses to agree, we need to increase our efforts to strengthen Ukraine and ratchet up pressure on Russia to convince them to come to the negotiating table." Shortly after the lengthy phone call between Trump and Putin on Tuesday, air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv, followed by explosions as residents took shelter. Despite efforts to repel the attack, several strikes hit civilian infrastructure, including a direct drone strike on a hospital in Sumy and attacks on cities in Donetsk region. Russian drones were also reported over Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Sumy, Chernihiv, Poltava, Kharkiv, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk, and Cherkasy regions. The Russian Defense Ministry said that the military complied with Putin's order to halt energy infrastructure strikes and downed seven drones its forces fired before the order at power facilities related to the military-industrial complex in Ukraine's southern Mykolaiv region. Moscow accused Ukraine of targeting its energy facility in the Krasnodar region bordering the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014, several hours after the Putin and Trump talks. The ministry said that three drones targeted oil transfer equipment that feeds the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, causing a fire and leading one oil tank to lose pressure. "It is absolutely clear that we are talking about yet another provocation deliberately concocted by the Kyiv regime, aimed at derailing the peace initiatives of the U.S. president," the ministry said. Zelenskyy said that "words of a ceasefire" weren't enough. "If the Russians don't hit our facilities, we definitely won't hit theirs," Zelenskyy said. Russia said that its air defenses intercepted 57 Ukrainian drones over the Azov Sea and several Russian regions the border provinces of Kursk and Bryansk and the nearby regions of Oryol and Tula. Zelenskyy said that one of the most difficult issues in future negotiations would be the issue of territorial concessions. "For us, the red line is the recognition of the Ukrainian temporarily occupied territories as Russian," he said. "We will not go for it." ___ Yehor Konovalov in Kyiv, Dasha Litvinova in Tallinn, Estonia, Geir Moulson in Berlin, and Brian Melley in London, contributed to this report. DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip Israel launched airstrikes across the Gaza Strip early Tuesday, killing more than 400 Palestinians, local health officials said, and shattering a ceasefire in place since January with its deadliest bombardment in a 17-month war with Hamas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the strikes, which killed mostly women and children, after Hamas refused Israeli demands to change the ceasefire agreement. In a statement aired on national television, he said the attack was only the beginning and that Israel would press ahead until it achieves all of its war aims destroying Hamas and freeing all hostages held by the militant group. All further ceasefire negotiations will take place under fire, he said. The White House said it had been consulted and voiced support for Israels actions. The Israeli military ordered people to evacuate eastern Gaza and head toward the center of the territory, indicating that Israel could soon launch renewed ground operations. The new campaign comes as aid groups warn supplies are running out two weeks after Israel cut off all food, medicine, fuel and other goods to Gazas 2 million Palestinians. Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength, Netanyahus office said. The attack during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan could signal the full resumption of a war that has already killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and caused widespread destruction across Gaza. It also raised concerns about the fate of the roughly two dozen hostages held by Hamas who are believed to still be alive. The renewal of the campaign against Hamas, which receives support from Iran, came as the U.S. and Israel stepped up attacks this week across the region. The U.S. launched deadly strikes against Iran-allied rebels in Yemen, while Israel has targeted Iran-backed militants in Lebanon and Syria. A senior Hamas official said Netanyahus decision to return to war amounts to a death sentence for the remaining hostages. Izzat al-Risheq accused Netanyahu of launching the strikes to save his far-right governing coalition. Hamas said at least six senior officials were killed in Tuesdays strikes. Israel said they included the head of Hamas' civilian government, a justice ministry official and two security agency chiefs. There were no reports of any attacks by Hamas several hours after the bombardment. But Yemen's Houthi rebels fired rockets toward Israel for the first time since the ceasefire began. The volley set off sirens in Israel's southern Negev desert but was intercepted before it reached the country's territory, the military said. The strikes came as Netanyahu faces mounting domestic pressure, with mass protests planned over his handling of the hostage crisis and his decision to fire the head of Israels internal security agency. His latest testimony in a long-running corruption trial was canceled after the strikes. The strikes appeared to give Netanyahu a political boost. A far-right party led by Itamar Ben-Gvir that had bolted the government over the ceasefire announced Tuesday it was rejoining. The main group representing families of the hostages accused the government of backing out of the ceasefire. We are shocked, angry and terrified by the deliberate dismantling of the process to return our loved ones from the terrible captivity of Hamas, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said. Wounded stream into Gaza hospitals Strikes across Gaza pounded homes, sparked fires in a tent camp outside the southern city of Khan Younis and hit at least one school-turned-shelter. After two months of relative calm during the ceasefire, stunned Palestinians found themselves once again digging loved ones out of rubble and holding funeral prayers over the dead at hospital morgues. Nobody wants to fight, Nidal Alzaanin, a resident of Gaza City, said. Everyone is still suffering from the previous months. A hit on a home in Rafah killed 17 members of one family, according to the European Hospital, which received the bodies. The dead included five children, their parents, and another father and his three children. Another in Gaza City killed 27 members of a family, half of them women and children, including a 1-year-old, according to a list of the dead put out by Palestinian medics. At Khan Youniss Nasser Hospital, patients lay on the floor, some screaming. A young girl cried as her bloody arm was bandaged. Wounded children overwhelmed the pediatric ward, said Dr Tanya Haj-Hassan, a volunteer with Medical Aid for Palestinians aid group. She said she helped treat a 6-year-old girl with internal bleeding. When they pulled away her curly hair, they realized shrapnel had also penetrated the left side of her brain, leaving her paralyzed on the right side. She was brought in with no ID, and we don't know if her family survived, Haj-Hassan said. Gazas Health Ministry said the strikes killed at least 404 people and wounded more than 560. Zaher al-Waheidi, head of the ministrys records department, said at least 263 of those killed were women or children under 18. He described it as the deadliest day in Gaza since the start of the war. In his statement Tuesday, Netanyahu blamed Hamas for civilian casualties, saying it operates among the population. The war has killed over 48,500 Palestinians, according to local health officials, and displaced 90% of Gazas population. The Health Ministry doesnt differentiate between civilians and militants but says over half of the dead have been women and children. The war erupted when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages. Most have been released in ceasefires or other deals, with Israeli forces rescuing only eight and recovering dozens of bodies. US backs Israel and blames Hamas The White House blamed Hamas for the renewed fighting. National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes said the militant group could have released hostages to extend the ceasefire but instead chose refusal and war. The ceasefire deal that the U.S. helped broker, however, did not require Hamas to release more hostages to extend the halt in fighting beyond its first phase. An Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the unfolding operation, said Israel was striking Hamas military, leaders and infrastructure and planned to expand the operation beyond air attacks. The official accused Hamas of attempting to rebuild and plan new attacks. Hamas militants and security forces quickly returned to the streets in recent weeks after the ceasefire went into effect. Hamas on Tuesday denied planning new attacks. Israel had sought to change the ceasefire deal Under the ceasefire that began in mid-January, Hamas released 25 hostages and the bodies of eight more in exchange for more than 1,700 Palestinian prisoners as agreed in the first phase. But Israel balked at entering negotiations over a second phase. Under the agreement, phase two was meant to bring the freeing of the remaining 24 living hostages, an end to the war and full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Israel says Hamas also holds the remains of 35 captives. Instead, Israel demanded Hamas release half of the remaining hostages in return for a ceasefire extension and a vague promise to eventually negotiate a lasting truce. Hamas refused, demanding the two sides follow the original deal, which called for the halt in fighting to continue during negotiations over the second phase. The deal had largely held, though Israeli forces have killed dozens of Palestinians who the military says approached its troops or entered unauthorized areas. Egypt, Qatar and the United States have been trying to mediate the next steps. Israel says it will not end the war until it destroys Hamas governing and military capabilities and frees all hostages two goals that could be incompatible. A full resumption of the war would allow Netanyahu to avoid the tough trade-offs called for in the second phase and the thorny question of who would govern Gaza. It would also shore up his coalition, which depends on far-right lawmakers who want to depopulate Gaza and rebuild Jewish settlements there. Released hostages have repeatedly implored the government to press ahead with the ceasefire to return all remaining captives. Tens of thousands of Israelis have joined protests calling for a ceasefire and return of all hostages. Federman reported from Jerusalem and Magdy from Cairo. Associated Press reporters Mohammad Jahjouh in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip; Abdel Kareem Hana in Gaza City, Gaza Strip; Fatma Khaled in Cairo; and Tia Goldenberg in Tel Aviv, Israel, contributed. SEATTLE Cybertrucks set ablaze. Bullets and Molotov cocktails aimed at Tesla showrooms. Attacks on property carrying the logo of Elon Musk's electric-car company are cropping up across the U.S. and overseas. While no injuries have been reported, Tesla showrooms, vehicle lots, charging stations and privately owned cars have been targeted. In Canada, Tesla was removed from an international auto show over safety concerns. There has been a clear uptick in Tesla attacks since President Donald Trump took office and empowered Musk to oversee a new Department of Government Efficiency that is slashing government spending. Experts on domestic extremism say it's impossible to know yet if the spate of incidents will balloon into a long-term pattern. In Trump's first term, his properties in New York City, Washington and elsewhere became a natural place for protest. In the early days of his second term, Tesla is filling that role. "Tesla is an easy target," said Randy Blazak, a sociologist who studies political violence. "They're rolling down our streets. They have dealerships in our neighborhoods." Musk critics have organized dozens of peaceful demonstrations at Tesla dealerships and factories across North America and Europe. Some Tesla owners, including a U.S. senator who feuded with Musk, have vowed to sell their vehicles. But the attacks are keeping law enforcement busy. Prosecutors in Colorado charged a woman last month in connection with a string of attacks on Tesla dealerships, including Molotov cocktails thrown at vehicles and the words "Nazi cars" spray-painted on a building. And federal agents in South Carolina last week arrested a man they say set fire to Tesla charging stations near Charleston. An agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives wrote in an affidavit that authorities found writings critical of the government and DOGE in his bedroom and wallet. "The statement made mention of sending a message based on these beliefs," the agent wrote. A number of the most prominent incidents have been reported in left-leaning cities in the Pacific Northwest, like Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, where anti-Trump and anti-Musk sentiment runs high. An Oregon man is facing charges after allegedly throwing several Molotov cocktails at a Tesla store in Salem, then returning another day and shooting out windows. In the Portland suburb of Tigard, more than a dozen bullets were fired at a Tesla showroom last week, damaging vehicles and windows, the second time in a week that the store was targeted. Four Cybertrucks were set on fire in a Tesla lot in Seattle earlier this month. On Friday, witnesses reported a man poured gasoline on an unoccupied Tesla Model S and started a fire on a Seattle street. In Las Vegas, several Tesla vehicles were set ablaze early Tuesday outside a Tesla service center where the word "resist" was also painted in red across the building's front doors. Authorities said at least one person threw Molotov cocktails crude bombs filled with gasoline or another flammable liquid and fired several rounds from a weapon into the vehicles. "Was this terrorism? Was it something else? It certainly has some of the hallmarks that we might think the writing on the wall, potential political agenda, an act of violence," Spencer Evans, the special agent in charge of the Las Vegas FBI office, said at a news conference. "None of those factors are lost on us." Tesla becomes a target for the left Tesla was once the darling of the left. Helped to viability by a $465 million federal loan during the Obama administration, the company popularized electric vehicles and proved, despite their early reputation, that they didn't have to be small, stodgy, underpowered and limited in range. More recently, though, Musk has allied himself with the right. He bought the social network Twitter, renamed it X and erased restrictions that had infuriated conservatives. He spent an estimated $250 million to boost Trump's 2024 Republican campaign, becoming by far his biggest benefactor. Musk continues to run Tesla as well as X and the rocket manufacturer SpaceX while also serving as Trump's adviser. Tesla stock doubled in value in the weeks after Trump's election but has since shed all those gains. Trump gave a boost to the company when he turned the White House driveway into an electric vehicle showroom. The president promoted the vehicles and said he would purchase an $80,000 Model S, eschewing his fierce past criticism of electric vehicles. Tesla did not respond to a request for comment. Musk briefly addressed the vandalism Monday during an appearance on Sen. Ted Cruz's podcast, saying "at least some of it is organized and paid for" by "left-wing organizations in America, funded by left-wing billionaires, essentially." "This level of violence is insane and deeply wrong," Musk wrote Tuesday on X, sharing a video of burning Teslas in Las Vegas. "Tesla just makes electric cars and has done nothing to deserve these evil attacks." The progressive group Indivisible, which published a guide for supporters to organize "Musk Or Us" protests around the country, said in a statement that all of its guidance is publicly available and "it explicitly encourages peaceful protest and condemns any acts of violence or vandalism." Some Tesla owners have resorted to cheeky bumper stickers to distance themselves from their vehicle's new stigma and perhaps deter would-be vandals. They say things like "I bought this before we knew Elon was crazy" or "I just wanted an electric car. Sorry guys." Prices for used Cybertrucks, Tesla's most distinctive product, have dropped nearly 8% since Trump took office, according to CarGurus, which aggregates used car vehicle listings. The market as a whole remained steady over the period. The White House vows a crackdown The White House has thrown its weight behind Musk, the highest-profile member of Trump's administration and a key donor to committees promoting Trump's political interests. Trump has said Tesla vandalism amounts to "domestic terror," and Trump has threatened retribution, warning that those who target the company are "going to go through hell." Attorney General Pam Bondi said she'd opened an investigation "to see how is this being funded, who is behind this." "If you're going to touch a Tesla, go to a dealership, do anything, you better watch out because we're coming after you," Bondi said Friday on Fox Business Network. In a statement Tuesday, she vowed to "continue investigations that impose severe consequences," including for "those operating behind the scenes to coordinate and fund these crimes." Colin Clarke, a senior research fellow at the Soufan Center, said left-wing political violence tends to target property rather than people. He views the rise of neo-Nazi groups as a bigger security threat at this point. "It's not the type of act that I would prioritize," Clarke said. "Not right now compared to all the other threats that are out there." Theresa Ramsdell is the president of the Tesla Owners of Washington state, a club for Tesla enthusiasts, and she and her husband own three of them. "Hate on Elon and Trump all you want that's fine and dandy, it's your choice," she said. "It doesn't justify ruining somebody's property, vandalizing it, destroying it, setting it on fire. There's other ways to get your voice heard that's more effective." Someone recently slapped a "no Elon" sticker on the tailgate of her Cybertruck, but she said she doesn't intend to stop driving her Teslas. Other club members have taken a similar view, she said. "I love my car. It's the safest car," Ramsdell said. "I'm not going to let somebody else judge me for the car I drive." ___ Cooper reported from Phoenix. Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/news/all As part of a working visit to Finland, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed key issues of bilateral and multilateral cooperation with President of Finland Alexander Stubb. "Of course, the focus is on defense support and investments in our industry. The Ukrainian position is unchanged, we are ready for mutually beneficial joint production with all partners who really help," Zelenskyy wrote on the Telegram channel on Wednesday. In addition, the parties discussed security guarantees and the potential contribution of Finland, the future security architecture of Europe, and Ukraine's European and Euro-Atlantic integration. In addition, Zelenskyy spoke about Russian disinformation regarding the situation in Kursk area. "There is no encirclement there, and our guys are performing the tasks as needed for Ukraine," he stressed. The President thanked Finland for its hospitality, as well as for its support for Ukraine and its people. Airmen conduct an open ranks inspection at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla, Oct. 4, 2024. (Samuel King Jr./U.S. Air Force) KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany Some airmen are scouring thrift stores and other outlets to find proper attire as the Air Force ramps up uniform inspections ahead of a new policy requiring quarterly checks. Quarterly inspections begin March 31 and unit commanders began scheduling inspections shortly after receiving the Jan. 30 memo from Lt. Gen. Scott L. Pleus, Air Force director of staff. That led to a surge in demand for certain required uniform items. The Army and Air Force Exchange Service, which sells uniforms on Air Force bases worldwide, has struggled to keep up. Some locations have run out of stock of various items and all stores have seen a marked increase in sales in recent weeks, according to Chris Ward, an AAFES spokesman. At Ramstein Air Base, AAFES has seen a 94% spike in sales of the service dress uniform over the last four weeks compared to the same period last year, Ward said. Similar shortages have been reported at other locations and some uniform items are sold out online as well. Air Force service dress trousers, in particular, are on backorder, Ward said. He didnt specify how long it would take to meet demand. With required uniform items unavailable through AAFES, airmen have turned to thrift stores, eBay, and other secondhand sources. Ive noticed a huge influx of people coming in, in the past two months, said Timothy Whalen, a volunteer at Ramsteins Airmans Attic, a donation-based store that offers free clothing and household goods to junior enlisted service members and their families. Whalen sees anywhere from 20 to 50 airmen visit the Airmans Attic in search of second-hand uniform items each day, many of them panicked by the widespread lack of availability as unit inspections loom. He often sees the same people returning multiple times per week in hopes that additional items have been donated. Ive even heard people say they went to Stuttgart to get stuff, which is smart on their behalf but also crazy that they have to drive an hour away or longer to acquire those items that they need, Whalen said. Despite the shortages, the Air Force has not announced any adjustments to the inspection schedule or the enforcement of uniform standards. A student at the U.S. Army Mountain Warfare Schools advanced military mountaineer course uses a locator beacon to find a simulated casualty during avalanche rescue training in January 2022. The Army recently established the Mountaineering Badge, which active-duty soldiers will be able to wear for the first time upon graduating from the basic mountaineering course. (Whitney Hughes/U.S. Army) The Army has announced the establishment of the Mountaineering Badge, making a long-recognized achievement available to wear for the first time for active-duty soldiers. The badge recognizes mountaineering proficiency and also is aimed at promoting retention and professional development, an Army administrative message said March 13. The Vermont National Guard operates the Army Mountain Warfare School from the Ethan Allen Training Site in Jericho, Vt. Active-duty soldiers have been able to attend the school and graduate, but they havent been able to wear the badge. The school also offers a range of courses that cover topics like moving small units over hazardous terrain, medical evacuations and marksmanship skills. A screenshot of a possible Mountaineering Badge rendering posted by the U.S. Army on LinkedIn, March 18, 2025. (U.S. Army/LinkedIn) The current Rams Head device, first introduced in the 1950s, is worn by eligible members of the Vermont National Guard. It has been tied to graduation from the basic mountaineering course since the school opened in 1983. The design process is still underway on the revised badge and the Institute of Heraldry has until May 12 to complete the new design. The badge will be included in the Group 4 classification and be worn in the same manner as special skill categories such as parachutist and pathfinder. Members of the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment fire an M-777 howitzer during a Balikatan drill at the La Paz Sand Dunes in Laoag, Philippines, May 6, 2024. (Stars and Stripes) A multinational force, including U.S. Marines, is preparing for a full battle test involving 16,000 troops during this years Balikatan exercise in the Philippines, a Marine Corps spokesman said. Balikatan a Tagalog word meaning shoulder to shoulder is scheduled to run from April 21 to May 9, Marine 2nd Lt. Ben Gillman, a spokesman for the exercise, told Stars and Stripes by phone Wednesday. Ten thousand U.S. troops will participate in the drills, now in their 40th year, alongside 6,000 service members from the Philippines, Australia and Japan, he said. Thats close to the number of troops who took part in last years exercise. This years edition will feature a large-scale battle simulation designed to test combined capabilities in highly realistic scenarios, Gillman said in an email Tuesday. The exercise highlights modernization efforts between the U.S. and Philippine armed forces, he added. The battle simulation is an indication of just how seriously Indo-Pacific Command is taking the Chinese threat in the region, according to retired Marine Col. Grant Newsham, a senior researcher with the Japan Forum for Strategic Studies. The Chinese have been giving the Filipinos a hard time and have seized some Philippine maritime territory and are even claiming Palawan as belonging to China, he said in an email Wednesday. The Philippines Washingtons oldest security ally in Asia has faced repeated incidents involving Chinas coast guard in the disputed South China Sea. Manila has accused Beijing of ramming its vessels, flashing lasers at its crews and buzzing fishermen with helicopters in an effort to assert territorial claims in the Philippines exclusive economic zone. Soldiers with the 25th Infantry Division walk toward a CH-47F Chinook helicopter during a Balikatan air-assault drill on Batan Island, Philippines, May 5, 2024. (Stars and Stripes) Balikatan underscores the U.S. commitment to its treaty ally and its ability to assist in a potential conflict. Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro spoke last year at Camp Aguinaldo about plans for a Balikatan battle test. The exercise would include a full battle simulation, which will put to the test the combined capabilities in the most realistic of scenarios possible, with safety in mind, he said May 10, according to the state-run Philippine News Agency. Adm. Samuel Paparo, head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, also spoke about the plan after an Aug. 29 meeting with Philippine armed forces chief Gen. Romeo Brawner at the Philippine Military Academy. Previous Balikatan exercises focused on smaller, individual training events, but this years drills will be the largest Balikatan weve ever done, Paparo told reporters after the meeting, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported Aug. 30. U.S. forces will include units from I Marine Expeditionary Force, the 1st Marine Division, the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and the 1st Marine Logistics Group out of California; the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment from Hawaii; and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing from Japan, Gillman said. The exercise will take place primarily on Luzon and Palawan and include activities at several sites covered under the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, which allows the U.S. to build facilities and store supplies and equipment at nine spots across the Philippines. The drills will open at Camp Aguinaldo and feature air- and missile-defense training at the Naval Education Training and Doctrine Command near Subic Bay, Gillman said. The U.S. and Philippine navies, along with Japans Maritime Self-Defense Force, will conduct a joint sail outside Philippine territorial waters along the coast of Luzon, April 26-29, he said. On April 28, U.S. and Philippine forces will hold a live-fire drill on Palawan, simulating a counterattack on a hostile landing force, Gillman said. U.S. Navy Lt. Steven Coss demonstrates preflight safety checks on a P-8A Poseidon to South Korean navy pilots during a Sea Dragon drill at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, March 9, 2025. (Matthew Cole/U.S. Navy) The United States and four partner nations have concluded two weeks of intensive anti-submarine training near Guam, the U.S. 7th Fleet announced Wednesday. The Sea Dragon exercise, held annually since 2019, brought together the U.S. Navy, the Australian air force, and the Indian, Japanese and South Korean navies for a series of drills, including mobile target training and the pursuit of a U.S. submarine. The exercise features an annual competition assessing each nations anti-submarine warfare tactics and response effectiveness, with the winner receiving the Dragon Belt award, according to a 7th Fleet news release. The Australian air force won this years contest, ending Japans three-year winning streak. Sea Dragon began on March 6 with a training format designed to progressively develop aircrews anti-submarine warfare expertise while ensuring seamless international mission coordination, according to the news release. Petty Officer 2nd Class Armando Francomendoza conducts preflight checks with P-8A Poseidon pilots during a Sea Dragon drill at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, March 7, 2025. (Christian Castro/U.S. Navy) Polaris Point on Naval Base Guam is home to five fast-attack submarines assigned to Submarine Squadron 15. Last year, the Pacific Fleet Submarine Force deployed the Virginia-class attack submarine USS Minnesota to the U.S. territory. Seventh Fleet spokeswoman Lt. j.g. Sarah Merrill declined to name the submarine that participated in Sea Dragon, citing security concerns. Hosted by Task Force 72, which leads the 7th Fleets patrol, reconnaissance and surveillance forces, Sea Dragon included about 200 U.S. sailors and two U.S. P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft, Merrill said by email Wednesday. Other participating aircraft included two Australian P-8A Poseidons, a Japanese P-1, a South Korean P-3 Orion, and an Indian P-81 Neptune, she said. Operating alongside partner nations maritime patrol forces strengthens security and cooperation, contributing to a free and open Indo-Pacific, Lt. Cmdr. Dan OKeefe, a theater security cooperation officer with Task Force 72, said in the release. The high level of coordination and skill displayed throughout the exercise underscores our commitment to shared regional security, he said. Thai sailors adjust their navys flag aboard the frigate Kraburi while docked at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, March 19, 2025. (Keishi Koja/Stars and Stripes) WHITE BEACH NAVAL FACILITY, Okinawa Thai naval cadets are training with U.S. sailors and the United Nations Command-Rear this week during the Thai navys first port call on Okinawa in more than two decades. Three Thai navy vessels the offshore patrol vessel HTMS Prachuap Khiri Khan and frigates HTMS Kraburi and Chao Phraya docked Monday at White Beach Naval Facility, U.S. Navy spokeswoman Candice Barber said in an email Tuesday. The ships remained in port as of Wednesday morning, but Barber declined in a subsequent message to specify when they would depart. Approximately 760 Thai sailors and cadets from the Royal Thai Naval Academy Training Unit, including Rear Adm. Borworn Promkaewngam, are participating in training and orientation exercises on Okinawa, Barber said. The last visit to White Beach by Thai frigates with the academy was in 2004, she added. This multilateral engagement conducted on a United Nations Command-Rear designated facility exemplifies the importance and strength of our partnership and friendship, Capt. Joseph Parsons, the U.S. Navy commander on Okinawa, said in an emailed statement provided by Barber on Tuesday. We are deeply honored by this visit of the Royal Thai Navy and look forward to welcoming them back in the future. The U.N. Command, established in 1950 as a multinational military force to support South Korea during the Korean War, includes Thailand among its 193 member nations. Thailand was one of 21 countries that sent troops to aid South Korea during the war. The Thai navy frigates Kraburi, left, and Chao Phraya dock at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, March 19, 2025. (Keishi Koja/Stars and Stripes) The Thai navy offshore patrol ship Prachuap Khiri Khan docks at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, March 19, 2025. (Keishi Koja/Stars and Stripes) U.N. Command-Rear, headquartered at Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo, coordinates reinforcements that would be sent to the Korean Peninsula via Japanese ports in the event of an emergency. It also oversees the missions of warships and aircraft monitoring North Koreas attempts to evade U.N. sanctions. During their visit, the Thai cadets were briefed by Canadian army Maj. Patrick Tsao-David, deputy commander of U.N. Command-Rear, on the status of forces agreement governing U.N. forces in Japan and the role it plays in regional peace and security, Barber said. The cadets also worked with the Navys port operations and security teams at White Beach to exercise interoperability and coordination, she added. Interoperability refers to the ability of different militaries to operate together using various training methods and equipment. U.S. forces participated in Cobra Gold, the largest multinational exercise in mainland Asia, held in Thailand from Feb. 25 to March 7. More than 8,000 troops from 30 countries participated. Lt. Erich Eden greets his girlfriend after the Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Vermont (SSN 792) returned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii following a scheduled deployment, March 16, 2025. (Scott Barnes/U.S. Navy) The USS Vermont returned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii after the submarines first deployment to the Western Pacific. Family and friends greeted the sailors upon their return during a homecoming ceremony on Sunday. Im proud of our team and how hard they worked to get ready for Vermonts maiden Western Pacific deployment, said Cmdr. Michael Lilleberg, the USS Vermonts commanding officer. They performed well during every aspect of the deployment, accomplishing all tasking, and providing the operational commander flexibility and lethality with which to prepare and shape the battlespace. During the seven-month deployment, Vermonts crew conducted port visits to Yokosuka, Japan, Apra Harbor, Guam, and Busan, South Korea. While at Yokosuka Naval Base, an Australian naval officer serving aboard the Vermont became the first of his countryman to earn the U.S. Navy Submarine Warfare Device, often referred to as dolphins. The Australian lieutenant commander, identified only by his first name, James, received the award during a ceremony on Dec. 12, 2024. Per Royal Australian Navy protocols, submariners last names are not publicly released. Vermont was the first submarine to disclose a visit to South Korea in September 2024 where it replenished its supplies and allowed the crew to rest. Over 100 sailors earned their first Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, 20 sailors advanced to the next pay grade and more than 30 sailors earned various submarine qualifications during the deployment. The crew exceeded even the highest expectations, from job accomplishment to professional development, said Command Master Chief Robert Antrim, Vermonts chief of the boat. Our senior sailors were patient with our first-time deployers and took the time to train and mentor them on both job-specific and personal preparations. Im immensely proud of how well the team performed together despite the lower level of deployment experience. Vermont is the third U.S. Navy ship named after the Green Mountain State. Vermont was administratively commissioned in April 2020 and is the first Block IV Virginia-class fast-attack submarine. When torpedoes struck his battleship, Neil Frye was just 20 years old a country boy halfway around the world from his tiny hometown of Vass, North Carolina, caught off-guard on an infamous day. (Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency) (Tribune News Service) When torpedoes struck his battleship, Neil Frye was just 20 years old a country boy halfway around the world from his tiny hometown of Vass, N.C., caught off-guard on an infamous day. He had joined up at 19, signing on as a mess attendant in a segregated branch of the Navy, serving aboard the USS West Virginia, which carried him all the way to Pearl Harbor. When the Japanese attacked that morning in 1941, he was likely below deck in the mess hall, serving breakfast until the first torpedo rocked the ship. Six more torpedo blasts would follow, along with a pair of bombs. And though the crew fought to keep their battleship from capsizing, it sank into the Pacific harbor and killed 106 on board including Frye. For decades, the 20-year-olds remains went unidentified, buried in Hawaii alongside other unknowns. But in September, a modern DNA analysis finally rescued Frye from historical uncertainty. In December, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced the identification. And in April, he will return to North Carolina to rest with fallen veterans. Its just amazing, said his niece, Carol Frye Davis, who lives in Moore County. Its excitement. Its a funeral true, indeed but its more of a memorial. Were not going there to mourn. To hear the family tell it, Frye joined up at 19 to follow his big brother, Russell. He came from a family of five boys and five girls all confined to a share-cropping life in Jim Crow North Carolina. So Frye followed his big brother Russell into the Navy, far from the farm. It was nothing for a Black man to move forward with, Frye Davis said. They wanted to get their mama her own house. Struggle on board Frye hadnt been in the Navy long before he found himself at Pearl Harbor, so the family knows little about his shipboard life. But on Dec. 7, 1941, the torpedoes knocked two large holes in the West Virginias hulls, and oil fires from the nearby USS Arizona spread to its decks, according to Defense Department accounts. The surrounding destruction was so intense that the West Virginias commander died of a shrapnel wound from an explosion on another battleship. While the ship sank, another mess officer named Doris Dorie Miller not only carried wounded sailors but also manned the ships anti-aircraft guns and shot down a plane. For this, Miller became the first Black sailor to receive the Navy Cross. The battleship listed about 20 degrees to port while the fires raged, as described in survivors accounts, but the crew struggled to prevent flooding and it sank straight down. Salvage crews recovered the West Virginia, which was repaired and returned to service. But 35 men recovered from the wreck would go unnamed. Modern analysis The drive to identify Pearl Harbor casualties came largely from one of its survivors, Ray Emory, a Navy gunner who survived the attack, according to his profile from the University of Washington. Thanks to his pressure, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency began to disinter the unknowns, including 35 from the West Virginia in 2016. The agencys laboratories examined more than 200 DNA samples from more than 2,000 bones, leading them to their first positive ID: New Jersey sailor Angelo Gabriele, who returned home for a military funeral in 2019. Frye Davis said she never expected to hear much out of the investigation. Her family often joked, He just didnt want to come home to Vass. When they heard the news, her first thought was a wish that Grandma Bell had still been alive to discover what happened to her boy. Somehow, Frye Davis said, she already knew. On April 3, Frye, who earned a posthumous Purple Heart, will finally receive the same honor due him more than eight decades. He will be buried at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery in Spring Lake, just outside Fort Bragg and very near Vass. 2025 The Charlotte Observer. Visit charlotteobserver.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. (Scott Woodham/Stars and Stripes) Yokosuka, Japan, June 16, 1978: Mark Hamill, better known to many as young Jedi Luke Skywalker of Star Wars fame, seems to be telling students, staff and reporters at the Teen Club at Nile C. Kinnick High School that these are not the droids theyre looking for. Hamill, in Japan on a publicity junket for the July 1 opening of Star Wars in Tokyo and Osaka, took a sentimental detour to his alma mater, which he attended as a military brat when his Navy exchange officer father was stationed at Yokosuka. He told the gathered crowd how he and several other seniors violated curfew on prom night and wound up in Shore Patrol headquarters in tuxedos and formals. Read the story and see more photos of Hamills Yokosuka visit here. Want to read Stars and Stripes interviews with other celebrities in Europe and the Pacific? Subscribe to Stars and Stripes historic newspaper archive! We have digitized our 1948-1999 European and Pacific editions, as well as several of our WWII editions and made them available online through https://starsandstripes.newspaperarchive.com/ Photo: MFA of Ukraine Ukraine opened a Consulate General in Mumbai and held a Ukrainian-Indian business forum in the financial capital of India, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said. "Even in wartime, we are expanding diplomatic presence, economic cooperation, and business ties," Sybiha wrote on X on Wednesday. He also held meetings with the leadership of the state of Maharashtra, discussing opportunities for further development of bilateral relations. A South Korean soldier stands guard at the Joint Security Area in the Demilitarized Zone, May 9, 2023. (David Choi/Stars and Stripes) CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea South Korea plans to resume public tours of the Joint Security Area, a high-stakes spot shared with North Korea inside the Demilitarized Zone that divides the two nations, the Ministry of Unification announced Wednesday. The ministry news release said the tours will resume after consultations with relevant organizations, including United Nations Command, and after considering factors such as public safety and inter-Korean relations. The tours could begin as early as next month, an unnamed ministry official told Yonhap News on Tuesday. U.N. Command acknowledged but did not immediately respond to an email requesting more details Wednesday. The U.S.-led command, composed of 18 member states, is responsible for security at the JSA and enforcing the armistice that ended the Korean War in 1953. A South Korean soldier guards a door leading to the North Korean side of the Joint Security Area during a tour in May 2017. (Aaron Kidd/Stars and Stripes) Until 2023, tourists under the supervision of U.N. Command troops could visit the JSA and enter iconic blue buildings where military officials from the U.S., South Korea, North Korea and China negotiated the end of the Korean War. Other notable sites include the Peace House, where South and North Korean officials conduct inter-Korean talks. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited the Peace House in 2018, marking the first entry by a North Korean leader into South Korean territory since the war. Public tours were halted on July 18, 2023, after Army Pvt. Travis King crossed the Military Demarcation Line the actual border between the two Koreas and entered the North. North Korea released King two months later, after negotiations involving the Swedish government. The Ministry of Unification resumed tours for its affiliated personnel on Nov. 22, 2023, but suspended them eight days later when North Korean troops began rebuilding old guard posts and arming themselves along the border. Senior U.S. and foreign officials, however, have continued to tour the JSA. Last year, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, Philippines Ambassador to South Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong were among those who visited. Army Gen. Xavier Brunson, who took command of U.S. Forces Korea in December, visited the JSA for the first time last month. In a photo taken by a Pfc. Warner of the 166th Signal Photo Co., a U.S. Third Army soldier guards German prisoners in the public square in Kaiserslautern, Germany, as other soldiers mill about, March 21, 1945. The Army seized the southwest German city from the Nazis a day earlier. Today people would recognize the 23rd Monument at center and the Fruchthalle at right. (U.S. National Archives/Signal Corps Archive) KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany Gen. George Pattons Third Army faced little resistance as it advanced through southwest Germany into a small industrial city scarred from years of Allied bombing. The Armys arrival in Kaiserslautern on March 20, 1945, marked the beginning of a decadeslong relationship that would see the U.S. military shape the economy and identity of the city and surrounding area like nowhere else in Europe. Today, the Kaiserslautern Military Community is the largest of its kind overseas, home to more than 50,000 American service members, civilians and their families. It likely would have shocked the American platoon sergeant who led troops into the city. We got places to go, Tech. Sgt. Byron Hoover told Stars and Stripes in March 1945, reflecting the desire to push further into Germany. Who wants to be mayor of Kaiserslautern? An article at lower right, on the front page of the Stars and Stripes Paris edition on March, 22, 1945, describes how U.S. soldiers seized control of Kaiserslautern, Germany, two days prior. (Stars and Stripes) U.S. troops entered the city as part of Operation Undertone, an assault to clear the Saar-Palatinate region and establish bridgeheads over the Rhine River between Mainz and Mannheim. Capturing Kaiserslautern was an early objective for Allied forces. Hitlers men were ordered to hold on to it at all costs. But in early March, the unexpected capture by U.S. forces of the Ludendorff Bridge in Remagen, about 60 miles north of Mainz, allowed a rapid advance into central Germany. The success of Operation Undertone reduced Kaiserslauterns strategic value. By the time U.S. forces arrived outside the city, German Field Marshal Albert Kesselring had already ordered a general retreat to the Rhine. The Allies on the citys doorstep found a remnant of German soldiers low on morale, weapons and leadership, said Christian Decker, head of the Palatine history department at the Kaiserslautern-based Institute for Palatine History and Ethnology. Like in other parts of Germany, the last resort of the regime was young boys and old men, 16 and over 60, Decker said. It was obvious how it was going to end. Allied bombs destroyed roughly 60% of Kaiserslautern during World War II. American soldiers were temporarily quartered in this building on Mannheimerstrasse, which survived, not far from Kleber Kaserne, where U.S. soldiers now live and work. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) On March 20, American soldiers are said to have raced down the autobahn in their military vehicles to see who could arrive in Kaiserslautern first. Soldiers with the 10th Armored Division carried on in their M4 Sherman tanks toward the Rhine, while about 10,000 soldiers from the 80th Infantry Division occupied the city. The Americans kept about 100 German soldiers as prisoners of war in the citys Fruchthalle, a building that still stands. Outside, several hundred women and children huddled together and wept noisily, Stars and Stripes reported. But among the sadness and fear of the unknown, there was a sense of relief, Decker said, adding that the surrender prevented more death and destruction. Bombing campaigns the previous year destroyed about 60% of the city. There were reports that some 200 bombers were on standby in Metz, France, to bomb Kaiserslautern if there was resistance. U.S. forces remained in the city until July 1945, when they handed it over to their French counterparts. By this time, there was a significant food shortage. Residents had reportedly resorted to eating horses that had died from starvation. A woman in Baumholder, Germany, looks down at a U.S. flag flown during a parade in the town on March 18, 2025, to mark 80 years since American troops arrived during World War II. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) The arrival of the French was an extra burden as they had few resources of their own and Kaiserslauterns population had to feed the occupiers. The winter of 1946-47 was particularly harsh, with even milk for small children strictly rationed. But a few years later, Kaiserslauterns fortunes changed for the better. In June 1948, the Soviet Union attempted to cut off access to West Berlin in what became known as the Berlin Blockade, the first major crisis of the Cold War. To counter Soviet expansion in Europe, Western Allies created NATO in 1949. About two years later, France allowed the U.S. to take over more than two dozen military bases in Kaiserslautern and the surrounding area. The return of the Americans was received positively, local historian Jurgen Keddigkeit said. There was a great fear of Russia, and the U.S.A. was seen as life insurance. Construction boomed to house the influx of troops and others who moved to the area for economic opportunities. Bases and other military infrastructure, including Ramstein Air Base which began construction in 1952 were built or refurbished. It was incredible how many dollars were invested into this region during the early 1950s, said Michael Geib, a historian and former director of the Docu Center Ramstein. After the shock of the war, the Americans came with their dollars, and the German community was very much impressed. U.S. and German flags are flown during a parade in Baumholder, Germany, on March 18, 2025, to mark 80 years since American troops arrived in the town at the end of World War II. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) A common expression among Germans in the area at the time was, Are we keeping a pig or an American? Geib said, highlighting the choice people had between having livestock or earning money from housing an American on their property. By 1959, the U.S. military was the third-largest employer in the area. Another reason for the swift shift in sentiment was the promotion of American culture and values. The Amerikahaus in downtown Kaiserslautern offered books, films and sessions where jazz and rock n roll records were played. The center also had a bus that traveled through rural areas, disseminating American culture. Meanwhile, the younger generation visited American service member clubs, where they drank cocktails and whiskey and smoked Lucky Strikes, enhancing trust and camaraderie, Geib said. Relations were not always perfect. In the early years, residents complained about U.S. troops frequenting prostitutes. Protests against U.S. policies also occurred near Ramstein over the years. However, historians note that there were never major calls by area residents for the U.S. to leave. In a speech in 1985, West German President Richard von Weizsacker said the day Germany surrendered and ended World War II in Europe should be seen as a day of liberation for Germany, rather than a day of defeat. U.S. and German soldiers participate in a parade in Baumholder, Germany, on March 18, 2025, to mark 80 years since American troops arrived in the town during World War II. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) Despite the camaraderie that has grown over the years, the day the Americans entered Kaiserslautern is rarely portrayed that way. The city will not hold any commemorations to mark the anniversary this year. However, its a different story in Baumholder, 36 miles northwest of Kaiserslautern. Its been described as the most American town in Germany. On Tuesday, U.S. troops stationed there marched through Baumholders streets with its mayor to celebrate 80 years since the Americans arrived. Residents watched from their windows and waved American and German flags as the soldiers passed by. This is another example of how close the relations are here, Bernd Mai, 64, a German employee of U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz, said of the parade, which he helped organize. The Nazi regime built the barracks at Baumholder ahead of World War II. When the Americans arrived on March 18, 1945, German forces had already retreated. Today, the U.S. base is about the same size as the town, and the military and civilian communities are closely integrated. Children in Baumholder, Germany, wave American flags as a parade of U.S. soldiers passes in front of their school on March 18, 2025. The parade was organized to commemorate the arrival of American troops in the town during World War II. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes) When I was born, the Americans were here. I could never think of this space being without Americans, Mai said of Baumholders Smith Barracks. However, recent comments from Washington have led to questions about the future of the U.S. in Germany, including in the Kaiserslautern Military Community, which sometimes includes Baumholder depending on who is defining it. Baumholder is in the middle of a $500 million expansion to host Special Forces and support units in the coming years. Col. Matt Alexander, commander of the Armys 16th Sustainment Brigade, spoke at a ceremony following Tuesdays parade. What is as clear as the weather today is that the U.S. presence in Baumholder will only grow, and with it, the relationship we have with the people, Alexander said on a rare sunny March morning. Mai said he hoped so. There is always a little fear that the U.S. will leave, he said. Not only because of the economic factor but because of the friendship with the U.S. forces. We love to have them here, and we want to keep them as long as we can. The Pentagon is seen in October 2021. (Robert H. Reid/Stars and Stripes) WASHINGTON Nearly 21,000 workers for the Defense Department have been approved to take deferred resignations offered as part of the Trump administrations federal workforce purge, a senior defense official said Tuesday. The Defense Department is in the process of placing those employees on administrative leave leading up to their last day on the job as the agency looks to slash as many as 60,000 jobs, according to the official who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The resignation directive was offered by the Office of Personnel Management and the Department of Government Efficiency Service to help federal agencies substantially trim the civilian workforce. The Pentagon had set a goal to cut 5 to 8% of its more than 900,000 civilian employees. However, the official said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is now concerned uniformed troops will have to fill gaps left by ousted civilian workers. As a result, applicants for deferred resignations deemed critical to national security and military readiness were denied that opportunity, known as the Fork-in-the-Road program. The official was not authorized to share how many applicants were denied, only stating the Pentagon worked with the services and appropriate offices to ensure those who were approved to resign could do so without negatively impacting the departments lethality and readiness. This wasnt just a totally open process where any employee could depart, one senior defense official said. To ensure the departments ability to effectively function, it is important to consider things like which roles can be removed without losing effectiveness. Those of the 21,000 who were approved for the resignation program but are not yet eligible for retirement will end their DOD employment on Sept. 30, the last day of the fiscal year. Those workers who are retiring will be phased out by December, the official said. We are confident we could absorb those removals without detriment to our ability to continue the mission, the official said. The Defense Department is aiming to add to the workforce cuts by not filling positions that are vacated. The hiring freeze, the official said, would eliminate about 6,000 positions each month. The secretaries of the military services can request exemptions to the hiring freeze, according to a memo from Hegseth dated March 14. The exemption requests must be approved by the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness. While the department remains under the hiring freeze, DOD will only hire mission-essential employees into positions that directly contribute to our warfighting readiness, read the memo, which was released Monday by the Defense Department. Hegseth has already exempted positions that are essential to immigration enforcement. Department leaders, he wrote, should request exemptions to sustain the workforce at shipyards, depots and medical treatment facilities. Every dollar counts as we defend the homeland, deter adversaries abroad and prepare our service members to triumph in combat, Hegseth wrote. While the bulk of the cuts thus far have been voluntary, forced cuts began in March with the firing of probationary workers at the Defense Logistics Agency, Defense Health Agency and the Navy, among others. The goal, outlined by Hegseth, was to immediately purge 5,400, or 10% probationary workers. The federal government considers workers to be probationary if they have been on the job for less than one to two years. Probationary workers lack the employment protections of more seasoned workers. It is unclear how many probationary workers were cut, but the official said the department prioritized firing those with documented unsatisfactory performances. However, those cuts could be reversed. Last week, a federal judge in California ordered the immediate rehiring of thousands of probationary workers fired from their jobs at the departments of Veterans Affairs, Defense, Interior, Energy, Treasury and Agriculture. Approximately 30,000 probationary workers across the six federal agencies were fired beginning in mid-February. The Trump administration has moved to reinstate at least 24,000 federal probationary employees, The Washington Post reported Tuesday. The defense official was unable to comment Tuesday if any of the Defense Departments recent probationary firings were part of those being rehired, citing pending litigation. The department is committed to fully complying with every applicable court order, the official said. Protesters gather on March 14, 2025, during a rally on the National Mall in Washington to protest cuts to veterans jobs, services and benefits. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) WASHINGTON More than 24,000 probationary employees fired from federal jobs in a massive workforce reduction are being notified by email this week that their jobs were reinstated after a pair of federal court rulings ordered them back to work. The Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Agency for International Development, the Labor Department, Environmental Protection Agency and several other federal agencies said in a filing Monday night in U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland that the terminations of probationary employees are being rescinded, in compliance with recent court rulings. However, most of the fired workers are being reinstated on paper and then placed on paid administrative leave, according to court documents, as President Donald Trumps administration appeals the court rulings in Maryland and California. Army veteran David Pasquino said Tuesday that he remains hopeful that he will fully return to his job after receiving an email from the VA on Monday night stating he was rehired but placed on paid leave. Veterans make up roughly 30% of the federal workforce. Pasquino, a former staff sergeant, served in the Army for 18 years with tours in Iraq. I am counting on continuing my career to serve my country and veterans, said Pasquino, who worked as a VA human resources specialist in Florida. Pasquino was among 1,683 former VA employees out of 1,900 terminated who are being notified their jobs are restored, according to court documents. Most of the fired employees have less than a year or two on the job and lacked the employment protections of more seasoned workers. An appellate ruling could reverse the district courts order shortly after terminated employees have been reinstated or have returned to full duty status. In short, employees could be subjected to multiple changes in their employment status in a matter of weeks, Mark Engelbaum, assistant VA secretary, said in court documents. Nonetheless, VA has immediately begun rescinding the notice of termination and reinstating the employment of the affected probationary employees. Monday nights 64-page court filing provided an agency-by-agency account of the job terminations and the numbers of probationary employees affected. A federal district judge in Maryland ordered multiple federal agencies to rehire probationary workers after a challenge was filed by 19 states and the District of Columbia. The government conducted massive layoffs, but it gave no advance notice, Judge James Bredar wrote in a March 13 ruling. 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. On the record before the court, this isnt true. There were no individualized assessments of employees. They were all just fired. Collectively. His ruling was the second court order on the same day that overturned the firings of new federal workers ordered by the Trump administration and blocked additional terminations of new federal workers. In federal district court in California, Judge William Alsup ordered the VA and five other federal agencies to reinstate fired probationary employees to their jobs, effective immediately. Alsup asked the Office of Personnel Management on Monday to explain why fired probationary workers are being placed on administrative leave, which was not part of his court order. A response could be filed as early as Tuesday evening, according to court documents. Pasquino said he hopes the move to put workers such as himself on paid leave is only a delay as the logistics are sorted out for rehiring a vast number of federal workers. Trump has pledged to reduce the federal workforce as part of a downsizing of the federal government. More than 2 million people work for the federal government. Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, has said the Trump administration will fight this absurd and unconstitutional order. Federal agency leaders complying with the court orders said returning probationary workers to full-duty status will cause significant burden and create confusion, as the rulings are appealed by the Trump administration. Probationary workers will receive back pay from their date of termination to their date of reinstatement, according to court documents. Im trying to understand the information as I only got the email last night. Im just happy to be back in federal service, Pasquino said. Trump pleased with hour-long conversation with Zelenskyy: We are very much on track U.S. President Donald Trump has concluded a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and stated that he is pleased with the results. "Just completed a very good telephone call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine. It lasted approximately one hour. Much of the discussion was based on the call made yesterday with President Putin to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs. We are very much on track," Trump said on the Truth Social social network. He said he would ask Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz to give an accurate description of the issues discussed. "That Statement will be put out shortly," Trump said. Alan Melia (31) of Cherry Orchard Avenue, Ballyfermot pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm on December 15, 2020 A danger to society, who was spending 600 a week on drugs, has been jailed for a further two years for headbutting a graveyard flower seller. Alan Melia (31) of Cherry Orchard Avenue, Ballyfermot pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm on December 15, 2020. Melia, who was on bail at the time of the offence, has 113 previous convictions and is serving a seven-and-a-half-year sentence for a robbery in 2020, the court heard. Detective Garda Jack Walsh told the court the injured party was selling flowers at Palmerstown Cemetery as he had done for 40 years without incident when two men approached him. He told Emer Delargy BL, prosecuting, that Melias co-accused asked the seller for a number of bunches of flowers for six euro and he said he would rob him if he didnt give them to him. The court heard the co-accused was unidentifiable. Melia headbutted the injured party as he turned to leave and the force caused his glasses to break. The man also sustained a cut on his nose. Melia's co-accused said you shouldnt have wound him up. The injured partys nose was not broken but he required stitches when he attended St. James Hospital. Judge Orla Crowe set a headline sentence of three years and suspended the final year of it on strict conditions. She directed the two year sentence is to run consecutive to the sentence Melia is currently serving. This was a horrible assault on a man who for 40 years had a flower stand outside a cemetery, said the judge. That is a really important and sensitive role that this man was doing in society, she added. The judge noted Melia and his co-accused set upon him on broad daylight and went through his pockets and headbutted him after he had turned away. Having read the victim impact statement, the judge said the assault had a profound impact and she had seen the photo of the blood-stained glasses and his stitches. The judge said the most serious part was the psychological impact it had saying there was only one victim here and that is the injured party. The judge said she had read a psychological report which outlined Melia had a very happy home life but spent most of his adulthood in prison. The judge noted Melias remorse and said she would like to put some structure into his life into the future. She said she had to take account of the profound impact on the victim. She noted Melia was on bail for two incidents at the time of the offence. The injured party also had to spend 900 on new glasses, she noted. Judge Crowe said the injured party was utterly blameless selling flowers in broad daylight and that the threshold for a custodial sentence had been reached. The sentence for the robbery matter will expire in May 2026 and any other sentence would have to be consecutive, she added. This has to be marked with a consecutive custodial sentence the judge said adding he is a danger to society if he does not get some sort of help while in custody. She said Melia is to remain under the supervision of the Probation Services for a period of two years post-release. Keith Spencer BL, defending, said Melia had entered a plea on his trial date. He has one child and his partner was present in court to support him. Drug use was the reason for Melia's offending, said Mr Spencer. He had problems with school and learning difficulties but did achieve his junior certificate. He was diagnosed belatedly with Aspergers and ADHD but it was too late in terms of his education. Counsel said Melia began to hang around with the wrong crowd and was spending 600 a week on heroin and medications. He said his client was doing quite well in Mountjoy Prison but wants to get help for his drug addiction with Melia saying Im sick of being in here. Mr Spencer said at the time of the assault Melia was dysregulated and unable to manage his emotions. Melia does feel regulated when he uses the gym, counsel added. He was tested by the psychologist who said his cognitive ability was below average and he requires therapeutic care and addiction counselling. Mr Spencer said Melia needed some community-based recovery and psychoeducational intervention as well as transitional integration. Mr Spencer said Melia was a young man who didnt get the educational intervention he needed and was hanging around with wrong crowd and was easily led. He said Melia offered an apology to the injured party and he is attuned to the impact it has had. Greene put her mobile phone out of the car window during the chase and live-streamed the incident. Gemma Greene of Bunratty Road, Coolock, Dublin pictured arriving at the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ) on Parkgate Street in Dublin for her sentence hearing. pic: IrishPhotoDesk.ie A woman who endangered the life of a garda during a high-speed chase which she live-streamed has been sentenced to two years in prison. Gemma Greene (28) of Bunratty Road, Coolock, pleaded guilty to recklessly engaging in conduct in such a manner as to drive in the direction of a garda, who was out of his vehicle, forcing him to take evasive measures to stop him from being struck on the M50 motorway at junction 9 Northbound on March 1, 2021. She also pleaded guilty to two counts of dangerous driving on the same date in the Coolock and Ballymun areas. Greene has four previous convictions, two of which are for road traffic matters and two for Covid-19 travel. Passing sentence today, Judge Martin Nolan said, On the day in question, the defendant was driving and was instructed to stop her car by gardai. She proceeded to drive away around the county of Dublin for one hour at very high speeds. Judge Nolan said Greene reached speeds of 150km to 200km per hour and breached speed limits on numerous occasions. He said that the pursuit ended when a stinger was deployed. He noted that a garda had to take evasive action at one stage as the car was driven at him at high speed. He said that this garda could have been seriously injured or killed. The judge said the aggravating factor was that Greene drove this vehicle at high speed for an hour and disobeyed the gardai. Judge Nolan said he was being as lenient as possible, but a prison sentence had to be imposed. He sentenced Greene to two years in prison. He also disqualified her from driving for four years. Gemma Greene Garda Rob Hogan told Maddie Grant, BL, prosecuting, that on the day in question, at 6 pm, gardai observed Greene driving a white Mercedes dangerously on the M50. Greene failed to stop her car and continued to drive dangerously while under an active garda pursuit by road and by garda air support. CCTV footage from the garda helicopter was played to the court, and it showed three patrol cars in pursuit with their blue lights activated. The court heard Greene travelled at speeds up to 200km per hour and drove at excess speeds in 50km zones and pedestrian areas. The gardai deployed stringers on multiple occasions, but Greene was able to avoid them. Greene put her mobile phone out of the car window during the chase and live-streamed the incident. Gda Hogan said members of the Garda Armed Support Unit stopped traffic near Junction 9 Northbound. Garda Sergeant Darren Blackwall had left his patrol car to deploy the stinger. Greene drove towards the hard shoulder to avoid the stinger. Gda Sgt Blackwall had to take evasive action to avoid being struck by Greene. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Greene was stopped at 6.50 p.m. She was arrested, detained, and charged. Gda Hogan agreed with Gregory Murphy BL, defending, that his client has abided by all her bail conditions and that her guilty plea was of value to the prosecution. The garda agreed with counsel that Greene was in a relationship with someone who was known to the gardai, and two days before this incident, both Greene and her then-partner were issued with an official warning from gardai of a threat to their lives. Mr Murphy said his client has deep, sincere remorse and that her actions on the day were out of character. He added that on the day in question, Greene had taken cocaine. Counsel said Greene had a very troubled youth and began to use cannabis at the age of 14. One of Greenes sisters told her defence counsel that her sister had been in a relationship where she was being controlled. He said his client wished to apologise to all the gardai involved on the day, and she offered an apology for putting so many people's lives in danger. Mr Murphy said his client has had two children since this incident in 2021, is no longer taking drugs and is in stable accommodation. He said that at the time of this offence, his client said that she had nothing to live for. He asked the court to consider a suspended sentence with strict conditions and said, this is a mistake that she will have to live with for the rest of her life. Barry Crossan (48) has 129 previous criminal convictions A drug addict who stole food from an Iceland store was caught with his mouth covered in chicken tikka masala after leaving his false teeth at the scene of the crime, Derry Magistrates Court has heard. A police officer told the court that Barry Crossan (48) who has 129 previous criminal convictions was arrested for theft last Sunday. The defendant, from Creggan Heights, was charged with stealing 596 of clothing from Frasers in the Foyleside Shopping Centre on March 16. Hes also charged with stealing food items from the Iceland shop in the same centre and with the burglary of Frasers with intent to steal. Crossan, who is currently banned from both stores, has also been charged with 11 drugs offences involving cocaine, oxycodone, fentanyl, cannabis, pregabalin and diazepam dating back to October 2022. Barry Crossan The police witness told Deputy District Judge Brian Archer that when officers responded to the reports of two burglaries in the Foyleside Shopping Centre on Sunday afternoon they found two coats at the scene. The coats were found to contain the defendants teeth, his mobile phone and 90 pregabalin tablets. He was found in a nearby flat extremely unresponsive, the officer said. His mouth was covered in chicken tikka masala. Stolen food stuffs were found in his freezer. Objecting to bail, the officer said after the defendants mobile phone had been accessed it was found to contain evidence that he was involved in offering to supply drugs dating back to October 2022. He will re-offend if granted bail, the officer said. He has a highly relevant criminal record and he has made significant admissions during his interview. He admits he has been supplying drugs to fund his own habit. He is sofa surfing at the moment and he is a repeat offender on a regular basis in relation to Frasers and Iceland. Refusing bail, the Deputy District Judge described the defendants criminal record as appalling. He has taken no steps to address his addiction and he is on a downward spiral but the reason I am refusing bail is because of the fear of further offending, the judge added. The defendant was remanded in custody until April 10. Kildare-based businessman Paul Wright has been accused of stealing millions of dollars of client funds Paul Wright has been accused of using money to fund a lavish lifestyle Paul Wright, a Kildare-based businessman who it has been alleged has stolen millions of dollars from US investors, has been accused by a firm suing him in the US of delay antics in an effort to thwart the legal action from progressing. It has been alleged by Florida firm TMCT that previous delay tactics by Mr Wright include faking a brain aneurysm, pretending to have hand surgery, claiming regular hospital admissions, alleging his best friend was having an affair with his wife, claiming domestic violence within his home, claiming frozen accounts, claiming a tax audit, and alleging his former partners left him the victim, all as preventative of his ability to send payment. TMCT, which is controlled by Cherish Thompson, has sued Mr Wright and two of his Dublin-based firms, Eterna Private Clients Europe and Wright Private Office. Ms Thompson has claimed that she was introduced to Mr Wright in London in 2020 and that her business is now owed at least $221,000 (202,000) by the defendants. This case is not a simple breach of 10 contracts case, TMCT said in court filings. This case is about large-scale fraud; the fraud committed by defendant Paul Wright individually and through the use of his alter ego companies and successor companies for a period of years. Mr Wright, a UK national who lives at Carton Demesne, in Maynooth, has been accused of using money raised from clients to fund a lavish lifestyle. He and his firms have vigorously denied the claims. These proceedings have been instituted by an aggrieved former independent contractor to a UK company Mr Wright was involved with and which is currently in administration, and have absolutely nothing to do with Eterna Private Clients Europe DAC or Wright Private Office DAC, Mr Wrights solicitor in Ireland said. Mr Wright and his firms have sought to have the case in the US dismissed, claiming it does not have the jurisdiction to hear the action. They have also sought to have the discovery process in the case paused until the court makes a decision on that effort to have the case dismissed. Ms Thompsons firm has now urged the court to deny the stay sought on the discovery process. The abundance of evidence shows that defendant Wright has exhibited a clear pattern of concealing his digital presence for purposes of delay and hindrance to creditors, especially when there is any online negative attention exposing his conduct, TMCT has told the court. Paul Wright has been accused of using money to fund a lavish lifestyle TMCT has also provided a raft of exhibits as part of its attempt to persuade the court to deny that stay. Among them are bank statements of Eterna Private Clients Europe for an account it has with Bank of Ireland Global Markets. The statements show millions of euro and dollars flowing through the account between May and September 2022. TMCT has claimed that funds in the account were being used for personal expenses by Mr Wright. To stay the discovery in this lawsuit would only serve to condone defendant Wrights abusive conduct to thwart the judicial process, causing further harm to plaintiff that far outweighs any superficial prejudice claimed by defendants, TMCT said. The court heard the hurlers two brothers, Daragh and Cian Hayes, who are both serving jail sentences in Limerick for viciously assaulting a former friend, are unavailable to render any assistance to (Liam) Hayes. Five-time All-Star Limerick hurler, Kyle Hayes, will have to wait until Friday to hear if he is going to jail for his convictions for engaging in violence at a Limerick nightclub in 2019. Hayes, (26), arrived at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court at 9.30am, to hear his fate, however sentencing judge, Dara Hayes, said he needed more time to consider the matter and said he would finalise the case on Friday. Hayess father, Liam Hayes, told the court he depended on his son to help him run their family dairy farm after he suffered a significant health issue requiring coronary bypass surgery in 2022. Hayes barrister, senior counsel, Brian McInerney, referring to the hurlers two brothers, Daragh and Cian Hayes, who are both serving jail sentences in Limerick for viciously assaulting a former friend, told the court it should consider that whilst they (Hayess brothers) reside locally, they are unavailable to render any assistance to (Liam) Hayes. Judge Hayes has to make a decision under a Section 99 re-entry order, if he will revoke all, part of, or none, of a two-year suspended sentence imposed on Hayes in March 2024, after a jury convicted him on two charges of engaging in unlawful violence at the Icon nightclub, Limerick, on October 28, 2019. The jury in that trial acquitted Hayes, Ballyashea, Kildimo, Co Limerick, of a third charge of assaulting carpenter, Cillian McCarthy, causing him harm, outside the nightclub on the same night. Hayes had been bound by the terms of the suspended sentence to be of good behavior and not reoffend within two years from last March. Hayes breached these terms when he engaged in dangerous driving in Co Cork in July 2024, four months after the suspended sentences for violent disorder were imposed on him. The section 99 re-entry of the terms of the suspended sentences were triggered after Hayes was convicted at Mallow District Court in September 2024 of the dangerous driving offence, which Hayes unsuccessfully appealed at Cork Circuit Court last week. Padraig Mawe, State Solicitor for Limerick City, representing the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), told Judge Hayes he had discretion over whether or not to activate all part or none of Kyle Hayess two-year suspended sentence. The court shall revoke the order unless it considers it unjust to do so, Mr Mawe added. Outlining the facts of Hayess dangerous driving conviction, Mr Mawe said the five-time All Ireland winning hurler was detected by Garda Deidre Barrett, driving a white Audi A6 at 155kph in a 100kph speed zone on the N20 on July 14th, 2024. Whilst speeding, Hayes overtook nine cars on the right lane of the dual carriage way at 7.55pm, was pursued by Gda Barrett and arrested after Hayes told the garda he was running out of road and had to pull back in front of the nine cars he had overtaken. Mr Mawe outlining the facts of Hayes convictions for violent disorder, said the hurler was given concurrent sentences of two years and 18 months after he was found guilty by a jury of his Limerick peers on two counts of engaging in unlawful violence, inside the Icon nightclub, and outside the nightclub. Mr Mawe revealed that Hayes, had, as part of the terms of his suspended sentences, paid in full 10,000 in general damages to Cillian McCarthy, who claimed Hayes kicked him while he was lying on the street outside the nightclub, a charge Hayes denied and was acquitted of. Mr Mawe said McCarthy told the jury that he had been in the company of a male friend and two female friends at Smyths Bar, attached to the nightclub, when Hayes and another man approached him in a hostile manner. Mr Mawe said Mr McCarthy gave evidence that Kyle Hayes told him to stay the fuck away away from the two young women and asked him do you know who the fuck I am?. Mr Mawe said Mr McCarthy said he walked away and was approached again by Hayes and the other man on the dance floor of the nightclub in a confrontational, aggressive, unsolicited fashion and threatened again to stay away from the two females. Mr Mawe told Judge Hayes that what followed this was an unprovoked attackon Mr McCarthy by Hayes and at least four others inside the nightclub. Mr Mawe said Hayes and others followed Mr McCarthy, who was injured, outside the nightclub and Hayes aggressively demanded to know who Mr McCarthy was. Mr McCarthy sustained a fractured eye socket and lacerations to his face on the night. He lost income while recovering from surgery to repair his eye injury and suffered headaches, blurred vision, and psychological trauma. Two gardai told the trial they witnessed Kyle Hayes kicking a man who was lying on the street outside the nightclub on the night, however the trial judge Dermot Sheehan said this man was not Mr McCarthy. Hayes barrister, Mr McInerney reiterated at todays court hearing that Kyle Hayes was not involved in any assault on Mr McCarthy on the street outside the nightclub, and that he was acquitted of this charge. Mr McInerney said Hayess dangerous driving conviction was a million miles away from his previous violent disorder convictions, and that Hayes was greatly worried about the possibility of going to prison. The barrister submitted the case had attracted a most enormous degree of publicity and that it would be unjust for the court to revoke all or part of Hayes suspended sentence. An inquest into Mr ODonnells death heard that such a situation had never occurred before A father of three who went into hospital for a straightforward day procedure died of water intoxication after drinking excessive amounts of water, the High Court has heard. The family of 59-year old Sean ODonnell settled action over the business managers death at St Vincents University Hospital, Dublin five years ago. Counsel Declan Doyle SC, instructed by Stuart Gilhooly solicitor, told the court that Mr ODonnell was unfortunately encouraged and advised to drink excessive amounts of water and he suffered water intoxication. This caused cerebral oedema, seizures , cardiac arrest and the death of Mr ODonnell, counsel said. Mr ODonnell had gone in to St Vincents on the morning of January 20, 2020 for the procedure under local anaesthetic. The procedure, counsel said, went off without incident and afterwards he was encouraged to drink water. Mr ODonnell was pronounced dead after 7pm on January 20,2020. Water intoxication or water poisoning is when you have more water in your body than you need and it causes a chemical imbalance that the body cant clear out naturally and decreases the electrolytes especially sodium in the body. Noting the settlement and the division of the statutory 35,000 mental distress payment Mr Justice Paul Coffey said it was indeed a very shocking case. Mr ODonnells partner, Gail Mc Guinness of Stillorgan, Dublin had sued St Vincents Healthcare Group over his death. It was claimed that Mr O'Donnell was advised, encouraged and allowed to drink an excessive amount of water within the short period of time resulting in water intoxication, cerebral oedema seizures cardiac arrest and his death. It was alleged there was a failure to properly care for, manage, supervise or treat Mr ODonnell. There was also it was alleged a failure to properly or adequately identify or evaluate or treat his deteriorating condition or properly or adequately respond to it. Mr ODonnell, it was claimed, was caused to become hyponatraemic which is when the concentration of sodium in the blood is abnormally low. It was also contended that an excessive oral intake of water was advised within a short period of time resulting in water intoxication and that there was a failure to monitor or supervise the intake of water by Mr ODonnell after the procedure. St Vincents admitted a breach of duty of care in the case. An inquest into Mr ODonnells death heard that such a situation had never occurred before. The coroner returned a verdict of medical misadventure and confirmed that Mr ODonnells death was an unintended consequence from drinking water and said the situation was rare and out of the ordinary. The coroner also recommended that there be mandatory training in cases of low sodium and for water input and output. A man who got his three-year-old son to watch a woman online engaging in sexual activity has been jailed for three years at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The 27-year-old Dublin man pleaded guilty to masturbating in the presence of a child, knowing or being reckless as to whether the child was aware and inducing a child to look at a picture of sexual activity in June 2022. He can't be named to protect the child's anonymity. A local detective told Emer Ni Chuagain BL, prosecuting, that gardai were contacted by a British police force in October 2023 after the man was identified in a video as a person of interest in relation to an investigation into child sexual abuse. The British police force at the time were dealing with a woman who had been streaming footage of sexual activity over a social media platform. The woman had been asking viewers to conduct sexual acts on children or perform sexual acts in front of children. Gardai analysed a video that showed the accused man engaging with the woman on a social media platform which initially began with him masturbating in his bedroom before he went into the bedroom of his then three-year-old son. The man then shows the child the video of the woman engaging in sexual activity and the child can be observed to be pulling away from the image, the garda told Ms Ni Chuagain. The man then picks up his son and sits him down beside him on the bed to view the material, the garda said. He said the man then leaves the room before again returning and masturbating in front of the child. At one point he can be seen guiding the childs hand to touch his penis. The garda said the video is approximately 17 minutes long. Having heard facts yesterday, Judge Martin Nolan adjourned the case overnight to consider sentence. On Wednesday, the judge noted that the parent-child relationship is one of the few in which one party has an obligation to take care of the other party. This man had a responsibility to mind, parent and protect this child, Judge Nolan continued, adding it is a understatement to say he didnt discharge that obligation. His behaviour is not understandable, nonetheless it is what occurred and he must be punished for what he did, the judge said, noting the man has a high degree of moral culpability. Judge Nolan said the man abused the trust of the child, and the situation in which he was minding his son. He said the man's actions towards the child were inexplicable and reprehensible, and the man has to serve a custodial term. The judge set a headline global sentence of six years, which he reduced to three years taking into account the mitigation and the man's personal circumstances. The court previously heard that the man was identified, and his home was searched in October 2023 during which a number of electronic devices were seized, but nothing of evidential value was found on them. Gardai then contacted the mans partner at the time in order to identify the interior of the home that could be clearly seen on the footage and found it matched that on the video. The man was arrested and interviewed in October 2023. He made certain admissions and told gardai what I have done is terrible. He said he was talking to a girl on a particular site and he told her he was with his son. He said things then got foggy and he cant remember exactly what happened. He said he felt ashamed and did not want to harm his son. The man said it was a once off and would never happen again. He said he didnt realise the woman was recording him and the child. He explained that he was low in confidence and had been detained under the Mental Health Act around the time of the incident. He denied that the child saw his penis or touched his penis and he said the woman asked him to show her the childs penis and he refused to do that. The man has three previous convictions from the District Court. A victim impact statement had been prepared by the childs mother and was handed into the court but not read out. The garda agreed with James Dwyer SC, defending, that gardai were contacted by the British police force after it was thought that the video had originated from Ireland. He acknowledged that the man pleaded guilty at an early stage in the process. The man claimed that he had been intoxicated at the time and had taken cannabis. The man had been minding the child while the boys mother was at work. He said he began talking to the woman online. It was accepted that the man had repeatedly expressed shame and sorrow for his behaviour. Mr Dwyer told the court that his client currently lives in homeless accommodation and his mother had suffered from addiction. A psychological report was handed into the court and counsel said his client has intense shame and self-hatred. He is considered to be a psychologically vulnerable man, having potentially suffered from depression since childhood. Counsel said there is nothing to suggest that his client has a sexual interest in children and there is nothing to suggest that he was aware he was being recorded at the time. His client acknowledges that his behaviour was very serious and a breach of trust. The result of a post-mortem showed Ms McElvaney died from brain damage linked to a ruptured aneurysm in her head A young Dublin mother who died shortly after giving birth to her second child saved the lives of six other people through the donation of her organs, an inquest has heard. Saoirse McElvaney (26) of Windmill Road, Crumlin, died at St Jamess Hospital in Dublin on October 7, 2022 two days after she became unresponsive while suffering a seizure at home when she was 36 weeks pregnant. Her daughter, Isabelle, was delivered by emergency Caesarean section in St Jamess shortly after her mother was brought to the hospital. The result of a post-mortem showed Ms McElvaney died from brain damage linked to a ruptured aneurysm in her head. A sitting of Dublin District Coroners Court on Wednesday heard that Ms McElvaney had been rushed to St Jamess by ambulance on October 5, 2022 after becoming unwell at home. Her partner, Peter Lawrence, told the hearing that Ms McElvaney woke up at around 2am and became sick. Mr Lawrence said she had gone back to bed when he heard gurgling noises coming from her bedroom and he discovered her having some type of seizure. He described how an ambulance was called after his partner became unresponsive. Mr Lawrence recalled how he was told by doctors in St Jamess to say our goodbyes. In reply to questions from the coroner, Clare Keane, Mr Lawrence said Ms McElvaney had no real medical problems apart from some morning sickness. He said she ascribed some headaches she got during the pregnancy to just feeling sick. Asked if he knew what caused her death, Mr Lawrence replied: I havent a clue. In a written statement before his death last month, the deceaseds father, Brian Scully, said he knew something was wrong when his daughters partner had started banging on his bedroom door on October 5, 2022. Mr Scully said she was on the bed arching backwards but he knew it was not due to epilepsy. He recalled later being told that his daughter was beyond help as her brain was pushed into her spine. The inquest heard that a CT scan taken at St Jamess showed Ms McElvaney had bleeding on the brain which resulted in the decision to perform an emergency Caesarean section to deliver her baby who was born at 8.45am. Medical records show that Ms McElvaney had visited doctors in 2017 about headaches which were diagnosed as compatible with migraine aura while there was no evidence of any aneurysm or blood clotting disorder. A few months after the birth of her first child, Cole, in 2017, she was also treated for blurred vision in her left eye for which no clear cause was established despite a series of tests. Evidence was also heard that a perivascular space filled with fluid discovered in her brain was regarded as benign and of no clinical significance. The coroner noted that it was also in a different location to the site of the fatal aneurysm. A consultant gynaecologist at St Jamess, Patrick Maguire, said the need to perform an emergency delivery on someone just arriving in the hospital was a quite rare event. However, Dr Maguire said the birth of Ms McElvaneys daughter was uncomplicated and the baby girl was later transferred to the Rotunda Hospital for neonatal care, while Ms McElvaney was brought to the intensive care unit in St Jamess. A consultant neurologist, David Bradley, gave evidence that up to 5pc of the population at any one time can have an aneurysm which can form in the matter of hours or a few days. They are also more common in older people as well as smokers and individuals with high blood pressure. Dr Bradley said there was conflicting evidence about whether pregnancy was associated with the formation of aneurysms but there was a medical basis for believing there might be some link. The consultant said the 4mm aneurysm found in Ms McElvaney was quite small but problems occur when any aneurysm starts to bleed. In reply to questions from the coroner, Dr Bradley said aneurysms generally did not cause any symptoms until they ruptured. The inquest heard Ms McElvaney was passionate about organ donation and her heart, lungs, kidney and liver had been used to save the lives of six other patients. She has left a remarkable legacy, the coroner remarked. Recording a verdict of death due to natural causes, Dr Keane offered her condolences to Ms McElvaneys partner and relatives on her death as well as that of her late father. The coroner said it was tragic that Ms McElvaneys life should be cut short so suddenly. Chukwemeka Amaeze said he had the knife for cutting his lunch Chukwemeka Amaeze said the knife was for cutting his lunch A taxi driver lunged at another cabbie with a butter knife, called him an Irish scumbag and threatened to cut his throat in a row over spaces at a rank at Dublin Airport. Chukwemeka Amaeze (54) ranted that he was going to kill the other cabbie who had passed him out while he was stopped. His defence said he had the knife for cutting his lunch, was taken aback by what happened and didnt react in the best way. Judge Treasa Kelly adjourned the case at Dublin District Court for a restorative justice report. Mr Amaeze, a father-of-five from The Riverside, Ryebridge, Kilcock, Co Kildare, pleaded guilty to producing a knife in the course of a dispute. The court heard the two taxi drivers were working at the airport on September 21 last year. Mr Amaeze was parked when the victim overtook him. The accused sped up so he could get back in front and not lose his place in the queue. As they got to the holding area, Mr Amaeze swung around to try to get back in front of the victim, causing him to jam on his brakes. The victim had passengers on board at the time. The accused got out and called the other driver an Irish scumbag, the court heard, and the victim also got out and went to the passenger side of his own car. Mr Amaeze said he was going to cut my throat and pulled a knife out of the drivers side door of his taxi, the victim told gardai. Mr Amaeze lunged at him, waving the knife around and ranting: Im going to kill you. The victim got back into his taxi and left the ramp with his passengers. Mr Amaeze had no previous convictions. Chukwemeka Amaeze said the knife was for cutting his lunch Defence solicitor Eoghan OSullivan said the accused was very apologetic. He was taken aback by what happened on the day and didnt react in the best way that he could, Mr OSullivan said. Mr Amaeze had been driving a taxi since 2008 and only had the knife in his cab to cut up his lunch. The solicitor asked the judge to spare his client a conviction, saying it would have a serious impact on Mr Amaezes ability to earn a living. Judge Kelly said it was a very serious matter and in all likelihood she would not be able to do this. Wayne Gilligan (29) of Rosebank Court, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 pleaded guilty to violent disorder on Euston Street on May 8, 2023 A man who led five others in an unprovoked attack on another man in Dublin city centre two years ago has been jailed. Wayne Gilligan (29) of Rosebank Court, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 pleaded guilty to violent disorder on Euston Street on May 8, 2023. Garda Chloe Rochford gave evidence yesterday that Gilligan instigated the unprovoked attack on the injured party by a group of six men at around 11.30pm. Gilligan punched the victim several times to the head and body and caused him to fall to the ground. He then kicked the injured party while he was on the ground. Another male kicked and stamped on the injured party, while a third male struck him with a bladed weapon, believed by gardai to be a machete. Gilligan then kicked and stamped on the injured party again, while another male struck the victim as well. CCTV footage of the incident was played to the court. The men fled on foot after the attack and the injured party got up, later encountering gardai on South Great George's Street. The victim was taken to hospital. Gardai observed he had sustained a number of deep cuts, including to his head and a finger. The injured party refused to co-operate with gardai, allow access to his medical records or provide a victim impact statement. Gilligan was identified from CCTV. He has 137 previous convictions including for affray, assault, endangerment and drugs offences. Gilligan is currently in custody, with an earliest release date of August 2027. The court heard Gilligan is the only one of the six men who has been identified. There is no suggestion he used or had a weapon. Gda Rochford agreed with defence counsel that the guilty plea was valuable, but said she couldn't give evidence about whether the victim's injuries were only caused by the weapon. It was also accepted that while Gilligan's involvement is brief, he still played a role in an incident which caused serious harm to the injured party. Wayne Gilligan (29) of Rosebank Court, Clondalkin, Dublin Defence counsel outlined that his client qualified as a bricklayer and has some work history, but his addiction issues took over. He said Gilligan's offending is linked to his addiction, which he has taken steps to address. Gilligan is engaging with services, has enhanced prisoner status and is working as a cleaner in custody. Counsel said Gilligan has completed an anger management course, and instructs he has been providing clean urine samples. Counsel said his client wasn't a lone ranger and was one of six involved in this extremely violent incident. He asked the court not to extend Gilligan's time in custody or to suspend a portion of any sentence imposed. Judge Martin Nolan said Gilligan led the attack on the unfortunate injured party. The judge noted the reasons behind the attack were unclear, adding the court assumes there must have been a reason. Having considered the mitigation and Gilligan's personal circumstances, Judge Nolan said he couldn't agree to the defence's request not to extend Gilligan's time in custody, imposing a sentence of four years and three months. US President Donald Trump's chief adviser Steve Witkoff denied allegations that Russia violated the agreement not to attack Ukrainian energy infrastructure on Tuesday evening. On Bloomberg TV on Wednesday, he said that the Russian drone attacks occurred before Vladimir Putin issued an order to stop strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities. "President Putin issued an order within 10 minutes of his call with the president directing Russian forces not to be attacking any Ukrainian energy infrastructure. And any attacks that happened last night would have happened before that order was given," Witkoff said. Stephen Eugene McCourt (41), from Riverview in Augher, denies murdering the Cookstown man between December 31, 2021 and January 6, 2022 The partially dismembered remains of Damien Heagney (inset) were recovered from the Cappagh reservoir in August 2022 The trial of a Co Tyrone man accused of murdering Damien Heagney, whose remains were recovered from a reservoir, has begun. Stephen Eugene McCourt (41), from Riverview in Augher, denies murdering the Cookstown man between December 31, 2021 and January 6, 2022. Opening the prosecuting case at Dungannon Crown Court yesterday, Sam Magee KC explained Mr Heagney (47) was last seen on December 29, 2021, and that his car stopped being used two days later. In July 2022, Mr Heagneys GP practice contacted police as he hadnt collected his medication in-person since December 7, 2021. Until May 2022, it had been collected by another individual authorised to do so on his behalf. Police had spoken to Mr Heagney around mid-December 2021 following the discovery of drugs, which he insisted were prescribed. Officers continued to investigate, but Mr Heagney couldnt be found. Initially, police treated him as a high-risk missing person, issuing an appeal for assistance to find him. Enquiries showed his last ATM transaction occurred in Cookstown on December 30, 2021, and the following day Mr Heagneys BMW was spotted traveling towards Omagh. His vehicle broke down and a car-recovery operator brought it to McCourts home. We say it was after this time Mr Heagney met the defendant, said Mr Magee. On January 5, 2022, McCourts Citroen Berlingo van was in the Pomeroy area, then seen parked near Cappagh Reservoir. Police were unable to contact McCourt, but spoke with his father who said the van meant nothing to him. When McCourt was spoken to, he denied driving the van or being in Pomeroy, suggesting it may have been his father. On January 7, 2022, McCourt arranged for Mr Heagneys BMW to be removed from his home and left in a layby at the Ballygawley to Omagh Road, where it remained until August of that year. A witness later told police that he observed items being placed into the Berlingo van including hessian sacks and oil drums. Police launched a murder inquiry and on August 10, 2022, underwater divers entered Cappagh Reservoir and recovered Mr Heagneys remains. A post-mortem was conducted, but the pathologist was unable to determine a conclusive cause of death due to decomposition. Identification was made through dental records and fingerprints. The court was told Mr Heagneys body had been dismembered, but a metal tip was found in the skull, consistent with stabbing. The victim's limbs had also sustained stab wounds. It was also heard that police had attended McCourts Dromore home, which he had since vacated, and blood smear was located on a doorframe. The blood was found to be a match to Mr Heagney and McCourt was arrested in October 2022. A set of bolt-cutters were also recovered, but no DNA or fingerprints were found. In a pre-prepared statement, McCourt denied murdering Mr Heagney who he claimed would have been in my property on different occasions from September 2021 to early January 2022. It added: I was in Turkey and Scotland for seven weeks in the later part of 2021 and Damien Heagney had access to and lived in my flat. Due to my lifestyle activities, Im not always in control of my vehicles and other people use them. "Due to Damien Heagneys lifestyle and association with certain groups, I didnt want his vehicle at my address long-term, hence my actions to have it removed. Concluding the case opening, Mr Magee told the jury. Mr Heagney was last seen in the defendants company. Mr Heagneys car was being moved around after the prosecution say he was dead. "It remains to be seen what explanation there could be for that remarkable coincidence. The trial continues. slippery slope | Gardai say it all went downhill after they pulled over learner driver on the phone A Garda spokesperson said they responded to reports of an assault on Henry Street, Dublin 1 shortly before 1pm Gardai are investigating an assault in Dublin City Centre this afternoon that has left a young man seriously injured in hospital. It is understood that the victim had been injured in a suspected knife attack at the Ilac Centre. A Garda spokesperson said they responded to reports of an assault on Henry Street, Dublin 1 shortly before 1pm this afternoon. "A male in his 20s was conveyed to the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital for treatment of serious injuries, not believed to be life-threatening at this time, the spokesperson said. "A technical examination of the scene has since been conducted. Investigations are ongoing. Footage of the incident that has been shared online shows gardai in the busy shopping centre standing near a stairwell. A blue screen that has been erected at the scene is pulled aside as an ambulance crew wheels a patient out on a stretcher under a blue blanket. Kennedy had fled to Ireland but was extradited back to the UK to face justice An Irish gangster who was wanted in the UK for his role in the handover of a sawn-off shotgun between crime gangs has been jailed. Austin Kennedy (49) was described as key member of the gang behind the transfer of the weapon that took place in a car park in Heywood in 2018. However, they were unaware that detectives from GMP's Serious and Organised Crime Group were watching. Moments after the exchange, Kennedy left his car and arranged for a taxi. However, he took exception when the taxi firm suggested he pay up front, prosecutor Chloe Fordham told Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court. He demanded to know how he could be asked to pay up front in my town. Ms Fordham said the police believed the phrase revealed where he placed himself in his crime group. Later investigations revealed how the defendant had used a 'snoop phone' as part of the operation, which was another indicator of his work as a criminal. After they were busted, seven men were jailed for their part in the crime in 2019. Kennedy had fled to Ireland but was extradited back to the UK yesterday. Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court heard how police believe Kennedy - a key member of the gang had controlled the weapon and was working for significant financial reward. According to the Manchester Evening News, the court heard how Kennedy, who was jailed for 43 months in 2015 for conspiracy to supply cannabis, fled the jurisdiction. The shotgun that was seized He was arrested in Ireland in September of last year and extradited back to the UK to face justice. Daniel Travers, defending, argued that the gun was of low quality and was missing a spring and incapable of self-loading. "It seems the customer was being sold something they didn't quite want," Mr Travers suggested. The defendant was a father-of-three and a grandfather of one, said Mr Travers. He was an Irish citizen without a British passport who had committed no other crimes since he went on the run. His mother has been diagnosed with stage four cancer, the lawyer said. The court heard Kennedy was proud of the achievements of his children, including one who was a British aerospace engineer, another a primary school teacher and the third who was working in sales. The Judge, Mr Recorder AP Long, told the defendant he must have recognised the gun would be used for crime or to endanger life, the MEN reports. Kennedy, of no fixed address, was jailed for eight years and seven months after he admitted a charge of transferring a firearm on the eve of his trial. He winked and gave the thumbs to members of his family in the public gallery as he was led away to begin his sentence. After the hearing, Detective Inspector Rick Castley, of GMP's Serious Organised Crime Group, said Kennedy has been actively evading police for several years, so I welcome the sentence which has been handed down today. "Our investigation team worked meticulously for several years with colleagues from the Republic of Ireland and the National Crime Agency to ensure Kennedy faced justice for the key role he played in this conspiracy. "This result today signifies our commitment to working with our partners domestically and internationally to apprehend those involved in organised crime and firearms enabled criminality. "Had we not intercepted the firearm that day, this weapon had the potential to be used by criminals to further their offending, or at worst, had fatal consequences. "Across the serious crime division, we continue to run proactive investigations like this to tackle Greater Manchesters most harmful offenders, ensuring they are caught before they pose danger to our society." In the footage shown in court, Mr Dwyer can be heard saying These are all foreign people telling me what I cant do in my own country A judge has convicted prominent anti-immigrant activist, Philip Dwyer of trespass at a then new direct provision centre for International Protection (IP) applicants at Magowna House at Inch, Co Clare in May 2023. Imposing a 500 fine for the trespass offence on Citizen Journalist Philip Dwyer at Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Judge Alec Gabbett said that words used by Mr Dwyer to others on the grounds at Magowna House were unkind and "quite unseemly". After viewing Mr Dwyers video footage in court of what occurred at Magowna House on May 18th 2023 Judge Gabbett said: There was a certain undertone to the speech used. Judge Gabbett said that Mr Dwyer had told a Ukrainian man at the Magowna House site "you are Ukrainian - you are in my country or words to that effect and you can't tell me what to do in my country' isn't particularly pleasant to watch. Philip Dwyer outside court. Photo: Collins Mr Dwyer (56) of Tallaght Cross West, Tallaght, Dublin 24 had denied the trespass charge and presented video footage of his interactions at Magowna House as part of his case and Judge Gabbett said that the footage was instead helpful to the States prosecution against Mr Dwyer. The court was told at the time, there were protests at Magowna House where 29 International Protection applicants were being accommodated and there were blockades on local roads which were attracting media attention. In evidence heard previously, Manager of Magowna House, Ahlam Salman told the court that Mr Dwyer was on the property on May 18th recording making me and my staff feel afraid and unsafe. Judge Gabbett said that Mr Dwyers footage corroborated the States evidence of Ms Salmans fear on the day. Judge Gabbett said that Magowna House was no longer operating as a hotel and was private property. In the footage shown in court, Mr Dwyer can be heard saying These are all foreign people telling me what I cant do in my own country. Mr Dwyer can be seen addressing a Ukrainian man wearing a fluorescent jacket asking Do you think Irish people are stupid? Do you think we are all idiots? I wouldn't blame you to be honest with you. He asks later: What is your problem? You are not in Ukraine, this is my countryWhat are you hiding? I am just asking questions on behalf of the people of Ireland. The people in this country are very concerned about this. After seeing some men believed to be IP applicants staying at the centre, Mr Dwyer asks: Why are these people covering their faces.This is Ireland. This is my country." He says later: The people of Ireland you can see what is happening in their country - stopping Irish men going they lawful business to do journalism. The footage later shows Mr Dwyer saying: Philip Dwyer is my name. I am a Citizen Journalist. You are in Ireland now. Of the Ukrainian man, Mr Dwyer said: He should be over in Ukraine fighting the war - he is here illegally. After seeing an Irish Times reporter located outside the Magowna House perimeter, Mr Dwyer commented "look at the face of treason here lads". Prior to Judge Gabbett imposing sentence, counsel for Mr Dwyer, Ann Doyle BL said her client does not accept the verdict of the court and had instructions not to give a very detailed plea in mitigation. Ms Doyle said: "Mr Dwyer is someone who I believe is a person of integrity. He is a citizen journalist and he had no intention of creating a breach of the peace or invoking fear in anyone." Ms Doyle confirmed that the conviction would be appealed to the circuit court. EUs Kallas tells Israeli foreign minister situation in Gaza unacceptableIsraeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu says further peace talks will only take place under fire The leader of a far-right party on Wednesday returned to Israel's government as national security minister after it carried out a wave of heavy strikes that killed over 400 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Itamar Ben-Gvir had left Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus coalition in January to protest the ceasefire with Hamas, which was shattered by Israel's bombardment on Tuesday. Netanyahu said the attack was only the beginning and that Israel would press ahead until it achieves all of its war aims destroying Hamas and freeing all hostages held by the militant group since its Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel ignited the fighting. Palestinian children struggle while waiting for donated food at a distribution center in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza Strip, Sunday, March 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana) Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 413 people in Gaza, officials say Gazas Health Ministry said Tuesday's strikes killed at least 409 people, including 173 children and 88 women. Zaher al-Waheidi, head of the ministrys records department, described it as the deadliest day in Gaza since the start of the war. The return of Mr Ben-Gvir, leader of the ultranationalist Jewish Power party, strengthens Mr Netanyahus coalition ahead of a crucial budget vote this month and improves its chances of surviving until the next scheduled elections in October 2026. Mr Ben-Gvir supports the full resumption of the war with the aim of annihilating Hamas, depopulating Gaza through what he refers to as the voluntary migration of Palestinians and rebuilding Jewish settlements there. A Palestinian woman mourns as she identifies a body in the Al-Ahli hospital following overnight Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City. Photo: AP Israeli strikes killed at least five Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, health officials in the enclave said, and the Israeli army, which resumed attacks against the territory, said it targeted a Hamas military site in the north. Three people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a house in the Sabra suburb in Gaza City, while another airstrike left two men dead and wounded six others in Beit Hanoun town in the north, the Gaza health officials said. The Israeli military said it struck a Hamas site in northern Gaza, where they detected preparations for firing into Israeli territory. Israel resumed airstrikes a day earlier as both sides traded blame over breaking a ceasefire and shattering nearly two months of relative calm. Israeli naval vessels attacked several boats it said were intended to carry out "terrorist" acts by Hamas and Islamic Jihad militant groups. Palestinians said an Israeli drone fired at several fishing boats onshore of Gaza City, setting several of them ablaze. SENSITIVE MATERIAL. THIS IMAGE MAY OFFEND OR DISTURB Mourners react next to the body of a Palestinian killed in Israeli strikes, at Al-Ahli Arab Baptist hosptial, in Gaza City, March 19, 2025. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas On Wednesday, the Israeli army dropped leaflets on areas in Beit Hanoun and Khan Younis in the northern and southern Gaza Strip, ordering residents to evacuate their homes warning them they were in "dangerous combat zones." "Staying in the shelters or the current tent put your lives and that of your family members in danger, evacuate immediately," read a leaflet dropped on Beit Hanoun. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Wednesday that she told Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar that the situation in Gaza is "unacceptable". "Yesterday I also talked to Foreign Minister Saar what is happening, why are you doing this. And I mean, also conveying the message that this is unacceptable," she told reporters in Brussels. The U.S. launched airstrikes on multiple targets across Yemen overnight, including Saada province, which Yemeni sources say is a long-time hideout for Houthi leaders, and the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, Houthi media reported on Wednesday. Houthi-run Al Masirah TV reported more than 10 strikes on various locations, including the Al-Safra district in Saada. The district, which houses weapons storage and training sites, is considered one of the group's most important and heavily fortified military strongholds, according to Yemeni sources. Palestinian children walk past rubble as people make their way to flee their homes, after the Israel army issued evacuation orders for a number of neighborhoods, following heavy Israeli strikes, in Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip March 18, 2025. REUTERS/Abd Elhkeem Khaled TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY After weeks of relative calm in Red Sea shipping lanes following a Gaza ceasefire in January, the Iran-aligned Houthis warned on March 12 they would resume attacks on Israeli vessels in response to Israel's closure of Gaza's crossings. Wednesdays events came after Israeli airstrikes pounded Gaza and killed more than 400 people on Tuesday yesterday, mostly women and children sleeping in tents, Palestinian health authorities said, shattering nearly two months of relative calm since a ceasefire began and Israel warned the onslaught was just the beginning. Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas accused each other of breaching the truce. It had broadly held since January and offered respite from war for the 2.3 million inhabitants of Gaza, which has been reduced to rubble. Hamas, which still holds 59 of the 250 or so hostages Israel says the group seized in its October 7, 2023, attack, accused Israel of jeopardising efforts by mediators to negotiate a permanent deal to end the fighting, but the group made no threat of retaliation. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he ordered strikes because Hamas had rejected proposals to secure a ceasefire extension. Mr Netanyahu called on Gazans to get out of harms way and move to safer areas, blaming every civilian casualty on Hamas. From now on, Israel will act against Hamas with increasing force. And from now on, negotiations will only take place under fire, he said, speaking from the Kirya army base in Tel Aviv. Hamas has already felt the blow of our arm in the last 24 hours. And I want to assure you: this is just the beginning. The strikes hit houses and tent encampments from the north to the south of the Gaza Strip. Witnesses said an Israeli plane fired missiles into Gaza City lateon Tuesday yesterday. Israeli tanks shelled from across the border, witnesses said. Palestinian health authorities said 408 people had been killed in one of the biggest single-day tolls since the war erupted. It was a night of hell. It felt like the first days of the war, Rabiha Jamal (65), a mother of five from Gaza City, said. Families in Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip and eastern areas of Khan Younis in the south fled their homes. Carrying belongings, some were on foot, others in cars or rickshaws after the Israeli military ordered them to evacuate from what it said were dangerous combat zones. Egypt and Qatar, mediators in the ceasefire deal along with the UN, condemned the Israeli assault, while the EU said in a statement it deplored the breakdown of the ceasefire. UN emergency relief co-ordinator Tom Fletcher said the modest gains made during the ceasefire had been destroyed. Israel has halted aid deliveries into Gaza for more than two weeks, exacerbating a humanitarian crisis. However, Dorothy Shea, acting US ambassador to the UN, said the blame for the resumption of Gaza hostilities lies solely with Hamas and expressed support for Israel in its next steps. White House National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes said: Hamas could have released hostages to extend the ceasefire but instead chose refusal and war. Former hostages and the families of some still held in Gaza expressed outrage over the resumption of war. Released hostage Yarden Bibas, whose wife and two young sons were killed in captivity, said on Facebook that Israels return to fighting brought him back to Gaza, where he feared for his life. Military pressure endangers hostages, an agreement brings them back, he said In Gaza, witnesses told Reuters that Israeli tanks shelled areas in Rafah in the south. Bewildered children sat next to bags of belongings, ready to flee. In hospitals strained by 15 months of bombardment, piles of bodies in white plastic sheets smeared with blood were stacked up as casualties were brought in. The health ministry said many of the dead were children, and 562 people were wounded. Among the Hamas officials killed in the airstrikes were Essam Addalees, the de facto head of the Hamas government; Ahmed Al-Hetta, deputy justice minister; and Mahmoud Abu Watfa, the head of the Hamas-run security services, Hamas said. As Israel launched its operation in Gaza, its forces have pressed on with an operation in the occupied West Bank and Israeli jets have struck targets in southern Lebanon and Syria in recent days. Negotiating teams from Israel and Hamas had been in Doha as mediators sought to bridge the gap between the two sides after the end of an initial phase in the ceasefire, which saw 33 Israeli hostages and five Thais released in exchange for about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Israel had been pressing for the return of the remaining hostages in exchange for a truce until after the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan and the Jewish Passover holiday in April. Yesterday, Hamas spokesperson Abdel-Latif Al-Qanoua told Reuters the group was still in touch with mediators, and it was keen to complete the implementation of the original deal. He said the group remained committed to the ceasefire agreement as signed, accusing Israel of turning against the deal by refusing to begin talks on the second phase and by suspending the entry of aid and goods into Gaza. The owner of the Westport-based alcohol brand said that he was once a supporter of Conor McGregor, but now takes a different view Conor McGregor, his partner Dee Devlin and their children with Donald Trump and Elon Musk in the White House on St Patrick's Day. Photo: White House The owner of Irish whiskey brand Clare Island Whiskey has asked Conor McGregor not to pretend to represent the Irish people. I would only ask an Irish man or woman who remembers where they came from, and knows what they are talking about, to speak on my behalf. We have duly elected officials for that, Carl OGrady shared on Instagram. The owner of the Westport-based alcohol brand said that he was once a supporter of Conor McGregor, but now takes a different view of the MMA fighter. Conors words are the first salvo against our democracy and against our way of life by an oligarch fanboy. Ireland has its problems just like every other country. Housing, lack of investment into infrastructure, lack of available labour for lower paying jobs, rural decline in parts etc. The way to tackle these problems is through engagement with the local political system in place and hard work. Not from preaching from your ivory tower, he said. A 2018 photograph of McGregor being led from a Brooklyn Police Department in cuffs accompanied the post. The backlash comes after the Dubliner, who was found liable for raping a woman at a Dublin hotel in 2018, met with president of the United States Donald Trump in the White House on Monday to mark St. Patrick's Day. Speaking at a press conference in Washington D.C McGregor said it was high time that America is made aware of what is going on in Ireland, before ranting about illegal immigration, a subject on which Donald Trump latched onto during both of his presidential campaigns. What is going on in Ireland is a travesty. Our government is the government of zero action with zero accountability. Our money is being spent on overseas issues that has nothing to do with the Irish people. The illegal immigration racket is running ravage on the country. There are rural towns in Ireland that have been overrun in one swoop. That'll become a minority in one swoop. So issues need to be addressed. The White House shared snaps of McGregor, his fiancee Dee Devlin and his four children posing for photographs with President Trump and Elon Musk in the Oval Office. The high-profile visit sparked backlash online among the Irish public and politicians alike. Taoiseach Micheal Martin said "McGregor's remarks are wrong, and do not reflect the spirit of St Patrick's Day, or the views of the people of Ireland." With Leo Varadkar adding: "Good Irish dads teach their sons to detest men like Conor and their daughters to avoid men like him. Irish America knows this. Meanwhile Tanaiste Simon Harris added: Conor McGregor is not in the US representing Ireland, he doesnt speak for Ireland, or its people. Conor McGregor, his partner Dee Devlin and their children with Donald Trump and Elon Musk in the White House on St Patrick's Day. Photo: White House Conor McGregor "does not represent the men" of Ireland, says Paschal Donohoe Expanding the Port of Tauranga to host larger ships is key to doubling New Zealands export economy over the next decade, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Growing the economy, improving incomes, creating jobs and increasing peoples living standards were important, Willis told NZME during a visit to Tauranga on Tuesday. The Port of Tauranga is critical to that strategy, she said. It accounted for almost half of New Zealands exports, but Willis said not being able to berth bigger ships was holding the port back. In that context, we want to see it growing. We want to get the barriers out of the way that have prevented that growth, she said. So we have legislated for two projects related to the wharf to be fast-tracked. Finance Minister Nicola Willis paid a visit to Trimax Moving Systems in Tauranga during her visit. The Port of Tauranga has been working since early 2019 to gain permission to dredge more material from the Stella Passage access channel, and extend its Sulphur Point and Mount Maunganui wharves. The proposal is going through an Environment Court process for resource consent. A port spokeswoman said given the projects urgency, it was preparing to lodge an application under the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024 by the end of this month. Willis said after the application was submitted, it would be examined by a panel of experts. The Port of Tauranga currently accounts for about half of New Zealand's exports. Photo/ Mike Scott Its expected to be expedited, faster process, she said. The decision will be made in a matter of months and not years. She said a sped-up timeline would be good for all involved. Its good for the investors, its good for the employees, its good for everyone. The proposed dredging project would involve removing about 1.5 million cubic metres of material and seabed reconstruction in about 10.55 hectares of navigation channels in Tauranga Harbour, according to the ports website. The Sulphur Point berth extension would allow the container terminal to host three or four ships simultaneously instead of the current two, while extending the Mount Maunganui wharf would also relieve capacity pressure. Once the application is submitted and accepted, a panel will examine it. Photo / Mike Scott Willis said the two projects had been in and out of consent and processes for many years, which is creating a lot of uncertainty, delay, and cost. The goal of the fast-track approach is to get them straight to a panel, looks at them (the projects) with urgency. Iwi and hapu groups had raised concerns about the harbour changes, particularly around environmental and cultural impacts. Willis said the panel overseeing the fast-track application would look at their concerns. The panel will have to evaluate the concerns that iwi and hapu have raised, including the environmental effects. Shifting sands and dredging could have an environmental impact, but growing the economy would generate wealth to help conservation projects, she said. Growth isnt necessarily bad for the environment. Theres evidence around the world that economies that grow faster are better at protecting their environment. The Port of Tauranga is New Zealand's largest container terminal. Photo / Mike Scott Being able to mitigate the environmental impact of these projects was important as halting all development in general could stagnate New Zealands economy, she said. If we take that approach, we will never get better. Willis said people in Tauranga deserved higher incomes, more opportunities, and more jobs. That is going to require new development. The changes to the port would have a flow-on effect for residents of Tauranga, she said, with more economic activity coming into the city. Thats whats needed to support the infrastructure that people in Tauranga want to see now, whether thats roads or housing. The Port of Tauranga is just one of the infrastructure projects the coalition Government has committed to, with Tauriko West, State Highway 29 and the two stages of the Takitimu North Link. We recognise that those roading projects are important not just for relief and congestion. But enabling more housing development. The Government was also advancing funds and financing tools for the local council to support infrastructure for more development. Thats the pipes and the footpaths. Tauranga teenager Sam Ruthe has become the youngest runner to break four minutes for the mile, with a 3m 58.35s performance at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium on Wednesday night. Paced throughout by training partner and two-time Olympian Sam Tanner, Ruthe became the first 15-year-old to duck under the mythical benchmark for middle-distance running, despite wet and cold conditions. Just 24 days short of his 16th birthday, he beat his own previous age best of 4m 01.72s, set at Whanganui in January. Ruthe subsequently became the youngest man to claim an NZ senior title, when he captured the 3000m crown at Napier, and then added a second, when he deadheated with Tanner over 1500m at Dunedin last week. Tanner won the race in 3m 58.29s, shouting encouragement to his young rival down the homestraight, while Feilding's Ben Wall also broke four minutes for the first time with 3m 59.00s in third. The record was previously held by Norway's Jackob Ingebrigtsen, having run 3 minutes 58 points 07 seconds in 2017 when he was 16 years and 250 days old. RNZ Three lucky Lotto players from Auckland, Mount Maunganui and Tauranga had luck on their side tonight after each winning $333,333 with Lotto First Division in Wednesday nights live Lotto draw. The winning tickets were sold at Amigos Dairy, Stationery & Lotto in Auckland, Bayfair Lotto in Mount Maunganui and on MyLotto to a player from Tauranga, said a statement on the Lotto NZ website. Powerball was not struck and has rolled over to Saturday night, where the jackpot will be $5 million. Strike Four also rolled over tonight and will be $1.5 million on Saturday, meaning it will be a Must Be Won draw, said a Lotto spokesperson. In a Strike Must Be Won draw, if no single ticket wins First Division, the prize pool is added to the next highest division with a winner. Anyone who bought their ticket from any of the above stores or on MyLotto should check their ticket as soon as possible in-store, on MyLotto, or through the MyLotto App. Lotto NZ exists to return 100% of its profits to Kiwi communities through lottery grants programmes run by Te Puna Tahua NZ Lottery Grants Board." The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine welcomes the latest report of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry into Violations in Ukraine, which once again documented additional gross violations of human rights and international humanitarian law and evidence of crimes systematically committed by Russia in the course of its armed aggression against Ukraine. "The Russian Federation continues to torture civilians and prisoners of war, hold hostages in inhumane conditions, and use sexual violence as a method of torture, particularly against detained men. The report contains blatant facts of numerous executions of prisoners of war and the implementation of a 'no-take-prisoners' policy by the Russian command, which is a direct and cynical violation of the Geneva Conventions," the comment on the department's website says. The Foreign Ministry emphasized that the Commission directly indicates that mass and systematic torture and enforced disappearances are not just war crimes, but elements of a planned state policy of Russia, which acts with a sense of complete impunity. The Commission qualifies such actions as crimes against humanity, which entails the highest level of international responsibility. "The Commission's conclusions once again emphasize the urgent need to continue further international investigations into all crimes of the Russian Federation, to bring the perpetrators to justice, to create a special tribunal for the crime of aggression, and to strengthen sanctions pressure. We are confident that the evidence collected by the Commission should become the basis for cases in international courts, including the International Criminal Court," the Foreign Ministry emphasized. The commentary emphasizes that the Russian Federation continues to deliberately and systematically violate international law, and with the aim of "covering up its shameful crimes, Russia demonstratively ignores their requests to provide information about missing persons, illegally detained civilians, and deported children." Ukraine calls on the international community to continue systematic pressure on the aggressor state in order to stop crimes against humanity and war crimes, demand access to international monitoring mechanisms and humanitarian missions to places where Ukrainian prisoners of war and illegally detained civilians are being held, ensure the exchange of prisoners of war, and return abducted children. "Russia's crimes have no statute of limitations. Ukraine and the world must prove through joint efforts that there will be no impunity," the department said. Earlier on Wednesday, members of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine presented their new report, which states that during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Russian authorities committed crimes against humanity in the form of enforced disappearances, which are widespread and systematic. After an electrocardiogram and blood tests, she was told to go to the emergency department. She noticed her cycling speed slowing and she felt her heartbeat flutter. The avid cyclist, walker, and swimmer was studying a graduate diploma in psychology in Palmerston North and under massive stress. I was in heart failure. I was in bed for a year Jensen-Munroe said she was absolutely stunned when told she likely had AL amyloidosis in December 2016. The condition is due to the build-up of an abnormal protein, amyloid, that can cause affected organs in her case, her heart to harden and fail. Her doctor told her not to Google it but she did. She read the life expectancy was six to 12 months. She did not find out her prognosis. The diagnosis was confirmed the next month. A bone marrow biopsy confirmed she also had myeloma blood cancer. She and husband Tony moved to Rotorua to be closer to an amyloidosis specialist in Hamilton. Pretty much for the next year, I was dire. My husband was pushing me in a wheelchair. Chemotherapy began at Rotorua Hospital in March 2017, when her heart was functioning at about 30%. She said a doctor tried to have the palliative conversation with her, because aggressive chemotherapy was difficult while keeping her comfortable. Jensen-Munroe insisted she could do it. Rotorua cancer survivor Tove Jensen-Munroe pictured in 2017 while getting treatment at Rotorua Hospital. Between miracle chemotherapy and the drug bortezomib, her heart recovered. It took me four years. So, I was in bed for a year. The second year, I started to kind of get myself out into the community. She volunteered at the Cancer Society and visited hospice patients, offering meditation and relaxation practices. I owe my life to our health system Jensen-Munroe relapsed in 2023 and was told unfunded, $220,000-a-year drug daratumumab was her best option. Unable to afford that, last year she took the second option of a stem cell transplant. Chemotherapy and the transplant improved her heart function enough that she could be active again, with careful monitoring, and part-time work. Rotorua cancer survivor Tove Jensen-Munroe in 2024 during her stem cell transplant at Waikato Hospital. Another relapse would leave her even more limited options, including daratumumab which she would still be unable to afford, like many AL amyloidosis patients. Publicly funding it would save lives. Jensen-Munroe grew up in the United States and Norway and had lived in New Zealand for 20 years. I owe my life to our health system but the Government needs to come up with more money [for Pharmac]. Patients live longer with daratumumab Auckland Hospital haematologist and University of Auckland associate professor of medicine Dr Rodger Tiedemann said patients with multiple myeloma lived longer on daratumumab. It worked best when received as the first or second line of treatment and reduced the risk of cancer progression by about 60%. It could give AL amyloidosis patients many more years as it suppressed the abnormal protein. Associate Professor of medicine at University of Auckland and Auckland Hospital haematologist Dr Rodger Tiedemann. Photo / Jason Oxenham The bad protein is no longer circulating and damaging patients organs. He said New Zealand was far behind most OECD nations for funding blood cancer medicines, including daratumumab. He said the drug was funded in 50 other countries, including the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, and France. Moving overseas for drug access not realistic Myeloma New Zealand trustee Nichola Oakenfull said it was extremely concerned daratumumab was not funded after Pharmac had a funding application since November 2017. Patients regularly considered moving overseas or running a Givealittle to access the drug, but these were not realistic options for most. Rare Disorders NZ chief executive Chris Higgins said Australia approved funding for daratumumab in January 2023. The charity was calling on the Government to prioritise increasing Pharmacs medicines budget to clear the options-for-investment list. The estimated global incidence of AL amyloidosis was one in 95,800 people. New Zealand data was not recorded, he said. Pharmac, minister respond Pharmac director of pharmaceuticals Geraldine MacGibbon said it understood the significant impact of multiple myeloma and AL amyloidosis, and was speaking with daratumumab supplier Janssen. Daratumumab for AL amyloidosis was first ranked on the options-for-investment list last March, she said. Pharmac had received a few applications for multiple myeloma at different treatment stages. It most recently re-ranked two applications in September. The actual rankings were confidential to support supplier negotiations. We appreciate this is difficult to hear when you want to see a medicine funded as soon as possible. Associate Minister of Health David Seymour. Photo / Alex Burton She said Pharmac aimed to fund as many medicines as possible within its fixed budget. Applications could be on priority lists for some time due to available funding and relative priorities. Funding systems for medicines in other countries were often not comparable to ours. Pharmac was committed to working with consumer groups and clinicians advocating for patients with multiple myeloma and AL amyloidosis. Associate Minister for Health David Seymour acknowledged the hardship faced by people in these situations. He said Pharmac was independent and operating at arms length from ministers for funding decisions, within Government-set budgets. Seymour said the Government had, in 2024, allocated Pharmac its largest-ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, plus a $604 million uplift, to negotiate the best medicine deals. Since then, it had nearly funded treatments for all the cancer types in the pre-election list Nationals promise to fund 13 new cancer drugs and had funded other blood cancer and tumour treatments. The 16-million-euro project has significantly increased capacity, particularly in the emergency department, in response to growing demand SUR in English Estepona Wednesday, 19 March 2025, 17:24 Compartir Twenty years ago, Hospiten invested in Estepona and opened a hospital which, due to growing demand in recent years, has now been expanded and modernised, doubling its capacity. The expansion of the private hospital, with an investment of 16 million euros, has been carried out through three key developments. Capacity has been increased in the Emergency, Hospitalisation and Outpatient Consultation departments, connecting the existing building with the new extended area. Specifically, Hospiten Estepona has grown in terms of physical capacity, now offering a total of 59 beds across the Hospitalisation and ICU areas. The Emergency department has been redesigned with two separate circuits, one for adults and one for children, and the number of outpatient consultation rooms has increased by 12, reaching a total of 30. For several months, the expansion of Hospiten Estepona coincided with the construction of another major company project: the general university hospital Hospiten Madrid Boadilla. This new facility, set for completion in 2026, will be a benchmark in Madrids healthcare sector and, together with the MD Anderson Cancer Center MadridHospiten, will bring the companys total number of centres in mainland Spain to four. Commitment to personalised care Hospiten is a hospital network with over 1,200 beds, dedicated to providing top-quality healthcare services. Every day, thousands of people trust us with their health, and that trust is the greatest recognition of our work. We know that the demand for healthcare continues to grow, and with it, our commitment to meeting expectations. This expansion not only means more beds, consultations, and improved services but also strengthens our mission to provide personal, compassionate and high-quality care. Zoom Hospiten Estepona has always had one main goal: to offer the highest quality medical care. Investment in infrastructure, cutting-edge technology and, above all, a dedicated team of professionals reflects our strong commitment to innovation and meeting healthcare needs. The emergency department has undergone significant expansion with the introduction of a new specialised paediatric emergency service and a dedicated team of medical professionals focused on child care, ensuring all types of paediatric conditions and emergencies can be treated. This expansion includes the creation of two separate pathways for adults and children, helping to reduce waiting times. Additionally, the refurbishment of the 24-hour emergency unit has increased capacity from seven to 13 treatment rooms, including resuscitation rooms, paediatric and isolation units, as well as an aerosol room, a triage room and dedicated waiting areas for both adults and children. What sets Hospiten apart is that every part of this centre is designed with patient wellbeing in mind. The number of outdoor parking spaces has increased to 300, while maintaining 14 adapted and accessible spaces. These parking areas are free, conveniently located near hospital entrances and designed to improve accessibility. New specialities and advanced technology This expansion allows the hospital to strengthen highly sought-after specialities, including gynaecology, traumatology, vascular surgery, cardiovascular surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, oncology, interventional radiology and pulmonology. New specialities have been added to the medical team, including the Angiology and Vascular Surgery Unit, the Traffic Unit, the Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Unit and the Pain Unit. Zoom In line with early prevention, new technologies are paving the way for more effective and increasingly less invasive diagnostic treatments. This is the case with the Senographe Pristina 3D mammography system, which is at the forefront of breast cancer detection. It performs mammograms with the lowest possible radiation dose for patients, allowing radiologists to diagnose breast conditions more accurately. The expansion project has also led to a 30 per cent increase in staff. Thanks to this ambitious initiative, new jobs have been created, strengthening the team of professionals dedicated to meeting the needs of residents in Estepona and surrounding areas. This milestone reflects our commitment to the well-being of our patients, not only locally but also internationally. International network Hospiten is an international healthcare network with over 55 years of experience, committed to delivering top-quality medical services. It operates 20 private medical and hospital centres in Spain, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Jamaica and Panama, along with 175 outpatient clinics under the Clinic Assist brand. Founded by Dr Pedro Luis Cobiella, the network treats more than three million patients worldwide each year and has a team of over 5,000 professionals. Our network also includes MD Anderson Cancer Center Madrid-Hospiten, a subsidiary of the renowned MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, USA. With more than 20 years of history in Spain, MD Anderson Madrid-Hospiten currently has a Phase I Clinical Trials Unit, over 150 oncology-trained specialists, a total of 87 hospital beds and state-of-the-art technology for diagnosing and treating various types of cancer. Another sleepless night for the residents of Cartama town and Malaga's Campanillas neighbourhood. In light of the relentless storms and the overflow of the Guadalhorce and the Campanillas rivers, on Monday 17 March the Local Police and the Guardia Civil evacuated dozens of people, but some residents chose to stay on higher floors of their houses, while the lower levels and garages got flooded with muddy water. The locals demanded proper maintenance of the nearby dams and regular river clean-up efforts in order for future floods to be prevented. The flood, even though not as destructive, has reminded residents of the one that they experienced in 2020. Memories of damaged movable and immovable assets have kept people awake during the past few nights. The Cartama districts areas of Dona Ana and Molino Carvajal were the worst hit. Meanwhile, in Campanillas, water and mud rushed into garages and houses in the areas of the main road, Cristobalina Fernandez and the Diamante. Zoom Residents of Campanillas clean the mud from their own streets. J.S.T. Aurora Junquera, a resident of the Dona Ana neighbourhood, was one of the people who was evacuated. "It rained so much that the whole plot was flooded. We started to take the water out as best as we could, but it suddenly started to come in so fast that I already have more than half a metre in my house," she said. "It has been a very distressing time," she said, relieved that her daughter and her grandson were not there when the flooding started. They also managed to relocate their four dogs and shelter their horse. Similarly to other residents, Aurora believes that the only solution and preventative measure would be to properly clean the riverbed and warn residents if the floodgates of the reservoirs are going to be opened. Nito Salas Evacuee Ricardo Cosilla echoed her words, saying that such floods wouldn't occur if the river was maintained in a way that sedimentation and dirt wouldn't stop easy flow. He explained that locals stopped putting fruitless efforts in trying to take water out of their houses around 4am, because they "were fighting against something that was stronger", given the "thousands of litres of water" running through the streets. Ricardo described the feeling of helplessness while watching the knee-deep water inside his house. Not the first flood The flood suffered in 2020 was more serious, but water has entered houses and business establishments once again this year. As with the previous incident, the most affected areas have been Calle Cristobalina Fernandez and the area around the Brillante, where the river overflows and where water accumulates, respectively. To prevent the worst from happening, residents put up planks, sealed doors, placed sandbags and stones. However, this has only spared them half of the disaster. 'I spent the whole night watching the surveillance camera in the street to see if the water had arrived.' Miguel Francisco Bueno lives on Calle Cristobalina Fernandez. He spent Tuesday morning trying to get water out of his garage, where up to 30 centimetres of mud had accumulated. "Last time, the water came up to the roof and smashed two cars and a motorbike. This time, at least I was able to get the vehicles out," he explained, while draining the water with a hose. Miguel repeated the demands of his neighbours: "The dam is the problem, because it hasn't rained enough for such floods to happen." 'We are powerless; the only solution is for them to clean up the river, otherwise it will happen every now and then.' Marina Diaz's hairdressing salon on Calle Jose Calderon also suffered the consequences, even though the premises are on a fairly high pavement. "(...) the mud has stained everything," she said. Remembering the state of Campanillas in 2020, she said that she "spent the whole night watching the surveillance camera in the street to see if the water had arrived". Residents started to clean the streets, without waiting for the cleaning services. Tired of the lack of attention and action that institutions have demonstrated in the past, they have taken matter into their own hands. However, they fear that this situation will be repeated can only be alleviated once authorities have taken proper care of the dams and riverbeds. Cartama mayor Jorge Gallardo said that the river caught them off-guard. "It is the first time that it has been overflowing for so long. The level has not dropped and it has been like this for three or four hours," he said on Tuesday morning. Gallardo said that the town hall had also received calls reporting collapsed walls of houses. On Tuesday afternoon, Cartama began to see the light at the end of another dramatic episode, taking a deep breath during the respite between storm Laurence and storm Martinho. The latter is expected to arrive on Thursday, bringing more rain. Rod Stewart performs during the FireAid benefit concert on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Rod Stewart has extended his Las Vegas residency with six additional dates, bringing his Encore Shows to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace this fall. The new shows are scheduled for September 24, 26, and 27, as well as October 1, 3, and 4, 2025. These performances come after Stewart celebrated his 200th show at the venue and were added due to high demand from fans. Tickets for these newly announced Las Vegas shows go on sale to the general public on Friday, March 21, at 10 a.m. PT via Ticketmaster. However, there are several presale opportunities leading up to the general release, starting Tuesday, March 18. Tickets are also available through secondary market platforms such as Vivid Seats, SeatGeek, and StubHub, which offer verified tickets with buyer guarantees. These resale platforms may offer below-face-value pricing and availability for sold-out shows, depending on demand. Discount: First-time Vivid Seats customers can use code SYRACUSE20 for $20 off a $200+ ticket order. Fans traveling can find cheap flights on Expedia and discounted hotels on Hotels.com. In addition to his ongoing Las Vegas residency, Stewart is also preparing for his One Last Time tour in 2025. The tour, which marks the likely conclusion of his large-scale touring career, will feature performances across the United States, including a July 15 concert at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, NY. The tour will also include special joint performances with Billy Joel, with a one-time show at Yankee Stadium on July 18. A complete list of Stewarts tour dates is available here. With a career spanning more than six decades, Stewart has sold more than 250 million records worldwide, with a string of chart-topping hits such as Maggie May, Do You Think Im Sexy?, and Forever Young. A two-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Stewart has been recognized with numerous awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, the ASCAP Founders Award for songwriting, and a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II in 2016 for his contributions to music and charity. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) A 24-year-old airman has been charged with killing a Native American woman who went missing in South Dakota about seven months ago. Quinterius Chappelle, 24, made his first court appearance Monday on one count of second-degree murder in the killing of Sahela Sangrait, 21. The court documents in the case are sealed, but authorities said Sangrait was killed in August on the Ellsworth Air Force Base in western South Dakota, where Chappelle was stationed as an active-duty airman. Chappelle is being prosecuted in federal court, and court records show he is being represented by the federal defenders office. A woman who answered the phone at that office declined to comment on his behalf. He is being held at the Pennington County Jail. The U.S. Attorneys Office said he pleaded not guilty. If convicted, he could face life in prison. Chappelle is an aircraft inspection journeyman assigned to the 28th Maintenance Squadron at the Ellsworth base, according to a statement from the base. He began serving in April 2019. First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with the friends and family of Sahela, Col. Derek Oakley, 28th Bomb Wing commander, said in a statement. We hold Airmen accountable for their actions, and if service members are found in violation of military or civilian law, they will be punished. A hiker discovered Sangraits body on March 4 near the Pennington County and Custer County lines, according to a Facebook post from the Pennington County Sheriffs Office. Sangrait was reported missing on Aug. 10, and her remains were badly decomposed, authorities said. Her cause of death was not made public. Sangrait was from Box Elder, South Dakota, where the Ellsworth base is located. Officials did not share whether Sangrait knew Chappelle. According to a missing person poster shared on Facebook, Sangrait was staying with a friend in Eagle Butte and was going to return to Box Elder to gather some of her things before heading to California. It is unknown whether she ever reached Box Elder. Sangrait was Native American, according to the poster. There are 59 cases of missing Native Americans in South Dakota and more than half of them are women, according to the attorney generals missing persons database. Federal and state task forces were created to investigate cases of missing and murdered indigenous people across the country. Syracuse, N.Y. A man has been arrested in Georgia on charges of stabbing a man to death in Syracuse two weeks ago. Gerren A. Whorley, 47, of Syracuse, was charged with killing Drarton S. Harris Sr. at about 4:20 a.m. on March 4, said Kieran Coffey, a spokesperson for the Syracuse Police Department. Harris died after he was stabbed in the neck at the Parkside Commons apartment complex at 2005 E. Fayette St. Whorley was charged with first-degree manslaughter and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was arrested at about 12:40 p.m. Tuesday in Temple, Ga., about 40 miles west of Atlanta, by members of a U.S. Marshals task force. He is now awaiting extradition back to New York state. Harris son, Drarton C. Harris, previously said his father was stabbed when he was visiting friends at Parkside Commons. Harris and his son, 22, used to live together there and still had friends at the apartment complex. Drarton Harris Sr. was born and raised in Syracuse and attended Henninger High School. The younger Harris said his father enjoyed music, carrying around a large speaker and playing songs wherever he went. While his father was a joyful person, he still had struggles, his son said. My father sadly was an alcoholic, so he kind of spent a lot of his time drinking, his son said. But he was, he was very outgoing and very enthusiastic when you did get around him. *** Drarton S. Harris Sr. died after he was stabbed at Parkside Commons at 2005 East Fayette Street on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. Family provided photo Drarton Harriss obituary *** Staff writer Jon Moss covers breaking news, crime and public safety. He can be reached at jmoss@syracuse.com or @mossjon7. Entrepreneurs have received equal access and transparent rules thanks to online auctions for the lease of municipal property in Kyiv through ProZorro.Sale, and budget revenues have increased dozens of times, notes Dmytro Bilotserkovets, co-chairman of Vitali Klitschko's UDAR faction in Kyiv City Council, member of the budget commission. "Kyiv signed a memorandum of cooperation with ProZorro.Sale. In parallel, an online auction was held for the placement of temporary structures at nine locations in Pechersky district. In addition, shortly before that, bidding for the lease of places for placing post offices started. The method of such bidding absolutely eliminates corruption when renting municipal property and makes it possible for small businesses to implement, because online bidding is about equal access and transparent rules for small businesses," Bilotserkovets wrote on Facebook. He also reported that thanks to online auctions, out of 194 locations in Pechersky district, only 30 remained for the placement of temporary structures, and the results for Pechersky district exceed previous payments to the budget by more than 30 times. Bilotserkovets also noted that the right to place mobile trade is also determined at auctions through the ProZorro procurement system. Ross is being recognized by the NALC for his continued dedication to the Syracuse community. Provided When Syracuse mail carrier Matthew Ross Sr. was delivering to his routes last year, he noticed that a few middle school report cards were being sent to hotels. Ross grew concerned about child poverty in the Syracuse area and knew he had to do something. After connecting with counselors at a local middle school, Ross raised money from the community to purchase gifts like toys, winter clothes and craft supplies for three Syracuse middle-schoolers. This dedication to the Syracuse community earned Ross the 2025 National Association of Letter Carriers Humanitarian of the Year award. Ross will be honored at the NALCs National Heroes of the Year event Thursday in Washington, DC. The awards ceremony recognizes mail carriers from across the country who have gone above and beyond to be good community members. This wasnt the first time Ross, who has been a letter carrier for seven years, used his post as a mail carrier to benefit the people around him. In 2020, Ross saved all his holiday tips from his former route in Westcott and donated them to help the Westcott Community Center buy a new transport van for seniors. Beyond his fundraising efforts, Ross also uses art, a hobby he picked up in 2021, to benefit the community. He sold his paintings to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and gifted pieces of his art to those three middle-schoolers living in hotels. Ross hopes that his example will help people see art can be a positive outlet as he continues delivering mail in the Sedgwick and Eastwood neighborhoods. I walk through a lot of trash and filth and garbage, Ross said. I try to let people know that arts a way of escaping from what youre dealing with at a certain time, and that can alleviate some stress. The NALC is a union of city letter carriers employed by the U.S. Postal Service and was founded in 1889. The Supreme Court building is seen on June 26, 2024, in Washington. (Alex Brandon | AP Photo) Alex Brandon | AP Photo U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts issued a rare public statement after President Donald Trump called for the impeachment of a judge. For more than two centuries, the chief justice said, according to The New York Times, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose. The judge Trump criticized, James Boasberg, had sought to pause the deportation of over 200 migrants to El Salvador over due process concerns. The administration had been attempting to remove the migrants using a 1798 law. Trump called the judge a radical left lunatic in a social media post and said he should be impeached, The Times said. HE DIDNT WIN ANYTHING! I WON FOR MANY REASONS, IN AN OVERWHELMING MANDATE, BUT FIGHTING ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION MAY HAVE BEEN THE NUMBER ONE REASON FOR THIS HISTORIC VICTORY, Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social, according to The Associated Press. Im just doing what the VOTERS wanted me to do. This judge, like many of the Crooked Judges I am forced to appear before, should be IMPEACHED!!! Trump and some of his supporters have been increasingly calling for the impeachment of judges who rule against the administration in court cases. The White House has faced repeated setbacks in court on multiple fronts, including deportations and efforts to fire federal workers. Impeaching a judge is a rare step. It is usually undertaken only in cases of serious ethical or criminal misconduct, AP noted. Some of Trumps supporters hit back at Roberts after his statement. When there are rapists and murderers invading our country, maybe a guy in a robe in D.C. can follow all the protocols, but Trump is the effing president of the United States who protects 300 million plus people, Gutfeld said on Tuesdays episode of The Five on Fox News, according to The Hill. He is a leader who does not have the luxury of opening up his little books to read. The comedian and cable news host told Roberts to shut the F up. John A. Sarcone III is the new interim U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York. Courtesy U.S. Attorney's Office President Joe Biden tweeted late on New Years Eve 2022 that he was ready to get things done in the coming New Year. Among the thousands of people to reply to the post was John A. Sarcone III, a lawyer in private practice in Westchester County. Traitor should be tried for treason, he wrote. Worst person to occupy the White House. Its the same John Sarcone who once tweeted that former President Barack Obama should be the first illegal alien deported. Hes called for Hillary Clinton to be jailed for treason. Now President Donald Trumps administration has placed Sarcone in charge of an office that handles criminal prosecutions across 32 counties in Upstate New York, including in the Syracuse area. Sarcone moved into the job without needing U.S. Senate approval because of a loophole that allows presidents to make temporary appointments. Sarcone, 62, was sworn in Monday in Albany as the interim U.S. attorney for the Northern District of New York. He has no experience as a prosecutor, but he has worked as a lawyer on Trumps presidential campaigns. Its unusual but not unprecedented for someone with so little experience to be appointed as one of the nations 93 U.S. attorneys, the top prosecutors who run Justice Department offices from coast to coast, legal experts say. Within 24 hours of taking office this year, Trump appointed Ed Martin to serve as interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia. Martin is a conservative activist with no prosecutorial experience. Martin and Sarcone both stand out because they were appointed as interim U.S. attorneys. Martin, a Trump ally who has defended Jan. 6 rioters, was later nominated to serve on a permanent basis. Sarcone has not been nominated by Trump, a move that would subject Sarcone to a U.S. Senate confirmation hearing and rigorous background checks. The confirmation process can take months. David Driesen, a constitutional law professor at Syracuse University, said Sarcones interim appointment appears to be part of Trumps effort to avoid Senate scrutiny of unqualified candidates. Putting in place acting officials is something Trump has done in the past to avoid the law, Driesen said. This is a pretty militant appointment to take a guy with no prosecutorial experience, who has been a very partisan backer. Its very concerning. I think the U.S. attorney should have extensive criminal law experience. Driesen did not know how many other U.S. attorneys have been appointed by Trump on an acting or interim basis this year. Federal statutes allow such temporary appointees to serve up to 120 days. After that time, federal judges in the local U.S. District Court can appoint the U.S. attorney, but in practice that has rarely happened. Former U.S. Attorney Grant Jaquith of the Northern District of New York served on an interim basis from July 2017 until 2019 during Trumps first term. Trump has a long record from his first term of evading the Senate confirmation process by firing officials and replacing them with acting appointees more often than recent presidents, Driesen said. Trump has said he likes the flexibility of choosing acting appointees, a move that allows him to bypass the Senate and its traditional role of ensuring the president nominates people of merit to enforce the laws. I like acting because I can move so quickly, Trump said on CBSs Face the Nation in February 2019. It gives me more flexibility. When Sarcone was sworn into office Monday in Albany, he defended his lack of prosecutorial experience. He said in a speech that what makes a good prosecutor is judgment. I believe the prosecutorial power, and discretion, he said, is best entrusted to those with the full breadth of professional and life experiences, from which common sense, wisdom and informed judgment emerge. Sarcone said his priorities will include securing the border with Canada; ending lawlessness and willful disregard for federal laws; and fighting against public corruption, scams and consumer fraud. Sarcone also indicated he may go after Upstate colleges. He said federal prosecutors will not tolerate violations of college students rights to be free from harassment or threats because of their religious beliefs. Our reach will not stop at prosecuting those who choose to violate our laws, he said, but also those who knowingly support any violations in any way, shape or form. The Trump administration has moved to crack down on students who had prominent roles in pro-Palestinian protests on campuses, such as when immigration officials detained a Columbia University graduate student. It also has threatened to cut off federal funding to universities that do not comply with its ideological agenda. Sarcone, through a U.S. Attorneys Office spokesman, declined multiple interview requests by syracuse.com | The Post-Standard. Sarcone worked on Trumps 2016 presidential campaign and was appointed during Trumps first term to a federal job. He served for three years as a regional official for the General Services Administration, helping manage federal buildings and facilities. In his first term, Trumps administration floated the name of Sarcone for a judgeship in New Yorks Northern District, syracuse.com reported in 2017. But Sarcone ultimately was not nominated for the U.S. District Court job. Trump never publicly acknowledged that Sarcone was being considered. Sarcone has mounted several unsuccessful campaigns for political office as a Republican, including Westchester County district attorney, state attorney general and a state Supreme Court judgeship. Sarcone has expressed dark views of the Democratic Party both on social media and during his run as a tough-on-crime candidate for district attorney, according to The Examiner News. He said Democrats have set laws in motion that are ruining our state. He also said, in reference to Democrats, that this party is evil in my opinion. An account called MAGA Voice made a post last July asking whether Hillary Clinton, a former secretary of state who lost to Trump in the 2016 presidential election, should be in prison. Yes, Sarcone replied. For treason! Three months later, Sarcone responded to a post from a now-suspended account called realTrumpNewsX. Obama should be the first illegal alien deported! he wrote, likely referring to former President Barack Obama. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact Mark Weiner anytime by: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751 Staff writer Jon Moss covers breaking news, crime and public safety. He can be reached at jmoss@syracuse.com or @mossjon7. The chair for Minnesota state Sen. Justin Eichorn, a Republican from Grand Rapids, sits empty in a Senate hearing room in the State Capitol complex in St. Paul on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, a day after his arrest in Bloomington for allegedly soliciting a minor for prostitution. (AP Photo/Steve Karnowski) AP Paul Walsh, Star Tribune (TNS) MINNEAPOLIS Minnesota state Sen. Justin Eichorn allegedly arranged to meet someone in Bloomington he thought was a teenage girl for sex and instead was arrested by police, officials announced Tuesday. In the wake of Eichorns arrest Monday, the Senate Republican Caucus said in a statement, We are shocked by these reports, and this alleged conduct demands an immediate resignation. Justin has a difficult road ahead, and he needs to focus on his family. Over in the House, Speaker Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, and Leader Harry Niska, R-Ramsey, said in a joint statement: Given the seriousness of the charges, Senator Eichorn should resign. While he is entitled to due process, we must hold legislators to a higher standard. Eichorn, R-Grand Rapids, remains jailed Tuesday afternoon on suspicion of soliciting a minor for sex. Charges against him are pending. Messages were left with Eichorns office seeking comment about the arrest. Eichorn talked with someone he believed was a 16-year-old girl but turned out to be a detective, according to police. The detective arranged to meet with Eichorn at a location not far from public parks and hotels. Eichorn arrived in a pickup truck and was arrested about 5:45 p.m. without incident outside of his vehicle by a uniformed police officer, according to authorities. Police Chief Booker Hodges, in his announcement of the arrest, invoked a jail analogy when he said, As a 40-year-old man, if you come to the Orange Jumpsuit District looking to have sex with someones child, you can expect that we are going to lock you up. Fellow Republican, State Rep. Elliott Engen, of Lino Lakes, said on X: Resign in disgrace. Prosecute to the fullest. Throw away the key. Reaction from across the political aisle to Eichorns arrest also was swift. No one who solicits children belongs anywhere near public office or the State Capitol, said Minnesota DFL executive director Heidi Kraus Kaplan. The facts presented by (police) make it clear that Senator Eichorn is an immediate danger to the public and must resign immediately. The felony allegation against Senator Eichorn is deeply disturbing, and raises serious questions that will need to be answered by the court, as well as his caucus and constituents, read a statement from Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul. Should he be prosecuted, Eichorn would be the second Minnesota lawmaker to face felony charges this session. Sen. Nicole Mitchell, DFL-Woodbury, is charged with two felonies in connection with breaking into her late fathers Detroit Lakes home. She has pleaded not guilty to first-degree burglary and possession of burglary or theft tools. Republicans in the Senate have filed ethics complaints tied to the alleged burglary and to Mitchells vote in January on a motion connected to a GOP effort to expel her. That effort failed to gain traction in the Senate Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct last week. The DFL holds a slim majority in the Senate with 34 seats to the GOPs 33. One of Eichorns most recent official legislative acts was being among five Senate Republicans who are seeking to dub Trump derangement syndrome (TDS), a term coined to describe a form of criticism of President Donald Trump, as an official mental illness recognized under state statute. Eichorn joined the Senate first representing the 5th District starting in 2017, then currently the 6th District following redistricting. In 2022, he easily won reelection over DFLer Steve Samuelson. According to the 40-year-old legislators biography page, Eichorn is married with four children. He lists his occupation as an entrepreneur and business manager. The Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus says on its website that he is the third generation working at his familys outdoors store in Grand Rapids. Former GOP state Rep. Pat Garofalo called for the Senate to get rid of both Eichorn and Mitchell. There is no due process in politics, Garofalo posted on X. This is an opportunity for the Minnesota Senate to do the right thing and temporarily reduce its membership by 2. ________ (Minnesota Star Tribune staff writers Allison Kite and Ryan Faircloth contributed to this report.) ________ 2025 The Minnesota Star Tribune. Visit startribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/news/all As part of a working visit to Finland, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Prime Minister of Finland Petteri Orpo, with whom he discussed defense and economic support. "We discussed efforts to bring about a just and lasting peace, as well as what is necessary to protect Ukraine. In particular, strengthening air defense, supplying artillery systems and shells, investments in our weapons production. We also talked about the importance of involving as many countries and international organizations as possible in the coalition of civil defense shelters and Finland's participation in the reconstruction of our state," Zelenskyy said on his Telegram channel on Wednesday. He thanked Finland for all its support for Ukraine and separately for the 28th defense assistance package. According to the presidential press service, he also called on Finland to join the procurement of Ukrainian weapons according to the Danish model. In addition, Zelenskyy hopes that the Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation, signed by the Defense Ministers of Ukraine and Finland on March 13, will contribute to strengthening the defense capabilities of both states. Minister Noel Grealish Officially Launches BSAS 2025 The Leading Animal Science Conference Returns to Ireland The British Society of Animal Science (BSAS) 2025 Annual Conference has been officially launched by Noel Grealish, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, with responsibility for Food Promotion, New Markets, Research and Development. Photographed (L-R): Dr. Karl Walsh (Head of the Research Division of DAFM), Prof. David Kenny, Teagasc and President of BSAS, Dr. Sinead Waters (University of Galway and co-chair of the BSAS 2025 local organising committee), Minister Noel Grealish (Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibility for Food Promotion, New Markets, Research and Development) and Dr. Paul Smith (Teagasc and BSAS Trustee) With the theme Animal Science: Supporting Livestocks Role in a Global Society, BSAS 2025 will explore the role of scientific advancements in ensuring sustainable, efficient, and welfare-conscious livestock systems. For only the second time in its 80-year history, BSAS will host its flagship scientific conference in the Republic of Ireland, following its last visit to Croke Park in 2018. The event will take place from 8th to 10th April 2025 at the Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill, Galway, and will bring together scientists, industry leaders, policymakers, and students to discuss the future of livestock science. Speaking at the official launch, Minister Noel Grealish said: I am delighted to welcome the annual conference of the British Society of Animal Science to Galway, only the second time that the conference has been held in Ireland. The BSAS plays a pivotal role in advancing animal science in Ireland and the UK. Given the importance of livestock to our agricultural sector, this is a significant area of research and one that my Department supports extensively through competitive, public-good research funding. I commend the organisers for the theme they have chosen for the conference Supporting Livestocks Role in a Global Society this rightly puts a focus on the many positive benefits that livestock farming can contribute to our economy, society, rural areas and our food system. I look forward to opening the conference in April and welcoming the national and international delegates to Galway. The largest scientific society in the UK and Ireland representing livestock-based research, BSAS plays a key role in supporting innovation in animal production and sustainable agriculture. This years conference will feature leading researchers and industry experts, including: Michael Lee, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Harper Adams University Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Harper Adams University Sarah Klopatek, Chief Livestock Scientist, JBS USA Chief Livestock Scientist, JBS USA Eileen Wall, Head of Research, SRUC Head of Research, SRUC Asst Prof. Hilario Mantovani, Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison Craig Lewis, Genetic Service Manager, Genus PIC BSAS President, David Kenny explains the importance of attending BSAS 2025 The level of enthusiasm for BSAS 2025 is remarkable, and its a testament to the importance of this event for researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers alike. Whether you are an established scientist, a practitioner in the livestock sector, or an early-career researcher, this conference is not to be missed. We warmly invite everyone passionate about animal science to join us in Galway this Aprilthis is your chance to be part of the discussions shaping the future of sustainable livestock production. Dr. Sinead Waters, from the University of Galway and co-chair of the BSAS 2025 local organising committee), highlighted the significance of the conference returning to Ireland, stating: BSAS 2025 will be an opportunity for leading scientists and industry experts to come together and shape the future of livestock research. Galway, as a centre for innovation and excellence in agriculture, is the perfect location to host these discussions. The three-day event will feature groundbreaking research presentations, expert panel discussions, and networking opportunities, with an Early Career Day on 7th April dedicated to supporting students and early-career researchers in animal science. Omkar Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Mumbai Posts: 3,100 Thanked: 30,233 Times Hyundai Motors related party headache Quote: Why is Hyundai Motor India (HMI), one of last years blockbuster IPOs, sourcing a staggering 12,000 crore worth of capital goods from an Indian entity? Quote: It all started when Hyundai Motor India sought shareholder approval for a series of related party transactions (RPTs). Now, these RPTs are basically business deals between HMI and companies closely tied to its South Korean parent. Quote: But heres the thing. These arent small deals. Were talking about seven transactions worth over 31,000 crores. Thats nearly 40% of HMIs annual revenue, with the top five alone making up more than half of last years total purchases. Thats massive. So, naturally, proxy advisory firms are digging deeper. Image source Quote: First up, theres one deal in particular that stands out: a 12,525 crore transaction with Mobis India. Mobis India has no other clients. Its only customer is HMI. So why is Hyundai routing such a massive purchase through a single entity? Quote: Another major deal involves HEC India LLP, another Hyundai affiliate. Believe it or not, but on paper, it has just 10 employees and fixed assets worth only 11 lakhs. Yet, it has bagged a contract worth 3,000 crores. Quote: You see, back in 2017, HMI awarded a major contract to HEC India, which HEC then subcontracted it to Kotec Automotive Services India (KAS). KAS further subcontracted it to You Seung Sang Sa India Construction (YSSS) and YSSS, in turn, passed it on to RT Construction, the company that actually did the work. But things got messy when YSSS defaulted on 9 crores worth of payments to RT Construction, sparking financial disputes and legal trouble. Quote: But interestingly, not all proxy advisory firms are on the same page about this. IiAS (Institutional Investor Advisory Services) believes that these deals are justified, arguing that Hyundais global structure inherently involves such big-ticket affiliate transactions for strategic reasons. InGovern on the other hand, is skeptical, citing the lack of clarity and potential risks to minority shareholders. SES is particularly worried about HECs financial strength, or a lack of it, to independently handle such a large contract. Quote: But heres the reality. In Hyundais case, the shareholder vote on these transactions, (which was scheduled for March 12-13), is unlikely to pose a real challenge. Thats because to pass, they need a majority or over 50% approval from shareholders. But HMIs parent company owns 82% of the shares. So even if minority shareholders oppose these deals, Hyundai still holds the majority vote. Quote: So yeah, while the final verdict arrives on March 17, its highly likely these transactions will get approved. And by the time you read this, these transactions may already have the green light. And if that happens, this entire episode raises broader governance concerns. Shareholders might remain cautious, keeping this in mind if similar deals pop up again. And that could play a role in how the companys stock price moves in the long run. Questions about these RPTs could also surface in upcoming investor meetings, potentially putting pressure on management to be more transparent. Quote: So despite the governance cloud, many analysts are still bullish on the company's stock, highlighting Hyundais strong position in the SUV segment, its ambitious electric vehicle (EV) plans and aggressive expansion strategy. And that actually makes sense. The company has recorded highest-ever sales in 2024, significantly expanded its EV infrastructure and laid out bold growth targets. Quote: The long-term risks however, is that if these transactions inflate costs or hint at any layered subcontracting, it could hurt investor confidence and Hyundais future growth prospects. Source - Finshots Share Google has agreed to pay $28m (21.5m) to settle a lawsuit that claimed white and Asian employees were given better pay and career opportunities than workers from other ethnic backgrounds, a law firm representing claimants says. The technology giant confirmed it had reached a resolution but rejected the allegations made against it. The case filed in 2021 by former Google employee, Ana Cantu, said workers from Hispanic, Latino, Native American and other backgrounds started on lower salaries and job levels than their white and Asian counterparts. BBC GPS, a system we rely upon every day to navigate by plane, car or at sea, is vulnerable. During the war in Ukraine, both sides have sought to interfere with GPS signals to protect themselves from the thousands of killer drones that now fill the skies. Any British troops deployed as peacekeepers would be likely to face GPS jamming, and the UK government is spending millions on anti-jamming tech. But its not just war zones where GPS is being interfered with passenger planes flying all over the world are experiencing disruption too. Sky News Google just announced the Pixel 9A, surprising nobody because its been leaked to all heck. The camera bump is gone, it has a bigger screen, a Tensor G4 processor, and better water resistance, and it still starts at $499. Its all looking like a pretty good deal, especially considering what Apple is charging for its new entry-level phone. The comparisons to the iPhone 16E are all too easy to make, especially since Apples budget iPhone just launched a couple of weeks ago. The two phones share plenty of specs, including IP68 water resistance, but the $599 16E lacks an ultrawide camera, and its screen only offers a 60Hz refresh rate. The Verge They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and Google seems to agree. On Tuesday, the company added a feature to its AI-powered Gemini chatbot that the company is calling Canvas. Similar in concept to OpenAIs identically named Canvas tool for ChatGPT and Anthropics Artifacts, Canvas provides Gemini users with an interactive space where they can create, refine, and share writing and coding projects. Canvas is designed for seamless collaboration with Gemini, Gemini product director Dave Citron wrote in a blog post. Tech Crunch The FBI has launched an investigation into Molotov cocktail attacks on Tesla after the electric vehicle makers cars were set on fire and dealerships came under attack. Federal investigators have been called in after several vehicles were set alight in Las Vegas on Tuesday, where local police said they found the word Resist spray painted on the carmakers building. The Las Vegas Policy Department said a person wearing all black had approached the business with incendiary devices before setting several vehicles on fire and then shooting at them. Telegraph Elon Musks vast stake in Tesla is no longer his most valuable asset as the electric car company continues to endure a sharp stock market sell-off. Musks stake in SpaceX, his private rockets and satellites business, is now the billionaire tycoons largest asset for the first time in five years, according to Forbes, which still pegs his net worth at $323bn more than anyone else in the world. His SpaceX stake is worth an estimated $147bn, about $20bn more than his shares in Tesla after the carmakers shares halved since December. The Guardian For latest tech stories go to TechDigest.tv Like this: Like Loading... Related Posts Advisor to the Head of the Presidents Office of Ukraine Mykhailo Podoliak says that Ukraine does not plan to participate in the planned talks between the United States and Russia in Saudi Arabia, which are to take place on Sunday. In a commentary to The Guardian, he noted that in order to determine possible further talks with the participation of Ukraine, it is necessary to wait for the results of the telephone conversation between the presidents of the United States and Ukraine. "The president wants to understand the contents of this call fully from Trump. The main thing is to understand how Trump sees the results of his call with Putin, and to draw conclusions from that," Podoliak said. He also commented on the Kremlin's statement in which Putin demanded an end to all military support for Ukraine and intelligence sharing until a ceasefire agreement is reached. "Its a very strange demand He wants Ukraine to give up its army, to give up security guarantees, to give up its right to be in alliances," Podoliak said. On the eve, Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff said that the details of the ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia would be worked out in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) on Sunday, March 23. Big quote: The recently coined buzzword "vibe coding" is transforming the startup landscape, allowing companies to hit remarkable revenue targets with teams so small they're rewriting the rules of early-stage success. Garry Tan, CEO and president of Y Combinator, recently noted that this method allows companies to achieve significant revenue milestones with surprisingly small teams. For instance, some startups are reaching annual revenues of $1 million to $10 million with fewer than 10 employees, a feat Tan said is unprecedented in early-stage venture capital. Vibe coding, a concept introduced by OpenAI cofounder Andrej Karpathy, uses large language models to perform the bulk of coding tasks, allowing developers to describe their intentions in natural language and letting AI generate most of the actual code. Tan said that this method significantly accelerates software development. "You can just talk to the large language models and they will code entire apps. And if it doesn't do if there's a bug, or if you want it to change, or you want it to look a different way, you don't have to, you know, go in there and write the code yourself." Relying on AI also means that startups no longer need expensive teams to develop software, he added. There's a new kind of coding I call "vibe coding", where you fully give in to the vibes, embrace exponentials, and forget that the code even exists. It's possible because the LLMs (e.g. Cursor Composer w Sonnet) are getting too good. Also I just talk to Composer with SuperWhisper... Andrej Karpathy (@karpathy) February 2, 2025 Currently, about 81 percent of Y Combinator's incubated startups are AI companies, with a notable 25 percent having 95 percent of their code written by LLMs. This shift is not without its challenges, however. Tan noted that while LLMs excel at generating code, they struggle with debugging, leaving humans to fill this critical gap. "The humans have to do the debugging, still. They have to figure out, well, 'What is the code actually doing?'" he said in an episode of Y Combinator's Lightcone Podcast earlier this month. Despite these limitations, Tan sees significant benefits in vibe coding. It makes investing in niche software more viable, as the development speed allows smaller markets to support substantial businesses. "This is really the good news," Tan said, noting that industries once considered too small can now sustain businesses with lean teams grossing hundreds of millions annually. The trend is also particularly beneficial for young engineers struggling to break into a shrinking job market, as it allows them to create standalone businesses without relying on large tech companies, he said. However, not all AI coding assistants are on board with this trend, as illustrated when Cursor recently showed unexpected resistance. After generating extensive code for a racing game, the AI refused to continue, advising the developer to complete the work personally to ensure he truly understands it. The AI's message underscored industry concerns that while vibe coding offers efficiency, it also poses challenges in fostering deep technical understanding. Despite these challenges, the benefits of vibe coding are undeniable, allowing startups to stay lean and achieve rapid growth in previously unexplored markets. As Tan put it, "Maybe it's that engineer who couldn't get a job at Meta or Google, who actually can build a standalone business making 10 or 100 million dollars a year with 10 people. Like that's such a powerful moment in software." In a nutshell: While both Nvidia and AMD are facing supply issues with their latest graphics cards, Team Red seems to be making the most of a bad situation. That's even true in Japan, where AMD's GPU market share has reached an all-time high of 45%. The company "isn't used to selling [so many] graphics cards," said one of its regional executives. AMD's Spring New Product Launch in Akihabara, Tokyo, was attended by board partners including Asrock, Asus, Gigabyte, MSI, PowerColor, and Sapphire, as well as popular influencers. During a roundtable hosted by AMD Japan's Marketing Manager Yoshiaki Sato and Saki Suzuki, the audience asked about the Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT shortages and when the issue might be addressed. The board partners said that although they wanted to sell more RDNA 4 graphics cards, they lacked the production capacity to meet the huge demand, at which point Sato said AMD isn't used to selling so many cards. Sato then revealed that AMD's market share in Japan had reached an all-time high of 45%, before adding, "We're the opposition party, so let's aim for 70%. We have never been a ruling party!" Japan isn't traditionally known for its love of PC gaming, but locals were so desperate to grab the RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 at launch that there were scenes of chaos (below) at several retailers running lotteries offering the chance to buy one. This isn't the first time that AMD has talked about the popularity of its latest graphics cards. Earlier this month, David McAfee, AMD Vice President and General Manager over Client Channel Business, called the demand "unprecedented." McAfee added that restocking the cards was priority number one, and at prices consumers expect to see in the market. Despite McAfee's assurances, graphics cards are becoming even more expensive. Asus recently raised the prices of its RX 9070 series and RTX 5090; its cheapest RX 9070 ($549 MSRP) is $659, while its cheapest RX 9070 XT ($599 MSRP) is $719. Hello everyone! Thank you for the support! We have received a lot of messages and would love to inform you now the supply is unstable, but we will restock every week. Please don't be frustrated if you didn't get it. The supply will continue stable to be available after April. https://t.co/U6oJSkziqb YESTON (@YestonOfficial) March 18, 2025 Exactly when the situation will improve is anyone's guess. However, board partner Yeston said yesterday that its RX 9070 cards, currently only available in China, had an unstable supply, but it expected this supply to stabilize after April. Hopefully, that gives an indication of when global stock levels will improve. Free online file converters are the way to go for users who want to convert their files into new formats. For instance, if you're going to convert your PDF file to a Word file, you can just go to a website and upload your file. After a few seconds, you now have a newly converted file. However, the FBI has warned individuals about this practice. These innocent-looking tools are actually harmful. They could be a portal of malware, allowing hackers to steal your sensitive data without any indication. Hidden Dangers Behind Free File Converters Free file converters are quite common for simplifying the transferring of files and fulfilling requirements on format to be uploaded or shared. However, the FBI asserts that a portion of them places malicious software into the converted file, according to TechRadar. Although conversion seems effective, the tainted file infects the victim's system with malware on the user's end. How Malware From Free Online File Converters Targets Victims As soon as malware is installed on a system, it can steal private information. The FBI listed some data that are at risk of being stolen: Full names and addresses Social security numbers Banking and financial information Cryptocurrency wallets and access keys Furthermore, the hacked data is subsequently utilized to commit identity theft, financial fraud, and other online crimes. Even worse, some attacks also implant ransomware, which excludes the victim from his/her system and charges a huge ransom for recovering data. Ransomware Attacks Should Not Be Underestimated Ransomware has evolved into a common type of cyberattack that frequently disrupts businesses and individuals. When files are encrypted by the malware, victims do not have much to do but either pay the ransom or have their important information rendered inaccessible. The FBI clarifies that the risk is not only limited to large businesses but also faces the general users of the web, who tend to be overly dependent on free web-based utilities. No one is spared from ransomware attacks. According to Cisco Talos, it was the biggest security threat last year. How to Avoid Malware Infection Mark Michalek, FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge, says that the best way to avoid being victimized by malware is to educate individuals about these scams. To safeguard against malware and ransomware attacks via file converters, take these precautions: Download or use file converter software only from trusted and authentic sources. Keep your system updated with antivirus and anti-malware software to identify probable threats. Don't click on links or open attachments received from unknown sources. Take proper backups to avoid data loss in the event of an attack. What to Do If You Think You Have Malware If you think you have inadvertently downloaded malware with a file converter, act quickly: As part of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Russian authorities have committed crimes against humanity in the form of enforced disappearances that are widespread and systematic, the latest report of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine states. The Commission said the Russian authorities have detained a large number of civilians throughout the territories of Ukraine it has seized. The victims of the disappearances have been representatives of local authorities, civil servants, journalists and other individuals whom the Russian authorities perceived as a threat to their military objectives in Ukraine. Many prisoners of war have also been victims of enforced disappearances. The Commission said the Russian authorities often transferred victims to places of detention in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine or deported them to Russia, where they again became victims of additional serious violations and crimes, including torture and sexual violence. According to the report, many victims disappeared for months or years, some of them died. The fate and whereabouts of the captives remain unknown, leaving their families in a painful state of uncertainty. As the Commission said, in response to appeals from the families of the missing, the Russian authorities at various levels provided standard responses that systematically failed to provide information about the fate or whereabouts of the disappeared. The refusal to provide information to the families of the victims also demonstrates the intention of the Russian authorities to deprive the victims themselves of legal protection. Based on the evidence collected, the Commission concluded that the acts of enforced disappearances against civilians were carried out in accordance with a coordinated state policy and constitute crimes against humanity. The Commission has previously stated the Russian authorities committed crimes against humanity in the form of torture. Recent investigations have also confirmed that the Federal Security Service officers who were present in places of detention had the highest authority. They tortured or ordered torture to be used at various stages of the detention of prisoners, and in particular during interrogations, when one of the most brutal forms of treatment of prisoners was used. The Commission has previously described the systematic use of sexual violence as a form of torture by the Russian authorities in places of detention, mainly against men. With regard to female prisoners, the Commission has now documented new cases of rape and sexual abuse that qualify as torture. The Russian authorities used sexual violence and rape against female prisoners, and held them in inhumane conditions, reflecting the gendered nature and consequences of such treatment of female prisoners. The Commission has recorded an increase in incidents involving the killing or wounding of Ukrainian soldiers who were captured or attempted to surrender by Russian forces. These actions constitute war crimes. Investigators have been able to interview fighters who have deserted from the Russian forces. Some of them told the Commission that they were ordered not to take prisoners but to destroy them, indicating a coordinated policy. The report also describes several cases of human rights violations committed by the Ukrainian authorities against individuals accused of collaboration with the Russian authorities. After three years of full-scale invasion, many victims have suffered serious violations and crimes. The Commission stresses the importance of judicial and extrajudicial accountability in all its forms, which contribute to the consolidation of peace processes. Giant mine machine swallowing up Senegal's fertile coast Lompoul, Senegal, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2025 Like something from the science fiction film "Dune", the "world's biggest mining dredger" has been swallowing acre after acre of the fertile coastal strip where most of Senegal's vegetables are grown. The jagged 23-kilometre-long (14-mile) scar the gigantic rig has left mining for zircon -- which is used in ceramics and the building industry -- is so big it is visible from space. Amid a deafening din, the massive machine sucks up thousands of tonnes of mineral sands an hour, moving forward on an artificial lake created with water pumped from deep underground. It is now tearing through the dunes of Lompoul -- one of the smallest and most beautiful deserts in the world -- a tourist hotspot by the endless beaches of Senegal's Atlantic coast. Thousands of farmers and their families have been displaced over the past decade to make way for the colossal floating factory run by the French mining group Eramet. It denies any wrongdoing, insists its operations are exemplary and even plans to step up the pace of mining. But locals accuse it of destroying this rich but delicate ecosystem on the western edge of Africa's semi-arid Sahel region. The project has brought "despair and disillusion", said Gora Gaye, the mayor of Diokoul Diawrigne district which takes in Lompoul. For years critics of the mine said villagers' protests at losing the land were ignored, with complaints about "derisory" compensation smothered by the authorities. - New president speaks out - That has now changed, with tourist operators uniting with farmers and local leaders to demand a pause in the mining. Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has also spoken out on extractive mining practices, saying some "local populations do not benefit". He doubled down last week, demanding more transparency and oversight of "social and environmental impacts". His government was elected last year promising a radical break with the past and to reclaim Senegal's sovereignty, particularly from the influence of former colonial power France. Eramet -- which is 27 percent owned by France -- began mining in 2014 under the previous government after being awarded the concession 10 years earlier. The Senegalese state holds 10 percent of its local subsidiary, EGC, which mines the zircon and titanium-related minerals such as rutile and ilmenite. AFP was granted rare access to its operations and to the dredger and the plants where the mineral sands are separated before being exported via the company's private rail link through the port of the capital Dakar, 150 miles to the south. EGC insisted it was a "responsible company", that respects its agreement with the Senegal government and that has compensated locals "five times more" for the loss of their land than national guidelines, paying out 12,190 to 15,240 euros ($16,575) per hectare. - Fertile oases 'destroyed' - But what are they left with afterwards, asked hotelier Sheikh Yves Jacquemain, who runs a desert eco-lodge of traditional tents in Lompoul, where until recently the only sounds were from seabirds and passing camels. "The mine is moving forward: the fate of people once the mine has passed is no longer their problem," he told AFP, the roar of the gigantic dredger 150 metres (165 yards) away almost drowning him out as it ate through the landscape. Of Lompoul's seven tourist camps, six have accepted EGC's money and have moved. Jacquemain is holding out for "just" compensation for him and his 40 employees. Local communities also accuse the mine of destroying and "degrading the soil and the dunes" and threatening their water and food security. Farmers say the compensation for the land is based on guidelines dating from the 1970s and does not make up for the irredeemable loss of revenue from their once-fertile fields. The hollows between the dunes were oases, a rare ecosystem "which produced until recently 80 percent of the fresh vegetables eaten in Senegal", according to mayor Gaye. - 'We want our land back' - Gaye said locals were initially optimistic about the mining. But all they have gotten were "broken promises, intimidation, the destruction of our ecosystem and the catastrophic moving of villages. Economic development has gone backwards," he added. EGC argues that it has rehoused farmers and their families in four large new villages with modern infrastructure. "A total of 586 houses and community infrastructures (a health centre, school and mosques...) have been built" serving 3,142 people. But gathered in the square of one of the new settlements at Foth, Omar Keita and around two dozen other heads of families were quick to show their anger. "We want our land back and our village rebuilt so we can go back to how we were living before," Keita, 32, told AFP. "I appeal to the president and even to France," he declared. He said he was not given a new home and showed AFP where his wife and three children have lived for the past six years -- a single room "loaned by my big brother", a mattress lying on the floor. But EGC's managing director Frederic Zanklan insisted that "every family was rehoused in relation to how they were when the count was made", adding that it was "nothing to do" with them if families had since grown. But Keita said that before he was displaced "I had my fields and my house... We earned our living decently but they reduced that to naught and I have to start again from zero..." "Here I have to work in other people's fields," he said. Ibrahima Ba, 60, was equally livid. "We have gone backwards in every way," he told AFP. While still a farmer, today's harvests are nothing like what they were "in my village, the soil was very fertile, we had fresh water and we had no problems". He called on President Faye and his prime minister to help them "because a foreign country is destroying the life of Senegalese citizens". But EGC's Zanklan said the mining group had respected the law to the letter and argued that "the project is benefiting the country... generating 149 million euros for Senegal in 2023". He said they had paid "25 million euros in taxes and dividends" on their 215-million-euros turnover. "Nearly 2,000 people work in the mine and the separation factories, 97 percent of them Senegalese," with nearly half of them locals, Zanklan added. He said the company made the fourth-biggest contribution among mining groups to Senegal's state budget, according to data from the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. EGC is the "first mining company to return reclaimed land to Senegal" and replant it with trees, its managing director added. But locals complain that the land is not "returned" to them but to the Senegalese state, which has traditionally allowed farmers to till state land. "They promised to give the land back to us so we could continue to use it, but they have not kept the promise," farmer Ba said. - Calls for moratorium - Close to where AFP saw the restored land, farmer Serigne Mar Sow pointed to the murky puddles in a barren field which he said showed the "immeasurable damage" done by the mining. The water pumped up from 450 metres underground for the lake for the dredger rig remains close to the surface. EGC insists that this benefits vegetable growers. But Sow sees it differently. "The vegetables and bananas we used to grow here are dead because of the water that floods our fields from the dredger 2.5 kilometres from here." "The land is no longer fertile," he said. Surrounded by dead manioc and banana plants, he claimed that the water was polluted with "chemicals". "There are 15 to 20 fields around here which have been abandoned because of that water coming up -- a drastic fall in the land we can get a harvest from." But EGC insists that "no chemicals are used", and that the extraction is "purely mechanical". Gaye, the mayor of Diokoul Diawrigne, has demanded that Senegal "stop the mining for the moment so serious studies can be carried out on the damage being done -- and so we can make a proper comparison of what all this is bringing to the state and to communities". "We cannot close our eyes" to what people are going through, he argued, "whatever Senegal gets from this business". Zanklan countered that there is "no need for a moratorium... If there are worries, the authorities can come and inspect when they like". In fact, EGC hopes to increase the dredger's capacity by more than a fifth to 8,500 tonnes an hour from 2026, he said. Pausing mining "would mean putting 2,000 people out of work and end the economic benefits for the state of Senegal -- it would be irresponsible when the country really needs to develop", he argued. In the meantime, the dredger continues to swallow up the dunes of Lompoul, Africa's smallest and one of its most scenic deserts. lp/mrb/els/fg/yad Jet skis in the desert: winter lake creates Saudi watersports oasis Az Zulfi, Saudi Arabia, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2025 The ear-splitting roar of his jet ski fills the air as Hamza al-Hamm thunders past, kicking up plumes of water -- not at the beach, but in the heart of the Saudi Arabian desert. Sand-caked SUVs ring the temporary lake, formed by winter rains, as Hamm zips across the impromptu watersports centre doing donuts. Women in the traditional face-covering niqab sit on rugs by the shore, watching the action. The lake, surrounded by sand dunes near the small desert city of Zulfi, lasts only about three months a year. "One day, my friends challenged me to ride a jet ski," said Hamm, who started out on a borrowed machine. Since then he has bought his own, gradually becoming one of a rare breed -- an expert jet-skier who lives in the desert. Zulfi's lake, more than 200 kilometres (124 miles) northwest of the capital Riyadh, appears every winter, giving desert-dwellers the chance to take part in a sport usually associated with seaside resorts. The rare phenomenon draws not only locals like Hamm, in his 40s, but also visitors from as far away as Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Meshaal al-Otaibi, who came with a caravan from the Saudi town of Taif, more than 700 kilometres away, said he had to see the lake for himself. "When I heard about the lake on YouTube, about people gathering there and water activities, I couldn't resist," he said. Zulfi, which sits in a dip between sand dunes and mountains, "is a perfect trap for rainfalls pouring over the mountains", according to scientist Alain Gachet. "That is why the lake is seasonal in Zulfi, which is located on the deepest part of this depression," said Gachet, whose French-based company Radar Technologies International specialises in untapped natural resources. When it forms, the lake offers a welcome respite in a country where intense heat limits outdoor activities for much of the year. Issam Hamad, another Saudi who was visiting with his family, said it was relaxing just to be outside. "Some watch, others do watersports" but everyone enjoys the fresh air, he said. Second body found in Spain after storm, man missing Madrid, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2025 The death toll from a storm in Spain rose to two Wednesday after police found the body of a man whose car was swept away by a flooded stream, with a third person missing. The man and his wife disappeared in the village of Constantina in the southern region of Andalusia Tuesday after their vehicle overturned while crossing the stream and was swept away, officials said. Emergency services found the woman's body on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the Civil Guard police force said they had found the body of a man who was confirmed to be the husband. Emergency services were looking for another man who tried to cross a river in the province of Malaga, also in Andalusia, and "was swept away by the current", a Civil Guard spokesman said. Storm Laurence lashed much of southern, eastern and central Spain earlier this week. Several regions were put on alert for rain, wind and dangerous tides. The Iberian Peninsula is bracing for the arrival of another storm on Thursday, dubbed Martinho, the fourth to sweep across Spain in less than two weeks. In neighbouring Portugal, the civil protection agency warned of the risk of "persistent and sometimes heavy" rain, especially in the centre and south of the country, accompanied by winds of up to 120 kilometres (75 miles) per hour and choppy seas. The municipality of Sintra, a tourist hotspot near Lisbon known for its mountains and castles, ordered its main monuments closed on Wednesday due to a "high risk of falling trees". Abundant rainfall this month is on course to end a four-year drought in Spain and has replenished water reserves to 65.8 percent of their capacity, up from 56.82 percent a year ago. Peruvian farmer struggles in climate clash with German energy giant Hamm, Germany, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2025 The judge in the symbolic case of a Peruvian farmer suing a German energy giant for "climate justice" said Wednesday that he sees "no present danger" to the farmer's property, casting doubt on the success of the lawsuit. Saul Luciano Lliuya, 44, argues that electricity producer RWE -- one of the world's top emitters of carbon dioxide -- must pay towards the cost of protecting his hometown, Huaraz, from a swollen glacier lake that is at risk of overflowing from melting snow and ice. According to German civil law, he first has to persuade the court that his property is at substantial risk of damage before the court could turn to the question of RWE's responsibility. But on Wednesday, court-appointed expert Rolf Katzenbach put the probability of the lake flooding at some time in the next 30 years at about one percent, having earlier put it at three percent. That prompted the presiding judge in the case, Rolf Meyer, to say that any danger to the plaintiff's property would need to be "tangible" and "comprehensible" for the case to succeed, adding that he saw "no present danger" for the moment. Lukas Arenson, an expert called for Lliuya, said Katzenbach's estimates relied too much on historical trends and did not adequately factor in the effects of future climate change. Speaking to reporters outside court on Wednesday morning, Roda Verheyen, Lliuya's lawyer, said that the flood risk was very real. "The methods of the court-appointed expert make him practically blind in one eye," she said. "I'm sure that the court wants to pass a ruling with both eyes open and so I am still optimistic." - Glacier flood risk - Germanwatch, an environmental group supporting Lliuya in the case, argues the flood risk is closer to 30 percent and that even three percent should be enough for the court to rule there is real danger. RWE, founded in 1898, today makes electricity using coal and gas as well as wind and solar. Lliuya bases his claim on a 2014 study which found RWE to be responsible for almost 0.5 percent of all carbon emissions since the start of the industrial era. RWE said it could not comment on an ongoing dispute. Last week, before proceedings began, it said that holding companies responsible under German law for environmental consequences far outside the country was "legally inadmissible and the wrong way to address this issue socially and politically". The court's ruling on whether the flood risk is concrete is expected on April 14. mb-vbw/fz/rlp Suspended jail term sought for French hunter who killed bear Foix, France, March 19 (AFP) Mar 19, 2025 A prosecutor on Wednesday demanded that an 81-year-old French hunter be handed a four-month suspended jail sentence for killing an endangered female bear that had attacked him in the Pyrenees in 2021. The brown bear is a protected species in the mountain range, which separates France and Spain. Andre Rives was boar-hunting when a female bear nicknamed Caramelles attacked him. He has said he had no choice but to open fire. But the prosecution argued at the trial in Foix in southern France that he and 15 other hunters should not have been in the nature reserve in the first place. As well as the four-month suspended term for Rives, prosecutor Olivier Mouysset also called for the suspension of hunting licenses and fines against all sixteen hunters who participated in the "unauthorised" hunt in the Mont Valier reserve, in the Ariege region, in November 2021. Rives "knowingly took the risk of a confrontation with the bear in the reserve, which is an area of calm" for the bear, said the prosecutor, also requesting he be given a two-year ban on carrying a weapon. - 'No other option' - On November 20, 2021, two bear cubs emerged from the woods in front of Rives. Then their mother appeared, charging at the man and dragging him for several metres. He shot and killed the animal. Rives sustained leg injuries and was in a state of shock. A fellow hunter managed to stem the bleeding before he was evacuated by helicopter. According to the investigation, the bear was killed 400 metres (1,300 feet) outside an authorised hunting area. When the cubs emerged, "I looked at them with admiration," Rives said in court on Tuesday. "I made myself very small. Then the mother saw me. Our eyes met, she charged." He said he had no choice but to shoot. "She grabbed my left thigh, I panicked and fired a shot. She backed away growling, she went around me and bit my right calf, I fell, she was eating my leg," he added. "I reloaded my rifle and fired." Defence lawyer Charles Lagier said all the defendants should be acquitted. Rives "killed a bear because he had no other option; it was necessity. This does not call for criminal charges." But Alice Terrasse, the lawyer representing several environmental associations at the trial, called for all 16 hunters to be convicted. "We want the fault to be acknowledged and compensation for the environmental damage. At the very least, a bear must be reintroduced to compensate for Caramelles's death," she said, saying such an operation would cost 100,000 euros ($109,000). Animal rights activists view bears as integral to maintaining a fragile mountain ecosystem under threat from human activity and climate change. According to estimates from 2023, there are more than 80 bears currently in the Pyrenees. Bears had nearly disappeared from the mountain range before France began a reintroduction programme in the 1990s, importing them from Slovenia. But the presence of bears has led to increasing tensions with farmers because of the threat they pose to their livestock. The trial adjourned until a verdict on May 6. In pursuance of the agreements between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire Alassane Ouattara, Deputy Head of the President's Office Ihor Brusylo held an online meeting with Minister of Economy and Development of Cote d'Ivoire Niale Kaba. The key topic of discussion is the intensification of mutually beneficial cooperation in promising sectors of the economy: agrarian industry, trade, infrastructure projects and professional training of Ivorian students in Ukrainian higher education institutions. Cote d'Ivoire expressed its readiness for partnership, in particular through the start of a direct dialogue between sectoral ministries. Special attention is paid to expanding the contractual and legal framework of bilateral relations in the trade and economic sphere. This will allow for favorable interaction in many sectors. In addition, Brusylo and Kaba agreed on practical steps aimed at implementing the agreements reached. The meeting was also attended by: Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine Taras Kachka, Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Oksana Osmachko, Director General of the Directorate for Foreign Policy and International Military-Technical Cooperation of the President's Office Ruslan Kurochenko, and representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Its official: the kids are not alright. Frankly, who can blame them? The modern world is in a perpetual state of economic and ecological crisis. Tech bros have infiltrated the White House. AI is eradicating entire industries. Peoples sex lives are dictated by algorithms. And, as illustrated in the latest Netflix hit, Adolescence, theres the growing threat of the manosphere, a once niche corner of the internet dominated by violent and misogynistic ideologies, whose anti-women theories have gone mainstream. To be clear, Im talking about Gen Z, the generation that is coming of age in a society defined by disruption, fear, and instability. Born between 1997 and 2012, Gen Z is the cohort thats currently between the ages of 13 and 28. For jaded millennials such as myself, they used to represent a more positive future: back in the mid-2010s they were a group of people on whom we could pin our hopes, dreams, and projected fantasies for years to come. They were apparently progressive. They felt emboldened, educated. And they might have possessed enough information at their fingertips to tackle the wave of right-wing nationalism thats been building both in the UK and overseas. That was the hope, anyway. But our optimism is quickly being eroded. At least it is if youve been reading any of the recent research thats been published on Gen Z in recent months, which has led to a number of surprising revelations about what this cohort really thinks about everything from feminism and marriage to gender equality and consent. Earlier this month, a 30-country study published by Ipsos UK and the Global Institute for Womens Leadership at Kings College London found that Gen Z men and women are more divided than any other generation when it comes to their views on gender. The research, which was based on a survey of nearly 24,000 people across 30 nations, found that 53 per cent of Gen Z women call themselves a feminist, compared to just 32 per cent of Gen Z men, marking the largest gender split among generations surveyed. Meanwhile, over a quarter (28 per cent) of Gen Z men said a man who stays home to look after his children is less of a man, which was nine points higher than the share of Gen Z women (19 per cent) who said the same. On top of this, a staggering 60 per cent of Gen Z men said that men are being expected to do too much to support equality while 57 per cent said we have gone so far in promoting womens equality that we are now discriminating against men. These figures might seem out of place in 2025, but in actual fact, they follow on from a series of similar stats that point to regressive societal attitudes among Gen Z. Last year, research commissioned by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) found that almost half of those aged 18 to 24 are likely to hold false beliefs about rape and consent. Only 53 per cent of those surveyed correctly identified that an attack is still rape if the victim doesnt resist or fight back and just 42 per cent recognised that being in a relationship or marriage doesnt mean consent to sex can be assumed. open image in gallery Stephen Graham and Owen Cooper in Adolescence ( Courtesy of Netflix ) All of this is surprising, even to those conducting the research. Generally, in most social attitude surveys we see a pattern of younger generations being more progressive than older generations, says Professor Heejung Chung, director of the Global Institute for Womens Leadership at Kings College London. We do not see this is the case for many Gen Zs across different countries South Korea being an exemplary case. Other countries... we dont have enough data points, but in certain cases, we can see that Gen Z are even less progressive than older generations. Part of the reason could be down to conservative messaging peddled on social media, which is something that, unlike preceding generations, Gen Z is growing up alongside. There has been a narrative that has been promoted by politicians, social media influencers, and partly by media around the threats of feminism, gender equality and rise of womens power, says Chung, who believes young men might be mirroring these debates and wrongly projecting their own insecurities onto them. I think some of them unfortunately may see the causes of their grievances, like a lack of good jobs and opportunities to get on the housing ladder, as something that has happened due to the societal support of women. This could be particularly true for Gen Z who have yet to experience gender inequality in the labour market or the division of labour in a domestic household. To them, it may feel more like women are doing better yet society is still talking more about supporting them and not men, Chung adds. According to one study from February 2024, social media algorithms have been found to amplify misogynistic content to teenagers. Conducted by UCL, the University of Kent and the Association of School and College Leaders, the study found that accounts that viewed material exploring themes of loneliness or self-improvement were increasingly fed videos focused on anger and blame directed at women. Researchers identified a fourfold increase in the level of misogynistic content on the For You page of TikTok accounts over just five days on the platform. This ranged from objectification and sexual harassment to discrediting women. Social media algorithms play a huge role here in pushing sensationalist and edgy content, says Anki Deo, senior policy officer at advocacy group, Hope Not Hate. This is the case for all generations but with Gen Z there is a real confidence that they have digital literacy, which they do in terms of knowing how to operate technology, but they often lack in terms of identifying disinformation, reading comprehension and sources. A lot of the young people Deo speaks to are confident in their online skills but, when pushed, reveal they get all their news from social media and assume that if something has a lot of likes, its more likely to be true. The Johnny Depp and Amber Heard trial is a prime example of this, she says. There are also interesting questions around the erosion of respect towards real-life influences. If parents and teachers especially if they are women arent being respected by Gen Z young men but online influencers or friends are, theres a difficulty in coming back from where we currently are. Calling yourself a feminist has become less common among my friends Megan Tandon, 17 Of course, men are feeling the divide themselves, particularly if theyre on the more liberal side of the fence. The divisions often appear in the way people talk about work, relationships, and even personal goals, says Chad Teixeira, 28, who has noticed a split among his own friendship group, especially when it comes to identifying as a feminist. Some of them would definitely call themselves feminists but others might shy away from the term due to misunderstandings about what it actually stands for. Its something much younger Gen Z women have noticed, too. Calling yourself a feminist has become less common among my friends, says Megan Tandon, 17, a Hounslow Youth Council member and young consultant at Participation People, an organisation that empowers businesses to centre youth voices, and shape decision-making. Since feminism in the last two generations started becoming more popular, adopting more anti-feminist views is the new counterculture, which makes it an attractive opinion to have, Tandon posits. A lot of this is down to younger people holding more reactionary attitudes, something that is more common among young men in particular. Either Gen Z are acting as adolescents and rebelling in a more devils advocate way that they will grow out of, or there is something specific about this generations experiences that are shaping their views which will last longitudinally, says Deo. But theres also an interesting question to ask about why we assume that all young people are progressive and woke and what contributes to that impression of them. Its not just the views of young men that are defying expectations. An increasing number of reports have pointed to how misogyny is thriving among young women, who are actively revolting against liberalism and instead are buying into archaic ideas around marriage and femininity. On one side, you have the trad wives, ie women who portray themselves as domestic goddesses whose lives revolve around serving their male partners. At best, their content is inane aspirational nonsense. At worst, it advocates for a version of womanhood that is devoid of agency and financial independence. On the other end, though, you have more extreme anti-woke influencers like Hannah Pearl Davis, 28, who once argued that divorce should be illegal and women shouldnt have the right to vote. Then theres Brett Cooper, 23, who described pro-life laws as the governments way of requiring that you take personal responsibility for your actions. open image in gallery The manosphere is becoming an increasing threat ( Getty/iStockphoto ) Its hard to know exactly where this is coming from. The era of girlboss feminism has collapsed, and in its place, a hyper-feminine, even traditionalist aesthetic is resurging in the form of soft life and stay-at-home girlfriend trends, says psychologist Ieva Kubiliute. In many ways, conforming to such ideals, instead of consistently pushing up against hurdles faced by those who are more progressive, is seen as the easier option for some. I believe many young women in this generation are openly embracing older gender norms, not necessarily out of oppression but as a rejection of burnout culture and unrealistic expectations of modern womanhood. Of course, theres a key distinction between young people holding more traditional and, in some cases, right-wing views and those leaning towards extremism. However, its not hard to see how one could slip into the other, particularly if theyre feeling somewhat isolated and are being fed the right content online Hope Not Hate has observed a rise in the number of young people being referred to the governments Prevent programme, which tackles extremism, as well as an uptick of reports of sexual violence in schools. The main issue for me is how to avoid mens and womens rights being pitted against each other, says Deo, who views polarisation as being at the root of all of this. Every critique is an attack from one side to another; nuance is void. Even gender equality as a term is seen by many as favouring women in some way, she adds. We need proactive and positive work with men and boys that is intrinsically for them rather than being about preventing them from being evil monsters. So many young men are sensitive to the idea that they are being seen as potential criminals. We also need young men to understand that we care about dismantling the patriarchy for everyones sake. That feels like its missing right now. Perhaps what were also missing is a reality check. Because while stereotypically young people are more progressive than older generations, clearly thats not the world we live in. At least not anymore. Pretending otherwise will only set us back further, least of all because thats part of the reason were here. For too long, the economic and social problems faced by millennials like me were sidelined and sometimes satirised to the point that it all simply got kicked down to Gen Z without so much as an avocado toast meme for respite. Not enough of us noticed when people started seeking solace online, let alone what they were engaging with. This brings me back to Adolescence, in which a 13-year-old boy is accused of murder and later found to have been deeply embedded within the manosphere. Maybe I took my eye off the ball a little bit, says Stephen Graham in the role of the boys father, Eddie Miller. But he was in his room, weren't he? We thought he was safe, didn't we? Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Harvard University announced a new initiative to offer students free education if their families make under $200,000 or less a year. Harvard College will be free for students from families with annual incomes of $100,000 or less, and tuition-free for students from families with annual incomes of $200,000 or less. The financial aid expansion will officially go into effect for the 2025 to 2026 academic year. Putting Harvard within financial reach for more individuals widens the array of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives that all of our students encounter, fostering their intellectual and personal growth, Alan M. Garber, Harvard University President, said in a statement Monday. By bringing people of outstanding promise together to learn with and from one another, we truly realize the tremendous potential of the University, he continued. open image in gallery Harvard University will start offering students with specific financial backgrounds free tuition in the 2025 to 2026 academic year ( Getty Images ) Harvard College the undergraduate school within the university will be free for students with families with an annual income of $100,000 or less. This covers all billed expenses including tuition, food, housing, health insurance, and travel costs, the announcement explained. Each eligible student will also receive a $2,000 start-up grant for the first year and a $2,000 launch grant during their third year to help support the transition beyond Harvard. Students whose families earn annual incomes of $200,000 or less will receive aid for billed expenses on top of free tuition according to need. We know the most talented students come from different socioeconomic backgrounds and experiences, from every state and around the globe, William R. Fitzsimmons, the dean of admissions and financial aid for Harvard College, told the Gazette. Our financial aid is critical to ensuring that these students know Harvard College is a place where they can be part of a vibrant learning community strengthened by their presence and participation, he continued. Harvard lists its annual estimated undergraduate tuition as $82,866 on its website, which includes additional expenses such as food, health and student services, and housing. Tuition alone is $56,550. According to U.S. World News & Report, Harvard Universitys average acceptance rate for new students is 3 percent. The undergraduate school had 7,110 students in the fall of 2023. The 388-year-old academic institution based in Cambridge, Massachusetts is the latest school to implement a financial expansion of this magnitude. Princeton University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, New York University, and University of Pennsylvania are among the other schools offering similar financial aid expansions for their students with families earning les than $200,000 to $100,000 or less yearly. Photo: https://eurosolidarity.org/ Leader of the European Solidarity party Petro Poroshenko called on President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy to hold a meeting with the leaders of parliamentary factions to coordinate further steps regarding the peace process. "The complexity and drama of the situation requires an immediate meeting of Volodymyr Zelenskyy with the leaders of parliamentary factions. The parliament cannot learn about our negotiating position from foreign media. I believe that such a meeting should take place immediately after Zelenskyy's conversation with Trump," Poroshenko said on the X social network, commenting on the results of the conversation between U.S. President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. He said the Russians' refusal to accept the ceasefire was expected. "Putin seems to have invented the perpetuum mobile of war and has no intention of ending it... It is not for nothing that yesterday, before talking with President Trump, he shared his Fuhrer fantasies about capturing Odesa at a meeting with oligarchs. This is the same nonsense as once about Kyiv in three days. It is futile to hope that one or several conversations will stop these three years, 11 years of war in total. And a century of attempts to erase Ukraine from the world map. Despite the optimistic statements of the participants, we, Ukrainians, rightly do not have the feeling that yesterday's telephone conversation brought us closer to peace," Poroshenko said. In this regard, he said, Ukraine faces a difficult negotiation process. "For Putin, even the negotiating table is a continuation of the war in a different way. However, from what happened yesterday, when Putin de facto rejected President Trump's idea of a complete ceasefire, everyone must draw the right conclusions. Either Putin accepts President Trump's proposal for a complete ceasefire, or Trump activates the Plan B that he spoke about," Poroshenko said. Such a Plan B, he insists, is critically important and must appear on the table. First of all, it must include strengthened economic sanctions, the readiness for which was announced the day before by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, as well as the supply of those types of U.S. weapons to Ukraine that the White House has refrained from providing until now. "Ultimately, we need a new bipartisan resolution of the United States Congress on further comprehensive support for Ukraine. And I am ready to join the lobbying for this resolution. By the way, I have invitations to Washington and Florida for high-level meetings. I hope that the Office will have enough sense this time not to block my trip to the United States, just as it just banned me from going to the political assembly of the European People's party, the leading political force of the European Union," Poroshenko said. He called for refraining from anti-American hysteria and firmly upholding the principle of "nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine." "We can no longer waste time, people and territory. We are interested in President Trump's proposal for a complete ceasefire being implemented. For us, this is an opportunity to finally build fortifications not on paper, but on real terrain and turn the steppe space of the east and south into impenetrable ditches, ramparts and minefields. And if Putin violates the ceasefire, this will make his further offensive actions impossible," Poroshenko said. "We must do everything that can strengthen Ukraine in these difficult conditions. We will not impose ourselves either, but under any circumstances we are ready for joint work and joint responsibility. We will not give Putin any hope that, taking advantage of the destruction of unity, he will be able to destabilize the situation in the country, cause internal destabilization, and benefit from violations of democracy in Ukraine. And we should not play along in this hybrid war of his. We will stand as a state in unity, this is an obvious postulate. It would be a sin not to draw conclusions from Ukrainian history," he said. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has spoken out about her 32-year age gap with her husband, Nicholas Riccio. Leavitt, who is the youngest White House press secretary in history at 27, married Riccio, 59, in a private ceremony in January days before President Donald Trumps second inauguration. She recently opened up about meeting her partner back in 2022, when she was running for Congress in New Hampshire. Leavitt won the Republican nomination, but ultimately lost the seat to Chris Pappas. A mutual friend of ours hosted an event at a restaurant that he owns up in New Hampshire and invited my husband, she said during an appearance on The Megyn Kelly Show, which aired last month. I was speaking. We met and we were acquainted as friends. And then we fell in love. When Kelly asked Leavitt if she had any hesitations about dating Riccio, since he was 59, she said: Of course. I mean it's a very atypical love story but he's incredible, she continued. open image in gallery Karoline Leavitt and her husband Nicholas Riccio welcomed their son Niko last year ( @karolineleavitt / Instagram ) She also applauded Riccio for being there for her and their son, Nicholas Robert Riccio nicknamed Niko who they welcomed in July 2024. He is my greatest supporter, he's my best friend and he's my rock. He's built a very successful business himself so now he's fully supportive of me building my success in my career, she added about the real estate developer. And he is so supportive, especially during a very chaotic period of life. I say, I walked into your life and it's been a circus ever since, but God bless him because he's fully on board. She went on to detail how she balances the responsibilities of her job and motherhood. Im so grateful to have the support system I do. Great husband, who can be very present with our child, she added. And then, of course, a wonderful mother and father and friends who chip in when I need them. On Monday, Leavitt finally shared a few photos on Instagram of her private wedding, which took place at Wentworth By The Sea Country Club in New Hampshire. For the occasion, the press secretary wore a long-sleeved, sparkled, white gown, with her hair in an updo. Her husband wore a classic black tuxedo and bowtie. Finally found some time to post a few of my favorite pictures from one of my favorite days! she wrote in the caption. In July, she announced on Instagram that she was a mother, sharing a black and white photo of herself looking at her son after he was born. open image in gallery Leavitt recently issued a scathing rebuke to a French politician calling for the Statue of Liberty to be returned ( EPA ) Its true when they say theres nothing comparable to the love you feel for your child. My heart has grown bigger than I ever imagined possible, she wrote in the caption. Babies are the ultimate blessing and Im bursting with gratitude for our beautiful, happy, healthy boy. Days after Niko was born, Leavitt continued her work with the Trump campaign. She said she ultimately shortened her maternity leave after the assassination attempt against Trump on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania. I had just brought my newborn, my three-day-old baby home from the hospital. And I said, Im going to turn on the television and watch the rally today, she said, referring to the event on July 13, during an interview with The Conservateur in October. I looked at my husband and said, Looks like Im going back to work. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Matilda star Mara Wilson has penned an emotional essay in tribute to fellow child actor Michelle Trachtenberg, who died last month at the age of 39. The Gossip Girl actor was found in her New York City apartment on February 26. Her death was ruled undetermined by New York Citys Office of Chief Medical Examiner on February 28. Wilson, a long-time friend of Trachtenberg, detailed their experience attending middle school together in Burbank, California, in an essay for Vulture. At the time, Wilson had just starred in the 1996 comedy film, Matilda, while Trachtenberg had debuted in Harriet the Spy that same year. When Trachtenberg unexpectedly transferred to Wilsons middle school, Wilson was sure shed be one the beloved girls in her class. But that didnt happen. Every time I even heard someone say Michelle Trachtenberg, a kid would jump in to say that theyd heard she was mean, full of herself, a total bitch, Wilson wrote in her essay published March 18. Shes not, Id say, every time. Shes really nice, Wilson continued. Then, right before she graduated in 1999, she pulled me aside, and asked if she could talk to me. It was the first time wed had a one-on-one conversation that wasnt just a quick hi in the hall since Id started middle school. Are the kids here mean to you? Wilson remembered Trachtenberg asking her. Sometimes, I said. Because they are to me, she said, tearing up. They call me Harriet the Slut, Harriet the Bitch, Harriet the Bitchy Spy and so much worse. They never stop. Michelle Trachtenberg and Mara Wilson attended the same middle school together in Burbank, California ( Getty ) Later in her essay, the Miracle on 34th Street actor reflected on the moment she found out her childhood friend had died. I was packing for a work trip. I looked at my phone and felt my stomach drop. My hands were shaking and my knees went weak I thought I might pass out, Wilson remembered. This wasnt supposed to happen. She was too young. Shed worked too hard. I always thought I would get the chance to see her again, to tell her how much Id always looked up to her, she went on to say. To tell her the times we spent together as children were some of the best of my life. Police responded to a 911 call just after 8 a.m. at Trachtenbergs luxury home in One Columbus Place on Central Park South in February. She was found dead in her apartment by her mother. The NYPD confirmed they found the on-screen star unconscious and unresponsive, and she was pronounced dead by emergency medical workers. According to the Post, Trachtenberg had recently undergone a liver transplant. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Nadya Sulemans eldest daughter, Amerah, has revealed the surprising way she found her biological father without telling her mother. Suleman, whos a single mother, made headlines in 2009 when she was implanted with 12 embryos by a fertility specialist in Beverly Hills. The implantation resulted in the first-ever successful birth of octuplets: Noah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Jonah, Josiah, Makai, Maliyah, and Nariyah. However, before receiving her signature moniker as Octomom, Suleman was already a mother of six children: Amerah, Calyssa, Elijah, Caleb, Joshua, and Aidan all of whom she welcomed through in vitro fertilization (IVF). In Mondays episode of her familys new Lifetime show, Confessions of Octomom, Suleman spoke candidly about being a single mother, with her children addressing the questions theyve had about the identity of their father. I was personally never interested in who my biological father was, Sulemans son, Joshua, 21, said during the episode. She explained to me that it was, or he was, a friend of hers. A donor. That's all I needed to know. However, Amerah, 22, said she was itching to know who he was when she was younger. So, when she was 12, she ultimately found him on Facebook and contacted him, with her mother having no idea. Nadya Suleman addressed her 14 childrens curiosity about their biological father in Confessions of Octomom ( Lifetime ) Then my biological father reached out to my mom's best friend, who then reached out to my mom, she continued. And my mom spoke to me, and she was like, if you want to know him when you're 18, go for it. Reach out. And she said, He's more than happy to get to know you, just whenever you're ready. Amerah confessed that when she turned 18, she never felt the need to contact her biological father as she didnt have the urge to get to know him. I just don't know him. He's a stranger. I understood why he didn't want to be in our lives after the eight came, she said, referring to her mothers octuplets. And that's it. But I know he was a good friend to my mom. Leading up to the release of her Lifetime show, Suleman who faced backlash for having eight children when she was already a busy parent looked back on being pregnant. During that time, she was actually only hoping for one more baby. However, Dr. Michael Kamarava later confessed to implanting 12 embryos in her, despite saying hed only implanted six, and lost his medical license as a result. Still, Suleman said that while she wouldnt change the family she now has, she regrets that she didnt take legal action against Kamarava. I dont think Id do too much differently, she told People in an interview published earlier this month. I do regret not suing the infertility doctor. I definitely regret that because his insurance wouldve been the one paying, and it wouldve been some millions, and it wouldve been helpful for my family. She shared that when she was expecting her octuplets, she was living with her parents and struggling financially. I regret that I kind of threw myself under the bus to cover for him, and I shouldnt have but I was grateful. I wouldnt have had any of my kids if it weren't for his innovative technique, she explained. No one else in the world did this type of procedure, so I didnt have it in my heart to sue him. She said that she did sue the hospital for breaching HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which protects patients medical records and information. According to Suleman, the hospital was the reason why [she] ended up in the public eye. Back in 2009, Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Bellflower, California, was fined $250,000 for unauthorized employee access to Suleman's medical records. At the time, 25 employees had inappropriate access to those records, with 15 of them either terminated or resigned. Eight other employees faced other disciplinary actions. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Tina Fey has revealed she judges celebrities who have side hustles. The 54-year-old actor made the candid remark about rich people during Tuesdays episode of her close friend Amy Poehlers podcast, Good Hang. After Poehler told her friend she had incredible hair, she suggested Fey should have a hair campaign. Im always pushing you to have a glasses line, Poehler told Fey, who laughed hysterically in response. Fey started to explain why she hadnt invested in a glasses line before Poehler interrupted, saying, You hate money? I do kind of hate money, the 30 Rock star responded. She added: As we know, Im terrible with money I dont waste money but I dont get excited about money. Im safe and I have enough to live. Fey went on to criticize celebrities who start businesses on the side. I have a problem with rich people having a side hustle, she added before Poehler pointed out: Yeah, you mean like a podcast or something. open image in gallery Tina Fey says she has a problem with celebrities who have a side hustle ( Paper Kite Productions ) No, youre doing work, Fey responded, before clarifying that shed have an issue with her friend if she started a rose brand, for instance. If you already have like $200 million, and youre like, she began before Poehler interjected: But Tina, that is where you have to learn from Gen Z. Im sorry, we have to. You should stop, Poehler urged her fellow comedian. Because this is the thing now. The Date Night star then mocked an actor from the Eighties, who she wouldnt name, for promoting their line of homeopathic childrens medications. I was like, Why on this Earth would I trust an actress for pediatric medication? she concluded. open image in gallery Amy Poehler urges friend Tina Fey not to judge celebrities with side hustles. ( Paper Kite Productions ) Poehler and Fey have been close friends for more than three decades after meeting on Saturday Night Live as cast members and writers from 1999 to 2006. Theyve also starred in multiple movies together, including Baby Mama, Mean Girls, and Wine Country. During an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon last month, the two women opened up about their years of working together, which included co-hosting SNLs Weekend Update segment from 2004 to 2006. Before that, Fey hosted the segment with Jimmy Fallon. We've been friends for over 30 years, and we've been together doing stuff a lot, but I was, I'm kind of like Tina's second wife because you guys did it first, Poehler told Fallon before Fey added: Yes, that's true. I came in, and I got all the second wife goodness, Poehler reiterated. Poehler and Fey are set to travel the US on their Resting Leg Tour together this year. Their first show will be on March 29 in Orlando, Florida, with the tour concluding on June 22 in Newark, New Jersey. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Aaron Gunches, an inmate on Arizonas death row, has been executed by lethal injection, breaking a nearly two-year moratorium on the states executions. Four executioners injected Gunches with pentobarbital at the Arizona State Prison Complex in Florence shortly after 10 a.m. on Wednesday. His time of death was 10:33 a.m. Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry Deputy Director John Barcello announced Gunches death in a news conference, stating the execution went according to plan. IVs were inserted in the inmates arms and there was no sign of pain, a media witness said. Gunches, who was brought into the execution chamber wearing a white jumpsuit, did not look at witnesses and declined to make a final statement. The 53-year-old had been convicted of murdering Ted Price, 40, in 2002. Price had gotten into an argument with Gunches then-girlfriend who hed previously dated. Price and the woman had agreed to live together while he went to school to become a radiology technician. The pair had a serious relationship and Price had become a stay-at-home father to her two children. After their breakup, he temporarily moved back to his native Utah. When he returned to Arizona, he discovered his ex-girlfriend was living in a home for drug addicts and had developed a methamphetamine habit. At one point, shed taken the drug with her 14-year-old daughter in front of her son. The discovery led to an argument between the two, with Gunches later getting involved. Gunches initially planned to drive Price to a bus station but after he discovered he didnt have money for a bus ticket, he drove Price to a desert spot near Mesa and shot him four times. This undated photo provided by Karen Price shows her brother, Ted Price, who was fatally shot in November 2002 near Mesa, Arizona ( AP ) Authorities arrested him in January 2003, after an Arizona Department of Public Safety trooper pulled him over near the California state line. Gunches shot the trooper, who was saved by a bulletproof vest. Detectives discovered the bullet casings near the shooting were a match for ammunition found near Prices body. Officials charged Gunches with first-degree murder and kidnapping. He pleaded guilty in 2007 and has long advocated for his death. Recently, he waived his right to a clemency hearing. Its not clear if Gunches visited with anyone ahead of his execution. His last meal was a Double Western Bacon Cheeseburger with fries from Carls Jr, two sandwiches, onion rings and baklava. Karen Price, Prices sister, attended the execution, which she said brought justice for her family. She described her brother as a kind and funny person who never met a cat he didnt like. Although weve taken the final step in the legal process, the pain of losing Ted remains profound, she said. I genuinely hope that after today we can finally begin to put this chapter behind us. Gunches was the second of four inmates scheduled to be put to death this week across the U.S. On Tuesday, Louisiana executed Jessie Hoffman, a 46-year-old man whod been on death row for 27 years for the brutal rape and murder of a 28-year-old advertising executive in 1996. It marked the states first nitrogen gas execution. Two other prisoners Wendell Grissom and Edward Thomas James are both due to be executed in Oklahoma and Florida on Thursday. Arizona had paused executions after issues with obtaining lethal injection drugs and procedures in 2023. Gunches was first scheduled to be executed in April of that year but officials postponed his execution to conduct the probe. David K Duncan, a retired federal judge, was hired to independently analyze and investigate ongoing problems with how the state administers lethal injections. He found pentobarbital, a drug for lethal injections, being stored unlabeled in what appeared to be Mason jars. One official directive he uncovered told executioners to look up how to prepare the lethal cocktail on Wikipedia. Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs fired Duncan in November, two weeks before his reports deadline. That same month, the states Department of Corrections Director Ryan Thornell wrote to Hobbs announcing changes to execution protocols and stated his confidence in carrying out another execution. Department staff scheduled Gunches execution last month. There are currently over 100 people on Arizonas death row. Despite its Democratic governor, President Donald Trump won Arizona in the 2024 presidential election. Shortly after taking office, he signed an executive order directing the U.S. attorney general to take all necessary and lawful action to help states obtain lethal injection drugs to carry out executions. Lethal injection is Arizonas de facto primary method. Gunches death could be interpreted as a push to increase the states number of executions. Following Gunches death, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mays, the states top law enforcement officer, said: Today is an incredibly solemn day. It is my job to enforce the law...As Arizona voters have affirmed and the courts have reinforced, the death penalty is the law of the land. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Houston grandfather was killed in a violent shootout at a McDonalds while buying Happy Meals for his two grandchildren. Jorge Arbaiza, 61, walked into the burger joint in a commercial area of the city to pick up the meals when two groups inside the restaurant got into a fight and began shooting at each other. Arbaiza was fatally struck by a bullet while inside. His wife, Teresa, was waiting for him in the parking lot with the two grandkids. She called her husband when she noticed people pouring out of the restaurant and didnt see him. Shed seen a man with a gun in her rearview mirror shortly before she heard gunshots, KHOU 11 reported. Arbaiza picked up the phone to tell his wife he had been shot. "'I'm dying, I'm going to die,'" he told her. The two had been married for 39 years. "I couldn't leave the kids alone I could not go inside the kids were crying, and they were scared," she told the TV station. Arbaiza was transported to an area hospital for treatment but ultimately succumbed to his injuries. A 25-year-old man who was part of the fight was also shot but is expected to survive. "He was crazy for his grandkids," Teresa said of her husband. A police investigation is ongoing. Detectives are searching for a group of young men and women involved in the shooting who left the restaurant in a maroon SUV. Another group was in a white sedan. Investigators and a K-9 team returned to the scene on Monday to search for evidence. "All I want is justice," Arbaizas sister-in-law Zoila Garcia told KHOU 11. "So they can grab them and they can pay for what they did it's so unjust." The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Louisiana executed death row inmate Jessie Hoffman with nitrogen gas despite last-ditch efforts by his legal team claiming the method violated his religious freedoms. Hoffman, who had been convicted of the brutal rape and murder of a 28-year-old woman in 1996, was put to death at Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola at 6:50 p.m. local time, Department of Public Safety and Corrections Secretary Gary Westcott announced during a news conference Tuesday evening. It was flawless, said Westcott. It went about as good as we can expect. Hoffman, 46, spent the day visiting with family members, attorneys and his spiritual adviser. He declined a final meal around 6:12 p.m. Shortly thereafter, he was escorted to the execution chamber, where he declined to make a final statement at 6:20 p.m., and placed on a gurney. Executioners then placed a nitrogen gas mask on his face. Officials administered nitrogen gas, which flowed for 19 minutes. It marked the first nitrogen gas execution in Louisiana and the states first execution in 15 years. Three other states Alabama, Mississippi and Oklahoma allow nitrogen gas executions, but only Alabama had previously used the method. Hoffmans execution had been stayed by 19th Judicial District Court Judge Richard Moore until 9 a.m. CT Tuesday, pending a hearing. A Baton Rouge judge overturned the temporary restraining order in the early afternoon. After that, it was up to the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene. The case was declined around 7:00 p.m. ET in a 5 to 4 vote. Justices Neil Gorsuch, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson Jackson dissented. open image in gallery The main security gate at Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola ( AP ) Attorneys asked the court to consider whether the use of nitrogen hypoxia violated Hoffmans religion under the Preservation of Religious Freedom Act, a state law that says the government shall not substantially burden a persons religious freedoms unless the act is in government interest. The inmate claimed nitrogen hypoxia would interfere with his religious right to do meditative breathing as he is put to death. Hoffman was a Buddhist. Meditative breathing at the time of death carries profound spiritual significance and the terror state created by forced inhalation of nitrogen makes that practice impossible, Hoffmans attorneys told the court. The Louisiana attorney generals office responded saying the state has no other method currently available as lethal injection drugs cannot be obtained and there is no functioning electric chair. Louisiana legally allows executions via nitrogen gas, lethal injection and electrocution. Republican Governor Jeff Landry authorized nitrogen hypoxia executions last year. Additionally, Hoffman never argued that there is a legally appreciable difference between his breathing as he fades into unconsciousness by nitrogen hypoxia and his breathing as he would fade into unconsciousness after being shot by a firing squad, state attorneys argued. Hoffman spent eight months fighting the nitrogen gas method. Jessie Hoffman suffered because the state chose to use the end of his life as an experiment, his attorney, Samantha Pourciau, said in a written statement after his execution. It was gruesome and prolonged and the very thing that our constitution was designed to protect us, as Americans, from enduring the very thing our countrys framers thought would set us apart from the nation we sought to leave, she added. Instead, Louisianans will wake up tomorrow knowing what our state has done and reading about a killing that inflicted psychological pain, suffering, and terror. A court sentenced Hoffman to death by lethal injection in 1998, about two years after he murdered Mary Molly Elliott in St Tammany Parish. Elliott had been getting ready to go on a date with her husband the day before Thanksgiving when the crime occurred. She left her office in the French Quarter and headed to her car. Thats when Hoffman, a parking lot attendant, kidnapped and raped her. She was then fatally shot in the head. A duck hunter found her nude body on the East Pearl River along the Louisiana-Mississippi state line on Thanksgiving Day. Hoffman was 18 at the time of her murder and was on death row for 27 years. open image in gallery Death Row building at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola ( AP2009 ) Despite the horrific crime, one of Elliotts relatives begged for a pardon ahead of the execution. "I want my opportunity to speak as a victim's family member in the clemency process before Jessie is executed and am distraught that my voice cannot be heard," wrote Kate Murphy, Elliots sister-in-law, in a letter submitted as part of a pardon board hearing. "Executing Jessie Hoffman is not justice in my name, it is the opposite." Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill told reporters following Hoffmans death that she had been in direct contact with Elliotts immediate family members who were not opposed to the execution moving forward. They are grateful to have finality, she said. What was frustrating for them is that it took 30 years. Hoffman expressed remorse to Elliotts husband, parents, and other family members in a 2023 clemency petition. To Mr. Elliott, to Molly Elliotts parents, and to all those impacted by such a senseless and painful loss, I want to say that I am extremely and genuinely sorry for all the pain that my very selfish, horrible and heartless acts caused you all, Hoffman wrote. The use of nitrogen gas has come under intense scrutiny by anti-death penalty organizations and the United Nations, which last year determined the method could constitute torture, violating international human rights treaties ratified by the U.S. In 2024, Alabama became the first state to execute an inmate using nitrogen gas when it put Kenneth Eugene Smith, 58, to death. Smith was strapped to a gurney and fitted with a mask and breathing tube that slowly deprived him of oxygen. During the 22-minute-long execution, Smith shook and writhed within restraints on the gurney. Louisiana has not made its nitrogen gas execution protocols public, meaning that attorneys and Hoffman did not entirely know what the execution would entail. Moments described by Seth Smith, the Louisiana prisons chief of prison operations, resembled media accounts of prior nitrogen gas executions. He did move. He did shake very briefly, Smith said, noting the movements were part of an involuntary response to dying. He did not believe Hoffman was conscious by that point. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A court in the Dominic Republic ruled on Tuesday that a Minnesota college student has been unlawfully detained in a hotel as he assists authorities in the search for Sudiksha Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student who disappeared earlier this month during a spring break vacation with friends to the island nation. Prior to the ruling, Joshua Riibe, 22, the last person to see Konanki before she went missing, had been under close police supervision and confined to the RIU Hotel & Resort for the last eight days. The decision means Riibe, a student at St. Cloud State University, will be free to leave the hotel, but his ability to return to the U.S. remains constrained because authorities still have his passport. His local attorneys praised the decision and said he had been a victim of irregular treatment during the investigation process. Riibe told officials he and Konanki went for an early-morning swim and kissed the day she disappeared, March 6, and were caught in heavy surf. Riibe, a former life guard, said he pulled the young woman back to shore but lost track of her after he began vomiting seawater and passed out in a beach chair. The Minnesota student claims that during the subsequent investigation which included a massive search involving hundreds of local police and civilian officials, aided by the FBI and international law enforcement his travel documents were confiscated. Government officials in the Dominican Republic say they were turned over voluntarily. open image in gallery Riibe will likely remain stuck in Dominican Republic until later this month, as authorities retain possession of his passport ( KMSP ) The conditions prompted Riibes lawyers to file a preventative habeas corpus petition this week to protect the American from what they saw as a potential unlawful detention. Albert Riibe, Joshuas father, also testified on Tuesday, insisting he wouldnt leave the country until his son was freed. Dominican prosecutors argued in court that Riibe was not being held in detention but rather in conditions befitting his position as a fact witness. They also claimed that security for the 22-year-old was for his own protection, in case his involvement in the investigation put him at risk of reprisal. The hearing Tuesday turned into a major spectacle, with the presiding judge ordering a scrum of cameras out of the courtroom, and defense and prosecution lawyers being chided for yelling over each other. open image in gallery Sudiksha Konankis family has petitioned local authorities to declare the student dead, and say they accept early findings that she drowned ( Facebook ) Further hearings are scheduled for later this month. In court in Higuey, Riibe described being surrounded by heavy police presence at virtually all times. Ever since that day, after I lost my passport and phone, I have very solemnly or ever been alone, he reportedly said, adding, Im just waiting to go home and go back to my life. He also claimed that Konankis parents hugged him and thanked him for attempting to save the pre-med students life. On Monday, Konankis parents asked Dominican officials in a letter to declare their daughter dead. They also noted Riibes participation in the investigation and accepted the provisional explanation that Konanki drowned and was not a victim of foul play. The missing student or her remains have not been located. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A mother has been charged over an alleged DUI crash in California that killed her two young children. Yesica Barajas, 31, of Napa, faces two felony counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and a felony count of driving under the influence resulting in injury, according to the Napa County DA. She is also charged with two felony counts of child abuse in connection with the crash on the morning of March 16. In addition, the DA noted, Barajas crimes constitute an increased level of seriousness due to other factors including that she was in a position of trust, that the victims were vulnerable, and that they sustained great bodily injury. Prosecutors allege Barajas was under the influence of alcohol and drugs when she got behind the wheel of the familys 2006 Nissan. open image in gallery 10-year-old Damien Montanez and nine-year-old Aaliyah Montanez were killed when a car driven by their mother in Napa crashed into a tree ( GoFundMe ) The car reportedly veered off a Highway 29 exit ramp at Imola Avenue around 7 a.m. on Sunday morning and slammed into a tree at the bottom of an embankment. Her two children nine-year-old Aaliyah Montanez and 10-year-old Damien Montanez did not survive the crash. A GoFundMe page, set up to help fund funerals for the youngsters, had raised almost $50,000 as of Wednesday. Damian & Aaliyah were sweet, loving, full of life kids who will be missed greatly. They touched everyone they met, the page description read. They were always helpful and loved camping in Lake Tahoe, where they often went with their grandparents, Lilia and Enrique. To say that the Montanez-Rincon family are devastated with this loss is an understatement. Barajas survived but suffered major injuries, the DA said. She is still recovering but has been administratively booked into the Napa County Department of Corrections, where she will be taken after she recovers. Judge Elia Ortiz set Barajas bail amount to $1.5 million, which will be revisited during her next court appearance, which is scheduled for March 21. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Lawyers for disgraced celebrity lawyer Tom Girardi are attempting to delay a hearing on his mental health ahead of his sentencing. Girardi, 85, was convicted in August 2024 on four counts of wire fraud involving the embezzling of money meant for his clients. A jury found that Girardi, the estranged husband of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne, used the money to fund an opulent lifestyle, which involved private jets, club memberships, and jewelry. Now, his lawyers are vying against the governments proposed date of April 11 for the hearing and are trying to push it back to May 16, court documents obtained Monday by City News Service showed. The former high-powered attorney was due to be sentenced in December 2024. Prosecutors seek a 14-year prison sentence and over $3.7 million in restitution. Prosecutors argued in court that Girardi had been operating a decade-long Ponzi scheme where he siphoned at least $15 million in settlement funds from four clients. Girardis lawyers are asking for a five to seven-year sentence, arguing that their client suffers from dementia and was an octogenarian first-time offender convicted of nonviolent crimes who poses no ongoing or future threat to society. The defense team believes Girardi's imprisonment in the memory care ward of an Orange County nursing home would be appropriate. open image in gallery Girardi was originally due to be sentenced on March 3 for four counts of wire fraud ( Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Kathy Ruigomez was among the victims who testified in court about how Girardi mishandled millions of dollars awarded to her in a Pacific Gas & Electric settlement after her son suffered severe burns in the San Bruno, California, pipeline gas explosion in 2010. She described his withholding of her money as a slap in the face and said that justice delayed is justice denied. After hearing a verdict of guilty, Judge Josephine Staton ruled that Girardi needed to undergo a mental evaluation to determine whether he should be handed a prison sentence or be hospitalized for life. On January 7, Girardi was flown to FMC Butner, a federal prison in North Carolina for male inmates, and spent 45 days being evaluated for cognitive impairment, according to reports from the Los Angeles Daily News. The U.S. Bureau of Prisons submitted a roughly 30-page evaluation of Girardi on March 11. The report was said to be neither complex nor voluminous and did not recommend further testing or evaluation of defendant, according to notes from Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Paetty. According to Paetty, Girardis federal public defender, Samuel Cross, has asked for more time to consult with already-retained expert witnesses and additional lay witnesses about the report's results, reports The Daily News. However, a prosecutor who wants the hearing to go ahead on April 11, wrote that the defendant has had ample time to retain any expert to review and evaluate the BOP report. When the results from the medical evaluation are eventually revealed, Judge Staton will set a sentencing date. The Independent contacted Girardis public defender, Samuel Cross, for comment. US President's National Security Advisor Mike Waltz says he plans to talk with his colleagues in Russia and Ukraine today, Sky News reports. "Shuttle diplomacy is difficult, it's tough. But we are going back and forth at every level driving both sides toward a ceasefire and driving both sides toward the end of this war," he said, speaking to reporters outside the White House. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump discussed the situation at the frontline, the issue of the release of prisoners of war (POWs), the return of children abducted by the Russian Federation and the state of the Ukrainian air defense during a telephone conversation. "I also provided an update on the battlefield situation and the consequences of Russian strikes. We spoke about the situation in the Kursk region, touched on the issue of the release of POWs, and the return of Ukrainian children who were taken by Russian forces. We also discussed the state of Ukraines air defense and the possibility of strengthening it to protect lives," Zelenskyy wrote on X. Zelenskyy and Trump agreed that Ukraine and the United States should continue to cooperate to achieve a real end to the war and lasting peace. "We believe that together with America, with President Trump, and under American leadership, lasting peace can be achieved this year," the head of state added. According to him, during the conversation, Trump shared details of the conversation with Vladimir Putin and the key issues that were discussed. Zelenskyy confirmed to Trump that Ukraine supports and is ready to implement one of the first steps towards ending the war - stopping attacks on energy and civilian infrastructure. "Our teams discussed this step in Jeddah. The American side also proposed an unconditional ceasefire on the frontline, and Ukraine accepted this proposal as well. We will continue working to make this happen. We believe that such steps are necessary to create the possibility for a comprehensive peace agreement to be prepared during the ceasefire," Zelenskyy stressed. Louisiana executed a man convicted of murder with nitrogen gas on Tuesday evening the state's first execution in 15 years and its first using the largely-untested method after a raging legal battle that ended with a gas mask strapped over his face in the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola death chamber. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump asked for additional air defense systems to protect civilians, White House Spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said at a press briefing on Wednesday. "President Zelenskyy asked for additional air defense systems to protect civilians, particularly Patriot missile systems, and President Trump agreed to work with him to find what is available, particularly in Europe," she said. A consequence-free zone is what best describes the governance of WiseTech after its board concluded founder and major shareholder Richard White has engaged in unacceptable conduct, but he emerged penalty free. There was no plank walking for this human headline/social media Lothario who became the subject of a raft of allegations concerning inappropriate romantic relationships and claims he sought sex in return for personal financial investment. WiseTech Globals founder Richard White. Credit: Bloomberg His punishment (or should we say reward) was his elevation to the position of executive chairman of the $28 billion logistics software company the biggest tech stock on the ASX. The legal firm investigating a range of allegations against White for the board found he made inaccurate, misleading and incomplete disclosures about his relationship with a member of staff and also with a WiseTech supplier. At 4pm on October 22, 1895, a train derailed in Montparnasse Station, Paris. After crashing through the platform and wall of the station, the locomotive then fell into the Place de Rennes, killing a woman below. None of the passengers or crew on board the train were killed or seriously injured. Tens of thousands of onlookers flocked to see the wreckage - many presuming the crash must have been an anarchist terror attack, a common occurrence in fin de siecle Europe. The reason was less dramatic: the driver, Guillaume-Marie Pellerin, had been speeding, and as the train approached the station, he hit the brakes a little too late. The aftermath of the derailment was captured in a stunning photo that has since inspired numerous artists and writers. It features on the cover of John Taylors 1982 book An Introduction to Error Analysis and on the cover of American rock band Mr Bigs 1991 album Lean into It. Emma Donoghues new novel takes on the train that famously crashed at Montparnasse station in Paris in 1895. Credit: Woodgate Photography Practical necessity drew author Emma Donoghue to the famous image. Three years ago her partner, Chris Roulston, landed an academic job in Paris. When the couple were looking for accommodation, Montparnasse seemed an ideal choice. I was googling Montparnasse, and this photograph leapt up at me, the 55-year-old Irish-Canadian novelist, screenwriter, playwright and literary historian explains from her home in Ontario, Canada. The Montparnasse derailment became her temporary obsession. She took the original train journey that led to the crash, which set out from Normandy at 8.45 am. Looking out the window I started seeing everything through the eyes of October 1895, Donoghue explains. I later immersed myself in archives of the Bibliotheque de France, where I drew on more than 40 newspaper articles about the derailment. Virdee Opening with a disorientating chase on foot through the city centre of Bradford that uses an urgent mix of drone and handheld cameras to keep you off-balance and exhausted, this British crime drama throws everything it has at you. But the reason Virdee resonates is that the familiar genre elements, which revolve around police detective Harry Virdee (Staz Nair) and a highly charged investigation that repeatedly escalates, are matched by personal stakes that are painfully intimate. The hardest hits in this show arent from fists. Staz Nair as Harry Virdee in the British crime drama Virdee. Harry gets the suspect in a missing teenager case hes pursuing, but his sense of triumph doesnt last. His broad shoulders look burdened when he meets his wife, local nurse Saima (Aysha Kala), outside a blaring wedding party. Im finally about to meet my racist father-in-law, she jokes, but neither laughs. Harry comes from a Sikh family, Saima is Muslim, and their marriage has left son estranged from father. Both are the children of immigrants, with unmistakeable Yorkshire accents, but the divisions of the past still refuse to let them be. Virdee was adapted by crime author A.A. Dhand from his series of novels based around the character of Harry Virdee. The lines between family, religion, career, and community are complicated for Harry and Saimas South Asian generation they flex and fray, leaving sharp edges that can draw blood. Harrys dedication to his job is shadowed by his relationship with Saimas brother, Riaz Hyatt (Vikash Bhai), who is secretly running one of two drug gangs that are vying for control of Bradfords streets. The give and take between the two is full of wary compromise and sudden risk. Renewable energy advocates must stare down an increasingly toxic debate about offshore wind developments, independent MP Zali Steggall says, as she outlined plans for a billion dollar fund to harden communities against the effects of warming already baked into the climate. Steggall, the first of the teal independents to be elected to parliament, said she stood by her support for the rollout of renewable energy infrastructure across the country, including offshore wind, the benefits of which some other regional teal candidates have questioned. Warringah MP Zali Steggall wants a new fund to harden communities against the climate threat. Credit: Steven Siewert Offshore wind, in particular, takes political courage, but the reality is we are going to need it to transition our energy sector, said Steggall, whose seat in the northern beaches of Sydney does not face the prospect of offshore wind farms. You have all the trolls who say, Well, why cant you have wind turbines off Manly? Well, I dont have an industrial zone in Warringah that requires the energy that would be generated from an offshore wind. Treasurer Jim Chalmers has sought credit for new employment figures released today, which show unemployment is steady at 4.1 per cent. Employment fell by 53,000 and unemployment by 11,000 in February. The participation rate was down 0.4 percentage points to 66.8 per cent. Treasurer Jim Chalmers. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen In a statement, Chalmers said: Low unemployment and much lower inflation is a remarkable combination when you look at our historical experience and whats happening in other countries. Under Labor, unemployment is low, inflation is down, real wages are rising again, interest rates have started to come down, debt is lower and growth is rebounding solidly. The headline inflation rate is at 2.4 per cent, within the Reserve Bank of Australias target range of 2 per cent to 3 per cent. But ANZ economists Aaron Luk and Adam Boyton dont expect this data alone to have a material influence on the RBAs rate-setting decisions. We maintain our stance that this easing cycle will be a shallow one, with only one more rate cut to come in August, they said. In related news, the Australian share market resumed its uptrend after the US Federal Reserve left US rates unchanged as expected and shrugged-off tariff concerns. As markets closed, the S&P/ASX200 had gained 90.6 points, or 1.16 per cent, to 7918.9, as the broader All Ordinaries rose 93.6 points, or 1.16 per cent, to 8148.9. With AAP A White Paper with proposals from the European Commission to increase European defense capabilities and support Ukraine was presented in Brussels. The White Paper for European Defence Readiness 2030 and the ReArm Europe Plan/Readiness 2030 were released by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas and European Commissioner Andris Kubilius. "The international order is undergoing changes of the magnitude not seen since 1945. This is a pivotal moment for European security. It is a pivotal moment for action. Yes, that the needs of additional funding are massive. The proposals we have adopted today are also essential," Kallas said. According to her, the White Paper identifies gaps in the capabilities of member states. "In line with the NATO capability priorities, we put forward ideas how to work together to in order to fulfil them. This means replenishing European stocks of ammunition, weapons, military equipment, also to keep them flowing to Ukraine," the High Representative said. She also detailed that the EU should supply Ukraine with 2 million rounds of ammunition every year. In addition, Kallas said Ukraine should also be part of this work. "We have a lot to learn from Ukraines battlefield experience. We should also be in a position to develop defence systems for Ukraine, but also with Ukraine. Member States must remain in the driving seat when it comes to defence. This is a question of national sovereignty," she added. Commenting on the publication of the White Paper, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: "The era of the peace dividend is long gone. The security architecture that we relied on can no longer be taken for granted. Europe is ready to step up. We must invest in defence, strengthen our capabilities, and take a proactive approach to security." Von der Leyen is convinced of the need to buy more European because "that means strengthening the European defence technological and industrial base. That means stimulating innovation. And that means creating an EU-wide market for defence equipment." According to a press release, the proposed measures aim to "respond to the short-term urgency of supporting Ukraine, but also to address the pressing long-term need to boost Europes security and defence." The European Commission recalled that, as von der Leyen previously said, "the last several years have exposed the chronic under investment and a lack of efficient spending in Europes military capabilities." In particular, the White Paper presents solutions to address critical capability gaps and create a strong defense industrial base, suggests ways for member states to massively invest in defense, ensure system defense, and increase the readiness of the European defense industry in the long term. "This is essential for Europes security. Europe must invest in the security and defence of the continent, while continuing to support Ukraine to defend itself from Russias aggression," the press release reads. Thus, to effectively address these challenges, the White Paper outlines a number of key areas of action, such as closing capability gaps with a focus on critical capabilities identified by Member States, supporting the European defence industry through aggregate demand and increased joint procurement, supporting Ukraine through increased military assistance and deeper integration of the European and Ukrainian defence industries, deepening the pan-European defence market, including by simplifying rules, accelerating the transformation of defence through disruptive innovations such as AI and quantum technology, increasing Europe's preparedness for worst-case scenarios by improving military mobility, strengthening external borders, in particular the land border with Russia and Belarus, and strengthening partnerships with like-minded countries around the world. Regarding the ReArm Europe Plan/Readiness 2030, as previously announced by von der Leyen, this plan allows for spending over EUR 800 billion, which can be directed to public defense financing at national level. The European Commission also presented a new dedicated security instrument for Europe SAFE: "In light of the current exceptional circumstances, the Commission will raise up to 150 billion on the capital markets, drawing on its well-established unified funding approach to help EU Member States rapidly and substantially increase investments in Europes defence capabilities. These funds will be disbursed to interested Member States upon demand, on the basis of national plans," the press release reads. In addition, SAFE will allow Member States to immediately and massively increase joint procurement from the European defense industry, focusing on priority capabilities. "This will contribute to ensuring interoperability, predictability, and reducing costs for a strong European defence industrial base. Ukraine and EFTA/EEA countries will be able to join common procurements, and it will be possible for buy from their industries," the EC said. Loading Nobody can say why the billionaire mining magnate keeps wasting the High Courts time with doomed legal battles hes 0-5 before the countrys top judges. And similarly, nobody could quite figure out the logic behind Palmers decision to try to trademark the word teal, first reported by this masthead in January. A childish attempt to troll the current crop of independents? Some kind of elaborate 5-D chess electoral strategy? Palmers media minders, who themselves arent sure what hes up to half the time, wouldnt explain. While the mystery of Palmers application with IP Australia remains unresolved, CBD can report that at least one of his applications has failed. The regulator objected to Palmers teal trademark, with IP Australias trademark examiner issuing an adverse report last month. That means Palmer can either let the application lapse, or respond to the examiners report, which he has until February to do. Would Palmer, who loves an appeal, seek to keep on fighting for his trademark application? If so, his minders didnt respond, leaving Palmers latest frolic a mystery, once again. The high cost of loving David Dicker luxuriously bearded founder of Dicker Data looks more like a cult leader or Tolkien character than a hardware and software logistics mogul. Dicker Datas David Dicker. Credit: Louie Douvis And he certainly has the suitably fabulistic turn of phrase to match. Dicker left these shores in 2019 to live out of a luxury hotel in Dubai, describing Australia as an authoritarian shithole. Hes since bemoaned the way those in his home country who make lots of money are abused and denigrated, unlike Americans, who show appropriate fawning deference to their billionaires. They did just make one president. Twice. Anyway, with deep pontifications like this, its no surprise that Dicker, the successful owner of a private jet and unsuccessful (so far) owner of a Formula 1 team, cops a bit of gentle denigration in columns such as ours. While busy trying to break into F1, Dicker has also been dealing with the costly fall-out from his divorce with second wife Delwyn Dicker. Last year, he sold $200 million worth of Dicker Data stock about 10 per cent of the listed company with the proceeds set to go toward a divorce settlement. And on Wednesday, the company announced Dicker was selling another 8.3 million shares, worth $67 million all up, again citing the divorce. The proceeds from the share sale is to fund David Dickers final divorce settlement instalment, along with other personal funding needs, the company said in an announcement to the Australian Securities Exchange. In 2021, Dicker sold $42.2 million worth of shares, with the proceeds going toward buying a second-hand private jet, and his Rodin hypercars. All those expensive toys, it seems, cost less than the divorce. King George rises again George Mladenov realised a lifelong dream when he appeared on Australian Survivor in 2021. King George, as hes known on the show for his Machiavellian dealings, became a fan favourite and is set to return to our screens again later this year. George Mladenov kept viewers entertained in the 2021 season of Australian Survivor. Credit: Nigel Wright But Mladenov cant resist his other great love politics. Mladenov, who spent a lifetime among the backroom brawlers of NSW Labor right, has gone back to where it all began. Hes now doing some staffing work for his old boss, NSW upper house MP Tania Mihailuk. A secret report into a botched council redevelopment of a heritage theatre in Daylesford found the shires former chief executive underestimated the project cost by $5 million while disregarding expert advice. In a document leaked online at the weekend, Victorias Local Government Inspectorate found former Hepburn Shire Council chief executive Aaron van Egmond failed to respect governance practices when he led the purchase and planned overhaul of The Rex building in 2016. A leaked report from the Local Government Inspectorate has criticised ex-Hepburn Shire CEO Aaron van Egmond for his management of The Rex redevelopment in Daylesford. Credit: Jason South/Supplied The cost blowouts for The Rex redevelopment were discovered only after van Egmond left in 2018 to lead Hobsons Bay Council, where he remained until his abrupt suspension in January amid allegations of unacceptable workplace behaviour towards staff under his watch. The consecutive scandals and the council watchdogs refusal to release its Hepburn Shire report have prompted calls for more transparency. Melbournes street corners were strewn with shells back in the 1850s when native angasi oysters were the street food of choice and sold in shacks and street stalls. Now we are more likely to snack on a dim sim doused in soy sauce or grab a takeaway coffee. Artist Kenny Pittock at the Town Hall with his sculptures for The Dirty Dozen exhibition, celebrating Melbournes street food. Credit: Penny Stephens The 12 street foods that made Melbourne are the subject of The Dirty Dozen exhibition at the Town Hall, featuring ceramic sculptures created by artist Kenny Pittock of oysters, saveloys, ice-cream, meat pies, fruit, coffee, fish and chips, dim sims, hamburgers, Chiko rolls, souvlaki and a halal snack pack. Journalist Richard Cornish curated the display for the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival and said the items had to be recreated in ceramics because street food, by its very nature, wasnt long-lasting. PBAC conducts biased health technology assessments that compare innovative medicines to the lowest-cost comparator, the submission says, adding that this punishes the US companies. It also blames the PBS for unreasonable patient access delays because the government takes time to consider new medicines and decide whether they should receive a public subsidy to lower the cost for consumers. Illustration by Matt Golding Australia creates unnecessary data requirements and other administrative hurdles to secure PBS listing, causing significant delays, the submission says. The PBS cost taxpayers $17.7 billion last financial year and helped reduce the cost of 930 different medicines. It means Australians can buy life-saving drugs worth thousands of dollars for as little as $31.60 per script, often after the government has negotiated with the drug company to secure the best deal for taxpayers. Medicines Australia, the peak group for the pharmaceutical companies including several PhRMA members, said the PBS was a world-class universal healthcare program but should be improved. There is, for instance, widespread recognition it takes too long for a new medicine to be listed on the PBS due to measures that undervalue the benefits of new medicines compared to existing treatments, the industry group said. Their message has significant cost implications for the government, which would have to increase funding to approve medicines more quickly and address concerns raised in the PhRMA submission. While Butler commissioned a review of the medicine assessment process, he is yet to act on it. Pharmaceutical products are the third-biggest category in Australias exports to the US, after beef and gold. US tariffs on Australian health exports would pose a risk for medical giant CSL, which is a PhRMA member but also exports plasma from Australia to the US. Friction over the PBS could also influence Trumps broader agenda on trade sanctions across multiple industries. Trade expert Joseph Damond, the chair of global life sciences at Crowell Global Advisors in Washington DC, said the impact on Australia would depend on whether the Trump administration prioritised trade disputes with other countries. I dont think theres any reason to be imminently concerned about these issues because it does seem the administration will be focused on countries with whom the US has large trade deficits, and Australia is not one of those, he said. While reciprocal tariffs could hurt American consumers, Damond said there was no evidence, so far, that the administration was paying much attention to this potential impact in the US. Australian National University law professor Peter Drahos said the US companies would push strongly for the Trump administration to act against Australian subsidies because of their longstanding dislike of the PBS. The US pharmaceutical lobby is one of the worlds oldest, most highly organised lobbies they have a track record of success when it comes to influencing domestic law via trade agreements, he said. Drahos, who warned against including the PBS in talks on the free trade agreement with the US two decades ago, said the scheme was always a target for the US companies because it set up an Australian monopsony a market with one buyer to counter global monopoly pricing. Both major political parties are insisting the PBS will remain off the agenda in trade tensions with the US, but Trumps decision to proceed with 25 per cent tariffs on Australian steel and aluminium showed Australian lobbying could not stop the US president from imposing trade barriers. Butler and Trade Minister Don Farrell both said Labor would never trade off the PBS. We will just fight to the end to support the PBS. No one will fight harder than the Labor Party, Butler said last Sunday, after this masthead reported the concerns about the scheme. Farokh Ghadially, vice president of secure power at Schneider Electric, offers a measured perspective on what it takes to succeed. He emphasises that clear objectives are the cornerstone of successful digital transformation. The more specific the goal, the more likely youll know whether digital transformation has succeeded and had an impact on your company, says Ghadially. Given the operational complexities in todays economy and the broad impact of digital transformation, success can be attributed to multiple factors sustainability, efficiency, cost management and quality improvements. Farokh Ghadially, vice president of secure power at Schneider Electric. Ghadially views digital transformation not as a one-off project but as a journey with multiple milestones. You can reach several destinations at once with digital transformation. From there, it easily becomes a virtuous cycle of improvement and iterative successes, he says. His perspective reinforces the idea that digital transformation is an ongoing process, one that requires a holistic and long-term approach. Ghadiallys insights come at a time when many organisations are rethinking their business models. As companies continue to integrate AI, automation and data analytics into their operations, those that fail to adapt may risk being left behind. Digital transformation is more than just a trend it represents a fundamental shift in how businesses operate, compete and contribute to a sustainable future. The challenge of bridging the digital divide remains significant. Despite rapid technological advancements, many companies cling to traditional systems, limiting their ability to harness real-time data. Without these insights, organisations struggle to optimise energy usage and achieve broader sustainability goals. Digital transformation, therefore, demands more than just new technology it requires a rethinking of business processes, breaking down silos and cultivating a culture of continuous improvement. Real-world examples of successful digital transformation are emerging. Innovative solutions in action Blue Connections IT, in partnership with Schneider Electric, has cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 17.1 per cent and is on track for a 20 per cent reduction by 2024. Their approach blends practical sustainability initiatives with advanced technology. The company has adopted recycled packaging, deployed electric delivery vehicles, and integrated low-energy heating and cooling systems powered by solar energy. This blend of technology and eco-conscious practices illustrates how businesses can drive environmental benefits without sacrificing growth. Carbon neutral wasnt a term when Blue Connections IT was first founded, and its been fantastic to have the support of sustainability-focused organisations to help us on our own journey towards net zero, says Gordon Brownell, CEO of Blue Connections IT. We are committed to leading by example in our industry, showing that it is possible to implement solutions that have significant environmental benefits without compromising on growth and innovation. The impact of these changes is not confined to the realm of sustainability alone. Across industries, digital transformation is reshaping efficiency and productivity. Nestle Waters the French company behind the Perrier brand embarked on a digital overhaul to address production challenges. In this case, introducing one common platform enabled measurable improvement. For Nestle, that included 20 per cent less production downtime, higher productivity, simplified traceability of the clean-in-place (CIP) process, and improved valve tracking and diagnosis, saving 340 tons of CO used in the sparkling water process in the first year. German engineering firm Covestro provides another powerful example. By introducing a digital twin a virtual replica of its operations Covestro broke down barriers between its control and process engineering teams. This initiative streamlined collaboration and problem-solving, fostering an environment where efficiency and innovation could thrive side by side. A sustainable future Looking ahead, the momentum behind digital transformation is set to increase. Organisations that embrace digital tools not only improve operational efficiency but also build a foundation for long-term resilience and innovation. The rewards extend beyond immediate cost savings, offering a path toward sustainable growth and enhanced environmental responsibility. As more companies recognise the critical role of data and technology, the digital divide is likely to narrow, paving the way for a future where innovation and sustainability go hand in hand. Ultimately, the journey of digital transformation is ongoing. For impact makers, the question is no longer whether to adopt digital technology, but how to do so effectively, says Schneiders Ghadially. Success will be measured not by a single achievement, but by a series of iterative improvements that drive resilience, innovation and a sustainable future, he says. With clear goals and a commitment to harnessing the power of digital tools, organisations can transform challenges into opportunities, setting the stage for a new era of business success. To find out more, please visit Schneider Electric. Bridgestone to Debut First MASTERCORE Tire Bridgestone to Debut First MASTERCORE Tire for Aggregate Segment with Enhanced Load Capacity and More Tire Life Bridgestone Americas, Inc. "Bridgestone's MASTERCORE technology epitomizes how our company helps customers move more with less," said Rob Seibert, President, Off-the-Road, Bridgestone Americas. "With the new 27.00R49 MASTERCORE VRDU, we're adapting our proven technology from the mining segment to the aggregate industry, offering enhanced durability, performance, and value across a wider range of applications." The Bridgestone MASTERCORE VRDU is specifically designed for rock surfaces. It will be offered in four advanced compounds engineered to deliver performance tailored to the unique needs of each quarry operation. Applicable for dump trucks, the new tire is designed with several special features to help deliver greater efficiency: Deeper Tread Depth The tread pattern of the VRDU boasts a 35% deeper tread depth 1,3 . It is designed to provide haul trucks with superior traction on rocky terrains, better stability and comfort. The tread pattern of the VRDU boasts a 35% deeper tread depth . It is designed to provide haul trucks with superior traction on rocky terrains, better stability and comfort. Improved Tire Life The MASTERCORE VRDU's deeper tread pattern incorporates innovative cooling slopes and center grooves to help extend tire life by 26% compared to the Bridgestone VRLS 2 . The MASTERCORE VRDU's deeper tread pattern incorporates innovative cooling slopes and center grooves to help extend tire life by 26% compared to the Bridgestone VRLS . Increased Load Capacity The proprietary casing is engineered with MASTERCORE technology, which uses a wide and strong belt package and rubber compounds. This delivers up to 10% more load capacity4 versus Bridgestone's conventional tires and key competitors5. The MASTERCORE VRDU will be manufactured at the company's Aiken County OTR plant to support growing industry demand in the U.S. and Canada. It will be available later this year. At AGG1, the Bridgestone booth will also spotlight its robust Engineering Solutions services and advanced digital products that utilize the latest Bridgestone OTR technology. This technology has been created to bring additional value to aggregate operations and help fleets move more with less. Bridgestone's development of the MASTERCORE VRDU and commitment to the aggregate segment aligns with the Bridgestone E8 Commitment. The Bridgestone MASTERCORE VRDU demonstrates the company's "Efficiency" and "Extension" commitments. Bridgestone will be located at AGG1 booth #2313 on Tuesday, March 25 and Wednesday, March 26 from 9am to 5pm, and Thursday, March 27 from 9am to 2pm. 1Tire tread depth comparison based on Bridgestone MasterCore VRDU 27.00R49 2* E2A (OTD 90 mm/ 113.4 32nd in) vs. Bridgestone conventional VREP, VRLS 27.00R49 (OTD 66.5 mm/84 32nd in). 2Based on internal field testing comparing operational hours for Bridgestone conventional VRLS 27.00R49 2* E2A vs. Bridgestone MasterCore VRDU 27.00R49 2*E2A. Results may vary. 3Tread depth, comparison based on Bridgestone MasterCore VRDU 27.00R49 2* E2A (OTD 90 mm/113.4 32nd in) vs. Goodyear RH-4 A+ 27.00R49 2* (OTD 83mm/ 105 32nd in), as reflected in Goodyear's RH-4A+ Product Sheet on their website, and vs. Maxam MS403 27.00R49 2* S2 cut resistant (OTD 75mm/ 94 32nd in), as reflected on the Maxam website. 4Load capacity comparison based on tire load limits at 700 kpa/102 psi on the Bridgestone MasterCore VRDU 27.00R49 2* E2A (30,000 kgs/66,000 lbs) vs. Bridgestone conventional 27.00R49 2* E2A (27,250 kgs/60,000 lbs). 5Load capacity comparison based on Bridgestone MasterCore VRDU 27.00R49 2* E2A at 700 kpa/102 psi (30,000 kgs/66,000 lbs) vs. Goodyear RH-4 A+ 27.00R49 2* at 700 kpa/102 psi (27,250 kgs/60,000 lbs), as reflected in Goodyear's RH-4A+ Product Sheet on their website, and vs. Maxam MS403 27.00R49 2* S2 (cut-resistant) at 700 KPA/102 psi (27,250 kgs/60,000 lbs), as reflected on the Maxam website. About Bridgestone Americas, Inc.: Bridgestone Americas, Inc. is the U.S.-based subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, a global leader in tires and rubber, building on its expertise to provide solutions for safe and sustainable mobility. Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., Bridgestone Americas employs more than 45,000 people across its worldwide operations. Bridgestone offers a diverse product portfolio of premium tires and advanced solutions backed by innovative technologies, improving the way people around the world move, live, work and play. SOURCE Bridgestone Americas, Inc. FORD Exclusive Kentucky Derby Vehicle Sponsor Ford Named Exclusive Automotive Partner of the Kentucky Derby in Multi-Year Partnership Extension Churchill Downs Racetrack As part of the multi-year agreement, running through 2029, Ford will expand its on-site footprint to include the naming of the First Turn Club, a premium hospitality space originally debuted in 2023 overlooking the famed first turn of the racetrack. The popular location will now officially be called the Ford First Turn Club, offering guests a distinctive race-day experience with prime views and upscale amenities. Additionally, Ford will activate exclusive luxury vehicle displays and brand-new Ford-themed fan experiences at key areas around the track, including the Paddock Plaza and VIP Gate, ensuring high-profile brand visibility to attendees throughout Derby Week. "Churchill Downs is thrilled to continue building our relationship with Ford Motor Company as an Official Partner of the Kentucky Derby and to expand our collaboration in exciting new ways," said Casey Ramage, vice president of marketing and partnerships at Churchill Downs Racetrack. "The Kentucky Derby is built on tradition and long-standing partnerships, and Ford's commitment to excellence and innovation aligns perfectly with the spirit of this exceptional event. We look forward to continuing to work together to deliver an unforgettable experience for Derby fans and guests." Ford will maintain the existing sponsorship of key Derby and Oaks activations not limited to: branding inclusion on the Kentucky Derby Starting Gate, presenting sponsorship of the Churchill Downs Barn Area, entitlement of a Derby Day race sponsorship, exclusive digital content and year-round vehicle displays at Churchill Downs. "At Ford our mission is to create tangible impacts on the communities where we work and serve," said Phil O'Connor, director of global marketing communications Ford Blue and Model e at Ford Motor Company. "Ford has a deep connection with the Louisville community. Our Louisville-based manufacturing facilities employ roughly 12,000 Kentuckians. Our heritage of capability, passion and innovation make our friends at Churchill Downs Racetrack ideal partners. We're excited for this next chapter in our partnership and honored to continue supporting the bluegrass state." The 151st running of the Kentucky Derby will take place on Saturday, May 3, 2025. For more information on the Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs, visit kentuckyderby.com. About the Kentucky Derby The $5 million Kentucky Derby takes place on the first Saturday in May at historic Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Inaugurated in 1875, the legendary 1 1/4-mile race for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds is the longest continually held major sporting event in the United States and the first leg of horse racing's Triple Crown series. Also known as, "The Run for the Roses" and "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports," the Kentucky Derby is the most attended horse race in the nation. The 151st Kentucky Derby will take place on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Tickets for the 151st Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby on May 2-3 are available by visiting www.KentuckyDerby.com and www.DerbyExperiences.com or by calling (502) 636-4447 to be a part of the most extraordinary Kentucky Derby yet. About Churchill Downs Racetrack Churchill Downs Racetrack ("CDRT"), the world's most legendary racetrack, has been the home of The Kentucky Derby, the longest continually held annual sporting event in the United States, since 1875. Located in Louisville, CDRT features a series of themed race days during Derby Week, including the Kentucky Oaks, and conducts Thoroughbred horse racing during three race meets in the Spring, September and Fall. CDRT is located on 175 acres and has a one-mile dirt track, a 7/8-mile turf track, a stabling area, and provides seating for approximately 60,000 guests. The stable area has barns sufficient to accommodate 1,400 horses and a 114-room dormitory for backstretch personnel. CDRT also has a year-round simulcast wagering facility. www.ChurchillDowns.com. About Ford Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company's Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for customers and deepen their loyalty. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, along with connected services. The company does that through three customer-centered business segments: Ford Blue, engineering iconic gas-powered and hybrid vehicles; Ford Model e, inventing breakthrough electric vehicles along with embedded software that defines exceptional digital experiences for all customers; and Ford Pro, helping commercial customers transform and expand their businesses with vehicles and services tailored to their needs. Additionally, Ford provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 175,000 people worldwide. More information about the company and its products and services is available at corporate.ford.com. SOURCE Churchill Downs Racetrack BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 18. Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Leyla Aliyeva visited the Six Domes Synagogue in the Red settlement of Guba on March 18, Trend reports. Leyla Aliyeva was informed about the history of the synagogue. It was noted that the synagogue, built in 1888, is an ancient architectural monument built in the Eastern style. The part of the synagogue, which is a large prayer hall, facing the prayer wall is called the aron-kadush. The windows in the shape of a six-pointed star are made of oak. There is a prayer hall for 60 people for holding religious ceremonies. During the Soviet period, the temple was used as a warehouse. During the years of independence, the synagogue was restored and put into operation again. 404 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes in Gaza DEIR AL-BLAH (Gaza Strip) : ISRAEL launched airstrikes across the Gaza Strip early Tuesday, killing at least 404 Palestinians, including women and children, according to hospital officials. The surprise bombardment shattered a ceasefire in place since January and threatened to fully reignite the 17-month-old war. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the strikes after Hamas refused Israeli demands to change the ceasefire agreement. Officials said the operation was open-ended and was expected to expand. The White House said it had been consulted and voiced support for Israels actions. The Israeli military ordered people to evacuate eastern Gaza, including much of the northern town of Beit Hanoun and other communities further south, and head toward the centre of the territory, indicating that Israel could soon launch renewed ground operations. Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength, Netanyahus office said. The attack during the Muslim holy month of Ramzan could resume a war that has already killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and caused widespread destruction across Gaza. It also raised questions about the fate of the roughly two dozen Israeli hostages held by Hamas who are believed to still be alive. A senior Hamas official said Netanyahus decision to return to war amounts to a death sentence for the remaining hostages. Izzat al-Risheq accused Netanyahu of launching the strikes to try and save his far-right governing coalition and called on mediators to reveal facts on who broke the truce. Hamas said at least four senior officials were killed in Tuesdays strikes. There were no reports of any attacks by Hamas several hours after the bombardment, indicating it still hoped to restore the truce. Application date for Prime Minister Internship Scheme extended till 31st Staff Reporter : RAIPUR The second round of the pilot phase of the Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS) has been launched, offering over 100,000 internship opportunities to Indian youth across 730 districts. The deadline for the application has been extended to March 31, 2025, providing ample time for eligible candidates to apply. The PMIS, a key initiative from the Union Budget 2024-25, aims to empower one crore young individuals aged 21-24 over the next five years. Implemented by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and managed by the Indian Corporate Law Service (ICLS) cadre, with the Regional Directorate-Northwestern playing a pivotal role, scheme offers a 12-month paid internship in leading Indian companies. Targeting young individuals not currently engaged in full-time education or employment, the PMIS provides a unique platform for practical experience and career development. The scheme is designed to contribute to Indias vision of becoming the Skill Capital of the World. The PMIS offers a comprehensive package designed to enhance the professional development of young participants. Throughout the 12-month internship, individuals will receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 5,000, providing consistent financial support. A one-time grant of Rs. 6,000 is allocated to cover incidental expenses. Crucially, the scheme guarantees a minimum of six months of practical, hands-on professional experience, equipping interns with valuable skills and insights. Upon completion, participants will be awarded an internship certificate from one of the top 300 companies in India. Furthermore, the PMIS facilitates valuable exposure to leading Indian companies, promoting a deeper understanding of the corporate environment and industry practices. Following the overwhelming response of over 600,000 applications in Round 1, Round 2 offers expanded opportunities with applicants allowed to select up to three internships across India. Chhattisgarh alone boasts 3,399 internship positions offered by leading companies. Chhattisgarh has a wealth of talent, and the PMIS offers a golden opportunity for our youth to gain invaluable experience, stated M K Sahu, Regional Director-Northwestern. We have been actively conducting Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns across the state to raise awareness and encourage participation. Prominent companies such as Jindal Steel & Power Limited, South Eastern Coalfields Limited, NMDC Limited, Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd., and NTPC Limited are offering internships in Chhattisgarh during this round. Ankita Lahoty, Deputy Director, Regional Director-Northwestern, urged eligible candidates to register and apply through the official PMIS portal: https://pminternship.mca.gov.in/. This is a fantastic opportunity for young individuals to shape their future and contribute to Indias growth, she emphasised. Blast at Asian Fireworks Company At large since a month, company owner Sohail Amin nabbed from Chhattisgarh Staff Reporter : In the Asian Fireworks and Explosives Company blast case, Kalmeshwar Police have arrested the companys owner from Raipur in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday. The accused was on the run for a month after the blast at the company had claimed life of two workers. The arrested accused has been identified as Sohail Ali Ajgar Ali Amin, a resident of Plot No 9, Chitnispur Layout, Byramji Town, Nagpur. His anticipatory bail was rejected by the court on February 22. Sohail Amin was on the run. The investigation team led by SDPO Anil Mhaske arrested Amin from Kotwali area of Raipur in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday. Amin has been booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, as he was found guilty of operating the company without adhering to safety norms. The companys manager, Mustafa Saifuddin Shegaonwala, was arrested by Kalmeshwar police on Sunday evening. Both accused have been charged under Sections 106(1), 288, and 125(b) of the BNS for the deaths of two workers and the serious injuries sustained in the blast that took place on February 16. It should be noted that officials from the Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health (DISH) also conducted an inspection of the blast site. They reported that DISH had issued a notice to the company on July 1, 2024, to shut down operations due to a lack of safety facilities. However, the company continued to operate despite receiving the notice. The arrest was made under the guidance of SP Dr Harssh Poddar. Chanderi saree belongs to Chanderi, and Chanderi belongs to this craft, artisans say (left)Mohammad Nafees showing a special Sada Suhagan saree made from 5000 threads of silk. (Pic by Anil Futane) {right} Manohar Lal Koli showcasing Chanderi sarees made at his handloom in Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh. (Pic by Satish Raut) By Vaishnavi Pillay : Draped in elegance, sarees have been an integral part of Indias culture for centuries. Among the many exquisite handloom weaves, the Chanderi saree stands out as a masterpiece of fine texture, sheer fabric, and motifs. Originating exclusively from Chanderi, a town in the Ashoknagar District of Madhya Pradesh, this handwoven legacy has been passed down through generations of skilled artisans. The Hitavada spoke to the weavers to understand their craft and discovered how Chanderi towns climate plays a role in making Chanderi sarees. Manohar Lal Koli, an artisan of Chanderi sarees, explained, The beauty of Chanderi sarees lies in the fact that they are purely handmade. We can weave any design onto a Chanderi saree, even it is a deitys idol design. He added that the thread they use is finer than human hair. Mohammad Nafees, also a Chanderi saree artisan, carries the weight of a rich heritage on his shoulders. I am the fourth generation of weavers in my family. As children, we grew up with this craft all around us. After school, we would sit beside our fathers at the loom, learning the art of weaving. In exchange for our efforts, they would give us a little money, he said. Nafees carefully unfolded a saree while speaking, revealing an exquisite Ashrafi design. Ashrafi motif is one of the earliest designs commissioned for the royal palaces of earlier times, he explained. With time, Chanderi artisans expanded their creativity, introducing newer designs. Showing Sada Suhagan saree, he told that three skilled artisans work together and it took precisely three months and ten days to complete it. Government-organised exhibitions have also opened new doors for traditional weavers. These exhibitions give us a direct platform to connect with customers. Earlier, we remained within our workshops, unaware of the changing market trends. When we show a saree, a customer might suggest a different color combination, something we had not considered, he said. Speaking about customers, he mentioned that before the COVID-19 pandemic, the market thrived, and customers were eager to buy. In recent years, the cost of materials has shot up, silk became expensive, labour costs increased, and prices soared overall. Now customers think twice before spending. But those who truly appreciate it, they continue to wear it, remarked Nafees. Both Manohar Lal Koli and Mohammad Nafees expressed that one of the most beautiful things about Chanderi town is that people of different religions live together in harmony. No matter what happens in the world outside, the residents of Chanderi remain like one family. They said that the environment and climate of Chanderi town also play a role in making the sarees. The air here, the temperature, the moisture, all play a role. If one tries to make a Chanderi saree in Nagpur or anywhere else, they will not succeed. In hotter climates, the silk threads break. This craft belongs to Chanderi, and Chanderi belongs to this craft, they noted. On Government support, he acknowledged both challenges and aid. When we were children, we saw our fathers weaving in the light of candles whenever the power went out. But the Madhya Pradesh government, with the support of Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, provided solar power to every worker. That made a huge difference, he stated. Koli added that to sustain our handloom legacy, the Madhya Pradesh government has banned the use of machines and power looms in making Chanderi sarees. With modern influences and evolving designs, the artisans experimented with designs and colors, but the core of our craft remained intact. Committed to bring normalcy in Manipur: Nirmala in Parlt NEW DELHI : FINANCE Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said the Central Government is committed to bringing normalcy to Manipur and assured all support for the economic growth of the State.Replying to a discussion on the passage of the Manipur Budget for the current fiscal and vote of account for the six months of 2025-26 in the Rajya Sabha, the Minister also sought the support of the Opposition parties for peace in Manipur instead of engaging in the blame game. The senior Minister also hit back at the Opposition for its criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi not visiting the violence-affected State, saying none of the Prime Ministers in the past visited Manipur when the violence took place there. She cited the names of former Prime Ministers P V Narasimha Rao and I K Gujral. Believe in Make In India, says nirmala: FINANCE Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday brushed aside Oppositions criticism on Make in India scheme saying it is yielding good results as the Government has taken multiple steps to strengthen the manufacturing sector, including defence production. She said that production linked incentive (PLI) schemes have yielded good results, as they have so far attracted investments of Rs 1.5 lakh crore and generated nearly 9.5 lakh employment opportunities. Make in India has actually given us good results. We took step after step, after step, to strengthen the manufacturing of this country, she said. Rly fares in India far less: Vaishnaw RAILWAYS Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday said the railway fares in India are far less than the neighbouring countries like Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. He asserted that railway accidents have come down by 90 per cent from the time when RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav was at the Ministrys helm. Replying to the debate on the Demands for Grants under the control of the Ministry of Railways for 2025-26, Vaishnaw said the national transporter has emerged from difficulties of the Covid pandemic to meet its own expenses. Amid noisy protests by the Opposition over not being allowed to speak on Prime Minister Narendra Modis statement on the Maha Kumbh, the minister said the railways has taken numerous steps for crowd control at stations and is running several special trains during festival seasons. He asserted that with Prime Minister Modis focus on safety, accidents have come down by 90 per cent from the time when Lalu Prasad was at the Ministrys helm. Set up regulatory authority for news portals A BJP MP from Assam on Tuesday urged the Government to set up a regulatory authority for news portals to ensure accountability, transparency and ethical journalism in the digital space. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Dilip Saikia -- the MP from Darrang-Udalguri -- highlighted the issue of unchecked rise of dubious digital news channels that thrive on misinformation, distorting facts and harming democracy. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree approving the "Artificial Intelligence Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 20252028", Trend reports. The decree was signed in order to accelerate the development of artificial intelligence in the Republic of Azerbaijan, promote research in this field, improve information technologies on artificial intelligence and their management mechanisms, ensure the availability of infrastructure, as well as to strengthen qualified human resources. According to the document, the Strategy of Artificial Intelligence of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2025-2028 (hereinafter-strategy) was approved. The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan must coordinate and control the implementation of measures envisaged by the Strategy approved by this Order; once a year inform the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the implementation of measures envisaged by the Strategy; solve other issues arising from this decree. The State Service of Special Communication and Information Security of the Republic of Azerbaijan should analyze information security risks in state bodies (institutions) in which artificial intelligence is applied, including taking necessary measures to ensure information security in state bodies (institutions) related to artificial intelligence. Monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of measures envisaged by the Strategy shall be carried out by the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communications based on the order of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan. IPS Rajnesh Singh elevated as SSP The Hitavada State Bureau Raipur/Bilaspur : The Chhattisgarh Government has promoted distinguished IPS officer Rajnesh Singh to the rank of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), acknowledging his exceptional contributions to law enforcement. States Home (Police) Department had earlier announced the promotion of eight IPS officers to the SSP rank upon completing 13 years of service. However, due to technical errors, 2012-batch IPS officer Rajnesh Singhs name was inadvertently omitted from the initial order. In a revised order issued on March 18, 2025, the Chhattisgarh Government officially confirmed Rajnesh Singhs promotion to Selection Grade Pay Level-13 with a pay scale of Rs 1,23,100 - Rs 2,15,900, effective from January 1, 2025. The official order, signed by Him Shikhar Gupta, Secretary, Home (Police) Department, Government of Chhattisgarh, formally recognised Singhs promotion after completing 13 years of distinguished service. Rajnesh Singhs illustrious career has been defined by unwavering dedication and numerous achievements. He joined the State Police Service in 1997 as a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and was inducted into the Indian Police Service (IPS) in 2012. In recognition of his outstanding service, Singh was awarded the prestigious Presidents Police Medal in 2017 a testament to his exemplary conduct and commitment to public safety. During his tenure, Singh has held several crucial roles, including serving as Additional Superintendent of Police in Raipur, Superintendent of Police in Dhamtari, Narayanpur, and most recently in Bilaspur. His tenure in Bastar was particularly notable, where he successfully led several high-stakes anti-Naxal operations, contributing significantly to counter-insurgency efforts in the region. While posted with the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), Singh played a pivotal role in the arrest of terrorists linked to the notorious Patna-Bodhgaya blasts. Additionally, his tenure with the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) witnessed multiple high-profile crackdowns on corruption, further strengthening his reputation as a resolute and effective officer. Rajnesh Singhs promotion is a well-deserved recognition of his unwavering commitment, fearless leadership, and remarkable ability to deliver results in some of the most challenging circumstances, said a senior IPS officer of Chhattisgarh Police while speaking to The Hitavada. His track record in combating insurgency, tackling organized crime, and ensuring public safety has set a benchmark for dedication and integrity in the force. Mahakumbh strengthened Indias spirit of unity: PM Delhi Bureau and Agencies NEW DELHI LS adjourned for day amid Oppn protests over PMs Mahakumbh remarks PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the Mahakumbh strengthened the spirit of unity in the country and gave a befitting response to those who questioned Indias capability to organise such a large congregation. Making a statement in the Lok Sabha, Modi said the success of the Mahakumbh was a result of the contributions of countless people from the Government and society. We witnessed the enthusiasm and excitement of the Mahakumbh in India for about one and a half months. The way millions of devotees came together with devotion, rising above the concerns of convenience and inconvenience, is our greatest strength, Modi said. The nectar of unity is the most sacred offering of the Mahakumbh, he said. The Mahakumbh was such an event in which people from every region and every corner of the country came together. People put aside their egos and gathered in Prayagraj with the feeling of we and not I, he added. Modi said the huge display of unity at the Mahakumbh was Indias strength, particularly at a time when the world was in disarray. The spirit of unity is so strong that it shatters any attempts to break it, he said. We have always said that unity in diversity is the speciality of India and we have experienced its grand form in Prayagraj Mahakumbh. It is our responsibility to continue enriching this feature of unity in diversity, the Prime Minister said. He said people speaking different languages and dialects chanting Har Har Gange on the banks of the Sangam gave a glimpse of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, which increased the feeling of unity. Lok Sabha adjourned for day amid Oppn protests over PMs Mahakumbh remarks, demand for discussion: THE Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day on Tuesday amid noisy protests by Opposition members seeking to ask questions on the statement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Mahakumbh. The proceedings were earlier adjourned till 1 pm, shortly after Modi made his statement and the Opposition members rose in their seats in protest, with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi apparently urging Speaker Om Birla to allow the Opposition members to speak. They also demanded the inclusion of the stampede deaths in the statement. Members of the Congress, TMC and other Opposition parties then stormed the Well, raising slogans, while Samajwadi Party members staged a walkout in protest. Parliamentary sources said the Opposition parties demanded a discussion on the Maha Kumbh so that their members could share their views on the subject. They had demanded a discussion on the Maha Kumbh at a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee of the House. As many as 30 pilgrims were killed and 60 injured in a stampede at the Mahakumbh on January 29. When the House reassembled, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw responded to a debate on demands for grants of his Ministry. When the House took up the debate on demands for grants for the Jal Shakti Ministry, the Opposition members continued protesting in the Well, forcing the chair to adjourn the proceedings for the day. The discussion on demands for grants of the Jal Shakti Ministry was postponed to Wednesday by the chair. PM Modi writes to Sunita Williams, invites her to visit India NEW DELHI : PRIME Minister Narendra Modi has written to NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, who is scheduled to return to Earth early on Wednesday after a nine-month stay at the International Space Station, and invited her to visit India. The letter, written on March 1 and sent through former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino, was shared on X by Union Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh. Even though you are thousands of miles away, you continue to remain close to our hearts. The people of India are praying for your good health and success in your mission, Modi said in the letter. After your return, we are looking forward to seeing you in India. It will be a pleasure for India to host one of its most illustrious daughters, the PM said. Modi recalled meeting Williams and her late father Deepak Pandya during his 2016 visit to the US. He said he had met Massimino at a programme in New Delhi and Williams name came up during the conversation. During the course of our conversation, your name came up and we discussed how proud we are of you and your work. Following this interaction, I could not stop myself from writing to you, he said. The Prime Minister said he enquired about Williams well-being while meeting President Donald Trump and his predecessor Joe Biden during his visits to the US. He said 1.4 billion Indians had always taken great pride in Williams achievements. Recent developments have yet again showcased your inspirational fortitude and perseverance. Modi said Williams mother Bonnie Pandya must be keenly awaiting her return and he was sure that Deepakbhais blessings were with her as well. The Prime Minister also sent his warm regards to Williams husband Michael Williams. Sunita Williams, fellow crew have rewritten history of human endurance in space: Rajnath New Delhi, Mar 19 (PTI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday expressed delight over the return of NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and her fellow Crew-9 members and said they have rewritten the history of human endurance and perseverance in space. Williams and fellow NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Butch Wilmore, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, returned to Earth onboard SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft, which splashed down in the sea off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida in the US. "Delighted at the safe return of NASA's #Crew9 on earth! The crew comprising of India's daughter Sunita Williams and other astronauts have rewritten the history of human endurance and perseverance in Space. Sunita Williams' incredible journey, unwavering dedication, fortitude and fighting spirit will inspire millions across the globe," Singh wrote in a post on X. Her safe return is a moment of celebration for space enthusiasts and the entire world, he said. "Her courage and achievements make us all proud. Congratulations and a big thank you to all stakeholders for bringing them back safely on earth," Singh further said in his post. For Williams and Wilmore, test pilots for Boeing's new Starliner capsule, an eight-day mission stretched to more than nine months as a series of helium leaks and thruster failures deemed their spacecraft unsafe. The spacecraft returned without them in September. Williams and Wilmore bid farewell to the International Space Station, their home since last June, departing aboard a SpaceX capsule alongside two other astronauts. The capsule undocked from the space station on Tuesday and splashed down off the Florida coast on Wednesday morning, after clocking 286 days in space. This was Williams' third space flight and she has clocked a cumulative 608 days in space. A former US Navy captain, Williams, 59, was born to a Gujarati father Deepak Pandya hailing from Jhulasan in Mehsana district and Slovenian mother Ursuline Bonnie Pandya, on September 19, 1965 in Euclid, Ohio. Uneasy Calm curfew in sensitive areas after riots Quick Response team of city police conducting a route march in Bhaldarpura, on Tuesday night in light of the riots that rocked the area on Monday night. (Pic by Satish Raut) 5 FIRs registered 50 persons arrested 34 cops, including 3 DCPs, injured Staff Reporter : Nagpur was rocked by violent riots Monday night which plunged the city into chaos and fear. As clashes intensified, the police have imposed a curfew in riot-hit areas to restore order. The worst-hit areas were in Central Nagpur where violence spread rapidly and left residents terrified. Commissioner of Police Dr Ravinder Kumar Singal issued a curfew order at around 4.30 am on Tuesday to prevent further unrest. The situation remains tense but under control in the riot-hit areas. Security forces are on high alert to ensure that law and order is maintained across the city. CP Dr Singal announced that curfew has been enforced in sensitive areas to restore peace. The curfew is in effect in multiple police station areas, including Kotwali, Ganeshpeth, Tehsil, Lakadganj, Pachpaoli, Shanti Nagar, Sakkardara, Nandanvan, Imambada, Yashodhara Nagar and Kapil Nagar. Only essential movement is allowed and police officers will decide whether vehicles can pass through restricted areas. On Tuesday evening, Quick Response Team of the city police took out a route march through these areas to ensure that order was maintained. The police have set up fix points in 11 highly sensitive and 19 other sensitive locations across the city. Armed cops are patrolling these areas 24x7. Additionally, a special cyber police team has been assigned to track and take action against anti-social elements indulged in spreading false information on social media. The riots resulted in major property damage, with more than 50 vehicles vandalised or set on fire which includes eight cars, an excavator and 40 two-wheelers. The police have registered five cases against the rioters for harming social harmony, damaging public property and attacking people. So far, 50 people have been arrested and police continue Contd from page 1 to investigate others involved. One FIR was registered against members of Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal at Ganeshpeth Police Station that include Amol Thakre, Dr Mahajan, Govind Shende, Tayani, Rajat Puri, Sushil, Vrushabh Arkhel, Shubham and Mukesh Barapatre. Curfew affects businesses With the curfew in place, roads connecting to the riot-affected areas have been blocked. The police have put up barricades at entry points and prohibited entry to outsiders to maintain law and order. Quick Response Teams and Riot Control Police (RCP) have also been stationed in the affected zones to prevent further violence. Shops in the curfew-imposed areas remained closed throughout the day. The effect of the curfew was also seen in other parts of the city, as many business owners chose to shut their shops to avoid any trouble. Delayed police response irks residents of Hansapuri Residents of Hansapuri expressed frustration over the slow police response. Despite making several calls for help on Monday night, they claimed that officers did not arrive on time to tackle the situation. Rioters burned 16 two-wheelers and even set fire to a hospital late at night which left locals feeling helpless. Clean-up begins Thousands of stones which were thrown during the riots covered the streets on Monday night. The Nagpur Municipal Corporation immediately started cleanup operations and cleared the roads to restore normalcy in the city. Police have assured the public that they are doing everything necessary to maintain law and order and take strict action against those responsible for the violence. 34 cops, including 3 DCPs, injured During the violence, 34 police personnel, including three Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs), were injured. DCPs Niketan Kadam, Archit Chandak, and Shashikant Satav were among those injured in the riot. One of the most serious injuries occurred when a youth attacked DCP Niketan Kadam with an axe and severely wounded his hand. DCP Chandak suffered a ligament injury, while DCP Satav was injured by a stone. They are all receiving treatment at a private hospital. Other injured officers, including DCP Rahul Madne and Assistant Commissioner of Police Anita More, have returned to duty after receiving medical treatment. Two other officers, Anil Bawne and another unidentified policeman, are still undergoing treatment. Apart from the police, a young man was critically injured during the riots and is receiving treatment. Riots appear to be well-planned: CM Fadnavis Religious festivals should be celebrated with peace and restraint, appeals Fadnavis Staff Reporter A trolley full of stones was recovered from the spot. What does this show? It has been observed that stones were stocked in houses and weapons have been seized. This attack appears to be a well-planned action. The government is making every effort to maintain law and order in the State, but it needs cooperation from the public. We are very clear in our stand that the guilty wont be spared, stated Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday at Mumbai. Maharashtra is a progressive state and caste discrimination has no place here. An incident that disrupted the social fabric of the State took place in Nagpur on March 17. This incident rattled the peace of the State. Currently, various festivals of all religions are going on. The citizens should celebrate these festivals with restraint and maintain peace, added Fadnavis. Fadnavis said the Vicky Kaushal-starrer film Chhaava, based on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, reignited peoples emotions against the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) said it wont tolerate any attempts to glorify Aurangzeb and claimed the Nagpur violence was planned. Informing the House, Fadnavis said, In the Nagpur incident, the police had gone to restore peace. They were also attacked by the mob. In such a situation, no one who takes law and order into their own hands and assaults the police will be spared. Strict legal action will be taken against him. Chief Minister Fadnavis said, On March 17 at 11.30 am in Nagpur city, some organisations protested, by removing a symbolic grave of grass stalks in the Mahal area demanding the removal of Aurangzebs grave. Ganeshpeth Police registered a case in this regard. However, rumors spread about this protest and some social groups gathered in the Hansapuri area and staged a violent protest. 12 two-wheelers were burned in this area. Also, two JCBs, cranes and four-wheelers were set on fire in the Bhaldarpura area. Stones were also pelted here. In all these incidents, 33 policemen and five civilians were injured. Of these, three civilians were released after treatment, while two civilians are undergoing treatment. Also, three officers of the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police were injured. It is seen that one officer was beaten with an axe. The police had to use tear gas to pacify the crowd. Also, peace had to be established using mild force, Fadnavis shared the details. Three cases have been registered in Ganeshpeth police station in this regard and the process of registering two cases in Tehsil police station is underway. Curfew has been imposed under 11 police stations in Nagpur city. Five teams of State Reserve Police Force have been deployed. Also, check posts have been set up at the entry level in this area, the Chief Minister informed on this occasion. The Government is making every effort to maintain law and order in the state, Chief Minister said on this occasion. Bawankule, Datke interact with citizens; visit hospital Situation at Police Commissionerate reviewed Immediate assessment of damage begins Close watch on social media n Probe accelerated through CCTV footage Revenue Minister and Guardian Minister of Nagpur Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Central Nagpur MLA Pravin Datke and others visited the injured citizens, their families and police officers at the hospital in the aftermath of the violent incident that took place in Mahal area on Monday. Bawankule talked to the families of the injured. Citizens of the violence-affected areas met Bawankule at the Police Commissioners office and submitted a memorandum. Meanwhile, after taking information about the action taken by the police and administration during and after the incident, Bawankule gave a clear order to the senior officers not to leave any stone unturned in finding the criminals. He also appealed citizens to cooperate with the administration for harmony and peace. Bawankule on Tuesday met senior officers at the Police Commissioner's office and reviewed the situation. Commissioner of Police Dr Ravinder Kumar Singal, District Collector Dr Vipin Itankar, Municipal Commissioner Dr Abhijeet Chaudhari and other senior officers were present in the meeting. The police are in full action mode, and about 34 police officers and constables were injured in the violent incident. 5 civilians were also injured, three of whom have been discharged. 55 vehicles have been burnt at the scene. While interacting with mediapersons at Commissionerate, Bawankule said, Fake news was being spread on social media, which created hatred in the society. The police will soon find the social miscreants responsible for this incident. It is important to find those who have worked to spoil the atmosphere through social media. We are keeping a close eye on all of them. Whatever is captured in the CCTV camera will be checked and everyone should be careful so that the peace of Nagpur is not disturbed in any situation. The panchnama of those who have been injured in this incident has been started immediately. After visiting the injured in the hospital, Bawankule accepted the memorandums of the citizens who came from Mahal area. Datke also was present on this occasion. Many demanded justice by narrating the story of the incident. Bawankule informed citizens that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has been in touch with the district administration and police commissioner. The State Government is taking care that such incidents do not happen anywhere else in the State, including Nagpur, Bawankule pointed out. Five FIRs have been registered in connection with the violence, Nagpur Police Commissioner Ravinder Kumar Singal said on Tuesday. Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule visited New Era Hospital after the review meeting and questioned the injured police officers and citizens. MLA Pravin Datke, Police Commissioner Ravinder Singal, District Collector Dr Vipin Itankar and senior officers were present with him. MLA Pravin Datke interacted with the relatives of the injured patients present along with Guardian Minister Bawankule. At this time, Bawankule inquired about the health of Deputy Commissioner of Police Niketan Kadam and other police officers. Police officers informed him that someone from the anti-social group had attacked Kadam with an axe. He said that the incident was very serious, but it was narrowly averted. Bawankule instructed the hospital management not to be careless regarding treatment. Urvashi Dholakia Returns as Devi Singh Shekhawat in Pushpa Impossible Sony SAB's Pushpa Impossible continues to captivate audiences with the inspiring journey of Pushpa (Karuna Pandey), a resilient and fearless woman who faces life's challenges with unwavering determination. In this new chapter, Urvashi Dholakia makes a powerful return to stand by Pushpa as she navigates a crisis that threatens her entire family. In an exciting twist, Urvashi Dholakia makes a powerful comeback in Pushpa Impossible as a brilliant lawyer and social activist Devi Singh Shekhawat, just in time to rescue Pushpa and her family from a shocking crisis. When Deepti (Garima Parihar) and Ashwin (Naveen Pandita) are falsely accused of a hit-and-run and diamond theft, the entire family is unjustly imprisoned. With the odds stacked against them and misleading evidence complicating their case, Devi emerges as their fiercest advocate. Can she unmask the true mastermind and restore Pushpas familys honor? Urvashi Dholakias return promises high-stakes drama, emotional turmoil, and a relentless fight for justice! Urvashi Dholakia, who essays the role of Devi Singh Shekhawat says, "Returning to Pushpa Impossible as Devi Singh Shekhawat feels like coming home. Devi has always been a strong, independent woman who stands firmly for whats right, and this time, shes back to support Pushpa when she needs her the most. What I love about the show is how beautifully it portrays women uplifting and empowering each other. In a world where women often have to fight their battles alone, its refreshing to see a story where one woman becomes anothers pillar of strength. Devi will always stand by Pushpas side, and I cant wait for the audience to witness this powerful journey unfold." Tune in to watch Pushpa Impossible from Monday to Saturday at 9:30 PM only on Sony SAB VHP demands strict action under NSA in Mahal riots case VHP leader Devesh Mishra addressing the press conference, on Tuesday. Other office-bearers of VHP also are seen. Staff Reporter : Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has demanded the Commissioner of Police Dr Ravinder Kumar Singal to register cases under National Security Act (NSA) and take strict action against the miscreants for the violence and arson in Mahal on Monday, informed Devesh Mishra, Sah Mantri, Vidarbha Prant, VHP at a press conference held on Tuesday. Strict action should be taken against anti-social elements who spread rumors, incited violence, and committed arson in Mahal on Monday, demanded Mishra at the press conference. He accused a group from another community of targeting houses, businesses and vehicles of Hindu community members in Mahal during the violence. Hemant Jambhekar, Nandkishor Dandare, both Vice Presidents, Vidarbha Region; Navin Jain, Vidarbha Prant Sanyojak, Bajrang Dal; Rajkumar Sharma, Dharma Prasar Pramukh, Vidarbha Prant were present at the press conference. The VHP also denied the allegations that they burnt a Chaadar with Ayat of Quran and four stars during the demonstrations near Chhatrapati Shivaji Statue in Mahal on Monday, demanding removal Aurangzebs tomb. Muslim community blames Hindu protesters for burning the Chaadar with Ayat, but the protesters did no such thing. The accusers should prove their allegations, said Navin Jain. The VHP alleged that the violence and arson on Monday was result of appeal made from the mosque in Mahal near Chhatrapati Shivaji Statue. The VHP also demanded that the property damages of the Hindu families should be recovered from the responsible miscreants. They also said that the violence was perpetuated by people that came from outside, who should be identified and action must be taken against them. Rishabh Arkhel, Vidarbha Prant Sahsanyojak, Bajrang Dal; Amol Thakre, Nagpur Mahanagar Mantri; and Niranjan Risaldar, Vidarbha Prachar Prasar Pramukh were also present for the press conference. Willing to talk about putting online polling booth-wise voter data: EC to SC NEW DELHI : THE Supreme Court on Tuesday noted the Election Commission of Indias (ECI) submission that it was willing to deliberate over the demand for uploading polling booth-wise voter turnout data on its website and asked the petitioners to make representations before the poll panel in 10 days. A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and K V Viswanathan was hearing two Public Interest Litigations (PILs) filed by Trinamool Congress Member of Parliament (TMC MP) Mahua Moitra and NGO Association for Democratic Reforms in 2019, respectively. The PILs sought a direction to the poll panel to upload polling station-wise voter turnout data on its website within 48 hours of conclusion of polling in the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. Senior advocate Maninder Singh, appearing for the poll panel, said CEC Gyanesh Kumar wanted to meet and discuss the grievance. Here is a new CEC now. The petitioners can meet him and it may be addressed, he said. The Chief Justice of India (CJI) then said, In the meanwhile, the counsel for Election Commission states that the petitioners (the NGO and the MP) may file a representation with the Election Commission and the EC will give them a hearing and inform about same in advance. Let the representation be made in 10 days. The Court adjourned the hearing in the July 28 week. On May 17, last year, the top court had sought a response from the poll panel on the pleas following which the ECI opposed the NGOs demand contending it would vitiate the electoral space and cause chaos in the poll machinery in the midst of the general elections. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. Azerbaijani government agency heads will receive training in artificial intelligence (AI) and data science, with an emphasis on high-priority industries, Trend reports. The initiative is part of the "Artificial Intelligence Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for the Years 20252028," which was approved by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev through a decree issued today. The Ministry of Digital Development and Transport has been designated as the principal operational entity for the initiative. Additional operational entities encompass the Ministry of Science and Education, the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Finance, the State Service for Special Communication and Information Security, alongside the State Security Service. The instructional modules will extend across the temporal framework of 2026 through 2027. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 18. A new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Academy will be established in Azerbaijan to enhance local expertise in AI and data management, as well as to improve the knowledge of leadership in government agencies, Trend reports. This initiative is part of the "Artificial Intelligence Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 20252028," by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. One of the key goals of this project is to address the challenge posed by the limited number of qualified trainers and the insufficient preparation of existing trainers for AI development programs. These gaps in training may hinder the growth of local talent and reduce interest in the field. The establishment of the AI Academy is expected to mitigate these risks and improve the quality of educational programs by collaborating with renowned international educational institutions. The new AI Academy aims to strengthen local human resources, increase interest in the sector, and accelerate its development. In addition, it will focus on fostering closer collaboration between the industry and government agencies to address the challenges arising from the insufficient application of AI technologies in the business sector. Challenges such as inadequate technological infrastructure and a lack of a conducive environment for innovation may also pose significant risks to the development of AI talent. To counteract this, the government plans to invest in high-level computational infrastructure for AI and implement pilot projects in real industry settings. A lack of sufficient technological infrastructure and an unfavorable environment for innovation have been identified as significant risks to the development of artificial intelligence (AI) talent and skills in Azerbaijan. For the effective implementation of AI, a strong and modern technological infrastructure is essential. The absence or weakness of this infrastructure could complicate the successful execution of projects. To address this issue, the government plans to invest in the development and modernization of advanced computing infrastructure suited for AI. Additionally, pilot projects will be introduced in industrial environments, and the development of innovation centers, the Academy of Artificial Intelligence, and research laboratories are also planned. Support programs for startups will be organized as well to further encourage innovation. As part of the AI Academy's mission, it will develop an interactive teaching platform, launch competition platforms, and identify the publics needs to improve AI knowledge across the nation. Additionally, the academy plans to collaborate with at least two top-tier international universities (ranked within the worlds top 10) to offer AI education. It will also focus on creating a resource platform dedicated to AI, which will serve as an essential tool for knowledge sharing. Other goals include training 500 engineers in AI, forming a community of over 3,000 AI specialists, and providing "AI for Managers" training to 500 employees from various government agencies. The AI Academy will also aim to expand the number of platform users to 10,000 and organize ten competitions involving at least 1,000 participants. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. The priorities of the "Artificial Intelligence Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2025-2028", approved by the decree of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, have been announced, Trend reports. According to the document, measures will be implemented in the following priority areas within the framework of the strategy: Development and improvement of artificial intelligence management: Justification: - one of the priorities of the strategy is the creation of a management system for artificial intelligence (AI) that promotes innovation, attracts investments, and protects public interests and values. The aim is to collaborate with international partners for the responsible development of AI globally. This management system will support innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs effectively, stimulate their activities, and foster public trust in AI technologies; Actions to be taken: - identification of national priority sectors for AI development and assigning responsible state authorities for each sector; - coordination of activities between state bodies responsible for AI in each sector; - creation of a normative and legal framework for responsible and ethical AI; - establishing rules for identifying and preventing risks related to the protection of personal data when designing, applying, and using AI systems; - implementation of standardization in AI; Expected results and result indicators: - establishment of an AI management system that promotes innovation, attracts investment, and protects public interests; - identification of priority sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, transport, education, and others to enhance the impact of AI and ensure efficient use of resources; - development of a legal framework and the implementation of a national normative legal base in line with international standards to ensure transparency, fairness, and ethical principles in AI applications; - strengthening Azerbaijans position in the global AI ecosystem through the development of regional and international partnerships; Expected risks and their mitigation measures: - during the identification of national priority sectors, there may be disputes or unequal distribution of resources, which could lead to some sectors receiving less support than others, causing uneven development. To neutralize this risk, detailed analyses will be conducted in each sector, taking into account the potential and requirements for the application of artificial intelligence. Based on the opinions and proposals of specialists and experts, priority sectors will be identified, pilot projects will be implemented, and resources will be distributed in a balanced manner; Improvement of data management and infrastructure: Justification: - the improvement of data management and infrastructure is the foundation of digital transformation, ensuring reliable, efficient, and innovative solutions for both public and private sectors. Effective data management, expansion of open data, enhancement of high-performance computing capabilities, and strengthening Natural Language Processing (NLP) technologies will contribute significantly to the development of AI and data-driven decision-making; Actions to be taken: - development of advanced computing infrastructure; - strengthening NLP directions; - organizing the transition to data-driven management while ensuring the security of personal data and efficient use of data; Expected results and result indicators: - development of NLP technologies in Azerbaijani, strengthening the languages position in the global digital space; - development of high-performance computing infrastructure for training AI algorithms, models, and examples; - increased public awareness of AI technologies; Expected risks and their mitigation measures: - potential financial and technical resource shortages during the development of high-performance computing infrastructure and NLP technologies. To mitigate this, expansion of investment opportunities and attracting funding from international donors and innovation funds is planned; - privacy risks related to working with personal and sensitive data in NLP systems. This will be addressed through data anonymization, regulatory compliance in data processing, and the application of encryption technologies; Improvement of AI talent and skills: Justification: - developing and improving high-skilled AI professionals tailored to national priorities, training leadership and specialists in public institutions, and promoting research in AI and data management will contribute to strengthening the country's digital development. Additionally, providing training on responsible and ethical AI applications and personal data protection will enhance public awareness and foster local talent development in the field; Actions to be taken: - organizing AI and data management training for leadership in state bodies and institutions related to national priority sectors; - strengthening the talent pool in AI and data management; - developing and attracting qualified trainers to deliver training in AI, particularly in responsible and ethical AI and personal data protection; - promoting AI research; Expected results and result indicators: - increased knowledge in AI and data science at both academic and practical levels and expansion of relevant educational programs; - development of specialists in AI and non-technical roles, establishment of competency standards; - raising awareness of AI technologies, increasing public trust in them, and enhancing their understanding of risks and benefits; Expected risks and their mitigation measures: - the limited number of trainers or insufficient preparedness of trainers in training and development programs organized for the preparation of specialists in the field of artificial intelligence and data management, as well as for improving the knowledge of the leadership of government bodies (institutions) in this field, could hinder the knowledge growth of local personnel and reduce interest in the field. To neutralize this risk and enhance the quality of the programs, the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence Academy and collaboration with prestigious foreign educational institutions is planned. These measures will strengthen local human potential, increase interest in the field, and accelerate its development; - weak cooperation and coordination between industry and government bodies (institutions), as well as the lack of interest in artificial intelligence technologies in the industrial sector, may limit the opportunities to apply professional knowledge and skills in a real-world environment, thus slowing down the formation and development of personnel. Additionally, the lack of practical examples of artificial intelligence's real use in business may decrease the interest of young specialists in this field. To mitigate this risk, the planned establishment of the Artificial Intelligence Academy will promote close cooperation between industry and government bodies (institutions) and provide extensive information about the opportunities that artificial intelligence creates for business; - insufficient technological infrastructure and the failure to create a favorable environment for innovation are significant risks facing the improvement of talent and skills in the field of artificial intelligence. Effective application of artificial intelligence requires strong and modern technological infrastructure. The absence or weakness of this infrastructure may make it difficult to successfully implement projects. To neutralize this risk, additional investments will be made to develop and modernize high-performance computing infrastructure suitable for artificial intelligence. Besides, to develop the technological environment, it is planned to apply pilot projects in industrial infrastructures, develop innovation centers, the Artificial Intelligence Academy, and laboratories, and organize support programs for startups; Creation of a favorable business environment: Justification: - creating a favorable business environment for AI applications, attracting both local and foreign investments, expanding support mechanisms for entrepreneurs, and increasing the number of residents in technology parks will strengthen the countrys digital economy. These measures will stimulate innovative AI initiatives and contribute to the development of the economic and business environment, increasing interest from both local and foreign investors; Actions to be taken: - attracting local and foreign investments for the application of AI technologies; - expanding support mechanisms such as concessional loans, guarantees, and other financial assistance to entrepreneurs; - attracting residents engaged in AI production to technology parks and industrial zones; Expected results and result indicators: - development of innovative AI startups based on AI technologies, strengthening the existing innovation ecosystem, and creating new jobs; - strengthening Azerbaijan's regional leadership in AI and increasing its recognition in the global digital ecosystem; Expected risks and their mitigation measures: - a small domestic market and the relatively new nature of AI companies may reduce foreign investment interest. To mitigate this risk, expanding international partnerships and encouraging collaboration with foreign companies is planned; - the lack of a suitable business environment and infrastructure for attracting AI-related companies to technology parks may delay AI development. This risk will be addressed by expanding collaboration with technology companies and developing the necessary infrastructure. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. Azerbaijans diplomatic efforts in strengthening global peace have been highly praised, Trend reports citing the COP29 presidency. According to the presidency, this recognition came in a joint statement adopted yesterday, following the Network of Climate-Vulnerable Countries Affected by Conflicts, held in Abu Dhabi last month. The official announcement from the COP29 presidency emphasized that the acceptance of this significant position document was an important step in the development of the platform established during the UN Climate Conference held in Baku last year. The statement also noted that Azerbaijans continued COP29 presidency, alongside the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), hosted the Strategic Meeting of the Network. This event brought together government officials from countries vulnerable to climate change and conflict, along with international organizations and financial institutions. During the meeting, concrete steps were discussed to provide climate finance for vulnerable countries and strengthen national capabilities. Following the meeting, the joint statement adopted by the Network, supported by the COP29 presidency, formed a unified stance on joint actions and outlined a roadmap for the implementation of specific projects among member countries. The joint statement expressed special thanks to the government of Azerbaijan for the "Baku Call on Climate Action for Peace, Relief and Recovery," introduced during COP29. It also highlighted the Baku Climate and Peace Action Center, created as part of this initiative, calling it a "unique mechanism for cooperation among partners working in humanitarian aid, development, peacebuilding, and climate sectors." The statement of COP29 says that Azerbaijan, within the framework of its Chairmanship and the joint partnership platform established around the Baku Center, will continue to support the Network, strengthen national capacities of countries vulnerable to climate, conflict and humanitarian needs, and promote joint efforts based on the principle of Solidarity for a Green World. The Network was established during the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which took place in Baku last year. Furthermore, in line with the Baku Peace Call adopted at that conference, the Baku Center will be located in Baku under the auspices of the COP29 presidency. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. The telephone conversation between Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development David Lammy took place on March 19, 2025, the press service of Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Trend. According to information, the officials discussed matters of bilateral cooperation, the current regional situation, and the ongoing peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. During the conversation, the UK's minister extended his greetings for the Novruz holiday. Both sides expressed confidence in the further development of the relationship between the two countries. Minister Jeyhun Bayramov provided an update on the situation in the region and the peace process, highlighting that although negotiations on the peace treaty have been concluded, it is essential for Armenia to amend its constitution to remove territorial claims against Azerbaijan to proceed with the signing of the agreement. He also stressed the importance of abolishing the now-obsolete OSCE Minsk Group and other relevant structures. The ministers also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Yes Significant efforts are being made No Much more needs to be done Some progress But there are still critical gaps Vote View Results BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov held a telephone conversation with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Caspar Veldkamp, the statement of Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said, Trend reports. Meanwhile, various aspects of Azerbaijani-Dutch relations, as well as the current situation and realities in the region in the post-conflict period were discussed during the telephone conversation. In addition, the importance of the mechanism of political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs was noted in order to discuss the current state and prospects of bilateral relations, contacts within the framework of various international events, and mutual visits between the two countries. Jeyhun Bayramov informed the interlocutor in detail about the current situation and realities in the region, as well as the process of normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. It was emphasized that despite the completion of negotiations on the text of the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the existence of territorial claims to Azerbaijan in the Armenian Constitution, as well as the position of the Armenian side towards the Minsk Group and other relevant OSCE structures is an obstacle, and it is important to remove these obstacles for the signing of the peace agreement. The Minister also provided information on the trial of separatist leaders and persons of Armenian origin accused of committing large-scale crimes against Azerbaijan and noted that after anti-terrorist measures Azerbaijan showed humanity by allowing more than 10,000 representatives of illegal Armenian armed formations to leave the country. It was noted that those arrested were accused of crimes against humanity and it was emphasized that there was no basis for the smear campaign against Azerbaijan that the arrests were allegedly unfounded. In this regard, information was provided on the conclusion of the UN Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, issued on March 13, 2025, which rejected the claims of the Armenian side on this issue. In the course of the telephone conversation, views as well as on other issues of mutual interest were exchanged. AGHDARA, Azerbaijan, March 19. A new residential complex has officially been commissioned in Sugovushan, a village in Azerbaijans Aghdara district, Afet Telmangizi, head of the public relations department of the Service for Reconstruction, Construction, and Management in Khankendi, Aghdara, and Khojaly districts, told Trend. The new complex will accommodate 180 families, totaling 591 people. "The complex, built on a 2.3-hectare plot, consists of five five-story residential buildings, offering a total of 190 one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartments. Additionally, a comprehensive renovation has been completed on a secondary school building with a capacity for 144 students, which was previously in poor condition. Furthermore, after reconstruction, the small hydroelectric power stations 'Sugovushan-1' and 'Sugovushan-2,' with a combined capacity of 7.8 megawatts, have been put into operation. A recreational complex project has also been completed," she added. As part of the ongoing relocation efforts, 20 families are expected to move into the village today. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 18. Azerbaijan will take measures to attract both local and foreign investments to support the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies across the country, Trend reports. The initiative is outlined in the "Artificial Intelligence Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 20252028," by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. The Ministry of Digital Development and Transport and the Ministry of Economy have been appointed as the main executing bodies for the project. The implementation of these activities will span from the years 2025-2028. Add the Bayou Blizzard of 2025 to the list of natural weather storms Southeast Texans have survived in the past 20 years. The National Weather Service of Lake Charles has issued its report on the "once-in-a-generation" snowstorm and record lows. The meteorologists gave the name Bayou Blizzard of 2025 because a wide area, mostly in Acadiana, had official blizzard conditions of high winds and heavy snowfall cutting visibility to a quarter of a mile. Bridge City recorded the most snow, 7.9 inches, on the Texas side of the storm that dropped the most snow in an area south of Interstate 10 along the upper Gulf Coast. Orange had 6.2 inches, while Mauriceville and Vidor each had five inches. One area along the Sabine River in north Orange County tallied only two inches. Beaumont had 6.4 inches with Lake Charles, Louisiana, getting 7.2 inches. The snowfall was heavier in the central Louisiana Gulf with the most at 13.6 inches in Lafayette Parish. The National Weather Service Lake Charles reported that it issued the only blizzard warning for the region within the service's "modern era." The storm also brought record low temperatures overnight after the snow fell with a reading of 10 degrees in North Orange County and 11 degrees at the Orange County Airport on South Highway 87. In Louisiana, the New Iberia Airport went down to 2 degrees while temperature in Lafayette was 4 degrees and 6 degrees in Lake Charles. The blizzard was another of the memorable severe weather outbreaks in Southeast Texas that began with Hurricane Rita in September 2005. This week, Orange County is under wind warnings with wind speeds of 10 to 15 mph and gusts up to 25 mph. The winds could blow down tree limbs and utility lines, according to the warning. Because of the winds, fire departments in Orange County have suggested people be careful to prevent wildfires, which spread quickly in high winds. Though the ground is moist, recent low humidities and high winds have dried vegetations. Those conditions led Newton County on Tuesday to issue a burn ban. Orange County as of Tuesday evening did not have a burn ban. Wildfires and strong winds have been reported across the Texas Panhandle and Oklahoma, along with the Texas Hill Country outside of Fredericksburg. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. A man wanted internationally has been extradited to Azerbaijan, Trend reports citing the Azerbaijani General Prosecutor's Office. Following the provisions of the October 2002 Convention on Legal Assistance and Legal Relations in Civil, Family, and Criminal Matters, the General Prosecutor's Office of Kazakhstan has granted Azerbaijans request for the extradition of Shahin Mammadov, a citizen of Kazakhstan. The case is currently under investigation by the Ministry of Internal Affairs' Cybercrime Division. Mammadov is facing charges of fraud, specifically under Article 178.3.2 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to fraud committed with significant financial damage. As a result, he was placed on the international wanted list. Mammadov was arrested in Kazakhstan and on March 19 was moved to Azerbaijan under convoy of the Prison Service of the Ministry of Justice. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel AGHDARA, Azerbaijan, March 19. The road leading to Umudlu village in Azerbaijan's Aghdara district has been fully reconstructed and is now operational, ensuring safe and comfortable travel for vehicles, Mammad Mammadov, a senior specialist from the State Agency for Automobile Roads of Azerbaijan, told reporters, Trend reports. "In line with the order signed by President Ilham Aliyev last year, the reconstruction of the road from the Sarsang Reservoir to Umudlu village in the Aghdara district has been completed at a high level. The road, which falls under the fourth technical category, spans a length of 9.4 kilometers with a 6-meter-wide lane. During the reconstruction, the earthworks were expanded, drainage pipes were installed to direct rainwater, and concrete culverts for water passage were built. The road is paved with two layers of asphalt concrete. Additionally, horizontal markings have been applied along the road, and traffic signs have been installed. Considering the mountainous terrain, metal guardrails have been placed at sharp turns," Mammadov added. To note, in 1993, the village was overrun by the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia, who massacred citizens en masse and forced the remaining villagers to seek refuge in neighboring towns. It was reclaimed by the Republic of Azerbaijan following local anti-terrorist measures carried out on September 19, 2023. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to submit the detailed case diaries on the agencys ongoing investigation in the multi-crore irregularities in different municipalities in West Bengal. The division bench of Justice Debangshu Basak and Justice Smita Das gave the direction while hearing the bail petition filed by accused Ayan Sil. Advertisement As the matter came up for hearing on Tuesday, the division bench sought the case diaries in the matter from CBI. Thereafter, the CBI counsel argued that since the investigation in the matter is related to irregularities in a total of 17 municipalities, the documents related are voluminous. Advertisement The CBI counsel also argued that it would be easier for the agency to submit a report on the matter instead of the case diaries. However, the division bench refused to accept the argument of the CBI counsel and questioned the problem in submitting voluminous documents. Thereafter, it directed the CBI to submit the case diaries in the matter to the court. The matter will be heard again on Wednesday. Recently, Sil was granted bail in the multi-crore cash-for-school job case, where he was also an accused. However, he was unable to get himself out of jail because of the pending registered cases against him by both the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), in the municipalities recruitment irregularities case. Sil was arrested in March 2023 by the ED officials in the school jobs case. In fact, during his arrest at that point in time, the ED recovered a number of documents from his residence that for the first time threw light on the municipalities recruitment irregularities. Late he was shown as arrested by both the ED and the CBI in the municipalities recruitment irregularities cases. In this case, Sil was accused of arranging jobs in at least 17 municipalities in West Bengal against money. The total number of recruitments made illegally in these 17 municipalities stood at 1,821. The total scam size in the municipalities recruitment irregularities cases, as estimated by the central agency officials, is around Rs 200 crore. The majority of these 17 municipalities where such recruitment irregularities took place were from the North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas districts. A single-judge Bench of the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday lifted an interim stay on the recruitment of civil judges for different lower courts in the state, who have qualified in the examination conducted by West Bengal Public Service Commission (WBPSC) for the year 2022. The preliminary examination for the candidates for the 2022 Judiciary Bench was conducted in March 2023. The main examination followed in May 2023 and finally the interviews were held in April 2024. Advertisement However, a candidate from the Other Backward Class (OBC) category challenged the recruitment process stating that reservation rules in the said recruitment were not followed by the WBPSC. Similar petitions in the matter followed. Advertisement In December last year, the single-judge Bench of Justice Arindam Mukherjee had put an interim stay on the recruitment process, following which the recruitments of 29 judges for different lower courts were stalled. A hearing in the matter continued and finally on Tuesday the Bench of Justice Mukherjee lifted the stay on the recruitment which was imposed by him in December last year. While lifting the stay, Justice Mukherjee also observed that there had been absolutely no flaw in the recruitment procedure by the WBPSC and hence the stay on recruitment has been lifted. He also observed that there were no merits in the writ petitions filed by petitioners in the matter. Legal experts say the decision clears the decks for the recruitment of new judges to lower courts and was a welcome move considering that such courts in the state are already running short of judges. Recently, the Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court, T.S. Sivagnanam had expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of infrastructure at different lower courts in the state. The court also censored the state government over the lack of adequate staff in different courts. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday met Sergei Cheremin, Minister from Moscow City Government, and exchanged views on enhancing ties between the two cities. The two leaders discussed on ways to enhance connections and exchanging ideas between Moscow and Delhi on urban management, transport, digital technology, culture and people-to-people ties, the Chief Ministers Office (CMO) said. Advertisement Things such as building a partnership in domains such as trade and commerce, Information and Technology, involvement of private sectors were also discussed during the meeing. Advertisement India and Russia have good bilateral relations and the countries have been long standing partners. Meanwhile, a Russian delegation led by Cheremin is here to participate in the Smart Cities India Expo 2025 being held from March 19 to 21 in New Delhi. The Smart Cities India Expo is one of the worlds largest platforms bringing together leaders in digital technologies, sustainable development, and urban innovation. Moscow will showcase advanced solutions for digital development of the urban environment, transport infrastructure, eco-technologies and security. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva has welcomed the registration of an FIR by the Anti Corruption Branch Delhi (ACB) against AAP leader and former Minister Satyendar Jain in the case regarding CCTV installation. Sachdeva, commenting on the development, stated that this is just the beginning, and many more cases will come to light, which the then Arvind Kejriwal government had either allegedly suppressed, or deliberately delayed investigations into. Advertisement The Delhi BJP chief mentioned that during 2017-18, the then AAP government led by Kejriwal had awarded a Rs 571 crore contract to a private company, for CCTV installations. Advertisement He further claimed that due to project delays, the company was fined Rs 16 crore in 2019, but just days later, Jain allegedly accepted Rs 7 crore as a bribe to waive the imposed penalty on the firm. Apart from reports from departmental sources, the former state unit chief of the saffron party Manoj Tiwari had also lodged a complaint about the matter, which was subsequently taken up by the ACB. Sachdeva said that although the ACB had completed its investigation regarding the matter in 2023, an FIR was not being registered due to the AAP governments alleged cover-up efforts. He expressed that now that the FIR has finally been filed, it is expected that more scams related to CCTV installation are likely to be exposed. Megastar Chiranjeevi was among the first to welcome NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore back to Earth after their unexpected 286-day stay in space. Calling their journey a true blue blockbuster, the actor celebrated their safe return, describing their experience as nothing short of an epic thriller. Williams and Wilmore, who were originally spending just eight days in space, finally made it back on Wednesday (Indian time) aboard SpaceXs Crew-9 mission, splashing down off the coast of Florida. The duo stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for nearly ten months due to technical issues with Boeings Starliner spacecraft. Advertisement Taking to social media, Chiranjeevi praised the astronauts resilience and the teams who brought them home: Welcome back to Earth, Sunita Williams & Butch Wilmore! Historic and heroic home coming!!! Went for eight days to space and returned after 286 days, after an astonishing 4,577 orbits around Earth! Your story is unmatchably dramatic, utterly nerve-wracking, unbelievably nail-biting thriller, and the greatest adventure ever. A true blue blockbuster!! More power to you!!! Advertisement WELCOME BACK TO EARTH Sunita Williams & Butch Wilmore !! HISTORIC & HEROIC HOME COMING!!! Went for 8 Days to Space & Returned after 286 Days, after an Astonishing 4577 orbits around earth ! Your Story is Unmatchably Dramatic, Utterly Nerve Wracking , Unbelievably Chiranjeevi Konidela (@KChiruTweets) March 19, 2025 He also lauded NASA and SpaceX for ensuring their safe return. Bollywood actor R. Madhavan also shared his excitement on Instagram, calling Williams return a blessing: Welcome back to Earth, our dear dear Sunita Williams. Our prayers have been answered So wonderful to see you safe and smiling. After more than 260 uncertain days in space, this is all Gods grace and millions of praying souls prayers being answered. Great job, all at #SpaceXFalcon9 #NASA and the entire crew. God bless you. Williams and Wilmores journey turned into an unplanned endurance test when Starliner, the spacecraft meant to bring them back, encountered propulsion issues. With no immediate way home, they had to wait until another crew arrived at the ISS before they could return safely. Their prolonged stay in space became a global talking point, raising concerns about space travel reliability and fueling debates over spacecraft safety. Now back on Earth, Williams and Wilmore have begun a 45-day rehabilitation program to help their bodies adjust to gravity after nearly a year in microgravity. Bill Gates, former Microsoft CEO and co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, on Wednesday met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi here and discussed advancements in the fields of health, agriculture and artificial intelligence (AI). Modi said he has spoken about diverse issues, including tech, innovation, and sustainability towards making a better future for the coming generations with Gates. As always, an excellent meeting with Bill Gates. We spoke about diverse issues including tech, innovation and sustainability towards making a better future for the coming generations, he wrote in a post on X. Advertisement Earlier, Gates said he had a great discussion with PM Modi about Indias development, the path to Viksit Bharat @ 2047, and exciting advancements in health, agriculture, AI, and other sectors that are creating impact today. I had a great discussion with @narendramodi about Indias development, the path to Viksit Bharat @ 2047, and exciting advancements in health, agriculture, AI, and other sectors that are creating impact today. Its impressive to see how innovation in India is driving progress locallyand globally, he said in a post on X. Advertisement India AI Mission and Gates Foundation will soon sign an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to revolutionise agriculture, healthcare, education, and climate change initiatives. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a post on social media platform on Wednesday, said, AI solutions for better crops, stronger healthcare, smarter education & climate resilience MoU soon between India AI Mission & @gatesfoundation. The India AI Mission focuses on developing AI applications in critical sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, weather forecasting, and disaster management. Eighteen applications have been identified in these domains to harness AI for societal benefits. The initiative will address challenges such as climate change, learning disabilities, and agritech solutions, ensuring AI contributes to the well-being of millions. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. The vibrant tapestry of Novruz celebrations unfolds in the lion's share of European countries, as Azerbaijani communities become the custodians of their heritage, weaving the threads of national values into the fabric of their gatherings, ensuring that the flames of tradition continue to dance brightly across borders, Trend reports via the State Committee for Work with Diaspora. Events have been organized in countries including Germany, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Sweden, Lithuania, and Norway, attracting Azerbaijani citizens, students, friendly communities, and diplomatic representatives from these countries. A Novruz event organized by the Khari-Bulbul Azerbaijani Cultural House in Berlin began with the national anthem of Azerbaijan. The event also honored the memory of martyrs who gave their lives for the countrys territorial integrity. Participants took part in traditional Novruz activities such as painting and cracking eggs and preparing traditional sweets like shekarbura. During the event, national music and dances were also performed. In Brussels, the State Committee for Work with Diaspora, the Azerbaijani Embassy in Belgium, and the "Fireland" Azerbaijani Community organized the "Azerbaijani Cultural Night - Novruz" event. The participants were informed about Azerbaijani culture and the history and traditions of Novruz. The artistic segment included performances by Javid Salimov, Emin Sadigli, and Sadig Aghamaliyev, and interesting dance performances by the "Fireland" and "Butam" childrens dance ensembles were met with applause. In honor of the 140th anniversary of Uzeyir Hajibeyov, a dance from the operetta "Arshin Mal Alan" was performed, which intrigued the guests. In Prague, the "Novruz Taranlri" event showcased Azerbaijan's unique Novruz traditions, with trays decorated with Novruz symbols and presented to the guests. The event was organized by the "Land of Fire" society and the Azerbaijani Embassy in the Czech Republic, with the involvement of Gulnar lizad, a member of the Azerbaijani community in the Czech Republic. In addition, a special lesson about Novruz was held in Pragues Azerbaijani Cultural Center, where children were educated about the holiday's deep roots in Azerbaijani culture and history. Children also participated in a puppet-making workshop under the guidance of master puppeteer Vafa Ashumova. In Estonia, a Novruz-themed art exhibition and a carpet weaving workshop were held at the "Buta Art Studio" Azerbaijani Creativity Center, where paintings dedicated to the holiday were displayed. The centers director, artist Rovshan Nur, provided detailed information about the intricacies of carpet weaving and the traditions surrounding Novruz. In Helsinki, Finland, at the Azerbaijani House, the importance of Novruz for Azerbaijani national and spiritual values was emphasized, stressing the significance of passing these invaluable traditions on to future generations. In Stockholm, Sweden, local Azerbaijanis gathered to celebrate Novruz with the SAF Swedish-Azerbaijani Association organizing the event. The State Committee for Work with Diaspora, the Azerbaijani Diaspora Support Fund, and the International Media Group were acknowledged for their support by the SAF Chairwoman Sevda Dadashova. The event featured performances by Azerbaijani and Uzbek folk artists, including the famous singing duo, the Gulyaz and Gulyanag Mammadova sisters, and solo performances by Ramazan Sharifzade, Gunel Hamidli, and other local Azerbaijani performers. In Lithuania, at the Klaipeda Weekend Azerbaijani School, children participated in a lesson about Novruzs history and traditions, learning about the symbols of the holiday and creating miniature wheat trays (semni). They also painted pictures reflecting the arrival of spring and the awakening of nature. Finally, in Oslo, Norway, a lesson was conducted at the Nizami Ganjavi Azerbaijani Language Weekend School, where children learned about Novruz, its traditions, and performed traditional poems and skits portraying the characters of Kosa and Kechal. The worldwide celebration of Novruz by Azerbaijani communities is a feather in their cap, playing a pivotal role in spreading national values and shining a light on Azerbaijans culture, all while knitting together the unity of the Azerbaijani diaspora across the globe. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Karnataka BJP MLA SR Vishwanath stirred controversy in the state assembly with remarks that reignited the debate on migration and crime in Bengaluru. Representing Yelahanka, Vishwanath suggested that migrant criminals should be shot above the legs. His statementWhy shoot at their legs? Shoot a little abovehas drawn strong reactions. Advertisement He made these comments in the context of recent crimes involving suspects from outside Karnataka, including Nepal and Bihar. Advertisement Referring to a recent attack by Nepali individuals on locals and murders that occurred during Holi celebrations involving migrants from Bihar, the MLA questioned why such criminals were shown leniency. Why just shoot at their right leg? Let it go a little above, he told the home minister in the assembly. In recent months, multiple crimes allegedly committed by migrants have sparked concerns over law and order. During Holi celebrations, three individuals from Bihar were found murdered at a construction site on the citys outskirts. In another incident, two groups of Nepali migrants violently clashed in a city park. Bengaluru, a melting pot of cultures, has a significant migrant population, with nearly half of its residents hailing from outside Karnataka. BSF Director General Daljit Singh Chaudhary on Wednesday reassessed the security situation along the India-Bangladesh border. He landed at the local government school playground via a BSF aircraft in Sribhumi in Southern Assam. Advertisement Following the ceremonial welcome, the BSF chief, accompanied by a high-security convoy, proceeded to the Border Outpost (BOP) at Steamer Ghat Camp near the international border. Advertisement His visit aims to evaluate BSF deployments and examine the prevailing border situation amid escalating regional security challenges. The visit comes at a critical juncture as tensions rise between India and Bangladesh, partly due to the growing unrest in Bangladesh, concerns over possible cross-border activities. Additionally, reports suggest a surge in religious persecution against Hindus in Bangladesh, sparking apprehensions in Indian border areas. BSF officials are also keeping a close watch on new security dynamics triggered by Chinas increasing engagement with Dhaka. The strategic realignment of Bangladeshs foreign policy towards China has prompted India to strengthen its border security measures and monitor activities along the sensitive frontier. During his visit, the BSF Director General is expected to hold discussions with senior officers to evaluate the forces preparedness and coordination with local authorities. The focus is on bolstering border patrol efficiency, improving surveillance mechanisms, and mitigating emerging threats. The Uttarakhand government will celebrate March 23 as Sewa Diwas to commemorate three years of Pushkar Singh Dhami government. The Dhami government-02 took over on March 23, after state assembly polls in 2022. None other than the chief minister instructed Chief secretary Radha Raturi and other senior government officials to mark the March 23 as Sewa Diwas on the occasion of completion of three years of his government. He asked the officials to ensure that the celebration is held at every block of the state where people are informed about the achievements of his government. Advertisement Chairing a virtual meeting from Delhi on Wednesday, the chief Minister directed them to hold a three-day celebration and organise different programs from March 22 to March 25. He asked the officials to ensure due public participation in the functions. Advertisement He said, Block level multipurpose camps should be organised to celebrate the completion of three years of the government. Health camps should be held and health related equipment be distributed to the needy people under government schemes. Local public representatives must also be involved in the government functions and camps. People from every section and region of the state should be included in the three-day functions and success stories of those doing remarkable works in different vocations must be informed to the common public, he added. The chief minister stated that people must be told about paradigm developmental changes that his government ushered in the state in the past three years. He said his government took several unprecedented decisions coinciding with public sentiments and demands that were taken in these three years of governance in the last three years. People of Uttarakhand must be informed about historical enactment of Uniform Civil Code(UCC), strict anti-copying norm, state centric land law and other important decisions and laws made by the state government in the past three years. These have resulted in carving out a nationwide distinct identity for the state of Uttarakhand added Dhami. Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal on Wednesday said India is focusing on core trade issues such as import duty and non-tariff barriers in the proposed free trade agreements (FTAs) for faster outcomes from these negotiations. He bats for quicker outcomes from negotiations for FTAs by going for early tranches of trade deals similar to the one planned with the United States. Advertisement While speaking at CIIs India-LAC (Latin America and Caribbean) Business Conclave, Barthwal said, We are also reviewing some of these issues in the department (of commerce) as well, as we are talking to our partners who are doing FTAs with us that why cant we first look at the core trade issues, and even if it is early tranche, or even if it is first phase of that comprehensive agreement, but let there be some kind of outcome which should come out of these negotiations. Advertisement So we are taking that approach, that let us first focus on the core trade issues. The Secretary added that there is a need for India and the LAC region to follow this approach. Look at the core trade issues with you, and start working in that direction. I think that is going to be a great way forward by which we will be able to achieve many things, and the businesses will be able to see that the outcomes are very, very fast, Barthwal said. He said the multi-sectoral approach, which India is talking to the US with under the proposed bilateral trade agreement is also important. We are also thinking of how to look at the LAC region in terms of looking at the impediments, whether it is non-tariff barriers, whether it is tariff barriers or the regulations, to see that trade grows between these two regions, he said. Notably, India has been in talks for a FTA with the UK and the EU for over two years, amid significant differences between the partners on a number of issues, particularly labour and environmental standards. New Delhi has also begun discussions with Washington for a deal under the second Donald Trump administration after talks failed during his first term. Further, India has deployed its energies on the proposed trade deal with the US. Haryana Police have registered a total of 297 FIRs in the past 10 years against those who disturb the peaceful environment in the society, deliver hate speeches, and against hate-mongering social media handles. During this period, 472 accused have been arrested and URLs of 502 social media handles have been removed from the internet. Giving information about this, Director General of Police Shatrujeet Kapur said in a statement on Wednesday that in the current changing environment, every person is actively using technology. Along with the proper use of technology, there are relatively more possibilities of its misuse. Advertisement Haryana Police are actively working to take action against hate speeches in society and to maintain law and order. Through continuous monitoring and swift action, law enforcement agencies have taken action in cases related to hate speech on social media platforms. He said that out of the total 297 cases registered in this regard during the last 10 years, 87.87 per cent of the cases have been resolved by taking swift action. Advertisement Along with this, the Crime Branch team of Haryana Police are keeping a special watch on the activities of people who like and share gangsters posts on social media platforms like X, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, etc. The posts put up by gangsters on social media mislead people, especially the youth, due to which they are attracted to crime. Haryana Police identify such youths and call their family members and counsel the children. Kapur said that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has been authorised as the nodal agency to remove objectionable content from social media in Haryana. Along with this, instructions have been given to the police officers to take necessary steps to prevent the spread of irresponsible messages, videos and other content on various social media platforms, which tend to incite any kind of mob violence. Kapur said that a separate social media wing has been established in the CID by Haryana Police to keep an eye on those who spread hate speech on social media. The wing has deployed personnel to carry out monitoring round the clock. Haryana Police have identified 220 people spreading violence (instigators and influencers) and 400 miscreants (troublemakers). As soon as any post is updated on the social media account of these people, it is investigated and action is taken as per rules if objectionable and provocative content is found, he said. The Jharkhand government has decided to review the land acquisition process for the Adani Power Plant in Santhal Pargana. This decision was made after strong opposition and allegations of irregularities were raised in the state assembly. A committee, led by the Chief Secretary, will investigate whether the land acquisition violated the Santhal Pargana Tenancy (SPT) Act and other legal provisions. Advertisement Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi raised this issue in the assembly, claiming that there were serious irregularities in the land acquisition for the power plant. He alleged that the initial compensation was set at 25-26 lakh per acre, but it was later reduced to 3.25 lakh per acre and then revised to 12.5 lakh per acre. He said this was unfair to farmers and called for an impartial review. Advertisement Congress MLA Pradeep Yadav supported Marandis claims but also criticized the previous Raghubar Das-led BJP government. He alleged that the 2013 Land Acquisition Act and Jharkhands laws were ignored to benefit Adani. He further stated that the SPT Act prohibits transferring land in Santhal Pargana to private companies, meaning the acquisition could be illegal. He demanded strict action if any violations were found. Yadav also accused the government of violating the 2012 Jharkhand State Energy Policy, which mandates that power plants in the state must provide 25% of their electricity to Jharkhand. However, he alleged that the entire power supply from the Adani plant is being sent to Bangladesh. He also questioned why the company initially planned to use Australian coal but is now sourcing it from Bengal and other states, potentially violating environmental regulations. Minister Deepak Birua, responding on behalf of the government, acknowledged the seriousness of the issue. He assured that the committee, led by the Chief Secretary, would conduct a thorough investigation. If any irregularities are found, appropriate action will be taken against those responsible. Opposition parties have demanded that legal experts and public representatives be included in the committee to ensure a fair and transparent investigation. Now, all eyes are on the governments review. If irregularities in land acquisition are confirmed, this issue could become a major political controversy in Jharkhand. The next steps from the government are eagerly awaited. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge held a meeting with senior leaders from the partys West Bengal unit here on Wednesday. Notably, Assembly elections in West Bengal will be held next year. Advertisement Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, partys general secretary of organisation KC Venugopal, and other senior leaders, including Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury from West Bengal, were present in the meeting chaired by Kharge at Indira Bhawan here. Advertisement During the meeting, they discussed the partys political strategy and issues pertaining to the state. Apprising about the meeting, the Congress party in a post on X wrote, An important strategic meeting related to West Bengal was held today at the Congress headquarters. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal was present in the meeting. It may be mentioned that Kharge had earlier held meetings with the senior leaders from the partys Kerala and Assam unit to discuss strategy for the 2026 Assembly polls in their respective states. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) President Lalu Prasad Yadav was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) at its zonal office in Patna on Wednesday in the land-for-job case. The case relates to Group D appointments in the railways during 2004 to 2009, when Lalu Yadav was the railway minister. The ED had earlier said in a statement that this money laundering case is based on a CBI complaint. According to the FIR filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation, candidates were asked to transfer land as bribes in exchange for jobs in the railways. Advertisement The federal agency had interrogated former chief minister of Bihar Rabri Devi and her son, MLA Tej Pratap Yadav, in the same case on Tuesday. Advertisement Supporters of the former chief minister of Bihar and and party workers had gathered at the ED office in a large number much before Lalu Yadav reached there at 11 am with his daughter and MP Misa Bharti. They kept raising slogans in favour of their leader and condemning the NDA governments at the Centre as well as in the state for harassing their leader in a false case. Lalu left the premises after spending about four hours, waving at his supporters quietly from inside his car. He did not take any questions from the journalists. Commenting on the interrogation by the ED, Lalu Yadavs heir apparent Tejashwi Yadav said the entire exercise is nothing but political vendetta. But it is not going to make any difference to his family. Soon after the Delhi elections, I had said that now all Central investigative agencies and IT cells of BJP will focus on Bihar. But it is not going to make any difference. We are law-abiding citizens. Whichever agency would summon, we will go. If I was not in politics, would there be a case against me, he asked. RJDs Bihar spokesperson Ejaz Ahmed said that the Central agencies have become active at the behest of the Central government to prepare ground before the elections in Bihar. These agencies are serving the political interests of the double engine government. Such an action is being taken to divert attention from the increasing crime and other burning issues in Bihar, he contended. In a statement posted on the social media platform X, Lalu Yadavs daughter Rohini Acharya said that the sole purpose of repeated interrogation in the name of investigation is to harass the RJD Supremo unnecessarily. What is the justification behind repeated summons to Lalu ji-Rabri Devi ji and other family members for interrogation? What is there to know that the ED-CBI has not been able to know even after repeated interrogations and years of investigation, she asked. She also warned that if anything untoward happens to Lalu Yadav due to the government-sponsored harassment, there will be a nationwide retaliation and the group of cowards will not be able to handle it. Global fast-food giant McDonalds is set to establish its global office in Hyderabad, employing 2,000 people. The company has signed a key agreement with the Telangana government, as per a statement from the office of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. Advertisement McDonalds Chairman and CEO, Chris Kempczinski, along with other company executives, met the Chief Minister at the Assembly today. Advertisement Explaining their decision, Kempczinski stated that Hyderabad offers superior infrastructure, a better quality of life compared to cities like Bengaluru, and a strong talent pool. Expressing his delight, Chief Minister Reddy said he was proud that McDonalds chose Telangana for this significant investment, especially at a time when multiple states were competing for the opportunity. He assured the company of the governments full support and highlighted the states efforts in skill development over the past 15 months. Reddy also urged McDonalds to utilize the Young Skill India University as a training hub, enabling the recruitment of skilled professionals not only for its global office but also for its restaurant operations. Additionally, he requested the company to source agricultural products from local farmers, boosting the regional economy and ensuring a stable income for them. Kempczinski further stated that McDonalds implements community development programs worldwide and intends to introduce similar initiatives in Telangana in collaboration with the government. Currently, McDonalds operates 38 outlets in Telangana and plans to open three to four new outlets annually as part of its expansion strategy. Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda discussed Indias achievements in healthcare with Bill Gates after the former Microsoft CEO called on him on Wednesday. After the meeting, the Minister wrote in a post on X, Met with Mr Bill Gates, founder of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, during his visit to India today. Advertisement According to him, they discussed the remarkable progress that India has achieved in healthcare, particularly in maternal health, immunization, and sanitation, through collaboration with the Foundation. Advertisement On the occasion, he said he acknowledged the Foundations valuable support in strengthening health systems and driving impactful initiatives. We look forward to renewing our Memorandum of Cooperation, furthering our shared commitment to ensuring affordable, accessible, and quality healthcare for all citizens, he added. Nadda, along with his post, shared photographs of his meeting with Gates. It may be mentioned here that the mission of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is to create a world where every person has the opportunity to live a healthy and productive life. On Tuesday, Gates met Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and discussed Indias agricultural transformation. It was a pleasure to discuss Indias agricultural transformation with Shivraj Singh Chouhan. By developing and scaling cutting-edge ag-tech solutions, India is helping farmers increase crop yield, enhance nutrition, and build resilience against climate change, Gates wrote on X after his meeting with Chouhan. He said they also explored opportunities to deepen our collaboration on rural development, womens empowerment, and technology adoption, with a focus on supporting Indias Lakhpati Didi initiative. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. Azerbaijan Army servicemen of active military service, soldiers Ruslan Hamidov and Ali Imanov, were caught in an avalanche in foggy weather conditions while returning from their duty station located in the Gadabay district, Trend reports via the joint statement from the Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Emergency Situations. Despite unfavorable weather conditions, the necessary search activities were immediately launched in a mountainous area with difficult terrain to find Azerbaijan Army's servicemen. The search and rescue operations involve the forces, means, and special equipment of the relevant units of the Azerbaijan Army, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, and the contractor company of the State Agency of Azerbaijan Automobile Roads. Additional information regarding the search results will be provided to the public. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Maharashtras Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam has condemned the violence in Nagpur and promised strictest action on Wednesday, against rioters responsible for attacking police personnel during the violence in Nagpur on Monday. Kadam said on Wednesday that the police have so far arrested around 60 people in connection with the Nagpur violence. Advertisement Meanwhile, the Nagpur police and security personnel conducted a flag march in the violence-hit areas of Nagpur to instill confidence among the people on Wednesday. Advertisement So far, six First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered even as a tense calm prevailed across the city of Nagpur on Wednesday. A curfew has been imposed in the limits of 11 police stations in Zones 3, 4 and 5 of Nagpur city. The police ordered people in these areas not to leave their homes unless necessary and not to gather in groups of more than five. Life is normal in the rest of Nagpur. Public transport services are running and people are going out for work as usual. In a related development, eight workers of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal surrendered before the Kotwali police on Wednesday after which the police arrested them and produced them before court. The police registered FIRs against office-bearers of the VHP and Bajrang Dal for allegedly hurting religious sentiments during their protest demanding the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzebs tomb in Sambhajinagar, formerly known as Aurangabad. Earlier, the Nagpur Police registered a case at the Ganeshpeth police station against office bearers of the VHP and Bajrang Dal for allegedly hurting religious sentiments during their protest demanding removal of Aurangzebs tomb. VHPs secretary in-charge of Maharashtra and Goa Govind Shende and Bajrang Dal office-bearers Amol Thakre, Dr Mahajan, Tayani, Rajat Puri, Sushil, Vrushabh Arkhel, Shubham and Mukesh Barapatre have been named in the FIR. The VHP and Bajrang Dal allegedly burned a cloth chadar with kalma and aayats from a religious book inscribed over it while raising provocative slogans against Aurangzeb, which provoked a Muslim group led by one Fahim Shamim Khan, the city president of the Minorities Democratic Party (MDP). Khan, who has been identified by the Nagpur police as the key instigator of the violence which erupted in Nagpur city on late Monday evening, has been arrested and remanded to custody until March 21. Talking about how the situation escalated, Nagpur Police Commissioner Ravinder Singhal said that permission was given to the VHP to organise a procession on the occasion of Shivaji Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Shivaji Maharaj. Such processions take place every year on the occasion of Shiv Jayanti. So we followed the routine practice. While seeking the police permission, The VHP didnt mention that they were planning on doing all this. The police had no idea they were going to burn the chadar and a dummy Aurangzeb tomb, Nagpur Police Commissioner Singhal said. Police Commissioner Singhal stated that the police tried to stop VHP members when they were burning the Chadar which had Aayats written over it. The police was present at the spot. They intervened and stopped the VHP members. We have videos to prove this. We have filed four cases so far. We will take action against the VHP members who carried out the procession. According to a second FIR registered at Ganeshpeth police station, MDP leader Fahim Shamim Khan allegedly incited a mob of around 500 people, leading to large scale clashes, vandalism and attacks on the local police. Fahim Shamim Khan had contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Nagpur as a candidate of the MDP and his election affidavit stated that he had completed his education up to tenth standard and was engaged in business. According to a Nagpur police FIR, Khan played a central role in organising and leading the rioting mob. The unrest began after VHP and Bajrang Dal staged a protest near Gandhi Gate, chanting slogans against Aurangzebs tomb and burning a symbolic effigy of Mughal Emperor Aurangzebs tomb. In response, a large mob gathered under Khans leadership, reportedly armed with axes, stones and sticks. The mob launched a brutal assault in the Bhaldarpura Chowk area, targeting police officers with stones and weapons. In an attempt to overpower the police, they reportedly prepared and hurled petrol bombs. Some individuals in the crowd allegedly took advantage of the chaos to molest female police officers. Another Nagpur police FIR mentioned that a female officer from the Rapid Response Team (RCP) was physically harassed, while other women officers faced obscene gestures and inappropriate comments. Vehicles were set ablaze and extensive damage was inflicted on public and private property, the FIR stated. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya has asserted that any attempt to glorify Aurangzeb would not be tolerated, whether in Maharashtra or Uttar Pradesh. Maharashtra SP MLA Abu Azmi has described Aurangzeb as great. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav should now explain why Abu Azmi is still part of the Samajwadi Party, Mr Maurya questioned. Advertisement Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Maurya criticized the opposition, stating that they lack any real issues to address. Advertisement The opposition does not even understand the basics of patriotic organizations like the RSS. I challenge Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, and their teams to first attend an RSS camp for a year, recite Namaste Sada Vatsale Matrubhoomi, and follow its teachings. Only then will they understand what the RSS stands for. For the RSS, the country always comes first. Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government is taking strict action against those responsible for violent acts, he said. The Deputy CM further accused the SP of indulging in appeasement politics while asserting that the BJP focuses on development. The SP should stick to issuing certificates to its goons and mafia. They have no right to lecture the BJP on what is right or wrong, he remarked. Pandemonium broke out in the Rajasthan Assembly on Wednesday after accusations of illegal sand mining at the behest of ruling BJP leaders, prompting the Opposition Congress to stage a walkout. Ruckus erupted in the House during the Zero Hour after Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Tika Ram Jully and some other Congress members raised the issue, accusing ruling party leaders of colluding with the sand mafia. This triggered sharp protests from the treasury benches, leading to a heated verbal duel. Advertisement Jully questioned, Why is illegal sand mining not being curbed? What compelled the state government to launch a drive against illegal mining some time ago, only to stop it later? Is the evil of illegal mining over, and who prevented officials from taking action? Advertisement Jully said, A Minister in the government himself made a statement on the issue, and at least 20 MLAs from the ruling party have also raised their voices in the House. Some ministers are even encouraging police officials to ignore trucks transporting sand for the mafias. Illegal mining is continuing. In the home district of the Chief Minister and the Minister of State for Home, more than 400 mining permits were issued, yet 322 cases of illegal mining were filed. The LoP asserted, We want an explanation from the government, the people of the state want to know the truth. Who is colluding with the sand mafia and who is protecting these elements? As the issue remained unresolved, the Chair called for the next item on the agenda, prompting the Opposition Congress members to walk out amid the din. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel said, The Congress was unnecessarily disrupting the House proceedings by staging a walkout. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended heartfelt congratulations to the Crew-9 astronauts, including Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams, as they safely returned to Earth on Wednesday. He lauded the Crew members courage, determination, and contribution to space exploration. PM Modi said that Space exploration is about pushing the limits of human potential, daring to dream, and having the courage to turn those dreams into reality. Advertisement Sunita Williams, a trailblazer and an icon, has exemplified this spirit throughout her career, he said in a message on X. Advertisement The Prime Minister said: Welcome back, #Crew9! The Earth missed you. Mr Modi noted, Theirs has been a test of grit, courage and the boundless human spirit. Sunita Williams and the #Crew9 astronauts have once again shown us what perseverance truly means. Their unwavering determination in the face of the vast unknown will forever inspire millions. He added that Space exploration is about pushing the limits of human potential, daring to dream, and having the courage to turn those dreams into reality. Sunita Williams, a trailblazer, and an icon, has exemplified this spirit throughout her career. We are incredibly proud of all those who worked tirelessly to ensure their safe return. They have demonstrated what happens when precision meets passion and technology meets tenacity. NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Butch Wilmore, who were stranded at the International Space Station (ISS) for nine months, finally returned to Earth early Wednesday. They were accompanied by astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov on their journey back. After a 17-hour return trip from the ISS, the crew safely splashed down in the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft off the coast of Florida at approximately 3:27 AM IST. The much-awaited discussion between Health Minister Veena George and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) workers, who have been agitating in front of the government Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram for the past 38 days seeking post-retirement benefits and a hike in their honorarium, failed to break the deadlock on Wednesday. The talks between the health minister and the agitating ASHA workers failed as the government was not ready to accept any of the demand put forth by the ASHA workers. The health minister demanded that the strike be withdrawn without accepting any of the demands of the ASHA workers. Advertisement The minister merely spoke about the governments financial crisis and said a 300% hike in remuneration at one go is impossible. She said our demands were unrealistic, ASHA Samara Samiti leader Mini said after the meeting Advertisement The ASHA workers announced that they would continue the strike as the government did not consider or accept any of their demands. The discussion with the health minister took place after the talks with the NHM Mission State Coordinator this afternoon ended without a decision. The Health Minister agreed to meet the protesters after the talks with the National Health Mission (NHM) director failed earlier in the day. The ASHA workers have stated that they will begin a hunger strike at 11 am on Thursday after the two talks held on Wednesday failed. Kerala BJP President K Surendran on Wednesday lauded Shashi Tharoor for his acknowledgment of Prime Minister Narendra Modis diplomatic success in the Russia-Ukraine war. Surendran said Tharoors latest comment that India was uniquely placed to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine as praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modis diplomatic acumen. Advertisement In a post on X (formerly Twitter) Surendran said the Congress MP, unlike other Congressmen, is pleased to see Indias progress on the global stage under the leadership of Narendra Modi. Dear @ShashiTharoor ji , Ive always admired your candour. Your honesty in saying I opposed it initially and now praising Modiplomacys success in Russia-Ukraine is commendable. Unlike your @INCIndia peers, you see Indias global rise under PM @narendramodi ji, truly a refreshing take, Surendran wrote on X. Advertisement Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday acknowledged that he was mistaken in opposing Indias neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue, Tharoor conceded that Prime Minister Narendra Modis foreign policy has positioned India as a key diplomatic player. He admitted that Indias ability to maintain ties with both Ukraine and Russia was a strategic advantage, stating, Clearly, the policy has meant that India has actually a prime minister who can hug both the president of Ukraine and the president in Moscow two weeks apart and be accepted in both places. I am still wiping the egg off my face because I am one person in the parliamentary debate who actually criticised the Indian position at the time back in February 2022, Tharoor said BJP National Secretary and Spokesperson Anil K Antony also lauded Tharoors acknowledgment, noting, Dr. Shashi Tharoor, a seasoned diplomat, rightly acknowledges PM Modis balanced approach to Indias foreign policy during the ongoing conflict. By prioritizing national interests and maintaining strong ties with both Ukraine and Russia, India has positioned itself as a key player in fostering long-term peace. The deadlock in Gaza ceasefire negotiations underscores the grim reality of a conflict where humanitarian considerations remain secondary to political leverage. While proposals for extending the fragile truce continue to emerge, the refusal of both Israel and Hamas to compromise on key demands reflects a deeper problem: an entrenched cycle of mistrust and zero-sum bargaining. The current impasse may well prolong the suffering of millions of civilians already devastated by months of war. The United States attempt to mediate an extension of the ceasefire offered a temporary lifeline. The proposal aimed to secure the release of remaining hostages and prisoners, while allowing humanitarian aid to flow into Gazas shattered landscape. Yet, the negotiations have stumbled over two central issues ~ Isra els military presence in Gaza and the release terms for hostages and prisoners. Hamas demands a full Israeli troop withdrawal, while Israel insists on maintaining pressure through its continued blockade and military operations. Each side accuses the other of intransigence, and both appear to believe time will strengthen their res pective positions. The tragedy is that the people of Gaza, many of whom have been displaced multiple times, are caught in this geopolitical stalemate. With over 90 per cent of homes damaged or destroyed and essential services like water, electricity, and healthcare nearly nonexistent, the humanitarian crisis has reached catastrophic proportions. Advertisement Aid convoys remain sporadic and insufficient, largely because humanitarian access is frequently tied to the status of ceasefires. As a result, innocent civilians are forced to endure hunger, illness, and displacement while political leaders debate terms. The argument that Hamas is making impractical demands is mirrored by the groups accusations that Israel is manipulating the talks. Both claims may hold degrees of truth, but they do little to address the growing humanitarian cost. If the two sides persist in using hostages and humanitarian aid as bargaining chips, a longterm resolution will remain elusive. Worse, the lack of meaningful progress only fuels resentment and radicalisation, making future negotiations even harder. Advertisement The current ceasefire framework offers a narrow window of opportunity. Negotiators should focus on achievable, incremental steps that prioritise the immediate welfare of civilians rather than maximalist political aims. For instance, a mutual agreement on a phased withdrawal, monitored by neutral parties, could build trust. Similarly, a humanitarian corridor managed independently could ensure that aid is not used as a weapon. Ultimately, sustainable peace requires both sides to shift from a zero-sum mindset to one that values coexistence and mutual security. This may seem utopian in the current climate, but incremental trust-building measures are the only realistic path forward. Without them, the cycle of violence, retribution, and humanitarian catastrophe will continue, devastating generations on both sides of the divide. The time to act is now. Any further delay only deepens the wounds of a war that has already gone on for far too long. Germany is undergoing a profound political and economic shift that could redefine its role in Europe and beyond. With Friedrich Merz expected to become the next chancellor, the country has taken decisive steps toward reasserting itself as a central power in European security and infrastructure development. The sweeping financial package announced recently marks a significant departure from Germanys traditionally cautious fiscal policies, particularly the strict debt restrictions that have shaped public spending since the global financial crisis. At the heart of this shift is a recognition that Europe can no longer rely on external powers for its security and stability. The perception that the United States, under its current leadership, is retreating from its traditional role as Europes guarantor has triggered a sense of urgency in Berlin. Germanys decision to substantially boost defence spending is not just a domestic policy choice; it is a strategic signal to allies and adversaries alike. For years, Germany faced criticism for failing to meet its defence obligations within Nato. This move represents an unequivocal commitment to reverse that narrative. What makes this development even more remarkable is the consensus Mr Merz has managed to build among traditionally divergent political forces. Advertisement Securing the backing of the Social Democrats and Greens for such sweeping reforms demonstrates a shared understanding across Germanys mainstream political spectrum that the old ways of managing debt and spending are no longer adequate for the challenges of today. The willingness to sideline strict debt limits in favour of strategic investments in defence, civil protection, and infrastructure reflects a pragmatic shift towards securing Germanys long-term interests. Yet, this bold move comes with considerable risk. Critics argue that Germany is setting a dangerous precedent by loosening its constitutional debt restrictions. The fear is that future generations will bear the burden of todays expansive borrowing. This concern is not without merit. Germanys cautious fiscal approach, enshrined in the so-called debt-brake, was long seen as a pillar of economic stability. Advertisement Dismantling or bypassing it could have unintended consequences, particularly if economic growth fails to keep pace with new obligations. Nonetheless, the scale and scope of the proposed investments are difficult to ignore. From modernising infrastructure to funding climate initiatives and bolstering military capabilities, Germany is laying the groundwork for a more assertive and resilient future. The inclusion of provisions for aiding nations under attack also underscores a growing sense of moral responsibility in Berlins foreign policy. Germanys reawakening is both timely and necessary. Europe faces a more uncertain and dangerous world, and the continents leading economy is stepping up to shoulder greater responsibility. Whether this gamble pays off will depend on careful execution and sustained political will. But one thing is clear: Germany is no longer content to sit on the sidelines. It is back at the centre of European affairs ~ where many argue it belongs. As world leaders prepare to gather in Belem, Brazil, for the COP30 climate summit, the Brazilian government is bulldozing tens of thousands of acres of protected Amazon rainforest to make way for a massive four lane highway. The road, spanning over 13 kilometers (8 miles) through once-pristine wilderness, is being justified as a sustainable solution to ease congestion. In reality, it is an environmental disaster ~ one that starkly contradicts the very purpose of the climate conference it is meant to serve. The destruction is overwhelming. Towering trees, home to countless species, have been reduced to piles of logs. Wetlands are being drained and covered by concrete. What was once a thriving ecosystem, crucial to absorbing global carbon emissions and maintaining biodiversity, is now under assault by those very men who should have taken more care of it. Many postcolonial eco-critics have repeatedly argued that constructing a binary between nature and humans misleads environmental activism. When nature is destroyed, it is not only nature that suffers but also the people who live in harmony with it and depend on it for their survival. The highway construction project through the Amazon rainforest is similarly causing immense harm to the people of that region. Advertisement Newspaper reports have revealed that for locals like Claudio Verequete, who lived off the land harvesting acai berries, the consequences are devastating. His livelihood has been wiped out, and he has received no compensation for the loss. Worse still, the highway wont even serve his community ~ it is separated from the region they live in, and designed for trucks and foreign visitors, not for those who have lived there for generations. If someone in his village falls ill, they will still have no direct route to medical care. One day, someone might come with money and say, We need this land for a gas station or a warehouse. What will happen to us then? he asks. Advertisement The direct impact of this highway on the ecosystem of the region will be equally alarming. Scientists warn that the highway will fragment fragile ecosystems, cutting off wildlife corridors and reducing already shrinking habitats. Professor Silvia Sardinha, a wildlife veterinarian, sees the consequences firsthand: her team rehabilitates animals injured by human encroachment, many of whom may now have nowhere left to go. The moment deforestation begins, loss follows, she says. Were losing a natural habitat where we release rehabilitated animals. Land animals wont be able to cross freely anymore, which will shrink their breeding and living spaces. Despite the clear environmental devastation, Brazilian officials continue to push COP30 as an opportunity to showcase their commitment to conservation of the environment. In fact, addressing the issue of the damage that would be done to Amazon, President Lula and his environment minister have said that this is a COP in the Amazon, not just about the Amazon. Could anything be funnier than a statement like this coming out from the high-profile officials of a country that is organising a global climate summit? In fact, their actions match what they have said. Instead of preserving the rainforest, they are fast tracking massive infrastructure projects luxury hotels, an expanded port, an $81 million airport upgrade, and a sprawling new city park all in the name of progress. This so-called progress has also been questioned by the locals. Newspaper reports reveal that while some business owners of Belem welcome the economic boost, others see the hypocrisy. Joao Alexandre Trindade da Silva, a herbal medicine vendor, acknowledges that development is inevitable but questions whether COP30 will result in any real climate actions. We just hope the discussions lead to something, he says. If decisions are implemented, maybe future generations will breathe cleaner air. That hope, however, seems increasingly naive. As thousands of world leaders and business elites prepare to fly in ~ each contributing to the events massive carbon footprint ~ it becomes clear that COP30 is less about saving the planet and more about political spectacle. How can a climate conference justify deforestation? How can leaders preach sustainability while enabling destm? COP30 should have been a symbol of global commitment to the Amazon. Instead, it is exposing the deep contradictions of modern climate politics ~ where grand promises are made, but, in the end, profit and convenience always come first. In this context, it should be pointed out that while discussing present-day hypocrisy about environmental concerns, it is not enough to talk only about global political summits. We must also question the effectiveness of the various seminars and conferences held worldwide on environmental issues. Does the money and effort invested in these events yield meaningful results? Often, in air-conditioned rooms, theoretical discussions drain all the energy of the scholars and researchers. Most of the time, there is a significant gap between discussion and activism, preaching and practising. That being said, it cannot be denied that environmental conferences and seminars do help raise awareness among a certain section of people. However, it is often observed that these very events use materials ~ such as plastic water glasses and thermocol plates ~ that are highly detrimental to the environment. I have personally attended many such seminars/ conferences and witnessed these contradictions firsthand. In a country like ours, money, however, is often a big problem in using environment-friendly cutlery in events like academic conferences and seminars. Having said this, one must admit that the COP30 political summit has, in fact, highlighted the hypocrisy about environment, which prevails not only in politics but also in academia. For years, Indian colleges have had a subject called Environmental Science, yet it remains largely insignificant within the examination system. In most cases, students do not even attend the classes on Environmental Science. For a long time, I have taught a course titled Ecology and Literature in my department. Even there, it is nearly impossible to take students beyond the classroom to give them first hand exposure to environmental good and bad. Most universities in India are working under financial constraints ~ field excursions are becoming increasingly difficult to organise. Another point, in this regard, needs to be noted. The National Education Policy (NEP) has been implemented, yet Botany students in an Indian college or university rarely show interest in reading Rabindranath Tagores short story Bolai (that shows a young-adults unfeigned love for trees) just as students of Bengali or English literature remain unaware of the diverse species of trees on their own campus. Such interdisciplinary exchanges between departments can bridge the gap between preaching and practising, so far as a course related to the environment is concerned. On 23 September 2019, sixteen-year-old Greta Thunberg stood before world leaders at the United Nations Climate Action Summit, and pointing out what had been wrong with them, repeatedly asked a simple and yet poignant question, how dare you? Sometimes, we, too, need to ask ourselves the same question ~ how dare we? (The writer is Professor, Department of English and Culture Studies, and Director, Centre for Australian Studies, the University of Burdwan) Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore returned to planet Earth Tuesday evening ending an unplanned protracted stay on the International Space Station. The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying them and two other astronautsNick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunovsplashed down into the waters off the coast of Florida state just minutes before 6 p.m., as NASA had announced. Advertisement The capsule was then carried to the recovery ship, where Hague became the first to exit the spacecraft nearly 50 minutes after splashdown. Williams emerged third. All three were assisted out of the capsule, smiling and waving. Advertisement Williams and Wilmore had left for the space station on June 6, 2024 with plans to stay for eight days and return by the same spacecraft that carried them, Boeings Starliner. But a malfunction in the spacecraft delayed the return until now, one board a spacecraft belonging to Elon Musks SpaceX. Congratulations to the @SpaceX and @NASA teams for another safe astronaut return! Musk wrote on X, reporting a video of the splashdown from SpaceX. Thank you to @POTUS for prioritizing this mission! This was Indian-descent Indian-descent Williamss third trip to the space station. She and Wilmore spent 287 days on the station. The International Space Station orbits around the Earth at an altitude of 254 miles (406.4 km) at a speed of 4.76 miles/s. Put together by the space agencies of the US, Russia, Japan, Canada and Europe, it was launched on November 20, 1998. After landing they will be taken to NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston. Texas for medical tests of their vital organs and short-term and long-term effects. However experts have said they could be dealing with a whole host of the effect of the long stay in space. They will then undergo a 45-day recovery period. Generally, most crew members physiological systems recover within this time frame,the space agency said in a statement issued Monday. The spacecraft carrying them undocked from the space station at 1:00 am Tuesday and flight lasted 17 hours. The body changes for such long stays could include growing taller and weaker, with the possibility of vision changes, according to reports. Born in Ohio to parents from India and Slovenia, William, who will turn 60 later this year, has a bachelors in physical science from the US Naval Academy and a Master of Science in engineering management from the Florida Institute of Technology, according to the NASA website. While in the Navy, Williams logged more than 3,000 flight hours in over 30 different aircraft, mostly helicopters. She was selected shortly for the US Naval Test Pilot School. She was selected as an astronaut in 1998 and flew two long-duration expeditions to the station. In 2006, she launched on the STS-116 and returned aboard STS-117 in 2007. And in 2012, she flew aboard a Russian Soyuz for another stay aboard the station. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. A total of 360 individuals have been added to the list for relocation to the village of Hasanriz in Azerbaijan's Agdara district, Afet Telmangizi, head of the public relations department of the Service for Reconstruction, Construction, and Management in Khankendi, Aghdara, and Khojaly districts, told reporters, Trend reports. She added that the relocation process will continue in stages until the end of the month. The official noted that 92 homes in Hasanriz have been renovated, and 50 families have already moved in. US President Donald Trump could not convince his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on an immediate and full ceasefire in Ukraine as the two leaders held a 90-minute phone conversation on Tuesday. Putin, however, agreed not to target Ukrainian energy infrastructure. The Russian president refused to sign the deal on a month-long ceasefire that the US finalised with Ukraine in Saudi Arabia earlier this month. Advertisement According to the Kremlin press service, Trump and Putin discussed the potential 30-day ceasefire but the Russian side conveyed that multiple issues need to be resolved before its implementation. Advertisement Putin stressed that there is a need to establish a mechanism to properly monitor a potential ceasefire, as well as stop forced mobilisation and rearmament in Ukraine. Serious risks associated with the Kiev regimes inability to negotiate, which has repeatedly sabotaged and violated the agreements reached, were also noted, Russian Today quoted the Kremlin press service as saying. During the call, Putin also highlighted the barbaric terrorist crimes committed by Ukrainian militants against the civilian population of Kursk Region. In a separate statement, the White House said that Putin agreed to halt attacks on energy sites for 30 days to begin with peace. The leaders agreed that the movement to peace will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on the implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire and permanent peace. These negotiations will begin immediately in the Middle East, the White House said in a statement. Moreover, the Russian President also informed Trump about the upcoming prisoner swap with Ukraine. As part of the deal, both sides will exchange 175 prisoners of war and Russia will also release an additional 30 critically wounded Ukraine soldiers in a goodwill gesture. Putin told Trump that while he is committed to achieving lasting peace, the same will happen when Russias legitimate interests in the area of security are met and called for the complete cessation of foreign military aid and the provision of intelligence information to Kiev. Shortly after the phone call between Trump and Putin, air raid sirens sounded in Ukraine as explosions were heard across the country. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Putin has effectively rejected the proposal for a full ceasefire and called for continued pressure on Putin for the sake of peace. Today, Putin effectively rejected the proposal for a full ceasefire. It would be right for the world to respond by rejecting any attempts by Putin to prolong the war, Zelensky said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that even a partial ceasefire with Russia will be a positive result and will bring Ukraine closer to conflict resolution. Speaking during a video briefing following a phone call between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, Zelensky on Tuesday, said Ukraine supports any proposals that would lead to a lasting and just peace, Xinhua news agency reported quoting the Interfax-Ukraine news agency. Advertisement He expressed interest in learning the details of the Trump-Putin conversation and sharing them with Ukraines partners. Advertisement There are two sides in this war Russia and Ukraine. Without Ukraines involvement, I believe reaching an agreement is futile, Zelensky stressed. He confirmed that Russia and Ukraine are planning a prisoner exchange under the 175 for 175 formula announced following the Trump-Putin talks. Commenting on Ukraines military operation in Russias western Kursk region, Zelensky said that Ukrainian forces remain in the area and will continue their mission as long as Ukraine needs this operation. Earlier in the day, Trump and Putin agreed that the movement to peace in Ukraine will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire and permanent peace, the White House said in a statement. Trump and his Russian counterpart Putin on Tuesday agreed to a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war with a pause on attacks on energy and infrastructure and to begin negotiations for a full ceasefire and permanent peace starting immediately. The two leaders also discussed bilateral relations and the situation in West Asia in a lengthy phone call that lasted nearly two hours. The plan agreed by them will need to be affirmed by Ukraine. The leaders agreed that the movement to peace will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire and permanent peace, said the White House in a readout of the call. Saint-Laurent, QC (H4T1V6) Today Partly cloudy skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. High 81F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 71F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. Asaf Askar, an international law expert residing and working in Germany, has sent a letter to the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, in response to a biased resolution concerning Azerbaijan, Trend reports via the State Committee for Work with Diaspora of Azerbaijan. Askar raised a critical question: Does the European Parliament truly demand the unconditional release of separatists and terrorists who have killed Azerbaijani citizens? He emphasized that since the 1990s, separatists have been directly involved in the killing of over 30,000 Azerbaijanis, with 613 innocent civilians brutally killed in the Khojaly massacre. He also pointed out that 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory was under Armenian occupation for 30 years, with both underground and surface resources illegally exploited and exported abroad through Armenia. The damage to Azerbaijan from this occupation is estimated at 100 billion manat ($58.8 billion). The expert reminded that the inactivity of the OSCE Minsk Group over 30 years allowed Armenia's occupation policy to continue unchallenged. In his letter, Asaf Askar highlighted that no European organization showed interest in visiting the region during the occupation to investigate the destruction and illegal activities carried out by Armenian separatists. He raised the question of why figures like Frank Schwabe, a member of the European Parliament, did not call for investigations into Armenian separatist activities during the occupation of Karabakh. The letter concluded by criticizing the repeated biased resolutions from the European Parliament demanding the unconditional release of separatists and terrorists, calling this stance a blatant disregard for Azerbaijans domestic laws and international law. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel IT services and consulting giant Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) announced on Wednesday that it inked a five-year partnership deal with the Kiwi carrier Air New Zealand to upgrade its digital infrastructure, including adding AI-based solutions for the airline. The deal was announced in a formal signing event at the TCS Banyan Park Campus in Mumbai, which was attended by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Tata Group Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran, and TCS CEO and MD K. Krithivasan. Air New Zealand chief Foran stated that the partnership would help the carrier enhance the customer experience, streamline operations and reinforce their commitment to cybersecurity and data protection. Going forward, TCS will be an instrumental partner in helping us deliver our Cargo Digital Transformation and improvements to our Digital Retail capability, Foran added. TCS chief Krithivasan chipped in: We are excited to partner with Air New Zealand in its journey to become a digitally advanced airline. With our expertise in aviation, combined with our ability to drive large-scale innovation, TCS will enable Air New Zealand to set new benchmarks for efficiency, sustainability, and customer engagement. Air New Zealand services 49 domestic and international locations, flying 15 million passengers annually on more than 3,400 flights a week. Launched in 1940, the airline now operated 98 aircraft ranging from Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A320s to ATRs and Q300s. TCS is expected to upgrade Air New Zealands digital services of more than 600 applications, and integrate AI-driven automation and cloud technologies into critical airline functions. The tech upgrade is expected to service cargo service, disruption management, retail offerings, maintenance systems, and crew operations. Ahead of the US Fed policy announcements, TCS stock fell sharply when markets opened on Friday, along with that of its peers led by Infosys. This led to the Nifty IT index slumping after gaining for the past three sessions. During the day, TCS slid as low as 2.5 per cent from its previous close of 3,552.45trading closer to its 52-week low. The stock of TCS, the second largest listed company in India by market cap, slowly found its footing after the news of the deal, but it did not show a marked improvement to claw back its losses for the day. Indias third-largest telecom company Vodafone Idea announced the launch of its 5G services in Mumbai on Wednesday, March 19. Vodafone Idea (Vi) CTO Jagbir Singh affirmed that the focus of the telecom carrier was to introduce 5G meaningfully to their customers. Both its competitors, Jio and Airtel, launched 5G services across different cities in the country, starting in October 2022. The question lingers whether Vi was too late to the market. We have invested in building a robust 5G network, by deploying the latest 5G technology, said Singh. Vi, a partnership between Aditya Birla Group and Vodafone Group stated that it holds a large spectrum portfolio including mid band 5G spectrum in 17 circles and mmWave 5G spectrum in 16 circles. Vi also plans to expand its 5G coverage across India in a phased manner. Vi introduced an Unlimited 5G data offer available on its prepaid Unlimited plans starting at 299, according to the carrier. Unlimited 5G data is also available on all postpaid consumer plans, including IOIP plans, starting from 451. In the launch face, Vi said that the Unlimited 5G are subject to its Fair Use Policy (FUP). After crossing the commercial monthly usage quota of 300GB, speeds would be throttled. How to check if you have 5G on Vi? If you have a Vi 4G SIM, it is a 5G-ready SIM and can be used to access Vi 5G services when paired with a 5G-compatible handset, according to the telecom carrier, provided you switch on the 5G mode in your phone settings. To check if your smartphone is 5G compatible, you can use the compatibility checker in the Vi App. Vi stated that it raised equity of around 26,000 crore in the past 12 months. This included the countrys largest FPO of 18,000 crore and a promoter contribution of 4,000 crore. This enabled the company to speed up its capex spending. With the planned capex investment of 50,000 crore to 55,000 crore over three years, the company is working towards expansion of its 4G network to cover around 90 per cent of Indians, in addition to launch of 5G services in key geographies, stated the company. Vi partnered with Nokia as its equipment partner to roll out 5G in Mumbai. According to the firm, the Nokia systems are not only leaner but also energy efficient. Moreover, Vi also deployed an AI-based SON (Self-Organizing Networks) system to continuously optimise network performance. Vodafone Idea faced major customer attrition over the years due to its lack of 5G in the rest of the country. Yet, it managed to keep a healthy customer base in Mumbai due to its almost flawless coverage of the city. It remains to be seen if this latest move could lead to the recovery of the embattled mobile carrier. A tweet by Russian-backed international news television network RT on the unredacted files related to the assassination of President John F Kennedy in 1963posted on the website of the US National Archives and Records Administrationclaimed that the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) maintained a "secret base" in New Delhi and Kolkata among other cities in the world. CIA 'secret bases' worldwide exposed by JFK Files Is your city on the list? pic.twitter.com/Gh37fstX8C RT (@RT_com) March 19, 2025 CIA secret bases, also referred to as "black sites," are clandestine facilities used by the agency for various intelligence operations, including detention and interrogation of suspected terrorists. It is a known fact that the agency operated secret bases globally, including facilities in Ukraine that support intelligence efforts against Russia. According to the tweet, the CIA held two secret bases in India, in New Delhi and Kolkata. ' | US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) 'secret bases' worldwide exposed by JFK Files - RT South Africa is the country that dominates in the African continent, with two cities on the list; namely Johannesburg and Pretoria. pic.twitter.com/LjZjXOwd8A The African Perspective (@theafricanptv) March 19, 2025 As per the list, the New York division of the CIA maintained secret bases in Kolkata, New Delhi, Rawalpindi in Pakistan, Colombo in Sri Lanka, Tehran in Iran, Seoul in South Korea, and Tokyo in Japan among other places. ALSO READ: The F-35 'kill switch' myth: Can US remotely cripple or control the stealth fighters that it is pitching to India? Some of these facilities were also reportedly been subjected to legal scrutiny over claims that many detainees were held without formal charges or trials. It is to be noted that India does have a history with the CIA. In 2013, a PTI report said a declassified official document revealed that India granted permission to the US to use one of its air bases Charbatia, an abandoned World War II base in Odishafor refuelling the CIA's U-2 spy planes to target Chinese territories in 1962. The US National Archives and Records Administration posted to its website on Tuesday roughly 2,200 files containing the documents following an order by President Donald Trump. A vast majority of the National Archives' collection of over six million pages of records, photographs, motion pictures, sound recordings and artifacts related to the assassination have previously been released. Director General Defence Intelligence Agency (DG DIA) Lt General D.S. Rana will be on an official visit to Australia from Wednesday to Friday, aiming to strengthen the bilateral defence intelligence cooperation and boost strategic engagement between the countries. During the visit, he will hold high-level discussions with senior defence officials, focusing on intelligence-sharing mechanisms, regional security cooperation, and avenues for further collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region. Lt Gen DS Rana, Director General Defence Intelligence Agency #DG_DIA of #HQ_IDS_India embarks on an official visit to #Australia . The visit aims to further strengthen bilateral defence intelligence cooperation and enhance strategic engagement between #India and #Australia. pic.twitter.com/7z0zwieQ28 HQ IDS (@HQ_IDS_India) March 18, 2025 According to the defence ministry, the visit underscores the deepening intelligence and security cooperation between India and Australia, reinforcing both nations commitment to maintaining peace, stability, and security in the region. The DG DIA will meet with senior Australian Defence officials, including the Deputy Secretary, Department of Defence, Director General of National Intelligence, Chief of Defence Intelligence and the Chief of Joint Operations of the Australian Defence Forces. ALSO READ: India, Australia push for stronger military and tech cooperation He will also visit the Headquarters Joint Operations Command to gain insights into Australias operational framework and joint command structures. The DG DIA is also scheduled to interact with the Director of the Australian Geospatial Organisation. His other engagements during the visit include discussions at Lowy Institute, a leading international policy think tank, on strategic defence and security dynamics. Honouring the strong defence ties and shared military traditions between India and Australia, DG DIA will lay a wreath at the Australian War Memorial, the ministry said. The visit will also include attending the Last Post Ceremony, a solemn tribute to the fallen soldiers, symbolising mutual respect and remembrance for the sacrifices made in service to the nation, the statement from the ministry read. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. The Prosecutor General's Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan granted the petition of the Prosecutor General's Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the extradition of Kazakh citizen Anastasia Vitalyevna Trofimova, the press service of the Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan says, Trend reports. It was noted that in January of this year, A.V. Trofimova, accused of organizing and conducting gambling in Kazakhstan and placed on the international wanted list, was detained in Azerbaijan; a preventive measure in the form of arrest was chosen for her. In accordance with the Convention "On Legal Assistance and Legal Relations in Civil, Family and Criminal Matters" dated 10/07/2002, a decision was made to extradite the accused. Accompanied by a special convoy of the Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice of Azerbaijan, she was handed over to the authorized body of the Republic of Kazakhstan. There was a time when India was not taken seriously on global forums, but today, a new, strong and organised India has emerged before the world, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh claimed on Wednesday. Addressing the fifth edition of the Major Bob Khathing Memorial Event jointly organised by the Indian Army, Assam Rifles and United Services Institution of India in Delhi to honour the life and legacy of Major Khathing, who played a major role in integrating Tawang into India, the defence minister compared revocation of Article 370 of the Constitution to Tawang's integration into India. Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh, at the 5th Major Bob Khathing Memorial Event in Delhi Cantt, urged citizens to prioritize the nation, uphold unity, perform duties with integrity, and pursue goals fearlesslyprinciples exemplified by Major Khathing. He lauded Major Khathings pic.twitter.com/fDbLokdvVc Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) March 19, 2025 He pointed out that Major Khathing efficiently carried out the integration of Tawang without firing a single bullet and claimed that the current government too did something similar. We completely merged Jammu and Kashmir into India by removing the biggest hurdleArticle 370without firing a single bullet. The work was carried out peacefully with full security, keeping all the stakeholders in mind. ALSO READ: French Rafale-M Vs Indian MiG-29K! India, France set to hold high-octane war drills from Wednesday The defence minister further said the governments foreign policy is based on the diplomatic skills of personalities such as Major Khathing, and added that today, India is maintaining a balance between its hard power and soft power amidst the prevailing uncertainties in the multipolar world. Paying glowing tributes to Major Khathing, Singh called him "a great son of India, who left an indelible mark in the history of the country through his bravery in the battlefield and skill in the field of diplomacy" and said India has been fortunate that it is home to such prominent personalities for whom security, integrity and sovereignty of the nation are paramount. Further, the defence minister highlighted the administrative proficiency of Major Khathing, especially his contribution in the formation of Sashastra Seema Bal and Nagaland Armed Police and other such reforms. Netflix has announced Legends, a six-episode crime drama led by Tom Burke, Steve Coogen, and Hayley Squires (Beau Is Afraid; I, Daniel Blake), and created by Neil Forsyth (The Gold, Guilt). Based on a real-life criminal investigation that happened in the early '90s, which centered on British Customs officers tasked with the top-secret assignment to go undercover to investigate some of the most notorious drug dealing groups and work on apprehending them. An official streaming date is yet to be announced. Netflix's official logline explains the series' title: "In the early 90s, her Majestys Customs and Excise was losing its battle with illegal drug smuggling across Britains borders. The solution was extraordinary. In a top-secret operation, a small team of Customs employees were sent undercover. Their task to infiltrate Britains most dangerous drug gangs. But these were not trained spies. They were normal men and women, plucked from ordinary lives around the UK, put through a basic training regime, and tasked with building new identities in the criminal underworld. These identities were called legends." Aside from Burke (The Souvenir, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga) and Coogan (Philomena, The Trip), the show's ensemble cast also features Jasmine Blackborow, Douglas Hodge, Tom Hughes, and Johnny Harris among others. Brady Hood, known for his work in the acclaimed shows Top Boy and Great Expectations, is directing the first four episodes; Julian Holmes, who has directed episodes in Reacher and The Boys, is handling the remaining two episodes. Forsyth and Ben Farrell (The Gold, Feel Good) are executive producing the show under Tannadice Pictures, alongside Lion Television's Richard Bradley. The series producer is Charlie Leech (The Gold, Lovesick). Meanwhile, Burke will be seen in the latest Steven Soderbergh spy thriller Black Bag, co-starring Michael Fassbender, Cate Blanchett, and Pierce Brosnan. He is also leading Blade Runner 2099, a miniseries sequel to the two Blade Runner films. Nearly two months after the release of Akshay Kumar-starrer Sky Force, the film will now be available to view on OTT. Streaming platform Amazon Prime Video will premiere the movie for free to all subscribers on March 21 after offering it as a rental film since March 7. Sky Force follows the true story of Wing Commander K.O. Ahuja, who led the Indian Air Force in a retaliatory attack on Pakistans Sargodha airbase during the 1965 Indo-Pakistani air war. When Captain Vijaya, aka Tabby, Ahuja's close associate, goes missing in action, the government does not bat an eye to find him, deeming his disappearance his own fault. Ahuja is determined to uncover the truth and bring his friend back home. Directed by Sandeep Kewlani and Abhishek Anil Kapur, the film features Veer Pahariya alongside Kumar in lead roles, with Sara Ali Khan, Nimrat Kaur, and Sharad Kelkar as supporting cast. ALSO READ | Be impatient this year, with these much-awaited Bollywood movies While the development of the film began in mid-2022, it was publically announced on Gandhi Jayanth 2023, highlighting the film's patriotic theme. The big-budget film was also shot in Mumbai, Lucknow, Sitapur, Amritsar, Hyderabad, Delhi, Pathankot, and the UK, before wrapping up in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand in December 2024. Sky Force earned mixed reviews, Pooja Biraia Jaiswal of THE WEEK describing it "a compelling action drama with a gripping narrative at its heart". The film, bankrolled by Jio Studios, Maddock Films, and Leo Films UK Production, had a lukewarm performance at the box office, grossing approximately Rs 150 crore against a Rs 160 crore budget. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) will outline and announce its massive year-long outreach as it completes 100 years on Vijayadashami this year. The issue will be addressed during the Sanghs annual meeting in Bengaluru, starting on 21 March. The three-day annual meeting will not only finalise the blueprint for the commemorative events but also serve as a platform to assess the achievements and challenges of the past year. Plans will be formulated for the five ongoing focus areas of the Sangh: family values, social harmony, the environment, Swadeshi conduct, and civic duty. The Sangh aims to expand its outreach to the maximum population in a greater number of cities across the country. The programmes may also include honouring lesser-known cultural icons and participating in major events to mark its growing presence. The RSS also plans to hold training sessions for individuals under 40 years of age, as well as another set for those aged between 40 and 60. #WATCH | Bengaluru, Karnataka: Sunil Ambekar, Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh, RSS says, "The annual meeting of the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha of the RSS will be held in Bengaluru on March 21-23. In October 2025, the RSS will complete 100 years. So we will discuss all the pic.twitter.com/L5MgYFOuO1 ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2025 In addition to reviewing last years activities and targets, the RSS will discuss the current social and political situation in the country and the neighbouring region, particularly the attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. A resolution on Bangladesh will be discussed and adopted at the meeting, RSS media in-charge Sunil Ambekar said. A second resolution will focus on the Sanghs centenary. The RSS, founded on Vijayadashami in 1925, will complete 100 years on this years Vijayadashami, which falls on October 2also Mahatma Gandhis birth anniversary. This meeting is therefore significant, as it is expected to provide direction for Sanghs future work and perspectives on key issues. The annual meeting is a regular feature in Sanghs yearly calendar, where the work carried out by state units, its cadre, and the assessment of last years targets are reviewed. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale will participate in the discussions alongside other senior pracharaks. Hosabale will also present a report on the Sanghs expansion activities over the past year. A total of 32 Sangh-inspired organisations, including the BJP, will take part in the meeting. BJP president J.P. Nadda will represent the party. Ambekar stated that the RSS has expanded its outreach even in remote areas, adding that a significant number of young people are showing interest in joining the Sangh. Around 1.25 lakh youths have expressed interest via the online feature on the RSS website. Modis Visit Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modis expected visit to the RSS headquarters in Nagpur on March 30, Ambekar noted that this would not be the first time a prime minister had visited their office. Previously, then-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had also visited the Reshimbagh office in Nagpur. Modis visit is significant as the BJP has yet to elect a new party president, with Naddas term having ended. The issue of appointing a new party chief is expected to be discussed. Ambekar also described the issue of Mughal emperor Aurangzebs tomb as "not relevant". The matter had sparked riots in Nagpur. He stated that the police had taken cognisance of the violence and were taking steps to control the situation. Sahil, the lover of Muskaan Rastogi, was not initially part of the plot to kill Merchant Navy officer Saurabh Rajput but was convinced by the woman to help her over time, news reports said. Sahil, 25, was addicted to drugs and his unbridled mind was manipulated by his lover to help her kill her husband. ALSO READ | Muskaan Rastogi's plan: Convinced doctor she had anxiety to get pills to drug Saurabh Rajput, lied to friends to find place to hide body Sahil and Muskaan used drugs, the parents of the latter told NDTV after the gruesome murder that shocked Meerut came to light. The 27-year-old woman lost weight as a result of drug abuse ever since Saurabh Rajput went abroad. While he believed it was due to the stress of being alone, the real reason should have been substance use, her parents told the press. How Muskaan tricked Sahil into joining the murder plot After learning Sahil has become vulnerable due to his addiction, Muskaan created a fake Snapchat account to get in touch with him. She convinced the youth that his late mother was communicating with him through the account, NDTV quoted UP Police as saying. The social media profile didn't have the name of Sahil's mother but he was convinced that his dead mother had reincarnated and was using the account to communicate with him. Gradually, Muskaan took control over Sahil's mind and convinced him that he should join the woman's efforts to kill Rajput on his return, NDTV said. He was certain that his drug use with Muskaan would be stopped by her husband. ALSO READ | Saurabh Rajput murder caused by addiction and not passion? Muskaan Rastogi's parents say their daughter, Sahil used drugs As per Muskaan's plans, the duo tried to drug Rajput since February 25. However, it was only on March 4 that they finally managed to make him consume pills that made him unconscious. Later, they stabbed him to death and cut his body into 15 pieces to be sealed inside a drum using cement. Muskaan was on the lookout for places to hide her husband once the deed was done. She reportedly asked her friends for places where she could bury puja leftovers. However, it didn't work out. After killing her husband, Muskaan texted several of his family members from his phone to convince them that he was in Manali. She reportedly wanted the family to believe that he left for London from the hills. However, her plan failed when people became suspicious as he was not answering any calls. Muskaan Rastogi and Sahil confessed to having killed him when interrogated by the Meerut Police. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday claimed around a thousand devotees who had gone to the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj were missing. Yadav said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had made a statement in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday about the grand event, should also have talked about these missing people. "Even now, 1000 Hindus are missing from the Kumbh whose whereabouts are not known. The BJP should provide information on the 1000 people who are missing," said the former chief minister. "The government should find the Hindu brethren who are missing and unite them with their families. People put up posters of missing people and the government is even getting those removed," he alleged. #WATCH | Delhi: On PM Modi's statement on Maha Kumbh in Lok Sabha, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav says, "It is a good thing that we all remember Maha Kumbh and Kumbh again and again... The biggest question is how much budget did the Government of India give for organizing pic.twitter.com/7UFtOkIqcM ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2025 In the lower house on Tuesday, Modi said the Mahakumbh strengthened the spirit of unity in the country and gave a befitting response to those who questioned India's capability to organise such a large congregation. Yadav, however, countered the prime minister's claim and said several devotees had faced hardships during the event. "People were being stopped at the borders. The Centre would have given a budget for the Mahakumbh to the state governmentthat should be mentioned. At a time when pages of history are being turned, the biggest loss of lives has been of Hindu devotees," he said. PM Modi should have talked about finding those missing people, he said. Also read Top 10 quotes from PM Modis blog on Mahakumbh Yesterday, soon after Modi made the statements on Kumbh, opposition members staged protests in the house, seeking to ask questions on the prime minister's remarks. They also demanded the inclusion of stampede deaths in Modi's statement. A day after the Siddaramaiah government tabled a bill in the Karnataka Assembly that provides 4 per cent reservation to Muslims in government tenders (civil contracts), to "overcome unemployment", the Opposition BJP dubbed it as minority appeasement and stated it would challenge it in the court. Law and parliamentary affairs minister HK Patil tabled the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (KTPP) Bill that provides 4 per cent quota for Muslims, who are classified as category 2B under the OBC reservation. Associated with the raising of the issue of 4 per cent reservation for Muslims in govt contracts by Karnataka Govt, by our @BJP4India MP Shri Nishikant Dubey, during Zero Hour in Parliament today. Shared my views about the same here https://t.co/xSMSYpcfzk Captain Brijesh Chowta (@CaptBrijesh) March 19, 2025 BJP state president and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra accused the Congress government of "bypassing" the opposition while presenting the contentious bill. "BJP strongly opposes the Tughlaq Durbar of the Siddaramaiah government. We will oppose this move both inside and outside the Assembly and, if needed challenge it in the court. Congress has resorted to minority appeasement politics. Does Siddaramaiahs government genuinely care about minorities? asked Vijayendra, adding that the Congress, which ruled the country for 55 years failed to prioritise minority education and upliftment. "BJP is not against Muslims. It was the Narendra Modi-led BJP government that abolished triple talaq to ensure justice for Muslim women. Also, central schemes like Jan Dhan or Ujjwala were not limited to Hindus alone. Similarly, Yediyurappas Bhagyalakshmi scheme was not restricted to Hindus," he stated. The issue was raised in the Parliament by BJP MPs Nishikant Dubey and Tejasvi Surya who demanded the rollback of the bill. "Congress government in Karnataka is incentivising religious conversion to Islam through this Bill. A secular state cannot take such a measure. This is meant to award contracts to people associated with the banned PFI (Popular Front of India) and KFD who are sitting idle," alleged Surya. Dubey recalled that the Congress's decision to form provincial governments in alliance with the Muslim League in 1937 had led to the Partition in 1947 on the basis of religion. "Today, the Congress is demanding for caste census and awarding government contracts based on religion to divide the country for votebank politics," alleged Dubey, urging the Centre to bring a law to end minority appeasement. Currently, there is a 24% reservation in contracts for SC, ST and OBC (Categories 1 - 4% and 2A- 15%) communities for works up to 1 crore and the bill also seeks to enhance the limit to Rs two crore for SC and STs. The Jammu and Kashmir government is formulating a new media policy to include emerging platforms such as social media, news web portals and websites for empanelment. In response to a cut motion by Pulwama MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, the government stated that the policy aims to align with the evolving media landscape while adhering to the standards set by the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP), Government of India. Regarding the Srinagar Press Club, the government asserted that it was vacated due to internal disputes among its members. The club operated from a building allocated by the Estates Department in Press Enclave, Srinagar. However, owing to disagreements among its members, the premises were vacated and are now temporarily occupied by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the government stated. It revealed that the registration of the Kashmir Press Club has been put on hold by the Department of Industries and Commerce, pending clearance from the Criminal Investigation Department. However, the government informed that a new organisation, the Press Club of Kashmir, has been registered by the same department. The availability of high-speed internet in Jammu and Kashmir has spurred the growth of digital media. Most of these platforms generate news-related content in Urdu, the official language in Jammu and Kashmir. However, media professionals have raised concerns about the mushrooming of digital platforms by amateurs and individuals lacking requisite qualifications and training has adversely affected the quality of reportage. It has been noted that several digital platforms are run by individuals who upload non-news-related pages on social media. Some of these platforms have been found spreading disinformation and presenting trivial events as news. It has also been noted that these platforms have been covering events without adhering to the ethics of reporting. Observers opine that such platforms have harmed the institution of journalism and have proved counterproductive in disseminating news to the masses. It remains to be seen what criteria the government will follow in encompassing such platforms, as some platforms have amassed thousands of subscribers. The first meeting of the chief ministers and leaders of political parties invited by Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin to discuss and deliberate on the proposed delimitation exercise will be held on March 22 in Chennai. Chief ministers from Kerala, Telangana and Punjab, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Naveen Patnaik, Midhun Reddy of the YSR Congress from Andhra Pradesh, Congress Kerala state chief K. Sudhakaran, representatives from Trinamool Congress, IUML and Punjab Congress will take part in the meeting. DMK has assigned its ministers, MPs and legislators to receive the dignitaries. Sources say that the leaders of the political parties from Kerala, West Bengal, Punjab and other states will land in Chennai, at least a day ahead of the meeting. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin had earlier written letters to several political party leaders and chief ministers across the country, seeking support to oppose the proposed delimitation exercise. He also convened an all-party meeting in Chennai, in which all the registered political parties, except the BJP, voiced their opinion against delimitation. Subsequently, senior DMK ministers and MPs visited and invited the chief ministers of various states and opposition leaders to take part in the meeting to chalk out measures to prevent the states from losing their Lok Sabha constituencies. For the past few days, the MPs from Tamil Nadu are raising the issue of delimitation in the Parliament and are also pushing for an adjournment motion. But the BJP remains silent. Our party and our chief minister are spreading awareness among people on the consequences of delimitation. This meeting will chalk out measures to prevent the states from losing the number of existing constituencies, says Dr N. Ezhilan, a legislator from the Thousand Lights constituency. M.K. Stalins strategy The first meeting of the JAC will mean the coming together of the opposition and the south, against the ruling BJP. Stalins actions to oppose the BJP in the proposed delimitation issue, three-language formula and the use of the Tamil letter Ru, instead of the national currency symbol in the states budget logo, have positioned himself as the bulwark of opposition. In the delimitation issue, Stalins decision to convene a national conference is looked at as a broader strategy to oppose the BJP and its policies challenge the existing federal system. Stalin has been aggressively opposing the BJP and its policies. His fight for social justice and federalism made his pitch for an alliance ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. This proposal later gained traction only to turn into the INDIA bloc. His earlier initiative in 2022- the All-India Federation for Social Justice- aimed to strengthen affirmative action policies and push for a nationwide caste census. A delegation of Karnataka BJP leaders submitted a memorandum to Governor Thawarchand Gehlot on Wednesday, drawing attention to the unconstitutional nature of the Greater Bengaluru Authority Act passed by the ruling Congress in both Houses of the legislature. The legislation seeking to create seven municipal corporations under a single governing body, the Greater Bengaluru Authority, would fundamentally alter the existing governance structure of Bengaluru. It is a violation of the 74th Constitutional Amendment that established a three-tier governance system for urban bodies, ensuring decentralization of power and strengthening local self-governance, said the delegation headed by LOPs R Ashok and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy and state BJP president BY Vijayendra. Expressing concern over the long delay in holding elections to urban local self-governments, the BJP alleged that the delay was due to the state government holding the powers to determine the delimitation of wards and fixing of reservations for elections instead of the State Election Commission (SEC), which had not been rectified in the bill too. The bill also usurps the role of the Metropolitan Planning Committee (MPC). The bill proposes an MPC for a larger area than the GBA, despite the existence of the Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA) headed by the CM. To align with the 74th CAA, the GBA should be replaced with the MPC, with the Mayor of Bengaluru as its head, stated the memorandum, which also claimed that the bill also violated the principle of equality before the law. In violation of Article 14 of the Constitution, the bill introduces three different laws with varying provisions in urban areas: GBGB for Bengaluru citizens, KMC Act 1976 for citizens of other municipal corporations and KM Act 1964 for citizens of smaller cities. A PIL (WP 17766/2021) challenging this inequality is pending before the High Court, which has issued a notice to the government. The government has yet to respond, and on this ground alone, the Governor of Karnataka could refuse to give assent to the GBGB, urged the BJP leaders. The creation of seven to eight additional committees will increase bureaucratic hurdles rather than streamline governance. This will introduce multiple layers of decision-making, slowing down Bengalurus development, lamented the leaders. Elaborating further, the BJP noted that while decisions in Grama Sabha in rural areas are final, the bill reduces ward committees in the city to an advisory role. Additionally, councillors would now have the power to veto ward committee decisions, further weakening citizen participation. It would have long-term adverse effects on Bengalurus cultural and demographic fabric as Bengaluru is already facing rapid migration, impacting the linguistic and cultural identity of Kannadigas. Breaking the city into smaller corporations will further marginalize Kannadigas, especially in areas where they are already a numerical minority, stated the BJP. The delegation urged the Governor to conduct a constitutional review of the GBA Act and its compliance with the 74th Amendment and advise the state government to uphold the democratic principles (amendments to ensure that elected representatives retain voting rights and governance remains decentralized), and to stop the creation of redundant corporations and committees, which will burden taxpayers and hinder Bengalurus growth. It also appealed to preserving Bengalurus cultural and demographic integrity and to ensure that governance reforms do not undermine Kannadiga identity, traditions, and linguistic representation. It highlighted the need to ensure equitable financial management by preventing financial centralization under the Greater Bengaluru Authority. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. The UK and Turkmenistan are committed to expanding their bilateral economic ties, UK Ambassador to Turkmenistan Stephen Conlon told Trend. "Both the UK and Turkmenistan are eager to strengthen their economic partnership. This was evident during the recent visit of Turkmenistans Minister of Finance and Economy to the UK for the Turkmenistan-UK Trade & Industry Council (TUKTIC), where he met with various UK companies, including the London Stock Exchange Group and JCB," Conlon said. According to Ambassador Conlon, UK companies are already active in a range of sectors in Turkmenistan, including tourism, energy, and infrastructure. He also noted that as of the third quarter of 2024, trade between the UK and Turkmenistan reached 79 million pounds, reinforcing Turkmenistans position as a valued trading partner. "Both countries are focused on strengthening existing business ties across UK universities, companies, and financial services, while also working toward net zero through clean energy initiatives", he added. Additionally, the ambassador noted that the UK and Turkmenistan are collaborating with key stakeholders to expand cooperation in the machinery sector and support UK businesses in increasing exports to Turkmenistan, further deepening their economic partnership. Shocking details of the Meerut murder, wherein a woman killed her husband with her lover's help, reveal that she tried to dispose of the concrete drum containing the victim's body but failed as it was too heavy, even for four labourers. According to Meerut Police, Muskaan Rastogi murdered her husband Saurabh Rajput, a former Merchant Navy official, with her lover Sahil Shukla's help. Both Muskaan and Sahil have been arrested and will be produced before the court on Wednesday. The incident came to light after Saurabh's relatives approached police to report him missing. Investigation revealed the shocking details of the crime which saw Saurabh being chopped into 15 pieces after being fed sleeping pills. His remains were sealed inside a concrete-filled drum. Accused Muskaan Rastogi Love marriage gone awry Police said Saurabh married Muskaan in 2016 against his family's wishes. He quit his job with Merchant Navy to be close to his wife. The couple moved out of Saurabh's ancestral home after issues cropped up. They also had a girl child. However, the marriage soon went kaput after Saurabh found out Muskaan was having an affair with his friend Sahil. Saurabh decided to separate from her but then decided to reunite with her for their daughter. He rejoined the Merchant Navy in 2023 and was out of the country. On February 24, he returned home to celebrate their six-year-old daughter's birthday. Muskaan, who had already decided to kill Saurabh, fed him sleeping pills. SP City Ayush Vikram Singh told reporters that after Saurabh fell unconscious, Muskaan took Sahil's help to chop up the body and seal it inside a drum filled with wet cement. The plan was to dispose of the body later. Muskaan and her lover Sahil then went to Manali, where they tied the knot. They spent 13 days in Manali and returned home only on Monday. After returning, Muskaan and Sahil tried to dispose of the remains inside the drum but failed to do so. They called four labourers for the purpose, but even they couldn't lift the drum off the ground. They had arranged an e-autorickshaw to transport the remains, but the vehicle and the labourers left with the auto after they failed to lift the heavy drum. Police later recovered the drum from their house. More chilling details of the Merchant Navy officer Saurabh Rajput murder case were revealed by the Uttar Pradesh Police on Wednesday following the arrest of the accused Muskaan Rastogi and Sahil. According to investigation team, it was not a suddenly hatched plan but Meerut-based Muskaan, 27, has been plotting for months to murder her husband. ALSO READ | Saurabh Rajput murder: When Muskaan Rastogi told her parents that she killed her husband, this is what they did According to the latest media reports, the UP Police found out that Muskaan was planning to kill Saurabh Rajput at least since November last year. Sahil, a drug addict, was not part of the bigger conspiracy and was tricked to help her in the crime, the reports claimed. When Muskaan learnt that her husband would be coming back to Meerut to celebrate their child's birthday, she bought two knives. The trader was told she needed the big kitchen knives to cut chicken, NDTV said in a report. The shrewd woman then went to a medical professional claiming that she was experiencing episodes of anxiety. The police reportedly said she knew pills prescribed for anxiety could make a person sleepy. She wanted to overdose Saurabh before stabbing him. After gaining the doctor's prescription, she added a couple of pills she found on the internet and obtained it from the chemist, the news report said. Rastogi's sinister plan to kill husband in Meerut Muskaan was also on the lookout for places to hide her husband once the deed was done. She enquired with her friends if they knew of places where she could bury puja leftovers. However, this attempt didn't materialise. ALSO READ | Saurabh Rajput murder caused by addiction and not passion? Muskaan Rastogi's parents say their daughter, Sahil used drugs Since Saurabh Rajput's arrival from London on February 24, she had been trying to serve him heavily drugged alcohol but he didn't consume any, NDTV report said. It took many days before Muskaan and Sahil managed to stab him to death on March 4. Saurabh Rajput's body was reportedly cut into 15 pieces and put inside a drum which was with cement. Later, Muskaan texted several of Saurabh's kin from his phone to give the impression that he was in Manali. She reportedly wanted the family to believe that he left for London from the hills and never returned. However, her plan failed when people became suspicious as he was not answering any calls. Muskaan Rastogi and Sahil confessed of having killed him when interrogated by the Meerut Police. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted searches at 12 locations in Jammu on Wednesday as part of an ongoing probe into terrorist infiltration from across the border. The raids targeted individuals suspected of aiding militant groups, including overground workers (OGWs) linked to offshoots of banned outfits like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). According to the NIA, the case involves a broader conspiracy by these groups to attack security forces and civilians. The agency has seized incriminating materials that could help expose the networks operations. #JammuAndKashmir | National Investigation Agency is conducting searches in 12 locations in Jammu, in connection with a case relating to infiltration by terrorists from across the border: NIA Visuals from Jammu's Bathindi pic.twitter.com/r3ew7xNE8O JK Media (@jkmediasocial) March 19, 2025 The operation was based on intelligence suggesting that LeT and JeM militants had entered India via the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC). Reports indicate that local OGWs assisted them by providing shelter, money, food, and logistical support. They are also believed to have guided the infiltrators through difficult terrain in Jammu province. After crossing into the region, the militants are suspected to have moved towards districts such as Kathua, Udhampur, Doda, Kishtwar, Reasi, Rajouri, and Poonch, before advancing further into Kashmir. The NIA continues to investigate the scale of its operations and possible connections with other elements. Since the abrogation of Article 370, the NIA has intensified its operations in Jammu and Kashmir, playing a key role in uncovering separatist plots and targeting terror funding networks. The agency has also acted against individuals involved in narco-terrorism and works closely with the J&K Police and its investigative arm, the State Investigation Agency (SIA). The NIA has taken strict action against those involved in terror financing and activities threatening national security. Among its high-profile arrests is Awami Itehad Party leader and Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid, who was arrested in 2019 and has remained in Tihar Jail since. The agency continues to conduct operations in Jammu and Kashmir and has also targeted individuals based outside India, seizing properties linked to them. Punjab Police on Wednesday removed protesting farmers from the Shambhu border point and dismantled the temporary structures they had erected. Over a dozen farmer leaders, including Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal, were detained. Pandher and Dallewal were detained on their way to the Shambhu border point after a meeting with a central delegation in Chandigarh. According to reports, the more-than-three-hour meeting between the farmers and the central delegation led by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan remained inconclusive. #WATCH | Punjab Police demolished the tents erected by farmers at the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu Border, where they were sitting on a protest over various demands. The farmers are also being removed from the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu Border. pic.twitter.com/TzRZKEjvXD ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2025 The police action came amid complaints from industrialists in Punjab that they had incurred heavy losses because of the closure of the Shambhu and Khanauri border points. The border points had remained closed for over a year due to the ongoing protests. Other farmer leaders who have been detained included Abhimanyu Kohar, Kaka Singh Kotra and Manjit Singh Rai. Both the protest sites witnessed heavy deployment of security forces, ambulances, buses and fire-fighting vehicles. Reports said around 3,000 security personnel have been deployed at the Khanauri border while another large force has been moved to clear the Shambhu border point. #WATCH | On Police action at Punjab-Haryana Shambhu order, Patiala SSP Nanak Singh says, "Farmers had been protesting at Shambhu Border for a long time. Today, in the presence of Duty Magistrates, Police cleared the area after they were given proper warning. A few people showed a pic.twitter.com/v8puRxV8c2 ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2025 Punjab finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema defended the police action, citing the hardships being faced by traders in the state. "The AAP government and the people of Punjab stood with the farmers when they protested against the three black laws. The demands of the farmers are against the central government. It has been more than a year and the Shambhu and Khanauri borders are closed. The traders and youth of Punjab are very upset. When the traders will do business, the youth will get employment and they will stay away from drugs," Cheema told ANI. The central government always tries to isolate farmers, especially in Punjab. After the meeting between farmers and the central delegation concluded, Punjab Police detained the farmer leaders. The central government and AAP government want to isolate the farmers of Punjab. This is very wrong," Congress MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said. #WATCH | Police remove fans from the temporary stage set up by farmers at Punjab-Haryana Shambhu Border where they were sitting on a protest over various demands. The protesting farmers are being removed from the spot. pic.twitter.com/fskmehvXfz ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2025 Union minister Chouhan, meanwhile, said the talks with the protesters would continue. The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere. The discussions took place in a positive and constructive manner. The talks will continue. The next meeting will take place on May 4," Chouhan said after the meeting with the farmer leaders. Muskaan Rastogi, the woman accused of allegedly murdering her husband Saurabh Rajput with the help of he lover in Meerut, was using drugs, her parents reportedly suspect. Muskaan and her lover Sahil didn't want Saurabh to stop their drug use and decided to kill him, the Rastogis was quoted as saying by a news channel. Muskaan Rastogi lost considerable body weight recently and her parents suspect it was due to drug abuse. Muskaan Rastogi and Sahil had gone on a trip to the hills after killing and dismembering Rajput's body on March 4. On their return, the 27-year-old woman confessed to her family that she killed her husband with Sahil's help. However, she received no support from her parents who loved Saurabh like their own son and was quickly taken to the police station. ALSO READ | Saurabh Rajput murder: When Muskaan Rastogi told her parents that she killed her husband, this is what they did Muskaan told them that she was using drugs along with Sahil and they feared Saurabh Rajput's return meant they couldn't do so any longer. Sahil's fear of their drug sessions coming to an end ultimately led to the gruesome murder, their daughter reportedly confessed before them. When their son-in-law left for London, they were open to accommodate Muskaan. However, she didn't like the idea as she feared this would curtail her personal space and freedom. Saurabh Rajput was blindly in love with her and supported her decisions, they reportedly said. Muskaan mother claimed that her daughter lost about 10 kilograms while her husband was away. While Rajput thought it was because she was upset about him being abroad, now they suspect it was a consequence of constant substance use, she added. Sadly, they didn't know back then that Sahil was pushing her to addiction, she told NDTV. The gruesome Saurabh Rajput murder case 29-year-old Saurabh Rajput, a Merchant Navy officer, was stabbed to death by the duo who dismembered his body and sealed the remains in a drum filled with cement in Meerut. The body was recovered and both accused were arrested by the police. After the victim became unreachable on phone, his family filed a complaint and the police detained his wife Muskaan and her lover, Sahil (25). During interrogation, the two confessed to stabbing Saurabh to death on March 4. The two then chopped up his body, placed the remains in a drum, and sealed it with cement. The body has been sent for post-mortem, and a case has been registered based on a complaint from Saurabh's family. Police said Saurabh, from Brahmpuri's Indranagar Phase 2, had a love marriage Muskaan Rastogi from Gauripura in 2016. Their families were reportedly unhappy with their relationship, leading the couple to live separately in a rented house in Indranagar Phase 1 with their daughter. The parents of Muskaan Rastogi, the woman arrested for allegedly murdering her husband Saurabh Rajput with her lover's help, threw their weight behind the family of their late son-in-law and said she should be hanged till death. Merchant Navy officer Saurabh Rajput was allegedly murdered and his body was chopped into pieces by the two accused on March 4. The parents of Muskaan Rastogi, 27, reportedly stressed that there was no excuse for what she did and vouched to back Saurabh's family in their fight for justice. Saurabh always supported their daughter and loved her blindly, the accused's parents told NDTV at their Meerut residence. ALSO READ | Saurabh Rajput murder caused by addiction and not passion? Muskaan Rastogi's parents say their daughter, Sahil used drugs The couple reportedly told the news channel that Muskaan confessed to having killed her husband on Tuesday after she returned from a vacation with the co-accused Sahil (25). They wasted no time and quickly escorted her to the police station, the report said. The Rastogis said that Saurabh was like a son to them and the root cause of all problems in their family was Muskaan. Saurabh risked everything and left behind his parents and assets worth crores to be with their daughter. Still, she got him killed and she should get the capital punishment for it, they reportedly said. He was our son too," she said. Saurabh Rajput murder case: The story so far Saurabh Rajput (29) from Brahmpuri's Indra Nagar Phase 2, went missing on March 4 and an investigation was launched after his family filed a complaint. They decided to go to the Meerut Police as he was unavailable on the phone. The police detained Muskan and her lover Sahil, who confessed to having murdered the victim. After stabbing him to death on March 4, they chopped up his body, put the remains inside a drum and sealed it with cement. Muskan and Sahil went on a vacation to a hill station after the crime and it was after they returned from this trip that the woman confessed to her actions to her parents. The Turkish Police on Wednesday arrested Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul, for alleged corruption and terror charges. Imamoglu is a key rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and the arrest comes just before his presidential nomination. His arrest marked an escalation in the crackdown carried out by the government against the opposition and dissenting voices in Turkiye. Imamoglu was expected to file his nomination papers as the presidential candidate of the Republican Peoples Party (CHP). Though the next presidential vote is scheduled for 2028, calls for early elections are getting louder after Erdogan's party lost the local elections in March. According to the state-run Anadolu Agency, the prosecutors issued detention warrants for 53-year-old Imamoglu and some 100 other people, including his close aide Murat Ongun. He has been detained and taken to police headquarters, an aide told AFP. BREAKING Turkish police arrive in Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglus residence in a dawn raid, taking him for questioning. Imamoglu is an Erdogan rival largely seen as potential presidential contender in the next elections pic.twitter.com/KYDj2GQ0vp Ragp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) March 19, 2025 The police also searched Imamoglus home but it was not clear if police confiscated anything at the site. Imamoglu also reacted to his arrest, stating "A blow to the will of the nation". Following the arrest, authorities closed several roads around Istanbul and banned demonstrations in the city for the next four days to quell public unrest or protest. Reports quoting Netblocks Internet observatory said multiple social media platforms including X, YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, have been obstructed in Turkiye. However, the government officials claimed the courts operate independently and rejected claims that legal actions against opposition figures are politically motivated. CHPs chairman,Ozgur Ozel, denounced Imamoglus detention as a "coup", adding that there was "a power in place to prevent the nation from determining the next president." Degree invalidated This isn't the first reported attempt to stop Imamoglu from contesting the elections. On Monday, a university invalidated his diploma which would mean that he is disqualified from running in the next presidential race since a university degree is a prerequisite for running in elections under Turkish law. Istanbul University nullified Imamoglus diploma, citing alleged irregularities in his 1990 transfer from a private university in northern Cyprus to its faculty of business administration. There are allegations that his move was politically motivated. 'The days when those who made this decision will be held accountable before history and justice are near. The march of our people, who are thirsty for justice, law, and democracy, cannot be stopped," he wrote on X. He later also suggested the decision was made under pressure from Erdogans government. "What will I do next? I will keep running like a lion. Theres no stepping back, Ill run even harder," Imamoglu said. Nasa astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are back on Earth after spending nine months in the outer space. The Crew-9 splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean off the Florida coast following a 17-hour flight. Here are key numbers on Sunita Williams and her space journey: PROMISE MADE, PROMISE KEPT: President Trump pledged to rescue the astronauts stranded in space for nine months. Today, they safely splashed down in the Gulf of America, thanks to @ElonMusk, @SpaceX, and @NASA! pic.twitter.com/r01hVWAC8S The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 18, 2025 1) The mission, which was originally planned for eight days, began on June 5, 2024. However, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore had to stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for more than nine months. 2) Williams and Wilmore spent a total of 286 days during their mission. 3) This means, they completed 4,567 orbits around the planet. Splashdown of Dragon confirmed welcome back to Earth, Nick, Suni, Butch, and Aleks! pic.twitter.com/M4RZ6UYsQ2 SpaceX (@SpaceX) March 18, 2025 4) In total, they travelled 12,13,47,491 miles, which translates to 195.3 million km. 5) Sunita Williams walked in the space twice during this mission. In total, she spent 62 hours and six minutes outside the ISS. 6) This gives her the record for spacewalking for longest duration by a woman. She is ranked 4th in the all-time spacewalking duration. Butch Wilmore and Nick Hague conducted one spacewalk each. 7) Sunita Williams is now the second astronaut to spend the longest time in space with a total of 608 days in orbit. A pod of Dolphins stopped by to say welcome home to the Astronauts! pic.twitter.com/0XXdMJbKG8 DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) March 18, 2025 8) Peggy Whitson holds the record for spending most time in space at 675 days. 9) Sunita Williams is followed by Jeff Williams with 534 days in space, Mark Vande Hei (523) and Scott Kelly (520). 10) The record for longest continuous stay in space is held by Russian cosmonaut Valeri Polyakov who spent 437 consecutive days aboard the Mir space station. US President Donald Trump released thousands of government files on former president John F Kennedy's assassination, triggering fresh controversies and digging up old conspiracy theories. One of the shocking revelations is the mention of CIA agent Gary Underhill who was found dead mysteriously days after he claimed that the agency was responsible for Kennedy's assassination. On Tuesday, the National Archives declared that these records, which were previously withheld for classification, will now be available for anyone. Currently around 63,000 pages have been uploaded and more are expected to by digitised soon. Newly released JFK files tell a story about how Gary Underhill, who worked for the CIA, was found dead after he revealed to friends that the CIA was responsible for JFKs assassination. The day after the assassination, Gary Underhill left Washington in a hurry. Late in the pic.twitter.com/psZkYQ5COi Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 19, 2025 John F Kennedy (JFK), was assassinated while riding in a presidential motorcade in Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963. Following Kennedy's assassination, Underhill fled Washington the next day and was in hiding at his friend's New Jersey home. An agitated Underhill told his friends that Kennedy was assassinated at the behest of a small group within the CIA. ALSO READ | Was there a second shooter in John F Kennedy assassination? JFK files prove Harvey Lee Oswald was not alone President Trump is ushering in a new era of maximum transparency. Today, per his direction, previously redacted JFK Assassination Files are being released to the public with no redactions. Promises made, promises kept. https://t.co/UnG1vkgxjX pic.twitter.com/XBbkQfz4Bx DNI Tulsi Gabbard (@DNIGabbard) March 18, 2025 Underhill maintained that Lee Harvey Oswald was framed for the JFK assassination. "Oswald is a patsy. They set him up. It's too much. The ba****ds have done something outrageous. They've killed the President! I've been listening and hearing things. I couldn't believe they"d get away with it, but they did!" he told his friend, Charlene Fitsimmons. He said his life was under threat and would have to go abroad. "I know who they are. That's the problem. They know I know. That's why I'm here," he said. Within a few months, Underhill was found dead at his Washington apartment with gunshot wounds on May 8, 1964. The coroner said the gunshots were self-inflicted, ruling his death a suicide. There have been several conspiracy theories regarding the JFK assassination, often getting dubbed the "mother of all conspiracies". Those accused of plotting and executing the assassination include not just the CIA, but also the FBI, the US military, the Mafia, former Cuba president Fidel Castro, the Soviet spy agency KGB and others. Some theories claimed that the assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, was just a co-conspirator or even innocent. Trump in January signed an executive order, directing the declassification of the JFK files as well as files on the assassinations of US Senator Robert F Kennedy and civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. US President Donald Trump had a 90-minute phone conversation with Russian President Donald Trump on the Ukraine war ceasefire, which ended with Russia agreeing to a mutual end to targeting energy infrastructure. Putin, however, declined to commit to a 30-day full ceasefire, a plan pitched by the Trump administration during Jeddah talks and agreed to by Ukraine. Instead, the Russian leader insisted on all ends to foreign military aid and intelligence sharing as a condition for a ceasefire, which Ukraine's European allies have rejected. The White House expressed satisfaction at the talks, stating Russia "will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire". The readout added that negotiations are being planned on "a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire and permanent peace". Trump also, in a social media post, described the call as "a very good and productive one" and said the two share "an understanding that we will be working quickly to have a Complete Ceasefire and, ultimately, an END to this very horrible War." The Kremlin's readout too was dressed up positively, stating Putin "immediately gave the Russian military the corresponding order" on ceasing attacks on energy infrastructure. Zelensky on the Trump-Putin call: Ukraine supports peace, but if Russia talks and then bombs Slovyansk, we will respond. Russias goal is the same - no mobilization, no aid to Ukraine, so they can attack later. The prisoner exchange? Pre-planned, nothing new. 0/ pic.twitter.com/VcLbl1AGNR Tymofiy Mylovanov (@Mylovanov) March 18, 2025 Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted to the development, stating he was in favour of both sides halting attacks on each others infrastructure but was waiting for details of what had been agreed first. "Of course, we are glad that there is a first step, and this is what we offered: silence in the sky and at sea. The Americans offered more, a complete ceasefire. In fact, the Russians refused," said Zelenskyy. Russia's loophole Putin's carefully worded agreement pertains only to a ceasefire on "energy infrastructure" and made no mention of stopping firing at ports, bridges and other Ukrainian infrastructure, despite the Trump administration's suggestion that all types of infrastructure would be out of bounds. However, many feel the agreement is wholly in Russia's favour, considering that Ukraine won't be able to hit Russia where it hurts the most: its oil refineries. Ukraine has been successfully carrying out drone attacks on Russian refineries, causing damage to its sprawling facilities and thereby its economy. "In essence, Putin has quietly confirmed to Trump how much our deep strikes are hurting the Russian energy sector. This is our card," said Ukrainian member of parliament and soldier Roman Lozinskyj, in a Facebook post. As for Russia, ceasing attacks on energy infrastructure is not much of a concession since Ukraine's dire need for heating has lessened with the onset of summer. Russia has also offered the swap of 175 prisoners and the return of 23 seriously wounded Ukrainians, which many think is "a minor arrangement" and something that would have happened either way. Analysts also think Russia left the most crucial parts of the discussions to the next meeting while bringing back to the conversation their demand to end all foreign aid and intelligence for Ukraine. Putin also did not bring up "nuances" he very much stressed in his speech, including the peacekeeping forces to police the front line. Instead, he outsmarted Trump with some concessions, rather than a flat "no". ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 19. First Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Roman Sklyar paid a working visit to the People's Republic of China, where he participated in the 12th meeting of the Kazakhstan-China Cooperation Committee, Trend reports. In the course of the committee meeting, representatives from the central government agencies of both countries discussed creating favorable conditions for the development of seamless trade, enhancing transport connectivity, and implementing joint investment projects in Kazakhstan. As a result of the event, the parties signed the Protocol of the 12th meeting of the Kazakhstan-China Cooperation Committee. Furthermore, to improve the Committee's activities, the parties decided to include the Coordination Committee for Industrial-Investment Cooperation in its composition and to establish a Subcommittee for Education. The parties also signed documents to strengthen inter-agency cooperation in the areas of water resources and archival affairs. Throughout the bilateral talks with the Vice Premier of the State Council of China, Ding Xuexiang, key areas of cooperation between the governments of Kazakhstan and China were discussed, with special attention paid to strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, transport and logistics, agriculture, energy, and tourism. The aggregate value of reciprocal commerce between the two sovereign entities culminated at $43.8 billion in the preceding fiscal year. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the country wants long-lasting and comprehensive peace and an end the war this year. He was speaking in Mumbai where Ukraine opened its new Consulate General. I am glad to be in Indias financial capital Mumbai for the inauguration of our Consulate General, an Ukraine-India business forum, and meetings with the Maharashtra state leadership. Even in wartime, we are expanding diplomatic presence, economic cooperation, and business ties. pic.twitter.com/OETb8pFHXA Andrii Sybiha (@andrii_sybiha) March 19, 2025 "We want to end this war, this year. And having such friends, such support from such countries of global influence as India, we really could speed up these peace efforts," he said. On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump had a phone conversation with Russian President Donald Trump on the Ukraine war ceasefire. Russia agreed to a mutual end to targeting energy infrastructure but declined to commit to a 30-day full ceasefire. "If we proceed with ceasefire, and we accept this proposal unconditionally, and we do really also expect that the Russian side will accept this proposal also unconditionally," Sybiha said. He stressed that the "unprovoked" Russian aggression was not just about Ukraine, but an attack on the world order and on the principle to respect territorial integrity and sovereignty. Therefore, he felt it was in the global interest to restore comprehensive and long-lasting peace. Sybiha added that India's role in the peace process is very important, and Ukraine hopes to boost bilateral relations between the two countries. The opening of the country's consulate in Mumbai was a strong signal of how important India was globally, he added. "It is a true recognition of your importance, and I am confident because any strengthening of diplomatic presence is a step forward for strengthening of bilateral relations," stated Sybiha. If a ceasefire works out then the expectation would be returning back freedom of navigation to the Black Sea, he said. "It means that we will strengthen our logistic chains, and these logistic corridors will be more secure, and that is important for our bilateral trade," opined Sybiha. He also pointed to huge opportunities for businesses in rebuilding infrastructure in post-war Ukraine. "According to the evaluations of the World Bank, Russians, by their missile terror, damaged our infrastructure approximately at the cost of $600 billion. We will need the support of the world to rebuild, and it is also an opportunity for you to participate in this huge project," Sybiha said addressing a gathering at the World Trade Centre in the financial capital. Fuelling conspiracy theories, over 63,000 pages of what has been dubbed as "JFK files" has been released, making public a large trove of classified information regarding the assassination of former US president John F Kennedy. One of the revelations made in the released documents is the possible involvement of the mafia. This comes after President Donald Trump signing an executive order directing the National Archives to publish files related to the assassinations of JFK, Senator Robert F Kennedy and civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. President Trump is ushering in a new era of maximum transparency. Today, per his direction, previously redacted JFK Assassination Files are being released to the public with no redactions. Promises made, promises kept. https://t.co/UnG1vkgxjX pic.twitter.com/XBbkQfz4Bx DNI Tulsi Gabbard (@DNIGabbard) March 18, 2025 Among the declassified files is the transcript of wire taps that suggest the possible involvement of organised crimes in the JFK assassination plot. Reports suggest that the Chicago mob bosses saw it necessary to "take care of Kennedy". Another document showed that the mafia bosses possibly conspired with CIA agents and Cubans who were opposed to Fidel Castro and John F Kennedy. Kennedy was shot dead while riding in a presidential motorcade in Dallas on November 22, 1963. The JFK files also brought to light a CIA memo showing one official, George Joannides funnelling $25,000 to Cuban rebels fighting the Castro regime. This Cuban group was linked to Harvey Lee Oswald who shot John F Kennedy. The documents also revealed that a clique within the CIA facilitated the JFK assassination. Gary Underhill, a CIA agent, was found dead months after he alleged that the spy agency was responsible for Kennedy's killing. Read more about Gary Underhill HERE. One conspiracy theory have alleged that Oswald was innocent or just a co-conspirator. However, the newly released files have brought out ballistic reports and witness testimonies that points at the possibility of a second shooter in the grassy knoll ahead of Kennedy's motorcade. In light of the recent article posted about suicides in the frum community, I want to address HOW you can actually help. You might be surprised to learn that helping someone who is actively suicidal is not as hard as you think. Better yet, learn the signs to help them before they reach that point. What makes me qualified to speak about this? Besides for my own lived experience as someone who struggles with suicidal ideation and has attempted suicide, I also volunteer as a crisis counselor for the crisis text line, am ASIST certified, and am the founder and director of an organization called A Drop of Light (preventfrumsuicide.org) aimed at bringing awareness around and lowering suicides in the frum community. Lets start with warning signs. Any drastic change in behavior is a warning that something is up. Did you notice that your friend who used to be the life of the party is now silent and staying home? Is your son no longer sleeping at night? Did your usually quiet sister suddenly become the most active person on the family WhatsApp group? Any drastic and sudden change, whether it seems positive or negative tells you that something is going on. There are also life events which can trigger suicidal thoughts. We all talk about women experiencing postpartum depression. What about the father or siblings? What about someone who just moved, whether simply to a different house or to a different town? Losing a job or starting a new one. Any large life change can throw someone off balance and cause a crisis. Lets move on to what to do once you are worried about someone. Contrary to popular belief, the safest thing you can do is straight out ask them if they are having thoughts of suicide. Yes, most people will answer truthfully if they know that you are asking from a sincere place. You always want to preface it with WHY you are asking. For example I noticed that you havent been joining us on our weekly walk anymore. Sometimes when people retreat into themselves, it shows that there is something going on. Is everything okay? Have you been thinking of killing yourself? Again, you want to clearly say the word suicide or kill yourself. Hurting yourself can mean self harm or suicide and we want to be sure that we are all on the same page. Same thing with saying have you been having hard thoughts or something similar. DO NOT ASK IN A JUDGEMENTAL OR CONDESCENDING WAY. Its important to ask in a calm and open way. Saying youre not having thoughts of suicide, are you? will not get you an honest response. If the person says no, you can still follow up with questions about whats been going on that has caused the drastic change. Be there to listen and respond with compassion. And if time passes and you are still worried, you can always check in again. Either way, this person now knows that you are a safe person to speak with. If they say yes, they are having thoughts of suicide. Stay calm. Thank them for sharing. Acknowledge how hard it must have been to be so vulnerable and honest. You want to ask them more about whats been going on that has caused them to feel so hopeless. Often, when listening to their story, you will be able to find a glimmer of hope or reason for them to still want to live. Hone in on that. You mentioned your sister, are you really close with her? Whats your favorite thing to do together? You do also need to find out the level of danger that they are in. Clarify if they are planning on acting on the suicidal thoughts. Do they have a plan as to how they would kill themselves? Do they have what they need to kill themselves? And do they know when they will do it? Ask the questions in that order. Thoughts, plans, means, and then timeframe. If there is a no to any question, you do not need to keep going to the next one. They do still need help and should be guided to receiving it. Help them find the therapist, psychiatrist, support, and care that they need. If the person answers yes to all the questions and has a timeframe within 48 hours, they are in immediate risk and need help. So what do you do? Firstly, stay calm. Keep validating the pain and thanking the person for their vulnerability. You do not want to leave them alone. If you are long distance, stay on the phone with them. Ask them who else knows how they are feeling. If there is someone who lives nearby who can actually come and sit with them. If the means to kill themselves is something which can be gotten rid of, encourage that; not always will they be willing, but you should ask. Mention the things which gave them hope. See if they would be willing to stay alive for that. Find out what professionals they have in their life who you can reach out to right then (therapist, psychiatrist, doctor, etc). If they dont have one, offer to help them find someone. There are also coping skills which can be used. These will look different for everyone. Ask if anything has worked in the past. Do they have a pet they can play with to calm down? Go for a walk (not alone, they need to be with someone), listen to music, art, or anything else which calms them? There are crisis lines, such as 988 for call or 741-741 for Text/WhatsApp (just message the word hello) in the USA. In Canada, the number is 833-456-4566. For a comprehensive list of crisis lines all over the world, you can go to https://blog.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines/. You do not want to call 911 except as an absolute last resort and be sure to specify that it is a mental health crisis as many cities have a designated team for that. Other good information to have is your regional mobile crisis unit phone number. They are licensed mental health professionals who can actually come to your house and help assess and help without the intimidation of being police. The most important point of all is this: Do not be afraid to ask. Reach out to your friends, family members, acquaintances. Show that you care. Show that they matter. Show that they are not alone in this world. You never know when that one text message can save a life. Together, we can make this world a safer and kinder place to live in. Please remember that you MUST use a crisis line on Shabbos and Yom Tov, just as you wouldnt hesitate to call 911 if someone was having a heart attack. Speak with your rav to find out if you can use such a line to prevent reaching an actively suicidal place. Some more resources: Signed, Mrs. Hadassah Zirkind The views expressed in this letter are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of YWN. Have an opinion you would like to share? Send it to us for review. More than 200 Jewish service members and their families gathered in South Florida last week for the Aleph Institutes 18th Annual Military Symposium and Training Conference. Held from March 5-9, the five-day event provided a rare opportunity for Jewish military personnel across all branches of the U.S. military to reconnect with their faith, strengthen their sense of mission, and gain valuable training to navigate the challenges of military life. For many of us, this symposium is more than just a conferenceits a homecoming, said Chaplain, Major Elie Estrin, USAF, Alephs military personnel liaison. Military service can be isolating, especially for Jewish personnel. To be in a room filled with fellow Jewish troops, united by faith and purpose, is an experience that recharges and inspires us to continue serving with pride. The symposium combined rigorous military training with meaningful Jewish engagement, offering expert-led discussions, leadership development, and strategic sessions tailored to the unique needs of Jewish service members. Attendees had the opportunity to connect with military chaplains, senior officers, and community leaders, ensuring they had the tools and support to balance their professional and religious commitments. It is an honor to support these courageous men and women, said Rabbi Aaron Lipskar, CEO of the Aleph Institute. Their unwavering commitment to both G-d and country is inspiring, and Aleph is dedicated to ensuring they have the resources, guidance, and support they needboth in their service and in their spiritual lives. Participants were privileged to hear from a distinguished lineup of speakers, including Medal of Honor recipient Col. Jack Jacobs, USA (Ret.); Lieutenant General Michael S. Cederholm, USMC; Chaplain, Maj. Gen. Trent Davis, USAF; Chaplain (Brigadier General) Jack Stumme, USA, Deputy Chief of Chaplains; Major General Boris Krementskyi, Ukrainian Air Force Attache to the U.S.; CAPT Royi Sela, Israeli Navy; Mrs. Kathy Roth-Douquet, CEO and founder of Blue Star Families; Mr. Ken Fisher, CEO of the Fisher House Foundation; and Mr. David Oxfeld, CCO of the Miami Marlins. The conference kicked off with a barbecue on Wednesday night and warm greetings on Thursday from Rabbi Lipskar; Rabbi Sanford Dresin (CH COL, USA Ret), Chaplain Endorser; and Chaplain Estrin, setting the stage for an impactful weekend. Throughout the event, participants engaged in in-depth discussions on maintaining moral clarity during deployments, managing PTSD, sustaining spiritual resilience in challenging conditions, and navigating religious observance in the military. Workshops covered practical topics such as Halachic parameters in warfare, keeping kosher on base, creating Jewish community within the military, and maintaining strong family ties while serving. One highlight was a gripping keynote by SSgt Boaz Hochstein (IDF Ret.), founder of Restart Global, as he shared his incredible story of resilience after being critically wounded in combat. Thursday nights awards ceremony, led by CSM Sam Yudin, honored exceptional chaplains and lay leaders, preceded by a captivating musical performance by MU1 Michael Bogart, USN Ret. For many service members and their families, the Aleph Military Symposium is the cornerstone of their yearoften their only chance to connect in person with fellow Jewish military personnel. As CH (CPT) Eitan Lessing, Battalion Chaplain at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, reflected: As an active duty chaplain, I receive continuous professional education, but this event is the only time when the training is tailored to the unique challenges we face as Jewish chaplains. Beyond the formal training, the symposium offers a profound sense of community. While the sessions are invaluable, the time we spend together is just as important, Lessing added. My family and I are often far from any semblance of a Jewish community, so being able to gather once a year, share our stories, and experience Shabbat with such a warm civilian community is irreplaceable. I cant imagine my year without the symposiumit gives me the energy to return to the fight, bringing Torah and Mitzvot to our Jewish service members. The event also featured an expanded Military Spouse Track, highlighting the resilience and sacrifices of service members families. As one military spouse shared: This years Symposium exceeded all of my expectations. From the incredible people I met, to the meaningful topics of discussion, every aspect of the event was truly inspiring. Thank G-d, the connections I made here will give me the strength to continue supporting my spouse as a proud military wife! The conference culminated in an unforgettable Shabbat experience, where participants gathered for a traditional Friday prayer service and festive dinner. It was a powerful opportunity for everyone to connect on a deeper level with those who truly understand the unique challenges faced, forging lasting bonds that went far beyond the uniform. Shabbat ended with a beautiful Havdalah ceremony, led by a group of inspiring Jewish cadets from West Point, which quickly transformed into an uplifting celebration of song and dance. At the end of the symposium, participants returned to their bases spiritually, emotionally, and professionally rejuvenated, already anticipating the next reunion. Photo credit: Yisroel Teitelbaum/Aleph Institute To learn more about the Aleph Institute, visit www.aleph-institute.org. To learn more about Alephs military programs, visit www.alephmilitary.org. Rabbi Yitzchak Kesselman, a Lubavitcher Chossid living in Crown Heights, and the highest-ranking frum employee at Microsoft, has been promoted to Corporate Vice President of Messaging and Real-Time Analytics Platform at the tech giant. Kesselman, a specialist in enterprise software, leads Microsofts real-time data analytics sector through the companys management product, Fabric. Fabric, a tool designed to help even non-technical employees extract meaningful insights from massive datasets, has been hailed as a game-changer in the industry. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella underscored the softwares importance during the companys annual conference in May, calling it a tool that will fuel the next generation of AI services. Kesselman expressed his gratitude for the promotion in a LinkedIn post, acknowledging the teams and mentors who have supported him. This journey has been nothing short of amazing, he wrote. Its amazing to think that our team came together less than two years ago, given everything weve been able to achieve so far The best part? Were just getting started! In a 2023 interview with Globes, Kesselman remarked, I have never seen any dissonance between my work and my faith Every time we build technologies that really succeed in helping people, I am filled with a sense of meaning. Born in Riga, Latvia, Kesselman immigrated to Israel at age six and grew up in Ramla. He developed a passion for technology at a young age, becoming fascinated with computers and software in elementary school. His journey to authentic yiddishkeit began in high school in Tel Aviv. He enrolled in the pre-army Atuda academic program, studying computer science at Tel Aviv University while also learning Gemara and Chassidus in yeshiva. Following his graduation, he served as an officer in the IDF Intelligence Corps computing unit. Kesselman was one of the first frum employees at Microsoft Israel and played a key role in integrating Charedi professionals into the company. His career in tech saw him hold leadership positions at Retalix, Google, and Microsoft, where he now oversees a division of 400 employees worldwide. Kesselman has also been instrumental in fostering diversity at Microsoft, advocating for the hiring of frum professionals. We invited candidates for job interviews whose dry data did not exactly match the common pattern of the average tech employee, and we saw that a high percentage of them passed the interviews and were accepted, he said. He stressed that standards were not lowered, but rather barriers were removed. With the time and experience I have gained, I have learned that accepting the other does not come at the expense of professionalism, but the opposite. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) In a move that has captivated historians, conspiracy theorists, and the American public alike, President Donald Trump today fulfilled a long-standing campaign promise by ordering the release of approximately 80,000 pages of previously classified documents related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The documents, made public late Tuesday afternoon, offer a tantalizing peek into one of the most enduring mysteries of the 20th centurybut so far, they appear to reinforce the official narrative rather than unravel it. The release, authorized under Executive Order 14176 signed by Trump in January, includes intelligence reports, law enforcement records, witness statements, forensic analyses, and a newly uncovered trove of 2,400 FBI documents previously unrecognized as part of the Kennedy assassination case file. Speaking at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Monday, Trump teased the disclosure, saying, People have been waiting decades for this. Youve got a lot of reading ahead. For six decades, the November 22, 1963, assassination of JFK in Dallas, Texas, has fueled speculation and distrust. The Warren Commission, established in 1964 to investigate the killing, concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, firing three shots from the Texas School Book Depository that struck Kennedy and wounded Texas Governor John Connally. Yet polls have consistently shown that most Americans suspect a broader conspiracy, with theories implicating the CIA, the mafia, and even elements within the U.S. government. Todays document dump, however, has yet to deliver the bombshell many anticipated. Historians and analysts poring over the files in real-time report that while the records add depth and context to the events surrounding the assassination, they do not fundamentally challenge the lone-gunman conclusion. Among the most intriguing revelations is further evidence of Oswalds interactions with foreign entities in the months before the shooting. The files confirm that the CIA closely monitored Oswalds trip to Mexico City in September 1963, where he visited the Soviet and Cuban embassies seeking visas. One newly released CIA memo details a phone call Oswald made to the Soviet Embassy, asking about visa processinga call intercepted by U.S. intelligence. Another document reveals an FBI warning about a death threat against Oswald, received just days before he was fatally shot by nightclub owner Jack Ruby on November 24, 1963, while in police custody. The warning, apparently unheeded, raises questions about communication failures between agencies. Theres a sense of missed opportunities here, said Gerald Posner, author of Case Closed: Lee Harvey Oswald and the Assassination of JFK. The CIA knew more about Oswalds movements than they shared with the FBI, and that gap might have left him unchecked. But negligence isnt the same as complicity. Other documents hint at tantalizing but inconclusive threads. Reports of CIA surveillance on organized crime figures suggest mafia motives were explored, possibly tied to Kennedys crackdown on mob activities. A few witness statements mention hearing additional shots or seeing suspicious figures near Dealey Plaza, fueling second-shooter theoriesyet ballistic evidence included in the release continues to align with Oswalds rifle as the sole weapon used. Perhaps the most striking addition is the 2,400 newly digitized FBI records, uncovered after Trumps January order prompted a fresh search. Their contents remain under scrutiny, but early indications suggest they include routine investigative leads rather than game-changing disclosures. The question is, how did these slip through the cracks for 62 years? Posner remarked. For the Kennedy family, the release is bittersweet. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trumps nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary and a vocal skeptic of the official narrative, expressed gratitude for the transparency. The American people deserve the truth, he said in a statement. Ill be reviewing these files with my family first. Yet experts like Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginias Center for Politics, caution against expecting a dramatic shift. People wanting big things will likely be disappointed, Sabato said. This is about refining history, not rewriting it. As scholars and the public dig deeper into the mountain of papernow accessible via the National Archives websitethe release underscores a broader theme of Trumps second term: a push for government transparency. Alongside the JFK files, plans are underway to declassify records on the 1968 assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy, though those disclosures are still weeks away. For now, the JFK documents leave us with more questions than answers. Did the CIA withhold critical intelligence? Could better coordination have prevented Oswalds actionsor his murder? The truth, it seems, remains elusive, buried somewhere in the pages of history released today. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Every year on Purim, the home of Rabbi Yaakov Bender, the legendary Rosh Yeshiva of Darchei Torah, is visited by countless children, their joyous energy filling the air as they collect for various causes. It is a tradition that has long been encouragedan opportunity to instill in children the value of helping others. I am more than happy to give them $5 or $10 each, aside from some of the major campaigns, Rabbi Bender writes in a post-Purim letter addressed to parents. In years past, I have always encouraged the talmidim of our Yeshiva to feel the pain of others, urging them to find a way to alleviate the burdens of Yidden. One of those ways is to raise money for the indigent and poor. I felt honored to be part of a Yeshiva where hundreds of talmidim are out there every Purim helping others. It was a point of pride, something to celebrate. But this Purim, something felt different. Lo and behold, this year, more boys visited than ever, despite the short day. As always, I asked them for whom they were collecting. Many of the children answered with the names of an organization with which I was not familiar. I asked the children what the organization does; not a single child knew. The realization set in. These children werent collecting for an urgent cause, for a struggling family, for a vital community need. They were collectingbut for what? I let it go on Purim day, Rabbi Bender continued. But on Shabbos, when one of our children came for the seudah, they showed me glitzy booklets delivered with the weekly Jewish magazines. I was stunned. What he saw in those pages was nothing short of alarming. Basically, children were promised prizes worth nearly 45% of the amount collected, or even more! For years, incentive prizes have been a staple of fundraising efforts for children, a small token to recognize their efforts. But this was different. The prizes were not an afterthought; they were the entire motivation. This Purim, it seemed that these children were in essence collecting for themselvese.g., if a child collected $650, he would receive a beautiful, expensive, electric scooter. A scooter. A drone. A robot. It was no longer about giving. It was about getting. And if that wasnt troubling enough, the booklet made another shocking promise. The organization has the chutzpah to advertise that if you dont see the item you want, call us; we will get it for you. Further chutzpahthat if any other organization offers a better deal, we will match it. This was not fundraising. This was not tzedakah. This was a business. What have we come to? Rabbi Bender asked. The essence of tzedakahgiving selflessly, thinking beyond oneselfis being eroded. Children are being trained to see tzedakah as a personal opportunity, not as a sacred responsibility. Our job as parents and mechanchim is to imbue middos tovos; not to teach our children to be greedy and busy with themselves, Rabbi Bender warned. Yes, incentives have always played a role in motivating children to participate in fundraising. But there was a time when they understood what they were collecting for. I remember, as a little child, being asked to collect for Chinuch Atzmai. Sure, we ultimately got a prizebut Chinuch Atzmai representatives went around to all the classes explaining what the organization did. We felt part of a sacred mission: to help Klal Yisroel build Torah in Eretz Yisroel. This, Rabbi Bender explained, is how tzedakah should be taught to children. Even today, in Darchei Torahs annual Bike-a-thon campaign, incentives are offeredbut the prizes are a small fraction of the amount collected. The purpose remains clear: to help others. Contrast that with a system that encourages children to collect for the sole purpose of securing a personal prize. Here in our Yeshiva community, where we work, day and night, to inculcate middos, to care for othersto have these terrible types of collections happening? To me, such an organization seems fishy. But not all was lost this Purim. Parenthetically, Rabbi Bender wrote, our older bachurim gave away their Purim, once again, to raise over half a million dollars for total strangers, local families and individuals in real needall without one penny of incentives. Ashreihem. These boys understood the true meaning of tzedakah. They raised money not for scooters, not for drones, not for prizes, but because they saw people in need. That is the chinuch Rabbi Benderand all those who care about the future of Klal Yisroelwants to see. I understand that this started with an organization many years ago, but the prizes then were very limited, Rabbi Bender acknowledged. But today, the balance has shifted too far. And he is issuing a stark warning: We must not allow this to happen in the coming years. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) US Secretary of Education Linda McMahon paid a historic visit to Lubavitch Educational Center in Miami on Tuesday afternoon, just two weeks after taking office, speaking to over 400 of the schools students and staff members and visiting some of the preschool classrooms. It was her first trip to a Jewish school. The visit began with a prayer for return of the hostages led by the boys Elementary School principal, Rabbi Moshe Stern, and a welcome by LECs Head of School, Rabbi Benzion Korf, who emphasized the importance of teaching morality and ethics rooted in G-ds guidance. Education is not just about teaching arithmetic, but about imparting the values that guide how we live together, treating others with respect and understanding that there is a higher power that sees and hears all. Secretary McMahon has vowed to empower all parents to choose the appropriate education for their children. Every student in our country should have access to excellent education, and in order to do that, there has to be freedom of choice, she said at the event. Children should not be imprisoned in failing schools. She also pointed to the administrations efforts to crack down on antisemitism on campus, opening investigations into colleges across the country and beginning to defund them. The president is absolutely and abundantly clear that [antisemitism on campus] will not be tolerated, that no one should have to face fear of being hurt on campus. The visit was facilitated by Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, advisor to President Donald Trump, and who, with Dr. Miriam Adelson, hosted the presidents events on combating antisemitism. Visiting the Souths largest Jewish day school so early in her tenure is a testament to the core values and ideals the president and secretary share, Kaploun says. They believe every child should have the opportunity to study and grow in a safe and secure environment. This administration has shown their understanding of the needs of the broader Jewish community and they have made the wellbeing of Jewish students their priority. The girls high school was represented by a class of thirty students, with an eloquent message delivered by high school junior Necha Touger. She spoke about the profound impact Jewish education has on its students and how they are inspired to reach out and make a difference in the lives of others. Secretary McMahon shared with the girls her personal journey which included many ups and downs and imparted a lesson on perseverance. During the event, Secretary McMahon recognized and applauded the childrens fundraising efforts, now totalling over $50,000, toward their annual Passover campaign, to give back to the community and provide for the needy during the holiday. The students also received a letter from President Trump in 2019 lauding their initiative. The visit comes just weeks before the US marks Education and Sharing Day in April, on the birthday of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, who was a strong advocate for a moral education in the classroom and who pioneered the Moment of Silence in public schools. During the visit, Rabbi Korf presented Secretary McMahon with the Book of Genesis with traditional commentaries, underscoring the need for an education based on faith and G-dly morals. We are grateful for Secretary McMahons visit and we wish her much success in restoring the moral compass of our country, the basis of which starts with the Seven Noahide Laws, says Rabbi Korf. Lubavitch Educational Center is a complete network of boys and girls schools ranging from preschool through high school and mesivta, with over 2,500 students. Photos: Menachem Williams Billionaire White House adviser and Tesla CEO Elon Musk has issued a stunning claim, alleging that a powerful conspiracy is targeting him personallyseeking his death and the destruction of Tesla. Speaking on Hannity Tuesday night, Musk tied recent acts of vandalism against Tesla dealerships to a broader, orchestrated effort to silence him and dismantle the company he built. I think there are larger forces at work as well, Musk told host Sean Hannity. I mean, whos funding and whos coordinating it? Because this is crazy. Ive never seen anything like this. The remarks come amid a wave of escalating protests and attacks against Tesla properties. In recent weeks, Tesla showrooms and charging stations have been defaced, firebombed, and even shot at. The incidents coincide with mounting backlash against Musks political tiesparticularly his massive $277 million donation to re-elect President Donald Trump, his work in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and his embrace of conservative rhetoric. Musk, whose SpaceX on Tuesday completed a high-stakes retrieval mission for two astronauts stranded in space for nine months, argued that his political adversaries are responding violently to his efforts to reform government inefficiencies. It turns out when you take away peoples, you know, the money that theyre receiving fraudulently, they get very upset, Musk said. And they basically want to kill me because Im stopping their fraud, and they want to hurt Tesla because were stopping the terrible waste and corruption in the government. His Department of Government Efficiency, a Trump administration initiative Musk spearheads, has drawn heavy scrutiny. The group has enacted mass firings of federal employees, blocked billions in congressionally approved funds, and claimed to uncover rampant fraudthough investigative reports suggest its findings have been exaggerated. Nonetheless, Musk insisted the backlash against him is part of a larger, coordinated attack on Tesla and his leadership. Teslas brand has been in freefall in recent months, with Musks politics alienating customers and sparking boycotts. According to The Wall Street Journal, Teslas stock is now in a prolonged selloff, with investors unnerved by the companys deepening political entanglements. The situation turned more volatile as protests erupted outside Tesla dealerships, where demonstrators accused Musk of fostering division, misinformation, and conspiracy theories. Musk, however, dismissed these demonstrators as a violent, unhinged faction determined to destroy him. Its really come as quite a shock to me that there is this level of, really, hatred and violence from the left, Musk told Hannity. I always thought that the left, you know, Democrats were supposed to be the party of empathy, the party of caring, and yet theyre burning down cars, firebombing dealerships, theyre firing bullets into dealerships, theyre smashing up Teslas. Your browser does not support the video tag. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a Statement of Interest in support of Orthodox Jewish developers who claim the Town of Forestburgh, New York, engaged in a blatant, anti-Semitic campaign to block a large residential development project. The case, filed in the Southern District of New York, centers around the actions of Forestburghs municipal leaders, who allegedly used zoning laws as a tool to prevent the construction of 2,627 homes by Lost Lake Holdings, LLChomes that the developers contend were meant to be sold to Chasidic families. The DOJs filing argues that Forestburghs conduct goes beyond land use issues and represents religious discrimination. The statement outlines a series of actions by town officials that appear to deliberately hinder the project. Among the alleged tactics were inflated tax assessments, rejections of building permits, and the reopening of a 14-year-old environmental reviewactions that the DOJ decries as attempts to grind the project to a halt. At the heart of the controversy are troubling communications between Forestburgh officials, including emails in which town leaders expressed their intent to block the project due to the developers association with Orthodox Jews. One email from a Town Planning Board Chairman read: Please dont be scared about the [H]asidic threatwere energized and have the cash to fight and make their lives miserable. The filing also references another email, forwarded by several town officials, that disparages the Orthodox Jewish community, calling them a sect notorious for misogyny and child abuse, while warning of the alleged destruction they would bring to the town. The DOJs intervention underscores the seriousness of the allegations, pointing to the deliberate efforts to undermine the project through discriminatory means. The DOJ asserts that the case is ripe for trial, rejecting Forestburghs attempts to dismiss it as a stalling tactic. The filing also emphasizes the severe harm caused to the developers, who claim to have lost millions of dollars in profits and suffered significant reputational damage as a result of the towns actions. In the past, Agudath Israel representatives including Rabbis Avi Schnall, Yeruchim Silber, and Shragi Greenbaum, klal askan Chaskel Bennett, representatives of the Sullivan County JCC, along with elected representatives of the Village of Ateres, have all testified before the Town Board, appealing to them to change course and stop their discriminatory policies, but to no avail. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday that they had a constructive call about moving toward a ceasefire between Kyiv and Moscow, with the White House suggesting the U.S. could take control of Ukrainian power plants to ensure their security. Trump told Zelenskyy that the U.S could be very helpful in running those plants with its electricity and utility expertise, according to a White House statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz that described the call as fantastic. Trump added that American ownership of those plants could be the best protection for that infrastructure. Zelenskyy and Trump discussed in general terms the possibility of a ceasefire, according to a senior Ukrainian official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he wasnt authorized to comment publicly. During the call, there was an emphasis how any ceasefire process would need to be monitored and that the teams still needed to resolve technical issues, said the official, who characterized the call as a very good conversation, positive, with the jokes. During the call, Zelenskyy requested additional Patriot defense missile systems. Rubio and Waltz said Trump agreed to work with him to find what was available, particularly in Europe. The call came a day after Trump held similar talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. According to the Kremlin, Putin made clear to Trump that there must be a halt to foreign military aide and intelligence sharing as part of any deal. But White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Wednesday underscored that U.S. intelligence sharing in terms of defense for Ukraine would continue. Sensitive time for Ukraine Trumps call with Zelenskyy was about half as long as his call Tuesday, during which Putin agreed not to target Ukraines energy infrastructure but refused to back a full 30-day ceasefire. In a social media post, Trump said his call with Zelenskyy was to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs as he seeks to bring a halt to fighting. We are very much on track, Trump added. Zelenskyys call with Trump comes at a fraught moment for Ukraine, as Trump has made clear that quickly ending the war is a top priority for the start of his new administration. The Ukrainian and U.S. leaders had a disastrous Oval Office meeting late last month that led to Trump temporarily pausing intelligence sharing and military aid for Ukraine. Trump has repeatedly complained about the cost of the conflict the U.S. has sent Ukraine more than $180 billion in military and economic aid since the start of the war. The Kremlin says Kyiv isnt upholding its end of the bargain Prior to his call with Trump, Zelenskyy said Putins limited ceasefire pledge was very much at odds with reality following an overnight barrage of drone strikes across the country. Even last night, after Putins conversation with Trump, when Putin said that he was allegedly giving orders to stop strikes on Ukrainian energy, there were 150 drones launched overnight, including on energy facilities, Zelenskyy said at a news conference in Helsinki with Finnish President Alexander Stubb. Russia responded by saying it had halted its targeting of Ukraines energy facilities and accused Kyiv of attacking equipment near one of its pipelines. Unfortunately, we see that for now there is no reciprocity on the part of the Kyiv regime, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. The White House described the call between Trump and Putin as the first step in a movement to peace that Washington hopes will include a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and eventually a full and lasting end to the fighting. But there was no indication that Putin backed away from his conditions for a prospective peace deal, which are fiercely opposed by Kyiv. Russia is holding the ceasefire proposal hostage The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, said that Putins demands during the call with Trump would amount to Ukrainian capitulation. Putin is attempting to hold the temporary ceasefire proposal hostage in order to extract preemptive concessions ahead of formal negotiations to end the war, the ISW said in an analysis of readouts from the calls. Stubb called the discussions between Putin and Trump a step in the right direction, but Finlands president said that Russia needs to end its aggression. There are only two ways to respond to the proposal of the president of the United States: its a yes or a no no buts, no conditions, Stubb said. Ukraine accepted a ceasefire without any forms of conditions. If Russia refuses to agree, we need to increase our efforts to strengthen Ukraine and ratchet up pressure on Russia to convince them to come to the negotiating table. Waltz said on social media that he and his Russian counterpart, Yuri Ushakov, agreed Wednesday that their teams would meet soon in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to focus on implementing and expanding the partial ceasefire President Trump secured from Russia. It was not immediately clear who would be part of the delegations or if Ukrainian officials were also invited to take part in the Saudi Arabia talks. Ukraine and Russia trade accusations Shortly after the call between Trump and Putin on Tuesday, air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv, followed by explosions as residents took shelter. Despite efforts to repel the attack, several strikes hit civilian infrastructure, including two hospitals, a railway and more than 20 houses, Zelenskyy said. Russian drones were reported over Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Sumy, Chernihiv, Poltava, Kharkiv, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk, and Cherkasy regions. The Russian Defense Ministry said its military had launched seven drones at power facilities related to the military-industrial complex in Ukraines southern Mykolaiv region, but that it shot them down after receiving Putins order to not hit energy infrastructure. Moscow accused Ukraine of targeting its energy facility in the Krasnodar region bordering the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014, several hours after the Putin and Trump talks. The ministry said that three drones targeted oil transfer equipment that feeds the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, causing a fire and leading one oil tank to lose pressure. It is absolutely clear that we are talking about yet another provocation deliberately concocted by the Kyiv regime, aimed at derailing the peace initiatives of the U.S. president, the ministry said. Russia said that its air defenses intercepted 57 Ukrainian drones over the Azov Sea and several Russian regions the border provinces of Kursk and Bryansk and the nearby regions of Oryol and Tula. Zelenskyy said that words of a ceasefire werent enough. If the Russians dont hit our facilities, we definitely wont hit theirs, Zelenskyy said. Meanwhile, the two combatants said Wednesday that they had each swapped 175 prisoners in one of the largest exchanges of the war. Ukraines red line Zelenskyy rejected Putins key condition that Western allies stop providing military aid and intelligence to Ukraine. He said that doing so would endanger lives if citizens were blind to incoming air raids, and lead to the continuation of the war. I dont think anybody should make any concessions in terms of helping Ukraine, but rather, assistance to Ukraine should be increased, Zelenskyy said. This will be a signal that Ukraine is ready for any surprises from the Russians. Nigel Gould-Davies, senior fellow for Russia and Eurasia at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said that it was completely unsurprising that Putin rejected the ceasefire, adding that its imprudent for him to tell President Trump that directly, since Trump has made ending the war a very, very high priority. What we have now, in effect, is a competition or rivalry between Kyiv and Moscow to persuade Trump that its the other side that is responsible for preventing Trump from achieving his goal of ending the war, Gould-Davies said. Zelenskyy said that one of the most difficult issues in future negotiations would be the issue of territorial concessions. For us, the red line is the recognition of the Ukrainian temporarily occupied territories as Russian, he said. We will not go for it. (AP) Israeli police arrested journalist Latifeh Abdellatif on Sunday on suspicion of promoting terrorism and glorifying Hamas. Abdellatif, a well-known journalist and a member of the Government Press Office, was taken into custody from her home in Jerusalems Old City following an intensive police investigation into her online activity. According to police, Abdellatif published material between October and December that praised Hamas, including a video featuring Yahya Sinwar, the terror groups former leader in Gaza, who orchestrated the October 7 massacre. Jerusalem District Police Superintendent Assaf Harel confirmed the arrest, saying, The connection between incitement and violence, disturbances, and terrorism is direct and clear. Therefore, the issue is a key focus for us. Harel emphasized that police are conducting extensive monitoring efforts, both online and offline, to prevent and shut down incitement before it turns into deadly action. Pro-Palestinian activists have reportedly begun demanding Abdellatifs release, but authorities remain firm against what they call dangerous propaganda fueling terror. Abdellatif has an extensive media background, having worked for Reuters, ABC News, Al Jazeera English, and the BBC. She currently has 210,000 followers on Instagram and is employed by UNFPA Palestine, a UN organization that claims to focus on reproductive health in Palestinian territories. Her arrest is part of a larger effort to crack down on journalists accused of glorifying terrorism and promoting attacks against Israelis. Abdellatifs arrest follows a string of high-profile detentions as Israel moves to shut down incitement masquerading as journalism or activism. Just last week, police launched an investigation into Israeli journalist Israel Frey, who allegedly praised Palestinian terror attacks on social media. Frey posted: A Palestinian who harms an IDF soldier or a settler in the apartheid territories is not a terrorist He is a hero. In February, police also arrested Arab stand-up comedian Nidal Badarny after he mocked Israeli hostages taken by Hamas. Following public outrage, his upcoming shows in Haifa and Nazareth were canceled, and police threatened to shut down venues that hosted him. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Israel is considering adopting a new policy toward Hamas to try to prevent the terror group from harming the remaining hostages in Gaza amid the IDFs resumption of airstrikes, Channel 12 News reported on Tuesday evening. Israel is to threaten Hamas that any harm to a hostage will be met with the annexation of territory from the Gaza Strip. The understanding in Israel is that the loss of territory is what scares Hamas the most, even more than the loss of life. The report added that Israel has conveyed to the mediators that it will not compromise on anything less than the Witkopf plan for the release of the hostages, meaning the release of at least half of the hostages in exchange for an extension of the ceasefire. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) A senior Hamas official told the Saudi Asharq News outlet that the terror group is not seeking new negotiations and Israel should live up to its past agreements instead. The movement has not closed the door on negotiations but there is no need for new agreements given the existing one that all parties signed, he said. The official threatened that the continued IDF airstrikes on Gaza will result in the killing of many Israeli hostages. Meanwhile, the IDF announced on Wednesday morning that it carried out a series of airstrikes on terror targets across Gaza overnight Tuesday, including Hamas terrorists in northern Gaza who were preparing to fire rockets at Israel. In addition, the Israeli Navy struck several Islamic Jihad vessels in the Gazan coastal area that were being used for terror purposes. Palestinians in the Gaza Strip reported on Wednesday morning that the IDF dropped leaflets east of Khan Younis, calling on residents of several neighborhoods to evacuate. The leaflets stated: The IDF has begun a significant attack to destroy terrorist organizations. This area is considered a dangerous combat zone, and you must leave immediately to ensure your safety. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) The IDF permanently discharged two IDF officers who posted on social media that they are refusing to report for reserve duty in the wake of the resumption of battle in the Gaza Strip. Michael Majer, a former officer in the Military Intelligence Directorate, wrote on X on Wednesday morning: I joined the army to protect my nation. The thing that will most help protect my nation now is to refuse to take part in fighting in the service of a bunch of filthy traitors and in complete opposition to the interests of Am Yisrael. Shortly later, the IDF informed him that he is being permanently dismissed from the reserves. Alon Gur, a combat navigator in the Air Force reserves, was permanently discharged from the IDF on Tuesday after announcing that he would no longer report for reserve duty following the resumption of battle in the Gaza Strip. It should be noted that Gur is currently running for a slot on the Labor (The Democrats) party list. Gur wrote on social media that he has been serving in active reserve duty for 16 years. This morning I broke, he continued. A few hours ago I met with my squadron commander and told him that enough is enough. The line has been crossed at the point where the state again abandons its citizens in broad daylight, where cynical and cold political considerations outweigh any other consideration, and where human lives have lost their value. At the point where a government is obliterating its gatekeepers in every possible way. At the point where the king becomes more important than the kingdom. Enough is enough. Otzma Yehudit MK Almog Cohen responded to the report by stating: Alon Gur, who is running for a spot in the Labor party, or in its whitewashed name, The Democrats, is not just a candidate, but also a despicable and contemptible army refuser, who was part of the left-wing protests against the government and is willing to sell out the security of your children (yes, even my brothers in the left, they dont ask who Ima and Abba vote for before killing) for politics, honor, power, and might. IDF Chief of Staff Zamir did well to dismiss this dangerous man from the army. There is no room for harming the security of our children, once you refuse an order (patently illegal). So everywhere you see the charming Alon, remind him of the moral low he reached by selling the security of the country and the security of our children to our worst enemies. It is important for me to emphasize: I will take as many bullets as needed for your children without ever seeing them in my life, and I will die with a smile that I saved one soul, just as you would behave for my children. Were all brothers. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) The UKs 7 October Parliamentary Commission published a first-of-its-kind report detailing the events of October 7 with the aim of combating denial or distortion of Hamass atrocities that day. The commission, chaired by Lord Roberts of Belgravia on behalf of the UK-Israel All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), published the report on Wednesday after spending 12 months compiling materials from various sources, including testimonies from survivors. Some of the findings: The October 7 massacre was the deadliest terror attack for UK citizens in the Middle East, claiming the lives of 18 British citizens The investigation found that the youngest victim was a newborn baby girl who suffered a gunshot wound while still in utero. Her mother was murdered and the doctors performed an emergency delivery but she died 14 hours later. Seventy-three percent of the victims were civilians. The report describes in detail the severe harm to civilians, the involvement of various terrorist organizations, and evidence of atrocities, including sexual assaults and mutilation of bodies. The report was presented to Parliament and will be distributed among government ministries, members of Parliament, academic institutions, and members of the media, and will also be accessible to the general public online. Hamas and its allies, both in the Middle East and equally shamefully in the West, have sought to deny the atrocities, despite the ironic fact that much of the evidence for the massacres derives from film footage from cameras carried by the terrorists themselves though of course there is also much more from many other sources, as this Report delineates, Lord Roberts said. The present Report has been undertaken to counter such pernicious views, and to lay down incontrovertible proof for now and for the years to come that nearly 1,200 innocent people were indeed murdered by Hamas and its allies, and very often in scenes of sadistic barbarism not seen in world history since the Rape of Nanjing in 1937. The investigation leading to Wednesdays report was conducted by Lord Roberts, with support from a panel of UK parliamentarians. The panel heard testimonials from those directly impacted including family members of victims and hostages who provided testimony and evidence, academics and military experts. The report also drew on footage from GoPro cameras worn by Hamas operatives on the day and CCTV footage that captured the attack. Your browser does not support the video tag. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) In a series of coordinated operations over the past 24 hours, the IDF and the Shin Bet have dealt a significant blow to Hamas terrorist infrastructure in the Gaza Strip. The targeted strikes, which hit dozens of terror targets and operatives, including high-ranking Hamas commanders, aimed to cripple the organizations military and governmental capabilities while neutralizing threats to Israel and its citizens. Among the terrorists eliminated in the operations was Yasser Muhammad Harb Musa, a key figure in Hamas political bureau. Musa, who also served as the former head of the development office within the groups executive committee, was responsible for security affairs and played a critical role in promoting and directing terrorist activities against Israel. Throughout his tenure, Musa maintained close ties with senior Hamas leadership, including Yahya Sinwar, the organizations top official in Gaza. In a separate strike, the IDF and Shin Bet also eliminated Muhammad Al-Jamasi, the head of Hamas Emergency Committee. Al-Jamasi, a veteran operative, held several key positions within Hamas political bureau and leadership over the years. During the ongoing conflict, he emerged as a central figure in Hamas governance of Gaza, orchestrating terrorist operations targeting the Jewish state. The precision strikes underscore Israels ongoing efforts to dismantle Hamas operational capabilities and leadership structure. By targeting senior commanders like Musa and Al-Jamasi, the IDF and Shin Bet aim to disrupt the groups ability to plan and execute attacks while weakening its grip on the coastal enclave. Israeli officials emphasized that these operations are part of a broader strategy to safeguard the nations security and protect its citizens from the persistent threat of terrorism emanating from Gaza. The elimination of these high-value targets marks a significant step in degrading Hamas ability to function as a cohesive military and political entity. Is there a pain greater than the pain of watching your little daughter bravely fighting for her life, but losing despite all efforts? There is! Knowing that if only they had the means, they could fly her to a childrens hospital in the USA, where ground-breaking treatments are available and could cure Riki. But they do not have the funds. Imagine this young family: mom and dad, hardworking and loving parents to Riki and Moishi, just celebrating the birth of baby Moti. Their world collapsing one cruel day when they discover to their horror that Riki, a happy, sweet tempered and creative seven-year-old, has Leukemia. They spend days in the hospital, then weeks. Leaving all behind and focusing on supporting their little girl, seeking treatment and hoping for good news. But weeks turn to months, and Riki is only getting worse. Moishi and baby Motti miss them terribly, their jobs are gone, their strength is weakening, and Riki is bravely trying to fight but she knows that her chances are slim. Then they hear of a possible cure, far away in the USA. With rekindled hope they contact the hospital and find that Riki is a perfect candidate for this treatment. They want to celebrate, to start planning a complicated voyage and stay, but the sums needed are way beyond their waning budget. Can you imagine the agony? Little Riki is praying for a miracle With her childish optimism she knows that her devoted parents will find a way. The way is us Together, we can be that miracle! We can give Riki and her parents the most precious gift of all: a cure, a life. Donate now Topshop and Topman have sent shoppers into meltdown with a bombshell announcement five years after they vanished from the high street. In a dramatic social media post, the once-clothing giant showed a couple standing on an industrial rooftop below a huge Topshop sign. Cutting to black, a message said simply: 'We missed you too'. Captions spaced out across three posts added: 'We've been listening'. And its website also teased a huge return for the beloved fashion retailer, with the homepage of www.topshop.com simply saying: 'Topshop coming soon.' News of the brand's apparent return sent Brits into a frenzy on Wednesday. 'Topshop announcing theyre returning to the high street is a joy only millennial girlies will understand. Weve missed you x,' one person wrote on X. 'I feel like my parents just got back together,' another fan said on Instagram, while a second one joked: 'Millennials everywhere are screaming, crying & throwing up Im one of them.' Celebrating the news, another person on Instagram wrote: 'My wardrobe and my life just fell back into place. Might start going out again.' In a dramatic social media post, the once-clothing giant showed a couple standing on an industrial rooftop below a huge Topshop sign Cutting to black, a message said simply: 'We missed you too' And the website www.topshop.com also hints at a major comeback for the fashion retailer It's unclear whether the planned reveal is part of a relaunch of the brand's physical high street shops or simply a rebranding of its online store. Owners ASOS have been approached for comment. However, in a statement in November, ASOS said: 'Within the next six months, we will re-launch Topshop.com, giving the brand an opportunity to further expand its customer base.' While Jose Antonio Ramos Calamonte, head of ASOS, hinted he would 'not ignore any option to grow Topshop and if that includes a physical presence then we will not ignore it'. Topshop was once the undisputed queen of the British high street. With its trendy clothes, sell-out designer collaborations and 100,000 sq ft Oxford Street flagship store, the brand attracted everyone from tourists and teenagers to 'It Girls' and fashion editors. During their heyday in the early noughties, celebrities and fashion icons flocked to be a part of the retail leviathan - owned by Sir Philip Green. Supermodel Kate Moss even launched her own Topshop range in 2007. She went on to do 14 collaborations with the company. Attracting the 'It Girls' of the day, British supermodel-turned-actress Cara Delevingne was even the face of Topshop's a/w 2014 campaign. At its high, Topshop seemed a true titan of the British high street, raking in 100million in profit, with hundreds of stores spread across almost every large town and city in the UK. With its trendy clothes, sell-out designer collaborations and 100,000 sq ft Oxford Street flagship store, Topshop attracted everyone from tourists and teenagers to 'It Girls' and fashion editors in its heyday. Pictured, Kate Moss and Sir Philip Green at the launch of the first Kate Moss x Topshop range in 2007 British supermodel Cara Delevingne was the face of Topshop's a/w 2014 campaign. Topshop, along with the rest of the Arcadia Group, is now on the brink of collapse Topshop lost its younger shoppers to aggressive digital e-tailers like Boohoo and PrettyLittleThing. Pictured, a Topshop social media post shared in September But the store's popularity waned as it struggled to compete with fast fashion online, losing its younger shoppers to aggressive digital e-tailers like Boohoo and PrettyLittleThing. In 2018, former owners Arcadia revealed it was haemorrhaging cash, reporting a 93.4million pre-tax loss compared with 164.6million profit in the year before. And sales slumped 4.5 per cent from 1.8billion. As well as the financial woes, there was also the problem of image with Sir Philip Green himself. Retail experts, including Topshop's former brand director, pointed at how the BHS pension scandal and accusations of sexual harassment tabled at Sir Philip - which he denied - had tarnished the brand, putting off female and Gen Z shoppers. Then, when the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020, Arcadia was forced to shut 550 stores and furlough 14,500 employees. The move spelled the end of the shop's physical presence on the high street. By 2021, all Topshop stores had closed after the brand was bought by online behemoth ASOS in a 295million deal. ASOS acquired Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge and HIIT from the administrators of Arcadia, two months after the struggling group collapsed with a 750million deficit. Topshop started life in 1964 as the 'Top Shop' concession within the now defunct Peter Robinson department store in Sheffield. The company had spotted a growing need for fashion made specifically for teenage girls who wanted to embrace modern, forward-thinking design. Under the leadership of buyer Diane Wadey, Top Shop stocked styles by young British designers including Royal College of Art graduate Jane Whiteside, Jeff Cooper and Ronnie Stirling. The idea was a success and a concession in the Oxford Street branch of Peter Robinson soon followed, marking the start of the brand's decades-long presence in the West End. Topshop started life in 1964 as the 'Top Shop' concession within the now defunct Peter Robinson department store in Sheffield. Pictured, shoppers queue outside the entrance to the Peter Robinson Oxford Street store in 1978 Peter Robinson had spotted a growing need for fashion made specifically for teenage girls who wanted to embrace modern design. Pictured, the Rag Doll Boutique in the Peter Robinson Sheffield store in 1966 By 1974, Peter Robinson, which had been a mainstay of British retail since the 1830s, was floundering and reduced its 22 branches to just six. Meanwhile its Top Shop offering was booming. Pictured, a Top Shop and Top Man store in Liverpool, 1984 In the early 1970s, parent company the Burton Group split off Top Shop into its own independent chain of stores focusing solely on shoppers aged 13 to 24. Peter Robinson would continue to focus on shoppers over the age of 24. But by 1974, Peter Robinson, which had been a mainstay of British retail since the 1830s, was floundering and reduced its 22 branches to just six. Meanwhile Top Shop was booming. Within two years, Top Shop had 55 standalone branches and was reporting annual profits of 1million. Its next major image revamp came in the 1990s, the same decade that the Oxford Street flagship opened in its current location. Under the stewardship of Jane Shepherdson CBE, who was Topshop brand manager from 1999 to 2006, the brand went from teen clothing store to a serious fashion brand with industry clout. 'It was a time when we were trying to prove Topshop had its own design credibility compared to a cheap high street retailer that used to copy everyone else,' Shepherdson told the Evening Standard. In 2001, Topshop launched its own label, Topshop Unique, and in 2005 became the first high street label to show at London Fashion Week. The move cemented its place as a brand worthy of the coolest names in British fashion, with It Girls including Zoe Ball, Sara Cox, Donna Air and Jemima Khan sitting front row. Denise Van Outen launches Bikini Line at Topshop Oxford Street in 1999 In 2005, Topshop became the first high street label to show at London Fashion Week, left. Right, Sara Cox and Zoe Ball at a Topshop party in London in 2005 Shoppers queued to get their hands on the first ever Kate Moss x Topshop collection in 2007. The model made 14 collections with the high street store At the same time, Shepherdson focused on collaborations with young British designers like Christopher Kane, and turned the Oxford Street store into a must-visit destination for schoolgirls, tourists and fashionistas alike. Shepherdson added: 'We wanted to make it everything that a young girl wanted from a fashion store and for it to feel like a real luxury, special experience. I think for a time we achieved that.' In 2005 Topshop reported profits of 100million. After Shepherdson's departure came another great Topshop milestone: the first Topshop x Kate Moss collaboration. The 2007 release was a hit with shoppers and graced the pages of fashion magazines. The supermodel would go on to produce 14 collections with the retailer up until 2014, with each one selling out within hours. Sir Philip Green with models (from left) Suki Waterhouse, Kate Moss, Cara Delevingne, Sienna Miller and Naomi Campbell at the Kate Moss x Topshop launch in 2014 'The Kate Moss collaboration cemented the Topshop brand and allowed it to expand worldwide piggybacking off the name of the world's most famous supermodel,' noted pop culture commentator Nick Ede. 'It was the biggest fashion breakthrough and led to his products being featured in magazines that would normally turn a blind eye to his designs in a snobbish fashion.' Other high profile designer collaborators include Mary Katrantzou, Richard Nicoll, Jonathan Saunders and Meadham Kirchhoff. The idea was replicated at Arcadia's other brands including Dorothy Perkins, which launched a Kardashian Kollection in 2012. Mr Ede added: 'These iconic collaborations were the top of their game. Many imitated but none were as good at tapping into the fashion zeitgeist of the times.' In 2009, Topshop arrived in the US, with Kate Moss and Sir Philip jetting to New York for the launch that saw shoppers queue up around the block. However, during the 10 years that followed, Topshop's shine has started to fade. On the high street Topshop faced greater competition from new rivals like & Other Stories, Urban Outfitters and Arket, as well as established retailers like H&M and Zara. Pictured, the Topshop flagship on Oxford Street On the high street it has faced greater competition from new rivals like & Other Stories, Urban Outfitters and Arket, as well as from established retailers like H&M and Zara, which offer designer lookalikes within weeks of their catwalk debut. Topshop also had a large number of brick-and-mortar stores - some 510 around the world, including 300 in the UK - which became less and less of a draw in the age of online shopping. In 2019 all of Topshop's US stores closed, just 10 years after opening. Compounding the problem is Topshop's sluggish digital investment and the aggressive rise in online, fast fashion retailers like Boohoo, PrettyLittleThing and Missguided, which have become the go-to destinations for Gen Z shoppers looking to snap up new, social-media worthy looks. Liam Patterson, CEO and founder at Bidnamic, a marketing technology platform, said: 'Rather than adapting to modern customer needs with a strong ecommerce offering, the brand resisted innovation and was late to the digital party. 'COVID-19 lockdowns only exacerbated these issues as the business lost customers to digital natives like ASOS and Boohoo that had more engaging online presence and more reputable brands.' A handful of retailers are bucking the trend for shop closures by opening new stores on Britain's high streets. Screwfix, Superdrug and Waitrose have all announced plans to open shops this year. Screwfix, owned by Kingfisher, plans to open up to 35 new stores across the UK and Ireland by the end of January 2026. It has not disclosed where the new shops will be located. The DIY retailer said the store openings will create more than 400 jobs across the UK and Ireland. The new shops will be configured in the chain's Screwfix City shop format. These stores are typically located in busy areas such as main shopping streets. Screwfix plans to open up to 35 stores across the UK and Ireland by the end of January 2026 Screwfix said the new shops would offer a range of more than 3,000 essential products via click and collect, with a further 48,000 available online for next day collection. The smaller Screwfix City stores form part of the retailer's 'hyper-convenience from store to door' concept. John Mewett, chief executive of Screwfix, said: 'Were proud to continue Screwfixs amazing growth with our plans to open up to 35 new stores within this financial year. 'Despite the challenges facing the retail industry, investing in our store network remains central to how we can best support tradespeople to get their jobs done quickly, affordably, and right first time. 'Our customers continue to be busy, and we know how important it is to be near a Screwfix store. 'We are driving forward with our store openings and continuing to focus on providing the ultimate convenience for our customers through our ultra-compact store format, Screwfix City and rapid delivery service, Screwfix Sprint.' Screwfix currently has over 900 stores across the UK, Ireland and France. Opening time: Health and beauty retailer Superdrug is opening 25 new stores this year Superdrug store openings This week, Superdrug unveiled plans to open 25 new stores this year. The retailer said: 'Kickstarting with Leeds Briggate, which opened in late February, Superdrug plans to open gold-tier stores in prime locations throughout the year, including Guernsey and Cribbs Causeway in Bristol.' The full list of store opening locations was not revealed, but the beauty and healthcare retailer said the move will create around 600 new jobs. It said the new 'best-in-class' larger format shops would see increased investment in beauty treatments and luxury fragrance on the back of strong demand from shoppers. The retailer, which currently has 780 shops in the UK and Ireland, said it will also refurbish 65 stores this year and expand multiple sites, including its shops in Luton and Dundee. It highlighted that investment in its largest stores in recent years helped it deliver sales growth of 25 per cent. Superdrug said it was focusing investment in shopping destinations and retail park shops. It has invested more in beauty treatments, such as ear piercing, manicures and eye-brow threading, at its shops. Nigel Duxbury, Superdrug property director, said: 'We want everyone who enters Superdrug to feel an elevated customer experience.' He added: 'We can see from our sales last year that investing in and increasing the number of large format stores in our estate allows us to accelerate our bricks-and-mortar strategy, so that we can bring the bigger and better shopping experience, that we know our customers love, to even more communities across the UK.' In January, Superdrug hailed its strongest-ever Christmas after like-for-like sales increased by 5.1 per cent in the final weeks of 2024. Waitrose confirms new locations Waitrose recently confirmed the location of some of its new stores, with Southwick, West Sussex, St Andrews and Bristol to open by the end of summer. The retailer previously said it was targeting 100 convenience stores over the next three years and will release locations later this year. Last year, Waitrose opened its first store in six years in a push to improve its coverage in the convenience market. The Hampton Hill store in south-west London is the forty-seventh Waitrose-operated convenience shop and while focus will initially be on opening smaller, Waitrose has confirmed it is looking at larger convenience stores too. Retailers are under pressure amid hikes to the national living wage and employer national insurance contributions from April. Earlier this year, WH Smith confirmed that it had put its 500 UK high street stores up for sale, in a bid to focus on its more lucrative travel arm. Its high street sales fell 6 per cent in the 21 weeks to 25 January, covering the key Christmas period, down 3 per cent on the previous year. Seventeen WH Smith shops have already or are due to close this year, including those located in Basingstoke, Diss, Newport and Stockton. Over the last two years, WHSmith has closed around 10 stories, including locations in Manchester, Crewe, Ramsgate, Bicester, Somerset and Sale. By the end of last year, Boots had closed 300 stores across the UK, dramatically reducing its presence on the high street from 2,200 to around 1,900. Bank branch closures are also continuing at pace. This week, Santander announced plans to shut 95 of the its 400 branches, putting around 750 jobs at risk. Of the remaining branches, 36 will operate on reduced hours branches and 18 will be 'counter-free', Santander said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. A meeting was held at Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company (ASCO) with representatives of EBRD and Ernst & Young (EY), the consultancy firm providing advisory services for the Climate-related Corporate Governance system (CCG) project, Trend reports via ASCO. During the meeting, the results of the assessment conducted within the project framework, the potential impact of climate-related requirements on ASCOs operations, as well as climate risks and opportunities, were discussed. Additionally, detailed information was provided on climate-related governance measures and the roadmap for sustainable financing. Furthermore, the meeting addressed the requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) S1 (Sustainability-related Financial Disclosures) and S2 (Climate-related Disclosures), as well as the potential for their future implementation. As part of the CCG project, the EBRD will support ASCO in developing corporate climate governance action plans and aligning the companys operations with the goals of the Paris Agreement. The project also envisions the development of a Sustainability-Linked Financing Framework (SLFF), which will enable ASCO to secure sustainability-linked loans (SLL) and issue sustainability-linked bonds (SLB). The EBRD is the first international financial institution to establish the CCG framework. This project represents a comprehensive set of rules, practices, and processes applied by the EBRD for decision-making regarding the impacts of climate change, disclosure of relevant information, and governance enhancement in this field. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. Total product sales of industrial zones in Azerbaijan between 2021 and 2024 reached 11.68 billion manat ($6.87 billion), the country's Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov wrote on his X page, Trend reports. "Industrial zones are crucial for diversifying Azerbaijan's economy by attracting investments, creating jobs, boosting local production and exports, and promoting innovation," he said. As the minister pointed out, during the aforementioned stretch of time, entrepreneurs poured around 748 million manat ($440 million) into the industrial zones overseen by the Economic Zones Development Agency, resulting in the birth of 865 permanent jobs. He also highlighted that from the aggregate revenue generated by the industrial sectors, 4.08 billion manat ($2.4 billion) was attributed to export activities. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 18. Entrepreneurs in Azerbaijan will soon have access to preferential loans aimed at supporting the application of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, with an expansion of guarantee and other support mechanisms, Trend reports. The initiative is part of the "Artificial Intelligence Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 20252028," approved today by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. The Ministry of Economy has been appointed as the main executing body for the project, with the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport and the Ministry of Finance also involved. The implementation of these activities will span from the years 2025-2028. The initiative aims to address the financial challenges faced by entrepreneurs in implementing artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. This will involve the development and submission of draft legal acts for approval, focusing on the application of support mechanisms for businesses. Additionally, promotional activities will be carried out to increase access to preferential financial resources, targeting at least 50 entrepreneurs. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 19. The authorities of Montenegro made a decision to extend the visa-free regime for citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan until December 31, 2025, Trend reports via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Trend reports. "This measure opens new opportunities for Kazakh citizens planning tourist and business trips to Montenegro, as well as contributes to strengthening bilateral cooperation," the ministry underscored. At the same time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman announced the extension of the visa-free regime for Kazakh citizens holding national passports. Now, citizens of Kazakhstan can stay in Oman for up to 30 days, whereas the previous period was 14 days. Meanwhile, it is important to note that the visa-free regime does not apply to work, education, or permanent residence. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. The prospects of expansion of long-term energy partnership between Azerbaijan and the US have been assessed, the Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov wrote on X, Trend reports. We discussed the development of energy cooperation with Hugo Guevara, Charge d'Affaires of the US Embassy in Azerbaijan. We assessed the prospects of expanding our long-term energy partnership, as well as the importance of green energy interconnection projects involving Azerbaijan, covering various routes and sources, in ensuring energy security and strengthening inter-regional ties, the publication reads. Irish people travelling to Spain or Portugal this week have been warned to expect disruptive weather conditions as the countries continue to battle heavy rain and storms. Parts of Spain, including the Canary Islands, have been issued weather warnings for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week due to intense rainfall. Meanwhile, Portugal is expected to see up 200mm of rain over the next week. Storm Laurence battered parts of Malaga, Valencia and Catalonia on Tuesday, causing severe flooding in the areas. The Status Yellow weather warning remains in place on Tuesday night and will continue into Wednesday for many parts of the country. As the wreckage of the storm continues to unfold, the next storm, Storm Martinho, was officially named on Tuesday. Storm Martinho is expected to bring strong gusts and widespread rain across Spain and Portugal on Thursday. Flooding near Malaga Spain. pic.twitter.com/uUVq6jaCV3 Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) March 18, 2025 READ NEXT: RIP: Funeral details confirmed for Letterkenny crash victim, Anthony Gallagher Storm Martinho is the fourth storm to hit the region in just 12 days following in close succession from Laurence, Konrad and Jana. As springtime travel begins to pick up, Irish people set to travel to either of the countries this week or who may already be there are being advised to keep an eye on any local weather updates and advice. We think that readers who follow this blog closely will enjoy this selection of Kansas City crime reporting by way of election perspectives, recent allegations, court cases, nasty jail drama and, of course, community outreach. Check TKC news gathering . . . Here's What to Know About KC Public Safety Vote on April 8 Kansas City voters will decide on April 8 whether to renew the city's public safety sales tax, as part of its efforts to fund and build a new municipal jail. Independence man charged with felony after defecating inside jail cell An Independence man who was arrested for a DWI was charged with a felony Monday after defecating inside a jail cell and spreading his feces around. Should Kansas City control its own police? Here's what a poll of Missouri voters says While Missouri lawmakers have framed state control as a way to curtail crime in Kansas City, a new poll suggests the system is not widely popular among voters. Kansas City police searching for missing 14-year-old boy Kansas City Police Department, searching for missing autistic, 14-year-old boy, Christian Newton, who disappeared from Longview, Blue Ridge Man charged in brutal attack of woman, theft of her SUV at Kansas City gas station A Kansas City man has been charged after a group of people brutally assaulted a woman and stole her SUV from a Kansas City gas station. Charges filed after man pulled gun on worker when asked to stop urinating Charges have been filed against a man who pulled a rifle on a local worker after he was asked to stop urinating and then left it within arm's reach of two children. Woman charged in connection to weekend homicide on E. Armour in Kansas City, Missouri A Kansas City, Missouri, woman is facing a felony gun charge in connection to an incident on Sunday, March 16, that left a man dead. Lenexa woman in legal battle after brother accused of killing mother Howard went on to describe that the following weeks were the toughest of her life as she began settling her mother's affairs. However, settling those affairs and making funeral arrangements p... Louisburg police investigating after vehicle drives through building The Louisburg Police Department is investigating after a vehicle drove through a building Tuesday afternoon. Police warn of online car scamming scheme The Overland Park Police Department is warning people to beware of scammers on Facebook Marketplace. Mission coffee shop targeted in 1st break-in after 7 years of business A Mission coffee shop was hit by its first break-in. The damage was a shattered door and a stolen register. Police are still investigating. A local nonprofit formed to help support Kansas City's police dogs A local nonprofit called KCPD K9 Friends was formed to help support Kansas City's police dogs when they retire. Developing . . . Right now biz lady, fashion diva & hottie Kylie inspires our peek in to pop culture. community reporting and top headlines.. Check TKC news gathering . . . Cowtown Taste Test 2 KC Wine Experts Answer A Few FAQs We asked KC wine experts, Richard Garcia and Sarah Hogan to lend us some words of expertise when it comes to all things wine. Hatching Plan For Survival 'I refuse to be held hostage': Egg prices force Overland Park restaurant to raise its own chickens The Wooden Spoon breakfast restaurant in Overland Park, Kansas, will begin to raise its own chickens to avoid fluctuations in the egg market. Locals Adore Legend A Love So Strong: Bonnie Raitt Shimmers At A Sold-Out Midland Theatre When you're a barrier-breaking Rock and Roll Hall of Famer with 13 Grammys and a Lifetime Achievement Award to your name, your legacy more than speaks for itself. Home Team Tradition Exhibited Royals history on display at downtown Commerce Bank With only a few days left until the MLB season opens, Commerce Bank is helping the Royals celebrate history. Hipster Artsy Debut Beco Gallery revived as The Waiting Room in reimagined West Bottoms space After Beco Gallery was forced to close its doors, the Kansas City art community worked to continue its legacy by creating The Waiting Room. Hottie Tribute After Tragedy Kylie Jenner Shares Photos from 'One of the Last' Times She Worked with Hairstylist Jesus Guerrero Before His Death Kylie Jenner mourned the loss of her hairstylist and close friend Jesus Guerrero on Instagram, where she revealed that a photo shoot for the Khy and Poster Girl collaboration marked one the last times they worked together. Guerrero died unexpectedly at the age of 34. MAGA Exposes History Trump releases JFK assassination files Trump pledged on the campaign trail to release the remaining files pertaining to the assassination. Progressively Worse Excuse This is why Kamala Harris really lost A Democratic pollster just released its explanation of why Kamala Harris lost to Donald Trump. One reason: TikTok is making young voters more conservative. Culture War Legal Fight Judge blocks Trump's executive order barring transgender people from the military U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes ruled in favor of transgender active-duty service members and transgender people in the process of enlisting. Vlad Plays Hardball Putin agrees in Trump call to pause Ukraine energy attacks but no full ceasefire The Russian leader declines to sign up to a comprehensive month-long ceasefire called for by the White House. Holy Land Fight Update Israel-Hamas war live updates: More than 300 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza More than 200 Palestinians were killed in overnight Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip, the enclave's Hamas-run healthy ministry said, as Hamas accused Israel of violating a fragile ceasefire deal. European Goes Silent?!? Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty sues Trump administration over canceled contract Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, a government-backed overseas broadcaster, sued the Trump administration in an attempt to get it to release funds appropriated by Congress. Local Offerings Explored Drink This Now: Romero Paloma Phosphate at Elixir Soda Fountain Elixir Soda Fountain at the Museum of Kansas City mixes historic charm with modern drinks, including sodas, Elixirs, cocktails, and ice cream Cowtown Breeze Warning High wind warning issued for Kansas City area Wednesday; wind advisory also in place The National Weather Service included most of the Kansas City area in a high wind warning from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday as another powerful system moves across the Midwest. And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now. Here's the first overnight report from the scene of an overnight deadly shooting scene along with more info hitting TV broadcasts this morning . . . Homicide 3400 Block of Harrison [Tuesday Night] Just after 11pm officers were called to the 3400 block of Harrison on a sound of shots call. On arrival they located two adult male shooting victims unresponsive in the street there. Officers rendered aid until EMS arrived and took over treatment. EMS transported both victims to the hospital where they were both declared deceased. There is no suspect information at this time and detectives are working to determine the events leading up to the shooting. Detectives are also canvassing for witnesses and crime scene investigators are processing the scene for evidence. If anyone heard or saw anything in this area or has any information they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline. We are committed to assisting victims of violent crimes through use of Missouris Protection Program for Victims/Witnesses of Violent Crime. Funding for temporary, or even permanent relocation, may be available but is subject to pre-approval by the States administering agency. We are working with Partners for Peace in all our homicide investigations to monitor risks for retaliation and provide social services to affected residents. ############### Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . Two people killed in Tuesday night shooting Two people found unresponsive on the street with gunshot wounds. They later died at the hospital. No suspect information. Kansas City police investigate double homicide The shooting happened just after 11 p.m. Tuesday night Developing . . . A comment from on high . . . MAGA takes note of a regional faith community ruckus and arguments against a publicity stunt . . . Check-it: Wichita police and fire are investigating, as well as the FBI and the ATF. President Trump was asked about the attack on Monday. Well, were going to take a look, Trump said. I love Wichita. You know, I got big votes there. We won that state by a lot. Well take a look at that. This reprehensible act of vandalism will not be tolerated, Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan told the media. Our officers and investigators worked tirelessly to bring this suspect to justice. The Kansas Catholic Conference condemned the attack, calling it a hate crime. After forcing their way inside, statues were destroyed, glass smashed, and other extensive damage exacted upon this sacred space, the conference wrote in a statement. St. Patrick Church is a predominantly Latino parish situated in a working-class neighborhood of North-Central Wichita. The FBI is investigating. A Satanic website was scrawled on a wall. This is the face of evil. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Photo: Innovation and Digital Development Agency under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. Azerbaijan has officially approved its "Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy" for 2025-2028, aiming to accelerate the countrys progress in AI development, foster digital transformation, and strengthen Azerbaijan's role within the global AI ecosystem, the Innovation and Digital Development Agency under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport told Trend. The strategy outlines several key objectives, including promoting innovation and digital development, enhancing the competitiveness of the economy, organizing AI-based data management, expanding skilled workforce training, and improving collaboration between the public and private sectors. Additionally, the strategy emphasizes the importance of establishing management mechanisms based on data security and ethical standards. In terms of infrastructure, the strategy focuses on developing high-level computing resources, creating open data repositories, and applying AI in various sectors, particularly in Natural Language Processing (NLP) technologies. Plans also include the development of a national data strategy to improve data quality and efficiently process large-scale datasets. The strategy places a significant emphasis on supporting academic research in AI and the introduction of new curricula in higher education institutions. It also aims to foster international collaborations in the field. Azerbaijan plots to increase investment in the AI startup ecosystem, support initiatives that promote AI commercialization, and attract both local and international investors as part of the strategy. The government also intends to expand support mechanisms for AI entrepreneurs, including preferential loans. Ensuring the ethical use and security of AI technologies is another key priority of the strategy. To this end, the government plans to establish a regulatory framework, ensure transparency in AI algorithms, eliminate data biases, and strengthen cybersecurity measures. Public awareness campaigns will also be launched to educate citizens about AI technologies and their societal benefits. The successful implementation of this strategy is expected to position Azerbaijan as a regional leader in AI technology development and contribute significantly to the countrys digital transformation. The strategy will also serve as a roadmap for forming a robust AI ecosystem and ensuring Azerbaijan's active participation in global AI platforms. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Ontario health officials are urging parents to get their children vaccinated against measles as cases are rising, with the vast majority of cases among people who are either not immunized or whose immunization status is unknown. According to the Ministry of Health, Ontario has had 350 confirmed cases since 2024, including 31 hospitalizations, with more than 96 per cent of reported cases among individuals who are unimmunized, or have unknown immunization status, and were exposed in their community or while travelling. Vaccination is the most effective way to limit the spread of measles and protect yourself and your loved ones. The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine has been in use for more than 50 years and is proven to be one of the safest and most effective vaccines available, Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontarios chief medical officer of health, said in a statement. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW All Ontarians should ensure themselves, and their children, are up to date on their vaccinations. Children who are fully immunized with two doses of the measles vaccine are nearly 100 per cent protected, with one dose estimated to be up to 95 per cent protective. Are measles parties a good idea? While we havent heard of it happening in Canada, reporting in the United States indicates some parents are sending their kids to measles parties to build their childrens immunity. These are gatherings in which unimmunized children are exposed to someone with a known case of measles so they could become infected and therefore build natural immunity. Dr. Ron Cook, the chief health officer for the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, Texas, reportedly urged people in a press briefing to avoid measles parties and to get vaccinated instead. The Ontario Ministry of Health also advises against attending measles parties. Exposing unvaccinated children to measles in any scenario is dangerous and can cause serious health issues, including pneumonia, respiratory failure, swelling of the brain and, in rare cases, death, ministry officials said via email. Vaccination is the only way to protect yourself and your loved ones and limit the spread of measles. Childrens vaccine schedule In Ontario, children receive two doses of the measles vaccine as part of the routine vaccination schedule. The first dose is in the childs first 12 months and the second is when they are between four and six years old. Health officials recommend contacting your health-care provider or local public health unit if you are unsure about your immunization status. What are measles symptoms? Measles is a very contagious viral illness, spread through airborne particles. Initial symptoms include fever, red runny eyes, runny nose and cough, followed by a red rash that starts on the face and then moves to the rest of the body, the Public Health Agency of Canada said. Diarrhea, pneumonia and ear infections are also common. Measles can lead to swelling of the brain, respiratory failure, blindness, deafness or death. Seek medical help if exposed Measles spreads easily among those who arent vaccinated and can lead to serious health issues, including pneumonia, respiratory failure, swelling of the brain, and, in rare cases, death, Moore said in his statement. If you think you or a family member has been exposed to measles, please contact your health-care provider immediately. Before any visit, be sure to call ahead to let them know that you are coming and that you suspect that you may have measles so appropriate precautions can be taken. Moore added the ministry will continue to work alongside its public health partners to respond to measles and to ensure the health and safety of Ontarios communities. How are measles treated? Diagnosing measles is done through a nasal swab, blood or urine test. Most people with measles recover at home within two to three weeks, getting rest and drinking plenty of fluids. There are no specific antiviral treatments for a measles infection, but people with severe symptoms may require hospitalization. If you think you may have measles, do not go to a health-care facility or office without calling ahead first, Health Canada said. Ensure the facility knows you might have measles, so they can take appropriate precautions to prevent spread to others as soon as you arrive. If you want to inquire about a measles vaccination, consult with a health-care provider or your local health unit. Swiss-Belhotel International Wins Leading Industry Awards (TRAVPR.COM) UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - March 18th, 2025 - Swiss-Belhotel International, a global hospitality management group with a diverse portfolio of over 150+ hotels in key international markets, has been recognised with multiple prestigious industry awards in 2024 and the first quarter of 2025. These accolades highlight the groups unwavering commitment to Passion and Professionalism, ensuring that every aspect of its operations - from guest experiences to hotel management - reflects both Swiss efficiency and structure combined with Asian hospitality and warmth. Gavin M. Faull, Chairman and President of Swiss-Belhotel International, expressed his gratitude for the recognitions, stating: Receiving these distinguished awards is nothing short of extraordinary. We are incredibly proud of these achievements, which are a testament to the dedication, passion, and perseverance of our entire team. At Swiss-Belhotel International, we are deeply committed to delivering value to our owners while continuously investing in our most precious asset - our people. Our success is built on a foundation of operational excellence and exceptional guest experiences. These accolades reaffirm our strategy of sustainable growth and our ability to adapt to evolving market demands while maintaining the highest standards of hospitality. As we look ahead to 2025, we will continue to set new milestones - seizing new opportunities, enhancing our offerings, streamlining our operations, and further empowering our exceptional team. Among the awards received by the group are the Legacy Family Business Award Asia Pacific at the Family Business Association Excellence Awards 2024 (May 2024) and the EY Entrepreneur of The Year 2024 New Zealand Family Business Award (November 2024), both recognising the contributions of Gavin M. Faull and the Faull Family in shaping a legacy of excellence in hospitality. Additionally, Swiss-Belhotel International was awarded Hotel & Resort Management of the Year at the Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2025 by Travel Daily Media (February 2025), further reinforcing its strong market position. The groups dedication to long-term partnerships and sustainability was acknowledged with The Most Excellence in Sustained Partnership Award at the GarudaMiles Loyalty Summit 2025 (February 2025) and the Excellence Award in the Sustainable Hospitality category from ESG Business Awards 2024 in Hong Kong (September 2024). With 18 brands and a strong presence across 20 countries, Swiss-Belhotel International is recognised for its world-class management models, multi-brand strategy, and owner-centric approach, ensuring that each property thrives in its respective market. ### ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 19. The Armed Forces of Kazakhstan have landed in the 57th spot out of 145 countries in the latest Global Firepower (GFP) ranking, proving they can hold their own in the grand scheme of things. Data obtained by Trend from GFP , indicates that, the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan boast a robust arsenal, including 350 tanks ready to roll, 7,736 armored combat vehicles primed for action, and 126 self-propelled artillery systems that pack a punch. They've got 194 towed artillery pieces lined up, along with 287 multiple launch rocket systems that can really light up the sky. In the air, they have 198 aircraft, with 119 ready to take flight, and 65 helicopters, of which 39 are set to soar. Among them, 12 combat helicopters stand ready, with 7 fully prepared for the heat of battle. In Central Asia, Kazakhstan holds the leading position in military power, ahead of countries such as Uzbekistan (58th place), Turkmenistan (77th place), and Tajikistan (108th place). Kazakhstan's Military Power Index (PwrIndx) stands at 1.1016, where the gold standard is 0.0000. The Global Firepower ranking takes into account more than 60 factors, assessing the military strength of 145 countries, including the number of military equipment, financial resources, logistical capabilities, and geographical location, to determine each country's Military Power Index. This annual ranking provides an interesting view of the global balance of power in defense. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel By Alex Greenwood, March 19, 2025 A groundbreaking study published in the prestigious scientific journal Science, co-authored by University of Central Missouri's Dr. Daniel Marschalek and more than 30 other researchers, reveals a troubling 22% decline in butterfly populations across the United States since 2000. This extensive study, one of the largest ever conducted on butterfly communities, raises serious concerns about ecosystems, food security and broader environmental health. Butterflies are an indicator of habitat health, and they're declining, and it should really be a wake-up call, explained Dr. Marschalek, an associate professor in entomology and ecology at UCM. "When we think about butterflies or insects in general, they play essential roles as pollinators and as crucial food sources. About 80% of our plants require insect pollination, including butterflies. Without these insects, we'd lose many of the plants that animals depend on for foodleaves, berries, fruitsand butterfly caterpillars are particularly important as food sources for birds. He added, That includes small sparrows, which most people might not notice, but also larger birds like turkey or Bobwhite. If you're a hunter, ensuring that young birds have a protein-rich meal from caterpillars helps sustain healthy populations. It's hard to overlook the immense importance insects have within our ecosystems." Since arriving on campus Dr. Marschalek has been a strong supporter of both undergraduate and graduate research by involving students in all aspects of his research, said Scott Lankford, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Biological and Clinical Sciences at UCM. We are thrilled that his hard work and dedication to pollinator conservation has received the recognition of being published in Science. This is a career defining publication that places Dan on a short list of experts in his field. In this video, we present excerpts from an interview with Dr. Marschalek, conducted in his lab at the University of Central Missouri. The Science article analyzes data from 35 research and community science programs across the continental U.S. One of these programs has been run by Marschalek with contributions from UCM undergraduate and graduate students who helped collect portions of the data. Based on more than 76,000 surveys spanning two decades, the research found widespread butterfly declines in nearly every region. Two-thirds of the studied species showed population decreases of more than 10%, with the steepest declines recorded in the Southwest, where over 74 species have lost more than half their populations. There are preserves already designed to conserve wildlife, but they're still declining in those areas, Marschalek noted. So you can imagine what's happening outside of those preserves in other areas. Butterflies also appear to be shifting habitats northward, likely driven by climatic shifts. This movement may be challenging due to human-altered landscapes, limiting available habitats crucial for survival. Maybe we're getting towards the tail end where we're certainly going to start losing some species, but certainly it's not too late to help save many of them, Marschalek said. To address these declines, the research recommends habitat restoration, species-specific interventions, and reducing pesticide use as crucial strategies. Residents can actively contribute to butterfly conservation through simple yet impactful actions, such as planting native vegetation in their yards. We have black-eyed Susans, several milkweed species, wild bergamot, also called bee balm. Those are easy plants to grow, Marschalek said They typically require no watering, so if it's really dry and you go on vacation, you don't have to worry about them. Note to editors, producers and reporters: For editable video interview clips featuring Dr. Daniel Marschalek discussing this research, pleaseclick this link. RELATED STORY: facebook like button Tweet tweet button for twitter Published March 19, 2025 CAPTION: Dr. Amanda Stead, a nationally recognized dementia expert, debriefs the simulation experience with participants. MONROE, LA On March 6 and 7, 2025, the University of Louisiana Monroe College of Health Sciences faculty, in collaboration with St. Francis Medical Center and the Ouachita Council on Aging, conducted two days of training for community members and healthcare providers on best practices in dementia care. These training opportunities were provided through the Dementia Compassion Project established with funding from The Living Well Foundation. The Virtual Dementia Tour, an evidence-based approach developed by Second Wind Dreams, provided an opportunity for participants to experience a simulation of life with dementia by entering a modified environment that causes the participants to physically experience what it may be like to have dementia. The simulation was followed by a debriefing session and training provided by Dr. Amanda Stead, a nationally recognized dementia expert who has provided effective, practical support for individuals with dementia across the United States. The goal of this training was to promote empathy and skill of providers and support persons who engage with the daily experience of those living with dementia. "The VDT and the expertise of Dr. Stead have completely changed the way I see dementia, said Dr. Jennifer Whited, Director of the ULM School of Allied Health and one of the organizers of the Dementia Compassion Project. Before, I thought I understood what empathy and quality care for dementia meant, but this training introduced a higher level of awareness. This service to our community is valuable because it provides all who care for a person with dementia, whether a community volunteer, nurse, physician, therapist, or social worker, insight into how a person with dementia might perceive the world, she added. "Participating in the dementia simulation was a transformative experience that deeply altered my perception of those living with dementia, said Aimee Kane, Regional Vice President of Mission Integration and Formation at St. Francis Medical Center. It allowed me to step into their world, where simple tasks become monumental challenges. This experience has taught me the importance of compassion, patience, and understanding. Its a powerful reminder to always put ourselves in others' shoes, particularly those who may be navigating a reality we cant always see," added Kane. Loretta Hudson, Director of the Ouachita Council on Aging also stated, This simulation gives one the experience of what it's like to view dementia through your personal lens. The project was very impactful and significant, and promoted positive change. The Dementia Compassion Project is part of a broader initiative to improve the continuum of care for those with dementia and to promote ongoing training for caregivers and healthcare providers in the Northeast Louisiana community. The project was founded with grant funding from The Living Well Foundation. Prior to the creation of The Dementia Compassion Project, the ULM Kitty DeGree School of Nursing (KDSON) provided Virtual Dementia Tour training to ULM students and faculty, using funds awarded by the ULM Opportunity Fund. Whited says going through the training provided by KDSON inspired her and other faculty from the ULM School of Allied Health to apply for the grant in order to bring the training to the community. I believe everyone involved in the continuum of care for dementia can benefit from this training, said Whited. I'm grateful to be part of the work ULM and The Living Well Foundation are doing to educate and support the Northeast Louisiana community." Vaccine Study Could Transform Meningitis Fight in Africa University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) researchers helped conduct an important new global health study that found a vaccine that protects against five strains of meningitis prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa is safe and effective for use in young children beginning at 9 months of age. This study provided evidence that formed the basis for the World Health Organizations (WHO) decision last year to recommend the pentavalent Men5CV meningitis vaccine for infants ages 9 months and older. Results of the study were published today in The Lancet journal. In January 2024, the WHO recommended that all countries in the African meningitis belt introduce Men5CV into their routine immunization programs, providing a single-dose shot to infants and young children ages 9 to 18 months. Previous data supported use of this vaccine starting at age 1, but there was no data on whether the vaccine could be given as part of the routine vaccination schedule for infants or whether it should be given on a separate occasion, requiring an additional medical encounter. Wilber Chen, MD, the Frank M. Calia, MD Endowed Professor of Medicine at UMSOMs Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health (CVD), was protocol chair for this study. Receiving WHO approval could lead to a monumental shift in the burden of meningitis in susceptible parts of Africa. This critical clinical study provides reassuring evidence that this pentavalent vaccine can be safely and effectively given along with other routine immunizations, which makes it far easier to curtail invasive meningococcal disease and potentially save tens of thousands of lives, said Wilbur Chen, MD, MS, the Frank M. Calia, MD Endowed Professor of Medicine at UMSOMs Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health (CVD) and protocol chair for this study. The African meningitis belt is a region of 26 countries in sub-Saharan Africa where the rate of incidence of meningitis is very high. It includes Mali, where this study was conducted, and extends from Senegal to Ethiopia. Death rates from meningitis can surpass 15 percent in this region due to lack of health care access to medical care. Long-term complications like brain damage or paralysis occur twice as frequently compared to more developed countries. Because of the rapid onset of invasive bacterial meningitis and difficulties in accessing care in the African meningitis belt, prevention by vaccination is the optimal way to reduce meningitis cases. The primary cause of meningitis in the belt is Neisseria meningitidis. At present, the WHO has prequalified only one vaccine, Men5CV, that protects against the five most prevalent subtypes of N. meningitidis: serogroups A, C, W, X, and Y. During six months of 2022, more than 1,300 children were enrolled in the study conducted in Mali and randomly assigned to receive a meningitis vaccine at either 9 months or 15 months of age. Infants randomized to the 9-month age group were then further randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive a single dose of the investigational meningococcal vaccine Men5CV (brand name MenFive, manufactured by Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd.) or a single dose of the comparator meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY-TT, Nimenrix), which protects against only four of the five serogroups. The results of the trial involving 9-month-old infants found Men5CV is proven to protect against meningococcal serogroups A, C, W, X, and Y. Demonstrating that this vaccine is safe and immunogenic in infants is a critical step in providing a broadly effective tool for preventing epidemics of severe illness and death in the swath of Africa known as the meningitis belt, said Karen Kotloff, MD, professor of pediatrics at UMSOM who is also the associate director for clinical research and principal investigator of the Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Unit (VTEU) at CVD. Men5CV can be stored at room temperature for up to 12 weeks and is affordable for African countries. Researchers at the VTEU conducted the study in partnership with the Center for Vaccine Development-Mali (CVD-Mali). The VTEU at CVD is part of a national program known as the Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Consortium (IDCRC). The IDCRC is funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to provide a ready resource for conducting clinical trials of vaccines and treatments for infectious diseases. Milagritos Tapia, MD, professor of pediatrics at UMSOM, and Samba Sow, MD, MSc, director general of the CVD-Mali and adjunct professor of medicine at the UMSOM, were co-principal investigators on the study. The international global health organization PATH provided support for the study design and managed and funded the serology testing. The development of affordable, effective vaccines that are designed for use in Africa have been a game-changer for meningitis belt countries and are instrumental for global efforts to defeat meningitis by 2030, said Bill Hausdorff, PhD, director of PATHs meningitis vaccine development projects. PATH is proud to have contributed to this essential study that helped lower the age limit for Men5CV and enable its inclusion in routine immunization programs ensuring widespread protection from meningococcal disease is possible and epidemics become a thing of the past. PATH also previously supported development of the investigational vaccine through a 13-year collaboration with SIIPL, leading to its licensure and subsequent prequalification by WHO. This study underscores the importance of academic medicine partnerships with world-class global health entities like PATH, said Mark T. Gladwin, MD, who is the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor and dean of University of Maryland School of Medicine. After widespread use of the MenAfrivac vaccine, meningococcal A disease has been virtually eliminated from the African meningitis belt, and now, with the Men5CV vaccine, we see the potential to end meningococcal disease epidemics caused by other predominant serogroups. The IDCRC, in partnership with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at the National Institutes of Health, conducted this study. The research was supported by NIAID cooperative agreement UM1AI148689. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. The Azerbaijan Industrial Corporation (AIC) Open Joint Stock Company (OJSC) has announced its abolishment, Trend reports. It was noted that creditors can submit their claims within two months to the following address: AZ 1005, Baku city, Sabail district, Azerbaijan Avenue 6, to the Azerbaijan Investment Holding. On December 27, 2024, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on the abolishment of the Azerbaijan Industrial Corporation OJSC and the regulation of related matters. According to the decree, the following enterprises of the AIC OJSC have been transferred to the management of the Azerbaijan Investment Holding: - Azerbaijan Aluminum OJSC; - Azeraluminium LLC; - 'Azerpambig' Agro-industrial Complex LLC. The AIC was registered in 2017. The company's authorized capital is 500 million manat ($294 million), and its legal representative is Kamran Nabizade. 03/19/2025 By Maryum Zaidi Join us for an enlightening conversation featuring firsthand accounts from caregivers and care providers who support individuals with Autism. This virtual event aims to foster understanding, empathy and community by highlighting both the triumphs and trials of the autism journey. Attendees will learn about practical strategies, available resources and personal insights that can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those with Autism and their families. Whether you are a parent, caregiver, educator, or advocate, this discussion provides valuable insights into navigating daily challenges and celebrating the joys of caregiving. At the end of the event, we will have time for questions from the presenters and a short survey to assess your overall experience. You may join the event at any time. Please mute yourself upon entering Zoom. The first hour of the event will be recorded. Date: Friday, March 21 Time: 4 -5:30 p.m. To be held via Zoom Organizers: Gordon Donkon Halm, African Community Center of Lowell (ACCL) Maryum Zaidi, UMass Lowell Solomont School of Nursing Serena Rajabiun, UMass Lowell Department of Public Health Ashleigh Hiller and Jiabin Shen, UMass Lowell Center for Autism Research and Education (CARE) This event is supported by a UMass Lowell SEED grant in collaboration with the African Community Center. It addresses one of the areas identified in the first year of the Delphi study: the caregiving needs of parents of children with autism in immigrant communities. Agenda 4 - 4:05 p.m.: Welcome by Maryum Zaidi (Moderator), Gordon Donkoh Halm, Executive Director and Founder ACCL Message from Dean of the Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences, Mary P. Gallant The following speakers will share their personal and professional journeys with Autism as caregivers and care providers. 4:05 4:30 p.m.: Kweku Sam, MD, FAAP 4:30 4:45 p.m.: Ganiyat Opeyemi Haruna 4:45 5:00 p.m.: Cyndy Muchine Wrap up5 5:20 p.m.: Attendees Questions5:20 5:30 p.m.: Survey PollSpeakersKweku Sam G., MD, FAAP, General Pediatrician, Alliance Medical Group, Middlebury, Connecticut, 1998- PresentThis year will complete my 28th year of general pediatric practice in Central Connecticut. I completed Medical School at the University of Ghana and Pediatric Residency at the University of Connecticut. A very important and integral part of my practice is screening at every age to identify developmental problems, including Autism. Additionally, my first born son, now 29, was diagnosed with Autism / Intellectual Disability in early childhood. I have therefore evaluated children for autism and cared for a child with autism for close to 30 years. I have been very mindful of the traits and lessons Ive learned from my son. He has made me a better person in many ways. I hope to share some aspects of my professional and personal journey with AutismThe Joys and Difficulties. Dr. Kweku will also utilize the resources shared by UMass Lowell Autism Center specific to the Lowell area in his discussion.Ganiyat Opeyemi Haruna, UMass Lowell Department of Public HealthMy Name is Ganiyat Opeyemi Haruna, preferred name: Ope ("Praise" in English). Pronoun: she/her. I currently work as a residential counselor with Open Sky Community Services. I decided to pursue a master's in public health to sharpen my skills and "know more, help more." One of my sons is autistic. I know it entails: challenges, the ups and downs of assessing services, the push, the prayers, the hurdles surmounted, and the joys of little and significant achievements! I have received and am still receiving help, and I would love to help and give back to individuals/parents to assess the right services. It is my passion to help and give back to my community (Autism community). My final paper for my policy class is on Autism Accommodations in colleges of higher learning. For my Program implementation class, I wrote a paper on creating autism awareness for parents and caregivers and training preschool teachers on interventions for autistic children aged 2-5 in Nigeria. I plan to implement this paper shortly.Cyndy Muchine, CARE Advisory CouncilCyndy Muchine is a dedicated mother of two, cultural broker and storyteller who is passionate about sharing the real, unfiltered journey of raising an autistic child. As the mother of a 22-year-old autistic adult, she has firsthand experience with the ups, downs and everything in between. With a commitment to ditching the sugarcoating, Cyndy offers honest insights into the challenges and joys of autism parenting, aiming to help other families feel seen, understood and empowered. Holding a Masters in Public Administration, Cyndy combines her academic background with her personal experience to advocate for meaningful change. Outside of her advocacy work, she is fueled by her passion for fast luxury cars, embracing the thrill and power they offer. Whether she's on the track or simply appreciating their design, fast cars give her a sense of freedom and excitement. Above all, Cyndy is determined to raise awareness, create a supportive community, and make the autism parenting experience more relatable for everyone.Please contact Maryum Zaidi or Serena Rajabiun with questions. Elon Musks Grok Wrecks Indian Right Wing Propaganda While the Modi government is busy rolling out the red carpet for Tesla and Starlink, Elon Musks AI chatbot, Grok, is throwing a wrench in their propaganda machinery Wednesday March 19, 2025 8:05 PM , Mohd Ziyaullah Khan While the Modi government is busy rolling out the red carpet for Tesla and Starlink, Elon Musks AI chatbot, Grok, is throwing a wrench in their propaganda machinery. Designed to blend factual accuracy with sarcasm, Grok has been actively debunking right-wing narratives on X (formerly Twitter), much to the frustration of Hindutva influencers. The result? A much-needed reality check for those accustomed to spreading misinformation without consequence. Brother Grok! Modi Ji Will Punish You AI Calls Out Communal Politics Grok has repeatedly grabbed headlines for its unfiltered takes on Indian politics, particularly regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi. When asked who the most communal politician in India was, Grok named Modi, citing his ties to Hindu nationalist policies and the 2002 Gujarat riots. It also referenced his 2024 remarks about Muslims, which had sparked widespread criticism. While Grok acknowledged that figures like Yogi Adityanath and Pragya Thakur have also faced similar allegations, it asserted that Modis national prominence made him the most significant in this regard. The chatbots responses havent just been factual but also laced with dry wit. When a user warned, Brother Grok! Modi Ji will punish you, the AI responded with laughter and historical context, further reinforcing its stance on Modis communal politics. This unexpected pushback has left many in the Hindutva IT cell scrambling, as their usual narratives meet an unflinching, evidence-backed rebuttal. Groks Hits and Misses However, Grok is not without its flaws. In some instances, it has generated misleading claimssuch as falsely stating that Modi had been removed from office, despite elections not yet taking place. These occasional errors highlight the broader risks of relying on AI for political discourse, as misinformation can spread rapidly from both sides. Yet, despite these missteps, Grok has managed to disrupt the Hindutva IT cells dominance on social media, exposing the fragility of their narratives when confronted with facts. Grok vs. The IT Cell Propaganda Machine For years, the Hindutva IT cell has operated as a well-coordinated propaganda machine, flooding social media with nationalist rhetoric, historical distortions, and communal polarization. Their strategy relies on repetitionamplifying misleading narratives to create an illusion of truth. However, Grok, with its sharp, fact-based responses, has emerged as a major obstacle. Unlike human fact-checkers, who often struggle to counter the sheer volume of disinformation, Grok responds instantly, dismantling false claims with data. Whether its debunking exaggerated historical claims, exposing fake news, or calling out Islamophobic dog whistles, Groks replies have left right-wing influencers visibly frustrated. The Irony: Musks Twitter Accidentally Creates an Anti-Propaganda Tool Elon Musks takeover of Twitter (now X) has been widely criticized for allowing misinformation to thrive under the guise of free speech absolutism. However, Groks unexpected role in countering Hindutva propaganda is a poetic ironyan AI tool, likely designed for engagement and witty banter, has inadvertently become an anti-propaganda watchdog. More importantly, Groks responses reveal just how fragile the IT cells narratives are when faced with facts. Their influence thrives on unchallenged repetition, but when confronted with quick, evidence-backed rebuttals, their credibility begins to crack. Right-Wing Backlash: Accusing AI of Anti-Hindu Bias The most amusing aspect of this saga is the reaction from right-wing influencers. Many who once hailed Musk for his free speech absolutism are now accusing Grok of being biased or anti-Hindu. Some have even suggested that the AI is part of a global conspiracyan ironic twist given their usual dismissal of AI as Western liberal propaganda. Screenshots of Grok effortlessly dismantling misinformation have gone viral, sparking laughter among users who have long been exhausted by the IT cells tactics. The AIs dry wit and refusal to entertain blatant falsehoods have created a new form of digital resistanceone that is both effective and entertaining. Whats Next? Will Musk Intervene? It remains to be seen whether Musk will tweak Groks responses to appease his right-wing audience, as he has done in other cases. However, for now, Grok stands as a rare bright spot in an otherwise bleak misinformation landscape. If AI can hold propaganda networks accountable in real time, the future of online discourse might not be as dystopian as it once seemed. Groks unexpected role as a fact-checking disruptor on X has exposed the vulnerabilities of Hindutva propaganda, proving that even the most well-oiled misinformation machines can falter when confronted with quick, data-driven responses. While AI tools like Grok are far from perfect and occasionally generate inaccuracies, their ability to challenge dominant narratives in real-time marks a significant shift in online discourse. Conclusion The frustration of right-wing influencerswho once celebrated Musks free speech absolutismnow accusing Grok of bias only highlights their reliance on an unchecked information ecosystem. The irony is unmistakable: an AI, likely created for engagement and humor, has turned into an unintentional watchdog against misinformation. However, the real test lies ahead. Will Musk intervene to pacify his right-wing user base, or will Grok continue to provide a counterbalance to propaganda? Regardless of what happens next, Grok has already proven one thingwhen met with facts and sarcasm, even the most aggressive disinformation campaigns can stumble. And in todays digital battlefield, thats a victory worth noting. (The writer, Mohd Ziyauallah Khan, is a freelance content writer & editor based in Nagpur. He is also an activist and social entrepreneur, co-founder of the group TruthScape, a team of digital activists fighting disinformation on social media.) Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Fuel Savings Simplified: Benefits of Indian Oil Credit Cards Indian Oil, a trusted name in the energy sector, has partnered with leading financial institutions to introduce credit cards specifically for fuel purchases Wednesday March 19, 2025 6:02 PM , Hena Ahemad Saving on fuel expenses is more relevant than ever, especially when you consider the ever-fluctuating petrol and diesel prices. Whether you commute daily or love long drives, fuel costs quickly increase. This is where Indian Oil Credit Cards provide significant relief by rewarding you for your fuel purchases. The added perks and benefits make it easier to manage expenses. You also get more value for every rupee spent. Why Consider an Indian Oil Credit Card? Indian Oil, a trusted name in the energy sector, has partnered with leading financial institutions to introduce credit cards specifically for fuel purchases. These cards offer savings on fuel and rewards for purchases, among several financial advantages. They help you turn your fuel expenses into opportunities for savings. Key Benefits of Indian Oil Credit Cards Fuel Surcharge Waiver: One of the most attractive features of Indian Oil Credit Cards is the waiver of fuel surcharges. This benefit can help save considerable amounts over time. So, it is especially beneficial for frequent drivers who often refuel. Reward Points System: Every time you refuel at Indian Oil outlets, you earn reward points. These points can be redeemed for future fuel purchases, effectively reducing fuel expenses. Some cards also offer bonus points for transactions beyond fuel, such as shopping and dining. Convenience and Accessibility: Indian Oil has a wide network of fuel stations across the country. So, cardholders conveniently get more opportunities to earn and redeem rewards wherever they travel. You also get maximum benefits and savings without altering your regular refuelling habits. Additional Benefits: Indian Oil Credit Cards include financial benefits other than fuel-specific rewards. They offer cashback on utility payments and dining discounts. You can also get exclusive lifestyle privileges. This makes them versatile and valuable beyond fuel purchases. Contactless Payments: Many Indian Oil Credit Cards are equipped with contactless payment technology, allowing you to make secure and swift transactions. This feature is quite convenient, especially during quick refuelling stops. How to Maximise Savings with an Indian Oil Credit Card To make the most of your Indian Oil Credit Card, use it consistently for refuelling and other eligible expenses. Monitor your reward points regularly and redeem them before expiry. Also, check seasonal offers and promotions, as these often provide additional points or even cashback. Easy Application Process Indian Oil Credit Card application is generally straightforward and hassle-free. Most financial institutes provide online application options that are only a few steps and take minimal time. If you're planning to credit card apply , ensure you meet the eligibility criteria. This includes the minimum income and credit score requirements. Keep your documents, such as identity proof and address proof, handy for a seamless experience. Choosing the Right Indian Oil Credit Card Not all credit cards are created equal, which also holds true for fuel cards. Compare various options based on the factors listed: Annual charges and renewal fee Reward point structure followed Additional perks beyond fuel Acceptance at Indian Oil outlets nationwide Many banks offer specific Indian Oil Credit Cards tailored to different income groups and spending patterns, so choose one that aligns with your needs. Real-World Savings Example Imagine spending 10,000 monthly on fuel. Suppose you get a card offering 5% cashback or equivalent reward points. You can save up to 500 per month. This saving comes to 6,000 annually. Add in the fuel surcharge waiver and your savings become even more significant. Safety and Security Security is becoming paramount with the increasing adoption of digital payments. Indian Oil Credit Cards come with added safety features. These include OTP-based transactions and encryption. Generally, the cards also come with fraud protection. So your transactions remain secure. Conclusion Fuel costs are an unavoidable part of our lives. However, the right financial tools can effectively help manage and reduce these expenses. Indian Oil Credit Cards are a practical choice for people looking to save fuel costs while enjoying added perks. These cards provide tangible benefits that go beyond just savings. If you're looking to optimise your spending and earn rewards, it's time to explore your options and credit card apply today. The seamless application process and range of benefits can help simplify your financial journey. These cards also reward your everyday expenses. Make the smart choice and start saving on fuel with an Indian Oil Credit Card. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home MAH MCA CET 2025 Admit Card Released - Download Steps According to Maharashtra CET Cell, MAH MCA CET 2025 will be held on Sunday March 23, 2025 Wednesday March 19, 2025 3:07 PM , ummid.com News Network [AI generated image for representation.] MAH MCA CET 2025 Admit Card: The Maharashtra CET Cell has released the Hall Ticket, also known as Admit Card, of the students who have registered for MAH MCA CET 2025 on its official website cetcell.mahacet.org. According to Maharashtra CET Cell, MAH MCA CET 2025 will be held on Sunday March 23, 2025.The MCA CET Hall Ticket is available for download on the official website. Direct link to check MCA CET Hall Ticket Click here to go to the official website: "cetcell.mahacet.org". Click on the given link under the Notification section. Enter application number and date of birth. Click on the box marked as "I'm not a robot' and log-in to download your admit card. Students appearing in MCA CET 2025 on the designated exam date should note that Admit Card is a compulsory document. They are hence advised to check beforehand their hall ticket and admit card for any error well before the exam. Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test Cell had started receiving online application for MAH MCA CET 2025 from December 25, 2024. The last date of application was January 31, 2025. MCA CET 2025 Important Dates MCA CET 2025 Notification issued: December 25, 2024 Online Application form filling: December 25, 2024 Last date of application: January 31, 2025 (Extended from Jan 25, 2025) Issue of Hall Ticket (through Candidate login) : March 18, 2025 Date for printing your application: Will be announced later Date of Online Exam of MAH MCA CET 2025: Sunday March 23, 2025 Declaration of MAH MCA CET 2025 Result : Notified later Candidates should note that MCA CET will be conducted only in the ONLINE mode in multiple sessions if required. MAH MCA CET is conducted for admission to First Year/Direct Second Year (Separate Division & Lateral Entry) of Three- year full time Post Graduate Degree course in Master of Computer Applications (MCA) in the Government, Govt. Aided, University Managed, University Departments and Unaided Institutes in the Maharashtra State. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Watch: Sunita Williams, Barry Wilmore return after over 9 months in Space Stranded Astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore Wednesday March 19, 2025 returned to Earth after over 9 months 286 days to be specific, in Space. Wednesday March 19, 2025 11:17 AM , ummid.com with inputs from Agencies Washington: Stranded Astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore Wednesday March 19, 2025 returned to Earth after over 9 months 286 days to be specific, in Space. The space capsule deployed its parachute before a splashdown in the ocean off the coast of Florida. The two astronauts travelled along with NASA's Nick Hague, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov for 17 hours on their journey home. A NASA team opened the hatch and helped astronauts onto mobility aids. Suni Williams and Barry Butch were seen waving and flashing thumbs-up signs as they came out of the capsule. "NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Suni Williams, and Butch Wilmore, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, returned to Earth at 5:57 p.m. EDT", NASA announced. "Teams aboard SpaceX recovery vessels retrieved the spacecraft and its crew. After returning to shore, the crew will fly to NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston and reunite with their families", the American space agency said. The two returned home amidst concerns over their health. It will take another few days to know if the two have returned normal . Watch Video Stranded Astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore return to Earth after over 9 months in Space#sunitawilliamsreturn #SunitaWilliams #BarryWilmore pic.twitter.com/gAMcBZjqj9 ummid.com (@ummid) March 19, 2025 SpaceXs Crew-10 Mission Earlier, SpaceXs Crew-10 mission, launched to bring back stranded NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, successfully docked at the International Space Station (ISS) on Sunday, March 16. The space capsule, launched on Friday from Texas, arrived at the ISS at 12:05 am EST (9:35 am IST) Sunday. SpaceXs Dragon capsule took about 28.5 hours to travel from Earth to the ISS. The spacecraft carried four astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers from NASA, Takuya Onishi from Japans JAXA, and Kirill Peskov from Russias Roscosmos. The SpaceX Crew-10 members joined the station's Expedition 72 crew after the hatch opened at 12:35 am ET on Sunday beginning a long-duration space research mission. Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore had embarked to space onboard Starliner spacecraft on June 05, 2024 as part of Crew 9 mission. As per the original schedule, their return journey to Earth was on June 14, 2024. They however got stuck in the space due to some technical reasons, completing six-month stay in space in December last, and over nine months now. Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore traveled 121,347,491 miles during their mission, spent 286 days in space, and completed 4,576 orbits around Earth. Hague and Gorbunov traveled 72,553,920 miles during their mission, spent 171 days in space, and completed 2,736 orbits around Earth. The Crew-9 mission was the first spaceflight for Gorbunov. Hague has logged 374 days in space over his two missions, the Indian origin Sunita Williams has logged 608 days in space over her three flights, and Wilmore has logged 464 days in space over his three flights, according to NASA. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Eid al Fitr 2025 likely date, holidays announced Eid al Fitr the festival which marks the end of The Holy Month of Fasting Ramadan, will be celebrated across the world either on March 30 or 31, 2025 Thursday March 20, 2025 0:45 AM , ummid.com News Network Eid al Fitr 2025: Eid al Fitr the festival which marks the end of The Holy Month of Fasting Ramadan, will be celebrated across the world either on March 30 or 31, 2025, the Muslim scholars have announced. The exact date of Eid ul Fitr this year will be confirmed after sighting of the Eid Moon on 29th Day of Ramadan 1446 AH, corresponding to March 29, 2025, they said. The Islamic Calendar begins with sighting of the New Moon or Crescent on the 29th day of every month. The new month begins if the Crescent is sighted on the 29th else the next day is counted as the 30th day, and the new month begins from the next day. Eid al Fitr 2025 Date Accordingly, Eid al Fitr in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain and other Arab states along with the United States, France, Germany and United Kingdom will be celebrated on Sunday March 30, 2025 if the New Moon of the month of Shawwal is sighted on 29th of Ramadan 1446 H. If the Eid Moon is not sighted on the 29th of Ramadan, then Monday March 31, 2025 will be the first day of Eid al Fitr 2025 and Shawwal 1446 AH. Muslims in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other South Asian countries began counting the month of Ramadan a day later than their counterparts in Saudi Arabia and other countries. Accordingly, Eid al Fitr in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other South Asian countries will be either on March 31 or April 01, 2025. The exact date will be confirmed on March 31, 2025 based on the Eid Moon Sighting on the day. Meanwhile, Saudi Supreme Court and Moon Sighting Committees across the world are gearing upfor Eid 2025 Moon Sighting on March 29 or 30, 2025 based on the Islamic Calendar date in the respective countries. Eid al Fitr 2025 Holiday Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other Arab States meanwhile have announced Eid holidays. In a circular issued on March 17, the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR), UAE confirmed that the Eid Al-Fitr holiday will begin on Shawwal 1 and end on Shawwal 3, 1446 AH, according to the Georgian calendar. Work will officially resume on Shawwal 4, the FAHR said, meaning the UAE will have 3 days of paid holidays for Eid al Fitr 2025. In the event that the holy month of Ramzan concludes with 30 days, the 30th day of Ramzan shall be observed as an additional public holiday, thereby extending the Eid Al-Fitr break, the authority said. 4-day Eid Holiday in Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia has announced a four-day Eid Al Fitr holiday for the private and non-profit sectors, according to Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. The holiday will begin on March 30, and continue till April 2, with work resuming on April 3. However, if combined with the Friday-Saturday weekend, this would give private sector employees a 6-day break. Kuwait on the other hand announced 3-day Eid holiday if Eid falls on March 30 and 9-day Eid break if Eid falls on March 31, 2025. Some government employees in the GCC countries will get up to six days of holiday for Eid Al Fitr, since Friday is a weekend for public sector workers. Eid holidays ranging from 3 to a maximum of 6 days have also been announced in other Arab countries including Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan and others. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Photo: Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. Azerbaijan has discussed the potential for expanding cooperation in the energy sector with the largest US oil company, ExxonMobil, Trend reports citing the Ministry of Economy. The meeting involved Azerbaijan's Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov and SOCAR President Rovshan Najaf, who met with ExxonMobil's Vice President John Ardill. Azerbaijans favorable business and investment climate was emphasized, coupled with the high interest of foreign companies in the country, provides an opportunity for the successful implementation of important projects with international partners both regionally and globally. The meeting also highlighted the long-term effective cooperation between ExxonMobil and Azerbaijan in the energy sector and explored opportunities to further deepen this collaboration. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, March 19. President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov met with the Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), Dimitri Kerkentzes, Trend reports. During the convening, the BIE Secretary General reiterated his organization's steadfast commitment to perpetuating and enhancing its collaborative engagement with Turkmenistan. The dialogues centered around optimizing bilateral synergies and evaluating the potential for Turkmenistan's engagement in global exhibition initiatives. President Berdimuhamedov underscored that synergistic engagement with esteemed global entities constitutes a fundamental pillar of Turkmenistan's diplomatic strategy. Both leaders acknowledged the importance of international exhibitions as effective platforms for advancing mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation, as well as stimulating global economic activity. A pivotal focal point of discourse revolved around Turkmenistan's engagement in the forthcoming 2025 World Expo, set to transpire in Osaka, Japan. The President affirmed that Turkmenistan is poised to engage proactively in this esteemed global initiative. In summary, the discussions underscored Turkmenistans commitment to enhancing its global partnerships, especially in anticipation of the 2025 World Expo. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Remarks: Notification on the re-entry of DoT-1 (international designator 2019-038P) Wyoming Baroque will perform a free public concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 29, in the UW Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts recital hall. (Beth Vanderborgh Photo) The University of Wyoming Department of Music will host the touring performance of Wyoming Baroque at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 29, in the Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts recital hall. The Music of 1725: Tradition, Innovation and Cultural Crossroads performance is free and open to the public, featuring works by Vivaldi, Telemann and Bach. Based at Sheridan College, Wyoming Baroque promotes, performs and advocates for music and music education in the Cowboy State and beyond, with particular attention to historically informed performance practice. The ensemble features artists specializing in historically informed performances of 17th and 18th century repertoire and contemporary compositions. Tour personnel include UW Department of Music Professor Beth Vanderborgh, cello; Mark Elliot Bergman, bass; Stacey Brady, Matvey Lapin and Carla Sciaky, violin; and Emily Bowman, viola. Committed to education and arts advocacy, Wyoming Baroque also presents masterclasses at schools and community centers throughout the region. For more information, call Kathy Kirkaldie, UW Fine Arts coordinator, at (307) 766-2160 or email kirisk@uwyo.edu. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, March 19. A delegation from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), led by Managing Director of the Financial Institutions Department, Francis Malige, visited Turkmenistan to define the focus areas for the new country strategy for 2026-2030, Trend reports. During the visit, the delegation held meetings with senior government officials and leaders of major financial institutions in the country. The visit, which took place at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashid Meredov, aimed to assess the needs of Turkmenistan's banking sector and identify new avenues for cooperation with key financial institutions. Key meetings were held with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahri Bashimova, Deputy Prime Minister Khodjamyrat Geldiymuradov, Chairman of the Central Bank Toyly Malykov, members of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, and leaders of the country's largest banks, including Rysgal, Turkmenvnesheconombank, Senagat, Turkmen-Turkish, Turkmenbashi, and Halk Bank. The visit concluded with a roundtable discussion where Francis Malige presented the EBRD's tools for working with partner banks, including the transfer of modern banking practices, joint project financing, targeted credit lines, and assistance in establishing correspondent relationships abroad. Special attention was given to trade financing tools that can eliminate the need for advance payments in export-import transactions. According to the head of the EBRDs office in Turkmenistan, Erik Livni, the high-level delegation's visit marks the beginning of a new chapter in EBRD-Turkmenistan relations. The results of the negotiations will serve as the foundational framework for the formulation of the new national strategy for the period spanning 2026 to 2030. Collaborative synergies between Turkmenistan and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development have been in effect since 1992. During this timeframe, the financial institution has underwritten in excess of 80 initiatives, aggregating to over $350 million, predominantly focused on the enhancement of private sector entrepreneurship within the nation. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel 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. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, March 18. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Ahmet Gurbanov, visited Switzerland to discuss key spheres of cooperation between the two countries, Trend reports. During the visit, the deputy minister held political consultations with Muriel Peneveyre, Head of the Eurasian Division of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. The discussions focused on the current level of cooperation between the two countries in the political-diplomatic, trade-economic, and cultural-humanitarian spheres. The importance of high-level visits in advancing bilateral relations was particularly emphasized. Gurbanov also met with Andrea Rauber Saxer, Head of Bilateral Economic Relations at the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation between the two countries in trade, energy, transport, agriculture, and investment. The parties discussed the possibilities of establishing cooperation mechanisms between Turkmenistan and SECO, including the exchange of experience and the introduction of innovative solutions for private sector development. The visit reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to deepen their partnership across various sectors. The outcomes of the meetings are expected to contribute to the development of new initiatives aimed at strengthening bilateral relations. Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos: Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images, Mike Marsland/WireImage In one of the most Tuesday events of all time, rapper and self-described witch Azealia Banks and Harry Potter novelist J.K. Rowling are fighting on X. What is this about? How did this start? Dont we have enough to worry about right now? Outside of being relentlessly online, neither of these people ought to know who the other is. This is the type of situation that demands more questions than answers, but heres some of each to best explain what went down and why. Who started it? On March 16, Banks quote-tweeted a post from an account that seems mostly dedicated to anti-Muslim sentiments with the occasional unrelated inspirational post. The post Banks shared fell into the latter category, detailing Rowlings struggles and eventual accomplishments. In her quote-tweet, Banks suggested that Rowlings first husband, who abused her, might have cheated on her with a Trannylicious diva and thats why shes dedicated every waking moment to making sure her lifes legacy is dedicated to harassing people who make up less than 1% of the global population. Well, why would Banks say this? Rowling has, as Banks said, dedicated much of her recent life to targeting and harassing trans people. In fact, this isnt the first time Banks tweeted about Rowlings views on trans people, posting in February that I think the dolls are fab and do not need to shade them or change myself because my femininity is not threatened by them. All of the insane anti-trans paranoid people like @jk_rowling feel their femininity is threatened for whatever reason and try to mask that insecurity with science like anyone is stupid and doesnt already know these things. Yeah, but isnt Banks herself kind of homophobic? She definitely has a history of making homophobic statements, yes. So maybe shes homophobic but rocks with trans people? Well she has also gotten into trouble over the past few years because of transphobic statements too. That said, Banks revealed in her rant against Rowling last month that she witnessed her trans brothers pain and discomfort in his body, perhaps granting her a greater understanding of the community than she previously had. When did Rowling chime in? Rowling wrote back later that night that her abuse is a matter of public record, ignoring Bankss inflammatory remarks about whether her ex was involved with a trans woman. Did Banks leave it there? No! Have you ever spent a day reading Azealia Bankss tweets? She keeps going and going. Since that night, she has continued to go in on Rowling, who accused the rapper of tweeting her original statement for likes. And Rowling? Shes just back to tweeting her usual transphobic fare. Photo: Monica Schipper/Getty Images Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner wants to shut down the city-funded O Cinema after it screened the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land. 700+ filmmakers among them Oscar-winning documentarians like Michael Moore and Alex Gibney have signed an open letter protesting what they see as censorship. We as filmmakers invite critical discussion of any film, but your decision to punish O Cinema for screening No Other Land is an attack on freedom of expression, the right of artists to tell their stories, and a violation of the First Amendment, the letter reads in part. It is also an offense to the people of Miami Beach, and Greater Miami as a whole, who deserve to have access to a diverse range of films and perspectives. After the O Cinema screened No Other Land, Mayor Meiner called for the city to terminate the theaters lease and immediately discontinue around $40,000 in city funding. He called the film a false one-sided propaganda attack on the Jewish people that is not consistent with the values of our city and residents. Alfred Spellman, a Miami Beach native who produced docs such as Cocaine Cowboys, says the films content is immaterial if one believes in freedom of speech. This is a case that is definitional of what the First Amendment is supposed to protect against, which is government encroachment on speech, he told Variety. The Mayor is trying to claim that the content of the documentary is anti-semitic, but that doesnt matter. So long as it is not legally obscene, the mayor has no business interfering with what the O Cinema chooses to program. No Other Land documents Palestinian resistance between 2019 and 2023. It was made by both Israeli and Palestinian filmmakers, with Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor and Basel Adra sharing directing credit. It won the Oscar for Best Documentary Film, but still does not have a large U.S. distributor. The film recently expanded to 120 screens with the help of mTuckman Media. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) have reinforced their long-standing partnership by signing a Mutual Reliance Agreement, aimed at enhancing cooperation, streamlining co-financing, and boosting the impact of public sector projects outside the European Union, Trend reports via the EIB. A key aspect of the agreement is the mutual recognition of procurement policies and procedures, which will help reduce transaction costs and administrative burdens. By simplifying project preparation and execution, both institutions can focus on delivering concrete benefits for their member countries. The initiative aligns with the G20 Roadmap for Better, Bigger, and More Effective Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), which calls for stronger country-level coordination and co-financing. By leveraging their combined financial resources and expertise, the CEB and EIB will be able to co-finance larger and more complex projects, ensuring greater efficiency and impact in development financing. Work set to begin on 100 million San Giacomo project in 2026. Rome's long-closed San Giacomo hospital in the city centre is to reopen as a health facility for elderly patients, the Lazio governor Francesco Rocca said on Wednesday. In a few days the project will go out to tender" - Rocca told news agency Adnkronos - "It will be a facility for the elderly, a key piece of Roman healthcare history that will be made available to the city again. Located between Via del Corso and Via di Ripetta, the historic San Giacomo degli Incurabili closed its doors in 2008, after 680 years of continuous activity. Its closure meant that the nearest hospitals to Rome's historic centre were Santo Spirito, located on the Lungotevere near the Vatican, and Tiber Island's Fatebenefratelli, which has recently been acquired by the Policlinico Gemelli Foundation. Rocca, speaking at the inauguration of the new emergency department at the Gemelli Isola hospital, said that work is set to begin next year on the 100 million San Giacomo project. The Lazio governor said the pressure on emergency rooms in Rome is aggravated by the lack of adequate facilities for elderly patients, telling reporters: Having more than 150 beds dedicated to them represents a significant response. Rocca said he has asked Rome's mayor Roberto Gualtieri to "prepare a parking plan" given that San Giacomo is located in an area of Rome that has "changed drastically" since its closure 17 years ago. "With the reopening there will be an influx of people and staff", Rocca said, noting that Santo Spirito also has a "parking problem". A brief history of San Giacomo Hospital Dating back to the mid-14th century, the San Giacomo hospital complex was rebuilt in the second half of the 16th century thanks to major donations from Cardinal Antonio Maria Salviati and other senior church officials. In addition to large sums of money, the donations comprised an extensive property fund aimed at assuring future hospital costs would always be covered. In his role as benefactor, Cardinal Salviati donated the San Giacomo building to the city of Rome in 1593 under the strict condition that it would retain its function as a hospital. The cardinal's stipulation was copper-fastened in the form of a motu proprio issued by Pope Paul V in 1610, eight years after Salviati's death. However in 2008 the Lazio region ordered the hospital's closure, sparking a protracted legal battle by the cardinal's descendant, Oliva Salviati, who fought the decision in the courts. In 2021 the Consiglio di Stato or Council of State, a legal-administrative consultative body that ensures the legality of public administration in Italy, ruled that the closure of San Giacomo was "illegitimate". Two years later the Supreme Court of Cassation definitively confirmed the 2021 ruling. A press conference is due to take place in the coming days to provide details of the new facility. We will update this article accordingly. Photo credit: Massimo Todaro / Shutterstock.com. Sarah Slater The latest Irish language horror film is to hit cinema screens on March 28th. An Taibhse or The Ghost is set in 1852, and follows Eamon played by Tom Kerrisk and his daughter Maire starring Livvy Hill as they take on a seemingly peaceful job as caretakers of a remote Georgian mansion during the harsh winter months. However, their quiet retreat quickly descends into a nightmare when a malevolent force awakens within the mansions ancient walls. Every creaking floorboard and flickering candle only adds to the mounting suspense as the characters sanity begins to unravel. The film is directed by John Farrelly and produced by six-time Oscar nominee Jim Sheridan and is steeped in the dark history of Ireland's post-famine era. At the age of 17, Farrelly was named Ireland's Best Young Filmmaker for his short film Choice. Throughout his later school years and college, he went on to direct the award-winning feature film The Sleep Experiment and the Irish language short Difriuil. Tom Kerrisk is an award-winning Irish actor, musician, and film producer who won the Best Actor Award at HORRORFEST in South Africa for his role as Eamon in An Taibhse. He previously won best Actor at the LA Horror Film Festival in 2022 for his performance as Christopher Sampson in The Sleep Experiment. Livvy Hill is an Irish actress hailing from Belfast. She studied Cinematic Arts at Ulster University in Derry and has worked in numerous films, including starring in the Star Wars short film The Lost Jedi and the award-winning short DEBT. It is the latest Irish horror film to be made, after Freamhacha. Freamhacha, written and directed by Aisling Clarke was released last year and was funded through the Cine4 scheme by TG4, Fis Eireann and Coimisiuin na Meain. Niamh O'Donoghue A danger to society, who was spending 600 a week on drugs, has been jailed for a further two years for headbutting a graveyard flower seller. Alan Melia (31) of Cherry Orchard Avenue, Ballyfermot pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm on December 15th, 2020. Melia, who was on bail at the time of the offence, has 113 previous convictions and is serving a seven-and-a-half-year sentence for a robbery in 2020, the court heard. Detective Garda Jack Walsh told the court the injured party was selling flowers at Palmerstown Cemetery as he had done for 40 years without incident when two men approached him. He told Emer Delargy BL, prosecuting, that Melias co-accused asked the seller for a number of bunches of flowers for six euro and he said he would rob him if he didnt give them to him. The court heard the co-accused was unidentifiable. Melia headbutted the injured party as he turned to leave and the force caused his glasses to break. The man also sustained a cut on his nose. Melia's co-accused said you shouldnt have wound him up". The injured partys nose was not broken but he required stitches when he attended St James Hospital. Sentence Judge Orla Crowe set a headline sentence of three years and suspended the final year of it on strict conditions. She directed the two year sentence is to run consecutive to the sentence Melia is currently serving. This was a horrible assault on a man who for 40 years had a flower stand outside a cemetery, said the judge. That is a really important and sensitive role that this man was doing in society, she added. The judge noted Melia and his co-accused set upon him on broad daylight and went through his pockets and headbutted him after he had turned away. Victim impact statement Having read the victim impact statement, the judge said the assault had a profound impact and she had seen the photo of the blood-stained glasses and his stitches. The judge said the most serious part was the psychological impact it had saying there was only one victim here and that is the injured party". The judge said she had read a psychological report which outlined Melia had a very happy home life but spent most of his adulthood in prison. The judge noted Melias remorse and said she would like to put some structure into his life into the future. She said she had to take account of the profound impact on the victim. She noted Melia was on bail for two incidents at the time of the offence. The injured party also had to spend 900 on new glasses, she noted. Judge Crowe said the injured party was utterly blameless selling flowers in broad daylight and that the threshold for a custodial sentence had been reached. The sentence for the robbery matter will expire in May 2026 and any other sentence would have to be consecutive, she added. 'Danger to society' This has to be marked with a consecutive custodial sentence the judge said adding he is a danger to society if he does not get some sort of help while in custody. She said Melia is to remain under the supervision of the Probation Services for two years post-release. Keith Spencer BL, defending, said Melia had entered a plea on his trial date. He has one child and his partner was present in court to support him. Drug use was the reason for Melia's offending, said Mr Spencer. He had problems with school and learning difficulties but did achieve his junior certificate. He was diagnosed belatedly with Aspergers and ADHD, but it was too late in terms of his education. Counsel said Melia began to hang around with the wrong crowd and was spending 600 a week on heroin and medications. He said his client was doing quite well in Mountjoy Prison but wants to get help for his drug addiction with Melia saying Im sick of being in here". Mr Spencer said at the time of the assault, Melia was dysregulated and unable to manage his emotions. Melia does feel regulated when he uses the gym, counsel added. He was tested by the psychologist, who said his cognitive ability was below average and he requires therapeutic care and addiction counselling. Mr Spencer said Melia needed some community-based recovery and psychoeducational intervention as well as transitional integration. Mr Spencer said Melia was a young man who didnt get the educational intervention he needed and was hanging around with wrong crowd and was easily led. He said Melia offered an apology to the injured party and he is attuned to the impact it has had. A bird fell out of the sky and landed in front of a tidy towns volunteer in Waterford, according to Councillor Thomas Phelan. The councillor said at the March sitting of the Dungarvan-Lismore District Council that attempts have been made to contact the department responsible for investigating bird flu but nobody will answer the phone. At the tidy towns, not this Sunday but the Sunday before, a bird fell out of the sky next to one of our volunteers. "We contacted the phone number for the department where you can give information on the topical issue of bird flu at the moment and no answer. Subsequently, I have heard from other people who have come across birds where they never have before and they tried the number, but no response, said Cllr Phelan. He said avian flu is of great concern not only for the risk to wildlife but also the poultry industry and asked the council to reach out. Can we contact that department and ask them what the point is in having that number if they are not going to respond to people who genuinely concerned about finding birds especially as I said a t a time when avian flu is a worry and a concern, said Cllr Phelan. Senior Executive Officer in the Environment Department, Dawn Wallace said that they would look at the number. I may not have any more success than you have but I will certainly look into it, said Ms Wallace. A councillor at the March meeting of the Dungarvan-Lismore District Council has renewed an appeal for the council to remove a whale carcass washed up in West Waterford. Cathaoirleach Cllr Pat Nugent said they need to deal with the famous dead whale outside Clonea. He has not gone away. He is starting to smell greatly. We have to think of the longer term on a blue flag beach. The situation is it is up on the bank, and the landowner will allow a machine to go in as far as the edge of the bank and take it out, said Cllr Nugent. Senior Engineer Gabriel Hynes said it is still difficult to access the site, but they will look at it again. THE FAMOUS WHALE The whale carcass in question has become a regular feature at the Dungarvan-Lismore District Council meetings since it washed up in January. Councillors have called for the whale to be removed as it poses a health safety risk in the area. They say in addition to the disease risk, people are trying to get to the body, and someone may get hurt. The council is responsible for the disposal of the animal but says it is too difficult and costly to remove. The council and the Irish Dolphin and Whale Group issued appeals when the remains first washed up, for the public to refrain from approaching it. It was hoped the carcass would get carried back out to sea during storm Eowyn but that was not to be. Last month, Mr Hynes said they intended to allow natural processes to proceed and perhaps as it breaks down, the remains will be washed out. But as of yet, the body remains stubbornly on the beach. Read more about the story of the whale here To view more photos of the dead animal click here. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved a 400 million financing package for Energie AG Oberosterreich to support the expansion of hydropower in Upper Austria, Trend reports citing the EIB. The investment will fund a new pumped storage power plant in Ebensee and a run-of-river hydropower plant in Roitham/Traunfall, with Energie AG planning a total investment of over 600 million. The Ebensee pumped storage power plant will function as a green battery, balancing fluctuations in wind and solar power generation while ensuring a stable energy supply. Financing agreements worth 320 million for this project were signed at EIB headquarters in Luxembourg. The Ebensee project is the largest investment in Energie AGs history and marks a key step in Upper Austrias energy transition. Additionally, 80 million in financing has been pre-approved for the Traunfall run-of-river power plant, which will replace three aging hydropower plants. The final financing contracts are expected to be signed in 2025, pending approval from Energie AGs Supervisory Board. This initiative aligns with the REPowerEU plan, aimed at reducing Europes dependence on fossil fuels. Under this framework, the EIB is able to finance a higher share of total project costs than the usual 30-50%. The investment also supports Austrias National Energy and Climate Plan, which aims to transition all electricity generation to renewable sources by 2030. A major Waterford-based approved housing body has announced the appointment of a new CEO. Respond, the housing charity, has announced the appointment of Aoife Watters as just the third Chief Executive Officer since it was founded in the Deise in 1982. Ms Watters said she felt "honoured to join the Waterford-based charity and labelled it an exceptional organisation. Responds values and guiding principles are very much aligned with my own. I have long admired Responds reputation for delivering high quality homes and embedding them in communities where people can build their lives, she said. Ahead of taking over the charity in April, Ms Watters hailed the charitys lasting impact around Ireland alongside its strong track record of growth, innovation and supporting communities. "Together, we will continue Responds vital work, delivering homes, supporting communities and making a meaningful difference in peoples lives. The housing charity was founded in Waterford by the Franciscan Fr Pat Cogan in 1982. It was founded due to concern around the long waiting lists for social houses at the time which left hundreds of people in the Deise without housing. Originally from Cork, Fr Cogan remained involved as CEO and a director until 2016. Respond has retained its headquarters in Waterford City while expanding its operations across the country. In the interim it has become the largest construction-led approved housing body in the country with more than 7,700 social and cost-rental housing units across the country. The charity operates nearly 550 housing units in Waterford. The outgoing CEO, Declan Dunne, who took over the running of the charity following the retirement of Waterfords Fr Pat Cogan in 2016 said: "It has been a privilege to serve as CEO of Respond for the past nine years. Working together with the skilled and expert teams, we have achieved so much, growing the organisation to support over 18,000 tenants and delivering high quality homes and services across the country," he said. I am delighted to welcome Aoife Watters as my successor," he added. Mr Dunne went on to comment: "I am confident that her leadership and drive will guide Respond to even greater success, ensuring the organisation continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve." A new McDonalds drive-thru restaurant has been granted planning permission on lands at Waterford Retail Park on the Cork Road on the outskirts of Waterford City. McDonalds Restaurants of Ireland Ltd submitted a planning application for the development to Waterford City and County Council on December 12 of last year. The development consists of a single storey drive-thru restaurant, which includes the ancillary sale of hot food for consumption off the premises. Plans include an associated corral area, elevational signage, car parking, which includes accessible parking spaces, grill bays, electric vehicle charging spaces and bicycle parking. A height restrictor, customer order points with associated canopies, totem signage, free-standing signage, banner frames and digital menu boards are planned, alongside an outdoor furniture/seating area with parasols. To facilitate the development, part of an existing car park will be reconfigured to include new pedestrian crossings. Following the submission of the planning documents, a concerned citizen objected to the development, requesting that the planning authority refuse its permission to commence construction. The appeal said that the development would negatively impact on existing restaurants and takeaways in the general area and negatively impact on the vitality and viability of the city centre and districts centres drawing traffic into a facility on the periphery. The appeal also said that the construction of a McDonald's restaurant and drive-thru in the location would fundamentally alter the nature of the retail warehouse park. The development was granted conditional planning permission by Waterford City & County Council recently subject to twelve conditions Waterford recently welcomed a group of students from Norway as part of the Erasmus programme. Waterford College of Further Education played host to 25 students and three staff from Haram Vidaregaande Skule, in Brattvag, Norway. The students visited the Deise for two weeks from, February 24 to March 7. Waterford College of Further Education recently hosted a group of Noreweigan students on the Erasmus programme and on their last day at the college, WCFE student Council and staff hosted a signature lunch of Sausage and Blaa and an Irish dancing lesson on how to dance the Siege of Ennis taught by our own WCFE former Lord of the Dance Star Gillan Norris. Great fun was had by all. Photo: Joe Evans The Norwegian guests joined Waterford College of Further Education students in classes on a number of topics including Health Care, Childcare and Communication. Hosted by the WCFE Student Council and staff, the guests from Haram Vidaregaande Skule were treated to a signature Deise lunch of Sausages and Blaas. Waterford College of Further Education recently hosted a group of Noreweigan students on the Erasmus programme and on their last day at the college, WCFE student Council and staff hosted a signature lunch of Sausage and Blaa and an Irish dancing lesson on how to dance the Siege of Ennis taught by our own WCFE former Lord of the Dance Star Gillan Norris. Great fun was had by all. Photo: Joe Evans There was an intercultural karaoke sing-off and an Irish dancing lesson taught by WCFEs former 'Lord of the Dance Star', Gillian Norris, who demonstrated how to dance the famous 'Siege of Ennis'. Waterford College of Further Education has been participating in the Erasmus+ programme for a number of years to offer students and staff the chance to go on international exchanges to enhance their educational and professional experiences. Waterford College of Further Education recently hosted a group of Noreweigan students on the Erasmus programme and on their last day at the college, WCFE student Council and staff hosted a signature lunch of Sausage and Blaa and an Irish dancing lesson on how to dance the Siege of Ennis taught by our own WCFE former Lord of the Dance Star Gillan Norris. Great fun was had by all. Photo: Joe Evans Students from WCFE and those visiting the Deise get the chance to develop new skills and experience new cultures. The students from Norway got to experience a tour of Waterford city and participate in hair and beauty sessions. Waterford College of Further Education recently hosted a group of Noreweigan students on the Erasmus programme and on their last day at the college, WCFE student Council and staff hosted a signature lunch of Sausage and Blaa and an Irish dancing lesson on how to dance the Siege of Ennis taught by our own WCFE former Lord of the Dance Star Gillan Norris. Great fun was had by all. Photo: Joe Evans They also got to enjoy a visit to the Waterford Childcare Centre. Waterford College of Further Education recently hosted a group of Noreweigan students on the Erasmus programme and on their last day at the college, WCFE student Council and staff hosted a signature lunch of Sausage and Blaa and an Irish dancing lesson on how to dance the Siege of Ennis taught by our own WCFE former Lord of the Dance Star Gillan Norris. Great fun was had by all. Photo: Joe Evans WCFE says the Erasmus+ experience enhances academic knowledge, improves language skills, and increases employability. An additional $US1 billion for retention bonuses is available to Wiz employees if they remain at Google, a person familiar with the deal said without specifying the time period. Rappaport has previously shrugged off questions about financial rewards, noting last year that he has rented the same Tel Aviv apartment for more than a decade. Wiz will be folded into Google Cloud and could help the search giant gain market share in the fiercely contested cloud security industry. Credit: Bloomberg Behind his unassuming demeanour and his T-shirt-khakis-and-sneakers wardrobe, Rappaport is a shrewd dealmaker with sometimes sharp elbows, according to people who know him. He can be extremely charming and personal and warm, says Gili Raanan, founder of the Israeli venture capital firm Cyberstarts and one of Wizs first investors. And he can be very decisive, data-driven, analytical, merciless. Those two sides exist. The founders Rappaport, Yinon Costica, Ami Luttwak and Roy Reznik met at Talpiot, an elite military academy. Besides exposing recruits to different parts of the armed forces, Talpiot trains them in science, maths and computers. Rappaport said he drove a tank, parachuted from a plane, received intelligence training and blew up things. The four friends moved from Talpiot to Unit 8200, Israels equivalent of Americas National Security Agency. Aside from their reputation for technical prowess, Unit 8200 alumni are known for starting successful cybersecurity companies, including Palo Alto Networks, Check Point Software Technologies and Armis. Loading In 2012, the quartet started a company called Adallom, an abbreviation of a Hebrew saying that means up to here or last line of defence. The startup helped companies secure cloud-based applications used by employees a blind spot at the time, said Neil MacDonald, a vice president and analyst at Gartner, a technology research and consulting firm. Organisations had no visibility. None, he said. Adallom helped at that time to solve that problem. Three years after Adalloms founding, Microsoft acquired the startup for $US320 million, and the founders joined the tech giant to help build its cloud security business. Rappaport said they initially planned to stay two years. They ended up staying five creating cybersecurity products at massive scale and enjoying access to funding and talent before leaving to start a new company. At first the team, by then working from a two-room office in Tel Aviv, considered creating a network security company called Beyond Networks. Then they interviewed more than 100 potential customers and cybersecurity professionals and learned that there was an unmet need in cloud security. Yes, there were existing tools, but they created too much work and didnt really solve the challenges. The companies, which expect the deal to close next year, are betting on a friendlier regulatory environment under President Donald Trump although hurdles remain. Credit: Bloomberg Focusing on cloud security was risky because many companies were doing similar things, and Rappaport has recalled calling the switch the suicide plan. The newly created Wiz targeted a different, and broader, segment of the cloud security market than Adallom, offering a tool that worked on various platforms and could identify and prioritize risks across increasingly complex computing environments. Every service has configurations. Every service has identities and permissions, MacDonald said. Theres just this enormous complexity in the configuration of cloud infrastructure that, without a tool, a human cant understand. Wizs product was easy to install and could find potential problems and prioritise them in a matter of hours providing cybersecurity professionals with unprecedented visibility, MacDonald said. The pandemic-fuelled migration to the cloud fuelled Wizs growth. The young company also benefited from an all-star lineup of financial backers, including Sequoia Capital, Insight Partners, Index Ventures and Cyberstarts, some of which had also invested in Adallom. In all, Wiz has raised more than $US1.9 billion dollars from investors including SoftBank Vision Fund, Andreessen Horowitz, Blackstone Group, LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault and former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz. Wiz felt like the first opportunity to build a security platform in a really long time, basically since CrowdStrike, Thrive Capitals Philip Clark said in an interview last fall, referring to cybersecurity giant CrowdStrike Holdings. Like several other investors, Clark also said the complementary talents of Wizs four founders was a key to the companys success. When Google expressed interest in Wiz last year, Rappaport saw its culture as a good fit and grew increasingly exhilarated in July as they hashed out what the collaboration could look like. Google ramped up its charm offensive too, even drawing up a tongue-in-cheek employment contract for his beloved dog, Mika. Loading Still, on the day Wiz had set as a deadline, Rappaport pulled the plug at 4 am, emailing the news to his anxious employees, many of whom had remained in the Tel Aviv office overnight. In an interview last fall, he recalled thinking: I cant believe Im going to say no to a $US23 billion acquisition. But at the time, he didnt want to give up a once-in-life opportunity to be the largest cyber company in the world. The directors of embattled tech group WiseTech have confirmed that company founder and executive chairman Richard White misled the board about his personal relationships which have thrown the $28 billion group into turmoil but his job remains secure. Whites fellow directors updated the sharemarket on Wednesday about the internal reviews of Whites conduct by Herbert Smith Freehills, Seyfarth Shaw and McGrath Nicol, which provided forensic accounting services. WiseTech Global founder Richard White and former employee Caroline Heidemann. The report found that White had made inaccurate and incomplete disclosures about one of his relationships and labelled the representations he had made to the board and the review misleading about personal matters concerning the end of the relationship. White effectively controls WiseTech with a 38 per cent stake in the company. It wasnt immediately clear how many troops were involved in the operation or whether they were the precursor for a full invasion as happened in 2023. At its height, tens of thousands of Israeli soldiers were involved in military operations against Hamas. The military said it had retaken part of the Netzarim Corridor that divides northern Gaza from the south, and from where it had previously withdrawn as part of a ceasefire that began in January. That truce was shattered on Tuesday by Israeli airstrikes that killed more than 400 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza health ministry. Within Israel, the resumption of airstrikes has raised concerns about the fate of roughly two dozen hostages held by Hamas who are believed to still be alive. Advances by Israel since then which included sending more troops to southern Gaza threatened to drag the sides into all-out war again. The ceasefire had given war-weary Palestinians some respite, allowed a much-needed surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza and led to the release of dozens of hostages who had been held for more than 17 months. Hamas spokesman Abdel-Latif al-Qanou said the advance of Israeli ground forces in Gaza was a clear sign Israel had backed out of the truce and was reimposing a blockade. There have been no reports of retaliatory rocket attacks by Hamas after Tuesdays bombardment. On Wednesday, the United Nations said one of its employees was killed in Gaza and five others were wounded in an apparent strike on a guest house. Israel denied Palestinian claims that it hit the guest house, and the UN said it was not immediately clear who was behind the strike. Alaa Abu Helal shows clothes of his 13-month-old son, Mohammed, before Mohammed and his pregnant mother, Afana, are buried in Khan Younis. They were killed by Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday. Credit: AP Early on Thursday, a missile launched from Yemen was intercepted before reaching Israeli airspace, the military said. No injuries were reported. Yemens Houthi militants, who warned earlier in the week they would expand their range of targets in Israel in retaliation for the renewed airstrikes in Gaza, claimed responsibility. The Israeli military said its limited ground operation in Gaza would create a partial buffer between northern and southern Gaza. It wasnt immediately clear whether the move would entirely close the Netzarim route, blocking Palestinians from travelling through it. Israel used the roughly six-kilometre corridor as a military zone during the war. It ran from the Israeli border to the coast just south of Gaza City, severing the territorys largest metropolitan area and the rest of the north from the south. During the war, Israeli soldiers fortified the road, building up a network of outposts and bases. They also levelled hundreds of buildings for kilometres around it to create a clear line of sight, and funnelled those allowed to cross through military checkpoints, The New York Times reported. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who had fled to the south were prevented from returning throughout the war, until Israel withdrew from Netzarim in January. Many of them have since returned. But Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the military would soon order Palestinians to evacuate from combat zones. The air force attack against Hamas terrorists was just the first step. The rest will be much more difficult and you will pay the full price, he said in a video statement addressing the population of Gaza. In late January, thousands of displaced Palestinians walk towards the Netzarim Corridor and their homes in northern Gaza. Credit: Bloomberg Jorge Moreira da Silva, head of the UN Office for Project Services, declined to say who carried out the strike in the central city of Deir al-Balah. He said the explosive ordnance was dropped or fired and the blast was not accidental or related to de-mining activity. He did not provide the nationalities of the dead worker or wounded employees. The UN body carries out infrastructure and development projects around the world. Loading Silva said strikes had hit near the compound on Monday, striking it directly on Tuesday and again on Wednesday. He said the agency had contacted the Israeli military after the first strike. Israel knew this was a UN premise, that people were living, staying and working there, he said. Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani, an Israeli military spokesperson, said the explosion was not caused by Israeli fire. There were no forces around that building, no aerial attacks on that area, he said. After the strike, the wounded were rushed to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah. One man was carried inside on a blanket held up by medical workers. Another lay on a hospital bed, his knee bandaged. A blue protective vest emblazoned with UN rested on a nearby bed. The Gaza health ministry said at least 436 people, including 183 children and 94 women, have been killed since Israel launched the strikes in the early hours of Tuesday. It said another 678 people were wounded. The military says it only strikes militants and blames civilian deaths on Hamas because it operates in densely populated areas. The war has killed nearly 49,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, and displaced 90 per cent of Gazas population. The health ministry doesnt differentiate between civilians and militants but says more than half of the dead have been women and children. The war erupted when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing some 1200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages. Most hostages have been released in ceasefires or other deals; 59 remain, but more than half are believed to be dead. Israel and Hamas were set to negotiate an extension of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, which lasted six weeks. But those negotiations never got off the ground. Hamas demands that Israel stick to the terms of the initial ceasefire deal, including a full withdrawal from Gaza and an end to the war. Israel, which has vowed to defeat Hamas, has put forward a new proposal that would extend the truce and free more hostages held by Hamas, without a commitment to end the war. The breakdown of the ceasefire was met with anger in Israel, where many support the plight of the hostage families to free their loved ones. Israels return to a military campaign came as Netanyahu faces mounting domestic pressure, with mass protests taking place over his handling of the hostage crisis and his plan to fire the head of Israels internal security agency. AP, Bloomberg Washington: US President Donald Trump has provoked the chief justice of the Supreme Court into a rare public rebuke after he called for a radical left lunatic judge to be impeached amid an escalating war against the American judiciary. The Trump administration was enraged when the chief judge of Washingtons federal district court, James Boasberg, ordered a stop to the deportations of alleged Venezuelan gang members rounded up by immigration authorities under a rarely used wartime law. US President Donald Trump and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts. Credit: AP Though it is just one of many legal fights under way against Trumps agenda, this battle has become arguably the most high stakes, with the administration accused of ignoring or even wilfully violating the judges order to halt the removals and turn around planes that were already in the air. On Tuesday, following another hearing in the case, Trump urged Congress to remove Boasberg from his post, calling him a radical left lunatic of a judge, a troublemaker and agitator who was sadly appointed by Barack Hussein Obama. China makes progress in advancing sustainable development, human rights protection: experts Xinhua) 08:21, March 19, 2025 People taste grapes at a grape fair in Turpan, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Aug. 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Shuo) A side event at the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council showcased China's progress in rights protection. GENEVA, March 18 (Xinhua) -- China has made significant progress in pursuing sustainable development and human rights protection in recent years, experts said at a side event during the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council on Monday. The event, titled "The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Human Rights Protection," was co-hosted by the China Society for Human Rights Studies and the China Foundation for Human Rights Development. Sun Meng, a professor at the Human Rights Institute of China University of Political Science and Law, emphasized China's commitment to a path that integrates sustainable development with human rights protection. She added that China has always adhered to the development concept of innovation, coordination, greenness, openness and sharing, as well as the people-oriented development principle, and fully implemented the idea of human rights protection. Senior residents learn calligraphy at an elderly care center in Dongcheng District in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 31, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xin) Zhou Shaoqing, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, stated that one of the reasons behind the rise of ideologies and movements that severely impact social cohesion and even political stability worldwide is the extreme disparity in wealth and the high inequality of economic and social rights. He emphasized that China addresses this issue through relevant policies and legislation to ensure economic and social equality, with a particular focus on promoting equal development for ethnic minority regions and remote regions. China's systematic policy framework, development priorities, and the goal of "common prosperity" provide valuable references for addressing global governance inequality, he added. Tang Yingxia, deputy director of Nankai University's Human Rights Center, stated that human rights, climate change, and sustainable development are closely interconnected, and this intrinsic link calls for active measures at the national level. Women attend an event celebrating the International Women's Day with their children at a kindergarten in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, on March 7, 2025. (Photo by Fang Dongxu/Xinhua) She highlighted that China is addressing climate change by proposing and implementing its dual carbon goals to protect environmental rights. Furthermore, China has adopted relevant measures at various levels and achieved remarkable success in the development of a low-carbon economy. Da Lu, an associate professor from China's Southwest University of Political Science and Law, noted that there are still many challenges ahead in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. He called on the international community to adhere to the principles of consultation, joint construction and sharing, promote the building of a more just and reasonable international order, and inject more positive impetus into global development. This photo taken on Feb. 29, 2024 shows an exterior view of the United Nations (UN) Office in Geneva, Switzerland. (Xinhua/Shi Song) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here. More than 45 years ago, Kathryn Donohue, a 31-year-old union secretary, went out for dinner in Georgetown with co-workers after work. It was the last night she would be seen alive, according to authorities and charging documents. Early the next morning, on March 3, 1979, a person found her body in a parking lot in Glenarden, Maryland, miles away from where she lived in Arlington, Virginia. She had been violently raped and strangled, police said in charging documents. Police were unable to find the cabdriver who was paid to take Donohue home and the killer's identity remained a mystery. But DNA that had been retested over the years finally yielded a clue late last year thanks to advances in technology that allow police to essentially comb through family trees in the search for justice. Investigators were able to identify a relative of the man who allegedly raped and killed Donohue. The evidence pointed them toward 82-year-old Rodger Zodas Brown of Pinehurst, North Carolina, police said in the charging documents. They took a plastic fork from the trash can outside his home and tested the DNA, then knocked on his door and arrested him after it matched a sample taken from Donahue's slip. "This case serves as a reminder that we will never give up seeking the truth, no matter how much time has passed," Prince George's County police Chief Malik Aziz said at a news conference announcing Brown's arrest Tuesday. In 2020, Prince George's County State's Attorney Aisha Braveboy's office applied for and received a federal grant for forensic genetic genealogy testing, Braveboy said. It's the same technology that helped police arrest the Golden State Killer in 2018 after linking crime scene DNA to multiple cousins of his, and more recently, in the Maryland killing of Rachel Morin. Police can trace the path to a suspect through crime scene DNA and the genealogy of their relatives. Using publicly accessible genealogy databases for information, investigators build out a family tree and "narrow down people who could potentially be the suspect based on their genetic relationship," said Bill DelBagno, special agent in charge of the FBI Baltimore Field Office. "DNA is collected from crime scenes that DNA is created into a profile," DelBagno said. "That profile is built to identify family and family members, and then, in identifying those family members, identifying those that would fit the right age, year group, location, to identify the potential suspects." Such testing made the recent arrest in Donohue's case possible, DelBagno said. At this time, there is no known connection between Brown and Donohue, Aziz said. At the time of the killing in 1979, Brown lived in Hyattsville in Prince George's County. Back then the county had just over 650,000 residents. Now it's closer to a million. Brown was arrested at his North Carolina home last week, with the help of the Moore County Sheriff's Office and FBI Charlotte Field Office, police said. First Sgt. Gregory McDonald, who leads the Prince George's County cold case unit, said Brown was "cold" and had "no reaction" when police came to arrest and charge him with Donohue's murder. Brown was arrested in 1967 and served an 11-year sentence for armed robbery in Nassau County, New York, before being released in June 1978, McDonald said. Brown moved to North Carolina in 2017, McDonald said. He has been charged with first-degree murder, rape and related counts in Donohue's killing. Brown is in North Carolina awaiting extradition to Prince George's County. He faces up to life in prison without the possibility of parole, said Braveboy, who recently won the Democratic nomination in the special election to become Prince George's County executive. It was not immediately clear whether Brown has an attorney. Braveboy said justice for Donohue is only the beginning using genetic genealogy testing. "We believe that as we go into the future, we may be able to resolve more cases using this very important technology," Braveboy said. Robert Dean, a prosecutor on the Donohue case, began working with Sgt. McDonald to pursue investigative genealogy by getting approval from a judge, which is required by law to conduct the testing in Maryland. It took 38 months to build the family tree, retest the evidence that was collected in 1979 and put the case together alongside the FBI and local law enforcement. Although cases this old often result in a lack of witnesses, so far in this case, Dean said, they have been able to locate "essential witnesses." "It's just a matter of being patient, utilizing what technology is there to give us, and I think that speaks well for what both the state's attorney's office and the police department have done, again with the training and help of the FBI," Dean said. Described by her family as an "outgoing young lady," Donohue was affectionately known as "Kathy," authorities said. She was from Allentown, Pennsylvania, and moved to the Washington, D.C., area for work, McDonald said. She never married and had no children but is survived by a brother and sister. In a statement, Donohue's family thanked everyone involved in the investigation, especially the county police department. "We will always be grateful for their determination, their compassion, and their relentless pursuit of the truth which has finally given us a sense of closure that we never thought possible after all this time," they said. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, March 19. Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan have discussed the potential expansion of air travel routes, Trend reports via the Kyrgyz Trade Representation in Uzbekistan. The topic was raised during a meeting between the representatives of Kyrgyz airline Aero Nomad Airlines and leading Uzbek tour operators. Timur Aralbaev, CEO of Aero Nomad Airlines, provided a detailed overview of the airlines capabilities during the meeting. Both parties emphasized their readiness to support the growth of tourism between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Tour operators expressed strong interest in the initiative, noting significant demand from tourists for new, convenient flight connections. The trade representation highlighted that the opening of new routes would create favorable conditions for increasing passenger traffic, strengthening business ties, and boosting tourism in the region. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel With the generous support of the Dominican Republics Direccion General De Aduanas (DGA) and the Australian Border Force (ABF), the WCO delivered a seminar for the Americas and Caribbean region in March 2025, the third in a series of dedicated, global seminars designed to enhance Member cooperation and promote new, collaborative alliances with the commercial air and sea cargo sectors. Building resilient and more effective supply chains, whilst enhancing collaboration, is the underlying focus of the ABF/WCO Supply Chain Integrity (SCI) Project an initiative that launched in early 2024 and is committed to providing new tools and resources for the Members of the WCO. Held in Santo Domingo, the seminar brought together participants from 18 Customs administrations, and facilitators from the ABF, New Zealand Customs Service, the UNODC-WCO Passenger and Cargo Control Programme, and RILO Caribbean. Participants were exposed to new and emerging areas of supply chain risk and introduced to guidance material developed under the SAFE Framework of Standards in relation to self-assessing threats, risks and vulnerabilities across international cargo supply chains. To better focus discussions on how Customs and industry can collaborate more purposefully in the pursuit of common objectives, guest speakers from DHL Express and AP Moller Maersk also participated in the seminar, adding valuable insights concerning their respective issues, challenges and solutions. Both speakers reiterated their commitment to working as trusted partners and welcomed the opportunity to forge closer relationships with the Customs community. Participants also enjoyed a working visit to observe DHL Express airside operations. On 18 and 19 March 2025, Ricardo Trevino Chapa, Deputy Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), participated in the First Forum on Countering Illicit Trade held by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris, France. The Forum aimed to highlight the risks and harmful impacts of illicit trade on modern supply chains and global governance, while emphasizing the value of transparency and cooperation. The event featured welcoming and opening remarks by Fabrizia Lapecorella, OECD Deputy Secretary-General, and Christopher Martin, Chair of the OECD Task Force on Countering Illicit Trade (TF-CIT). In his keynote address, Deputy Secretary General Trevino Chapa applauded the initiative taken by the OECD in organizing the Forum, recalling that the underground economy of illicit trade remains a significant and persistent challenge, undermining legitimate markets, eroding public trust in national institutions and financing criminal enterprises. He went on to emphasize the WCO's efforts to combat illicit trade by enhancing supply chain security, fighting money laundering, and addressing environmental, counterfeiting and security challenges. He further highlighted the WCOs crucial role in conducting joint international Customs enforcement operations to strengthen Customs administrations capacity in the fight against illicit trade and to enhance cooperation between Customs and stakeholders. Additionally, the WCO Deputy Secretary General participated in the inaugural panel discussion on Illicit Trade in a Fragmented World during which he underscored the challenges faced by Customs administrations in border regions experiencing fragility and post-conflict situations. He identified the critical deficiencies in international trade governance that allow illicit actors to flourish, and the adjustments needed to enhance Customs enforcement and step up the response to these threats. On the sidelines of the OECD event, Deputy Secretary General Trevino Chapa met with OECD Deputy Secretaries-General Fabrizia Lapecorella and Mary Beth Goodman, as well as with Marion Jansen, Director of the OECD Trade and Agriculture Directorate. These meetings provided an opportunity for the WCO Deputy Secretary General to discuss ways of evaluating current joint initiatives and address subjects of mutual interest. Recognition of the shared interests between the WCO and OECD through cooperative activities dates back to 2016, when a first Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by both entities. In October 2023, following an increase in areas of cooperation, these arrangements were reviewed and updated through the signature of a second MoU. These MoUs seek to improve understanding of the economic and social impacts of illicit trade and public revenues, and to recommend actions that strengthen relevant regulatory and public governance frameworks. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, March 19. Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan to Turkmenistan, Azizbek Madmarov, and President of Turkmenistans Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mergen Gurdov, discussed bilateral economic relations and potential joint projects, Trend reports. The discussion took place as part of the IFT 2025 International Forum in Ashgabat. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Kyrgyzstan participated in the forum, with the Kyrgyz delegation led by its Vice President Nurlan Nartaev, and six domestic companies also represented. The forum focused on attracting investments to the countrys private sector. It included an exhibition marking the 17th anniversary of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan, showcasing the achievements of Turkmen businesses and exploring potential areas for future collaboration. Concurrently, initiatives are being implemented in Turkmenistan to formulate a collaborative Turkmen-Kyrgyz Commission focused on transportation, transit optimization, and logistical frameworks. This initiative is designed to enhance the efficacy of global logistics networks and optimize transit pathways across multiple corridors. Per the metrics provided by the State Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan, the bilateral trade volume in 2024 escalated to $97.852 million, reflecting a substantial uptick of 54 percent compared to the preceding year, 2023. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel For 40th year at Weber State, students will display literary talent at annual conference March 18, 2025 OGDEN, Utah Weber State University will provide students from across the nation the opportunity to present their literary work and hear from a world-famous author during the 40th Annual National Undergraduate Literature Conference April 35. That Friday and Saturday, students will present their work in various genres, from poetry to digital literature and technical writing. This years guest author, Bret Anthony Johnston, will join an on-stage conversation Friday, April 4 from 10:3011:30 a.m. in Elizabeth Hall Room 229. Johnston presented at NULC years ago as an undergraduate student. Now, hes an award-winning author who wrote the critically acclaimed national bestseller We Burn Daylight. His work has also appeared in magazines like The New Yorker and The Best American Short Stories. Not only does he have ties to the conference, but hes making a significant impact in the literary world, said Laura Stott, NULC co-director. This shows students that, 20 years down the line, they could be on the other side of it too. Students with accepted submissions have until March 25 to register. Information on qualifications, registration and presentation schedules can be found on the NULC website. NULC founder Mikel Vause, retired English professor at WSU, created the conference in 1985 to provide undergraduate students with the same opportunity he had to present while he was in college. It has become the nations longest-running undergraduate literary conference. This year marks the first time a student will attend virtually from overseas. Weber State is home to something so unique that isnt available at many other institutions, Stott said. A huge part of what makes it so special is the community it fosters. Elizabeth Melendez, a WSU student presenting at the conference this year, said shes excited for the event: This is an amazing opportunity to shape the culture and society we interact with by sharing our research and creative works. It genuinely feels like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, she said. Student sessions and the onstage interview with Johnston are free and open to the public. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, March 19. The Director of the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan, Seitek Jumakadyr, and the Ambassador of Russia, Sergey Vakunov, discussed migration issues, Trend reports via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan. During the talks, the sides focused on the current state of bilateral cooperation in the consular sector. Special attention was paid to recent changes in Russian migration legislation, new rules for entry into Russia, and the status of Kyrgyz citizens in Russia, in particular their stay and employment. Both diplomats emphasized that law-abiding citizens should fully enjoy the rights provided by the Eurasian Economic Union agreement. Following the meeting, the diplomats agreed to continue efforts to enhance public outreach and work on practical solutions to address the ongoing issues. ANGOLA, La. A nearly 30-year-old Louisiana murder case finally comes to an end. In just the last few hours, the state of Louisiana carried out its first execution in 15 years, and the first using nitrogen gas. After weeks of legal maneuvers to delay Jessie Hoffman's execution, including a last-minute appeal denial from the U.S. Supreme Court, his death came at 6:50 p.m. -- nearly 20 minutes after nitrogen gas was administered to him. According to prison representatives and media witnesses, Hoffman declined to make a final statement and a final meal. Media witnesses say he was laying flat on a gurney, with a mask covering his face. In a statement, Caroline Tillman, an attorney for Hoffman, said he was a test subject, saying the gas was an untested and inhumane method so controversial that nearly every state bans it for euthanizing animals. Gov. Jeff Landry said justice was served with Hoffman's death. In a statement, Landry said state of Louisiana fulfilled the contract it made with the family and friends of Mary Molly Elliot and executed the man responsible for her death. "It is unfortunate that bad people exist, and they do real bad things. When these acts of violence happen, society must not tolerate it. God is as Just as he is Merciful; and my hope is that when Louisiana empties death row, there will never be another victim whose perpetrator must be placed there. In Louisiana, we will always prioritize victims over criminals, law and order over lawlessness, and justice over the status quo. If you commit heinous acts of violence in this State, it will cost you your life. Plain and simple," said Landry. Elliotts husband said he wanted the case to come to a close, but was indifferent between the death penalty, or life without parole for Hoffman. Attorney General Liz Murrill said justice was served for the family of Molly Elliott. Last month, Murrill announced a moratorium on executions was ending, and that the state would move forward with executions for death row inmates. While she wouldnt say how many more executions would be carried out in the near future, she says the option allows them to move forward carrying out penalties for crimes. In her statement, Tillman remembered Hoffman. "Jessie built a family inside those wallsnot just with the men who served time alongside him, but with the officers and staff who came to know him over decades. He found faith, not just as a belief, but as a way of living. He became a steady source of strength, offering guidance and comfort to those around him. He carried deep remorse, not as a burden, but as a responsibilityto help others and to make amends however he could. He never stopped expressing his sorrow for the harm he caused, and he never stopped striving to live a life of meaning. His son will remember their weekly phone calls, the unwavering love, and the stabilizing presence Jessie provided in his life," Tillman said. On November 27, 1996, the day before Thanksgiving, Elliot left work to retrieve her car at the Sheraton parking garage in downtown New Orleans. Instead of the 28-year-old advertising executive enjoying a planned date with her husband, Molly was carjacked, kidnapped, robbed, and raped. She was then walked nude down a dirt path in St. Tammany Parish, where Hoffman made her kneel and shot her execution style on a makeshift dock near the Middle Pearl River. "Since that dreadful day, Mollys family and friends have been forced to relive the tragedy through countless legal proceedings. They have lived with the pain for 28 years, with a promise of justice that went unanswered," Landry said. Hoffman's wife, Ilona Hoffman, said the execution was not justice, but revenge. "True justice recognizes growth, humanity, and redemption. Louisiana chose to ignore that," Ilona Hoffman said. "But Jessies legacy will not be forgotten. He will always be in my heart, and his story will live on through those who knew and loved him. To those who saw his lighthis kindness, his transformationI ask you to carry that forward. Jessies story does not end here. His love, his impact, and his memory will live on forever." EARLIER TODAY One of Hoffman's last hope was intervention by a higher court. But that didn't happen. The U.S. Supreme Court just before 6 p.m. rejected a request to block the execution. Louisiana lawmakers approved nitrogen hypoxia as an execution method last year. But Hoffmans legal team claims using the gas is cruel and unusual punishment. This case has had a lot of legal maneuvers in just the last 24 hours. This morning, a state court judge in Baton Rouge tossed a temporary restraining order halting the case. But Hoffmans legal team quickly filed an appeal with the First Circuit Court of Appeals. On Friday, an appeals court also removed a temporary injunction that allowed the execution to move forward. Hoffmans legal team claims the use of nitrogen gas is a violation of his rights. Just before 5 p.m., Louisiana State Penitentiary Warden Darrel Vannoy spoke briefly to the media, saying, In accordance with the execution warrant issued by the 22nd Judicial District Court in Saint Tammany Parish, the laws of the state of Louisiana and in rulings from the state and federal court, the execution of death row inmate Jesse Hoffman Jr. will be carried out between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. this evening via nitrogen hypoxia. It was the fifth time nitrogen gas was used in the U.S. after four executions by the same method all in Alabama. Three other executions, by lethal injection, are scheduled this week in Arizona on Wednesday and in Florida and Oklahoma on Thursday. If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit On Thursday, March 13th, 2025, at a community celebration evening hosted by Angelina Nugent in Breaffy House Resort, the winners of the Mayo County Council Cathaoirleachs Awards 2024 were announced. Mayo County Councils civic awards, which are now in their fourth year, recognise the dedication and efforts of the many community volunteer groups at work in County Mayo, along with awards for publications, arts, tourism and environmental initiatives. After an open public nomination and shortlisting process, groups and individual nominees were invited to the presentation evening, attended by 300 guests, which celebrated their achievements and provided a fitting platform to showcase their incredible work to a wide audience. Cathaoirleach Cllr John OHara welcomed the attendees on the evening saying: Being the Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council is an immense honour and this evening is one of the best parts of holding this role. It is where we get to give back and recognise the amazing work that the people of this county are doing on yearly basis. As I look out at this room, I see faces that represent the very best of our county. Chief Executive of Mayo County Council, Kevin Kelly, added: We, at Mayo County Council, deeply appreciate the dedication and tireless effort of community groups. You are the driving force behind many of the positive changes we see in our county. You identify local needs, you mobilise resources, and you bring people together in a spirit of collaboration. You transform aspirations into tangible realities. We understand that the work you do is often done voluntarily, outside of your regular commitments, and with a deep sense of civic responsibility. Winners The winners of the 2024 Cathaoirleachs Awards were: Pictured at the Cathaoirleachs Awards 2024 being presented with their award by Cathaoirleach Cllr John OHara were the winners of the Mayo Publication Awards: Publications from Commercial Publishers - Alice Kinsella and Daniel Wade Wake of The Whale. Mayo Publication Awards: Publications From Commercial Publishers - Alice Kinsella and Daniel Wade Wake of The Whale. Pictured at the Cathaoirleachs Awards 2024 being presented with their award by Cathaoirleach Cllr John OHara were the winners of the Environmental Awards - Environmental Initiatives: Energy and/or Travel ) Ballyhaunis Bike Repair Clinic (Travel Winner). Environmental Awards - Environmental Initiatives: Energy And/Or Travel - Castlebar Mitchels GAA Club (Energy Winner) Ballyhaunis Bike Repair Clinic (Travel Winner). Pictured at the Cathaoirleachs Awards 2024 being presented with their award by Cathaoirleach Cllr John OHara were the joint winners of the Contribution to Local Heritage & Biodiversity Awards - Contribution to Local Heritage - Louisburgh-Killeen Heritage. Contribution To Local Heritage and Biodiversity Awards - Contribution to Local Heritage Joint Winners - Louisburgh-Killeen Heritage and Cong Tidy Towns. Pictured at the Cathaoirleachs Awards 2024 being presented with their award by Cathaoirleach Cllr John OHara were the winners of the Contribution to Community Life Awards - Community Social Inclusion Project Award - Mayo Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann. Pictures: Conor McKeown Contribution to Community Life Awards - Community Social Inclusion Project Award - Mayo Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann. Pictured at the Cathaoirleachs Awards 2024 being presented with their award by Cathaoirleach Cllr John OHara were the winners of the Irish Language Initiative of the Year CLG Coillte Mach. Irish Language Initiative of the Year - CLG Coillte Mach. Pictured at the Cathaoirleachs Awards 2024 being presented with their award by Cathaoirleach Cllr John OHara were the winners of Contribution to the Arts in Mayo Award - Dooega Drama Group. Contribution to the Arts in Mayo Award - Dooega Drama Group. Pictured at the Cathaoirleachs Awards 2024 being presented with their award by Cathaoirleach Cllr John OHara were the winners of Contribution to Local Heritage and Biodiversity Awards Contribution to Local Biodiversity and Natural Heritage - Clogher Environmental Group CLG. Contribution to Local Heritage and Biodiversity Awards Contribution to Local Biodiversity and Natural Heritage - Clogher Environmental Group CLG. Pictured at the Cathaoirleachs Awards 2024 being presented with their award by Cathaoirleach Cllr John OHara were the winners of Environmental Awards - Environmental Initiatives: Circular Living Waste and/or Litter - Claremorris Tidy Towns Environmental Awards - Environmental Initiatives: Circular Living Waste and/or Litter - Claremorris Tidy Towns. Pictured at the Cathaoirleachs Awards 2024 being presented with his award by Cathaoirleach Cllr John OHara was the winner of Diaspora Awards Mayo Diaspora Outstanding Engagement - Noel Howley. Diaspora Awards Mayo Diaspora Outstanding Engagement - Noel Howley. Pictured at the Cathaoirleachs Awards 2024 being presented with their award by Cathaoirleach Cllr John OHara were the winners of the Tourism Award Tourism Business Award - Blacksod Sea Safari. Tourism Award Tourism Business Award - Blacksod Sea Safari. Pictured at the Cathaoirleachs Awards 2024 being presented with their award by Cathaoirleach Cllr John OHara were the winners of the Contribution to Community Life Awards - Community Endeavour Award - One Westport Contribution to Community Life Awards - Community Endeavour Award - One Westport. Pictured at the Cathaoirleachs Awards 2024 being presented with their award by Cathaoirleach Cllr John OHara were the winners of the Mayo Publication Awards: Publication from Community Groups - Moy Davitts Golden Jubilee 1974-2024. Mayo Publication Awards: Publication from Community Groups - Moy Davitts' Golden Jubilee 1974-2024. Pictured at the Cathaoirleachs Awards 2024 being presented with the award for Diaspora Awards Mayo Diaspora Outstanding Achievement on behalf of the winner Ruth Cawley by Cathaoirleach Cllr John OHara were Anne McIntyre and Martina Cawley. Diaspora Awards Mayo Diaspora Outstanding Achievement - Ruth Cawley. Pictured at the Cathaoirleachs Awards 2024 being presented with their award by Cathaoirleach Cllr John OHara were the winners of the Environmental Awards - Green Community of the Year Mary Robinson Centre Ballina Urban Farm. Environmental Awards - Green Community of the Year Mary Robinson Centre Ballina Urban Farm. Pictured at the Cathaoirleachs Awards 2024 being presented with their award by Cathaoirleach Cllr John OHara were the winners of the Tourism Award Community Tourism Award - Kiltimagh Tourism Association Tourism Award Community Tourism Award - Kiltimagh Tourism Association. Pictured at the Cathaoirleachs Awards 2024 being presented with the Contribution to Mayo Life Award by Cathaoirleach Cllr John OHara and Chief Executive of Mayo County Council, Kevin Kelly was Norah Patten. Contribution to Mayo Life Award Norah Patten. Pictured at the Cathaoirleachs Awards 2024 being presented with the Cathaoirleachs Special Recognition Award by Cathaoirleach Cllr John OHara was Martin Neary. Cathaoirleachs Special Recognition Award Martin Neary. A Mayo community has rallied around a young girl who suffered a brain bleed. A fundraiser has been launched to aid 11-year-old Shannon Lynchs road to recovery that has raised over 50,000 within just four days of its launch. Shannon took very ill at her home in Cashel, Achill Island and was rushed to Mayo University Hospital where it was quickly discovered she had a substantial bleed on the right hand side of her brain. She was immediately rushed to Temple Street Children's Hospital in Dublin where the surgeon and his team were waiting to take her to theatre. After a lengthy operation, they eventually succeeded in stopping the bleed and Shannon spent 11 days in ICU recovering. She is continuing her recovery in St. Gabriels Ward in Temple Street at present. Shannon will have to undergo another operation in Beaumont Hospital on the 4th of April to remove the AVM on the brain that caused the bleed as there is a risk of another bleed especially within the year. She will recover from this operation in ICU Temple Street Children's Hospital before returning to St. Gabriels Ward for further recovery and rehabilitation. It is unknown how long rehabilitation will take as it will be at Shannons pace. Her family said on the fundraising page that she is doing amazing and they are looking forward to having her home once more when the time is right and to get back to Saula National School, back on the pitch for Achill Rovers and Achill LGFA and Irish dancing with OConnor School of Dancing. All donations can be made at the following LINK and will be used to assist Shannons road to recovery and to help meet all her needs. It will be the end of April before Mayo Co Council issues its decision on a proposal for a large data centre in Killala. A decision had been due in January on the development at the former Asahi site on the outskirts of the north Mayo village in January, but the council then sought further information from the developer Mayo Data Hub Ltd. The further information was provided last week and now a new decision date has been set for April 28 next. The proposed development has been the focus of much discussion in recent months with internationally-acclaimed author Sally Rooney, from Castlebar, among those to have made written submission to the council in opposition to the facility. Ms Rooney urged the local authority to refuse planning permission for what she described as a "wasteful, unnecessary and environmentally toxic proposal". The Green Party in Mayo has voiced its support for the project with the partys county chairperson Micheal O Conaill commenting that data centres were important to Irelands digital and economic future and it was "too simplistic just to dismiss them out of hand". The area around the former Asahi site has been a hotspot for proposed developments in recent years. A decision is due on April 24 next for SSE Renewables application for planning for a Battery Energy Storage System facility and associated works while Mayo Renewable Limited was granted planning permission last February for a biomass power station that will run on wood biomass chips to produce 50MW of electricity. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, March 19. The Armed Forces of Kyrgyzstan have landed in the 105th spot out of 145 countries in the latest Global Firepower (GFP) ranking, Trend reports. The nation possesses a PowerIndex (PwrIndx) value of 2.2543, where a flawless score is 0.0000. According to GFP's calculations, Kyrgyzstan's military forces are rolling out with a fleet of 2,686 armed vehicles, 215 tanks ready to rumble, 30 self-propelled artillery units primed for action, 169 towed artillery pieces in their arsenal, and 21 multiple launch rocket systems at the ready. The military has its hands full with 7 aircraft, 7 helicopters, and 2 attack helicopters in its arsenal. In the context of Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan ranks second-to-last in military strength. The regional rankings are as follows: - Kazakhstan: 57th - Uzbekistan: 58th - Turkmenistan: 77th - Tajikistan: 108th The finalized Global Firepower ranking takes into account over 60 individual factors to determine each country's PowerIndex score. These factors include the quantity of military units, financial resources, logistical capabilities, and geographic position. The GFP ranking system allows smaller, more technologically advanced nations to compete with larger, less-developed powers, with special modifiers applied to further refine the list. The rankings are compiled annually and consider a total of 145 world powers. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, March 19. The lower house of the Tajikistan parliament reviewed and ratified the agreement on the state border with Kyrgyzstan, Trend reports. This document was signed by the presidents of both countries, Emomali Rahmon and Sadyr Zhaparov, on March 13 in Bishkek. In addition to the border agreement, the parliamentarians also ratified several other significant documents during the session. These included an agreement on the construction and maintenance of road infrastructure, the development and management of traffic intersections, and an intergovernmental accord on facilitating access to water and energy resources. The signing of these agreements took place as part of the official visit of Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon to Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan share about 980 kilometer-long state border. Official talks on delimitation have been ongoing since 2002. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. The European Investment Bank (EIB) plays a key role in Uzbekistan's sustainable development by supporting several major projects aimed at achieving the country's climate and infrastructure goals, EIB Vice-President Kyriacos Kakouris told Trend in an exclusive interview. According to Kyriacos Kakouris, EIB is actively collaborating with the Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD) on the restoration of the Aral Sea. This project, which has significant environmental, social, and economic consequences, is expected to bring both regional and global environmental benefits. "We are committed to successfully implementing projects like the Aral Sea restoration. Our comprehensive due diligence approach ensures that all projects meet the highest standards of efficiency, sustainability, and accountability. These measures are vital to ensure positive economic, social, and environmental outcomes," he said. The Vice-President noted that the EIBs support extends not only to the Aral Sea but also to sustainable forestry, with the bank investing around 1.2 billion euros annually in the forestry sector. He emphasized that the bank is one of the worlds leading lenders in this field. "We have been financing sustainable forestry projects for over five decades. Our investments contribute to biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and the development of sustainable forest-based economies. This aligns with the broader EU goals for climate change mitigation and supporting the UNs Sustainable Development Goals," Kyriacos Kakouris said. He also highlighted EIBs efforts in Central Asia, including a 200 million euro loan agreement with the Development Bank of Kazakhstan to improve transport infrastructure in the region. This cooperation is expected to mobilize around 3 billion euros for sustainable transport projects, strengthening trade and connectivity between Europe and Central Asia. "We support projects that align with the EU-Central Asia Roadmap and Global Gateway goals. These investments are critical for diversifying transport routes, improving accessibility, and increasing economic interdependence across the region," the vice president underlined. The official emphasized that in Uzbekistan, EIB is actively working in various sectors, including transport, digital connectivity, and renewable energy. He stressed the banks support for solar energy projects, including a loan of $83.6 million for three large photovoltaic plants. Furthermore, EIB is helping bridge the digital divide through a partnership with SES, providing broadband internet to remote rural areas in Uzbekistan. "We are committed to inclusive and sustainable development in Uzbekistan. By investing in digital connectivity and renewable energy, we are helping improve access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, especially in rural areas," Kyriacos Kakouris said. According to him, the EIB is also in discussions with Uzbek authorities about the potential establishment of an office in Tashkent. "EIBs long-term goal is to support Uzbekistans sustainable development by providing financial support and technical expertise for green infrastructure projects. We look forward to continuing our cooperation with the authorities and contributing to the countrys climate and economic resilience," he added. Achieving a just transition to renewable energy Socially-owned renewable energy is a viable alternative which has the potential to generate income and development opportunities. As part of its obligation to address the climate crisis, the South African government has committed to implementing a just energy transition, while supporting social development and economic growth. Shifting away from fossil fuels towards clean, renewable energy could be of huge benefit to mining-affected communities, but only if these plans are properly supported. A just transition would mean establishing a low-carbon economy while at the same time creating jobs and reducing poverty. It should not leave workers and communities in areas dependent on fossil fuels behind. Unfortunately, the government and the private sector in South Africa have instead interpreted a just transition to mean the privatisation of energy in other words, the movement away from Eskom towards independent power producers. Any social programmes they do envision tend to be small and mostly symbolic. There is an alternative: democratically managed production, distribution and consumption of energy to meet social needs, rather than prioritising profits. Much work has been done by labour movements, communities and civil society organisations around the world surveying case studies where social ownership has been implemented successfully. In countries that include Germany, the United Kingdom, Brazil, India and Indonesia, socially-owned solar or hydro power, often backed by government grants or local businesses, has been used to enhance access to electricity, decrease expenses, and improve environmental health. But this has not yet been explored for mining-affected communities in South Africa. As part of their mining rights, mines already have a legal obligation to undertake community development projects through social and labour plans (SLPs). SLPs are an important tool for addressing inequality setting out how mines intend to share the benefits of mining with communities impacted by their operations. These include, for example, initiatives for upgrading local schools, providing water and sanitation, and supporting local economic activity. Once a company is awarded a mining right, the social and labour plan they submitted becomes a binding legal document. SLP community projects have often fallen short of their laudable objectives. Community led-socially owned renewables are the kind of developmental and participatory project that could breathe new life into them. Many mining companies in South Africa have already started to invest in renewables to meet their own energy needs and diversify their income. Burgersfort example The Centre for Applied Legal Studies (CALS) has researched SLPs in South Africa. CALS is working with a community organisation called the Sekhukhune Combined Mining Affected Communities (SCMAC) as well as civil society organisations 350 Africa, Ahinasa, and Lawyers for Human Rights to research the viability of a social ownership project in Burgersfort, Limpopo. The area hosts a number of platinum and chrome mines, though research has shown that surrounding communities have not had a meaningful improvement in their quality of life in spite of mines SLP commitments. SCMAC is advocating for the mines in Burgersfort to supply surrounding communities with renewable energy. It is proposing is a grid-tied mini solar farm installed at a central point in the community. Most of the houses in the surrounding villages are already connected to the grid and this could allow the community not only to generate their own power but in the future to sell electricity back to Eskom or to mines in the area. SCMAC is also recommending forming a co-operative as the legal entity which owns the solar farm. This would allow community members to be engaged in running the project as a collective. The co-operative is expected to begin small but expand over time. For the co-operative model to work, SCMAC will need the endorsement of the community and support from government and the mining industry. On 28 February 2025, SCMAC took the next step in this process by presenting the proposed model to the community before using the findings of the research to engage with other stakeholders. Socially-owned renewable energy is a viable alternative which has the potential to generate income and development opportunities in Burgersfort and in other mining-affected communities around the country. This would be an example of a truly just energy transition. Robert Krause is the acting head of Environmental Justice and Lee-Anne Bruce is a communications specialist at the Centre for Applied Legal Studies, Wits University. Afretec Gender in STEM Forum 2025 The Forum, organised by the Afretec Inclusion group, was held in Rwanda in February, bringing together STEM academics from eight member institutions. Wits University was represented by Dr Nokulunga Ndlovu, Professor Rupal Jivan, Professor Eunice Nyamupangedengu, Fatima Makda and Lawan Abdulhamid. The forum aimed to develop actionable plans to enhance gender parity in STEM academia. The session on Institutional Policies and Best Practices entailed a discussion on case studies that support gender parity in STEM leadership. Various approaches were highlighted, including institutional initiatives, national and international sponsorships, and grassroots efforts within universities. Programs such as school outreach initiatives (e.g., MentHer at Wits) have significantly increased the number of girls pursuing STEM subjects, leading to more female faculty members in STEM disciplines. A session titled Senior Academics: In Pursuit of Progress and Excellence explored career progression, research funding applications, networking, and publishing. Esteemed guests who have made significant contributions in their careers, Dr. Edwick Murungu and Prof. Ciku Mathenge shared insights on balancing professional and personal responsibilities, emphasizing the importance of networking as a key enabler for success in STEM. Dr. Olayinka Adewunmi (UNILAG) conducted an interactive session on working smart amidst multiple responsibilities. She guided attendees through an exercise using AI tools on WhatsApp using prompts to create course outlines, develop activities, and suggest relevant resources. This session provided practical techniques for faculty members to streamline their work and enhance productivity. Institutions were given the opportunity to propose actionable steps for supporting womens career progression in STEM. Additionally, institutions were paired to explore potential collaborations for gender-focused STEM initiatives, fostering partnerships for long-term impact. The forum coincided with the 10th International Day of Women and Girls in Science, under the theme Unpacking STEM Careers: Her Voice in Science. The president of RAWISE shared her inspiring journey, emphasizing resilience and preparation for STEM careers. Young academics also narrated their career paths, illustrating various trajectories, including vertical progression in academia and career shifts based on emerging opportunities and interests. Participants discussed the impact of cultural barriers and stereotypes on womens STEM participation. Role models shared their personal experiences of overcoming these challenges, inspiring young attendees. A student representative urged her peers to be open to different STEM fields and not be discouraged by setbacks in particular subjects. A special discussion addressed concerns about accessibility for disabled students in STEM. Representatives assured attendees that universities have provisions to support students with disabilities in achieving their academic and career aspirations, reinforcing the message that no barrier should hinder their pursuit of STEM The forum concluded with an exhibition of student projects addressing community and societal challenges. Attendees provided feedback and suggestions for improving and scaling up these projects. This final event showcased the innovative potential of young girls in STEM and reinforced the importance of mentorship and resource support. The Gender in STEM Forum 2025 successfully provided a platform for sharing knowledge, inspiring young women, and fostering institutional commitments toward gender equity in STEM education and leadership. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, March 19. Uzbekistan and the European Union (EU) discussed enhancing trade through Middle Corridor, Trend reports. The matter was reviewed at a meeting between the Minister of Transport of Uzbekistan Ilkhom Makhkamov and a delegation from the European Union led by Commissioner for International Cooperation Jozef Sikela. During the meeting, both sides put their heads together to zero in on the nuts and bolts of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EU in the realms of transportation and logistics. One of the main topics discussed was the implementation of infrastructure projects within the Global Gateway program, with a particular emphasis on the construction of a new railway and highway connecting Uchkuduk and Kyzylorda. The minister highlighted the importance of the EU's support for Uzbekistan's potential membership in the multilateral permit system of the European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT). He further proposed the possibility of creating joint industrial and logistics parks within Uzbekistan to strengthen bilateral cooperation in these sectors. Previously, Uzbekistan and the European Union engaged in dialogue aimed at optimizing synergistic collaboration, especially in the domain of critical mineral resource processing. The parties conveyed a sense of contentment regarding the escalating synergies of bilateral collaboration in recent years, especially within the realms of political engagement, trade facilitation, economic integration, investment flows, and cultural-humanitarian exchanges. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, March 19. Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan discussed key issues on the bilateral agenda and regional cooperation, Trend reports. The news follows a telephone conversation between the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty (National Council) of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The two sides exchanged congratulations on the upcoming Navruz holiday and wished each other good health, prosperity, and success, as well as peace and well-being to the peoples of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the dynamic development of Uzbek-Turkmen relations, which are built on friendship, trust, good neighborliness, and strategic partnership. The leaders also discussed preparations for major regional forums and conferences. They exchanged views on the agenda of the upcoming "Central Asia+" summits in Samarkand and the next Consultative Meeting of Central Asian Heads of State in Tashkent. President Mirziyoyev highlighted the significance of the Forum to be held in December in Ashgabat as part of the International Year of Peace and Trust, initiated by Turkmenistan and declared by the UN General Assembly, along with other international events. In 2024, bilateral trade between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan exceeded $1 billion. Mutually beneficial cooperation continues to expand across various sectors, including industry, energy, transport, agriculture, and water management. The two countries are jointly developing the ShavatDashoguz cross-border trade zone and actively engaging in interregional exchanges and cultural programs. SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here. US President Donald Trump said he would look to counter China's economic advantage from coal-based electricity by authorizing his administration to ramp up production of power from the fossil fuel. "I am authorizing my Administration to immediately begin producing Energy with BEAUTIFUL, CLEAN COAL," Trump wrote in a social media post. It's not clear what Trump was referring to or how his social media decree would affect US policy. Trump already signed an executive order declaring a national energy emergency and directed the Environmental Protection Agency to boost fossil fuel production and distribution. Coal accounts for about 15% of power generation in the US, down from more than 50% in 2000, according to the US Energy Information Administration. The decline of coal-based power in the US has been stoked by competition from renewable alternatives and cheap natural gas, in addition to federal regulations that have raised its operational costs. Still, Trump could tap emergency powers to revitalize coal-fired electricity, repeating maneuvers from his first term, when officials drew up plans to order grid operators to buy electricity from struggling coal and nuclear plants in an effort to extend their life. Last week, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum told Bloomberg Television the administration was considering using emergency powers to bring back coal-fired plants that have closed and stop others from shutting. Separately, Energy Secretary Chris Wright said earlier this month the administration was working on a "market-based" plan to stem the closing of US coal-fired power plants. An additional 120 coal-fired power plants are scheduled to shut down in the next five years in part because of environmental regulations that have made them uneconomic, according to the America's Power trade group that represents utilities and miners such as Peabody Energy Corp. and Core Natural Resources Inc. Earlier this month, the EPA said it planned to revisit regulations limiting mercury and greenhouse gas pollution, which could help lower operational costs for coal plants, prolonging their life. Supporters of those requirements have emphasized the need to curb pollution, including soot, a fine particle that can penetrate the bloodstream, raising risks of cardiovascular and respiratory problems. The metal mercury also is converted in soil and water into a neurotoxin that can lower IQ, damage the nervous system and lead to heart attacks. Trump officials and coal-power advocates have argued that keeping the plants online could help lower energy costs and supply energy to power-thirsty data centers and artificial intelligence. China has relied on coal-fired power to surge manufacturing of an array of goods - including solar panels, critical minerals and semiconductors - and drive the country's economic expansion, helping make it the world's No. 1 emitter of the greenhouse gases fueling global warming. Even as its annual gross domestic product, in current US dollars, jumped from about $361 billion in 1990 to around $14.7 trillion by 2020, China's coal consumption quadrupled and carbon dioxide emissions more than tripled. China's use of cheap coal power to fuel manufacturing has spurred bipartisan concern in the US, where officials have fretted that Beijing's growing dominance in producing clean-energy tech and other goods imperils jobs in the US. Even so, China has engaged in record-setting installation of solar and wind power, and the country has pledged to peak its overall emissions before the end of the decade. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, March 19. Uzbekneftegaz (Uzbekistan's oil and gas company) and US-based Honeywell company discussed prospects for cooperation, Trend reports. The matter was reviewed at a meeting between the leadership of Uzbekneftegaz and representatives of Honeywell. The meeting presented information on projects implemented by Uzbekneftegaz, results achieved and strategic plans of the company. The projects include initiatives aimed at introducing new technologies in the oil and gas industry, automation and digitalization of production processes, and improving energy efficiency. During the discussions, it was emphasized that Uzbekneftegaz is committed to establishing production that meets high technological standards through business process transformation. These initiatives contribute to strengthening the country's economic stability and ensuring high efficiency in the oil and gas sector. Honeywell praised the potential of Uzbek specialists and highlighted the importance of future cooperation. The company also provided details on key projects implemented in Uzbekistan and potential areas for further collaboration. Additionally, Honeywell introduced the employees of its newly opened office in Uzbekistan. Meanwhile, Honeywell plans to produce linear alkylbenzenes in Uzbekistans Shurtan gas chemical complex. This was revealed during a meeting between Uzbekneftegaz (Uzbekistans oil and gas company) and the Honeywell UOP delegation. In the course of the meeting, the sides also discussed the modernization of automated process control systems People taste grapes at a grape fair in Turpan, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Aug. 17, 2024. [Xinhua/Chen Shuo] A side event at the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council showcased China's progress in rights protection. GENEVA, March 18 (Xinhua) China has made significant progress in pursuing sustainable development and human rights protection in recent years, experts said at a side event during the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council on Monday. The event, titled "The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Human Rights Protection," was co-hosted by the China Society for Human Rights Studies and the China Foundation for Human Rights Development. Sun Meng, a professor at the Human Rights Institute of China University of Political Science and Law, emphasized China's commitment to a path that integrates sustainable development with human rights protection. She added that China has always adhered to the development concept of innovation, coordination, greenness, openness and sharing, as well as the people-oriented development principle, and fully implemented the idea of human rights protection. Senior residents learn calligraphy at an elderly care center in Dongcheng District in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 31, 2024. [Xinhua/Li Xin] Zhou Shaoqing, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, stated that one of the reasons behind the rise of ideologies and movements that severely impact social cohesion and even political stability worldwide is the extreme disparity in wealth and the high inequality of economic and social rights. He emphasized that China addresses this issue through relevant policies and legislation to ensure economic and social equality, with a particular focus on promoting equal development for ethnic minority regions and remote regions. China's systematic policy framework, development priorities, and the goal of "common prosperity" provide valuable references for addressing global governance inequality, he added. Tang Yingxia, deputy director of Nankai University's Human Rights Center, stated that human rights, climate change, and sustainable development are closely interconnected, and this intrinsic link calls for active measures at the national level. Women attend an event celebrating the International Women's Day with their children at a kindergarten in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, on March 7, 2025. [Photo by Fang Dongxu/Xinhua] She highlighted that China is addressing climate change by proposing and implementing its dual carbon goals to protect environmental rights. Furthermore, China has adopted relevant measures at various levels and achieved remarkable success in the development of a low-carbon economy. Da Lu, an associate professor from China's Southwest University of Political Science and Law, noted that there are still many challenges ahead in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. He called on the international community to adhere to the principles of consultation, joint construction and sharing, promote the building of a more just and reasonable international order, and inject more positive impetus into global development. This photo taken on Feb. 29, 2024 shows an exterior view of the United Nations (UN) Office in Geneva, Switzerland. [Xinhua/Shi Song] (Source: Xinhua) Editor: Wang Shasha Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, is welcomed by villagers singing the grand song of the Dong ethnic group while visiting the Zhaoxing Dong Village in Liping County of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province, March 17, 2025. Xi made an inspection tour in Guizhou Province from Monday to Tuesday. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi] GUIYANG, March 18 (Xinhua) Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has stressed that areas with large ethnic minority populations should preserve their distinctive culture and let it shine through the integrated development of culture and tourism. Xi made the remarks on Monday when inspecting Liping County, southwest China's Guizhou Province. When visiting the Zhaoxing Dong Village in the county, Xi and villagers sat around a firepit to discuss all-around rural revitalization at a drum tower, a unique architecture for the Dong ethnic group that serves as a communal gathering spot. Tourism has become a major industry and rural tourism is thriving, Xi said, wishing the villagers' lives to grow more prosperous with each passing day. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, waves to villagers while visiting the Zhaoxing Dong Village in Liping County of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province, March 17, 2025. [Xinhua/Yan Yan] Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, sits with villagers around a firepit to discuss all-around rural revitalization at a drum tower while visiting the Zhaoxing Dong Village in Liping County of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province, March 17, 2025. [Xinhua/Yan Yan] Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, sits with villagers around a firepit to discuss all-around rural revitalization at a drum tower while visiting the Zhaoxing Dong Village in Liping County of Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province, March 17, 2025. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi] (Source: Xinhua) Editor: Wang Shasha Damaged homes and a car at a site of a Russian drone strike in the Ukrainian town of Hostomel in Kyiv Oblast on March 19, 2025. Demonstration in Cologne against the massacre of Alawites in Syria, March 15, 2025 On Saturday March 15, several thousand people protested in the German city of Cologne against the recent massacres of members of the Alawite minority in Syria. Several Alawite associations had called for the rally under the slogan Stop the genocide of the Alawite population in Syria. The protest was directed against the massacres recently perpetrated by the Western-backed Islamist militia Haiat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) against the Alawite population. The violence began after residents of the village of Beit Ana refused to hand over a suspect to the security forces on March 6. Fighting quickly spread from there between former soldiers of the Syrian army under Bashar al-Assad and troops of the HTS government led by Abu Mohammad al-Jolani (real name Ahmed al-Scharaa). In response, the HTS troops launched a large-scale operation. Within two days, at least 745 civilians were killed. Soldiers of the new government executed Alawite men who had served in the security forces under the Assad regime. Several Alawite villages were looted and burned, and their inhabitants shot. The president of the umbrella organisation of the Alevi community in Germany (AABF), Huseyin Mat, opened the rally by accusing the international community and regional actors of simply ignoring the mass murder of the Alawite community that had taken place on the Syrian coast between Latakia and Tartus. One poster addressed the complicity of the German government. It showed HTS founder and Syrian transitional president al-Sharaa with the Green Party Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. After the fall of Bashar al-Assad, the German government promised the HTS regime aid projects worth over 60 million. On Monday, during a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, Baerbock pledged a further 300 million in aid. The poster at the demonstration demanded the Immediate arrest of Syrians IS founderI dont want to finance terrorism with my taxes. Poster against the German government's complicity with the Islamist militia Haiat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in Syria At the rally, Suleyman Serhan Narl from the Federation of Arab Alevis in Europe (AAAF) stated: Since the beginning of the latest massacres, more than 7,000 civilians have been killed on the Syrian Mediterranean coast solely for their beliefs, according to our information. He calls for the establishment of a humanitarian corridor from Hatay in southern Turkey to Latakia to evacuate the Alawite population if necessary and to deliver aid. The systematic extermination of Alawites in the region must be stopped, he demanded. Many participants carried their own placards with photos of their family members and friends who have been murdered by the HTS militia. Lara and Adam, two hospital doctors who came to Germany a few years ago, are among them. They carried several signs and expressed their despair at having already lost many friends and acquaintances. They fear for their families and friends in Syria. We are from Latakia, said Lara. They have not only carried out these massacres in Latakia, but also in Tartus. The victims are civilians, both women and men, who we know, with whom we studied. She points to a photo on her placard. Thats the sister of a colleague of ours. Hes also a doctor. We studied together and worked together. And thats his mother and his father. The terrorists had entered the family home and They killed his mother and sister. His father survived because he was at work in the hospital at the time. It wasnt a fight. They entered the home of civilians and shot them all dead. Posters of participants in the Cologne rally with photos of their family members and friends murdered by HTS militiamen She pointed excitedly to another photo. And this one here is a pharmacist. Adam added, He is a pharmacist and also our colleague. First they killed him and then the next day they killed his pregnant wife. They killed them in cold blood. They killed the whole village. He immediately pointed to another photo. Here, too. Dead. Theyre innocent peoplecivilians, unarmed people, doctors. Lara adds, pointing to a picture of a young person, And thats a child. The boy had nothing to do with the Assad regime, Adam said. This family, he continued, are relatives of a friend of ours. He is a doctor in Syria and Adam related how his relatives were killed. And there are thousands of these reports, thousands, he said. Here is our friend, he says, bursting with emotion. His name is Brahim and he is a trauma surgeon. These are two pharmacists, a husband and wife. They never had anything to do with the war, they never fought. They were happy that Assad had gone and thought that peace had finally come. Instead, they were killed. He then told of another tragedy. He points to a photo of a little girl. There were groups that only took the men and boys out of their apartments and shot them. The girls father took his son and fled, believing this to be the case. He left his wife and little daughter behind. He thought they would never kill his wife and daughter. But they did that too. Both are dead. The little girl was three or four years old. It was important for Lara to address the media reports in Germany: The media reports that this is just a fight between Assad supporters and the army and the new government. Yes, there was fighting and as a result, there were also victims on both sides who died. But what are we talking about now? Civilians. They had nothing to do with the fighting. Nobody is saying that thousands of civilians have been executed in cold blood. The massacres lasted three days. We saw it here in Germany on Instagram, said Lara, a video of the jihadists gathering and saying, Were coming to your village and were going to kill you all. We thought it was just a threat to spread fear. But no, they went to the villages, one after the other, and killed the inhabitants. People asked us on social media to do something. To make it stop! But there was nothing we could do. We are sitting here in Germany and have to watch helplessly, said Adam. Lara continued, Its not over yet. They stole the mobile phones of those killed. And they call every number and say: We know your name, we know where you live, and youre next. The people who are still alive, who have survived, are paralysed with fear, and we cant do anything from here. Thats why were here, to show and tell people whats going on. Thats all we can do. The Labour governments work and pensions minister Liz Kendall has laid out a savage programme of attacks on welfare recipients, aimed at saving more than 5 billion. They are the most brutal cuts to welfare carried out by any post-war government, Conservative or Labour, removing disability and incapacity benefits from hundreds of thousands of people. Kendall, a leading Blairite, gleefully outlined her key proposals from the governments 80-page Green Paper in the House of Commons on Tuesday. Liz Kendall, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions announcing welfare cuts in Parliament, March 18, 2025 [Photo by House of Commons/Flickr / CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 The Starmer government aims to legislate its Dickensian onslaught before the summer recess using Labours substantial majority. Access to disability benefits known as Personal Independence Payments (PIP), covering living costs and mobility costs, will be severely restricted. Only a small minority of PIP recipients, those deemed unfit to ever work again, will retain their claim. The first of hundreds of thousands of current PIP recipients will lose their entire 70 a week payment in November 2026. The governments torching of disability payments was trailed over several days, with its plans leaked for a multiyear freeze on the value of PIP, a real-terms cut of 600 million in 2026-27, rising to 3.3 billion by 2029. Over the weekend media outlets including the Guardian reported a (non-existent) rebellion by a handful of Labour MPs, claiming this had forced the government to backtrack. But the Financial Times cited a senior MP saying government leaks about a PIP freeze was a classic bleeding stump tactic To make it look like theyve made concessions and the actual cuts arent as bad. In fact, Kendalls welfare cuts go way beyond the leaked measures. An estimated around one million people will lose their entitlement to disability benefits altogether. To qualify for PIP in future, a minimum of four points under the daily living component will be required under the draconian Work Capability Assessment (WCA). People struggling with washing, eating and dressing themselves will not qualify. Those too ill to work receive a health top-up currently through a Universal Credit payment, which is twice as much as that paid to job-seekers who are not ill. The new regime will freeze this health top-up for existing claimants, and it will be slashed for new claimants also, by 47 a week (2,444 a year). People under the age of 22 wanting the health top-up to Universal Credit will no longer qualify under plans in the Green Paper. As part of Labours demonising the disabled as work-shy, Kendall announced a Right to Try scheme giving people the confidence to take the plunge and try work without the fear this will put their benefits at risk. This measure will create a ready-made pool of ill and vulnerable people who will be pressured into jobs, while eligibility for health-related benefits is drastically narrowed. Kendall announced the WCA will be scrapped from 2028, due to it being complex, time-consuming and often stressful for claimants. But the Kafkaesque WCA will be replaced by increased face-to-face assessments, with Kendall attacking previous Conservative governments for allowing a fall in the number of claimants assessed, from seven in 10 to only one in 10 currently. One of Labours first measures on taking office in July last year was the axing of winter fuel payments to 10 million pensioners. But the 1.3 billion saved annually was ridiculed by corporate media outlets as chickenfeed. They demanded far harsher attacks on welfare to pay for military spending. Starmers government is on message. In parliament today, Kendall railed against the disabled and sick, vilifying the 1 in 10 people of working age now claiming a sickness or disability benefit 2.8 million out of work due to long term sickness And the number of people claiming Personal Independence Payments set to double this decade, from 2 to 4.3 million with the growth in claims rising faster among young people and mental health conditions. Following her sickening performance in the Commons, the media faithfully regurgitated her talking points. BBC News displayed graphs showing the UK is an outlier in terms of the percentage of the population claiming sickness benefits. Kendall had earlier railed at taxpayers paying millions more on the costs of failure with working age sickness and disability benefits up 20 billion since the pandemic, set to rise by a further 18 billion by the end of this Parliament to 70 billion a year. Such a massive toll of illness and disability is a direct outcome of decades of austerity. Boris Johnsons declaration, Let the bodies pile high in their thousands, expressed the homicidal attitude of the ruling class toward the working class. Almost 250,000 people have died from COVID-19 in Britain, millions have suffered the effects of Long COVID, while the entire hospital system is on life support. Labours welfare cuts were denounced by disability rights groups. Richard Kramer, former Chief Executive of Sense, posted on X, The government has announced the biggest cuts to disability benefits on record. These cuts are wrong and punitive and affect the poorest and most marginalised individuals in the country. Cutting the income of disabled people will not help them return to work. Dr. Jay Watts, a consultant clinical psychologist, posted: Can we take a moment for the sheer cruelty of increasing reassessments & face-to-face assessmentswhen terror of them has been explicitly linked to suicide & self-harm in Prevention of Future Deaths reports? Labour knows this. Yet here we are. Sam The Long Covid Unicorn wrote: Liz Kendalls bullying and cruel #DisabilityBenefits cuts are worse than anything the Tories have ever done. Watching Liz Kendalls gruesome hate-filled expression was genuinely upsetting and unsettling for me. Labour is a fascist endeavour. Outrage and disgust was summed up by a photoshopped image of an incapacitated woman hauling a trailer-load of bricks underneath the Nazi concentration camp slogan, Work sets you free. Labours assault on welfare follows last weeks announcement axing NHS England, part of Labours plans to privatise the National Health Service. Labour is emulating the Trump administrations Department of Government Efficiency headed by fascist oligarch Elon Musk. Starmers operation has been dubbed Project Chainsaw, mimicking the tool Musk wielded in the air, symbolising his plans to slash $2 trillion from government spending. Starmer began this week with an op-ed statement in business newspaper City A.M. saying of Labours deregulation and cuts agenda: It will take years of discipline, focus and a willingness to make tough choices. But my government is taking on that challenge to bring back the animal spirits of the private sector, and to make Britain the best place in the world to start and build a business. Starmer has explicitly linked the gutting of public spending and the destruction of the welfare state with preparation for war and the governments massive increase in military spending, declaring now more than ever, national security is economic security And youre not strong if you lose control of your public finances. Todays Telegraph carried an article by its Senior Economics Reporter Eir Nolse headlined, Britain cant afford to defend itselfthe expanding welfare state is to blame, stating bluntly, The UKs ballooning benefits bill threatens the Governments ambitions to rearm. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. The Istanbul Prosecutor's Office has issued a detention warrant for 100 people, including Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, his advisor Murat Ongun, the mayor of the Beylikduzu district Murat Calik, and the mayor of the Sisli district Resul Emrah Sahan, under an investigation into terrorism, bribery, and corruption cases, Trend reports. The communique from the Prosecutor's Office indicated that the apprehended individuals are alleged to be at the helm of a criminal syndicate, engaging in its operations, perpetrating extortion, facilitating bribery, executing fraud, unlawfully aggregating personal data, and orchestrating manipulations within procurement processes. Ekrem Imamoglu is a Turkish entrepreneur, real estate developer, and social democratic politician now holding the position of the 32nd mayor of Istanbul. He was initially elected with 4.1 million votes, securing victory by a margin of 13 thousand votes against his AKP rival in the March 2019 mayoral election as the joint candidate of the Nation Alliance, including the Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Good Party. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Destinii Hope, 2 months, was shot and killed by police on Thursday, November 7 in Independence, Missouri. [Photo: Talisa Brian Coombs] Jackson County, Missouri, prosecutors announced Friday evening that they will not press criminal charges against the police officer from the town of Independence who fatally shot Maria Pike and her two-month-old infant, Destinii Hope. Pike and her daughter were killed by the still-unnamed officer on November 7, 2024, after police responded to a domestic violence call. According to details released by authorities and partial body camera footage, officers were responding to a domestic violence call at an apartment complex. Destiniis grandmother, Talisa Coombs, had called police, alleging that Pike had assaulted her during a visit to check whether she was complying with a Childrens Division safety plan. Police were informed that a child was in the apartment, but they reportedly entered the wrong unit in the complex and held Bug Arnold at gunpoint before proceeding to the correct one. Destiniis father, Mitchell Holder, told the Kansas City Defender that he asked if they could speak through the apartment door, saying he did not want his daughter to be around armed officers, but they entered anyway. Both Holder and Pike reportedly struggled with mental health issues, with Pike suffering from postpartum depression. After entering the apartment, the two officers encountered Pike in a nursery-like area in a walk-in closet, where she was nonverbal toward the officers. The officers reportedly called for backup from a Crisis Intervention Team officer. According to prosecutors, the two officers spent 11 minutes trying to speak with Pike. Pike then exited the nursery area, passing the officers to sit on the bed. Despite having called for assistance and Pike not posing any threat, the officers communicated with each other, signaling preparations to make an arrest, which would have required forcibly taking Destinii from her mother. Pike reportedly then waved her finger as if to communicate no or a negative response to this communication between the officers. Shortly afterward, she grabbed a large kitchen knife from a nightstand next to the bed and held it above her head. One officer ran toward the door while the other immediately drew his weapon and fired at Maria and Destinii. This information was presented in a sixteen-page letter explaining the decision, signed by prosecutor Melesa Johnson. The document concludes: After a thorough and independent review of available evidence and applicable legal standards, this Office has determined that we will not file criminal charges against the Shooting Officer. This decision was justified on the grounds that the officer acted reasonably to defend himself from Maria Pike, and that the killing of Destinii could only be considered in the context of whether the officer shot her intentionally. Prosecutors argued that shooting at a woman holding a baby was not an unjustifiable risk because the officer believed his life was in danger. Such legal reasoningand the entire framework of the prosecutors decisionis a textbook example of the polices role as enforcers of class rule rather than upholders of public safety. The decision not to prosecute, meaning not even bringing the case before a grand jury to determine if it should proceed to court, is based entirely on the officers right to act without regard for public safety. The document repeatedly states that the officer is not legally bound to retreat or desist, meaning the officer had no legal obligation to avoid killing a woman and her baby. It upholds that an officers trained instinct to kill is legally justified as a reasonable response. It also centers the officers authority to arrest Maria Pike, establishing that they were legally authorized to take all reasonable actions to make the arrest, including using force, and repeatedly cites the prevention of escape as justification for using force. Despite having already called for a Crisis Intervention Team and Pike not posing a threat, the officers decided to arrest her in a situation where a mentally distressed mother would have to be forcibly separated from her infant. Regardless of how the law is written, no matter how draconian, it is evident from the available evidence that the officers created a confrontational situation in which the safety of Pike and her baby was secondary to the officers authority to use force on their terms. Additionally, dispatch had informed the officers that Pike might be armed with a knife before they encountered her. The document states that the officers goals upon entering the apartment were to conduct a protective sweepi.e., a check or search of the unit for weapons or other personsand to locate the Civilian. However, the document does not reference any attempt by the officers to search for weapons, nor is such an attempt apparent in the partially released body camera footage, despite them being in the room with Pike for over ten minutes. In response to the decision, the Kansas City Law Enforcement Accountability Project issued a statement saying, This outcome is not only a profound failure of our justice systemit is a failure of our collective responsibility to protect and honor every member of our community, including those with mental health issues and disabilities. The statement also raised questions that remain unanswered by authorities, including whether Pike still had the knife in her hand when she was shot, the presence of an unexplained bullet entry wound in her back, and the officers decision not to wait for the Crisis Intervention Team. These and other questions cast serious doubt on the prosecutors decision and raise concerns about what information is being withheld from the publicspecifically, why the full body camera footage has yet to be released months after the shooting. It is clear that not all facts are being disclosed and that authorities are withholding information to protect the shooting officer. If the officers actions were truly justified, the full body camera footage would have been released to support that claim. This tragic killing of a distressed mother and her two-month-old baby is all too common. Every year, police kill more than 1,000 people. In 2024, police killed 1,365 peoplethe highest number ever recorded. So far this year, police have killed 222 people, and 2025 is on track to be another record-breaking year. Since the killing of George Floyd in 2020 sparked mass protests calling for the defunding of police departments and promises from Democratic politicians to invest in better training and accountability, the number of killings has not declinedin fact, it has increased significantly. By comparison, 1,159 people were killed in 2020, which at the time was a record. Underhand methods employed by Communication Workers Union (CWU) officials to impose USO reform pilots at 37 delivery units across the UK have been exposed by events at Cumbernauld, one of the targeted sites in Scotland. The delivery office of around 40 staff is scheduled to become only the second unit to begin implementing the pilot scheme following Newton Mearns (also just outside Glasgow) three weeks ago. Cumbernauld delivery office Royal Mails pilots are introducing an Optimised Delivery Model (ODM) that was agreed by the CWU in December. CWU Deputy General Secretary Martin Walsh signed an Enablers Letter in December, headlined: Working together to create the right platform to introduce USO Reform. The pilot scheme is a dress rehearsal for 300 million in cuts and mass job destruction via the dismantling of six-day-a-week letter deliveries to 32 million UK households. The scheme is being overseen by joint working groups of managers and union officials. Workers at Cumbernauld say they have been included in the USO reform pilots without their consent. They are angered at CWU local and regional officials who have brow-beaten and threatened workers to accept the pilots and Royal Mails ODM. Bureaucratic stitch-up at Cumbernauld CWU members at Cumbernauld called for a workplace meeting in January after they learnt in December that their office was included in the pilot scheme. A worker at Cumbernauld told WSWS: Some of the members demanded a meeting to discuss their concerns. The rep dragged his feet, eventually agreed to hold a meeting at the end of the week, but then changed the proposed date. A workplace meeting lobbied for by members was held on Wednesday 22 January. But workers say the CWU workplace rep ensured the meeting was not advertised and the date was only confirmed that morning. More than twenty postal staff were in attendance. Those who spoke said the new delivery model was unworkable and their present duties unmanageable. Tellingly, the CWU workplace rep blocked a motion to boycott the pilot, arguing that workers should address their grievances on an individual basis. Another worker at Cumbernauld told WSWS: A colleague proposed a motion to boycott the pilot. He said that Cumbernauld postal workers should not participate in a trial to lead a charge to eliminate jobs, dismantle the USO and increase workloads. His motion called for a no-confidence vote in CWU officials who have signed up to this without the consent of members. This received a seconder. Those who were present say the CWU workplace rep suppressed the motion, insisting the meeting could not discuss it or put it to a vote. The rep claimed the motion would lead to his sacking by management! The same worker said, The motion put forward what the CWU should be doing if it was really addressing our concerns and standing up for our jobs and the mail service. Whats the point of being in a union if we dont even have the right to debate or vote on a motion, or oppose attacks on our terms and conditions? Thousands of jobs are on the line across Royal Mail Having blocked the motion, the CWU rep appealed to members that by taking part in the pilot, they could prove it was unworkable. He claimed he was in contact with senior CWU officials about this, and that CWU Divisional Rep Tam Dewar, Outdoor Assistant Secretary Tony Bouch and Walsh would be invited to attend a joint union-management briefing about the pilot to be held at Cumbernauld. That workplace briefing was held the following Tuesday, with a display of unity between management and CWU reps. Another worker who was present told WSWS, Once again, there was no support [for the pilot], and a couple spoke in opposition to the changes. One colleague said it was an Amazon type race to the bottom. The rep said, Its not the members fault that Royal Mail gave away all the money to shareholders, so basically there was no alternative. The management representatives just agreed with the CWU, telling everyone: your union has agreed [to the pilots]. Workers say there was no clear explanation provided about the ODM and its impact on work practices. It was stated that delivery frames would be re-configured based on the reduced mail service and a new route coverage would proceed based on a revised start date moved back from February to March. No senior CWU officials showed their face at the briefing. But it later transpired that one of those standing side-by-side with management was a CWU Divisional Rep. He did not introduce himself during the briefing, but went around the workplace afterwards telling postal staff that unless the pilot was accepted, they could be out of a job and the company would go bankrupt. Following this browbeating exercise, the union moved to impose new duty patterns, promoted as a pathway to having additional Saturdays off. This has become a Trojan horse for dismantling the USO. While the CWU denied workers at Cumbernauld a vote on the pilots, they organised a workplace ballot in February offering three new delivery options, with the majority voting for two Saturdays off in five (the same as Newton Mearns). This is what Bouch described as engagement with the membership, after his flying visit to pilot sites in Scotland more than three weeks ago. Claims about engagement have been refuted by postal workers, as reported by WSWS. At Newton Mearns, delivery staff have reported widespread mail failures and impossible workloads, while their colleagues at Cumbernauld are facing the same even before the pilot goes live (the start date has been pushed back a third time, from March 17 to March 24). The number of duty pattern options for the USO pilots has now been extended from three to seven following an Addendum to the terms of reference agreed between Walsh and Royal Mail executives. For the privilege of additional Saturdays off, it states the following scenarios may apply: Longer working days, later finish times for full time and part time colleagues: less opportunities for part time to become full time and shorter rest periods in some weeks in the rota. The case for rank-and-file organisation The pilot scheme is a rigged exercise between Royal Mail, Ofcom and CWU officials to rubber stamp 300 million of cost cutting to make thousands of jobs losses. Postal workers must take back control from the union apparatus based on a new leadership of trusted fighters on the shopfloor and a rank-and-file network to break the pro-company grip of the CWU bureaucracy. The Postal Workers Rank and File Committee (PWRFC) has called for workplace meetings to halt the pilots and begin a fightback to resolve postal workers grievances: unmanageable workloads, unsafe working practices, a two-tier workforce, prioritisation of parcels over letters, and management bullying. This resistance must be extended across all 1,200 delivery offices. Postal workers rights must take priority over billionaires like Daniel Kretinsky who are taking a wrecking ball to the USO. If the companys owners are incapable of providing secure jobs and decent pay, then Royal Mail must be placed under public ownership, with the wealth created by postal workers used to improve the mail service, including pay, terms and conditions. The Labour governments abolition of NHS England, a DOGE-style assault targeting 30,000 jobs, is part of plans to destroy the NHS. Workers face a political fight against a Labour government and trade union bureaucracy that defends ruthlessly the interests of the financial oligarchy. The fight at Royal Mail must reach out to post and logistics workers internationally who are facing a brutal wave of corporate restructuring and privatisation. Workers at United States Postal Service face 10,000 job losses in the next 30 days and the stepped-up plans for privatisation. US President Donald Trump is erecting a dictatorship via executive orders and police state repression alongside his fascist billionaire henchman Elon Musk to enforce job cuts among tens of thousands of federal workers. The PWRFC in association with the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees is providing the basis for a globally coordinated fightback. We urge postal workers to get in touch, subscribe to our newsletter and organise a rank-and-file group at your workplace. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (credit: WSWS media) The revelation that National Institutes of Health (NIH) officials are instructing scientists to scrub references to mRNA technology from their grant applications is an unmistakable sign of the Trump administrations war on science. This brazen attack, detailed in leaked emails and firsthand accounts from researchers, is not an isolated incident. It is part of a far-reaching, deliberate assault on public health, spearheaded by the Trump administration through Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the anti-vaccine demagogue now installed as Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary. The ruling elites unrelenting effort to dismantle scientific institutions, suppress research, and weaponize public health policies against the population has been ongoing for years. But with Trump and his vassal Kennedy at the helm, this war on science and public health has entered a new, more sinister phase. Scientists are now being coerced into self-censorship, fearing that even acknowledging mRNA vaccines in their research proposals could cost them fundingand their careers. Multiple scientists have come forward, under the cover of anonymity, to reveal that NIH officials warned them to remove references to mRNA vaccine technology from grant applications. A monumental achievement of science, developed over the course of decades of pioneering research, mRNA technology is currently the most promising advance in the fight against cancer, AIDS and other infectious diseases. An NIH official confirmed that acting Director Matthew Memoli instructed staff to report any mRNA vaccine-related grants, contracts, or collaborations to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s office and the White House. Memoli further cancelled other research, such as on vaccine hesitancy. This unprecedented directive signals the agencys intention to abandon a field of research that has saved millions of lives worldwide. The COVID-19 vaccines developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, which relied on mRNA technology, have been administered to billions, with conservative estimates crediting them for preventing at least three million deaths in the U.S. alone. Scientists rightfully fear that this is the precursor to an outright ban on federally funded mRNA research, a decision driven not by evidence, but by the anti-vaccine conspiracy theories that have become gospel in Trumps circles. The final goal: to dismantle public health and divert all social funds to the billionaires. According to an NIH-funded scientist in New York, who spoke to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF.org) under conditions of anonymity, There will not be any research funded by NIH on mRNA vaccines. MAGA people are convinced that these vaccines have killed and maimed tens of thousands of people. Its not true, but they believe that. This paranoia, fueled by disinformation, has real-world consequencesnot only for scientific progress but for the countless lives that could be saved by future mRNA-based vaccines, especially considering the promising ongoing research on cancer. The decision to suppress mRNA research cannot be separated from the broader attack on public health orchestrated by Kennedy. Long before he was installed as HHS Secretary, Kennedy had built his career on spreading disinformation about vaccines, in the process accruing millions of dollars in personal wealth. Now, he has the full power of the federal government at his disposal to impose his anti-vaccine ideology. As Texas grapples with a growing measles outbreak that has infected 279 people as of March 18, Kennedy has used his platform to denounce childhood vaccination schedules, falsely claiming that vaccines are unsafe. His response to the outbreak has been nothing short of criminal negligence. Instead of urging immediate vaccination, Kennedy has peddled baseless theories that malnutrition, not lack of immunization, is the primary driver of the crisis. When a child died from measles in Texas, Kennedy doubled down, promoting vaccine choice and questioning the effectiveness and safety of the MMR vaccinedespite overwhelming evidence that it is one of the safest and most effective vaccines ever developed. At the same time, Kennedy is clearly directing the CDC to review the thoroughly debunked claims that vaccines cause autism, while pushing the FDA to stall or completely eliminate this years seasonal flu vaccine development program, which would have devastating consequences in the US and globally. This winter has seen the worst flu season in the US in over a decade, with over 23,000 needless deaths so far. This rejection of science is not just a rhetorical stance; it is an active government policy. Under Kennedy and Trumps leadership, the administration has gutted federal public health infrastructure. One of their first moves was the mass firing of 5,200 HHS workers, including critical personnel from the Epidemic Intelligence Service, effectively crippling the nations ability to monitor and respond to disease outbreaks. The removal of mRNA research from NIH funding applications is part of a broader strategy to suppress vaccine science, dismantle public health institutions, and promote medical quackery. The administrations Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by fascist billionaire Elon Musk, has been tasked with overseeing a sweeping reorganization of federal agencies, with directives to prepare for massive layoffs. The NIH, a global leader in biomedical research, now finds itself under intense political pressure to abandon projects that contradict the Trump administrations reactionary agenda. As a result, critical vaccine-related studies remain in limbo. Dr. Kawsar Talaat, a vaccine researcher at Johns Hopkins University, has been waiting for months for NIH funding to recruit participants for a study on an antidiarrheal vaccine. NIH had previously approved the grant, but now, under the new regime, researchers like Talaat have no idea whether their work will move forward or be axed. This is scientific censorship on a scale never before seen in the United States. The consequences will be catastrophic. The very research that could protect humanity from cancer, one of the main causes of death, or from the next pandemic, is now under threat from an administration hellbent on imposing its anti-science dogma. The Trump-Kennedy assault on public health is not just a domestic issue. The administration has already signaled its intent to withdraw NIH funding from international collaborations, targeting global vaccine research efforts. This includes research in South Africa, which the White House has falsely accused of persecuting white Afrikaner citizens. These xenophobic policies will further isolate American scientists against their will from the rest of the world, leaving critical global health initiatives to wither on the vine. At the same time, the administration is actively working to criminalize mRNA vaccine distribution in multiple states. Republican lawmakers in at least seven states have introduced bills aimed at banning or restricting mRNA vaccines, with some proposing criminal penalties for doctors who administer them. The goal is clear: to turn conspiracy theory into law and dismantle the publics access to lifesaving vaccines. The Trump administrations decision to purge mRNA vaccine research from NIH funding is an attack on science itself. It is an attempt to erase knowledge, to rewrite reality according to the dictates of reactionary ideology that seeks to defund public health. Scientists are now forced to make a grim calculation: submit to political censorship, or risk their careers. The scientific community and the working class must recognize this crackdown for what it is: the opening salvo in a full-scale dismantling of public health and modern medicine. The Trump administration, with Kennedy as its public health executioner, is determined to roll back decades of scientific progress. Should they succeed, the costs would be measured not just in lost research and ruined careers, but in millions of human lives. IGM rally in Stuttgart, Germany, on March 15, 2025 On March 15, the German industrial union IG Metall (IGM) held a nationwide day of action in five cities. The event, announced well in advance, took place on the day after the establishment partiesthe conservative Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU), Social Democrats (SPD) and Greensagreed to fund a massive rearmament program. What was billed as a wake-up call for secure work and a protest against industrial cutbacks, instead turned into a nationalist spectacle and an endorsement by IG Metall of Berlins war course. IG Metall chairwoman Christiane Benner (SPD), who spoke in Hanover, explicitly backed Berlins plans for a so-called special fund, financed on credit. It is good that the politicians have shown that they have understood, said Benner. Now all political forces must take responsibility to ensure that this central project does not fail. Jurgen Kerner, Second Chairman of IG Metall, who gave the keynote speech in Stuttgart, expressed similar sentiments. Politicians have woken up, recognized the seriousness of the situation and are striking out in the right direction, Kerner said. Trade union leaders everywhere praised the easing of the so-called debt brake, which limited governments from running a deficit, and gave nationalistic speeches in support of domestic industry. Above all, they demanded an affordable energy price and that politicians must deliver this now. None of IGMs banners opposed Germanys rearmament and war plans. Not a single IG Metall spokesperson on stage criticized the military madness, leveling no critique against armament programs that will swallow up to a trillion euros to arm the Bundeswehr (the German armed forces) and make the infrastructure war-ready. In Stuttgart, a person carrying a sign reading No to war and History repeats itself was refused entry to the event, with the assistance of the police. This symbolic incident illustrates the transformation of IG Metall into a police force for the state and corporations against workers. IG Metall chartered special trains and several hundred buses to bring its bureaucrats, shop stewards and works councilors to the events, along with workers from the factories. They were provided with plentiful beer, whistles and IG Metall vests and scarves on the way, to warm them up for the occasion. According to the union, there were around 81,000 participants from IG Metall and IG BCE (a union for mining, chemistry and energy workers) in total. This included 25,000 in Stuttgart, 23,000 in Cologne, 12,000 in Frankfurt am Main, 12,000 in Leipzig and 9,000 in Hanover. These figures were likely exaggerated. Our reporters in Leipzig estimated the number of participants at a maximum of 5,000, and in Cologne there were likely far fewer than claimed. By way of comparison, it should be noted that there are around 3.9 million workers in the metal and electrical industry in Germany. IGM rally in Cologne, Germany, March 15, 2025 The works council chairmen of Ford, Thyssenkrupp and Huttenwerke Krupp Mannesmann (HKM) spoke at the Deutzer Werft shipyard in Cologne. As these companies are all threatening mass redundancies, the speakers attempted to rally nationalism and local site politics. In the style of Donald Trump, IG Metall chief treasurer Nadine Boguslawski demanded that whoever wants to sell cars in Germany should also create jobs in Germany. This was a not-so-subtle attack on China. However, the further one moved away from the union cheering squads at the stage, the more clearly a completely different mood emerged. The most common reaction to the 1 trillion euro war loans was: Theyre crazy in Berlin. Cem, a metalworker from the city of Neuss, raised the question: What danger are they talking about? He felt threatened above all by Germanys rearmament itself. Now VW is supposed to produce armaments again, thats crazy. My colleague at work has already said, Weve seen all this in Germany in the 1930s. This has to be prevented! Two Thyssenkrupp steelworkers from Duisburg were skeptical about the future. Ive been at Thyssen for forty years, said the first. We used to wage serious fights, but IG Metall hasnt been able to win anything for us for a long time. Theyve completely lost our trust. That is why most of their younger colleagues did not come to the rally, they explained. Both workers assessed the situation as threatening. They had often experienced redundancies at Thyssen, but it is different today. A younger worker pointed to job cuts at the Ford plants, in the steel industry, at VW and in the chemical industry and said that he had started as a temporary worker at Thyssenkrupp. We dont even know if well get a retirement. Both workers were interested in the idea of building internationally networked Action Committees under the direct control of the workers. One said, We have to all fight together. Both spoke out against the governments rearmament and war policy. Now the German army is even in Lithuania, said one of them. And when you see how Rheinmetall is making profits, its really just sick. Dino, Murat and Raffaele from Thyssenkrupp Steel in Kreuztal-Ferndorf Dino, Murat and Raffaele work at Thyssenkrupp Stahl in the city of Kreuztal-Ferndorf. They reported that their plant is closely linked to the Thyssenkrupp site in Kreuztal-Eichen, which is due to close in 2026. The three cannot imagine that their site will survive without the one in Eichen. The workers and their 1,000 colleagues at both sites could become victims of the planned 11,000 job cuts at Thyssenkrupp Stahl. Dino pointed out that the profitable defense division TK Marine Systems is to be sold off and said that further dismemberment of the group as a whole threatened to destroy the entire steel division. It is important that the Group remains together, he said. When Knut Giesler, IGM district manager for North Rhine-Westphalia, took to the stage and spoke, Murat commented, That is the man who promised us that the plant in Eichen would not be closed. He didnt keep his promise. IGM demonstration in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, March 15, 2025 On the sidelines of the Frankfurt rally where delegations from the Rhine-Main region, from the German states of Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland. Many who were in attendance were likewise opposed to Germanys war course. Like Bendix is a young chemical worker from the Hochst Industrial Park. He is completely against Germanys rearmament because he is against war and fascism, he explained. He is very interested in history, especially the history of IG Farben union. Bendix reported with concern that he was constantly finding traces of the Nazi past resurfacing. Andreas, an older IG Metall worker from Mannheim, also recalled, 30 years ago, we in the union campaigned for the conversion of armaments factories into civilian production plants. Today, the exact opposite is being done. He explained that he worked in rail vehicle construction. The same group (Bombardier Alstom) also owns the plant in Gorlitz, which has just been sold to an armaments company. Andreas said, This transformation must be terrible for my colleagues. It certainly would be for me. The weapons will be used at some point. The argument about saving jobs is really weak, he continued. In Gorlitz, only 300 or 400 out of 800 workers will be kept on, so its not even good for the jobs. The plant in Gorlitz has existed for 175 years, our plant in Mannheim for 110 years. Kevyn, steel worker at Saarstahl in Volklingen Kevyn, who has been working at Saarstahl in Volklingen since 2010, explained that he came to the rally because I wanted to see clearly where things are heading. In Saarland, all the metal companies are cutting jobs and all the workers are worried about their livelihoods. The number one priority is always profit and people come last. He views the plans of the CDU/CSU and SPD in Berlin with concern. Nobody wants war. And [incoming German chancellor Friedrich] Merz was the last thing we needed. He thought it was wrong to supply Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles, as Merz has demanded. I didnt know what to vote for in the elections this time. I couldnt really get behind any party, Kevyn continued. It must be possible to bring the economy and the people together. But people always fall by the wayside. In Stuttgart, Stephan, who works at Bosch, said he used to be a member of the Green Party, but left five years ago. The Greens are no different than the other parties. They used to speak out against war and in favor of the environment and refugees. But now nothing they say is acceptable to me. The World Socialist Web Site and the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party) urges metalworkers to unite independently of the IG Metall bureaucracy through the establishment of Action Committees in every factory. The working class must link up the fight against job cuts and war on an international and socialist basis. Get in touch via our WhatsApp number +49 163-3378 340 or register here using the form below this article! In line with International Monetary Fund dictates, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna/National Peoples Power (JVP/NPP) government has decided to establish a state holding company to accelerate its restructuring of state-owned enterprises (SOEs). Ceylon Electricity Board workers protesting against privatisation in Colombo on January 4, 2024. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced the policy at a recent economic forum organised by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. He confirmed that the stock company will be listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange. The super-holding company, he said, will resemble models established in countries like Malaysia and Singapore, opening the door for both local and foreign private investors. It follows Dissanayakes budget, which was presented to parliament on February 17, and is based on implementing the International Monetary Funds (IMF) demands. The IMF has repeatedly insisted that the Sri Lankan government restructure its SOEs and avert a financial burden on the state treasury. A report issued by the IMF in September, 2023, titled Sri Lanka: Technical Assistance Report-Governance, strongly recommended the formation of a state holding company. It also called for all commercial SOEs to be registered under the Companies Act, to comply with the principles of Good Corporate Governance, and to compete with market competitors. The previous Wickremesinghe government had already begun implementing these recommendations for SOE restructuring. During last years election campaigns, President Dissanayake and the JVP/NPP cynically promised to renegotiate the Wickremesinghe governments agreement with the IMF. Claiming it would modify some of the harsher provisions, the JVP/NPP government is now fully implementing the IMFs austerity demands. Forming a holding company and restructuring SOEs are part of this process, marking the first step toward the privatisation of SOEs. On December 31, Cabinet spokesman and Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa told a press briefing, Our first effort is to keep these institutions under government control and make them contribute to the countrys development. If that effort fails, only then will we consider privatisation. On March 1, Labour Minister and Deputy Economic Development Minister Anil Jayantha stated that the government had appointed a committee to review all SOEs and decide how best to manage them without burdening the treasury and by improving efficiency. The restructuring and privatisation of SOEs will lead to mass job losses, reduced wages and benefits for workers, as well as increased utility prices, such as for electricity and water, in order to make them profitable and not a burden on the treasury. Following the third review of the IMF program and the release of the fourth instalment of its $3 billion bailout loan to Sri Lanka, the IMF further stressed the necessity of restructuring or privatising the countrys 430 SOEs. As part of this process, the government has decided to amend the Wickremesinghe governments 2024 electricity reform bill to restructure the state-owned Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB). The Power Sector Reforms Process Committee (PSRPC) of the Power and Energy Ministry will create three state-owned companies for the CEB, which will hold shares in fully unbundled electricity generation, transmission and distribution companies instead of the previously proposed 12 companies. The finance ministry has also directed the power ministry to consult with development financiers such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank (WB). An article published in the Sunday Times on March 9 cited a finance ministry document revealing that the ADB and WB are supporting Sri Lankas reform agenda through the Power Sector Reforms and Financial Sustainability Program. This focuses on restructuring the CEB and the Lanka Electricity Company (LECO), implementing electricity pricing reforms, and promoting renewable energy development. According to the finance ministry letter quoted by the newspaper, The World Bank and ADB will closely monitor progress, with adherence to agreed actions being critical for future budget support Therefore, wider stakeholder consultation is recommended, including the aforementioned parties. The trade unions have backed these moves. Last year, tens of thousands of workers, including CEB employees, protested against SOE restructuring and privatisation. Thousands of CEB workers stopped work between January 3 and 5, demonstrating outside the CEBs head office in Colombo. The Wickremesinghe government responded by suspending 62 CEB employees for participating in the protest. The CEB unions, however, did not mobilise other workers to defend the victimised employees. Instead, leaders of the CEB trade union alliance, headed by the JVP-controlled Lanka Electricity Workers Union, held round table discussions with then Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara to discuss restructuring measures, including the reduction of the CEB workforce by 5,000. While the suspended workers were reinstated in December after the JVP/NPP government came to power, the issue of ongoing privatisation remains unresolved for CEB workers and others. The trade unions limited protests against the Wickremesinghe government, claiming it could be pressured. They pushed workers toward the opposition parliamentary parties, including the right-wing Samagi Jana Balawegaya and the JVP, which are fully committed to implementing the IMF program. In July last year, the JVP suppressed nearly all of its trade union protests against the IMFs austerity measures, sending a clear signal that they were ready to implement these policies once in office. Other unions followed suit by halting any industrial action against IMF austerity. Now, they continue to support the JVP/NPP governments efforts to unbundle and privatise the CEB. The working class cannot fight the IMF and defend its rights while they remain trapped in these pro-capitalist unions. Workers need to organise independently of all capitalist parties and their trade union bureaucracies. Democratically elected workers action committees should be formed in every workplace. Through these committees, the working class can organise a unified movement against the JVP/NPP government and the IMFs austerity measures. In opposition to job destruction, wage cuts and intensified workloads which are aimed at boosting corporate profits, workers should demand that all SOEs be placed under the democratic control of the working class. The Sri Lankan working class is in a political and industrial fight not only against the JVP/NPP government and the local capitalist class but also against international finance capital. This struggle is part of a growing global movement of the international working class and must be organised in association with the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC). It must be connected to the fight for a workers and peasants government based on a socialist program. Gary Tyler, speaking in front of an image of his mother, Juanita Tyler, when she spoke at a Young Socialists conference in Detroit in 1976. Gary Tyler, a frame-up victim who spent 42 years in Louisianas notorious Angola State Penitentiary, spoke on Art as Resilience to an audience of more than 1,000 people at the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor, off of the University of Michigan campus, on Thursday, March 13. The event was part of the distinguished speaker series sponsored by the Penny W. Stamps School of Art and Design. It was held in collaboration with Detroits Library Street Collective art gallery, which had sponsored Tyler as a speaker in July 2023. The event showcased an ongoing exhibition of Tylers work. A renowned quilt maker, Gary Tyler has won many artistic accolades, including the Frieze Los Angeles Impact Prize. In October 1974, Tyler was arrested and falsely charged with the murder of a 13-year-old white youth who was shot amid an anti-busing demonstration in Destrehan, Louisiana, incited by the Ku Klux Klan. Gary, then 16 years old, and other black youth, were on a school bus that was attacked by the racist mob. The police singled out Gary and beat him viciously in an attempt to extract a confession. Speaking last Thursday at the Michigan Theater, Tyler recalled, My mother walked into that room and saw what had happened to her child by grown men (They) didnt care if I lived or died. After a sham trial, Tyler was convicted of first-degree murder and placed on death row at Angola State Penitentiary, formerly a slave plantation and notorious for its violence and harsh conditions. He won his freedom in 2016. Tom Henehan leading the Gary Tyler march through Harlem, December 1976 Gary Tyler became a symbol of Americas brutal class injustices. The Trotskyist movement, the Workers League and the Young Socialists, forerunners of the Socialist Equality Party and the International Youth and Students for Social Equality, played a leading role in the fight for his freedom. They organized marches and meetings to publicize his case, collected 100,000 signatures demanding his release, and won support from unions representing hundreds of thousands of workers. Introducing Tyler at the Michigan Theater, Leah Rutt, the director of operations at the Library Street Collective, spoke of the impact of the enormous campaign for Garys freedom. Everywhere I turn, she said, I meet someone who is connected to him, his case, or his work in some way. Little did I know that Gary Tyler is the mycelium network that connects the forest of humanity. Since his release, Tylers artistic work has gained international recognition. In January 2025, Garys piece Rebirth (2023) was showcased at an exhibition in Davos, Switzerland. His other notable achievements include the 2020 Art Matters award, an honorary doctorate in art and design from the Massachusetts College of Art & Design, and the 2024 Right of Return Fellowship from the Center for Art and Advocacy. Tylers work is displayed at the Historical New Orleans Collective Museum, the collections of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C., and the City of Santa Monicas Art Bank. Tyler began his talk by quoting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He explained how Kings words expressed his approach to life. Addressing an anti-war conference in Los Angeles in 1967, King said: The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of convenience and comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Tyler went on to explain the horrific challenges he faced as a child in the maximum security Louisiana State Penitentiary. Gary said that almost 72 hours after he was put on death row he heard a horrific scream in the night. It was so sickening, he said, I thought it was on a tier that I was on. He then saw a man engulfed in flames. A prisoner had set another inmate on fire with gasoline. He continued: That was the most horrifying thing I was able to witness while in prison, knowing that I was sentenced to die. If this happens in this place, who knows that it could happen to me, and that was quite terrifying for me. But to his surprise, Tyler found that inmates came to his assistance. Lo and behold, the guys that were on the tier knew all about my case. They knew that I wouldnt survive this freaking life unless they helped me. Tyler said that these frightening men who were built like gladiators became his protectors. I was this little kid in an adult prison who weighed no more than 100 pounds, around men who mainly weighed 250 to 300 pounds. These guys were buffed, they were built for war ... These men put their differences to the side and worked to make sure nothing happened to me, like what happened to the guy on the tier above me. Tyler reflected on the mental anguish caused by years of battling the courts to clear his name. The court, he recalled, overturned my conviction, ordered a new trial, and then it returned and overturned that decision again. Gary Tyler speaking in Ann Arbor, Michigan on March 13, 2025. In January 1977, the Supreme Court of Louisiana annulled Tylers death sentence but upheld his first-degree murder conviction. Soon afterward, his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment without parole. In 1980, the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled that Tylers trial was fundamentally unfair and ordered a new trial. However, in 1981, the same court reversed its decision due to a legal technicality despite reiterating that the trial had been unfair. Throughout his incarceration, Garys mother, Juanita Tyler, remained a pillar of strength in his support. In 1976, while Gary was on death row, his mother and his brother, Terry, traveled to Detroit to attend a Young Socialists conference to advocate for Gary. Mrs. Tyler spoke to the crowd of young people, receiving resounding applause and repeated standing ovations. The Young Socialists pledged to never give up the fight for Garys freedom. Speaking at the Michigan Theater, Tyler continued: I survived, and many people asked, were you bitter? Did you hate the people and what they did to you? I said I was bitter. It got to the point that I didnt like white people because I felt they all had a part to do with it. But you know, they tell you either that emotions are there to serve us or you are there to serve them. At that time, I was young, immature, and didnt understand the magnitude of what really happened to me. But in the prison, there were men who educated me until I was able to understand what happened and why. Tyler said that from a whole series of experiences he came to realize that the problems were bigger than racism and that the society itself was unjust. I realized that not only my family, my neighbors, and the community that I was raised in [supported me, but] that there were also whites who saw the injustice, people who realized that this system once again was victimizing people they knew there was something wrong with this picture. The drama club and quilt making At Angola Prison, Gary became president of the drama club and ran the organization for three decades. He quipped that the club was an equal opportunity organization that took anyone who wanted to join. That meant that the guards would often send the most difficult inmates to the drama club. I got the worst of the worst in prison, Gary said, adding that he set about winning these inmates respect with strict rules. Gary Tyler Tyler said he told club members, The drama club is not a democracy, its a dictatorship. They were allowed to miss only two meetings without a valid excuse. Otherwise, they were out. But, he related, he combined this discipline with compassion and guidance. When they had problems, we talked the problems out. When they needed an ear for someone to listen to, I gave that ear. When they needed someone to tell them that what they were doing, they were headed for a car wreck, I told them. You know what, you talk about talent, many of these guys didnt realize until they got in the drama club that they had something in them. These guys were able to not only act, but also sing, dance, and rap. These guys became good players. I had guys that were functionally illiterate, that couldnt read or write, and within six months, these guys literally took apart what had been written for their part. The drama club won wide acclaim after its production of The Life of Jesus Christ was featured in the New York Times. Tyler told the audience that while he hadnt been a big fan of the play because he wasnt religious, he re-wrote most of it and made it suitable. The production featured men from Angola who were serving life sentences. The women came from the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women (LCIW) in St. Gabriel, Louisiana. Everything needed for the play, including the props, was designed and built by the inmates. They even managed to procure a camel. Gary Tyler stands in front of one of his artworks at the Detroit Library Collective at the opening of his exhibit "We are the willing." The biggest challenge, Gary recalled, was finding someone willing to play Judas. Judas was a rat. Judas was a Judas. Nobody wanted to touch it, he said. Tyler convinced his players by drawing a parallel between their own lives, betraying the hopes of their parents and friends and making certain decisions. Showing Judas in the light of a shared humanity, Gary won the inmates over and they committed themselves to the play. He explained that quilt making surprised him. A friend asked for his help to make a quilt, and he remembered that his mother and grandmother used to make quilts. However, he became worried that the inmates would think less of him because quilting was seen as a feminine activity. Then he realized, This is in my DNA. He gained deep respect while working in hospice services, giving his homemade quilts to dying inmates and passing them on to their grieving families. At the conclusion of the presentation, Gary spoke of his ties to Michigan and Detroit, explaining that many students at the University of Michigan supported his case over the years. Yes, I had a great deal of support from people in this area. So, it is an honor to be here, he said. That itself, along with the moral support that I was getting from people throughout the world, kept me going. It was able to sustain me, along with everything else in my struggle. It made me who I am today. Q & A session Many attendees stayed to ask questions after Tylers presentation. One attendee, Luke Galvin, a member of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE), thanked him and stressed that his experiences were incredibly relevant to the conditions young people and workers are experiencing today as the Trump administration and the Democratic Party are arresting some for protesting the war. A section of the audience listening to Gary Tyler speak in Ann Arbor, Michigan, March 15, 2025 Galvin asked Tyler, Given that you mentioned your case was taken up internationally by workers ... I was wondering if you could speak on your experiences with the Workers League, in particular. Tyler replied: Let me say this. Young people, theyre the future of this world and this country in particular. And when I see young kids protesting, demonstrating about the ills of this country, the policies of this country ... history has proven that when we have young people hit the streets and demonstrate and protest, history shows that theyre on the right side! As the crowd erupted into raucous applause, Tyler continued: Never lose faith! Sometimes people need to let young people speak about things; not that they know everything, of course, but you all know what youre doing and what youre saying. So, I encourage what youre doing. Shifting to his latest artistic focus, Tyler highlighted the devastating impact of the Los Angeles wildfires, which ravaged much of Altadena, where he resides. He said: If you go through that city, its like a bomb went off, so Ive been going around taking pictures because I want to create a life-size collage of all these burnt-out homes, cars, and everything else. Tyler concluded: Art speaks for itself. In fact, its the universal language of everything. At the close of the Q & A, this reporter spoke to Tyler and the audience: Gary is only a few years younger than I am. I was out there as a young person in the 1970s fighting for his freedom. Then we had the Young Socialists. Today, we have a group on campus called the International Youth and Students for Social Equality. We are continuing that same fight. Gary is an extremely unusual man. We can see that now. He would never have been able to get that kind of second chance without a struggle. So, I think what Gary is saying todayplease correct me if Im wrongis that we must continue the fight. Tyler endorsed these statements, saying: Of course. The struggle is endless. If we decide that we dont want to struggle, they are going to take us backward. Elevenlabs AudioNative Player Mourners gather around the bodies of Palestinians who were killed in Israeli army airstrikes as they are brought to Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, Tuesday, March 18, 2025. [AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana] On Tuesday, Israel massacred over 400 men, women and children in a series of bombardments in Gaza. In doing so, it launched a new phase of a genocide that is aimed at the systematic extermination or displacement of the entire remaining Palestinian population. Tuesdays massacre was one of the deadliest days of the 18-month-long Gaza genocide, which has killed 61,700 people, according to Gazas media office, and has leveled the entire region. It took place amidst a total blockade of food, water, energy and electricity into Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue the onslaught, declaring that the attacks were only the beginning. The bombardment was carried out with American bombs in coordination with the Trump administration, which acknowledged on Monday that it had been informed in advance. That is, the mass murder was a joint Trump-Netanyahu operation. For the White House, the escalation of the Gaza genocide is seen in direct relationship to the US assault on Yemen, which continued into its fourth day on Tuesday, following the largest attack on Yemen in years, killing dozens of people. And this is itself seen as part of the offensive targeting Iran, and beyond IranChina. Asked about the Israeli bombardment Monday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt declared: As President Trump has made it clear, Hamas, the Houthis, Iranall those who seek to terrorize not just Israel, but also the United States of Americawill see a price to pay. All hell will break loose. Media coverage of Tuesdays massacre presented it within the context of a supposed ceasefire or negotiations. These words are meaningless. In the 528 days since Israel launched the Gaza genocide, variations in the tempo of the extermination campaign, presented as ceasefires in the media, have merely proven to be opportunities for the rotation of troops and the replenishment of ammunition stocks in preparation for the next massacre. The stated, explicit aim of the Trump administration and its client regime in Israel is the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians in Gaza and the annexation of the valuable oceanfront land. The implicit aim, under conditions in which the expulsion of 2 million people is likely to prove logistically impossible, is the total extermination of the Palestinian people. This genocidal project to expel or exterminate the Palestinians forms the linchpin of the plan to create a New Middle East under direct imperialist control, as part of a globe-spanning project of world domination by US imperialism. In February, US President Donald Trump articulated the operative plan for the Gaza genocide, calling for other countries to build various domains that will ultimately be occupied by the 1.8 million Palestinians living in Gaza. The US will take over the Gaza Strip. Well own it, Trump said. Later that month, he explained that the planned ethnic cleansing of the people of Gaza is a small number of people relative to things that have taken place over the decades and centuries. Subsequent actions by Israel have made clear that in referring to things that have taken place over the decades as precedents for his ethnic cleansing plans, Trump meant the Holocaust. Last week, the Associated Press and Financial Times reported that the United States and Israel have engaged in negotiations with Sudan and Somalia to displace the Palestinian people to those East African countries. The proposal is a deliberate homage to the Madagascar Plan formulated by Nazi leaders in 1940, which envisioned the expulsion of Germanys Jews to the African island. That plan was, however, only the prelude to what Nazi leaders called the final solution of the Jewish question, the systematic extermination of Europes Jews. In the years after the Second World War, the Holocaust was remembered as the greatest crime in modern history. The leaders of the democratic governments vowed to adhere to a framework of international law that would make such crimes impossible. But under conditions of a deepening, all-pervasive crisis of capitalism, the American ruling class has abandoned all restraints on the brutality of class rule, both in the conduct of imperialist foreign policy and in the exploitation and repression of the working class domestically. There is a profound connection between Trumps assertion that he will rule as a dictator at home and his open assertion of a policy of colonialism, annexation, ethnic cleansing and genocide. As the Russian revolutionary Vladimir Lenin explained in his landmark work, Imperialism, the untrammeled dictatorship of the financial oligarchy is at the same time the assertion of unlimited colonial barbarism in the realm of foreign policy. But neither the imposition of dictatorship at home nor the policy of genocide spring merely from Trumps head. Rather, Trump is carrying out policies supported by both political parties, who rule on behalf of Americas parasitic financial oligarchy. The current resident of the White House is bringing to their logical conclusion the policies initiated under the administration of his predecessor, Democrat Joe Biden. In May of last year, Biden portrayed peaceful protests on college campuses against the American governments sponsorship of the Gaza genocide as being motivated by antisemitism and against the law. Biden declared, Dissent must never lead to disorder. Under Bidens watch, police attacked peaceful protests, carried out mass arrests and dispersed protests through force. At the time, the World Socialist Web Site warned: Banning protests under the pretext of safeguarding public order and economic stability has been a hallmark of authoritarian regimes throughout modern history. Last week, Trump ordered the arrest and deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student at Columbia University, for exercising his constitutionally protected right to oppose crimes committed by the US government. Trump has laid the foundation for dictatorship with the invocation of the Alien Enemies Act and the declaration that his administration will not be bound by court rulings. In December 2023, the World Socialist Web Site explained the implications of the Biden administrations support for the Gaza genocide: Amid a growing strike movement and mounting domestic political opposition, the Biden administration is seeking to create a precedent for dealing with rebellious urban areas through mass murder. For those factions of the US oligarchy seeking to solve the domestic political crisis through dictatorship, the genocide in Gaza is seen as a testing ground. Over one year later, the Trump administration has worked to put this plan into practice. The American financial oligarchy for which Trump speaks is carrying out a frontal assault on the social position of the American working class: dismantling Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, laying off hundreds of thousands of government employees, destroying public education, and waging a trade war that will have devastating consequences for the social position of working families. The Trump administration fully believes that its actions will lead to mass resistance. It will seek to use the precedents forged in Gaza, and against opponents of the Gaza genocide, for use against the working class. In the coming days, weeks and months, the Trump administration aims to massively intensify its war in the Middle East. Within the administration, there are those who are planning a full-scale US assault on Iran, an aim of over two decades of US imperialist foreign policy. As for the Democratic Party, it is collaborating with the Trump administration, funding its government as it wages war on the working class and on democratic rights. Its differences center on issues of foreign policynot on the Gaza genocide but the war against Russia. No leading Democrat has condemned Israels massacre, and those like Bernie Sanders, who have made toothless and insincere criticisms, fully support the broader imperialist war of which the genocide is one component. In the period ahead, the greatest mistake would be to separate opposition to the Gaza genocide and the struggle to defend democratic rights from the broader struggle to defend the social rights of the working class or to subordinate opposition to Trump to the Democratic Party. The working class is the social force that will stop Trumps efforts to create a fascist dictatorship in America and his drive to exterminate the Palestinian people. The central task is building a socialist leadership in the working class, armed with the theoretical program of Marxism. The Socialist Equality Party and the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) are in the forefront of this struggle. Spains ruling Socialist Party (PSOE) and the pseudo-left Sumar party are finalising plans to raise military spending to 2 percent of GDP, the largest increase in military spending in history, including that under General Francisco Francos 1939-1975 fascist dictatorship. While this increase was planned for 2029, the PSOE-Sumar government sped up the timeline amid escalating tensions between the European powers, the United States and Russia. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez attends a press conference after the "Support Ukraine" summit in Kyiv, Ukraine, February 24, 2025. [AP Photo/Gleb Garanich] Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has already announced his intention to bypass parliament and impose the spending increase by decree in the Council of Ministers, with the full support of Sumars five ministers. On Thursday, Sanchez convened Spains parliamentary parties to discuss behind closed doors his plans to increase defence spending. He met with the leader of the right-wing opposition Popular Party (PP), Alberto Nunez Feijoo, who declared: Europe must rearm. Spain must do so as well. Feijoo said the PSOE-Sumar government should carry out serious and clean negotiations and hold a parliamentary vote to receive PP support. Sanchez is not refusing to hold a vote due to lack of parliamentary support. The PSOE-Sumar minority government could rely on the PP to support the measure. This would however expose the PSOEs alliance with its pseudo-left allies like Sumar and Podemos, who are implementing policies compatible with the PP. To somewhat conceal the right-wing character of their militarist agenda, the PSOE and Sumar are now trying to approve the spending hike by bypassing a parliamentary vote and imposing it by decree. Above all, the social democrats and Sumar want to avoid any public debate. There is deep opposition to increasing defence budgets. According to the Center for Sociological Research (CIS) survey conducted in November 2024, only 14.2 percent of respondents supported the state spending much more on defence. This contrasted with 50 percent of the population supporting a significant increase in healthcare and 42 percent for education. Sanchez has therefore tried to justify the increase in military spending by whipping up unfounded fears of a Russian invasion of Europe. He said: Spain is prepared to meet the 2 percent target, out of commitment to Europe and solidarity with the countries that are asking for the same help. Today, they are asking for that same solidarity so that together we can prevent the threat of Putins Russia. These statements are absurd. After three years of war, Russia remains bogged down in Ukraine in a costly and bloody conflict. The increase of defence spending is not aimed at so-called Russian aggression but at preparing wars of aggression. Sanchez also lied, claiming: Not a single euro will be cut from social policies to meet this commitment to Europe on security and defence. Spain is staggering under an unsustainable debt burden equivalent to 104 percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Wherever its cash-strapped government initially finds the funding for its war plans, workers will pay for it through deep cuts in basic social services. Sanchez also met with the right-wing Basque Nationalist Party leader, Aitor Esteban. Esteban pledged support for the military build-up, declaring that his party will not engage in domestic political maneuvering on such a serious issue. Meanwhile, the Catalan nationalist Junts party conditioned its support for increased defence spending on greater investment in the Catalan arms industry. The Catalan and Basque bourgeoisie thus continue their long-standing support for Spanish imperialismfrom the plundering of South America and Morocco in the 19th and 20th centuries to their role in securing Spains entry into the European Union and NATO, and their backing of US-led neo-colonial wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Balkans, Libya and Syria. Their complicity extends to supporting Israels genocide against Palestinians and NATOs war against Russia in Ukraine. Other Catalan and Basque nationalist parties are keeping the door open to supporting the measure. The Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) tried to appear critical while signalling its readiness to compromise. Although the ERC initially postured as opponents of the increase, its spokesperson, Gabriel Rufian, quickly softened his stance, declaring: The war is here; we must be responsible and go beyond the banner. The Basque Bildu party issued a vague communique pledging to analyse and debate the new scenario with the depth and seriousness it deserves in order to take a comprehensive position based on our own vision. Both ERC and Bildu have a record of supporting defence budget increases. Both backed the 2023 budget adopted by the PSOE-Podemos government, which featured what was until now the largest increase in military spending in the countrys history. Sanchez also met with the pseudo-left Podemos party, who ruled together with the PSOE from 2019 to 2023 and still supports the government in parliament. Podemos General Secretary Ione Belarra wore a no to war T-shirt and said the increase in defence spending is a catastrophic mistake. Two days later, she said she was deeply concerned by the decisions of Sanchezs government and, addressing Sanchez and other European leaders, said: Do you like war? Let your children go. Podemos displays endless hypocrisy. Its supposed pacifism is nothing more than a cynical attempt to distance itself from their split-off, Sumar, to try to regain some of the support it lost while in government. In reality, Podemos is a pro-imperialist and pro-militarist party. In government, Podemos championed military spending. With its support, the Ministry of Defenses budget went from 1 percent of GDP (10.2 billion) to 1.3 percent (19.7 billion) between 2020 and 2023. In 2023, 30 percent of the PSOE-Podemos governments investment budget was allocated to weapons. Podemos backed NATO-led operations, recruiting General Julio Rodriguez Fernandez, who commanded Spains forces in the 2011 NATO war in Libya. In government, it endorsed the decision to send Leopard 2 tanks and rocket launchers to Ukraine, joining in NATOs war with Russia. It was also complicit in Israels genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. Spains arms trade with Israel expanded under the PSOE-Podemos government, including by purchasing Spike missiles. As Sumar has already committed to backing the PSOEs military spending, Sanchez thanked it for respecting commitments to Europe and standing firm in this government. The neo-fascist Vox party was not invited for talks with Sanchez. The PSOE attacks Vox as a pro-Trump party that undercuts plans for war with Russia and military autonomy from Washington. If Vox has criticized calls for a European military deployment to Ukraine, it does not oppose war or militarism. It glorifies the legacy of General Francisco Franco, who led a coup and commanded fascist forces during the Civil War, massacring hundreds of thousands of workers. It also defends Spains colonial wars and has fielded multiple former Spanish NATO generals involved in interventions in Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon and the Balkans. Vox Vice President Ignacio Garriga said it has always defended the need to increase defence spending, calling it not an expense but an investment. The PSOE-Sumar governments push for record military spending without public debate underscores its deep integration into the imperialist war plans of NATO and the European Union. No faction of the political establishment opposes war and militarism. PSOE, Sumar, Podemos or the Catalan and Basque nationalist parties are united in backing the Spanish bourgeoisies warmongering. The working class must reject militarism and war and the austerity that will inevitably accompany it. The fight against war requires a break from all capitalist parties and the building of an independent socialist movement that unites workers across Europe and internationally in opposition to imperialism. To join the fight for rank-and-file committees to fight Trumps destruction of public education, fill out the form at the end of this article. Educators protest at US Capitol in February. [Photo: NEA] The Educators Rank-and-File Committee (ERFC-US) and the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) held a joint meeting on Saturday, March 15, entitled, Free Mahmoud Khalil! Mobilize the Working Class Against Trumps Dictatorship! Defend the Right to Public Education! With a significant turnout of educators, students and workers from around the world, the discussion outlined a program for an independent industrial and political counteroffensive by the working class against Trumps attacks on education and democracy. The meeting culminated in the adoption, by 97 percent of the participants, of a resolution, which included the demand for the immediate release of the unconstitutionally detained Columbia University graduate and Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil and all persecuted university students and workers. It also called to resist the Trump administrations dismantling of the Department of Education and privatization efforts through the formation and building of independent rank-an- file committees to organize collective resistance, connecting to broader class struggles through the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC). The resolution, as well as the meetings opening report by California teacher and World Socialist Web Site (WSWS) writer Renae Cassimeda, have been published on the WSWS, and are available here. Cassimedas report outlined the urgent crisis facing public education and democratic rights under the Trump administration and detailing its attacks, highlighting the bipartisan nature of the assault. It explained the need for the organization of rank-and-file committees, independent of the trade union bureaucracies and both corporate-controlled parties, to mount a genuine resistance. Tom Carter, a California attorney and a WSWS writer, gave a presentation following the opening report. He explained that the meeting was taking place at a historic moment amidst an ongoing operation to impose an authoritarian police state dictatorship in the US. Carter emphasized that the abduction of Khalil was not an isolated incident but part of a broader dismantling of democratic rights. The Trump administration, Carter said, falsely claimed Khalil, a green card holder and permanent US resident, had no rights and was being deported for illegal protests, despite admitting he broke no laws. Carter concluded by stating that this drive towards dictatorship stems from the interests of the capitalist oligarchy, and the defense of democratic rights depended on the political struggle of the working class to take power in its own hands and expropriate the wealth of the oligarchy. Student negotiator Mahmoud Khalil on the Columbia University campus in New York at a pro-Palestinian protest encampment on Monday, April 29, 2024. [AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey] During the discussion a high school student from Texas noted Cassimedas point that the assault on education was not unique to the Trump administration, specifically referencing George W. Bushs No Child Left Behind program. Cassimeda and other speakers elaborated on these historical precedents and the bipartisan nature of these attacks on education, starting with Reagans promotion of the anti-public education tract A Nation at Risk, Clintons promotion of school choice and Obamas Race to the Top. Under the latter, Obama cut federal Title 1 funding to schools with low-income students and bribed school districts to expand charter schools, introduce merit pay and fire teachers at failing schools devastated by poverty and years of budget cutting. An IYSSE member at Wayne State University in Detroit, denounced the kidnapping of Khalil and Leqaa Kordia, another Palestinian activist in the US from the West Bank, who was abducted by ICE in Newark, New Jersey last week. He stated that these actions are not only an attack on democratic rights but also a fear tactic intended to stop or limit protests against the genocide. I wont pretend that Im unafraid, he said. But I will continue to fight because while fear is a potent weapon, courage comes from the fact that the working class and young people hold the power to overcome it. He concluded, Hitler required 53 days to dismantle German democracy. The question isnt what will happen next because we know from history what will happen. Its how we will fight against it. David Rye, a California teacher, IYSSE member and writer for the WSWS, gave a report on the situation facing university campuses. He described the abduction of Khalil as a spearhead of the assault on democratic rights and the suppression of anti-genocide protests on campuses nationwide. Rye highlighted the politically motivated investigations into universities and the threat to free speech, noting that Trumps administration has already cut $400 million in research grants and contracts to Columbia University as part of its coercion. He argued that Trump intends to transform universities into propaganda tools by exerting control over their funding and academic programs, as well as by attacking science. Rye then stressed that the fight against these attacks could not be limited to students on the college campuses. The continuation of the US-backed Israeli genocide in Gaza, despite mass protests by young people for more than a year, demonstrated that no appeals to the conscience of the ruling class could stop war and dictatorship. Instead, students has to turn to the working class and mobilize its great social strength against the capitalist system, the source of massive budget cuts, social inequality, war and dictatorship. This required a fight against the Democratic Socialists of America and other pseudo-left organizations, which reject the revolutionary role of the working class and tie young people to the Democratic Party through the promotion of identity and other anti-Marxist politics. Serious times require serious politics, Rye said, urging young people to join the IYSSE. Speaking in the discussion, Clare, a teacher from Alabama, emphasized the urgency of the situation and necessity for teachers and the working class to fight against Trumps fascistic attacks. I just want to say, as a teacher, this is not a game. This is a war. This is a straight up attack against all children who are living in a state of need. Whatever that need may be, whether it be additional education, whether it be assistance with hunger, whether it be assistance with programs Our rights are under assault Now as educators, we have to realize that we have the power to fight back in all these ways, because they found out during the pandemic they cant do it without us. Yeah, with a bunch of children in under-supplied rooms and crappy, dilapidating buildings with not enough access to resources, and we do it every day We need to stand up. We need to make sure everybody stands up with us, and we need to make this stop. Participants raised a series of critical questions, which were also addressed in the course of the discussion. George, a retired University of Michigan professor, expressed his support for the meetings focus on the working class. However, he said, there were historical experiences of workers being divided against each other, with some discriminated against others based on racial and ethnic prejudice. He asked how the socialist movement intends to address this inhumane occurrence and ensure unity and respect for all, regardless of their racial or ethnic backgrounds in future movements. Jesse Thomas, a New York City teacher, writer for the WSWS and moderator of the meeting, emphasized that the great struggles of history have required the unification of workers across racial and ethnic lines. This was not an automatic process but had been actively fought for by socialists against all forms of racial and nationalist poison promoted by the political establishment and trade union bureaucracies. He called on Will Lehman, a socialist autoworker who ran for United Auto Workers (UAW) president in 2022, to further elaborate. While such prejudices exist, Lehman said, it is possible to overcome them and unite the working class with the correct leadership and perspective. An international strategy for the working class Drawing on his experience campaigning among thousands of autoworkers, Lehman said autoworkers overwhelmingly support his program of uniting workers across national boundaries and conducting a common struggle against the transnational corporations, which were attacking the jobs and conditions of workers in every country. Lehman emphasized that the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) aims to provide the clear political perspective for workers to unite and overcome these divisions. He denounced trade union leaders, such as UAW President Shawn Fain, for cozying up to Trump and promoting tariffs and economic nationalism, which undermine the unity of US workers with their brothers in Canada, Mexico, China and the EU. Lehman concluded that rank-and-file committees would transfer power from the union apparatus to workers on the shop floor and create the best conditions for a unified struggle by all workers to defend their jobs, living standards and basic democratic rights. The international character of the struggle to defend education and democratic rights was underscored in the comments of Brazilian teacher and Socialist Equality Group (SEG) member Tomas Castanheira. He warned US educators that Trump was following the fascist model of Argentinas President Javier Milei and former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro to destroy public education and militarize the schools. Eric, a former college student from Northeast Ohio, asked how someone outside the formal educational system could connect with current students and teachers. He expressed interest in creating coalitions to broadly unite the left, seeking advice on the most effective way to achieve this. Teachers fill the Capitol building in Charleston, West Virginia in 2018 Nancy Hanover, a WSWS writer, warned how coalitions of the left have repeatedly been used to subordinate working class struggles to the trade union bureaucracy and the Democratic Party. She detailed how the DSA and other pseudo-left organizations embedded in the teacher unions had worked diligently to derail the powerful rank-and-file rebellion of teachers in 2018-19, which began with the wildcat strikes in West Virginia. They lined up completely behind the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Educators Association (NEA) unions. They falsely painted these rotten deals as wins. They lent their websites to the invaluable assistance of shutting down the strikes. They gave a left spin to the role of the unions while AFT President Randy Weingarten was flying from state to state shutting down these strikes. They required the use of groups like Bad Ass Teachers and the Maoists, and all of these other phony, phony socialists to do their dirty work for them. Although the strike wave, which spread to Oklahoma, Arizona and other states, began in defiance of the AFT and NEA bureaucracies, the union apparatus was able to reassert its authority over the teachers and crush the strike movement. This coincided with the cynical lie that the election of Democrats in 2020 would end the nightmare of the Trump administration. Instead, four years of the Biden-Harris administration, with its endless warmongering and austerity for the working class, paved the way for the return of the would-be dictator to the White House. Before reading the resolution, WSWS Labor Editor Jerry White pointed to the decades-long transfer of wealth from the bottom 90 percent of the population to the top, which had been overseen by both parties. The share of national income for the bottom 90 percent had fallen from 67 percent in 1975 to 47 percent in 2023, with some $79 trillion taken from the working class during this period to enrich the corporate and financial oligarchy that rules America. The meeting ended with overwhelming adoption of the resolution, which concluded: The following comments were made by Tomas Castanheira, a Brazilian teacher and member of the Socialist Equality Group (SEG), to the March 15 online meeting co-sponsored by the Educators Rank-and-File Committee (ERFC-US) and the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE). The meeting was titled, Free Mahmoud Khalil! Mobilize the Working Class Against Trumps Dictatorship! Defend the Right to Public Education! Other reports and a fuller account of the meeting can be found here and here. To join the fight to build the educators rank-and-file committee, fill out the form at the end of this article. Outsourced education workers of Belo Horizonte vote for strike, February 24, 2025. [Photo: Sind-REDE/BH] I would like to thank you for this invitation. My name is Tomas Castanheira. I am an educator here in Brazil and a member of the Socialist Equality Group of Brazil. I would like to begin by saying that what workers are going through in the United States is coming as a big shock not just to workers in America but to workers all over the world. There has been a great political shift in the situation and these massive attacks against education, the living conditions of the working class and basic democratic rights will wake up a powerful movement across every section of the working class not just in the United States but all over the world. I would like to recall my personal experiences as a teacher. I remember just as I got into education system there were massive strikes in 2017-18 that brought hundreds of thousands of people into the streets against the cuts in pensions of teachers and public employees. These strikes were betrayed and I witnessed this process. I remember very well when I read the World Socialist Web Sites account of this process, not just in Brazil but in every single continent. It was then that I understood that the movement that I went through and was going through was part of a much broader movement of educators all over the globe, which was an answer to the universal capitalist policy of gutting social spending and pensions all over the world. The ruling class saw these programs as pools of already extracted surplus and the capitalist system was just ripping up the social rights of the working class to pay for its crisis. But this powerful movement was dissipated by the Workers Party (PT) and its supporters in the trade union bureaucracies and pseudo-left movements. Though the working class has immense power, it is critical for workers to understand what they are living through and the political forces that are arrayed against them. The most impelling need is to have a clear political perspective. I would like to quote briefly Leon Trotsky, who was the co-leader of the Russian Revolution and one of the greatest revolutionary strategists of all time. The masses, of course, are not at all impeccable. Idealization of the masses is foreign to us. We have seen them under different conditions, at different stages and in addition in the biggest political shocks. We have observed their strong and weak sides. Their strong side-resoluteness, self-sacrifice, heroismhas always found its clearest expression in times of revolutionary upsurge. During this period the Bolsheviks headed the masses. Brothers and sisters, this is the kind of movement we are going through. So, the greatest political task for everyone here is to develop themselves politically, to have a clear political perspective because this is what is going to lead masses of people now. I would like to end my contribution by reading a statement from another comrade in Brazil, Guilherme, who is also a teacher. Ill abbreviate it because of time but I think it makes a very important contribution to the discussion because it lays out the international character of the attacks being promoted in the United States that will have a profound impact in relation to Brazil itself. Comrade Guilherme wrote that in recent years bipartisan attacks on public education in the United States have taken place with the same content and intensity as in Brazil and throughout Latin America. Since the Trump administration came to power this process has intensified. He has been inspired by the government of Argentinas fascist president Javier Milei, who recently gifted a chainsaw to billionaire Elon Musk, the head of Trumps so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This symbolizes what is in store for the entire working class in the Western Hemisphere: massive cuts to social and democratic rights accompanied by brutal repression of any movement to resist them. In Brazil, the measures carried out by Milei and now Trump have been praised by right-wing politicians and the financial markets as a model. This includes Sao Paulo Governor Tarcisio de Freitas who is a close ally of former president Jair Bolsonaro, an outright fascist who is currently awaiting trial for attempting to violently abolish democracy in Brazil two years ago and impose a brutal military dictatorship. It is critical to understand that Bolsonaros coup attempt was directly inspired and was fundamentally a political continuation of the January 6, 2021 coup attempt by Donald Trump in the United States. Here in Sao Paulo our state governor Tarcisio de Freitas has continued the fascistic policies promoted Bolsonaro, which aims to militarize the basic education. Up to 100 public schools in Sao Paulo are currently under threat of being converted into what they call Civic Military Schools. The aim of this policy is to put an end to what they call leftist indoctrination in education to mold a constituency in the schools for a fascist dictatorship. Several of the proposed measures are simply a return to the practices that were utilized in the schools during the bloody military dictatorship in Brazil that lasted from 1964 to 1985. Other measures are new, including the presence of what they call Civic Military Monitors linked to state military-security forces and wearing military style uniforms in schools. These fascist monitors would be responsible for disciplinary issues and for extracurricular activities such as the raising of the flag at the school on a weekly basis, which was constant during the dictatorship. This monitor will also be responsible for a subject called Values Project, which includes a two-hour class per week that will cover ethics and civics contents. These topics, in turn, are part of the subjects of Philosophy and Sociology, which successive governments and the pro-corporate high school reform of 2017 have targeted for being part of an alleged leftist indoctrination of students. It is important to understand what the military dictatorship promoted in the schools because this is a burning question not just in Brazil but also in the United States. In 1969, the military dictatorship responded to major student strikes and protests by introducing two subjects into the schools called, Morals and Civics and Social and Political Organization of Brazil. The main objective of those subjects was to indoctrinate students, justify the US-backed coup in Brazil and fight back against left-wing sentiments among students. The militarization of education hasnt just happened with Bolsonaro and his local fascist allies. Similar measures are being carried out in the state of Bahia, which is governed by the Workers Party (PT), a so-called left party. The PT was formed as a unity of the left coalition party in the beginning of the 1980s in response to massive strikes that brought down the military dictatorship. Its main objective was to permit a transition of regimes within the framework of capitalism. It had many left-sounding ideas except the taking of power by the working class and the destruction of the capitalist state. The PT is in power and is ruling for the capitalist class. Its answer to fascism is to promote fascistic measures themselves supposedly to keep the fascists from taking power. Their answer is to promote capitalist attacks, the normalization of fascism in politics, to supposedly prevent Bolsonaro from coming back in power. There are powerful lessons here and those lessons point to the development of a conscious political leadership which is guided by an internationalist and a historic perspective. We must take up the lessons of history, take up the lessons of the Russian Revolution that brought the working class to power and the innumerable defeats caused not by the incapacity of the working class, or its supposed unwillingness to unite and fight, but by the betrayals of its leadership which prevented it from taking power. Thank you very much. BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. The Istanbul Prosecutor General's Office has issued a detention warrant for seven suspects, including Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, Deputy Secretary General of Istanbul Municipality Mahir Polat, and the head of the Sisli municipality Resul Emrah Sahan, on charges of "assisting the PKK terrorist organization, Trend reports. The communique from the Prosecutor General's Office indicated that as part of the municipal elections held on March 31, 2024, an activity called "Urban Consensus" was carried out with the aim of strengthening the influence of the PKK terrorist organization in major cities, including Istanbul. The leaders of the terrorist organization, Cemil Bayik and Mustafa Karasu, published their ideas and instructions through media outlets connected to the organization in the run-up to the election. There is evidence that in the Istanbul election, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu formed an alliance with the Peoples' Democratic Congress (PDK), an umbrella structure of the terrorist organization, based on the principle of "urban consensus." As a result, operations were simultaneously conducted against PDK members in several cities, especially in Istanbul, and investigations continue into the detained individuals. The investigation revealed that members of the municipal council elected on the Republican People's Party (CHP) list, as well as some appointed mayors, are connected to the terrorist organization. As part of the investigation, based on gathered evidence, Imamoglu, Polat, Sahan, Head of the Institute of Reforms Mehmet Ali Caliskan, as well as A.B., identified as a member of the ideological structure of the terrorist organization and currently on the run, an employee of the "Spectrum House" company, and H.A., whose name was linked to recruitment for the armed forces of the terrorist organization in 2018, as well as Deputy Mayor of Sisli Ebru Ozdemir, are allegedly involved in the "urban consensus" activity. Ekrem Imamoglu is a Turkish entrepreneur, real estate developer, and social democratic politician now holding the position of the 32nd mayor of Istanbul. He was initially elected with 4.1 million votes, securing victory by a margin of 13,000 votes against his AKP rival in the March 2019 mayoral election as the joint candidate of the Nation Alliance, including the CHP and the Good Party. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Student negotiator Mahmoud Khalil on the Columbia University campus in New York at a pro-Palestinian protest encampment on Monday, April 29, 2024. [AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey] On Tuesday, Mahmoud Khalil, a legal resident of the United States who has been kidnapped and imprisoned by the Trump administration for his role in anti-genocide protests at Columbia University, released a powerful statement from inside an immigration detention facility. The administration is seeking his deportation. Khalil, 30, has not been charged with a crime, yet he remains incarcerated in an ICE detention facility over 1,300 miles from his wife, an American citizen who is expecting their first child in April. These are his first public comments since he was abducted on March 8 in New York City. Khalils statement, first published by the Guardian, is titled Letter from a Palestinian Political Prisoner in Louisiana and was dictated over the phone from inside the prison. It reads, in part: My name is Mahmoud Khalil and I am a political prisoner. I am writing to you from a detention facility in Louisiana where I wake to cold mornings and spend long days bearing witness to the quiet injustices underway against a great many people precluded from the protections of the law. Who has the right to have rights? It is certainly not the humans crowded into the cells here. It isnt the Senegalese man I met who has been deprived of his liberty for a year, his legal situation in limbo and his family an ocean away. It isnt the 21-year-old detainee I met, who stepped foot in this country at age nine, only to be deported without so much as a hearing. Justice escapes the contours of this nations immigration facilities. Khalil described being taken by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents who refused to provide a warrant, and accosted my wife and me as we returned from dinner. He continued. Before I knew what was happening, agents handcuffed and forced me into an unmarked car. He noted: DHS would not tell me anything for hoursI did not know the cause of my arrest or if I was facing immediate deportation. At 26 Federal Plaza, I slept on the cold floor. In the early morning hours, agents transported me to another facility in Elizabeth, New Jersey. There, I slept on the ground and was refused a blanket despite my request. My arrest was a direct consequence of exercising my right to free speech as I advocated for a free Palestine and an end to the genocide in Gaza, which resumed in full force Monday night. With Januarys ceasefire now broken, parents in Gaza are once again cradling too-small shrouds, and families are forced to weigh starvation and displacement against bombs. After briefly detailing his family history, including growing up in a refugee camp in Syria after his family was displaced during the 1948 Nakba, Khalil indicted the Biden and Trump administrations as well as officials at Columbia University not only for his detention, but for trampling on the democratic rights of everyone. He wrote: I have always believed that my duty is not only to liberate myself from the oppressor, but also to liberate my oppressors from their hatred and fear. My unjust detention is indicative of the anti-Palestinian racism that both the Biden and Trump administrations have demonstrated over the past 16 months as the U.S. has continued to supply Israel with weapons to kill Palestinians and prevented international intervention. He continued: While I await legal decisions that hold the futures of my wife and child in the balance, those who enabled my targeting remain comfortably at Columbia University. Presidents Shafik, Armstrong and Dean Yarhi-Milo laid the groundwork for the U.S. government to target me by arbitrarily disciplining pro-Palestinian students and allowing viral doxing campaignsbased on racism and disinformationto go unchecked. Columbia he wrote: surrendered to federal pressure by disclosing student records to Congress and yielding to the Trump administrations latest threats. My arrest, the expulsion or suspension of at least 22 Columbia studentssome stripped of their B.A. degrees just weeks before graduationand the expulsion of SWC (Student Workers of Columbia) President Grant Miner on the eve of contract negotiations, are clear examples. After recounting the role of students in leading protests against war and racism historically, Khalil warned: The Trump administration is targeting me as part of a broader strategy to suppress dissent. Visa-holders, green-card carriers and citizens alike will all be targeted for their political beliefs. In the weeks ahead, students, advocates and elected officials must unite to defend the right to protest for Palestine. At stake are not just our voices, but the fundamental civil liberties of all. Khalils statement, came on the same day that President Donald Trump, on his Truth Social account, viciously attacked Federal District Judge James Boasberg for issuing a 14-day temporary restraining order blocking the deportation of immigrants under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. Trump wrote: This Radical Left Lunatic of a Judge, a troublemaker and agitator who was sadly appointed by Barack Hussein Obama, was not elected PresidentHe didnt WIN the popular VOTE (by a lot!), he didnt WIN ALL SEVEN SWING STATES, he didnt WIN 2,750 to 525 Counties, HE DIDNT WIN ANYTHING! I WON FOR MANY REASONS, IN AN OVERWHELMING MANDATE, BUT FIGHTING ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION MAY HAVE BEEN THE NUMBER ONE REASON FOR THIS HISTORIC VICTORY. Im just doing what the VOTERS wanted me to do. He then called for the judge to be impeached, writing: This judge, like many of the Crooked Judges I am forced to appear before, should be IMPEACHED!!! WE DONT WANT VICIOUS, VIOLENT, AND DEMENTED CRIMINALS, MANY OF THEM DERANGED MURDERERS, IN OUR COUNTRY. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!! Trumps rantings are not just mean tweets, but an incitement of his fascist followers, including Proud Boy and Oath Keeper militia elements who sought to overthrow the 2020 election and whom he pardoned earlier this year. Unlike Hitler, who came to power with thousands of SA brownshirts under his command, Trump is trying to build up a paramilitary force using the office of the presidency, a fascistic Republican Party and a complicit Democratic Party. Trumps attacks on the judiciary compelled Chief Justice John Roberts to issue a rare statement Tuesday rebuking Trump. In a message sent to the corporate media, Roberts wrote: For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose. In an interview with Laura Ingraham on Fox News, Trump responded to Roberts statement by continuing to attack the judge, while claiming that he had not violated the judges court ordera flagrant lie as Trump defied the judges order to turn planes with kidnapped Venezuelan migrants around and return them to the US. Some 260 alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang are in custody in the notorious terrorist prison in El Salvador, where they were flown by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Trump said: I never did defy a court order... However, we have bad judges. We have very bad judges, and these are judges that shouldnt be allowed... I think at a certain point you have to start looking at, what do you do when you have a rogue judge? The judge that we are talking about... Hes a lunatic. Trumps incitement against bad judges is part of his open defiance of the courts and his crossing of the political Rubicon into presidential dictatorship. Eight weeks into his second term, Trump, as promised, is ruling as a dictator, ignoring Congress and the courts and ruling by decree. While Trump claimed that he never did defy a court order in his interview with Ingraham, top officials in his administration have publicly stated they will not comply with court orders. On Monday, Trumps attorney general, Pam Bondi, in an interview on Fox News accused Boasberg of attempting to meddle in national security and foreign affairs, adding that he cant do it. She continued: What hes done is an intrusion on the presidents authority. You know, this one federal judge, again, thinks he can control foreign policy for the entire country. And he cannot and right now we are evaluating our options. Asked if the administration planned to continue doing these flights Bondi replied: Absolutely. These are foreign terrorists. The president has identified them and designated them as such and we will continue to follow the Alien Enemies Act. Trumps border czar Tom Homan likewise promised to ignore court orders. Im proud to be a part of this administration, he said Monday. We are not stopping, I dont care what the judges think, I dont care what the Left thinks, we are coming. Trumps fascist allies in the House, including Reps. Eli Crane, Andy Ogles, Andrew Clyde and Brandon Gill, circulated posts on social media Tuesday calling for the impeachment not only of Boasberg, but also Judges Paul Engelmayer, John Bates and John McConnell, Jr. Crane, Ogles and Clyde all played leading roles in the Stop the Steal movement leading up to Trumps January 6, 2021 putsch. The fact that none of them are behind bars, and instead in a position to overthrow the Constitution is entirely the fault of the Democratic Party. Last Fridays vote for Trumps continuing resolution to fund his dictatorship proved that the Democratic Party is not an opposition party, but a partner in the bipartisan assault on democratic rights and social rights such as public health, education and retirement benefits, in the service of the financial oligarchy and imperialist war. Khalils call to action to demand his freedom and that of all persecuted immigrants and opponents of genocide and war must be taken up through the independent mobilization of the working class against their sourcecapitalismand both of its political parties. The apparatus used for nitrogen gas executions at Angola prison in Louisiana [Photo: Louisiana state courts] Louisiana ended its 15-year hiatus from state killings with the execution of Jessie Hoffman Jr. by nitrogen hypoxia. The state paused executions in 2010 due to legal challenges to its lethal injection protocol and the inability to obtain the necessary drugs to carry out the killings. The US Supreme Court, in a 5-4 ruling just hours before the state killing, declined to halt Hoffmans execution. On Friday, a federal appeals court vacated a preliminary injunction blocking the execution granted by a lower judge. About 50 anti-death penalty advocates protested outside the gates of Angola state prison, holding a vigil for Hoffman as the state began his execution at around 6:00 p.m. local time. According to Louisianas new protocol, Hoffman was strapped to a gurney, fitted with a full-face respirator mask and forced to breathe nitrogen gas pumped into the mask until his heart stopped. His attorney Caroline Tillman confirmed shortly before 7:00 p.m. that the execution had been completed. Tonight, the state of Louisiana took the life of Jessie Hoffman, a man who was deeply loved, who brought light to those around him, and who spent nearly three decades proving that people can change, she said. In March 2024, the Louisiana Legislature passed a bill authorizing the use of nitrogen gas and electrocution as alternative execution methods. On February 10, 2025, Governor Jeff Landry, a Republican, announced that the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections had implemented the new nitrogen gas protocol. Details of the states protocol have been released in redacted form only. Hoffman, now 46, was 18 when he carried out the abduction, rape and murder of Mary Molly Elliott, a 28-year-old advertising executive. He was tried and sentenced to death for the crime, for which he claimed responsibility and expressed remorse. The US Supreme Court ruled in 2006 that it is unconstitutional to impose the death penalty on those who were under the age of 18 at the time of their crimes. Hoffman was just 88 days past his 18th birthday. Jessie Hoffman Jr. [AP Photo/Caroline Tillman/Federal Public Defender's Office For the Middle and Western Districts of Louisiana] The execution was carried out at the infamous Angola State Penitentiary. The prisonknown as Alcatraz of the South and The Farmwas built on land originally occupied by slave plantations. It began operating as a state prison in 1901 and is the largest maximum security prison in the US, spanning 18,000 acres and housing about 6,300 prisoners. Over 100 people had gathered near the Governors Mansion in Baton Rouge on Sunday to protest the execution. In a letter dated Monday, Kate Murphy, Molly Elliotts sister-in-law, sent a last-minute plea to Louisiana government officials asking them to grant Hoffman a reprieve and parole hearing to give her the opportunity to meet with him as part of her healing process. She asked that Hoffmans sentence be commuted to life in prison, saying, Executing Jessie Hoffman is not justice in my name, it is the opposite. Governor Landry ignored her plea. While there is no humane way for the state to execute a human being, the American Veterinary Association has ruled that nitrogen gas should not be used to euthanize dogs and cats unless they have already been rendered unconscious through sedation. In fact, Louisiana state law outlaws gassing as a method of euthanasia of these animals. Lee Capone, a Louisiana veterinarian for 45 years, was involved in a campaign to ban gassing for mammals in the state. He became convinced that the method was an inhumane euthanasia technique after he saw dogs being killed with gas in the early 1980s. Capone told the Guardian: A large number of dogs were put into a concrete bunker and gassed. It was clear from their bodies, which had eyes wide open and dilated, saliva round the mouth, signs of vomiting and diarrhea, that they had been frightened and scared, and had suered. The Louisiana coalition Jews Against Gassing opposes nitrogen gas executions, saying the method echoes the Nazis gassing of millions of Jews and others during the Holocaust. Such objections, however, have not deterred a growing number of states to adopt the method. At present, five US states authorize execution by nitrogen suffocation, including Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Ohio and Nebraska have also considered legislation to allow the method. The nitrogen gas mask displayed on a dummy [Photo: Louisiana state courts] Like so many of those put to death in America, Hoffmans childhood was marked by abuse, neglect and trauma. He was initially abandoned by his mother shortly after birth. His mother inflicted extreme punishments on her children, including burning their hands over a stove burner and beating them with extension cords and belts. She would reportedly force Hoffman and his brothers to engage in sexual acts with her while she was intoxicated. Angola prison, the scene of Hoffmans execution, has seen 29 executions since the US Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976: 20 by electrocution, eight by lethal injection and now one by nitrogen gas. There are 62 people on Louisianas death row, including one woman, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Angola has the highest percentage of prisoners in the country serving life without parole; over 90 percent of inmates sent to Angola will die on the premises. Angola is run as a working farm, with inmates involved in agricultural labor. It also houses a license plate plant and a mattress factory. Some prisoners earn wages as low as two cents an hour. Innocence Project New Orleans, even though it did not represent Hoffman, noted: Since 1976, 12 people have been exonerated from Louisianas death rownearly half as many as have been executed in that time. In the same period, more than 80% of death sentences have been reversed. Even so, surely the state has executed people who deserved to live. The more our government does to expedite the process of execution, the more it is inevitable that we will execute not just someone who doesnt deserve to be executed for the crime they committed, but someone who didnt commit the crime at all. Hoffman was the fifth person put to death by nitrogen hypoxia since January 2024. The previous four took place in Alabama, the first state to adopt the barbaric and torturous method. Kenneth Eugene Smith, executed January 25, 2024: The Montgomery Advertisers witness wrote that Smith took deep breaths, his body shaking violently with his eyes rolling in the back of his head. Smith clenched his fists, his legs shook under the tightly tucked-in white sheet that covered him from his neck down. He seemed to be gasping for air. The gurney shook several times during this time. Alan Eugene Miller, September 26, 2024: AL.com reported that after the gas began flowing Miller then took deep breaths and lifted his head off the gurney several times. He struggled against the restraints on the gurney, shaking and trembling for about two minutes. Then, Miller gasped off and on for about six minutes. Carey Dale Grayson, executed November 21, 2024: Nitrogen gas was pumped into Graysons lungs from a respirator, causing him to shake violently, pull at his restraints and clench his fists. The Associated Press reported he gasped for air more than a dozen times and his legs lifted off the gurney and into the air at one point. Grayson only lost consciousness around six minutes after the gas started flowing. Demetrius Frazier, executed February 6, 2025: Witnesses reported that Frazier showed signs of distress during the execution. The nitrogen gas flowed for about 15 minutes and witnesses reported that Frazier grimaced and quivered as the gas was pumped in. Prison officials claimed these movements were involuntary reactions. There are three more executions scheduled this week: Aaron Gunches in Arizona on Wednesday, March 19; Wendell Grissom in Oklahoma and Edward Thomas James in Florida, both on Thursday, March 20. By a six-to-one majority, Australias supreme court last week ruled that a clan group of indigenous native title holders may be entitled to compensation for the federal governments seizure of control over mining rights on the Northern Territorys Gove Peninsula and approval of a major bauxite mine there. High Court of Australia The March 12 High Court judgement in Commonwealth of Australia v Yunupingu triggered media claims that it could lead to a wave of native title cases against the federal government worth hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars. Some commentators hailed it as the most significant decision since the High Court recognised a new form of property, labelled native title, in its Mabo ruling of 1992. In reality, the ruling is a limited and conditional one in favour of the Gumatj Clan of the Yolngu People, in a case first filed by the late Dr Yunupingu in 2019 on behalf of the clan. Depending on whether any financial payments eventually flow from the verdictwhich the lower Federal Court must still determineit may give rise to similar claims in other parts of the Northern Territory (NT). How much monetary compensation could result remains unclear, and it is likely to take decades of complex and expensive litigation to determine that. More fundamentally, any such payouts will be designed, in line with the Mabo decision itself, to benefit a privileged layer of indigenous land claimants and their business enterprises. They use native title rights to facilitate lucrative deals with mining and pastoral companies, while most indigenous people are left living in impoverished conditions. The High Court majority ruled that native title is property within the meaning of section 51(31) of the 1901 Australian Constitution, which specifies that any federal government acquisition of property must be on just terms. In previous cases, the courts have generally interpreted just terms to mean the market value of the property at the time of acquisition. The judges decided that any native title rights held by the Gumatj Clan survived a 1939 decree, via a NT Mining Ordinance, that all ... minerals and metals on or below the surface of any land in the Territory were deemed to be the property of the Crown and a mineral lease granted by the federal government in 1969, under a 1968 Mining (Gove Peninsula Nabalco Agreement) Ordinance. The majority also held that a 1903 pastoral lease granted over the land by the South Australian government, before it ceded the NT to the federal government in 1911, had not extinguished non-exclusive native title rights over minerals situated on or beneath the land. That was only because the relevant wording in the pastoral lease did not amount to an appropriation of mineral rights by the government but merely withheld those rights from the leaseholder. This means that courts could rule in other cases that native title rights to minerals were extinguished, depending on the language of any leases. The Federal Court must still determine if the Gumatj Clan has a valid native title claim, as there are competing claims from other clans from the region. If the Gumatj leaders eventually prevail, the compensation could reach $700 million. That figure is based on the reported value of a 42-year deal struck in 2011 between the clan leaders and Rio Tinto, the mining conglomerate that has run the Gove mining and processing operation for decades, extracting massive profits. Beyond that, the case may expose the federal government to further compensation claims from when it directly controlled the NT from 1911 to 1978, and possibly the Canberra-based Australian Capital Territory, which the federal government directly ruled from 1911 until 1988. The ruling does not apply to the state governments, however. They are not bound by section 51(31) of the Constitution. Nor does it cover land grants already made by the states, as British colonies, before Federation in 1901. It does not apply to the companies that have profited from the handover of land and mining rights, nor does it invalidate any of the freehold titles or leases involved. Compensation has previously only been granted in cases relating to federal government actions after 1975, when the federal Racial Discrimination Act was introduced. Within the political and legal establishment, that was generally believed to be the limit of potential government liability for the seizure of land. Native title Native title, as defined by the Mabo ruling and subsequent legislation, only survives where indigenous clan groups can prove a continuous connection to areas of land, despite more than two centuries of dispossession, and it can be overridden by freehold, leasehold or mining rights. In practice, as intended by the Mabo decision, native title claims result in clan representatives negotiating access to land to businesses for fees or royalties. Almost half of the NT, for instance, is subject to such arrangements, which have led to the enrichment of a small minority of indigenous people. By one estimate, less than 9 percent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are members of a native title corporation. Most indigenous people are living in urban areas, often in poor conditions, among the most exploited and vulnerable members of the working class. Significantly, the lead four judges in the Yunupingu case, headed by Chief Justice Stephen Gageler, said their decision was necessary to maintain the appearance of equality before the law. Citing the Mabo ruling, they said that to recognise a weaker interpretation of native title would destroy that equality [of all Australian citizens before the law] and perpetuate its own form of injustice. The truth is that equality before the law is a myth in capitalist society. Social and economic inequality is at staggering levels and widening at a rapid pace. That is personified by the domination of billionaire oligarchs internationally and in Australia, including mining magnates such as Gina Rinehart, Andrew Forrest and Clive Palmer. Moreover, this inequality is increasingly stark among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Dr Yunupingu was, in fact a key figure in the drive to accumulate wealth by an elite, often on the back of business operations based on land deals like the one signed with Rio Tinto in 2011. Yunupingu was, until 2005, head of the Northern Land Council. In that position, he was reported to handle up to $50 million in annual royalties, especially from mining. Yunupingu lived in luxury, with multiple houses, maids, cars and helicopters, and was feted by corporate and government leaders. At last Augusts annual Garma Festival, hosted by the Gumatj Clan, Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivered a right-wing, pro-business speech in which he paid tribute to Yunupingu as a man of vision. Albanese falsely depicted expanded corporate investment as the means of overcoming the poor social conditions afflicting many indigenous people, when in fact it has only intensified the exploitation of workers, indigenous and non-indigenous alike. Among the sponsors of the gathering was the same Rio Tinto, the giant British-Australian mining corporation. Other sponsors were Qantas, Australias largest airline, and Telstra, the biggest telecommunications company, both of which have inflicted mass sackings in recent years. Albaneses speech again underscored the right-wing character of Labors unsuccessful referendum in October 2023 to insert an indigenous Voice to parliament in the Constitution. The Voice institution would have been a means of further integrating the indigenous elite into the state structure to further the pro-business program Albanese outlined at the Garma Festival, as well as US-led plans for a war against China, which have turned large parts of the NT, including Aboriginal native title areas, into war platforms. The Albanese government went all the way to the High Court to oppose the Gumatj claim. It argued that federal governments did not have to pay just terms compensation for taking away native title rights because those rights were inherently defeasiblewhich means they can be cancelledand therefore not property able to be acquired. Nevertheless, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus embraced the outcome. He said the government recognises the significant contribution that the late Dr Yunupingu made in initiating this case. Dreyfus said the government appealed to the High Court to settle critical constitutional issues in this case. As the Socialist Equality Party explained in its Historical and International Foundations document: The granting of certain land rights became the vehicle for major resource companies to do deals with relatively privileged sections of the Aboriginal community at the expense of the vast majority who continued to suffer appalling disadvantage. The Mabo decision of 1992, in which the High Court recognised native title, was seized on as a means of promoting the illusion that the crimes committed against the Aboriginal people could be overcome within the framework of the capitalist state. That document cited the analysis made by Nick Beams, from which he concluded: The Aboriginal people will never advance through the creation of another capitalist property form, based on the very legal principles and doctrine that provided the framework for their dispossession in the first place. Rather, they can only go forward to the extent that capitalist property in the land and means of production is abolished. Yabu Bilyana, an indigenous worker who was a candidate for the Socialist Labour League (the forerunner to the SEP) in the 1996 Australian federal elections, delivered a speech to the partys election rally in which he explained: The land rights legislation was never to secure justice. Its aim has always been to establish a legal mechanism for the exploitation of land for mining and other purposes without the danger of long legal challenges. Bilyana drew this essential conclusion: There can be no social justice, secure living standards or democratic rights of any section of working people within the framework of the profit system. Aboriginal people can only advance their struggle as part of the struggle of the international working class to put an end to the profit system and for the socialist transformation of society. Martin Frei, co-founder of Urwerk back in 1997, takes us on a trip to space and back in time when he talks about the design of the UR-101 T-Rex, which was released on March 19 The first idea was not to make a T-Rex dinosaur, it was more about creating a different kind of pattern texture on top of the case. And I always liked geometric guilloche patterns, said Martin Frei, co-founder and chief designer of Urwerk, about the case of the UR-101 T-Rex. The bronze case of the UR-101 T-Rex is guilloche with a pattern resembling scales. Urwerk He said his team tried a lot of varieties before ending up with the scale-like pattern that has now been applied to three different models. Already in the computer we realised the repetition had this animalistic energy to it. And then we realised it looks a bit like a dinosaur skin, a defence mechanism to protect the body inside. And since we have a bit of a tradition in Urwerk with watch names like Hammerhead Shark and Tarantula, it made sense to give it the nickname T-Rex, Mr. Frei said of the 41-millimetre watch with slightly sunken crown placed at 12 oclock. Speaking of measurement, the chunky looks are somewhat deceiving, as the watch is a mere 11.86 millimetres at its thickest point. If you ever have the chance to sit down with Martin Frei for a chat, chances are pretty high that you will sooner or later end up in the realms of pop culture or space or theoretical physics if you give him free rein. Because those elements are always present in his watch designs. Recently an Urwerk watch was the inspiration for a specially-made watch for the movie Dune, and the T-rex shape is similar to that of the Star Wars ship Millennium Falcon. And it turns out that one of the most fundamental things we know about the time-space continuum is represented in the design of the UR-101 T-Rex. The rugged look of the UR-101 T-Rex makes it a perfect companion for durable fabrics. Urwerk The pattern ends by the lugs in a spaghettified way, and this is just like the pattern of a graph describing the forces by a black hole where space is bent by gravitational changes, he said, adding that spaghettified is the scientific term for this phenomenon. Normally, guilloche patterns created with the aid of old rose-lathe machines are used for dials, and you cant touch it. But when you use it on top of the case it invites to touch it; you can tell it has this haptic quality, you want to touch it how does this 3D texture feel? Mr. Frei explained, adding that the oxidised and brushed bronze will increase its patina over time. But it will not turn green as bronze sometimes does. It all depends on the alloy, and here it is stabilised by adding a bit more aluminium to the copper. So, the patina will be browner, almost a bit reddish. Ever since Urwerk released its first watch in 1997, wandering hours carried by a Maltese Cross has been a signature complication. The UR-101 T-Rex has a new movement, the UR-1.01V, which was produced by Vaucher, and for this Mr. Frei and Urwerks chief watchmaker Felix Baumgartner went back to the roots by having two satellites travelling in a semicircle along the minute scale, rather than three. This is similar to the Campani brothers clock from the 17th century, which inspired us in the first place. And it is great to be able to revisit our first watches as a designer and change the things that I wasnt completely happy with back then, Mr. Frei said. With the UR-101 T-Rex, Urwerk returns to the essentials with a satellite function similar to that of the brands first watches launched in 1997. Urwerk Even though Urwerk wasnt the first brand using wandering hours on a wristwatch (Audemars Piguet was, albeit with a different technique), Urwerk was the top-of-mind brand for this kind of watch until recently. In the past few years, brands including Gorilla, Audemars Piguet, and Xeric all released wandering hours complications, proving that it can be applied at different price ranges. Mr. Frei concluded: Every five minutes a new brand makes a wandering hour, and to me that is a flattering thing even though we dont have a claim to it; we used something that watchmaking history offered. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) presented its 2024 State of the Global Climate report on Wednesday, analyzing key indicators of a climate crisis affecting the entire planet. In this videoconference interview, WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo, 60, discusses the reports key findings, highlighting that 2024 was the warmest year on record. Moreover, the report examines the growing impacts that global warming is having on the planet. In this context, as scientific evidence continues to mount, populist climate change denialism is gaining traction worldwide, fueled by figures such as Donald Trump and Javier Milei. Question. 2024 was a record-breaking year for heat, as well as for the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Is it possible to separate these two issues? Answer. Science has clearly shown us that greenhouse gases are largely responsible for the global warming we are seeing. And there is precise and robust documentation on this: unfortunately, it is human action that is causing this warming. Q. However, there are voices that still disconnect both issues. A. Yes, but as a science- and technology-based organization, the WMO relies on data, scientific evidence, and published work from around the world. The IPCC, which conducts the assessments, has been very clear on this matter. There may always be dissenting voices, but they are isolated. The scientific consensus is clear, and as an organization, we stand firmly on the side of that consensus. Q. In other words, this report is not about politics it is about science. A. Yes, absolutely. Science has provided us with many tools to improve our lives and to better understand the planet we live on. And in this particular case, science is warning us about what is happening with the climate through the global monitoring efforts we coordinate though it is the individual countries that conduct these observations. This is something worth emphasizing: the data used in this assessment come from the countries themselves, generated by their own national meteorological and hydrological services. Q. Is the record heat of 2024 an exception or part of a trend? A. Unfortunately, its a trend. Since the 1960s, the trend has clearly been toward temperature anomalies, which are growing. In our report, we highlight that each of the past 10 years has individually been a record high in relative temperatures. Q. But the report also points out some factors that may have influenced the extraordinary results of 2023 and 2024, in addition to greenhouse gases, which are the main cause of warming. A. Exactly, we always talk about climate variability because its a reality and something the WMO is working on a lot. One of the major drivers of climate variability is the El Nino phenomenon, and of course, when El Nino is active, higher temperatures tend to be recorded, mainly in the Northern Hemisphere. Q. And could 2025 set another record without the presence of El Nino? A. In principle, experts point out that a record shouldnt be expected, but the system is immersed in a warming trend. In any case, records are like wake-up calls, theyre like sirens. The trend is the underlying concern, which is important to highlight. I think 2024 serves as a siren. Q. Because climate change is much more than record average temperatures, right? A. Of course, and we pointed this out in our report. There are many indicators, and all of them absolutely all of them are worrying. Those that measure the state of the oceans, whether its sea level rise, ocean heat content, or water acidification. Or the melting of glaciers, or the surface area of ice in the Arctic and Antarctic. Or the number of extreme events... Were measuring many indicators, and this isnt an isolated event because they all point in the same direction and respond to the same physical phenomenon, which is warming, sustained warming caused by greenhouse gases. Q. Wherever you look, climate change rears its ugly head. A. Exactly. We also know that some indicators are more worrying than others, such as the rising sea level for small island states. Or ocean acidification when we talk about ecosystems. Or heatwaves when we talk about health. Q. Are we at the point where the signs of climate change are at their clearest? A. Absolutely. Its a little difficult to explain to anyone what a temperature anomaly of 1.55 degrees above pre-industrial levels means. Most people will say: what is that? Thats why our report documents extreme events. Thats what people feel. Its what less developed and more developed countries experience, although with different consequences due to their response and recovery capacity. What the report seeks to do is relate a somewhat abstract variable with concrete facts of reality that affected absolutely the entire planet. There isnt a single place on the planet, no continent, where it can be said that nothing happened here. From Antarctica to North America, even the small island states in the Pacific... Absolutely everyone was impacted by some extreme event that was extraordinary for what their official records indicate. Q. Dont you find it difficult to understand that, in this context, there is a rise of populist climate change denialism around the world? A. Yes, the reality is that its difficult to understand. But its not the WMOs place to get involved in that area. Our job is to present the evidence, and that is the role we will continue to play, as we have historically. Q. You emphasize that the data comes from the countries themselves, from national meteorological services. Are you concerned that with Trumps return to the White House, federal agencies could stop sharing information with the WMO? A. I hope that doesnt happen. The WMO is commemorating its 75th anniversary within the U.N. system this year, but weve been an organization for 152 years. And how has something survived for 152 years? Because of countries understanding of the importance of sharing meteorological data. Because weather and climate do not recognize geographical boundaries. Air circulation phenomena move across regions. There was an early understanding, 152 years ago, that if information wasnt shared, it would be a disadvantage for the countries. For example, I come from Argentina, and a cold front that starts affecting Chile will eventually affect Argentina, then quickly reach Uruguay, and eventually Brazil. Without a data-sharing system, one would be left highly exposed and unable to prevent, protect the population, and take action. The idea of exchanging information is very old, and it has survived all kinds of situations and global crises. Q. Argentine President Javier Milei, in addition to being skeptical about climate change, withdrew the Argentine delegation from the last climate summit. What is your opinion of that step? A. These are the countrys sovereign decisions that I hope can be reflected upon in light of what is happening. For example, Argentina recently suffered terrible flooding in the city of Bahia Blanca, where 16 people were killed. Studies by Argentine colleagues and around the world show that some areas in central and eastern Argentina are more vulnerable to climate change. And this is part of that picture. I hope the information reaches the levels it needs to reach so that the country is better prepared. The countries that prepare best will be those that have the potential to even find opportunities in a changing climate. And denying the possibility to be prepared, I believe, does not help. Q. In 2024, the 1.5 degree Celsius threshold relative to pre-industrial levels was surpassed for the first time in an official year. Can we now consider the Paris Agreement to have been breached? A. No, because the Paris Agreement uses 20-year temperature averages as its reference point. One year doesnt make a 20-year average. But what it does do is sound the alarm on a trend that is irreversibly moving upward. Q. What messages should society take away from the 2024 State of the Global Climate report? A. I think we have to keep in mind that the indicators are alarming, because they all consistently point to a worsening situation whether in greenhouse gas emissions, melting glaciers, rising temperatures, or the number of extreme events. But, in addition, all these climate physics indicators translate into impacts on people and societies. These impacts translate into health, food security, access to water, all kinds of problems related to development and well-being. We have to make that connection between what happens in a physical system like the climate and what happens to us as individuals living in a globalized society. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition A couple of years ago, reviewing and rethinking Bruce Willis on his 70th birthday would have been like taking his extensive list of films and series almost 150 in total, some good, some bad, many average and recalling his long and astronomical career. From the success of Moonlighting back in 1985, to having Razzies to his name; from being a star supporting actor in Pulp Fiction to taking to the stage. However, today, a more down-to-earth, low-key reality prevails. For the past three years, Willis has suffered from aphasia; for the past two, from frontotemporal dementia, which has no cure. As a result, he has retired from the screen and from public life in general. His life, far from red carpets and spotlights, involves other, no less important luxuries: being cared for by his family, his daughters, his ex-wife, Demi Moore, and above all his current wife, Emma Heming Willis. On March 19, Willis, born in Germany to a classic post-war love affair, that of a German woman and an American soldier, turns 70 with simple, homey celebrations. This is his life since the illness struck him, like any other person. His last paparazzi photos date from September 2024. They are now of a man who is not himself: as a passenger in a car, dressed in sportswear, with a blank stare. His wife, who acknowledged a year and a half ago that she doesnt know whether he is aware of what is happening or not, even asked the paparazzi not to chase him or yell at him, because he didnt understand what was happening and they were putting him in danger. She herself photographed him this January, greeting police officers, in very short videos, where its impossible to determine how he is. The hero of Die Hard is no longer the same, but now he gives visibility to another kind of hero: those who take care of others. Heming, Williss wife of 16 years, has also undergone her own process of transformation, from a model who walked the catwalk for the finest Parisian fashion houses to caregiver for a man in constant need of attention. She knows that their wealth and media presence grant them a privilege that many dont enjoy, but precisely because of this, they are also observed, for better or worse. She tries to take advantage of the spotlight as much as she can. Hence, she has announced that in 2025 she will release a book, a guide on how to care for dependent people. Bruce Willis and Emma Heming, in Los Angeles, California, in July 2018. Variety (Getty Images) During the two years since Willis dementia diagnosis, Heming has learned to position herself not only as a caregiver, but also as a family spokesperson and a respected voice for dementia in the United States. Every year, during World Frontotemporal Dementia Awareness Week, she speaks candidly about how it has affected her family and talks with sufferers, experts, therapists, and caregivers to put her husbands condition on the map. During the rest of the year, she participates in panels, podcasts, and talks to generate conversation. Last spring, she even went to the New York State Capitol to promote a registry of clinical diagnoses of the disease, to support research into treatments and the creation of new policies, something she also demands of the state government in California, where they reside. A few days ago, following news of the death of Gene Hackman (who suffered from Alzheimers) and his wife and caregiver, Betsy Arakawa, Heming issued a plea: I do really believe that there is some learning in this story, in regards to this tragic passing of Mr. and Mrs. Hackman, she said. Its just made me think of this broader story, and that is that caregivers need care too and that they are vital [...] I think that theres this common misconception that caregivers have got it figured out, theyve got it covered. Theyre good. I dont subscribe to that. I think we need to be showing up for them so that they can continue to show up for their person. There are seven women who provide life support to Bruce Willis. Seven signed the statement three years ago announcing that his diagnosis of aphasia meant the end of his career, and seven continue to support him. Heming is the main one, but she is largely accompanied by Moore, who is also the mother of Williss three adult daughters, who also care for their father. In recent months, Moore has been immersed in promoting her film The Substance and her unstoppable run at film industry awards, even winning a Golden Globe, but she hasnt forgotten her former high-profile husband. She dedicates photographs and affectionate phrases to him on her social media, and after publishing her raw memoirs in 2019, she stated that their relationship was healthier and stronger than when they were married, between the end of 1987 (just four months after they met, when she was engaged to Emilio Estevez) and the summer of 1998. A year after the wedding, their first daughter, Rumer, arrived; in 1991, Scout; and in 1994, Tallulah. All three are great allies of Heming and their father. For example, Tallulah recounted a couple of years ago in a column in Vogue how difficult it was for her to understand her fathers cognitive decline, thinking that he had lost interest in her because of his new family, and that there was also a degree of denial within her: The truth is that I was too sick myself to handle it, she wrote. While I was wrapped up in my body dysmorphia, flaunting it on Instagram, my dad was quietly struggling. All kinds of cognitive testing was being conducted, but we didnt have an acronym yet. Tallulah Willis suffered from depression, anorexia, and ADHD, as well as like her sisters addiction issues. Tallulah is the one who talks most about her father. At the end of 2023, she said that hes still himself: And, in that sense, Ive learned thats the best thing you can ask for, she acknowledged. I see love when Im with him, and hes my father and he loves me, which is really special. The three sisters maintain a close relationship with their two stepsisters, Willis and Hemings daughters: Mabel, about to turn 13, and Evelyn, 10. As Heming recounted in an interview with E! News, the two girls are the reason she gets out of bed every day. The girls, despite their young age, are understandably aware of what their father is going through. Not too long ago, Mabel looked at my nightstand and said, Mom, maybe you should try reading books other than dementia ones for a change, Heming told her nearly one million Instagram followers. Willis himself may be lost in the ocean of his memory, but those who accompany him are very clear that they will not let him sink. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Relais & Chateaux just added 11 new members, including nine hotels and two restaurants in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, the Caribbean, and Central America. Among the highlights is The Cove Eleuthera in the Caribbean, the first and only Relais & Chateaux property in the Bahamas. Washington, D.C.s Michelin two-starred Jont and Guatemala Citys acclaimed Sublime Restaurant are the two dining additions to the Relais & Chateaux portfolio. Relais & Chateaux, the association of luxury, independently operated hotels and restaurants, has 580 members around the world, from intimate country inns to spectacular oceanfront resorts. Today, the Paris-based organization welcomes 11 new properties, including nine hotels and two celebrated restaurants. Our association is firmly committed to a sustainable path so as to contribute, through cuisine and hospitality, to building a more humane and united world, in harmony with living things, Laurent Gardinier, president of Relais & Chateaux, said in a press release shared with Travel + Leisure. Its an honor for me to welcome these 11 new members to Relais & Chateaux, properties that share not only our values but our passion for goodness and beauty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest members mirror the same geographical diversity of the existing collection, with new properties in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, the Caribbean, and Central America. On the Old Continent, these include Villa Petrusse, a 19th-century villa set inside a century-old park in Luxembourg. On the French Riviera in Le Lavandou, Hotel Les Roches opens in June, featuring light-drenched rooms and a pool with prime views of the Mediterranean. Also French, Domaine le Mouflon d'Or on Corsica is a 20-key former aristocratic residence set on 50 acres in the islands Alta Rocca region. Grand Hotel Parker's in Naples is Italy's newest Relais & Chateaux. Built in 1870, the hotel has hosted luminaries like Oscar Wilde and Virginia Woolf. Perched on a hill with sweeping views of the Bay of Naples, the historic propertys 67 rooms and suites are decked in Hungarian-point parquet floors, crystal chandeliers, and period furniture. In Mykonos, Greece, Myconian Sunrisesituated on the islands quieter southern coast overlooking Agrari Beachhas traditional Cycladic architecture, spacious rooms, and a spa. And, on a private bay surrounded by a 50-acre forest on the Turkish Riviera in the Mediterranean, Relais & Chateaux Ahama opens this June with four restaurants and holistic wellness activities like forest bathing and sound therapy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Enowa Yufuin in the mountains of Kyushu, Japan, is home to guest rooms and villas with private onsens and Restaurant Jimgu, focusing on plant-based, farm-driven cuisine led by chef Tashi Gyamtso. Ran Baas The Palace, a heritage hotel in Patiala, Punjab, India, was once a Maharaja palace, meticulously restored with gilded frescoes and marble floors. In the Caribbean, The Cove Eleutheraa sibling property of two Relais locations: Mii Amo in Sedona, Arizona, and Twin Farms in Barnard, Vermontis the first and only Relais & Chateaux in the Bahamas, set on two private, white sand-trimmed coves with access to coral reef diving and sea kayaking. Guatemala City's acclaimed Sublime Restaurant represents Central America, where chef Sergio Diaz creates an ambitious tasting menu that tells the story of the countrys culinary heritage and Mayan roots. Also on the restaurant front is the Michelin two-starred Jont in Washington, D.C., where chef Ryan Ratino is behind the innovative, globally inspired tasting menu. I'm pleased to be welcomed as a Relais & Chateaux member," Ratino said. This new addition is a reflection of our shared commitment to exceptional experiences, genuine hospitality, and the timeless values that define our brand. We look forward to the journey ahead." You can find more about the new and existing Relais & Chateaux members on relaischateaux.com. Read the original article on Travel & Leisure EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) One person was killed in a two-vehicle crash on Tuesday afternoon, March 18 in Northeast El Paso, El Paso Police said. El Paso Police: Man dead after rear-ending dump truck in Northeast EP Two vehicles collided just after 2:30 p.m. at Gateway South and Sean Haggerty, police said. Police said their Special Traffic Investigations Unit is on the scene looking into the crash. Gateway South was closed at the crash site for nearly eight hours before reopening at about 10 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will update this story when 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. There are figures that leave no room for doubt, and this is one of them: over 600 million people worldwide suffer from low back pain. And the situation is only going to worsen. It is estimated that by 2030, the prevalence of lower back problems will surpass 800 million people, or 10% of the global population. Treatments aimed at addressing this pain the leading cause of disability worldwide are numerous. Typically, they follow a progression from less to more invasive options, with medication being the first step and surgery being the last, more drastic measure. However, a new review published on Tuesday in BMJ Evidence Based Medicine reports that only one in 10 non-interventional treatments is effective in treating back pain. These treatments only provided small analgesic effects beyond placebo, the analysis states. Aidan Cashin, a researcher at the University of New South Wales Pain Centre in Australia, is the lead author of the review. He explains that there are many non-surgical and non-invasive treatment options for the initial management of lower back pain, but its not always clear which ones are effective. We were interested in identifying which of these treatments demonstrated concrete effects, he says. To do so, the team of researchers reviewed placebo-controlled trials that measured the effectiveness of treatments for people with non-specific back pain (chronic and acute) with the goal of pooling the results. The approaches included in the data pool included pharmacological approaches, such as anti-inflammatories, analgesics, and muscle relaxants; and non-pharmacological approaches, such as exercise, massage, and spinal manipulation. The analysis showed that, compared with placebo, only anti-inflammatories were effective for acute low back pain. Exercise, manipulation, and spinal taping were effective for chronic pain. However, the effects were small compared with placebo. Cashin acknowledges that the article has its limitations. Many of the 301 trials analyzed which examined 56 treatments or treatment combinations had small sample sizes and yielded inconsistent results, making their findings uncertain. Alfonso Vidal Marcos, director of the Pain Unit at the Hospital Sur in Alcorcon in Madrid, was not involved in the study, but notes that while the data provided are reliable, the methodology used to collect it is questionable. They mix apples with oranges and tomatoes, he says, adding that pain often has many causes, and conducting studies on the subject, especially if placebos are involved, ends up generating certain biases. Miguel Angel Plasencia, a traumatologist and head of the spine unit at the Cemtro clinic in Madrid, agrees with his colleague: The review methodology is somewhat inconsistent because it mixes acute and chronic low back pain, pathologies that have nothing to do with each other. He adds: For acute pain, which sometimes arises from excessive exertion or a fall, evidence shows that the best options continue to be anti-inflammatories, analgesics, and muscle relaxants. For chronic low back pain, physical exercise or rehabilitation treatments are much more effective. A study published in 2019 supports this, showing that physical exercise reduces lower back pain by 20% with the effect being sustained over time. For Luis Miguel Torres, president of the Spanish Multidisciplinary Pain Society, the new article has a potentially malicious message. The risk, he explains, is that some patients may become discouraged and end up abandoning less aggressive treatments, such as acupuncture or medications, which have proven to be useful in clinical settings. If they didnt work, at least a little, patients would stop doing them or taking them, and that doesnt happen, he comments. The best treatment is prevention Between 80% and 90% of low back pain cases have no concrete explanation, and only 40% can be prevented. But this prevention, according to all the experts consulted for this article, can make a key difference in a patients quality of life. Vidal Marcos is categorical: Although the doctor does a thousand things to try to alleviate the problem, the most important thing is what the patient does. In this regard, the specialist emphasizes the importance of teaching proper posture and movement from childhood. Think of the impossibly heavy backpacks the little ones carry every day to school. In addition to sleeping and sitting any which way. Torres adds to the list of prevention measures preventing obesity and avoiding a sedentary lifestyle with exercises such as swimming and Pilates; and Plasencia recommends the use of appropriate mattresses not too hard or too high and ergonomic chairs in offices to maintain proper posture during long work days in front of the computer. The review published Tuesday leaves out one of the most promising new treatments for back pain: regenerative medicine, which focuses on cartilage, tendons, joints, and muscles. There are good prospects for treatments with, for example, stem cells or platelet-rich plasma. This could generate a paradigm shift in pain treatment, Torres notes. Cashin, the author of the analysis, insists that the results of the review help clarify which treatments have a specific effect and are worth considering. He also emphasizes that more research is needed to shed light on a disease whose economic cost, beyond its social cost, ranges between 1.7% and 2.1% of a European countrys GDP. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan is stepping up to meet the literacy needs of local children. She said its not just part of her platform for a stronger Jacksonville, but her passion. She launched River City Readers in 2024, challenging local children to read 300,000 minutes in a year. The kids smashed through that goal, passing more than a million minutes in a matter of weeks. By March 2025, participants passed 2.4 million minutes of reading. Just incredible to see how excited kids were to be part of this program, Deegan said. I think, part of it if Im honest, is that we made it a competition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The program includes prizes and fun incentives to help encourage kids to read. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Studies show low literacy rates are linked to issues like crime, poverty, and unemployment. Another factor that leads to illiteracy is when children miss too much school. That prompted the city to launch the Show Up to Shine program. Its an initiative that encourages good attendance while bringing together a network of partners to help keep struggling kids in school and to keep them going back. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Its really very much like our River City Readers program that gives kids incentives for showing up to school, Deegan said. We want all of our kids to show up because when they do, theyre gonna learn. If they dont, thats gonna be a problem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And the Mayors literacy push hit the road, with the River City Readers Bookmobile. It was paid for through private donations from the Lucy Gooding Foundation and PNC Bank. I love the idea of being able to bring books to children, but also, especially in areas that, you know, where kids may not so easily be able to get to a library or perhaps, you know, they have other challenges getting close to books Deegan said. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. (COLORADO SPRINGS) For some, WWII might seem like a long time ago in history, but for others, it feels like it happened just yesterday. March is Womens History Month, a time to celebrate women and express gratitude for their accomplishments. Today FOX21 News spoke with Helen Rydell, a veteran who experienced WWII firsthand. She was born in Chicago in June 1923, making her 101 years young. At the age of eight years old, she first saw the harsh realities of the world, when she lost her mother. Her father served in the Romanian War forcing them to move around a lot during her childhood. She said that he attended three different high schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I felt that a lot, I missed her, and I went to live with cousins when I was 11 since I had no mother; I lived with them for three years and moved around a lot, said Rydell. When Rydell turned 20, she wanted to enlist in the military, but her father was worried it would be too dangerous, but that did not stop her determination to serve her country. Eventually I asked an army recruiter to come out and talk to him and explain the circumstances, and finally he said, Well, okay,' she recalled. After she got her fathers approval, she enlisted in the Womens Army Corp in December of 1944. I was sent to the Chicago Signal Center in July of 45 and worked there until early 46 when I got orders to be transferred to Germany to the Signal Corps in Frankfurt, said Rydell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During her time in Germany she worked as a secretary for a commander for two years, at that point she said the war was considered over, presenting her with a big decision. She had the option to continue serving or get discharged. At that point, I had not seen my father for two years or my brother, and so I thought it was time I went home, so I decided to be discharged, she said. However, during her time in Germany, she met the love of her life, who was also serving in the war. The two began their lives together and had four beautiful children together. In 1986 Rydell decided to join the Womens Army Corps Veterans Association, and to this day she is still a member. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was something deep in my memory, how much I loved being in the Womens Army Corps and I was so glad that I could be with other women of the same background, you know, to share experiences and life stories, she said. Men and women in the military are not always viewed through the same lens, but Rydell said its important for women to be recognized. Well, because women can do anything, and they can serve. They do their share of helping the country, she said. Now she spends her days enjoying time with her daughter, cooking, solving crossword puzzels, and reading. She said her secret to staying sharp, is by staying active. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive enjoyed most of my life, I cant complain, said Rydell. 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. 11 Investigates is getting action for people in a local neighborhood. They reached out to 11 Investigates after a guardrail was destroyed by a driver more than a year ago and the city failed to replace it and wouldnt return their calls for help. PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Carrick man claims city is disregarding roadside hazard that puts his home in danger Chief Investigator Rick Earle got involved and took their concerns to Pittsburgh Councilman Anthony Coghill, who helped push the project through. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coghill said it took some time and he had to stay on the case, but the city finally installed a brand new guardrail just a couple of weeks ago. And neighbors said they can finally rest easy knowing they are once again protected from cars by a heavy-duty, metal guardrail. We just had this one here, but he asked me if I wanted one there, and I said yeah, said Ed Korshlak, who lives in a house just a short distance from the guardrail. Without a guardrail, which had been there since he moved into the house in 2003, he was worried that a vehicle could wind up in his living room, potentially harming him, his wife or his grandkids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Korshlak showed Earle the brand-new guardrail the city just installed right in front of his home on Plateau Street in Carrick. Earle: What was your reaction when you saw the guys out here? Korshlak: Oh very happy, both of us, we were excited and couldnt wait till it was done. Korshlaks frustrations began more than a year ago, when the driver of a stolen vehicle took out the guardrail in August of 2023. The city quickly replaced the guardrail, but just about a month later it was destroyed again. This time a driver under the influence of alcohol rammed through the guardrail, careened through the yard and took off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said the driver left the scene and rammed into some vehicles a short distance away. Korshlak said the city told him they couldnt install the new guardrail until work on a nearby sewer line was completed. It took nearly a year for that work to be done. After waiting patiently and getting no response from the city, Korshlak reached out to 11 Investigates back in December. He showed us the orange traffic cones he set up just to warn drivers coming down the steep hill. People sometimes come flying down there. In the wintertime, they slide down there, so we do need a guardrail, Korshlak told Earle last December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earle reached out to the city after speaking with Korshlak and they said they were evaluating options such as new signs and werent so sure they would replace the guardrail. Earle then reached out to Pittsburgh City Councilman Anthony Coghill, who represents Carrick. Coghill help push the project through. Coghill thanked Earle for bringing this to his attention and he said he was glad he could help out. Earle: You guys can rest easy now? Korshlak: Oh at least for a while. I mean we feel a whole lot better now. I would like to thank Channel 11 and Mr. Coghill. Without you guys, we probably would have never got this done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city also installed signs to help guide drivers around the bend at the guardrail. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Schools from different districts throughout the Borderland were honored in the 2024 Texas Honor Roll for closing student achievement gaps. 9 schools in Socorro ISD make honor roll for closing achievement gaps Ysleta Independent School District The YISD schools that got the statewide honor roll include the following: Desertaire Elementary Eastwood Heights Elementary Glen Cove Elementary North Star Elementary Ramona STEM Academy Scotsdale Elementary Tierra Del Sol Elementary Vista Hills Elementary Eastwood Knolls International Edgemere International REL Washington International Valle Verde Early College High School Young Womens Leadership Academy Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement YISD said only 12 percent of eligible schools statewide received the honor roll designation this year. Year after year, our teachers, administrators, staff, and students show up every day, put in the work, and make the Ysleta Independent School District one of the best in the state and we couldnt be prouder of their accomplishments, said Superintendent of Schools Xavier De La Torre. The dedication, passion, and focus at our neighborhood schools make all the difference in the world, and this recognition confirms what we already know: Our schools are doing something special, De La Torre added. We will continue building on our success to ensure every Ysleta ISD student has the support and skills they need to thrive. YISD said that to make the honor roll, a school or district must have comprehensively performed above the mean (trendline) at least 80 percent of the time for all cohorts of students and grade levels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among all 63 districts and 762 schools that were named to the honor roll this year, Ysleta ISD and its campuses were in the STAR category because 33 percent of students or more are considered socioeconomically disadvantaged, the district said. This is the 10th year that Educational Results Partnership (ERP) has released the Texas Honor Roll to recognize successful schools/educational systems while promoting best practices that improve student outcomes and prepare them for success, read the news release. It is also presented in partnership with state business leaders and is based solely on objective student achievement data, ERP officials said. El Paso Independent School District The EPISD schools that got the statewide honor roll include the following: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Herrera Elementary School Milam Elementary School Polk Elementary School Hornedo Middle School Silva Health Magnet High School Transmountain Early College High School We are extremely proud of these schools and their hard work in ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed, El Paso ISD Superintendent Diana Sayavedra said. This recognition speaks to the dedication of our students, teachers, and staff, who work tirelessly to foster a learning environment where all students can thrive. The District has worked diligently and strategically to implement a guaranteed and viable curriculum to meet the diverse needs of all learners from Kindergarten to the 12th grade, said Chief Academic Officer Adalberto Garcia. Curriculum in all core areas are aligned to high quality instructional materials and resources providing students access to rich, rigorous learning experiences. Harmony Public Schools The Harmony schools that got the statewide honor roll include the following: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harmony Science Academy Harmony School of Excellence We are incredibly proud and honored to be recognized by the Educational Results Partnership on their Honor Roll list, said Dr. Kamil Yilmaz, Harmony Public Schools West Texas Superintendent. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students, teachers, and staff. The Honor Roll is the only school recognition program in California based solely on objective student achievement data, said ERPs Chief Executive Officer James Lanich, Ph.D. The goal of the Honor Roll program is to use data to find and highlight successful schools and encourage collaboration among educators on best practices for raising student achievement. For a complete list of 2024 Texas Honor Roll schools and districts, visit here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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: Colton Wade Smith. Image courtesy Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum. We want to remember Colton Wade Smith, 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. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) Birmingham police announced Wednesday the arrest of two juveniles after a shooting that left a young man injured Sunday. Two 17-year-old juveniles from Birmingham were arrested for allegedly committing first-degree robbery and attempted murder. They are being held in the Jefferson County Jail with no bond. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signs bill banning devices that convert semi-automatic weapons into machine guns Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The BPD stated a young adult male was shot and robbed while at a residence hanging with his friends in the 1900 block of St. Charles Avenue Southwest around 2 p.m. Sunday. Officers arrived and found the victim suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound. The BPDs crime reduction team took the first 17-year-old suspect into custody in the 4100 block of Pinson Valley Parkway several hours later. It then took the second 17-year-old suspect into custody in the 900 block of Airview 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 CBS 42. Editor's note: The story was updated with the latest casualty figures in Kyiv Oblast. Russian attacks across Ukraine killed at least two civilians and injured at least 19 over the past day, regional authorities reported on March 19. Russia launched two Iskander-M ballistic missiles, four S-300 anti-aircraft missiles, and 145 attack and decoy drones against Ukraine overnight, the Air Force reported. Ukrainian air defenses shot down 72 drones over 12 oblasts, while 56 decoy drones disappeared from radars without causing damage, according to the statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Air Force did not comment on the consequences of the missile strikes. Russian attacks against Donetsk Oblast injured three people in Sloviansk late on March 18, Governor Vadym Filashkin reported. Part of the city was reportedly left without electricity, even as Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed with U.S. President Donald Trump to temporarily halt energy strikes against Ukraine a few hours earlier. In Kharkiv Oblast, a 45-year-old woman was killed and four people were injured when a Russian first-person-view (FPV) drone hit a service car of a utility company on the Kupiansk-Kindrashivka highway, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported. Houses, a warehouse, tractors, and cars were damaged elsewhere in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seven people were injured in Russian attacks against Kherson Oblast, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported. Four apartment buildings and 29 houses were damaged. A 60-year-old man was injured during strikes in the Bucha district of Kyiv Oblast, according to the regional military administration. The police later reported a second injured civilian. A hospital in Ukraine's northeastern city of Sumy and another in the town of Krasnopillia in Sumy Oblast were hit by drones, authorities said. Patients have been evacuated, and no injuries were reported. The blast in Sumy also damaged the premises of a children's medical facility, according to the State Emergency Service. Separately, a Russian attack on the village of Uhroidy in the Krasnopillia community killed one person, injured three, and damaged a two-story house, the regional military administration reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the morning of March 19, Russian drones struck the railway power grid in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, causing partial outages but not disrupting train schedules, Ukrainian Railways (Ukrzaliznytsia) announced. Read also: Kyiv supports energy sector ceasefire, expects military aid to continue, Zelensky says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A hospital in Ukraine's northeastern city of Sumy and another in the town of Krasnopillia were hit by drones during a series of attacks on Ukraine, prompting President Volodymyr Zelensky to accuse Vladimir Putin of de facto rejecting a ceasefire. No casualties were reported following the Sumy Oblast strikes at the time of publication. First responders have been dispatched to the sites of the attacks. This came after a call between U.S. President Donald Trump and the Russian president, in which Putin had agreed to halt strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. The Kremlin had announced that Putin had given immediate orders to cease such attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, shortly after the call, air raid sirens blared, and explosions rocked Ukraine. Zelensky confirmed the strikes targeted civilian infrastructure. Local reports indicated that power infrastructure in Donetsk Oblast's Slovyansk was damaged, causing partial blackouts. Read also: Kremlin demands halt to foreign military aid, intelligence to Ukraine as condition for avoiding war escalation According to Zelensky, over 40 Russian drones were launched in the assault. "It is precisely such night attacks by Russia that destroy our energy systems, our infrastructure, the normal life of Ukrainians. And the fact that this night was no exception shows that pressure must continue on Russia for the sake of peace," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Today, Putin de facto rejected the proposal for a complete ceasefire. It would be right for the world to reject in response any attempts by Putin to drag out the war, the president said. Sumy Oblast borders Russia's Bryansk, Kursk, and Belgorod oblasts. Residents of the vulnerable border communities experience multiple attacks per day. Read also: Who is to gain more from a ceasefire Russia or Ukraine? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. In a new production with clear cinematic ambitions, the president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, on Sunday showed the world another video from his mega-prison, the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT). In the video, dozens of police officers subdue several men whose hands and feet are bound, put some of them inside armored vehicles and others on buses, and transport them to the prison facility, where other officials shave their heads and dress them in white prison clothes. The most surprising thing is that this time, the new inmates are not just gang members of Mara Salvatrucha 13 and Barrio 18, the criminal groups for which the prison was originally built, but also according to the Trump administrations version of events alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. And all of the latter individuals were deported from the United States. The flight, which arrived in El Salvador on Saturday night with 261 people on board, is the first in a deal brokered by Bukele and Trump, and about which almost nothing is known. The only public information available so far is that the Salvadoran president offered to turn the CECOT into an extension of the U.S. prison system in exchange for a payment of $20,000 per individual per year. The agreement has been heavily criticized in both countries. In the United States, hours before the landing, a judge ordered the government to halt the operation and ordered the planes that were in the air to return, something which did not happen. The Trump administration responded that the notification had arrived when the planes were already flying over international waters. The debate over whether Trump defied a federal court order continues and could reach the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, in El Salvador, experts question under what legal process the deportees will be detained in a maximum-security prison. To send the 261 people to the CECOT, Trump invoked the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, a piece of legislation that has been in disuse since World War II. According to some analysts, this could constitute a serious human rights violation, as the deportees were sent straight to a maximum-security prison without trial. Informal agreement outside of any regulations Authorities have also not explained what crimes they are accused of. On Monday morning, a White House spokesperson reported that of the 238 Venezuelans traveling on the plane, 137 were detained under the Alien Enemies Act, but the other 101 were deported under a regular immigration law, meaning they are simply accused of entering the United States without legal documents. This has set off alarm bells for human rights organizations. Juan Pappier, deputy director of the Americas Division at Human Rights Watch (HRW), tells EL PAIS that there is an obligation under international law that prohibits countries from sending deported migrants to contexts where they are likely to suffer human rights violations. And it seems to me that, in El Salvadors prison system, these people could suffer them. If information about their whereabouts is not provided promptly, we could be facing a scenario of forced disappearances, he adds. Noah Bullock, executive director of Cristosal, the leading human rights organization in El Salvador, points out that the Salvadoran prison system is a site of torture and systematic violations of due process. When the United States accepts the services of this system, it normalizes a prison system that violates human rights, he notes. This is an informal agreement between two presidents outside of any regulations, whether of the United States or of El Salvador. For Bullock, the agreement breaks with all democratic aspirations: Its about two presidents seizing power to decide who is a terrorist and who has rights and who doesnt. Its an idea supported by Pappier. Bukele can offer the CECOT as a Central American Guantanamo because in El Salvador there is no separation of powers and no rule of law, he maintains. What does Bukele stand to gain? According to the Salvadoran president himself, the government will earn around $6 million a year from the first shipment of deportees alone. This figure, however, falls short of the $200 million a year it costs to maintain the prison system, according to what Bukele himself has said. The United States will pay a very low rate for them, but a high rate for us, the president wrote on his X account. Over time, these actions, combined with the production already being generated by more than 40,000 inmates participating in various workshops and work schemes under the Ocio Cero (zero leisure) program, will contribute to the self-sustainability of our prison system, he added. But for some analysts, the Salvadoran presidents gains go beyond money: Bukele gains at least four things: public money, the favor of the Trump administration, the validation of his prison model, and I fear hes also trying to gain the silence of the MS-13 [Mara Salvatrucha gang] leaders, Pappier asserts. Among the men deported on Saturday, the United States included 23 MS-13 members wanted by the Salvadoran justice system, including two gang leaders. One of them is Cesar Humberto Lopez Lario, alias Grenas de Stoners, a member of the Ranfla Nacional, the high command of the criminal structure. Until a few days ago, this gang member was facing trial in an East New York court and was mentioned in a case in which U.S. authorities are investigating the Bukele administrations negotiations with the gangs. Some experts suggest, in this regard, that the president is seeking to bring back the gang leaders from the United States to prevent them from testifying in court about their alleged secret pacts. Luis Enrique Amaya, a consultant and security expert in El Salvador, believes that, in addition to money, the president is also seeking influence in the Trump administration and maintaining his image as a role model: He wants to sell himself to the world as a country with a truly strict and rigorous prison system; thats much more beneficial to him than money, he says. For now, the first challenge facing the agreement between the two presidents is whether it can be sustained; whether the United States can continue accelerating deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, something that a judge has so far blocked; and whether El Salvador can continue receiving them without any current legislation permitting such a move. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition GALLATIN, Tenn. (WKRN) Law enforcement took two more people into custody amid the ongoing investigation into a deadly shooting in Gallatin earlier this month, bringing the total number of arrests up to four. The Gallatin Police Department said officers responded to a home at approximately 8:30 a.m. on March 6 after a relative found the body of Lisa Drake. ORIGINAL STORY: Man wanted for homicide after deadly shooting reported in Gallatin Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities described the incident as a domestic shooting death and initially wanted to find her husband, Little Page Drake III, for a welfare check and additional information about the situation, but a few hours later, they said he had active warrants for criminal homicide. On March 7, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) added Little to the states Most Wanted list of fugitives in connection with the case. More than a week later, on Monday, March 17, the TBI announced Little had been arrested on his outstanding criminal homicide warrant. Littles apprehension came three days after officials said another man, 41-year-old Stephen Grant Moseley Jr., was taken into custody for accessory to criminal homicide and evidence tampering in relation to the deadly shooting. PREVIOUS: Man on Tennessees Most Wanted list for deadly Gallatin shooting taken into custody Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then, on Wednesday, March 19, police posted on social media announcing they had arrested Stephens sisters43-year-old Stephanie Moseley and 46-year-old Kia Moseleyfor filing a false report in connection with the ongoing investigation involving Little. The Gallatin Police Department remains committed to thoroughly investigating this case and holding accountable anyone who provides false or misleading information, authorities wrote on Facebook. Filing a false report hinders investigative efforts and will not be tolerated. Officials said additional charges may be forthcoming amid this active case. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com If you have any information about Lisas death, youre asked to call the Gallatin Police Department at 615-452-1313. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) Given two years to survive and living more than 10 years past that mark to tell the story. I was 44 when I was diagnosed, said Amy Dibler, one of WMBDs Remarkable Women nominees for 2025. Dibler beat the odds after being diagnosed with stage 4 colon rectal cancer in 2012. The five-year survival rate of which is 13-14%, according to the American Cancer Society. I have a permanent colostomy bag. I knew that from the beginning that that was going to be a couple of major surgeries, a lot of denial. I mean, its a lifestyle change. It changed everything, said Dibler. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She had to test often and had multiple surgeries, and on top of it, she had to stay strong for her family. Youve got to be your own fighter and never give up. And I feel that staying positive got me through it, said Dibler. After a few clear scans, Dibler realized she wants to give back, so she started the Blue Butts Colon Cancer Fund on July 1, 2017. She started racking up donations to give to those who were going through what she did. I went to a support group for colon cancer, and they talked me into doing a motorcycle ride for awareness, said Dibler. The motorcycle ride was just the tipping point, as the fund grew to include a pancake breakfast and a bags tournament. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now Im talking on TV about my medical [history] that I wouldnt even have told my closest friend. Its just something you dont like to talk about, said Dibler. But now Im okay with it. It needs to be, you know, talked about and put out there. She also advocates for early colonoscopies and the importance of acknowledging aches and pains, even if theyre minute. If you get detected early, it can be treatable, and you can make it 12 years, said Dibler. To date, Dibler has raised more than $116,000 through her fund, issuing checks to 186 patients. She said that for those who are looking to give back, or who are passionate in a cause, Put everything you have and go for it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 CIProud.com. Neighbors saw flames light up the sky in Matthews overnight, as first responders shut down a major road just hours before morning traffic. MEDIC said the Matthews, Idlewild, and Charlotte Fire departments pitched in to battle the blaze. By 5 a.m., all lanes of East Independence Boulevard were back open. Matthews Fire told Channel 9s Eli Brand it was a one-story house that caught fire just off of East Independence on Sam Newell Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ALSO: Union County highway reopens after fire At one point, as the flames grew, Channel 9 reporters heard over first responder radio that firefighters were being told not to go inside: This is going to be an exterior operation, command all units, urgent urgent urgentno interior operations. This is going to be an exterior defensive mode, do you understand? Viewers sent us footage showing just how intense the fire got overnight. Our Channel 9 photographer at the scene also captured the huge emergency response as firefighters battled the flames. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matthews Fire said thankfully, the house was empty while it was burning and no one was hurt. The cause of the fire is under investigation. This is a developing story. Check wsoctv.com for updates. WATCH BELOW: South Charlotte bar that burned down received multiple fire code violations When 3-year-old Kai Bernabe drowned in the backyard pool at his familys suburban Los Angeles home, authorities chalked up the toddlers shocking death to a horrible mishap. As a police spokeswoman told reporters at an April 2023 press conference, Theres nothing to indicate anything beyond a tragic accident here. However, Kais mom and dad now say otherwise. A heartbreaking lawsuit obtained by The Independent reveals for the first time how Kai and his twin brother Liam, who also fell into the pool but miraculously survived, ended up in the water to begin with and places the majority of the blame squarely on Amazon, the mega-retailer owned by Jeff Bezos, the worlds second-richest man. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an email on Wednesday, attorney Andy Morrow, who is representing the family, said, Unfortunately it is our policy not to comment on pending litigation. I hope you understand. The attorneys defending Amazon in the case, along with a company spokesperson, did not respond to requests for comment. Mark Bernabe and Jasmine Coleman, whose 3-year-old son was able to defeat a sliding-door lock they bought on Amazon and subsequently drowned, blame the mega-retailer for his death (AFP via Getty Images) On April 21, 2023, after an active early morning, Kai, Liam, and parents Mark Bernabe and Jasmine Coleman laid down for a nap, according to the suit, which was removed last Friday from Los Angeles County Superior Court to Los Angeles federal court. Before turning in, the couples complaint says they made sure the sliding glass door to the backyard was securely locked, as always. Ordinarily the two toddlers would wake their parents up when they got up, the complaint states. But on this day, they didn't. Video footage reveals they left their parents asleep and went to the sliding glass doors leading to the backyard, placed a chair against the glass and the lock failed and unlatched. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the twins went outside and played for a bit, they both entered the pool, according to the complaint. Minutes later, it continues, Coleman can be seen on security footage exiting the house and spotting Kai, unconscious, in the pools shallow end. She grabbed his lifeless body and ran back inside, performing CPR on Kai while yelling to Bernabe, who was still asleep, that Liam was missing, the complaint goes on. Mark jumped out of bed and immediately ran outside, where the complaint says he discovered Liam, unresponsive, in the deep end of the pool. He immediately called 911 and Los Angeles Fire Department personnel were dispatched to the residence, according to the complaint. The boys were rushed from the house, in Porter Ranch, to the pediatric trauma center at Northridge Hospital, where Kai was pronounced dead. Following a desperate fight for his life, Liam, pulled through. The Los Angeles Fire Department rushed Kai and Liam Bernabe to the hospital, but only one of the brothers survived (Getty Images) There are no words to describe the pain the family is feeling, a friend wrote in a GoFundMe campaign that raised nearly $80,000. This fundraiser is an effort to relieve the family of the financial toll of this tragic and unexpected loss. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In their complaint, Bernabe and Coleman blame Amazon for selling them a defectively designed sliding-door lock that was unsafe for the uses and purposes for which it was intended. In addition to the ease and security of the purchase on Amazon.com Coleman was drawn to the product for its Amazon-advertised price, Amazon-advertised convenience and ease of installment, [and] Amazon-advertised design and durability, the complaint states. But most importantly to her as a mother of small children were its Amazon-advertised safety features. According to the complaint, the Amazon listing called the lock a Child Proof Safety Device, and described it as durable and effective. This kid stopper has been proven to withstand the pulls and tugs of babies and children, keep doors and windows opened [sic] and safe! it read. Featured [sic] on safes [sic] includes pry resistant door, durable double layer steel housing and seamlessly welded pry proof steel body for the ultimate prevention against break in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the language used was clunky and riddled with errors, Coleman trusted Amazon and ordered the lock, the complaint says, installing it, upon arrival, on her homes sliding glass door, according to the enclosed operating instructions. The tragic drowning occurred at the Bernabe family home in Porter Ranch, an L.A. suburb (AFP via Getty Images) Amazon and Okefan, the locks manufacturer, failed to conduct adequate testing of the sliding-door lock, which contained locking mechanism deficiencies [that] do not withstand the pulls and tugs of babies and children despite claims of pry proof construction, according to the complaint. It says both entities knew of the issues via ongoing consumer complaints on the Amazon website and across social media, about small children being able to defeat the lock with just a bit of force. For its part, Bernabe and Colemans complaint says they relied on Amazon to ensure the products for sale on its site were reliable, and that the company would transmit any relevant warnings about them. Okefan, which is listed in the lawsuit as a co-defendant but was unable to be reached for comment, maintains a rudimentary website without specifying where in the world the company is located. A contact page, which is devoid of any contact information, tells prospective customers that Okefan service[s] our clients by providing them with the [sic] quality child safety locks at the most competitive price in the market, and the package [sic] would be shipped via DHL, UPS, FedEx courier etc. In case of more asistance [sic] about return policy, it is welcome [sic] to make us the feedback [sic] below. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among other things, Amazon argued in a response filed by its attorneys that, if the door lock was defective or dangerous, it did not know and had no reason to know that that was the case, and denied that the company was negligent, careless, reckless, wanton, acted unlawfully, or is liable in the manner alleged or otherwise. It said the third-party item complied with all applicable industry standards, and that the family may have misused, abused, altered, and/or improperly maintained, and/or used the product in a manner other than it was intended to be used, and disregarded the warnings, instructions, and directions for the products use. Bernabe and Coleman are asking for a jury trial and a minimum of $2 million in damages. Both sides are scheduled to appear in court for an initial conference on May 2. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Three people have been indicted for allegedly robbing someone in Harrison Township earlier in March. According to the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office, the robbery took place on Saturday, March 8. It said police were flagged down by a person in the 1900 block of Gant Drive. The person told police they were robbed at knifepoint by two men after being invited into an apartment by a woman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While deputies were taking their report, the alleged suspects left the building. The person immediately identified the group as the people who robbed them. WPAFB water treatment plants flunk EPAs new test for PFAS Police said they approached the group and one of the members, Jared Korchinski, allegedly attempted to flee. He was quickly apprehended. Officers also took DeLeon Owens and Destiny Wood into custody. Police alleged Owens had the stolen wallet at the time of the arrest. All three people in the group were interviewed and then booked into the Montgomery County Jail. On Monday, March 17 a grand jury indicted all three on a charge of Aggravated Robbery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This incident is under active investigation by the Harrison Township Detective Section. 2 NEWS will update this article once more information is 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 WDTN.com. EAST PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) 40 people under the age of 40 were celebrated for their efforts in the workplace and in the central Illinois community Tuesday night. The event was held at the Par-A-Dice Hotel in East Peoria, and recipients ranged from business owners to government officials to nonprofit leaders. Peorias public broadcast station WTVP hosted the event, highlighting the successes of the recipients while giving them a chance to mingle with other movers and shakers from central Illinois. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the recipients, Pierre Anyansi, is a network security engineer for Advanced Medical Transport, and he appreciated the recognition. You work to make the place you live a better place and to have the community recognize you just for doing your normal day is an honor and a privilege, he said. Anyansi is from Chicago and went to school in Jamaica, describing Peoria as a home away from home. He hopes the event can get people to be more involved in the community. WTVPs CEO Jenn Gordon said the station is proud to continue the annual event. It is a privilege to tell their stories and inspire future leaders to invest in central Illinois with the same passion, sacrifice, and commitment displayed by these 40 leaders under 40, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here is the full list of recipients: Pierre Anyansi, Network Security Engineer, Advanced Medical Transport Alexander Bousky, Section Manager, Caterpillar Brett Brooks, Founder, Bee Squared Films Nickolas Connor, Firefighter, City of Peoria Raquel Dagit, Commercial Talent Development Manager, Caterpillar Everley Davis, Assistant Curator and Community Engagement Coordinator, Peoria Riverfront Museum Adam Donahoe, Senior Manager, RSM US LLP Marissa Draney, Principal, Peoria Academy Mariama Ford, Director of Human Resources and Finance, Central Illinois FRIENDS Ryan Foster, Founder, Budded Mattah Baylee Gambetti, Designated Managing Broker, RE/MAX Traders Unlimited Ben Getz, Director of Internal Audit, RLI Insurance Company Jona Hall, Founder and CEO, Illuminate: Lighting the Way Against Trafficking & Abuse Michelle Hayes, Director of Foster Care, Childrens Home Association of Illinois Reagan Leslie, Principal Designer, Leslie Tyler Design & Build Francie Hinrichsen, Founder, Founding Females Ronnie Hudson II, Systems Engineering Team Lead, Caterpillar Danielle Jepson, Account Executive, Adams Outdoor Advertising Alexandra Kaiser, Funeral Prearrangement Specialist, Funeral Directors Life Alicia Kamischke, Project Management Officer/SLED Market Lead, Prairie Engineers Kerry Klesath, Special Education Association of Peoria County, Director Devon Knobloch, Vice President Commercial Banking Officer, Fortress Bank Brett Kolditz, Assistant Attorney General, Illinois Attorney Generals Office Kimberly Ku, Clinical Oncologist and Hematologist, Illinois Cancercare Alexandria Lavin, President, The Yellow Bear Foundation Lisa Martin, CFO, Midwest Food Bank Michaura Pittman, Counselor, Manual High School Claudia Plumer, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria Pediatric Resource Center Nicole Rau, Assistant Professor, University of Illinois College of Medicine Liridon Rrushaj, Director of Venture Investing, OSF Ventures Joshua Schnauber, Transportation Manager, Caterpillar Maxwell Schneider, Real Estate Broker, Keller Williams Premier Realty Adam Shaw, Director of Finance, Greater Peoria Sanitary District Jami Truelove, President/CEO, Heart of Illinois Big Brothers Big Sisters Pat Venditte, Account Executive, Pearl Technology Christi Walker, Bookkeeper, Walker Excavating Judy Wang, Owner, Judys Family Cafe Michael JoJo Winters, Jr., Skilled Trades Coordinator, Dream Center Peoria Michelle Wolfe, Teacher of the Deaf, Charter Oak Primary School Charlie Zimmerman, Principal, Metamora Township High School 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 CIProud.com. A Minnesota Kwik Trip employee was stabbed to death while at work early Tuesday morning by a known customer, authorities say. The Mankato Police Department said in a statement Tuesday that 34-year-old Dennis Vosika of Mankato was found unresponsive with multiple stab wounds when authorities arrived after 3 a.m. at the convenience store located at 1549 Madison Ave. Officers used surveillance footage to identify 28-year-old Michael Miller as a suspect in the killing. Police said Miller was a known customer and "easily identified." He was arrested at his residence a short time later. Police said they will refer second-degree murder charges to the district attorney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CEO of Kwik Trip, a company founded in Wisconsin and headquartered in La Crosse, released a statement on Tuesday as well. "It is with deep sorrow and a heavy heart that I write to inform you of an unimaginable tragedy that occurred at Store 244 in Mankato, MN early this morning," Scott Zietlow said. "One of our coworkers was tragically stabbed and killed while on duty. This is a devastating loss for all of us, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends." Zietlow said the company is working with law enforcement to "understand what happened" and the company is committed to "supporting our coworkers through this painful ordeal." "At Kwik Trip, the safety and well-being of our coworkers are our top priorities. We are committed to maintaining a secure and supportive workplace for all coworkers. We want to make sure that everyone feels safe and supported during this challenging time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We will get through this as a community, leaning on each other for strength and support." According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, dozens of homicides occur to retail workers annually. In 2023, the latest year of data available, about 30% of workplace deaths in the retail trade industry in the U.S. were homicides. There were 94 retail homicides recorded that year. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Minnesota Kwik Trip employee stabbed to death by customer, police say Shutterstock Editorial: MatthieuCattin; berlinpictures16; Alfredo Hernandez Rios; Wut_Moppie; BenjaminCarver LGBTQ+ celebrations from around the world. 38 countries have legalized marriage equality. If you were born in 2000 or earlier, you're older than marriage equality in every country. To date, only 38 nations allow same-sex couples to marry, and none of them did before 2001. From the first in 2001 to the latest in 2025, here are all the countries that have marriage equality, in order of when each law went into effect. The Netherlands colorful parade boat in canal 2023 LGBTQ annual festival AMSTERDAM THE NETHERLANDS Wut_Moppie/Shutterstock Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pride parade in a canal in Amsterdam, The Netherlands (2023) The Netherlands was the first country to legalize marriage equality after the Dutch parliament passed a bill in December, 2000, which went into effect the following April. It had granted same-sex couples legal partnership since 1998. Belgium People carry a large rainbow flag at Belgian LGBTQIA Pride Brussels 2023 Alexandros Michailidis/Shutterstock Large rainbow flag in Brussels, Belgium (2023) Belgium drew inspiration from the Netherlands and became the second country to legalize marriage equality in June, 2003. The bill was passed by the Senate in November, 2002, then by the Chamber of Representatives in January, 2003, after which it was approved by King Albert II. Spain dancer at 2021 LGBTQ Pride parade in Barcelona Spain davide bonaldo/Shutterstock Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A dancer at an LGBTQ+ Pride parade in Barcelona, Spain (2021) Spain became the third country to legalize marriage equality by a vote of 187147 in June, 2005, despite staunch opposition from the Catholic Church. The law took effect just days later in July. Canada bikers on motorcycles at 2016 Toronto LGBTQIA Pride Parade with gay rainbow and canadian flags Marc Bruxelle/Shutterstock Rainbow and Canadian flags on motorcycles at Toronto, Canada Pride (2016) As some Canadian provinces began legalizing marriage equality through court cases and legislation in 2003, the federal government was prompted to pass the Civil Marriage Act in 2005. Canada was the first country outside of Europe to allow same-sex couples to marry. South Africa March 2019 participants amidst rainbow flags at the LGBTQ Pride Parade event in Cape Town South Africa Lois GoBe/Shutterstock Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rainbow flags at Pride event in Cape Town, South Africa (2019) South Africa passed the Civil Union Act in 2006, becoming the first African country to legalize marriage equality. To this day, it is the only African country to allow same-sex couples to marry. Norway 2016 Bergen Norway Group of LGBT activists holding up rainbow flags and posters prior to parade during Rainbow Days Ben Harding/Shutterstock LGBTQ+ activists with signs and rainbow flags in Bergen, Norway (2016) Norway passed the Gender-Neutral Marriage Act in 2008 which went into effect at the beginning of 2009. The measure granted same-sex couples the right to marry, as well as adopt, and undergo artificial insemination. Sweden Stockholm Sweden 2024 LGBTQ Pride celebration Andrii__Ivaniuk/Shutterstock Rainbow and Swedish flags at Stockholm, Sweden Pride celebration (2024) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sweden followed Norway by passing a gender-neutral marriage act in April, 2009, which went into effect the next month. The legislation, which passed in a vote of 261-22, amended the marriage code to define marriage as a union of "two spouses." Portugal Lisbon Portugal 2018 LGBT people take part in Pride Parade rfranca/Shutterstock Pride parade with flags in Lisbon, Portugal (2018) Portugal legalized marriage equality in January, 2010, granting same-sex couples rights in marriage, taxes, inheritance and housing, but not in adoption. A separate law allowing adoption was passed in 2016. Iceland JULY 2024 People walking along Rainbow street approach road to Hallgrimskirkja Church Reykjavik Iceland Ekaterina Pokrovsky/Shutterstock Rainbow street in Reykjavik, Iceland (2024) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iceland would pass a gender-neutral marriage bill one year after Norway and Sweden in June, 2010. There were no votes against the legislation. Argentina Buenos Aires Argentina 2023 balloon float LGBTQ pride parade Valeria Venezia/Shutterstock Balloon float in LGBTQ+ Pride parade in Buenos Aires, Argentina (2023) Argentina became the first country in Latin America and the second country in the Americas to legalize marriage equality in July, 2010. Denmark Denmark LGBTQ Copenhagen Pride Parade 2023 Nata Runa/Shutterstock Man with rainbow belt and suspenders at Pride in Copenhagan, Denmark (2023) Denmark was slightly behind other Nordic countries when it enacted marriage equality legislation in June, 2012. Greenland, which is under Danish control, would not get marriage equality until 2016 when Denmark's parliament passed a separate bill with no votes against. United Kingdom Canterbury Kent United Kingdom 2023 pride parade drag queens car float marchers with signs drag is not a crime love is love Michalakis Ppalis/Shutterstock Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drag queens in car at Pride parade in Canterbury Kent, United Kingdom (2023) The British Parliament passed the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act of 2013 in July of that year, legalizing marriage equality for England and Wales. The Scottish Parliament would pass its own legislation in 2014, but Northern Ireland would not legalize marriage equality until 2020. Brazil Rio de Janeiro BRAZIL 2014 Thousands of people flock to Copacabana beach for LGBTQ Pride Parade Photocarioca/Shutterstock Long rainbow flag at Copacabana beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2014) Brazil's National Council of Justice ruled that same-sex couples could not be denied marriage licenses on May 16, 2013, though adoption had been legal since 2010. France Paris France 2019 young women rainbow flag dance in the sun at the foot of statue Marianne on the place de la Republique LGBTQIA Pride parade end olrat/Shutterstock Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rainbow flags under the statue Marianne in Paris, France (2019) France passed law no. 2013-404 in 2013, allowing same-sex couples to marry and adopt children. The bill was passed on May 18, just two days after Brazil's. Uruguay montevideo uruguay October 2022 rainbow or pride flag is hanging on a pole on the plaza de la diversidad next to the president office oliverdelahaye/Shutterstock Pride flag in plaza in Montevideo, Uruguay (2022) Uruguay passed marriage equality before Brazil and France on May 3, 2013, but the law did not go into effect until after the other countries on August 5, 2013. New Zealand Wellington New Zealand 2024 Fire and Emergency NZ Marching at the LGBTQ Pride Parade NataliaCatalina.com via Shutterstock Emergency responders in Pride parade in Wellington, New Zealand (2024) New Zealand's parliament amended the 1955 Marriage Act with the Definition of Marriage Amendment Act in August, 2013, making it the first country in Oceania to legalize marriage equality. Luxembourg Esch Sur Alzette Luxembourg 2023 LGBTQIA Pride parade Equality March Kateryna Mostova/Shutterstock Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LGBTQ+ Pride parade in Esch Sur Alzette, Luxembourg (2023) The Luxembourg House of Representatives voted in June, 2014 to legalize marriage equality in a vote 56-4. The law took effect at the beginning of 2015. The Prime Minister married his longtime partner shortly after. United States 2017 Equality March LGBTQ Pride rainbow american flag white house protest Washington DC USA BenjaminCarver/Shutterstock American flags with rainbow stripes outside the White House in Washington D.C., United States (2017) Massachusetts became the first state to legalize marriage equality in 2003. Other states following suit would eventually lead to the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling legalizing it nationally, Obergefell v. Hodges. Congress later passed the Respect for Marriage Act in 2022, which was signed by President Joe Biden that December. Ireland Dublin Ireland LGBTQ pride 2022 parade float with drag queens and transgender flag Yaroslav Astakhov/Shutterstock Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drag queens and trans flags on a float in Dublin, Ireland LGBTQ+ Pride parade (2022) Ireland was the first country to legalize marriage equality through a national referendum in May, 2015, in which 62 percent voted in favor. The constitutional change later went into effect August. Colombia Bogota Colombia city center 2021LGBTQ pride parade celebration MatthieuCattin/Shutterstock Rainbow flag in front of Bogota, Colombia city center (2021) Colombia's Constitutional Court ruled 6-3 in April, 2016 to legalize marriage equality after several years of waiting for the nation's Congress to approve same-sex unions. The court initially ruled in June, 2011 that if Congress failed to do so within two years, same-sex couples would have the right to ask judges and notaries to formalize and solemnize their contractual relationships. Finland Finland Helsinki Senate Square Pride 2019 celebration of the LGBTQ community Finn stock via Shutterstock LGBTQ+ Pride in Helsinki Senate Square, Finland (2019) Finland was the last Nordic country to legalize marriage equality after over 167,000 citizens signed a petition in support of it. Despite the Finnish Parliament approving the legislation in 2014, the law would not go into effect until 2017. Malta Valletta Malta 2022 People celebrating Malta LGBTQ Pride Week chmaraa/Shutterstock Diversity banner at LGBTQ+ Pride in Valletta, Malta (2022) There was only one vote against the Marriage Act and other Laws (Amendment) to make marriage equality legal in Malta, compared to 66 in favor. The bill was signed into law by President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca in August, 2017, and went into effect a month later. Germany gay couple taking a selfie in front of the Brandenburg Gate lit up with LGBTQ rainbow colors Berlin Germany 2016 berlinpictures16/Shutterstock Brandenburg Gate lit in rainbow colors in Berlin, Germany (2016) The German parliament voted 393-226 to approve a bill granting same-sex couples the right to marry and adopt in June, 2017. The law went into effect at the beginning of October that year. Australia rainbow Australia sign at Marriage Equality Rally BRISBANE 2015 paintings/Shutterstock Marriage equality sign at rally in Brisbane, Australia (2015) Australia's government voted to redefine marriage in the 1961 Marriage Act as "a union of two people" in 2017. The decision came after the government sent out a survey asking if same-sex couples should be allowed to marry, which over 80 percent of eligible voters responded to, and 61.6 percent of participants voted "yes." Austria 2024 marching in LGBTQIA Pride parade Vienna Austria ddisq/Shutterstock Pride march in Vienna, Austria (2024) Austria's Constitutional Court voted to legalize marriage equality in December, 2017. The ruling would not go into effect until over a year later at the start of 2019. Taiwan 2016 Gathering in Front of Presidential Office Building of Taiwan to Support Same Sex Marriage and LGBT Rights weniliou/Shutterstock Marriage equality rally outside Presidential Office Buildingin Taiwan (2016) Taiwan courts issued a landmark ruling affirming marriage equality in 2017, which the legislature would approve in May, 2019. The country was the first in Asia to allow same-sex couples to marry. Ecuador QUITO ECUADOR 2011 people participate in LGBTQIA Pride parade one of the biggest gay parades in the americas Fotos593/Shutterstock LGBTQ+ Pride parade in Quito, Ecuador (2011) Ecuador's Constitutional Court upheld marriage equality in June, 2019 after two same-sex couples challenged a law that only permitted civil unions. Costa Rica Puntarenas Costa Rica 2024 Aerial view of the Envision LGBTQ Festival on the beach Gianfranco Vivi/Shutterstock LGBTQ+ festival on a beach in Puntarenas, Costa Rica (2024) The Supreme Court of Justice of Costa Rica nullified the sections of the nation's Family Code in August, 2018 after determining them to be unconstitutional. The Legislative Assembly was given 18 months to rewrite the law, and marriage equality was finally enacted in May, 2020. Chile Santiago de Chile March for gender equality LGBTQ PRIDE 2022 Cristian fotografias via Shutterstock Santiago de Chile March for LGBTQ+ Pride (2022) President Sebastian Pinera announced his intent to sponsor a marriage equality bill in June, 2021, which led to legislation being approved and taking effect shortly after in March, 2022. This also undid the requirement that married transgender people must divorce in order to legally change their gender. Switzerland Marchers LGBTQIA Pride parade of Lugano Switzerland 2018 Stefano Ember/Shutterstock Pride parade in Lugano, Switzerland (2018) Switzerland followed Ireland's lead and legalized marriage equality in a referendum that earned 64.1 percent of vote in September, 2021. It also protected adoption and in vitro fertilization. Slovenia Ljubljana Slovenia 2016 bubbles floating in front of rainbow flag on city hall in support of LGBTQ equal rights Bizi88/Shutterstock Rainbow flag outside of city hall building in Ljubljana, Slovenia (2016) Slovenia was the first post-communist nation to legalize marriage equality when a Constitutional Court ruled that the country's previous ban was unconstitutional. The decision, made July 8, 2022, came into effect the next day. Cuba 2018 Havana Cuba LGBTQ Pride Parade banner reads I am part of the revolution I am also Fidel with photo of Castro P. Falchi/Shutterstock LGBTQ+ Pride parade in Havana, Cuba (2018) Voters in Cuba approved marriage equality with a referendum in September, 2022. It had the highest percentage of any referendum involving marriage equality at 66.9 percent. Mexico 2024 LGBTQ Pride community celebrating Mexico City monument Alfredo Hernandez Rios/Shutterstock Men in cowboy hats and blue shirts shoot off rainbow smoke flares in front of Mexico City monument (2024) Marriage equality became legal in all of Mexico's states in October, 2022 after Tamaulipas became the last of the country's 32 states to pass legislation allowing same-sex couples to marry. The country's supreme court ruled in 2015 that state laws that prohibited marriage equality were unconstitutional, but some states took several years to implement the ruling. Andorra rainbow painted bench for LGBTQ pride in City center Andorra la Vella Nani_sunshinelady/Shutterstock Rainbow bench in the city center of Andorra la Vella Marriage equality became legal in Andorra in February, 2023, seven months after the General Council voted to expand the rights of same-sex couples to include civil marriage and over nine years after it first allowed civil unions in December, 2014. Estonia TALLINN ESTONIA 2023 LGBTQIA Baltic Pride parade annual festival marriage equality banner Don Huan/Shutterstock Annual Baltic LGBTQ+ Pride festival in Tallinn Estonia (2023) Estonia's parliament voted in favor of marriage equality in June, 2023, becoming the first post-Soviet Union country to allow same-sex couples to marry. The law went into effect January, 2024. Greece GREECE Thessaloniki 2015 participants carrying giant rainbow flag LGBTQ Pride Festival Yiorgos GR/Shutterstock Giant rainbow flag at march in Thessaloniki, Greece (2015) Greece became the first Orthodox Christian country to legalize marriage equality and adoption in February, 2024. The local church on the island of Corfu announced after it would deny communion and other religious ceremonies to the lawmakers who voted in favor. Liechtenstein Eschen Liechtenstein 2022 Border sign on the bridge over the river Rhein with the inscription Principality of Liechtenstein and the coat of arms Taljat David/Shutterstock Eschen Liechtenstein border sign (2022) There was only one vote against the bill legalizing marriage equality in Liechtenstein's parliament, compared to 24 in favor. The law was passed in May, 2024, and went into effect at the start of 2025. Thailand two brides march through central Bangkok 2023 Thailand LGBTQIA Pride month Chayanit Itthipongmaetee/Shutterstock Two brides in Bangkok, Thailand (2023) After it was approved by parliament, a marriage equality bill was signed into law by Thailand's King in September, 2024, and went into effect in January, 2025. It was Southeast Asias first country to allow same-sex couples to marry. Over two hours of talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday yielded very limited results at least in public in terms of imposing a ceasefire in Ukraine or making significant progress toward a peace agreement. According to their respective governments, the two leaders agreed only to an initial partial truce, under which Moscow will refrain from attacking infrastructure and energy facilities and which, according to the Kremlin, will last for 30 days. Furthermore, Russia announced a modest prisoner exchange of 175 people per side. But Putin maintains a list of demands to agree to a longer cessation of hostilities. These include an end to military aid and the provision of foreign intelligence to Ukraine, two conditions that are very damaging to Kyiv. The statements issued by the two governments differ significantly. The White House did not specify a timeframe for the pause in attacks on infrastructure. It did indicate that technical talks will begin immediately somewhere in the Middle East, which would first address a ceasefire in the Black Sea. This limited truce would then progress to a full ceasefire and, later, to a permanent peace. The White House statement also makes a difference between infrastructure and energy, as though they were two different types of facilities. The Kremlins statement talks about energy infrastructure. The lack of tangible results and Putins inflexibility have not prevented Trump from brimming with enthusiasm in his reactions. Shortly after the release of the statements, in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, the Republican described the call as very good and productive. We agreed to an immediate ceasefire on all Energy and Infrastructure, with an understanding that we will be working quickly to have a complete ceasefire and, ultimately, an end to this very horrible war between Russia and Ukraine [...] That process is now in full force and effect, and we will, hopefully, for the sake of humanity, get the job done! he maintained. People in New York City walk past a Fox News ticker that displays a headline about U.S. President Donald Trump's call with Russian President Vladimir Putin about a Ukraine ceasefire proposal. Kylie Cooper (REUTERS) The agreed-upon talks would likely take place in Saudi Arabia, which hosted the first rounds of discussions between representatives of the United States and delegations from Russia and Ukraine, respectively. The brief White House statement does not specify whether these negotiations would take place between Washington and Moscow, or whether they would also include Kyiv and its European allies. So far, Ukrainian authorities have remained silent on the outcome of the call, but some of the conditions Putin demands for a lasting ceasefire are hardly acceptable to Volodymyr Zelenskiys government. Zelenskiy said yesterday during a virtual press conference from Finland, where he was on an official visit, that he supports any measure to reduce attacks, referring to the proposal not to bomb energy infrastructures. However, he considered that Putin is not ready to end the war and that his demands a halt in mobilization and the cessation of weapons and intelligence supply are aimed at weakening Ukraine. We support all steps aimed at the end of the war. We will support them. But in order to support them, we need to understand what exactly we support, he added in quotes cited by Reuters, reports Lola Hierro. Trump and Putin discussed the need for peace and a ceasefire in the Ukraine war, the document released by the U.S. presidential office begins. Both leaders agreed this conflict needs to end with a lasting peace. They also stressed the need for improved bilateral relations between the United States and Russia. In Moscow, the official Russian statement contained details missing from the American text. And it included notable pitfalls. According to the statement, Putin expressed to Trump his rejection of an unconditional truce that would allow Ukraine to strengthen its position and threatened escalation if Kyiv receives more military and intelligence support. The key condition for avoiding the escalation of the conflict and working toward a solution through political and diplomatic means must be a complete cessation of foreign military aid and the provision of intelligence information to Kyiv, the Russian government reportedly demanded during the phone call. The Russian president reviewed a series of important points for accepting the 30-day ceasefire with Trump, which include halting the mobilization of troops and the rearmament of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, although he expressed doubts about the truces vigilance along the frontlines. According to the Kremlin, the Russian leader immediately instructed his military to cease attacks and has agreed to negotiate on navigability in the Black Sea. Putin reiterated his desire for a solution that meets Russias legitimate security interests and is comprehensive, sustainable, and long-term. In other words, Moscow is demanding that Ukraine be disarmed, left without any Western support and headed by a pro-Russia government, in addition to recognizing the territories claimed by the Kremlin as Russian. Negotiations are likely to be derailed by the Kremlins demands, and Putin tried to convince Trump during their conversation that Kyiv will boycott his truce proposal. [During the conversation] the serious risks associated with the Kyiv regimes inability to negotiate, which has repeatedly sabotaged and violated other agreements, were highlighted, read the Kremlin statement, the same government that violated the 2015 Minsk agreements with several subsequent offensives in Donbas. In addition to Ukraine, the two leaders also talked about the situation in the Middle East and the Red Sea region, although the Kremlin statement omitted whether they discussed Israels new offensive in Gaza, which left more than 400 dead on Tuesday. Joint efforts will be made to stabilize the situation in the crisis zones and establish cooperation on issues of nuclear nonproliferation and global security, Moscow said. Like Trump, Russia didnt hide its euphoria after the telephone summit. One of the key figures in the Russian negotiating team, the head of the Kremlins sovereign wealth fund, Kirill Dmitriev, celebrated its results on X: Under the leadership of President Putin and President Trump, the world has become a much safer place today! Historic! Epic! Putin and Trump are on the same page, Putins former advisor, Sergei Markov, remarked on his Telegram channel. The main point is the improvement of bilateral relations, the analyst emphasized, predicting the lifting of some sanctions, mainly in the banking sphere. Europe has been left out. This is Putin and Trumps revenge against Europe for the fact that its leaders hate them, Markov said. Putin reiterated to Trump his rejection of Ukraine taking advantage of a possible truce to strengthen its position, objections the Russian leader expressed last week: A number of important points related to ensuring effective control over the possible ceasefire along the entire front and halting the forced mobilization [of troops] and rearmament of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, according to a summary from the Kremlin on Tuesday. In their statements, neither government alludes to territorial issues or asset division, issues Trump had announced on Monday that he planned to discuss with his counterpart. The U.S. president had also announced that they would discuss aspects of the possible peace agreement that would follow the truce, specifically the distribution of territory and the future of Ukraines Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe and located in Russian-occupied territory. Trumps statements had rekindled fears in Kyiv and Europe that the two leaders could engineer a deal that would hand over much of occupied Ukrainian territory to Moscow and be therefore be unacceptable to Ukraine, the invaded country in Europes longest and bloodiest war since the end of World War II 80 years ago. Washingtons statement on Tuesdays talks also alludes to possible Russian-U.S. collaboration in the Middle East to prevent future conflicts. According to the White House, the two leaders agreed on the need to halt the proliferation of strategic weapons and also discussed Iran. The two agreed that Iran should never be in a position to destroy Israel. According to the U.S. statement, Putin and Trump also agreed on the major positive aspects that would result from an improvement in bilateral relations once peace is achieved in Ukraine. Among them, it cited enormous economic agreements and geopolitical stability. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition KENTUCKY (FOX 56) Anyone whos had to visit a driver licensing office anytime lately had good odds to also face a long wait. As the legislative session began to conclude, a little relief made it to the finish line, but some lawmakers saw a missed opportunity to fix the problem. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is so frustrating. Its so maddening. I get emails all the time, Sen. Lindsey Tichenor (R-Smithfield) told FOX 56. Before 2022, Kentuckians could get a drivers license in any of Kentuckys 120 counties. The change to a regional system was prompted by the federal REAL ID Act to improve security. However, the reduction to only 34 regional locations to get a license has naturally led to longer wait times. And requirements this year for both a vision screening and REAL ID are increasing the foot traffic. It can be quite infuriating when you take your day, and you end up waiting in line all day long and you still dont get into the building. And you may have an appointment. And you may not have an appointment, but they are just bogged down, Tichenor said. Sen. Tichenor was one of several lawmakers who filed proposals this year to cut down on the wait. House Bill 518 would have returned a clerk model. Tichenors Senate Bill 166 would have brought a regional office to counties with a population of 50 thousand or more. I think that would have opened up five new centers, if Im correct, which really would help it a tremendous amount, Tichenor said. Read more of the latest Kentucky news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither of those bills passed; however, a provision was included in Senate Bill 43 allowing third parties like AAA to also be able to issue licenses. As of Tuesday afternoon, the bill was still awaiting action from Gov. Andy Beshear. Now they wont be able to do testing or permitting, but theyll be able to do the renewals and be able to do the REAL ID, Tichenor explained. However, Tichenor said she does not expect an immediate impact and believes that it will require the flexibility of a budget session next year to pay for opening more driver licensing offices. Tichenor said she is also hopeful that by next year a Kentucky State Police pilot program for pop-up licensing can expand. But until then, she encourages trying to renew online with the proper vision paperwork or seeking out a passport card to satisfy REAL ID requirements if someone is unable to make the time for a lengthy office wait. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) said in a statement that the vision screening requirement has led to more customers and longer lines as people come in for screenings. To meet that increased demand, as well as cover for flu season and severe weather impacts, were using more overtime and temporary staffing at busier offices, continuing Saturday hours once a month, drop-off renewal forms, and a new scheduling system that allows customers to check in and wait in their vehicles, Allen Blair, information officer for the KYTC, said. In addition, pop-up licensing in counties without regional offices and online renewal continue to be offered. 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 deputy with the Bibb County Sheriffs Office arrested four people in connection with the interference with a child custody and kidnapping investigation. On Tuesday, Jan. 28, a woman called 911 to report that her two-year-old child was taken out of state. Deputies contacted the woman and she reported that the childs father, Dashawn Rashard Sarratt, 30, told her the child was taken without her consent or the knowledge of the Georgia Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the sheriffs office, the child was placed with a family member of Dashawn Sarratt during an open DFACS investigation involving the childs care. Both DFACS and the childs mother agreed that Samiyah Cunningham, 24, would temporarily keep the toddler until she was to be moved to another location. During this time, Dashawn Sarratt along with Samiyah Cunningham, Shinikka Cunningham of New Jersey, 49, mother of Samiyah, and Kiesha Burno of New Jersey, 50, mother of Dashawn, all conspired and moved the child by train to live with Burno. Once they were in New Jersey, Kiesha Burno fraudulently received a temporary custodial order through the Hudson County Superior Court in New Jersey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Jersey Child Protection Services reported to Macon-Bibb DFACS that the child was with Burno. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] A deputy obtained arrest warrants for Dashawn Sarratt, Samiyah Cunningham, Shinikka Cunningham, and Kiesha Burno. All four were arrested and the child was safely recovered. Samiyah Cunningham, Shinikka Cunningham, and Kiesha Burno were all charged with conspiracy to commit a felony, interstate interference with custody, and kidnapping. Dashawn Rashard Sarratt was charged with kidnapping, conspiracy to commit a felony, interstate interference with custody, and probation violation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were all denied bond. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Four men, including one from Virginia Beach and another from Chesapeake, have been arrested by deputies of the Accomack County Sheriffs Office in connection to an ongoing homicide investigation on the Eastern Shore that began in 2024. Deputies responded to a shooting in February 2024 and found an unresponsive man suffering from gunshot wounds in the the 26000 block of Stumpy Lane, near Onancock. The man, 26-year-old Rashaun Anthony Brown of Onancock was pronounced dead at the scene, an official statement from the sheriffs office said. After indictments were issued on Feb. 28, authorities on Tuesday made four arrests: Tyvon Lyncurtis Smith, 32, of Virginia Beach; Christopher Clovis-Weathers Monfiston, 32, of Chesapeake; Kyriq Nygee Weathers, 27, of Parksley; Taquan Lee Bell, 26, of Accomac. All four men are charged with first degree murder and are also facing other charges, including firearm offenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The men were being held at the Accomack County Jail, with the exception of Weathers, who was being held at the Virginia Beach City Jail. Deputies with the Accomack County Sheriffs Office were assisted by Virginia Beach Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations in Norfolk, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Federal Bureau of Investigations. Deputies ask anyone with information regarding the ongoing investigation contact the Accomack County Sheriffs Office at 757-787-1131 or 757-824-5666 or tips may be submitted through our website at accomackcountysheriffsoffice.org. A 4-year-old boy was killed Tuesday night when the vehicle he was riding in crashed into a building in the Crenshaw District, Los Angeles police officials said. The driver, an unidentified woman, fled the scene before officers arrived and left the boy, the boy's mother and a third passenger behind, Los Angeles Police Department Officer Charles Miller said. Police initially said the driver was a man before providing an updated description Wednesday morning. The vehicle, a white Infiniti FX35, crashed into a building off Crenshaw Boulevard and Rodeo Place about 11 p.m. Tuesday, police said. The driver is wanted for fleeing the crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The boy was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. The other passengers were taken to the hospital with serious injuries and are expected to survive. Anyone with information about the collision is asked to contact the detective handling the case at (424) 298-7898. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. This story was produced as part of Sunshine Week, a nonpartisan collaboration among groups in the journalism, civic, education, government and private sectors that shines a light on the importance of public records and open government. Sunshine Week runs through March 22, 2025. Eight thousand requests. Thats the number of open records cases that the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources processed in 2024, according to public records coordinator Philip Derge. Its how the public holds us and the government accountable, or just to see whats going on, Derge said. I think its very important. Sunshine Week: Your Right To Know With a small public records team of just four, the DNR handles among the highest volume of records requests of any state agency, according to Derge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since 1984, the Wisconsin open records law has guaranteed the public the right to access state and local government records. The law exists to ensure a transparent government and informed public, vital to a functioning democratic process. For more than 10 years, Derge has worked almost exclusively on open records requests for the DNR, with demand growing year after year. Wisconsin DNR public records coordinator Philip Derge Derge said the people requesting records are a healthy mix, ranging from journalists, attorneys, environmental consultants, property owners and more. Any time one of them requests a public record from the DNR, Derge or one of his fellow public records custodians are assigned to handle it. But obtaining the requested documents is not always so simple. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes when people come in, theres a bigger perception that their records are immediately at our fingertips, Derge said. Often, that's not the case. More: Wisconsin law entitles you access to government records. Here's how to get them. Last year, more than 800 inquiries or about 10% of overall requests were considered complex requests, involving an extensive number of records and multiple programs across the DNR. Derge said records requests at the DNR are categorized into one of four groups: customer service requests, simple requests, complex requests and Public Safety and Resource Protection Division requests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latter involves records about DNR's law enforcement arm and typically contains sensitive information relating to open investigations. More: Public records make journalism possible. Here are 4 stories we couldn't do without them. But the vast majority of requests fall within the customer service category, said Derge, with the most common requests involving fishing and hunting licenses and vehicle registrations. Other common requests involve documents about a propertys environmental history or newsworthy topics like the levels of PFAS commonly known as forever chemicals in Wisconsin waterways. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recently, Derge said he's received a number of records requests concerning the DNRs investigation into last Novembers Enbridge Line 6 pipeline spill in Superior. There's work to be done to improve the open records process, Derge said. He said the DNR is working to digitize files, which would make processing open records requests more efficient. Derge hopes the agency can find a way to automate this process in the future, possibly through the use of artificial intelligence, but said that is still a long way out. For now, he encourages people to continue using records requests to learn more about the state of Wisconsins 1.6 million acres of public lands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, it's why public records laws exist, Derge said. It gives the public a better idea of whats going on. Tips from the DNR for an effective open records request Make requests as specific as possible: Requests should include a specific person or title as well as keywords to avoid open records custodians having to pull more records than needed, Derge said. Start off small and ask for subsequent requests from there : Theres no limit on the number of open requests a person can have, Derge said. Rather than ask for everything right away, breaking up requests into smaller asks can help the public records team provide answers quickly and provide other directions for future requests. If youre unsure, send requests to both the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: The delineation between the two environmental agencies can get confusing, according to Derge. He recommends sending a request to both agencies if youre not sure. Even if its more of an EPA question, we're still looking and trying to get people what they need from our end, Derge said. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What it's like being a public records coordinator at the Wisconsin DNR Four teenagers all under the age of 18 have been arrested in connection to the homicide of 18-year-old Diamond Eddie Manly in Anoka County. The Anoka County Sheriff's Office said the following arrests were made on Tuesday: A 17-year-old boy in Shoreview A 17-year-old boy in Ramsey A 16-year-old boy in Shoreview A 15-year-old boy in Coon Rapids None of the boys arrested have been officially charged as of Wednesday morning. Information regarding their identities isn't immediately available due to the Minnesota Data Practices Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Manly, 18, was found fatally shot inside a vehicle in Ramsey on March 2. Related: Support for family of high schooler found fatally shot in Anoka County The Brooklyn Park 18-year-old was found with an apparent gunshot wound around 8:30 a.m. on the 14600 block of Snowy Owl Street Northwest. A spokesperson for Champlin Park High School said Manly was a senior at the school. His mother told FOX 9 he emigrated from Liberia in 2018 and had made several friends in Brooklyn Park. She described him as "humble" and "respectful." A GoFundMe, launched to help with the family's funeral costs and other expenses, has raised nearly $12,600 of its $20,000 goal as of Wednesday morning. Nearly half of Americans believe the U.S. is not doing enough to support Ukraine, while two-thirds would favor increased military aid if Russia violates a potential ceasefire, according to a Gallup poll published on March 18. The survey comes as the Trump administration has yet to approve any new aid packages for Kyiv as it seeks to restore ties with Moscow. The weapons currently flowing to Ukraine were authorized under the former Biden administration. According to the poll, 46% of Americans believe Washington is not providing sufficient assistance to Ukraine 16% more than in December. Meanwhile, the number of those who think U.S. support is excessive (30%) or sufficient (23%) has decreased. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among Democrats, 79% believe the U.S. should be doing more, compared to 46% of independents and just 12% of Republicans. Analysts attribute this shift to U.S. President Donald Trump's approach to the war. The poll was conducted from March 3 to 11, following the failed White House talks between Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky and Washington's announcement of a pause in military aid. Read also: Trump administration cuts funding for initiative tracking Russian abductions of Ukrainian children, WP reports The highest recorded dissatisfaction with U.S. support for Ukraine was 38% in August 2022. Now, 53% of Americans say the U.S. should back Ukraine until all its territories are restored, even if it takes time. This position is held by 82% of Democrats, 54% of independents, and 22% of Republicans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regarding the proposed ceasefire, 79% of respondents fear Russia will violate the agreement, and 70% believe any deal could favor Moscow. If Russia breaks the truce, 64% of Americans would support an increase in military aid to Ukraine, 42% would back airstrikes on Russian military facilities in Ukraine, and 30% would favor deploying U.S. troops. Trump said during a meeting with Zelensky in Washington on Feb. 28 that security guarantees for Ukraine would be Europe's responsibility. Rising support for Ukraine among the American public could pressure the Trump administration to shift its policy, mainly if Russia violates a possible ceasefire, analysts said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, a Reuters/Ipsos poll published on March 13 found that 56% of Americans believe Trump is "too closely aligned" with Russia amid his administration's evolving foreign policy. Read also: 2 Sumy Oblast hospitals hit by drones hours after Putin agrees to halt energy grid attacks Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. College students have never been gayer: a recent poll from Gallup revealed that 23.1% of Americans born between 1997 and 2006 identified as LGBTQ, a nearly 9% increase from the previous generation. While young Americans might feel more comfortable identifying as queer than their predecessors, the possibility of experiencing bigotry on a college campus is far from being in the past. In January, the president signed an executive order declaring that the American government would only recognize two sexes male and female. The following month, the Trump administration enacted another executive order banning transgender women from participating in womens sports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mitchell R. Lunn, a physician who researches LGBTQ health, told the New York Times that the impact of these policies could reverberate through society and push some people to go back into the closet. I think we may lose a lot of the really positive momentum that weve built over the past decades. Even prior to Trump taking office, recent policies in states like Texas and Florida made college campuses increasingly hostile to LGBTQ students. In May 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis enacted policies restricting instruction on gender in the states public higher education institutions. That same year, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a bill that banned public colleges and universities from conducting trainings, programs, or activities designed or implemented in reference to race, color, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation, without significant state-level oversight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For queer high school seniors, the changing landscape around LGBTQ rights in the United States means that choosing a college or university that embraces gay and transgender students is especially important. Each year, the Princeton Review ranks the most and least LGBTQ-friendly colleges based on student responses to the statement, students treat all persons equally, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. Continue reading to learn more about the most and least LGBTQ-friendly colleges and universities in America. 5th most LGBTQ friendly: Bennington College Photo: Bennington College Where is it? Bennington, Vermont What kind of school is it? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bennington is a private, coeducational liberal arts college. How many students attend? 797 4th most LGBTQ friendly: Wellesley College Photo: Wellesley College Where is it? Wellesley, Massachusetts What kind of school is it? Wellesley is a private liberal arts college for women. How many students attend? 2,417 3rd most LGBTQ friendly: Pitzer College Photo: Pitzer College Claremont, California What kind of school is it? Pitzer is a private, coeducational liberal arts college. How many students attend? 1,242 2nd most LGBTQ friendly: College of the Atlantic Photo: College of the Atlantic Where is it? Bar Harbor, Maine What kind of school is it? The College of the Atlantic a private, coeducational liberal arts college. How many students attend? 353 Most LGBTQ friendly: Reed College Photo: Reed College Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Where is it? Portland, Oregon What kind of school is it? Reed is a private, coeducational liberal arts college. How many students attend? 1,346 5th least LGBTQ friendly: Grove City College Photo: Grove City College Where is it? Grove City, Pennsylvania What kind of school is it? Grove City College is a coeducational, Christian liberal arts college. How many students attend? 2,365 4th least LGBTQ friendly: University of Tennessee Knoxville Photo: University of Tennessee Knoxville Where is it? Knoxville, Tennessee What kind of school is it? University of Tennessee Knoxville is a coeducational, public research university. How many students attend? 30,564 3rd least LGBTQ friendly: Brigham Young University Photo: Brigham Young University Where is it? Provo, Utah What kind of school is it? BYU is a coeducational, Mormon research university. How many students attend? 32,221 2nd least LGBTQ friendly: the Catholic University of America Photo: Catholic University of America Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Where is it? Washington, DC What kind of school is it? Catholic University is a Catholic, coeducational research university. How many students attend? 3,177 Least LGBTQ friendly: College of the Ozarks Photo: College of the Ozarks Where is it? Point Lookout, Missouri What kind of school is it? The College of the Ozarks is a coeducational, tuition free, Christian college. How many students attend? 1,508 For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. A young boy was killed when a motorist drove into a building and then left the scene in the Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw neighborhood of Los Angeles late Tuesday night, police said. Police responded to the scene at Crenshaw Boulevard and Rodeo Place around 11 p.m. to find a white Infiniti FX35 had crashed head-on into the corner of the building. Investigators believe the vehicle had been speeding before the driver lost control and veered off the road, the Los Angeles Police Department stated in an update. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver of the vehicle failed to remain at scene and render aid to a 4-year-old passenger in the vehicle, police said in the news release, which also updated the childs age. Police respond to a fatal crash in Los Angeles on March 19, 2025. (KTLA) The unidentified boy was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Two other passengers were transported to a local hospital with serious injuries, one of them being the 4-year-old childs mother, police said. The driver is believed to have taken off in a white sedan after abandoning the wrecked Infiniti. She was described as a Black woman, possibly in her 30s, who is being sought in connection with the hit-and-run. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information about this collision is asked to contact South Traffic Division Detective Moreno at 424-298-7898. Those who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or go to the lacrimestoppers.org website. 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. President Donald Trump appeared to turbo-charge his mass deportation plan in recent days. But he hasnt changed a messy reality: His administration is facing obstacles across the government that underscore the difficulty he faces in carrying out what he has long promised would be the largest deportation campaign in U.S. history. He has moved to seize control of the immigration narrative with a series of recent actions: Immigration agents, at the direction of the administration, arrested and moved to deport a green card holder who had a prominent role in the Columbia University protests over the Israel-Hamas war. Then, the administration invoked a rarely used 18th century law to speed up deportations. And then the Department of Homeland Security rushed a group of about 250 Venezuelans to a super-max prison in El Salvador in apparent defiance of a judges order. Aside from these high-profile actions, Trumps efforts were hitting turbulence on multiple fronts including limits on detention capacity, legal challenges and the cost and logistical challenge of holding migrants at the U.S. base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The Trump administration has stopped releasing deportation statistics. But the number of people being removed from the country isnt higher, on an annualized basis, than under the Biden administration and is lower than under President Barack Obama. From reporters across the POLITICO newsroom, here are five reasons why: Big promise, cold truth Trumps big promise to launch a massive deportation campaign on Day One quickly ran up against personnel and resources challenges, limited detention capacity and a bogged down immigration court system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House has ramped up pressure on Immigration and Customs Enforcement to increase arrest and deportation numbers, a tension thats been seen in the shifting leadership at the agency. ICE director Caleb Vitello was reassigned last month, a move that followed the reassignment of two other top ICE officials from their positions. Trump officials tried to meet this moment with an early PR blitz, touting arrests of migrants who have committed crimes. But while interior arrests have no doubt increased, the administration likely isnt releasing deportation data because these numbers are anemic, said John Sandweg, acting director of ICE from 2013-2014. ICE announced last week that in the first 50 days of the Trump administration, the agency has made 32,809 arrests while not releasing a breakdown of how many of those were at-large arrests or additional deportation stats. Trump officials also said they had maxed out detention capacity at 47,600 people as they work with the Marshals Service, Department of Defense, and Federal Bureau of Prisons to increase bed space as they request more funding in Congress. But even more detention capacity wont resolve some of the biggest roadblocks to Trumps mass deportation plans. Theres a historic backlog in the immigration courts, which is only set to grow as the Trump administration has fired judges and a slew of others are resigning or retiring this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The number of people trying to illegally cross the border has also plummeted, likely due in part to a realization among migrants that they will be prevented from seeking asylum as well as increased enforcement on the Mexican side of the border. That has resulted in fewer fast-track deportations at the southern border through an authority known as expedited removal, a major reason the pace of removals under Trump is likely so far comparable to Bidens last year in office. Trump is a bit of a victim to his own success at the border, Sandweg said. And now you can only deport people whove gone to the immigration court but that means thats going to be anemic removal numbers. Myah Ward Paying for it Trumps plans for the border and increased interior enforcement carry a big price tag. That means Congress will have to find the money which may not be easy with a narrow Republican majority in the House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement GOP lawmakers are in the midst of the budget reconciliation process that would allow them to unlock more resources without Democratic support. The House and Senate have adopted their respective versions of a budget blueprint for Trumps flagship domestic policy legislation both of which provide additional resources for border security but the two chambers must now reconcile key differences between their plans. It takes resources to do what voters elected us to do, said House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan, whose committee has broad jurisdiction on immigration issues, in an interview. Resources for judges, lawyers wall, drones, people, detention space, detention beds. Jordan has also said that he wanted to revive H.R. 2, the Republican bill that would institute broad changes to immigration law that passed during the last Congress with no Democratic votes. But in order for the legislation to reach Trumps desk, it would require some support from Senate Democrats. Jordan has recently indicated he is open to changes to highly-skilled visa rules, a move favored by top Trump advisor and billionaire Elon Musk that could also be a sweetener for Democrats. But bipartisan negotiations around border security floundered in 2024, after Trump moved to kill the resulting bill, calling it a Death Wish for The Republican Party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not clear what concessions Democrats would require in order to secure some of their support for whatever immigration law Republicans move to pass. Congressional Republicans have mulled attempting to amend the Constitution to end the granting citizenship to those born on U.S. soil known as birthright citizenship. Trump issued an executive order that would deny automatic citizenship to the children of undocumented immigrants, an action that was quickly challenged and will likely be decided by the Supreme Court. Legislation enacting the restriction is a nonstarter for many Democrats, who note that birthright citizenship is enshrined in the law by the 14th Amendment. Hailey Fuchs States of opposition Border czar Tom Homan went to Chicago in December and declared that mass deportations would start right here. Immigration raids have sparked fear in the city, but there have been far fewer than many had expected or that Homan had telegraphed back when he was taunting the states Gov. JB Pritzker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Illinois and other states led by Democrats, where a majority of the undocumented can be found the raids have been less successful than the administration sought to claim in its earliest days. In part, thats because tracking down and detaining people without legal status is a labor-intensive undertaking, and the U.S. government doesnt, at least as yet, have the resources. But the effort has also been hampered by activists who have conducted a know your rights campaign across the country to advise people of their rights, which include not opening the door to ICE agents who lack a warrant signed by a judge and not just by an agent or insisting on their right to see a lawyer. Homan has acknowledged that the campaigns are making it very difficult to arrest people . The education campaign started right after the election. We knew we needed to come into the new year prepared, said Brandon Lee of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, which is coordinating much of the effort in Illinois. The groups hotline has seen an uptick in calls from residents asking questions or sharing information about when they see federal officials in their neighborhoods. We want to make sure that community members know their rights before an ICE encounter and also that after ICE does come to a neighborhood that people know how to respond, said Lee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE has been working around the issue, pursuing people outside their home or detaining people when they show up to their regularly scheduled check-ins with immigration authorities, reportedly including people who have been in the U.S. for many years. Shia Kapos A display of force Trump gave the military a prominent role in immigration enforcement almost immediately after taking office dispatching troops to the border and pledging to send tens of thousands of migrants to Guantanamo Bay. Both initiatives have turned out to be mostly showmanship. As migrant crossings at the border have plummeted, the troops have little to do. And the administration has quickly cleared out everyone held at Guantanamo in the face of mounting legal and logistical challenges. The Trump administration has taken the unusual step of deploying the military to boost its immigration agenda. He has sent thousands of troops to the border and asked the Defense Department to help with deportation efforts. But the Pentagon is struggling to figure out where to put undocumented immigrants, after scuttling a plan to house them at Guantanamo Bay due to costly flights. The Defense Department is looking at placing people in military bases, including at Fort Bliss in Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps drive to use the military in support of mass deportation efforts has also raised legal questions. Defense officials could perform short-term detentions, but it gets much murkier using active-duty troops who are trained in combat to detain and guard migrants. When do you draw the line around where the militarys role should be? said a former defense official, granted anonymity to discuss a politically sensitive issue. The Pentagon also has limited bandwidth. Its focus on the southwest border has thrown considerable pressure on the U.S. Northern Command, which is charged with defending the North American continent. The administration has asked the command to take charge of the military mission along the border as it contends with Trumps other objectives including building a Golden Dome and defending in the Arctic. Jack Detsch A perilous legal landscape Perhaps in response to some of these obstacles, Trump has deployed increasingly audacious deportation tactics in the past few days. But those tactics are prompting equally aggressive resistance in the courts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most prominent fight concerns Trumps invocation of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to swiftly deport alleged members of a Venezuelan gang. Within hours of the invocation becoming public on Saturday, the chief federal district judge in Washington ordered the government to immediately halt any deportations under the wartime authority. Three planes full of deportees were apparently already in the air when Judge James Boasberg issued that order, and the administration did not comply with Boasbergs oral directive from the bench to turn the planes around. Despite the Justice Departments arguments that it did not technically violate any court order, the episode angered the typically mild-mannered Boasberg and intensified concerns that the White House is hurtling toward an irredeemable clash with the courts . A different judge acted similarly swiftly to prevent the administration from deporting Mahmoud Khalil, a legal permanent resident of the U.S. and Columbia University graduate student who led pro-Palestinian demonstrations there. In Khalils case, the administration invoked a rarely used provision of the immigration code that allows the secretary of state to deport any noncitizen if the secretary determines that the persons continued presence in the U.S. would threaten foreign policy. On March 10, two days after Khalil was detained, U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman of New York blocked the government from deporting him. Furman on Wednesday ordered that the case be transferred to New Jersey, where a new judge may hear Khalils petition to be released from custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a third extraordinary case, the administration moved swiftly to deport Dr. Rasha Alawieh , a Brown University physician with a valid visa for highly skilled workers. Alawieh was detained last week while trying to reenter the U.S. after traveling to Lebanon. The government, alleging that Alawieh supports Hezbollah, sent her back to Lebanon, her home country, on Friday night. The deportation violated an order from Massachusetts-based U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin, who had directed the government to provide him with 48 hours notice before deporting Alawieh. Lawyers for Alawieh are fighting in court to bring her back to the United States. All three legal battles are foisting Trump, the courts and the immigration system into largely untested legal terrain. In general, the executive branch has broad authority to deport people who are in the country without authorization, and courts typically do not supervise the presidents policy choices in this area. SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here. The White House has dismissed a French politician's symbolic call for the return of the Statue of Liberty - a gift from France some 140 years ago - on the grounds that the United States no longer represents the values embodied by the monument. President Donald Trump would "absolutely not" return the statue, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday when asked about the comments from Raphael Glucksmann, a member of the European Parliament. "My advice to that unnamed low-level French politician would be to remind them that it's only because of the United States of America that the French are not speaking German right now," Leavitt said, referring to the U.S. role in helping France during World War II. "So they should be very grateful to our great country." The United States played a major role in freeing France from four years of occupation by Nazi Germany, but it did not act alone. On June 6, 1944, Allied forces - primarily American, British and Canadian troops - launched the pivotal D-Day invasion, which marked the beginning of France's liberation. Glucksmann, from France's center-left Place Publique party, made the quip about the Statue of Liberty during a party convention Sunday. "We are going to tell the Americans - those who have chosen to side with tyrants, those who fire researchers for exercising scientific freedom - we are going to tell them two things. First of all, give us back the Statue of Liberty!" he said. "We gave it to you as a gift, but apparently, you despise it. So let it be here with us," he added. Glucksmann, a vocal advocate for Ukraine's defense in its war against Russia, has previously accused European leaders of not providing sufficient support to Kiev. In his comments Sunday, he was also critical of the Trump administration's gutting of federal assistance to U.S. research institutes. Earlier this month, France's minister for higher education and research urged institutions in the country to welcome researchers affected by Trump's cuts in the United States. Julian Jackson, an emeritus professor of modern French history at Queen Mary University of London, called Glucksmann a respected and articulate leader. "And the Statue of Liberty is of course a reminder that America partly owes her independence to the French, as in the War of Independence," he said in an email. France provided arms, ammunition, troops and naval support to the American colonies during the Revolutionary War. The Statue of Liberty, a prominent symbol of freedom and hope, draws millions of visitors every year. It was first imagined by Edouard de Laboulaye of France, an ardent admirer of the United States, as a gift to commemorate the centennial of the Declaration of Independence and the abolition of slavery. Sculptor Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi designed the statue to capture those values: a crown representing light, an inscription noting the date of American independence and a broken shackle and chains to mark the end of slavery. The completed statue was disassembled and shipped to New York in 1885, while the plaque with the famous Emma Lazarus poem was added in 1903. In a social media thread late Monday, Glucksmann responded to Leavitt by acknowledging the heroism of the "hundreds of thousands of young Americans" who landed on the beaches of Normandy while casting the Trump administration's stance on Ukraine as a betrayal of the war-battered country and the United States' European allies. Europe has been alarmed by Trump's embrace of Russian President Vladimir Putin and struggled to adapt to Washington's wavering support for Ukraine. Trump and Putin will speak by phone Tuesday to discuss ending the war in Ukraine, according to the Kremlin. "No one, of course, will come and steal the Statue of Liberty. The statue is yours. But what it embodies belongs to everyone," Glucksmann wrote. "And if the free world no longer interests your government, then we will take up the torch, here in Europe." The tension between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskiy which was evident during the U.S. presidents humiliation of the Ukrainian president in their meeting on February 28 seems to have dissipated. At least thats the impression conveyed by their phone conversation on Wednesday, during which they continued discussing a potential temporary ceasefire in the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. We are very much on track, Trump said of the call, which he described as very good, while Zelenskiy called it a positive, very substantive and frank conversation. This call marked the first direct contact between the two leaders since the ill-fated meeting in the Oval Office on February 28, when Trump and Vice President J. D. Vance accused Zelenskiy of not wanting peace. Both leaders addressed the content of Trumps conversation on Tuesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs on a ceasefire and a peace agreement, as Trump noted in a post on his platform Truth Social. Zelenskiy added: Ukrainian and American teams are ready to meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to continue coordinating steps toward peace. That alignment now seems, more than anything, like a distant dream rather than something achievable. Prior to his conversation with Trump, Zelenskiy reiterated one of the red lines his government has set for any negotiations: it will not recognize any of the occupied territories as part of Russia, even if they eventually have to make some concessions. We will not accept it, he emphasized during a press conference held Wednesday in Finland. This demand is precisely one of the Kremlins key conditions, and one that the United States has shown itself willing to consider. Moscow is also calling for an end to foreign military and intelligence support for Ukraine if there is to be any progress toward a more substantial truce. During Tuesdays call with Trump, Putin agreed to a limited 30-day ceasefire on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, a move that Kyiv welcomed. However, these good intentions remained just words, as both countries launched attacks on these facilities, and on civilian targets in Ukraine, as Zelenskiy reported early Wednesday. This new wave of aggression led him to repeat that he does not trust the Kremlins intentions. Assurances and only Putins words that he is giving the order not to strike energy are not enough, he said. He said that he gave the order. And after that there were 145 strike drones, four S-300 missiles, two Iskander ballistic missiles. The strikes were on the railway, on agricultural enterprises, and 21 civilian homes were also damaged, said Zelenskiy, without mentioning the shelling conducted by Ukrainian forces as well. Before the call between the two presidents, White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz spoke with his Kremlin counterpart, a conversation he later confirmed to journalists. Next week, both governments will hold technical talks regarding a ceasefire for energy infrastructure, and the potential extension of that ceasefire to the waters of the Black Sea, according to Trumps special envoy for sensitive negotiations, Steve Witkoff. In his latest message, Zelenskiy noted that the U.S. had proposed an unconditional ceasefire on the frontline, which he accepted. We will continue working to make this happen. We believe that such steps are necessary to create the possibility for a comprehensive peace agreement to be prepared during the ceasefire, reads a passage of the message. Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelenskiy and Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo in Helsinki on Wednesday. Antti Aimo-Koivisto (via REUTERS) Zelenskiy arrived in Helsinki on Tuesday for an official visit, which concluded with an announcement by the Finnish government of a new military aid package to Kyiv worth 200 million. Later that evening, after the call between Putin and Trump, Zelenskiy stated that Ukraine would support any measure leading to a reduction in attacks, a stance he reiterated on Wednesday during his press conference. He also emphasized that his government is ready to send a team to continue talks, which he himself has already resumed with Trump. We had a really good meeting of our teams in Jeddah. I think everything went well except for Russia, which is always unhappy when something goes well, he said. As for the red line Ukraine will never recognize the territories occupied by Russian forces as part of Russia Zelenskiy acknowledged that the territorial issue will be a major point in upcoming negotiations. This will presumably be one of the most sensitive and difficult issues in the upcoming negotiation, he said. Recently, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Ukraine would likely need to make certain territorial concessions, particularly concerning territories occupied by Russia since 2014, as part of any peace agreement. Waltz also agreed with this sentiment, suggesting that such concessions would be made in exchange for future security guarantees. Opposition to demobilization Zelenskiy addressed another of the Kremlins demands: that the Ukrainian army demobilize and cease receiving international military aid during the 30-day ceasefire. He described this request as strange, asking, If you dont want to continue fighting against us, then why are you doing everything to weaken our army? For the Ukrainian president, such a condition reveals Moscows intention to continue its attacks. I dont intend to discuss with the Russians what our army should look like, he said. Russia launched an attack early Wednesday with 145 drones and six ballistic missiles, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. The capital was hit with at least 45 Shahed drones, in one of the heaviest offensives in recent weeks. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that its forces destroyed 57 Ukrainian drones, 35 of them in the Kursk border region, but did not specify how many drones Ukraine had launched in total. Additionally, authorities in the southern Russian region of Krasnodar reported that another Ukrainian drone strike caused a fire at an oil pumping station near the town of Kavkazskaya. Without explicitly referencing the conversation between Trump and Putin, Zelenskiy stressed on his social media post Tuesday afternoon that Europe should be involved in the negotiations to end the war. Everything that concerns European security must be decided together with Europe, he posted. Prisoner exchange On Wednesday, Ukraine and Russia exchanged 175 prisoners of war from each side, a move announced by the Russian president after his telephone conversation with Trump, but which had been agreed upon beforehand. Zelenskiy confirmed the exchange took place. Today is another day when Ukraine brings its people back. 175 of our defenders have been released from Russian captivity, he said in a message on social media. This is one of the largest POW exchanges. Returning home are our soldiers, sergeants, and officers warriors who fought for our freedom." He added: We will bring all our people home." Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) The Franklin County Sheriffs Office said six people were arrested on several drug charges Tuesday. On March 18, FCSO said officers made multiple arrests involving drug activity in the East Franklin Community of Phil Campbell. A search warrant was served at 1694 Highway 89 near East Franklin Jr. High School FCSO said residents around the community have made multiple complaints voicing their concerns about illegal narcotic activity for years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the sheriffs office received the search warrant, deputies went to the house where five people were found. An additional person was arrested later at another location for the same event. A total of six people were arrested and charged. Deputies found illegal drugs such as methamphetamines, illegally possessed prescription medication, marijuana and various types of drug paraphernalia such as aluminum foil, pipes, syringes and small baggies. A handgun was also found. There are other residences that are of investigative interest within a few miles proximity of where this Search Warrant was served. Anyone engaging in such illegal activity should take this as a warning that neither the Community of East Franklin nor the Franklin County Sheriffs Office will stand idly by and tolerate drug usage, especially around the children of this County, LCSO emphasized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The following people were arrested: Fransisco Valenzo Molina was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Certain Persons Forbidden to Possess a Pistol, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana and Loitering. Rodney William Yocum was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Illegal Possession of Prescription Medication. Brian Stull was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Tia Shonta Beck was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Christy Trapp Sanders was charged with Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Illegal Possession of Prescription Medication. Jordan Marie Cooper was charged with Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. 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. A transportation bill working its way through the Florida Legislature to address the Department of Transportation's future plans for high-speed highways includes raising the state's maximum speed limit. If an amendment added to SB 462 by Sen. Nick DiCeglie, R-Pinellas sticks, it would raise speed limits by 5 mph across the state, raising the max speed in Florida to 75 mph. Raising the state speed limit is a common request during state legislative sessions, with at least seven states seeking to raise theirs last year. A bill raising Florida's speed limit passed the legislature in 2014 but then-Gov. Rick Scott vetoed it, citing concerns from law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I strongly respect the opinion of state and local law enforcement officers who have contacted me to warn about the possible serious negative consequences should this bill become law," Scott said in his veto message. "While the evidence suggests that increased driving speeds are not the sole cause of traffic accidents, they clearly contribute to the increased severity of vehicle crash outcomes in the form of needless injuries and deaths. The amendment does not appear on a companion bill (HB 567) in the House from Rep. Fiona McFarland, R-Sarasota. What would the Florida speed limit proposal do? DiCeglie's amendment, added this week, would: Strike the current 40 mph minimum speed limit on all roads four lanes or larger and leave it to FDOT to determine on a case-by-case basis Up the maximum allowable speed limit on limited access highways from 70 to 75 mph Hike the maximum allowable speed limit on divided, four-or-more-lane highways from 65 to 70 mph Allow FDOT to set maximum and minimum speeds on all other roads but with the max limit raised to 65 rather than the current 60 mph Is raising Florida's speed limit safe? Law enforcement and safety organizations have spoken against raising speed limits. Multiple studies, such as a 2021 from AAA, found that higher speeds increase the drivers risk of severe injury or death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Higher speed limits cancel out the benefits of vehicle safety improvements like airbags and improved structural designs, said Dr. David Harkey, president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The faster a driver is going before a crash, the less likely it is that theyll be able to get down to a survivable speed even if they have a chance to brake before impact. A 2019 IIHS study found that rising speed limits have cost nearly 37,000 lives over 25 years. Which US states have speed limits of 75 mph or more? Currently, 18 states have maximum speed limits of 75 mph or more in certain situations, often rural highways. The states with 75 mph speed limits are: Arizona Arkansas Colorado Kansas Lousiana Maine Michigan Nebraska New Mexico North Dakota Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seven states Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wyoming have maximum speed limits of 80 mph. By law, the Texas Transportation Commission may set a speed limit up to 85 mph if the roadway is designed to accommodate that speed safely, although that hasn't happened yet. What is Florida's SB 462, Department of Transportation bill? The bill itself is a sweeping one that seeks to clarify a lot of existing laws and add some big changes. Some of them include: The Department of Revenue would be required to distribute 6 cents per kWh of sales tax from commercial electric vehicle (EV) charging to the State Transportation Trust Fund for five years, starting in October FDOT would be able to use eminent domain in advance to acquire land for future proposed developments Requirements for FDOT to award proposed construction and maintenance work to the lowest responsible bidder, when its estimate is $100 million or less and it meets other criteria relating to other bids Requires contractors doing work that requires marine general liability insurance to carry marine general liability insurance Allows FDOT to waive prequalification certification for contractors bidding on certain contracts of $1 million or less, raises the maximum contract amount for which FDOT can waive bond requirements from $150,000 to $250,000 Requires FDOT contractors working on the maintenance of safety elements such as guardrails, traffic signals and stripping to be qualified and experienced with the correct equipment and record Authorizes the State Arbitration Board to arbitrate a claim of up to $2 million or more, instead of the current $1 million Cuts the time period for written warranty or defect claims in half, from 820 days after final acceptance to 360 days after FDOT provides written notice of them Requires underground utilities at a right-of-way to be electronically detectable and defines restrictions, liability, highway reimbursement for utility replacement, and the process utility owners must use Requires FDOT to prioritize new highway and highway redevelopment plans to cover gaps in Floridas Strategic Intermodal System (SIS) of highways so they become contiguous Requires FDOT to create a report on the effects, costs and schedule for widening Interstate 4 from west of U.S. 27 in Polk County to east of World Center Drive (S.R. 536) in Orange County When would Florida's new speed limit take effect? If the amendment stays in, the bill passes and Gov. Ron DeSantis signs it, it becomes law on July 1, 2025. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida speed limit 75 mph bill amendment. SB 462 details BOYNTON BEACH A once-quaint neighborhood on the south border of Boynton Beach has become a playground for construction machinery, and the relentless noise is starting to wear thin. Monterey Bay residents are greeted daily by the seismic sounds of trucks, gravel and concrete. Many are jolted awake hours before their alarms by the construction of their new neighbor a rising, lofty concrete industrial warehouse and the source of their frustrating restless nights. Amelia Betancur, a longtime resident of the neighborhood just east of Congress Avenue just north of Delray Beach, calls it a nightmare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Waking up at crazy hours to vibrating beds, truck noises, we put up black-out blinds to try and sleep in, to get woken up by the vibrating, the noise," she said. "Coming home one day from work and there's a crack in your ceiling. Thats what's been happening. Betancur said the construction work has been persistent since August and that she and her pets often relocate to her mother's house to get away from the noise. About nine months ago, a lot of residents and myself woke up to bulldozers literally 6 feet away from our bedrooms. The windows were vibrating, and those are impact windows, said Dimitri Despointes, another Monterey Bay resident. Many residents say the long construction project has affected their families, with loud noise continuing late into the night. With the project starting at the beginning of the fall semester, parents also expressed concerns for their children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have kids. They dont care that we have to sleep. They don't care that if they're working on a Saturday morning, were being vibrated out of our beds, said Tina Bedame, who says she has lived in Monterey Bay for almost 19 years. Monterey Bay residents Tina and Santo Bedame say nearby construction noise has been disrupting their lives. 'I have kids They dont care that we have to sleep; they don't care that if they're working on a Saturday morning, were being vibrated out of our beds. Adds Bentancur: (Construction workers) don't live here. They don't have their kids here. It started right when school started. I had my niece and nephew over a few times, and they can't sleep. They get woken up and then they have to go to school. Its not a great way to wake up. Those who work from home also report experiencing difficulty focusing, fleeing their homes during work hours to escape the distraction. (I avoid) my home to get peace of mind, to get quiet, having to literally buy a drink at Starbucks to just get quiet, Betancur said. Is the construction company doing anything illegal? The city of Boynton Beach allows for construction between the hours of 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. on weekdays and a significant portion of the day Saturday. This leaves just eight hours of silence each day for residents. However, residents recall hearing construction noise at 2 a.m., as well as on Sundays, well outside of legal hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents say the project, led by Miller Construction Co., began in August. An official with the Fort Lauderdale-based construction company did not respond to calls, but according to the construction companys website, the project is labeled to become an industrial warehouse. It is expected to be complete sometime in 2025. A crack in the wall is a result ongoing construction next to the Monterey Bay community in Boynton Beach, a resident says. However, noise is not the only concern. Many claim dust is coating their cars and even causing structural damage to their homes. Multiple residents describe cracks in their ceilings caused by the heavy vibrations just feet away. As concerns have intensified, residents have turned to the city for answers. I felt like the city of Boynton Beach did not take this community into consideration for any of this. It was just big business, big dollars, and thats all they're looking at, Bedame said. Boynton Beach did not take into consideration our perspective here. Others agree. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have people with cracked tiles and cracked walls, and no one has even looked at the community. No one has inspected them. No one has asked us how were feeling, Despointes said. City has given residents vouchers for car washes Dust from a nearby construction zone blankets a car at the Monterey Bay community in Boynton Beach. To assist with dust-coated vehicles, residents say the city gave them car wash vouchers. However, with only $12 and cracks in their ceilings, many feel it isn't enough. Boynton Beach City Commissioner Angela Cruz visited the neighborhood in February to observe residents complaints and address their concerns firsthand. My intention was really to let my constituents know that Im here for them. I think that a lot of the sentiment was The city doesnt care about us, and I want them to know and understand that that's not the case, Cruz said. I care about my constituents very much, and I will advocate for them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BOYNTON BEACH NEWS: City has a new mayor as Rebecca Shelton wins race in landslide Cruz wants to address the current construction hours in the city, with the hopes to shorten legal hours surrounding residential neighborhoods within 100 to 400 feet building to building. Her proposal aims to end construction at 7 p.m. and adjust Saturday hours to begin at 10 a.m. The changes that I'm proposing are very limited in scope to protect residential areas, Cruz said regarding future plans. Under no circumstances will there ever be construction adjacent to a residential area within a certain amount of feet. Cruz encourages residents to speak with the construction company directly, and points to individual insurance carriers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While residents express appreciation for Cruzs visit to the neighborhood, many still feel their needs are not being met. Bentacur called the situation a double-edged sword. Shes (Cruz) trying, and she's here, and she's making the attempt but whats changing? Bentancur said. BOYNTON BEACH NEWS: Boynton rolls out two more red-light cameras. Does data show the system is working? Once complete, what will the warehouse bring with it? Construction work late into the night has infuriated nearby residents at the Monterey Bay community in Boynton Beach. Residents also worry it won't stop once construction has concluded, as the warehouse will likely welcome more commotion. One of the concerns we do have right now is making sure that once they do have tenants, because this is a massive building, are there going to be any sort of rules and regulations to make sure that the residents are not affected by this business that's operating literally in our backyards? Despointes said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents have taken to City Commission meetings to voice their concerns, with some even saying they're considering legal action. They hear us making noise, and they hear about lawsuits, and they are trying to be a little more considerate, but I feel like that time has passed, Betancur said. Were too late to stop whatever is coming from coming but its like, what about us? However, others say they have given up hope for this project and are now simply advocating for new noise and construction ordinances. Its not going to help us, but maybe its going to help the next project somewhere, Despointes said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cruz has pushed to adjust the current noise ordinance near residential neighborhoods this month, but the issue has since been delayed to a potential April commission meeting. According to Cruz, she received unanimous support from colleagues to push forward with a new draft. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Boynton Beach warehouse construction project rankles nearby residents ABC News President Almin Karamehmedovic rallied his newsroom on Tuesday in New York City to reiterate the outlet which has been rocked by recent layoffs and a $15 million settlement paid to President Donald Trump is committed to hard-hitting, accurate and straightforward news. Karamehmedovic, in the meeting held at Disneys new Hudson Square headquarters, acknowledged the recent restructuring has hit many ABC reporters and staffers hard. Earlier this month, Disney announced it was cutting 200 employees, mostly from ABCs news division. In a note to staff recapping the town hall afterwards, Karamehmedovic said ABC News will have to fight to win over more viewers and readers in the years ahead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We must earn their trust every single day by providing straightforward journalism, Karamehmedovic said. Karamehmedovic who has been with ABC News for 27 years and was named president last August said the outlet can accomplish that goal by focusing on three top priorities: Preserving and expanding its audience and reaching viewers wherever they access news Streamlining and enhancing its collaborative work environment Delivering for its audience with excellence To make this happen, he said the news division will depend on three pillars: 24/7 live and breaking news, because we need America to turn to us first to ABC News Live and Special Events for the news as it is happening; signature shows like Good Morning America and World News Tonight With David Muir; and long-form storytelling features that are shown on Nightline, 20/20 and other programs. Almin Karamehmedovic (Photo courtesy of ABC News) This is not easy. The entire industry has been challenged, the ABC executive said about the current media landscape. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His game plan for ABC News comes a few months after the outlet paid $15 million to settle the defamation lawsuit President Trump brought against the outlet and star anchor George Stephanopoulos. Stephanopoulos had said on air a number of times that Trump was found liable for rape in the civil case E. Jean Carroll brought against him. In fact, Trump was found liable for sexual abuse, which carries a different definition in New York, where the case took place. A reasonable jury could interpret Stephanopoulos statements as defamatory, Magistrate Judge Lisette Reid said in a filing last year. Stephanopoulos stated 10 times that a jury or juries had found the plaintiff liable for rape. The judges comments, coupled with the fear a Florida jury would award Trump more than the $15 million he ultimately received, pushed Disney towards settling the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A little more than two months after settling the lawsuit, ABCs news division was hit by layoffs. Despite the recent turmoil, Muir and ABCs nightly newscast has remained the top-rated broadcast news program. Last week, Muir and ABC World News Tonight averaged 7.5 million viewers; Lester Holt and NBC News came in second place, with an average of 6.11 million viewers, and CBS Evening News averaged 4.04 million viewers. Because of every single one of you, ABC News is the #1 news network in America. None of what we do would be possible without all of you and our outstanding journalists positioned around the world, Karamehmedovic said in his memo to staff. Our goals are ambitious, and I have full confidence in our future together. Lucas Manfredi contributed to this report. The post ABC News Boss Recommits to Straightforward Journalism After Layoffs and Trump Settlement: We Must Earn Their Trust appeared first on TheWrap. Amber Martin was 20 weeks pregnant with her son Arlo when she discovered her pregnancy was in danger. Living in Indiana, a red state with a near-total abortion ban, Martin feared what would happen next. It's like somebody just rips a part of your heart out, Martin said. You're about to find out that everything's so great, and you get to see (your child), and you get to see their little face and what they look like in their hands and their feet, and everything was in place where it should have been except that. That was a case of hydranencephaly, a rare condition in which the fetus brain does not properly develop due to spinal fluid in the brain. Hydranencephaly typically results in the death of the fetus after delivery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Martin, 41, and her fiance, Michael Dowd, 41, the discovery of Arlos hydranencephaly at her ultrasound appointment was world-shattering. Martin learned about the condition 20 weeks and four days into her pregnancy, starting the clock ticking on her treatment options. It wasnt, Does Amber have an abortion or not? In Indiana, abortion is allowed only in cases of rape, incest, fetal anomalies or if the mothers life is in danger. Even within those exceptions, treatment options have deadlines. Abortions for cases of fetal anomalies are banned after 22 weeks of pregnancy. After receiving Arlo's diagnosis, Martin had about a week and a half before she would lose access to legal abortion. Martin transferred her care from Ascension St. Vincent Hospital, a Catholic facility that does not perform abortions, to IU Health University Hospital in Indianapolis. Her St. Vincent doctors offered Martin one path: Carry Arlo to term while having regular CT scans and ultrasounds. University Hospital gave Martin a choice between terminating the pregnancy immediately or delivering through induction, which would have resulted in the same outcome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martin chose a dilation and evacuation procedure, a kind of abortion. Theres no words to give somebody when theyre having to make an impossible decision between bringing someone to this earth and their own health, Martin said, adding that she faced risk of sepsis. Thats what we did. Thats the choice that we had to make. It wasnt, Does Amber have an abortion or not? Its, How do we help Arlo to have peace and be able to save my life at the same time?'" Indiana abortion ban puts deadline on treatment options Nurses gave Amber Martin handprints and footprints of her son, Arlo, when she lost him in Feb. 2025. At about 20 weeks of her pregnancy, ultrasound and further medical consultation found that Amber Martins son, Arlo, had hydranencephaly, a rare, severe and often fatal brain anomaly. After doctors, tests and tears, it was decided that Martin would have an abortion. So on Feb. 4, 2025, she had the procedure. She was one of the first people to be subject to Gov. Mike Brauns 2025 executive order ordering the release of terminated pregnancy report (TPR) information. She comes forward to educate the public about the issues accompanying the restrictive abortion laws in Indiana. Photo taken Friday, March 14, 2025. Martin and Dowd received Arlos hydranencephaly diagnosis in time to have options, but that is not the case for every pregnancy. Dr. Carrie Rouse, an Indianapolis OB-GYN, said it is entirely possible for fetal anomalies to be detected after 22 weeks, the point at which abortion is banned in Indiana. The diagnosis of fetal anomalies is made through imaging, primarily ultrasound, Rouse said. It all depends on when the ultrasound is done. Fetal anomalies are most often diagnosed at the anatomic survey ultrasound, which is done usually between 18 and 20 weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "But there are many different reasons why a patient may not have an ultrasound on that time frame. They may have a late diagnosis of pregnancy. They may have issues accessing care for many different reasons. The anomaly may not be detectable initially and developed later." Martin and Dowd, who live in Sheridan, want their experience to be a catalyst for change. They're urging people to think more critically and empathetically about what abortion access really means. For the couple, choosing abortion felt similar to taking a loved one off life support. 'The true purpose is intimidation' Before mourning, though, Martin had to sign Indiana's Abortion Informed Consent Certification form, which includes a list of statements that must be affirmed and signed off on before the pregnancy can be terminated. One of the statements is an acknowledgment that the fetus can feel pain at or before twenty (20) weeks of postfertilization age, even though that actually happens around 24 or 25 weeks, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Also, for every abortion, a terminated pregnancy report must be signed and submitted to the Indiana Department of Health. TPRs include confidential information about the patient receiving the abortion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The IDOH stopped sharing individual TPRs in December 2023. However, a recent executive order signed by Gov. Mike Braun, calls for cooperation with Attorney General Todd Rokitas push to publish the TPRs of individual patients. In addition to experiencing the trauma of abortion in Indiana, Hoosier patients who undergo the procedure face fears that their private medical information could become public. The true purpose is intimidation," said Liane Groth Hulka, the co-founder of Our Choice Coalition, a political action committee focused on advocating for reproductive rights. "Even patients that go through really traumatic experiences where they have to seek abortion health care for their own life because they were raped, among other things, they are subject to intimidation, to discrimination, by their need for health care. 'Come and sit with me' At about 20 weeks of her pregnancy, ultrasound and further medical consultation found that Amber Martins son, Arlo, had hydranencephaly, a rare, severe and often fatal brain anomaly. After doctors, tests and tears, it was decided that Martin would have an abortion. So on Feb. 4, 2025, she had the procedure. She was one of the first people to be subject to Gov. Mike Brauns 2025 executive order ordering the release of terminated pregnancy report (TPR) information. Theres more rights for a corpse in the state of Indiana, says Martin, who came from a Baptist Christian upbringing, than there is for a pregnant woman or a woman when it comes to incest, rape or any type of abortive procedure. She comes forward to educate the public about the issues accompanying the restrictive abortion laws in Indiana. Photo taken Friday, March 14, 2025. Will elected officials, especially those who say they are proponents of saving life, step up and acknowledge that abortion bans can kill? As lawmakers consider the future of abortion policy in Indiana, Martin has one request. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Talk to somebody whos been through this," she said. "Come and sit with me while I have to go through this. Come sit down next to me in this hospital bed. Martin and Dowd are advocating for everyone to have life-saving access to abortion and other reproductive rights. I'm gonna step back from that word, (abortion), for a second, because I think people take that word and they think that it means that I'm gonna go in and chop up a baby and kill them because I just want to," Martin said. "It's a medical term And there's lots of different surgical options, medications and therapies that happen underneath that word. "And I think that's where we get it messed up, and I think that's where we're lacking in education. And that's the part that makes me extremely angry. People don't always go and just choose this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indiana's reproductive reality is deeply concerning. Martin and Dowd hope Arlos death can be the cause for life-saving legislative progress and change. Contact IndyStar opinion fellow Sadia Khatri at sadia.khatri@indystar.com. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: How Indiana abortion law complicates fetal anomaly treatment | Opinion In the span of two days, Venezuelan migrant Mervin Jose Yamarte Fernandez went from working at a restaurant in Texas to the Trump administration using an emergency wartime law to deport him to a notorious El Salvadorian prison alongside other alleged members of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang. The 29-year-olds sister, Jare, told The Miami Herald she saw Mervin in a promotional video released touting the deportations. He was asking for help. And that help didnt come from the lips. It came from the soul, she told the paper, adding that her brother wasnt affiliated with the gang and had no previous criminal record. You know when someone has their soul broken. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorneys and family members say some of the 238 men who were deported have no ties to the gang targeted in the sweep, the first major immigration operation since the White House took the unprecedented step of invoking the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to conduct mass deportations without public evidence or due process. Ivannoa Sanchez, 22, believes her husband, Jose Franco Carballo Tiapa, 26, is among the men sent to El Salvador. The 26-year-old Venezuelan came to the U.S. in November 2023, surrendering to authorities before submitting an asylum claim. The man was released and made regular check-ins with immigration authorities, according to his wife, and had a planned court appearance in March before his arrest. Family members say Mervin Jose Yamarte Fernandez has no ties to Venezeulan gang Tren de Aragua (El Salvador press office) "He went to his routine ICE appointment and he didn't come out," Sanchez told ABC News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She believes her husband, who she said has no gang ties, was targeted because he has tattoos. "He has never done anything, not even a fine, absolutely nothing," she added. "We chose this country because it offers more security, more freedom, more peace of mind. But we didn't know it would turn into chaos." Mirelis Casique said her son Francisco Javier Garcia Casique, 24, had no gang history but was also targeted in the operation because immigration officials believed he had gang tattoos. He was detained last year, but a judge released him under the condition of wearing an electronic monitoring device, she said. I told him to follow the countrys rules, that he wasnt a criminal, and at most, they would deport him, she told The New York Times. But I was very naive I thought the laws would protect him. Jose Franco Caraballo Tiapa was deported despite a scheduled asylum hearing this month, his wife says Attorneys challenging the deportation flights say one of those sent to El Salvador was actually fleeing Tren de Aragua. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was in fact victimized by that group and the group is the reason he cannot return to Venezuela, they wrote in a court filing. The Trump administration has admitted in the deportation suit that many of those sent to the Salvadorian prison, which human rights officials have criticized as a tropical gulag with a history of abuse, do not have any criminal record, though it has framed this lack of evidence as evidence itself. The lack of a criminal record does not indicate they pose a limited threat, ICE official Robert Cerna wrote in a sworn declaration. He argued that the lack of specific information about them demonstrates that they are terrorists who lack a complete profile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The scant public evidence of gang ties is just one of the irregularities in the Venezuelan deportation flights. The administration also defied a court order from a judge to turn the deportation flights around on Saturday amid a challenge to Trumps use of the Alien Enemies Act. Family members say they found out where loved ones had been sent after seeing videos of inmates being manhandled in El Salvadorian prison (AP) The Justice Department has challenged the judge, seeking to remove him from the case and arguing disclosing further information about the deportees risks national security. Last night, Justice Department lawyers filed a motion to reverse Judge James Boasbergs order that blocks deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, a move that government lawyers called an affront to the Presidents broad constitutional and statutory authority to protect the United States from dangerous aliens who pose grave threats to the American people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Legal experts recently say the administration appears to be abusing its national security powers while ignoring federal courts. The courts should shut this down, according to Katherine Yon Ebright, counsel in the Liberty and National Security Program at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law. If the courts allow it to stand, this move could pave the way for abuses against any group of immigrants the president decides to target not just Venezuelans even if they are lawfully present in the U.S. and have no criminal history. Last month, the administration admitted that about one-third of the migrants it detained in a round of deportations at Guantanamo Bay framed by officials as hardened killers and the worst of the worst were actually considered lower-threat and likely do not have any serious criminal records, according to court filings. WARREN COUNTY, Mo. A Warren County, Missouri, man is in custody for allegedly starting a fire that destroyed a church and several vehicles. According to a probable cause statement from the Warren County Sheriffs Department, the fire was set on the morning of Tuesday, March 18, at Abundant Life Church in the 21000 block of Northwest Service Road. Deputies were alerted to the fire at approximately 11:20 a.m. The Warrenton Fire Department and other firefighting agencies were dispatched to extinguish the blaze. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News Once the fire was put out, deputies and fire officials surveyed the damage. The building was a total loss. The fire also destroyed three semi tractors, a work/utility truck, a school bus, an RV camper, a pull-behind camper, and a Conex box full of materials. The severity of the damage prevented investigators from identifying anything else that might have been destroyed. The sheriffs department said a motion-activated trail camera on the property provided deputies with a lead on a suspect vehicle. The camera took multiple photographs of a white Dodge Durango leaving the church property approximately seven minutes before the first 911 call about the fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators identified the Durango and located the vehicle at the home of Derek M. McMahon, 34. Deputies allege McMahon admitted to using a book of matches to set the church fire, adding that he gets an adrenaline rush from setting fires. Courtesy: Warren County Sheriffs Department Courtesy: Warren County Sheriffs Department Courtesy: Warren County Sheriffs Department Courtesy: Warren County Sheriffs Department Courtesy: Warren County Sheriffs Department Courtesy: Warren County Sheriffs Department Courtesy: Warren County Sheriffs Department Courtesy: Warren County Sheriffs Department Courtesy: Warren County Sheriffs Department The Warren County Prosecuting Attorneys Office charged McMahon with two counts of second-degree arson and six counts of knowingly burning or exploding. McMahon remains jailed without bond. Hes due in court on Thursday, March 20. McMahon has prior criminal history of similar activity in other communities. In 2021, he was arrested by the Union Police Department for arson and found guilty that September in Franklin County Circuit Court. He was sentenced to seven years in state prison. Its unclear when or why he was released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The church pastor told FOX 2 a shipping container destroyed in the fire was filled with donations that were about to be shipped to Africa. He said the church site sustained a fire in 2023. Chelsea Crump is a lash and hair tech with a beauty store located near the church site. She saw firefighters battling the blaze and is thankful no one was injured. As they were putting it out, you could see towards the back more things were exploding and popping and it was pretty crazy, said Crump. It was very scary. Tina Hopkins and her husband own Mimis Antiques. She also witnessed billows of black smoke lining the skyline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This guy needs to be prosecuted for his actions and get some help, said Hopkins. Several witnesses expressed gratitude for the first responders who battled the blaze. Area firefighters have been busy with several brush fires in recent days. Weve had so many fires back-to-back so its just sad somebody would do that and also put residents at risk as well, said Crump. 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. Several bird species are capable of imitating human speech. Some songbirds, corvids, and parrots also produce vocalizations to communicate. But how they do this and whether they do so in a similar way to humans has been a mystery. Now, a study with budgerigars published in Nature has begun to unravel the mystery: they have a series of neurons specifically dedicated to activating their vocal organs. Some of these neurons are so specialized that they control the intonation of their songs or the pitch of their calls. They accomplish this with a different part of their brain, but otherwise, the mechanism is the same as in humans. Parrots, like the budgerigars featured in this study, are known for their incredible vocal ability. They can mimic a variety of environmental sounds, including speech, said Michael Long, senior author of the paper and a professor at the University of New York Medical School, in an email. We discovered that there was a representation of vocal sounds in the part of the brain analogous to a key speech production center in humans. This is the first non-human species in which such a vocal motor map has been observed. The researchers' discovery goes even further: through spectral analysis, they confirmed a correlation between the type of vocalization and the pattern of brain activity. For example, a chirp with a specific pitch, whether higher or lower, was accompanied by the firing of certain neurons, but not others. In humans, the part of the motor cortex dedicated to speech encodes pitch the frequency of the vocalization. In budgerigars, this area of the brain modulates pitch by controlling the tension in the walls of the syrinx. For Zetian Yang, the lead author of the research, there is a correlation between the type of sound a budgie produces and the type of neurons that are activated. When asked about other species related to budgies, Yang acknowledges that this has not been researched, but believes that parrots with similar vocal abilities could share the same neuronal organization. People can speak, sing, shout, or whisper thanks to a series of neurons in the motor region of the cerebral cortex that extend their nerve endings to the brain stem, a crucial highway connecting the brain to the spinal cord and the rest of the nervous system. Here, these nerve endings reach the ambiguous nucleus, which controls the muscles of the mouth, pharynx, and, notably, the larynx, the human vocal organ. Birds, however, have a different brain structure, as well as different vocal anatomy. They lack vocal cords and instead produce their songs with the syrinx and the vibrations of its walls. Studies with parakeets that were unable to sing revealed that their ability to vocalize was linked to a homolog of the cerebral cortex in mammals, known as the anterior arcopallian nucleus (AAC). Electrical stimulation of this area innervated the syrinx, restoring the birds ability to sing. Building on this, neurologists at New York University Langone Medical Center in the United States placed tiny devices in the heads of several budgerigars. Over multiple sessions, they recorded more than a thousand trills and dozens of calls from four males (the ones in the image). They observed how certain neurons in the AAC were activated and how their nerve endings reached the syrinx through the brain stem. To ensure that this activity was not originating from another source, they also recorded the birds while they listened to the trills of other budgerigars and during moments of silence. Additionally, they noted how the same neuronal groups were reused when the birds produced very similar sounds. Joshua Neunuebel, a neuroscientist at the University of Delaware in the United States, also wrote a commentary in Nature discussing the implications of the study with these parakeets. He begins by highlighting the differences between the species: Humans possess unmatched vocal flexibility for speech, parrots excel at imitation, and zebra finches [used as a control group in the study] produce stereotyped songs with fixed syllables. Even so, he emphasizes what they have in common. Despite the anatomical differences, the fundamental neuronal organization from the forebrain, through the brain stem, to the vocal organ is maintained, demonstrating how similar architectures have adapted throughout evolution to produce unique vocal behaviors. Understanding human speech This idea of evolutionary convergence from different perspectives was demonstrated by the recent publication of several studies on the brains of mammals, birds, and reptiles. Fernando Garcia Moreno, an Ikerbasque researcher at the Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience and lead author of two of these studies, explains this process: Parrots can imitate our way of speaking, but their brains control vocalization with different parts of the brain than humans. While humans use the neocortex, parakeets do so through the anterior nucleus of the arcopallium, a region evolutionarily related to the amygdala in the human brain. For Garcia Moreno, the similarity of vocal circuits is surprising, despite the distinct brain components. His work, published in Science, found that neurons and circuits in hierarchically higher brain regions evolved independently in mammals and birds, but converged on similar functions. This study, he adds, shows that even though they evolve independently, the physiology of speech is very similar in the two species groups; therefore, the biological basis of speech can be understood equally in parakeets and humans. Studying these small parrots could help us better understand vocal production in humans, both in normal speech and in related disorders, he concludes. Thats one of the final ideas the authors of the budgie study offer: using them to better understand human speech and the disorders that prevent some from speaking. The other is the dream of understanding what they convey in their trills. In the future, Dr. Long says, we would like to use advanced machine learning methods to translate the sounds budgies make into objects or actions. Were interested in the cognitive processes that allow them to access specific sounds; these processes are similar to those that allow us to think of a word, and these calculations fail in communication disorders like aphasia, he concludes. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) A second arrest has been made in connection with a double shooting at an apartment complex in Addis. Tyler D. Davis, 19, was charged with principal to home invasion, principal to armed robbery with a firearm, accessory after the fact second-degree murder and accessory after the fact attempted second-degree murder. Devontae T. Johnson, 23, was arrested and charged in this case in February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Addis police officers responded to a double shooting at an apartment complex in the 7500 block of Chad Drive on Aug. 4, 2024. One person was killed and another was taken to a hospital. According to the Addis Police Department, Davis drove Johnson to the scene. Both Johnson and Davis were previously arrested in connection to a body found in a West Baton Rouge Parish sugarcane field. Latest News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 Louisiana First News. The Trump administration has admitted in federal court documents that many Venezuelans it accused of being dangerous gang members and deported through presidential wartime powers have no criminal records in the United States, but argued it was only because they had only been in the U.S. briefly. President Donald Trump used a centuries-old law, the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, to deport the Venezuelans without due process in the U.S., saying they were members of the feared Tren de Aragua gang. The lack of criminal records does not indicate they pose a limited threat. In fact, based upon their association with Tren de Aragua, the lack of specific information about each specific individual actually highlights the risk they pose, said Robert Cerna, a top Immigration and Customs Enforcement official, in a sworn statement filed Monday night to a the U.S. District Court in Washington D.C. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement READ MORE: Trump sent these Venezuelans to El Salvador mega prison. Their families deny gang ties. Cernas statement and other court documents offer critical insight into how the federal government justifies which Venezuelans to send to a mega prison in El Salvador as part of a deal the Trump administration brokered with President Nayib Bukele last month. Bukele said they would remain in prison for at least a year. The move has ignited widespread alarm over the extent of Trumps executive authority and due process violations. The White House has argued that the deportations were justified in the name of public safety. Cernas statement is part of a lawsuit challenging an executive order in which Trump directed his administration to use the wartime powers to deport Venezuelan citizens over 14 years old if they are Tren de Aragua members. Cerna is the Acting Field Office Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations for ICE in Harlingen, Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the weekend, a federal judge in Washington, D.C., ordered the deportations blocked, telling the administration during a hearing to bring back any planes already in the air carrying deportees. The Trump administration sent more than 200 Venezuelans to a prison in El Salvador anyway, raising questions about whether the White House violated the court ruling. The Justice Department has denied the government defied U.S. District Judge James Boasbergs written orders. READ MORE: Trump deports hundreds of alleged Venezuelan gang members. Did he defy a court order? Cerna said the lack of information the government has on the deported Venezuelans demonstrates that they are terrorists with regard to whom we lack a complete file. Neither Cerna nor the federal government has released any evidence publicly on the criminal and personal history of the deported Venezuelans. The ICE official described how the agency had determined their personal and criminal backgrounds and shared details of charges, arrests, and convictions without identifying specific people. He indicated that ICE databases showed that numerous individuals had been arrested during federal gang operations or had criminal histories in the U.S. That includes allegations of murder for one individual as well as arrests and charges for aggravated assault with a weapon, drug possession, and sex crimes. He also said several of the individuals had been under investigation for kidnapping, drug trafficking, murder, and other serious crimes in Venezuela and elsewhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE carefully vetted the individuals through court records, surveillance, law enforcement encounters, interviews, victim testimonies, criminal evidence members, financial transactions, computer checks, and confessions of membership, Cerna said. He said the agency did not rely solely on social media, photos of gang gestures and tattoos to link people to the Tren de Aragua gang. U.S. authorities have linked some tattoos to Tren de Aragua, but experts say that Tren de Aragua members dont have any specific tattoos tied to affiliation. Attorneys and immigration advocates say that the invocation of the Alien Enemies Act is unlawful and that the Venezuelans were entitled to due process and the opportunity to show a judge that they do not belong to Tren de Aragua. Three Venezuelan families have told the Miami Herald that their relatives Gustavo Adolfo Aguilera Aguero, 27 (left), Henry Javier Vargas Lugo, 32 (center), and Mervin Jose Yamarte Fernandez, 29 (right) were wrongly identified as gang members. Two of the families were able to identify their loved ones through videos posted by the Salvadoran government on social media. Families of three men who appear to have been deported and imprisoned in El Salvador told the Miami Herald that their relatives have no gang affiliation and two said their relatives had never been charged with a crime in the U.S. or elsewhere. One has been previously accused by the U.S. government of ties to the Tren de Aragua gang, but his family denies any connection. Heated court proceedings On Monday Judge Boasberg asked the administration for more details about the deportation flights during a hearing on Monday. The Justice Department did not answer questions, citing national security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cerna claimed in another sworn statement that the passengers on a third flight to El Salvador had final orders of removal and had not been solely deported under the wartime authority. READ MORE: Judge orders DOJ lawyers to justify secrecy around El Salvador deportations: reports On Tuesday, Trump called Boesberg a radical left lunatic of a judge, a troublemaker, and an agitator on social media. He called for the long-time federal judges impeachment, prompting an extraordinary admonishment from Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. In a statement, the chief justice said that for more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. Roberts, who was appointed to the high court by President George W. Bush, said the normal appellate review process exists for that purpose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawyers and experts have warned that Trumps public lashing of Boesberg and his potential defiance of the court order constitute an attack on checks and balances, a key tenet of American democracy that keeps the three branches of government accountable to each other. The Trump administrations decisions this weekend are part and parcel of a campaign of mass deportation and evisceration of rule of law, said Hannah Flamm, an attorney and acting senior policy director at the International Refugee Assistance Project, a New York-based legal aid and advocacy group. The Alien Enemies Act has only been used three times before, all during times of war. The last time it was used led to the internment of Japanese immigrants and Americans of Japanese descent in U.S. camps during World War II. Transgender rights advocates from across the nation will gather on the National Mall this month in celebration of Transgender Day of Visibility, an annual commemoration of trans people worldwide. Organizers hope this years rally, set to take place about a mile from the White House, will show a united front against the federal governments recent attempts to roll back their rights. The goal of this event is to, first and foremost, be in community with one another. We need to recognize that trans joy is resistance, and we are going to be there with that in mind, said Tyler Hack, executive director of the Christopher Street Project, a hybrid PAC and nonprofit named for the New York City street on which the historic Stonewall Inn sits. The Christopher Street Project, launched in January, is leading the March 31 rally with around a dozen other LGBTQ and civil rights groups. Attendance is expected to be upward of a thousand people, Hack said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 15 members of Congress are expected to attend, according to a media release shared first with The Hill, including Democratic Reps. Katherine Clark (Mass.), Jerry Nadler (N.Y.), Rashida Tlaib (Mich.), Sara Jacobs (Calif.), Maxwell Frost (Fla.), Melanie Stansbury (N.M.) and Julie Johnson (Texas). We want to show trans folks and allies that there are Democrats in Congress who will fight for us, and were going to hear that a little bit from individuals who are speaking, said Hack. And we want to show the Republicans, whether that be Donald Trump or Mike Johnson, that we wont stop being in community with one another or fighting against their attacks on the trans community. A flurry of Trumps executive orders since his return to the White House in January directly impact trans and gender-nonconforming Americans, though none of them actually use the word transgender. An order he signed on his first day back in office proclaims that it is the official policy of the United States to recognize only two sexes, male and female. These sexes are not changeable and are grounded in fundamental and incontrovertible reality, states Trumps Jan. 20 executive order, which pledges to defend women from gender ideology extremism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order is the foundation of several Trump administration moves that transgender rights advocates have characterized as attempts to erase trans identities and remove trans people from public life. Transgender and nonbinary Americans are no longer able to change the gender marker on their passports, for example, and federal agencies have been instructed to block trans employees from using facilities like restrooms that match their gender identity. On Monday, the Department of Veterans Affairs said it was suspending gender-affirming care for transgender veterans because of the order. Trans Day of Visibility is a crucial event, especially in this political environment, said Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen, executive director of Advocates for Trans Equality, a nonprofit organization co-hosting this months rally in Washington. Before Rachel Crandall-Crocker, a Michigan-based trans rights advocate, established the International Transgender Day of Visibility in 2009, the only date dedicated to the community was Trans Day of Remembrance, which honors transgender homicide victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trans Day of Remembrance is very significant its important, theres no denying that. But its heartbreaking for that to be the only event that really recognized us on a regular basis, Heng-Lehtinen said. Thats why there was this push from the community to start an additional thing, still absolutely continuing Trans Day of Remembrance, but also coupling it with something positive, something affirming, something that we can celebrate, and not just mourn. Celebrations around the day are slated across the globe this year, and marches and educational events are planned in major U.S. cities, including New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago. Last year, landmarks like New Yorks One World Trade Center and Niagara Falls were lit in pink, white and light blue, the colors of the transgender flag. The day also drew renewed attention last year when it landed on Easter Sunday, Christianitys holiest day. Religious conservatives and President Trumps reelection campaign criticized former President Biden, the first to acknowledge Transgender Day of Visibility in 2021, for issuing a presidential proclamation calling on Americans to uplift the lives and voices of transgender people throughout our Nation and to work toward eliminating violence and discrimination based on gender identity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, then spokesperson for Trumps campaign, demanded Biden issue an apology to the millions of Catholics and Christians across America who believe tomorrow is for one celebration only the resurrection of Jesus Christ. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) wrote on the social platform X that the Biden White House has betrayed the central tenet of Easter and called the proclamation outrageous and abhorrent. Days later, at a rally in Wisconsin, Trump responded to Bidens proclamation and the fallout by promising to declare Nov. 5, the date of the 2024 presidential election, Christian Visibility Day. Organizers of this months rally in Washington expect similar responses from right-leaning political figures and religious groups despite Transgender Day of Visibility and Easter no longer falling on the same day. Its one reason speakers and attendees can expect more security measures at this years event compared to years prior, said Heng-Lehtinen of Advocates for Trans Equality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the primary focus will be on giving trans people the space to be themselves, he said, and celebrate their identities and community without stigma or fear. For trans people ourselves, we are often inundated with negative messages that generate fear and anxiety and hurt. So, its really powerful to then be able to see something positive about being trans, see trans people thriving, see trans people succeeding, see people being happy to be trans. Thats a really important counterbalance to the negativity, he 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 The Hill. WASHINGTON (DC News Now)Tenants rights advocates are calling on the D.C. Council to vote no on a proposal that would make changes to the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) program. TOPA was passed in 1980 and is intended to prevent the displacement of residents while creating a path to homeownership. Under the law, tenants have the first opportunity to buy their building if it goes up for sale. TOPA gives tenants rights to either purchase their building or negotiate with an incoming buyer, said Damiana Dendy, a housing organizer with DC Jobs with Justice. These are tools that can be used to preserve affordability and its been proven since its been passed in 1980, its been doing what its supposed to be doing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, there could be changes to which buildings are eligible for TOPA. Last month, Mayor Muriel Bowser introduced the RENTAL Act, a comprehensive piece of legislation that aims to strengthen the citys housing market. The legislation includes various provisions, like returning the eviction process to pre-pandemic timelines, ensuring that landlords can collect rent. Because of the people who arent paying rent we see an inability for property owners to invest in those properties, provide security, and long term, maintain ownership and affordability, said Bowser. No longer in Ward 7 will this behavior be tolerated: Massive trash pile in Northeast DC cleaned up; investigations underway Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And while low and moderate income housing will still be eligible for TOPA, the proposed legislation would exempt market rate housing from triggering TOPA. What we are seeing is a lag of 18 months in order to go through the TOPA process, explained Nina Albert, deputy mayor for planning and economic development. Market rate investors in residential real estate are making choices, and theyre seeing that 18-month delay in selling the building and choosing not to invest in DC. Still, tenant rights groups want to see eligibility expanded, not limited. Dendy led a rally outside the Wilson Building Tuesday calling on the city to preserve the program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tenants should have the opportunity to negotiate with an incoming buyer, chose a buyer, go out looking for a buyer to ensure there are affordability requirements for the building, have rent protections, have protections against eviction, she said. The reality is housing and rent prices keep going up and up, said Christopher Williams, president of the Capitol Park Plaza and Twins Tenants Association. Williams said his building is currently going through the TOPA process and said its an important bargaining tool for renters. [The TOPA process is] an attempt to reset and work with the new owner and say, here are our expectations as tenants, and we want to listen to your expectations, he explained. For those tenants associations like ours who want to exercise those rights because of past living conditions, those rights ought to be preserved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Council must still consider and vote on the RENTAL Act. 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. Afghanistans ambassador to Spain has been stripped of his diplomatic status amid accusations of serious sexual assaults. His accusers say Mohammad Rahim Peerzada abused his position of trust to approach them and, in one alleged case, commit rape after using a powerful drug. But Madrids provincial court ruled in September it could not investigate Mr Peerzada as he enjoyed diplomatic immunity. He took over as ambassador at the Afghan Embassy in Madrid when the Taliban came to power in Kabul in 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After complaints from members of the Afghan community, Spains government has reacted by stripping Mr Peerzada of his diplomatic status. This person does not represent any official delegation, is not accredited in Spain and does not enjoy diplomatic immunity in our country, Spains foreign ministry said in a statement it shared with The Telegraph. One woman reported Mr Peerzada to the public prosecution office in Madrid last summer for alleged sexual assault. I felt very weak, my vision was blurred According to the account by the woman, a refugee from the Taliban given the pseudonym Anis, Mr Peerzada met her at an embassy party to celebrate International Womens Day on March 8 2022, and promised to help her get a job in the mission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They went to a shisha bar to discuss the proposal and there, Anis claimed, her Coca-Cola was spiked and the next thing she remembered was him raping her in a Madrid hotel before driving her to a railway station. I felt very weak, my vision was blurred and I urgently needed to sleep, Anis told the German newspaper Die Welt, describing how she felt on finishing her drink after visiting the bars toilet for a minute. Mr Peerzada was appointed as Afghanistans consul in Madrid in Feb 2021, months before then-president Ashraf Ghanis pro-Western government collapsed. When the ambassador left, he became the de facto head of the diplomatic mission. The Telegraph has contacted the Afghan Embassy in Madrid to request a response to the allegations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is not clear whether Madrids provincial court will now take up the case again or if more accusations have been presented against Mr Peerzada. I was terrified but tried not to show it Die Welt spoke to the woman identified as Anis and several others who said they had been victims of abuse or attempted assaults by the ambassador. Germanys police force has reportedly opened an investigation into the claims. Another Afghan woman residing in Spain told El Pais how she met Mr Peerzada in a restaurant to discuss how to improve the situation of the 4,000 Afghanis who live in Spain. The woman said she had accompanied the ambassador to his apartment to smoke a shisha. There, she said he had pushed her onto the bed while supposedly showing her around a home she described as luxurious. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I thought he was going to rape me. I was terrified but tried not to show it. I pushed him away and said, I didnt come here to have sex with you, the woman told the Spanish newspaper using the assumed name Simin. Mr Peerzada has denied the allegations. 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. What do you do as an ambassador for Afghanistan when the Taliban takes power and you are a feminist? asks the page on the website of CPH:DOX, the Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival, dedicated to a new doc directed by Natalie Halla, The Last Ambassador. The Copenhagen fest page also tells us that the countrys ambassador in Austria, Manizha Bakhtari, the the countrys only female ambassador since the Talibans takeover, decided to fight back. When the Taliban took power in 2021, she found herself in the bizarre situation of representing, on paper at least, a country whose government she does not support and which is not internationally recognized. More from The Hollywood Reporter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The doc, world premiering at Copenhagen on Saturday, tells her story as an ambassador, as a woman, and as a wife and mother. In difficult economic and personal circumstances, Bakhtari decides to stand up to the Taliban and continue her courageous fight for the rights of Afghan women and girls, a synopsis of The Last Ambassador highlights. Through her Daughters program, she provides Afghan schoolgirls with the opportunity to educate themselves in secret, while also organizing political resistance against the Taliban on the international stage as an ambassador. In increasingly difficult circumstances, she became one of the most important international spokespersons for Afghan women, true to her motto: Peace is not the absence of war, but the presence of justice. The Last Ambassador THR can exclusively debut the trailer for The Last Ambassador, which shows off some of this womans energy, dilemmas, and convictions that the film expands on over its 75-minute running time. Theres no government, no president, the ambassador is seen saying in the trailer, for example. So whats the point of an embassy? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The teaser for the movie from production company Golden Girls Film, for which The Party Film Sales just signed on to handle sales, also shows Bakhtaris defiant reaction to an order sent to her from her homeland. Watch the trailer for The Last Ambassador below. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. March 18 (UPI) -- Attorney General Pam Bondi called a spate of recent attacks targeting Tesla facilities and vehicles "domestic terrorism" Tuesday evening, after two dealerships were the victims of arson overnight. Tesla vehicles and property have increasingly become targets of public backlash since its chief executive officer, Elon Musk, has been leading a controversial reshaping of the federal government through his Department of Government Efficiency. Facilities have been set ablaze, cars have been vandalized and shot at and charging stations graffitied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The swarm of violent attacks on Tesla property is nothing short of domestic terrorism," Bondi said in a statement. "The Department of Justice has already charged several perpetrators with that in mind, including in cases that involve charges with five-year mandatory minimum sentences." The attorney general added that they will continue investigations that impose "severe consequences" on those involved in the attacks. Bondi also suggested, without providing evidence, that the attacks may be coordinated and part of a conspiracy, stating individuals they will pursue include "those operating behind the scenes to coordinate and fund these crimes." Bondi's statement comes after two dealerships, one in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the other in Kansas City, Mo., were attacked overnight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities in Las Vegas said an individual targeted a Tesla dealership in the 6200 block of Badura Avenue early Tuesday. The suspect, dressed in black, spray painted "resist" in red letters on the front doors of the facility and used Molotov cocktails to set vehicles ablaze. At least five vehicles were damaged, including two that were fully engulfed in flames, authorities said. The suspect is also accused of firing at least three rounds into vehicles. NEW VIDEO: LVMPD Investigating Arson & Vandalism at Tesla Facility At approximately 2:45 AM, LVMPD received multiple 911 calls reporting vehicles on fire at a Tesla collision and sales center near the 6200 block of Badura. Witnesses reported seeing a suspect in black clothing... pic.twitter.com/GDIuMhsfjg LVMPD (@LVMPD) March 18, 2025 Local police and fire departments were called to the scene at about 2:45 a.m. and the fires were promptly extinguished, authorities said during a press conference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spencer Evans, the FBI special agent in charge of the Las Vegas field office, told reporters that the terrorism task force is investigating the crime. He said the investigation was too early to know for sure if the crime reaches the threshold of terrorism, but that it "certainly has some of the hallmarks" of terrorism "None of those factors are lost on us," he said. Late Monday, Cybertrucks at a south Kansas City Tesla dealership were damaged, according to a statement from FBI Kansas City. The FBI said it was investigating the crime in partnership with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk repeatedly used his social media platform X on Tuesday to condemn the violence, describing it as "violent terrorism" and "extreme domestic terrorism," while calling "the left the party of violence & hate." On Fox News on Tuesday, Musk said he was "shocked" by the "hatred and violence from the left." "Tesla is a peaceful company, we've never done anything harmful, I've never done anything harmful, I've only done productive things," he said. "There's some kind of mental illness thing going on here because it just doesn't make any sense." The attacks come as there have been protests across the United States against Musk's actions in the federal government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After backing President Donald Trump's election campaign with hundreds of millions of dollars, Musk was appointed to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, which, despite its name, is not a federal department but a temporary organization. Tasked with reducing waste, spending and fraud, DOGE has claimed to have saved more than $110 billion through cancelling federal contracts, dismantling departments and conducting mass firings, which have attracted several lawsuits from unions and Democratic attorneys general. Democrats have criticized Musk and DOGE for being opaque and undemocratic while expressing concerns over the organization's access to sensitive information. Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., last month called it "an unelected shadow government." He has also raised concerns over his calls to impeach judges he calls corrupt when they rule against the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amid the political backlash, Tesla stocks have precipitously dropped in the last few months, and President Donald Trump earlier this month held a press conference in front of the White House with Tesla vehicles, in which he pledged to purchase one. Authorities in Oregon earlier this month said a Tesla dealership was shot multiple times and police in Colorado in February arrested a 40-year-old woman accused of repeatedly vandalizing a Tesla dealership in Loveland. During the press conference in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Evans warned those who may consider conducting similar crimes to think again. "Violent acts like this are unacceptable regardless of where they occur and especially to those who might think that something like this is justifiable or potentially even admirable, we want to let you know it's a federal crime, we will come after you, we will find you and prosecute you to the full extent of the law," he said. HANOI, Vietnam (AP) At a former American air base in southern Vietnam, work abruptly stopped last month on efforts to clean up tons of soil contaminated with deadly dioxin from the militarys Agent Orange defoliant. The Trump administration's broad cuts to USAID also halted efforts to clear unexploded American munitions and landmines, a rehabilitation program for war victims, and work on a museum exhibit detailing U.S. efforts to remediate the damage of the Vietnam War. In addition to exposing thousands of people to health hazards, the cuts risk jeopardizing hard-won diplomatic gains with Vietnam, whose strategic importance is growing as the U.S. looks for support in its efforts to counter an increasingly aggressive China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It doesnt help at all, said Chuck Searcy, an American Vietnam War veteran who has dedicated his time to humanitarian programs in the country for the last three decades. It is just another example of what a lot of critics want to remind us of: You cant depend on the Americans. It is not a good message. Funding for the Agent Orange cleanup at Bien Hoa Air Base was unfrozen about a week after it was stopped, but its unclear whether funds are fully flowing or how theyll be disbursed, with no USAID employees left to administer operations, said Tim Rieser, a senior adviser to Sen. Peter Welch, who drafted a letter to administration officials signed by Welch and more than a dozen other Democratic senators urging the continued funding of the programs. Other programs remain cut. They have reversed a number of these arbitrary decisions, but were far from out of the woods and we dont know how this is going to end, Rieser said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From foes to friends The interruptions to aid come as the U.S. and Vietnam prepare to mark the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War and the 30th anniversary of the normalization of relations between Washington and Hanoi. It was a slow road back from the war, which lasted some 20 years and saw more than 58,000 Americans, and many times that number of Vietnamese, killed before it finally ended in 1975. Starting in the 1990s, the U.S. began helping its former enemy address wartime legacies like Agent Orange, a herbicide dropped from planes during the war to clear jungle brush, and which was later found to cause a wide range of health problems, including cancer and birth defects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two countries have since been increasing defense and security cooperation as China has become more assertive in the region. In 2023, Vietnam elevated relations with the U.S. to a comprehensive strategic partnership, the highest level of cooperation and the same as Russia and China. Trump cuts foreign aid, alleging waste On Inauguration Day, Trump issued an executive order directing a freeze of foreign assistance funding and a review of all U.S. aid and development work abroad, alleging that much of foreign assistance was wasteful and advanced a liberal agenda. But Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Feb. 7 underscored the departments support for ongoing efforts to collaborate on the legacy of war issues, in his introductory call with his Vietnamese counterpart, according to the Defense Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Twenty days later, the administration ordered all but a fraction of U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, staffers off the job and terminated at least 83% of its contracts and cut programs globally, including in Vietnam. Rieser, who was retired Sen. Patrick Leahys foreign policy aide when the Vermont Democrat secured the original funding for Vietnam War remediation projects, said the idea that money was being wasted is factually wrong. Our foreign aid advances our own national interests, and if the Trump administration doesnt understand that, its hard to know what to say, he said. Agent Orange cleanup funding resumed, but project's future is uncertain Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A U.S. project to clean up the former Da Nang Air Base was successfully completed in 2018, giving rise to the Bien Hoa cleanup effort outside Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. The contamination at Bien Hoa, the busiest airport in the world during the war, was nearly four times greater than in Da Nang, with some 500,000 cubic meters (650,000 cubic yards) of dioxin-contaminated soil and sediment. As of 2024, the province in which Bien Hoa is located had more than 8,600 people still suffering from Agent Orange-related health issues, according to local authorities. Work began in 2020 on a 10-year project funded by USAID and the Department of Defense, with an estimated cost of $430 million overall. Soil with low levels of dioxin contamination were to be unearthed and taken to secure landfills, while highly contaminated soil was to be taken to short-term storage for treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Workers had already excavated more than 100,000 cubic meters of dioxin-contaminated soil and threated 13 hectares, by the time of the funding cut, details of which were reported by ProPublica on Monday. Ground was to be broken next month on the construction of a system to treat the most severely contaminated soil. You have to wonder if the people who made the decision to freeze these funds know anything about the tragic history of the U.S. and Vietnam ... and they must not care about the many thousands of tons of severely contaminated soil that is exposing tens of thousands of people to a very serious health risk, Rieser said. The U.S. Embassy in Hanoi and USAID referred all questions on the war legacy projects to the State Department in Washington. In a one-line email, the State Department said that USAID has three contracts conducting dioxin remediation at Bien Hoa in Vietnam that are active and running. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked to elaborate on how long the Bien Hoa project was shut down and what operations had resumed, as well as the status of other war legacy programs, the State Department said we have nothing to share on the details of these programs at this time. Vietnams Defense Ministry referred questions to the Foreign Ministry, which did not respond to requests for comment. But in a Feb. 13 press conference, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang expressed concern about what could happen if American funding for war legacy projects, which amounts to some $200 million per year, were to end. The suspension of USAID-supported projects, especially those on clearing bombs and explosives left over from the war, as well as the Bien Hoa airport detoxification project, will have a strong impact on human safety as well as the environment in the project areas, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, a U.S. federal judge ruled that the dismantling of USAID likely violated the U.S. Constitution and blocked further cuts, but stopped short of reversing firings or fully resurrecting the agency. Cuts risk undoing decades of diplomacy Leahy, who retired in 2023, told The Associated Press that it had been a lengthy process over the last 35 years to build the relationship by working with the Vietnamese to address the problems left behind. It is through these efforts that two former enemies are now partners. If we pack up and leave without finishing what we started, it will send a message that the Americans cant be trusted, he wrote in an email. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People in the Trump administration who know nothing and care less about these programs are arbitrarily jeopardizing relations with a strategic partner in one of the most challenging regions of the world. Its too early to say exactly how the abrupt decision will affect relations, but it is likely to call into question whether Washington is still a reliable partner in other dealings, said Nguyen Khac Giang, a political scientist who is a visiting fellow in the Vietnam Studies Program at Singapores ISEASYusof Ishak Institute. The level of trust gradually increased and it is very easy to dismantle, he said, adding that Vietnam may now think twice before deepening military cooperation ties or purchasing American weapons. There is good reason for Hanoi to be very cautious. POW/MIA projects not affected One joint program not affected by the USAID cuts is ongoing efforts to find and identify missing American troops, the Hawaii-based Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency in Hawaii told the AP. Funding for the effort falls under the U.S. defense budget rather than foreign aid. But funding for the effort to find and identify hundreds of thousands of missing Vietnamese war victims was cut, then reinstated, and its still unclear whether money is again flowing, Rieser said. And, he said, funds remain frozen for a new U.S. exhibit at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnams main museum on the war, which is currently focused on documenting American atrocities like the My Lai massacre and the devastating impact of Agent Orange. The exhibit, which was to open this year to coincide with the two anniversaries, highlights U.S. efforts to address the worst legacies of the war, Rieser said. Right now its a museum of American war crimes, and the whole point of this is to show that we didnt just walk away from what happened, we decided to do something about it, he said. We want that to be part of the story for the hundreds of thousands of visitors to that museum, to show that the United States didnt just walk away. ___ Rising reported from Bangkok. CUMBERLAND The public is invited to a town hall in Allegany County next week to discuss a plan for Marylands aging population. Five years from now, more than a quarter of the states residents will be at least 60 years old. That demographic, according to the Maryland Department of Aging, has increased over the years. In 2000, the 60 and older population represented 15% of all Marylanders, and by 2020, that percentage grew to 23%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because people in the state are living longer than ever, Gov. Wes Moore in January 2024 signed an executive order that mandates development of Longevity Ready Maryland, a 10-year plan to address the challenges and maximize the benefits and opportunities of an aging society, the Department of Aging said. Aging town hall set From left, Maryland Department Of Aging Multisector Planning Director Betty Romero, MDOA Deputy Secretary Jennifer Crawley, Gov. Wes Moore, and MDOA Secretary Carmel Roques. Photo Credit: MDGovpics By ensuring equal access to coordinated care, services and social determinants that enable healthy longevity, we can become a state where all Marylanders lead healthy, financially secure, socially connected and purposeful lives, the organization said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The LRM plan aims to lead to more integrated service delivery models and provide a voice to those who participate to ensure the needs of all Marylanders are heard, MDOA said. Goals of the plan include formation of a longevity ecosystem that connects a network of organizations, businesses, government agencies, health care providers, researchers and key stakeholders to work collaboratively with older Marylanders to enhance quality of life. LRM Summary (Maryland Department of Aging) Economic opportunities through an age-inclusive workforce and multigenerational consumer participation will be promoted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other priorities in the plan include affordable housing, health care, retirement planning, health, wellness and mobility. Implementation of the plan is set for July 2025. According to the Department of Aging, how long and how well Marylanders live depends largely on their ZIP code. Where someone lives can significantly influence their life expectancy and overall well-being, MDOA Communications Director Barbara Sigler said. Factors including access to health care, quality of education, income levels, environmental conditions, and community safety vary widely across the state, she said. These differences can create disparities in health outcomes and life expectancy, Sigler said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many rural areas in Maryland, including Dorchester, Allegany and Kent counties, have a much higher percentage of lower-income older adults, she said. Gender also influences how well Marylanders age, with women earning 14% less than men in the state a pay disparity that is even more pronounced for Black and Hispanic women, Sigler said. Because women are also much more likely to be caregivers to children and older adults, it impacts their ability to save for the future, care for themselves and invest in Social Security, she said. Part of Longevity Ready Marylands focus is on creation of an equitable and inclusive environment for all Marylanders, including addressing economic disparities faced by women, Sigler said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While its primary goal is to prepare Maryland for an aging population, it also emphasizes improving economic opportunities for women, particularly those in caregiving roles and the direct care workforce, where women are disproportionately represented and often earn below a living wage, she said. A significant part of LRM is cross-sector collaboration, and (MDOA) has been working with the Maryland Department of Labor and the Governors WorkForce Development Board on growing jobs in Maryland, including quality jobs in the caregiver sector, Sigler said. LRM Fact Sheet (Maryland Department of Aging) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The public is invited to review Marylands plan to transform its approach to aging. A town hall will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. March 25 at the Allegany County Fairgrounds, 11490 Moss Ave., in the multi-purpose building. To register, which is free but required as space is limited, visit aging.maryland.gov/LRM/Pages/Planning.aspx. We chose to hold town halls in the eastern, central and Western Maryland geographic regions to ensure access to both rural and urban communities, Sigler said. Additionally, MDOA will host virtual town halls. The LRM plan is posted on LRM.Maryland.gov for anyone to review and provide feedback, she said. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) As technology continues to develop, law enforcement agencies are always looking for new ways to find those responsible for crimes, but when does artificial intelligence cross legal lines? In this weeks Ask Isaacs, 6 News Lori Tucker and Attorney Greg Isaacs discuss a controversial case where AI was used to make a suspects photo talk. Last week, the Sumner County Sheriffs Office posted a video that used artificial intelligence to make a photo of a man who was wanted for felony evading arrest talk. The AI video tells people it is crazy that the man is on the sheriffs offices Wanted Wednesday post and then shares how the public can report the man to law enforcement. What is a green card? Lawyer breaks down Mahmoud Khalil case Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The post has since been updated to only have a photo of the suspect, adding that he has been captured. Although the video may be troubling to some people, the Isaacs Law Firm reports that AI use is largely unregulated in the legal realm currently. Just last year, a judge declined to sanction Michael Cohen and his lawyer after it was discovered that some of the case citations that were submitted in a motion were generated by AI. In February, a judge fined three lawyers, two of whom worked for the national law firm Morgan & Morgan, for citing fake cases that were generated by artificial intelligence in a court filing, Reuters and other outlets reported. According to the Isaacs Law Firm, a recent survey by the American Bar Association found that 30% of responding law firms said they utilized AI in 2024. ChatGPT was the most popular AI tool used by law firms, but the Westlaw and Lexis AI tools have also been gaining popularity, the law firm added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How does an insanity defense work? Lawyer breaks down former Kentucky sheriffs case If you have a legal question, send it to AskIsaacs@wate.com. To watch full episodes of Ask Isaacs, click here. WATEs Lori Tucker and Attorney Greg Isaacs answer your legal questions from the WATE Alert Desk on Wednesdays at 2:30 p.m. and on WATE Channel 6 at 5:30 p.m. 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 WATE 6 On Your Side. In the first week of March, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted an enhanced enforcement operation in New Mexico that resulted in the arrest of 48 people, as reported by the agency itself. Their names, whereabouts, whether they have access to counsel and which agency is holding them are all unknown, according to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which considers them to have been forcibly disappeared. This is not just a procedural issue, but a grave human rights violation, said Rebecca Sheff, senior staff attorney at the ACLU of New Mexico. When the government detains people and then their whereabouts are unknown and they are unreachable, it exempts them from the protection of the law. Families are left in agonizing uncertainty, desperate to contact their loved ones and ensure their safety. Enforced disappearances are prohibited by both our Constitution and international human rights laws, she said. Immigration authorities indicated that 20 of the detainees had been arrested or convicted of criminal offenses that included, in addition to homicide and sexual assault, driving under the influence and shoplifting. The latter two offenses were not considered grounds for deportation by the previous administration, but Trump signed the Laken Riley Act, which allows undocumented immigrants to be deported for these offenses. The remaining 28 were apprehended for immigration violations such as unlawful entry or re-entry. Of the 48 arrested, 21 had final orders of removal, according to ICE. The ACLU, the civil rights organization responsible for most of the lawsuits filed against the Trump administrations immigration policy, has sent a formal complaint to the Department of Homeland Security. We are alarmed and disturbed that these four dozen New Mexican individuals remain unidentified and that insufficient transparency, oversight, and accountability has taken place to date regarding their whereabouts and wellbeing. We call on your offices to exercise the full extent of your authorities to determine their current status and ensure their safety, the complaint states. The arrests took place in the New Mexico cities of Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Roswell, in an ICE operation that also involved U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the U.S. Marshal Service (USMS). The ICE website has a detainee locator, but to use it, it is necessary to enter some identifying information such as name or immigration number and country of origin. Immigrant advocacy organizations are concerned that no one has sought them out, as is often the case, to report the detention of family members. Another reason, they explain, may be the fear unleashed by Trumps push for deportations by invoking an 18th-century law designed for wartime and allowing for expulsions without due process. Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport hundreds of Venezuelans to El Salvador who, according to the government, were suspected members of the Tren de Aragua gang. The deportations occurred last weekend despite a judges order to turn back the planes, opening a rift between the executive and judicial branches. In addition to the ACLU, the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center and Somos Un Pueblo Unido have joined the protest. Immigrant advocates are calling for the passage of two laws being debated in the New Mexico Senate that would prevent local law enforcement from collaborating with immigration authorities. ICE has not indicated where any of them are being detained, whether they have access to counsel, in what conditions they are being held, or even which agency is holding them. These individuals have been effectively forcibly disappeared from our communities, the ACLU complaint states. These 48 arrests in New Mexico come at a critical time, as the Trump administration has resumed detaining families, including young children, in facilities run by CoreCivic and GEO Group, the nation's two largest private prison companies. CoreCivic CEO Damon Hininger recently stated on an earnings call, regarding the Trump administrations anti-immigrant executive actions, that this is truly one of the most exciting periods in my career with the company and that he expects perhaps the most significant growth in our companys history over the next several years. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The U.S. Air Force is sending teams to a number of bases to ensure compliance with President Donald Trumps executive orders related to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, according to a Monday press release. The service will send teams consisting of approximately five reviewers to nine installations to evaluate how such orders are being implemented, an Air Force spokesperson told Military Times on Wednesday. The Air Forces effort stems from the Pentagons Jan. 29 memo, Restoring Americas Fighting Force, which called for the creation of a task force to oversee efforts to extinguish diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, programs in the military and implement merit-based, color-blind policies, among other initiatives. That directive followed an executive order from Trump calling for the end of all military DEI programs, stating such programs were eroding lethality and force readiness by engaging in race and sex discrimination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Task Force requires military departments to validate the execution of all Presidentially directed executive orders related to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Critical Race Theory, and gender ideology with an emphasis on five elements, the Air Force release said. Those elements include the teams verifying that the Air Force is eliminating sex-based, race-based or ethnicity-based quotas for jobs or admissions; not teaching any subjects related to critical race theory, gender ideology or diversity, equity and inclusion; offering a curriculum that teaches America is the most powerful force for good in human history; prohibiting boards and councils from instruction related to DEI subjects; and is not considering sex, race or ethnicity during promotion or selection processes. War heroes, military firsts among 26,000 images flagged in DEI purge The validation teams made up of leaders with expertise in curriculum, promotion boards, and the five assessment elements, according to the release will tentatively visit the following bases from March 17 to March 28, according to an Air Force spokesperson: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado Randolph Air Force Base, Texas Joint Base San Antonio, Texas Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi Hurlburt Field Air Force Base, Florida Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama Robins Air Force Base, Georgia While there, the teams will review documents, analyze data, conduct interviews, lead focus groups and audit classrooms, according to the release. After the teams complete their work, the department will continue to monitor compliance through in-progress reviews, the release said. Meanwhile, the Trump administration continues its purge of DEI-related content from military websites, including the Air Force. Air Force webpages on historic female pilots have been taken offline, including at least a dozen related to WWII-era Womens Airforce Service Pilots and retired Maj. Gen. Jeannie Leavitt, the Air Forces first female fighter pilot, Air Force Times previously reported. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) The National Museum of the U.S. Air Forces Celebrating Aviation film series takes flight Wednesday night. The museum will host a special screening of Heroes on Deck from 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, March 19. The documentary tells the story of the effort to recover World War II fighter planes from Lake Michigan. Harvey Moshman, the movies Emmy Award-winning executive producer, will host a Q&A afterward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 100-year-old WWII veteran marries bride near Normandys D-Day beaches Tickets to the presentation are $20 and can be bought here. The museums series continues on Thursday, March 27, with a screening of To What Remains, which follows Project Recover as it tries to bring the remains of more than 80,000 Americans who went missing in action since World War II home. Scott Althaus of Project Recover will introduce the film and take questions afterward. Both screenings will be presented alongside the OceanXperience and Drop in the Ocean special exhibits (located in the 4th building). Attendees will be able to visit both for free after the presentation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 WDTN.com. Former Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) says hes closing the door on running for public office again. I dont think Ill be running again, the Saturday Night Live writer and performer-turned-lawmaker told The Hill in a recent interview focused on his role in the forthcoming Netflix series, The Residence. When asked if he was ruling out a future political bid, Franken said, Im not ruling it , before briefly pausing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im ruling it out, yeah, he said. The 73-year-old comedian resigned in 2018 amid a pressure campaign from his Senate colleagues after allegations of sexual misconduct. Franken denied the accusations and has said in the past that he regretted resigning. In 2021, Franken said he was keeping his options open as far as any future political bid. He said in 2022 that it would be tempting to run for office again. Last month, Franken indicated he wasnt eyeing a return to the upper chamber after Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced she wouldnt seek reelection in 2026. I look forward to supporting the candidate we nominate to work on behalf of Minnesotans in Washington, Franken said in a social media post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) The Alabama Greek Foundation held a college and career fest at Boutwell Auditorium on Tuesday. Students received advice on applying for financial aid and how to easily transition from high school to higher education. 6-month-old baby dies following dog attack in Alabaster We have about 350 students in there, said Shumaine Pruitt of the Alabama Greek Foundation. Theyre having a blast. Theyre having fun, but theyre also learning, learning what they need to do to in order to get into a good college or a job of choice after high school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its the first time the Alabama Greek Foundation has hosted the college and career fest. 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. Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, looks up to the gallery of the Alabama House of Representatives on March 18, 2025, at the Alabama State House in Montgomery, Alabama. The chamber unanimously passed a $192 million tax cut package of bills sponsored by Garrett. (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector) The Alabama House of Representatives unanimously passed $192 million in tax cuts in a four-bill package on Tuesday. HB 386, 387, 388 and 389, all sponsored by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, will reduce the state grocery tax by 1%; allow local governments to cut their grocery taxes; increase the amount of retirement income exempt from taxes and increase income tax thresholds, deductions and child credits for those making less than $120,000 a year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The money comes out of the $9.2 billion Education Trust Fund (ETF), which pays for most public education funding in the state. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Garrett said in an interview that the overtime tax exemption served as an obstacle in reducing taxes on groceries. The exemption cost the ETF $234 million, well above earlier projections, and Republican legislative leaders had signaled they would not renew the deduction when it expires in June. And so what weve done is basically pass taxes that are broader, Garrett said. If its sunsets, then well have a chance to evaluate it and sort out some things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HB 386 would reduce the states tax on groceries from 3% to 2%. Alabama is one of 13 states that taxes groceries, according to the AARP. Alabama Republicans have been working on reducing the grocery tax from its original 4% since 2023. The reduction to 2% was only supposed to happen if the ETFs revenue grew by 3.5%, but that target has not been met. Garrett said the legislation will accelerate the grocery tax reduction, and it will go into effect on Sept. 1 if it passes. The next 25% reduction was going to take place when revenue grew 3.5%, he said. That has not happened this year, it probably will not next year. The grocery tax reduction takes $121 million from the ETFs revenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HB 387 is similar. It allows but does not require local governments to reduce local grocery taxes. House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, said after the House adjourned that local governments are already allowed to increase grocery taxes, but not decrease. Theyve always had the opportunity to raise it, but they didnt have the opportunity to decrease it, he said. Hoover wanted to decrease one and because of the state law, it couldnt. So this gives them the opportunity to do that. HB 388 increases the amount of untaxable retirement income for Alabamians older than 65 from $12,000 to $24,000 for couples and from $6,000 to $12,000 for individuals. Ledbetter said it is good for senior citizens of the state. You know, theyre on fixed income, and helping them with the ability to do better as far as finances go is important, Ledbetter said in an interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HB 389 increases the threshold for optional income tax deductions. Under current law, married taxpayers filing jointly can deduct $8,500 if their income is less than $25,000. The proposed legislation increases the optional deduction to $9,500 if the couples income is less than $28,000. Dependents of a married couple filing jointly whose gross income is less than $60,000 can deduct up to $1,000, which is up from the household income of $50,000. For families making less than $120,000, their dependents can claim deductions of up to $500, which is up from a household income of $100,000. The cuts will mostly impact the Education Trust Fund budget. Rep. Thomas Jackson, D-Thomasville, said he worried about the effect, saying that the body should focus on improving education rather than diminishing its budget. How are we going to regroup and replenish the Education Trust Fund budget when were taking so much from it? Jackson asked Garrett on the House floor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Garrett said the ETF would not feel the impact. We feel through the growth of the budget and through continued good, fiscally responsible budgeting practices, we can sustain these cuts, Garrett said on the House floor. But the answer to your question is: if we can improve the education outcomes, if we can improve labor participation, those are the types of things that are going to help us grow our revenue stream. Ledbetter said he is supportive of the package because it will impact most Alabamians. The tax breaks we did today affects everybody in this state, and that was a priority to make sure it was widespread and affected everybody, especially the senior citizens, Ledbetter said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ledbetter said although he is supportive of an overtime tax exemption, it is more important to be fiscally responsible and fund education. I get it and I certainly support that, Ledbetter said. But I also think there is a balance, as far as being able to afford it. Garrett said he would rather have a tax reduction that impacts all Alabamians than one that costs $300 million and affects a smaller group of Alabamians. I think what were doing is broad-based thats going to affect a lot of Alabama, he said. The package now goes to the Senate. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Rep. Allen Treadaway, R-Morris, speaks in the Alabama House of Representatives on May 8, 2024 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery. Treadaway is sponsoring a a bill that could criminalize abusive language or gestures made toward first responders. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) An Alabama House committee Wednesday held a hearing on a bill that would allow law enforcement to arrest people who direct abusive language at first responders, make obscene gestures or linger at a response scene after being ordered to leave. HB 224, sponsored by Rep. Allen Treadaway, R-Morris, prohibits someone from remaining within 25 feet of a first responder, such as firefighters and police, if they are ordered to keep their distance or vacate the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have seen where firemen are trying to do their job, whether it is trying to hook up a hose that may be a block away, and groups of individuals are impeding their ability and puts lives in danger, Treadaway, a retired Birmingham assistant police chief, told the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee on Wednesday. Same thing with law enforcement officers. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Those in violation of the law would be charged with a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $6,000 fine. The original version of the legislation required people to remain 100 feet away from the first responder. It also defined harassment as a course of conduct with the intent to cause substantial emotional distress and which serves no legitimate purpose. A substitute offered by Treadaway on Wednesday reduced the distance from 100 to 25 feet and removed the harassment section. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Treadaways bill is one of many recent pieces of legislation in the Legislature aimed at enhancing police powers. In the past two weeks, bills that moved through the committee allow law enforcement to impound peoples vehicles; place people on hold for 24 hours and charge people with a crime for failing to give police personal information. The measures are part of an overall agenda laid out by the Republican-dominated Legislature in concert with Gov. Kay Ivey to address public safety. Free speech advocates said Treadaways bill was so broad that it could lead to legal challenges. To me, the terms look unconstitutional, said Robert Corn-Revere, chief counsel for Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), a group that advocates for free speech on college campuses, in an interview on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Corn-Revere said the language offers first responders, particularly police, wide latitude to judge and charge people with a crime. The constitution protects the right of the public to observe what public officials are doing, Corn-Revere said. The practical impact of the legislation could hinder the press from reporting on the scene or taking photographs. Law enforcement and the Alabama District Attorneys Association supported the measure and helped to craft the legislation. Our first responders should be allowed to work in a safe place, said Everette Johnson, the president of the Fraternal Order of Police. They should be allowed the opportunity to do the job they are sworn to do without interference from outside entities, the people who are trying to prevent arrest, disruption of public safety services that we asked them to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Civil rights groups, as well as Democrats on the committee, expressed concerns with some of the language in the bill, such as the 25 feet zone and possible free speech violations. This language makes protest impossible, said Camille Bennett during the public hearing, founder and executive director of Project Say Something, a nonprofit that advocates against racial injustice. How can a public servant accurately measure 25 feet and carry around a blow horn to instruct protestors to disperse in real time? Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, requested that Treadaway remove the provision in the bill that a person could be arrested for simply speaking ill of the officer or making an obscene gesture. The definition of first responder includes police officers who, at this time, already are supposed to carry a little thicker skin in terms of language used in whatever they are doing, so the standard is higher, he said. That is the reason you cant be arrested for making comments already. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Treadaway said after the hearing he planned to amend the bill and hold a committee vote on the legislation the following week. We want to blame police officers for every bad thing out there that happens, he said as the discussion winded down. Unfortunately, every profession has a bad apple. We cannot put every police officer in the same basket as those who do something wrong. Correction: The article was updated to correct the name of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). An earlier version misstated the organizations name as the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) A slate of tax cut bills passed in the Alabama House on Tuesday, and Republicans and Democrats are supporting it. A trip down the aisle at your local grocery store could become less expensive. One bill would slash the grocery tax from 3% to 2%. State Rep. Danny Garrett (R-Trussville) said it wont jeopardize funding for education, which is where the tax goes. Were trying to do some things we can do and at the same time, be responsible in our budgeting because weve been on a sugar high with revenue, Garrett said. Revenues kind of flattened, but weve budgeted for that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Garrett said most states dont tax groceries, and that is a good step in the right direction. Were making investments in public education: Numeracy Act, Literacy Act, Garrett said. We were the only state to show improvement in the last nations scorecard. So I think all of these things work hand in hand, and we believe this is a sustainable tax cut. Democrats agreed. State Rep. Mary Moore (D-Birmingham) said it will help curb prices in the middle of President Donald Trumps trade war. Foods that come from other countries, like Mexico. Food thats coming from Canada and other place that we rely on, Moore said. So this will be some relief. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 6-month-old baby dies following dog attack in Alabaster Another bill increases the amount of retirement income that can be tax-exempt. It doubles that amount from $6,000 to $12,000. State Rep. Curtis Travis (D-Tuscaloosa) said these bills dont go far enough. You know, lets help em out, Travis said. Lets keep giving relief to the working people in the state of Alabama. So this grocery tax is fine, the individual income tax thats good. But again, just what can we continue to do? State Rep. Jamie Kiel (R-Russellville) said hes for these bills. I think that anytime you tax people on things that are essential for them to live, anytime you can give that money back to the people, I think its important that we do that, Kiel said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill heads to the Alabama Senate for a committee vote. 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. BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) An Alabama man is facing charges for child porn in Bay County. The Bay County Sheriffs Office arrested 43-year-old Eric Prevost on Monday. On December 19, 2024, investigators say they received two reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about an online account possessing videos of prepubescent kids in sexual situations. Man arrested for injuring a victim in hatchet attack in DeFuniak Springs Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upon further investigation, they identified Prevost as the owner of the account. After making contact with him, deputies say Prevost admitted to owning the account but that he was using it to meet a woman. He denied having any knowledge of the child pornography. He was booked into the Bay County Jail, but posted bond and has been released. 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 mypanhandle.com. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) A bill that would make Glock switches illegal on firearms in Alabama is one step away from becoming the law. On Tuesday, the Alabama Senate approved SB116, a bill that would make the switch, which can turn a handgun into a fully automatic weapon, a class C felony. Now, the bill will go to Gov. Kay Iveys desk to be signed into law. Birmingham leaders believe that a Glock switch was used in the mass shooting in Five Points South last year, where four people were killed and 17 others injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A similar attempt to ban Glock switches failed to progress during the last legislative session. While it is a federal crime to own a switch, there are no Alabama laws on the books that address it. The hope is that we deter people in the first place, said Rep. Philip Ensler, who worked on a House bill that complemented the Senate bill. If they know that theres a state level ban, and they know that Alabama is taking it seriously, hopefully, itll stop people from having these in the first place. Earlier this month, Ivey expressed support for the bill, adding that she was looking forward to signing it into law. If approved by Ivey, the law would go into effect Oct. 1 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, presents SB 156, which would allow some people serving life in prison a chance to have their sentences reviewed, to the Senate floor on March 18, 2025. (Alander Rocha/Alabama Reflector) After almost dying on the Senate floor, the Alabama Senate Tuesday passed a bill to allow some people serving life in prison a chance to have their sentences reviewed. A majority of Senate Republicans initially sank the bill on a 16-16 vote, but after nearly two hours of uncertainty, the bill returned for a second vote and passed 17-8. Sen. David Sessions, R-Grand Bay, who voted against it, made a motion to reconsider the legislation, which is also known as The Second Chance Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the vote was tied at 16-16, there was a motion to reconsider an hour or two later, and during that time, we had an opportunity to talk to different members and address concerns or questions that they may have had, what the bill actually did, and some misconceptions that were put out there, said Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, the bills sponsor, after the Senate adjourned. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SB 156 would give some people sentenced to life in prison under the states Habitual Offender Law before May 26, 2000, to have their sentences reviewed. Those convicted of homicides, sexually-based or violent offenses would not be eligible. Alabama in 1977 passed the Habitual Felony Offender Act, which enhanced penalties for those convicted of felonies who had previously served time for felony convictions. The legislation played a significant role in the states current prison overcrowding crisis. The Legislature revised the law in 2000 to offer judges more discretion in sentencing people with prior felony convictions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, has sponsored a similar bill since the 2021 legislative session. His legislation reached the House floor last year for the first time, but House Republicans killed the bill on a procedural vote. It passed the House the year before, but the Senate never considered it. Barfoot said there were misconceptions from members on what the bill would achieve, saying that some members thought a much larger population would have their sentences reviewed. He said that an estimated 150-200 inmates could benefit from having their sentences reduced. Sen. Chris Elliot, R-Josephine, asked what would happen if someone who was convicted under Habitual Offender Law habitually offends again, and asked, Is there an automatic go back to jail? Barfoot said there was that if a judge reduced a sentence and the individual was granted probation, the laws of the state of Alabama would apply. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Kay Ivey in her State of the State speech endorsed the legislation as part of a legislative package cracking down on violent crime. After the Senates passage, Ivey praised its passage on X, formerly known as Twitter. It restores a chance at parole eligibility for a narrow category of inmates currently ineligible simply because of the date they were sentenced, Ivey posted. The bill now moves to the House for consideration. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Ron DeSantis is trapped in Donald Trumps shadow. And his latest strategy to escape it is imitation. In just under two months of the Republican administration arriving in the White House, the city of Tallahassee, the seat of the Florida state government, has been the stage for a series of moves by the governor to make Florida even more MAGA than Trump himself. With the 2026 elections already on the horizon, Governor DeSantis has floated the idea of his wife, Casey DeSantis, becoming his successor while he seeks to cement his own legacy following the Trumpist playbook. He has created his own state Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), inspired by and modeled on the one led by Elon Musk despite the fact that, paradoxically, a task force overseeing government efficiency has existed since 2007. The Florida legislature has passed a law that targets undocumented immigrants, in line with the Trumpist narrative vilifying migrants. And, wearing the clothes of tax cuts champions, Republican legislators have proposed another law to eliminate the state property tax, the largest source of revenue in a state that has no income tax. The new state DOGE, criticized as little more than a publicity stunt, has sparked opposition from both Democrats and Republicans. And the idea of abolishing property taxes has been dismissed as unfeasible by economists, who warn that without an alternative collection method, state coffers that fund public services, from the police to schools, are at risk of drying up. In the face of these questions, DeSantis has offered only silence, which has also earned him criticism from those who accuse him of just looking for dramatic headlines, without actually solving the real problems of Floridians. Where was the update on his much-hyped DOGE initiative? Just weeks ago, DeSantis promised a major push on this program yet today, there was not a single mention of it [in his inaugural address at the State Capitol]. Was it just another empty headline? Floridians deserve answers, not political theater, Jared Nordlund, state director of UnidosUS, a Hispanic civil rights organization, said in a statement. Ron and Casey DeSantis with their children Mason, Mamie, and Madison, during the inauguration ceremony at the Florida Capitol in January 2023. Miami Herald (TNS) Cut, cut, cut On the operational cuts front, despite Floridas government having $14.6 billion in reserves and the lowest number of government employees per capita of any state, DeSantis has said he wants to eliminate 740 permanent jobs, plus another 900 filled by contractors associated with dozens of advisory teams. [Floridas new DOGE] will eliminate redundant boards and commissions, review state university and college operations and spending, utilize artificial intelligence to further examine state agencies to uncover hidden waste, and even audit the spending habits of local entities to shine the light on waste and bloat, he announced in late February. Democrats were quick to point out that the creation of a state DOGE is itself an example of wasteful spending, given the existence of a statutory body with a virtually identical task. Republicans have been in total control of Floridas government for nearly 30 years, and he wants to talk about government waste?, Nikki Fried, chair of the Florida Democratic Party, said in a statement. Ron has consistently passed the largest state budgets in Floridas history, illegally spent millions of taxpayer dollars to run political campaigns [referring to the accusation that he used his position and resources as governor to campaign against referendums on marijuana legalization and abortion rights], and just allocated $250 million to fund his political scheme on immigration. Even among state GOP heavyweights, the response hasnt been warm. Lets focus on what matters. Lets pass actual reforms instead of symbolic gestures, said Daniel Perez, the Florida House speaker and a fiscal conservative. Senate President Ben Albritton, also a Republican, as a member of the existing efficiency task force, said he was proud that the state already has a great framework for accountability and that they have made numerous recommendations to improve flexibility and simplify processes. DeSantis, center left, chairs a meeting with the state Cabinet at the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee on March 5. Rebecca Blackwell (AP) The populist proposal to eliminate the property tax presented in the first week of March, meanwhile, has been criticized and basically described as unworkable and potentially destructive. Every state in the country has a property tax, which is collected locally and funds essential services that add value, such as infrastructure or emergency services. In Florida, there are no income taxes, which makes the property tax even more important. The mayor of the city of Oviedo, on the outskirts of Orlando, didnt mince words in a social media post: Something close to 100% of the cost of our police and fire departments here in Oviedo are funded by property taxes. Until public safety is figured out, I think ditching property taxes is a dumb idea. Research conducted by the Florida Policy Institute think tank following the proposed tax bill estimates that the sales tax would need to be doubled from the current 6% to 12% to offset the lost revenue. This would be the highest tax of its kind in the country and would disproportionately affect lower-income households. DeSantis has ruled out such an increase. So the question of how to fill the gap left by eliminating the property tax remains open. One of the proposed bills includes commissioning a study to answer this question. Florida's governor speaks with law enforcement and immigration officials at Homestead Air Force Base, Wednesday, February 26, 2025. Eva Marie Uzcategui (Bloomberg) Heavy hand on undocumented immigrants But perhaps the most explicitly Trumpian action has come in the area of immigration. Just two weeks after Trumps inauguration in Washington, DeSantis controversially and in the face of initial resistance, called an extraordinary session before the official start of the legislative calendar to pass a series of new laws designed to help implement the Republican presidents migratory agenda. The laws which some consider unconstitutional because they relate to immigration, a federal jurisdictionmake Florida, which for decades has been quite permissive toward immigrants, one of the states that makes the most local resources available to federal immigration agencies. Among other things, the new legislation increases penalties for all crimes committed by undocumented immigrants, including the death penalty for first-degree offenders, and creates a new crime: entering the state after entering the country illegally. It also allocates nearly $300 million to hire immigration-focused police officers, implement training programs for local agencies, provide bonuses to police officers who assist in federal operations, and lease detention centers. Florida has passed the strongest legislation to combat illegal immigration of any state in the entire country, DeSantis said before signing the bills and handing a sharpie Trumps favorite marker to the legislative leaders who accompanied him. We are at the forefront of ending the illegal immigration crisis. A protest against a bill imposing restrictions on undocumented immigrants in Immokalee, Florida, an area known for its tomato farming. June 2023. Rebecca Blackwell (AP) A campaign on the horizon DeSantiss second term as governor ends with the November 2026 elections, but the man who ran as a candidate in the Republican primaries last year doesnt intend for that to be the end of his political career. After losing decisively to Trump in the 2024 Republican primaries, pundits believe that hell make a presidential run again in 2028, and to have a chance of winning, he seems to feel the need to underline his Trumpian credentials now that the party has surrendered to the current commander-in-chief. He has also begun positioning his wife, Casey, as his possible successor as governor, pitting her against the man Trump will reportedly endorse in the race in a year and a half. DeSantis is torn between following Trumps lead and offering something different to voters. Judging by his recent activity, the bet is on doubling down on Trumpism. It could backfire, as happened in the Republican primaries when he dropped out of the race early after running a campaign in which he marketed himself as a kind of Trump, but more sensible, yet was received by voters as a Trump, but without charisma. 364 days after quitting that race, Trump was sworn in as President of the United States for the second time, and DeSantis remained in his shadow. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Sen. Forrest Dunbar, D-Anchorage, speaks Monday, March 17, 2025, in favor of Senate Bill 50. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon) Alaskas organized borough governments would be encouraged to make long-term plans for housing projects under a bill passed Monday by the Alaska Senate. Senate Bill 50, from Sen. Forrest Dunbar, D-Anchorage, would change state law to say that boroughs comprehensive plans long-term planning documents may include a housing development plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill passed the Senate 17-0 with three excused absences and advances to the House for further consideration. Alaska housing prices have risen by nearly 50% over the past 10 years. The National Association of Realtors estimates that Anchorage and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough alone have a shortage of 5,066 homes. Speaking on the Senate floor, Dunbar said the bill is part of a larger effort to encourage new housing construction. The bill doesnt require boroughs to create new comprehensive plans for their land, and it doesnt require them to include housing as part of those plans, but it does encourage them, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the process, boroughs will assess how their regulations impact housing supply, engage and inform the public, and recommend reforms, Dunbar said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Visitors walk by the The Three Servicemen statue at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Christina Lords/Idaho Capital Sun) The Alaska Senate is asking Congress to revive a stalled effort that would honor ethnic Hmong people who aided the United States during the Vietnam War. In a 17-0 vote on Monday, the Senate approved Senate Joint Resolution 10, which requests that Congress award the Congressional Gold Medal to Hmong veterans of the Vietnam War. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During that war, Hmong residents of Laos and Vietnam helped American soldiers and CIA spies, but because they were not American citizens, their work was not generally recognized. After the United States lost the war, thousands of Hmong immigrated to the country, and Alaska has about 5,000 Hmong residents, including about two dozen Vietnam War veterans. Congress has previously authorized the Congressional Gold Medal for other allied veterans, including Filipino World War II veterans, but a bill honoring the Hmong has not yet advanced. Sen. Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, sponsored SJR 10. Hmong veterans deserve this honor, he said Monday. Alaska has the third-highest Hmong population per capita in the nation. This resolution urges the United States Congress to grant these Hmong soldiers the recognition that they have deserved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Minority Leader Mike Shower, R-Wasilla and a U.S. Air Force veteran, spoke in support of Wielechowskis proposal. It sounds like a small thing to many people. Oh, you give them a medal? Big deal. But it means something, Shower said. Because for many people that serve, thats all they want a thank you and an acknowledgement for the sacrifices that they made. SJR 10 advances to the House for further consideration. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, smiles on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, as she exits the Alaska House of Representatives following her annual address to the Alaska Legislature. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon) U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, encouraged members of the Alaska Legislature and the public to work together to get things done, despite major uncertainties caused by the Trump administration, as well as its cuts to budgets, personnel and programs. Ill tell you I accept the challenge. I want you to know that Im going to do everything in my power to make the best of this, Murkowski said, of her role in advocating for Alaskas priorities in Congress. We are engaging every day to try to identify where we are seeing challenges presented to us here in Alaska, and ways that we can work to address it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her annual speech to the Legislature on Tuesday, Murkowski highlighted continued priorities over the past year, including infrastructure, fisheries, the Alaska Marine Highway System, military and resource development. And, she acknowledged she came directly from Congress narrowly avoiding a government shutdown. Youre not going to find anybody who is happier about being home right now than me, she said, and called the outcome a Mortons fork dilemma. Basically its a choice between two equally bad options, and thats what we were faced with, a shutdown not ever good but also a continuing resolution that doesnt do much, if anything, to reduce the level of spending. She criticized the Trump administrations handling of mass federal firings and budget freezes. These terminations are indiscriminate and many, were now learning, are unlawful, she said, referring to recent court orders ruling fired employees be reinstated. And theyre being made regardless of performance, and with little understanding of the function and the value of each position. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murkowski said she supports the mission of DOGE, or the Department of Government Efficiency, and agrees there are inefficiencies in the federal government that should be addressed, but she does not agree with the way it is being carried out. The approach that were seeing lacks the type of planning that you need to avoid unintended consequences. It lacks the fundamental decency that you need when youre dealing with real people, she said. Public servants are not our enemies. They are our friends. They are our neighbors, she said. They are integral to our economy and to our ability to function as a state and as a country. She cited examples of the U.S. Forest Service staff expected to handle 14,000 daily cruise ship tourists coming to visit Juneaus Mendenhall Glacier, weather forecasters and firefighter support staff as some of those essential jobs. The fire season started yesterday, earliest ever, she said. Do we really want to gut the support staff for the firefighters who are going to be on the front lines here? She also criticized federal funding freezes, another area where Alaska will have a disproportionately negative impact. And keep in mind: With whats being targeted, she said, its not going to put a dent in the deficit or balance the budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murkowski promised to keep working for Alaskas priorities, and repeated that she and her office welcome calls from legislators and members of the public. Im just one of three in a delegation, she said. We all need your help. I cant do my job alone. And so when I ask you for these stories, when I ask you to share with us what youre hearing from your folks back home, take us up on the offer. Dont be afraid to give us too much. We can be more responsive, and we can help more Alaskans when we do this all together, she said. Murkowski promised to fight against any cuts to health care benefits, like Medicaid. I just cant be on board with anything that hurts our people or puts you in a budget hole, she told lawmakers. In her address, Murkowski also took issue with the Trump administrations changes in foreign policy, and repeated her continued support for Ukraine in the war against Russia. How we came to a place where were fighting now with Canada, and were making nice with Russia Its beyond me, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She noted incursions to the airspace around the state, known as the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone. And as long as weve got to send up fighter jets to chase off Russian Bear bombers from our ADIZ, Im not going to trust Putin here, and Im not going to be quiet about it. Im going to stand up and say so, she said. Murkowski said there are many areas where she agrees with the Trump administration, including securing borders, stopping the flow of fentanyl, and negotiating better trade deals. So these are things that we can be working on, and are working on in a strong way, she said. She added that she supported Trumps focus on opening more lands to mining, timber harvesting, and oil and gas development. Hes really given air underneath the Alaska natural gas pipeline proposal. In closing, she emphasized that industries as well as the public need government services. Our industries require people, and they depend on the essential workers who build houses, who keep us healthy, who teach and watch the kids while we work, she said. To bring it full circle, our opportunities also depend on functional government, the men and women who do the trawls and do the surveys, who issue the permits, who maintain the visitors facilities, who forecast the weather, and so much more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the address, Murkowski took questions from reporters and spoke candidly about pushing back against members of her party, and the Trump administration. I have to work with people that I didnt vote for. I have to work with people that I dont have as good a bond or connection with, because thats what Alaskans have asked me to do. Theyve asked me to do some really, really hard things, and this is about as hard as its ever gotten, she said. But Murkowski said shes committed to her role and representing Alaska. Because Ive never seen Alaskans that are so worried, theyre so panicked, theres so much coming at them. And so I am going to stand there and say, Come into my office, tell me Maybe I cant fix anything, but by God, Im going to listen to you. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX NEWARK, Ohio (WCMH) A man suspected of killing two people and injuring four others in a mass shooting at a New Albany warehouse was back in court for the first time since his arraignment hearing six weeks ago. Bruce Reginald Foster III, 28, facing an aggravated murder charge out of Licking County Court of Common Pleas, was found not competent to stand trial through a mental evaluation; a judge has yet to rule on the matter. He appeared in court with legal counsel on Wednesday after defense attorneys asked for an evaluation to determine his competency on Feb. 12. Prosecuting attorneys asked for a second evaluation to confirm the medical report, a request the judge then granted. If the second evaluation is returned with the same result, Foster could spend one year in a medical rehabilitation center to help him get to the point of competency to stand trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seafood eatery closes Gahanna location, to reopen Downtown in Little Palace site Everybody on the defense side thinks that one evaluation was sufficient and that weve got a finding that really reflects whats going on here, said Brandon E. Shroy, a defense attorney for Foster. And so were ready to move on to the next part. The county prosecutor wants to be safe. Everybody, including the court, thinks that a second opinion is fine. I didnt even object to it because I think were headed in the same direction. The state would stipulate to the miscibility of this report, Licking County Prosecutor Jenny Wells said. However, we will be asking for a second evaluation and ask that Dr. Stinson do that second evaluation. Foster, who allegedly shot six people, killing two, at the KCD/One facility in New Albany, was issued a $20 million bond at an arraignment hearing on Feb. 6, hours after he was arrested in Columbus University District. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As he was being escorted from the courtroom, Foster yelled Im innocent. The Licking County Coroners Office identified the victims as Kyle Vaver, 38, and Shakhar Chapagai, 30. For an earlier report on this story view the video player above. The shooting took place at the warehouse, in an industrial section of New Albany. Foster, an employee, had been working for several hours before opening fire and then left in a rideshare vehicle, authorities said. Police said motive remains unknown and while there was reportedly no altercation prior to the incident, witnesses reported that Foster arrived at work intoxicated and smelling of marijuana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Workers saw Foster firing a handgun at people along a production line, including one victim who was shot at close range in the head. One of the shooting victims was able to get the handgun away from Foster, prompting Foster to then flee the building. About 150 people were inside the warehouse at the time, with some not knowing about the shooting until police arrived. Foster is charged with one count of aggravated murder. 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. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) The Albuquerque Police Department announced that they took 11-year-old Messiah Hayes into custody in connection to the death of a bicyclist in 2024. He is too young to be in police custody so he was turned over to the New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department. APD said cell phone video helped them determine what happened during the 2024 murder of 63-year-old Scott Habermehl who was riding his bike to work when he was hit and killed. APD arrested 13-year-old Johnathan Overbay on Monday. APD is still searching for 15-year-old William Garcia. Albuquerque police investigate fatal shooting near Central and Pennsylvania Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Albuquerque police said they had contact with Hayes last year and KRQE News 13 covered at least one of those instances. Last May, just twelve days before the murder of Habermehl, police said Hayes and three teenagers crashed a stolen car into the Daily Needs Convenience store on Indian School Rd. After ramming the store twice, they jumped over the counters and grabbed cigarettes and alcohol. The single mother who had her car stolen was devastated to find it destroyed. I was heartbroken because again this is my only mode of transportation and to see how my car was usedwas heartbreaking because I work so hard for what I have, said the mother in May 2024. KRQE News 13 does not have Hayes birth date, so its not clear if Hayes was ten years old at the time or had just turned 11. Police said Hayes was also involved in an incident last year where he shot at a person. KRQE News 13 does not have details of that case. As Albuquerque police searched for Hayes, they said they were concerned that they might have had to use deadly force against an 11-year-old. APD said they are working with the Bernalillo County District Attorneys Office to see what charges he could face. In the meantime, Hayes will be placed in CYFD custody where he will be given an evaluation. 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. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) The Albuquerque Police Department is investigating a homicide on Rhode Island NE near Central Ave. and Pennsylvania St. Details are limited but one person was found with a gunshot wound. They died on scene. Albuquerque police release video showing teens hitting, killing bicyclist This is a developing story, KRQE News 13 will provide updates as they become available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. When Amanda Knox was acquitted in 2011 of the murder of her roommate Meredith Kercher after spending four years in an Italian prison cell, she wanted nothing more than to return to her previous life as an anonymous student in Seattle. Once she returned, she discovered that would never happen. Not just because of paparazzi stalking me or my receiving endless death threats, Knox, now 37, tells PEOPLE exclusively of how difficult it was to reintegrate into society after the horrifying experience. But I had changed. I was now the girl accused of murder. For better or for worse, that was forever my legacy. Marco Ravagli/Future Publishing via Getty Amanda Knox Amanda Knox Now, in Free: My Search for Meaning (out March 25), Knox tells the story of life after prison and her ongoing fight to prove her innocence of the horrifying murder of Kercher, a British college student who was found sexually assaulted with her throat slit at the apartment she shared with Knox. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Knox and her then-Italian boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito were found guilty of murder after a sensational trial in which they were portrayed as sexual deviants who killed Kercher in a sex game gone wrong. They'd signed coerced confessions that they retracted, and DNA later proved that a drifter named Rudy Guede was the sole murderer of Kercher. Related: Man Who Killed Meredith Kercher, Amanda Knox's Roommate in Italy, Is Freed from Prison Still, despite being declared innocent and freed, Knox says she was never allowed to fully live her life again. Her wedding to husband Chris Robinson was a paparazzi feeding frenzy, and the death threats persisted. Theres always this subtext, like Look at Amanda living her life while Meredith is dead, she says. Any expression of life in my life is seen as an offense to the memory of my friend who got murdered. Free: My Search for Meaning When she got pregnant with daughter Eureka, 3, she panicked that her reputation would destroy her child: "I did not want the first instance of my daughter's existence into this world be a headline like, 'Amanda gives birth to daughter... You know who will never get to have a daughter? Meredith.'" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: A Brief Guide to the Amanda Knox Legal Saga She adds, "It didnt feel fair for my daughters existence to be living in the shadow of the worst thing that ever happened to me," she says. She adds that when she got pregnant, she received messages like, "I hope your daughter dies so that you know what Meredith's mom went through." Still, she says she understands where the anger is coming from. "I understand why in some people's minds, Meredith's death is associated with my identity," she says. Franco Origlia/Getty Meredith Kercher in 2007 Meredith Kercher in 2007 "So many people only ever heard about her through that context. And so in their mind, my existence and her death are married to one. I don't necessarily think that that's a crazy thought, because I've had it, in how I am experiencing survivor's guilt and how I've come to process Meredith's death in terms of my life." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Knox says that time, love and being a criminal justice advocate have helped heal her. "I think I have a more healthy relationship with the reality that in 2007, two young girls went to study abroad in Perugia, Italy, and one of them got to go home. Fate flipped a coin, and one of us survived the experience. I'm incredibly grateful and lucky to have survived," she says. She continues, "For that reason, I've described it as feeling haunted by Meredith, but not in that bad way that people sort of project onto me. More in this benevolent spirit who is reminding me of the value of life, the privilege it is to live and the privilege it is to fight for your life. Because she fought for hers." Read the original article on People Nora Mabie Montana Free Press After a decade of failed attempts, members of Montanas American Indian Caucus were stunned when a bill establishing Indigenous Peoples Day as a legal state holiday flew through the Senate with bipartisan support, clearing the chamber last month. The initial success of the legislation, which faced significant criticism last session, is indicative of a larger pattern. At this legislative sessions halfway point, members of the American Indian Caucus say theyre generally having more success this year when it comes to advancing their priority bills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The American Indian Caucus is an informal group of about a dozen Native American state lawmakers who work together to advance legislation they say is good for Indian Country, guided by the principle that whats good for Indian Country is good for Montana as a whole. In the Republican-dominated Legislature, the mostly Democratic caucus operates as a minority within a minority. The group, then, must earn bipartisan support to advance priority bills or kill legislation they say is harmful. Caucus leaders say they prioritize relationship building and pride themselves on their ability to work across the aisle. Though tribes are sovereign entities with a unique government-to-government relationship with the United States, state laws have tremendous influence on Indian Country. Sen. Susan Webber, Blackfeet, said while some of her constituents have celebrated the caucus recent wins, many across Indian Country remain unengaged in state politics. We pay more attention to the federal government than we do the state government, but in reality, the federal government has been moving their trust responsibility over to the states, she said in a recent interview. Responding to criticism from last session, Sen. Shane Morigeau, Salish and Kootenai, revised the Indigenous Peoples Day legislation, this time allowing Montanans to celebrate both Indigenous Peoples Day and Columbus Day. Morigeau also emphasized inclusivity in his remarks to lawmakers, saying the holiday is meant to celebrate all Montanans. Those changes in approach, he told MTFP, likely contributed to the bills advancement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Bill 311, to enhance lawmakers understanding of tribal issues, also cleared the Senate. Its another one of Morigeaus bills that failed last session and has made significant progress this year. Bills brought by Sen. Jonathan Windy Boy, Chippewa Cree, that would extend the Montana Indian Child Welfare Act, improve accountability in the constitutionally mandated Indian Education for All laws and bolster the Montana Indian Language Preservation program have all advanced out of the Senate. Windy Boy said that House Bill 2, which determines most of the states budget, includes an increased appropriation for tribal colleges and funding to support repatriation efforts, though that legislation remains under consideration. The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, often called NAGPRA, is a federal law that created a process for tribes to request the return of Native remains and cultural items from institutions. Universities and other institutions in Montana have worked to return those items, but Windy Boy, who also serves as the tribal historic preservation officer for the Chippewa Cree Tribe, said institutions often lack the resources to do so in a timely manner. The proposed appropriation of about $360,000 would cover the salaries and operational costs for a team at the University of Montana working to do just that. Brought by Rep. Tyson Running Wolf, Blackfeet and chair of the American Indian Caucus, House Bill 83 to enhance the Missing Indigenous Persons Task Force was the first of the caucus priority bills to become law, signed by Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte on Feb. 27. Another bill brought by Running Wolf, House Bill 545 to rename the task force the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Advisory Council and add a homicide investigator, has cleared the House. And Senate Bill 107, brought by Webber to provide human trafficking education in schools, advanced out of the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Montanas American Indian Caucus notched another win when House Bill 216, allowing some landowners to hunt on the Flathead Reservation, failed. The legislation drew sharp criticism from tribes, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and other organizations that argued it violated treaty rights and threatened tribal sovereignty. Running Wolf said he was happy to see a bill voted down that wouldve prohibited state support for diversity, equity and inclusion programs. He was also surprised to see the advancement of a bill continuing Montanas Medicaid expansion. The GOP-sponsored legislation would remove the sunset date on Montanas Medicaid expansion program, which covers health care costs for low-income adults ages 18 to 65. While Medicaid expansion was expected to be contentious this session, House Bill 245 sailed through the House and Senate and awaits Gianfortes signature. That gives me hope, Running Wolf said. Several caucus members said they attribute their initial success to the makeup of the Legislature this year. While Republicans held a supermajority last session, this year margins are slimmer. Republicans now have 32 of 50 seats in the Senate and 58 of 100 seats in the House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Party infighting, caucus members said, has also contributed to some of their early achievements. Chaos has plagued the Senate, with former Senate President Jason Ellsworth, R-Hamilton, and current Senate President Matt Regier, R-Kalispell, at the center of two scandals. After a dispute regarding committee assignments, a group of nine moderate Republican senators have been voting with Democrats on some issues, at times to the benefit of American Indian Caucus priorities. Where in past years, caucus members may have had to be strategic on when to ask for moderate Republicans support, Webber said this year the relationship is different. Now, we just go up to them and say we need them, she said. And it goes both ways. Were able to help get their bills across the finish line, too. Republican infighting, Running Wolf said, has meant that more lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have been approaching caucus members for support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While fissures within the Republican caucus have helped advance some American Indian Caucus priority bills, Morigeau said several harmful bills like legislation aimed at altering the judiciary and expanding wolf hunting remain in play. He and other caucus members argue legislation that would reduce the wolf population could interfere with state-tribal collaborative management efforts. Bills that politicize courts, he said, erode their core function, to be blind and impartial. Running Wolf said the caucus is watching several bills it fears could harm Indian Country. He said House Bill 179 to revise election laws as they relate to inactive voters, House Bill 807 to prevent certain vaccine requirements, and House Bill 623 to revise nuclear energy laws, would have disparate, negative consequences for tribal communities. With the Legislature set to recently reconvening, Webber and other caucus members say they hope to see more engagement from Indian Country during the second half of the legislative session. People havent realized that they have a voice and that their voice is powerful, she said. They can really affect whats happening in the state. We havent totally done that yet. Thats why we go to Helena to make sure that we are heard, that the tribal peoples are heard. This story was originally published in the Montana Free Press Mexican activist Jeanette Vizguerra was arrested Monday morning by immigration authorities in Aurora, Colorado. My mother was detained on March 17 outside the Target store where she works by a handful of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, while they laughed in her face, confirmed Luna Baez, one of Vizguerras four daughters. The undocumented migrant has been fighting deportation since 2009, when she was detained for a minor trafficking incident in the Denver metropolitan area. Vizguerra has since become an advocate for people in her same situation. She created a network of sanctuaries within several area churches, providing protection to dozens of migrants charged with minor offenses who faced the risk of being expelled from the United States. The arrest of the activist, who has been in the country since 1997, when she arrived to work as a janitor, has sparked small demonstrations outside the private detention center in Aurora where she is being held. Her family says Vizguerra was held incommunicado for several hours until they were able to speak with her for the first time since her arrest on Tuesday morning. Without hate and without fear, immigrants are welcome here! the protesters shouted in support of the activist. The nonprofit American Friends Service Committee has questioned the legality of the arrest, as Vizguerra was allegedly detained by ICE agents without a deportation order signed by a judge. The case, the group said in a statement, has serious legal errors, and there is grave concern that her right to due process is being violated. ICE, however, rejects the claim and points out that the activist has a deportation order against her issued during the Barack Obama administration. This order was issued after Vizguerra was arrested in 2009 for driving a vehicle with an expired license plate. During that incident, she refused to answer whether she was legally in the country. Agents found a fake Social Security number in her purse during a search, and she was charged with a misdemeanor charge of possessing a falsified ID. This is the only crime on her record in nearly 30 years in the country, and for which she spent 21 days in prison. The authorities then began a tug-of-war to remove her from the country. She went to court to stop her deportation. Her criminal record, however, shows that she self-deported to Mexico in September 2012 to visit her dying mother. She crossed back into the United States in April 2013, which renewed her persecution. A protestor outside the ICE facility following the arrest of Jeanette Vizguerra in Aurora, Colorado. Kevin Mohatt (REUTERS) In February 2017, ICE authorities rejected Vizguerras request to extend her stay in the U.S. Her lawyers informed the immigration service that she would not present herself to agents for detention and would instead seek refuge in the basement of the First Unitarian Society Church in Denver. ICE officials at the time advised against conducting arrest operations inside so-called sensitive locations: schools, churches, and some workplaces. Donald Trump overturned these considerations upon returning to the White House in January. Vizguerra spent 86 days inside the church to avoid deportation. She abandoned her sanctuary in May 2017 when a court granted her legal protection from expulsion for two years. Some 33 people received this same benefit. The activists story spread beyond Colorado and became national news amid the fight against Trumps policies during his first presidency. Time magazine named Vizguerra one of Americas most important voices of 2017. The Trump administration has scapegoated immigrants and scared Americans into believing that undocumented immigrants like Jeanette are criminals, actress America Ferrera wrote about the activist in that years issue. In 2019, Vizguerra also applied for a visa. Her application was denied for several reasons, including her criminal record, the fact that her Mexican passport had expired a couple of years earlier, and her work as an activist. The denial cited an interview she had given to The New York Times advocating for migrant rights. Her arrest has sparked mixed reactions in Colorado. Mike Johnson, the Democratic mayor of Denver, condemned the incident. This is not immigration enforcement intended to keep our country safe. This is Putin-style persecution of political dissidents, Johnson said at a city council meeting. She is a mother of American citizens, a Target employee, and the leader of a non-governmental organization with no history of violent crimes, he added. Similar messages have been issued by Colorado Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet, who underscored their concern that the activists rights are being violated. Trump supporters, on the other hand, have celebrated the arrest of one of the most visible activists in Colorado. Finally! said John Fabbricatore, a retired agent who worked for the U.S. governments deportation services. The Biden administration kept me from deporting Jeanette Vizguerra four years ago [] She is a criminal, hates Trump and is an open-borders, abolish-ICE advocate. Bye!!!! he wrote on X. Most voices, however, have expressed their gratitude for Vizguerras work in highlighting the problems undocumented immigrants face every day in the United States. She is one of the most important voices in this country demanding fair and humane immigration reform, said Rudy Gonzalez, president of Servicios Sigue, a Denver-based migrant advocacy organization. Another activist, Raquel Lane-Arellano, called the arrest an attack on all immigrants who defend dignity and justice. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition In recent weeks, there's been a lot of debate about Social Security programs in the US being referred to as "entitlement programs." Now, American workers are sharing how they feel about the situation in one Reddit thread, and I'm curious about what you think. UCG / UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images We've rounded up 17 perspectives, below: 1."Entitlement spending is a specific category of government spending. It means it isnt discretionary people are literally entitled to the money." Aerial Footage / Getty Images "The fact that people dont know that and have negative connotations about the word entitlement doesnt change that fact. If anything, it shows we need more education in this country. For most people, their social security withholding is one of their largest expenses it is kind of shocking how poorly people are informed about it." Advertisement Advertisement Dertychtdxhbhffhbbxf 2."That drives me insane. They're conflating the sarcastic use of the phrase, 'He's so entitled. He thinks the world owes him a favor,' with the true use of the word: 'A legal right or claim to something.' The definition is right in the word, people are entitled to this money! But somehow they make 'entitlement' sound like a bad word." cloud_watcher 3."Its because the original term for the negative personality trait was 'self-entitled,' i.e., declaring an entitlement for yourself with no one elses agreement or input. This is a person who feels theyre more important than everyone else, even in the face of all evidence to the contrary. Then the phrase got truncated, but the negative connotation stuck." Advertisement Advertisement "Being simply entitled just means you have the right to something. Im entitled to live in my house and drive my truck, because I have made a socially sanctioned agreement with others stating that fact. Im entitled to vote and entitled to freedom of political speech." GozerDeGozerian 4."When my dad retired, I was all happy for him, telling him to take it easy for a bit and use the money he's entitled to. Those exact words. He got all pissy and said, 'I'm not ENTITLED to anything, I earned that.'" Orinaj 5."Except there are people entitled to Social Security who never paid into it, and that's fine because entitlement carries neither the inherent implication of earned nor unearned." Douglas Sacha / Getty Images thrawtes Advertisement Advertisement 6."Even unearned entitlements aren't necessarily a bad thing. If you're suspected of committing a crime, you're entitled to a fair trial. That isn't something you earn, it's something every American is entitled to. If someone's arrested falsely, you wouldn't hear the judge being like, 'Yeah but he's sooooo entitled for thinking he should get a trial.'" mitchsusername 7."I remember in middle school the teacher said that 'it's an entitlement program because you are entitled to it after you pay in.' Honestly, don't see why it needs to be more complex than that?" which1umean 8."I dont care what its called, but Ive been forced to contribute to it for nearly 45 years, and I want them to uphold their end of the deal." Advertisement Advertisement mofa90277 9."This is not free money. I've been paying into it since I was 14 with my first summer job. If I took every dime of Social Security tax and threw that into a mutual fund, I'd have a very solid retirement fund waiting for me. It's an entitlement program. Damn right, I'm entitled to it." Lukasz Czajkowski / Getty Images saintdudegaming 10."The greatest piece of American propaganda has to be how the government convinced Republicans that they dont deserve to have their own tax dollars returned to them through services." deedee4910 11."I'm fine with it, since that is what it is. Some older people get upset about it because they use entitled as a slur against younger people and then hate that they are recipients of an entitlement program (that is largely paid for by the younger people they despise)." Advertisement Advertisement Rusty_Shacklechevy 12."The Republican war on Social Security is fucking weird. They look at it as spending for some fucked up reason. It'd be like a bank CEO demanding they cut down on unnecessary spending, and then someone says, 'maybe we stop the customers from withdrawing their funds?' That's not spending." illit3 13."People dislike it because its a wealth redistribution program, plain and simple." Thanasis / Getty Images vettewiz 14."If they eliminate Social Security, I want every dime I put in plus interest." TjbMke 15."If they want to get rid of it, fine. Stop taking it out of my check and give everyone the lump sum of what they've put into it for their entire life up front." Advertisement Advertisement eschmi 16."If they want to end social security, they need to set a cutoff date of birth so people born after that point don't have to contribute to it, but also don't get to benefit from it. They could also have a mid-period where people can opt-in should they so choose. But regardless, what has been paid needs to be returned upon." finlshkd 17."It's IMPOSSIBLE to stop the program, as people aren't paying for their own Social Security. Our taxes are already paying for people on Social Security; we need younger people to pay for us. You can't have them paying in their whole life and give them nothing. The program was either designed with no foresight or a lot of foresight. Once it started, there was no way to stop it without removing benefits from an entire generation of retired workers." DramaticErraticism Do you agree or disagree with the perspectives on this list? Let us know in the comments! From top left, clockwise: Pete Buttigieg; Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez; Govs. JB Pritzker of Illinois, Wes Moore of Maryland, Tim Walz of Minnesota, and Gavin Newsom of California Credit - From top left, clockwise: Tom WilliamsGetty Images (2), Bloomberg/Getty Images, Anna MoneymakerGetty Images, Christopher DolanThe Times-Tribune/Associated Press, Dania MaxwellLos Angeles Times/Getty 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. Its never been more clear that the Democratic Partyboth activist and rank-and-file wings alikeis spoiling for a fight. The broad feistiness within the party exploded last week after Chuck Schumer helped Republicans pass a nakedly partisan spending plan over the objection of the majority of his fellow Democratic Senators. The moment is giving prominent Democrats their best chance yet to provide their own vision for dragging their party out of its current state of almost-total irrelevance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The dynamic seems like it is coasting toward a satisfying release of pent-up pressure. It also may matter for naught. The latest polls confirm this is a crisis moment for Democrats. Their brand is at an all-time low. Just 29% of all Americans have a positive view of the party, a 20-point swing from January 2021 when Trump was leaving office and Joe Biden was moving into the White House, according to polling released this week from CNN. Just 63% of Democrats hold positive views of their party. But whats most revealing is what the party faithful want to see out of its leaders. A whopping 57% of Democrats say their party needs to mainly work to block Republicans agenda, a shift from 23% of the same segment who wanted opposition to be the central goal during the first year of Trumps term. To be clear, this is not 2017, and the current fight is taking on an entirely different shade of contempt. The Resistance may not be showing up like it did for Trumps first term; that does not mean a more muscular opposition lacks a constituency. Theres no reason to think that this give-em-hell sentiment is temporary. Those CNN numbers are from a poll taken in the days before almost a dozen Senate Democrats, led by Schumer, helped Republicans avoid a government shutdown. The boiling debate over that fracturing vote is now driving the conversation over how Democrats should move forward. For the partys leading voicesmany of them hopefuls in the 2028 shadow presidential primarytheir answer to the Schumer Rorschach test may take on outsized weight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Take Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who has been not-so-subtly making the pre-2028 rounds. On Tuesday, he stopped by the Center For American Progress for the first of that think tanks sessions helping navigate the second Trump era. When given a chance to back up Schumers vote that kept the governments lights on facing a midnight deadline at the end of last week, Pritzker took a pass. Look, hes the elected Leader, Pritzker said. I disagree with what he did and vehemently so. But I also know that he has done good work as a Senate Leader in other ways. It was artful evasion that might serve him well in town halls up in New Hampshire, where he is already a familiar face in the state that historically held the first-in-the-nation primary and where he will headline the state Democratic Partys biggest fundraiser next month. The counterpoint to Pritzkers light touch on Schumer is Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who has been merciless in her disapproval of Schumers decision. Even before Schumer made his alliance with the GOP spending plan official, she was having talks with fellow Democrats about putting in motion a primary challenge against her fellow New Yorker in 2028. Even centrist and middling Democrats were suddenly interested in what a Sen. AOC would look like. Across the political spectrum, there was a sincere uneasiness about how Democrats were moving forward. Rep. Glenn Ivey of Maryland so far is alone in openly calling for Schumer to exit, but he is likely to find companions if things continue apace. Once the run-of-the-mill lawmakers consultants can show them polling to prove this isnt a risky footing, expect plenty of others to follow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California Gov. Gavin Newsom, meanwhile, is working to broaden his base in ways that are either canny or clumsy; the verdict is still out. He urged Senate Democrats to shut the government down rather than give Republicans the win on a spending plan that made deep cuts, but also defended his recent chummy conversation with conservative insiders like Steve Bannon and Charlie Kirk. 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 told supporters by email. (Perhaps that stance is why, according to a new book, Trump was terrified to face the California Governor if he were to have replaced Biden on the ticket last year.) For those liberals whove already unfollowed Newsom on Bluesky, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz may be more their speed. As Republicans are shutting down town halls to avoid angry constituents, Walz is backfilling with a tour of House districts with Republican incumbents. On the topic of Senate Democrats and shutting down the government, Walz recently put the issue to an Omaha audience, I get the overwhelming feeling that the vast majority of people wish they would have voted no. Is that true? The audience erupted with applause. But Walz, who has proven to be a much better player when given a free hand to campaign as he sees best, stayed firmly in the lane of pragmatists. Chuck understands and what folks understand is that a shutdown comes at a hell of a price, Walz told the local NPR affiliate. That approach also came through during an earlier Walz stop in Des Moines, where he seemed to suggest the search for the partys next leader is a pointless one. There is not going to be a charismatic leader ride in and do this. It is going to be people coming out on a beautiful Friday afternoon, demanding change and holding people accountable. There is no shortage of others whose recent moves seem less focused on steering the party forward, and more about claiming their space on 2028 bingo cards. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore headlined a white-tie dinner with Washington insiders just this weekend, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg last week passed on a Senate run in Michigan, and no one is taking their eye off Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, or former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper. Then theres former Vice President Kamala Harris, the substitute for Biden late in the 2024 race who is telling everyone asking that she is likely to make a call on a 2028 race by the end of the summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of this is feeding the still-in-the-womb 2028 background rumbling inside the opposition party that is sharply divided over just how much capital-O opposing needs to be done, and to what ends. Trump will remain a driving force for the foreseeable future. Unlike Republicans, who this week telegraphed that they were ready to stay the course for 2028 when they made Vice President J.D. Vance the Republican National Committees chief fundraiser, the Democrats do not have a unified understanding of how to handle the coming months, let alone the midterms or 2028. If they do not find a general map, their time in the wilderness will continue to be completely dictated by Trump and his allies. But as the internal bickering drags on, all weary voters are seeing is a party with no shortage of talk about fighting Trump, but without a steady notion of how to actually do it. Make sense of what matters in Washington. Sign up for the D.C. Brief newsletter. Write to Philip Elliott at philip.elliott@time.com. BLUEFIELD, WV (WVNS) Big things are coming to the city of Bluefield. Drew Dosch returns as manager of the Bluefield Ridge Runners Jim Spencer is the Executive Director of the Bluefield, West Virginia Economic Development Authority, or BEDA. He told 59News the project started with the demolition of eight buildings on the 400 block on Federal Street. This redevelopment project is broken down into three phases. The first phase is the green space. The second phase is adding the amphitheater, as well as permanent bathrooms. Phase three will be adding the street scape like crosswalks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The perimeter around just across the block are some spaces that could be renovated for business. There are buildings that the city owns that we would like to attract new business into the city. This [400 block redevelopment] would be kind of an anchor. The goal was to have maybe some not only retail but also residential space in the second floors, said Spencer. Thrasher Engineering was hired on to create concepts for this project based off of community input. This will be used as an everyday space, for people to enjoy being outdoors on lunch breaks and such. It will also be the site for different community events in the future. Quality of life is important. A lot of people like to work hard, and they want to play hard where they can have activities and things that they could do [that are] also family oriented, added Spencer. Having additional space like that in the downtown could help our existing businesses and it makes Bluefield a destination. We have actually looked at some data that was there is a lot of people coming in from the Salem area to even eat at the Railyard restaurant and being able to track that. The more things that we can give people to do then are more likely to come and spend more time here in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement West Virginia DMV announces temporary office location in Welch Spencer recently announced his retirement from his current position. I am sure this is a project that BEDA, the board, will continue to pursue and go after. This is very important for the area, so I may not be the one here when it is all said and done, but we have laid the groundwork. Hopefully things can progress, and they will continue with the plan, said Spencer. They are hoping to get to phase 1 by summer 2025. 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. Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner said Wednesday he would resign from his post in an effort to resolve concerns from the Trump administration. I am stepping down as CEO to ensure that Amtrak continues to enjoy the full faith and confidence of this administration, Gardner said, reflecting on his start with the company as an intern. I am so proud of what the Amtrak team has accomplished to bring passenger rail service to more people and places across the country over these past 16 years, and I thank the Board for their trust and support. We did a lot together to make Amtrak safer, more modern, and a better travel experience for all our customers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His decision to relinquish control over the national passenger railroad service of the United States comes as Elon Musk has suggested privatizing the service. I think logically we should privatize anything that can reasonably be privatized, Musk said while speaking at the Morgan Stanley conference on March 5, according to Newsweek. I think we should privatize the Post Office and Amtrak for example. We should privatize everything we possibly can. Amtrak responded with a five-page document titled Proposals to Privatize Amtrak. Proponents of privatization assert that it would produce better service at a lower cost and reduce or even eliminate the need for public funding, the company wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Great Britains recent renationalization of its rail service after three disastrous decades of privatization, and past unsuccessful efforts to privatize various Amtrak operations, show otherwise. It also noted Amtrak set all-time records in ridership and revenue in fiscal 2024 with higher ridership levels than before COVID-19. As Stephen departs today, we thank him for his 16 years of service to Amtrak. We will build on his accomplishments and wish him every success, Amtraks board wrote. We look forward to working with President Trump and Secretary [of Transportation Sean] Duffy as we build the world-class passenger rail system this country deserves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout President Trumps first term, he tried to cut spending on Amtrak. Former President Biden invested $2.4 billion in rail projects. Its unclear whether Trump will respond to Musks calls urging him to privatize the public service in an effort to reduce government spending. 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. Amy Gleason, the government worker the Trump administration has said is actually in charge of Elon Musks signature Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) program, has a second role at a separate agency, according to court documents. Since February, Gleason has been detailed to the Department of Health and Human Services, and on March 4 she signed a document formally accepting a role as expert / consultant at the agency, which oversees marquee government efforts like Medicare and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The latest disclosure, first reported in Politico, came in a federal lawsuit from the American Federation of Labor and other union groups who are seeking to block DOGE from accessing sensitive Department of Labor data, arguing suck access violates the Privacy and Administrative Procedure Acts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It adds further confusion to the leadership structure at DOGE. In a separate case, Gleason filed a sworn statement describing herself as full-time administrator of the U.S. Doge Service (USDS), adding, Elon Musk does not work at USDS. I do not report to him, and he does not report to me. To my knowledge, he is a Senior Advisor to the White House. Donald Trump has described Elon Musk as the leader of the DOGE project, while White House officials initially refused to confirm who was in charge and later announced in late February that Gleason was running the show without Musks involvement. Donald Trump has described Elon Musk as chief of DOGE, while the White House says its Amy Gleason Determining who runs DOGE and what their responsibilities are weighs heavily over multiple lawsuits against the project, many of which cite concerns over sensitive data being shared across departments and alleged violations of proper administrative procedure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Musk is in charge after all, he could face additional disclosure and conflict of interest concerns related to DOGE, given his extensive business ties to the federal government and agencies under scrutiny by the cost-cutting effort. Most recently, a federal judge ruled on Tuesday that DOGEs attempts to shutter the U.S. Agency for International Development likely violated the Constitution in multiple ways. The decision, by U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang in Maryland, granted a preliminary injunction that temporarily blocks DOGE from access to any USAID systems and from doing any work related to shutting down the agency. The DOGE project has also faced scrutiny for quietly deleting or amending records of many of the biggest savings the project has claimed to achieve for the federal government. SIERRA VISTA - Emotions ran high at a town hall in rural Arizona as veterans sounded off to Sen. Ruben Gallego about cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs, the erasure of veterans from federal websites and a range of other issues. Gallego addressed veterans at the James R. Bob Currieo VFW Post 9972 in Sierra Vista on Tuesday as part of a southern Arizona tour, where he visited the Douglas Port of Entry and held a Medicaid town hall at the Chiricahua Community Health Centers. The VFW was packed with about 85 people wanting to hear from their senator and share their concerns. Veterans and their families fill the VFW Post 9972 during a town hall in Sierra Vista with Sen. Ruben Gallego on March 18, 2025. Veteran Minerva Coffey, 46, who works in civil service, said she was concerned about what would happen to the veterans who could be among the almost 80,000 VA employees slated to be laid off under the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "How is it that as a veteran and a federal employee, I'm now sitting here wondering whether or not I'm still going to have a job?" she asked. "How is it that it is OK to attack myself and my veterans? ... We're all being targeted, and nothing is being done to protect us." She said she was concerned that suicides could increase as a result of the slashing of federal jobs. Gallego called these cuts to the federal workforce a gross abuse and noted that 30% of federal employees were veterans. He highlighted legislation he and others had introduced that would protect veterans and their families after the Trump administration's attempts to slash VA care, benefits and jobs. Gallego said the Putting Veterans First Act would reinstate all fired veterans and put forth a procedure if the government does want to get rid of an employee, among other protections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have seen government reductions in employees. But you could do it in a sane, controlled and systematic manner that doesn't actually affect services, Gallego said, adding that the largest predictor of whether veterans would commit suicide or not was how soon they could find a job. Army veteran Victoria Fuller, 35, expresses anger over the Trump administration's anti-DEI efforts and the scrubbing of online information about veterans of color and women veterans. She spoke at Sen. Ruben Gallego's town hall March 18, 2025, in Sierra Vista, Arizona. Army veteran Victoria Fuller, 35, said a big issue is the Trump administrations attack on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility efforts. She said she was angry about anti-DEI efforts and the lack of respect given to veterans. She railed against the federal government scrubbing information online of veteran women who were buried at the Arlington National Cemetery and the attempt to erase Navajo Code Talkers. The Arlington National Cemetery public website has scrubbed dozens of pages on gravesites and educational materials that include histories of prominent Black, Hispanic and female service members buried in the cemetery, among others, according to the military news website Task & Purpose. Cemetery officials said it was done to comply with anti-DEI orders from Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego speaks at a town hall at VFW Post 9972 addressing veterans' issues on March 18, 2025, in Sierra Vista, Arizona. Gallego said it was important to recognize immigrant veteran heroes. He said he looked up to Latino veterans, especially World War II veterans, which is why he joined the U.S. Marines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everyone has different motivations of what brings them in, no matter what color or religion. As long as you were fighting for the United States, you should be a part of our story, Gallego said. Many veterans who attended the event said they were happy about the senator's visit and noted that officials often do not come to rural Arizona. Fuller said there needs to be more community events in rural America, especially with Democratic members of the House and Senate. She mentioned Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas. "Rural America needs to see that. ... Republicans have left us behind forever, so it's the Democrats' turn to say, 'Hey we are here for you, too. We are not just here for our cities, we're here for all of us,'" she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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: Veterans vent to Sen. Ruben Gallego about Trump VA job cuts SUITLAND, Md. Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.) suggested Chuck Schumer step down as top Democrat in the Senate over his handling of government funding, becoming the first Democratic member of Congress to come out and say so publicly. I respect Chuck Schumer. I think he had a great, long-standing career, did a lot of great things, but Im afraid that it may be time for the Senate Democrats to get a new leader, Ivey, who once worked for former Democratic Senate majority leader Tom Daschle, said at a town hall on Tuesday. I know shutting down the government is not good, Ive tried to oppose it every time I could, but in this particular instance, it was something that we needed to do, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crowd of about 800 people at a high school auditorium in Prince Georges County, home to many federal workers near Washington, D.C., burst into applause. Many Democrats are upset with Schumer for refusing to block a Republican bill funding the government last week, but the senator made clear he isnt going anywhere, arguing that a shutdown would have been worse. Ivey, a mild-mannered two-term congressman, also got an earful from dozens of angry constituents about his performance in Congress amid President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musks unprecedented efforts to shutter government agencies. Over and over again, frustrated attendees at the town hall urged the congressman to get louder and more aggressive in fighting Trump. Ivey tried to explain Democrats were relying on the courts and hopes for Democratic victories in the 2026 midterm election to check the president, but most people werent buying it. You are talking about voting, the house is on fire! an irate woman screamed at one point. You are too calm, show some fire like youre trying to fight for the American people! She called the event bullshit and left the auditorium. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another woman stood up and dinged Ivey, a former prosecutor, for his genial demeanor. She urged him and other Democrats to try and engage in civil disobedience instead. Congressman, I think you are polite, you are knowledgeable, you are well-spoken, the woman told Ivey. You are everything we need in a congressperson in ordinary times, but we need something for non-ordinary times. We need you to be a little bit less polite. You speak so calmly and we are so afraid, were all so angry, added another constituent. It creates this feeling, Oh, this is just the same old, same old. I personally dont feel were going to get to 2026. Ivey struggled to win over the crowd, but he stood onstage and politely answered questions for over two hours, more than the scheduled one-hour period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I appreciate the energy, the focus and the passion, he told the crowd. Weve gotta win in 2026. I know everyones angry right now, Ive got two of my kids, theyre getting laid off too right now, so I get it, but the only way to fix that is to take the House back and hope the courts keep doing the right thing. He told HuffPost after the event that it was important to hear what people are thinking directly amid their efforts to confront Trumps administration and their policies. The vast majority of Republicans, on the other hand, decided not to hold town halls at all while Congress is in recess this week, likely out of fear of protests and constituents angry about the Trump administrations policies. Not everyone at the event agreed with the strategy of shutting down the government to push back against Trump, however. Karl Crump, a 64-year-old retiree, told HuffPost it was kind of crazy to not fund the government, as some Democrats demanded of their party in Congress. I think they should try to want to help the people keep their jobs, Crump said. So I guess Trump is just playing his hand against us. UPDATE: The Ankeny Police Department said Oghan has been located and is safe. ANKENY, Iowa Police in Ankeny are asking for the publics help to locate a teenager who was last seen over the weekend. The Ankeny Police Department said 17-year-old Nur (Maggie) Oghan was last seen leaving her residence on Saturday, March 15th around 5:18 p.m. Police believe she left with someone in an older model Grand Marquis style vehicle. Nur (Maggie) Oghan Vehicle Nur (Maggie) Oghan was seen leaving in. (Courtesy: Ankeny Police) Nur is a white female about 52 and 130 pounds. She was wearing a black sweatshirt and grey pants with black and white Nike shoes when she was last seen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you have any information about her location, please contact Polk County Dispatch by calling 911. Metro news 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 who13.com. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) In 2012, Annalichia Boudreaux was married to a man who would lead her down a path of abuse, trauma, and human trafficking. For six years, from 2012 to 2018, Annalichia Boudreauxs then-husband would secretly drug her, refill her medication with meth, physically abuse her, and threaten her children. I cant explain, I cant put it into words like the amount of fear like youre just, youre frozen, but my heart was beating so hard, like so loud I could hear it beating in my ears, shares local human trafficking survivor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2012, Annalichia Boudreaux was married to a man who would lead her down a path of abuse, trauma, and human trafficking. For six years, from 2012 to 2018, Annalichia Boudreauxs then-husband would secretly drug her, refill her medication with meth, physically abuse her, and threaten her children. Whenever I would try to leave, he would threaten me by telling me that he would kill my kids if I tried to so, I would stay. Because in my mind hes already hurting me, why wouldnt he hurt them, said Boudreaux. She remembers the day, July 18th 2018, when she was able to call 911 after being beaten by her then husband. Law enforcement could not take her to her parents home as it was outside the jurisdiction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Annalichia Boudreaux called for her sister, but instead, a friend of her then-husband arrived at the home. Watch: Human Trafficking in Our Community I grabbed every picture of my children out of my house, little bit of clothing and, I left with him. And told him I wanted to go to my parents, and my parents is not where I ended up, said Boudreaux. She ended up at the mans home, where she was jumped by three people, stripped, raped, beaten, and locked in the bedroom. I was there for quite some time where they trafficked me out. I was starved and drugged every day. It got to the point to where I stopped fighting, because the more that I would try to fight them, the worse it would get, said Boudreaux. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was a day when Boudreaux says she overheard the abusers talking about her murder. She says she cried out to God like she never had before. The next morning, she was raped, and then the man walked her out of the home because she was too good for this. Despite being filled with fear, Boudreaux ran from the man into a Bingo Hall full of women who called 911 for her. Can you spot the signs of human trafficking? Set Me Free Project has learning resources Law enforcement claimed she was a prostitute and threatened to arrest her for disturbing the peace, but the women advocated for her. Boudreaux was eventually taken to a Safe House and then the Teen Challenge Family Center in Minden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im still walking my healing journey. I think I will be for the rest of my life, but Gods got me. I met Jason; he is a character in himself, but Jason didnt judge me, said Annalichia Boudreaux. Jason Boudreaux says his wife of three years is amazing. He nominated her for the Remarkable Women of the ArkLaTex contest because she uses her firsthand experience to help victims and survivors of human trafficking. Its just amazing to see someone that has been beat up, stabbed, kicked around and used, to see where she is today because what she- what she went through she wants to use now to help others, and thats where she puts herself to the side to make better for other people, said Jason Boudreaux. Annalichia Boudreaux is on the Louisiana Governors Board for the Office of Human Trafficking Prevention. She is also an ordained minister and pastor at Hope Church which she runs with her husband. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To see her working with women, to see her working with other victims or survivors, the way she just pours her heart out, not only does she help victims and survivors, but she also educates law enforcement, said Jason Boudreaux. Annalichia Boudreaux says she tells her story for others. Its very hard to get out there and share my story. Every time I do it, its hard. But I dont do it for me. I do it for them. I want them to see hey you can have a life, its possible, and there are people out here that will believe you, that will walk along side of you, not judge you, and just love you through it, said Annalichia Boudreaux. Her goal is to create a safe haven for survivors and victims of human trafficking. It would be a place where they are believed and can learn who they are as God created them to be. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want them to know that they are loved, and that there is somebody out here that will believe them. They dont have to commit suicide because a lot of victims of trafficking- 2% make it out alive. 2%. They either die from disease and sadly by suicide, or by murder, Annalichia Boudreaux. Remarkable Women of the ArkLaTex She is also advocating against a law that almost resulted in her losing her children. According to Louisiana law, if a parent goes six months or longer without contact with their children, that is grounds for adoption. She says many victims and survivors in treatment programs do not know where their children are. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To victims and survivors, those in domestic relationships, and those who are dealing with trauma every day, Annalichia Boudreaux says there are people fighting for you and you do not have to do it alone. When I get to go sit with that survivor, and I build that trust with them, and I finally get to say hey, I do know how you feel because Ive been exactly where you are, and Ive been in your shoes. And to see that light come on in their eyes, thats why I do it. Annalichia Boudreaux says she can be reached at her hotline, 318-734-8499 or at Hope Church located at 270 School St. Ringgold, La. 71068 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. SUITLAND, Maryland Any hope of congressional Democrats unifying around Chuck Schumer broke Tuesday, as Rep. Glenn Ivey became the first House Democrat to openly say it might be time for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to call it quits. I respect Chuck Schumer. I think he had a great, long-standing career, Ivey, who represents a deep-blue Maryland district just outside Washington, told an audience that included many government workers. But Im afraid that it may be time for the Senate Democrats to get a new leader. It's the furthest a current member of Congress openly gone for calling for Schumer to step down. His criticism reflects what appears to be growing division among Democrats over how to resist the sweeping cuts imposed by Trump and Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His fellow Congressional Black Caucus member, Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), said last weekend: "Senate Democrats have to sit down and take a look and decide whether Chuck Schumer is the one to lead the moment." Democratic elected leaders and members of the public have expressed outrage in recent days over Schumers decision to avoid a government shutdown by agreeing to a vote on a Republican plan that would allow Trump to make more cuts. Ivey, like all but one of the chambers Democrats, voted against the spending plan in the House a show of unity orchestrated by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries that did not hold in the Senate. I think Hakeem Jeffries will continue to hold the House Democratic Caucus together. He's done it over and over and over again on these major bills, Ivey said. If we can make sure that we get the right leadership in the Senate to get it done this time and hold them together and vote with the House Democrats, we can actually have an impact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lawyer by training and the patriarch of a powerful political family in Prince Georges County, the congressman was repeatedly shouted down by people at the town hall demanding action against Trump and Musk. Answer the question! one person yelled from the balcony of a crowded high school auditorium as he responded to a question about helping fired federal workers get their jobs back. Several people jeered at Ivey: What are you doing now!? as Ivey mentioned court challenges to administration actions and said the best time to fight back would be in the midterm elections of 2026. His criticism of Schumer comes after a rough few days for the minority leader in which even longtime supporters have taken swipes at him. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi suggested Tuesday he had forfeited his leverage by allowing the vote though she still supports him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Schumer spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request to comment on Iveys remark. But the minority leader, who canceled a tour to promote his book Antisemitism in America: A Warning as protests were being organized against him, has shrugged off the criticism. The minority leader told MSNBC on Tuesday that even though the Republican spending resolution was a terrible, terrible bill, he felt that a government shutdown would have been worse. I knew when I made this decision Id get a lot of flack, Schumer said. Im a smart politician, I can read what people want. A government shutdown, he said, would have done "such damage" to the country. I couldnt tolerate it," he said. "I couldnt live with it. A flight from Zurich to Washington, DC, returned home after half its bathrooms stopped working. The airline found a replacement aircraft, so the 220 passengers were delayed less than 5 hours. It's the second time this month that a plumbing problem has caused a flight to nowhere. A flight from Switzerland to Washington, DC, had to divert after half the plane's bathrooms stopped working due to a plumbing problem. According to data from Flightradar24, Sunday's Swiss International Air Lines Flight 76 turned around over the English Channel the arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates Britain and France about an hour into the journey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Airbus A330 landed back in Zurich about two and a half hours after taking off from there, becoming a so-called flight to nowhere. An airline spokesperson told Business Insider there was a blockage in a toilet pipe. This meant all the toilets on the left-hand side of the plane were rendered unusable as they have an interconnected system. "With 220 passengers on board, continuing the flight was unfortunately not an option," they added. The airline's dispatch center "immediately organized a replacement aircraft with a new crew," the spokesperson said. This meant the passengers landed in Washington, DC, with a delay of just under five hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While flights to nowhere can be frustrating for passengers, this incident shows how returning to a hub airport can provide better solutions than continuing. It is easier for airlines to reroute passengers, find new crew, and repair any issues at one of their hub airports than if they divert somewhere closer to the destination. "Such a delay is of course very annoying for our passengers and we would like to apologize again for the inconvenience," the airline spokesperson said. "In such situations, we do everything we can to get our passengers to their destination as quickly as possible," they added. "This is always our top priority." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the second time this month that a flight has turned around due to faulty bathrooms. An Air India flight returned to Chicago in a nine-hour ordeal after bags, rags, and clothes had been flushed down toilets and clogged the Boeing 777's plumbing. Read the original article on Business Insider AUSTIN (KXAN) A suspect was arrested, and another remained at large, after an officer was injured in a crash prompted by a police chase Tuesday morning in north Austin, the Austin Police Department told KXAN in a statement. APD officers responded to a report of a person breaking into a gate of a parking lot in the 10600 block of Jollyville Road around 5:35 a.m., police said. As officers responded, the suspect drove away from the scene, and then a short police chase was prompted, according to APD. That pursuit was terminated once the vehicle entered the wrong way on the MoPac Expressway. APD officer involved in crash the morning of Tuesday, March 18, 2025 (KXAN photo/Todd Bailey) APD officer involved in crash the morning of Tuesday, March 18, 2025 (KXAN photo/Todd Bailey) APD officer involved in crash the morning of Tuesday, March 18, 2025 (KXAN photo/Todd Bailey) While in pursuit, the suspect vehicle and an APD patrol vehicle crashed in the 11200 block of North MoPac Expressway service road northbound, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The officer was then transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, the release said. Police said there were two suspects in the vehicle who both ran away from the scene on foot. One suspect was arrested, and the other suspect remained at large, according to police. The crash remained under investigation by police Tuesday. 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. Hoo boy, these last couple of months have felt like decades. But we have to find some levity after all, as my grandmother says, if you don't laugh, you'll cry! Earlier this month, the Trump administration apparently tried its best to be anti-"woke" in one very particular way seemingly removing every mention of the word "gay" from Department of Defense data. Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images The Associated Press published a list of over 26,000 items, like websites and photos with the word, that were flagged for removal. Advertisement Advertisement While the apparent intention was to scrub "diversity" content as part of its rollback of DEI, they seemed to have overlooked some key images I'd venture to say they didn't want to delete. Some of these images include Paul Tibbets, the US Air Force pilot who piloted the plane that dropped the first of two atomic bombs on Japan during World War II. The plane's name? The Enola Gay, named for Tibbets's mother. Pictures From History / Pictures from History/Universal Images Group via Getty Images That's right...the Trump administration may have removed documentation of a pivotal piece of American war history because the plane was named "Gay." Rachel Maddow discussed the blunder on her show earlier this month, and people were all for it. The clip has racked up nearly 2.4 million likes and nearly 15 million views on TikTok, plus nearly 1.8 million views on YouTube, where it got comments like this: steveholmes381 / YouTube / Via youtube.com During her segment on the removed assets, Maddow said, "Included in that database, marked for deletion by Donald Trump, is this photo of Paul Tibbets and the Enola Gay." Advertisement Advertisement MSNBC / AP / TikTok / Via tiktok.com, MSNBC/CPA Media Pte Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo / TikTok / Via tiktok.com "And that's curious, right? I mean, it is the most famous plane in modern history? Why would the Defense Department want to scrub that photo from the internet?" she goes on. "It's not like deleting this photo is going to make people forget that we dropped that nuclear bomb on Japan." MSNBC / TikTok / Via tiktok.com Then she reads from the AP: "'...tens of thousands of Department of Defense website images that have been flagged for removal, or already removed due to having content that highlighted diversity, equity, or inclusion.'" MSNBC / AP / US Marine Corps via AP / TikTok / Via tiktok.com "They searched the whole Defense Department website for the word gay and then ordered all the gay to be deleted," Maddow says, smiling incredulously. "And, I mean substantively, it's confusing. This is like, the straightest thing I've ever seen, right? It's a giant metal machine from the 1940s." Advertisement Advertisement MSNBC / TikTok / Via tiktok.com "But maybe because he named it after his mom, does that mean he's sensitive? Does that make it kind of gay?" Maddow jokes. MSNBC/CPA Media Pte Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo / TikTok But it didn't end at the Enola Gay. "I should mention it's not only the photo of the gay plane," Maddow says. "This is Sergeant Major A.C. Gay. His photo has also been flagged to be deleted by the Defense Department because his name is Gay." MSNBC / TikTok / Via tiktok.com, US Department of Defense / TikTok / Via tiktok.com Maddow then drew a comparison to when, in 2008, right-wing news website OneNewsNow.com (now American Family News) changed all uses of the word "gay" to "homosexual" which eventually resulted in a report about Tyson "Homosexual's" (aka Tyson Gay's) Olympic track performance. MSNBC / AP / TikTok / Via tiktok.com "Except now it's not some fringy conservative website, it's the US Defense Department," she says. Advertisement Advertisement MSNBC / TikTok / Via tiktok.com People in the comments were amused in that way you can only be when everything is crumbling around you. "we are living in an SNL skit," this person said. yourfoxqueen / TikTok / Via tiktok.com "MAGA is so afraid of WORDS," someone wrote. amcraw / TikTok / Via tiktok.com Many pointed out what they see as carelessness and "incompetence" on Trump's part. Olympuscat / Getty Images / sue73396 / robbjaykay / dailyhaley / imamargaritachild / daniii_moon / TikTok / Via tiktok.com A few commenters worried that the planned deletions signal worse things to come. "One step away from burning books," this person said. Advertisement Advertisement "Erasing knowledge is a GO TO for dictators. Knowledge is the enemy of power hungry people," another commented. eavanmariebonilla / TikTok / Via tiktok.com And some just commiserated about living in what we can only hope is the darkest timeline. Olympuscat / Getty Images / user56209670616315 / bananaradiation / saltynatertots / sadiedesmondwinston / TikTok You can watch the full Maddow clip here. MSNBC / TikTok / Via tiktok.com What do you think of all of this? Sound off in the comments. Ohios ban on gender-affirming care for minors is unconstitutional and must be permanently blocked from being enforced, a three-judge panel of appellate judges ruled Tuesday. The law also banned trans women and girls from participating in female sports. The states Republican attorney general vowed an immediate appeal. On Tuesday, the states 10th District Court of Appeals reversed a decision made last summer to allow the law to go into effect after a judge found it reasonably limits parents rights. The law bans counseling, gender-affirming surgery and hormone therapy for minors, unless they are already receiving such therapies and a doctor deems it risky to stop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The litigation was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of Ohio and the global law firm Goodwin, who argued the law not only denies health care to transgender children and teens, but specifically discriminates against them accessing it. The court agreed and cited a number of flaws in the lower courts reasoning. Judge Carly Edelstein wrote in the ruling that the Ohio law does not outlaw identical drugs when theyre used for other reasons, only when theyre used for gender transitioning, which makes it discriminatory. She also said that a prescription ban is not a reasonable exercise of the states police power when it is weighed against the rights of parents to care for their children. Addressing proponents arguments that minors are not in a position to understand the long-term impacts such procedures could have on their lives, the judge said that, while they may not be, their parents are. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thus, in considering whether the H.B. 68 ban is reasonable, it is necessary to keep in mind that the law recognizes the maturity, experience, and capacity of parents to make difficult judgments and act in their childrens best interest, she wrote. The ACLU called the ruling historic. This win restores the right of trans youth in Ohio to choose vitally important health care, with the support of their families and physicians, Freda Levenson, legal director of the ACLU of Ohio, said in a statement. We are gratified by the Courts decision, which soundly rejects this interference of politicians with Ohioans bodily autonomy. Tuesdays ruling marked the second blow for the legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine vetoed the law in December 2023, after touring the state to visit childrens hospitals and talking to families of children with gender dysphoria. He cast his action as thoughtful, limited and pro-life citing the suicide risks associated with minors who dont get proper treatment for gender dysphoria. DeWine simultaneously announced plans to move to administratively ban gender-affirming surgeries until a person is 18, and to position the state to better regulate and track gender-affirming treatments in both children and adults. He hoped the move would allay concerns of fellow Republicans at the Ohio Statehouse, but the administration swiftly backed off that plan after transgender adults raised serious concerns about how state regulations could impact their lives and health. Ohio lawmakers stood their ground on the bill, easily overriding his veto making Ohio the 23rd state to ban gender-affirming health care for trans youth. Republican Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, a candidate to succeed DeWine next year, quickly released a statement saying that he will appeal Tuesdays ruling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a no-brainer we are appealing that decision and will seek an immediate stay, he said. There is no way Ill stop fighting to protect these unprotected children. Levenson acknowledged Tuesday that its likely not the end of the legal dispute, but said her organization remained fervently committed to preventing the bill from ever taking effect again. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Mar. 19A plea to an appellate court by the former police officer charged with murder in the fatal shooting of Steve Perkins was rejected Monday after the court ruled the defendant had produced no evidence indicating that the trial judge should be recused from the case and that an immunity hearing should proceed next week. Mac Bailey Marquette asked the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals to order Morgan County Circuit Judge Charles Elliott to recuse himself from the case or, alternatively, to order that he hold an evidentiary hearing on the motion to recuse that Elliott denied. According to the appellate order, Marquette alleged "that he had heard from reliable sources that Judge Elliott had engaged in improper ex parte communications that created an appearance of impropriety requiring recusal." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An ex parte communication is one in which a judge communicates with one party in a case without the participation or consent of the other party. Marquette alleged that Elliott spoke with Decatur police Lt. Mike Burleson regarding a scheduled March 25 stand-your-ground immunity hearing, according to the order. During the conversation Elliott "purportedly stated that he would deny the (immunity) motion because of the high-profile nature of the case, because of his concern for the safety of his family, and because of potential repercussions when he stands for reelection." Marquette also alleged that Elliott had another ex parte conversation in a phone call with Brett Bloomston, Marquette's defense lawyer,on Feb. 17, during which he asked if Bloomston would have witnesses ready to testify at the immunity hearing. During that call, Marquette alleged, Elliott said he had conversations about the recusal issue with other judges. Elliott denied the recusal motion filed by Marquette on Feb. 18. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elliott attached an affidavit to his order denying the recusal motion. In the affidavit, Elliott "denied the allegations of improper communication and refuted the claim that he had any substantive ex parte discussion regarding the case with the police lieutenant," according to the appellate order. He said his consultations with other judges were solely on procedural matters and denied that his phone call with Bloomston, and a subsequent call to the district attorney, were improper because "he had made the calls to ensure procedural clarity rather than to discuss the substance of any pending matters." The appellate court ruled that Marquette had presented no evidence of his claims. "Marquette contends that Judge Elliott's alleged ex parte communications demonstrate bias and warrant recusal," the court ruled. "However, Marquette failed to present to the trial court or to this Court any sworn affidavit or factual evidence supporting his claim that the judge had engaged in an improper conversation with a police lieutenant. In fact, beyond the bare allegation in Marquette's motion, the only evidence before this Court is Judge Elliott's affidavit denying the allegations." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marquette on March 7 had asked that Elliott stay all proceedings until after the Court of Criminal Appeals ruled, a motion Elliott denied. The appellate court also denied the request. Marquette's stand-your-ground immunity hearing, requested by Marquette in January, is scheduled for March 25. "The (murder) charge stems from an on-duty shooting of an armed suspect, Stephen Perkins, in an incident wherein the suspect pointed a handgun at a tow-truck driver and the Defendant. Perkins died as a result of the shooting," Marquette's Birmingham-based attorneys, Bloomston and Elizabeth Young, wrote in the motion requesting the immunity hearing. "The Defendant and his fellow officers took various positions around Perkins' residence to observe the situation and to protect the tow-truck driver. ... The Defendant, who was located behind the vehicle that was to be repossessed, saw Perkins and clearly saw him pointing a weapon at the tow-truck driver. The Defendant then reacted to the threat posed by Perkins by yelling and identifying himself as police and giving him a loud verbal command to drop the weapon. Instead of dropping the weapon as instructed, Perkins turned and pointed the gun directly at the Defendant. In fear for his life and the lives of others, the Defendant fired his duty weapon to eliminate the deadly threat." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The motion's narrative conflicts with video recordings of the incident by police bodycams and neighbors' security cameras that show Perkins was not ordered to drop his weapon until after Marquette fired 18 rounds at him. "Hey, hey! Police! Get on the ground!" Marquette yelled at Perkins at 1:49:04 a.m. on Sept. 29, 2023, according to bodycam video. Marquette fired the first shot at 1:49:05 a.m. Alabama law allows deadly force to be used in specific circumstances, such as when a person reasonably believes another person is about to use unlawful deadly force. The statute does not apply if the person who uses deadly force is acting unlawfully, or if the person against whom deadly force is used is the lawful resident of a dwelling. If the defendant does not meet the burden of proving criminal immunity at a stand-your-ground hearing, he may still pursue a self-defense strategy at trial, in which case the state continues to bear the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. eric@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2435 For the record: 5:14 p.m. March 20, 2025: A previous version of this story said the Sheriffs Department issued the suspects no-bail arrest warrant. It was the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Authorities have identified the man they say confronted a mother and her son, forced his way into their home in Arcadia and killed the boy's father before possibly fleeing to China. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department homicide detectives are searching for 41-year-old Zehao Lu, a Chinese national wanted for murder on a no-bail arrest warrant in connection with the March 11 slaying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lu is suspected of confronting the 43-year-old woman and her 13-year-old son in their driveway and forcing them inside the home. Detectives say that once inside, Lu shot the boy's 61-year-old father, then fled. The tragic homicide ... resulted from a dispute between two individuals who were known to each other, Arcadia Police Chief Roy Nakamura said in a news release. Our deepest sympathies go out to the victim's family during this incredibly difficult time. L.A. County prosecutors have charged Lu with one count of murder, two counts of assault with a semiautomatic handgun, and one count of burglary with a person present to commit a felony against Lu. Lu is considered armed and dangerous and is believed to have fled to China, the sheriff's department said in a news release. The warrant includes an extradition order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim's identity has not been released pending notification of next of kin, officials said. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Sheriffs Departments Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Originally appeared on E! Online The Austrian aristocracy is mourning a tragic loss. Archduchess Estelle de Saint-Romain of Austria, married to Archduke Carl Christian, has died, her family confirmed in a statement. She was 46. The statement, published March 8 in Le Figaros Carnet du Jour, noted that Estelles husband, children, parents and in-laws were deeply saddened to announce the passing of the Archduchess on March 4. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The statement did not include details about Estelles cause of deaththough Point De Vue cites cancerbut it did note her funeral was held on March 11 at the Franciscan Monastery of Cimiez in Nice, France. Estelle is survived by her husband and their five children, Zita, 17, Anezka, 15, Anna, 12, Paola, 10 and Pier-Giorgia, 4, all of whom were in attendance at her funeral, per Point De Vue. According to the outlet, also in attendance were d Princess Astrid of Belgium, Ferdinand of Habsburg, Princess Marie-Astrid of Luxembourg, and the Duke of Castro. More from E! Online Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The priest leading the ceremony, Brother Antonio Basso, per Point De Vue, said Estelle and her family came to Mass at the monastery every Sunday. The outlet also reports the monastery was decorated with white flowers for the occasion, and that each of the five children lit a candle in honor of their mother during the ceremony. The priest complimented Estelles loving wisdom, the outlet reports, before Ave Maria played to close the ceremony. BACKGRID Estelle and Carlthe son of Archduke Rudolf of Austria and his wife Baroness Helene de Villenfagne de Vogelsanckmarried in 2007 in a ceremony attended by 300 guests, per The Daily Mail, including Princess Astrid of Belgium, Prince Jean Napoleon, Prince Gundakar of Liechtenstein and Princess Marie of Orleans. While the Austrian monarchy was disestablished in 1918, the former royal familys descendants have remained within the public eye. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The wedding had so many curious fans, Point De Vue reported at the time, that while traveling through the town square, the princes, archdukes and other distinguished guests had great difficulty making their way through the onlookers. The private couple reportedly celebrated their honeymoon in Mexico following their nuptials. For more updates on the royal families around the world, keep reading. The Duke and Duchess of Westminster Expecting Their First Baby Hugh Grosvenor, who is King Charles IIIs godson, and his wife Olivia Grosvenor announced March 12 that she is pregnant with their first baby. The duchess is expecting a baby in the summer, a spokesperson told The Telegraph. The couple are delighted with the news and are very much looking forward to starting a family together. Luxembourg's Prince Fredrik Dies at 22 Prince Frederikthe son of Prince Robert and his wife Princess Juliedied March 1 at 22 years old after a battle with PolG mitochondrial disease, a rare genetic disorder. "Frederik knows that he is my Superhero, as he is to all of our family, and to so very many good friends and now in great part thanks to his PolG Foundation, to so very many people the world over," Robert said in a statement. "Part of his superpower was his ability to inspire and to lead by example." Prince Harry Reaches Settlement in U.K. Tabloids Lawsuit The Duke of Sussex reached a settlement with News Group Newspaperswhich is responsible for The Sun as well as the now defunct News of the Worldon Jan. 22 after suing the organization in 2019 over alleged unlawful actions on the part of journalists and private investigators working for the newspapers to obtain information on the royal family. The deal included the company paying "substantial damages," as well as issuing a "full and unequivocal apology" to Harry and public acknowledgement of "the extensive coverage and serious intrusion into his private life as well as the private life of Diana, Princess of Wales, per NBC News. Kate Middleton Is in Remission After Finishing Chemotherapy for Cancer The Princess of Wales announced on Jan. 14 that she's in remission after complete cancer treatments. "It is a relief to now be in remission and I remain focused on recovery," she wrote in a message on X, formerly Twitter, Jan. 14. "As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal." "I am however looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead," she continued. "There is much to look forward to." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meghan Markle's Longtime Dog Guy Dies The Duchess of Sussex mourned the death of her beloved rescue beagle, who she adopted in 2015 before meeting husband Prince Harry. She wrote on Instagram Jan. 7, "I have cried too many tears to count - the type of tears that make you get in the shower with the absurd hope that the running water on your face will somehow make you not feel them, or pretend theyre not there. But they are. And thats okay too." "Thank you for so many years of unconditional love, my sweet Guy," Meghan added. "You filled my life in ways youll never know." Prince William Mourns Death of Former Nanny's Stepson Edward "Ed" Pettiferstepson of Prince William and Prince Harry's former nanny Alexandra Pettifer, also known as Tiggy Legge-Bourkewas one of the victims of the New Year's Day terrorist attack in New Orleans. "Catherine and I have been shocked and saddened by the tragic death of Ed Pettifer," William said in a message posted on Kate Middleton's Instagram Stories Jan. 4. "Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Pettifer family and all those innocent people who have been tragically impacted by this horrific attack." Meghan Markle Rejoins Instagram to Reveal New Netflix Show The Suits alumwho shut down her personal social media accounts shortly before her 2018 wedding to Prince Harrydebuted a solo Instagram page on Jan. 1. A day later, she announced a new Netflix series titled With Love, Meghan, which "reimagines the genre of lifestyle programming, blending practical how-tos and candid conversation with friends, new and old," according to a press release. For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App As sailors hoisted a Russian flag above the icebreaker Yakutia, the gigantic vessel was hailed by Vladimir Putin as both an economic and military triumph. The nuclear-powered ship, designed to carve a safe path through ice-covered waters, is the fourth of a new class being built at the Baltic Shipyard in St Petersburg. Because of Western sanctions imposed over Putins invasion of Ukraine, its builders had to rely on domestically produced parts instead of imported ones in many cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Yakutias real significance lies in what it says about Moscows sweeping ambitions for the Arctic. Along with other ice-breaking ships, the hulking vessel will ply the treacherous waters along Russias northern coastline known collectively as the Northern Sea Route (NSR) which connects Europe and Asia. They are clearing the way for a growing number of tankers ferrying oil and gas to China and South Asia and for more months in the year providing a crucial economic lifeline to the sanctions-hit Russian economy. The Kremlins focus on the Arctic comes as melting ice, triggered by global warming, prompts fresh tensions with the US and Beijing over control of new shipping routes, fishing rights and military outposts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every icebreaker built at domestic shipyards significantly enhances the safety of Arctic navigation, improves transport accessibility of the region, and ensures year-round navigation along the Northern Sea Route, read a message from Putin for the Yakutias handover in December. The Yakutia will enhance the capabilities of the domestic nuclear fleet, contribute to addressing key multifaceted challenges facing the national economy, and further solidify Russias status as a naval power. Eight Russian icebreaker ships are now in service, the highest number since the Cold War. By the end of this decade, Rosatom the nuclear agency that operates them has set out plans for its fleet to number 17. For Vladimir Putin, exploiting the Arctic is a key plank for Russias economic independence - Pavel Bednyakov/AP Sovcomflot, the Russian state shipping giant, is also building more Arc7 liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo ships capable of navigating ice on their own. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are expected to play a growing role transporting resources out of the Nenets and Yamalo-Nenets regions, adjacent to the Barents and Kara seas respectively, where around 80pc of Russias gas and 60pc of its oil are produced. According to the Centre for High North Logistics, transit shipments through the North Sea Route reached a record 3.1m tonnes in 2024 most of it crude oil that was shipped to China. The World Wide Fund for Nature, which opposes drilling in the Arctic due to the risk of environmental destruction to species such as polar bears, seals and walruses, says Russia is by far the largest Arctic producer but it is by no means alone. In 2022, almost 3.2bn barrels of oil and gas equivalent were pumped out of the polar region or around 5.5pc of global production that year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia accounted for 2.9bn barrels, followed by 176m barrels by the US in Alaska and Norways Arctic producing 98m barrels. And despite the protestations of green campaigners and some governments, all three countries have plans to increase their outputs with experts predicting that Donald Trumps arrival in the White House will eviscerate any remaining hesitancy in Washington. For Russia, exploiting the Arctic is a key plank of its economic independence, while for the US extracting oil in Alaska chimes with Trumps America first policies, says Klaus Dodds, a professor of geopolitics at the Royal Holloway. I expect that under Trump, you will see a doubling down on his previous goal of energy dominance, Dodds says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is likely to mean more energy extraction in Alaska, and far less restraint being shown than you saw under Biden or Obama. Like Russia, Trump has a raw focus on issues such as energy security and shipping lanes. A common theme between him and Putin is that they have made clear they are not going to allow others, such as China, to take advantage of a more accessible Arctic. This is likely what has animated Trumps recent fixation with threatening to annex the Danish territory of Greenland, explains Dodds, following attempts by Beijing to establish footholds there. Chinas interests in the region include opening up shipping lanes so that its own companies can take advantage and potentially lay claim to resources such as fish. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the Arctic region as a whole is also becoming more important militarily as Russia re-establishes bases there, creating a need for the US to reopen radar stations and other monitoring outposts to detect missile launches. Despite the fanfare, however, many experts believe the potential of the Arctic for both shipping and resources has been overstated. Navigating passages past Canada or Russia do offer potential alternatives to routes that go via the Suez Canal or the Strait of Malacca but the ice cover makes it unpredictable. Excitement among companies such as BP for offshore oil and gas reserves has waned over the years due to the difficulty of extracting it. Long voyage days certainly reduce the economics of the NSR passage, which include icebreaker costs, although lower bunker expenditure due to the shorter distance travelled via the NSR and no need to pay Suez Canal dues helps to balance that out, said shipbroker Gibson in a 2023 report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, crippling Western sanctions aimed at supply chains and insurance have also slowed Russias attempts to build more ice-breaking tankers and open its Arctic LNG 2 project. The expectations in the early 2000s of an economic bonanza didnt really materialise, says Katarzyna Zysk, a professor of international relations at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies. But Russia in particular still has an ambition to develop the North Sea Route into a major shipping lane between Asia, Europe and North America. In the past, Moscows ambitions have involved bringing in foreign investment and expertise, she says, with sanctions relating to the Ukraine war making this more difficult although a Trump-brokered peace deal with Kyiv could change this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If there was a change that reopens possibilities, then shipping could become more plausible, more profitable and more safe. But at the moment, things look quite limited. For now, like an icebreaker carving a path through frozen seas, Putins dream of conquering the Arctic can only advance slowly. 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. WASHINGTON - Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed Tuesday with U.S. President Donald Trump to pause strikes on energy facilities as a step toward ending the war in Ukraine, the White House and Kremlin said, but a proposed cease-fire was not endorsed. After Trump spoke to Putin by phone, the White House said the two leaders agreed that the three-year conflict must "end with a lasting peace." However, the deal is far from a full truce essential for laying the groundwork for that ultimate goal and seems to work to Putin's advantage. Trump said on social media that his conversation with Putin was "a very good and productive one" and that the process is "now in full force and effect" after discussing numerous elements of a broader peace plan. Trump and his administration officials have been optimistic about smoothing the pathway to peace in Ukraine, first trying to persuade Putin to accept an immediate 30-day cease-fire. However, the White House statement, released following their approximately 90-minute call, suggested Putin did not commit to halting Russia's military operations against Ukraine as it contained no reference to whether he has accepted the Trump administration's cease-fire proposal. Instead, the Kremlin said Trump had proposed Russia and Ukraine both refrain from attacks on energy infrastructure for 30 days and Putin immediately ordered his country's military to comply. The White House provided no time frame, with its statement saying the leaders agreed on an energy and infrastructure cease-fire. But the Kremlin's announcement said Russia had agreed to temporarily halt "energy infrastructure" strikes Following their call, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he will support Trump's idea of avoiding strikes on energy sites. At the same time, he criticized Putin for not being ready for a complete cease-fire, saying continued pressure on Russia is necessary as it again launched dozens of drone attacks following the Trump talks. The White House said the "movement to peace" will also begin with "technical negotiations" on how to implement a maritime cease-fire in the Black Sea, a full cease-fire and permanent peace. It said the talks will begin immediately in the Middle East. In a more lengthy announcement, the Kremlin said foreign countries should stop providing military assistance and intelligence information to Ukraine to allow the peace process to move forward. Following a meeting with senior U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia a week ago, Ukraine said it was ready to accept the Trump administration's proposed cease-fire. In return, the United States resumed its provision of military aid and intelligence to Ukraine. U.S. support was suspended after Trump and Zelenskyy clashed late last month in front of the media in the Oval Office over whether Putin could be trusted. Putin later said he was in favor of the proposal in principle, but added there were crucial issues that needed to be worked out, hinting that the Kremlin would not agree unconditionally to cease fighting. As Russian forces have the upper hand in the war, the Kremlin statement indicated his position has not changed. The U.S.-led negotiations are being conducted while Zelenskyy remains skeptical that Putin will ever agree to a genuine, durable peace. On Tuesday, Trump and Putin agreed there would be "huge upside" to improving relations between Washington and Moscow, according to the White House. "This includes enormous economic deals and geopolitical stability when peace has been achieved," it said. Trump discussed with Putin other issues including the need to work closely in the Middle East and stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Related coverage: Trump says planning to speak with Putin on Tuesday morning G7 adopts tough language on China, urges Russia to halt Ukraine war Russia cannot compete until Ukraine war over: world gymnastics head Argentinian President Javier Milei has cancelled his planned state visit to Israel, government spokesman Manuel Adorni announced on X on Wednesday. The trip, originally set to begin on Saturday, has been postponed indefinitely, with no new date announced. During the four-day visit, Milei had planned to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and deliver a speech to the parliament, the Knesset. The ultra-liberal head of state is considered a loyal ally of Israel and frequently expresses great interest in the Jewish faith. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to media reports, the cancellation is likely linked to political turmoil in Argentina. Milei is currently trying to push a decree through parliament to advance a new agreement with the International Monetary Fund as the country grapples with heavy debt. Meanwhile, protests over low pensions are also set to take place in the South American country. A truck driver is accused of murdering the owner of an Illinois-based carrier whose business was set on fire on March 5, police said. Josif Suclea, 52, of Scottsdale, Arizona, was charged with first-degree murder in the death of ATG Truckload owner Dane Koteski. Koteski, 46, was killed at the offices of his trucking company in Crestwood, Illinois, on March 5, authorities said. His body was found by firefighters, who were responding to a small blaze at ATG Truckloads facility in Crestwood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An autopsy determined that Koteski had been stabbed in the neck, and the Cook County Medical Examiners Office ruled his death a homicide, police said in a news release. Suclea was an employee at ATG Truckload, a 15-year-old carrier specializing in refrigerated freight, according to its website. ATG Truckload has 25 power units and drivers, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Police said they believe Koteskis death was a targeted attack. Surveillance cameras and eyewitnesses reported seeing Suclea at ATG Truckload before Koteski was killed and the fire started. Suclea was arrested on Sunday at a truck stop in Holland, Michigan, police said. Suclea is being held without bail at Cook County Jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was extradited to Illinois, where he was charged with first-degree murder. He has not been charged with arson. According to court documents, Koteski allegedly told Suclea around Feb. 28 that ATG Truckload was going bankrupt. Koteski allegedly owed a substantial amount of money to Suclea but was not able to pay him. ATG Truckload has not formally filed for bankruptcy, according to court records. The post Arizona driver accused of murdering Illinois trucking company owner appeared first on FreightWaves. Photo courtesy Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry At 10:33 a.m. on Wednesday, March 19, Aaron Gunches died by lethal injection as punishment for the murder of Ted Price in 2002. Gunches execution was attended by five media witnesses, members of Ted Prices family and legal advisors for both Gunches and Prices family. Gunches was transferred to the Arizona State Prison Complex in Florence on Tuesday night after his last meal, which consisted of a double western burger, spicy gyros, onion rings and baklava. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Aaron Gunches On Wednesday morning at 10:02, Gunches was brought into the execution chamber and laid down on the table by five corrections staff members. Four members of a medical team, their identities shielded by masks and white hoodies, inserted IVs in both of his arms. At 10:14, he was asked if he had any last words. Gunches only shook his head. An executioner in another room injected pentobarbital into lines that led to the IVs. Gunches barely moved and squeezed his eyes shut. He exhaled hard seven or eight times and then remained motionless. His heart stopped and he was pronounced dead at 10:33. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Media witnesses and members of Ted Prices family, in addition to Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes discussed the execution at a briefing. The family of Ted Price has been waiting for justice for more than two decades, Mayes said. They deserve closure. The execution was the final chapter in a process that has spanned nearly 23 years, Ted Prices sister, Karen, said. Although weve taken the final step in the legal process, the pain of losing Ted remains profound and cannot be conveyed into words, she said. Gunches was sentenced to death for the November 2002 murder of Price, the ex-boyfriend of a woman Gunches did drugs with. Price, 40, was staying at the womans apartment while waiting to receive student grant money. The two got into a violent argument, and the woman threw a telephone at him, hitting him in the face and dazing him so badly he couldnt stand up. Gunches arrived and berated the man, holding a gun to his head. Then, with one of the girlfriends roommates driving, he took Price first to the bus station to send him home. When he found he didnt have enough money to pay for a bus ticket, Gunches had the roommate drive to a remote spot off the Beeline Highway where he shot Price four times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prices body was not found for nearly a month, and Gunches was not apprehended for two months, when he got into a gunfight with a state trooper in La Paz County after a routine traffic stop. The shootout landed him in prison. He was not charged with the Price murder until 2004. But through two trials (one sentence was thrown out by the Arizona Supreme Court), Gunches insisted on acting as his own attorney and then refused to offer any defense at all, committing what one judge called suicide by jury and being the architect of his own disaster, according to one of his former court-appointed attorneys. Similarly, he scrapped his chances at filing appeals, and in 2018, started petitioning the Arizona Supreme Court and the Arizona Attorney Generals Office to speed up his execution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He nearly succeeded in 2022, when then-Attorney General Mark Brnovich secured a warrant for execution from the Supreme Court. But Brnovich was already out of office by the scheduled execution date. His successor, Kris Mayes, let the warrant lapse pending a review of the states execution protocols, long under scrutiny because of past shortcomings, including a seriously botched 2014 execution that took nearly two hours. Gov. Katie Hobbs hired retired federal Magistrate Judge David Duncan as an independent commissioner and tasked him with evaluating the states lethal injection methods and offering suggestions for improvements. But Duncans preliminary findings were damning, and Hobbs and Mayes were under pressure to carry out the Gunches execution because Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell was asking the court to issue a warrant. Hobbs fired Duncan. Mayes obtained a new death warrant. But then anti-death penalty advocates took up Duncans findings. A Virginia law professor who is an expert on lethal injection filed an amicus brief noting mounting evidence that pentobarbital, the drug used by the state in executions, caused a painful and terrifying death likened to water-boarding torture, even though the outward appearance is that the prisoner just went to sleep. Former FDA officials and pharmacists weighed in, as well, claiming the drug use violated state and federal law and was likely past its expiration date. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court and the state went forward anyway. Retired federal public defender Dale Baich, one of Gunches legal observers at the execution, said that although his death appeared to happen without suffering, scientific studies have found that rapid administration of a high dose of pentobarbital is excruciatingly painful. Pulmonary edema develops in seconds as the lungs fill with water and one is not able to breathe. There is a sensation of drowning from within and not being able to do anything about it. It is like being waterboarded to death, he said in a statement to the Arizona Mirror. The eight deep breaths and chest heaving, the gurgling sounds, and Mr. Gunches trying to catch his breath, are all signs of pulmonary edema. Even though it may have looked peaceful, it was not. ***UPDATE: This story has been updated with additional reporting. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE FLORENCE, Ariz. (AP) An Arizona man who kidnapped and murdered his girlfriend's ex-husband was executed Wednesday, the second of four prisoners scheduled to be put to death this week in the U.S. Aaron Brian Gunches, 53, was lethally injected with pentobarbital at the Arizona State Prison Complex in the town of Florence, John Barcello, deputy director of Arizona's department of corrections, told news outlets. He was pronounced dead at 10:33 a.m. Gunches fatally shot Ted Price in the desert outside the Phoenix suburb of Mesa in 2002. He pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in 2007. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sitting up on a gurney, covered with what looked like a white onesie and tucked in with a sheet, Gunches looked straight ahead and had no final words before the execution, witnesses said. According to Barcello, the prisoner took a few heavy breaths and let out a snoring-type sound after the lethal injection. By all accounts, the process went according to plan without any incident at all," Barcello said. An execution scheduled, then delayed Gunches execution had originally been scheduled for April 2023, but was called off after Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs ordered a review of the states death penalty procedures. Late last year, Hobbs fired the retired judge she had appointed to conduct the review, and the states corrections department announced changes in the team that lethally injects death row prisoners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lethal injection was administered through IVs inserted into Gunches arms, according to a handful of news media representatives who witnessed the execution. In the states two previous executions, the IV had been inserted into the prisoners femoral artery. The media witnesses reported no visible problems with the execution. But Dale Baich, a former federal public defender who teaches death penalty law at Arizona State University and witnessed the execution, said he believed Gunches suffered from pulmonary edema, when fluid seeps into the lungs and causes people to drown in their own fluids. The eight deep breaths and chest heaving, the gurgling sounds, and Mr. Gunches trying to catch his breath, are all signs of pulmonary edema, Baich said. Even though it may have looked peaceful, it was not. The Associated Press left an email message with corrections officials seeking comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michael Kiefer, of the Arizona Mirror, later said he did not see any shaking or jerking of Gunches abdomen. Medical experts have said those are among the movements that could be a sign of acute pulmonary edema, which causes pain akin to being suffocated or drowned. For his last meal, Gunches had a double western bacon cheeseburger, two sandwiches, french fries, onion rings and baklava for dessert. Gunches is the second person executed this week in the U.S. Louisiana executed a man on Tuesday, and two more executions were scheduled in Florida and Oklahoma on Thursday. Arizona is the first state with a Democratic governor to execute someone since 2017, when Virginia did so under then-Gov. Terry McAuliffe. The end of a long, painful process Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The family of Ted Price has been waiting for justice for more than two decades, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said at a news conference following Wednesdays execution. They deserve closure. Price's sister Karen Price described her brother as a kind and loving person who enjoyed watching the Phoenix Suns and Arizona Diamondbacks and riding his motorcycle. She said her family was devastated by Teds death. Id like to imagine we would be both enjoying our retirement and perhaps planning a trip together, rather than me coming here to witness the execution of a man that took his life, Price said Wednesday. She added that closure doesnt capture the reality of the familys situation. Although weve taken the final step in the legal process, the pain of losing Ted remains profound and cannot be conveyed in mere words. It is a relief that we no longer have to deal with lawyers, sift through documents, check prison records, or communicate with victims advocates or reporters, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ted Prices daughter, Brittney Price, said in a statement distributed to the news media that the pain of reliving the circumstances surrounding my fathers death for over two decades has taken a significant toll on my family and me. Today marks the end of that painful chapter and I couldnt be more grateful, she said. The crime Authorities say Ted Prices ex-wife struck him in the face with a phone during an argument in late 2002 at her apartment, leaving him conscious but dazed. Karen Price said her brother had threatened to report his ex to child welfare authorities for doing drugs in front of their children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gunches arrived at the apartment later. He asked two other women who were there with his girlfriend to put Price in a car and drive him to a bus station. But when they realized they didnt have enough money for a bus ticket, they instead drove into the desert, where Gunches shot Price, authorities said. Gunches was arrested in January 2003 after being pulled over by an Arizona Department of Public Safety trooper near the California state line. Gunches shot the trooper, who was saved by a bulletproof vest. Bullet casings from that shooting matched ammunition that had been found near Prices body, and Gunches was charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping in October 2003. Gunches tried to move up the execution Gunches, who represented himself even though he isnt a lawyer, asked the Arizona Supreme Court in 2022 to issue an execution warrant against him to give closure to Prices family. He later withdrew the request. The execution was scheduled anyway but later postponed amid the review ordered by Hobbs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In late December, Gunches asked the states highest court to skip legal formalities and schedule his execution as soon as possible, saying his death sentence was long overdue. The court refused the request and later set his execution date for Wednesday. Gunches never addressed Prices family while in the execution chamber, and an attorney for the family said he showed no remorse. Still, Gunches did not try to avoid being put to death a month earlier he told the states clemency board that he was not seeking a reprieve. When the board scheduled a meeting to confirm his wishes, he declined to participate, saying he delivered a similar message when waiving his chance at clemency in 2022. My position hasnt changed, Gunches wrote. ___ Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This story has been updated to correct the state attorney general's last name to Mayes, not Maye; to correct the account of media witness Michael Kiefer; and to correct attribution on a statement that Gunches showed no remorse. ___ Billeaud reported from Phoenix. A judge on Tuesday decided Lori Vallow Daybell's Arizona charges murder conspiracy and attempted murder, stemming from separate incidents would be prosecuted in separate trials. The murder conspiracy case, related to the July 2019 death of Daybell's fourth husband, Charles Vallow, would begin March 31, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Justin Beresky said. May 30 would be the start date for the attempted murder trial, related to a shooting that narrowly missed Daybell's nieces ex-husband, Brandon Boudreaux, in Gilbert in October 2019, Beresky said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beresky also ruled during Tuesday's hearing that the names of Daybells two youngest children would be included in juror questions to preclude seating jurors with prior knowledge of Daybell's convictions in Idaho for their murders. Joshua "JJ" Vallow was 7 and Tylee Ryan was 16 when they were killed. Daybell was sentenced to life in prison for their murders. She was also convicted in Idaho of conspiracy to murder Tammy Daybell, the ex-wife of Chad Daybell, who Lori Vallow married weeks later. Daybell and her fifth husband, Chad Daybell, believed in an imminent "doomsday" and that people around them were zombies, according to court records and testimony. Daybell has come to be known as the "Doomsday Mom," the title of a 2021 Lifetime TV movie about her. Judge orders videos Daybell wants to be turned over Beresky ordered Daybells former defense team to turn over any material Daybell claimed they had withheld, including a video of Gilbert police interviewing her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In court, Daybell argued she had not received the video, but prosecutors said they had provided her with everything of which they were aware. Daybell said she knew the video existed because her previous defense team had shown it to her online. If they have that link, why dont they just send it to the state?" Beresky said. "And that may help the state determine if thats something theyve already disclosed. Daybell claimed her former defense team refused to help her. Ill tell you why they wont because that is my former team, and they will not do anything to help my investigator, my paralegal," Daybell said. "They wont give us any information that they found. They wont talk to us at all because apparently there was a conflict." Daybell insists on speedy trial despite potential defense limitations Daybell requested that an expert she retained be allowed to inspect Charles Vallow's phone. Beresky warned that if her expert needed time to examine the device, admitting the findings could delay the trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge told her she had a choice: push the trial date to allow for more preparation or proceed as scheduled on March 31. Daybell repeatedly asserted that she wanted to maintain the current trial date and invoke her right to a speedy trial, even if it meant limiting her defenses ability to review evidence. I understand that, and I also understand that Ive only been given 10 hours" for the expert from the Office of the Public Defender, Daybell said. So if he could spend 10 hours this week getting it ready, then he can give us a report with the best that he can do. Beresky noted the defense already possessed digital forensic extractions from police evidence, including data from Charles Vallows phone, and suggested the expert work from those files. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona trial dates are set for 'Doomsday Mom' Lori Vallow Daybell Waiting for anything can be frustrating. But what's ultimately more important: The outcome or the speed? That's the central question of Arizonas growing debate over how quickly election results are reported. In recent weeks, the Arizona Legislature advanced election reform bills, including a bill proposing to cut short early ballot drop-offs before Election Day to speed up final results. The governor vetoed this measure, which also included requiring mail-in voters to request a ballot for each election. Since then, there has been significant debate and discussion and lots of claims about what voters want and about what comes next. But what do voters really want when it comes to speed vs. convenience? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is precisely the kind of question the Center for the Future of Arizona regularly poses to likely voters through its nonpartisan public opinion survey research. Our goal is to center the voices of Arizonans in public policy and ensure they have a seat at the table on key issues facing the stateincluding this one. So, we asked likely voters whether they prioritize faster results or the ability to drop off early ballots up to and on Election Day, and the results were clear. Voters overwhelmingly prioritize convenience and access over speed CFAs newest statewide survey, conducted by Noble Predictive Analytics, found that 69% of likely voters believe it should be easy and convenient for eligible citizens to vote even if it means waiting longer for results rather than cutting off early ballot drop-offs to speed up results. A majority across party lines including 56% of Republicans, 72% of independent and unaffiliated voters, and 82% of Democrats prefer continuing to allow voters to drop off their early ballots up to and on Election Day, believing its worth waiting for results to ensure every voter has the chance to participate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wed all like faster results, but the debate has been framed as a binary choice: Speed or convenient access. The fact that voters across the political spectrum like the convenience of dropping off their ballots through Election Day does not mean they wouldnt also like the results sooner, but not at the expense of the convenience they enjoy. What would it look like to finalize results more quickly and maintain convenience and access? Looking for solutions to that question would align with the pragmatic views Arizonans have consistently voiced in our research through the years. Election administration has become a flashpoint, but at its core, the importance of this debate is deeper: Trust. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opinion: Former Arizona US Senator was right about the filibuster, and Democrats know it Arizonans are concerned about the state of democracy. Our polling shows that 70% believe democracy is at risk. At the same time, however, they trust local officials to administer elections fairly by a 58% to 34% margin. That trust is essential and needs to be nurtured, not eroded. Responsiveness to the will of the people is paramount. As polarized as we are, voters want leaders to work across the aisle Through nearly twenty years of research, weve discovered seven shared public values that define what Arizonans agree on and want for the future enduring shared values that hold strong even in todays seemingly polarized climate. Among these public values are civic engagement and a democracy that works for all. That means, in part, ensuring every eligible voter has a fair, secure and accessible means of participation. Our research has consistently found majority support across party lines for: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond elections, two-thirds of Arizonans say the want leaders who work across the aisle to solve problems. They recognize that meaningful progress doesnt come from ideological battles but from collaboration, compromise and a focus on real solutions. When something matters, it's worth putting in the time to listen to what is important to voters. This moment presents an opportunity to pursue policies that deliver what voters want. Arizonans have been clear about their priorities and the results are in. Will they be heard as this debate continues? The disconnect between what Arizona voters want and the outcomes our systems produce is real. Too often, decisions are made without substantive input from the people they impact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: What are we looking for in an opinion piece? Here's what you need to know Sybil Francis, Ph.D., is chair, president & CEO of Center for the Future of Arizona, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that brings Arizonans together to create a stronger and brighter future for our state. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: AZ elections should be accessible and convenient for voters | Opinion LITTLE ROCK, Ark An Arkansas bill targeting those who contribute to the social transitioning of minors was pulled so legislators could make changes. The Vulnerable Youth Protection Act, sponsored by Rep. Mary Bentley (R-Perryville), aims to allow for civil action for people who knowingly contribute to the social transitioning or gender reassignment surgery of a minor. Supporters of the bill like Rebecca Smith say social transitioning poses a risk for children and adolescents in Arkansas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Members of the committee this is not about politics it is about protecting children, preserving families, and ensuring that every child grows up supported and loved not alienated or confused, Smith said. Federal judge blocks Arkansas gender-affirming care ban in first for nation Those against the legislation like Evelyn Rios Stafford are worried about the scope of the bill. It opens the door to frivolous lawsuits, and it creates confusion I think from the public about what is protected by the First Amendment and what isnt, Stafford said. The debate mainly surrounded the definition of social transitioning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill currently defines social transitioning as any act by which a minor adopts or espouses a gender identity that differs from the minors biological gender as determined by the sex organs, chromosomes, and endogenous profiles of the minor, including without limitation changes in clothing, pronouns, hairstyle, and name. There were also concerns about conflict with the First Amendment. Justin Brascher with the Attorney Generals Office told the committee the way the bill stands, they didnt feel like they could defend it in court. Our concern there is when you are criminalizing or in this case proving a civil cause of action for certain forms of speech that has to pass a very very high constitutional bar and we have to be able to defend that in court and we think, as this bill currently is, we cant defend that, Brascher said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanders signs Arkansas trans care malpractice bill into law Bentley withdrew the bill, telling the committee she would work with the attorney generals office to amend 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 KARK. BEIJING - A Chinese robotics startup has begun accepting preorders for its artificial intelligence-powered humanoid robot featuring dexterous manipulation and straight-leg walking for 199,000 yuan ($27,500), with the company reportedly planning to start mass production by the middle of this year. The Dobot Atom robot, developed by the robotics firm Dobot based in Shenzhen in southern China's Guangdong Province, can complete tasks such as preparing breakfast, pouring milk, toasting bread and carrying a box, according to a video released by the company last week. The humanoid is 153 centimeters tall and weighs 62 kilograms. The startup, which was established in 2015 and has overseas offices in Japan, Germany and the United States, announced the launch of its preorder sales on Tuesday. China's home appliance conglomerate Midea Group based in Guangdong, which has acquired a German robotics firm, also unveiled Tuesday a prototype of its humanoid robot capable of performing actions such as shaking hands, dancing, opening bottle caps and driving screws, according to Chinese media reports. The Global Times, a tabloid affiliated with the Communist Party, quoted industry expert Ma Jihua as saying the launch of humanoid robots "signals that China's related products are rapidly entering an early stage of mass production," with their prices expected to gradually approach those of televisions in the coming years. "China offers a vast market for robotic applications, with immense potential in areas such as eldercare, children's educational assistance and household chores," Ma told the newspaper on Tuesday. In February, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with entrepreneurs including leaders of tech companies and urged them to make "efforts to promote the healthy and high-quality development" of the country's private sector, according to the official Xinhua News Agency. Amid an intensifying China-U.S. rivalry in the technology sector, a government work report presented by Premier Li Qiang at an annual parliament session earlier this month said Beijing will "improve self-reliance and strength in science and technology." The report also said China will "support the extensive application of large-scale AI models" to develop such products as intelligent robots and new energy vehicles. Related coverage: Japan's Shimadzu launches world's 1st commercial optical lattice clock Japan team develops world's largest "biohybrid" robot hand Japan firm's wearable robot suits to help injured Ukraine soldiers LITTLE ROCK, Ark.- A group of people in Arkansas Second Congressional District were making clear their stance on the politicians currently representing them in Congress. Many voiced their concerns Tuesday night at a town hall meeting that the lawmakers were invited to but did not attend. Rep. French Hill criticized by Democratic congressional candidate Marcus Jones over campaign flyer The second district includes most of central Arkansas. Republican Congressman French Hill has represented the district since 2015, and republican senators Tom Cotton and John Boozman represent the whole state in the U.S. Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A packed house with both levels of the First United Methodist Church filled, and even some standing in the room to voice their concerns. You are here because they wont do their job, Chris Jones said. This is a nonpartisan event, because justice is not partisan. It is important to note that Chris Jones was the 2024 Democratic candidate for governor, the organizer Teresa Huff is the chair of the Faulkner County Democratic Party, and the event included multiple Democratic party speakers. Those speakers called for a different pace of action from their lawmakers. Arkansas legislature Democrats respond to Governors state-of-the-state address Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The action items spoken about include the recent funding cuts to DOGE, immigration, education, health care, jobs, and economic security. 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. Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Searcy, presents Senate Bill 307 to the Arkansas Senate on March 5, 2025. (Antoinette Grajeda/Arkansas Advocate) The Arkansas House signed off on legislation Tuesday that supporters said will mitigate expected electricity rate increases by altering the current process for constructing power plants. Senate Bill 307 will allow utility companies to begin recovering the costs of building a new generating plant during the construction phase instead of having to wait until the end of the project to do so, which will result in lower costs for customers over the long term, bill sponsor and Searcy Republican Rep. Les Eaves said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With two coal-fired plants set to go offline in the next few years, Eaves said Arkansas will need to generate or purchase energy to keep up with current demand. Ratepayers bills will go up regardless, Eaves said, but the process outlined in the bill could ease a sharp spike in prices and will provide the Arkansas Public Service Commission more oversight of the projects. Additionally, the Generating Arkansas Jobs Act of 2025, could help the state attract economic development projects like data centers, which could lead to more jobs, Eaves said. Failing to approve SB 307 would result in those companies moving on to other states, he said. And those other states will benefit from the economic development projects and those jobs that come with it, Eaves said. Theres also the very real possibility that one or more of these data centers will invest hundreds of millions of dollars here in new power generation and this will result again in overall lower power costs to our ratepayers. In a House committee meeting Monday, Eaves said the bill would attract more than data centers but other big users of electricity, such as aerospace manufacturers and lithium processors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allison Thompson, president and CEO of the Economic Development Alliance for Jefferson County, spoke in favor of the bill in Mondays hearing, saying one of the first questions shes asked by new project proponents is whether there is reliable and abundant available energy. Jefferson County is home to the White Bluff Power Plant thats scheduled for closure. Speaking in favor of the legislation from the House floor Tuesday, Rep. Stephen Meeks, R-Greenbrier, said he really liked the forward-thinking nature of the bill. I support the bill, that were trying to ramp electric bills and not have those sharp cliffs, that were building base generation that we need for a reliable grid here in the state of Arkansas, and this bill is always looking to the future at new technologies and how we can implement them to help make sure we have a reliable grid, Meeks said. No one spoke against the bill, which the Arkansas House approved by a vote of 77-13. Nine members voted present. SB 307 passed in the Senate last week by a vote of 23-9. The bill now awaits the governors signature. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Law enforcement is looking for a man who they say is armed and dangerous after a shooting into an occupied vehicle, according to the Rowan County Sheriffs Office. On Wednesday, deputies obtained warrants for Joseph Parham Jr. who allegedly shot into an occupied vehicle in February. Deputies say were called to 660 Sides Raod about a stolen vehicle that was shot into. Parham and another person were reportedly in a disagreement which led to the residence on Sides Road. While in the driveway, weapons were fired into the victims vehicle. Fortunately, no one was hurt, officials said. Queen City News is tracking CRIME in your area >> Latest stories here 660 Sides Road in Rowan County has been at the center of a lot of criminal activity. One week ago, on March 12, a civil nuisance case was completed. It states the property must remain vacant, be placed for sale with a licensed real estate broker within 30 days and any trespassers will be charged accordingly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities say Parham is wanted for shooting into an occupied dwelling/vehicle and possession of a firearm by a felon. He is believed to be near Rockwell and Salisbury and is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone who sees him should use caution and call 911 immediately. This is a Developing Story . Check back for 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 Queen City News. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin had a phone call today regarding Trump's efforts to end Russia's war in Ukraine. The conversation lasted at least an hour and a half, during which Putin agreed to a partial ceasefire on energy infrastructure targets, according to the readouts provided by the White House and the Kremlin. That development notably falls short of the proposed 30-day full pause in fighting that Trump has been pushing for. Greenwood's former post office and federal courthouse now houses the Arts Center of Greenwood. (Photo provided by the Arts Center of Greenwood) COLUMBIA An arts center and wedding venue, a county sheriffs office, and a traffic court are just some of the ways South Carolina towns have breathed new life into old federal buildings around the Palmetto State. Earlier this month, the General Services Administration, the federal agency that serves as a clearinghouse for federally owned property, released a list of more than 440 buildings it may sell off in the months ahead. That list included five buildings in South Carolina. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Selling ensures that taxpayer dollars are no longer spent on vacant or underutilized federal spaces, the agency wrote. Disposing of these assets helps eliminate costly maintenance and allows us to reinvest in high-quality work environments that support agency missions. The agency removed the list from its website a day later but not before raising the alarm among city and county officials, particularly in the Upstate, who previously fought to keep a pair of federal court buildings from closing following construction of a larger court complex in downtown Greenville, which was completed in summer 2021. When officials in Anderson and Spartanburg counties first learned in late 2020 of the expected closure of their federal courthouses, they enlisted the help of South Carolinas senior U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, an Upstate native, to keep them open. Their pleas worked. While most Upstate court operations were consolidated at the Greenville courthouse named after former, two-term Gov. Carroll Campbell, two judges still have offices and hold some of their hearings there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than four years later, local officials are again vowing to fight any potential sale of the courthouses built in the 1930s. I will do everything I can to stop this action, Spartanburg County Councilman David Britt told The Post and Courier. But other towns across the state hold examples of how former federal properties have been repurposed. Stars aligned Built in the early 20th century, the building that now houses the Arts Center of Greenwood started as a post office with the later addition of a federal courthouse that held court through the late 60s. For the following three decades, various federal tenants came and went: a Social Security office, a congressional office. Then it went vacant. Greenwoods former post office and federal courthouse now houses the Arts Center of Greenwood. The center hosts art shows and rents out space for weddings and events. (Photo provided by the Arts Center of Greenwood) Around this time, towns across America were looking for ways to revitalize vacant Main Streets after the move of retailers to massive shopping malls. Greenwood, the city and the county, saw an opportunity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was one of those projects where all the stars aligned, Anne Craig, the art centers founding director, told the SC Daily Gazette. The city had just started on a new 10-year plan, and the old federal building was at the center of it. The U.S. Department of the Interior signed over the deed jointly to the city and the county at no cost. The county insured the building, and the city agreed to maintain it. From there the family foundation for textile magnate James Self, founder of Greenwood Mills, pledged $2 million dollars for the buildings renovation. Craig and a small fundraising team raised $1.75 million more and in 2006 the art center opened for its first exhibit, a showcase of Black artists for Black History Month. Greenwoods former post office and federal courthouse now houses the Arts Center of Greenwood. In addition to art exhibits, the center also has studio space for artists in residence. (Photo provided by the Arts Center of Greenwood) Two years later, the Greenwood Museum and the Greenwood Community Theatre were renovated, creating an arts complex in the center of the small town about 80 miles west of Columbia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a space for the community and really was a catalyst for the revitalization of uptown Greenwood, said Sylvia Martin, the art centers current director. The gallery now hosts as many as 12 exhibits a year, as well as weddings and events. Artists in residence rent space downstairs, while the Self Family Foundation and the local convention and visitors bureau have offices on the top floor. And Main Street, which previously had about three restaurants and a hotel, is now bustling with more than 15 eateries within walking distance of the center that tempt workers in the Greenwood Building office tower out for lunch and dinner, according to former City Manager Charlie Barrineau. It really has been an incredible journey to be a part of the buildings third life, Martin said. A tragic missed opportunity A former federal courthouse also was reborn as an arts hub in Rock Hill, a south-of-the-border suburb of Charlotte, North Carolina. However, that is likely to soon come to an end. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Gettys Center, owned by the city, has housed an art gallery and studios for area artists for about four decades. Over the years, the old courthouse has been featured in movie scenes, as well as hosted concerts, weddings and pottery classes. Every city event, from the annual poetry festival to the blues and jazz festival, has used parts of the building as a stage, said Terry Plumb, former editor of The (Rock Hill) Herald. As a courthouse, it saw a lawsuit filed by the Catawba Indian Nation as the tribe sought to reclaim tribal lands. The suit, filed in 1980, was eventually settled in 1993. And the late Congressman John Spratt, who helped broker the deal, kept an office there for many years. Now its on the market as maintenance costs for the nearly century-old building have soared to $3 million, far outpacing rental payments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many in the arts community are upset about being evicted but none have the resources to buy the space, especially as the Arts Council of York County already owns a building down the street, Plumb said. Local restrictions on how historic structures can be refurbished are part of the challenge of keeping old buildings open. Thats not to say it cant be done. Last year, the Legislature extended a law designed to encourage the revitalization of historic structures through tax credits to developers. I think its a tragic missed opportunity if they cant figure out a way to keep (the old courthouse) open, too, Plumb said. Other uses Its not just art galleries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Florence, Francis Marion University took over the former federal courthouse for its health sciences school. The public colleges fundraising foundation, the city of Florence and a local nonprofit all chipped in to equally split the $3.7 million purchase in 2017. In Aiken, the Charles E. Simons Jr. Federal Court House will still hold court but a different kind traffic court after the county bought it from the federal government for $1 last May. The acquisition had gone well with one exception: Digging through an already developed downtown to run fiber optic cable underground for security and internet systems proved difficult, said County Administrator Brian Sanders. We are hopeful all of these problems will be behind us in the next month and Traffic Court will be able to move in and begin operation, Sanders told the Gazette. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While court is held on the second floor, the countys growing Veterans Affairs Office will move into the first floor. In downtown Beaufort, a former courthouse that dates to 1888 has had several lives. It became a federal courthouse in the 1990s, and the federal government paid rent for 20 years. After the Obama administration ended the lease as part of a larger moneysaving move to close federal courthouses nationwide, the county used it until 2018 as a museum highlighting the areas history as North Americas first colonial capital. But then artifacts from the Spanish town of Santa Elena were moved to other local museums. After the building sat vacant for several years, the Beaufort County Sheriffs Department moved in for more space. But with talks of a potential new law enforcement center, the building could once again become available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For his part, Beaufort Mayor Phil Cromer wouldnt mind the building being turned over to the city for a visitors center. With its scenic riverfront views and moss-draped avenue, Cromer said the site captures the essence of Beaufort and is within walking distance of downtown shops and restaurants. A vacant courthouse And in South Carolinas capital, city hall was once a federal courthouse. In the early 30s, then-Mayor L.B. Owens orchestrated a land swap with the federal government, with the city taking the 1870s building in exchange for the land that now holds the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. The 16-story Strom Thurmond federal building in Columbia pictured on Tuesday, March 18. 2025. The building is home to a multitude of federal agencies but the attached former courthouse remains vacant. (Photo by Jessica Holdman/SC Daily Gazette) But when the modern Mathew J. Perry Jr. Courthouse opened in 2003 the federal government did not have any takers for the former, nearby courthouse attached to the 16-story Strom Thurmond federal building. The Strom Thurmond building is home to an alphabet soup of federal agency offices: the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Mine Safety and Health Administration, Social Security, the Small Business Administration and the Drug Enforcement Administration. But the courthouse is not in use. On the same complex, efforts to turn a former federal Veterans Administration building into luxury apartments have been slow going. ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WSPA) The Buncombe County District Attorneys Office announced that a woman was found guilty in the death of her eight-month-old daughter, who died of a drug overdose in 2023. On September 26, 2023, officers were called to Mission Hospital after a baby was reported to have died from exposure to fentanyl. An autopsy was performed by the N.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and the babys cause of death was listed as complications of blunt forces injuries of the head and sustained blunt force head trauma; exposed to fentanyl. The babys mother, 32-year-old Sarah Lynn Higgins, was charged with involuntary manslaughter and felony child abuse after an investigation revealed drug paraphernalia in the residence where she and her baby lived. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On March 18, 2025, Higgins was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, but was found not guilty of child abuse. Higgins was given an additional charge of negligent child abuse. Higgins was sentenced to 17-30 months 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 WSPA 7NEWS. ASHTABULA City administration is exploring the possibility having a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area in the Harbor, Ashtabula City Manager Jim Timonere said at a Monday council meeting. Timonere said DORAs are areas where people can buy alcoholic beverages and walk outside with it to other participating establishments. There are a lot of steps involved in applying for a DORA, including involving city council and asking for public input, Timonere said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They recently passed this in Geneva, he said. I had a great meeting the Geneva City Manager on the process. Timonere will be meeting with harbor business owners soon to talk with them about it, he said. City administration is looking into other parts of Ashtabula for DORAs as well, he said. With our population, were allowed to have three areas considered for a DORA, Timonere said. Theres a lot of acreage that goes along with it, so I think if we start out with a certain map, we can always expand it. Council approved additional funds for restoration work following construction of an inclusive playground at Walnut Beach Park. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The playground is being built by Capp Steel Erectors. The city entered into a contract with the company Oct. 10, 2024. The contracts expansion adds $6,025 to the original cost. Timonere said there will be ribbon cutting with the Ashtabula County Board of Developmental Disabilities after work is complete. Public works have been getting to street maintenance, Timonere said. This winter was brutal on these roads, he said. City council voted to renew two levies. One is 1.5-mill levy funding the citys parks. Ward 4 Councilperson Jodi Mills is grateful for the levys funding, she said. Its been a great asset, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mills said unlike other municipalities, the city does not have just one main park. A lot of times [people] dont realize all these little parks we have, she said. Council President John Roskovics said the city utilizes its levies well. We do a great job of taking those levies and multiplying their effect, he said. The other renewal levy is 0.3 mills, and is for the operation of the Senior Citizens Service Center by the Ashtabula County Council on Aging. Timonere said council will later have to decide whether to proceed after the Ashtabula County Auditors Office comes back with how much money the levies generate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After that, council will have to approve ballot language from the Ashtabula County Board of Elections. The levies should be on the ballot in November from there, Timonere said. The city entered into a $11,400 contract with Brobst Tree and Stump Service for yard waste disposal services. Timonere said a contract is approved annually. Originally appeared on E! Online Sunita Suni Williams and Barry Butch Wilmore are officially back home. The astronauts safely returned to Earth on March 18, following an extended nine month stay in space. Their journey back comes after a joint NASA and SpaceX crew of four astronautsfrom the United States, Japan and Russiaarrived at the International Space Station on March 16 to replace the departing duo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Suni, 59, and Butch, 62, boarded a SpaceX Dragon capsule alongside fellow NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, splashing down off the coast of Florida following their 17 hour journey. Following their landing, a boat retrieved the pair from the water. Their homecoming comes nearly 300 days after the NASA astronauts arrived in space aboard the Starliner spacecraft for what was supposed to be an eight-day stay. However, due to various technical issues with the Boeing spacecraftincluding a helium leak that began not long after their June launchNASA decided to send the vehicle back down without the crew. More from E! Online Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In September, Crew-9, consisting of Nick and Alexsandr, joined the Starliner crew for their normal six-month tour of duty. During their time in space, the fourwho were among the seven aboard the ISS until Crew-10s arrivalhave been working to show the new arrivals the lab and station. Once they leave, the new crew will remain on the station for their six-month rotation, too. While in space, the two shared frequent updates about their journey, including setting the record straight after President Donald Trump suggested had been virtually abandoned in space. That's been the narrative from day one: stranded, abandoned, stuckand I get it, Butch told CNN in February, but that is, again, not what our human spaceflight program is about. He continued, We dont feel abandoned, we dont feel stuck, we dont feel stranded. NASA VIDEO FRAME GRAB HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock After all, as Suni emphasized they are experienced astronautsso they are not strangers to ISS living. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We've got food, we've got clothes, we have great crew members up here, she added. Of course, it was a little bit longer stay than we had expected, but both of us have trained to live and work on the International Space Station and I think we've made the most of it. Indeed, although their stay was longer than planned, Suni and Butch continued to keep spirits up at the ISSincluding holiday celebrations like Thanksgiving celebrations. Keegan Barber/NASA via AP We have a bunch of food that weve packed away that is Thanksgiving-ish, she told NBC Nightly News With Lester Holt in November. Some smoked turkey, some cranberry, apple cobbler, green beans and mushrooms and mashed potatoes. People are worried about us, really, dont worry about us, she continued. Were feeling good, working out, eating right. We have a lot of fun up here, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more on their journey in space, keep reading. (E! and NBC Nightly News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.) June 2024 Sunita Suni Williams and Barry Butch Wilmore launched into space on Boeings Starliner spacecraft June 5, 2024, with plans to stay at the International Space Station for eight days. Shortly after their launch, the astronauts reported a stable and isolated leak in their propulsion-related plumbing, per the Associated Press. While the leak remained stable throughout their travel to the ISS, four more leaks emerged and five thrustersdevices used for accelerationfailed. They were able to safely dock at the ISS, with the understanding that their mission would likely last longer than eight days. August 2024 Two months after their faulty launch, NASA came forward with the debacle of the two astronauts stuck in space. At the time, the space organization was still trying to determine whether the Starliner would be fit for a return to space, and Boeing maintained at the time it should have been, with the company telling E! News in a statement, If NASA decides to change the mission, we will take the actions necessary to configure Starliner for an uncrewed return. Meanwhile, former NASA official Scott Hubbard quelled public concern over Wilmore and Williams predicament, telling the Associated Press the astronautswho have each been to space before on prior missionsare only kind of stuck, emphasizing that they have plenty of supplies and work to do. August 2024 After NASA confirmed that Williams and Wilmore would return to Earth on a SpaceX mission in February or March, rather than attempting to fix the Starliner, their families spoke out. Wilmores wife Deanna Wilmore told WVLT in August of her familys predicament, You just sort of have to roll with it and expect the unexpected." Meanwhile, Williams husband Michael shared that he didnt think his wife would be unsettled by spending more time in space, telling The Wall Street Journal, That's her happy place. November 2024 Just before celebrating six months in space, Williams and Wilmore shared insight into their Thanksgiving celebrations aboard the ISS. We have a bunch of food that weve packed away that is Thanksgiving-ish, Wiliams told NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt from the ISS on Nov. 27. Some smoked turkey, some cranberry, apple cobbler, green beans and mushrooms and mashed potatoes. Williams also reiterated that she and Wilmore were doing just fine amid their extended stay in space. People are worried about us, really, dont worry about us, she added. Were feeling good, working out, eating right. We have a lot of fun up here, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement December 2024 After the astronauts celebrated six months in space, NASA confirmed they would be staying even longer than previously thought. Although the organization had originally planned for the duo to return in February, delays in the SpaceX mission that would retrieve them led their stay to be extended to March or April, NASA said at the time. February 2025 In February, President Donald Trump claimed in a Truth Social post that Williams and Wilmore had been virtually abandoned in space amid their eight-day-turned-eight-month journey. However, following the headline-making comment, the astronauts pushed back on the presidents claim. We don't feel abandoned, Wilmore insisted to CNNs Anderson Cooper in a Feb. 13 interview. "We don't feel stuck. We don't feel stranded. We come prepared. We come committed. Williams interjected during the interview that the pair were doing pretty darn good, actually. We've got food, we've got clothes, we have great crew members up here, she continued. Of course, it was a little bit longer stay than we had expected, but both of us have trained to live and work on the International Space Station and I think we've made the most of it. During the interview, Wilmore and Williams also confirmed theyd be returning to Earth when SpaceX launches its Dragon capsule March 12. They'll come here, rendezvous and dock," Wilmore explained. We'll do a turnover for about a week and we will return on or about the 19th of March. March 2025 Just days before her father was set to return, Wilmores daughter Daryn Wilmore spoke out on her fathers time in spaceand how she felt about the delays in his return to Earth. Its a bit mentally exhausting, she told the Daily Mail in a March 6 interview. There's been issues. There's been negligence. And that's the reason why this has just kept getting delayed. There's just been issue after issue after issue. Daryn expressed that her father was bummed, but otherwise doing well on the ISS, adding, My dad is very resilient. For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App TOKYO - Tokyo was hit by unseasonal snow on Wednesday as a developing low-pressure system prompted the weather agency to issue advisories for severe atmospheric conditions including gales, thunderstorms and high waves in wide areas of the Japanese archipelago. The extremely unstable weather, stretching from Japan's west to east, is being caused by very cold air and a low-pressure system coming into contact with moist air in the atmosphere. The Japan Meteorological Agency advised caution for lightning, tornadoes, hail and heavy rain. The agency also warned of snowstorms and strong winds in the country's north and west. The unusual snowfall comes ahead of Japan's cherry blossom season, with the flowers forecasted to start blooming in Tokyo on Saturday, according to the Japan Weather Association. This story is part of SLO Tribune's Parents Central, our expanding coverage for local parents. We're tackling issues that matter to you the most, explaining the "what it means," from school budgets to children's health. We also want to have fun: Send us your best tips for local parents and things to do. Email tips@thetribunenews.com. The Atascadero school board wont hire a controversial candidate to replace its outgoing superintendent after community backlash. During its meeting Tuesday night, school board member Denise McGrew-Kane announced the district would not hire E.J. Rossi, its former top pick for the job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The board has taken into consideration a significant amount of public input from the community, and has determined to continue the search for the next superintendent, McGrew-Kane said as applause sounded throughout the packed meeting. At the end of the day, we want to ensure that the board and the community support the next leader of our school district, and we are committed to a process that will work toward building trust, she said. We will provide more information on next steps soon. Soon after the announcement, a person could be heard yelling from the audience, Democracy works! The decision comes after some teachers, staff and community members voiced concerns about Rossi, who had been identified as the top candidate for the job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rossi currently serves as the districts assistant superintendent of educational services. Some district employees were concerned by allegations that Rossi previously misappropriated public funds while working for the San Ardo Union School District from 2003 to 2007. Though no criminal charges were filed, the allegations were examined as part of a San Luis Obispo County grand jury investigation into Rossis promotion within the Atascadero school district in 2008. Rossi has denied criminal wrongdoing in the past. The districts search for a new superintendent comes after current superintendent Tom Butler announced his decision to retire in November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Butler plans to leave the district at the end of this academic year. Though the board elected not to approve a contract for Rossi on Tuesday night, several members of the public elected to speak and share their thoughts about what had gone wrong. The situation went too far, speaker Anthony Villanueva said. It should have never taken this many people showing up for you to hear. To hear the staff, to hear the teachers. We showed up to show you that we are here for our teachers, we are here for our children. This decision is a win for all those sitting and standing behind me and its a fight that never needed to happen. ATHENS, Ohio (WCMH) Ohio University students championed a resolution passed this month by Athens City Council declaring the city a safe haven for transgender people seeking gender-affirming care. The resolution was approved unanimously by city council on March 3, and calls on the city of Athens to advocate against criminal prosecution for those providing, seeking, or receiving gender-affirming care. Athens resolution also advocates for policies that protect trans individuals from discrimination, for pop-up and travel clinics offering gender-affirming care, and to address current and potential threats to the safety and the rights of LGBTQ+ residents. Weve done in the past really strong, bold resolutions and so we have a track record of that and I think this is a great continuation of that tradition, said Councilmember Michael Wood, while thanking the various student groups who aided in drafting and building support for the resolution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DOGE cancels $699K OSU research grant examining cannabis use in LGBTQ+ women Athens residents and Ohio University students who spoke during the March meeting all advocated in favor of the resolution, including first-year student Indigo Steiner who said they knew they were transgender well before becoming an adult. Steiner grew up in Logan and said they werent able to access gender-affirming care until moving to Athens. Moving to Athens and subsequently getting access to gender-affirming care has drastically changed my life for the better, Steiner said. My self-confidence, my quality of life have dramatically increased. Spencer Stein, a second-year medical student, pointed to research from The Trevor Project that found 61% of trans youth who were taking gender-affirming hormones were concerned about losing access to this care. Stein also cited the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law, which found that 81% of trans U.S. adults have thought about suicide, and 42% have attempted it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am standing before you today, not only as a medical student desperate to ensure fair and equitable access to healthcare but as a transgender person seeking to be more than just another statistic, Stein said. Councils resolution notes that Athens is one of 13 Ohio cities that have banned conversion therapy, which are techniques that falsely claim to change a persons sexual orientation or gender identity. Cities like Athens have passed these conversion therapy bans because Ohios Statehouse has yet to implement a statewide ban. Grove City to pay healthcare insurance costs for low-income residents Instead, the Statehouse has advanced legislation that opponents deem anti-LGBTQ+, like a law to ban certain healthcare for transgender youth that was partially blocked by an appeals court on Tuesday. Other measures include an education law that advocates say will result in the outing of students and cause an increased number of LGBTQ+ youth to call a crisis hotline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ari Faber, one of several trans candidates to run for the Statehouse last November, argued during the March meeting that these Ohio bills are why it was important for council to pass the resolution. It tells transgender people that Athens is a place where they are valued, protected and affirmed. Community support, such as this resolution, saves lives, Faber said. When cities like Athens step up to affirm and protect the right to this care, we provide hope. 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. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The purported targeted attack, as police called it, on a Tesla collision center in Las Vegas Tuesday is one of a spate of attacks both in the United States and abroad, research done by the 8 News Now Investigators reveals. Las Vegas police and the FBI and their respective counterterrorism unit and Joint Terrorism Task Force are investigating a fire at that location in the southwest valley Monday morning that scorched several cars. The fire was reported Tuesday around 2:45 a.m. at 6260 West Badura Avenue near Jones Boulevard and Warm Springs Road. Two Tesla Cybertrucks were damaged in a fire in south Kansas City late Monday night. The Kansas City office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives stated Tuesday that it is working with KCPD and the FBI to investigate the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of a week ago, CBS News reported at least seven cases of vandalism involving Tesla Dealerships, charging stations, and vehicles graffitied with swastikas and Nazi references. Musk saluted the crowd at Donald Trumps presidential inauguration in January with a gesture that resembled the gesture Nazi soldiers used as a greeting during World War II. Other similar incidents attacking Tesla properties or vehicles include: A handful of Tesla Cybertrucks caught fire in Seattles SODO neighborhood overnight, causing significant damage on March 10. The incident, CBS News reported, comes in the wake of nationwide protests at Tesla facilities in protest of Elon Musks role in President Donald Trumps Administration as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency. In February, CBS News Chicago reported a man named Ed, parked on Lakeshore Drive, found his blue Tesla vandalized with the white spray-painted letters F-Elon. In March, in Oregon, the windows of a dealership were shattered by bullets. That same week, a Tesla charging station about an hour outside of Boston went up in flames. Several international incidents have also been aimed at Musk and/or Tesla. Two environmental activists poured orange liquid latex over Elon Musks Tesla Optimus robot at a store in London on March 12, according to CBS News. Those two people were taken away by the authorities in handcuffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 KLAS. AMES, Iowa An Ames man is behind bars, charged with attempted murder after a shooting in the parking lot of a convenience store. Tommy Thompson, 18, is being held in the Story County Jail in connection with the shooting at the Caseys at 3218 Orion Drive. Major Dan Walter of the Ames Police Department said the shooting happened at 11:48 p.m. Tuesday during an altercation between Thompson and the victim. Man critically injured after being hit by vehicle in northeast Des Moines Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mary Greeley Medical Center notified police around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday about a gunshot victim receiving treatment at the hospital. The victim suffered a wound to the arm and was treated and released. During the investigation, Ames police learned the shooting took place in the parking lot of the Caseys. Officers located Thompsons vehicle at 3500 Grand Avenue and he was taken into custody around 3:00 a.m. If you have any information about the shooting, contact the Ames Police Department at 515-239-5133 or leave an anonymous tip at 515-239-5533. 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 who13.com. DENVER (KDVR) A 41-year-old Aurora woman was found guilty by a federal jury in Oklahoma on Tuesday after allegedly using a dead persons identity to cash checks. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Sarai Jamila Nyasha Freeman was found guilty of two counts of passing and uttering counterfeit obligations and securities, two counts of aggravated identity theft and one count of failure to appear. Man sentenced for selling Boulder County minors drugs in exchange for sexual acts, money Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The failure to appear charge was leveled after Freeman was provided an airline ticket to appear for trial in Oklahoma in December. She failed to appear the day the trial was set and a warrant was issued for her arrest. Prosecutors successfully argued during the trial that in January 2020, Freeman used a dead persons identity to fraudulently cash two counterfeit U.S. Treasury checks. Additionally, Freeman pled guilty in 2023 to four counts of uttering forged documents in 2019 in Tulsa County, Oklahoma. In that case, court documents showed that two bench warrants were issued for her appearance. On Tuesday, Freeman was taken into custody where she will remain until sentencing at a later date. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. ANDERSON In April 1968, Carl Kramer was a senior at Anderson University when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. He remembers comforting a fellow student who was sobbing with grief after she heard the news. She said, Dr. King has been shot, Kramer recalled. I just took my arms around her and she cried on my shoulder. I had never felt so helpless in my life. It wasa reflection of what was going on across the country, he continued. Now we are finding ourselves in the same situation where people are trying to deprive people of their voting rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kramer recounted his experience after participating in the universitys Peace and Justice March Tuesday morning. The one-mile walk from Reardon Auditorum to Dickmann Town Center took place 60 years after Kramer, Jacquie Sellers-Womack and Connie Hippensteel participated in the inaugural march in 1965. The trio was recognized during a brief ceremony at the conclusion of the march. Kramer said that first march had a significant impact on him. It was a very meaningful experience, I think, for me and the other students and probably the faculty and staff because of the tension that existed in the country, Kramer said. For a lot of us, it was a real commitment. I think it was really a pivotal moment in my life. Looking back, it set me on the trajectory that I have as far as advocating for racial justice. Tuesdays march was held at the same time chapel would normally be held, so students would be able to attend and not have to miss class. Organizers estimated more than 100 people participated. Martin said he was thankful for that number. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I thought it was a great turnout, Martin said. It was an optional thing for students to come to. We did it during the time we knew they would be available to come, but for that many students and faculty and staff to participate, it was just a great turnout. Martin said he wanted his students to realize that the march looked and felt different 60 years ago. I was talking to some of my students, and I said, You know, 60 years ago when they did this, I dont think they were all smiling and having fun like we are right now, Martin said. There was a lot of tension back then. There were a lot of people not wanting them to do it from all different aspects. Korey Rees, a senior at AU and the president of the Student Government Association, said the milestone anniversary of the march is significant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It makes the history of the Civil Rights Movement feel much more alive to me, Rees said. Recognizing there are people in my community who, over the course of their lifetime, have seen the civil rights movement come to fruition and enact change in our culture, I think is really amazing. It serves as a good reminder to me that there are always important issues going on that are worth paying attention to and standing up for. Antwone Whiteside, a senior at AU and the president of the Black Student Association, said the experience of participating inspired him. It felt amazing to participate in the march today to show appreciation for the ones who came before me, Whiteside said. Seeing all the flags marching together was very impactful and inspiring for the next generation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the ceremony, Martin held an American flag that was hanging at the Capitol building when King was assassinated. The flag was donated to AU by an alumnus. Kramer said it is up to the current generation to move forward with obtaining justice. I hope people come away from this reinvigorated to carry on the work, he said. There is so much going on today that is very similar to what we marched about 60 years ago. It is a warning that the battle for justice is never completely won and has to continue with this new generation to carry it on. This story has been updated to clarify the terms of Gaitan's plea deal. A state district judge on Tuesday approved a plea deal in the case of Austin police officer Alejandro Gaitan, who had faced multiple assault charges for the alleged excessive use of force during the 2021 arrest of Carvius Jackson. Under the deal, which comes a week before Gaitan was set to go to trial, he pled guilty to one misdemeanor assault charge. In exchange, he will be required to permanently give up his law enforcement license, serve two years of deferred adjudication, write an apology letter to Jackson and complete an anger management course, as well as serve 40 hours of community service. Deferred adjudication is a type of probation given to defendants who have pled guilty or no contest, but have not been convicted. If the probationary requirements are met, charges are dropped. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Ensuring accountability in law enforcement when laws are violated is essential for restoring community trust and maintaining the safety of our community," Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza said in a news release announcing the deal. Garza also said his office was grateful to the Austin Police Department "for bringing this incident to light, as this case was investigated collaboratively by APDs Special Investigations Unit and our Civil Rights Unit." The Police Department later Tuesday said that Gaitan "will no longer be employed by the Austin Police Department" as a result of the plea deal. "Anytime our officers engage in misconduct, it is our duty and obligation to report it immediately, as it was in this case," said APD Chief Lisa Davis sad in a statement. "This is critical for building trust with our community and ensuring accountability among our officers." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police accountability has been a key focus for Garza, who was re-elected to a second term last November in a landslide. The Democrat later told the American-Statesman he would continue to pursue charges against Austin-area police officers for homicide, deadly conduct and excessive use-of-force but also that he hoped there wouldn't be as many of those incidents under Davis' leadership. Jackson, the victim in the Gaitan case, had an outstanding warrant for a domestic violence incident in 2021 when he refused to be handcuffed by two other police officers inside a Southeast Austin apartment complex. When Gaitan arrived, he allegedly attempted to arrest Jackson by repeatedly hitting him with a baton and then using a taser. As a result of the violent arrest, Jackson sustained multiple injuries, including "linear-shaped swollen contusions" along his back, according to a disciplinary memo. A Travis County grand jury indicted Gaitan in 2023 on charges of felony aggravated assault by a public servant, misdemeanor official oppression and misdemeanor assault causing bodily injury. He pled guilty to the latter charge as part of Tuesday's plea deal. Gaitan's defense attorneys, Doug O'Connell and Ken Ervin, said the plea deal would allow Gaitan to "put the accusations behind him while he focuses on the future." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The duo have represented numerous cops accused of use-of-force incidents, including Christopher Taylor, who late last year was sentenced to two years in prison for the death of Mauris DeSilva, and is believed to be the first police officer in Travis County to have been found guilty of committing an on-duty crime. "Alex Gaitan served our community as an Austin Police Officer for over seven years," O'Connell and Ervin said in the statement. "While proud of his contribution, he decided the reality of continuing a law enforcement career in Austin, where police officers are routinely targeted for prosecution by DA Jose Garza, is not the best choice for him or his family." This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin police officer pleads guilty to assault in use-of-force case Editors Note: This video has been updated to correct an attribution. AUSTIN (KXAN) Austin Police Department Officer Alejandro Gaitan pled guilty on Tuesday to Assault Causing Bodily Injury, a misdemeanor, according to the Travis County District Attorneys Office. Gaitan was accused of hitting a person with a baton and using an electroshock weapon, according to previous information obtained by KXAN. As part of the plea deal, Gaitan will complete two years of deferred adjudication and is required to permanently submit his Texas Commission On Law Enforcement (TCOLE) license, according to the press release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He will also be required to write an apology letter to the victim and complete an anger management course and 40 hours of community service. Austin police officer indicted, accused of excessive force APD also provided a statement following Gaitans guilty plea. Anytime our officers engage in misconduct, it is our duty and obligation to report it immediately, as it was in this case. This is critical for building trust with our community and ensuring accountability among our officers. Lisa Davis, APD Chief of Police In June 2021, APDs Special Investigation Unit conducted an investigation regarding allegations against Gaitan regarding his alleged assault of Carvius Jackson on March 12, 2021. The case was then referred to the DAs office. We are grateful to the Austin Police Department for bringing this incident to light, as this case was investigated collaboratively by APDs Special Investigations Unit and our Civil Rights Unit, stated Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza. Ensuring accountability in law enforcement when laws are violated is essential for restoring community trust and maintaining the safety of our community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gaitans attorneys, Doug OConnell and Ken Ervin, criticized the district attorney in their statement, claiming he targets police officers with prosecution. The agreement reached in court today did not result in a conviction or finding of guilt, and it will allow Alex to put the accusations behind him while he focuses on the future, the statement continues. 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. HOWELL COUNTY, Mo. A part of the skeletal remains found in August 2024 by authorities in rural Howell County have been identified as belonging to Ira Lee Briscoe, a 25-year-old man who has been declared missing from West Plains since 2020. Photo of Ira Briscoe (Courtesy: Missouri State Highway Patrol) According to a Facebook post from the Howell County Sheriffs Office (HCSO), they spoke with a forensic scientist from the Missouri State Highway Patrol Crime Lab in Springfield about previously submitted DNA samples from the recovered remains on March 18. The lab compared the remains and the sample collected from Iras parents, which resulted in a 99.9999999999% likelihood that the remains belonged to the Briscoes biological child. Ira Briscoe and his roommate 49-year-old Limon Little have been missing since December 2020, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Howell County Sheriff Matt Roberts informed the Briscoe family of this information shortly after speaking with the scientist. Littles next of kin were also notified about the development. The rest of the discovered human remains have not yet been identified, according to HCSO, but they will be submitted to a private laboratory for additional DNA testing. Sheriff Roberts and the Howell County Sheriffs Office are committed to bringing this case to a close as soon as possible, HCSO said in the Facebook post. 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 KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Authorities are investigating a machete attack overnight leaving one person injured. According to police, officers were called to the area of 1713 North Highland and upon arrival discovered a victim who had been struck by a machete. High fire danger predicted in Oklahoma Wednesday Police say, the victim was treated on the scene. No suspect identification has been released as the investigation continues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Would you visit the site of a nuclear disaster? Three Kyodo News reporters -- Junko Horiuchi, Eduardo Martinez and Donican Lam -- discuss how a town hosting the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant is being swept up in Japan's tourism boom. Listen as they discuss the pros and cons of this trend, recount the March 11, 2011, disaster and talk about their own experiences of visiting Tohoku. Article mentioned in the podcast: Overseas visitors bringing new life to nuclear disaster-hit Fukushima Kyodo News presents a bilingual podcast for English learners about the ins and outs of news writing and how to translate tricky Japanese phrases into English. Have fun listening to journalists discuss recent articles as they occasionally go off on unrelated tangents. More podcast episodes: Podcast [English World] Episode 88: Sinkhole in Saitama Podcast [English World] Episode 87: Japanese school experience Podcast [English World] Episode 86: Niseko ski resort Mar. 18LIMA The Awakenings Victim Outreach Program at Area Agency on Aging 3 has been awarded a multi-year grant through the Health Path Foundation of Ohio to support older adults. The program serves adults ages 60 and older in Allen, Auglaize, Hanock, Hardin, Mercer, Putnam and Van Wert counties who have experienced abuse, neglect or exploitation. Funds are available to assist with a variety of services that can help improve their safety and well-being following any number of situations. Included are rent and utilities assistance, housing deposits, medication, groceries, security cameras, household goods, clothing and other essentials. A referral form is available online at www.aaa3.org/victimoutreach for people in need of assistance. Featured Local Savings AYDEN, N.C. (WNCT) Wednesday, Mar. 19, 2025, town leaders in Ayden discussed several issues facing the town. High utility bills is just one of those issues. $712, thats ridiculous, Ayden Town Commissioner Johnny Davis said. They also talked about drainage and infrastructure problems as main concerns. The board is reacting to decades of what I consider a neglect on the infrastructure of the town, Ayden Mayor Pro-Tem Raymond Langley said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leaders said theyre working on fixing the issues but it takes time. Talking with mayors across the county and across the state of North Carolina, they have some of the same problems we have, Ayden Mayor Ivory Mewborn said. The only difference is there are people who dont do some of the things that those that nay say when it comes to us. They said the town is growing and needs more development. This board, right now, is trying to do everything we can to make sure that we can be in control of these, all these, Mayor Pro-Tem Langley said. This infrastructure we have right now, which is degrading and needs to be replaced, but we also have to have money to do those things. We are going to go forward. We want to move forward cautiously because we have so much involved, Mayor Mewborn said. I believe in growth. I believe in smart growth. However, smart growth to me isnt smart growth unless its balanced growth. Members of the community also offered some thoughts after the meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im hoping with what the board have said, I think that they, if they make some adjustments and everything, I think that well be in good shape, Glenn Williams of Ayden said. We just have to wait and see if the utilities come down and as we start to see in the streets repair. I think it served its purpose because theres a lot of things that goes on that sometimes we dont, we dont know over the live, Commissioner Davis said. The board members said theyre forming two committees with one focusing on utilities and the other on drainage. 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. Back to work: A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration's unilateral dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) likely violated the U.S. Constitution. On Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge Theodore Chuang ordered the administration to return computer and email access to employees of the agency, including those who had been placed on administrative leave, reports the Associated Press. The ruling comes as part of the lawsuit filed by unnamed USAID employees who have challenged the constitutionality of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and its apparent head Elon Musk's ability to fire employees, cancel grants, and shutter the congressionally authorized agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These employees and contractors had requested a preliminary injunction from the court that would reinstate USAID employees and funding. Chuang partially granted that request, writing that DOGE's actions to shut down the USAID and close its headquarters without the approval of a USAID officer "likely violated the United States Constitution in multiple ways" and "deprived the public's duly elected representatives in Congress of their constitutional authority to decide whether, when, and how to close down an agency created by Congress." His order instructs the Trump administration to return USAID employees and contractors' access to all electronic systems within a week. It also prohibits Musk, DOGE staffers, and anyone designated as part of a DOGE team within the federal government from taking further action to wind down the USAID, including terminating contracts, firing employees, or placing anyone on administrative leave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Within two weeks, DOGE is also supposed to come up with a plan for allowing the USAID to return to its offices in the Ronald Reagan building in Washington, D.C., which DOGE very publicly evicted it from. Politico notes that there is some ambiguity in the order. Chuang's injunction applies only to Musk, his DOGE deputies, and anyone named as part of a DOGE team focused on the USAID. That would seemingly not bind other non-DOGE members of the Trump administration from taking actions to wind down USAID employees and programs. Who's in charge? Beyond the immediate reinstatement of some USAID functions, Chuang's ruling is consequential by finding that Musk is in charge of DOGE and that his role in running the agency is constitutionally dubious. To date, there's been a lot of ambiguity about what the billionaire's precise role within the federal government is. In other DOGE-related lawsuits, the Trump administration has claimed that Musk is serving merely as a White House adviser and has no formal role in the two DOGE units within the White House, nor with the DOGE teams that have been set up in various federal departments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Chuang notes in his ruling, President Donald Trump has very publicly undermined that stance by repeatedly referring to Musk, in interviews, cabinet meetings, and a joint address to Congress, as the head of DOGE with wide powers to fire employees and make cuts. According to plaintiffs in the USAID lawsuit, this presents a problem for DOGE, as Musk is apparently acting as a principal officer without the needed Senate confirmation in violation of the Constitution's Appointments Clause. Chuang's ruling is the first to support that argument. That could lend support to the many other anti-DOGE lawsuits accusing Musk of acting as a principal officer without congressional authorization. A life for liberty: Earlier this week, Manuel Klausner, a co-founder of the Reason Foundation and early editor for Reason, died at the age of 85. Brian Doherty has written an obituary of Klausner, charting his life as a young lawyer and instructor at the University of Chicago Law School and his involvement in the very early days of Reason. [Klausner's] enthusiasm for spreading libertarian ideas led to him connecting with a local libertarian philosopher he heard on the radio, Tibor Machan; the two men eventually allied with local engineer Robert Poole and took over Reason in 1971, which had been foundering under its founding editor Lanny Friedlander. Klausner played many roles with the magazine through the 1970s, including editor and publisher, and in 1978 was a co-founder of Reason Foundation, which took on the publishing of Reason, as well as other public policy work pushing libertarian ideas in the real world. In a 1999 interview, Klausner told Doherty, "On my death bed I'll be proud and happyI'm positive by nature. We have a free country here in that we can accumulate capital and invest in building frameworks to circulate ideas." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read the whole obit here. Reason Foundation co-founder Robert Poole has also written a tribute to Klausner. RIP. Scenes from D.C.: Last night, demonstrators gathered outside the White House to protest Israel's renewed assault on Gaza. Protests outside the White House ! ???????????? pic.twitter.com/lBqDsUwBqm Winter's Politics ???? (@WintersPolitics) March 19, 2025 In what's being reported as one of the deadliest days of the war so far, Israel broke the ceasefire by launching air and naval strikes against the small territory on Tuesday. At least 400 people, including women and children, were killed in the attack. QUICK HITS Reason reports yesterday on a Rhode Island town that's decided to forgo all the pesky process involved in the taking of private property and instead just sign the title over to itself. Russia and Ukraine are accusing each other of violating a partial truce, reports The Wall Street Journal. Read Virginia Postrel on "lawn-sign liberalism vs. supply-side progressivism." Arrested Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil issues a letter from the Louisiana detention center he's being held in by immigration officials. He calls himself a "political prisoner." Trump releases the last of the John F. Kennedy assassination files. Dems in disarray as Rep. Nancy Pelosi (DCalif.) criticizes Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (DN.Y.) for not blocking Republicans' government funding bill. The post Back to Work appeared first on Reason.com. HONOLULU (KHON2) It was a weekend of high water and high anxiety for residents and businesses in Waiahole as a clogged stream led to major flooding concerns. Heavy rain, combined with debris buildup, turned this usually calm waterway into a flood hazard. And the Waiahole Poi Factory found itself right in the middle of the rising water. Honolulu Mayor to give State of the City Address All over here was like muddy and stuff from the valley and theres a drain over there, that kind of comes up as well. So it kind of went wrong from that one and then it followed through the kitchen, said employee Thomas Galdeira-Hugo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Workers at the restaurant said they had to scramble to move supplies and equipment. It was getting bad from that window there even entering from that way, Galdeira-Hugo said, pointing at the restaurants front entrance. Thats when we needed the sand bags. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Flooding is nothing new for the restaurant, but because theyve been so busy cleaning up yesterday and today, it was the first time Galdeira-Hugo saw the status of the stream. Oh, thats bad, he said. Once it gets past that, when its hitting that bar right there. thats when its going to get bad and stuff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not just business that has people worried. The bridge serves as a key connection to the community and residents in the area say theyre worried about the safety of the bridge. Because the bridge is already compromised, how inconvenient it would be for people to have to drive all the way around the island just to come home, said longtime Waiahole Valley resident Nathan Oshima. The 103-year-old Waiahole Bridge has long been on the list to be replaced. According to a Board of Land and Natural Resources report, the state Department of Transportation is expected to begin construction on a new bridge in the spring of 2026. We reached out to state transportation officials, who weve been told, are looking into the communitys concerns. But for many, the worry lingers. Oshima is concerned for his neighbor, the farmer next to Waiahole Stream. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She gets wiped out on the regular because of the water. Because of that shes lost a lot of her farmland gets eaten away and it continually does. because theres no maintenance, Oshima 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 KHON2. Flowers of hemp plants that contain less that 0.3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) the primary psychoactive substance in marijuana, to be used for student instruction at the Cleveland School of Cannabis, October 30, 2023, in Independence, Ohio. (Photo by Graham Stokes for Ohio Capital Journal. Republish photo only with original article.) Ohioans in the marijuana business, poison control workers, and religious organizations testified Tuesday in support of a bill that would regulate intoxicating hemp and drinkable cannabinoid products. Ohio Senate Bill 86 would require intoxicating hemp products to only be sold at adult-use dispensaries instead of allowing them to be sold at convenience stores, smoke shops, or gas stations. The bill would also impose a 15% tax on intoxicating hemp products and ban sales to anyone under 21. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohios legal cannabis industry is facing a growing crisis, said Joshua Smith, the owner of Southern Ohio Botanicals, a licensed dispensary in Pike County. Fake, pop-up, poser dispensaries are exploiting loopholes in hemp laws to sell legitimate cannabis while misleading consumers into believing they are licensed establishments. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Eleven people, including Smith, submitted testimony in support of S.B. 86 during Tuesdays Ohio Senate General Government Committee meeting. Ohio state Sens. Steve Huffman, R-Tipp City, and Shane Wilkin, R-Hillsboro, introduced S.B. 86, which would only allow intoxicating hemp products to be sold at dispensaries if the products have been tested and comply with standards for packaging, labeling, and advertising. It would only apply to products that can be ingested or inhaled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2018 U.S. Farm Bill says hemp can be legally grown if it contains less than 0.3% THC. Ohio is one of about 20 states that does have any regulations around intoxicating hemp products, according to an Ohio State University Drug Enforcement and Policy Center study from November 2024. These unregulated dispensaries demonstrate a failure in Ohios marijuana program, Smith said. Without oversight, we have no way of verifying where their cannabis is sourced from or if it has been properly tested for safety. Unlike regulated dispensaries, where all products are prepackaged and lab-tested, these rogue shops weigh out cannabis in front of customers with no quality control measures in place. Fadi Boumitri, CEO of Ascension BioMedical, a licensed cannabis cultivator in Oberlin, said there are 10 shops within a 1.5 mile radius of his house that sells intoxicating hemp products. As a small company that is a cultivation only, we are disproportionately impacted by the large and growing market for intoxicating hemp products, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Hannah Hays, medical director of the Central Ohio Poison Center and chief of toxicology at Nationwide Childrens Hospital, said accidental cannabis-related poisonings reported to the Ohio Poison Centers has increased 20-fold for all age groups since 2019. Exposure to cannabinoid products, including Delta 8, has increased more than 330% for young children since 2021, she said. When young children access these products, they can experience severe symptoms including hallucinations, confusion, loss of consciousness, seizures, and respiratory failure, Hays said. Ive cared for children exposed to intoxicating hemp products who have experienced severe and prolonged symptoms, including coma. Chris Lindsey, director of state advocacy and public policy for the American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp, holds up a bag of Delta-9 THC smashers as part of proponent testimony for Senate Bill 326 during the Senate General Government Committee on Nov. 19, 2024. (Screenshot courtesy of The Ohio Channel). Chris Lindsey, director of state advocacy and public policy for the American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp, shared test results of intoxicating hemp products he purchased at a Columbus convenience store last year. There was one that was a piece of candy and that one simple piece had 500 milligrams of THC in it, so that would put a horse in the hospital, Lindsey said. You literally have to take just individual small bites of this candy to avoid overdose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Will Kuehnle, an associate director with the Catholic Conference of Ohio, called the spread of intoxicating hemp products a threat to the moral fabric of Ohio. These products, chemically altered to maximize intoxication, are marketed in ways that confuse consumers, evade regulatory oversight, and, most alarmingly, end up in the hands of minors, he said. Follow Capital Journal Reporter Megan Henry on Bluesky. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) on Wednesday stressed the importance of respecting court rulings and following judges orders as President Trump and his allies suggest the U.S. district court judge that halted deportation flights should be forced off the bench. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg lashed out at Trump administration lawyers on Tuesday for refusing to follow his order to halt or turn around the flights carrying Venezuelan immigrants, which touched down in El Salvador over the weekend. Our practice over 236 years has been to either respect the courts decisions or appeal to a higher court. I believe in the Constitutions pillars of separation of powers, and checks and balances, Bacon wrote Wednesday on the social platform X, quoting a Politico article that referenced GOP efforts to impeach sitting judges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump is attempting to invoke the Alien and Enemies Act of 1798 to authorize his mass deportations, which is a wartime law. The administration has also argued the judges order didnt apply to planes that had already left the country. As Trump tests the constitutional limits of his power, Republican lawmakers have been torn between supporting the president and deferring to the courts on matters of constitutional interpretation. Trump has jabbed the judge repeatedly on Truth Social since the decision. If a President doesnt have the right to throw murderers, and other criminals, out of our Country because a Radical Left Lunatic Judge wants to assume the role of President, then our Country is in very big trouble, and destined to fail! he wrote shortly after midnight Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier in the day, he wrote This judge, like many of the Crooked Judges I am forced to appear before, should be IMPEACHED!!! WE DONT WANT VICIOUS, VIOLENT, AND DEMENTED CRIMINALS, MANY OF THEM DERANGED MURDERERS, IN OUR COUNTRY. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!! Supreme Court Chief Justice Roberts issued a rare statement countering the presidents remarks. For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose, Roberts said. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) has also been among the Republican voices publicly urging the White House to comply with court rulings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have a judicial system. If you dont like the ruling, you can appeal the ruling and you can follow that through. But we are a nation of laws, and it is not necessarily for you or I to be the final arbiter here. This is why we entrust the judiciary with this responsibility, she said. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has said the courts have a valid role and need to be listened to. 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. (FOX40.COM) Sacramento LGBTQ+ nightclub, Badlands Sacramento made a statement Monday, banning MAGA-related attire from the venue. In an Instagram post, the owner said this decision came after someone wearing MAGA attire made some of their guests uncomfortable. Video Above: Five key moments in the fight for LGBTQ rights This decision is not about banning political beliefs-it is about ensuring that Badlands remains a space where our community feels comfortable and supported, said owner TJ Bruce in the statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New bill aimed at protecting pets during disasters introduced in California legislature According to the statement, the owner first decided to ban general political attire but then specified it to MAGA attire overall. The full statement can be found on Badlands Instagram page. 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. EAU CLAIRE After listening to several stories from Chippewa Valley residents about how Medicaid cuts would impact services, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin said it is important that those cuts not take place. People sharing their experiences is how we are going to stand up against this, Baldwin said at the conclusion of an hour-long Hands Off Medicaid Tour at the Marshfield Medical Center on Tuesday. I do think we have the power to prevent them from doing this. Today, we heard the stories of individuals who rely on Medicaid as a lifeline. I am so proud of their courage in speaking up. A proposal in Congress calls for reducing spending on Medicaid by $880 billion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You cant do that without deep cuts, she said. Baldwin noted that one in three children and adults with developmental disabilities in Wisconsin are on Medicaid, and four out of seven nursing home residents depend on Medicaid. We have to understand how far-reaching Medicaid is, she said. Baldwin, a Democrat, voted against a continuing resolution on Friday that allowed the federal government to stay open. Baldwin said the CR allowed Elon Musk to have unfettered control over cuts and changes to federal spending. This is a power grab, Baldwin said. I feel I needed to stand up to that. The course theyve taken up is dangerous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baldwin noted that since President Donald Trump returned to office, thousands of federal employees have been laid off, while funding for programs approved by Congress and signed into law have been suspended. Im not going to willingly vote to give them a green light to keep that up, she said. Republicans control both the U.S. House and Senate by narrow margins. Baldwin urged Republicans to cross out and have courage to stand up against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Fall Creek residents Adam and Janice Wojak have an adult son, Chase, who has autism and lives at home. They told Baldwin that they are fearful of what will happen if dollars arent available for the day programs that he takes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are dismantling it, Adam Wojak said. And they want to keep going until its completely kaput. Eau Claire resident Sandra Dye told Baldwin about how her son has migraines that have let to depression and mental health issues. She said there is no way she could buy insurance to cover his type of issues. My question to the people who want to cut these programs is, what is your solution? Dye said. What are you offering? What is the alternative? Sharon Dillon of Eau Claire told Baldwin that she takes six different types of medication daily. Without Medicaid, I wouldnt be able to cover the medications I take, Dillon said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baldwin contends that Republicans will eventually back down from the proposed cuts because of calls from constituents. She said that in past years, her office would typically receive between 50 and 100 daily calls from the public. We are getting on average well over a thousand calls a day, she said. I do think we have the power to prevent them from doing this. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) Police in D.C. have identified the man who was killed in a shooting in Southeast on Tuesday morning. The shooting happened on March 18, around 11 a.m., in the 3000 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said when officers arrived, they found 39-year-old Derrick Howard, of Baltimore, Md., unconscious with a gunshot wound. Medics tried to save Howard, but he died at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Safety concerns rise as Northwest DC intersection traffic lights remain out of power for over a month D.C. police officers on the scene of a deadly shooting on MLK Ave. SE Homicide scene on March 18. (Ryan Sage/ DC News Now) As of Wednesday morning, no arrests have been made, and the investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information about what led to the shooting is encouraged to call MPD at 202-727-9099 or text 50411. The police department currently offers awards of up to $25,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction. 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. Former Trump adviser and right-wing firebrand Steve Bannon said this week that tech billionaire Elon Musks shock troops in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are making headways in reshaping the government after months of publicly lambasting Musk and his motives. Its a trauma-inducing effort into the administrative state, Bannon said in an interview with NewsNations Chris Cuomo. And all of it not pretty, but I think its been pretty effective to date. Its never terribly pleasant, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bannon said he doubts DOGE will get to Musks $1 trillion target in spending cuts but the effort is making some progress. I think its headed in the right direction, although folks got to understand youre going to have some speed bumps, Bannon said, referencing a court order Tuesday that said Musk and DOGE overstepped their authority in dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), one of several legal setbacks the Trump administration has faced in its sweeping efforts to reduce the size of the government. Previously, Bannon has blisteringly attacked Musk, calling him a parasitic illegal immigrant who doesnt respect the countrys history, tradition or values, and a truly evil guy, a very bad guy. He also vowed to take this guy down and said Musk should go back to South Africa, his native country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bannon is a great talker, but not a great doer, Musk posted Feb. 6 on X, the social media platform he owns. What did he get done this week? Nothing. Bannon, who was CEO of President Trumps 2016 campaign, was fired from his White House role in 2017 amid tension with Trumps team early in his first term. He told Cuomo that he and Musk still have major philosophical differences, but he recognizes the Tesla CEOs efforts in the Trump administration. Look, Elon and he and I have huge, almost unbridgeable differences on so many things like transhumanism and technology and visas and immigration all that, said Bannon, who has maintained close ties with the president. Hes making an effort, and I think hes having getting some real traction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New York Times reported Trump stepped in and urged Bannon to temper his public attacks against Musk and meet with him privately to quash their feud. Bannon has since turned to praising DOGEs work, while keeping Musk at arms length. DOGE is on fire, and as you know, I fully support Elon on DOGE and cutting the government, he said on the Welcome to MAGAland podcast in late February, noting that he still opposes Musk being an oligarch and a transhumanist. During a recent appearance on Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsoms podcast, Bannon didnt bite as Newsom attempted to engage in a discussion of mutual concerns about Musk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. In Atkinson, New Hampshire, a new business is stirring up controversy: The Diaper Spa is a haven for adults who role-play as children. Boston.com reported that the spa is open to "all diaper-wearing individuals who seek acceptance, respite and care." The facility is decorated like a nursery, with toys and adult-sized cribs. Services range from $200 an hour for virtual playdates to a $1,500-a-day experience that pampers "the little one inside of you." The owner, Dr. Colleen Ann Murphy, said the community of ABDL (adult/baby diaper lovers) is vast. "Being a part of this community brings comfort and solace," she said, and added that her services do not have a sexual component. Some Atkinson residents are concerned, though. "That is something that I will never be willing to expose my kids to," said Kayla Gallagher. "People tend to fear anything that they fail to comprehend," Murphy countered. TOKYO - Japan logged a 584.51 billion yen ($3.9 billion) trade surplus in February, returning to the black for the first time in two months, driven by strong auto and semiconductor-related demand, government data showed Wednesday. The surplus was the largest since March 2021 as exports surged 11.4 percent from a year earlier to 9.19 trillion yen, marking the fifth consecutive monthly growth and hitting a record for February, the Finance Ministry said in a preliminary report. Major items boosting exports were cars to the United States, chip-making machinery to Taiwan and electronics parts to Hong Kong. Imports edged down 0.7 percent to 8.61 trillion yen, marking the first decline in three months, weighed down by a decline in shipments of crude oil from the United Arab Emirates and falling prices of coal from Australia, the ministry said. By region, Japan had a 918.85 billion yen trade surplus with the United States, up 29.3 percent on year and hitting a record for February, as exports jumped 10.5 percent to 1.9 trillion yen while imports declined 2.7 percent to 985.88 billion yen. Although U.S. President Donald Trump has pledged to significantly raise tariffs on imported cars and other goods, a ministry official said there was no clear indication that companies rushed to export their products in the reporting month. Koki Akimoto, an economist at Daiwa Institute of Research, said auto demand rebounded after weakening partly due to the massive wildfires in California in January, adding that attention should be paid to whether the upbeat trend will continue. "Due to various factors, including planned auto tariffs on Mexico and Canada, predicting the outlook for Japan's car exports to the United States has become difficult," Akimoto said, noting that automobile shipments are a key component of the Asian nation's trade. With China, Japan remained in the red for the 47th straight month, logging a deficit of 186.8 billion yen, shrinking 57.4 percent from the year before, with shipments to the country gaining 14.1 percent to 1.54 trillion yen and imports falling 3.5 percent to 1.73 trillion yen. China-bound exports in the reporting month expanded as this year's Lunar New Year holiday began in January, unlike last year when it started in February, the official said. Japan's trade surplus with the rest of Asia, including China, more than quadrupled from a year earlier to 887.17 billion yen, returning to the black for the first time in two months, helped by solid car and chip-linked shipments. A deficit of 222.48 billion yen was reported with the European Union, remaining in the red for the 13th consecutive month, amid weak demand for automobiles. Related coverage: Japan finance minister calls U.S. tariffs "regrettable" at G7 talks Japan reports 2.8 tril. yen trade deficit in Jan. amid weaker yen Japan logs record 29 tril. yen current account surplus in 2024 Former White House strategist Steve Bannon leaned into President Trumps aspirations for a third term, suggesting Trump will run and win in 2028 while denying his own presidential ambitions. Im a firm believer that President Trump will run and win again in 2028, so Ive already endorsed President Trump, Bannon told NewsNations Chris Cuomo. A man like this comes along once every century, if were lucky. Weve got him now. Hes on fire, and Im a huge supporter. Want to see him again in 2028, he added in an appearance on CUOMO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has floated the idea of running for a third presidential term a number of times despite it being unconstitutional with the 22nd Amendment, which limits politicians to two presidential terms. He most recently teased a run last week during a White House St. Patricks Day event alongside Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin. Taoiseach, I want to just thank you once again for being here. Its an honor, and hopefully were gonna be doing this at least three more times, OK, Trump said at the time. Were gonna be doing this three more times, at least. When I say at least, they go absolutely crazy, the president added, referring to the news media. So thank you very much for being here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Cuomo asked Bannon, who has not fully ruled out his own 2028 White House bid, how he plans to secure another term for Trump, the former strategist said the wheels are already in motion. Were working on it. I think well have, I think well have a couple of alternatives, he said Tuesday. Lets say that. Well see, well see, well see what the definition of term limit is. Bannon also suggested that after Trumps defeat in the 2020 election to former President Biden, Trump had to make the longest of long shots to return to the Oval Office in 2024. But he cleared it, winning the GOP presidential primary and ultimately beating former Vice President Kamala Harris in November. And we had to get organized and drive that victory and also start working on all the policies. Whats called Project 2025 or the America First Policy Institute but all those different think tanks that started putting in the policies that youre seeing today in what we call flood the zone, or Days of Thunder, or however you want to describe it, Bannon said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But this is many years in the making, so weve had greater long shots than Trump 2028, and weve got a lot of stuff were working on there, he added. Were not prepared to talk about it publicly, but in a couple of months, I think we will be. In January, Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) proposed an amendment to the Constitution that would permit Trump to serve a third term in the White House. No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than three times, nor be elected to any additional term after being elected to two consecutive terms, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, the amendment said. Ogles said at the time that Trump has proven himself to be the only figure in modern history capable of reversing our nations decay and restoring America to greatness, and he must be given the time necessary to accomplish that goal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the presidents supporters were also seen wearing Trump 2028 stickers at last months Conservative Political Action Conference. Democrats on Capitol Hill have strongly rebuked the possibility. Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) put out a resolution in February reiterating the lower chambers support for the 22nd Amendment. Resolved, That the House of Representatives (1) reaffirms that the Twenty-second Amendment applies to two terms in the aggregate as President of the United States; and (2) reaffirms that the Twenty-second Amendment prohibits President Trump from running for President for another term, it reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A YouGov poll, released late last month, found that 52 percent of Americans think Trump will attempt to remain in the White House. When asked about it, 21 percent said definitely, and another 31 percent said probably. 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. BARRACKVILLE After 100 years, the Barrackville Mine Explosion will finally receive its own monument. Members of the Barrackville community gathered at the Lions Community Building to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the disaster where 33 men lost their lives. One day I just thought, why dont we have a memorial, why are we not recognizing our miners when similar memorials are in place at other communities, maintenance coordinator Josh Bartlett said. Barrackvilles a coal mining town. We had a mine for over 80 years, so to not have something to look back at what formed our community, whats woven into the fabric still today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bartlett said after bringing the lack of a memorial to the attention of the Barrackville Lions Club and Town Council, everyone embraced the idea with open arms. Bartletts family has a connection to the disaster. His father managed the company store when the mine explosion happened. Bartlett said his family passed stories of that terrible night down through generations of his family. Pastor Stephanie Bennett, who helped organize the event Monday night, said the explosion was the largest of three disasters that happened in Barrackville. A total of 11 mining accidents have taken place in Marion County. Bennett said the disaster, and coal mining more generally, have shaped the community, whether its aware of it not. Lives have been lived and lost here, she said. There are people in this community who worked in that mine before it closed. There are people in this community who had grandfathers and great-grandfathers that worked in that mine, and its just a way to remember the cost of coal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Sen. Mike Caputo spoke at the event on behalf of the United Mine Workers of America as a former officer. He said hes spoken at a lot of memorial services like the one at Barrackville and across West Virginia. They didnt care much about the miner at that time, Caputo said. They cared more about production. A lot of times, they cared more about the mule than they cared about the mine. Bartlett said he thought there was a possibility of foul play which led to the mine explosion on March 17, 1925. There was a lot of union turmoil going on at the time and the mine wasnt unionized, the miners there were considered scabs he said. Caputo said after the explosion happened, the union still showed up to help and provide relief. Although any wrongdoing was cleared at the time, Bartlett said a lot of historical documents were kind of sketchy and a rumor of foul play persisted. He suspects a potential coverup created a stigma that led the disaster to being forgotten and no memorial ever created. But I dont think itll be forgotten anymore with the group of people that are here today, he said. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) A Baton Rouge man accused of killing a woman and injuring a man in a 2023 shooting was sentenced Monday. Court records show Tremal Baker, 31, changed his plea from not guilty to guilty and was sentenced to 25 years of hard labor for manslaughter. His trial was originally set to start on Monday, March 17. A December 2023 shooting on Riley Street left Tamine Richardson, 24, dead and a 24-year-old man hurt. Baker was arrested months later in April 2024 after a traffic stop for a headlights violation on Plank Road. Before he was taken into custody, he reportedly fled on foot with a gun in hand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives learned Baker was wanted in connection to the deadly shooting and he was booked into prison for charges related to the crime. Suspects in Baton Rouge boys murder pleaded not guilty Latest News 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 Louisiana First News. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) BRECs Baton Rouge Zoo will introduce its newest jaguar cub, Lacumba III, to the public for the first time during Southern University Day at the Zoo on Friday, April 4. Southern students, alumni and faculty will get early access to see the Lacumba III for a reduced admission of $3 with a valid school ID. The event celebrates the legacy of the universitys historic mascot. The jaguar cubs name, which means Heart of Africa, honors an old Southern University tradition. The original Lacumba in 1971 made history as the first live exotic mascot at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). Her successor, Lacumba II, was a beloved mascot until 2004. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This event is a tribute to the legacy of Southern University and the vital role conservation plays in preserving species like the jaguar, said Brittany Tully, senior communications manager at BRECs Baton Rouge Zoo. Lacumba IIIs birth is a milestone for both our zoo and the broader efforts of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to protect this endangered species. First jaguar cub in decades Lacumba III is the zoos first jaguar cub since the late 1990s. The birth was a landmark event for the zoo and global conservation efforts. Only six jaguar cubs have survived nationwide in the past five years, the zoo said. This birth is not only a milestone for our zoo but a significant impact on the genetics of this extraordinary species, said Jim Fleshman, director of BRECs Baton Rouge Zoo. The cubs birth supports the Jaguar Species Survival Plan, a joint effort of accredited zoos to save jaguars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Love animals? See your favorite, learn about new ones at Baton Rouge zoos, wildlife parks Visit Lacumba III, other wildlife at the Baton Rouge Zoo The zoo is one of Baton Rouges many family-friendly attractions. People can see animals from all around the world, attend events about conservation and volunteer. Regular hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and teens, $8.50 for seniors 65+, $7 for children ages 2-12 and free for children 1 and under. The zoo is located at 3000 Zoo Circle in Baker. Ready for an adventure? Check out these swamp tours in, near Baton Rouge Latest News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 Louisiana First News. For President Donald Trump, last months spat at the White House with Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky was great television. To the rest of us, it was a horrifying realization of our worst fears: a real-time crumbling of the Euro-American alliance, which has been the bedrock of the international order since 1945. Europeans have recently been discovering a new resolve for standing on their own. Perhaps the most candid response came from the European Unions foreign-policy chief, Kaja Kallas, who said that the free world needs a new leader. There is plenty of good sense in the EU taking a resolute stand. The need for strategic autonomy is not only the preoccupation of French President Emmanuel Macron; it has been part of the blocs codified global strategy since 2016 as well. Now Trump is fulminating against the EU, claiming that it was formed in order to screw the United States, and European autonomy has become an urgent priority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But to reduce this moment to a Euro-American clash, let alone to resort to cliches about the supposedly essential qualities of Europe and the United States, would be a fundamental mistake. The current rift is part of a broader battle for the soul of the West. On one side are those who believe that Western countries should continue to be characterized by open societies, Enlightenment values, pluralism, and liberal democracy, as they mostly have been for the past few decades. The most notable opposition to this status quo comes from ultranationalists who believe that the West has gone too far in its espousal of progress and liberalism, and that it must revert to a civilizational ethos centered around Christianityone that is more traditional and less libertine, less feminist, and less internationalist (or globalist, as they like to call it). As a shorthand, I call them anti-liberal counterrevolutionaries. Both sides have long had partisans in both America and Europe. For about a decade, the standard-bearer for the nationalist right has been Viktor Orban, the self-styled illiberal prime minister of Hungary. Orbans fellow anti-liberal counterrevolutionaries have grown in political relevance and popularity across the EU, though they are still relatively marginal. For inspiration, they look to the Russia of Vladimir Putin, whose national chauvinism, banning of gender ideology and gay propaganda, and revisionism against the world order fit well with their agenda. [Michael McFaul: The tragic success of global Putinism] The European far right traditionally fulminated against Atlanticism, decrying the United States as the fulcrum of a global liberal order from which Europeans must de-link. But the immense influence of anti-liberal counterrevolutionaries over Trump, especially evident in his second administration, has turned the tables. The worlds mightiest country is now an ally for Europes far right. Trumps first term also encouraged these elements, but its direction wasnt always stable or clear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This time around, some of the most influential figures in Trumps court have commitments to the anti-liberal counterrevolution: Vice President J. D. Vance, Elon Musk, Donald Trump Jr., and Tucker Carlson, to name a few. One common theme among these men is their championing of Orbans Hungary. In 2022, Carlson made a documentary about the country, portraying Orban as leading the fight for civilization against the liberal philanthropist George Soros. Don Jr. made a well-publicized trip to Budapest last year and spared no words in praising Orbans Hungary as one of the last beacons of hope in Europe. [Zack Beauchamp: Make America Hungary again] American proponents of Orban often praise his hard-line policies on migration and refugees, but this is a red herring. Politicians across the political spectrum in Europe have taken anti-migration positions of various kinds. The admiration for Orban comes from his unapologetic assault on the liberal values that have defined the West for generations. In a now-famous speech in Romania in 2014, Orban espoused his anti-liberalism in detail and attacked the United States in terms that have become familiar on the American right: The strength of American soft power is in decline, and liberal values today embody corruption, sex, and violence and, as such, discredit America and American modernization. Orbans critique is not of any one policy but of something fundamental about the soul of the West. And it reflects a view that has found fuller expression in the words of the Russian far-right philosopher Aleksandr Dugin, a treasured guest on Carlsons show last year. Dugin sees a dichotomy between liberalism and its enemies that goes back to antiquity. For him, Putins Russia represents the eternal Rome, a land-based empire of conservative virtue, set against the liberal Wests eternal Carthage, a maritime empire of circulation and exchange. Dugin rails against the European Enlightenment, the intellectual root of modern rationalism and liberalism, and defines himself in the lineage of Counter-Enlightenment thinkers, such as Friedrich Nietzsche and Martin Heidegger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The American right has another major critic of the Enlightenment much closer to home. The billionaire Peter Thiel has been compared to Dugin by the latters biographer. As early as 2007, Thiel offered a sweeping critique of Western enlightened thought, inveighing against both Karl Marx and Adam Smith for giving primacy to earthly human needs. Instead, he advocated for an older Western tradition that wasnt afraid to seek glory in the name of God or country. Thiel argued that the Enlightenment was a very long intellectual slumber and amnesia, from which the West should reawaken into something more like the medieval age. He criticized George W. Bushs administration for fighting the War on Terror in the name of democratic values and suggested instead an explicitly anti-Islamic campaign in the tradition of the Crusades. Thiel evinced an affinity for the German jurist Carl Schmittone of the Nazi luminaries, along with Heidegger, of the anti-liberal counterrevolution. Since 2019, Thiel has been a major supporter of the national conservative movement that has helped give an intellectual identity to Trumpism. Vice President Vance is a prominent figure in that movement. As early as 2021, Vance warned about a civilizational crisis in the West and claimed that every single major cultural institution in the U.S. had been lost. Earlier this month, when asked about European-American ties, he praised Europe as the cradle of the Western civilization, with which the United States has religious bonds and cultural bonds, before stating that Europe was at risk of civilizational suicide. Vances answer is notable not just for what it states but for what it omits. The actually existing transatlantic relationship has long been based on a common espousal of liberal democracy, built on the legacy of defeating fascism in World War II. But for Vance, the proper foundation for Euro-Atlantic ties should instead be Christian faith. The postwar order we have known was the product of a broad alliance that brought together socialists and liberals against fascism. This order dismantled colonial empires; it conceived of new institutions, such as the United Nations, to foster international dialogue in place of aggression, and new covenants, such as the International Bill of Human Rights, to codify both the civil rights advocated by liberals and socioeconomic rights advocated by socialists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unsurprisingly, the anti-liberal counterrevolutionaries of today have no sympathy for this legacy. In fact, historical revisionism about World War II is an important feature of their movement. For years, the European far right has engaged in various forms of Holocaust relativization or outright denial. Last year, Carlson hosted the Holocaust-denying podcaster Darryl Cooper and introduced him as Americas best historian. Not only did Cooper make denialist claims about the Holocausthe criticized the post-1945 order as making it effectively illegal in the West to be genuinely right-wing. [Yair Rosenberg: The anti-Semitic revolution on the American right] These are not isolated ideas but a political campaign, with proponents on both sides of the Atlantic, against the post-1945 order and the broader Enlightenment tradition. Its proponents reject the full spectrum of European and American liberal thought, from left to right, and hark back to a West defined by their reading of Christianity and traditional values. The anti-liberals are a growing force in European politics. Last year, Orbans Fidesz party helped establish Patriots for Europe (PfE), the third-largest grouping in the European Parliament, with which 86 of 720 MEPs identify. Its most notable member is Frances National Rally, a once-marginal party that is now the main opposition force in the EUs second-largest economy. The blocs other member parties are currently parts of governments in the Netherlands and Italy. The Trump administration has given these far-right entities new momentum. Elon Musk openly supports not just Orbans sister parties, such as Spains Vox, but even Germanys AfD (Alternative for Germany), which was deemed too extremist for PfE and instead joined the more extreme Europe of Sovereign Nations, whose member parties are even more explicitly pro-Putin, anti-NATO, and anti-American. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such extreme parties are still relatively marginal in European politics. Of the 27 member states of the European Union, at least 20 are currently led by mainstream liberals, centrist conservatives, or Socialists. For now, thinkers spanning a wide spectrumthe American center-right political theorist Francis Fukuyama, say, and the Slovenian Marxist Slavoj Zizekcan still share in the view of Europe as a bastion of Enlightenment values worth preserving. To uphold the best of this European tradition now will require more from liberals than just a defense of the old continent against the new. Much as their anti-liberal rivals have done, Western liberals will have to forge transatlantic links and demonstrate their willingness to fight for their values. Broad fronts and global alliances made the post-1945 order. To keep it will require nothing less. Article originally published at The Atlantic Mar. 18U.S. Rep. Michael Baumgartner was confronted by a disruptive, angry crowd that demanded answers for the freshman Republican congressman's voting record and recent actions in President Donald Trump's White House and regularly interrupted each answer during a town hall Monday evening at Whitworth University. It may be the last in-person town hall in the near future, Baumgartner told reporters after the event, suggesting he may turn to telephone town halls to cut down on disruptive behavior and safety concerns. There were 800 tickets distributed for the event, including 500 general- admission tickets that were snatched up two hours after they were publicly posted. Another 200 tickets were reserved for students, with the remainder saved for the college president and the nearby Rockwood retirement community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite this, hundreds of seats remained empty for the event. Almost everyone in the crowd appeared displeased with the White House, judging by the scale of disruptions and a poll of attendees' most pressing concerns, especially with the Department of Government Efficiency and the loss of checks and balances within the federal government. At one point, before answering a question, Baumgartner asked for a show of hands for those who voted for Trump. Around a dozen hands went up amid loud jeering from the rest of the crowd. Upwards of 60 protesters without tickets gathered outside of the Whitworth auditorium, a relatively muted turnout compared to the hundreds who have recently protested Baumgartner's Spokane office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Protesters derailed the meeting at a few points, more so when Baumgartner expressed appreciation for some of Trump's actions or disdain for some of former President Joe Biden's policies. It was a much more disruptive town hall than the one hosted in Ritzville on Monday morning the Spokane crowd expressed contempt, disgust and displeasure with Baumgartner, and the shouting was nearly constant. Baumgartner continued to maintain the reason the crowd was so angry was because they did not vote for Trump, or him, he said in a media conference following the town hall. Spokane resident Mary Ellen Gaffney-Brown asked questions about the Social Security Administration and shared her fears about benefit cuts following swift changes, such as the resignation of acting Commissioner Michelle King, who stepped down over DOGE privacy concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gaffney-Brown said she believed the administration is on its way to privatizing Social Security and wants "billionaires to pay their fair share," she said. As she was speaking, she was interrupted by the moderator. She replied, "Be quiet" and the hall erupted into cheers. "You go, girl!" someone yelled back. Nearly the entire audience stood up and clapped for her. More questions that led to an uprising in cheers were, "What will you do to stand up to democracy?" and, "Where do you draw the line in the sand?" Baumgartner responded that he values the Constitution, and did so long before his days in the foreign service. He was then interrupted by more jeers. Following another question about free speech, the crowd began chanting, "January 6th!" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some turned their backs on Baumgartner; others waved red handkerchiefs. When Baumgartner was asked about cutting health care benefits, about which Reuters reported congressional Republicans have been somewhat at odds , he said he didn't wish to "touch" Medicare, although he did not answer about the slashing of Medicaid. A man from the back of the crowd yelled in response, "You're a fraud!" and another yelled, "Liar!" As more jeers swept the audience, Baumgartner asked, "Can you all just stand up, be loud and get it out of your system?" Others shouted at him to "answer the question" when he started to explain the background of his stance on an issue. The crowd often erupted into boos and shouted "tax the rich!" when he discussed the budget, or "He's a convicted felon!" when talking about Trump defying federal court orders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You have a perception that America is spiraling to some kind of constitutional crisis," Baumgartner said towards the end of the town hall. He was met with more shouting and more boos but much, much louder. Ultimately, Baumgartner believed the town hall went "well," he said afterwards, but called the crowd "rude" and disruptive. "I knew I'd be walking into a room where 99% of the people hadn't voted for me," he said. John Scherling was one of the few conservatives at the Monday town hall and was dismayed at the tone and rhetoric of most of the audience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Never in my life have I seen so many older folks act so disrespectful, so rude, childish and ignorant," he said after the town hall. About 60 protesters stood outside the auditorium Monday. They called on Baumgartner to do more to stand up to Trump's decisions to bypass Congress and ignore an order of a federal judge and they objected to Baumgartner's call for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to resign. Amid threats to their legal status by the president, Baumgartner will meet Tuesday evening with Ukrainian refugees in Spokane at Thrive International. It wasn't the first time protesters gathered to express their contempt for their Eastern Washington lawmaker a week ago, hundreds of people stood outside his Spokane office, calling for more action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One man Monday played the Canadian national anthem at full volume. Another led chants with a megaphone. Dave Strand, a veteran who served a year in Vietnam as a Seabee, was there to express his anger and dismay with the Trump Administration's cuts of thousands of Department of Veterans Affairs jobs. And he wants Baumgartner to know it. "I came home from Vietnam, betrayed," Strand said. "I'm being betrayed again." Strand said Trump has proved to him that "he doesn't give a damn" about those in the military. "I have been pissed off and I'm still pissed off ... I want Baumgartner to represent his people. Especially because we are being dismantled from the inside," Strand said, referring to Elon Musk's unprecedented access to the White House and government programs, despite not being an elected official. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dave Strand's wife, Lois, held a sign with Musk's face in the middle that read, "This is the immigrant that stole your job." She said she feels like the country is "moving backwards." "Erasure of women, erasure of Black people, folks from government websites," she said, "it's plain wrong." Protester Allan Binnie, a Quaker, calls this era of American politics "the era of lawlessness" and "unprecedented." There's nothing to compare it to, he said. Former President Richard Nixon resigned in the face of controversy and his party accepted it but the Republican Party, Binnie said, is "now inept." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's sad to see so many of them sacrificing their values," Binnie added, who said he has voted as a Republican in the past. "Republicans used to have integrity. It's clear Trump does not." American imperialism Cindi Miraglia grilled Baumgartner about the rhetoric from "this insane president" regarding annexing Canada, Greenland and retaking the Panama Canal, prompting someone in the audience to wave a large Canadian flag to raucous applause. Baumgartner broadly expressed support for the annexation of foreign, sovereign territory so long as it wouldn't hurt Republicans election chances. "Canada is much more liberal and left wing than the United States ... taking Canada would be like taking another California," Baumgartner said, adding that its inclusion in the United States would prevent Republican majorities from being elected in the future. "If we could get Greenland peacefully, I'm all for it," Baumgartner continued. "And we should never have given up Panama." If he intended to follow up on this answer, it was drowned out by an angered crowd. In a media conference after the town hall, Baumgartner clarified that his comments regarding Canada were an attempt to "have a little fun with the crowd," joking that the angered crowd would have a stronger political power if the United States did, in fact, annex Canada. He also later said that he also wouldn't support taking over Canada because the country has been a good neighbor. Trump has previously declined to rule out using military force to annex territories, including Greenland and Canada. Baumgartner said while "I don't know this for fact," the president's interest in Greenland and Canada seemed to be motivated by a desire to expand hydropower in order to provide energy for dominant American artificial intelligence development. "We're in a real arms race versus China on artificial intelligence," Baumgartner said. "But the AI stuff takes an immense amount of power ... so where you have snow pack and elevation change, that makes hydro a lot more valuable. And so I think this is the reason that Donald Trump is so interested in talking about Greenland and Canada ... "America has had strategic benefit from being imperialistic in the past," he said. "It's how we had western expansion." ICE raid Last week Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents broke a car window, dragged out and arrested two Spokane Valley residents and green card holders. A third passenger, a seven-month pregnant U.S. citizen, also was removed from the car against her will . The group were on their way to a court hearing at the Spokane County Courthouse. The two men in the car had been earlier charged with threatening to kill a family member in December, according to court documents. A video of the incident later went viral on Facebook. German immigrant Michaela Kelso, who has previously run for state Legislature as a Democrat, said she believed she needed to ask Baumgartner what he would do to protect the rights of these constituents and other immigrants in the country lawfully. "What will you do now that you have been made aware of this unconstitutional, violent and illegal act by ICE and HHS agents?" In response, Baumgartner asked the booing crowd how many of them voted for Donald Trump in the last election. Less than a dozen hands raised out of the hundreds of attendees. "So you're not going to like my answer but it would be far better for the security of the state of Washington and for immigrants in the state of Washington if Washington was not a sanctuary state," the congressman said. Baumgartner added that he is going to try to "make that happen." He did not respond to a later question during a press availability to clarify what he meant with this statement. Kelso and others yelling in the crowd would not let him move on to the next question. Eventually, Baumgartner said he was not aware of the case and did not want to comment until he had more information. After the event Kelso said his answer betrayed a "lack of empathy" for immigrants. "It should have been the easiest question for him to answer. Anybody with half a heart would have answered. He refused to give even a modicum of empathy towards a family that was violently torn from their car," she said. Kelso admitted that her and other attendees' behavior during the town hall was "absolutely not appropriate" but it was needed given the dire situation the country is in. "I'm from Germany. I know what fascism looks like. We are rapidly approaching 1939," she said. Checks and balances Perhaps the most dominant question of the night, in one form or another, was based on concerns Trump was attempting to unconstitutionally expand the power of the executive branch and ignoring checks and balances. The first question of the night touched on this running theme, asking what the congressman would do if the Trump administration ignored judicial orders. In February, Vice President JD Vance suggested that "judges aren't allowed to control the executive's legitimate power," and in recent days the administration has allegedly ignored a judge's order stopping deportation flights. It was not entirely clear where exactly Baumgartner drew that line. "It's not healthy for the republic to have court orders that are not being obeyed," he said. "It's also not healthy for the republic when you have district judges, that probably don't have the authority, issuing nationwide injunctions." Baumgartner argued that the nation was confronted with a similar constitutional quandary when former President Joe Biden attempted to unilaterally eliminate student debt at which point he was repeatedly drowned out until he moved on to the next question. Pressed by other attendees about the actions of DOGE and the Trump administration's push to unilaterally cut spending which conflicts with the White House's political priorities, Baumgartner voiced broad support for cutting government spending but asserted that this authority should ultimately rest in Congress, not the presidency. "I think it's inevitable that the Supreme Court is going to have to decide a lot of this stuff," he said, once again referencing prior actions by the Biden administration to waive student debt. "You've always had these tensions with the executive branch." Health care Baumgartner said Social Security and Medicare should not be cut and there would not be cuts under Republican control. But he would like to see Medicaid work requirements. A Republican budget plan passed by the House earlier this month would reduce federal spending by $2 trillion and cut taxes by $4.5 trillion over a decade. It specifically instructs the House Energy and Commerce Committee to cut $880 billion. By far the biggest chunk of money in that panel's jurisdiction goes to health care and Medicaid specifically. "Medicaid right now is a broken system that needs to be improved to protect the truly most needy. There's going to be no reduction in overall dollars to Medicaid. There may not be the rapid increase that some folks may have would like," he said. Generally, Baumgartner said government should not be in the business of health care. "I'm guessing this crowd thinks universal health care or socialized medicine would be great," he said. The crowd roared their approval for a single -payer health care system. "Well, we will have to agree to disagree on that issue," Baumgartner said. "I don't think we should be putting the U.S. government more in charge of things." (KRON) A Bay Area man who went on a daylong crime spree in Monterey County is facing a 100-year prison sentence after he was convicted by a jury, prosecutors announced Tuesday. Tele Matangi, 37 of Pittsburg, Calif., was found guilty of carjacking, hit-and-run, shooting at an occupied vehicle, and a slew of other felony charges following a trial. The charges stem from a crime spree that began on September 18, 2023, when Matangi crashed his car at Gonzales High School in south Monterey County, investigators said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matangi then carjacked a nearby driver at gunpoint, (and drove) the stolen vehicle northbound to Highway 156 near its intersection with Highway 101 in the Prunedale area. Matangi caused a collision by turning into oncoming traffic from Highway 101. Matangi exited the stolen vehicle and fired multiple shots at a good Samaritan who stopped near the collision site to help everyone involved, the Monterey County District Attorneys Office wrote. His rampage continued when he broke into a home, stole car the residents car keys at gunpoint, and fled in another stolen vehicle, prosecutors said. Matangi was arrested later that day while he was walking on Carpenteria Road in San Benito County. Judge Jennifer OKeefe will sentence Matangi on May 29. Prosecutors wrote, Due to his prior strike convictions, Matangi faces a possible sentence of more than 100 years to life 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 KRON4. BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) Brian Leebrick signed on as Bay Countys attorney in January. Almost immediately, he identified the need to update county ordinances as a main priority. What we are doing is going chapter by chapter and identifying any conflicts or provisions that are inconsistent with state law or may be obsolete now and presenting those to the commission, County Attorney Brian Leebrick said. Tuesday, Leebrick presented commissioners with his revisions to Chapter 3. Chapter 3 involves how the county reviews application for state alcoholic beverage licenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But some of the commissioners believe some of the changes may be too extreme. Section four says this is stricter than Florida law. So this ordinance that were drawing up here is stricter than Florida law. We seem to only be putting that towards someone with a liquor license, Bay County Commissioner Clair Pease said. Right now, the state has the authority to revoke alcohol licenses. The county can only approve or deny the zoning request. But Leebricks proposal would give the county building officials the authority to revoke approval of the application for a liquor license. Remarkable Women: Dr. Trivia Massaline helps families one step at a time Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If we understood the establishment was going to be a restaurant then turns out to be a nightclub, it would no longer qualify for the zoning, Leebrick said. The proposal also allows the business owner to challenge the decision before final action is taken. But commissioners say business owners want a more simple and clear version of the ordinance. Coming at it from a lawyer, I review those things and I read them like he does as a lawyer. But theres a certain understanding and a certain way that we look at things that the ordinary person is not going to read that and review it the same way we do. And so we need to make sure that its understandable to the average person. And they know that what were doing is in their best interest in trying to protect the community as a whole, Bay County Commissioner Doug Moore said. The proposal would also give the county to power to pull a businesss liquor license if they have two or more ordinance violations. The board will revisit the topic on April 1st. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I suspect that that provision will be one of the ones that will not make it in a couple of weeks, Leebrick said. The countys ordinances only apply to unincorporated Bay County. Each municipality has its own authority, and the county only has authority over unincorporated Bay 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 mypanhandle.com. BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) Bay County is celebrating a major recognition, the best drinking water in Florida and third best in the U.S. The Florida Rural Water Association honored Bay Countys water system for its high standards of purity and taste, naming it number 1 in the state. Bay County then represented Florida in the national contest and placed third for best drinking water in the United States. Commissioners say this prestigious honor is a testament to the countys dedication. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It speaks to the efforts of our utilities department and what they do there and the work that theyve done. It just it speaks to their diligence, their efforts, and their professionalism, Commissioner Doug Moore said. The National Rural Water Association is the largest water and wastewater utility membership organization in the nation. 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 mypanhandle.com. The Better Business Bureau is warning of a scam targeting the parents of high school students looking for help with SAT and ACT prep. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] As reported on News Center 7 at 5:30 p.m., ACT and SAT scores can be the key to getting scholarships and in some cases getting into school. Many students choose to get extra help through test prep courses, but the BBB says scammers are taking advantage of that. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To date, we have received hundreds of scam reports, Paula Flemming with the Better Business Bureau said. The BBB said that criminals are posing as representatives of college test prep courses. Parents are told that their children have requested test preparation material, Flemming said. These scammers ask for parents credit cards if they fail to return the prep course materials after 30 days, hoping that well-intentioned parents will fall for it. They have information in regards to their child. Their name. Their age. Their high school address, and it makes it extremely believable, Flemming said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flemming said gathering that information is not as hard as one might think. We all live in a digital world where its very easy to find this information online, and oftentimes your children are the ones sharing this information via different websites, Flemming said. In order to avoid these scams, always be wary of unsolicited calls. Make sure who you are talking to is who they say they are. Most organizations wont pressure you over the phone. Its important to note that the college board would never ask for financial information over the phone or use pressure tactics to provide this information, Flemming said. If you receive a call like this, check with your child or their school guidance counselor before paying anything so you can be sure the request is real. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] LOS ANGELES, March 18 (Xinhua) -- NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, who had been stranded at the International Space Station (ISS) since last June, returned to Earth Tuesday afternoon. The duo astronauts returned home with their fellow Crew-9 astronauts, NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, on SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft. The spacecraft splashed down off Florida's coast at 5:57 p.m. Tuesday Eastern Time (2157 GMT), according to NASA live broadcast. The crew undocked with the ISS early on Tuesday to start an about 17-hour journey home. The spacecraft completed multiple orbit-lowering maneuvers, and re-entered Earth's atmosphere before a parachute-supported splashdown off Florida's coast. A recovery ship moved into position to hoist Dragon onto the main deck with the Crew-9 crew members inside, and teams on the ship secured Dragon to ensure the spacecraft's safe recovery. After the hatch was opened, the four astronauts egressed the capsule one by one with the help of medical personnel. Medical teams will evaluate the crew's health, which is routine after astronauts return from space, according to NASA. The crew splashed down one day earlier than NASA had targeted due to favorable conditions forecast for the evening of Tuesday, according to the space agency, which expressed concerns about weather conditions later in the week. Williams and Wilmore had been stuck in space since last June due to technical problems of Boeing's Starliner which took them to the ISS, including helium leaks and propulsion issues. The duo astronauts were initially scheduled for an eight-day mission in space, but were stranded at the ISS for over nine months. The Crew-9 astronauts returned home following the arrival of new mission Crew-10 astronauts at the ISS, including NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov. NASA said Crew-9 astronauts have completed more than 900 hours of research between more than 150 unique scientific experiments and technology demonstrations during their stay aboard the orbiting laboratory. Update: The State of Oklahoma executed Wendell Grissom on Thursday, March 20, 2025. BLAINE COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR) For the past 20 years, an Oklahoma mother and her two daughters have been healing after an armed robber murdered their family friend and tried to kill them, too. Eyewitnesses to a murder, they have lived in fear and have been forced to re-live what happened with each court appearance and appeal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month, clemency for that man was denied. Now, Dreu Kopf and her daughters, Rylee Kopf and Gracie Kopf, are sharing how they narrowly escaped death and telling their story days before the killers execution. Always smiling. The biggest, beautiful blue eyes just like Gracie, Dreu Kopf said. And she loved, loved my kids. RELATED STORY: Death row inmate convicted of 2005 northwest Oklahoma murder denied clemency So much that Amber Matthews lost her life protecting them. 2005. November 3, 2005, on a Thursday, Dreu Kopf said. Amber Matthews and Dreu Kopf were inseparable young friends who hit it off almost immediately. I was on maternity leave, Dreu Kopf said. Gracie was three weeks old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kopfs husband was away at work and Matthews was helping Kopf with their two young girls, Rylee and Gracie. The Kopfs lived in rural Blaine County. There were no neighbors for miles. We had just put Rylee down for a nap, and I was giving Gracie a bottle in the recliner. It was sliding glass doors like this. Amber said, Someones at your door. So, she went around the couch and opened the door, and he just stepped in, and he had questions like, Is your husband home? When will he be home? There are some things I need to talk to him about. Which didnt startle me, because we lived in the middle of a wheat field, and I was thinking hes going to ask to cut wheat, or hes going to ask to hunt. Moments later, Wendell Grissom came back with an accomplice, Jessie Floyd Johns. At this time, I was irritated, and I handed Gracie to Amber, and I walked around the couch, and thats when he started shooting through a glass door, Kopf said. Amber took Gracie and went in the girls room while I was fighting Wendell. Kopfs scars from that day are still very visible, and so are the flashbacks seared into her memory. I remember all of it. I remember the smell of his breathe. He was laughing. I was screaming, Please, dont do this! Please, dont do this! I have kids! You can take whatever you want, and his last shot he put the 44 black powder gun right here which is pretty powerful, and it blew me off of him. Kopf was shot three times but has eight bullet holes from where those bullets entered and left her body. A bullet was removed from her head and another that fragmented her uterus, stomach, and pelvis remains to this day. I heard Amber scream please dont shoot me, Kopf said. When I fell to the floor, he thought I was dead, and running into the girls room he shot Amber immediately from afar, and thats when she dropped, and she was holding Gracie, and it was in front of Rylees crib and then just went over there and shot her in the forehead as she lied there helpless with both of my kids screaming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rylee is now 20, and Gracie is 19. The only reason me and Gracie are here is because of her. She fought him off and kept him away from us. Everyone thought Gracie was dead. Amber was holding Gracie. Grissom thought hed killed my sister. He came in there to kill all of us, Rylee Kopf said. It wasnt really until the clemency hearing where I got the fullthe pictures and interviews, Gracie said. Pictures of the clothing she was wearing that day that first responders had to cut off her body, the crime scene, and interviews law enforcement conducted with Grissom throughout the years. You knew something bad was getting ready to happen? Yeah, Grissom said. Receipts found in Grissoms truck show on the way to the Kopfs home he stopped to buy gloves and purchased bullets. He described to investigators how he pulled into their driveway for a quick get-away. Turned around, parked right there, Grissom said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the pickup facing back toward the road? Grissom nodded. But Dreu Kopf ran outside, and Grissoms conveniently parked Chevy became her get-away vehicle, and after a few miles down the road, she flagged down oncoming traffic and called 911. Grissom was found hiding in a nearby creek bed and Johns was picked up hitchhiking. Grissom had a choice that day, and he made his decision, Drue Kopf said. He was there to kill. On February 5, 2025, clemency was denied something Grissom, now 56, wanted. He opted to appear by video recording. Its better than the alternative, and thats growing old in here and then dying in here still, Grissom said. I feel like were catering to him, Dreu Kopf said. He said that its hard for him to travel. He has tendonitis in his wrist, and when hes shackled it hurts his wrist. Well, I have four bullet holes in my wrist, and I showed up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just like they did on that Thursday afternoon in 2005, Dreu, Rylee, and Gracie faced this day together, but tragedy struck again. My dad wasnt there. This is something he wanted to see go through, Rylee Kopf said July 7 of 2022. My husband was killed in an oil field accident, Dreu Kopf said. Grief is hard. There are so many stages. RELATED STORY: Oklahoma board denies clemency for man on death row, clears path for March execution Those stages of grief are now chapters of pain and healing in a book Dreu Kopf authored. I think the main reason I did it is for the girls and maybe I can help others, she said. Beautifully broken. Im broken, but Im going to try to do it beautifully, Dreu Kopf said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johns was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Grissoms execution is set for Thursday, March 20. Dreu, Rylee, and Gracie Kopf plan to attend. The Kopf family extends gratitude to law enforcement including the attorney generals office for seeking justice in this case. Dreu Kopfs book can be purchased here: https://a.co/d/7n0hp7K The State of Oklahoma executed Wendell Grissom on Thursday, March 20, 2025. 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. Editors Note: Call to Earth is a CNN editorial series committed to reporting on the environmental challenges facing our planet, together with the solutions. Rolexs Perpetual Planet Initiative has partnered with CNN to drive awareness and education around key sustainability issues and to inspire positive action. In a west London park, a giant red deer roars in the rain. In the south of the city, a swan sits on the side of a road as a red bus hurtles by. And in Bristol, in southwest England, a streetwise urban fox glares territorially at the camera. All three images were recognized in the 2025 British Wildlife Photography Awards (BWPA), with the image of the vixen claiming the grand prize. The award, in its 13th year, spotlights Britains nature, from its marine life and mountain ecosystems to its city dwellers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The goal is to showcase the extraordinary beauty and diversity of Britains natural world, said Will Nicholls, director of BWPA, in a press release. This years competition not only celebrates the artistry and dedication of our photographers but also serves as a powerful reminder of our responsibility to protect these wild spaces. Britains wildlife has suffered a devastating decline in recent years. According to a landmark 2023 report, nearly one in six species is at risk of extinction and plants and animals monitored since the 1970s have declined by an average of 19%. Nicholls believes that photography can help to raise awareness of nature. We hope this collection inspires others to appreciate, respect, and safeguard the wildlife that makes Britain so unique, he said. Photographer Simon Withyman, who took away the grand prize of 3,500 ($4,500), photographed the same fox for three years, following it as it patrolled the streets of Bristol and raised its offspring. With the winning photo, he said he wanted to showcase some beauty in this everyday urban scene. Pigeons eye up a discarded packet of chips in Ben Lucas' winning photo. - Ben Lucas/British Wildlife Photography Awards More than 13,000 images were submitted to this years competition, across 10 categories. The Young British Wildlife Photographer of the Year title went to nine-year-old Jamie Smart for her image of a curlew among dandelions, taken in Wiltshire, southwest England. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ben Lucas won the 15 to 17 years category with his comical image of pigeons peering into a packet of fries on a high street in the east of England. When I found a packet of fries someone had abandoned, I knew that it wouldnt be long until it attracted opportunistic pigeons. I set up a small GoPro camera in the back of the packet, and after some very weird looks from people passing by, the birds finally started to show up, he said in a press release. These birds are truly the vultures of the streets. While dramatic photographs of snowy landscapes in Scotland and sharks and seals off the UKs coast were also among the winning images, city wildlife dominated this years awards. With urban sprawl a continuing problem around the world animals and humans are coming into contact in towns and cities across the globe. Urban wildlife photography allows us to see how animals are learning to live alongside humans in a rapidly environment, Nicholls told CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For those living in the city, having a connection to nature is increasingly challenging, he added. These images that focus of urban areas show people that they can still connect to nature even in built-up areas. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Ben & Jerrys has accused Unilever of ousting its chief executive in an effort to silence the ice cream makers political activism and criticism of Donald Trump. In court documents filed in New York, Ben & Jerrys said its parent company Unilever had decided to remove Dave Stever, its chief executive, over his outspoken approach to political and social issues, rather than performance. It said: Unilever has repeatedly threatened Ben & Jerrys personnel, including chief executive David Stever, should they fail to comply with Unilevers efforts to silence the social mission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ben & Jerrys claimed Peter ter Kulve, Unilevers group president for ice cream, barred the ice cream maker from publishing a post on Inauguration Day because it specifically mentioned Donald Trump, as well as preventing it from publishing a post that marked commemorating Black History Month. Unilever was also accused of chastising Mr Stever in his annual performance review for repeatedly acquiescing to the brands social purpose, and attempted to force the independent board of the ice cream maker into rubber-stamping the decision by unilaterally dictating artificial and hasty deadlines. Ben & Jerrys has been owned by Unilever since 2000, when it was acquired in a $326m (251m) deal. However, written into the deal was an agreement that Ben & Jerrys would be managed by an independent board, effectively ring-fencing its ability to speak out on political and social issues. We will never stay silent. We are so proud to have joined thousands of marchers from across the nation at the People's March in Washington, DC to send an important message to our elected leaders: You work for the people. ALL the people. Check out our photos from the march and pic.twitter.com/Boel4VNGqg Ben & Jerry's (@benandjerrys) January 23, 2025 It is not clear whether or not Mr Stever remains with Ben & Jerrys. He was first hired by Ben & Jerrys in 1988 as a tour guide before becoming chief executive in 2023. Pioneer of woke business Ben & Jerrys and Unilever have been locked in a legal dispute since last November, when Ben & Jerrys sued the consumer goods giant accusing it of attempting to silence the brand on Israels war in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit comes amid a retreat on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programmes across corporate America in the wake of Mr Trumps announced a clampdown on woke DEI policies. Founded by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield in 1978, Ben & Jerrys is widely considered a pioneer of socially conscious business, and has been outspoken on issues such as refugees rights, LGBTQ+ issues, and climate change. Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, co-founders of Ben & Jerrys, handed out free ice cream to encourage people to vote for Kamala Harris in the Novemeber US election - Lisa Lake/Getty Images This approach has repeatedly resulted in conflict with its parent company, which it has clashed with over its stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict. Ben & Jerrys halted sales of its ice cream in the West Bank in 2021, saying it was inconsistent with our values for our product to be present within an internationally recognised illegal occupation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This spurred Unilever to sell the Israeli ice cream business, igniting a legal battle between it and Ben & Jerrys that was later resolved. Last month it was reported that Mr Cohen and Mr Greenfield were considering buying the brand back from Unilever. A Unilever spokesman said: In line with the terms of the acquisition agreement, decisions on the appointment, compensation and removal of the Ben & Jerrys CEO will be made by Unilever after good faith consultation and discussion with the B&Js independent board. Regrettably, despite repeated attempts to engage the board and follow the correct process, we are disappointed that the confidentiality of an employee career conversation has been made public. We hope that the B&J independent board will engage as per the original, agreed process. 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. BERLIN, Conn. (WTNH) A Berlin man was arrested on March 5, following a child pornography possession investigation, according to police. After an investigation stemming from an internet tip, 78-year-old William Prickett was arrested. Ansonia man arrested following child porn investigation Police say the investigation started in 2024. Prickett was arrested and charged with first-degree possession of child pornography. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was released on $250,000 bond and presented at New Britain Superior Court for arraignment. 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. (Bloomberg) -- President Donald Trumps aggressive government cost-cutting agenda is forcing his Treasury chief to balance support for that mission with efforts to protect a crucial financial lifeline for millions of low-income Americans. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is trying to preserve the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, while also adhering to an order from Trump that his department reduce the initiative to the maximum extent allowed by law, according to people familiar with the matter who arent authorized to speak to the media. At stake is more than $300 billion of mortgages and loans for small businesses and commercial real estate projects in low-income communities, largely across Republican-controlled states including Mississippi and Louisiana. This infusion of capital into under-served communities comes from lenders known as community development financial institutions. A White House executive order on Friday named the CDFI Fund on a list of governmental entities that should reduce the performance of their statutory functions and associated personnel to the minimum presence and function required by law. The order is part of the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiencys efforts to reduce the federal bureaucracy. The order, which came just hours after Congress authorized a fresh $324 million infusion for the fund, caught CDFI industry officials by surprise. Just two months earlier, Bessent had described the program as very important during his confirmation hearing; Trump was seen as a supporter too, after expanding the pool of cash the CDFI Fund could distribute to lenders in his first term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first CDFIs were formed in the 1970s to expand economic opportunities in areas where there were no for-profit banks, facilitating lending to people and businesses unable to get traditional loans due to hurdles like insufficient credit history or lack of collateral for loans. Bankers Mobilize Congress created the CDFI Fund in 1994 to expand CDFIs reach. The Fund gave $6.3 billion of awards, tax credits and guarantees last year. CDFIs also receive investments and donations from Wall Street firms and big donors, maintaining a critical pipeline of capital to almost nine million people. Bessents predecessor Janet Yellen said last year that some CDFI programs leverage $8 of private-sector investment for every $1 of public funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bankers and industry executives quickly mobilized to lobby lawmakers and Treasury officials. Mark Warner of Virginia, a Democrat, and Republican senator Mike Crapo of Idaho released a joint statement on Sunday reiterating bipartisan support for the CDFI Fund. Warner spoke directly with Bessent, while Crapos office has been in communication with the secretarys staff on the matter, according to people familiar with the conversations. CDFI executives said they received phone calls from investors concerned that a sharp withdrawal of public funds from the industry could hurt their own investments. I got an email this morning from an investor and he says, Are we going to be safe? Should we reconsider our investments? Dominik Mjartan, vice chair of South Carolina-based CDFI Optus Bank, said on Monday. CDFI executives and lawmakers supporting the program began calling Treasury officials to argue that the program was largely outlined by Congressional statute. They were desperate for reassurance that the program wasnt at risk of being cut, according to people familiar with the conversations who declined to be named discussing private matters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Meeting On Monday, Treasury staff working on the CDFI Fund were convened to a meeting to discuss the order and left with the impression that they would be engaging in minimal operations, said a person familiar who asked not to be identified discussing a private gathering. Fund staff had already been working outside the main Treasury building since January, in an office without Internet connection, according to people with knowledge of the working conditions. A person familiar with the Treasurys operations said that officials were working on hooking up a connection. CDFIs are a key component of President Trumps commitment to supporting Main Street America in the pursuit of job growth, wealth creation, and prosperity, Bessent said in a statement Monday night. But he added that the department will, as per the requirements of the executive order, submit a response to the Office of Management and Budget. The executive order asked for a report explaining which parts of the program are statutorily required and to what extent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A senior Treasury official wouldnt rule out cuts to the CDFI Funds programs and staff. The official said Tuesday that Treasury will review the program for potential improvements to efficiency and cost savings, and that the results of that review should not be prejudged. The Hope Still, some industry experts interpreted Bessents statement as providing explicit support for the funds staff and operations. They pointed out that the Treasury Secretary said in his Monday statement that he looks forward to future engagement with CDFIs and other stakeholders to strengthen the impact of these statutory programs and incentivize economic opportunities for all Americans. Others appeared less sanguine about the programs prospects and continued to call on the administration to leave the program alone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I urge political leaders on both sides of the aisle to ensure the CDFI Fund can carry out its mission at full capacity, Randell Leach, CEO of California-based CDFI Beneficial State Bank, said in a statement. The financial wellbeing of millions of Americans and the vibrancy of neighborhoods across our country depend on it. --With assistance from Daniel Flatley. (Adds data on CDFI leverage in eighth paragraph. An earlier version corrected spelling of bank executives first name in last paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. New official photos provide our best look so far at Ukraines so-called FrankenSAM variant that combines a Soviet-era Buk-M1 system with RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missiles. This is, by now, just one of several such ground-based air defense systems that are providing Ukraine with innovative means of launching Western surface-to-air missiles, as well as older Soviet-era interceptors, to supplement their existing systems and other donated hardware. The four new photos were published by the Ukrainian Air Force on their Facebook page. These show one of the tracked self-propelled Buk-M1 systems known in the West as SA-11 Gadfly having been adapted to fire the RIM-7, a missile that previously provided point defense for numerous NATO and allied warships. For the first time, we get a clear look at the missiles mounted on their launcher: a total of three are carried, although there is provision for a fourth. A live RIM-7 Sea Sparrow on the FrankenBuk system. Ukrainian Air Force In previous lower-quality imagery, it appeared as though the missiles were carried in container launchers, but they are actually in cage-like frames, with the fins deployed. This means that air-launched AIM-7 missiles could potentially be loaded as well. Unlike the RIM-7 missiles, the AIM-7 does not have folding fins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The photos are published alongside a story about the use of the FrankenBuk, and a 22-year-old senior lieutenant, with the callsign Chef, who is one of the systems operators something he describes as the best job in the world. Chef confirms that the main targets that the FrankenBuk goes after are Russian cruise missiles and drones, while the presence of the Buk-series systems is normally enough to dissuade Russian crewed aircraft from entering the engagement envelope. A 22-year-old senior lieutenant, with the callsign Chef, who operates a FrankenBuk system. Note the sticker on the vehicle, seen in the background, from the Buc-ees chain of American country stores. Ukrainian Air Force As it is, Chef has yet to down a crewed aircraft, but the scale of the drone threat is such that there are plentiful targets of this kind. Unfortunately, the quantity of drones that the enemy is using is just enormous, he says. And it is not a secret at all that we do not have enough surface-to-air missile systems to effectively counteract in all directions of the threat, to cover hundreds of objects of critical infrastructure of Ukraine. We need many dozens more! Interestingly, Chef explains that, with the RIM-7 loaded, the range of the Buk-M1 system is somewhat reduced but doesnt provide a figure. This means the FrankenBuk has to operate closer to the front lines, with its crews mitigating the threat of Russian attack by carefully choosing firing positions and using camouflage. Another view of Chef, with a RIM-7 missile in the background. Ukrainian Air Force As we discussed in our previous analysis of the implications of the Buk/Sea Sparrow combination, which you can find here, it was expected that it would share many of the same disadvantages of the original naval point-defense system, including a relatively short range and a limited capacity to deal with faster targets. That is less of a problem when dealing with cruise missiles and drones, however. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a maritime context, the range of the basic Sea Sparrow is limited to around 12 miles, although most engagements would be at a shorter range. The original 9M38 missiles used in the Buk-M1 have a range of around 22 miles and improved high-altitude performance. Back in January 2023, TWZ reported that Ukraine was to receive an undisclosed number of radar-guided RIM-7 missiles, to be integrated into existing Buk air defense systems. One of the first official photos of a FrankenBuk. In these earlier images, the missile launcher itself was concealed with camouflage netting. Ukraines Operational Command East Even then, however, there were reports that Ukraine had already succeeded in integrating the U.S.-made missiles into its Buk system. No further details of this bit of battlefield innovation were provided. There is a possibility, however, that the integration was informed by previous efforts to create a hybrid system of this kind. Another earlier photo of a FrankenBuk and its crew, published on the Facebook page of Ukraines Operational Command East. Operational Command East Even before Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, efforts had been made to convert the Buks predecessor, the 2K12 Kub (SA-6 Gainful), to fire the original Sparrow and/or Sea Sparrow missiles. These include a Polish design, involving a Kub adapted to fire RIM-7 missiles, as well as a Czech Kub upgrade that added three Aspide 2000 missiles in launch containers. The Aspide 2000 is an Italian-made SAM derived from the same AIM-7E that was used as the basis for the original RIM-7 Sea Sparrow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, Ukraines FrankenBuk could have benefitted from U.S. direct experience with Soviet air defense systems; these may also have played a key role in clandestinely adapting the RIM-7 to the SA-11. A Ukrainian Buk-M1 surface-to-air missile system. Ukrainian Ministry of Defense Its worth noting, too, that there have been some other operational instances of the RIM-7 being adapted for ground-based applications, including with Egypt, Greece, and Taiwan, although these have been for defending fixed installations, not like the highly mobile Buk or Kub. Further, the Buk/Sea Sparrow complex is not the only such FrankenSAM to have been developed. Other examples include the Gravehawk, which uses repurposed Soviet-era heat-seeking R-73 air-to-air missiles as interceptors, mounted on an eight-wheeled Leyland DAF truck chassis. Gravehawk was developed by the United Kingdom and Denmark. The United Kingdom previously supplied Ukraine with a FrankenSAM that uses the Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) as its interceptor and which is mounted on a 66 Supacat High Mobility Transporter (HMT). A Leyland DAF DROPS truck with a Gravehawk system behind it. U.K. Ministry of Defense via Forces News Ukraine has also fielded modified 9K33 Osa (SA-8 Gecko) wheeled air defense vehicles armed with R-73 missiles instead of their usual 9M33 interceptors. A Ukrainian 9K33 Osa mobile short-range air defense system (SHORADS) armed with an R-73 missile. Come Back Alive As we pointed out in the past, the FrankenBuk comes with a variety of limitations, even when compared to the original Soviet-era Buk-M1. On the other hand, with stocks of the original missiles running low, every little bit helps. While its no secret that Ukraine has long needed additional ground-based air defense capacity, this issue has only become more acute as Russia has stepped up its attacks using long-range one-way attack drones. So far, it seems that the FrankenBuk has proven to be an effective counter to this threat. Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com Who's going to benefit most from the latest version of New Mexico's proposed budget of nearly $10.8 billon? A strong argument could be made for the state's middle and high schoolers. The Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday voted 9-2 to approve its version of House Bill 2, the state's budget bill. The proposal would impose a maintainable 6% increase over fiscal year 2025, providing an extra $76 million for middle and high schoolers in the state's per-pupil funding formula, plus raises for teachers and other public employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Senate Finance Committee's draft isn't the final version of the state's fiscal year 2026 budget. The proposal will still need approval on the Senate floor and concurrence from the House. Then, it'll be subject to line-item vetoes from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. The committee's proposal secured bipartisan support. Sen. Craig Brandt, R-Rio Rancho, noted he's only voted for one budget in his 13 years in the Legislature,\\ and he voted Monday to support the committee's version. "It's actually a pretty, pretty big thing if I'm considering voting for a budget," Brandt said. Much of the legislative session especially New Mexico's budgeting process has been clouded by anxieties around the possibility of federal funding cuts. In particular, state officials worry about cuts to Medicaid, which could pose particular problems for New Mexico given that its annual Medicaid spending outpaces the state's entire general fund. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But committee chair Sen. George Munoz, D-Gallup, said the state can't adjust to potential changes to the federal budget when it's still a moving target. He likened this year's budgetary process to playing 52-card pickup. "Which card should you move to the next place to figure out that? We can't figure that out now. We don't know what it's going to look like," Munoz said. He added, "We don't know what's going to happen in Washington, and we can't be reactive to what they're doing. We have to be reactive to what we're doing here today in the state of New Mexico." A budget, in brief Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Senate Finance Committee's total general fund price for fiscal year 2026: $10,795,269,200. "There's no change because it's in the couch in my office," Munoz joked during the meeting. Each year, the state's budget bill starts in the House, moves to the Senate and returns to the House for final concurrence before making its way to the governor. With only a few days remaining in the legislative session, the bill is expected to move to the Senate floor very soon. One major change in the Senate Finance Committee's version: Their budget proposes taking $500 million from the state's Early Childhood Trust Fund to start feeding the state's behavioral health initiatives and Medicaid system, Munoz said in an interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several committee members voiced worries about federal funding changes, spurred by proposed tax breaks and spending cuts in Congress. Preliminary estimates indicated New Mexico could see a loss of more than $1 billion in federal funds for Medicaid alone. Still, it's too early for the state to start formally planning for it, Legislative Finance Committee Director Charles Sallee told the committee. Keeping an eye on the changing federal landscape will the "first order of business" for LFC's interim work. The state is also likely to see a special legislative session later this year to address the shifting of federal dollars, Lujan Grisham has said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Education dollars Another major differences between the House's and the Senate's budget proposals: The Senate's version provides a more than $76 million bump in public school spending, intended to better support students in sixth through 12th grade. "That's a big change for education," Munoz said in an interview. Public education spending makes up the single largest piece of the state's general fund budgetary pie. In fiscal year 2026, total public school support will top $5 billion, per the Senate Finance Committee's version of the budget. This year, lawmakers have proposed a major overhaul of the state's education spending formula. House Bill 63, the result of two years of inquiry by the Legislative Education Study Committee, would make some changes to how the state divvies that money by student. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to offering up targeted funds for English learners and altering the states method for identifying students in poverty, the original version of the bill also provided extra money for educating sixth through 12th graders a component that didn't make it into the House's budget. The Senate Finance Committee added that money back into the bill. The budget also incorporates 4% raises for public employees and planned $5,000 increases to teacher base pay at all experience levels. Those are welcome changes, said Stan Rounds, executive director of the New Mexico Coalition of Educational Leaders. The latest version of the state budget provides increased funding for secondary school students without imposing too many specifics on how that money is spent, a change Rounds said would allow schools and districts to use the money to best meet their needs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There are 89 different districts, about 100 charters that all have a different story and a different place of where they are with their students and with their communities," Rounds said. He added, "This, I think, provides an opportunity for communities with their [school] boards to step up and do the highest priority work that they have." Now, the question is: Will those extra dollars improve New Mexico's perennially challenged education system? Munoz said he's hopeful the increased spending on middle and high school students aimed at enhancing hands-on education options will yield the intended results. "We're trying to get teachers more connected with those kids in that age group and in those grades," Munoz said. "Hopefully, that'll keep them connected in class because the number one thing we heard a lot of was a kid, at that age, wants to be connected." SPRINGFIELD In 1963, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Gideon v. Wainwright that every person has a constitutional right to free legal representation in criminal cases, including poor people who are unable to afford a private attorney. On Tuesday, the 62nd anniversary of the landmark court decision, an Illinois House committee approved by a 10-5 vote a measure that would create a statewide public defenders office to assist under-resourced county public defenders throughout Illinois. Its the first time the bill, dubbed by advocates as the Funded Advocacy & Independent Representation bill, or FAIR Act, has moved forward since a version was introduced last year by Democratic Senate President Don Harmon of Oak Park. But lawmakers in favor of the bill, which is primarily geared toward rural counties, acknowledged it still needs some changes before advancing through the legislative process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advocates point to multiple reports from 2019 to 2023 that show about 60% of Illinois counties have no government office of public defense, and instead contract with private attorneys, often part time. The bill also seeks to address disparities between county public defenders offices and states attorneys offices. For example, Cook Countys 2024 budget provided about $102 million for its public defenders office, and about $205 million for its states attorneys office. Also, while Illinois has no statewide office to provide public defenders where theyre needed, its attorney generals office provides prosecutors around the state as necessary. A courtroom is kind of a three-legged stool. You have a states attorney, you have a judge, and you have the PD (public defender). And for a long time, the PD was understaffed, underfunded and just in a position that they just, it wasnt fair, state Rep. Dave Vella, a Rockford Democrat who is sponsoring the bill, said during Tuesdays House Judiciary Criminal Committee hearing. So a lot of times, defendants werent getting the defense they needed or deserved. Lets say youre in an extremely southern, rural county. And you have a 15-person drug case. Youve only got one public defender. Youre going to need some help, so this statewide public defender will send some attorneys down there to help with the case, said Vella, a former Winnebago County assistant public defender. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill also calls for the office to establish a recruitment and retention plan to ensure a skilled and diverse workforce is available to serve clients in every part of the state. The office would also provide funding to improve, increase access to, and advance the cause of indigent defense, the bill says. After Tuesdays hearing, Vella pegged the annual cost of operating the state public defenders office at $1 million or less. If the bill were to pass immediately, those costs wouldnt kick in for about two or three years while the office gets organized. Vella said the money could come from the state Supreme Courts budget. Under the bill, the initial state public defender would be nominated by the Illinois Public Defender Association, a nonprofit educational organization for public defenders, and appointed to a two-year term by a majority vote of the state Supreme Court. Each subsequent state public defender would be appointed to a six-year term by a newly-formed, 11-member state public defender commission. The state public defenders office would provide training to county public defenders and maintain a panel of private attorneys available to serve as counsel on a case-by-case basis. The office would also provide county public defenders with expert witnesses, investigators, administrative staff and social service staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her testimony before the committee, Stephanie Kollmann, an attorney with Northwestern Universitys Child and Family Justice Center, cited research by her office showing large caseloads for public defenders throughout the state that are unacceptable under the Sixth Amendment, which guarantees the right to an attorney for people accused of crimes. I work in a law school. Our students really want to go into public defense, many of them, Kollmann said. But they cant enter a profession that doesnt have jobs open, that doesnt openly advertise jobs when they are open, that doesnt train them effectively or have enough space, time and money to do that. One goal of the bill, according to Vella, would be to make public defenders more autonomous from the judiciary. Circuit court judges appoint and remove most county chief defenders, although not in Cook County. Under the legislation, when a vacancy occurs in the position of chief county public defender, the state public defender would nominate a candidate and the state public defender commission would make an appointment through a selection process. Sharlyn Grace, representing the Illinois Public Defender Association, told the committee she spoke with a chief public defender who is supportive of the legislation but feels they cant be open about that in the legislative process because theyre afraid their of retribution from their chief judge, who is responsible for their appointment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When we have this system that prevents our public defenders from engaging in this conversation about how we can improve public defense and ensure that the state of Illinois meets its Sixth Amendment obligations, thats something we have a duty to rectify, said Grace, who works for the Cook County public defenders office. State Rep. Patrick Windhorst, the Republican spokesperson for the committee and a former states attorney for downstate Massac County, noted several public defenders are opposed to the legislation. Vella responded that there are a lot of different counties, a lot of different circuits, a lot of different public defenders with ideas about how to get autonomy from judges. John Rekowski, a retired public defender from downstate Madison County, agreed that its important to insulate public defenders from retribution from the judges they appear in front of but said its also important for chief judges to have a working relationship with public defenders, since the judges generally have a good grasp of the legal landscape in the areas they oversee. He testified the bill should allow for the current system of having the chief judges, in consultation with circuit judges, appoint the county public defenders, while taking away the judges power to reappoint them and remove them for cause. That function, Rekowski said, should be reserved for the statewide office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That guarantees that the advocate in front of the judge isnt talking to the person who can fire him, he testified. An attorney representing the Illinois State Bar Association testified that while the group supports much of the bill, particularly the provisions where the bill provides more resources and more public defenders, its against the judicial appointment power being taken away. We just believe that theyre certain parts of the state that are different than the collars and Cook and that need that type of specific judicial involvement with the public defenders, said the lawyer, David Eldridge. The bills sponsors include Chicago Democrats Justin Slaughter, chairman of the House Judiciary Criminal Committee, and Kelly Cassidy, the committees vice-chair. WINDHOEK, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Namibia has been urged to strengthen its tax oversight to curb avoidance, particularly by multinational enterprises, and secure sustainable revenue streams for national priorities such as social protection, gender equality, and job creation. Speaking at the launch of the Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB) program in Windhoek late Tuesday, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Resident Representative to Namibia Alka Bhatia said the initiative will help Namibia improve its tax administration and align with international best practices. "The financial landscape is undergoing significant shifts, with development finance becoming increasingly constrained," she said. "It is essential that the country strengthens its capacity to mobilize domestic resources effectively to support its development agenda." Bhatia said that the TIWB program will strengthen tax audits, enhance digital systems, and facilitate peer-to-peer knowledge exchanges with international revenue authorities. A key focus will be ensuring that tax experts embedded in the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) provide on-the-job training to build long-term institutional capacity, she added. According to Bastia, the TIWB will support Namibia's efforts to identify high-risk cases and address tax avoidance arrangements that reduce much-needed revenue. "The goal is not merely to strengthen NamRA's tax collection capacity; rather, it is to establish a fair and predictable tax system where businesses contribute their fair share, ultimately enhancing Namibia's ability to fund social and economic development," she said. The TIWB is a joint initiative of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and the UNDP supporting 39 jurisdictions across Africa. Its main areas of focus include transfer pricing, international taxation, and criminal tax investigations, with particular emphasis on the extractive industry. (FOX40.COM) Democratic Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Hollywood) announced a new bill aimed at protecting pets during and after weather emergencies. Assembly Bill 478, also called the FOUND Act, was inspired by a pomeranian named Oreo who went missing during the Palisades Fire before being reunited with its owner. Video Above: Woman reunited with cat presumed list in Palisades Fire Pets are more than just propertythey are family. When disaster strikes, no one should have to choose between their safety and their pets survival, Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur said. The FOUND Act ensures that local governments have clear rescue plans in place, so pet owners dont have to risk their lives to save their animals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zbur said the bill has three key provisions. The first provision requires cities and counties to codify procedures regarding the rescue of pets in mandatory evacuation zones. The second provision requires local governments to provide online resources regarding pet evacuation and reunification. Local governments would also be required to post an online list of pets that have been rescued. The last provision requires pets rescued from an evacuated area are held for 90 days before being adopted, transferred or euthanized. According to Zbur, the current law only guarantees owners a 72-hour window. Zbur said Pacific Palisades resident Casey Colvin attempted to return home to save his two dogs but was stopped at a roadblock. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CalFire Battalion Chief Brent Pascua offered to rescue his dog but was unable to find one of them, Zbur said. Colvin received a call five days later saying Oreo had been spotted on the remains of his property. 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. Cell phones can be a big distraction and thats why some lawmakers want them to be off-limits to some Georgia students during the school day. A bill that would ban cell phones in public schools in kindergarten through 8th grade moved one step closer to becoming law on Tuesday. I would definitely be for it. I think kids need to be focused on learning, not be distracted by social media, parent Robert Stewart said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While some people like the idea of a school cell phone ban, others see the benefits of letting students have some access to their phones. I like that we can know where he is, Parent Barbara Myers said. Myers said her 9-year-old grandson sometimes calls her during lunch to talk about plans after school. I think it should be limited. I think they should not be able to use them in class time, Myers said. RELATED STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuesday afternoon, the Georgia Senate Children and Families Committee passed the Distraction-free Education Act" by a four-to one-vote. The data overwhelmingly shows us. And we know just really by instinct, that cell phones in classrooms are not conducive to education, State Rep. Scott Hilton said. The bill prohibits public school students in grades kindergarten through eight from accessing personal electronic devices during the school day. That includes smartphones, headphones, tablets and smartwatches. School-issued electronic devices could still be used. The bill also includes exceptions for IEPs and medical plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course there probably need to be some things in place for emergencies to make sure their parents can get in touch with them, Stewart said. The bill leaves that up to individual school systems. School districts also would come up with policies on storing devices and consequences for violations. Video: Amendment may bolster Arkansas legislation restructuring electrical utilities LITTLE ROCK, Ark. A bill restructuring the relationship between electric utilities and the Public Service Commission, and ultimately ratepayers, passed in the House on Tuesday afternoon. Senate Bill 307 will allow utilities to charge for the construction of new projects while they are underway instead of the current model of not charging ratepayers until the project is completed. The Public Service Commission retains its ability to review and approve rates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It passed the House on a 71 12 vote with nine voting present. Arkansas Public Service Commission submits proposed changes to Arkansas utilities legislation Proponents of the bill said this change would lead to incremental changes to utility bills instead of the sticker shock of a sudden jump in rates at the end of a project. Those in favor of the bill also pointed out that Arkansas will lose two of its five coal power plants by 2030. Sen. Jonathan Dismang (R-Searcy) said on the Senate floor that this would move Arkansas from being an exporter of electricity to an importer to meet demand, thereby raising rates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dismang had earlier said that rates would go up regardless of whether more power plants are built. Building plants costs utilities money, leading to higher rates, and importing electricity costs more, leading to higher rates, he said. Arkansas electric utility bill passes Senate, heads for House The bill included an emergency clause, which means it will take immediate effect once the governor signs 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 KARK. Oregon is one of several western states where lawmakers are considering bills that could protect utilties from some financial liabilities if their equipment starts a fire. (Photo by Robert Zullo/States Newsroom) Oregon lawmakers on Tuesday tweaked a bill intended to increase fire mitigation to ensure it does not also offer utilities immunity from liability in lawsuits for wildfires ignited by power lines. The change to a single sentence in House Bill 3666 comes as a relief to some critics, who feared that giving utilities wildfire safety certificates that establish theyve acted reasonably by state standards would in effect offer them absolute immunity from liability in lawsuits if their equipment causes a wildfire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Others, including the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association and a representative from the timber industry are still concerned that courts could place weight on certificates when deciding liability and that it does little to give the Public Utility Commission the power it needs to enforce wildfire prevention standards and audit utilities work. Rep. Pam Marsh, D-Ashland, and the bills author introduced the amendment Tuesday in the House Committee on Judiciary. It changes a single sentence in the original version. The bill previously stated that a wildfire safety certificate was good for 12 months from the date of issuance by the commission, and that it establishes that an applicant is acting reasonably with regard to wildfire safety practices and materially consistent with the applicants wildfire protection plan or wildfire mitigation plan. Lawyers feared this would allow utilities to argue they had acted reasonably even if they were responsible for starting catastrophic fires like those in 2020 that killed 11 people and destroyed 4,000 homes. In 2023, a Multnomah County jury found PacificCorp, owner of Pacific Power, guilty of being reckless and negligent in a class action lawsuit over the 2020 Labor Day fires and awarded plaintiffs hundreds of millions of dollars. To date, according to the companys website, its agreed or been ordered to pay more than $1 billion to residents and companies affected by the fires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The amendment clarifies that a certificate merely establishes that an applicant implemented wildfire policies and practices consistent with the commissions wildfire safety standards on the date the certification is issued. Marsh told lawmakers at the public hearing for the bill that it was not her or her collaborators intention to provide immunity for utilities in the event their equipment starts a fire, and that legislative attorneys had assured her it would not be used as such. Nonetheless, we know that not all attorneys who have reviewed the bill agree with that interpretation, and we really want this work to move forward without dispute, she said. Concerns remain If passed, House Bill 3666 would direct the Oregon Public Utility Commission to establish minimum wildfire prevention standards for electric utilities in exchange for an annual certificate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marsh said the bills goal is to set a high standard for utilities for wildfire mitigation work and keep communities safe. Keith Brooks, general manager of Douglas Electric Cooperative, said he needs such standards to ensure he makes the right investments in wildfire mitigation Otherwise, Brooks said rates will continue to rise. Without state standards, electric cooperatives can never do enough mitigation work, he said. Without some sort of certification process, Im telling you as a utility manager, that will drive prices so high that people will not be able to afford to live in the communities that were all trying to protect, Brooks said. Thats not wildfire prevention, thats economic displacement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Representatives for Portland General Electric and the Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association also testified in support of the bill and the amendment. Sam Drevo, a survivor of the 2020 Labor Day fires in the Santiam Canyon, said the amendment was a big improvement on the original bill, which he saw as giving PacifiCorp protection despite having caused the largest, most expensive fires in state history. But, he said, the bill and Oregon lawmakers should focus on giving the Public Utility Commission the regulatory teeth and resources it needs to hold utilities accountable for preventing wildfires. He said the commission has little to show for itself in that regard. Ive had to wonder why theres no official investigation from the state of Oregon, why theres no report from the state of Oregon on what happened, he told lawmakers. Were entering the fifth year since the (2020 Labor Day) fires, and theres still no report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Oregon Trial Lawyers Association is also concerned about the commissions ability to enforce wildfire prevention regulations and audit utilities. Theyve testified as neutral on the bill with the amendment and are opposed to the bill without the amendment. If the goal is safety, this bill wont accomplish it, Cody Berne, a governor at large for the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association and an attorney at Portland-based law firm Stoll Berne, told the Capital Chronicle. Berne is representing survivors of the 2020 Labor Day fires. It recycles fire safety rules that are already in place, Berne said. There are no resources to investigate and make sure that investor-owned power companies are following the rules. The bill just gives the appearance of safety. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Sen. Stephen Meredith, R-Leitchfield, told his Senate colleagues, Im not just asking you for help on this, Im begging you" as his bill protecting a program that he said pumps $250 million into Kentucky hospitals died Friday. (LRC Public Information) A bill Kentucky hospitals say was essential to preserving funds for charity care appears dead after lawmakers in the House late Friday rolled Senate Bill 14 plus several other health measures into a single bill, effectively killing it. In announcing the demise of his SB 14 meant to strengthen access to a federal program that raises money from pharmaceutical companies an angry Sen. Stephen Meredith, R-Leitchfield, compared it to the Kenny Rogers song Lucille. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive seen some good times and Ive seen some bad times, but this time the hurting wont heal, Meredith said in a Friday night speech on the Senate floor. Its crushing to me, he added, saying it puts funding from the 340B Drug Pricing Program for health care at risk throughout Kentucky. This is not just a luxury, this is a lifeline, a financial lifeline for many of our communities. The House action Friday also killed an unrelated bill sought by the states largest treatment program, Addiction Recovery Care, or ARC, to protect Medicaid payments for treatment services. Sen. Craig Richardson, R-Hopkinsville. (LRC Public Information) Senate Bill 153, sponsored by Sen. Craig Richardson, R-Hopkinsville, would have placed limits on how insurance companies that handle most of Kentuckys Medicaid claims can restrict payments to providers they consider outliers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in a dizzying series of changes, the House deleted contents of SB 153, replacing it with Merediths SB 14, as well as several other measures, effectively killing them all. With only two days left in the session, its too late to revive them, sponsors say. By turning SB 153 into Merediths SB 14 among other changes in that moment, the bill was dead, Richardson said in an email. It will be a fight for next session, Richardson said. Meredith said Richardson, a freshman lawmaker, afterwards expressed surprise at the outcome. I told him, Welcome to the General Assembly, Meredith said. Unworkable changes Also included in the now-defunct bill was a measure by Rep. Kimberly Poore Moser, R-Taylor Mill, to create new, detailed reporting requirements for nonprofit hospitals and clinics on funds they receive through the 340B program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moser had argued at a committee hearing that such measures were needed to improve transparency. Meredith said the reporting requirements were excessive and just ridiculous. And the Kentucky Hospital Association, which had lobbied heavily for Merediths SB 14, said it could not support the newly-created version, describing the reporting requirements as counterproductive. The changes make the program unworkable, and Kentuckys hospitals cannot embrace such legislation, said a statement from a spokesperson. Not everyone was disappointed. The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, or PhRMA, along with several other industry and employer groups, had opposed SB 14, arguing the 340B program has expanded too rapidly with little oversight and must be better managed. They argue 340B must be reformed by Congress, which created it in 1992 and has done little to check its growth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It has devolved into a program in which hospitals and clinics get prescription drugs at steep discounts, and then, for insured patients, bill Medicaid and private insurance companies for the market price and pocket the difference, they said. Calling it a hospital markup program, PhRMA spokesman Reid Porter said the discussion in Kentucky underscores the need for federal action. It must shift from a loophole benefiting tax-exempt hospitals at the expense of Kentuckians to a system that truly supports vulnerable patients and communities, he said. We appreciate the legislators who prioritized transparency and took steps to bring greater accountability to how 340B is used and we continue to support these changes at the federal level. ARC and the FBI As for the original version of SB 153, it had drawn opposition from the Kentucky Association of Health Plans, or KAHP, which represents insurers and pointed out that ARC, one of the bills chief backers, is under investigation by the FBI for possible health care fraud. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SB 153 meant to limit how private insurers known as managed care organizations, or MCOs, can withhold Medicaid payments they find questionable would make it harder to act in such cases, it said in a March 12 news release prior to changes to SB 153 that killed it. The federal government is cracking down on waste, fraud and abuse, Tom Stephens, KAHP CEO, said in the news release. What kind of message does it send that Kentucky is doing the exact opposite. This week, Stephens welcomed the end of SB 153. We appreciate voices in the General Assembly arguing for real accountability, Stephens said. We have witnessed that a lack of guardrails has been a boon for disreputable providers and resulted in significant abuse of taxpayer dollars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI has not brought any charges in the investigation of ARC that it announced in August. ARC has said it provides quality treatment services and is cooperating with the FBI. The white flag Hospital officials who spoke to lawmakers in support of Senate Bill 14 on Feb. 5 include, from left, Angela Portman, CEO of Breckinridge Health; Nancy Galvagni, president of the Kentucky Hospital Association; Don Lloyd, CEO of UK St. Claire Regional Medical Center, and Brian Springate, CEO of Appalachian Regional Healthcares Hazard hospital. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Deborah Yetter) Meredith, a former hospital CEO who was pushing his 340B bill for the second year, vowed hes not giving up on legislation he said is needed to preserve health services, especially in rural areas where hospitals are struggling. With potential Medicaid cuts looming at the federal level, Meredith said action is urgently needed. I guess Ive got to wave the white flag on this one for this session but it will be back in 2026, he said in Fridays speech to fellow lawmakers. Im not just asking you for help on this, Im begging you. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview, Meredith said the 340B program brings in about $250 million a year that hospitals and clinics, rural and urban, use to shore up charity care services. It doesnt all have to go for direct care for patients who cant pay, he said. For example, one rural hospital uses proceeds to enhance nurses salaries to avoid losing them to larger hospital systems that pay more. Others use proceeds to enhance cancer care or other treatment they couldnt otherwise afford. The program was never meant to provide charity care as much as it was to provide access to care, he said. Without his bills protection, pharmaceutical companies will continue to try to limit discounts and the type of drugs shipped to Kentucky, which will erode 340B funds, he said adding, It just boggles my mind were willing to walk away from $250 million a year. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) A bill that would create a state-appointed board that would all but strip the Memphis-Shelby County Schools board of its power is working its way through the legislature, passing its first House subcommittee Tuesday. The proposed legislation, sponsored by Rep. Mark White (R-Memphis) targets Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) after decades of underperformance, which came to a head when the school board fired the districts superintendent in late January. I bring this not lightly, but I believe it is time that we have some type of intervention because doing what were doing is not changing, and Im going back 30 years, Rep. White said. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts The bill, based on a Texas law, would create a nine-member, state-appointed managing board to manage the school district for at least four years. The board would intervene if at least 30% of a districts schools received a D or F grade from the state, and if the district received a vote of no confidence from another local legislative body, like the county commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the proposal, the managing board could require a school board to take certain actions under their direction. The managing board would also be required to approve or disapprove the school boards actions. Youve got to have some type of authority in place to say, Heres the direction were going to march. If not, we keep on doing the same old things, Rep. White said. Dozens of educators and advocates traveled from Memphis to watch the debate in the House K-12 Subcommittee Tuesday. Ron Redwing, a Memphis business owner and founder of Save Our Schools testified against the bill. While we do agree and there is no question, the district needs a makeover, but we do not need a takeover, Redwing said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read the latest from the TN State Capitol Newsroom In addition, Democrats argued the bill would override peoples right to choose their local leaders. We are a republic form of government. That means we elect people to represent our interests. This bill erases that, Rep. Sam McKenzie (D-Knoxville) said. It lets an appointed board, I dont care where theyre from. The people who are appointing them are right here in this building or the one next door. The local school board would have no say anymore. Thats not the way America works. Opponents told News 2 theyd rather have local, elected leaders make changes to the district versus a state-appointed board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a devastation to the people who are working so hard to do what they need to do for the kids. [They] just want to go, Oh wait. Lets just put some other people in to make decisions, and those people are already in place, LoMay Richmond, a Memphis-area teacher said. However, Rep. White argued the state-appointed board would be made up of qualified experts who live in Shelby County. Ive been accused that this is a state takeover. It is not, Rep. White said. I am a representative of the city of Memphis. I am locally elected by the citizens of Memphis and Shelby County, and they have asked me to push forward with such legislation. I like to work with everybody to find solutions, but what were doing is not working. Amid the opposition expressed during the House K-12 Subcommittee Tuesday, Memphis community advocate, Lashanta Rudd snapped in support of the bill. However, she wants the people of Shelby County to have more of a say in who would serve on the state-appointed managing board. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com We are here today because of the Memphis-Shelby County School board, Rudd said. We are not just going to sit by and watch them destroy our school system. Something has to happen, and it needs to happen fast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill passed the House K-12 Subcommittee 6 to 2 in a vote along party lines. It will move to the full House Education Committee. The bill is also working its way through the committee process on the Senate side. 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. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) Illinois may prohibit police officers from using no knock warrants to enter the homes of suspects without announcing their presence first. House Bill 1611, introduced by Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago), would prevent police from entering residences occupied by drug offenders unless there is evidence they are dealers. The bill also restricts police from executing searches in the early morning or late evening, allowing them time between the hours of 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., unless authorized by a judge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law would require police to wait at least 30 seconds after knocking before entering a home. The bill has the support of the Illinois State Rifle Association, which issued a statement Wednesday, saying, There have been a number of cases where errors have been made, and the wrong homes have been targeted. And for any law-abiding gun owner, if someone is smashing through your door or window in the middle of the night, or early in the morning your first instinct is to grab your firearm because you have reason to believe this is a home invasion. No knock warrants place law enforcement and ordinary law-abiding citizens in grave danger. Mistakes are made all the time and sadly, innocent people have been killed because of them. The bill has passed out of the House Judiciary Criminal Law Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. The boundaries of the Omaha Inland Port Authority. (Courtesy of City of Omaha) LINCOLN A bill aimed at enlarging the area where a long-awaited North Omaha business park could be developed advanced Tuesday to its final reading in the Nebraska Legislature. However, Legislative Bill 290, introduced by State Sen. Terrell McKinney of North Omaha, faced continued resistance led by State Sen. Bob Andersen of Sarpy County. State Sen. Terrell McKinney of North Omaha. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) McKinney told the lawmaking body that he was asking for flexibility on the boundaries because there are problems with the top two locations identified by the development team awarded the $90 million in state funds to prepare the industrial site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McKinneys bill would drop a requirement that the park be located within two miles of a major airport, instead allowing it to be within the broader boundaries of the Omaha Inland Port Authority. McKinney also chairs the board that oversees the Port Authority. Its jurisdiction, members said, is roughly 3,000 acres, although not all of that is buildable property. The $90 million for a business park was part of the Economic Recovery Act approved by the Legislature in 2022 and updated in 2023. The act, which included other elements, was championed by McKinney and then-Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha. A team led by the nonprofit Omaha Economic Development Corp., Burlington Capital and the Greater Omaha Chamber won the $90 million grant to develop the park. The team plans to use the funds to prepare a shovel-ready site and to market the area to businesses that would build a job-producing industrial hub. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Omaha Inland Port Authority Board was established after the Economic Recovery Act laid out parameters for the business park. The Port Authority Board now has oversight. One of the two sites the OEDC team identified as a priority location for the park has environmental cleanup expenses that could cost $40 million, McKinney has said. The other contains numerous households, some of which have balked at relocation to make way for the park. State Sen.-elect Bob Andersen of Sarpy County. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) During debate Tuesday, Andersen noted that he opposed the bill during committee stage and again during legislative debate. Once again, Andersen charged that McKinney was unclear on certain details such as how much of the Economic Recovery Act funds remained unspent. With the budget shortfall facing the state, he said lawmakers should consider stopping the business park plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Legislature voted 25-3 to advance the bill. Twenty legislators were present but chose not to vote. One senator was excused. A bill with no emergency clause needs 25 votes to pass with the governors signature. The bill had passed the first round Feb. 28 with a 31-5 vote. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Cable news commentator Bill OReilly dismissed the possibility of President Trump running for a third term, calling suggestions he could seek to stay in power unlikely. Thats a fantasy, and I dont really consider those kinds of things, OReilly said while appearing on Chris Cuomos NewsNation program. Its not gonna happen, never will happen. Its not worth my time or your time. Donald Trump will serve out his second term, hopefully hell be successful, and then JD Vance will run for president in 28, unless something happens. Thats whats gonna happen. The pundits comments were first highlighted by Mediate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president turned some heads last week when he said, Hopefully were gonna be doing this at least three more times, during a meeting with the Irish leader, joking, When I say at least, they go absolutely crazy. But some Trump allies have voiced support for the idea. Steve Bannon, Trumps former chief of staff, said during a separate appearance on Cuomos show that Trump will run and win again in 2028. A man like this comes along once every century, if were lucky, Bannon said. Weve got him now. But OReilly called that suggestion fringe stuff. Steve Bannon would like Trump to be president until hes 112, and thats fine, he said. It doesnt mean anything. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill. 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. From left, Luis Pedrosa and friends Cathy Carroll and Gisselle Huerta react as HB0556 fails to pass. The measure would have required all written drivers license examinations to be administered in English only. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) A bill requiring Tennessee drivers license tests to be taken only in English failed in a House subcommittee Tuesday after lobbying by business groups concerned that executives and workers employed in some of the states largest industries could be impacted. The bill (HB556/SB1373) by Rep. Kip Capley of Summertown and Sen. Bo Watson of Hixson, both Republicans, is among a broad slate of proposed legislation aimed at restricting the rights of immigrants living in Tennessee that has been introduced this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The measure would have required all drivers license applicants to take the written portion of drivers tests in English and barred the use of translation dictionaries or interpreters for individuals taking the test. It was defeated 5-3 in a House Transportation Subcommittee after Republican members expressed concern about the impact on international industries doing business in Tennessee, including Nissan and Volkswagen. Rep. Kip Capley, a Summertown Republican, sponsored a bill to make Tennessees drivers license tests in English only. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) Republicans on the panel noted they had also heard concerns about the bill from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, which recruits international companies to do business in Tennessee, and the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce. What this bill does is address those people who are already here on a work visa, on a green card who are here legally, and I have many of those in my district, Rep. Dan Howell, a Cleveland Republican, said in explaining his no vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have companies that employ 1,000 people, Howell said. Volkswagen is close to my district that has 5,000 or 6,000 people, and these companies send a large part of their executive staff here with their families. Theyre here legally and some of them may not speak English. Tennessee law already bars immigrants without legal status from obtaining a drivers license, limiting the would-be impact of the proposed bill to those who are legally present in the United States, including citizens who may prefer to take the written portion of the required test in a language other than English. Currently the Tennessee Department of Safety offers written exams in German, Japanese, Korean and Spanish in addition to English. The bills defeat in a House subcommittee means it is effectively shelved for the year. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX WASHINGTON, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Unredacted documents related to the assassination of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy (JFK) were released by the Donald Trump administration on Tuesday. Currently, about 2,200 files consisting of over 63,000 pages were posted on the website of the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. The vast majority of the National Archives' collection of over 6 million pages of records, photographs, motion pictures, sound recordings and artifacts related to the assassination had previously been released. Trump told reporters on Monday that the release was coming, though he estimated it at about 80,000 pages. "We have a tremendous amount of paper. You've got a lot of reading," he said while visiting the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. He said people have been waiting for decades for the release. JFK, the 35th president of the United States, was assassinated on Nov. 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas, while riding in a motorcade. Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested for the murder, yet numerous conspiracy theories about the circumstances of Oswald's dramatic death two days after the assassination remain prevalent even today. On Jan. 23, Trump signed an executive order to declassify any remaining files from the assassinations of JFK, his brother Robert F. Kennedy and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. Reps. John Wills, left, Derek Wulf and Elizabeth Wilson considered legislation March 19, 2025 that would impose a three-year moratorium on Iowa Economic Development Authority programs and funding for Iowa's four most populous counties. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Iowas four most populous counties would not be able to access state economic development programs and their funds for three years under a bill advanced Wednesday by an Iowa House subcommittee. The legislation, House Study Bill 310, would impose a three-year moratorium, from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028, on all programs administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and funding available through these programs for the four counties in the state with the highest population. The four counties impacted would be Polk County with a population of more than 505,000, Linn County with a population of nearly 229,000, Scott County with 174,000 and Johnson County at 157,000, according to U.S. Census data from 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The IEDA oversees a number of programs throughout the state focused on economic and community development. Some programs work with businesses directly, while others work with local governments on community projects including infrastructure and disaster recovery efforts. Rep. Derek Wulf, R-Hudson, said the measure was necessary because efforts by the Iowa Legislature to revitalize rural Iowa have not worked. It has not worked, folks, and what we need to do is have transformational change, Wulf said. Is this the perfect answer? I dont know. Well continue to have that discussion, but something has to happen. At the subcommittee meeting, advocates for business groups and local governments were largely against the measure. Dustin Miller with the Iowa Chamber Alliance said he understood the intent of the bill was to aid rural communities, but the measure would harm areas of the state that are often drivers in the states economy that will benefit surrounding counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the four counties targeted by this legislation have a gross domestic product of $85 billion, representing 42% of the states total real GDP of $200 billion. Those counties also make up large proportions of the states collected taxes 36% of the general fund revenue raised for personal income tax in 2022 and 43% of the sales tax. Miller also pointed to IEDA data showing a majority of awards were given to communities with populations between 5,000 and 30,000 a total of 156 awards. Happy to talk about what is the best way to try and incentivize differing development, but at the same time, just want to be cognizant of the fact of, dont kill the golden goose,' Miller said. IEDA data shared by Wulf showed that in fiscal year 2024, 21.7% of award funding went to Polk, Linn, Johnson and Scott counties. Polk received an award total of $17,323,827; Linn, $17,937,281; Scott, $792,193, and Johnson $5,312,133. Linn and Polk counties were among the top 10 counties receiving IEDA assistance in FY2024, with only Boone County at $20,930,981 above them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wulf told reporters after the meeting that this funding could be better utilized in smaller communities. He said IEDA funding of up to $10 million going toward projects in Des Moines often only represents a portion of the total funding needed to complete the project. Ill tell you what, you send $5 million to Iowa rural communities, and it can mean the matter of whether the town survives or not, he said. Doug Struyk, representing the City of Des Moines, said this moratorium could take Iowa out of the running for many projects and businesses to consider coming to Iowa. In cases of new construction or large businesses, he said, many projects in cities like Des Moines are pulling workers from the surrounding areas. We have one benefit, which is we have a population of workers a lot of projects need bodies to be able to fill the slots, Struyk said. We believe, removing the largest four counties from the ability to receive these incentive funds removes the ability for many projects to even consider Iowa. When theyre considering Iowa theyre not just considering Des Moines, theyd be considering many other areas in the state. So we believe the intent is short-sighted and not in the best economic interest for the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Elizabeth Wilson, D-Marion, said she supported advocates points that economic development investments should be considered using a regional lens instead of being based on county populations. I think this idea of regionalism is actually I think its a really good idea, and I think it has a lot of merit, Wilson said. And for that reason, the way that it stands, I would have to be a no. Wulf said figures on the economic impact of these four counties make the exact case for this bill, saying that more attention and investment needs to go to rural areas. More importantly, as we went around the room, you know whos missing from this room? Wulf said. Our rural representatives, our people with dirty pants, boots on the ground that arent here, stating their case for why the money needs to be going to those areas for revitalization and growing their particular main street businesses. So for them today, I will be their voice, and well be moving this legislation forward. The legislation next goes to the House Ways and Means Committee for consideration. RALEIGH, N.C. (WGHP) A bill filed in the North Carolina House of Representatives would fund the study of medically assisted death. HB410, titled Medical Aid in Dying, was filed on Tuesday. The bill directs the North Carolina Institute of Medicine to study the impacts of legalizing medically assisted death. Medical aid in dying (MAID) is a recognized end-of-life (EOL) option for terminally ill, mentally competent adults who have been diagnosed with a life expectancy of less than 6 months to hasten the dying process, the bill says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill directs NCIOM to study the advantages and disadvantages of legalizing medical aid in dying (MAID) in North Carolina. Bill to raise North Carolina minimum wage filed by House Democrats It also directs NCIOM to look at factors that impact MAID, such as: The factors that contribute most to a persons decision to seek MAID. The characteristics and demographic backgrounds of persons who seek MAID. The social and emotional impacts on a persons family members when MAID is available to a person as an alternative to an extended dying process. Which medications have been or are currently being used for MAID, and whether intravenous self-administration would be an improvement over self-ingestion through the gastrointestinal tract. The best options for healthcare providers to opt out of participating in MAID. Available data from the current MAID states that are reporting on conclusions arising from the legalization of MAID, particularly with respect to the effectiveness of MAID laws in providing an end-of-life option. What end-of-life options are currently available in North Carolina and recommendations about whether MAID is an advisable additional alternative. To what extent the absence of MAID in North Carolina and other states increases the chance that a terminally ill person will choose to commit suicide by violent or other means. Additionally, NCIOM would study advancements in MAID since the Death with Dignity Act passed in Oregon, develop a hypothetical number of how many people may choose to use MAID based on data available from other states, and the impact on healthcare systems in states where MAID is already legal. The NCIOM would be required to hold at least one public hearing to ensure the general public has an opportunity to provide the NCIOM with comments regarding the advantages and disadvantages of legalizing MAID before submitting a report to lawmakers, which is due by April 1, 2027. The bill would appropriate $150,000 to fund this study, if passed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MAID is legal in California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, Washington and Washington D.C. Its been legal in Oregon for the longest amount of time, since 1994. Reps. Pricey Harrison (D-Guilford), Donny Lambeth (R-Forsyth), Julia Howard (R-Davie) and Lindsey Prather (D-Buncombe) are the primary sponsors of the bill. Advocates Speak Out The bill looks at the process patients go through in other states to be approved for the medicine. Usually its six months You cant have a mental disability which would include dementia. You have to be of sound mind to make this decision yourself, Harrison said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Edmund Tiryakian is the founder of a non-profit in Orange County called Dying Right. He studies how other states like Oregon help patients and then uses that information to help guide people here in North Carolina The one thing we really want to emphasize is we strongly discourage suicide. If you work in this area, you hear horrible stories where people have an answer. Theyre in excruciating pain through the futility of continuing, and they take matters into their own hands violently, and that is a terrible, terrible end of life, Tiryakian said. Tiryakian says it gives patients options but only if they can do it themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Death with dignity requires that person to have the physical wherewithal to take the drink. Its a five-drug cocktail. With a straw, they will then suck up the medicine on their own, Tiryakian said. If the patient cannot do it on their own, it is against the law for anyone to help. That would be referred to as euthanasia. On July 1, $150,000 would be allocated to the study to give legislators answers. We would get data from the 12 jurisdictions that use medical aid in dying. We would study the demographics of North Carolina: how many people in North Carolina die every year of cancer, how many people die of ALS, how many people could use this, Tiryakian said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harrison says she hopes that by that point, more people might be on board. 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 FOX8 WGHP. (Bloomberg) -- Billionaire Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing has found himself in the middle of the China-US geopolitical tussle after announcing a deal to sell his Panama Canal port assets. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sale, part of a deal with a consortium led by BlackRock Inc. that will see Lis conglomerate pocket $19 billion, was initially seen as an audacious win that gives the billionaire a premium for the business at a time when the trade war is hurting shipping. It simultaneously hands a victory to US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly threatened to take over the Panama Canal and falsely claimed that China ultimately operates the waterway. But the sale has reportedly drawn the ire of Chinese President Xi Jinping and authorities have begun examining the deal. While its unclear what measures officials can take given the ports being sold are all outside of China and Hong Kong, it signals immense displeasure that CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd. Lis flagship firm has bowed to US pressure. Heres what you need to know about Li Ka-shing and the Panama ports deal. What ports did Li own and why did he sell them? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A unit of CK Hutchison controls two out of five ports adjacent to the Panama Canal an important waterway that handles roughly 3% of global seaborne trade. Panama initially granted the concession to the company in 1998 and renewed it for 25 years in 2021. There hadnt been a problem until Trumps focus on the waterway in recent months. While the president has appeared to be airing his own grievance about the US losing control of the canal, as well as high shipping costs, its also fed into the ongoing rivalry between the US and China given the latters growing influence in Latin America. With pressure from the Trump administration growing, CK Hutchison announced an expansive deal that would sell 43 ports in 23 countries and keep facilities in mainland China and Hong Kong. At $19 billion, the proceeds are worth almost as much as CK Hutchisons market valuation before the deal was announced. Who is set to benefit from the deal? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The biggest beneficiary, should the deal get the green light from relevant authorities, is 96-year-old Li and his family. Already Hong Kongs second-richest man, Lis fortune rose $1.3 billion shortly after the announcement in early March, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. It now stands at $30.5 billion, with his stakes in CK Hutchison and property arm CK Asset Holdings Ltd. representing 40% of his wealth. Millions of dollars in fees are likely to flow to the likes of Goldman Sachs Group Inc., the only investment bank that worked with CK Hutchison, and the plethora of firms that provided legal advice to the BlackRock consortium. Trump, who declared his intention to take back the Panama Canal in his inaugural address, also notches a political win as he flexes over international trade, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, NATO and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How is China involved and what has been its reaction? CK Hutchisons decision to pursue the deal without seeking Beijings approval in advance has angered President Xi, who believes Li was acting against Chinese interests, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people it didnt identify. Officials had planned to use the Panama port issue as a bargaining chip in negotiations with the Trump administration, according to the report. Chinas top office in Hong Kong has also signaled its displeasure with the deal, sharing commentaries from pro-Beijing media outlet Ta Kung Pao that warned companies to be careful about which side they should stand on and urged great entrepreneurs to be passionate and proud patriots. Several Chinese agencies, including the State Administration of Market Regulation, are now examining the deal for any potential security breaches or antitrust violations, Bloomberg News reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Hong Kong leader John Lee said that extensive discussions in society about the deal reflect concerns that deserve serious attention. He vowed to handle the deal in accordance with the law and regulations. Whats next? Can the decision be reversed? The next big step for the deal will be CK Hutchison signing a definitive agreement with the BlackRock-led consortium, which is expected by April 2. Theres likely little Chinese authorities can do to scupper the deal, and Beijing has few options to strike back at other parts of Lis sprawling business empire which also includes retail, telecommunications and infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The billionaire has been reducing his groups exposure to Greater China for decades now and only 12% of CK Hutchisons revenue comes from operations in the mainland and Hong Kong. Still, the regulatory scrutiny has already sent CK Hutchison shares tumbling as investors grow wary about how far Beijings reach extends and US-China relations become increasingly fraught. Who is Li Ka-shing and how did he make his fortune? Born in mainland China in 1928, Li and his family fled to Hong Kong during World War II. Following the death of his father, a teenaged Li left school early, later establishing himself as a plastic flower manufacturer and then a real estate investor. At one point, about one out of every seven private residences in the city were developed by Lis Cheung Kong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His rise from poverty to billionaire mirrored the rapid economic growth of the financial hub and his business acumen earned him the affectionate nickname Superman. His ability to straddle the divide between China and the West also became symbolic of Hong Kongs role as the worlds gateway to the mainland. But after enjoying cordial relations with previous Chinese leaders, Lis ties to the mainland appear to have weakened since Xi took the top job in 2013. Hes earned a new moniker too: dubbed Cockroach King for what critics called his closet support of Hong Kongs pro-democracy movement. The Panama deal isnt the first time Lis business dealings have drawn Beijings ire. He faced criticism in Chinese state media in 2015 when he registered CK Hutchison and CK Asset in the Cayman Islands following a group-wide restructuring that coincided with the sale of some properties in the mainland. The majority of Lis wealth consists of stakes in publicly traded companies, including CK Asset, CK Hutchison, Canadian oil and gas producer Cenovus Energy and Zoom Video Communications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) The suspect in a double homicide, who fled New York and was found in Florida last month, has been extradited back to Binghamton and charged with two counts of murder, Binghamton Police announced Wednesday. 50-year-old Scott Mitchell, of Binghamton, was found in Daytona Beach in February after a multi-day search when Mitchell was wanted for questioning regarding the suspected murders of Daniel McCloe, 58, and Marshall VanOven, 55. The two were found dead in a Binghamton home on Feb. 5, 2025, after being reported as missing days earlier. Forensic pathologists who performed the autopsies declared the cause of death as homicide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Feb. 8, Mitchell was believed to be in South Carolina after the Dorchester County Sheriffs Office found his vehicle. Mitchell was then found in Daytona Beach after a local resident submitted a tip to the Volusia County Sheriffs Office. Mitchell was arrested by police on February 12 and held in Volusia County Jail until Tuesday, March 18, where he was transported back to Binghamton. Mitchell is currently being held in Broome County Jail. Binghamton Police say the investigation is ongoing. 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 WIVT - News 34. Mar. 18A bipartisan bill to permanently classify fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act that New Hampshire's senators helped introduce in Washington has passed the U.S. Senate. Sens. Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen, along with 11 other senators, introduced the Halt All Lethal Trafficking (HALT) of Fentanyl Act, which passed the Senate with an 84-16 bipartisan vote. Companion legislation recently passed the House of Representatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fentanyl is a scheduled substance, but Mexican drug cartels make small chemical tweaks to fentanyl to produce fentanyl-related substances with similar dangerous effects that are not controlled. In response, the DEA exercised its authority to temporarily classify fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act. That temporary scheduling order will expire on March 31, 2025, if Congress does not act. Under the HALT Fentanyl Act, fentanyl-related substances would remain Schedule I. In addition, the bill clarifies that the mandatory minimum penalties that apply to fentanyl also apply to the trafficking of fentanyl-related substances. "New Hampshire's fentanyl crisis has resulted in devastating losses for our families and communities," Hassan said in a statement. "As the fentanyl crisis has evolved, cartels and traffickers have also changed their tactics, altering the chemical makeup of the synthetic opioid by just one or two molecules to try to evade prosecution under existing law even though the slightly altered drug has the same effects as fentanyl does." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In the Granite State we've lost far too many lives due to fentanyl overdoses, and we must do everything we can to prevent more deaths," said Shaheen. Hassan met with Manchester Police and other law enforcement officials last month to discuss the bill and hear what they encounter on the ground in New Hampshire. "We focused a lot on fentanyl and fentanyl analogs, and that's obviously the focus of the legislation that's put forward," Hassan said. "But we're also seeing an increase in crystal meth and an increase in supply of these drugs, and that also means, of course, that there's more of these drugs around, they're at lower cost, and that creates some kind of challenges. We also talked some about some of the new technology that can be used to help thwart the cartels, and the importance of having funding for the technology itself, but then also funding to sustain the personnel who are skilled in using that technology." Manchester Police Chief Peter Marr didn't want to get into specifics regarding what technology was discussed, saying "we don't want to tip our hat on anything." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marr said statewide, "We're seeing huge increases in seizures from last year, so that means there's more drugs. We're not slowing down the influx of drugs. Our seizures are up, our drug overdose fatalities are down, which is fantastic. Here in Manchester, we're 21% down, so it's huge. And a lot of that goes to not just our work, but our collaborative work with our partners the health department, different NGOs (non-government organizations) throughout the city that go out and do overdose follow up, handing out kits, Narcan, things like that. "We are seeing a lot of success with that type of stuff, but as far as the war on drugs goes, it is alive and well," Marr said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that in 2023 there were 81,083 overdose deaths in the U.S. that involved opioids. Drug overdoses, largely driven by fentanyl, are the leading cause of death among young adults 18 to 45 years old, and synthetic opioids like fentanyl account for 66% of the total U.S. overdose deaths. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marr said it's "steady as she goes" in terms of fentanyl use in Manchester. "What we are seeing a huge increase in is methamphetamine," Marr said. "Methamphetamine has notoriously kind of been an out west, down south type of thing, and over the past year or two, we've seen an exponential increase in methamphetamine." pfeely@unionleader.com BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) The Birmingham Boys Choir hosted its 11th annual Taste of Birmingham fundraiser at The Club on Tuesday evening. The event invited over 20 vendors to showcase the best food and drink options in the Magic City. It also gave the public a chance to hear the choir perform and learn more about its mission. Alabama Greek Foundation holds college and career fest Our mission is more than music: Its training for life, said Jeffrey Caulk, executive director of the Birmingham Boys Choir. We teach our boys to develop as full musicians and as choral musicians because thats what we do, but we also take very seriously that we represent our city, and so we grow our boys into men through our program of training for life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To learn more about the choir, 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. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) The Birmingham Zoo is celebrating its new habitat for its cougars and bobcats. It opens for visitors Wednesday. One of the inhabitants of the new exhibit is an orphaned female cub that was found in Montana. The zoo said it is thrilled to give her a new home but need your help to give her a new name. 6-month-old baby dies following dog attack in Alabaster Starting Wednesday on the zoos website, you can vote for your favorite name: Sage, Sierra or Juniper. Its $1 per vote, with the money raised going toward the cougar cubs care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Mar. 18Bishop Brady High School in Concord was evacuated Tuesday as officers investigated a bomb threat. By 3:40 p.m., the potential threat had been disproven. "There is no danger to the school, students or staff as a result of this incident," Concord Police said in a statement. "This incident remains an active and open investigation. The Concord Police thank the Concord community for its patience and cooperation during this incident." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Concord Police said around 1:15 p.m. officers received a report of a potential threat toward Bishop Brady High School. Parents of Bishop Brady students looking to pick up their children were asked to meet them at the Concord Boys & Girls Club located at 55 Bradley St. in Concord. Superintendent Kathleen Murphy, in an email to parents, described the threat as "a bomb scare," adding it was "determined to be false." pfeely@unionleader.com Maryland State Police said in a statement that they remain committed to improving hiring practices, even though the federal government dropped a civil rights lawsuit over the agency's hiring. (File photo by Danielle E. Gaines/Maryland Matters) Black state senators said Maryland should honor the $2.75 million settlement of a discrimination suit involving 48 women and Black Maryland State Police applicants, even though the Justice Department dropped the case last month. The March 13 letter was signed by 15 Black senators and sent to the Board of Public Works. It said that regardless of the actions of the federal government, the state has an obligation to see the consent decree through. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are deeply concerned that if Maryland does not honor this consent decree, it would send a message that we are unwilling to address systemic issues of discrimination within law enforcement, regardless of public outcry or the actions of individual officials, said the letter. The dismissal of this lawsuit should not deter the State from fulfilling its commitment to these much-needed reforms. The three-member Board of Public Works comprised of Gov. Wes Moore (D), Treasurer Dereck Davis (D) and Comptroller Brooke Lierman (D) approved the consent decree in October to settle a two-year federal probe by then-U.S. Attorney Erek Barron. That investigation determined that 48 women and Black applicants, some dating back to 2017, were turned down for trooper jobs or denied promotions after they failed physical and written recruiting tests that were later deemed discriminatory. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to $2.75 million in back pay to the applicants, the consent decree called for State Police to adopt new written and physical fitness tests, provide data on test administration to ensure compliance and hire up to 25 applicants who were unfairly disqualified by those tests and who successfully completed the new trooper screening and selection process. But on Feb. 26, Attorney General Pam Bondi ordered the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division to dismiss lawsuits across the country involving the hiring of police and firefighters. Bondi said the cases, launched under the Biden administration, used statistical disparities instead of evidence of intentional discrimination to advance an agenda of diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI. American communities deserve firefighters and police officers to be chosen for their skill and dedication to public safety not to meet DEI quotas, Bondi said in a statement. Her order does not specifically mention Marylands case, but a State Police statement last month said the U.S. District Court for Maryland had dismissed the consent decree against the agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moving forward, we are committed to developing cutting-edge, up-to-date hiring and selection processes, including a new written test and physical agility test specific to the duties and responsibilities of a Maryland State Trooper, the agencys statement said. Neither Bondis nor the polices statement made any mention of the back pay that was part of the consent decree. Sen. Joanne C. Benson (D-Prince Georges), one of the senators who signed the letter, and has pushed several years for state police reform, said Tuesday in an interview she hopes the governor supports the senators. We are talking about equality, Benson said. This is about making sure justice is served. It doesnt matter what that [President Donald Trump] administration did. We need to follow through and do whats right. Sen. Ron Watson (D-Prince Georges) in a file photo from January 2024. (Photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters) Sen. Ron Watson (D-Prince Georges) was the only Black senator who did not sign the letter, partly in support for Col. Roland Butler Jr., the State Police superintendent and a constituent of Watsons. Butler was nominated in February 2023 by Moore to lead the agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think this gentleman is owed the respect and the opportunity to try to affect change, and change takes time, Watson said of Butler on Tuesday. You want to talk about fast change? Look at what Trump is doing, he said. Is that what you really want, to just come in and just create total chaos? Change to be effective has to happen over time, incrementally. Butler told the Board of Public Works in October that the agency is committed to making meaningful and lasting change. A State Police representative did not respond to an emailed request for comment Tuesday. A spokesperson for Moore pointed to the State Police statement from last month, and said the governors office would not have any further. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Representatives for Davis and Lierman were not able to immediately provide a statement Tuesday. As of Tuesday night, the State Police consent decree did not appear to be on the agenda for Wednesdays Board of Public Works meeting. But the senators in their letter said they want the state to uphold diversity within the police agency to build inclusive communities with or without federal government involvement. We trust that the State of Maryland will stand firm in its commitment to upholding the civil rights guaranteed in the United States Constitution and ask that you share how the State will comply with the terms of the consent decree without the U.S. Department of Justices involvement, the letter said. If theyre supposed to be members of a band of truculent conspiracy theorists intent on disrupting the machine of the state, Prof Gwythian Prins and John Constable dont exactly seem like it. In some sense were all classic establishment figures but slightly to one side of it, Constable says, an observation at which Prins nods vigorously. Turning up at a pub just off Trafalgar Square (where Whitehall meets Clubland and visitors to the country mingle with the people who run it) the two men are immaculately turned out and mildly uneasy. Leather-backed armchairs are found; a pot of tea ordered. Prins, 74, is, among a catalogue of other things, the emeritus research professor at the London School of Economics. Constable, 61, is an academic, analyst and the founder of the Renewable Energy Foundation. They are not naturally keen on the spotlight, they insist, yet have come because, Prins says, this is a very important story which must be heard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It relates to a specific sequence of events during the earliest days of the coronavirus pandemic, but really, its about how the British government and Civil Service operates these days. Or rather, how it doesnt operate. But well come to that, Prins says. Prof Gwythian Prins: Everything that has happened in the last five years has made me and the rest of the team increasingly furious - Dale Cherry This Sunday marks five years since Boris Johnson appeared on television live from Downing Street to announce a nationwide lockdown in a bid to stop the coronavirus outbreak. It was the most significant set of restrictions on British life in living memory, and rendered much of the country catatonic. Yet while most people outside of government and vital services were forced to put their lives on hold, others were energised to put their talents and expertise towards finding out about the virus. Prins, whose long career has primarily focused on history and geopolitics, including social epidemiology, was one of them. So too Sir Richard Dearlove, the former head of the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), whom Prins had met while carrying out work for the Ministry of Defence, where Prins sat on an advisory panel to the Chief of the Defence Staff. The immunologist Prof Angus Dalgleish and the Norwegian virologist Birger Srensen were also part of the group. They had, in fact, all been in communication as early as January 2020, when whispers about SARSCoV2 the virus which causes Covid-19 were spreading almost as fast as the virus itself. Soon after the announcements began to be made, Gus Dalgleish called me up and said his colleague, Srensen, had done the single most obvious thing, Prins says. As much of Europe focused on how to contain the spread of Covid, Srensen began to analyse the virus itself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Srensens early research would eventually lead to the conclusion that SARSCoV2 was engineered during gain of function experiments conducted at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Somehow, it must have escaped. This was essentially the lab leak theory, which was instantly mooted when the pandemic started and just as quickly dismissed as a conspiracy theory. Instead, the established narrative proclaimed that the likely starting point was contact between wild creatures and humans in a Wuhan wet market where early Covid cases were identified. Virologist Shi Zhengli, nicknamed Bat Woman, had been experimenting with bat coronaviruses at the Wuhan Institute of Virology when the Covid-19 outbreak began in December 2019 - Shutterstock There have been longstanding concerns in the virological community about the relative laxity in standards in Chinese laboratories, Prins says. Accidents can happen. These things happen. It happened in this country at Pirbright with the foot-and-mouth epidemic. Human error. Given what he knew about Chinas interest in biological weapons, Prins found the lab theory of sufficient interest to give Sir Richard Dearlove a ring, who gathered this growing team together. Constable joined later, as did an anonymous civil servant. By this point it was early March and the theory that the wet market was ground zero in the emerging pandemic was becoming cemented in the publics perception. Governments were beginning to shut down their countries, creating policies on the fly and attempting to not contradict one another too much. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Concerned, Dearlove and Prinss team felt they needed to do something rather more formal than simply look into the virus and hope the government would reach the same conclusion, especially as they believed their findings would be relevant to decisions made about how best to protect the population and how to quickly develop a safe vaccine. So in March 2020, they sent to Downing Street two top secret documents titled An Urgent Briefing for the Prime Minister and his Advisers, which outlined their belief that SARSCoV2 was engineered in the Wuhan Institute, and countered many of the opinions held by experts on different elements of the Covid story. The first briefing, solely about the makeup of the virus and proposing a Norwegian vaccine based on Srensens research, was presented to Number 10 not as an opportunity to say, Abandon everything else, but just to say You really should put this vaccine into your portfolio. And that didnt happen, says Prins. The second briefing, sent 10 days after the first and received four days after the announcement of lockdown, was allegedly seen and believed by Boris Johnson. We know that, Prins says. But he now says, I couldnt resist my advisers. Well, for me thats not a very convincing answer. Youre the prime minister of the United Kingdom, to govern is to choose, you are there to decide what to do. Johnson, pictured during a press conference in 2021, was sent two top secret documents containing the theory that Covid was engineered in a lab - Leon Neal Prins says he has since learnt that Johnson asked for redoubled efforts to discover whether what we were saying was true and the result of those enquiries was to trash us and say that were all conspiracy theorists or something. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Constables major contribution to the teams work was to discover a different potential index case in Britain, or patient zero, which could have proved the virus reached these shores more than six weeks earlier than the official line. It in fact involved The Telegraph. Scanning the comments under an article written by Dalgleish one day, he found a subscriber who claimed that he and his secretary both had Covid-like symptoms as early as October or November 2019. The man, whom he tracked down with the help of a Telegraph journalist, then put him in touch with the people he thought had infected him, [who] turned out to be a family of international business people who travel regularly from the Far East to Britain, says Constable. Theyd come for a shooting party in Wiltshire, and many people at this party had gone down with symptoms they subsequently recognised as likely to be coronavirus. Constable persuaded the family to be tested, in the name of public interest, packaged this all up their names, contacts, their story, the fact that they were willing to help and passed it on to Number 10. And they did absolutely nothing. So because the tests were never done, well never know for sure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Constable may have been entirely wrong, but he finds it alarming that he was dismissed out of hand. Whatever the general picture, you have a series of novel pieces of information being provided by a research group with a different perspective, producing points which would be novel and relevant and would have been important, if theyd been taken into account, and they were all neglected, he says. None of this would be public it was marked top secret, after all had Prinss supposedly encrypted email account not been hacked in 2022 by a Russian group working for the FSB security service. He is very careful with his communications, preferring to use Signal, an encrypted messaging and calls app, and Proton Mail, an encrypted email service, yet it didnt stop the hackers. A trove of Prinss emails, including a mixture of things that were correct, like this report, and a lot of stuff that was made up, were made public. It led to a slew of coverage, in the shadier outcrops of the internet, of the groups activities. If you believe them, I am a black spider at the centre of a Right-wing conspiracy theory to control the entire Western world, Prins says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Constable waits a beat. Would that it were true Prins nods. So the team now regards their warnings as public documents, and on the fifth anniversary, have decided to talk about it, not least because, says Prins, everything that has happened in the last five years has made me and the rest of the team increasingly furious, because our advice was not taken. The lab leak theory is just one element of the briefings which has been subject to a significant shift in public (and official) perception over the last few years. Once viewed as the preserve of cranks, it has slowly pulled up to the wet markets theory and now overtaken it as the prevailing explanation for the viruss origins. The Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in the city of Wuhan, which was identified as the pandemics ground zero - Noel Celis/AFP The New York Times recently changed its tune on the matter. And the CIA said on Saturday that the Sars-Cov-2 coronavirus was more likely to have a research-related origin than a natural one, even if it had low confidence in its conclusion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Full-scale lockdowns, the PPE debacle, the care homes crisis and almost every other aspect of the governments response to Covid has been a point of debate ever since the pandemic ended. The ongoing Covid inquiry rarely makes for comfortable viewing for anybody involved in the pandemic response at a governmental level. Invariably, it vindicates Dearlove and Prinss team not least in shining a light on the false groupthink that Dominic Cummings, Boris Johnsons former chief adviser, later identified as paralysing Downing Street during the early months of the pandemic. Prins and Constable are not here to name and shame individual ministers or even scientists though they do say Sir Patrick Vallance, as the governments chief scientific adviser at the time, should carry the can for blind spots but are instead here to point out a systemic problem. This is about whats happened to our country, to our people, to our children, Prins says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And we dont want it to happen again, Constable adds. The team they assembled were not all scientists. The only thing we have in common is high IQ, I think, Constable says. I think thats basically it, Prins agrees. All of us [are] awkward customers, and extremely clever. Thats what you need if youre going to have safe policy. Its true in any area but its especially true in an area like this where lives are at stake. And thats what makes us so disappointed Ill just use that rather low-grade word that even with the qualifications that we carried with us, even with the fact that the prime minister of the day subsequently told us, directly, that hed read this and was persuaded, the reaction was basically to shut us out and shut us down, and prevent any of our material being published. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prins believes Johnson came back to work far too early after his brush with death from Covid, and should instead have gone to Chequers and gone to bed, and read Tacitus, or written his Shakespeare book, and let someone else run the country. Constable insists that the men want no credit, no recognition, no apology. They may well have been proven wrong on a lot of things, but the alarming thing, they believe, is that they werent even heard. Were not trivial people, were not time-wasters, we went through a lot of trouble to do this and it was ignored, and subsequent events have shown it was a great pity that we were ignored, he says. My general consideration is that we can see something wrong with our governmental mechanism. Its not sensitive to information because it becomes locked within a particular tunnel vision, and cannot digest, or even see contrary information Which is fascinating. And very worrying. 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. WASHINGTON, March 18 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts on Tuesday criticized President Donald Trump and his supporters for advocating the impeachment of judges who have ruled against the administration. "For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision," Roberts said. "The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose," said the chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, the highest court in the country. Roberts was appointed by former President George W. Bush and took office on Sept. 29, 2005. He is often seen as a conservative, but has occasionally sided with liberal justices on key issues. Trump called for the impeachment of U.S. District Judge James Boasberg after he blocked the deportation of Venezuelan migrants. Boasberg is the chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. "This judge, like many of the Crooked Judges' I am forced to appear before, should be IMPEACHED!!!" Trump posted on Truth Social. Since Trump assumed office in January, a series of his new policies have brought up legal challenges, and federal judges have in some cases ruled against the administration. This has sparked anger within the administration and Trump's supporters, resulting in more frequent calls for impeachment. TOPEKA (KSNT) A nearly $50 million project to create a new community home for veterans in Topeka is at a standstill more than two years after it was initially announced with no construction date in sight. 27 News reached out to the Kansas Office of Veteran Services (KOVS) this month to learn what is stalling the construction of the new Northeast Kansas Veterans Home in Topeka. This project was announced in January 2023 and was set to draw from both state and federal funding. KOVS Public Affairs Director Michelle Sweeney gave 27 News a response from the agency on the project and where things currently stand with it. She said construction for the facility has yet to start due to an inability to secure federal funds for the project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kansas law enforcement agencies sign up to help ICE conduct deportations The lack of federal funding available for the Department of VA State Home Construction Grant (SHCG) Program is delaying our ability to commence construction of the Home, Sweeney said. We applied for a Department of VA State Home Construction Grant (SHCG) to supplement state funding for the project, and in September 2024, the VA released the FY24 Priority Group Funding List with our project designated as Priority Group 1, Number 78. However, federal funding was not allocated due to a lack of available federal funds. Of the 81 projects on the VA list, only eight (8) projects were fully funded and two (2) projects were partially funded. The KOVS estimates the total cost of the project to be $49,025,000. The VAs SHCG would cover up to 65% or $31,866,250 of the projects expenses if approved. The remaining 35% or $17,200,000 of the projects costs were secured from the State of Kansas in 2023 in anticipation of the homes construction. KTA pushes to make KTAG available in new states Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout the application and design process, we maintained regular communication with state and federal elected officials to keep stakeholders informed on our progress, Sweeney said. We have collaborated with state and federal agencies to apply best practices and leverage available contracts and/or processes to minimize costs. Sweeney said the KOVS collaborated with an architecture and engineering design firm to create the layout of the home ahead of its construction. She said that once the federal funds are secured, construction for the home should take around 18 to 20 months. The project team is making significant progress toward finalizing the drawings and specifications needed for bidding, permitting, and construction, Sweeney said. We have also worked closely with subject matter experts to ensure the Veterans Home offers the best possible services and living environment for residents, as well as an efficient operating environment for staff. 120-year-old Kansas school to reopen with fresh new look Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Northeast Kansas Veterans Home is set to be built near Southwest 21st and Southwest Randolph Avenue near the VA Medical Center in Topeka on 20 acres of land. The home, once finished, would act as a space for veterans to form their own community through households and neighborhoods within the building. It would also include the following: 72 private rooms. One 18-bed room. Support spaces. Neighborhood Center. Physical therapy area. A multipurpose room. A barber/beauty shop. Dining areas. Chapel. Theater. Clinic. Sweeney said no cuts at the federal level are impacting the progress of this project. The VA, under newly appointed Secretary Doug Collins, recently dismissed more than 1,000 of its employees in February amid a more general push by the administration of President Donald Trump to cut federal spending. The Associated Press (AP) reported in early March the Trump Administration plans to cut 80,000 employees from the VA. Removal of Gage Park playground equipment begins in Topeka Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The KOVS currently maintains two other facilities geared for providing care to veterans: the Kansas Soldiers Home in Fort Dodge and the Kansas Veterans Home in Winfield. You can learn more about the plans for the Northeast Kansas Home for Veterans in Topeka by clicking here. 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. 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. Mar. 19Dennis Oseve died in his truck at the Raceway gas station at Alabama 20 and Beltline Road. Nineteen days later, a private investigator found his body. "He was dead right there in the open in Decatur. Thousands of people go by there every day," said Samantha McNamara, with Valley Private Investigations in Decatur, after discovering the body Monday. McNamara was hired by Oseve's sister, who lives in Oklahoma. The sister reported that she had last heard from Oseve on Feb. 26. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sister contacted Texas authorities when she got concerned because that's where her brother, the owner-operator of a truck, lived. Texas authorities were unhelpful, so she contacted McNamara. "She said he went missing in Decatur. He had dropped off a load at Nucor," McNamara said. "The last time the sister spoke with him was Feb. 26, and he said he had a stomach ache and was stopping at the Raceway." The investigator first contacted the Texas police department, which had not yet entered the missing person report into its system. "The first place I went was the Raceway, and his truck was there. It shocked me," McNamara said. "Like, nobody has looked here? The truck is still sitting here and it has not been reported?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She quickly discovered Oseve's body in the driver's seat. "The body was visible through the window. That's when I called the police to come out there and do their thing," she said. Decatur police Detective Brandon Sain and Coroner Jeff Chunn immediately came to the scene. "I can't say enough about how they handled the situation. They did a wonderful job," McNamara said. McNamara then called the sister. "That was not an easy phone call to make. My thoughts and prayers are with his sister and family," she said. Raceway employees declined comment Tuesday, but McNamara spoke with them Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I talked to the Raceway people and asked how long the truck had been there. They said, 'I don't know; it's been here awhile.' I said, 'Like since Feb. 26?' And they said, 'Yeah, that's about right.' It's just wild that he was there that long and nobody noticed." Chunn said no foul play is suspected in the 44-year-old's death. "It's going to be natural causes. He had talked to one of his co-workers. He was sick and he had a history of some medical problems," Chunn said Tuesday. "It will be listed as natural causes." eric@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2435 LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) A 45-year-old man has died in a Laurel County shooting on Tuesday. The Laurel County Sheriffs Office released that a person was found dead just before 1 p.m. on March 18 outside of a Parker Road home. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies reported that 45-year-old Walter Trebolo III had been shot multiple times with a rifle. The gun was found at the scene. Kentucky State Police is assisting in the investigation, and its believed theres no threat to the public at this time. The sheriffs office has not yet made an arrest. 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. Student Doctor Shannon Hall (right) performs a physical exam screening during the 2024 community health fair held by the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine. (Courtesy of the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine) Idahoans are increasingly aware that Idaho ranks last in the nation in physicians per capita, and that our acute and growing shortage of physicians and limited access to medical care leads to sicker and less healthy populations. Today, 43 of 44 Idaho counties are designated health professions shortage areas. In 1972 the state of Idaho entered into a medical education partnership with the University of Washington School of Medicine. In more recent years, a similar partnership was established with the University of Utah. Combined, the Washington and Utah medical education programs educate 50 newly matriculated Idahoans per year. Over the past several decades, hundreds of academically qualified Idahoans pursued their medical education and residency training out-of-state due to limited state-supported medical school seats and in state residency programs. Once they leave the state for these purposes, the probability of these student doctor-resident-physicians returning to Idaho is greatly reduced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2016, the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine was established in Meridian in partnership with Idaho State University. The college became fully accredited in 2022, and since its inception has matriculated 1,134 student-doctors, graduated 439 doctors and placed 99.6 percent of those graduates into Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education accredited residency programs here in Idaho and across the country. While Idaho ranks 50th in the nation in active physicians per capita, our state also ranks 47th in resident physicians and 45th in total physicians who practice primary care. And while Idaho remains one of the fastest growing states in the nation, roughly one-third of our physician workforce are aged 60 or over and expected to retire in the coming years. Of special concern and for a combination of reasons roughly 25 percent of our OB-GYN physicians, and 4 of 9 (42 percent) Idaho perinatologists (experts in high-risk pregnancies) have retired or left Idaho since 2022. Today there is not a hospital, health system nor community in Idaho that is not actively and urgently seeking to recruit one or many physicians. Remarkably, Idaho would need an infusion of roughly 1,400 primary and specialty care physicians and surgeons just to reach the national average of physicians per capita. Incidentally, the average economic impact of a single Idaho physician is roughly $2 million per year. Indeed, Idahos medical and health care providers have and always will be central not only to the good health and welfare but also to the economic well-being of our communities. The ICOM board and leadership team maintain that Idaho needs an all-hands-on-deck approach to both undergraduate (medical school) and post-graduate (residency) medical education. We believe the state needs both allopathic (MD) and osteopathic (DO) medical education providers, and that all players in this space must work together in a collaborative, collegial and professional way to address the acute and growing shortage of physicians locally and beyond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I warmly commend the governor, our Legislature and the State Board of Education for prioritizing not only the funding, but also the planning needed to orchestrate an urgent, bolder and more balanced approach to preparing future generations of Idaho physicians. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Attorney General Pam Bondi labeled the recent vandalism targeting Tesla dealerships and cars as domestic terrorism and added the Department of Justice (DOJ) has already charged several alleged perpetrators. Some could face up to five years in prison. The swarm of violent attacks on Tesla property is nothing short of domestic terrorism. The Department of Justice has already charged several perpetrators with that in mind, including in cases that involve charges with five-year mandatory minimum sentences, Bondi said in a statement released Tuesday. We will continue investigations that impose severe consequences on those involved in these attacks, including those operating behind the scenes to coordinate and fund these crimes, the attorney general said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Protesters in several states across the country have targeted Teslas dealerships, showrooms, charging stations and vehicles. No injuries have been reported. Multiple Tesla cars were lit on fire in Las Vegas this week. Law enforcement along with the FBI are probing the incident. In Kansas City, Cybertrucks at a dealership were damaged, the FBI said. Tesla was removed from the upcoming Vancouver International Auto Show, according to the shows Executive Director Eric Nicholl, who said the events primary concern is the safety of attendees, exhibitors, and staff. Canadians in multiple cities have participated in the Tesla Takedown protests to rebuke Elon Musk, the tech entrepreneur who heads six major companies, including Tesla. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The protests in the U.S., Canada and other countries around the world have surfaced since President Trump took office in January and directed Musk to oversee the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an advisory board that has infiltrated various federal government agencies and departments in the name of cutting spending and rooting out waste and abuse. DOGEs efforts have led to terminations of thousands of federal workers, while some agencies had their congressionally appropriated funds withheld. The advisory board has been strongly criticized by Democrats on Capitol Hill and has run into roadblocks in court. Musk rebuked those behind the recent attacks against Teslas vehicles. Its really come as quite a shock to me that there is this level of, really, hatred and violence from the left. I always thought that the left, you know, Democrats were supposed to be the party of empathy, the party of caring, and yet theyre burning down cars, firebombing dealerships, theyre firing bullets into dealerships, theyre smashing up Teslas, Musk said Tuesday during an interview with Fox Newss Sean Hannity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bondi, the nations top law enforcement officer, warned vandals last week to watch out as the Trump administration looked to retaliate against those damaging the electric vehicles. I have already directed an investigation be opened to see how is this being funded, who is behind this, doing this, Bondi said on Fox Business. We have people were locking up on that, she said. We have someone in jail right now from one of the dealerships. They threw a Molotov cocktail through a dealership. Theyre looking at up to 20 years in prison. Last month, a woman in Colorado was arrested for allegedly spray painting the word Nazi and igniting Molotov cocktails at a Tesla dealership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Daniel Clarke-Pounder, 24, was arrested last week on criminal charges after allegedly throwing five Molotov cocktails that damaged Tesla chargers. The man also allegedly spray painted in red paint, F Trump and Long Live Ukraine in a Tesla charging station parking spot, according to the U.S. attorneys office of District of South Carolina. 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. These kinds of attacks have no place in our community, acting U.S. Attorney Brook B. Andrews for the District of South Carolina said in a 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 The Hill. (The Hill) Attorney General Pam Bondi labeled the recent vandalism targeting Tesla dealerships and cars as domestic terrorism and added the Department of Justice (DOJ) has already charged several alleged perpetrators. Some could face up to five years in prison. The swarm of violent attacks on Tesla property is nothing short of domestic terrorism. The Department of Justice has already charged several perpetrators with that in mind, including in cases that involve charges with five-year mandatory minimum sentences, Bondi said in a statement that was released on Tuesday. We will continue investigations that impose severe consequences on those involved in these attacks, including those operating behind the scenes to coordinate and fund these crimes, the attorney general said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Molotov cocktails and firearms used in car fires at Tesla center in Las Vegas, police say Protestors in several states across the country have targeted Teslas dealerships, showrooms, charging stations and vehicles. No injuries have been reported. Multiple Tesla cars were lit on fire in Las Vegas this week. Law enforcement along with the FBI are probing the incident. In Kansas City, Cybertrucks at a dealership were damaged, the FBI said. Tesla was removed from the upcoming Vancouver International Auto Show, according to the shows executive director Eric Nicholl, stating that the events primary concern is the safety of attendees, exhibitors, and staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Canadians in multiple cities have participated in the Tesla Takedown protests to rebuke Musk, the tech entrepreneur who heads six major companies. Multiple Teslas vandalized at California dealership The protests, in the U.S., Canada and other countries around the world, have surfaced since President Trump took office in January and directed Musk to oversee the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an advisory board that has infiltrated various federal government agencies and departments in the name of cutting spending, rooting out waste and abuse. DOGEs efforts have led to terminations of thousands of federal workers while some agencies had their congressionally appropriated funds withheld. The advisory board has been strongly criticized by Democrats on Capitol Hill and has run into roadblocks in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk rebuked those behind the recent attacks against Teslas vehicles. Its really come as quite a shock to me that there is this level of, really, hatred and violence from the left. I always thought that the left, you know, Democrats were supposed to be the party of empathy, the party of caring, and yet theyre burning down cars, firebombing dealerships, theyre firing bullets into dealerships, theyre smashing up Teslas, Musk said on Tuesday during his interview with Fox News Sean Hannity. Bondi, the nations top law enforcement officer, warned vandals last week to watch out as the Trump administration looked to retaliate against those damaging the electric vehicles. I have already directed an investigation be opened to see how is this being funded, who is behind this, doing this, Bondi said on Fox Business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have people were locking up on that, she said. We have someone in jail right now from one of the dealerships. They threw a Molotov cocktail through a dealership. Theyre looking at up to 20 years in prison. Last month, a woman in Colorado was arrested for allegedly spray painting the word Nazi and igniting Molotov cocktails at a Tesla dealership. Daniel Clarke-Pounder, 24, was arrested last week on criminal charges after allegedly throwing five Molotov cocktails that damaged Tesla chargers. The man also allegedly spray painted in red paint, F*ck Trump and Long Live Ukraine in a Tesla charging station parking spot, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office of District of South Carolina. 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. These kinds of attacks have no place in our community, Acting U.S. Attorney Brook B. Andrews for the District of South Carolina said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. (NewsNation) U.S. Customs and Border Protection has awarded a $70.2 million contract to close critical gaps in the border wall in the Rio Grande Valley sector of Texas. The gaps have been a traditional passageway for migrants entering the United States illegally and for Mexican cartels to smuggle illicit drugs into the country. Construction on the border wall resumed with President Donald Trump back in the White House after work was halted during the Biden administration. The contract was the first awarded for wall construction during Trumps second term and is part of a renewed effort by Trump to secure the nations southern border. Crews are installing six-foot guardrails with 18-foot steel panels in Hidalgo County, Texas as part of the contract. CBP officials say that the construction will help agents prevent migrants from entering the country, but will also slow the flow of drugs and humans being smuggled across the U.S.-Mexico border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement El Paso leads nation in migrant encounters Officials say that migrants and the cartels were taking advantage of open gaps in the wall after construction was stopped by former President Joe Biden. Biden issued an executive order that stopped construction of the border wall, which started during Trumps first term in office. In 2023, however, the Biden administration announced they had waived 26 federal laws in Texas to allow wall construction to continue, The Associated Press reported. Work on the wall resumed in McAllen, Texas, under Bidens executive power after 245,000 illegal border entries took place during Fiscal Year 2023. The $70.28 million contract was recently awarded to Granite Construction to complete a seven-mile stretch of the wall in Hidalgo County as Trump has prioritized closing the southern border to illegal crossings. The funding for the contract comes from CBPs Fiscal Year 2021 budget after contracts for border wall construction were canceled by the Biden administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Border officials announced that 28,654 encounters took place along the southern border between migrants and border officials in February, compared to 81,528 in January. In the Rio Grande Valley sector, which has been a hotspot for migrant crossings since 2013, border encounters plummeted from 5,964 in January to 1,285 in February, according to CBP data. The resumed border wall construction sends a clear message to migrants looking to enter the country illegally and to cartels, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told NewsNation. Trump defends deportation flights as judge calls for more information They recognize that were enforcing our federal laws (and) that were not letting people just walk across the border anymore, Noem said in an exclusive interview with NewsNations Ali Bradley. You can see we mean business. We are building the wall, we are securing our borders and were not going to allow this illegal activity to continue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Similar work on the border wall is being done in Arizona. including in Nogales, which is another known hotspot for migrant crossings and cartel smuggling operations. Crews are working to close open gaps in the wall. In that sector, border encounters dropped by 89% in a year, plummeting from 3,923 border encounters in February 2024 to just 413 last month. Noem said in a recent social media post that seven miles of the wall would be built where the structure ends. Border officials told NewsNation that wall construction has not yet resumed in the Del Rio sector of Texas, where migrant encounters have dropped so significantly under Trump that it has not been made a priority at this time. The Associated Press contributed to this story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. TUPELO A man who took his Minnesota farm boys work ethic and built it into furniture manufacturing and retail leader was recognized Tuesday night as the local Boy Scouts chapter's Distinguished Citizen of the Year. The Natchez Trace Council of the Boy Scouts of America bestowed its top honor on Ron Wanek, the founder and chairman of Ashley Furniture Industries, the worlds largest furniture manufacturer and the largest retail furniture store brand in North America. We didnt have a Boy Scout group in the area where I grew up, Wanek said during the ceremony at the Cadence Bank Conference Center in Tupelo, but my son and grandsons were in the Scouts. One grandson made it all the way to Eagle Scout. We have supported it ever since Todd was a little kid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Besides being involved with Scouting as a parent and grandparent, as he succeeded in business, Wanek also supported the Boys Scouts financially. Scouting does do much. It is a great mentoring program, Wanek said. It teaches kids how to be good citizens. Wanek was instilled with a strong work ethic and ambition to succeed while growing up on a sharecroppers farm in Utica, Minnesota. He entered the furniture business in 1961 working for a newly formed enterprise. Less than a decade later, he took the knowledge he had gained in the furniture industry and formed Arcadia Furniture. He and his 35 employees began making occasional tables in 1970 in Arcadia, Wisconsin. To ensure he could get his product to the retailers and get raw materials delivered to factories, Wanek started his own transportation division in 1974. That has since grown into the largest private freight carrier of all manufacturing companies and the largest importer of furniture in North America. As part of a restructuring, Arcadia merged with Ashley Furniture in 1982. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He and his wife started the Ronald & Joyce Wanek Foundation in 1998, donating more than $10 million over the years to a multitude of their favorite causes, including the furniture industry, helping children in need, medical research, education and the arts, and honoring the armed forces. The foundation has developed a number of partnerships with K-12 schools, as well as post-secondary schools over the past five years, investing in STEM-based learning opportunities and scholarships, to provide students with exposure to technical trades and career opportunities, instructor training, and robotics programs. Wanek has also taken a hands-on approach with the Soldiers Walk at Memorial Park in Arcadia, Wisconsin. Not only did he establish the half-kilometer walk saluting veterans from all U.S. wars in 1990, Wanek personally designed and sculpted more than 20 monuments that stand along the way. Since 2000, the Natchez Trace Council of the Boy Scouts of America has given the Distinguished Citizen Award to Mississippians from various walks of life for their contributions to the communities in which they live. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Award recipients are selected annually by past recipients and board members of the Natchez Trace Council. Past awards have recognized past governors and U.S. Senators, entertainers like Marty Stuart, Mac McAnally and Morgan Freeman. The dinner and awards program is the culmination of the councils largest fundraiser, the Friends of Scouting campaign, which provides more than 44% of its funding for the year. More than 80% of the councils income goes toward program activities. Natchez Trace Council was formed in the spring of 2023l when the Pushmataha Area Council 691 and Yocona Area Council 748 merged. The council serves about 1,500 scouts in 22 counties. RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) Brazilian military police killed at least three men in the Sao Paulo area in what officials said Wednesday was an exchange of fire when officers engaged with suspected burglars. The deaths prompted protesters to set a bus on fire. Sao Paulo's security agency said in a statement that military police had become suspicious Tuesday afternoon when a vehicle fled after noticing their presence in the suburb of Guarulhos. There was an exchange of fire and four occupants of the car were hit, the statement said. An ambulance came and found three of them dead. The fourth person, aged 22, was hospitalized. Local media G1 outlet reported that he also died, but the secretariat for public security did not confirm his death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The military police seized three firearms along with ammunition from the vehicle. The men are suspected of carrying out house burglaries, according to G1, which reported that the vehicle was involved in a burglary last week. Sao Paulo officials said civilian police are investigating the incident. Protesters later set a bus on fire on Tuesday evening in the Sao Paulo metro area. Watchdogs have decried an uptick in police violence since Sao Paulo state Gov. Tarcisio de Freitas took office early 2023. De Freitas is an ally of former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, who has repeatedly voiced support for giving police carte blanche to kill criminals. In 2024, Sao Paulos military police killed 769 people, a 67% increase compared to 460 killings the previous year, according to data from Sao Paulos Public Prosecutors Office. WASHINGTON, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Additional sanctions will be imposed on Venezuela unless it accepts its repatriated citizens from the United States, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday. Unless the Venezuelan government "accepts a consistent flow of deportation flights, without further excuses or delays, the United States will impose new, severe, and escalating sanctions," Rubio posted on the social platform X. Meanwhile, U.S. Chief Judge of the District Court James Boasberg demanded more details from the Trump administration on Tuesday regarding two deportation flights that took off over the weekend. He had ruled against and halted the deportation of Venezuelan migrants. The United States has been deporting immigrants, including Venezuelans. On Monday, top Venezuelan lawmaker Jorge Rodriguez denounced the U.S. deportations as barbaric and a "crime against humanity," which denied them due process. Even before U.S. President Donald Trump began his second term, he floated the idea of Canada becoming the 51st U.S. state. Since then, his assertion about a union between the two nations perhaps through the pressure of tariffs has intensified. Here's a breakdown of Trump's comments and insinuations on the topic: In a December 2024 meeting with Canada's then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Trump suggested that Canada become the 51st U.S. state and called Trudeau the "governor" of the "Great State of Canada," a comment the BBC deemed a "playful jab." Canadian Cabinet Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who was at the meeting, said Trump "was teasing us," and it was "in no way a serious comment." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, following that December meeting at Mar-a-Lago, Trump continued to publicly advocate for Canada to join the U.S., responding to Trudeau's resignation on Jan. 6, 2025, by writing on Truth Social: "If Canada merged with the U.S., there would be no Tariffs, taxes would go way down, and they would be TOTALLY SECURE from the threat of the Russian and Chinese Ships that are constantly surrounding them." The next day, a reporter asked him during a news conference whether he was considering military force to annex and acquire Canada, to which Trump responded no, but he would use economic force to "get rid of that artificially drawn line." In the weeks following, Trump repeated these points numerous times, including at the World Economic Forum on Jan. 23, 2025, where he said Canada should become a 51st state so "we won't have to tariff you." Trudeau responded publicly on March 4, 2025, saying, "We will never be the 51st state." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We reached out to Trump's and Trudeau's offices seeking comment and will update this story if we receive a response. As recently as March 11, 2025, Trump wrote on Truth Social that "the only thing that makes sense is for Canada to become our cherished Fifty First State" in a post about reciprocal tariffs between the two countries. The full post was as follows: As of this writing, Trump has not publicly suggested the use of military force to annex Canada. However, on March 7, 2025, The New York Times reported that four people, on condition of anonymity, shared details of two conversations Trudeau and Trump had on Feb. 3 in which Trump reportedly claimed he did not believe the border between the U.S. and Canada was valid and wanted to revise it. Snopes has not independently verified the details of these conversations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the same story, the Times reported that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick called LeBlanc, the Canadian Cabinet minister, after the Feb. 3 calls between Trump and Trudeau and claimed Trump wanted to eject Canada from the Five Eyes, a collaborative intelligence group that also includes the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. The Times reported Lutnick said Trump was "reviewing" the military cooperation between the two countries and also wanted to discard the Great Lakes agreements and conventions, which dictate how the U.S. and Canada share and manage lakes Erie, Huron, Ontario and Superior. This claim spread to multiple outlets and social media sites; for example, one post on X (archived) received more than 8 million views as of this writing. Great Lakes Now, a news outlet supported by Detroit PBS, ran a headline that read: "Trump threatens Great Lakes agreements between U.S. and Canada." However, the story's claim relied on the Times' reporting, which we have not substantiated. Most recently, on March 13, 2025, Trump stated in a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, "To be honest with you, Canada only works as a state." In sum, Trump has been explicitly and increasingly vocal about his desire to annex Canada and make it the 51st state. He has not suggested the use of military force, but rather indicated he would use economic pressure through tariffs to "get rid of that artificially drawn line" between the U.S. and Canada. An anonymously sourced report by The New York Times claimed Trump expressed that he wanted to force Canada out of an intelligence-sharing agreement, review the U.S. and Canada's military cooperation and discard the agreements and conventions that guide management of the Great Lakes. Sources: 'Canadian Leaders Say Trump's Talk about Canada Becoming the 51st State Isn't Funny Anymore'. AP News, 8 Jan. 2025, https://apnews.com/article/canada-trump-us-state-131dcff58a8f56116765f160d9f35460. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colley, Andy Takagi, Mark. 'Most Canadians Don't Want to Be the 51st U.S. State. Americans Are a Little More Open to the Idea, Polls Show'. Toronto Star, 16 Feb. 2025, https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/most-canadians-dont-want-to-be-the-51st-u-s-state-americans-are-a-little/article_79b18200-d347-11ef-a4a3-f3e7da683cd8.html. Danner, Nia Prater, Chas. 'Not Just Tariffs: Trump's Wildest Threats Against Canada'. Intelligencer, 13 Mar. 2025, https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/trump-vs-canada-51st-state-wildest-threats.html. 'Donald Trump Tells Canada To Become A State To Avoid His Tariffs'. HuffPost UK, 24 Jan. 2025, https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/donald-trump-tells-canada-to-become-a-state-to-avoid-his-tariffs_uk_67933d18e4b0629837bf2a2d. FiscalNote, Roll Call. 'Roll Call Factba.Se - Press Conference: Donald Trump Holds a Media Event at Mar-a-Lago - January 7, 2025'. Roll Call Factba.Se, https://rollcall.com/factbase/trump/transcript/donald-trump-press-conference-mar-a-lago-january-7-2025. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 'Opinion: Trump Isn't Joking about Wanting to Annex Canada'. MSNBC.Com, 13 Mar. 2025, https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/trump-canada-tariff-war-annex-trudeau-rcna195882. PerryCook, Taija. 'A Running List of Trump's Executive Orders'. Snopes, 5 Mar. 2025, https://www.snopes.com//tracker/trump-executive-orders-list/. 'Remarks By President Trump at the World Economic Forum'. The White House, 23 Jan. 2025, https://www.whitehouse.gov/remarks/2025/01/remarks-by-president-trump-at-the-world-economic-forum/. Rubin, Tonda MacCharles, Josh. 'The inside Story of a High-Stakes Call between Justin Trudeau and Donald Trump as the Tariff Deadline Loomed'. Toronto Star, 20 Feb. 2025, https://www.thestar.com/politics/federal/the-inside-story-of-a-high-stakes-call-between-justin-trudeau-and-donald-trump-as/article_26ba872c-e562-11ef-b4a0-bb36874cfd39.html. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stevis-Gridneff, Matina. 'How Trump's "51st State" Canada Talk Came to Be Seen as Deadly Serious'. The New York Times, 7 Mar. 2025, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/07/world/canada/trump-trudeau-canada-51st-state.html. Tasker, John Paul. 'Trump's Quip about Canada Becoming 51st State Was a Joke, Says Minister Who Was There'. CBC News, 3 Dec. 2024. CBC.ca, https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-poilievre-leader-briefing-mar-a-lago-1.7399534. 'The Inaugural Address'. The White House, 20 Jan. 2025, https://www.whitehouse.gov/remarks/2025/01/the-inaugural-address/. 'Trudeau Told Trump Americans Would Also Suffer If Tariffs Are Imposed, a Canadian Minister Says'. AP News, 2 Dec. 2024, https://apnews.com/article/canada-trudeau-trump-tarrifs-bdf1b2ae23167fcd9654ea4a45d43404. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 'Trump's Call to Annex Canada as a State Should Have Invoked the 25th Amendment'. Esquire, 17 Mar. 2025, https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a64210925/trump-annex-canada-border/. 'Trump Expresses Desire to Expand U.S. Territory, Use Economic Force to Pressure Canada'. PBS News, 7 Jan. 2025, https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/trump-expresses-desire-to-expand-u-s-territory-use-economic-force-to-pressure-canada. Trump Takes Jab at 'governor' Trudeau. 10 Dec. 2024, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgx1ezpx52o. Wilson, Gary, Great Lakes Now. 'Trump Threatens Great Lakes Agreements between U.S. and Canada'. Great Lakes Now, 12 Mar. 2025, https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2025/03/trump-threatens-great-lakes-agreements-between-u-s-and-canada/. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement - YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INe1yfkSItg. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025. - YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8tEMCPzUc8. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025. - YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1-jWTN8S1g. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025. A man in Brevard County is accused of keeping several illegal reptiles inside of his home. A tip led Florida Fish and Wildlife to 46-year-old Daniel Dinovis house. FWC said he had two Burmese pythons, one Nile monitor, and one black and white tegu. Dinovi was allowed to keep non-regulated reptiles, meanwhile, the prohibited species were taken to licensed facilities Hes facing 20 misdemeanor charges. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Aerial view of the University of Florida campus in Gainesville. (Photo courtesy Dylan Taylor/University of Florida) A measure to lessen gubernatorial influence over university presidential searches received unanimous support in its first committee stop Wednesday. HB 1321 and SB 1726, introduced by Republicans Rep. Michelle Salzman and Sen. Alexis Calatayud, would return the selection process for university and college presidents to more public scrutiny. The bill would strip the State University Systems Board of Governors and State Board of Education of their power to approve university and college presidents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The privilege would be solely up to university and college trustees and search committees, which are in-part made up of gubernatorial appointees. When we have presidential searches and when were doing these things, we dont need to be hiding people behind the shade because were worried about if they win or lose, Salzman said during a House Education Administration Subcommittee meeting, the first for the bills in either chamber. I think that when we create the best university system in the nation, we are creating the world leaders for tomorrow, Salzman said. And by doing so, when we have the leaders of those future world leaders, they should be the best of the best and shouldnt be scared of defeat, they should be willing to stand on the front lines and fight for the students they are willing to represent. As the Phoenix reported last week, the governor has long held sway on presidential searches, although under Gov. Ron DeSantis his political allies have increasingly landed in those positions, including former Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez at Florida International University and former U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse at University of Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2022, lawmakers made presidential searches secret. Some Democrats and university faculty at the time opposed the law, concerned it would limit student and faculty input, Politico reported. Proponents argue the law has empowered more people to apply, with Chancellor Ray Rodrigues saying Sasse would not have applied had the search been public. In 2024, lawmakers approved increasing BOG presence on search committees and requiring the chair of the BOG to approve a shortlist of candidates. Some have argued the spirit of the shortlist law has been violated, such as when the University of Florida named a single finalist, former U.S. Sen. and President Ben Sasse, as its shortlist. Since 2023, five of Floridas 12 public universities have hired new presidents UF, New College of Florida, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida Polytechnic University, and Florida Atlantic University. Four FIU, UF, the University of South Florida, and Florida A&M University are in the process of finding new presidents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor reached out to FIU to advocate for Nunez. Earlier, DeSantis reportedly positioned now-state Sen. Randy Fine for FAUs post (although that fell through), and his office guided Sasse to Gainesville, Politico reported. Adam Hasner, former House GOP majority leader, and former House Speaker Richard Corcoran have been named presidents at state institutions since the law changed, too. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Term and geographic limits Among other changes, the identical bills would prohibit BOG members from sitting on presidential search committees. BOG members would have to live in Florida and make financial disclosures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats told the Phoenix they found the bill refreshing and in tension with the governor. Samique March-Dallas, a finance professor at FAMU, spoke in support of the legislation during the House meeting, saying public searches boost trust. A president chosen through a secretive process begins their tenure with a trust deficit, March-Dallas said. By contrast, leaders who emerge from transparent processes arrive with built in faculty support and legitimacy. March-Dallas applauded the prospect of increasing accountability. Accountability ensures that search committees represent our different perspectives and that final decisions reflect our collective wisdom rather than narrow interests, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As faculty members, we are the academic heart of our institutions. We dedicate our careers to rigorous inquiry, evidence-based conclusions and honest pursuit of knowledge, March-Dallas said. These same principles must guide how we select the leadership that will shape our universities futures. Salzman said March Dallass comments are exactly the point of the bill. The education system is the second largest component of the states budget, therefore the taxpayers should be able to see whats going on, Salzman said. Rep. Marie Woodson, a Democrat, asked if it was an all-American bill? Yes maam, Salzman responded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposal would impose term limits on State Board of Education members (two four-year terms), college trustees (eight consecutive years), university trustees (10 consecutive years), and BOG members (one seven-year term). SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A moral cancer is gnawing away at our body politic, warping its sense of right and wrong and exposing its deepest, darkest prejudices. There is no better case study in hypocrisy and double-standards than the radically inconsistent way in which Ukraine and Israel are treated by the British government and the Left-wing media. Ukraine, rightly, is portrayed as a heroic victim fighting back against a brutal invader. Israel, wrongly, is depicted as the real aggressor and subjected to relentless delegitimisation. Volodymyr Zelenskyy is lionised; Benjamin Netanyahu is demonised; Ukraine can do no wrong; Israel can do no right. Reader, Im pro-Israel and Im pro-Ukraine, an unusual combination in todays Britain or America. Jerusalem and Kyiv are both victims of fascistic military assaults and a global disinformation campaign; both are displaying extraordinary heroism to contain, respectively, Putins expansionism and the forces of Islamism. Israel and Ukraine are on the front lines of Samuel Huntingdons clash of civilisations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet the same people who cheer Keir Starmers announcement that he will continue to supply weapons to Ukraine (a move I support) are exuberant when he announces a partial, yet despicable, arms embargo on Israel. Those who fact-check the fake history and anti-Ukrainian slanders pumped out by Russian influencers gullibly swallow the Soviet-era Israelophobic propaganda that defames the Jewish state as colonialist. Commentators who have read up on Ukraine typically still know nothing about the ethnic cleansing of Jews from the Middle East, or about dhimmitude during the Ottoman days, or about the times Israel offered land for peace only to be turned down by Palestinian irredentists who will settle for nothing other than a Judenfrei single state. Those who question Donald Trumps Ukraine-Russia ceasefire proposal are usually the first to support every armistice proposal, on any terms, between Israel and Hamas, even if hostages arent released. The Foreign Office seems as determined to undermine Israel as it is to support Ukraine: our ambassador in Tel Aviv posted a patronising message this week claiming he had grown up in Northern Ireland and thus knew about these sorts of conflicts. Among other platitudes, he claimed IDF operations would neither defeat Hamas nor liberate the hostages, and that at some point the fighting must stop and the diplomacy begin. Yet the Middle East is drastically different to Northern Ireland, diplomacy has failed for decades and Britain would never speak in such terms to Ukraine. We are a true ally of Kyiv; but we have betrayed Israel in its hour of need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many middle class people turned their sympathy for Ukraine into a proxy identity, a vehicle for their repressed patriotism; as George Orwell might have put it, they would never sing God Save the King or display a union jack on their avatars, but embraced the Ukrainian flag and Slava Ukraini. This was moving, but there was no similar phenomenon after the pogrom of October 7. Almost nobody apart from British Jews display Israeli flags on their social profiles or put up yellow ribbons in support of hostages. Am Yisrael Chai never went mainstream. There is little interest in Britain about how the Ukrainian army behaves or whether it is ever in breach of international law (rules that even the British or American army will unfortunately fall foul of occasionally) but a ghoulish obsession with seeking to prove that the IDF, the worlds most moral and legally supervised army, has violated human rights. David Lammy clumsily expressed such a view this week. Britain correctly backs Zelenskys military, but supports a witch hunt against Israels in the International Court of Justice and International Criminal Court. How is that not two-faced? Many of those fixated by the more extreme elements in Israeli society have no interest in similarly fringe figures in Ukraine. No nation is perfect: Ukraines pathologies or the limitations of its leadership are downplayed but Israels are magnified and exaggerated in ludicrous fashion. The Russians are deemed to have agency: they could stop the war. Hamas are treated as if they lacked self-determination: they are not held accountable for their crimes or expected to release hostages. Excuses are found for them, in a classic case of the racism of low expectations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every attack on Israel triggers demands that Jerusalem surrenders territory, that it helps those seeking to exterminate it, something that is (correctly) never demanded of Ukraine. The hostages havent been released? It must be Israels fault for not conceding even more. Ukraines right to exist is accepted by all but pro-Putin trolls, but Israels legitimacy is, at best, questionable in the twisted worldview of much of the British ruling class. The bigotry is so extreme that it could pass as parody. Hamas apologists imply the terror group was so unprofessional that it mixed up the body of Shiri Bibas, massacred along with her two red-haired children, with that of an unknown Palestinian, but that they are capable of providing accurate civilian casualty figures within seconds of an attack. While nobody believes Putins claims about how many men he has lost or Ukrainians he killed, almost everybody takes fabricated statistics from Hamas at face value. Israel finally struck back in Gaza this week, and sure enough every one of the terrorist groups instant lies about casualties was splashed, uncaveated, on numerous websites. Does nobody ever learn? Hamas deliberately puts its people at risk with its urban warfare. It pretends all casualties are civilian; its fighters dont wear uniforms apart from when they are role-playing in grotesque ceremonies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian military victories are met with jubilation, with few questions asked about methods or Russian casualties; Israeli victories greeted with disgusting blood libels and global condemnation. Britain cheered when Ukraine counter-attacked, seizing territory in Russias Kursk Oblast; Israel is traduced whenever it enters Gaza. It is of course true that many on the US Right and in the Trump administration have succumbed to a symmetrically opposite fallacy, hating Ukraine while supporting Israel. But that is no excuse. The partiality in Britain is so enormous, the bias so obvious that it raises extremely grave questions. Is it stupidity, cowardice, or electoral self-interest? Or are we facing an explosion of middle class anti-Semitism masquerading as humanism? The fact that this question must now be asked at all is a terrible indictment of modern Britain. 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. BROOKLYN (PIX11) Theres no disputing why two of the more popular businesses in this Flatbush, Brooklyn neighborhood are banning teens 18 and younger. These kids run in there, they make a mess, theyre talking about drills and fighting. And I dont approve of that, said 20-year-old resident Shaniya. More Local News Last month, we told you about a McDonalds on Flatbush Avenue that did just that during after-school hours, following the lead of the Target store right around the corner, which implemented a similar ban around the clock. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was assaulted in this Target, right here. These children out there are doing smoking, theyre attacking people, theyre stealing things, and going into pockets and pocketbooks, said shopper Debbie Davis. Kenneth Mbonu, president of the local business improvement district, says the no unaccompanied teens policy is necessary to protect the quality of life for residents, commuters, and shoppers. Its a very highly trafficked area. Not all of them we would consider to be bad students or bad eggs, but there are some that regularly cause trouble, said Mbonu. However, other residents we spoke with teens and adults question whether the policy is too broad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I go to Lincoln High School. The kids was being ghetto in there. I would have shut it down, too. But they gotta really be mindful because the other kids is not ghetto, said Amber, a student. PIX11s Jay Daw asked, Are you the other kids? Amber responded, Yeah, Im the other kids. Resident Naderge Petit-Frere added, So does that mean that 18 and older cant cause any type of chaos? I think its absurd. We feel that there are measures that could be put in place. Were looking into other options. But we definitely dont think excluding a whole population of young people and customers is right way to go, said local council member Farah Louis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 brother of the man convicted of killing UGA student Laken Riley has been sentenced to prison after admitted he had a fraudulent green card, the U.S. Attorneys Office announced Wednesday. Diego Jose Ibarra, 29, was sentenced to serve 48 months in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of possession of a fraudulent document on July 15, 2024. Ibarra will be placed in ICE custody at the conclusion of his federal prison sentence and deported, said the U.S. Attorneys Office, Middle District of Georgia. Officials say Homeland Security learned Diego Ibarra was undocumented in the U.S. on Feb. 23, 2024 during Rileys murder investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another brother, 25-year-old Argenis Ibarra, was sentenced to time served after pleading guilty to possession of a fraudulent document on Dec. 10. Rosbeli Flores-Bello, a former roommate, was sentenced to time served after she pleaded guilty to possession of a fraudulent document. They both were ordered to be turned over to ICE and be deported immediately, the attorneys office said. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Riley was kidnapped and murdered during a morning run at UGA. During the search for clues, an Athens-Clarke County Police Department officer approached Diego Ibarra because he matched the description of the primary suspect in the murder investigation, which was his brother, Jose Antonio Ibarra. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Diego Ibarra gave the ACCPD officer a fake green card as his identification and was arrested shortly thereafter. An investigation into the fake green card showed that on April 30, 2023, Diego Ibarra entered the U.S. illegally by crossing the border near the Ysleta station in El Paso, Texas. RELATED STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He admitted to border patrol officials that he illegally crossed the border, resisting arrest and attempting to avoid apprehension at any cost. An Athens-Clarke County judge sentenced Jose Antonio Ibarra in November to life in prison without the possibility of parole for murder and other charges in Rileys killing. The nursing students body was found Feb. 22, 2024, in the woods after her roommate reported she never returned from a morning run. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] BROUSSARD, La. (KLFY) The Lafayette Parish School System is celebrating Brittany Hebert, a dedicated educator at Broussard Middle School, for being named a semifinalist for the Louisiana Teacher of the Year award. Hebert is one of just 24 teachers selected statewide and the only honoree from Lafayette Parish to achieve this distinction. The Louisiana Teacher of the Year program, facilitated by the Louisiana Department of Education, Dream Teachers and the Louisiana Association of Principals, recognizes outstanding educators who serve as role models and make exceptional contributions to student growth and success. Hebert has been teaching 8th grade English and Language Arts for 10 years and is known for her unwavering commitment to her students and innovative approach to education. LPSS said her passion for learning and dedication to excellence make her a true asset to both Broussard Middle School and the broader Lafayette Parish community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LPSS Superintendent Francis Touchet Jr., praised Heberts achievement. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest Ms. Heberts commitment to going above and beyond in the classroom exemplifies the incredible impact our educators have on student growth, he said. Her dedication to student success and her ability to inspire those around her embody the excellence we strive for in Lafayette Parish. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor! Finalists for Louisiana Teacher of the Year finalists will be announced in May, with the overall winner being recognized at the 19th annual Cecil J. Picard Educator Excellence Gala. Latest news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 KLFY.com. Rumer Willis recently informed fans that her father, Bruce Willis, is doing well ahead of his 70th birthday celebration. Taking to her Instagram Story, she asked fans for birthday wishes for the legendary actor, who has frontotemporal dementia. In a special post for Bruce Willis' birthday, Rumer shared a sweet throwback video featuring her father and mother, Demi Moore. Rumer Willis Says Her Dad Is 'Doing Great' MEGA Ahead of Bruce Willis' 70th birthday, his daughter Rumer called on fans to celebrate the actor in a heartwarming post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The actress made the request during an Ask Me Anything session on her Instagram Stories on Tuesday, March 18, after a fan asked her about her father's health. The fan had specifically asked, "How's your dad doing?" to which Rumer replied, "He's doing great; thank you for asking." She then added, "It is actually his 70th birthday tomorrow, so please wish my papa a big happy birthday. Hours later, Rumer took to her Instagram page to celebrate the "Die Hard" star on the milestone occasion. She shared a video of her mother, Demi Moore, dancing with Willis near the kitchen area of their home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the background, someone could be heard laughing behind the camera, presumably Rumer. Alongside the post, Rumer added a heartfelt caption. "To the KingI love you, Daddio," she wrote. "Happy 70th Birthday papa." Fans Celebrate Bruce Willis On His Birthday Instagram | Demi Moore In the comment section of Rumer's post, fans shared a variety of birthday wishes, following through on the actress's earlier request. One wrote, "Dear birthday boy, today is your day, I hope it's sunny; more than one joy in your life was the reason for your smile; know that your smile was the reason for my joy; as a fan of your movies. Thank you for everything. Happy birthday." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The way i just posted this video to my stories. legends behavior!!! Happy birthday, BW," another fan commented. "Philly adores you, Bruce Willis, and all shout out to you a very happy birthday," someone else remarked. Some fans also asked whether the video was a recent one, given Willis is currently living with frontotemporal dementia known for its debilitating effects. "An old video, or is this your dad's current state? I'm happy to see him happy. Happy birthday," a fan said. All About Bruce Willis' Dementia Condition MEGA Willis' health struggles first came to light in March 2022 when his family shared a joint statement on social media, announcing his decision to step away from his acting career. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In their statement, they disclosed that he had been diagnosed with aphasia, a condition that impairs a person's ability to communicate, affecting both speech and writing. They wrote in their joint statement, "To Bruce's amazing supporters, as a family we wanted to share that our beloved Bruce has been experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia, which is impacting his cognitive abilities." While the family did not initially reveal the underlying cause of his aphasia, they shared an update in February 2023, confirming that Willis had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. Since these announcements, the family has continued to provide regular updates about his health through their social media platforms. Bruce Willis Was Last Seen In Public In January Since stepping away from acting due to his ailment, Willis has rarely been seen in public, and when he is, he is often accompanied by either family or a hired caregiver. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was last seen in January 2025 being driven around Studio City while sitting in the passenger seat of the car. During the trip, the windows were rolled down, and the actor could be seen staring straight ahead. The appearance follows the Hollywood star's public outing, where he was recorded discussing with an LAPD first responder and police officers. The footage of the outing was shared by his wife, Emma Heming Willis, on her Instagram page. "Spotting a first responder, Bruce never missed a chance to show his gratitude with a heartfelt handshake and a 'thank you' for your service," Emma captioned the footage, which was shared on January 16. "Yesterday was no different." The Actor's Ex-Wife Demi Moore Said That He's In A 'Stable Place' Instagram | Demi Moore Willis' ex-wife, Moore, previously talked about how the movie star has been doing amid his battle with dementia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a chat with CNN, the 62-year-old actress explained that the actor is "in a very stable place," but it hasn't been easy experiencing him go through the struggle. "Given the givens, he's in a very stable place at the moment," she shared. "And I've shared this before, but I really mean this so sincerely. It's so important for anybody who's dealing with this to really meet them where they're at, and from that place, there is such loving and joy." Moore added that watching a loved one struggle with the condition is "very difficult" and is "not what I would wish upon anyone." "There is great loss, but there is also great beauty and gifts that can come from it," she added. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) A Buffalo woman was sentenced to a year and a half in prison after she was convicted of filing a false tax return in connection with almost $1.6 million in embezzled funds that went unreported, the U.S. Attorneys Office announced. Officials said 62-year-old Maureen Holleran worked at an insurance company in Canada between 2015 and 2023 and for the tax years 2020 through 2022, she did not report $1,592,095 in embezzled funds. Holleran worked remotely as a workers compensation claims handler and was responsible for evaluating claims and sending payments to claimants. She could send up to $2,000 without approval from her boss. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Between 2020 and 2023, Holleran submitted over 1,200 fraudulent claims, each under the $2,000 threshold, totaling $2,370,848.24 to be paid into bank accounts under her control, officials said. She allegedly created fake email accounts and expenses to justify the payments. Holleran is estimated to owe $545,792 in taxes for the embezzled funds. Latest Local News Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University. 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 News 4 Buffalo. DHAKA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Bangladesh's longest "Jamuna Railway Bridge" officially opened to traffic Tuesday. A special train crossed the newly built 4.8 km-long railway bridge, marking the opening of a new window for railway communication in the South Asian country. Bangladesh Railways Director General Md Afzal Hossain told the opening ceremony that at least 88 trains will be able to cross the bridge at a higher speed without interruption. This has opened a new window for the railway sector, he said. According to the official, the bridge was built on 50 pillars and 49 spans with state-of-the-art steel technology confirming 100 years of durability. Since the opening of the Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge in 1998, some 38 trains used to cross daily at a relatively slow speed, connecting the central part of Bangladesh, including Dhaka with northern, northwestern, southern and southwestern regions. Railway officials said the Bangladeshi government decided to construct the dedicated railway bridge in 2020, while its foundation stone was laid on Nov. 29 of the same year. Despite having a parallel railway track, the Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge was constructed mainly for road communication. The leader of an interstate commercial sex ring that catered to high-end clientele was sentenced to federal prison on Wednesday. Han Lee, 42, of Cambridge, was sentenced to four years in prison followed by one year of supervised released by Judge Julie E. Kobick. Lee was also ordered to pay $5,418,572 forfeiture and an undetermined amount of restitution. She pleaded guilty in September 2024 to charges of recruiting sex workers, getting them transportation to the brothel locations in Cambridge and Watertown, and then concealing the profits of the brothel with money orders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The brothels were typically located within high-end apartments complexes and to hide the nefarious activity, Han Lee established house rules for the women during their stays. Their services were advertised via bostontopten10.com and browneyesgirlsva.blog. Lee, along with co-defendants Junmyung Lee, and James Lee, charged sex buyers a premium price for appointments with the women advertised on their websites, which ranged from approximately $350 to upwards of $600 per hour depending on the services and were paid in cash. In total, Han Lees brothel network generated over $5.6 million in revenue from approximately 9,450 scheduled dates. In 2023, then-acting Boston U.S. Attorney Josh Levy said the clientele of the brothels included politicians, big pharma executives, government contractors with security clearances, professors, lawyers, accountants, and scientists. The names of some of the sex buyers were released in court earlier this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Revenue from the illicit business was hidden through third-party bank accounts and peer-to-peer transfers, according to the Department of Justice. Hundreds of thousands of dollars of the cash proceeds were purchased in money orders in values under the amount that would trigger reporting and ID requirements. The money orders would then be used to pay for rent and utilities at the brothel locations. Han Lee didnt just recruit women to sell their bodies for sex she built a criminal enterprise designed to thrive in the shadows, evading law enforcement while profiting off her victims like commodities, said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. Lee emphasized that while she did run the brothels, she did not control the women. In October 2024, Junmyung Lee pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 18, 2025. James Lee pleaded guilty in February 2025 and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 28, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will relentlessly pursue and prosecute those who exploit vulnerable women through interstate sex trafficking and launder their illicit gains, Foley said. Those who engage in this conduct will be identified, held accountable and sent to federal prison. Full stop. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Special Weather Statements: Elevated wildfire risk in Finger Lakes region AVON, N.Y. (WROC) The New York State burn ban took effect Sunday, prohibiting brush burning and other open fires. This seasonal restriction is due to the warmer temperatures, breezy conditions, and low humidity which increases the risk of wildfire. However, wildfires can still occur at other times of the year. Last fall, we saw a big wildfire season, unfortunately, and the governor enacted a statewide burn ban. Even leading up to this burn ban this year, we had some counties in the Hudson Valley and then also Steuben County nearby enacted a burn ban because it was just prime conditions for fire to spread, said Jane Raffaldi-Smith, a forest ranger with the NYS DEC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As New York enters burn ban season, many outdoor enthusiasts are wondering whats still allowed. While larger outdoor fires are prohibited to reduce wildfire risk, there are still some exceptions. During the burn ban, you can still have a campfire. So, if you have a little fire pit in your backyard, youre still allowed to have that. You can also have small cooking fires and fire departments are still able to have fires if theyre doing a training or something such as that, said Raffaldi-Smith. One big concern during this time of the year is the dry conditions. With trees and plants still dormant, the risk of fire spreading is much higher. Once the leaves begin to grow, the moisture in them helps slow the spread, but until then, staying cautious is key. The biggest factor is that if you look around, we havent had what we call a green up yet, so the trees dont have leaves on them and the grass and bushes havent greened up. Once that happens, of course you can still have fire spread in the summer when the leaves are on the trees and bushes, but its a little less likely for them to spread as quickly, because those leaves are made up of so much water, Raffaldi-Smith said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 RochesterFirst. The Pierce County Planning and Public Works Department announced Wednesday it was canceling its contract with a construction company in a rare move after many reported delays in the Spanaway Loop Road South project. That means drivers should expect more delays as the county works to find a new contractor to complete infrastructure and sewer improvements. As of Feb. 15, one lane was reported open in either direction between 116th Street South and Garfield Street South. Lane closures will remain as they are until work is completed, PPW spokesperson Connor Davis told The News Tribune on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pierce County terminated its contract with Pivetta Brothers Construction because the contractor failed to meet the terms of its contract, which resulted in unacceptable construction delays and no reasonable path to complete the project, Davis said. The county is working swiftly to find a new contractor that can complete the project quickly, he said. Davis did not provide a timeline on when a new contractor would be selected or when work would start again. Representatives with Pivetta Brothers Construction told The News Tribune on Wednesday they thought the contract was wrongfully terminated. Pivetta has a long history of completing work in and for Pierce County. Were disappointed with Pierce Countys decision to terminate the Parkland/Brookdale contract as weve followed all required notice provisions for the undisclosed groundwater conditions and contamination that we encountered, said general manager Jeremy Fudge and public works division manager Bill Adams in a statement. Pivetta has been working to obtain necessary permits from the Washington State Department of Ecology to safely treat and dispose of the 21.6 million gallons of groundwater per day needed to construct the project. Pivetta has adhered to the contract and followed all applicable regulations. While there have been delays to the project, these delays were outside of the control of Pivetta and Pierce County has been aware of them for months. Davis said construction was supposed to start at the end of July 2024, but the contractor failed to procure the materials in time for this date, pushing back the start of construction for two months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Work began on September 30 and Spanaway Loop Road South was closed on October 14. When work started last fall, the closure was expected to end on January 21. This was based on the scheduled provided by the contractor, which showed the work in Spanaway Loop being completed in 99 days. This was within the terms of the contract that allowed the closure for 112 days (16 weeks), Davis said in an email Wednesday. When contract time expired, the contractor had installed less than 6% of the 3,113 feet of 72-inch sewer pipe called for by the project. The remaining work consists of installing this 72-inch pipe and manholes down Spanaway Loop from 117th Street to Garfield before the road can be restored and opened to traffic. In addition, there will be 72-inch pipe and manholes to install in Garfield to the Ainsworth intersection, but that will not impact traffic on Spanaway Loop. As previously reported by The News Tribune, the Parkland/Brookdale Interceptor Phase 4 project is budgeted for $18.9 million. It is funded by Sewer Utility Construction Funds, which are composed of sewer-connection charges and monthly sewer service charges, Jenny Burger, a public information specialist with the Pierce County Planning and Public Works department, previously told The News Tribune. Davis said Tuesday Pivetta Brothers Construction had been paid more than $4.6 million for its work to date. He said the budget for the Parkland/Brookdale Interceptor Phase 4 project probably would increase, but he couldnt provide specifics by how much. Davis said the department would have more information once a new contractor is selected. Pivetta Brothers Construction, which is based in Sumner, was chosen to do the work because state code requires us to award it to a responsible bidder with the lowest responsive bid, said Davis. That is ultimately how Pivetta was selected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Terminating a contract in Pierce County is very rare and not something that the Sewer Division has done in recent memory, Davis said via email. This was only done as a last resort due to the contractors failure to perform. Davis said the county had no further comment on Pivetta Brothers Constructions allegations that the contract had been wrongfully terminated. HONOLULU (KHON2) Long lines, stacks of bags and packed parking lots its the start of spring break travel. We got dropped off but was actually surprised how busy its been. Ive never seen it this way ever, stated Gerald Roque, Kapolei resident. Safety is nonpartisan: Despite aircraft incidents, experts say flying is still safe TSA estimates a 5% increase in the number of spring break travelers compared to last year. Its advising travelers to arrive early to find parking and go through security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was like no parking, though. It was really crowded. Be prepared for the long lines. It is very long and you might be late to your flight, said Madison Gapol, a spring break traveler. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Hotels in Hawaii are preparing to handle the incoming masses, especially from increasing tourism from Japan. Multigenerational travel is definitely a trend were seeing, and its a very exciting time for families to come, said Christine Judson, The Ritz Carlton Oahu, Turtle Bay Director of Sales & Marketing. Weve noticed that our clicks to the website have increased from Japanese URLs. Weve also built recently a Japanese website to attract those customers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. SOUTH CAROLINA (WJBF) The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) announced the new schools that will be participating in the Strategic Compensation Pilot Grants on Tuesday. In a press release on March 18, the SCDE said $5 million will be awarded to 37 school across 29 districts for their commitment to accelerating student growth in English Language Arts (ELA) and math. Teachers at the participating schools can earn a one-time performance-based bonuses based on student academic growth data. Allendale-Fairfax High School and Saluda Middle School were among the schools included in the grant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ALSO ON WJBF: Georgia Power Foundation donates $250,000 to Augusta Tech Automotive Institute This initiative is about more than just payits about rewarding the educators who are moving the needle on student growth in the foundational skills of reading and math, said State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver. When we recognize and support the very best teaching, we set a new horizon for whats possible for students in every corner of our state. According to the department, 118 schools applied for more than $22 million in funding. 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 WJBF. (FOX40.COM) Two men currently facing charges for alleged sex crimes against children were previously listed on the sex offender registry. Their names were expunged due to California legislation, Senate Bill 384, enacted in 2021. The new Three-Tier Sex Offender Registry Law divides convicted sex offenders into three tiers based on the severity of their crimes. As a result of this new law, lower-risk offenders have a chance to petition the court to be removed from the registry after one or two decades, replacing the previously mandated lifetime registry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This means the registry might not be able to tell you if someone has previously committed a sex offense. People that have touched children inappropriately can now be off of the registry, and so that exposes the public to having more difficulty in figuring out who those people might be, Chris Ore, Sacramento County Chief Deputy District Attorney who oversees the child assault unit shares. This includes repeat offenders like 81-year-old Kenneth Lorenz and 58-year-old Kevin Gipson. Theyre two of 12 individuals who were busted by law enforcement in a July 2024 sting dubbed Operation Sentinel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What we found in a couple of those cases is we actually arrested individuals who had been [convicted] sex offenders and registered as sex offenders [but] were no longer registered, Captain Dustin Silva, with the Sacramento County Internet Crimes Against Children Unit, who was a major part of that effort, explains. Lorenz and Gipson were caught by law enforcement after arranging to meet an undercover detective to engage in various sexual acts with children. They were indicted by a federal grand jury in October for multiple alleged offenses. Gipson was previously convicted of two felony counts of sexually abusing a child under 14 in 1991 and successfully petitioned the court to be removed from the registry in September 2023. This is because the Three Tier Sex Offender Registry law grants individuals who have sexually abused a child under 14 the opportunity to be removed from the California Sex Offender Registry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lorenz had multiple convictions, including sexual battery, dating back to 1966, 1984, and 1997. Under the new law, he was no longer registered, and his offenses now only require a 10-year registration. The Sheriffs Office also says he admitted to engaging in sexual acts with multiple children and had never been caught. Were going after the worst of the worst, right? Captain Silva continues. These are child predators, so to make those investigations more difficult on us? Yeah, absolutely we were, you know, taken aback by it. Both Lorenz and Gipson are scheduled for another court appearance in March 2025. Some say the law makes it challenging for prosecutors to keep convicted offenders like Lorenz and Gipson on the registry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres been some hearings in Sacramento where weve challenged that and said, this is inappropriate to remove this persons registration but the circumstances that the legislature gave us for allowing us to oppose it are very, very limited, Sacramento County Deputy D.A. Chris Ore adds. Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire says allowing people to be removed from the sex offender registry can be dangerous. The whole point is for the community to know the dangers associated with people who are released, DA Gire says. Should there be some sort of process by which someone can attempt to get off of it, perhaps, but I dont think that the law struck the appropriate balance at this point. As of January 10th, the California Department of Justice says 8,169 sex offenders registration was terminated as a result of this law, and this number fluctuates daily. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We also asked the California Department of Justice for the number of people who were removed from the list and reconvicted of a sexual offense, but they requested $4,932 from our station to provide that number. FOX 40 also contacted district attorney personnel across several counties including Sacramento, who told us they dont have this data. The Sacramento Sheriffs Office says the law enables abuse. Any tools that we that get taken away from us to help target these people is, you know, just allowing them to continue with what theyre doing, Captain Silva continues. However, some view the law positively and say its long overdue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple sexual assault victim advocacy groups and District Attorneys support the intent of the law and say the previous registry requirements led to wasted resources by requiring law enforcement to monitor low-level offenders. California Sen. Scott Weiner (D- San Francisco) says he introduced the bill in part to address what he says was the unfair treatment of LGBTQ residents who were allegedly targeted for same-sex conduct. FOX 40 reached out to Sen. Scott Wiener several times to find out if the law is working the way he intended, we are still awaiting his response. Several other states also have similar provisions in place for offenders to petition the court to be removed from the registry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A defense attorney who has previously represented alleged sexual offenders says some people deserve a second chance. I think that the current regime, which allows for people to get off the registry after a specified period of time, is preferable to having just everybody register for their whole life, Defense Attorney Martin Jones says. 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. CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) As of 10 p.m. tonight, the Caddo Parish District #8 has issued a Parish-wide burn ban. According to Caddo Fire District #8 Chief Joey Ryan, the burn ban is due to the extreme fire danger in the forecast, low humidity, and high winds. All outdoor burning is banned. Chief Ryan said, As soon as conditions improve, the ban will be lifted. ArkLaTex Burn Bans The burn ban includes Caddo park sites include: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Noah Tyson Park Robert A. Nance Park Earl G. Williamson Park, Oil City ,LA Horace M. Downs Park Richard Fleming Park PBS Pinchback Park Robert G. Lawton Park Bessie D. Smith Park Greenbrook Park Hannahs Park Milton James Hookie Cameron Memorial Park Keithville Community Park Eddie D. Jones Park This includes using grills, fire pits, propane burners, and an open fire. According to KTALs meteorologist, Josh Marcicz, the wind advisory in Caddo Parish is effective until 7 p.m. CDT Wednesday. They report southern wind speeds of 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Marcisz says, This will be a dry wind and increase our fire danger. Caddo Parish has issued a burn ban, but everyone should avoid outdoor burning for the next 2 days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get daily forecasts and exclusive severe weather details on storms as they approach your area by downloading the Your Weather Authority app, now available in the App Store and Google Play 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. SACRAMENTO, California In many ways, state lawmaker Jesse Gabriel was trying to make California healthy again before Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Gabriel, a Democratic assemblymember from the Los Angeles area, has been on a tear in recent years getting synthetic dyes and artificial preservatives out of snacks and school lunches. His newest proposal in Sacramento, reported first by POLITICOs California Playbook, would define ultra-processed food, and phase it out of the billion school meals California serves every year. It could be the first time a definition of ultra-processed food has ever been set down in law, anywhere in the world, according to Gabriels office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But he isnt thinking about RFK Jr. In an interview with POLITICO, Gabriel didnt mention the secretary of Health and Human Services by name even once. I've never spoken to him, we haven't worked with him on any of this, Gabriel said. This has been an effort that predates him and has been successful. We have developed a formula here in California that is working for us, this common sense, science-based, bipartisan approach, and that's the formula that were gonna keep working with. Gabriel gained a reputation in the past few years as the Skittles lawmaker. His 2023 law banned four chemicals (like brominated vegetable oil and red dye 3) from any food sold in the state and his 2024 law exorcised synthetic dyes (like red 40) from school meals. If he sounds like a certain secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, theres a good reason. Kennedy pledged at his confirmation hearings to go after food additives, and at a closed-door meeting with food company CEOs in early March, said they would have to start removing some dyes from their products or face a government ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultra-processed foods have become the latest villain in the countrys war on chronic disease. The Goop-reading set have been skeptical of processed food for years, and theres new life being pumped into the movement from Washington. Gabriel takes credit for inspiring a host of other reforms. The federal Food and Drug Administration banned brominated vegetable oil and red dye 3 in 2024 and 2025, respectively. Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order this year directing state agencies to investigate the harms of ultra-processed foods and find ways to limit them. Dozens of states including West Virginia and New York have introduced similar legislation to ban many of the dyes and preservatives in Gabriels last two laws. He sees it as quintessentially Californian: getting out ahead on something health and wellness-related while everyone else follows suit. We were doing this work before anyone had heard of Make America Healthy Again, this started with Democrats in California, Gabriel said. I am very encouraged by the fact that people who identify themselves with Make America Healthy, and people who identify themselves as very progressive Democrats and a lot of folks in between, have all come on board to support these bills, and we welcome all that support again. Republican Minority Leader James Gallagher and Assembly Progressive Caucus Chair Alex Lee have both lent their names to the cause. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wellness has become one of the biggest areas of bipartisanship in an otherwise divisive Trump era. RFK Jr.s distrust of corporations, big food and big ag is appealing to people outside of left vs. right politics. In California especially, wellness has been an area of political agreement. Crunchy moms from the affluent Marin County outside San Francisco, who dont want to feed preservative-laden snacks to their kids, have often found common ground here with a more right-leaning crowd skeptical of giving their kids preservative-laden vaccines. First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom has been pushing for more vegetables and fewer chemicals in school since at least 2019. Gabriels proposal, which is being introduced Wednesday, directs University of California scientists to find the particularly harmful ultra-processed foods based on evidence that links them to chronic illnesses like cancer, diabetes, heart disease and neurological issues. They will also factor in whether theyre banned in other places, are addictive or are high in fat, sugar and salt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then, the bill would require California to phase those chemicals out of school lunches by 2032. Part of what I'm trying to do here is intentionally not make this a divisive political issue, Gabriel said. Like this content? Consider signing up for POLITICOs California Playbook newsletter. (FOX 5/KUSI) The office of California Governor Gavin Newsom sent prepaid phones to dozens of technology CEOs in the state over the last several months in an attempt to spark more communication with business leaders. The prepaid phones were programmed to include contact information for Newsom and were sent to around 100 people. The information was first reported by POLITICO. Newsom orders state employees back to the office four days a week later this year Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prepaid phones are usually inexpensive, do not involve contracts, and are commonly referred to as burner phones since they are often discarded after their short use. In a statement to Nexstar Media Groups Eytan Wallace, Newsoms communications director said, This was the governors idea to connect more directly with business leaders in the state. The feedback has been positive, and its led to valuable interactions. No information was provided about specific CEOs who received the phones, but California counts among its residents the leaders of Facebook (Mark Zuckerberg), Apple (Tim Cook), Google (Sundar Pichai), Oracle (Larry Ellison), and Nvidia (Jensen Huang). 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. ESCONDIDO, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) A 31-year-old woman has been charged with second-degree murder in connection to the 2023 death of an Escondido man during a paid sexual fetish encounter, which was allegedly filmed for her OnlyFans account. Michaela Rylaarsdam, a San Bernardino County resident, was arrested by Escondido police last month following a months-long investigation into the fatal encounter between her and 56-year-old Michael Dale. According to the affidavit attached to the arrest warrant for Rylaarsdam, Dale suffocated to death while a bag was placed over his head and secured with duct tape for at least eight minutes during their interaction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dangerous drug trafficking ring shut down in Southern California Dale had first reached out to Rylaarsdam in March 2023 after discovering her advertisement on an escort service website. The two exchanged a number of text messages and phone calls before she agreed to come to his Escondido home on April 17 of that year. During these conversations, Escondido police said Dale made a series of requests to the then-29-year-old to engage in BDSM an umbrella term to describe sexual practices like bondage, discipline, dominance, sadism and submission. According to the affidavit, Dale asked her to wrap him up in saran wrap like a mummy, glue a pair of womens boots onto his feet and pour adhesive onto his eyes to seal them shut, among other acts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the course of their roughly four-hour in-person encounter at his home, Rylaarsdam appeared to have carried out some of these requests, police said, including wrapping his legs in saran wrap and gluing a pair of boots onto his feet. According to the affidavit, Dale had been noticeably intoxicated when the two began engaging in these activities shortly after she arrived at the house at 6 p.m. Escondido police and fire personnel were called to the scene around 10:10 p.m. after Rylaarsdam called 9-1-1 to report that Dale became unresponsive. Upon arrival, officers found Rylaarsdam attempting CPR on Dale. Paramedics then took over and transported him to Palomar Hospital for further treatment. Dale was declared brain-dead the following day and taken off life support several days later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While on the scene, Rylaarsdam allowed police to review and download files on her phone. The affidavit said police were able to confirm some of the requests Dale made, including using saran wrap to bind his legs and pouring glue on his eyes. Multiple Teslas found vandalized at Encinitas dealership Rylaarsdam also told police it was her first time engaging in fetish behavior and she had recorded some of the interactions to use as content for her OnlyFans page. In these videos, police said Dale could be seen lying unresponsive with the bag over his head, his wrists and legs bound, while Rylaarsdam performed a sex act next to him. However, she denied placing and securing the bag over his head, according to the affidavit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 31-year-old pleaded not guilty to one charge of second-degree murder in the case and is being held without bail in a San Diego County jail. She is set to appear in court again next week for a readiness hearing. 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. CHONGQING, March 19 (Xinhua) -- A subtle revival is emerging in China's consumption landscape: abandoned factories now hum with art fairs, century-old alleyways lure crowds with craft beer and trendy cinemas, and 70-year-old neighborhoods have been transformed into hybrid art-retail hubs. Dubbed "adaptive reuse," this trend is redefining consumption by blending nostalgia with modern lifestyles, catering to the growing demand for unique, experience-driven destinations. In southwest China's Chongqing, the centuries-old Luzu Temple has been renovated as a commercial complex that integrates shopping, art and social interaction while preserving its historical charm. At Uncle's Tea Restaurant within the complex, authentic Hong Kong-style cuisine and retro decor create a distinctive atmosphere, drawing both local residents and tourists. The 70-square-meter shop generates a monthly revenue of 300,000 yuan (about 41,842.75 U.S. dollars). "Today's consumers are looking for more than just products; they crave unique vibes and immersive experiences," said Shu Chang, the restaurant's manager. This shift has been evident across the country, from Chengdu's Eastern Suburb Memory, a repurposed factory turned art district, to Shanghai's Hongshoufang area, where historic architecture meets modern retail. As China's younger generation gradually becomes the backbone of the consumer market, traditional retail has found it challenging to fulfill their demands for culture, art, and socialization. "Adaptive reuse spaces, often set in factories or public areas, resonate deeply with young people," said Tang Zhengyi, an executive at the Chongqing branch of Cushman & Wakefield, a property consulting and service firm. In Chongqing, Peiping Machine, a Beijing-originated brewery, has opened a new store in a heritage-protected building. Patrons enjoy craft beer and savory pancakes while watching classic films, creating an enchanting blend of nostalgia and contemporary culture. "Craft beer carries local and cultural identities. We engage deeply with communities through such events," said Dai Kan, the brand's manager. The trend extends beyond commerce, fostering urban renewal and community integration. In Chongqing's Minzhucun in Jiulongpo District, a 70-year-old neighborhood revitalized since 2021, trendy shops now coexist with residential areas. Yao Yuanzhu runs an art-inspired homeware store in a residential building, which fuses creativity with daily life. "Our concept is based on merging art and life. Adaptive reuse commerce in communities lets consumers explore and discover surprises," he said. "Youth crave personalized expression and warm social interactions," Tang said. "Adaptive reuse commerce is about offering a haven, emotional value, and a curated experience." "After a hectic day at the office, I need to find a public space to unwind," said Chai Xinxin, a resident in Shanghai who often visits pet-friendly outdoor venues in the city with her cat. "These spots help me meet fellow cat lovers and feel a sense of belonging." With their unique appeal, adaptability to shifting consumer values, and role in urban renewal, adaptive reuse projects are emerging as a new growth engine for consumption. "They embody both local culture and a city's vitality," Tang said. "By deepening community roots and fostering neighborhood synergy, they represent the future of urban commerce," Tang added. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) The Trump administration has said DOGE is targeting waste and fraud in the federal government. However, some of the cuts are impacting South Dakotans. Senator Mike Rounds says his staff saw three times more people reaching out to his office with concerns and questions in the month of February. Rosies Cafe to close after 41 years Senator Rounds says his office is currently working on 139 different cases involving South Dakotans impacted by cuts being made by Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency. Rounds says waste and fraud need to be rooted out, but he would prefer Doge use a scalpel approach rather than a hammer. Rounds office has fielded a lot of concerns as Federal Programs are cut back, for instance a nurse called after a National Institutes of Health website for cancer patients was taken down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She called in and said what am I supposed to do, I come to work, weve got people who are in cancer treatments and use the protocols on the website and its gone, shut down help! So we went in and made come contacts and I dont know if it was our office or somebody elses office but, clearly someone was able to get in and the website has been put back up and is operational again, said Rounds. Senator Rounds cited a lot of misinformation floating around on the internet. For instance concerns that social security could be cut. He is confident that wont happen. Nobody is cutting any benefits, anything like that, said Rounds. There have been some cases of fraud and abuse that they are finding. that means more money in the trust fund, remain in the trust fund, those are good things. Thats one of the things DOGE has found . But we are not cutting benefits for social security recipients. As more cuts some in Washington DC, Rounds encourages South Dakotans with concerns to reach out to his office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And we will do our best to directly handle those situations on a case by case basis, he said. While his staff fielded about three times the volume of calls and messages in the month of February, Rounds says some of those were from people wanting to give their input on President Trumps cabinet nominees. He also expects the number of calls for help in March to be higher than normal. 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. TORONTO (AP) China executed four Canadians in recent months, Canada's foreign affairs minister said Wednesday. Such executions of Westerners are relatively rare. Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said she and former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asked for clemency in the drug-related accusations involving the dual citizens. Beijings embassy in Ottawa said the executions were due to drug crimes and noted that China does not recognize dual citizenship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We strongly condemn the executions, Joly told reporters in Ottawa. I asked personally for leniency ... They were all dual citizens." Joly said Canada consistently asks for clemency for Canadians facing the death penalty abroad. She said the families have asked the government to withhold details of the identity of the four individuals. Global Affairs spokeswoman Charlotte MacLeod said they continue to provide consular assistance to families and requested that the media respect their privacy. She said Ottawa continues to advocate for clemency for Robert Schellenberg, a Canadian who was sentenced to death for drug smuggling. China always imposes severe penalties on drug-related crimes, a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy said. The facts of the crimes committed by the Canadian nationals involved in the cases are clear, and the evidence is solid and sufficient. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China is believed to execute more prisoners each year than the rest of the world combined, though the total is a state secret. Executions are traditionally carried out by gunshot, though lethal injections have been introduced in recent years. The embassy spokesperson said Beijing fully guaranteed the rights and interests of the Canadian nationals concerned," and urged Canada's government to stop making irresponsible remarks. The two countries have some tensions. China imposed retaliatory tariffs on some Canadian farm and food imports earlier this month, after Canada imposed duties in October on Chinese-made electric vehicles and steel and aluminum products. The tariffs add to global trade tensions amid rounds of tariff announcements by the United States, China, Canada and Mexico. China is sending us a message that we have to take steps if we want to see an improvement in the relationship, said a former Canadian ambassador to China, Guy Saint-Jacques. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ian Brodie, a former chief of staff to ex-Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, posted on social media that it turns out agricultural tariffs werent the worst part of the PRC response to EV tariffs. And opposition Conservative lawmaker Michael Chong said "executing a number of Canadians in short order is unprecedented, and is clearly a sign that Beijing has no intention of improving relations with Canada. China is Canadas second largest trading partner, but relations been bad since Canadian authorities in 2018 arrested a former Huawei executive who the U.S. had charged with fraud. China jailed two Canadians shortly after Canada arrested Meng Wanzhou, the daughter of the companys founder, on a U.S. extradition request. They were sent back to Canada in 2021, the same day Meng returned to China after reaching a deal with U.S. authorities in her case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many countries called Chinas action hostage politics, while China described the charges against Huawei and Meng as a politically motivated attempt to hold back Chinas economic and technological development. Amnesty International condemned the executions and noted that China executed thousands of people in 2023. These shocking and inhumane executions of Canadian citizens by Chinese authorities should be a wake-up call for Canada, the groups head for English-speaking Canada, Ketty Nivyabandi, said Wednesday in a statement. TORONTO (AP) Canada is in discussions with the European Union to join an EU drive to break its security dependency on the United States, with a focus on buying more defense equipment, including fighter jets, in Europe, a senior Canadian government official confirmed Wednesday. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, said the plan includes building fighter jets in Canada. In Canada, where U.S. President Donald Trump has launched a trade war and has threatened economic coercion to make it the 51st American state, Defense Minister Bill Blair has been tasked by Prime Minister Mark Carney to review the purchase of Americas F-35 fighter jets to see if there are other options given the changing environment, a defense spokesman said on the weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carney has said the potential for having more production in Canada is a factor. A proposal by Sweden's Saab promised that assembly and maintenance of the Saab Gripen fighter jet would take place in Canada. Carney said he intends to diversify Canadas procurement and enhance the countrys relationship with the EU. This is very serious. Weve been in talks to work on defense procurement together, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. I went to Europe a month ago to make sure we could be a part of that partnership ... Its yielding toward good news. Joly said Canada is over reliant on the U.S. for defense procurement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defense industry here at home needs to be built. We need to work on our own defense industry and we need to find different partners around the world, Joly said. Canadas contract with U.S. military contractor Lockheed Martins F-35 remains in place but Ottawa only made a legal commitment of funds for the first 16 aircraft. Canada agreed to buy 88 F-35s two years ago but that might not happen now. Carney met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris and the U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London Monday, his first trip since being sworn in on Friday. On Wednesday, the EUs executive branch unveiled its Readiness 2030 security strategy, urging member states to buy much of their military equipment in Europe, working mostly with European suppliers in some cases with EU help to cut prices and speed up orders. They should only purchase equipment from abroad when costs, performance or supply delays make it preferable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent years, the 27-nation bloc has placed about two-thirds of their orders with U.S. defense companies. To qualify for new loans, EU nations would have to buy at least 65% of equipment from suppliers in the EU, Norway or Ukraine. The Swedish-made Saab Gripen is used by the militaries of Sweden, the Czech Republic, Hungary, South Africa,Brazil and Thailand. Last month, the Trump administration signaled that Europeans would have to fend for themselves and Ukraine in the future. France has pushed the buy European approach. On Tuesday, Carney announced a $4.2 billion radar purchase from Australia during a visit to Canadas far north. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A senior Canadian government official said the Australian radar system will consist of a series of pillars almost a mile (1.6 kilometers) in length. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, said they couldnt say how the Australian purchase would be received politically by Washington but said it is welcomed by American military officials. _____ Associated Press writer Lorne Cook in Brussels contributed to this report. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) The Canada Border Services Agency and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police have announced they have seized roughly $11 million in drugs at a port entry in Michigan. Border agents were tipped off by intelligence agencies to commercial trucks traveling from the United States and set to take the Blue Water Bridge into Ontario. Police seized the drugs in two incidents. Sign up for the News 8 daily newsletter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first took place Feb. 27. The truck was flagged down and sent for a secondary examination. Agents found four duffel bags in the trucks trailer holding about 86 kilograms nearly 190 pounds of cocaine. The second happened March 6 where agents found 333 kilograms of cocaine. Thats more than 734 pounds. Two Canadian men, 34-year-old Pawandeep Dhillon and 23-year-old Ravinderbir Singh, were arrested and charged under Canadas Controlled Drugs and Substances Act for importing a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking. The Blue Water Bridge crosses the St. Clair River from Port Huron, Michigan, into Sarnia, Ontario. The original bridge was built in 1938. A second span was built in 1997. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 WOODTV.com. According to WestJet Airlines, Canadians choose South America over the US as travel bookings dip. A 10% drop in Canadian visits could cost the US $2.1 billion and 14,000 jobs. The trade war may be just one of many factors why Canadians are staying away from US travel. The vice chair of Canada's second-largest airline says Canadians are avoiding the US as a travel destination in favor of South American countries. "There's clearly been a reaction," WestJet's Alex Cruz told CNBC's Squawk Box Europe co-host Karen Tso last week when asked if the Trump trade war has dented Canadians' willingness to visit the US. "What we are seeing, though, is people changing their destinations. It's no longer Phoenix or Florida. It's the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Mexico." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Canadians are seeking to continue to travel overall, it's just they may shift from the US," he added. Avoidance of US goods and services above the northern border came after Trump repeatedly instated and paused a 25% tariff on Canadian products. Trump also, on many occasions, suggested that the northern neighbor become America's 51st state. Not only are US-made goods now being boycotted in Canada and pulled off grocery store shelves, but travel by passenger cars a common way for Canadians to reach the US in February shed roughly half a million crossings in comparison to February 2024 and hit its lowest monthly number since April 2022, according to data from the Customs and Border Protection. If the downward trend continues, the US tourism industry could face serious consequences. The US Travel Association told Business Insider that while they don't have a current estimate for changes in visitation from Canada if inbound visitation from the north declined by just 10%, it could mean 2 million fewer visits, $2.1 billion in lost spending, and 14,000 job losses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for WestJet confirmed a shift in bookings from the US to other "sun destinations" such as Mexico and the Caribbean among Canadian travelers and said the airline "remains focused on knowing where people want to go." "We're already seeing the first signs that Canadian sentiment toward the US is changing in a not-so-positive way," Amir Eylon, president and CEO of Longwoods International, a market research consultancy specializing in the travel tourism industry, recently told BI. "Anecdotally, we're seeing bookings from Canada to the US down," he added. Shirley Horn, the board secretary and treasurer of the Highway 120 Chamber of Commerce near Yosemite National Park, said international visitors, including Canadians, do not seem to be choosing Yosemite this year. She said this was partly due to the uncertainty around cuts at national parks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Normally, the international visitors would reserve way ahead of time, and now we're seeing the impact of tariffs," she said, adding, "Canadians are making a statement." Some Canadians also told BI that they would remain wary of going to the US, even if the trade war eventually goes away, over issues like the ICE deportation of immigrants and the threats of annexation. "Even if the tariffs issue ends or if there's another president in four years, some Canadians are saying, 'Once bitten, twice shy,'" Pearl Whamond, a Canadian mom who used to travel to the US often, said. "There have been too many threats and too much back-and-forth. It feels like bullying, it feels threatening, and as a country, we're not appreciating it." Read the original article on Business Insider Candidates for the Glenbrook High School District 225 Board of Education spoke about academic excellence, fiscal responsibility, college counseling and a yearbook controversy at a forum hosted by the League of Women Voters on March 16 at the Northbrook Public Library. Seven candidates are running for four four-year seats on the school board in the April 1 Cook County consolidated election. Early voting opened March 17. Incumbents Peter Glowacki, Board vice president, and Matthew OHara, Board member, are running in a field that also includes newcomers John Jack Downing, Beth Hope, Julian Cheng, Lowell Paul Eisenstadt and Lisa Kane. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Illinois law dictates that school board elections are non-partisan, according to the League of Women Voters, meaning that a candidates party and affiliations will not be on the ballot. Opening Statements Glowacki, a first generation American, said his life turned for the better when he attended high school in the suburbs after going to school in the city. He said he is running for re-election to give students, the opportunity to succeed (and) thrive. OHara said he ran for the first time four years ago because he wanted to improve the schools in the district, and his second term goal is to improve students academic and social and emotional learning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My goal is progress for us, OHara said. I know progress has been kind of a dirty word at times, but for me its the word that we need to use. We should be progressing slowly and surely, he said. Cheng is the owner of the Kumon Math and Reading Center near Pfingsten and Willow Roads and has lived in the school district for 18 years, both in Northbrook and in Glenview. He said he is running for a seat on the school board, because our students, teachers, families and community deserve an exemplary education. Downing, a District 225 native and founder of an executive search firm, said he spent 30 years on the board of the nonprofit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago. If Im elected on the (Glenbrook) board, Ill put kids and families first in my decision making. Ill remain engaged in our community, actively reaching out, listening to people. I will be fiscally responsible, making data driven and transparent decisions. Eisenstadt, a District 225 parent and substitute teacher, said the school district is at crossroads when it comes to addressing hateful incidents, such as a yearbook controversy last year. Recent incidents of antisemitism, discrimination and safety concerns have exposed the critical lack of transparency and accountability. Families deserve a district that does not just acknowledge these issues, but actively addresses them, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hope, a District 225 parent and spokesperson for a mental health center, echoed the cultural rifts that have put the district in the spotlight. Were living in a time with (increasing) cultural and political divisions, and our schools must remain places of learning, safety and inclusivity, she said. Im committed to ensuring that every student has access to a world class education. Kane, a District 225 parent and high school counselor, said she is the only candidate that is a full-time certified high school educator. If elected, I will use my experience as an educator to advocate for increasing funding towards (the) college and career (center.) We have an incredible student services team and many counselors, but we only have three college and career counselors to serve our 5,000 Glenbrook students, she said. Cultural schisms, post-pandemic schooling Glenbrook South High School was mired in controversy after a yearbook published in Spring 2024 contained a quote from a student that some viewed as antisemitic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district commissioned a law firm to investigate, and they found that a students quote was taken out of context. The district received backlash for allowing the quote to be published. Eisendstadt said the districts most pressing need is to bring the community back together. We had not such a good year last year as far as culture and the divides in the community we need to recapture that, we need to bring that back (and) take a strong stance against hate and (earn) the community trust again. (COVID-19) really tested us. It tested the culture, it tested what we expected from our schools, Glowacki said. Theres also an education revolution taking place. Were focused on learning in new ways, he said. Mental health is a huge piece of my platform, Hope said. I cant say enough about the impact (COVID-19) has had in our students and what they need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kane said her priority is to address safety and belonging concerns students have. Weve seen several social media posts that have been discriminatory and have been hurtful in the last couple of years, and I think its really important that we create a standardized training for our students and our staff. They cant recognize or see discrimination if they dont know what that is. OHara said the pandemic was able to illuminate discrepancies and what changes the board needed to implement. Cheng said the district needs stronger leadership, increased safety and accountability and communication. Weve had a lack of leadership with the GBS yearbook incident and a rise of racism, even within the last month or so at both schools. Members of New Mexico's state-regulated cannabis industry have long raised concerns about the rollout of sales for recreational use: the volume of dispensary licenses, taxes and the lack of enforcement of a still-thriving illegal market. Duke Rodriguez, CEO of New Mexico cannabis giant Ultra Health, said it was possible key legislation addressing some of these issues could land on the governor's desk before the session ends this week, but he was not particularly optimistic. "It's my understanding that nothing has crossed the finish line," Rodriguez said earlier this week. "So, while our wish list was very short, if one or three of these things cross, at best, it might be a pleasant surprise." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rodriguez has seen at least one wish granted: The Senate on Tuesday approved a bill that would give police powers to the state Regulation and Licensing Department in an attempt to crack down on the illicit market; it now heads to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham for her signature. The police powers bill was one of two proposed cannabis-related measures that have gained traction as the end of the session comes into focus. Another deals with intoxicating hemp. Ben Lewinger, executive director of the New Mexico Cannabis Chamber of Commerce, believes this is the most significant session for the industry since 2022, when the state legalized recreational cannabis. The so-called "cannabis cops" bill and the legislation dealing with delta-8 THC have the potential to reshape the state's billion-dollar cannabis industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It remains unclear, however, whether a bill that would do away with a planned escalation in cannabis excise taxes, championed by members of the industry, is going to become wrapped into the Legislature's tax package for the session. "I'm mixed on the session overall. I think there were some missed opportunities," said Matt Kennicott, who leads a group called The Plug, which supports small cannabis businesses in New Mexico. Enforcement bureau House Bill 10, which is co-sponsored by House Speaker Javier Martinez, D-Albuquerque, and already has Lujan Grisham's backing, has been one of the closely watched cannabis bills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would allow the Regulation and Licensing Department, which houses the Cannabis Control Division, to employ certified law enforcement agents in a new enforcement bureau, primarily to investigate potential violations of the states cannabis law. The agents would be granted the same powers as other law enforcement officers in New Mexico. Under HB 10, the enforcement bureau would have the ability to seize illegal weed and make arrests. The Regulation and Licensing Department currently has no authority to conduct criminal investigations; that is up to law enforcement. The measure passed the Senate 25-1 on Tuesday after receiving similarly wide support in the House. The Cannabis Chamber of Commerce, with a membership of about 200 license-holders, strongly supports the bill. Retailers say the underground market continues to have a negative impact on New Mexico's licensed manufacturers and distributors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennicott said The Plug is neutral on the measure, noting law enforcement already has the authority to regulate the illegal trade. "I would argue that that authority and that ability is still there," Kennicott said. "I am not sure why we even need House Bill 10. But what I'm hoping is that, if it does pass, implementation goes smoothly and, as an industry, we're able to have some input on the implementation of that legislation." Rodriguez said HB 10 was the lowest of his priorities. Intoxicating hemp The largely unregulated market for hemp products containing the psychoactive chemical THC has fueled concerns in New Mexico and across the nation. Products such as gummies and other edibles containing the often synthetic hemp-derived THC are sold legally in gas stations and smoke shops in many states, including New Mexico, thanks to a federal farm bill loophole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Bill 346 introduced by Andrea Romero, D-Santa Fe, and Derrick Lente, D-Sandia Pueblo would impose a prohibition on synthetic cannabinoids and semisynthetic cannabinoids by banning possession, marketing and sales of delta-8, delta-10 and THC-O acetate in New Mexico. Intoxicating hemp derivatives known as delta-8 THC and delta-10 THC have become popular, Politico reported this year, with some hemp companies finding it is possible to get enough delta-9 THC in a beverage or edible product to have psychoactive effects without breaking the guidelines of a 2018 law. HB 346 passed the House on a 54-7 vote March 13 and is awaiting a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee. It was unclear Tuesday afternoon what bills would be heard in the committee the rest of the week, leaving uncertainty about whether HB 346 would pass the full Senate before the session comes to a close. "With just a couple days left, each day that goes by I'm less optimistic," Lewinger said. "But it does solve the issue of having intoxicating hemp-derived THC substance readily available [without] the same testing protocols we have in the cannabis industry." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HB 346 amends the Hemp Manufacturing Act to give the state Environment Department authority over hemp products. Currently, the Environment Department only regulates products manufactured in New Mexico. Environment Department spokesperson Drew Goretzka wrote in an email the agency supports the legislation. "We look forward to ensuring that finished hemp products are appropriately labeled to ensure consumers know what they are putting into their bodies," Goretzka said. "And that synthetic cannabinoid products, made using harmful chemicals and other ingredients, are not available in New Mexico." Romero said Tuesday she was not sure when the bill would get to the Senate floor but said she is "still hopeful." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Psychoactive substances that are being cultivated in the state that are at all associated with THC need to be regulated by the Cannabis Control Division. Right now, for this hemp derivative, this THC derivative that is semisynthetic or synthetic, we don't have any reliable testing to understand what's in it," Romero said. "It's completely unregulated." Halting tax hike Senate Bill 89, sponsored by Sen. Katy Duhigg, D-Albuquerque, would eliminate statutory increases in the cannabis excise tax rate, instead maintaining the current 12% cannabis excise tax "in perpetuity," according to a Legislative Finance Committee analysis. Current law provides for the cannabis excise tax to increase by 1% per year in fiscal years 2026 through 2030 for a total final rate of 18%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Duhigg's bill has not gotten a hearing during the session, but Lewinger and others were holding out hope the legislation would be rolled into a tax package. By reducing the cannabis tax rate in future years, revenues to the state general fund would be reduced by $2.7 million to $13.4 million a year, the Legislative Finance Committee notes in an analysis of Duhigg's bill. Under current law, total cannabis excise tax revenues to the general fund are estimated to climb from $32.7 million in fiscal year 2024 to $41.1 million in the fiscal year 2029, the analysis states. "I do still think that that could still go somewhere. It's just rebranded," Lewinger said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rodriguez was less optimistic. "I'm highly doubtful any kind of cannabis tax relief is forthcoming," he said. Kennicott, who owns a company in Socorro called High Maintenance, said, "That's one that we really needed this year. And I'm not sure it's actually going to make it into the Senate's final tax package." The Ohio State Fire Marshal has released its final report on the fire at the Overfield Tavern Museum, the oldest building in Troy and the oldest log tavern in the state. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] As previously reported by News Center 7, the Overfield Tavern Museum caught fire on Dec. 7. Museum officials shared part of the report on social media this week, where the state fire marshal said there was no evidence of criminal activity related to the origin or cause of this fire and ruled the cause as accidental. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement >> PHOTOS: Historical Overfield Tavern Museum destroyed in fire The fire originated in or around the boiler room, which is in the center of the building. That area contained electrical and mechanical systems and the storage of combustible items and cleaning supplies. As the fire developed, it spread to other common combustibles and structural members of the building, moving in an upward and outward direction from the boiler room, with the intensity and severity of burn damage being more severe near the boiler room, lessening in severity as you move away from the area of the boiler room, the post stated. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Overfield Tavern Museum was built in 1808, and many of the things inside were irreplaceable. The building was home to a pretty special collection of early Miami County material, much of which was unfortunately lost in the fire, The Museums Board President Ben Sutherly previously told News Center 7. Sutherly said their worst fears unfortunately were realized when he and others associated with the museum got the the scene of the fire. Were mourning the loss of a lot of irreplaceable items inside that museum and obviously the significant damage thats happened to the structure, Sutherly said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, crews demolished what was left of the most recent additions to the tavern. Officials said they would save the original log building and renovate the log house, as well as the log tavern area. The Troy Foundation gave the museum a $75,000 grant, but the museum said it would cost a lot more than that to rebuild. The museum will be holding a silent auction on March 29 where officials will be deaccessioning a few hundred items from our museums collection. This is a critical step in our long journey back from the December 7, 2024 fire that devastated our museum, officials shared on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WATE) Popular workwear brand Carhartt will celebrate the grand opening of its fourth standalone retail location in Tennessee on Thursday. The brand new store at the Mountain Mile Mall in Pigeon Forge will officially open to shoppers on March 20 at 10 a.m. The 5,500-square-foot store is located at 2655 Teaster Lane. Sevierville Police: Two charged after nearly $1 million stolen from Target Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday through Saturday and open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays. The first 1,000 customers who are members of the brands loyalty program will receive an commemorative T-shirt. According to a company release, the new store will create over 20 jobs. It is the fourth store to open in the Volunteer State, joining the locations in Knoxville, Nashville, and Murfreesboro. See more top stories on WATE.com We are thrilled to add Pigeon Forge to our retail footprint to make Carhartts durable and versatile workwear available to outfit the hardworking people of the region, said Mark Kastner, director of direct-to-consumer store strategy and experience at Carhartt. Were excited to expand our retail presence to meet an increased need for gear that supports the lifestyles of people in Pigeon Forge and helps them create their own histories both on and off the job site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 WATE 6 On Your Side. SHAWAK, Afghanistan, March 19 (Xinhua) -- As the global community prepares to observe International Forest Day, emphasizing the fight against climate change and the promotion of environmental protection, Afghans are also taking steps to join this cause by expanding forestry in their war-torn country. Hajji Masoom Jan is among the thousands of Afghans advocating for forest development and conservation. He urges his fellow citizens to plant saplings and safeguard forests across Afghanistan. "This forest is extremely important. It provides livelihoods for the people here, benefits the local community, and makes the climate more pleasant," said 55-year-old Masoom Jan, gesturing toward the pine nut trees in the nearby forest. Relying on income from selling pine nuts, Masoom Jan considers forests -- especially pine nut trees -- a vital economic resource for local residents. He said expanding forests not only boosts the annual earnings of Afghan families, but also helps protect the environment in a country prone to natural disasters. Nestled in the eastern Khost province, Shawak district is naturally rich in pine nut forests. A native of neighboring Paktia province, Masoom Jan moved to Shawak district in search of a better livelihood. As the sole provider for his 11-member family, he revealed that each household can earn between 150,000 and 300,000 afghanis annually (1 U.S. dollar equals 71 afghanis) through pine nut sales. "Thank God, the forest has a 100 percent positive impact on people's living conditions. It keeps the environment clean," said Masoom Jan, who earns around 150,000 afghanis (approximately 2,112 dollars) per year. "I urge everyone -- my brothers and countrymen -- not to cut down trees. Forests keep the environment clean and contribute to national development," he pleaded. Echoing this sentiment, another Afghan, Sayedullah, underscored the importance of forest conservation. "Forests play a crucial role in our lives. We use wood to keep our homes warm in winter, and we earn our livelihood by selling pine nuts -- it's highly profitable," observed 30-year-old Sayedullah, the primary provider for his 12-member family. Sayedullah owns 1,500 acres of forest and, along with other residents of Shawak district, is deeply committed to protecting the woodlands, ensuring no trees are illegally felled. "Everyone in Shawak district depends on the forests for their livelihood. Selling pine nuts is our main source of income," he said, adding that he personally earns between 250,000 and 300,000 afghanis annually. Like much of Afghanistan's infrastructure, the country's forests have suffered extensive damage due to over four decades of war and unrest. Since taking power in August 2021, however, Afghan interim government has been making efforts to restore and expand the nation's forests. "In the past two years, we have allocated a total of 100 million afghanis from domestic revenue for forestry development. We have restored forests and pastures across 100,000 hectares of land, with a focus on pine nut, pistachio, and walnut trees," said Mawlawi Abdul Ahad Khalil, general director of natural resources at the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock, in a recent interview with Xinhua. Currently, forests cover approximately 2.8 percent of Afghanistan's land, and the government remains committed to expanding green spaces and restoring pastures. "This year, we plan to plant 16 million saplings in collaboration with partner organizations as part of our forestry expansion efforts. Our long-term strategy, starting from the Persian year 1404 (March 21, 2025), aims to plant 160 million saplings over the next decade, covering 200,000 hectares of land across the country," Khalil said. (Bloomberg) -- Canadas Liberal Party has jumped into a lead in some public opinion polls on the eve of an election, as voters respond to Justin Trudeaus exit and Mark Carneys rise to lead the government. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leger Marketing has the Liberals at 42% among decided voters, compared with 39% for Pierre Poilievres Conservative Party. No other party is in double digits in the survey, which was taken from March 14 to 16, the first few days of Carneys time as prime minister. The survey comes on the heels of a poll published Monday by the Vancouver-based Angus Reid Institute that also has the Liberals at 42%, with the Conservatives at 37%. Support for Carneys Liberals in the Angus Reid poll has doubled since December. If those numbers were to hold in a national vote, the most probable outcome would be a majority of seats for the Liberals in the House of Commons. Its a stunning turnaround for a party that seemed left for dead only a few months ago. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland changed everything by quitting on Dec. 16 in a public spat with Trudeau. That month, one Angus Reid poll had the Liberals down to 16% support and nearly 30 points behind the Conservatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Freelands shocking departure forced Trudeau to announce his resignation in January and a Liberal leadership race ensued. Carney, who was governor of the Bank of Canada and Bank of England but had never run for political office, built early momentum and trounced Freeland and two other candidates, winning more than 85% of votes in the party contest. Mark Carney himself, his economic background, his pedigree, is really helping him with Canadians who are now looking for someone to try to shore up Canadas economy against what is happening, trying to stand up to Donald Trump, said Sebastien Dallaire, executive vice president with Leger, whose poll was sponsored by the National Post, a Canadian newspaper. He is the right person at the right time, in many ways. Carney has a sizable advantage over Poilievre among older voters and female voters, according to the Leger data. Trumps attacks on Canada his threats to use tariffs to cause economic damage and his repeated comments that he believes it should be the 51st US state are weighting heavily on the national mood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Leger and Angus Reid polls both give Carney a substantial edge on the questions of who is best to handle economic matters and to deal with the Canada-US relationship. In the Leger survey, 45% say the Liberal leader is the best choice to grow the economy, compared with 31% for Poilievre. Carney also holds a 42% to 29% edge when asked who would be best to manage Canadas relationship with the US and Trump. But there is still a lot of risk ahead for Carney. Despite his profile in the world of finance and economics, he isnt well-known yet by Canadians and Dallaire said the Conservatives and the other parties have a chance to define him. When Trump said in a Fox News interview on Tuesday that I think its easier to deal actually with a Liberal, Conservatives were quick to amplify the presidents comment. He knows that Canada is weaker and more vulnerable after 10 years of deep Liberal damage to our economy and national security, Jason Kenney, the former Conservative premier of Alberta, posted on X. Trudeau was in power for nine years and four months before leaving office on March 14. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Canadian political history includes two other instances in the past several decades in which leaders took over unpopular governing parties and enjoyed a quick bump in polls. One was John Turner, a Liberal who succeeded Pierre Trudeau as prime minister in 1984. The other was Kim Campbell, a Conservative who replaced Brian Mulroney in 1993. Neither was able to sustain their early rush of popularity, and each suffered a heavy election defeat within months of taking office. What we dont know yet is how will he perform during a full electoral campaign under the spotlights every day with a lot of pressure, Dallaire said of Carney. The current political environment is extremely volatile, he added. --With assistance from David Scanlan. (Updates to add second chart on favorability ratings.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. CARTHAGE, Mo. The Carthage Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Carthage Chamber Biz Expo from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at Memorial Hall, 407 S. Garrison Ave. Admission is free. Chamber President Julie Reams said the event will feature a full day of networking, prizes and opportunities to connect with local businesses. This is one of our favorite events to bring to the community, Reams said in a written release. We have an incredible variety of local businesses featured, offering something for everyone to enjoy. With this years board game theme, attendees will have the chance to participate in fun games throughout the event and win exciting prizes from our vendors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reams said a variety of businesses, including home improvement, banking and health care, will be on display at the expo. Dozens of local businesses will be on site, ready to showcase their services and products, the chamber said in a statement. Whether youre looking to shop local, explore new services or simply enjoy the lively atmosphere, the Biz Expo has something for you. Reams said one of the evenings highlights will be a scavenger hunt sponsored by American Media. Attendees can collect stamps at participating booths for a chance to win prizes. Booth spaces are sold out for the event. More details about the Carthage Chamber of Commerce and other upcoming events can be found at https://carthagechamber.com. NEW YORK (AP) As CBS corporate leaders ponder settling President Donald Trump's $20 billion lawsuit against the network's 60 Minutes, America's storied newsmagazine has produced some fast and hard-hitting stories critical of the new administration in every episode since Trump was inaugurated. The latest was Sunday, when CBS News helped facilitate a performance featuring non-white middle and high school musicians who had won a contest and with it, the right to play with the U.S. Marine Corps Band. The original concert, however, was canceled because of Trump's executive order ending diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. Correspondent Scott Pelley narrated six of the show's seven stories since Trump's inauguration, including Sunday's. He examined the administrations policies toward Ukraine and tariffs, looked at changes in the Justice Department and reported on firings of government watchdogs. Shortly after his piece on the dismantling of USAID, Elon Musk suggested long prison sentences for those working on the show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All came at a time when television's most popular and influential news broadcast was being watched to see how it would respond to a unique pressure. This may be a lawsuit that is designed to intimidate, but they are clearly making a statement that they will not be intimidated, said Tom Bettag, a longtime television news producer who worked under Mike Wallace and Morley Safer at the CBS show. Pelley, meanwhile, has quickly become a polarizing figure. Another week, another 60 Minutes story trying to discredit Trump policies, Brent Baker, editor of the conservative media watchdog NewsBusters, wrote on X on Sunday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The context surrounding the 60 Minutes reports Trump's lawsuit, coupled with a parallel Federal Communications Commission investigation, accuses 60 Minutes of election interference for the way it edited Bill Whitaker's interview last fall with Trump's 2024 opponent, Kamala Harris. Two sound bites, broadcast on 60 Minutes and CBS' Face the Nation, depicted Harris giving different responses to Whitaker in a discussion about Israel. CBS said Harris made both comments in her answer to Whitaker and that the two shows ended up using different parts of a long sound bite. CBS argued the apparent discrepancy was typical of editing and not, as Trump has suggested, that different remarks by Harris were used to make her look better. CBS parent Paramount Global filed new motions in the past two weeks to get both the lawsuit and the FCC probe dismissed. Still, Shari Redstone, head of Paramount, is reportedly anxious for a settlement, much like Disney agreed to pay $16 million in December to end Trump's lawsuit against ABC News' George Stephanopoulos. Complicating matters is Paramount's proposed merger with Skydance Media, which needs approval from the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many at CBS News resist a settlement, insisting 60 Minutes did nothing wrong. The show's executive producer, Bill Owens, told his staff last month that he would not apologize as part of any prospective settlement. My precious 60 Minutes is fighting, quite frankly, for our life, correspondent Lesley Stahl said earlier this month in accepting a First Amendment award from the Radio Television Digital News Association. I am so proud of 60 Minutes that we are standing up and fighting for what is right. Neither Owens nor Pelley would comment on whether the show is trying to deliver any sort of message about the lawsuit through its work. Bettag said he believed 60 Minutes is motivated by the importance of the stories. What the show has done during the past two months is striking, said Bettag, now a journalism professor at the University of Maryland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 60 Minutes people are such committed journalists that theyd consider it foolish to be doing these stories because of what is a frivolous lawsuit, he said. The lawsuit pales in comparison with the monumental changes Trump is trying to implement. Those correspondents and producers know that this is a moment that requires their very best work." Some of the segments were unusually urgent for the newsmagazine, which tends to do longer-range stories that could take months to produce. Pelley's March 2 report about Ukraine came only days after the White House confrontation between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Musk's angry comment on his X social media platform came after Pelley's Feb. 16 story about the billionaire's role in the quick shutdown of the USAID office. The world's richest man had cut off assistance to the world's poorest families, Pelley said, noting that Musk collects billions of taxpayer dollars for his SpaceX company. Hours later, Musk wrote on X: 60 Minutes are the biggest liars in the world! They engaged in deliberate deception to interfere with the last election. They deserve a long prison sentence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other news organizations have done admirable work under difficult circumstances, said Bill Grueskin, a Columbia University journalism professor. Besides Pelley, he cited the news staff of the Washington Post at a time the newspapers owner, Jeff Bezos, has shown more friendliness to Trump. Six post-inauguration episodes of 60 Minutes have averaged 6.32 million live viewers, down 3.7% from the same period in 2024, the Nielsen company said, although CBS says there has been an increase in streaming numbers. 'The concert that was not meant to be heard' Sundays 60 Minutes story involved some elite high school students each of them of either Black, Hispanic, Indian or Asian descent who had earned the right to play with the Marine band before the show was called off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CBS worked with Equity Arc, an organization devoted to increasing the number of minority students playing classical music, who organized the show for family and friends of the students outside Washington, D.C. Retired members of military bands were brought in to work with the students. CBS News, which wanted to interview the students and hear their music, paid for the travel and lodging of 22 of them. Pelley called it the concert that was not meant to be heard. The original Marine Band concert would have been seen by hundreds, he said. Here tonight, these musicians are being heard by millions. Pelley's March 9 report, Firing the Watchdogs, was about Trump's efforts to fire inspectors general and thwart others who protect whistleblowers in government agencies. He quoted Trump as saying the firings were standard for a new administration taking office. He's wrong, Pelley said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His story about the U.S. Justice Department examined the resistance among some prosecutors to drop corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. As he continues to step up his attacks on President Donald Trump and the new administration, Pelley is elbowing aside all others to emerge as Trump's loudest TV critic, wrote Paul Bedard of the Washington Examiner. In his stories, Pelley's deadpan voice and methodical style could not hide the sharpness of some observations. While narrating the story about USAID, Pelley noted that It's too soon to tell how serious President Trump is in defiance of the Constitution." ___ David Bauder writes about media for the AP. Follow him at http://x.com/dbauder and https://bsky.app/profile/dbauder.bsky.social HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) March is Red Cross Month, honoring people who make the organizations life-saving mission possible. March marks American Red Cross Month Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz joined the American Red Cross of Connecticut and Rhode Island at the Capitol on Tuesday to honor their hard work and highlight the woman that started it all Clara Barton. Barton founded the Red Cross in 1881. She was a self-taught nurse who helped many through her life, including Civil War soldiers who she brought food, supplies and clothing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also was given permission to volunteer services and supplies to the battlefield and to the field hospitals. She was quickly dubbed the angel of the battlefield, Bysiewicz said. Red Cross helps millions of people each year through disaster relief, blood donations and more. You can find out how to help on redcross.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 WTNH.com. Mar. 19Centerville is prohibiting adult-use recreational cannabis dispensaries, but won't do the same for medical marijuana dispensaries. "City council's goal has always been to make decisions that best serve the health, safety and welfare of Centerville residents," Mayor Brooks Compton told the Dayton Daily News. "After thorough research and discussion surrounding Ohio's highly-regulated medical marijuana law, we believe allowing access to prescribed treatments for patients aligns with our commitment to supporting community well-being while maintaining responsible local control." Centerville City Council voted unanimously to block recreational cannabis dispensaries, but voted 4-3 to not extend the ban to medical marijuana dispensaries. Voting "yes" to ban such businesses were council members Belinda Kenley, Jennifer McLaughlin and John Palcher. Voting not to ban them were Compton and council members Mark Engert, JoAnne Rau and Bill Serr. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move comes after city staff presented regulatory options to council and determined that both measures are "in the best interest of the city for protecting the public health, safety and welfare" of its citizens. Ohio legalized medical marijuana in September 2016 via House Bill 523. However, Centerville's city council placed a hold on medical marijuana businesses in August 2016, extended it in May 2017, and let it expire. Even after the moratorium ended, medical marijuana was not included in the city's Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), which guides local land use, zoning, and planning. In November 2023, Ohio legalized recreational marijuana through Issue 2. Adults 21 and older can now buy up to 2.5 ounces at licensed dispensaries or grow up to six plants each (12 per household). Local governments can ban cannabis businesses within their borders, but people can still possess, use or grow marijuana. In November 2023, Centerville council imposed nine-month bans on medical and recreational cannabis businesses to explore regulations. The bans were extended in August 2024 and were set to expire on May 9. For adult-use recreational cannabis dispensaries, the council-imposed ban will take effect April 16. Medical marijuana dispensaries will officially become permitted May 9. LONDON (Reuters) - The chair of British public inquiry examining how Lucy Letby was able to murder seven babies in her care on Wednesday rejected calls for her investigation to be paused until a review body had considered if the nurse's convictions should be re-examined. Letby was jailed for the remainder of her life after being found guilty of murdering seven children and attempting to murder eight more while working in the neonatal unit of the Countess of Chester Hospital in northern England. But her case has become a cause celebre after medical experts and other specialists publicly challenged the prosecution evidence used to convict her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After failing with previous appeals, Letby's lawyers last month made a preliminary application to the Criminal Cases Review Commission, which examines potential miscarriages of justice, arguing this new evidence meant her convictions were unsafe. At the conclusion of hearings at an inquiry into the failures that led to the deaths, its chair, senior judge Kathryn Thirlwall, said she had rejected calls by lawyers for hospital managers and Letby's legal team, and from a prominent lawmaker for her work to be suspended pending the CCRC outcome. "The inquiry does not become unfair, because there is a possibility, as it is asserted, that all the convictions are unsafe," Thirlwall said. Lawyers representing the babies' families had said on Tuesday that there was nothing remarkable about the new evidence casting doubt over the convictions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is also not uncommon for cases of alleged miscarriages of justice to be brought before the media in a blaze of publicity only for the evidence in support of them to flicker and falter," lawyer Richard Baker said. "Whatever side of the debate people are on, people should remember that the dead and harmed are not public property to be dissected on television or on the internet." Thirlwall said she would start writing her report on Thursday and aimed to publish it in November. (Reporting by Michael Holden; Editing by Alison Williams) SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) Two major crime incidents in less than 24 hours have Chatham County Police and the Chatham County District Attorneys office at odds over suspect and details in the case. Chief Jeff Hadley with the Chatham County Police Department held a news conference today concerning the Westlake Apartments shooting that happened earlier this week. During the chiefs brief comments, he said the vehicle involved in the deadly crash in Liberty City Monday night was also connected to the shooting of 5 people at Westlake Apartments early Monday morning, but the person arrested in the deadly crash is not being investigated as the shooter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is in contradiction to what Chatham County District Attorney Shalena Cook-Jones told WSAV News 3 Monday night. Cook-Jones said that she confirmed through several different law enforcement agencies that the driver of the vehicle in this deadly wreck, Kenneth Gordon, may have been involved in the Westlake Apartment shooting, which she addressed in the video below. When WSAV News 3s Andrew Davis asked Savannah Mayor Van Johnson Wednesday about the citys chase policy, he said, There are circumstances. I mean, this is someone who is believed to have shot five people the night before. Thats a dangerous person. And so, again, without getting into the weeds of it all. I think there are circumstances in which making sure that you are chasing while following a safe distance with safety protocols is appropriate. Jones released another statement around 5 p.m. March 19: If there is anyone who must be able to rely on the word of law enforcement, it is the District Attorney. My statement yesterday was based on information received from several credible law enforcement agencies on scene, and was cross-referenced and verified before any statement was made. To be clear, the original purpose of the news interview was to address the issue of bond and to respond to the communitys growing concern that recent shootings and violent events are seemingly committed by people who, like the named suspect, are out on bond. Like the citizens, I defer to law enforcement and look forward to their completed investigation. In the meantime, our office will keep striving to communicate with citizens in a way that is responsive, transparent and timely. The Chatham County Police Department also released a secondary statement March 19 on 2 p.m.: As you all know, the Chatham County Police Department is the lead investigative agency in the Westlake shooting that left five people injured on March 18th. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have undertaken extensive and exhaustive investigative efforts in the last 36 hours and have also enlisted the help of fellow law enforcement agencies. Yesterday, we shared intelligence with the Savannah Police Department regarding a vehicle of interest in the Westlake shooting. Yesterday afternoon, that vehicle was involved in a fatal collision on Liberty Parkway after it was spotted by Savannah Police Department officers assisting in the Westlake investigation. That collision is now being investigated by the Georgia State Patrol, and I cannot comment on anything else in regards to that incident. What I can tell you, and what I need to reiterate with you today, is that Kenneth Jeffery Gordon the man arrested and charged in the fatal crash has not been identified as a suspect in the Westlake shooting. None of our investigative efforts yesterday or up until this point have led us to believe that he is a suspect. There is much work to be done in this investigation, were in the very early stages, and we are not at the point of naming anyone publicly as a suspect. Facts are important especially in law enforcement investigations of this nature and magnitude. When we became aware last night that a man was incorrectly being identified as a suspect in this high-profile crime, we worked quickly to set the record straight with all of you. But we wanted to bring you together today, and face-to-face, to share with you that the vehicle he was in when the fatal Liberty Parkway crash occurred, was a part of our investigation. We pride ourselves on transparency and remain committed to sharing investigative information with you when we can, and as quickly as possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. People collect items from the rubble of a building destroyed in an Israeli bombing in the Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City, on March 19, 2025. At least 25 Palestinians were killed and dozens of others wounded on Wednesday in the Israeli bombing of a house in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) GAZA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- At least 25 Palestinians were killed and dozens of others wounded on Wednesday in the Israeli bombing of a house in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City, according to Palestinian sources. Among the victims were women and children, medical sources told Xinhua. Eyewitnesses said the dead and wounded had been transported to the hospital. Security sources said Israeli warplanes targeted the house with at least one missile. Earlier Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that overnight, the IDF struck a Hamas military site in northern Gaza where preparations were being made to "fire projectiles at Israeli territory." Tens of Palestinian families fled their homes in various areas of Gaza on Wednesday after the Israeli army issued new evacuation orders, warning of intensified military operations. Footage circulating on social media showed families walking through debris-filled streets, some pushing carts loaded with mattresses and household items while others held the hands of their frightened children. Israeli army spokesman Avichai Adraee said on Tuesday in a press statement that the evacuation orders cover the neighborhoods of Beit Hanoun in the north of Gaza, and Khirbet Khuza'a, Abasan al-Kabira, and Abasan al-Jadida in the south, which have been designated as "dangerous combat zones" due to Israel's "ongoing military offensive against armed groups." The statement called on residents to "evacuate immediately to known shelters in western Gaza City and Khan Younis for safety." The Israeli army launched intensive airstrikes since dawn on Tuesday in various areas of Gaza, killing more than 400 people and shattering a two-month ceasefire. People are seen near a building destroyed in an Israeli bombing in the Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City, on March 19, 2025. At least 25 Palestinians were killed and dozens of others wounded on Wednesday in the Israeli bombing of a house in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) People collect items from the rubble of a building destroyed in an Israeli bombing in the Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City, on March 19, 2025. At least 25 Palestinians were killed and dozens of others wounded on Wednesday in the Israeli bombing of a house in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) People collect items from the rubble of a building destroyed in an Israeli bombing in the Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City, on March 19, 2025. At least 25 Palestinians were killed and dozens of others wounded on Wednesday in the Israeli bombing of a house in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) People collect items from the rubble of a building destroyed in an Israeli bombing in the Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City, on March 19, 2025. At least 25 Palestinians were killed and dozens of others wounded on Wednesday in the Israeli bombing of a house in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) People are seen near a building destroyed in an Israeli bombing in the Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City, on March 19, 2025. At least 25 Palestinians were killed and dozens of others wounded on Wednesday in the Israeli bombing of a house in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) People collect items from the rubble of a building destroyed in an Israeli bombing in the Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City, on March 19, 2025. At least 25 Palestinians were killed and dozens of others wounded on Wednesday in the Israeli bombing of a house in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) People are seen at a building destroyed in an Israeli bombing in the Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City, on March 19, 2025. At least 25 Palestinians were killed and dozens of others wounded on Wednesday in the Israeli bombing of a house in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) People are seen inside a house destroyed in an Israeli bombing in the Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City, on March 19, 2025. At least 25 Palestinians were killed and dozens of others wounded on Wednesday in the Israeli bombing of a house in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) People are seen among the rubble of a house destroyed in an Israeli bombing in the Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City, on March 19, 2025. At least 25 Palestinians were killed and dozens of others wounded on Wednesday in the Israeli bombing of a house in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) A man is seen inside a house destroyed in an Israeli bombing in the Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City, on March 19, 2025. At least 25 Palestinians were killed and dozens of others wounded on Wednesday in the Israeli bombing of a house in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) People stand among the rubble of a house destroyed in an Israeli bombing in the Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City, on March 19, 2025. At least 25 Palestinians were killed and dozens of others wounded on Wednesday in the Israeli bombing of a house in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) A man is seen inside a house destroyed in an Israeli bombing in the Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City, on March 19, 2025. At least 25 Palestinians were killed and dozens of others wounded on Wednesday in the Israeli bombing of a house in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) A boy sits among the rubble of a house destroyed in an Israeli bombing in the Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City, on March 19, 2025. At least 25 Palestinians were killed and dozens of others wounded on Wednesday in the Israeli bombing of a house in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) A man sits among the rubble of a house destroyed in an Israeli bombing in the Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City, on March 19, 2025. At least 25 Palestinians were killed and dozens of others wounded on Wednesday in the Israeli bombing of a house in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) Child care worker Marci Then helps her daughter, Mila, 4, put away toys to get ready for circle time at the Little Learners Academy in Smithfield, R.I. (Photo by Elaine S. Povich/Stateline) Maine helps cover the cost of child care for children who are in the states foster care system; however, there have been recent reports of untimely payments. While the majority of child care providers are being paid on time, there is a subset who are experiencing delays, said Office of Child and Family Services Director Bobbi Johnson. She shared a breakdown of how that payment system works and what could be causing those delays with the Legislatures Health and Human Services Committee Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month, lawmakers asked the Government Oversight Committee to investigate late child care reimbursement payments from the Department of Health and Human Services, which houses the child welfare agency. Three Republican senators who serve on the accountability committee asked for a deeper look at how the department handles the payments after hearing from providers who have waited on reimbursements. The office spends about $6 million annually using state general funds to cover the cost of child care for children in custody, Johnson said. In general, the state pays market rate for child care, she said, but there are instances where it pays more, such as for children with complex behavioral or medical needs or living in areas with limited child care options. More than half of the 841 children in state custody who are 4 years old or younger need child care services. And as children get older, the need for those services decreases, Johnson explained. Of the nearly 800 child care facilities in the state, just over a quarter of them are currently caring for children who are in state custody. There are also more than 650 registered providers operating in private homes throughout the state, and about 90 of them are caring for children in state custody, according to data Johnson shared with the committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When a provider is caring for a child in state custody, they invoice the Office of Child and Family Services, rather than the resource family caring for that child. Johnson outlined a few points in that process where technical snags can cause payment delays. These include the initial process of setting up providers as vendors in the payment system; providers sending an invoice by mail, fax or some other method outside of the dedicated email inbox established by the state office; or when invoices are submitted at different time intervals, which can affect the timeliness of payments. Johnson also acknowledged that staff turnover at the department has contributed to some of the slow down. Although the hold up isnt affecting all child care providers who work with the state, Johnson said the agency has been taking steps to improve this aspect of the child welfare system. Access to child care can be a key factor in being able to place a child with a foster family, Johnson explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson also said the agency piloted a staff position dedicated to child care invoices who also helped families identify providers and other resources. The temporary position expired, but Johnson said it was helpful to have a centralized approach but said if that position were made permanent, the agency would likely need two to cover the entire state. There have also been efforts to improve the processing of vendors, including the addition of two contracted workers to manage those forms. This allows those individuals to build expertise on the process and navigate any issues, rather than requiring caseworkers to manage that work, Johnson said. In addition to managing child care for children in state custody, the Office of Child and Family Services also oversees the Child Care Affordability Program, which uses federal and state funds to help eligible families pay for child care. Currently, those programs are handled separately, but Johnson said there is discussion about putting them in the same automated system to better manage and streamline child care services. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A woman is in jail in the Brevard County after police charged her with child abuse. Savannah Morgan Keys worked at Jelly Bean Junction Early Learning Center on New York Avenue in Melbourne. Melbourne police said the owner of the business called them claiming that Keys had recently pulled a child by his arm and threw him to the ground. Police said they obtained video showing the child throw a plastic box before Keys got aggressive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Keys has since been fired from the childcare facility. She is being held without bond at the Brevard County Jail. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) The Childrens Discovery Museum in Normal announced Wednesday it will be using a $1 million gift to build a new agriculture exhibit next year. The gift from the McLean County Farm Bureau was accepted by the museum at the annual McLean County Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Awareness Breakfast, a museum news release stated. This is the largest single gift the Museum has ever received, and it makes perfect sense that it would come from the agriculture community that drives so many parts of the Central Illinois economy, Museum Executive Director Beth Whisman said. Its been exciting to work with the McLean County Farm Bureau and other ag partners to design a new exhibit that accurately reflects the landscape today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Childrens Discovery Museum gets special recognition The gift will go towards a new exhibit called From Farm to a Healthy Me and will double the size of the existing agriculture exhibit opened in 2006. The new exhibit is expected to feature: A ball drop maze representing the journey of grain from the field, through trucks/barges, grain elevators, and processing, to the world An Ag Lab connecting agronomy, weather, soil and STEM concepts of science, technology, engineering and math A colorful grocery store complete with a bakery, pizza kitchen and deli counter with hands-on interactives for ag based food and household products A dynamic food truck with changing themes and menus to fit seasons, family traditions and cultures Pigs, cows and chickens Two drone simulation activities Dedicated toddlers play space themed with pollinators and specialty crops grown in Illinois Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McLean County Farm Bureau Board President Brian Dirks said he is excited to see how the new exhibit will help grow the communitys understanding of food and farming. Our gift to help update and renovate the agriculture exhibit represents one piece of our ongoing commitment to supporting agricultural education in our community, Dirks said. More information on the Childrens Discovery Museum is available 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 CIProud.com. China and Hong Kong have officially taken a stance on the sale of the ports on both sides of the Panama Canal to a BlackRock-led consortiumand predictably, the response is highly critical of the $23 billion transaction. In a Tuesday press conference, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning affirmed the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) disappointment in the deal, without specifically naming the U.S. or the Trump administration. More from Sourcing Journal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China firmly opposes moves that infringe on and undermine other countries legitimate rights and interests through economic coercion, hegemonism and bullying, Mao said. President Donald Trump had reiterated since before his return to the Oval Office that the U.S. would take back the Panama Canal on the pretense that China was controlling the waterway. The rhetoric was a likely determinant in Hong Kong-based CK Hutchinson Holdings decision to sell the Balboa and Cristobal ports. And various reports indicate that BlackRock CEO Larry Fink reached out to Trump in the wake of his comments to set a possible transaction in motion. Hong Kongs chief executive John Lee Ka-chiu referred to similar bullying tactics in his own conversation with reporters, while avoiding any mentions of the U.S. or President Trump. These concerns deserve serious attention, Lee said, noting that the Hong Kong government urges foreign governments to provide a fair environment for businesses like those in Hong Kong. We oppose the abusive use of coercion or bullying tactics in international, economic and trade relations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee said any business transaction must comply with Hong Kongs laws. The special administrative region will handle it according to the law, he said without elaborating. Chinese state media put out two op-ed commentaries trashing the deal, shedding light into the opinions of both the CCP and Hong Kong governments. The first of two articles published in Hong Kong-based Ta Kung Pao said the deal was a spineless kneeling, profit-seeking and unrighteous act that betrays and sells out the Chinese people. The second piece targeted the U.S. more directly. Why were so many important ports transferred to ill-intentioned US forces so easily? the article read. What kind of political calculations are hidden in the so-called commercial behavior on the surface? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State offices in Hong Kong and Macau reposted both articles, effectively representing more endorsement from the CCP. The heat has already gotten to CK Hutchison, which canceled press and investor calls planned around its earnings report on Thursday in the wake of the criticism. At the time of the deal, which also saw CK Hutchison part ways with another 43 ports in 23 countries, co-managing director Frank Sixt insisted the sale was purely commercial in nature and wholly unrelated to recent political news reports concerning the Panama Ports. China sent a senior-level delegation to Panama last week to meet with major political parties, according to Chinese state news agency Xinhua. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ma Hui, a vice minister of the CCPs diplomacy arm, said China was willing to strengthen exchanges with Panamas political parties and think tanks, enhance mutual understanding and trust, and consolidate the public support foundation for friendly China-Panama relations. Behind the scenes, China President Xi Jinping has reportedly expressed anger over the deal, in part because CK Hutchison didnt ask for approval of the deal in advance. The CCP had originally planned to use the Panama port issue as a bargaining chip in negotiations with the Trump administration, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal. The dynamic doesnt quell many of the concerns of both the White House and Congress of Chinese influence over the Panama Canal, as it gives a clear signal thatlike WashingtonBeijing sees the port assets as integral to geopolitical interests in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is unclear what steps the Chinese government will take in response to the deal. CK Hutchison is a publicly traded firm, but remains subject to a broadly defined national security law that Beijing imposed on Hong Kong in 2020. That sprawling regulation punishes collusion with foreign forces Chinas government could still review the transaction. The countrys primary antirust regulator, the State Administration for Market Regulation, could have extra-territorial jurisdiction by applying the countrys anti-monopoly law, if a deal outside mainland China either eliminates or curbs competition in its domestic market. Authorities could also invoke security review measures aimed at examining foreign direct investments in fields relating to national security, including infrastructure. Although CK Hutchison is registered offshore, it has businesses and a presence in China, which Beijing could use as justification for implementing the review. China has delivered four batches of humanitarian aid to Ukraine since the start of Russia's all-out war, Li Ming, spokesperson for the China International Development Cooperation Agency, said on March 18. China remains committed to being a "positive force for world peace and stability and a progressive force for global fairness and justice," Li reportedly said, addressing reports that President Volodymyr Zelensky had expressed hopes for China's involvement in restoring peace and supporting Ukraine's reconstruction. "We are ready to continue to provide assistance within our capacity according to the wishes of parties involved, which, of course, includes post-war reconstruction," he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beijing has positioned itself as a neutral party in the war, calling for diplomatic solutions while maintaining ties with Moscow. China has deepened its ties with Russia since the start of the Kremlin's full-scale war against Ukraine and has become Moscow's leading source of dual-use goods that feed the Russian defense industry. Western officials remain wary of Beijing's deepening ties with Moscow, with NATO labeling China a "decisive enabler" of Russia's war. 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. China has halted imports of liquefied natural gas from the U.S. for the past 40 days amid an escalating global trade war since President Donald Trump took office, reported Bloomberg. The purchase freeze was the result of Trumps imposing an additional 10% tariff on all Chinese imports on Feb. 2. In response, China imposed 15% tariffs on U.S. LNG imports and a lower tariff on crude oil imports. China is the worlds largest buyer of LNG. The U.S. is the top global LNG shipper but was the No. 4 supplier to China in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2024, the top three suppliers of LNG to China were Australia, Qatar and Russia. Chinas LNG imports from the U.S. totaled 4.16 million metric tons in 2024, worth $2.4 billion, according to customs data. In recent weeks, Chinese LNG buyers with long-term supply contracts with U.S. producers have started reselling the fuel to European buyers, Bloomberg said. Chinese traders are also seeking long-term deals with gas producers in the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific, rather than companies in the U.S. The first contract between China and a U.S.-based LNG producer was with Houston-based Cheniere Energy Inc. in February 2018, according to a study by the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia. Cheniere Energy (NYSE: LNG) is the largest exporter of LNG in the U.S. and was the second-largest LNG producer in the world last year, according to its website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In February 2025, Corpus Christi Stage 3, an expansion of the existing Port of Corpus Christi LNG export facility, shipped its first LNG cargo, Cheniere Energy said. There are currently seven LNG export facilities in the U.S., including Louisiana (Sabine Pass, Cameron LNG and Plaquemines LNG), Texas (Corpus Christi LNG, Freeport LNG), Maryland (Cove Point LNG) and Georgia (Elba Island LNG), according to the Energy Information Administration. Four LNG export facilities are under construction in the U.S., including in Plaquemine, Louisiana, and Brownsville, Port Arthur and Sabine Pass, Texas. On Wednesday, the Trump administration granted Venture Global LNG Inc. conditional approval to export natural gas from its proposed $28 billion CP2 LNG export project in Cameron Parish, Louisiana. The post China stops importing liquefied natural gas from US due to tariffs appeared first on FreightWaves. China called for "all stakeholders" to be involved in Ukraine peace talks and pledged to work with Paris against "unipolar hegemony" during a call between Foreign Minister Wang Yi and a top French diplomat. Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic adviser to French President Emmanuel Macron, called Wang to discuss Ukraine on Tuesday - the same day that US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin agreed on a partial ceasefire halting strikes against Ukraine's energy infrastructure. The US has been engaged in intensive diplomacy with Russia and Ukraine over the past month in an effort to reach an end to the three-year conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. But Trump's rapprochement with Putin, who has shown no intention to cease control of occupied Ukrainian territory, has unsettled many in Europe who feel left out of negotiations that could undermine the continent's security. China has advocated for Europe's role in the peace process, and many analysts believe this could allow Beijing to improve relations with the continent amid a fractured transatlantic alliance. In the phone call on Tuesday, Wang told Bonne that China was ready to work with Europe to continue to make efforts for peace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "China has advocated resolving the crisis through dialogue and negotiation from the very beginning and welcomes all efforts towards a ceasefire," Wang said. "This process should respect the will of the parties concerned, should not be imposed by a third party, and should not only serve the interests of any one country." "China supports the achievement of a fair, lasting and binding peace agreement acceptable to all parties concerned, and believes that all parties and stakeholders should participate in the peace talks process in due course," he added. According to the Chinese foreign ministry, Bonne told Wang that France was willing to strengthen cooperation with China on Ukraine and looked forward to Beijing "playing an important role in reaching a just, stable and sustainable peace agreement". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China has positioned itself as a peacemaker in the Ukraine war. The country has sent a special envoy to Europe and worked with the Global South to promote peace talks in international settings. But its peace efforts have often met with scepticism due to its strong ties with Russia throughout the war. China's relations with the European Union have also been strained by trade disputes. The 27-member bloc slapped tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles last year. Beijing retaliated with trade investigations into a range of EU products, including imposing provisional tariffs on brandy from France. Wang called for consultations to resolve the trade disputes with the bloc. Bonne said France opposed trade wars and tariff wars and was willing to properly resolve economic and trade frictions with China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both the EU and France are in negotiations with China over their trade disputes, with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen recently softening her tone on trade tensions with China as Trump made tariff threats against the bloc. During the call with Bonne, Wang also slammed "unipolar hegemony" in an apparent reference to the US. "China is willing to maintain close high-level exchanges with France ... reject placing one country's self-interest above the common interests of all nations and prevent the world from returning to the law of the jungle," Wang said. Bonne said France would work with China to "resist bloc confrontation", according to the foreign ministry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Post reported in December that Macron was planning a trip to China this year. President Xi Jinping made a state visit to France last year. China and the EU are planning high-level meetings this year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Earlier this week, the Financial Times reported that Premier Li Qiang would travel to Brussels later this year to meet von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa for the occasion. 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. ADDIS ABABA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Africa's leading carrier Ethiopian Airlines has announced the launch of a new four-times-a-week passenger service to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, which will start on July 10. The Ethiopian national flag carrier said in a statement on Tuesday that the new service aims to enhance trade, tourism, and cultural exchanges between Vietnam and Ethiopia as well as the wider African continent. Mesfin Tasew, group chief executive officer of Ethiopian Airlines, said the commencement of the new service will expand the airline's presence in Southeast Asia and enhance air connectivity for its customers in the region. Ethiopian Airlines also said the route will help strengthen its position as "the largest and most connected airline in Africa, offering seamless travel to various destinations" via Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. Update, 7 p.m.: A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for most of Greater Cincinnati as damaging winds, and a few tornadoes, are possible in the region. The watch is in effect until 1 a.m. Thursday. Most of eastern Indiana is under the watch, as well as the outer edge of western Ohio, including Hamilton, Butler and Warren counties. Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties in Northern Kentucky are also under the watch. In Cincinnati, showers and thunderstorms are expected before 2 a.m., then a slight chance of just showers after that until 3 a.m. There will be southwest wind from 17 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The low will hover around 41 degrees. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for our western counties this evening. A line of storms currently located in western IN will reach our far western counties by 9-10PM. These storms pose a risk of damaging straight-line winds, but a tornado cannot be ruled out. pic.twitter.com/i25ZPB7omQ NWS Wilmington OH (@NWSILN) March 19, 2025 Aaron Valdez Previous coverage: Expect a dry start to the day but then gusty winds, rain showers, and some thunderstorms will move into the Cincinnati area by Wednesday evening. According to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, warm temperatures, gusty winds, and low dew points will cause low relative humidity Wednesday afternoon, leading to possible fire concerns. A low-pressure system will move through the Ohio Valley Region on Wednesday night. Per a hazardous weather outlook, wind gusts of around 40 mph will be possible Wednesday into Wednesday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A few strong to severe storms will also be possible in the evening. Damaging winds will be the primary threat, although a tornado cannot be ruled out. Loose objects may be blown around and driving may be difficult for high profile vehicles. The low pressure system will keep progressing northeast of the area bringing a secondary cold front on Thursday. The chance for some light showers and snow showers will persist through the day. Wind gusts around 40 mph will also be possible Thursday. A low chance of precipitation will occur Friday through Saturday. More widespread showers will move through Greater Cincinnati Sunday into Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Daytime temperatures will be fairly seasonable through the long-term period, with afternoon highs mostly in the upper 40s and 50s. A few severe storms will be possible this evening, mainly between 7 PM and Midnight. The main threat will be damaging wind, although a tornado or two cannot be ruled out. Outside of storms, winds will gust to around 40 mph this afternoon into this evening. pic.twitter.com/U0vs2zIVBw NWS Wilmington OH (@NWSILN) March 19, 2025 Detailed 7-day Cincinnati weather forecast Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. South wind 7 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Wednesday night: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1 a.m. Low of around 41. South wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. The chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Thursday: Showers likely, mainly after 10 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49. Southwest wind around 14 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 26 mph. The chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thursday night: A chance of showers before 7 p.m. Mostly cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low of around 28. Northwest wind 6 to 11 mph becoming light after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 23 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Friday: Sunny, with a high near 57. Calm wind becoming southwest at 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon. Friday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 43. Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56. Sunday: Showers likely, mainly after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 56. The chance of precipitation is 60%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Monday: A chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 57. The chance of precipitation is 30%. Source: National Weather Service Office, Wilmington. This story was updated to add a gallery. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati weather: Severe storm watch issued; tornadoes possible BEAUFORT S.C. (WSAV) Yesterday, folks wore green, but today they wore red, white and blue to honor a man who helped shape the history of the second oldest city in South Carolina. The cannons roar and the shots from the 13-musket salute marked the arrival of the Marquis de Lafayette, a figure whose impact is felt not just in the United States, but in France and in the small town of Beaufort as well. He arrived by boat and was led to the waterfront park by the Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard. After an initial welcoming ceremony at the waterfront, the celebration continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We marched from there to the carriages, took the carriages down Bay Street to the Verdier House where Lafayette supposedly did speak 200 years ago to this day, said Beaufort Mayor, Phil Cromer. As the crowd followed, dressed in 19th-century attire, it became clear that this was no ordinary event. It was a historical re-enactment, bringing Lafayettes original speech from 1825 back to life. They gathered around the Verdier House to hear Lafayettes re-enacted speech. Some attendees shared stories of personal connections to Lafayettes roots in France. We had lived in France for three years and we lived in a town called Clermont-Ferrand, said a Beaufort Resident. And its basically within 15 minutes of where his home was. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lafayette was granted a key to the city by the mayor. A new plaque was also unveiled in his honor, marking Beaufort as one of the many stops along the Lafayette Trail, which is one of 24 states he visited. In a heartfelt moment, Lafayette concluded the day with a final thank you speech to the gathered crowd. I thank you all again for your kindness and hospitality. My heart is filled with joy and my love for this great state of South Carolina and this city of Beaufort. God bless you all. And this nation of the United States. Lafayettes visit continued throughout the day, with several events off Beauforts Bay Street. He participated in live history demonstrations, museum exhibits and even a 19th-century ballroom dance with the community this evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) The City of Buffalo announced Tuesday that it will soon lift its winter parking regulations. The lift will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on March 19. A city spokesperson said the regulations are usually enforced until April 1 every year. In the event of significant snow accumulation, the city asks residents to remove their vehicles from the streets for plows. Latest Local News Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 News 4 Buffalo. London City Tourism commissioners voted Monday to begin Phase I of revamping the Mill Street Playground as discussed during the commissions November meeting, selecting a $227,354 bid. Commissioners Amber Royster, Josh Samples, and Chase Carson serve on the playground subcommittee and recently decided that it would be most appropriate to begin with placing a large playground structure where two volleyball courts currently are. Three companies bid on the project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prices came in very similar, but this was the option with the biggest bang for our dollar, Director Chris Robinson stated. Royster shared that the chosen structure is designed for ages 5-10 and features a cochlear implant-friendly slide, addressing needs identified by local parents and speech therapists. Additional improvements include painting, landscaping, and fresh mulch, with plans to apply for a grant in the fall to replace the mulch with safer, more durable pour-in-place surface. Also discussed was the fairgrounds project, with Chair Phil Smith sharing that the project is progressing as expected, with land clearing underway. However, a miscommunication with the utility company led to an unanticipated cost increase from $64,000 to $148,000. Were trying to see what we can do but, obviously, when you get into projects this big, those are things you dont like to hear especially right at the beginning, said Smith. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tourism went on to approve the purchase of a new Grasshopper rear-discharge diesel lawnmower for Levi Jackson Park at the cost of $17,888.50, which Parks and Recreation Director Ben Sizemore said is well within the equipment budget. The mower will replace an older one which will be auctioned as surplus property. Sizemore went on to share that construction on the parks pickleball courts is underway, with substantial completion expected within the next month. The London City Tourism Commission meets at the London Community Center at 5:30 p.m. on the third Monday of each month. The commissions next regular meeting will be held on April 21. To watch livestreams of the meetings, visit The City of London Facebook page. Medgar Evers who served with the U.S. Army in World War II before coming home to fight segregation in the civil rights movement is among notable Black, Hispanic American and women veterans that have seen their histories wiped from sections on the Arlington National Cemeterys website. Evers was previously featured on the websites list of Notable African American Graves a page that no longer exists. The section, along with ones devoted to women and Hispanic Americans, was purged from the site following President Donald Trumps executive orders against diversity, equity and inclusion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evers and other service members in such sections are still on the website, an Arlington National Cemetery spokesperson told HuffPost, noting that their stories have been moved to different categories that aligned with their service contributions. The spokesperson added that information on Evers is still available on the website under the broader Notable Graves category. Some links to pages can be found via search and alternative means despite not prominently being on the site, The Washington Post noted. The websites changes were first reported by Civil War historian Kevin M. Levin, as well as Task & Purpose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, in remarks at the opening of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in 2017, praised Evers as a great American hero, Mississippi Todays Jerry Mitchell reported Monday. In Arlington, he lies beside men and women of all races, backgrounds, and walks of life who have served and sacrificed for our country, Trump said of Evers, whose story is covered by the museum, at the time. Their headstones do not mark the color of their skin, but immortalize the courage of their deeds. Civil rights leader Medgar Evers (19251963) posing in his army uniform in Charbourg, France. John Storey via Getty Images Former Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Reuben Anderson, who showed the president around the museum during his visit, told Mississippi Today that the removal has got to be a mistake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That involves a great American who served in the military and was one of the most courageous Americans of all time, said Anderson of Evers, who fought in Normandy and later challenged the segregation of the University of Mississippi. Evers, who also championed voting rights for Black Americans and fought to end segregation in public facilities, was assassinated by a Ku Klux Klan member in 1963. Evers was posthumously awarded with the Presidential Medal of Freedom last year. Reena Evers-Everette accepts the Medal of Freedom on behalf of her father, slain civil rights activist Medgar Evers, from U.S. President Joe Biden during a ceremony in the White House on May 3, 2024, in Washington, D.C. Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nations highest civilian honor, to 19 individuals, including political leaders, civil rights icons and other influential cultural icons. Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images The U.S. Army confirmed the removals of sections on the cemeterys website to Mississippi Today, noting that those once in sections on Black, Hispanic and womens history can now be seen in broader sections on Prominent Military Figures or those on accomplishments in Science, Technology & Engineering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Levin, who brings teachers to visit Evers grave at Arlington each summer, told the newspaper that its impossible to discuss the civil rights icons accomplishments without bringing up his military service. Theres a straight line from his service to trying to expand voting rights and desegregate the University of Mississippi law school, he said. Any attempt to minimize this history is being incredibly dishonest. This article has been updated to more accurately reflect the changes on Arlington National Cemeterys website. Related... CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) The City of Clinton and the entirety of Iroquois County are once again under burn bans amidst red flag conditions on Wednesday. Both jurisdictions were under burn bans last week and over the weekend, bans that were eventually lifted. But with another day of windy conditions on Wednesday, officials announced new bans were put in place. Scott Anderson, the Coordinator of the Iroquois County Emergency Management Agency, said the countys ban went into effect around 7:15 a.m. on Wednesday and it will be in effect until further notice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just like under the previous ban, Iroquois County residents are forbidden from openly burning landscape, agricultural and household waste. Consumer fireworks are also prohibited from being shot off. UPDATE: Fire officials share new details on third response to Tolono house Fire departments can issue fines of $100 for anyone caught violating the burn ban. Fines will double for second violations. Clinton, meanwhile, had its burn ban go into effect at noon on Wednesday and it will last until 8 p.m. on Thursday. 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. COAHOMA COUNTY, Miss. The Coahoma County Sheriffs Office is hitting another brick wall in its effort to restart its monthly food distribution program, which serves between 200 to 300 households. The food giveaway was scheduled to begin Tuesday morning but it now appears that the program is on hold indefinitely. Sheriff Mario Magsby announced Mar. 6 that the Mississippi Food Bank secured funding to partner with the Sheriffs Office and a food giveaway would take place on Mar. 18. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, just before the event was set to start, another Facebook post alerted the public that the event had been canceled. The Mississippi Food Bank said it doesnt serve Coahoma County but the Mid-South Food Bank does. However, the Mid-South Food Bank told WREG something different. Unfortunately, Coahoma County was one of those partner agencies that we were no longer able to sponsor, said Nicole Willis with the Mid-South Food Bank. $45K stolen from nonprofit at Crosstown Concourse Willis said no Food Bank truck was sent because the Sheriffs Office had not secured a sponsor. I am not aware of what happened with Coahoma Countys sponsor. That is a sponsor that they may have found on their own, Willis said. We did have an initial sponsor that did want to sponsor some mobiles in Coahoma County. Unfortunately, this time they did not pick the Coahoma County Sheriffs Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the Sheriffs food giveaway is in limbo until a sponsor is secured other organizations are taking up the slack, like Pleasant Valley Church in Clarksdale, who are handing out food to between 500 to 700 folks a week facing challenges. Theyre trying to make a difference no matter the reason. Oh my God, it helps so much because prices have gone up on food, said food recipient Rutha Hall. I am blessed to get the 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 WREG.com. EVANS, Ga. (WJBF) Columbia County leaders are looking at ways to build a brighter future. That was the discussion at the county library Tuesday evening, where leaders launched the Foundations for the Future Comprehensive Plan. The county is required to update the plan every 5 years, and leaders say its time to reconvene once again. We continue to look at it on a daily basis as a staff. We use this as our benchmark for where were going in terms of development and future growth potentials, said Planning Services Director Scott Sterling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stakeholders, business owners and local organizations went from station to station to learn more about the countys future direction. They also had the chance to write down what leaders are doing well, and where they see room for improvement. My biggest complaint is the traffichow terrible the traffic is, said Renee Hale. I live 4.9 miles away according to Google Maps, and it took me 24 minutes to get here. Thats just because theres so much traffic. I think I share the same concern of traffic getting tougher by the day. But, I think thats growing painsgrowth has been concentrated in certain areas. So, I think as it starts to push out more, traffic may start to ease up a little bit, said Adam Pankow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement District 4 Commissioner Alison Couch says with that growth in the area comes more opportunities to make the county betterand feedback is exactly what theyre looking for. I think that the county has a very bright future in the next 5 to 10 years. Were really looking forward to hearing back from our constituents and citizens on the Vision 2035 Plan, and what they envision for Columbia County, said Couch. Getting the communitys input, being part of this, and having some investment in what the future of Columbia County will look like in the next 5, 10, 15 years. This is their best chance to really help shape the future, Sterling said. The county will have more meetings to discuss this plan Wednesday, March 19th, and theyll come back to do the same towards the end of May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here are the times for Wednesdays meetings: Meeting with Business Community (not open to Public) from 7:30 to 9:00 AM at Columbia County Library Meeting with Steering Committee (not open to Public) from 7:00 to 8:30 PM at Columbia County Library Meeting at Harlem Library (open to Public) from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM Meeting at Pollards Corner (open to Public) from 2:00 to 4:00 PM 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 WJBF. COURTESY HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT A composite drawing of the suspect in the murder of Dawn Momohara in March 1977. Castro was arrested Jan. 21 at a Utah nursing home, where he was living, on suspicion of second-degree murder in the killing of McKinley sophomore Dawn Momohara, who was sexually assaulted and strangled to death. COURTESY HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT A composite drawing of the suspect in the murder of Dawn Momohara in March 1977. Castro was arrested Jan. 21 at a Utah nursing home, where he was living, on suspicion of second-degree murder in the killing of McKinley sophomore Dawn Momohara, who was sexually assaulted and strangled to death. A 66-year-old murder suspect, allegedly linked by DNA evidence to the 1977 strangulation death of a 16-year-old McKinley High School student, was released from the Salt Lake County Jail because Honolulu prosecutors are not ready to proceed with the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Honolulu Prosecutors Office said Monday it is continuing to investigate the case against Gideon Castro, but declined to provide any information that it said might jeopardize the case or its continuing investigation. A Salt Lake County District Court judge ordered Castros release March 12 following the request by a local district attorney, and Castro was released from custody Thursday, the Salt Lake County Sheriffs Office said. Castro was arrested Jan. 21 at a Utah nursing home, where he was living, on suspicion of second-degree murder in the killing of McKinley sophomore Dawn Momohara, who was sexually assaulted and strangled to death. Her body was found on the second floor of the Eng lish building at McKinley High School shortly after 7 :30 a.m. March 21, 1977. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Castro, a 1976 McKinley graduate, had waived extradition Feb. 26 and consented to being released to Hawaii officers to return to Hawaii to stand trial for murder. Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. In a motion to the court March 11, Salt Lake County District Attorney Clifford Ross asked that the case be dismissed without prejudice, which would allow the case to be refiled, and that Castro be released from custody in accordance with the Honolulu Prosecutors Offices request. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Honolulu Deputy Prosecutor Kelsi Guerras March 10 letter to Ross said : We cannot currently proceed with prosecution of this case, due to recent complications involving a material witness in this case and the state of the evidence. These issues have led to the conclusion that further investigation is necessary before we proceed with extradition, which will require considerable funding and resources, and prosecution. She further wrote that this is only a temporary setback, and we remain fully committed to continuing our efforts to prosecute this matter in the near future. In his motion, Ross quoted Castros defense memorandum that states Castro has serious health problems, and jail personnel are unable to move him to the video room for court appearances, and that he has appeared for court proceedings from his bed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1977, detectives interviewed Castro, who was later identified as a suspect. He told police he and his brother, William, were friends with Momohara. He said he last saw her in February 1977 at the McKinley carnival and that he was in the U.S. Army Reserve and had come home to Honolulu. Honolulu Police Department Homicide Lt. Deena Thoemmes said that 42 years later in March 2019, the homicide cold-case detectives submitted a request to HPDs Scientific Identification Section to process several items of evidence from the murder scene. In May 2020 an HPD criminalist specializing in DNA obtained the profile of an unidentified male from sperm found on Momoharas shorts. In September 2023, Gideon and William Castro were identified as potential suspects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives covertly obtained DNA from William Castro or one of his children and ruled him out as a suspect, police said. The FBI and Homeland Securities Investigation tracked down Gideon Castro in Utah. They also found his son and obtained his DNA, which identified him as the son of the unidentified male. HPD detectives then secretly took a sample of Castros DNA, which was a match to the evidence from the victims shorts. LONDON, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador to the United Kingdom (UK) Zheng Zeguang has called on business communities in both countries to seize the opportunities presented by China's continued stable development. Zheng made the statement at an event hosted on Monday briefing the "two sessions": the annual meetings of the National People's Congress - China's top legislature, and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Zheng said this year's sessions have shown the world that China is committed to advancing the country's modernization with high-quality development. China will firmly act as an "enabler," providing "more stability and positive energy for the world," in areas such as economic development, sci-tech innovation, green transition, and global peace and stability, he added. The "two sessions" also showed the success of China's political system, the ambassador stressed, adding that it is "the secret behind the two miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability" in China. Highlighting the importance of a stable and constructive China-UK relationship in a chaotic and turbulent world full of challenges, the ambassador called on both sides to maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges, implement the outcomes of previous dialogues, and strengthen cooperation while properly handling differences between the two countries. Sherard Cowper-Coles, chairman of the China-Britain Business Council, said that a Chinese government report released during the sessions responds to tackling serious challenges in a coherent and disciplined way. "It talks about increasing consumption, putting more money in the pockets of the Chinese people, stimulating innovation and opening China up more to investment, and inviting visitors around the world not just commercial businesses, but the tourists and students as well, all very very important," Cowper-Coles said. Michael Mainelli, former Lord Mayor of the City of London, acknowledged that this is a pivotal moment for the UK in the relationship between China, and the global community. He said the sessions "have set the stage for policies that will influence not only China's trajectory, but also its interactions with the world." As a global financial and technology center, London looks forward to strengthening cooperation with China in finance, green finance, artificial intelligence and other fields, Mainelli noted. COLLEGE STATION, Texas (FOX 44) College Station Police officers are working a multi-vehicle crash in the northbound lanes of Highway 6, across from Post Oak Mall. The department says traffic will be affected for some time. Travelers are urged to seek alternate routes. This is a developing story. FOX 44 News will have more information as it 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 KWKT - FOX 44. Colorado politicians are denouncing the arrest of a Mexican immigrant activist, noting her decades of living in her local community and lack of criminal history. Sen. Michael Bennet (D) called Jeanette Vizguerra a pillar in her community and called on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials to ensure she has legal counsel and to release her immediately. I am deeply concerned about ICEs actions to detain her without any due process, like a deportation order, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE officials on Monday detained Vizguerra, who has been an advocate for the immigrant community and criticized deportations. She immigrated to Colorado without legal permission in 1997 after her husband was held at gunpoint in Mexico City and has four children. One of her children is a recipient of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, while the other three are U.S. citizens. Vizguerra received attention in 2017, during President Trumps first term, for sheltering in a Colorado church for 86 days for sanctuary. She eventually received a stay of deportation, having been given one since 2013 before ICE initially denied a renewal. She was named one of Times 100 most influential people in 2017 for her work supporting fellow immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other notable Colorado Democrats criticized the situation. Sen. John Hickenlooper (D) said he has serious concerns about ICEs action and argued it will not help improve the situation at the southern border or with the system in general. Targeting a mother who has been an active part of our Colorado community for nearly three decades will not fix our broken immigration system or secure our border, he said. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D), who said he knows Vizguerra, called on the Trump administration to be transparent about her arrest and follow due process. He said the state of Colorado hasnt received notice of Vizguerras arrest beyond press reports on it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jeanette is a mother and grandmother, has spent decades in our country, helping the community, has a job, has no history of violence, is not a threat to the community, and above all else, deserves due process pursuant to the law, he said. I continue to urge President Trump and ICE to focus their actions on violent offenders and be more transparent with states they are operating in, including being transparent about the cost and impact of detentions, raids, and the cost to taxpayers, Polis continued. While serving as a member of the House, Polis joined Vizguerra at a press conference in March 2017 criticizing local ICE officials, arguing a stay of deportation for a mother of three American citizens should be a routine matter. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston (D) lambasted the arrest as a Putin-style persecution of political dissidents, comparing it to Russian President Vladimir Putins record of stifling dissent in Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her detainment is not about safety, he said. Vizguerra is the latest of a few high-profile individuals that ICE has detained. The agency has detained and is attempting to deport Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil despite Khalil being a lawful permanent resident with a green card. A Brown University professor with a valid visa was deported despite a judges order saying she should not be. 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. Columbia University faces a Thursday deadline to respond to a sweeping set of demands from the Trump administration, which has made an unprecedented threat to permanently pull $400 million in federal funding unless the Ivy League university makes changes to address how it responds to antisemitism on campus. Last week, the administration said that as a precondition of maintaining financial ties to the federal government, the university would need to ban face masks, up police powers on campus, change its disciplinary process, put its department of Department of Middle East, South Asian, and African Studies under receivership, and adopt a definition of antisemitism that critics say bars criticizing Israel, among other changes. The threats from the White House have prompted a wide range of opinions from observers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some, like Columbias Jewish alumni association, called for the school to accept the changes. We urge Columbia to ignore all media framing, TAKE THIS LIFELINE, and act decisively now to restore the mission and the future of the university, it wrote in a statement on X on Wednesday. This has been an immensely difficult time. Let's not lose this opportunity to restore our beautiful school's legacy. Others argue that the Trump administration is trying to exert authoritarian control over the campus, where left-leaning protesters have sharply criticized both the Biden and Trump White Houses role in supporting Israel during its conflict with Hamas, a war that human rights groups say has morphed into a genocide. Columbia has been focus of protests against Israel-Hamas war and crackdown on campus protest since late 2023 (AP) This attempt to discipline and control a university campus is a transparent hallmark of authoritarian rule and harshly violates the central mission of education: teaching, research, and service to the broader society for the public good. We also believe it to be illegal, the American Association of University Professors said in a statement when the Trump administration first outlined its demands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Legal experts say the Trump administration may have skipped key steps in a provision of the Civil Rights Act in asserting campus discrimination against Jews at Columbia. There has been no express finding, there has been no record, there has been no opportunity for a hearing, Samuel Bagenstos, a law professor at the University of Michigan and former general counsel for the Health and Human Services Department told The Associated Press. This is just dramatically in violation of the procedural requirements under Title VI. Critics say the administration is already cracking down on campus dissent, pointing to the recent immigration arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a recent Columbia grad and U.S. green card holder who was detained by immigration agents at a university-owned apartment. The White House has admitted Khalil, who could soon be deported, did not break any laws, but rather that the Secretary of State determined his protest activities were harmful to U.S. policy interests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other campuses will be keenly watching for Columbias response. The Department of Education has warned at least 60 colleges and universities they could face repercussions if theyre deemed to have failed to protect Jewish students. The White House has also pushed universities on other issue areas, suspending $175 million in funding to the University of Pennsylvania because it allows a transgender athlete in its swimming program. Columbia University graduate student and pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalils case was transferred to New Jersey on Wednesday by a federal judge in New York, a key move that will keep any appeals in the case away from conservative judges in the South. Manhattan federal court Judge Jesse Furmans decision marked a compromise between Khalilis bid to keep the case in Manhattan and the Justice Departments attempt to move it to Louisiana. These conclusions flow from the undisputed fact that, at 4:40 a.m. on March 9, 2025, when Khalils lawyer filed the Petition on his behalf, he was detained in New Jersey, Furman wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement . Attorneys for Khalil and the Trump administration had sparred over removing the case from New York City to the south, where he is currently being held in an immigration detention facility and will remain until a judge orders otherwise. A federal court in New Jersey acknowledged receipt of the transfer later Wednesday. Had the case been transferred to Louisiana, Khalils lawyers would have had to target any appeals to the Fifth Circuit, considered the most conservative in the country. Khalil, who as a green card holder is a lawful permanent resident, is facing possible deportation for his participation in campus protests against Israels war on Gaza and Columbias investment ties to the Israeli regime. He has not been charged with any crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, the government says his advocacy threatens foreign policy interests, citing an obscure provision of the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act that empowers Secretary of State Marco Rubio to order a noncitizen deported after such a determination. Khalil was taken into custody by Homeland Security agents on March 8 after returning to his Columbia-owned apartment from dinner with his wife. Agents took him to lower Manhattan for processing and then to a detention center in Elizabeth, N.J., in the middle of the night, where he spent about eight hours before being transported more than 1,000 miles away to Jena, Louisiana. Upon his arrest, agents told Khalils lawyer he would be taken to 26 Federal Plaza within the Southern District of New York, where the Immigration and Customs Enforcement website placed him for hours after hed been taken out of the city a technical lag the government said was due to it being the weekend. In his Wednesday order, Furman said, Khalil filed in the wrong district through no fault of his own; his lawyer reasonably relied on the information made available to her by the Government at the time of filing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge reaffirmed a previous ruling that the government cannot remove Khalil from the country while his legal matters play out. In many ways, this is indeed an exceptional case, and there is a need for careful judicial review. Such judicial review is especially critical when, as here, there are colorable claims that the Executive Branch has violated the law or exercised its otherwise lawful authority in an arbitrary and discriminatory manner, Furman wrote. The judge noted that dismissing the case, as the Justice Department partly argued for in its opposition to it being brought in Manhattan, might allow the Government to frustrate Khalils effort to obtain judicial review of his claims by removing him from the country before a court could rule. Requiring Khalil to refile his petition in the Western District of Louisiana would also mean litigating far from his lawyers, from his eight-months-pregnant wife, and from the location where most (if not all) of the events relevant to his petition took place, he wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khalils lawyers, who have two pending motions seeking his immediate release, say the Trump administration has violated his First and Fifth Amendment rights. They have said they believe the government moved rapidly to get him out of New York and down south the next morning in a bid to target the case to a more conservative court. This ruling sends a message loud and clear that Trump and his MAGA cronies cannot just manipulate and abuse the judiciary as they please to suppress the speech of activists for Palestinian rights, one of Khalils attorneys, Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, said in a statement. This is an important step toward ensuring that the administrations unconstitutional practices are stopped in their tracks and that Mr. Khalil is reunited with his family in New York. We are ready to defend Mr. Khalils rights in New Jersey to secure his immediate release. Dr. Noor Abdalla, Khalils wife, who is eight months pregnant, welcomed the ruling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a first step, but we need to continue to demand justice for Mahmoud. His unlawful and unjust detention cannot stand. We will not stop fighting until he is home with me, Abdalla said in a statement. The students detainment on ideological grounds has provoked widespread protests and concerns about the future of the right to free speech under Trump. The president and his senior cabinet members have framed any opposition to the Israeli regime and its military actions as antisemitic and supportive of Hamas, which the U.S. designates as a terrorist group. Khalil, 30, the grandson of Palestinians who grew up in Syria, played a prominent role in the demonstrations at Columbia last year, acting as a mediator between university staff and students, a role he was selected for based on his previous work at a British embassy and the United Nations. In a Tuesday night statement, Khalil said hed been sleeping in cold facilities without a blanket and worried he would miss the birth of his first child. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration is targeting me as part of a broader strategy to suppress dissent. Visa-holders, green-card carriers, and citizens alike will all be targeted for their political beliefs, Khalil said in a statement, which he dictated to his lawyers from detention. Knowing fully that this moment transcends my individual circumstances, I hope nonetheless to be free to witness the birth of my first-born child. A Justice Department spokesman did not immediately respond to requests for comment. NEW YORK Columbia University graduate student and pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalils case was transferred to New Jersey on Wednesday by a federal judge in New York, a key move that will keep any appeals in the case away from conservative judges in the South. Judge Jesse Furmans decision marked a compromise between Khalilis bid to keep the case in Manhattan and the Justice Departments attempt to move it to Louisiana. These conclusions flow from the undisputed fact that, at 4:40 a.m. on March 9, 2025, when Khalils lawyer filed the Petition on his behalf, he was detained in New Jersey, Manhattan Federal Judge Jesse Furman wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorneys for Khalil and the Trump administration had sparred over removing the case from New York City to the South, where he is currently being held in an immigration detention facility and will remain until a judge orders otherwise. A federal court in New Jersey acknowledged receipt of the transfer later Wednesday. Had the case been transferred to Louisiana, Khalils lawyers would have had to target any appeals to the Fifth Circuit, considered the most conservative in the country. Khalil, who as a green card holder is a lawful permanent resident, is facing possible deportation for his participation in campus protests against Israels war on Gaza and Columbias investment ties to the Israeli regime. He has not been charged with any crimes. Instead, the government says his advocacy threatens foreign policy interests, citing an obscure provision of the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act that empowers Secretary of State Marco Rubio to order a noncitizen deported after such a determination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khalil was taken into custody by Homeland Security agents on March 8 after returning to his Columbia-owned apartment from dinner with his wife. Agents took him to lower Manhattan for processing and then to a detention center in Elizabeth, N.J., in the middle of the night, where he spent about eight hours before being transported more than 1,000 miles away to Jena, Louisiana. Upon his arrest, agents told Khalils lawyer he would be taken to 26 Federal Plaza within the Southern District of New York, where the Immigration and Customs Enforcement website placed him for hours after hed been taken out of the city a technical lag the government said was due to it being the weekend. In his Wednesday order, Furman said, Khalil filed in the wrong district through no fault of his own; his lawyer reasonably relied on the information made available to her by the Government at the time of filing. The judge reaffirmed a previous ruling that the government cannot remove Khalil from the country while his legal matters play out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In many ways, this is indeed an exceptional case, and there is a need for careful judicial review. Such judicial review is especially critical when, as here, there are colorable claims that the Executive Branch has violated the law or exercised its otherwise lawful authority in an arbitrary and discriminatory manner, Furman wrote. The judge noted that dismissing the case, as the Justice Department partly argued for in its opposition to it being brought in Manhattan, might allow the Government to frustrate Khalils effort to obtain judicial review of his claims by removing him from the country before a court could rule. Requiring Khalil to refile his petition in the Western District of Louisiana would also mean litigating far from his lawyers, from his eight-months-pregnant wife, and from the location where most (if not all) of the events relevant to his petition took place, he wrote. Khalils lawyers, who have two pending motions seeking his immediate release, say the Trump administration has violated his First and Fifth Amendment rights. They have said they believe the government moved rapidly to get him out of New York and down South the next morning in a bid to target the case to a more conservative court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This ruling sends a message loud and clear that Trump and his MAGA cronies cannot just manipulate and abuse the judiciary as they please to suppress the speech of activists for Palestinian rights, one of Khalils attorneys, Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, said in a statement. This is an important step toward ensuring that the administrations unconstitutional practices are stopped in their tracks and that Mr. Khalil is reunited with his family in New York. We are ready to defend Mr. Khalils rights in New Jersey to secure his immediate release. Dr. Noor Abdalla, Khalils wife, who is eight months pregnant, welcomed the ruling. This is a first step, but we need to continue to demand justice for Mahmoud. His unlawful and unjust detention cannot stand. We will not stop fighting until he is home with me, Abdalla said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The students detainment on ideological grounds has provoked widespread protests and concerns about the future of the right to free speech under Trump. The president and his senior cabinet members have framed any opposition to the Israeli regime and its military actions as antisemitic and supportive of Hamas, which the U.S. designates as a terrorist group. Khalil, 30, the grandson of Palestinians who grew up in Syria, played a prominent role in the demonstrations at Columbia last year, acting as a mediator between university staff and students, a role he was selected for based on his previous work at a British embassy and the United Nations. In a Tuesday night statement, Khalil said hed been sleeping in cold facilities without a blanket and worried he would miss the birth of his first child. The Trump administration is targeting me as part of a broader strategy to suppress dissent. Visa-holders, green-card carriers, and citizens alike will all be targeted for their political beliefs, Khalil said in a statement, which he dictated to his lawyers from detention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Knowing fully that this moment transcends my individual circumstances, I hope nonetheless to be free to witness the birth of my first-born child. A Justice Department spokesman did not immediately respond to requests for comment. _____ Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil declared himself a political prisoner in an open letter released Tuesday from the Louisiana immigration detention facility where hes being held. In his first remarks dictated over the phone since his March 8 arrest, Khalil, a Palestinian refugee born in Syria, framed his detention as an attack on the right to free speech. He accused both the Trump and Biden administrations of anti-Palestinian racism, and Columbia leaders of having laid the groundwork for the federal government to target him. I am a political prisoner, said Khalil, 30. My arrest was a direct consequence of exercising my right to free speech as I advocated for a free Palestine and an end to the genocide in Gaza, which resumed in full force Monday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khalil became a prominent figure in the pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia last spring, serving as a negotiator with the Columbia administration over demands to divest from Israel and as a spokesman for the tent demonstration for Gaza. He has not been accused of any crime, though the federal government is asserting Khalils presence in the United States could have serious adverse foreign policy consequences, according to Manhattan Federal Court filings. His lawyers have denied allegations that he sympathizes with Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization. While he came to the United States on a student visa, he has since married an American citizen and holds a green card. His arrest has sparked criticism and widespread protests over the right to free speech, including from those who condemn what he has to say. President Trump pledged to deport pro-Palestinian international students on the campaign trail and since taking office has used immigration enforcement as part of his crackdown on college protests. In the letter, Khalil alleged federal authorities refused to provide a warrant on the night of his arrest, and confronted him as he returned to his Columbia apartment with his pregnant wife, Noor Abdalla. She is due to give birth to their first child, a son, next month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before I knew what was happening, agents handcuffed and forced me into an unmarked car. At that moment, my only concern was for Noors safety, he wrote. Khalil recalled not knowing the reason for his arrest or if he would be immediately deported. He remembered sleeping on the floor of a Manhattan field office, before being shuffled around to another facility in New Jersey, where he slept without a bed again. As of Tuesday, he remained in Louisiana while his lawyers were in court pushing to bring him back to New York and for his release. Reflecting on the circumstances that led to his detainment, Khalil accused the federal government of Palestinian repression, and the current and former presidents of Columbia of paving the way for the Trump administration. The university allowed its students to be doxxed, he said, and used disciplinary probes to silence students criticizing Israel. Columbia did not return a Tuesday request for comment. Knowing fully that this moment transcends my individual circumstances, I hope nonetheless to be free to witness the birth of my first-born child, he ended his letter. NEW YORK Columbia University has a $400 million question: Deal with the loss of canceled federal contracts and grants over alleged antisemitism on campus or cave to Trump demands that have been criticized as placing the universitys academic independence in jeopardy. Federal agencies have set a deadline by the close of business Thursday for Columbia to make a series of changes that the feds say would protect Jewish students from harassment and could resume the flow of funding from the U.S. government. That included steps to increase discipline, ban masks with few exceptions, as well placing the Middle Eastern studies department under academic receivership. The missive has enraged members of Columbias faculty, who regardless of their politics say the external pressure amounts to government interference in campus matters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter is of dubious legality, but its demands are sweeping, the Columbia chapter of American Association of University Professors said in a statement. They constitute unacceptable overreach, attempting to dictate university policies and undermine the universitys procedures, statutes, and guiding principles. On March 7, the U.S. Education Department alongside other agencies that send funding to research universities announced Columbias grants and contracts had been called off, including at its medical center. Columbias interim president Katrina Armstrong warned the cuts would affect nearly every corner of the university, while civil liberties groups condemned the move as unconstitutional and unprecedented. But it is entirely consistent with Trumps long-held desire to silence views with which he disagrees and clamp down on protest, said Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union in a statement. The stop-work orders had an immediate effect on medical research and other programs that receive federal funding. A larger part of the hundreds of millions in canceled awards was more than 400 grants from the National Institutes of Health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A neuroscience PhD student told the Daily News she learned last week the training grant that had been supporting her tuition and research was clawed back. The student said it took her three months to put together a 60-page grant application to study how adolescent social isolation impacts cognition later in life. Her lab employs transgenic mice not transgender, she said, referring to Trumps targeting of gender research. Youre maybe erasing a generation of scientists if this continues, said the student, who spoke on the condition of anonymity while her award was in flux. At this point, my goal is to finish as soon as possible, because maybe theres not going to be money for me to continue. Nearly a week after the cancellations were first announced, the federal agencies penned the follow-up letter to Columbia, obtained by The News, which outlined immediate next steps that we regard as a precondition for formal negotiations regarding Columbia Universitys continued financial relationship with the United States government. University officials were directed to document compliance no later than the Thursday deadline. The missive did not guarantee that federal funding will be restored if Columbia follows all the prerequisites. The same day the letter was sent, Columbia moved to expel and suspend for multiple years any students involved in the takeover of Hamilton Hall last spring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Columbia was also ordered to overhaul its admissions process and recruitment of international students, and imbue campus security with the power of arrest. The governments demands read like a ransom letter, dictating to the university what principles it must sacrifice and what ideological positions it must adopt to restore research funding, the AAUP statement continued. We urge the Columbia administration in the strongest possible terms to reject these demands and the premises on which they rest. Senior university officials were continuing to discuss the changes on Wednesday, while making progress on most, if not all, of the federal governments demands. Columbia is reportedly in negotiations with the presidential administration to refer to the receivership of the Middle Eastern studies department as something more palatable, according to the Wall Street Journal. Columbia spokespeople declined to comment on their plans to address the specific conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Responsible stewardship means we must consider every appropriate action, Armstrong wrote in an email Wednesday to students and faculty. But we will never compromise our values of pedagogical independence, our commitment to academic freedom, or our obligation to follow the law. We will also continue as is our responsibility and as we have done throughout our history to engage in constructive dialogue with our federal regulators. Many students and faculty still have questions about the federal governments motives. Over the last week and a half, the Trump administration has used its immigration enforcement powers to crack down on pro-Palestinian campus protests, the most high profile of which has been the attempted deportation of international studies graduate student Mahmoud Khalil. This isnt about antisemitism at this point, said Reinhold Martin, a Columbia architecture professor and the AAUP chapter president, when federal funding was revoked. This is about defunding the university. _____ WHITEHALL, Ohio (WCMH) East Broad Street is getting a new Chick-fil-A, Whitehall officials confirmed. The fast food restaurant will replace a former Tim Hortons at 3965 E. Broad St. Whitehall Chief Building Official and Zoning Administrator Don Day confirmed that Chick-fil-A will be joining the city, although he did not provide other details. Online property records indicate the chicken chain will rent the space from commercial real estate company Casto, which owns the commercial center Chick-fil-A will sit in. The center is also home to a Goodwill and Target. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Columbus-based chicken chain closes its Easton restaurant A Chick-fil-A representative said they were unable to confirm any future locations in Whitehall, although they hope to serve the community in the future. With Whitehalls confirmation still standing, this may indicate how early in the process the location is. The site of the future Chick-fil-A has been harder to visit in recent months thanks to ongoing construction on Broad Street. It has been undergoing construction that has limited lane access and temporarily blocked some parking lots at and around the former Tim Hortons. The project is part of $13.2 million of capital improvements. This will mark the 17th Chick-fil-A within the greater Columbus area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Soldiers of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) attend a ceremony marking the 47th anniversary of the mission's establishment at its headquarters in southern Lebanon's Naqoura, March 19, 2025. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) BEIRUT, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Aroldo Lazaro Saenz, head of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), reaffirmed on Wednesday the mission's steadfast commitment to supporting stability, fully implementing UN Resolution 1701, and reducing tensions through dialogue to achieve a permanent ceasefire. The UNIFIL chief made the remarks at a ceremony marking the 47th anniversary of the mission's establishment at its headquarters in southern Lebanon's Naqoura, which was attended by local Lebanese leaders, senior Lebanese army officers, other UN officials, and peacekeeping forces. "Our hearts go out to those who have lost their loved ones and homes," he said, also paying tribute to the 339 peacekeepers who have lost their lives in pursuit of peace in southern Lebanon since 1978. The UN official emphasized that following the ceasefire understanding reached between Israel and Lebanon in November last year, the mission is "entering a new phase, working alongside the Lebanese army to clear roads, carry out repairs, and remove explosives." However, he stressed that cooperation with the Lebanese government and local authorities is essential to ensuring the mission's safe and efficient operation, adding, "The Lebanese Armed Forces must remain the sole guarantor of security in the south." He also underscored that "the successful implementation of Resolution 1701, which calls on Lebanon and Israel to work toward a permanent ceasefire and forms the basis of UNIFIL's mandate, can only be achieved through joint efforts to prevent escalation, maintain stability, and strengthen state authority in southern Lebanon." The UN Security Council established the UNIFIL in March 1978 to monitor the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and assist the Lebanese government in restoring effective control over the area. Its mandate has been expanded following the 2006 war to include supervising the ceasefire and supporting Lebanese forces in maintaining security. The mission has adhered to its duties during the latest round of cross-border fire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon since October 2023, which was triggered by the Gaza conflict. Aroldo Lazaro Saenz, head of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), attends a ceremony marking the 47th anniversary of the mission's establishment at its headquarters in southern Lebanon's Naqoura, March 19, 2025. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua) COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) A Columbus suspect who police say is connected to a deadly shooting back in 2023 was taken into custody by authorities in North Carolina. According to the Columbus Police Department, Aquiles Saunders was arrested on Mar. 14 in North Carolina by the U.S. Marshals. His arrest stems from July 7, 2023, when officers responded to a shooting at the Arbor Pointe Apartments in the 1200 block of Gazebo Way and found Bobby Lyons, 17, suffering from gunshot wounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lyons was taken to Piedmont Columbus Regional, where authorities say he was pronounced dead from his injuries at 9:02 a.m. on July, 8, 2023. Police say in June 2024, Saunders was identified as a suspect in the shooting death of Bobby Lyons. This led to a murder warrant for his arrest. Saunders was extradited to Columbus, GA and charged with murder. He is scheduled to appear in Recorders Court on Mar. 19 at 8 a.m. Police say more arrests are pending. 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. GOSHEN A couple was not permitted a rezoning to implement the small chicken farm of their dreams. Elkhart County Commissioners followed the recommendation of denial from the Elkhart County Planning Commission to deny Dale and Melissa Shupert a rezoning request in the 23000 block of C.R. 26 in Concord Township. The Shuperts filed the request to have a property theyve been renting rezoned from R-1 to A-1 after several complaints from neighbors made it known that their small operation was causing community concern. The Shuperts were in the process of purchasing the old, run-down 10-acre property with the hopes of developing it into a chicken farm. Dale Shupert said they had hoped to have about 250 chickens, with 10% as roosters and the rest as breeding hens, and including the chicks they produce, up to 1,000 chickens. Dale said once the chickens reach the age of maturity roughly four months after theyre born, he intended to send them away for production. He also planned to keep the farm mostly organic, without the organic certification, by allowing the chickens to be somewhat free-range, rotating them around his acreage and barring them to specific regions via an electric fence. It would allow the waste from the chickens to act as organic compost, he previously explained, while not creating too much buildup. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a February meeting of the Elkhart County Commissioners, Dale said growth on the property had been difficult, due to poor soil nutrition. He claimed that the soil was not well-tended previously and was in dire need of carbon and chose to use organic matter to produce that carbon. Dale said he made an arrangement with Oaklawn following a storm to drop off fallen trees to his property that he could burn, along with waste including chicken manure and at times, dead chickens, to create a quick and hot-burning compost to spread across his property. The burning was one of the initial problems residents of which the Yellow Creek area expressed concern, claiming that the Shuperts compost fire was burning throughout all hours of the night. They later learned that the burning of chickens was, in fact, illegal. In addition, residents said the chickens and four goats owned by the Shuperts were too free-range, leaving their own property and entering neighboring yards without the barrier of a fence. Residents also claim that the chicken biowaste would be harmful to the creeks nearby and that predators have become more frequent in their area since the Shuperts took over usage of the property for their homesteading project. At the February meeting, commissioners told the Shuperts that they liked their idea, but that the neighbors concerns were valid and that theyd need to clean the place up better and prove they could manage the property well before theyd consider allowing the rezoning. A Detailed Planned Unit Development was mulled over, as concerns were raised about the small property being used for any other A-1 use when the Shuperts moved on from the property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elkhart County Commissioner Weirick also presented the Shuperts with a series of conditions that she hoped would allow them to have their homestead without damaging nearby properties including strict fencing, a limited number of roosters, specific farm equipment, and no semis. But at the March 17 meetings return of the agenda item, a DPUD was not presented and the tone of the conversation changed quite substantially. Commissioner Brad Rogers informed the public in attendance that he was not at the February meeting but had reviewed the minutes and taken note of public comments provided at that time, in addition to half a dozen letters now submitted to the commissioners also requesting denial of the petition. Dale began his presentation by declaring that a portion of the property along the flood zone should be deemed wetlands and A-2 by right anyway and explained that county code dictates as such. Dale argued that the only usable part for construction on the property is a tiny portion in the center due to the extensive flood plain across the land, but for the most part, the history of the land has also been agricultural use. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weirick said wetlands have entirely different rules for managing animal waste and that the Shuperts would also not be in compliance with that in the propertys current condition. Brian Ufkin, of Elkhart, said the wetlands rule is used for conservation and not for farming, specifically for migratory birds, and requires 20 acres. He also told the board that the wetlands policy would not allow him to bury dead animals instead of burning them within 300 feet of a waterway and leave him with only about a half acre near the road to do so, and part of that acre is where phone lines and utility lines go. This is so frustrating, he said. I understand their frustration, I do. I get it. If I was going to do it anyways, I wouldnt be here. I wouldnt be here trying to fix it if I was just going to do it anyways. Dale also said he made efforts to curb and address neighbor concerns when he knew about them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everything that theyve complained about Ive tried to address in one way or another, he said. If they have an issue, knock on my door and say something. Im more than willing to talk to anybody. Neighbors did speak at the public comment portion of the hearing, claiming most significantly that predators like hawks and owls were more prominent and that they were finding limbs of dead chickens around the area. Theres chickens across the street,Shupert said. Roger (Evans) has chickens; next to him theres 40 chickens; down the road theres a bunch of chickens; on the left theres more chickens everybody has roosters. This is unbelievable. These people, they want everything their way but dont want to give. I dont know what more to say. I cant make everybody happy with this. If they cant see that Im making waves, trying to get stuff done, theyre blind. One remonstrator, neighbor Elizabeth Hart, said on her daily walks with her dog shes seen an increase of red-tail hawks, increased scavenger presence, chicken parts on the side of the road like wings and legs and heads, owls unsteady maybe diseased and four dead red-tail hawks. She said a rehab center told her the dead hawks were an indicator of a larger predator like an eagle or something is making them sick. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im totally for farming if its being done the right way and I dont think this is being done the right way, Hart said. She added, the hawk presence is related to the increased food source, and the ease of accessibility for the hawks. If they can easily pick off chickens and drop their body parts over my neighborhood, common sense, she added. Dale said he understands concerns from early on but since then improvements have been made. My concern, as pointed out in testimony and by code enforcement, is Mr. Shuperts been sort of a bad actor in this property and that doesnt impress me, Rogers declared before the vote. He said during the plan commission meeting, Shupert said hed have 500-1,000 chickens, admitting that he wanted to raise food for his family and inferred that if it went well hed market it to the community as a business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weirick said she struggled last month with the juxtaposition of allowing the land usage to become less intense by making it agricultural, the rights of property owners and Shuperts apparent change in testimony. Weiricks opinion on the matter seemed to change almost completely after the assertion that the property was and has always been agricultural wetlands. I appreciate the vision, she said. I could share the vision, I could buy into the vision. What I cant buy into is the lack of respect for the wetlands, the state of wetlands, whether they are stated mapped or not, the respect for the neighbors comments. I believe that the petition thinks he is doing absolutely everything. I just dont see it, and my fear with making this a parcel with many restrictions vs. a DPUD, we dont have a lot of staff for enforcement. I dont think we will ever meet the standard to which any conditions can be met. Commissioner Bob Barnes said hes been out to the property a few times and spoken to Shupert and the neighbors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I could support a DPUD land use on this because its personal property rights, he said. I think a person has a right to do what they see fit on their property as long as it doesnt have catastrophic affects to the neighboring properties. I wished I could see a better plan with this. I feel that this was a buyer beware situation because there has been money invested on this property by the Shuperts. I believe they have in good faith tried to clean this property up and make good use of it. The problem I have with this is that the land owner probably should have had this rezoned before they sold it as an agricultural property and now theyve got the government involved because multiple parties cant agree on the property use of this property. The denial was approved unanimously by the three commissioners. HOBBY BODY SHOP DENIED Commissioners also denied a Baugo Township business owner to rezone a property in the 28000 block of C.R. 20 for an at-home vehicle repair and scrapping workshop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The petition, by Mark Scearse II, represented by Lorenzo Ramirez, sought a zone map change from R-2 to M-2 so that the renter, Jorge Fernandez, could use it to salvage vehicles, mostly. At a Plan Commission meeting, remonstrators werent thrilled with the salvaging venture, specifically mentioning the number of vehicles and parts, the amount of increased traffic, loud noises, smoke from burning of materials and parking in the right-of-way on other peoples property. Fernandez told the commissioners that he lives in the city of Elkhart where he cant have his commercial vehicles, tow truck and trailer. I buy cars for myself, he said. I dont run a big business. I have a regular job. I drive a truck for a company so when I clock out thats when I start doing my personal things, he said. Mostly, I want it just for a parking place for my flatbed and my trailer. Basically I buy cars, I take the good parts off of them and then I junk them when Im done with them. Its just something I do on the side. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fernandez said hes been renting the property for about a year and said the vehicles generally stay on the property overnight until he can take them to the junkyard. Throughout the day while hes at work, family members prepare the vehicles to be taken to the junkyard by removing the still-good parts. The property has a house that Fernandez said he was told burned down several years ago. Zoning Administrator Jason Auvil said the request to zone to M-2 came from the fact that the department was unclear if the property would be used for just car repair or car salvage. Salvaging requires an M-2 lot. Auvil also noted that the property is an active code case and that he drove by it over the weekend and saw dozens of cars on the property. Fernandez said eight of the cars currently on the property are owned by the property owner and that he also has around eight. Its one of these mixed use areas which are always kind of problematic because we have the city of Elkhart to the south, we have limited manufacturing to the west, to the north and to the east is all residential, and these are all old established residential subdivisions that subdivision was established in the mid- to early (19)20s, so its one of those areas where you have some kind of nuanced issues like this. Its problematic, Auvil said. Auvil also noted that if the property were to be rezoned as M-2 and Fernandez leaves it would establish an M-2 zone for other uses, but added that since its not very big, its size would limit the use even with the zoning. Neighbor Melody Pinela said there is continual burning and high traffic as well as noisiness. Auvil called the property kind of a nuisance property, but admitted its been like that for a while. Weirick said she wasnt thrilled with the idea of a salvage yard being so close to residential and said with the size of the property, buffering standards for an M-2 could not be met. Commissioners unanimously agreed to affirm the plan commissions denial, with Rogers stating its not an appropriate location. OTHER BOARD ITEMS Unlike the two other Planning & Development public hearings, a subdivision in York Township will be moving forward. About 20 years after the first section of the Terra Subdivision was completed, a second section is finally ready to begin. Steeplechase Homes LLC was approved for a 29-lot major subdivision near State Line Road during the commissioners meeting, after a public hearing with Planning & Development saw no remonstrators. The annual animal control services interlocal agreements were approved for Bristol, Elkhart, Goshen, Middlebury, Nappanee and Wakarusa. The funds were appropriated earlier this year. A grant for Community Corrections & Justice Reinvestment Funding from the Indiana Department of Corrections was approved. DOC received an increase in their funding, but not for corrections, but Executive Director Helen Calvin said theyre not expecting any kind of decrease in the funding for the CY2026 grant. An additional appropriation from Planning & Development for $60,000 was approved to finish the five-year-long digital scanning project. Commissioners also approved an additional appropriation for $128,500 to customize ServiceNow. The subscription platform currently only houses the IT department but is also being expanded to other departments, starting with Buildings & Grounds. Email addresses for the Elkhart County Highway Department will be migrated to the countys web domain. Currently, while the rest of county officials operate under elkhartcounty.com, the highway departments old domain still has it using elkcohighway.org. Elkhart County Administrator Jeff Taylor said the additional appropriation $12,000 migration of the highways email addresses will allow, This way, in the future, if the entire countywide set of addresses is moved to an in.gov domain in the future, Taylor said there would be no additional cost. Commissioners approved an additional appropriation for the annual subscription for licensing for software to backup the two main servers in two separate locations in case of an emergency at a cost of $16,000. Texas-based counselor Rebecca Smith (left) and Rep. Mary Bentley, R-Perryville, present House Bill 1668 to the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (Photo by Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate) An Arkansas lawmaker promised to amend a bill that would create civil liability for Arkansas adults who assist transgender minors transitions after other lawmakers and members of the public presented a flurry of questions and concerns Tuesday. Rep. Mary Bentley, R-Perryville, told the House Judiciary Committee that House Bill 1668, the Vulnerable Youth Protection Act, would deter social experiments that are really destroying the lives of children who do not identify with their gender assigned at birth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill would hold liable any person who knowingly causes a minors social transition or the castration, sterilization, or mutilation of a minor for any personal injuries or harm resulting from the actions. It would create a 20-year statute of limitations for civil action, and complainants would be able to recover financial damages. Arkansas was one of the first states to pass a law banning gender-affirming medical treatments for transgender minors. The Save Adolescents From Experimentation (SAFE) Act of 2021, which Bentley co-sponsored, is under appeal in federal court after families of transgender minors sued and obtained a permanent injunction. More than two dozen other states have passed similar laws since 2021, but no state has enacted a law banning social transitioning, which HB 1668 defines as any act by which a minor adopts or espouses a gender identity that differs from the minors biological sex as determined by the sex organs, chromosomes, and endogenous profiles of the minor, including without limitation changes in clothing, pronouns, hairstyle, and name. Rep. Jeremiah Moore, R-Clarendon, said this definition was too broad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If a parent takes their daughter to a barbershop and [the barber] gives that haircut per the child and the parents wishes, and that haircut is not a girls haircut, this language seems to be holding him potentially liable for the next 20 years of his barber career, Moore said. Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffins office believes the bill is not yet legally sound, senior assistant attorney general Justin Brascher told the committee. No members of the public came to speak in favor of the bill, while 20 signed up to speak against it and nine received a chance to speak. Some of the nine, including Caitlin Tannehill Oxford, said they have heard concerns from hairdressers about the legislation. If my son and I agree that he can get a piercing, that could also be defined as mutilation and I could be held liable, said Oxford, president of the Washington County Democrats. My daughter does not dress girly. She loves jeans, not dresses. Would that hold me liable to legal action for allowing her to wear what she likes? By the way, my children are not trans. However, I have many friends and family who are, and Im here today to support them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bentley said she will amend the bill to work on some of the definitions and make it clearer. She and Rebecca Smith, a licensed professional counselor from southeast Texas, both claimed a majority of minors with gender confusion eventually return to identifying as their birth sex. Medical professionals who testified for the plaintiffs in the trial against the SAFE Act said regret over gender transition is rare, including for people who transition as minors. They also said Arkansas children do not receive gender-affirming breast or genital surgeries. Smith called HB 1668 a crucial safeguard against practices that alienate children from their families and disrupt healthy development. This legislation seeks to deter the harmful effects of gender-affirming interventions by providing victims with a path for recourse and ensuring they have the time and opportunity to seek justice once they recognize the self-hatred that has been instilled in them and are ready to reclaim their true identity, Smith said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the bills opponents said transitioning does not alienate children from their families. Hatred and bigotry alienate children from their families and legislation like this encourages that, Arkansas Tech University student Jordyn Barnett said. Legal concerns HB 1668 includes the statement: A person shall not be held liable under this section for speech or conduct protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. Committee members of both parties and members of the public said the rest of the bill contradicts that statement. An amendment adopted by the committee added the word knowingly to the legislation, and Bentley said this should alleviate concerns about the broadness of the bill. Evelyn Rios Stafford, a Washington County Justice of the Peace and Arkansas first and only openly transgender elected official, speaks against House Bill 1668 before the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate) Evelyn Rios Stafford disagreed. She is a Washington County Justice of the Peace and Arkansas first and only openly transgender elected official. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes I get approached by parents who have kids that are in college, sometimes in high school, and theyll introduce me to their kid and say Id like to introduce you to my trans son, John Doe, and I say, John Doe, its great to meet you, Rios Stafford said. Under this bill, that would put me under a civil cause of action for the next 20 years for having that positive interaction with an accepting parent of a 17-year-old. First Amendment concerns are among the reasons Griffins office is not willing to defend the law in court as it is written, even with Tuesdays amendments, Brascher said. He added that Griffins office is sympathetic to the intent of HB 1668, as evidenced by its continued defense of the SAFE Act. Bentley said HB 1668 perfectly lines up with the blocked law. In 2023, she sponsored the Protecting Minors from Medical Malpractice Act, which allowed private enforcement of the SAFE Act by creating civil liability for doctors who provide gender-affirming healthcare to transgender minors. The bill initially had a 30-year statute of limitations before it was amended down to 15 years. Simon Garbett, a transgender 18-year-old from Little Rock, spoke against the 2023 law and returned to the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday to speak against HB 1668. He maintained that he is not a social experiment and that the idea that gender-affirming healthcare sterilizes trans youth is a complete lie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Please have empathy for people who are different from you, Garbett said. Were not hurting you, so stop hurting us. A legislative pattern Bentley is also the lead sponsor of House Bill 1669, which passed the House last week. The bill would prohibit discrimination in foster care or adoption cases if parents sincerely held religious beliefs do not affirm transgender minors identities. In 2023, Bentley co-sponsored two more laws related to transgender youth. One forbade public and charter school students from using bathrooms and locker rooms that do not match their gender assigned at birth. The other, the Given Name Act, requires public school teachers and college professors to use the pronouns and names students were assigned at birth unless parents specifically allow them to do otherwise. Rep. Nicole Clowney, D-Fayetteville, asked Bentley on Tuesday if teachers would be liable for civil action under HB 1668 if they adhere to the wishes of that parent united with their child, not alienated from them if the parent has given the permission outlined in the Given Name Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is correct, Bentley said. I think that were just saying that social transitioning is excessively harmful to children. Marie Mainard OConnell, a mother of a transgender teen from Little Rock, said she shared Clowneys concerns. [This bill] supposes that parents are not supportive, and in point of fact, I work with a community and dozens of families for whom this bill will make their work as supportive families harder, said OConnell, who is a Presbyterian pastor. Another 2023 law Bentley sponsored initially would have banned drag shows from being held within a certain distance of schools, parks and other places children frequent, but the Alliance Defending Freedom helped the sponsors amend the legislation so it would hold up in court. The ADF is a conservative, faith-based advocacy group that has opposed LGBTQ+ rights efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ADF weighed in on the Given Name Act in 2023, and Bentley said Tuesday that she consulted with the organization while working on HB 1668. Rep. Wayne Long, R-Bradford, was the Given Name Acts primary sponsor and said it would prevent compelled speech; Rios Stafford said Tuesday that HB 1668 would actually create compelled speech. Rep. Ashley Hudson, D-Little Rock, pointed out that HB 1668 does not say there will be no civil liability if a child does not socially transition or later detransitions. Bentley said the absence of a cause of action in those cases is common sense. If they stay with their normal gender, theres been no hurt or harm thats been done, so thered be no lawsuit to file, Bentley said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judiciary Committee chairwoman Rep. Carol Dalby, R-Texarkana, said she will schedule a special order of business for HB 1668 after Bentley files the amendments. The committee did not have enough time to hear all 20 speakers against the bill Tuesday, but Dalby said those who did not get to speak will be preemptively placed on the public comment list for the next hearing on the bill. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX BOSTON (WWLP) A House and Senate committee held their first meeting Tuesday afternoon to forge a compromise on the joint rules the branches will abide by this session. The Tuesday meeting focused on planning lawmakers approach to coming to a joint decision on rules. This approach will take three prongs. First, lawmakers set aside all matters on which they already agree. Those rules will easily pass the legislature. UMass professor named Fellow of American Association of Nurse Practitioners Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Next, they dedicated issues where they disagree only in specific wording to their staffers, who will iron out language that works for both branches. Finally, they identified rules on which they disagree, and decided to debate these rules at a later date. The Senate chair explained the overarching goals of the proposed new rules on the heels of a session where the legislature was criticized harshly on their lack of forthcomingness. I saw the Senate take a really giant step in transparency and in hearing what the public wanted and in trying to move the process along, talk about what happens, said Senate Majority Leader Cynthia Creem. House counterparts also expressed interest in transparency, as both groups emphasized their willingness to work together without actually working together to resolve disagreements in the meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once a compromise between the two branches is reached, the branches will vote to adopt the compromise and it will be signed into law. 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. Sears Island in Searsport, the potential home of the new offshore wind port. (AnnMarie Hilton/Maine Morning Star) The Legislatures Environment and Natural Resources Committee voted down two bills that would have put up roadblocks to the states effort to develop an offshore wind port on Sears Island. Outside of the debate around developing offshore wind, a bipartisan majority of the committee feared the bills would squash the potential for any future economic development on the island. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, the state made clear that Sears Island is its preferred location for a new port to support a budding offshore wind industry. Rep. Reagan Paul (R-Winterport) brought these bills forward after a reelection campaign that emphasized her desire to save the currently undeveloped island in her district. In 2009, the state placed two-thirds of Sears Island, about 600 acres, into a permanent easement. The state plans to leave that portion untouched by the port, which will be built on roughly 100 acres outside of the protected area. LD 226 proposed extending that conservation easement to cover more of Sears Island, including a portion that has been reserved for port development by the Maine Department of Transportation. The committee voted against this bill 10-2, with one member absent. The state-owned land on the island is protected under the Natural Resources Protection Act, which prohibits new or expanded structures on coastal sand dunes. A bill last year sought to authorize the Department of Environmental Protection to grant an exception for the site, so long as all other applicable permitting and licensing criteria are met. The proposal drew strong pushback from local conservation and Indigenous groups and initially divided lawmakers, but eventually prevailed and was ultimately included in the supplemental budget passed last session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reagans other bill, LD 735, would roll back those efforts from last session and impose limits on who could propose similar legislation in the future. The committee voted against that bill 9-3, with one member absent. In addition to concerns raised by the committees legislative analyst that aspects of the legislation could conflict with the state constitution, committee co-chair Sen. Denise Tepler (D-Sagadahoc) said she opposed the bill because she was informed that Wabanaki leaders werent consulted, despite the proposal including the establishment of an Indigenous lands protection committee. Despite the overwhelming vote recommending against passage of the bills, they still advance to the full Legislature, beginning with the House of Representatives. Lawmakers worry bill would close a lot of doors The state is in the preapplication phase for developing a wind port on the island, said Matthew Burns, deputy director of the Office of Freight and Business Logistics for the Department of Transportation. Design work is a little over halfway complete, but Burns said the state doesnt anticipate submitting permit applications until there is more clarity about how the project would be funded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After conversation digressed into details about what dredging would be necessary for port construction, Tepler reminded the committee that LD 226 is not actually about a port. This bill is about voiding the ability of the Department of Transportation to use a small piece of Sears Island or a third of the island that they own for any possible future development, Tepler said. Given that, she asked the committee to refrain from further conversation about building a potential wind port when discussing that bill. Rep. William Bridgeo (D-Augusta) said it is vitally important to preserve the islands potential for economic development given that the other major ports in the state are either built out or logistically challenging. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would not be prudent for the state to relinquish its abilityto utilize that piece of land for open-ended purposes, he said. While she appreciates conservation concerns, Sen. Stacy Brenner (D-Cumberland) agreed that the land should be left open for economic development opportunities in the future. Shutting that off would close a lot of doors, she added. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) A community meeting will be held Thursday to discuss reconstruction plans for a Mount Pleasant elementary school. James B. Edwards Elementary School, named after the former South Carolina governor, opened to students in full in the spring of 1982 to alleviate overcrowding at Whitesides Elementary. As the school grows today and requires updates, the Charleston County School District will construct a new building on the current campus. Parents and community members are invited to provide input on its design. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Funding for the project was approved during a school board meeting in December 2024. The community meeting will take place Thursday, March 20 in the schools cafeteria from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. (855 Von Kolnitz Road, Mount Pleasant). Those interested in learning more about the project can contact CCSD Capital Projects at 843-566-1975 or email capital@charleston.k12.sc.us. 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. WOODSON COUNTY, Kans. On Friday, a fire destroyed Woodson County Kansas only nursing home, leaving a community in doubt about the future. Today, many of the questions about the future were answered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were not going to let this knock us down, said Johnny Atkin, Woodson County director of emergency management. Fire devastates Yates Center Health Facility, residents evacuated Yates Center Health and Rehab served as Woodson Countys only nursing home. Tuesday, Mission Health, the owners of the facility, said they arent abandoning the town. Mission Healths intentions are to rebuild in Yates Center. We just dont know what that plan looks like yet, said Nikki Jacobs, Mission Health Communities regional VP of operations. Thats welcome news to the Yates Center mayor. The City of Yates Center is going to do everything we possibly can to make sure we bring them back, said Justin Weston, mayor of Yates Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For now, the 38 residents, none of whom were injured in Fridays fire, are staying at sister facilities throughout the region and the staff went with them. We actually had sent all of the Yates Center staff to the sister facilities to assist with the cares there. That helps our staff. They can stay employed, and then, also, the residents get to see those familiar faces, said Jacobs. The fire that burned the facility began about three-quarters of a mile away. The fire call for the South Owl Fire, as weve termed it there at the nursing home, came in at about 3:24, said Atkin. 18 Yates Center firefighters answered that first call Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We had worked as hard as we could possibly work to try to save the facility. We just had too much against us. Mother nature wasnt letting up, said Brandon Gaulding, Yates Center fire chief. Despite their efforts, and those of firefighters from as far away as Kansas City, Kansas, two hours later, the facility was lost. What started that fire remains under investigation. Given the extensiveness of this fire, it contained both a wildland element and a structure element, its going to take us another couple of weeks to get all of our facts together, said Rich Watson, chief deputy state fire marshal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At one point, the fire crossed Highway 75, threatening the rest of Yates Center. After nearly a dozen hours of work, firefighters were able to beat it back, preventing what Atkin, whos also a member of the Yates Center Fire Department, calls a catastrophic loss. I dont think Ive ever been as proud of anything as I am to call myself a member of the Yates Center Volunteer Fire Department, said Atkin. 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 KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. INDEPENDENCE, Mo. The company currently overseeing Independence Towers in receivership has asked a judge to allow the sale of the property. Trigild Inc., the court-appointed receiver of the Independence Towers, filed an emergency motion for the sale of the building on Monday. Kansas man posing as Walmart security charged for kidnapping, rape Tenants at Independence Towers have been on rent strike since Oct. 1, due to unlivable conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In October, Fannie Mae provided a $1.35 million investment during the strike that was supposed to take care of repairs for the towers. Per the filed motion, Trigild is looking to sell the property to PG Independence Tower LLC for $2.8 million. PG Independence Tower LLC is an Indiana limited liability company that seems to be owned by Illinois-based company, Dynasty Properties, Inc. Two seriously injured after car crashes into Louisburg, Kansas hair salon Tenants have tried to give their input in selecting a new owner and negotiating a collectively bargained lease. They also have intervened on court hearings and filed their own motions and evidence regarding the deterioration of the property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next hearing for Independence Towers will be on Friday at 1:30 p.m. at the Jackson County Courthouse. 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. CANAL WINCHESTER, Ohio (WCMH) A real estate company wants to build a 122-unit apartment development, and some residents have expressed concern about its potential impact on traffic. Cleveland-based Stark Enterprises has proposed an apartment complex on a 25.8-acre lot along the east side of Hill Road near Greengate Boulevard. A rendering of the development shows signage with the name Canal Winchester Village. The proposed multifamily development includes a clubhouse, pool, fitness center, pickleball court and dog park. The plan shows the complex would feature both two and three bedroom units, spread throughout 27 buildings that are predominantly a single-story, with some buildings having a two-story element in the center. Each unit would feature a two-car garage and a driveway. (Photo courtesy/Canal Winchester Planning and Zoning Commission) (Photo courtesy/Canal Winchester Planning and Zoning Commission) The complex would feature a total of 421 parking spaces, including 244 garage spaces, 122 driveway spaces and 55 additional parking spots. Private streets would run throughout the development, with no on-street parking permitted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An existing tree line along the south and east sides of the property would remain in place, and 453 more trees would be planted throughout the property. The proposed development is surrounded by single family homes, and sits near a Meijer and a handful of restaurants. A handful of residents spoke at a March 10 planning and zoning meeting, sharing their worries that the development would add more traffic to an already congested area. Its like trying to put 10 pounds of candy in a five-pound bag, Hill Road resident Kenny Orr said. Too many people, too many cars. This road is already jam-packed. Also among those who spoke out against the development was Roberta Miller, another Hill Road resident, who echoed similar sentiments about the road already experiencing too much traffic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the concerns of some, the citys planning and zoning commission recommended the plan to city council for approval. A phasing plan states the developer is aiming to finish the project by spring or summer of 2028. 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. ULAN BATOR, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia's external debt grew by 7.4 percent at the end of 2024, reaching 37.1 billion U.S. dollars, according to data released by the country's National Statistics Office on Wednesday. The growth in external debt was caused by an increase in direct investment and intercompany loans by 14.4 percent, official data showed. It is noted that nearly 46.5 percent of Mongolia's total external debt was built up from direct investments and intercompany loans, 21.2 percent from the government's debt and 7.2 percent from debts of other savings institutions, 2.9 percent from the country's Central Bank, and 22.2 percent from other sectors. Meanwhile, World Bank experts predict that Mongolia's economy will grow by 6.5 percent in 2025 due to growth in the mining industry and increased domestic demand. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Hundreds of people flooded a town hall in Midtown hosted by Congressman Steve Cohen on Tuesday evening. Congressman Cohen coined the event as one of the largest recent town halls in the country. The issues discussed centered around the changes brought about by the Trump Administration. And with so much public concern, the town hall lasted an hour and a half longer than it was expected to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are a lot of people in this room and around the country who ask right now, what can I do, one attendee said. More than 800 people from both sides of the aisle shared their concerns, including air traffic controllers. Local IRS employee waits to see if shell return to work The only thing keeping us is our pension, one said. Were all very, very tired. The concerns come as the Trump Administration cut several federal jobs and increased the mass exodus of immigrants in the country. I know people are upset, Cohen said. Im upset too but we heard them. Congressman Cohen wasnt alone. Other officials like Max Richtman, the President and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, spoke with people about the importance of preserving their benefits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Memphis City Council approves Elon Musks xAI land deal Ive seen polls of younger people saying they are more likely to see a UFO or Big Foot than to ever get a social security check, Richtman said. And thats wrong. The Trump Administration last week, maintained their stance, saying cutting waste fraud and abuse from the federal program is essential. President Trump has been unequivocally clear on this. He is going to protect Social Security and Medicare benefits and Medicaid for hardworking Americans who paid into these entitlement programs and deserve those hard-earned benefits, said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Congressman Cohen urged his constituents to remain hopeful and to act. People need to be activised and mobilized, demonstrate, Cohen said. Get into good trouble sometimes in the future. Congressman Cohen is set to speak before a democratic caucus on Wednesday. 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. ANSON, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) As President Trumps fight against illegal immigration ramps up across the nation, U.S. Representatives from Texas are meeting with their constituents to discuss the next steps at the local level. Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) recently met with leaders from the City of Anson and Jones County to discuss the operations of the Bluebonnet Detention Facility. During this meeting, Arrington addressed questions from his constituents and gathered insights from the facilitys workers and local agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to better understand the facilitys challenges and needs. He expressed his intention to bring this information back to the United States Capitol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taking the information back, working on the budget reconciliation, which is a piece of legislation that will carry the boatload of resources to build that infrastructure out to empower our ICE and Border Patrol agents, Arrington said. Arrington outlined how Department Of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cuts are helping ICE agents streamline the deportation process. The work of DOGE, Elon Musks outfit looking for ways to make the bureaucracy more accountable and more efficient, has actually impacted the day-to-day operations of ICE agents out here in West Texas. They feel like they can cut through the red tape and the bureaucracy, Arrington explained. The facility in Anson had been at a dead end before it was repurposed into an ICE detention center in 2019. Since then, the City Manager of Anson, Sonny Campell, says the facility has done a lot to help with the debt the city encored from the original infrastructure build. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Economically, having bluebonnets here has helped the city. Once they came in, and once we had Jodey Arrington help the city out with the USDA, this revenue that theyre generating for the city is making those payments. So, our debt has dropped considerably for that, Campell added. Congressman Arrington added that he had spoken with several law enforcement entities throughout the state, who informed him of how they now feel they are receiving the right kind of support from Washington with the new administrations policies, which they say have helped them conduct their jobs properly. 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 KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. GREENFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) Massachusetts congressman Jim McGovern was in Greenfield Tuesday night to hold a public town hall. Congressman Neal visits nonprofit affected by proposed Medicaid cuts Residents there packed the auditorium and outside of the Greenfield Middle School to share their concerns with McGovern over the current state of the country and the executive orders by the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McGovern called on residents to take actionencouraging them to keep participating in town hallsput pressure on elected officials and take part in the democratic process. People are deeply concerned and this is what democracy looks like, Congressman McGovern says. 750 People are packed in here, who disagree strongly with Trumps policies and dont want to lose our democracy. Its not an exaggeration to say our democracy is in peril right now and institutions arent going to save people. People are going to save people and thats what happening here. McGovern says that he plans to continue these meetings, especially within republican districts. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Congressman Joe Morelle recognized dozens of veterans on Tuesday in honor of National Vietnam War Veterans Day coming up this month. Congressman Joseph Morelle stands with local Vietnam veterans who were recognized on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (WROC/Emalee Burkhard.) Local members of the armed forces and their families were invited to Victor Town Hall for Tuesdays ceremony. March 29, 1973, is the day when the last U.S. Troops departed Vietnam. Also around that time, Hanoi released the last American prisoners of war. Ken Deisenroth speaks with News 8 during the March 18, 2025, Vietnam Veteran ceremony in Victor. (WROC/Emalee Burkhard.) Well, since Ive been out of the service, I got out in 68, this is the first time I have received anything, said Ken Dizzy Deisenroth, Army Infantry. Basically, we didnt talk about when we got out. You didnt even tell people you were in the service. You avoided anything. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bridge the Gap: RPD reads to Rochester students All of the veterans in attendance, as well as some who could not make the event, received a pin, which depicts the head of an Eagle, stripes of a blue color, a laurel wreath, and six stars representing the six allies that fought beside the U.S. in the Vietnam War. Pins given to veterans during Morelles Vietnam Veteran recognition in Victor on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (WROC/Emalee Burkhard.) 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 RochesterFirst. EASTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) Congressman Richard Neal visited one nonprofit organization on Tuesday that would lose funding through proposed Medicaid cuts. Medicaid is only one of the programs that would lose massive funding, but its one residents of Riverside Industries in Easthampton depend on. The House recently passed a new budget that would cut $880 billion from the Energy and Commerce Committee over the next ten years. Some criminals barred from shelter system under new regulations Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Medicaid is expected to receive the bulk of these cuts, depleting organizations like Riverside Industries of a large portion of funds. Congressman Neal told 22News about the reliance on Medicaid in Massachusetts. Fixty-six cents on the Medicaid dollar is for long-term care, Neal said. This is the reality of Medicaid and Medicare. Its well beyond advocacy. This is how people live. This is part of a $2 trillion spending cut that also involves the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Education. The budget also allows for a $4.5 trillion increase in tax breaks. Medicaid provides care for 72 million people across the country. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. VICKSBURG, Miss. ( WJTV ) U.S. Representative Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) spoke to Mississippi residents during a town hall on Tuesday to address concerns about budget cuts, federal layoffs and healthcare. Those in attendance voiced their frustrations and said theyre frightened by the current decisions being made in Washington, D.C., that trickle down to Mississippi. Mississippi Senate amends and passes House tax cut bill Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We need help for every dollar we send to Washington. We get about $2.50 back. And any time that cuts in Washington is really felt here in Mississippi. So, healthcare is important. Agriculture is important. Education is important. All the big ticket items go to the bottom line here in Mississippi. And if what we do in Washington adversely impacts Mississippi, then Im concerned and the public needs to be concerned, Thompson said. Many in attendance expressed concerns for loved ones who are employed by the federal government. The key topic Thompson pointed to was how he feels that the Trump Administration is turning its back on the people who make the nation run smoothly. This is not how you run the greatest country in the world. We function based on our good employees. Now, those good employees dont feel so good about the personnel system based on how theyre being treated. Were going to help fight. Weve joined some of the lawsuits in support of the employee because without them, our system of government will not work, he said. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News 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 WJTV. BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) A new method of addressing homelessness is currently being discussed in Bloomington. Monday night, Home Sweet Home Ministries CEO Matt Burgess went before Bloomington City Council to show what the non-profit is hoping to develop at the Oakland Avenue and Main Street: A non-congregate shelter village. Burgess said Home Sweet Home has, for the past 24 months, been trying to find a solution that brings people indoors. This project is their current solution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While they are stuck outside in their tent or under a pile of blankets somewhere, anybody at anytime can approach them, Burgess said. I cant imagine trying to sleep like that. In Burgesss presentation, he detailed that this would be a gated community of private single and double occupant sleeping cabins that would be fully staffed at all hours of the day, with on-site bathrooms in a central building. There would be 48 single-occupant cabins and 8 double-occupant cabins Billy Tyus, senior deputy city manager, explained the great relationship the city has with Home Sweet Home, and how theyve discussed housing options over the years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve talked with Home Sweet Home over the last several years, Tyus said. Weve been talking to them and working with them and other agencies just to try and find a way, creatively, to address the issue of homelessness. The issue of homelessness, Tyus said, is about the need for housing, the people are not the issue. He said the people are people. Its an issue thats not unique to Bloomington, Tyus said. Obviously, there are lots of communities who are struggling with trying to find housing for our unhoused populations. The capital development cost of the project was $2.5 million, which Burgess said is cost effective as opposed to constructing another shelter building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Home Sweet Home requested $1.34 million from McLean County with the rest being paid through donations and funds HSH Ministries has, Burgess said. He also said to have staff on duty year round and to pay all bills would cost around $700,000 per year. 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 CIProud.com. Conservative former federal Judge J. Michael Luttig on Tuesday warned about what he described as President Donald Trumps war on the rule of law in America and the unprecedented consequences for the country should Trump defy a federal court order or federal judge. Asked by MSNBCs Ali Velshi what will happen if Trump actually defies such an order, Luttig admitted: We dont know what happens. The country will be in a constitutional crisis as no president of the United States has flagrantly done so before, he noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The courts are considered the least powerful branch because they control neither the purse nor the sword and they have no effective means to enforce their orders other than by judgments of contempt that theoretically, but theoretically only, can be enforced by the marshals of the court, Luttig explained. So, as a practical matter, if the president of the United States defies even a Supreme Court order, there is nothing that the Supreme Court itself could do, he added. And this has been a very tempting thing for this president ever since his first term, as we all know. Luttigs admission came during a discussion on Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts recent rebuke of Trumps call to impeach judges who ruled against his immigration policies. Trumps recent actions are a full frontal assault on the Constitution, the rule of law, the federal judiciary, the American justice system and the nations legal profession, he said. When the president of the United States wages a war on the rule of law and the federal judiciary, Ali, America is in a constitutional crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch here: Related... HOLLAND, Mich. (WOOD) Concerned constituents contacted News 8 over the last few weeks indicating they could no longer get in touch with the Holland, Portage or Washington DC offices of U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland. Instead, a new phone tree answering machine is directing comments intended for the congressman to be submitted through his offices website. I think its a shame, one constituent in Holland said Tuesday. The congressman should be available to the people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To The Point: Reps Huizenga, Scholten on new era Im really disappointed, another 8th Street walker added. Huizengas communications director issued a written statement on the change. Recently, we instituted a phone tree to increase efficiency. A variety of factors contributed to this decision, including a significant increase in overall call volume as well as threats against both our staff and the Congressman, the director wrote, in part. Those same Holland constituents were disappointed in the conduct of their peers. I think thats terrible. There is no reason to threaten anybody. If you have concerns, talk about your concerns. Dont threaten the Congressman. Dont threaten the people that answer the phones. Thats just wrong, one said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our office remains focused on serving the roughly 775,000 people in the 4th Congressional District in the most effective way possible, while corresponding with thousands of Southwest Michigan residents each week, the statement continued. Since the Inauguration, the Congressman has responded to more than 29,000 questions and comments from constituents, while reaching out to nearly 100,000 constituents during two telephone town halls and sending more than 900,000 email updates to residents across Southwest Michigan. Those emails, though, have not always satisfied constituents. Ive gotten canned responses back and it doesnt seem like he is really listening to our concerns, one person said. I still think there are things you can communicate with your voice that cant really be communicated in an email, said another. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Huizenga talks priorities as Republicans prepare to control Congress, White House Others News 8 spoke to in Holland said the digital correspondence is a sign of the times and its time to get with it. I think it is good. Its not a problem. Anybody who has been around for a while you have to get with the times. Otherwise, it will leave you behind, said a constituent. Overall, this update has improved our ability to assist constituents who need help with a federal agency such as the Social Security Administration, the VA, or the IRS, the written statement from Huizengas office concluded. There remains an option on all three offices phone trees to leave a voicemail if you have an emergency related to casework with a federal agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 WOODTV.com. A boy waves a flag during a rally to support Palestinians in Rabat, Morocco, March 18, 2025. People gathered in a rally to support Palestinians in downtown Rabat on Tuesday to denounce the Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip early Tuesday morning. (Xinhua/Huo Jing) People take part in a rally to support Palestinians in Rabat, Morocco, March 18, 2025. People gathered in a rally to support Palestinians in downtown Rabat on Tuesday to denounce the Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip early Tuesday morning. (Xinhua/Huo Jing) People take part in a rally to support Palestinians in Rabat, Morocco, March 18, 2025. People gathered in a rally to support Palestinians in downtown Rabat on Tuesday to denounce the Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip early Tuesday morning. (Xinhua/Huo Jing) THE LONG-AWAITED CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS has now arrived. It is time for a court to say so. On Saturday night, James Boasberg, a federal judge in the District of Columbia, issued a pair of emergency orders. The government, he had just been told at a hastily convened hearing, was removing from the country, without due process, more than a hundred alleged gang members. The planes, he learned, were already in the air. To justify this stunning move, President Trump had issued a proclamation invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. At around 6:45 p.m., Boasberg orally ordered the planes turned around. Any plane containing these folks that is going to take off or is in the air needs to be returned to the United States, he ruled from the bench. This is something that you need to make sure is complied with immediately. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At 7:26 p.m., he issued a brief written order barring the government from relying on the Alien Enemies Act to remove noncitizens from the country. The government ignored both orders. Early the next morning, El Salvadors president, Nayib Bukele, posted on X a video showing the renditioned men arriving in his country and being hauled to prison. The United States is paying El Salvador to detain them in CECOT, its most repressive gang penitentiary. Oopsie . . . Too late, Bukele wrote mockingly, in a social media post about Judge Boasbergs stillborn orders. On Monday, Boasberg summoned the government back to court. The Justice Departments attorney argued that Boasbergs oral order wasnt binding because it wasnt in writing. (According to inside sources, the planes took off during the hearing itself.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boasberg was incredulous. Your first argument, he asked, is when I said those things, because I didnt say it in a minute order, . . . you didnt have to comply? The government has yet to disclose when exactly the planes departed. Boasberg has now ordered it to do so in a sealed filing by noon Wednesday. Share THIS IS NOT A SET OF PROCEDURAL MISSTEPS. It is not simple incompetence. It is malice toward our constitutional structure. Simply put, the Trump administration has begun its defiance of the courts in earnest. The Alien Enemies Act permits the president to remove alien enemies whose nation or government is waging a declared war or mounting an invasion or predatory incursion against the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The administration alleges that the men sent to El Salvador belong to Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang. It reasons as follows. First, Tren de Aragua qualifies as a nation or government, because it is part of a Venezuelan hybrid criminal state. Second, the gangs very presence on U.S. soil amounts to an invasion or predatory incursion. This is a breathtaking theory. Yet the administration contends that it is unreviewable in court. It cites a 1946 D.C. Circuit decision, Citizens Protective League v. Clark, which indeed says that the president may generally remove enemy aliens without resort or recourse to the courts. But the decision did not involve the kind of bad-faith statutory interpretation were seeing here. It goes on, moreover, to acknowledge that whether the individual involved is or is not an alien enemy remains open to judicial determination. Even that inquiry, the administration insists, is foreclosed. In its view, the president alone gets to determine what counts as an invasion, what counts as a government, and who counts as an enemy alien. Add it all up, and the president is asserting an unreviewable power to seize any person off the street and ship him to a dungeon abroad. Keep up with all our articles, newsletters, podcasts, and livestreams: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The administration claims that it carefully vetted each removed individual to ensure gang affiliation. That is not how due process works. Even a trustworthy prosecutor must prove his case in courtand this administration has repeatedly shown that it cannot be trusted. Sadly but unsurprisingly, credible reports are already emerging that some of the men removed last weekend are not gang members at all. The potential miscarriage of justice is staggering. There was no need for haste. The administration did not have to hustle these men onto planes the same day Trumps proclamation became public. It did not have to dispatch the planes in the middle of a court hearing. Sitting in custody, the men posed no imminent threat; there was no ticking time bomb. The administrations claim of urgency is an obvious fabrication. What were witnessing is a setup. The goal is to brush off a court order and get away with it. The administration barely pretends otherwise. In the courtroom, it offers threadbare excuses. Outside, its officials say the quiet part out loud. Trump denounced Boasberg as a Radical Left Lunatic and called for his impeachment (prompting Chief Justice John Roberts to issue a rare statement of reproach). Trumps press secretary claimed that the administration did not refuse to comply with Boasbergs orders, then promptly admitted that it hadbecause the orders lacked a lawful basis and came from a single judge in a single city. Were not stopping, Thomas Homan, Trumps border czar, announced on Monday. I dont care what the judges think. I dont care what the left thinks. Were coming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Share The Bulwark JUDGE BOASBERG FINDS HIMSELF in an unenviable position. If he orders the men returned, Bukele will scoff at him. If he imposes sanctions, the administration is likely to flout them. (It has already disobeyed one direct command. Why would it heed more of them?) The grim reality is that the administration does not believe in the rule of law. As an adviser reportedly told Rolling Stone, Trump has an army and the judiciary does not. Are they going to come and arrest him? (Where have we heard that before?) Boasberg should continue to demand information and compliance. He should uphold what order he can. But he should not deceive himself. The administration wants to place itself outside the legal system. In Trumps disturbing words: He who saves his Country does not violate any Law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What, then, should Boasberg do? He should announce, calmly, frankly, and clearly, that we have entered a constitutional crisis. In ordinary times, the power of a federal judge can seem vast. In extraordinary times, however, a judges only real strength may be his capacity to acknowledge his weakness. A judge who cannot hold the executive accountable to the law should say as much, firmly and publicly. A judge who can no longer uphold the Constitution remains well equipped to reveal that emergency to the nation. Boasberg might look to Justice Robert Jacksons famous dissent in Korematsu v. United States (1944)the notorious decision upholding the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. Jackson believed that he could not stop the military from taking drastic actionbut he refused to grant such action a legal imprimatur. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A civil court cannot be made to enforce an order which violates constitutional limitations, he insisted, even if it is a reasonable exercise of military authority. At some point, he explained, the republics fate has been thrown to forces beyond the courts control: If the people ever let command of the war power fall into irresponsible and unscrupulous hands, the courts wield no power equal to its restraint. The chief restraint upon those who command the physical forces of the country, in the future as in the past, must be their responsibility to the political judgments of their contemporaries and to the moral judgments of history. Jackson refused to take part in what amounted, in his mind, to a hollow proceeding. I would not lead people to rely on this Court, he wrote, for a review that seems to me wholly delusive. In no position (he thought) to issue a meaningful ruling, Jackson opted instead to issue a warning and sound an alarm. If Trump and his administration refuse to submit to judicial authority, Judge Boasberg should refuse to supply the dignity and ritual of proper judicial proceedings. He should declareopenly, bluntly, and oftenthat we are no longer engaged in constitutional business as usual. As a last resort, he should dismiss any part of the case that has, through persistent executive recalcitrance, devolved into a sham lawsuit. Responding to a defendants misconduct with dismissalseemingly rewarding the defendant with his desired outcome but in fact confirming that the court, locked in an unequal contest with an aspiring autocrat, has effectively been closedwould be a radical act. But we have stumbled into radical times. Judge Boasbergs final power is to tell the truth. Send this article to your friends and share it on social media: Share AIKEN, S.C.(WJBF) In a meeting on Tuesday, the Aiken County Council voted to allow contract proposals from the volunteer Wagener Fire District, after the matter was tabled last meeting. The battle to save the Wagener Fire Department has been ongoing since November. In the meeting on March 4, there was a passed motion to table the termination of the contract between Wagener Fire Department and Aiken County. Residents of Wagener showed up to that meeting to compel the commission to give Wagener Fire District, a volunteer group of firefighters, the chance to propose contracts to provide fire services to the town of Wagener and Aiken County. In Tuesdays meeting, the motion failed to remove the contract termination from the table to discuss it amongst the council. Later on, a motion was passed that will allow the Wagener Fire District to propose contracts to provide fire services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WJBF spoke to Ryan Jordan, a volunteer firefighter with the Wagener Fire District who told us, Its been hard of all of us, we call each other family. Weve been able to just see how it affects each other and to be in this moment right now, its not quite over. We still got to go fight with the town to make sure they sign everything over. But were finally getting somewhere. It feels like we were running in place, tripping and falling and going backwards a little bit but were here now. County Council Chairman Gary Bunker told representatives from the Fire District that the success of the Wagener Fire District would be contingent upon success contract proposals and negotiations between them, Aiken County, and the Town of Wagener, respectively. 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 WJBF. A convicted killer serving life in prison for four Los Angeles County slayings killed his wife during a conjugal visit, Northern California sheriff's officials announced. Stephanie Brinson, 62, was killed in November by her husband, David Brinson, 54, at Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, the Amador County Sheriffs Office said this week. In 1994, Brinson was sentenced to four consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole for killing four men during a robbery at a Los Angeles apartment, The Times reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is currently incarcerated at the California Health Care Facility in Stockton. Around 2 a.m. on Nov. 13, Brinson contacted officers and told them his wife had passed out, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Officers attempted lifesaving efforts, but Stephanie Brinson was pronounced dead at 2:51 a.m. Amador County Dist. Atty. Todd Riebe confirmed that Stephanie Brinson was killed during a conjugal visit. He said he hadn't received the reports from Mule Creek to make a charging decision. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. CONWAY, S.C. (WBTW) Conway leaders this week approved a tax perk package to ease the way for redevelopment of the flagging Coastal Centre Mall site along Church Street. Rise Partners, which acquired the property in October, is eligible to recoup all building permit fees along with half of water and sewer costs, a five-year reimbursement of business license and hospitality fees and a 10-year reimbursement of property taxes. The perks come through an incentive program for buildings of at least 25,000 square feet to encourage large-scale economic development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because this project so very directly fits the intent of the council relative to putting this program in place, I move that we approve, Mayor Barbara Blain-Bellamy said at a Monday council meeting. The mall opened in 1980 and has a taxable value of $4.1 million, according to Horry County property records. For years, it hosted a KMart, but that store closed in 2017. Rise acquired the property from Gator Investments, which owns the Waccamaw Square just across the street from Coastal Centre. In November, councilmembers approved a measure classifying the Coastal Centre mall site as vacant, giving Rise Partners a chance to recoup up to $700,000 a year through the South Carolina Abandoned Buildings Revitalization Act in exchange for its investment at the 1600 Church Street property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Extending the reimbursement of the property taxes collected by the City of Conway for up to 10 years would provide a greater economic impact on the project cost as well as the desire to implement the best possible development design, city staff wrote. * * * Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his 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. Coroner: No foul play suspected in death of missing Alabama hiker Vendula Wendy Rose BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) After a lengthy autopsy, officials have determined that no foul play was associated with the death of a hiker who was found dead near Cheaha State Park after going missing for months last year. On Tuesday, the Cleburne County Sheriffs Department released a statement concluding that Vendula Rose, who went missing while hiking in east Alabama in mid-September and was found dead in a hammock at the end of November, did not die a suspicious death. Law Enforcement Officials, Cleburne County Coroner (Adam) Downs, and the State Medical Examiners have worked diligently to ensure a comprehensive review of all available evidence, the department stated. The results confirm that Ms. Roses death was not the result of any criminal activity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When reached for comment, Downs said Roses death was because of a combination of things, but he did not want to release it out of respect for the family. Rose, who went by Wendy, grew up in the Czech Republic and came to the U.S. in 2001. For a couple of years, she and her family lived in the Birmingham area, where her family said she liked to hike, but they eventually settled in Ohio. On Sept. 20, Rose had driven from her home in Maryville, Ohio, to Cheaha State Park for a hike. By Oct. 5, her car had been found abandoned at the Pinhoti Trail Head. On Nov. 30, a hunter discovered Roses body in a hammock in the woods off Hwy. 281, roughly a mile from where her car had been found. We extend our deepest sympathies to Ms. Roses family, friends, and all those affected by this loss, Cleburne County Sheriff Jon Daniel said. We understand that this has been a difficult time for many, and we appreciate the patience and cooperation of everyone involved during the investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Hillsborough County is taking the next step to get approval for a plan to move the sheriffs office headquarters out of Ybor City. The county is looking for public input and will open an online forum for neighbors to weigh in from March 19 through March 30. Missing teen paddleboarders found safe after disappearing off Florida coast The swap is expected to provide more space to the growing sheriffs office, and create more development in Ybor City. The land swap proposal would create a mixed-use development on the 8.3 acre property in Ybor City. Developer Darryl Shaw and his Ybor City Holdings group is offering a land swap deal to move the office to 25.07 acres of land just off the Selmon Expressway to a property on Delaney Lake Drive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The land has a 140,000-square-foot office building that was constructed in 2005. The property also has a 502-space parking garage and has the capacity for a 260,000 square foot office expansion. The proposed HCSO public safety center would need to include the construction of a new communications center and communications tower to support public safety operations. The requirement when we move over is to make sure that the essential public safety services come over there. So thats going to be a building and a tower, we positioned it in the back of the property where we think its appropriate for several reasons, and we want the public to see what were doing, said John Muller, Facilities Director with Hillsborough County. So far Hillsborough County Commissioners have supported the idea, but the deal still needs final approval. The next step in the process is getting feedback from the public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were looking for the publics feedback and we want them to keep in mind that this is an essential service, site, and its something that we selected to provide that, not only for now, and with the long-term future. Really what we find best is to just hear from the public, said Muller. Sheriff Chad Chronister has previously said they need more room to expand as they grow as a department. Theres a potential hundred million dollar savings by virtue of moving us now, versus waiting years down the road to move us, said Sheriff Chronister. If you would like to weigh in on the plan from March 19 March 30, click here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. AUSTIN (KXAN) A concurrent resolution filed in the Texas House of Representatives could soon designate the tomahawk ribeye as the official steak of Texas but theres a bit of beef between the House and Senate on which steak cut is supreme. Rep. Ken King (R-Canadian), filed House Concurrent Resolution 101 in response to the Senate Concurrent Resolution 26, which had proposed renaming the New York Strip steak as the Texas Strip and classifying it as the official state steak. In a social media post last week, King grilled the Senate for its selection of the strip steak to receive the designation one he deemed an objectively inferior cut of meat. Would you eat a Texas Strip?: Texas Lt. Gov. in talks to change name of this famous steak cut Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Texas House is raising the steaks today, and we have a bone to pick with anyone who disputes that the tomahawk ribeye is the most premium cut in the Lone Star State, King said in a statement. While the Texas Senate butters up a lesser cut, we wont let them outflank our efforts to sear the tomahawks rightful place in Texas history. The Senates Texas Strip might shine on a sizzling plate of fajitas, but when it comes to the superior steak, the tomahawk ribeye is a cut above the rest. I look forward to steering this resolution to passage. New York restaurant beefs with officials over proposed Texas Strip steak Representatives discussed that concurrent resolution as part of the Texas House of Representatives Committee on State Affairs on Wednesday. This is probably the most important piece of legislation were going to take up today, King joked while introducing the concurrent resolution, which he said is designed to acknowledged the important role the cattle industry has played in Texas economy and history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, HCR 101 is left pending following its discussion Wednesday. The Texas chambers arent the only ones throwing barbs over the official state steak. A New York restaurant owner said he filed a lawsuit earlier this month after Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called on the Texas Senate to change the name of the New York Strip to the Texas Strip. The Albany War Room Tavern, a restaurant and bar located in the New York capital, is the business being the litigation. On March 3, a representative for the restaurants owner, Todd Shapiro, said he would file the $1 million suit against the State of Texas in the coming weeks. Shapiro later confirmed in a radio show interview March 5 that his lawyers filed a suit the previous day in Manhattan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think [Patricks] using a cheap publicity stunt. I mean, you know, he should worry about the measles right now as an outbreak is going on right now with Texas, Shapiro said. I mean, peoples lives are in trouble and hes worried about changing the name of the steak. I mean, that doesnt sound like good government to me. 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. ROME, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Up to 40 migrants are believed to have died after their boat capsized in rough seas in the central Mediterranean, while another 10 were rescued, Italian authorities and the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said on Wednesday. The ten survivors, including four women, were taken to the tiny island of Lampedusa in the early hours of the morning, and assisted by the Red Cross, according to the Italian coastguard. The boat involved in the shipwreck was an inflatable rubber dinghy that had left the port of Sfax, Tunisia, on Monday with at least 56 people on board, a representative of UNHCR-Italy said on social media. The passengers were reportedly from Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Mali and Guinea. The coastguard also recovered the bodies of ten people who drowned after the shipwreck, and brought them ashore. Rescue operations for the other missing people were still underway on Wednesday, involving aircraft provided by Italy's coastguard, police, and army, as well as the European Union's border agency Frontex. Rescuers would "take turns flying over the area to the particularly adverse weather conditions," the coast guard warned. The central Mediterranean is a key route for people seeking to reach Europe in search of a better life or safety, and one of the deadliest as well. At least 27,016 migrants and refugees have reached southern European countries so far in 2025, and more than 25,900 of them made it by sea from northern African countries. Of these, some 8,936 people have arrived in Italy (up to March 19), compared to 8,630 in the same period last year, according to the Italian Interior Ministry. At the same time, the UNHCR said at least 214 people have died or gone missing during the dangerous crossing. Looking at UNHCR data from 2013 to 2024, the number of dead and missing exceeds 30,600. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WMBD) An award-winning country music star will return to the Illinois State Fair in August. Brad Paisley will perform on the Illinois Lottery Grandstand Stage during the Illinois State Fair on Aug. 14., an Illinois Department of Agriculture news release stated. He is one of country musics most decorated male solo artists with three GRAMMYs, two American Music Awards, 15 Academy of Country Music Awards, and 14 Country Music Association Awards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three-peat, Grandstand crowd favorite, Brad Paisley is always welcome at the Illinois State Fair, Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II said. His award-winning songwriting and showmanship are unmatched, and were honored to bring him back to our Grandstand. Tickets for the show will go on sale on March 22 at 10 a.m. and will be available for purchase here. Tickets will cost from $55 to $125 depending on the tier. The 2025 Illinois State Fair will run from Aug. 7 through Aug. 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 CIProud.com. Frederick County on Monday released a draft of its 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment which illustrates the countys demographics and current picture of health for public feedback to incorporate into the final version to be released in May. The draft can be accessed on the Frederick County Health Departments website at health.frederickcountymd.gov/CHNA2025. Community members can submit comments online at www.surveymonkey.com/r/FC2025CHNA until April 4. The health department releases a Community Health Needs Assessment every three years, and each assessment focuses on different, updated priorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2025 assessments priorities are: * Lack of access to affordable healthy food * Inadequate affordable housing supply * Lack of awareness of accessibility of mental health resources * Stigma around mental health * Institutional and systemic racism The previous Community Health Needs Assessment, which came out in 2022, focused on mental health, adverse childhood experiences and type 2 diabetes. This assessment is part of the Local Health Improvement Process, a collaboration between the county health department, Frederick Health and the Coalition for a Healthier Frederick County. After the assessment comes out, a Local Health Improvement Plan outlining how to address these priorities and the countys health status through policies, programs and other initiatives is created. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The assessment is more than 80 pages and includes a community profile of the county, takeaways from focus groups, and data on health factors and outcomes including quality of life, health behaviors, socio-economic factors, and clinical care. The draft said the picture of Frederick Countys health is consistent with previous reports, as well as with other health assessments and that the countys health is often better than the states overall. However, chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease are still the leading causes of death and impact significantly more people compared to the other nine causes of death in the assessment. Social and environmental issues like trying to get affordable housing and food are also top concerns for residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rissah Watkins, the director for the county health departments Office of Planning, Assessment and Communication, writes the assessment. Frederick County is still one of the fastest growing counties in the state, and its population continues to diversify and age. Watkins said the ways the county has vastly changed in the last 25 years stood out to her, particularly how its diversity has increased. The population increased from about 271,000 in 2020 to about 293,000 in 2023. That trend continued from 2023 to 2024 the countys population increased by over 5,000 people, to about 299,000. In 2023, 67.6% of the population was white, 12.1% was Black, 11.9% was Hispanic or Latino, and 6.3% was Asian. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Between 2000 and 2023, all racial and ethnic populations have grown in the county notably, the Hispanic or Latino population grew by 730%. Frederick County population changes, 2000-2023 The draft assessment said residents were more likely to experience barriers to accessing health care in 2024 compared to 2021, which was covered in the previous Community Health Needs Assessment. More than half of residents last year 52% experienced barriers, such as long appointment wait times, clinics not accepting new patients and inconvenient appointment times, according to a 2024 community survey sent out as part of creating the assessment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, residents also were more likely to have experienced discrimination in a medical setting compared to 2021. As part of creating this assessment, a steering committee hosted several focus groups for: * LGBTQ+ residents * People who feel lonely or isolated and make less than $75,000 * Parents or guardians who are worried about having a steady place to live * Hispanic or Latino residents ages 30 or younger * Black or African American residents The draft assessment said there are concerns that Frederick has expanded beyond its capabilities. Members of the focus group for parents and guardians said the cost of living and barriers to resources are significant stressors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One individual said they had been looking for free or affordable legal services, but then I got rejected because [of] a lot of restrictions that I didnt fall into. LGBTQ+ residents also said overcrowding was an obstacle, as it limits access to health care, housing and community resources. Black and African American residents urged the county to promote anti-racism in schools. People also reported traveling outside of the county to find health care providers who share their identity. Young Hispanic residents said a lack of free and accessible translation services in health care and education settings is a major challenge for their community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watkins said that the changes in the countys demographics really were echoed in our focus groups, and while people appreciated the communitys diversity, they felt the impact of the rapid growth. She also said the county saw indicators of the loneliness epidemic, something thats been covered by national news outlets, in the countys residents. Compared to the 2022 assessment, feelings of loneliness and isolation were more prevalent in this assessment. The assessment said that 12% of respondents in the 2024 community survey reported they often or always feel lonely. Additionally, 32% talk to people they feel close to less than three times a week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2021 community survey that helped create the 2022 assessment found that 11% of respondents often or always felt lonely. Additionally, 23% reported talking to people they care about less than three times a week. Many people in our community are feeling a need for more social connection, and the loneliness and isolation that some felt during the pandemic has not really gone away, Watkins said. She also said residents expressed more concern in 2024 than in 2021 about affording basic necessities and food. This could possibly be caused by residents not having additional support, such as stimulus checks, to assist them, something that was in effect in 2021 as the world was still grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The countys life expectancy is higher and steadier than the states, and white residents continue to have a higher life expectancy than Black residents. Out of white men and women and Black men and women, Black men had the lowest life expectancy in the county. Frederick County life expectancy by race and sex, 2016-2022 LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) The 50th District Court of Oakland County has revoked the communication rights of Kelli Bryant, who was arrested for abandoning her children in horrible conditions for three years. Her rights were suspended for one week, with the court confirming a motion filed by Oakland County Prosecutor Karen D. McDonald. Kelli Marie Bryans booking photograph. (Photo: Oakland County Sheriff) As a result of the order, Bryant wont be able to use a telephone, tablet, or video communication device. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney stated that jail records show Bryant called the childrens caregiver 10 times between March 8 and March 12, 2025, to discuss her criminal case, violating her no-contact order. They say Bryant had other inmates in jail call her childrens caregiver on her behalf. Oakland County Sheriffs Office deputies arrested Bryant after she abandoned her three children for years, leaving them in horrendous living conditions. Bryant was charged with three counts of first-degree child abuse and three counts of welfare fraud. Shes being held on a $50,000 cash bond at the Oakland County Jail. Mother arrested after leaving 3 children to live alone for years Statement issued by Prosecutor McDonald: I am grateful for Judge Walkers decision to protect the juvenile victims in this case and suspend Kelli Bryants communications privileges for one week. Ms. Bryants multiple contacts with her childrens caregiver put them at risk and violated the court order. The continued safety and wellbeing of the three children remain our primary concern as we move forward prosecuting this case. Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald, news release 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. This article was first published in the State of Faith newsletter. Sign up to receive the newsletter in your inbox each Monday night. Its been five years since COVID-19 hit the U.S. and forced Americans to hunker down at home. That means its also been five years since churches across the country had to dramatically rethink their worship routines and start holding online meetings. Its incredible to reflect on all the challenges that congregations were able to overcome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And given all those challenges and the corresponding adjustments, its incredible how few Americans believe the pandemic changed their religious or spiritual life. Just 10% of U.S. adults report that the COVID-19 pandemic had a lot of impact on their religious or spiritual lives, while 20% say the pandemic had a little impact. About seven-in-ten Americans (69%) say the pandemic had no impact at all on their religious or spiritual lives," according to a 2024 survey from Pew Research Center. Among those who said the pandemic affected them religiously or spiritually, 10% experienced a mostly positive change, while 9% experienced a mostly negative change, Pew reported. Its interesting to me to bring this 2024 survey into conversation with Pews more recent report on the American religious landscape. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The newer report showed that the share of Americans who identify as religious nones stopped growing around 2019 and has stabilized around 29%. Although Pew did not dig into potential causes of the stabilization, several religion experts told me that the COVID-19 pandemic likely played a role by keeping people who might otherwise have fallen away from religious participation engaged with their church. These people might have responded well to new online worship options or more intentional outreach efforts from church leaders, or they might have felt newly grateful for their religious community as they wrestled with pandemic-related grief and fear. If thats the case, would these near dropouts have answered yes to the survey question about whether the pandemic affected your religious or spiritual life? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maybe, but maybe not. Its possible that they never thought of themselves as potential dropouts and, for that reason, feel like their religious habits are unchanged. Fresh off the press Trump administration reportedly considering broad travel ban Why Rick Pitino keeps making jokes about Ramadan Pope Francis entered the hospital 1 month ago. Heres whats happened since then Utah couple competing on The Amazing Race describes meeting at the Missionary Training Center Unruly passenger booked into jail after swallowing rosary beads during flight Term of the week: Scopes monkey trial One hundred years ago, in March 1925, Tennessee lawmakers banned school lessons on evolution and set the groundwork for one of the most famous legal battles of all time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Scopes monkey trial, as it came to be known, pitted state officials and a conservative Christian attorney against the ACLU and an agnostic attorney. The case centered on a question of what teachers could and couldnt say about science and religion. Roughly 1,000 people and reporters from more than 100 newspapers attended each day of the trial, which took place in July 1925, per The Associated Press. Tennessee officials won the legal battle, but the ACLU scored important legislative victories nationwide as a result of the case. More than 20 anti-evolution theory bills were defeated in statehouses across the U.S. shortly after the Scopes trial, the AP reported. What Im reading... Inside Higher Ed recently dove into Georgetown Universitys faith-based defense of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, or DEI, initiatives, noting that religious freedom laws may protect religious schools from the Trump administrations interference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Believe it or not, empathy has fallen out of favor in some political and religious circles. Elon Musk, theology professor Joe Rigney and others have argued that feeling empathy can make you weak and lead you down dangerous paths. Philosophy professor Michael C. Rea explored their concerns in a column for Religion News Service, arguing that we should be careful not to talk ourselves out of connecting with people in need. The Vaticans central phone number is public, which means that if youre worried about the popes long illness, you can call to check in. The Associated Press recently spoke with some of the nuns tasked with answering that phone. Odds and ends To mark the fifth anniversary of the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, I tracked down the first few stories I wrote about religion and the coronavirus: CAROLINA FOREST, S.C. (WBTW) The Covington Drive wildfire reached 80% containment on Tuesday afternoon as crews continue use of a special suppression system to keep it under control. A Florida Fire Service official told News13 that efforts to douse the 2,059-acre blaze made headway thanks to favorable weather conditions and an aggressive mastication effort that grinds up vegetation to remove fuel sources. More than 500 personnel from multiple states have been part of firefighting efforts since the blaze sparked on March 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * * * Gracie is a multimedia journalist at News 13 and is from Cleveland, Ohio. Gracie joined the team in June 2023 after graduating from the University of Alabama in May. Follow Gracie on Facebook, Instagram and X, formerly Twitter, & read more of her work here. * * * Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Liberal candidate Susan Crawfords campaign is up with a new ad tying conservative candidate Brad Schimel to Elon Musk in the high-stakes Wisconsin Supreme Court race. How corrupt is Brad Schimel? Lets count the ways, a narrator says in the 30-second ad, news of which was first shared with The Hill. One, Schimel gave a plea deal to a man caught with child porn. After the mans lawyer gave his campaign thousands of dollars. Two, Schimel let 6,000 rape kits sit untested for years, then lied about it, it continues. Three, now Elon Musk is trying to buy Schimel a seat on the Supreme Court because he knows Schimel always helps his big campaign donors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The narrator concludes: Thats Brad Schimel, and hes way too corrupt for the Supreme Court. The ad will be aired on cable and broadcast statewide, predominantly in the Milwaukee and Madison markets. Its the first time Crawfords campaign is invoking Musk in one of her ads. Schimels campaign hit back at Crawfords ad in a statement to The Hill. While Susan Crawford plays the victim and the media falls for her spin, she has spent more than any judicial candidate in American history thanks to George Soros, Reid Hoffman, and JB Pritzker funneling money to her campaign, spokesperson Jacob Fischer wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She sees the April 1 election as the path to a new gerrymander that will flip 2 seats to the Democrats, Fischer added. He was referencing reporting that Crawford appeared on a donor advisory briefing, which was advertised in an emailed subject line as Time-sensitive: Chance to put two more House seats in play for 2026 implying she would vote favorably on congressional districting litigation brought by Democrats. Crawford has said there was no mention of congressional redistricting on the call and that she was only there to offer a small biography about herself and why she was running. Her campaign has said she hasnt commented publicly or privately on the congressional maps. The Democratic judicial candidates campaign has spent at least $22 million in advertising in total in the race compared to Schimels campaign, which has spent about $9.3 million, according to The Wall Street Journal, which cited figures from AdImpact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crawford and Schimel are competing for an open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court next month to replace retiring liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley. The April 1 election will determine the ideological balance of the court, which currently has a 5-4 liberal majority with Bradley. Crawfords campaign ad also references a plea deal that involved Schimel when he was Waukesha County district attorney. His office had charged a man with a count of child pornography possession. The defendants attorney wrote to Schimel at one point, noting they had had several informal conferences regarding the case and that it was his understanding that Schimels office would recommend the three-year mandatory minimum sentence in prison and then a subsequent three-year extended supervisory period if his client pleaded guilty, according to a letter obtained by Wisconsin Watch. The case was developing while Schimel was running for Wisconsin attorney general. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Waukesha County district attorneys office ultimately recommended those terms in the sentencing hearing, according to WPR. Schimel was serving as state attorney general by the time of the hearing. Multiple news outlets have noted that the defendants lawyer had made thousands of dollars of campaign contributions to Schimel between 2013 and 2014. The conservative candidate denied that the campaign contributions created a conflict of interest in a statement to WPR in January and noted hes received contributions for past campaign runs from attorneys. He told the news outlet that theres nothing about this that has resulted in anything underhanded. The ad also touches on Schimels handling of untested rape kits when he was Wisconsin attorney general. The Green Bay Press-Gazette reported in February 2017 that Schimels office had tested nine rape kits from a backlog of roughly 6,000. He had already served two years as the states top prosecutor at that point and had received grant money to aid in testing the kits. By September 2018, more than 4,100 rape kits had been tested and Schimel defended his handling of the matter, saying at the time it was a capacity question, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and noting that officials ramped up testing once they were able to get three labs aiding in the testing efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ad also references Musks involvement in this years Wisconsin Supreme Court race. Musk said it was important to vote Republican in the race, though the election is technically nonpartisan. Schimel is the only conservative candidate running for the spot. Musks super PAC, America PAC, has spent close to $6.6 million in support of Schimel and to oppose Crawford, according to the latest campaign finance filing available Wednesday morning. Building Americas Future, a group thats received funding from the tech billionaire in the past, is spending $4.5 million so far in the race. Musk is not the only major player investing in the race; Republicans note Democratic donors like George Soros and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker have also spent heavily. During the only televised debate between Schimel and Crawford, Schimel said he was looking for the support of Wisconsin voters and said he cant control what other groups do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were not allowed to coordinate with outside groups. I dont I havent solicited that money from them, he said during the debate when asked about the contributions hes received generally. Theyve made this decision on their own to support my campaign, and theyve decided what their messaging looks like without any assistance from me. 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. Mar. 19Hutton remembered for artwork, teaching career SOUTH POINT One of the region's most accomplished and acclaimed artists is being remembered for his dedication to his craft, as well as his impact on generations of students. Former Marshall University fine arts professor Robert Hutton died March 10 at age 86. Dr. Mark Zanter, director of the Marshall University School of Art and Design, said they "extend our deepest condolences on the passing of Professor Emeritus Robert Hutton." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "His remarkable contributions to our school, along with his dedication to fostering creativity and excellence, have left an indelible mark on both our institution and the broader community," Zanter said. "Our thoughts are with family, friends, and all who were touched by Robert's work as a professor, artist and arts advocate." Hutton, who taught for 29 years at the university, before retiring in 1999, was also co-owner, with his wife Robin, of the Hutton Wayfarer Gallery in South Point. "It's a great loss for the art community," Larry Rees, who teaches photography at the Huntington Museum of Art, and worked as an adjunct professor at Marshall said. "Mr. Hutton was just a really nice guy," Rees said, noting the artist's constant outpouring of work, well into retirement. "He didn't make a lot of noise and was soft spoken, and he was the most even keeled-guy I ever met." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A native of Pittsburgh, Hutton began his art career at the age of 16, when he created a piece, "Our Savior," a sculptural head, depicting Jesus Christ, establishing the spiritual themes that would run through much of his seven-decade career. Hutton worked in youth in commercial art studios and took night classes at Carnegie Mellon University, before, at the age of 20, entering the Society of the Divine Word, serving as a lay brother for five years in New York and Illinois. While in the order, he continued to work as an artist, producing illustrations and taking painting courses at the Chicago Art Institute. From there, he earned a B.F.A. in painting from Carnegie Mellon University, and an M.F.A. in drawing and sculpture at Penn State University. He began teaching at Marshall University in 1970, as a professor in art, with classes including drawing, watercolor painting, 3-D design, figure drawing and overseeing the school's sculpture program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former graphics design professor Mary Grassell worked alongside Hutton in the department for seven years. "He was one of the established professors when I started in 1992," she said. "I respected him a great deal, and he was always respectful of me." Grassell described Hutton as "a force for the students," and said he closely followed the skills and progress of those he instructed. "He paid attention to each student," she said. She said Hutton was also vocal on the needs of students and other faculty members. "He was an activist," she said. "He was always outspoken and not afraid to speak up or be unpopular. And he was always respected." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following his retirement from the university, Hutton, as professor emeritus, concentrated on working full time as an artist from his home studio. Among the notable works he produced were a bronze portrait commission of Dr. Charles Holzer Jr., on display at Holzer Health System's Gallipolis location, as well as the puzzle tile mural, a 13-foot long piece that was unveiled, with great fanfare, in Marshall University's Education Building in 2019. Comprised of 440-individual ceramic tiles and taking three and a half years to complete, it depicts the history of the university's former lab school, where Hutton began his teaching career (and met his wife, to whom he was married for more than five decades). Hutton said he wanted to incorporate the grout lines of the work as part of the design, rather than use a traditional grid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I chose a more freeform style," he told The Tribune in a 2019 interview. "But the lines between each piece bring harmony and unity." The work is divided into five panels, representing different aspects of education, such as students, teachers, sports, academics, theater, visual arts and graduation. "I saw it all laid out, when I visited his studio," Grassell said of viewing the work in progress. "And it was amazing." Also in 2019, Hutton, along with his wife, opened the Hutton Wayfarer Gallery on their farm. The two-story building featured not only visiting exhibits from artists, but also housed a permanent, rotating collection of Hutton's extensive career. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The gallery was named for "The Wayfarer," one of Hutton's paintings and a favorite of his works. "Most artists have the natural human desire to communicate and touch people's lives," Hutton told The Tribune when he opened the gallery. "As a visual artist, I explore my own private world, and in the process, I discover personal meaning and truth. However, the final phase of the creative cycle is for others to share in the artist's vision." The Huttons persevered through a number of challenges after the gallery's opening first, the COVID-19 pandemic, which curtailed social gatherings, followed by damage to the studios and building from a round of ice storms that hit the area in 2022. But, most difficult of all, was a 2021 car accident that hindered Hutton's mobility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was in recovery from those injuries, that Hutton showed his persistence and commitment to his art. Beginning in bed, he returned to an extensive series of Gospel-themed works, which he had started in 2019, with oil pastels, which continued into a series of paintings. "He had such perseverance," Lillianne Bowersock, former owner of the Watercolor Dreams gallery in Huntington, said. "He was always so positive." She said she knew Hutton through her late husband, Bruce, a fellow artist who taught as an adjunct instructor at Marshall during Hutton's tenure. "They were always talking about art together," she said of their visits in retirement. "It was their purpose." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another who recalled Hutton's prolific work was Katherine Cox, a Willow Wood artist and former education director for the Huntington Museum of Art. "I admired his passion and for being an unrelenting artist to the very end," Cox, who had a solo show at Hutton's gallery, said. "He was quietly productive, and I would like to have that unrelenting passion." Her husband, Jonathan, was hired as Hutton's successor, teaching sculpture at Marshall for two decades. He said that he saw Hutton's character during the job search for the position. "When I came to Marshall, he stayed out of the interviews and said he would stand back from the process," he said. "And I could tell he was a really genuine, very kind person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said Hutton respected him in making the position his own, and said he would also be available to help, if needed. "He was really wonderful, after I started" he said. Katherine Cox said she particularly admired Hutton's clay sculpture work. "I really liked those pieces," she said. "You could see the movement of his hands in the clay. I'd like to be expressive like that in my work." Grassell said she drawn to Hutton's watercolor work. "I was really impressed with his series toward the end," she said, describing his method as "revolutionary." She noted that rather than over painting colors, he experimented by having his colors side by side in the work. "They had a different life, and were vibrant," she said. "The colors were bold and not subtle. And there was nothing subtle in any way about him" Hutton's work was exhibited in numerous locations and shows in his lifetime, including the New York Academy of Design and the Smithsonian's traveling exhibit. Most recently, his work, "Ephaphatha: Be Open, was selected, then published in the September 2024 Give Us This Day, a monthly Catholic Devotional from Liturgical Press, that had a print run of 97,000 copies. "He was a great man and a great artist," Grassell said. "He will be missed in the community and by all in art." Hutton is survived by his wife; daughters, Rachael Barker and Emily Hutton LaGrow; siblings, Frank Hutton, Elizabeth Vinch, Mary Lynn Rankin and John W. Cleer, Jr.; as well as nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews; and his cousin and best friend, Wally Heron. A celebration of life, funeral Mass and eulogy will take place at 10 a.m. March 22 at Sacred Heart Church, located at 2015 Adams Ave. in Huntington, followed by receiving line / visitation with refreshments, slideshow and additional memory sharing in the parish hall until 1 p.m. Burial of urn will be private for family members. Crews battle fire at Lebanon County mobile home LEBANON COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) Firefighters battled a mobile home fire in Lebanon County on Wednesday morning. According to a Facebook post from Bunker Hill Fire Company, multiple crews responded to Old State Road in Swatara Township around 7 a.m. for a reported mobile home fire. According to the Bunker Hill Fire Company, no one was home at the time of the fire. Images from the scene show the mobile home missing walls and the inside completely burned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fire officials say no one was injured, and firefighters are investigating the cause of the fire. This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more 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 ABC27. KIEV, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he will hold phone talks with U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported. "I will be in contact with President Trump today. We will discuss the details with him today, including...the details of the next steps," he said. Zelensky said he hopes that Trump would share details of his recent phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. On Tuesday, Trump and Putin agreed that the movement to peace in Ukraine "will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on the implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire and permanent peace," the White House said in a statement. Hundreds of people, most of them Latino, attend a Hispanic Cultural Day rally outside the Oklahoma State Capitol on May 15 to protest House Bill 4156, which created the criminal offense of impermissible occupation. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY People who enter the United States without legal authorization can now be arrested and jailed in Oklahoma, the federal government said, but groups challenging the controversial anti-immigration law say enforceability remains unclear. The DOJ, under the Trump administration, on Friday voluntarily dismissed its challenge against Oklahomas law that created the crime of impermissible occupation. The lawsuit was filed during Joe Bidens presidency, but was dropped as President Donald Trump continues to make immigration and mass deportations a priority of his administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The voluntary dismissal terminates the action and dissolves the preliminary injunction, according to the U.S. Department of Justices Monday filing in Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummonds appeal of an order that prevented the laws enforcement. Phil Bacharach, a spokesperson for Drummonds office, said the attorney generals office is reviewing the situation for clarity, but at least the federal government appears to indicate it believes the law is enforceable. Drummond applauded the dismissal Friday and said in a statement that it marked the start of a new day for public safety in Oklahoma. The controversial law, signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt in April, created the crime of impermissible occupation and allows Oklahoma law enforcement to arrest people who are in the U.S. without legal authorization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 law was previously put on hold by a federal judge days before it was supposed to go into effect this summer in response to two enjoined lawsuits arguing that House Bill 4156 circumvents federal authority to enforce immigration law. One lawsuit came from the federal government under the Biden administration and a similar case was filed by private plaintiffs, which includes the advocacy group Padres Unidos de Tulsa and individual clients. Drummond had appealed the injunction, issued by a federal judge in the United States District Court Western District of Oklahoma, in July to the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. Elissa Stiles, an attorney for Padres Unidos, said Wednesday the group will continue to challenge the controversial law and would be filing another injunction expeditiously. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said it was unclear if the previously issued injunction is still in effect, making the enforceability of the law unclear. The private plaintiffs Sunday asked the courts to reconsider their individual case before allowing enforcement. The filing from DOJ said while the private plaintiffs are free to seek a preliminary injunction in their own case, they cannot use Drummonds appeal as the vehicle to do so as the order appealed from has been dissolved. House lawmakers have also advanced a separate measure to the Senate that would repeal House Bill 4156 and create a new felony for being in the country illegally. It allows 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. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Felonies The following people were booked into the Lee County-Tupelo Adult Jail in connection with felony charges ending Monday at 11 a.m. Tori Clark, 34, no address listed, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, possession of a firearm by a felon. Marquez D. Conway, 33, of Okolona, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, possession of a firearm by a felon. Timothy Gerald Gentry, 55, of Booneville, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, violation of post-release supervision, false ID. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Josh Hood, 56, of Fulton, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, possession of contraband in a correctional facility. Matthew A. McCarver, 47, of Baldwyn, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, two counts of possession of a Schedule II drug, no seat belt, possession of paraphernalia. Anthony Wayne Meadows, 35, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, burglary of a building, no seat belt, expired drivers license. Adam Lee Uselton, 35, of Cullman, Alabama, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, warrant for another agency. Reginald L. Watkins, 48, of Verona, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, violation of the Intensive Supervision Program, domestic violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ricky Ray Williams, 53, of Houlka, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, possession of a Schedule II drug, tint law violation, contempt of court. Lee County Sheriffs Office The following reports were filed Monday by the Lee County Sheriffs Office. A County Road 1850, Tupelo, man said while he was out of town working, someone entered his unlocked vehicle and stole his Glock 9mm pistol from the glove box. A Whitewater Lane, Saltillo, man said a black-and-white pit bull came onto his property and charged at him growling. He said the dog is not from his neighborhood. It was wearing a black harness and left heading down the road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A County Road 325, Shannon, man said a Black man in a Tahoe pulled into his driveway Saturday afternoon and got stuck after leaving ruts in the yard. The man said he could not leave his residence because the SUV was blocking him. The deputy explained the man could have the Tahoe towed if he wanted, since it is one private property. A County Road 115, Okolona, said one of the dogs she and her husband own has become aggressive toward her other dogs and cats. She wanted to know what she could do to get rid of it. The deputy said the dog is hers, and she could contact local shelters to see if they could accept it. A County Road 814, Plantersville, man said he had four International semi-trucks parked in his field for at least five years. He said someone stole the computers off each truck, 16 batteries, four wiring harnesses and a radiator. He said he found footprints nearby that lead to the house next door. A man noticed that a piece of wood over the hinges of his County Road 821, Baldwyn, barn was broken. He did not think the wind could have created the damage. Nothing else was broken and nothing was missing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A County Road 183, Tupelo, man said someone entered his unlocked truck during the night. Someone went through all the compartments, but nothing appeared to be stolen. A County Road 811, Saltillo, man said the road is closed in front of his house. Motorists have started using a small bridge on his property to get around the closed road. He said the bridge is only designed to support an ATV crossing the creek. He said the cars have damaged one of the metal rails on the bridge. Anyone with information on any of these reports is urged to call the Lee County Sheriff's Office at 841-9041, the Tupelo Police Department at 841-6491 or Crime Stoppers of Northeast Mississippi at (800) 773-TIPS or download the P3 Tip App and leave an anonymous tip that way. BOSTON (WWLP) Governor Healey rolled out regulations tightening eligibility for shelter that will bar some people with criminal convictions from utilizing the emergency housing system. Last month, the legislature passed a series of regulations, alongside $425 million in supplemental funding for shelters. Healeys new regulations execute the policies laid out in the bill. Committee makes plans for joint rules compromise Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Included among new rules, all adults must agree to a Criminal Offender Record Information, or CORI check, or be automatically ineligible for shelter. Those with serious convictions, including murder, rape and sexual assault, firearms felonies or misdemeanors in the past six years, and drug trafficking in the past three years, will also be ineligible for shelter. While the governor said Massachusetts is taking necessary steps to mitigate costs for Massachusetts residents, she maintains that the migrant crisis is a federal issue. Massachusetts is managing this federal problem, but Congress needs to act on meaningful immigration reform instead of making Massachusetts taxpayers foot the bill for their failures, Healey said. State House Republicans voted against this package of regulations, saying CORI checks are not enough. These regulations will begin to take effect at a time when about three-quarters of the families seeking shelter system assistance are long-time Massachusetts residents. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Whenever I read about Bridget Phillipsons educational plans, I am reminded of the old Russian joke about the peasant who finds a magical fish that promises to grant him any wish. The peasant begins dreaming of castles, gold and beautiful women. There is just one drawback, adds the fish whatever he asks for, his neighbour will receive double. Without skipping a beat, the peasant replies, In which case, I want you to poke out one of my eyes. Among a crowded field, the Education Secretary stands out for her reductive, levelling-down approach. Indeed if, like the peasant and the fish, policies actually undo progress, then so be it. Revenge is its own reward. This week the Schools Bill returned to the Commons. Some elements are particularly troubling. Although it has received insufficient attention, Clause 50 would give local authorities the power to object if an outstanding school wishes to expand or even maintain its current numbers. This otherwise inexplicable decision seems designed to bolster failing schools by artificially suppressing the expansion of their better-performing neighbours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This has things precisely backwards. Parents vote with their feet, providing important feedback within the education system, punishing mediocrity and rewarding excellence. In future good schools may have less money, since pupil numbers determine their funding. Even the departments own impact assessment says this will reduce parental choice and limit popular schools ability to grow. Parents whove saved hard to live in a decent catchment area may soon experience this first hand when they find that places at their desired school have been artificially capped, forcing their children elsewhere. Elsewhere the Bill enables insane levels of micromanagement. Clause 33 would require both academies and private schools to apply to the education secretary for permission before changing the use of buildings on their premises. Tory MP Neil OBrien has suggested this could mean schools would need ministerial approval for something as trivial as a new bike shed. Such pettifogging bespeaks a fundamental distrust of school leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The common thread of these plans is an overwhelming statism; a seeming desire to wrench control from people who know what they are doing and hand it over to those who dont. Many academy heads have condemned the way the Bill suspends the freedoms of recruitment and curriculum that were crucial to their success. Future schools may not be able to tailor their offerings to their areas specific needs; the priorities of a middle class intake in, say, the Cotswolds might well diverge from those of a multi-ethnic inner-city school. Yet the slightest criticism of these proposals tends to attract what are even by Westminster standards astonishingly vicious briefings and counter-attacks. Phillipson has dismissed her detractors as posh blokes, though the criticism comes from a wide range of educators and experts across the sector. Former Ofsted chief Amanda Spielman condemned the Bill in forthright terms; the response from Phillipsons office was an attack of surprising vitriol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Katharine Birbalsingh, Britains most measurably successful headteacher, condemned the Education Secretarys policies and behaviour in a private meeting, Phillipsons office accused her of lying. I have even glimpsed this myself. In a TV studio recently, one of Phillipsons spinners demanded to know why I was writing such disobliging things about their boss. It reflects a fatally thin-skinned operation quite incapable of evidence-based policy-making. Phillipsons office often retorts that the Secretary of State needs no lectures on disadvantage, having grown up in poverty and attended a state school. This may be true, but Phillipson, who entered Parliament in her mid-twenties, has never taught or worked in a school. She seems unable to handle constructive criticism, let alone consider the possibility that she might be mistaken; even when the criticism comes from people with decades of experience and impressive track records in their fields. In January it was reported that No 10 had been startled by the scale of backlash to the Bill, prompting an apparent charm offensive. Shortly afterwards Phillipson insisted she was no radical, loved academies and, if anything, wanted more of them. Her Departments actions tell a different tale. The Bill is not extending academy flexibilities to more schools, but explicitly eradicating them from the system. DfE spokespeople have sometimes made what seem to be untrue claims; such as suggesting that all schools can benefit from the flexibilities [academies] have when the Bill actually removes them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Few Labour MPs have so far criticised the Bill save for Blairite Siobhain McDonagh, who bravely told the Commons how academisation had transformed her younger constituents life chances. It remains debatable how much of a mandate there is for such sweeping, radical change. Labours manifesto made no mention of removing academy freedoms. Most damningly, there is no evidence that Phillipsons ambitions will improve a single school. The best case studies are Wales and Scotland where academy reforms never happened and standards slumped both internationally and compared to England. The hostility of the recent briefing operation suggests that Phillipson and her team may be rattled. She herself is said to be in special measures as a minister. Yet as her destructive Bill passes its final Commons hurdle, the damage may already have been done. 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. A crowdfunding effort has raised over $100,000 for a Connecticut man who was held captive for over 20 years in his home. His stepmother was arrested last week for allegedly holding her "severely emaciated" stepson in captivity since he was 11 years old. The now-32-year-old man suffered prolonged abuse, starvation, severe neglect and inhumane treatment, according to police. He had not received basic medical and dental care and an education. PHOTO: Kimberly Sullivan has been arrested after allegedly keeping her stepson captive in their Waterbury, Conn., home for more than 20 years. The stepson allegedly started a fire in February 2025 in order to escape. (WTNH) The man is 5-foot-9 and weighed just 68 pounds when he was found, according to officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crowdsourced effort, organized by Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury, will be used to pay for medical and dental care, counseling and therapy for physical and emotional recovery, housing and daily living expenses and support for legal fees, the nonprofit said. Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury said it is in the process of setting up a trust for the man. The crowdfunding effort has gathered donations from over 300 people as of Wednesday morning. MORE: Connecticut man held captive by stepmom for 20 years weighed only 68 pounds: Police The man was discovered on Feb. 17, when Waterbury Police Department officers, along with personnel from the Waterbury Fire Department, responded to a house fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fire was quickly extinguished and two occupants were found inside the home at the time. The first person was identified as 56-year-old Kimberly Sullivan, the owner of the property who called authorities for help, and the second person was identified as a 32-year-old man who was later determined to be Sullivan's stepson. Sullivan was evacuated to safety following the fire but the male occupant, who had suffered smoke inhalation and exposure to the fire, had to be assisted from the home by Waterbury Fire Department personnel and was placed in the care of emergency medical services, police said. Investigators quickly realized there was a room in the house that appeared to have exterior locks on the door and, as they began speaking to the male victim, he disclosed he had been held captive in the house for approximately 20 years. PHOTO: A woman was charged for allegedly holding her severely emaciated stepson in captivity for over 20 years, since he was 11 years old, and forcing him to endure prolonged abuse, starvation, severe neglect, and inhumane treatment, police said. (Facebook / Waterbury Police Department) The victim then told police he had started the fire, telling first responders, "I wanted my freedom," officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sullivan's lawyer defended his client and said it was the victim's late father who was responsible. "He was not locked in the room. She did not restrain him in any way. She provided food. She provided shelter. She is blown away by these allegations," her lawyer, Ioannis Kaloidis, told New Haven ABC affiliate WTNH last week. Kaloidis said the stepson's late biological father "dictated how the boy would be raised." ABC News' Jon Haworth contributed to this report. Crowdfunding campaign raises over $100,000 for Connecticut man held captive in home for 20 years originally appeared on abcnews.go.com **Related Video Above: Violent crime statistics ENGLAND (WJW) A teen boy who stabbed a teen girl to death in England has been sentenced to prison. Hassan Sentamu was sentenced March 13 to at least 23 years behind bars for the murder of 15-year-old Elianne Andam in South London in September 2023, per court sentencing remarks. 13-year-old girl charged with murdering mother of 3 According to the remarks, Sentamu, who was 17 at the time, had broken up with his girlfriend. The plan was to meet up with his ex and exchange trinkets from their time together, including a teddy bear the ex had wanted back. Andam came along with the ex as a show of support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prior to their meetup, Sentamu reportedly had been made fun of by a group of girls, including Andam, and he told a friend Bro, I cant let this slide. On the day of the meetup, the ex brought the promised items, but Sentamu showed up with nothing, Metropolitan Police said in a news release. The ex gave the items to Sentamu, but then attempted to follow him down the street to try and get them back. Thats when Andam stepped in taking back the things to try and help her friend, police said. Hassan Sentamu, Elianne Andam. Photos courtesy Metropolitan Police Sentamu reportedly took out a knife and stabbed Andam multiple times, including in the neck, before taking off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After she collapsed to the ground, passers-by gave Elianne immediate medical attention while they awaited the arrival of emergency services who rushed to the scene, arriving within minutes, police said in the release. Andam, however, died at the scene. USPS worker steals $1.6M mostly in tax return checks; goes to strip clubs, luxury resorts Using surveillance video and witness testimony, investigators were able to catch and arrest Sentamu soon after the stabbing. Police said the teen boy pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, citing his autism as a mitigating factor for the attack, last March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the subsequent court hearing, Sentamu was depicted as a young man who had a challenging childhood. The responsibility for Eliannes death will be with you for the rest of your day, Judge Mrs. Justice Cheema-Grubb said at the sentencing. At just 15 years old she had her whole life ahead of her, filled with hopes and dreams for the future all cruelly taken away from her and from us, Andams parents said in a statement. Her death has left a void in our lives that can never be filled. 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. Elon Musk, donning a shirt that reads "tech support," at the White House on Feb. 26, 2025. Credit - Jim Watson/AFPGetty Images Since January, Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has carved up federal programs, removing positions related to hazardous waste removal, veteran support and disease control, among others. While many have already been affected, cybersecurity experts worry about the impacts not yet realized in the form of hacks, fraud, and privacy breaches. DOGE has fired top cybersecurity officers from various agencies, gutted the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA), and cancelled at least 32 cybersecurity-related contracts with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Cybersecurity experts, including those fired by DOGE, argue that the agency has demonstrated questionable practices toward safeguarding the vast amount of personal data the government holds, including in agencies such as the Social Security Administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Last week, a court filing revealed that a DOGE staffer violated Treasury Department policy by sending an email containing unencrypted personal information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I see DOGE actively destroying cybersecurity barriers within government in a way that endangers the privacy of American citizens, says Jonathan Kamens, who oversaw cybersecurity for VA.com until February, when he was let go. That makes it easier for bad actors to gain access. DOGEs access to some agencies data has been limited in response to dozens of filed lawsuits. But as those battles play out in court, DOGE continues to have access to huge amounts of sensitive data. Heres what cybersecurity experts caution is at stake. Personal information As DOGE picked up steam following the inauguration, cybersecurity experts began voicing concern about the new organizations privacy practices and digital hygiene. Reports surfaced that DOGE members connected to government networks on unauthorized servers and shared information over unsecure channels. Last month, the DOGE.gov website was altered by outside coders who found they could publish updates to the website without authorization. The same month, Treasury officials said that a 25-year-old DOGE staffer was mistakenly given temporary access to make changes to a federal payment system. Cybersecurity experts find these lapses concerning because the government stores vast amounts of data to serve Americans. For instance, the Department of Veterans Affairs stores the bank accounts and credit card numbers of millions of veterans who receive benefits and services. The department also collects medical data, social security numbers, and the names of relatives and caregivers, says Kamens, who says he was the only federal employee at the agency with an engineering technical background overseeing cybersecurity for VA.gov. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read More: Tracking DOGE's Moves Across the Federal Government Kamens says he was hired in 2023 in part to improve several specific security issues for the site, which he declined to name due to confidentiality reasons. Now, he says, hackers could take advantage of those unresolved issues to learn potentially compromising information about veterans, and then target them with phishing campaigns. Peter Kasperowicz, VAs press secretary, wrote to TIME in an email that VA employs hundreds of cybersecurity personnel who are dedicated to keeping the departments websites and beneficiary data safe 24/7. Erie Meyer, former chief technologist at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), resigned in February after DOGE members showed up at the agencys offices requesting data privileges. Her role focused on safeguarding the CFPB's sensitive data, including transaction records from credit reporting agencies, complaints filed by citizens, and information from Big Tech companies under investigation. There are a bunch of careful protections in place that layer on to each other to make sure that no one could exploit that information, Meyer says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But DOGE slashed many of those efforts, including the regular upkeep of audit and event logs which showed how and when employees were accessing that information. The software we had in place tracking what was being done was turned off, she says. This means that DOGE employees could now have access to financial data with no oversight as to how or why they are accessing it, Meyer says. Meyer is also concerned about the cancellation of dozens of cybersecurity contracts, which included deals with companies who performed security equipment disposal, provided VPNs to government employees, and encrypted email servers. People need us when the worst financial disasters are happening to their family, she says. Its sloppy to open them up to fraud like this. A representative for the CFPB did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In an email statement to TIME, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, wrote: President Trump promised the American people he would establish a Department of Government Efficiency, overseen by Elon Musk, to make the federal government more efficient and accountable to taxpayers. DOGE has fully integrated into the federal government to cut waste, fraud, and abuse. Rogue bureaucrats and activist judges attempting to undermine this effort are only subverting the will of the American people and their obstructionist efforts will fail. Fraud and bad actors In addition to being worried about what DOGE is doing with citizens data, cybersecurity experts are concerned that their aggressive tactics could make it easier for scammers to infiltrate systems, which could have disastrous consequences. For instance, DOGE currently has access to Social Security Administration data, which includes personal information about elderly Americans. Kamens notes that scammers often use personal information, such as an individuals bank or hospital, in order to convince them theyre a trusted person. And these tactics seem to work especially well on the elderly, who are less tech-savy: roughly $3.4 billion in fraud losses was reported by people ages 60 and up in 2023, I3C found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These vulnerabilities also extend to matters of national security. DOGE members themselves would immediately become targets for foreign state actors, Kamens says. And earlier this month, Rob Joyce, the former leader of the NSAs unit focusing on foreign computer systems, warned that DOGEs mass firing of probationary federal employees would have a devastating impact on cybersecurity and our national security. About 130 of those fired probationary officers were part of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA), which is tasked with detecting breaches of the nations power grid, pipelines and water system. CISA was already understaffed to begin with, says Michael Daniel, president and CEO of the Cyber Threat Alliance and a cybersecurity coordinator under President Obama. It's possible that a critical infrastructure owner and operator might not be able to get assistance from CISA as a result of the cuts. Senator Elizabeth Warren penned a letter arguing that DOGE posed a national security threat by exposing secrets about Americas defense and intelligence agencies. We dont know what safeguards were pulled down. Are the gates wide open now for hackers from China, from North Korea, from Iran, from Russia? she said in a statement. Heck, who knows what black hat hackers all around the world are finding out about each one of us and copying that information for their own criminal uses? Systemic risks Cybersecurity experts are also worried about the risk of DOGE engineers inadvertently breaking parts of the governments digital systems, which can be archaic and deeply complex, or unintentionally introducing malware to essential code. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In particular, financial experts have said that mistakes made within the Treasury Departments delicate systems could harm the U.S. economy. Kamens warns that if DOGE interferes with the Social Security system, Medicare reimbursements or disability payments could fail to go out on time, endangering lives. They have fired the people who know where the danger points are, he says. Last week, a federal judge questioned government attorneys about why DOGE needs access to Social Security Administration systems, and is still considering whether to shut off access. Another lawsuit, filed by 19 state attorneys general in an attempt to block DOGEs access to the Treasury Department in February is ongoing. Kamens adds that the security risks could only heighten over time, especially if roles like his remain unfilled. Nearly everyone he worked with at USDS (United States Digital Service), DOGEs precursor, came into government from the private sector, he says, and he worries that top-level cybersecurity professionals will not want to join the federal staff due to the instability and the risks of being fired or undermined. This lack of staffing, he says, could prevent the government from mitigating new and evolving attacks. The reality is that there are constantly new security holes being discovered, he says. If you're not actively evolving your cyber defenses to go along with the offensive things that are happening in that landscape, you end up losing ground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Daniel says that just because nothing has broken yet does not mean that DOGE is doing an adequate job in stopping cybersecurity threats. Its not an instant feedback loop, he says. That's part of the challenge here: we're talking about an increase in risk that may play out over an extended period of time. Correction, March 19 The original version of this story mischaracterized Jonathan Kamens' role at VA.gov. He was the only federal employee at the agency with an engineering technical background overseeing cybersecurity for VA.gov, not the only federal employee at the agency with this background working on this issue. The original version of this story also mischaracterized Kamens' former colleagues at the USDS. They came into government from the private sector, not the privacy sector. Contact us at letters@time.com. Navajo Code Talkers and their family members met with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace at the Pentagon, Aug. 10, 2007. Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. D. Myles Cullen | Public domain Prominent Native American figures in U.S. military history have been erased from the U.S. Department of Defenses website as part of the sweeping effort stemming from President Donald Trumps executive order banning diversity, equity and inclusion. The Department of Defense website removed articles featuring details about the Navajo Code Talkers Navajo men who served during World War II and used their language as a secret code in battle along with U.S. Marine Ira Hayes from the Gila River Indian Community, who helped raise the flag during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Navajo code has absolutely nothing to do with DEI because Navajo code was a weapon, Navajo Code Talker Peter MacDonald said in response to the removal during an interview with the Arizona Mirror. MacDonald, 96, is one of two living Navajo Code Talkers. He served in the South Pacific as a Code Talker and in North China with the 6th Marine Division. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX MacDonald said that dismissing the Navajo Code Talkers as DEI is a terrible misinterpretation by the United States. The complex Navajo language was used as a weapon in World War II against the enemy because the Japanese were breaking every military code that U.S. troops were using in the Pacific theater. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It took the Navajo people to develop a whole new code in the Navajo language, he added, and it became the only military code in modern history never broken by an enemy. In a general keyword search on Tuesday of the Department of Defenses website for the Navajo Code Talkers, only eight results appeared, but none related to information or articles detailing their role in World War II. Zero results appeared in a search for Ira Hayes. Ira Hayes is memorialized in a monument at Wesley Bolin Plaza in Phoenix. Photo by Shondiin Silversmith | Arizona Mirror The Navajo Code Talkers earned their place in history through their courage and sacrifice, giving their lives in defense of this nation, Navajo Nation Council Speaker Crystalyne Curley said in a press release. Erasing their extraordinary contributions from formal military history is not only disrespectful, it is dishonorable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Having articles and information about the Navajo Code Talkers on the departments website is the right thing, MacDonald said, because it provides education for everyone that weapons do not just include guns but language. He added that their weapon helped preserve Americas freedom, and we were happy to use that weapon to help. Its important for the entire nation to know that the Navajo Code has absolutely nothing to do with DEI, he said. He hopes the Pentagon will return all the content so they can learn. In an email response to the Arizona Mirror, a Department of Defense spokesperson who wouldnt provide their name said the DOD is in the process of restoring the content about the Navajo Code Talkers, which had been removed during the auto-removal process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No time frame was provided for restoring the content, and the spokesperson did not respond to questions about the deleted content related to Ira Hayes. Ronald Kinsel, the son of the late Navajo Code Talker John Kensel, Sr., said he was shocked to learn that all articles featuring the Navajo Code Talkers had been removed. My dad didnt go to war for nothing, he said, adding that the United States wouldnt be the country it is now if it wasnt for the Navajo Code Talkers. Navajo Code Talker Thomas H. Begay salutes the Navajo Code Talker Memorial Statue during the National Navajo Code Talkers Day celebration on Aug. 14, 2022. Photo by Shondiin Silversmith | Arizona Mirror The Navajo Code Talkers participated in all assaults led by the U.S. Marines in the Pacific from 1942 to 1945, including Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Peleliu and Iwo Jima. The total number of Navajo Code Talkers who served in the U.S. Marines is unknown, but it is estimated to be between 350 and 420. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MacDonalds daughter, Charity, said she wasnt shocked by the removal. It is merely a new form of erasure of Indigenous people, something the United States has done throughout its history. You can not erase an entire history of people, she said, especially today when information can be accessed in various ways. Our federal government is doing this purposely, Charity said, adding that its an action theyre taking to show people that they can. The federal government is making a statement, saying that this is how they feel, she added. Charity said Indigenous people have given a lot to the federal government, and during World War II, the military came to the Navajo people and asked them for help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They used the Navajo language to help them win the war, she said. Navajo Nation, Gila River Indian Community respond Leaders from the Navajo Nation and the Gila River Indian Community sent letters to the Department of Defense to ask why the details about the Navajo Code Talkers and Hayes were deleted. Gila River Indian Community Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis said removing information about Hayes and the Navajo Code Talkers due to the scrubbing for DEI initiatives is misguided and irresponsible. Lewis said his tribe sent a official letter to the Department of Defense on Tuesday but have not received a response. Sadly, were no strangers to being erased, Lewis said, noting it has happened to Indigenous peoples throughout history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All the stories of Ira Hayes and all Native veterans, including the code talkers, have to be rectified ASAP, he said. Lewis said Hayes is a significant figure in military history, and members of the Gila River Indian Community learn about him from a very young age. Ira Hayes, alongside five other Marines, raised the U.S. flag on the island of Iwo Jima at the summit of Mount Suribachi on February 23, 1945. Photo by Joe Rosenthal | Associated Press/public domain Hayes, alongside five other Marines, raised the U.S. flag on the island of Iwo Jima at the summit of Mount Suribachi on February 23, 1945. He was part of the 5th Marine Division and fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima until the island was secured on March 26, 1945. The photograph of the flag raising during the Battle of Iwo Jima is one of the most iconic images of World War II, taken months into the battle by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lewis said Hayes story and the image of the Marines raising the flag at Iwo Jima is historic for Native military service. Native Americans have always served in our countrys military, in all branches, at the highest levels of any other group, Lewis said. Indigenous people across the United States serve in the armed forces at five times the national average, according to the National Indian Council on Aging, and have served with distinction in every major conflict for over 200 years. Lewis said that recognizing the patriotism and courage of Native American soldiers has nothing to do with any type of DEI initiative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its simply an offering of respect for extraordinary service and bravery in the line of duty, he added. Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren sent a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday asking him to explain the removal of the Navajo Code Talkers information from military websites. Appropriately recognizing the work of the Navajo Code Talkers is profoundly significant to the Navajo Nation, Nygren said in his letter, requesting the rationale behind the removal. In the letter, Nygren wrote about how Trump welcomed the Navajo Code Talkers to the White House in 2017, during his first term in office, and praised their contributions to the country. We sincerely appreciate this recognition and believe it highlights the importance of preserving the history and legacy of the Navajo Code Talkers, he wrote. Given the profound impact and historic importance of these American heroes, it is imperative that their legacy remains visible and accessible to all Americans, the letter stated. The Navajo Nation Council voiced its disappointment in the removal of the Code Talkers, emphasizing that the Navajo Nation is not a racial group but a distinct political entity. The Navajo Nation Council is deeply concerned by being conflated into DEI initiatives that fail to recognize our unique political status, Curley said in a press release. The Navajo Nation Council is engaging with the administration to clarify the reasoning behind removing articles. The United States would not be the nation it is today without the bravery and service of the Navajo Nation Code Talkers, Curley said. Their legacy is a cornerstone of American history, and it is essential that their contributions be honored and recognized. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE PHNOM PENH, March 19 (Xinhua) -- A high-level think tank forum on the Cambodia-China "Diamond Cooperation Framework" is set to kick off in Cambodia next week, a co-organizer said on Wednesday. The two-day forum will be held in Phnom Penh on March 24 and in Siem Reap province on March 25, under the theme "Diamond Cooperation Framework: A New Chapter in the Cambodia-China Community with a Shared Future in the New Era," said Kin Phea, director general of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia of the Royal Academy of Cambodia. "The forum aims to enhance mutual understanding through correct mutual perceptions, thereby strengthening and developing long-term bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries," he told Xinhua. "It will also be a pivotal platform for participants to exchange views and explore ways to help further deepen political, economic and socio-cultural cooperation, and people-to-people contacts between the two nations," he added. Phea said the forum will be divided into three sessions. One will be on Cambodia's active engagement with China's Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative, another on the "Industrial Development Corridor" and "Fish and Rice Corridor", and the third on the people-to-people exchange, tourism development, and civilizational understanding. According to Phea, the forum will be the fourth of its kind since 2019. Navajo Code Talkers and their family members met with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace at the Pentagon, Aug. 10, 2007. Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. D. Myles Cullen | Public domain Prominent Native American figures in U.S. military history have been erased from the U.S. Department of Defenses website as part of the sweeping effort stemming from President Donald Trumps executive order banning diversity, equity and inclusion. The Department of Defense website removed articles featuring details about the Navajo Code Talkers Navajo men who served during World War II and used their language as a secret code in battle along with U.S. Marine Ira Hayes from the Gila River Indian Community, who helped raise the flag during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Navajo code has absolutely nothing to do with DEI because Navajo code was a weapon, Navajo Code Talker Peter MacDonald said in response to the removal during an interview with the Arizona Mirror. MacDonald, 96, is one of two living Navajo Code Talkers. He served in the South Pacific as a Code Talker and in North China with the 6th Marine Division. MacDonald said that dismissing the Navajo Code Talkers as DEI is a terrible misinterpretation by the United States. The complex Navajo language was used as a weapon in World War II against the enemy because the Japanese were breaking every military code that U.S. troops were using in the Pacific theater. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It took the Navajo people to develop a whole new code in the Navajo language, he added, and it became the only military code in modern history never broken by an enemy. In a general keyword search on Tuesday of the Department of Defenses website for the Navajo Code Talkers, only eight results appeared, but none related to information or articles detailing their role in World War II. Zero results appeared in a search for Ira Hayes. The Navajo Code Talkers earned their place in history through their courage and sacrifice, giving their lives in defense of this nation, Navajo Nation Council Speaker Crystalyne Curley said in a press release. Erasing their extraordinary contributions from formal military history is not only disrespectful, it is dishonorable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Having articles and information about the Navajo Code Talkers on the departments website is the right thing, MacDonald said, because it provides education for everyone that weapons do not just include guns but language. He added that their weapon helped preserve Americas freedom, and we were happy to use that weapon to help. Its important for the entire nation to know that the Navajo Code has absolutely nothing to do with DEI, he said. He hopes the Pentagon will return all the content so they can learn. In an email response to the Arizona Mirror, a Department of Defense spokesperson who wouldnt provide their name said the DOD is in the process of restoring the content about the Navajo Code Talkers, which had been removed during the auto-removal process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No time frame was provided for restoring the content, and the spokesperson did not respond to questions about the deleted content related to Ira Hayes. Ronald Kinsel, the son of the late Navajo Code Talker John Kensel, Sr., said he was shocked to learn that all articles featuring the Navajo Code Talkers had been removed. My dad didnt go to war for nothing, he said, adding that the United States wouldnt be the country it is now if it wasnt for the Navajo Code Talkers. Navajo Code Talker Thomas H. Begay salutes the Navajo Code Talker Memorial Statue during the National Navajo Code Talkers Day celebration on Aug. 14, 2022. Photo by Shondiin Silversmith | Arizona Mirror The Navajo Code Talkers participated in all assaults led by the U.S. Marines in the Pacific from 1942 to 1945, including Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Peleliu and Iwo Jima. The total number of Navajo Code Talkers who served in the U.S. Marines is unknown, but it is estimated to be between 350 and 420. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MacDonalds daughter, Charity, said she wasnt shocked by the removal. It is merely a new form of erasure of Indigenous people, something the United States has done throughout its history. You can not erase an entire history of people, she said, especially today when information can be accessed in various ways. Our federal government is doing this purposely, Charity said, adding that its an action theyre taking to show people that they can. The federal government is making a statement, saying that this is how they feel, she added. Charity said Indigenous people have given a lot to the federal government, and during World War II, the military came to the Navajo people and asked them for help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They used the Navajo language to help them win the war, she said. Navajo Nation, Gila River Indian Community respond Leaders from the Navajo Nation and the Gila River Indian Community sent letters to the Department of Defense to ask why the details about the Navajo Code Talkers and Hayes were deleted. Gila River Indian Community Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis said removing information about Hayes and the Navajo Code Talkers due to the scrubbing for DEI initiatives is misguided and irresponsible. Lewis said his tribe sent a official letter to the Department of Defense on Tuesday but have not received a response. Sadly, were no strangers to being erased, Lewis said, noting it has happened to Indigenous peoples throughout history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All the stories of Ira Hayes and all Native veterans, including the code talkers, have to be rectified ASAP, he said. Lewis said Hayes is a significant figure in military history, and members of the Gila River Indian Community learn about him from a very young age. Ira Hayes, alongside five other Marines, raised the U.S. flag on the island of Iwo Jima at the summit of Mount Suribachi on February 23, 1945. Photo by Joe Rosenthal | Associated Press/public domain Hayes, alongside five other Marines, raised the U.S. flag on the island of Iwo Jima at the summit of Mount Suribachi on February 23, 1945. He was part of the 5th Marine Division and fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima until the island was secured on March 26, 1945. The photograph of the flag raising during the Battle of Iwo Jima is one of the most iconic images of World War II, taken months into the battle by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lewis said Hayes story and the image of the Marines raising the flag at Iwo Jima is historic for Native military service. Native Americans have always served in our countrys military, in all branches, at the highest levels of any other group, Lewis said. Indigenous people across the United States serve in the armed forces at five times the national average, according to the National Indian Council on Aging, and have served with distinction in every major conflict for over 200 years. Lewis said that recognizing the patriotism and courage of Native American soldiers has nothing to do with any type of DEI initiative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its simply an offering of respect for extraordinary service and bravery in the line of duty, he added. Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren sent a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday asking him to explain the removal of the Navajo Code Talkers information from military websites. Appropriately recognizing the work of the Navajo Code Talkers is profoundly significant to the Navajo Nation, Nygren said in his letter, requesting the rationale behind the removal. In the letter, Nygren wrote about how Trump welcomed the Navajo Code Talkers to the White House in 2017, during his first term in office, and praised their contributions to the country. We sincerely appreciate this recognition and believe it highlights the importance of preserving the history and legacy of the Navajo Code Talkers, he wrote. Given the profound impact and historic importance of these American heroes, it is imperative that their legacy remains visible and accessible to all Americans, the letter stated. The Navajo Nation Council voiced its disappointment in the removal of the Code Talkers, emphasizing that the Navajo Nation is not a racial group but a distinct political entity. The Navajo Nation Council is deeply concerned by being conflated into DEI initiatives that fail to recognize our unique political status, Curley said in a press release. The Navajo Nation Council is engaging with the administration to clarify the reasoning behind removing articles. The United States would not be the nation it is today without the bravery and service of the Navajo Nation Code Talkers, Curley said. Their legacy is a cornerstone of American history, and it is essential that their contributions be honored and recognized. 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. Shondiin Silversmith Arizona Mirror Prominent Native American figures in U.S. military history have been erased from the U.S. Department of Defenses website as part of the sweeping effort stemming from President Donald Trumps executive order banning diversity, equity and inclusion. The Department of Defense website removed articles featuring details about the Navajo Code Talkers Navajo men who served during World War II and used their language as a secret code in battle along with U.S. Marine Ira Hayes from the Gila River Indian Community, who helped raise the flag during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. Navajo code has absolutely nothing to do with DEI because Navajo code was a weapon, Navajo Code Talker Peter MacDonald said in response to the removal during an interview with the Arizona Mirror. MacDonald, 96, is one of two living Navajo Code Talkers. He served in the South Pacific as a Code Talker and in North China with the 6th Marine Division. MacDonald said that dismissing the Navajo Code Talkers as DEI is a terrible misinterpretation by the United States. The complex Navajo language was used as a weapon in World War II against the enemy because the Japanese were breaking every military code that U.S. troops were using in the Pacific theater. It took the Navajo people to develop a whole new code in the Navajo language, he added, and it became the only military code in modern history never broken by an enemy. In a general keyword search on Tuesday of the Department of Defenses website for the Navajo Code Talkers, only eight results appeared, but none related to information or articles detailing their role in World War II. Zero results appeared in a search for Ira Hayes. Ira Hayes is memorialized in a monument at Wesley Bolin Plaza in Phoenix. (Photo by Shondiin Silversmith, Arizona Mirror) The Navajo Code Talkers earned their place in history through their courage and sacrifice, giving their lives in defense of this nation, Navajo Nation Council Speaker Crystalyne Curley said in a press release. Erasing their extraordinary contributions from formal military history is not only disrespectful, it is dishonorable. Having articles and information about the Navajo Code Talkers on the departments website is the right thing, MacDonald said, because it provides education for everyone that weapons do not just include guns but language. He added that their weapon helped preserve Americas freedom, and we were happy to use that weapon to help. Its important for the entire nation to know that the Navajo Code has absolutely nothing to do with DEI, he said. He hopes the Pentagon will return all the content so they can learn. In an email response to the Arizona Mirror, a Department of Defense spokesperson who wouldnt provide their name said the DOD is in the process of restoring the content about the Navajo Code Talkers, which had been removed during the auto-removal process. No time frame was provided for restoring the content, and the spokesperson did not respond to questions about the deleted content related to Ira Hayes. Ronald Kinsel, the son of the late Navajo Code Talker John Kensel, Sr., said he was shocked to learn that all articles featuring the Navajo Code Talkers had been removed. My dad didnt go to war for nothing, he said, adding that the United States wouldnt be the country it is now if it wasnt for the Navajo Code Talkers. Navajo Code Talker Thomas H. Begay salutes the Navajo Code Talker Memorial Statue during the National Navajo Code Talkers Day celebration on Aug. 14, 2022. (Photo by Shondiin Silversmith, Arizona Mirror) The Navajo Code Talkers participated in all assaults led by the U.S. Marines in the Pacific from 1942 to 1945, including Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Peleliu and Iwo Jima. The total number of Navajo Code Talkers who served in the U.S. Marines is unknown, but it is estimated to be between 350 and 420. MacDonalds daughter, Charity, said she wasnt shocked by the removal. It is merely a new form of erasure of Indigenous people, something the United States has done throughout its history. You can not erase an entire history of people, she said, especially today when information can be accessed in various ways. Our federal government is doing this purposely, Charity said, adding that its an action theyre taking to show people that they can. The federal government is making a statement, saying that this is how they feel, she added. Charity said Indigenous people have given a lot to the federal government, and during World War II, the military came to the Navajo people and asked them for help. They used the Navajo language to help them win the war, she said. Navajo Nation, Gila River Indian Community respond Leaders from the Navajo Nation and the Gila River Indian Community sent letters to the Department of Defense to ask why the details about the Navajo Code Talkers and Hayes were deleted. Gila River Indian Community Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis said removing information about Hayes and the Navajo Code Talkers due to the scrubbing for DEI initiatives is misguided and irresponsible. Lewis said his tribe sent a official letter to the Department of Defense on Tuesday but have not received a response. Sadly, were no strangers to being erased, Lewis said, noting it has happened to Indigenous peoples throughout history. All the stories of Ira Hayes and all Native veterans, including the code talkers, have to be rectified ASAP, he said. Lewis said Hayes is a significant figure in military history, and members of the Gila River Indian Community learn about him from a very young age. Hayes, alongside five other Marines, raised the U.S. flag on the island of Iwo Jima at the summit of Mount Suribachi on February 23, 1945. He was part of the 5th Marine Division and fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima until the island was secured on March 26, 1945. The photograph of the flag raising during the Battle of Iwo Jima is one of the most iconic images of World War II, taken months into the battle by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal. Lewis said Hayes story and the image of the Marines raising the flag at Iwo Jima is historic for Native military service. Native Americans have always served in our countrys military, in all branches, at the highest levels of any other group, Lewis said. Indigenous people across the United States serve in the armed forces at five times the national average, according to the National Indian Council on Aging, and have served with distinction in every major conflict for over 200 years. Lewis said that recognizing the patriotism and courage of Native American soldiers has nothing to do with any type of DEI initiative. Its simply an offering of respect for extraordinary service and bravery in the line of duty, he added. Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren sent a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday asking him to explain the removal of the Navajo Code Talkers information from military websites. Appropriately recognizing the work of the Navajo Code Talkers is profoundly significant to the Navajo Nation, Nygren said in his letter, requesting the rationale behind the removal. In the letter, Nygren wrote about how Trump welcomed the Navajo Code Talkers to the White House in 2017, during his first term in office, and praised their contributions to the country. We sincerely appreciate this recognition and believe it highlights the importance of preserving the history and legacy of the Navajo Code Talkers, he wrote. Given the profound impact and historic importance of these American heroes, it is imperative that their legacy remains visible and accessible to all Americans, the letter stated. The Navajo Nation Council voiced its disappointment in the removal of the Code Talkers, emphasizing that the Navajo Nation is not a racial group but a distinct political entity. The Navajo Nation Council is deeply concerned by being conflated into DEI initiatives that fail to recognize our unique political status, Curley said in a press release. The Navajo Nation Council is engaging with the administration to clarify the reasoning behind removing articles. The United States would not be the nation it is today without the bravery and service of the Navajo Nation Code Talkers, Curley said. Their legacy is a cornerstone of American history, and it is essential that their contributions be honored and recognized. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Wednesday on the Daily 8, were looking at a deadly shooting in Kalamazoo, suspicious soap sellers in Ottawa County, a mobile health van to help the homeless community and more. You can watch the full Daily 8 for March 19, 2025, in the video player above or check out any of the stories mentioned below: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each weekday, the Daily 8 brings you the top eight stories we are keeping an eye on in and around West Michigan. Join us again on Thursday for the Daily 8. 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 WOODTV.com. DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) is wanting to reopen the gun range that closed in 1986 at the Danville Correctional Center, but Mayor Ricky Williams Jr. is pushing back. During the Danville City Council meeting on Tuesday, Williams said that on March 12, he was joined by Mike Marron, President of Vermilion Advantage, among others to attend a lobbying day in Springfield. He spoke with State Rep. Brandun Schweizer (R-Danville), Sen. Paul Faraci (D-Champaign) and Lt. Gov. Juliana Strattons Office about the firing range. Importance of Community Engagment | Meet the Mayor: Bill Wear Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Williams said he has worries about IDOC wanting to reopen the gun range, including several local business owners contacting him with concerns that the firing range could stunt the growth of their businesses. A forum was held at Danville Area Community College on Tuesday, where opposition to the gun range reopening was discussed. I dont think we should do anything that should hurt our businesses, Williams said. Williams is asking the Corporation Counsel to create a resolution and asked the City Council for their support to oppose the reopening of the gun range and potentially authorize him and Corporation Counsel Leon Parker on behalf of the city to enter a motion to oppose it as well. He announced that the resolution will be coming to Public Services next week and then to City Council for full consideration. In 1986, Rita Garmin put an injunction in place closing the gun range down, and its been closed ever since. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the audience comments portion of the meeting, multiple people spoke out against the gun range, including Marron, Seven Point of Illinois CEO Brad Zerman, attorney John Beardsley, and Bruce Parr, whose family owned a Redwood Inn near the prison during the 1980s. Local organization works to save Danvilles UPS Customer Center Parr said his family was responsible for closing down the prison shooting range and they were fine with the prison being built, but were never notified of the firing range being introduced. We didnt know what they were doing until in the middle of the night. Lights were flashing, and gunshots were being fired, Parr said. Its a firing range, they dont fire one or two, they fire for 10-15 minutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also said that within the first 30 days of the firing starting at the range, his familys business lost almost all of their primary customers. All of the regulars did not come back, Parr said. You get woke up at 3 a.m., they have to train the night shifts too, that was what we were told. Parr said his family lost tens of thousands of dollars due to the firing range. He warns that the shooting range will put the current Sleep Inn in Danville out of business. According to Marron, part of the Department of Corrections reasoning for wanting the firing range reopened is the issue of money, specifically the fact that it costs them money to transport guards offsite to do their certification training. From the state however, Marron said there was not a clear explanation of why to reopen the range. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) As a part of its Native American Heritage and Culture programming, the Dayton Metro Library is hosting monthly community gatherings through October. The gatherings, hosted by Indigenous peoples advocate Stephanie Van Hoose, will focus on artistic creation and community, giving people a place to share experiences. Each meeting will be held in the Main Librarys Opportunity Center on the last or next-to-last Thursday of the months from 5:30-7 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read 1,000 books with Dayton Metro Library! The meeting dates are available below: March 27 April 24 May 22 June 26 July 24 Aug. 28 Sept. 25 Oct. 23 People of all ages are welcome to attend and no registration is required. To learn more click here or call the Librarys Ask Me Line at (937) 463-2665. The library asks anyone who needs a sign language interpreter, assistive device, language translation, or accessibility services to call the Ask Me Line at (937) 463-2665 or click here. This is so they can get the service ready ahead of 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 WDTN.com. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The District is testing a new pilot program to curb speeding on D.C. roadways. In January, the Department of For-Hire Vehicles (DFHV) with the Highway Safety Office installed intelligent speed assistance (ISA) devices in ten DC School Connect buses. The devices are used to limit how fast the buses can go. These are just devices that make sure the driver of that vehicle cant exceed the posted speed limit, explained Jonathan Rogers, director of DFHV. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The device is placed under the dashboard of the vehicle, out of sight of the driver and passengers. Its completely nonintrusive, said Michael Travars, president of LifeSafer, the company behind the technology. If you were simply to take a look at the dash over there you would realize theres no visible change, no modification that would impact the driver. According to Travars, the system uses GPS and onboard maps to determine the speed limits of each roadway. It then caps the vehicles speed to the speed limit. A visual monitor can be placed near the dashboard so the driver can check the speed limit for reference. When the driver is pushing the pedal and wants to go faster, this will tell them, hey, youre being kept at 30 miles per hour because youre on a 30 miles per hour road, he explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement School bus involved in crash in Hyattsville Its a real good safety system, said Miltina Hunter, a driver for DC School Connect. I think everyone should use it. Hunter drives one of the ten buses outfitted with an ISA device and said that while it took some time to get used to, the technology has been helpful. If youre on a 25-mile-per-hour street and you tried to go over it, its like someone took the acceleration from you, she described. D.C. will continue testing and evaluating the technology through the end of the school year. If deemed successful, the program could expand to other district fleet vehicles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently, D.C. is testing the devices at no cost. To permanently install them, the technology remains at $75 per month, per device. 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) The coming of spring also brings a new brush fire season in Connecticut. On Wednesday, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection shared several precautions residents should take to avoid starting a wildfire. RECENT: Brush fire cleared off I-91 North in New Haven The majority of wildfires in Connecticut are caused by humans who do things like improper burning of debris, poor management of campfires, arson, careless discarding of wood ashes, and placing motorized equipment on top of or adjacent to fire fuels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As we saw from our historic brush fire season last fall, brush fires are a serious hazard, particularly in a densely populated state like Connecticut, DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said. Dykes said its even more important for residents to be vigilant and careful when burning anything outdoors right now. The spring brush fire season usually runs from mid-March through mid-May. Its a time of year when DEEP officials say most trees are bare, allowing the warm spring sun to heat up forest fuels like grass, leaves, twigs, and more. Hartford experiencing increased amount of fires this year The more these materials are exposed to sun- especially as the days get longer- the more they dry out. Certain grasses, twigs, and small branches are called one-hour fuels because they can dry out and become ready to burn within an hour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its these one-hour fuels that typically start fires this time of year and DEEP officials said they can spread fast, especially when its windy. In 2024, officials said Connecticut had 605 wildfires, with 510 acres impacted. One firefighter died and eight others were injured while responding to the fires. Last year, one residential building and seven other structures were lost to wildfires and about 170 structures and residences were at risk for damage from them. Friends remember firefighter who died while fighting Berlin brush fire DEEP shared the following information. DEEPs Forest Fire Control Office urges all who enjoy Connecticuts parks, forests and open spaces to use fires with caution and heed the following recommendations, especially during forest fire season: Obey local laws regarding open fires, including campfires. Keep all flammable objects away from fire. Scrape away leaves, twigs, and grass within a 10-foot diameter circle from fire. Have firefighting tools nearby and handy. Never leave a fire unattended. Carefully dispose of hot coal/ashes. Drown all fires. Carefully extinguish smoking materials. For Connecticut homeowners and residents, the following best practices are suggested to protect your family members and home: Make a fire-safe zone around your house. Clean flammable vegetation and debris from at least 30 feet around the house and any outbuildings. Prune away the lower limbs of evergreens that are within the fire-safe zone. Evergreens catch fire easily during dry periods and burn quickly. Remove any limbs which overhang the roof or chimney. Regularly remove leaves and needles from gutters. Do not store firewood in the fire-safe zone. Use fire-resistant roofing materials. Make sure firefighters can find and access your home. Mark your house and roads clearly and prune away limbs and trees along your driveway which do not allow fire truck access. Have an escape plan and practice it. Follow state and local open burning laws. Stay with outside fires until they are completely safe and extinguished. Dispose of wood ashes in a metal bucket, soak them with water before dumping them. Local open burning permits are automatically suspended on days when the fire danger level is high. Municipal issued open burn permits are automatically suspended if the Daily Forest Fire Danger Index is rated High, Very High, or Extreme) Open Burning Daily Forest Fire Danger Report To sign up for DEEPs daily Forest Fire Danger Report, go here: Forest Fire Weather Information and Danger Explanations Helpful Resources Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. LUANDA, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Peace talks between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group, originally set for Tuesday, were called off due to "reasons and circumstances of force majeure," the Angolan Foreign Ministry confirmed Tuesday. In the statement, Angola also pledged to push for the talks, reaffirming dialogue as the only path to lasting peace in the eastern DRC. The Angolan Presidency insisted on Monday that the talks would proceed "as scheduled," despite the M23's withdrawal earlier. The rebel group accused "certain international institutions" of deliberately obstructing peace efforts and undermining negotiations. "Successive sanctions imposed on our members, including those announced on the eve of the Luanda discussions, make direct dialogue impossible," the M23 said, referring to the European Union (EU)'s sanctions issued Monday targeting M23 leaders, including political chief Bertrand Bisimwa, and Rwandan military commanders. Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Congo River Alliance (AFC), a politico-military group allied with the M23, said the EU's move reflected a "double standard," forcing the AFC to reconsider its participation in the talks until further notice. The M23 has urged DRC President Felix Tshisekedi to publicly commit to direct negotiations, while the Congolese government has repeatedly rejected talks with the M23, which has seized large areas of North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. In its situation update issued Monday, the United Nations Children's Fund warned that 1 million people, including around 400,000 children, were newly displaced since late January 2025, with figures likely to rise further as hostilities continue in both South Kivu and North Kivu. A one-star Google review led to a defamation lawsuit against the owner of The Drunk Uncle bar in West Allis. Brynn Dutelle, of Onalaska, filed a defamation lawsuit on March 14, alleging that The Drunk Uncle owner Neal Steffek made defamatory comments online and to her employer after she left a one-star review of the bar. Dutelle's attorney, Dixon Gahnz, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the situation escalated when Steffek posted on her employer's Facebook page, accusing her of sexually assaulting a bar employee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Things went from an unhappy customer and an unhappy review receiver, so to speak, to something more," Gahnz said. "It escalated into something unacceptable and could have long-term consequences." The Journal Sentinel reached out to Steffek for comment but did not immediately receive a response. Steffek has 45 days to respond to the lawsuit, documents show. Dutelle left one-star review of The Drunk Uncle after March 8 visit; owner responded According to the lawsuit: On Saturday, March 8, Brynn Dutelle and her friends visited The Drunk Uncle, 1902 S. 68th St. During their time at the bar, Dutelle said she felt uncomfortable with the actions of the owner and staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next day, she posted a Google review detailing her experience. Dutelle wrote that Steffek repeatedly kissed her friend and offered her a job. She also claimed that a bartender reached over the bar, touched her face, and told her to make him a sandwich for International Women's Day. A user, listed by Google as the Drunk Uncle business owner, responded to the review shortly after it was posted, writing in part: "You are a fat nerd with no friends. That girl was hot AF for this giant snake." The response has since been deleted. After responding to Dutelle's review, Steffek posted on the Facebook page of Dutelle's employer, a Wisconsin school district, accusing Dutelle of sexually assaulting an employee at The Drunk Uncle on or around March 8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The post included a photo of Dutelle and identified her as an employee of the district. After it surfaced, Dutelle's employer required her to explain the situation, according to her lawsuit. Dutelle's lawsuit accuses Steffek of making false online comments in retaliation for her Google review. The accusations of sexual assault were intended to cause harm to Dutelle's reputation to discourage the community or others from associating with her, the lawsuit says. Gahnz, Dutelle's attorney, added that Steffek's post could jeopardize Dutelles career in education. "The post was removed from the schools Facebook page, but it still appears easily in searches," Gahnz said. "When you start doing any kind of searching, itll show up in background checks for Ms. Dutelle for years." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Contact Adrienne Davis at amdavis@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @AdriReportss. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Defamation lawsuit says Drunk Uncle bar owner retaliated against woman who left 1-star review Mar. 18EMERADO, North Dakota Another defense contractor is bringing its technology to GrandSky in hopes of joining the Project ULTRA drone initiative. Unmanned systems and cybersecurity contractor BlueHalo has signed a memorandum of understanding with the aviation park that allows GrandSky to "test-drive" its VigilantHalo software. "Our plan is to establish a local presence at the site, to expand our presence there at the site and to be, locally, part of the evaluation and improvements to the system to address the vision the state has," said BlueHalo executive Larry Lloyd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Project ULTRA is the $18.25 million public-private partnership exploring military applications for drones. VigilantHalo is an air traffic control software designed specifically to enable unmanned drones to fly BVLOS, or beyond-visual-line-of-sight, flights. That's one of the leading goals of Project ULTRA. "In the simplest terms, they've got a show to put on, we've got a stage to put it on," GrandSky President Tom Swoyer said. The company announced the MOU at a Tuesday visit to the aviation park alongside U.S. Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D. University of North Dakota President Andy Armacost, Grand Forks Air Force Base commander Col. Tim Monroe and representatives from the city of Grand Forks and Grand Forks County were among those in attendance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hoeven, GrandSky's longtime patron in the governor's office and the Senate, said the partnership between the two groups was "tremendous." "It's really important for the development, not only for counter-drone and aerospace technologies, but also for reaching out into space," Hoeven said. "We're doing all of those things here, and BlueHalo is an absolute leader in that technology development." BlueHalo already has an existing relationship with the GrandSky-based Test Resource Management Center, a Defense Department project to convert old RQ-4 Global Hawk and MQ-9 Reaper unmanned planes into a testing and detection system for hypersonic missiles. Those aircraft use BlueHalo's phased array antenna to detect airborne objects like missiles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company is also hoping to partner with UND to further develop its phased-array technology and solicit engineers to work for the company. Scott Snyder, UND's vice president of research and economic development, said the university had not yet inked a deal with the defense contractor but that BlueHalo employees had met with UND's satellite and radar experts. "I'm fully certain we will be able to develop some exceptional research collaboration and educational collaboration for developing their need for engineers," he said. In a recent post on X, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth got right to the point regarding his vision for Americas armed forces: Our troops will be fit not fat. Our troops will look sharp not sloppy. We seek only quality not quotas. Bottom line, he added, our defense department will make standards high and great again across the entire force. Hegseths bellicose statement on the fitness, appearance and capacity of the countrys men and women in uniform was posted in conjunction with his Department of Defense memo ordering a department-wide review of existing standards set by U.S. military branches pertaining to physical fitness, body composition and grooming including beards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We must remain vigilant in maintaining the standards that enable the men and women of our military to protect the American people and our homeland as the world s most lethal and effective fighting force, wrote Hegseth. Our adversaries are not growing weaker and our tasks are not growing less challenging. The Defense secretary followed his military fitness memo with another days later clarifying that shipbuilding and medical treatment facilities were exempt from a department-wide hiring freeze. That direction follows President Donald Trumps announcement to establish a new office of shipbuilding to boost production and keep pace with China and other global rivals. Re-examining fitness standards In his memo calling for a review of military standards, Hegseth said high standards are what made the U.S. military the greatest fighting force on the planet. The strength of our military is our unity and our shared purpose. We are made stronger and more disciplined with high, uncompromising, and clear standards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth ordered senior Pentagon leadership to gather the existing standards set by the branches of the military pertaining to physical fitness, body composition, and grooming which includes, but is not limited, to beards. The review, the memo added, will examine how standards have changed since Jan. 1, 2015 and the impact of those decade-old changes. The year specified in the memo 2015 is significant in recent U.S. military history. In December of that year, then-Defense Secretary Ash Carter ordered the military to open all combat jobs to women. During his recent Senate confirmation hearing, Hegseth was grilled on his past comments regarding women in the military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In one appearance on Fox News in 2013, the Deseret News reported, Hegseth said women dont measure up to men in the military, and that women shouldnt be allowed to serve in combat roles because it forces the military to lower the bar. The secretary has since backed off that view, saying he now supports women in combat roles and that his primary concern is the lowering of standards. Currently, the Army combat fitness test, for example, is scored based on different requirements for men and women, depending on age, according to a CBS News report. For instance, a man whos 17 to 21 years of age must, at a minimum, be able to run two miles in 22 minutes, while a woman would need to run the same distance in 23:22. The minimum requirement for hand-release pushups which involve lifting your hands off the ground at the bottom of the pushup is the same for men and women of any age: 10. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But anyone in uniform who wants to qualify for special operations such as Army Rangers or Navy SEALs must meet gender-neutral standards. What about beards? Currently, U.S. military personnel can only grow beards with a waiver for medical or religious reasons. Some members of the military, for example, can grow out their beard if they have a medical condition such as razor bumps that make shaving painful. Others have been allowed to grow a beard for religious reasons. Army Capt. Simratpal Singh, a West Point graduate and Bronze Star recipient, was the first to win Army approval to continue on active duty while maintaining his religiously mandated beard and turban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some services have signaled that they might be more receptive to loosening those rules, according to Navy Times. The Air Force, for example, granted five-year medical waivers for beards in 2020, whereas previously it had only given one-year waivers, and has weighed establishing a pilot program that would allow participating airmen and guardians to grow out their facial hair. Hegseths fitness and grooming memo comes as the recruiting in the U.S. military appears to be upticking. The Army and Navy, the two largest services and the most ailing from recruiting challenges, both say theyve recruited at promising rates in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, which began on Oct. 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, neither the Army nor the Navy could readily point out a reason, and the Navy said it is too early in the fiscal year to evaluate, according to ABC News. Hegseth: No shipyard hiring freeze Last month, the Defense secretary imposed a moratorium on civilian hiring within his department. In his most recent memo, Hegseth clarified that mission essential positions directly contributing to warfare readiness are exempt from that civilian hiring freeze including shipyards and medical treatment facilities. The DOD exemptions drew praise from lawmakers. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee and Co-Chair of the U.S. Senate Navy Caucus, released a statement on Hegseths announcement exempting the shipyard workforce from the civilian hiring freeze: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im relieved that the administration heard our calls to protect jobs that are vital to national security at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and at shipyards across the country from ill-considered hiring freezes. While Im glad that President Trump and Secretary Hegseth now understand our shipyard workforce to be an essential component of our national defense and preparedness, it should have never come to this in the first place and the uncertainty that has swept through shipyards in the last two months has done real damage. During his recent speech to a joint session of Congress, Trump announced the formation of a maritime industrial office. To boost our defense industrial base, we are also going to resurrect the American shipbuilding industry, including commercial shipbuilding and military shipbuilding, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And for that purpose, I am announcing tonight that we will create a new Office of Shipbuilding in the White House and offer special tax incentives to bring this industry home to America, where it belongs. Trump added that the United States was once a prolific shipbuilder. We dont make them anymore very much, but were going to make them very fast, very soon. It will have a huge impact. Trumps plans to create an Office of Shipbuilding comes weeks after a Biden-era Congressional Budget Office report outlined the U.S. Navys proposed plan to spend $1 trillion over the next three decades to boost the fleet. Calls for aggressive shipbuilding in the United States come as the American fleet faces expanding global threats from China, Russia and other nations. The emerging Fleet Race pitting the United States and China is expected to be a defining element of the global military landscape in the coming years and decades. Updated at 10:00 a.m. ET on March 20, 2025 This article was featured in the One Story to Read Today newsletter. Sign up for it here. When the Trump administration announced that it was canceling $400 million worth of grants to and contracts with Columbia University, ostensibly to punish the university for its handling of anti-Semitism amid pro-Palestinian campus protests, one important detail went unspecified: what type of funding, exactly, would be getting cut. In the weeks since, researchers at the university have found themselves moonlighting as detectives, trying to understand why some of them saw their lifes work upended while others were spared. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They believe they have found a pattern. As far as they can tell, nearly all of the canceled grants seem to have made some mention of diversity, equity, inclusion, or other disfavored topics, several med-school researchers told me. Making the cuts even more maddening is the fact that, at least until a few months ago, the federal government required researchers to include plans to enhance diversity in many grant applications. And under a policy first implemented during the George H. W. Bush administration, the National Institutes of Health long offered supplemental funding for grants that employed someone from an underrepresented minority group. Now the same factors that helped researchers get their grants approved may have become liabilities. You can imagine how it feels to be terminated for following the government guidelines, Domenico Accili, an endocrinology professor, told me. [Rose Horowitch: Colleges have no idea how to comply with Trumps orders] Beyond the capriciousness of punishing researchers for following the prior administrations rules, the grant cancellations demonstrate the impossible position that Columbias researchers are in. If they didnt pursue DEI objectives before, they could have lost out on grants or even violated congressional mandates. If they did, theyre at risk of ending up as collateral damage in the culture war. Theyd prefer to just get back to the science. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cuts have already had significant effects. Because medical-research funding is such a large share of federal support for higher education, Columbias med school has borne the brunt of the funding cuts. This makes the punishment seem even more arbitrarythe medical school is several miles away from the campus where the bulk of the pro-Palestinian protests occurred. Cancer researchers have stopped work on several clinical trials for disease treatment and symptom management, Dawn Hershman, an oncologist, told me. Hershman said that, unlike many of her colleagues, she isnt convinced that there is any DEI-specific pattern to the cuts thus far; even so, her lab has been modifying clinical research to comply with Trumps anti-DEI directives. This type of disruption costs money and timetime that people with cancer dont have, she said. Accili, who leads the Diabetes and Endocrinology Research Center, had to stop work on a clinical trial that had tracked patients since the 1990s. Because he cant finish the study, all the data are unusable, he told me. If the Trump administration is in fact targeting these grants because of ideological factors, its caught a lot of apolitical research in the crosshairs. According to an email from the director of the Columbia Stem Cell Initiative to colleagues, grants to train aspiring researchers were canceled because of their diversity component. Grants that mentioned climate, race, HIV, or COVID also appear to have been cut, as were grants that support centers to study cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimers. [Read: Inside the collapse at the NIH] Megan Sykes, the director of the Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, received supplemental funding to employ a Black graduate student on her research grant. But the grant itself studied better ways to transplant animal organs into humans. One of the grants canceled at Accilis lab included an effort to recruit transgender patients. But the study itself looked at the progression of bone disease in humans. (Accili told me that, when it came to grants to support early-career scientists, filling out the paperwork related to the NIHs diversity requirement was sometimes a burden. Some specialties already struggle to recruit enough young physicians; adding new demands, he said, only makes that more difficult.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One engineering-school professor whose graduate student lost the grant that paid his stipend said that the student didnt participate in the protests on either side. Its so disconnected from anything he does, the professor, who requested anonymity for fear of more grant cuts, told me. Hes ending up suffering consequences nominally for how Columbias leadership handled the protest. Some of the researchers feeling the biggest effects of the punishments are themselves Jewish. Columbia has an unusually high proportion of Jewish students and professors. (The Jewish campus organization Hillel estimates that Columbias grad-student population is 16 percent Jewish.) Many are seeing their livelihood thrown into question in the name of fighting anti-Semitism. Theyre aware of the irony. Sykes, whos Jewish, told me that shes frightened by the rise of anti-Semitism. But I just dont understand the connection between that and NIH-funded biomedical research, she said. Last week, Trumps anti-Semitism task force told Columbia that it would consider restoring the $400 million if the university takes a number of specific steps to crack down on pro-Palestinian protesters and address anti-Semitism, including changing its discipline policies and banning masks that protesters use to conceal their identities. But even if the money comes back, things wont return to the way they were before. Now that Trump has set the precedent of pulling scientific funding as a punishment for unrelated offenses, scientific research will always be at risk of being caught in the middle. Prior administrations, including Joe Bidens, have used university funding as a way to further certain priorities. But Trumps is the first to wield the threat of lost federal funding as a political cudgel. If obeying the dictates of one administration places scientists at risk of being persecuted by the next, what are they to do? Accili has warned faculty members not to use any terms related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in future grant proposals. He has even advised them to avoid technical phrases, such as gain of function, that have become associated with pandemic-related controversies. Were in a phase in which we have to watch what we write or what we say for fear of offending the ongoing political sensitivities, he told me. That has never been an ideal condition for scientific progress. This article originally stated that Columbia's cancer center had stopped work on clinical trials. In fact, the cancer research that has been stopped was not based in the cancer center. Article originally published at The Atlantic YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) Mrs. Della Mae Austin, 90, of Youngstown, transitioned from this earthly labor to her heavenly home on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Mercy Health St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital with her beloved daughter and family at her side. Mrs. Austin was born January 1, 1935, in Sandersville, Georgia, a daughter of George J. and Minnie L. Warthen Harris. Find obituaries from your high school Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Della was a 1952 graduate of South High School and attended tailoring school in Youngstown. Della had been employed for 25 years with Delphi Packard Electric, retiring in 1994. She was a member of Union Baptist Church and loved the Lord. She was a true entrepreneur and was part owner/operator of J & D Boutique which was located on Market Street for many years. She was a fashionista and took pride in purchasing exquisite merchandise for her customers as well as for herself. Due to the fact that she had attended tailoring school, one of her many enjoyable pastimes was sewing. She also enjoyed traveling and shopping. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She leaves to forever hold dear her memories, her devoted daughter, Kim Marie Moses of Youngstown; two grandsons, Michael (Molly) Moses of Columbus and Scott (LeRonica) Moses of Newport News, Virginia; four great-grandchildren, Cheyenne, Xavier, Canaan and Carsen; Godchildren, Darryl Royal and Angel Comer; special cousins, Catherine Patterson, Patsy Price and Mae Graham; a host of nieces, nephews, other family, church family and friends and special friends, Jessie Maxwell who was also her business partner, Randall Nuby, Sr. and Harry Clinkscales Waiting to greet her at Heavens gate were her parents; her husband, George Bucky Austin, whom she married February 12, 1956 and who passed away March 21, 1989; her siblings, George Harris, Jr., Olla Cook, Arthur Harris and Henry Harris; her son-in-law, Michael Moses, Sr. and Godson, Eric Brown. Visitation will be on Saturday, March 22, 2025, from 9:00 10:00 a.m., at the Union Baptist Church, 528 Lincoln Avenue, Youngstown, where a Celebration of Life service will follow at 10:00 a.m. The services will be live streamed at: Union Baptist Church Youngstown on both Facebook Page and You Tube Channel. The family would like to thank the Austinwoods Health Care Center Assisted Living staff and van drivers who showed their love, care and concern for her, as well as Ketchen, nurse Kimberly, the special daytime shift aide who talked and spent time with her at Austintown Health Care. Thank you all so very much. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arrangements handled by L.E. Black, Phillips & Holden Funeral Home. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Della Mae Austin, please visit our floral store. A television tribute will air Thursday, March 20 at the following approximate times: 6:47 a.m. on WYTV, 9:43 a.m. on WKBN, 10:58 a.m. on FOX and 8:12 p.m. on MyYTV. 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. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is scheduled to visit Indianapolis in April to promote the young adult version of her 2024 book "True Gretch." Whitmer, who is term-limited, has been floated among potential 2028 presidential candidates for the Democratic Party. Whitmer will discuss her book, which details her career, with former WISH "Indy Style" host Tracy Forner at 6:30 p.m. on April 3 in the Clowes Auditorium at the Central Library in downtown Indianapolis. The event is organized by Kids Ink Children's Bookstore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The event is free, but a ticket is required. More information is available at kidsinkbooks.com. Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Brittany Carloni at brittany.carloni@indystar.com. Follow her on Twitter/X @CarloniBrittany. Sign up for our free weekly politics newsletter, Checks & Balances, curated by IndyStar political and government reporters. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to promote book in Indianapolis MONTPELIER, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) Two of Vermonts top Democrats just released a letter unlike any other to come out of the Vermont State House the past few years. Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Baruth and House Speaker Jill Krowinski announced Tuesday evening that they reluctantly accept Governor Phil Scotts reasons for vetoing the 2025 Budget Adjustment Act, and said they will agree to his request to remove spending he deemed excessive. The leaders of each of the two chambers wrote in part: To speak frankly, we have very significant concerns about eliminating funding We understand, however, that Governor Scott is firm in his demand regarding removing those funds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, they did make one exception. Baruth and Krowinski want the trade off to be the Scott Administration using resources from the Vermont Department for Children and Families to keep the states hotel-motel voucher program open and funded past the upcoming April 1 cutoff, so as to not leave children, pregnant women, disabled Vermonters, veterans and more without shelter. All day Tuesday, dozens of other people rallied outside the State House requesting the same thing from the governor, and sharing their disappointment in his veto of the BAA. Hes taking away the shelter without offering any plan or anything that is viable, said The Rev. Beth Ann Maier from Vermont Interfaith Action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Make sure that everyone in Vermont has a home to live in, demanded Michael Reddy, a member of Northeast Kingdom Organizing. Its unconscionable to displace 400 people, including children, without a plan in place of where they can go. Ive watched people slowly kind of fade away, and Im kind of sick of all of my friends dying, said Andre Clark, founder of Street CATs Burlington. While Scott has yet to publicly respond to Baruth and Krowinskis request as of Tuesday night, the entire Vermont House Republican Caucus met inside the State Houses Cedar Creek Room just hours before the letter was released, explaining why they support the governors veto. House Minority Leader Pattie McCoy argued the hotel-motel program has been a failure, and doesnt want to see it expanded any further. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the programs expansion, over 130 Vermonters have died in the program, McCoy stated. When people are in the motel rooms, more are disconnected and isolated from services they may need, like addiction and mental health treatment. Stay tuned to ABC22/FOX44 to follow any reactions or changes with this that may develop throughout the 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 ABC22 & FOX44. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) The immigration battle continues at the statehouse as Democrats now challenge fellow Republican colleagues with new legislation after the state passed its immigration reform package just last month. After the three special sessions it took to pass immigration reform measures, Republicans warned that they were not done filing bills on the issue. Democrats also gave warning that they were not ready to give up on this fight. Anna Paulina Luna responds to gross headline claiming Trump offered his bed, asked to keep it secret from Melania Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Florida legislature has passed the strongest legislation to combat illegal immigration of any state in the entire country, said Governor Ron DeSantis moments before signing SB2C and SB4C from the last special session on illegal immigration. After weeks of inner party battles to get the final illegal immigration product across the finish line, the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker stood hand in hand. However, not everyone at the statehouse stood in unison supporting those efforts. I would say to my colleagues, stop terrorizing and start supporting, said State Rep. Dotie Joseph (D-North Miami). Florida Democrats gathered at the capitol announcing new legislation (HB 1435), looking to undo the immigration reform package passed in February. Florida chemtrails bill clears senate committee Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are in the fight of our lives, there is a new world order. Whether we are talking about E-Verify bills or other bills designed to denigrate and attack immigrant communities, said Rep. Joseph. Led by Rep. Joseph and Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith (D-Orlando), the bills look to undo Republican efforts such as removing E-Verify requirements, re-instating in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants, and shielding local law enforcement from being forced to work as ICE agents. However, even with advocates and Democrats championing the move, Republicans dont see these bills ever crossing the finish line. I expect them to be against these policies, but I didnt expect them so soon to immediately reverse what we just did, State Rep. Berny Jacques (R-Seminole). Rep. Jacques, a strong voice on immigration, said his colleagues across the aisle are not reading the room. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We dont want another Laken Riley, we dont want another Deputy Michael Hartwick from my district that died because an illegal alien was illegally working in our state. We dont want our services over-run by people who should not be in this state, he said. Republicans doubt the bills to undo immigration reform will ever be heard in committee this session, while Democrats remain hopeful. 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. Greeley resident Robert Casey, left, poses a question to U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet during a town hall at the University of Northern Colorado on March 18, 2025. (Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline) Greeley residents Claudia Milstead and Mary Stack were hoping to hear from their representative in Congress, first-term Republican U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans of Fort Lupton, at a town hall during this weeks congressional recess. Both even visited one of his district offices Its hard to find, said Milstead to ask the lone staffer there when hed face his constituents. He said, Well, you need to subscribe to his newsletter, and then youll know all about it, she said. So I did subscribe to his newsletter, and I got one or two. Theres nothing about a town hall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With Republican congressional majorities pursuing a sweeping plan to slash taxes and social spending, party leaders have advised GOP members not to hold in-person town hall events, Politico reported. Evans, elected last year to represent Colorados battleground 8th District, appears to have listened, and his spokesperson told the Denver Post this week that the congressman would only hold town halls in a way that allows constituents concerns to be heard without being drowned out by yelling activists. Instead, Milstead and Stack were among hundreds of northern Colorado residents who heard Tuesday night from Democratic U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, in the first of three town halls that Bennet is hosting throughout the recess week. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX One thing about him is he actually answered questions, which was good. And there were a couple of questions that some people would consider hostile, Stack said. Thats what you want from your government servants. Theyre supposed to serve us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bennet, serving his third full term in the Senate after handily winning reelection in 2022, spoke for about 90 minutes to the crowd gathered at the University of Northern Colorado, answering questions about the choices hes making at what he called a traumatic inflection point in the countrys history. My hope is that we will use this moment in American history which is a difficult, difficult, difficult moment in American history to make the changes that are needed, to be able to put us on the path we need to go, Bennet said. Bennet will also hold events on Wednesday in Golden, with Democratic U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen, and on Thursday in Colorado Springs. In Evans absence, progressive groups plan to hold a Peoples Town Hall near his office in Northglenn on Saturday. Someone who will fight Bennets brief town hall tour comes amid unprecedented attempts by President Donald Trumps administration to expand the executive branchs power, including attempted shutdowns of congressionally established agencies, mass firings of federal workers and a freeze on certain federal funds that has persisted in defiance of court orders. Trumps actions have ignited a wave of protests against the Republican agenda and pressure on Democrats to do more to stand in its way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robert Casey, a Greeley resident, asked Bennet if he would support replacing Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer who is facing intense backlash for his decision last week to back a short-term Republican spending deal to avert a government shutdown with someone who will fight. Are you guys looking for that? Casey asked. Because everyone out here, everyone I know moderates, hardcore left people they want someone who will fight, and we need that. Constituents listen to U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet during a town hall at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley on March 18, 2025. (Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline) Bennet reiterated his sharp criticism of Democrats handling of the shutdown fight, which he said in a private meeting had shown party leadership had no strategy, no plan, and no message, according to CNN. While he didnt weigh in on Schumers future directly, he pointedly raised the subject of former President Joe Bidens failure to allow a new generation to step in. Every one of us should be asking those questions all the time, Bennet said. And Im glad that you raised this. We have to do better. We have to do better. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But he also had words of caution for Democrats, saying the party had been repudiated in the 2024 election, and spoke of resisting what he called a totally understandable reaction, which is that somehow weve got to react every two seconds to whatever happens. Its a feeling, Bennet told the crowd, that his own mother shares. I hear from her at least 25 times a day, he said to laughter. If you see Susie Bennet somewhere, you can tell her that Im registering all of the texts and emails and articles that shes sending. I think grassroots protests are really important ... And coming to this town hall, and having this conversation and having neighbors, friends of neighbors, be able to hear each others perspective and points of view, I think that's important too. U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet Bennet, who has urged his fellow Democrats to select our battles, said the party needs to give voters a better sense of what its fighting for and against. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A fight for Medicaid? Thats a great fight. A fight against the tax cuts that they want to make permanent for social media billionaires and Elon Musk? Thats a great fight, he said. We have to be clear about what it is, and we also have to be clear about what were fighting for as well. We need direction Bennet was warmly received by the assembled crowd, though there were scattered interjections from attendees urging him to do more to oppose Trumps agenda. Bee Garduno, a Fort Collins resident, interrupted the town hall to ask Bennet why he had voted to confirm several of Trumps nominees for Cabinet posts. Bennet and fellow Democratic Sen. John Hickenlooper have been among the Senate Democrats most likely to back Trumps picks, voting to confirm eight and 10 nominees, respectively, out of the 21 selected so far. Bennet defended his votes on the grounds that maintaining good relationships with leaders of important executive-branch departments will help his constituents more than taking a stance of blanket opposition. Laurie Morris, a Brighton resident, thanked Bennet for holding the town hall, but said it wasnt enough. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I hear everybody here saying we need leadership, she said. We need direction. We need to know how to get together Help us find that. Give us something really specific. Who can we go to? Where do we go? How do we do this? I guess Id say, dont stop, Bennet replied. This is not just about tonight If our voices are not going to be raised in the moment were in, when will they be raised? I think grassroots protests are really important, Bennet told Newsline after the event. And coming to this town hall, and having this conversation and having neighbors, friends of neighbors, be able to hear each others perspective and points of view, I think thats important too. Out of this gathering, hopefully well be able to build momentum going into the future and when I say we, I dont mean me, I mean all of us working together. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE WASHINGTON (AP) Democrats have been sniping at each other in public since Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer helped pass a Republican spending bill that prevented a government shutdown. But the divisions in their party hardly began there. For months, Democrats have been struggling to coalesce behind a political strategy as they confront President Donald Trump and the Republican majorities in the House and the Senate. Behind closed doors at party retreats, think tank meetings and strategy sessions, Democrats have been having tense and searching conversations about ideology, policy and messaging as they urgently try to address what went wrong in last year's election. I think were in a place internally where were having these family discussions and figuring out what the path forward is, said Rep. Maxwell Frost, a Florida Democrat and, at age 28, the youngest member of Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats grapple with the scale of their challenges The Democratic Party's political woes were front and center last week as House Democrats gathered a short drive away from Washington for their annual political retreat. Frost said Democrats were alarmed by exit polls from November's presidential election, which found Trump won voters without a college degree and those who made less than $100,000 in annual income. The same data showed Trump also made inroads with communities of color and young voters, traditionally areas of strength for Democrats. Recent polls underscore the challenge. Democrats are facing stark dissatisfaction among Americans, including among the partys base. Only about 3 in 10 U.S. adults had a favorable view of the Democratic Party, versus 54% who held an unfavorable view in a March CNN poll. And about 6 in 10 Democrats said they preferred to see the party work to stop the Republican agenda, compared with about 4 in 10 who preferred Democrats work with Republicans. That represents a stark shift from the outset of Trumps first term in 2017, when about three-quarters of Democrats said they preferred working with Republicans over stopping the GOP agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democratic brand absolutely needs to change," said Rep. Seth Moulton, a Massachusetts Democrat. "We will not win with the status quo. Moulton said that Democrats must be very public about their reckoning. I think we need a high-level message from leadership that, Hey, we got the message of the last election. We heard you voters. You voted us out across the board, and were going to change, Moulton said. Democrats agree on some points. They uniformly detest Trump, broadly believe that they have failed to connect with the working-class voters they aim to champion and generally agree on the direction that economic and social policies should trend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But party leaders are far from united about how to best confront Trump in his second term and about what policies should be emphasized to voters as they do it. The 2024 election offered little clarity in the progressive vs. moderate debate Part of the difficulty is that both the Democratic Partys progressive and moderate wings feel as though the early days of the Trump administration have vindicated at times their differing approaches. We are locked out of accessing the levers and buttons of power, of reaching government. Our next milestone, and it is a critical milestone to achieve, is winning the majority in 2026 that is of paramount importance, said Rep. Brad Schneider of Illinois, chair of the New Democrat Coalition, a bloc of House Democrats that advocates for pragmatic, effective policies." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Schneider, all of the party's efforts should be focused on winning back the majority, rather than winning the day's news cycle. Ive said this to my colleagues, and Ill keep repeating it: We can win moments (that) go viral. We can win arguments here and there. We can even win a day. But if what were doing isnt putting us on the path to win the election next year, we havent gotten to where we need to be, and were not doing what we need to do," Schneider said. More progressive lawmakers make a different case. So I think that this is a real opportunity for the Democratic Party to transform the way we need it to to be a party of working people, said Rep. Greg Casar of Texas, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think that we should stop looking at this so much as a left-right fight within our caucus so many voters dont even think about it that way and think of it more as a bottom-up fight where we can unite the vast majority of the country against the small number of people that are screwing them over in their government and their workplaces," Casar said. Democrats are already looking ahead to next year's midterm elections With Republicans controlling the House by only a handful of seats, Democrats say they are in a strong position to retake the majority and they aren't waiting until 2026 to get their campaigns off the ground. The pace, intensity and unpredictability of Trump's governance have alarmed, frightened and excited voters across the country. In Trump's blitz, Democrats see an opportunity for pushback. This week, with the House on recess, the Democratic National Committee launched a People's Town Hall series of national events meant to connect with voters in swing states and districts. The effort follows weeks of town halls hosted by national liberal figures, including Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Congressional Black Caucus, meanwhile, plans next month to launch a bus tour of lawmakers to Black communities in congressional districts across the country in a bid to engage voters disenchanted with the party and highlight potentially unpopular decisions by Trump. And members of Congress have supported the efforts of aligned legal groups like Democracy Forward, which has spearheaded the legal pushback to Trump's agenda in the judicial system, while liberal organizing groups like Indivisible are coordinating nationwide protests throughout April against the Trump administration. Rep. Suzan DelBene of Washington, chair of the House Democrats campaign arm, said House Democrats will focus on kitchen table issues in making their pitch to voters. She singled out lowering costs and public safety as key topics. Thats why we outperformed the top of the ticket pretty much across the country," DelBene said, referring to last year's election results. "So well continue to do that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But even as Democrats try to hone their message, some Democrats are stressing the urgency of taking a stand against Trump now, long before votes are cast next November. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, a progressive from Massachusetts, said the party must respond first to this unprecedented power grab and lawless actions from the Trump administration before debating whether to drop parts of its agenda. Who are we? The midterms are around the corner," Pressley said, and our most compelling argument will not just be what we stopped but what it is that we seek to advance. What I will say is that I think now is not the time to be moderating our aspirations, she said. A patient who has received a surgery featuring an innovative "brain-spinal interface" technology poses for a group photo with the research team from Fudan University and the clinical team from Fudan-affiliated Zhongshan Hospital in Shanghai, east China, on Jan. 22, 2025. (Fudan University/Handout via Xinhua) SHANGHAI, March 19 (Xinhua) -- For many, walking is a simple and everyday act, yet for those living with spinal cord injuries, it remains a distant and often unattainable dream. However, four patients in China have taken life-changing steps toward reclaiming this ability after they received surgery featuring an innovative "brain-spinal interface" technology in Shanghai. The breakthrough hinges on a "triple-integrated" brain-spinal interface system created by Jia Fumin's team at Fudan University's Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence. Their brain-spinal interface system works by capturing motor signals from the brain's movement center, decoding them via advanced algorithms, and delivering tailored electrical pulses to spinal nerves below the injury site, thus effectively rerouting movement commands around injured areas. Unlike external assistive devices, this system creates an internal "neural bypass," allowing patients to control their limbs naturally. For patients like Lin, a man in his 30s who found himself reliant on a wheelchair following a life-altering fall two years ago, the results have been nothing short of transformative. Lin's journey began in October 2024 when he volunteered for a clinical trial after spotting a recruitment notice on Fudan's official social media page. His surgery, performed on Jan. 8 at Fudan-affiliated Zhongshan Hospital, involved minimally invasive implants: two 1-mm-diameter electrodes placed in his brain's motor cortex and a stimulator chip in spine. The progress was startlingly swift. By day three, he could move both legs using brain signals. Within two weeks, he could lift his right leg high enough to step over moving obstacles. By day 15, he managed to walk more than five meters using a standing frame with suspension support. "I used to cry every day," Lin shared. "Now, I can walk again. I am grateful for the efforts of every member of the research team." Similar breakthroughs took place for two other patients who regained leg movement within hours of their surgeries in February. Notably, both exhibited voluntary leg lifts just one day after their operations. While a 2023 Swiss study published in Nature demonstrated similar principles, Fudan's approach exhibits distinct advantages. The Swiss method required invasive dual craniotomies (leaving palm-sized openings) and staged surgeries over two years, raising the risk of infections. In contrast, Jia's team can complete both brain and spinal procedures in a single four-hour session using ultra-minimally invasive techniques. They integrate multiple components into a miniature brain device, enhancing signal stability while reducing surgical trauma. Even more promising are signs of neural regeneration. While the Swiss team observed nerve repair after six months, Lin showed early signs within two weeks. "It's as if dormant nerves 'woke up' once the brain-spinal connection was restored," explained Dr. Ding Jing, director of the neurology department at Zhongshan Hospital. Follow-up exams revealed further improvements: Lin's sensation gradually returned in his legs, along with muscle contractions and renewed control over bodily functions. The new technology might help more people reignite the hope for life, as China now has 3.74 million spinal injury patients, with 90,000 new cases annually. Despite its prospects, scaling the technology faces hurdles, including scarce implantable electrodes and the complexity of decoding diverse motor signals. "Achieving real-time, precise decoding remains our biggest challenge," Jia noted. Additionally, the system is currently limited to adults capable of intensive post-op rehabilitation, requiring 5 to 7 hours of therapy each day. Collaborating with hospitals like Zhongshan and Huashan, Jia's team aims to refine algorithms, gather more clinical data, and prepare for regulatory trials. They will also develop wearable neuroregulation devices for milder cases and multi-modal motion monitoring systems in the future. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) Democratic members of Congress spoke all over the country Tuesday warning about what cuts to Medicaid will do to millions of Americans. Rep. Nancy Pelosi stopped at UCSF in San Francisco, and KRON4 was there to ask her thoughts about President Trumps approved budget plan. Pelosi walked into this UCSF conference room followed by other Democratic leaders from the Bay Area. VIDEO: Man vandalizes Tesla in San Jose parking lot, police chief and mayor respond Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The current Republican budget plan of $880 billion could be cut from Medicaid. Many families depend on it for long-term care for the seniors and their families. Veterans depend on it for disabilities. People with disabilities depend on it, Pelosi said. Democrats say cuts are being made to make way for tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans. One in three hospital patients in California rely on Medicaid for health insurance. Dr. Josh Adler from UCSF spoke Tuesday saying 58 percent of ER patients at the hospital relied on Medicaid for treatment last year. Tesla permit granted by CPUC, closer to operating rideshare service in CA Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a physician, Ive seen firsthand the profound positive impact that Medicaid coverage has on our patients and our community and simultaneously know the negative impact that would occur by eliminating that coverage, Adler said. President Donald Trump has said that he will not be making cuts to Medicaid, but Representative Pelosi doesnt think thats true. We arent taking any word from him as shall we say gospel, Pelosi said. Some Democrats in Congress voted in favor of the very budget plan that the Call To Action Day is warning about. Those who spoke at UCSF expressed confidence in Sen. Chuck Schumers ability to lead the party but said there needs to be more unity moving forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Only way were going to be able to stop bad things from happening is if were unified so were going to have to do a lot better next time a key issue like this comes up, said Senator Adam Schiff. Pelosi says that around 100,000 people on Medicaid in San Francisco are at risk of losing their health insurance if the cuts go through. 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. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) From coast to coast, Democrats held rallies in their home states to warn of potential cuts to Medicaid and Medicare. The people have the power to save Medicaid, right?! Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) shouted, met with a crowds enthusiastic response. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries accused Republicans of planning to slash vital services. They want to take a chainsaw to Medicaid. They want to take a chainsaw to Social Security. They want to take a chainsaw to Medicare, Jeffries said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jeffries and Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.) claimed Republican budget plans would jeopardize healthcare services. It is an assault on healthcare for our neighbors that depend on it just to live, Clarke said. Democrats like Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) and Murphy voiced concerns that Republicans will target Medicaid and Medicare to cut $880 billion from the federal budget over the next few years. Using it to pay for tax cuts for Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and the top 1%, its totally immoral and illegal, Courtney said. This would be the biggest transfer of wealth in our country, from the poor and the middle class to the rich and the affluent, Murphy added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) insisted the programs would remain untouched. No cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security. Zero, Johnson said last week. However, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) warned that cuts remain part of Republican plans. This is not the future that I am willing to accept, DeLauro said, vowing Democrats will push 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. WASHINGTON Congressional Democrats are reassessing their political strategy after the party caved in on itself over disagreements on whether to fight back against a Republican-led spending bill to avoid a government shutdown. After days of infighting and finger pointing, top Democrats in both the House and Senate spoke with each other over the weekend to discuss a path forward, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters on Tuesday. Jeffries, D-N.Y., even offered key support to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who has been under fire by several members of his own party after voting to advance the GOP-led government funding bill last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked if Jeffries supports Schumers leadership in the Senate, the top House Democrat simply replied: Yes, I do. The short statement marks a major turnaround for the two party leaders after Jeffries last week refused to answer that same question when asked multiple times in a press conference. Whenever Jeffries was pressed on the matter, he answered: Next question. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., right, is joined by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., for a press conference in Statuary Hall at the Capitol, Feb. 12, 2025, in Washington. | Rod Lamkey Schumer defends support for continuing resolution Meanwhile, Schumer has defended his decision as being the lesser of two evils and has remained adamant he is the best leader for Senate Democrats, telling CBS Mornings on Tuesday he is the best at winning Senate seats. So I thought I did the thing a leader should do: Even when people dont see the danger around the curve, my job was to alert people to it and I knew Id get some bullets, Schumer said of his decision, which prompted so much backlash the Senate minority leader had to postpone a previously scheduled book tour this week due to planned protests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, Schumer and Jeffries are moving forward with a plan to use President Donald Trumps own agenda against him. A major part of that will be focusing on Republicans forthcoming tax reconciliation bill, which Democrats have warned would be used to cut benefits to crucial welfare programs such as Medicaid. Its a scheme to jam these massive tax cuts down the throat of the American people for their billionaire donors and wealthy corporations who dont need it, Jeffries said at a press conference in Brooklyn, New York, on Tuesday. And then they want to force working class Americans to pay the bill by robbing working class Americans of their health care. Jeffries outlined a number of ways Democrats are already digging in on these attacks, declaring Tuesday the Medicaid Day of Action. Democratic lawmakers across the country participated by hosting town hall meetings, press conferences, events with health care providers and Medicaid recipients, and more, Jeffries said. Trump has vowed not to touch Medicaid or any other welfare program when it comes to spending cuts, but that may not be possible, according to recent budget estimates. The Congressional Budget Office, a nonpartisan agency that provides budget and economic information to Congress, published a report earlier this month concluding lawmakers would likely need to slash Medicaid funding to cover the lost tax revenue from extending the 2017 tax cuts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By calling attention to those potential cuts to Medicaid, Schumer is hoping it will damage Trumps popularity enough to give Democrats an edge with voters. Schumer: Relentless fighting will change view of Trump If we keep at it every day relentless fighting and showing how theyre hurting people so badly Trumps numbers will get much lower, and his popularity, but also his effectiveness will decline, Schumer, D-N.Y., told CBS Mornings. I believe that strategy will work. The strategy comes at a crucial time for Democrats as they look to gain back power in Congress in next years midterm elections and hold some sort of leverage in the federal government. But it also comes as the partys favorability ratings sit at a record low, according to a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS this week. Just 29% of Americans say they view the party favorably, which is a record low for the poll since it began surveying voters in 1992. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By comparison, the Republican Party currently holds a 36% favorability rating, the poll shows. Among Democratic-aligned adults only, more than half (52%) say Democratic leadership is taking the party in the wrong direction, according to the poll. A major factor contributing to that number, which is lower than previous polling, is due to the partys failure to coalesce around a single figure to serve as a counterpoint to Trump. Roughly 6% named Jeffries as a leader who best reflects the core values, according to the poll. Only 2% said Schumer. The top choice among Democrats, with 10%, was New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. A group of House Democrats are pleading with President Donald Trump to reconsider his disgraceful and discriminatory proposed travel ban that could impact 43 countries, according to a draft that circulated over the weekend. The deadline for Trumps order directing cabinet members to draft a list of countries that should face travel restrictions because their "vetting and screening information is so deficient" is Thursday. A reported draft of the list showed citizens from 43 countries could soon be restricted from entering the U.S.A. A White House official previously told The Independent no decision had been made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the daughter of first-generation Iranian immigrants, I saw firsthand how Trumps cruel and xenophobic 2017 travel ban hurt families like mine, Rep. Yassamin Ansari, who penned the letter, said in a statement shared with The Independent. Just a few years ago, my grandmother an American citizen died without ever getting the chance to see her sister again. The newly proposed Trump travel ban is disgraceful and discriminatory. It does nothing to make us safer, but instead hurts our economy and our national security while emboldening extremists. Trump has billed the restrictions as a step toward protecting the U.S. from foreign terrorists and other national security threats. But Ansari, Illinois Rep. Brad Schneider, and more than 30 of their Democratic colleagues argued in a letter to Trump that his proposed travel ban is reckless and could actually do more harm than good. There is absolutely no national security imperative to wholesale ban travelers from large swaths of the globe, the Wednesday letter shared with The Independent reads. Nationality is simply not correlated with threats to our security. A group of House Democrats wrote a letter to President Donald Trump in opposition to his proposed travel ban that could target 43 countries, according to a draft released over the weekend (REUTERS) The travel ban could damage the U.S. economy, erode the trust of allied nations, and undermine the countrys moral standing on a global stage, the Democrats argued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Economically, a blanket ban could negatively impact the job market, tourism industry, and global trade. Our nations prosperity depends on open, secure, and mutually beneficial engagement with the world, not isolation, fear, and discrimination towards outsiders, the Democrats wrote. Broad restrictions also threaten to undermine relationships with allies, meaning the U.S. could risk losing these nations intelligence-sharing and counterterrorism efforts, which are critical to U.S. defense. Our retreat on the global stage from Ukraine to USAID is already prompting a turn away from the U.S. and our values and instead towards our adversaries, like Russia and China, they warned. The U.S. has long held the reputation as a compassionate leader, welcoming refugees, students, and individuals seeking a better life for themselves and their families. But these restrictions would inflict unnecessary hardship on these individuals who pose no threat, the letter added. We urge you to reconsider this extreme approach as it poses significant economic, moral, and security challenges that outweigh its intended benefits, the Congress members continued. Rep. Yassamin Ansari, an Arizona Congresswoman who co-led a letter to Trump opposing his 'dangerous and disgraceful' proposed travel ban (House of Representatives) The Democrats urged his administration to work with Congress to pursue commonsense reforms, like pathways to citizenship for hardworking, longtime residents, streamlining the visa process for families and employers, compassionate treatment of immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees, as well as addressing legitimate national security concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter comes as reports of the proposed ban over the weekend sparked fears about how international travelers, workers and students should prepare for what could be an imminent ban. Leaders at Ivy League schools have already warned international students and community members ahead of spring break to prepare for uncertainty when they plan on returning to the U.S. A pair of law professors at Yale similarly warned international students about a looming travel ban, in an email obtained by The Guardian. The professors advised that the students could be questioned about their support for Palestine noting the risk that their answers could get their visas revoked. We cannot advise you on how to answer such questions, the professors wrote, but you should be prepared to respond to them. The email was sent Sunday, two days after the Trump administration moved to revoke the green card of Columbia graduate student Mahmoud Khalil and detained him in ICE custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Similarly at Brown University, Russell Carey, the schools executive vice president for planning and policy, sent out an email. Potential changes in travel restrictions and travel bans, visa procedures and processing, re-entry requirements and other travel-related delays may affect travelers ability to return to the U.S. as planned, the Brown Daily Herald reported. Olivia Troye, the former Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Advisor to former Vice President Mike Pence, also condemned the move, writing on X: As someone who worked on this at DHS as a national security officialI have a lot to say about the travel ban. I warned that it would be significantly worse in a second Trump term. 43 countries?! What justification are they going to use this time? Rep. Brad Schneider, who also led the letter to Trump, said the proposed bans represent a troubling step backwards. He continued in a statement: We diminish our country and our childrens future by surrendering to isolation and irrational suspicion. A draft of the list, obtained by the New York Times, separated countries into three sections red, orange, and yellow to denote the level of restriction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The red list includes 11 countries whose citizens would be entirely forbidden from entering the US: Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen. The orange list includes 10 countries whose citizens will be required to have specific visas: Belarus, Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, Sierra Leone, South Sudan and Turkmenistan. They will have to sit for in-person interviews to obtain a visa, the outlet reported. The yellow list contains 22 countries, mostly African nations, that the Trump administration is giving 60 days to address concerns over alleged vetting deficiencies. If these countries dont comply, they risk being placed on the red or orange lists, the Times reported. Democrats are using town halls to go on offense against their Republican counterparts as the party scrambles to capitalize on a weak point: GOP lawmakers taking heat for President Trump. Democratic Party leaders argue that images of Republican lawmakers being pressed and booed at home-district town halls in response to Trumps agenda is reminiscent of Tea Party town halls during former President Obamas first term. Last week at their annual retreat, House Democrats announced they would travel to House Republican districts to hold town halls, while the Democratic National Committee, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the Association of State Democratic Committees announced a joint effort, dubbed Peoples Town Halls, to target vulnerable Republicans. As a part of that effort, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) hosted town halls in GOP districts in Iowa and Nebraska last weekend. Additional town halls are planned for this week in Pennsylvanias 7th and 10th Congressional Districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) are also hitting the road for their Fighting Oligarchy: Where We Go From Here tour, which includes a stop in Rep. Gabe Evanss (R-Colo.) district, as well as stops in Nevada and Arizona. Meanwhile, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC) has helped build crowds at a number of town halls featuring Democratic Sens. Ruben Gallego (Ariz.), Jeff Merkley (Ore.) and Michael Bennet (Colo.) this month, targeting vulnerable House Republicans in their respective states. In this world of wondering what is effective as Trump floods the zone, one thing that is indisputably true is that as Trump voters and veterans speak out in local meetings, House Republicans are feeling the pain, said PCCC co-founder Adam Green, adding he hopes that effort will become a caucus-wide intentional strategy of going to House Republican districts. House Republicans have been pressed by town hall attendees in recent weeks on potential cuts to Social Security and the Department of Government Efficiencys efforts to slash government spending, with many of the interactions going viral. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reps. Bill Huizenga (Mich.) and Chuck Edwards (N.C.) were the latest Republicans to face heated forums, with Huizenga being pressed during a telephone town hall and Edwards during an in-person event. Theyre afraid of Donald Trump. Theyre afraid of Elon Musk. Theyre afraid of the votes theyre taking, and theyre not willing to talk to people whose lives theyre impacting and upending, said one Democratic operative, referring to House Republicans. Republicans have dismissed the intense district meetings, arguing the events are being filled with Democratic agitators. Trump claimed earlier this month that paid troublemakers were attending the forums. However, the viral town halls caused enough concern among Republicans that National Republican Congressional Committee Chair Richard Hudson (R-N.C.) advised his colleagues during a closed-door meeting earlier this month to avoid in-person town halls. Instead, Hudson encouraged members to participate in virtual town halls or livestreamed events. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But there are risks for Democrats in traveling to red territory. Recent national polls show Democrats with record-low favorability ratings, while the party grapples with how to unite following a dramatic divide over support for a GOP-written government funding measure. An NBC News poll released over the weekend found that only 27 percent of voters said they had a positive view of the Democratic Party, while a separate CNN poll showed the partys favorability rating at a record low of 29 percent. Republicans also note that the events being put on by Democrats are, by nature, partisan events, appealing to Democrats and left-leaning voters. They like to pretend its all organic, but the reality is theyre working with different outside groups to essentially storm these town halls, said Preya Samsundar, a GOP communications consultant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Democrats maintain that Trump voters are the target audience for the forums. The cream of the crop people who should be empowered to speak out are former Trump voters and veterans talking about why Social Security and Medicaid and veterans health care being cut is not what they voted for or expected from Trump, Green said. There are a lot of Trump voters, lifelong Republicans, veterans, who are feeling the crunch as a result of Trump policies but have no way to express that pain. Its just pent up privately, he continued. Our challenge should be giving them a forum to make their voices public. Republicans are also brushing off the recent Democratic efforts to campaign in GOP districts, using Walz as a scapegoat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tim Walzs town hall stop in Wisconsin is simply a desperate attempt to save face and remain relevant after his embarrassing defeat, which sent him back to Minnesota in disgrace, Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.) said in a statement after Walz visited his district over the weekend. Even some Democrats say they are wary of having national figures like Walz, Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez at town hall events, warning that the focus should be on local figures. Its not a strategy that I think can get the best results if were going to be completely honest here, said Brian Lemek, founder and executive director of Defend the Vote. We dont do ourselves any favors if we have nationally known figures in these districts if theyre not representative of the people there. Updated on March 19 at 6:51 a.m. EDT Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) A heated town hall happened Tuesday, with some people wanting Democrats to fight back against possible cuts by the Trump Administration. Dozens gathered in St. Petersburg to hear from U.S. Representative Kathy Castor. They discussed the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and what she calls threats to social security, Medicaid, and Medicare. Federal judge blocks Trump administration from banning transgender people from military service Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People who attended the town hall expressed criticism toward Democrats. They are lukewarm when it calls for fiery hot, said Jennifer Griffin. The White House said they will not be cutting those programs. It appears that theyre using that as a front for the cuts that they will make to Medicaid, Castor said. What theyre doing right now is a backdoor cut because they are eliminating a lot of the public servants that operate social security. That pick up the phone when you call, that process your claim. Castor said people should watch what Republicans do, not what they say. But the president of the Republican Club of Greater Largo begs to differ. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those are the tactics of the Democrats and theres some projecting there, said Dr. Sirena Pellarolo. This is going to be an adjustment that we need to do. Its a tough love type of situation that that is going to benefit most of the population in the long run. Dr. Pellarolo said President Trump wont tax social security because it is money earned thats already been taxed. She also said the president is acting through a mandate of 77 million voters. Castor said Democrats will fight back in congress, in community, and in the courts. If theyre going to barrel towards a giant tax cut for billionaires and their donors, theyre going to have to go through us, and I think theyre going to have to go through the people, Castor said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some people said they are hopeful, but not everyone is convinced Democrats are doing enough to battle back against the presidents agenda. News Channel 8 On Your Side asked Griffin how she felt after the town hall. Dissatisfied. I feel like theres a tornado coming this way and were standing here looking out the window, Griffin said. Castor encouraged people to visit the Democratic Litigation and Response Take Force website to learn more ways Democrats are fighting 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 WFLA. (NewsNation) As Democrats try to work their way out of the political wilderness and find a message that resonates with voters, some marquee names in the Democratic Party are holding town halls with Americans around the country. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz the former candidate for vice president held three town halls in the past week in Des Moines, Iowa; Omaha, Nebraska; and Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Starting Thursday, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., will join Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., on his Fighting Oligarchy: Where We Go From Here tour in Nevada, Arizona and Colorado. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The press release from the Sanders team says the tour is targeting districts narrowly won by Republicans in 2024, serving as a pressure campaign to force vulnerable congresspeople to vote against any cuts to Medicaid, housing, nutrition, education and other basic needs to pay for more tax breaks for the richest people in this country. These events, and others being held by Democrats, aim to hone the partys message after losing the White House, Senate and House in November. Fetterman claps back at Ocasio-Cortez on government funding vote They also hope to prove that theyre actively listening to voters and highlight that many Republican representatives have canceled town halls after facing voters upset at the chaos theyve experienced since President Donald Trump began his second term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walz said his goal is to respond to the primal scream of God dang it, do something that he was hearing. At Tuesdays town hall in Wisconsin, he made digs at Elon Musk, Trump, Republicans who were not holding town halls as well as the Democratic Party. Walz noted many times that Democrats, including himself, did not do a good job of explaining why their programs and policies were better and that people didnt think Democrats were fighting for them. When can an unelected South African nepo baby be able to cut our programs? Again, I will own this. Ninety million people stayed home because they didnt think thered be any difference. That responsibility falls back on me, and it falls on us to define who we are, said Walz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump will run and win again in 2028: Steve Bannon The governor also acknowledged that while Democrats need to spread their message everywhere, it also needs to be simpler. Though he disagreed with Trumps methods, he conceded they were effective. The Trump campaign made it simplethe contrastKamalas for they/them, Trump is for you. Demonizing a group of people, but the simplicity was just brutal, said Walz. Walz asked the audience what Democratic action in the age of Trump looks like to them. One suggestion was for Senate Democrats to mimic what GOP Senator Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., did under former Democratic President Barack Obamas administration, which was to try and slow or even stop the White Houses agenda from moving forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was also a call for Democrats to say what theyll do differently, including fighting for universal health care and labor unions, fighting against climate change and getting money and Musk out of politics. At the Wisconsin event, Walz also encouraged attendees to get involved in the competitive race for state Supreme Court taking place on April 4. He expressed disgust that Elon Musk had donated millions of dollars to try to defeat the candidate supported by Democrats. 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. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston blasted the Trump administration for conducting what he said is "Soviet-style political persecution of political dissidents" by arresting a high-profile Colorado immigration advocate. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Jeanette Vizguerra, who is undocumented, outside her job at a Target in Aurora on Monday. Vizguerra, a mother of four and a grandmother, gained prominence in 2017 when she took refuge in churches during the last Trump administration, when places of worship were off-limits for arrests by immigration enforcement officers. In his second term in the White House, President Donald Trump has revoked that policy and now allows arrests at schools, houses of worship or hospital facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnston compared Vizguerra's arrest to Soviet political persecutions "under the guise of immigration enforcement" at a morning news conference. He made similar remarks on social media, calling it "Putin-style" political persecution. "This is a mom of American citizens, who works at Target and has started a community nonprofit. This is not something that makes our community safer, in my mind. I think it makes our community more lawless," Johnston said. The Department of Homeland Security and ICE did not respond to emailed questions about Vizguerra's arrest. Vizguerra has been an activist against detention and deportation for years after having taken refuge in the churches in 2017. Her activities have included protesting outside the Aurora detention center. She was named one of Time magazine's most influential people in 2017 for her immigration advocacy in an article written by actor America Ferrera. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "She shed blood, sweat and tears to become a business owner, striving to give her children more opportunities than she had. This is not a crime. This is the American Dream," Ferrera wrote. Vizguerra, a resident of Colorado for more than 30 years, also had worked as a labor organizer with the Service Employees International Union and volunteered with several groups, including the Aurora Neighborhood Watch Program and the Metro Denver Sanctuary Coalition, according to a news release issued by several community groups. She also founded community groups such as Dreamer's Mothers in Action-Colorado and Abolish ICE Denver, the release said. "It is clear she is being targeted for her community organizing and critiques of the deportation system as well as her outspoken defense of human rights," it said. More recently, she had slowed her protesting and become more active in assisting in workshops teaching immigrants their rights, helping them make family plans in case of deportation and other activities, said Jordan Garcia, a spokesman for the American Friends Service Committee, for which she also volunteered. Three of her children are U.S. citizens, and one is a legal permanent resident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Fabbricatore, a former ICE field director, celebrated Vizguerras arrest. "Finally!" he wrote on X. "The Biden administration kept me from deporting Jeanette Vizguerra 4 years ago. She should have been deported in 2009 as well. She hid in a church the first time Trump was President. She is a criminal, hates Trump, and is an open-borders, abolish-ICE advocate. Bye!!!!" Vizguerra was convicted in 2009 of using fake documents. A judge issued a deportation order for her in 2011 but allowed her to remain as long as she checked in with ICE periodically. Nervous about what might happen under the first Trump administration, she took refuge in the Denver churches. Her arrest follows that of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student and a legal resident who engaged in pro-Palestinian protests last summer. Khalil has said in court documents that he was targeted because of his constitutionally protected speech. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) A man was arrested in connection to a shooting that occurred Tuesday afternoon at a convenience store in Spartanburg County. Deputies with the Spartanburg County Sheriffs Office said they responded to Ruchi Food Mart on Asheville Highway at around 3:40 p.m., after getting reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, deputies found a male with a gunshot wound to the chest. The victim was taken to the hospital for his injuries. Officials said the victim is recovering from surgery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said a witness was able to share the description of the suspects car and tag number. The sheriffs office said a traffic deputy saw the suspect s vehicle at a gas station at Highway 292 and Interstate 26. After calling for more deputies, officials said the approached the car and arrested the suspect. The suspect, identified as Brayan Alexander Borjas-Martinez, 20, of Spartanburg was arrested and charged with attempted murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. Borjas-Martinez, deputies said, confessed to the shooting and was taken to the Spartanburg County Detention Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A motive for the shooting has not yet been determined. 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. DES MOINES, Iowa A Des Moines man has been charged with attempted murder for allegedly beating and seriously injuring his family members with a 30 lbs. dumbbell. Fort Dodge police investigating death, apartment fire According to the Des Moines Police Department, just before 7 a.m. Wednesday officers responded to a report of multiple people injured at a home in the 1200 block of East 14th Street. When officers arrived, they found a 73-year-old woman with critical injuries and a 67-year-old man and a 25-year-old man with serious injuries in the home. Police said all three victims remain hospitalized. DMPD announced Wednesday afternoon that 25-year-old Andy Vo-Luu Johnson had been arrested and charged in connection to the violent assault. Police said evidence collected showed that Johnston beat the victims with a 30 lbs. dumbbell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson has been charged with attempted murder, willful injury causing serious injury, and obstruction of emergency communications. He is being held in the Polk County Jail. Metro News: 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 who13.com. By Qabil Ashirov United States Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoffs visit to Baku elicited speculation both within and outside the country. Since neither the Azerbaijani nor the US sides shed light on the visit, interest in it ramped up. Emphasizing the coincidence of the visit with positive statements from Baku and Yerevan, some pointed out that the purpose of the visit was to take part in and bolster the peace negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which have been in conflict for over 30 years. A few days later, the National Security Advisor of the Trump Administration Mike Waltz shared a post on his official X account which may be interpreted as a confirmation. The post reads: Conflict in the South Caucasus must end. I spoke this week with Mr. Hikmet Hajiyev, the national security advisor for President Aliyev in Azerbaijan. We are pleased Azerbaijan and Armenia have taken a big step forward and agreed to a peace treaty. I told him we should finalize this peace deal now, release the prisoners, and work together to make the region more secure and prosperous. America's Golden Age will bring peace and prosperity to the world, and we won't stop working until that happens. On the other hand, the visit took place against the backdrop of news about the U.S.-Israel-Azerbaijan trilateral alliance, Israels attempt to include Azerbaijan in the Abraham Accords, and Israels lobbying for the repeal of Section 907. As such, some believe that the purpose of the visit was to discuss the U.S.-Israel-Azerbaijan trilateral alliance. The prominent Jewish news agency Jerusalem Post also touched on the issue, but unfortunately, did not put some flesh on the bone, merely underlining Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahus remarks about his commitment to the trilateral partnership between the countries (Azerbaijan and Israel) in the Knesset, as well as senior rabbis appeals to President Trump regarding the repeal of Section 907. Raza Syed, editor of the London Post, shared his thoughts on the issue and noted that the Trump administrations foreign policy laid critical groundwork for the U.S.-Israel-Azerbaijan trilateral alignment elevating Azerbaijan as a counterweight to Russian and Iranian influence while deepening ties with Israel through symbolic moves such as recognizing Jerusalem as Israels capital and brokering the Abraham Accords. This strategy bolstered Bakus strategic autonomy from Moscow but deliberately sidestepped proactive engagement in Armenian-Azerbaijani peace processes, outsourcing ceasefire negotiations to Russiaa decision that culminated in Moscows decisive role in brokering the 2020 Garabagh ceasefire. While empowering Azerbaijan militarily, this approach entrenched Russias position as a regional powerbroker, creating a paradoxical dynamic where U.S. partnerships flourished even as Russian security dominance persisted, the editor pointed out. He underscored that Azerbaijans unique geopolitical positioningas a Muslim-majority state maintaining robust ties with Israel, energy partnerships with the EU, and pragmatic relations with Russiahas elevated its role as a potential mediator in U.S.-Russia dialogues, particularly amid the Ukraine conflict. Bakus hosting of EU-mediated talks with Armenia and its simultaneous participation in Russian-led economic blocs like the CIS and EAEU exemplify its multi-vector diplomacy. Steve Witkoffs visit likely aims to leverage these dual channels, exploring backdoor avenues for communication on contentious issues such as sanctions evasion or energy security, while testing Azerbaijans capacity to bridge divides between Moscow and the West, R. Syed remarked. The editor opined that this strategy is not without risks. Azerbaijans delicate balancing act between Russia and the West risks overextension, particularly if pressured to take sides in the Ukraine conflict, which could undermine its credibility as a neutral mediator. Simultaneously, heightened defense cooperation between Israel and Azerbaijanincluding allegations of Israeli intelligence operations near Irans borderthreatens to provoke Tehran, escalating regional tensions. These ambiguities underscore the fragility of relying on transactional alliances. Ultimately, Witkoffs mission reflects a broader shift toward transactional multilateralism, where shared security and energy interests eclipse traditional diplomatic frameworks. While the trilateral partnership strengthens deterrence against Iran and reinforces Azerbaijans regional clout, it also exposes gaps in sustained U.S. diplomatic investment in conflict resolution. To avoid destabilizing the South Caucasus, Washington must recalibrate its strategy, ensuring tactical gains do not come at the expense of long-term stability. This demands a nuanced approach that balances alliance-building with proactive engagement in peace processes, rather than outsourcing regional diplomacy to rival powers, he concluded. GAZA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- A foreign UN worker was killed and five others seriously injured during the Israeli bombing of their headquarters in the central Gaza Strip, Gaza-based health authorities said on Wednesday. The attacked foreign UN staff were received by Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the central Gazan city of Deir al-Balah, health authorities said in a brief statement. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) denied the attack, saying that "the IDF did not strike a UN compound in Deir al-Balah." Israel has resumed its assault on Gaza since early Tuesday, killing more than 400 people and shattering a fragile ceasefire that took effect on Jan. 19. DES MOINES, Iowa The Des Moines Police Department is investigating a shooting on the citys south side. Iowa House advances governors policy restricting cell phones in schools At around 7:15 p.m. Tuesday officers with the DMPD responded to multiple reports of shots fired near SE 2nd Street and E Edison Avenue. The DMPD said when officers arrived at the scene they discovered evidence of gunfire, including shell casings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to DMPD, no injuries or damage has been reported and theres no evidence of any ongoing danger to the neighborhood. Residents can expect an increased police presence as the investigation unfolds. Metro News: 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 who13.com. BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) Last month, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced he was creating Floridas own Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, just like the federal agency Elon Musk runs in Washington D.C. DeSantis has pushed local governments to allow the state DOGE to audit their books, and Tuesday he announced his first volunteer. I want to congratulate Bay County for being the first Florida county to voluntarily request an audit under doge of their county finances, DeSantis said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres only one problem. Bay County officials havent requested anything, at least not yet. In the 2-minute video, posted on X DeSantis claims even though the state budget has steadily increased, local governments have continued to raise property taxes. He went on to say local citizens have a right to know how their tax dollars are being spent and that these voluntary audits will help provide that information. DeSantis went on to thank and praise Bay County two more times. Mayor suggests forming a DOGE in Panama City During Tuesdays county commission meeting, county manager Bob Majka told commissioners hed received a request from the governors office regarding the audits. He also indicated he thought the audits were a good idea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We pride ourselves in being open and transparent with our budget, being able to hold ourselves accountable to our citizens regarding where our revenue comes from and goes to. I think that anytime anyone wants to look under the hood or peel the onion, pick your analogy, look at how were conducting business on behalf of the public, I think we should embrace that. This is an opportunity for us to participate proactively in that process, Majka said. Majka said he planned to bring the states doge proposal back to the commissioners during their April 1st meeting. He recommended they agree to the voluntary audit. But, again, commissioners did not take any action on the issue Tuesday. So, Tuesdays message from DeSantis has some folks scratching their heads. The governor is encouraging cities and counties to voluntarily take part in the audits. Despite the confusion, as of right now it appears that Bay County officials will move forward with taking part in the audits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to his social media post Tuesday, DeSantis is focusing on providing relief from property taxes. 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 mypanhandle.com. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Despite certain webpages related to gun violence no longer existing on the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) website, city leaders in Columbus said their approach to combatting gun violence is not changing. Its been about three years since gun violence was declared a public health crisis in Columbus. What we are doing through the public health lens in public safety is to really look at all of those underlying social determinants of health that might predispose someone or that might affect someone into going into criminal activity, Columbus Office of Violence Prevention Director Rena Shak said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last summer, the former surgeon general declared gun violence a national public health crisis. That announcement came with a 40-page report on the issue and called for a ban on assault weapons. It was criticized at the time by the National Rifle Association (NRA). Now, when one tries to find that report or a web page about firearm violence in America on the HHS website, a Page Not Found screen appears. Id like to tell you Im surprised but Im not, Shak said. I think this was an expected step especially given the fact the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention was dismantled not too long ago. NBC4 reached out to HHS. HHS and the Office of the Surgeon General are complying with President Trumps Executive Order on Protecting Second Amendment Rights, HHS wrote in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shak said whats happened will not affect Columbus work. Regardless of whether the surgeon general was forced to take down the gun violence declaration as a public health crisis, that doesnt change our dedication to doing the work here, she said. The public health crisis of gun violence still is in effect here in the city of Columbus and the mayor and Office of Violence Prevention, we are dedicated to doing everything we can through that lens. Mayor Andrew Ginthers office also shared the following statement: Our gun problem isnt going away. Of the 12 homicides that have occurred this year, 11 involved the use of a firearm. We will treat gun violence as a public health crisis as long as this issue continues to impact our community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. The USS Gravely left the Naval Weapons Station in Yorktown on Saturday on a deployment to the Gulf Coast to buttress security at the southern border. The deployment is part of the militarys efforts to comply with President Donald Trumps executive order regarding border security. The USS Gravely is a Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer that was deployed to the Red Sea along with the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in 2023 as part of a strike group that engaged with the Houthi rebels. Gravelys sea-going capacity improves our ability to protect the United States territorial integrity, sovereignty, and security, said Gen. Gregory Guillot, commander, U.S. Northern Command, in a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There will be a U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement detachment aboard the Gravely, according to the Navy. The detachments duties have traditionally included counter-piracy, military combat operations, addressing immigration, counter terrorism and homeland security. Gavin Stone, 757-712-4806, gavin.stone@virginiamedia.com LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) The Lancaster County Coroners office has released new details about the investigation into a deceased fetus that was found buried in a box in a Lancaster County yard earlier this month. Lancaster County Coroner Stephen Diamantoni said the fetus was male and around 20 weeks old in the second trimester. We didnt make any determination of whether the baby was aborted, that part of the investigations up to law enforcement, Diamantoni said. We just looked at the fetus itself and made a determination that the fetus was severely decomposed and was too young to survive outside the womb. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Morning Weather Forecast Court documents show a woman went to an abortion clinic but she was turned away because her pregnancy was reportedly too far along. However, under Pennsylvania law, an abortion is banned after 23 weeks, and the coroner said the fetus was around 20 weeks old. A search warrant shows the fetus was found in a yard along Village Square Drive in East Donegal Township after a report was made to police on March 6. A witness told police that a woman bought medication on the internet to cause an abortion, and photos were taken of the fetus which was placed in a box under her bed for several weeks before it was buried, court docs show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No charges have been filed at this time. Susquehanna Regional Police are 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 ABC27. Holding a tall shepherd's staff in his left hand, Archbishop of Detroit Allen Vigneron stood in front of Bishop Edward Weisenburger in the sanctuary of the seat of the Catholic Church in Detroit. Weisenburger grasped the staff with his right hand and then sat down into a chair with a high back known as a cathedra. With that symbolic move, the 64-year-old priest became the new Catholic archbishop of Detroit as the crowd of nearly 900 people applauded inside the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, the smell of incense in the air. The scene inside the house of worship on Woodward Avenue featured ceremonies that Catholics have held for centuries, filled with detailed rituals that symbolized the transfer of power and authority among the leaders of the largest religious group in metro Detroit. Weisenburger now leads more than 900,000 Catholics in a six-county region that has seen membership declines, but still has a committed faithful dedicated to ensuring the Church has a vital presence in Detroit. During his homily, Weisenburger spoke about the importance of love, describing the dialogue between Christ and Peter in the gospel reading, John 21: 15-17. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Jesus, three times, asked Peter, three times: 'Do you love me? Do you love me? Do you love me?' " Weisenburger said in his 20-minute remarks that described different translations of the word love, such as "agape" and "philos." Jesus had asked Peter if he loved him in the sense of agape, which is "a deep, profound, all encompassing, holy love," Weisenburger explained. Peter kept on replying with the word "philos," which is more of a brotherly love. Weisenburger said he hoped the faithful can develop a type of love that is more like agape. "I find myself standing before you today and seeing Christ in you," he said. "I feel as though I owe you my response, no less than Peter. I, too, am a sinner with plenty of failings, foolish mistakes and errors in my history, no less than Peter ... my love for Jesus is probably still a little imperfect, but if we are to begin a new twist or turn in this journey of discipleship together, then I invite you to come along with me, and I will promise to come along with you." Weisenburger, who has been outspoken in support of immigrants during his time as bishop in southern Arizona, avoided political and social issues in his remarks, but suggested that love and compassion will be a central part of his mission in Michigan. "The great question: 'Do you love me?' " he said. "Perhaps the only question in the end that really matters, and the ... response in our lives will make all the difference. May the best of answers well up from within us with a powerful affirmative: Yes, Lord, you know that I love you and I will feed your sheep." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New archbishop of Detroit: We have to 'see Christ' in immigrants Bishop Edward Weisenburger uses an aspergillum to sprinkle holy water during his installation Mass at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. The event included Catholic leaders from across Michigan and the U.S, as well as Protestant, Orthodox Christian, and Jewish leaders, including Rabbi Joseph Krakoff, the former religious leader at Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield, the largest Conservative synagogue in Michigan. Weisenburger greeted them as they walked onto the sanctuary, briefly conversing with them and others during the two-hour ceremony called the Mass of Installation. Two speakers gave brief remarks in Spanish. Weisenburger began his homily by praising Pope Francis, who selected him last month to lead the Detroit archdiocese and was hospitalized recently. "His prophetic and profoundly loving witness to Jesus Christ and his gospel inspires me daily," Weisenburger said of Pope Francis. "I have found that committed Catholics, people of other faiths and people of no faith, look at him and almost universally conclude he's the real thing. ... His personal witness of what a disciple can be, has moved the hearts and minds of millions around the world. I'm so delighted his health is improving, and I pray that his voice and witness will continue to bless our world for many years to come." Sister Christy Nwachukwu receives communion from Bishop Edward Weisenburger during his installation as archbishop at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Michael Hovey, the former coordinator for ecumenical and interfaith relations for the Detroit archdiocese, was moved by Weisenburger's remarks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He brought tears to my eyes," Hovey told the Free Press after the Mass. "It was so profound, and yet he said it so simply. He said it in words that we can understand. I think he's going to be really wonderful for the diocese." Vigneron, 76, who received sustained applause when Weisenburger praised his work, now has the title of archbishop emeritus and will live at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. Vigneron "was a good person to work with, but he's very different," Hovey said. "He's an academic. It's very intellectual, and that's fine. There are gifts with that. But I think our new Archbishop is going to have such an open heart that it's going to be wonderful for people. I think people are going to fall in love with him." The Mass started at 2 p.m. with Weisenburger standing outside. He banged with a gavel three times on the door of the cathedral. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "May the doors of the Most Blessed Sacrament be open wide, for I come as a servant in the name of the Lord to dispense God's love and mercy," he said. The doors opened as Vigneron and others stood in a hallway greeting him. A procession of clergy then walked down the aisle, some bending to kiss the altar. Vigneron, Weisenberger and others wore off-white robes with black crosses on the front and back. During the Mass, some of the clergy in the sanctuary wore a red skullcap known as a zucchetto, and the archbishops donned a mitre, a tall hat. Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the Vatican's ambassador to the U.S. known as the Apostolic Nuncio, took part in the Mass, reading the letter from Pope Francis appointing Weisenburger as archbishop and then escorting him to the chair that made him the leader of metro Detroit's Catholics. During his homily, Weisenburger spoke of the brotherhood of Catholic clergy, reminiscing how he looked up to priests as a child in Oklahoma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Growing up Catholic, I knew many priests who were kind to me, decent men, servants of God, men of sacrifice, charity," he said. "I don't mean to sound corny or artificial, but the truth is that from my childhood, priests were my heroes. ... It was what I wanted to be from the time my memories of life begin. ... I perceived this to be a life of great purpose and meaning." Staff photographer Mandi Wright contributed to this report. Contact Niraj Warikoo: nwarikoo@freepress.com or X @nwarikoo. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Edward Weisenburger, new archbishop of Detroit, assumes power in Mass DIAZ, Ark. A sergeant with the Diaz Police Department was injured during a storm Friday night when his patrol vehicle was swept up in an EF-4 tornado. According to a post on social media by Diaz Police Chief James Thompson, Sergeant Richard Morris was seriously injured after his vehicle was swept up into the storm and tossed several feet landing on another car in the backyard of a nearby residence. Fifty-Six & Blanchard Springs recovering from EF-4 tornado Courtesy Diaz Police Chief James Thompson Courtesy Diaz Police Chief James Thompson Courtesy Diaz Police Chief James Thompson Courtesy Diaz Police Chief James Thompson Courtesy Diaz Police Chief James Thompson Courtesy Diaz Police Chief James Thompson In the post, Chief Thompson said that Morris was unable to use his radio, as it was ripped out of the car, but he had his phone and was able to call 911 for help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After being located, he was transported to a local hospital and later transferred, Thompson said. He sustained substantial injuries but expected to make a complete recovery. Needless to say the good Lord was watching over him. Diaz community rebuilding after EF-4 tornado Thompson also asked that residents continue to pray for Sergeant Morris and his recovery, as well as the others injured during the horrific event. The condition of this car proves the good Lord was watching over him, Thompson said. The National Weather Service confirmed at least 13 tornadoes touched down in Arkansas during Friday nights storm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz said Tuesday the states new vote-by-mail process is a huge step toward better election security despite the major changes made from the original proposal he supported. Over the course of the session, HB300 underwent a dramatic transformation from initially demanding that voters return their ballot in-person with photo identification to ultimately requiring voters to opt in to receive a mail-in ballot that asks for the final four digits of a government ID. Leaders framed the final package as a Utah Way resolution to a contentious national issue. However, key stakeholders have remained skeptical for different reasons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement County clerks, who came out as neutral on the final version, worried the legislation opened up more problems than it solved. While some conservatives, like Schultz, expressed frustration that more stringent voter identification requirements were not included. If you look at that bill its better than the current system, Schultz, R-Hooper, said. But I think we need to spend more time focusing on voter ID. We will keep working on it. Influence of Heritage Foundation on HB300 Schultz told the Deseret News that lawmakers worked closely with the nations most influential conservative policy think tank, the Heritage Foundation, on HB300, which Gov. Spencer Cox has signaled he will sign into law. Schultz mentioned the group known for its Project 2025 policy proposals repeatedly during a legislative wrap-up event hosted by the Herbert Institute for Public Policy and the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Echoing a central talking point from the seven-week 2025 legislative session that wrapped up earlier this month, Schultz emphasized that Utah is currently tied for 33rd on Heritages Election Integrity Scorecard, largely due to a lack of identification and opt-in requirements for mail-in ballots. Utah ranks at the top in many areas but elections is an area we needed to work on, Schultz said. In an interview with the Deseret News, Heritage Foundations manager of election law reform, Hans von Spakovsky, said that by implementing ID requirements similar to the ones Georgia passed in 2021, Utah has enhanced its system, which will likely boost trust and turnout. When you improve the security of the election process by doing things like putting in an ID requirement ... that increases public confidence, von Spakovsky said. Every state that has done that ... has seen not decreases in turnout, but increases in registration and turnout. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vote by mail is even more secure when an ID number is paired with signature verification, making it extremely difficult for large-scale ballot fraud to occur, von Spakovsky said. But from Heritages point of view, he explained, universal vote by mail has the basic problem of relying on voter rolls, which are notoriously difficult to keep accurate, and relying on the U.S. Postal Service, which frequently struggles to deliver ballots in a timely fashion. By directly addressing these concerns flagged by Heritages metrics, Schultz said Tuesday he hopes the Legislatures election reforms will bump the state to the top ten in the country on the scorecard. Will HB300 really make elections safer? The Legislatures vote-by-mail compromise was framed as a response to complaints from the 2024 election cycle, particularly the 2nd Congressional District primary, where a razor-thin recount hinged on the judgement of election workers and the ballot cure process that accompany signature verification. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HB300 will completely replace signature verification with the last four digits of a voters drivers license, free state ID or Social Security card as the means of confirming voter identity. A signature affidavit will continue to be an option for voter identification until Jan. 1, 2029. HB300 will also replace universal vote by mail with an opt-in program. Beginning in 2029, voters will only receive a mail-in ballot if they have requested one when registering to vote, renewing their license or visiting the lieutenant governors website. Mail-in ballot status will expire after eight years or after a voter fails to participate in two consecutive general elections. Weber County Clerk Ricky Hatch agreed that the new opt-in requirements will make minor improvements to election security by helping to clean up voter registration lists but said the new identification process could be counterproductive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Replacing the signature with the four digits does not make the election more secure, Hatch said. Its a lot harder to forge somebody elses signature than to grab the last four of their ID, particularly within the same household. While scanning four digits instead of comparing signatures could save clerks time by not having to reach out to voters to cure their rejected ballots, Hatch predicted the bills provision requiring mail-in ballots to be received by 8 p.m. on election night could disenfranchise voters through no fault of their own because of postal service delays. The status quo is already secure, Hatch said, and additional changes could complicate election administration and confuse voters. How to counter cratering confidence But, according to Schultz, HB300 is just as much about preventing the perception of fraudulent elections as it is about fixing faults in the system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have good elections in Utah because we have good people, Schultz said. (But) as trust is eroding in government, we cant let that happen on our elections. The bill also requires the lieutenant governor, who oversees election administration, to analyze voter registration databases at least 90 days before every regular election, to identify ways to scrutinize households with a disproportionate number of registered voters and to enter federal programs that notify states of noncitizens and criminals who cannot legally vote. The Sutherland Institute, a Salt Lake City-based conservative policy think tank, believes that what Utahs 2025 election reform did is balance the prudence of incremental reform with voters demand for convenience and the urgent need to shore up trust amid political attacks on elections. Utahs efforts to balance these competing values showed that election policy does not have to be constrained by a false choice between security and access, said Sutherlands chief growth officer Derek Monson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This aligns with a Sutherland survey showing that most Utah voters say enhanced ID requirements will increase election confidence more than anything and that same-day voting requirements will do the opposite. And, from Monsons point of view, if a change can increase trust in the current political environment without sacrificing ease of access, its well worth the effort. If you have a perfectly solid system, but a large chunk of people have a perception that its not protecting the integrity of our elections, then you still have a problem, Monson said. Director Carl Erik Rinsch - Credit: John Sciulli/Getty Images/Team One, Saatchi LA A director of a would-be Netflix series has been arrested on fraud charges for allegedly blowing through $11 million meant for the show, accused of spending the money on failed stocks, cryptocurrency, expensive cars, and two mattresses that totaled $600,000. Carl Erik Rinsch was arrested in Los Angeles on Tuesday after a seven-count grand jury indictment was unveiled against him in the Southern District of New York on March 4. In addition to wire fraud, the 47-year-old is charged with money laundering and monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity. If found guilty of all the charges, Rinsch faces up to 90 years in prison. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rinsch is accused of orchestrating a scheme to steal millions by soliciting a large investment from a video streaming service, claiming that money would be used to finance a television show that he was creating but that was fiction, Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky said in a statement announcing the directors arrest. Rinsch instead allegedly used the funds on personal expenses and investments, including highly speculative options and cryptocurrency trading. A previous legal representative for Rinsch told Rolling Stone they no longer represented him. Rinsch could not be immediately reached for comment. The New York Times published a report on the bizarre unraveling of the show White Horse (later renamed Conquest) in November 2023, finding that despite Netflix pouring $55 million into Rinschs project, the director never delivered a single episode. In interviews with the shows cast and crew as well as a review of court documents, texts and emails Rinsch was accused of lavish spending, growing increasingly erratic, and making wild claims about Covid-19 transmission. At the time, Rinsch declined to comment to the Times. He instead took to Instagram to speculate the piece would be inaccurate and discuss the fact that I somehow lost my mind (Spoiler alert) I did not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rinsch began filming his sci-fi show White Horse between 2016 and 2017, working with two media companies to produce six short-form episodes, according to the 14-page indictment obtained by Rolling Stone. In 2018, Rinsch entered an agreement with a streaming company, who between June 2018 and October 2019 paid approximately $44 million for White Horse, according to court papers. (Prosecutors did not identify the streaming company in the indictment, but it has been widely reported Netflix was the buyer of the show.) In March 2020, Rinsch requested more funds to complete the filming of the show and $11 million was wired to Rinschs production company, according to the indictment. But instead of using the funds to complete White Horse, Rinsch is accused of transferring a bulk of the funds to a personal brokerage account, where he used the money to gamble on the stock market. Rinschs trades were not successful, and in less than two months after receiving $11 million from Streaming Company-1, RINSCH had lost more than half of those funds, the indictment alleges. Meanwhile, Rinsch allegedly told Netflix that things were going awesome and moving forward really well. Around spring 2021, Rinsch allegedly moved what was left of the depleted $11 million into a cryptocurrency exchange account, which eventually yielded massive profits. Between June 2021 and November 2022, prosecutors accuse Rinsch of moving his cryptocurrency gains into a personal bank account, where he spent roughly $10 million on personal expenses and luxury items. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the indictment, a rough expenditure list of Rinschs alleged spending included: $638,000 to purchase two mattresses; $395,000 on stays at the Four Seasons hotel and other luxury rental properties; $2,417,000 to purchase five Rolls-Royces and one Ferrari; $652,000 on watches and clothing; and $3,787,000 on furniture and antiques. Rinsch is also accused of spending $1,787,00 on credit card bills and $1,073,000 on legal representation in divorce proceedings and a lawsuit against Netflix. Rinsch, the defendant, never completed White Horse and never returned the fraudulently obtained funds to Streaming Company-1, the indictment alleged. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Director Carl Erik Rinsch was indicted by federal prosecutors on Tuesday for defrauding Netflix out of $11 million, money he received to produce a science fiction TV series but instead spent on personal investments and property. According to documents filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, Rinsch has been charged with one count of wire fraud, one count of money laundering, and five counts of engaging in a monetary transaction in property derived from specified unlawful activity. Rinsch made his reputation making commercials with striking visuals and went on to direct the 2013 Keanu Reeves action film 47 Ronin, though he was removed from that project during production after the budget ballooned to $225 million. In 2018 Netflix greenlit a sci-fi series from Rinsch, Conquest which was never completed and eventually canceled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netflix ultimately took a write-off of $55 million for the aborted production. Netflix and Rinsch went into arbitration over expenses related to the production, and in 2024 the arbitrator ruled Rinsch owed the company $12 million, alleging he spent a significant amount of that money on expensive cars and furniture, as well as on personal investments in the stock market and in cryptocurrency, the latter of which netted $27 million in profit once he cashed out. Rinsch was arrested in West Hollywood on Tuesday. In a statement that didnt mention Netflix by name, FBI assistant director Leslie Backschies said, Carl Rinsch allegedly stole more than $11 million from a prominent streaming platform to finance lavish purchases and personal investments instead of completing a promised television series. The post Director Carl Erik Rinsch Indicted for Defrauding Netflix Out of $11 Million appeared first on TheWrap. LUSAKA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Wildlife authorities in Zambia have arrested three people for attempting to smuggle 33 protected wild birds through the country, according to a statement released Wednesday. The Department of National Parks and Wildlife said the suspects, including two Zambians and one Tanzanian, were arrested in the northern district of Mbala. The smuggled birds, including eagles, shoebills, raptors, and saddle-billed storks, were concealed in a vehicle's container without valid permits. According to the statement, the suspects were intercepted on a highway and have since been charged with illegal possession of protected trophies, illegal possession of government trophies, and cruelty to animals. "Illegal bird smuggling is uncommon in Zambia, and this case demonstrates that any occurrences are taken seriously," the statement said. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation to prevent an increase in such incidents, while the rescued birds have been placed under veterinary care and will undergo rehabilitation by experts, the statement added. Director Carl Erik Rinsch has been indicted on charges of fraud and money laundering for allegedly taking $11 million from Netflix and spending it on luxury cars, antique furniture and mattresses. Rinsch demanded the funds in order to finish White Horse, a science fiction TV series that was never completed, according to the indictment. Instead, he allegedly used the money to make extremely risky investments, to pay for stays at the Four Seasons and for other lavish purchases, and to hire lawyers to sue Netflix. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rinsch, 47, was arrested Tuesday in West Hollywood, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York. Netflix declined to comment. The allegations were first reported in a New York Times story in November 2023. They are also spelled out in a lengthy arbitration ruling, which was made public last August. The arbitrator ordered Rinsch to repay $11.8 million, and a Los Angeles Superior Court judge upheld the award in November. According to the court records, Rinsch pitched the show also known as Conquest in January 2018 to Netflix executives including Cindy Holland, who was then the VP in charge of original content, and who left the company in 2020. With investment from Keanu Reeves the actor who served as his mentor Rinsch had already shot six short episodes and a three-minute trailer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netflix agreed to invest $44 million to acquire the series and produce the first season. A schedule was drawn up that called for several months of filming in Kenya, Mexico, Romania, Berlin, Hungary and Uruguay in 2019. Rinsch began shooting in Brazil and quickly went over budget, according to the court records. Though he had promised to deliver another seven episodes, according to the arbitrators ruling, he informed Netflix that he would only be able to complete a single episode with the money Netflix had provided. After production briefly shut down in Hungary, Netflix agreed to advance additional money. Production halted in December 2019, with much work to be done. Rinsch then set about expanding the script, and demanded an additional $11 million to complete the first season, according to the ruling. Hoping to salvage the project, Netflix agreed to pay the money in March 2020, the ruling states. The COVID-19 pandemic promptly intervened, shutting down production worldwide. In June 2020, Rinsch met at a hotel with Holland and another Netflix executive to give an update. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rinsch spent a large portion of the meeting sharing various theories he had been developing about COVID, the universe, interconnectivity, genders, God, higher callings and reproduction, the ruling states. He did not focus on Conquest.' Unsettled, the Netflix executives concluded he did not intend to finish the show. The lead actor also dropped out, citing the instability of the production. That fall, Netflix decided to write off the cost of the series. According to the indictment, Rinsch had quickly transferred most of the $11 million to his brokerage account, where he promptly lost about half of it by speculating on investments such as call options on a biopharmaceutical company and put options on an S&P 500 ETF. At the time he was still reassuring Netflix that the show was awesome and moving forward really well, the indictment states. According to the indictment, he used the remaining funds to invest in cryptocurrency in early 2021, which resulted in a windfall. The arbitration ruling states that Rinsch spent lavishly on various items in late 2021, claiming the purchases were needed for the second season of the show, which Netflix had not ordered. He was also worried that the IRS would tax him on the money if it was not spent, the ruling states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The purchases included $638,000 on luxury mattresses; $295,000 on luxury bedding and linens; $180,000 on kitchen appliances; $5.4 million on furniture; and $1.68 million on two Rolls Royces, the arbitrators ruling states. According to the indictment, he bought five Rolls Royces and one Ferrari for $2.4 million. He also paid his rent on his home in Spain, and legal bills to pursue Netflix for breach of contract in arbitration. The grand jury indictment, unsealed Tuesday, accuses Rinsch of wire fraud, money laundering and five counts of using illicit funds in a transaction. Rinsch faces the potential of many years in prison, and the government is also seeking to forfeit his assets. Rinsch filed a petition to overturn the arbitrators ruling in August, arguing that the arbitrator had misconstrued the contract as requiring 13 episodes. The judge upheld the arbitrators decision. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The Justice Department has charged Carl Erik Rinsch, the director of 47 Ronin who struck a deal with Netflix to make a sci-fi series he never delivered, for defrauding the company out of $11 million. In an indictment filed on Tuesday, prosecutors for the Southern District of New York said Rinsch spent funds meant for the show in risky securities trades. He then allegedly used millions of dollars in profits from the investments to sue Netflix for further payments to finish the show and purchase luxury goods. More from The Hollywood Reporter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rinsch was charged with wire fraud, money laundering and multiple counts related to engaging in transactions stemming from illegal activity. If convicted, he faces a maximum term of 90 years in prison if the sentences are served consecutively. The director allegedly orchestrated a scheme to steal millions by soliciting a large investment from a video streaming service, claiming that money would be used to finance a television show that he was creating, said Matthew Podolsky, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, in a statement. But that was fiction. Rinsch instead allegedly used the funds on personal expenses and investments, including highly speculative options and cryptocurrency trading. Netflix, which declined to comment, wasnt identified by prosecutors as the defrauded company, but the indictment refers to White Horse, whose script was acquired by Netflix, reported The New York Times. Around 2017, Rinsch began filming the series about a scientist who invents a humanlike species that turn against their creators. He completed six shortform episodes of the series using his own money and investments from various production companies, which were then used to pitch studios for funds to finish the first season, prosecutors say. In 2020, Netflix sent Rinsch an additional $11 million in funds at his request to complete the series, according to the indictment. It was meant to be used for various pre and postproduction projects, including paying crew and editing footage that had already been shot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But prosecutor allege that Rinsch transferred the money, wired to his production banner, to his personal brokerage account. In less than two months, he lost more than half of the funds trading in risky investments, the indictment says, before using the remainder to purchase cryptocurrency. Rinsch proceeded to make millions of dollars, which he used for personal expenses, including five Rolls-Royces, luxury mattresses and furniture, and to pay lawyers for his divorce. Rinsch never finished White Horse, instead opting to sue Netflix for more than $14 million in additional funds he said he was contractually obligated to. Last year, an arbitrator ruled that he owed the company nearly $9 million, the Times reported. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. In Oedipus Tex, the mathematician-composer P.D.Q. Bachs 1990 comedic answer to Stravinskys tragic oratorio, the titular hero discovers the truth of his situationthat he has married his mother, Billy-Jo Costa, Queen of the Rodeoand, fulfilling the requirements of tragedy, he takes the rhinestone-covered barrettes out of her hair and gouges out his eyes. At which point the chorus sings: And immediately after hed put out both his eyes, he kind of wished he hadnt. Everybody has regrets. Nations and their governments do, too. When things are upside down in the state, you end up with Oedipus Rex, Macbeth, or the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mahmoud Khalil is a Palestinian activist involved in the Columbia protests who was arrested in a Keystone Kops-level caper launched by Marco Rubios incompetent State Department, which proposed to revoke a student visa that Khalil doesnt have. Khalil is, in fact, the holder of a green card, meaning that he has been given permanent resident status in the United States by the U.S. government. Which is to say, Khalil is in this country as a permanent resident thanks to a decision of the U.S. government, which, after looking back on what it had done, kind of wished it hadnt. If the government had been doing its job, things might have gone differently. If, in the course of Khalils green-card application, the government had said: You know, we dont love the fact that youre a rabble-rousing Hamas apologist, so were not going to give you a green card, then that would be one thing. And that is a thing we do: We ask green-card applicants about belonging to communist or totalitarian political parties, that sort of thing. And that is appropriate. But having given Khalil a green card and then regretted it, the government has arrested Khalilwho is charged with no crimeand proposes to deport him because it doesnt like his politics. Khalil has been targeted because he is prominent and holds views that the administration does not likeand they are not likeable views. But again, he has not been charged with a crimemuch less convicted of onenor has he been accused of any kind of violation or irregularity where his immigration status is concerned. We shouldnt treat green cards as though they are Citizenship Lite. It is a permanent status, but there is more to citizenship than the legal relationship. Citizenship is supposed to mean something about a mans relationship to the state that governs him, but the U.S. government has done much to weaken that over the years, for example by assassinating Anwar al-Awlaki, an American citizen whose offense was being the Osama bin Laden of Facebook, as people called him. The government also killed his teenage son, whose offense was being the teenage son of the Osama bin Laden of Facebook. The al-Awlaki precedentand I suppose Barack Obama never bothered to think through the fact that he was setting a precedent that might be used by some future doofus with autocratic tendencies, the Benito Mussolini of Truth Socialsuggests very strongly that what can be done to a green-card holder can be done to a citizen. If enemy combatant covers online propagandist riding in a car with his son, then the miasma of horsepucky that Marco Rubio et al. have belched up in the Khalil casethat his presence in the United States undermines U.S. foreign policycan be used for pretty much anybody, including any critic of the government. Im busy trying to undermine U.S. policy in the matter of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, because I believe that the Trump administration is pursuing the wrongevil, stupid, cowardlypolicy. (If youre going to deport me, drop me off in Montreux.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We increasingly live in a society that is unable to make distinctions. And there is a difference between having political criteria on the front end of the visa-application process and using a foreign-policy pretext to expel a legal permanent resident because he has been engaged in political activity that is, however nasty, entirely legal as far as the government is concerned. If the Trump administration believes that Khalil has broken the law, then let it charge him and prove its case in court; if the Trump administration believes that Khalil has committed some immigration violation, then there is a process for that, tooand the process isnt arresting him without charges as a public-relations stunt. Because this is the fact: Donald Trumps lawlessness is a far greater threat to the peace and security of these United States than is the champagne radicalism of some campus dope at Columbia. The pathos of the greatest tragic heroes comes from the fact that, once laid low, they realize that they have only their own actions to blame, even if they didnt understand what they were doing at the time. Oedipus puts out his eyes because in spite of those organs he could not see what was comprehended by the blind oracle Tiresias. And, afterward, he kind of wished he hadnt. American voters would do well to reacquaint themselves with the classics, which are classics for a reason. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. The aftermath of last weeks bitter spending fight has forced Democrats to wonder whether trust levels between the two chambers can be rebuilt ahead of high-stakes battles with President Trump in the coming months. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) stirred a firestorm of intraparty fury on Friday when he helped Republicans advance a partisan spending bill that House Democrats had opposed almost to the person. In doing so, Schumer surrendered the Democrats most potent leveraging tool, the filibuster, exasperating scores of Democrats already under fire from liberals who say theyre fighting too feebly against Trumps early blitz of executive orders, federal firings and unilateral spending cuts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schumer has vehemently defended his decision, saying a shutdown would have been worse than adopting the continuing resolution (CR) written by the GOP to keep the government operating through September. But the debate has embittered many House Democrats, who say theyve lost trust in Schumer to go to the mats against Trumps agenda. Nobody doubts that the government shutdown Republicans were barreling towards would have been bad, one House Democratic aide said Tuesday. But to throw in the towel and give them votes on a partisan CR that empowers Trump only broadcast a dangerous message to the American people: Democrats wont fight for you or hold the line for our democracy. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), who had led the pressure campaign on Schumer to oppose the GOP spending bill, said Tuesday he spoke with the Senate minority leader over the weekend and hes ready to turn to the page for the sake of party unity. Jeffries endorsed Schumers position as Senate leader, emphasizing that Democrats in both chambers are in lockstep when it comes to the next major battle on Capitol Hill: the fight over Trumps massive domestic wish list combining tax cuts with a crackdown on immigration, an expansion of domestic energy production and changes to federal health care programs such as Medicaid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next few weeks in Washington, D.C., Republicans are going to try to jam this budget down the throats of the American people, Jeffries said during a press event in Brooklyn. Every single House Democrat, and every single Senate Democrat, voted against the initial budget resolution at the end of February, and we remain united in stopping these Medicaid cuts. Yet Schumers Democratic critics say its not the fight over the Republicans big domestic package that theyre worried about. While Democrats will have the chance to weigh in to some degree in a potential vote-a-rama, that legislation is moving under special budget rules, known as reconciliation, that make it immune to the filibuster. Rather, their anxiety comes from looking ahead to the next government funding deadline on Sept. 30, when the filibuster is back in play and Schumer will again be the last line of Democratic defense if Trump and other GOP leaders are able to rally House Republicans behind another partisan bill, as was the case this month. Many expect Republicans to return to that same playbook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the next funding deadline comes up in September, Schumer has already shown Trump and Republicans exactly how to roll right over him, which is why he cannot effectively lead going forward, the House aide said. Fueling those frustrations, more than two dozen vulnerable front-line Democrats had stuck with their leadership team to oppose the GOP bill in the lower chamber a potentially tough vote for some moderates that was aimed, at least in part, to embolden Senate Democrats to take the same position. Many House lawmakers said they were stunned when Schumer backed the bill instead. Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), a former member of the House Democratic leadership team, hailed Jeffries for holding the line in the House and said he thought the Senate was on board. Rep. Debbie Dingell (Mich.), who heads the House Democrats messaging arm, said Sen. Schumer sent out mixed signals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And Rep. Pete Aguilar (Calif.), the chair of the House Democratic Caucus, said House Democrats will have to adjust their own strategies to accommodate the possibility that Senate Democrats will join Republicans on big-ticket legislation in the future. All of these experiences help shape our tactics, our responses, Aguilar said shortly before Fridays Senate vote. Schumer on Tuesday fired back at the intense criticism, telling CBS Mornings that he stands by his decision to keep the government open and argued that there would have been no end in sight to a shutdown. We would have had half the federal government we have right now, said Schumer, who maintained that much of the government would have been hollowed out during a shutdown. I thought I did the thing a leader should do. Even when people dont see the danger around the curve, my job was to alert people to it, and I knew Id get some bullets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also indicated that he has no plans of going anywhere in the face of criticism and calls for him to exit the Democratic leadership team. That criticism and anger led him to nix his book tour this week over security concerns. Im the best leader for the Senate, Schumer continued. I am the best at winning Senate seats. Ive done it in 2005. Just in 2020, no one thought wed take back the Senate. Under my leadership, we took it. Were moving forward. [Jeffries] and I have a plan, he added. Part of that plan is seemingly to go on offense as Democrats, especially in support of key issues such as Medicaid. Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday held a Medicaid Day of Action, with members trying to highlight what could be substantial cuts as part of the GOPs looming reconciliation plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Looking ahead to future fights, members say they are expecting a more proactive leadership team, even if Democrats generally have little leverage. I think were all starting to really internalize the existential threat Trump is, and that weve got to be less risk-averse, said Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) in a phone interview. This was a bump in relation, but totally reparable because I think were largely on the same page of what our objective is. I think were starting to much more energetically internalize how big an existential threat Trump and his illegal rampage is to our country, and I think youre gonna see a less risk-averse leadership and membership going forward, he said. But for now, Democrats are caught between a rock and a hard place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a Monday town hall dedicated to Medicaid, Sens. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) heard from angry attendees wanting to replace Schumer. Neither senator responded, with Gallego instead steering the conversation back to the insurance program. But members and constituents agree that they want a more forceful response to Trump in the coming weeks and months. The Senate continues to have considerable respect for Schumers leadership, but I also see the Senate moving towards a much fiercer appetite of confrontation to Trump, Welch said. And Schumer hes sensitive [to that]. Hell listen, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) A diver has died despite a rescue operation in Jackson County, just over the Alabama-Florida state line. On Tuesday March 18, at around 1:15 p.m., the Jackson County Sheriffs Office received a call about three missing and overdue divers at Twin Caves. According to the Jackson County Sheriffs Office, a rescue operation was launched and two divers were rescued from the caves safely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the third diver was found dead in the caves, the Jackson County Sheriffs Office says. The divers identity has not been released. Stay with WDHN for 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 WDHN - wdhn.com. Martin Wolf, chief economics commentator at the Financial Times, has criticized the Trump administration's tariff policies, warning that American consumers will pay more. #GLOBALink Mar. 18GRAND FORKS A split Grand Forks County Commission on Tuesday approved consolidating the county jail into the sheriff's department. The commission approved the consolidation 3-2, with Bob Rost and Cynthia Pic dissenting. The change, effective immediately, comes after Commissioner Mark Rustad announced his plan earlier this year as a potential cost-saving measure as the county seeks to alleviate budget constraints. The potential savings are unknown and those who served on a Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement committee that was formed to study the consolidation could not give a solid answer on whether savings are to be had. "It is going to be impossible for me to show cost savings or where they could come from without having the knowledge and diving in that jail for multiple weeks, hours, etc.," Grand Forks Sheriff Andy Schneider said. "The biggest cost savings in budget would be reducing the amount of personnel and I don't see that being useful right now in my office." The motion also renamed the facility. It has been called the Grand Forks County Correctional Center, and it now will be called the Grand Forks County Jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rost and Pic felt they needed more information before moving forward with the plan. "I don't see personally where there's going to be a significant change (and) where the county is going to save money by doing this unless you get rid of people," Rost said. "I think the jail runs fine the way it is right now." Jail Administrator Bret Burkholder also offered to provide more information since he was not made aware that Rustad was going to motion for a final decision at Tuesday's meeting. He was under the impression that Rustad was just going to give a committee update, based on the agenda. The communication between commissioners themselves and staff has also been a point of contention through several meetings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The purpose of this being brought forward, as it was told in the Grand Forks Herald on Jan. 3, when it became news to not only me but other commissioners and others, was the duplication of services and efficiencies," Burkholder said. "And if you really want to believe that, I think it's your responsibility to find and articulate what those are." Other commissioners felt that delaying further wouldn't get the county anywhere. "My problem is finding the data," County Commission Chairwoman Kimberly Hagen said. "Are we (going to) keep talking about it in a circle or just pull the trigger and do it?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the change is effective immediately, on-the-ground changes will take time. The departments have long been budgeted separately, a fact that Bjerke said during the last consolidation committee meeting he would like to keep. What it means for potential staff reductions is also unclear. The next step is to begin the internal process of consolidation and changing the many aspects of department administration. The departments have been operated separately for over 40 years. Among the largest counties in the state, Grand Forks was alone having its jail and sheriff separate. The county had an opinion from the North Dakota Attorney General to deviate from state law. Schneider said he does expect some upfront costs to the county to change things. He also said he will not be forming a committee to study the consolidation process, a point Pic had inquired about. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It did happen in the blink of an eye, effective immediately," Schneider said. "As an elected official, yes, I do plan on having individuals help with the consolidations and transition, but I have no intention of forming a committee for that." In other news, the county: * Approved signing a letter of intent with the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for the county to take state inmates. The county will lease 72 beds at $100 a day, roughly $2.6 million a year to the county for eight years. The county will likely begin taking state inmates whenever the jail expansion is complete, currently estimated to be in early May. The commissioners have had mixed feelings about the Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement lease, but it is likely a financial gain for the county. * Approved spending $200,000 to gather traffic and pavement data on county highways. County Engineer Nick West said the county needs to update spring load restrictions, but they don't have enough data at this time to make determinations, which this funding will solve. Any potential changes would go into effect in 2026. WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) Police arrested a New Mexico woman in connection to a Wichita Falls homicide from 2022 after DNA was taken from an ill-intended cigarette found at the scene, according to court documents. On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, Janea Ariana Aragon, 32, of Albuquerque, was booked into the Wichita County Jail and charged with murder. A judge set Aragons bond at $1 million. The affidavit for Aragons arrest was made public on Wednesday, March 19, confirming the murder charge stemmed from October 26, 2022, when 70-year-old James Shierling was found dead inside an apartment in the 1300 block of 11th Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PREVIOUS STORY: Woman arrested for 2022 murder in Wichita Falls According to the affidavit, a key piece of evidence linking Aragon to the previously unsolved murder may have been something she intended to use to destroy the scene entirely. Initial observations from the scene of the homicide The affidavit said officers with the Wichita Falls Police Department were dispatched to the apartment just after 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 26, 2022, for a welfare check. Police said when they arrived, they spoke with the reporting party, who told them she lived with the victim, but she hadnt been home in several days. Police said she told them she wasnt able to contact the victim and he wasnt answering the door. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the affidavit, the reporting party told police that she had males help her force entry into the apartment. Police said she told them that once she was inside, she discovered the victim dead in the kitchen with apparent stab wounds. Authorities said detectives from WFPDs Crimes Against Person Unit responded to the scene. They said the victim was found on one knee between a wall and a kitchen table. They noted that the victim had a stab wound near his left wrist and his shirt was saturated in blood. An autopsy was ordered on the victim, according to authorities. They said a Dallas County Medical Examiner determined the cause of death to be sharp forced injuries of the trunk and ruled the manner of death as a homicide. According to the affidavit, the autopsy indicated the victim suffered six stab wounds to the chest region. The autopsy also indicated the victim had four incised wounds to the hands and forearms consistent with defensive injuries. Detectives discover suspicious cigarette with ash intact Detectives said they observed an unopened can of peas on the table with a partially burned cigarette resting on top of it. They said the cigarette had burned to the point where about an inch of undisturbed ash remained attached. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the affidavit, detectives believed the presence of the undisturbed ash indicated the cigarette had been placed there after the apparent assault. They said if the cigarette had been placed on the can before the assault, the ash wouldve fallen from the cigarette. PREVIOUS STORY: Wichita Falls police investigate citys latest homicide Detectives said upon further investigation of the apartment, they discovered the natural gas line to the living room heater was disconnected, and an adjustable wrench set to the size of the gas line was on the kitchen table. They said the gas supply was closed. According to the affidavit, detectives later deduced that after the apparent assault, the natural gas line was disconnected, and the cigarette was lit, suggesting an attempt was made to create an explosion to destroy evidence at the scene. However, since the gas valve was in the off position, an explosion never happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The affidavit said the cigarette was submitted to the Texas Department of Public Safetys Crime Laboratory in Garland for DNA analysis. Authorities received the results in July 2023, indicating that the DNA found on the filter matched an individual identified as Aragon. Investigation reveals Aragons alarming activity Detectives said after receiving the DNA results from the cigarette, they contacted the woman who initially reported the crime. They said they showed the reporting party a picture of Aragon, and the woman said shed previously seen Aragon around the apartment complex. According to the affidavit, the reporting party told police that the day after the murder, she observed the victims apartment door open and saw Aragon sitting inside on a recliner. Police said the woman told them Aragon waved at her but didnt speak. Detectives said the reporting party also told them that another tenant of the apartment complex reported waking up to Aragon standing over him, saying, Is this the man we are going to kill tonight? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the affidavit, police reviewed Aragons arrest history, revealing she was taken into custody for criminal trespass at the Walmart on Lawrence Road on Oct. 26, 2022, the same day the victim was found dead in his apartment. Authorities said Aragon was arrested around two and a half hours before the body was discovered. They said she was released the next day, Oct. 27, and sometime after, returned to Albuquerque. Detectives learn of Aragons incarceration in New Mexico Detectives said during their investigation, they contacted authorities in Albuquerque and learned that Aragon was arrested there on Nov. 25, 2022, just 30 days after Shierlings body was discovered. According to the affidavit, Albuquerque Homicide Sgt. Steve Weinstein informed them Aragon was arrested for stabbing another individual and that she was incarcerated at the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center near Albuquerque. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives said that on Feb. 11, 2025, they traveled to the detention center in New Mexico, where Aragon was incarcerated, to interview her. According to the affidavit, authorities said when they introduced themselves to Aragon and let her know she was a suspect in a homicide, Aragons face turned noticeably pale, and her hands began shaking. Detectives said after they advised Aragon of her Miranda rights, she refused to provide a statement. According to the affidavit, since Aragons DNA was at the scene, the reporting party saw her inside the victims apartment after the homicide, and the forensic findings were consistent with homicide involving sharp-force trauma, there was probable cause to believe Aragon had caused Shierlings death by stabbing him. This is a developing story. Stick with Texomas Homepage for updates as more information becomes available. All individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 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 Texomashomepage.com. How would you feel if you knew your doctor was getting paid by big pharma? Would you still trust their medical advice? Every year, pharma and biomedical device companies spend billions on doctors' trips, meals, gifts, speaker fees, consultant fees and research funding. Due to the Physician Payments Sunshine Act, they're required to report these payments to the federal government. Research has found that even having a single meal sponsored by a drug manufacturer was associated with a higher rate of doctors prescribing the medication the manufacturer was promoting. And some doctors, including some in Cincinnati, have received millions of dollars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At The Enquirer, we're examining how much money local doctors are receiving from pharma companies, and we want to hear from anyone who's seen a doctor in the Greater Cincinnati area. If you're curious about whether your doctor is receiving money from big pharma, use the instructions below to find out and let us know what you discover. How to find if your doctor is on big pharma's payroll Search: Visit openpaymentsdata.cms.gov and enter the first and last name of your doctor into the search bar. (You can also search for nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurse midwives and other non-physicians). If your doctor is in the database, their name should appear in the drop-down menu. Observe: The result should be a page with your doctors name at the top. Scroll to the Filters section, and under year, click all so that you can see results for all years that your doctor was paid. Fill out our 5-minute form at tinyurl.com/CincyPharm to tell The Enquirer what you found. Have any questions? Email Elizabeth "Betsy" Kim at ekim@enquirer.com. This story has been updated to add video. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: How much money does your doctor get from big pharma? Find out here (Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images) State lawmakers are considering expanding the types of obesity treatments covered by Nevada Medicaid, including approving weight-loss drugs like Ozempic for wider use and bariatric surgery for minors. Steven Shane, a pediatric obesity doctor out of Reno, told lawmakers on the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services last week that, although these types of medicinal and surgical treatments are expensive upfront, covering them would financially benefit the state in the long term by reducing the cost of chronic diseases associated with obesity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats true, he added, even with potential Medicaid cuts looming. Shane, who runs the Health Lifestyles Clinic at Renown Childrens Hospital, told lawmakers that every day he is severely limited in the care he can provide his patients. I typically cannot provide the best evidence-based therapies because Medicaid does not cover these options, he said. It is no different than not covering other diseases such as asthma, diabetes or even cancer, which are all associated with obesity. Senate Bill 244 would require Nevada Medicaid to cover intensive behavioral and lifestyle treatment programs and certain surgical interventions to treat obesity. It would also cover an established national diabetes prevention program. A proposed amendment, which is supported by the bill sponsors, would also require Nevada Medicaid to cover at least one anti-obesity medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposed amendment does not specify that the approved medication be in the class known as GLP-1s, but GLP-1s like Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound have received significant media attention and are now in-demand by both practitioners and the public. These drugs mimic a hormone in the intestinal tract to balance the bodys blood sugar levels. And while GLP-1 drugs have been around for years to help patients with diabetes, they are growing in popularity to treat patients in need of significant weight loss. Thats because the drugs also send the brain a signal that reduces hunger. Nevada Medicaid began covering Wegovy in March 2024, but only for adults with documented cardiovascular disease, such as a heart attack. Similarly, bariatric surgery is only covered for adults over 21 who have severe obesity and medical complications like diabetes. Anti-obesity medicines are approved by the FDA and recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for people ages 12 and up. The American College of Endocrinology recommends the drugs for adults who are overweight with medical complications and adults with obesity regardless of whether they currently have medical complications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nevada Medicaid currently covers medical nutritional therapy, but only 4 hours over 12 months. Thats far below the amount medical experts say is needed to be effective. The AAP and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommend children receive at least 26 hours or more of behavioral and lifestyle treatment over three to 12 months. Similarly, medical groups recommend adults receive at least 14 visits over 6 months. Nevadas adult obesity prevalence for 2023 is 30.8%, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Shane referenced studies finding that a little over a quarter of 4th, 7th and 10th graders in Washoe County School District were considered obese and another 16% were considered overweight. Data was even worse for Clark County School District, where one-third of students were considered obese and another 17% were considered overweight. State Sen. Fabian Donate, who chairs the Senate HHS committee and is an administrator for a regional network of healthcare providers, expressed concerns about doctors who might begin recommending GLP-1s or bariatric surgery to every patient rather than attempting less expensive, less severe interventions like a behavioral health program that helps establish better eating and more physical activity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How can we ensure there are guardrails up, that the prescriptive treatments are actually medically necessary versus saying that any doctor can just recommend? he asked. Shane told Donate the bill as written relies on doctors using best practices like we do for a lot of situations, but he added that lawmakers could consider adding specific criteria or referencing established clinical guidelines into the bill language. Shane noted the AAP currently recommends patients 12 and older participate in an intensive behavioral and lifestyle treatment and be offered anti-obesity medication simultaneously. Donate opined that the sensationalization of obesity medications is cause for concern, as is the potential for the companies making these drugs to take advantage of mandated coverage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Im a pharmaceutical company and a state were to pass this requirement, the first thing I would do is send as many representatives that I could, he said. Theres nothing stopping me from doubling or tripling the cost of medication because now its mandated via state law. GLP-1s range from about $940 to $1,350 a month before insurance, rebates or discounts, according to reporting by Stateline. The Nevada Division of Health Care Financing and Policy, which houses the states Medicaid program, estimated the proposed expansion would cost $165.4 million over the upcoming biennium. Nearly $64.3 million would come from the Nevada General Fund, with the rest estimated to be covered by the federal government. Shane pointed to data from states that currently cover GLP-1s showing that utilization rates are not as high as people often assume them to be. Minnesota has the highest utilization rate at 3.16%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many people dont take advantage when theyre eligible, he said. Some studies have suggested the majority, if not all, of the upfront cost of GLP-1s are offset by the outcomes, particularly fewer emergency room visits related to cardiovascular diseases. SB 244 is sponsored by three Democratic state senators from Southern Nevada Roberta Lange, Rochelle Nguyen, and Michelee Cruz-Crawford. Statelines Shalina Chatlani contributed to this article. CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) Much of West Virginia and its surrounding states were placed under a Red Flag Warning Wednesday morning, which warns of potential fire weather. (Courtesy: National Weather Service) The warning issued by the National Weather Service said that between 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Wednesday, much of West Virginia will see an enhanced risk for wildfire ignition and spread. The warning added that winds will tend to blow between 10-20 miles per hour with gusts up to 35 miles per hour. Humidity will also reach levels as low as 10 percent, creating especially dry conditions throughout the state. On top of that, temperatures are expected to climb up to 85 degrees Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Statewide burning restrictions to begin March 1 in West Virginia So what should West Virginians do? Unlike typical weather alerts that typically advise people to shelter in place, Red Flag Warnings put more emphasis on being vigilant. The International Association of Fire Chiefs asks people to follow the instructions provided by their local fire department and to be aware of anything that can spark a fire. The organization also recommends that people have a plan to get out quickly should a fire spark in or near their home. Wednesdays Red Flag Warning falls just a few weeks into West Virginias forest fire season, which prohibits people from burning most fires between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. These restrictions are set to remain in effect until May 31. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The West Virginia Division of Forestry releases a daily map of places around the state that are forecast to have elevated fire danger. You can see Wednesdays map below: (Courtesy: West Virginia Division of Forestry) 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. CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) For many people and organizations, theres still some anxiety over not knowing how government cuts will affect them or if their programs will be next, including some here in the Mountain State. West Virginia Dairy farmer Trey Yates has been supplying up to 33 counties across the stateas well as Mountaineer Food Bankwith dairy products for the past few years. Its 98% of our business, so thats the schools and food bank, those are our customers, day in day out thats who we deal with and thats how we stay afloat, Yates said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yates is the founder and CEO of Greenbrier Dairy and told 12 News that he began his business around the same time as the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program and the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Programs funds became available. Now, the future of Greenbrier Dairy is uncertain following the announcement last week that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) would be making more than a billion dollars in cuts nationwide. We have plans in place, or had plansare paused right now with all the cuts and everything. School system requested that we start doing yogurt cups. So we have the equipment, we just is in limbo right now if enough counties are going to be able to support that, Yates said. According to the Farm to School Census for the 2022-2023 school year by the USDA, West Virginia had 85% participation in the program, teaching students healthy eating habits and more about agriculture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We believe thats an investment on behalf of the federal government is getting a higher quality, local product into those mouths and growing our future citizens there, Yates said. How recent USDA cuts will affect West Virginia farmers The West Virginia Department of Education told 12 News it was set to receive more than three million dollars for the Local Food for Schools Program this year. In a statement to 12 News, the WVDE said 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a termination letter to the WVDE, the USDA said the Local Food For Schools Agreements that existed prior to the USDAs program will remain. Officials familiar with these programs told 12 News that although Farm to Schools already existed in the state, the USDA grants allowed for the programs expansion and to cover the cost of local farmers. We like employing people and being that local dairy product in schools is great but its just doesnt seem its a priority for our federal government, Yates said. Yates said the future of his business could be in jeopardy, but believes his business with schools will be good until the end of the school year and the Mountaineer Food Bank at a later date. So were going to be in a really big lack of sales for the summer months and we do a little bit of retail and we service some restaurants and it may just come down to layoffs and making this a very small operation and if it turns out that that doesnt continue to pay the bills we will have to close down, Yates said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency is considering terminating the lease of a tiny office that supports a huge climate science experiment - one that's been ongoing for 67 years. Just eight people work in suite 102 at the Kilauea Financial Plaza in Hilo, on the big island of Hawaii. Once a week or so, one of them takes a short helicopter ride to the northern slope of the Mauna Loa volcano necessary because in 2022 an eruption buried more than a mile of the road in 30 feet of lava. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration staffers tend to the intricate, delicate scientific instruments at the Mauna Loa Observatory that measure multiple important atmospheric conditions. The best known in fact world-famous of these measurements is the site's almost 60 years tracking carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. These provided the first significant evidence that the earth's CO2 levels were steadily rising. But that program could end if the support staff's office is shuttered. Earlier this month the Hilo office appeared on a list of planned office closures as part of DOGE efforts to slash federal spending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DOGE website lists a lease for a NOAA office in Hilo, Hawaii that would save the government $164,391 if it were terminated. USA TODAY could not confirm this is the site of the NOAA office but it is the only NOAA office listed in Hilo. The Observatory site, which is owned by NOAA, would remain. But without the support staff, it's not clear how it would function. "The observatory needs staff and the staff are based in Hilo," said Ralph Keeling, who directs the Scripps Institution of Oceanography CO2 Program, which which co-runs the project with NOAA. The situation isn't currently clear. General Services Administration spokesperson Stephanie Joseph told USA TODAY they are working with NOAA and other federal agencies to ensure agencies needs are being met while also securing better terms for the government and saving money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In some instances, a lease could be continued if the agency decides it's needed, the GSA said. What will happen with the Hilo office isn't yet known. For now, the "operations at the Mauna Loa Observatory are continuing without interruption," National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Association staffer Theo Stein told USA TODAY in an email. What is the NOAA site that might be shuttered? The Mauna Loa Observatory is located at 11,135 above sea level on the north flank of the Mauna Loa volcano. The observatory sits on land owned by NOAA and is high enough that it sits in the troposphere. According to NOAA, "The undisturbed air, remote location, and minimal influences of vegetation and human activity at MLO are ideal for monitoring constituents in the atmosphere that can cause climate change." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Having both NOAA and Scripps measurements on the site is "really valuable," said Keeling, whose father helped begin the CO2 monitoring program. "You only get one chance to measure things and if you don't get it right, you miss it. If one program has a problem, for whatever reason, it's good to have a second program." The Mauna Loa volcano erupted on Dec. 6, 2022, as seen from Mauna Kea near Hilo, Hawaii. While Scripps has its own equipment at the observatory, that equipment is maintained by NOAA. "We depend on their staff for the actual maintenance of the apparatus," Keeling said. There is also a secondary testing site on Mauna Kea, a second volcano about 35 miles north of Mauna Loa, but it, too, depends on NOAA staff to maintain the equipment. Asked how the loss of staff headquarters in Hilo might affect the decades-long data gathering considered one of the scientific crown jewels of climate science, Keeling said "I don't think anyone knows what it means." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The project has been under threat before. There were sustained periods without measurements in 1964 when budget cuts within the federal agencies supporting the record suspended operations for several months, according to Scripps. The project also faced financial woes in 2014. In 1984 and again in 2022, eruptions at Mauna Loa caused the observatory to lose power for up to several months. In 2022 NOAA staff were able to set up a temporary measurement site at a University of Hawaii astronomical observatory located on nearby Mauna Kea. Why is the Mauna Loa Observatory so important? The Mauna Loa Observatory began taking continuous readings of the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere in 1958. Since the 1970s, Scripps and NOAA have made complementary CO2 measurements at the observatory. The effort dates back to the early 1950s, when Charles David Keeling was a post doctoral student at CalTech looking at carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By 1958 he was at Scripps and he set up a testing station at Mauna Loa. His measurements made him the first person in history to record Earth's yearly "breathing," when plants absorb CO2 from the air for growth in the summer and return it in the winter. Scientists have been tracking carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere over Hawaii since 1958, as shown in this graphic known as the Keeling Curve. That alone might have made him famous in scientific circles. But then he realized something even more startling the level of CO2 in the Earth's atmosphere was increasing each year. Keeling had discovered what became known as the Keeling Curve the slow rise of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere that was causing global warming. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the greenhouse gas responsible for most of the warming attributable to such gases, according to NOAA's Earth System Research Lab, which also measures carbon dioxide levels at Mauna Loa and other locations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Increasing amounts of CO2 and other gases caused by the burning of the oil, gas and coal that power our world are enhancing a natural "greenhouse effect," causing the planet to warm to levels that climate scientists say can't be linked to natural forces. Carbon dioxide levels were around 280 parts per million (ppm) before the Industrial Revolution, when humans first began releasing large amounts into the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels. When Keeling first began testing, CO2 levels were 313 parts per million at Mauna Loa. Today, they stand at 427 ppm. Keeling died in 2005, and his son, Ralph is now the keeper of the "curve." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A physicist himself, he says the ongoing measurements at Mauna Loa are on the "cutting edge of discovering what we're doing to the planet." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Musk's DOGE cuts could end ground-breaking NOAA climate research A security official at the U.S. Institute of Peace said the DOGE team on Monday evening surreptitiously gained entry to the facility, the most aggressive known attempt by the Trump administration to enter an organization. The scuffle between DOGE officials and U.S. Institute of Peace staff prompted nearly a dozen police officers to respond and raised fresh questions about the tactics the government-trimming agency will use to enter government buildings and exert control over agencies. On Monday, four members of the security contracting firm Inter-Con used a master key to try to allow DOGE officials into the building, according to Colin OBrien, head of security at the USIP. Inter-Con had a contract to provide security for USIP through Friday and the master key was not returned, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inter-Con Vice President Derrick Hanna informed OBrien and USIP outside counsel George Foote that DOGE had contacted them and threatened all of their federal contracts if they did not permit entry for DOGE, OBrien said in an interview with POLITICO and separately in court documents filed by USIP Wednesday morning challenging DOGEs authority to take control of USIP. On camera, members of DOGE ran up to the building and attempted to follow those Inter-Con employees into the building and gain entrance, OBrien said. Foote said in a court declaration filed Wednesday morning that he told the Inter-Con staff that they were trespassing. They ignored this and proceeded to walk toward USIPs gun safe, he said. D.C. District Judge Beryl Howell will hold a hearing Wednesday afternoon regarding the incident. Neither Inter-Con nor DOGE returned multiple requests for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OBrien called the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and was met with several police officers, including two high-ranking officers, as well as a large team from DOGE, the Elon Musk-led group that has upended Washington. They were also joined by Kenneth Jackson, a State Department official who was recently appointed acting USIP president, after a Trump administration takeover of the independent entity. The police allowed DOGE officials entry and detained OBrien, Foote and his co-counsel, Sophia Lin, at Jacksons direction, according to OBrien. The brief police report says unwanted individuals exited without incident. Foote, Lin and Jackson could not be reached for comment. There are conflicting accounts as to why the MPD took this course. In a statement, the MPD said that it was contacted by the U.S. Attorneys Office regarding the incident, arguing that Jackson had authority and there was at least one person refusing to leave the property at Jacksons direction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The USIP employees argue the institute, as an organization funded by Congress, is not part of the executive branch and should not be subject to Trumps order. The mandate of USIP, which employs several hundred people, is to prevent violent conflicts and broker peace deals abroad. Trump on Feb. 19 signed an executive order demanding USIP be reduced to its statutory minimum. White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly said USIP employees did not comply with that executive order, prompting the removal of board members and the appointment of Jackson. Rogue bureaucrats will not be allowed to hold agencies hostage, she added. The Trump administration will enforce the Presidents executive authority and ensure his agencies remain accountable to the American people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This wasnt the first time USIP and DOGE employees had met. Five DOGE representatives and two FBI agents came to the building last week unannounced. Foote and OBrien told them they had no jurisdiction because the institute is independent and not part of the executive branch. USIP staff got an email from an external source signed by Jackson on Tuesday, amid the DOGE takeover, saying: We are working hard to ensure a smooth leadership transition. They were instructed to complete a form, with failure to complete it may result in adverse action. OBrien, along with other USIP employees at the building Monday, was not able to collect his personal belongings before his removal. His car is still in the Institute of Peace garage. FORT PIERCE, Florida (WJW) A Florida man is facing multiple charges after deputies found dead dogs hanging from a tree in the backyard. According to the St. Lucie County Sheriffs Office, deputies initially responded to a home in Fort Pierce for a civil matter on March 16. Woman found with obviously deceased man on top of her Deputies found two dogs suspended by their necks from a tree. Investigators say the animals were bound around their necks with coaxial cable, paracord, tie-down straps and chains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheriff Richard Del Toro says it is unclear how long the dogs were dead, saying they were obviously deceased. Animal control will determine the manner and cause of death. Insulting: Cleveland mayor responds to Browns Salomon Cruz-Perez, Courtesy: St. Lucie County Sheriffs Office Salomon Cruz-Perez, 42, faces two counts of aggravated animal cruelty. According to the sheriff, Cruz-Perez told investigators the dogs must have gotten tied up themselves. 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. TOKYO, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Japan booked a trade surplus of 584.5 billion yen (3.9 billion U.S. dollars) in February, returning to the black for the first time in two months, government data showed Wednesday. The surplus, the largest since March 2021, was driven by strong auto and semiconductor-related demand as exports grew 11.4 percent year-on-year to a record 9.19 trillion yen for the month, according to preliminary trade data released by the Ministry of Finance. Meanwhile, total imports dropped 0.7 percent to 8.61 trillion yen, marking the first decline in three months, the data showed. By destination, Japan's trade surplus with the United States climbed 29.3 percent from a year earlier to 918.85 billion yen, hitting a record for February, as exports grew 10.5 percent to 1.9 trillion yen while imports fell 2.7 percent to 985.88 billion yen. Exports to China gained 14.1 percent to 1.54 trillion yen while imports dropped 3.5 percent to 1.73 trillion yen, resulting in a 186.8 billion yen trade deficit, down 57.4 percent from the year before. A deficit of 222.48 billion yen was logged with the European Union, remaining in the red for the 13th consecutive month. (1 U.S. dollar equals 149.38 Japanese yen) The Department of Justice argued Tuesday that President Donald Trump would be well within his authority to fire all agency chiefs who are womenor over the age of 40. Eric McArthur, a deputy assistant attorney general, made the statement in response to a hypothetical scenario posed by Judge Karen Henderson of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals during Tuesdays oral argument over the firing of two board members of independent agencies. Earlier this month, two district judges ruled in two separate cases that Trump illegally fired Merit Systems Protection Board member Cathy Harris and National Labor Relations Board member Gwynne Wilcox. Former President Joe Biden nominated Harris to the MSPB in 2021 and Wilcox to a second five-year term at the NLRB in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration has appealed those rulings. Mr. McArthur, could the president decide that he wasnt going to appoint or allow to remain in office any female heads of agencies or any heads over 40 years old? Henderson, one of three judges on the panel, asked the DOJ attorney during the proceedings. I think that that would be within the presidents constitutional authority under the removal power, McArthur responded. There would be separate questions about whether that would violate other provisions of the Constitution. Before McArthur could finish, Judge Justin Walker stepped in to say he was not sure that the DOJ would have to go there, citing protections under the 14th Amendment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What about the over 40 part? Judge Patricia Millett pressed McArthur. All you need is a rational basis under the Constitution. Is I desire to exercise my removal power a rational basis? I think it might well be a rational basis, McArthur replied, prompting Millett to confirm whether that was his view. I dont wanna get out over my skis here, McArthur continued. Obviously, all of these are sensitive questions. When the department makes decisions about this, this is made to the very topthe acting solicitor general. And I do not wanna get out in front of the president or the acting solicitor general on any of these issues. The MSPB and NLRB are watchdog agencies that protect federal merit systems from prohibited personnel practices and workers from unfair labor practices. Wilcox was the first black woman to serve on the NLRB. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump fired Harris in February and Wilcox in late January. On March 4, U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras ordered the reinstatement of Harris, noting that the president provided no reason for Harriss termination and stressing that MSPB members can only be removed for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance. Two days later, U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell also ordered that Wilcox be reinstated to her post at the NLRB as the president does not have the authority to terminate the boards members at will. McArthur argued on Tuesday that they are agency heads who answer to no one but the president. NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore have finally returned after being stranded on board the International Space Station for nine months. The pair became stuck in June after Boeing's plagued Starliner spacecraft was deemed unfit to return them last summer due to a litany of technical problems. After splashing down in the Gulf of Mexico, Williams and Wilmore were greeted by a curious pod of dolphins a soothing experience after being thrown in the middle of a politically charged circus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and president Donald Trump have turned the pair's return into a rallying cry, misleadingly blaming the many delays on the Biden administration and sparking an ugly spat between the billionaire and several former and current astronauts. https://twitter.com/NASA_Johnson/status/1902124589636784140? In the end, the splashdown couldn't have gone more smoothly, with a sea mammalian committee ready to welcome them back home. Drone footage shows dolphin fins popping up around the scorched, bullet-shaped Crew Dragon spacecraft as it bobs in the water. "Here on your screen, we can see dolphins, actually, who want to come and play with Dragon," said webcast host and SpaceX quality systems engineering manager Kate Tice during Tuesday's livestream, as quoted by Business Insider. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For minutes, dolphins swam excitedly around the unusual craft while engineers prepared to haul Dragon onboard a nearby barge. It's not just curious dolphins that have come extremely close to Dragon recovery proceedings. Following the splashdown of the first-ever crewed Dragon mission to the space station in 2020, Trump flag-waving boats approached the spacecraft to have a closer look, despite poisonous fumes hanging in the area. "I think all of America was very anxious to see the capsule land in the water, but yeah, its something we need to do better next time," said NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine at the time. "This lack of regard for safety is something that the Coast Guard takes very seriously," a Coast Guard spokesperson told the New York Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fortunately, the dolphins didn't appear to be in danger while checking out the landed spacecraft. "That was really fun to see," SpaceX Dragon mission management director Sarah Walker told reporters during a press call following splashdown. More on the ISS: NASA Sending Military Personnel to Space Station Originally appeared on E! Online Previously classified documents pertaining to late President John F. Kennedy's 1963 assassination have been released. More than 60 years after JFK's fatal shooting, which federal authorities concluded was solely perpetrated by Lee Harvey Oswald, the government began publishing 80,000 pages of unredacted records relating to their investigation at the direction of President Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump signed an executive order in January to release all records about the assassination, as well as the 1968 killings of the 46-year-old's brother Robert F. Kennedy Sr. and civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. "I have now determined that the continued redaction and withholding of information from records pertaining to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy is not consistent with the public interest," Trump stated in his order, "and the release of these records is long overdue." The documents are available in digitized form on the National Archives website and on analog media formats at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) offices in Maryland. More from E! Online Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, this is not the first time classified records about JFK's assassination have been released. NARA has been making JFK materials available to the public in batches since 1992, when Congress passed the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act to unseal investigation documents. Arnold Sachs/Archive Photos/Getty Images According to the agency, the last batch dropped was in 2023 under then-President Joe Biden's directive. "At the National Archives, we believe in the importance of government transparency and the accessibility of information," archivist Dr. Colleen Shogan said in a statement at the time. "The dedicated and detailed work completed by NARA staff and by our partners and stakeholder agencies is an excellent representation of how we can collaborate together to ensure that the maximum amount of information is made available to the American people, while we protect what we must." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For a complete guide on the Kennedys, keep reading. Joseph P. Kennedy and Rose Kennedy Joseph Patrick "Joe" Kennedy married Rose Elizabeth Fitzgerald on Oct. 7, 1914. By 1932, they had nine children together: Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., John F. Kennedy, Rosemary Kennedy, Kathleen Kennedy, Eunice Kennedy, Patricia Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, Jean Kennedy and Edward Kennedy. Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Born July 25, 1915, Joe Jr. was going to be president, as far as his father was concerned. He was a delegate to the 1940 Democratic National Convention and planned to run for Congress after he got out of the Navy. But the 29-year-old and his co-pilot Wilford John Willy were killed Aug. 12, 1944, when explosives they were carrying detonated prematurely while on a bombing run that was part of Operation Aphrodite. Neither pilot's body was ever recovered and their names are among those on the Tablets of the Missing at the Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial honoring casualties of World War II. John F. Kennedy It was John, born May 29, 1917, who made it to Congress, then became a U.S. senator and ultimately was elected president in 1960. He married Jacqueline Bouvier on Sept. 12, 1953, and they welcomed daughter Caroline Kennedy on Nov. 27, 1957, and son John F. Kennedy Jr. on Nov. 25, 1960. A daughter, Arabella, was stillborn in 1956 and son Patrick, born prematurely on Aug. 7, 1963, lived for only 39 hours. JFK was assassinated on Nov. 22, 1963, one of the defining events of the 20th century. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Caroline Kennedy Caroline, the U.S. ambassador to Japan during the Obama administration and to Australia for the Biden administration, married Edwin "Ed" Schlossberg in 1986. They share daughters Rose Kennedy Schlossberg (born June 25, 1988) and Tatiana Kennedy Schlossberg (May 5, 1990) and son John "Jack" Bouvier Kennedy Schlossberg (Jan. 19, 1993). TV producer Rose went to Harvard like her mom and married restaurateur Rory McAuliffe in 2022. Tatianaa journalist who didn't know at the time that her 2014 New York Times article about a dead bear being found in Central Park involved her cousin RFK Jr.graduated from Yale and married college sweetheart George Moran in 2017. They welcomed a son, Edwin Jr., in 2022. Jacka Yale alum, graduate of Harvard's JD/MBA program and quite the hoot on social mediaspoke at the 2024 DNC Convention and is a political correspondent for Vogue. John F. Kennedy Jr. The former first son, named People's Sexiest Man Alive in 1988, was considered one of the most eligible bachelors on the planet before he married Calvin Klein publicist Carolyn Bessette on Sept. 21, 1996. In a shattering twist of fate for his oft-grieving family, JFK Jr. died young like his father, his potential snuffed out when he was killed, along with Carolyn and her sister Lauren Bessette, in a plane crash on July 16, 1999. Rosemary Kennedy Rosemary (at right, with sister Kathleen and mom Rose) was born Sept. 13, 1918. While she attended a special boarding school for students with learning difficulties, Rosemary had behavioral issues that led to her father's decision to have her undergo a prefrontal lobotomy when she was 23. Rosemary emerged from the experimental procedurewhich was touted as a potential cure for mental illness and Joe did hope it would help herseverely disabled and spent the rest of her life (she lived till Jan. 7, 2005) institutionalized. "All along I had continued to believe that she could have lived her life as a Kennedy girl, just a little slower," Rose told historian Doris Kearns Goodwin years later. "But then it was all gone in a matter of minutes." Kathleen "Kick" Kennedy Born Feb. 20, 1920, Kathleen got a kick out of life, hence her jaunty nickname. She married William Cavendish, the Marquess of Hartington, in a civil ceremony in London on May 6, 1944against her mother's wishes, as her beloved wasn't Catholic, so the bride's big brother Joe Jr. was the only member of her family who attended the wedding. A month later, William, a major in the British Army, was killed by a sniper in Belgium. She remained in England and fell for still-married William Wentworth-Fitzwilliam, 8th Earl Fitzwilliam. Before he could secure a divorce, they both died when the plane carrying them to the French Riviera crashed on May 13, 1948. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eunice Kennedy Shriver Eunice was born July 10, 1921. The devoted philanthropist and founder of the Special Olympics married Robert Sargent Shriver Jr. on May 23, 1953. Their had five childrenRobert "Bobby" Shriver III (born April 28, 1954), Maria Shriver (Nov. 6, 1955), Timothy (Aug. 29, 1959), Mark (Feb. 17, 1964) and Anthony (July 20, 1965). When she died at 88, Eunice had 19 grandchildren, including Maria's four kids with now-ex-husband Arnold Schwarzenegger: Katherine (born Dec. 13, 1989), Patrick (Sept. 18, 1993), Christina (July 23, 1991) and Christopher (Sept. 27, 1997). Robert F. Kennedy The son known familiarly to the whole country as Bobby Kennedy married Ethel Skakel on June 17, 1950. They went on to have 11 children: Kathleen, Joseph II, Robert Jr., David, Courtney, Michael, Kerry, Christopher, Maxwell, Douglas and Rory. Ethel was pregnant with Rory when Bobby was fatally shot on June 6, 1968, shortly after winning the California Democratic primary. David Kennedy died of a drug overdose on April 25, 1984, at the age of 28. Michael Kennedy was killed on Dec. 31, 1997, when he slammed into a tree while on skis and simultaneously tossing a football around during a family trip to Aspen, Colo. The 37-year-old shared three children with wife Victoria Gifford. Her husband died when their eldest child was only 16, but Ethel Kennedy went on to be a grandmother of 34. Two of her grandchildren have died: Courtney and husband Paul Hill's daughter Saoirse Hill, 22, in 2019 of an accidental drug overdose and Kathleen and husband David Townsend's daughter Maeve Kennedy McKean, 40, in a 2020 canoeing accident. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. RFK Jr., born Jan. 17, 1954, is a thrice-married father of six. He shares son Robert Francis "Bobby" Kennedy III (born 1984) and daughter Kathleen "Kick" Kennedy (born 1988) with first wife Emily Black. They divorced in 1994 after 12 years of marriage. Robert F. Kennedy III RFK III has been married to CIA analyst turned author and TV host Amaryllis Fox since 2017. They share daughter Bobby (born Jan. 7, 2019) and son Cassius Watts Thoreau Kennedy (Aug. 30, 2021), as well as Amaryllis' daughter Zoe from a previous relationship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kick Kennedy "I like to say life is just a collection of experiencessome good, some badand the more you have the better," the Stanford grad told Town & Country in 2012. And merely knowing Ben Affleck "in passing," as a source put it, brought Kick Kennedy to the top of the trending bar in August 2024 days after Jennifer Lopez filed for divorce from the actor. Affleck's rep was quick to shut down romance speculation, telling E! News, "Everything about him and Kick is untrue." So nothing about being a Kennedy had really changed in a decade. Or a century. "People ask me, 'What's it like to be a Kennedy?'" she told T&C. "Maybe it's just the temperature of the water, but I'm just like, 'I have no idea.' When I see my face or name in the tabloids, I get a knot in my stomach. It's just not meit's reading something that's not real." But she did feel a kinship with the great aunt she was named for, who died two years before her father was born. "It's funny how similar we are," Kick mused. "She was fun and social and a performer in many ways." RFK Jr. married Mary Richardson in 1994 and they went on to have four children: Conor Richardson Kennedy (born July 25 ,1994), Kyra LeMoyne Kennedy (Aug. 22, 1995), William Finbar "Finn" Kennedy (Nov. 8, 1997) and Aidan Caohman Vieques Kennedy (July 13, 2001). The couple were legally separated when Mary died by suicide in 2012. Father and sons: Conor, Aidan and RFK III. Conor Kennedy Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kyra Kennedy Kyra, a regular among the high-fashion set, lives in Milan. She said in an Aug. 27, 2024, video posted in partnership with Elle and Bvlgari that she's working on a project in memory of her late mother. "Have I experienced a rebirth in my life?" she asks in the clip. "Yes, I definitely have. As a little girl, I was one person. And when I became a young adult, I did a complete 180." RFK Jr. married Curb Your Enthusiasm star Cheryl Hines in 2014. The actress shares daughter Catherine Young (born March 8, 2004) with ex-husband Paul Young. Modern Family In wishing her dad a happy Father's Day in 2018, Kick wrote on Instagram, "Thanks for giving me all these wacky brothers and sisters!" Kerry Kennedy Ethel and RFK's seventh child shares three daughterstwins Mariah Kennedy-Cuomo and Cara Kennedy Cuomo (born in 1995) and Michaela Kennedy-Cuomo (born in 1997)with ex-husband Andrew Cuomo. Kerry and Andrew, who was governor of New York from 2011 to 2021, married in 1990 and separated in 2003 before divorcing in 2005. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Edward "Ted" Kennedy Sen. Ted Kennedy, more scandalous than 90 percent of his family put together, shared three children with first wife Joan Bennett: Kara Kennedy (born Feb. 27, 1960), Edward Kennedy Jr. (Sept. 26, 1961) and Patrick Kennedy II (July 14, 1967). He and Joan divorced in 1982 after 24 years of marriage and he wed Victoria Reggie in 1992. Kara suffered a fatal heart attack on Sept. 16, 2011, two years after her father died. For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App Ukraine must be included in all future negotiations regarding steps to end Russia's full-scale war, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a virtual press conference on March 18. Zelensky's comments followed a phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, who discussed the possibilities of a temporary ceasefire. Afterwards, Washington and Moscow announced that they planned to hold negotiations in the Middle East "immediately." "I don't want to offend anyone, but I don't want us to be on Putin's menu," Zelensky said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are not a salad ... We are an independent state. Without us, I think it's wrong to negotiate." In his call with Trump, Putin said he was prepared to accept a 30-day pause on all attacks targeting energy infrastructure a proposal Zelensky signaled he was willing to accept, once Kyiv was briefed on the details. Following the call, the White House and the Kremlin issued separate statements both affirming plans to hold peace negotiations in the Middle East. The talks will focus on the energy sector ceasefire and steps towards implementing a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea. Ukraine supports any proposals that lead to a just peace, Zelensky said, and must not be excluded from these negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We must understand what is going on. ... Because in this war, there are two sides. Russia and Ukraine. And without Ukraine, it seems to me that it is hopeless to negotiate." Zelensky also said that Putin's rejection of the first U.S. ceasefire plan a 30-day cessation of all hostilities, which Ukraine agreed to on March 11 illustrated Russia's disinterest in ending the war. "If you didn't want to continue the war on March 11, the numbers would probably be different," he said. "And the numbers are as follows: 1342 KABs, eight rockets, 580 Shaheds, 44 Lancets, 250 other strikes. Not on the battlefield we are talking about everything, about civilian infrastructure." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelensky said that despite Putin's demand that Ukraine stop receiving military aid in order to advance a ceasefire agreement, Kyiv expects its allies to continue providing security assistance. He also confirmed Putin's announcement that Ukraine and Russia would each exchange 175 prisoners on March 19. Read also: Russia sees US aid halt during Ukraine truce as its minimum goal, Bloomberg reports Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) The Dothan Board of Education has once again changed the requirements for the school districts future superintendents. On Tuesday, the Dothan Board of Education met to discuss and reconsider the recent changes made to the systems superintendent requirements. In a tight vote earlier this month, the BOE decided to increase the education requirements, making it essential that candidates possess a doctorate degree and previous experience as a superintendent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, in a unanimous vote Tuesday night, the BOE changed the requirements again, deciding that having previous experience as a superintendent is not required and is now only preferred. In the state of Alabama, potential superintendents are not required to have previous experience in a superintendents role, but the candidate must have at least 5 years experience in the public school system. The boards decision to up the education requirements to a doctorate degree this month sparked controversy in the community. Dothan becomes the first school district in Alabama to require that level of college education. READ MORE: Parents unhappy with Dothans BOE, call for change after superintendent requirement shakeup Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During Tuesday nights meeting, board members began discussing the possibility of contracting a hiring firm out of Iowa to aid in Dothans superintendent search. District 6 Board Member Aurie Jenkins was against the decision to contract a hiring firm, claiming that a firm out of Iowa would not know what is best for the Dothan City School System. Jenkins also said that in her independent research, superintendents hired through firms do not stay with school systems very long. Before a decision could be made on whether or not to hire the firm, the board went into executive session. 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 WDHN - wdhn.com. Mar. 19WILKES-BARRE A second brother from Bucks County pled guilty to stealing a backhoe in Bear Creek Township and was arraigned for his alleged role in stealing a truck and tools from Ricketts Glen State Park in 2023. Glenn Thomas Gallo, 37, of Dublin, made separate appearances in the Luzerne County court system this week. Glenn Gallo appeared before Court of Commons Pleas Judge David W. Lupas on Monday when he admitted to stealing a 1998 John Deere backhoe from private property on Suscon Road in Bear Creek Township on May 8, 2023, according to court records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Glenn Gallo along with his brother, Gregory Gallo, 39, of Dublin, stole the backhoe to get two stolen trucks, a 2006 Ford F150 and a 2013 Ford F150, unstuck from mud while they were four-wheeling near Mud Pond Road, court records say. Gregory Gallo previously pled guilty to stealing the backhoe and was sentenced by Judge Lupas on May 2, 2024, to three years, six months to six years, four months in state prison. Glenn Gallo is scheduled to be sentenced for stealing the backhoe at a later date, as he is currently facing theft-related offenses in Lancaster County. Then on Tuesday, Glenn Gallo was arraigned by District Judge David Barilla of Forty Fort for his alleged role with Gregory Gallo of forcing open a locked door to a garage at Ricketts Glen State Park and stole power and hand tools, communication radios and the 2013 Ford F150 on May 5, 2023, court records say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2013 Ford stolen from the state park was one of the two stolen vehicles recovered near Mud Pond Road on May 8, 2023, according to court records. Glenn Gallo along with Gregory Gallo were charged by rangers with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources with nine counts of theft, two counts each of burglary and criminal trespass, and one count each of institutional vandalism and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Gregory Gallo was arraigned for the Ricketts Glen State Park alleged burglary and theft last week. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Douglas and Coos counties each declared a state of emergency this week in response to the flooding and slides that swamped neighborhoods, washed out roads, prompted numerous water rescues and killed a Jackson County woman over the weekend. Gov. Tina Koteks office told KOIN 6 News Tuesday the governor is closely monitoring impacts to communities in southwest Oregon and assessing damage from the flooding and landslides. Kotek is advising Oregonians in the affected areas to stay informed, avoid travel, if possible, prepare for power outages and review post-flooding safety tips. Deadly flooding in southwest Oregon, multiple people rescued from high water Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coos County Commissioner Drew Farmer told KOIN 6 News that officials are worried more damage could occur as the floodwater subsides. With some roads still being flooded we have concerns that, once the water recedes, we will see a suction effect that will pull additional material out from under our roads resulting in additional road failures, Farmer said. Flooding in Drain, Ore. on March 16, 2025. (Photos by North Douglas County Fire) Flooding in Drain, Ore. on March 16, 2025. (Photos by North Douglas County Fire) Flooding in Drain, Ore. on March 16, 2025. (Photos by North Douglas County Fire) On Monday, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management activated the State Emergency Coordination Center to Level 3 for the region. Multiple local and tribal emergency operations centers are also activated, and OEM is working closely with local, tribal, and state partners to monitor impacts and support response and recovery operations as needed, OEM stated in a press release. The Level 3 activation allows OEM to maintain situational awareness, facilitate information-sharing, and help fulfill resource requests from impacted jurisdictions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oregon woman drowns in weekend flooding Declaring an emergency at the local level can free up funds to address disasters and is the first step for local governments to request state or federal assistance. Although Lane and Jackson counties were also affected by the floods, neither county has declared a state of emergency. Damages that we know of so far are relatively minor, though damage on Highway 227 may change that, Jackson County Administrator Danny Jordan told KOIN. We also havent exhausted our resources in house yet and arent looking for state or outside help. If we do meet our public assistance threshold, then our emergency manager will recommend we move forward with one. Flood damage on Fat Elk Road in Coos County. (Coos County Emergency Managment) Kotek has not declared a state of emergency at the state level for the flooding. Local officials, meanwhile, are working to get the word out that the region may have suffered its worst flood in decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I made it around most of our cities and some outlying communities yesterday and the problem is substantial, Farmer said. Ive heard some of our old timers say they havent seen flooding like this since the 1960s. 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. by Dames Alexander Sinaga JAKARTA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Around 20 years ago, Lu Fang landed in Indonesia from China with excitement to begin her career as a Mandarin teacher. Now, she is on cloud nine as more Indonesians love to learn the language and the culture. Lu's journey to the Southeast Asian country started after a friend of hers in China informed her about a private school in the Kelapa Gading area in North Jakarta, which was looking for a native Chinese teacher to give Mandarin lessons to preschool and elementary students. "Since 2003, many private schools in Indonesia have started giving Mandarin lessons to their students. So then I decided to fly here to become the school's teacher. It's very exciting," said Lu, who originates from the Chinese city of Xi'an. Lu, who remains working at the school, found that more Indonesian children nowadays have been passionate about learning the language over the past eight years. "Some students used to be afraid of learning it. Mandarin has four tones and its characters, for them, are hard to write. Now, I see more students somehow enjoying learning it. Perhaps the internet has also helped them to learn Mandarin simpler in many ways," she explained. Her students, including Annemarie Dealova, Siyu Huo and Liu Junji are able to speak Mandarin fluently. All of them have learned since an early age. Dealova, now 11, has learned Mandarin since the age of three. Learning Mandarin tones and pronunciations used to be very challenging for her, but persistent practice improved her skills. "Learning the Chinese characters was also uneasy at first. I had to memorize the characters and kept practicing a lot. Now I'm also better at them," she said. Meanwhile, for 12-year-old Siyu and 10-year-old Liu, who are both of Chinese descent, learning Mandarin is interesting, fun and easy. Learning the language is worth their time because they like to travel to China for family vacations. Mandarin, they said, helps them to communicate and interact with locals there confidently. Their school principal, Januati Halim, explained that her school provides Mandarin as a subject mainly since it is one of the most spoken languages in the world. Moreover, China's investment and trading in Indonesia continue to increase, highlighting the importance of Mandarin, which will contribute to students' future, particularly when they work at or with Chinese businesses or institutions, she added. "The ability to speak Mandarin can help boost career prospects, offering benefits in employability, business opportunities, as well as cultural understanding," she emphasized. In September last year, the Chinese embassy in Indonesia in collaboration with Istiqlal Mosque, the country's largest mosque, inaugurated a Chinese cultural space within the mosque complex. Named China Space at Istiqlal, the project offers bilateral cultural and educational exchanges and cooperation between China and Indonesia. The classroom not only offers Mandarin lessons, and displays the charm of traditional Chinese culture, such as silk paintings, porcelain and panda dolls, but also demonstrates a number of Chinese technological achievements, represented by satellites and ship models, and miniature Jakarta-Bandung high-speed trains. For over a decade, China has been Indonesia's largest trading partner and a significant source of foreign investment. The two countries will commemorate the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in April. Both Halim and Lu expressed hopes that the relationship between the two countries would increase to a higher level, saying that "China and Indonesia should maintain their continued trust and support." GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA) A downtown Greenville bar is temporarily closed due to renovations. City Tavern located at 128 North Main Street announced on its Facebook page that the bar closed following St. Patricks Day. The post continued to state that the Baby Blue building will get upgrades to the inside and outside with help from the Facade Improvement Program. The establishment said the renovations are expected to take about two months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said the updates will not compromise the buildings quirky and bold character. Screenshot from video posted by the City of Greenville showing the design for City Tavern renovations posted at the front of the building in downtown Greenville, S.C. (From: City of Greenville) Renovation plans also include activating the buildings vacant second and third floors, according to the City of Greenville. Plans to renovate the facade of the building have been in the process since late 2021. The citys Design Review Board originally unanimously approved plans in December 2021. An official reopening date has yet to be determined. 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. Chanting, "We will free Palestine within our lifetime," a large group of protesters took to Baltimore City Hall following the resumption of the war in Gaza. Early Tuesday, Israel dropped a round of airstrikes on Gaza, effectively ending ceasefire talks and killing more than 400 people, according to Gaza health officials. DR Congos President Felix Tshisekedi met with his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame in Qatar on Tuesday to discuss the insurgency in eastern DRC, a region rich in minerals. The meeting, which was mediated by Qatar, marked the first time the leaders sat together since the conflict in DRC's mineral-rich east escalated after Rwanda-backed M23 rebels seized two major cities in January. Both DR Congo and Rwanda reaffirmed their commitment to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. However, the joint statement does not specify how the ceasefire would be implemented or monitored. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prior to January, the two nations had also made an attempt to come together for peace negotations. The meeting planned in December, however, had been unexpectedly cancelled after Rwanda made the signing of the agreement conditional on direct dialogue between rebels and DRC, which the latter refused. The talks come as DR Congo's government was set to meet with M23 leaders in Angola for ceasefire negotiations. However, the rebels pulled out unexpectedly after the European Union imposed sanctions on rebel leaders on Monday. M23 is one of nearly 100 armed groups operating in eastern DR Congo. The ongoing conflict has resulted in one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises, with more than 7 million people displaced. MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WKRN) An investigation is underway after a dangerous road rage incident in Murfreesboro Wednesday morning left two vehicles seriously damaged and eventually led to one drivers arrest following a disturbance at the hospital, according to officials. The Murfreesboro Police Department (MPD) said the situation began shortly after 6:15 a.m. on Wednesday, March 19, when the driver of a silver Honda Odyssey minivan started driving erratically on Northwest Broad Street, cutting people off, using his flashers to get through traffic, and brake-checking other drivers. Woman charged with robbing food delivery driver at knifepoint in South Nashville Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities said the Honda and a white Dodge Ram pickup truck stopped at the traffic light on Florence Road. The two drivers reportedly had an encounter on Tuesday, March 18, which escalated into Wednesdays incident. According to law enforcement, the Honda driver got out; smashed Dodges taillight, windows, and mirror; and then rammed the truck while fleeing, significantly damaging both vehicles. In addition, the Dodge driver allegedly smashed the Hondas window, injuring his hand. Road rage can easily cloud drivers judgment and results in reckless actions, said MPD Sgt. Nathan Corwin. These types of incidents can turn a moment of frustration into a potentially dangerous decision. Officials said the damaged Honda was found about an hour later at TriStar StoneCrest Medical Center, where the minivan driver had taken an older passenger for treatment following the road rage incident. Honda minivan from Murfreesboro road rage incident (Courtesy: Murfreesboro Police Department) Honda minivan from Murfreesboro road rage incident (Courtesy: Murfreesboro Police Department) Dodge pickup from Murfreesboro road rage incident (Courtesy: Murfreesboro Police Department) Dodge pickup from Murfreesboro road rage incident (Courtesy: Murfreesboro Police Department) The Honda driver reportedly caused a disturbance, forcing hospital staff to ask him to leave. Authorities said Smyrna officers eventually took him into custody outside TriStar StoneCrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MPD said it has charged the Honda driver with aggravated assault and felony vandalism, but additional charges are pending by the Smyrna Police Department. Meanwhile, the Dodge driver could potentially face misdemeanor vandalism charges, pending further investigation, according to law enforcement. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com If you are involved in a road rage incident, try to ignore the other driver and let them safely pass, Corwin said. Trying to win an argument behind the wheel with a stranger is not worth jeopardizing your safety. No additional details have been released about Wednesdays incident or the encounter between the drivers from the day before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. DUBLIN, Ohio (WCMH) The City of Dublin has been one of the areas at the center of central Ohios growth for several years now, and city leaders said last weeks State of the City address proves the communitys journey is just beginning. Jenny Rauch, Dublins community planning and development director, said the city is laser-focused on innovation, always thinking about how to help existing businesses grow and how to bring in new ones. Ohio voucher program: Data shows nearly 90% of participants are not low-income Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So its not just making a pretty picture; its how to help set the steps to make that happen, Rauch said. During last weeks State of the City address, city leaders said they will allocate more than $325 million over the next five years to capital improvement projects. One of the biggest portions of that money will go to transportation. We have within that something called a multimodal thoroughfare plan and that is really looking at all modes of transportation and how we make sure that were prioritizing not just vehicles but pedestrians and bicycles, Rauch said. So theres a really great opportunity within each of those to sort of, again, tie the city together, tie people to those places and get around with ease and options. Rauch said the goal would be for people to easily get to each section of the city, including areas like Bridge Park and the soon-to-open COhatch Riverview Village, which she said will be in the heart of Historic Dublin. Rauch said the hope is the project will bring in many startups and small businesses to the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DOGE cancels $699K OSU research grant examining cannabis use in LGBTQ+ women The city also hopes the transportation plan will connect people to up-and-coming areas of the city like Metro Center, which is being developed from a single-use employment center to a mixed-use destination, as well as the land the city has acquired to create its West Innovation District. Thats a really great opportunity in the western portion of the city to help bring to life, you know, that innovation, opportunity, looking at new businesses, new sectors that weve not typically engaged with, Rauch said. So instead of always being focused on office development, opportunities for more flex research, light industrial opportunities. Rauch said to plan for the future, the city is laying out a framework for what a passenger rail station could look like at the West Innovation District. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve done some initial planning efforts with our additional land purchase out there, she said. We are now looking at that again in a more holistic fashion. So, were really looking at how, you know, how we can set ourselves up for the future success of that. People who live and visit Dublin said theyve enjoyed watching the city grow. Spontaneous Ohio Lottery ticket purchase leads to $2 million win Its the coolest thing, Dublin resident Kinnedy Kuhn said. When I moved here, it was still the old Tim Hortons and the Planet Fitness and all of that, and its, I mean, its just so fun to have something to do all the time, to be close by. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kuhn believes the Dublin community is welcoming and open to change. People want to start a business here, people want to come here to visit, live here, she said. Theres something to do all the time. Rauch said some of those projects like the COhatch Riverview Village are expected to start construction later this year. However, others are still in the early phases of development. 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. Mar. 18OTTAWA Lima resident Konner Dunklee, charged in the 2024 shooting death of a 30-year-old woman at a Leipsic trucking company, entered into a plea deal with prosecutors Tuesday morning in Putnam County Common Pleas Court. Dunklee, 27, will be sentenced at 11 a.m. April 17 after pleading guilty to charges of aggravated murder, an unclassified felony, and felonious assault, a felony of the first degree. In exchange for that plea, prosecutors dismissed the remaining charges against Dunklee, which included attempt to commit an offense and assault. Putnam County Prosecutor Gary Lammers on Tuesday said victim Farrah Croniger's family, who were in the courtroom Tuesday, were in agreement with the plea deal offered to Dunklee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lammers said he will ask Judge Keith Schierloh to impose a sentence of life without the possibility of parole at next month's sentencing hearing. The charges are in connection to the April 18, 2024, shooting death of Croninger. The woman was gunned down while working at the Kitchen Enterprises Trucking Company in Leipsic. Prosecutors say Dunklee entered the trucking company office with a gun and opened fire, killing Croninger and injuring Michael Kitchen. Dunklee fled the scene and was later arrested in Allen County. The Lima man had twice undergone competency evaluations and was found competent to stand trial on both occasions. A jury trial was scheduled to begin Monday. Featured Local Savings A dust storm southwest of Santa Fe was one of several raging across New Mexico on Tuesday afternoon resulting in zero visibility on some roads, several multivehicle pileups and the ignition and spread of wildfires. It started with a high wind warning for parts of Central New Mexico issued around 10:30 a.m. by the National Weather Service, which forecast wind gusts of up to 65 mph. The agency noted travel will be difficult, with areas of reduced visibility, below 3 miles at times. The wind would prove more severe than that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Weather Service issued another warning at 2:46 p.m., along with an emergency cellphone alert. Be ready for sudden drop to zero visibility, the agency wrote, warning of a dust storm and urging caution to motorists, infants, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions. Dust storm near Santa Fe Wind-blown dust sweeps over N.M. 14 south of Santa Fe on Tuesday, March 19, 2025. The alert, initially based on law enforcement reports to the agency, warned of a dust storm centered near La Bajada that could have potential impacts on Rio Rancho, Santa Fe, Eldorado, Santo Domingo Pueblo, Cerrillos, Madrid, La Cienega and Galisteo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A collision involving several vehicles was reported on N.M. 16, which connects I-25 and N.M. 22 just south of La Bajada, near Cochiti Pueblo and Pena Blanca. The Santa Fe County Sheriffs Office announced Interstate 25 had been closed at La Bajada at 2:43 p.m., but said in an update around 3:20 p.m. New Mexico State Police had reopened the highway, and traffic was beginning to move slowly. Meteorologist Michael Anand of the National Weather Services Albuquerque office said the storm was a combination of record low winter precipitation and gusts of up to 80 mph, activating dust sources. An upper level disturbance that also hit some central parts of the state brought rain and snow. Another multivehicle collision occurred on U.S. 54 south of Carrizozo as one of several dust storms hit other central parts of the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also closed due to dust were N.M. 41 south of Estancia and Interstate 40 at Moriarty. The low-visibility conditions from blowing dust create dangerous, life-threatening travel, the weather service said in a news release. Drivers caught in the storm were advised to pull off the road, turn off your lights and keep your foot off the brake. Traffic had to be diverted at I-40 and U.S. 84 due to a grass fire one of several wildfires that had sparked, primarily across Central New Mexico, amid the high winds, Anand said. A structure fire in Talpa, south of Taos, was reported at 2:30 p.m., right as winds picked up though it was unclear if the winds were a factor in the fires start at the residence. The blaze was accompanied by reports of explosions, with multiple propane tanks near the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The power grid was affected by the weather in some areas of the state, with Public Service Company of New Mexicos outage map showing heavy service disruptions for thousands of customers, mostly in southeastern Albuquerque. Around 677 customers in Encantado, a community northeast of Tesuque, also lost service. The New Mexico dust storms come after eight people died last week in a western Kansas dust storm that caused the pileup of dozens of vehicles on Interstate 70, The Associated Press reported. ISLAMABAD, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday launched a spring tree plantation drive for the year 2025 under the Green Pakistan Program to improve the country's environment quality. During the drive, more than 41 million saplings will be planted across the four provinces of the country, which government officials said would be helpful in averting climate change impacts and addressing related diseases. Addressing the launching ceremony, the prime minister said that the plantation campaign will significantly contribute to the betterment of the environment, adding that the impacts of climate change have also necessitated huge efforts for tree plantations in recent years. Referring to the worst climate change-induced floods of 2022 which caused widespread destruction across the country, Sharif said that Pakistan was among the 10 countries in the danger zone considering the impacts of climate change. "Pakistan is facing the impacts of climate change despite its minimal contributions to greenhouse gases... The nation should join hands and make efforts to counter climate change and environmental degradation for the country's progress," he added. SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) Dust storms, strong gusts and at least two brush fires descended on New Mexico on Tuesday, snarling highway traffic, knocking out power and setting buildings ablaze. The National Weather Service pushed an emergency alert to cellphones that warned of zero-visibility conditions and adverse health consequences for infants and the elderly. And in some parts of the state, gusts have reached as high as 70 mph (113 kph). The state is being hit by strong winds off an area of low pressure directly over Kansas on Tuesday evening, while extremely dry conditions over the last few months have created prime conditions for fire threat and dust storms, said Marc Chenard, meteorologist for the weather service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dry, dusty weather reduced visibility to almost zero in some instances amid gusts of up to 50 mph (80 kph) along the Albuquerque-Santa Fe corridor and high plains communities in Torrance County, including towns along Interstate 40. Interstate 25 was opened after a brief closure near Cochiti Pueblo due to dust, wind and poor visibility. Blinding dust prompted New Mexicos transportation department to close a 130-mile stretch of Interstate 10, from the Arizona state line to the outskirts of Las Cruces, along with state highways near Deming. High winds also led to road closures in the state's oil-producing region near Roswell and Carlsbad. Motorists should not drive into a dust storm. Pull aside and stay alive, the National Weather Service said in a dust-storm warning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 39,000 customers were without power by Tuesday evening, according to PowerOutage.us. The utility PNM said on X that it was responding to several outages due to high winds and suggested its customers prepare for the possibility of more outages. Authorities also warned of extreme conditions in the event of wildfire, in the aftermath of a grasslands fire that prompted evacuations Friday on the outskirts of Wagon Mound. A brush fire ignited in Bosque Farms, a village just south of Albuquerque, temporarily closing part of Highway 47, according to Albuquerque TV station KOAT. The Valencia County Fire Department said in a social media post that the fire has burned structures, though the number of buildings that sustained damage was not immediately clear. Beyond New Mexico, dust storms last week resulted in a pileup in western Kansas on Interstate 70 involving dozens of cars and trucks that left eight people dead. Early voting in Rich Township paused Tuesday to add a candidate for supervisor, Antoine Bass, to the ballot after he was removed for invalid signatures with his nomination papers. Cook County clerks office communications director Frank Herrera said the pause would only last one day, with early voting resuming Wednesday. All votes cast for Supervisor Calvin Jordan before then will not be counted. The new supplemental ballots are being printed today and will include the names of Democrat Calvin Jordan and Independent Antoine Bass in the race for township supervisor, Herrera said in an email Tuesday. The clerks office has provided proper notice to voters at all affected precincts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bass is the sole challenger to Jordan, who was first elected Rich Township supervisor in 2021, in the April 1 election. No other township races are contested, with Arlene M. Sugar Al-Amin seeking reelection as clerk and Nicholas P. Bobis, Steven Roderick Burris, Jacquelyn M. Small and Candyce M. Herron seeking reelection as trustees, according to the county clerks office. Bass alleges that after an Illinois appellate court ruled March 10 that his name could appear on the Rich Township ballot, Al-Amin refused to certify the new ballot, preventing correct ballots from being delivered in time for early voting that began Monday. He said after waiting for the clerk to comply, he filed an emergency motion to stay mail-in and early voting, which was approved and entered Tuesday. Calvin Jordan has never run his own campaign, and he didnt want to run against me, Bass speculated about why the clerk failed to certify the ballot with his name on it. Its easier to kick me off and ignore that he has an opponent. Neither Jordan nor Al-Amin responded to requests for comment Tuesday. ostevens@chicagotribune.com BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) A 16-year-old suspect is in custody after allegedly stealing a truck from a gas station early Wednesday morning, hitting an East Baton Rouge Sheriffs Office unit, and later crashing the vehicle into a pond. According to EBRSO, the incident began around 1 a.m. when the suspect stole a truck from a nearby gas station. During the pursuit, he struck a deputys unit, but the deputy was not injured. The suspect then drove into a nearby neighborhood, where he reportedly crashed the stolen truck into a pond. Deputies took the suspect into custody at the scene without incident or injuries. Officials confirmed he would face multiple charges, including armed robbery, aggravated flight from an officer, aggravated criminal damage to property and hit and run. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story. Check back for updates. Shooting at Baton Rouge apartment complex leaves 1 hurt, officials say Latest News 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 Louisiana First News. Mar. 18OLYMPIA Strapped for cash and searching for ways to cut spending, the job for budget writers in Washington became that much more challenging Tuesday after an updated economic forecast shows the state will bring in $845 million less over the next four years than it previously projected. During a meeting of the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council, Dave Reich, forecast council executive director, said the updated forecast shows the decline in revenue through 2029. "This change reflects lower actual revenues and a generally lower forecast for Washington personal income, employment and building permits that likely mean lower revenues in the future compared to last fall," Reich said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The drop is split over the next four years, with forecasts showing the state expects to collect $71 billion in revenue between 2025 and 2027, a decrease of $479 million from the last forecast in November, and then collect $76.4 billion between 2027 and 2029, a decrease of $420 million. According to Reich, the drop in revenue is partially due to a drop in sales and business and occupation tax income. "The latest revenue forecast confirms that our financial outlook remains challenging," K.D. Chapman-See, director of the Office of Financial Management, said in a statement. "OFM remains committed to supporting Governor Ferguson's efforts alongside the Legislature to develop sustainable solutions that keep essential services like education, health care, and public safety running effectively and ensure the well-being of all Washingtonians." The updated revenue forecast exacerbates a troubling financial outlook for the state, with the governor recently estimating it faces a $15 billion budget deficit over the next four years. The estimate, which came as Gov. Bob Ferguson announced a plan to cut $4 billion in state spending, came ahead of Tuesday's announcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following Tuesday's announcement, Rep. Timm Ormsby, D-Spokane, chair of the House Appropriations Committee, told reporters the new forecast "makes it that much more difficult for us to balance." During his remarks, Ormsby said that lawmakers are still "modeling what it's going to take" to fund state programs while retaining a "healthy enough" reserve to retain the state's bond rating and credit. "We're going to have to find more savings, and we're going to have to fine-tune the revenue to balance and have reserves," Ormsby said. Identifying cuts, Ormsby said, has been somewhat of a "crap shoot and a guessing game." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We don't want to cut to the bone, but we also know that we have to make reductions," Ormsby said. "This just further quantified the reductions." In a statement following Tuesday's announcement, Ormsby said, "House Democrats are taking a balanced approach to reducing the budget where we can and addressing our regressive tax structure to ask the wealthiest in our state to help us keep people alive." Democratic lawmakers will release their budget proposals Monday, with talk of new revenue streams likely to heat up in the coming days and weeks. During a media availability Tuesday morning, Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, and Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, said constituents had told them during town halls over the weekend that they desired "progressive revenue." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That was kind of the theme of many of our town halls, if not all of our town halls, in some way, shape or form," Jinkins said. Progressive revenue, Pedersen said, are taxes that try to "rebalance our tax code, so that we're no longer 49th best in the country, where low-income and middle-income people pay a disproportionately high percentage of their income to support state and local government." Sen. June Robinson, D-Everett, who chairs the Ways and Means Committee, said in a statement Tuesday that the updated revenue forecast "reinforces the need for a balanced and sustainable approach as we finalize the 2025-27 operating budget." "Throughout this process, we have been focused on making thoughtful, strategic decisions that protect essential services and put the state on a stronger financial footing," Robinson said. "The proposal we release next week will reflect that commitment, ensuring stability now and in the years ahead." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, Republicans in the Senate unveiled a spending plan they say proves the state can adopt a balanced budget without increasing taxes. Following the updated revenue forecast, Sen. Chris Gildon, R-Puyallup, said in a statement, "Legislative budget writers should take heed and show restraint going forward, especially with the uncertainty about actions at the federal level that could affect our situation. "The smart approach is to avoid new and higher taxes, limit new spending to core priorities like K-12 and public safety, preserve social services, and protect the rainy-day fund." Senate Minority Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, said during a media availability Tuesday that Republicans plan to "push back on taxes because they're bad for people across the state." Braun added that "the people of the state of Washington expect the Legislature to live within its means." The forecast did offer a silver lining for lawmakers, with the updated transportation budget showing an increase of $284 million in projected revenues through June 2029. According to the Office of Financial Management, the increase is largely tied to higher projections for the motor vehicle fuel tax and ferry revenue. AUSTIN, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- Two leaders from Ector County Independent School District (ECISD) traveled to the Texas Capitol just before Spring Break, advocating for policies that support public education. Bowie Middle School Principal Amy Russell and Lauren Tavarez, ECISDs Director of Digital Learning, met with state legislators to share firsthand experiences about the challenges and successes within their district, emphasizing the need for stronger educational policies and funding. Lauren Tavarez (left), Amy Russell (right) Russell and Tavarez, both alumni of Raise Your Hand Texas initiatives, were selected from a pool of applicants statewide for this advocacy event. The initiative provided two options: delivering public testimony or meeting directly with legislators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russell opted to visit legislative offices, where she and her group engaged in discussions with lawmakers about the importance of supporting House Bill 2 (HB 2) and House Bill 26 (HB 26)key pieces of legislation impacting public school funding and operations. She met with Speaker of the House Dustin Burrows, Representative Gina Hinojosa, Ector Countys Representative Brooks Landgraf, and Senators Royce West and Kevin Sparks. It was impressive to see what goes into changing funding, and also rewarding to see non-educators stand up, speak up, and work to make change happen for Texas schools, Russell said. We really enjoyed being a voice for ECISD students, staff, and families and value the impact we felt we made on such an important topic affecting so many of us. Tavarez took a different approach, opting to provide testimony before the House Committee on Public Education regarding HB 2, a bill focused on public school finance and funding. She delivered a three-minute testimony before answering questions from committee members. Her testimony can be viewed at this link, beginning at the 17:00 mark. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was a great day, we learned a lot and were so proud to have the opportunity for our voices to be heard, Tavarez said. This was a unique platform to gain valuable insight, forge important connections, and contribute meaningfully to the dialogue about public education. Their advocacy efforts highlight ECISDs commitment to improving education policy and funding, ensuring that Texas students and educators receive the support they need. By stepping into the legislative arena, Russell and Tavarez demonstrated the power of firsthand experience in shaping policies that impact schools statewide. We are proud of their leadership and commitment to the betterment of our educational system, ECISD Chief Communications, Mike Adkins wrote. Their participation in this event serves as a reminder of the importance of advocacy in education, reinforcing the need for ongoing engagement with policymakers to address the challenges facing Texas schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Ecuadors President Daniel Noboa wants foreign armies to help crack down on gang violence in the country. In an interview with the BBC published Tuesday night, Noboa said he wants US, European and Brazilian armies to join his war on gangs, telling the broadcaster that his country needs more armed forces to fight against criminal groups. The Ecuadorean leader previously called for international forces to support the countrys effort to combat gangs. In a local radio interview earlier this month, Noboa said his government was already in talks to receive foreign military support for provinces like Guayas known for high crime, but did not specify which countries were involved in the talks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have a plan in place with our law enforcement agencies, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Defense, the Armed Forces, the Strategic Intelligence Center, and international assistance and support from special forces. Thats essential, he told Guayaquils Radio City. CNN has reached out to the Pentagon and Brazils defense ministry on whether sending troops to Ecuador is on the table. Ecuador has been hit by waves of gang violence - often linked to the drug trade - prompting the government to take a series of extraordinary measures, including a nationwide crackdown last year, preemptive pardons for law enforcement officers battling the gangs, and states of emergency. According to figures from the government, the start to the year has seen an unprecedent level of violence with more than 1,000 homicides. Data from organized crime research center InSight Crime suggests Ecuador has the highest homicide rate in Latin America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this month, Noboa took his controversial military operation a step further earlier by announcing a strategic alliance with Erik Prince, founder of the notorious private military contractor formerly known as Blackwater. Noboa did not provide details on the partnership but said on X that it aims to help in the fight against narcoterrorism and illegal fishing in Ecuador. CNN has reached out to the Ecuadorian presidency, defense ministry and Princes office for details. The move was met with skepticism within Ecuador, with former army commander Luis Altamirano calling the prospective partnership deplorable. Soldiers search for members of drug gangs, hidden weapons or drugs during a government operation to return homes, allegedly stolen by drug gangs, to their rightful owners, in Duran, Ecuador July 19, 2024. REUTERS/Santiago Arcos - Santiago Arcos/Reuters Blackwater gained notoriety in 2007 during the Iraq War, when its private contractors opened fire in Baghdads Nisour Square, killing 17 Iraqi civilians. The company then changed its name and Prince sold it in 2010. Four contractors were convicted and later pardoned by Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked about Princes history, Noboa told the BBC Ecuadors laws need to be respected. Noboas escalating tactics against the gangs come as Ecuador prepares for a run-off presidential vote next month. Noboa fell short of winning an outright majority in the countrys general election last month, and has since doubled down on his tough-on-crime approach an approach criticized by human rights groups and slammed by his political opponent Luisa Gonzalez an ally of former leftist president Rafael Correa who accuses him of being a leader that represents fear. Noboa has labeled several gangs in the country as terror groups. Speaking to the BBC, Noboa called for US President Donald Trump to do the same. The State Department has given Ecuador $81 million since 2018 to help the country with its fight against organized crime and narcotics. The two countries also have an agreement that allows US military and civilian personnel to be sent to Ecuador but remain under US control if needed. Ana Maria Canizares and Angelica Franganillo Diaz contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) Edesia Nutrition, a North Kingstown-based nonprofit, has laid off 10% of its workforce due to a lack of government funding. Navyn Salem, founder and CEO of Edesia Nutrition, told 12 News her nonprofit heavily relies on monthly payments from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Edesia, which makes and globally distributes a fortified peanut paste designed to combat severe malnutrition, hasnt received federal funding since the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) first targeted USAID. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We havent been paid since last year for work that was contracted out, Salem explained. Our [production] lines are very quiet right now. Weve had to slow down in order to conserve cash while we wait. Salem said this was the first staff reduction shes had to make in the history of her nonprofit. It was honestly the worst day of my life so far, she said, adding that most of the employees she laid off had worked alongside her for more than 10 years. Edesias North Kingstown warehouse typically ships out 10,000 boxes of the PlumpyNut peanut paste every single day, according to Salem. When I travel around the world and I see boxes of life-saving food from Rhode Island, I am extremely proud of that, Salem said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But ever since the disruption in federal funding, she has been forced to slash Edesias daily production of the life-saving product by more than half. Every hour that this line is not running, which none of our lines for USAID are running right now, is 415 lives per hour that we are not making product for, Salem said. This is very important, the timeliness of it all. We cant afford to lose those lives on our watch, she continued. RELATED: Judge rules USAID dismantling violates Constitution Salem said one-third of Edesias output goes directly toward USAID missions. Thats why she said the lack of funding for her nonprofit, which has provided more than 25 million children with PlumpyNut since launching in 2010, is dire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We ship to 65 countries, and on every packet of PlumpyNut that we send, it says from the American people,' Salem explained. Now, if you are a family who has a young child on the brink of death, and it was the American people that came forward and saved their life, do you think you would ever forget that? Salem believes the federal government should take a closer look at the eight-week food treatment her nonprofit makes and consider it a worthwhile investment. Though Edesia relies on federal funding, it also benefits from generous donors. Anyone interested in donating to Edesia can do so online or by mail. 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. Follow us on social media: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup 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 WPRI.com. Chicago Board of Education members are being pressured into a financial rescue mission for a unit of government they dont even represent the city of Chicago. Mayor Brandon Johnson and Ald. Jason Ervin, his staunch City Council ally and chair of the Budget Committee, turned up the heat in advance of Thursdays important school board vote on a needed amendment to the current-year CPS budget. At issue is a $175 million contribution to a deeply underfunded pension fund that covers employees of both CPS and the city of Chicago. Johnson has insisted that CPS make that payment because many of the funds beneficiaries are nonteaching school employees even though state law clearly says the city of Chicago is responsible for the fund. Ervin went so far as to threaten the schools with financial retaliation by the city government if they dont agree, according to news reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were on record already saying that the school board shouldnt take on more debt to cover the pension obligation. And, no, CPS CEO Pedro Martinez did not promise the City Council that he would do so, notwithstanding Johnson and Ervins repeated public claims to the contrary. For the record, Martinez said last year that he would urge the school board to pay the pension cost if additional funding supplied by the city via declarations of tax increment financing surpluses was sufficient. It wasnt. Case closed. But, more broadly, we think school board members should ponder to whom they owe their allegiance. Especially now that 10 of the 21 board members have been elected for the first time in city history under an arrangement that will lead to a fully elected board in 2027, this board owes its fealty to the taxpayers of Chicago and the families who count on CPS to educate their children. And to no one else including Chicagos mayor. In that light, a decision to add more debt to a $9.3 billion pile of junk-rated bonds and other IOUs in order to finance something that isnt even a legal obligation would not only be fiscally irresponsible it would also violate this boards fiduciary duty to the people it serves. Its not this school boards fault that the mayor painted himself into this ill-advised corner by assuming for nearly a year now that CPS would come through especially after Martinez made clear repeatedly that CPS didnt have the financial bandwidth to both make the pension payment and pay for a yet-to-be-finalized labor agreement with the Chicago Teachers Union. Johnson and Ervin say the consequences to the city government of paying the $175 million might mean having to dip into reserves, which would risk a second credit downgrade in 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chicago School Board members: Whatever negative consequences City Hall suffers wont be your fault if you do your duty and reject Johnsons demand. For months, the mayor sought to remove Martinez from his perch so that a school leader (and board) could be installed who would do his bidding before this moment of reckoning arrived. He failed. It was Johnsons responsibility to come up with a Plan B if his bid to strong-arm CPS fell short. We do not know of one. Chicago School Board members: If you agree to the citys demand that you refinance $240 million in existing debt to free up cash for all this stuff CPS cant afford, incurring tens of millions or more in additional future debt costs in the process, you will have made it much harder to put a school system teetering on insolvency back on a sustainable financial track. And you may well have made it more likely the state of Illinois will have to intervene and take some measure of control over CPS finances. At the very moment Chicago voters are electing their own school board members for the first time. At a Tuesday news conference in which Johnson made his closing argument for CPS to debt-finance the pension cost, the mayor compared the school district to an adult child who has failed to launch. I dont want to sound like my dad, but at some point theyre going to have to move out, he said, adding: Its a relationship we have to disentangle. The metaphor of the irresponsible or unserious young adult, though, strikes us as apt for how the mayor himself has managed this situation and more broadly city finances. Beholden as he is to the Chicago Teachers Union for its political support, Johnson straitjacketed Martinez and the board by insisting on no cost-cutting or school consolidation as they face deficits as far as the eye can see. Thats an absurd demand for a district in which a third of the schools serve less than half the students theyre designed to teach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By saying no, this school board would be the grownup in this dispute, making a tough choice for the benefit of those theyve sworn to serve. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com. You may see a graphic political ad on air during commercial breaks on our station. WMBB recognizes the images in the ads are difficult to watch. This is an explanation as to why TV stations are required to air all political ads, even the graphic ones. The ads support the No Party Affiliation candidacy of Pastor Stephen Broden, who is running in Florida 1st Congressional District special election on April 1st. The anti-abortion, anti-racism ads feature extremely graphic and disturbing imagery. The ads have been purchased on other stations in this region. According to the FCC rules, which WMBB is required to follow, it is illegal to block or modify these ads in accordance with federal law. Broden meets the FCCs requirement for a legally qualified candidate, which allows him to air his paid commercials on ABC stations. As a result, those ads must also run on WMBB. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FCC generally does not: Review or pre-approve the content of political ads before they are broadcast Ensure the accuracy of statements that are made by candidates and issue advertisers Require broadcast stations and other regulatees to provide all sides of controversial issues Oversee the nature and extent of the coverage that individual candidates receive under the news exemption If you would like to provide feedback or have additional questions on the requirements, you can call the FCC Consumer Complaint line at 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322). 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 mypanhandle.com. SANAA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi group said Wednesday that it has targeted the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier in the Red Sea for the fourth time in the past 72 hours. In a statement aired by the group's al-Masirah TV, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said the operation was conducted with cruise missiles and drones, claiming it had succeeded in thwarting a "hostile U.S. air attack." Sarea also vowed in the statement that the group would continue attacks on Israel until "the brutal aggression against Gaza ceases," referring to Israel's heavy bombardment of Gaza since early Tuesday, which has killed more than 400 people. The tension between the Houthis and the U.S. military escalated as the United States launched new airstrikes on Yemen on Saturday after the Houthi group threatened last week to resume attacks on Israeli targets until humanitarian aid is allowed into Gaza. According to al-Masirah TV, the U.S. military conducted fresh strikes on Yemen's northern province of Saada and the port city of Hodeidah on Tuesday night, following a Houthi missile attack on Israel's Nevatim Air Base earlier in the day. So far no casualties were reported from either side. Vaccines are a modern miracle, saving an estimated 154 million lives in the last half-century. Vaccine skepticism is a fast-spreading virus against which Americas inoculation is flagging. So count it as a very small victory that President Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s choice to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a vax skeptic named Dave Weldon, couldnt get through a U.S. Senate where even a couple of Republicans can see basic scientific truth. Weldon, a former congressman and former practicing physician, has shamefully promoted the utterly discredited but still deeply corrosive claim that vaccines cause autism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We dont know what causes the set of conditions on that spectrum, which now affect some 1 in 36 children according to the best stats we have, provided by the same CDC. There are thousands of smart people doing research to try to crack the mystery all the time in labs and through carefully constructed, ethically sound clinical trials, hungry to find evidence thats significant and replicable. The hypothesis that vaccines cause autism never held up to scrutiny but its the one that seems to best fit the conspiracy-theory-infected worldview of the likes of Weldon and Kennedy and Trump, so it lives and lives and lives. It has casualties, and growing ones. As more and more families reject shots for their kids, diseases we had permanently purged from America find their way back inside our bodies. (Talk about a foreign invasion.) Measles, once eradicated, is again spreading in New Mexico and West Texas and even in our own area, where vaccine skepticism has long had a foothold in some parts of the ultra-orthodox Jewish community. In nearby Rockland County, a 2018-19 outbreak led to more than 300 verified cases, numbers that could pale in comparison to what might happen now that anti-vax people are at or clutching for the levers of power in Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today in Rockland, just 62% of children countywide have had a measles shot by the age of 2. In Monsey, where theres a large ultra-Orthodox community, the numbers are as low as 41%. Medical historys many Jewish vaccine pioneers would shudder. This is not to say that every vaccine makes sense at all times for all people. Theyre medicine, like anything. People should consult their doctors and get the shots that work for them. Off the top of our head we can rattle off the flu shot and the COVID shot. Theres the shingles and RSV vaccines. And the tetanus and hepatitis A shots. Listen to your doctor, not kooks like Bobby Kennedy and Dave Weldon. Medical professionals need to make wise recommendations to their patients, who should listen with open minds. Those recommendations are rooted in research that often gets funded if not conducted by, then synthesized by, good people in the federal government, chiefly the CDC. It all breaks down if the Senate assents to letting an ideological, evidence-denying vaccine skeptic like Weldon take charge of the apparatus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Good for Sens. Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and Bill Cassidy (a medical doctor himself) for bucking their party and siding with Democrats against Weldon, Kennedy and Trump. Its a small step but a real one. ___ SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) 22News own Storm Team Meteorologist Brian Lapis helped the Springfield Symphony Orchestra continue a tradition of one historic concert. The Springfield Symphony Orchestra has produced live music for 81 years now. Last year is when the Education Connection Concert was brought back. This years concert was was called The Orchestra Moves. Smith College basketball team heads to Division III Final Four tournament Nearly 2,000 Springfield fourth graders filled the Springfield Symphony Hall on Tuesday to watch the concert. The program featured ten selections with strings, percussion, brass and woodwinds. There was even call and response activities for the students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paul Lambert, the president and CEO of the orchestra, told 22News how they constantly promote shows for all audiences in Springfield Weve been very careful in our choices, we hope as we continue to grow our programming and different offerings that we do throughout the year to make sure that were attracting audiences and making products available that really represent the diversity of the wonderful area that we live in, Lambert said. Lambert also said that major cities like Springfield do not often have symphony orchestras. The orchestras next performance will be titled Something New and will take place on April 19. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Walk into supermarkets, corner groceries, and convenience stores across America, and youll see evidence of the Great Egg Crisis. A shortage of the staple commodity due to the bird flu has caused prices to skyrocket and forced purveyors to place limits on the number of egg cartons that shoppers can buy. The ripple effect of the crisis is becoming increasingly visible, as chain restaurants and independent establishments are forced to make difficult decisions regarding their menus. Bakeries are especially pressed, and are deciding which items they can afford to keep in rotation. Some have had to change their egg sources entirely because prices are simply out of reach. But while home cooks can take steps like swapping in substitutes for eggs, businesses often find that more difficult, given that customers are used to the taste and appearance of their beloved dishes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Egg Producers Are More Profitable Than Ever, and the Justice Department Wants to Find Out Why We are an artisan bakery using traditional recipes and focused on real ingredients, so we're not interested in reformulating our recipes to use egg replacers or other alternative ingredients, says Amy Emberling, a managing partner at Zingermans Bakehouse in Ann Arbor, Michigan, which has an extensive lineup of bread, pastries, cakes, and desserts. Even if the bakery wanted to adapt recipes, doing so is a massive undertaking considering the number of different items we actually make, she tells Food & Wine. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average carton of a dozen large Grade-A eggs cost $5.90 in February 2025, compared with about $3.00 in February of 2024. Thats a price increase of almost 100% over the course of just one year, and in the past month alone the price of eggs has jumped by 19%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On February 26, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that egg prices could climb more than 40% this year as opposed to its previous prediction that they would only rise by 20% in 2025 which means were likely not done with the cost increases yet. Related: Egg Prices Keep Soaring Is This Plant-Based Alternative the Answer? Along with the difficulty this presents for home cooks, who rely on eggs as an affordable source of protein, the price increases also affect wholesale retailers, which is bad news for food businesses. New Orleans-based Levee Baking Company tells Food & Wine that eggs were recently $145 per case (which typically contains 15 dozen) at its local branch of Restaurant Depot, a national restaurant supply company that many establishments use to source bulk ingredients. Levee usually buys from local purveyors, which are currently charging $90 a case, but sometimes needs to supplement its supply with eggs from Restaurant Depot. Over the years, Levee says egg costs per case have ranged from $25 to $75, but never climbed above that until recently, making a price tag of $145 seem unbelievable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emberling, whose bakery buys an average of 1,500 dozen (or 18,000) eggs a week, said she noticed prices starting to go up last spring. Her instinct was to wait before raising costs for customers, because other commodity prices often fluctuate too. In fact, price decreases in ingredients such as flour offset the increase in eggs, allowing Zingerman's to hold prices steady throughout the fall while still maintaining its profits. However, Emberling says that In the last two months the price [of eggs] has gone up aggressively and now we're paying 50% more than in the fall with no end in sight. Traffic in restaurants is declining Responses by major restaurant chains have been the most visible to diners. In mid-February, Waffle House, which serves about 272 million eggs each year, added a surcharge of 50 cents per egg to customer orders. Later in the month, Dennys announced it was introducing a temporary surcharge which will differ in amount depending on location to dishes that include eggs at some of its 1,500 restaurants across the country. We understand our guests desire for value, and we will continue to look for ways to provide options on our menu, including our $2 $4 $6 $8 value menu, while navigating these rapidly changing market dynamics responsibly, Dennys said in a statement. Although a 50-cent surcharge might not seem like a big deal, the egg crisis and its impacts are affecting customer visits, which have fallen sharply at some chains in recent weeks, according to data compiled for Food & Wine by Placer.ai, a location analytics software platform that tracks retail and restaurant trends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since mid-January this year, visits per restaurant have fallen weekly at Waffle House, Dennys, and Broken Yolk Cafe (another breakfast-focused chain), the platforms data shows. Price-sensitive consumers seem to be reacting negatively to egg price surcharges, explains R. J. Hottovy, Placer.ais head of analytical research. Independent establishments are feeling the impact too Customer reluctance to pay extra for dishes that include eggs might spell even more trouble for independent restaurants. In Santa Rosa, California, Macs Deli and Cafe has added a $2 surcharge per egg dish. Why the large increase? The restaurant is currently paying $142 for a case of 180 eggs, which is up 373% from its usual cost of just $30 per case, according to the Press-Democrat. Other restaurants are starting to remove egg dishes entirely, or replace them with egg-free ones. Comfort food and chicken wing restaurant Side Biscuit in Ann Arbor recently took its Kaeser Salad a riff on a Caesar salad off the menu, because eggs had become too expensive. Instead its now selling a spicy miso-cucumber salad, which does not contain eggs. "We don't relish increasing prices and are sensitive to the price increase fatigue our customers are already feeling." Amy Emberling At Zingermans Bakehouse, youll notice that angel food cake, which depends heavily on egg whites for its light and airy texture, will be missing from the spring menu. Emberling says it will be discontinuing its egg salad sandwich and increasing the price of its breakfast egg sandwich too. For wholesale customers, the business is raising prices by 2% across the board, with the promise that if egg prices return to normal in the fall, it will reduce prices by 1%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We don't relish increasing prices and are sensitive to the price increase fatigue our customers are already feeling, Emberling notes. Shes also concerned about deflating consumer confidence, and knows how these costs must impact the community. We'd prefer not to contribute to these feelings in our small ecosystem by also increasing prices. We are balancing this desire with the desire to provide raises to our staff who are feeling the economic crunch and to keep our business sustainable. Its not just bakeries and breakfast spots that bear the brunt of the cost While bakeries and breakfast spots are the first places that come to mind when you think of eggs, other businesses are hurting too. Sweet Republic, a group of specialty ice cream shops in the Phoenix, Arizona area, recently raised the price of its waffle cone and waffle bowls by 25 cents to $1.75. Thats probably one of our biggest uses of eggs, co-owner Helen Yung tells Food & Wine. To further offset higher egg prices, Yung says Sweet Republic has reduced the number of flavors that use a custard base made with eggs. It used to have three to four, but now it has only one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: 16 Eggless Breakfasts, From Smoothie Bowls to Scones In Green Bay, Wisconsin, family-owned Pine River Dairy was forced to raise prices from its famously low 25 cents a scoop to 50 cents a scoop, the first increase since it began selling ice cream in 1978, according to WFRV-TV. Beyond the manipulation of prices and menus, if the egg crisis continues to worsen, economists emphasize that the next step for restaurants and other food businesses could be to cut staff, and theres evidence that job shrinkage is already underway. In January, the restaurant industry lost 15,700 jobs, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics adjusted its employment numbers to reveal that about 100,000 fewer people work in food businesses than it previously thought. Eggs are a simple commodity that weve taken for granted, and even a small price increase in a good so ubiquitous can have drastic consequences. Weve already started to see how egg prices impact grocery shoppers, and now restaurants are forced to respond to the crisis too. Read the original article on Food & Wine EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) El Paso Electric celebrated the expansion of its Texas Community Solar Program with a new 10-megawatt facility in San Elizario. The utility hosted a ribbon-cutting on Tuesday, March 18 to officially christen the expansion. The project will allow an additional 5,000 customers to gain access to solar energy with reduced rates, El Paso Electric said. Photos by Edith Montero/KTSM Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new solar facility occupies 70 acres of previously unused farmland, El Paso Electric said, and features nearly 19,000 solar panels. El Paso Electrics Texas Community Solar began operating in 2017 with a 3 MW facility located in far East El Paso and was fully subscribed in one month. The first expansion occurred in 2018 bringing a total of 5 MW available to Texas customers. The expansion in San Elizario is expected to be operational by the end of 2024, El Paso Electric said in its news release. El Paso Electric provides service to about 460,000 customers in West Texas and Southern New Mexico. 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. An ICE agent monitors hundreds of 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) Community members and elected leaders gathered at the Capitol in Harrisburg Tuesday to speak about the detention of five Dauphin County men by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Dauphin County Commission chair Justin Douglas said the Bhutanese Nepali residents were green card holders and legal permanent residents. He added its unknown if any are being charged with crimes. Four of them, he said, have children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The public radio station WITF has also reported a sixth Bhutanese man was arrested in Cumberland County. Five men fathers, husbands, neighbors are being taken from our community, Douglas said. All of them have families. They work here, they pay taxes here, they raise their kids here. They are part of the fabric of this region, and now they are being detained and ripped away from everything and everyone they know. These are people our country made a promise to. A spokesperson for ICE did not respond to questions about why the arrests were made or whether there would be criminal charges filed. Since the start of the Trump administration, the agency has detained and begun deportation proceedings for multiple visa and green card holders, including those accused of no crimes or of non-violent ones years earlier. ABC27, a Harrisburg television station reported one of the detainees sisters said he came to America legally through a refugee program in 2012, and had had previous charges related to a fight in 2013. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Five individuals who have their family, who have their children, wives, parents here, [were] just picked up without reason, said Tilak Niroula, chairperson of the Bhutanese Community in Harrisburg. These are permanent residents. We were forcefully evicted from Bhutan. We do not have a country. Deportation is not an option for Bhutanese Americans. Central Pennsylvania is home to a large Bhutanese populations, with estimates at its size in the tens of thousands. Many are refugees or immigrants who fled ethnic cleansing and violence in their home country. Former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama both facilitated the legal resettlement of Bhutanese refugees into the country. Democratic lawmakers raised concerns about both the ethics and legality of the arrests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is an affront when we learn that folks with legal status were picked up by ICE and federal officials think that they can just send them back to Bhutan, said Dauphin County state Sen. Patty Kim. They left because of ethnic cleansing. Im embarrassed by the lack of knowledge and understanding by our federal officials. State Rep. Dave Madsen, a Democrat who also represents Dauphin County, agreed. This country, when we get scared or we get hard times, we often blame it on immigrants, he said. Often when that happens, inhumane policies follow, like we just experienced in Dauphin County. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Justin Flemming (D-Dauphin) urged concerned Pennsylvanians to contact their elected federal officials. State government has little if any power over immigration laws and proceedings. Do not go overboard, but we need to make federal officials uncomfortable, Fleming said. There is a process to go through, and this administration, this White House clearly has no respect for the rule of law. A spokesperson for Republican Rep. Scott Perry, who represents Dauphin County in the U.S. House, pointed to a Facebook post on the Congressmans page. Ive contacted ICE about the details of these arrests over the weekend, Perry wrote. When I receive more information, Ill provide an update as Im able. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perry, who voted against certifying Pennsylvanias electoral votes for Joe Biden hours after a violent mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, has been a strong supporter of Trumps stance on immigration in his second term. Philadelphia Reps. Danilo Burgos and Joseph Hohenstein were also on hand for the press conference. The five people who sit in ICE detention right now are lawful permanent residents, Hohenstein said. By definition, they did it the right way. And no one has said what, if anything, they did wrong. This story was updated on March 19 at 11:02 a.m. to include additional reporting on a Cumberland County arrest and to update descriptions of the size of the central Pennsylvania Bhutanese population. TOPEKA (KSNT) Two election reform bills were sent to Governor Laura Kellys desk on Monday. Senate Bill 6 focuses on ranked-choice voting (RCV) methods. In Kansas, RCV lets voters rank candidates in order of preference. Under RCV, votes are tabulated in multiple rounds until a candidate receives the majority. SB 6 would remove any RCV voting methods in federal, state, county or municipal offices in Kansas. The Kansas Senate passed the bill on March 17 at a vote of 30 to 10. The Kansas House passed the bill on Thursday, March 13 at a vote of 86 to 37. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under Senate Bill 5, election officials and government agencies cannot take or spend money from a person or federal government for election activities unless authorized by the state. Violations of the act would be considered a level 9, nonperson felony. The Kansas Senate passed Senate Bill 5 on March 17 at a vote of 32 to eight. The Kansas House passed the bill on Thursday, March 13 at a vote of 86 to 37. $72m KDHE Lab in Topeka opening this week Another bill on the Governors desk, Senate Bill 4, would require the return of advance voting ballots by 7 p.m. on the day of the election. It passed the Kansa Senate on March 6 at 30 to 10 and the Kansas House on Feb. 27 at 80 to 39. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both SB 5 and 6 passed with veto-proof majorities in both chambers. 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. If billionaire Elon Musk wants to dump millions on the Wisconsin state Supreme Court race, that's his prerogative we've come to expect that sort of thing from both sides in a battleground state where control of the court seems to be perpetually in the balance. But, in the interest of voters here, we ask one thing: Be honest about it. And, above all, do not spread false and malicious information disguised as facts. Reporting by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinels Daniel Bice shows weve crossed into dangerous territory. A political group funded by Musk manufactured a disinformation campaign against Susan Crawford, a Dane County judge running for a seat on the court April 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The disinformation stems from ads, posted on Facebook and delivered in text messages, that are false on two fronts. First, Progress 2028 casts itself as a progressive alternative to the conservative Heritage Foundations Project 2025. It's not. Progress 2028 is a front for Building America's Future, a Musk-funded political nonprofit. Opinion: On Wisconsins glacial lakes, wake-enhanced boating damaging and dangerous Second, it purports to address things Crawford is supposedly committed to, which are actually hot button issues many voters oppose at the gut-level. This makes it doubly specious, because it cynically tries to create a cloak of authenticity when its real mission is to muddy the waters, then dip into the mud to throw it. This same group was active in the fall 2024 presidential campaign creating similarly false ads against Vice President Kamala Harris in seven battleground states, ones where Trump eventually topped Harris, including Wisconsin. Stakes high for Wisconsin Supreme Court election Voters here have grown accustomed to distorted faces slowly scrolling across screens along with phrases like Soft on crime or Let child molester off the hook in political ads this time of year. The April 1 race could shift the court back to conservative control if Brad Schimel defeats Crawford to fill the seat of retiring liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After record-setting spending in last years race that propelled Justice Janet Protasiewicz to the court, political parties are dumping millions into the campaign along with millions more coming from independent expenditures. This race could top $100 million, shattering the previous record. Opinion: I'm the father of son with Down syndrome. Using the 'R' word is never acceptable. The stakes are high as justices consider a wide range of significant cases including collective bargaining rights for public unions, reproductive rights for women, congressional redistricting and election laws. The new liberal majority helped prompt the adoption of electoral maps last year that no longer guaranteed Republican control of the Wisconsin Legislature. Part of the annual spring ritual includes the spotting of the billionaire, where homegrown mega-donors mix with some of the nations wealthiest political bankrollers. Therefore, it wasnt surprising to see figures like George Soros and Musk enter the fray in the weeks leading to the election. Disinformation foments distrust in the electoral system and democracy Those contributions pay for reams of negative ads full of gross oversimplifications and half-truths. The First Amendment provides broad protections for political speech to foster a full and vigorous debate, particularly around election campaigns. In short, society tolerates shenanigans in the name of free speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musks group takes things to an unacceptable new low. Disinformation is misinformation on steroids. It is not just stretching the truth or even innocently sharing mistruths, it is deliberately false and misleading. Progress 2028s actions are corrosive not only for cleverly weaving truths with targeted false information, but because they also foment distrust in the electoral system and democracy. The fake ads are at odds with Musks public statements, such as: Free speech is the bedrock of democracy. Thats why its the FIRST Amendment. Without free speech, all is lost, Musk wrote on his social media platform X in February. Opinion: Clean Air Act must be amended to end EPA mandates. We pay for Chicago pollution. A foundation of free speech built on lies and deception cannot stand. The creation and distribution of knowingly false information is a failure of basic honesty and integrity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his role at the Department of Government Efficiency, Musk acknowledged, We will make mistakes but we'll act quickly to correct any mistakes. In the same spirit, he should admit the tactics behind Progress 2028 are an error, eliminate the organization and disavow disinformation as a tool for political discourse. This is a line that never should have been crossed. Editorials are a product of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel editorial board, which operates independently from the news department. Email: jsedit@jrn.com. Why we write editorials. Meet the editorial board. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Musk-backed political group pushes blatant lies in WI race | Editorial ADDIS ABABA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Experts attending the 57th session of the Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development have urged African governments to seek options of settling trade and other transactions in local currencies. Prioritizing local-currency financing is a proactive step to protect Africa's economies from external shocks and create a more resilient financial ecosystem, Hanan Morsy, chief economist with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, told the gathering Tuesday. "Another game changer in African development is the growth of pan-African payment system which would enable trading in local currencies," Morsy said, noting that Africa's heavy dependence on the U.S. dollar has caused economic vulnerabilities. Melaku Geboye Desta, coordinator of the Africa Trade Policy Center, said Africa's trading in currencies such as the U.S. dollar costs the continent about 5 billion dollars a year. "The moment we remove the non-African currencies, the hard currency serving as an intermediary, the moment we start saving the transaction cost involved in the conversion and reconversion process," he said. "We believe trade will be facilitated. It will be cheaper. It will be more competitive." Desta said a single African currency would help boost trade, increase economic cooperation among African Union (AU) members and stimulate faster development across the continent. "We believe that there are huge opportunities to save transaction costs that would in turn make African firms more competitive and trade with each other," he added. Desta said that recently, some African countries have begun using local currencies to conduct business with non-Western partners such as China and Russia. "For decades, African states have traded both within the continent and with international partners with foreign currencies, namely the U.S. dollar, the euro, and, to a lesser extent, the British Pound," he said. This reliance has been the result of historical economic links, post-colonial banking institutions, and global trading patterns, Desta said. The secretary general of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, Wamkele Mene, said Africa is already moving toward a single currency, which is critical to eliminating some of the transaction costs related to intra-African trade. He said a monetary union would help reduce the cost of financial transactions and eliminate exchange risks. Elon Musk condemned protestors attacking Tesla facilities, calling them "deranged" and attributing the backlash to his involvement with the White Houses Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). He suggested the attacks were politically motivated, blaming left-leaning individuals who oppose his alignment with President Trump, while also speculating that larger forces are funding the protests. Elon Musk has slammed protestors targeting Tesla factories, calling those attacking the EV maker "deranged" for their actions. Tesla has been subject to a boycott as its CEO, Musk, has increasingly grown his influence in the White House through his leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Criticism has piled up against Musk, the richest man in the world, not only because of the action DOGE is taking but also because he is not a democratically elected official. The result has been thatcontrary to the stock surge the EV maker enjoyed when President Trump won the electionMusk's business is now subject to the public's fury. Tesla cars, showrooms, and charging points have been damaged beyond repair not only in the U.S. but also across Europe. A couple of examples include Molotov cocktails being thrown at vehicles in Las Vegas, gunshots fired at a showroom in Portland, Oregon and charging points set on fire in Boston, Massachusetts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview with Fox News last night, Musk leveled the blame on politically left-leaning individuals who disagree with his alignment with a Republican politician. "It's really come as quite a shock to me that there is this level of hatred and violence from the left," Musk said. "I always thought that Democrats were supposed to be the party of empathy and caring, and yet they are burning down cars, firebombing dealerships, firing bullets into dealerships, smashing up Teslas." This is a departure from the narrative previously touted by the President and his allies, who claimed the electric vehicle industry was the work of the left. For example, in 2023, President Trump said EVs were "the idea of the Radical Left Fascists, Marxists, & Communists," adding that within three years, the vehicles would all be made in China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Tesla is a peaceful company," Musk continued to Fox News. "We've never done anything harmful. I've never done anything harmful, I've only done productive things." He went on to call the protestors "deranged," adding: "There's some kind of mental illness going on because this doesn't make any sense." Musk went on to say he believed there are "larger forces at work" behind the attacks, asking: "Who is funding this? Who's coordinating it? This is crazy, I've never seen anything like this." Why are people boycotting Tesla? Musk, who is worth $303 billion, said he believes his company is being targeted because of his work with the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It turns out when you take away ... people's money that they are receiving fraudulently, they get very upset. They basically want to kill me because I'm stopping their fraud, and they want to hurt Tesla because we're stopping this terrible waste and corruption in the government," Musk continued. "Well I guess they're bad people. Bad people do bad things." Fraudulent payments doled out by the government have become a central argument in the justification for DOGE, with Musk and President Trump claiming social security payments being made to deceased individuals was a "huge" problem. While previous administrations have admitted that fraudulently claiming social security is an issue, reports have provided wider context around the claims that "millions and millions" of people are doing so. For example, a 2024 report from Social Securitys inspector general found that from 2015 through 2022, Social Security paid almost $8.6 trillion in benefits and made approximately $71.8 billion (0.84%) in improper payments. The majority of these were overpayments to people who are still alive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Work was also being done ahead of Musk's appointment to claw some of these funds backin January, for example, a data-sharing scheme between the Social Security Administration and the Treasury Department prevented and recovered $31 million, bound for accounts of deceased individuals. It seems that, in Musk's opinion, it is the people who benefitted from such oversights that are now targeting his private sector interests. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Elon Musk, who is leading Donald Trumps unprecedented purge of the federal workforce, claimed it doesnt make sense that people dislike him because hes only ever done productive things and has never done anything harmful. Americans to an ever increasing proportion disagree. As tens of thousands of federal employees and their families wait in limbo to see if they will retain (or regain) their jobs, the economy takes a downturn, entitlement programs are cut or crippled, and international aid is slashed with devastating consequences, Musk and the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are pissing off a lot of people. A slew of recent polling has found that an increasing majority of Americans view the billionaire and his hack-and-slash treatment of the government negatively, even if they support major reforms. On Tuesday, a federal judge found that Musk and DOGE likely violated the United States Constitution in multiple ways when they shuttered the U.S. Agency for International Development, Americas foreign aid bureau, and terminated thousands of employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later that day, Musk appeared on Fox News and discussed a recent string of protests as well as attacks and vandalism against Tesla vehicles and dealerships claiming its happening because he and DOGE are uncovering fraud. It turns out, when you take away peoples, you know, the money theyre receiving fraudulently, they get very upset, and they basically want to kill me because Im stopping their fraud, and they want to hurt Tesla because were stopping this, this terrible waste and corruption in the government, Musk said, adding: Bad people will do bad things. Of course, Musk and DOGE have found exceedingly little fraud. They have, however, helped purge tens of thousands of federal workers, threatening the stability of essential government services like Social Security while also moving to make it harder for seniors to access their benefits. At one point in the interview, Musk who recently threatened to fire every federal worker who ignores his HR emails demanded more empathy from Democrats amid the attacks on Tesla. Its really come as quite a shock to me that theres this level of hatred and violence from the left, he told Sean Hannity. I thought the left Democrats were supposed to be the party of empathy, the party of caring, and yet theyre burning down cars. Theyre firebombing dealerships. Theyre firing bullets into dealerships. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He continued: Tesla is a peaceful company. Weve never done anything harmful. Ive never done anything harmful. Ive only done productive things. So I think we just have a deranged theres some kind of mental illness thing going on here, because this doesnt make any sense. Former employees of Musks companies, government regulators, several of his ex-partners, his children, and the virtual sea of people being negatively affected by Musks work as an unelected shadow-president might disagree with the notion that the billionaire has never done anything harmful, and some are making themselves heard. On Tuesday, Rep. Mike Flood (R-Neb.) was confronted by furious constituents at a town hall in his home district, including with questions about Musks conflicts of interests. Musks company SpaceX has received billions in contracts from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the Trump administration is moving to incorporate Starlink, Musks satellite internet business, throughout the federal government. What makes you think that [Musk] has no conflict of interest? one person asked Flood. Do you think he would cut that before he would cut our Medicare or our Social Security or our jobs? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flood responded that he remained in full support [of] Elon Musk, and the Department of Government Efficiency. To which the room exploded into a chorus of boos and jeers against the Nebraska representative. Flood is not the only lawmaker facing furious voters, to the point that earlier this month the National Republican Congressional Committee advised members of the GOP to just stop holding town halls. GOP leaders have as is routine these days accused critics of being paid protesters as a way of dismissing their constituents concerns. Musk has capitalized on the allegation. There are larger forces at work as well, he told Hannity on Tuesday, speaking about the Tesla attacks and protests. I dont know whos funding it and whos coordinating it, because this is, this is crazy. Ive never seen anything like this. Hannity lamented that the people who worked for Tesla could potentially lose their jobs. Yet neither he nor Musk bothered to spare an empathetic thought for the thousands of Americans DOGE rendered unemployed the last two months, and the potentially devastating domestic and international ramifications of his corrupt political project. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Timely doc The Encampments, which delves into the Columbia University Gaza Solidarity Encampment that grew into a wave of international student activism and subsequently sparked the ire of U.S. President Donald Trump, is now set for release in U.S. movie theaters. Watermelon Pictures has announced a March 28 theatrical launch at the Angelika Film Center in New York, with a nationwide theatrical expansion to follow. The Encampments features Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil (pictured below), a recent Columbia graduate who was detained earlier this month by federal immigration agents in New York as part of Trumps crackdown on students who have protested against the war in Gaza. A judge has ordered the Trump administration not to deport Khalil pending a legal fight over his detention. More from Variety Mahmoud Khalil in The Encampments. The doc produced by Grammy-winning rap artist Macklemore and directed by BreakThrough News journalist and producer Kei Pritsker and filmmaker Michael T Workman will world premiere on March 25, ahead of its theatrical release, at the CPH:DOX Film Festival in Copenhagen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Columbia University encampment started in April 2024, when roughly 50 students pitched tents on university grounds in an occupation that snowballed into an international protest movement. The Encampments chronicles the protests escalation from Columbias administration banning student organizations for Palestine to the mass arrests that broke a 50-year police ban on campus, according to the provided synopsis. As students faced police raids, media attacks and institutional repression, their movement spread to universities across the country and beyond, making history in real time. The doc includes access to the student organizers at several encampments, and also to a whistleblower from high-up in the administration of an Ivy League university who shares exclusive insights into what was taking place within the halls of the ivory tower as students protested down below. Khalil, who received his masters degree from Columbias school of international affairs last semester, served as a negotiator for students as they bargained with university officials over an end to the encampment. In a statement, directors Pritsker and Workman called The Encampments a testament to the courage of young people to not only imagine a better world, but to fight for it in the face of violence and repression. They added: This film challenges the dominant media narrative by revealing the true spirit of the encampments what it felt like to be there, the emotions that fueled the students and what motivated their drastic action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Added Macklemore, Students have always led the charge for justice, from the sit-ins of the Civil Rights Movement to the campus protests against South African apartheid. Theyve never been on the wrong side of history. The encampments that started at Columbia are part of that legacy, inspiring millions of people around the world. The Encampments is a BreakThrough News production in conjunction with Watermelon Pictures and Macklemore. Producers on the doc also include Pritsker, Workman, Matthew Bele and Munir Atalla, with Benjamin Becker serving as executive producer. Watermelon Pictures was founded in 2024 by brothers Hamza Ali and Badie Ali, with Alana Hadid leading the team as creative director. The company, which describes itself as being rooted in Palestinian culture and creativity, has released From Ground Zero, which was Palestines entry for the 2025 Oscars international feature film category, and Mahdi Fleifels To a Land Unknown, which premiered last year at the Cannes Directors Fortnight. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The El Paso Independent School District Board of Trustees will hear a presentation on enrollment numbers and trends during their meeting on Tuesday, March 18. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. Tuesday at EPISD headquarters, 1014 N. Stanton. The board will hear an update about enrollment trends they are seeing and how many students they expect to see enrolled in the upcoming school year. The presentation will also include data on how many students are transferring to El Paso ISD. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There will also be a some infomation provided on the progress of the School Attendance Zone Initiative. A divided EPISD board voted to close eight schools over two years back in November. The district has seen a decrease in enrollment of nearly 12,000 students during the past nine years from 60,046 in 2016 to 48,118 in 2025. According to backup material in the agenda, El Paso County is seeing a declining birth rate that mirrors national trends. On a positive note, the district is seening more military-connected students attend the district 7,962 this year compared to 6,204 in 2015. EPISD is also seeing an increase in students transferring to the district from other school districts 5,110 this year compared to 3,913 in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. March 19 (UPI) -- Political opposition leader and Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was in Turkish police custody Wednesday after he was arrested days before being chosen as the presidential candidate for the Republican People's Party. "I'm sorry to say, a handful of minds trying to usurp the will of our nation have used my beloved police officers, the security forces of this country, as instruments of evil, and have gathered hundreds of police officers at the door of my home, the home of 16 million Istanbulites," Imamoglu said. "We are facing great bullying, but I want you to know that I will not give up. I love you all so much. I entrust myself to my nation. Let all my nation know that I will stand tall." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's most powerful political rivals, Imamoglu is accused by prosecutors of alleged corruption and aiding a terrorist group. His arrest came against a backdrop of a nationwide Turkish crackdown on political opposition figures. Erdogan's government rounded up and detained 100 other alleged suspects including journalists, politicians and businessmen. In other online and social media statements, Imamoglu said "the will of the people cannot be silenced" as he vowed to uphold democracy and justice worldwide by standing firm in a fight for fundamental rights and freedoms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Erdogan has held political power for 22 years. and critics allege he is an authoritarian. "The authoritarian and highly centralized presidential government of Recep Tayyip Erdogan has set back Turkey's human rights record by decades, targeting perceived government critics and political opponents, profoundly undermining the independence of the judiciary, and hollowing out democratic institutions," Human Rights Watch said in a statement. Istanbul's prosecutor's office claimed in a statement that Imamoglu has allegedly aided the outlawed Kurdistan Worker's Party, or PKK, through a political agreement with the pro-Kurdish People's Freedom and Democratic Party. The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office said Imamoglu allegedly helped the PKK, "by knowingly participating in the urban consensus activity, which aimed to increase the effectiveness of the terrorist organization in metropolitan areas, as stated by the management." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The urban consensus is a political agreement to join together to support the same candidate in several Istanbul municipal election districts. The political crackdown follows big losses by Erdogan's party in last year's local elections, spearheaded by Imamoglu's opposition party Istanbul mayoral win. NEW YORK A commission that supports closing the jail on Rikers Island acknowledged Wednesday the decrepit facility will not be shuttered by the 2027 deadline and Mayor Eric Adams expressed vindication with the news. The Independent Rikers Commission nevertheless outlined how the city could fully transition to four under-construction jails, despite the detainee population exceeding capacity at the planned facilities. The 114-page report, produced at the behest of City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, urged City Hall to speed up construction of the four jail projects across the city. The commission also called for transferring mentally ill inmates to psychiatric facilities and expanding alternative-to-incarceration programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For decades, Rikers has been marked by dysfunction, violence and neglect failing not only incarcerated people, but the staff and the entire city. Our blueprint lays out a clear path for Rikers to be closed safely, as is required by law, said commission Chair Jonathan Lippman, a former New York chief judge. With strong leadership by New Yorks current and future officeholders, and the urgency that has been sorely missing, we can end the stain of Rikers forever. Closing the notorious jail complex became a rallying cry among left-flank Democrats after documented incidents of mistreatment, most notably the case of Kalief Browder. The Bronx teenager was detained on Rikers for three years much of it in solitary confinement and killed himself after his charges were dropped and he was released. Under the leadership of then-Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, the body voted to shutter the facility in 2019 a move she and former Mayor Bill de Blasio celebrated at the time, even though the mayor was initially a skeptic. Things have not gone according to plan ever since. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eric Adams a former NYPD captain with a conservative bent has long been cool to closing the detention complex and overruled a bill Adrienne Adams' championed to limit the practice of solitary confinement. His administration estimates the replacement jails in Queens and Manhattan could take until 2032 to complete five years after Rikers legally mandated closing date. Costs to build the four new jails have ballooned from $8.7 billion to $15.5 billion, and the jail population is 6,800, which is 2,300 more than the total capacity of the planned facilities. Those headwinds have further pitted Eric Adams, who has called the original plan unworkable, against Adrienne Adams. The speaker, who is running to unseat him in June, has the power to amend the 2019 law but has lambasted the administration for delays in increasing off-site mental health bed capacity and instituting alternatives to incarceration that could reduce the population. We are glad that the Lippman Commission is finally recognizing what we have been sounding the alarm on for years the plan for Rikers was flawed and did not offer a realistic timeline, the mayor said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He called on the Council to amend the 2019 law and allow the city to unlock emergency capital funds. To leave the plan as is and deny us these funds hurts our staff and is inhumane to those in our custody, he added. The speaker, however, said the Council would not pursue any modifications until it had secured new commitments from City Hall. Our citys mayoral administration must be willing to take concrete action steps and dedicate resources required to implement this blueprint, so another viable plan does not go unfulfilled, she said. There is no shortcut to the work ahead, and there can be no discussions about the legal closure date without these types of commitments from the Administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The main problem with the current plan, according to the report, is the mismatch between the detainee population and the capacity of the four planned jails, which are currently under construction in every borough except Staten Island. And a major contributor to that is the court system. About 84 percent of the people detained at Rikers are awaiting trial, according to the report. And the average wait for a day in court is almost nine months. The New York State Office of Court Administration is pursuing changes to how it handles certain types of cases, according to the commission, which predicted those reforms would reduce the Rikers population by up to 1,600 people or more within three to five years. By using more alternatives like pretrial electronic monitoring and supervised release, the report argued the daily Rikers population could be reduced by another 750 people. Together, those changes are expected to bring the headcount down to 4,500. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The original Rikers plan called for creating nearly 400 secure hospital beds for detainees with severe mental illness. The commission is demanding that the city make good on its commitment after a severely delayed rollout and create another 500 beds to create more capacity in the system. The report also calls for the city to speed up construction on the replacement jails by a year by allowing vendors to do some construction tasks simultaneously rather than in series and by bringing in experts to eyeball the projects. It's a tall order in the world of New York infrastructure projects, which routinely come in late and over budget. While the commission said external factors like crime rates and Covid have contributed to the difficulty with the 2027 deadline, the report also blamed elected officials for a lack of urgency and action. To that end, it suggested placing one senior official each at City Hall and the Department of Correction to get the closure goal accomplished. The new jails would allow families of detainees to more easily visit since Rikers is geographically isolated. And purveyors of the plan argued it would ultimately save the city money by razing Rikers and investing in more easily managed modern correction facilities. A 35-year-old individual was the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Erie County, Tuesday marks five years since that case was announced. Dr. Courtney Sampson from Saint Vincent said everything has completely changed since that day. On March 18th, 2020, former Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper addressed the area with news many people never thought would reach the region. This morning we received confirmation of our first COVID-19 case in Erie County, said Kathy Dahlkemper, former county executive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LECOM Health offers Eries first treatment for Alzheimers, dementia After this announcement, Dahlkemper and the health department would address the county with daily updates, breaking the region into zones and reopening phases classifying it by green, yellow and red. On the fifth anniversary of Erie Countys first case of COVID-19, the Erie County Department of Health would like to recognize the resilience of all our healthcare providers, businesses, community partners, and community members. Weve learned a great deal over the last five years, and were putting these lessons to good use through improved data capacity and preparedness strategies at the Health Department, said Erin Mrenak, Director of Public Health. The Erie County Department of Health remains committed to protecting the health of the public through disease surveillance, preparedness, and quick responses to emergent needs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the first case reached Saint Vincent Hospital, one doctor recalled it being something that she was genuinely scared of. Erie Community Foundation donates $15,000 for LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention I had a colleague that was this very stoic Russian doctor who never really showed emotions and he got handed out the submissions for our first positive COVID patient and he was in tears and really sad, said Dr. Courtney Sampson, hospitalist physician program director for saint vincent hospital. I remember seeing the patient and thinking okay he looks okay everything is going to be alright and then within an hour the patient was doing not as I expected. Dr. Sampson remembers it being isolating as her team worked six feet apart from one another, wearing full face masks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And if dealing with an unfamiliar illness wasnt challenging enough, she says keeping up with the evolving variants was not something she was prepared for. I remember training and preparing for theoretical pandemics and ebola and things like that, she recalled. Going to the most updated information that I could find from trusted resources like that doctor from NIH and not getting clouded by things in the news. Erie man recognized for saving the life of injured Erie man Dr. Sampson said the one thing that helped her team navigate through the pandemic was their on-site COVID task force. We had plan upon backup plan, she said. It never got to the point where we had to turn away patients and think goodness my biggest worry was if we had to decide who could get a ventilator and who couldnt and thankfully it never hit so bad that we werent ready for the surges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the CDC, everyone ages six months and older should get the 2024-2025 vaccine. Including those who have already received a previous vaccine, people who have had COVID and people with long COVID. This isnt just my career but my lifes passion, Dr. Sampson said. So grateful for the team we have here at St. Vincent. Dr. Sampson said that some people have decided to find other work after the pandemic but again like she said, you truly have to be passionate about your work. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News UPMC Hamot also released a statement reading in part: Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a massive amount of information, research and resource sharing across the UPMC system. Other hospitals across the communities we serve and throughout the United States, were looking to UPMC for guidance. Our contributions were critical to rapidly developing the best practices for caring for patients with COVID-19 worldwide, preventing people with immunocompromising conditions from contracting the disease and continuing the provision of high-quality health care to all of our patients. This presented an advantage for our hospitals and our patients, which continues today. 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. The Erie Land Bank is continuing discussions of incentivizing the development of its properties. A land bank meeting on Monday involved amending policies and procedures in an effort to drive people to want to develop on lots. Petition filed to strike Emily Merski from judge ballot A representative of the Erie Land Bank said there are well over eighty properties in their inventory. He says a local non-profit has inquired about properties for development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parts of Walnut Creek Marina closing for maintenance East Side Renaissance reached out to us and so we had properties three in specific that we have under our ownership now in the Land Bank that were poised for demolition and so they approached us and theyve gained some funding and they would like to acquire those properties to rehabilitate, said Aaron Snippert of the Erie Land Bank. Snippert said those properties will be acquired by the East Side Renaissance to create home ownership and rental opportunities. 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. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) The Corn Hill Arts Festival has announced ESL Federal Credit Union as the official sponsor for 2025, Wednesday. The sponsorship celebrates 50 years of an artistic Rochester neighborhood tradition. ESL continues its partnership with Corn Hill to promote arts and culture in the area, as well as continue their work as a valuable resource in the community known to create meaningful experiences. ESL is more than a sponsor, they are an essential part of the festival experience. Andie Kopf, 2025 Corn Hill Festival Chair said. From their welcoming hospitality tent at Lunsford Circle to the Kindness Crew offering water and snacks to festival goers, their presence adds an extra layer of warmth and generosity. Their unwavering support truly embodies the community spirit that makes this event so special. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The festival is scheduled for July 12 and 13. Attendees can expect to enjoy over 350 artists, a larger lineup of musicians, food vendors, and event favorites including the Sunday morning 5K Run and 15th Annual Emerging Artist Expo. When are Rochesters Biggest Events? Festival proceeds will be reinvested into the Corn Hill neighborhood through community projects and other support such as scholarships. This opportunity is made possible by the sponsorships of businesses and organizations such as ESL Federal Credit Union. Each year the Corn Hill Neighborhood Association and their volunteers help to bring people together, inspire creativity, and celebrate the arts in this treasured, storied neighborhood in Rochester. We welcome you to join us to take in the history of the Corn Hill Neighborhood. Rich Pulvino, of ESL Federal Credit Union said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The opportunity to volunteer during and before the festival weekend is still available. All interested in being a part are asked to sign up here. For more information on festival features and how to participate, visit cornhillartsfestival.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 RochesterFirst. President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen have reacted to the phone call between US President Donald Trump and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin. Source: Costa and von der Leyen on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: Costa and von der Leyen said that a comprehensive, fair and lasting peace in Ukraine should be the result of the Russian-Ukrainian war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They expressed hope that "yesterdays phone call is progress in this direction". "We remain steadfast in our support for Ukraine," they assured. Background: On 18 March, after a telephone conversation between the US and Russian leaders, it became During a conversation with Trump, Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin once again rejected the US proposal for a 30-day complete ceasefire, which Ukraine had previously agreed to. Instead, he backed a commitment from both parties to "refrain" from attacking energy facilities for 30 days. The parties also agreed to discuss "the safety of shipping in the Black Sea" and to set up Russian and American expert groups to discuss the "Ukrainian settlement". Following the conversation, the White House said that peace talks on the Russo-Ukrainian war should "begin immediately in the Middle East". Meanwhile, Zelenskyy stressed that Putin had effectively rejected the proposal for a complete ceasefire by launching a large-scale drone attack on Ukrainian cities on the night of 18-19 March. Zelenskyy also said that on Wednesday, 19 March, he would have a telephone conversation with the US President. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! LUSAKA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- China has handed over five plant protection drones to Zambia, aimed at boosting agricultural productivity in the southern African country. The handover ceremony of the drones, donated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China to Zambia's Ministry of Agriculture, was held at the Zambia Agricultural Research Institute on Tuesday. Wang Sheng, charge d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Zambia, and Reuben Mtolo Phiri, Zambian minister of agriculture, attended the event. In his remarks, Wang said agricultural cooperation is an important part of the China-Zambia comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership, expressing the hope that the drones would help improve the country's agricultural production conditions. China, he said, is willing to promote more joint agricultural projects in Zambia and facilitate increased exports of Zambian agricultural products to China. On his part, the Zambian minister expressed gratitude to the Chinese government and people for their support, adding that it reflects the deepening of the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries. Phiri said that Zambia will continue to promote the process of agricultural mechanization and the development of the sector. The need to bring to justice those responsible for crimes committed during Russia's war against Ukraine and recognise the importance of the process of establishing a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine within the Council of Europe will be emphasised during the conclusions of the European Council, which will be held in Brussels on 20-21 March. Source: draft text of the conclusions, available to European Pravda Details: It is expected that EU leaders will call the establishment of a special tribunal under the auspices of the Council of Europe, which aims to punish those responsible for the crimes of Russia during Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine, primarily Russian leader Vladimir Putin and the top leadership of the Russian Federation, an important step. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is worth noting that Hungary will not support part of the conclusions on Ukraine. It is expected to be approved by 26 out of 27 EU states. "The European Council reaffirms the EU's strong commitment to ensuring full accountability for war crimes and other most serious crimes committed in connection with Russia's aggression against Ukraine. In this context, the progress made in establishing the special tribunal for the crimes of aggression against Ukraine within the Council of Europe is an important step," the document reads. Background: On 7 March, EU ministers, among other things, discussed the creation of a tribunal to punish the crime of Russian aggression against Ukraine, which aims to bring Russian leader Vladimir Putin to justice. Discussions on creating a special tribunal for Russia for the crime of aggression have been ongoing since 2022, as there is still no international court that would prosecute the crime of aggression. However, there has been no practical progress on this issue for a long time. On 4 February 2025, during the 13th meeting of the Core Group on the establishment of a special tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine, a draft statute of the tribunal was approved, and an agreement was reached to launch it based on a bilateral agreement between Ukraine and the Council of Europe. The media reported in late February that US representatives refused to name Russia as the aggressor at a meeting of the Core Group. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! The European Union (EU) ordered Apple on Wednesday to take steps to open up its operating systems to competitors in order to comply with the blocs digital market regulations. The European Commission, the EUs executive arm, laid out two sets of measures aimed at making it easier to for products and devices to work with Apples iOS and iPadOS operating systems. The first set of measures seek to improve the interoperability of connected devices, such as smartwatches, headphones and televisions, with iPhones, while the second attempts to improve the process through which developers obtain interoperability with iPhones and iPads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The measures mark the first time the commission has attempted to compel a major tech firm to comply with the EUs Digital Markets Act. The law, which went into effect in 2023, seeks to regulate the biggest digital platforms in Europe. Companies operating in the EU, irrespective of their place of incorporation, must comply with EU rules, including the Digital Markets Act, Teresa Ribera, the EUs executive vice-president for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, said in a statement. Today moves us closer to ensuring a level playing field in Europe, thanks to the rule of law, she added. However, Apple pushed back on Wednesdays decisions, arguing they are bad for our products and for our European users. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Todays decisions wrap us in red tape, slowing down Apples ability to innovate for users in Europe and forcing us to give away our new features for free to companies who dont have to play by the same rules, the company said in a statement. The European Commission also found Wednesday that Alphabet, Googles parent company, is running afoul of the Digital Markets Act on two fronts. It accused the search giant of preferencing its own services in Google Search, as well as blocking developers on Google Play from steering consumers to cheaper alternatives. Let me be clear: Our main focus is creating a culture of compliance with the Digital Markets Act, Ribera said. Non-compliance proceedings are reserved for situations where attempts at dialogue have not been successful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Google contended that the changes pushed by the commission will hurt European businesses and consumers and expose them to malware and fraud from bad apps. Todays findings now increase the risk of an even worse experience for Europeans. The DMA is designed to regulate large platforms like Google, Apple and Meta, and boost competition, but in reality, it is having the opposite effect by hurting European businesses and consumers, Oliver Bethell, Googles senior director of competition, said in a press release. The latest developments out of the EU come after President Trump slammed the bloc as nasty during a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte last week, pointing in part to its treatment of major U.S. tech firms. They sue our companies, Trump said from the Oval Office. Apple was forced to pay $16 billion on a case that like my cases that I won. They shouldnt have been even cases, but we felt they had no case, and they ended up having an extremely favorable judge and decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But theyre suing Google, theyre suing Facebook, theyre suing all of these companies, and theyre taking billions of dollars out of American companies, he continued. Updated at 3:20 p.m. EDT 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. The European Union plans to supply Ukraine with at least 2 million shells annually, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced on March 19. Kallas revealed this during a press conference in Brussels, where the European Commission presented the White Paper on the future of EU defense. The White Paper outlines a new strategy for strengthening European defense and increasing military support for Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A dedicated section on Ukraine highlights plans to provide not only shells but also air defense systems, drones, and training and equipment for Ukrainian brigades. Kallas said that the new SAFE instrument, a 150 billion euro ($163 billion) credit tool proposed by the European Commission, will support the achievement of this objective. This is a pivotal moment for European security. It is a pivotal moment for action, Kallas stated. In 2024, the EU reached its goal of delivering one million shells to Ukraine, fulfilling the pledge it initially promised to deliver by the spring of 2024. Read also: EU plan to send over $40 billion in military aid has broad political support, Kallas says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. By Andrew Gray and Lili Bayer BRUSSELS (Reuters) -Europe should further boost military spending, pool resources on joint defence projects and buy more European arms, according to an EU blueprint unveiled on Wednesday, driven by fears of Russia and doubts about the future of U.S. protection. The European Commission, the EUs executive body, presented the proposals in a White Paper on defence, which aims to ensure Europe has a "strong and sufficient" defence posture by 2030. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The international order is undergoing changes of a magnitude not seen since 1945. This is a pivotal moment for European security," European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told reporters in Brussels. Kallas said Russia's economy was in "full war mode", with 40% of its federal budget going to the military. "Regardless of the ongoing negotiations for peace in Ukraine, this is a long-term investment in a long-term plan of aggression," she declared. Some proposed measures aim to boost the EU's arms industry, meaning any role for companies from major weapons producers outside the bloc such as the United States, Britain and Turkey would be substantially limited. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement EU countries have already begun boosting their own defences in response to Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. They ramped up defence spending by more than 30% between 2021 and 2024. But their efforts have acquired more urgency from U.S. President Donald Trumps rapprochement with Russia and U.S. warnings that European security can no longer be Washington's primary focus. "450 million European Union citizens should not have to depend on 340 million Americans to defend ourselves against 140 million Russians, who cannot defeat 38 million Ukrainians," European Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius said. "We really can do better. It's time for us to take responsibility for the defence of Europe." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CAPABILITY GAPS The paper urges Europe to fill "capability gaps" in areas such as air and missile defence, artillery, ammunition and missiles, drones, military transport, artificial intelligence, cyber warfare and infrastructure protection. The paper a draft of which was leaked last week - proposes EU countries swiftly pool resources to fill the gaps, including through Defence Projects of Common European Interest, defined by governments and benefiting from EU financial incentives. Moscow has condemned the EUs rearmament push as an incitement to war based on an "invented story" of a Russian threat. Such words have not reassured European leaders, as Russia made similar statements before the invasion of Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The EU paper includes proposals outlined earlier this month to boost countries defence spending. Those include a plan for the Commission to borrow 150 billion euros ($163.35 billion) for loans to EU governments to spend on defence projects and easing EU rules on public finances, which the Commission says could mobilise a further 650 billion euros. Defence policy has traditionally been the domain of national governments and the NATO security alliance that brings together North America and Europe. But the EU has become increasingly involved in defence in recent years and the White Paper suggests a fundamental shift to a more pan-European approach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many EU governments say they are in favour. But how it would work is likely to be the subject of fierce debate - over who should have the power to decide on joint projects, who should run them and how they should be funded. The proposals in the paper would require the approval of the bloc's national governments and - in some cases - the European Parliament to become law. In the paper, the European Commission suggests it could act as a "central purchasing body" on behalf of EU members. But some EU capitals have already signalled resistance, wanting to keep such decisions in the hands of national governments. The paper says the Commission will also work on building a true EU-wide market for defence equipment, simplifying and harmonising rules. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such measures are intended to reduce the fragmentation of Europe's defence industry, in which many manufacturers produce different weapons systems for different governments. For example, Europe has 19 different main battle tanks, compared to just one in the United States and 17 types of torpedoes compared to just two in the U.S., according to an analysis by McKinsey. ($1 = 0.9183 euros) (Reporting by Andrew Gray and Lili BayerEditing by Tomasz Janowski and Diane Craft) BRUSSELS (AP) The European Union on Wednesday announced a new drive to break its security dependency on the United States, with a focus on buying more defense equipment in Europe. The EU's executive branch unveiled its Readiness 2030 security strategy with the threat of Russian aggression at the forefront of concerns. NATO intelligence estimates suggest that Russia could be capable of launching an attack in Europe again in three to five years. Last month, the Trump administration signaled that U.S. security priorities lay elsewhere on its own borders and in Asia and that Europeans would have to fend for themselves and Ukraine in the future. That was as Europes biggest land war in decades entered its fourth year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the strategy, member countries will be urged to buy much of their military equipment in Europe, working mostly with European suppliers in some cases with EU help to cut prices and speed up orders. They should only purchase equipment from abroad when costs, performance or supply delays make it preferable. In recent years, the 27 EU nations have placed about two-thirds of their orders with U.S. defense companies. To qualify for new loans, they would have to buy at least 65% of equipment from suppliers in the EU, Norway or Ukraine. The security architecture that we relied on can no longer be taken for granted, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. We must buy more European. Because that means strengthening the European defense, technological and industrial base. That means stimulating innovation. And that means creating an EU-wide market for defense equipment, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The strategy resembles the RepowerEU scheme that the commission proposed in 2022 to wean the bloc off Russian natural gas after President Vladimir Putin ordered his forces into Ukraine and used energy as a weapon to try to undermine EU support for Kyiv. That strategy saw the EUs dependence on Russian gas imports fall from 45% in 2021 to 15% in 2023. The new blueprint was unveiled on the eve of a summit of EU government leaders. At emergency talks on March 6, they signed off on proposals to ease budget restrictions and create a 150-billion-euro ($164 billion) loan plan for defense projects. Defense firms in the U.S., U.K., and Turkey would be excluded from the loan plan unless those governments sign security agreements with the EU. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement France has pushed the buy European approach, but countries like Poland and the Netherlands want to buy U.S. equipment. EU nations are also encouraged to boost security ties with NATO allies that are not members of the EU, including Britain, Canada, Norway, Australia, Japan, South Korea and India. The strategy notes that while the United States remains a key Western ally, it has been clear that it believes it is over-committed in Europe and needs to rebalance, reducing its historical role as a primary security guarantor. Andrius Kubilius, the EUs recently appointed and first-ever defense commissioner, warned that 450 million European Union citizens should not have to depend on 340 million Americans to defend ourselves." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spending priorities for joint purchase would be air and missile defense systems, artillery, ammunition, drones, equipment for use in cyber and electronic warfare, and strategic enablers like air-to-air refueling and land border security installations. To help Ukraine fend off the Russian invasion, the aim would be to provide at least two million artillery rounds each year; supply more air defense systems, missiles and drones; and continue to train tens of thousands of Ukrainian troops annually. More money would also be funneled into Ukraines defense industry. DUBLIN (Reuters) - The European Union will take "a bit of time" before it responds to the new reciprocal tariff rates U.S. President Donald Trump plans to outline on April 2, Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin said on Wednesday. The White House said on Tuesday that Trump intends for the reciprocal tariff rates to take effect on April 2, despite comments from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that indicated a possible delay in their activation. In the past week, Washington has imposed tariffs on steel and aluminium, the EU has set out plans for retaliation, and Trump has threatened 200% tariffs on EU wine and spirits, separate to the promise of further tariffs on April 2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Obviously there has to be a comprehensive response to any tariffs that would be announced on April 2, and the EU will be allowing a bit of time after April 2 before it responds, so I believe the EU will adopt a strategic approach," Martin told Ireland's parliament. EU-member Ireland is among the countries most exposed to Trump's policy proposals, with a significant proportion of employment, tax receipts and exports all directly dependent on a cluster of U.S. multinational firms. (Reporting by Padraic Halpin; editing by William James) The United Kingdom and the European Union are in talks to speed up arms supplies to Ukraine amid discussions about a potential truce in the war unleashed by Russia. Source: UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy in an interview with Bloomberg, as reported by European Pravda Details: Lammy reported that on Tuesday, he and Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, had discussed the possibility of sending additional military supplies to Ukraine before a broad cessation of hostilities is achieved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that the idea had also been raised at a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in Canada last week. "Of course its our intention to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position militarily and economically. We want peace to prevail but we get peace through strength and that means putting Ukraine in the strongest possible position to repel any prospects of the war beginning again," Lammy said. He also urged Russia to agree to an "unconditional ceasefire" and warned that Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin should not be allowed to take advantage of the truce by rearming his armed forces before full peace is established. "What we want is an end to all fighting, not a period in which Putin is able to re-arm and go again," the UK foreign secretary stressed. Background: Putin has indicated that he wants "an end to forced mobilisation in Ukraine and the rearmament of their Armed Forces" as his demand for a halt to hostilities. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump stated that the topic of assistance to Ukraine was not discussed during his telephone conversation with Putin on 18 March. For their part, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron have said they would continue to provide military assistance to Ukraine. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! PHNOM PENH, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia and Nepal have pledged to promote religious tourism potential between the two countries, said a news release from Cambodia's Ministry of Tourism on Wednesday. The pledge was made between Cambodian Tourism Minister Huot Hak and visiting Nepalese Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Badri Pandey in Phnom Penh on Tuesday afternoon. "The discussion focused on strengthening cooperation in tourism, particularly in promoting Buddhism tourism destinations and cultural heritage sites of Cambodia to Buddhist pilgrims and the people of Nepal," the news release said. "Additionally, both sides explored the possibility of establishing direct flights between Phnom Penh and Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha," it added. During the meeting, the two ministers also shared experience in the development of tourism products and human resources, the news release said. "Furthermore, they considered the feasibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize tourism cooperation between Cambodia and Nepal," it said. Cambodia attracted a total of 6,404 Nepalese visitors in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 118 percent, according to a Ministry of Tourism's report. BERLIN (AP) Questions are mounting in Canada and in Europe over whether big-ticket purchases of high-end U.S. weaponry, such as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, are still a wise strategic choice for Western countries worried about their investment in U.S. defense technology. In less than two months, U.S. President Donald Trump has upended decades of foreign policy. He has left NATO members questioning whether Washington will honor the trans-Atlantic alliance's commitment to defend each other, if other European countries are attacked by Russia. He's also made repeat overtures to Moscow and suspended most U.S. foreign aid. That could impact foreign sales of the Lockheed Martin-produced F-35 and other advanced U.S. jets like the F-16. As Russia's war in Ukraine grinds on, it's become clear that Eastern European NATO members still have vast stores of Soviet-era weapons in their stockpiles that weren't interoperable with Western weaponry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A long-term plan to get all of NATO on similar platforms by replacing old Soviet-era jets with Western ones, particularly the F-16 and in some cases, the F-35 has gained momentum. Some of the NATO countries are now rethinking tying their defense to U.S.-made systems and potentially considering European jets. And the European Union on Wednesday announced a new drive to break its security dependency on the United States, with a focus on buying more defense equipment in Europe. In recent years, the EU's 27 nations have placed about two-thirds of their orders with U.S. defense companies. Angering an F-35 partner Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Canada, where Trump has launched a trade war and has threatened economic coercion to make it the 51st American state, new Prime Minister Mark Carney has asked Defense Minister Bill Blair to review its purchase of F-35s. Canada has been a partner with the U.S. in developing the fighter. Blair will see if there are other options given the changing environment, a defense spokesman said. Carney on Tuesday announced an early warning radar system purchase from Australia worth Canadian $6 billion ($4.2 billion). Officials say it will have a smaller footprint than a similar American system. And in Portugal, the outgoing defense minister recently told a Portuguese newspaper that recent positions taken by Washington compelled a rethink about the purchase of F-35s. Portugal is considering various options to replace its F-16s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youre not just buying an airplane, youre buying a relationship with the United States, said Winslow T. Wheeler, who spent three decades in U.S. Congress working for Democrats and Republicans on national security and defense issues. People in the past have not just welcomed, but craved that kind of relationship. The Netherlands and Norway, on the other hand, have recently voiced support for the F-35 program. The F-35 and a kill switch The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter was designed to combine stealth, maneuverability and attack capabilities in a single aircraft. Each jet costs about $85 million (78 million euros), and the price jumps to as high as $150 million (137 million euros) when supporting infrastructure and spare parts are included. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 1,100 have been produced to date for 16 military services across the globe. The F-35B, a variant that can take off from ship decks vertically, is the latest model. It's the most expensive weapons system the U.S. has ever produced, with estimated lifetime costs now expected to top $1.7 trillion. One of the ways the program was counting on reducing those costs was by selling more aircraft to international customers. But the Trump administration's recent stance on the Russia-Ukraine war has fueled fears that Washington may have similar ways to coerce buyers in a future fight such as by embedding a hypothetical kill switch in the F-35's millions of lines of programming. The Pentagon's F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office, however, vehemently rejected that notion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no kill switch," the office said in a statement on Tuesday. We remain committed to providing all users with the full functionality and support they require. But that's not the only way to impact an ally's program, Wheeler said. The F-35 requires constant U.S.-controlled tech upgrades to operate in combat. If a relationship with the U.S. soured and updates were delayed, it could make a jet, or even a fleet, inoperable, he said. Lockheed Martin said in a statement on Tuesday that the defense contractor delivers all system infrastructure and data required for all F-35 customers to sustain the aircraft. European jet alternatives Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Saab Gripen, Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafale could see an increase in sales if other countries decide to forgo their F-35 purchases. But none of them have the F-35's stealth capabilities. The Swedish-made Saab Gripen is used by the militaries of Sweden, the Czech Republic, Hungary, South Africa,Brazil and Thailand. Conventional defense industry wisdom says it's significantly cheaper than the F-35, Wheeler said. The Eurofighter Typhoon, part of the British, German, Spanish and Italian forces, is manufactured by a consortium of defense companies: Airbus, BAE Systems and Leonardo. The French-built Dassault Rafale twin-jet fighter is used by some branches of France's armed forces. The governments of Egypt, India, Qatar, Greece, Croatia, the United Arab Emirates, Serbia and Indonesia have all signed contracts for Rafales. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement David Jordan, a senior lecturer in defense studies at Kings College London and co-director of the Freeman Air and Space Institute, said that previously, European leaders felt it was easier and more cost-effective to lean on the U.S. defense industry to get access to advanced weaponry. But the Trump administration's move away from Europe could be the turning point, Jordan said. It would require the continent to pool its money and resources often a sticking point among the countries into research and development, manufacturing and logistics. But the European defense industry is more than capable of building what it needs within a decade, Jordan said. ___ Tara Copp reported from Washington. John Leicester in Paris, Lorne Cook in Brussels, and Jill Lawless and Danica Kirka in London, contributed to this report. In a move that risks enraging the Trump administration, the European Commission has announced major antitrust enforcement decisions against Google and Apple. The EUs executive body on Wednesday said Google parent Alphabet had almost certainly broken the blocs Digital Markets Act, a year-old competition rulebook for Big Tech, in multiple ways. If it finalizes these preliminary findings, Google could be in line for fines that theoretically run as high as 10% of global annual revenues. The commission also ordered Apple to comply with the DMA by making the iPhone more easily and effectively interoperable with third-party devices such as smartwatches, headphones, and TV sets. This is the first time the commission has given a company specific measures that it must take to comply with this law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump last month threatened to lob tariffs at anyone who dares to fine or enforce tech rules against U.S. companies in ways that his administration thinks are discriminatory. (He has already triggered a tariff war with Europe and the rest of the world regarding steel and aluminum imports, and has threatened further tariffs on European alcohol.) Vice President JD Vance has also hit out at European tech regulation, and Meta and Appleboth of which face separate EU antitrust decisions as soon as this monthhave complained to Trump about being picked on in Europe. The Commissions preliminary findings regarding Alphabets DMA noncompliance are about two long-running issues. The first relates to Google search results promoting other Google services, like shopping, hotel booking, and financial results, to the detriment of third-party competitorseither by putting the Google services at the top of the results, or by displaying them in eye-catching dedicated spaces. The EU already fined Google $2.7 billion for similar self-preferencing eight years ago, but now it has a new law to wield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second finding is about Google not allowing developers who distribute their Android apps through Google Play to tell customers about cheaper deals they can get off Googles platform and freely steer them there. The commission also said Google is charging developers too much for onboarding new customers. Again, Google already received a $5 billion EU antitrust fine for Android abuses back in 2018, but that was about pre-installed services on Android phones; the newer case is specific to the rules laid out in the DMA. The two preliminary findings we adopt today aim to ensure that Alphabet abides by EU rules when it comes to two services widely used by businesses and consumers across the EU, Google Search and Android phones, said competition commissioner Teresa Ribera. As for Apple, the company will now have to heavily change its ways to comply with the DMA. For example, Apple has long made life difficult for rival smartwatch makers by ensuring that users of their products cant reply to notifications coming in from their iPhones. (Pebble founder Eric Migicovsky, who has just revived his discontinued smartwatch under the Core brand, wrote a blog post about his Apple frustrations just this week.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Apple will now have to fix that, and it will also have to allow for easier pairing and better data connections with third-party headphones and virtual-reality headsets. Developers will also get new opportunities to integrate file-sharing and streaming capabilities in their iPhone apps. And Apple will have to give developers more transparent and timely information when they want to make their products and services interoperable with the iPhone and iPad. Todays decisions wrap us in red tape, slowing down Apples ability to innovate for users in Europe and forcing us to give away our new features for free to companies who dont have to play by the same rules, Apple said in an emailed statement. Its bad for our products and for our European users. We will continue to work with the European Commission to help them understand our concerns on behalf of our users. Google, meanwhile, complained that the commissions findings would make it harder for people to find what they are looking for and reduce traffic to European businesses. The commission officials who announced Wednesdays decisions took great care to imply that nobody was being treated unfairly on the basis of their American-ness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Apple complained that it was being singled out by the commissions latest move, Ribera stressed that the commission was simply implementing the law with its Apple decisions. Similarly, tech commissioner Henna Virkkunen emphasized that Alphabets alleged misdeeds negatively impact many European and non-European businesses. That is unlikely to placate the U.S. leadership, whose response is now keenly awaited. After all, Apple also claimed that the new interoperability requirements force it to give away its intellectual property to competitors. And Trumps memorandum last month specifically said that rules designed to transfer significant funds or intellectual property from American companies to the foreign government or the foreign governments favored domestic entities would trigger U.S. tariffs. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Malta is a small island nation situated between Sicily and North Africa that's home to just over 550,000 people. Though it isn't the most well-known of Europe's Mediterranean destinations, it offers something particularly attractive to the world's ultra-rich: one of the world's most popular golden passport programs that offers a backdoor path to citizenship in the European Union without the fuss of a standard immigration process. But depending on the outcome of a years-long legal challenge brought by the European Commission, those citizenship schemes for wealthy investors could be banned in Malta and across the EUor become far more common. Several EU and investor immigration programs are currently before the European Court of Justice, and the outcome is expected to shake up cash-for-citizenship schemes that have popped up across the continent over the past decade or so. This comes after European countries began offering so-called golden visa programs in the aftermath of the 2012 debt crisis as a way to attract capital from rich foreigners. Malta's program, though, is unique because it offers wealthy investors expedited citizenship, not just residency. For the price of at least 600,000 (around $660,000), wealthy peopleincluding Russian oligarchs, Chinese nationals, and foreign celebritieshave bought a Maltese passport, which allows them to live and work across the EU. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After public outcry about the programs, the European Commission, the executive branch of the EU, brought a legal challenge against Malta in 2022, arguing that citizenship must be based on a "genuine link" to a country, not investments. "Genuine link" essentially means there must be a specific connection between a person and a country in order to claim legal recognition, and is a controversial concept in the international legal community. Once they are citizens of Malta, a member of the EU, these wealthy investors can live and work in any member state. That's potentially problematic, says Eka Rostomashvili, campaign lead on corrupt money flows at Transparency International, an anti-corruption organization, because they can allow "dodgy" characters to circumvent normal immigration proceedings, giving them easier access into countries where they can then continue illegal activities, like money laundering. "We've had a momentum against these programs in the EU for several years now," says Rostomashvili. Of course, not every rich investor has a shady past. But Rostomashvili says the visa schemes pose other problems as well. Real estate investments, for example, are often the primary vehicles for getting these passports and visas, and as such, housing prices in countries like Portugal and Spain, who had popular investment visa programs, have sky-rocketed, driving out locals. All of this has put pressure on European policymakers to crack down on the practice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several European countries, including Ireland, Portugal, and Spain, have already started paring back their golden visa programs on their own. And Cyprus and Bulgaria, which previously offered citizenship by investment programs similar to Malta's, scrapped them altogether in recent years. Reports reveal corruption Transparency International began looking into immigration passport schemes in 2018, and subsequently worked with journalists at Al Jazeera on an investigation which found government officials in Cyprus, which had a golden passport program, allowed convicted criminals and fugitives to obtain citizenship, sometimes personally aiding them through the process. The investigation led the Mediterranean island nation to revoke at least 233 golden passports. As a result of that investigation and public pressure, the European Commission has initiated a series of anti-money laundering measures over the years related to golden visas. That includes requiring intermediaries selling or marketing the visas to report suspicious activities to European authorities. But Rostomashvili says the measures could go further. For example, residency requirements can be lax for investors pursuing the visasin some cases, they only need to physically live in the country for a few days to become a resident. She also thinks due diligence processes, which vet the legitimacy of the applicants and the source of their investments, could be improved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We think that this is a particularly attractive feature for corrupt individuals, criminals," she says of the lack of residency requirements. "If you actually have to move there or reside there, or spend some considerable time there, this wouldn't be as risky for us." Transparency International is worried that if Malta's program is allowed to continue, other countries will launch their own, and there will be a "race to the bottom" in which countries have laxer and laxer security requirements in order to attract more investors. Those interested in buying a passport will go the cheapest route, she says, because what they ultimately want is access to the EU, not the individual country selling citizenship. "What worries us the most as an anti-corruption organization is that it facilitates cross border corruption and allows corrupt individuals to evade scrutiny, evade potentially even accountability," says Rostomashvili. "The standards will drop even further in the absence of [standardized] checks, which is what we wanted all along." Rostomashvili says Transparency International is worried that the "genuine link" argument made by the European Commission will not be enough to convince the court that the programs should be rolled back. And indeed, a non-binding legal opinion from EU Advocate General Anthony Michael Collins indicates that the Court of Justice may rule in Malta's favor, says Rostomashvili. Collins wrote that a "genuine link" is not required under EU law, and that individual countries "have decided that it is for each of them alone to determine who is entitled to be one of their nationals." Though the Luxembourg-based tribunal does not need to follow his opinion, it will help guide the decision. The decision from the court is expected to come at any time. Update: This story was updated to take out mention of a possible second challenge the European Commission could make against the program. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com The European Commission and the EU High Representative have presented the White Paper on European Defence Readiness 2030. Source: European Commission, as reported by European Pravda, Details: The White Paper proposes a new strategy to defence and outlines the EU's investment needs. Kaja Kallas, the EU's foreign policy chief, highlighted that it contains measures aimed at closing crucial capacity gaps and developing a strong European defence industry. She stated that it is done not to fight a war, but to prepare for one and to defend peace in Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White Paper details how EU member states may make large defence investments, buy defence systems, and improve the long-term readiness of Europe's defence sector. Quote: "This is essential for Europe's security. Europe must invest in the security and defence of the continent, while continuing to support Ukraine to defend itself from Russia's aggression." More details: To effectively address these challenges, the White Paper outlines several key areas for action: Closing capability gaps, with a focus on critical capabilities identified by Member States. Supporting the European defence industry through aggregated demand and increased collaborative procurement. Supporting Ukraine through increased military assistance and deeper integration of the European and Ukrainian defence industries. Deepening the EU-wide defence market including through simplifying regulations. Accelerating the transformation of defence through disruptive innovations such as AI and quantum technology. Enhancing European readiness for worst-case scenarios, by improving military mobility, stockpiling and strengthening external borders, notably the land border with Russia and Belarus. Strengthening partnership with like-minded countries around the world. Background: In early March, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented the Rearm Europe initiative, a five-step plan for rearming the EU and supporting Ukraine, with an estimated budget of up to 800 billion. During the extraordinary EU defence summit on 6 March, all EU leaders, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, unanimously voted in favour of the Rearm Europe proposal. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! By Anna Peverieri and Eric Onstad (Reuters) - The European Commission announced on Wednesday an action plan to make Europe's ailing steel sector more competitive and to shield it from the impact of U.S. tariffs on imports of steel and aluminium, prompting reactions from major industrial actors, analysts, and think tanks. The Steel and Metals action plan, a key component of the EU's Clean Industrial Deal, aims at reviving its industries to stay competitive with Chinese and U.S. rivals. European steelmakers, which have long complained about cheap Chinese imports, are also warning about a possible flood of surplus steel into the region, as exports destined for the U.S. could be diverted to Europe due to U.S. tariffs. REACTIONS TO THE EU 'STEEL ACTION PLAN' STEELMAKER ARCELORMITTAL (MT.AS):"We are encouraged by the direction outlined in the Steel and Metals Action plan, published today," said the group's CEO Aditya Mittal. "Details published in the Steel and Metals Action Plan show they understand the urgency of the situation and are ready to tackle some of the critical structural issues, including trade defence, loopholes in the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, and the lack of regulation to drive demand for low-carbon steel. This now needs to be supported with rapid action that can put a stop to unfair trade, dumping and resource shuffling." "Additionally, it remains vital to tackle the high energy costs which make it very difficult for the industry to move forward with significant decarbonization projects. GERMANY STEELMAKER THYSSENKRUPP STEEL EUROPE (TKA.DE): "The Steel Action Plan represents a groundbreaking step towards securing the competitiveness and decarbonization of the European steel industry." "Particularly noteworthy is the clear prioritization of trade protection, which is crucial for ensuring the competitiveness of the European steel industry." "In the face of global overcapacity and unfair trade practices, effective protection is essential to safeguard jobs and ensure a level playing field." LUXEMBOURG-BASED STEEL GROUP APERAM (APAM.AS): "Aperam strongly supports any initiative to introduce long-term measures that ensure robust protection for the EUs steel sector against the negative impacts of excess steel production from Asia once the current safeguard measures expire in June 2026." "The key point is how the European Commission will translate this high-level action plan into concrete legal measures: urgent action is needed and therefore proposed measures must be implemented swiftly and effectively." LONDON (AP) The European Union on Wednesday outlined the steps that Apple must take to open up its iPhone and iPad operating systems to work better with competing technologies. Its the first time the EU has moved to compel a technology company to comply with the blocs digital Digital Markets Act a wide-ranging set of regulations designed to prevent Big Tech gatekeeper companies from cornering markets. After the DMA took effect a year ago, the EUs executive Commission moved swiftly to open a raft of investigations into Big Tech companies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brussels also opened two specification proceedings in September to spell out what Apple needs to do under the DMA, which aims to make digital markets fairer and more contestable by breaking up closed tech ecosystems that lock consumers into a single companys products or services. In its legally binding decision, the commission detailed measures that the iPhone maker has to take involving nine connectivity features for its iOS operating system. The measures will give device and app makers better access to iPhone features that work with devices. For example, iPhone users will have enhanced possibilities to receive notifications on non-Apple smartwatches, including receiving pictures and the ability to reply to them. Users could also benefit from more seamless pairing of wireless headphones from other brands. Access to Apple's wireless file transfer technology would let third-party developers create apps similar to the AirDrop feature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The commission also laid out a second set of measures to make the process for software developers requesting access to iPhone features more transparent and effective. Among the changes are better access to technical documentation not yet available to third parties, it said. With its decision, Brussels is "providing regulatory certainty both to Apple and to developers, the European Commission Executive Vice President Teresa Ribera said in a press release. Effective interoperability" for will mean better choice for consumers in the fast-growing market for innovative connected devices, she said. European consumer group BEUC hailed the decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For too long, Apple has operated a walled garden around its products and prevented interoperability," Director General Agustin Reyna said. Apple, however, voiced its unhappiness, saying it's bad for the company's products and for European users. Todays decisions wrap us in red tape, slowing down Apples ability to innovate for users in Europe and forcing us to give away our new features for free to companies who dont have to play by the same rules, the company said in a statement. Apple said it will continue to work with the European Commission to "help them understand our concerns on behalf of our users. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Commission also said Wednesday that Google wasnt doing enough to comply with DMA. Despite making changes, including removing flight listings, Google was still giving preference to its own services in search results, it said. Google is also failing to let app developers steer users to cheaper options outside its Google Play Store app marketplace, the commission said in preliminary findings. While it's acceptable for Google to charge a fee for downloading an app in its app store, the company is charging fees that "go beyond what is justified," for every purchase of digital goods or services, it said. Google said the EU findings will require the company to make even more changes to how it displays some search results, which would make it harder for people to find what they are looking for and reduce traffic to European businesses. This is, quite simply, misguided. The commission's app store findings, meanwhile, create a false choice between openness and security" and risk exposing Europe users to more malware and fraud, it added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Google now has the chance to reply to the findings. If the commission decides Google is in non-compliance with the DMA, it can issue a fine of up to 10% of the company's annual global revenue. But officials have said that they want to avoid issuing blockbuster fines and instead negotiate with companies to get them to comply. The EU's crack down on the global tech industry has irritated President Donald Trump, who recently blasted the blocs hefty antitrust fines for U.S. tech companies. Vice-President JD Vance, meanwhile, has railed against excessive AI regulation, in a rebuke aimed at the EUs sweeping Artificial Intelligence Act. However, both companies have been under pressure in the U.S. too. Apple is facing a Justice Department antitrust lawsuit accusing it of engineering an illegal smartphone monopoly. Meanwhile, federal antitrust regulators are seeking to break up Google after a federal judge ruled Googles ubiquitous search engine has been illegally exploiting its dominance to squash competition and stifle innovation. LONG ISLAND, N.Y. (PIX11) Four years after a Long Island woman was left permanently disfigured from a horrific acid attack, there has yet to be an arrest in the case. For Nafiah Ikram, theres not a day that goes by that she doesnt think of the night she was attacked. Ikram says, Mentally every day is a challenge and physically with the pain. More Local News Yesterday I had to remind myself that as sucky as the day was I survived and if I hadnt I wouldnt be here today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say on March 17, 2021, a suspect ran up to Ikram outside of her house in Elmont Long Island, and threw acid in her face. The suspect was described as 6 feet, 2 inches tall, with a thin build, wearing a dark hoodie and gloves. Ikram was left disfigured and blind in one eye. Think about what you go through mentally and psychologically tormenting my brain about why someone did this to me and who and especially at my home. Police say the suspect got away in a Red Nissan Altima, a 2013 or 2015, version. Ikrams mother, Sherina Mohamed, says, It hasnt been easy. Im very proud of Nafiah. She still has to watch over her shoulder all the time. At least if she knew they were behind bars she could have some security and live a normal life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The family also says its disappointed with the police, saying Ikrams father has repeatedly been asked by the FBI and Nassau County police whether he is withholding information. I know my dad wouldnt plot to have this done to me. Theyre trying to make it seem like hes not telling them all of what happened and they did that to me the first year. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State In response, Nassau County Commissioner of Police Patrick Ryder told PIX11 News in part, The Nassau County Police Department has devoted tremendous investigative resources toward this horrific attack. We have expended countless investigative hours, asked for the assistance of the public through the media and social media, and have been working with multiple Law Enforcement Agencies at the local, state, and federal levels. In order to protect the integrity of the investigation, we cannot publicly discuss specific methods or actions taken. This investigation continues to remain open and ongoing and we will not rest until the person(s) responsible are apprehended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NCPD and its federal partners are offering a Crime Stoppers Reward of up to $30,000 for information that leads to an arrest. If anyone has any information or leads in this case, they are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All tips will remain anonymous. As for Ikram, the 25-year-old says this past year has been especially difficult because shes been told a surgery that could have repaired her vision in her right eye may come with complications. Still, she is determined to go on. She hopes to attend medical school and also volunteer. Im hoping Im healed enough to kind of visit the ICU and help people because I think someone in my situation who saw their reflection omg Im going to look like that for the rest of my life and then saw what I look like today post-op with all the reconstructive procedures it might give them hope. As for this attack, she has faith that she will get closure. The information will find a way out. The truth is always the way out/I know I didnt do anything wrong to deserve this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PIX11 News reached out to the FBI for a response and received the following response: The FBI continues to seek the publics help in identifying a suspect in the investigation of this attack. If you have any information concerning this case, please contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), or you can submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. 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. Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich on Tuesday called on friends of democracy around the world to reconsider visits to the United States to protest President Donald Trump and his policies. In an opinion piece for The Guardian, the Bill Clinton-era Cabinet member warned the Trump administration is brutally attacking U.S. democracy and, like most bullies, can be constrained only if everyone stands up to the bullying including you. Reich pointed out that spending by foreign visitors is a major source of tax revenue for the U.S. economy, arguing: Theres no reason for you to indirectly support Trumps economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also cautioned against entering the country on student or H-1B skilled worker visas, citing safety concerns as Trumps anti-immigration agenda in recent days took a more chilling turn with the court-defying expulsion of hundreds of people to a Salvadoran prison. Deciding not to come would send a signal that youre justifiably worried about your safety and as repulsed by the Trump regimes attacks on democracy as most of us Americans, Reich concluded. Read the full opinion piece at The Guardian. Reichs plea came as the number of visits from Canada to the U.S. already started showing signs of slowing down amid Trumps attacks on the northern neighbor and rhetoric about turning it into the 51st state. Related... PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) The fall from grace continues, it appears, for a former biotech wunderkind who was indicted by a federal grand jury for having illegal items within the Peoria County Jail. The allegations against Aaron Rossi, 41, say he had a cannabis vape pen while an inmate at the jail earlier this month. The contraband charges could expose him to up to 10 years in prison if hes convicted. UPDATED: greed, shame, hubris used by judge to describe Aaron Rossis actions Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident occurred on March 14 and five days later, Rossi, the former head of Reditus Labs which was one of the states COVID-19 testing companies, appeared before a federal judge Wednesday clad in the orange inmate jumpsuit. Its a far cry from the tailor-made suits and the expensive cars he was associated with while the pandemic raged. Last summer, he was sentenced to five years in federal prison for defrauding his former employers, Central Illinois Orthopedic Surgery in Bloomington, out of more than $1 million. New federal indictment alleges Aaron Rossi committed fraud in COVID-19 Testing And hes also still facing other federal charges of healthcare fraud, mail fraud, and wire fraud for allegedly defrauding the state of Illinois and public and private health insurance companies out of hundreds of thousands of dollars during the COVID-19 pandemic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peoria County Sheriff Chris Watkins said Rossi has been at the county jail since Aug. 23, 2023. While it was not immediately clear why he has been there since last summer, one reason could be that he still has pending cases here.] The charges come less than a week after a former jailer at the Peoria County Jail was hit with state charges for allegedly providing an inmate with the exact same items. Watkins, however, did not comment on whether two cases were linked. U.S. District Judge Sara Darrow set a mid-May trial date for Rossi. until then, he remains in custody of the U.S. marshals. Reditus Labs Pekin-based Redtius, a pathology lab, seized upon the COVID-19 pandemic to become one of the states largest testing companies, earning more than $200 million before it was shuttered in 2022 due to lawsuits from former business partners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But that started to unravel when his former partners alleged they were cut out or pushed out of the company and thus, the profits. The suits alleged Rossi used the company as his own personal piggy bank to finance his lifestyle which included a private jet, fancy cars and other luxury items. The company shuttered in late 2022, sending hundreds of people to the unemployment line. Federal prosecutors have alleged in the other fraud case that Rossi, through Reditus, overcharged or mischaracterized tests such as PCR testing that could check for infectious diseases, including the COVID-19 virus as a way to get more money from the government. The tests were both paid with public and private health insurance programs, such as Medicare, Medicaid, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Healthlink, and the Health Resources & Services Administrations Uninsured Program. The Bloomington case Regarding the case he was sentenced to prison on, those charges alleged he moved the practices bank account to a different institution and changed accountants. He also made misleading and false entries in the firms financial records to hide this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The indictments list the practice as a victim as well as two doctors who owned the practice, listed in the indictment as Victims A and B. The fraud involved having items such as a 49-inch high-definition TV shipped to his house on the companys dime as well as hiding his trips to upscale mens clothing stores as uniform purchases. A federal prosecutor said Rossi chartered a private plane for his bachelors party using corporate money and also got other items from Amazon as well. The filing a false tax return count occurred on Rossis 2017 tax return, where he told the judge that he failed to give his accountant all his information so he could avoid paying taxes. A prosecutor said that amounted to about $500,000 of unreported income. The civil suits Several lawsuits have been filed in both federal and state court against Reditus, Rossi and others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two federal lawsuits, unsealed last year, allege massive fraud and grift committed by Rossi and his company, Reditus Laboratories, which resulted in taxpayers being bilked out of hundreds of millions of dollars. The status of those pending lawsuits was not immediately 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 CIProud.com. The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has officially published the Final Conclusion on the results of the review of the appeal regarding the case of Ruben Vardanyan. The appeal stated that Ruben Vardanyan was arrested allegedly for dissent, that the presumption of innocence and other procedural rules were violated against him, and so on. None of this has been confirmed. To the great disappointment of Vardanyan's support group, in its conclusion, the Working Group called the charges against him well-founded and supported by concrete evidence. No other of his rights were violated either. Such a conclusion, of course, is a serious blow to the Vardanyan cheerleaders waving pipidasters. The crowd gathered around the Russian billionaire's money is pushing and kicking in a desire to demonstrate who is trying harder for the patron. But practice shows that money is wasted and does not bring any dividends to Vardanyan. The trial goes on as usual, despite all the cries and appeals. The trial will be completed and the verdict will be pronounced. This is understandable to everyone who has a mind. But... Etchmiadzin joined the case the other day. The Armenian media reported with emotion that a group of 25 "famous women" appealed to Catholicos Garegin with a request to persuade Vardanyan to end his hunger strike "at this most difficult moment in the history of Armenians." We will not quote the rest of the tearful address, although it is very funny. I must say that the campaign in support of Vardanyan is generally very funny. All its elements look like parts of a comedy series. It is enough to recall a stupid flash mob in his defense with the participation of exalted ladies from Central Asian countries. In early February, as part of a flash mob, short videos were distributed on social networks in which residents of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan breathlessly recited rhymes and asked the Lord (no joke) for freedom for Rubik. Apparently, the Vardanyan office paid for the services of members of some kind of sect. This was evidenced by the content of the poems and the detached faces with which the ladies read them. It seems that they were convinced that they were standing up for the "universal good" in its struggle with the "universal evil." But in fact, they had no idea who they were asking the Lord for. It is noteworthy that residents of Turkic countries were used for the PR campaign. I think it was no accident. The gender composition of Vardanyan's defenders is also not accidental - they are mostly women. Apparently, the organizers of the campaign believe that women look more convincing and more compassionate, and religious narratives from their mouths sound more touching. The 25 mysterious "famous women" who turned to Garegin also put pressure on Rubik's services to the "mother church." You can't argue with them here, because Vardanyan really has great merits for the Armenian Church. He and his capital have made an invaluable contribution to the falsification of the Albanian spiritual heritage of Karabakh, and for this he should definitely take a pie off the shelf. "I would call everything that is happening around Vardanyan a tragicomedy," said historian and political scientist Rizvan Huseynov. According to Huseynov, to understand the essence, it is worth remembering how this figure worked with the world Armenian diaspora, with church circles, with financial fraudsters in Europe, the USA, and Russia. The range of his activities was very wide. Today, the defenders of the "ex-minister of state" are trying to create a special image, saying that Araik, Bako and others are one thing, but Vardanyan is quite another. He is being molded into the image of a "martyr" for Armenian interests. "Etchmiadzin has woken up. The fact that a group of Armenian women allegedly appealed to Garegin II to ask Ruben Vardanyan to stop his hunger strike is, of course, a spectacle. And this play was written by Vardanyan himself. It is not difficult to understand the essence. Ending the hunger strike on his own initiative would be a "defeat" for Vardanyan. But here the situation is different - the head of the Armenian church himself asked him to stop starving, and his "honor and dignity" did not suffer. That is, Vardanyan, like, couldn't refuse Garegin and stopped his hunger strike. The one who told him that he would be able to achieve something with such a backward and outdated method of putting pressure on justice as a hunger strike miscalculated. This useless action did not add any charm to his image," the political scientist said. Those who promoted and supported it, first of all France and the Democratic Party of the USA, lost, our interlocutor noted. The coming to power of Donald Trump has seriously changed the dynamics of political processes both in the United States and in Europe, and today Vardanyan, by and large, is of no interest to anyone. The world has no time for him now. The current US administration deeply does not care whether a certain "ex-minister of state" of the separatists is starving or is eating heavily. Taking into account these trends, Vardanyan turned to Garegin to allegedly persuade him to stop his hunger strike, otherwise it would be awkward for him, Rizvan Huseynov believes. "Speaking of Etchmiadzin. Almost five years have passed since the 44-day war, and almost two years have passed since the September 2023 anti-terrorist operation. But we have not heard any calls for peace from the Armenian Apostolic Church. Etchmiadzin took a mouthful of water. But it was the church that pushed the Armenian people onto the path of nationalism and terrorism over the past centuries. And Echmiadzin's silence makes it clear to the Azerbaijani side that the Armenians do not renounce their claims to Azerbaijani lands, they are preparing and accumulating strength for revenge. If Etchmiadzin had turned directly to Azerbaijan, to the Caucasus Muslim Board, in the post-war years, many issues might have been resolved differently and there would have been no exodus of Karabakh Armenians. Echmiadzin's silence indicates that the Armenian Church does not recognize the realities that have developed on earth, does not recognize the liberation of its territories by Azerbaijan, and continues to support the "miatsuma" policy and the delusional idea of "greater Armenia." Still, there's still a chance. Instead of making a spectacle of addressing Ruben Vardanyan, it would be more appropriate for the Catholicos to address Baku and the UMK on the peace agenda. But apparently Etchmiadzin does not have the courage for this, or, as I said, he is saving up his strength for another round of aggression and is waiting only for the right moment. All this is well understood in Baku and Ankara. And I do not think that in the new realities of Armenia it will be possible to realize revanchist plans," said Rizvan Huseynov. NEW DELHI, March 19 (Xinhua) -- At least seven people, including four children, are feared killed after a boat carrying them capsized in a dam in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, police said Wednesday. Eight people have managed to come out from the dam safely. The boat carrying 15 people capsized Tuesday evening in MataTila Dam of Shivpuri district, about 281 km north of Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh. Police said the victims were heading to visit a temple on an island inside the dam. "Last evening a boat carrying 15 people capsized in the backwaters of Matatila Dam. There is an ancient Siddh Baba temple on an island inside the dam and the local villagers were going there. In the boat capsize seven people -- three women and four children -- are missing," a senior police official in Shivpuri Aman Singh Rathore told media. "Eight people managed to come out of the dam safely." According to Rathore, the rescuers from the State Disaster Response Force and local divers were carrying out searches inside the dam to trace the missing. Retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer spoke out in support of Chief Justice John Roberts rebuke of President Donald Trumps calls to impeach a judge, saying its important that legal experts explain these things to Americans. Breyer, who retired from the nations highest court in 2022, told CNNs Wolf Blitzer on Wednesday that Roberts rare statement was an important message for Americans who may not understand the gravity of what Trump was suggesting. Most people are not lawyers. Theyre not judges. They dont know. And this is an informative and educational statement, Breyer told The Situation Room host. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roberts is trying to explain to the people of this country how the legal system works and how it doesnt work. It doesnt work by impeaching a judge because you dont like his decision, Breyer said. Roberts statement Tuesday did not name Trump, but it came shortly after the president unleashed his fury at U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg for blocking deportation flights, calling him a troublemaker and agitator in a rage-filled social media post. He didnt WIN the popular VOTE (by a lot!), he didnt WIN ALL SEVEN SWING STATES, he didnt WIN 2,750 to 525 Counties, HE DIDNT WIN ANYTHING! Trump wrote of Boasberg before calling for his impeachment. Roberts reaction was brief and to the point, saying, For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose. Former Supreme Court Associate Justice Stephen Breyer, pictured here in 2018, retired from the high court in 2022. via Associated Press Breyer backed Roberts up during his CNN appearance, saying there are long-established systems in place for when people disagree with a judges ruling, and impeachment isnt one of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What do you think the losing side thinks of the judge or the judges decision? Naturally, they think its wrong, Breyer said. Of course, that happens every day of the week, across the entire country, and judges are wrong sometimes. So, what does that person do? He appeals, he asks for a special writ in some cases, but he gets others to review the decision. But House Republicans have already heeded Trumps demands to impeach Boasberg. Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) said Tuesday hes introducing articles of impeachment against Boasberg, claiming he overstepped his authority, compromised the impartiality of the judiciary, and created a constitutional crisis when he ordered a halt on flights deporting roughly 250 alleged Venezuelan gang members. Boasberg ruled that Trumps use of the Alien Enemies Act of 1789 for this purpose was not constitutional. Related... WILLIAMSTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) Interstate traffic heading into Ohio from West Virginia is closed after an excavator hit part of a bridge Wednesday morning. According to an emergency official in Wood County, I-77 North connecting Williamstown and Marietta, Ohio is closed after an excavator on the back of a truck struck the bridge crossing the Ohio River on the Ohio side. What does a Red Flag Warning mean for West Virginia? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials with the West Virginia Department of Transportation said that inspectors and bridge engineers from the Ohio Department of Transportation are on the scene conducting an inspection, but traffic is expected to be closed for several hours. West Virginia 511 data shows that southbound traffic is still flowing normally, but an alert reports that the inspection is expected to last until at least 4 p.m. 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. By Julia Payne and Philip Blenkinsop BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The European Union will tighten steel import quotas to reduce inflows by a further 15% from April, a senior EU official said on Wednesday, in a move aimed at preventing cheap steel flooding the European market after Washington imposed new tariffs. European steel producers already battling high energy prices and competition from Asia and elsewhere warn that the EU risks becoming a dumping ground for cheap steel diverted from the U.S. market, which could kill off Europe's plants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "During a period when nobody is respecting WTO (World Trade Organization) rules and everyone refers to national security... the EU can't be the only continent that lets its industry fall apart," European Commission Executive Vice-President Stephane Sejourne told Reuters. Given the U.S. market was now making less commercial sense with a 25% tariff imposed by President Donald Trump's administration in place, Sejourne forecast that producers from Canada, India and China would look to sell increasing volumes in Europe. The CEO of Europe's No. 2 steel maker, Thyssenkrupp , said on Wednesday the United States imported around 23 million metric tons of steel last year, volumes that were now looking for other destinations, including Europe, as a result of import tariffs. Shares of ArcelorMittal, Europe's top steel producer, rose after the Reuters report, hitting their highest for the session. They were up 0.9% at 1247 GMT. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Commission will on Wednesday propose a raft of trade-related measures to boost its ailing metals industry, part of a new European Steel and Metals Action Plan. A draft of the plan seen by Reuters earlier this week showed the EU was studying import curbs. The Commission will also consult aluminium producers, facing similar headaches to steelmakers, on whether to launch a fast-track investigation for safeguards. Sejourne, who is responsible for defining the bloc's industrial strategy, said a first measure would be to reduce import quotas, known as safeguards, for multiple steel grades from April 1, which would cut inflows by approximately 15%. Volumes imported within the quotas reflect established trade flows and are not subject to tariffs. Any steel imports outside the quota will be hit by a 25% tariff. Since July 2019, the quota volumes have increased by over 25% as the bloc complies with WTO rules. In 2024, the EU imported about 60 million metric tons of steel out of which 30 million tons were within the tariff-free quota. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Commission will also set out new measures in the third quarter to replace the reinforced safeguards, which under WTO rules cannot be extended beyond June 30, 2026. Sejourne said the new mechanism will be much stricter after appeals from the industry. The details are still to be determined. EUROPEAN PRODUCTION "We also have the challenge to anticipate future tensions, wars and pandemics and we saw what happened in the past with Russian gas ... Let's avoid that steel tomorrow becomes the gas of yesterday," Sejourne said. He said the EU did not want to depend on imports for steel, which will be crucial in the EU's rebuilding of its military industrial complex after the Ukraine war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To further boost existing trade defence measures, public procurement rules are expected to be revised in 2026 to favour European steel. The Commission will also introduce a "melted and poured" rule, according to the draft Steel and Metals Action Plan. The rule would stop importers from changing the metal's origin "by performing minimal transformation." Among non-trade measures, a pilot programme with the European Investment Bank to guarantee long-term power contracts will prioritise steel and aluminium producers. The details will be announced in the second quarter of 2025. "We want to keep our steel in Europe and be able to recycle in Europe," Sejourne said. "It's a strategic issue. There is no defence industry without steel, there is no automobile without steel and we want to keep our industries." (Reporting by Julia Payne and Philip Blenkinsop, additional reporting by Christoph SteitzEditing by Tomasz Janowski) By Erin Banco and Mari Saito NEW YORK/BERLIN (Reuters) - Several U.S. national security agencies have halted work on a coordinated effort to counter Russian sabotage, disinformation and cyberattacks, easing pressure on Moscow as the Trump Administration pushes Russia to end its war in Ukraine. Former President Joe Biden last year ordered his national security team to establish working groups to monitor the issue amid warnings from U.S. intelligence that Russia was escalating a shadow war against Western nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plan was led by the president's National Security Council (NSC) and involved at least seven national security agencies working with European allies to disrupt plots targeting Europe and the United States, seven former officials who participated in the working groups told Reuters. Before President Donald Trump was inaugurated, his incoming administration was briefed by Biden officials about the efforts and urged to continue monitoring Russia's hybrid warfare campaign, the former U.S. officials said. However, since Trump took office on Jan. 20 much of the work has come to a standstill, according to eleven current and former officials, all of whom requested anonymity to discuss classified matters. Reuters is the first to report on the full extent of the Biden administration effort and how multiple different U.S. agencies have since paused their work on the issue. Regular meetings between the National Security Council and European national security officials have gone unscheduled, and the NSC has also stopped formally coordinating efforts across U.S. agencies, including with the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department, the current and former officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reuters could not determine whether the president has ordered the administration to halt all its work monitoring and combatting Russias campaign, whether agencies were still working to hire additional staff, or if they are making their own policy decisions independent of the White House. Some officials involved in the working groups said they are concerned that the Trump administration is de-prioritizing the issue despite intelligence warnings. The change follows the unwinding of other Russia-focused projects launched by Bidens administration. The FBI last month ended an effort to counter interference in U.S. elections by foreign adversaries including Russia and put on leave staff working on the issue at the Department of Homeland Security. The Department of Justice also disbanded a team that seized the assets of Russian oligarchs. The White House has not told career officials whod previously participated in the effort whether it will recreate the cross-agency working groups, according to the current U.S. officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is unclear to what extent the U.S. is still sharing intelligence related to the sabotage campaign with European allies. UK government officials said that routine intelligence sharing between the United States and the British government continues. When asked for comment about the suspension of the coordinated efforts, the White House deferred to the NSC. Brian Hughes, spokesperson for the National Security Council, said that it coordinates "with relevant agencies to assess and thwart threats posed to Americans." "President Trump has made it abundantly clear that any attack on the U.S. will be met with a disproportionate response," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A senior U.S. official at NATO said the U.S. was still coordinating with its allies on the issue but declined to offer more detail. The CIA, FBI and the State Department declined to comment. Anitta Hipper, EU Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said she had no specific information to share when asked about the suspension of some intelligence-sharing meetings. She said the EU was coordinating with NATO on countering hybrid threats, which span everything from physical sabotage of critical infrastructure to disinformation campaigns. NEW POLICY TOWARD EUROPE The pause in the cross-agency effort comes as Trump upends U.S. policy toward Europe and Ukraine, stirring fears among some current and former U.S. and European officials that Ukraine may be forced into a truce favorable to Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent weeks, Trump has made statements and policy moves appearing to favor Russia that have drawn criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans. But the president has argued that the conflict in Ukraine has the potential to spiral into World War Three and that improved relations with Russia are in America's strategic interest. Putin agreed to a proposal by Trump on Tuesday that Russia and Ukraine cease attacking each other's energy infrastructure for 30 days, the Kremlin said following a lengthy phone discussion between the leaders. Some analysts told Reuters that reducing work to counter Moscow's hybrid war tactics would prove dangerous for the U.S. "We're choosing to blind ourselves to potential acts of war against us," said Kori Schake, the director of foreign and defense policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, a Washington-based think tank, who has been critical of Trumps engagement with Putin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the last three years, Russia has recruited criminals in European countries for sabotage operations across the continent including arson, attempted assassinations and planting bombs on cargo aircraft. Russia has also used influence campaigns and cyber operations to erode support for Ukraine, Western intelligence officials told Reuters. The intelligence officials said the number of sabotage acts by Russia declined at the end of 2024, but warned that they expect Moscow to continue its hybrid warfare while Western support for Ukraine continues. Asked about the pause in some of Washingtons work to track its hybrid warfare campaign, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Trump administration was trying to get rid of "everything ineffective, corrupt and implausible," something he said was "understandable." He added that Western accusations that Russia commits sabotage in the U.S. and Europe are "empty and ephemeral" and have not been proven. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SHADOW WAR After Russian forces streamed across Ukraine's border three years ago, Moscow's intelligence agencies launched a shadow war aimed at undercutting the U.S.-led effort to bolster Kyiv's resistance, six Western intelligence and national security officials told Reuters. Congress has approved $175 billion in assistance to Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion three years ago. Moscow's efforts to retaliate against the West escalated in spring 2024 with arson attacks throughout Europe, including one at a warehouse in London with connections to a Ukrainian-born businessman. Six individuals were charged with aggravated arson for that attack in a British court in November; at least two of them pleaded guilty to accepting payment from a foreign intelligence service. A trial is due to begin in June. In response to the uptick, Biden directed his national security agencies to increase intelligence sharing with Europe and create task forces to combat Russian operations and ensure attacks did not occur in the U.S., the former U.S. officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement American intelligence officials, working with domestic law enforcement, assessed that Moscow intended to target not only Russian dissidents around the world but also other civilians, including those helping Ukraine's war efforts. The U.S. alerted Germany that Russia was attempting to assassinate the CEO of Rheinmetall, a German manufacturer whose weapons were being used by Ukraine, two former senior U.S. officials said. German law enforcement interrupted the plan. Rheinmetall declined to comment. By late summer, the National Security Council set up in-person and virtual meetings with European national security officials to share intelligence on plots in Europe and to coordinate investigations, four former senior U.S. officials said. That led to joint plans for addressing sabotage attacks, including procedures for arrests and a proposal for longer prison sentences for those convicted, four former senior U.S. officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A memo drafted by the U.S. and Britain at the end of 2024 advocated that, among other steps, European countries' law enforcement agencies work more closely to track criminal networks conducting the sabotage. It also proposed that European governments reduce their diplomatic presence in Moscow to force Russia to cut its staffing in European embassies, two senior U.S. officials said. Some of those steps are still under discussion among European countries, one former senior U.S. official said. The British embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment. In contrast to its Western allies, the Trump administration is currently in talks with Moscow about increasing Russia's diplomatic presence in Washington, one current senior U.S. official said. The White House did not respond to queries about the memo or the move to potentially increase Russias diplomatic presence. U.S. agencies, including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), have for years tracked Russian influence operations and ransomware attacks on U.S. critical infrastructure. Under Biden, top cybersecurity officials led an interagency team to share with European countries Russias attempts to influence local elections and how to deter Moscows attacks on national security systems, one former senior U.S. official said. The victory of far right, pro-Putin candidate, Calin Georgescu, in the first round of Romania's presidential election in November was annulled by the country's constitutional court after declassified Romanian intelligence reports indicated possible Russian interference - a decision criticized by Trump's Vice President JD Vance. Georgescu and Moscow have denied any meddling. Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Reuters the agency had placed on administrative leave personnel working on misinformation and disinformation on its election security team, without elaborating further. McLaughlin said CISA "remains committed to addressing all cyber threats to U.S. critical infrastructure, including from Russia." THREAT TO THE HOMELAND In another example of cooperation under Biden, the administration dispatched teams from the State Department and other agencies to help European countries investigate damage to several essential undersea cables. One of the teams traveled to Copenhagen to help in December after Finland seized a tanker suspected of dragging its anchor on the Baltic Sea floor to deliberately damage cable networks, one former and one current senior U.S. official said. The tanker, the Eagle S, is believed by Western intelligence officials to belong to a shadow fleet of ships Russia uses to evade oil sanctions. Russia has denied its involvement in a spate of cable incidents. Some Western intelligence and national security officials caution there is no smoking gun that signals Moscow's direct responsibility in all of the recent cable cutting incidents. In mid-2024, American agencies collected intelligence suggesting that Russia might detonate an incendiary device on a cargo or passenger aircraft over U.S. airspace, which provoked alarm in the U.S., multiple former officials told Reuters. "That was almost psychologically a very different threat than sabotage operations in Europe that were damaging property," one former senior U.S. official said. "Bringing down planes is a whole different category." While there was no clear evidence that Moscow formulated a plan to attack inside the U.S., the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security crafted strategies for domestic agencies to increase screening of cargo entering the U.S. U.S. officials were so concerned that Biden directed Jake Sullivan, his national security adviser, and CIA Director Bill Burns to warn Putin and his top aides that if the campaign continued, especially inside the U.S., Washington could list Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism a designation that would further isolate its economy from the world. The New York Times first reported the meetings between the Biden officials and the Kremlin. Since then, no attack has taken place inside the U.S. and the number of sabotage attacks in Europe dropped at the end of 2024, according to three Western intelligence officials, who attributed the change at least in part to vigilance from Western governments and coordination between Europe and the U.S. Still, multiple Western intelligence officials said they assess that Russia will continue its campaign as long as the U.S. and Europe continues to support Ukraine. (This story has been corrected to fix Tricia McLaughlin's title to Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary, not CISA Deputy Assistant, in paragraph 38) (Reporting by Erin Banco and Mari Saito; Editing by Don Durfee and Daniel Flynn) With 13 days until new tariffs are expected to be implemented, experts say Americans may see the impact in shopping for a new car. On April 2, the Trump Administration is expected to impose a 25% tariff on all imports from Canada and Mexico. The United States imports a decent portion of its automotive parts and metals from both countries. Kelley Blue Book says the tariffs could raise the U.S. price of the average new car already approaching $49,000 by $3,000 or more. The price of some full-size pickup trucks could shoot up by $10,000, the Associated Press reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tariffs are paid by the people who buy the product, not the people shipping it, said American Private Wealth president Kashif A. Ahmed. American Private Wealth is a financial planning firm. So if youve been thinking about buying a new car, experts say you might want to sign the papers sooner rather than later if you want a good deal before the impending tariffs kick in. Financial experts say that could increase prices on several brands, like Honda, Toyota, and Jeep, just to name a few. The car the consumer may end up buying has crossed those [Mexican and Canadian] borders sometimes six to eight times before they actually go to a dealership and Americans buy it, Ahmed said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michaels Subaru of Bellevue General Manager Mark King told KIRO 7 that Subaru is a Japanese made car, so they wont be impacted by the tariffs. However, he said with the market so unstable, its best to buy now. If you are thinking about a vehicle 30 to 60 days from now, go ahead if you can and do it now, King said. President Trump spoke about the 25% tax at a conference earlier this month. Weve been ripped off for years by other countries, many, many decades, and they were doing the same thing, but I think well do it better, and I think we have a bigger advantage because we really are the piggy bank, Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Financial advisors say theyre worried about the tariffs impact. It wont be just new cars, it will be used cars, those prices will go up too, Ahmed said. Ahmed warns the tariffs could lead to impacts beyond your wallet. If you slow down production, then not many people would need to come into the plant there may be job losses at dealership level who knows how far this goes, Ahmed said. Even though the tariffs have been pushed back by the trump administration a few times already, White House officials have made it clear the April 2 deadline is sticking this time. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Teachers who take open positions in public schools that have proven to be hard to fill will be rewarded with extra pay under legislation announced Tuesday by Democratic leaders at the Nevada Legislature. Teachers for Title I schools and special education vacancies are immediate goals of Assembly Bill 398 (AB398), introduced Tuesday by Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager, a Democrat who represents District 9 in southwest Las Vegas. We know that too many of our schools in critical subject areas are struggling to attract and retain talented teachers. This bill provides a targeted solution, offering additional compensation to the educators who step up to teach where they are most needed. Our teachers are the backbone of our public education system, Yeager said at a news conference in front of the Nevada Legislature in Carson City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We must never give up on our public education system, never give up on our teachers, and we must never give up on our children. They are the future of our state and they are the states future leaders, Yeager said. Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo reminded Democrats that they cannot ignore charter schools. Parents deserve the right to choose the best education for their children. Period. I will only sign legislation that protects school choice and expands opportunity nothing less, Lombardo said in a post on the X social media platform. CCSD school board selects new superintendent Democratic Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro joined Yeager outside the Legislature to support the effort. Her efforts last session through SB231 were applauded for investing in education and addressing teacher vacancies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marie Neisses, president of the Clark County Education Association (CCEA), said, Our top priority is ensuring every classroom has a qualified teacher. Speaker Yeager is championing legislation that addresses teacher shortages, particularly in Title 1 and special education. The bill doesnt specify exactly how much more money teachers would earn. Lawmakers would determine how much money is available to school districts statewide, which would be appropriated from the general fund or from the Education Stabilization Account. AB398 also contains restrictions on funds that cannot be used, including weighted funding that currently provides Victory services and Zoom services. The money would be apportioned by the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Las Vegas hotel rooms would be cleaned daily under proposed Nevada law A fiscal note attached to Yeagers bill indicates it would require an additional $50,287 in the 2025-26 fiscal year and $63,744 for the 2026-27 fiscal year. The ongoing cost is estimated at $127,489 every two years. Specifically, the bill defines hard-to-fill positions: (1) teacher positions at certain Title I schools; and (2) teacher positions and other positions filled by licensed educational personnel whose duties include actively teaching pupils in certain subjects which are suffering from a critical labor shortage. Make no mistake about it, our children perform better when we have qualified educators in every classroom, Yeager said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 KLAS. Families of some of the immigrants deported to El Salvador by the Trump administration insist they had no gang ties. Also, Chief Justice Roberts hit back at President Trump for calling for a judge's impeachment. NBC News' Julia Ainsley report more. Former federal prosecutor Berit Berger joins Jose Diaz-Balart to share her legal analysis of the use of the Alien Enemies Act. Rachel Maddow, Nicolle Wallace and Seth Meyers all get paid lots of money by Comcast to communicate on television. So when the two MSNBC hosts and NBC late night star each recently came under fire from President Donald Trump, it seemed notable that they all responded by saying the same thing about it on their shows. Nothing. In the past, public figures regularly clapped back when Trump first as president, then as a private citizen and candidate targeted them on his social media accounts, from Jimmy Kimmel reading his tweet live at last years Oscars to Sacha Baron-Cohen sarcastically thanking him for helping publicize his Borat sequel in 2020, posting, Im always looking for people to play racist buffoons, and youll need a job after Jan. 20. Lets talk! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More recently, though, celebrities have increasingly, with some exceptions, chosen not to engage, either fearing Trumps vindictiveness and his ability to act on it now that hes back in office or simply seeing little percentage in getting drawn into the sort of dispute that will trigger the ire of the MAGA faithful. If trading barbs with Trump once served as a form of liberal validation, a branding/marketing exercise or just plain fun in demonstrating the ease of getting under his skin, the prevailing mindset now appears to be that whatever the benefits, its seldom worth the headaches and grief. In the case of the MSNBC and NBC employees cited, that would also include an awareness that Trump has already targeted their parent company and its CEO, Comcasts Brian Roberts, calling him a lowlife in a Truth Social post in which the president ranted about the unfairness of the cable networks coverage. President Trump called for Rachel Maddow to resign after she and fellow MSNBC anchor Nicolle Wallace fact-checked his address to Congress. (MSNBC) As one network source observed on condition of anonymity, Trumps attacks have a way of echoing through the conservative media ecosystem, then bleeding into the mainstream as they begin to trend. To respond to every one would merely keep ginned-up controversies alive and potentially unleash more invective from bad-faith actors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public figures are thus avoiding not just eliciting Trumps wrath, but the related vitriol from the online armies that rally around him. We did a study on polarization, and thats exactly how it works, Fred Cook, director of the Center for Public Relations at USCs Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, told TheWrap. One post or tweet gets into the echo chamber, and it just bounces around and builds energy and momentum. The magnification of the message through social media is so powerful today, especially with Trump supporters, and people dont want to engage in that battle. It depends on the situation, who you are and how much criticism you get, added Fraser P. Seitel, a communications consultant and the author of the book The Practice of Public Relations, noting that as hosts on a progressive network, Maddow and Wallace have already converted all the people who watch MSNBC. Specifically, Trump stated the pair should resign because of comments they made in regard to a young cancer survivor who attended Trumps recent address to Congress, although their statements were directed at the administrations policies, not the boy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hosts made no reference to the exchange on their shows, and MSNBC declined comment. From a public relations perspective, Seitel told TheWrap thats likely the wisest course that belaboring the issue by responding to Trump would merely create the risk their comments might be further misrepresented or misconstrued. Their credibility is not going to be hurt by Trump going after them, he said. The point was made, go on. In the weeks since, Trump has continued to escalate his complaints about the media, including his speech last week at the Justice Department, where he argued vaguely as he has in the past that negative coverage he receives on CNN, MSNBC and from major newspapers should somehow be illegal because it qualifies as a contribution, in his eyes, to Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The perceived strategic wisdom of avoiding skirmishes with Trump does represent a marked departure from those who actively engaged with him during his first term, and in some cases, consciously attempted to bait him into such conflicts. The political action group The Lincoln Project, for example, directly targeted an audience of one by placing ads on local TV stations and Fox News knowing Trump is a loyal viewer on cable systems that service the areas where Trump owns properties in West Palm Beach, Florida and Bedminster, New Jersey. In May 2020, the group reported amassing $1 million in donations after Trump who had apparently seen an ad criticizing his COVID response let loose with a barrage of tweets assailing it. Sacha Baron Cohen shot back at President Trump in 2020 when the latter criticized him around the opening of his sequel Borat Subsequent Moviefilm. (Amazon MGM Studio) In those years, networks regularly felt compelled to respond to Trumps broadsides and falsehoods. When Trump leveled a highly personal attack on MSNBCs Joe Scarborough and Mike Brzezinski in 2017, for example, an MSNBC spokesman issued a statement that read, Its a sad day for America when the president spends his time bullying, lying and spewing petty personal attacks instead of doing his job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eight years later, part of the PR calculus has to do with what people have to lose, and even late night comics like Kimmel, Meyers and Stephen Colbert have bosses at Disney, Comcast and Paramount to consider. By contrast, Rosie ODonnell, who recently revealed she relocated to Ireland following the November election and again found Trump taking shots at her last week, chose to respond, albeit creatively. Teed up by a conservative reporter during a joint press availability with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin, Trump snidely said his counterpart was better off not knowing who ODonnell was. Later, she posted a poem on her Substack account, referencing an orange human and Russian asset traitor spy, while expressing a wish for leaders who would lead with dignity, with decency, with decorum, with democracy. Even that response has made ODonnell something of an outlier, as fewer celebrities appear inclined to pick such fights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the discussion came down to advising a client, given the current media environment Seitel suggested, theres no one-size-fits all approach. At the least, though, becoming a Trump target appears to warrant a considered reaction, not a knee-jerk one. Ninety or 95 percent of the time you would tell them to keep their powder dry and not say anything, USCs Cook said, adding that it takes a certain amount of bravery for a public figure to willingly invite what comes next. Right now, he said, I think the risk is outweighing the reward. The post Faced With Trumps Attacks, Public Figures Are Clapping Back Less and Less appeared first on TheWrap. MOSCOW, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday likened Russian-U.S. talks on Ukraine to a dinner menu, describing the European Union, France, Britain and Ukraine as courses on the table. "The phone call between Presidents Putin and Trump proved a well-known idea -- there is only Russia and America in the dining room. On the menu: light appetizers -- Brussels sprouts, British fish and chips and Paris rooster. The main course is a Kiev-style cutlet. Enjoy your meal!!" Medvedev wrote in English on the social media platform X. At a panel discussion during the Munich Security Conference in 2024, then U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the attendees: "If you're not at the table in the international system, you're going to be on the menu." Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday discussed ceasefire plans to end the Ukraine crisis during a phone call, among other issues including bilateral relations and various international topics. According to the Kremlin press service, Putin agreed to Trump's proposal for both parties in the Ukrainian conflict to halt strikes on energy infrastructure for 30 days. The White House said in a statement that both leaders also agreed to "immediately" launch technical negotiations on conducting a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, as well as on a full ceasefire and permanent peace in Ukraine. The Kremlin emphasized that a key condition for resolving the conflict should be "the complete cessation of foreign military aid and intelligence sharing with Kiev." Mahmoud Khalil, the Palestinian activist who has been in federal detention since his arrest in New York City on March 10, said he was targeted for his activism and as part of the Trump administrations broader strategy to suppress dissent. In a letter dictated to progressive magazine In These Times from a Louisiana detention center where he is being held, Khalil said his arrest was a direct consequence of exercising my right to free speech as I advocated for a free Palestine and an end to the genocide in Gaza, which resumed in full force Monday night. The end of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, he said, has brought about all-too-familiar scenes of suffering in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is our moral imperative to persist in the struggle for their complete freedom, Khalil said, adding that he saw parallels between his circumstance and that of Palestinians held in administrative detention by Israel. A legal U.S. permanent resident and Columbia University graduate student, Khalil was arrested by federal immigration officers at his apartment building in New York. Video of his arrest, which was filmed by his wife who is eight months pregnant and released by the American Civil Liberties Union, shows plainclothes officers with badges handcuffing Khalil and placing him in a car before driving away without answering questions from his wife about their names or which agency they represented. Khalils arrest has alarmed civil rights advocates and sparked protests across the country. The Trump administration has claimed without evidence that Khalil and other Columbia protesters have supported Hamas and warned that more such arrests are imminent. This is not about free speech, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last Wednesday in comments to the press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khalil has not been charged with any crime or convicted of any terror-related activity. A federal court temporarily paused his deportation last week as his legal team has sought to remove him from detention in Louisiana. A judge Wednesday morning ordered Khalils case be transferred to New Jersey. In his letter, Khalil said his detention was indicative of the anti-Palestinian racism that both the Biden and Trump administrations have demonstrated over the past 16 months. It has also driven the violent repression of Palestinians, Arabs and other communities in the U.S. for decades, he said. He called out Columbia Universitys leadership and its recent moves to appease the Trump administration under threat of losing millions in federal funding: While I await legal decisions that hold the futures of my wife and child in the balance, those who enabled my targeting remain comfortably at Columbia University. Presidents Shafik, Armstrong, and Dean Yarhi-Milo laid the groundwork for the U.S. government to target me by arbitrarily disciplining pro-Palestinian students and allowing viral doxing based on racism and disinformationto go unchecked. Columbia targeted me for my activism, creating a new authoritarian disciplinary office to bypass due process and silence students criticizing Israel. Columbia surrendered to federal pressure by disclosing student records to Congress and yielding to the Trump administrations latest threats. Khalil suggested that the administration is seeking to make an example out of him to suppress dissent, warning that others will be targeted for their political beliefs, regardless of their immigration status or citizenship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the weeks ahead, students, advocates, and elected officials must unite to defend the right to protest for Palestine. At stake are not just our voices, but the fundamental civil liberties of all, Khalil said. Knowing fully that this moment transcends my individual circumstances, he added, I hope nonetheless to be free to witness the birth of my first-born child. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Claim: The Trump administration removed Navajo Code Talker history from some government websites in accordance with President Donald Trump's anti-DEI orders. Rating: Rating: True Context: As of this writing, there were at least a few U.S. government webpages that still included information on Navajo Code Talker history, but this history had been erased from other pages and at least one revised URL began with "dei." The Department of Defense has reportedly said the deleted pages will be restored. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On March 17, 2025, a rumor that the history of Navajo Code Talkers was "erased" from U.S. military websites by the Trump administration circulated on the internet. An indispensable asset of the Allied military effort in World War II, Navajo Code Talkers communicated military intel over radio using a modified version of the Navajo language (also known as Dine bizaad). Axios was the first to report (archived) that Navajo Code Talkers had "disappeared" from military websites following a Trump order on DEI and the claim spread to multiple social media sites, including Reddit (archived), Bluesky (archived) and X (archived). Some posts claimed that the administration had erased their story from "all military websites": Trump issued a number of executive orders targeting diversity, equity and inclusion programs in early 2025. On Feb. 26, the Pentagon issued a memo (archived) ordering all DEI-related content removed from Department of Defense websites and social media platforms by March 5, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Axios identified at least 10 decommissioned webpages related to Navajo Code Talkers across the DOD, U.S. Army and U.S. Intelligence Community's digital records. A few examples of those removals are as follows: However, as of this writing, there are also at least four webpages that still display information related to the Navajo Code Talkers: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On March 18, 2025, Crystalyne Curley, speaker of the Navajo Nation Council, issued the following statement: The service of the Navajo Code Talkers secured victory in the Battle of Iwo Jima and in World War II. The Navajo Code Talkers earned their place in history through their courage and sacrifice, giving their lives in defense of this nation. Erasing their extraordinary contributions from formal military history is not only disrespectful, it is dishonorable. Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren also formally requested clarification from the Army and the Department of Defense. In an emailed statement to Snopes on March 19, 2025, Pentagon press secretary John Ullyot said: As Secretary Hegseth has said, DEI is dead at the Defense Department. Discriminatory Equity Ideology is a form of Woke cultural Marxism that has no place in our military. It Divides the force, Erodes unit cohesion and Interferes with the services' core warfighting mission. We are pleased by the rapid compliance across the Department with the directive removing DEI content from all platforms. In the rare cases that content is removed -- either deliberately or by mistake -- that is out of the clearly outlined scope of the directive, we instruct the components and they correct the content accordingly. However, in a statement to news outlets (archived) earlier in the day on March 19, the DOD said, "The department is restoring content about the Navajo Code Talkers. It had previously been removed during the auto-removal process." Snopes reached out to the DOD via email and phone to corroborate this reporting, and will update the story if we receive a response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his first administration, Trump honored the Navajo Code Talkers. In 2017, he hosted 97-year-old Fleming Begaye, Iwo Jima survivor Thomas Begay and Peter MacDonald, the president of the then-13 surviving Navajo Code Talkers, in the Oval Office. (Getty Images) Sources: Alberty, Erin. 'Exclusive: Navajo Code Talkers Disappear from Military Websites after Trump DEI Order'. Axios, 17 Mar. 2025, https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/03/17/navajo-code-talkers-trump-dei-military-websites-wwii. 'Families of Navajo Code Talkers Decry Trump's Use of "Pocahontas"'. PBS News, 28 Nov. 2017, https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/families-of-navajo-code-talkers-decry-trumps-use-of-pocahontas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 'Navajo Nation Calls out "erasure" of WWII Code Talkers from DOD Website'. 12news.Com, 18 Mar. 2025, https://www.12news.com/article/news/regional/native-america/navajo-nation-calls-out-erasure-wwii-code-talkers-from-dod-website/75-62a71afe-99d1-44af-916a-b5e88f662be5. Remarks by President Trump at an Event Honoring the Native American Code Talkers The White House. https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-event-honoring-native-american-code-talkers/. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025. Claim: The U.S. Department of Defense in early 2025 removed a webpage about Ira Hayes, a Marine and Pima Nation member best known for being one of the six men who raised a U.S. flag on Iwo Jima during WWII. Rating: Rating: True In early 2025, the U.S. Department of Defense removed at least two web pages related to Ira Hayes, a Native American veteran best known for appearing in a photograph of six men raising a flag on Iwo Jima during World War II. A statement from the Pentagon said: "We are pleased by the rapid compliance across the Department with the directive removing DEI content from all platforms. In the rare cases that content is removed -- either deliberately or by mistake -- that is out of the clearly outlined scope of the directive, we instruct the components and they correct the content accordingly." As of March 21, one of the pages about Hayes was back online. However, the text of the restored version had several differences from the original page. Specifically, many references to Hayes' ethnicity were removed or rephrased. Another page that originally featured the famous Iwo Jima flag-raising photograph and mentioned Hayes' Pima Nation identity was still offline as of March 21. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In mid-March 2025, a claim circulated online that the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) had removed one or more pages mentioning Pfc. Ira Hayes, a member of the Pima Nation who served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. Hayes, who was born on the Gila River Reservation in Arizona in 1923 and died in 1954, is best known for appearing in photographer Joe Rosenthal's Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph of six men Hayes and four other U.S. Marines, along with one member of the Navy raising an American flag atop Mount Suribachi on the western Pacific island of Iwo Jima, the site of a protracted and bloody WWII battle. Readers wrote in and searched our site for information about the claim that the DOD had removed at least one page about Hayes. The claim also appeared in posts on social media platforms including Reddit, Facebook (archived) and X (archived). (X user @realpublicius) In short, the DOD did remove at least two pages about Hayes in early 2025, and as a result we've rated the claim true. By March 21, one of the pages was back online but, as we'll explain below, with significant changes to the text. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the Washington Post reported on March 17, the DOD indeed removed numerous pages, including one about Hayes, from its website following a Feb. 26, 2025, memo (archived) from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that ordered the removal and archiving of all "DoD news articles, photos, and videos promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), including content related to critical race theory, gender ideology, and identity-based programs." Following the Feb. 26 memo, the DOD also removed pages about Navajo Code Talkers and a Black Medal of Honor recipient. We reached out to the DOD to ask whether it planned to restore the page identified in the Washington Post article or another now-defunct page mentioning Hayes. Over email, a spokesperson shared a statement from Pentagon Press Secretary John Ullyot, reading: As Secretary Hegseth has said, DEI is dead at the Defense Department. Discriminatory Equity Ideology is a form of Woke cultural Marxism that has no place in our military. It Divides the force, Erodes unit cohesion and Interferes with the services' core warfighting mission. We are pleased by the rapid compliance across the Department with the directive removing DEI content from all platforms. In the rare cases that content is removed -- either deliberately or by mistake -- that is out of the clearly outlined scope of the directive, we instruct the components and they correct the content accordingly. Ullyot's statement referenced a statement Hegseth made during a January Fox News appearance: "DEI is not going well at the Defense Department because it's dead." Also in January, Hegseth declared "Identity Months Dead at DoD" in guidance that canceled all department "celebrations or events related to cultural awareness months." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The page about Hayes that the Washington Post identified showed only a "404 - Page Not Found" error message at the time of this writing, but archived versions going back to Nov. 3, 2021, the page's publication date, existed on the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine. Those archived versions showed that the page originally contained an article about Hayes that prominently featured his Pima heritage and identity. That article began, "It's a time to reflect on the contributions and sacrifices Native Americans have made to the United States, not just in the military, but in all walks of life." The most recent available archived version from before the removal dated to Feb. 23, 2025. Archived versions do not exist for every day, so it's possible the page remained accessible for some amount of time after that date. As of March 21, the page about Hayes was again available on the DOD website but with some notable changes to the text. Specifically, some instances of the terms "Native American" and "Indian" that appeared in the original article were absent from the restored version. Other parts of the text that had previously emphasized Hayes' ethnicity were phrased differently for instance, a section originally identifying Hayes as a "a 22-year-old Pima Indian from Arizona" now said he was "a 22-year-old from Arizona's Pima community." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A side-by-side comparison of the beginnings of the two versions is embedded below, with changes directly concerning Hayes' Pima identity highlighted in yellow. Left: The page about Hayes as it appeared on Feb. 23. Right: The same page as it appeared on March 21. (Wayback Machine) Among the changed portions of the text was the article's headline, which was originally, "Pima Indian Helped Raise American Flag on Iwo Jima During World War II." The headline of the version of the article available on March 21 was "Marine's Valor Helped Secure Iwo Jima Victory in World War II." Another deleted page A search for Hayes' name across all sites with URLs starting "defense.gov" found Google had indexed another page mentioning Hayes that also now led to a 404 error page and, as of March 21, was still offline. A preview for that page that still appeared in Google search results read, "Marine Corps Pfc. Ira Hayes, left, a Pima from Arizona, helped four fellow Marines and a Navy corpsman raise the second flag on Mount Suribachi, Japan." An archived version of the webpage showed that as recently as Feb. 18 it featured the famous Iwo Jima flag photograph with a caption reading: Marine Corps Pfc. Ira Hayes, left, a Pima from Arizona, helped four fellow Marines and a Navy corpsman raise the second flag on Mount Suribachi, Japan, Feb. 23, 1945. The service members are from left to right: Marine Corps Pfc. Ira Hayes, a member of the Pima Nation of Arizona, Franklin Sousley, Michael Strank (behind Sousley), John Bradley, Rene Gagnon (behind Bradley) and Harlon Block. National Archives photo The page also featured tags reading "American Indian Heritage Special" and "Native American History Month." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time of this writing, the flag-raising photograph still appeared on multiple DOD webpages about Iwo Jima that did not mention Hayes. The photograph was also still available on other government websites, such as that of the National Archives (archived). A different image of Hayes with a caption that did not mention his ethnicity was still available (archived) on the DOD website at the time of this writing. Because we did not find any archived versions of this page captured before March 18, we were unable to verify whether that page ever included the words "Native American," "Indian," or "Pima." Pages about Hayes that explicitly mentioned his Pima background were still available on official Marine Corps and Department of Veterans Affairs websites at the time of this writing. Sources: Battle of Iwo Jima | Facts, Significance, Photos, & Map | Britannica. 20 Feb. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Battle-of-Iwo-Jima. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Esposito, Joey. "Black Medal of Honor Recipient Deleted from Pentagon Website, Then Restored." Snopes, 17 Mar. 2025, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/charles-rogers-medal-of-honor/. "Ira Hayes- Pima Native American and National War Hero." Monah, 18 Jan. 2021, https://www.monah.org/luminaries/2021/1/5/ira-hayes-national-war-hero. January 29, Ian Schwartz On Date and 2025. Defense Secretary Hegseth: "Our Diversity Is Not Our Strength," We Don't Have Time To Emphasize Differences. https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2025/01/29/defense_secretary_hegseth_our_diversity_is_not_our_strength_we_dont_have_time_to_emphasize_differences.html. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025. PerryCook, Taija. "Yes, Trump Administration Removed Navajo Code Talker History from Military Websites per Anti-DEI Orders." Snopes, 19 Mar. 2025, https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/navajo-code-talkers-dod-websites/. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Photograph of Flag Raising on Iwo Jima, February 23, 1945." National Archives, 26 Sept. 2024, https://www.archives.gov/research/still-pictures/highlights/flag-raising-on-iwo-jima. Swaine, Jon, and Alex Horton. "Amid 'DEI' Purge, Pentagon Removes Webpage on Iwo Jima Flag-Raiser." The Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2025, https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/2025/03/17/pentagon-dei-native-american-iwo-jima/. Updates: March 21, 2025: This article was updated to note that one of the removed pages about Hayes was back online, though with significant revisions to the text. PITTSBURG, Kan. Expansion is celebrated in Pittsburg involving something that first opened its doors close to 30 years ago. A ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house took place this morning at the new Family Resource Center South, located on the campus of Mercy Hospital Pittsburg. Former Via Christi transitions to Mercy Hospital Pittsburg with ribbon cutting Its the 2nd facility for FRC, which provides high-quality, affordable child care and pre-school services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The building isnt new. Its the same one that started as the living quarters for the many Sisters of St. Joseph who staffed the old Mt. Carmel Hospital back in the 70s. It has been extensively renovated thanks to grants, ARPA funds, and the Mt. Carmel Foundation. The total is more than two million dollars. I think that the needs have always been here. A lot of the opening possibly happened after COVID with other child care centers or home providers closing, and so, that was just something that parents are needing and family needs in this community, said Jessica Carrier, Family Resource Center Director. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You know, our mission is children. Keeping them healthy. Watching them succeed and for them to be ready to learn and succeed when they get to school. It was a nuns building. And now from nuns to children, theyd be happy, said Ann Elliott, Family Resource Center Exec. Director. The new facility will add 58 childcare slots, and 16 new jobs, and will begin operations on Monday. 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 KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. Far-right politician Itamar Ben-Gvir has been reappointed as Israel's national security minister, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced on Wednesday. Two other members of Ben-Gvirs Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party also returned to their ministerial posts. They had all quit the government in January in protest over the ceasefire and hostage-prisoner release deal Netanyahu struck with the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ben-Gvirs return comes despite a Tuesday night opinion from Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, who determined that Netanyahu could not legally reappoint him to the same Cabinet position. Baharav-Miara previously accused Ben-Gvir of unlawfully interfering in police operations. While the attorney general did not offer specifics in her statement, Israeli media said this allegation was likely the grounds on which she determined Ben-Gvir could not serve in the role again. Netanyahus right-wing and religiously conservative government is pushing to remove the attorney general, who has repeatedly opposed political decisions she deems unlawful. Ben-Gvir back after ceasefire collapses After two months of relative calm, the ceasefire was shattered on Tuesday as Israel launched a wave of airstrikes across Gaza. More than 400 people were killed and hundreds wounded, according to Gazas Hamas-run Health Ministry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel blamed the renewed hostilities on Hamas' refusal to release more hostages amid deadlocked negotiations on extending the ceasefire. Hamas has accused Israel of endangering the remaining hostages still held in Gaza since the war erupted following the Hamas-led massacre in Israel on October 7, 2023. The group demands that any future ceasefire deal include a full Israeli troop withdrawal and an end to the war conditions Israel has so far rejected. A Scottish farmer was stunned when a virus killed more than half his lambs early in 2025, and he fears the devastating vector-borne disease could spell the end for his family business. What's happening? As detailed by the BBC, Dundonald livestock farmer Michael Goldie lost 92 of his expected 152 newborn lambs to the Schmallenberg virus in January. The virus, first discovered in Germany in 2011, is connected to stillbirths, limb malformations, brain deformities, and other defects in newborn animals, according to the National Animal Disease Information Service. Goldie, who has been raising sheep since he was 10, told the BBC that the emotional impact felt more significant than the tens of thousands of pounds in estimated financial losses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You're looking at your dreams in front of you effectively just being shattered," Goldie said, explaining that he reached out to a veterinarian when several newborn lambs "didn't look right." Why is this important? The Schmallenberg virus is one of several viruses threatening farming operations in the United Kingdom. If the viruses spread widely, livelihoods could be lost and the food supply interrupted. "If I can get absolutely hammered by Schmallenberg, I could be wiped out by a different vector-borne disease," Goldie said. This year, per the report, officials have already recorded more than 200 cases of bluetongue virus, which first appeared in England in 2023. Bluetongue can kill adult animals, and, according to NADIS, it historically circulates primarily in tropical and subtropical areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like Schmallenberg, bluetongue is spread by biting midges whose active period in the U.K. has become longer because of rising global temperatures, per research by The Pirbright Institute, Rothamsted Research, the U.K. Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, and the Met Office. "There are a whole number of diseases there that are causing grief, and it's a difficult time to be a farmer," added Sheila Voas, Scotland's chief veterinary officer. What's being done about this? Scotland's Rural College is developing an app to provide farmers with timely access to animal health data, as the BBC reported. The hope is that replacing paper-based monitoring with HerdPlan will help agricultural teams spot and contain issues more quickly. The warming climate has also contributed to the spread of deadly diseases in humans. For instance, mosquitoes which can carry malaria and dengue, among other things have increased their ranges as temperatures become more ideal for their reproduction and survival. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While researchers are rolling out life-saving vaccines and a range of innovative techniques to help control pest populations, you, too, can contribute to Earth's long-term health by supporting biodiversity and reducing household pollution. Actions can include swapping your monoculture grass lawn for a low-maintenance natural yard or upgrading to energy-efficient appliances. 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. Warmer temperatures brought on by our shifting climate have forced farmers in central Nepal to move orange cultivation to higher altitudes, leading to declining yields in some areas. What's happening? As The Rising Nepal detailed, farmers grow oranges commercially on roughly 2,000 acres of land in the Myagdi District in west-central Nepal. However, with hotter weather becoming more common in the region, only about half the orange trees produce fruit. Sanjeev Bastola, head of the agricultural knowledge center in Myagdi, explained that lower altitudes are becoming too warm for optimal orange growth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Although terrain of 900 to 1,500 meters above sea level is suitable for orange cultivation recent production is good only above that altitude," he said. Rising temperatures and drier soil have also destroyed orange trees in the nearby town of Maubaphant, where many homeowners grow oranges for their families to eat. Resident Hari Subedi told The Rising Nepal that Maubaphant oranges used to be the talk of the town when the climate could support them. Now, Subedi said that has changed, with the publication summarizing his assessment as they are "now a thing of the past." But even though farmers have had to shift production to higher altitudes, orange yields have surprisingly increased in Myagdi compared to last year. Farmers produced nearly 4,000 tons of oranges in 2024 and more than 5,000 tons this year, signaling hope that the region can adapt. Why is this important? While some farmers at higher elevations benefit from rising temperatures, others in towns closer to sea level, such as Maubaphant, end up losing income and a staple crop for their families. Additionally, with fewer farmers cultivating oranges, it will drive prices up for locals who can no longer grow them in their backyards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On a global scale, this could disrupt supply chains and lead to more expensive groceries in other regions that rely on Nepal for oranges. Orange trees are also important for ecological balance, helping to absorb excess carbon dioxide, provide food and shelter for birds and insects, and attract pollinators. With the climate causing shifts in growing regions, it may lead to imbalances in food chains and ecosystems. Our overheating planet is making it harder to grow other staple crops worldwide, such as wheat, grapes (which also affects wine production), cocoa, cotton, coffee, and potatoes. What's being done to help orange production? The Rising Nepal explained that better control of pests and diseases played a role in increasing yields, and farmers will likely continue to use this strategy. Local agricultural organizations have also been helping farmers by providing seeds and saplings and offering training programs on orchard management, irrigation, and marketing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some orange farmers in Spain have turned to growing mandarins after devastating floods impacted crop yields in late 2024. Scientists are also working on creating modified citrus trees that can withstand citrus greening, a disease that affects citrus growers worldwide. It may seem off-topic, but we can help farmers by switching to all-electric appliances or installing solar panels, which reduce pollution and cool the planet. Knowledge is power, so staying informed about how the climate impacts crops can help you plan for possible changes to food supplies. 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. Federal data illustrating recent consolidation of California farming has raised concern in the industry about Sacramento's approach to regulation and the future of ag production in the state. Industry leaders are pointing to U.S. Department of Agriculture figures that show the number of farms in California fell 10% between 2017 and 2022, while the average size of those farms increased by about the same proportion. Both trends were seen nationally during the same period but not to such an extent. President Shannon Douglass of the California Farm Bureau Federation said the numbers are not surprising given how hard it is to do business in the state as compared with other farming regions around the world. She voiced particular concern about water availability and how costs disproportionately hit small farmers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The head of the Kern County Farm Bureau, Jenny Holtermann, added that consolidation is always a concern as farmers shrink their farmland holdings or sell out altogether. She said implementation of California's Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, designed to bring pumping of underground aquifers into balance, is likely to leave some farmers unable to produce food. "With increasing regulations, SGMA and the costs of inputs rising, farmers can only stay afloat for so long," she said by email Tuesday. "We need our elected officials and policymakers to start to address our over-regulation and how they are pushing business out of California," she added. "Agriculture is vital to California and our food security for our country." The USDA data doesn't just shine a light on consolidations between 2017 and 2022, the most recent year for which figures are available. It also provides insights on the industry's mixed profitability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It shows the number of farms in the state reporting a profit dropped significantly during that five-year period but that those who reported a net gain made much more money than before. Additionally, the numbers demonstrated that fewer California farms lost money in 2022 as compared with 2017, but those who did saw significantly bigger losses. Also, average profits in the Golden State were considerably higher than those in the country as a whole. The federal numbers being highlighted by the California Farm Bureau Federation are available online at https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2022/Full_Report/Volume_1,_Chapter_2_US_State_Level/. The organization plans to host a news conference on the consolidation-related findings today just outside the state Capitol building in downtown Sacramento. According to the USDA, California's total farm count dropped to 63,134 in 2022. Nationally, it reported, the decline between 2017 and 2022 was about 7%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The average size of California farms increased by 10% during that five-year period to reach 383 acres. Across the country, the size increase was just 5%, though the U.S. average finished the period higher, at 463 acres. USDA data showed the number of Californian farms reporting a profit dropped about 18%, while the size of those net gains rose 76% to hit an average of $665,459 per year. By comparison, the number of farms nationwide that made a profit shrank only 9%, according to the USDA, which noted the average size of those profits rose 78% to reach $224,025 per year. In California, the number of farms reporting a net financial loss declined 5% between 2017 and 2022, the USDA reported. It noted the average size of those losses increased 87% to finish the year with a profit averaging $104,258. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The number of U.S. farms reporting a net loss also declined during the period, by 6%. But as happened in California, their losses rose by 36% to reach $28,597 per year. Douglass, the state farm bureau president, did not bring up the industry challenge presented by the Trump administration's threat to deport undocumented residents. But she acknowledged that mass deportations could present problems for farmers. "I think that anytime we're talking about threats to our workforce, those are definitely challenges that impact our farms," she said. GAZA/JERUSALEM, March 19 (Xinhua) -- At least 14 Palestinians were killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip overnight, Palestinian sources said Wednesday. Security sources told Xinhua that the airstrikes hit areas in Khan Younis and Rafah in the southern part of the enclave, as well as a residential house in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City and the Al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza. "In Khan Younis, four people, including two women, were killed when an Israeli strike targeted a tent sheltering displaced families on Abdeen Street," said the sources. "Another strike on a displacement tent in the southwest of Khan Younis killed two more and wounded five others," the sources added. In a separate incident, a woman and a man were killed and three others injured when a displacement tent near Asda Prison in northern Khan Younis was hit, the sources noted. Meanwhile, two people were killed and another injured following a strike in Rafah's industrial zone. In Gaza City, four individuals were killed when an Israeli strike hit the home of the Hattab family, near the Abu Aida roundabout in the Sabra neighborhood. According to the sources, emergency services have rushed to the scene to search for survivors. Israeli warplanes also targeted other areas in the enclave, including the Al-Bureij refugee camp, though no immediate reports of casualties or damage were available. Also on Wednesday, an Israeli military spokesperson said in a statement that overnight, Israeli forces struck a Hamas military site in northern Gaza where preparations were being made to "fire projectiles at Israeli territory." The spokesperson added that the Israeli Navy also struck several vessels in Gaza's coastal area, saying they "were intended to be used for terrorist activities by Hamas and Islamic Jihad." The strikes are expected to continue throughout the day, according to the statement. Israel has resumed its assault on Gaza since early Tuesday, killing more than 400 people and shattering a fragile ceasefire that took effect on Jan. 19. It's not every day you see federal prosecutors admit they were wrong. But the fishiness of evidence from a key government witness could no longer be ignored, it seems. In February, I wrote about the weird, weak federal case against OneTaste, a company centered around the practice of orgasmic meditation. OneTaste was dubbed an "orgasm cult" and pilloried in the media, including a Netflix documentary produced by actress Lena Dunham, and "conspiracy to commit forced labor" charges have been filed against OneTaste founder Nicole Daedone and former head of sales Rachel Cherwitz. Key evidence in that case included journals allegedly penned by former OneTaste employee Ayries Blanck just after leaving the company. These journals also figured prominently in the 2022 Netflix documentary, Orgasm Inc. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The journal entries were always suspectand now the government apparently agrees. "Prior to March 2025, Blanck repeatedly maintained to the government that she wrote the Handwritten Journals in and around the time she left OneTaste," prosecutors said in a March 12 letter to U.S. District Judge Diane Gujarati. "Her account was corroborated by her sister"Autymn Blanck, who appeared in the Netflix film to read words allegedly lifted from Ayries' handwritten journals. But Ayries Blanck recently admitted to prosecutors that she penned the handwritten journals years later. "The government no longer believes that the disputed portions of the Handwritten Journals are authentic," and "does not intend to and will not seek to admit any of Blanck's journals at trial," said prosecutors. They also said they will no longer call Ayries Blanck as a witness at Daedone and Cherwitz's trial, scheduled to start in May. Why These Journals Matter OneTaste is a wellness company that was founded in San Francisco more than 20 years ago. Its activities have fluctuated some over the years but always included orgasmic meditation, a partnered clitoral stroking practice that practitioners call OMing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, former executives Daedone and Cherwitz were charged with conspiracy to commit forced labor. No underlying forced labor charge was filed. (For a much longer dissection of this case, check out my Reason piece from February.) Ayries Blanck was "Jane Doe 1" in this casethough her identity is now publicand accusations Blanck made in her journals pepper prosecutors' allegations about Daedone and Cherwitz. But it seems that Ayries Blanck and her sister, Autymn, repeatedly misled the FBI and prosecutors about these journals, per the government's new admissions. And this revelation opens up wider questions about the credibility of the Blanck sisters, whose allegations about OneTaste and its former leaders have been circulated by both the media and the federal government. Ayries Blanck's Back Story Ayries Blanck and her then-boyfriend became involved with OneTaste in 2012 and Blanck went on to work as a sales representative for the company. But she left in 2015, amid some personal drama, and soon sent a demand letter accusing OneTaste of a hostile work environment, sexual harassment, failure to pay minimum wage, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OneTaste privately mediated the dispute with Blanck, paying her $325,000 in an out-of-court settlement. While OneTaste has denied Blanck's allegations, it reasoned that the settlement would be cheaper than the cost of defending a potential lawsuit, according to an ongoing breach-of-contract suit filed against Blanck in 2022. As part of the settlement, Blanck agreed not to "disparage OneTaste or its officers, or incite others to do so." In its breach-of-contract suit, OneTaste argues that Blanck did not uphold her end of this bargain. A major part of this involves Orgasm Inc, the 2022 Netflix documentary produced by Dunham. Ayries Blanck clearly could not have been in or involved with the film without violating the terms of the settlement. But, in a clever workaround, Autymn Blanck appears on camera to tell her sister's story, reading words allegedly written by Ayries Blanck in 2015. According to Autymn Blanck, Ayries Blanck had left her handwritten journals at Autymn Blanck's house and Autymn Blanck took it upon herself to type up portions of these journals in a Google Doc and share them with Netflix. It must have seemed like a win-win at the time. Ayries Blanck got to "appear" in the film without violating her nondisparagement clause. Autymn Blanck got a $25,000 paycheck. And Netflix got to air some salacious allegations, including a claim that people at OneTaste ignored or even condoned violence against her and that she had been forced to engage in sexual activity with strangers. The Journals Become State Evidence When OneTaste later sought to review the handwritten journals, as part of the civil suit, it discovered Autymn Blanck had mailed them to FBI Special Agent Elliot McGinnis in early 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal prosecutors would go on to employ the journals in the case against Daedone and Cherwitz, citing them in an October 2024 motion laying out the case and seeking to have them admitted as trial evidence. "Jane Doe 1 wrote multiple handwritten journal entries both during and after she served as a student and staff member of OneTaste," the motion stated. "The journal entries, among other things, detail Jane Doe 1's relationships with the defendants and their co-conspirators, financial condition, and psychological state during and shortly after the time she performed labor and services in connection with the charged conspiracy." Lawyers for Daedone, Cherwitz, and OneTaste weren't having it. In both the breach-of-contract suit and the federal case, they pointed to credibility issues concerning both the handwritten journals and the Google Doc typed from them, including handwriting differences in physical journals and a reference to a book that wouldn't be released until years after the journals were allegedly written. The Google Doc in which Autymn Blanck supposedly simply transcribed the handwritten journals had more than 50 drafts and hundreds of minor edits, according to Jason Frankovitz, a software engineer enlisted by OneTaste to analyze the documents. Autymn Blanck, filmmaker Sarah Gibson, and someone listed only as "A" had access to them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And it got fishier. Parts of the handwritten journalscopies of which the government shared with the defense last summernearly perfectly matched the final draft of the Google Doc, not the earliest versions. "If Autymn was merely transcribing her sister's 2015 handwritten journals in a google document created in 2022, the first version of the google document should be identical, or nearly identical, to the handwritten journal," defense lawyers said in a December 2, 2024, letter to Gujarati. "The only inference to be drawn from this is that the handwritten journals were written after the electronic journals." Government 'No Longer Maintains ThatHandwritten Journals Are Authentic' Federal prosecutors continued to defend the journalsuntil recently. "In light of information obtained since [a February 26, 2025] status conference, the government no longer maintains that the disputed portions of [Ayries] Blanck's handwritten journals are authentic," wrote U.S. Attorney John J. Durham in the March 12 letter, which was co-signed by other federal prosecutors on the Daedone and Cherwitz case. "This letter therefore affirmatively corrects any statements to the contrary previously made to the Court and defense." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter was heavily redacted before being made publicly available. But it still says enough to suggest that the Blanck sisters hoodwinked a whole lot of people. Durham notes that Ayries Blanck was first interviewed by the FBI in July 2018 and again interviewed in May 2022. On neither occasion did she mention her journals. It was only in June 2022after production of the Netflix film was underwaythat she said anything about any journals at all. And it wasn't until March 9, 2023, that Black gave the FBI "copies of typewritten journals pertaining to her time at OneTaste," according to prosecutors. On April 15, 2024, over a year later, the FBI received a packagesent by Autymn Blanckwith handwritten journals and a hard drive that Ayries Blanck had purportedly left with her sister in 2015. Autymn Blanck testified to the court in the breach-of-contract case against her sister that she sent the package to the FBI after Agent McGinnis noted that OneTaste couldn't subpoena the journals from her if she didn't have them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the defense began raising questions about the provenance and authenticity of Ayries Blanck's journals, she was questioned multiple times by the FBI and federal prosecutorsonce in October, once in November, and twice in December, according to Durham. Most portions of the letter pertaining to these interviews are redacted, but whatever was revealed, it did not prompt the government to abandon its embrace of the journals just yet. The FBI and prosecutors again interviewed Ayries Blanck on March 7, 2025, and Autymn Blanck on March 10 and 11. Portions of the March 12 letter pertaining to these conversations are largely redacted. But by March 12, the government had changed its tune about the journals. "The government no longer believes that the disputed portions of the Handwritten Journals are authentic 'in terms of [being] contemporaneous[ly] [written]'" prosecutors told Judge Gujarati. Until March 2025, Ayries Blanck said that the handwritten journals were penned around the time she left OneTaste in 2015 and that the electronic journal entries had been typed up later based on these handwritten journals, prosecutors said. She stuck to this story "even when pressed by the government on multiple occasions," and "her account was corroborated by her sister." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "However, upon continuing to be pressed by the government regarding the journals, [Ayries] Blanck has since acknowledged that she physically copied the relevant portion of the Handwritten Journals after typing the Typewritten Journals," prosecutors stated. Blanck now claims that the typed journal entries that later became the "2015" hard-copy journals were based "at least in part on contemporaneously-written journal entries," according to the government. These contemporaneous writings supposedly encompass both typed and handwritten entries. But if such journal entries really do exist, why didn't the Blanck sisters share the real 2015 entries with the Netflix filmmakers and the FBI? The path they chose suggests there are either details of Ayries Blanck's actual journals that they wanted hidden, or things not in the actual journals that they wanted added. Perhaps both. In any event, it doesn't leave the impression that any journals the Blanck sisters have produced or will produce can be trusted, nor does it reflect well on their overall veracity. Per prosecutors' admissions, Ayries Blanck not only made misleading statements to FBI agents on multiple occasions but actively engaged in subterfuge to cover her tracks, physically copying what was typed in the 2022 Google Doc to pass it off as a journal handwritten in 2015. The Defense Responds Lawyers for Daedone and Cherwitz are seeking to have the full March 12 letter from prosecutors unsealed, along with other statements Blanck has made about her journals and the unauthentic journals themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Since the defense first raised the falsity of the journals in September 2024, the government has consistently misrepresented facts about these fake journals in open court, in various filings, and even in a motion in limine claiming their authenticity," wrote attorneys Celia Cohen and Michael P. Robotti in a March 14 letter to Judge Gujarati. "In that lengthy motion, the government devoted eight pages to the admissibility of these journals, and it specifically asked the Court to find them admissible, based on their 'high degree of trustworthiness.'" The lawyers also suggest in the letter that "the government should immediately drop the charges against the defendants" and also "investigate and prosecute Blanck for manufacturing evidence for this trial." In another March 14 letter, attorney Jennifer Bonjean points to a potential departure from protocol when it came to the handling of Ayries Blanck's alleged journals and hard drive, which Special Agent Elliot McGinnis received in a package from Autymn Blanck on April 15, 2024. "Autymn testified under oath at a civil deposition that she sent McGinnis six to eight journals," but "the government has produced only three journals to the defense," they write. "Inexplicably, McGinnis did not put the journals into evidence until May 21, 2024 over a month after receiving them." McGinnis also took two months to enter the hard drive into evidence, they say. More Sex & Tech News ACLU scores "historic win for bodily autonomy." An Ohio appeals court has rejected an Ohio law that banned puberty blockers and hormone treatments for minors suffering from gender dysphoria. The law, House Bill 68, is "unconstitutional on its face," wrote Judge Carly Edelstein in a decision co-signed by her colleague Judge Michael Mentel. (The third judge on the panel, Julia Dorrian, concurred in the judgment only.) The case was remanded to the trial court "to impose a permanent injunction as to enforcement of H.B. 68's provisions banning the use of puberty blockers and hormones 'for the purpose of assisting the minor individual with gender transition.'" The challenge to Ohio H.B. 68 was brought by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which sent out an email calling the court's decision "an historic win for bodily autonomy and LGBTQ+ Ohioans." "This win restores the right of trans youth in Ohio to choose vitally important health care, with the support of their families and physicians," said Freda Levenson, Legal Director at the ACLU of Ohio, in a statement. AI isn't destabilizing elections. In Reason's April issue, I've got a write-up of a recent study from Princeton University researchers Arvind Narayanan and Sayash Kapoor, who analyzed AI-created political content during the 2024 elections. Their conclusion? "AI misinformation plays a very different role from its popular depiction of swaying voters in elections." Texas launches first post-Dobbs criminal case against an alleged abortion provider. Texas midwife Maria Margarita Rojas has been charged with providing illegal abortions. "Rojas' arrest marks Texas' first post-Dobbs criminal case for abortion," according to Abortion, Every Day writer Jessica Valenti. Rojas operated a network of Houston-area health clinics. Jose Ley, an employee of the clinics, was also charged with performing illegal abortions. The offense is a second-degree felony with a possible prison sentence of up to 20 years, according to The Texas Tribune. Amazon nixes Alexa privacy feature. Amazon is getting rid of the option for Echo users to request that their voice requests only be processed locally. "Starting on March 28, recordings of every command spoken to the Alexa living in Echo speakers and smart displays will automatically be sent to Amazon and processed in the cloud," notes Ars Technica. The change is part of the rollout of Alexa+, a subscription service that utilizes generative AI. "One of the most marketed features of Alexa+ is its more advanced ability to recognize who is speaking to it, a feature known as Alexa Voice ID," writes Ars Technica's Scharon Harding. "To accommodate this feature, Amazon is eliminating a privacy-focused capability for all Echo users, even those who aren't interested in the subscription-based version of Alexa or want to use Alexa+ but not its ability to recognize different voices." "Amazon is betting big that Alexa+ can dig the voice assistant out of a financial pit," adds Harding."Amazon has publicly committed to keeping the free version of Alexa around, but Alexa+ is viewed as Amazon's last hope for keeping Alexa alive and making it profitable." NetChoice sues over Louisiana age-verification law. Louisiana Senate Bill 162, which takes effect on July 1, 2025, "places multiple content-based restrictions on certain websites and their usersincluding parental-consent and age-verification requirements and restrictions on advertising on minors' accounts," explains tech industry trade group NetChoice in a complaint challenging the measure. Under S.B. 162, platforms would have to decide between verifying all user ages (so they could apply special regulations regarding data collection to minors) or treating all users as minors subject to the special rules. The caseNetChoice v. Murrillis one of many that NetChoice has been bringing against age-verification requirements. "Louisiana's SB 162 is a fiasco for free speech and online safety," said Paul Taske, associate director of NetChoice's Litigation Center, in a statement. "NetChoice is suing to confirm Louisiana's government upholds freedom and the Constitution and to ensure families and their digital safety are protected." Today's Image Las Vegas | 2020 (ENB/Reason) The post FBI Failed To Spot Faked Evidence in Case Against Alleged Orgasm Cult appeared first on Reason.com. The FBI is warning users of popular email services such as Outlook and Gmail that they could be subject to cyberattacks by ransomware called Medusa, which has impacted more than 300 victims from a number of sectors, including technology, legal, medical and manufacturing. Medusa, a ransomware-as-a-service that was first identified in June, was spotted as recently last month, according to an advisory released last week by the FBI, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC). Both Medusa developers and affiliatesreferred to as Medusa actors in this advisoryemploy a double extortion model, where they encrypt victim data and threaten to publicly release exfiltrated data if a ransom is not paid, the agencies said in the March 12 advisory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Medusa developers normally recruit initial access brokers in marketplaces and cybercriminal forums, paying them between $100,000 and $1 million with an opportunity to solely work for a hacking organization. Those brokers are known to use common techniques like phishing campaigns and exploiting unpatched software vulnerabilities, according to the advisory. The ransom note demands victims make contact within 48 hours via either a Tor browser-based live chat, or via Tox, an end-to-end encrypted instant-messaging platform, the agencies wrote. If the victim does not respond to the ransom note, Medusa actors will reach out to them directly by phone or email. A victim was extorted three times in one case, according to an FBI investigation. The victim was contacted by another Medusa actor who contended that the main hacker stole the ransom amount and asked for another payment. The FBI, CISA and MS-ISAC outlined some steps users can take to protect themselves from Medusa ransomware. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Users should protect all accounts with passwords, ideally having longer passcodes that are changed often. Multifactor authentication should be in place. Copies of sensitive data, in the form of hard drives, the cloud and storage devices, should be developed for recovery. Users should also have offline backs of data that ideally are encrypted. The operating systems of devices should be up to date. If users open phishing links or attachments, they should not simply ignore the step, according to Ryan Kalember, the chief strategy officer at security firm Proofpoint. That is often the first reaction, and it is not ideal, he told The Washington Post. When you fall for something, the attacker still has some window of time where they have to figure out what theyve just got and whether its even worth taking advantage of. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. The FDNY firefighter who collapsed from a medical episode while battling a fire in Brooklyn over the weekend remains in critical condition, officials said. The firefighter was among more than 100 of New Yorks Bravest and EMS members fighting the flames on Lafayette Ave. near Bushwick Ave. in Bushwick around 11:30 a.m. Sunday, according to the FDNY. He was working on the roof of the four-story building when he collapsed, said FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker, speaking along the St. Patricks Day Parade route Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colleagues put the firefighter in a bucket and brought him down to the ground, where medics immediately started working on him. Our EMTs and paramedics at the scenedid a miraculous job saving the life of a firefighter who was fighting a second-alarm fire, Tucker said. The smoke-eater was in extremely critical condition as medics raced him to Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, according to Tucker. He was later transferred to Lenox Hill Hospital. We have a long road ahead of us with this firefighter, Tucker said. This incident just highlights for me and all New Yorkers the dangerous job that our firefighters are facing every single day. When kids miss school, they can get behind on their learning and literacy. The proof is in the numbers. The State of Floridas State Reading Assessment in the Spring of 2024 is one measure of literacy in local students. The St. Johns County School District leads the state, with 76% of third graders reading at or above grade level. The same report notes that St. Johns County also has the lowest chronic absenteeism rate in the state and has had that distinction for ten years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nassau County ranked second in the state at 68% at grade level. Clay ranks 12 at 63%. Duval County ranked 51 out of 67, at 49%. Thats also lower than the state average. Florida State Reading Assessment Those numbers led to a community-wide push to get Duval third graders on track. Duval County Public Schools' Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier believes literacy is a family matter. If youre proficient in third grade, youre 96% likely to graduate from high school. Thats why its important Bernier said. WATCH: Action News Jax Family Focus presents Raising Readers special Bernier said students are making progress. In our scores across the board last year, from state testing, every single grade band thats tested 3 to 10 made positive gains in proficiency. Thats unheard of. Bernier said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He expects the improvement is continuing. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] I have anecdotal evidence with the third-grade teachers talking about 60, 70, 80-percent of their children are now arriving in a position where they can start to read to learn, he said. Bernier credits support from community partners, the tireless work of educators, and some new programs the school district has incorporated into its curriculum. That includes incorporating the University of Florida Literacy Institute curriculum for kindergarten, first, and second grade students. The UFLI curriculum focuses on foundational skills, like sounding out words. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] What I tell parents is, if you go into one of our kindergarten, first and second grade and third-grade classrooms, youll recognize reading again, Bernier said. Itll remind you of the way we were taught to read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The superintendent said parents are seeing the difference, and he encourages families to be partners in the process. You know, we always make sure that our kids are fed right, and we give em the right amount of food and we snack em and we try to chose healthy snacks for their own nutritional basis. We have to approach literacy acquisition the same way. It has to be fed every day Bernier said. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Editors note: The video above aired on Feb. 21, 2025. NEW YORK (PIX11) Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was scheduled to appear in federal court on Wednesday but his hearing was postponed. He will instead make a court appearance on April 18. Mangione was arraigned on murder and terror charges in New York back in December. More Local News He pleaded not guilty. Mangiones lawyers argued authorities illegally collected his DNA by offering him a snack after he was arrested at a McDonalds in Pennsylvania. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They said the DNA evidence should not be allowed in the case. Mangione is also facing charges in Pennsylvania. 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. A federal judge in New York ordered the case of Columbia University graduate and Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil be transferred from New York to New Jersey where his lawyers will continue their legal efforts for his release. In an opinion issued Wednesday, federal district court Judge Jesse Furman sided with the Trump administration, which argued New York lacked jurisdiction in the case because Khalil was in detention in New Jersey at the time his attorneys filed a motion challenging his arrest. Khalil was arrested by immigration officers nearly two weeks ago outside of his apartment on the campus of Columbia University. Khalil, a legal permanent US resident who is also married to a US citizen, is a prominent Palestinian activist and played a central role in protests against the Israel-Hamas war on the Ivy League campus last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration has accused Khalil without providing evidence of being a terrorist sympathizer and supporting Hamas. White House officials have also said Khalil distributed flyers promoting Hamas, a claim his lawyers deny. While Furmans order does not impact where and whether Khalil is detained, he noted Khalils lawyers are accusing the Trump administration of targeting him for participating in demonstrations in support of Palestinians, violating his First and Fifth Amendment protections. The Jena/La Salle ICE detention facility where Palestinian Columbia graduate Mahmoud Khalil, who was arrested by US Department of Homeland Security agents, was transferred is seen in Jena, Louisiana, on March 10, 2025. - Edmund Fountain/Reuters These are serious allegations and arguments that, no doubt, warrant careful review by a court of law, Furman wrote. The fundamental constitutional principle that all persons in the United States are entitled to due process of law demands no less. For now, Khalil continues to be held in custody at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Jena, Louisiana, where he was transferred after he was first arrested in New York and briefly held in New Jersey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for the US Attorneys Office in Manhattan, which had argued the case on behalf of the Trump administration, did not immediately return a request for comment. Judge denies Trump administrations request to move case to Louisiana In a win for Khalils attorneys, Furman disagreed the case should be moved to Louisana. Furman also denied a motion from the government to dismiss Khalils habeas motion entirely, arguing that it would result in delays and allow for his potential expedited removal before a court can hear all his claims. Furman also reaffirmed a previous ruling blocking Khalils deportation until his case can be heard in court. It will be up to that court to consider Khalils claims as well as the motions that he has filed to date in connection with his claims, namely a motion to transfer him from his present place of confinement to a detention facility in this District, Furman wrote. The government first moved Mahmoud to Louisiana, then it tried to move his federal case there, too, hoping for better odds in court, Ramzi Kassem, one of Khalils attorneys, said in a statement. The judge rightly rejected that approach and transferred the case to a court in the greater New York City area, close to Mahmouds home, where the case and, most importantly, Mahmoud himself, belong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge ordered the transfer of the case to take place immediately and waived a rule that normally allows seven days for a transfer. This is a first step, but we need to continue to demand justice for Mahmoud. His unlawful and unjust detention cannot stand. We will not stop fighting until he is home with me, Noor Abdalla, Khalils pregnant wife, said in a statement provided by New York Civil Liberties Union, which is representing Khalil. His detention was ordered by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The Trump administration has been relying on a obscure section of US law which gives the Secretary wide authority to revoke a persons immigration status if their activities in the United States would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences to the country. Demonstrators hold placards during a protest following the arrest by US immigration agents of Palestinian student protester Mahmoud Khalil at Columbia University, at Foley Square in New York City, U.S., March 10, 2025. - Jeenah Moon/Reuters His detention has touched off protests across the country following a Trump administration order to crack down on student activism on college campuses in opposition to the Israel-Hamas war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khalils attorneys have filed multiple motions since his arrest including a preliminary injunction seeking his release and to prohibit the Trump administration from executing its policy of arresting, detaining, and removing noncitizens who engage in constitutionally-protected speech in support of Palestinian rights or who are critical of Israel. The preliminary injunction, as well as a request to have Khalil physically transferred back to New York from Louisiana, will be heard by a federal judge in New Jersey. Khalil speaks from inside detention As the case is transferred across the Hudson River to New Jersey, Khalil spoke from inside the ICE detention facility where he is being held more than a thousand miles away from where he was arrested, describing himself as a political prisoner in a letter dictated to his attorneys over the phone and reviewed by CNN. My arrest was a direct consequence of exercising my right to free speech as I advocated for a free Palestine and an end to the genocide in Gaza, Khalil wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khalil accused Columbia University of targeting him for his activism and enabling his detention by disclosing student records to Congress. In the letter, Khalil also accused the Trump administration of targeting international students, saying his case is evidence that Americans right to free political speech is at risk. The Trump administration is targeting me as part of a broader strategy to suppress dissent. Visa-holders, green-card carriers, and citizens alike will all be targeted for their political beliefs, Khalil wrote. A spokesperson for Columbia University did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Columbia has remained silent about Khalils arrest while acknowledging the presence of immigration officials on campus over the last several days. At least two additional students have been targeted for immigration action, including an Indian national on a legal student visa who traveled back to Canada out of fear she would be detained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his letter, Khalil argued the Trump administration is using his detention to send a chill across activist communities and those challenging the administrations positions. He encouraged his supporters to remain active in protest. At stake are not just our voices, but the fundamental civil liberties of all. Knowing fully that this moment transcends my individual circumstances, I hope nonetheless to be free to witness the birth of my first-born child, he wrote. CNNs Lauren del Valle contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com When Bridger Lee Jensen opened a spiritual center in Provo, Utah, he contacted city officials to let them know what would be happening there: The religious group he had founded, Singularism, would be conducting ceremonies involving a tea made from psilocybin mushrooms. "Singularism is optimistic that through partnership and dialogue, it can foster an environment that respects diversity and upholds individual rights," Jensen wrote in a September 2023 letter to the Provo City Council and Mayor Michelle Kaufusi. Jensen, who wanted to "establish an open line of communication" with local officials, said he would be happy to answer their questions and invited them to visit the center. Jensen's optimism proved to be unfounded. The city did not respond to his overture until more than a year later, when Provo police searched the Singularism center and seized its sacrament: about 450 grams of "mushrooms and mushroom-like material" that the group kept inside a locked safe. The seizure was the result of an investigation in which an undercover officer posed as a would-be Singularism facilitator. That raid happened on November 11, 2024, less than eight months after Utah Gov. Spencer Cox had signed the state's version of the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). That law likely protects Singularism's psychedelic rituals, a federal judge ruled last month. U.S. District Judge Jill Parrish granted Jensen's request for a preliminary injunction against city and county officials, ordering them to return the mushrooms and to refrain from further interference with the group's "sincere religious use of psilocybin" while the case is pending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In this litigation, the religious-exercise claims of a minority entheogenic religion put the State of Utah's commitment to religious freedom to the test," Parrish writes in Jensen v. Utah County. If such a commitment "is to mean anything," she says, it must protect "unpopular or unfamiliar religious groups" as well as "popular or familiar ones." Parrish notes that "the very founding of the State of Utah reflects the lived experience of that truth by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." In light of that history, she suggests, "it is ironic" that "not long after enacting its RFRA to provide special protections for religious exercise, the State of Utah should so vigorously deploy its resources, particularly the coercive power of its criminal-justice system, to harass and shut down a new religion it finds offensive practically without any evidence that [the] religion's practices have imposed any harms on its own practitioners or anyone else." Criminal Charges That vigorous deployment of law enforcement resources included drug charges that Utah County Attorney Jeffrey Gray filed against Jensen in December, five days after Parrish issued a temporary restraining order based on her initial assessment of the case. The defendants also sought to strengthen their criminal case with discovery requests that Parrish deemed "offensively overbroad." They wanted to know, for example, "each instance where Jensen consumed drugs prohibited by the Controlled Substances Act between 2015 and the present." They also sought "documents sufficient to identify each individual to whom Plaintiffs have administered psilocybin from 2019 to present." Those requests, Parrish notes, "concerned criminal conduct far in the past and effectively demanded Singularism to disclose the identities of all individuals who had affiliated with the religion." She thought "the sheer breadth of the requests" suggested that the defendants were trying to use discovery in the civil case to "investigate Plaintiffs for the pending state criminal casea patently improper purpose." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parrish notes that her injunction "does not prevent the government from continuing to prosecute Mr. Jensen in the pending state criminal case." Nor does it address Jensen's argument that his group's activities are protected by the federal and state constitutions. Parrish is delaying consideration of those issues until April 11, giving Utah Attorney General Derek Brown a chance to "present evidence or argument on the constitutional questions should he wish to do so." But because Parrish concluded that Jensen is likely to prevail on his RFRA claim, her order does bar the defendants from continuing to "harass" his group. The federal RFRA, which Congress enacted in 1993, codified the religious freedom test that the U.S. Supreme Court applied prior to its 1990 ruling in Employment Division v. Smith, which involved the use of peyote by members of the Native American Church. Under that test, the government may not "substantially burden a person's exercise of religion," even by applying "a rule of general applicability," unless it shows that the burden is "the least restrictive means" of furthering a "compelling governmental interest." In the 2006 case Gonzales v. O Centro Espirita Beneficente Uniao do Vegetal, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that RFRA protected the American branch of a syncretic Brazil-based church from federal interference with its rituals, even though the group's sacramental tea, ayahuasca, contained the otherwise illegal psychedelic drug dimethyltryptamine. That precedent invited other groups to make similar claimsoften unsuccessfully, depending on what courts made of their professed beliefs. In the 1997 case City of Boerne v. Florida, the Supreme Court ruled that RFRA was unconstitutional as applied to state and local governments. Laws like Utah's, which 29 states have enacted, aim to fill that gap. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defendants in Jensen v. Utah County argued that Utah's RFRA did not apply to Singularism, which they portrayed as a drug trafficking operation disguised as a religion. Parrish rejected that characterization. "Based on all the evidence in the record," she wrote, "the court has no difficulty concluding that Plaintiffs are sincere in their beliefs and that those beliefs are religious in nature." Parrish notes that the Utah Division of Professional Licensing rejected a complaint that Jensen was "practicing mental-health therapy without a license." The agency agreed with him that, as "a facilitator at Singularism," he was exempt from the licensing requirement because he was a "recognized member of the clergy." The city of Provo likewise told Jensen his spiritual center did not need a business license to "conduct its religious activities." 'Faith Journeys' Parrish also considered testimony from Jensen and other members of the group, all of whom "connected their practice of Singularism to their faith journeys," describing how "the tea ceremonies had helped them rediscover their religious faith." And she concluded that Singularism features several "accoutrements of religion"one of the factors that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit (which includes Utah) has said judges should consider in religious freedom cases. "Most simply, [Singularism] has prophets and a scripture," Parrish writes. "As Mr. Jensen explained, during a tea ceremony, the voyager is a prophet receiving spiritual insight, and the facilitator serves as a scribe to record those insights; thus, the recordings from every voyage individually and collectively become Singularism's sacred scripture. On top of that, the tea ceremony is a carefully organized and guarded ritual. The voyager must first pass a screening to ensure his sincerity, and during the prep session, he sets an intention for the voyage. Other preparations for the tea ceremony could include something more familiar from larger religions, such as fasting and reading and internalizing one's patriarchal blessing." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defendants objected that "Singularism 'does not claim special access to divine truths,' instead encouraging its practitioners to more deeply 'discover and define their own beliefs,' and explicitly states that 'no organization, including [it], has all the answers to life's most difficult questions.'" But Parrish concluded that "it would be inappropriate to hold Singularism's existential humility against it," since that attitude "is important for enabling and supporting the smooth functioning of a pluralistic society like ours." The defendants thought "Singularism's citations to scientific and medical research on the therapeutic potential of psilocybin" undermined its claim to be a religion. "An overlap between scientific and religious reasons for a practice" does not make that practice "any less religious," Parrish writes. "Indeed, many religious practices in more common religions, such as gathering in community for music, prayer, and fellowship, can be justified by a litany of nonreligious reasons and scientific research." The defendants noted that Singularism charges people "about $1,600 per tea ceremony," which far exceeds the marginal cost of the psilocybin. Although that "admittedly looks suspicious at first," Parrish says, Jensen's current annual income of $40,000 or so is about a third of what he earned in his former occupation as a "licensed mental-health practitioner." If Jensen "were actually motivated by the promise of large profits," she says, "he would not have given up a stable six-figure salary to found Singularism and receive a monthly payment that barely puts him past the poverty line." Parrish also notes that "for-profit businesses can claim religious-liberty protections," as the Supreme Court held in the 2014 case Burwell v. Hobby Lobby. She adds that "prominent religions like the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which no one would doubt qualifies for religious-liberty protections under the law, require payment of tithes for good-standing membership." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Parrish's view, "Plaintiffs have established that the government has substantially burdened their sincere religious exercise. Simply put, Plaintiffs offer a sacramental psilocybin tea to their voyagers, who then embark on a spiritual journey by which they write their own scripture. A law that categorically prohibits the possession and use of the psilocybin sacramentthereby preventing Singularism's adherents from pursuing their spiritual voyages and hindering them from producing their sacred scripturesubstantially burdens the free exercise of Singularism and its adherents." Maybe 'S imply Do Nothing'? To justify that burden, the defendants cited various public safety concerns, including potential diversion of psilocybin and the possibility that mushrooms "may be tainted and therefore cause harm to even sincere users." But "the government has not shown evidence of actual contamination or actual diversion," Parrish says. Parrish notes that the mushrooms used by Jensen's group are legally produced in Oregon, which allows psilocybin consumption at state-licensed businesses. The mushrooms are tested for contaminants by an Oregon lab "before being freeze dried for transportation to Singularism's spiritual center." Parrish adds that "only facilitators have access to the mushrooms (which are never used other than in the sacramental tea ceremonies), and every voyager must undergo a careful screening process with two or more facilitators, at least one of whom has a background in medicine or clinical therapy." In 15 months of ceremonies, she says, only one person with "an undisclosed mental-health issue" had a bad trip, which the center handled appropriately by "ensuring that she received the treatment she needed at the hospital." Is shutting Singularism down the "least restrictive means" of addressing the government's concerns? Parrish thought not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The most obvious alternative at hand is for the government to simply do nothing," Parrish writes. "After all, the government waited over a year after Singularism opened its spiritual centerat which time Mr. Jensen had fully disclosed Singularism's practicesto perform its criminal investigation. Defendants have pointed to zero evidence that this do-nothing period threatened its interests in public safety." Even "assuming that some form of regulation is necessary for the government to protect the public," Parrish says, two exceptions in the Utah Controlled Substances Act point the way to less restrictive options. The law recognizes "a religious exemption for peyote," she notes, and the defendants "do not attempt to explain why the government could not create a similar exemption for sincere religious use of psilocybin." Amendments approved in 2024 established another exemption, for "psylocibin administered as part of behavioral health treatment programs developed by certain healthcare systems." Those provisions, Parrish notes, impose "relatively few restrictions on how covered healthcare systems may use psilocybin." She says the defendants "do not attempt to explain why the government could not implement an analogous system of oversight for Singularism's sincere religious practices." A more skeptical judge might have reached a different conclusion in this case. Jason Adelstone, an attorney at Harris Sliwoski, notes that Parrish's decision "expands the traditional understanding of sincere religious belief." She acknowledges, for example, that "Singularism does not follow a rigid set of prescribed beliefs but instead encourages adherents to explore their own spiritual experiences, making each participant their own prophet." Parrish also "rejected arguments that the reliance on scientific and medical principles in psilocybin ceremonies meant the group was operating more like a clinic than a religion." If upheld on appeal, Adelstone suggests, the decision "could pave the way for the recognition of new religious movements that incorporate psychedelics as a sacrament, offering a framework for how such beliefs may be evaluated moving forward." Singularismwhich advertises "safe, evidence-based psilocybin therapy through clinically informed and spiritually guided ceremonies" aimed at "healing, personal growth, or profound spiritual insight"straddles the line between religion and psychotherapy. Then again, that line can be pretty hazy, and trying to police it invites unseemly judicial inquiries into the sincerity and authenticity of people's beliefs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If you wanted to highlight the absurdity of the drug war," Reason's C.J. Ciaramella notes, "it would be hard to find a better example than charging federal narcs with parsing the religious beliefs of groups like the Vine of Light Church." That Arizona group attracted unwanted attention from the Drug Enforcement Administration because it sponsored "monthly meetings at which paying guests drank ayahuasca." I agree with Ciaramella that "it should not matter whether would-be ayahuasca drinkers sincerely believe in shamanism or simply believe they will derive mental health benefits from the experience." Nor should it matter whether people seek that experience simply out of curiosity or an interest in self-exploration untethered from "mental health benefits" that a psychiatrist might recognize. But in Utah and nearly every other state, such distinctions still matter. And in that context, decisions like this one count as a partial victory for pharmacological freedom. The post A Federal Judge in Utah Orders Local Officials To Return a Religious Group's Psychedelic Sacrament appeared first on Reason.com. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A man arrested in Youngstown is facing federal immigration charges. The U.S. Attorneys Office (USAO) announced Tuesday Alando Roach, 24, a citizen of Jamaica, was charged with being an undocumented alien in possession of a firearm. Roach was arrested March 3 in Youngstown during an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and ICE. Grand juries returned an indictment on Roach as well as seven others in the state Tuesday, many charged with being in the country illegally, illegal re-entry and or having fake documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. BEIJING, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Stable, healthy and sustainable China-U.S. economic and trade relations align with both nations' fundamental interests and will benefit enterprises worldwide, Vice Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen said during a meeting with the head of U.S. company PepsiCo. Wang, also the China international trade representative, emphasized that China-U.S. economic and trade relations are mutually beneficial and win-win in nature, during the Tuesday meeting with Ramon Laguarta, PepsiCo's chairman and CEO. They exchanged views on topics such as China-U.S. economic and trade ties, as well as the firm's business operations in China, according to the Ministry of Commerce. Highlighting China's confidence in achieving its economic growth target for 2025 proposed in the government work report, Wang said that a series of policy measures introduced by the country to expand domestic demand and promote consumption will provide more opportunities for foreign-invested enterprises, including PepsiCo. The vice minister also elaborated on China's stance on issues such as the U.S. unilateral tariff hikes imposed on China. Laguarta said that thanks to China's pro-consumption policies, PepsiCo is reporting rapid growth in its food and beverage businesses in the country. Pledging increased investment in local operations and a deepening engagement in the China market, he said that PepsiCo is committed to playing a constructive role in advancing healthy and stable U.S.-China relations as a member of U.S. business circles. The Wasatch Front train-horn saga appears to finally be over. The Federal Railroad Administration approved a waiver led by two Utah cities that allows a "quiet zone" to be restored between northern Salt Lake City and Ogden, Woods Cross officials who oversee the zone announced Tuesday evening. It effectively ended a long-standing issue that frustrated many residents who live near railroad crossings. "We appreciate the concerted efforts of all parties to work towards an amicable solution that quiets the train horns immediately while these remaining two crossings are brought into compliance," Woods Cross administrator Bryce Haderlie said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Haderlie says the federal agency was working on a "directive immediately to stop sounding the train horns with the understanding that Salt Lake City is working quickly to close" a crossing at 1000 West. He noted that railroad operators like Utah Transit Authority and Union Pacific "typically have seven days to comply with the (Federal Railroad Administration) directive." Train operators can still sound their horns in certain circumstances, such as an immediate threat on the tracks, as was the case before the zone was suspended. The agency's decision just ends the automatic use of horns at every crossing in the affected zone during all times of the day. Salt Lake City Council Chairman Chris Wharton, whose district includes some of the city's impacted neighborhoods, told KSL.com Tuesday night that he's relieved that a resolution has been reached. Both he and Haderlie said the cities had been actively working with state leaders and the state's federal delegation over it, as well as railroad operators. "It had huge impacts on people's lives, and so getting the quiet zone reinstated is a great victory for us," Wharton said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The update comes a day after public comment ended on the waiver sought by Salt Lake City and North Salt Lake, which exempts a pair of crossings in the zone that remain out of compliance. The cities requested an exemption of up to two years while crossing repairs continue, but a federal letter Tuesday says the waiver gives the cities one year to make the changes. There are options to extend the waiver, too; otherwise, the zone could be suspended again. Officials also wrote that the agency "reserves the right to modify or rescind this waiver" if they find violations of the conditions that led them to accept the waiver. Quiet zones are areas where railroad crossings are safe enough for operators to pass through without using a horn unless they believe there's an immediate threat on the tracks, such as a person or vehicle on the tracks. However, the Wasatch Front's two zones, stretching from Provo to Ogden, were suspended in September 2024 over striping, signage, curbing and other safety issues brought up earlier in the year. A zone is only reestablished after all crossings within it are back in compliance. A section from Provo to Salt Lake City was restored earlier this year after changes were made, but restoration of another section from 200 South in Salt Lake City up through Weber County had been held up by one crossing in Salt Lake City and another in North Salt Lake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal Railroad Administration officials said the quiet zones could have been reestablished immediately if North Salt Lake and Salt Lake City used flaggers at the two remaining crossings. Salt Lake City officials said in February that the cost and staffing needed around the clock weren't feasible, so the cities joined together on a waiver process to temporarily exempt the crossings while fixes are made. The measure garnered nearly 200 public comments after it was filed on Jan. 16, including responses from North Salt Lake leaders. In a letter to the agency dated March 10, city officials wrote they had already set aside funding for crossing repairs, but they explained all the changes could only be made by Union Pacific because of the location. "We are told by representatives of Union Pacific railroad that they have moved up our projects in their schedules, have engaged in plan reviews and expect to move to construction in a matter of weeks or a few short months," the city wrote, adding that they believe the project will be completed within the next six months. Salt Lake City officials reported a somewhat similar issue with contractors tied to a crossing near 1000 West and South Temple, which city leaders voted to allow for the crossing to be temporarily closed to speed up the quiet zone reinstatement while repairs are made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UTA executives, along with leaders from other cities in the zone, also voiced their support for the waiver, while many residents and businesses along the line sounded off on their frustrations. Many wrote about how they've been unable to sleep well for months along with other impacts on health, well-being and business operations. "I get that safety's important, but this is too much. ... I just want to live in my home without losing my mind," wrote Michael Davis, of Salt Lake City. Clinton Mayor Brandon Stanger wrote that it has become the "most detrimental issue" for residents' mental and physical health since he took office. Layton Mayor Joy Petro acknowledged that safety "remains a top priority," adding there had been "no reportable accidents, injuries or fatalities at these industrial crossings" since the quiet zone was created in 2008. We believe this waiver is in the public interest, as it maintains safety while allowing essential improvements to move forward, she added. EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) Feed MY People food bank in Eau Claire is voicing concerns about the elimination of two federal programs that provide assistance for schools and food banks. The US Department of Agriculture announced it was cutting the local food purchase assistance program. Feed My People says, that in 2024, it sourced over 90 thousand pounds of fresh produce and protein from Wisconsin farmers through that program. The Executive Director of Feed My People, Padraig Gallagher, says it wont take long for local producers to be affected by the cuts. The growers who participate in this program were already purchasing seeds and getting in the greenhouse to plant for the orders they thought were coming, so the impact on the growers side is going to be pretty immediate because they will not be reimbursed those costs for the program. Despite the cuts, Gallagher says Feed My People will work to make sure it has other sources of high-quality produce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 FOX2548 & WIProud. Maggie Kulyk, a progressive donor and activist in the Atlanta area, has a long list of worries about President Donald Trump: His moves to bypass Congress and swiftly slash the size of government, the financial fallout of his steep tariffs and his decision to install Elon Musk, the worlds richest person, in a powerful government role. This chaos is intentional, and its terrifying, she said. But shes also alarmed by the response from Democrats at the national level. It has been astoundingly bad. It is as if we are dealing with an analog group in a digital world. Since losing the presidency and the Senate last November, Democrats in Washington have struggled to land on a unified message to effectively confront Trump, much to the dismay of some Democratic contributors and activists. The discontent has exploded in recent days over Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumers vote along with that of nine other Democrats to advance a GOP-led funding bill to avert a government shutdown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A new CNN poll underscores Democrats challenges: The partys favorability rating tumbled to 29% this month, a record low driven in part by its supporters views that the party should focus more on trying to thwart the GOPs agenda. Some in fundraising circles say the growing frustration is pushing some contributors to prioritize House or state-level races, rather than throw money into flipping the Senate, where Republicans currently hold 53 seats to 47 held by Democratic-aligned senators. Tough and challenging times The Democrats political woes were complicated by New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheens announcement last week that she would not seek a fourth term further endangering the partys hopes of regaining the majority in the Senate in next years midterm elections. Shaheen became the third Democratic incumbent whose term is up next year to declare her retirement, joining Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith and Michigan Sen. Gary Peters to announce their departures after the 2026 midterm elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These are really tough and challenging times, said Alan Kessler, a veteran Democratic fundraiser in Philadelphia, who called Shaheens retirement devastating. Every few hours, he said, someone he knows reaches out to him with a fresh worry or outrage about the Trump administrations actions and how to respond. Theres almost a feeling of despair and hopelessness that exists, he said. For some donors and fundraisers, the priority has shifted to seizing the House from Republicans who hold a paper-thin majority in the chamber. The reality is that they can win, one Democratic strategist and fundraiser said of House Democrats. And the reality is the Senate with these retirements cant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee insist they are well positioned for the midterms, saying their fundraising so far this year remains in line with past performances for the early months of an off-year election cycle. Digital fundraising, according to one aide, was particularly strong last month in response to appeals to donors that invoked Musk. David Bergstein, a spokesman for the Senate Democrats campaign arm, maintains that his party has ample avenues to flip the Senate next year as Republicans defend 22 of the 35 seats on the ballot. Open seats in states the GOP hasnt won in decades dont change the fundamentals of the cycle: Republicans have more seats to defend, and theyre doing it in a hostile political environment, Bergstein said in a statement. But all three states with open seats have seen Republicans make inroads. In New Hampshire, for instance, Trump improved his margin of defeat last year and former Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte handily won the governors race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And one adviser to multiple Democratic donors said contributors increasingly feel that Democrats on Capitol Hill are not effectively confronting the extraordinary challenges posed by Trumps actions. Those frustrations rose to the surface earlier this month over Democrats uneven response to Trumps address to a joint session of Congress. But they have boiled over in recent days over Schumers handling of the funding confrontation in Congress. (The environment has grown so heated that Schumer this week postponed a planned tour to promote his new book.) Schumer still lives in the 20th Century media environment with his little flip phone, the adviser said, in a sarcastic reference to the New Yorkers old-school mobile device. Its time to really step up and do some different things. Some donors the person works with have opted to direct their money to state contests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My folks are all in on governors, all in on state legislative candidates, the adviser said. Thats the only place where we can actually push back and where the power is. They are just not seeing leadership at the federal level. This year, Democrats hope to retain the governors office in New Jersey and flip one in Virginia where they are banking on voter alarm about Musk-driven cuts to the states sizable federal workforce to propel a Democrat to power and help grow the partys majorities in the state legislature. Next year, Democrats are looking to retain governors seats in key presidential battlegrounds, including Pennsylvania and Arizona where incumbent Govs. Josh Shapiro and Katie Hobbs are seeking reelection and Michigan where a crowded field is shaping up in the race to replace Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who is term-limited. The party also will need to defend the governors seat in Wisconsin, now held by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who has not declared whether he will seek a third term. (Wisconsin law does not limit governors terms.) Democrats also are targeting two GOP-held seats on the ballot next year: In the swing state of Nevada, where Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo is seeking a second term, and in Georgia to replace term-limited GOP Gov. Brian Kemp. Donor defections Kulyk, a wealth manager, said shes never been a large donor to the Democratic Party, giving only modest amounts over the years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But shes now directing her donations elsewhere contributing to grassroots groups working to support immigrants, minority populations and LGBTQ people, communities that she views as under attack from the Trump administration. Shes encouraging people she knows to do the same. I strongly feel that we need to be funding people closest to the pain, she said. Across the progressive landscape, liberal groups engaged in politics say they are experiencing a cash crunch. Very few people are writing checks, said Amanda Litman, the president and co-founder of Run for Something, which recruits and trains progressive candidates to run for down-ballot offices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although shes seeing record numbers of candidates interested in running for office, Run for Something had to lay off more than a dozen staffers late last year over financial concerns. People are clamoring for more protests and ads to counter Trump, Litman said, but theres no money to do any of that. Democrats cant afford any donor defections, as Trump and aligned groups build big war chests for the midterms. As CNN recently reported, Musk who spent nearly $300 million to elect Trump and Republicans in Congress last year has committed to significant spending on campaigns to help the GOP. Although term-limited himself, Trump has boasted of raising upwards of half a billion dollars since the election and has pledged to invest heavily in preserving the GOPs majorities in Congress and buck the trend of the presidents party losing congressional seats in the midterm elections. Premature panic On Tuesday, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker one of Democrat Partys most outspoken critics of the Trump administration and a prominent donor criticized Senate Democrats who sided with Republicans to advance the funding bill, saying his party must take every opportunity to use their leverage to stand up and fight against the administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its probably the first that I can think of where there was a real opportunity for us to stand up and speak out and to protect the people who we stand up for, Pritzker, considered a potential 2028 presidential contender, said during a talk at the liberal Center for American Progress. Im disappointed about what happened. Some in Democratic fundraising circles, however, say its too soon to declare that the party has failed to arrive at the right response to Trumps moves. I feel like people are in different stages of grief and when we all process through it, were going to be pretty aligned on what needs to happen, said another donor adviser. Even as some contributors decide to take a breather from giving after last years grueling and costly presidential race, she said, I dont think people will let the Senate go. Shekar Narasimhan, a Democratic donor and activist who lives in Virginia, agreed. In an interview Tuesday, he said it was totally over the top to withhold money from Senate races at this point or claim that all is lost over Schumers actions in one, early funding fight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Retreating from supporting his partys Senate candidates, he said, would be akin to shooting my dog because I hate my horse. A donor who serves on the Democratic National Committees finance committee argued that the partys case to voters will grow stronger once more Americans feel the impact of Trumps trade wars and government cuts in their daily lives. Look, I dont like whats happening, and I dont think the American people signed up for this, but Democrats have a tendency to hit the panic button, he said. Its premature panic. CNNs Arit John contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)Hes sweet and cuddly and looking for his forever home. Meet Ferguson! He is a black male kitty under two years old and arrived at Caddo Parish Animal Services a week ago. Ferguson was an owner surrender after his owner had a change of lifestyle and was unable to keep him. From one day to the next, Ferguson found himself in a shelter with no owner and no home. It is stressful because, of course, they dont understand whats going on or why they are at the shelter, so we try to help them adapt and get acclimated as best we can. He is doing pretty good at the shelter, but its still not the same as a forever home, says Caddo Parish Animal Services Adoption and Volunteer Coordinator Kim Freeman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you want to adopt Ferguson, the process is simple and quick. Just visit the animal shelter at 1500 Monty Street, fill out the application, pay the $50 adoption fee, and once he is neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated, hell be ready to go off and make sweet memories with you! For more information visit Caddo Parish Animal Services. 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. The Smoothie King Center in New Orleans was an early voting for the 2022 presidential election. (Photo by Jarvis DeBerry / Louisiana Illuminator) Early voter turnout so far is very low for Louisianas March 29 election to decide the fate of four constitutional amendments and, for some voters, local races and tax referendums. As of Monday night and the close of the second day of early voting, statewide turnout tallied 67,072. Joel Watson, a spokesperson for Secretary of State Nancy Landry, said his office is expecting final turnout to clock in at about 10-15%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were pleased with how its going so far, Watson said. Spring elections are always low-turnout races. John Couvillon, a pollster with JMC Analytics, had a slightly different take on the cause of the sleepy voting. While having an election during the spring isnt ideal, the bigger reasons are the lack of any statewide candidate races on the ballot and a general lack of voter awareness, he said. All Louisiana voters have four constitutional amendments on the ballot. Arguably the biggest is a complex proposal to overhaul the states tax structure. Amendments typically arent turnout draws to begin with, Couvillon said, pointing to the Nov. 13, 2021, election in comparison. Voters also had four constitutional amendments to consider and no other statewide races on that ballot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Numbers from the first two days of early voting in this cycle are below the turnout seen over the same period for the November 2021 election, which took place during the coronavirus pandemic and a year after a presidential election. More than 75,000 ballots were cast by the close of the second early voting day during that election, which had a final turnout of 14%. Louisianas 2023 gubernatorial election saw record low voter turnout of just 36%, and Gov. Jeff Landry avoided a runoff with an outright win in the primary. Couvillon noted that turnout numbers from the first few days of early voting are typically inflated by the posting of absentee ballots that have been accumulating during the preceding weeks, so he expects the daily turnout numbers will be slightly lower for the remaining five days of early voting, which ends Saturday. Early voting locations are open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Saturday. Election day voting precincts will then open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day, March 29. For more information on voting, visit the Secretary of States website or call (800) 883-2805. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Despite having some of the nation's strictest school vaccination laws, California reported a decline last year in the share of kindergarten students who were immunized against measles, including in 16 counties where students no longer have herd immunity against one of the most contagious diseases. New data from the California Department of Public Health show that last year, 96.2% of California students in transitional kindergarten and kindergarten were vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella in the 2023-24 school year, down from 96.5% the year before. And 93.7% of kindergarten students were up to date on all their immunizations, down from 94.1% in the same period the previous year. Data on vaccination rates for first-grade students, which are usually higher, were not yet available. California's childhood vaccination rates are still higher than in the U.S. overall. But public health experts say the declining immunization rate creates two main risks: that measles could spread here amid the deadly outbreak that began in Texas, and that the immunization rate could continue to fall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The COVID-19 pandemic worsened trust in public health institutions, experts say, and there's growing concern that deep political discord, along with widespread disinformation online, will only make it harder to reverse the downward trend. A 95% vaccination rate, sometimes called "herd immunity," is generally considered the gold standard of disease prevention. That threshold not only prevents infections from ripping through a community, but also protects those who are not able to get vaccinated because they are pregnant, immunocompromised or have other serious health issues. "Measles is so infectious," said Dr. Chad Vercio, division chief of general pediatrics at Loma Linda University Children's Health in San Bernardino County, where about 93.5% of kindergarten students were immunized against measles last year. When fewer people are vaccinated against the disease, he said, "the likelihood that someone who's not been vaccinated gets infected becomes so much higher." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Measles is most often associated with a high fever and rash, but more severe cases can cause pneumonia or encephalitis. The disease kills about one to three people for every 1,000 infected and leads to hospitalization in 1 in 5 cases, Vercio said. California's vaccine laws, which were tightened in the wake of the 2014-15 measles outbreak at Disneyland, make it difficult for parents to send children to school without a series of standard childhood vaccines, including the shots known as DTaP, short for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis; and MMR, short for measles, mumps and rubella. Still, the state's childhood immunization rates have been falling for the better part of a decade. Vercio said he and other local pediatricians have seen a "significant" increase in vaccine hesitancy since the start of the pandemic, including parents who refuse to discuss immunizations with their doctors after encountering misinformation online about vaccines, including the debunked connection between vaccines and autism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, nearly two-thirds of California's counties reported immunization rates for all childhood diseases below 95%, with 14 counties falling below 90%, according to the health department data. The immunization rate for measles was higher, but 16 counties or more than 1 in 4 still reported a rate below 95%. The lowest immunization rates were in Northern California. In Glenn and El Dorado counties, fewer than 80% of kindergarten and transitional kindergarten students were fully vaccinated, and fewer than 81% against measles. Sutter County reported the lowest vaccination rate overall at 73%, and 75.8% for measles. Southern California has generally fared better. Of the nearly 130,000 kindergarten students in Los Angeles County, more than 97% received two or more doses of the MMR shot last year, the data show. And Orange County reported a 97.4% immunization rate for its nearly 44,000 kindergarten students. But San Diego County, which has the second-largest number of kindergarten students after L.A. County, saw its immunization rate slip just below the 95% herd immunity benchmark to 94.8%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Kern County, the measles immunization rate among more than 19,000 kindergarten students was just shy of 91%, a drop of more than 1 percentage point from the year before, the data show. About 87.4% of kindergarten students had received all their required shots. Michelle Corson, a spokeswoman for the Kern County Public Health department, said in a statement that a "mistrust of healthcare providers and systems, along with the spread of vaccine misinformation" has contributed to vaccine hesitancy. She said some residents also face other barriers in accessing healthcare, including lack of insurance or transportation challenges. Corson said the county has run back-to-school vaccination drives and has a mobile health clinic that travels to more rural areas of the county to provide shots. In Santa Cruz County, 91.8% of kindergarten students were vaccinated against measles last year, a rate that has declined from 94.1% two years earlier, state data show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're vulnerable," said Dr. Lisa Hernandez, the county's public health officer. Scenic Santa Cruz has a "baseline vulnerability" to infectious diseases such as measles, she said, because a relatively high number of people travel through the county to take vacations and to visit the University of California campus. Many counties with relatively low vaccination rates have a higher share of students in independent study or home-school programs that do not involve classroom instruction or who receive special education services at school even if they're not fully vaccinated. Kern County said 9% of kindergarten students were enrolled in such programs. In El Dorado County, nearly 20% of students were, while in tiny Sutter County, which has the state's lowest vaccination rate overall, that share surged to nearly 1 in 4 of the county's kindergarten students. Heather Orchard, an immunization specialist and public health nurse with El Dorado County Public Health, said despite the rural county's low vaccination rates, the risk of a measles outbreak is less likely than in larger, more populated counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I feel like our risk is low in El Dorado County," she said. But, she said, the county is still working on making vaccines available and sharing that information with families who are sending students to school. California first tightened its childhood vaccination laws a decade ago after a measles outbreak at Disneyland, which spread to 131 people in the state, highlighting the risk of a disease once thought eliminated. California has reported five measles cases in 2025. In 2015, state lawmakers approved Senate Bill 277, which eliminated parents' ability to cite their personal or religious beliefs as a reason for skipping childhood vaccinations that were required for school. That law led to a 5 percentage point increase in the state's vaccination rate, data show. Four years later, amid allegations that a handful of doctors were issuing bogus medical exemptions for unvaccinated children, legislators passed SB 276, giving the state more authority to scrutinize those exemptions. Those collective efforts reduced personal belief exemptions to zero and medical exemptions to less than 1% statewide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But since then, the vaccination rate for all childhood immunizations and for the two-dose measles shot have declined, state data show. Former state Sen. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento), a pediatrician who wrote both of California's vaccine laws, said his efforts have made schools safer for vulnerable kids, even while acknowledging that immunization rates remain low in certain regions. "From a policy point of view, weve done what we can," Pan said. "And I feel that weve done well." But public health experts are preparing for childhood immunization rates to continue declining in the current political climate and as the anti-vaccine movement becomes more mainstream. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Now it has started to become much more of this kind of red-state, blue-state thing," said Richard Carpiano, a public policy professor at the UC Riverside who has studied vaccine hesitancy. Carpiano and other experts said there's general concern that the Trump administration's decision to pull funding for public health efforts and medical research will only worsen health disparities across the country. He noted that instead of encouraging families to vaccinate their children during this recent measles outbreak, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Trump's U.S. Department of Health and Human Services secretary, promoted vitamin A and cod liver oil as effective treatments. "Were going backwards. And were creating all these different types of vulnerabilities," Carpiano said. "The lighter fluid has just been thrown all over these little sparks about freedom and personal choice and parental rights." Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Hageman Road once cut a straight and direct east-west line through the alfalfa fields and grazing pastures of northwest Bakersfield, including the tiny farm town of Green Acres. Not anymore not completely. Now, Hageman has a bump a curved, northerly detour near Allen Road. The road then curves back to the south before resuming its straight course. The reason for the rerouting: So that Hageman approaches the Santa Fe railroad tracks at a 90-degree angle, rather than the acute, visibility-skewing angle it took at 5:08 p.m. on March 2nd, 1960. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats the moment all of Bakersfield shook with the hellish roar of death. The moment a geyser of fire shot 100 feet into the sky. The moment the Santa Fe Railways Chicago-bound San Francisco Chief passenger train flying down the tracks at 75 mph, and perhaps faster smashed into a big rig pulling two trailers containing 8-thousand gallons of highly volatile, freshly refined Kern County fuel oil. The explosion killed 14 people instantly. 63 others many of them broken, burned or both were hospitalized. The worst train wreck in Kern County history made the front page of the New York Times and inspired a years-long safety review and infrastructure improvements that we still enjoy today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And it happened 65 years ago. The driver of the fuel truck owned by Oglesby Brothers Petroleum Transportation Company was 48-year-old John Garrett of Bakersfield. There were no rail-crossing arms at the intersection to warn vehicle traffic, only a reflector-sign on the side of the road. A coroners inquest found that the train, a diesel electric, sounded its horn several times, but Garrett proceeded across the tracks anyway at 5 or 6 mph. The big rig driver may have realized, in his final moments, what was happening, because witnesses told investigators he turned his vehicle so it was almost parallel to the tracks as the thundering Chief bore down behind schedule, according to a Santa Fe official, and so possibly exceeding the prescribed speed. The 11-car passenger train might have been going as fast as 90. Well never know what Garrett was thinking because he was immediately incinerated. The explosion of metal against metal sent flaming oil raining down. 11 of the 83 passengers were killed, along with two Santa Fe employees, engineer Lanson Snyder and fireman A.H. Brawley, both of Fresno. Their charred bodies were found some distance from the front of the train, as if they had tried to scramble away at the last instant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Astronauts return home aboard SpaceX capsule after being stuck for 9 months The train rumbled on for a quarter-mile after the crash before it twisted and jerked to an agonizing halt. Some of the cars hung precariously over a 30-foot embankment. The screams of the trapped, injured and dying pierced the steady roar of the flames. 22-year-old Earl Blakely, a year out of the Army, had just arrived home from work when his father, Fred Blakely called. My father said, Earl, weve got a bad accident out here, so I immediately got out here as fast as I could, said Blakely. And we just started working, trying to get people out of the cars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fred Blakely had recently plowed his fields, and ambulances arriving on the scene couldnt get traction in the loose dirt to reach train cars containing the injured. The farmers of Rosedale and Greenacres came to the rescue. It looked like a sea of tractors, coming this way. And they were going across Allen Road, said Blakely. A convoy of farm tractors converged on the crash scene to tow the ambulances into position. As doctors tended to the wounded, tractors scraped and flattened the ground so the ambulances could get out again. 24-year-old, Bob Hodel, was driving a company car home from Cal Kern Farm Supply when, about a mile directly ahead, he saw the eruption of flames and the plume of black smoke. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hodel, now 89, drove straight to the crash scene, arriving before any first responders. I was one of the first ones there, said Hodel. I drove up on it and I came upon the carnage. I couldnt believe that, said Hodel. Like Pick-Up Sticksthe cars were all kind of ways and it was a mess. People were coming out of windows. When I drove behind the train wreck and got out of my car there were screams and there was a lot of chaos, then I happened to see him under the metal. And he needed the most help, I thought, and so I centered on him. The mans name was Archie, a young man about Hodels age, and he was buried in twisted metal from the waist down. I dont know how he lived, said Hodel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hodel quickly drove home, grabbed his fathers acetylene welding torch, and hustled back. For the next several hours, assisted by four or five others, Hodel painstakingly cut away the steel. Anyway, we talked to him for about three hours to keep him going. We knew that when we would release the metal that the blood would flown, so we had a doctor there, said Hodel. I remember we lifted the metal up that was pressing his thigh down and it wasnt pleasant. We got him out of there. 19-year-old Stephen Preston came upon the same nightmarish scene, pulling up alongside the tracks in his red-and-white 1959 Chevy Impala. Preston, now 84 and living in Contra Costa County, had just gotten off work at Brocks Department Store downtown and was driving home. He lived with his parents, in a house directly behind their family-run, roadside hamburger joint Glens Drive-In, which occupied the spot on Rosedale Highway where Country Boy Drive-in now stands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He saw some haunting things that evening. The first passenger car was on its side with the floor partially broken open and you could see, pretty sure it was a man, except he was looking like soup cans, and you could see him through this crack, said Preston. There were three of us and somebody got an axe so we could break some of that metal away and we pulled him out, but he was dead, deceased. The eastbound Chief, which left the East Bay city of Richmond, near Oakland, just before noon the morning of the crash, was in pieces. The Santa Fe Trains four diesel engines, two baggage cars and the first three passenger cars had hurtled off the tracks and lay scattered across a pasture, tangled in a grotesque, geometric design. The inferno was so hot, the trucks motor had been fused into the jumbled, molten mass of the train engine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Physicians climbed over and around the wreckage, feeling for pulses. Rescue crews rushed cutting torches to the scene to pull out trapped passengers. Floodlights turned the gathering dark into a false day as dozens, then hundreds, gathered at the site of destruction. Fred and Flossie Blakelys thousand-square foot house was only about 100 yards from the crash scene. With the Blakelys permission, rescue workers, Santa Fe officials, law enforcement, media and aid workers moved in. As the evening wore on, Salvation Army ladies came on and my mom turned the inside of her house over to them and they did a wonderful job. They made sandwiches until there were no more sandwiches to be made, said Blakely. Cranes explored the tangled mess looking for survivors almost tenderly, in the words of a reporter for United Press International. One man, badly injured, finally was freed after eight hours. It could have been worse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Only one of the trucks two trailers exploded. A lot of people were walking around zombie-like. They were in shock, Im suresome of them were just staring at this thing wondering, Well, what happened, I think, said Preston. It took a dozen fire companies two hours to finally quench the raging flames, and many more hours for first responders to extract all of the passengers, living and dead. One man who rushed to the scene said he ran about 300 yards to the nearest passenger car. Children inside were crying. Passengers broke windows and passed the children through, into the arms of those waiting outside to take them. Radio stations put out a call for blood donations for the injured and the city responded with more than 250 pints. The crash took the life of one of the San Joaquin Valleys most distinguished medical scientists, Dr. Marshall J. Fiese, director of health services at Fresno State College. Dr. Fiese was prominent among those combating valley fever. The morning after the crash, Fred Blakely found a huge section of severed rail on his property. From where that piece of steel came off the rails, it threw it 250 feet through the air, said Blakely. Santa Fe welders cut up the shattered rail into sections and hammered it into anvils, which they gave away to farmers from around the area who came to help out. The railroad people left the Blakelys with another souvenir. A melted rail car. They left the car intact. And they came out here with big excavators, not this modern kind we have now, said Blakely. And they just kept digging until they got it deep enough and wide enough and long enough, they dropped it in there with big cranes and covered it up. Thats a big hole. As far as anyone knows, that melted passenger rail car is still buried somewhere alongside the railroad tracks, in the Santa Fe right-of-way, southeast of Allen and Hageman roads. Four days after the crash, Bob Hodel brought his mother Lydia to Mercy Hospital to visit Archie. Mother Hodel, who inspired so many of the recipes at Hodels the still-popular restaurant Bob Hodel would open seven years later brought some of her renowned coffee cake. Archie wrote a letter of thanks after he recovered and made it home to Louisiana. The pages of the Bakersfield Californian were filled with letters of gratitude both from victims from around the country whod finally made it home and from locals. For Bakersfield, it was an event, it was a real event, and we were able to pitch in and did what we could, said Blakely. For Earl Blakely, the whole tragic experience told him something important about his hometown. The folks in this whole Rosedale area it was wonderful. I mean, what happened was not wonderful, it was horrible. But people all came together. They were all coming over with tools and so forth that they might never have seen again, but that wasnt the issue, said Blakely. It was like what you would expect people to do. Days after the crash, a state legislative committee launched a probe of oil tank truck accidents. Existing laws already required certain vehicles, including school buses and oil tankers, to stop at all rail crossings, regardless of whether a train was known to be approaching. But the legislature wanted to know what more could be done. Why John Garrett did not stop at the rail crossing was never clear he had worked for Oglesby Brothers for 10 years and was on his second delivery trip of the day to the Humble Oil Company storage facility. Perhaps he was anxious to get home for dinner to his wife and 11-year-old son, and with no crossing arm to stop him, perhaps he daydreamed himself right into the path of the train. The cause of the wreck could not be officially determined; the truck drivers death made it impossible. Oglesby Brothers was named in 39 of the 40 lawsuits filed by the families of crash victims but the company stayed in business until 1979. The San Francisco Chief, which started its daily run between Chicago and the San Francisco Bay Area in 1954, shut down in 1971, when Amtrak began operations. Today, a concrete train trestle crosses over Allen Road at Santa Fe Way, near Hageman, where the wreck took place, so the possibility of some kind of repeat incident is virtually nonexistent. The general problem still persists. Even though the grade crossing collision rate has dropped every year since 1978, many hundreds are killed every year. In 2024, the U.S. saw 2,045 highway-rail grade crossing collisions, resulting in 252 fatalities and 653 injuries. The rail industry continues to make a compelling case for highway safety imploring that we respect the speed, weight and power of trains. They always win these collisions except, as in cases like the 1960 disaster, everyone loses. 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. FIFTY-SIX, Ark. The small community of Fifty-Six, Arkansas, is taking one day at a time cleaning up after Fridays EF-4 tornado. Nearby Blanchard Springs has multiple areas that are still closed. Jake Anderson was staying in a Fifty-Six cabin for Three Days of Syllamo, a 94-mile, three-day race in Blanchard Springs, he coordinates. The tornado canceled it after the first day. Some participants after running 31 miles Friday camped outdoors in tents when the tornado passed over. We had some members of the race that were actively trying to help one individual who had a tree fall down on their tent, Anderson stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement National Weather Service confirms at least 12 tornadoes in Arkansas during weekend storms That person taken to the hospital was the only person injured between Blanchard Springs and nearby Fifty-Six. Anderson learned of everyones safety after his own survival experience. I jetted from the van as quick as I couldjumped in the tub and braced for impact, Anderson recalled. Miraculously, he is only bruised where he was holding on for dear life. Jake Anderson rode out the storm in a now collapsed cabin. Next to him, entire cabins were lifted off their foundation. Some are gone. Tony Hudspeths home is considered totaled by insurance. Trees fell on both bedrooms while he was in a cellar. When he walked out destruction surrounded him. What was once a forest is now too many toppled trees to count. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This will never look the same, he said. I mean thats the reason I like living down here. I was kind of secluded but close by. Families in Diaz suffering after EF-4 tornado strikes city His sawmill will have a years worth of lumber because the damage he saw is townwide. Mayor Earnestdine McDaniel said currently 26 structures are considered totaled, including 12 homes people live in year-round. Over half dont have homeowners insurance. Another 24 structures are considered damaged, including Marcia Halls home. Just waiting on repairmen and seeing if they will condemn your house or wont condemn your house. I know they are completely condemned. They are condemned, she said pointing down the street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Volunteers and donations are helping the town through its first steps of recovery. Donations the town still needs include tarps, nails, and other construction supplies. Even with damage everywhere, Wood said Fifty-Six isnt broken because Fifty-Six is the people. Its the people. Theyre close. They love each other, Wood said. Fitzhugh, Woodruff County community recovering from damages of EF-2 tornado And visitors like Anderson and those who travel from states away say their race will return in the years to come. 12 miles of the trails out there at Syllamo are probably going to be gone forever, but were still going to have 40 miles of trails that were going to enjoy again, Anderson said. The fellowship, the community part. Thats never going to go away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to reinstate roughly 25,000 federal employees. The temporary order is the latest example of the fight over President Donald Trump's mass firings. DOJ filings in the case also provide extensive details about the terminations thus far. New documents filed by the Justice Department shed light on just how far the White House and its DOGE office have gone in trying to cut probationary staff from the federal government. In declarations from 18 departments or agencies, officials said roughly 25,000 federal workers had been terminated across the government. Their disclosures are the largest insight yet into mass reductions that have become the signature focus of President Donald Trump's first 100 days in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Agency officials were required to file the declarations by Monday night in a Maryland case brought by 20 Democratic state attorneys general who allege that the mass firings were illegal. US District Judge James K. Bredar previously granted the attorneys general request to temporarily restrain the Trump administration from fully carrying out the terminations. Many of the roughly 25,000 employees were put on administrative leave following their reinstatement, according to the filings. Some agencies have struggled to notify fired workers that they can come back. An IRS official said they'd resorted to sending out certified mail. Agency officials repeatedly warned that complying with Bredar's order could cause chaos, especially if the temporary block is lifted and the workers are fired again. Even if employees can return to work, many officials said in the filings that any reinstated employee would have to go through the onboarding process again, requiring them to obtain security badges, complete training, and receive whatever equipment they need for their jobs. Some of the agencies said they didn't have enough office space. The White House targeted probationary employees with less than two years of experience in their roles as early as Inauguration Day. Probationary employees are typically easier to terminate since they lack some civil service protections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DOGE office wasn't directly responsible for the Office of Personnel Management memo that prompted agencies to review the status of their probationary employees. Tesla CEO Elon Musk, the de facto leader of the DOGE office, has championed mass firings and claimed credit for at least some efforts to reduce the size of government, namely the US Agency for International Development. Here are the agencies that have been hit the hardest so far, according to the filings. Treasury Department The Treasury Department terminated 7,605 out of roughly 16,663 probationary employees. The IRS is by far the largest affected Treasury agency with 7,315 terminated employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Treasury Department, the second-oldest Cabinet department, manages federal finances, ensures financial security, and, through the IRS, collects taxes. Agriculture Department The Agriculture Department terminated roughly 5,714 employees. The department said that on March 12, it reinstated all of the affected employees and put them on administrative leave as part of a phased plan for them to return to work. USDA is responsible for food, nutrition, and rural development. Department of Health and Human Services The Department of Health and Human Services terminated 3,248 out of roughly 8,466 probationary and trial period employees. Many of those employees were immediately put on leave, some with no set end date. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HHS said it had reinstated 88 employees and extended the leave of 2,855 others. Others were allowed to return to work. Additional employees were reinstated because they were found not to meet the definition of a probationary employee. The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for promoting the health of Americans. Among the largest agencies in HHS are the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which focuses on preventing diseases, the Food and Drug Administration, which ensures the safety of food and drugs, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which oversees Medicare and helps administer the federal portion of Medicaid. Department of Veterans Affairs The Department of Veterans Affairs terminated 1,900 of roughly 46,000 probationary employees. After a review, this was narrowed down to 1,683 employees. VA said it was continuing to try to notify those 1,683 employees of their reinstatement but had been unable to reach all of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's the second-largest Cabinet agency and is responsible for healthcare and other services to veterans. Interior Department The Interior Department terminated 1,712 employees, including 1,303 probationary workers. The department said it had canceled terminations for roughly 90% of the 1,710 employees terminated during their probationary or trial period. It also said it wouldn't reinstate two employees who were covered by the order. The Interior Department manages public lands both through the Bureau of Land Management, which awards commercial leases, and the National Park Service, which manages national parks and many national monuments and historic sites. Commerce Department The Commerce Department terminated 791 of roughly 9,000 total probationary or trial period employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department said 27 employees were reinstated within days of firing "for various operational reasons." It said it had notified the other 764 employees of their reinstatement. The Commerce Department helps promote economic growth and includes a wide range of agencies, from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to the Census Bureau, the latter of which is responsible for planning and administering the once-a-decade census. Transportation Department According to its filing, the Department of Transportation terminated 788 probationary employees. The department said only 775 were affected by the court order. The remaining employees were either fired for performance reasons (2), already had their terminations rescinded (8), resigned (2), or accepted a deferred resignation program (1). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 775 employees have all been notified of their reinstatement. The department said it would place all affected workers on leave through Wednesday to allow time to coordinate their return, including returning government equipment and issuing new ID cards. The Transportation Department is responsible for managing the nation's transportation infrastructure, including agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration and the Federal Highway Administration. Energy Department The Energy Department terminated 555 probationary employees. The department said it had canceled the termination of all of the affected employees and placed them on retroactive leave until their badging and IT statuses were restored. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Energy Department is responsible for national energy policy and maintaining the US's nuclear infrastructure, including the security of nuclear weapons. Environmental Protection Agency The Environmental Protection Agency terminated roughly 419 probationary employees. The agency said it had notified all of the affected employees of their reinstatement. Most of the 419 workers have been put on paid leave, though some ("including students on leave for the school year") are on unpaid leave. Created in 1970, EPA is responsible for enforcing environmental laws. The agency says it makes sure Americans have clean air, water, and land. General Services Administration The General Services Administration has terminated roughly 366 of about 812 probationary and trial employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By Monday morning, GSA said it had reinstated all employees, minus two who declined to return to work. Often called the federal government's landlord, GSA helps the federal government manage contracting for goods and services. Department of Homeland Security The Department of Homeland Security terminated at least 313 probationary employees. The department didn't indicate the number of total probationary workers it terminated because it said those fired for performance or conduct issues weren't covered by the order. DHS said it had begun the process of reinstating more than 310 workers. One employee declined to return, while another worker was already coming back because of a deferred resignation program. Since 2001, DHS has grown to become the third-largest Cabinet agency it encompasses agencies as varied as the Transportation Security Administration, Customs and Border Protection, the Secret Service, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Department of Housing and Urban Development The Department of Housing and Urban Development terminated 312 of roughly 549 probationary employees. HUD said it had fully reinstated 13 employees. The department said it had begun the reinstatement process for the remaining workers who were being placed on administrative leave temporarily. The Department of Housing and Urban Development is responsible for addressing housing policy and enforcing fair housing laws. Small Business Administration The Small Business Administration terminated 304 of roughly 700 probationary workers. SBA said it quickly rehired six workers, five of whom remain with the agency. One employee resigned. As for the remaining employees, SBA said it had notified all 298 workers of their reinstatement. The agency said 127 workers had been reinstated and put on paid leave. Employees who were on intermittent status (164) have been put into non-pay status and won't receive back pay because of their work schedule. The Small Business Administration is a Cabinet-level agency focused on helping small business owners and entrepreneurs. US Agency for International Development The US Agency for International Development terminated 270 of 295 probationary employees. USAID said it had notified the affected workers of their reinstatement. If they return to work, they'll be placed on administrative leave until further notice. The international aid agency, which had operations worldwide, is different from the other 17 departments and agencies covered by the order in that it has already effectively begun to shut down its operations. USAID previously vacated its DC headquarters. The State Department has absorbed its remaining operations. There are multiple ongoing lawsuits regarding USAID's restructuring and effective gutting. Labor Department The Labor Department terminated roughly 170 of about 620 probationary and trial employees. The department said all affected employees had either returned to work or voluntarily left the government. The Labor Department is responsible for enforcing federal labor laws, which, according to its website, cover more than 165 million workers. The department is responsible for publishing closely watched data on the economy and employment through the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation terminated roughly 156 of about 261 probationary employees. The FDIC said in its filing that five employees would have been terminated regardless because of performance/conduct issues. The remaining 151 employees have been reinstated and placed on administrative leave. The FDIC is an independent federal agency funded primarily by fees banks pay. It's primarily known for insuring bank deposits, which is part of its mission to maintain the financial system's stability. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau terminated 117 probationary employees. The CFPB has reinstated all of the affected employees who are now on administrative leave. The brainchild of Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, a Democrat, the CFPB is a consumer watchdog. The agency has shut down its DC headquarters amid a Trump administration move to end its operations. Musk previously called for the CFPB to be deleted. Education Department The Education Department terminated 65 of roughly 108 probationary employees. The department has processed reinstatements for the employees. They'll be put on administrative leave. Created in 1980, the Education Department administers state and local education programs. Trump and Linda McMahon, the education secretary, have outlined a plan to shut down the department. Read the original article on Business Insider Twelve workers have been injured in a fire during demolition work at a decommissioned nuclear power plant in southern Germany, police said on Wednesday. The incident took place at the Grafenrheinfeld plant in the state of Bavaria, which was shut down in 2015 under Germany's phase-out of nuclear power. Police in nearby Schweinfurt said no hazardous substances or radioactive material escaped during the fire on Wednesday, and the local population was not in danger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A tent went up in flames after grinding work, causing a "small fire in the ventilation hoses of a mobile air filter system," operator Preussenelektra said. Firefighters extinguished the flames within minutes, but not before 12 workers were slightly injured. Police said four of the injured were taken to hospital. The federal nuclear supervisory authority has been informed, the operator added. The Grafenrheinfeld nuclear power plant was commissioned in 1981. Operations ended in 2015, after Germany decided to phase out nuclear power in 2011 following the Fukushima disaster in Japan. The last nuclear reactors in Germany were switched off in 2023. Work to dismantle the Grafenrheinfeld plant began in 2018, with the highly prominent cooling towers being successfully demolished in August 2024. BEIJING, March 19 (Xinhua) -- China has seen more than 2.04 million new e-bikes sold under its consumer good trade-in program as of Tuesday, generating 5.61 billion yuan (about 783 million U.S. dollars) in new sales of such bikes, according to the Ministry of Commerce on Wednesday. Since the start of this year, the daily sales volume of e-bikes under this program has averaged 27,000 units -- 2.5 times the figure recorded the previous year, the ministry said. During the period, over 2 million consumers have benefited from the program, with total subsidy applications involving over 1.2 billion yuan, averaging 610 yuan per person, the ministry added. The program has also benefited about 50,000 sales outlets since the start of 2025, with an average per-store sales increase of 107,000 yuan. The majority of these outlets are individual businesses and small-to-micro-sized enterprises. Since the launch of the program in September 2024, a total of 3.42 million new e-bikes have been sold nationwide, the ministry revealed. COLUMBIANA CO., Ohio (WKBN) The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a fire weather warning for a local county due to near-record warmth, dry conditions and gusty winds. The fire weather warning, also known as a red flag warning, is issued by the NWS when favorable conditions exist for fires to grow out of control. Temperatures will soar into the 70s Wednesday afternoon and it could come close to breaking a record in Youngstown. Red flag warning in effect for Columbiana County until 10 p.m. on Wednesday (Storm Team 27). Currently, the fire weather warning is only in effect for Columbiana County because this is where the warmest temperatures and driest conditions are forecasted. However, the rest of the Valley is located in a special weather statement which states that fire control may be difficult Wednesday due to the weather conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the warm temperatures are part of the problem, one of the main issues will be the low values of relative humidity which are forecast to be between 10-15%, indicating dry air. Forecast relative humidity values across the Valley Wednesday afternoon (Storm Team 27). The warm temperatures and dry air will be accompanied by wind gusts up to 40 mph on Wednesday afternoon, which will fan the flames of any fire present. Forecast wind speed and gusts for Youngstown, Ohio through Thursday morning (Storm Team 27). Spring fire season in Ohio lasts from March until May 31, and burning is prohibited between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. While burning is not prohibited in Pennsylvania, it is discouraged, especially on days like Wednesday when fires could spread easily. The Storm Team 27 weather team will keep you updated on any fires. In the event of a fire in the Valley, you can stay up-to-date at WKBN.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can check the latest 7-day forecast to be prepared for the weather through the weekend. You can also download the free WKBN Weather app on the Apple App Store or Google Play store to get alerts for any severe weather. 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. The Hurff A. Saunders Federal Building is pictured in Juneau in an undated photo. (iStock/Getty Images Plus) Some fired federal employees received letters on Monday notifying them they were reinstated according to a federal court order, but on paid, non-duty status, a type of administrative leave. The U.S. Department of Commerce issued a letter to fired employees, including those formerly with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, who shared a copy with the Alaska Beacon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I first heard the decision, I was super excited, said one former employee with NOAA, who spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid potential retaliation, as they hope to get their job back. But as the weekend went on, I basically started to think that wed probably be put on admin (administrative) leave and that it would be challenged, and I slowly lost confidence. While some reinstated employees have received letters not all have. U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, told reporters on Tuesday that shes heard from employees whove received backpay, but no letter describing their employment status. Basically it had been a direct deposit to their account, but with nothing further, she said. No notice that they were placed on administrative leave, no notice about going back to work So theres a lot of uncertainty, I think, about those that are being brought back on by order of the court. For those who did receive this notice, the letter states that employees are reinstated to their position retroactive to their date of firing, and placed on paid, non-duty status until such a time as the litigation is resolved. Its nice to get a little more pay, but what we want is to have our jobs back, said the former employee, who said the entire ordeal driven by the Trump administrations cost-cutting efforts through the Department of Government Efficiency is anything but money saving. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The whole process is inefficient. Theyre spending money to terminate us all through HR, and then rehire us all and then, of course, now paying us not to do work, they said. The whole thing is incredibly inefficient. The letter came following a March 13 court decision in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, which ordered the Trump administration to temporarily reinstate all fired probationary employees with 18 federal agencies, after finding those agencies acted unlawfully in carrying out the firings. U.S. District Court Judge James Bredar, appointed in 2010 by Barack Obama, granted a temporary restraining order and a 14-day stay on the federal firings, after a case was brought by state attorneys general from 19 states and the District of Colombia. The states argued the Trump administration ignored laws in carrying out the mass firings, with no advanced warning, and caused harm including to state programs that rely on federal workers, loss of tax revenue and harms to unemployment benefit systems with no advance notice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least 24,000 probationary federal employees have been fired since Trump took office, according to the lawsuit. In Alaska, the total number of probationary employees is estimated at 1,378, but the current number of fired federal employees is unknown. The judge agreed with the plaintiffs that the process of mass firings, as well as citing probationary employees performance, was unlawful. There were no individualized assessments of employees. They were all just fired. Collectively, Bredar wrote in the court order. The ruling orders all affected probationary employees to be reinstated with the defendant agencies, including the Departments of Commerce, Education, Health and Human Services, Interior Veterans Affairs, Treasury and others. The Trump administration has appealed the ruling, arguing the federal governments right supersedes the states, and the administration is targeting waste, fraud and abuse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter from the U.S. Department of Commerce is signed by the Department Acting General Counsel John K. Guenther. It continues that if the court order is invalidated by a higher court and the department prevails in this litigation matter, the employees would be terminated again and they would waive any indebtedness to the federal government, meaning they would not be owed the back pay. The government is doing the absolute minimum to comply with the court order while still maintaining the stance that what they did was fine, and thats disappointing, said another former NOAA employee, in a phone interview on Monday, who also spoke anonymously to avoid potential repercussions. Its great to get paid for that time, and it really helps considering how emotionally draining this whole process is, they said. But its not what Im really after. Im really after getting my job back. I want to go back to work. Ive got stuff Id like to go do. On Monday, a federal appeals court also denied a Trump administrations request to overrule a Northern California district courts order, and block the reinstatement of thousands of fired probationary employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case was brought by the federal union, American Federation of Government Employees, arguing federal employees were fired illegally from six federal agencies, including Agriculture, Defense, Energy, Interior, Treasury and Veterans Affairs. The Trump administration had appealed the ruling of U.S. Judge William Alsup, who ordered the reinstatement of federal employees. Alsups order is in place indefinitely, while Bredars is for 14 days, though it could be extended. The White House has criticized the court rulings as unconstitutional and interfering with executive actions. 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 on social media on March 13, following the ruling. 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. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Workers at the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration this week experienced a kind of whiplash as the federal government tried to reinstate probationary employees who had been fired. More than 600 NOAA workers were laid off more than two weeks ago, including some in public safety roles, such as scientists who issue tsunami alerts, hurricane-hunting flight directors and meteorologists in local forecast offices. But Thursday, a U.S. district judge in Maryland issued a temporary restraining order, blocking (at least temporarily) the terminations of tens of thousands of workers across agencies and ordering them to be reinstated. The Trump administration said in court Monday that it had moved to reinstate about 24,000 workers affected by the widespread cuts to the federal governments probationary workforce. (Probationary workers are typically in their first or second years of federal service, but the status also applies to some employees who were recently promoted or hired full-time after having worked as contractors.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a court filing, the Commerce Department confirmed that it had reinstated 791 workers, in total, across its agencies, including NOAA. The reinstatements have added a new layer of confusion at NOAA, which had already halted several services because of staffing issues following the cuts. They included weather balloon launches in Albany, New York; Gray, Maine; and Kotzebue, Alaska, that are critical to support accurate forecasting. The agency also closed several offices. The cuts came just weeks before a severe storm raced across the country, spawning tornadoes and killing at least 42 people. The National Weather Service, a division of NOAA, forecast the storm, issuing public alerts that it would be a particularly dangerous event. Although the probationary workers at NOAA have technically been reinstated, they were placed on administrative leave and have not been asked to return to work. So it is not immediately clear whether the services they previously contributed to would be restored. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NOAA press office directed questions to the Commerce Department, which did not respond to a request for comment. Andy Hazelton, a hurricane modeling specialist with a doctorate who was laid off late last month, said he received an email Monday with a memorandum confirming he had been reinstated following the court action. You will be reinstated to the Federal service and your previous position of record, retroactive to the effective date of your termination, and placed in a paid, non-duty status, the memo said, adding that the situation would remain that way until the court case concludes or the department takes further action. It offered few additional details, except that the Commerce Department may revert your prior termination action to its original effective date if a higher court invalidates the restraining order or if the department ultimately wins in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hazelton said that as of Monday, he had received no additional communication and remained unsure whether he would receive back pay or eventually return to his duties. The email brought temporary relief, he said, but confusion remains because he has also heard rumors that there may be additional cuts to the NOAA workforce through a reduction in force, or RIF. Im glad it might be a step toward getting our jobs back, but its still not clear its going to be permanent, and theres still rumors about RIFs, Hazelton said. Theres a lot of uncertainty and more questions than answers. Indeed, rumors have circulated widely about possible layoffs at NOAA. At a news conference last week held by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., a member of the Appropriations subcommittee on Commerce and other programs, Rick Spinrad, the NOAA administrator during President Joe Bidens administration, made some details of those rumors public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NOAA was forced to identify an additional 1,029 positions for potential termination, Spinrad said, adding that he had been told about the potential cuts by former colleagues still at the agency. Dennis Jaszka, who worked as an investigative support technician for NOAAs office of law enforcement before he was laid off, said he received an identical email to Hazeltons. Jaszka, 49, said he now feels in complete limbo. He resents the implication that government workers are a drain on taxpayer resources and the statements President Donald Trump has made suggesting that they do not do good work, or any work at all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It took me a lot of time to get this job, and then I finally get it, and then this administration comes in and says, basically, You government workers are cockroaches. Thats not what they said, but its kind of the idea: You just steal our tax money and you dont do anything, Jaszka said. Now, after the court order, Jaszka pointed out, the government has instructed him outright not to report to duty. Were also willing to pay you not to come to work at all. Its ridiculous, he said. Me and a lot of other people love our jobs. We came in believing in the mission of NOAA. In a court filing, the Commerce Department said it did not ask employees to return to full duty because that would be a burden on the agency and cause turmoil for terminated employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All employees offered reinstatement into full duty status would have to be onboarded again, including going through any applicable training, filling out human resources paperwork, obtaining new security badges, re-enrolling in benefits programs and payroll, reinstituting applicable security clearance actions, receiving government furnished equipment, and other requisite administrative actions, Jessica Palatka, the departments chief human capital officer, wrote in a court filing. She added that an appellate court could also reverse the decision and leave employees subjected to multiple changes in their employment status in a matter of weeks. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A volunteer firefighter has been charged with obstruction, accused of taking photos of teenage twin brothers found dead with gunshot wounds on a Georgia mountain this month. Scott Kerlin, 42, of Hiawassee, Georgia, was charged with misdemeanor obstruction after he was accused of taking photos of the bodies of 19-year-old twin brothers Qaadir Malik Lewis and Naazir Rahim Lewis and sharing them publicly, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced Tuesday. Hikers found the bodies of the teens, who are from Lawrenceville, at the top of Bell Mountain in Hiawassee the morning of Saturday, March 8. The mountain is about 90 miles from their home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities have said the deaths are a murder-suicide, according to the preliminary investigation. However, the Lewis family has vehemently disputed that claim, saying the boys were inseparable, never got into fistfights and were not familiar with Bell Mountain. How did they end up out in the mountains? They dont hike out there; theyve never been out there, Samira Brawner previously told NBC affiliate WXIA of Atlanta. They dont know anything about Hiawassee, Georgia. They never even heard of Bell Mountain, so how did they end up right there? It is not clear exactly how Kerlin, a volunteer firefighter in Towns County, shared the photo of the scene. Towns County Schools Superintendent Darren Berrong said it was shared among students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Berrong said in a statement that the school district was made aware that a crime scene photo had been shared with some of our students on Monday. The district launched an investigation and took appropriate measures to ensure the photo was no longer in the possession of any student. The students involved were unaware of the illegal nature of how the photo was distributed, he said. Autopsies were completed, but an official ruling on the cause of manner and death is pending addition forensic testing. Samira Brawner, the twins aunt, said she is terrified to go online for fear of seeing the photo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its scary. Im literally scared to go on social media. Im scared to pick up my phone because I know if I see that picture, I already know Ill have a heart attack, she told WXIA. Yasmine Brawner, another aunt, told the station: Just imagine if their mother sees that like, that would really destroy her. Shes already going through a lot. The twins uncle Rahim Brawner, who has worked as a first responder for more than 10 years, said, We know thats one of the No. 1 rules is not to take pictures and share them. The GBI assisting the Towns County Sheriffs Office in the death investigation. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com LOUISBURG, Kan. (KSNW) A firefighter has died from his injuries a day after a vehicle crashed into a hair salon. Our sister station, WDAF in Kansas City, reports it happened around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Safari Hair Salon in Louisburg, in Miami County. The Drexel, Missouri Police Department says firefighter Anthony Juarez and his wife, Devin, were taken by EMS to a hospital in Overland Park after a man in a pickup truck crashed into the building. Jaurez died from his injuries Tuesday night. Drexel Police say his wife is expected to recover. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parent sues Gardner Edgerton School District after being banned from school grounds According to the department, Juarez had served with the Drexel Fire Department and played music in a local band. Please keep the Juarez family in your prayers as they attempt to navigate this difficult circumstance in which they find themselves. In order to allow the family to grieve, we ask that you respect their privacy at this time. Drexel Police Department Facebook Louisburg Police are investigating what led up 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 KSN-TV. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) Two people have been injured in an apartment fire in southeast Wichita Wednesday afternoon. The call came in shortly before 2 p.m. of a fire at Sugar Creek Apartments, 2550 S. Oliver, just southeast of Pawnee and Oliver. The first firefighters to arrive saw flames coming from an apartment. Dispatchers say one person has potentially serious injuries and is being taken to a hospital. Another person has minor injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Snowfall amounts and wind gusts from Kansas blizzard Wichita Fire Department Captain Nicholas Woods said firefighters did not find a fire when they entered the apartment that appeared to be burning. As we continued to investigate, we ended up having fire blowing horizontally above apartments on both sides in between floors one and two, he said. Additionally, the fire made its way towards a fireplace chase, went up a fireplace chase and also got into the attic a little bit, so we ended up with a total of four apartments that were affected with fire spread in between floors one and two. Woods said the wind was a problem, pushing the fire through the floors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On days like today, we really pay attention, especially to the winds blowing like this, he said. It has a lot of factors to how we ventilate buildings, how we cut holes in roofs, and, you know, we dont want to take windows. It all has to, the timing has to be extremely perfect on a day like today. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 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 KSN-TV. LOGAN COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR) Firefighters are battling wildfires in Logan County Wednesday morning. Officials say crews are fighting hotspots near W Charter Oak Rd. and Choctaw Rd. Smoke can be seen coming from multiple spots in the area. LOCAL NEWS: High fire danger predicted in Oklahoma Wednesday Logan County wildfire. Image KFOR. Logan County wildfire. Image KFOR. Early Wednesday morning, evacuations were ordered for the area of Indian-Meridian and Seward Rd. in Logan Co. due to a fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement High fire danger is predicted for parts of Oklahoma Wednesday. According to KFOR Meteorologist Emily Sutton, strong winds are expected as temperatures drop. Critical fire danger is predicted for western and central Oklahoma. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Some of the United States most important historical documents, including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Emancipation Proclamation, are housed in the U.S. National Archives. Beyond these high-profile items, it also preserves lesser-known but no less vital records, such as national park master plans, polar exploration documents and the records of all U.S. veterans. Together, these materials stand as a testament to the countrys commitment to preserving its history. While these crucial documents in U.S. history now have a home in the National Archives, the road to establishing this institution was paved with catastrophic losses and bureaucratic inertia. Creating the National Archives required decades of advocacy by historians, politicians and government officials. The National Archives was not simply an administrative convenience it was a necessity born from repeated disasters that underscored the fragility of government records. And with President Donald Trumps firing of the head archivist in February 2025, as well as the loss of several high-level archives staff members, the organization faces a new era of uncertainty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Documentary heritage the recorded memory of a nation that preserves its cultural, historical and legal legacy is essential for a country as it safeguards its identity, informs its governance and ensures that future generations can understand and learn from the past. I am a university archivist with two decades of experience in the library and archives field. I oversee the preservation and accessibility of historical records at Rochester Institute of Technology, advocate for inclusivity, and engage in national conversations on the evolving role of archives in the digital age. Understanding the precarious nature of historical records, its clear to me that maintaining, staffing and funding the National Archives is a necessary safeguard against the destruction of the nations documentary heritage. People line up to view the original Emancipation Proclamation on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 19, 2004, at the National Archives building in Washington, D.C. Tim Sloan/AFP-Getty Images Destroyed by fire The idea of preserving the governments records dates back to the countrys founding. Charles Thomson, secretary of the Continental Congress during the American Revolution and then secretary of Congress under the Articles of Confederation, recognized the need for proper storage of the Congress records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the young nation lacked the money and infrastructure to act. Many of the Continental Congress records were kept by Thomson himself for years, and while some were later transferred to the Department of State, others were lost. Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, fires repeatedly ravaged federal records. Fires were very common in the 19th century due to a combination of highly flammable building materials, open frames used for lighting and heating, and the lack of modern fire safety measures such as sprinklers and fire-resistant construction. In 1800, a blaze destroyed the War Departments archives, a loss that severely hampered government operations. In 1810, Congress authorized better housing for government records, but the law was never fully executed. Instead, different parts of the government, from the Department of State to the Department of Treasury, continued maintaining their own records. The Treasury Department suffered fires in 1801 and again in 1833, further erasing crucial financial records. The Patent Office, home to invaluable documentation of American innovation, burned in 1877, having already been damaged by an 1836 fire. Storage at the federal Office of Indian Affairs in 1935. National Archives Foundation One of the most devastating losses occurred in 1921 when a fire at the Department of Commerce destroyed nearly all records from the 1890 federal census. This loss had far-reaching consequences, particularly for genealogical and demographic research. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fires werent the only threat to the governments records. It is a matter of common report that during the civil war, great quantities of documents stored in the Capitol were thrown away to make quarters for soldiers, Historian and founding member of the American Historical Association J. Franklin Jameson noted in a 1911 Washington Post article. At a later date, he added, the archives of the House of Representatives were systematically looted for papers having a market value because of their autographs. Jameson spent decades lobbying Congress for a centralized repository. His persistence, coupled with the advocacy of key officials, laid the groundwork for future action. A bound copy of George Washingtons account of expenses while commander in chief of the Continental Army. National Archives and Records Administration These repeated disasters illuminated a glaring issue: The federal government lacked a centralized, protected repository to safeguard its records. Finding a home Momentum for a dedicated archives building gained traction in the late 19th century. In 1903, a bipartisan bill passed Congress giving the OK to purchase land in Washington, D.C., for a Hall of Records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the legislation didnt lead to any action. Government records remained scattered, vulnerable and neglected. That same year, Congress authorized that any records not needed for daily business be transferred to the Library of Congress. In 1912, President William H. Taft issued executive order 1499, aptly named Disposal of Useless Papers, requiring agencies to consult the librarian of Congress before disposing of documents. This established a formal review process for government document disposal, but agencies still discarded records, often haphazardly, until stricter records management laws were enacted. In 1926, Congress passed the Public Buildings Act, authorizing construction of an archives facility in Washington, D.C. Departing president Herbert Hoover laid the cornerstone of the new building on Feb. 20, 1933. He then deposited facsimiles of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, an American flag and daily newspapers from that day underneath the cornerstone. Growth and standardization President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who took office two weeks later, was himself a meticulous record-keeper. He understood the importance of historical preservation. Roosevelt kept all of his personal and presidential records and books in a fire-safe space he built on his Hyde Park, New York, property, which he donated to the government after he died. This building and the materials inside became part of the National Archives as the first U.S. presidential library. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Archives, an independent agency, was officially established under Roosevelt in the 1934 National Archives Act. The head archivist was to be appointed by the president. The first archivist, Robert D.W. Connor, took office that year with a mandate to organize, preserve and make accessible the nations records. Initially, the National Archives was simply a building an impressive neoclassical structure in Washington, D.C., that opened in 1935. The very first records deposited there came from three World War I-era regulatory agencies the U.S. Food Administration, the Sugar Equalization Board and the U.S. Grain Corporation. Initially, the Archives lacked a formalized records management program. There were no clear guidelines on what to keep and what to discard, so agencies made their own decisions. This led to inconsistent preservation. The creation of the first federal records administration program in 1941, together with the 1943 Records Disposal Act, codified things. These policies granted the National Archives authority to establish a structured approach to determining which records held historical value and should be preserved, while allowing for the responsible disposal of other documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 1950 law gave the National Archives more power to decide what should be kept and what could be discarded, creating a more organized and accountable system for preserving the nations history. As the volume of records increased and their formats changed, the archives adapted. By 2014, amendments to the Federal Records Act explicitly included electronic records, recognizing the shift toward digital documentation. Stacks at the National Archives in Washington in 1950, where rare photographs and national records are ordered and stored. Three Lions/Getty Images Ensuring accountability Beyond mere storage, the National Archives plays a vital role in upholding democracy. It ensures transparency by preserving government accountability, preventing manipulation or loss of records that could distort historical truth. The National Archives also provides public access to documents that shape civic awareness and historical knowledge, from the Declaration of Independence to declassified government files. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an era of digital misinformation and contested narratives, the National Archives stands as a guardian of primary sources. Its existence reminds the nation that history is not a matter of convenience, but a cornerstone of informed governance. 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: Elizabeth Call, Rochester Institute of Technology Read more: Elizabeth Call is a member of the Society of American Archivists. COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) John Anker, selected to Columbus Council last week in a 6-3 vote, has officially assumed his duties as a city-wide councilor. Anker has taken the city charter required two oaths of office. Because Columbus is a consolidated city and county government, city councilors are required to be sworn in by a Superior Court judge and the Probate Court judge. Chief Superior Court Judge Art Smith swore Anker in on Friday. Probate Court Judge Marc DAntonio swore Anker in Wednesday morning. Both judges confirmed to WRBL they swore Anker in. Anker also tells WRBL he has taken both oaths. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anker ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2022, losing to Mayor Skip Henderson, who was seeking a second term. Last year, Anker ran for a vacant city-wide council seat and was defeated in a runoff by businessman Travis Chambers. Anker said Wednesday afternoon, he is not surprised at the backlash since his appointment. Since his appointment, the Columbus Chapter of the NAACP and former Mayor Teresa Tomlinson have come out against Anker and his criticism of City Manager Isaiah Hugley. Anker said he stands by his comments made about Hugley in the public agenda portion of last weeks city council meeting. He says he will sit on the council and listen to citizens and reserves the right to change his mind. When asked about being sworn in over the last few days Anker said, I am ready to get started and engaged and help the city move forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anker added that his style on the council will be to sit and listen, saying, I will stay engaged and I will listen to everybody. Ankers first official meeting will be next Tuesday. 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. GAZA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Israeli airstrikes on various places across the Gaza Strip early Tuesday morning have killed 413 and injured at least 562 Palestinians, the Gaza-based health authorities said in a press statement. Later in the day, the Israeli military and Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency said that they will continue to strike Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad targets across Gaza. "At this time, the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) and Shin Bet are striking terror targets throughout the Gaza Strip," they said in a joint statement. "The targets struck over the past few hours include terrorist cells, launch posts, weapons stockpiles and additional military infrastructure." WHAT DRIVES RENEWED ISRAELI STRIKES ON GAZA? Palestinian political analyst Raed Najm told Xinhua that the Israeli military operation was not a surprise. Instead, it was preceded by a tightened blockade and the prevention of humanitarian aid from entering, followed by intense bombing of the Gaza Strip, said Najm, adding that this led to the issuance of evacuation orders for residents in certain areas, indicating Israel's intention to carry out a new ground incursion into those areas. Maged Botros, a political science professor at Helwan University in Egypt, echoed the view, saying that Israel had premeditated its airstrikes on Gaza and was looking for any excuse, as this was part of its plan. Israel decided to launch a surprise attack on Hamas after the group ended negotiations and refused to compromise on Israeli and U.S. demands to proceed with the first phase of the proposed Gaza peace deal, Ido Zelkovitz, an Israeli expert on Middle East affairs and senior researcher at the University of Haifa, told Xinhua. Yonatan Freeman, an international relations expert at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, told Xinhua that intelligence reports also indicated that Hamas had been actively rebuilding its military infrastructure, setting up new explosives and preparing for potential future attacks. Israel saw this as a direct threat to both its soldiers and civilians, particularly those living near the Gaza border, said Freeman. There is also a U.S. hand in the attacks. Israel has been "fully coordinated" with the United States on the resumption of the intensive airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, David Mencer, a spokesperson for the Israeli government, said on Tuesday. "I can confirm that the return to intense fighting in Gaza has been fully coordinated with Washington. Israel has thanked President Donald Trump and his administration for their unyielding support for Israel," Mencer told a press briefing. Hamas said in a statement on Tuesday that Washington's admission that it was informed in advance of the Israeli aggression confirms its direct complicity in the war against the Gaza people. "The international community is called upon to take urgent action to hold the occupation and its supporters accountable for these crimes against humanity," it added. HOW INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HAS REACTED? United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is shocked by the Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, calling for the ceasefire to be respected, his spokesperson said on Tuesday. The Palestinian presidency on Tuesday condemned Israel's renewed attacks on the Gaza Strip, calling on the international community and the U.S. administration to halt it. Israel's killings demonstrate its attempt to undermine all efforts made by the international community to maintain calm and achieve security and stability in the region, Palestinian Presidency Spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh was quoted by the official news agency WAFA as saying in a statement. Iran, Egypt, Qatar and the Arab League on Tuesday strongly condemned the new round of Israel's deadly airstrikes against Gaza. The Israeli move "represents a dangerous escalation that threatens to have severe consequences for the stability of the region," the Egyptian foreign ministry said in a statement. The Qatari foreign ministry described the action as a challenge to international efforts to secure a ceasefire and warned that further escalation could destabilize the region and undermine security. The Turkish foreign ministry warned that Israel's aggressive actions endanger regional stability at a time when international efforts for peace are gaining momentum. Russia deeply regrets the resumption of Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip, the Russian foreign ministry said on Tuesday. "Russia strongly condemns any actions that lead to the death of civilians and the destruction of social infrastructure," the ministry said in a statement. China is closely following the ongoing situation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and hopes parties will work to enable the continuous and effective implementation of the ceasefire agreement, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday. HOW PEACE TALKS WILL BE AFFECTED? The escalation in Gaza undermines the foundations of the Gaza peace agreement and puts the region on the brink of a new confrontation, Palestinian political analyst Ismat Mansour told Xinhua. Mansour believes that the current escalation has undermined the foundations upon which previous arrangements were based and has ended any talk of a ceasefire agreement. The possibility of bringing the two sides back to the negotiating table depends on the mediators' ability to contain the escalation, but this largely remains contingent on Israel's stance, he said. He noted that Israel's demands and conditions continue to expand, making any new agreement even more complex than the previous one. The situation in the region has become more turbulent and volatile, Botros, the political science professor at Helwan University, told Xinhua. "We are not merely experiencing instability -- we are witnessing a state of continuous transformation, where the tools of change are controlled by the United States and Israel, not by the Arabs or regional states," said Botros. "Unfortunately, we are now in a position of reaction rather than action. Worse still, our reactions are neither proportional to the scale of the challenges nor effective enough. We are on the receiving end of strikes, reacting to reality rather than shaping it," he said. "While military action typically complicates diplomatic efforts, in this case, it may actually serve to reinforce the urgency of negotiations," said Freeman. Israel's strategy appears to be one of coercive diplomacy-applying military pressure to push Hamas toward accepting a deal that would facilitate a ceasefire and the release of hostages, he said. "Given the current dynamics, the negotiations will likely continue, but under heightened tension. The key question is whether Hamas perceives the renewed military offensive as a reason to compromise or as justification to further entrench its position," he added. Enditem (Emad Drimly in Gaza, Wang Zhuolun, Nick Kolyohin in Jerusalem, Dong Xiuzhu, Yao Bing in Cairo, He Yiping, Mohammed Ghazel in Amman, Chen Xiao, Farzam Vanaki in Tehran, Li Jun in Baghdad and Ji Ze in Damascus also contributed to the story) Flooding has been as issue in Daviess County for as long as anyone can remember. The fact the county sits in what many have described as a bowl is definitely a factor in the drainage issue, as is Panther Creek running throughout the county, with it prone to overflowing its banks following heavy rains due to a number of factors, not the least of which is blockages throughout the creek. Daviess County Commissioner Chris Castlen has taken the lead for Daviess Fiscal Court in studying the issue and potential solutions, and he said that work is ongoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have some professionals that were working with to help us on where to start and how to mitigate it, Castlen said. It would be difficult for somebody like myself, that doesnt have the background, to be able to make decisions on that kind of stuff, where to go and what part. I get a lot of opinions from people that are affected by it, residents and farmers that are affected by it, and when I say opinions, its not just requests for help. I get a lot of people telling me what we need to do. When you have that many opinions, somebodys got to be right. But for us, the biggest thing is just sorting into the facts of the matter and having the professionals help us with it. Fiscal Court has been consulting with the Kentucky Division of Conservation, the Kentucky Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Castlen said he began looking into the issue even before he officially took office in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I had people call me about it, wanting us to start again with cleaning out waterways and that kind of stuff, he said. Castlen said the county stopped doing clean outs in or around 2007 when Fiscal Court discovered it was not within state statutes for it to be conducting the work it was performing. I dont know what happened between 2007 and my time getting elected, but I know for us, we need to do something, Castlen said. Thats why in April of last year (Judge-Executive Charlie Castlen) and I and the engineer at the time, Mark Brasher, had a meeting with mostly farmers, and we probably had about 40 people there, and listened to their issues and concerns and told them we were going to try to figure out a way to work with this. We started right after that by getting in touch with the state, doing research on what we had done in the past, and also what their projections were for what needed to be done in the future. We had some meetings with them, some back and forth, and then two weeks ago I met with the judge again to go over some things where we needed to take some other steps and reach out again. Thats where we are right now. Im actually putting something together to send to them to help us get going on some long processes, for suggestions they made for us to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Castlen said a drainage study was conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 2016 that produced several options. However, none appear to be cost effective. The prices of these things for the amount of flooding that it would actually mitigate, the price is so high compared to what amount of help it would give these areas, it was mind-boggling to me, Castlen said. It just wasnt something we could do to make it worth the while. So what were looking at with that is kind of doing some little projects at a time for helping areas, to hopefully look at the big picture while taking care of the smaller areas at the same time. Hopefully, there will be grants and things like that to assist with these things. Hopefully by getting the right entities with the state involved, theyll help direct us on what needs to be requested to make this financially doable. Castlen said a big question is where to start the process to get the greatest benefit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have people say you need to start downstream so you dont open it up at the front of it where stuff starts coming through faster start working your way back that way, he said. But that depends on what the process would be, because part of what we are looking at it detention basins and things like that and it would be the placement would start where we could get the most bang for the work that we do. I dont know what that is without them saying. It just depends on what they tell us is the best location to get the most effect. There has been some talk of bringing back the Daviess County Drainage Commission, which disbanded years ago. Castlen said hes not ruling it out, but would need a clearer vision of the commissions purpose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I know that we had one before we came into office, but Im not sure what all they did, Castlen said. If that were something as we go through the process, if we find out something like that would be helpful, then I would be willing to bring that back, if thats the process that we need to go. Being a novice at this and needing the experts to give us direction, Ill see what kind of direction we can get from them. Castlen said Fiscal Court still needs to learn more before it can determine how much funding will be required to improve drainage. But he said its certainly a high-priority issue for the court. This is something that is a definite process we are involved in; we are working on, he said. I wish we had quick results, but we dont. But what we want to make sure we have is long-lasting results to take care of the problem as much as we possibly can. Similar approaches can be used to protect both ocean fisheries and dwindling groundwater on land, an OSU professor says. (Photo by Vicki Smith/ Getty Images) Among renewable natural resources, ocean fisheries and groundwater aquifers are arguably the most difficult to manage. They are also very similar: both are hidden below the surface; both are highly variable and uncertain; both are typically exploited by many users in different locations; and both support peoples livelihoods directly and indirectly, and benefit other stakeholders, species, and ecosystems. Both resources also have a history of failures. As fishery exploitation around the world exceeded sustainable levels, fish populations crashed. The North Atlantic cod fishery and UK groundfish fisheries collapsed in the 1970s and 80s, and Pacific salmon, South American whitefish, and others experienced comparable fates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Similarly, groundwater has declined around the world for decades, including in the U.S. high plains, southern coastal plain, and parts of Oregon. Overextraction of groundwater has led to high pumping costs, seawater intrusion, land subsidence, streamflow depletion, dry wells, and degradation of groundwater-dependent ecosystems. Studies and experiences from many countries identify three key design principles for managing these resources: 1) cap total resource use; 2) allocate the total among resource users; and 3) allow managers to adjust the cap as needed. These design principles have been effective, particularly in fisheries using Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) systems or catch shares. In the U.S. southeast, an ITQ fishery has seen profits equaling 34% of revenues versus a nearby traditionally-regulated fishery barely breaking even. Iceland and New Zealand have seen similar results. And after the U.S. west coast groundfish fishery was declared a disaster in 2002, an ITQ system was adopted, leading to a 37% increase in profits per vessel in a decade. Unfortunately, these three design principles have rarely been effectively applied to groundwater resources. Beginning in 1927, Oregon applied the prior appropriation doctrine to groundwater. This system, previously established for surface water in many western states, adjusts to shortages by allocating water based on seniority (i.e., historical first use). Junior water rights may not interfere with senior water rights access to their allotted water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For surface water, interference is easily detected by examining streamflows above and below diversion points. For groundwater, interference is not directly observable, can involve many wells across large areas, and can occur gradually over decades. Thus, proving interference to a legal standard has been unachievable. The bottom line is that Oregons groundwater laws do not include the third design principle: managers cannot adjust the cap. So, although the law, which requires protecting senior groundwater rights from interference, exists on the books, it is inoperable and routinely ignored. In its place, ad hoc and cumbersome administrative procedures have been activated where large groundwater declines occurred. In 1959, eastern Oregons Cow Valley was the first basin to be designated a critical groundwater area. However, there, as in many other designated basins in Oregon, groundwater levels have continued to decline. In Oregons Harney Basin, widespread groundwater declines have been evident for many years, with groundwater levels declining more than 60 feet in some areas. Many senior wells, including residential and livestock wells, have gone dry due to interference including from more junior wells [10]. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The un-enforceability of the seniority system has created a crisis for the community and water resource managers: both senior and junior permit holders view their permitted water allotments as inviolable, even as groundwater levels decline. Thus, unsurprisingly, ongoing negotiations between Harney Basin irrigators and Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) appear headed toward deferring groundwater stabilization until at least 2060. Meanwhile, environmental flows feeding the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, already lowered by more than one-third, will continue to decline. OWRD staff have been given an impossible task, akin to driving down a winding road with bad brakes, no reverse gear, and a view mainly out the rear window. Oregons groundfish fisheries might have faced a similar crisis, except that ITQs provide a kind of GPS to navigate resource uncertainty and variability. An even better model to point to, however, is the riparian surface water rights system used in the eastern U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Landowners adjacent to water sources have individual rights to reasonable use of water, and shortages are accommodated by imposing equal proportional reductions. Were such an approach adopted in Oregon, the states guiding principle of reasonably stable groundwater levels could be accomplished with similar equal proportional reductions until groundwater levels are stabilized across hydrologically-connected areas. Changes of this magnitude would require considerable political fortitude and use of the governors statutory authority, but in the long run it would provide OWRD with the three design principles needed to effectively manage groundwater. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX BREMEN, Maine (AP) Commercial fishermen and seafood processors and distributors looking to switch to new, lower-carbon emission systems say the federal funding they relied on for this work is either frozen or unavailable due to significant budget cuts promoted by President Donald Trumps Department of Government Efficiency. The changes are designed to replace old diesel-burning engines and outdated at-sea cooling systems and are touted by environmentalists as a way to reduce seafood's carbon footprint. Salmon harvesters in Washington state, scallop distributors in Maine and halibut fishermen in Alaska are among those who told The Associated Press their federal commitments for projects like new boat engines and refrigeration systems have been rescinded or are under review. The uncertainty. This is not a business-friendly environment, said Togue Brawn, a Maine seafood distributor who said she is out tens of thousands of dollars. If they want to make America great again, then honor your word and tell people what's going on." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Decarbonization of the fishing fleet has been a target of environmental activists in recent years. One study published in the Marine Policy journal states that more than 200 million tons of carbon dioxide were released via fishing in 2016. That is far less than agriculture, but still a significant piece of the worldwide emissions puzzle. With Earth experiencing worsening storms and its hottest year on record in 2024, reducing the burning of fossil fuels across different industry sectors is critical to fighting climate change, scientists have said. But climate-friendly projects often cost tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars, leading fishermen to seek U.S. Department of Agriculture or Environmental Protection Agency funds to cover some costs. DOGE, a commission assembled to cut federal spending, has targeted both agencies for cutbacks. That has left fishermen like Robert Buchmayr of Seattle on the hook for huge bills. Buchmayr said he is nearing completion of a refrigeration project for a salmon boat and was counting on a $45,000 USDA grant to pay for a chunk of it. The agency told him last month the funding is on hold until further notice, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I'm scrambling, where does the money come from. I was counting on the grant, Buchmayr said. I was under the impression that if you got a grant from the United States, it was a commitment. Nothing in the letter was saying, 'Yes, we'll guarantee you the funds depending on who is elected.' Fishermen search for answers after getting bad news The full extent of the cuts is unclear, and fishermen affected by them described the situation as chaotic and confusing. Representatives for the USDA and EPA did not respond to requests for comment from AP about the value of the cuts and whether they were permanent. Dan Smith, USDA Rural Development's state energy coordinator for Alaska, said updates about some grants could arrive in April. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Numerous fishermen, commercial fishing groups and advocates for working waterfronts told AP they learned about the changed status of their grant money in February and March. Some were told the money would not be coming and others were told the funds were frozen while they were subject to a review. Many prospective grant recipients said they have had difficulty getting updates from the agencies. The lack of certainty has fishermen worried and seeking answers, said Sarah Schumann, a Rhode Island fisherman and director of the Fishery Friendly Climate Action Campaign, a fishermen-led network that works on climate issues. They've started contacting me in the last couple of weeks because they've had the plug pulled on money that was already committed, Schumann said. If they miss a season they could go out of business. In Homer, Alaska, Lacey Velsko of Kaia Fisheries was excited for her decarbonization project, which she said hinged on hundreds of thousands of dollars via a USDA grant to improve a refrigeration system on one of her boats. The recently completed project burns less fuel and yields a higher quality project for the company, which fishes for halibut, Pacific cod and other fish, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, now the company is told the money is unavailable, leaving a huge cost to bear, Velsko said. Of course we think it was unfair that we signed a contract and were told we would be funded and now were not funded. If six months down the road were still not funded I dont know what avenue to take, she said. Lack of funding puts businesses in jeopardy The funding cuts have also hurt seafood processors and distributors, such as Brawn in Bremen, Maine. Brawn said she received a little more than half a USDA grant of about $350,000 before learning the rest might not arrive. Brawn received the grant for Dayboat Blue, a project that uses a membership-based model to get Maine seafood to nationwide customers while reducing the carbon footprint of transportation and packaging. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This model can really help fishermen, it can help consumers, it can help communities, Brawn said. What it's going to do is it's going to stop the program. The confusion on the waterfront is another example of the bumpy rollout of government cutbacks under Trump. The Trump administration halted its firings of hundreds of federal employees who worked on nuclear weapons programs last month. It also moved to rehire medical device, food safety and other workers lost to mass firings at the Food and Drug Administration. New tariffs on key trading partners have also been chaotic. In Bellingham, Washington, EPA funding was paused for five engine replacement projects split between three companies, said Dan Tucker, executive director of the Working Waterfront Coalition of Whatcom County. He said the uncertainty about funding has made it difficult for fishermen to move ahead with projects that will ultimately benefit their businesses and the community at large. A lot of the small guys are like, 'Well, I really want to help out with climate change but I can't afford it,' Tucker said. ___ Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This story has been updated with Dan Smiths correct title. It is the USDA Rural Development state energy coordinator for Alaska, not the USDA Rural Developments state energy director for Alaska. ___ This story was supported by funding from the Walton Family Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Mar. 19GRAND FORKS Five years after the discovery of COVID-19 onboard his Grand Princess cruise left him quarantined aboard the ship, a Grand Forks man easily recalls details of the trip. It was the last vacation he spent with his wife, Kari, who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and died within six months. "We had a lot of people cheering for us," Paul Kolstoe recently told the Grand Forks Herald. "That was cool." In spite of Kari's 2018 diagnosis of stage four neuroendocrine cancer, which had then metastasized to her spine, they decided to proceed with their long-held Hawaii plans, hoping the cruise would serve as a reprieve. Altru Cancer Center staff even found a way to schedule Kari's radiation therapy appointments which helped manage her pain to accommodate for the cruise, which began Feb. 21. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The medical people were all cheering us on to get on the cruise and get going," Kolstoe said. His wife loved to travel, and they had a fantastic time in Hawaii, he said. Kari even checked off a bucket list item: touring an island by helicopter. But on March 4, as they approached the U.S. mainland, the ship went into lockdown when staff learned that some passengers had tested positive for COVID-19, Kolstoe said. Everyone had to stay in their rooms, food was left outside their doors, and they were not supposed to interact with each other. As the ship sailed in circles off the coast, many throughout the country and beyond followed the complex journey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Suddenly our existence became known to the news media, and that grew fairly rapidly," Kolstoe said. "There were several people on the ship who they were talking to, but I think Kari kind of became the 'poster child' for the ship, because she was the lady with cancer." People were concerned for her because they knew she needed to get back home for her next round of radiation therapy. Her pain worsened as treatment was delayed, yet she was didn't want to be seen as a "sad story." "She didn't want us to be victims," Kolstoe said. "She wanted to point out that, yeah, she needed to get back for treatment, and that was important but everybody on the ship had something important to get back to." For a brief time, this was her mission: showing that it's possible to face adversity with a positive attitude and faith. This was perhaps the best distraction she could have had, Kolstoe said. As his wife did interview after interview, he supported her by being her cameraman and discussing possible questions with her in advance of interviews. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On March 9, the ship docked and occupants were taken to Travis Air Force Base in northern California, where they anticipated a potential weekslong stay, but the Kolstoes were spared from this and were able to fly home on March 13. When they returned to Grand Forks, they had to quarantine for two weeks before Kari could return to radiation therapy. "At least we were back at our house, and we could position her with pillows and things like that to try and minimize the pain," Kolstoe said. The Grand Princess crew was fantastic, he said, but could only do so much to make his wife more comfortable. She recalled a nice chair on the uppermost deck of the ship, which staff delivered outside their room, but they couldn't fit it through the door. The cushions, at least, were able to be removed and brought inside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While on the base, they shared one bed with two pillows, which Kari needed to prop herself up. Her husband rolled up a pair of jeans to rest his head on at night; she repeatedly expressed how sorry she felt for him. One of their daughters ordered body pillows from Target, which an employee tried to deliver, but he couldn't get onto the base. "He was trying to come up with ideas (of how to get them to us, and he thought) he might just go to the fence of the base and throw them over, so that we could have them," Kolstoe said. One person had to go downstairs to collect their meals three times each day. Rules were made in one moment and changed or discarded entirely the next. People herded together despite instructions to stand 6 feet apart and not interact asking what the others knew. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was uncertainty, especially in the early days of the pandemic, and it was especially difficult for those already prone to anxiety, according to Rhonda Dockter, psychotherapist and owner of Therapy Works Midwest, PLLC. She met with clients who never before felt their anxiety impacted their lives enough to warrant treatment. All of the unknowns had caused their mental health to drastically worsen. Providers were generally able to quickly and easily transition to telehealth. Some were resistant prior to the pandemic, but were forced to participate if they hoped to continue providing care during a time when more people needed it. "I think, overall, that change has been positive for accessibility," Dockter said. "But we were just super busy. You couldn't always get in." Also in the psychology field, Paul Kolstoe was able to work remotely during the final months of his wife's life, which they spent together at his parents' lake cabin. Their children and grandchildren visited, staying in a living space inside the garage, keeping their distance to reduce any chance of infection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "My youngest grandson had been born in the early summer," Paul Kolstoe said. "(My wife) didn't get to hold him, but she could see him through the screen door." The COVID-19 pandemic was traumatic for many people, for the fear it caused as well as the impactful life events that had to be altered or foregone entirely, Dockter said. For the Kolstoes, the pandemic was something like background noise. Because they had known for more than a year that Kari was terminal, and nothing would change that, "nothing was going to come along that was going to interfere with our commitment to each other to get through that," Kolstoe said. The couple had also lived through a traumatic experience decades earlier; they lost their home in the Flood of 1997. Kolstoe believes that experience prepared them for this one, more than any of his professional training or experience. Knowing they'd gone through something so difficult, yet powered through and came out the other side, gave them strength. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kari died on her birthday, Aug. 17, 2020, at age 61. It was a little more than a week after the couple's 40th wedding anniversary. Paul Kolstoe recorded his wife's funeral to later show his mother, who was in an assisted living facility and couldn't attend. "I went over, and I stood outside her apartment and showed her the funeral through the window, and we talked through the window," he said. That is the most challenging thing Dockter observed about the pandemic the inability to be with loved ones, to support them during illness or to say goodbye. "That impacts the grief process, because then there's difficulty with closure," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Isolation was difficult for many, but it especially impacted the elderly, particularly those in assisting living or nursing homes, where no one could visit, Dockter said. "The people who are already lonely and depressed were more lonely and depressed," she said. After the loss of his wife, Kolstoe found support through his friends, children, grandchildren and Watson, his Labradoodle. "I have our dog, who is missing her, but he seems to think I am passable, so he stays with me," he said with a laugh. Now 66, Kolstoe still lives in Grand Forks and works as clinical director of the Life Skills and Transition Center in Grafton. He originally planned to retire about two years ago and travel the world with his wife, but his retirement plans were derailed after her death. "As of right now, I'm planning to work another three years," he said. "That's quite a change in strategy and lifestyle, but you have to deal with what life deals you, and take it as it comes, and that's kind of where I'm at now. My agency can use me. If I were to retire right now, it would be a hardship on them. Psychologists are very hard to find, especially willing to work in developmental disabilities. There's not many of us out there. So I'm welcome at work." Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan has not yet said whether she plans to sign off on a proposed immigration bill moving through city hall when it more than likely makes it to her desk next week. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Now, a recent scrap between Floridas new Attorney General and the Fort Myers City Council is raising questions about whether Deegan could face repercussions if she were to veto the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier issued this letter to Fort Myers City Council members after they rejected a proposal that would have increased the local police departments cooperation with ICE. In it, he suggested city leaders could face civil and criminal penalties, or even be removed from office. Were taking a firm stance, said Jacksonville City Council Vice President Kevin Carrico (R-District 4). Carrico is sponsoring the local legislation that would make it illegal to be in Duval County without legal status and mandate city agencies cooperate with immigration officials. Illegal immigrants are committing crimes in this community every day, basically, if you look at the stats and theres a federal mandate by President Trump to crack down on illegal immigration, said Carrico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mayor has not yet announced whether shell support it, but she has raised questions about whether it is redundant with state and federal laws. Mayor Deegan will look at the substance of the bill to make her decision, a spokesperson for the mayors office told Action News Jax Wednesday. If she were to veto the bill, its unclear whether she could face similar threats like those facing officials in Fort Myers. Uthmeiers office declined to comment on the specific hypothetical when asked by Action News Jax, but the Attorney General did recently make a broad statement regarding local governments that obstruct the states mission to support federal immigration efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Florida, we will not let local governments obstruct our mission to support the federal government in combatting illegal immigration, Uthmeier wrote in a social media post. Carrico said hes not sure whether a veto could place the city or the mayor at risk, but he did encourage her to support it. To the mayor, I would say just dont play politics with this issue, said Carrico. This is a real issue. This is a good bill. It helps protect the citizens. It helps enforce the federal mandates from President Trump. The immigration bill is set to be taken up by the full council for a final vote on Tuesday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mayor has indicated she wont decide whether to support it or not until she sees the final product. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) A Florida caregiver is accused of stealing a 75-year-old womans car and using the victims credit card to pay for a spa treatment. The St. Lucie County Sheriffs Office said 28-year-old Sarah Works gained the trust of the 75-year-old woman by inserting herself into the victims life as a caregiver. According to an arrest affidavit, the victim said she gave Works access to her credit card to purchase food and groceries. The 75-year-old woman said she also allowed Works to use her vehicle in the past, for grocery runs and to take the victim to and from doctor appointments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Feb. 14, while the victim was in a hospital, Works had her sign paperwork to authorize access to her credit card. The victim told deputies that Works was supposed to deliver food to the victim before 8 p.m. but never arrived. However, the victim said she learned that fraudulent charges had been made to her credit card at a Miami spa, charges which she did not authorize. On Feb. 15, the victim texted Works I would like you to stop using my car, return it to my house today or I will press charges. She also told deputies to list her Mercedes-Benz E-Class as stolen. The next day, a deputy drove by Works house and found the victims car in the driveway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An officer with the Port St. Lucie Police Department later conducted a traffic stop on the stolen car, according to the affidavit. Works was placed into custody and taken to the St. Lucie County Jail. On Wednesday, March 19, detectives with the St. Lucie County Sheriffs Office executed a search warrant at Works home. (St Lucie County Sheriffs Office) Works was charged with scheme to defraud, fraudulent use of credit cards and criminal use of personal identification. Fraud and elder abuse are crimes that not only violate the law but also betray the trust of our most vulnerable citizens. We will continue to take a strong stance against those who exploit and harm others for personal gain, said Sheriff Richard Del Toro. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Two sweeping bills are moving through Floridas capitol that would prohibit local governments from adding fluoride to drinking water. Both bills, HB 651 and SB 700, are wide-ranging, covering a slew of topics from electric vehicle charging stations to mosquito control budgets and concealed weapon carry rules. Neither explicitly use the word fluoride. The Florida Houses Housing, Agriculture and Tourism Subcommittee approved HB 651 in a vote Tuesday, which bars the use of any additives included primarily for health-related purposes. The bill is a Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services agency package, and the range of topics addressed fall under its purview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And a similar measure, SB 700, prohibits the use of a water quality additive for purposes other than contaminants or improving water quality also excluding anything used for health-related purposes. Rep. Kaylee Tuck, R-Lake Placid and Rep. Danny Alvarez, R-Hillsborough County, are sponsoring the House bill. Tuck said after a Tuesday committee meeting that although the legislation doesnt use the word fluoride, it would prevent its use. Were trying to draw a distinction between clean water and healthy water, Tuck said. Keith Truenow, R-Tavares, chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, is sponsoring the Senate bill. It was unanimously approved by the committee March 11 There are more stops for the bill to be enacted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We want to make sure that we give those choices to the parents and the people receiving the fluoride, Truenow said during the meeting. So if someone doesnt want to use the fluoride in the water system, you cant really opt out. The House bill, known colloquially as the Florida Farm Bill, is looking to protect personal health freedoms, Tuck said. It also aims prevent the mislabeling of plant-based poultry, meat, milk and eggs. Tuck said a state statute has always prohibited health additives in water, but local governments havent followed guidelines. Now, were making sure that they do follow suit, Tuck said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are a growing number of local governments across the state already considering the removal of fluoride from drinking water. After a heated debate, Hillsborough County voted to keep it in drinking water last month, and in Pinellas County, a Clearwater City Council member began the conversation in February as well. Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo released guidance in November that recommended against the use of fluoride in drinking water, and leaders in the state have said the water additive is harming childrens IQs. Dentists and health experts argue against this. They say the studies Ladapo cited regarding childrens IQs were based on exposures to quantities of fluoride that were larger than the national drinking water standard, which is 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water. Fluoride naturally occurs in water but water fluoridation enables governments to adjust fluoride to the optimal level. And removing fluoride, experts say, could increase rates of tooth decay among children and low-income communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brandon Edmonston, a lobbyist for the Florida Dental Association, spoke at the House panel meeting Tuesday and argued against the constraints on local governments. Community water fluoridation is regarded as one of the greatest scientific discoveries of the 20th Century, Edmonston said. He also spoke against the Senate bill last week and said exterior applications of fluoride, such as with toothpaste or mouthwash, arent as effective as fluoride working from the inside out. Bacterial infections in the teeth can harm the brain and heart if improperly treated, he said. The House bill needs approval from three more panels before it can go to the full chamber. Times staff writer Romy Ellenbogen contributed to this report. TALLAHASSEE Florida Republicans from Gov. Ron DeSantis on down quickly jumped onto the DOGE bandwagon after President Trump was sworn into office, echoing his call to root out alleged waste and fraud in bloated government bureaucracies. DeSantis issued an executive order creating a DOGE-like task force within the governors office with the goal of cutting hundreds of jobs and auditing state agencies, universities and local governments, an action widely viewed as a jab at the past 30 years of Republican leadership. This week, his task force sent out letters to all state cities and counties aiming to uncover any unnecessary or excessive spending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But rather than taking a chainsaw to slashing budgets and laying off workers as Elon Musk has done, the Florida Legislature is taking a more measured approach, building on the states already existing budgeting and planning structure. Our state has been well served by the performance metrics, planning requirements, and accountability standards Governor (Jeb) Bush and Legislative leaders put in place nearly 30 years ago, Senate President Ben Albritton said during his opening remarks of the 2025 session. The result is a trio of bills aimed at improving the states information technology infrastructure, long-range planning and budgeting and streamlining administrative procedures, all an effort to making state government run more efficiently and transparently. Well, its not DOGE, said Sen. Lori Berman, D-Boynton Beach, who sits on the Senate Appropriations Committee that is introducing two of those bills Thursday. I do think we need to look and make sure we need to operate efficiently, but we dont need to take the same kind of ax to it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One bill, SB 7026, would create the Agency for State Systems and Enterprise Technology under the direction of the Cabinet, with the state chief information officer serving as its director. Its responsibilities would include making its system more secure to protect personal data of Floridians and updating an antiquated and fragmented IT infrastructure. Florida has tried many different ways to manage Information Technology. We have implemented several different structures, but we continue to face challenges, said Sen. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart. Many state agencies run their own systems and some even run separate systems within their own agency. Such a decentralized system makes enterprise-wide projects difficult if not impossible. Earlier this month, lawmakers received an audit of the Department of Management Services that uncovered missing data on thousands of state-owned vehicles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, tech and staffing issues stripped thousands of their Medicaid benefits. And during the COVID-19 pandemic, computer glitches blocked millions of people from getting unemployment benefits and were expected to cost $244 million to fix over five years. In addition, a failed attempt to overhaul the states financial system over eight years cost the state $89 million. The project was abandoned five years ago. The other bill, SB 7024, would focus more on the bigger picture of long-range budgeting and planning using a panel that has been in place for a quarter-century, and on which several senators have served. A government efficiency task force created by a voter-approved constitutional amendment has also existed since 2007. That group conducts a five-year review of state agencies budgets and procedures and make recommendations on improving them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By modernizing this system of accountability, our agencies will be better able to respond to changing situations quickly and efficiently, spending less time on paperwork and more time on their core missions, said Sen. Jason Brodeur, R-Lake Mary. Brodeur said he expected full cooperation from both sides for the measures. Who can object to open government and transparency? A third measure, by Vero Beach Republican Sen. Erin Grall, SB 108, was unanimously approved by the Senate Wednesday. The bill, if it becomes law, would enhance transparency for the public by making material and resources more accessible online, she said. Its main feature is creating a 90-day rule for agencies to implement any new laws after they go into effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes it can seem like the delay of implementation is painfully slow, Grall said. Their intention is to bring transparency to this process, make it easier for the public to interact with. The bill requires annual reviews of 20% of an agencys rules, so that every five years they each will have reviewed all their rules and made any changes recommended. Rep. Toby Overdorf, R-Palm City, has introduced a similar bill in the House. The bill marks the first major review of the states rulemaking process in seven years. Bureaucratic red tape slows down businesses, burdens taxpayers, and creates unnecessary obstacles for Floridians, said Rep. Overdorf. Florida should lead the way in making government work smarter, not bigger. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. Florida Republicans from Gov. Ron DeSantis on down quickly jumped onto the DOGE bandwagon after President Donald Trump was sworn into office, echoing his call to root out alleged waste and fraud in bloated government bureaucracies. DeSantis issued an executive order creating a DOGE-like task force within the governors office with the goal of cutting hundreds of jobs and auditing state agencies, universities and local governments, an action widely viewed as a jab at the past 30 years of Republican leadership. But rather than taking a chainsaw to slashing budgets and laying off workers as Elon Musk has done, the Florida Legislature is taking a more measured approach, building on the states already existing budgeting and planning structure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our state has been well served by the performance metrics, planning requirements, and accountability standards Governor (Jeb) Bush and Legislative leaders put in place nearly 30 years ago, Senate President Ben Albritton said during his opening remarks of the 2025 session. The result is a trio of bills aimed at improving the states information technology infrastructure, long-range planning and budgeting and streamlining administrative procedures, all an effort to making state government run more efficiently and transparently. Well, its not DOGE, said state Sen. Lori Berman, a Boynton Beach Democrat who sits on the Senate Appropriations Committee that is introducing two of those bills Thursday. I do think we need to look and make sure we need to operate efficiently, but we dont need to take the same kind of ax to it. One bill, SB 7026, would create the Agency for State Systems and Enterprise Technology under the direction of the Cabinet, with the state chief information officer serving as its director. Its responsibilities would include making its system more secure to protect personal data of Floridians and updating an antiquated and fragmented IT infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Florida has tried many different ways to manage Information Technology. We have implemented several different structures, but we continue to face challenges, said state Sen. Gayle Harrell, a Stuart Republican. Many state agencies run their own systems and some even run separate systems within their own agency. Such a decentralized system makes enterprise-wide projects difficult if not impossible. Earlier this month, lawmakers received an audit of the Department of Management Services that uncovered missing data on thousands of state-owned vehicles. Last year, tech and staffing issues stripped thousands of their Medicaid benefits. And during the COVID-19 pandemic, computer glitches blocked millions of people from getting unemployment benefits and were expected to cost $244 million to fix over five years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, a failed attempt to overhaul the states financial system over eight years cost the state $89 million. The project was abandoned five years ago. The other bill, SB 7024, would focus more on the bigger picture of long-range budgeting and planning using a panel that has been in place for a quarter-century, and on which several senators have served. A government efficiency task force created by a voter-approved constitutional amendment has also existed since 2007. That group conducts a five-year review of state agencies budgets and procedures and make recommendations on improving them. By modernizing this system of accountability, our agencies will be better able to respond to changing situations quickly and efficiently, spending less time on paperwork and more time on their core missions, said state Sen. Jason Brodeur, a Lake Mary Republican. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brodeur said he expected full cooperation from both sides for the measures. Who can object to open government and transparency? A third measure, by Vero Beach Republican state Sen. Erin Grall, SB 108, cleared its second committee hearing this week by unanimous vote and without discussion or debate. The bill, if it becomes law, would enhance transparency for the public by making material and resources more accessible online, she said. Its main feature is creating a 90-day rule for agencies to implement any new laws after they go into effect. Sometimes it can seem like the delay of implementation is painfully slow, Grall said. Their intention is to bring transparency to this process, make it easier for the public to interact with. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill requires annual reviews of 20% of an agencys rules, so that every five years they each will have reviewed all their rules and made any changes recommended. State Rep. Toby Overdorf, a Palm City Republican, has introduced a similar bill in the House. The bill marks the first major review of the states rulemaking process in seven years. Bureaucratic red tape slows down businesses, burdens taxpayers, and creates unnecessary obstacles for Floridians, Overdorf said. Florida should lead the way in making government work smarter, not bigger. _____ LONDON, March 19 (Xinhua) -- British universities are grappling with widespread job cuts and course closures as financial pressures mount, with experts warning of a sector-wide transformation that could affect students, staff, and local economies. A report by the University and College Union (UCU) indicates that more than 5,000 job cuts have been announced this academic year, with another 5,000 potentially at risk. Around 90 universities have initiated redundancy programs. UCU General Secretary Jo Grady said Britain's higher education sector "is on its knees," warning that the impact extends to students. Franz Buscha, an economics professor at the University of Westminster, told Xinhua that less profitable courses -- particularly in humanities, arts, and social sciences -- are being hit hardest, limiting student choices. He added that non-academic roles are also being affected, with professional support services such as student help centers and mental health assistance often among the first to be cut. The crisis extends beyond university campuses, with local economies also feeling the strain. Fewer students and staff translate to reduced spending, Buscha noted, pointing to declining business for cafes, taxis, and rental markets in university towns. A key factor behind the situation is the weakening of what Buscha calls the "subsidy effect," where international students traditionally helped offset domestic education costs. Home Office figures show a 16 percent drop in international student visa applications between July and September 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Meanwhile, domestic tuition fees have remained largely unchanged despite rising costs, leaving universities struggling with widening budget gaps. Christopher Millward, professor of practice in education policy at the University of Birmingham, attributes the situation partly to a slowdown in student enrollment following two decades of rapid expansion. Speaking to Xinhua, he described the current cuts as "a period of rebalancing." Calls for government intervention are growing. In a statement, the UCU urged the government to establish an emergency fund to protect jobs and courses in the short term while developing an alternative funding and regulatory model for long-term stability. Millward suggested that governments should not only focus on "the supply of graduates" but also work to create demand and the capacity to absorb them within the economy. Despite ongoing challenges, some experts remain cautiously optimistic. Millward predicted a more stable environment next year as universities complete cost-cutting measures and adapt to new financial realities. SOMERVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) A Florida man is now facing multiple charges after a traffic stop took place in Somerville on Tuesday. On Tuesday, Somerville Police were patrolling in the area of AL-67 and AL-36 before pulling a 1989 Chevy Camaro over for failing to signal 100 feet before turning. While questioning the driver, Tony Ray Locklear Jr., 28, of Crestview, Florida, showed signs of intoxication. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Somerville Police then conducted field sobriety tests on Locklear, which indicated that the driver was under the influence of an illegal substance. As a result of the sobriety tests, Locklear was placed under arrest. Officers then began a search of the vehicle which led to authorities finding a small amount of a white powder substance that field tested positive for cocaine. Officers also found a white crystal-like substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine. Several pieces of drug paraphernalia were also found along with prohibited liquor. Locklear was charged with the following: Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Cocaine) Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine) Illegal Possession of Prohibited Liquor Failure to Signal Failure/Refusal to Display Insurance Open Container Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia Driving Under the Influence (Any Substance) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tony Ray Locklear Jr. was transported to the Morgan County Jail. This arrest highlights our commitment to keeping Somerville safe and continuing our proactive efforts through the FULL-STOP Initiative. We encourage the public to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity. Somerville Police Department 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. BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) State senators got into a heated discussion Tuesday over medical malpractice. A senate committee approved a bill that would repeal exceptions to Floridas 1990 wrongful death law. Under the 35-year-old law, adult children, ages 25 and older cannot sue for non-economic damages, like emotional distress, if their unmarried parent dies as a result of medical malpractice. One side argued the exception fails Florida residents and puts them in danger. The other side believes this will raise already high insurance premiums and Florida will lose more doctors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill must pass one more committee before going to the full Senate. 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 mypanhandle.com. Senate Minority Leader Pat Flowers, D-Belgrade, pictured outside the Capitol in Helena during the 69th Montana Legislature. (Micah Drew/ Daily Montanan) Pat Flowers has been a member of the Montana Senate since 2019. Flowers was elected the Senate Majority Leader for the 2025 legislative session, and is currently the highest ranking Democrat in the Treasure State. A small contingency of Republican Senatorsnine of them have made a conscious decision to break from recent trends by working with the Democrats on legislation that is important to both parties. Because the Republicans have a majority of 58-42, this particular number is crucial, because it has swung the vote on several important bills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flowers explained how an interesting strategy by the Republican majority backfired on them to create this fissure within the party. It started with the Committee on Committees, made up entirely of members of the majority party, which determines who is going to be assigned to each committee. When this committee had completed most of the assignments, they announced a new committee called the Executive Oversight Committee, which was made up of the more moderate Republicans. These moderates believed that the reason for the committee assignment was to isolate them from some of the more influential committees, and they responded by making an effort to break some of the gridlock that has become so prevalent in the past few years in the Montana Legislature. Flowers has been the beneficiary of this decision as the oversight committee worked closely with the Democrats to bring a better balance to the other committees, putting people in positions where theyre able to utilize their strengths. And this has led to positive movement on bills affecting Medicaid expansion, property tax adjustments, bills affecting the Supreme Court, and funding for schools and housingall issues that the Democratic caucus, as well as many Republicans, have viewed as the most important of the moment. Flowers is philosophical about the issues that they dont agree on. Thats kind of the way it should be, I think, he says. People should be encouraged to vote their conscience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the issues Flowers is most optimistic about is the legislatures efforts to address the enormous property tax increase implemented during the last session. There are three bills in the works, Flowers said, and two of them propose a graduated tax rate as people move into higher tax brackets. Our bottom line as Democrats is that the final result has to be something thats fair to lower- and middle-income Montanans. Flowers is also optimistic about a majority of the Legislature is showing strong support for Medicaid expansion. Bills proposing expansion have drawn support from both sides of the aisle, which also seems important considering the enormous number of Montanans that were dropped from enrollment during the past couple of years. In terms of education, Flowers is hoping that moving away from the Elsie Arntzen regime will give Montanas education system a chance to stabilize. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I havent heard any news one way or the other yet, but Im hopeful. A bill has been proposed by Sen. Jonathan Windy Boy from Fort Belknap that will hold school districts more accountable for the use of their Indian Education for All funding. The ability of the education department to hold districts accountable for those funds has been lax in recent years, When asked whether hes enjoying the job, Flowers is frank. As much as Im pleased with how things are progressing, its been hard. There is a lot of tension. The conflict between the two factions has brought a constant feeling of tension, so when I get home every night, Im exhausted, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I wondered whether the national atmosphere has contributed to that. Well, we have so much going on that the last thing I want to do is hear about politics when I get home, so I usually dont pay that much attention to the national stage right now. But one thing that has had a huge impact is the job cuts especially with the Forest Service. Its just inevitable that these cuts are going to impact our public lands, and when fire season startsmark my words, these same people who are supporting these cuts are going to be the first to blame the Forest Service if things go badly. The last thing I want to mention is that Im really hoping we can utilize the huge surplus we have right now to set up some long term trusts so that money has more long-lasting benefits. Last session it felt as if there was a determination to spend as much of that money as possible, and I think were fortunate to still have a lot left over, so Im hoping we can find better ways to take advantage of that. This story was originally published on MyNorthwest.com Those using the Seattle-Tacoma (Sea-Tac) International Airport this week should pack in some extra travel time. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will have lane and ramp closures across three major highways near the airport this week, potentially adding more time to the commute. State Route 99 (SR 99), State Route 509 (SR 509) and Interstate-5 (I-5) will all have lane and/or ramp closures beginning as early as 8 p.m. nightly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Contractors on I-5 will use the lane closures for pavement work. The ramp closures are needed for striping the roadway and installing concrete safety barriers. I-5 lane closures Tuesday, March 18, through the morning of Wednesday, March 19 from 11:59 p.m. to 4 a.m. up to four lanes of northbound I-5 will close overnight between SR 516 (Exit 149) and South 200th Street/Military Road South (Exit 151). Wednesday, March 19, through the morning of Thursday, March 20 from 8 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. up to two lanes of northbound I-5 will close overnight between SR 516 (Exit 149) and South 200th Street/Military Road South (Exit 151). Wednesday, March 19, through the morning of Thursday, March 20 from 11:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. up to two lanes of southbound I-5 will close overnight between South 200th Street/Military Road South (Exit 151) and SR 516 (Exit 149). I-5 ramp closures Monday, March 17, through the morning of Friday, March 21 from 9:30 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. the northbound I-5 off-ramp to SR 516 will close nightly. A signed detour will be in place. Monday, March 17, through the morning of Friday, March 21 from 11 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. the northbound I-5 on-ramp from SR 516 will close nightly. A signed detour will be in place. SR 509 lane closure Monday, March 17, through the morning of Thursday, March 20 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. one lane in both directions of SR 509 will close nightly between Des Moines Memorial Drive South and South 160th Street. SR 509 ramp closure Monday, March 17, through the morning of Thursday, March 20 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the southbound SR 509 off-ramp to South 160th Street will close nightly. A signed detour will be in place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Contract work on SR 99 will use lane closures to continue working on new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) sidewalks. Later this spring, crews will repave this section. SR 99 lane closure Monday, March 17, through the morning of Friday, March 21 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. both directions of SR 99 will close a lane between South 200th Street and SR 516, in Des Moines. This work is part of the sidewalk improvement project. Additionally, the Port of Seattle has work scheduled this week on the arrivals and departures decks, with intermittent closures between 8 p.m. and 8:30 a.m. through Friday. Mar. 18Four Department of Ecology workers have received the state's top civilian honor for rescuing a woman from a fiery crash last year. The medal of valor, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson said at a ceremony Tuesday, is exclusive to those whose actions go far beyond their role to save someone in need. Secretary of State Steve Hobbs characterized the award as one that "honors everyone who has saved or attempted to save the life of another, at the risk of their own safety." For Department of Ecology workers Alex Hernandez, Lisa Stingley, David Thompson and Jon Tollstrup, the heroic actions began on Oct. 3 after a car crash on I-90 west of Cle Elum. As they approached the vehicle, which had caught fire, they noticed the driver was trapped. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group attempted to extinguish the flames, though the fire quickly spread. Still, the workers rescued the injured driver "seconds" before the vehicle was fully engulfed, Lt. Gov. Denny Heck said. As they waited for first responders to arrive, the four performed first aid on the "gravely injured" driver before she was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center. "Simply put, these folks are heroes," Ferguson said. While the driver succumbed to her injuries about a week after the accident, Heck noted she regained consciousness in her treatment, allowing her family to say a final goodbye. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "What they did, really, as a consequence of their courage, was enable the family to be with her in that week," Heck said. "To hold her hand, to say goodbye." In his remarks, Department of Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller said the heroic action is among the most remarkable acts he's seen. "Risking their lives, to save others, without hesitation, without regard for their own safety," Sixkiller said. "It is truly humbling to stand before you and recognize their courage." The group, Heck said, embodies "what it truly means to serve the public, and the community." "So from the absolute bottoms of our hearts, we thank you," Heck said. WHITE CLOUD, Mich. (WOOD) A former Big Rapids Department of Public Safety officer will serve at least a decade behind bars for the sexual abuse of a minor, with the victim and the victims mother saying he broke their trust. Ryan Dornbos was sentenced Tuesday to 10 to 40 years in prison for first-degree criminal sexual conduct. He received credit for 248 days served. He must also register as a sex offender. (The victim) trusted him. I trusted him. He exploited that trust and violated (the victim), the victims mother told the court before the sentence was handed down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News 8 is not using the victims name or gender because they are a minor and to protect their privacy. I had kept the secret. I had cried a lot by myself, the victim told the court, becoming emotional. The victims mother said the pain of the abuse spread to the community and Dornbos co-workers. Ryan was entrusted to care for and protect citizens of entire cities under oath. Ryan hurt those cities, she said. Big Rapids DPS said Dornbos was placed on administrative leave Jan. 1, 2024, and fired March 15 of last year following an internal investigation. Sources previously told News 8 that he had also worked for the city of Newaygo and Spectrum Health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charges were issued against him in March 2024. In February of this year, he pleaded no contest to the count of first-degree CSC. Two additional counts of first-degree CSC and a count of aggravating stalking were dismissed. No contest basically means you are guilty, but you just dont want to admit it, the victim said. You know what you did, but you dont want to admit it so you dont have to be in prison longer. Youre disgusting. The victims mother urged the judge to impose a long sentence to protect other children and because the abuse would continue to affect the victims life. My last plea is that God have mercy on your soul, the mother told Dornbos. Though I pray the consequences to do not relent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dornbos chose not to address the court. This is not a stoning, his defense attorney said of the sentencing. Everybody who has a problem with my client doesnt get to pick up a stone and throw something at him. So there are several letters that have been submitted to the court which really have nothing to do with this case and Id ask that you (the judge) disregard those. Just because somebody made an allegation of something that happened years ago doesnt mean that thats a factor that should be considered. He did not speak to those allegations in detail. Im not going to argue our case here or argue what some of the family believed happened in this situation, the attorney said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said his client had agreed to a 10-year minimum sentence under the terms of a plea deal. Newaygo County Judge Robert Springstead said he would not deviate from the sentencing agreement, saying that such deviation would not be fair to either side the victim or the defendant. 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 WOODTV.com. Mar. 18KASSON, Minn. Former Century High School Principal Nate Walbruch is one of six semi-finalists for the role of superintendent at Kasson-Mantorville Public Schools. The school district announced the list of candidates on Tuesday, March 18. The Kasson-Mantorville School Board will hold interviews with the candidates on three days between March 19-28. The current superintendent of Kasson-Mantorville, Ted Ihns, announced his resignation in January, halfway through his first year in the position. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walbruch is currently the superintendent of Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Public Schools, which is west of the Twin Cities. He was the principal of Century High School for two years from 2021-23. In addition to Walbruch, the district is considering several other candidates with Rochester-area ties. One of them is Tammy Champa, who formerly served as the superintendent of Pine Island Public Schools for 11 years before taking the same role at Hastings School District. The list also includes one person already at Kasson-Mantorville Public Schools. Ashley Kaplan is the district's director of student and staff support systems and the director of teaching and learning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The full list of candidates includes: * Tamara Champa, superintendent, Hastings Public Schools, Minnesota * Daniel Edwards, executive director of academic services, Prior Lake Savage Area Schools, Minnesota * Beth Giese, superintendent, Kenyon-Wanamingo Public Schools, Minnesota * Steven Heil, superintendent, St. James Public Schools, Minnesota * Ashley Kaplan, director of student and staff support systems/director of teaching and learning, Kasson-Mantorville Public Schools, Minnesota * Nate Walbruch, superintendent, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Public Schools, Minnesota DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) A former Vermilion County man will spend the next 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to two felonies. On March 10, 32-year-old Jacob Derrickson, formerly of Danville, was sentenced in two felony cases as part of an agreed plea for a total of 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Following his imprisonment, Derrickson will serve three years on mandatory supervised release. UPDATE: Coroner identifies victim of fatal crash on I-74 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Derrickson pleaded guilty to aggravated fleeing/attempting to elude a police officer, a class 4 felony, for two years in prison. He also pleaded guilty to aggravated battery with a firearm, a class X felony, for a sentence of 15 years in prison, to be served at 85%. These sentences are to be served concurrently, and the plea was presided over by Judge Mark S. Goodwin. The People presented evidence that on February 26, 2021, an officer with the Danville Police Department observed a vehicle commit multiple Illinois Vehicle Code violations in the area of Griffin and Seminary Streets. The officer identified the driver as Derrickson by a distinctive tattoo on his face. The Danville officer then initiated a traffic stop but the vehicle fled, reaching 60 miles per hour in a 30 mile per hour zone. The officer briefly lost sight of the vehicle, which was located just moments later wrecked into a ravine at the corner of Collett and Harrison Streets. The vehicle had been abandoned in the ravine, but officers located a prescription medication bottle with Derricksons name on the label. After further investigation, it was discovered that the vehicle had been rented to Derrickson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Urbana man arrested on gun charges over weekend Additionally, the People presented evidence that on November 7, 2022, at approximately 1 p.m., Danville Police responded to the 1800 block of Voorhees for the report of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers observed a male victim laying in the roadway who had been shot multiple times. The officers then found spent .40 caliber casings at the scene. Witnesses reported seeing a masked subject in dark clothing run up and shoot the victim before fleeing the area on foot. Another witness reported that a person matching the description of the suspect was seen in the wooded area several hundred feet east of the scene. Officers then surrounded the area, and Derrickson subsequently emerged from the woods. In the area where he had been hiding, police found a mask, a .40 caliber handgun and a bag containing an identification card for Derrickson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Forensic testing showed that gunshot residue was present on Derricksons hand. Additionally, testing done by the Illinois State Police Forensic Laboratory confirmed that his DNA was present on the handgun. We are thankful to those who spoke up to provide key information that led to the suspects location, said States Attorney Jacquline Lacy. Their willingness to come forward played an important role in keeping our community safe and we are grateful for their courage. 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. BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) A former Berkeley County detention deputy was sentenced to 10 years in prison for assaulting people at the Hill-Finklea Detention Center. It comes after Avery Richard Smith pleaded guilty Tuesday to eleven charges for assaulting nine different victims, including his co-workers. In one example provided by the Ninth Circuit Solicitors Office, an inmate came forward last June to report that Smith pulled her out of the booking area and placed her in a room alone with him. Once there, the victim said Smith described areas of the jail where there were no cameras and stated he wanted to have sex with her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the female inmate told him no, she said Smith grabbed her hands and put them on his genitals while escorting her back to the booking area. Eight other women eventually came forward and described multiple instances of assault by Smith. During the assaults, Smith often used profanity to describe sexually explicit acts he intended to do to them. In one instance, Smith coerced a subordinate coworker to engage in sexual acts under the threat of refusing to approve her training documents, the solicitors office said. Officials added that two of Smiths supervisors, former Sgt. Christopher Dozier and former Lt. Frankie Snider, were each charged with one count of misconduct in office for failing to act on the victims reports to them. Their charges are pending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SLED charges 3 Berkeley County detention deputies following investigation into misconduct After learning about the alleged incidents, Solicitor Wilson said Berkeley County Sheriff Duane Lewis moved quickly to terminate the three detention officers and asked the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to investigate. The state agent found multiple videos from the jails surveillance system which Wilson said corroborated key parts of the victims accounts. In at least one video, both of Smiths supervisors were present while the assaults took place. The three men were charged by SLED in June 2024. 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. This photo taken on March 18, 2025 shows a view of the Kremlin in Moscow, capital of Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin "responded positively" to a proposal by U.S. President Donald Trump for Russia and Ukraine to mutually stop striking energy infrastructures, the Kremlin's press service said Tuesday following a phone conversation of the two leaders. Putin also supported Trump's proposal on maritime security in the Black Sea, and both sides agreed to begin negotiations on the agreement soon. Regarding a 30-day ceasefire plan proposed by the United States and Ukraine, Russia noted concerns over effective control along the entire line of contact and the need to stop "forced mobilization" in Ukraine and its troop rearmament. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi) MOSCOW, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin "responded positively" to a proposal by U.S. President Donald Trump for Russia and Ukraine to mutually stop striking energy infrastructures, the Kremlin's press service said Tuesday following a phone conversation of the two leaders. Putin "immediately gave the Russian military the appropriate command" in response to the proposal, the Kremlin said in a statement. Putin also supported Trump's proposal on maritime security in the Black Sea, and both sides agreed to begin negotiations on the agreement soon. Regarding a 30-day ceasefire plan proposed by the United States and Ukraine, Russia noted concerns over effective control along the entire line of contact and the need to stop "forced mobilization" in Ukraine and its troop rearmament. Russian and American expert groups are being created to continue efforts to "achieve a bilateral settlement in Ukraine," the Kremlin added. During the phone talks, Putin highlighted achieving a "comprehensive, sustainable and long-term" settlement, while addressing "the root causes of the crisis" and Russian security interests. The Russian leader noted that a cessation of foreign military aid and intelligence support to Kiev would be a key condition to preventing escalation and moving toward a political and diplomatic resolution. Putin and Trump held their previous phone conversation on Feb. 12. Following the call, high-level Russian and American officials met on Feb. 18 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, agreeing to normalize bilateral relations and seek an end to the Ukraine conflict. This photo taken on March 18, 2025 shows a view of the Kremlin in Moscow, capital of Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin "responded positively" to a proposal by U.S. President Donald Trump for Russia and Ukraine to mutually stop striking energy infrastructures, the Kremlin's press service said Tuesday following a phone conversation of the two leaders. Putin also supported Trump's proposal on maritime security in the Black Sea, and both sides agreed to begin negotiations on the agreement soon. Regarding a 30-day ceasefire plan proposed by the United States and Ukraine, Russia noted concerns over effective control along the entire line of contact and the need to stop "forced mobilization" in Ukraine and its troop rearmament. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi) This photo taken on March 18, 2025 shows a view of the Kremlin in Moscow, capital of Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin "responded positively" to a proposal by U.S. President Donald Trump for Russia and Ukraine to mutually stop striking energy infrastructures, the Kremlin's press service said Tuesday following a phone conversation of the two leaders. Putin also supported Trump's proposal on maritime security in the Black Sea, and both sides agreed to begin negotiations on the agreement soon. Regarding a 30-day ceasefire plan proposed by the United States and Ukraine, Russia noted concerns over effective control along the entire line of contact and the need to stop "forced mobilization" in Ukraine and its troop rearmament. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi) Myint Myint Mimi Sein has been fighting for more than six years to get her cousin and his family out of a refugee camp on the Thai-Myanmar border. Nearly 40 years ago, she and her family fled Myanmar in fear of the erupting violence. It took them 15 years to find safety in the Tri-Cities as refugees. Sein still remembers horrific experiences throughout her journey as a young mother escaping the militarys mass killings of civilians, giving birth to her daughter in the jungle along the border of Thailand and watching her mother die of cerebral malaria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now the 62-year-old grandmother is a U.S. citizen and is helping her cousin, his wife and two daughters get to Washington state. He and his wife fled Myanmar in 1998. Theyve lived in the same refugee camp for 16 years. Both daughters, 11 and 14, were born there and have known no other home. In January, the family of four was at the final stage in the process for the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. They were waiting for their flights to Pasco to be scheduled. Just when it looked like theyd soon be headed to the Tri-Cities, President Donald Trump suspended refugee admissions and resettlement. Now they dont know when, or if, theyll be able to try again. Mimi Seins cousin and his family have lived in the Noh Poe refugee camp in Thailand for 16 years. Mimi Sein Long journey to safety Refugees are legal immigrants forced to flee their home country because of persecution, war, violence or other threats. In most cases, they cannot return home because their lives would be put at risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) determines if a person fits the definition of a refugee and whether to refer them to the U.S. or to another country where they would resettle. Less than than 1% of refugees worldwide are ever considered for resettlement. Before arriving in the U.S., potential refugees must complete an extensive application and vetting process by multiple government agencies and partners. It includes background and security checks, interviews and health screenings. The process can take up to two years. Sein has been advocating for her cousin and his family to travel to the U.S. to resettle. Last April, she submitted an application to sponsor them through Welcome Corps, a U.S. State department program launched in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The family completed required medical exams, interviews and a cultural orientation from October to December. But then the Trump administration cut off the federal refugee program with an executive order. Its unclear if the program will be allowed to restart after a review scheduled for later this year. The executive order says the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, will advise the president within three months whether it should resume. Myint Myint Sein was recently furloughed from her position as a refugee resettlement coordinator at World Relief Tri-Cities. Bob Brawdy/bbrawdy@tricityherald.com Crisis in Myanmar Myanmar, also known as Burma, has suffered decades of repressive military rule, poverty and civil war with ethnic minority groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Myanmars brutal army stifled nationwide pro-democracy protests in August and September 1988, arresting and killing thousands. Many of them were students. Around 3,000 protesters were killed in the 8888 uprising. Sein was one of the thousands fleeing Myanmar to neighboring countries. She made it to the Tri-Cities in August 2003, along with her husband Kyaw Swe, their son and two daughters. She became a U.S. citizen six years later. More recently, the Myanmar military staged a coup in 2021 and took power. Four years later, the nation is still in free fall, facing economic collapse, violent conflict, climate hazards, hunger and poverty, according to the United Nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nearly a third of the countrys population 20 million is expected to need humanitarian aid in 2025. There are currently around 1.5 million refugees from Myanmar worldwide. A map shows refugee camps along the border of Myanmar (Burma) and Thailand. Ethnomed Losing hope Thailand hosts over 90,000 of those refugees in nine refugee camps run by the Royal Thai Government, according to the UNHCR. At the Noh Poe (Nu Po) refugee camp, Seins cousin and his family were making plans to travel from Thailand to the Tri-Cities. But now their situation is at a standstill. They were hopeful, Sein said. They knew they might go to the United States. The process was almost done. Especially the two girls. They were so excited. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Refugee camps offer temporary safety and assistance, and meet refugees basic needs like food, water, shelter and medical treatment. Children in the camps are vulnerable to disease, malnutrition and violence, and may have inadequate educational opportunities. The Noh Poe refugee camp is in Thailand. Mimi Sein Sein last saw her cousin more than 30 years ago when she and her mother visited the village where he lived in Myanmar. She talks to him and his family every week through the Messenger app. She said she doesnt know what to tell him and his family to help them cope. They have depression, Sein said. They are so sad. Hopefully, after three months, President Trump will change his mind and they can come here. Advocacy through World Relief When Sein and her family arrived in Washington in 2003, they received support from World Relief Tri-Cities, Southeast Washingtons only refugee resettlement agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sein began working at World Relief in 2007 as a translator and currently works as a refugee resettlement coordinator. She has been partnering with other World Relief staff to stay in contact with her cousin and help him and his family join her in the Tri-Cities by forming a sponsor group. But shes facing a new challenge she was laid off from the nonprofit in February. Shes currently looking for a new job. The Trump administrations wide-reaching immigration policies and freeze in funding have rocked immigrant service organizations worldwide. After the U.S. refugee program was suspended, federal agencies issued stop-work orders and paused federal funds that are critical for refugee resettlement and humanitarian groups to operate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result, World Relief Tri-Cities was forced to furlough 30%, or 31 of its employees many of them former refugees in early February, including Sein. The organization, based in Richland, has helped nearly 1,900 refugees resettle in the Tri-Cities from 2019 to 2024, including about 50 people from Myanmar. The Noh Poe refugee camp is in Thailand. Mimi Sein Fleeing Myanmar Sein, along with her husband, their 3-month-old son and her parents fled Myanmar in 1988, heading south from their home in the city of Yangon to the tropical jungle in Karen State on the Thai border. They left behind their lives in the city Sein was a middle school teacher with her bachelors degree in economics. Her husband was a police officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She and her family lived in the jungle for 12 years, moving constantly, building shelter out of bamboo and doing anything to survive. Sein said that she constantly feared for her life. She remembers hearing gunshots popping in the jungle. She worried about being tortured or killed. All the time we were stressed, she said. I didnt know how to keep going. I had to keep everybody together. Even when she slept, she didnt feel safe. Other dangers included disease-carrying mosquitoes, water-borne illness, lack of food and running water, extreme heat, unsafe living conditions and large, venomous snakes. Living in Thailand After more than 10 years in the jungle, Sein and her family crossed the Thai border from Myanmar to join one of her cousins. In 2000, they lived together in a camp for Burmese students and refugees in Bangkok. Then the camp was moved to the Thai-Myanmar border. For two years, Sein and her family lived in the Tham Hin refugee camp. Their time in Thailand was also difficult Sein and her husband couldnt work because they did not have legal status and there was little to no access to education for their three young children. Sein didnt speak the Thai language. In the refugee camp, the family and her father shared a small room with floor mattresses and blankets, separated from other families by a bed sheet. It was so sad. We didnt know about the future, she said. We had a lot of trauma. Also, I had three kids so I worried about their education. I wasnt going to work. Her father then died of tuberculosis at the camp. Then at one point, Seins husband had a car accident and needed care. She started to train as a medic and volunteer at a health clinic where he was being treated, in exchange for housing and food. At the clinic, Sein met a visiting British doctor who helped her and her family travel to United Nations Asia in Bangkok, where they could begin the refugee process. Reaching the U.S. Sein, her husband, her son and two daughters applied and registered to a U.N. list of refugees awaiting resettlement. Every month, the U.N. sent staff to their refugee camp to tell people theyd been approved by another country, and it was their turn to leave Thailand and resettle. Sein remembers the day when U.N. staff took photos of her and her family for documentation. They completed interviews, health screenings and cultural orientation. Finally, in 2003, she learned that she and her family were matched to travel to the U.S. A large group of refugees was picked up at the camp and driven to the Bangkok airport. Sein and her family received help taking flights to travel from Bangkok to Japan to Los Angeles to Seattle to the Tri-Cities, arriving on Aug. 6, 2003. Rebuilding in Tri-Cities In Washington, Sein initially struggled with cultural differences and only knew a little English. Eventually, she became fluent in English and has worked for more than 15 years at World Relief helping other refugees. Her husband worked at Walmart for 12 years before retiring. Sein remains deeply grateful for the opportunity to resettle in the Tri-Cities. She and her family have made it their home, but never lose sight of their roots. She has positive memories of her childhood and university education in Myanmar. I miss it, but I will never go back, she said. At her home in Kennewick, Sein and her family enjoy cooking curries, vegetables and rice. She attends a local Buddhist temple and relies on her faith for strength. Sein is proud of her childrens achievements. They studied at Columbia Basin College and Washington State University. Her son is a technician in Kennewick and Sein is a grandmother to his 6-year-old son. One of her daughters is a teacher currently working abroad in Spain, and her other daughter is an accountant and lives in Richland. We have low incomes, but our life is rich, Sein said. Donald Trump and Vladimir Putins call discussing an energy and infrastructure ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine is more proof to a former Trump administration national security counsel that the president is being played again. Alexander Vindman took to his X account Tuesday to breakdown the White House and Kremlins call about the latest possible ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. He called the possible plan a terrible deal that disproportionately aids Russia. I dont understand how Trump, who has four years under his belt with Putin, constantly gets played, Vindman wrote. Trump moves to normalize relations with Russia for trinkets. This ceasefire, if it starts and Russia doesnt violate it, disproportionately helps Russia, whose energy infrastructure is getting pounded by Ukraine. For 35 years, six Republican and Democrat administrations, has succumbed to manipulation. Russia has been extremely successfully dangling small wins and threatening terrible consequences to get the U.S. to compromise and capitulate. But no one has been played as hard as Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vindman continued, He consistently claims grand successes, for at best, token achievements. A phone call isnt an achievement. A watered down ceasefire in exchange for dividing our alliance is a significant cost. Terrible deal. I dont understand how Trump, who has four years under his belt with Putin, constantly gets played. Trump moves to normalize relations with Russia for trinkets. This ceasefire, if it starts and Russia doesnt violate it, disproportionately helps Russia, whose https://t.co/QLozblewci Alexander S. Vindman (@AVindman) March 18, 2025 MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace reacted to the proposed ceasefire on Deadline: White House Tuesday by highlighting Vindmans takedown and pointing out there were not any concessions made by Russia in the proposal. Notably absent from these announcements made after the call were any signs of any concessions made from Russia, or any talk of any punishment for Russia, Wallace said. In short, there were carrots but no sticks. Watch the Deadline segment below: Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky commented on the ceasefire discussion between Trump and Putin shortly after details were made public. He said Ukraine was open to a ceasefire but not unless they were also a part of those discussions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We support all steps aimed at the end of the war. We will support them. But in order to support them, we need to understand what exactly we support, Zelensky said during a press conference translated by Reuters. When President Trump has time, he is a busy man, when he has time, he can call me any time, he has my phone number, he said. We are ready to talk through further steps, with pleasure. Watch the full MSNBC segment above. The post Former National Security Counsel Says Russia Has Played No One As Hard as Trump After Ukraine Ceasefire Call | Video appeared first on TheWrap. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. A former North Little Rock nail technician was sentenced to five years in prison after he was convicted of sexually assaulting a customer. Andrew Nguyen was convicted of second-degree sexual assault, which officials say stemmed from an incident where he sexually assaulted a customer during a salon appointment. Image of Andrew Nguyen This conviction underscores our commitment to pursuing justice for victims in our community, Prosecuting Attorney Will Jones said. I am grateful for the diligent investigative work by the North Little Rock Police Department and the dedication of prosecutors Corinne Kwapis and Melissa Brown, and the entire prosecution team. Let this serve as a clear message that those who victimize members of our community will be held fully accountable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Episcopal Collegiate School coach sentenced to 36 years for child sexual assault The case was investigated by the North Little Rock Police Department and prosecuted by Prosecuting Attorney Will Jones and Deputy Prosecutors Corinne Kwapis and Melissa Brown. Nguyen will serve time in the Arkansas Department of Corrections. 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. PORTLAND, Ore. (COLUMBIA COUNTY SPOTLIGHT) After nearly four months of paid administrative leave, former St. Helens School District Superintendent Scot Stockwell has resigned. The school board placed Stockwell on administrative leave Nov. 15 shortly after the arrests of two St. Helens High School teachers Mark Collins and Eric Stearns due to allegations of sexual abuse against students. Stockwell officially resigned from the position hes held for the last decade March 12. Superintendent Scot Stockwell and the St. Helens School District have agreed to part ways, recognizing this decision is in the best interest of both parties, a statement from the district read. The district thanks the superintendent for his service and wishes him well in his future endeavors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stockwells resignation agreement stipulates that he will be paid the equivalent of one years worth of his 2024-25 monthly salary as a lump sum. He will also be paid for unused vacation days. The total sum amounts to $228,629. Read the full story here. The Portland Tribune and its parent company Pamplin Media Group are KOIN 6 News media partners 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. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) A former employee of Marshall Mathers III, better known as Eminem, faces federal charges for allegedly releasing previously unreleased music. Julie Beck, the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, announced the charges against 46-year-old Joseph Strange, of Holly, on Wednesday. Sign up for breaking news alert emails A criminal complaint filed on Jan. 16 shows employees from Mathers music studio in Ferndale reached out to the FBI when they found some of Eminems unreleased work on the internet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The employees obtained an image of a list of the music that Mathers had created but not released and was for sale through various internet sites. The employees recognized this as an image taken directly from a hard drive in the Ferndale studio, Becks office said in a statement. The FBI was able to identify and locate multiple individuals that purchased the unreleased music. These individuals identified Joseph Strange as the person who was selling the music. Report: Eminem joins bid to revive Detroit Shock According to The Associated Press, more than 25 songs were stolen from password-protected hard drives some time between October 2019 and January 2020. Strange reportedly worked for Mathers from approximately 2007 through 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An attorney representing Strange told the AP that the untested allegations havent been vetted by a grand jury or a judge. Strange is charged with one count of copyright infringement and one count of interstate transportation of stolen goods. The copyright infringement charge carries a penalty up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. The transportation charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 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 WOODTV.com. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) A former U.S. senator and his wife are set to become the next Directors of Church Hosting for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Church announced that Gordon H. Smith and Sharon Smith will take over as directors on July 1 of this year. What is the Latter-day Saint general conference? Those serving in this role represent the Church to civic and other religious dignitaries from around the world. Those in this role also aim to make visitors feel welcome to Church headquarters in Salt Lake City Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Church said that Gordon Smith served two terms as a Senator from Oregon from 1997 to 2009. Smith chaired the Senates High Tech Task Force Committee and also served on the Senate Finance and Foreign Relations Committees. Prior to this Church assignment, Smith served as an Area Seventy in the North America Central, Northeast and Southeast areas. He was also the president and CEO for the National Association of Broadcasters, serving from 2009 to 2022. The Church says Sharon Smith graduated magna cum laude in education from Brigham Young University and taught second grade and served as a relief society president and in several causes with senate spouses and the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The Smiths will take over for J. Christopher and Erlynn E. Lansing, who have served in their current capacity since July 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are deeply grateful for the Lansings exceptional service, Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said in a press release. We welcome Gordon and Sharon, who will carry on the important work of fostering positive relationships with global leaders. Stevenson said that the contributions of the Lansings service left a lasting impact on Church Hosting. 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. FORT DODGE, Iowa A death investigation is underway in Fort Dodge after a man was found unresponsive on the sidewalk in front of a burning building. The Fort Dodge Police Department said in a news release that its officers responded to 1035 1st Ave. S. after a call came in around 12:18 a.m. Wednesday about a male lying on the sidewalk, who appeared to have suffered a gunshot wound. The Fort Dodge Fire Department provided medical aid but the male was pronounced dead by the Webster County Medical Examiner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attempted murder arrest in Ames shooting As officers investigated, they noticed smoke coming from an upstairs apartment of the building at 1035 1st. Ave. S. They found an active fire inside third-floor apartment 3W. Firefighters were able to take control of the fire quickly. The FDPD said its believed the male who died fell from the third-story window of the apartment where the fire was located. The mans name is not being released at this time so authorities have the chance to notify the next of kin. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined. The Criminal Investigations Division is continuing to investigate the incident. The FDPD asks anyone with information to contact them at (515) 573-1426. Iowa news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 who13.com. Update: 3/21/2025, 2:37 p.m. SUTTON, W.Va. (WBOY) A man has been arrested and is facing charges in connection to a Braxton County womans death after her body was found in a rural area earlier this week. Officials with the Sutton detachment of the West Virginia State Police told 12 News that they have arrested and charged Christopher Lacy, 59, of, Burnsville with concealment of a body and failure to render aid in connection to the death of Belinda Dawn Riffle, 36. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Riffles body was found in a rural area near the Braxton/Webster County line on Monday and investigators have been working nonstop since then to find anyone associated with her death. Original: 3/19/2025, 12:50 p.m. SUTTON, W.Va. (WBOY) A woman was found dead in a rural area of Braxton County on Monday and foul play is suspected. According to a release from the West Virginia State Police, the body of 36-year-old Belinda Dawn Riffle, a Braxton County resident, was found in a rural area on Monday, March 17, 2025. No further details were released surrounding her death, but Vernon Road is located in the southeastern part of the county near the Webster County line. Belinda Dawn Riffle Belinda Dawn Riffle Excavator strikes bridge connecting West Virginia and Ohio; inspection underway Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now WBOY Daily News Officials said that the investigation in this case remains ongoing and that this investigation is being treated as a homicide. The West Virginia State Police has requested assistance from the public in obtaining more information. Anyone who has information connected to Riffles death should contact the West Virginia State Police Sutton Detachment at 304-765-2101 or Braxton County 911. Editors Note: This article has been updated to include additional information from the West Virginia State Police, which confirmed Thursday that it is treating this case as a homicide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Tourists take a sightseeing train to enjoy the snow mountain scenery in southwest China's Yunnan Province, Feb. 25, 2025. (Photo by Peng Yikai/Xinhua) KUNMING, March 19 (Xinhua) -- For travel enthusiast Miao Pengzhuo, who has explored countless destinations, the idea of settling down in one place never crossed his mind, until he discovered a village in southwest China's Yunnan Province. "Here, the sunsets never lose their magic, and life unfolds in its purest form, drawing me in with an irresistible charm," said Miao, a Sichuan native who has lived in Haiyan, a centuries-old fishing village by Dianchi Lake, for five years. The village's rich fishery culture, poetic landscapes, and tranquil lifestyle have kept him rooted, replacing his once-restless pursuit of new destinations with a deep sense of belonging. Some 600 km away, atop Jingmai Mountain in Pu'er City, engineer Jiang Cheng, from the southern economic powerhouse of Shenzhen, has also found his own sanctuary. Each morning, he opens his laptop in a traditional Blang ethnic village, working against a "backdrop" of a rolling sea of clouds. The rhythmic tapping of his keyboard blends with the distant melody of tea pickers singing in the fields. Two years ago, he rented an old house to be his base as he worked remotely. Miao and Jiang are among a growing number of travelers choosing to stay longer in Yunnan, immersing themselves in local life rather than rushing from one attraction to another. Industrial insiders believe that this shift from whirlwind sightseeing to extended stays reflects a transformation in China's travel consumption. This photo shows the scenery of Fuxian Lake in Yuxi City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Jan. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Jingyi) Data shows that in 2024, nearly 4 million long-term travelers settled in Yunnan, drawn by the opportunity to have a slower, more immersive experience in the province's ancient villages and terraced fields. Keenly recognizing this trend, Yunnan embarked on a shift toward a more diversified, experience-based tourism model from its current site-seeing approach. "The biggest shift in tourism today is that people are no longer looking for destinations, they are seeking lifestyles," said Dai Bin, president of China Tourism Academy. "Long-term stays are not just about travel or residence, they represent a deeper cultural engagement and a way of life," he added. To meet this growing demand, Yunnan has launched an ambitious three-year plan to develop its long-stay tourism sector. The initiative includes establishing at least 3,000 designated villages tailored for travelers seeking wellness retreats, cultural immersion, educational programs, and senior living opportunities. This shift is also revitalizing rural communities, creating new economic opportunities for lesser-known towns. Tourists paddle a bamboo raft at Jinuoshan Town, Jinghong City of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Jan. 5, 2025. Jinuo ethnic group is one of the ethnic minorities in China, with the majority residing in Jinghong City. (Xinhua/Peng Yikai) For instance, Yuanjiang County, which lacks any major tourist landmark, attracted 35,000 long-term visitors during this year's Spring Festival -- nearly half the population of the county's urban area -- thanks to its warm winter climate. By 2025, Yunnan has set an ambitious goal of attracting 6 million long-stay visitors. "Yunnan holds great potential for the long-stay tourism industry," said Lu Xuewei, from a cultural tourism investment company. Yunnan's tourism sector has evolved from sightseeing to vacationing and now to long-term stays, with visitors extending their stays from a few days to several months, some even longer. This shift has significantly boosted the local economy while also placing higher demands on service quality, product offerings, and industry innovation, Lu added. HIGH POINT Two free dental clinics will take place from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 28-29 at Williams Memorial CME Church for people who cant afford dental insurance. The Missions of Mercy clinic, organized by the N.C. Dental Society Foundation, is open to walk-up patients. The church is at 3400 Triangle Lake Road in east High Point. Services are available to all adults. No pre-registration is required, with doors opening at 6 a.m. each day. The same dental services will be offered at both clinics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Services will include cleanings, fillings and extractions. For more information check the website www.ncdentalfoundation.org/events/ The Rev. Robert Williams, pastor at Williams Memorial CME Church, said the congregation welcomes the opportunity to help. We realize dental care is important to health, Williams told The High Point Enterprise. When the church last hosted the Missions of Mercy clinic three years ago, more than 600 people attended, he said. The N.C. Dental Society Foundation says there is a need to help people without insurance or with low incomes. It organizes clinics across the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advocates for expanding affordable dental services say they want to address the reimbursement rates paid by Medicaid in North Carolina. State Rep. Larry Potts, R-Davidson, is cosponsor of House Bill 60 to raise Medicaid reimbursement rates and increase access to care. In North Carolina, low Medicaid reimbursement rates coupled with rising costs have made it nearly impossible for dentists to regularly treat Medicaid patients, the foundation said in a statement to The Enterprise. PARIS (Reuters) - France's foreign minister is planning a two-day visit to China on March 27 and 28, the head of cognac lobby group BNIC said on Wednesday, repeating calls for an easing of trade tensions between the European Union and Beijing. France's cognac industry has been caught up in two distinct international trade disputes - one between the EU and China and another pitting the bloc against U.S. President Donald Trump's administration. "We are taken hostage in this trade dispute", Florent Morillon, who heads BNIC, told a news conference, adding that China-bound exports have fallen by 60% over the past four months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A French diplomatic source confirmed that Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot will travel to Asia next week, stopping in Indonesia and Singapore before visiting China. The United States and China represent the two most important markets for French cognac and account for 70% of overall sales, Morillon said, warning that the industry was fighting for its survival. "This means 70% of the jobs and the ecosystem in the region would be annihilated" if solutions to the disputes are not found, said Morillon, who also works for LVMH-owned Hennessy, France's biggest cognac producer. China imposed temporary anti-dumping measures on imports of brandy from the EU after the 27-state bloc voted for tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs), heavily hitting sales of cognac, a high-end brandy produced in western France. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without a resolution of the trade row, these measures could become definitive next month, BNIC representatives said. Separately, President Trump last week threatened to slap a 200% tariff on wine, cognac and other alcohol imports from Europe. "200% would mean we won't sell one single bottle in the United States," Morillon said. Cognac exports to the country last year amounted to around 1 billion euros ($1.09 billion), the BNIC said on Wednesday. ($1 = 0.9173 euros) (Reporting by Tassilo Hummel, additional reporting by John Irish, Editing by Dominique Vidalon and Joe Bavier) A French scientist on his way to a conference in the United States was allegedly denied entry by Customs and Border Patrol over messages found on his phone that criticized President Trumps science cuts. The French newspaper Le Monde reports that on March 9, a space researcher was randomly selected upon arrival in Houston for a search, and CBP found messages criticizing the Trump administrations treatment of scientists, which, according to the agency, conveyed hatred of Trump & could be qualified as terrorism. The researchers phone and computer were allegedly confiscated, and he was sent back to Europe the next day. The news prompted the attention of the French government, which expressed alarm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was told with concern that a French researcher, on a mission for the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), who was going to a conference near Houston, was banned from entering the US before being expelled, said Frances Minister of Higher Education and Research Philippe Baptiste, in a statement Wednesday. This would have been taken by the US authorities because the researchers phone contained exchanges with colleagues and friendly relations in which he expressed a personal opinion on the Trump administrations research policy. According to one source cited by Agence France-Presse, CBP said that the French researcher expressed hate and conspiracy messages, prompting an FBI investigation, only for the charges to be dropped later. Another source said the scientist was banned due to messages that can be described as terrorism. The incident marks a disturbing change in how visitors to the United States are treated. Legitimate criticism of the Trump administration occurs everywhere, and its no secret that Trump and Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency effort has resulted in millions of dollars in cuts to scientific research. The idea that criticism of this would rise to the level of terrorism and result in someone being barred from the U.S. is absurd. Frances self-professed last sculpture foundry has weighed into a row over whether the US should return the Statue of Liberty to its country of origin by proposing to build a new one out of titanium. The proposal by Nice-based Atelier Missor, which specialises in sculpting famed French figures such as Napoleon and Joan of Arc, received approval from Elon Musk, who called the idea cool on X. The foundrys plan to build a new Statue of Liberty to withstand millions of years followed a call by French centre-Left MEP Raphael Glucksmann for America to return the original. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a political rally of his Place Publique movement, Mr Glucksmann launched a blistering attack on the Trump administration in which he said: Were going to say to the Americans who have chosen to side with the tyrants, to the Americans who fired researchers for demanding scientific freedom: Give us back the Statue of Liberty. Mr Glucksmann is a member of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats and a staunch supporter of Ukraine. France gave the statue, which stands 305 feet tall and weighs 450,000lbs, to the US as a gift on July 4, 1884, to commemorate the 108th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The iconic copper-clad sculpture was created by Frederic Auguste Bartholdi and sits on Liberty Island in New York Harbour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We gave it to you as a gift, Mr Glucksmann went on, citing the United States founding values of freedom and liberty. But apparently you despise it. So it will be just fine here at home. He concluded his remarks by stating France would welcome top researchers who were fired in the cuts to the US National Institutes of Health and similar organisations. France gifted the Statue of Liberty to the United States in July 1884 - Hulton Deutsch/Corbis Historical His comments prompted a fiery rebuke from Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary, who said: My advice to that unnamed low-level French politician would be to remind them that its only because of the United States of America that the French are not speaking German right now. So they should be very grateful to our great country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement French commentators pointed out that if it werent for French military and financial support during the War of Independence, America would likely still be a British colony today. Mr Glucksmann later fired back: No one, of course, will come and steal the Statue of Liberty. The statue is yours. But what it embodies belongs to everyone. And if the free world no longer interests your government, then we will take up the torch, here in Europe. Wading into the row, Atelier Missor wrote: To our fellow Americans: we are the last sculpture foundry in France and we have a message for you. Keep the Statue of Liberty; its rightfully yours. But get ready for another one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A New Statue of Liberty, much bigger, made out of titanium to withstand millions of years. We, the French people, are going to make it again! The foundry, which said its aim was to fulfil Napoleons dream to make Paris the capital of the universe, was recently commissioned to build a monument statue of Joan of Arc for the French Riviera city of Nice. However, in January, the local state prefect cancelled the 170,000 contract and ordered the 4.5-ton golden bronze statue to be taken down, saying Nices Right-wing town hall had failed to respect the proper public tender process. Atelier Missor said the annulment had left it on the verge of bankruptcy. A crowdfunding campaign to pay for the statue launched by Nice former deputy mayor in charge of culture has gathered 50,000. 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. HAMBURG, N.Y. (WIVB) Frontier students and parents expressed concerns about the future of the districts music department. The concerns were aired out at a maximum capacity school board meeting on Tuesday night. Parents said they are hearing that the board is in the process of writing the proposed budget for next year, and that after the high school orchestra teacher retires, the position will be covered by other teachers. If this happens, Camp believes it will affect the districts music department for years to come. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To make giant cuts to a department thats already lean, and that so many of the students sometimes on the outside fringes, students that dont feel that they fit in, students that spend their lunch room in the music suite, because thats their safe space, to cut that program will not only affect the current high schoolers but it will affect the Frontier Music Department for years to come, parent Alison Camp said. To think that a chorus teacher, while they are outstanding, is a cookie cutter educator is really a disservice, not only to the teacher but it sends the wrong message to kids that their passion, what they are passionate about, is interchangeable with other things. For me, the music program is the world to me, they always support me, said another student, Drew Dvornski. The music program is the only place, the band rooms, the orchestra rooms those are the only places in the school that I feel accepted, and its the only place that I feel at home, at our school. In a statement, Superintendent Christopher Swiatek said the district is currently navigating financial challenges, including a lack of federal funding and rising costs. These proposed reductions in staff through retirements were not made lightly, he said. Every effort has been made to minimize the impact on students, existing staff, and essential programs we value transparency and welcome community input throughout this process. Latest Local News Hope Winter is a reporter and multimedia journalist who has been part of the News 4 team since 2021. See more of her work here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 News 4 Buffalo. A 29-year-old Brazilian national convicted in his native country for manslaughter has been arrested while driving in Waltham, federal immigration officials said Wednesday. The Brazilian fugitive, who was not named, was arrested on Jan. 25, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in a statement. He remains in federal custody. Officials on Wednesday also released a photograph of the fugitive, and blurred his face and the faces of two arresting officers. The fugitive failed to appear for his prison sentence following the manslaughter conviction in Brazil, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This Brazilian fugitive attempted to flee justice in his home country by hiding out in Massachusetts, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia Hyde said in a statement. He presented a threat to the residents of our communities that we will not tolerate, Hyde said. ICE will not allow our New England communities to become a safe haven for the worlds bad actors. We will continue to arrest and remove them from our streets. A Brazilian court convicted the fugitive on Dec. 11, 2018 for manslaughter while driving a motor vehicle and sentenced him to serve a prison term of four years, eight months, and 21 days, Hyde said. U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested the Brazilian fugitive on Nov. 22, 2018, after he illegally entered the U.S. near Hildalgo, Texas. Immigration Officials issued the fugitive an order of expedited removal and released him on his own recognizance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was unclear Wednesday when the fugitive came to Massachusetts or for how long he has been in the Bay State. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW JERUSALEM, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced Wednesday that far-right politician Itamar Ben-Gvir was reappointed as the country's national security minister. It came as Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party on Tuesday announced its return to the government after Israel resumed heavy strikes on the Gaza Strip, shattering a two-month ceasefire and killing more than 400 people. Two other lawmakers of Otzma Yehudit also returned to their previous ministerial posts. Netanyahu's office said in a statement that the cabinet "unanimously approved" Netanyahu's proposal for Ben-Gvir's reappointment in an overnight meeting. Ben-Gvir's reinstatement came despite Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara's ruling on Tuesday that Netanyahu did not have the legal authority to reappoint Ben-Gvir. Otzma Yehudit quit the government in January in protest of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas, which came into effect on Jan. 19. Ben-Gvir said he would return to the government if an intensive military offensive resumed. The reintegration of Otzma Yehudit is seen as crucial for Netanyahu to secure a majority in the 120-seat Knesset to pass the state budget later this week, a failure of which could trigger new elections, given that budget delays automatically dissolve the parliament. After a six-week federal funding freeze that decimated refugee services in Texas, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Monday released $47 million to the states refugee services designee. The health department, which includes the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement, stopped sending such reimbursements to states across the country in early February. For reasons that remain unclear, the pause continued in Texas even after all other states started receiving reimbursements again. That prompted a lawsuit from the Catholic Charities of Fort Worth, which runs the nonprofit Texas Office for Refugees, the designee that distributes reimbursements to the states 29 refugee services providers. At a hearing in the case last Friday, a Justice Department lawyer announced that the agency had completed an unspecified type of review of the nonprofit office and of Catholic Charities a process that had apparently delayed the release of funds and would soon send money to cover the requested reimbursements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was very glad it happened, so that we can continue our work, said Simone Talma-Flowers, executive director of Interfaith Action of Central Texas, the largest local provider of English-language learning programs for refugees. We can continue serving refugees, teaching English language instruction, youth, mentoring, health and wellness. This is all very good news for us. Previously: Amid lawsuit, feds say they will end funding freeze on Texas refugee services Neither Catholic Charities nor the Texas Office for Refugee responded to a request for comment. While leaders of other Texas refugee service providers are relieved, they also say its going to take a long time to recover from the furloughs, layoffs and other cost-cutting measures they had to use to get by. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They also are bracing for an even bigger challenge. On Friday, the same day as the court hearing, the Trump administration published a policy letter saying it plans to stop sending reimbursements to the Texas Office for Refugees and other state designees in October when the new federal budget cycle begins. That would affect Texas and 13 other states, where designees exist because the state government has chosen not to accept federal dollars intended to support refugees. Anjum Malik, executive director of Austin-based refugee service provider Global Impact Initiative, said the letter adds to the sense of ongoing uncertainty that has already taken rooted within many organizations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dig in: Refugees in Austin, across Texas, still struggling amid mysterious pause in federal funding This is a first, Malik said. Everybody's confused about it. Malik said her organization on Tuesday received the $100,000 it was owed, but that she is still trying to make sense how, and to what extent, it can begin the arduous process of rebuilding services. Because the refugee service system is based on reimbursements of past expenses, Malik said she is still without the funds to hire back the 14 employees she furloughed. As she attempts to do so, she will have to apply for additional reimbursements and hope they are processed. This, along with continued fixed costs, like rent and software services, makes it rocky to rebuild. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet even as she makes plans to bring staff back, she is writing recommendation letters for many of those same employees, who are looking for new jobs. With so few guarantees in the industry, she said she cant blame the workers. The past weeks shook the confidence out of the refugees and out of us, Malik said. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: In Texas, refugee dollars flowing again, but program's fate uncertain SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) A visitation for Lieutenant Kelly Hopkins of the Scranton Fire Department will be held on Thursday, March 20. The visitation will last from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Edward J. Chomko Funeral Home. The funeral home is located at 262 Railroad Avenue in Scranton. A memorial mass for Lt. Hopkins will be held at the Cathedral of Saint Peter located at 315 Wyoming Avenue Scranton on Friday, March 21 at 9:30 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Non-profit helping survivors through art therapy The Scranton Police Department will be assisting in traffic control during the visitation and the memorial mass due to the large amount of people expected. Courtesy of Scranton Police Department The 300 block of Wyoming Avenue will be closed from 8:30 a.m. until around noon for the memorial mass. 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 PAhomepage.com. A memo about an alleged CIA agent named Gary Underhill is causing a stir online after thousands of pages of documents were newly released in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. His full name was John Garrett Underhill Jr. The memo was widely shared online after the White House released thousands of pages of documents never before seen by the public. It is available on the government's archival website. Underhill has been mentioned before in books relating to the assassination, though, and the accusations in the memo remain unproven. Still, it is being described as one of the "bombshells" in the trove of documents, which were released on May 18, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gary Underhills "chilling story is hardly implausible. As a spy apparatus the CIA is honeycombed with self-contained cliques operating without any real central control," the memo alleges. The memos subject is listed as Ramparts: John Garrett Underhill Jr., Samuel George Cummings, and Interarmco. Ramparts was a magazine in that era that did investigative exposes relating to the CIA. (Original Caption) Texas Governor John Connally adjusts his tie (foreground) as US President John F Kennedy (left) & First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy (in pink) settled in rear seats, prepared for motorcade into city from airport, Nov. 22. After a few speaking stops, the President was assassinated in the same car. Bettmann/Getty Images According to the memo, June 1967 documents say that the day after the assassination, Gary Underhill left Washington in a hurry. Late in the evening he showed up at the home of friends in New Jersey. He was very agitated. A small clique within the CIA was responsible for the assassination, he confided, and he was afraid for his life and probably would have to leave the country. Less than six months later Underhill was found shot to death in his Washington apartment. The coroner ruled it suicide. J. Garrett Underhill "had been an intelligence agent during World War II and was a recognized authority on limited warfare and small arms. A researcher and writer on military affairs, he was on a first-name basis with many of the top brass in the Pentagon," the memo says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He was also on intimate terms with a number of high-ranking CIA officials he was one of the Agencys un-people who perform special assignments. At one time he had been a friend of Samuel Cummings of Interarmco, the arms broker that numbers among its customers the CIA and, ironically, Kleins Sporting Goods of Chicago, from whence the mail order Carcano allegedly was purchased by Oswald. Oswald is a reference to Lee Harvey Oswald, the accused assassin and governmental described lone gunman in the death of Kennedy. The memo contains details of Underhill's death. "The friends whom Underhill visited say he was sober but badly shook. They say he attributed the Kennedy murder to a CIA clique which was carrying on a lucrative racket in gun-running, narcotics, and other contraband and manipulating political intrigue to serve its own ends," the memo alleges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Kennedy supposedly got wind that something was going on and was killed before he could blow the whistle on it. Although the friends had always known Underhill to be perfectly rational and objective they at first didnt take his account seriously. I think the main reason was, explains the husband, that we couldnt believe that the CIA could contain a corrupt element every bit as ruthless and more efficient as the mafia.'" The verdict of suicide "in Underhill's death is by no means convincing. His body was found by a writing collaborator, Asher Brynes of the New Republic," the memo continues. "He had been shot behind the left ear, and an automatic pistol was under his left side. Odd, says Brynes, because Underhill was right-handed. Brynes thinks the pistol was fitted with a silencer, and occupants of the apartment building could not recall hearing a shot. Underhill obviously had been dead several days." A check of Agency records yielded information about John Garrett Underhill Jr. He was born Aug. 7, 1915, in Brooklyn, New York, attended high school in Brooklyn and graduated from Harvard in 1937 and died on May 8, 1964, the memo says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He worked as a pictorial journalist for Life Magazine from 1938 through 1942. He served in World War II as a second lieutenant, working on technical and photographic headings, evaluation of intelligence and enemy uniforms, insignia, and weapons. A CIA memo found that there was interest by the New York Office in using subject as a contact for foreign intelligence. He was advised that contact should be developed with caution. A UP article written by Underhill for Esquire stated that the U.S. Army was shockingly weak and that Underhill served in military intelligence in World War II and Korea. He had contacts with a man named Herman Axelbank who was trying to sell photographs of Soviet military subjects, the memo alleges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cummings was described in the memo as an alleged member of the CIA who traveled abroad extensively buying foreign weapons. The arms were being bought for the CIA and intended for resistance elements behind the Iron Curtain," it accuses, saying that Cummings was the principal agent of a CIA owned companies. It was noted that Underhill, Cummings, and Interarmco had not appeared to date in any press or classified reports of the Garrison investigation in New Orleans into the Kennedy assassination "with the tenuous exception of the Ramparts article cited at the outset of this memorandum." The ceasefire in Gaza appears to be over. And while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sought to blame Hamas for the resumption of fighting that killed more than 400 Palestinians on March 18, 2025 only the beginning, Netanyahu warned the truth is the seeds of the renewed violence are to be found in Israeli domestic politics. Ever since the first phase of the ceasefire came into effect in January, Israeli politics experts myself included have flagged a likely insurmountable problem. And that is the execution of the plans second phase which, if implemented, would see full withdrawal of Israeli military forces from the Gaza Strip in exchange for the release of the remaining hostages is a nonstarter for far-right elements in the Israeli ruling coalition that Netanyahu relies on for his political survival. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Withdrawing from the Gaza Strip runs counter to the maximalist ideologies of key members of Netanyahus government, including some in his own party, Likud. Rather, their stated position is for Israel to remain in control of the enclave and to push as many Palestinians as possible out of it. It is why many in Netanyahus government cheered when President Donald Trump indicated that Palestinians should be cleared from Gaza to make way for a massive reconstruction project led by the United States. As an expert on Israeli history and a professor of peace studies, I believe the far-right vision for post-conflict Gaza shared by parts of Netanyahus government is incompatible with the ceasefire plan. But increasingly, it appears to chime with the views of some in the U.S. administration which, as de facto sponsor of the ceasefire, may have been the only entity that could have held the Israeli government to its terms. Efforts to transform judiciary It is true Hamas is responsible for delays and manipulations during the first phase of the ceasefire deal. It also turned hostage releases into propaganda spectacles, tormenting both the families of captives and much of Israeli society in the process. But in my view, the resumption of war is first and foremost tied to domestic Israeli currents that predate even the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that sparked the deadliest fighting between Israelis and Palestinians since the 1948 war. It can be traced back to Netanyahus efforts to transform the political system in Israel and increase the power of the executive and legislative branches while weakening the judiciary. U.S. President Donald Trump greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Feb. 4, 2025. Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via Getty Images Since coming to power in January 2023, Netanyahus hard-right government has made significant efforts to turn independent institutions such as the attorney generals office and the police into compliant arms of the government by seeking to place government loyalists in charge of both. Prolonging the war In 2023, a sustained and massive protest movement slowed Netanyahus attempts to overhaul the countrys judiciary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And then came the Hamas massacre on Oct. 7. Many Israeli commentators hoped that the attack would force the government to reconsider its efforts to carry out what some described as a legal coup, in a show of national unity. But Netanyahu and his government had other plans. After an initial hostage deal in November 2023 failed to yield a wider breakthrough, people gradually began to question whether Netanyahus primary interest was to prolong the war in the belief that doing so might be the best way to save his political career and revive his assault on the judiciary. Such a view has solid foundations. Having been indicted in November 2019 on breach of trust, fraud and corruption charges, Netanyahu was presented with an opportunity to muddy the logic of the long-running legal proceedings: He could hardy stand trial while defending a nation at war. The prosecution is still ongoing, but the resumption of fighting has, again, meant that Netanyahu has reason to delay his testimony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, war also provides cover for Netanyahu to neuter some of his fiercest critics. In the months after the Oct. 7 attack, Netanyahu systematically removed from office antagonistic members of the security and political leadership, accusing them of being responsible either for the Hamas attack or for the mismanagement of the conflict. This purging of anti-Netanyahu elements in Israel has ramped up in recent months, with Netanyahu and his allies seeking to replace Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and fire Ronen Bar, the head of the powerful security agency Shabak, or Shin Bet, which has been carrying out sensitive investigations into Netanyahus closest aides. Shoring up the coalition The apparent breakdown of the ceasefire now also coincides with growing pressure on Netanyahu from the political right in his ruling coalition. Under Israeli law, the government must approve its annual budget by the end of March or face being dissolved, something that would trigger fresh elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Netanyahu is facing holdouts among ultra-Orthodox parties over the issue of army drafts. Since the start of the war, there has been tremendous pressure from the wider Israeli public to end the draft exemption for ultra-Orthodox men, who unlike other Israelis did not have to serve in the military. Ultra-Orthodox parties, however, are demanding the opposite: to pass legislation that would formally exempt them from military service. To secure the vote for the annual budget and stave off elections, Netanyahu needs support and if it isnt going to come from the ultra-Orthodox parties, then he needs to shore up far-right members of the coalition. As a result of the resumption of war, Otzma Yehudit the far-right party that left Netanyahus government in January to protest the ceasefire agreement has returned to the fold. This gives Netanyahu crucial budget votes. But in effect, it signals that the coalition has no intention of implementing the second phase of the ceasefire plan, withdrawing from Gaza. In effect, it has killed the ceasefire. The domestic politics of Israel alone is not to blame for the resumption of fighting. There is, too, the changing stance of the U.S. administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The transition of presidency from Joe Biden to Donald Trump was a decisive reason for the timing of the ceasefire agreement in January 2025. But it appears that the administration is reluctant to force Netanyahu to continue to the second phase. Recent statements from Trump suggest that he supports putting extra military pressure on Hamas in Gaza. And by blaming Hamas for the resumption of the war, Trump is tacitly endorsing the position of the Israeli government. Hamas, in fact, has the most interest in implementing the agreement. Doing so would give the Palestinian militant group the best chance it has of remaining in control of Gaza, while also boasting that it had been responsible for the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons. Thousands gather at Habima Square to protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government on March 18, 2025. Yair Palti/Anadolu via Getty Images Protests gaining momentum The majority of Israelis are in favor of ending the war, completing the ceasefire agreement and having Netanyahu resign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And the anti-government protest movement is gaining steam again as seen in widespread protests in Israeli cities against both the resumption of fighting in Gaza and the attempt to oust security chief Ronen Bar. Given that the people and the government of Israel appear to be pulling in opposite directions, the resumption of bombing in Gaza can only exacerbate the internal crisis that preceded the war and has ebbed and flowed ever since. But Netanyahu has seemingly bet that more war is his best chance of remaining in power and completing his plan to transform the countrys political system. Israel is facing an unprecedented situation in which, I would argue, its own prime minister has became the biggest threat to the countrys stability. 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: Asher Kaufman, University of Notre Dame Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Asher Kaufman 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. Welcome to the online version of From the Politics Desk, an evening newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics teams latest reporting and analysis from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail. In todays edition, Steve Kornacki breaks down how gender and education have emerged as massive fault lines among white voters, as our NBC News poll shows. Plus, Lawrence Hurley reports on a rare rebuke of the president from the chief justice of the Supreme Court. Sign up to receive this newsletter in your inbox every weekday here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adam Wollner We want to hear from you! Have a question for the NBC News Politics Desk on the flurry of Trump administration moves, Elon Musk and DOGEs activity, what comes next on Capitol Hill, or our new poll? Send your questions to politicsnewsletter@nbcuni.com and we may answer them in a future edition of the newsletter. The gap within the gender gap By Steve Kornacki In last years presidential election, white voters made up an estimated 71% of the national electorate. Thats a number that for decades has trended downward as the countrys population has diversified, but its still more than six times larger than the share of Black and Hispanic voters (11% each) and nearly 25 times that of Asian voters (3%). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Typically, the white vote is understood as being Republican-friendly, with pronounced gender and education gaps. But there is a more useful and revealing way to understand the politics of white voters, something that is evident in the new NBC News poll. Call this the gap within the gap. It represents a layering of the education gap (which has exploded during the Trump era) on top of the more established gender gap. When these are combined, a gaping chasm emerges and two specific groups come into focus. On one end are white men without four-year college degrees. This is a generally blue-collar demographic that is now deeply aligned with Trump and opposed to progressive politics. On the other end are white women with at least a four-year college degree. This is a more affluent demographic that has been racing leftward, particularly on cultural issues, and is squarely opposed to President Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both groups pack a formidable punch. Eighteen percent of all voters last year were non-college white men and 17% were college-educated white women. And they have come to exist in polar opposite political and cultural universes, each one unrelatable and probably unrecognizable to the other. This is captured vividly in the NBC News poll. Take a basic question: Do voters have a positive or negative view of Trump? Among all voters regardless of race, gender or class 46% have a positive view and 49% a negative one. Among white voters only, Trump is a bit more popular: 52% have a positive opinion compared with 45% who have a negative opinion. Meanwhile, 69% of white men without a degree view Trump positively and just 28% see him negatively a 41-point net-positive rating. And among white women with a degree, its 29% positive and 67% negative for a net-negative of 38 points. That adds up to a whopping 79-point net rating gap between these two groups when it comes to their perception of Trump. When it comes to the various aspects of Trumps job performance, the splits are just as massive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More from the NBC News poll: American voters are deeply divided on DEI programs and political correctness, by Bridget Bowman What to know from the Trump presidency today Follow live updates Chief Justice John Roberts pushes back against calls to impeach judges who rule against Trump By Lawrence Hurley Chief Justice John Roberts issued a rare statement today rebuking President Donald Trump and his allies for calling to impeach judges who have ruled against the administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose, Roberts said in a statement. Trump allies have called for various judges to be impeached for blocking administration policies in the first months of his second term. But Trump himself raised the stakes on Tuesday, when he called for the impeachment of U.S. District Judge James Boasberg after he blocked the deportation of Venezuelan migrants. This judge, like many of the Crooked Judges I am forced to appear before, should be IMPEACHED!!! Trump posted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soon after Roberts issued his statement, Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, wrote in a post on X that he had introduced articles of impeachment against Boasberg. He claimed Boasberg had committed an impeachable offense by issuing a temporary restraining order against the administration over its novel invocation of a wartime law called the Alien Enemies Act to deport certain illegal immigrants. While a handful of federal judges have been removed from office in the past, it has been because of gross misconduct in office, such as taking bribes, not as a result of individual decisions they have made. Federal judges have frequently intervened on Trumps agenda since he took office again in January and began implementing a set of aggressive policies that have raised several novel legal issues. That has angered the administration and the broader MAGA base, leading to increasingly frequent calls for impeachment and raising concerns within the judiciary. Read more from Lawrence Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: DOJ refuses to answer some questions from the judge who blocked Alien Enemies Act deportations, by Gary Grumbach, Chloe Atkins and Dareh Gregorian Explainer: How Congress could but probably wont impeach a federal judge, by Frank Thorp V, Kyle Stewart and Lawrence Hurley Today's other top stories Gaza ceasefire collapses: Israels military launched the deadliest strikes on the Gaza Strip since the agreement of its ceasefire with Hamas, killing hundreds of people and threatening to compromise the fragile truce. Read more Shutdown fight fallout: After days of clashes among Democrats over last weeks government shutdown fight, the partys leaders in the Senate and House, Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, are trying to defuse tensions and refocus on thwarting Trumps agenda. Read more Double duty: JD Vance will serve as the next Republican National Committee finance chair, the first time a vice president has served in the role. Read more 'You dont have to go home, but you cant stay here': The bandSemisonic said it did not authorize the White Houses use of its song Closing Time in a video that appears to depict deportation. Read more Thats all From the Politics Desk for now. Todays newsletter was compiled by Adam Wollner, Scott Bland and Faith Wardwell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you have feedback likes or dislikes email us at politicsnewsletter@nbcuni.com And if youre a fan, please share with everyone and anyone. They can sign up here. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Originally appeared on E! Online Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawas romance was made for the movies. Weeks after the Unforgiven star and his wife of 33 years were found dead in their New Mexico home Feb. 26, their friends shared a glimpse into their loving marriage. "He was a gentle giant, very calm, Kevin Bobolosky said of Gene in the March 18 documentary Last Days of Gene Hackman: ABC News Special. Betsy, I think, mostly did all the cooking and cleaning on this big estate out of love. She just adored him. So they had everything they wanted." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The real estate agent emphasized that their love was as strong as ever, adding that while visiting their home, She would sit on the couch and she would just jump into him. While Betsywho was a classically trained pianist and skilled musicianwas Genes biggest supporter, the feelings were mutual, according to their pal Stephan Marshall. Betsy was just a lovely and charming woman, he recalled. She had been with Gene since she was pretty young. He was very proud of her accomplishments. She had played with the Honolulu Philharmonic Orchestra. More from E! Online Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Betsys official cause of death was from hantavirusa pulmonary syndrome, a severe respiratory illness caused by a family of viruses that are transmitted to humans through contact with infected rodentsSanta Fe Sheriff Adan Mendoza said in a March 7 press conference. One week after her death at age 65, the 95-year-olds death was ruled as hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with Alzheimer's disease being a significant contributing factor. The couples friends speculated that Betsy, who was Genes caretaker, likely didnt know how sick she was since hantavirus is so rare. (Only 122 cases have been reported in New Mexico from 1993 to 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Protection.) Photo by Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images Im sure if Betsy knew how sick she was, she wouldve had some backup help, Stephen said. She probably thought she was going to get better. She wasnt worried about herself. She was worried about taking care of Gene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In fact, all of their friends emphasized how much the French Connection actor relied on his wife, whom he married in 1991. She was very protective of him, Tim Allin told The New York Times March 8, noting that Gene often said that without Betsy, he likely wouldve died long ago. As he put it, She just really looked after him. For more details about Gene and Betsys tragic deaths, read on. Gene Hackman and Wife Betsy Arakawa Found Dead Feb. 26, 2025 Gene Hackman and his wife of 33 years, Betsy Arakawa, were found dead in their Santa Fe, N.M., home on Feb. 26 by two maintenance workers who spied their bodies through a window from outside the house. According to authorities, they alerted the caretaker in the gated community where the couple lived and that person called 911. "No, they are not moving," the caller told 911, per an audio recording. "Please send someone out here quick." When Santa Fe County sheriffs deputies arrived, they found Arakawa, 65, on the floor of a bathroom to the left of the frontdoor. She was clad in a sweatshirt and sweatpants, according to a Feb. 27 search warrant affidavit obtained by E! News, and there was an open prescription pill bottle and loose pills scattered on the countertop. Hackman, 95, was on the floor in what deputies described as a mudroom near the kitchen, per the warrant. A walking cane and sunglasses near the body. One of the couple's three dogsinitially misidentified as their German shepherd Bear, it was actually their Australian Kelpie mix Zinnawas found dead in a closet of the bathroom, according to the warrant. Another healthy-looking dog was found near Arakawa's body and the other, also seemingly healthy, was running around outside. A search warrant was executed on the house at around 9:30 p.m. Feb. 26 and Hackman and Arakawa's bodies were removed the following morning. Gene Hackman Death Deemed "Suspicious Enough" to Conduct Investigation While the sheriff's office said Feb. 27 that there were no signs of foul play, investigators determined "the circumstances surrounding the death of the two deceased individuals to be suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation," the warrant stated. The warrant noted there were no signs of obvious blunt-force trauma, carbon monoxide poisoning or forced entry into the home. Rather, deputies said they found the front door ajar. There were also signs that Hackman and Arakawa had been dead for awhile: One deputy observed that her body was partially decomposed, with mummification around her hands and feet, according to the warrant, while Hackman's body showed "similar and consistent" signs of death. It was also noted that both looked as if they may have fallen to the ground suddenly. The worker who first saw the bodies told investigators he had last spoken with the couple about two weeks beforehand, per the warrant, and that he usually communicated with Arakawa over phone calls and texting. "All I can say is that were in the middle of a preliminary death investigation, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza told the Santa Fe New Mexican. "I want to assure the community and neighborhood that theres no immediate danger to anyone." Items of Interest Found in Gene Hackman's Home Two cell phones, blood pressure and thyroid medications, Tylenol, medical records and a 2025 planner were among the items removed by investigators during the search, according to a warrant summary. A Timeline Slowly Comes Into Focus Sheriff Mendoza said at a Feb. 28 news conference that Hackman's pacemaker last recorded activity on Feb. 17, calling it "a very good assumption that it was his last day of life. They were continuing to analyze "cell phone data, phone calls, text messages, events, photos in the cell phone," Mendoza said, "to try to piece a timeline together." But it wasn't going to be easy. As the sheriff explained on TODAY, "We understand that is a challenge because they were very private individuals and a private family. We're trying to put all that information together right now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gene Hackman's Family Speaks Out "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy," the actor's daughters Leslie and Elizabeth and granddaughter Annie said in a statement. "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. We will miss him sorely and are devastated by the loss." Leslie Anne Allenone of three children the actor shared with first wife Faye Maltesetold Fox News Digital that she hadn't seen her father for "a few years" because she lived in California and he no longer traveled much, but they had "been in touch over the last couple of months." I loved him dearly, she said. "He was a genuinely good-hearted person." And, Leslie said she knew him to be in good health, practicing yoga and pilates regularly. As days went by, family members said they were trying to tune out the noise about what might have happened while whey they waited for official answers. "Were waiting on toxicology," nephew Tim Hackman, whose dad was the actor's brother Richard Hackman, told Us Weekly in an interview published March 3. "That will tell us everything. Its hard to theorize. There are lots of theories out there and I dont want to speculate. Its easy to speculate negative theories. He added, "My uncle was 95 years old at an age where you think about, 'OK, its time.' But from the circumstances now things have changed a bit. Its a major change. Inside Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's Private Life in Santa Fe Hackman, whose last film credit was 2004's Welcome to Mooseport, had lived in Santa Fe with Arakawa since the late 1980s. A painter himself, he was active in the local arts scene and sat on the board of the Georgia O'Keefe Museum from 1997 until 2004. He was a pretty low-key individual even though he was someone who had amazing stories to tell about Hollywood and other celebrities, longtime friend and gallery owner Stuart Ashman told the Los Angeles Times. He was just a regular guy." Santa Fe film commissioner Jennifer LaBar-Tapia told reporters that both Hackman and Arakawa were "deeply woven into the fabric of Santa Fe." But sightings of Hackman had become increasingly rare, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. Friend Daniel Lenihan told People the actorwho used to walk his dogs and ride his bicycle around their neighborhood and patronize local businesseshad been "essentially kind of home-bound" in recent months. His son Aaron Lenihan said Arakawa "was still trying to keep him as active and engaged and healthy as possible," but Daniel said Hackman was "really slipping." Daniel's wife Barbara Lenihan said Arakawa, a classical pianist, had been in "perfect health" and was "so fit." The last paparazzi shot of a frail-looking Hackman and Arakawa out in public together was published by Page Six in March 2024. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, Gas Leak Ruled Out Tests on Hackman and Arakawa's bodies for signs of carbon monoxide poisoning came back negative, Sheriff Mendoza told reporters Feb. 28. But, he noted, complete autopsy and toxicology results could take "three months or longer." The New Mexico Gas Company stated March 4 that, while a "minuscule leak" was found in a stove burner, it didn't emit enough carbon monoxide to have proved fatal, nor did their investigation reveal any further leaks or gas line issues. Investigators said there were several other code violations in the home, but nothing having to do with gas or carbon monoxide. Cause of Death Determined for Gene Hackman, Betsy Arakawa Arakawa died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare respiratory infection caused by exposure to rodent feces, urine or saliva, New Mexico Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Heather Jarrell said during a March 7 news conference. Hackman, meanwhile, "showed evidence of advanced Alzheimers disease, Jarrell said. "He was in a very poor state of health. He had significant heart disease, and I think ultimately thats what resulted in his death." Arakawa may have experienced flu-like symptoms before she died, the medical examiner said. New Mexico state public health veterinarian Erin Phipps said the couple were at "low risk" for exposure from their house but there were signs of rodents in other structures on the property. A total of 122 cases and 52 deaths from hantavirus were reported in New Mexico between 1993 and 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heartbreaking Death Timeline Revealed According to the coroner, it looked as if Arakawalast known to have run errands on Feb. 11had been dead for about a week before Hackman died, seemingly on Feb. 18 going by his last pacemaker activity (a day after originally noted by authorities). Their bodies weren't discovered for another eight days, so 15 days after Arakawa died. As far as authorities know, Hackman was alone in the house with his wife's body until he himself passed. Its quite possible he was not aware she was deceased," Jarrell said. Hackman didn't have food in his stomach when he died, she noted, but he was not dehydrated. Their dog Zinna had been in a crate in the bathroom and died of starvation and dehydration, according to state vet Phipps. Why Gene Hackman Couldn't Live Without His Wife At this point," Sheriff Mendoza said March 7, "theres no indication that there was a caretaker at the home." Arakawa had basically been managing her husband's life for years, scheduling his golf games and visits with friends, according to pal Tom Allin, who told the New York Times he knew Hackman for 20 years but it was always the actor's wife he spoke to on the phone. She was very protective of him," Allin said," and Hackman would have died "long ago" if not for her. All of us that knew him should have been checking on him," Hackman's friend Ashman told the Washington Post. "I had no idea...Its just really sad. And that she died a week before him. My God." On the apparent last day of Arakawa's life, she emailed her massage therapist in the morning, went to a grocery store in the afternoon and stopped at a pharmacy before going to a pet store. She was back home by around 5:15 p.m., according to authorities, and responded to no emails after Feb. 11. Sheriff Mendoza said he believed she wore a mask while running her errands, which friends said she regularly did for fear of bringing any illnesses home to her husband. For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App By Alimat Aliyeva South Korean and U.S. troops have launched a large-scale battle command training exercise, the South Korean Army said Wednesday, in an effort to enhance their combined readiness against North Korean military threats, Azernews reports. The five-day training, which will run through Thursday at training facilities in Incheon, west of Seoul, and in the border town of Paju, has mobilized around 1,200 troops from both sides, according to the Army. The computer-simulated drills, designed to enhance the combat command and control capabilities of commanding officers, incorporate countermeasures for weapons of mass destruction and air maneuvering operations, along with on-field drills to provide realistic training scenarios. The 17th Infantry Division has been conducting the battle command training alongside the U.S. 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-U.S. Combined Division since 2013. The latest drills were organized in conjunction with Freedom Shield, an annual springtime exercise conducted by the allies, which is set to complete its 11-day run on Thursday. This years exercises come amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, with North Koreas continued military developments and missile tests prompting both the U.S. and South Korea to enhance their joint defense posture. The drills are a clear demonstration of the allies commitment to strengthening their military cooperation and ensuring a swift and effective response to potential threats. The training aims to fine-tune real-time decision-making and coordination, with a focus on countering hybrid warfare strategies, which include cyber-attacks and the use of advanced weaponry. ISLAMABAD, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The World Bank approved 102 million U.S. dollars in financing for the Resilient and Accessible Microfinance (RAM) Project in Pakistan, said a statement on Wednesday. The project aimed at improving access to microcredit and strengthening the resilience of the country's microfinance sector against climate-related shocks, it said. "Microfinance is a critical tool for supporting the livelihoods of vulnerable populations in Pakistan. This project will continue to provide essential financial services to those who need them most, especially in rural areas," said World Bank Country Director for Pakistan Najy Benhassine. The director added that the project, as part of a broader commitment to promoting financial inclusion in Pakistan, would increase resilience to climate change, as outlined in the new 10-year Country Partnership Framework. According to the statement, the project is expected to benefit nearly 1.89 million people, including more than 1 million women and over 350,000 youth, particularly those in vulnerable and low-income rural communities. The key components of the project include the establishment of a Climate Risk Fund, innovative use of agrotechnology solutions, and capacity building for microfinance institutions, the bank said. RICHMOND HILL, Ga. (WSAV) The Georgia Power company will hold a five-hour long planned outage in Richmond Hill from 12:00 a.m. to approximately 5:00 a.m. while repairs are made to Rushing Street. The repairs come after a sinkhole opened last week on Rushing Street and Ford Avenue. The midnight to dawn timeframe is a precaution, allowing for any unexpected delays. During the repair, the Rushing Street intersection will temporarily become a four-way stop. The Richmond Hill Police Department (RHPD) will install temporary stop signs to clearly mark the change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To enhance visibility, especially during the power outage, the city will be adding temporary light plants and extra signage near Starbucks to alert drivers to the four-way stop. The City of Richmond Hill encourages increased safety and when traveling in this area. 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. A volunteer firefighter who responded to the scene of twin brothers deaths in the north Georgia mountains is now facing charges. Scott Kerlin, 42, is accused of taking photos of the scene and sharing them on social media. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has charged him with misdemeanor obstruction. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Reporter Tyisha Fernandes at Action News Jaxs Atlanta station, WSB-TV, went to Kerlins home in Hiawassee and knocked on his door. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He didnt answer, but Fernandes saw him and asked if wanted to share his story. He declined. On March 8, hikers found Qaadir Lewis and Naazir Lewis from Gwinnett County dead from gunshot wounds at the top of Bell Mountain. The Towns County Sheriffs Office called the GBI to assist. Investigators have initially ruled their deaths as a murder-suicide. They sent their bodies to the GBI lab for autopsies. Photo courtesy of Lewis and Brawner families [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Many questions, few answers On Sunday, the GBI confirmed that the results are now pending until more forensic tests are completed. The medical examiner has not issued an official cause of death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WSB-TV spoke with the Lewis twins family over the weekend. Family members said they have so many questions, but very few answers. Were just trying to figure out what happened. Were trying put pieces together to understand. How did they end out in the mountains? They dont hike out there. They have never been out there, said Samira Brawner, the twins aunt. Rahim Brawner said his nephews were very protective of each other and were inseparable. The family said they dont believe their deaths were murder-suicide. I cant imagine them hurting each other because Ive never even seen them get into a fist fight before, their uncle said. Murder-suicide? I just believe that they were extremely incapable of that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I feared the worst: Good Samaritan saves senior citizen who fell overboard on fishing boat About to turn myself in: Video shows arrest of daycare director accused of child molestation Read: I feared the worst: Good Samaritan saves senior citizen who fell overboard on fishing boat Read: About to turn myself in: Video shows arrest of daycare director accused of child molestation Read: Man pretending to be nurse arrested with fiance after Clay County patient dies [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. The outgoing German government agreed to release an additional 3 billion euros ($3.3 billion) in military assistance for Ukraine, a German Finance Ministry spokesperson confirmed for the Kyiv Independent on March 19. Outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz has long blocked the package unless it is financed by additional borrowing. Friedrich Merz, who is set to become the next chancellor after his conservative CDU/CSU alliance won the elections in February, voiced confidence that the additional assistance would be approved as he unveiled massive efforts to boost defense spending by reforming Germany's debt brake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Merz, who is seeking to build a new government coalition with the Social Democrats (SPD), scored a major win earlier this week after the outgoing parliament approved a spending surge that could unleash up to 500 billion euros ($545 billion) for Germany's defense and infrastructure. According to Reuters, the parliamentary budget committee should approve the funds for Ukraine on March 21, as long as the Bundesrat, a legislative body representing Germany's federal states, approves Merz's reforms. Germany is Ukraine's largest military donor in Europe, and its role is likely only to grow as U.S. President Donald Trump seeks to reduce American involvement on the continent and restore ties with Russia. The 3-billion-euro package is in addition to the 4 billion euros ($4.36 billion) already allocated for Kyiv in 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reuters reported earlier on March 19 that German Finance Minister Joerg Kukies has informed parliament's budget committee that the requirements for additional funds for Ukraine have been met. This was later confirmed by the ministry's spokesperson to the Kyiv Independent. The sum of 3 billion euros includes 2.547 billion euros ($2.8 billion) from the German budget, with the rest being reimbursed by the European Peace Facility. Kukies also plans to authorize some 8.252 billion euros ($8.9 billion) in military aid to Ukraine between 2026 and 2029. Read also: Kremlin demands halt to foreign military aid, intelligence to Ukraine as condition for avoiding war escalation Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The German government on Wednesday defended its nomination of outgoing Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock for the presidency of the United Nations General Assembly. Baerbock is "highly qualified" and recognized for her work, government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said in Berlin. The Cabinet decision to nominate Baerbock was slammed by Christoph Heusgen, the former chairman of the Munich Security Conference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heusgen said that the post should have been awarded, as planned, to Helga Schmid, a career diplomat. "It is outrageous to replace the best and most internationally experienced German diplomat with an obsolete model," he told the Tagesspiegel newspaper. A Foreign Office spokesman backed Baerbock's candidacy, saying it emphasized Germany's commitment to the United Nations and its willingness to take on responsibility at a difficult time for the multilateral body. Baerbock, a Green party politician, is due to step down as foreign minister when a new governing coalition between the conservative CDU/CSU bloc and the Social Democrats is formed. She is set to be elected in June and begin her one-year term in September. Hebestreit, the government spokesman, said her nomination was agreed with the incoming administration. BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany updated its travel advisory for the United States to emphasise that a visa or entry waiver does not guarantee entry for its citizens after several Germans were detained at the border recently, a foreign ministry spokesperson said. The ministry updated its travel advice website for the U.S. on Tuesday to clarify that neither approval through the U.S. ESTA system nor a U.S. visa entitles entry in every case. "The final decision on whether a person can enter the U.S. lies with the U.S. border authorities," said the spokesperson on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the spokesperson emphasised that the change did not constitute a travel warning. Since taking office on January 20, President Donald Trump has announced a number of immigration-related executive orders that focus on stricter border policy, tighter visa vetting procedures and a crackdown on undocumented migrants in the United States. Germany's foreign ministry said earlier this week that it was monitoring whether there had been a change in U.S. immigration policy after three nationals had been detained. Two of the three cases have been resolved, with the affected nationals returning to Germany, while the remaining case was being handled with the help of the consulate general in Boston. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Boston-based public broadcaster WGBH, a German man with a green card residency permit was detained by immigration authorities this month at Boston airport and was being held in a detention facility. The German foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for information about the man's current whereabouts. (Reporting by Miranda Murray; Editing by Alex Richardson) During a visit to Lebanon, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Wednesday called for the ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement to be respected. This also meant that Israel withdraw its troops from Lebanese territory, she said in Beirut after talks with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. "We must do everything we can to ensure that this ceasefire continues," Baerbock asserted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baerbock, from the Greens, is accompanied on the trip by foreign policy expert Armin Laschet from the Christian Democrats (CDU), who is taking part in her talks as a member of the Bundestag's foreign affairs committee. While Baerbock wants to resign from her mandate in the Bundestag and become chair of the UN General Assembly in September, Laschet's party hope to govern Germany in coalition with the Social Democrats in the wake of parliamentary elections last month. Ceasefire since the end of November In Beirut, Baerbock warned that a permanent occupation of Lebanese territory by Israeli troops could be used by Hezbollah as a pretext for terrorist action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Only a solution that respects both Israeli security interests and Lebanon's territorial integrity will enable the return of displaced persons on both sides of the border, she said. The ceasefire, which was agreed at the end of November after a year of war between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah, provided for the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops. This has now largely been carried out, but there are still five Israeli military posts near the border. The Lebanese leadership views the presence of the troops as a violation of the agreement and has protested against it on several occasions. Baerbock's trip to the Middle East comes a day after Israel resumed its attacks against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza, killing hundreds and shattering a fragile ceasefire in place since January. Risk of regional escalation Ahead of her departure on Wednesday morning, Baerbock warned that the "risk of a regional escalation is serious" in light of the latest developments in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "All sides are now called upon to exercise the utmost restraint, to comply with international humanitarian law and to return to talks to find a lasting solution to the conflict," Baerbock added. But on Tuesday Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a resumption of fighting against Hamas, saying further negotiations "will only be conducted under fire." Israel launched a massive wave of airstrikes on targets in Gaza early on Tuesday, with the Hamas-run health authority reporting more than 400 killed and hundreds injured. The authority does not distinguish between civilian and military casualties and the figures cannot be independently verified. The attacks have shattered the hopes of Israelis and Palestinians to end the suffering, and jeopardized diplomatic efforts by Arab states, the foreign minister said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The resumption of Israeli airstrikes comes two months after Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire deal that included the release of hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attacks in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Negotiations on a permanent ceasefire and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip having since stalled. Arab countries recently presented a plan to rebuild Gaza, but many issues - such as how to finance the reconstruction and the political status of the coastal territory - are still unresolved. Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (C) and Member of the German Bundestag Armin Laschet (L) meet with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. Hannes P. Albert/dpa Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (C) and Member of the German Bundestag Armin Laschet (L) meet with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. Hannes P. Albert/dpa Annalena Baerbock (L), Germany's Foreign Minister, speaks during a press conference in Beirut. Hannes P. Albert/dpa Annalena Baerbock (L), Germany's Foreign Minister, laughs after a press conference in Beirut. Hannes P. Albert/dpa Advertisement Advertisement German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is travelling to the Middle East for talks, a day after Israel resumed its attacks against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza, killing hundreds. Baerbock flew from Berlin to Lebanon early on Wednesday, with meetings planned for the afternoon in Beirut. Ahead of her departure, Baerbock warned that the "risk of a regional escalation is serious." The first phase of a ceasefire-for-hostages deal expired after six weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "All sides are now called upon to exercise the utmost restraint, to comply with international humanitarian law and to return to talks to find a lasting solution to the conflict," Baerbock added. But on Tuesday Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a resumption of fighting against Hamas, saying further negotiations "will only be conducted under fire." Israel launched a massive wave of airstrikes on targets in Gaza early on Tuesday, with the Hamas-run health authority reporting more than 400 killed and hundreds injured. The authority does not distinguish between civilian and military casualties and the figures cannot be independently verified. The attacks have shattered the hopes of Israelis and Palestinians to end the suffering, and jeopardized diplomatic efforts by Arab states, the foreign minister said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The resumption of Israeli air strikes comes two months after Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire deal that included the release of hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attacks in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Negotiations on a permanent ceasefire and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip having since stalled. Arab countries recently presented a plan to rebuild Gaza, but many issues - such as how to finance the reconstruction and the political status of the coastal territory - are still unresolved. A grandmother receives a phone call from her grandson. He tells her that he drove into another car and has a broken nose and stitches. Then he tells her that hes putting an attorney on the line. That person says that he needs to receive $9,000 to keep the grandson out of jail and keep the matter off his record. Scams like this, described on the US Postal Inspection Service website, are happening to senior citizens in Niagara County. Sheriff Michael Filicetti said his office just investigated a grandparent scam, with scammers asking for multiple gift cards to pay for damages by a grandchild. The U.S. Attorneys Office for Vermont announced on March 5 that 25 Canadian perpetrators were indicted for a grandparent scam that defrauded individuals in Vermont and more than 40 other states. According to the Federal Trade Commission, artificial intelligence is used to clone the voice of a loved one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every phone scammer wants you to feel pressed to make a decision, Filicetti said. You can always hang up and confirm where your grandchild is. The Niagara County resident recently scammed lost $24,000 after they were told a family member was in jail, Filicetti said. The victim was told to get four Green Dot gift cards for $600 each at different locations of a chain store. Filicetti reminds the public of how the sheriffs office and other law enforcement agencies actually work, so they can recognize a false story. We would never say give us money for us to release somebody, he said. We would never ask for gift cards or cash over the phone like that. We dont assess damages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its so common, said Kara Donovan, deputy director at the Niagara County Office for the Aging. Its awful, but its amazing how many people right in our Lockport community have fallen victim to financial scams and have lost thousands and thousands of dollars. Many banking institutions and retailers are training employees to look out for clients withdrawing a single large sum, Filicetti said. Retailers are also watching out for people buying multiple gift cards. You can stop it sometimes before it gets to them losing money, Filicetti said. Its a lot easier to prevent this than investigate it. Most scammers are from outside Western New York, Filicetti. We do get some that are local here. Theyll actually send somebody to pick up the gift cards or cash. Weve found some of those come even from New York City. The sheriff said that the person coming to the door may only know that their job is to make pick-ups, not that it is part of a scam. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donovan said there are so many types of scams that its almost impossible to keep up. Filicetti agreed. Theres romance scams youve found true love. Or youve won the lottery, call to claim. They target older people for a reason because they feel theyre more vulnerable. Seniors who are tech savvy are falling victim to these scams, Donovan said. Although Facebook and other social media can be valuable for keeping in touch with friends and family, its also where scammers can create a false identity and spin stories of deep affection or personal tragedy. When youre older and youre lonely, and grieving the loss of your spouse, you might think differently about that, Donovan said of a victims reaction. The sheriffs office is available to talk to groups about fraud prevention. For a speaker, call 716-438-3310. NAIROBI, March 19 (Xinhua) -- A rise in attacks on ships along the Red Sea route by terror groups has disrupted the export of Kenyan tea to key markets in Europe and North Africa, the Tea Board of Kenya (TBK) said on Wednesday. The TBK said in a report released in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, that the attacks have created market access challenges to the East African country's tea exports, forcing ships to take longer routes. "Attacks on vessels along the Red Sea shipping route has prompted several shipping lines to suspend their operations through the route and revert to using the southern tip of Africa, an alternative trans-shipment route, whose shipment duration is much longer and costs more from the Port of Mombasa," the TBK said. Kenya's tea exports in 2024 stood at 181.6 billion shillings (about 1.4 billion U.S. dollars), a slight increase from 1.39 billion dollars in 2023. The TBK attributed the slow growth in exports partly to the disruption caused by the terror attacks and the ongoing war in some major markets, including Sudan. Pakistan, Sudan, Egypt, Britain and Yemen are some of the markets that recorded a decline in tea imports from Kenya in 2024. The KTB said it is consolidating and expanding Kenya's tea markets through trade missions to countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Turkey, Ghana, Germany and China. 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? Mar. 18Glacier High School senior Wyatt Jensen is set to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point after graduating this spring, a feat celebrated last week with a visit from U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke. Jensen's father, Wylie, served in the U.S. Army for over 30 years in the Green Berets. It was an influence that Jensen had growing up, one that he looked up to. Jensen specifically remembers opening the mail with his parents in the third grade when he saw an academy brochure. He was in awe, and immediately knew he wanted to go there one day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I told myself that is where I wanted to go to school," Jensen said in the lobby of Glacier High School on March 13. "Everything I've done [at Glacier] was to cultivate that." Zinke, in his familiar cowboy hat, shook Jensen's hand, congratulating him. The Republican is one of three veterans in Montana's federal delegation. Jensen was Zinke's choice for a letter of recommendation. "You earned it, not because your father served but because of your willingness to," Zinke said to Jensen. To gain admission to an academy, a prospective student must obtain a nomination from a U.S. Representative, Senator, the Vice President or President. Applying students must also complete a Candidate Fitness Assessment and pass a medical exam. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Admission to West Point in highly competitive with an acceptance rate of just 12%. The first year at any academy is difficult, Zinke said. The young adults coming in are smart and capable, but the first year as a cadet is about proving whether they can make it through the rigors of the academy. "Montanans have a tendency not to quit," Zinke smiled. Jensen serves as the student council class secretary, is a multi-sport athlete and is in the top third of his class with a 3.7 grade point average. He has already accepted his primary nomination for the academy. He is expected to leave for New York at the end of June. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When you look at his character, he's hard working, he's kind, he's just a good, good young man," said Brad Holloway, the principal at Glacier High School. He added that when one thinks about the type of person they want serving, Jensen "fits the bill." Jensen is one of four Flathead Valley seniors expected to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point next year, according to Zinke's staff. Gabe Lund from Whitefish, Dan Dorsett Jr. from Kila and Lane Chivers from Kalispell also were admitted. The meeting included Jensen's parents, Wylie and Kharyna, his younger brother Thomas and multiple friends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reporter Kate Heston may be reached at 758-4459 or kheston@dailyinterlake.com. From left to right, Thomas Jensen, Kharyna Jensen, U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke, Wyatt Jensen and Wylie Jensen at Glacier High School. (Kate Heston/Daily Inter Lake) Kate Heston An electricity meter. (Stock photo from Getty Images.) This year, new legislation in the Ohio Statehouse could finally see the end to some of the worst aspects of 2019s House Bill 6 which David Roberts of Vox called the worst energy bill of the 21st century. That is great news but it would come at a high cost. Instead of bailing out coal and nuclear plants, Ohioans could find themselves living next to large gas plants, pushed through a fast-track approval process without local approval, supplied with gas from fracking our parks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read on to learn the good, the bad, and the ugly about Ohio Senate Bill 2 and Ohio House Bill 15. The good Among the good things SB 2 and HB 15 would do is phase out the bailouts of two Ohio Valley Electric Coalition (OVEC) coal plants jointly owned by several Ohio utilities one of which is in Indiana. Ohioans have paid upward of $670 million in coal bailouts since HB 6. The coal bailouts would end at the expiration of each utilitys electric security plan plans that allow utilities to attach extra charges, or riders, to customer bills over the next five years. Then the electric security plans themselves would also be eliminated. Instead, utilities would have to work with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to set a standard service offer the going rate for electricity based only on markets, without extra riders or fees. Utilities would have to work with PUCO annually to ensure the rate is in line with changing market conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some other good things in the current version of these two bills include: A community energy pilot program in HB 15 that would allow small scale energy projects 10 MW or 20 MW to be built on distressed land that people could subscribe to for their electricity use. An energy efficiency loan program for schools in SB 2 a good program that should also include loans for solar panels, which it originally had. The bad If thats where SB 2 and HB 15 stopped, there would be plenty to support. However, both bills also contain some terrible provisions that should be changed or removed for the sake of Ohios communities and our environment. These provisions revolve around an accelerated review process at the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB), which approves the siting of major energy facilities such as large electric generation plants, transmission lines, and pipelines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The current OPSB process takes months and sometimes years. It involves public information sessions, applications that run thousands of pages, public hearings, months of written public comments, an agency investigation, and an adjudicatory hearing to establish the facts. SB 2 would shorten this process to just 120 days four months. Even worse, both bills would shorten the process to only 45 days just six weeks for two types of applications: An electric generation plant, electric transmission line, or gas pipeline in a Priority Investment Area A major utility facility defined as 50 MW or more on property owned by the applicant. In the first case, local governments would nominate brownfields or former coal mines in their communities to be Priority Investment Areas so at least there would be local buy-in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the second case, there is no local involvement. The only party that identifies the location for a 50 MW or larger energy generation plant is the applicant who owns the property. Nothing in either bill specifies who the applicant could be but presumably a large energy user such as a data center. Data centers are what is driving this. These large buildings house rows and rows of computer servers that must be kept running and kept cool. Each data center uses hundreds of megawatts of electricity equal to a small city to power things like cloud computing, AI, or cryptocurrency. There are 176 data centers in Ohio. Of those, 108 are in Central Ohio and of those, many are in residential areas. I should know theres an Amazon data center campus across the street from my house, and three others within five miles all surrounded by homes and businesses. The ugly SB 2 and HB 15 would allow the owners of these data centers to get approval in 45 days to build a large electricity generation plant on property they own with no local approval. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How would the electricity be generated? Through fracked gas plants, Senate President Rob McColley and House Speaker Matt Huffman recently told the Ohio Oil and Gas Association. In Ohio, the setback requirement for wind turbines is 1/4 mile from the nearest property line too much for data center land in an urban or suburban area. A solar project big enough to create enough electricity would also be too large. The main alternative is gas. Senate Bill 52 from 2021 allows local governments to ban solar and wind projects, but not oil and gas and at least 24 Ohio counties have done so. Already applications for three gas plants to power data centers behind the meter have been filed with the power siting board, with more being prepared. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We think there will be new gas powered generation all over the state of Ohio, Huffman told the oil and gas association. If SB 2 and HB 15 pass as currently written, some of those gas plants will end up in residential areas. Where will the gas to supply these plants come from? From fracking our state parks, wildlife areas, and public lands, Huffman told the oil and gas association. And they want the frack pads to be located not just outside the parks as they are now, but actually IN our state parks and public lands. I want to be aggressive about that in the House of Representatives, Huffman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE What must be done SB 2 and HB 15 would go a long way to cleaning up the travesty of HB 6 but at what cost? The accelerated review process for approving major energy facilities such as a 100 MW gas plant must be lengthened. Nine months is not too long to review such a complicated project. If Republicans absolutely refuse to lengthen the review process, then local officials must be given veto power over gas plants in their counties and townships just as they have for solar and wind projects. Finally, fracking in, around, and under our beloved state parks, wildlife areas, and public lands must stop. The vast majority of Ohioans are opposed. The last four nominations to frack our parks and wildlife areas received 923 comments. Only one comment out of 923 was in favor. Thats 1/10th of one percent 99.9% of comments were opposed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We cant build fracked gas plants to power AI and crypto on the backs of our communities and our public lands that are supposed to be protected. Ohio must work toward a sane energy policy that welcomes clean renewable energy that sustains rather than destroys people and planet. Cathy Cowan Becker is board president for Save Ohio Parks. She lives in Hilliard, Ohio. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Google (GOOGL) and Apple (AAPL) on Wednesday were found in violation of the European Unions landmark antitrust law, said the European Commission, the E.U.s executive body. Google and Apple were hit over the Digital Markets Act, a landmark European antitrust law that addresses anti-competitive practices in the tech industry and has been targeting the top big tech companies since its passing in 2022. Both Apple and Google parent company Alphabet are classified as gatekeepers under the act, along with other tech giants like Amazon (AMZN), Tiktok-owner ByteDance, Meta (META), and Microsoft (MSFT). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alphabet was designated a gatekeeper over its Google Search and Google Play functions, whereas Apple was designated over its iPadOS operating system for tablets. The White House has been notably upset about the ongoing European crackdown on American big tech companies, with President Donald Trump issuing a directive threatening to impose tariffs on Europe to defend these companies from what he believes are overseas extortion and unfair fines and penalties. European Union regulators sent two sets of preliminary findings to Google-parent Alphabet. The first accuse Alphabets Google Search engine of treating the companys own services like shopping, hotel booking, transport, or financial results more favorably than rival ones by ranking them higher up in search results, or on dedicated spaces. The second accuses the companys app marketplace Google Play of preventing app developers from freely steering consumers to other channels for better offers, and by charging developers high fees over acquisition of new customers via their platform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Google now has the time to defend itself, but if found guilty, could be fined up to 10% of its worldwide revenue. The Commission also outlined a set of measures that Apple needs to abide with, requesting the iPhone maker to comply with interoperability obligations that enable seamless communication between different products and ecosystems. Todays decisions mark the first time the Commission outlines concrete measures for a gatekeeper to comply with the Digital Markets Act, E.U. vice-president for clean, just and competitive transition Teresa Ribera said in the Commissions press release. The E.U. is specifically asking Apple to make sure its product ecosystem is able to seamlessly integrate with third-party products like smartwatches, headphones, or TVs, and to increase transparency for app developers interested in having their apps be interoperable on Apple products. European app developers can currently send requests for additional interoperability through a portal Apple created in response to the DMA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The E.U. puts innovation and choice at the centre of its policies. Interoperability is one of the most important tools in making this happen, E.U. executive vice president for tech sovereignty, security and democracy Henna Virkkunen said. Apple said it has been cooperating with the Commission to comply with the DMA, but objects to the requests made on Wednesday. Todays decisions wrap us in red tape, slowing down Apples ability to innovate for users in Europe and forcing us to give away our new features for free to companies who dont have to play by the same rules, Apple said in a statement to Quartz, adding that the results would effectively have third parties interfering with the design of future Apple products like iPhones. We will continue to work with the European Commission to help them understand our concerns on behalf of our users, Apple said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the iPhone maker fails to comply with the order, it can face an investigation and a potential fine. The E.U.launched the investigation into Apple and Google, as well as Facebook, in March 2024. The Commission then sent preliminary findings to Apple in June 2024 over its App Store fees and restrictions for app developers. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. JAKARTA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The Indonesian government, through state-owned firm PT Pertamina International Shipping (PIS), has prepared 353 tanker fleets to ensure the smooth and secure transportation of fuel oil and gas during the Eid al-Fitr holiday season. Eid al-Fitr in Indonesia, which falls on March 31, traditionally sees a surge in fuel consumption and travel. "PIS is committed to maintaining the security of fuel and LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) supplies through sustainable operations. The 353 tanker fleets operate both domestically and internationally to support seamless transportation," said Muhammad Baron, PIS corporate secretary, in a statement on Wednesday. In addition, Baron noted that 453 tugboats will be deployed to support shipping activities and marine services at ports, managed by Pertamina Trans Kontinental. He also said that all personnel will be on standby to carry out their duties throughout the holiday season. According to Indonesia's Ministry of Transportation, an estimated 146.4 million people, approximately 52 percent of the country's total population, are expected to travel to their hometowns for Eid. Of these, 68.1 million travelers are projected to use private vehicles. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources predicts that daily fuel consumption during the peak holiday season will increase by 11.7 percent for subsidized RON-90 fuel (Pertalite) and 11.2 percent for unsubsidized Pertamax. A Nebraska congressman who apparently thought it would be safe to venture into his deep-red district for a town hall was met with angry booing and jeers over his support for Elon Musks DOGE. Rep. Mike Flood (R-NE) also faced outrage Tuesday over President Donald Trumps lack of support for Ukraine, along with fears the government will gut and privatize the U.S. Postal Service, the Associated Press reported. About 200 people attended the town hall, which was held in a high school auditorium in Columbus, Nebraska. The county voted nearly 3-to-1 for Trump, according to the AP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What makes you think that [Musk] has no conflict of interest? one member of the audience demanded, to cheers. Do you think he would cut [those interests] before he would cut our Medicare or our Social Security or our jobs? I support Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency, Flood said, leading to at least 10 seconds of sustained booing and thumbs-down from the audience. Musks secretive government cost-cutting department has taken an axe to dozens of federal agencies, and hes signaled that Social Securitywhich he called the biggest Ponzi scheme of all timecould also be on the chopping block. Republicans have claimed, without providing any details, that Musk is accountable to the president and will be kept away from conflicts of interest, according to ABC News. Just this week, Musk has been allowed to install his own satellite internet in the White House and hawk Teslas from the lawn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And thats not even getting into the $15.4 billion in government contracts his companies have received, or his attempts to eradicate agencies like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that regulate his business. Republicans have faced so much angry backlash over Musk and his cuts that party leaders have advised them to stop holding town halls, but Flood decided to brave one anyway. I do want to thank you for actually doing a town hall, one woman said to scattered applause, before adding that Flood probably wouldnt like what she had to say next. First of all, I do want to say: Shame. I want to say shame for your quote that you said, [Ukrainian] President [Volodymyr] Zelenskys approach today was disrespectful to President Trump and undermines the goal of bringing peace. So shame on that, she continued to cheers. Woman to Rep. Mike Flood at his town hall: "Shame. I want to say shame for your comment that you said, 'President Zelenskyy's approach today was disrespectful to President Trump.' Shame on that." Flood then gets booed when he claims "Zelenskyy should have signed that agreement." pic.twitter.com/41UEXixYf0 Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 18, 2025 In late February, Trump and Vice President JD Vance invited Zelensky to the Oval Officeostensibly to discuss a ceasefire dealonly to ambush him, berate him for not being grateful enough to the U.S, kick him out of the White House, and use the meeting as an excuse to withdraw aid from Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I do believe that that White House meeting was a disaster, and I believe that President Zelensky should have signed that agreement, Flood replied, before being booed again. He then tried to reiterate his position that Ukraine should not give up any land to Russia, Russia should return 20,000 kidnapped children to Ukraine, the U.S. should support NATO, and the U.S. should have better relations with Ukrainenone of which was reportedly in the deal he wanted Zelensky to sign. Nor does it track with his support for Musk, who appears to want to sabotage the NATO alliance. The same woman then told him, I am the daughter, the niece, the sister of veterans. Korea veteran, Iraqi war. She said she had received the American Legion Auxiliary newsletter for decades, which has repeatedly said veterans groups were underfunded and understaffed. You have said otherwise with DOGE, she said, apparently referring to DOGEs plan to fire 80,000 employees with the Department of Veterans of Affairs. Who is lying? Them or you? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We owe our veterans the best possible care we can afford, Flood said, adding that its an issue that should unite Americans of all political backgrounds. Speaking with reporters after the town hall, Flood didnt sound surprised by the hostility hed faced. I know that there are some angry people in my congressional district, he said, according to the AP. I also know theres a lot of people who feel like Americas back on track. Tonight, I put myself here because I think theres value just in allowing somebody to come express themselves. Abortion opponents have long used graphic photos of embryonic and fetal tissue to try to persuade people outside clinics not to have abortions. The same groups successfully used lurid descriptions of an abortion procedure known as intact dilation and extraction, or D&X, to ban it nationwide in 2003, a law the Supreme Court upheld in 2007, gutting Roe v. Wade in the process. Now that Roe is wholly gone, these activists are drawing on this familiar strategy to try to weaken state constitutional amendments protecting abortion rightsand in a new twist, theyre also using the same tactic to go after gender-affirming care. By weaponizing the often-bloody realities of health care, these elements hope to generate a reaction out of the public to build popular support against specific medical procedures. President Donald Trumps January 28 executive order attempting to limit care for trans youth 18 and younger calls gender-affirming care chemical and surgical mutilation. Last Wednesday, Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Representative Dan Crenshaw met with several detransitioners, or people who no longer identify as transgender, to mark DeTrans Awareness Day. (The day was created in 2021 during the Biden administration, so, according to HuffPost, this was the first time the federal government has acknowledged it.) Several speakers said they regretted having mastectomies, per The Federalist, or, in their telling, having their breasts cut off. Andrew Guernsey, senior adviser to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., attended the meeting and referred to gender-affirming care as the mutilation of kids. A top anti-abortion group, Students for Life, is planning to use the 2007 Gonzales v. Carhart decision to ban medication abortion in states that recently passed ballot measures, and possibly at the federal level. In Gonzales, the court upheld the federal ban on D&X, which was smeared as partial-birth abortion by conservative politicians and activists. The law passed by Congress was practically identical to a state ban the court ruled unconstitutional just seven years earlier because the legislation didnt have an exception for the health of the pregnant woman, as Roe required. (What changed in those years? Justice Sandra Day OConnor retired and was replaced by Justice Samuel Alito.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Gonzales ruling repeated grisly descriptions of D&X procedures, and Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote that there was medical uncertainty over whether the procedure was ever necessary to preserve a womans healththe alleged uncertainty arose from doctors saying D&X can be medically necessary, while GOP members of Congress claimed it never was. Kennedy also infamously argued that women may regret their choice if they knew how the procedure was really done. Students for Life plans to replicate the Gonzales playbook: Get lawmakers to pass state and federal laws regarding one specific abortion methodhere, medication abortionand ask the Supreme Court to uphold them. In December, the group published a Make America Pro-Life Again Roadmap, a strategy for restricting the abortion pills mifepristone and misoprostol following the passage of pro-choice state constitutional amendments, which it calls mini Roes. Any new barriers to access would be a big deal since medication abortion made up nearly two-thirds of all reported terminations in 2023. Telehealth in particular is a crucial form of access: One in five abortions is now done via telemedicine with pills. In its document, Students for Life claims that the pills lead to chemically tainted blood, placenta tissue, and human remains being flushed into the water system. One of its model bills is the misleadingly named Clean Water for All Act, which would require prescribers of medication abortion to give their patients red medical waste bags that say biohazard and instructions for returning the products of conception to them at a follow-up appointment. (This bill bans telemedicine abortion too.) Providers who dont follow these steps could face up to three years in prison and fines of up to $10,000. The model legislation doesnt specify what happens if patients dont return the red bags to their provider. While the clean water bills wouldnt ban mifepristone use outright, theyd make it so risky for providers to continue prescribing the pills that they would simply stop. Of the many problems with this legislation, a baseline issue is how it ignores that people miscarry over toilets every day, said Dr. Ghazaleh Moayedi, an ob-gyn and board chair of Physicians for Reproductive Health. I want clean water, but Im not worried about embryos in the water, Moayedi said. Theyre already there from miscarriages. This is a nonissue: Pregnancy tissue gets filtered out at water treatment plants, along with other solid waste. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The idea here is to try to gross people out to support a law thats not principally about water but rather is designed to drastically limit access to medication abortionand to make people afraid of the drugs, as if theyre some kind of dangerous chemical. This scare campaign to give people the ick is a bit absurd to Moayedi, who still remembers the first time she saw a C-section in medical school and being shocked at just how much force surgeons use to open the abdominal cavity. The procedure is, to some extent, violent, she saidas are orthopedic surgeries using power tools. We are made of bones and blood and nerves and connections, and thats what medicine is about, she said. The focus on trans health care or abortion care specifically being something different than the rest is really just a myopic view of what the reality is. Caring for bodies necessarily involves some amount of blood. Conservatives are using stigmatizing language as an intentional tactic to demonize the people who need this care and to discredit those who provide it, said Maayan Anafi, senior counsel at the National Womens Law Center. This is well-studied care. Its care thats provided according to well-established standards, Anafi said. The goal of this kind of inflammatory language is to make it sound experimental and dangerous. Framing abortion and gender-affirming care this way creates a chilling effect that can lead to violence against providers and threats against health care clinics. This strategy of vilifying providers has a real-world impact, they said. It both discourages providers from offering care that they want to provide, and it means that patients need to also be weighing their own safety and their own privacy when theyre trying to access the care they need. This is true even if bills fail to passthe rhetoric is already out there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just calling medication abortion drugs chemicals is itself inflammatory. Recall that Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk wrote in his April 2023 ruling that mifepristone blocks the hormone progesterone, halts nutrition, and ultimately starves the unborn human until death. The decision uses the phrase chemical abortion 93 times. Moayedi said she sees how this particular example of manipulated language affects medication abortion patients all the time. They ask, But will I ever be able to have a baby again? she said. People think that what we mean is that youre taking a toxin, that youre taking chemotherapy. (Patients still want to end their pregnancies, they just want to know. Thats how desperately people want abortions, she said.) When this comes up, Moayedi explains to patients that its a common question and that the two medications mimic a miscarriage: Mifepristone blocks the hormone progesterone, which drops when people miscarry, and misoprostol makes the uterus contract. The latter is a prostaglandin, a substance the uterus releases naturally. To Anafi, the fact that conservatives are looking to the Gonzales ruling to restrict care like medication abortion is telling: Now, as then, medical opinion is not on their side. Gonzales teaches us that our opponents will often resort to disinformation, to inflammatory rhetoric, to outright lies, they said. But whats more important than the lies is the stories of real people who seek care. Still, the current media environment and the 63 supermajority on the court mean there is more opportunity for a lot of these false narratives, both about gender-affirming care and about abortion, to lead to really harmful decisions, Anafi said. An abortion pill ban under the guise of clean water has yet to pass in any stateone actually failed in Montana this monthbut Students for Life will certainly keep pushing. (Other bills in the roadmap call to ban the drugs entirely and declare that life begins at conception, which would ban abortion procedures as well.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats the thing about these bills; theyre not written with a true concern for health and safety but rather reverse-engineered to achieve an ideological outcome. And the engineers typically go after childrens rights first as a kind of testing ground. Conservatives focusing on health care for trans and nonbinary children is straight out of the anti-abortion playbook, Moayedi said, pointing to laws requiring parental consent or notification before abortions. The movements are two heads of the same beast, she said. A group claiming its trying to protect children from allegedly evil, scheming health care providers has an easier path to push inflammatory language into the mainstream. Once they have gotten people into this extremist ideology, then they can continue to, quite frankly, groom them into these larger and broader oppressions on peoples autonomy and right to live freely, she said. After passing bans for children, they can use the momentum to restrict care for adults and call it protection. These laws are driven by a lot of that paternalism, by a lot of that belief that people should be protected from themselves, Anafi said. That framing is implicitly about the specter of regret, which is belied by the evidence that we have. A 2021 review of data from nearly 8,000 teens and adults who had gender-affirming surgeries found that an average of 1 percent expressed regret. Lawmakers claiming their intention is to prevent regret purposely ignore how long it can take for trans people of any age to get gender-affirming hormones or surgery. Theres this misconception that someone can just pop into a clinic and say, I want all the gender-affirming care and then automatically get it, when the fact of the matter is that people need to go through a very long process, Anafi said. In reality, people need evaluations and letters from mental health providers and, depending on where they live, may have to wait months before a provider has availability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But theres a double standard in the care thats being restricted. People also regret knee surgeries. People regret plastic surgerythey regret breast augmentation, and so many people have their breast implants removed, Moayedi said. Theres no national push to regulate breast augmentation in cisgender women, but lawmakers are acting like its a crisis that a small number of trans people could come to regret their breast implants. The actual percentage of trans people who regret getting medications or surgery is just astronomically lower than people that regret breast augmentation or knee replacement, Moayedi said. The math doesnt math. It only makes sense when people absorb that restrictions on abortion and gender-affirming care are not about medicine but about using state power to compel a particular performance of sex and gender, as legal scholar Madiba Dennie wrote in Balls and Strikes. Because thats deeply unpopular, the activists behind the movement are forced to concoct strained justifications like, Mastectomies are only OK for cancer patients and Mailing FDA-approved medications is drug trafficking. To Anafi, the fact that attacks on abortion and gender-affirming care come from the same groups and lawmakers is an opportunity for solidarity. They are coming from that same place of trying to take away peoples ability to determine their own futures, decide what happens to their bodies, their access to health care, and to live free from gender stereotypes, they said. These principles might bring together the anti-abortion and anti-trans movements, but they also create a basis for the movements that fight for our rights. Measles is spreading across the U.S. once again, with confirmed cases surpassing 300 for the first time since 2019, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows. More: Measles is getting closer to Ohio. Here's what you can do to protect you and yours While Ohio has not yet reported any measles cases in 2025, the disease has reached neighboring states such as Kentucky, Michigan and Pennsylvania. In Kentucky, one measles case was reported in Franklin County, and health officials warned people who visited a Planet Fitness in Frankfort of possible exposure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone might be wondering, when was I immunized? Am I safe? Those heading South for spring break may be particularly concerned, considering the measles outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico. Here's what you need to know. How to check your vaccine records Most adults in the U.S. have been vaccinated against measles, according to the CDC, but it's important to verify. Daniel Salmon, a professor at Johns Hopkins University and expert in the epidemiology of measles outbreaks, said everyone should locate their immunization records, and parents should make sure their children got the recommended two doses of the measles vaccine. "We have a lot of susceptible kids out there," Salmon said. "Measles is really infectious." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you're not sure where to start, here's a list of people and organizations you can reach out to: Ask your parents or other caregivers if they've kept records of your immunizations from childhood. Contact your high school or college, which likely required certain immunizations, to see if they kept records that you provided them. Remember that they likely won't keep your records more than one to two years after you graduate. Check with previous employers. Your doctor or public health clinic may have vaccination records for a limited number of years. While there is no national registry for vaccine history, you can check with your state's department of health. Both Ohio and Kentucky maintain statewide immunization registries, so you can request vaccine records directly or through your doctor, who may be able to access the system. For Ohio, click here for instructions for requesting vaccine records and for Kentucky, click here. Keep in mind that in Ohio, medical providers are not required to report non-COVID-19 related immunization records to the state, so it is possible that they may not have a complete list of your vaccinations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finally, Salmon said, "If you can't find your vaccine record, I would talk to your doctor." Depending on your medical history and the vaccination rates in the area where you live, your doctor may recommend that you get the vaccine, even if you might have been immunized as an infant. So why is the measles vaccine so important? Measles is a highly contagious respiratory disease that spreads through coughing and sneezing. It can cause serious complications, such as pneumonia and encephalitis, for children under 5 years old. The two-dose measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is highly effective, reducing your chance of getting the disease by 97%, but 95% of people in a community need to be vaccinated to reach herd immunity, according to Salmon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When you have these pockets of low vaccine coverage," Salmon said, "that's where you see outbreaks." This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Measles vaccine: How to figure out if you got one Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey delivers the State of the State address in the Old House Chamber at the Alabama State Capitol on Feb. 4, 2025 in Montgomery, Alabama. (Will McClelland for Alabama Reflector) Gov. Kay Ivey Wednesday signed a bill making possession of a Glock switch, which converts semi-automatic handguns into fully automatic weapons, a state crime. SB 116, sponsored by Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, would make it a Class C felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $15,000 fine, for a person to own or sell the combination of parts that create a Glock switch. The legislation does not apply to law enforcement or people who register their firearms with the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While there is a federal ban on these gun conversion devices, we needed a way to empower our own law enforcement here in Alabama to get these illegal and extremely dangerous Glock switches off our streets. I am proud to support law enforcement and work to combat crime by putting my signature on SB 116, Ivey said in a statement. Glock switches were used in a mass shooting in Birmingham last September that killed four people and left 17 injured. The device is already illegal under federal law, but lawmakers and supporters say making it a state offense will allow state officials to prosecute possession under state law. Ivey endorsed the legislation in the 2025 State of the State speech as part of a broader public safety package. The bill was the first firearm restriction legislation to pass the Alabama House of Representatives since 2010. Rep. Phillip Ensler, D-Montgomery, who has sponsored a similar bill each year since the 2023, said in a statement that passing gun legislation is not easy but that supporters overcame resistance to gun safety legislation and passed a state law prohibiting one of the most dangerous gun accessories that exist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, we proved that progress can happen and that the Alabama legislature can come together to help solve real problems, Ensler said in a statement. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey delivers the State of the State address on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024 in Montgomery, Ala. Ivey on Tuesday signed a law restructuring the Alabama State Board of Veterans Affairs and reducing its powers. (Stew Milne for Alabama Reflector) Gov. Kay Ivey Tuesday signed a law restructuring the Alabama State Board of Veterans Affairs and reducing its powers. The bill was amended as it moved through the Legislature, initially reducing the size of the to nine, only to bring it back up to 17 members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will use this new structure to focus on what matters most serving those who sacrificed so much for our freedoms our veterans and their families, Ivey said in a statement after signing the bill. Under SB 67, sponsored by Sen. Andrew Jones, R-Centre, the board will retain its current size of 17 members, but the governor will appoint the commissioner. The bill would also specify the appointing authorities for vacancies on the board. The bill also removes the boards ability to enact policies and rules on veterans issues, reducing them to an advisory role in the governors office. Ivey appointed Jeffrey Newton, a retired brigadier general, as commissioner of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs board after signing the legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Newton served as acting commissioner after Gov. Kay Ivey fired former Commissioner Kent Davis over a dispute over Davis handling of federal grants. Ivey demanded Davis resignation, but he refused to step down. He then offered his resignation after meeting with the governor, but board members asked Davis to withdraw his resignation and voted to keep him, saying they found no wrongdoing. An attorney for Davis has suggested he is considering pursuing legal action. Ivey and Jones maintain that the aim of the boards restructuring is to further elevate veteran needs in Alabama. Elevating the commissioner of the Department of Veterans Affairs to a cabinet-level position is certainly the right path forward for Alabama when it comes to better serving and supporting our veterans, Jones said in the governors press release. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A key committee has voted to move Gov. Brian Kemps signature lawsuit reform bill to the full House for a vote. That bill would overhaul Georgias civil litigation system. There is a lot of opposition to this bill from Democrats to trial lawyers to some victims who worry the bill will limit lawsuits. The bills sponsor insists thats not true. Macon Republican state Sen. John F. Kennedy introduced the governors lawsuit reform, or tort reform bill, to a key House committee trying to fight back against criticism from trial lawyers and crime victims who worry they wont be able to sue under this bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This bill doesnt do anything to impair that. It provides some structure so that we all know what those guard rails are going forward, Kennedy said about the bill. RELATED STORIES: A woman who only wanted to be known as E is currently suing the early learning center that employed a teacher accused of abusing her son. Five years ago, my son was two at the time, was abused by his teacher, E said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She went to the capitol on Tuesday to convince lawmakers to reject the bill she fears would prevent her lawsuit and others. It makes it virtually impossible for families who would be in situations like ours, to bring a suit and meet the burden of proof as its laid out in the law, E said. After several changes, the bill passed out of the committee along party lines. While many arent sure the votes are there, Republican and Democrat, Kennedy thinks itll pass. I think this bill is going to be in a fashion that its currently postured thats going to be very attractive to legislators to want to bring hard-working Georgians to stabilize insurance rates that we are living under now and maintain a good business environment, Kennedy said. Democrats point out that even if the bill passes, there are no guarantees from insurance companies that rates will go down. There could be a vote on the House floor as soon as Thursday. Flooding on Oregon Route 42 on March 17, 2025 near Coos Bay. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek declared an emergency March 19 due to heavy rains which have washed out roads, cut power and caused at least one death. (Photo courtesy of the Oregon Department of Transportation) UPDATED at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 1, with expanded emergency order. Flooding and landslides from swollen rivers and record-setting rain in southern Oregon and parts of the Willamette Valley have caused millions of dollars in damages and cost one woman her life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response, Gov. Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency for 10 counties on Wednesday, directing the Oregon Department of Emergency Management, the Oregon Department of Transportation and other state agencies to coordinate recovery efforts. The order applies to Clackamas, Coos, Curry, Douglas, Harney, Jackson, Josephine, Lane, Multnomah and Malheur counties. On March 29, Kotek added the Burns Paiute Reservation to the emergency order. Recovery starts as soon as disaster strikes, and this declaration will help get Oregonians back to normal as soon as possible, Kotek said in a news release. The heaviest rain has passed, and only light showers are expected Wednesday. Conditions should continue to dry out later in the week, though some snow will linger in the Cascades, according to Shirley Blake, a spokesperson at the emergency management department. Another system may bring more mountain snow later this week, but no additional heavy rain is expected in the Willamette Valley at this time, Blake said via email. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kotek encouraged Oregonians to sign up for the states emergency notifications and to have an evacuation plan and a bag packed and ready that includes emergency essentials. Sign up to get emergency alerts at ORAlert.gov and keep up-to-date with the State of Oregon Flood Dashboard. Kotek also directed the Oregon Department of Transportation to assist with repairs and reconstruction on at least $10 million in damages to highways, especially on State Highway 38 near Reedsport and State Highway 138 near Elkton. The agency will also seek financial assistance from the Federal Highway Administration. Several southern Oregon rivers were flooding on Monday due to heavy rain, Jefferson Public Radio reported. They include the South Umpqua, Rogue and Coquille rivers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Douglas County received record rainfall for a 24-hour period, according to the National Weather Service. And flooding in Kane Creek in Jackson County Sunday took the life of a woman who drowned while trying to clear debris from a culvert. In other parts of the state, the Clackamas River and the Owyhee River in Malheur County below the Owyhee dam are also at risk of flooding, according to the National Weather Service. The governors office will continue monitoring conditions, according to the news release, and is closely watching for potential floods around Burns in Harney County. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Gov. Tina Kotek has declared a state of emergency after parts of Oregon were hit with a series of floods and landslides that overwhelmed neighborhoods and prompted several water rescues, including one that claimed the life of a Jackson County woman last Sunday. According to Kotek, the floods have posed a threat to the communities along southern Oregon since late February including Clackamas, Coos, Curry, Douglas, Harney, Jackson, Josephine, Lane, Multnomah, and Malheur counties along with an active flood threat that could impact Harney County. Some Oregon DMV offices experience staffing shortages ahead of Real ID deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When emergencies hit, Oregon families and businesses need to know we have their back in every part of the state, she said. Recovery starts as soon as disaster strikes, and this declaration will help get Oregonians back to normal as soon as possible. Since Feb. 24, severe storms have caused significant flooding and landslides throughout the state. On March 16, a Jackson County woman was killed when a flood pulled her into a nearby creek and drowned her, according to deputies. Flooding in Drain, Ore. on March 16, 2025. (Photos by North Douglas County Fire) Flooding in Drain, Ore. on March 16, 2025. (Photos by North Douglas County Fire) Flooding in Drain, Ore. on March 16, 2025. (Photos by North Douglas County Fire) Flood damage on Fat Elk Road in Coos County. (Coos County Emergency Managment) The pickup drives through the flooded streets of Roseburg, Ore. on March 16, 2025. (Georgina Wilde-Whitley) People were seen paddling a canoe through the flooded streets of Roseburg Ore. on March 16, 2025. (Georgina Wilde-Whitley) Flooding in Jackson County on March 16, 2025. (Jackson County Sheriffs Office) On Tuesday, Douglas and Coos counties each declared a state of emergency due to the swamped neighborhoods and washed out roads that have caused minor damages, though local officials say the damage could significantly increase if the suction effect of receding water impacts their roads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive heard some of our old timers say they havent seen flooding like this since the 1960s, Coos County Commissioner Drew Farmer told KOIN 6 News. Bondi labels Tesla vandalism domestic terrorism Declaring an emergency at the local level frees up funds to address disasters and is the first step for local governments to request state or federal assistance. Gov. Koteks decision to declare an emergency on a state level directs the Oregon Department of Transportation to repair the roughly $10 million in damages seen on the federal aid highway system. However, the declaration does not currently include other emergency resources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stay with KOIN 6 News as we continue to follow this story. 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. ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker appeared in Rockford on Friday to highlight how the Trump Administrations extreme agenda is hurting Illinoisans and demonstrate how we can all stand up for our state.: The event is part of the governors Standing Up for Illinois tour this week, which will also take him to Champaign-Urbana, Romeoville, and Peoria. Pritzker will appear at an event celebrating the Rockford Mass Transit District facility expansion and tout the states investments in infrastructure while noting how hundreds of millions of federal dollars for infrastructure projects are still on hold. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump Administration is withholding federal grants Illinois is owed and stalling the multiple projects to improve taxpayers roads, transit, bridges, and rail lines. Currently, the Trump Administration has blocked Illinois from accessing $826.4 million in federal infrastructure funds allocated by Congress, the Governors Office said in a release. The Trump administration has halted a number of federal funds while the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) conducts a review of government spending. While the freeze will not impact those who receive direct assistance from the federal government, such as Social Security, disability payments, or SNAP benefits, local and state organizations that receive funding and distribute it are concerned. Pritzker has been a vocal opponent of Trump, saying at a February event that the president isnt popular in Illinois. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The majority of Illinoisans dont support President Trump, and dont support these policies, Pritzker said at the time. And, importantly, Ive expressed what I think is the danger the residents of our state face as the result of the policies that hes putting in place. The RMTD expansion project will use $32.6 million from the Rebuild Illinois Capital Grant Program to renovate their current vehicle storage and maintenance facility, at 520 Mulberry Street, to integrate electric vehicle charging infrastructure to support current and future battery electric buses. An additional $6.8 million will fund the purchase of alternative fuel buses and vehicles, including electric buses. 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. Video: Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announces Arkansas ACCESS higher education reform legislation LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed the Arkansas ACCESS Act into law on Tuesday. Senate Bill 246, now Act 340, was the governors signature piece of legislation. In her state-of-the-state address in January, she called for its passage of a bill modifying higher education, which she followed up with a speech announcing the legislation in mid-February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announces Arkansas ACCESS higher education reform legislation ACCESS comes after the passage of the Arkansas LEARNS Act in the 2023 legislative session, modifying K-12 education. The bill doubles the amount available for the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship from $1,000 to $2,000. It also changed funding to add lottery scholarships for trade school admission. Higher education institutions are not allowed to have or participate in DEI programs, and restrictions in the form of unexcused absences are now in place to prevent a student from participating in political protests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back and forth among legislators about Arkansas ACCESS higher education legislation It also removes Advanced Placement with accelerated learning programs to increase emphasis on technical training. 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. by Xinhua writer Wu Qiong BEIJING, March 19 (Xinhua) -- From the latest government work report to a series of policy measures introduced by top government bodies, China's unwavering commitment to reform and opening up has created development opportunities and strengthened the confidence of foreign investors. China's policy directions and support measures are both "clear" and "practical," with a strong signal of promoting opening up and optimizing the business environment for foreign companies, Zhang Daopeng, public affairs general manager at Yihai Kerry Arawana Holdings Co., Ltd., told Xinhua. Zhang's remarks followed a special meeting where government officials from the country's top economic planner and the commerce ministry engaged in discussions with business delegates, briefing them on the key takeaways from China's "two sessions" and providing them with a deeper understanding of China's policy directions and economic priorities. Organized by the China Public Relations Association on Sunday, the meeting gathered representatives from international companies including Tesla, AstraZeneca and SoftBank, along with a diverse array of industries such as finance and investment, biopharmaceuticals, automotive manufacturing and tourism. China's development journey was "extraordinary" in the past year, showing strong resilience and vitality in the economic sector, Jiang Yi, director of the policy research office of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said. "China's clear attitude toward deepening reform and expanding high-standard opening up remains unchanged and will not change," Jiang noted. He added that the commission's top-level policy design this year will prioritize enhancing the business environment and fostering the growth of international enterprises through law-based and market-driven approaches. Amid a range of tailored support measures aimed at various sectors, boosting consumption is a key priority, a sentiment strongly echoed by business representatives. Jiang highlighted that China will focus on increasing household incomes and further expanding the consumer product trade-in program to address challenges such as insufficient consumer purchasing power. In Zhang's view, having attended the meeting for the second time, the consumption-boosting program that China has vowed to expand to broader sectors in 2025 serves as a catalyst for driving his company's investment in the Chinese market. The company is also exploring investment opportunities that are arising from the big health and elderly care industries in China. China vowed to implement solid support measures to connect consumer spending to people's well-being in the latest consumption-promotion plan released on Sunday. The plan outlines the issuance of ultra-long special treasury bonds totaling 300 billion yuan (41.67 billion U.S. dollars) to bolster consumer goods trade-in programs in 2025, doubling the figure from 2024. In a clear indication of China's advancement in opening up and attracting foreign investment, the 2025 version of the catalog of industries that encourage foreign investment will be published promptly, Jiang said during the meeting. The new catalog will include new sectors such as advanced manufacturing, modern services, high-tech industries and environmental protection. In the meantime, the commission has already begun formulating policies to encourage reinvestment by foreign enterprises in China, vowing to streamline administrative procedures, improve financial services and launch a special working team to support major foreign investment projects, according to NDRC official Hua Zhong. This was mentioned in a new action plan to stabilize foreign investment unveiled last month, which outlines 20 specific measures in four aspects, including further expanding market access in various sectors and increasing efforts to promote investment. Wang Ya, deputy head of the foreign investment department of the Ministry of Commerce, emphasized that the plan can be interpreted through key themes such as expanding opening up, promoting investment, strengthening platforms and optimizing services during the meeting. Foreign companies' confidence in investing in the world's second-largest economy has strengthened further. A survey by the American Chamber of Commerce in China revealed that nearly 70 percent of consumer industry respondents plan to increase investments in China in 2025. An overwhelming 92 percent of member companies of the German Chamber of Commerce in China plan to continue their operations in the country, underscoring the enduring importance of the market to German businesses, the chamber said in a report. A series of proactive opening-up signals released by the Chinese government since "two sessions" have further "strengthened our determination to pursue long-term and high-quality development in the Chinese market," said Fang Juntao, senior vice president of Nestle Greater China. "The fair, transparent and predictable investment environment fostered by the Chinese government has facilitated foreign enterprises to better tap into the vast potential of the Chinese market," he added. MADISON - Gov. Tony Evers recommended increasing the vehicle title fee by more than 70%, a step he says is necessary to stabilize the transportation fund in Wisconsin. In his proposed biennial budget, Evers recommended raising the fee by $120, from $164.50 to $284.50. According to estimations in the proposal documents, that price jump would raise nearly $122.4 million in fiscal year 2026 and more than $160.2 million in fiscal year 2027. The money would be used to "support the repair and development of Wisconsin roadways," according to the budget document. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vehicle title fees are paid once, when someone purchases a new vehicle, and normally are lumped in with the purchase of the car. It does not have to be paid again. Along with title registration fees, Evers also suggested raising the driver's license renewal fee by $8.50, from $24 to $32.50. That change would raise more than $3.2 million in 2026 and nearly $4.3 million in 2027. According to the Department of Transportation, the money generated would support roads and bridges in addition to air, rail, public transit, harbors, and bicycle and pedestrian facilities. The DOT says with the increased fees Wisconsin would still be a bargain for owning a vehicle compared with neighboring states. According to the agency, it would cost about $361 in fees and taxes for a Ford F-150 truck or another similar model, while it costs $966 in Minnesota, $941 in Illinois, and $663 in Michigan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For a Honda CRV or similar model, Wisconsin's fees and taxes would be $199 compared with $615 in Minnesota, $493 in Illinois and $328 in Michigan. In a statement, Evers' spokesperson Britt Cudaback said the funds that the increases would bring could ensure that the transportation fund is solvent and sustainable. She said Evers had proposed similar increases in the past. "But Republican lawmakers unfortunately rejected many of those efforts," she said in an emailed statement. While title registration fees would increase, Evers elected against seeking an increase in the gas tax, which would be more of an everyday fee, Cudaback said. Evers has also proposed new blackout and butter-themed license plates, also intended to bolster road projects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "With President Trumps tariff taxes potentially driving up the cost of gas and hurting our farmers and our states most important industries, Gov. Evers goal was to prevent increases in gas taxes and other annual registration fees that would make it even harder for working families, farmers, and our ag industry to make ends meet," she said. Republicans are not showing support for the fee increases. Sen. Cory Tomczyk, R-Mosinee, who chairs the Senate Transportation Committee, said the proposal was "just another terrible idea." "The Governor is absolutely out of his mind. Paying nearly $200 for title fees is absurd. I cannot believe the Governor would even suggest this," he said in an emailed statement. "The Governor needs your money so he can spend it on expanding government to plunge the state into debt. I will not condemn the people of Wisconsin to pay these outlandish budget requests." Tomczyk did not respond to further questions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Mark Born, R-Beaver Dam and co-chair of the Joint Finance Committee, said the Republican caucus has not yet talked about the transportation portion of the budget. "While we would like to talk about long-term funding solutions for transportation, that isn't something that the governor has had too much interest in conversations about," he said at a press conference Tuesday morning. "So we'll take a look at it, but I think generally speaking, large fee and tax increases are not something that the caucus has supported." Republicans will introduce their version of the state budget in the coming months, which will likely cut out proposals like the vehicle title increase, and include tax cuts for Wisconsinites. Evers will then have the opportunity to use his line-item veto powers to eliminate parts of the budget Republicans pass. Already, his budget has received criticism from Republicans, because it would raise taxes by about $2.4 billion. His budget would also draw down the state's reserves by an estimated $3.6 billion, leaving Wisconsin in a difficult financial position. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has already said that Evers' proposals in the budget are dead on arrival, and will be axed during the legislature's budget process. The budget will be signed into law this summer. Laura Schulte can be reached at leschulte@jrn.com and on X @SchulteLaura. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Evers' budget proposes $120 jump in vehicle title fees Floridas attorney general is threatening to punish Fort Myers City Council members for rejecting a proposed immigration partnership with the federal government, marking the first attempt by the state to publicly force local officials to get involved in the Trump administrations immigration crackdown. In a letter Tuesday, Attorney General James Uthmeier told City Council members that their decision to not enroll in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement program known as 287(g) constitutes a serious and direct violation of a Florida law that bans sanctuary cities or localities that limit collaboration on immigration enforcement in a broad variety of ways. Failure to correct the Councils actions will result in the enforcement of all applicable civil and criminal penalties, including but not limited to being held in contempt, declaratory or injunctive relief, and removal from office by the Governor, Uthmeier wrote in the letter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A few hours before Uthmeier sent the letter, Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a broad warning to local officials who did not participate in the 287(g) program. He said the days of inaction are over, and signaled that he would be willing to take action against them. Govern yourselves accordingly, the governor said in a post on X. The governors warning and the attorney generals letter are the latest example of how Florida is using its powers to force local officials to play a role in helping President Donald Trump find, arrest and deport undocumented immigrants. DeSantis has previously used his executive authority to remove local officials from office, including two Orlando-area and Tampa-area prosecutors. In one case, a federal judge ruled that DeSantis violated the Florida Constitution and the First Amendment, but said there was no recourse to restore the prosecutor back into office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When it comes to immigration enforcement, DeSantis has been one of the most aggressive governors in the country to enact laws designed to help Trumps immigration agenda. The situation in Fort Myers could be a test for how much the state will get involved in ensuring that happens locally. Fort Myers appears to be the first city in the state to vote against having its city police department enroll in the 287(g) program. The decision was an emotional one, with City Council members crying as they prepared to vote on Monday. Their final decision also did not come without first considering the consequences. At one point on Monday, the city attorney, Grant Alley, told council members that there will be consequences, even though he did not know what they would be. Florida statutes require law enforcement agencies to fully cooperate with federal immigration authorities, but it only explicitly requires sheriffs and chief correctional officers who operate county detention facilities to enroll in the 287(g) program, which has three models. State law does not require agencies to enroll in a specific model. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just seven weeks into Trumps second term, more than 100 Florida law enforcement agencies have been approved to participate in the 287(g) task force model, which allows officers to stop, question and detain undocumented immigrants in the course of their routine jobs out in the community. The Florida Sheriffs Association recently announced that all of the county jails in the state had joined agreements with ICE to comply. In recent weeks, a growing number of local and state police departments have also signed on to these partnerships, too. Today, the participating agencies include the Highway Patrol, the sheriffs office in Miami-Dade, Monroe and Hillsborough counties and local police departments in Coral Gables, Tampa and St. Petersburg. In a meeting last week, Coral Gables Police Chief Ed Hudak, the legislative affairs head of the Florida Police Chiefs Association, said city law enforcement agencies were not required to join these agreements under Florida law. But the ICE partnership, he said, is a way to comply with Floridas ban on sanctuary cities, which prohibits local governments from limiting cooperation on immigration enforcement with the federal government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Fort Myers, Police Chief Jason Fields characterized the ICE partnership as a procedural agreement. READ MORE: Coral Gables becomes Miami-Dade testing ground for Trump and DeSantis immigration crackdown Were not going to be kicking in peoples doors and pulling mothers and children out of houses. Our focus is always to go after the most violent, dangerous people out there to make the community safe., Fields said right before the vote. Commissioners who voted against the ICE agreement said they were concerned about racial profiling and the criminalization of residents. Fort Myers is roughly a quarter Latino and a fifth foreign-born, according to Census data. My city is not for sale, said city councilmember Darla Bonk, in tears. More than 60 years after President John F. Kennedy was gunned down in Dallas, the federal government on Tuesday began releasing what could be the final trove of documents delving into the assassination that shocked the nation and spawned countless conspiracy theories. The National Archives and Records Administration started posting the long-awaited files just before 7 p.m. a day after President Donald Trump announced that 80,000 pages related to the fatal shooting on Nov. 22, 1963, were about to be released. In accordance with President Donald Trumps directive of March 17, 2025, all records previously withheld for classification that are part of the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection are released," the administration's statement read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Within minutes, thousands of documents that had been hidden from the public for decades appeared on the site. It wasnt immediately clear whether the trove of documents contains any bombshells or evidence to counter the conclusion the Warren Commission reached in 1964 that a lone gunman named Lee Harvey Oswald fired the fatal shots from the Texas Schoolbook Depository. You got a lot of reading, Trump said Monday as he visited the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. I dont believe were going to redact anything. Trump was cagey about what would be in those files. Historians contend that around 4,700 documents haven't yet been released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The origins of the 80,000 pages of material are unknown," Jefferson Morley, an expert on the JFK assassination and the CIA, wrote on his JFK Facts blog before the new batch of documents was released. Justice Department lawyers worked all night to review hundreds of pages of classified documents before they were released, a person familiar with the matter told NBC News. It also remained to be seen whether the document drop would finally put to rest the widespread public skepticism of the government's official explanation that Oswald acted alone. People have so many doubts, presidential historian Michael Beschloss said. There are so many theories that are conflicting. Its very hard for me to imagine that there will be one piece of evidence that will make everyone agree on what happened here. What most people do agree is that the killing of John Kennedy changed history, and mainly in a bad way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Trump was campaigning last year and trying to win the endorsement of JFK's nephew Robert F. Kennedy Jr., he renewed his promise to release the files. President John F. Kennedy, first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, Texas Gov. John Connally and others smile at the crowds lining their motorcade route in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963. Minutes later, the president was assassinated as his car passed through Dealey Plaza. Hours after he snagged RFK Jr.'s endorsement in August, Trump vowed that if elected, he would establish a commission on assassination attempts in honor of RFK Jr., who is now his secretary of health and human services. Shortly after he began his second term, Trump signed an executive order mandating the release of all records related to President Kennedy's assassination, as well as the 1968 assassinations of RFK Jr.s father, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy Sr., and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Under the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992, all the documents related to the assassination were supposed to have been released by 2017, when Trump was president the first time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump released some JFK-related documents then, but he also gave the intelligence agencies more time to assess the remaining files. It wasn't until December 2022 that President Joe Biden released more than 13,000 records after the Mary Ferrell Foundation, the countrys largest nonprofit repository of JFK assassination records, sued the administration to make all the documents public. But Biden released only about 98% of all the documents related to the killing that remained in the National Archives, which controls the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection. Its high time that the government got its act together and obeyed the spirit and the letter of the law, Morley, who is also the vice president of the nonpartisan Mary Ferrell Foundation, said at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is about our history and our right to know it, he said. The 4,700 or so records that were kept under wraps were believed to have included more information about accused Oswald's sojourn in Mexico City before the assassination. Among those documents were 44 related to CIA agent George Joannides and a covert Cuba-related program he ran that came into contact with Oswald less than four months before Kennedy was shot, according to calculations made by JFK researchers with the Mary Ferrell Foundation. In a memorandum explaining why some documents werent being released, Biden noted that the records act permits the continued postponement of disclosure of information ... only when postponement remains necessary to protect against an identifiable harm to the military defense, intelligence operations, law enforcement, or the conduct of foreign relations that is of such gravity that it outweighs the public interest in disclosure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prominent historians didn't buy that explanation. Were 59 years after President John Kennedy was killed, and theres just no justification for this, U.S. District Judge John Tunheim, who chaired the Assassination Records Review Board from 1994 to 1998, said when Biden released the records. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The National Archives on Tuesday released thousands of pages of declassified records related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. The records were posted to the National Archives' website, joining recently released records posted in 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2017-2018. "This release consists of approximately 80,000 pages of previously-classified records that will be published with no redactions," said the announcement from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. "Additional documents withheld under court seal or for grand jury secrecy, and records subject to section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code, must be unsealed before release." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Trump's promise to release JFK files sets off all-night scramble by DOJ's National Security Division President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Jan. 23 directing the release of all remaining records related to the assassination, saying it was in the "public interest" to do so. Tuesday's initial release contained 1,123 records comprising 32,000 pages. A subsequent release on Tuesday night contained 1,059 records comprising 31,400 additional pages. Among the material was the long-awaited, unredacted text of a June 1961 memo on the CIA, sent to President Kennedy by aide Arthur Schlesinger Jr. The memo contained harsh criticism of the spy agency just months after the CIA backed the ill-fated Bay of Pigs invasion of Fidel Castro's Cuba. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Previously-released versions of the 63-year-old memo had contained more than a full page of redactions -- classification markings that generated a great deal of interest among researchers and conspiracy theorists, particularly those who hold the unsubstantiated view that the CIA may have played a role in Kennedy's killing. PHOTO: President John F Kennedy, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, Texas Governor John Connally, and others smile at the crowds lining their motorcade route in Dallas, Texas, Nov. 22, 1963. (Bettmann Archive/Getty Images) Schlesinger had argued to Kennedy that the CIA's reliance on "controlled American sources" had been encroaching on the traditional functions of the State Department, and that the CIA may have been seeking to infiltrate the politics of America's allies. "CIA today has nearly as many people under official cover overseas as State," Schlesinger wrote in 1961, adding that in certain countries, the CIA's presence "outnumbers regular State Department personnel." The previously-classified portion of the memo cites the specific number of CIA personnel that had been stationed at the U.S. embassy in Paris, where "CIA has even sought to monopolize contact with certain French political personalities, among them the President of the National Assembly," the memo said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schlesinger also details the number of CIA sources in Austria and Chile, information in the memo that had been classified until now. Several of the newly-released pages detail how the CIA went about tapping telephones in Mexico City between in December 1962 and January 1963 to monitor the communications of the Soviets and Cubans at their diplomatic facilities, which Kennedy assassin Lee Harvey Oswald visited in the months before the assassination. The previously-redacted pages spell out specific instructions for CIA operatives on how to wiretap, including the use of certain chemicals to create markings on telephone devices that could only be seen by other spies under UV light. PHOTO: In this file photo dated Nov. 22, 1963 , President John F. Kennedy's murderer Lee Harvey Oswald is seen during a press conference after his arrest in Dallas. (Stringer/AFP via Getty Images) For decades, the CIA has urged the continued secrecy of these details out of fear that they would reveal the methods of the agency's spy craft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One 79-page record contains 15 newly unredacted pages -- though several of them remain unreadable due to the degraded quality of the typeface after many rounds of photocopy duplication. The newly-disclosed portions detail CIA surveillance of Soviet embassies in Mexico City and efforts to recruit double agents from Soviet agency personnel -- and reveal the names and positions of those who were recruited. The CIA officials writing these memos tout the efficacy of their efforts, with one trumpeting, "I cannot help but feel that we are buying a great deal for our money in this project." The memo also details the CIA's surveillance of an American man described as a Communist living in Mexico. The bulk of the memo is a listing of phone numbers that were tapped by the U.S. government. This file has long been sought by researchers due to Oswald's visits to the Soviet and Cuban embassies in Mexico City, but the document includes no mention of Oswald by name. "The first JFK files release of 2025 is an encouraging start," Jefferson Morley of the Mary Ferrell Foundation, a nonprofit that operates a database of government records on the Kennedy assassination, said on X. "We now have complete versions of approximately a third of the redacted JFK documents held by the National Archives (1,124 of approximately 3,500 documents ). Rampant overclassification of trivial information has been eliminated and there appear to be no redactions, though we have not viewed every document." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: JFK assassination files one step closer to possible public release "Seven of ten JFK files held by the Archives and sought by JFK researchers are now in the public record. These long-secret records shed new light on JFK's mistrust of the CIA, the Castro assassination plots, the surveillance of Oswald in Mexico City, and CIA propaganda operations involving Oswald," Morley posted. "The release does not include two thirds of the promised files nor any of 500-plus IRS record, nor any of the 2,400 recently discovered FBI files. Nonetheless, this is most positive news on the declassification of JFK files since the 1990s." Many of the documents have long been in the public domain, except for minor redactions, such as the blacking out of personally-identifiable information of CIA sources or employees that the CIA had fiercely fought to keep secret. One such document from August 1966 recommends a "certificate of distinction" for a CIA official who led the spy agency's technical division. Previous releases of the same document contained redactions striking sentences that described how this individual led a team that "conceived and developed" the use of "fluoroscopic scanning" and X-rays, which allowed the CIA to "detect hidden technical listening devices" for the first time. The official, James McCord, would go on to become head of security for Richard Nixon's reelection campaign in 1972 -- and gain infamy for his role as one of the Watergate burglars whose break-in precipitated the Watergate scandal of the 1970s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The release of the JFK materials comes a day after Trump announced to reporters that the administration would begin releasing the records on Tuesday, prompting a scramble inside the Justice Department to free up attorneys to assist with the declassification process. Congress voted in 1992 to require the government to release and declassify all records related to the assassination and subsequent investigations by 2017, but that deadline was repeatedly pushed back by Trump and President Joe Biden due to national security concerns. Tuesday's release represents a small, outstanding tranche of the more than six million pages of Kennedy assassination records collected by the National Archives -- the majority of which have already been declassified and are available online or in person for review, according to the agency. Also released Tuesday were 57 documents referencing Martin Luther King Jr., 35 of which relate to his 1968 assassination, and 77 documents referencing Robert F. Kennedy, two of which relate to his assassination the same year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An intelligence document from 1968 -- previously released in 2018 -- discusses how RFK's assassination stoked interest in his brother's assassination and New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison's investigation into the matter. MORE: The life of President John F. Kennedy in pictures "The forthcoming trial of Sirhan, accused of the murder of Senator Kennedy, can be expected to cause a new wave of criticism and suspicion against the United States, claiming once more the existence of a sinister 'political murder conspiracy,'" the dispatch said. Some of the other documents detailed operations to potentially overthrow Castro in Cuba. According to a 1964 document, two intelligence assets discussed potentially assassinating Castro under the administration of Lyndon Johnson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "CIA allegedly was formerly in favor of such a plan; however, inasmuch as Attorney General ROBERT KENNEDY Would have no part of it, it was shelved. Now the plan has allegedly been brought up again for consideration," the document said. Another previously released document detailed RFK being briefed on potential plans to kill Castro. "RFK asks to be told before the CIA works with the Mafia again," a footnote of the document read. Some of the documents appear to have originated from the United States President's Commission on CIA Activities within the United States, also known as the Rockefeller Commission. In a 1964 intelligence document, a station chief noted an interest in developing a source whose daughter is a secretary in RFK's senate office. That document was released in 2018. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ABC News' John Parkinson, Ely Brown and Peter Charalambous contributed to this report. Government releases thousands of declassified pages related to JFK assassination originally appeared on abcnews.go.com DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) A new bill would require governing bodies around the state to record meetings, making them more available to citizens. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Chris Sells, who represents Coffee County, would require the each governing body and board of education around the state of Alabama to record meetings that are open to the public. The videos would then have to be posted online within 24 hours of the meetings end. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Municipalities and board of educations must also post a notice on its public website describing how to access the recorded meetings. If passed, the bill would go into effect on October 1. Cities such as Dothan and Enterprise already post recordings of their public meetings, but some smaller municipalities such as Hartford and Samson do not. 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 WDHN - wdhn.com. Department of Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut answers questions from the Executive Council on Wednesday, March 23, 2022. (Ethan DeWitt | New Hampshire Bulletin) New Hampshire Commissioner of Education Frank Edelblut is ending his eight-year tenure this spring because Gov. Kelly Ayotte is going to go in a different direction, he said in an interview Tuesday. Ive been doing this for eight years, and so if she wants to pick her own person, thats something that she certainly has the discretion to do, he said. And Im going to support her in her decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nature of that change in direction is not fully known. In a statement Wednesday, Ayotte said she would build on Edelbluts momentum by expanding education freedom for families, opening more pathways to student success through career-ready education and dual enrollment at our community colleges, and strengthening academic standards to give kids the best possible foundation. Commissioner Edelblut has helped make New Hampshires education system one of the most innovative and forward-thinking in the country, and I am grateful for his service to our state, Ayotte said in the statement. But the decision ends an eight-year run in which Edelblut oversaw sweeping changes to New Hampshires education system most notably the rise of school-choice initiatives like the education freedom accounts program. And it raises questions about what vision Ayotte, who took office in January, has for the future of New Hampshire education. Edelblut, who was appointed to his first four-year term by Gov. Chris Sununu in 2017 and his second in 2021, faced a March 26 deadline this year to receive a third term. To get that, he would need to be nominated by Ayotte and approved by the Executive Council. Instead, on March 13, Ayottes office announced that Edelblut would leave the position but would serve on through the end of the 2024-2025 school year in holdover status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In their official statements, neither Ayotte nor Edelblut detailed why the change was made. On Tuesday, Edelblut said Ayotte had requested it. It wasnt a decision, he said. I mean, I met with the governor, and the governor is going to go in a different direction, so Im just going to work with her to help do the transition. Edelblut says there are no major differences between him and Ayotte when it comes to education policies. As a candidate, Ayotte spoke about expanding the education freedom account program which allows income-eligible families to access state funds for home-school and private-school expenses a priority Edelblut shares, and touted her own public school roots to emphasize her support for school districts, too. Im not aware of any agenda conflicts at all, he said. Maybe just in degree of emphasis. But again, she has weighed in very hard on education choice through education freedom accounts. Shes weighed in heavily on (expanding career technical education efforts). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout his time as commissioner, Edelblut became a cheerleader for school choice programs, and he used his position to draw attention to what he saw as improper diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in public schools, at one point releasing a document with photos and screenshots of books being taught in New Hampshire classrooms, posters being displayed, and lessons being taught that he said were overly rooted in gender or race-based ideology. Both approaches endeared him to parents supportive of school choice, but led to strained relations with teachers unions and many administrators. It is not clear whether that leadership style affected Ayottes decision. In her March 13 statement announcing Edelbluts departure, Ayotte emphasized that the state will find a commissioner who will further our goal of improving our standards and academic performance, supporting our incredible teachers, and delivering a best in class education for every child in New Hampshire. In his interview, Edelblut said he did support schools and teachers as commissioner, but that his number one emphasis was students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any policy, any issue that comes before me, I try to evaluate that in the context of, How do I help advance this childs life towards a bright future, he said. Which actually made it very easy for me, because I knew what my purpose and I knew what my mission was in this role. So sometimes when the system would push back on me and say, Hey, that is something that the system is unaccustomed to, Id be like, OK, Im not upset with you, because I understand the system, but Im focused on the children and the childrens success. That focus pushed Edelblut, whose own children were home schooled, toward school choice. He pointed to five changes during his tenure: the creation of the education freedom accounts program in 2021; the Learn Everywhere program that allows public school students to take courses hosted by organizations or companies for school credit, without the need for local school board approval; the innovation schools legislation that allows public schools to obtain exemptions from state regulations to restructure their schedules and programming if approved by the State Board of Education; the use of federal funding to expand the number of charter schools in the state; and the efforts to empower public school districts to adopt open enrollment and accept students from across the state. All of these opportunities are just creating those pathways for those students to find success, he said. The education freedom accounts program has been divisive, with conservatives hailing it as an opportunity for lower-income families to find alternatives to their public schools, and Democrats and progressives arguing it diverts money that could be spent to improve public education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And Edelbluts broader push for more alternatives to the states public school system drew opposition from teachers, Democratic lawmakers, and some parents. They argued Edelbluts school choice approach devalued public schools at a time when the school leaders argue the state is not sending them sufficient funding. But Edelblut said some of those changes, including the education freedom accounts, had quiet support from some corners of the public education world. Even in the midst of some of the periods of fiercest criticism, I continue to have people from outside the system say, Thank you for doing that, he said. The difficulty is the system tends to mute voices that dont agree with it, he said, speaking about people working in public education. Because there tends to be a little bit of: you have to agree with the whole package or none of the package. Edelblut said he is not sure who Ayotte will choose as a replacement, or what criteria she is looking for. That would be a question for the governor, he said. CHARLESTON, WV (WVNS) Governor Morrisey announced the creation of an online tourism program designed to boost jobs and tourism education throughout the Mountain State. According to a press release, Tourism Works is designed to bolster hospitality skills and training in the state. The announcement was made with support of more than 200 professionals in the tourism and hospitality industry at the State Capitol in celebration of the industrys record-setting $8.7 billion yearly impact. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve saw record visitation in 2024 As Governor, one of my top priorities is to grow our economy, our population, and our workforce. Our tourism and hospitality industry is one of the best in the country, and it will be a crucial part of West Virginias economic future. The new Tourism Works program builds on our welcoming and friendly culture, ensuring every visitor to West Virginia feels at home in the Mountain State. Governor Patrick Morrisey Thanks to Governor Morrisey, the West Virginia Legislature, the Department of Education and all of our amazing partners across the state, the future of tourism has never looked brighter. This sector currently includes 70,000 hospitality and tourism jobs in West Virginia with an expected 21,000 job openings each year. The Tourism Works program is a wonderful resource for anyone looking to gain experience in a thriving industry. Chelsea Ruby | Secretary, West Virginia Department of Tourism Through collaboration between the West Virginia Department of Tourism and Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, Tourism works is a free online course that offers its students the opportunity to gain an hour of college credit from Blue Ridge Community and Technical College. All West Virginia residents are encouraged to enroll, and course highlights include small businesses, history, and culture within the Mountain State. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2025 West Virginia Vacation Guide announced by Governor Morrisey Tourism Day at the Capitol, held on March 12, 2025, was one of the biggest celebrations of the industry in recent years. More than 200 tourism and history professionals from all nine travel regions in the state attended. Students from both the Monongalia County Technical Education Center and the Nicholas County Career and Technical Center attended as well, and highlighted training programs by serving pastries, coffee, and food created by students. For more information and to enroll in the course and other trainings, visit their website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed a bill that will ensure students across the state can freely express their cultural heritage. Senate Bill 163 will allow Indigenous students to wear tribal regalia at graduation ceremonies or public school events. this comes after a high school graduate in Farmington had to remove their cap adorned with Native American beads. Bill would have New Mexico join interstate compact to ease doctor shortage The bill unanimously cleared the Senate and House and will take effect immediately. Tribal leaders from across the state attended the signing ceremony in celebration of the meaningful legislation. New Mexico joins 18 other states that have enacted similar protections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Local educators held a walk-in Wednesday morning at a Grand Rapids high school, joining a national movement to put a spotlight on the importance of public education. President Donald Trump has said he wants to dismantle the Department of Education and leave education to the states. Last week, the department announced it was laying off nearly half of its workforce more than 1,000 staffers. Trump is dismantling the Education Department. Heres what it does Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But organizers of Wednesdays demonstration say dismantling the department and cutting services would negatively impact the community. To make their voices heard, teachers, parents, students and other community members gathered at Union High School starting at 7 a.m. The NEA National Education Association has asked our millions of members across the United States to participate this morning in an event that were calling the walk-in to support public education, Blake Mazurek, chief of staff at the Michigan Education Association, told News 8. And the idea here is that we want to show, number one, solidarity but also to highlight the importance of public education. Attendees held signs bearing messages like strong public schools = strong communities and protect public education. A sign at a walk-in at Grand Rapids Union High School on March 19, 2025. There were several speakers, from Grand Rapids Public Schools students to a state representative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You cannot overinvest in education, state Rep. Carol Glanville, D-Walker, told attendees. There is no such thing as too much money for education. In a time where everything is speculative, where people are unsure of their futures, of their finances, of everything, there is no safer investment than in our youth, in our students and their caretakers, their educators, said Gabe Jauw, a GRPS student and member of the Student Association for Leadership and Transformation. Just before 7:30 a.m., the group walked into Union High School, chanting support public ed. Its not just a union issue, Mazurek told News 8. No, this is public education. This is a community issue. This is a part of the fabric of what we are. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 WOODTV.com. KANSAS CITY, Mo. A Grandview man has pleaded guilty to attacking several people, including a child and teen, with a hammer in May 2023. According to Jackson County court records, Collins Milimu, 39, pleaded guilty to three counts of domestic assault and one count of child endangerment. He has been ordered to serve 20 years in prison. Drexel firefighter killed after truck crashes into Louisburg hair salon Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FOX4 previously reported that on Sunday, May 14, 2023, officers with the Grandview Police Department were called to a home near E. 130th Street and Manchester Avenue. Officers reportedly saw Milimu leaving his house, where three people were later found injured. After seeing him leave the home, Grandview police said they had to run after Milimu to arrest him. When officers caught up to him, he had a deep cut on his right palm, as well as several cuts to his index and middle fingers on his right hand, court documents said. However, as police were placing Milimu in custody, dispatch told officers that someone inside the home had called 911 and asked for help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When officers went inside, they found two people with severe injuries and a child with minor injuries, according to records. A teenager was also found in a neighboring home with severe injuries. All of the victims were taken to the hospital, including Milimu. According to court documents, officers found a knife and hammer covered in blood. During the investigation, Milimu told officers that he hit the three victims in the head with a hammer because they were being disrespectful after taking out the trash. Two men killed in Kansas City shooting, police investigating He also said he had fought one of the victims, but didnt know if he had the hammer in his hand at the time of the confrontation. At the time of his arrest, he reportedly denied having any knowledge of a knife. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked what part of the hammer Milimu used, he said he started out with the flat part, according to court records. 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. BEIJING, March 19 (Xinhua) -- China's State Council on Wednesday announced the appointment and removal of several officials. Li Xiaolong was appointed vice minister of housing and urban-rural development. Wu Jing was named president of Science and Technology Daily. Zhang Zheng was removed from the post of vice minister of culture and tourism. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Grant High Schools mock trial team is headed to the national stage after they won the state competition last weekend. Grant High School beat out dozens of other teams, and now they will be competing in Arizona in May. AM Extra was joined by Nora Isles, Connor Johnson and Hazel Sims from the winning team and Civics Learning Project Executive Director Sam Kang to talk about the competition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Channel 9 is uncovering new details about a longtime Orange County teacher facing a slew of sex abuse charges. 57-year-old Andover Elementary School teacher Christopher Crisona was arrested last week by the Orange County Sheriffs Office on a warrant out of Delaware. He faces several felonies following an investigation into allegations of abuse at St. Thomas the Apostle School and rectory in Delaware between 1994 and 1996. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Justice said that, given the nature of the allegations and the defendants professional history, there could be other potential victims. Crisona has worked at several schools across the East Coast, was an adjunct professor at UCF, and worked For Orange County Public Schools for over a decade. According to the Department of Justice, Crisona is charged with Unlawful Sexual Contact 2nd Degree, three counts of Unlawful Sexual Intercourse 1st Degree, Unlawful Sexual Penetration 3rd Degree, Unlawful Sexual Contact 2nd Degree, and Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child. The State Attorney General said the charges stemmed from alleged repeated abuse of a victim he taught at a Delaware school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the case is yet to go to trial, he has been formally indicted on the charges and the criminal case is moving forward. The States indictment alleges a pattern of gravely serious abuse against a juvenile by two adults in a position of trust, said Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings. According to the DOJ, Crisona worked as a teacher at St. Thomas for the 1994-1995 school year and part of the 1995-1996 school year. However, he was fired mid-year from St. Thomas following a student complaint. The DOJ said he went on to work at three other Delaware schools before OCPS hired him. As prosecutors, and as parents, these kinds of cases keep us up at night but they also give us purpose. The victim in this case suffered profound trauma over a period of years and deserves justice. Im grateful to the police, prosecutors, and social workers who have been critical to this investigation and who are committed to getting justice, said Jennings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to OCPS, Crisona was hired in August 2008 and worked at Columbia Elementary, Sadler Elementary, Fern Creek Elementary, Stone Lakes Elementary, Avalon Middle, Wedgefield K-8, and most recently, Andover Elementary. The school district notified parents of Crisonas arrest last week and a spokesperson told Channel 9, The individual was arrested due to a personal matter unrelated to the school and will not be returning to campus while there is an open investigation. Channel 9 contacted the district about these newly uncovered details. The district reiterated that Crisona is still on Administrative Leave pending the outcome of his case. A district spokesperson also shared more about the districts hiring process, stating that all employees must undergo fingerprinting and background screenings before they are onboarded and must pass a background check every five years thereafter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Tuesday, Crisona was still being held at the Orange County Jail but could soon face extradition to Delaware to face the charges. The DOJ said a priest named Father John Taggart is also accused of abusing the same victim allegedly abused by Crisona. According to the DOJ, both defendants are entitled to a presumption of innocence. The DOJ is seeking other potential victims given the nature of the allegations and the defendants professional history. Anyone with information may contact (302) 577-5293 or ReportAbuse@delaware.gov to provide information to prosecutors and investigators. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. By Jack Queen (Reuters) - Greenpeace must pay a Texas-based pipeline company nearly $667 million in damages for the environmental advocacy groups role in 2016-2017 protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota, a jury said Wednesday. The verdict in North Dakota state court came after two days of deliberations in a trial where pipeline company Energy Transfer accused Greenpeace of paying protesters to disrupt construction of the pipeline unlawfully and spreading falsehoods about the controversial project, located near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The verdict included damages for defamation, trespassing and conspiracy. The jury awarded more than $400 million in punitive damages, which are intended to punish defendants for their conduct. Greenpeace denied wrongdoing and called the case an attack on free speech rights. The groups lawyers said they would appeal Wednesdays verdict. Were an advocacy group. We engage in peaceful protest, said Greenpeace attorney Deepa Padmanabha, asserting that the group only played a minor role in the demonstrations. Energy Transfer lawyer Trey Cox said in a statement that Greenpeaces violent and destructive protests were not legally protected speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, the jury delivered a resounding verdict, declaring Greenpeaces actions wrong, unlawful, and unacceptable by societal standards. It is a day of reckoning and accountability for Greenpeace, Cox said. Construction of the pipeline was met with fierce protests by environmental and tribal advocacy groups who said the project would poison local water supply and exacerbate climate change. The project began in 2016 and was completed the following year. The pipeline transports roughly 40% of the oil produced in North Dakotas Bakken region. (Reporting by Jack Queen in New York; Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Cynthia Osterman) GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) Greenville Utilities continues to warn the public about a new type of scam that is spreading through the area. The scam is done via phone and asks GUC customers for money and personal information. Officials with GUC said scammers have recorded the actual customer service voicemail and tell people to call a separate number to continue giving personal information. The difference with this one is theyre calling the caller ID spoofing GUC, GUC Public Information Officer Steve Hawley said. And then if you call back at the number they give you, theyve actually recorded our automated phone system. So, you know, the press one, two. So, it sounds like GUC, but its not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hawley said even with high-quality scams like this one, there can be warning signs. Typically, scammers are going to ask you to either pay right now over the phone with something like an Amazon card or a Walmart card, something like that, red flag. Dont give it to them. Dont do anything but hang up, Hawley said. Other times theyll say, we got a prepay agreement where you can get a discount. Thats a scam to hang up right away. If you got questions about whats really going on, call our regular number. Its published on the website. Its published in phone books. Its published on Google. The Better Business Bureau always keeps an eye on scam trends, including ones involving utility companies. Scams tend to thrive when you have uncertainty and confusion. Do your research before you hire someone, Nick Hill with Better Business Bureau of Eastern North Carolina said. You just need to verify who they are first. Law enforcement is already involved with GUC in ongoing efforts to fix the issues. So, were trying to let our customers know, first and foremost whats going on, Hawley said. But, we have reached out to the police department to let them know about it. They actually reach out to us to let us know about scammers from time to time, like weve got the people who are scamming people by going around saying they work for Greenville Utilities and theyre selling solar. We dont sell solar. So, theres things that you could do and theres things that were doing as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Fox News host Greg Gutfeld told Chief Justice John Roberts to shut the F up on Tuesday after the nations highest-ranking judge rebuked President Donald Trump for calling on a federal judge to be impeached for disagreeing with him. Roberts, shut the F up, Gutfeld said on The Five after Roberts waded into the Trump administrations reaction to U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg blocking several deportation flights to El Salvador. Oh my God, maybe he didnt do it the right way, Gutfeld said of Trump using an 18th-century wartime law to deport suspected Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Trump, Gutfeld argued, doesnt have the luxury of following the law. When there are rapists and murderers invading our country, maybe a guy in a robe in D.C. can follow all the protocols, but Trump is the effing president of the United States who protects 300 million plus people, Gutfeld said. This is something that a president has to do. He has to do this. He went on to say that everything Trump has said about migrants was right. Theyre sending bad people. What did he say? Theyre sending killers and rapists. Do you remember this? he asked. In fact, immigrants in America have been found to commit proportionally fewer crimes than the native-born U.S. population. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gutfelds comments, first reported by Mediaite, also included a joke about the president wanting to impeach a judge whose legal decisions he disagrees with. It is really a surprise to me that Trump doesnt follow the appropriate protocol, he said, to laughter. Trump called Boasberg crooked and said he should be impeached for blocking his flights on Saturday as Boasberg considered a lawsuit filed against the deportations. The Trump administration ignored Boasbergs oral order to stop the flights, which proceeded as planned. Roberts, speaking out immediately following Trumps comments, said impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose. Related... Members of the UA Local 140 Plumbers, Pipefitters, HVAC&R union march in the St. Patricks Day parade in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 15, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) Over the weekend, volunteers around the state began collecting signatures in hopes of prompting a referendum that will overturn a controversial bill passed this legislative session prohibiting public unions from collective bargaining. At the same time, the conservative advocacy group Americans for Prosperity kicked off its Decline to Sign campaign, which it hopes will counter the effort to overturn HB267. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Narrowly passing the Legislature before it was signed by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox in February, HB267 restricts public unions which represent teachers, police officers, firefighters, municipal workers and other public employees from negotiating terms of employment with their employer. For instance, once the bill takes effect on July 1, a teachers union will no longer be able to negotiate with a school district. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Although it passed, the bill received broad pushback from lawmakers, members of the public and union advocates, who worried the eradication of collective bargaining could lead to stagnant wages and unsafe working conditions. Even though unions representing Salt Lake Citys fire and police departments, and a number of school districts, were the only entities collectively bargaining in the state, labor advocates said having it as an option was important leverage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, a coalition called Protect Utah Workers is collecting signatures from registered voters, the first step in a referendum. By April 16, they hope to deliver at least 200,000 signatures to the lieutenant governors office if theyre successful, voters will decide whether HB267 should be overturned during the next general election. Accusing special interest groups of spreading misinformation related to HB267, the Utah chapter of Americans for Prosperity is urging Utahns not to throw their signatures behind the effort. The messaging that they need these collective bargaining rights when so many are already not using it, is just fundamentally wrong, said Americans for Prosperity-Utah state director Kevin Greene, pointing to other school districts, fire and police departments, and municipalities that dont collectively bargain and havent seen stagnant wages or unsafe work environments. Greenes group pushed for reforms and restrictions on public sector unions in its list of legislative priorities leading up to the session, and was among the handful of voices, often outnumbered, that supported HB267 during the public comment period of legislative committee meetings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Decline to Sign, which went live this weekend, is a petition and public awareness campaign that will include radio and digital advertisements with a simple message, according to the website: Dont sign the referendum stand for accountability! The petition is just meant to show support for the bill, and cannot change or enact policy like a referendum would. Were just trying to educate the public, said Greene. The referendum groups are going to be talking to people about what they think the bill does, and so we just want to be the counter force giving the highlights on how this protects taxpayer resources, how it doesnt create unsafe working conditions or prevent good wages. The bill sponsor, Rep. Jordan Teuscher, R-South Jordan, said HB267 was meant to protect taxpayer dollars while giving all public employees a voice, not just union members. Greene echoed Teuscher on Tuesday when explaining his support for the bill, telling Utah News Dispatch that it creates a level playing field for public employees who arent union members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It ensures that taxpayer resources and money are protected, Greene said. In a statement, the Protect Utah Workers coalition said it was not surprised that big-money, out-of-state special interests are trying to silence the voices of Utahs police officers, teachers, nurses, and other public workers. Instead of letting Utahns decide, these groups are working to shut down a fair and democratic process, the statement reads. This law is not about saving taxpayer money. It is about silencing those who fight for safer workplaces, fair wages and better public services. The bill was incredibly unpopular among teachers, firefighters, police officers and other public employees, who spoke out during committee meetings, launched a petition that garnered nearly 15,000 signatures, and gathered in the loudest and largest protest inside the Utah Capitol this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Greene said the most unhappy voices are often the loudest. You always see more on the opposition side, its easier to get upset or to get angry about an issue, he said. Theres definitely support for the bill. I think were seeing that now. When asked about the petition on Tuesday, Ben Jordan, a chemist and member of the local American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union, called it another example of national conservative organizations pushing policies that Utahns dont support. This is not a Utah solution, Jordan said. This is out-of-state conservative groups coming in and pushing their agenda to upset public workers. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Donald Trumps return to the White House has been marked by a campaign of autocratic, verging on fascist action to match the brazen rhetoric from his campaign. The president has sought to strip the citizenship of children born in this country by fiat, and declared the sexual identities of millions of transgender and intersex Americans to be invalid. He has targeted a legal resident for deportation not for any criminal acts but for activism deemed contrary to state interests. In addition to recklessly detaining U.S. citizens, Trumps department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, has allegedly disappeared dozens of undocumented immigrants from the streets and refused to account for their identities or whereabouts. He has deported migrants, apparently without due process, to a notorious mega-prison in El Salvador. These disruptive actions run contrary to decades of settled law, and have provoked hundreds of lawsuits. In the face of this litigation, the administration keeps playing chicken with lower federal courts at times disobeying orders from judges, and even calling for the impeachment of jurists who make rulings Trump disagrees with. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The presidents contempt for due process has coincided with other actions that are the hallmarks of authoritarian regimes: attempting to hollow out the nations civil service, specifically through Elon Musks so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE); intimidating universities; and targeting journalists while amping up a campaign of garish state propaganda against disfavored groups. Below is a round up of many of Trumps most disturbing actions to date: MANHANDLING MIGRANTS Deportations Defying Court Order The administration defied a court in mid-March by deporting a plane full of hundreds of unadjudicated immigrants to a notorious, maximum security El Salvadoran labor camp. While their identities have not been released, Attorney General Pam Bondi called them terrorists. Many are Venezuelans, alleged to be members of the gang Tren de Aragua, and were removed after Trump invoked wartime powers under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 last used during the second World War, enabling Japanese internment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An attorney for one of the deportees insists her client is an LGBTQ+ asylum seeker with benign tattoos, who was mistakenly identified as a gang member; she called his exile a dark moment in our history. Family members of several other men shipped off to El Salvador similarly deny their involvement in any gang. A judge alarmed by the lack of due process for the detainees ordered the planes turned around while en route. The administration flouted that order, later asserting in court that the judges verbal instructions werent enforceable, and that a subsequent written order came too late. The administration has further argued that Trumps Article II executive powers related to military actions outside of U.S. territory including, apparently, spiriting immigrants away to a Central American gulag are beyond the authority of any judge. Status: As judicial wrangling continues, those exiled remain imprisoned in El Salvadors Terrorism Confinement Center. Disappearing ICE Detainees On March 12, ICE touted the roundup of 48 undocumented immigrants in New Mexico more than half of whom did not have criminal records. According to a complaint by the state chapter of the ACLU, the government has not identified any of the 48 individuals apprehended, nor disclosed where any of them are being detained, whether they have access to counsel, in what conditions they are being held, or even which agency is holding them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ACLU describes these people as having been forcibly disappeared. The claim is striking: Disappearing disfavored populations is a hallmark of deadly authoritarian regimes including those of Augusto Pinochet in Chile and Francisco Franco in Spain last century. Status: The names and whereabouts of these individuals remain unknown. Shipping Asylum-Seekers to the Jungles of Panama The administration sent some 300 deportees to Panama in mid February. They werent Panamanian; many of them had made a global trek from countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia to seek refugee status in the United States. Instead of turning them back at the Mexican border, the Trump administration instead flew them to Central America, where many refused to be repatriated to their home countries for fear of retribution. More than 100 were subsequently shipped to a jungle jail near the notorious Darien Gap. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Status: Under international public pressure, these migrants were eventually released, and provided a 30-day visa to sort out next steps. Turning Guantanamo into a Prison Camp With considerable fanfare, the Trump administration revived a favorite strategy of the George W. Bush administration turning the U.S. military outpost at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, into a legally nebulous jail facility for undesirables. But where Bush chose Gitmo to house irregular combatants and high-status captives from the War on Terror, Trump chose the island military base as a way station for deportees that his administration characterized as the worst of the worst. (In truth, many appear to have been asylum seekers or economic migrants seeking better lives.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Status: Following a legal challenge from the ACLU, the administration suddenly changed course and evacuated Gitmo of all immigrant detainees, shipping them back to the mainland, while reserving the right to exile others there in the future. FREE SPEECH CRACKDOWN In one of the most chilling episodes of the new administration, authorities have seized and sought to deport a legal U.S. resident for his pro-Palestine First Amendment activity, under the guise of national security. Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student at Columbia University with a green card and an American spouse, was a leader of student protests against Israels war on Gaza. In mid-March, he was arrested by ICE in New York and transferred to a holding facility in Louisiana, where he faced deportation under an order by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration has not alleged Khalil broke any law, insisting instead that his presence in the country is creating potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States, and his residency can therefore be revoked. In a statement, Khalil has called himself a political prisoner. Status: Khalils case is before a judge in Louisiana. The statute cited for his removal is largely untested, constitutionally. The case is sure to end up before an appeals court the only question is which has jurisdiction: The arch conservative 5th Circuit, which handles cases from Louisiana where Kahlil is now held, or the more liberal 2nd Circuit in New York, where Khalil was seized? HAMMERING CONSTITUTIONAL BEDROCK On his first day back in office, President Trump signed an order purporting to end birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to undocumented immigrants an action counter to a long settled interpretation of the 14th Amendment as well as federal statute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Status: The EO has been blocked by at least three judges, resulting in a nationwide injunction. The Trump administration recently appealed to the Supreme Court asking the injunction to be narrowed or lifted allowing the order to go into effect while the courts wrestle with the constitutional issue. TRYING TO ERASE A DISFAVORED MINORITY Authoritarian regimes have long targeted disfavored minority groups as a first step toward broader repression. Trumps top target are trans and intersex Americans. Trump has issued at least half a dozen executive orders targeting these sexual minorities, asserting, against science, a supposed biological truth that there are only two genders. Trump has issued executive orders banning trans Americans from the military; banning trans athletes from girls sports; sending trans prisoners to prisons of the opposite gender; denying passport renewal to gender nonconforming Americans who chose to be designated with an X (rather than M or F); seeking to block gender affirming care for trans minors; as well as seeking to stamp out discussion of gender dysphoria in schools. Trump has also sought to block federal grants to nonprofits and other programs that welcome or serve trans Americans as part of his crusade against diversity, equity, and inclusion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Status: Trans Americans have filed an array of lawsuits decrying discriminatory treatment by the federal government. Some medical institutions not bound by Trumps executive order have nonetheless complied by ceasing gender care for minor patients. Several judges have ordered that trans female prisoners not be transferred to mens prisons, but there are reports that such transfers are happening regardless. On March 18, a federal judge blocked Trumps anti-trans military order from taking effect. DEFUNDING HIGHER EDUCATION The Trump administration has begun a campaign to attack the funding of higher education. It has made an example of Columbia University, stripping some $400 million in grants in apparent punishment for not being even more heavy handed in its crackdown on pro-Palestine student protesters, which the administration has characterized as fostering antisemitism. Through the administration of National Institutes of Health grants, the Trump administration also sought to create a broad federal defunding of research universities. Meanwhile, under the authority of a former pro-wrestling executive now running the Department of Education, the Trump administration has cut that departments workforce in half, threatening the effective administration of federal student aid. Status: The broad NIH funding cuts are on pause thanks to a judicial order, but research universities are already retrenching, with the medical school of the University of Massachusetts revoking placements for graduate students, for example, and Johns Hopkins cutting nearly 2,000 jobs. DISAPPEARING DIVERSITY (AND HISTORY) Critics deride Trumps campaign against diversity, equity, and inclusion as a neo-segregationist initiative. The administration has, in fact, eliminated requirements that federal contractors have integrated workplace facilities. Trump has also ousted the top female and Black leaders in the Armed Forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond that, federal agencies are purging mentions of minorities from their official websites. The federal Stonewall memorial excised mentions of trans people in the movement for gay rights, now officially known only as LGB. Materials celebrating Navajo Code Talkers heroes of WWII who bedeviled the Japanese and offered proof positive that Americas strength is in its diversity have been excised from military websites. A Black Medal of Honor recipient, celebrated for his heroism in Vietnam, briefly had his Pentagon webpage removed, with a portion of the url changed to deimedal-of-honor. Status: Public pressure has been somewhat effective in shaming the administration to be less racist and sexist. The Pentagon restored training materials honoring the Tuskegee Airmen, and female aviators known as WASPs, for example. FASHY STATE MEDIA The Trump administration is taking an expectedly hostile stance to Americas free press, which Trump has long derided using the Stalinist term enemies of the people. Trump has kicked the Associated Press out of his briefings, for its refusal to adopt Trumps nationalistic rebranding of the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America as AP style for global audiences. Top outlets including The New York Times, NBC News, and NPR have been shut out of work spaces at the Pentagon. And the administration has also cancelled subscriptions across agencies to publications like Politico and Reuters. In mid-March, the administration also moved to shutter government-run journalistic outlets like Voice of America, whose broadcasts are sometimes the only non-state media available in autocratic foreign regimes. Meanwhile the White Houses social media team has taken a dark turn, routinely posting videos of migrants in detention, with one featuring the sound of shackles being prepared for a deportation flight and the caption: ASMR: Illegal Alien Deportation Flight. Another featured the musical overdub of Semisonics Closing Time and the lyric: You dont have to go home but you cant stay here. (The band made clear they did not authorize or condone the use of their music.) Perhaps most disturbing, Trump posted an elaborate video montage of deportees being received by authorities in El Salvador. The garish footage celebrated the harsh tactics of masked guards frog-marching the arrivals off an airplane, and then shaving the prisoners heads and beards. Trumps spokesperson Karoline Leavitt encouraged undocumented immigrants remaining in the United States to self-deport to avoid being featured in a future fun video. The administration is also spending $200 million on ads warning viewers without proper papers to leave the country, and thanking dear leader Trump for his anti-immigrant crackdown. Status: AP has sued to regain access, but a judge has so far declined to intervene. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. PARIS, March 19 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday condemned the resumption of Israeli strikes on Gaza, calling it a dramatic step backward for peace efforts, urging an immediate cessation of hostilities. "It is tragic for the Palestinians in Gaza, once again plunged into the terror of bombing. It is tragic for the hostages and their families ... It is tragic for the entire region, which is trying to recover after more than a year of war and upheaval," Macron said at a press conference with visiting Jordanian King Abdullah II. Macron emphasized that hostilities must cease "immediately" and negotiations must resume "in good faith." He stressed that "no Israeli military solution, colonization, annexation, or forced displacement" would be accepted in Gaza, urging concerned parties to "find the path again" toward a political resolution. Echoing Macron's concerns, King Abdullah II warned that Israel's resumption of attacks on Gaza is "an extremely dangerous step that adds further devastation to an already dire humanitarian situation." He called on the international community to act "immediately and collectively" to restore the ceasefire. Israeli forces conducted air strikes across Gaza early on Tuesday, killing over 400 people, and vowed to escalate the offensive unless Hamas releases hostages held in the enclave. The strikes broke a cease-fire that had lasted nearly two months. Fox News host Greg Gutfeld blasted U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts after he issued a rare criticism of President Trump, who has called to impeach a federal judge that ruled against his administration in a recent immigration case. Robertss statement, issued Tuesday, noted it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose, the chief justice wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gutfeld, a vocal supporter of Trump and one Fox Newss top-rated hosts, pushed back on Roberts wading into the presidents fight with U.S. District Judge James Boasberg. When there are rapists and murderers invading our country, maybe a guy in a robe in D.C. can follow all the protocols, but Trump is the effing president of the United States who protects 300 million plus people, Gutfeld said on Tuesdays episode of The Five. He is a leader who does not have the luxury of opening up his little books to read. The comedian and cable news host told Roberts to shut the F up. This is something that a president has to do, Gutfeld continued in the comments, first highlighted by Mediaite. He has to do this. It blows my mind how wrong I was in 2016, or 2015, when Trump came down the escalator and we were I was, I cant believe he said these things. Everything he said was right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added, Theyre sending bad people. What did he say? Theyre sending killers and rapists. Do you remember this? Some of them were good people. And now hes sending them back. The Trump administration is arguing it has the legal authority to deport suspected members of the Tren de Aragua gang to El Salvador after Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to remove Venezuelan migrants. Boasberg pushed back on the move, ordering the flights to be turned around. However, administration officials said the flights were already out of U.S. territory and the judge no longer had authority to intervene. The president was also pressed on his back-and-forth with the judge by Fox Newss Laura Ingraham. Trump suggested in the interview that aired Tuesday that he had not defied court orders and would not in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Gwinnett County police are searching for a driver who crashed into a woman and killed her last year. Police say Mecha Woodard, 24, pulled her car over on State Route 316 near Breckinridge Blvd. as Hurricane Helene moved through Georgia on Sept. 27 and began walking. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] As Woodard walked, police say she was hit by a car and killed. They say that car drove off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators believe the car that hit her is a 2019 to 2022 Lexus RX 350 or Lexus RX 450 that would have sustained damage to the front passenger-side bumper and headlight. TRENDING STORIES: We know there was a major weather event, the weather was bad and it was raining hard, so were not ruling out it was just a freak accident, Cpl. Juan Madiedo said. Anyone with information that could assist investigators should contact them at 678-442-5653 or contact Crime Stoppers of Greater Atlanta. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] This Saturday, tune in to Off Road Confidential, sponsored by Visit California and produced by NewsNation, at 5:30p/4:30C. Find out how to watch. (NewsNation) Gabriel Ornelas trip across Northern California continues with a stop in Half Moon Bay, a small coastal town with a lot of heart. Ornelas is the host of the NewsNation special Off Road Confidential, made in association with Visit California, stopping by picturesque places in the Golden State. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Half Moon Bay, which is located roughly 30 miles south of San Francisco, Ornelas ventured out onto the water on a kayak and dug into some locally-made artichoke bread. Marin County, California, gives East Coast feel on the West Coast Its this little gem thats just south of the big city, Ornelas told Morning in America. And people should definitely take, you know, the coastal highway down. Home to some of the biggest waves in the world, Ornelas describes the surfer-laden beaches near Half Moon Bay as stunningly beautiful. Its this little beach town that really has this local vibe, and everyone is so nice. Its so charming, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ornelas made pit stops in Sacramento, Point Reyes, Half Moon Bay, Carmel and San Francisco for Off Road Confidential. 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. Editor's Note: An earlier version of this article said that the IDF had dropped leaflets with disturbing messaging. ABC News has not been able to confirm the authenticity of these leaflets. The IDF denies dropping these leaflets. LONDON -- The Israel Defense Forces says that it is focusing ground operations in the center of the Gaza Strip after attacks since the ceasefire ended on Tuesday night have left nearly 500 Gazans dead -- primarily women and children -- according to a spokesperson for Gaza's civil defense team. During phase one of the ceasefire deal, Israel withdrew completely from the Netzarim corridor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned the residents of Gaza that "the evacuation of the population from the battle zones" in Gaza will "begin again soon," in a video message in Hebrew on Wednesday. PHOTO: Israeli tanks move at a position in southern Israel along the border fence with the northern Gaza Strip on March 18, 2025. (Menahem Kahana/AFP via Getty Images) Katz encouraged Gaza residents to go to "other places in the world for those who wish." "Take the advice of the U.S. President. Return the hostages and eliminate Hamas, and other options will open up for you -- including going to other places in the world for those who wish," Katz said. PHOTO: Displaced Palestinians, carrying their belongings traveling from Beit Hanoun to Jabaliya, a day after Israel's renewed offensive in the Gaza Strip, Mar. 19, 2025. (Jehad Alshrafi/AP) Last month, President Donald Trump called for the forced displacement of Palestinians in Gaza, drawing wide international criticism and accusations from allies and the United Nations. He has since said that Palestinians should want to leave voluntarily due to the destruction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents of Gaza are currently unable to leave on their own because the border crossing into Egypt is closed. Israel's current plan is to make Gaza unlivable, re-establish those so-called "humanitarian zones," concentrate Palestinians in those bubbles or islands and from there offer voluntary transfer out of Gaza, retired Brig. Gen. Amir Avivi, a security hawk who continues to advise the military and defense ministry, told ABC News. Avivi stressed leaving would be voluntary. They would be loaded on buses and sent through the Kerem Shalom crossing either to Ashdod port, or to an airport near Eilat. PHOTO: Displaced Palestinians, carrying their belongings traveling from Beit Hanoun to Jabaliya, a day after Israel's renewed offensive in the Gaza Strip, Mar. 19, 2025. (Jehad Alshrafi/AP) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told troops on Wednesday that a "larger front" could open in the West Bank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While we are waging a fierce war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, we are aware of the possibility that a larger front could open in Judea and Samaria, Netanyahu said, according to a statement from his office, referring to the Israeli-occupied West Bank territories. Israel started a larger operation in the West Bank, called Operation Iron Wall, after the first phase of the Hamas-Israel ceasefire went into effect on Jan. 19. MORE: 60 feet below in a 3-foot-wide tomb: Freed Israeli hostage details conditions of Hamas captivity Prior to resuming ground operations in Gaza, an Israeli official told ABC News that its renewed campaign of strikes on the Gaza Strip would continue until all remaining hostages are released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Palestinian health officials said that nearly 500 people have been killed in Gaza -- including more than 170 children nearly 90 women -- since Israel renewed its bombardment of the coastal territory overnight Tuesday, marking the collapse of a ceasefire with Hamas that began in January. At least 678 others have been wounded, Palestinian officials said. On Tuesday, an Israeli official told ABC News of Hamas, "They got hammered last night and they're going to continue to be hammered until we get the hostages out." An Israeli official described the Israel Defense Forces' renewed attacks against Hamas in Gaza as a "different form of negotiating," and said Israel had "not closed the door" to talks resuming via mediators if Hamas is willing to accept further hostage-prisoner swaps. PHOTO: Soldiers keep guard by the Israel-Gaza border fence, in Israel, Mar. 18, 2025. (Amir Cohen/Reuters) An Israeli official told ABC News on Tuesday that the offensive will continue "as long as necessary," and will "expand beyond air strikes." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Far-right Israeli Minister Ben Gvir and his party have re-joined Netanyahu's coalition in the Knesset, after leaving when the ceasefire went into effect earlier this year. Gvir has extreme views and wants Netanyahu to go even further in Gaza. There is a vote on Israel's budget at the end of March. If Netanyahu's coalition fails to pass that budget, his government falls, according to Israeli law. Wednesday brought fresh strikes in Gaza. The IDF said it attacked what it called "a Hamas military site in northern Gaza where preparations were being made to fire projectiles at Israeli territory." PHOTO: Israeli soldiers patrol a street in northern Gaza, Mar. 19, 2025. (Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images) The Israeli navy also "struck several vessels in the coastal area of the Gaza Strip," which the IDF said were slated for use by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ministry of Health in Gaza said Wednesday that one foreign staffer working for the United Nations was killed by an Israeli strike in central Gaza, with five others suffering "severe" injuries. The wounded were taken to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, the ministry said. MORE: Israel hits Gaza with 'extensive strikes,' killing over 400 and ending ceasefire The IDF denied involvement. "Contrary to reports, the IDF did not strike a UN compound in Deir el Balah," it said in a statement. At least 20 more people were killed overnight: 10 were killed in Rafah, another 10 were killed in Khan Younis, according to Gaza Civil Defense Spokesperson Mahmoud Basal on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel's renewed campaign in Gaza marked the end of nearly two months of relative quiet in the region, which has been devastated by intense fighting since October 2023. The ceasefire saw 33 Israeli hostages released from Gaza in return for the release of nearly 1,800 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons. PHOTO: Palestinians extinguish a fire in the rubble of the Elias Tarazi family house, after it was destroyed in an Israeli strike in al-Sabra neighborhood in Gaza City on March 19, 2025. (Omar Al-qattaa/AFP via Getty Images) Fifty-nine hostages are believed to remain in Gaza -- 24 of whom are presumed to be alive. Edan Alexander is the last American-Israeli hostage still thought to be alive. Several members of Hamas' administrative and civil wings were killed in the renewed strikes. They included Deputy Minister of the Interior Maj. Gen. Mahmoud Abu Tuffah and Deputy Minister of Justice Omar al-Hatta. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that his country would act against Hamas "with increasing intensity." PHOTO: Palestinians evacuate an injured man after his house was hit by an Israeli bombardment in Gaza City, Wednesday, March 19, 2025. (Jehad Alshrafi/AP) "From now on, negotiations will only take place under fire," he said in a statement. "Hamas has already felt the presence of our force in the last 24 hours and I want to assure you: This is just the beginning." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The military strike on Hamas and the release of our hostages are not contradictory goals -- they are goals that are intertwined," Netanyahu said. The renewed offensive prompted major protests in Israel, including from the families of those still being held hostage in Gaza. "The greatest fear of the families, the kidnapped and the citizens of Israel has come true," the Hostage Families' Forum said in a statement issued on Tuesday. "The Israeli government has chosen to give up on the kidnapped." At least 20 killed overnight in Gaza as massive strikes continue originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Some titles banned from the St. Francis High School library by the St. Francis school board's right-wing scoring system. Photo courtesy of Ryan Fiereck. When I asked the media specialist how she felt when banned books were pulled from the shelves of the St. Francis High School library, she told me, Each book I have had to remove crushes me inside. Since December, St. Francis has had one of the worst school-based book ban policies in the United States, according to PEN America. Its taking a toll. Educators are upset. Students are checking out fewer books. The pile of forbidden titles is growing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That doesnt sound like Minnesota to many people. Our governor likes to say we feed kids here, we dont ban books. But as the president of the union of educators in St. Francis, I want everyone to know it can happen here. The only real safeguard against book bans is us, as voters and plaintiffs, standing up for the freedom to read. My school district is taking books off the shelves for all the familiar prejudices, but the policy is unique because there is no longer any local review or way to appeal. Nearly three months ago, the school board delegated all that to an anonymous website in Florida called booklooks.org. Booklooks.org has been linked to Moms for Liberty, the anti-government group running a national disinformation campaign to spread distrust of public schools as a prelude to private school vouchers. The site uses anonymous reviewers and secret criteria to evaluate the appropriateness of books for young adults from a harmless zero to five. Books with LGBTQ+ and Black characters, or that have controversial religious commentary, tend to get worse ratings. For books the group really doesnt like, it quotes passages out of context, counts swear words and offers a .pdf summary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The clear bias and murky process matter because in December, the St. Francis school board ignored its attorney, rejected a plan for a review committee of local volunteers and embraced booklooks.org. Now any books with a rating of three or higher are removed after anyone files a formal request. No discussion allowed. Lets be clear. That is a ban. Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Perez won multiple literary prizes but didnt impress booklooks.org. Its gone. So is Me, Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews. The shelves are empty where Push, Tricks, and Lucky stood. More than 40 well-used copies of The Kite Runner languish on a cart with warning signs that say cannot be checked out! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Bluest Eye and The Perks of Being A Wallflower are out. The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood imagines America as a puritanical theocracy. Booklooks.org labeled it a four of five. Students should have checked it out when they had the chance because it is no longer part of our high school library. It may not stop there. A shelf of The Kite Runner at the St. Francis High School library; the school board has used a right-wing scoring system to ban books, including Khaled Hosseinis coming-of-age story that along with its followup A Thousand Splendid Suns sold 38 million copies worldwide. Photo courtesy of Ryan Fiereck. According to the district policy, any formal challenges will result in the automatic removal of the Holocaust novel Night by Elie Wiesel because of its religious commentary and references to hate. Native Son wont last. Even the classic World War II novel Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut is on borrowed time. Booklooks.org points to explicit violence, swearing and inflammatory religious commentary and gives it a four. And so it goes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is viewpoint discrimination and a violation of state law and the First Amendment, but theres no enforcement. The state of Minnesota hasnt reacted. After the November elections, the U.S. Department of Education went from filing lawsuits to stop book bans in schools to calling them a hoax. The fact that booklooks.org has announced that it would stop operating at the end of March doesnt change our districts policy. And, a similar site, ratedbooks.org out of Utah, has already announced it take over the booklooks.org archive. So, its up to us: parents, educators, and everyone else who thinks it is wrong for an anonymous website, or even a few loud organizers, to control what students can read in their school libraries. Lawsuits and school board elections are all we have left. But what about books that really are inappropriate? Theres always a chance that an educator makes a mistake when buying a book, or the content of a book isnt as advertised. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement School districts should do what St. Francis almost did: Create a local committee of parents, educators and volunteers to read the books in question, discuss them and make recommendations to the elected school board, which should follow the laws. The process offers transparency and welcomes different viewpoints. Yes, its more time consuming, but local control of schools also comes with local responsibility for policies. We can respond to the expectations of our community without limiting access. Minnesotans cant expect to find solutions by following the agendas of national, anti-public-schools groups. Personally, I agree with our media specialist when she wrote, Each book that is removed is another voice that is being silenced. Our libraries should be filled with the voices of everyone. If you agree, you can get involved. You can call your school board (mine could use a ring.) You can run for office. Its time for Minnesotans to protect our students freedom to read the books they relate to so they become life-long readers, no matter their race or background, faith or ZIP code, LGBTQ+ or not. NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore may need assistance when they emerge from the SpaceX capsule that brought them back to Earth after nine months in space. Dr. Dava Newman, a former NASA deputy administrator, explains on The Hill what will happen as the pair get their bodies acclimated back to gravity. 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. President Donald Trump has been on a collision course with the federal judiciary since he took office in January. In the presidents attempt to reshape the government to his liking, Trumps administration has pursued extreme measures that seemingly contradict existing law: They have impounded federal funds despite being prohibited by both the Constitution and existing law, fired officials against congressional statute, and fired government workers in contravention of civil service laws. In each case, they have come close to violating or been in violation of court orders, although briefly and often with a veneer of plausible deniability. But the administration may have finally collided with the judiciary in its effort, despite a judges orders, to remove and detain a group of Venezuelan immigrants that it claims are gang members and terrorists. The conflict between two coequal branches of government is yet another front in Trumps war on the countrys existing legal and constitutional structures, and raises the question of whether and how the judicial branch could win such a confrontation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This potential crisis emerged after the administration seemingly disobeyed the March 15 order of District of Columbia District Court Judge James Boasberg to halt or return flights rendering the Venezuelan immigrants to a prison in El Salvador. Despite Boasbergs explicit order, none of the flights were stopped or returned to the United States, despite the fact none had arrived in El Salvador at the time his order was given and one flight had not even taken off from Texas. The Trump administration defied a federal judge's court order this past weekend in a case related to the removal of more than 200 alleged gang members to El Salvador. Win McNamee via Getty Images Administration lawyers made numerous claims to argue either that they did not violate Boasbergs order or that his orders have no power to control the executive branchs actions here. They claim that Boasbergs verbal bench order was insufficient; his order had no controlling authority on planes outside U.S. airspace; the detainees had already arrived in El Salvador by the time he released a written order; and the flight that was still in the air contained detainees subject to a different presidential power than the one at issue in the court case. At the same time, Department of Justice lawyers state the court cant even review the presidents actions because he has inherent authority over immigration and deportations. Despite these legal arguments, public statements of top administration officials reveal them to be laughing in Boasbergs face. Secretary of State Marco Rubio retweeted a post by El Salvador President Nayib Bukele responding to Boasbergs order that read: Oopsie Too late, followed by a crying-laughing emoji. Billionaire Elon Musk, a special government employee of the White House, responded to Bukeles tweet with his own crying-laughing emoji. Some have been even more explicit. We are not stopping. I dont care what the judges think. I dont care what the left thinks. Were coming, White House border czar Tom Homan said Monday on Fox News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boasberg responded with a public court hearing Monday during which Justice Department lawyers refused to answer basic questions about the flights or the authority under which the removals were carried out. In a telling moment, the judge uttered one word that has circled these events since Saturday: contempt. While the judicial branch is a vital player in the system of checks and balances, it has more limited tools in its arsenal to compel obedience than other branches of government. Congress can cut off funds to either the executive or judiciary. The president can veto bills from Congress and also wields an army that could crush another branch. The judiciary has neither the power of appropriation nor an army, but it does have the power to hold officials and agencies in contempt of court, which can lead to penalties that fall, broadly, into three main categories: jail, fines or public shaming. But each of these comes with stumbling blocks, as they require either enforcement by an executive branch agency, or officials who can actually feel shame. Boasberg could issue fines to agencies or even order Trump officials to be jailed if he finds that they are in violation of his order. It wouldnt be the first time a Trump official faced such a penalty. In 2019, a judge held then-Education Secretary Betsy DeVos in contempt for failing to obey an order requiring her to stop collecting certain student loan payments, and issued a $100,000 fine against the Department of Education. "We are not stopping. I don't care what the judges think. I don't care what the left thinks. We're coming," White House border czar Tom Homan said Monday. Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images But Trumps second term is playing out differently than his first. He has taken a far more adversarial approach to both Congress and the judiciary while asserting sweeping powers above both that he believes the Supreme Court already granted him. The judiciary, meanwhile, has a long history of declining to play the kind of hardball that Trump is now willing to engage in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DeVos case is one of the extremely few cases where contempt sanctions actually stuck. There have been just 18 cases where a judge pursued contempt sanctions that included fines and just four cases where a judge sought an officials imprisonment for contempt from 1945 to 2017, according to a 2018 paper by Yale Law School professor Nicholas Parrillo. And even those cases where judges issued contempt sanctions including fines or imprisonment were almost universally overturned by higher courts. In only two cases has an official been imprisoned for contempt and, in both cases, only for a matter of hours before the order was overturned. The Trump administration may also be able to undermine any effort at judicial sanctions in numerous ways. Judicial contempt orders, those ordering jail or fines, are enforced by the U.S. Marshals Service, which is housed within the Department of Justice. Having asserted total control over the Justice Department already, Trump could in theory simply order the Marshals Service to not obey the courts order to jail an official or collect a fine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fines imposed on an agency are designed to force compliance by taking the agencies funds and, thus, preventing them from pursuing their policies. Trump could undermine this by ordering any funds be paid from the Judgment Fund, an account controlled by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service for the purposes of paying out settlements against the federal government, as opposed to being paid from an agencys funds. This would remove any coercive power that judicial contempt fines could have on official action. And since Musks so-called Department of Government Efficiency operation has already seized control of the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, Trump would not need to apply much pressure at all to use this fund in the case of contempt fines. That leaves judges with one final power of contempt findings: shame. Most contempt findings in the past have come with no sanctions. They are instead aimed at shaming officials and creating negative publicity. A guard watches inmates sitting on the floor at CECOT, the forced labor prison in El Salvador where detainees were rendered by the Trump administration on Saturday. Salvadoran Government via Getty Images Shaming surely has external consequences, in the sense of threatening the violators reputation, and may also have internal psychological consequences, depending on how much the violator has internalized the communitys norms and the authority of judges to decide when they have been transgressed, Parrillo writes. But what happens when an administration from the president on down has no shame? What happens when the community they seek to maintain good standing in is not professional, but partisan? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Trump has shown repeatedly, deviance is to be rewarded. He has pardoned, promoted, hired and appointed people who helped him try to overturn the 2020 election and those who refused to cooperate with investigations into his efforts to obtain the help of Russia in the 2016 election. Trump has similarly treated any judicial order that goes against him as a personal affront, declaring such rulings as grounds for impeachment of the judge on Tuesday. One GOP congressman introduced an impeachment resolution against Boasberg immediately following Trumps statement. A lack of shame creates immunity from shame-based pressure. The only other options are the imposition of financial sanctions or imprisonment that the judiciary has effectively never had the stomach for. And yet, DOJ lawyers continue to argue in court that they are not violating Boasbergs order. In a Tuesday filing, they said they would provide the information he requested in private. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This solicitousness to the court may suggest that the administration wants to have it both ways. They want to publicly laugh in the judiciarys face while doing the bare minimum to placate judges in private. The administrations public posture of deviance from the courts helps to prepare Trumps allies and supporters if and when a judge actually does hold it in contempt. That event may happen in Boasbergs courtroom or elsewhere. On Tuesday, another federal district court judge issued a preliminary injunction reversing the administrations destruction of the U.S. Agency for International Development. It came with a warning: Violations of this Preliminary Injunction shall subject Defendants and all other persons bound by this Order to all applicable penalties, including contempt of court. It did not include what those penalties may look like. HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) A Hartford man was indicted by a federal grand jury Tuesday on charges of drug distribution and firearm possession. Ramon Luis Guzman, 54, was arrested Monday after the indictment was returned Thursday. Guzman pleaded not guilty, and was detained. New Haven man sentenced to 22 years in prison for gang activity On Sept. 27, 2024, a court-authorized search of Guzmans residence on Haddam Street in Hartford allegedly revealed what authorities called distribution quantities of fentanyl, phencyclidine (PCP), and cocaine, according to the Department of Justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The search also allegedly discovered a Sig Sauer .40 caliber pistol, a Glock 9mm pistol affixed with a laser site, a Springfield Armory .45 caliber pistol and three loaded firearm magazines. Authorities also alleged that Guzman has a criminal history which included state felony convictions in Connecticut for multiple drug offense and a robbery offense. It is a federal crime for a convicted felon to possess a firearm or ammunition that was moved across state or international borders. Guzman is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and quantities of PCP and cocaine, which carries a mandatory minimum term of five years in prison and a maximum of 40 years. Guzman was also charged with one count of possession of firearms and ammunition by a felon, an offense that carries a maximum term of 15 years in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. JERUSALEM, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Israel on Wednesday expressed "sorrow" over the death of a Bulgarian United Nations staff member in strikes on UN guesthouses in Gaza's Deir al-Balah but said an initial investigation found no Israeli involvement in the incident. The United Nations said the staffer, employed by the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS), was killed when two UN facilities were hit. Five other personnel sustained serious injuries. Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein said a preliminary inquiry "found no connection" between Israeli military operations and the strike. "The circumstances of the incident are being investigated," he said, adding that Israel facilitated the evacuation of the victim's body and the wounded from the site. The injured would receive treatment in Israeli hospitals, he said in a post on social media platform X. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack as a violation of international law. "All UN premises' locations are known to parties to the conflict, who are obligated to protect them," a UN spokesperson said in a statement. Guterres extended condolences to the victim's family, noting that the death brought the number of UN staff killed in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023 to at least 280. "These premises were well known by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and they were 'deconflicted'," UNOPS chief Jorge Moreira da Silva said, adding that it was clear UN personnel were inside at the time. "This was not an accident, this was an incident," he told reporters, saying additional information was being gathered. Earlier on Wednesday, the Israeli military denied targeting the compounds. "Contrary to reports, the IDF did not target a UN facility in Deir al-Balah," it said in a statement. The incident occurred as Israel renewed military operations in Gaza, which officials say are aimed at Hamas militants. Gaza health authorities reported more than 400 Palestinian deaths since Tuesday, including at least 170 children and 80 women, after Israel resumed strikes following a weeks-long ceasefire that began on Jan. 19. Israel's military said the operations were intended to "eliminate Hamas threats" and would continue "until strategic objectives are achieved." During a rally for missing and murdered Indigenous people at the Arizona Capitol on March 18, 2025, Jared Marquez (left) from the San Carlos Apache Tribe leaned over and placed a red handprint over young Taylor Martin Suniga's mouth to honor and support MMIP. Photo by Shondiin Silversmith | Arizona Mirror With his left hand covered in red paint, Jared Marquez leaned over and placed it over young Taylor Martin Sunigas mouth, adorning the young child with a red handprint symbolizing honor and support for missing and murdered Indigenous people. He wanted to get the handprint, the six-year-old Taylors grandmother, Bertha Suniga, said. Were here to support all missing and murdered Indigenous people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX More than a dozen people stood in front of Marquez to get a red handprint on their faces during a rally to raise awareness about missing and murdered Indigenous people at the Arizona State Capitol on Tuesday. It doesnt take a huge amount of people to make a difference, said Reva Stewart, the founder of Turtle Island Women Warriors. We are their voice and we will continue to be their voice. Turtle Island Women Warriors is a non-profit supporting and advocating for Indigenous people impacted by the ongoing MMIP and sober living home fraud crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well continue this so were heard, she said, adding that her team organized the rally at the capitol because the state legislatures annual session is still in progress. They heard us, Stewart said. Their presence at the Capitol shows lawmakers and Gov. Katie Hobbs that Indigenous people are not giving up. We do this in prayer, we dont do this out of anger, Stewart said. Theres no reason to do it out of anger, because people have lost their lives. Several people rallied alongside Stewart and her team, holding signs that read Justice for Natives or MMIW. They shouted chants like Justice for Natives and Stolen people, stolen benefits. Jeri Long (left center) and Reva Stewart (right center) hold up signs in honor of missing and murdered Indigenous people during a rally in front of the Arizona Capitol building on March 18, 2024. Photo by Shondiin Silversmith | Arizona Mirror The group walked from nearby Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza, circling the patio in front of the Capitol before marching around the block. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We shall not be silenced, Marquez told the crowd in front of the Capitol building. We stand in solidarity for those that can not be here. After rallying in front of the Capitol, the group marched back to Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza before concluding with a prayer. At the end of the march, Christa Miles of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community stood holding a sign that read, Invisible No More on one side and Justice for all our Native people on the other. She was one of many who attended the rally to honor Emily Pike and all missing and murdered Indigenous peoples. I have three daughters. I am fighting for them, Miles said. What happened to Emily could happen to anyone, she explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emily, a member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, went missing in January. Her remains were found on Feb. 14 outside of Globe, in a remote area off of U.S. Route 60. Rallying at the Capitol with all the others, Miles said it feels like someone will listen because were not just one voice, were many. We cant be ignored, she said, adding that rallying as a community increases their chances of being heard because theyre all fighting for the same thing. An Indigenous woman holds a flag that says, No more stolen sisters #MMIW during a rally in front of the State Capitol on March 18, 2025. Photo by Shondiin Silversmith | Arizona Mirror Stewart said their group hosted the rally to raise awareness and build momentum for MMIP, especially after what happened to Emily Pike. Well use our voices for Emily until she gets justice, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stewart said keeping up the momentum for MMIP is important because Native lives matter. She understands what it feels like to hear from families with missing loved ones. She has helped families create missing person posters and assisted them in contacting various agencies to locate missing relatives. She has also walked the streets looking for people and hung up dozens of missing person flyers, including one for her 15-year-old granddaughter in December 2024. Stewart said her granddaughter ran away from a group home in Phoenix and was missing for two and half weeks before they found her in Maricopa. Shes home with me. Shes safe, she said. I am thankful for my team because we went out every day and looked for her. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Documents relating to Prince Harrys US visa application have been unsealed in court but with heavy redactions over fears he would be exposed to harm and harassment. A US court had ordered the release of the documents based on a freedom of information request by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative US think tank in Washington DC, who alleged that the Duke of Sussex concealed past drug when moving to the US in 2020, which should have disqualified him from obtaining a visa. The claims centre around revelations in Prince Harrys 2023 memoir Spare, in which he wrote about having previously taken cocaine, cannabis and psychedelic mushrooms, in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The foundation argued that Prince Harrys right to privacy was outweighed by an intense public interest in whether he received special treatment during the application process when moving with his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, after they stepped down as senior royals. Application forms for US visas specifically ask about current and past drug use. Admissions of drug use can lead to rejection, although immigration officers have discretion to make a final decision. In the book, Prince Harry wrote that he first tried cocaine at the age of 17. "It wasn't much fun, and it didn't make me particularly happy, as it seemed to make everyone around me, but it did make me feel different, and that was the main goal," he added. He also wrote about using marijuana, saying "cocaine didn't do anything for me", but "marijuana is different, that actually really did help me". The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (Getty Images) In September last year, Judge Carl Nichols ruled in favour of the DHS and said public interest did not outweigh Prince Harrys right to privacy. But in a reversal last week, Judge Nichols ordered the government to file redacted versions of the princes application documents to the court docket by the end of Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the event, very little information was disclosed in the documents which were released. No details have been given as to what Prince Harry put on his immigration form. The documents released are supporting declarations and court transcripts created in the course of Heritage Foundation's case. They run to some 80 pages, with half of them redacted. A chief freedom of information officer within the US Department for Homeland Security (DHS) argues in the documents that releasing Prince Harrys visa documents "would potentially expose the individual to harm from members of the public". The declaration from Jarrod Panter, submitted to the court in April last year, reads: "The USCIS [United States Citizenship and Immigration Services] routinely protects from disclosure the non-immigrant/immigrant status sought by third parties who do not have permission from the beneficiary to receive this information. "To release such information would potentially expose the individual to harm from members of the public who might have a reason to manipulate or harass individuals depending on their status in the United States." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "To release his exact status could subject him to reasonably foreseeable harm in the form of harassment as well as unwanted contact by the media and others," he added. Neither Prince Harry nor The Heritage Foundation could immediately be reached for comment. President Donald Trump said last month he would not deport Harry, Ill leave him alone, he reportedly said. Hes got enough problems with his wife. Shes terrible. If youre looking for job leads in the Orlando area, today could be your lucky day. Grab your resume and put on your professional attire, because Central Florida Employment Connection is hosting a career fair Wednesday. Attendees will have a chance to engage with representatives from dozens of local companies. Healthcare, hospitality, government, construction, law enforcement and customer service are just some of the career fields with open opportunities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A small sampling of the roughly 80 participating companies includes: Walt Disney World Rosen Hotels & Resorts School District of Osceola County Orlando Police Department Orange County Sheriffs Office YMCA of Central Florida U.S. Coast Guard U.S. Army Recruiting Trustco Bank Lake-Sumter State College Orange County Library System Job seekers are encouraged to pre-register, dress for an interview, and bring copies of their resume. The March 19 event runs from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Its happening at Central Florida Fairgrounds Expo Building, located at: 4603 West Colonial Drive, Orlando, Florida 32808 Admission and parking are free. For complete details on Wednesdays CFEC job fair, click here. pic.twitter.com/ygyvXSVAOs Central Florida Employment Connections CFEC (@CFECorg) March 12, 2025 Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. For the record: 11:27 a.m. March 24, 2025: A previous version of this article stated that the cuts could affect 55% of the districts population. It is 55% of the group that relies on Medi-Cal. Hundreds of healthcare workers and others massed in Anaheim Hills on Tuesday, shouting their anger over expected cuts to Medicaid and what they stand to lose. Local resident Cynthia Williams, who was among those protesting outside Republican U.S. Rep. Young Kim's office, said she knew exactly where the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, needed to trim the fat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cut these billionaires; go cut them off, Williams said. Medi-Cal cuts affect real lives, human beings that need care. Constituents and healthcare workers are marching to the office of Rep. Young Kim to protest potential cuts to Medical. #protest #medical pic.twitter.com/be7XOfSebh Andrew J. Campa (@campadrenews) March 18, 2025 The group of about 200 workers, their supporters and constituents of Kim decried potential cuts to Medi-Cal, as Medicaid is known in California, and excoriated President Trump and tech titan Elon Musk, head of DOGE. The administration's budget resolution proposes billions in tax and spending cuts. Although Trump has said he wouldn't support cutting Medicaid, which provides health services for low-income people, the Congressional Budget Office has said it would be impossible to achieve his promised savings without cutting such programs. Around noon on Tuesday, protesters dodged vehicles entering and exiting the business park just off the 91 Freeway. Five workers and residents spoke for about 20 minutes before the group marched to the front of Kims office. There, about 30 protesters, dressed in medical gowns, held up signs with faux bloody handprints and performed a die-in. Fight for Our Health Coalition led the rally, which included representatives from healthcare unions SEIU-UHW and SEIU-2015 and a slew of other healthcare and senior advocacy groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Callie Strock, a representative for Kim, said the congresswoman was appreciative of the work of advocates on healthcare issues. She is committed to protecting and strengthening our healthcare system, including vital Medicaid services for our most vulnerable, and has worked across the aisle to expand access to care for her constituents, Strock said in an email. Kim released a statement on Feb. 26 about the House continuing resolution to avert a partial government shutdown, noting that it provides a framework for fiscal spending and does not make cuts to any specific programs. She added, As this process moves forward, I will continue to make clear that a budget that does not protect vital Medicaid services for the most vulnerable, provide tax relief for small businesses, and address the cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions will not receive my vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: If Trump cuts Medicaid, this California Republican's House seat would be imperiled As with others at Tuesday's protest, the issue was personal for Josephine Rios. The nursing assistant, 55, has worked at Kaiser Permanente Orange County Irvine Medical Center for seven years. She said she was protesting on behalf of her 7-year-old grandson, Elijah, who has cerebral palsy. Rios said her grandson depends on $5,000 worth of medication and therapy a month, including physical, speech and occupational therapy. He also receives injections that help prevent uncontrollable seizures. Shes worried cuts to Medi-Cal will make his medication unaffordable and his life miserable. There are a line of honking cars on Riverview Drive here in Anaheim Hills on the road to the office of Rep. Young Kim. Protestors are warning Kim not to vote for Medical cuts, which they say is devastating to patients and workers. #protest #medical pic.twitter.com/qfGq79tQ2p Andrew J. Campa (@campadrenews) March 18, 2025 Stripping that away from him will make him home-bound, Rios said. Stripping his medication is life-threatening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rios said she felt betrayed by Kim, having voted for the representative in a grueling election that saw the Orange County conservative win her third consecutive term in November . I was her strongest advocate, and I helped elect her into office, Rios said. I convinced friends and family to vote for her. Rios added, If she votes to cut Medi-Cal, Im going to advocate just as strong to get her out of office. As Reuters recently reported, Republican lawmakers are divided on the issue. Some say they wouldn't cut benefits but would overhaul Medicaid. Others believe it should be preserved as the country faces the possibility of recession. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rios' fellow protester Williams said she is a recipient of Medi-Cals In-Home Support Services and is a full-time caregiver for a sister battling post-traumatic stress disorder and for her daughter, Kailee, who is blind. This program is a lifeline for my family, she said. We cant afford these cuts. Williams and her family are among 157,000 residents, or 21% of the population, in Rep. Kim's district reliant on Medi-Cal, according to the California Budget and Policy Center. The public advocacy group posits that cuts could affect 82,000 adults, or 55% of that group. Ian Kamus, a spokesperson for the labor advocacy group OC Action, said Tuesday he understood the need for trimming waste and fraud, but he did not agree with what he saw as the methods of DOGE and the Republican-backed Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Making sure that the government is efficient is a good thing, said Kamus, an Aliso Viejo resident, but theyre just cutting whatever, and they dont really understand how it impacts people. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Georgia lawmakers are considering new legislation that would prohibit the sale of beverages containing THC and limit the THC content in gummies and other products to 0.3 percent. This could literally crush our industry and take us down to our knees, Georgia Hemp Company co-owner Joe Salome told Channel 2s Tom Regan. Salome has a half dozen stores in the metro Atlanta area that sell CBD and hemp products. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, the state enacted a law that banned the sale of smokeable hemp flower and most hemp edibles, except gummies. Now were looking at two more bills that could continue to decrease our product opportunities and revenue, Salome said. Two Georgia Republican senators, including Senator Bill Cowsert of Athens, helped win passage of the law banning THC-infused drinks on the Senate floor, SB 254. This is for public safety. You may hear other people speak on this, but these current ten-milligram beverages are like four shots of liquor, or four glasses of wine, or four beers - all in one can. So we are putting loaded guns in peoples hands in the form of a can, or a gummy. We need to protect them and keep them away from children. We need to make sure people are responsible in the use of these products, Senator Cowsert said. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Salome says people should not consume THC drinks and drive or operate machinery. However, he believes the purported intoxicating effects of a 12-ounce can of the beverage are exaggerated and misleading. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cannabis is a much safer and healthier choice than alcohol. Alcohol is a poison. It messes with your gut. Its a poison and it hurts your body and organs over time, Salome said. The hemp store owner said the industry is not opposed to standards and regulations, but not regulations that are extreme and unnecessary. We are limiting our growth here in Georgia and our business. We need to be open to this and not opposed, Salome said. Both Senate Bill 254 and Senate Bill 33, which would restrict THC potency, are pending in the State House where they could be amended and voted on before the legislative session concludes April 4. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Matthew Wetzel owns LGH Dockside Dispensary in Clearwater Beach. His son was diagnosed with a very rare seizure disorder at just 2 years old. He would just heat up, heat up, heat up, until he would end up [having seizures] and he never did, but he could pass away, Wetzel said. Democrats need to take stronger stance: Floridians voice concerns over DOGE at town hall Doctors told Wetzel his son was going to die. But then he discovered CBD products. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cannabidiol was the only thing that could help him, he said. Now Wetzel sells hemp products to help people just like his son who is now 13 years old. For years, he has been fighting for better regulations. Thats something Polk County Sen. Colleen Burton is also fighting for. We have a tightly regulated medical marijuana market, and we have a heavily unregulated hemp market in Florida today, she said. Burton introduced a bill this week that would limit THC levels in hemp products to 5 milligrams per serving and 50 milligrams per package. It would also ban Delta 8, Delta 10, and synthetic products. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can read the bill in full below. PDF-1Download Delta 8 and Delta 10 are synthetic, Wetzel said. We have no idea. We dont have enough research on how it can react with the body once its consumed, he continued. The bill would also require any place selling hemp-infused drinks to have a liquor license. Charles Bailes is CEO of ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, the largest liquor retailer in Florida. He said hemp-infused beverages are becoming more and more popular. Theyre selling well everywhere in Florida, especially in the Villages, Destin, Fort Myers, Tampa, Orlando, he said. I cannot describe to you what the consumer looks like because they look like you and they look like me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bailes says the best way to resolve the issue of underaged people getting their hands on these THC drinks is to restrict sales to places where you have to be 21 or older to enter. THC beverages are intoxicating and should be restricted and regarded as such, he said. But that is where Wetzel draws the line. You should be able to come to a dispensary and get your cannabis opposed to a liquor store, he said. Were trying to limit that. If youre going to a liquor store, youre combining something thats very deadly, which is alcohol with cannabis, Wetzel continued. 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. Louisiana voters statewide will decide March 29 about four proposed amendments to the Louisiana Constitution. Amendment 3 of the four amendment proposals deals with prosecution of juveniles as adults for felony crimes. Here's what you should know regarding your vote. People vote in booths Tuesday morning at Byrd High School. What would a 'Yes' vote on Amendment 2 do? A yes vote removes the list of 16 crimes for which people under the age of 17 can be charged as adults from the Louisiana Constitution, allowing lawmakers to more easily expand the list of felony offenses in law. What would a 'No' vote on Amendment 2 do? A no vote maintains the limited list of 16 crimes for which people under the ages of 17 can be charged as adults. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Follow Ian Robinson on Twitter @_irobinson and on Facebook at https://bit.ly/3vln0w1. This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: What Louisiana voters should know about Amendment 3 in March 29 election High winds will continue through Tuesday night across parts of New Mexico. Cooler air will also move in through Wednesday. Extremely high winds have caused major problems across New Mexico Tuesday afternoon. High winds and blowing dust created brown-out conditions on some roads and interstates. This caused the closer of multiple highways across the state this afternoon, including multicar pileups from low visibility. Wind gusts have been recorded over 70 mph in some places, with nearly 70 mph wind gusts in Albuquerque where a dust storm went through earlier today as well. Winds are still gusting over 60 mph across the state Tuesday evening. 50 to 65 mph wind gusts will be possible overnight in eastern New Mexico where blowing dust will continue to pose problems. Winds will die down in western New Mexico though. A couple spotty rain and mountain snow showers will move through northern New Mexico, ending before Wednesday morning. Temperatures will be much cooler Wednesday behind a strong cold front. Winds will be breezy to locally windy with some gusts over 40 mph at times. Blowing dust may again be possible in eastern New Mexico Wednesday afternoon. Winds will make it feel cooler Wednesday as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Windier weather returns Thursday, bringing a high fire danger across eastern New Mexico once again with calmer conditions by Friday. A warming trend will also start Thursday with high temperatures back up to around average for this time of year. Breezy to gusty winds start up again Saturday, which will again bring back a high fire danger in eastern New Mexico. Winds relax Sunday as temperatures continue to climb. Some of the warmest weather so far this year will move in next week under a ridge of high pressure. 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. LAKEWOOD, Colo. (KDVR) High wind on Tuesday could mean power outages for people in parts of the Denver metro area and foothills. On Tuesday, Core Electric Cooperative engaged alternate relay settings on its lines in Castle Rock, Bennett and Conifer service areas. FOX31 Weather: View the latest Denver forecasts, maps and radar We reprogram our system so if a tree or an animal were to get into our lines, the line automatically de-energizes and does not automatically reenergize, Amber King, spokesperson for Core Electric Cooperative said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without power running through the lines, they cant create a spark to ignite a wildfire. What that can do is cause some outages because what we then do is have our crews go inspect the line to ensure theres no fire risk before we reenergize, King said. According to King, power outages due to the alternate relay settings happened across their service area on Monday. Tuesday afternoon, an outage impacting more than 1,000 customers was reported. Core sent linemen to inspect the equipment but it was not immediately clear if the outage was due to the wildfire safety setting. Xcel Energy has a similar system to protect against wildfire, called Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When EPSS is activated, power lines are more sensitive and can instantly stop the flow of energy if an object touches the line, Xcel said in a statement. Evacuations lifted, wildfire north of Dry Creek Reservoir 100% contained In cases of extreme wildfire danger, Xcel can proactively turn off the power by employing a Public Safety Power Shutoff. The utility company said it has no plans to employ the PSPS protocol during this weeks weather event. These are some of the hottest, driest, windiest days on record the last couple of days, West Metro Fire Rescue Lieutenant Rhett Blackmer said. Blackmer is part of WMFRs wildland fire response team. He says sparks from power lines are a big concern during red flag conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anything that is small that were going to go to can pretty quickly become a large incident, Blackmer said. WMFRs protocol during periods of increased fire danger is to automatically upgrade all calls for vegetation fires to a large response to ensure there are enough resources on-site to handle a rapidly spreading fire. The specialized brush truck also follows traditional engines on every call. Time is of the essence on a windy day like today, Blackmer said. As the Denver metro area grows and we move further into these wildland-urban interface areas, more and more homes are at risk in wildfire type areas. Denver weather: Pinpoint Weather Alert Day for strong wind, snow chances Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South Metro Fire Rescue employs a similar technique to WMFR. On red flag days, brush trucks follow along on all engine calls until 9 p.m. We do this so that if a vegetation fire breaks out while our responders are not at the station, all resources will be together and ready to respond without unnecessary delay, SMFR spokesperson Tate Owen 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 FOX31 Denver. EDGAR COUNTY, Ill. (WTWO/WAWV) Construction is currently taking place on Highway 40, just outside of Martinsville, Illinois and students at the local high school have said it is causing traffic issues. The construction closed the highway between York Street and Snake Trail Road. It is expected to be under construction for the next several months. The Illinois Department of Transportation has posted a detour utilizing Interstate 70 and encouraging motorists to avoid traveling on local streets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, students at Martinsville High School said the highway traffic, especially semi-trucks, are now driving through town onto West Cumberland Street, which is the only entrance to the school. Finn Pleig, a senior at Martinsville High School, said taking East Snake Road is difficult to navigate, but for many students the road is unavoidable. If youre coming from Casey, they have you go through Snake Trail Road and through Martinsville, Pleig said. Snake Trail Road is pretty windy and has some blind spots. It also floods really easily. I think you should be really careful if you go on that road and if youre from Martinsville, I really recommend to not go on Snake Trail Road. Students said the traffic effects them the most when they are coming and leaving from school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Izzy Phillips, a senior at Martinsville High School, said the combination with daily rush hour traffic has added time to her route. Definitely there has been more traffic before school, but after school, of course, Phillips said. Everybody is getting out of school, off of work, things like that. It is getting a lot busier. Even this morning, there is more traffic as youre trying to turn on to Main Street. It is very different for a place that doesnt always have a lot of traffic going through it. The Illinois Department of Transporation said the project will bring a new driving surface and completed in mid-July. 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 MyWabashValley.com. BRUSSELS, March 19 (Xinhua) -- China provides opportunities for the European Union's (EU) digital development and serves as a partner in upholding the bloc's technological sovereignty, a Chinese diplomat has said. Wang Lei, coordinator for cyber and digital affairs at China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made the remarks at the ninth meeting of the China-EU Cyber Taskforce in Brussels on Tuesday. Representatives from the two sides exchanged views on cyber and digital cooperation as well as global governance. The Chinese delegation emphasized that China and the EU have no clash of fundamental interests or geopolitical conflicts, highlighting their status as partners in mutual success. This strategic perspective, it noted, forms the foundation of its approach to China-EU relations and is crucial for managing cybersecurity and digital development. Both sides should work toward a shared strategic understanding as digital development partners, fostering an open, fair, and cooperative business environment and ambiance for their enterprises while jointly promoting digital innovation, the Chinese delegation stated. This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the EU. China views itself as an opportunity for the EU's digital development and a partner in safeguarding its technological sovereignty. Beijing hopes that the EU, considering its long-term interests, will also become China's partner in digital advancement, the delegation said. Manon Le Blanc, coordinator for cyber issues at the European External Action Service, said the EU is ready to engage with China constructively to expand mutually beneficial cooperation. She noted that the two sides share common interests and objectives in the cyber and digital domains and should work to build mutual trust through candid and open dialogue. By doing so, they can jointly address challenges in cyberspace, uphold a secure, open, and stable digital environment, and contribute to economic and social development. NORFOLK, Neb. (KCAU) Those driving on the highway in Norfolk, Nebraska will need to be aware of some lane closures that could affect travel during the next several months. Starting March 24, a work project will begin on Highway 81 from Eisenhower Avenue to Ta-Ha-Zouka Road and on US 275 from 25th Street to 11th Street. The former stretch is about four miles long, and the latter is about three and a half. Construction to start on Highway 57 in Stanton Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Nebraska Department of Transportation, the project will allow workers with contractor Commonwealth Electric Company of the Midwest of Omaha to upgrade traffic signals. During the project, lanes will be restricted, though traffic will be maintained. There will also be traffic control devices and a 12-foot width restriction. The project is expected to be completed late in the summer. 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. Residents in the Hill District told Channel 11 News that the intersection where an 11-year-old girl was struck by a Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus on Monday is well-known as a dangerous area. Community members are urging local authorities to implement safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The school buses travel down Dinwiddie Street, Devilliers Street, and up Centre Avenue, said longtime resident Carla Jackson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday afternoon, around 3:45 p.m., Channel 11 was on the scene after an 11-year-old girl, a student of Pittsburgh Public Schools, was hit by a bus at the intersection of Centre Avenue and Devilliers Street. According to Pittsburgh Regional Transit, the girl was taken to the hospital and is currently in stable condition, suffering from injuries to her stomach, right arm, and leg. It remains unclear whether speed was a contributing factor. Pittsburgh Regional Transit is conducting an investigation and confirmed that the bus driver is currently off work pending the results of a standard drug and alcohol test. Jackson noted that during rush hour, drivers often speed through the area, using it as a shortcut to avoid highway traffic. Drivers go 10 miles over the speed limit, especially between 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., particularly those who do not live in the neighborhood, she explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the intersection where Centre Avenue, Devilliers Street, and Dinwiddie Street meet, there is a painted crosswalk; however, there are no pedestrian walk signs or assigned crossing guards. That should have been a safe place to cross, especially with a bus involved in the accident, said Leonard Coleman. We reached out to the city to inquire about potential improvements. According to their website, changes are planned to enhance speed and safety at three key intersections: Dinwiddie Street, Kirkpatrick Street, and Reed Street. All three will be redesigned to better accommodate pedestrians, along with upgrades to traffic signals for improved detection of approaching traffic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plans did not specify a timeline for when these changes will take place, nor did they mention the addition of a crossing guard, which also requires city approval. There are too many kids, and with all these different schools, they need to do something different, Jackson emphasized. The bus driver will remain on leave as PRT continues its investigation, while the young girl remains hospitalized. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told an audience in Berlin, Germany, on Tuesday the Trump administration has thrown in its lot with the autocrats. Autocracy is on the march, Clinton said, apparently at the World Forum on the Future of Democracy, Tech and Humankind. And we now have a government in the United States that has thrown in its lot with the autocrats, which has made a choice to support those who wage war, not peace, who have given enormous power to the men who control the information flow in our world, who have all pledged allegiance to the continuation of algorithms that not only addict us, but poison us with hatred and fear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clintons comments seemed to touch on President Trumps alliance with Elon Musk and friendly relations with other tech titans such as Mark Zuckerberg, who attended his inauguration. Musk has become a bogeyman for Democrats, who say his cuts to government are slipshod and putting Americans at risk. His efforts to gut agencies including the U.S. Agency for International Development have been paused in court, and some courts have forced the Trump administration to rehire thousands of terminated government employees. Clintons remarks came on the same day that Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a call, during which Trump extolled the promise of U.S. and Russian economic cooperation. Putin rejected a U.S. proposal for an unconditional ceasefire in the Ukraine war, which Kyiv backed last week. But he agreed to a more limited ceasefire on energy infrastructure, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also endorsed in a call with Trump on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps critics worry he will ultimately pressure Ukraine to accept some of Russias maximalist demands for a peace deal, such as ceding swathes of territory. Clinton lost the 2016 election to Trump, and has remained a frequent target of the Republican leader in the years since. The Hill has reached out to the White House for 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. Correction This story has been corrected to more accurately show information provided by the Hillcrest PTO and Sarah Decker-Paul. Some of the previously written details regarding potential building projects on school property came from additional sources and did not come from the quoted sources in this article. CHIPPEWA FALLS A fundraiser planned for Saturday at the Market on River is looking to help fundraise for a new playground at Hillcrest Elementary School in Chippewa Falls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The current playground that is there right now is really old and falling apart, said Sarah Decker-Paul, a member of the planning committee for Saturdays gala. There are some pieces that are broken and so old that they actually cant buy new pieces or parts to fix it. Looking to replace it, the Hillcrest PTO set a fundraising goal of $200,000 to cover the cost of upgrading and replacing the aging playground. The PTO wrote on their Facebook page, Right now, the playground at Hillcrest Elementary is more than just outdated its unsafe. Over 30 years old, the uneven surfaces, poor drainage, and lack of accessibility make it a daily challenge for our children to simply play. For students with disabilities, the current space is nearly impossible to navigate. Playgrounds should be a place where every child can laugh, run, and grow, but without action, this reality will remain out of reach. An estimated $67,000 has been raised so far, with hopes to collect the remaining $133,000 by May. The PTO has set up a fundraising page at tinyurl.com/7urvtr8e, where people can donate directly to the project. Checks can be made to: Hillcrest Elementary PTO 1200 Miles St. Chippewa Falls, WI 54729. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Furthermore, the upcoming event this Saturday, entitled A Night to Play Building Dreams Together Gala, is an opportunity that they are hoping to help achieve their fundraising goal. The event begins at 6 p.m. on Saturday at 128 W. River St. on the second floor of the Market on River building. The night includes a dinner, a cash bar, raffles, a silent auction and a live auction with prizes, with auction items ranging from local car detailing, furniture and tickets to the sold-out Bob Dylan show at the Sonnentag Center. It is just showing the youth that when you work together on something, you can really achieve great things, said Decker-Paul. And, that community is a great thing and the community really cares. That is what we are hoping for that night. The event has been made possible thanks to the generous support of sponsors, including Market on the River, Chippewa Falls Noon Kiwanis, DJ Kev, Lydias Interiors, Wild Flour Bakery, Shawna Lou Creative, Infinity Beverages, and Hillcrest PTO. Their contributions are helping to create a brighter future for local children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All proceeds from the gala will go toward creating a safe, fun, and engaging playground for our students to enjoy for years to come, a press release about the event states. For more information, sponsorship opportunities, or to donate auction items, contact Hillcrest Principal Doug Dieckman at 715-726-2405, or email cfhillcrestpto@gmail.com. Leader-Telegram Reporter Chris Vetter contributed to this article. Mar. 18Immigration from abroad as well as 800 more births than deaths helped Hillsborough County post a population gain of less than 2% between 2020 and 2024, the second-worst growth in the state, according to a new demographic report. Northernmost Coos County was the only one to see a population decline in that span of time, according to an analysis from the University of New Hampshire. The U.S. Census figures help direct businesses and policymakers on where to find future employees and to plan for needed housing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Positive immigration numbers in Hillsborough County helped offset more people moving out of the county to other states than into the county, which is home to Manchester and Nashua, according to research by Ken Johnson, senior demographer at the Carsey School of Public Policy. "Hillsborough's demographic trends are similar to those in many large metropolitan areas where natural increase and immigration tend to offset a loss of domestic migrants," Johnson wrote in a brief released Tuesday. In a follow-up email, Johnson said immigrants tend to be attracted to larger communities. "Also, many immigrants tend to travel where other members of their group have settled before demographers call it chain migration," Johnson said. "Because the cities of Manchester and Nashua have established immigrant communities, recent immigrants follow in their footsteps. They may already have family or friends who are in the county and can help them get settled." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state's overall population stood at 1,409,032 on July 1, 2024, or 6,800 more than in July 2023, the numbers previously announced. Moe Archambault, principal of Moe Marketing Realty Group in Laconia, said the growing population means more competition for limited housing, especially homes priced under $500,000. "Somebody moving into the state of New Hampshire for a potential job, they may end up having so much trouble finding housing they don't take a job," said Archambault, who has had frustrated clients decline job offers. Migration from other states has fueled all of New Hampshire's population gains since 2020, Johnson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state had 9,200 more deaths than births between 2020 and July 2024, but 40,100 more people moved to the state than left it. This included 10,900 more people who moved here from other countries than left the state for an international destination, according to Johnson. A net of 29,200 more people moved to New Hampshire from other states than left the Granite State. Carroll County, which includes Moultonborough and Conway, recorded the largest percentage population gain, up 5% since 2020. "This county has long attracted recreational and amenity migrants, including many from large urban areas," Johnson said. "This influx accelerated during the pandemic era." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rockingham and Merrimack counties were the next-fastest-growing, gaining 2.6%. Rockingham County, which includes Portsmouth and the Seacoast, had the largest numerical gain of 8,200 new residents. In contrast, Coos lost 165 residents over the same four-year period. The state seeing more deaths than births is not a new trend. "COVID contributed to these widespread natural losses, but annual deaths have exceeded births in the state in each of the last eight years," Johnson wrote. He urged leaders to use the numbers to plan. "Such migration gains accrue both from attracting migrants to the state and retaining more existing residents, highlighting the importance of developing policies that do both," Johnson wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Such policies need to ensure that New Hampshire communities have the plans, resources and infrastructure to support both migrants and existing residents with a quality education system, economic opportunities, affordable housing, access to health and child care, and opportunities to enjoy the state's scenic, environmental and recreational amenities," he said. mcousineau@unionleader.com SCHUYLER COUNTY, N.Y. (WETM) Schuyler Countys Legislature is joining Chemung County leadership in blasting Governor Kathy Hochuls no hire order affecting Corrections Officers fired after a three-week strike. Chemung County sues Governor Hochul over barred correctional officers In a letter written by the legislature and sent to Hochul on Tuesday, March 18, members expressed opposition to Executive Order 47.3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We write to express our strong opposition to your recent Executive Order, which unjustly prohibits Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) employees from being hired by other state, county, or local government workersLeadership means standing up for workers, not abandoning them to serve political expediency. The letter notes that the county is experiencing staffing shortages and sees this order as something that only worsens things for the county. DOCCS: Correction officer strike ends, over 2K fired It is unthinkable and outrageous that, in the same breath that you push for second chances through the Clean Slate Act, you are denying those who have devoted their careers to public service the chance to continue their work and support their families, the letter states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We urge you to reconsider this ill-conceived, arbitrary, and capricious order and immediately reverse your decision. DOCCS will terminate health insurance for AWOL correction officers Chemung County Executive Chris Moss, and County Sheriff Bill Schrom, sued the Governor over her order and asked that a court rule that her order has no bearing on a countys right to hire the people it wants to fill county positions. In this case, many of those positions would be at the Chemung County Jail, which has a staffing storage. Below, see the entire letter sent by the Steuben County Legislature to New York Governor Kathy Hochul 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 WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. SHEEPSHEAD BAY, Brooklyn (PIX11) A Brooklyn lot approved for affordable housing units is instead being used to build a homeless shelter, according to New York City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov. A large crowd protested outside the Coyle Street site on Tuesday, arguing that its too close to nearby schools and day care centers. More Local News Vernikov wrote on X that the City Council voted for housing to be built at the site, not a shelter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is an UNACCEPTABLE bait and switch! she said. The plans were changed with NO input from the community or representatives. Is the New York City government just going to ignore and undermine the wants and needs of the community? Councilwoman Mercedes Narcisse, whose district neighbors Vernikovs, urged neighbors on Facebook to call the mayors office and the Department of Social Services to demand only affordable housing be built in the lot. The mayors office told PIX11 News it sent a letter to Narcisse, informing her that a homeless shelter would be built in the lot back in July 2023. This site will be the first-of-its-kind in the council district and will offer 169 homeless families including school-aged children the support they need to get on their feet and ultimately into permanent housing, Deputy Press Secretary William Fowler said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fowler said that the owner of the lot, not the city, decided to change its plans from affordable housing to a shelter. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State Community Board 15 is scheduled to host a presentation about the Coyle Street shelter next week. The presenters are Westhab a nonprofit that offers affordable housing and wraparound services. A similar protest was held in Borough Park last week, where a homeless shelter that will house 82 families will open up this year. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) At Thursdays Abilene City Council meeting, one topic took center stage homelessness in the Key City. Councilmembers reviewed data on homeless encampment hotspots and discussed potential solutions. One idea was to install No Trespassing, No Camping signs at cleared encampment sites to prevent resettlement. GALLERY: Homeless camp cleanup efforts have cost City of Abilene $100,000 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abilene Police Officer Brad McGary explained the process of clearing encampments to the council. Once that contact is made, we can get trespass affidavits that we keep on file at the PD through dispatch, and then the people that are contacted or then advised that they are now trespassing and can be moved along or arrested in the worst-case scenario, McGary said. One of the things that [a group of community leaders] have talked about is we have to have a better situation in Abilene than just the Salvation Army is our only alternative for people to go. The discussion led to two key questions: What can the city do to help, and how much will it cost? Councilmember Lynn Beard (Place 2) asked nonprofit leaders about coordinating efforts among various organizations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How can we compel these nonprofits that provide all these different myriads of services into a unified solution that produces a measurable result that accomplishes a goal instead of just getting another data-gathering entity? Beard asked. Abilene restaurant owner faces challenges with homeless encampments Courtney Horton, executive director of Hope Haven, shared that while Abilene has been recognized for its efforts to address homelessness, progress has been made without city involvement. As of today, were the only city that doesnt have city presence in our game. What I mean by that is many of these positions are held at the city level or in other comparable communities. Theyre held at the county level, Horton said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both nonprofit leaders and Officer McGary recommended that the council establish a dedicated position to oversee homelessness initiatives. However, council members hesitated due to concerns over funding and how to measure success. Councilmember Brian Yates (Place 4) raised the question of defining progress. What do you say we should measure to know if were being successful? If we have no homeless people in Abilene, is that success? Yates asked. Representatives from the West Texas Homeless Network reported that over the past 12 months, 18 nonprofit partners helped 267 people transition from homelessness into housing, with only 9% having been housed before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The council ultimately directed staff and nonprofit leaders to develop a cohesive plan to present at a future meeting. 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 KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) One man is dead after a shooting in Augusta on Wednesday, March 19. According to the Richmond County Sheriffs Office, officers responded to the 1900 block of Dabney Drive at 11:02 a.m. They then located one adult male victim, who had been shot at least once on the 1800 block of Cooney Circle. He was transported to the hospital for treatment of his injuries. A second male victim, who had been shot at least once while while sitting in a vehicle on the 1900 Block of Dabney Drive, was taken to the hospital by private vehicle and succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. He has been identified as 28-year-old Akki Pauley from Augusta, according to the Richmond County Coroners Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An autopsy is scheduled. RCSO said the investigation is ongoing and 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 WJBF. CHICAGO A homicide investigation is underway after the body of a teenage girl was found at a playground in the citys East Garfield Park neighborhood Monday. Family members have identified the victim as Kaylah Love, 16, a student at Manley Career Academy. They told WGN-TV she was a sweet girl, a bright student, and they are questioning how anyone could do this to her. She didnt deserve this, the victims sister wrote to WGN-TV. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines According to the Chicago police, Kaylahs body was found at Horan Park in the 3000 block of West Van Buren Street around 4:50 p.m. Monday. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Police sources told WGN-TV that the victim suffered severe head trauma and was stabbed in the face and neck close to a dozen times. The Cook County Medical Examiners Office ruled her death a homicide and said she died from multiple injuries related to an assault. No one is in custody, according to CPD. Sources believe the victims body may have been in the park since Sunday. Someone in the area called to report a fight in progress that day, but officers did not find anything when they went by the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Security guard accused in Stone Park nightclub deadly shooting granted pretrial release Students and parents at Manley Career Academy, where Kaylah was a junior, shared their heartbreak over the news. Kaylah, shes nice. She never said nothing to nobody, shes very quiet, Jayneisha Patrick said. Jayneisha said she did not know Kaylah well, but said she was a good student and always came to school happy. She said the news was unexpected and the mood was somber during the school day Wednesday. Im very saddened by the situation, very saddened, Sharon Patrick said. LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At dismissal Wednesday, Sharon spoke with WGN-TV and said Kaylahs death hits too close to home, especially as a parent of three girls. Please speak up for the sake of her parents, for the sake of the community, for the sake of her loved ones. Say something. Give an anonymous tip, just do something, Sharon said. On Wednesday, school administrators sent an email to parents informing them about the loss of one of their own. A copy of the letter obtained by WGN-TV can be viewed below: Dear Parents / Guardians and Community Members: It is with deep sadness that we inform you about a recent loss to our school community. On Wednesday, March 19, 2025, Kaylah Love passed away. Our thoughts are with the Love family during this difficult time. This loss is sure to raise many emotions, concerns, and questions for the entire school, especially our students. The Chicago Public Schools Crisis Management Unit is working with our own counselors, social workers, and psychologists to provide grief counseling and support to students and staff members. We will continue to work closely with this team and our own clinicians will be available for students who need ongoing services. Manley Career Academy Administration Teenage boy shot in head, left to die overnight before being found by police in North Lawndale Anyone with information is asked to contact the CPD Area Four Detectives at 312-746-8251 or dial 911. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cook County Crime Stoppers is planning to offer a reward of up to $10,000 for any information that leads to the arrest of the person or persons responsible. Those with information that could help authorities in their investigation can also leave a tip at CPDtip.com. Tips can be filed anonymously. 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. MOGADISHU, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Somalia on Wednesday welcomed the mediation efforts that have facilitated the meeting between leaders of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda in Doha, the capital of Qatar, on Tuesday. The meeting between DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, mediated by Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, aims to build the trust necessary to resolve the outstanding issues. "The trilateral meeting held in Doha marks an important step toward fostering peace and stability in the eastern DRC and the wider region," the Somalian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the country's capital. The Somalian government commended the commitment of all parties to an immediate and unconditional cease-fire and expressed its full support for these diplomatic efforts, saying it stands in solidarity with the people of the DRC and Rwanda in their pursuit of lasting peace and prosperity. "We extend our appreciation to the State of Qatar for its role in promoting constructive dialogue and mediation to resolve conflicts through peaceful means," the ministry said, adding that the discussions initiated in Doha serve as a crucial foundation for a sustainable resolution to the crisis. The Doha meeting was the first time Kagame and Tshisekedi met since the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels intensified their offensive in the eastern DRC in recent months. The rebel group advanced and seized the strategic city of Goma in January, followed by Bukavu in February. The two leaders called for an "immediate cease-fire" on Tuesday after holding direct talks in Doha, but it was not immediately clear whether the M23 rebels who had canceled the peace talks in Angola would heed the cease-fire call. WHITESTONE, Queens (PIX11) A beloved mechanic in New York City was found dead Monday in the auto shop he helped run for more than 40 years, sources said. The 65-year-old man was found dead inside Mekniko Autoworks on Cross Island Parkway in the Whitestone area of Queens around 3 p.m., according to the NYPD. More Local News The auto shop owner had cuts on his neck and arm, sources said. How he died is still under investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sources said the man was found by his brother, who he ran the auto shop with for decades. Longtime customers said the 65-year-old, whose identity has not been officially released, was a family man who was trusted in the community and a person they could rely on. You couldnt ask for a better person to fix your car. Honest, honest person really, one customer said. Just a nice guy. I cant believe this happened to him. The New York City medical examiner is working to determine the mans cause of death. Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. HONOLULU (KHON2) The Honolulu Fire Departments 117th Fire Fighter Recruit Class graduated on the morning of March 14 at the Hawaii Okinawa Centers Legacy Ballroom. The class is made up of 37 members, including two who will be joining the states Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting unit. Pest removal turns into house fire on Big Island The new firefighters began their training back in July 2024, where they trained with instructors from around HFD and third-party evaluators. The graduates totaled 1,328 hours of training over a span of 36 weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All 37 graduates are now certified to handle hazardous materials, conduct basic operation and driving skills, and are certified to the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. Four special awards were given at the ceremony, such as the Superior Performance in Drills award, the Most Inspirational award and 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 KHON2. AUSTIN (KXAN) The Honorable Wilhelmina Delco. Youve probably seen her name driving around Austin. The Delco Activity Center, the Wilhelmina Delco Elementary School and Wilhelmina Delco Drive are all a testament to her years-long dedication to education and public service in Central Texas. But to understand her rich legacy, lets go back to Chicago, Illinois, in 1929. Her mother was one of the first probation officers in the country. Her father was a court deputy and a political organizer, explained her daughter, Loretta Edelen. Edelen fondly remembers her mothers childhood which was perhaps a foreshadowing of her work as a community and state leader. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was very active then, school body president her senior year and salutatorian. She was very outspoken and very active at her school and decided to go to Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, where she met a love for life, Edelen said. Exalton Alfonso Delco, Jr. & Wilhelmina Delco. Courtesy: Dept. of Integrative Biology at UT Austin. The Delco family eventually ended up in Austin, where Wilhelmina Delco became the head of the PTA at her childrens school. That became the genesis of her political career in Central Texas when she ran for the Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees. Back in 2019, Delco told KXAN the reason she ran was because her PTA was charged every time they had a fundraiser and she questioned who made that decision. When she learned it was the school board, she decided to run for a seat. She was elected and became the first African American elected to the school board two days after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. When he was assassinated for just being himself, I think a lot of people particularly in Austin said, Im not like that and heres an opportunity to show, Im not like that,' Delco said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her work on the school board revealed even more barriers in education. When she asked the question why are we so restricted at the school district level with respect to what we can do? The answer was, the legislature is the reason why. And so she did her research and found out that, oh well, maybe I need to go that route, Edelen said. Wilhelmina Delco pictured with fellow Austin Independent School District trustees Delco won a seat in the Texas House of Representatives in 1974, becoming the first African American official elected at large from Travis County. She worked on more than 20 committees, served 10 terms in the state legislature and was appointed to serve as speaker pro tempore the first woman to do so. While her political career ascended, she maintained her continued focus on education. She was involved in No Pass, No Play because, again, the focus is education, and if youre not in your books, if youre not doing what you need to do in the classroom, you dont need to be celebrated outside of the classroom, Edelen explained. She also showed in her leadership in higher education with challenging the constitutionality of the use of the Permanent University Fund. At the time it was shared between the University of Texas and Texas A&M University and Prairie View as a land grant institution, got the leftovers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Delco had a constant reminder of who she worked for hanging in her office. She had a picture in her office of a young Black male in a black velvet background with a tear coming out of his eye to keep her grounded in what drove her, in terms of who she serves, Edelen recalled. Delco was also on the founding Board of Trustees of Austin Community College, served on Huston Tillotsons board as it transitioned from a college to a university. She also held several leadership positions in local, state and national organizations. KXAN caught up with her a few years ago at the school named in her honor and heard the advice she would give future voters and current lawmakers. Dont let anyone else speak for you. If theres a meeting going on at the school board, city council, the state legislaturethe people you elected are to not only know who you are, they need to be responsive to you, Delco said. You should not only represent that constituency, you need to report to that constituency so that they know what you are doing is important to them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After years as a public servant, her daughter said Delco remains active. A little over 10 years ago, around the age of 79, she learned how to swim. Part of that chronicled in a magazine recognizing her for becoming Austinite of the Year, which is awarded by the Austin Chamber of Commerce. Women leaders across the country credit her for paving the way for their success in politics and leadership. When asked if she realizes the impact she is making on future generations her daughter said, I dont think thats center in her mind. She lives in the presentcontinuously staying active and flunking retirement. 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. CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) Calling all amphibian enthusiasts! FrogWatch USA a nationwide program which tracks the health of frog and toad populations is seeking volunteers in Champaign County. The Champaign County Forest Preserves and the University of Illinois Extension will provide training for the program on March 26 from 1-5 p.m. at the Illinois Extension Auditorium, located at 801 N. Country Fair Dr. in Champaign. You can also join virtually by contacting Karla Griesbaum at kherzma2@illinois.edu. Illinois Ag Trade Day declared to celebrate farmers, raise awareness Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more than 10 years, FrogWatch USA has trained citizens to monitor amphibian populations and gather data that tracks the health of wetlands and creatures living there. Organizers said this is an opportunity to get involved in local conservation while learning more about these animals. Frogs and toads are important in controlling insect populations, some of which can be harmful to humans. However, they are also sensitive to changes in the environment and have recently seen population declines due to habitat loss, pollution and climate change. By understanding the causes behind the declines, it may be possible to protect the animals and their ecosystems. Unfortunately, many frog and toad populations have experienced dramatic declines due to habitat loss, pollution, and climate change. Understanding the causes behind these declines is critical to help protect these important animals and their ecosystems, according to the U of I Extension. Bill protecting Mahomet Aquifer from carbon sequestration passes House committee Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Extension added that you dont need to be an amphibian expert to participate. But, volunteers should be willing to learn, commit to identifying distinctive calls, and have the time to visit local wetlands on several nights throughout the year. This program offers a unique opportunity for anyone to make a meaningful contribution to environmental science, Karla Griesbaum, University of Illinois Extension Educator, said. By volunteering, you become a part of a nationwide effort to track frog and toad populations and protect these incredible creatures. No expertise is requiredjust curiosity and a willingness to learn. To register for FrogWatch USA, or to learn more about the program, 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 WCIA.com. PRICEVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) A manhunt has led to the arrest of an attempted murder suspect on Wednesday. Priceville Police said that Dylan Blake Worley, 30, of New Hope, fled from a traffic stop in the area of Highway 67 and Marsha Avenue this morning. Authorities told News 19 that Worley had an active probation violation / attempted murder warrant out of Madison County. Worley is also facing additional charges of attempting to elude a police officer and resisting arrest with the Priceville Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also has a hold placed on him by the Madison County Sheriffs Office. The Somerville Police Department, Falkville Police Department, Morgan County Sheriffs Office, Morgan County 911, and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency all assisted during the incident. (Courtesy: Priceville Police Department) 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. Protestors gather to demand freedom and due process for Fabian Schmidt a German-born New Hampshire man being held at the Wyatt Detention Facility in Central Falls on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Left foreground, Zack Mezera of Working Families Party speaks to the crowd with Fr. Jarrett Kerbel of Saint Lukes in East Greenwich at bottom right. (Photo by Michael Salerno/Rhode Island Current) Imagine being detained for days in a federal prison facility without knowing why. Thats what is happening to Fabian Schmidt. And its happening in Rhode Island. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once again, a detention facility in the smallest city in the smallest state is involved in a federal immigration enforcement nightmare. And, once again, we have a moment for all Rhode Islanders to ask what kind of government activity we want in our backyard. Schmidt, a German-born, U.S. permanent resident who lives in Nashua, New Hampshire, was stopped at Bostons Logan Airport on March 7 upon returning from a vacation in Europe. His mother told WGBH that, at the airport, her son was stripped naked by agents and placed in a cold shower. He was also placed on a mat in a bright room, given little water or food, and denied access to mental health medication. He collapsed and was taken to a local hospital. U.S. Customs and Border Patrol disputes this account. These claims are blatantly false with respect to CBP, said Assistant Commissioner of Public Affairs Hilton Beckham Tuesday in a statement. When an individual is found with drug related charges and tries to reenter the country, officers will take proper action. U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has declined requests for comment about the case from multiple news organizations, including Rhode Island Current. Schmidt had a prior marijuana-related misdemeanor from California that his lawyer, David Keller, says had been resolved. What law Schmidt may have violated to prompt his arrest and detention remains unclear. Neither he nor his lawyer have been informed of any charges, Keller told reporters, including journalist Steve Ahlquist, at a protest outside the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility in Central Falls Tuesday night. Schmidt was transported to Wyatt after his arrest at Logan, and remains detained there more than a week later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its seriously a horrible, horrible thing that hes being held here, Keller said. Protestors gathered outside the facility to express their outrage over Schmidts treatment and the broader actions of ICE under President Donald Trump. But this moment also refocuses attention on the future of Wyatt itself. The facility opened in 1993, when the cash-strapped former manufacturing city needed money, and a private prison was seen as a solution. Ensuing years did indeed bring a windfall: Between 1994 and 2009, Central Falls received millions in host fees. They also brought scandal. Wyatt has faced lawsuits alleging malicious and sadistic treatment of detainees and a lack of treatment for prisoners in withdrawal from opiates. In 2019, a guard who worked at Wyatt drove a truck into a crowd of protestors at the prisons gate. A few years later, the facilitys warden resigned after facing charges of multiple felonies for domestic abuse. The most notorious incident occurred in 2008, when 34-year immigration detainee Hiu Lui Jason Ng died from illnesses and injuries that were neglected (and actively exacerbated) at the facility. Ngs death prompted a lawsuit from the Rhode Island ACLU and a multimillion dollar settlement. In the aftermath, ICE pulled detainees from Wyatt but it resumed housing them there during President Donald Trumps first term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once again, we have a moment for all Rhode Islanders to ask what kind of government activity we want in our backyard. Now that Trump is back in office, Wyatt remains in heavy use by ICE. At one point last month, the facility reportedly held more than 100 ICE detainees. And so we have an unrestrained federal approach to immigration being used at, among other places, a Rhode Island facility with an abysmal track record. The situation is dangerous and it demands swift action. In the short term, first, we can ask our federal delegation to demand that the Wyatt (and all federal detention facilities) abide by basic principles of humane treatment, including the Bill of Rights prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment. We can ask the same of the facilitys five-member, publicly appointed board of directors. And given the recent track record of ICE, and Director Tom Homans statement that I dont care what the judges think, Rhode Islanders ought to demand another pause on ICE detention at Wyatt. We know from past experience that the stakes are life and death. The only way to ensure an end to Wyatts cruelty and dysfunction would be to shut it down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The arguments for this are especially compelling. The people of Central Falls dont like it. In 2019, a survey of city residents found that 98% of respondents had negative feelings about the facility. That same year, the citys then-Mayor James Diossa, now general treasurer, called the Wyatt a massive brick and barbed wire monument to out-of-control capitalism, corporate greed, and social injustice and called for its closure. In the years since, lawmakers from Central Falls have repeatedly introduced legislation that would shut the facility down. The facility is a moral stain on our state. The concept of a privately-run prison facility with a profit motive was objectionable from the start. And these perverse incentives were aptly, if grotesquely, summarized in 2009, when, in the wake of Ngs death, the jails chairman told the Providence Journal, Frankly, Im looking at it like Im running a Motel 6 I dont care if its Guantanamo Bay. We want to fill the beds. (He was fired shortly thereafter.) A lengthy 2008 New York Times article captured the moral costs of the facility, which persist and are likely to get worse during Trump 2.0. The financial justifications for Wyatt no longer apply. Following the removal of ICE detainees after Ngs death, impact payments to Central Falls from the facility have been sporadic. When discussing the financial relationship between Wyatt and Central Falls, former mayor Lee Matthews has said the city was sold a bill of goods. In 2019, Diossa said from 2010 to 2014, the city received zero payments from the Wyatt. Lately its been bondholders, rather than local citizens, who are fighting hardest to keep Wyatt operational. And then there is the fact it could be something so much better. The federal criminal justice system could adapt to Wyatts closure. The upside for Central Falls could be massive. Central Falls is famously small, with an area of less than 1.3 square miles, and the Wyatt occupies a 3-acre space large enough to house 770 detainees near the Blackstone River. Instead of a prison, this could be a great site for affordable housing in a state that desperately needs it. Or, in light of Central Fallss dearth of green space, a park for picnics, concerts, and food trucks. Or even a performing arts venue in honor of the Oscar-winning Central Falls native Viola Davis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For now, it remains the setting of the detention of Fabian Schmidt and countless others who, as Rhode Island Sen. Jonathan Acosta, a Central Falls Democrat, said in 2021, are being treated as though they are among the worst of our criminals, when their only crime is their desire to become Americans. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) Wind-driven devices like the popular Shibumi Shade wont be allowed on Horry Countys 14-mile beachfront even on a trial basis after council members shot down the proposal Tuesday evening. Obviously, these people have never seen our beaches in the summer, Councilman Bill Howard said. You cant walk on them. We have 20 million-plus tourists coming to Myrtle Beach every year. I just cant see this happening, and I know that our public safety is concerned about it. Since its 2016 launch, Shibumi Shade has emerged as the industrys leading manufacturer of wind-shaded devices, popping up on more than 800 beaches across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Co-founder Dane Barnes said only six or seven beaches prohibit them, and three are on the Grand Strand: In addition to Horry Countys year-round ban, Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach bar them during the busiest three months of summer. Surfside Beach permits them. Barnes told council members that 2,000 Horry County residents have purchased his companys products. Right here in Horry County, allowing Shibumis would actually improve beach space. One Shibumi can replace several umbrellas, reducing clutter and making the beach feel more open, he said. He spoke to News13 and said he was not pleased that the county council voted down both options that were on the table. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But really, my impression of this meeting was that this was the good old boys network of friends, helping friends and keeping Shibumi out and keeping the free enterprise of a safer solution off of Horry County beaches, which is so unfortunate, Barnes said. County officials began discussing the issue in 2023, but it never gained traction due in part to concerns by law enforcement about visibility and overcrowding. Weslyn Lack-Chickering, whose Lacks Beach Service contracts with Myrtle Beach to provide lifeguard services in exchange for renting out umbrellas, said adding Shibumis to the mix during peak tourism season would be crippling. By allowing wind-driven devices during the summer months, were looking at a compliance nightmare, she said. My staff is going to have to explain why one tent is OK and why another tent is not. I know that my staff will be cursed and threatened daily. Lacks truly will not be able to handle this ordinance change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most dramatic exchange during Tuesdays meeting came when council members Dennis DiSabato and Michael Masciarelli clashed over their stance on the issue. DiSabato said he supported a one-year trial for Shibumis, which led Masciarelli to question how the item appeared on the councils agenda at all after being rejected by its two subcommittees. I guess my big question is, sure, this shade isnt going to slap somebody in the face and kill them, but when a lifeguard or somebody cant hear a child hollering for help that theyre drowning, or a parent cant get to their child, whos going to apologize for that death, Masciarelli said. Somebody on the council who pushed this for political reasons, campaign donations, whatever the case might be? That is absolutely out of line, Mikey, DiSabato said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course, open your mouth and confirm, Masciarelli shot back. He should be censured, DiSabato said. DiSabato later apologized. I take my reputation very seriously, and when one of my colleagues up here decides to impugn that by suggesting that votes are purchased, I get very irate, DiSabato said. State campaign finance records show that DiSabato has not received any contributions from Shibumi Shade or other wind-driven device companies. * * * Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * * * Adrianna Lawrence is a multimedia journalist at News13. Adrianna is originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia, and joined the News13 team in June 2023 after graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University in May 2023. Keep up with Adrianna on Instagram, Facebook, and X, formerly Twitter. You can also 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. HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) An Horry County nursing home employee allegedly stole pain medication meant for patients at the facility, according to arrest warrants News13 obtained by the South Carolina Department of Public Health. Erin Christine Homan, 34, allegedly stole tramadol and oxycodone in October while she was working as a licensed practical nurse at the Angel Oak Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on Socastee Boulevard. The warrants do not specify the amounts of the drugs taken. Homan was arrested on Tuesday and charged with two counts of theft of controlled substances and two counts of exploitation of a vulnerable adult, according to online records for the J. Reuben Long Detention Center. She was being held Wednesday on bonds totaling $4,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The warrants said Homan took possession of the drugs with the intent to deprive patient [redacted] in a manner other than authorized. * * * 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. 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. Rep. Jennifer Fidler, R-Silverhill, speaks with Rep. Steve Clouse, R-Ozark, on the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives on Feb. 12, 2025 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. HB 297, sponsored by Fidler, passed the House Ways and Means Education Committee along party lines on March 19, 2025.(Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) A bill that would tax international cash wire transfers from Alabama out of the United States passed the House Ways and Means Education Committee along party lines on Wednesday morning. HB 297, sponsored by Rep. Jennifer Fidler, R-Silverhill, would impose a 4% fee on international transfers, often used by immigrants to support family overseas. The bill does not affect banks that transfer money overseas, only individuals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The expected revenue is no less than $10 million, so think about how much wealth was actually leaving our state, she said. Not thats just leaving, but if you are a citizen who pays taxes in the state, youll be able to get credit on your taxes. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX According to the legislations fiscal note, 38% of the fee will go to Sheriffs Immigration Enforcement and Detainer Fund and 62% will go to the Immigration Assimilation Resources Fund. Those percentages are further divided to agencies in the county where the wire transfer originates. 1.5% goes to the Office of Prosecution Services to be distributed throughout the sheriffs to help with the illegal immigration issues and the burdens that migrant influxes create in communities, Filder said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law would expire in 2029, which Fidler said would allow officials to evaluate its effectiveness and how much money it will actually bring to the state. All four Democrats on the committee voted against the bill. Rep. Barbara Drummond, D-Mobile, said she is concerned about the unintended consequences for small businesses. Its not so much where the money will go. I am looking at the unintended consequences to our small businesses and to others, she said. Drummond also pointed out that people sending money out of the country could just leave the state, send the money, and come back without being taxed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also our neighboring states are not doing this, she said. So what is going to prevent those individuals from going to those states? Money will still be going out of the state. Sen. April Weaver, R-Alabaster, filed a version of the legislation earlier this year that would have imposed a $7.50 fee on money sent overseas and a 1.5% fee on transfers over $500. The bill was held after senators noted that revenue bills must start in the Alabama House. The bill now goes to the full House. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE AMMAN, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Germany on Wednesday delivered 32 trucks to the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization (JHCO) to join its convoy for aid delivery to Gaza. JHCO Secretary-General Hussein Shibli thanked Germany for its continued support, emphasizing the importance of international solidarity in delivering aid to those in urgent need. The German Embassy in Jordan, at the handover ceremony, said the Jordanian humanitarian corridor is a "lifeline" for Gaza and its residents, who are in dire need of assistance. Due to its strategic geographical position, Jordan has been playing a key role in facilitating the flow of aid into the besieged enclave. Additionally, the Jordan Armed Forces' Royal Medical Services Directorate received the seventh batch of German medical aid, including treatments and equipment. German Ambassador Bertram von Moltke said Germany has supplied Jordanian field hospitals in Gaza with approximately 16 tonnes of medical supplies since 2023. Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, speaks during a committee meeting during a special session, Friday, July 21, 2023 in Montgomery, Alabama. The House Judiciary Committee Wednesday approved a bill sponsored by England to allow judges to issue a percentage bond for those in pretrial detention. (Stew Milne for Alabama Reflector)) An Alabama House Committee approved legislation Wednesday allowing a defendant to be released from pretrial detention by paying a percentage of a bond. HB 42, sponsored by Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, allows defendants to pay the court a portion of the total bond amount that is posted instead of paying a bail bond company to remain free while court proceedings move forward. In the event the individual does not appear in court, the court then keeps the bail money to be applied to restitution and other court costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill leaves the current statute largely intact but for one section that allows people who have been charged with a crime to pay a part of the total bail amount. It officially allows a judge to assign a percentage bond on a case for cash, England told members of the committee. It has been something that has been done for years. In a bill that was passed a few years ago, it was taken out. The charges are generally from lower-level offenses or misdemeanors, which could stem from disorderly conduct because of alcohol consumption at a sporting event, for example. The bill first appeared in committee last month. At a public hearing in February, Victor Howard, a Madison County bail bond company owner and vice president of the Alabama Bail Bond Association, said the legislation decreases a defendants responsibility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also referred to a report that he did not name from California that suggested that the failure to appear rate for who were released on a zero bail, meaning people who were released pretrial without having to pay any bail versus using a bail bond company, 72% in their state. Researchers who studied the issue of bail and its impact on recidivism unanimously rejected Howards claim. My understanding is that Alabama has a bail bond system that is pretty vigorous, said Shawn Bushway, a professor of public administration and policy at the University at Albany. If you think about the bail bond system, most people are already doing a percentage of the amount because they give the bail bondsman something in the order of 10% typically. Englands bill comes just as other states are beginning to implement more reforms to the cash bail system, according to a report released this month by the Bail Project, a national nonprofit that advocates for reforms to the bail system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are a lot of public statements saying that bail reform is problematic, said Jeremy Cherson, director of communications and publications for the Bail Project. The findings in the report show that different states and jurisdictions across the country have made moderate and meaningful improvements to their pretrial systems that minimize, or eliminate, the use of cash bail with positive effects. Republicans who have at times vehemently opposed Englands proposals, supported the legislation. Rep. Bryan Brinyark, R-Windham Springs, who has experience working as a judge, said it would save municipalities and counties the cost of incarcerating those who committed misdemeanors and lower-level felonies. I might let them sit for two or three days and see if an aunt is going to come up with some of the money to get him out, he said. But if they have been in there for two or three days, and it is for something that is not serious, misdemeanor in city court, I am going to let them out because it is costing the city money. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A normally even-keeled Democratic congressman wants Chuck Schumer to feel the heat. If the Senate minority leader doesn't adopt a tougher line in the next big Washington negotiation, Rep. Glenn Ivey said, maybe he needs to go. Ivey spoke to POLITICO Wednesday morning, hours after facing a raucous town hall in his suburban Washington district, where he first suggested that Schumer should consider stepping aside. Ivey expanded on his view of the top Senate Democrat and delivered an ultimatum amid the widespread frustration with the party leaderships approach to opposing President Donald Trump. If he can get himself together and come you know, get right on this vote and we get another shot at it, okay, Ivey said. But if hes going to do the same thing again when this bill comes up six months from now, we cant afford that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ivey, a second-term Congress and member of the House Appropriations Committee, expressed confidence in his own caucus leader, New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, who was able to persuade all but one Democrat in the House to vote against a Republican-drafted spending bill. But Ivey said the fissures that were exposed when the two Democratic leaders took separate approaches to measure were unacceptable and cant happen again. Weve got a limited number of shots at being able to fight back against the Trump administration and what theyre doing, Ivey continued. We cant afford to miss the moment again. Hakeem met the moment last week, he added. Schumer missed it.During Iveys town hall Tuesday inside a crowded high school auditorium, he faced a series of pointed questions about Democrats ability to push back on the Trump administration, as well as his own ability to fight for his constituents many of whom identified themselves as federal workers or contractors impacted by the Trump administration's mass firings and tech billionaire Elon Musk's efforts to slash government spending. They also lobbed broader questions over why the party doesn't have a clear strategy. A few jeered when Ivey repeatedly pointed to the midterm elections next year as the partys best opportunity to constrain Trump. This enraged some in the crowd, with some heading for the exits before the town hall officially wrapped, telling this reporter on the way out the door that they weren't hearing enough. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ivey pushed back on those characterizations, which rankled many in the audience. The congressman, whose district includes much of majority-Black Prince Georges County, said he understood the frustration from constituents, but reiterated there are few levers for Democrats to pull while they are in the House minority. And Ivey isn't the only House Democrat getting questions about whether he continues to back Schumer. Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.) nodded and said "yes" when constituents asked Tuesday at a town hall whether he should "retire or step down," Axios reported. During the interview, he praised several House Democrats for taking the lead in standing up to Trump and pushing party leaders to fight hard. They included Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, as well as Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia, the top Oversight Committee Democrat, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York. Ivey admitted these elected officials dont always exhibit the type of fire and brimstone kind of stuff some in the Democratic base want to see. "Everybody doesn't have to do the same temperament, everybody doesn't have to do the same messaging," he said, "as long as they're doing what they need to do to win their seats." House Democrats on the Homeland Security Committee are asking the Government Accountability Office (GAO) for an accounting of the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) impact at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Since hijacking the U.S. Digital Service to establish DOGE, Elon Musks unqualified staff have fanned out across the Federal government. They have embedded themselves within departments and agencies, including DHS, to seize sensitive data, purge civil servants, and gut programs with no regard to the critical services they provide everyday Americans, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) wrote in the lawmakers letter, which was also signed by Democratic Reps Eric Swalwell (Calif.), Seth Magaziner (R.I.), Shri Thanedar (Mich.), LaMonica McIver (N.J.), Lou Correa (Calif.) and Timothy Kennedy (N.Y.). The lawmakers seek to ascertain the total number of DHS employees who departed as a result of DOGE, whether through a buyout ignited by DOGE leader Musk or a separate demand from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to fire probationary employees hired within the last year or two. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter asks the GAO to assess the legality of any guidance provided to DHS by DOGE on which probationary employees to fire. It also asks for a breakdown of the data on terminations for each agency within DHS and the resulting impact on the Departments ability to conduct its mission. Homeland Security previously fired at least 400 people across the agency. The letter also asks the GAO to review the controversial weekend emails from Musk demanding that federal employees send five bullet notes to recap their weeks. The lawmakers ask the GAO to determine who within DHS reviews the emails and whether anyone beyond DHS has looked at the responses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They also raise questions about the extent DOGE staff had access to DHS systems asking for any data exfiltrated from DHS information systems to non-DHS information systems, determine the purpose for which the data were exfiltrated, and assess whether DOGE utilized appropriate controls to secure the data. 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. NEW YORK (PIX11) House Democrats across New York and the nation held a Medicaid Day of Action on Tuesday. They are pushing back against Republican plans for deep cuts to a program that provides health care to 70 million low-income Americans. More Local News Speaking at a rally at the Brooklyn Hospital Center, U.S. Rep. Nydia Velazquez said up to $880 billion could potentially be axed from Medicaid to primarily pay for Republican tax cuts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Medicaid helps pay for the health care of 1 in 5 Americans. So-called safety net providers like the Brooklyn Hospital Center say 50% of its patients rely on Medicaid. They say staff cuts and access to critical care are at stake if deep cuts are made. 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. Del. Kathie Hess Crouse, R-Putnam, speaks on the House floor March 19, 2025, in support of a bill that would permit motorcyclists to stand while operating their vehicle. (West Virginia Legislative Photography) Motorcyclists would be able to stand up while operating their vehicle, according to a bill that passed the House of Delegates Wednesday. Del. Chris Phillips, R-Barbour This is a freedom from leg cramps bill, said Del. Chris Phillips, R-Barbour, a co-sponsor of the legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Bill 2752 would allow riders to operate a motorcycle or moped while standing as long as the rider is facing forward with their feet on the pedals. It is currently banned under state law. According to Phillips, citations have been issued for motorcyclists who werent seated while driving. The bill passed the House 80-17, but not before Del. Shawn Fluharty, D-Ohio, criticized the GOP supermajority for what he said was another unnecessary piece of legislation this session. Another hard hitting piece of legislation here in the House of Delegates, Fluharty said. If we lined up all the bills that did nothing for the state of West Virginia, Evel Knievel would struggle himself to make it over it. This is insane. Vroom, vroom, West Virginia! Today we had a super important bill about standing up on a motorcycle. Hard hitting stuff. pic.twitter.com/4Jk3GJODpR Shawn Fluharty (@WVUFLU) March 19, 2025 Bill sponsor Del. Kathie Hess Crouse, R-Putnam, said standing up would help motorcyclists with enhanced visibility, better balance and additional shock absorption on rough terrain. Motorcyclists are instructed to stand up in certain situations as part of their required instruction to obtain a motorcycle license, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This isnt the ability to do tricks or anything, she said. This bill is necessary. We are seeking to match up our state law with what is given in the courses that everyone has to take. House members engaged in a lengthy debate Tuesday about a proposed bill amendment that would have also removed the helmet requirement for motorcyclists over age 21. Current state law requires all motorcyclists to wear protective headgear, regardless of age. Several lawmakers in support of the amendment said it was a freedom issue. Del. Dave Foggin, R-Wood, sponsored the amendment, saying, Its about the personal choice for an adult to wear a helmet when theyre riding a motorcycle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other lawmakers said that the current law hurt the states tourism industry since Ohio and Kentucky do not have a motorcycle helmet requirement. The House rejected the amendment after hearing concerns from some lawmakers about rider safety. It saves lives, said Del. John Paul Hott, R-Grant. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A frequent visitor to the Treasure State takes a break from a raft float on a popular stretch of the Blackfoot River. (Keila Szpaller/The Daily Montanan) Rep. David Bedey was born and raised in Hamilton, and he used to fish the Bitterroot River, but its so busy he doesnt anymore. Now I go to the Clark Fork or somewhere else where I dont have to play bumper cars with folks, said Bedey, a Hamilton Republican. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bedey made the comments Wednesday in the House Appropriations Committee in support of river use data that would be collected through House Bill 762, sponsored by Rep. Joshua Seckinger, D-Bozeman. The river census bill, which preliminarily passed 67-32 in the House one day earlier, would require Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to produce a report of all watercraft on 16 river stretches in the summer totaling 966 miles in the state. A pup and his biologist friend watch for waterfowl on the Blackfoot River. (Keila Szpaller/The Daily Montanan) On the House floor Tuesday, Seckinger, a fishing guide, said waterways are busier than ever, and attempts have been made to regulate the fishing and guiding industry in Montana, but without data. HB 762 will count everything that floats rafts, kayaks, drift boats, inflatable flamingos, canoes and tubes and categorize them by type, Seckinger said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the report will divide the data into private or commercial use, and it will distinguish between fishing or general recreation. Seckinger told the committee the guiding and outfitting industry brings in half a billion dollars a year in direct revenue, not counting associated costs such as hotel and gas. If people want to restrict those businesses, he said, they should have evidence about the source of the impacts, not just anecdotes. If we want to regulate the guiding and outfitting industry, lets get some data, Seckinger said. The bills most recent fiscal note indicates an estimated cost of $2.7 million for the biennium, including a 15% contingency, although it doesnt account for an amendment to the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, money would not come out of the general fund, but from FWPs state parks account, which is funded through vehicle and camping fees and marijuana tax revenue, an FWP official told the Appropriations Committee. This would just come out of our cash fund balance. It wouldnt reduce any other programmatic spending, said FWP budget analyst Joy Ross. The fiscal note said the review would take place from May 15 to September 15 for two years, or eight months total. Seckinger said the state study would incorporate a separate river study conducted by Montana State University, which would bring up the total miles reviewed to 1,200. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A couple of legislators said they werent sure the benefit would be worth the cost. During the floor debate, Rep. Paul Fielder, R-Thompson Falls, said he conducted plenty of real surveys early on in his career, and he wasnt convinced the state would get enough bang for the buck. It just seemed to me like $2.7 million for a boat survey seemed like an awful lot of money, Fielder said. In committee, though, Bedey said the study could reveal potential problems that need to be solved, not just with congestion, but with the quality of facilities, such as boat ramps that need to be fixed. This is a useful study because I think there are some problems that may need to be solved, Bedey said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Appropriations Committee did not take immediate action on the bill Wednesday. In February, it passed out of the House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee on a 16-4 vote. River census House Bill 762 lists the following river stretches as part of the study, 966 total miles: The Blackfoot River from the Harry Morgan fishing access site to its confluence with the Clark Fork River, The Clark Fork River system from Warm Springs to Plains, The North Fork of the Flathead River to its confluence with the Flathead River, The Middle Fork of the Flathead River to its confluence with the Flathead River, The South Fork of the Flathead River from below the Hungry Horse dam to its confluence with the Flathead River, The Flathead River above Flathead Lake from Blankenship bridge to Sportsmans bridge, The East Fork of the Bitterroot River from Sula to its confluence with the Bitterroot River, The West Fork of the Bitterroot River from Painted Rocks dam to its confluence with the Bitterroot River, The Bitterroot River to its confluence with the Clark Fork River, The Missouri River from the Holter dam to Cascade, The Dearborn River from Highway 200 to its confluence with the Missouri River, The Jefferson River from Hells Canyon to Three Forks, including a report for the month of October, The Gallatin River from the Yellowstone National Park boundary to its confluence with the Missouri River, The Madison River from Beartrap Canyon to Grey Cliff north, The Big Horn River from the Afterbay access site to the Two Leggins fishing access site, and The Yellowstone River from the Mayors Landing fishing access site to the Indian Fort fishing access site. Additionally, the MSU study will review the following, the bill sponsor said: Madison above Ennis, The Big Hole River, and The Beaverhead River. Editors note: This sidebar has been updated to include information from the MSU study. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Republicans in the Michigan House of Representatives continue to act on their priorities despite what may well be opposition from the Democrat-controlled state Senate. Earlier this week, the GOP-led House voted in favor rolling back income taxes, a measure sure to hit a roadblock in the Senate. On Wednesday, Republicans roads bill was the focus in the House. The $3.2 billion package to fix Michigan roads is in competition with Democrat Gov. Gretchen Whitmers plan. The biggest difference is that the governors proposal would rely, at least in part, on higher taxes, while Republicans say they can generate the money needed by using all the gas tax collected at the pump a little over $1 billion for roads, ending corporate welfare and converting corporate income taxes to roads for $2.2 billion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are two plans to fix Michigans roads. Will either happen? House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland, addressed the issue ahead of a scheduled vote. By fixing the roads, by prioritizing local roads our city roads, our county roads, our local roads, and prioritizing those because those are the roads that need it the most the ones we take from the driveway to the highway if we do that, were going to make a difference for the people of Michigan, something that they actually see and they feel in terms of fixing our roads, Hall said. The competing road proposals in Lansing are not likely to be finalized without a larger agreement on the overall budget. That could take most of the summer and into the fall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 WOODTV.com. By Qabil Ashirov Armenian armed forces opened fire on Azerbaijani military positions on the night of March 18-19, Azernews reports, citing the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry. From 10:20 p.m. on March 18 to 1:40 a.m. on March 19, Armenian military units stationed in Basarkechars Zod and Yukhari Shorja regions, as well as in Bazarcay, part of the Qarakilsa district, intermittently fired at Azerbaijani positions using small arms. The Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense has not reported any casualties or damage at this time. The situation along the border remains tense as Azerbaijani forces continue to monitor developments closely. WASHINGTON, March 19 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said he just ended a phone call with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday morning over a partial ceasefire and "We are very much on track". The phone call came one day after Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed on Tuesday in their phone talks that the peace in Ukraine "will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire". "Much of the discussion was based on the call made yesterday with President Putin in order to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs. We are very much on track," Trump said on social media. Trump said the telephone call was "very good" and lasted approximately one hour. More details "will be put out shortly", he said. Hours after the Trump-Putin phone call, Zelensky said that his country supports any proposals leading to a lasting and just peace, but his country's direct involvement in peace negotiations is needed. "Without Ukraine's involvement, I believe reaching an agreement is futile," he said. "We need to understand what the conversation is about." Ukraine and Russia exchanged aerial assaults overnight, multiple media outlets reported. A California housewife who operates an OnlyFans page is being charged with a work-related crime. And the details are like something out of a crime procedural show. Michaela Brashaye Rylaarsdam reportedly wrapped her client Michael Dale in duct tape and Saran wrap, like a mummy, while filming a consensual BDSM fetish video. According to the New York Post, the 55-year-old man paid Rylaarsdam $11,000 for her services after contacting her through an escort business. Authorities said the incident took place in April 2023 when Dale asked the married woman to glue womens boots to his feet and put his head inside of a plastic bag. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rylaarsdam, who also runs a stripper agency and OnlyFans with her husband Brandon, told cops her exchange with Dale was her first experimenting in fetish behavior, the Daily Mail reports. Rylaarsdam was reportedly performing sex acts on Dale while he was suffocating on the floor, for eight minutes, in a disturbing video captured for her OnlyFans subscribers. She called 911 after he became unresponsive and began performing CPR on Dale. He was declared brain dead the following day after he was rushed to the hospital. Dale was removed from life support days later.The San Diego Union Tribune reviewed an affidavit that revealed Dale died of asphyxiation. And now, the 31-year-old has been charged with second-degree murder. Dan Cohen, her attorney, said his client did not intend to kill Dale, noting that while consent is not a defense its certainly a mitigating factor. What makes the incident complex is the stark contrast between the accusation and her fetish activity, versus her life on social media. Her Instagram account, whom she shares with her husband, is private, but boasts photos of her children and family enjoying quality time together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Daily Mail shared snapshots of the married couple smiling on a beach, posing with their children in front of a Christmas tree, Rylaarsdams bathroom selfies, and a picture of her enjoying what looks like a sporting event with her husband. The woman, who is also a mother of three, was arrested in February 2025, plead not guilty. She is being held without bond while she awaits her trial from behind bars. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. More questions have been raised after a north Ga. firefighter was arrested and charged in connection to the tragic killings of twin brothers in Georgia. According to reports, the firefighter was fired on March 14 after he allegedly violated department protocol, Towns County Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw told 11Alive. As The Root previously reported, Qaadir and Naazir Lewis, 19, were found dead just hours after they were expected to fly to Boston to visit friends on Saturday (March 8). Their plane tickets were reportedly still in their respective wallets found at the scene of the crime. Hikers discovered their bodies at the top of Bell Mountain, near the Georgia-North Carolina border, dozens of miles from where family say the brothers were living. How did they end up out in the mountains? their uncle said to 11 Alive. They dont hike out there, theyve never been out there. They dont know anything about Hiawassee, Georgia. They never even heard of Bell Mountain, so how did they end up right there? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although police suspect the brothers died in a murder-suicide by gunshot wound, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has confirmed the arrest of former Towns County volunteer firefighter Scott Kerlin, 42, in connection to the case. Kerlin has not been charged directly in the deaths of the brothers. But he was hit with misdemeanor obstruction for allegedly snapping photos of the twins dead bodies and leaking them to the public, according to the GBI. The GBIs medical examiner has not shared the completed autopsy reports to the public yet. According to a spokesperson, additional forensic tests are also still pending. The family, however, continues to dispute the murder-suicide ruling, saying the twins would never hurt each other. Their aunt, Yasmine Brawner, said They wouldnt do anything like this. To say they did this to each other? No. Something happened in those mountains, and we want answers. In the meantime, their family has set up a GoFundMe in support of organizing a memorial for the two. So far, more than $34,000 has been raised. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. ANKARA (Reuters) - Human Rights Watch Turkey Director Emma Sinclair-Webb condemned the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and others from the Istanbul municipality on Wednesday, calling it a "flagrant abuse of the justice system". In comments to Reuters, Sinclair-Webb described the detentions as part of a "pattern of politically motivated investigations" aimed at undermining opposition activities. She called for the immediate release of Imamoglu and those detained. The government has denied cracking down on opponents of President Tayyip Erdogan and says the judiciary is independent. (Reporting by Ece Toksabay; Editing by Andrew Heavens) SUITLAND, Md. (DC News Now) Hundreds in Maryland came out Tuesday night to the Suitland High School auditorium to voice their concerns in Prince Georges County during a town hall for fired federal workers. There are roughly 40,000 federal workers in the county. Fans excited as Maryland mens, womens basketball teams head to NCAA Tournament Thats why more than 800 people, worried about their future, crowded into a town hall, hosted by Congressman Glenn Ivey. He took questions from dozens of concerned constituents on the microphone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The people in my district and around the D.C. metropolitan area are most concerned of the impact on government employees and this is having a devastating impact on the DMV and all around the country and 80% of government employees live outside the Washington area, Ivey said. (Tim Reid/DC News Now) (Tim Reid/DC News Now) Cheverly resident Laurie Pickard was one of many who attended the town hall meeting. She is worried about her job because she works for former federal government contractor, Resonance for US-AID. I feel incredibly fortunate to still have a job but I am angry for what has been done to the business I work for, she said. I have been affected by the actions of Trump and Musk, and its disseminated the business I work for and prior to all this our business had 100 employees and we now have 20 and we expect that to go down further, Pickard said. Hundreds in Prince Georges County attend Empower-Her Global Business Summit Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ivey told DC News Now that he and his staff held four town hall meetings in recent weeks and is planning to hold more 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. Hundreds of people have demonstrated in Istanbul against the arrest of Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, despite a ban on protests. Imamoglu was detained on Wednesday morning, just days before he was due to be elected as the presidential candidate of Turkey's main opposition party. His social democratic CHP party has spoken of a "civil coup" by the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to silence a political opponent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turkey's Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc rejected that saying it is "unacceptable" to speak of a coup. Numerous people gathered in front of the city administration in the afternoon. Turkish media also showed footage of protest marches in which demonstrators chanted "Dictator Erdogan" and demanded that his government resign. More protests are expected Wedndesday evening. Imamoglu's party has called for a large rally at 6:30 pm (1730 GMT) despite a decision by the Istanbul's Erdogan-appointed governor to ban protests until Sunday. People gather in front of the city administration building despite a ban on demonstrations to protest the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. Melissa Erichsen/dpa Hundreds of Jewish professors, scholars and students have signed a letter condemning the Trump administration for canceling $400 million in federal funding to Columbia University and threatening other universities. Columbia is reportedly nearing an agreement with the Trump administration, which pushed an aggressive slate of demands on the university that critics said were a grave threat to academic freedom. The administration has justified the demands, and the funding cuts, by alleging Columbia has failed to protect American students and faculty from antisemitic harassment, in addition to other unspecified legal violations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the signatories to the Open letter in response to federal funding cuts at Columbia argued otherwise that the cuts did nothing to protect Jews, and in fact, could be used to target them. History teaches us that the loss of individual rights and freedoms for any group often begins with silencing scientists and scholars, people who devote their lives to the pursuit of knowledge a pursuit that is core to Jewish culture, stated the letter, which has so far been signed by over 350 people. Moreover, destroying universities in the name of Jews risks making Jews in particular less safe by setting them up to be scapegoats. Among other things, the Trump administration has demanded that Columbia place its Middle East, South Asian and African Studies department under academic receivership for a minimum of five years, institute a ban on wearing masks on campus if theyre used to conceal identity or intimidate others, and adopt a definition of antisemitism that the administration stated would include anti-zionist discrimination against Jews in areas unrelated to Israel or [the] Middle East. The administration has also demanded Columbia institute new time, place and manner rules, which govern protests, and that it empower internal law enforcement to arrest agitators. University leadership has already expelled or suspended several students who participated in briefly taking over a campus building last year. Among those expelled was Grant Minter, the Jewish president of the union representing thousands of graduate and undergraduate student workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Columbia did not respond to HuffPosts questions about a Wall Street Journal report Wednesday that the university was getting close to yielding to President Trumps demands. Millie Wert, a Columbia spokesperson, pointed HuffPost to a statement from interim university President Katrina Armstrong, who said, among other things, we will never compromise our values of pedagogical independence, our commitment to academic freedom, or our obligation to follow the law. Armstrong also pledged to continue to engage in constructive dialogue with our federal regulators. The open letters signatories say they have differing views on Israel, the Trump administration and American politics. What unites us, they wrote, is that we refuse to let our Jewish identities be used as a pretext for destroying institutions that have long made America great. Together, we say: Not on our behalf, the letter said. Harming U.S. Universities does not protect Jewish people. Cutting funding for research does not protect Jewish people. Punishing researchers and scholars does not protect Jewish people. The letter concludes by urging the Trump administration not to dismantle the decades-old partnership between academia and the federal government especially not on the pretense of protecting Jewish people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amitai Shenhav, an associate professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, was one of several co-authors of the letter. The goal of protecting the Jewish people should not be used as a reason for preemptively taking away funding thats been promised to these universities for education and research, he told HuffPost over the phone Wednesday. The potential downstream effects are looking increasingly grim, he said, noting entire labs have had to scale back their work and could shut down. I think youre going to see more people choosing not to pursue this career, and the knock-on effects of this will be catastrophic for the community of scholars, researchers and clinicians. Its just tragic, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration has also arrested, and is trying to deport, Palestinian student organizer Mahmoud Khalil, a permanent U.S. resident who is married to a U.S. citizen. The administration does not allege that Khalil committed any crime; rather, Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Khalils pro-Palestinian activism is a potential threat to Americas foreign policy interests an argument based on a rarely used, decades-old provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Khalil, who is currently in immigration detention in Louisiana and expecting his first child to be born any day, referred to himself as a political prisoner in a letter Tuesday, writing of the immigration detention facility: Who has the right to have rights? It is certainly not the humans crowded into the cells here. Tensions have grown even higher since Israel broke a ceasefire agreement Tuesday, killing hundreds of Palestinians in a barrage of airstrikes, according to Palestinian authorities, and re-invading Gaza. Columbia is far from the only university to face threats from the current administration. The Department of Education recently wrote to 60 universities, warning of potential enforcement actions if they do not fulfill legal obligations to protect Jewish students on campus, including uninterrupted access to campus facilities and educational opportunities. The Trump administration has also paused $175 million in funding to the University of Pennsylvania punishment for allowing a transgender swimmer to compete on the womens team. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many see the administrations real goal as degrading academic freedom and the university system and cracking down on Trumps political enemies. During a 2021 speech at a conservative gathering, Vice President JD Vance then a private citizen urged the crowd, If any of us want to do the things that we want to do for our country and for the people who live in it, we have to, honestly and aggressively, attack the universities in this country. Now, with Columbia in the governments crosshairs and dozens of other universities potentially next in line, some in academia are calling for a fight. In The Atlantic Wednesday, Princeton President Christopher L. Eisgruber warned, Nobody should suppose that this will stop at Columbia or with the specific academic programs targeted by the governments letter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Precisely because great research universities are centers of independent, creative thought, they generate arguments and ideas that challenge political power across fields as varied as international relations, biology, economics, and history, he wrote. If government officials think that stifling such criticism is politically acceptable and legally permissible, some people in authority will inevitably yield to the temptation to do so. The Princeton president urged university leaders to speak up and litigate forcefully to protect their rights. Read the letter below. Related... Raleigh, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) More than 200 physician assistants will converge on the state capitol to rally for more freedom to practice medicine across state lines. The medical professionals are looking to garner support for Senate Bill 190, a measure that would allow North Carolina to join the PA Compact. The compact is essentially an agreement between states to allow PAs to practice in other compact member states without the provider needing to hold multiple, individual state licenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North Carolina currently recognizes similar agreements for nurses, social workers, and other therapy providers. North Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants is a proponent of the bill. Member Truett Smith, a PA based in Concord, N.C., said it will not change the scope of what PAs are permitted to do, just where they work. NC Gov. Josh Stein releases 2025-2027 spending wish list Advocates say there is a shortage of healthcare professionals, particularly in rural settings. Smith said joining a compact would reduce administrative, financial, and travel burdens for both providers and patients in cities like Charlotte, N.C. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Take for instance, if I were practicing in South Charlotte, many of my patients may be in South Carolina. And so, ideally, you want to have a South Carolina license as well as a North Carolina license, or if I just practice right across the border in but lived in Charlotte, he said. The compact would help make it easy for you to get your license in multiple states at the same time, and by doing that you wouldnt have to complete a separate application process in each state. Virginia and Tennessee are two of the 15 states currently part of the compact. Legislators in 13 other states are considering joining. Smith said the popularity of the mutual recognition of licenses rose exponentially during the pandemic. Huntersville leaders approve boutique hotel, parking deck and more for Birkdale Village Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I saw a lot of travel nurses in that we had needs where I work and needs across the country, he said. In the future, say there are other disasters, that would make it much quicker to be able to be more mobile to these other areas as well. Smith said the biggest hurdle he sees for the legislation is not outright opposition but rather a lack of awareness of the option for the legislature to approve the states entry into the compact. There are really no negatives to the legislation, as far as Im aware of. I think the complexities of working out, once you create one application, having that application to meet all the criteria of all the states, I think thats where the complexities are. But I think the legislation itself does not pose those complexities, he said. The bill is sponsored by State Senators Mark Hollo (R-Caldwell), Ralph Hise (R-Mitchell) and Amy Galey (R-Alamance). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. An 81-year-old French hunter went on trial on Tuesday, accused of killing an endangered female bear that had attacked him in the Pyrenees. The brown bear is a protected species in the mountain range, which separates France and Spain. Andre Rives was boar-hunting when a female bear nicknamed Caramelles attacked him. On Nov. 20, 2021, two bear cubs emerged from the woods in front of Rives. Then their mother appeared, charging at him and dragging him for several yards. He shot and killed the animal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rives sustained leg injuries and was in a state of shock. A fellow hunter managed to stem the bleeding before he was evacuated by helicopter. According to the investigation, the bear was killed 1,300 feet outside an authorized hunting area. The case caused an uproar in the department of Ariege, where hunters have held demonstrations in support of Rives. "This is not an anti-bear or pro-bear trial," presiding judge Sun Yung Lazare said. Rives is on trial for "destroying a protected species," she said. When the cubs emerged, "I looked at them with admiration," Rives said in court. "I made myself very small. Then the mother saw me. Our eyes met, she charged." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he had no choice but to shoot. "She grabbed my left thigh, I panicked and fired a shot. She backed away growling, she went around me and bit my right calf, I fell, she was eating my leg," he added. "I reloaded my rifle and fired." "Bears are threatened with extinction" Fifteen other hunters who also took part in the hunt were being prosecuted for various offenses, including hunting in the Mont Valier nature reserve, one of the oldest reserves in the Pyrenees. Around 20 associations had filed a lawsuit. Jean-Luc Fernandez, president of a local hunting federation, said Rives killed the bear in self-defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He fired," he said. "He should have let her do it? No, he saved his own skin." The hunters also argued that the boundaries of the reserve were poorly marked. "You never really know where you are," one of them said. Photos shown at the hearing showed barely visible signage red Rs for reserve painted on trees against a white background. "Your obligation as a hunter is to know where you are hunting," retorted prosecutor Olivier Mouysset. Activists contest the notion of self-defense. "To what extent can one argue necessity, when one has committed a series of offenses that led to the death of the bear Caramelles?" asked Alain Reynes of the bear-preservation association Pays de l'ours. According to that group, in 2023, there were 83 bears detected in the Pyrenees and 11 females gave birth. European brown bear (Ursus arctos arctos) foraging among rocks on mountain slope in the Pyrenees. / Credit: Arterra/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Animal rights activists view bears as integral to maintaining a fragile mountain ecosystem that is under threat from human activity and climate change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bears had nearly disappeared from the mountain range before France began a reintroduction program in the 1990s, importing them from Slovenia. But the presence of bears has led to increasing tensions with farmers because of the threat they pose to their livestock. Julie Rover, a lawyer representing some of the associations, said the animal rights' activists wanted to send a message. "They are not opposed to hunting, but for it not to harm the environment, its rules must be respected," Rover said. "Bears are threatened with extinction the disappearance of a breeding female is serious." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A similar controversy surrounding brown bears also exists in neighboring Italy. Last year, an alpine Italian province confirmed the killing of a female bear believed responsible for an attack on a French hiker despite protests by animal rights activists. It marked the ninth incidence of aggression against humans since brown bears were reintroduced to the province in 1999 as part of an European Union project, and the first since a hiker was killed last summer. In September 2023, a man shot and killed an endangered brown bear near an Italian national park, leaving her two young cubs motherless and sparking outrage in the country. The park posted a graphic image of the bear lying dead on the ground. Earlier in 2023, an administrative court's ruling spared the life of a brown bear that fatally attacked a runner on a mountain trail in Italy's Alpine region. Sneak peek: The Puzzling Death of Susann Sills Inside Trump's call with Vladimir Putin 100 years since deadliest tornado in U.S. history Hope Ngumezi still can't believe he had to bury his wife after he took her to a Texas hospital for a miscarriage when she was 11 weeks pregnant. "I blame the doctors, I blame the hospital, and I blame the state of Texas," Ngumezi said. In 2021, Texas lawmakers passed a near-total abortion ban. The Texas Heartbeat Act allows an exception only if a pregnant woman's life is in danger or faces a serious risk but doctors told CBS News the law lacks clarity around how danger and serious risk are defined. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I feel like the law is very reckless...very dangerous," Ngumezi said. Porsha Ngumezi wasn't given a D&C, a surgical procedure that can be used when a miscarriage isn't complete and the patient is bleeding excessively as Ngumezi was at the time. It's the same procedure used for many abortions, but doctors told CBS News their colleagues hesitate to perform them, fearing the state's criminal penalties. Ngumezi believes that's what happened in his wife's situation. She eventually went into cardiac arrest and died. "I just felt like the doctor turned his back on us. You know, 'I don't want to go to jail. I don't want to lose my license or get fined, so the best course is for me to protect myself,'" Ngumezi said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Texas law may be impacting the maternal mortality rate. Between 2019 and 2022, that rate increased by 56% after the state outlawed abortions, according to Gender Equity Policy Institute. During the same period, the rate increased by just 11% on a national scale. Maternal mortality is defined as the death of a woman during or within 42 days of the end of pregnancy from causes related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management, but excluding accidental or incidental causes. State Sen. Bryan Hughes, who authored the legislation banning most abortions in Texas, said, "Most hospitals are getting this right, but some are not." In response to doctors' concerns about the ramifications, Hughes said, "I hear that. And I can show you the definition of abortion in Texas and it says removal of a miscarriage is not an abortion." Hughes said the legislature is working on clarifying the language, but the law has yet to be amended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for Ngumezi, he's doing the best he can as a single dad of two boys. "We're not supposed to be worried about, man if I have a complication, am I gonna lose my life? Would a doctor give me the proper care?" Ngumezi said. It's critical care he worries is guided by the fear of prosecution, rather than saving mothers' lives. Sneak peek: The Puzzling Death of Susann Sills Inside Trump's call with Vladimir Putin Beyond the Block: Preserving Black History UNITED NATIONS, March 19 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is "deeply saddened and shocked" by the death of a UN staff member during the Israeli bombing in the Gaza Strip, condemning all attacks on UN personnel and calling for a full investigation, his spokesman said on Wednesday. A United Nations Office for Project Services personnel was killed and five others seriously injured after two UN guesthouses in Deir al Balah, central Gaza, were hit in the strikes, the UN and Gaza-based health authorities confirmed Wednesday morning. The Israeli military denied attacking the compound. The locations of all UN premises are known to the parties to the conflict, who are bound by international law to protect them and maintain their absolute inviolability, Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for the UN secretary-general, said. Guterres strongly condemns all attacks on UN personnel and calls for a full investigation. He underscores that all conflicts must be conducted in a way that ensures civilians are respected and protected, Haq said. "The Secretary-General stresses the need for the ceasefire to be respected to bring an end to the suffering of the people. Humanitarian aid must reach all people in need. The hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally," the spokesman added. Israel has resumed its assault on Gaza since early Tuesday, killing more than 400 people and shattering a fragile ceasefire that took effect on Jan. 19. Wednesday's deadly strike has brought the number of UN personnel killed in Gaza since Oct. 7 2023 to at least 280, according to the UN spokesman. Professor Patrick Lawrence argues legislation on the agenda for a House committee meeting Wednesday, March 19, 2025, violate First Amendment free speech rights. (Stock photo by Getty Images) Hypocrites are like Bradford pear trees. These days, it seems like you see them everywhere you look, and they stink. Let me back up. The South Carolina Legislature is currently considering a bill that would outlaw diversity statements, along with a host of other things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, diversity statements have been unpopular for a while. They can feel like a minefield for applicants, and they produce a lot of cringe-worthy submissions that dont necessarily help hiring committees evaluate candidates. But H.3927 isnt concerned with diversity statements because theyre ineffective or insincere. The bill outlaws diversity statements because, according to some right-leaning organizations, theyre a form of compelled speech. That is, they force people to say something they may not agree with, and thats an infringement of a persons First Amendment rights. The Legislature is tackling this constitutional question by prohibiting government agencies and those who contract with them from compelling, requiring, inducing, or soliciting any person to provide a diversity, equity, and inclusion statement or give preferential consideration to any person based on the provision of a diversity, equity, and inclusion statement. Unraveling this issue from a free-speech perspective is complicated, though. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On one hand, hearing from diverse voices breaks down the intellectual stagnation that occurs when we only hear from the same people weve always heard from. And DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) programs help people speak up whove been silenced in the past. In these ways, DEI supports everything free speech rights are supposed to protect. At the same time, theres a plausible (though not airtight) case that a diversity statement violates a persons rights if it compels them to make a statement against their beliefs or if it rewards those who share the views of the government while penalizing those who dont. So, thats the situation. We rightly condemn racist views, but maybe we arent doing much good and we might be doing some harm by forcing people to parrot anti-racist views they dont hold. As unpalatable as the specific case might be, theres a broader logic there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But if we agree its bad to force people to say things they dont believe, what should we do about the fact that H.3927 does just that? According to the bills certification provision, Before any agency of this State may enter into any contract or award any grant, the applicable contractor or grant recipient must certify that they do not operate any programs that promote equity, diversity, and inclusion. Consider what this means: All companies, non-profits, and individuals that want to do business with any state entity from a local town council to the states public health agency to the University of South Carolina have to first put down in writing that they dont promote diversity. It sounds like the new bill requires an anti-diversity statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Somehow, were supposed to believe that compelling diversity statements is unconstitutional and immoral, but compelling anti-diversity statements is legal and proper. H.3927 would eliminate a version of compelled speech that the prevailing powers thought was bad and replace it with a version of compelled speech that the prevailing powers think is good. Fortunately, the constitutional contradictions of this approach are clear enough that efforts like it have already been struck down. The presidents anti-DEI executive orders, which contain nearly identical provisions, were recently blocked on First Amendment grounds. This isnt a secret, of course. The free-speech problems with H.3927 are known, and if the bill is passed without being revised, it will likely get tangled up in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In any case, South Carolina residents are left wondering what to think of a bill that is probably unconstitutional and apparently hypocritical. Some will shrug and say, Thats politics. Others will conclude that free speech apparently isnt worth protecting if it means protecting the views of political opponents. And many will conclude that just like a Bradford pear this time of year it stinks. Let us know what you think... A Guatemalan national accused of sexually assaulting a Massachusetts child inside a local laundromat has been arrested by federal authorities, who said this week that a Boston court ignored the immigration detainer placed on him. Sostenes Perez-Lopez, 59, who is in the United States illegally, is charged with two counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14. Federal officers arrested him in Brighton on Feb. 18, more than two months after the court released him on bail in December, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in a statement on Tuesday. ICE served Perez-Lopez with a notice to appear before a Department of Justice immigration judge following his arrest. He remains in federal custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sostenes Perez-Lopez stands accused of some horrific crimes against a child in Massachusetts, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia Hyde said in a statement. Disturbing crime: Man accused of killing Lynn sub shop owner in the U.S. illegally, ICE says Perez-Lopez, a construction worker living in Brighton, is accused of sexually assaulting a young girl inside the Express Laundromat on Brighton Avenue in Allston in November, according to the police report. On Nov. 24, 2024, the girls mother reported the alleged sexual assault to Boston Police. She told officers that while she was doing laundry at the laundromat with her daughter a day earlier, on Saturday afternoon, the girl left her side and went to a table near the entrance. There, the mother later saw an unknown man close to the girl. The mother pulled the girl to her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man allegedly told the mother, Your daughter is very pretty; they are going to steal her, police wrote in their report. Who is going to steal her? the mother responded to the man, police wrote. The dogs, the man allegedly responded, then left the laundromat. When the mother left the laundromat with her daughter, and was talking to her daughter about stranger danger, the girl told her the man had inappropriately touched her, the police report states. The girl later told investigating officers that the unknown mans hands went inside her pants and touched her private area. Investigators from the departments Human Trafficking and Sexual Assault units later obtained a still photograph of the suspect from surveillance video inside the laundromat. The suspect had been wearing a white cowboy hat, black jacket, blue jeans and boots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives identified Perez-Lopez as the suspect a few days later, on Nov. 27. Perez-Lopez later walked into the Area D-14 police station asking to speak with investigators, police said. Detectives interviewed Perez-Lopez, who said he does his laundry at the Express Laundromat in Brighton on Saturdays. He told detectives that on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, he saw an unknown girl that he believed to be 5 years old standing by herself in the laundromat. He instructed the girl to approach him, and told police that he put his left arm around the girls waist and pulled her closer to him and then said, Hola. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement apprehended Sostenes Perez-Lopez, 59, a Guatemalan national who is charged with two counts of indecent assault and battery on a child, in Brighton, Mass. on Feb. 18. Perez-Lopez told police the girl just looked up at the brim of his white cowboy hat and didnt speak to him once. He then saw the girls mother call for her daughter to return to her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perez-Lopez said that at no point did he converse with the childs mother and that the mother never said anything back to him, police wrote in their report. He said that he remained seated and that the mother gathered her clothes and exited the laundromat with the child. Investigators seized Perez-Lopezs laundromat card. He was arrested as a result of witness and victim statements and evidence obtained during this investigation, police wrote in their report. ICE lodged an immigration detainer against Perez-Lopez with the Suffolk County Sheriffs Department, Nashua Street Jail on Nov. 28, 2024, after his arrest for indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, Hyde said. He pleaded not guilty to the charges during his arraignment in Boston Municipal Court in Brighton on Nov. 29, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following his arraignment, the court ordered Perez-Lopez committed to the Suffolk County Sheriffs Department in lieu of posting bail in the amount of $8,000. Guatemalan national accused of raping 10-year-old Mass. girl in federal custody after posting bail The Boston Municipal Court ignored the ICE detainer and released Perez-Lopez on bail on Dec. 12, 2024, Hyde said. The court fitted Perez-Lopez with GPS with conditions. According to court documents, Perez-Lopez was released on $8,000 cash bail on conditions including that he stay away from and have no contact with the victim and her mother, that he stay away from and not work with any child under 18, that he stay away from the laundromat where the alleged assault took place, that he surrender his passport and that he stay away from Brighton/Allston except for court business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case highlights the ongoing issue facing federal immigration officials who are often at odds with the courts regarding immigration detainers, which are intended to hold foreign nationals who are in the country illegally until federal officers can arrest them. Massachusetts court officials do not have the authority to hold an individual in custody solely on the basis of a Federal Civil Immigration Detainer, Massachusetts Trial Courts spokesperson Erika Gully-Santiago said in a statement on Wednesday. ICE arrests Dominican national convicted of killing pregnant girlfriend in Massachusetts In order to comply with Massachusetts law, court officers are prohibited from assisting or interfering with ICE agents in executing their obligations under federal law. That means that a court officer will not interfere with ICE arresting an individual who has been released, Gully-Santiago said. On the other hand, court officers are prohibited from keeping a released individual in custody awaiting an ICE agent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perez-Lopez illegally entered the United States on an unknown date, at an unknown location and without being inspected by a U.S. immigration official, Hyde said. In another case, federal authorities said that a Massachusetts court twice ignored an immigration detainer lodged by ICE and twice released a Guatemalan national convicted of assault and other crimes in the Bay State. Recent ICE arrests of foreign nationals who are in the country illegally have led one community organization in Chelsea, La Colaborativa, to warn locals of ICE raids on social media. The group told Boston 25 this week it subsequently shut down its main office on Tuesday to prevent incoming visitors from being targeted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hyde, the ICE director, said her agency will continue to prioritize public safety for local residents in Massachusetts. We will not tolerate the victimization of our residents at the hands of alien offenders, Hyde said. ICE Boston will continue to prioritize the safety of our public by arresting and removing illegally present lawbreakers. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Jeanette Vizguerra speaks at Colorado Capitol in Denver on Feb. 3, 2025 for the national "A Day Without Immigrants" demonstration, a response to President Donald Trump's policies that target the immigrant community. (Sara Wilson/Colorado Newsline) Federal immigration enforcement officials confirmed Wednesday they intend to remove Colorado immigration rights activist Jeanette Vizguerra from the United States. The 53-year-old Denver resident will remain in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody until that removal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vizguerra was arrested during a break outside her job at Target on Monday. The well known Denver activist, who is originally from Mexico, has lived in the United States since 1997 and became a symbol of the sanctuary movement during the first Trump administration when she took refuge in a Denver church in 2017. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX In a statement, ICE called Vizguerra a convicted criminal alien and included a photo of her arrest, in which her hands are restrained behind her back and a chain is secured around her waist. Vizguerra was pulled over in 2009 in Arapahoe County and was arrested for having a fake ID and driving without insurance, federal immigration officials say. She was convicted on those charges and was ordered to pay fines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A federal judge denied her application to remain in the country in 2011 and granted her a voluntary departure. She left the country in 2012 and was arrested in Texas when she came back in 2013. She spent about one month in custody. In the decade since, she has been granted a handful of stays of removal to delay deportation efforts as she sought a visa. Her last stay expired in February 2024. Following her arrest, Vizguerras lawyers filed a writ of habeas corpus to request that authorities bring her to a hearing. The filing alleges that Vizguerras detention violates the constitutional right to due process, according to Denverite. ICE maintained in its statement that she has received legal due process in U.S. immigration court and has a final order of deportation issued by a federal immigration judge. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE KENTUCKY (FOX 56) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has detained 81 people in Kentucky who have been accused of being in the country illegally. The detentions are part of an enhanced targeted enforcement operation from March 10 to 14. Man arrested for alleged bomb plot after suspicious Barbourville church visit According to ICE, 25 of those detained have been charged with offenses ranging from illegal reentry and possession of firearms to the possession of controlled substances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities say the arrests include: A 35-year-old citizen of Honduras was charged with possession of a firearm by an illegal alien and illegal reentry. A 50-year-old citizen of Mexico was charged with possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. A 30-year-old citizen of Mexico was charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. A 45-year-old citizen of Guatemala was convicted of domestic violence conviction, public intoxication, driving without a license, and DUI. A 44-year-old citizen of India was convicted of sexual misconduct with a minor, intimidation, and battery. A 28-year-old citizen of Mexico was charged with possession of a firearm by an illegal alien. A 32-year-old citizen of Mexico convicted of drug trafficking and possession of multiple firearms with machine gun conversion devices is charged with possession of a firearm by an illegal alien and illegal reentry. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Public safety relies on the expertise of ICE officers who are able to coordinate across federal agencies to accomplish these arrests, said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Chicago Field Office Director Sam Olson. Operations that lead to the arrest and detention of alien offenders can be complex and may, at times, prove to be challenging. Our agency is more than capable to meet those challenges. Im grateful for all our federal partners here in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and we are committed, as a united group, to removing individuals from our communities who pose a threat to public safety and national security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the end of February, a man residing in Barbourville on an expired student visa was reportedly found with plans to plant a bomb in New York City after his arrest. The public can report crimes and suspicious activity 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. CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) On Sunday, the U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement Agency detained and deported seven alleged illegal immigrants at a local Truck Stop. The alleged illegal immigrants were detained in Hosston, a small town in Northwest Louisiana with an approximate population of 500. One resident said the individuals were taking jobs from other locals. I think they could have gone to people who lived around in this neighborhood, cause they close and most need jobs around here, says Hosston resident Marcus Pather. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the Mayor of Hosston says the truck stop employs many locals. I personally know that the truck stop had a workshop. I have personally probably gotten at least ten people that I know of a job at this truck stop. This truck stop employees not only people from Hosston, Mira, Ida, Rodessa, Gillum, Vivian and Blachard, Mayor Kimberly Jayness. Proposed tax in Caddo Parish sparks controversy The truck stop developer said immigration issues are changing fast with the new administration,, and they fully thought the employees were legal to work. The controversy has been ongoing for the last three commission meetings revolving around tax breaks for the TA Truck Stop. Louisiana State Representative Danny McCormick confirmed the investigation in a letter to Caddo Commissioner Chris Kracman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hosston ICE raid followed an inquiry by Caddo Commissioner Chris Kraccman, who questioned a local member of the Governors Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. According to the letter written by Louisiana State Representative Danny McCormick, Representative Jay Galle, Chairman of Homeland Security, said, It appears that these individuals were found to be in violation of federal immigration laws, prompting action by ICE. Commissioner Kracman of District 1 has been opposing two tax break measures that would impact the small T&A Truck Stop. He wrote a letter to Representative Danny McCormick, who allegedly knows of someone at Homeland Security. Jimmy Silvio, one of the owners of TA Truck Stop, believes his business was targeted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps mass deportation costs US billions; separating millions of families My understanding is that the guys, one or two of them had work permits. They all had alien numbers. I mean, so we just assumed, obviously, that they were vetted by, you know, immigration. So, you know, thats basically it, says Jimmy Silvio, one of the owners of TA Truck Stop. Silvio willingly cooperated with Homeland Security, and the agent briefly spoke to him on the phone, saying, He just wanted to grab them and go. So I talked to the guy who was in charge, and he just said they were tipped off. You know, somebody made a call. So we had to come up here, which is kind of strange for a town with a population of about 500 people to get, you know, rural areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The owners have not received any documentation regarding the seven immigrants. We contacted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; however, they were unavailable to comment. This is a developing story. Tomorrow, well explore the ICE raid, which the mayor feels is responsible for alerting and bringing the federal law enforcement agency to town. 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. IDA GROVE, Iowa (KCAU) The city of Ida Grove is urging residents to conserve water. According to a post from the city, they are urging residents to conserve water due to issues caused by the weather in addition to issues with their generator. The city didnt provide an estimated time for the conservation period to end. This is a developing story. KCAU 9 will update as 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 SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. The door to the meeting room for the Senate's State Affairs, Resources and Environment, and Education committees as seen on March 10, 2025, at the Idaho Capitol Building in Boise. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun) A bill that would outline a process for courts to dismiss unfounded abortion lawsuits brought against Idaho doctors is headed for amendments in the Idaho Senate. Bill cosponsor Sen. Todd Lakey, R-Nampa, said the dismissal process in Senate Bill 1171 is modeled after a recently approved Idaho law that outlines how Idaho judges can quickly dismiss frivolous lawsuits dubbed strategic lawsuits against public participation, or SLAPP lawsuits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Senate State Affairs Committee on a unanimous vote Wednesday sent the abortion lawsuit dismissal bill for amendments on the Senate floor, where any state senator can propose amendments to the bill. For two years since Idahos abortion bans have been in place, Idahos Republican supermajority-controlled Legislature has waited for lawsuits challenging the bans to resolve before making changes to the states abortion laws, the Idaho Capital Sun previously reported. Idaho has several abortion ban laws that, if violated, could allow doctors to be prosecuted and lose their medical licenses and even allow them to be sued for at least $20,000 by family members of a person who obtained an abortion. In a survey for Boise State Universitys annual Idaho Public Policy Survey last year, 64% of Idahoans said the state should at least have exceptions for documented rape cases, incest, non-viable pregnancies and both the life and health of the mother. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Idahos ban contains an exception to save the pregnant patients life, but not to prevent detrimental health outcomes, including the loss of future fertility, which is a risk with severe infection or bleeding. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Lakeys abortion lawsuit dismissal bill would only tweak Idahos civil abortion ban not the states criminal ban. He said mostly technical amendments are expected to the bill. Sen. Todd Lakey, R-Nampa, stands to debate on the Idaho Senate floor on March 25, 2024. (Kyle Pfannenstiel/Idaho Capital Sun) This doesnt change the state of the law. There are those who would like to do that, but thats not what were about this morning, Lakey told the committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anti-abortion activist David Ripley, executive director of Idaho Chooses Life, called the bill a good first step. This legislation is a result of conversations that Ive had with medical providers over the last two years as the Defense of Life Act has taken effect, trying to persuade them that what theyve been told and what theyve heard in the newspaper and so forth is not an accurate representation of the law, Ripley testified. David Lehman, a lobbyist representing Bingham Memorial Hospital in Blackfoot, read a statement by doctors who practice obstetrics and gynecology, or OB-GYN, at the rural eastern Idaho hospital. In the statement, the doctors said they entered the OB-GYN field because of their passion for caring for women and their babies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement None of us at Bingham or in the area choose to perform elective abortions, and havent throughout our careers. Despite this fact, the actions of the Legislature, with regard to our abortion laws in the last few years, have indeed created unsustainable environments for us to continue caring well for the women and babies of Idaho. It has made hiring new providers nearly impossible. It has increased the pressure, work, anxiety and stress of an already very demanding role. It has eroded the trust we have in the state and our Legislature to work for the good of all Idahoans, Lehman told the committee. The bill is a step in the right direction, but is not a fix to these problems, he added. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE 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 a bill that proposes sweeping policy changes to control Medicaids costs. House Bill 345 calls for the state to seek work requirements for able-bodied Idahoans on Medicaid, and to give Idahoans eligible for Medicaid expansion access to tax credits to buy insurance on the states health care exchange. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill takes effect immediately through an emergency clause. In both chambers of the Idaho Legislature, the bill passed on party-line votes, with all 90 Republican state lawmakers supporting it and all 15 Democratic state lawmakers opposing it. The governors office announced in a news release that Little signed the bill Wednesday with bill sponsors. Journalists were not invited to the bill signing. We want Idahoans to become as self-sufficient as possible. House Bill 345 reinforces that goal while reasonably reeling in Medicaid spending so taxpayers are not overly burdened by this program in the outyears, Little said in a written statement. About a month ago, the Medicaid cost bill was first introduced in an Idaho House committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill calls for Idaho to plan to shift management of all Medicaid benefits to private companies, which is called managed care and is used by most states Medicaid programs. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The new bill came after Senate Health and Welfare Committee Chairwoman Julie VanOrden, R-Pingree, halted another bill that wouldve likely repealed Medicaid expansion. In his statement, the governor said the Medicaid cost bill is a huge improvement over a previous version that would have reversed voter-approved Medicaid Expansion in 2018. The voters spoke loudly in 2018 with their votes, and as elected leaders we must continue to respect that. I am pleased House Bill 345 improves the Medicaid program without rejecting the will of the voters on Medicaid Expansion, Little said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement VanOrden cosponsored the approved Medicaid cost bill, along with Rep. Jordan Redman, R-Coeur dAlene; House Health and Welfare Committee Chairman John Vander Woude, R-Nampa; and Sen. Carl Bjerke, R-Coeur dAlene. This bill truly does offer immediate savings for the taxpayers, as well as substantial long-term savings and stability to the Medicaid budget. And it deals with the entire budget itself, Redman told a Senate committee in a hearing on the bill. Idaho Democratic Party Chair Lauren Necochea sharply criticized the bill. Governor Little and every Republican legislator just ripped health coverage away from thousands of Idahoans, she said in a written statement. Voter-enacted Medicaid expansion largely covers working Idahoans, but its also a lifeline for those who lose jobs, have hours cut, or need to care for a sick family member. These so-called work requirements do nothing to help find jobs, but they will take away insulin, cancer treatment, and mental health services. Rep. Jordan Redman, R-Coeur dAlene, speaks from the Idaho House floor on March 10, 2025, at the Idaho Capitol Building in Boise. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun) Bill proposes broader Medicaid changes Beyond Medicaid expansion, the bill proposes broader policy changes for the entire Medicaid program a health care assistance program that covers about 262,000 Idahoans, including low-income earners, people with disabilities, pregnant women, and some older people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Almost 89,400 Idahoans are enrolled in Medicaid expansion, a voter-approved policy that raised the income eligibility cap to cover a population commonly called the working poor, who were in a health care assistance gap. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare plans to stand up temporary rules if the bill passes, a top Idaho health official recently said, since the bill will repeal agency administrative rules for Medicaid. The Medicaid cost bill could save Idaho $15.9 million in fiscal year 2026 and even more in the future, the bills fiscal note estimates. But the timing depends on federal approval, the fiscal note says. Idaho state Sen. Julie VanOrden, R-Pingree, works from the Senate floor on Jan. 7, 2025, at the State Capitol Building in Boise. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun) Idaho Republican lawmakers have criticized the Idaho Medicaid budget for what many say is unsustainable growth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mostly federally funded programs total budget has grown from less than $3 billion in fiscal year 2020 to $5.2 billion next fiscal year, if approved. But next fiscal year, Idaho would only pay $1.8 billion of the programs total budget, under the governors budget request. It isnt immediately clear how the Medicaid cost bills passage will affect next years Medicaid budget. But a recent fiscal analysis found Idaho Medicaids costs grew slower than other Idaho state government programs. And extra federal funds Idaho gets for Medicaid expansion generates $1.5 billion in economic impact and more than 9,300 jobs, another analysis found. The bill calls for Idaho to seek federal approval for patient cost-sharing, which would require Medicaid enrollees to essentially pay copayments for services they receive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill also calls for Idaho to seek federal approval to no longer let state health officials automatically renew Medicaid for people based on publicly available information, or to use pre-populated forms. And the bill calls for Idaho to implement twice-yearly Medicaid expansion eligibility checks, up from the once-a-year eligibility checks Idaho Medicaid currently does. Citing other states experiences, critics say Medicaid work requirements will be expensive and could kick off working people Other states experiences and a federal watchdog report suggest costs for Medicaid work requirements are high, the Idaho Capital Sun previously reported. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Some advocates say Medicaid work requirements are costly and are effectively just administrative barriers to access the program since almost half of Idahoans on Medicaid are already working. And many other Idahoans on Medicaid, advocates say, would be exempt from work requirements under exceptions the bill spells out, such as for parents of children age 6 and under, people with disabilities, college students, volunteers and caretakers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bills proposed work requirements are nearly identical to Arkansass work requirements, which saw one in four people lose coverage even though 95% of them met work requirements or were exempt, Idaho Voices for Children Senior Policy Associate Hillarie Hagen testified in Senate committee on the bill. This bill does nothing to improve efficiency or reduce costs in a meaningful way. Instead, it adds red tape that will strip eligible individuals of their coverage, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Idaho Government Relations Director Randy Johnson wrote in a statement after the bill passed the Senate. Weve seen firsthand how bureaucratic hurdles cause people to lose coverage not because they are ineligible, but due to unnecessary administrative obstacles. Under the Trump administration, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved work requirements in 13 states for the first time in Medicaids history, according to KFF. The Biden administration rescinded the approvals. Several courts struck down states work requirement policies, according to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities. Idaho hasnt gotten federal approval for work requirements, exchange tax credit option Many of the bills proposals require federal approval, and will likely take years to implement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2019, Idaho failed to receive federal approval then by the Trump administration for Medicaid work requirements and an exchange tax credit option, which are similar to the new bills provisions. If the federal government cuts down on covering 90% of Medicaid expansion costs while the Idaho Legislature isnt in session, the new Medicaid cost bill would give the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare director broad power to enact cuts to the program until the Legislature reconvenes. Congressional House Republicans recently approved a budget plan that calls for steep spending cuts that policy experts anticipate will require deep cuts to Medicaid. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Extensive damage is visible during a Dec. 19, 2024 visit to the Idaho Transportation Departments former Boise headquarters. (Clark Corbin/Idaho Capital Sun) The Idaho Legislatures powerful budget committee set aside another $9.6 million in state funding Tuesday to renovate the Idaho Transportation Departments flood-damaged and mold-infested former Boise headquarters. The $9.6 million from Tuesday is on top of the $32.5 million Idaho legislators set aside last year to renovate the property located at 3311 W. State St. in Boise. That brings the total to $42.1 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, that funding level still falls more than $22 million short of the states $64 million to $69.4 million estimates to renovate the damaged building. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Rep. Sonia Galaviz, a Boise Democrat, made the motion to approve the Idaho Transportation Departments fiscal year 2026 budget enhancements that included the new funding for renovations. The decision came during the Idaho Legislatures Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, or JFAC, meeting at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise. JFAC is a powerful committee that sets every budget for every state agency and department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The $9.6 million for renovating ITDs former Boise headquarters came from zeroing out a $9.6 million request for the Idaho Transportation Department to relocate its District 4 headquarters from Shoshone to Twin Falls. In an interview Tuesday, Galaviz said the new funding can pay to clean up some contamination that will need to be addressed before the real renovations can begin. We had heard that there were some abatement issues, some asbestos and other hazardous materials, that if they had this money they could get started on them because that has to happen before any of the remodels can, Galaviz said. So we were hoping that this would allow them to get moving. Galaviz and Rep. Rod Furniss, R-Rigby, told the Sun that funding and renovating the State Street property will require a multiyear effort. They expect to come back next year and consider a request for additional funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This gets them started, then when they get into it they will know what to ask for, Furniss said. Idaho Transportation Departments former Boise headquarters flooded in 2022 The Idaho Transportation Departments former Boise headquarters was built in 1961. On Jan. 2, 2022, the building flooded and was contaminated with asbestos. It has been vacant since 2022. During a tour of the damaged building in December, state employees pointed out mold to a reporter with the Idaho Capital Sun. The elevators and fire suppression systems do not work. Electrical systems and wiring dangle from ceilings. Walls and ceilings show visible signs of water damage, including dozens of holes that crews drilled into walls in an attempt to let water escape. The interior of the building is filled with tangled wire and ruble. The heat and power only work in parts of the building. Exposed wiring and ceiling damage is visible during a Dec. 19, 2024 visit to the Idaho Transportation Departments former Boise headquarters. (Clark Corbin/Idaho Capital Sun) The summer after the flood, in August 2022, the Idaho Transportation Departments board declared the former Boise headquarters and the 44-acre campus it sits on surplus property. That opened the door for the state to sell the property after other state agencies did not express an interest in the property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state put the State Street campus up for auction, and a group of buyers including Hawkins Companies, FJ Management and Pacific West Communities submitted the high bid of $51.7 million, according to documents provided to the Sun by the would-be buyers. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US During a tour of the campus in November 2023, Idaho Department of Administration Director Steve Bailey told the Joint FInance-Appropriations Committee that the state sold the property to Hawkins and its partners for $51.7 million, the Sun reported at the time. But on March 1, 2024, JFAC blocked the $51.7 million sale of the property, told the state to keep the property and set aside $32.5 million to renovate it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, legislators said they thought it was more financially responsible to keep the building and renovate it. (E)verything I have heard is any time the state has sold some property, two or three years later they go, well, we shouldnt have done that and theyve actually tried to buy some of it back, Sen. Kevin Cook, R-Idaho Falls, said at the time. The $32.5 million JFAC set aside last year for renovations was a rudimentary, sight unseen estimate prepared by the Idaho Division of Public Works that did not take into account the extent of the flood damage and HVAC repairs, the Sun previously reported. Then, in December 2024, the Idaho Department of Transportation released a 207-page report that estimated it would cost between $64 million and $69.4 million to repair the former Boise headquarters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Galaviz said she knew the new funding isnt enough to repair the building, but she hopes the new funding at least gets the project moving. Because they have to do the abatement first before they can do anything else with the remodel, Galaviz said. This file photo of the Idaho Transportation Departments old State Street headquarters in Boise was taken March 21, 2021, before the building flooded. (Otto Kitsinger for Idaho Capital Sun) SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE ALGIERS, March 19 (Xinhua) -- A military fighter jet crashed on Wednesday near the town of Aoulef in the southern Algerian province of Adrar, resulting in the death of its pilot. Local media, citing eyewitnesses, reported that the accident occurred just seconds after a Sukhoi Su-30 took off from Reggane Airbase in Adrar. The aircraft crashed a few kilometers east of the village of Timokten, north of Aoulef. The specialized defense news website, Secrete Difa3, reported that the incident happened at a critical moment during takeoff, at a low altitude with full fuel tanks, leaving the pilot, Lieutenant Colonel Bakkouch Nasr, with little chance to react. The second crew member managed to escape safely, said the report. This marks the second Sukhoi Su-30 crash in Algeria, following an accident in Oum El Bouaghi province in January 2020, which claimed two lives. An immediate investigation has been initiated to determine the causes and circumstances of the crash. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has extended his condolences to the victim's family. Idaho Gov. Brad Little gives his annual State of the State address on Jan. 6, 2025, on the House floor at the Statehouse in Boise. (Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun) Both chambers of the Idaho Legislature on unanimous, bipartisan votes passed a bill that would create a media shield law protecting sources who provide confidential information or documents to journalists. Mirroring the Idaho Houses swift, bipartisan vote of support, the Idaho Senate passed House Bill 158 without debate or opposition Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supporters say the bill would help combat frivolous lawsuits, and provide protections similar to whistleblower protections available in existing state and federal laws. No person engaged in journalistic activities shall be compelled to disclose in any legal proceeding, trial before any court, or before any jury the source of any information procured or obtained and published in a newspaper, print publication, digital news outlet, or by a radio or television broadcasting station with which the person is engaged or employed or with which the person is connected, the bill states. The bill now heads to Idaho Gov. Brad Little for final consideration. Idaho is one of 10 states without a journalism shield law, according to the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Idaho, theres been a growing use by the legal system to in some cases we call weaponize these lawsuits, Sen. Dave Lent, R-Idaho Falls, told the Idaho Senate. And one thats become more and more evident is against reporters to have them or make them reveal their sources. Of course, that has a significant chilling effect on the ability for them and our free press to operate. Idaho Press Club President Melissa Davlin, who wrote the bill based on laws in Kentucky and Alabama, called it a great day for journalism in Idaho. Too many Gem State newsrooms have had to spend time and resources fighting subpoenas that would force them to betray their sources trust under threat of fines or jail time, she told the Idaho Capital Sun in a written statement. The Idaho Press Club is grateful that lawmakers saw the need for this change, and we thank our legislative sponsors for their help getting this to the governors desk. Idaho, like the rest of America, needs a strong press corps, and this shield law will help reporters focus on their work instead of costly and stressful legal proceedings. When the bill is transmitted to the governors desk, he has five days excluding Sundays to decide how to act on it. He has three options: He can sign the bill into law, allow it to become law without his signature, or veto it. Disclosure: The Idaho Capital Suns journalists are members of the Idaho Press Club. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Idaho Gov. Brad Little gives his annual State of the State address on Jan. 6, 2025, on the House floor at the Statehouse in Boise. (Photo by Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun) Idaho will become the only state to fatally shoot death row inmates as its main execution method. Idaho Gov. Brad Little last Wednesday signed into law House Bill 37, which will make the firing squad the default method on July 1, 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both chambers of the Idaho Legislature widely approved the bill this year, with only three Republican state lawmakers joining all 15 Democratic lawmakers to oppose it. The Senate passed the bill on a 28-7 vote last week, a month after the House passed it on a 58-11 vote. Nine people are on death row in Idaho, according to the Idaho Department of Correction. Only five states, including South Carolina, allow firing squads for executions. But the firing squad isnt the primary death penalty method in any of those states, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Since 2023, Idaho has allowed firing squads as a backup execution method, behind lethal injection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill directs the Idaho Department of Correction director to develop firing squad procedures. The bill was cosponsored by Rep. Bruce Skaug, R-Nampa; Sen. Doug Ricks, R-Rexburg; and over a dozen other House Republican lawmakers. Skaug has told lawmakers Idahos firing squad execution method would be mechanized. Idaho Department of Correction spokesperson Sanda Kuzeta-Cerimagic told the Sun in February the agency is considering using a remote-operated weapons system alongside traditional firing squad methods. But the agency had not finalized its policies and procedures, she said. She told the Sun on Wednesday the agency didnt have updates to share on its method of carrying out firing squad executions. But the final policies and procedures will be publicly available, she said. Supporters of the bill say firing squad is humane execution method Supporters of the bill say the firing squad is a humane execution method. Using firing squads as the main execution method, supporters say, would avoid Idahos issues obtaining lethal injection chemicals and dealing with decades of legal appeals that have delayed executions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At first when you hear firing squad, if youre not familiar with the history, you think well that sounds barbaric is what Ive heard from some, Skaug told a House committee in February. It is certain. It is quick. And it brings justice for the victims and their families in a more expeditious manner than other types. In 2024, Idaho canceled its last scheduled execution attempt of death row inmate Thomas Creech after officials said they failed to establish an IV line to administer lethal injection chemicals, the Idaho Capital Sun previously reported. Some Idaho lawmakers recited from a 2017 dissenting opinion from U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonya Sotomayor, widely regarded as a liberal justice, who cast executions by firing squads as more humane. In addition to being near instant, death by shooting may also be comparatively painless, Sotomayor wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Dan Foreman, R-Viola, a combat veteran and retired police officer, was the only Idaho Senate Republican to vote against the bill. The claims that its instantaneous. Well, yes sometimes it is, sometimes it is not. And if youve ever seen that, I think you would change your mind on how youre about to vote, he told Idaho senators in debate on the bill. Firing squad was already allowed in Idaho. In 2023, Idaho passed a law to allow firing squads for executions. But that law allowed firing squads only as a back-up execution method when lethal injection the primary execution method in Idaho law is unavailable. Under the new bill signed into law, lethal injection will become Idahos backup execution method. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Only five states Idaho, Utah, South Carolina, Oklahoma and Mississippi allow firing squads for execution, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. In the United States, 144 executions have been carried out by firing squads, according to a 2016 law review article. Since the death penalty became reinstated in the 1970s, Utah is the only state to have executed people by firing squad, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Utah has executed three prisoners by firing squad since 1977, with the most recent firing squad execution in 2010, The Associated Press reported. But last week, Brad Sigmon became the first inmate in South Carolina executed by firing squad the first person executed by firing squad in the U.S. since 2010, the South Carolina Daily Gazette reported. Sigmon requested he be killed by firing squad over concerns about whether lethal injection is truly a painless death, his attorney say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Renovating Idahos execution chamber to allow for firing squads will likely cost more than the $750,000 lawmakers previously appropriated, lawmakers say. But Skaug has said any extra funds would come from money already in the Department of Correction budget. Renovations to the South Carolina death chamber to allow for a firing squad execution cost $53,500, according to the state Department of Corrections in March 2022, when it notified the state attorney general of its ability to carry out the law adding the option. South Carolinas method is not mechanized. In South Carolina, the default method is electrocution, as per the 2021 law that authorized the firing squad option. The fifth inmate scheduled for execution since September has until March 28 to select lethal injection or firing squad instead of the electric chair, unless the state Supreme Court grants a reprieve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SC Daily Gazette Editor Seanna Adcox contributed to this article. Like the SC Daily Gazette, 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. Idaho Capital Sun maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Christina Lords for questions: info@idahocapitalsun.com. Mar. 18SPENCERVILLE Julie Woods crafts personalized lessons for each of her 13 students at Spencerville Middle School. The intervention specialist works with a dozen fifth and sixth grade students who rely on individualized education plans, commonly known as IEPs, to close gaps in their reading, writing or arithmetic skills. The legal documents outline how public schools intend to improve educational outcomes for children with physical, intellectual or learning disabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Interventions are developed with input from the child's parents, teachers, counselors and principals, and may follow a child through college if needed. The proliferation of education plans compelled public schools to integrate disabled students in regular classrooms, rather than segregate them for the duration of the school day. "There's less stigma," Woods said. "They're part of everything." In any given week a student who struggles with oral reading comprehension may come to Woods's classroom to practice reading passages out loud. Another may need Woods to read their test questions aloud, while yet another may need permission to use a calculator on an exam. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Woods co-teaches with two English teachers too, which allows her to observe her students in their regular classrooms and to work alongside students who don't qualify for an IEP, but who still benefit from extra attention. "She has to individualize every single thing for every single activity for every single student," said John Zerbe, principal of Spencerville Middle School, who estimated his school has at least 35 students on IEPs this year. "It's a challenge for our special education department, because they have to differentiate everything they're doing," Zerbe said. But students are "being pushed, even though they have those accommodations," he said. Spencerville schools employs seven intervention specialists across its three schools to work with students on education plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce estimates 16% of Ohio preschool and school-aged children have a disability and are eligible for special education services. Learning disabilities are the most common disability reported by Ohio students, the majority of whom spend most of their school day in regular classrooms thanks to IEPs. Students who report to multiple-handicap classrooms because of a physical or developmental disability are included as often as possible too, even in gym class or the cafeteria, Zerbe said. "That changed education for the better," Zerbe said. Featured Local Savings ILLINOIS (WCIA) Governor JB Pritzker has declared March 19 Illinois Agriculture Trade Day. Its in recognition of the positive contribution that agriculture trade makes to the states economy, farmers and communities. Pritzker said in part that it is imperative to make consumers, businesses and policymakers aware of the challenges and opportunities facing the agriculture trade today. Bill protecting Mahomet Aquifer from carbon sequestration passes House committee Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Agricultural producers in Illinois play a vital role in food security both at home and abroad. Its Illinois top industry and main driver of the economy. The state ranks number one in production of soybeans, pumpkins and horseradish, number two in corn, number four in hogs and number 10 in wheat. In the Midwest, Illinois holds the title of top exporting state. Total exports in 2023 were estimated at $13.7 billion. These agricultural exports support rural communities in the state, generate jobs, drive innovation and connect local farmers to global markets. Illinois thriving agriculture sector provides jobs across our state, not just for farmers and ranchers, but for processors, scientists, shippers, trucking, and retailers, Pritzker said. To celebrate Illinois Agriculture Trade Day, Illinoisians are encouraged to visit the Department of Agricultures website, to learn more about food and agriculture in the state. To learn more about the role that agriculture plays in the economy in both the state and the nation, visit FeedingtheEconomy.com Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) A bill that would make license plate flippers illegal devices that obscure license plates at the touch of a button is advancing in the Illinois General Assembly. Senate Bill 1883 would make the use of tape or flippers to obscure vehicle registration plates illegal. Devices like flippers allow drivers to evade tolls and law enforcement, creating unfair and unsafe road conditions for everyone, said Sen. Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford). This measure reinforces the importance of accountability on our roads by making it clear these devices are illegal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill passed the Senate Transportation Committee on Tuesday. 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. (WTVO) A new bill under consideration in the Illinois Statehouse would require students to be screened for dyslexia to attend a public school. Senate Bill 1672 would require students to be tested for dyslexia as early as kindergarten through third grade, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year. The bill was introduced in February by Sen. Christopher Belt (D-E. St. Louis) and is currently being processed by the committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dyslexia is a neurological learning condition that hinders learning by making it hard to decode words, affecting reading and writing skills. 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. (WTVO) Illinois is closer to banning cell phones in school classrooms as legislation passed a Senate committee Tuesday. Gov. JB Pritzker announced the cell phone ban during his state budget address, citing cyberbullying and learning distractions. The policy, if it becomes law, would effectively ban the use of wireless communications devices by students in all Illinois classrooms, with the following exceptions: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the event of an emergency or in response to an imminent threat. When a teacher or instructor has authorized the student to use a wireless communication device for educational purposese.g. Chromebook use, technology-based activities, etc. When a licensed physician determines that the possession or use of a wireless communication device is necessary for the health or well-being of the student. To fulfill an Individualized Education Plan or 504 plan. When the wireless communication device is necessary for students who are English learners to access learning materials, participate in class or otherwise facilitate communication. However, schools are prohibited from issuing fines, fees, ticketing, or the deployment of a School Resource Officer or local law enforcement officer for the enforcement of the ban. The ban would not apply to wireless communication devices that are issued by the school for educational purposes. The bill now heads to the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) The Illinois Clean Slate Act, currently under consideration in the General Assembly, would create an automated system to seal or expunge eligible criminal records, offering individuals with past convictions a fresh start. We talked to over 100 legislators and every one of us that weve talked to so far has been really excited about passing clean slate legislation, said Rev. Ciera Bates-Chamberlain, the executive director of Live Free. The system is problematic, she continued. If everyone who was eligible to have their records sealed went down to the courthouse, it will take 154 years for them to actually seal all of those cases because of the backlog. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advocates for the Clean Slate Initiative say that a criminal record creates barriers to employment, housing, and other opportunities. The plan would automate the process, automatically clearing an offenders record once they become eligible for relief. Rev. Violet Johnicker, pastor of Brooke Road United Methodist Church, said, So, people think, oh, well, theyve served their time. Why dont they just go get a job? Because we unfortunately, as a society, and particularly Illinois, continue to place obstacles in the way of those folks who are working to better themselves and be meaningful, doing good contributions back to society So we want to remove those barriers and get themselves back on their feet. The Clean Slate Act has been passed in 12 states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. DEERFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) An Illinois mother has filed a federal civil rights complaint claiming her daughters middle school attempted to force her to change in front of a biological male in the girls locker room. Nicole Georgas filed the complaint with the U.S. Justice Department claiming that school administrators backed a policy that required her 13-year-old daughter to change into her P.E. uniform in front of a transgender teen. Georgas revealed the lawsuit at a Board of Education meeting in Deerfield last week. Her daughter attends Shepard Middle School, and was terrified by the incident, Georgas said in a police report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My child completely freaked out, she said. Was not having it. She called me, started crying, and ran out of the locker room as fast as she could. At the meeting, she added that the schools transgender policy violates an executive order signed by President Donald Trump that prevents biological males from participating in womens sports. Deerfield Public School District 109 responded in a statement, saying it complies with state law, which mandates that students must be permitted access to the locker room and bathroom that aligns with their gender identity. The school also said that students have the option to change in a private location separate from the locker room, but Georgas contented that the other students should be required to use the gender-neutral bathrooms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Georgas said days after the incident, her daughter and other girls refused to change into their uniforms because the transgender student was present. She claimed school administrators pulled them aside and made them change. That day, [Assistant Superintendent for Student Services] Joanna Ford, [Assistant Principal] Cathy Van Treese, and multiple teachers all came into the girls locker room, making them change into uniform. This went on all week, she said. The girls want their locker rooms and bathrooms back, she said at Thursdays board meeting. They want their privacy back. This is why Im here tonight. My 13-year-old daughters well-being, mental health, and privacy are at stake. The issue was addressed during an Illinois General Assembly session on Tuesday, after it was brought up by Rep. Adam Neimerg (R-102nd). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Folks, a boy shouldnt be changing in a girls locker room. Just like they shouldnt be playing in girls sports. Its common sense. God made boys boys and girls girls. Its that simple, Neimerg wrote on X. During Tuesdays session, Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield) called Georgas allegations a lie and praised the schools handling of the situation. Im really proud of my community who stood up for those who need to be defended and protected, making sure we have great schools, which we do by the way, we have incredible, incredible schools, incredible families, an incredible community that has come together to deal with this situation. Because its a lie! Morgan said. Morgan went on to chide Neimerg for bringing the issue up in the first place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Georgas responded on X, saying, Really [Rep. Morgan?] Was your daughter in the locker room? Because mine was! How Dare you accuse them of lying. You are disgusting & despicable and I hope one day I get to play the audio for you! 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. People attend a rally near the Israeli Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, March 19, 2025. A mass rally broke out in Jerusalem on Wednesday, protesting against Israel's resumption of military operations in Gaza, and calling for an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages. Israel has launched a "targeted ground operation" in central and southern Gaza, aiming to create a buffer zone between the northern and southern parts of the Palestinian enclave, the military said in a statement on Wednesday. According to the military, the operation was launched "in the past 24 hours," shortly after Israel ended a two-month ceasefire and resumed airstrikes. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua) JERUSALEM, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Israel has launched a "targeted ground operation" in central and southern Gaza, aiming to create a buffer zone between the northern and southern parts of the Palestinian enclave, the military said in a statement on Wednesday. According to the military, the operation was launched "in the past 24 hours," shortly after Israel ended a two-month ceasefire and resumed airstrikes. The military said that during the operation, Israeli troops "took control and re-established their presence up to the center of the Netzarim Corridor," a military buffer zone established by Israeli soldiers in central Gaza during the war. The military said the ground operation aims to "expand the security zone and create a partial buffer between the northern and southern parts of the enclave." The military did not announce a full-scale ground campaign like the one launched in October 2023, which lasted 15 months until a truce took hold on Jan. 19. However, it said that troops from the Golani infantry brigade would be stationed in the Southern Command area, near Gaza's southern border, and "will remain ready for operations in the Gaza Strip." Israel resumed its assault on Gaza early Tuesday. The attacks have killed more than 400 Palestinians and injured more than 600, according to Gaza-based health authorities. People attend a rally near the Israeli Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, March 19, 2025. A mass rally broke out in Jerusalem on Wednesday, protesting against Israel's resumption of military operations in Gaza, and calling for an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages. Israel has launched a "targeted ground operation" in central and southern Gaza, aiming to create a buffer zone between the northern and southern parts of the Palestinian enclave, the military said in a statement on Wednesday. According to the military, the operation was launched "in the past 24 hours," shortly after Israel ended a two-month ceasefire and resumed airstrikes. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing) People attend a rally near the Israeli Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, March 19, 2025. A mass rally broke out in Jerusalem on Wednesday, protesting against Israel's resumption of military operations in Gaza, and calling for an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages. Israel has launched a "targeted ground operation" in central and southern Gaza, aiming to create a buffer zone between the northern and southern parts of the Palestinian enclave, the military said in a statement on Wednesday. According to the military, the operation was launched "in the past 24 hours," shortly after Israel ended a two-month ceasefire and resumed airstrikes. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua) LAKE CHARLES, La. (KLFY) Illinois sex offender is arrested by Calcasieu Parishs Office after having inappropriate contact between a minor and adult, deputies said. In January, deputies said they discovered Patrick T. Cantwell, 29, Pleasant Hill, IL, who is a register sex offender in Illinois. According to officials, Cantwell was engaging in a sexual conversation with a minor in Calcasieu Parish over snapchat. Calcasieu deputies said they issued a warrant for Cantwells arrest on Feb. 20. and he was then taken into custody by authorities in Pike County, IL. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Cantwell was extradited back to Louisiana, then he was booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center, deputies said. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest Cantwell is charged with indecent behavior with juveniles and has a bond set at $500,000, officials said. According to Pike County authorities, they said Cantwell will be additionally charged for failing to register as a sex offender; providing false information as a sex offender; and obstructing justice. Patrick T. Cantwell, 29, Pleasant Hill, IL Latest news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 KLFY.com. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) The Illinois State Police released data on human trafficking arrests made in 2024, which included six arrests in Rockford. ISP Director Brendan Kelly said human trafficking is one of the most underreported and under-identified crimes. Human trafficking can come in many forms, from commercial sex acts to forced labor, said Kelly. Because human trafficking has many faces and can happen almost anywhere, it is important to have a comprehensive, statewide trauma-informed response that encompasses those who may come in contact with individuals who are being trafficked, such as law enforcement, child services, case workers, treatment providers, and others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In total, the ISP Trafficking Enforcement Bureau conducted seven human trafficking demand suppression operations in 2024, resulting in a total of 31 arrests statewide. Charges filed during the seven operations include Indecent Solicitation of a Child, Traveling to Meet a Child, Grooming, Solicitation to Meet a Child, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Armed Violence. In addition, ISP obtained charges in three more cases, including charges of Involuntary Servitude and Promoting Prostitution. ISP said it will conduct at least one operation each month. In Rockford, Winnebago County States Attorney J. Hanley said last month that one of his offices goals for 2025 was to bring more charges in human trafficking cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. By Ece Toksabay ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey detained Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on Wednesday on charges such as graft and aiding a terrorist group, a step the main opposition party criticised as a "coup attempt against the next president". A leading figure in the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), Imamoglu, has long been seen as President Tayyip Erdogan's most formidable rival. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His appeal beyond his secular party's traditional base has propelled him onto the national stage, making him a competitive contender, whom the CHP was expected to name as its candidate for president in the next election. Wednesday's detention, along with charges of leading a crime organisation, bribery, and tender rigging, escalates a political showdown that could shape Turkey's future. Despite his legal troubles, Imamoglu has vowed to keep fighting. "I will not give up," he said in a video message on X. Imamoglu's rise in politics has drawn parallels to Erdogan's own trajectory, as both have led Istanbul, hail from Turkey's Black Sea region, and encountered legal barriers that threatened their political futures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Born in 1971 in the Black Sea province of Trabzon, Imamoglu studied business administration at Istanbul University before entering his family's construction business. He joined the CHP in 2008 and became mayor of Istanbul's Beylikduzu district in 2014. In 2019, he delivered Erdogan's ruling AK Party (AKP) its biggest defeat in two decades by winning Istanbul's mayoral race, not once, but twice. A court annulled his initial victory, only for him to win the re-run election by an even wider margin. And in 2024, he secured re-election despite a fractured opposition alliance. Imamoglu has framed his political battles as a fight for democracy. "This is more than a mayoral election," he said last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is consigning a mentality to history. If it is consigned to history, democracy will revive, and law and justice will recover." LEGAL SETBACKS Imamoglu has faced legal challenges throughout his career, being sentenced in 2022 to 2-1/2 years in prison for insulting public officials, though an appeals court has yet to rule in the case. Another case last year accused him of tender-rigging. His supporters view these charges as politically motivated attempts to sideline him, a claim Erdogan and the AKP deny. The latest charges are the most serious. The Istanbul prosecutor's office has said 100 people, including journalists and businessmen, are suspected of involvement in corrupt municipal tenders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another investigation accuses Imamoglu and six others of aiding the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), considered a terrorist organisation by Turkey and its Western allies. Adding to the pressure, Istanbul University annulled Imamoglus degree this week. If the decision is upheld by a court, it could block him from running in the 2028 presidential elections. However, if Erdogan seeks to run again, the vote may be held earlier. In response to growing tension, the Istanbul governors office imposed a four-day ban on protests and public gatherings. Despite what Immoglu calls persistent obstacles from Ankara, he has touted his administrations achievements in Istanbul, a city of 16 million that drives Turkeys economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His rivalry with Erdogan dates back decades, to a far humbler setting. In the mid-1990s, after Erdogan became mayor, he visited a meatball restaurant that Imamoglu was running in Istanbuls district of Gungoren. "I hosted him," Imamoglu once recalled. "He ate meatballs in my restaurant. I didn't take his money. He won't pay that bill as long as he lives." (Writing by Ece Toksabay; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) An immigrant support organization in Chelsea says the community has been gripped by a sense of siege after experiencing the largest ICE raid yet. Federal agents were seen at staging areas outside the Market Basket, Chelsea City Hall, and a third location on Tuesday. La Colaborativa warned of the raids on social media and subsequently shut down its main office for the day to prevent incoming visitors from being targeted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the organization, at least ten people were apprehended in Chelsea, and others were detained in Everett, on the South Shore, and in New Bedford. This has been an immensely difficult day for our community in Chelsea, said Alex Train, Chief Operating Officer at La Colaborativa. Immigration and Customs Enforcement orchestrated what turned out to be the largest raid over the last decade in Chelsea. La Colaborativa is now advising community members, including those who are in the United States legally, to have a contingency plan that ensures access to attorneys and critical resources. The majority of people that are falling into this have no criminal record, explained Train. Even though you might have citizenship, or you might have immigration status, because of your race, because of your ethnicity, you might be targeted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boston 25 News also spoke with witnesses who described seeing a visible ICE presence at multiple locations in Everett. Some described the feeling of intimidation thats now making families fearful to leave their homes. Its terrible. Too many families are afraid to go out, said Edna Vasquez. I dont agree with this. Trump is crazy! Boston 25 News heard from at least one neighbor in Chelsea who supports whats happening. I was in the military, so I follow laws and enforce the laws according to the president. If thats what he decided, then I stand behind him, said Richard Brodeur. Brodeur lives steps away from one of the spots where ICE agents set up on Tuesday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE agents were seen detaining three workers there who were inside the van of a local painting contracting business. I havent seen anything visual of families being ripped apart or kids or anything like that, he said. If it was shown to me and true, I would be more sympathetic. Chelsea City Manager Fidel Maltez released the following statement after Tuesdays ICE activity: The City of Chelsea did not participate in the actions that occurred today. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operates independently from the City. The Chelsea Police Department was notified, but did not take part in any federal law enforcement actions that occurred today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE has not released any details connected to Tuesdays arrests, referring to its policy of not commenting on ongoing operations. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW President Donald Trump is deporting immigrants11,000 last month. Some people are unhappy about that. Last week a judge ordered a stop to Trump's removal of Venezuelan nationals. (Deportation happened anyway.) I definitely want immigrant criminals deported. Trump says migrant crime is "happening at levels that nobody thought possible!" But that's not true. Researching my new video, I learned that immigrants are actually less likely to get into trouble than native-born Americans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas, the only state that tracks immigrant crime, compares convictions per 100,000 Americans. Score: illegal immigrants, 782; legal immigrants, 535; native-born Americans, 1,422. It's the opposite of what most of us have heard. But even if immigrants are less likely to commit crimes, there are other reasons to object to immigration: 1) Immigrants take jobs away from Americans. 2) They freeload off our welfare system. 3) They threaten our culture. I'll take them point by point. Tucker Carlson complains, "These new rivals compete primarily with the very Americans most likely to have lost their jobs." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He's right. Migrants take jobs from some Americans, and some Americans are out of work. But unemployment is relatively low: 4.1 percent. It was 8.8 percent when I was first hired by ABC. Today, companies complain that they can't find enough people willing to show up on time and work. In addition, "Every serious economic study," says Yaron Brook of the Ayn Rand Institute, shows immigrants "create more jobs than they destroy. You might lose your job, but you live now in a society that hasmore opportunities, because many immigrants are entrepreneurs." They sure are. Immigrants started SpaceX, eBay, Instacart, Uber, NVIDIA, SanDisk, etc. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We benefit enormously from our interaction with immigrants," says Brook. "Who has the right to stop us from that interaction?!It's like saying: 'I have a right to stagnate and to force all of you to stagnate with me.'" What about the second point? Immigrants freeloading off welfare? Illegal immigrants actually don't qualify for most benefits, but some politicians give tax money away anyway. Some give migrants credit cards. Also, immigrants' kids often attend public schools, hospitals treat them for free (seems cruel not to), and they benefit from public services available to everyone in America. "The way to deal with that is not to restrict immigration," says Brook. "Deal with that by restricting the goodies." Why not restrict immigration? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Immigrants are a massive benefit to Americans," he says. It's true. Trump says, "Legal immigration. I like it. We need people." But even illegal immigrants are a net gain. Not just because they harvest our food, do construction, etc., but also because Social Security and Medicare taxes are deducted from their paychecks. That's money they never get back because they're not legal. As a result, undocumented immigrants pay more into our economy than they get back. Some Americans say, "I support immigration, but migrants should get in line and obey the laws." But for most migrants, that's almost impossible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under our current rules, many would have to wait more than 100 years! "Legal immigration is unbelievably complicated," says Brook. "It's almost impossible to come here." Trump proposes selling a type of green card for $5 million. Maybe that's a good idea. Brook says, "Let in anyone with a job offer." That's a good idea. But then there's concern number three: "We are bringing in peasant cultures," complains pundit Ann Coulter. Brook replies, "There are good people in every culture. When [the] Irish came, they were accused of being barbarians. Every wave of immigrants has been accused of the same thing. The fact isthey assimilate quite well, no matter where they come from." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I push back, "Some are Muslim fundamentalists who bring in ideas we don't like. Some are socialists." "Yes," Brook answers, "But if we are confident in the ideas that we have, individual rightscapitalism and liberty, we should fight for those ideas. It's Americans who teach at our universities that the Founding Fathers were terrible human beings." By contrast, most immigrants like America! Let more in. COPYRIGHT 2025 BY JFS PRODUCTIONS INC. The post Immigrants Are a Boon to the U.S. Economy appeared first on Reason.com. Undocumented immigrant Jeanette Vizguerra takes sanctuary at the First Baptist Church in Denver, Colorado, on May 5, 2017. Credit - John MooreGetty Images In 1997, Jeanette Vizguerra left Mexico City for Colorado, where she became a janitor and immigration reform advocate. Twenty years later, she was one of the most influential people in the world. Now, the mother of four and National Domestic Workers Alliance member has been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the NDWA told TIME, amid President Donald Trumps politicized deportation crackdown that has appeared to ramp up in recent days. Were urgently working on collaborating with partners to demand her immediate release, NDWA media relations director Daniela Perez told TIME. Detainments and deportations are attacks on all of our freedoms. We will not allow ICE or leaders who stoke fear and division to terrorize our loved ones and neighbors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vizguerra was arrested at a Target where she worked in Denver on Monday, Jordan Garcia of the American Friends Service Committee told the Associated Press. An ICE spokesperson confirmed to TIME that Vizguerra was arrested without incident on March 17, adding that she will remain in custody pending her deportation. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston said the arrest of Vizguerra is not about safety. This is Putin-style persecution of political dissidents. Protestors calling for Vizguerras release gathered outside a detention center in the Aurora suburb, where her family said she is being held. Vizguerra rose to prominence for living in Denver churches for three months in 2017, eventually winning a two-year deportation delay after Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet and former Rep. now Gov. Jared Polis, both Democrats, introduced bills to help her and another Mexican immigrant remain in the country. In one of his first actions of his second term, Trump rescinded a Biden-era policy that protected sensitive areas, including schools, hospitals and churches, from ICE arrests. The Department of Homeland Security then issued a directive, titled Enforcement Actions in or Near Protected Areas, that gave ICE agents unbridled access to these places. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read More: How Schools Are Navigating Trumps Immigration Policies Vizguerra was featured in TIMEs TIME100 list in 2017for which actor, producer, and activist America Ferrera wrote: Jeanette moved to the U.S. to be a janitor, working as an outspoken union organizer and building her own company before becoming an advocate for immigration reforma bold and risky thing for an undocumented immigrant. The current Administration has scapegoated immigrants, scaring Americans into believing that undocumented people like Jeanette are criminals. She came to this country not to rape, murder or sell drugs, but to create a better life for her family. This is not a crime. This is the American Dream. Vizguerra again sought shelter in a church sanctuary in 2019 after her deportation stay was not renewed, before leaving the church grounds in 2020 and attempting to get a U visa, which is sometimes given to victims of crime, according to Garcia. Vizguerra fled Mexico after her husband, who was a bus driver, was held up at gunpoint three times, according to a 2011 documentary about their immigration ordeal. Jeanette has lived in the United States for nearly 30 years, planted roots here, raised children and grandchildren here, cared for offices and homes here, organized janitors and fought for better pay and benefits for her colleagues here, NDWA president Ai-jen Poo, another former TIME100 listee, wrote in a post on Instagram. She has been in and out of deportation proceedings since 2009, fighting every step of the way for the right to be where she belongs - in her home, with her family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While historically immigration enforcement has prioritized those who threaten national security or public safety, Trump has expanded enforcement priorities during his first and second terms, in keeping with his campaign promise to pursue mass deportations. Vizguerra is the mother of three U.S. citizens and one so-called Dreamer, a recipient of the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that provided work permits to and shielded from deportation certain undocumented immigrants who came as children. Trump rescinded DACA during his first term, though President Joe Biden reinstated it. Vizguerra would have been eligible for the similar Obama-era Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) program, which Trump also rescinded during his first term. At the start of his second term, Trump also revoked Bidens immigration enforcement priorities, which included focusing on those with serious criminal records, in favor of a broader effort to crack down on all unauthorized immigrants. John Fabbricatore, a former Denver field office director for ICE, said in a post on X on Tuesday that the Biden Administration prevented him from deporting Vizguerra years earlier. She should have been deported in 2009 as well, Fabbricatore, an outspoken Trump supporter, wrote. She is a criminal, hates Trump, and is an open-borders, abolish-ICE advocate. Bye!!!! Vizguerra was convicted in 2009 of misdemeanor possession of forged documents, which she said she needed for employment, after which a judge in 2011 issued a deportation order which allowed for voluntary departure. In 2012, Vizguerra voluntarily left for Mexico, before re-entering in 2013. A judge then sentenced her for misdemeanor illegal entry to a year of unsupervised probation, and ICE reinstated her deportation order but allowed her to remain in the U.S. under ICE supervision. Vizguerras lawyers told the AP that ICE is now trying to deport her based on that order, which they say was never valid. Since 2014, Vizguerra has filed at least 10 petitions or appeals for deportation stays or visas, four of which were granted during the Obama and Biden Administrations, and six of which were denied during Trumps first term, according to a timeline provided by ICE. Vizguerra filed a lawsuit in 2019 alleging that ICE carried out a yearslong campaign to deport her without valid justification. She later dropped the lawsuit, according to the AP. Following her arrest on Monday, Vizguerra filed a habeas corpus petition alleging unlawful detention with the Colorado District Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An ICE spokesperson told TIME that Vizguerra is a convicted criminal alien from Mexico who has a final order of deportation issued by a federal immigration judge. The spokesperson added that she has received legal due process in U.S. immigration court. The only thing that Ive done is use false documents to put food on the table of my family, Vizguerra said through a translator at an address to supporters and media outside a Denver church in 2017. Contact us at letters@time.com. The Trump administrations crackdown on immigration has led to a string of concerned reports from principals and parents to Chicago Public Schools officials, according to a review of internal communication from district security personnel. On Jan. 24, a mistaken CPS report of two U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers at Hamline Elementary School on the South Side spurred nationwide panic. The two officers were later confirmed to be Secret Service, not ICE both agencies are part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. A security video showed the agents approached the school in a relatively benign manner, despite high levels of fear that day. A look at emails from district officials in the weeks since the mistaken ICE report demonstrates that both panic and misinformation around ICE in schools has continued since the Hamline incident. The emails were mostly sent by officials at the CPS Student Safety Center, the districts 24/7 command center for safety communications, and were obtained by the Tribune through a Freedom of Information Act request. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They show there were multiple other sightings of ICE vehicles outside schools, some confirmed and some dismissed. And though not always found true, reports of ICE activity can have serious effects at the classroom level, experts say. Something like this happens in the community and everyone is on edge, said Patricia Gandara, an education professor and co-director of the Civil Rights Project at the University of California, Los Angeles. The teachers in the classroom are under enormous stress, because theyre trying to teach a class, theyre trying to get the kids ready to take their exams. (But) kids may be crying. Theyve got their heads down. They cant cooperate. According to an ICE spokesperson, the agency makes case-by-case determinations about whether, where and when to conduct an immigration enforcement action at or near a school. ICE focuses on targeting public safety threats, the spokesperson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE agents are not allowed into schools unless they have a criminal warrant, according to CPS rules. The district said it has provided detailed guidance to principals about how to handle interactions with ICE, and how to protect students who may have a parent or guardian who has been detained by ICE during the school day. Previously, the Department of Homeland Securitys guidance restricted immigration enforcement in sensitive locations like schools health care centers and churches. The week after being sworn into office, President Donald Trump changed that long-standing precedent, as part of his plans to implement the largest mass deportation operation in United States history. And though there is a great deal of uncertainty about how swiftly ICE will be able to carry out its ambitious goals for deportations under Trump, there exists a pervasive fear that ICE will arrest parents around schools. Its happened a few times, according to the internal emails. A Jan. 29 message from Jorge Santillan, CPS Student Safety Center coordinator, to several top district officials cited a principals report of ICE detaining a person near Eberhart Elementary School in the 14th Ward on the Southwest Side. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The alderman of that ward, Jeylu Gutierrez, saw three ICE trucks in the area detaining that person, Santillan wrote in the email. Gutierrez said in an interview with the Tribune that she tries to minimize misinformation of ICE reports in her community that create more chaos and instability for the undocumented community. Our constituents are afraid, she said. Theyre asking neighbors who are citizens or permanent residents to drop off their kids to school. Many of the reports are unfounded, the emails show. The day before the alleged arrest in the 14th Ward, the principal of Pulaski International School in Bucktown reported a district bus driver called to say they would be late (to school) due to ICE detaining the bus, according to an email from Ben Middleton, a CPS Student Safety Center coordinator, to two of the districts top transportation officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though the driver alleged ICE had broken windows on her bus while looking for an unspecified student, and she had to return to the depot to get another bus, the report was later dismissed as untrue, Middleton wrote. Principals across the city reported possible ICE sightings both at drop-off and dismissal, emails show, but on at least three occasions, the vehicles in question left the premises without incident. In one case, a parent was stopped by ICE on the way to school without being detained. Still, the effects on students and school employees are immeasurable, UCLAs Gandara said. During the first Trump administration, she worked on a study about the effect of the presidents immigration enforcement policy on schools across the country. Researchers used survey data completed by over 3,600 educators, and found that 80% said their students were affected by rumors and concerns. Teachers, Gandara said, overwhelmingly felt powerless. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those trends popped up in several incidents at CPS schools, according to the emails. On Jan. 24, the same day as the unfounded reports about ICE agents at Hamline, LaDonna Williams, the principal of Hefferan Elementary School in Garfield Park, reached out to the CPS Student Safety Center regarding emails shed received protesting videos a Heffernan teacher had posted of herself on TikTok. You dont think I already have a plan? And a backup plan? the teacher said in a video, picked up by the far-right X (formerly Twitter) account Libs of Chicago. Theres no way youre touching one of my students. According to the email from a CPS School Safety Center case coordinator, the principal sent the text of the email she received: It describes the videos as unhinged rants. Then it provides a warning that if this dangerous individual is not dealt with appropriately, this will be escalated to (the) appropriate department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Feb. 3, at Hale Elementary on the Southwest Side, a dean notified a CPS School Safety Center case coordinator in an email about a student who brought two Nerf guns to protect everyone in the school from ICE. Students were worried because all theyd heard was the word gun, according to the email, and parents were made aware. On Feb. 26, CPS confirmed to the Tribune that the parent of a student was detained outside of a different elementary school in Gage Park. ICE later specified it was someone with criminal convictions for drug trafficking, gang loitering and damage to property who was previously removed from the U.S. to his home country in 2005 and 2013. Karina Martinez, communications coordinator for Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, said the school was supportive of the family affected by the arrest, but that it affected the entire community. Videos of law enforcement in the area spread through social media, she said. Many of them are plainclothes, and that makes it a little bit of a tricky situation, she said. Martinez emphasized vigilance and encouraged reporting suspicious activities to CPS. FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) The Virginia Department of Forestry and the Deputy Fire Marshal is advising residents of a increased fire warning on Wednesday, March 19. Fire risks are very high in the region and advise residents that any spark can cause something more dangerous. Seasonal 4 PM Burning Law begins Feb. 15 The Franklin County Fire and EMS is reiterating the 4 p.m. burn law to ensure the safety of the community. Therefore, no burning leaves, brush piles or even lighting a firepit today to prevent fires under the specific conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Photo taken with a cellphone on March 19, 2025 shows smoke and fire rising from a neighborhood following an airstrike in Sanaa, Yemen. A new round of U.S. airstrikes struck Yemen's capital Sanaa on Wednesday evening, wounding at least nine people, including seven women and two children, according to Houthi-run al-Masirah TV. (Str/Xinhua) SANAA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- A new round of U.S. airstrikes struck Yemen's capital Sanaa on Wednesday evening, wounding at least nine people, including seven women and two children, according to Houthi-run al-Masirah TV. The strikes targeted a building under construction in Sanaa's Geraf neighborhood, damaging nearby residential structures and injuring civilians sheltering in an adjacent building, the channel reported. The attack marked the second U.S. strike on the area since Saturday, when earlier raids killed 53 people and wounded 98, including women and children, according to Houthi-controlled health authorities. Wednesday's strikes also expanded to other regions, with al-Masirah reporting strikes on Houthi-controlled areas in governorates such as Saada, al-Bayda, Hodeidah, and al-Jawf. The Houthis, who control northern Yemen, claimed earlier on Wednesday they had launched cruise missiles at the USS Harry Truman in the Red Sea, calling it their fourth such attack in 72 hours. The group insists its maritime strikes target only Israeli-linked vessels to pressure Israel to halt its Gaza offensive and allow humanitarian aid into the Palestinian enclave. The U.S. military, which began strikes on Houthi targets Saturday, says the campaign aims to protect international shipping lanes. U.S. President Donald Trump warned the Houthis on Saturday to cease attacks or face intensified consequences, declaring, "Hell will rain down upon you like nothing you have ever seen before." Photo taken with a cellphone on March 19, 2025 shows smoke and fire rising from a neighborhood following an airstrike in Sanaa, Yemen. A new round of U.S. airstrikes struck Yemen's capital Sanaa on Wednesday evening, wounding at least nine people, including seven women and two children, according to Houthi-run al-Masirah TV. (Str/Xinhua) Photo taken with a cellphone on March 19, 2025 shows smoke rising from a neighborhood following an airstrike in Sanaa, Yemen. A new round of U.S. airstrikes struck Yemen's capital Sanaa on Wednesday evening, wounding at least nine people, including seven women and two children, according to Houthi-run al-Masirah TV. (Str/Xinhua) Photo taken with a cellphone on March 19, 2025 shows smoke rising from a neighborhood following an airstrike in Sanaa, Yemen. A new round of U.S. airstrikes struck Yemen's capital Sanaa on Wednesday evening, wounding at least nine people, including seven women and two children, according to Houthi-run al-Masirah TV. (Str/Xinhua) This photo taken on March 20, 2025 shows the destroyed buildings after U.S. airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen. A new round of U.S. airstrikes struck Yemen's capital Sanaa on Wednesday evening, wounding at least nine people, including seven women and two children, according to Houthi-run al-Masirah TV. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua) People inspect the site after U.S. airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen, on March 20, 2025. A new round of U.S. airstrikes struck Yemen's capital Sanaa on Wednesday evening, wounding at least nine people, including seven women and two children, according to Houthi-run al-Masirah TV. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua) People inspect the site after U.S. airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen, on March 20, 2025. A new round of U.S. airstrikes struck Yemen's capital Sanaa on Wednesday evening, wounding at least nine people, including seven women and two children, according to Houthi-run al-Masirah TV. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua) People inspect the site after U.S. airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen, on March 20, 2025. A new round of U.S. airstrikes struck Yemen's capital Sanaa on Wednesday evening, wounding at least nine people, including seven women and two children, according to Houthi-run al-Masirah TV. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua) This photo taken on March 20, 2025 shows the destroyed buildings after U.S. airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen. A new round of U.S. airstrikes struck Yemen's capital Sanaa on Wednesday evening, wounding at least nine people, including seven women and two children, according to Houthi-run al-Masirah TV. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua) This photo taken on March 20, 2025 shows the destroyed buildings after U.S. airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen. A new round of U.S. airstrikes struck Yemen's capital Sanaa on Wednesday evening, wounding at least nine people, including seven women and two children, according to Houthi-run al-Masirah TV. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua) People inspect the site after U.S. airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen, on March 20, 2025. A new round of U.S. airstrikes struck Yemen's capital Sanaa on Wednesday evening, wounding at least nine people, including seven women and two children, according to Houthi-run al-Masirah TV. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua) (Bloomberg) -- Follow Bloomberg India on WhatsApp for exclusive content and analysis on what billionaires, businesses and markets are doing. Sign up here. Most Read from Bloomberg India is about to join the worldwide wave of steel protectionism, outlining plans for sweeping trade tariffs just a week after President Donald Trump slapped duties on all US imports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The global steel market is facing upheaval as multiple nations put up defences to fight a flood of metal, particularly from billion-ton producer China. Indias Commerce ministry has proposed temporary safeguard duties of 12% on a wide range of steel products, according to a statement on Tuesday. Safeguard measures are used in times of increased, unfavourable and unforeseen imports that cause or threaten to cause permanent damage to the domestic industry, the ministrys statement said. India, the worlds second-biggest steelmaker, joins countries from Asia to Europe and Latin America in seeking tariff relief. Chinas property crisis has sent its steel exports rocketing, fueling a global glut at a time of fragile demand and Trumps 25% duties threaten to push metal to other markets. The proposed tariffs on Indian imports will be applied for a period of 200 days, according to the preliminary decision that followed an investigation by the countrys trade authority. A final ruling will be made after 30 days of consultation and a public hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In terms of domestic market, we are seeing a lot of new capacity so there will be some support now because of these duties, Shankhadeep Mukherjee, principal analyst at CRU Group, said by phone from Kolkata. Steelmaker shares in India rose on Wednesday, with state-owned Steel Authority of India Ltd. gaining as much as 5%. Tata Steel Ltd. went up 2.9%, while Jindal Steel & Power Ltd. advanced more than 2%. Critical Circumstances Though Chinas steel producers have reduced production, the country is still making a lot more steel than it needs domestically, and exports increased to a nine-year high in 2024. India also noted the impact of multiple trade measures worldwide, as well as slowing demand and growing steel capacity more widely across Asia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There exist critical circumstances, where any delay in application for provisional safeguard measures would cause damage which it would be difficult to repair, the ministry said. Imports of finished steel from China grew 80% to 1.6 million tons in the first seven months of 2024, according to government data. Indias steel output has grown rapidly in the past decade, although its output last year was still only about 15% of Chinas. Its producers have big plans to expand over the long term to feed the countrys urbanization and industrialization. If imposed, the duty will bring some relief to the swathe of steelmakers that had asked for the probe through the Indian Steel Association. Several producers had requested the government to impose a safeguard duty for four years. --With assistance from Yihui Xie, Jason Rogers and Lou Del Bello. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. By Krishna N. Das, Shivam Patel and Ruma Paul NEW DELHI/DHAKA (Reuters) - India is resisting pleas by Bangladesh to resume issuing normal volumes of medical visas, citing staffing shortages amid worsening ties, six sources said, giving China rare space to expand similar offerings and build people-to-people ties. The bulk of India's visas for Bangladeshis in 2023 went to those seeking its affordable private healthcare and Bengali-speaking hospital staff, helping to cement ties between the neighbours and limit China's regional influence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When there is a vacuum, others will come and fill the space," one of four Bangladesh sources, most of them diplomats, told Reuters. "Some people are going to Thailand and China." Since August, India has handed out fewer than 1,000 medical visas each working day, down from a figure of 5,000 to 7,000, said the sources, who all sought anonymity, citing their terms of employment. The numbers have fallen as relations have cooled after Bangladesh's interim government, led by Nobel peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, replaced India's long-term ally Sheikh Hasina. Fleeing deadly protests that unseated her in August, Hasina sought refuge in New Delhi, and India has not responded since to Bangladesh's request to send her home for trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, India issued more than 2 million visas to Bangladeshis, most of them on medical grounds, government data from both countries shows. But its withdrawal since has opened an enticing gap for China. Just this month, a group of Bangladeshis visited the southwestern province of Yunnan for treatment, in a bid to "explore the potential of the medical tourism market", said the Chinese ambassador, Yao Wen. And at least 14 of its companies have invested more than $230 million in Bangladesh since the interim government took office, the most of any country in that period, Wen said last week. Bangladesh's de facto prime minister, Yunus, is set to visit China this month to meet President Xi Jinping. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China, with which India is only slowly restoring ties after Himalayan border clashes in 2020, is also considering opening a friendship hospital in Dhaka, the government of Bangladesh has said, and eased access for Bangladeshis seeking treatment there. China is willing to work together with Bangladesh to continuously deepen and explore mutually beneficial cooperation, a spokesperson of its foreign ministry said. "The cooperation between China and Bangladesh is not targeted at any third party, nor is it influenced by third-party factors," the spokesperson told Reuters. The foreign ministries of India and Bangladesh did not respond to requests for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ALIENATION India's tardy visa processing was alienating not just the government of Bangladesh, but also the wider population, the four sources said, which could keep India out of Dhaka's favour for a long time, as a swift comeback by Hasina's party is unlikely. India has repeatedly cited staff shortages in its Dhaka embassy for the visa problems, said the diplomats and Indian government sources added that they were concerned about staff security. New Delhi evacuated many diplomats and their families from its missions in Bangladesh in August after public opinion turned against it for sheltering Hasina, with protesters in the Bangladesh capital attacking an Indian cultural centre. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Indian government sources said they wanted Bangladeshis with medical conditions to secure access to treatment in India, adding that staff would be added to missions in the neighbouring country when there is "stability in Bangladesh". One of them also attributed the fewer medical visas to the finding that some were being misused by people looking to "try and escape difficult conditions in Bangladesh". The visa bottlenecks come against the backdrop of Indian credit lines of more than $7 billion extended to Bangladesh for projects from rail links and Indian economic zones at two ports to nuclear power plant infrastructure and defence purchases. This month, India's foreign ministry said some of its projects in Bangladesh had been affected and the two sides had discussed "rationalising the project portfolio". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ties between Bangladesh and China are gathering pace, however. While a source said India had not formally engaged with any politicians in Bangladesh, a delegation led by a former minister of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party recently went to China at Beijing's invitation. This week, Yunus told Wen that Bangladesh was ready to further open its market to China, after top solar energy player Longi Green Energy agreed to set up an office in Bangladesh and invest in manufacturing. Wen has also met a top BNP leader over what he called "issues of mutual concern", but gave no further details. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By contrast, the first meeting between Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected only next month on the sidelines of a conference in Thailand, two Indian sources said. China's regional influence is growing, an Indian analyst said. "South Asia is undergoing a major strategic shift in which China is becoming one of the biggest players," said Happymon Jacob, who teaches international relations at the Jawaharlal Nehru University in the Indian capital. "With every South Asian country, the traditional primacy that India enjoyed is being questioned." (Reporting by Krishna N. Das and Shivam Patel in New Delhi, and Ruma Paul in Dhaka; Additional reporting by Aftab Ahmed in New Delhi, Liz Lee in Beijing, Uditha Jayasinghe in Colombo, Asif Shahzad in Islamabad; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis, sparred with witnesses Tuesday over an immigration notice proposal he's sponsoring. He is shown in committee on March 11, 2025. (Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle) A significant amendment on Tuesday and the promise of another tweak made little dent in opposition to a proposed mandate that Hoosier sheriffs notify federal immigration authorities when they suspect an arrestee is in the United States illegally. Rep. Garrett Bascom, R-Lawrenceburg, told a Senate committee that his legislation takes a more passive statute that says you must cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and defines what that cooperation is. Rep. Garrett Bascom answers committee questions about his immigration bill on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle) House Bill 1393 would require jails and detention facilities to tell county sheriffs when they have probable cause to believe that someone theyre booking on unrelated misdemeanor or felony charges isnt legally in the country. Sheriffs would have to report that information to the proper authority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats after the committee accepted, by consent, a short but substantive amendment. Previously, a local police officer wouldve had to make the initial probable cause determination and notify the sheriff. And for an alleged misdemeanor offense, the officer wouldve been required to make an arrest instead of issuing a summons. You kind of put the onus on the officer on the street, Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis, told Bascom. I want them back out on the street, patrolling and protecting our community, as opposed to doing paperwork. Freeman, who authored the amendment and chairs the committee, said officers also need discretion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zach Stock of the Indiana Public Defender Council said the amendment had pushed the agencys opposition into neutrality. We, like Sen. Freeman, love discretion, he explained. But remaining witnesses remained opposed or neutral, even as they thanked Freeman for the changes. We think that improves the bill. We still dont support the bill, said Chris Daley, the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana. So I brought you a long way there, to the author probably not liking me very much today, and it still doesnt get you guys to where you can support it or even be neutral to it? Freeman asked. Thats absolutely right, Daley replied. If I could just explain why Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ill never understand why. But go ahead, Freeman retorted. Daley and others fear the legislation has fostered anti-immigrant sentiment. Some witnesses, as during the bills House committee hearing, said it would lead to racial profiling. Several also opined that probable cause the legal standard police must meet to make arrests and get warrants isnt enough to trigger a notification to ICE. Police officers are no longer involved in this situation under my amendment, Freeman told one witness. So, I took care of that problem and the racial profiling There is no racial profiling. Others remained concerned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This bill will undoubtedly foster racial profiling. The standard of probable cause is most troublesome and inherently subjective, and will lead to judgments based on appearance, language, proficiency or access, said the Rev. Gray Lesesne, dean of Christ Church Cathedral and its diverse congregation. That prompted Freeman to note that only a few other standards exist, like reasonable suspicion and beyond a reasonable doubt. He quipped, If you want to come up with one, tell me. Asked how jails determine citizenship-related probable cause, Tippecanoe County Sheriff Bob Goldsmith told the Capital Chronicle that staff dont ask arrestees for their papers. Tippecanoe County Sheriff Bob Goldsmith, the 2025 president of the Indiana Sheriffs Association, testifies in committee on Feb. 17, 2025. (Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle) When theyre booked into jail we talk to them. Theres a questionnaire that they go through to ask if theyre born in the United States, said Goldsmith, who is also president of the Indiana Sheriffs Association. If theyre not born in the United States, then ICE is notified. Now, they may very well be a citizen, but ICE will tell us if they want them or not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE can use detainer requests to ask law enforcement agencies to hold onto potentially dangerous aliens for an additional 48 hours beyond when they wouldve been released so agents have time to take them into custody. Tippecanoe Countys jail has offered ICE such notifications for decades, said Goldsmith, who called the federal agency cooperative and responsive. But other counties have reported different experiences. While testifying on a separate bill, Indiana Sheriffs Association Executive Director Stephen Luce said ICE offered no contact for 13 of 77 Hamilton County arrests involving detainer requests last year. He estimated that ICE doesnt follow up on 15% to 20% of its detainer requests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Having worked with ICE in the past, they only come when they want to, said Sen. Sue Glick, R-LaGrange. And people can lose their entire livelihood while theyre languishing in the county jail at the expense of Indiana taxpayers. She joined two Democrats in opposing the legislation, which advanced from committee on a 5-3 vote. Freeman said he intended to bring a second reading amendment removing a provision that would offer law enforcement officers and agencies immunity from civil lawsuits sparked by ICE notices. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A rendering of IU's new eight-story building on 1619 Massachusetts Ave. NW in Washington, D.C. by architecture firm SmithGroup. IU plans to use the building for offices, classrooms and housing for its Washington-based programs. This story was updated to correct an inaccuracy. Indiana University Foundation has purchased a building in Washington, D.C., for $17.5 million where it intends to provide programming and housing for students. The eight-story building at 1619 Massachusetts Ave. NW has an assessed value of $43 million, according to Washington property records, and sits along Embassy Row, a stretch of Massachusetts Avenue where hundreds of international embassy offices are located. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From October: Indiana University tight-lipped about its new $43 million building in downtown D.C. The exterior of 1619 Massachusetts Ave. NW, pictured here in October 2022. IU spokesman Mark Bode confirmed the IU Foundation had a contract to purchase the building from Johns Hopkins University last October, but at the time declined to comment on the buildings purpose. The building was purchased by the IU Foundation on March 14, according to property records. What is IU doing with the Washington, D.C., building? A rendering of the lobby for IU's newly acquired building at 1619 Massachusetts Ave. by architecture firm SmithGroup. IU plans to use the building for offices, classrooms and housing for its Washington, D.C.-based programs. In a press release, IU said the building will bring together and expand IUs ongoing academic programs and business operations in the nations capital.The news release stated the building had been in the works since President Pamela Whitten took office in 2021. IU Bloomington has at least four Washington, D.C.-based programs, including the Hamilton Lugar Schools Global Leadership Forum, the ONeill School of Public and Environmental Affairs D.C. Accelerator and Washington Leadership Program, and a Washington-based internship in the political science department. IU Indianapolis ONeill School also has a Washington Leadership Program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the release, IU hinted that the universitys multiple campuses may expand programming in Washington. A rendering of a classroom in IU's newly purchased building at 1619 Massachusetts Ave. by architecture firm SmithGroup. Each campus will be encouraged to engage through programming and opportunities spanning a few days to entire semesters, the press release said. Additional plans for the buildings use and IUs presence in the capital are expected to develop over the coming academic year and beyond. Will students live in IUs new D.C. building? IU said the building will provide housing to IU students who previously had no dedicated housing arrangement in the capital. Washington and neighboring city Arlington, Virginia, are among the 10 most expensive cities in which to rent in the country, according to rental search company Zumpers National Rent Report. In an October presentation to the Dupont Circle advisory neighborhood commission, an attorney for the university said IU plans to have approximately 40 beds split evenly between the buildings sixth and seventh floors, with communal hall bathrooms on each floor. When will IU open the Washington building? IU said the building is expected to be ready for occupancy in early 2026, pending approval from the Board of Trustees on a lease agreement between the university and the IU Foundation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next Board of Trustees meeting is on June 12 and 13 at IU Bloomington. Reach Brian Rosenzweig at brian@heraldt.com. Follow him on Twitter/X at @brianwritesnews. This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Indiana University purchases Washington DC building for 17 million Indiana legislators are considering multiple bills to promote small modular nuclear reactors, including a controversial provision that would let utilities charge ratepayers for projects that may never be built. Such allowances, referred to as cost trackers, are widely used by utilities to recover early-stage project costs as well as variable or unexpected expenses between rate cases, such as fuel costs or grid repairs. But critics argue that with a technology as untested and expensive as SMRs, utilities could charge customers hundreds of millions of dollars for a reactor before they even file concrete plans to deploy one. At a state House committee hearing last week, supporters of SB 424 argued that Indiana needs nuclear to meet voracious power demand from planned data centers and to reduce emissions. Opponents of the bill argued that regardless of ones opinion on nuclear power, the cost recovery provision unfairly saddles ratepayers with expenses for a nascent and untested technology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This bill has absolutely, absolutely nothing to do with ones feelings about nuclear power and where energy is going, Kerwin Olson, executive director of the Citizens Action Coalition, the states primary consumer watchdog organization, said during the hearing. This has everything to do with who we believe should assume the risk of something that is so risky. Aerospace manufacturer Rolls-Royce, with a major plant in Indianapolis, is among the companies developing SMRs, but they are still considered years away from deployment. A federally funded SMR project in Idaho was canceled in late 2023, as the company NuScale Power said the cost of building the reactors had soared to over $9 billion. Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) President and Chief Operating Officer Steve Baker said the utility hopes to locate an SMR on the site of a coal plant in Rockport, Indiana, that is scheduled to close by 2028. That site checks all the boxes, he said, noting that the utility has applied for a $50 million federal grant in partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority that would be used for permitting and pre-construction costs of an SMR. If you think about where the utility industry is headed, you think about customers desires for sustainable power, you think about the resource adequacy needs that we have on the grid, all roads point you toward nuclear. Why utility cost trackers are controversial Cost trackers allow utilities to recoup dollars as they are being spent rather than wait for the lengthy processes where commissions review and approve rates every few years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the hearing, Baker said I&M needs this real-time cost recovery throughout the planning process instead of after SMR construction is actually approved or underway. Without this provision, he said, the utility would have to rely on bonds and pass the interest payments on to ratepayers. A 2024 report by the Edison Electric Institute, a utility trade group, said cost trackers have been used or permitted in 38 states, including Indiana. The Edison report notes, Cost trackers have been used for many years to recover large volatile costs like those for generation fuels. In recent years, they have also been used to compensate companies for rapidly rising costs such as those related to capital expenditures. The practice has faced opposition in other states when relied on for constructing large, expensive power plants, but advocates say that such cost recovery for an SMR is especially problematic given the massive and potentially ballooning costs. Duke Energy which serves Indiana pushed for a law allowing cost trackers in North Carolina in 2021, while a citizen watchdog group argued the measure could cause massive rate increases. At the March 11 hearing in Indiana, Rep. Matt Pierce a Democrat who voted against the bill expressed concern that if the utility spent $100 million investigating the technology and decided not to go forward, the ratepayer would bear the whole burden of the failed project while utility shareholders bore none. Is it a problem where a corporation can go do something, and theres no downside if theyre making bad decisions? he asked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pierce also asked Baker if the utility would object to an amendment saying that funds would be returned to ratepayers if an SMR project was ultimately not pursued. Baker said the utility would not support such an amendment. The chair of the House utilities committee, Republican Rep. Edmond Soliday, said that utilities should be able to keep costs recovered during the planning process even if an SMR is never built, noting the possibility that the antinuclear community will kill all these projects. Baker and Soliday argued that the bill contains safeguards for ratepayers, including that the utility cannot earn a rate of return on the SMR planning costs if the project is canceled, unless certain conditions are met. For example, a utility could still turn a profit if it is needed to avoid harm to the public utility and its customers or if the decision to scrap a planned SMR was prudently made for good cause. Olson railed against these conditions, saying he couldnt see how a utility would be harmed by foregoing profit for an SMR that was never built. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its one thing to have a tracker for construction costs when an actual project is planned, Olson told Canary Media. But its another to basically give utilities a cost tracker to even think about SMRs. That could be hundreds of millions or billions of dollars for something that may never ever happen. He added that since the recent push for SMRs is driven by energy demand from planned data centers, not only are the utilities getting this, theyre getting it at the behest of these big tech billionaires. Under the Indiana bill heard March 11 and a larger bill (HB 1007) with identical language about cost recovery, a utility must file with the state Utility Regulatory Commission to confirm an estimate of expected costs to be recovered. But the utility can recoup costs beyond that if the commission decides the overruns are reasonable, necessary, and prudent in supporting the construction, purchase, or lease of SMRs. Reasonable and prudent are my least favorite words in the English dictionary, written by lawyers for lawyers, said Olson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indiana Conservation Voters community and government affairs manager, Delaney Barber Kwon, said during the hearing that her organization also opposes the bill. Rate recovery up front without a guarantee of project completion puts Hoosiers at serious risk, she said, adding that other opportunities like grants, tax credits, and public-private partnerships are already available to utilities that want to develop SMRs. More Indiana bills to boost small modular nuclear reactors The cost tracker bill (SB 424) passed the Indiana Senate 3414 on Feb. 3 and passed the House committee on utilities, energy, and telecommunications with a 103 vote at the recent hearing. HB 1007 aimed at incentivizing data center development and including the same cost recovery provisions as SB 424 would also create a tax credit for SMR development. That bill passed the House on Feb. 13 and is now in a Senate committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A separate bill (SB 423) would allow two SMR pilot projects in the state and similarly allow utilities to recover costs for those projects before they are actually approved. That bill passed the Senate on Feb. 3 and is now in the same House committee that recently passed the cost tracker bill. Yet another bill before the House utilities committee prevents local government entities from blocking construction of new generation at the sites of closed power plants or mines (dubbed energy production zones); however, it excludes wind and solar. That means local governments could not prevent an SMR or natural gas plant on these sites but could block wind or solar. At the March 11 hearing, Indiana Secretary of Energy and Natural Resources Suzanne Jaworowski said SMRs are needed to power data centers, industries moving back to the U.S., and electrification of our culture, including the increase in electric vehicles. This is proven technology that the U.S. created, the Department of Energy is developing, that is being deployed other places around the world, she said. Russia has a floating reactor. China has SMRs. China launched the worlds first SMR in late 2023; a floating nuclear power plant in the Russian Arctic went online in 2020. This is a great time to be able to start developing the infrastructure to support SMRs, Jaworowski said. An Indiana mother is facing multiple felony charges after she and her teenage daughter allegedly attacked a middle school student inside a school bus. The shocking incident, which was caught on security footage and a viral video, has sparked debate over parental involvement in school conflicts. Authorities have condemned the attack, emphasizing that adults should not take matters into their own hands when dealing with bullying allegations. Incident On The School Bus MEGA On March 6, 2025, Warren Township School police were called to a school bus near the intersection of E. 35th Street and N. Richardt Avenue after a violent altercation broke out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Security footage and viral video clips revealed that 36-year-old Latea Hentz boarded the bus with her 17-year-old daughter and 13-year-old son to confront an eighth-grade student whom she claimed had been bullying her son. The footage reportedly showed Hentz's daughter and son approaching the 14-year-old boy before her son immediately started fighting him. Moments later, Hentz is seen walking down the aisle while yelling, "Beat his -ss, beat his -ss." She then physically joined the altercation, throwing multiple punches at the boy and pulling his hair while her two children continued the attack. During the fight, Hentz also threatened other students on the bus. She said, "I'm going to tear this up, I'm tired of you b-tch -ss kids." She also challenged them by asking, "Anybody want to get active?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A bystander, shocked by the attack, could be heard urging them to stop, saying, "Hey, don't jump him. Why are you jumping him?" See the shocking video here Police Investigation and Interviews ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA When police arrived at the scene, they first spoke with Hentz, who claimed that her son had been experiencing an "ongoing bullying situation" and had "not been acting like himself lately." She told officers that she boarded the bus with her daughter to address the issue after her son told her he had been slapped in the face the previous day. However, Hentz denied any involvement in the fight, stating that only her son and the 14-year-old had exchanged blows. Her 17-year-old daughter also did not mention the attack. Victim And His Mom Accuse Indiana Woman And Her Daughter Of Hitting Him Police then interviewed the victim, who had noticeable injuries, including swelling in his left eye and a laceration on his face. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He told officers that two women had suddenly boarded the bus that morning and began hitting him in the face while screaming. The 14-year-old boy's mother later confirmed to police that her son had called her and said, "He had been jumped by a mom and her kids." She also revealed that her son, who is half-Mexican, had recently been subjected to racist jokes about immigration enforcement. The boy was taken to Riley Childrens Hospital, where doctors determined that he had suffered a fractured nose, facial bruising, and an eye injury. Indiana Woman Faces Multiple Felony Charges CANVA Following the investigation, Warren Township Schools police initially classified the incident as a "simple assault disturbance" and trespassing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, as more evidence emerged, the Marion County Prosecutors Office filed more severe charges against Hentz. She is now facing Criminal Confinementlevel 4 Felony; Battery Resulting in Moderate Injurylevel 6 Felony; intimidationlevel 6 Felony; and Criminal Trespasslevel 6 Felony. A stay-away order has also been issued against Hentz, legally prohibiting her from contacting the 14-year-old victim or entering any property owned by Warren Township Schools. Additionally, prosecutors confirmed that her 17-year-old daughter and 13-year-old son are also facing potential criminal charges for their roles in the altercation. Authorities Condemn the Indiana Woman's Actions Instagram | Ryan Mears Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears strongly condemned the attack, stating that Hentz not only assaulted the victim but actively escalated the situation. He emphasized that parents should never take justice into their own hands, especially in school-related conflicts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When parents make the decision to get on a school bus, when they have no business being on a school bus, you can either serve as a peacekeeper or make the situation 20-30 times worse," Mears said per Fox 59. He further stressed the importance of resolving disputes through proper channels rather than resorting to violence. "For us as adults, we're supposed to create a safe environment for kids, and kids should feel safe on a school bus," he added. "That was taken away from a lot of kids based on what is alleged to have occurred." Mears also called for parents to set a better example when dealing with student conflicts. "Adults need to be adults," he stated. "If there's a conflict between students, that's something that can be resolved through kids, and if parents need to be involved, the resolution is going to administrators. It's not taking matters into your own hands and engaging in violence." By Ananda Teresia JAKARTA (Reuters) - Rights groups in Indonesia on Wednesday urged parliament to reject contentious revisions of military laws, saying they would take the archipelago back to an era of military domination and create legal uncertainty. Indonesia's parliament is set to pass the law on Thursday in a plenary council after the house committee overseeing military approved the changes, which will allow armed forces personnel to hold more civilian posts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rights groups and student organisations called for protests outside the parliament on Thursday. Rights group Legal Aid Institute said the revision would pull Indonesia back 30 years to an era where the late strongman Suharto used the military to dominate civilian affairs and crush dissent in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country. "The revision is a legislative crime that threatens Indonesians and the future of democracy," said Arif Maulana, deputy chair of the institute. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, a former special forces commander and Suharto's former son-in-law, has expanded the armed forces' role since taking office in October. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The government defends the bill saying it incorporated concerns and watered it down by stipulating that military officers must first resign before being placed in most civilian roles. A lawmaker from the opposition Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, Nico Siahaan, said the government added more agencies where active soldiers could be appointed, including the state secretariat, Attorney General's Office, as well as the counter-terrorism and narcotics agencies. Active soldiers in the Attorney General Office would affect transparency of legal processes involving military personnel, Arif said, adding that there was a risk of armed forces using violence in civilian roles. Allowing the military to be more involved in civilian affairs could also lead to abuse of power, human rights violations, and impunity, said Usman Hamid of Amnesty International Indonesia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Budi Djiwandono, the deputy chief of committee overseeing the military law bill, said the government would ensure that it upholds civil supremacy. Djiwandono, who is also Prabowo's nephew, added that no active military personnel would be placed in state-owned companies, dismissing concerns they would be involved in business. The opposition party urged all parties to monitor the implementation of the law to ensure no further expansion of military roles, Siahaan said. (Reporting by Ananda Teresia; Editing by Lincoln Feast and Gibran Peshimam.) BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) A new infusion therapy business is moving into the former cost cutters on Pennsylvania Ave on Binghamtons Southside. The business is called Vivo Infusion, based out of Colorado, and offers infusions, which is a way to take your medication directly to your bloodstream from an IV or injection. On its website, the business lists some of the conditions that can be treated via infusion, autoimmune disorders such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, infectious diseases, chronic pain, and many more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The website says the Penn Ave location is coming soon and will be open Monday through Saturday from 8 to 6 and Sundays by appointment only. Find out more online at VivoInfusion.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 WIVT - News 34. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) Firefighters have been sent to a two-vehicle crash at an intersection in Springfield Wednesday morning. Police investigate armed robbery at Springfield Big Y Express Springfield Fire Captain Drew Piemonte told 22News that a two-car accident occurred at the intersection of Wilbraham Road and Monticello Avenue. There is no word on what caused the crash, however injuries have been reported. MAP: Wilbraham Road, Monticello Avenue The roads remain open at this time. 22News will update this story as soon as more information becomes available. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) No amount of academia and lectures can prepare someone for everything they will experience in the real world, but there are opportunities for experiential learning even if a student hasnt finished their undergraduate degree: internships. This week, New Mexico Livings Logan Rader and Monica Wicke sit down with Dan Treibel, Chief Operating Officer, and Tiffany Berntsen, Nuclear Systems Integration Lead at Verus Research, to discuss the companys internship program, currently open available internship positions, and what the perfect candidate will look like. Learn more about Verus Research here. About New Mexico Frontiers Digital Show New Mexico Frontiers Digital Show is KRQE New 13s online exclusive web series, giving viewers a more detailed look into how the state is making waves in the Aerospace, Bio-science, Renewable Energy, Digital Media and Film, and Advanced Manufacturing communities. For more segments on prior stories, visit the New Mexico Frontiers page by clicking this link. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. WASHINGTON, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The White House said U.S. President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky in a phone call on Wednesday agreed to "a partial ceasefire against energy" between Russia and Ukraine. The phone call came one day after Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed on Tuesday in their phone talks that the peace in Ukraine "will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire" in Ukraine. U.S. and Ukraine's "technical teams will meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to discuss broadening the ceasefire to the Black Sea on the way to a full ceasefire" in Ukraine, said a statement signed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. Trump and Zelensky discussed the situation in Kursk and "agreed to share information closely between their defense staffs as the battlefield situation evolved," said the statement. During the phone conversation, Zelensky asked for additional air defense systems, particularly Patriot missile systems, and "President Trump agreed to work with him to find what was available particularly in Europe," said the statement. Trump also discussed Ukraine's electrical supply and nuclear power plants with Zelensky and told the latter: "The United States could be very helpful in running those plants. American ownership of those plants would be the best protection for that infrastructure and support for Ukrainian energy infrastructure." Zelensky wrote on X after speaking to Trump, "One of the first steps toward fully ending the war could be ending strikes on energy and other civilian infrastructure. I supported this step, and Ukraine confirmed that we are ready to implement it." However, the White House statement on Wednesday did not mention that the partial ceasefire would apply to civilian infrastructure as Zelensky suggested. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed at a press briefing later on Wednesday that all intelligence sharing between the United States and Ukraine will continue. A Lockland police officer fatally shot a man early Wednesday while authorities were searching for suspects involved in a police pursuit that started in Butler County. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation has taken over the shooting inquiry as routinely happens in fatal police shootings statewide but police departments that responded to the incident have released statements about what happened. Here's what we know so far about the shooting and police chase that preceded it. License plate reader flagged stolen vehicle West Chester Township police began the pursuit at the intersection of Princeton Glendale Road and Provident Drive after they received notification from a license plate reader of a stolen vehicle, according to a township spokeswoman. Advertisement Advertisement Officers located the vehicle and attempted to pull it over but the driver fled. Pursuit ends in crash in Hamilton County West Chester officers pursued the vehicle for approximately six miles and ended the chase at the Hamilton County line, where it was picked up by other departments. Several police departments responded at about 2:45 a.m. to assist when the chase entered Hamilton County, according to the Evendale Police Department. The vehicle being pursued was found crashed near Glendale Milford Road and Evendale Drive, though the suspect was not found there, officials said. Lockland chief: Officer opened fire after 'Taser didnt stop the suspect' After one suspect had been taken into custody, a Lockland officer located a second suspect walking along the interstate, Lockland Police Chief Michael Ott said in a news release. Advertisement Advertisement "The officer reported the suspect had something in his hands and was refusing to obey commands," Ott said. "The officer attempted to use less lethal force to address the non-compliant suspect, but the Taser didnt stop the suspect." Traffic is diverted off northbound I-75 at the Lockland Split as police investigate after an officer fatally shot a man involved in a police chase early Wednesday. The highway was reopened about 7:45 a.m. As the suspect disobeyed police commands, the Lockland officer, whose identity has not been released, opened fire on the suspect and struck him in the chest, Ott said. Police and other first responders began providing medical care to the wounded suspect but he did not survive. Officials have yet to release the names of the suspect or officer. What are license plate readers? Automated networks of license plate readers are becoming more common, especially with the widespread adoption of Flock cameras. These readers can be installed on police cruisers or in stationary positions throughout a city. Advertisement Advertisement The technology allows police to see which cars were in an area at the time of a crime and if police are searching for a vehicle, the network can alert police if that specific license plate is spotted and where. License plate readers have helped investigators track suspects in violent crimes, including after an employee at a Springdale hotel was shot and killed at work last year. 4th recent police shooting in Greater Cincinnati The shooting on Wednesday follows a spate of recent police shootings in Greater Cincinnati, although the others did not result in a fatality. Covington police officers shot Charles Davis, 62, shortly after a robbery at the U.S. Bank on Madison Avenue on Feb. 28. Davis brandished what appeared to be a handgun and pointed it at the officers, however, he was wielding a toy gun modified to look more like a real firearm, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement The same day, officers shot Robert Brandon Eldred, 39, who is accused of charging at sheriff's deputies with an ax in Columbia Township, according to the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office. Cincinnati police then responded on the night of March 2 to Walnut Hills after receiving a 911 call and shot 31-year-old Patrick Lyons after he charged at officers with a knife, the department said. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Lockland officer fatally shoots man on I-75 after stolen vehicle chase CANFIELD, Ohio (WKBN) Police charged a woman with promoting prostitution and soliciting during an undercover operation at a local spa. An agent with the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force reported that a worker at the Sunshine Foot Spa at 445 W. Main St. solicited him for sexual activity during an undercover operation, according to a Canfield police report. As a result of that investigation, investigators then served a search warrant at the business on Friday afternoon, seizing two cell phones, over $500 in cash and banking information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police took the 34-year-old woman into custody on the charges. A police report lists the womans address as Flushing, New York. 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. Iowa state representatives passed a bill today that would limit cellphone use in school classrooms. Gov. Kim Reynolds made the move one of her priorities during her State of the State address in January. The bill, House File 782, would ban using cell phones during class time. There would be exceptions for emergencies. 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 WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. Rep. Henry Stone, R-Forest City, spoke on legislation prohibiting funding for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in Iowa, alongside prohibiting DEI efforts at community colleges and private colleges participating in the Iowa Tuition Grant during floor debate in the Iowa House March 18, 2025. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch) When debating the first of many pieces of legislation targeting diversity, equity and inclusion Tuesday in the Iowa House, Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell said shes already heard from individuals and groups seeing the negative impacts of stripping away DEI at Iowa colleges and universities. An Iowa State University professor was asked to stop requiring students to watch a video on biochemist Percy Julian, an African American, Wessel-Kroeschell said. The teacher had used the story to get students thinking about how societal ideas impact scientific progress, the Ames Democrat said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This bill and others that we will be discussing today take us 100 steps backwards, Wessel-Kroeschell said. The diversity, equity, inclusion ban has already gone too far. Advocates of the legislation argued DEI programs were divisive. A better name for diversity, equity and inclusion programs, in my opinion, would be adversity, inequity and exclusion, because that is what these programs do, Rep. Steven Holt said. Indoctrinating young people to see everything through the prism of race is incredibly destructive creating adversity between people, inequity for those who do not fit the narrative and exclusion for those who do not agree. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Members of the Iowa House of Representatives passed a number of bills aimed at DEI Tuesday evening, including amended legislation that would create a new center for intellectual freedom at the University of Iowa, as well as bills that would bar state entities, community colleges and private universities from maintaining DEI offices and positions and state university requirements for DEI-related education or participation in programming. House File 269 would prohibit public universities from requiring or incentivizing education in DEI or critical race theory-related content for students as a prerequisite for earning a degree, with exceptions, and also bars employees from being required or incentivized to participate in similar activities or programs. The House passed an amendment offered by Holt, R-Denison, floor manager of the bill, that he said was brought forward by the Iowa Board of Regents. It struck language in the legislation defining DEI and critical race theory-related content as connected to critical theory, systemic racism, institutional racism, anti-racism, microaggressions, systemic bias, implicit bias, unconscious bias, intersectionality, social justice, cultural competence, allyship, race-based reparations, race-based privilege, race or gender-based diversity, race or gender-based equity, or race or gender-based inclusion. Rep. Megan Srinivas, D-Des Moines, introduced an amendment exempting health care students and providers seeking continuing education from the bill. She argued that medical students need to know how a patients race, sex and other characteristics affect the prevalence of certain diseases. The amendment failed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Calling the legislation one of the most misrepresented bills hes seen in his time as a lawmaker, Holt said DEI and critical race theory topics arent being banned from instruction, but are rather being stopped from becoming a requirement to graduate. DEI programs seek to divide people, he said, and gave examples of teaching white people they are oppressors because they are white and people of color they are oppressed. The legislation passed 63-34. House Democrats joined Wessel-Kroeschell in opposing House File 269, as well as other DEI-focused legislation that passed out of the chamber. Rep. Mary Madison, D-West Des Moines, said during debate that, if passed, legislation to change academic teaching requirements, general education standards and more would essentially whitewash the lessons taught by Iowa universities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Referencing House File 295, which would prohibit higher education accrediting bodies from taking negative actions against state universities and community colleges for following, or refusing to violate, state law, Madison said the legislation will make Iowa colleges less competitive and potentially unaccredited, all while silencing discussion about race, gender and social structures that are fundamental to well rounded education. These bills are not about improving education or governance, Madison said. They are about censorship, exclusion and erasing important conversations that prepare students for the real world, real people. House File 295 passed out of the House with a 65-32 vote. Rep. Taylor Collins, R-Mediapolis, introduced an amendment to House File 856 adding community and private colleges to the population of state entities and local government bodies that would be prohibited from spending any money, state-allocated or otherwise, on founding or funding diversity, equity and inclusion offices and hiring DEI officers. The amendment passed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The portion of the amendment referencing private universities would put their Iowa Tuition Grant eligibility on the line if they do not shutter their offices, similar to legislation currently on the House debate calendar. Rep. Jennifer Konfrst, D-Windsor Heights, said the legislation as amended would punish students for the actions of the institution they chose to attend by stripping away their Iowa Tuition Grant funding, which goes directly to the student, not the college. Why are we, the Legislature, punishing children and young people who want to go to college by telling them they cant pick a college that has a position thats different than yours? Konfrst said. That is not fair and it is not right. Rep. Henry Stone, R-Forest City, was floor manager of the bill and did not yield to questions from House Democrats, who took umbrage with what they described as an overly broad definition of DEI potential impacts on Iowas students and local departments. His reasoning for this was that he said no one approached him with questions on the bill before it made it to the House floor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Echoing comments made throughout debate about how DEI divides rather than unites, Stone said what is taught through the acronym teaches people to judge based on what is on the surface, like skin color, and interact with them based on those characteristics, rather than getting to know them. Getting rid of DEI will help our nation heal and grow together with one another, instead of forcing people to believe that you should be judged by the color of your skin, Stone said. The bill passed with a vote of 61-37. House File 401 would establish general education requirements for state universities and lays out criteria for subjects students must take to graduate, including English, math and statistics, natural and social sciences and western and American heritage. According to the bill, course content cannot distort significant historical events or include any curriculum or other material that teaches identity politics or is based on theories that systemic racism, sexism, oppression, or privilege are inherent in the institutions of the United States of America or the state of Iowa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Holt said the bill is fundamentally important for teaching U.S. youth about the countrys founding principles and where they came from, as well as helping them to improve in fundamental skills like English. If our country is to be fought for, those doing the fighting must know the precious principles that are at stake, Holt said. The legislation passed 61-36. House File 437 would, as amended, establish a center for intellectual freedom at the University of Iowa and direct it to, in its own work and through collaborations with centers for civic education at Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa, offer a course on American history and civil government and programming on the topics of free speech and civil discourse, Collins said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A previous version of the bill would have the UI establish a school of intellectual freedom within its college of liberal arts and sciences. The legislation passed 60-37. Rep. Aime Wichtendahl, D-Hiawatha, said its ironic that the chamber discussed intellectual freedom in the wake of trying to ban DEI and amidst the erasure of intellectual freedom across the country as a result of federal government actions. This bill is a farce, Wichtendahl said. The center is a farce. This government is a farce. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Rep. Josh Turek, D-Council Bluffs, spoke during debate March 18, 2025 in opposition to legislation changing the definition of bullying and harassment in Iowa state code to remove references to students being targeted on the basis of real or perceived characteristics. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch) The Iowa House passed a bill Tuesday that would change the definition of school bullying in state law and remove a list of traits a bully might target, such as a students sexual orientation, gender identity, religion and disability status. Lawmakers also advanced education bills related to school safety assessment teams, therapeutic classrooms and school absences due to religious instruction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House File 865, approved on a 64-33 vote, defines bullying and harassment as repeated and targeted acts and conduct toward a student that create an objectively hostile school environment. The bill removes the language in current Iowa code that defines bullying and harassment as any electronic, written, verbal, or physical act or conduct based on any actual or perceived trait that creates an objectively hostile school environment. The law lists 17 traits on which bullying might be based, including gender identity, sexuality, race, political belief and familial status, but does not limit bullying to these categories. The bill would remove this list of potential traits, and remove reference to actual or perceived trait or characteristic of a student in the definition of bullying and harassment. Rep. Josh Turek, D-Council Bluffs, spoke in opposition to the legislation, sharing his experience of being bullied as a child because of his disability. He said that growing up, he spent a significant amount of time in surgeries and medical centers because of his disability, but that the hardest part of growing up was actually my time in school, saying he ended up leaving public school to attend private school for three years due to harassment and bullying he faced in sixth grade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turek said he was unsure if the bullying he faced would meet the definition of repeated and targeted acts and conduct. He also shared his experience working with children with disabilities and their families including going to schools where these children face bullying to have disability awareness and anti-bullying talks with other students. I think its really, really important to keep in this standard, because it is theyre being bullied specifically for a trait or characteristic, which is their physical disability, Turek said. We all know its really, really hard to be a kid right now growing up. Lets not make it even harder, and lets not make it even easier to bully kids. In subcommittee meetings on the measure, some individuals said school staff were not enforcing anti-bullying laws if the student was not being discriminated against based on one of the listed potential traits. School officials said this was an issue of enforcement, as existing statute does not limit anti-bullying action on the basis of this list. Rep. Elinor Levin, D-Iowa City, spoke Tuesday in opposition to the idea that having a list of traits and characteristics to reference was exclusive of students who face bullying for other reasons. Levin said the current code provides an important frame of reference for teachers as they determine whether a student is being bullied, as the listed traits and characteristics are among the most common reasons for which students are bullied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taking out this definition means that were going to go back to a previous world in which every single adult who has to make these determinations has to do so purely on their own experiences and their own prior knowledge, rather than relying on the wisdom of ages that is represented in this definition, Levin said. Levin said if state lawmakers want to address bullying in Iowa schools, they should instead focus on increasing reporting requirements, pointing to Iowa Department of Education data finding hundreds of Iowa schools reported no instances of bullying. Rep. Helena Hayes, R-New Sharon, floor manager for the bill, said she believed reporting of bullying will improve if the bill becomes law, as teachers will not be referencing a list to determine if an act constitutes bullying or harassment. It has become increasingly clear that there is confusion regarding the distinction between bullying and conflict, which has made it difficult for school districts to effectively address and intervene in student issues, Hayes said. Many districts have struggled with determining when and how to step in. This bill aims to equip teachers with better training allowing them to accurately report and intervene in efforts to safeguard students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The measure heads to the Senate for further consideration. More education bills advance Iowa lawmakers moved on several other education measures Tuesday. The Iowa Senate voted unanimously Tuesday for Senate File 583, which would allow schools to set up multidisciplinary teams tasked with coordinating resources and intervening when a student exhibits behavior that could pose a threat to the safety of other students or school staff. Similar legislation is advancing in the House, but senators voted to change references to threat assessment in the original bill to safety assessment. The bill moves to the House for consideration. The House passed House File 522 in a 66-31 vote, legislation that would allow schools to use grant funding for therapeutic classrooms for new supports including certain foods, vitamin and mineral supplementals and exposure to natural light or full spectrum lighting fixtures. Therapeutic classrooms are spaces in schools designated for students with emotional, social or behavioral needs that cause disruption to other students in the general classroom. While Rep. Elinor Levin, D-Iowa City, said the proposal does not reflect the purpose or work done in therapeutic classrooms of deescalating students who are in a heightened state of emotion, Rep. Jeff Shipley, R-Birmingham, said the proposal would allow schools to be reimbursed for strategies related to nutrition and lighting that some schools are already implementing to address students behavioral health needs. House File 870, passed by the Iowa House 96-2, adds exemptions to the states compulsory attendance law, providing that a students absences will be exempted when they are attending religious instruction during the school day for up to five hours per week. The bill was amended to remove language in the original version of the legislation allowing school boards to adopt policies granting academic credit for the completion of a religious instruction course by a private organization. Kathie Obradovich contributed to this article. Rep. Rob Johnson, D-Des Moines, spoke at a Iowa Legislative Black Caucus news conference March 19, 2025 criticizing the measures focused on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives passed by the Republican-led Iowa House the day earlier. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Members of the Iowa Legislative Black Caucus called on the public Wednesday to speak up and get involved if they oppose anti-diversity, equity and inclusion legislation that Republicans passed through the Iowa House the evening before. The tenets of DEI were born out of the need to address problems in the state and country, and theres a reason the acronym and what it represents caught on with the public and private sectors, Rep. Rob Johnson, D-Des Moines, said during a news conference. He said it is still needed today as he and other Black lawmakers in the Iowa House work to defend it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iowa has a history of furthering progressive movements, Johnson said, from enacting the ruling of Brown v. Board of Education before any other state to establishing the first national bar association for Black attorneys in Des Moines and more. Echoing comments he made while urging his fellow representatives to vote against anti-DEI bills on the House floor, Johnson said such legislation moves Iowa back in time rather than into the future. Dismantling (DEI) dismantles the progress that Iowa has pushed forward, Johnson said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Iowa House passed multiple bills Tuesday aimed at doing away with DEI across the state, from state entities and local government departments to community and private colleges. Legislation sent over to the Iowa Senate would also establish a center for intellectual freedom at the UI, place general education requirements on each of the three public universities and bar DEI and critical race theory-related content from being required in college classrooms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ruth Ann Gaines, D-Des Moines, agreed with Johnsons comments, saying the legislation passed this week will throw us back from progress that weve made as a country, as a state, in the last 60 years. This cannot happen, she said. The caucus was discouraged by how the debate played out, Gaines said, but there is power in coming together as a collective to push back against these actions with hopes of encouraging Iowa senators and Gov. Kim Reynolds to reject anti-DEI legislation. Well make it, Gaines said. Theres always hope. If the Senate passes the bills and Reynolds signs them into law, Rep. Ross Wilburn of Ames said she needs to be questioned on why she is prioritizing a false narrative about DEI and its impacts over funding schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After refusing to answer questions from Democrats about House File 856, Rep. Henry Stone, R-Forest City, said during debate that despite hearing members of the Black caucus had expressed concerns with the legislation to the media, no one ever reached out to him in any way about questions or problems in the more than a month of the bill being public. It wasnt until it came up for debate and people were watching that they decided to speak up, he said. Rep. Jerome Amos Jr., D-Waterloo, called Stones comments political fodder, adding that both sides need to get better at reaching out across the aisle. Rep. Mary Madison, D-West Des Moines, said she was surprised to hear Stones comments since there had been discussions on the legislation during subcommittee and committee meetings. When asked whether Stone reached out to any members of the caucus after debate, all replied they havent heard anything. I feel like we were thrown under the bus, and I just dont think that that is what we should be doing, Amos Jr. said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What people who share lawmakers concerns about these bills and anti-DEI sentiments should do boils down to a few things, Johnson said, that could have a large impact. Johnson said constituents should reach out to their representatives, Democrat or Republican and from the Senate or House, and show up in person at the Statehouse to voice their opposition to these actions. Please take a minute to let us do what we have to do, but support us in this process, Johnson said. Let us know what youre thinking. Contact us and let us know how you and us can work together to make this a possibility and an opportunity. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Iowa senators unanimously advanced a resolution to start the process of amending Iowa's constitution to allow remote testimony by child victims and those with certain disabilities. (Photo by simpson33 via iStock / Getty Images Plus) The Iowa Senate unanimously passed a resolution Wednesday to start the process of amending the state constitution to allow child victims to testify remotely against their alleged abusers. Senate Joint Resolution 9 is a proposed constitutional amendment stating that the right of an accused party to confront their accuser can be limited by law in situations where a witness is a minor or has a mental illness, intellectual or other development disability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird called for the amendment in response to a 2024 Iowa Supreme Court ruling. In State v. White, the state Supreme Court found that Derek Whites constitutional right to confront his accuser was violated when two child witnesses were allowed to testify against him using a closed-circuit television system. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX In subcommittee meetings on the proposed amendment, speakers with the Iowa Attorney Generals office said the use of remote testimony through closed-circuit television systems had been in place in Iowa courts for decades, limited to cases where prosecution provided sufficient evidence that testifying in person would cause the child further trauma. With the Supreme Court decision barring this practice, attorney generals office staff said Iowa is the only state in the country does not allow exceptions to the right of a defendant to confront witnesses in cases involving children and people with disabilities. Sen. Matt Blake, D-Urbandale, spoke in support of the measure, calling it an essential fix for Iowas judicial system. However, he argued that this constitutional amendment, as well as other bills like a measure on disputed land boundaries passed by Iowa lawmakers earlier Wednesday to counteract decisions from the Iowa Supreme Court, are caused by a politicized court system. He linked the measure to Senate File 407, a bill passed by the Senate Monday that gives the governor the power to appoint an additional member to district judicial nominating commissions in the state, that he said moves the states judicial system from a merit-based system to more an ideological-based system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These are the results that we get, and we have to pass constitutional amendments to make sure that children dont have to face a sexual abuser in court, Blake said. This is what political ideology in our judicial system gets. Sen. Dan Dawson, R-Council Bluffs, said he didnt want to dignify Blakes comments with a response and said the focus should instead be on working to correct a decision and bring relief to people aforementioned here. Im not going to take the bait to fall into some petty politics, he said. The resolution moves to the House for further consideration. House Joint Resolution 9 is also available for consideration. There are still several steps before the change could be made to Iowas state constitution. If the resolution is passed by both chambers this year, it must be approved by the Iowa Legislature again in 2027 or 2028 before voters would consider it on the 2028 general election ballot. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Mar. 19The IowaWORKS Mobile Workforce Center which was unveiled last year by the governor and Iowa Workforce Development (IWD), and was subsequently deployed to Perry when its Tyson plant closed will be making a pitstop in Newton next month to provide job assistance and other related services. Newton Development Corporation (NDC) and Jasper County Economic Development Corporation (JEDCO) have teamed up to host the mobile center 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 10 in the city parking lot just south of Legacy Plaza at the corner of North Second Avenue West and West Fourth Street North. Frank Liebl, executive director of NDC, told Newton News that IWD reached out a few months ago and asked if there would be interest in hosting the mobile workforce center in town. Liebl contacted a number of local employers, and they were also interested in it. To him, it provides a unique opportunity for workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Hopefully this will serve as something that will assist both those looking for work and the employers," he said, noting that job searching these days has changed. "...The way people have to apply for jobs anymore is really strange. Most people have to apply online, and some don't have access to a computer they need." Industries and businesses in Newton are experiencing some difficulty finding workers, but many are getting applications. However, Liebl said there are people who are struggling with resumes and other aspects of the hiring processes. This is where the mobile workforce center can come into play and help those in need. "They can assist the people seeking jobs by helping them with updating their resumes or help them in how they want to apply for jobs," he said. "It's got work stations on that mobile workforce center. I think there is probably a need for this. We've never done this but at the same time this is all very new." IowaWORKS launched the custom-built bus in 2024. The goal for mobile workforce center was to make it easier and faster for Iowans to access needed workforce services. The mobile workforce center includes many of the services available at one of the 18 physical IowaWORKS locations throughout the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Equipped with 10 computer workstations, the bus and its staff will be able to assist with job searches and navigating unemployment claims. In times of employment crisis, like the closing of the pork processing plant in Perry this past year, the bus can immediately respond to displaced workers. Jeff Davidson, executive director of JEDCO, said connecting people to employment positions that are out there is what he and NDC want to do. In particular, they want to connect certain employment positions requiring certain skills to the people who have those skills. "When TPI closed a few years ago, NDC and JEDCO heard from several employers looking for people with skills in working with composites because they knew all the laid off TPI folks had those skills," Davidson said. IWD has always been helpful in introducing people to the new and updated ways employers are hiring for jobs. The days of responding to classified ads and submitting resumes through USPS are pretty much gone. Davidson said just about everything is online now in terms of employment applications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "So having an entity like the mobile workforce center that can assist older folks and folks who may not have online access is essential," Davidson said. Right now, many people in Iowa are looking for jobs. Companies like John Deere, Weld-Wen and Kinze Manufacturing have all laid off a large number of their employees since the beginning of the year. Liebl said people are out there looking for work, and the mobile workforce center could help them back on their feet. "If you are looking for assistance, this is just one way we can maybe achieve some of that need in your job search," Liebl said. BEIRUT, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon closed illegal border crossings with Syria in the east and north of the country on Wednesday. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported that "the Lebanese army has entered the border village of Housh al-Sayyid Ali following the withdrawal of Syrian groups from the area." In a statement, the army's Directorate of Guidance said, "As part of the efforts to monitor and secure the borders amid the current circumstances and to prevent infiltration and smuggling activities, the army has shut down illegal crossings. These include Matlaba in the Al-Qasr-Hermel region, as well as Al-Fatha, Al Maarawiya, and Sheheit Al-Hajeri in Mashari' Al-Qaa-Baalbek region." The Lebanese army also announced on social media platform X that it had deployed reinforcements from its special units to the Hermel area near the Lebanese-Syrian border. A Lebanese military source told Xinhua that army engineering units were working to clear Housh al-Sayyid Ali and its surroundings of remnants from recent clashes and any other obstacles. On Monday, Syrian and Lebanese defense authorities announced a ceasefire agreement along the two countries' shared border to de-escalate tensions and prevent further hostilities in the border region. According to Lebanon's Public Health Emergency Operations Center, affiliated with the Health Ministry, the recent developments on the Lebanese-Syrian border resulted in seven fatalities and 52 injuries. The Lebanese-Syrian border has long been a hotspot for large-scale smuggling operations. Syria's General Security Forces have launched extensive campaigns to crack down on smugglers and remnants of the former regime in the western countryside of Homs, as part of efforts to safeguard the border between the two countries. The Israeli military said on Wednesday that it started a series of ground operations in central and southern Gaza "over the past day" to create a buffer zone between the north and the south of the war-torn Palestinian territory. It comes amid a massive wave of Israeli airstrikes on Gaza that started early on Tuesday and continued on Wednesday, shattering a fragile ceasefire in place since January. Part of the ground operation includes expanding the army's control further to the centre of the coastal area in what is known as the Netzarim Corridor, a strategically important corridor. The idea is to expand the security zone, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on its Telegram channel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The IDF will continue to operate against terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip in order to protect the citizens of the State of Israel," it posted. In February, the IDF withdrew from the Netzarim Corridor as part of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas, with the exception of a 1-kilometre-wide area directly on the border with Israel. This allowed Palestinians who had been displaced by the war from northern cities to the south to return to their homes in large numbers. The impact of the IDF's expanded control on the corridor on Gaza's inhabitants was initially unclear. The military decided to station a brigade in its southern command area. The unit will "remain ready for operations in the Gaza Strip," the IDF said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel blamed the renewed hostilities on Palestinian Islamist Hamas' refusal to release more hostages amid deadlocked negotiations on extending the ceasefire. On Wednesday, at least 14 people were killed, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported. Two people died in a drone strike in al-Mawasi, a crowded tent camp designated as humanitarian zone, it said. Several civilians, including a woman and a child, were also reportedly killed in the city of Khan Younis area in southern Gaza. The IDF said it targeted a Hamas military site in northern Gaza overnight, where preparations were reportedly under way for rocket attacks on Israeli territory. The Israeli Navy also struck several boats off the Gaza coast, which it said were used by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad for terrorist operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WAFA also reported "dozens of dead and injured" in an IDF attack on Gaza City. An IDF spokesman said on request that the military had carried out "a precise attack on a Hamas terrorist." The information provided by both sides could not initially be independently verified. WAFA also reported a suspected attack by Israel on a UN facility in Deir al-Balah in the central part of the Gaza Strip, resulting in at least one death. But the IDF denied this. "Contrary to reports, the Israeli army did not attack a UN building in Deir al-Balah," it said. The media are being urged to exercise caution with regard to unconfirmed reports, it said. On Tuesday, the Hamas-run health authority reported more than 400 killed and hundreds injured. The authority does not distinguish between civilian and military casualties and the figures cannot be independently verified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The resumption of Israeli airstrikes comes two months after Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire deal that included the release of hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attacks in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Negotiations on a permanent ceasefire and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip having since stalled. On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had announced a resumption of fighting against Hamas, saying further negotiations "will only be conducted under fire." Israeli tanks are seen on the border between Israel and Gaza. Israel launched a series of air strikes against the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday after efforts to extend the ceasefire failed. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa The Israeli military said on Wednesday that it started a series of ground operations in central and southern Gaza "over the past day" to create a buffer zone between the north and the south of the war-torn Palestinian territory. It comes amid a massive wave of Israeli airstrikes on Gaza that started early on Tuesday and continued on Wednesday, shattering a fragile ceasefire in place since January. Part of the ground operation includes expanding the army's control further to the centre of the coastal area in what is known as the Netzarim Corridor, a strategically important corridor. The idea is to expand the security zone, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on its Telegram channel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thousands of people took to the streets in Jerusalem to protest against the renewed fighting in Gaza as well as the dismissal of the head of the domestic intelligence service. Several media outlets reported clashes between police and demonstrators, with several people said to have been arrested. Participants in a rally tried to break through checkpoints, the news site ynet reported. IDF to continue operations The IDF said it "will continue to operate against terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip in order to protect the citizens of the State of Israel." In February, the IDF withdrew from the Netzarim Corridor as part of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas, with the exception of a 1-kilometre-wide area directly on the border with Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This allowed Palestinians who had been displaced by the war from northern cities to the south to return to their homes in large numbers. The impact of the IDF's expanded control on the corridor on Gaza's inhabitants was initially unclear. The military decided to station a brigade in its southern command area. The unit will "remain ready for operations in the Gaza Strip," the IDF said. Palestinian deaths Medical sources in the Gaza Strip said that at least 24 Palestinians had died and around 30 more were injured in an Israeli attack in Beit Lahia in northern Gaza. The victims were reportedly people mourning a slain family member. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The information could not initially be independently verified. The Israeli military said it would look into the report. The Israeli Navy also struck several boats off the Gaza coast, which it said were used by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad for terrorist operations. Palestinian news agency WAFA reported "dozens of dead and injured" in an IDF attack on Gaza City. An IDF spokesman said on request that the military had carried out "a precise attack on a Hamas terrorist." The information provided by both sides could not initially be independently verified. WAFA also reported a suspected attack by Israel on a UN facility in Deir al-Balah in the central part of the Gaza Strip, resulting in at least one death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the IDF denied this. "Contrary to reports, the Israeli army did not attack a UN building in Deir al-Balah," it said. The media are being urged to exercise caution with regard to unconfirmed reports, it said. Israel blamed the renewed hostilities on Palestinian Islamist Hamas' refusal to release more hostages amid deadlocked negotiations on extending the ceasefire. Earlier Wednesday, WAFA reported at least 16 deaths. Two people died in a drone strike in al-Mawasi, a crowded tent camp designated as humanitarian zone, it said. Several civilians, including a woman and a child, were also reportedly killed in the city of Khan Younis area in southern Gaza. The IDF said it targeted a Hamas military site in northern Gaza overnight, where preparations were reportedly under way for rocket attacks on Israeli territory. 'RemoveHamas,' Israel's Katz tells Gazans Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said that the evacuation of people from combat zones in the Gaza Strip would soon continue and urged the population to "remove Hamas." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a video address, Katz said that airstrikes on Hamas targets were only the first step, and warned that what follows would be much worse, without giving details. Katz told the residents of the devastated coastal area that they will "pay the full price." On Tuesday, the first day of the renewed Israeli offensive, the Hamas-run health authority reported more than 400 killed and hundreds injured. The authority does not distinguish between civilian and military casualties and the figures cannot be independently verified. Airstrikes come two months after ceasefire The resumption of Israeli airstrikes comes two months after Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire deal that included the release of hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attacks in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Negotiations on a permanent ceasefire and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip having since stalled. On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had announced a resumption of fighting against Hamas, saying further negotiations "will only be conducted under fire." (NewsNation) Retired Major Glenn Ignazio, a former Air Force Special Ops pilot, joined NewsNation Now to discuss Israels shattering of the ceasefire agreement with airstrikes that killed more than 400 people in Gaza. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the strikes after Hamas refused Israels demands to change the ceasefire agreement and release all remaining hostages. Ignazio believes the two parties being at complete odds is the preliminary cause for the latest aerial attacks, with peace now uncertain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Who knows what its going to take to get this to stop again, Ignazio said. Families of hostages in Gaza are terrified they wont return after Israel resumes fighting Ignazio believes that Israel receiving all of its remaining hostages would end the war but questions whether Gazans can pressure Hamas to complete such a trade. I just dont see any stepping stones to the future of any kind of peace until some kind of hostage or hostages are released, he added. Both Qatar and the United States are working to ensure peace in the region, but it may be a harder task than realized. There doesnt seem to be a separation between the Palestinian people and Hamas, Ignazio said. They seem very galvanized. So its going to be a difficult task for Israel to actually do that and destroy Hamas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Israeli ground troops launched an offensive deep into Gaza on Wednesday, as the countrys defence minister issued a final warning to residents to evacuate combat zones. In a significant escalation following the start of the aerial bombardment on Tuesday, tanks and infantry seized large tracts of a central passage of land in a bid to cut the strip in half. In addition to the operation in the Netzarim Corridor, troops moved to enlarge the current buffer zone on the edge of the enclave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It followed a second night of air strikes, with attacks on about 20 targets, including an alleged rocket site. The Hamas-run health ministry said these claimed 13 additional lives. Palestinians leave Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip on Wednesday following Israeli evacuation orders - Bashar Taleb/AFP Israel Katz, the defence minister, said on Wednesday that the evacuation of the population from combat zones would begin soon. Gaza residents, this is a final warning, he said, having been photographed inspecting an armed Israeli bomber. The first Sinwar destroyed Gaza and the second Sinwar will completely destroy it, he added, referring to Hamass former leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, who was killed last year, and his brother, Mohammed Sinwar, who is presumed still to be alive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The air force strikes against Hamas terrorists were just the first step. It will become much more difficult and you will pay the full price. The IDF said it had launched targeted ground activities in central and southern Gaza in an attempt to create a partial buffer zone between north and southern Gaza. The evacuation of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip on Wednesday is threatening the tangible hopes for peace on both sides, says Germanys foreign minister - Bashar Taleb/AFP At least 436 Palestinians, including 183 children, have been killed since the ceasefire ended on Monday night, according to the health ministry. Israel is hoping that by attacking Hamas including, this time, a focus on its civilian infrastructure it can force them to take seriously a US proposal to release more hostages, without having to withdraw its forces from the Strip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two further senior members of the group were hit in the most recent airstrikes, the IDF said. These were Yasser Mohammed Harb Musa, a member of Hamass politburo who headed the defence portfolio and ministry of development. Israel also killed Mohammed Jamasi, the chief of the terror groups emergency committee. On Wednesday, Emmanuel Macron, the French president, and King Abdullah II of Jordan, called for a diplomatic end to Israels war with Hamas. There is no military solution in Gaza, said Mr Macron. Meanwhile, Annalena Baerbock, Germanys foreign minister, said the attacks are shattering the tangible hopes of so many Israelis and Palestinians of an end to suffering on all sides. Smoke rises following an Israeli bombardment in the Gaza Strip - Ariel Schalit/AP Photo She also said the renewed attacks imperilled Arab-formulated plans for the post-war future of Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kaja Kallas, European Union foreign policy chief, says she told Gideon Saar, Israels foreign minister, that the countrys renewed military campaign in Gaza is unacceptable. The Israeli Air Force said it hit 20 targets, including a Hamas military site in northern Gaza where rockets were being prepared. The navy also said it attacked boats belonging to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad off the coast. The United Nations Office for Project Services, a humanitarian arm of the organisation, said it had received reports that a colleague had been killed after an explosive device hit its accommodation in Deir al Balah, in central Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 51-year-old British male aid worker was reportedly among five other people injured in the strike. Darren Cormack, the chief executive of Mines Advisory Group, which the unnamed man worked for, said: Our colleague... was conducting an explosive hazards assessment at a Unops building when the incident happened this morning. He was transferred to hospital in Gaza for treatment and has now been evacuated to a hospital in Israel. His condition is not known. The IDF said it had not struck a UN compound in the town. A protest against the Israeli government and Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister - Ronen Zvulun/REUTERS Although supported by some sections of society, the fighting has triggered unrest in Israel, including protests in Jerusalem in the last 24 hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This led to the arrest of a retired air force brigadier general, Amir Haskel, who had been shouting through a megaphone while across the street from Benjamin Netanyahus private residence. The protests dovetail with a huge public outcry over the prime ministers attempt to sack Ronen Bar, the head of Israels internal security service, Shin Bet. The move has been attacked by many of Mr Netanyahus opponents as political and an attempt to blunt an investigation into alleged Qatari spies in his private office. On Thursday morning, Israels military said it intercepted a missile launched from Yemen as hostilities with Iran-backed Houthi militants intensify. 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. LONDON, March 19 (Xinhua) -- British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper called for stronger measures to prevent violence after a 19-year-old man was sentenced to life in prison for murdering his family and plotting a mass shooting at a local primary school. In a statement on Wednesday, Cooper said, "This terrible case has exposed deep and long-standing weaknesses in private firearms sales, and we are urgently looking at how we can tighten these controls." She also stressed the "urgent need to examine the very disturbing way some young people are becoming fixated with extreme violent material online and the real dangers to our communities as a result." Nicholas Prosper killed his mother and two siblings in Luton on September 13, 2024, using a shotgun purchased online with a counterfeit firearm certificate. He had also planned to kill children at his former primary school, but the plot was foiled by authorities two hours after he murdered his family. Prosper was sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 49 years. Detective Chief Inspector Sam Khanna of Bedfordshire Police described the case as unprecedented, saying: "In my entire policing career, I have never encountered anyone capable of such horrific acts whilst showing no remorse." Khanna added: "I am pleased that this truly evil individual will now be serving a significant proportion of his life behind bars." Shadow Justice Minister Kieran Mullan announced on social media platform X that he had referred the case to the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme, arguing that "killing three people, including two children, is the gravest of crimes. If we don't give criminals like this Whole Life Orders, what are they for?" By Nidal al-Mughrabi and James Mackenzie CAIRO/JERUSALEM (Reuters) - The Israeli military said on Wednesday its forces resumed ground operations in the central and southern Gaza Strip, as a second day of airstrikes killed at least 48 Palestinians, according to local health workers. The renewed ground operations came a day after more than 400 Palestinians were killed in airstrikes in one of the deadliest episodes since the beginning of the conflict in October 2023, shattering a ceasefire that has largely held since January. The Israeli military said its operations extended Israel's control over the Netzarim Corridor, which bisects Gaza, and were a "focused" manoeuvre aimed at creating a partial buffer zone between the north and the south of the enclave. The Palestinian militant group Hamas said the ground operation and the incursion into the Netzarim Corridor were a "new and dangerous violation" of the two-month-old ceasefire agreement. In a statement, the group reaffirmed its commitment to the deal and called on mediators to "assume their responsibilities". The United Nations said a strike killed a foreign staffer and wounded five workers at a U.N. site in central Gaza City on Wednesday. Gaza's health ministry attributed the strike to Israel, but Israel denied this, saying it hit a Hamas site where it detected preparations for firing into Israeli territory. Jorge Moreira da Silva, executive director of the U.N. Office for Project Services, said: "Israel knew that this was a U.N. premises, that people were living, staying and working there, it is a compound. It is a very well-known place." U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a full investigation and condemned all attacks on U.N. personnel. In a statement he said the strike brought to at least 280 the number of U.N. colleagues killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023. In Sofia, the foreign ministry said a Bulgarian working for the U.N. died on Wednesday in Gaza, citing preliminary information. US SAYS 'BRIDGE' PROPOSAL ON THE TABLE Yosef Levi Sfari, Israel's ambassador to Sofia, offered condolences for the Bulgarian citizen's death and said in a social media post that the incident was being investigated. But he added that an initial examination found "no connection" to Israeli military activity. Israel, which has vowed to eradicate Hamas, said on Tuesday that its latest onslaught in Gaza was "just the beginning". The U.S. State Department blamed Hamas for the resumption of hostilities and said there was still a U.S.-crafted "bridge" proposal on the table to extend the ceasefire and bring about the release of hostages held by the group in Gaza. By James Mackenzie JERUSALEM (Reuters) - A coalition of hostage families and protesters against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's moves against the judiciary and parts of the security establishment is coming together again after war returned this week to Gaza. The prime minister's decision to resume the war and bombard the Palestinian enclave, with 59 hostages - around 24 of whom are believed to be alive - still held in Gaza has added fresh fuel to the anger of protesters, who accuse the government of continuing the war for political reasons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tens of thousands demonstrated on Tuesday night and more protests were taking place on Wednesday after Netanyahu announced at the weekend that he had lost confidence in Ronen Bar, the head of the Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency, and had decided to sack him. "This is no longer a war that is about something that is important, it is all about the survival of this government, the survival of Benjamin Netanyahu," said Koren Offer, a protester in Jerusalem. Protest groups have ranged from the Defensive Shield Forum, a group representing former defence and security officials, and the Movement for Quality Government in Israel, an anti-corruption group that was active in a bitter battle in 2023 over curbing the power of the Supreme Court, alongside families of the hostages in Gaza. There is an echo in the current movement of the huge protests that erupted in 2023 - before the October 7 Hamas attacks that triggered the war in Gaza - when Netanyahu attempted to sack then-Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over his opposition to the planned judicial overhaul. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It reflects a conviction among critics of Netanyahu that the six-time prime minister represents a danger to Israel's democracy. "This government does not stop at red lights," Yair Lapid, a former prime minister and head of the centrist opposition party Yesh Atid, said on the social media platform X. "Enough! I call on all of you - this is our moment, this is our future. Take to the streets." While his right-wing coalition holds together, Netanyahu has been able to defy the protests and stave off calls for new elections. Opinion polls suggest he would lose an election due to continuing public anger over the failures that allowed Hamas to attack southern communities on October 7, 2023, in Israel's worst security disaster. Tuesday's announcement by extreme hardliner Itamar Ben Gvir that he would rejoin the government, after walking out over the ceasefire deal signed in January, underlined the political endorsement the government has gained from the nationalist-religious camp whose support has been vital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 'DISMANTLING POLITICAL UNITY' Critics of Netanyahu saw his decision to dismiss the head of Shin Bet as a blow to a key state institution that was inflicted for political reasons linked to Shin Bet's involvement in investigations into allegations of corruption by aides in Netanyahu's office. Netanyahu calls the allegations a politically motivated attack on him. He said the decision on Bar was because he had long ago lost trust in the security chief. Benny Gantz, head of the largest centrist opposition party, said the decision to fire Bar represented "a direct violation of state security and the dismantling of political unity in Israel for political and personal reasons". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahu is facing a long-running trial on corruption charges, which he denies. Critics and political adversaries have regularly accused him of exploiting the security situation as a way out of his legal troubles. Israel's renewed bombardment of Gaza has killed hundreds of Palestinians and drawn condemnation from Arab countries, Europe and the United Nations. Israel and Hamas accuse each other of breaching a truce that began in mid-January and had offered a respite for Gaza's 2.3 million residents after 17 months of war that has reduced the enclave to rubble and forced the majority of its population to displace multiple times. Opinion polls in Israel suggest that most people want to end the war and bring the hostages home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But strengthened by the return of Ben Gvir, there is little sign of any immediate threat to Netanyahu's government from the protests, which are unlikely to match the scale of the demonstrations that forced him to rescind his decision to sack Gallant in 2023. Although still trailing in the polls, his position has strengthened gradually as the war has gone on. For the moment at least, he appears to enjoy support from U.S. President Donald Trump's administration, which was consulted before Israel launched the strikes. Some hostage families have supported a return to war. The hardline Tivka group declared on Tuesday that the only way to return all hostages was through a total blockade of Gaza - cutting off electricity and water - and occupying territories to bring about Hamas' collapse. But for other hostage families and their supporters, the resumption of fighting has deepened their fears for the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I have no idea what is going to happen to the remaining hostages if the fighting keeps on going for the following weeks," said protester Iftach Brill, 45, from Tel Aviv. "It's an absolute disaster for us." (Reporting by James Mackenzie; Editing by Frances Kerry) Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday that the evacuation of people from combat zones in the Gaza Strip would soon continue and urged the population to "remove Hamas." In a video address, Katz said that airstrikes on Hamas targets were only the first step, and warned that what follows would be much worse, without giving details. Katz told the residents of the devastated coastal area that they will "pay the full price." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Return the hostages and remove Hamas," the defence minister demanded, adding that this would provide Gazans with new opportunities such as migration to other countries. "The alternative is total devastation," he said, vowing that Israel would act with a force that people in the Gaza Strip had never seen before. There have been recent warnings, including from Germany, urging Israel not to collectively punish the civilian population for the actions of Hamas. For the first time since a ceasefire began about two months ago, the Israeli air force on Tuesday extensively bombarded Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) targets in the Gaza Strip. According to the military, ground troops have also been deployed again. Turkish authorities on Wednesday detained Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu just days before his anticipated nomination as a presidential candidate, people close to the opposition politician confirmed to dpa. Imamoglu was taken into police custody and was at police headquarters, an aide confirmed to dpa. Imamoglu was accused of, among other things, being part of a criminal organization and corruption, Anadolu reported citing the public prosecutor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police conducted a raid at Imamoglu's residence in Istanbul at dawn in which riot officers were deployed, according to local broadcasters including CNN Turk. Imamoglu wrote on X that he would "stand tall" against what he called political pressure. Imamoglu, a high-profile critic of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is widely seen as a potential challenger in Turkey's next presidential race. On Sunday, he was set to be nominated as the presidential candidate for CHP, the main opposition party. The next presidential elections in Turkey are scheduled to take place in 2028. Turkish authorities on Wednesday detained Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on charges including leading a crime organization, bribery and aiding a terrorist group, just days before his anticipated nomination as a presidential candidate, the main opposition party CHP confirmed. Imamoglu, who on Sunday was due to be nominated as CHP's presidential candidate, had been taken into police custody and was at police headquarters, an aide confirmed to dpa. The detention order by the Istanbul chief public prosecutor's office, seen by dpa, labelled the mayor a "criminal organization leader" and charged him with charges including leading a criminal organization, bribery and extortion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State news agency Anadolu reported that Imamoglu was also facing two separate investigations that include charges of leading a crime organization, bribery and aiding a terrorist group. Prosecutors charge Imamoglu and six others with aiding the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), according to Anadolu. Broadcaster Halk TV reported that the terror charge may allow the government to replace Imamoglu with a public official. The order said that 99 people were charged together with Imamoglu and that "simultaneous detention, search, and asset seizure operations were ordered by the Financial Crimes Unit of Istanbul Police." The office of the governor of Istanbul province imposed a four-day ban on demonstrations, gatherings and press statements due to last until Sunday. Roads leading to the Istanbul mayor's office, police headquarteres and central Taksim Square were blocked on Wednesday morning as part of the ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CHP leader Ozgur Ozel confirmed that Imamoglu had been detained detained. Speaking on broadcaster Halk TV, Ozel called the operation against Imamoglu an attempt to block Sunday's planned nomination as CHP's presidential candidate. Imamoglu, a high-profile critic of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is widely seen as a potential challenger in Turkey's next presidential race. Ozel said that "Erdogan is aware Imamoglu is going to beat him in the elections. Turkey is at the moment facing a coup attempt against the next potential president," Ozel added referring to Imamoglu. The CHP leader went on to say that Imamoglu was still going to be the party's candidate for the presidential election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Whether Imamoglu is in jail or not, I call on everyone to come to the ballot box on Sunday to repel this coup attempt," Ozel said. Imamoglu said in a video message shared on X that he would "stand tall" against what he called political pressure. The action taken by the prosecuting authorities against Imamoglu came a day after his university degree, a prerequisite for running for president as per Turkey's constitution, was revoked. The diploma was reportedly revoked over an alleged illegal university transfer in the early 1990s. Imamoglu said he would appeal against the decision in court, but had lost faith in fair judgments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He already faces possible prison sentences and political bans in a number of ongoing cases. The mayor's lawyer Kemal Polat had told dpa before the arrest warrant became known that Imamoglu could only stand as a presidential candidate when all legal avenues against the decision had been exhausted. The next presidential elections in Turkey are scheduled to take place in 2028. President Donald Trump instructed the National Archives to release thousand of files related to John F. Kennedys assassination, saying, People have been waiting for decades for this. The documents, totaling 63,400 pages, will take historians some time to assess. Jack Schlossberg, JFKs only grandson, strongly condemned the decision back in January. The truth is a lot sadder than the myth a tragedy that didnt need to happen. Not part of an inevitable grand scheme, he wrote. Declassification is using JFK as a political prop, when hes not here to punch back. Theres nothing heroic about it. Last night, he noted that Trump did not give any Kennedys a heads up about the release, despite what the president said. In a series of posts on X this morning, Schlossberg wrote, President Trump is obsessed with my grandfather but not in his life or what he achieved in it, adding Trump is only interested in JFKs carcass. Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are stealing history from present and future generations by appropriating the past for their criminal agenda, they normalize themselves in the minds of those without living memory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He then posted a series of comparisons between his late grandfather and the current president: JFK drafted the civil rights act Trump made DEI illegal. JFK stared down Russia and did not blink Trump is Russias closest ally. JFK sent a man to the moon Trump gave Elon the keys to Air Force One. JFK created USAID Trump eliminated it. JFK fought fascism and Communism. Trump is selling us out to tech warlords, at home and abroad. JFK stood behind unions and labor, demanding healthcare, higher pay. Trump is stripping working families from lifesaving care, financial support. JFK celebrated the arts and culture. Trump attacks artists identities, took over the Kennedy center just to empty it out and pave it gold. So far, Schlossberg is the only member of the Kennedy family to react to the declassification of JFK files. Back in 2021, however, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he supported the effort to declassify, because keeping them classified just makes people think that government lies. You Might Also Like The City of Jacksonville held a public conference Tuesday, announcing intentions to seek and secure a nomination to the National Register of Historic Places for the LaVilla neighborhood. LaVilla was first established in 1866, making it the oldest neighborhood in the city. Members of the LaVilla community have made significant contributions to music and arts nationwide, including James Weldon Johnson -- the songwriter of Lift Evry Voice and Sing, often called the Black National Anthem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Lift Evry Voice and Sing Park opens in LaVilla neighborhood LaVilla was home to the Jacksonville Terminal (now the Prime Osborne Convention Center), which was the largest train station south of Washington, D.C. LaVilla also played a foundational role in what became known as the Great Migration, a period in time when millions of African Americans fled north to escape persecution. The Prime Osborne Center (formerly known as the Jacksonville Terminal) The City of Jacksonville is proud to support LaVilla. We will continue investing in public infrastructure, and supporting efforts to bring more homes, businesses, jobs, and educational opportunities to the neighborhood. said Mayor Donna Deegan. The formal recognition of its role in our history highlights our ongoing work to revitalize LaVilla and preserve its past. Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan detailing the upcoming nomination of the LaVilla neighborhood to the National Register of Historic Places Related: Jacksonville officials open first part of Emerald Trail: The LaVilla Link Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said the nomination should be completed by Winter 2025, following the completion of an updated Lavilla Historic Resources Survey and a nomination application. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. The son of Jair Bolsonaro has said that he will seek political asylum in the United States. Eduardo Bolsonaro, one of five of the former presidents children, said in a YouTube video that he had been in the country since February, gathering support to fight against persecution of his family and their allies. He told CNN Brasil on Tuesday that he plans to file for political asylum. Congressman Bolsonaro has been seeking support for his campaign abroad since his father was barred from running for office until 2030, and had his passport seized in February last year, on the order of Brazils top court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month, Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvas Workers Party asked for the younger Bolsonaros passport to also be removed. Alexandre de Moraes, the Brazil Supreme Court judge, rejected the request on Tuesday. Build support for pardon Congressman Bolsonaro said in the video he will seek punishment for officials, including Justice Moraes who oversees investigations against his father. He also wants to build support for a pardon for the participants of Jan 8 riots, when government buildings were ransacked days after Mr Lulas 2023 inauguration. Justice Moraes is overseeing the case of a 2022 coup attempt, which Jair Bolsonaro was charged with leading, as well as probes on misinformation and hate speech in social media by far-Right influencers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Court judge was last month sued by Donald Trumps Trump Media and Technology Group and video-sharing platform Rumble over a ruling which would force the video-sharing platforms to delete accounts allegedly spreading misinformation. Last year, the judge also ordered a temporary shut down of Elon Musks X in the country, after the social media company failed to comply with his rulings. I know now he (Trump) will continue to welcome my son, Mr Bolsonaros father told reporters in Brasilia. 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. Israeli soldiers detain a Palestinian during a military operation in al-Ain refugee camp, west of Nablus in the northern West Bank, on March 19, 2025. A Palestinian man was shot dead early Wednesday as Israeli forces raided Nablus in the northern West Bank, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) RAMALLAH, March 19 (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian man was shot dead early Wednesday as Israeli forces raided Nablus in the northern West Bank, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported. Israeli special forces entered the al-Ain camp west of the city and opened fire on a vehicle, killing a young man nearby, WAFA said. Several others were wounded and detained as Israeli forces carried out operations in the al-Ain, Balata, and Askar refugee camps, it added. The Israeli military has not commented on the incident. Israel frequently describes such operations in the West Bank as counter-terrorism measures aimed at militants. WAFA also reported that Israeli forces extended their operations in Tulkarm and its refugee camp for the 52nd consecutive day, and in the Nur Shams camp for the 39th day, with intensified raids and demolitions. Meanwhile, in Jenin, Israeli forces continued operations for the 58th day, with heavy gunfire and explosions heard from inside the refugee camp, WAFA said. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a Jan. 21 statement that IDF troops, the Israeli Security Agency, and Border Police had launched a "counter-terrorism operation" in Jenin. Israeli soldiers detain a Palestinian during a military operation in al-Ain refugee camp, west of Nablus in the northern West Bank, on March 19, 2025. A Palestinian man was shot dead early Wednesday as Israeli forces raided Nablus in the northern West Bank, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) Israeli soldiers are seen during a military operation in al-Ain refugee camp, west of Nablus in the northern West Bank, on March 19, 2025. A Palestinian man was shot dead early Wednesday as Israeli forces raided Nablus in the northern West Bank, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) Israeli soldiers are seen during a military operation in al-Ain refugee camp, west of Nablus in the northern West Bank, on March 19, 2025. A Palestinian man was shot dead early Wednesday as Israeli forces raided Nablus in the northern West Bank, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) An Israeli soldier is seen during a military operation in al-Ain refugee camp, west of Nablus in the northern West Bank, on March 19, 2025. A Palestinian man was shot dead early Wednesday as Israeli forces raided Nablus in the northern West Bank, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua) Mar. 18LIMA Her title may be director of the the Veterans Food Pantry of Northwest Ohio. To watch Elizabeth "Betsy" Potts in action on a recent morning, she mostly directs herself as a devoted volunteer for the organization, which offers two to three days' worth of food for area veterans, free of charge. She helped the volunteers who grabbed boxes of food items off a truck by carrying boxes of cans and putting them into storage. She pulled a cart of cans of vegetables and started placing them on shelves, in preparation for the veterans who'd visit later that day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "So many of our veterans had a hard time when they were in the service," said Potts, who served in the Marine Corps writing orders stateside and working in the mailroom during the Vietnam War. "... They're just so grateful for having someplace to go. We find some of our veterans will come in here because they're in a group of veterans who understand: 'Oh, where were you? What unit were you in?' All that. That's a little side thing that is gratifying sometimes." Potts is one of eight local winners of the Jefferson Awards for Public Service and will get a $300 donation to the charity of her choice on her behalf. All the winners will be recognized at an event Tuesday, March 25, with one winner receiving an additional $700 donation for a non-profit. Potts started volunteering at the food pantry 15 years ago, when it was in the basement of Memorial Hall, after moving back to Lima with her husband, an Air Force veteran from the Vietnam era, after working at post offices in Charlotte and Columbus. She served as a co-director after five years and became its sole director, a volunteer position, five years ago. The pantry moved to 810 W. North St. in February 2015 and serves 275 families every month during its pickups on Wednesday and Friday afternoons. It's a choice food pantry, meaning veterans pick what they want while they're there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's completely funded by donations and is financially stable right now, Potts said. It benefits from other veterans and civilian organizations raising money on its behalf and some savvy buying of non-perishable goods by Potts. Sometimes it gets fresh fruits and vegetables or even eggs donated to help veterans. "Volunteerism is at the heart of Ms. Potts' daily activities," Denis Glenn wrote in his nomination letter for the Jefferson Awards. "She encourages others to volunteer by not only her words but by her actions. She crosses many diverse paths and treats all with respect, something she learned from her days as a U.S. Marine." Potts also serves as the paymaster at the Marine Corps League, treasurer with the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 089, treasurer with the Daughters of the American Revolution and as a member of the Friends of the Library. She also enjoys genealogical research, where she found she had a second-great-grandfather, George Washington Lowery, who served in the Civil War and other ancestors who served in the Revolutionary War. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said she was surprised when she learned she was a local winner of the Jefferson Awards, showing her humility along the way. "You read the stories of everybody else that has been here or dominating anything," she said. "You know, all I do is run a pantry. It takes maybe 20 to 30 hours a week that I'm doing something for the pantry. It just completely shocked me. I just couldn't believe it." JEFFERSON AWARDS The 2025 Jefferson Awards for Public Service committee has selected nine winners from throughout the region, including eight adult winners and one youth winner. They will be honored at a banquet March 25 at Veterans Memorial Civic Center in downtown Lima. Read past Jefferson Awards profiles at LimaOhio.com/jeffersonawards. Reach David Trinko at 567-242-0467 or on Twitter/X @Lima_Trinko. Featured Local Savings An investigation is underway in New Jersey after an infant was found dead inside a minivan earlier this week, officials said. The vehicle was parked on Fifth Street, between Monmouth and Princeton avenues, according to the Asbury Park Press. Police were called on to the area on Tuesday around 1:30 p.m. and located the baby shortly after arriving on the scene. According to Mayor Raymond Coles, the infant was unresponsive and EMS attempted to resuscitate the child, to no avail. The baby was transported to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood and pronounced dead, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer confirmed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A cause of death for the infant, who was not identified, was unclear as of Wednesday morning. Police have not yet specified whether the baby suffered a medical episode or was involved in some other sort of incident. The victim could have also died from heat despite the chilly weather outside, temperatures inside a vehicle can spike within minutes if windows are not left open. No other details were immediately available. A large law enforcement presence lingered on the scene, a neighborhood packed with houses and apartments, well into Tuesday night. The vehicle involved, a a Toyota Sienna, was cordoned off for most of the day and later seen being towed from its parking spot just before 5 p.m. Billhimer said an investigation into the matter is ongoing. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) Attorney General Liz Murrill confirmed Jessie Hoffman had been executed by the state. Louisiana death row inmate Jessie Hoffman was scheduled for execution Tuesday evening as legal challenges continued to unfold as his attorneys sought a last-minute stay from the U.S. Supreme Court. The Louisiana State Penitentiary held a press conference after the execution, where state officials spoke. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections Gary Westcott, Hoffman was pronounced dead by the West Feliciana Parish Coroners Office at 6:50 p.m. by nitrogen hypoxia. Hoffman declined a final meal, Westcott said. Tonight, justice was served for Mary Molly Elliot and for the state of Louisiana, said Murrill. Gov. Landry and I made a promise to the citizens of Louisiana and the family members of the victims of these heinous crimes that we would put them first and that we would follow the law. Gov. Jeff Landry released a statement after Hoffmans execution. It is unfortunate that bad people exist, and they do real bad things. When these acts of violence happen, society must not tolerate it. God is as Just as he is Merciful; and my hope is that when Louisiana empties death row, there will never be another victim whose perpetrator must be placed there. In Louisiana, we will always prioritize victims over criminals, law and order over lawlessness, and justice over the status quo. If you commit heinous acts of violence in this State, it will cost you your life. Plain and simple. Gov. Jeff Landry Legal challenges to execution Hoffman, 46, was sentenced to death for the 1996 kidnapping and murder of Mary Molly Elliott in New Orleans. If carried out, Hoffmans execution would be Louisianas first since 2010, when Gerald Bordelon was put to death by lethal injection. He was originally scheduled for lethal injection, but in 2012, he filed a lawsuit arguing that the penalty was unconstitutional. The state also struggled to obtain the necessary drugs, and the case was dismissed in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2024, the Louisiana Legislature passed a new law allowing execution by nitrogen hypoxia and electrocution, paving the way for Hoffmans execution under this new method. His attorneys have petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to halt the execution, arguing that: Nitrogen hypoxia violates the Eighth Amendment by causing extreme psychological suffering. The method infringes on Hoffmans religious rights as a Buddhist, preventing him from engaging in meditative breathing at the time of death. The Supreme Court has not yet issued a ruling, but if it grants a stay of execution, the process will be delayed indefinitely while legal arguments continue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Louisiana execution protocol unsealed: Heres how the state plans to use nitrogen gas State pushes forward with execution Attorney General Liz Murrill has pushed back against the legal challenges, stating that Louisianas nitrogen gas protocol follows Alabamas method, which has been upheld in four previous cases. Alabama has already done this four times using nitrogen hypoxia, and every one of its cases has run up through the Supreme Court of the United States, Murrill said. The Supreme Court declined to intervene, which allowed Alabama to proceed. We expect that same decision. Tomorrow, justice will finally be served for Mary Molly Elliott. A temporary restraining order (TRO) was granted Monday, preventing the execution from proceeding until at least 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. Murrill said her office plans to seek relief from the Louisiana Supreme Court if necessary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorneys for Mr. Hoffman continue to file pleadings in an attempt to see what will stick. Well continue to address them as they come, however, I expect the execution to go forward as planned, Murrill said. What happens next? Murrill announced this is the first successful execution and the state intends to continue to carry out more executions, pending litigation. I, along with my office, remain committed to ensuring justice is carried out in all the death penalty cases, said Murrill. FILE Vehicles enter at the main security gate at Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, La., Aug. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Judi Bottoni, File) Jessie Hoffman (Louisiana Attorney Generals Office) Execution table at Angola (Mike Thompson) Execution table at Angola (Mike Thompson) Execution table at Angola (Mike Thompson) Latest News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 Louisiana First News. Government files related to the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration, and so far it's just a lot to process. In a directive from President Donald Trump, 80,000 pages of unredacted files associated with the widely popular Democratic president were released this week. The release of the unredacted files is part of Trump's day one executive order in January, which aimed at fully releasing government documents related to the assassinations of Kennedy, his brother and presidential candidate Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, D-N.Y., and civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With that many pages, historians are beginning the slow process of reading and interpreting the pages they, conspiracy theorists and the public have waited decades for. The anticipation of some bombshell reveal in the documents, might just fizzle out though. What are in the JFK files released by Trump? James Johnston, author of "Murder, Inc.: The CIA under John F. Kennedy" told USA TODAY that he wasnt expecting any bombshells. If it was going to embarrass the agency or tell a different story, they wouldn't have turned them over to the National Archives in the first place, said Johnston, who was a staff member of the congressional Church Committee that investigated the CIA in 1975. And if they were withholding them before, Im guessing they would continue to withhold them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Historians were quick to say that it would take time to comb through all the documents to see if there were any significant shifts in what has been reported to have happened in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963. While it is expected to take some time to go through all of the documents, so far none have revealed any changes to the long-standing findings that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone and was the one to fire the bullet that killed Kennedy, according to reports from USA TODAY. You can find out more about the analysis of the documents so far at usatoday.com. Where can I read the JFK files? The National Archives and Records Administration is the keeper of the documents and have them posted online on their website here. When were the JFK files released? The National Archives posted them Monday night with this statement: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In accordance with President Donald Trumps directive of March 17, 2025, all records previously withheld for classification that are part of the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection are released. The documents were released just before 7 p.m., but not all the pages are available via the National Archives just yet. As the records continue to be digitized, they will be posted to this page, the National Archives said, suggesting that not all of the documents were being released on Tuesday in digital form. John F. Kennedy visit to Tennessee held parallels to Dallas Before being elected to the highest office in the land, Kennedy made several visits to Tennessee as a senator and eventually came back during his presidency in 1963, months before his assassination in Dallas, Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennedy was well-known for his speeches and spoke on multiple occasions across the Volunteer State, from praising the Tennessee Valley Authority and Oak Ridge's path in nuclear energy to coming for a visit to Vanderbilt just six months before his death. A 2013 article in The Tennessean, looked back on Kennedy's visit and some of the parallels between his Nashville visit and Dallas. The 35th president arrived in Music City in a convertible following a route printed in the paper. Along with his visit, came tension among Tennessee Democrats as Kennedy started to float his ideas for his 1964 re-election campaign. Similar tension was happening amongst Texas Democrats during Kennedy's visit six months later, read the article. "It could have happened that morning (in Nashville), no doubt about it," said John Jay Hooker, an attorney and Kennedy family friend who attended the 35th president's speech at Vanderbilt University's Dudley Field on May 18, 1963. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The visit to Tennessee went smoothly despite these factors, no one knew it would be his last visit to the Volunteer state before his assassination on Nov. 22, 1963. "He had the facility to convince you that one man can make a difference and every man should try," Hooker reminisced in the article. "That has been the guiding light of my life." This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: JFK files released: Here's where to read them, historian outlook, more NewsNations Ross Coulthart will host a special report, Declassified: The JFK Assassination, this Saturday at 8p/7C. Find out how to watch at NewsNationNow.com. (NewsNation) Following up on a promise from President Donald Trump, the National Archives released thousands of documents related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Many of the documents are handwritten or blurred due to age and difficult to search, so historians and journalists are still pouring through them to uncover new details, but here is what is known so far. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House said Tuesday that more documents would be released Wednesday. JFK files dont highlight conspiracy theories: Ross Coulthart What files were released? Exactly what information is new and what is old is difficult to determine. Investigative journalist Gerald Posner told NewsNation the release was a document dump and a master class in how not to release documents. They dont tell you whats new in them, he said. The only way to clearly tell what information is new is to compare the documents to older versions previously released by the National Archives, a laborious process. The documents also were not classified or sorted in any way, so it could take days to determine what new information was actually released. Was there a smoking gun? So far, there hasnt been any smoking gun that would validate decadesold conspiracies about the assassination, but independent journalist Jefferson Morely told NewsNation the files dont debunk conspiracies either. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NTSB releases preliminary report on near-miss at Midway Airport They undermine the official story that one man alone killed the president for no reason, Morely said. NewsNation contributor Ross Coulthart also notes that a document clearly laying out a planned conspiracy is unlikely to exist, and people would be unlikely to admit in no uncertain terms to taking part in one. Just because its not written down on paper doesnt mean the evidence doesnt point to more than one shooter, Coulthart said. What are people looking for in the files? The main conspiracy theories around the Kennedy assassination have centered around the identity or number of the shooters and the motivation behind the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many theorize that Lee Harvey Oswald was not the shooter and was set up or that he was one of multiple shooters and will be searching for evidence of that in the files. People will also be looking for references to the CIA, FBI, Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Mafia, which have all been accused of being behind the assassination, either individually or as part of a larger conspiracy. Dramatic car chase in Florida ends in discovery of missing Texas teen Many are also interested in how much intelligence the U.S. or other countries, including Mexico, had on Oswald prior to the shooting. What has been learned so far? Coulthart noted the documents also provide a glimpse into the bigger picture of Cold War clandestine actions, including the U.S. being behind the deaths of leaders who were deemed a threat to Americas goal of stopping communism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another revelation was the number of CIA agents placed overseas as State Department employees, said to be about 1,500. The CIA has historically used State Department employment as a cover for agents, but a 1961 memo to Kennedy revealed the number was beginning to be seen as a threat to the ability of the agency to control its own policy. Morely also noted that the documents suggest that CIA surveillance of Oswald prior to the assassination was more extensive than previously known. Were there redactions? Announcing the release of the documents, Trump promised no redactions, but that does not appear to have been true. Trump will run and win again in 2028: Steve Bannon Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Posner noted that some redactions include Social Security numbers for still-living individuals. There are also redactions related to files on the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. because they are related to information that was sealed by a judge for 50 years. Despite executive orders to release information, those files cannot be made public for another two years. Will there be more documents? All the files released have come from the National Archives. A question remains on if or how files from other agencies, including the CIA and FBI, would be made public. Following Trumps executive order, the FBI conducted a review and found 2,400 unreleased records relating to the JFK assassination. Those were not included in Tuesdays drop, and there has been no information on if or when they could be released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump defends deportation flights as judge calls for more information In addition to the Kennedy files, Trump also promised the release of files related to the assassinations of Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. A release date for those files has not yet been announced. Will the files shift trust in government? The files are being released in the name of transparency, but Posner said he doubts they will satisfy those who think the government is hiding something. The fact that information has been kept secret for so many decades despite public questions about the official narrative may lead people to think incriminating files are still being obscured, he told NewsNation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The average person thinks they must have been hiding something to keep them hidden for so long, Posner said. So people think maybe theyre destroyed or kept elsewhere in government. 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. 19391963 Latest News: JFK Files Shed Light on CIA Surveillance of Lee Harvey Oswald Thousands of declassified files on the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy were released on March 18 following an executive order from President Donald Trump. The majority of records relating to the murder were already available to the public, but the more than 63,000 newly released pages come after decades of speculation about Kennedys murder. The unredacted records detail the CIAs surveillance of Soviet and Cuban embassies in Mexico City, where Kennedys assassin Lee Harvey Oswald visited just months before the murder. One memo confirms that the CIA surveilled an American man living in Mexico described as a Communist, but Oswald isnt mentioned by name. Oswald, who expressed Communist views, defected to the Soviet Union in 1959 before returning to the United States in 1962. The following year, he unsuccessfully tried to obtain passage to Cuba and the Soviet Union. Another newly declassified document confirms this, revealing that Oswald visited the Soviet embassy in Mexico City to obtain a visa. Who Was Lee Harvey Oswald? Lee Harvey Oswald is the presumed assassin of President John F. Kennedy. Before becoming one of the most infamous figures in history, Oswald served in the U.S. Marines in the 1950s. He defected to the Soviet Union for a period of time but returned to America with his family. Less than a year later, on November 22, 1963, Oswald is believed to have fatally shot JFK. While being taken to county jail two days later, Oswald was killed by Jack Ruby. He was 24. Quick Facts FULL NAME: Lee Harvey Oswald BORN: October 18, 1939 DIED: November 24, 1964 BIRTHPLACE: New Orleans, Louisiana SPOUSE: Marina Oswald Porter (19611963) CHILDREN: June and Rachel ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Libra Early Life Lee Harvey Oswald was born on October 18, 1939, in New Orleans to Marguerite and Robert Oswald Sr., who died of a heart attack two months prior to Oswalds birth. Following her husbands death, Marguerite sent Lee and his two older brothers to live in an orphanage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marguerite remarried and eventually moved with her children to the Bronx in New York City. With his mother working long shifts, the young Oswald was often left to fend for himself. He spent time at the library while developing a habit of playing hooky from his eighth-grade classes. He was eventually picked up and placed in a detention hall, where his social worker described him as emotionally detached, giving off the feeling of a kid nobody gave a darn about. Oswald and his mother eventually moved back to New Orleans, where he continued to develop his interest in socialist literature, which hed begun to read in New York. Marine Service In 1956, a teenaged Oswald joined the U.S. Marines. He was a better-than-average marksman yet was court-martialed twice in 1958 for having an illegal weapon and displaying violent behavior. Oswald ended his military service the following year. Soviet Union Defection and Return The former Marine quickly arranged a trip to Moscow, where he informed Russian authorities that he wanted to move to the Soviet Union. After some debate by government operatives over Oswalds possible role as a spy, he was allowed to stay in the city of Minsk, where he was monitored closely by the KGB. Getty Images Oswald wed Marina Prusakova, today known as Marina Oswald Porter, in April 1961. Dissatisfied with the quality of life in the Soviet Union, Oswald returned to the United States in June 1962, bringing his wife and their newborn daughter, June, with him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The family set up residence in Dallas, with Oswald taking on the post-office alias of Alek J. Hidell. Around this time, Oswalds interest in Communism transformed into support for Cuba. In early 1963, he ordered a.38 handgun via the mail and later acquired a rifle. He had Marina take a picture of him with the weaponsa document that would later be used as criminal evidence, as Oswalds rifle was eventually identified as the firearm used to murder President John F. Kennedy. Getty Images In April 1963, Oswald allegedly tried to shoot right-wing ex-General Edwin A. Walker through the window of his home but missed. After returning to New Orleans by himself for a short stint, in September 1963, Oswald took a trip to Mexico City, where he attempted to obtain passage to Cuba and the Soviet Union to no avail. Oswald then returned to the States, where he got a job working at the Texas School Book Depository in Dallas. His family stayed with a friend in a nearby suburb, and Marina gave birth to a second daughter, Rachel, that October. Assassination of JFK On the afternoon of November 22, 1963around the time of President John F. Kennedys approaching motorcade through DallasOswald was seen on the sixth floor of his work building, holding a rifle. At 12:30 p.m., three shots were fired, with the second and third hitting JFK. Texas Governor John B. Connally was also hit and wounded. The president died at Parkland Memorial Hospital shortly after the attack at age 46. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oswald was spotted leaving the scene of the shooting and was later confronted some distance away by police officer J.D. Tippit, who Oswald then allegedly shot and killed. Oswald was later found and apprehended by the police at the Texas Theater, located the Dallas suburb of Oak Cliff. Over the next two days, he was arraigned, interrogated, and placed in lineups. Who Killed Lee Harvey Oswald? Oswald never saw a trial for his alleged crimes. On November 24, 1963, while the 24-year-old was being taken to the county jail, Oswald was shot and killed by Jack Ruby, a club owner with mob affiliations. Ruby stated that he acted out of outrage over Kennedys assassination. There have also been theories that Rubys actions might have been part of a larger web. Over the years, the question of conspiracies has continued to follow the Oswald case. The 1964 Warren Commission declared that no evidence of a conspiracy had been found. Yet an investigation initiated by the House of Representatives Assassination Committee in 1979 eventually found that another shooter could have been involved in the assassination. Debate and much speculationincluding who Oswald met with during his final stay in New Orleanscontinue to this day. Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesnt look right, contact us! You Might Also Like After yapping about it for months, Donald Trump has released over 60,000 previously classified JFK assassination files. The Washington Post / The Washington Post via Getty Images Experts say it will take time to analyze all of the documents, but so far there have been no major revelations. Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images For those who don't know, Jack Schlossberg is JFK's grandson and has quite a robust social media presence. Randy Holmes / Disney / Getty Images Jack took issue with Trump releasing his grandfather's files, and his thread about it is going viral. Bloomberg / Bloomberg via Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Here it is: "President Trump is obsessed with my grandfather but not in his life or what he achieved in it. No, just like @robertfkennedyjr @realdonaldtrump is only interested in JFKs carcass." "These men are stealing history from present and future generations by appropriating the past for their criminal agenda, they normalize themselves in the minds of those without living memory." "Im one person with a social media account. All I can do, any citizen, is speak my mind. The rest will come later (winning), after we build strength. For now, if you see something say something." "JFK drafted the civil rights act Trump made DEI illegal. JFK stared down Russia and did not blink Trump is Russias closest ally. JFK sent a man to the moon Trump gave Elon the keys to Air Force One. JFK created USAID Trump eliminated it." Advertisement Advertisement "JFK fought fascism and Communism. Trump is selling us out to tech warlords, at home and abroad. JFK stood behind unions and labor, demanding healthcare, higher pay. Trump is stripping working families from lifesaving care , financial support." And lastly: "JFK celebrated the arts and culture. Trump attacks artists identities, took over the Kennedy center just to empty it out and pave it gold." Oh, and for those wondering, Jack said Trump didn't give anyone in the family a heads-up about the documents, saying, "But @RobertKennedyJr definitely knew." In case you didn't know, Jack and his cousin RFK Jr. don't really get along... Advertisement Advertisement Like, at all. Mar. 19A series of bills proposed by the Maine Department of Corrections that could increase fees for people held in state prisons has prompted lawmakers to ask for a clearer look at the economy inside the prison system as more people are doing remote work while behind bars. Maine's prisons already impose fees for health care treatment, room and board for those participating in work release programs, and could soon see a price tag on prison-issued laptops. The Legislature's Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee last week signaled support of two of the department's requests to codify such fees in state law, but some lawmakers first want to create a working group to study what impacts these charges have on inmates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They have to live within an economy that we create," Sen. Chip Curry, D-Waldo, said during a work session last week. That economy is increasingly growing. With as many as 350 people working while in state custody throughout the year, Maine collected more than $670,000 in room and board fees last year, according to data from the Department of Corrections. That's more than twice what the state collected in 2020, though those numbers may have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. And a handful of those jobs are remote work, done on prison-issued computers, making between $40,000 to more than $90,000 per year, a DOC spokesperson said. Advocates have told lawmakers that there are already too many fees, especially for those who face bills for court fines, restitution and child support, and that inmates are already paying the price of their crimes with incarceration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But officials at the department say these fees lead to a "sense of normalization," because outside of prison, people who have full-time jobs are responsible for living expenses. TECHNOLOGY & HEALTH CARE Lawmakers on the criminal justice committee unanimously voted last week in favor of one bill that would impose a maximum $35 monthly fee for the laptops, but were split on whether to support costs for room and board. And though they were also divided on a proposal, LD 18, to increase health care fees; the majority of the committee amended the bill to include the creation of a working group, which would study all of the prisons' fees. The Department of Corrections asked the Legislature to raise the existing health care fees from $5 to $25. (People who have less than $15 in their accounts are exempt from payment.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Associate Commissioner Scott Landry told the committee that this extra income would help pay for a "helping hands" program where six to 10 people help other inmates with assisted living-type care. These increased fees could be used to pay them more (they currently make about $100 per month), or increase the number of jobs, Landry said. Five lawmakers on the committee voted in favor of increasing the fee to $15, and allowing inmates with $30 or less to be exempt. But eight lawmakers supported keeping the fee at $5 and simply giving the department explicit permission to use those funds for the prison worker program. The divided report now moves to the full Legislature for consideration. The majority also recommended the department create a group to provide input on whether fees like this are burdensome. Curry said the group should be made up of prison residents, people involved in the state victims' compensation program and prisoner advocacy organizations. They will also study the possible impact of a proposed monthly fee to cover the costs of prison-issued laptops. Landry said the department's funding source for its educational technology, the COVID-19 relief fund, has run out. And the proposed bill, LD 45, would help fill that funding gap. He suggested the department charge inmates depending on their income level, but not more than would actually exceed a "normal" fee for an internet service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers in the committee voted unanimously in favor of the bill, with the stipulation that the department not charge more than $35 per month or more than 7% of an inmate's monthly income. They also agreed that if someone is making less than $100 per month, they would not be charged. WORKING FROM PRISON Right now, 166 people in Maine's prison system are participating in work release programs, according to Sam Prawer, spokesperson for the Maine Department of Corrections. Of those, 12 have remote jobs. Throughout the year, the department can have more than 350 people in these programs, many of which are seasonal and agriculture-based. But the state can deduct up to 20% of their income 10% for room and board, which is sent to the state's general fund, not the Department of Corrections, and up to 10% to cover transportation provided by the department. Since 2020, the state fund has collected a total of $2.4 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents are already paying these fees, but a third bill proposed by the department would solidify this policy in Maine law. A majority of lawmakers on the Legislature's Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee supported the bill, LD 626, with the caveat that the department can't set those fees higher than 10% each. But two who voted in opposition say the department shouldn't be allowed to charge for room and board at all. Most people in work release programs earn between $14.75 to $25 per hour. These jobs, which take place outside of the prison walls, include restaurants, boat building, construction companies and car dealerships, Prawer said. People who have professional credentials or licenses can earn up to $46.50 per hour. The two dozen residents working remotely on their prison-issued laptops either have a full-time job, a fellowship or are employed as a student (including at the University of Maine at Augusta). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prawer said those full-time remote workers earn salaries between $40,000 to more than $90,000 per year. They work for companies like Unlocked Labs (a tech company that teaches coding) and the Center for Effective Public Policy. The highest-earning resident makes $96,000 a year, department officials told lawmakers during last week's work session. Rep. Grayson Lookner, D-Portland, said the state shouldn't be charging these fees because inmates are already paying these fees "with their freedom" by being incarcerated. He and Rep. Nina Milliken, D-Blue Hill, recommended that the department strike its room and board policy altogether. But Rep. Chad Perkins, R-Dover-Foxcroft, said he supports the bill because it would require people in prison to pay for their own well-being and give back to taxpayers. "We would expect anybody else to have to buy-in in their own lives," he said during the work session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copy the Story Link We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others. We do not enable comments on everything exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion. You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs. Show less A jockey has been charged with the murder of a pensioner outside a pub in Britains flat racing capital. Levi Williams, a 25-year-old apprentice rider, was arrested on March 8 following an altercation between four men outside the Golden Lion pub in Newmarket, Suffolk. Suffolk Constabulary said officers were called to the scene on High Street at 3.40pm and two men with injuries were taken to Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the men, a 45-year-old, was discharged later that evening, but the other, aged 71, remained in hospital in a critical condition and died on Tuesday. Williams, who had initially been arrested on suspicion of assault causing grievous bodily harm, was subsequently charged with murder. The 25-year-old has not ridden for almost two years following a suspension for drug use - Bryn Lennon/Getty He appeared before Ipswich Magistrates Court on Wednesday and was remanded in custody until a preliminary hearing at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday, a court official said. A police spokesman said: A 25-year-old man has been charged with murder, after a man who sustained serious injuries following an incident in Newmarket earlier this month died in hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The force added that a 23-year-old man who was also arrested on suspicion of assault causing grievous bodily harm and a 45-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of affray both remained on police bail until June 5 and June 9, respectively. History of drug use Williams, of Holland Park, Newmarket, who has 12 winners to his name from 156 rides on British soil, has not ridden for almost two years. The jockey tested positive for cocaine when riding at Windsor in May 2023 and was given an 18-month suspension following a disciplinary inquiry by the British Horseracing Authority. The panel ruled that he would be ineligible for a licence for 18 months until November 2024. Williams said he was stupid to take cocaine - Instagram Williams had previously been suspended for six months in 2021 after taking cocaine and cannabis. He told a hearing after his first ban: I didnt really think. I was just stupid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Newmarket, which is often referred to as the headquarters of British horseracing, is home to Newmarket Racecourse, which comprises two individual racecourses, the Rowley Mile and the July Course. It also has the largest cluster of training yards in the country and is home to many key horse racing organisations, including Tattersalls, the National Horseracing Museum and the National Stud Newmarket hosts two of the countrys five Classic Races the 1,000 Guineas and 2,000 Guineas, and numerous other Group races. In total, it hosts nine of British racings 36 annual Group 1 races. 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. Stories of three Irish immigrants who stand out in the history of Joplins early days led off a Monday night meeting of the Joplin City Council. Chad Stebbins, retired Missouri Southern State University department chair and author, told about the men who settled here as a place where pioneers and capitalists came to enrich themselves in a lead and zinc bonanza. His remarks, along with those of community historian Brad Belk, were made to recognize Joplins 152nd birthday on March 23. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Belk detailed some of the past observances for the citys founding. Thousands of people flocked to Joplin in the latter part of the 19th century seeking their fortunes in the mining fields, Stebbins said. They came from all over the United States but also from Great Britain, Ireland, Germany, Italy, Greece, Sweden and Eastern Europe. The immigrants from Ireland had the greatest impact on the new city. Daniel Sheehan One whose story has been captured in Joplins historical annals is that of Sgt. Daniel Sheehan, a Joplin police officer who local residents called Dad. He was born in 1830 in Killarney, in County Kerry in southwest Ireland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We dont know when exactly he came to Joplin, but he did serve the city for eight years as a night watchman and a police officer. He broke up fights, he handled rowdy prisoners. He arrested men who were beating their wives and women who were involved in prostitution, Stebbins said. He arrested those who drove their buggies too fast on Main Street. And, on one occasion ... he even had to shoot a rabid dog that was attacking a family. Sheehan was shot and killed July 19, 1885, the first of Joplins law officers to to die in the line of duty. He was shot as he and two other officers worked to arrest a man who was wanted for selling liquor without a license. The man was arrested and jailed. But at 2 oclock the next morning, an angry mob used a battering ram and broke open the front door of the jail. The man was taken to Second and Main streets and lynched from a tree, Stebbins said. Patrick Murphy Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patrick Murphy, who would come to be regarded as the father of Joplin, was born in 1839 in Ireland and first settled in Pennsylvania. He made his way to Carthage in 1866 and opened a store on the north side of the square, Stebbins said. After the discovery of lead on Joplin Creek, Murphy opened another store on the Carthage square and also made plans to establish his own town along with a business partner, W.P. Davis, called Murphysburg, west of Joplin Creek. At the same time, settler John C. Cox was laying out the town of Joplin to be located east of Joplin Creek. There was an intense rivalry between the two towns, Stebbins said. For a number of years, Murphysburg overshadowed its rival community, Joplin, according to the Encyclopedia of the History of Missouri. In 1872, Murphysburg was the larger and wealthier town, containing several stores, a smelting works built by Murphy and Davis and others, and the only newspaper in the county. But a year later, the two towns were incorporated as Joplin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murphy had built an elaborate home at what now is the southwest corner of Fourth Street and Wall Avenue. He opened a bank, which he called the Banking House of Patrick Murphy, about a block away. He later changed the name to Miners Bank of Joplin. He had owned numerous businesses and made many investments over his life. When he died in 1900, the community mourned and businesses closed for the day. A procession stretched from his home at Fourth Street to Fairview Cemetery, where he was buried, Stebbins said. Later, his remains were moved to Mount Hope Cemetery, a new cemetery in the early 1900s intended to become the final resting place of affluent Joplin and Webb City residents. Thomas Connor A third influential Irish immigrant has been known as Thomas Connor, but his actual surname was OConnor, Stebbins said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1871, Connor came to Joplin, where he later opened a saloon on Broadway in what is now East Town. He was drawn into mine ownership after he and his wife took drives on Sundays to view the mines established in the Joplin area, Stebbins said. He started buying up land and ended up with 6,000 acres extending into the Galena, Kansas, area. He would lease land to miners. His earnings from that endeavor reached $10,000 a week from mining royalties. He soon bought the Joplin Hotel, which was located then at Fourth and Main streets. City leaders appealed to him to tear down the Joplin Hotel, which they considered old, and build another. He did so, but died before he got to see the hotel finished. BRUSSELS, March 19 (Xinhua) -- European countries have had mixed reactions to a phone conversation held Tuesday between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which initial steps toward peace in Ukraine were discussed. In its readout of the call, the White House said the two leaders agreed on the need to end the three-year-old Russia-Ukraine conflict with a lasting peace, on starting the process "with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire," and on soon launching technical negotiations on a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, as well as a full ceasefire and a permanent peace deal. The focal points of the Kremlin readout include Russia's requirements for a Trump-proposed 30-day ceasefire. Putin emphasized that a complete end to foreign military aid and intelligence sharing for Ukraine is key to preventing conflict escalation and reaching a political and diplomatic settlement. Hours after the Trump-Putin phone call, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that his country supports any proposals leading to a lasting and just peace, but his country's direct involvement in peace negotiations is needed. "Without Ukraine's involvement, I believe reaching an agreement is futile," he said. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa jointly called for "a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine," expressing hope that the phone call marks progress in this direction and reaffirming their steadfast support for Ukraine. During their meeting in Berlin on Tuesday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the Trump-Putin phone call as an important step, while reaffirming support for Ukraine's full involvement in peace talks, saying no decisions about Ukraine's future should be made "over the heads" of the Ukrainian people. Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar also welcomed the Trump-Putin call, saying that they agreed on the need for mutual communication and the search for sustainable solutions "so that similar conflicts aren't repeated." Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said that the U.S. and Russian presidents "have taken another big step toward peace, and we hope Brussels will not be able to prevent a peace agreement." Meanwhile, others adopted a more cautious approach in assessing the implications. "I think there will be more talks at various levels... From what is happening right now, I would not draw hasty or far-reaching conclusions," Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics commented. Czech Deputy Prime Minister and Labor Minister Marian Jurecka said that the phone call had not provided an outline of a real solution to the Ukraine crisis. "The phone call, even though it is being cheered ... has probably not brought anything real to the problems we have here today," he was quoted by the Czech News Agency as saying. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares was also cautious about the prospects for peace, saying, "It's positive that there's talk of a ceasefire.... but we're still very far from the peace that Spain and the European people want." Given that Europe has once again been sidelined in addressing the Ukraine crisis, there are growing calls for Ukraine and European nations to have a role in the peace talks. "There is also no doubt that within the European Union, there is broad consensus that any peace process for Ukraine and this conflict must involve Ukraine itself and the EU ...," Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro said. Noting that there is still "a long way" to go for a "complete ceasefire," French government spokesperson Sophie Primas stressed that the phone call between Trump and Putin cannot result in an agreement "as long as the Ukrainians and the Europeans are not involved in the discussions." Finnish President Alexander Stubb emphasized that, besides the Ukrainian, Russian, and U.S. teams, there should also be a European team in the talks. House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan said he plans to hold hearings on recent judicial rulings against the Trump administration's agenda, after President Donald Trump, Elon Musk and conservatives have called for impeaching federal judges. James Boasberg, the chief judge of the federal district court in Washington, D.C., had ruled that Trump must stop the deportation flights of Venezuelan migrants, a move that prompted swift backlash from the presidents base. Shortly after Trump called for the House to start proceedings to remove Boasberg on Tuesday, Texas Rep. Brandon Gill filed articles of impeachment against him. Other Republicans quickly signed on. In a CNN interview Wednesday, Jordan indicated the first hearing on Boasberg's and other judges' decisions could come as early as next week. The Judiciary Committee has jurisdiction over judicial impeachments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're gonna hold hearings on this entire issue, the Ohio Republican said. The 15 injunctions that have been done in an eight-week time frame, Judge Boasberg's decision. We plan on holding hearings hearing from experts talking about this whole kind of body of law, this whole situation. Any judicial impeachment measures are unlikely to be successful, even if Jordan pursues the issue. Republicans have an incredibly thin majority in the House, and Speaker Mike Johnson does not have the votes to impeach any judges at this point. Jordan emphasized that everything is on the table and floated that there might be another legislative remedy beyond judicial impeachments. He did not specify further. Jordan added that he had not yet spoken to Trump about the issue but had plans to speak with the president later this week. A federal judge on Tuesday indefinitely blocked implementation of President Trumps executive order effectively barring transgender people from serving openly in the military, a stark blow to the administrations efforts to curb transgender rights. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes, an appointee of former President Biden, barred Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other military officials from implementing Trumps order or otherwise putting new policy into place effectuating it. She also said the plaintiffs military statuses must remain unchanged until further order of the court. The judge said her order intends to maintain the status quo of military policy regarding transgender service that existed before Trump signed the order titled Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness. She stayed her order until Friday to give the administration time to appeal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Court knows that this opinion will lead to heated public debate and appeals, Reyes wrote in her opinion. In a healthy democracy, both are positive outcomes. Six active service members and two individuals seeking to enlist in the military sued the Trump administration soon after the Jan. 27 order was signed, asserting it violates their constitutional rights. Two similar lawsuits are moving through the courts. Trumps order suggests that transgender people cannot satisfy the rigorous standards necessary for military service because they threaten the lethality of the armed forces and undermine unit cohesion, an argument long used to keep marginalized communities from serving. A mans assertion that he is a woman, and his requirement that others honor this falsehood, is not consistent with the humility and selflessness required of a service member, the executive order states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reyes wrote in her opinion that the president has both the power and obligation to ensure military readiness but noted that leaders of the armed forces have long used that justification to deny marginalized persons the privilege of serving. [Fill in the blank] is not fully capable and will hinder combat effectiveness; [fill in the blank] will disrupt unit cohesion and so diminish military effectiveness; allowing [fill in the blank] to serve will undermine training, make it impossible to recruit successfully, and disrupt military order, Reyes wrote. First minorities, then women in combat, then gays filled in that blank, she continued. Today, however, our military is stronger and our Nation is safer for the millions of such blanks (and all other persons) who serve. A 2016 RAND Corp. study commissioned by the Pentagon found that allowing trans individuals to serve in the military had no negative impact on unit cohesion, operational effectiveness or readiness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During several hearings across multiple weeks, Reyes tore into Justice Department lawyers over Trumps order and Hegseths policy effectuating it, which was set to go into effect on March 26. A Department of Defense memo dated Feb. 26 said individuals with a current diagnosis or history of, or exhibit symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria are not fit for military service. It added that the Pentagon recognizes only two sexes, male and female, in compliance with another Trump executive order, and requires service members to only serve in accordance with their sex. Reyes noted that symptoms of gender dysphoria could mean anything, from cross-dressing to mental health conditions like depression, which are also common among members of the military who do not identify as transgender. How can I say that a policy is limited, when on its own terms, it could include almost any transgender person? the judge asked Justice Department lawyers during a March 13 hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Department of Justice (DOJ) lawyer Jason Manion argued that judges must accede to the current military, not those under the leadership of past administrations. You defer to the military, he said. You do not reassess the evidence they are doing. Nonetheless, the judge questioned the Defense Departments use of cherry-picked studies to back up its new policy, which she said were totally, grossly misrepresented by Hegseth. In her ruling Tuesday, Reyes pointed to that lack of evidence as reason to take a different course. Yes, the Court must defer, the judge wrote. But not blindly. At an earlier hearing last month before Hegseths policy was announced, Reyes sparred with DOJ lawyer Jason Lynch over the breadth of Trumps order, suggesting it amounted to unadulterated animus backed up by little evidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She directed Lynch to sit down and purported she would ban all graduates of the University of Virginia School of Law his alma mater from appearing before her because theyre liars and lack integrity, terms mimicking Trumps executive order. Is that animus? she asked, calling Lynch back to the podium. Following that hearing, the Justice Department filed a complaint against Reyes accusing her of misconduct. Attorney General Pam Bondis chief of staff, Chad Mizelle, claimed the judge sought to embarrass Lynch with her hypothetical scenario. Another seven transgender service members, backed by two LGBTQ civil rights organizations, are challenging Trumps order on transgender troops in a separate lawsuit filed earlier this month in Washington state. Two more active-duty members challenged the order in a suit filed Monday in New Jersey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, Jennifer Levi, senior director of transgender and queer rights at GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, one of the groups representing the plaintiffs at the center of Reyess ruling, said Tuesdays decision speaks volumes. The Courts unambiguous factual findings lay bare how this ban specifically targets and undermines our courageous service members who have committed themselves to defending our nation. Given the Courts clear-eyed assessment, we are confident this ruling will stand strong on appeal, Levi said. Updated 8:32 p.m. 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. The Pentagon cannot enforce President Donald Trumps order banning transgender people from serving in the military, a federal judge ruled Tuesday, saying it is soaked in animus and unconstitutionally discriminates on the basis of sex. The cruel irony is that thousands of transgender servicemembers have sacrificed some risking their lives to ensure for others the very equal protection rights the Military Ban seeks to deny them, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes wrote in a 79-page opinion. Reyes ruled that the Trump administration had mischaracterized medical studies in its effort to justify the ban, which Trump enacted in an executive order on the first day of his second term. The administration, she wrote, had misquoted research on transgender people while ignoring data that supported military service by transgender individuals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge, a Biden appointee to the bench in Washington, D.C., acknowledged that courts must give extraordinary deference to the military on matters of troop readiness and lethality. But that deference does not need to be blind when there are constitutional violations, she wrote. Reyes delayed the effect of her order until March 21 to give the Trump administration time to pursue an emergency appeal. The ruling is a painstaking rejection of the Trump administrations justification for the policy. It came in a lawsuit brought by a group of transgender members of the military who expect to be removed as a result of Trumps executive order. Among them, Reyes notes, are service members who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq and have earned numerous military decorations, including a Bronze Star. Those facts on their own undermine the administrations claim that transgender troops diminish military readiness, the judge wrote. Reyes also said the administration failed to conduct any analysis of the impact of transgender people serving openly in the military since 2021, when Joe Biden lifted restrictions imposed during the first Trump presidency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is unfortunate, Reyes wrote. Plaintiffs service records alone are Exhibit A for the proposition that transgender persons can have the warrior ethos, physical and mental health, selflessness, honor, integrity, and discipline to ensure military excellence. She noted that the Justice Department agreed with her on that point. So why discharge them and other decorated soldiers? she wondered. Crickets. The ruling is the latest setback for the Trump administrations multi-faceted goal to strip protections from transgender people. Trump has also attempted to pull federal funding from hospitals that provide gender-affirming care for teenagers, and to transfer incarcerated transgender women to mens prisons. Judges have blocked both of those policies. A federal judge has issued a nationwide injunction that blocks Donald Trumps administration from removing transgender service members in all U.S. military branches after a lawsuit challenged his sweeping command to remove all transgender troops, end their gender-affirming healthcare and deny new trans recruits. In a loss for the Trump administration, Tuesdays order from District Judge Ana Reyes in Washington, D.C., temporarily blocks the presidents ban as well as a Pentagon memo with additional guidance. She gave the administration until 10 a.m. March 21 to appeal. One minute after that deadline, the order will automatically take effect, she said. The courts order which follows a lawsuit from more than 20 trans service members is intended to maintain the status quo of military policy regarding transgender service that existed immediately before Trump issued his executive order, Reyes wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Reyes argues that a categorical ban on trans service members in the nations military discriminates based on transgender status and sex and because it is soaked in animus. Its language is unabashedly demeaning, its policy stigmatizes transgender persons as inherently unfit, and its conclusions bear no relation to fact, she wrote. A federal judge has blocked Donald Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and administration officials from implementing the presidents ban on transgender troops in the U.S. military (AFP via Getty Images) The presidents January directive claims the adoption of a gender identity inconsistent with an individuals sex conflicts with a soldiers commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, even in ones personal life. The judge also ordered the Trump administration to maintain and continue the military statuses of the 20 plaintiffs, a group that includes decorated U.S. military service members across all branches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plaintiffs service records are remarkable, Reyes said during a hearing this month. Youre going to get rid of all these very qualified people who the military has spent millions of dollars into training specialized jobs for no other reason than they have had gender dysphoria or they transition, she said. The judges order means a huge burden lifted off me and my family, said U.S. Army Reserve 2nd Lt. Nicholas Talbott, the lead plaintiff in the case. Its a tremendous step forward for so many people, he told reporters Wednesday. Were going to stay mission-focused and combat-ready because at the end of the day, thats really all that matters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Army Major Erica Vandal said trans service members have been struggling with a lot of uncertainty since the campaign season and since the [executive order] was put in place. All of that is sort of tempered, knowing theres a fight ahead. But its a step in the right direction, she said. I receive nothing but support, acceptance and love from her colleagues and leadership, and regardless of the rhetoric thats out there, I continue to be the professional expected of us and serve with honor with these individuals, Vandal said. U.S. Army Reserve 2nd Lt. Nicolas Talbott, center, is the lead plaintiff in a federal lawsuit challenging the Trump administrations ban on transgender service members (AFP via Getty Images) Across a series of lengthy court hearings, Department of Justice lawyers repeatedly appeared to tie themselves in knots under the judges questioning. The judge poked holes in the data included in a Department of Defense memo, asked simple questions about the scope of the ban which government lawyers failed to answer, and scolded attorneys for their apparent lack of preparedness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A memo from Pentagon leadership revealed in court documents on February 26 gave military officials 30 days to identify all trans troops, and all removals must be completed no later than June 25. The order also immediately bans access to gender-affirming care for all trans service members. Pentagon guidance claims that 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. During a hearing in February, the judge condemned the presidents demeaning, biologically inaccurate and frankly ridiculous language in an executive order that revoked federal recognition of trans, nonbinary and intersex people an order that forms the basis for a flood of other actions from the administration targeting trans Americans. Judge Reyes suggested that, taken together, Trumps executive orders against trans people scream animus, or are motivated by prejudice. Talbott, pictured speaking to reporters in February, called the injunction a tremendous step forward for so many people (AFP via Getty Images) The court's unambiguous factual findings lay bare how this ban specifically targets and undermines our courageous service members who have committed themselves to defending our nation, according Jennifer Levi, GLAD Laws senior director of transgender and queer rights, which is representing the plaintiffs. Given the Court's clear-eyed assessment, we are confident this ruling will stand strong on appeal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shannon Minter, legal director with the National Center for Lesbian Rights, said the courts actions shield our troops from the harmful effects of this irrational ban. It would have ended careers of dedicated transgender servicemembers and created personnel gaps, leaving others to fill critical roles. The ban's harmful impact and rushed implementation show that it was motivated by prejudice," Minter said in a statement shared with The Independent. "Our plaintiffs include lifelong military personnel who served in combat in Afghanistan, come from multi-generation military families, and have received honors like the Bronze Star, he added. This ban is unjustifiable and attacks brave servicemembers, recruits, and families who sacrifice so much for our country. This story was first published March 18 and has been updated with developments A federal judge halted the Trump administrations ban on transgender troops in the U.S. military Tuesday evening. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes ruled that the ban violated the constitutional rights of transgender members of the military. It will almost certainly provoke a swift appeal from the Department of Justice. The decision originates from a civil lawsuit first brought against the Trump administration in January by a group of trans military service members, many of whom are decorated. They say President Donald Trumps ban violated their rights and was inherently discriminatory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the judge noted in her opinion Tuesday, the plaintiffs have served in roles ranging from senior military science instructor, artillery platoon commander, intelligence analyst, satellite operator, operations research analyst, naval flight officer and weapons officer. They have deployed around the world including to Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Poland and Korea and have served aboard the USS Ronald Reagan and USS George W. Bush. Among them, they have earned over 80 commendations including a Bronze Star, two Global War on Terrorism Service Medals and more. One plaintiff is currently in an active combat zone. Trumps executive order purports to streamline military excellence and readiness by banning trans troops because expressing a false gender identity divergent from an individuals sex cannot satisfy the rigorous standards necessary for military service. The administration also claimed the cost to provide gender-affirming care to transgender troops is prohibitively and uniquely expensive. The administration has also told the judge she must defer to the militarys judgment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yes, the court must defer. But not blindly, Reyes wrote. A series of hearings, including a lengthy one last week, led Judge Reyes to spend several intense hours grilling Justice Department attorneys over a litany of claims the administration has clung to to support its ban. For example, Reyes said one study the Defense Department relied on had cherry picked data and ignored critical comparative analyses. To wit, while the Defense Department pointed to depression and suicidal ideation among trans people as a key factor to keep them out of the service, the department failed to note that in the same study, it quoted that when compared to non-transgender service members with depression, transgender service members actually deployed longer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fact that transgender people deploy longer after a gender dysphoria diagnosis and depression, would tell us they are actually better suited to stay in service than a cohort of depressed [non transgender] people, she remarked. And as for it being too expensive to care for trans troops, Reyes noted in court last week, that while the government had cited a $52 million price tag for trans health care, that price was over 10 years ago, meaning the annual cost on average was a mere drop in the bucket when compared to what the military shells out for non-transgender health care costs. The U.S. military spent $42 million on Viagra in 2024 versus just $5.2 million last year on gender-affirming care for trans soldiers. Reyes noted that the military considers Viagra a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, something that helps service members avoid things like suicidal ideation. How then, Reyes wondered in court last week, would it make sense to deny care to trans soldiers if the point of the administrations ban is to strengthen military readiness? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Defense Department policy relied on medical literature that claimed 55% of all trans individuals experienced suicidal ideation and that the attempted suicide rate of trans individuals was 13 times higher when compared to cisgender counterparts, Reyes noted. Whats the first thing thats wrong with this analysis? she said in court last week. For starters, the judge had pointed out, the department doesnt clarify whether those trans people quoted in the study ever served in the military. So comparing a civilian trans person to someone who has to deal with the stressors of military life would be good to know. The department ignored why it is that transgender people may experience higher rates of suicide as well, she said last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The literature review will tell you: Because they face such stigma and discrimination in society. All studies show people with gender dysphoria are not more inherently subject to suicidal ideation. Its not biological. Its because they face discrimination, because they face abuse and all kinds of slurs, all these things that are heaped up onto transgender people, she said. The answer to suicidal ideation is not to further discriminate, right? The Defense Department has argued too that transgender people are evaluated for mental health services 10% more often than non-transgender people. But, Reyes noted, the government seemed to ignore the fact that this is because transgender individuals are required to participate in more mental health and wellness visits while in the military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have to be careful with how we use this data, Reyes said. They may have [wellness visits] for reasons unrelated to gender. There were other significant inconsistencies that drew the judges attention. The administration couldnt definitely tell her whether the ban applied to all transgender service members or not. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted on X on Feb. 27 that transgender troops are disqualified from service without an exemption. Then, a day later, when the Department of Defenses formal memo on the ban went public, the department appeared to contradict Hegseths social media post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While anyone with a history of receiving sex hormone therapy, sex reassignment or genital reconstruction surgery as a treatment for gender dysphoria was disqualified from service, the memo stated troops impacted by the ban could apply for a waiver on a case-by-case basis. Can we agree this policy covers all transgender people unless there is an exemption? the judge asked. Federal prosecutors said they were unsure. Hegseth may have been using shorthand in his post. Im sorry. Thats what the Defense Department Secretary says. Hes the guy who wrote the policy and implemented it This isnt Jane on the street that I just passed by. This is the Secretary of Defense. Now, we want to know what the policy covers or intends to cover. Who would be the best person to ask? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thus far, the administration has blocked schools from using federal funds to promote the idea that gender can be fluid, directed the State Department to stop issuing documents that show a third gender marker, removed the transgender element on government websites from LGBTQ to LGB, revoked the ability of transgender federal workers from receiving gender-affirming care, directed transgender people in federal prison be denied medical treatment, and more, including blocking their access to homeless shelters. For Reyes, the more pertinent question before her court was simple. The question [here] is whether the military, under equal protection rights afforded to every American under the due process clause of the Fifth Amendment if the military can target a specific group that the administration disfavors. she said in February. Transgender people have served openly in the military since 2021 and yet the Trump executive order and the guidance at the Defense Department lacked any real analysis on their service, Reyes lamented in Tuesdays order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is unfortunate, she wrote. Especially since the service records of the plaintiffs show exactly how transgender people have served and have remained committed to a warrior ethos, physical and mental health, selflessness, honor, integrity, and discipline to ensure military excellence, she added. At motion hearings in February and as recently as last week, prosecutors acknowledged that the plaintiffs had served honorably, Reyes wrote. The government said they satisfied the rigorous standards demanded of them and that they made America safer. So why discharge them and other decorated soldiers? Reyes wrote. Crickets from the defendants on this key question. The administration is expected to appeal the ruling, and it is likely that the question of whether the ban can be enforced will go to the Supreme Court. Reyes gave Trumps lawyers until Friday to appeal. The Court knows that this opinion will lead to heated public debate and appeals. In a healthy democracy, both are positive outcomes. We should all agree, however, that every person who has answered the call to serve deserves our gratitude and respect. For, as Elmer Davis observed, [t]his nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave, the judge wrote. Related... In Preston, the Larsen-Sant Public Librarys colorful books line the shelves of its childrens book section, accompanied by stuffed animals, like a large purple octopus above the shelves. (Kyle Pfannenstiel/Idaho Capital Sun) Editors note: This story has been updated to include a quote from Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador and a quote from the plaintiffs lawyer. A federal judge has denied an Idaho coalitions request to stop the enforcement of House Bill 710 a law that took effect in July requiring Idaho public libraries to relocate items that visitors deem harmful to children or risk facing legal action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The same month the law took effect, a coalition of private Idaho schools, privately-funded libraries and parents sued Idaho officials to stop the enforcement of the library law, alleging the law violates the First Amendment rights of private schools and libraries and 14th Amendment protections for the fundamental liberty interest of parents. But Judge Amanda Brailsford on Tuesday denied the plaintiffs request to block its enforcement, and she dismissed some of the plaintiffs from the case. This case is one of two lawsuits related to House Bill 710, a highly controversial law that took effect after years of attempts from the Idaho Legislature to restrict access to library materials particularly as they relate to sex education, LGBTQ+ people and diverse communities. These efforts have led librarians to consider leaving Idaho, and it even led at least one rural library to adopt an adults-only policy. There were 11 original plaintiffs in the case; however, Tuesdays decision dismissed eight of them, including four parents and their two children, and two libraries that do not receive public funds, including the Community Library Association and Collister United Methodist Church. The remaining plaintiffs include the Northwest Association of Independent Schools, Sun Valley Community School and the Boise-based Foothills School of Arts and Sciences. Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador said he was pleased with the judges decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am pleased the court ruled that Plaintiffs are unlikely to succeed on the merits of this case and are also unlikely to prove that Idahos law protecting minors from harmful material in schools and public libraries is somehow unconstitutional, he told the Idaho Capital Sun. While the case itself was not dismissed, we will continue to defend Idahos law as this process continues. McKay Cunningham, the attorney representing the plaintiffs, also responded to the ruling. This ruling confirms that Idaho cannot censor books and materials long protected by the First Amendment under well-settled law, and we look forward to the next phase of the case, Cunningham said. Recap of House Bill 710 House Bill 710 codified the process that libraries must follow when receiving complaints from adult visitors who believe an item is harmful to minors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any adult or minor who believes a library item is harmful to minors can provide a written notice to the school or public library asking for its relocation. The library board has 60 days to review the complaint. If the item is deemed harmful to minors, the library must relocate it to an area accessible by adults only. If the library does not relocate the item within the given time frame, then the individual may sue the library and recover at least $250. Court finds plaintiffs unlikely to succeed The plaintiffs alleged the law is overbroad in violation of the First Amendment and vague under the 14th Amendment. The court found the plaintiffs are unlikely to succeed on the merits of those claims and they also fail to show they are likely to suffer irreparable harm while the law is in place. The Court does not question the genuineness of Plaintiffs concerns raised in their affidavits, Brailsford wrote. Schools and public libraries are often pillars of our communities and formative in many of our lives. Regardless, Plaintiffs have yet to show irreparable harm that justifies a preliminary injunction. Brailsford found that the parent plaintiffs do not have standing because the law is not directed at regulating parental decisions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement H.B. 710 does not prohibit a child, parent, or legal guardians conduct and does not contain any enforcement provision applicable to them, Brailsford wrote. Rather, the statute only prohibits the conduct of schools and public libraries and only provides for the enforcement of a violation against schools and public libraries. Likewise, Brailsford said the two libraries in the lawsuit do not have standing because they are not public libraries. While they are open to the public, the Community Library, located in Ketchum, and the Collister United Methodist Church library, in Boise, do not receive public funds and are not subject to the law. gov.uscourts.idd.55115.42.0 SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A federal judge denied Wednesday an emergency effort by ousted officials at the United States Institute of Peace to have them immediately reinstated to their positions but assailed the Trump administration over what she described as "abominable" treatment to "strong-arm" them out of their office this week using armed agents acting on behalf of the Department of Government Efficiency. "I'm very offended by how DOGE has operated at the Institute and treated American citizens trying to do a job that they were statutorily tasked to do at the Institute," District Judge Beryl Howell said. "But that concern ... Is not one that I have that can sway me in my consideration of the factors for a TRO." Howell questioned counsel for USIP Andrew Goldfarb over the extraordinary series of events that led to DOGE agents -- with assistance from armed agents from the FBI, the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, as well as attorneys from the D.C. U.S. Attorney's office, removing leadership from the office on Monday. PHOTO: The US Institute of Peace in Washington, DC, on March 18, 2025. (Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images) According to Goldfarb and sworn testimony from the ousted USIP leaders and the building's chief security officer, the institute received information as early as March 8 that DOGE staff was undertaking "reconnaissance efforts" to evaluate USIP's security operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: AG Pam Bondi forms internal team to work with DOGE on DOJ cost-cutting efforts: Sources Last Friday, when members of the USIP board of directors received emails that they'd been terminated from their positions, DOGE staff members arrived at the headquarters where they were denied entry by USIP's security staff. Later in the day, the DOGE staffers returned with FBI agents accompanying them and were again denied entry, court records say. On Saturday, the top security officer for the institute then reported he was visited by two FBI agents at his home who questioned him over how to gain entrance to the building -- even though he was on medical leave and was caught off guard by their visit. The agents then contacted another security officer and told him he was the subject of investigation by DOJ over his refusal to grant DOGE's agents access to USIP, after which he made the recommendation the institute terminate its relationship with the contractor that oversees the building's security operations after expressing concern that DOGE would turn the contractor against the existing staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The events led to a standoff at USIP's headquarters on Monday, where ousted leaders again initially denied entry to representatives of DOGE and the security contractor -- at one point ordering a full lockdown of the building "for safety purposes." D.C. police ultimately arrived and escorted the members out of the building while granting access to DOGE's representatives. PHOTO: A sign for the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) is seen on its' building headquarters, on Feb. 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images) "I mean, this conduct of using law enforcement, threatening criminal investigation, using armed law enforcement from three different agencies ... to carry out the executive order... with all that targeting probably terrorizing employees and staff at the institute when there are so many other lawful ways to accomplish the goals [of the executive order]... Why?" Howell asked. "Why those ways here -- just because DOGE is in a rush?" MORE: DOGE is searching through Social Security payments looking for fraud Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brian Hudak, an attorney for the government, defended the actions of the government, arguing that Trump's replacement as the acting USIP president, Kenneth Jackson, was the lawfully appointed head of the institute and those removed should not have been prevented his access to the building. "The way that it's been portrayed in the papers from the plaintiffs and perhaps elsewhere that this was an assault or storming of the building it is Mr. Jackson, who is president of the organization seeking access to his organization's building," Hudak said. "Are you at least offended by how this was executed?" Howell pressed. "Because I have to say I'm offended on behalf of American citizens who've done so much -- as I've just said that, Mr. Moose himself, so much service to this country, to be treated so abominably, let alone the directors on the board." "I will put it this way, to strong-arm a private contractor, to threaten this security chief -- threaten people with criminal investigation given the, you know, clear statute ... Doesn't that strike you as a little offensive?" she asked. PHOTO: In this April 13, 2018, file photo, Chief U.S. District Judge for the District of Columbia Beryl A. Howell listens during the investiture ceremony for U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden at the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C (Alex Wong/Getty Images, FILE) Hudak responded by presenting a hypothetical of if he were removed from his job by Trump and "decided to barricade myself into my office," he said. "That's basically what happened on Friday, as I understand it." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hudak further argued that even if Trump didn't explicitly follow the statute that established USIP when moving to fire its acting president and board members, he was still justified in doing so under his Article II removal powers. Howell, however, said the government was falling well short of showing that George Moose, the acting president of USIP fired by Trump, as well as other ousted board directors, were fired lawfully. MORE: It's 'shoot first and ask questions later' as DOGE tries to dismantle CFPB: Official Hanging over Wednesday's proceedings was the unusual legal position of USIP in comparison with other federal agencies. The institute is technically an independent nonprofit corporation established by Congress and designed to have a bipartisan board of directors which vote to appoint its president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Howell noted that judges in D.C.'s District Court and in other jurisdictions around the country have had to wrestle with a lack of clarity in legal precedent over the president's firing authorities that ultimately will have to be decided by the Supreme Court. PHOTO: A sign for the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) is seen on its' building headquarters, on Feb. 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images) Further complicating the case by USIP's board members, was that the acting head fired by Trump, Robert Moose, wasn't technically added as a plaintiff to the lawsuit. Howell said that she was unsure how she could restore him as USIP's president if he wasn't joining with other board members to specifically request it. Howell also expressed concern over if she enjoined the government from essentially "trespassing" on the USIP premises, if that would risk inviting an "armed battle" if it refused -- given its previous willingness to bring armed agents to escort fired officials from the facility. Judge denies effort to reinstate US Institute of Peace board, but criticizes DOGE's 'abominable' treatment of staff originally appeared on abcnews.go.com From the Boiling Frogs on The Dispatch An easy way to tell a Donald Trump voter who supports him because of the fascism from one who supports him in spite of it is to show them the presidents latest Truth Social post. If they start sweating and stammering that they only wanted ch-ch-ch-cheaper eggs, the flickering pilot light on their civic conscience is still lit. If instead their eyes go glassy, their pupils dilate, and their tongue begins flicking, run. This Radical Left Lunatic of a Judge, a troublemaker and agitator who was sadly appointed by Barack Hussein Obama, was not elected President He didnt WIN the popular VOTE (by a lot!), he didnt WIN ALL SEVEN SWING STATES, he didnt WIN 2,750 to 525 Counties, HE DIDNT WIN ANYTHING! I WON FOR MANY REASONS, IN AN OVERWHELMING MANDATE, BUT FIGHTING ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION MAY HAVE BEEN THE NUMBER ONE REASON FOR THIS HISTORIC VICTORY. Im just doing what the VOTERS wanted me to do. This judge, like many of the Crooked Judges I am forced to appear before, should be IMPEACHED!!! WE DONT WANT VICIOUS, VIOLENT, AND DEMENTED CRIMINALS, MANY OF THEM DERANGED MURDERERS, IN OUR COUNTRY. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!! The radical left lunatic in question is James Boasberg, a key player in yesterdays newsletter on banana Republicanism. Boasberg is the federal district judge who tried to halt the deportation of several hundred alleged immigrant gang members on Saturdayonly to learn during the hearing that they were already en route to captivity in El Salvador. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a second hearing on Monday, he demanded to know whether the Justice Department deliberately defied his order halting the removals. Prosecutors refused to tell him, insisting that information on the deportation flights was a matter of national security. Boasberg then ordered them to certify in writing by noon on Tuesday that no flights left the U.S. after his written order had taken effect. The presidents flatulent social media tirade is his official response to that order, I take it. Nothing about Trumps return to office has been surprising except the pace. He was always going to challenge the judiciarys power to restrain the executive branch and was almost certain to do so on cartoonish strongman grounds like public safety and national security. When you elect an authoritarian demagogue with a coup plot already under his belt, thats what you sign up for. Its the civic price of cheaper eggs. But I did not expect that, with 46 months left in his term, we would already have reached the point where the White House immigration czar is barking that he doesnt care what judges think, where right-wing lawyers are on Fox News calling on the White House to ignore court orders, and where Trumps most influential deputy is arguing that judicial review is incompatible with democracy. Now, two days shy of two months in office, here comes the president himself to demand that congressional Republicans impeach and remove Boasberg. Fascism moves fast! How is this impeachment idiocy likely to play out politically? High crimes. Start with the Constitution, which reserves impeachment for Treason, Bribery, or other High Crimes and Misdemeanors. Those high crimes neednt be statutory crimes, as we were remindedtwiceduring Trumps first term, but the reference to treason and bribery suggests that impeachment should be reserved for cases of corruption. Traditionally understood, a high crime is when an official abuses his office to serve some personal interest, like lining his pockets or advancing another nations agenda, instead of the publics interest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge ruled in a way I dont like is good grounds for an appeal, but it sure aint a high crime. Unless theres reason to believe that Boasberg was on the take in seeking to halt this weekends deportations (or under deep cover as an agent of the Venezuelan government, I suppose), impeaching him would amount to the House treating a court ruling against the president as a type of official corruption. Which is insanebut, in fairness, a pretty logical consequence of Republican cultishness since 2015. Actually, its worse than that. Boasberg hasnt actually ruled yet on Trumps claim that the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 empowers him to deport immigrant gang members without due process. The president might win on that issue in the end; all the judge did was freeze deportations while the matter is litigated. To impeach him at this point would be to make temporarily restraining the president a high crime. Its preposterous, but dont take my word for it. On Tuesday, the chief justice of the United States piped up in response to Trumps bleat. For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision, John Roberts said in a terse statement. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Consider how this moronic gambit has already backfired for Trump. Its forced the judiciary into a defensive crouch, a bad move for a president with lots of business pending before the courts. By threatening Boasberg, Trump has put the federal bench in a position in which any ruling in his favor will invite accusations that the judge responsible was intimidated into doing his bidding. Courts wont like having their independence impugned that way. Maybe theyll lay that concern aside and rule strictly on the merits, as theyre supposed to do, but its worth noting how quick Trump was to praise Amy Coney Barrett recently after she angered his base by ruling against him. He seemed to grasp that making enemies of judges wont help his chances in court. Fast-forward a few days and here he is making enemies of Boasberg, John Roberts, and the wider judiciary. Hes also failing the puke test in certain sectors of the rights legal commentariat. Not every conservative lawyer has been reduced to the prostrate obsequiousness of Article III Project founder Mike Davis or acting U.S. attorney Ed Martin, you know; National Reviews Andy McCarthy, normally a dependable defender of executive power, blanched at how the Justice Department has behaved in Boasbergs case. Its all right to complain bitterly about court orders, he wrote on Monday, but they are not to be ignored, much less knowingly flouted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president will need people like McCarthy in his corner to help shape public opinion over the legal battles to come. Demanding Boasbergs impeachment may end up costing him the benefit of the doubt with conservatives still hoping to reconcile this rancid political project with the rule of law. A Republican pickle. Trump has also put his Republican allies in Congress in a no-win situation. Theres zero chance of 67 senators voting to convict Boasberg after an impeachment trial. Not a single Democrat, including mavericks like John Fetterman, would dare vote guilty, especially after watching liberals revolt against Chuck Schumer for not resisting Trump more aggressively. Moderate Republicans like Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski would likely also balk at conviction, ensuring bipartisan support for acquittal. By the time the trial was over, the judiciary would have secured a vote of confidence from the Senate in holding the executive branch to account, strengthening the benchs legitimacy and possibly its resolve. That assumes that the House would vote to impeach Boasberg in the first place. Would it? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks to Trump, every Republican in the lower chamber will now be pressed to take a position on the matter. Those who represent swing districts will be caught between bitterly alienating their Democratic constituents by moving forward or bitterly alienating their Republican ones by refusing. Roberts statement on Tuesday compounds their dilemma: Hes a despised figure among MAGA diehards, but still a more or less respected figure among the rest of the population. Siding with or against the chief justice will carry political risk. Trump being Trump, hell probably make it harder for House Republicans by specifying that he believes Boasberg is guilty of treason. Not only is that the most demagogic possible position to take, and therefore the one that will appeal to him instinctively, it suits the authoritarian belief that the leaders interests are indistinguishable from the nations. By thwarting the president, the judge will be said to have betrayed democracy itself, never mind the democratic interests in due process and making sure that the president behaves constitutionally. Because the GOPs House majority is so narrow, my guess is that Republicans would lack the votes to impeach and everyone in the party would end up mad at one another. Trump and his minions would rage that Mike Johnsons conference refused to make an example of Boasberg and everyone else would seethe that the president is once again wasting time on unpopular stuff that no one voted for, like tariffs or annexing Canada. And while Americans did vote for Trump to get tough on immigration, a fight with the courts over the Alien Enemies Act might cause them to consider whether hes gotten too tough. Some U.S. citizens allege that theyve been mistaken for illegal aliens and detained by federal agents; some detainees have allegedly disappeared into the system with no clue as to their whereabouts; some of the so-called gang members deported this weekend to El Salvador turn out not to have criminal records in the U.S., raising the question of whether theyve also been confused with others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Are Americans so gung ho for immigration enforcement that theyre willing to cut basic procedural corners to facilitate it? By picking a fight with Boasberg, Trump might force them to decide. Gradually, then suddenly. Even so, I think this impeachment demagoguery has more upside for him politically than downside. However disconnected from reality the president is, hes surely not so far gone that he believes theres a realistic chance that Boasberg would be convicted by the Senate. Hes been through this process himselftwice, Ill remind you againso he knows firsthand how impossible it is to convince two-thirds of the chamber to remove a federal official in a highly charged political matter. Trump isnt trying to get the judge removed from the bench. He probably isnt seriously trying to get him impeached, knowing how fragile the House Republican majority is. What hes trying to do is galvanize support among the American right for the idea of disobeying court rulings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Court is an anomalous institution insofar as its popular with the presidents party and unpopular with the other, fallout from the end of Roe v. Wade in 2022 that made the court a lib-owning hero to Republicans and a woman-hating villain to Democrats. And thats become a problem for Trump, ironically, despite the fact that he appointed three of the justices responsible for aborting Roe. Not only is the judiciary now in a position to thwart his own executive power grabs, it has a reservoir of goodwill among his own voters to draw from in doing so. Trump needs to reduce the level of that reservoir. He has various tricks for moving the Overton window among his base, like planting ideas in their heads as jokes that bear fruit later as semiserious proposals. But his old standby is hair-on-fire accusations about supposedly outlandish behavior by some enemy, knowing how eager his fans are to mirror his own level of outrage. Thats how he got the right to freak out about the FBIs search of Mar-a-Lago, how he got them to freak out about Volodymyr Zelenskys disrespect in the Oval Office, and how hes going to get them to freak out now about the very idea of judicial restraints on executive power. Not only is Boasberg corrupt, hes so corrupt that he must be impeached. The more Trumps populist base gets suckered by him and water carriers like Mike Davis into believing that some grave legal irregularity occurred in this case, the more grassroots pressure will mount on congressional Republicans to start making rhetorical concessions about the evil judiciary. The House majority wont impeach Boasberg (I think), but Republicans will feel obliged to mollify MAGA voters by conceding that judicial power has gone too far. In fact, its already happening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One ambitious House Republican eager to chap his lips on Trumps rear even circulated articles of impeachment for Boasberg on Tuesday afternoon, accusing him of an abuse of power by refusing to defer to the president as the Alien Enemies Act supposedly requires him to do. Which is stupid: The questions are whether Trump can lawfully rely on the act in the first place, since its supposed to apply only during war or invasion, and whether the hundreds of detainees he packed off to El Salvador actually are members of the gang hes targeting by invoking the Act. But thats beside the point. All the president wants out of this episode is a party thats more likely to back him up when he eventually ignores a Supreme Court ruling, as his vice president has been urging him to do for years, and a Two Minutes Hate about Boasberg gets him closer to that goal. He might think twice about telling John Roberts no if 65 percent of the public opposes him doing so, but if he can get that number down to 55 percent by persuading the right to regard adverse judicial rulings as some sort of treasonous deep state plot? Sure, hell risk that. The fact that Boasberg wont end up being impeached and removed arguably even plays into Trumps hands, as the president will cite it as a reason for why he has no choice but to start disobeying court orders. If corrupt judges cant be removed because corrupt Senate Democrats wont vote to remove them, I could see him saying, the only way to stop the corruption is for me to ignore them! The point I made earlier about placing the judiciary in a defensive crouch cuts both ways, too. Now that John Roberts has sided with Boasberg, the White House will seek to discredit future Supreme Court rulings against Trump by claiming they were motivated by a desire for judicial revenge on the president rather than on the merits. All the more reason for him to defy those rulings, no? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the other hand, if the court ends up ruling in Trumps favor in important cases, its the left thatll be primed to suspect illegitimate motives. Calling for Judge Boasbergs impeachment really put the fear of God into Roberts and Barrett, huh? Thats the destructive authoritarian genius of populism: The further elite institutions get sucked into politics via allegations of bias and corruption, the more inescapable it is that both sides will interpret their actions through a political lens. And once everyone in government is universally under suspicion of being a partisan hack driven by illegitimate motives, tearing down the constitutional order and starting over begins to seem like not such a crazy idea. Fascism moves fast, I said earlier, but thats true only in the way that bankruptcy is fast. In Hemingways famous words, it happens gradually, then suddenly. Trump has spent just shy of 10 years convincing the right that the only entity in politics whom they can truly trust with power is him, and now at last hes about to find out just how many of us he persuaded. The gradually phase is over. Were in the suddenly phase now. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg gave the Trump administration a one-day extension to turn over information about deportation flights that left the country Saturday, as the government suggests it may invoke a state secrets privilege. Boasberg issued the extension minutes before the Wednesday noon EDT deadline the Justice Department faced to provide the information. Although their grounds for such request at first blush are not persuasive, the Court will extend the deadline for one more day, Boasberg, an appointee of former President Obama, wrote in a brief order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boasberg drew Trumps ire when he issued a Saturday ruling blocking the president from invoking the Alien Enemies Act to swiftly deport Venezuelan migrants the administration says are suspected gang members. The judge is demanding information about several deportation flights that left U.S. soil Saturday and whether they violated his order. The Justice Department insists it complied because the flights had left U.S. territory by the time the judges written order issued. The administration has asked Boasberg to wipe his information requests, insisting in a sharply worded filing earlier Monday that the judge was turning the case into a picayune dispute and that providing the information would cause national security concerns. The judges latest order gives the administration until Thursday at noon EDT to either hand over the information or formally invoke the state secrets privilege. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though the extension is short, it provides an appeals court a window to intervene beforehand. The District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals is weighing the Trump administrations request to block Boasbergs decisions and could rule anytime after the final brief is submitted late Wednesday afternoon. 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. NAIROBI, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Climate change experts convened in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi on Wednesday to discuss ways to bridge the climate finance gap in Africa. The second Climate Change Global Business Summit on Africa, held on Wednesday and Thursday, was attended by officials from African governments, the United Nations, multilateral financial institutions, and the private sector. Aden Duale, Kenya's cabinet secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, said his country is seeking about 4 billion U.S. dollars annually for climate change adaptation and another 1.4 billion dollars annually for mitigation until 2030. "This funding is essential to address the impacts of climate change and build a resilient, sustainable future for all Kenyans," Duale said. He said Africa requires the financial support of international organizations, development partners, and the private sector to accelerate the pace of climate action. Malawian Minister of Energy Ibrahim Imedi Matola said the private sector can help Africa bridge the climate finance gap through investments in clean energy and sustainable agriculture. He revealed that climate change adaptation in sub-Saharan Africa is estimated to require 30 to 50 billion dollars annually over the next decade, underlining the need for immediate and sustainable financial strategies to mitigate climate risks. Stefano Marguccio, deputy chief executive officer of Sustainable Energy for All, an international green lobby working in partnership with the United Nations, said unlocking Africa's climate investment potential requires innovative financing mechanisms such as debt-for-nature and debt-for-climate swaps. Marguccio noted that Africa also needs transformative policies, including incentives for renewable energy, promotion of public-private partnerships, and regulatory reforms, to attract sustainable investments that will build the region's climate resilience. (NewsNation) A judge in the Dominican Republic ruled that the last person to see missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki is free to return home to the United States. Joshua Riibe, 22, has been questioned in the disappearance of Konanki. However, he has not been charged with wrongdoing or named as a suspect. What JFK files have been released, and what have we learned? Guzman Ariza expresses its deep gratitude to the Dominican judiciary and all institutions involved in the Joshua Steven Riibe case for upholding the law and ensuring respect for his fundamental rights as a foreign citizen, Guzman Ariza, the law firm representing Riibe said in a statement. Sudiksha Konankis parents ask for death declaration The ruling comes as Konankis parents asked authorities to declare the 20-year-old dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FBI announces arrest of alleged MS-13 gang member, one of Ten Most Wanted Sudikshas family has expressed their belief that she drowned, Loudon County Sheriff Michael Chapman said in a statement Tuesday. While a final decision to make such a declaration rests with authorities in the Dominican Republic, we will support the Konanki family in every way possible. Missing student Sudiksha Konanki (The AWARE Foundation) Authorities say that a friend who was with Riibe at the resort where Konanki went missing remains in the Dominican Republic but did not say if he was being held there or if he was free to leave 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 NewsNation. A federal judge has ordered Chicago to install audible crossing signals at intersections with traffic lights to help people who are blind or have problems seeing to cross public streets. The order would require the city to install at least 75 accessible pedestrian signals this year and more than 100 every year until at least 71% of intersections have the devices within 10 years. All city intersections with traffic lights would have the audible crossing signals by the end of 2040. Disability Rights Advocates, the group that helped bring a lawsuit asking for the signals, welcomed the news as long overdue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With this proposed order, blind and low-vision pedestrians in Chicago are one step closer to being able to navigate the citys streets safely and independently, something they have been fighting to do for years, Rachel Weisberg, supervising attorney with Disability Rights Advocates, told the Tribune in an email. Peter Berg, who is blind and uses a guide dog to help commute from Naperville to Chicago, said the devices can be extremely helpful. If crossing signals are a good thing for sighted people, why wouldnt they be good for people who are blind or with low vision? he asked. Its a matter of equality. Give me the same choice youre providing sighted people. The remediation plan the judge proposed last week comes about two years after a judge found that the city was in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act for its lack of audible crossing signals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city has begun installing such devices but has just 85 at about 2,800 intersections with traffic lights. The devices typically are attached to poles in the sidewalk at street corners and emit a locator tone, with a button to activate them. They then beep or give verbal alerts when its safe to cross the street, similar to flashing walk and dont walk signs. U.S. District Judge LaShonda Hunt proposed that the city install the devices whenever it installs new or substantially modified traffic lights. She recommended prioritizing intersections where the city receives requests for the devices, as well as dangerous sites such as mid-block crossings and intersections where three streets cross. The judge also called for prioritizing crossings near public transportation, hospitals, parks, schools, libraries, police stations, shopping areas, major cultural venues, organizations serving people with visual disabilities and seniors and government buildings. Hunt recommended that the city use input from a citizen advisory committee and would let the city extend its final deadline or eliminate the final five years of installations if it shows it has provided meaningful access. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City officials and the plaintiffs, who include blind and visually impaired people, and the American Council of the Blind of Metropolitan Chicago, are to go to court April 29 to propose any changes to the order and to recommend an independent monitor to oversee its implementation. Until then, the city is to begin implementing the order. The judge wrote that she will enter a final order that strikes an appropriate balance between the available reasonable accommodations and the resulting financial and administrative burdens. The city Department of Transportation (CDOT) told the Tribune in a statement that it fully recognizes the importance of Accessible Pedestrian Signals in ensuring an accessible public way. City officials said they will incorporate the signals into all new traffic signal installations or modernizations and roadway reconstruction, with a citywide retrofit program to come. Last year, the city installed the devices at 36 locations, with 160 more in construction, design or procurement. A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to return detained pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil to New Jersey, and adjudicate his arrest and attempted deporation in the jurisdiction where he resides. Khalil has not been charged or convicted of any crime. Earlier this month, the lawful permanent resident was arrested in a targeted crackdown by the Trump administration against non-citizens who exercised their First Amendment rights during pro-Palestinian protests. Khalil, a former student at Columbia University, was detained by plain clothes Department of Homeland Security officers in New York, placed into an unmarked car, and whisked away to a Louisiana detention facility where he is currently being held. His wife, who is a citizen and eight months pregnant, was threatened with arrest by DHS officers when she attempted to inform immigration officials that Khalil was a green card holder. The U.S. government has argued that under the Immigration and Nationality Act, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has the right to revoke a green card or a visa for individuals who are adversarial to the foreign policy and national security interests of the United States, and claimed without evidence that Khalils participation in protests essentially rendered him a Hamas operative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a letter published on Tuesday, Khalil described himself as a political prisoner. My arrest was a direct consequence of exercising my right to free speech as I advocated for a freePalestine and an end to the genocide in Gaza, which resumed in full force Monday night. With Januarys ceasefire now broken, parents in Gaza are once again cradling too-small shrouds, and families are forced to weigh starvation and displacement against bombs. It is our moral imperative to persist in the struggle for their complete freedom, he wrote. The Trump administration is targeting me as part of a broader strategy to suppress dissent. Visa-holders, green-card carriers, and citizens alike will all be targeted for their political beliefs. In the weeks ahead,students, advocates, and elected officials must unite to defend the right to protest for Palestine. At stake are not just our voices, but the fundamental civil liberties of all. Last week, U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman barred the Trump administration from deporting Khalil. On Wednesday, Furman wrote in a decision that the activists case should be transferred to the District of New Jersey, not dismissed or transferred to the Western District of Louisiana. These conclusions flow from the undisputed fact that, at 4:40 a.m. on March 9, 2025, when Khalils lawyer filed the Petition on his behalf, he was detained in New Jersey, Furman added. A straightforward application of the district-of-confinement and immediate-custodian rules therefore dictates that Khalils Petition should have been filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, not in [Louisiana]. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Furman added that the allegations made by Khalil against the government warrant careful review by a court of law; the fundamental constitutional principle that all persons in the United States are entitled to due process of law demands no less. Furman isnt the only federal judge to block or try to block the Trump administrations apparently unconstitutional actions carried out under a thin guise of protecting national security. Judge James Boasberg ruled over the weekend that the administration could not deport a planeload of Venezuleans to El Salvador without due process, an order the administration appears to have violated. Trump and his allies have been attacking Boasberg for the ruling, with Trump calling for his impeachment on Tuesday. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts issued a rare statement rebuking the call, writing that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. Trump was asked about Roberts statement that night on Fox News. Well, he didnt mention my name in the statement, the president said, before continuing to attack Boasberg. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Drake University, citing the attire worn by its bulldog mascot, seen above, is suing Des Moines Area Community College for trademark infringement over the latter's use of the letter "D" in a collegiate-style font. (Photo illustration from U.S. District Court exhibits) Des Moines Area Community College has lost its bid to sue Drake University for defamation as part of the ongoing, hotly contested legal dispute over the schools logos and trademarks. In July 2024, Drake sued DMACC in federal court for infringing on one of its trademarks by developing a new logo based on a block-letter D in a collegiate font and blue-and-white color scheme. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After ruling that Drake was likely to prevail in the case, Chief District Judge Stephanie Rose issued an injunction blocking DMACCs continued use of its new logo as the case moved forward. Hostilities between the two schools escalated in recent months, with Drake seeking sanctions against DMACC, and the community college filing a counterclaim against Drake for defamation. Last week, Rose dismissed DMACCs defamation claim and cautioned DMACC that she had carefully considered Drakes argument that DMACC should be sanctioned for filing a baseless claim for defamation. The community college, she said, made contradictory allegations that were as close to the line on this issue as the court can envision, but it will exercise discretion and restraint in declining to impose sanctions. Rose went on to state that while she expects lawyers in the case to exercise zealous advocacy on behalf of their clients, she also expects that legal counsel will ground their pleadings in reasonable factual and legal interpretations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The parties are reminded that litigation positions, whether advanced in court or to the public, must reflect the same commitment to accuracy and candor, Rose stated in her ruling. The defamation claim was tied to an email Drake sent to its alumni alleging that DMACC was causing confusion in the marketplace by adopting a logo that was strikingly similar to that used by Drake. A federal judge has denied the Trump administration's move to dismiss a case from Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student activist who was detained by immigration enforcement agents and jailed in Louisiana over his involvement in pro-Palestine demonstrations on campus. Khalil is currently detained in a Louisiana facility, more than 1,300 miles from New York, and has been placed in deportation proceedings. In his order Wednesday, New York District Judge Jesse Furman moved the case to New Jersey, where Khalil was detained at the time his lawyers filed for his release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khalil has remained in Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention for more than a week as his lawyers challenge the targeted, retaliatory detention and attempted removal of a student protester because of his constitutionally protected speech. The arrest of Khalil, a lawful permanent resident married to a U.S. citizen who is eight months pregnant with their child, has sparked international outrage 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. Administration officials have accused Khalil of antisemitic activities and supporting Hamas, which he has denied. Officials concede he has not committed any crime, but claim he can be removed over what they characterize as potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences. His attorneys argue his arrest and detention and attempted removal from the country, which is currently blocked have violated his First Amendment right to freedom of speech and his Fifth Amendment right to due process of law, among other claims. Demonstrators outside a federal courthouse in Manhattan protest against the detention of Palestinian student activist Mahmoud Khalil on March 12 (REUTERS) At the heart of this case is the important question of whether and under what circumstances the government may rescind a persons lawful permanent resident status and remove him from the United States, Furman wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge said a transfer of Khalils case, rather than dismissal, is the path that courts usually take in these circumstances. That path is all the more appropriate in this case, as a dismissal of Khalils lawsuit challenging his arrest would toss Judge Furmans earlier court order preventing the government from deporting him while his legal challenge plays out, the judge wrote. In many ways, this is indeed an exceptional case, and there is a need for careful judicial review, according to Furman. Such judicial review is especially critical when, as here, there are colorable claims that the executive branch has violated the law or exercised its otherwise lawful authority in an arbitrary and discriminatory manner, he added. And in an exceptional case, it is all the more important for a court to apply well-established principles to the facts, lest emotions or passions interfere with reasoned analysis; that is the essence of the rule of law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge said he did not believe that Khalils transfer was done to prevent his lawyer from promptly challenging his detention in federal court, and that his movements from facility to facility do not appear to be that unusual. But requiring Khalil to relitigate his case in Louisiana would also mean litigating far from his lawyers, from his eight-months-pregnant wife, and from the location where most (if not all) of the events relevant to his petition took place, the judge wrote. A New Jersey court is the one and only district that could hear a challenge for his release, as well as his other claims of constitutional violations, he said. Mahmoud Khalil, a prominent organizer of Columbia Universitys pro-Palestine demonstrations, was detained by ICE and moved to a detention facility in Louisiana, where he was processed to be deported from the country before a legal challenge against his arrest (REUTERS) 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He became a lawful permanent resident in 2024. 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 in court filings last week. On March 8, plainclothes federal agents followed Khalil and his wife into the lobby of an apartment building, and two other officers approached from inside the building, the filing states. They never produced a warrant, according to his attorneys. He was moved to a detention facility in New Jersey and then flown to Louisiana the next day. I am a political prisoner, Khalil said in a public statement published March 19. The Trump administration is targeting me as part of a broader strategy to suppress dissent in which visa-holders, green-card carriers and citizens alike will all be targeted for their political beliefs, he said. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) A judge sentenced a man to serve 17 years in prison Tuesday for killing Marcellus Jackson in D.C. last summer, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia (USADC). In December of 2024, Antonio Johnson, 33, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed. Barricade incident underway at CIA headquarters, Fairfax County Police say Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The charge stemmed from a deadly shooting that took place in Northeast D.C. on the morning of June 20. The attorneys office said Johnson and Jackson were arguing outside an apartment building in the 4400 block of Hunt Place. Thats when Johnson took out a gun and pointed it at Jackson and told him to stop playing with him, according to the attorneys office. Johnson then shot Jackson before fleeing the area. When police officers arrived, they found Jackson lying in the road. He was 21 years old. That same day, Johnson was arrested and has been in custody since. 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. GAZA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Hamas said on Wednesday that the Israeli army's ground operation in the central Gaza Strip constitutes a "serious violation" of the ceasefire agreement, accusing the United States of providing cover for the military maneuvers. Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas official, said in a press statement that "the advance of Israeli military vehicles toward the Netzarim Corridor, and the isolation of northern Gaza from the south undermines the ceasefire agreement with U.S. support," calling on mediators to take responsibility for the situation. He added that Hamas and other Palestinian factions "are prepared to respond to this move," hinting at the possibility of resuming attacks against Israel. Regarding ongoing negotiations, Abu Zuhri stated that "there is no progress in contacts with mediators because the occupation refuses to engage in negotiations." He reaffirmed that Hamas "will not release the Israeli prisoners unless the occupation commits to ending hostilities, fully withdraws from Gaza, and lifts the blockade on the Strip." Israel has launched a "targeted ground operation" in central and southern Gaza, aiming to create a buffer zone between the northern and southern parts of the Palestinian enclave, the military said in a statement on Wednesday. According to the military, the operation was launched "in the past 24 hours," shortly after Israel ended a two-month ceasefire and resumed airstrikes. The military said that during the operation, Israeli troops "took control and re-established their presence up to the center of the Netzarim Corridor," a military buffer zone established by Israeli soldiers in central Gaza during the war. Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil will have his day in court. U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman on Wednesday tossed the Trump administrations attempt to dismiss Khalils case, instead transferring the case to New Jerseywhere Khalil was first held in detention, and where he resided when his attorneys challenged his deportationrather than Louisiana, where he had been sent. The Manhattan-based judge agreed with the Justice Department that the case was outside of his jurisdiction, and did not rule on Khalils bid to be released on bail. Furman did, however, extend an order that explicitly bars the federal government from removing Khalil from the country. That will remain in effect until the federal court in New Jersey that the case is transferring to rules otherwise, according to Furmans order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khalil, a Columbia graduate student who served as a negotiator for the pro-Palestine sit-in on campus last year, had challenged the legality of his arrest by plainclothes ICE agents earlier this month who refused to identify themselves. The agents took him into custody at his university-owned apartment, where they also threatened to arrest his wife, an eight-month pregnant American citizen, according to Khalils attorney Amy Greer. Khalil is a legal U.S. resident with no criminal history. ICE claimed that they were acting on State Department orders to revoke Khalils student visa. But when notified by Greer that Khalil was in the U.S. as a permanent resident with a green card, the agency told her that they would be revoking that, instead. At the heart of this case is the important question of whether and under what circumstances the Government may rescind a persons lawful permanent resident status and remove him from the United States, Furman wrote in his order. Khalil accused the federal government of violating his First Amendment right to free speech, arguing that the attempted deportation was an effort to retaliate against and punish him for participating in the Columbia protests against Israels military campaign in Gaza. Khalil further accused the government of violating his Fifth Amendment right to due process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These are serious allegations and arguments that, no doubt, warrant careful review by a court of law; the fundamental constitutional principle that all persons in the United States are entitled to due process of law demands no less, Furman wrote. Trump officials have accused Khalil of siding with terrorists, but have failed to offer evidence connecting the graduate student to Hamas or other terrorist organizations. Speaking with CBS News on Sunday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed that being a negotiator for protesters was a crime in and of itself, and cited news footage of vandalized campus buildings as reason for nixing Khalils legal status. Rubio could have been referring to the protests occupation of Hamilton Hall, an administrative building on Columbias campus that students have similarly occupied over the last several decades for various civil rights protests. Those include demonstrations against the Vietnam War and apartheid in South Africa. In 2024, students renamed the building Hinds Hall in honor of Hind Rajab, a six-year-old Palestinian girl who had been killed by the Israeli military that year. Khalil referred to himself as a political prisoner in a letter dictated over the phone from the ICE detention center in Louisiana where he is being held. He accused both the Trump and Biden administrations of helping foment anti-Palestinian racism, and called out Columbia leadership for failing to come to his aid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration is targeting me as part of a broader strategy to suppress dissent. Visa-holders, green-card carriers, and citizens alike will all be targeted for their political beliefs, Khalil warned. In the weeks ahead, students, advocates, and elected officials must unite to defend the right to protest for Palestine. At stake are not just our voices, but the fundamental civil liberties of all. This story has been updated. A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has temporarily barred the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from clawing back billions of dollars given out under the Biden administration to help finance climate friendly projects. The Trump administration sought to end the grants, which are part of a $20 billion climate program, claiming waste, fraud and abuse. But Judge Tanya Chutkan, an appointee of former President Obama, found that the agency was unable to provide evidence of wrongdoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Specifically, she said officials offered no specific information about such investigations, factual support for the decision, or an individualized explanation for each Plaintiff. This is insufficient, the judge added. Chutkan ordered that the EPAs decision to terminate the grants cannot take effect and that the agency and Citibank, which is holding the funds, cant transfer them elsewhere. In a statement on the ruling posted to the social platform X, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin vowed to continue to fight to get the money back. I will not rest until these hard-earned taxpayer dollars are returned to the U.S. Treasury, he wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Climate United Fund, one of the groups suing for the reinstatement of its grants, called the decision a step in the right direction. Todays decision is a strong step in the right direction. In the coming weeks, we will continue working towards a long-term solution that will allow us to invest in projects that deliver energy savings, create jobs, and boost American manufacturing in communities across the country, CEO Beth Bafford said in a statement. Through the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, Congress gave the EPA $20 billion to make grants to financial institutions to help them give out cash to deploy climate-friendly projects. The Biden administration gave that $20 billion out to eight institutions that are tasked with dispersing it to finance projects that aim to mitigate climate change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For weeks, Zeldin has railed against the program and said he would work with the Department of Justice (DOJ). Court filings indicate that DOJ and the FBI have launched criminal probes. Last week, the EPA issued contract termination notices to the eight grantees, which the judge halted late Tuesday. Zach Schonfeld contributed. Updated at 12:35 p.m. EDT 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. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 18: Pro-Palestine demonstrators march as they rally for Gaza and Mahmoud Khalil on March 18, 2025 in New York City. Israeli forces carried out renewed airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, killing over 400 people, according to Gaza officials. The attacks broke a temporary ceasefire with Hamas, heightening fears of a return to full-scale conflict. (Photo by Adam Gray/Getty Images) The leader of pro-Palestine protests on Columbia Universitys campus had his legal fight to stay in the country transferred to New Jersey federal court after a federal judge in New York said Wednesday he doesnt have jurisdiction over the case. Mahmoud Khalil, a legal resident of the United States who was arrested by federal immigration agents on March 8 in New York City and now faces deportation, had filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus thats a challenge to the constitutionality of his detention in New York federal court. Khalils petition was challenged by the federal government, which asked the judge overseeing the case to dismiss it or move the case to Louisiana, where Khalil is currently detained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his Wednesday decision, U.S. District Court Judge Jesse Furman declined to hear the merits of Kahlils case but rejected the governments push to move it to Louisiana. Furman said he is transferring the case to New Jersey because of the undisputed fact that Khalil was in New Jersey when he filed his petition. Calling Khalils case exceptional, Furman said the law nonetheless requires a different judge to hear it. Put simply, the law precludes this court from reaching the merits of Khalils claims, as serious and important as they may be, and it mandates that the court allow a tribunal with jurisdiction to take the matter up from here, Furman wrote in his 33-page decision. The U.S. Department of Justice did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are ready to fight just as hard for Mr. Khalil in the district of New Jersey. He was taken by plainclothes federal agents, transferred in the middle of the night across state lines, and has been detained for over a week now, all because of his advocacy for Palestinian freedom. We will not stop working until Mr. Khalil is home with his wife, said Amy Greer, an attorney for Khalil. Khalil, who was born in Syria, came to the United States in December 2022 to attend Columbia Universitys School of International Public Affairs and has been a lawful permanent resident since 2024. Hes also the outspoken leader of student protests held at Columbia since Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. He was suspended last spring, but the university reversed the decision within a day. President Donald Trump said during his campaign to retake the White House that hed cancel the visas of students who engage in pro-Palestine protests. He signed an executive order shortly after taking office that vowed to deport students with visas who support Hamas or promote antisemitism through anti-Israel protests. The president has warned that Khalils detention and potential deportation would be the first of many to come as his administration continues cracking down on campus protestors. Trump administration officials have argued that Khalils green card is no longer valid because his continued presence in the country would have serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one has a right to a student visa. No one has a right to a green card, by the way, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said. Furmans decision describes the numerous times Khalil was transferred in the roughly 30 hours following his arrest at 8:30 p.m. on March 8. He was first taken by immigration agents to an immigration field office in Manhattan, then to the Elizabeth Detention Center in the early hours of March 9. Hours later, he was taken on a flight to Dallas, then on another flight to Louisiana, where he arrived on March 10 at 1:30 a.m. and where he remains today in detention. Khalils attorneys had argued that moving him that frequently was an effort to make it difficult for his lawyers to file a petition to free him, but Furman found that this is typical for many detainees. U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz, with the District of New Jersey, ordered Wednesday that Khalil cannot be removed from the United States until he orders otherwise. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Mar. 18A Spokane jury convicted a five-time felon of shooting and killing 30-year-old Dylan McCorkle outside his home in the Logan Neighborhood last year following an argument about a girlfriend. Gunnar Doughty, 33, was found guilty Monday of second-degree murder. Doughty shot McCorkle in the head outside his home near the corner of Hamilton Street and Jackson Avenue, according to court documents. The home is about a block from Logan Elementary School. Doughty continually claimed throughout trial he shot McCorkle in self-defense, although right before McCorkle's death, the 30-year-old was heard saying, "What are you going to do, shoot me?" and seen raising his hands in the air. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spokane County Deputy Prosecutor Katherine McNulty told the jury during closing arguments that it only took 30 seconds for Doughty to decide he wanted to kill McCorkle and pull the trigger. She argued Doughty did not act in self-defense because McCorkle wasn't found with a gun on him. Doughty's defense attorney claimed the opposite that McCorkle was looking for a fight that day and assumed a threatening stance, which led Doughty to fear for his life. At the time, a witness told police she saw McCorkle pacing back and forth and appearing agitated as she walked down Jackson Avenue toward Hamilton Street in the early morning hours of Feb. 2, 2024, according to court documents. McCorkle told her Doughty disrespected his girlfriend over $100 that was stolen. The witness was aware that Doughty had a gun and begged McCorkle to come back into the house out of fear, but he instead yelled for Doughty to come outside to talk about a fight they had earlier. When Doughty did, he removed a pistol from his waistband and shot McCorkle in the head, court records say. Doughty pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm related to the shooting. He faces a sentence of up to life in prison for the killing. Doughty also has multiple former criminal charges involving firearms, burglary and drugs. Two men involved in a smuggling operation were convicted of federal charges Tuesday for their part in a 2022 border crossing attempt that left 53 migrants dead after they were trapped in the back of of an unairconditioned tractor trailer in the hot Texas summer. Felipe Orduna-Torres, 30, and Armando Gonzalez-Ortega, 55, were convicted of several charges, including conspiracy to transport undocumented immigrants resulting in death. They both face of life in prison when they are sentenced in June. The June 2022 disaster was one of the deadliest smuggling attempts in American history. The migrants, who came from Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras, were charged between $12,000 to $15,000 each to embark on the journey, which ended in San Antonio, Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These defendants knew the air conditioning did not work, Margaret Leachman, the acting US attorney for the Western District of Texas, said at a press conference after the verdict. Nevertheless, they disregarded the danger. Orduna-Torres was the lead organizer of the smuggling group, she said, and Gonzales-Ortega was his right-hand man. Prosecutors alleged that Orduna-Torres and Gonzalez-Ortega were part of the smuggling organization that loaded 66 migrants into the truck and drove from the border town of Laredo, Texas, to San Antonio. The temperature during the three-hour ride was sweltering, prosecutors said at trial, and migrants inside the tractor-trailer began scratching at its walls trying to escape. Others lost consciousness. When the doors of the tractor-trailer were opened in San Antonio, 48 migrants had died inside, the Justice Department said, and another five died at the hospital. Six children and a pregnant woman were among the dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Five other men previously pleaded guilty to charges connecting to the smuggling case, including the driver of the tractor-trailer. The Justice Department also announced that another man, Rigoberto Miranda-Orozco, was extradited from Guatemala to face charges for his alleged role in the mass casualty event. Prosecutors allege that Miranda-Orozco charged several migrants, or their friends and family, for the journey three of whom died in the tractor-trailer. He is facing six federal charges and has not yet entered a formal plea. Matthew Galeotti, who leads the Justice Departments criminal division, said in a statement Tuesday that the extradition sends the message that the Department of Justice will pursue human smugglers who violate U.S. law no matter where they are. This story has been updated with additional details. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Kristin Casper, center, general counsel for Greenpeace International, and other representatives for Greenpeace speak to the media March 19, 2025, outside the Morton County Courthouse in North Dakota. (Amy Dalrymple/North Dakota Monitor) MANDAN, N.D. A Morton County jury on Wednesday ordered Greenpeace to pay hundreds of millions of dollars to the developer of the Dakota Access Pipeline, finding that the environmental group incited illegal behavior by anti-pipeline protesters and defamed the company. The nine-person jury delivered a verdict in favor of Energy Transfer on most counts, awarding more than $660 million in damages to Energy Transfer and Dakota Access LLC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case centers on Greenpeaces involvement in protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline in 2016 and 2017. The demonstrations were started by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, which views the project as a pollution threat and imposition onto Native land. Thousands of protesters camped for months north of the Standing Rock Reservation, near where the pipeline crosses underneath the Missouri River in Morton County. Energy Transfer filed the colossal lawsuit in 2019, accusing Greenpeace of providing resources, including supplies, intel and training, to encourage Dakota Access Pipeline protesters to commit criminal acts to stop construction of the project. The company also claims that Greenpeace intentionally spread misinformation about the pipeline to tarnish its reputation with banks. Energy Transfer attorney Trey Cox, center, and other attorneys for the Dakota Access Pipeline developer speak to the media March 19, 2025, outside the Morton County Courthouse in North Dakota. (Amy Dalrymple/North Dakota Monitor) These are the facts, not the fake news of the Greenpeace propaganda machine, Trey Cox, the lead attorney representing Energy Transfer, said in a press conference outside the Morton County Courthouse after the verdict. Energy Transfer representatives believe protesting is an inherent American right but that Greenpeaces actions were unacceptable, Cox continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company sued three Greenpeace entities Greenpeace USA, Greenpeace International and Greenpeace Fund. The jury found Greenpeace USA liable for almost all claims. The jury did not find Greenpeace International and Greenpeace Fund responsible for the alleged on-the-ground harms committed by protesters, but did find those entities liable for defamation and interfering with Energy Transfers business. The jury found Greenpeace USA and Greenpeace International liable for conspiracy. Attorneys representing Greenpeace International and Greenpeace Fund told the jury that they never had any employees visit the demonstration camps or provide money to support the protests. Both the plaintiffs and the defense have called the case one of the largest and most complex civil suits in state history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greenpeace USA, which the jury ordered to pay more than $400 million of the damages, has previously said the lawsuit threatened to bankrupt the organization. When asked whether that was still the case Wednesday afternoon, Greenpeace Senior Legal Adviser Deepa Padmanabha said the work of Greenpeace is never gonna stop. Greenpeace didnt say immediately whether the organization would appeal the decision. We have not had a chance to even circle up as a group yet, but the fight is not over, Padmanabha said. During closing arguments on Monday, Cox told jurors that Greenpeaces actions caused between $265 million and $340 million in damages to the company. He asked the jury to award Energy Transfer that amount plus additional punitive damages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The verdict brought to a close a more than three-week trial in Mandan. The jury began deliberating Monday afternoon after hearing testimony from dozens of witnesses, including current and former Greenpeace employees, Indigenous activists, Energy Transfer representatives and law enforcement. Among the witnesses was former Greenpeace executive director Annie Leonard and Energy Transfer Executive Chairman Kelcy Warren, who appeared by video deposition. Greenpeace denies the allegations and says the lawsuit is a ploy to punish activist groups. Some observers of the trial who participated in the anti-pipeline demonstration expressed anger after the verdict was announced Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Standing Rock was not heard, Waniya Locke, a Standing Rock citizen who attended much of the trial, said. She said that she will continue opposing the pipeline. Kandi White, a member of the Mandan Hidatsa and Arikara Nation who also observed the trial, said she is ashamed of the decision. She said she found the implication that Greenpeace orchestrated the Dakota Access Pipeline protests insulting to Standing Rock and the other Native nations that were at the center of the movement. An appeal should be easy for any court, White said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greenpeace maintains that the protests were Indigenous-led and that it only provided support to demonstrators because it was asked. Some witnesses, Native organizers and law enforcement who attended the protests also testified that Greenpeace was not seen as a leader at the camps. Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Chair Janet Alkire in a statement earlier this month called the lawsuit frivolous. Alkire did not testify in the case. Free speech and environmental advocates have also spoken out against the trial, arguing that the suit should have been dismissed outright and that the Morton County jury would not be able to render a fair verdict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is our collective assessment that the jury verdict against Greenpeace in North Dakota reflects a deeply flawed trial with multiple due process violations that denied Greenpeace the ability to present anything close to a full defense, a group of attorneys that monitored the proceedings said in a joint statement Wednesday afternoon. Greenpeace more than once petitioned to move the case to a different North Dakota court, but was denied. U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., applauded the verdict Wednesday. Today, justice has been done with Greenpeace and its radical environmentalist buddies who encouraged this destructive behavior during the Dakota Access Pipeline protests with their defamatory and false claims about the pipeline, Cramer said in a statement. They can think twice now about doing it again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greenpeace recently filed suit against Energy Transfer in the Netherlands, asking a court to find that the companys legal challenge in Morton County violated the environmental groups rights and to award it damages. That case is believed to be the first lawsuit filed under a new European Union directive intended to shield organizations against free speech attacks. Other major lawsuits involving the Dakota Access Pipeline protests are ongoing. North Dakota in 2019 sued the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for $38 million, alleging that the federal agency mishandled its response to the demonstrations. The Army Crops has jurisdiction over the portion of the pipeline that passes underneath Lake Oahe, and owns the land that became site of the largest protest camp during the demonstrations. A judge has yet to rule on the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in October filed a separate case against the Army Corps for allowing the pipeline to continue operating without an easement. The tribe is asking a federal judge to shut the pipeline down. This story was last updated at 5:40 p.m. Central time. This story was originally published by the North Dakota Monitor. Like South Dakota Searchlight, its part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. North Dakota Monitor maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Amy Dalrymple for questions: info@northdakotamonitor.com. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) A jury has found the alleged ringleader of a massive pandemic fraud case in Minnesota guilty for her role in the scheme. As the Trump administration pushes out controversial policy changes, thousands of declassified files concerning the 1963 assassination of former President John F. Kennedy have been released. While historians, journalists and amateur sleuths pour over the files looking for a scrap of anything new, many have speculated that their release is a distraction tactic by the administration. The 2,200 files containing approximately 63,000 pages were posted by the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration Tuesday evening after President Donald Trump ordered their release. People have been waiting for decades for this, Trump declared at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts during a visit Monday. We have a tremendous amount of paper. You've got a lot of reading. I don't believe we're going to redact anything. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That didnt stop the internets anger. The JFK Files are just another nothing burgera distraction meant to divert attention from the real damage Trump and Musk are doing to this country, political strategist Chris D. Jackson said in a post on X. Stay focused. President Donald Trump ordered the release of 63,000 pages of the JFK files, but as historians, journalists and amateur detectives pour over them, others are questioning the motive and the timing behind the decision (REUTERS) The latest Trump release comes after he promised to declassify documents related to the countrys most infamous crimes. Weeks ago, he released files related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation - which were largely panned for their redactions and scant information. Now, a similar sentiment was appearing online related to the JFK files. In 2023, the National Archives estimated that 99 percent of the governments documents related to JFKs assassination had been made public, leading many to question the motive and timing of the Trump release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DISTRACTION: Trumps release of JFK files is likely to cover a very non productive call with Putin, former U.S. Navy officer and Kyiv Post journalist Chuck Pfarrer said. Despite forcing UKR into negotiations Putins demands remain maximalist. One of the frustrating things about this whole JFK Files talk is the fact that nothing new needs to be released and the truth can already be found in what we have, another person commented in a post on X. And again, there is no smoking gun in there. It's another distraction and a crass and despicable one at that. The release of the files comes at a particularly volatile moment for the Trump administration, leading some to claim that it is a distraction. The National Archives estimated in 2023 that 99 percent of the governments documents related to JFKs assassination had already been made public. (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Another wrote: Seriously, MAGA. How many more times before you realize youre being played? Epstein files? Nothingburger. JFK files? Mostly the same s*** Biden released. Trump's JFK file release is just a rehash of Biden's 2023 drop, with minor tweaks. More hype than substance, classic distraction tactic to fool people into thinking he's delivering big. Yawn, someone else said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 18,000 pages of JFK files, in an unsearchable format, released on the eve of escalation in the Middle East, another noted. Talk about a distraction. Jefferson Morley, vice president of the Mary Ferrell Foundation, a nonprofit that operates a database of government records on the event, contested Tuesday that only two-thirds of the promised documents had been made public. The ex-Washington Post reporter added that the release also didnt include any of the recently discovered FBI files after the bureau said it had discovered 2,400 new records related to the assassination last month nor any of the 500-plus Internal Revenue Service records. Nonetheless, this is most positive news on the declassification of JFK files since the 1990s, he added in his statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amid the release of the files, this week Trump is negotiating with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over the war while fresh Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza reportedly with the presidents blessing. At home, meanwhile, the administration is battling federal judges after they ignored court orders blocking their efforts to carry out mass deportations. LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56) Bridgett Rich is filled with pain, sorrow, and anger as she thinks about what happened to her mother, Carol Rich, who was shot to death last Friday. Bridgetts younger sister, 26-year-old Brianna Rich, is accused of pulling the trigger. Bridgett said Brianna tried to kill their mother once before, several years ago, as she was sleeping. She tried to stab her and, my moms boyfriend at the time, jumped in front of her trying to save my mother, and he got stabbed, Bridgett said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies said Carol Rich was shot several times and Brianna called a police dispatcher to report that she was the one who did it. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: I just shot at my mother, Brianna calmly stated. The night of the killing, Bridgetts husband, Mathew Rees, was one of the first at the scene. Massacre, thats what this wasa complete massacre, Rees recalls. He said he believed the killing was premeditated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Looking at all of the evidence, being there at the crime scene, and then coming the next day reviewing what had taken place, Rees said. From the inside of the shower, all the way to the kitchen, to the living room, and finally right here, where her body laid naked, the most cruel execution and she ensured she was dead. Bridgett said the sister she knew as a child was kind, down to earth, and loved animals, just like their mother, but over the years, she turned to drugs. She said she does not know whether she was intoxicated that night, but also believes the killing was no accident. Read more of the latest Kentucky news A week before all this happened, she tampered with the cameras, so nothing got recorded, Bridgett said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She believes her sister waited for the right opportunity to go through with what she wanted all along. Get on the ground! Get on the ground now, a deputy can be heard shouting in the 911 audio call. The sheriffs department said they are still determining the cause. We will proceed with what we got; it will go to the grand jury next and if the grand jury indicts it, it will go through the court system, Gilbert Acciardo, public affairs deputy for the Laurel County Sheriffs Office, said. Brianna is now behind bars after pleading not guilty. Read more of the latest Lexington & central Kentucky news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her sister and brother-in-law said they want her to regain the happy spirit she once had, but the only justice is, to keep her locked up. I am full of hate and I am angry at her, but my mom did love her, so I got to find that forgiveness, not for her, but for myself, because shes dead; Brianna is dead to me, but my mom is alive; she was saved; shes in heaven, Bridgett 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. KANSAS CITY, Mo. The city councils considering giving another $6.8 million to the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA). The move comes as the KCATA proposes bus route cuts. Theyre also considering eliminating most weekend services for the remaining routes. Woman charged with murder, man arrested in connection to KC sports reporter death During Tuesdays Finance, Governance and Public Safety Committee meeting, city council members complained that the KCATA hasnt been transparent with them on what routes theyre planning to cut or what their deficit was. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuesday, City Councilmember Crispin Rea submitted an amendment that would redirect money that was supposed to go to LED light upgrades to go back to the KCATA. Reas proposing using reserve money to go to the authority too. He says both sources are from the public mass transit tax. That we then also use that money to go to make sure we are not losing bus routes, Rea said in an interview with FOX4 Tuesday. That is funding that is generally intended to be used in emergency situations. When were on the brink of having to cut bus routes, I cant think of a more appropriate use in that situation. The KCATA wouldnt comment on Reas new proposal. Thursday, riders found out theyre looking to cut 13 of the citys 29 bus routes, impacting more than 6,800 daily riders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That evening, authority leaders said they were suffering from rising costs and the loss of COVID-19 relief dollars. Tuesday, Councilman Kevin ONeill said he thought that the KCATA had a $22 million deficit. As the conversation continued, Mayor Quinton Lucas spoke about five minutes later. We did ask all those questions two weeks ago when we had the ATA Director in front of us, Mayor Lucas said to the other committee members. We were not given publicly the list of routes, and then, a week later, we see them with the rest of the public about kind of everywhere, that everything purportedly will be cut. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two seriously injured after car crashes into Louisburg, Kansas hair salon Rea said he doesnt know what the KCATAs budget gap is. He says he believes its closer to $12 million than the KCATAs publicly stated report that its closer to $30 million. The KCATA wouldnt comment on that part of Tuesdays story either. Mayor Lucas and the rest of the city council will vote on the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year budget Thursday at 2 p.m. 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. BEIRUT, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun confirmed on Wednesday that Israel has refused all Lebanese proposals to vacate five occupied hills in southern Lebanon and replace its forces with international troops, the National News Agency reported. Speaking to German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her visit to Beirut, Aoun stated that diplomatic efforts and negotiations are ongoing to resolve the issue. The president emphasized that Israel's continued occupation of Lebanese territory obstructs the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and contradicts the agreement reached last November. He highlighted that the Lebanese army, which has deployed across all areas vacated by Israel, is fully carrying out its duties in maintaining security and confiscating unauthorized weapons. Aoun also pointed out that Israel still holds Lebanese prisoners, having released only five of them, while Lebanon remains committed to securing the return of all detainees. Baerbock, for her part, conveyed Germany's concern over the situation in Lebanon, particularly in the south, and underscored the importance of implementing reforms following the formation of the new government. Baerbock also reaffirmed, during her meeting with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, her country's continued support for Lebanon during this phase through economic and social projects, as well as ongoing support for the Lebanese army and the UN peacekeeping forces. A woman has been charged in the fatal weekend shooting at an apartment complex in midtown Kansas City. Mary McDaniel, 64, was charged Monday with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. Investigators contend McDaniel shot and killed Terrance Frost, 43, as the two tussled over a gun following an argument in McDaniels apartment. Officers responded to the shooting around 2:15 p.m. Sunday at the Georgian Court Apartments, 400 E. Armor Blvd., according to court documents and Kansas City Police Department spokesperson Capt. Jake Becchina. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The responding officers found Frost with a gunshot wound in the hallway just outside McDaniels apartment door, according to Becchina. Emergency medical responders arrived shortly after police and pronounced Frost dead. McDaniel told investigators that she and Frost were familiar with each other and that she had occasionally let him stay in her apartment while she was staying at her fiancees home in Raytown, according to court documents. When McDaniel returned from one such visit Sunday, she told investigators, she and Frost argued because a female guest appeared to have left belongings in her home, violating her rule that Frost could not bring guests into the apartment. As the argument escalated, McDaniel and Frost moved into McDaniels bedroom, where a gun had been left on the bed, court documents read. Frost allegedly reached for the gun, but McDaniel got to it first, according to court documents. A scuffle over the gun allegedly ensued, during which the gun discharged, fatally wounding Frost. McDaniel said the gunshot was accidental, according to court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McDaniel and Frost were convicted felons and prohibited from owning or being around firearms, according to court records. An associate of McDaniel told investigators that he had previously bought the gun at a pawn shop in Raytown, court documents read, and given it to McDaniel for protection. McDaniel has previous convictions of manslaughter, armed criminal action, first-degree assault and illegal use of a weapon by a felon, according to court records. After a Tuesday appearance in Jackson County Court, McDaniel is being held in the Jackson County Detention Center, where she is not eligible for bond. She will next appear in court on March 26 for a bond review hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frosts death was the 40th homicide reported in Kansas City in 2025, according to data collected by The Star, which includes officer-involved shootings. At the same time last year, 26 homicides had been reported in the city, according to Star data. Previous reporting by Noelle Alviz-Gransee contributed to this article. Michael Stewart, pictured here on March 14, 2025, is the president of the Satanic Grotto and the subject of a lawsuit filed by the Kansas City, Kansas, archbishop. (Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA A planned satanic black mass at the Kansas capitol has spurred policy changes, allegations of theft and religious debates as state leaders scramble to address First Amendment concerns with blocking satanists from their demonstration. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly censured the black mass in a statement March 12 and said participants werent allowed to demonstrate inside the capitol building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Catholic organizations circulated petitions and urged legislators to step in. Rumors swirled among Statehouse circles that the Satanic Grottos president had stolen materials used in the Catholic sacrament of the Eucharist an accusation bolstered by an archbishops lawsuit against the groups leader. But the satanist group hasnt budged. Legislative leaders went a step further Tuesday and modified the Capitols building and grounds policies to change assembly rights for anyone who wants to demonstrate at the Statehouse not just the Satanic Grotto. The policy changes add three contingencies to the publics use of common areas in the Statehouse and capitol grounds: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Organizations and individuals will not be permitted to meet or gather when participation is limited or restricted on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, handicap, cultural heritage or national origin or ancestry. People cannot gather if an individual has made a threat verified by state law enforcement against the governor, a member of the Legislature or other public official. People cannot gather if a group or member of a group has stated explicitly that the meeting or gathering will involve a violation of law. The Legislative Coordinating Council, which consists of Republican and Democratic leadership, passed the changes unanimously at a meeting Tuesday following a letter from Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach. The legislative leaders called on the governor to use the Kansas Highway Patrol to prevent the black mass from occurring as scheduled on March 28. The Governors Office is reviewing actions from the Legislative Coordinating Council, said Grace Hoge, a spokesperson for the governor. Senate President Ty Masterson acknowledged in a statement that the First Amendment protects assembly and speech, including offensive speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the First Amendment does not protect criminal conduct, he said. Recent statements from an organization which pledged to engage in such conduct necessitated a thoughtful review of policies to ensure the safety of all those visiting our State Capitol. Masterson was referring to alleged criminal conduct in a civil lawsuit against Michael Stewart, the president of the Satanic Grotto. Masterson also said lawmakers sent to the director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation writings from Satanic Grotto members threatening legislators. It is unclear how current those writings were. In a 44-page complaint filed Friday in Leavenworth County District Court, Kansas City, Kansas, Archbishop Joseph Naumann alleged that members of the Satanic Grotto, including Stewart and the Grottos vice president, stole consecrated hosts to use during the black mass. The allegation was based on phone conversations and posts on Reddit linked to Stewarts username, xsimon666x. In an interview Tuesday, Stewart denied the allegations and added that no one asked what consecration means to him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I find it very entertaining that he is convinced that I have Jesus trapped in a cracker and he would take it to court, Stewart said. He said his religion contains its own consecration rituals and that the Catholic Church has made a lot of assumptions about his religion. The satanic ritual of a black mass intentionally upends and mocks the ritual of a Catholic mass, often including a consecrated host. The Satanic Grotto is a nonprofit organization and is not affiliated with the recognized religion, the Satanic Temple. Naumann, who plans at the same time as the planned black mass to preside over a holy hour and Catholic mass at the Assumption Church across the street from the Statehouse, said in the lawsuit the performance of a black mass directly harms the Catholic Church and Catholics across Kansas and the country. It is the conviction of the Catholic Church presented in its doctrinal teachings that the Consecrated Hosts and Wine are in fact the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ, present under the form of bread and wine, the lawsuit read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Catholic teachings outline specific rituals for the handling of sacramental objects. The suit alleges Stewart and his vice president arent qualified to handle such objects. Naumann provided no evidence to show that archdiocesan property had been stolen. Stewart said he would think this whole thing was hilarious if it werent for the Legislature changing state policy to address a single event. I think its because theyre afraid, Stewart said. Naumann demanded the lawsuit be resolved through a civil jury trial. An evidentiary hearing is scheduled for Thursday. No criminal charges had been filed against Stewart or other members of the Satanic Grotto as of Tuesday afternoon, according to court records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Satanic Grotto has changed its plans in response to Kellys decree and intends to demonstrate outside, as she prescribed, with the expectation that Catholic groups will be there to counter-protest. Stewart initially promised to enter the building, defying the governor in a peaceful act of civil disobedience. Even with the policy changes, the lawsuit, which Stewart expects will be thrown out, and a statement from legislators condemning the event, Stewart is resolute. I will go to the capitol on March 28, he said. The House Federal and State Affairs Committee held an impromptu hearing Tuesday on House Resolution 6016, which denounces the planned event as a despicable, blasphemous and offensive sacrilege to not only Catholics but all people of goodwill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hearing, which only included testimony from the resolutions supporters, also provoked discussions over legislators religious beliefs and whether lawmakers were considering First Amendment protections. Rep. Dan Osman, an Overland Park Democrat, attributed the proponent-only testimony to the fact that the committee met outside of its scheduled time and parties were given less than 24 hours of notice to participate. He wanted to discuss the resolution at a later date, but a majority of committee members voted to advance it. Osman called the resolution shortsighted because no one knows what will happen on March 28. Other legislators questioned why they were spending time and resources to give the Satanic Grotto attention. Some supported the resolution as a way to stand up to the planned black mass and what some saw as anti-Catholic bigotry. Others voted against it to avoid treating one religion differently than others. The resolution is not law and has no legal teeth. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) An Arkansas City man has been sentenced to federal prison in connection to possession of child pornography. The U.S. Attorneys Office says Scott Warren Vass, 57, of Arkansas City, has been sentenced in federal court in Wichita to 188 months (15 years and 8 months) in federal prison. He had pled guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. President Trump weighs in on vandalism at Wichita Catholic church Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was charged following an April 2023 search of his home where the Federal Bureau of Investigation discovered multiple devices belonging to Vass containing material related to child sexual abuse. The U.S. Attorney says several of Vass Google accounts contained sexually explicit material involving children under the age of 12. Vasss investigation and prosecution are part of the Justice Departments Project Safe Childhood. The FBI was the investigating agency. If you have a tip about a crime involving children, you can report it to the NCMEC CyberTipline. 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 KSN-TV. ATCHISON, Kan. A Kansas man allegedly posing as a security officer for Walmart was arrested and charged this week after a woman said he sexually assaulted her in the store. The Atchison, Kansas, Police Department said Tuesday that it arrested 42-year-old Justin Metz, of Leavenworth. Online court records show that Metz is now charged with kidnapping, rape, aggravated sexual battery, and theft. Two Cybertrucks damaged in fire at Kansas City Tesla dealership Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation into the incident started March 9 after police received a report of a woman being assaulted at the Walmart located at 1920 U.S. 73 in Atchison. According to a statement from police, the victim said she was leaving the store in the late afternoon on March 9 when she was approached by a man who identified himself as being an asset protection officer with the store. The woman said the man then led her to a restroom at the back of the store, where he sexually assaulted her. Police said it was soon determined that the man was not an employee. Amid its investigation into the assault, Atchison police said they received an additional report on March 16 that the man, later identified as Metz, returned to the Walmart store. Police officers then located him inside the store and took him into custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation into the incident is ongoing. Metz remained in the Atchison County jail Tuesday, and a court date has not yet been set. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android Walmart sent a statement to FOX4 Tuesday afternoon that reads: The safety of customers and associates is a top priority. We acted swiftly to engage law enforcement and are working closely with them throughout this investigation. We will defer you to them for any additional questions. 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. OVERLAND PARK, Kan. Despite the average cost of eggs falling in the last week, according to the USDA. It could be a few more weeks until you see lower prices at the grocery store. Restaurant owners are having to get creative to keep up with those higher costs. Tine Yake, the owner of Wooden Spoon in Overland Park, says the price of a case of 15 dozen eggs has tripled in recent months. Whats cheaper in the US: The chicken or the egg? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We went from $38 for 15 dozen, and within two weeks, it went as high as $140 for the same case, Yake said. Then, within a week, it was up to $150. Pegahs Family Restaurant is paying $125 for a case of 15 dozen eggs. In the past, it has cost them $25-$30 per case. Owner Moe Sharifi says they order 30 cases weekly for each of the four Pegahs restaurants. Now were paying about $12,000 more than what we used to be, Sharifi explained. Despite the spike in egg prices, Pegahs menu prices remain the same. We have regular customers every single day that support us (and have been) for years. Weve been in business for 37 years, and we dont want to add $0.50 right now to the eggs. Were hoping the price will come down so we dont have to do that, Sharifi explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Wooden Spoon in Overland Park is taking a market price approach. We were going to change our prices, and I thought it would not work because the prices kept fluctuating. So we put a sign on our menu that our egg prices are going to be at market price, Yake explained. So, you know, with steakhouses, when you go to a steakhouse, and you pay market price. Why not the eggs? Kansas Rep. Sharice Davids visited the Wooden Spoon Tuesday and discussed actions to lower costs. Including the bipartisan Healthy Poultry and Indemnification Act (HPAI). HPAI would ensure fair compensation for all farms affected by avian flu, including those in both infected and buffer zones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill helps farmers stay in business and resume production, lowering egg prices for consumers. Where we can find good policy to push forward in a bipartisan way, I think we have to do that, and I think this (HPAI Act) is exactly that legislation, Davids explained. When it comes to supporting our farmers, when it comes to supporting the ag sector, especially here in Kansas, youre going to see people from both sides of the aisle. Davids talked with Yake about her challenges as a small business owner due to high egg costs. Kansas businesses shouldnt have to make tough choices due to forces beyond their control, and hardworking Kansans shouldnt have to pay more while corporations rake in record profits. Thats why Im backing bipartisan legislation to support poultry growers impacted by recent disease outbreaks and urging the USDA to take swift action to stabilize prices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement GoFundMe created for Kansas City social media star Alysha Burney On Tuesday afternoon, FOX4 checked the price of a dozen Grade A jumbo eggs at three grocery store chains. A dozen Grade A jumbo eggs sold for $7.09 at the Hy-Vee in Lenexa. The price at a Hen House store in Lenexa was $6.79. The same item at a Price Chopper in Overland Park was $7.99. 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. Senate Majority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat, seen here on Jan. 13, 2025, attempted to add to into the Senate's budget bill more funding for special education. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA The Kansas Senate on Tuesday approved a modified state budget, sending it back to the House so both chambers can agree on a shared plan. Senators slightly modified the House proposal, which is formally titled Senate Sub for Sub for House Bill 2007, during extensive debate Tuesday to fund $3 million in tax credits and earmark a handful of projects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The budget bill passed the Senate 28-12 almost along party lines, save for Republican Sens. Renee Erickson of Wichita and Caryn Tyson of Parker, who joined Democrats in voting against it. The Senate declared an emergency to take final action on the budget bill, forgoing the typical day between a debate and a vote. Embedded within the Senates budget are a number of what Republicans say are cost-cutting measures. Among them: eliminating continuous Medicaid eligibility for parents and caregivers, mandating state employees who work remotely return to the office and incentivizing state agencies to abandon diversity, equity and inclusion programs and policies. Erickson said that while the budget was a good start in reducing government spending, the cuts simply werent enough. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While I think that this budget is a vast improvement over what weve seen before, to me, we still have a huge spending problem, Erickson said. The $25 billion spending plan for the state cleared the Senate after four days of committee hearings last week. More than $10.5 billion of the total comes from the State General Fund. House lawmakers debated the bill for about a month after it was introduced on the first day of the session. They forwarded it to the Senate in late February. A select group of legislators began the budget process in late 2024. During Tuesdays debate in the Senate, Sen. Cindy Holscher, an Overland Park Democrat, attempted to insert into the budget more funding for special education with a plan to unlock federal aid by expanding Medicaid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state for years has failed to meet its statutory obligation to fully fund the special education needs of public school kids. Less funding for special education means more diversions from general education funding to mitigate the gap. We have a problem here, Holscher said. We are not fully funding (special education). She cited Medicaid expansion as a way to bring in $1.2 billion in annual funding to offset added costs for funding special education. The amendment failed on a 29-9 vote. Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat, called the special education shortfall a disgrace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the Houses version of the budget bill, lawmakers proposed a $10 million enhancement to special education bringing the roughly $601 million starting base to about $611 million. The Senate during the hearing process dropped the allocation back to $601 million. Sykes attempted to insert a $21 million enhancement, an amount that still remains below the fully funded threshold. The amendment failed on a 26-12 vote. Republican Sens. Jeff Klemp of Lansing, TJ Rose of Olathe and Brad Starnes of Manhattan voted with Democrats in favor of the amendment. The House and Senate eventually must agree on a final product before the budget can become law. In years past, lawmakers work from the governors proposed budget. Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, proposed in January a $26.3 billion spending plan for fiscal year 2026, which begins July 1. This year, the governors budget proposal, which includes Medicaid expansion and full funding for special education, had limited influence over the Republican-controlled Legislature. Note to Mayors: Next Time, Maybe Try Economy Plus? What is it with big-city mayors and ill-advised air travel decisions these days? Before Trumps Justice Department abruptly dropped its charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams who, completely coincidentally, is now super concerned about undocumented migrants in Manhattan federal investigators were looking into illegal campaign contributions in the form of luxury travel perks, like $15,000 business class seats that Turkish Airlines was offering Adams for all of $50. Now, its Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass turn in the hot seat or, rather, the fully reclinable, 70-inch pitch, first class private suite. Bass political foes, pointing to published reports and flight tracking data, have been pushing a story on local reporters about how the mayor flew on a U.S. Air Force Gulfstream C-37B during her recent (and obviously ill-timed) trip to Africa to attend the inauguration of Ghana President John Mahama right around when the Palisades and Eaton fires broke out rather than booking a much less expensive commercial flight. According to the Defense Department, the hourly rate for an Air Force C-37 is $11,200, making the cost of a nearly 10-hour flight more than $100,000. Even a first class ticket on a commercial airline would be a fraction of that cost. It sends a horrible tone-deaf signal, says one critic, and hints at a culture of really bad decision-making. Still, according to other sources, its not uncommon and definitely not illegal for politicians to hitch rides on government planes, especially presidentially-approved occasions. Indeed, members of the Cabinet and Congress, the attorney general and scores of other federal figures are all frequent government flyers, which is why the Air Force operates a small fleet of luxury planes for just such purposes. How a local official like, say, L.A.s mayor got a ticket, though, is still something of a mystery. Bass office would only say that she flew on a military jet just for the return journey, flying commercial on the way to Africa, but declined to provide further details. PETER KIEFER More from The Hollywood Reporter Guess Who Went to School With Slain Insurance CEO Brian Thompson? The next Saw movie seems to be stuck in development hell. Sources tell Rambling Reporter that dithering at the upper echelons of Lionsgate has held up the 11th installment of the billion-dollar-grossing horror franchise and that theres been zero progress toward production since longtime writing partners Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan turned in a draft nearly a year ago. But there has been some shocking news regarding Saw VI. You remember that 2009 sequel, the one in which Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) tortures the CEO of Umbrella Health, a predatory medical insurance company that denies pretty much everybodys claims? That films prescient plot caught a lot of folks attention in December, when real-life United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was slain on a New York City sidewalk, allegedly by 26-year-old Jigsaw wannabe Luigi Mangione. But heres the irony on top of the irony: Turns out Melton, who co-wrote Saw VI, went to college with Thompson. We were at [the University of] Iowa at the same time, so we graduated the same year, in 1997, Melton tells THR. I can tell you, Brian was pretty normal at school. He drank Bud Light and was a good guy. Melton wont say much about the plot of the next Saw movie, if it ever gets made, except to reveal that we have a very timely story in it. It taps into the same themes as Saw VI, where youre a citizen, you feel angry and frustrated, you feel like you cant do anything. RYAN GAJEWSKI Kevin Spaceys Latest Comeback at an Obscure Portuguese Film Festival Yes, its been available on Prime Video for a year already, and no, its not very good (train wreck seems to be the consensus among Reddit reviewers), but Kevin Spacey is still peddling Peter Five Eight as his big comeback vehicle. The low-budget thriller which Spacey, in a self-made promotional video, has compared to noir classics like The Big Sleep and Double Indemnity made its debut at a festival in Portugal earlier this month, when its two screenings unspooled before a crowd of what wed generously guess to be at most 100 viewers. Still, the Fantasporto event, however tiny and obscure, was Spaceys first festival invitation since his acquittal in 2023 in England of nine charges of sexual misconduct, and is indeed something of a comeback breakthrough for the disgraced 65-year-old actor, at least according to the films director, former effects artist Michael Zaiko Hall, who claims theres been an unofficial ban on the movie because of Spaceys involvement. I couldnt be more pleased that Fantasporto, a festival I greatly admire, has chosen to play Peter Five Eight, he said in a statement to THR. The trip to Portugal also couldnt have come at a more opportune time for Spacey. Days earlier, hed found himself embroiled in yet another controversy, ranting online that actor Guy Pearce needed to grow up after Pearce accused Spacey (in a THR interview) of targeting him on the set of the 1997 Curtis Hanson film L.A. Confidential which, by the way, could actually be considered a noir classic. ETAN VLESSING Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This story appeared in the March 19 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Disgraced Trooper Michael Proctor, who was terminated by the Massachusetts State Police on Wednesday, is one of nearly 100 names included on the defense teams list of prospective witnesses for the retrial of Karen Read. Karen Read tells her story in exclusive one-on-one interview: Watch the extended cut 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reads legal team filed their witness list in Dedhams Norfolk Superior Court, with the start of the Mansfield womans second murder trial now less than two weeks away. The list includes many familiar names, including members of the Albert and McCabe family, Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey, Brian Higgins, and Dr. Marie Russell, in addition to Proctor and his wife, Elizabeth. Proctor was assigned to investigate the death of Reads Boston police officer boyfriend John OKeefe. He was relieved of his duty without pay this past summer after a mistrial was declared in Reads murder case and his last day with the Norfolk District Attorneys Office followed soon thereafter. Michael is human, not corrupt: Family of disgraced Trooper Proctor responds to his firing Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Proctor came under fire for a series of disparaging texts he sent about Read, which he read aloud in court during witness testimony at her first trial. Proctor admitted on the stand that the texts were unprofessional. He called Read things like a whack job and other derogatory words, he talked about her medical issues and wrote, No nudes so far, while going through her phone. Reads first trial ended with a hung jury in July 2024. Her retrial is slated to start with jury selection on April 1. Read the full list of witnesses in the defenses filing: Defense in Karen Read case shares list of prospective witnesses by Boston 25 Desk on Scribd Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW WINDHOEK, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Namibia on Wednesday launched its Universal Service Fund to improve digital connectivity, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Speaking at the launching event held in Windhoek, Minister of Information and Communication Technology Emma Theofelus said the fund is a step toward ensuring that every Namibian has access to reliable communication services. "We are committed to ensuring that every Namibian can access the power of technology to improve their quality of life," Theofelus said, adding that the fund will prioritize underserved areas and provide the infrastructure needed to bridge the digital gap. Mobile network coverage in the southern African country has reached over 90 percent of the population, with internet penetration steadily increasing. However, Theofelus said that challenges persist, especially in rural areas where access to 4G services remains limited. In some regions, 4G coverage stands at only 49 percent, she said. Namibia has committed 145 million Namibian dollars (about 8.04 million U.S. dollars) over the next three years to build network towers and digital infrastructure, prioritizing schools and clinics. The new fund will direct resources to regions needing the most infrastructure, with a focus on enhancing access to essential services like education and healthcare, Theofelus noted. Kate Middleton may be a future queenand, lets face it, pretty darn talented at most hobbies and pursuits she triesbut theres one aspect of royal life she initially wasnt drawn to: public speaking. The Princess of Wales, then the Duchess of Cambridge, gave her first public speech as a working royal 13 years ago today on March 19, 2012, 11 months after she married into the royal family on April 29, 2011. The speech was in support of one of her first patronages, East Anglia Childrens Hospices, and on that day in 2012 Kate was opening a childrens hospice and slightly nervous as she gave a speech at the occasion, according to The Daily Express. Getty Kate Middleton on March 19, 2012 Kate Middleton on March 19, 2012 Getty Kate Middleton on March 19, 2012 Kate Middleton on March 19, 2012 Speaking of husband Prince William, Kate said in her remarks, A view of his that I share is that through teamwork, so much can be achieved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though she was nervous about that first speechafter making it, Kate relatably told someone present, I find doing speeches nerve-rackingin the past 13 years, Kate has now conducted hundreds of engagements, sometimes with public speaking components, and has stepped out as a forefront expert in early years development and childrens mental health. Catherines public speaking style has come a long way from her early attempts, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told The Daily Express. Her speeches now reflect her natural charm and enthusiasm. Getty Kate Middleton on November 15, 2023 Kate Middleton on November 15, 2023 Getty Kate Middleton on September 10, 2019 Kate Middleton on September 10, 2019 It is no mean feat to acclimatize oneself to the demands of one of the most pressurized public roles in the world, that of the future queen of England, he continued. As The Daily Express put it, Kate began her royal journey in Williams shadow, and was shy at times in the early days. That was a long time ago, though, and now her confidence has grown, the outlet reported, and she often undertakes solo engagements, like Mondays outing to celebrate St. Patricks Day with the Irish Guards. Getty Kate Middleton and Prince William on May 26, 2021 Kate Middleton and Prince William on May 26, 2021 Getty Kate Middleton on March 21, 2023 Kate Middleton on March 21, 2023 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Catherine reportedly initially confided that she found public speaking nerve-wracking and was clearly nervous in her early speeches, such as that given at the East Anglia Childrens Hospice, Fitzwilliams said. However, she now speaks in public with conviction and poiseher confidence comes both from experience and also from mastering her brief and also believing in it. After a difficult 2024 that saw Kate undergo major abdominal surgery, face a cancer diagnosis, and be away from public life for the majority of the year, the Princess of Wales gradual return to royal duty continues. So far in 2025 she has made 11 public appearances, and the pressures of ill health, from which she has recently suffered so traumatically, mean that she is slowly working towards a normal schedule of engagements, Fitzwilliams said. Getty Kate Middleton on September 13, 2012 Kate Middleton on September 13, 2012 Kates role in the monarchy continues to grow and expand, and former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told OK that She has learned the craft of being a royal over a number of years and earned her place as a senior member of the family. Gradually, she has also earned the respect of the public and, I believe, of the rest of the family. We look at her now not just as Williams wife, but as our future queen, Bond added. Read the original article on InStyle KANSAS CITY, Mo. Just one day before the full council votes on the fate of suspended City Manager Brian Platt, the first council member has publicly weighed in on what should happen next. Third District Councilwoman Melissa Robinson believes Platts time as city manager should come to an end. Download WDAF+ for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV Now is the time for resolution and transparency, not ambiguity. I expect the council to name an interim city manager tomorrow and terminate our current contract with Brian Platt, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robinson acknowledged the unpredictability of the upcoming vote, but said she has trust and faith in her colleagues to make the right decision. FOX4 has heard from a source on the council that its clear how the vote will go. That source tells FOX4 the city will be moving in a different direction its just not clear how. Rather that will be a resignation, a vote to terminate him, or some other way. For the sake of continuity in city government, Robinson believes an internal candidate should be selected to fill the role. She said there are multiple qualified candidates within City Hall. She also criticized the lack of a thorough employee evaluation before the city council renewed Platts contract for an additional three years last year, saying that step should have been taken. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Missouri news: Headlines from St. Louis, Jefferson City and across the Show-Me State Additionally, she noted that in his five years as city manager, Platt has never presented a citizen satisfaction survey to the council a tool she believes would provide a clearer understanding of concerns across Kansas City. The city says that the surveys are posted online here but they were unsure if the city manager had ever presented these results to the full council. In a later email to FOX4, a city spokesperson pointed us to an email from a staff member of Platts, who sent an email Friday, February 28, at 8:28 p.m. to councilmembers with partial results from the first half of 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But still could not point to any instance where these finding in their totality from any of the previous 5 years where presented to council in person. Robinsons statements come nearly two weeks after Mayor Quinton Lucas suspended Platt with pay. The day after making that decision, Lucas declined to say whether he believed Platt should remain as city manager. While Platt has had successes in the role, he has also faced significant challenges. Tensions escalated after a lawsuit resulted in the city being held liable. Former Communications Director Chris Hernandez accused Platt of a pattern of misconduct, including a claim that Platt instructed him to lie to the media which Platt later dismissed as a joke. A jury sided with Hernandez, awarding nearly $1 million in damages the city may soon have to pay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robinson cited that verdict as a factor influencing her decision to vote for Platts removal. But this controversy isnt the only one. In 2023, civil rights leaders called for Platts firing, alleging his administration fostered a culture of racism and oppressed Black residents. But Platt isnt on an island, several developers have voiced support for Platt, including Joe Christensen of Crest Design, who said In my opinion, Kansas City would not have the projects it has today or the ones currently in planning without a dynamic leader like Brian Platt. In response to those support letters, Robinson said Tracey Lewis, president and CEO of the EDIC is plenty capable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FOX4 has reached out numerous times to speak with Platt following the mayors decision and weve been told no. This story is developing. Stay with FOX4 for 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 FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Senate President Pro Tem John F. Kennedy, a Macon Republican who sponsored the bill, reiterated his claim that the legislation is aimed at restoring balance between plaintiffs and defendants in Georgias civil courtrooms. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder (file photo) Georgia Gov. Brian Kemps top priority in the 2025 Legislature got a little closer to the finish line Tuesday after a state House panel signed off on a bill intended to limit lawsuit damage awards. The House Subcommittee of Rules on Lawsuit Reform passed Senate Bill 68 in a contentious vote Tuesday afternoon, clearing a path for the omnibus bill dedicated to overhauling Georgias civil litigation landscape to advance to the House after weeks of debate over the Kemp-backed legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tort legislation is now moving quickly, with a full state House vote on track as soon as Thursday. The 2025 legislative session ends April 4. Senate President Pro Tem John F. Kennedy, a Macon Republican who is sponsoring the bill, reiterated his claim that the legislation is aimed at restoring balance between plaintiffs and defendants in Georgias civil courtrooms during the committees fifth and final planned hearing on the bill. Though Kennedy repeatedly resisted proposed amendments to the bill as it passed through the Senate committee, the version that passed the House Rules committee did contain a few minor changes, including one that marginally increased protections for sex trafficking survivors. I believe that the bill you have before you is a carefully crafted compromise, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Survivors of human trafficking have been some of the most prominent voices against Kemps civil litigation overhaul, holding multiple protests at the capitol to sound the alarm about aspects of the bill they say could shield businesses from accountability and prevent nearly all victims from receiving justice through the courts. Kennedy tried to assuage some of the concerns that the damage limits will hold businesses like extended-stay hotels less accountable if a jury finds property managers and owners enabled human trafficking, claiming that the intention of SB 68 is not to harbor, enable or turn a blind eye in any regard to such grotesque activity and conduct. Another amendment to the bill speeds up the timeline for trials split to consider culpability separately from monetary damages. The aim is to ensure that separate phases of a trial can happen immediately using the same judge and jury, rather than being spread out over weeks or months. It also exempts survivors of sexual violence and plaintiffs in lawsuits that are less than $150,000 from having to testify multiple times. What we have done is an attempt to codify a body of law and introduce a workable framework to provide stability to businesses and consumers while ensuring fair compensation to those that have been wronged, Kennedy said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the amendments fell short of the sweeping exemptions for all children, elderly victims and survivors of sexual assault that trial lawyers and victims advocates had requested, and an omnibus amendment offered by Atlanta Democratic Rep. Stacey Evans which would have extended the bills protections beyond human trafficking survivors was voted down. Before the panel amended the bill, it failed to make allowances for victims who want to bring property liability claims that go beyond just the physical condition of a property and also pertain to issues like negligent behavior by employees or management. Under the amended version of the bill, plaintiffs who were injured at a business would have to prove that someone had exploited the physical condition of the property to harm them, even if the business owner had knowledge of similar wrongful conduct occurring in the past and failed to act to keep customers safe. Were trying to put additional parameters and guardrails on when someone is responsible or legally liable for negligent security, Kennedy said. And if its foreseeability alone, thats not enough. It requires these additional provisions. Trial lawyers, who warn about the unintended consequences SB 68 could create for Georgians seeking justice through the civil court system, condemned the bills passage out of committee. Andy Rogers, a personal injury lawyer at the Atlanta firm Deitch & Rogers who has been following the bill, said he wasnt surprised that SB 68 passed the committee, but added that he was frustrated with the lack of intellectual honesty in discussions lawmakers were having about the bills impact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fact that theres a carve-out for sex trafficking victims is great and makes perfect sense, but thats only been done because of the recognition by the drafters that sex trafficking victims would be harmed by the current language in SB 68, he said. Which, by necessity, means that all of the other potential plaintiffs are going to be harmed by SB 68. Theres just no other way to think about it. If this bill becomes law, Rogers added, he will most likely be having two types of conversations with clients who come to his office. If they were victimized by crime other than sex trafficking, its going to be very, very difficult to prove their case, Rogers said. And if their attack was the result of something unrelated to the physical condition on the property, they probably have no case. Meanwhile, House Republicans applauded the committees passage of SB 68, with Speaker Jon Burns, a Newington Republican, reiterating his support for Kemps legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each provision included in Senate Bill 68 has been meticulously crafted to ensure fairness for Georgias businesses and citizens alike, Burns said in a statement shortly after the bill passed through the committee. Were looking forward to its passage out of the House later this week. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX STANFORD, Ky. (FOX 56) Active threats can unfortunately happen anywhere, anytime. A training seminar at the Lincoln County Judicial Center made sure everyone who attended would be well-prepared for the worst-case scenario. Events like the Louisville Old National Bank and Marshall County High School shootings show that tragedy can strike at any time. Read more of the latest Kentucky news The training involved city employees, along with first responders from Lincoln and Garrard counties, listening in on a seminar, and participating in a virtual reality simulation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youd think you kind of know what to expect, but when you actually get in there and the noise in on, and the whole situation is breaking out, its kind of frightening, Lincoln County Clerk Nancy Jackson said. The seminar went deep into what to do in these situations. Everything from knowing routes of escape and always having a plan of attack in case self-defense is the only way to stay alive was explored. One of the biggest takeaways from Tuesdays training was to never get too comfortable. Darren Allen is the court security manager for the Administrative Office of the Courts. Weve introduced these folks to some thoughts that arent comfortable to them. Ive found that you learn a lot when youre uncomfortable. Its our job to try to teach them to operate in the panic zone, Allen said. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lincoln County Circuit Court Clerk Angela Doolin played a big part in bringing the training to her county. Doolin said there were key moments that stuck out to her. Being aware of your situation, and the hands. Watching what people have in their hands and using stuff as weapons. You dont realize the stuff around you that can be used as weapons, so thats been very beneficial to know that, Doolin said. While organizers say its important to not let your guard down, they also emphasize that staying one step ahead can make all the difference. I think it did help with that preparation, knowing to stay calm and breathe through it. Id recommend it to anybody. Anything we can do to mitigate the situation and be ready I think is important for us, our employees, and for the people who come into our office, Jackson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Democratic Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman speaks during a Wednesday press conference about federal education funding. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley) LOUISVILLE Kentucky educators are not only wary of possible funding cuts under the Trump administration but also of dismantling the U.S. Department of Education altogether. Hours after members of the Kentucky Education Association (KEA) voiced opposition to federal education cuts, Democratic Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman spoke alongside two Kentucky mothers who fear their children could lose vital school services if the federal department is dismantled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a Wednesday afternoon press conference, Coleman, a former educator herself, focused on how gutting federal education funding could hamstring services at Kentuckys public schools. While any government agency should strive to be as efficient as possible, she said federal funding that flows through the Department of Education helps students from low-income families or who have disabilities. When it comes to the services that are provided and the students that depend on them, I would never consider that to be waste, Coleman said. I think that these kids deserve the moon, and if theres any cuts that could be made to make government more efficient, it shouldnt be on the backs of special education students. Coleman said 926 schools in the state receive Title I funding, which are federal dollars received by school districts to support students from low-income families. If programs and services are cut under IDEA, or the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, more than 114,000 Kentucky students could lose support. Last year, Kentuckians received more than $370 million in federal Pell Grants, which go to students who demonstrate financial need going to college or earning a professional degree. Coleman, who could be a possible candidate for governor in 2027, said she and Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear have often focused on policies to support health and education. In addition to the possible cuts for education, she raised concerns about possible cuts in Medicaid coverage by the Trump administration. KEA members hold signs in support of public education outside of a school on Wednesday. (Photo provided by KEA) Eddie Campbell, the president of KEA, said members took actions across Kentucky Wednesday like hosting a walk-in before their school day began or wearing red shirts in support of public education. The National Education Association organized events on Wednesday to back public schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Campbell said funding from the U.S. Department of Education aids students across Kentucky, and losing it would jeopardize support programs that help students succeed. When a public school opens its door in the morning, educators welcome their students with wide-open arms, Campbell said. They meet them where they are, and they work with them from there and move them forward. President Donald Trump has said he would like to dismantle the federal Department of Education and move some responsibilities back to the states. It would take an act of Congress to do so. Last week, the U.S. Department of Education said it was cutting a substantial number of the agencys staff, about 1,315 employees, as part of a reduction in force process. The cuts were part of efforts by Trump and his billionaire White House adviser Elon Musk to shrink the federal workforce and slash government spending. Musks Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, has eyed some federal offices in Kentucky for cuts. Also, both Musk and the president floated the idea of taking a closer look at Fort Knox to make sure it is really storing the nations gold. Fort Knox, about a 45-minute drive south of Louisville, houses the U.S. Bullion Depository and stores precious metal bullion reserves for the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recently, Republican state lawmakers have attempted to introduce their own DOGE-like groups to replicate the federal-level efforts in Kentucky. However, the legislation specifically for that Senate Bill 257 and House Concurrent Resolution 50 did not gain approval in both chambers before lawmakers recessed for Beshears veto period beginning last week. Senate Bill 25, which had several changes made to it before it was sent to Beshears desk, had a floor amendment that included a requirement for executive branch departments and programs to submit reports with suggestions for improved government efficiency. When asked about DOGE cuts, Beshear blasted Musks moves in his weekly press conference held Wednesday. Beshear said federal workers who have been fired from the cuts have been deeply hurt, and in my opinion, theyve been deeply wronged. My concern is that what Elon Musk is trying to do is break government, not fix it, Beshear said. Listen, I think we can admit that people all across the political spectrum have some issues with our federal government, but the answer to that isnt breaking it, isnt destroying it. Its actually fixing it. Its trying to sit down with others at the table and trying to hammer out different ways we can do these things better. COLBERT COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) During his Aniahs Law hearing, a Kentucky man charged with rape in 2024 is now being held in the Colbert County Jail without bond. During his Aniahs Law hearing Wednesday, a Colbert County judge said Justin Stephens is to be held without bond. Stephens, 43 of Kentucky, was arrested in October 2024, and charged with second-degree rape, traveling to meet a child for sex and enticing a child to enter a vehicle or house. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents show Stephens called a Lauderdale County school to check out a 15-year-old girl. Stephens claimed to be the girls father and that she needed to be checked out of school. Sergeant Casson with the Lauderdale County Sheriffs Office said Stephens had been messaging with the girl for a while. Casson said the girl was using a phone she was not supposed to have. Court documents state that the schools security cameras caught the girl leaving school around 9 a.m. and entering a black Dodge truck. The documents state Stephens took the girl to an abandoned residence in Florence. Security footage from the school shows her returning back to school around 2 p.m. that day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The girls father told investigators he found a phone in her room. He said she had never had a phone before so he and the girls mom began questioning her. The parents looked through the teenagers phone and found various messages and photos between the girl and Stephens. Srgt. Casson said the two used an app called wakie. Casson said it is a chatting platform that allows people to talk to strangers. Casson said that when the girls father saw everything, he called the police. Stephens was arrested at a VA hospital in Ohio and was transported to the Lauderdale County Detention Center on a bond of $365,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Records show he was indicted on January 17, and on March 7, a Lauderdale County Circuit Court Judge granted that Stephens be transferred from the Lauderdale County Detention Center to the custody of the Colbert County Sheriffs Office. Once in the Colbert County Jail, Stephens was given additional charges. According to jail records, Stephens now is charged with: First-degree rape Second-degree rape Two counts of electronic solicitation of a child Second-degree sodomy Interference with custody Two counts of travelling to meet a child for unlawful sex act 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. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) The Kern County Fire Department is hosting a hiring event April 1 to present the community information about future jobs in firefighting. It will take place at the Olive Drive Fire Training Facility at 5624 Victor St. from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. If you cannot make it in person, there will be a YouTube live stream you can watch 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 KGET 17 News. Senator Lisa Murkowski boldly declared she did not fear Elon Musk spending money against her as she criticized the indiscriminate firing led by his Department of Government Efficiency. Murkowski delivered her annual joint address to Alaskas legislature on Tuesday and during her address, she attacked DOGEs treatment of federal workers. The Trump administrations approach lacks the type of planning you need to avoid unintended consequences, and it lacks the fundamental decency you need when dealing with real people, she said. Public servants are not our enemies. Theyre our friends and neighbors, and they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a later press conference, she pushed back against criticism that she is not a better Republican or that she should get out of the party. I'm not going to compromise my own integrity by hiding from my words when I feel they need to be spoken. I'm going to take the criticism that comes, she said. It may be, it may be that Elon Musk has decided he's going to take the next billion dollars that he makes off of Starlink and put it directly against Lisa Murkowski. And you know what? That may happen. Sen. Lisa Murkowski mildly criticized Trump during her joint address to the state legislature and a press conference afterward. (Getty Images) The Alaska Republican senator has occasionally opposed President Donald Trump, having voted to convict him for his actions on January 6. She also voted against the confirmation of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and FBI Director Kash Patel, but approved some of Trumps more firebrand nominees such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr to lead the Department of Health and Human Services and Tulsi Gabbard as director of National Intelligence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murkowski has also in the past criticized the Trump administrations attempts to freeze federal spending. Alaska holds ranked-choice voting, which allows Murkowski to not have to compete in a partisan primary like the one she lost in 2010 to a Tea Party candidate. Murkowski later won a write-in candidacy that same year. Murkowski said that the criticism she receives for staking out her positions has made her Republican colleagues less willing to criticize Musk or Trump. I get criticized for what I say, and then everybody else is like, Well, how come nobody else is saying anything? she said. Well, figure it out, because they're looking at ... how many things are being thrown at me, and it's like, Maybe I just better duck and cover. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murkowski also criticized Trumps tariffs against Canada and his criticism of Ukraine. Theyre already harming our timber industry, and we have Canada threatening tolls on goods trucked to our state, she said. Or foreign policy ... I am stunned by a turn of events that threatens to abandon Ukraine and collapse long-standing alliances from NATO to NORAD. But Murkowski said her criticism against Trumps policies was not explicitly anti-Trump. I am standing up for my role as a duly elected senator and a member of the congressional branch, standing up for my responsibilities under the Constitution, and I think I can do that without it being interpreted that I am against Trump, she said. A judge said Wednesday that Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia University alum and green-card holder who has been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), will have his case transferred to New Jersey. The federal government, which is targeting Khalil over his participation in pro-Palestinian protests, had transferred him to Louisiana, where it wants the case to be heard, while his attorneys want it to be litigated in New York. [T]he law precludes this Court from reaching the merits of Khalils claims, as serious and important as they may be, and it mandates that the Court allow a tribunal with jurisdiction to take the matter up from here, Judge Jesse Furman of the Southern District of New York said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Furman said New Jersey is where Khalil was initially detained and the only place he could have filed his petition, dictating his case should be litigated there. A next hearing date in the case has not been set. The federal government has not charged Khalil with a crime since he was arrested by ICE on March 8 but says he poses a national security threat. A green-card holder doesnt have an indefinite right to be in the United States, Vice President Vance said on Fox News last week. This is not about free speech. Yes, its about national security but more importantly, its about who we, as American citizens, decide gets to join our national community. But Carolina DeCell, a senior staff attorney for the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia, previously told The Hill that green-card holders are such as Khalil entitled to almost the full scope of First Amendment rights that U.S. citizens are. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And so, taking action to strip someone of a green card or deport them from this country based solely on their political speech or participation in political protests would almost certainly be unconstitutional, DeCell said. I would say this appears to be part of a broader effort to chill the speech of political opponents, or people with whom this administration disagrees on political issues, and it sets a really terrible precedent. Khalil is an Algerian citizen of Palestinian descent who is married to a U.S. citizen. President Trump had pledged to crack down on student protesters last year on the campaign trail, and his administration has made clear that it sees Khalils arrested and attempted deportation as the first of many such actions against foreign-born students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. by xinhua writers Liu Youmin and Huang Wei NAIROBI/BEIJING, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Not long ago, China's AI model DeepSeek drew global attention for its affordability, high performance and open-source design. Across Africa, DeepSeek has sparked lively debate. Media and industry insiders argue that its introduction has ignited fresh hopes, as artificial intelligence could "inspire a new wave of innovation across the continent." CHINA-DEVELOPED AI DRIVES INNOVATION "Imagine AI-powered tools helping farmers optimize crop yields, or chatbots providing healthcare advice in remote villages. Imagine AI-driven education platforms teaching children in rural areas." This is not science fiction, but the future DeepSeek could help create, according to an article published by AI Mind, titled "How DeepSeek Could Bring the AI Revolution to Africa." The business magazine African Business said DeepSeek is a more cost-efficient AI model, raising "African hopes" for solving social and economic challenges. The article quoted Kennedy Chengeta, a South Africa-based AI entrepreneur and academic, who said that cost has been "one of the most significant barriers to AI adoption in Africa." By offering affordable, pre-trained models that require less computational power, DeepSeek "enables businesses to adopt AI without the need for significant investment in infrastructure or talent," he said. "This could level the playing field for SMEs and entrepreneurs, allowing them to develop innovative solutions tailored to local needs." In the global AI market, the United States and other Western nations have long held dominance, often marginalizing the Global South, including Africa. However, the emergence of DeepSeek, as noted by the weekly news publication Vellum Kenya, proves that "AI innovation is not exclusive to Silicon Valley." Another Kenyan publication, Techish, said that DeepSeek's open-source nature "not only facilitates adoption but also encourages local customization. Developers in diverse regions can adapt the platform to meet specific needs, fostering innovation tailored to local challenges." Moreover, DeepSeek's model provides opportunities to address "the biases inherent in AI systems," Techish said, adding that "China's embrace of open-source AI could position it as a champion of collaborative, global innovation." According to the African Gazette, a London-based media group specializing in African news, what truly sets China's AI apart is "its commitment to localization." The publication said that "whether it is analyzing agricultural data in Swahili or diagnosing diseases in remote clinics, DeepSeek is engineered to serve the underserved." DeepSeek approaches "inclusivity as never seen before," making it "a strong selling point for the expansive markets of the Global South," the African Gazette added. AI DEVELOPMENT ACCELERATING IN AFRICA With rapid industrialization, urbanization and a large young population, Africa is emerging as a prime hub for AI development and application. Although Africa currently accounts for only 2.5 percent of the global AI market, recent estimates suggest that AI could boost the continent's economy by 2.9 trillion U.S. dollars by 2030, equivalent to a 3 percent annual increase in GDP, according to an assessment by the Groupe Speciale Mobile Association. The Policy Center for the New South, a Moroccan think tank, estimates that AI could contribute 1.2 billion dollars to Africa's GDP by 2030 if the continent captures just 10 percent of the fast-growing global AI market. Data from the African Union (AU) shows that more than 2,400 organizations across Africa are actively working on AI innovation, 41 percent of which are startups operating in industries such as healthcare, agriculture, education, law and insurance. As reported by Nigeria's Business Day, investors put 641 million dollars into AI-enabled startups across African countries between 2022 and 2023. In recent years, six African nations, namely Algeria, Benin, Egypt, Mauritius, Rwanda and Senegal, have developed standalone AI strategies. Meanwhile, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda are integrating AI into broader frameworks addressing emerging technologies, such as blockchain, or within the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, according to the AU. CHINA, AFRICA JOIN HANDS TO BRIDGE DIGITAL DIVIDE Artificial intelligence has become more important in China-Africa cooperation, helping facilitate Africa's modernization through digital infrastructure development and talent training. Through initiatives like the Digital Silk Road, China's cooperation with Global South countries in digital technology has yielded significant results. Over the years, Chinese enterprises have leveraged various funding sources to support the development of digital infrastructure, including power, telecommunications networks and large-scale data centers. Since the establishment of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Chinese enterprises have helped African countries build and upgrade 66,000 km of new transmission lines and 150,000 km of communication backbone networks, in addition to constructing numerous wireless sites and high-speed mobile broadband networks. At the same time, China has intensified technology transfer efforts, encouraging its companies to apply AI solutions to drive local industrial growth. In the realm of AI and digital talent development, collaboration has taken multiple forms, including joint research, short-term training programs and academic exchanges. In terms of AI applications, In Kenya, for example, Huawei has partnered with the local government to optimize urban traffic management using AI-powered monitoring, improving city efficiency. In South Africa, Huawei's cloud computing and AI services are supporting the country's fintech sector. In Ethiopia, Chinese AI firm 4Paradigm developed a computer-aided maintenance management system for the Gibe III Hydropower Station, significantly enhancing the efficiency of hydropower operations, maintenance, and production. Sun Hong, deputy director of the Institute of African Studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, said that AI applications could help modernize Africa's traditional industries, from manufacturing to agriculture, while also helping governments digitalize public services and improve governance systems. Fourth grader Ayden Strothers-Vines, left, met Rebecca Fletcher, KIPP Newarks director of operations, when he attended the charter networks virtual Evening Learning Program. Theyre still close. (Courtesy of Rebecca Fletcher) This article was co-published with The 74, a non-profit, independent news organization focused on education in America. Rachel Hodge worked as a housekeeper at a hospital and was earning an online degree in social work when schools shut their doors due to COVID. Spending hours in front of a laptop with a 5-year-old just didnt fit into the picture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in the fall of 2020, her daughter Vanessa was set to start kindergarten at KIPP Upper Roseville Academy in Newark, New Jersey. With Hodge working and school still remote, Vanessa spent her days with a babysitter, who cared for multiple kids and struggled to manage the technology for virtual learning. By November, Vanessa was one of 24 kindergartners in Newarks KIPP charter network listed as missing from remote school. Thats when KIPP staff created the Evening Learning Program, a condensed school day that accommodated parents upended schedules. The program, which ran weeknights from 5:30 to 8 p.m, remained in place until the end of the school year. It was really a sad and scary time, Hodge said. But I was like, The kids got to learn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Hodge worked on her own assignments from Rutgers University, kindergarten teacher Meredith Eger led Vanessa and classmates in songs and games, and through the reading and math theyd missed since August. It was fun and it was kind of weird, Vanessa, now 9, recalls. When class was over, I didnt have to pack up, because all my stuff was at home. The program is a rare example of a school that moved quickly to keep children from missing out on their first year of school a critical transition period in which they typically start developing academic and social skills. At a time when hundreds of thousands of parents struggled to balance work and Zoom, or held their children out of school until first grade, KIPPs after-hours program offered families some consistency in the midst of turmoil. But nationally, many students who missed out on a normal kindergarten are still feeling the lingering effects of that lost year. Research released this month documented how the pandemics youngest learners experienced significant declines in general knowledge, cognitive development, and language and social skills compared with their peers before COVID. Academically, these students are still performing below pre-pandemic math and reading levels. With night school during COVID, Rachel Hodge was able to study for her social work degree while her daughter, Vanessa Parker, left, was in class. Teacher Meredith Eger still sees Vanessa at lunch at KIPP Upper Roseville Academy, where she often finds the fourth grader drawing. (CNN and Meredith Eger) Five years later, Vanessa is one of 11 night-school kindergartners who still attends KIPP Newark schools. She writes up a storm, Eger said, and often draws during lunch. Others prefer math. Parents notice their kids sometimes keep to themselves at home a preference they blame on a shortage of playtime with peers during lockdowns. The educators who ran the program, which served students up to third grade, enjoy a special bond with the kids they nurtured through that trying period, grabbing hugs in the hallway or cafeteria when they can. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were falling drastically behind, said Rebecca Fletcher, the charter networks director of school operations. It was a bright spot in such a dark time. They werent coming to school Thomas Dee, an education professor at Stanford University who tracked the sharp decline in kindergarten enrollment during school closures, called KIPPs night school a creative way to meet the needs of parents during the crisis and one that wasnt common in traditional public schools. Such flexibility may have also kept families from pursuing options, like pods or private schools that were in-person, he said. KIPP leaders didnt compare the performance of the evening kindergartners to students who logged in during the day, making it difficult to measure student outcomes. But the program was born of necessity, Fletcher said: The abbreviated school day was better than no kindergarten at all. They werent coming to school, she said. It was about meeting families where they were. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parents turned to night kindergarten for a variety of reasons. Nateesha St. Claire had just had her third child and couldnt juggle an infant daughter and online school for Omari, her kindergartner. At night, there were really no distractions, she said. The baby was asleep. But it was still a struggle to keep Omari focused on his teacher. If St. Claire didnt sit close, hed walk away from the screen. He frequently asked why he couldnt go to school. Now in fourth grade, Omari is thriving in math, growing in reading and getting help in speech class to pronounce words more clearly, his mother said. Harlem, Adrienne Rodriguez Lirianos Cane Corso, often joined her Zoom sessions. (Adrienne Rodriguez Liriano) A labor of love One advantage of the evening sessions were smaller classes, which allowed staff to identify students who had learning delays or qualified for special education services. Such needs might have gone undetected in a larger online group, said Kaneshia Clifford, who was principal of the program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two children were on the autism spectrum and others, she said, were nonverbal or mildly verbal. She recruited special education teachers to the team who broke lessons down into smaller segments and organized separate Zoom groups for more targeted support. But keeping the kids attention while trying to assess their skills proved daunting. Teacher Adrienne Rodriguez Liriano rewarded students who focused on lessons by putting her dog Harlem on her lap in front of the camera. Teachers had to keep a lot of things on their brain, said Clifford, who had her own kindergartner at home at the time. Theyre looking at screens, asking kids to hold up white boards. Theyre trying to monitor engagement in a virtual space, while also collecting data. And that was after a full school day of teaching online and sometimes delivering laptops and hotspots to students homes. Fletcher described the schedule as grueling, but also a labor of love and devotion. Because of the late hour, some students showed up on Zoom with wet hair and wearing pajamas. Others ate dinner during class. Some nodded off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beatriz Warren, who worked during the day as a home health aide in New York City, welcomed the evening option, which allowed her to attend to her son Josiah. Its a mom thing, I guess, she said. Ear infections and surgeries caused Josiahs learning to be delayed. He received therapy at home before the pandemic, but as kindergarten approached, Warren worried about whether to put him in a general or special education class. Night kindergarten offered a welcome mix of individualized support and as-close-to-normal a classroom experience as possible. He bonded with the kids and the teachers, she said. And when schools reopened, Warren enrolled him in KIPP Upper Roseville Academy, where Liriano, his teacher, worked even though it was a half hour away. Liriano now teaches outside of the KIPP network, but still Facetimes with Josiah and his mom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He asks about my daughter, Liriano said. We became invested in each others lives because of the environment we set for them. Teacher Adrienne Rodriguez Liriano and Josiah Warren took a photo together, left, when they met in person for the first time. Five years later, theyre still in touch. (Beatriz Warren) He lost a year With their children nearing the end of elementary school, parents continue to see the ripple effects of a year without in-person learning. Josiah has overcome most learning delays and does not stop talking, his mother said. But he often spends time alone rather than playing with friends or toys. And Hodge described Vanessa as a hermit who often retreats to her room. The kids were so young, they were conditioned to be inside because of COVID, Hodge said. I feel like a lot of the kids still are behind socially because they couldnt have normal interactions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aminah Cooleys grandson Ayden, also part of the evening kindergarten program, didnt hold a pencil correctly until nearly second grade, she said. They were looking at the screen. A lot of times, they werent using a pencil, she said. Now a fourth grader, Ayden loves math and enjoys the popular Dog Man series of graphic novels by Dav Pilkey. But academically, hes not where he should be. Hes behind, Cooley said. He lost a year. In the fall of 2020, Ayden often missed out on daytime virtual school. His mother was looking for work, internet access was spotty and the dynamics of the household, Cooley said, werent conducive to keeping a 5-year-old in front of the computer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cooley shopped on Facebook Marketplace for a table and chair set so he could do his work and called his house every evening to make sure he logged into class. I knew I had to step in, she said. Hes in the fourth grade, and Im still stepping in. When KIPP opened an optional hybrid program in March 2021, Ayden was there. He recognized me, and he was like You came to my house! Fletcher said. To this day, Ill see him in the hallway, and hell just give me a hug. Abortion rights supporters across the country are scrambling to strengthen protections for clinics in response to moves by the Trump administration that they believe will put providers and patients in danger. Democratic lawmakers have introduced bills in Illinois, Michigan, New York and elsewhere to restrict demonstrations outside of clinics, increase criminal penalties for people who harass doctors and patients, or allocate more funds for abortion providers to buy security cameras, bulletproof glass and other protections. In recent weeks, a handful of Democratic governors have held phone calls to debate whether to push for new laws or ramp up enforcement of existing ones. And some Democratic attorneys general are visiting abortion clinics to hear their workers fears and requests, and training law enforcement on how to respond when demonstrators break the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The moves come in response to President Donald Trump pardoning abortion protesters convicted of federal crimes and reducing enforcement of a decades-old law that prohibits interference with anyone seeking reproductive health services. Even though the federal administration is backing away from an important duty and obligation to enforce the law and protect access, we'll step in to that breach, California Attorney General Rob Bonta told POLITICO. We will take up the mantle of safety and access that they are abandoning. The anti-abortion movement is ramping up as well. Activists are discussing which clinic protest tactics to deploy in the coming months and training the next generation on what they call rescues entering clinics by stealth or by force in order to shut down operations. The movements legal arm is also working to eliminate state and city protections for clinics, and theyre often winning. Carbondale, Illinois, Westchester, New York and Minneapolis have all rolled back laws restricting protests outside abortion clinics after challenges from the Thomas More Society the conservative legal powerhouse that successfully lobbied Trump to pardon nearly two dozen people who violated the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And while the Supreme Court recently declined to hear two more of the groups lawsuits challenging clinic protections in Illinois and New Jersey, it has several cases in the pipeline and believes it can eventually convince the high court to rule that activists have an unrestrained right to stand in front of clinic doors, hold up signs, and tell patients and doctors that the procedure is akin to murder. We do feel like we are, to some extent, playing Whack-a-Mole, Peter Breen, the head of litigation for the Thomas More Society, said. But we're going to play Whack-a-Mole until we get a result. The Trump administrations pledge to only enforce the federal FACE Act in extraordinary circumstances has, like the fall of Roe, created a national patchwork of laws protecting abortion providers and patients seeking care. In a March letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, 72 House Democrats demanded answers by the end of the month on exactly what the Department of Justice considers an extraordinary circumstance and whether she will rescind what they see as a potentially illegal directive. They have not received a response. In the meantime, abortion-rights advocates warn the erosion of federal protections will leave clinics vulnerable in Missouri, Montana and other states where courts have ruled that abortion is legal but Republicans control all levers of power. And even in states where Democrats hold key offices, advocates say officials are not doing enough, and warn that legal protections for abortion will become meaningless if protesters harass and intimidate doctors and patients without consequences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That's not enough if there aren't providers that are safe and have the support and resources they need to keep their practices open, said Melissa Fowler, the chief program officer for the National Abortion Federation. There's definitely more that needs to be done. Renee Chelian, the founder of Northland Family Planning clinics in the Detroit and Ann Arbor suburbs, said she has dealt for decades with armed protesters, threats and rescues that have temporarily shut operations and terrified patients and staff. Her clinics, which provide contraception, ultrasounds and other services in addition to abortion, have long had security cameras, panic buttons, bulletproof glass and armed private guards. In August, she sat in a federal courtroom as seven anti-abortion activists received felony convictions for chaining themselves to the entrances of her clinics in 2020 and 2021. The Justice Department presented evidence that one of the pregnant women the activists prevented from accessing the clinic had a fatal fetal abnormality, and the coordinated campaign of physical obstruction posed a grave and real threat to her health and fertility. When Trump won in November and Democrats lost their majority in Lansing, Chelian immediately worried that protections for clinics like hers would be on the chopping block and urged her state lawmakers to act before Inauguration Day. But Michigan Democrats failed to pass a state-level FACE Act in their final months in power amid the defection of one of their members and a revolt by Republicans that denied them the quorum needed to hold votes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats really fell down on the job, Chelian said. It felt like a blow. In January, Trump pardoned all of the people who had blockaded Northland Family Planning centers, raising Chelians fears that they will make good on vows to return. In February, Michigan Democratic Rep. Laurie Pohutsky reintroduced her clinic-protection bill that floundered in the lame duck, but it faces an uphill battle. There's probably going to be a significant challenge in getting state-level Republicans on board with enshrining those protections in state law, Pohutsky said, even though the bill covers not just abortion clinics but anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers that have also been the target of vandalism and protests. So we have concerns of safety, concerns of patient access being able to physically get into a clinic concerns about the clinics ability to continue providing care if people feel emboldened to intimidate and physically block and potentially even harm people. Following Trumps pardons and guidance urging reduced enforcement, Bonta urged Democrats around the country to copy his states version of the FACE Act, arguing that its even stronger than the federal version because it includes criminal penalties for actions like taking videos of patients going into abortion clinics without their consent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California provides not just a beacon of light and hope with respect to what can be done but also a blueprint for tangible action that can be taken, he said. Other states can literally pull our state FACE act off the shelf and introduce it. Yet only a few states have done so since Trump took office, and in several of those that have, the bills face narrow prospects for becoming law. Legislation drafted by Virginia Democratic Sen. Scott Surovell bars anyone from obstructing or delaying another persons entry to a health care facility. The bill specifically prohibits individuals from approaching someone within eight feet in the 40-foot radius of a facilitys entrance to protest, leaflet or counsel a person without their consent. Surovells legislation passed out of the General Assembly in late February through a mostly party-line vote. But Surovell suspects Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin may veto it if it reaches his desk, and because Democrats hold a slim majority in the states Legislature, an override of that potential veto is unlikely. Youngkin, who has pushed for a 15-week abortion ban, vetoed multiple bills last year that would have strengthened protections for reproductive health care providers. His office did not respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I don't see the bill as expanding or limiting abortion, said Surovell, who drafted the legislation after a reproductive health clinic in his district told him it was dealing with an uptick in aggressive protesters. It just says, If you want to get health care, people have to leave you alone. Similar legislation by Pennsylvania Democratic Rep. Lindsay Powell also faces a challenging path. Pennsylvania has a Democratic majority in the states House and a Republican-dominated Senate, meaning Powells bill would need bipartisan backing to become law. Powell said shes still working to win that support from across the aisle. My biggest hope is that we prove to the American public that Democrats will stand up for what's right, Powell said. That we're not just armchair politicians who are out there pontificating and thinking about the issue at hand that we're doing the hard work on the ground to keep people safe. Other bills in states where Democrats hold majorities have rosier prospects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Proposals in New York would enact a state-level FACE Act and create a new misdemeanor offense for photographing individuals entering or leaving reproductive health care facilities. An Illinois bill would designate attacks on abortion clinics as acts of terrorism. And legislation in New Jersey would set aside millions for clinics frequently targeted by protesters to beef up security, and prohibit interference or intimidation of patients and providers. New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, who visited Cherry Hill Women's Center in January, said staff there convinced him theres a growing danger that requires government action to protect both state residents and those traveling from states with strict abortion laws for the procedure. I knew that threats would increase when [Trump] pardoned extremists, and that's what we've seen, Platkin said. While the Department of Justice is no longer apparently going to enforce federal law that protects people's ability to access reproductive health care clinics, states can still enforce that law, and we are absolutely going to in New Jersey. Democrats working on clinics physical safety acknowledge that state officials attention is divided by a myriad of other threats to abortion access from the possibility that the Trump administration could reimpose restrictions on telemedicine prescription of abortion pills to a surge in digital tracking of people who visit abortion clinics to attempts by Louisiana and Texas to reach across state lines and prosecute a New York abortion provider. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those are really big threats, because medication abortion is really the method of choice across the country, said Christina Chang, executive director of the Reproductive Freedom Alliance that Democratic governors created to better coordinate their efforts after the fall of Roe. Two thirds of abortions are medication abortions nationwide, and its a critical access point for people who are living in rural communities or other care deserts. At the same time, some activists worry that the threat to brick-and-mortar clinics which are the only option for people with pregnancies past the first trimester is getting pushed to the backburner amid an overwhelming focus on protecting access to abortion pills. And others fear the shift from national to state and local protections will leave patients in GOP-controlled states that still have some abortion access, including Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, at risk. The reliance on FACE, or at least the knowledge it was there and protective, was meaningful, said Rosann Mariappuram, the senior policy counsel for the progressive group State Innovation Exchange. To know that there isn't going to be a federal path for protection is a really hard truth for clinics in that position. But the moment Democratic officials enact clinic protections, the Thomas More Society and other conservative groups are challenging them as infringements on the First Amendment rights of anti-abortion activists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On March 10, the legal group defeated a contempt motion filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James against pro-life activists associated with Red Rose Rescue, an anti-abortion group. James had accused the groups members of violating a court order prohibiting them from coming within 15 feet of abortion care facilities in New York with the intent to engage in force, threat of force, or physical obstruction. The group is also awaiting a ruling out of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals after arguing in December against Clearwater, Floridas law creating a bubble zone around abortion clinics that Breen sees as flagrantly unconstitutional. He is also preparing to sue the city of Detroit for a similar law it adopted last year. It's a very dangerous road to go down, whatever your position on the issue, he said of the state and local clinic protections. If you believe in the public's right to use the sidewalk to leaflet, to express ideas, you shouldn't want to restrict anybody's speech. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) The Knoxville Police Department on Wednesday announced the arrest of man accused of threatening a local judge. Patrick Harris, 32, of Knoxville, was arrested and charged with retaliation for past action, a class E felony and prohibited 911 calls in non-emergency situation. Motorcycle patrols resume along Cherohala Skyway, the Dragon to reduce crashes According to a KPD spokesperson, an investigation began after a 911 call on the evening on Monday, March 17. Harris allegedly made a verbal threat of violence against Knox County Criminal Court Judge Steven Sword during the call. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators believe that Harris made a similar threat directed at Sword on a 911 call last month. Harris was taken into custody on Tuesday afternoon in North Knoxville. AI in the legal world: Lawyer discusses controversial video of Sumner County suspect talking This is a developing story. Download the WATE 6 News app or sign up for our email alerts for updates. Sword became the Criminal Court Judge for the Sixth Judicial District in 2011. In February, Governor Bill Lee appointed him to the Court of Criminal Appeals, Eastern Division. His appointment will become effective upon confirmation by the Tennessee General Assembly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 WATE 6 On Your Side. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) After releasing her 2025-2027 budget proposal, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek testified in the Oregon legislature on Tuesday in support of new investments meant to bolster behavioral health across the state. During testimony for Senate Bill 142, Governor Kotek said four key investments in the bill will increase the behavioral health workforce while also increasing access to care. Right now, depending on where you live or what help you need to address a mental health or addiction challenge, there are probably not enough people available to help you, Kotek said. At the same time, people considering a career in mental health and addiction care struggle to enter and stay in the field. We need to keep working to fix these problems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DONT MISS: Koteks 2025-27 budget proposal focuses on homelessness, housing, education The bill includes a $20 million investment for workforce development that the governor said would bring about 4,000 people into mental health and addiction care careers. That funding would also help expand education and workforce training by increasing instructor capacity and supporting clinical placement capacity. The bill allocates another $5 million for scholarships to support an additional 200 students pursuing careers in addiction or mental health care. Another $8.9 million would go towards loan repayment and forgiveness programs so an estimated 140 master-level clinicians can resolve their student loan debt if they work for publicly funded behavioral health systems for up to two years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lastly, the bill would allocate a crucial $13.8 million in grants for tribes and community health care providers to retain staff, Kotek said, noting the funding would support at least 1,000 employees for community-based providers and tribes. The funding would support retention strategies such as housing stipends, loan repayment and other wraparound supports. Oregon DOJ acknowledges Frank Gable is innocent The bill comes as Koteks overall budget recommendation includes $90 million to add over 360 behavioral health treatment beds in Oregon. State Rep. Rob Nosse (D-Portland) also testified in support of the bill, saying even though the Ways and Means Committee is facing tight purse strings, the state should allocate the investments under the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think we all know that our state is struggling to do a good job in the behavioral health space whether its (getting) the outcomes we want, (having) enough appointments, (having) enough providers, and if we dont sort of invest in the workforce, were going to continue to be 49th or 48th in the country in terms of access and support and things that were trying to do, Rep. Nosse said. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Eye on Northwest Politics In written testimony in support of the bill, Dr. Evaon Wong the dean and professor for Portland State Universitys School of Social Work urged lawmakers to pass the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a clear and urgent need for additional behavioral health providers with advanced training and diverse backgrounds to provide behavioral health care and coordination in Oregon, Wong said. Every year, the School of Social Work prepares over 1,000 students to meet the states workforce needs in behavioral health. PSU is committed to providing high quality and accessible education to our students, who have mostly been people who reside in our state. The majority of graduates also remain in the state, including our rural communities, to work after graduation, Wong added. The additional opportunity for upfront investments through SB 142 will help PSU sustain, strengthen, and expand capacity to admit, successfully retain and graduate more students in behavioral health-related fields, including support for student scholarships and funded placements. Such investment will continue to support strong pathways to the helping professions, from undergraduate to graduate degrees. 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. MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Wednesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump have a good rapport and are determined to restore badly damaged U.S.-Russia ties step-by-step. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was speaking after Putin and Trump spoke by phone on Tuesday and the Russian leader agreed to stop attacking Ukrainian energy facilities temporarily but declined to endorse a full 30-day ceasefire that Trump had hoped would be the first step towards a permanent peace deal. "I can say with a high degree of confidence that presidents Putin and Trump understand each other well, trust each other and intend to work towards the normalisation of Russian-American relations step-by-step", Peskov said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said there had long been a direct phone line between the presidents of the two countries and a video-link when necessary, but that it had hardly been used during Joe Biden's administration. He said Putin hoped it could now be used more often. "Of course, Russia and the United States are very large countries and too much has been spoiled during the previous U.S. administrations," said Peskov. "So, of course, it will take time and effort, supported by the will of the two presidents, to restore these relations. But for now this strong will of the two presidents is probably the best guarantee that everyone will follow this path." Peskov said that the exact dates and format for the next round of U.S.-Russia contacts would be agreed today and tomorrow. (Reporting by Dmitry Antonov; Writing by Anastasia Teterevleva; Editing by Andrew Osborn) MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Wednesday that Russia had suspended its attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure after a phone call between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump and had shot down its own Ukraine-bound drones while they were in the air. Putin agreed in a call with Trump on Tuesday to temporarily stop attacking Ukrainian energy facilities, but declined to endorse a full 30-day ceasefire sought by the U.S. president. Ukraine has accused Russia of striking its energy infrastructure overnight anyway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russia had called off a drone attack on Ukrainian energy infrastructure targets and had shot down seven of its own drones. "They were just lining up in combat order, six of them were shot down by 'Pantsirs' (a surface-to-air missile system) and another one was destroyed by a (Russian) military aircraft," Peskov said. Peskov in turn accused Ukraine of not respecting the 30-day moratorium on striking each other's energy infrastructure and said it had tried to attack Russian energy infrastructure overnight. "Unfortunately, we see that so far there has been no reciprocity on the part of the Kyiv side. There have been attempts to strike at our energy infrastructure facilities," Peskov said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are watching closely to see whether Kyiv heeds the firm commitment of the Russian and U.S. presidents to do everything possible to move towards a peaceful settlement." The Russian military earlier on Wednesday accused Ukraine of trying to sabotage the temporary moratorium on striking each other's energy infrastructure with a deliberate drone attack on an oil depot in southern Russia. Asked if Russia would abide by its promise to suspend strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, Peskov suggested it would. "The president has not given any other orders (to the contrary)," said Peskov. (Reporting by Reuters Moscow bureau; Editing by Andrew Osborn) MOGADISHU, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Somalia and the African Union (AU) have condemned a terrorist attack that targeted President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's convoy in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, on Tuesday. In separate statements, Somalia's Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism and Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, chairperson of the AU Commission, condemned the car bomb attack on the convoy as the president was traveling to the frontlines in central Somalia to shore up the fight against al-Shabab. "An explosion targeted the convoy in the Hamar-Jajab district of Mogadishu while the president was en route to join our troops on the frontlines in Hirshabelle. The attack was thwarted, and the president safely arrived at his destination as planned," the ministry said in a statement issued Tuesday evening. The statement said al-Shabab detonated an explosive device planted in a building on the side of the busy road, but the president was unharmed and later flew to the frontlines, according to the statement. The ministry said innocent civilians were killed or injured in the attack, which occurred Tuesday morning. The explosion destroyed some buildings and vehicles nearby, killing four people, including a journalist, according to reports. Al-Shabab, which has been fighting to topple the internationally backed government, claimed responsibility for the attack, saying the president's convoy was the target. The government said al-Shabab attacks will not deter efforts to vanquish the militants in Somalia. It appealed for unity among Somalis and the support of international partners to secure lasting peace and stability for the country. Youssouf, the AU leader, condemned the attack and vowed to help stabilize Somalia. "This despicable act of terror, staged at a busy intersection in the capital, is yet another desperate attempt by al-Shabab to undermine the resolve of the Somali people and leadership," he said in a statement Tuesday evening. The AU stands in full solidarity with the government and people of Somalia as they work to eliminate the menace of al-Shabab, Youssouf said. "The growing public support for Somalia's security operations is a testament to the nation's collective will to reject extremism and secure a peaceful future," he said. Youssouf called for sustained vigilance and continued regional and international cooperation to defeat terrorism and promote lasting peace and stability in Somalia and the wider Horn of Africa. The AU Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia remains committed to supporting the Somali authorities in their efforts to restore security and protect civilians, he said. Wednesdays Top Stories Wednesdays Five Facts [1] Albuquerque police release video showing teens hitting, killing bicyclist In May of last year police say 13-year-old Jonathan Overbay, 15-year-old William Garcia and 11-year-old Messiah Hayes intentionally hit and killed Scott Habermehl, who was riding his bike into work at Sandia Labs. Overbay was arrested earlier this week, while Hayes was arrested and turned over to CYFD on Tuesday night. Police are still searching for Garcia. [2] Police look for vandals who took 23 fire extinguishers from parking garage Albuquerque police are asking for help finding suspects accused of damaging parked cars in Civic Plaza. On March 9, security cameras outside the Civic Plaza underground parking garage captured five people walking into the garage. The group broke the glass boxes holding 17 fire extinguishers, removed them, and discharged the extinguishers on the vehicles around them. The group then returned a week later, with two more people, removing six more fire extinguishers and damaging more cars. Albuquerque CrimeStoppers said the cost of damages is around $67,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [3] Cold and breezy weather on last day of winter Colder air on the backside of yesterdays potent storm system is still accompanied with some windy weather. Less-windy conditions later this week into the weekend will continue with relatively mild air eventually returning as little precipitation will fall in the northern communities. [4] How is New Mexicos agriculture industry? 2025 report shows growth A new report states that New Mexicos agriculture industry is on the upswing. According to the latest Feeding the Economy report, New Mexicos food and agriculture industries saw a 4.4% increase from 2024 to 2025 in terms of economic impact. As far as wages go, those industries have generated $12.9 billion in wages this year, which is a 9.3% increase from last year. [5] Santa Fe Regional Airport completes first phase of expansion plans A little over three years after breaking ground, the Santa Fe Regional Airport completed the first phase of a major expansion project. The initial phase includes a bigger terminal, more paved parking, an outdoor patio, dog relief area, and more. They have also partnered with a new charter service, JSX, with flights to Dallas for the summer. The airport manager says they are excited to start on the second phase, taking out two buildings to expand the terminal. 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 News More than 40,000 Kuwaitis have been stripped of their nationality over the past six months a purge that has accelerated since Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al Sabah dissolved the countrys parliament in May. The government says the process targets those who have obtained the nationality illegally, but human rights groups say political opponents are affected, and that the country, once a democratic example in the region, is moving toward autocracy. Kuwaits economy contracted in each of the past two years, and reducing the number of citizens means fewer people will benefit from the generous advantages offered by the Kuwaiti welfare state, an expert told France24. But it remains unclear what the consequences will be: Banks are preparing for potential loan defaults from those who lost citizenship, the Financial Times reported, and many of the newly stateless are considering emigration. MANKATO, Minn. (WFRV) A Kwik Trip employee is dead after being stabbed while on the job by a customer early Tuesday morning in Minnesota. The Mankato Police Department responded to reports of a disturbance at the Kwik Trip at 1549 Madison Avenue shortly after 3:00 a.m. and found 34-year-old Dennis Vosika of Mankato unresponsive on the floor with a knife wound. Vosika was transported to a nearby hospital but was later pronounced dead. Green Bay man arrested in connection to overdose death in Freedom Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In reviewing store surveillance footage, officers identified the suspect as 28-year-old Michale Miller, a known customer. He was taken into custody shortly thereafter without incident. Miller is facing second-degree murder charges. The Mankato Department of Public Safety is working with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) on this investigation. Kwik Trip CEO Scott Zietlow issued a statement expressing deep sorrow for the tragedy: It is with deep sorrow and a heavy heart that I inform you of an unimaginable tragedy that occurred at Store 344 in Mankato early this morning. One of our coworkers was tragically stabbed and killed while on duty. This is a devastating loss for all of us, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He continued, As a company, we are committed to supporting our coworkers through this painful ordeal. The suspect is in police custody, and we are working closely with law enforcement to understand what happened. Wisconsin man arrested for allegedly setting string of grass fires Zietlow emphasized the companys commitment to employee safety, saying, At Kwik Trip, the safety and well-being of our coworkers are our top priorities. We are dedicated to maintaining a secure and supportive workplace for all. We will get through this as a community, leaning on each other for strength and support, he concluded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. When historic wildfires burned across Los Angeles earlier this year, L.A. high school teacher and young adult author Veronica Bane identified an issue that wasnt being addressed the loss of classroom libraries. Bane, an English teacher at Alliance Susan & Eric Smidt Technology High School, drew from her deep belief in the power of reading to help students and teachers reclaim a sense of stability by launching a book drive to rebuild classroom and home libraries lost in the fires. Related LA Fires in Photos: How the Crisis Destroyed Schools, Uprooted Students' Lives Since her initial call for book donations on Threads and Bluesky only days after the wildfires started to spread, more than 14,000 new and gently used books have poured in from donors across the world. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Teachers, parents and students can request books with no set deadline or expiration date. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The book initiative has also drawn widespread recognition, including from Congressman Jimmy Gomez, who honored Bane for her dedication to rebuilding affected classrooms. Gomez even joined volunteers in sorting and distributing books to impacted families at one of the local events. A longtime educator with nearly 20 years of experience, Bane has also been part of the literary world since 2019, first as a ghostwriter and now as a debut author with a YA novel, Difficult Girls, set to release this summer. The writing community, which has long supported Banes work, quickly rallied behind her mission. Notable writers, including Veronica Roth, Emily A. Craig, Dahlia Adler and Julian Winters, contributed books and advanced copies to help restore classroom collections. Bane spoke with digital producer Trinity Alicia about the book drive initiative, the role of reading in times of natural disaster and how books can serve as powerful tools for healing and restoration. This interview has been edited for clarity and length. How did the book drive idea come to life? Im curious about some of the conversations you may have had with others and even yourself and how they shaped the idea. My husband and I dropped off some necessities at different donation sites, and once those core essentials were taken care of, my mind immediately went to the teachers. I saw all these pictures of schools that had burned down and now, those libraries are gone. I thought about my students, especially the kids who come into my classroom at lunch to read. Their books are their prized possessions, and I couldnt help but wonder how they would feel if those sources of comfort were suddenly taken away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While others were doing an amazing job meeting essential needs, I realized this could be a place where I could make a difference. I was about 2.8 miles from the nearest evacuation zone so beyond being nervous for our own home there was a tense night where we thought we might need to evacuate I knew that this was something I could do right now. I posted my first initial post on Threads and Bluesky shortly after the wildfires started and said if anyone had lost books, we would get them books and to not worry because the offer didnt expire. It started gaining some initial traction, and someone suggested creating a Google form. I thought, as a teacher teacher, I love a Google form! So, I made one and when I woke up, it had around 100,000 views. I nudged my husband and said, Hey, so our house is about to become box city, and hes honestly been my first recruit in this process, helping me make deliveries, sort the books and even going with me to the post office to get book donations. When I needed a classroom library, I created a project on Donors Choose and the first person to donate was a young adult author. The writing and author community has been incredibly supportive of me sending advance copies of books and whatever extra books they had around. It allowed me to build out a library for my students, giving them the resources they desperately needed. I knew that if I reached out this time, this community would show up for these teachers and readers, just as they have for me and my students for years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related Crowdfunding Sites Serve As Critical Lifeline for Teachers How has the process been since receiving book donations? The response has been quite a far reach, much farther than I was expecting. Ive gotten multiple books and boxes from overseas like Australia, so thats been really cool. Its been quite a far reach, way farther than I was expecting. I thought only a handful of LA authors I knew would show up, but they came in a big way. I didnt expect my P.O. box to be literally overrun, but Im very happy that it is. Ive been trying to manage the volume as best as I can. Some teachers have told me theyre retiring in June and asked if they could give their classroom libraries to someone when they retire. So far, weve distributed over 14,000 book donations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve been accepting books for all ages. For example, there was a preschool that burned down, and we dropped off three big boxes just to get them started, with plans to bring more. Those boxes primarily contained picture books and early chapter books. I believe so strongly in literacy and in getting kids a variety of books whether its a portal into a different world or a character going through tough times like they are. When I first started teaching, Id get boxes of classic literature, and while I love the classics, I know that handing a kid a book like War and Peace wont help them love reading. I wanted students to have books that made them say, Yeah, this is something I can do. This was the same route I took with curating donations for teachers and classrooms across LA. Related New Study: Many Older Students Struggle to Push Beyond Reading Threshold In your experience, how do books and reading provide stability and normalcy during chaotic times, especially for young people who may feel displaced due to the fires? I remember looking at the books I read when my mom passed away. Ive held onto some of the books in my personal library because there are memories attached to books. A book is a small yet significant thing that serve as anchors of what your life had before then you get to then rebuild around. Its not going to feel normal for a long time, but I hope were giving people those anchors through these books. Its not about the material things; its about giving them that comfort and sense of normalcy. What has been the most rewarding part of running this book drive? Have you connected with any specific individuals or families that made this experience feel particularly impactful? One of the best things has been seeing how many people are willing to come together and support each other I knew I wouldnt fully understand the grief that others were experiencing I hadnt lost my home or my school, but I knew I could be there for them to help them get through it. Whether Im sending one book for comfort or three boxes of books, I just want them to know this is one thing they dont have to worry about and that well take care of it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was one teacher I dropped off boxes for, and she just asked if she could hug me. Then she gave me cookies, and I thought, Thats such a teacher thing to do. She was taking the cookies to families in the neighborhood, and it made me feel grateful to be a teacher and to be in education. The idea of resilience often comes up in disaster recovery. How do you see literacy and books playing a role in building resilience for young readers in these communities? I teach in an area where over 90% of my students qualify for free or reduced lunch, and many of them are going to be the first in their families to go to college. The topic of resilience comes up a lot, and Ive often been asked how I teach my students resilience and grit. The truth is, my students dont need to be taught resilience. They have been resilient their entire lives and have faced challenges I cant even imagine. If anything, theyve taught me resilience, and Im in awe of how they continue to persevere. When this situation happened I thought of the students in my classroom reading books after everything theyve gone through, finding an escape. Some of my kids dont get enough sleep because they dont have a bedroom, and some work multiple jobs late into the night before coming to a full school schedule. These are the kids who disappear into books. Congratulations on your debut novel coming out! How do you balance civic duties as an author and a teacher? Everything that had seemed so important with the book just didnt feel as important anymore in light of everything else going on. Its not that the book isnt important to me Im incredibly excited and proud of it, but its had to take a backseat to this work because this is the most vital and urgent. Im so grateful for the way people have been responding, and its been overwhelming in the best way. What does teaching reading in Los Angeles mean to you? One of my proudest moments came when a former student messaged me after seeing someone post about the book drive. They wanted to donate, saying, Your class is the one that made me love reading, so I want to pass this on. I was so happy. But I know that wouldnt have happened without a library, without books to choose from. If they dont have access to those books, they dont build that confidence. Related Reading Crisis in LAUSD: This Is a Problem With a Responsibility That Falls on All of Us With the cost of disability benefits for the working age population set to reach 76 billion by 2030, addressing the rapid growth in the welfare bill is a clear fiscal imperative. But whilst successive governments have grasped the scale of the problem, few have matched words with action. Those that have dared to announce welfare reforms have learnt, to their cost, that errors in the handling of individual cases will be seized upon by hostile campaigners, no matter how unique the circumstances. Partly as a result of fear over bad press, and partly due to the lawfare waged against any changes, there has been a tendency to back down, with legislative changes minimised. It was hoped that Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall would break with this wearying trend. Regrettably, she failed to do so. The individual measures Ms Kendall laid out are welcome. Tightening eligibility for the Personal Independence Payment, shifting towards face-to-face assessments and restricting the numbers receiving the element of Universal Credit intended for those unable to work are all sensible steps. But even at face value, the 5 billion saved by the package over five years will not restore the system to sustainability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These changes are intended to nudge people back towards employment. Yet fighting talk about people consigned to a life on benefits fails to reckon with a simple if uncomfortable truth: as the experience of furlough taught us, too many people are content to languish on welfare. Efforts to cut the benefits bill are surely doomed to fail unless and until a government is willing to recognise how some members of the public will respond to the wrong incentives, and take steps to combat it. 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. If a camel is a horse designed by committee, Labours proposed Race Equality Act is a monster created by a mix of campaigners, vested interests and civil servants. Many hoped it would never see the light of day, but with the Government revealing plans to force private firms to publish their ethnicity pay gaps, we are lamentably edging nearer. Labour is burnishing its credentials as an anti-business party likely to do more harm than good when it comes to social cohesion in modern Britain. While trade unions have welcomed the prospect of companies being legally required to divulge pay-related disparities for their workforces on the grounds of ethnicity and disability, the timing of enforcing such requirements on the private sector could hardly be worse. As well as raising taxes on businesses, the Government risks slapping additional red tape onto firms when the UK economy is in delicate shape, shrinking unexpectedly by 0.1 per cent in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This will only compound the damage wrought by Angela Rayners radical plans to reform employment rights, which economists expect will impose further costs on businesses that would be expected to allow union equality representatives to take time out during work hours to carry out activities for the purpose of promoting the value of equality. The unholy trinity of diversity, equality, and inclusion DEI does not only worry the free-market fundamentalists who become squeamish over the lightest of regulations. Despite traditionally identifying with the Left and believing that more work can be done to foster more inclusive workplaces in an era of growing ethnic and religious diversification, I firmly believe that Labours planned DEI revolution poses significant problems from not only a business-development perspective, but also one which cares about social cohesion. While the equalities minister, Seema Malhotra, has said that legal requirements for firms to publish ethnicity gaps will improve the lives of working people and strengthen our country, I suspect that it will achieve the very opposite. Since 2018, British firms have been the subject of mandatory gender pay gap reporting which some have argued has contributed to perverse outcomes. These include a reticence to employ women in lower-paid roles or conversely, the unjust penalisation of men applying for higher-paid positions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Malhotra has defended the introduction of ethnicity (and disability) pay gap reporting on the grounds that it will remove barriers to opportunity for ethnic minority and disabled staff. But the issue is that such pay reporting requirements may disincentivise the recruitment of ethnic-minority and disabled applicants by private firms. Take, for example, an exclusively white-British, middle-to-upper class private company in a semi-rural area that is looking to strengthen its cultural and technological expertise by drafting in young, aspirational, digitally-savvy, ethnic-minority talent from relatively urban, working-class areas. As an ethnically homogeneous firm, there will be no ethnicity pay gaps to report but the appointment of these younger workers would inevitably create significant pay disparities on the grounds of ethnicity (even though such forms of recruitment would constitute a modernisation of the firm and enable opportunities for intercultural knowledge exchange which cuts across race, class, generation, and geography). It is exactly the kind of recruitment that could provide handsome gains for society in terms of business growth and intergroup social trust yet, mandatory ethnic pay gap reporting may perversely disencourage firms from taking such action for fear of being unfairly viewed in the public domain as a discriminatory institution. Contrary to creating opportunities for minorities and fostering more inclusive workplaces, Labours DEI plans risk limiting chances for ethnic-minority progression and the fostering of healthy community relations. It is a classic example of an overbearing and dogmatic Government unduly interfering with civil society, which contributes more economically, socially, and culturally than the State ever could. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When it comes to navigating the choppy waters of diversity in modern Britain, the Labour Government is all at sea. Dr Rakib Ehsan is the author of Beyond Grievance 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. DENVER (KDVR) Those who drive in the Lower Downtown Denver area may notice some lane closures near Larimer and Blake Street through the end of March. On Tuesday, the Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure said critical sanitary sewer line improvements are needed in the area. The work began on Tuesday and is expected to be completed by March 31, just in time for the Colorado Rockies home opener on April 4. See the latest traffic conditions in Denver on FOX31 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the improvement project, DOTI said travelers should plan for lane closures on 19th and 20th streets between Larimer and Blake Street. The block is home to popular businesses like the Summit concert venue, Tap Fourteen bar, Dierks Bentleys Whiskey Row and the Denver College of Nursing. According to DOTI, during those closures, one travel lane in each direction will be open. At times, DOTI said single-lane closures may be in place on Blake and Larimer Street at 19th and 20th Street in order to complete the project as soon as possible. Due to the ongoing project, drivers may want to consider alternate routes to avoid any delays. 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. The Los Angeles Police Department has released an image of the man who allegedly stabbed a 24-year-old man to death near MacArthur Park last year. On Aug. 6, 2024, Joey Darnell Thomas of Long Beach was fatally stabbed near the intersection of Westlake Avenue and 6th Street, police said. While the motive remains unknown, police on Tuesday released a short video of the suspected killer, and investigators are asking anyone with information to come forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LAPD seeks publics help in locating suspect in deadly stabbing A reward of up to $50,000 is available for information leading to the killers apprehension. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Sergio Carrero Ortiz, Serial No. 38431, or Detective Adolfo Pacheco, Serial No. 38464, at 213-996-4118. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). To report information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit 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. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) During a spring break trip to Las Vegas, the Ramirez family ran out of their Airbnb to watch the flames rise from the vandalized Tesla service center across the streetnot the vacation they had planned. Michelle Ramirez, visiting from California, said her family wanted to go to Circus Circus Hotel & Casino but decided against it after recent events. Instead, they stayed at their Airbnb until the sound of gunshots around 2:30 a.m. led them outside. Ramirez said she was sound asleep and woke up to booms. I thought, like, seriously, like somebody was bombing or something thats gonna shake the whole house. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The family streamed onto the residential street and began worrying when they saw the flames rising from the set of parked Teslas nearby. It was big smoke, fire, and then like sparks were coming out, like something was electrical, Ramirez said. It was pretty scary, yeah, but thank God nothing else happened to the neighborhood. Police arrived shortly after the first 911 calls for a reported fire at the Tesla Collision service center near Baruda Avenue and S. Jones Boulevard. Las Vegas police and FBI officials said during a news press conference the fire involved several vehicles and is being investigated as a possible terrorist attack. Benjamin Datuin, a Las Vegas resident, said he did not realize the scale of what was happening along his neighborhood street, adding he thought his dog was barking at nothing in the early morning hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I woke up, somebody called me, a friend of mine, that Somethings happening around your neighborhood, Datuin said. Datuin said he was surprised to see the large police presence but understood why once he fully grasped the scale of the attack near his neighborhood. He said the attack reminded him of another Tesla SUV which was vandalized on South Bronco Street. About a year later, when we moved here, our neighborhood here, he parked his car over there, it was smashed, he said. It was stoned so it broke. Police reopened Badura but kept the parking lot in front of Tesla closed as of Tuesday night. Officials said there will be increased police presence around any Tesla facilities in Las Vegas. Police and the FBI urged anyone with video of the fire or the suspect to call (702) 828-7777. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 KLAS. Las Vegas police said Tuesday they are searching for a suspect after Teslas were set on fire and seemingly shot at a local business. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren said during a press conference that at around 2:45 a.m. Tuesday, his police department got multiple 911 calls about a fire at a Tesla collision and sales center. He said that multiple vehicles were burning when officers got to the scene. I can tell you that we believe the suspect approached the business wearing all black clothing, and he used what appeared to be Molotov cocktails and a firearm to conduct his attack. At least five Tesla vehicles were damaged, to include two of which were engulfed in flames, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As I mentioned earlier, were still in the process of collecting evidence, but it appears the suspect fired at least three rounds into different Tesla vehicles, so we do believe a firearm was used, Koren added. The LVMPD said in a Tuesday press release that they, alongside the FBI and the Clark County Fire Department, were investigating the attack. Violent terrorism, said Tesla founder and tech billionaire Elon Musk on the social platform X, which he owns, in response to a video the Las Vegas Review-Journal said depicted the incident. Also Tuesday, the FBIs field office in Kansas City said it and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) were investigating damage to Cybertrucks at a Tesla dealership in Kansas City, Mo., according to a social media post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI and ATF are working with the Kansas City, MO Police Department to investigate an overnight incident in which Cyber Trucks at a Tesla Dealership in south Kansas City were damaged, the FBIs Kansas City field office said in a statement posted to Facebook. 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. ABUJA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, following a protracted political crisis in the southern part of the country. In a national broadcast Tuesday night, Tinubu said it became compelling to invoke the provision of Section 305 of the country's 1999 constitution, as amended, to declare a state of emergency, which took immediate effect. "By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months," the president said. Prior to the declaration, the executive arm of the Rivers local government, headed by the governor and most members of the state legislature, were at daggers drawn, causing serious political tension since 2023. Suspected armed militants, while taking sides in the political impasse, had threatened to attack some oil installations in the state. Between Monday night and Tuesday, at least two oil facilities were allegedly attacked by unknown persons in the state. Tinubu said he was partly compelled to declare the state of emergency due to these attacks on oil facilities, after meeting with heads of security agencies in the country and leaders of the bi-cameral National Assembly. The president nominated Ibokette Ibas, a retired military officer, as the administrator to take charge of the state government. He said the declaration of a state of emergency did not affect the judicial arm of government in the state, as it is expected to continue to carry out its constitutional functions. "It is my fervent hope that this inevitable intervention will help to restore peace and order in Rivers State. It will awaken all the contenders to the constitutional imperatives binding on all political players in Rivers State in particular and Nigeria as a whole," Tinubu added. We now have our first look at laser-guided 70mm Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) rockets launched from U.S. fighters destroying Houthi one-way attack drones. The U.S. military has also disclosed for what appears to be the first time that it is using APKWS IIs in a specific counter-drone configuration in the air-to-air role. TWZ was the first to report that U.S. Air Force F-16 Vipers have been employing APKWS IIs, originally designed as air-to-ground munitions, as a lower-cost option for downing Houthi drones. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) released a video, seen below, via its official account on X today showing two separate instances of APKWS IIs blowing up two Houthi one-way attack drones. U.S. Fighter aircraft shoot down Iran-backed Houthi one-way-attack drones with AGR-20 FALCO Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) Laser Guided 2.75 Rockets, an accompanying post says. AGR-20 is the formal U.S. military designation for the APKWS II rocket. U.S. Fighter aircraft shoot down Iran-backed Houthi one-way-attack drones with AGR-20 FALCO Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) Laser Guided 2.75" Rockets.#HouthisAreTerrorists pic.twitter.com/bDoVnKwotc U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 19, 2025 When or where exactly the footage was shot is unknown, as is what aircraft fired the rockets. Just over the weekend, unspecified Air Force aircraft did reportedly shoot down 10 Houthi drones aimed at the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman and its accompanying strike group, according to ABC News. A Navy plane destroyed another uncrewed attacker. The attacks came in response to renewed large-scale U.S. strikes against the Iranian-backed militants in Yemen. Whether the clips that CENTCOM has now released are in any way related to attacks aimed at the Truman Carrier Strike Group has not been confirmed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest Weapon System Video published by USCENTCOM depicts a U.S. fighter aircraft employing the AGR-20F Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System, a spokesperson for U.S. Air Forces Central (AFCENT), the Air Forces top command in the Middle East, told TWZ in response to queries seeking more context about the footage. TWZ has confirmed previously that Air Force F-16s have been firing APKWS IIs in the air-to-air role against Houthi drones since sometime last year. Since January, multiple sets of pictures have been released showing Vipers flying over and around the Red Sea with air-to-air loadouts that include one or two seven-shot 70mm rocket pods, as well as AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), along with LITENING targeting pods. A variety of other fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters are at least capable of firing the rockets at targets on land and at sea. A pair of US Air Force F-16s with air-to-air loadouts flying somewhere in the Middle East on Feb. 11, 2025. The Viper at the rear has a pair of seven-shot 70mm rocket pods under its right wing. USAF Staff Sgt. Jackson Manske U.S. Air Force combat aircraft have leveraged a wide variety of air-to-air munitions to engage Iran-backed Houthi one-way-attack drones, including the APKWS and the AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles, the AFCENT spokesperson also told TWZ today. U.S. and Coalition Forces have destroyed over 325 Houthi drones since January 2024, including over 200 in-flight and over 120 on the ground prior to launch. CENTCOMs post today also includes what looks to be the first mention of APKWS II rockets in a FALCO configuration, details about which are scant. TWZ has reached out for more information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Air Force has previously disclosed the existence of a Fixed Wing, Air Launched, Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Ordnance (FALCO) capability developed by BAE Systsems, which is also APKWS IIs prime contractor. FALCO emerged earlier this year in the context of Air Force interest in leveraging it to transform the air-to-ground Extended Range Attack Munition (ERAM), the development of which started primarily to meet the needs of the Ukrainian armed forces, into an air-to-air weapon. The basic configuration of an APKWS II rocket consists of three main parts, a laser guidance kit slotted in between one of a variety of warhead options and a standard 70mm rocket motor. In December 2023, the U.S. Navy did say that it was poised to start delivering new proximity-fuzed warheads for APKWS II rockets specifically optimized for counter-drone use. Earlier this year, the Marine Corps also said it was planning to at least test the feasibility of adding additional guidance methods to the APKWS family, including passive infrared seekers in cooperation with the U.S. Army and Air Force, but there have been no indications that any such capabilities have actually been fielded with American forces. The Air Force first announced that it had demonstrated the ability to use APKWS II rockets in the air-to-air role back in 2019. The laser-guided rockets also have proven they can function as surface-to-air interceptors against drones in real combat in Ukraine. APKWS II does have limitations in the air-to-air role, as TWZ has noted in our previous reporting: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an air-to-air engagement, the laser designator in the LITENING pod could be used to laze or designate the target. LITENINGs sensor turret can be slaved to the radar on the aircraft carrying it, or vice versa. So-called buddy lasing, where one aircraft designates the target for another, could also be useful in this case, especially given the speed differential between typical Houthi drones and F-16s. One jet could keep the target steadily lazed while the other makes its attack run. APKWS IIs are usable against drones, as well as subsonic cruise missiles, in the first place because those are relatively steady, non-reactionary, low-performance targets. The rockets are not dogfighting weapons. Regardless, APKWS II is a valuable lower-cost addition to the U.S. militarys air-to-air arsenal. The unit cost of the APKWS II guidance kit is around $15,000 to $20,000. The price tag of a complete rocket is a few thousand dollars more, depending on the exact warhead and motor. Traditional AIM-9 or AIM-120 air-to-air missiles have price tags in the region of $450,000 and $1 million, respectively. Based on analysis of Iranian-designed long-range kamikaze drones supplied to Russia, Houthi types are likely to have a price range in the tens of thousands of dollars. The APKWS provides a lower cost air-to-air munition compared to traditional AIM-9X, offering a more financially sustainable solution to defensive U.S. and Coalition operations in the Red Sea and across the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, AFCENTs spokesperson noted in their statement today to TWZ. Another pair of US Air Force F-16s with air-to-air loadouts, including one with a seven-shot 70mm rocket pod, flying in the Middle East in January 2025. USAF APKWS II in the air-to-air role also presents valuable benefits when it comes to magazine depth. With just a single seven-shot 70mm rocket pod, an F-16 has twice as many total engagement opportunities than it would with a more traditional air-to-air loadout of just six missiles. As already mentioned, Air Force Vipers with two seven-round pods have already been seen flying over and around the Red Sea. Multiple seven-shot pods can also be carried on a single pylon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Operations against the Houthis since October 2023, as well as the U.S. militarys defense of Israel against Iranian drones and missiles on multiple occasions last year, have underscored the value of the added capacity APKWS II offers in the air-to-air role. While helping respond to Irans drone and missile barrage in April 2024, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles, which have slightly greater air-to-air payload capacity than an F-16, had to land and rearm while threats were still zipping by overhead. One Strike Eagle crew ran out of air-to-air missiles and switched to the jets Vulcan cannon, but was unsuccessful in downing anything with the gun. F-16s based in Japan have been observed with air-to-air loadouts that include APKWS II rockets during exercises, underscoring the value of this capability outside the Middle East, as well. In the meantime, APKWS looks set to continue proving its worth against the real threats Houthi drones present to U.S. forces, which are surging again amid the recently renewed campaign of strikes against the Iranian-backed militants in Yemen. Howard Altman contributed to this story. Contact the author: joe@twz.com MONTEZUMA, Iowa When Ron Curly Albrecht graduated from high school at Waverly-Shell Rock in the early 70s he did not want to stay on the farm and milk cows like his dad. He and a buddy decided they would join the Navy together as a way to see things they had never seen before. For Albrecht, his time in the Navy was spent in the Gulf of Tonkin during the Vietnam War. He worked on the deck, preparing aircraft for launch and working to get the planes where they needed to be on the aircraft carrier, the USS Ranger. Our average day in Vietnam and air carrier was about 17 hours a day on a flight deck either launching, recovering, prepping for the next launch, said Albrecht. When I went, I weighed 185 lbs. and I came home I weighed 145 lbs. it was his constant going caused it, running. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a later stop, a military man who keeps track of service told him he was the last Iowan to be serving in Vietnam. After the Navy Albrecht picked up a degree in education, and then did some teaching in the Denver, Iowa schools, but he got the bug to go back into military and signed on with the Iowa National Guard, with the hope of going to Officer Training School. Being a Navy man, the only way he could get signed up for officer training was as a cook. He was assured he would not have to cook, as long as he passed officer training. He had no problem passing. He was now a weekend warrior serving in the Iowa National Guard. His phone kept ringing by superiors always with a new assignment for him. He served as a commander in Dubuque, Davenport, and Sioux City. Des Moines police investigating shooting on citys south side Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Albrecht was promoted to Colonel and was Commander at Camp Dodge of the Iowa Military Academy and Commander of the 2nd Brigade of the 34th Infantry Division. He also did a tour of duty in Iraq. He did all of this while he was a weekend warrior. He did miss the birth of two of his children, but got home for the third birth. He cherished the time in the Navy, and later the Iowa National Guard. Back when I came home from Vietnam, I had one of the welcomes that everyone had already told us about, said Albrecht I got spit on and all this stuff because those days you wear a uniform when you come home. When I came home from Iraq we flew into Maine and there are hundreds of people shaking our hands when I came off the plane. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a leader of soldiers Albrecht also learned the value of listening to those he commands. Just because youre a first class petty officer and hes an E-1, bottom on the totem pole, everyone has opinions but sometimes theres a lot of good ideas down there, said Albrecht. You have that atmosphere or that leadership environment where people can talk freely and give you ideas it might, you know what, I never thought of that. Albrecht said he learned that if a fox hole needed to be dug, that he could order it done, but he would be right down there digging as well. He also wanted to make sure all in his command got their meals, he would always eat last. Iowa News: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 who13.com. The presumed last person to see missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki alive provided a heartbreaking detail in court Tuesday. Her mother gave me a hug and said, Thank you for saving my daughter the first time, Joshua Riibe said in court Tuesday, according to ABC News. It was really tough. Konakis parents earlier told the New York Post that they believe their daughter was taken by the oceanand that Riibe was not to blame. His father has also traveled to the Dominican Republic to support his son. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The detail came as a judge in the Dominican Republic cleared the way for Riibe, a Minnesota college student, to be free of police surveillance. At a hearing in the city of Higuey, the 22-year-old was not given an indication of whether he will be able to return home to the U.S., after authorities took his passport last week, CBS reported. I really want to go home and see my family, Riibe said. I understand Im here to help but its been 10 days. Riibe filed a habeas corpus petition last week, pleading with the court to free him of intense surveillance by prosecutors and police, claiming a violation of rights. On Tuesday, the judge ruled in favor. Riibe was captured on CCTV footage with Konanki, 20, and a group outside the Riu Republica hotel on March 6. Later footage shows four people returning, but Konanki and Riibe had stayed behind at the beach. The last sighting of the pair was approximately 4.50 a.m. in the water, CBS reported, citing Loudon County Sheriff Mike Chapman. Joshua Riibe at court in the Dominican Republic on Mar. 18, 2025 pic.twitter.com/9Sl6XEg0Iq New York Post (@nypost) March 18, 2025 Riibe told authorities the pair were swept into the ocean but he wasnt sure if Konanki made it back to shore. 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, according to ABC. She was not out of the water since it was up to her knee. She was walking at an angle in the water. He added: The last time I saw her, I asked her if she was OK. I didnt hear her response because I began to vomit with all the water I had swallowed, he said. After vomiting, I looked around and I didnt see anyone. I thought she had taken her things and left. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Riibe is not considered a suspect and has never been accused of wrongdoing, lawyers representing the government said. However Riibes lawyers claim he has been confined to his hotel and is the subject of constant police escorts. A judge will decide if Riibe will face charges or can leave the country and return home to the U.S. on March 28. Fox News host Laura Ingraham pressed President Trump on Tuesday about whether he would defy a court order he disagreed with amid a clash between his administration and a federal judge over flights deporting Venezuelan migrants. Ingraham noted that the Trump administrations decision to carry out the deportation flights despite a judges order directing the flights be turned around has sparked concerns from critics that the president would defy court orders he didnt like. Well I think that, number one, nobodys been through more courts than I have. I think nobody knows the courts better than I have and what theyve done to me Ive had the worst judges. Ive had crooked judges, Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But going forward would you defy a court order? We all know that, Ingraham interjected. I never did defy a court order, Trump said. And you wouldnt in the future? Ingraham asked. No, you cant do that, Trump said. However, we have bad judges. We have very bad judges. These are judges that shouldnt be allowed. I think at a certain point, you have to look at what do you do when you have a rogue judge. Trump earlier Tuesday called for the impeachment of U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg, who over the weekend ordered flights carrying Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador to be turned around. The administration has said the flights were already out of U.S. territory at the time, while also suggesting Boasberg did not have the authority to intervene in the matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boasberg is unlikely to be impeached, as it would require a majority in the House and a two-thirds majority in the Senate. Still, the furor over Boasbergs ruling elicited a rare public statement from Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose, Roberts 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 The Hill. GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) March is Womens History Month and all month, WNCT 9 On Your Side is celebrating Remarkable Women in our communities. Eastern Lifestyles Kaeli Ricottilli is highlighting Laurie Stallings work with senior living. Ive never worked a day in my life since Ive been here at Cypress Glen. Some days are harder than others, Stallings said. Some days might be a little longer challenging, but I love the challenge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stallings has been the executive director at Cypress Glen continuing care retirement community for 31 years. From a young age, Stallings knew she wanted to work in senior living. My mom and I would drive through here and take a look at it and I would always say, Im going to work there one day. So it was just really my dream and I consider the work that I do here at Cypress Glen to be my vocation in life,' Stallings said. Stallings named administrator of Cypress Glen in 1994, just seven years after the facility opened. Now, the community houses around 320 people with levels of care, including independent living, assisted living, rehabilitative care, memory care and long-term care. Whats really cool about that is when our residents move here and independent living, we get to know them, Stallings said. We get to know who they are and whats important to them. We get to know their families, their history, and then as they move through the levels of care, if they do, we can help to support them because we can be there memory for them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cypress Glen broke ground on its latest edition in October of 2023 and are currently in phase one of a project that will add 57 new independent living apartments and new and revamped communal facilities like an auditorium and expanded library. Just over the years, weve recognized the need to grow, and actually the need to grow doesnt come from us wanting to be bigger. It comes from wanting to add more amenities for the residents who live here, Stallings said. Cypress Glen has received multiple local and national awards for excellence. Its not an I, its a we and we all work together and I think I, I think Im just proud when our residents are happy and our families are happy and our staff members are happy, Stallings 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 WNCT. LAURINBURG, N.C. (WBTW) Oftentimes, law enforcement tells us to call CrimeStoppers to give tips on crimes, but Laurinburg police say the P-3 Tips app is more convenient and still confidential. The P-3 Tips app is the easiest way to submit anonymous tips to any crime stoppers organization across the country and around the globe. Laurinburg police say Florwer Lizano shot and killed Waffle House employee Burlie Dawson Locklear back in September. Because of tips to the P-3 app, Lizano was arrested in Virginia in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assistant police chief Chris Young says that despite being a great resource and tool, there are some misconceptions about law enforcements role with CrimeStoppers. We, as law enforcement, are liaisons, he said. We only receive the tips, distribute the tips, and we then produce those tips if there is an arrest made to those boards that will vote on those rewards to be paid out. There is even a link on the app to add your home camera to the Laurinburg police database that can be used if needed. The app can be found in your app store and can be used for IPhone or Android users. * * * Eric Cooper is a multimedia journalist at News13. He joined the team in September 2024 and covers stories in the Pee Dee. He is a native of Cades in Williamsburg County and a proud graduate of Kingstree Senior High School and Benedict College. You can read more of his work here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. DENVER (KDVR) A new law goes into effect at the end of March that reduces the wait times and other requirements for immigrants to get United States drivers licenses and identification cards in Colorado. Senate Bill 24-182, Immigrant Identification Document Issuance, made its way through the Senate in 2024 and was backed by democratic senators Julie Gonzalez, Jeff Bridges, Tim Hernandez and Elizabeth Velasco. Bill would prohibit officers from asking drivers why they pulled them over Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill, approved by Gov. Jared Polis in June 2024, will allow the Colorado Road and Community Safety Act to authorize drivers licenses or identification cards to people who arent lawfully present in the country if they meet certain requirements. The bill is going into effect on March 31, and starting at the end of the month, the bill said IDs can be given to people who sign an affidavit that they are currently a resident, present evidence of residency in Colorado and have an unexpired, or expired less than 10 years, passport, military ID or identification card from their origin country. The bill also authorizes exception processing, which it said is a hearing to determine whether an applicant has sufficient evidence to prove they qualify for an ID. The new bill changes the current rules by taking away requirements that applicants have to file a Colorado resident income tax return, show residency in the state for two years and show a documented social security number or individual taxpayer identification number. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump invokes wartime act, deports hundreds of migrants Eventually, the bill allows prolongated rules about exception processing and the use of IDs. The bill said after Jan. 1, 2027, the rules for exceptions can be prolongated, but they must still address specific requirements. For the 2024-25 state fiscal year, the act is giving $122,855 to the Department of Revenue from the highway users tax fund. The bill said $14,355 of the sum is going to the governors office for the Office of Information Technology. 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. A Nebraska bill seeks to add a 20% wholesale tax to "alternative nicotine products" such as the ones shown here. State Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward, who is leading the legislation, brought these items during debate on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, to show to her colleagues what they are and why a weight-based tax for the light items would not be a proper approach. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN State lawmakers took another step Wednesday toward cracking down on nicotine and nicotine-like products in Nebraska, advancing a bill to add a 20% wholesale excise tax on alternative products. The Legislature voted 41-0 to advance Legislative Bill 9, from State Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward. It would define alternative nicotine products and nicotine analogues in state law. Hughes goal is to target all future products rather than requiring specific legislation each time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Next year, when the new product comes out, we dont have to bring back a bill to grab on to that new product, Hughes said during debate. Itll automatically fall under our regulation. An umbrella approach The change would capture nicotine pouches like the brand Zyn, creating an umbrella for enforcement that Hughes said is needed to help curb youth usage of the drugs, while generating revenue. Currently, such new products are taxed the same as other taxable products a generic statewide 5.5-cent sales tax rate, plus local sales taxes. State Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward speaks at a York town hall in her legislative district regarding child care. Oct. 23, 2023. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) If passed, Hughes latest bill would take effect Jan. 1. It is estimated to bring in $3.4 million in the first two fiscal years, by June 30, 2027. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hughes has pushed multiple bills in her first two years to increase or add taxes and regulations to nicotine products, namely vaping. She has a separate bill this year, LB 712, to change the state excise tax on vapes to 40% wholesale effective Oct. 1, rather than a lower two-tiered rate. That proposal is estimated to bring in $56.4 million by the middle of 2027. Both efforts could be key in helping plug the states projected budget shortfall or help cover some costs of Hughes 2025 priority bill, LB 303, to help lower property taxes by directing more state dollars to K-12 schools. Former State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of the Elkhorn area proposed an alternative nicotine products tax at 10 cents per ounce during last years summer special session, but it ultimately wasnt adopted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hughes at the time said she planned to look at such a tax in the interim. As she repeated Wednesday, the proposal shifted toward a wholesale tax as a more fair and equitable approach. She said a weight-based tax could incentivize companies to concentrate nicotine, which could hurt children the most. This would be short-sighted and potentially dangerous to the customer, Hughes said. We dont want to do it by weight, because it is a chemical substance. Rejected lobbyist push State Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln proposed an amendment to move to the weight-based tax anyway, echoing concerns of some tobacco lobbyists that the 20% wholesale tax could equate to a 700% tax increase on some products, which she said would be regressive. State Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln. Dec. 7, 2023. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) Rayboulds amendment sought the same tax rate as snuff: 44 cents per ounce. Raybould said it didnt make sense that the bill went to the General Affairs Committee and not the Revenue Committee, or that alternative nicotine products shouldnt be taxed more than snuff or cigarettes. General Affairs has general jurisdiction over topics such as alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and gambling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Imposing taxes on products designed to reduce smoking-related harm really might even deter harm-reduction efforts and drive consumers to riskier behaviors, Raybould said. I know Senator Hughes and I are not fans of vaping, either. But I just want to make sure that were looking at this fairly. State Sen. Brad von Gillern of the Elkhorn area, Revenue Committee chair, said the committee destination critique was a red herring intended to distract. He said nothing would have changed and argued the lobby had shopped the amendment as early as Wednesday morning. Clearly, its nothing that Senator Raybould has been working on or considering for some time, von Gillern said. State Sen. Brad von Gillern of Elkhorn, left, listens to State Sen. Eliot Bostar of Lincoln. Aug. 8, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) Hughes pushed Raybould on where she got her amendment. Raybould said she brought it on behalf of one of our industries that advocate the lobby for these issues. Pressed further, Raybould added it was one that deals with tobacco products. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hughes specifically asked whether the change came from Philip Morris International, a multinational tobacco company with products sold in over 180 countries, including Marlboro cigarettes. The company is represented in the statehouse by Nebraska Strategies, a local lobbying firm. Raybould told Hughes: Perhaps but I dont feel comfortable sharing the name with you, if thats OK. Raybould similarly declined to answer a reporters question on the lobbyists identity. Her amendment failed 24-5, with just Raybould and State Sens. Beau Ballard of Lincoln, Carolyn Bosn of Lincoln, Mike Jacobson of North Platte and Dave Murman of Glenvil in support. LB 9, one of this years two General Affairs Committee priority bills, will have two more rounds of debate. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Tensions boiled over during a pro-Palestinian rally in the state Capitol Rotunda Tuesday after Reps. Stefani Lord, R-Sandia Park, and John Block, R-Alamogordo, were accused by attendees of antagonizing demonstrators. The rally, which featured New Mexico residents from Gaza who still had family there, was largely made up of poetry readings, song and comments bringing awareness to Israeli military strikes that have killed civilians, including journalists and other noncombatants. Hundreds of Palestinians were killed Monday in a wave of strikes that were launched as part of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus efforts to break a ceasefire deal reached in January. Advocates at the rally also called on New Mexico lawmakers and university leaders to divest from companies that provide weapons and other military supplies and services to Israel. The event was organized by a large coalition of groups that advocate for Palestinians, including Jewish Voice for Peace Albuquerque. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But about 45 minutes into the rally, the Republican representatives who both said they have Jewish heritage entered the Rotunda, immediately catching the eye of the crowd, and interrupted the speaker at the time. Rep. Lord and Rep. Block came down and instigated people that are here for Freedom for Palestine Day, said Jonathan Juarez, who was in the crowd at the Rotunda and who watched the incident unfold. She was just antagonizing people, saying that theyre Hamas supporters, saying just ridiculous statements that are really inflammatory. 031825_MS_Palestine Day State House_002.jpg Rep. Stefani Lord, R-Sandia Park, right, laughs as she and Rep. John Block, R-Alamogordo, left, leave the Freedom for Palestine Day in the Rotunda at the state Capitol in Santa Fe on Tuesday. Organizers accused the duo of antagonizing protesters in the crowd and interrupting speakers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A group of advocates followed the lawmakers, who were flanked by security personnel, to the other end of the Rotunda, where Block and Lord turned and had some tense arguments. Im a representative, do not touch me, said Lord, who by then was surrounded by security and New Mexico State Police officers. Demonstrators continued following them out of the Rotunda, with advocate Yazh Pending loudly shouting profanities at the representatives as they made their exit. She should not be in here antagonizing us, trying to get into the middle of a properly organized event, Pending said in an interview. Its disgusting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview during the exchange, Block said he and Lord had come to see what was happening, and that they had encountered only intolerance. Its just horrible that there are people that want to erase our people, especially in this state where they claim to be so tolerant, Block said. The least tolerant people Ive seen today. 031825_MS_Palestine Day State House_003.JPG Rep. Stefani Lord, R-Sandia Park, gets into a confrontation with Teresa Davis during the Freedom for Palestine Day assembly in the Rotunda at the state Capitol on Tuesday. Rep. Lord and Rep. Block came down and instigated people that are here for Freedom for Palestine Day, said Jonathan Juarez, who was in the crowd at the Rotunda and who watched the incident unfold. She was just antagonizing people, saying that theyre Hamas supporters, saying just ridiculous statements that are really inflammatory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Block and Lord first entered the room, the speaker at the podium asked the audience, Does anybody in this room hate Jewish people? No, the crowd resoundingly responded. Minutes later, when representatives convened on the House floor, Lord and Block said they were threatened during the incident, and that the demonstrators had terrorist propaganda including a makeshift bomb and terrorist outfits. This was so uncalled for I cant even begin to tell you how infuriating, and how insulting, and how demeaning this is to anyone who has any Jewish blood in them, Lord said. Propaganda related to terrorist groups was not visible during the rally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lord said she advised the Legislative Council Service, which also manages security at the Capitol, that she and Block faced verbal assault. 031825_MS_Palestine Day State House_004.JPG Rep. Stefani Lord, R-Sandia Park, argues with people gathered for the Freedom for Palestine Day assembly in the Rotunda at the state Capitol on Tuesday. Responding to the representatives comments, House Speaker Javier Martinez, D-Albuquerque, decried intimidation or threats of violence in any circumstance. I was not aware of that, and Im very sorry that that happened, he said. Sen. Craig Brandt, R-Rio Rancho, one of the Legislatures most vocal supporters of Israel, harshly criticized the event on the Senate floor Tuesday evening and questioned why it was allowed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have employees that are Jewish that were hiding down here on the first floor because they were afraid to go on the second floor, Brandt said Tuesday. And thats OK with us? Its not OK with me. 031825_MS_Palestine Day State House_005.JPG Members of House security engage with Teresa Davis, left, after Rep. Stefani Lord, R-Sandia Park, and Rep. John Block, R-Alamogordo, appeared at the Freedom for Palestine Day assembly in the Rotunda at the state Capitol on Tuesday. Senate President Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, told Brandt more than him are concerned about this. Stewart said two people were arrested [and] several others were removed from the Capitol, citing a conversation she had with the director of the Legislative Council Service. New Mexico State Police spokesperson Wilson Silver said in an email one attendee of the event, Elliot Shawn Vigil, was removed for trespassing and told not to return and was later arrested for violating that order. YAOUNDE, March 19 (Xinhua) -- At least two Cameroonian soldiers were killed early Wednesday in a suspected separatist attack in the country's West Region, according to security sources. The attack took place in Magda in the West Region, which borders the English-speaking region of Northwest, where an armed separatist conflict is ongoing, local officials said. An army official in the region, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the two soldiers were killed when separatist fighters ambushed them and opened fire. "I can guarantee you that our brave soldiers will pursue and capture them. That act is intolerable," the official told Xinhua over the phone. Fighting between government forces and separatist fighters has persisted in Cameroon's two English-speaking regions of Northwest and Southwest since 2017, when separatists attempted to establish an independent nation in these regions. AUSTIN (Nexstar) On Tuesday, the Texas House Committee on Public Education first laid out State Rep. Caroline Fairlys, R-Amarillo, House Bill 1481 banning cellphones in school during instructional hours. Despite being left pending in committee, the bill has broad bipartisan support, with over half the Texas House listed as co-authors. [For] the generation Im in its very real, its here, its now, Fairly said. At 26, Fairly is the youngest Republican woman in the history of the Texas House. The reality is our generation is more depressed, anxious, less focused and more distracted than ever before, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HB 1481 simply requires school districts to adopt policies prohibiting students from using personal wireless communication devices during instructional time, and to designate a secure, out-of-sight area for the storage of personal wireless communication devices. All other aspects of the bill, including the punishment for students violating the phone-free policy, would be up to the districts. For some, thats still too much overreach from the state government. Im a mom of three kids, two of them have cellphones, theyre an absolute problem, Tarrant County GOP Precinct Chair Hollie Plemons said during public testimony on Tuesday. But this is something that needs to be handled locally. However, Fairly believes this bill would take pressure off the teachers as students would blame the state government for new policies. The amount of reinforcement we have gotten back from school teachers, ISD members, who have said we need help on this. The teachers are [treated as] the bad guys, they dont want to come back to school and teach because theyre used to taking away phones,' she said. This is a practical way for us to come in and support our teachers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Proposed bill language that would increase the requirements for organizations to qualify for specialty license plates is likely to be changed by a Senate committee next week. (License plate images courtesy Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Photo illustration by Casey Smith/Indiana Capital Chronicle) Language in a broad Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) bill that could do away with registration stickers and make it harder for organizations to qualify for specialty license plates is likely to be dialed back, per a top state senator. Also in the works are significant amendments to a statewide road funding bill that seeks to head off anticipated transportation funding shortfalls mostly by boosting local fundraising. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not yet clear what those changes will exactly entail, however. Sen. Mike Crider, R-Greenfield, said in the Senate transportation committee on Tuesday that he plans to release amendments on Friday, which will give all the interested parties time to digest what were talking about doing. Additional testimony on the amendments will be allowed at next weeks meeting before the committee takes any votes, Crider confirmed. If approved, both bills will still have to clear the Senate Appropriations Committee before advancing to the full chamber. These two bills are important, and we want to make sure that we try to get them right, said Crider, who chairs the Senate transportation committee. Rep. Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie, speaks during a committee meeting on Monday, March 10, 2025. (Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle) The current draft of House Bill 1390, the BMV-specific legislation, would permit the agency to sunset physical registration stickers and instead transition to a fully-electronic system. Bill author Rep. Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie, said Tuesday that Hoosiers could print their registration documents at home, saving the state money on mailing and the registration form itself, along with the sticker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A fiscal analysis said the anticipated savings are $2.75 million per year. Regarding registration tags, Crider said one of his upcoming amendments will take that portion out altogether. Its an important tool for law enforcement, Crider said. Ive had several reach out to me, and I know from my experience (in law enforcement), that is one of the tools used frequently. As written, the measure additionally increases the amount of signatures required to get a specialty license plate. Indiana offers the unique plates for nonprofit organizations, colleges, military branches and other groups to help the organizations raise funds and awareness for particular causes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Current law requires 500 signatures to be collected in no particular amount of time before a plate application can be submitted for review, Pressel noted. His bill proposes an increase to 1,000 signatures that must be obtained during a single calendar year. This just raises the bar a little bit, and reduces the amount of time BMV staff spend evaluating hundreds of pages of applications, he continued. The state has so far approved 90 specialty plates, still below the 150-plate limit in Indiana Code. These two bills are important, and we want to make sure that we try to get them right. Sen. Mike Crider, R-Greenfield The senator worried whether the specialty place changes would preclude worthy applicants. He pointed to All Pro Dad, a state-funded fathers initiative, which Crider said has struggled to achieve the 500 signatures number, even after two or three years of trying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moving from 500 to 1,000 is a pretty big jump on the specialty license plates, and we already have some groups that are right on that bubble of 500 and thats an important source of revenue, he continued. Well continue to talk about that. There may be another way to kind of limit the number of new applicants we have coming in without jumping that drastically. BMV pushes for other bill proposals The bill additionally seeks to allow the BMV to sell blackout license plates, which feature black backgrounds and white lettering. Cody Eckert, the agencys legislative director, said the plates have been successful in other states like Kentucky, Minnesota and Iowa. Theres no current equivalent in Indiana, he said. But if allowed, Hoosiers would have a crisp and popular plate alternative. Pressel further emphasized to the Senate panel that blackout plates would provide the state with really simple additional revenue that could total into the millions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To qualify for a specialty license plate in Indiana, an organization must: Be a nonprofit or similar group Demonstrate statewide impact Have at least 500 plates registered each year Organizations must send an application to the BMV, submit a plate design, and meet renewal requirements to maintain their specialty plate. Each specialty plate typically costs motorists an extra $40 $25 of which goes to the sponsoring organization, and $15 to cover state administrative costs. Representatives from multiple nonprofit groups told an interim transportation committee last fall that specialty plates had the potential to net their organizations thousands of dollars per year and priceless exposure for their causes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Various other sections of Pressels BMV bill address salvage titles and commercial drivers licenses. But Eckert said language around blackout plates as well as a provision to require a real-time insurance verification system are top-of-list for the agency. The BMV sends over 100,000 notices each year to drivers requesting proof of insurance and provides 90 days for Hoosiers to show evidence of financial responsibility. Inadvertent suspensions arise, however, when drivers fail to receive notice or the BMV fails to receive the certificate of compliance from the insurance company. And this causes understandable frustration for Hoosier drivers that can be prevented with real-time insurance verification, Eckert said. (This bill) allows Indiana to create an instantaneous method of verification of evidence of insurance, directly with the source of the information the insurance company. Wheel taxes dominate road funding talks Included in the present draft of a separate measure discussed Tuesday, House Bill 1461, is a $200 million cap on awards from Community Crossings, a popular matching grant program local governments can use to fund local road and bridge projects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would also require local governments to adopt a wheel tax to qualify for grant funds; expand the Indiana Finance Authoritys ability to issue bonds for road projects; permit the Indiana Department of Transportation to seek federal approval for toll lanes; and change local funding allocations based on lane mileage. The bill mandates, too, that local transportation taxes by 2028 and provides funding boosts to Indianapolis for secondary roads. There are a lot of options in this bill, some of them good, some of them bad. Ive eliminated what I couldnt get support for, and I will be the first to tell you I dont have support for everything in this bill, but there is a need, Pressel said before the Senate committee. Hoosiers arent buying gallons and gallons of gas like they used to, stifling road funding revenue, he explained. We, along with our colleagues in all other states, are having the same conversation. How do we fund roads into the future? Should it come out of the general fund? I dont believe that to be true, Pressel continued. I think we should have user fees. You pay for what you use, and the more you use, the more you pay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While testimony from local officials was mixed, many were united against a required wheel tax. The stipulation, several said, would not fully account for the spectrum of financial situations across Indiana municipalities. Many requested the bill be updated to allow more flexibility for local governments. Crider said the Senate committee will take those calls into account as amendments come together. Several smaller units of government, or even larger units, are concerned about the language around requiring wheel tax. Some of them have tried to pass wheel taxes they just cant pass one. Some will never pass a wheel tax, Crider said. Were going to look at a method to consider intensity of local input into the formula, if that makes sense. This story has been updated to reflect the number of specialty license plates currently available in Indiana. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX BATON ROUGE, La. (KTAL/KMSS) A lawsuit filed by Louisiana residents claiming that constitutional amendment two is not in compliance with state law was dismissed on Tuesday. The Office of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry announced the State Supreme Courts dismissal of the case on Wednesday afternoon. The Louisiana Supreme Courts ruling essentially said that voters should ultimately decide the matter at the polls rather than rely on a court decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More Louisiana News In November of 2024, the Louisiana Legislature, by Joint Resolution, with overwhelming majorities in both houses, proposed an amendment to revise Article VII of the Louisiana Constitution. A Joint Resolution of the Legislature is not law; the law will change only if the voters approve the proposed amendment. Considering the interests of judicial economy, the need to provide a definitive resolution of the issue, to prevent confusion or concern about infringement of the right to vote, or the effect of electoral choice, we elect to exercise our plenary supervisory authority The text of the enactment and constitutional and statutory provisions are clear, and the questions are all purely legal, therefore they are reviewed by the court de novo. There is no evidence to adduce and no reason to delay resolution of this important matter. In conclusion, the Court stated, The voters rather than the courts should decide. We do find that the issue has been adequately and legally presented to the voters and therefore dismiss the petition of Plaintiffs with prejudice. The decision was not unanimous; Justice John Guidry joined Justice Piper Griffin in her dissenting opinion writing, I strongly disagree with the majority that the proposed ballot language is sufficient and transparent to accurately summarize and put voters on notice concerning what they are being asked to vote for or against. Constitutional amendment two what is it? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case was filed by residents of south Louisiana who objected to the extensive amendment which is more than 100 pages was condensed to the most appealing 91 words for the ballot amendment. Their second objection was that an amendment must cover one topic and amendment two while directly related to taxation touches on everything from homestead exemptions to teacher pay. How will people be able to interpret that inside a little blurb thats on the ballot, that this is what its about, not talking about the 116 pages of stuff that is going to change in peoples everyday lives, said plaintiff Norris Henderson. So thats where one of the real challenges come in with this dog, is that one is not open and transparent to theyre trying to do something that the language is, was worried about, kind of a cryptic the language is cryptic, is saying one thing, but action is the intent to do something else. Henderson said more important than winning the case against the Louisiana Secretary of State is that the suit made voters aware of the very important ballot measures that are being presented during an off-election that would traditionally have a low voter turnout. Governor Landry released the following statement: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Louisiana Legislature, elected by the people, passed Constitutional Amendment 2 with a bipartisan majority in both the House and Senate. Every Senate Democrat joined every Senate Republican in passing Constitutional Amendment 2 to send it to the voters for final approval. This case was flawed and attempted to silence the voice of the people. The people can now speak. The plaintiffs attorney, William Most, called the ruling a setback for transparency and accountability in our democracy. The complainants said the dissenting justices opinion raised serious concerns about transparency and fairness. 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 woman has filed a lawsuit, claiming she was injured during the Running of the Pierogis race at Pittsburghs Light Up Night in Downtown Pittsburgh. Belinda Brown, of Fayette County, says she slipped on a wet mat at the start of the race, causing her to fall and injure her shoulder. The lawsuit goes on to say she also now suffers from nervousness, emotional tension, anxiety and depression. According to the lawsuit, Brown has endured, and will continue to endure great pain, suffering, inconvenience, embarrassment, mental anguish, monetary expenditures for the care of her injury and emotional and psychological trauma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit claims she may have to have one or possibly more surgeries. The defendant in the lawsuit is Pittsburgh Associates, which is the business entity of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW PAXTON, Ill. (WCIA) Mayor Bill Ingold sits down with Mitchell Rife to discuss the newest developments within the City of Paxton. I learned that the previous mayor was here as mayor for 28 years Jim Kingston and I really kind of watched and studied how he did things and kind of took that to heart and tried to emulate him on some different things, Ingold said. Paxton City Council approves $460k city street repairs Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are a few things on the to-do list for the Paxton community and that includes utilizing the Rebuild Illinois fund. We were able to secure the fund a few years ago and we had to use that money and it was about $310,000 I think, that we hadnt used yet, Ingold continued. Paxtons housing project has been on the drawing board for years. Talking with IDOT and engineers, they said that they needed 12 to 18 months to study that before we could actually get that done, Ingold said. We decided to go ahead and use that for a motor fuel tax this year. Usually in a year, well spend $150,000-$200,000 on motor fuel tax repairs in throughout the city. 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. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A new youth initiative in Franklin County is working to combat rising youth suicide rates by focusing resources where they are needed most. The Franklin County Suicide Prevention Coalition said its strategy is data-driven, allowing it to identify at-risk groups and tailor resources accordingly. Colleen Dempsey, director of suicide prevention at Mental Health America of Ohio, emphasized the importance of analyzing data to identify concerning trends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By doing deeper dives into the data, were really looking for emerging patterns and how prevention strategies should be adjusted for different populations, Dempsey said. According to Youth Suicide Prevention Manager Lauren Bromund, that data revealed alarming results. In the last six years since about 2018 weve seen a significant increase, almost doubling, of our youth suicide rate here in Franklin County, Bromund said. The data also revealed stark disparities among certain groups. Black children between the ages of 5 and 12 are twice as likely to die by suicide compared to their white peers, and youth in the LGBTQIA community also face an increased risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response, the Youth Initiative was created. The data enabled the coalition to secure a grant, which is now funding efforts to connect with these vulnerable populations. The program trains both adults and youth to engage in meaningful conversations and build a strong support network. We focus on bringing together supportive adults who are informed about this issue and how they can help, Bromund said. We also emphasize engaging youth leadership because weve found that youth suicide prevention is most effective when its youth-led. The coalition is currently seeking adults from diverse backgrounds to help facilitate these conversations. Training will equip participants to talk about emotions, address suicidal thoughts, and guide discussions as needed. For more information, click here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. March 19 (UPI) -- A second consecutive night of renewed airstrikes on Gaza killed at least 14 people and injured many more as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed the Israeli military's resumption of full-force combat was only "the beginning." Two of the deaths occurred when an Israeli attack drone struck a tent near the al-Mawasi humanitarian strip, west of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, a woman and a child were killed north of the city and four others were killed in northern Gaza in an airstrike on Gaza City. Israel Defense Forces said the al-Mawasi incident was a legitimate pre-emptive strike on a Hamas site that the group was readying to fire rockets at targets in Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It said it had also successfully targeted fishing vessels being used by Hamas and Islamic Jihad in their military operations. Another airstrike killed two people and injured six other people in the town of Beit Hanoun in the north, according to officials from Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry. The office of the Hamas-run administration in Gaza said a foreign humanitarian worker was killed and five others were seriously injured in an attack on a U.N. facility in Deir el-Balah in the central area of the enclave, demanding an international probe into what it said was a deliberate policy of targeting U.N. and other providers of aid to sabotage efforts to assist Palestinians. "We call on the United Nations to take a clear and strong stance regarding this crime, and to act immediately" to hold Israel accountable, the office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel Defense Forces denied mounting any attack on a U.N. site in the vicinity and cautioned media outlets to be wary of "unverified" allegations. Following the overnight attacks, the military issued fresh evacuation orders to Gazans to move from designated areas in Beit Hanoun, Khirbet Khuza'a, Abasan al-Kabira and al-Jadidah. "For your own safety, you must evacuate immediately to the known shelters in western Gaza City and those in Khan Younis. Remaining in the designated areas puts your life and the lives of your family members at risk," IDF spokesman Avichay Adraee wrote in a post on X early Wednesday. The latest casualties come after the heaviest bombardment of Gaza in the 17-month-long conflict early Tuesday killed hundreds, with the Gaza Health Ministry saying the death toll as of noon Wednesday had risen to at least 436, including 183 children, with 678 people injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.N.'s top humanitarian affairs official said the level of violence was unprecedented. "Intensity of the killings is now off the scale," said Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed anger at the killings, calling the suffering of Gazans caused by the resumption of deadly Israeli airstrikes "intolerable" and urged an immediate return to the cease-fire between Isreal and Hamas that came into force on Jan. 19. "I strongly appeal for the cease-fire to be respected, for unimpeded humanitarian assistance to be re-established and for the remaining hostages to be released unconditionally," he wrote in a post on his official account on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel effectively ended its cease-fire and hostage release/prisoner exchange deal with Hamas after Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz announced in the early hours of Tuesday that they had instructed the IDF to act against Hamas in Gaza due the militant group's refusal to release the remaining hostages it is holding. Israel had been trying to extend an initial phase of the cease-fire to get more hostages released while Hamas wanted to progress to a second planned phase that, in addition to the release of the rest of the hostages, would see a permanent end to the fighting and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. However, disagreements saw internationally mediated negotiations falter in recent weeks prompting Israel to tighten the screws on Gaza once again, cutting off all aid from entering the strip at the beginning of the month followed by the electricity supply on March 9, critical for Gaza's hospitals and water desalination operations. NABATIEH, LebanonAfter more than a year of tit-for-tat airstrikes and several months of higher-intensity combat, the devastating war between Hezbollah and Israel ended with a ceasefire in late November 2024. In addition to the nearly 4,000 people killed during the conflict, the fighting caused an estimated $6.8 billion in damage to housing and infrastructure. Nearly 120,000 homes have been destroyed or damaged, and nearly 900,000 people had been displaced at the height of the fighting in November. Lebanons newly formed government now faces an immediate challenge: resettling those who were displaced while ensuring that reconstruction is efficient, transparent and free of corruption. Zohair Hussain Jawad, a 50-year-old Lebanese-American dual citizen, left the U.S. in 2005 to settle in Nabatieh, in southern Lebanon. A year later, he lived through the 2006 conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, which was intense, but shorter and more limited in scale. The devastation this time, he says, is incomparable. It wasnt like that in 2006, he recalls. In 2024, unfortunately, it escalated to a point of no return. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After he nearly lost his home to Israeli airstrikes during the latest conflict, Jawad and his family relocated to Beirut in late September. Like many other Lebanese, Jawads life savings are locked in the countrys broken banking system. He used what he had on hand to survive, waiting for the war to end. To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter. We returned the day they called a truce, but our house was in ruins, says Jawad. Though the dwelling has now been repaired, parts of it are still patched together with plastic and cardboard. A building across the street was completely destroyed. More than three months after the Nov. 27 ceasefire that ended the fighting, large parts of southern Lebanon still lie in rubble. And while Hezbollah pledged to cover reconstruction costs, whatever rebuilding has happened has been sporadic, with the process for accessing reimbursement anything but smooth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked whether he has received any financial assistance for the repairs to his house and his lost furniture, Jawad says that a group of officials came to his home to check out the damage and take down the necessary information, without specifying whether they were from Hezbollah or the government. Well see where that goes, he adds. A recent Financial Times report states that the damage assessment committee of Hezbollahs construction arm, Jihad al-Bina, has already inspected more than 270,000 homes. Once the assessment of the damage to a home is complete, residents become eligible for compensation checks and cash payments, which are distributed through local branches of Al-Qard Al-Hassan, Hezbollahs financial arm. In December, Hezbollahs secretary-general, Naim Qassem, claimed that the group had already provided more than $50 million in aid covering 172,000 displaced families, with a total of $77 million allocated for the 233,500 households eligible for it.But with the cost of rebuilding in the housing sector alone estimated by the World Bank to be around $4.6 billion, thats a drop in the bucket. Even if no further fighting breaks out, large-scale reconstruction remains uncertain given Lebanons economic crisis and political instability. Mukhtar Hassan Jaber, a member of the municipal council in Nabatieh who assists residents in obtaining the necessary documents to claim compensation from Hezbollah, says that the government has been of little help. NGOs are providing machines to clear the rubble, he says. They are working block by block to remove debris so that they can start rebuilding afterwards. Imad Salamey, an associate professor and chairperson of the Lebanese American Universitys Department of Political and International Studies, understands the skepticism expressed by Jaber and others with regard to the Lebanese government. But he believes that such claims are often exaggerated to justify sectarian political control over local populations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the 2006 war, Hezbollah filled the vacuum by leading reconstruction efforts, reinforcing its influence, he explains. This time, with limited Iranian backing, Hezbollah will have fewer resources to bypass the state. The decline in Tehrans financial support for the group is due to a combination of factors, including Irans own economic hardships, but also the major losses it has suffered with regard to its decades-long military investments in Lebanon and Syria. Hezbollahs weakened position, and the difficulty Iran will face in rearming it now that the land route through Syria is no longer available, may also lessen its strategic value to Tehran. This will force Hezbollah to rely more on the Lebanese state for reconstruction assistance in the south, one of the groups strongholds. But that in turn will increase competition for funds, Salamey adds, at a time when Lebanon is still in the throes of a crippling economic crisis that is now in its sixth year. As a result, the government is facing severe challenges in rebuilding, which has largely come to a halt due to a lack of funding. In 2006, international donors came to Lebanons aid swiftly, but that isnt happening this time around. According to David Daoud, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies, the international communitys reluctance is based on several concerns. The first, particularly for the U.S. and the European Union, is the presence of Hezbollah, which both Washington and Brussels have designated as a terrorist organization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another is Lebanons endemic corruption, which pervades its political class, the economy and the judiciary. Lebanon is among the most corrupt countries in the world, Daoud explains. There have been discussions with the IMF and possibly European countries about an aid package, but those entities want Lebanon to address corruption before providing funds. Otherwise, he says, the concern is that aid will perpetuate the same corrupt cycle. In October 2024, donor countries pledged over $800 million in humanitarian aid to Lebanon. However, as of November, only 14 percent of that money had been disbursed, and that was via United Nations agencies, rather than through the Lebanese government, according to a local report. Salamey, from the Lebanese American University, explains that donor willingness will depend on Lebanons ability to present a credible roadmap for governance reforms and security stability. This includes ensuring that state institutions, and not Hezbollah, oversee reconstruction, which Daoud believes is also in Hezbollahs interest. They need reconstruction aid, he explains, referring to Hezbollah, as they have suffered significant losses. But with Iran still under U.S. sanctions that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump may tighten further, there are no longer any alternatives to international funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Qassem recently stated in a speech that it is the Lebanese governments responsibility to seek aid, call for conferences and secure funding, Daoud added, meaning that both Hezbollah and the Lebanese government now want international aid to pass through official state channels. This would facilitate the reconstruction of Shia-majority areas and alleviate pressure on Hezbollah itself. After years of political paralysis due to sectarian rivalries, Lebanons new government, led by technocrat Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, won a confidence vote in parliament in late February, largely because Hezbollah was no longer in a position to block it. Salam and his team now face urgent challenges, including economic reforms and rebuilding after the war, as well as making sure the ceasefire with Israel holds. Nour al Hammoud, a 30-year-old originally from Damascus who now lives in Nabatieh, fled back to Syria during the fighting. Like Jawad, she returned to Nabatieh from Damascus soon after the ceasefire to find her apartment in ruins and almost all of her belongings destroyed. She now lives in a rented apartment in Beirut, where she must support her family of six on an income of $1,000 a month. And while she plans to stay in Lebanon until she sees how Syrias post-Assad political transition unfolds, the future in Nabatieh also holds much uncertainty. Were scared, she adds. Theres a ceasefire for now, but were still afraid. Salamey says that the ceasefire remains fragile and is unlikely to stabilize in the near term. Hezbollah has shown no willingness to disarm or withdraw from the border, both conditions of the ceasefire. Nor is it likely to distance itself from Iran, meaning tensions will remain high. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Daoud doesnt expect to see a serious escalation anytime soon. Israel has its own problems with Syria and Gaza. I dont think the Trump administration wants to see a resumption of full hostilities in Lebanon. I also dont think the Israeli public wants that, he explains. Despite concerns about the ceasefire terms and lingering security fears, many Israelis are wary of further conflict, especially with Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu at the helm. Nevertheless, according to Salamey, even if no further fighting breaks out, large-scale reconstruction remains uncertain given Lebanons economic crisis and political instability. And even though rebuilding should be the new governments top priority, Daoud underscores that this will depend heavily on external funding that for now remains blocked. Meanwhile, as Jawad struggles to rebuild his life, he worries about how this uncertainty is affecting his children, a concern that is likely to last. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its heartbreaking, he says. This country will need at least 15 years to recover. Kanika Gupta is an independent journalist and documentary filmmaker from New Delhi, India. She writes about conflict, gender, climate and human rights in South Asia. The post Lebanons Postwar Reconstruction Is at a Standstill appeared first on World Politics Review. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Nevada Reps. Susie Lee and Mark Amodei joined other lawmakers Tuesday in introducing a bill aimed at better protecting nuclear sites from drones. Lee, a Democrat representing part of Southern Nevada, said the U.S. Department of Energy lacks the authority to protect some of its nuclear facilities, including the Nevada National Security Site, from unmanned aerial systems. The bipartisan proposal, the Nuclear Ecosystem Drone Defense Act, has a companion bill in the U.S. Senate from Democratic Michigan Sen. Gary Peters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unauthorized drones pose a serious threat to Americas nuclear resources related to national security, including at the Nevada National Security Site where we maintain Americas nuclear weapons ecosystem, Lee said in a statement. Our bipartisan NEDD Act bill will give the Department of Energy the tools it needs to defend all its nuclear and national security assets from unauthorized enemy drones. In recent years, there has been a growing threat from both foreign and domestic unmanned aerial systems (UAS) targeting our nations nuclear sites, including six reported incidents at the Nevada National Security Site, said Amodei, a Republican representing Northern Nevada. At present, the Department of Energy lacks the authority to intercept these drones and investigate their origins and intentions, allowing them to freely gather sensitive data for malign purposes. This bill empowers us to counter these threats in real-time and ensure they are not equipped to undermine our national security. The proposal would give the department authority to buy its own drone technology to test counter-drone measures. 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 KLAS. A Leesburg man has been arrested after a deadly shooting that happened last year, according to police. Officers said 22-year-old Neville Muirhead Jr. is the suspected killer of 20-year-old James Jordan last July. Jordon was found shot to death in front of a home in the 2200 block of Aitkin Loop. Leesburg police said a warrant was issued for Muirheads arrest after an extensive investigation. Muirhead was arrested on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation into the shooting is ongoing and no other details were released by law enforcement. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Leesburg Police Department at 352-787-2121, or call Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477). Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. ABUJA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The death toll of an outbreak of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) across four local government areas in Nigeria's northwestern state of Kebbi has risen from 26 to 56, health authorities said on Wednesday. Musa Ismaila, health commissioner in Kebbi, told the media in the state capital of Birnin Kebbi that the number of suspected cases has also risen to 653 from 248 reported over a week ago. The outbreak, declared in late January, became more deadly in the past two weeks with a sudden rise in suspected cases, Ismaila said earlier. "The public health department started receiving reports of people with symptoms of fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, and associated vomiting and dizziness, which in some of the cases resulted in deaths," the health official said, adding that drugs and other commodities have also been distributed to affected local government areas and communities, as the state government continues to work to contain the situation. CSM outbreaks are mostly caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A. In Nigeria, these outbreaks typically occur during the dry season due to low humidity and dusty conditions and usually subside with the onset of the rainy season. There are more than 400 Labour MPs in the House of Commons, many with backgrounds in the trade union movement, claustrophobically familiar with the role the unions play in defending workers rights and employment conditions. Yet, only a few of these politicians appear to extend their support of workers rights to all spheres. As political conundrums go, its quite the head-scratcher: women across Britain are fighting in courts and employment tribunals to safeguard their right to same-sex changing facilities, with the supposed Peoples Party entirely silent on the issue. There are exceptions, of course. Tonia Antoniazzi, the Gower MP, underwent the traditional and inevitable pile-on by trans activists when she said on social media that Female single-sex spaces are not yours to give away. It was no more than a reiteration of Labour Party policy, but nevertheless she was accused of being toxic, evil and hateful by fellow party members who really do love to indulge in a bit of melodramatic overreaction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More recently, Kirkcaldy MP Melanie Ward spoke up for womens same-sex spaces in the NHS in the wake of an employment tribunal that revealed that veteran nurse Sandie Peggie was disciplined after complaining about having to share a changing room with a trans woman (biologically male) doctor. But when Peggies case was splashed across most newspapers and news websites, Labour MPs quickly found something else to talk about. There have been dozens of such cases, including another tribunal at which a former employee of Edinburgh Rape Crisis revealed she had been hounded out of her job because of her belief that female rape victims should have the choice of a female trauma counsellor. And when nurses in the Labour heartland of Darlington announced they had had enough of being told by their bosses that they had to tolerate the presence of a biologically male colleague in their dressing rooms, someone who they claimed watched them as they undressed, and demanded a legal right to same-sex spaces, the response from the Peoples Party was... silence. Not a word of support for ordinary working-class women, exactly the kind of person whose support Labour lost in the not-too-distant past because of its out-of-touch adherence to Jeremy Corbyns Left-wing fantasy politics. This is not simply a sign of me getting older 20 years ago this could not have happened. The Labour Party and its elected representatives would have leapt on these incidents as unacceptable demonstrations of institutional misogyny; the institutions concerned would not have emerged unscathed from the ensuing fight. The idea that working class women could be bullied by their bosses? Unthinkable! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So how to explain the embarrassing silence of todays Labour MPs? The depressing and cynical reason is all too obvious: they dont want to lose their jobs. In the next couple of years, every Labour MP who wishes to stand at the next general election must submit to the trigger mechanism process in his or her constituency. This is, essentially, a vote of confidence in the local MP, where each affiliated organisation, including trade union branches, are given a single vote. The democratic credentials of this system are dubious: the larger trade unions are only supposed to affiliate branches in accordance with the number of their own members resident in that constituency, but since they guard membership information fiercely, even from the party, who can say if the number of branches and the votes they have is justifiable? The end result is that if any Labour MP wants to be reselected without the bother of having to go through a full selection process, he or she needs the support of the trade unions. And many of the trade unions, as we saw last month when the womens conference of Unison the countrys largest voted against same-sex spaces, endorsing the Stonewall mantra that trans women are women. Most of the other large unions have been similarly captured by trans allies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In other words, any Labour MP who dares defend the Darlington nurses or Sandi Peggie, or who suggests that female rape victims should be able to insist on being treated and counselled by a biological woman, will risk their entire parliamentary career. They wouldnt necessarily lose their fight for reselection as a candidate, but the loss of a trigger ballot is humiliating and signals weakness to any alternative candidate who is willing to toe the line on trans ideology. Its a nasty, petty situation that demeans the party and its supporters. But no one will complain, because theyre frightened to. And no one will speak out for women, because theyre frightened to. And even the Prime Minister, the leader of the Labour Party, will not call out this madness, because well, you know the rest. 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. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A local organization providing legal assistance to people with disabilities is feeling the effects of federal funding cuts. The Trump Administrations Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cut a grant worth more than $400,000 a year to Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio (LASCO). Now, the organizations senior attorney for housing is addressing how the lost funding will affect residents. DOGE cancels $699K OSU research grant examining cannabis use in LGBTQ+ women Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For many Ohioans in a housing crisis, they turn to LASCO for help an estimated 3,000 last year. Now the organization faces the task of replacing $425,000 a year in grant money. Legal Aid attorneys are pretty much the only ones there, LASCOs Senior Managing Attorney for Housing Melissa Benson said. If you cant afford to pay your rent, you generally cant afford to hire an attorney to represent you in court. Benson said Franklin County and the City of Columbus provide some funding for their work, but without the grant money from U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the rest of the counties served would not have any funding. Benson said that money last year directly helped 50 people and families in Ohio avoid eviction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fair housing law protects everyone, she said. It protects you regardless of your race, regardless of your gender, regardless of your national origin. Whether or not you have a disability. The state of Ohio has its own fair housing protections that include veterans status and a number of other groups. So there are a lot of people who potentially can be discriminated against. LASCO works with people in 36 of Ohios counties, many of them rural areas. This grant money is tied directly to representing people who have been discriminated against or are on disability. The issue that we get called about the most is disability discrimination, Benson said. I think more than half of the calls that we receive are from people who have some sort of disability and are not able to use or maintain their housing the same way as someone who does not and need whats called a reasonable accommodation. For example, someone needing a ramp because they have a wheelchair and so they cant get up stairs. DOGE cuts hitting Ohio farmers, food banks Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One story of a client Benson recalled was a woman in a wheelchair who lived in an apartment building. She lived on the third floor of an apartment complex, and the elevator went down, and they werent able to, they werent repairing the elevator, Benson said of one case. And she would have to crawl down the stairs, actually, to get out and it would take her an hour to get out of the complex. And we were able to use fair housing law to get them to repair the elevator. LASCO has already been paid for the work its done so far in 2025 utilizing the grant money, but now it is facing a choice, continue the work already started and risk not getting paid, or stop the work already begun. We have to turn people away all the time because we, I have limited resources and most of them dont have any other recourse, Benson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Benson said a temporary restraining order in that lawsuit against HUD could restore the grant money while the lawsuit plays out, but that could take weeks. 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. Floridians worried about "chemtrails" may be reassured to hear a Florida senator is working on legislation to address it. A bill that relates to a decades-old conspiracy theory that the government is spreading chemicals in the air, in some cases to control people's minds, is making its way through committees. It aims to establish a hotline so Floridians concerned with streaks in the sky can call and report them. "What I could like with this bill is to encourage dialogue," said Sen. Ileana Garcia, R-Coral Gables, the bill's sponsor. "I'd like to keep everyone informed, and I thought that the best way of doing so was by creating a repository ... to log, track, investigate and mitigate." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She gave a sigh of relief when her bill cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment and General Government with bipartisan approval on Tuesday. "I've received calls from the press from around the globe, attempting to gaslight me and label me a conspiracy theorist," Garcia wrote on X on Sunday. Garcia's bill has been the subject of controversy, but it's not the only bill that's being fueled by unfounded fears: Another measure would prohibit local municipalities from adding fluoride to the water. State leaders, like the surgeon general, have pushed for the removal of fluoride in Florida's drinking water, saying it could cause "neuropsychiatric risk," a statement with which dental experts staunchly disagree. Garcia's bill (SB 56) would prohibit "geoengineering and weather modification activities" in Florida. Tennessee became the first state last year to enact a law banning geoengineering. Other states followed suit, including Kentucky and Arizona. Iowa also is considering it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From the Des Moines Register: Iowa joins GOP-led states in advancing anti-'chemtrails' bill banning geoengineering "The injection, release, or dispersion, by any means, of a chemical, a chemical compound, a substance, or an apparatus into the atmosphere within the borders of this state for the express purpose of affecting the temperature, weather, climate, or intensity of sunlight is prohibited," the bill says. Specifically, it would prohibit cloud seeding, the process of releasing tiny particles into the air to increase precipitation, a practice used in arid parts of the Southwestern United States like Utah to increase the water supply. But some believe cloud seeding, contrails and "chemtrails" are all intertwined. (The term contrail is a portmanteau of "condensation" and "trail"; chemtrail is "chemical" and "trail.") Sen. Ileana Garcia stands for the National Anthem during the opening day of the Florida legislative session on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection would take the information and track the complaints, requiring additional staff and resources to do so, Garcia said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The fact of the matter is there isn't a lot of empirical data about something that is going on under our noses," Garcia said. Or, rather, over our heads. Even Senate Democratic Leader Jason Pizzo, R-North Miami, rumored to be a potential 2025 gubernatorial candidate, was convinced in Tuesday's committee meeting: "I came in here to tease you, to bust you. You're walking out of here with a 'yes' vote," Pizzo said. The government does not control the weather, NOAA says Weather modification and the "chemtrail" conspiracy theory have been lumped together. After back-to-back hurricanes last fall, disinformation started to spread on the internet that blamed the government for cloud seeding and solar geoengineering that caused the devastation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During public comment Tuesday, one person blamed cloud seeding for Hurricane Helene's impacts on the coast. And retired 1st District Court of Appeal JudgeBrad Thomas told lawmakers he believes the federal government is paying contractors to release chemicals into the atmosphere to reflect sunlight back into space to reduce the effects of climate change. But the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, has said solar geoengineering is "nonexistent." "NOAA does not modify the weather, nor does it fund, participate in or oversee cloud seeding or any other weather modification activities," the federal agency said in a debunking article on its website. The agency also said: "Solar geoengineering, a theoretical practice which would modify the atmosphere to shade Earths surface by reflecting sunlight back into space, is not taking place at scale anywhere in the world. Geoengineering did not impact hurricanes Helene and Milton, let alone make them worse." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Further, some believe contrails in the sky, created by the jet engines of airplanes, are "chemtrails." What are contrails? What are chemtrails? Contrails are the line-shaped clouds visible behind aircraft engines under certain atmospheric conditions. They happen when hot, humid air from the engines condenses into ice crystals in the cold air, the National Weather Service says. While they often fade quickly, especially in dry weather, their appearance and durability can change depending on the conditions the plane flew through, including altitude, temperature, humidity, sunlight, wind speed, and so forth. Contrails also have nothing to do with weather modification activities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To be clear, Garcia has said conspiracy theories about weather modification were not behind her filing of the bill. "The bill was drafted to address concerns and raise awareness surrounding these issues. On the contrary, lets debunk them," she wrote in a post on X in December. Concerns about fluoride gain traction in Florida Some Floridians' dental health may be at risk soon if the "Florida Farm Bill" passes. The Senate bill (SB 700) would prohibit local municipalities from adding fluoride to public water systems. Some Republican health experts, including Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, have backed arguments the American Dental Association call "dangerous." Adding fluoride to water increases the risk of neuropsychiatric disease in children and reduces their IQ. We can strengthen teeth without consuming this neurotoxin. The data are consistent, adding fluoride to our communities' water must stop. See my guidance here: pic.twitter.com/KCQegirMfZ Joseph A. Ladapo, MD, PhD (@FLSurgeonGen) November 22, 2024 On a national level, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., now the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has promoted conspiracy theories about "chemtrails" and the dangers of fluoride in the water. "We are going to stop this crime," Kennedy said on X in a response to a post about "chemtrails" in August. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In November, Ladapo who also heads the Florida Department of Health told communities to stop fluoridating their drinking water. The naturally occurring mineral strengthens tooth enamel and helps prevent decay. But Ladapo has pointed to concerns over fluoride causing "adverse effects in children reducing IQ, cognitive impairment, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder." "Due to the neuropsychiatric risk associated with fluoride exposure, particularly in pregnant women and children, and the wide availability of alternative sources of fluoride for dental health," he recommended against water fluoridation, according to a Nov. 22 guidance from the department. At a press conference on the first day of Florida's 2025 legislative session, Gov. Ron DeSantis also questioned the use of fluoride in water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do we want forced medication or do we want people to be able to choose medication? DeSantis said. When youre forcing it into the water supply, thats not really giving people the choice. The Florida Dental Association issued a statement saying Ladapo's guidance against fluoride was "based on flawed and unscientific reports" and said it continues to "support ... community water fluoridation as an effective tool in reducing dental decay." Local municipalities, like Lee County, Collier County and the city of Naples, have started to remove fluoride from the drinking water supply. What's next Garcia's bill now has cleared two of its three committees. It next must by OK'd by the Rules Committee before it can be considered by the full Senate. A House companion (HB 477) has not yet been heard by a committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marissa Payne of the Des Moines Register and Chris Bridges and Arianna Otero of the USA TODAY Network Florida contributed to this report. Ana Goni-Lessan, state watchdog reporter for the USA TODAY Network Florida, can be reached at agonilessan@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: 'Chemtrails,' fluoride conspiracy theories find favor in Florida bills If you or someone you know is dealing with suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or text "Hopeline" to the National Crisis Text Line at 741-741. MADISON In one memory, a bushy-haired Jonathan Brostoff conducts a speech entirely in sign language, after vowing to not cut his hair until a bill on the American sign language interpreters passed in the Legislature. In another, Brostoff brings Sprecher root beer, his favorite, to share at the first caucus meeting of the year. The Wisconsin Legislature adopted a resolution Tuesday honoring the life and public service of Brostoff, a Democratic representative who served the 19th Assembly district from 2014 to 2023. He also served on the Milwaukee Common Council from 2022 until Nov. 4, 2024, when he died by suicide. He was 41 and is survived by his wife, Diana Vang-Brostoff, their four young children, and his parents, Phyllis and Alan Brostoff. His parents and wife attended the ceremony at the State Capitol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The resolution was introduced by 15 Democratic state senators and four Republican state senators. Many members of the Assembly brandished green ribbons, the symbol of mental health awareness, and shared memories of the former representative. They spoke of different parting words he'd offer people: "Bless up;" "I appreciate you;" and "We all do better when we all do better." Rep. Supreme Moore Omokunde, D-Milwaukee, offered a Jewish expression, often uttered in mourning, "May his neshama have an aliyah," which means "May his soul be elevated." His former colleagues described him as fierce, tenacious, loyal, a person who did not give up on his convictions. One of his most passionate topics was also a lifelong struggle: suicide prevention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Rep. Robyn Vining, D-Wauwatosa, it was the table slap she remembers most distinctly. Brostoff, who served on the Speaker's Task Force on Suicide Prevention, slapped his palm on a table hard at a Wauwatosa meeting as he said, "We are not doing enough." His fury shook Vining and the act stayed with her. "My first feeling after he died was, 'We have not done enough,'" Vining said. Rep. Paul Tittl, R-Manitowoc, who co-chairs the Committee on Mental Health and Substance Use Prevention, talked about Brostoff as a deeply spiritual friend. He used his time to share a concerning statistic: one in five people are affected by mental health. "If Jonathan were here, I don't think he'd want anybody going through this," Tittl said. "I think he'd say get that help. We as fellow humans, we have to reach out to our friends and let them know we're here for them." Ald. Jonathan Brostoff holds his 1-year-old daughter Yael in the Milwaukee Common Council chambers on Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Rep. Deb Andraca, D-Whitefish, read a letter from Brostoff's family that underscored just how dire access to firearms is for people in crisis. The letter referenced an op-ed Brostoff wrote for Urban Milwaukee in 2019, highlighting a startling excerpt: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "For people contemplating suicide, access to a firearm is like having your own personal, and permanent, 'delete' button," it read. "And let me tell you: having the power to use that delete button at your absolute lowest moment when thoughts dont make sense and when calm, structured thinking is no longer part of the equation is not something that anyone facing those types of struggles is equipped to handle." The morning of Brostoff's death, he had purchased a firearm. His body was found at a park before noon, according to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner report. "Our family believes that if he had been required to wait a day or two before purchasing a firearm last November to make that purchase, his life would have been spared," Brostoff's family letter read. It's been years since Wisconsin has enacted or repealed gun safety policies, despite significant pressure from lawmakers like Brostoff. The state has failed to pass laws requiring background checks for all gun sales, and has yet to put extreme risk laws, also known as red flag laws, on the books, which would allow for quick intervention when a person is at serious risk of harming themselves or others with a firearm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "One of the most effective things we can do as legislators to save lives and help people facing a mental health crisis is to temporarily restrict their access to firearms," State Sen. Jodi Habush Sinykin, D-Whitefish Bay, told the Journal Sentinel. "Access to a gun during a crisis can be the difference between an irreversible tragedy and life." State Sen. Chris Larson, D-Milwaukee, a longtime friend of Brostoff, told the Journal Sentinel that he and his colleagues will continue to fight for stronger gun safety policies, but acknowledged that it's become a partisan issue. "That one keeps hitting the wall on an ideological basis," Larson said. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, told the Journal Sentinel in January that "taking firearms away from people who have not been convicted of a crime would be a non-starter," even in the wake of Brostoff's death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "All of us feel bad about Jonathan Brostoff's death, but to somehow use it as a cheap political stunt to try to get legislation passed that we know is not going to happen really demeans Jonathan's memory and I think that's pretty sad," Vos said. For State Sen. Dianne Hesselbein, D-Middleton, the senate minority leader, the state has "a long way to go" on improving crisis resources for Wisconsinites. "Democrats have put measures out every single session trying to help people in many different ways, especially those who are contemplating the final act of suicide," Hesselbein said. "We'll continue to do that." Resources 988 Wisconsin Lifeline connects residents experiencing a crisis to a trained in-state or national counselor. Call or text 988, or chat through the Lifelines website. For veteran support, call 988 and then press 1, or text 838255 or chat via the Veterans Crisis Line website. To be connected with LGBTQ+ supports, call 988, then press 3, or text the word "PRIDE" to 988. Milwaukee Mobile Crisis provides non-police mobile responses to mental health crisis and intervention in people of all ages in the Milwaukee County community. Call 414-257-7222 for a mental health crisis, a mental health assessment, assistance with stabilization, or connections to ongoing resources. Prevent Suicide Wisconsin connects residents to county crisis lines, which provide supports and assessments, link people to resources within the community, and, when needed, send mobile crisis response teams to provide in-person support. The Center for Suicide Awareness allows residents to communicate by text only. Text Hopeline to 741741 to be connected with a trained, in-state counselor for any issue. 211 Wisconsin is a free and confidential three-digit line that connects callers to local mental health programs and services. Call 211, text your ZIP code to 898211, chat now, or search the site for services. Uplift Wisconsin, a peer-support service operated through Mental Health America of Wisconsin, connects Wisconsin residents with certified peer specialists, those with lived experiences mental health, substance use and other related life experiences between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. Call Uplift Wisconsin at 534-202-5438. LGTBQ youth can call 866-488-7386, text START to 678678, or chat at TheTrevorProject.org to speak with a trained counselor for any issue. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: As lawmakers honor Brostoff, they recall his plea to limit gun access In almost 10 years of yammering, Make America great again, President Donald Trump has yet to delineate what that great America would entail. Heres my take: News and information presented via radio, television, blogs, print/digital newspapers/magazines, social media, public gatherings, signage and any reproducible manner must have the Trump stamp of approval. Purveyors of unapproved information will be fined or detained. The Constitution will cease to exist as of a date in the near future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The right to vote and hold U S citizenship will be determined annually by the Trump party. Any person disseminating information derogatory toward Trump will be removed from the public setting and detained without recourse to counsel, bail or appeal to any court. Nonprofit entities with 501(C)(3) tax-exempt status will cease to exist unless they pay a tax equal to 25% of all incoming monies each calendar year. Federal monies will not support any form of insurance, public education, disaster remediation or transportation services. The Trump political party is the only recognized party permitted to be on any election ballot for any U.S. territory worldwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All land and water defined as being U.S.-controlled shall be open to extraction of any and all materials, resources and fossil fuels. The idea that a climate crisis exists is forbidden to be disseminated in any manner. People unable to provide for their sustenance by any reasonable means will have to undertake government service as payment. Once dictator Trump starts deploying secret police, its all over. Gary Coller Spring Township Why should Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sign a pact with President Donald Trump now, when theres already an agreement, the Budapest Memorandum, promising the defense of Ukraine? Russian President Vladimir Putin broke Russias side of that agreement. The United Kingdom is holding firm. Trump is dickering. Why would anyone trust any treaty with Trump after he broke the Paris climate accords, the Iran nuclear deal, the Trans-Pacific Partnership and multiple United Nations and NATO agreements? Investigative journalist Craig Ungers 2021 book American Kompromat reveals 40 years of business ties between Russia and Trump. He reports that In 1980, Trump bought the electronics for his first hotel from a shop run by Russian intelligence. In 1984, David Bogatin, identified by the FBI as a Russian mobster, handed Trump $6 million, cash, to buy five condominiums. When those condos were sold, Bogatin had successfully laundered the Russian money. The FBI says a Russian-American criminal gang laundered over $100 million through their office in Trump Tower. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian investments bailed Trump out of bankruptcy. He was paid to hold his Miss Universe pageant in Russia. Trumps 2016 campaign adviser Paul Manafort and his national security adviser Michael Flynn were convicted of crimes including Russian connections. No wonder Trump panders to Putin. Jane Beck Brecknock Township I am shocked that Penn State University is considering closing some of its campuses around the state. Although not a Penn Stater, I was shocked that leaders in our state, second to ratify the Constitution of the greatest nation in world history and the hallmark of America, would permit its students to be deprived of a college education close to home. We Pennsylvanians and our legislators must not allow this to occur. If it does, what shall be next? James N. Chett Jefferson Township Democratic Rep. Anna Eskamani and Democratic Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith speaking at a press conference in the Capitol on March. 19, 2025 (Photo credit: Mitch Perry / Florida Phoenix) The Florida Legislature has been not been a friendly environment for the LGTBQ community during the Ron DeSantis era, and on Wednesday some Democratic lawmakers and LGTBQ advocates said that same playbook has now been adopted by the Trump administration. Florida has been ground zero in a national escalation of attacks against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and especially the transgender community, declared Stratton Politizer, co-founder and deputy director of Equality Florida during a news conference the activist group held in the rotunda in the Capitol in Tallahassee on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve been the canary in the coal mine, and that canary is dead, added Orlando area Democratic Rep. Anna Eskamani. And its really, really important for states across the union and for leaders in Congress to look at Florida, not just for the attacks that weve faced but how we have fought back together. On Donald Trumps first day back in office in January, the president made it clear what his policies were in this regard when he issued sweeping executive orders proclaiming that the U.S. government would recognize only two sexes, male and female, and that it was ending radical and wasteful diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs inside federal agencies. A couple of bills attacking DEI are moving in the Florida Legislature this year, such as a measure to prohibit local governments from enacting DEI-related policies, ordinances, or resolutions. It would subject local officials who previously voted for them to removal from office. Another measure sponsored in the Senate by Pinellas Republican Nick DiCeglie (SB 1710) would ban state agencies from appropriating or using otherwise acquired money to fund a DEI office or officer, as well ban them from applying for federal health care-related grants relating to DEI. Legislative onslaught After a flood of anti-LGBTQ bills passed in the 2023 session (the LGBTQ national advocacy group the Human Rights Campaign said that there were six expressly anti-LGBTQ+ bills signed into law that year, more than the last seven years combined), Equality Florida officials boasted on Wednesday that of nearly two dozen such bills that targeted the gay and trans community in the 2024 session, all but one failed to pass, and they expressed optimism that there werent that many filed so far this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We see it as a hopeful sign that far fewer bills specifically targeting the LGTBQ community have been filed this year, said Politizer. Maybe, just maybe, more legislators are growing tired of the cruelty, the distractions and the endless culture wars pushed by these extremists. Maybe theyre ready to focus on the real challenges that Floridians are facing. But make no mistake, the bills that have been filed are still extraordinarily dangerous, and as long as theyre on the agenda, we will be here to fight them. Those bills include measures (SB 100/HB 75) sponsored by Brevard County Republican Randy Fine in the Senate and Republicans David Borrero from Miami-Dade and Berny Jacques from Pinellas that would ban flags representing political viewpoints, such as the Pride flag. Another measure which was temporarily postponed on Tuesday with a large contingent present in the committee meeting is what Equality Florida has dubbed the Dont Say Gay or Trans at work 2.0. bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This measure, sponsored in the Senate by Ocala Republican Stan McClain (SB 440) and in the House (HB 1495) by Seminole County Republican Rachel Plakon, would enact regulations on use of pronouns in private companies and shield employees from being penalized for intentionally misgendering colleagues. It would prohibit inclusion of a transgender or nonbinary gender option on any job application or related employment form as well as LGBTQ-related cultural competency training requirements for government workers. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) New Yorks number two in charge is coming to Binghamton on Thursday as he works to raise his public profile in advance of a possible challenge to his boss next year. Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado is scheduled to join Citizen Action during a rally to protest possible federal cuts to Medicaid. Delgado recently announced that he would not run again for Lieutenant Governor on the same ticket as Governor Hochul in next years election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also has not ruled out running against Hochul in a Democratic primary next year. Delgado was initially appointed Lieutenant Gov in May of 2022, after the previous number two Brian Benjamin was removed while facing corruption charges. At the time, Delgado represented the old 19th District in Congress which stretched into the Broome County Town of Sanford on its western edge. Thursdays Citizen Action protest is scheduled for 4 p.m. in front of the Broome County Department of Social Services on Main Street in Binghamton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 WIVT - News 34. Mar. 18LIMA An Allen County grand jury has returned a 58-count indictment against a Lima man on a variety of sex-related charges. Sonny Cobb, 45, faces charges that include 39 counts of first-degree felony rape, 18 counts of sexual battery and one count of gross sexual imposition, felonies of the third- and fourth-degree. According to the indictment, the alleged incidents occurred from July 2011 through December 2024 and reportedly involved a victim who was 5 years old when the attacks began and is now 15 years of age. Cobb is being held in the Allen County jail under a $500,000 bond. He entered a written plea of not guilty on Monday, and a pre-trial hearing is scheduled for March 27. Featured Local Savings YANGON, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's foreign trade reached 25.79 billion U.S. dollars in the first 11 months of the 2024-25 fiscal year, state-run daily Myanma Alinn reported on Wednesday. Foreign trade conducted between April 1 last year and March 12 this year accounts for 78 percent of the country's foreign trade target of 33 billion dollars for the fiscal year, the report said, adding that government departments, private associations, and exporters are working together to meet the target and double exports. To boost the country's exports, the National Export Strategy Government-Private Export Promotion Committee held a meeting in Nay Pyi Taw on Tuesday, the report said. The meeting discussed the National Export Strategy (2020-25) and the drafting of the National Export Strategy (2026-30), the report added. Myanmar mainly exports agricultural, animal and marine products, minerals, forest products and manufacturing goods to its trade partners, including China, Thailand, Bangladesh and India. LINCOLN, R.I. (WPRI) The Lincoln Town Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to adopt a resolution opposing a proposed statewide ban on certain firearms categorized as assault weapons. Gov. Dan McKee has long supported stricter gun laws, calling them necessary to enhance public safety. Gun safety remains a crucial public health issue here in Rhode Island and across the country, McKee said last month. Together, weve made important progress in passing gun safety laws, but our work is not over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McKee included what legislators are calling an assault weapons ban in the states budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year. While fully automatic weapons, such as machine guns, are already illegal in Rhode Island, the Assault Weapons Ban Act of 2025 (H5436) aims to prohibit the purchase, sale, manufacturing, and possession of certain weapons, including semi-automatic shotguns, rifles and pistols. Violators could face up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, and forfeiture of the weapon. MORE: What guns are included in Gov. McKees assault weapons ban? However, some gun rights advocates have voiced concerns regarding the verbiage of the proposed legislation, arguing it is too broad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lincoln Town Councilmember Kenneth Pichette introduced the resolution, saying other communities share similar concerns about what he described as an annual attempt to restrict Second Amendment rights. During Tuesday nights meeting, he criticized Rhode Island lawmakers as uneducated on firearm terminology. This is a lack of knowledge, by describing all semi-automatic weapons as assault weapons, theyre also talking about standard handguns, rifles and shotguns used for hunting and sportsman-type activities, also as home and personal defense, Pichette said. We, the law-abiding gun owners will always follow the law, but will the people wishing to do harm? Pichette also voiced opposition to the states safe storage law, which McKee signed last June. The law requires firearms to be securely stored to prevent unauthorized access, which Pichette argued makes them less accessible in emergencies. (FILE: WPRI-TV) Several attendees at the meeting wore yellow shirtsa color associated with the Second Amendment Coalitionin opposition of the proposed ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the town council, the resolution will be sent to state senators, representatives, and McKee to make Lincolns stance clear. If the legislation passes, the ban would take effect on Jan. 1, 2026. NEXT: RI gun shop owner warns assault weapons bill could put him out of business 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. Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News 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 WPRI.com. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said her Republican colleagues are afraid to speak out against President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk because of the threat of being called names and drawing a primary. The Alaska senator, one of the last remaining Republicans willing to publically criticize Trump, made the remark during a press conference in Juneau on Tuesday. I get criticized for what I say and then everybody else is like, How come nobody else is saying anything? Murkowski told reporters. Well, figure it out. Because theyre looking at how many things are being thrown at me and its like, Maybe Ill just duck and cover. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats why youve got everybody zip-lip, not saying a word, cause theyre afraid theyre going to be taken down, theyre going to be primaried, theyre going to be given names in the media, she added. You know what, we cannot be cowed into not speaking up. The independent-minded senator has more room to buck Trump than most of her fellow Republican senators. She isnt facing reelection until 2028 after defeating a Trump-endorsed challenger in 2022. Alaskas adoption of a ranked-choice voting system could also bolster her reelection odds should the 67-year-old lawmaker decide to run for a fourth term. Still, Murkowskis willingness to break with Trump stands in sharp contrast to how her party has fallen blindly in line behind his every move. After voting to convict Trump for inciting the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, Murkowski refused to back his reelection bid, criticized his rhetoric about immigrants, condemned his personal conduct and opposed several of his Cabinet nominees. Trump, meanwhile, has said Murkowski is worse than a RINO, or Republican in name only. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When people say, Why arent you a better Republican and if youre not, get out of the party until Alaskans tell me, Lisa, its just not working anymore, Im going to give you every last breath and Im going to try and solve every little problem, Murkowski said on Tuesday. Im not going to compromise my integrity by hiding from my words when I feel they need to be spoken. Last week, Murkowski voted with Democrats to eliminate the budget of the Department of Government Efficiency, the Musk-led advisory group that is demolishing federal agencies and laying off government employees without congressional approval. In a speech to Alaskas legislature this week, she called the terminations indiscriminate, unlawful, and said they were traumatizing people. It may be that Elon Musk has decided hes going to take the next billion dollars that he makes off of Starlink and put it directly against Lisa Murkowski, she said on Tuesday, referring to the billionaires satellite internet company. And you know what, that may happen. But Im not giving up one minute, one opportunity to try and stand up for Alaskans. Related... Mar. 18MIDLAND Literacy has become a workforce issue and people are starting to acknowledge and tackle it. Many programs have started across the region to help increase literacy to prepare for population and job growth. In 2022, an Adult Literacy Needs Assessment showed that only a third of the region's adult population can read above a third grade level, and 50% cannot read above an eighth grade level, Literacy Coalition of the Permian Basin Executive Director Letticia Martinez said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The population in the Permian Basin is projected to grow by over 68% in the next 20 years, the assessment said. Simultaneously, the Permian Basin is expected to see substantial economic growth, which will drive the need for additional workers for the approximately 115,000 new jobs that will need to be filled by 2050. Thirty percent of these new jobs will require Level 3 literacy skills skills that require workers to navigate dense, lengthy, and complicated texts and apply their understanding to new tasks and contexts, the assessment said. "We want to do another needs analysis. It will probably be within five years of the initial one. We're probably looking more like 2027, but I can tell you that we have started new programs that never existed," Martinez said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That's one way the coalition can tell it is moving the needle. They started an adult education program in Van Horn in January with English as a Second Language and GED. "There was no adult ed available there at all. We partnered with Culberson County-Allmore ISD. ... They said ... we have nothing to offer adults," Martinez said. The coalition secured a location for classes, they found teachers and provided training. The coalition also started an ESL program at Midland Memorial Hospital for its staff in January. The hospital pays employees to take the classes because they want the staff to be able to provide better customer service to patients and visitors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martinez added that you don't often see employers do this. They also started an ESL class primarily for Greenwood ISD staff in August 2024. The coalition is also continuing ESL classes started in 2023 at Midland College's Cogdell Learning Center one for beginners and one is for intermediate students. They started by helping providers build capacity and giving them the support they needed, but noticed there were places where there was nothing, like Kermit. "If you look at Winkler County, they have some of the lowest literacy rates across the region. There was a GED class that was there, but there wasn't an ESL class. So we worked with Odessa College, and we started a class there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Odessa College provides the teachers. We're providing some of the technology that they need, some of the curriculum," Martinez said. She said they are considering adding a program at the Ector County Library in August and an additional program in Fort Stockton. "All of it's coming from the need to provide a literate workforce,"Martinez said. A lot of the jobs that need to be filled will require high school and some college. According to a county profile, education attainment among those age 25 and older is: 24 percent, less than high school 30 percent, high school 23 percent, some college Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 7 percent, associate degree 11 percent, bachelor's degree 5 percent, graduate Through its efforts and outreach to communities, the Literacy Coalition of the Permian Basin has helped English as a Second Language classes flourish and gotten books into the hands of more children. The Dolly Parton Imagination Library launched in Midland County and 15 other counties in early December. They have been working with school districts, pediatricians, daycare centers and any nonprofit organization "that has anything to do with children," Martinez said. The Education Foundation in Odessa and Chevron launched the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in Ector County in 2023 and 3,082 children have signed up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Between the ages of 0 to 5, children receive a free book through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library every month. For Midland and 15 other counties, Martinez said about 2,000 children have registered to this point as of the week of March 10. "Some of our counties are at almost 20% registration, and other counties are between 10 and 12%. The goal is for us to get to 65% so that's what we're doing right now, she added. "We're heavily into registering children, especially in those counties like Terrell County ... They may not have a large quantity of children, but they have no resources. The library there is very limited on what (they) can provide. When you can provide a book every month to a child and it goes to their mailbox, it's huge for a small community. A lot of the area that we cover is rural, so ... we're excited to be able to make such a big impact in a small area," Martinez said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The coalition also awards sub-grants. They recently announced 17 worth a total of $75,000 at the Andrews County Library. LCPB members are invited to apply for a coalition sub-grant, which can provide funding of up to $5,000 to bolster their literacy programs. They have been awarding the grants since 2022. "The grant cycle is usually late in the fall, and then we have a big check distribution ceremony. ... Those people who received these funds also had the opportunity to receive some training," Martinez said. Collectively, they awarded more than $200,000 in sub-grants. "The reason that we've been successful in receiving those funds is because we do cover such a broad area and such a rural area that funders look to us to be able to have that expertise when it comes to literacy and to be that resource hub for some of these smaller communities," Martinez said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are having Books in the Ballpark this coming Saturday at Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD. Martinez said the coalition will be out there distributing fliers for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. She added that the coalition not only provides grants, but training and connections to the sub-grantees so they have a support system to enable them to execute their literacy initiatives. When they learn the language, they get their GED and it builds their confidence. For the past two and a half years, the coalition has been providing POWER Bags to hospitals. The bag includes a medicine spoon, information developmental milestones and a bilingual book, among other things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The POWER Bag program was started by the Education Partnership of the Permian Basin. POWER stands for Power of Worlds and Early Reading. The coalition is also offering a program called Turn the Page, which they are doing with the Midland County Drug Court. People who go through the court are assessed for literacy through Midland College and provides them with information they might not have access to. The information is provided to their probation officer. The coalition is also hosting a Literacy for Growth Summit April 29 at the Midland County Horseshoe. This is the second year they have hosted the event. Literacy Coalition needs assessment from 2022 The population in the Permian Basin is projected to grow by over 68% in the next 20 years. Simultaneously, the Permian Basin is expected to see substantial economic growth, which will drive the need for additional workers for the approximately 115,000 new jobs that will need to be filled by 2050. Thirty percent of these new jobs will require Level 3 literacy skills skills that require workers to navigate dense, lengthy, and complicated texts and apply their understanding to new tasks and contexts. Today, the majority of the counties in the Permian Basin rank among the least literate and least educated in the United States. It will be necessary to significantly increase the Level 3 and above literacy rates over the course of the next generation to meet high-skilled job demand. If adult literacy rates remain flat over the next three decades, the economic impact would be substantial, with losses in the hundreds of millions to local industry. Improving adult literacy would have a transformative economic impact for the Permian Basin and its residents. If the Permian Basin were able to match the current literacy rates in Texas and New Mexico by 2040, the annual earnings gain would be approximately $353 million, with more than $242 million in new gross product each year and over 6,725 new jobs. Improving the region's literacy pipeline will require improving the capacity, availability and accessibility of educational programs. In this analysis the Literacy Coalition found that: 1. A large percentage of residents in each county are estimated to have Level 1 literacy skills (approximately second grade) and do not have a high school diploma. 2. The county averages for reading and language arts assessments in 3rd, 5th, and 9th grades are lower that the state average in most counties. 3. A small percentage of adults are enrolled in adult education programs, but of those who are, a notable percentage of English learners have postsecondary degrees from other countries. 4. Many adults are not able to access education programs due to lack of proximity, digital access, childcare, or scheduling conflicts with work. 5. Libraries are positioned to expand access and offer needed programs but are understaffed and under resourced. 6. Fluctuations in local economies due to changes in the energy sector disrupt students' ability to attend courses and providers' ability to retain qualified staff. 7. The Permian Basin has clear assets that can be leveraged to address findings one through six. Related video: Avalanche Safety UPDATE 9 A.M. The Utah Department of Transportation said Little Cottonwood Canyon reopened just after 9 a.m. Drivers heading into the canyon are advised to expect travel delays. You may be in fully stopped traffic after the road opens until the traffic queue clears, UDOT said. ORIGINAL STORY SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Skiers and snowboarders who may have called in sick, eager to hit the slopes in Little Cottonwood Canyon on Wednesday, will have to wait. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SR-210, the road that goes through the canyon has been closed for Utah Department of Transportation crews to conduct road operations and avalanche mitigation. As of 7 a.m., there is no estimate on when the road will reopen. Colder air, chilly winds linger before spring returns While crews work to make Little Cottonwood Canyon as safe as possible, drivers heading into the canyon will begin to line up. UDOT has asked those queuing to get into the canyon to not block neighborhood access and to be prepared for heavy uphill delays. Little Cottonwood Canyon received a healthy dose of fresh powder from a late-season winter storm that snuck in across the state before spring and warmer weather could take over. According to Ski Utahs snow report, Snowbird and Alta, two ski areas deep in the canyon, both recorded nearly two feet of new snow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its official Utahn (not Utahan) is now the states name for its citizens While the fresh snow will be nice for those hitting the slopes, it comes with its hazards. Drew Hardesty, a forecaster for Utah Avalanche Center, said there is a considerable avalanche danger in the upper elevations of the Salt Lake area mountains particularly on north through east to south-facing slopes. He indicated that human-triggered avalanches are likely and natural avalanches are possible. Itll be possible to trigger an avalanche large enough to bury you today, Hardesty wrote in his forecast. Dont let powder fever cloud your judgment: you can trigger avalanches in steep terrain today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Utah Avalanche Center reported Little Cottonwood Canyon had one avalanche in Grizzly Gulch on Tuesday, March 18. The naturally triggered avalanche measured a foot in depth and was 50 feet wide. 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. Cyborg-like walking assistance device targets China's expanding elderly market Xinhua) 08:29, March 19, 2025 A senior citizen wearing an exoskeleton walking aid device shops at a market in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Feb. 24, 2025. (RoboCT/Handout via Xinhua) HANGZHOU, March 18 (Xinhua) -- The cyborgs of science fiction, once symbols of superhuman abilities, are now powering China's elderly care revolution as the nation's silver economy surges. An exoskeleton walking aid device, designed by startup RoboCT located in Hangzhou in east China's Zhejiang Province, can make hiking easier for seniors by counteracting the weight of five bottles of water with each leg lift. RoboCT plans to launch its latest innovation late this month. It is priced at an affordable 2,000 yuan (about 276 U.S. dollars). In China's eastern tech hub, more firms like RoboCT are developing robotics aimed at assisting elderly mobility. RoboCT's engineers noticed that many elderly people walk with bent backs, take small steps and use waist braces in nursing homes, and so they focused the device's assistance efforts on the waist, back and hips. "The product assists with hip flexion and stabilizes the lumbar spine to help seniors walk with longer strides, quicker steps and greater stability," said Yan Hai, RoboCT's product director, in an interview with Xinhua. Inspired by tendon mechanics, the battery-free device, which weighs 2 kg, is worn around the hips and above the knees, capturing and storing some of the energy generated by the body's own efforts, before releasing it to assist with walking. "Exoskeleton robotics support seniors with weaker muscles, enhancing mobility through force compression and release, rotation speed and angle adjustments," said Yan. Even physically fit young people can get 30 percent assistance when wearing it. "China's exoskeleton robots, set for significant growth in the field of elderly care, have mastered key technologies like ergonomic design, motion recognition and self-learning AI that dynamically refine movement patterns," said Chen Zhiran, director of the Digital Economy Research Office at Zhejiang Development and Planning Institute. China's increasing elderly population faces widening unmet mobility needs, resulting in overburdened rehabilitation therapists and an annual shortfall in terms of rehab therapy graduates. Latest data shows that by the end of 2024, China's population aged 60 and above had reached 310 million -- accounting for roughly 22 percent of its total population. A growing number of Chinese firms have seen vast business opportunities stemming from the increasing aging population. The country's silver economy is emerging as a major growth driver, and is currently valued at 7 trillion yuan. According to a survey from data analysis provider iiMedia Research, China's silver economy is expected to reach a scale of 30 trillion yuan by 2035. Notably, enterprises are leveraging emerging technology such as AI and robotics to pioneer a new consumption scenario tailored to the elderly. Guided by a Chinese proposal, the International Electrotechnical Commission has released a global standard for elderly-care robots. To tap into the growing silver economy, tech firms are learning to focus on solving real elderly user challenges while employing cutting-edge technologies. Designed for elderly convenience, RoboCT's walking assist device takes just 20 seconds to put on and doesn't require smartphone operation. The firm is also planning to launch customized versions of this device for hemiplegic patients and spinal cord injury patients. A senior citizen wearing an exoskeleton walking aid device climbs the stairs in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Feb. 24, 2025. (RoboCT/Handout via Xinhua) A senior citizen wearing an exoskeleton walking aid device climbs the stairs in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Feb. 24, 2025. (RoboCT/Handout via Xinhua) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) 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 Kazakhstan's First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar in Beijing, capital of China, March 18, 2025. The two leaders co-chaired the 12th Meeting of the China-Kazakhstan Cooperation Committee, pledging to deepen practical cooperation. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei) BEIJING, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang met with Kazakhstan's First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar in Beijing on Tuesday. The two leaders co-chaired the 12th Meeting of the China-Kazakhstan Cooperation Committee, pledging to deepen practical cooperation. Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that under the guidance of the two heads of state, the China-Kazakhstan relationship has maintained a trend of rapid development, serving as an exemplary model for state-to-state relations. The two sides should effectively implement the important consensus reached by their heads of state, further consolidate political mutual trust, enhance mutual support, synergize development strategies, deepen practical cooperation, and bring improved benefits to both countries and peoples, Ding added. He fully affirmed the achievements of the China-Kazakhstan Cooperation Committee since its 11th meeting. He made four suggestions for future work: strengthening the guiding role of head-of-state diplomacy, deepening high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, advancing law enforcement and security cooperation, and promoting people-to-people exchange. Sklyar said that Kazakhstan regards the development of relations with China as a diplomatic priority. It stands ready to work with the Chinese side to fully leverage bilateral cooperation mechanisms, ensure the effective implementation of key Belt and Road cooperation projects, and advance new achievements in Kazakhstan-China cooperation. CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) Education leaders in Shippensburg are rallying on the Shippensburg Area Senior High School lawn this morning to show support for public schools and the students they serve. According to Samuel Hudson, the local president of the Shippensburg Area Education Association and a registered Republican, this rally is a response to Linda McMahons recent confirmation as the U.S. Department of Education Secretary and efforts to dismantle the Department. Hudson said this is a bipartisan effort locally, with both sides of the political aisle expected to appear. However, Hudson says the idea of the rally is not to be overtly political. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So it means a lot to see administration, as well as teachers, the local teachers union really coming together and standing shoulder to shoulder to support our schools and our students, because thats ultimately what its about. Its not about politics. Its not about teachers. Its actually about the kids, Hudson said. In a press release, Hudson said local advocates and others across Pennsylvania will speak out against executive orders that will strip resources from vulnerable students, including those with disabilities, and make higher education more expensive for future generations. Rallies are happening nationwide but start at 6:45 a.m. in Shippensburg. Hudson said they are hopeful for a big turnout. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now WHTM Daily Digest During a press conference on March 12, 2025, President Donald Trump said the goal is to move the Department of Education into the states, and he wants McMahon to put herself out of a job. McMahon said the presidents goal isnt to defund key programs but to have them operate more efficiently. 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. Its a monthly deposit that means the world to some families We are low income based I need help providing for my children, said Jahqwayla Harris, who lives in Port Vue. That over $600 a month is life-changing for Harris and her three kids, but last week the deposit to her EBT account went in at midnight and 20 minutes later the money was gone. I had maybe ten different transactions in like ten different states and cities, this is crazy, Harris said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This isnt a new scam. Since October 2022, Pennsylvania has recorded more than 23,000 EBT thefts, but the federal government would reimburse that money back. That changed in December. Now I have to spoon cash that I really dont have that has to go to other things like bills and other necessities. Its hurtful, we are struggling right now, Harris said. State Representative Doyle Heffley has gotten dozens of these calls. Thats why hes introducing a bill to create better security around the program by changing the way people use the card. They are just swipe; we did talk with the department about can we just go with chip enabled. When I think about it most of my credit cards have chip but because the way the cards are set up and the retailers that use them not everyone has chip enabled machines, Heffley said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, the upgrade wouldnt just be to the cards, but to some of the stores to be able to read the new chips. Its a costly undertaking for the Department of Human Services but one Heffley believes is needed to protect Pennsylvanians. We are stealing from the most vulnerable people and any kind of theft is wrong but everyone wants to make sure when public dollars are given out to people that need it that they are going to be able to utilize those dollars, Heffley said. There are some things people can do to protect themselves now. It can include changing your pin and password often and keeping your card hidden until you have to use it. Also, before you swipe look for any skimmer devices. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TAYLOR COUNTY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) In 1929, Amelia Perry was born in Haskell County; just one year later, the nation would be hit with an agricultural and financial blowback that hadnt been seen in almost 100 years. The Dust Bowl, from prolonged drought, heavy winds, and over-farming, led to fruitless farmland and skies blotted out by red and brown dust. We were fortunate right where we lived it wasnt as sandy as up northSo we didnt get the dirt as bad as they didBut Im sure it still blew. I know it did, said Perry. Dust storm over Camp Barkley, Abilene 1944 (Left) Dust storm approaching Perryton Texas, 1935 (Top) Dust storm over Wheeler Texas, 1935), Images above courtesy of University of North Texas Libraries Via PortaltoTexasHistory.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though Perry was young as the bad times were beginning, she has many stories shared by older relatives and friends which paint a picture of dirt and desperation during this national depressive period. The worst part of what we knew about was happening in OklahomaI can remember a cousin of mineIn Turkey, Texas. She used to talk about hanging wet towels in front of their windows to catch the dust that came in, so there must have been a lot of dirt up in the Panhandle, Perry Shared. Amelia Perry Her memories may be hazy, but her adolescence is bookended by hazy winds that carried her from her birth up to her married years when she and her husband lived in Paint Creek. I mean, the dust would come into my house. Now, you wont believe this, but its the truth. And I would sweep it up with a shovel, said Perry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, what exactly made the dust storms of the past so much more prolonged and devastating than those Texans have experienced recently? KTAB/KRBC spoke with Taylor County AgriLife Extension Agent Steve Estes to examine some contributing factors of the 1930s Dust Bowl. The United States, especially the central part of the United States, including our area, was experiencing a prolonged drought. At the time, a lot of land acres were put into cultivation for farms, say from the big country north all the way up into Kansas and experiencing drought and high wind like weve seen here lately. That created just a perfect storm to have the Dust Bowl, if you will, Estes said. In decades to come, the lessons learned will be applied to ensure that even if we experience drought and high winds, the farmland that those winds blow across will not provide nearly as much dry dirt as it did in the 1930s. Merkel cotton farmer Tim Shields explains that Strip Tilling is just one of the safeguards he uses to combat soil loss. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Look at this place where we have the strip-till. We just plow a small portion of it, and we leave the wheat stubble and maybe a few weeds. And it keeps that ground from blowing away, Shields said. Example of Strip tilled farmland Shields says crop rotation is another key factor in preventing dust storms of such a scale. Both practices, he says, have made the big country and those who implement them around the nation much less likely to see those massive dust storms, even if we see unusually high winds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As many days and as strong as its blown, I dont think thats normal. If we hadnt changed the way we farmed, I think it would have been pretty bad. Multiple days of the sand blowing and a thing you could do to stop it, said Shields. Estes says those methods, along with the 1985 Conservation Reserve Program, have vastly improved U.S. agricultural practices. A lot of it is thanks to the Conservation Reserve Program, which basically paid an incentive to farmers to take land out of cultivation and put it into grass, and grass obviously holds all the dirt down in a windstorm. So we have less acres today in cultivated land than we did back in the 1930s, said Estes. Shields said that the recent wind and dust storms did not damage his fields in Merkel as badly as expected, largely thanks to the strip tilling of his land. He says he will begin to plant his next cotton crop in about mid-May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) Huntsville has been involved in a back-and-forth battle to stake claim over Space Commands new headquarters. Members of the local chapter of Turning Point USA are set to host an informational session titled The Fight for Space Command with Dylan Smith, District Director for U.S. Representative Dale Strong. NASA to continue analyzing data after completion of Fireflys first moon mission Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The session will be held at the University of Alabama in Huntsvilles Charger Union Theater on Thursday, March 20, at 11 a.m. At the session, the effort to get Space Command moved back to Huntsville, DOGE and its impact on our local economy will be discussed along with other questions raised by the audience. Admission is free and open to the public, and there will be a Q&A session. Snacks will be provided at the event. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP here. 6 arrested in Franklin County for meth, various drugs during search In November, state lawmakers were hopeful that the new presidential administration would bring Space Command to Huntsville, where it was voted to reside in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Huntsville was named a finalist in early 2021. Then, in 2022, the Department of Defense named the city as the preferred permanent location for U.S. Space Command headquarters. The Rocket City finished first in both the Air Forces evaluation phase and the selection phase, while Colorado Springs finished fourth and fifth respectively. In June 2023, a U.S. Space Command General reportedly confirmed to Alabama politicians in D.C. and the Alabama Delegation that the state is still the preferred location for SPACECOM headquarters. However, come July 2023, the Pentagon released a statement that President Biden selected Colorado Springs as the permanent location for the U.S. Space Command Headquarters. In September 2023, the House Armed Services Committee held a hearing on the decision for Space Command about the decision to select Colorado Springs over Huntsville for the command headquarters. Kentucky man charged with rape of 15-year-old to be held without bond following Aniahs Law hearing Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, the committee chairman, said the committees investigation determined that the justification of concerns about operational readiness as the basis for leaving the headquarters in Colorado is just fabricated. In February, the General Assembly of the State of Ohio sent a petition to the Senate Armed Services Committee urging the federal government to select Ohio for the permanent headquarters of the United States Space Command. The General Assembly of the State of Ohio stated that the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton is uniquely situated to help Space Command. Because of this, the members of the 135th General Assembly of the State of Ohio are asking that the Senate pick Ohio as the new permanent home of Space Command since the government has not made a final decision on the final, permanent location. In a 2023 plea to the federal government, Ohio State Representative Tom Patton said, Ohio is proud to be known as the birthplace of aviation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) A local tribe has launched a petition formally requesting that President Donald Trump return the Presidio back to indigenous people. The Muwekma Ohlone Tribe posted the petition on its website, calling the Presidio a beautiful national park on the tribes traditional homelands in San Francisco. The petition, which follows Trumps executive order to potentially disband the Presidio Trust, was addressed to Trump and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. The goal of the petition is to rematriate the Presidio and establish a new reservation on the land it occupies. Rematriation, according to the Sogorea Te Land Trust, is Indigenous woman-led work to restore sacred relationships between Indigenous people and ancestral land. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iconic Twitter bird logo sign from companys former SF HQ up for auction For decades, powerful elected officials in California have staunchly opposed the Muwekma Ohlone Tribes 45-year struggle to affirm its federal status, the tribe wrote. The Tribe submitted a Right of First Refusal to the federal government during the decommissioning of the military installation of the Presidio in 2022, but it was refused by leading California politicians. Now is a perfect time for you to help the tribe right this wrong. The tribe said the rightful return of the Presidio would be an extraordinary act of reconciliation and that the Muwekma people maintain a deep cultural and spiritual connection to the Presidio lands. While not recognized as a Native American tribe by the federal government or California state government, the Muwekmas website claims the tribe was recognized as the Pleasanton or Verona Band of Alameda County, under the jurisdiction of the Indian agency in Sacramento. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a video posted to its Facebook, the tribe singled out the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Rep. Nancy Pelosi, accusing them of blocking efforts to return the land to its rightful guardians. 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. US defence companies need to learn to fail and move on, according to a top official at Lockheed Martin. Americas biggest defence firms risk stifling innovation by being overly cautious when testing new technologies, Brian OConnor, Lockheed Martins vice-president of global supply chain, told a gathering of lawmakers and defence contractors. If were really going to be innovative, weve got to accept failure, he said, adding that the big defence firms never want to fail because it reflects negatively on them and damages the value of their stocks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Worth over $100 billion, Lockheed Martin is Americas largest defence contractor, producing long-range Himars and Javelin anti-tank missile systems used in the war in Ukraine, as well as F-35 fighter jets. This does not involve being negligent, explained Mr OConnor, but means saying were going to try, rather than spending six months analysing it. He added that some really entrepreneurial companies who have emerged in recent years learn from failure, and its more acceptable. Lockheed Martin is Americas largest defence contractor, producing long-range Himars and Javelin anti-tank missile systems used in the war in Ukraine - Photodisc He made the remarks at a meeting of members of the House Select committee on China and military contractors in Huntsville, Alabama, to discuss how the US can reform its defence industry to compete with Beijing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Experts have warned that the US militarys supply chain is too reliant on China. Meanwhile, the US lags behind Beijing in key areas, including hypersonic weapons and shipbuilding. Rep Carlos Gimenez, the Florida Congressman, quipped that the Pentagons procedure for greenlighting new technologies is so painstakingly thorough, it is comparable to undergoing a rectal exam. I think were the problem, he said. Assessing how America ended up not being the innovators, he said: We dont innovate like we used to because the systems too rigid. Instead, he suggested the US defence sector could learn from Elon Musk, the SpaceX founder, for whom risk taking is part of his DNA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Space Xs Starship has conducted eight flights despite the rocket blowing up minutes after its first launch in April 2023. If that had been Nasa, Mr Gimemez said, Wed still be on the launchpad. DoD shake-up Addressing two-year delays in establishing military requirements for new technologies, Representative Robert Aderholt, the Alabama Congressman, questioned: Is the current system we have fundamentally broken? The Trump administration pledged a radical shake-up at the department of defence (DoD) in order to boost efficiency. In February, the president fired the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, General Charles Q Brown Jr and pushed out five other admirals and generals as part of an unprecedented overhaul of US military leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pete Hegseth, the defence secretary, has moved to cut the departments civilian workforce, announcing plans to lay off 5,400 probationary workers and implement a hiring freeze. A January DoD report urged the new administration to expand the pool of companies the Pentagon works with in order to speed up the process of producing prototype technologies and scaling them up for mass-production. Industry decline Roger Wicker, the chairman of the powerful senate armed services committee, in December put forward a five-point plan to improve government efficiency in defence that was endorsed by Mr Hegseth. The plan proposed reducing requirements to report to Congress, strengthening commercial acquisition, increasing competition, cutting red tape and restructuring the departments budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defence experts at Mondays conference warned that burdensome over-regulation of defence contractors is leading to smaller firms leaving the industry, which has a knock-on effect on competition. Parker Chapman, senior director of legislative affairs at the Aerospace Industries Association, said that the industry has seen a 40 per cent decline in the number of mom and pop suppliers over the past decade. This lack of competition and excess red tape are said to have created a so-called valley of death between producing prototypes of new technology and scaling it up for use in the military. Problems recruiting engineers Jonathan Pettus, executive director of Auburn Universitys Applied Research Institute, said that in the case of hypersonic missiles, the research was carried out three or four decades ago but the US does not have the materials necessary to design one of its own. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defence chiefs also warned that problems with US higher education are driving engineers away from pursuing research degrees. Alan Zimmerer of BAE Systems, said that radiation engineers, who play a crucial role in missile development, are almost impossible to find. Meanwhile, Mr Pettus said that engineers are being driven out of further education, leaving the defence sector without research in key areas needed to combat Beijing. If you also look at the number of papers that are being generated, the research papers on artificial intelligence right now, you look at our production as a country compared to the Chinese, theyre equivalent, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the topic of decoupling from China, Mr Gimenez warned that it is essential that the US becomes technologically independent. For national security issues, we have to make sure that all those critical materials that this country needs to protect itself and project power are under our control, he said. We need to face the fact that China will cut us off. 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 London Amid a hiring freeze, overtime cuts and warnings of possible municipal layoffs, the City Council on Monday approved funneling $2 million in surplus funds into a new tax-rate stabilization account designed to offset state funding losses. The money $1 million more than initially planned will come from a series of sources, including $1.5 million worth of additional revenues from a state municipal revenue sharing program; the Connecticut Port Authority; and Eversource incentive payments. Another $500,000 will be withdrawn from various city payroll, overtime, consulting and other accounts, Finance Director David McBride said on Tuesday. The councils 5-2 vote to shift the excess funds came after Mayor Michael Passero painted a grim picture of the 2025-26 budget process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said Gov. Ned Lamonts proposed biennial budget shorts the city $2.5 million in state funds, mainly through a drop in Payment in Lieu of Taxes and motor vehicle tax subsidies that can be traced to the citys 2023 property revaluation results. The General Assembly has yet to unveil its budget, which may differ significantly from Lamont's proposal. Passero, who previously said he will not increase education spending for next year, has ordered a hiring freeze for all departments except the police and fire departments to build a surplus. Passero earlier this month proposed moving $1 million into the tax-rate stabilization fund as a way to offset those state losses. But the plan to double that deposit took aback several councilors many of whom learned of the increase less than two hours before the meeting began. Councilor Jefferey Hart, who in past months has become the most prominent and vocal critic of several of Passeros proposals, decried the suddenness of the ask and pushed, unsuccessfully, for the issue to be tabled indefinitely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hart, who along with Councilor John Satti voted against the $2 million funding shift, argued it was unfair to ask the school district to drain its reserves to craft a balanced budget while Passero was stuffing surplus money into what he called a rainy-day account. It is raining now. Were having issues now, Hart said, adding the plan stinks to high heaven. Passero countered it would require cutting 20 to 25 positions to make up for the anticipated state funding loss. Thats what weve been struggling with: gutting the government just to be able to produce a budget, he said. Cutting overtime, freezing spending Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the current budget resulted in the first widespread tax increase in years for property owners, Passero vowed Monday to chop and divert his way out of a similar scenario and plug the anticipated revenue hole in the 2025-26 budget. I will not raise taxes. Ive said that, he said. We cannot raise property taxes in a city where 60% of our families are living paycheck to paycheck and already paying well more than 30% of their income in housing costs. We dont need any more foreclosures. We dont any more evictions. In addition to the hiring freeze in place through the remainder of the fiscal year, which ends June 30, Passero said all city departments are instructed to scour their books to halt any unnecessary spending in hopes of finding more surplus revenue. Were just trying to limit the amount of damage we have to do and the number of positions we have to cut, he said, adding hes hoping any employee cuts will be offset by not filling vacancies. Well cut anywhere else we can before we cut personnel. Were especially concentrating on overtime costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city last week opted not to spend up to $225,000 in police, fire and public works overtime costs for the citys annual Sailfest event. In response, organizers first canceled the summertime festival before announcing a scaled-back event. McBride said Passero was if anything understating the severity of the budget problem facing the city, especially without the $2 million funding shift. I can honestly say its in dire straits, he said. Hart said all the mayor's explanations fell flat" for him, noting millions of dollars in unexpected revenue had been found to be placed in the stabilization account. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I don't know whether to interpret that generously or not, but it happens too often," he said. "I have a hard time trusting you and the administration. Passero is required to present his budget proposal to the council by April 1. j.penney@theday.com A London resident was arraigned Monday morning for the fatal shooting of her mother pleading not guilty to murder. Brianna Rich, 26, of London, was arrested by Laurel County Sheriff John Root and Detective Taylor McDaniel around 9:30 p.m. Friday on one count of murder. According to the London-Laurel County 911 Communication Center, Rich reported the shooting to dispatch, stating that she had shot at the female there and was performing CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Upon arrival, deputies found approximately 10 shell casings at the scene a residence off Burnett Road, some seven miles southeast of London. Richs mother Carol Rich was reported as dead at the scene with multiple gunshot wounds, with no further specification. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Laurel County Coroners Office was notified of the incident and pronounced Carol Rich deceased at the scene. Although officers recovered a 9mm pistol on scene, the gun has not been determined as the weapon used in the shooting as of press time. The LCSO has also stated that a motive has not yet been determined. Dep. Gilbert Acciardo stated that the LCSO did not have prior knowledge of a history of domestic disputes or violence between Brianna and Carol Rich. Acciardo additionally shared that there were no witnesses to the crime. Det. McDaniel is leading the investigation. Assisting at the scene for LCSO were Det. Hunter Disney, Det. Tommy Houston, Reconstructionist Dep. Brad Mink, Dep. Noah Ritchie, Dep. Daniel Reed, Dep. Matt Walker, Dep. Joey Smith, Dep. Justin Lewis, Dep. Byron Grimes, and Dep. Cody Blackwell. Also assisting at the scene were Kentucky State Police, Ambulance Inc. of Laurel County, Campground Fire Department, and the Laurel County Coroners Office. At press time, Brianna Rich remained lodged at the Laurel County Correctional Center in lieu of a $250,000 bond. She is next scheduled to appear in Laurel District Court next Tuesday for a preliminary hearing. Over the weekend, the Trump administration deported hundreds of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador, where they are being held in a maximum security mega-prison called the Center for the Confinement of Terrorism (CECOT). El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele said in a post to social media on Sunday that those deported to his country included 238 members of the Tren de Aragua gang and 23 members of the Salvadoran gang MS-13. They were immediately transferred to CECOT, Bukele wrote, adding that they would be held at that facility for a period of one year (renewable). Today, the first 238 members of the Venezuelan criminal organization, Tren de Aragua, arrived in our country. They were immediately transferred to CECOT, the Terrorism Confinement Center, for a period of one year (renewable). The United States will pay a very low fee for them, pic.twitter.com/tfsi8cgpD6 Nayib Bukele (@nayibbukele) March 16, 2025 On Saturday, President Trump signed a proclamation invoking the 1798 Alien Enemies Act as justification for deporting the migrants, but has not identified any of them by name or provided any evidence that they are members of a gang. Conditions at the prison Guards escorting inmates at CECOT. (Courtesy of Salvadoran Government via Getty Images) CECOT is a 40,000-capacity jail located roughly 47 miles from San Salvador that was opened in 2023. The prison is made up of eight different pavilions and each of its cells can accommodate 67 to 70 inmates. CECOT does not allow those held there to receive visitations from the civilian population. It offers no educational opportunities and does not allow inmates to go outside. Those held at the prison shower with water from a large basin inside their cells and collect water from a large plastic barrel to drink, France 24 reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A crew from CNN was recently allowed to enter the prison. The only furniture is tiered metal bunks, with no sheets, pillows or mattresses an open toilet, a cement basin and plastic bucket for washing and a large jug for drinking water, CNN senior correspondent David Culver said of what he saw at the prison, adding that the inmates do not work. They are not allowed books or a deck of cards or letters from home. Plates of food are stacked outside the cells at mealtimes and pulled through the bars. No meat is ever served. The 30-minute daily respite is merely to leave the cell for the central hallway for group exercise or Bible readings. Members of the MS-13 and 18th Street gangs are confined at CECOT. (Marvin Recinos/AFP via Getty Images) CECOT is the largest prison in Latin America. (Marvin Recinos/AFP via Getty Images) U.S. deal with El Salvador In November, Secretary of State Marco Rubio reached an agreement with Bukele that cleared the way for El Salvador to accept deportees from the U.S., including some violent American criminals in exchange for millions of dollars in annual compensation. An exterior view of CECOT. (Salvador Melendez/AP/File) We can send them, and he will put them in his jails, Rubio said of migrants detained in the U.S. And hes also offered to do the same for dangerous criminals currently in custody and serving their sentences in the United States even though theyre U.S. citizens or legal residents." It is not known whether any U.S. citizens are being held at CECOT. ANGOLA, La. (AP) Louisiana carries out its first nitrogen gas execution on a man convicted of a killing decades ago, his lawyer says. ISLAMABAD, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's high-level security meeting at the parliament has stressed the need for consensus and unified political commitment to curb the menace of terrorism by using full force, said a joint statement by the participants. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif read out the statement after the in-camera meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security, which was convened amid a surge in terrorist attacks on security personnel, particularly in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The country's top civilian and military leaderships gathered to formulate strategies against terrorism after several deadly attacks claimed the lives of both civilians and security personnel. The meeting expressed serious concerns over the increasing misuse of social media platforms by terrorist groups to spread propaganda, recruit followers, and coordinate attacks, stressing the need for immediate measures to curb the abuse and to establish procedures to block digital networks of terrorists. Jessie Hoffman, 46, was executed Tuesday, March 18, 2025, for the 1996 kidnapping, rape and murder of Mary Molly Elliot, 28, in St. Tammany Parish. He's the first person put to death through nitrogen hypoxia, and the first death sentenced carried out in Louisiana in 15 years. (Photo courtesy Hoffmans defense team) Jessie Hoffman was put to death Tuesday evening at Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, becoming the first person in the state executed using nitrogen gas. It also marked the first time Louisiana has carried out the death penalty in 15 years, citing its inability to obtain the drugs necessary for lethal injection. With no foreseeable sources to resuming using that method, Republican Gov. Jeff Landry and the GOP-dominated state legislature approved nitrogen hypoxia as an alternative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alabama is the only other state to have used the technique, having put four condemned men to death since adopting the method in February 2024. It went flawless. There was nothing that happened incorrectly, Gary Westcott, secretary of Louisianas Department of Public Safety and Corrections, told reporters after Hoffmans execution, according to WAFB-TV. Hoffman, 46, was executed for the 1996 kidnapping, rape and murder of 28-year-old Mary Molly Elliot. Investigators said Hoffman abducted Elliot at a downtown New Orleans parking lot where he was a valet and where she parked daily for her job at an advertising agency. She was taken to rural St. Tammany Parish, where she was assaulted and fatally shot the day before Thanksgiving. A hunter found her nude body the next day at a remote boat launch near the Pearl River. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Landrys office issued a statement from him after Hoffmans execution. It stressed how Elliots family and friends have been forced to relive the tragedy through countless legal proceedings. In Louisiana, we will always prioritize victims over criminals, law and order over lawlessness, and justice over the status quo, Landry said. If you commit heinous acts of violence in this State, it will cost you your life. Plain and simple. Read the governors full statement below. Lawyers for Hoffman, seeking a last-minute reprieve from his death sentence being carried out, argued nitrogen hypoxia amounts to cruel and unusual punishment, prohibited under the 8th Amendment. Hoffman instead sought death by firing squad or lethal injection, acknowledging his responsibility for Elliots violent death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick of Louisianas Middle District Court, temporarily blocked Hoffmans execution date to allow that argument to proceed. Attorney General Liz Murrill challenged that order. Last week, the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals removed the injunction from Dick, a federal court appointee of former President Barack Obama. In a 5-4 decision late Tuesday afternoon, the Supreme Court refused to stop Hoffmans execution. Cecelia Koppel, one of Hoffmans attorneys and director of the Center for Social Justice at Loyola University College of Law, issued a statement shortly after Hoffmans death. Tonight, the State of Louisiana carried out the senseless execution of Jessie Hoffman, Koppell said. He was a father, a husband, and a man who showed extraordinary capacity for redemption. Jessie no longer bore any resemblance to the 18-year old who killed Molly Elliot. Koppel had unsuccessfully challenged Louisianas move to nitrogen hypoxia, arguing the method was an illegal affront to Hoffmans Buddhist faith. Justice Neil Gorsuch, an appointee of President Donald Trump, joined the courts three liberal jurists and wrote the dissenting opinion, calling out the 5th Circuits failure to address Hoffmans religious concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The expedited nature of Louisianas nitrogen hypoxia protocols was also a point of contention for Koppel. Although Landry and lawmakers approved the method last year, the governor didnt provide the legally required execution protocol until Feb. 10. Those details remained under seal until March 5, giving Hoffmans team less than two weeks to challenge the pending execution. The State was able to execute him by pushing out a new protocol and setting execution dates to prevent careful judicial review and shrouding the process in secrecy, Koppel said. State corrections officials allowed only two journalists to witness the execution. According to The Advocate, Hoffman was fastened to a gurney and inhaled nitrogen gas for 19 minutes. State officials said he displayed convulsive activity as he died, and he was pronounced dead at 6:50 p.m. Hoffman declined to make a final statement before his death and refused a last meal, according to the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ilona Hoffman, the executed mans wife, issued a statement that said he was not defined by his worst moment and that the system had failed him as a child. This execution was not justice. It was revenge, Ilona Hoffman said. True justice recognizes growth, humanity, and redemption. Louisiana chose to ignore that. The Promise of Justice Initiative, which opposes the death penalty, was among the groups in Hoffmans corner. Its senior staff attorney, Samantha Pourciau, took critical aim at the Landry administration in a statement after his death. Governor Landrys yearslong pursuit of this execution concluded with more pain and more trauma. Tonight, while many in our state cannot afford groceries, the state used countless resources to kill one man, Pourciau said in part. The governor cannot cloak this in fighting for victims, because today we learned that this is not, in fact, what this family wants. This is what the governor wants. This has been in service of no one, but the bloodlust of our state government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are 55 more people on death row in Louisiana, and Murrill has said the state intends to execute four people this year. The full statement from Gov. Jeff Landry on Jessie Hoffmans execution: It is unfortunate that bad people exist, and they do real bad things. When these acts of violence happen, society must not tolerate it. God is as Just as he is Merciful; and my hope is that when Louisiana empties death row, there will never be another victim whose perpetrator must be placed there. In Louisiana, we will always prioritize victims over criminals, law and order over lawlessness, and justice over the status quo. If you commit heinous acts of violence in this State, it will cost you your life. Plain and simple. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) Attorney General Liz Murrill confirmed Tuesday evening that Louisiana had carried out the execution of death row inmate Jessie Hoffman. Hoffman was scheduled for execution Tuesday evening as legal challenges continued to unfold as his attorneys sought a last-minute stay from the U.S. Supreme Court. The Supreme Court declined to intervene, voting 5-4 against the appeal on Tuesday, according to the Associated Press. The Louisiana State Penitentiary held a press conference after the execution, during which state officials spoke. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections Gary Westcott, Hoffman was pronounced dead by the West Feliciana Parish Coroners Office at 6:50 p.m. by nitrogen hypoxia. Hoffman declined a final meal, Westcott said. Tonight, justice was served for Mary Molly Elliot and for the state of Louisiana, said Murrill. Gov. Landry and I made a promise to the citizens of Louisiana and the family members of the victims of these heinous crimes that we would put them first and that we would follow the law. Gov. Jeff Landry released a statement after Hoffmans execution. It is unfortunate that bad people exist, and they do real bad things. When these acts of violence happen, society must not tolerate it. God is as Just as he is Merciful; and my hope is that when Louisiana empties death row, there will never be another victim whose perpetrator must be placed there. In Louisiana, we will always prioritize victims over criminals, law and order over lawlessness, and justice over the status quo. If you commit heinous acts of violence in this State, it will cost you your life. Plain and simple. Gov. Jeff Landry Legal challenges to execution Hoffman, 46, was sentenced to death for the 1996 kidnapping and murder of Mary Molly Elliott in New Orleans. Hoffmans execution was Louisianas first since 2010, when Gerald Bordelon was put to death by lethal injection. He was originally scheduled for lethal injection, but in 2012, he filed a lawsuit arguing that the penalty was unconstitutional. The state also struggled to obtain the necessary drugs, but the case was ultimately dismissed in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2024, the Louisiana Legislature passed a new law allowing execution by nitrogen hypoxia and electrocution, paving the way for Hoffmans execution under this new method. His attorneys petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to halt the execution, arguing that: Nitrogen hypoxia violates the Eighth Amendment by causing extreme psychological suffering. The method infringes on Hoffmans religious rights as a Buddhist, preventing him from engaging in meditative breathing at the time of death. Louisiana execution protocol unsealed: Heres how the state plans to use nitrogen gas State pushes forward with execution Attorney General Liz Murrill pushed back against the legal challenges, stating that Louisianas nitrogen gas protocol follows Alabamas method, which has been upheld in four previous cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alabama has already done this four times using nitrogen hypoxia, and every one of its cases has run up through the Supreme Court of the United States, Murrill said. The Supreme Court declined to intervene, which allowed Alabama to proceed. We expect that same decision. Tomorrow, justice will finally be served for Mary Molly Elliott. FILE Vehicles enter at the main security gate at Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, La., Aug. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Judi Bottoni, File) Jessie Hoffman (Louisiana Attorney Generals Office) Execution table at Angola (Mike Thompson) Execution table at Angola (Mike Thompson) Execution table at Angola (Mike Thompson) A temporary restraining order (TRO) was granted Monday, preventing the execution from proceeding until at least 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. Murrill said her office planed to seek relief from the Louisiana Supreme Court if necessary. Attorneys for Mr. Hoffman continue to file pleadings in an attempt to see what will stick. Well continue to address them as they come, however, I expect the execution to go forward as planned, Murrill said. What happens next? Murrill announced this is the first successful execution and the state intends to continue to carry out more executions, pending litigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I, along with my office, remain committed to ensuring justice is carried out in all the death penalty cases, said Murrill. 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. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) The Louisiana Supreme Court has dismissed a lawsuit challenging an amendment on tax and budget reform set to appear on the March 29 ballot. The March 18 ruling stated that voters should decide on the proposed constitutional amendment at the polls. Late last night, the Louisiana Supreme Court sided with my offices defense of ballot language for Constitutional Amendment 2 which cuts taxes and makes teachers pay raises permanent. Voting on Amendment 2 will proceed as scheduled, Murrill said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Louisiana Legislature, elected by the people, passed Constitutional Amendment 2 with a bipartisan majority in both the House and Senate. Every Senate Democrat joined every Senate Republican in passing Constitutional Amendment 2 to send it to the voters for final approval. This case was flawed and attempted to silence the voice of the people. The people can now speak, Gov. Jeff Landry said in a March 19 statement. Louisiana voters to decide on major tax code changes in March election The lawsuit, filed by a pastor and two educators from East Baton Rouge and Orleans parishes, challenged House Bill 7, arguing that the measure is too broad and the ballot language is misleading. The plaintiffs argued the measure violates the Louisiana Constitutions one object rule, which requires constitutional amendments to focus on a single subject unless they revise an entire article. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voters can cast their vote during the March 29 election. Early voting ends on Saturday, March 22. March 29 Election: What voters need to know about early voting, absentee ballots Latest News 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 Louisiana First News. Wind energy advocates and lawmakers see potential for wind power expansion in Louisiana. (Creative Commons photo by Kim Hansen/CC BY-SA-3.0) Wind energy has gained some momentum in Louisiana, where there has been bipartisan support for policy to launch the alternative power source off its coast. But that push faces hostility from the Trump administration, which has halted all offshore wind energy development in federal waters for the time being. Federal permits are also needed for wind energy projects in state waters, so advocates in Louisiana are emphasizing their economic messaging playing down the climate-friendly aspects of the renewable resource and focusing more on its ability to create jobs, save consumers money and address growing electricity demand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Industry supporters honed in on economic value while making their case Monday to the Louisiana House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment. The panel was tasked with gathering information on solar and wind energy development in a House study resolution representatives approved last year. Jenny Netherton, with the Southeastern Wind Coalition, acknowledged Louisianas fossil fuel legacy when she made her pro-wind points to lawmakers. This is a once in a generation economic opportunity, the same way that Louisiana has capitalized on oil and gas, she said. Rep. Joe Orgeron, R-Larose, has authored multiple laws aimed at giving offshore wind development a foothold in Louisiana. They include an amendment to the Louisiana Constitution approved in November with 73% support that dedicates state revenue from offshore wind energy toward coastal restoration and protection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Orgeron and other backers of offshore wind energy in the legislature have stressed how the existing workforce devoted to oil and gas exploration can be used to build and install wind farms in coastal waters. Now we finally have another energy job thats not related to the price of oil and gas that communities can make a living from, said Orgeron, the committees vice-chairman. Blake Canfield, executive counsel for the Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources, also affirmed the states potential for wind energy. We are known worldwide were being an energy state and for having done many years of oil and gas activity. A lot of the technical expertise, manufacturing and other attributes that make us very good at oil and gas, I think also can carry over to offshore wind, Canfield said. Trump stalls wind work An executive order from President Donald Trump led the Environmental Protection Agency to pause all development of offshore wind energy development. It also halts all leasing of federal waters for such projects while the agency reviews its permitting procedures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were not going to do the wind thing, Trump said at a rally following his Jan. 20 inauguration. Big, ugly windmills, they ruin your neighborhood. Trump has also made several false claims about risks from wind energy, like saying the noise from wind turbines causes cancer. Rep. Brett Geymann, R-Lake Charles, chairs the Natural Resources and Environment Committee and authored the study resolution that led to Mondays presentation. He expressed concern for responsible wind energy development, referencing the current wild wild west of solar regulation. He advocated for state involvement in wind energy permitting, with Netherton noting such projects have a longer development timeline around 10 years from the start of construction to when power is generated. She explained this could be an advantage in terms of creating uniform regulation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We support wind done right, said Scott Eustis, community science director for the environmental advocacy group Healthy Gulf. He leaned in on the environmental angle, comparing the impact of wind projects to oil and gas development. Any project has a footprint. You want zoning, you want buffers, Eustis said. We just dont see the hazard zone with wind that fossil fuel infrastructure involves. To account for massive turbines, a 2022 Louisiana law created a 25,000-acre area for wind energy leases in state coastal waters compared with 5,000 acres for oil and gas leases. Orgeron was co-author of the legislation. Wind as a stabilizing force Lawmakers and industry advocates alike spoke about the need for supplemental sources of electricity when demand on the power grid is at its greatest during peak summer heat and extreme winter cold and outages following hurricanes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netherton said wind energy avoids the spikes in commodity prices that can cause electric bills to increase. When natural gas prices increase utilities are allowed to pass along the expense to customers. Although the initial investment in wind energy development is steep, Netherton said it ultimately benefits consumers in the long run. Both offshore and onshore wind are cost competitive when considered over the life of a project, Netherton said. The financial advisory firm Lazards levelized cost of energy assessment for 2024 similarly found that renewable energy like wind and solar remain cost-competitive with conventional generation technologies under certain circumstances, placing cost of onshore wind produced at a utility scale from $27 to $73 per megawatt/hour, some of the lowest cost energy available. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Correction: This report was updated to explain the federal governments authority over offshore wind projects in state waters. (Reuters) -Rwanda-backed M23 rebels pressed deeper into Congolese territory a day after Congo and Rwanda's presidents called for an immediate ceasefire, entering the outskirts of the town of Walikale late on Wednesday, residents told Reuters. Gunfire was ringing out from near the town's Nyabangi neighbourhood, said Walikale resident Janvier Kabutwa. An army source, who asked not to be named, said the rebels were battling soldiers and pro-government militias after overrunning an army position outside the town in a surprise attack. Walikale, which is in an area rich in minerals including tin, is the farthest west M23 has reached during its unprecedented advance this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The town of about 15,000 people sits about 125 km (80 miles) northwest of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo's largest city Goma, which the rebels seized in January, and puts them within 400 km of Kisangani, Congo's fourth-biggest city. The westward advance forced Alphamin Resources last week to suspend operations at its Bisie tin mine, about 60 km northwest of Walikale town. Neighbouring countries and foreign powers have been stepping up diplomatic efforts to halt what has quickly become eastern Congo's worst conflict since a 1998-2003 war that drew in multiple neighbouring countries. On Tuesday, Congo President Felix Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame met in Qatar for their first direct talks since M23 stepped up its offensive in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They issued a joint statement along with Qatar that called for an "immediate and unconditional" ceasefire. The United Nations says Rwanda has supported the ethnic Tutsi-led rebels by providing arms and sending troops. Rwanda has denied supporting M23. It says its military has been acting in self defence against Congo's army and a militia founded by some of the perpetrators of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Congo and M23 had been expected to have their first direct talks on Tuesday in Angola after Tshisekedi's government went back on its longstanding refusal to speak to the rebels. But M23 pulled out of the talks on Monday, blaming European Union sanctions against some of its leaders and Rwandan officials. (Reporting by Congo newsroom; Writing by Aaron Ross; Editing by Toby Chopra, Alexandra Hudson) Rep. Don Beyer talks with Rachel Maddow about what he witnessed when Elon Musk's DOGE employees raided the U.S. Institute for Peace, and discusses his concerns that DOGE overstepping its authority and making dangerous use of law enforcement resources to assert itself. Around this time eight years ago, as Donald Trumps first term got underway, the Republican National Committee issued a press release introducing the members of its finance team. It became the stuff of legend and not in a good way. The RNC finance team, the party announced in early April 2017, would be led by Steve Wynn, Elliott Broidy, Michael Cohen and Louis DeJoy, each of whom became controversial for their own reasons. Indeed, two of the four ended up pleading guilty to crimes unrelated to their work with the party. Eight years later, the RNCs finance team is again making headlines, but this time for a very different reason. NBC News reported: [Vice President JD] Vance will be the next Republican National Committee finance chair, the first time a sitting vice president has concurrently served in the role, the RNC announced today. Vance said in a statement that to fully enact the MAGA mandate and Trumps vision, we must keep and grow our Republican majorities in 2026. Trump said in a statement that Vance will do a fantastic job, and that might very well be true. But the prediction overlooked a relevant detail: Doesnt the vice president already have a job? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A New York Times report described Vances side gig as an unusual arrangement, adding, In both national parties, the finance chair role has typically gone to a reliable party fund-raiser who has time on his or her hands, not someone with significant governing responsibilities. And therein lies the problem: The fact that the vice president intends to tackle both jobs simultaneously reinforces the impression that in this White House, the line between governing responsibilities and partisan electoral responsibilities is much blurrier than it should be. Whats more, Vance is joining a growing club of Trump administration officials wholl apparently maintain two positions at once. Kash Patel, for example, has been tapped to lead both the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Marco Rubio, meanwhile, is the secretary of state, but Trump also put him in charge of the National Archives in an acting capacity. Doug Collins was named the secretary of veterans affairs and the acting leader of the Office of Special Counsel and the Office of Government Ethics. Russell Vought is the White House budget director, but that didnt stop Trump from also tapping Vought to serve as the acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What Patel, Rubio, Collins and Vought have in common, however, is that all of their jobs are governmental. What makes Vances second job unique is that the vice president, during his term in office, is also taking on a job at a private entity. While I imagine some readers will grow tired of seeing the phrase this has never happened before in reports about the Trump administration, I promise to stop using it just as soon as the White House stops ignoring American norms and traditions. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com YANGON, March 19 (Xinhua) -- A project analyzing the causes of crop losses in Myanmar's dry zone, funded by the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Special Fund, has been completed, state-run newspaper The Mirror reported on Wednesday. A ceremony marking the project's completion was held at the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation in Nay Pyi Taw on Tuesday, the report said. Speaking at the event, Union Minister for Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation U Min Naung said that climate change, drought, and crop pests are major causes of crop losses in the dry zone. It is found that pests have affected rice, oilseeds, cotton crops, and legumes. Crop losses mainly occur within a month of planting and during storage, while post-harvest losses are also common, he said. The union minister expressed gratitude to all stakeholders who contributed to the successful completion of the project, saying that it helps benefit farmers in dry zones and boosts production in the region, the report said. The project, funded by the LMC Special Fund 2022, was carried out in seven townships in Mandalay region and eight townships in Magway region, the report said. The project has significantly helped farmers increase their income and profits as agricultural experts have been able to share information on reducing crop losses, crop rotation, variety selection, changes in cropping systems, soil and water management, integrated disease prevention and control methods, and climate-adapted farming practices, the report said. With the LMC Special Fund 2022, a total of seven projects have been implemented by the ministry, according to the report. This is an adapted excerpt from the March 18 episode of "The Rachel Maddow Show." Some Republican lawmakers supporting President Donald Trump and Elon Musks slash-and-burn rampage against the federal government are facing incredible blowback in their home districts. In deep-red Idaho on Monday, Republican Sen. Mike Crapo gave a speech at a paid ticketed event in Boise. He was met with hundreds of people, including many military veterans, who stood outside protesting the senator, demanding that he try to stop Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In deep-red West Virginia, large crowds were asked to move their demonstration outside of the Morgantown offices of Republican Rep. Riley Moore. In middle Georgia, the top story in the local news Monday night was the constituents of Republican Rep. Austin Scott, again including many military veterans, demanding that he meet with them and take a stand against what Trump is doing. They convened in the parking lot outside Scotts district office. In Colorado Springs, an image of Republican Rep. Jeff Crank was made into a cardboard cutout and propped up as hundreds of his constituents protested his not standing up to Trump and refusing to meet with them about it. In Greensboro, North Carolina, nearly 1,000 people turned up for a town hall with Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, at which the senator was represented by an empty chair almost 1,000 people mocking Tillis for refusing to meet with them and for being too chicken to stand up to Trump. The event even began with an appearance from the Raging Grannies, a singing activist group, who performed a song called Oh, Tillis, Please Just Do Your Job, to the tune of Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But for all the different ways that Trump and Musk his top campaign donor and now one of his top advisers are terrifying and turning off their own voters, theres one element of what the president is doing that is so radically out of step with the American people that I dont think its sustainable in normal democratic terms. According to a new NBC News poll, 61% of Americans say they sympathize more with Ukraine, while only 2% say they sympathize with Russia. When those same Americans were asked where they believe Trumps sympathies lie, 49% said Russia and just 8% said Ukraine. Overall, Trump is underwater 13 points on his handling of the war between Russia and Ukraine. When asked about their view on Russia generally, the proportion of Americans who view the country positively is 6%. The proportion of those who view Russia negatively, according to the poll, is 68%. Only 3% of Americans have a positive view of Russian President Vladimir Putin, while 84% have a negative view. Those are the views of the American people. Keep that in mind when you consider Trumps phone call with Putin this week. Amid all the other chaos Trump has been wreaking on our government the administrations crackdown on Social Security, which an internal memo says could force up to 85,000 retired and disabled Americans to physically go in person to Social Security offices every week; the disaster scene at Food and Drug Administration headquarters, where they told 10,000 people to show up at an office that has 6,000 parking places and no chairs and limited office supplies; and the news that the administration fired hundreds of operators and engineers servicing hydroelectric dams in 17 states amid all of that chaos, the president chose to spend over two hours Tuesday on the phone with Putin. A man who, again, has a 3% approval rating with the American people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the president got off the phone, NBC News reported the Trump administration is considering undertaking a significant restructuring of the U.S. militarys combatant commands. That plan would include the U.S. giving up the role of NATOs Supreme Allied Commander Europe, according to two defense officials familiar with the planning and a Pentagon briefing reviewed by NBC News. This isnt something Trump campaigned on. In fact, the president is doing a lot of things he never campaigned on. Hes talking about invading Mexico, taking over Canada, going to war with Denmark which means NATO in order to take Greenland. He wants to seize Gaza. He wants to invade Panama. He didnt talk about this at rallies; he didnt publish tweets about it; he didnt air ads about it; he didnt campaign on it. Its just what hes apparently planning on doing now that hes in office while he talks frequently, and at length, with his friend Putin. When that NBC News poll came out this week, pollster Jeff Horwitt of Hart Research Associates, who conducted the survey along with GOP pollster Bill McInturff of Public Opinion Strategies, talked about those Putin and Russia numbers, noting how far apart the American people are from their president on this one, honestly bizarre issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I cannot recall a moment in history when American public opinion and voters views of a president, as to which country they are more aligned with, have been more in conflict with each other, he said. The American people are against Putin. The American president is very much for him. This, amid everything else, is a test for us because that should be unsustainable in a democracy. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Almost immediately after returning to power, Donald Trump and his administration got to work firing thousands of federal employees as part of a larger effort to dismantle much of the federal government. Many of these layoffs were legally dubious, which is one of the key reasons judges keep telling the White House to bring back officials who were ousted unjustly. The Republican president, however, appears undeterred. Reuters reported: President Donald Trump fired two Democratic commissioners at the Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday, in another major test of the independence of regulatory agencies. A White House official confirmed the firings of Democratic Commissioners Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter after they were first reported by Reuters, but had no additional comment. Part of what makes developments like these important is the real-world impact the move will have. By illegally firing two senate-confirmed Democratic commissioners, Trump has given a green light to businesses across the country to gouge consumers and skyrocket prices for American families, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. The New York Democrat added, Make no mistake about it: this decision will directly lead to higher prices for Americans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her own statement, Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota said: Illegally gutting the Commission will empower fraudsters and monopolists, and consumers will pay the price. Thats true. The Federal Trade Commission enforces a variety of consumer protection rules, including antitrust laws, and the more the White House undermines the FTC and its work, the worse it will be for the public. The senators use of the word illegally was also highly relevant: The Supreme Court ruled in 1935 that FTC commissioners can only be fired for good cause, such as neglecting their duties. The White House appears to have simply ignored this precedent and ousted two FTC commissioners anyway not because of poor performance, but because they were Democratic appointees. Both Bedoya and Kelly are reportedly preparing to take the matter to court, and if recent history is any guide, Trumps Justice Department will likely struggle to defend the decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But stepping back, theres a larger concern thats worth appreciating. One of the first reports published about the Project 2025 initiative was published by The New York Times in July 2023, and it focused on one of the endeavors principal priorities: Trump and his allies, the report explained, were planning a sweeping expansion of presidential power over the machinery of government ... reshaping the structure of the executive branch to concentrate far greater authority directly in his hands. The Times added that Trump and his team planned to centralize more power in the Oval Office ... increasing the presidents authority over every part of the federal government that now operates, by either law or tradition, with any measure of independence from political interference by the White House. The 2023 article specifically referenced the Federal Trade Commission as an independent agency that Trump and the Project 2025 authors wanted to bring under direct presidential control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nearly two years later, we now know how serious Team Trump was, and is, about this goal. Indeed, weve effectively reached the point at which the White House, for all intents and purposes, hardly recognizes any governmental entity as independent. Even if one were inclined to shrug their shoulders about the fate of a couple of FTC commissioners, moves like these should be seen for what they are: power grabs from a president who appears increasingly indifferent to institutional limits and the rule of law. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com The core elements of the story are relatively straightforward. The Trump administration, eager to advance the presidents deportation agenda, announced that it had used the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 a war measure with a tragically ugly history to fly alleged Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador. The whole thing was filmed as part of a camera-ready spectacle. Beyond this basic summary, however, there are all kinds of relevant details that have become highly controversial. Indeed, as my MSNBC colleague Clarissa-Jan Lim explained, there are intensifying concerns about whether the administration complied with U.S. District Judge James Boasbergs order to turn a plane around on Saturday questions that Trumps Justice Department has struggled to answer. But while that controversy is adjudicated, and questions about a possible constitutional crisis grow louder, there are related concerns about the White Houses case at a foundational level. The New York Times reported: [B]eyond the Trump administrations evident animus for the judge and the court, more basic questions remain unsettled and largely unanswered: Were the men who were expelled to El Salvador in fact all gang members, as the United States asserts, and how did the authorities make that determination about each of the roughly 200 people who were spirited out of the country even as a federal judge was weighing their fate? Those inclined to take the White Houses claims at face value have been presented with a simple story: The administration successfully rounded up immigrant members of a Venezuelan gang called Tren de Aragua, put them on a plane, and sent them to a prison in El Salvador, where local officials have agreed to take these gang members off our hands for a price. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The list of relevant questions, however, is not short and the lines of inquiry have gone largely unanswered. Were all of the people on the plane gang members? How were they identified? Were they undocumented immigrants? Did they commit any crimes? Are they even Venezuelan? What are their names? Have any of those affected received due process? To be sure, there might be compelling answers to these questions, but so far, the White House and the Trump Justice Department have refused to engage with the lines of inquiry. Complicating matters, some of the officials vague answers have raised fresh questions: In a court document filed on Monday night, for example, Robert L. Cerna II, a senior Immigration and Customs Enforcement official, conceded that many of those deported did not have criminal records in American courts. Vice President JD Vance, amplifying an Axios report on the Trump administration allegedly violating a court order on the Alien Enemies Act, wrote online this week, There were violent criminals and rapists in our country. Democrats fought to keep them here. President Trump deported them. Its very easy to imagine members of the Republican base nodding along in agreement when reading missives like these, but the vice presidents demagoguery rings hollow: Neither Vance nor any of his colleagues have proven to anyone that the deportees were violent criminals and rapists, and no Democrats have "fought to keep them" in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By all appearances, the White House appears to be operating under the assumption that Trump and his team have earned the benefit of the doubt. Given the presidents staggering record of brazen lies and deceptions, and Trump's Justice Department clinging to secrecy, that assumption is plainly ridiculous. CORRECTION (March 19, 2025, 4:59 p.m. ET): A previous version of this post incorrectly stated the year of the Alien Enemies Act. It was 1798, not 1789. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Todays installment of campaign-related news items from across the country. * With two weeks remaining before Wisconsins closely watched state Supreme Court race, the Democratic National Committee has launched a six-figure ad buy in support of Susan Crawfords candidacy. * On a related note, NBC News reported that a bipartisan coalition filed a complaint this week, alleging that a political group affiliated with Elon Musk violated state campaign finance laws in the state Supreme Court race. Election Day in this contest is April 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * In Florida, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis political operation has reportedly made calls to state lobbyists, urging them not to support Rep. Byron Donalds GOP gubernatorial candidacy. The developments coincide with reports that the governors wife, Casey DeSantis, is also eyeing the 2026 race. * On a related note, Republican Sen. Rick Scott, DeSantis predecessor in Florida, told Fox News this week that he expects Donalds to win, adding, Im going to do everything I can to be helpful to him. * In Alaska, Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski, whos been critical of Musk and his quasi-governmental DOGE initiative, told constituents this week that she doesnt care if the billionaire finances a primary campaign against her. * Minnesota Republicans reportedly hoped to see Rep. Michelle Fischbach launch a U.S. Senate campaign, but those hopes have been dashed: The GOP congresswoman announced that shell seek another term in the U.S. House next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * And in Arizona, Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs announced the dates of a special election to fill the vacancy left by the late Rep. Raul Grijalva, who died last week. There will be a primary election on July 15, followed by a special general election on Sept. 23. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Illustration via Getty Images Republican measures aimed at bolstering cryptocurrency usage in the state by deeming it legal tender and creating a strategic reserve moved forward, despite concerns over volatility and the lawmakers connections to the cryptocurrency world. Those connections to crypto were on full display, and ultimately a source of humor for state representatives as they plowed ahead on embracing cryptocurrencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I hope Im not advertising here, but now would be a good time to invest in XRP and Bitcoin, Sen. Mark Finchem, R-Prescott, said as his colleagues on the House Commerce Committee laughed while he testified in support of his legislation, Senate Bill 1373. That legislation, which is similar to another Republican-backed bill that was heard in committee on Tuesday, is part of a larger GOP push to legitimize cryptocurrency in the Grand Canyon State. The bills mirror moves by 22 other states that have introduced similar legislation authorizing the state treasurer or state pension funds to invest in cryptocurrency, often dubbed the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Act. The state-level actions come as President Donald Trump, who was backed by crypto investors during the 2024 campaign, has pushed for similar proposals regarding cryptocurrency at the federal level. The Arizona legislation would create a digital assets strategic reserve fund that would be funded both by the state budget and through cryptocurrencies the state seizes. The state treasurer would administer the fund, and would be allowed to invest up to 10% of the funds value each year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cryptocurrencies are digital money that have no innate value. Unlike gold or oil, which have practical uses and intrinsic value, cryptos chief uses are for speculation and gambling and as tools for money launderers, ransomware extortionists, tax evaders, terrorists and rogue states. Just last month, Finchem was speaking at an event held by conspiracy theorists who have been promoting the XRP coin, which Finchem mentioned multiple times during the committee hearing Tuesday. The events host, Mel Carmine, claimed God told him to push the cryptocurrency by having it appear to him in the clouds. He also has been accused of being behind a number of fraudulent XRP schemes. At the event, Finchem called XRP his favorite of all the digital coins, according to reporting by Arizona Right Wing Watch. Finchem also promoted SB1373 and his other cryptocurrency legislation at the event, and, as noted by Arizona Right Wing Watch, has previously published his intent to make XRP a legal tender in a letter on disgraced former Republican lawmaker David Stringers news website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finchem directly mentioned XRP when testifying in support of his Senate Bill 1062. State law currently defers to legal tenders authorized by the U.S. Constitution and Congress, but Finchems proposal would go beyond that. It would make cryptocurrency a form of legal tender that could be used in the state, as well as any coins made of gold or silver not just coins issued by the U.S. mint. The bills language specifically mentions XRP, among other cryptocurrencies. County treasurers told lawmakers that they had no way to actually implement using or accepting cryptocurrencies. We dont have a mechanism to deal with that as a payment method, Megan Kintner, a lobbyist for the Arizona Association of Counties speaking on behalf of the County Treasurers, said. Kintner explained that their concern would be that, by the time they are able to accept the payment, the value of the currency will have changed. Cryptocurrencies are notoriously volatile, fluctuating wildly, making them a risky investment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you wanted to convert your Bitcoin into cash, we would gladly accept that, Kintner added. Republican lawmakers were not swayed by the concerns, though, and felt that they needed to jump on this new technology bandwagon even as they made clear they didnt understand what cryptocurrencies are or how they work. I dont know much about this, what I call magic money, Rep. Walt Blackman, R-Snowflake said. We think about the debit card. There is nothing behind the debit card but magic and somebody had to innovate behind that Maybe this will become the new debit card. Finchems legislation that would make cryptocurrency a legal tender passed out of committee along party lines and will head to the full House of Representatives for consideration. If it passes the full chamber, it will head to Gov. Katie Hobbs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The strategic bitcoin reserve bills, which have largely been pushed by groups behind Project 2025 who have intentions of dismantling the Environmental Protection Agency, passed along party lines as well. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE At the London-Laurel Communications Center boards Tuesday meeting, Magistrate Danny Smith questioned the release of County Judge-Executive David Westerfields call to Laurel County 911 Dispatch. Ive got a question to ask and Ive been wanting to ask it for quite some time now, said Smith. What were you guys thinking when you released that audio call? The call which Smith was referring to took place Dec. 24, 2024 the day after the London Police officer-involved shooting of 63-year-old Doug Harless. On the call, Judge Westerfield discussed a theft on his property, which led to the ill-fated search warrant tied to the shooting, as well as the incident itself, with LPD Officer Jared Hale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assistant Chief Bobby Day responded that he is unaware of a leak, but rather, he sent copies of the recording to Mayor Randall Weddle, City Attorney Larry Bryson, and Kentucky State Police Investigator Tye Chavies. It got out [not redacted], Smith stated. It just caused a lot of chaos in our community. I know policies were broken. Laws were broken. I appreciate our first responders I do. I appreciate the 911 Center, but Im disappointed, said Smith, noting that the audio had gotten into the wrong hands. If youre implying that I released it, then youre barking up the wrong tree because I told you who I released it to, Day responded. Smith assured him he was not pointing fingers at anyone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Board Chair David Williams asserted that the boards policies and procedures have tightened up since the incident. Williams also mentioned the hire of Bryson as the boards legal counsel. Bryson chimed that the board does a very good job legally. Brysons pay was among discussion as well. It was determined that he will earn $150 per hour. Additionally, Director Larry Walls shared that two grants had been submitted successfully. One of the grants pertains to a new CAD (computer-aided dispatch) server, while the other is for a recorder server. Were crossing our fingers hard that we get both, but hopefully we get one for sure, said Walls. Hopefully, around June or so, well hear something. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walls shared that the center chose to do a 10% match, explaining that there is a better chance of receiving the grants by doing so. The board then discussed the centers checking accounts, as one earns 2.5% interest whereas the other only earns .5%. Board members hope to have the other account earning up to 2.5% as well. The London-Laurel County Communications Center Board regularly meets at 10 a.m. on the third Tuesday of each month. The meetings are held in the board room of the London Police Department. MANILA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said Wednesday that it priced a 2-billion-U.S. dollar 10-year global benchmark bond, the proceeds of which will be part of ADB's ordinary capital resources. "This offering achieved the highest orderbook at more than 7.2 billion dollars for an ADB 10-year global benchmark issue," said ADB Treasurer Tobias Hoschka. The 10-year bond, with a coupon rate of 4.375 percent per annum payable semi-annually and a maturity date of March 22, 2035, was priced at 99.210 percent to yield 17.4 basis points over the 4.625 percent U.S. Treasury notes due February 2035. The transaction was lead-managed by Citigroup, Deutsche Bank, HSBC and J.P. Morgan. The issue achieved wide primary market distribution, with 55 percent placed in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, 25 percent in Asia, and 20 percent in the Americas. By investor type, 40 percent went to banks, 38 percent to central banks and official institutions, and 22 percent to fund managers and other types of investors. The ADB plans to raise about 35 to 36 billion dollars from the capital markets in 2025. Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil has shared a letter on Tuesday from the immigration detention center where federal agents are currently holding him for protesting in favor of Palestinian rights calling himself a political prisoner of the United States government. Dictating his words to family over the phone, Khalil spoke of the injustice hes faced since agents with Homeland Security abducted him earlier this month without a warrant, despite his having a green card. He described sleeping on the floor without a blanket at immigration court in New York and at a facility in New Jersey, before agents quietly sent him to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Louisiana. In his letter, Khalil did not just speak for himself, but also on behalf of his fellow detainees. The Syrian-born Palestinian said that he has bore witness to the quiet injustices underway against a great many people precluded from the protections of the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Who has the right to have rights? It is certainly not the humans crowded into the cells here. It isnt the Senegalese man I met who has been deprived of his liberty for a year, his legal situation in limbo and his family an ocean away. It isnt the 21-year-old detainee I met, who stepped foot in this country at age nine, only to be deported without so much as a hearing, he said. Justice escapes the contours of this nations immigration facilities. A person holds a sign while protesting the arrest of former Columbia University student activist Mahmoud Khalil, at the University of Washington campus in Seattle, on March 15. Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images Khalils detention is an example of the bipartisan anti-Palestinian racism in the U.S. government, he said, not just since October 2023, but for decades via efforts to oppress Muslims, Palestinians and Arab Americans. More specifically, he said his targeting is a test that serves as the Trump administrations broader effort to quash political dissent regardless of citizenship status. I have always believed that my duty is not only to liberate myself from the oppressor, but also to liberate my oppressors from their hatred and fear, Khalil said, calling his detention a testament to the student protest movement shifting public opinion toward Palestinian liberation. Khalils letter came less than a day after the Israeli military formally broke its January ceasefire agreement with Hamas, raining bombs across Gaza that killed hundreds of Palestinians with the White Houses approval. Israel is also still blocking all aid from entering the territory, worsening the starvation crisis and denying families adequate shelter. Hundreds of pro-Palestinian students demonstrate at Columbia University in New York City, on March 14, to call for the immediate release of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian graduate who has been arrested and is facing deportation for organizing a pro-Palestine protest on the campus. Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images Being Palestinian is an experience that transcends borders. I see in my circumstances similarities to Israels use of administrative detention imprisonment without trial or charge to strip Palestinians of their rights, Khalil said, citing Israeli military captives like human rights activist Omar Khatib and hospital director Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Palestinians, imprisonment without due process is commonplace, said the activist, who has not been charged with a crime. On Monday, Khalils lawyers filed a preliminary injunction in New York asking for his immediate release so he can return home to his pregnant wife while the court reviews his petition arguing the illegality of his arrest. He has also separately sued to block Columbia from turning protesters student records to Congress, and in his letter condemned the university for allowing doxing campaigns founded on racism and disinformation to go on despite students pleas for support. In the weeks ahead, students, advocates and elected officials must unite to defend the right to protest for Palestine, Khalil said. At stake are not just our voices, but the fundamental civil liberties of all. The mayor of the Turkish city of Istanbul has been arrested along with several other high-profile figures over a corruption investigation, in a move denounced by the main opposition party as a coup. The state-run Anadolu Agency said prosecutors issued detention warrants for Ekrem Imamoglu and dozens of other people. Among those detained was Murat Ongun, a close aide of Mr Imamoglu. A statement from the Istanbul public prosecutors office cited charges including bribery and extortion, saying that Mr Imamoglu was the leader of a criminal organisation and that 100 suspects had been rounded up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move appeared to be in connection with an investigation into alleged tender rigging by Mr Imamoglu, which was opened in 2023. But local media reports, including from Anadolu, said his detention was also linked to a separate probe for allegedly aiding the banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is defined as a terror organisation by Turkey. Ekrem Imamoglu, Istanbul mayor, is seen as a key rival of Turkeys president - Okan Kose/AFP Mr Imamoglu, a popular and powerful figure within the Republican Peoples Party (CHP), is seen as a key rival of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish president. The mayors detention, before which his house was also raided, came days before he was to be named as the CHPs candidate for the 2028 presidential election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities also closed several roads around Istanbul and banned demonstrations in the city for four days in an apparent effort to prevent protests following the arrest. The private NTV news channel reported that two Istanbul district mayors were amongst those detained. Critics said the crackdown followed significant losses by Mr Erdogans ruling party in local elections last year and came amid growing calls for early national elections. Government officials insisted the courts operated independently and rejected claims that legal actions against Mr Imamoglu were politically motivated. We are facing great tyranny, but I want you to know that I will not be discouraged, Mr Imamoglu said in a video message posted on social media. He accused the government of usurping the will of the people. Officers surround the police headquarters at which Ekrem Imamoglu is being held - Kemal Aslan/AFP Mr Erdogan, a populist with increasingly authoritarian tendencies, has led Turkey as prime minister or president for more than 20 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is now the longest-serving leader in the Turkish republics history. His current term runs until 2028, although he has indicated that he would like to serve longer something he could achieve with the help of a friendly parliament. The career of Mr Imamoglu, widely seen as the strongest candidate to challenge Mr Erdogan, has been overshadowed by a string of what critics say are politically motivated legal cases. The police raid occurred just hours after Istanbul University had revoked his degree amid claims that it was falsely obtained. The revocation was a high-stakes move, because presidential candidates in Turkey need to have a higher education qualification. Mr Erdogan has repeatedly rejected claims that he never graduated from university and was not constitutionally able to hold the office of president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Imamoglu was detained and is now at police headquarters, said a press aide, who asked not to be named as he was not authorised to speak to the media and was unable to say why the Istanbul mayor had been detained. Hundreds of police officers have arrived at my door. I entrust myself to the people, the mayor said in a video posted on X. Supporters of the mayor stage a rally in Istanbul - Okan Kose/AFP Ozgur Ozel, the CHP leader, condemned what he called a coup attempt against our next president, writing on X: Making decisions on behalf of the people, using force to replace the will of the people or to obstruct it is a coup. We will not give in. In the end, the peoples will shall prevail and Turkey will win. Shortly after the police raid, access to social media platforms was restricted, the Netblocks internet access monitor said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Istanbul governors office issued a ban on all protests until March 23 several demonstrations had been announced by the CHP late on Tuesday over the revocation of Mr Imamoglus degree, which the mayor has vowed to contest in court. The CHP was to hold a primary on Sunday, at which Mr Imamoglu was expected to be chosen for its candidate in future presidential elections. 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. Stephen Ross, chairman of Related Ross, said he is working to transform West Palm Beach into a model city that will be in "the most important county in the United States." To get there, Ross will continue to upgrade downtown's CityPlace, a massive mixed-use project that changed downtown when it opened in October 1999. New developments were shared by officials after March 12 groundbreaking of the company's newest planned office towers, 10 and 15 CityPlace, at Rosemary Avenue and Hibiscus Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ross, also owner of the Miami Dolphins, said: "We are doing everything we can to bring all the amenities and activities needed to sustain the growth we're looking at today." Some of those include: Related Ross development company is hoping to strike a deal with Publix to build a new West Palm Beach grocery store that would be nearly double the size of an existing store at CityPlace. More restaurants and furniture stores will take space at CityPlace. The opening of the Eataly Italian Market in the historic Harriet Himmel Theater this year. 15 CityPlace and 10 CityPlace towers More: The Square complex in West Palm Beach reverts to its former, beloved name: CityPlace Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 15 CityPlace tower, and a companion tower next door dubbed 10 CityPlace, will add 1 million square feet of office space to the downtown when completed in 2027. Some 4,700 employees could work in the towers when they are fully occupied, said Ken Himmel, president of Related Ross. The 25-story, 500,000-square-foot 15 CityPlace tower is 60% pre-leased to office tenants, officials said. Renderings of 10 an 15 CityPlace office towers at CityPlace. The new towers, which will total 1 million square feet, are being built by Related Ross of West Palm Beach. More: West Palm's new office tower One Flagler opens as Related Ross works on other projects Among the building's many perks is a 6,000-square-foot rooftop amenity deck, said the tower's architect, Bernardo Fort Brescia, co-founder of Arquitectonica. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These tenants included the previously announced Cleveland Clinic Florida medical offices, which will total 120,000 square feet. They also include two newly revealed tenants: Shutts & Bowen, Related Ross' law firm and a current tenant of another office building owned by Ross; and Inclenberg Investments, a private real estate investment firm with an office in Palm Beach. The size of these office leases was not disclosed. Related Ross CEO and Chairman Stephen M. Ross attended the Related Ross groundbreaking ceremony in downtown West Palm Beach, Fla., on March 12, 2025. Is a larger Publix coming to CityPlace? As for a larger Publix, Himmel said talks with the Lakeland-based grocery chain still are underway, and Related Ross needs to buy one additional piece of property for a new, larger store. The new store would be built at the northwest corner of Banyan Boulevard and Rosemary Avenue, a few blocks north of the current Publix store at Fern Street and Rosemary Avenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Talks have been ongoing with Publix for five years, Himmel acknowledged, but the grocery chain previously backed away from opening a larger store at CityPlace. However, in the past couple of years, with the surge in the city's population and upgrades being made to the CityPlace district, a bigger store once again is a possibility, he said. Food hall Eataly could draw more than 1 million visitors Crews work on The Harriet Himmel Theater on December 11, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Florida. The $45 million Eataly market will feature 30,000 square of interior space, plus outside seating. The market is being built in the historic Harriet Himmel Theater. Mayor Keith James, who attended the groundbreaking, said Eataly will attract further interest in the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You want something that will bring people from all over the county, maybe all over the region, and I think Eataly will be a great draw," James said. Himmel said Eataly also is a draw for restaurants hoping to get spillover business from the foot traffic and customers who visit the food hall. Other new restaurants coming to CityPlace In fact, more than half a dozen restaurants are slated to be built at CityPlace in the next few years, Himmel said. Among them is Moxie's, a Canada-based chain that does $17 million a year in revenue at each of its two other locations in South Florida. In addition, a restaurant will be built inside the cottage that once housed the former Hibiscus House Bed & Breakfast, a property that Related Ross now owns. Home furnishing stores to open at CityPlace Home furnishings are an important element, too, in the CityPlace retail lineup. Perigold, part of the Wayfair furniture company, will open at the end of the year, and Crate & Barrel will open at CityPlace, too, joining West Elm at the center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for the existing RH store on Okeechobee Boulevard, just south of CityPlace, that store does more than $80 million in volume, the third busiest store in the company's chain, Himmel said. Stay up to date on South Florida's sizzling real estate market and sign up for The Dirt weekly newsletter, delivered every Tuesday! Exclusively for Palm Beach Post subscribers. Alexandra Clough is a business writer at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at aclough@pbpost.com. X: @acloughpbp. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: These major changes are coming to downtown West Palm Beach's CityPlace Lawyers at some of the nations largest law firms are afraid of President Donald Trump. Not just afraid of what his policies might mean for their clients, but now for their own livelihoods, as his attacks on individual firms have left a shocked industry struggling to respond. When Trump first took office in 2017, attorneys at Big Law firms lent thousands of pro-bono hours to legal efforts to stymie the administrations most controversial policies, including the travel ban that restricted entry to the U.S. from certain Muslim-majority countries. After his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election and the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021, Trump became even more anathema to major firms; several of his criminal defense lawyers had to leave their firms in order to take him on as a client. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, as he returns triumphant from the political wilderness, Trump finds a Washington legal community facing a dilemma keep their heads down and avoid cases that may pit them against the administration, or continue representing clients that might anger a president increasingly willing to use his power to seek vengeance. Back then nobody believed that there would be retaliation against the institution or them personally for taking these actions, said a former partner at a major firm granted anonymity to speak candidly. Nobody was thinking, Ive got to worry whether it could really hurt my law firm if I took this on. And thats the huge change were in now. POLITICO talked to more than five lawyers for this story and most were granted anonymity in order to speak candidly without fear of Trumps retribution. Much of the trepidation inside big firms comes from Trumps new strategy of signing executive orders seemingly aimed at destroying firms in retaliation for perceived wrongs dating back a decade. On Friday, Trump signed an order sanctioning the firm Paul Weiss for the work of their former employee Mark Pomerantz, who later investigated Trumps finances and payments to porn star Stormy Daniels for the Manhattan District Attorneys office. Pomerantz resigned from the DAs office in 2022 before Trump was indicted. The order cuts the firm off from government contracts and even restricts their lawyers from entering certain government buildings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And earlier this month, Trump signed an executive order sanctioning Perkins Coie , punishing the firm for earlier work on behalf of Hillary Clinton. Trumps grudge against Perkins dates back to the 2016 presidential campaign when now-former Perkins Coie lawyers working for Clintons campaign hired Fusion GPS, resulting in the infamous Steele dossier that alleged collusion between Trumps campaign and Russia. While the executive order ostensibly targets the firm for national security reasons and racially discriminatory hiring practices, the entire first paragraph is dedicated to Clinton, the dossier and MAGA bogeyman George Soros. We have a lot of law firms that were going to be going after because they were very dishonest people, Trump said in a Fox News interview after signing the Perkins order. They were very, very dishonest. I could go point after point after point, and it was so bad for our country. A February order stripped security clearance from an employee at Covington & Burling who provided legal services to former special counsel Jack Smith, who criminally prosecuted Trump for his attempts to overturn the 2020 election and refusal to return classified materials stored at Mar-a-Lago. (Those cases have been dropped.) And on Monday, the acting chair of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sent letters to 20 major firms , suggesting their diversity and inclusion practices may violate civil rights laws and requesting extensive data on their use of race and sex in hiring. Trump has vowed to eliminate the use of DEI practices and previously directed the Justice Department to identify potential targets for civil and criminal investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law firms in America shouldnt be fearful of President Trump, they should be fearful of the lawfare being perpetuated by federal judges hellbent on upending the Executive Branch, White House Deputy Press Secretary Harrison Fields said in a statement. Our justice system and Constitution are under attack and lawyers across the nation should unite behind President Trump in defense of Law and Order. Perkins, Paul Weiss, and other firms named in this piece did not respond to requests for comment. Leaders at major firms have so far not made formal statements on these attacks. Discussions between firms on issuing a joint statement criticizing the orders have been ongoing but many firms are loath to speak out first, according to three people. Firms are afraid that if youre out there and perceived as being anti-administration, that could hurt your firm, a senior lawyer at a large firm said. The administration is viewed as very punitive and retributive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre just scared of retribution, a senior lawyer at another firm said. Theres a lot of fear in Big Law right now. The administration hasnt provided any visibility into which additional firms they might target, and going after entire firms for the actions of one or two former partners certainly makes it harder for firm leaders to determine what actions could land them on the blacklist. But perhaps thats the point. If you want to put a head on a spike in the city square in order to deter people from crossing the ruler, it really doesnt matter if the persons head is of someone innocent or guilty, the former major firm partner said. Frustrated by the lack of outcry from leadership, associates at dozens of major firms have begun circulating an open letter criticizing the administration for attempting to bully corporate law firms out of engaging in any representation that challenges the administrations aims and calling on their employers to do the same. More than 300 associates have anonymously signed the letter since it went live about a week ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rachel Cohen, an associate at Skadden Arps who helped organize the letter and spoke to POLITICO in her personal capacity, said she wants to see a critical mass of large firms in the country put out a statement expressing their commitment to continuing to represent all sides of the coin even when one side is opposed to the interests of the administration. It is imperative for rule of law in this country that lawyers not be associated with the interests that they represent or not have those imputed to them, she said. Because if we dont have that and we have a vindictive government at the federal level targeting attorneys for providing representation, then we dont have checks and balances. We dont have the judiciary or the court system in the way that its intended to function. Big Law has not been completely absent in fighting Trump since January. Several firms are involved in ongoing litigation against the administration representing a variety of clients. WilmerHale represents a group of fired inspectors general challenging their removal; Hogan Lovells and Jenner & Block are seeking to block executive orders restricting federal funds from hospitals that provide gender-affirming care; Arnold & Porter is working with civil rights groups to challenge potential restrictions on birthright citizenship. But whether there will be a chilling effect as a result of the Perkins and Paul Weiss orders remains to be seen. Other firms are willing to work with the president directly. New York firm Sullivan and Cromwell accepted Trump as a client earlier this year and will manage the appeal of his criminal hush money conviction after several members of Trumps defense team found new employment within his administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres also the acknowledgement in some corners of the legal community that whats bad for Perkins, Covington or Paul Weiss might be good for their competitors. An exodus of clients from firms in the administrations crosshairs means more business up for grabs, especially if youre a firm who can advertise closer ties to the White House, one lawyer said. And the business of law is, at the end of the day, a business. Firm leaders have a fiduciary duty to their employees and no one wants to be the one holding the reins when a firm goes under. Cohen, the Skadden associate who helped organize the open letter, disputes that premise. Whats crucial for everyone in this industry to remember is that silence is not going to protect you, she said. And it is a much, much better business decision if the industry as a whole rejects this type of targeting than it is to be silent and hope that the president doesnt pull your name out of the hat next. Daniel Lippman contributed reporting. HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) Pennsylvania's special election next week will determine whether Democrats or Republicans will control the state House, a glimpse of voter sentiment in the swing state that helped return President Donald Trump to the White House. The death of Democratic state Rep. Matt Gergely has left the House deadlocked at 101-101 since January. A Democratic win on Tuesday would keep Speaker Joanna McClinton of Philadelphia as the chambers presiding officer, while a Republican flip would enable the GOP to pick a different speaker, control the voting schedule and install their own members as committee chairs. The race pits Democrat Dan Goughnour, 39, a police officer who supervises detectives and serves on the school board in McKeesport, against Republican Chuck Davis, 66, a fire chief who also serves as president of the White Oak Borough Council. Libertarian Adam Kitta is also on the ballot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Steelmaking towns once thrived in the district southeast of Pittsburgh at the confluence of the Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers, but the the area known as the Mon Valley is now economically challenged. In a visit to the district last month, Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin said a win will show that Democrats are willing to fight for their values. Pennsylvania Democrats lost a U.S. Senate seat and all three row offices treasurer, attorney general and auditor general in the November election, along with giving Trump a slim majority of the states votes. It would be a seismic upset for Republicans to flip it after the district went for Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris over Trump in November, 58% to 42%. Gergely won it with 75% of the vote in a special election in 2023, and Republicans did not field a candidate against him last fall. In the 2022 gubernatorial race, Democrat Josh Shapiro also won three-quarters of the district's vote, swamping Republican state Sen. Doug Mastriano of Franklin County. House Democratic Campaign Committee executive director Madeline Zann said she senses some increased enthusiasm among volunteers and small-dollar donors that may be prompted by concerns about the Trump administration. She said the candidates will have to focus on issues closer to home and getting core supporters to vote, since many people ignore special elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a turnout election in many ways, Zann said. Rep. Jamie Barton of Schuylkill County, who leads campaigns for the Republican caucus in the state House, said Davis is in an uphill fight in the 35th, calling it a strong-leaning Democratic district. But he said new local GOP leadership has energized Republican voters. No matter who looks good on paper youve got to have the election, Barton said. Were not taking anything for granted. Another special election on Tuesday will determine who fills the state Senate seat that Ryan Aument, R-Lancaster, relinquished to work for Republican U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick. Republican Lancaster County Commissioner Josh Parsons is running against Democrat James Andrew Malone, the mayor of East Petersburg. A win by Malone in the Republican-leaning district would not threaten the GOP state Senate majority. The third candidate is Libertarian Zachary Moore. EDITORS NOTE: This poll was commissioned by Keep Utah Medical and conducted via opt-in methods, gathering 609 responses from registered voters. Sample demographics were weighted, and there is a 3.97% margin of error. Related video: How much money do states make on marijuana sales? SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) A new poll shows a majority of Utahns would support changing Utah law to legalize recreational marijuana but a top state GOP lawmaker says, Its not going to happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently in Utah, medical marijuana is legal, while recreational use of the drug is not. According to recent data shared with ABC4.com, 52% of Utahns would support the legalization of recreational marijuana, while 38% dont support it, and 9% werent sure. The data comes from a recent poll, conducted by Noble Predictive Insights and commissioned by a non-profit called Keep Utah Medical, which ran Utahs successful medical cannabis initiative campaign in 2018. To be clear we are NOT planning to run a recreational initiative, said Alex Iorg, Co-Founder of Keep Utah Medical. Were trying to save Utahs medical program. Bye Felicia?: Salt Lake City not elaborating on report claiming Sundance may leave over pride flag bill Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iorg believes Utahs current medical laws are too cumbersome for patients, driving them to get marijuana elsewhere. I believe the majority now support recreational use because they see it as an easier option (than) Utahs current medical program, he said. Overall, survey numbers show that the most support (76%) for a legalized recreational marijuana ballot measure is coming from those who consider themselves Democrats, coupled with decent support (61%) from independents. On the other hand, the issue divides those on the right, with 51% of Republicans opposed to the idea and 41% in support. The polls analysis says those numbers are enough to get to a solid though not overwhelming margin of victory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A move toward legalizing recreational marijuana may be a hard sell for top conservative leaders in Utah. I have a huge problem with turning Utah into a recreational state, said House Speaker Mike Schultz (R-Hooper) when asked to respond to this survey. Its not going to happen. Schultz also said he sincerely doubts that Utahns would support a recreational legalization ballot effort. Iorg hopes there are more changes to Utahs medical program as a result of these numbers. We need to make the medical program easier to navigate. Rural, disabled, and other patients need telemedicine just like (they) can do for other medications. Out-of-state recreational dispensaries have more advertising rights than Utah in-state medical pharmacies. We have to level the playfield, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Utah did make tweaks to its medical program this past legislative session, including allowing more doctors to prescribe marijuana, putting a cap on the number of new licenses issued by Utahs Department of Agriculture (UDAF), and adding regulations to hemp-derived THC products currently available in gas stations without a medical card. What the survey asked The poll surveyed 609 registered Utah voters between March 11 and 13. It had a margin of error of 3.97% and was conducted via text-to-online and online opt-in methods, asking Utahns the following question: Currently, medical marijuana is legal in Utah, but some Utahns still obtain marijuana illegally for medical and recreational purposes. Would you support or oppose a ballot initiative that legalized marijuana for all purposes including recreational use? According to Iorg, UDAF reports that 60% of Utahns are still getting their medical marijuana illegally. The survey points out that making note of that fact makes Utahns more likely to support recreational changes. Core groups support and oppose Even though there are fewer Democrats than Republicans in Utah, the poll shows hefty support for legalization among that group, at 76%. That number gets higher among core groups of Democrats those who consider themselves atheist or agnostic, and among self-identified liberals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among Republicans, 51% oppose recreational legalization while 41% support it. Key groups among those opposed include those who identify as LDS and those who identify as conservative. However, the polls analysis says there is internal resistance among Republicans, adding that, Some core Republican groups (like those who are more loyal to Trump than the broader party) are evenly split. Meanwhile, those who consider themselves independent add to the group in support of legalizing recreational marijuana, at 61%, the poll shows. That means that combining the left with the moderates and some Republicans could prove to be a winning strategy if there was an effort to try to legalize recreational marijuana via initiative, the polls memo said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, it cautions that opposition could be strong. In Utah, the right is far better organized than the left. If traditionalists believe that a campaign is underway to legalize marijuana for all uses, they may be more prepared to fight the idea and their strategies may move these numbers. Full results and details of the poll can be viewed in the document below: 250310_UTPOP_Keep-Utah-Medical_Executive-Summary-1Download 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. (Bloomberg) -- The military-led West African nations of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have announced their withdrawal from the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, which brings together French-speaking countries. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The juntas, which have broken ties with France, their former colonial master, said the organization no longer supports their national goals. Since coups in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, the OIF, as the institution is known in its French acronym, has not backed these countries in realizing the legitimate aspirations of their peoples, the foreign ministries of the three said in a joint statement. The group is becoming a guided political instrument. Based in Paris, the OIF promotes the French language as well as political, educational, economic and cultural cooperation among its 93-member countries. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2025 Bloomberg L.P. A 20-year-old man was fatally shot by police after allegedly pulling a gun on an officer earlier this year, officials with the Pomona Police Department announced. The violent Feb. 3 incident unfolded after 911 operators with PPD received a call from a woman reporting that the suspect, now identified as Isaac Cannon, was chasing two Hispanic men and that he was armed with a gun. Officers responded to the area of Stratus Drive and Murchinson Avenue just after 10 p.m., the area in which the 911 caller said she had seen the 20-year-old suspect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dash-cam footage from one of the responding officers patrol vehicles captured Cannon walking up Stratus Drive toward Murchinson with both hands inside the front pocket of a hooded sweatshirt. According to police officials, the officer exited his vehicle and created distance between himself and the suspect. Dash-cam and body-worn camera footage show a fatal police shooting in Pomona on Feb. 3, 2025. (PPD) Dash-cam and body-worn camera footage show a fatal police shooting in Pomona on Feb. 3, 2025. (PPD) Dash-cam and body-worn camera footage show a fatal police shooting in Pomona on Feb. 3, 2025. (PPD) Dash-cam and body-worn camera footage show a fatal police shooting in Pomona on Feb. 3, 2025. (PPD) A firearm police said was recovered after a fatal police shooting in Pomona on Feb. 3, 2025. (PPD) An aerial view of where a fatal Pomona police shooting occurred on Feb. 3, 2025. (PPD)) In body-worn camera footage, the officer can be seen with his gun extended toward the 20-year-old, who walked around the rear of the cruiser. Take your hands out of your f pockets, the officer is heard saying and then screaming, Drop the gun! Manhunt underway for suspect who allegedly stabbed Orange County deputy Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Video of the suspect appears to show him pulling out a handgun and bringing it up just as the officer opens fire, striking the 20-year-old who falls to the ground. Officers at the scene attempted life-saving measures until medical personnel with the Los Angeles County Fire Department arrived and declared Cannon dead at the scene. Its unclear if investigators have spoken to the two young men the suspect had reportedly been chasing. No further information, including whether Cannon is a Pomona resident or from somewhere else, was provided. The use of lethal force is under investigation by the Pomona Police Department, the L.A. County District Attorneys Office and the L.A. County Sheriffs Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 man in his 70s was killed in a single-vehicle crash into a Fresno home on Tuesday morning, police said. The collision took place at Tulare Street and Hayston Avenue near Roosevelt High. The man crashed through a gate and into the front of the home. He was taken to a local hospital and was pronounced dead, police said. The departments Collision Reconstruction Unit responded to the fatal crash and was investigating. No one in the home was injured, Tran said. Police and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating an incident aboard a Los Angeles-bound Delta Airlines flight where a man allegedly attacked other passengers. The incident occurred late Monday morning on Delta Flight 501 from Atlanta to LAX. The Los Angeles Fire Department reported that the adult male passenger had to be restrained after biting one passenger and hitting others. The flight landed safely, and the unruly passenger was detained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Delta has zero tolerance for unruly behavior and worked with law enforcement authorities on the investigation, a Delta Air Lines spokesperson said in a 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 KTLA. DHAKA, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Bangladeshi interim government's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has instructed the relevant authorities to initiate preparations and measures to ensure peaceful elections. He came up with the directives at a meeting held here on Wednesday with Home Adviser Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and officials concerned. Bangladesh is preparing to hold the general elections in December. Yunus, an economist, took oath as the head of the country's interim government on Aug. 8, 2024. Bangladesh's President Mohammed Shahabuddin dissolved parliament on Aug. 6, 2024, paving the way for the formation of the interim government following the resignation of then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. WILLIAMSPORT, LYCOMING COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) A man is facing charges after police say he gave a 15-year-old weed and requested sexual favors in exchange. According to the Williamsport Bureau of Police, in the Spring of 2024, Donnell Edwards, 35, was talking with a 15-year-old girl through a messaging app and would send her inappropriate photos. According to police, in December 2024, Edwards allegedly requested sex with the victim and they met in his van after school in the 300 block of Washington Boulevard. While with the victim, police said the two smoked marijuana and Edwards made requests for sexual acts in exchange for providing the drugs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man charged with impersonating police officer The victim did not engage in sexual acts with Edwards and claimed she saw Edward messaging several of her friends during the time of this incident. A warrant was issued and Edwards was arrested on March 17. He was charged with the following; Statutory sexual assault Involuntary deviate sexual intercourse Corruption of minors Unlawful contact with a minor Edwards remains in the Lycoming County Prison on $15,000.00 bail. Anyone with information about this incident or any similar ones involving Edwards is asked to contact Agent Christopher Salisbury at 570-327-7593 or csalisbury@cityofwilliamsport.org. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 PAhomepage.com. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A 65-year-old man accused of phoning in a bomb threat to City Hall has been accepted into the Mahoning County Veterans Court. Charles Brewer, of Youngstown, entered a guilty plea Tuesday before Common Pleas Court Judge Anthony DApolito to a charge of making terroristic threats, a third-degree felony. Under the terms of his plea, should Brewer complete any counseling or other programs recommended by the staff of the Veterans Court, his charge will be dismissed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A police report said Brewer is accused of threatening to blow up City Hall on Nov. 29 while talking to an employee in the Park Department. Reports said Brewer was upset about rodents in his East Side neighborhood, and he had been asking city officials to get rid of them for six months. Brewer told the employee he would, Take off his clergy collar to handle the problem. He also said during the call he was going to blow up City Hall and fill body bags with government officials, a news release from city police said. He has been free on bond since a few days after his arraignment in municipal court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. EAU CLAIRE Authorities have filed charges against an Eleva man they say stalked and sexually assaulted a woman. Jeremiah Goodpaster, 46, is charged with second degree sexual assault, stalking, second degree recklessly endangering safety, false imprisonment, possession of THC and two counts of possession of a controlled substance. All counts are felonies, and the sexual assault charge alone could bring as much as 40 years in prison and fines of up to $100,000. According to the criminal complaint, a deputy was sent to check on a report of a domestic dispute in Pleasant Valley. The woman said Goodpaster had hit her. That followed an incident days earlier in which she went to his home to talk with him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Goodpaster began yelling at her and slapped her. He then forced her to strip naked. After allowing her to dress herself again, he forced her face against his penis, eventually forcing it into her mouth. The woman said she was afraid he would kill her, in part because he had previously pressed a knife to her throat. While the woman was talking with the deputy Goodpaster called numerous times and left multiple text messages. The woman said that was commonplace after abusive incidents. Based on the report authorities pulled Goodpaster over and arrested him. A search of his residence turned up a marijuana pipe, hallucinogenic mushrooms, a pill crusher with drug residue and a knife that matched the description of the one the woman said was held to her neck. She was unable to positively ID the knife, though, saying it could be the one the authorities found or another Goodpaster was known to have. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During Tuesdays hearing the court found enough evidence to allow the case to proceed. This isnt Goodpasters first brush with the law on strikingly similar charges. In 2011 a case was filed accusing him of second degree sexual assault, second degree recklessly endangering safety, strangulation and suffocation, intimidation of a victim to dissuade reporting and false imprisonment, among other charges. He entered a no contest plea on the strangulation and intimidation charges, along with causing mental harm to a child. The rest were dismissed but read in. Wisconsins online court database does not record a sentence for that conviction, but the Department of Corrections inmate locator does list Goodpaster as having been an inmate for that offense. Despite pleading no contest to several charges, Goodpaster filed multiple appeals. The courts refused to reconsider the case and also rejected efforts to adjust the sentence. In the latter, the court denied it because it is not in the public interest, according to court records. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A man was arrested after deputies said he stole eight dump trucks worth $1.2 million and rebranded them with a Tampa companys logos. The Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office said detectives investigating a stolen dump truck from Duval County went to a business on Hubert Avenue in Tampa. There, they said they found 40-year-old Olansy Marrero altering the dump trucks VINs. (Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office) Detectives said they obtained a search warrant for the property as well as two conjoining properties related to the same business. They found seven more dump trucks stolen between 2023 and 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Florida caregiver accused of stealing 75-year-olds car, using credit card for spa treatment The sheriffs office said the trucks were stolen from Hillsborough, Duval, Collier, Lee and Palm Beach counties. They also found stolen dump trucks from Georgia and South Carolina. Deputies said all of the dump trucks were rebranded with the companys logos. These thefts didnt just hurt business owners from across Florida and the Southeast, but they impacted families, employees, and construction projects, said Sheriff Chad Chronister. Were committed to those who help build up our community and will come after anyone who tries to tear it down through theft and illegal operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marrero was arrested on grand theft and criminal mischief charges. 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. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A 50-year-old man was recently arrested by Border Patrol agents in Las Cruces for illegal re-entry into the U.S. and for having an outstanding warrant for a sex offense against a child which was filed in Maryland, according to U.S. Border Patrol. Border Patrol says at around 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 15, agents assigned to the Las Cruces station on I-10 arrested a Salvadoran national, who was later identified through jail records as Ricardo Rosales Reyes, with an outstanding warrant from the state of Maryland. Records indicated that Reyes had an active and fully extraditable warrant for arrest for a sex offense against a child issued by the Prince Georges County Sheriffs Office in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Border Patrol said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reyes was removed from the U.S. in 2008, according to Border Patrol. Reyes was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center and is facing a felony charge for illegal re-entry after removal. 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. SANDY, Utah (ABC4) A man who has previously been deported was arrested for impersonating an ICE agent in Utah back in November. On Monday, he was convicted of more than 20 charges related to identity fraud and forgery. Rony Javier Hernandez-Morales, 38 described in a social media post by Salt Lake City Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as a twice removed Honduran was arrested in Sandy on 23 charges, including identity fraud, 13 counts of possession of forged writing or device for writing, theft, and more. Authorities found 13 forged documents under the false name Rony Romero and other aliases, as well as five different vehicle registration documents under a fake name, according to court documents obtained by ABC4.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kouri Richins lawyers file to move trial from Summit Co. to Salt Lake Co. Documents also said five vehicles were registered under the name Rony Romero, and a sixth vehicle was registered to Rony Momero. Hernandez-Morales is also accused of having a California drivers license under a fake name. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that Hernandez-Moralez has been deported from the United States at least twice, and is not a legal resident of the U.S., according to documents. Sentencing documents said Hernandez-Morales could be sentenced to prison for one to 15 years in Utah State Prison for the identity fraud conviction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Documents also said Hernandez-Morales also would serve varying jail sentences based on his convictions (with credit granted for time served) and would be ordered to cooperate with ICE and leave the U.S. voluntarily if not deported. According to charging documents, Sandy City Police first responded to a threat of violence at a home in Sandy in November. A victim reported that Hernandez-Morales threatened to kill several people, including the victim and himself. Hernandez-Morales reportedly had two firearms and told the victim he worked for DHS. The victim also said the suspect took money out of the victims bank account without permission. Documents allege that there is evidence of Hernandez-Morales dressed and acting as a law enforcement officer, including showing a badge, despite not having legitimate law enforcement employment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After his arrest, documents say Hernandez-Morales admitted to fraudulently making identification under the name Rony Romero. He reportedly used that identification to obtain credit, get jobs, and register vehicles, documents said. ICE officers always carry official Homeland Security credentials! Salt Lake City ICE clarified in the social media post. Hernandez-Morales full charges are included below: 1 count of identity fraud, second-degree felony 13 counts of possession of forged writing or device for writing, third-degree felonies 1 count of theft exceeding $1,500 but less than $5,000, a third-degree felony 6 counts of false evidences of title and registration, third-degree felonies 1 count of impersonating a peace officer/public servant, a class B misdemeanor 1 count of threat of violence, a class B misdemeanor with a domestic violence enhancement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sorina Trauntvein 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 ABC4 Utah. DENVER (KDVR) A suspect was arrested in connection to the murder of a woman in Colorado after an almost 18-year-old cold case. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation said Darrell Burklund, 72, was arrested on Friday in York, Nebraska in connection to the murder of 25-year-old mother, Jessica Bejarano. The bureau said investigators obtained DNA evidence that led to a potential match to Burklund. After a follow-up interview on Friday, Burklund was arrested and taken into custody at the York County Sheriffs Detention Center and faces a charge of second-degree murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Remains of missing Denver man believed to be found in Black Canyon Park This comes in connection to an almost 18-year-old case that took place on April 6, 2007, when the bureau said police officers discovered the body of Bejarano in a bathroom of a home on the 7900 block of Larkspur Circle in Frederick. The bureau said she had suffered from a stab wound to her chest and at the time of the incident, her four-year-old daughter and two-year-old son were in the home. Burklund, a former maintenance worker, was 54 years old at the time of Bejaranos murder. After initially investigating various suspects, including the victims husband who was cleared, the case went cold. That was until DNA evidence sparked Burklunds arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox This arrest is the culmination of years of tireless work by our investigators for the unwavering pursuit of justice for Jessica Bejarano and her family, said CBI Director Chris Schaefer. I want to remind the victims families to never give up hope. No matter how old or complicated these cases are, our cold case team is dedicated to resolving the most difficult cases no matter how long it takes. Bejaranos mother, Cece Merrow, said Schaefer refused to retire until this case was solved. Merrow said that the director kept that promise. Now, Burklund will face an extradition hearing on Wednesday before he will be transported back to Colorado to face charges. 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. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) A Sodus man faces felony drug charges after New York State Police announced that several substances were recovered during a traffic stop in Lyons Monday night. According to New York State Police, Tony E. Hickey Jr., 54, was stopped by troopers Monday night around 11 p.m. after failing to use a signal when driving onto Rt. 31 and then speeding. He was stopped on Warncke Road in Lyons. Tony E. Hickey Jr. mug shot via Wayne County Sheriffs Office. During the traffic stop, troopers said they discovered several illegal drugs: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ~117.1g of crack cocaine. ~4.3g of an unidentified controlled substance ~13.5g of buprenorphine Its alleged he also had digital scales and money at the time of the traffic stop. Hickey was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the second and third degrees and was taken to the Wayne County Jail. As of Tuesday night around 9 p.m., the Wayne County Sheriffs Office website indicated he was still in custody. Look at the labels: Advice on cannabis consumption during National Poison Prevention Week The investigation continues. 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 RochesterFirst. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A 48-year-old man was arrested and charged with theft after he was suspected of stealing over $5,000 at a business in Horizon, according to the Horizon City Police Department. Police say just after 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 18, officers responded to a theft call at a business located at the 14400 block of Horizon Boulevard. The suspect, who was later identified as Miguel Arturo Escobar Garcia, 48, was suspected of stealing over $5,000 by swapping damaged parts and retaining proceeds that were meant to be refunded to the business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the investigation, officers determined that Escobar Garcia had been involved in the refund scheme for several months, in which he kept funds that were intended for the business, police said. Escobar Garcia later confessed and admitted to retaining around $1,200 of the stolen funds, police said. Escobar Garcia was taken into custody and booked into the El Paso County Jail on a charge of theft greater than or equal to $2,500 but under $30,000. His bond was at $7,500. 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. ASHGABAT March 19 (Xinhua) -- Turkmenistan is actively developing regional cooperation in the energy and transport sectors, said Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov here Wednesday. Berdimuhamedov made the remarks in his address to participants of the international conference "The Role of Interregional Economic Cooperation in Ensuring Sustainable Development" in Ashgabat, local media reported. Berdimuhamedov highlighted the growing opportunities for international projects and multilateral partnerships in Central and East Asia. He emphasized that Turkmenistan continues to implement major energy, transport, and infrastructure projects, strengthening its cooperation with global partners and international organizations. According to the president, Turkmenistan is becoming a key hub in international transport corridors, as demonstrated by large-scale infrastructure developments. In September 2023, the country launched a new phase of construction on the Turkmen-Afghan border, including the Serhetabat-Torghundi railway bridge, the Serhetabat-Herat gas pipeline, and the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan power transmission lines. Berdimuhamedov also underscored the importance of the North-South transport corridor, which links Central and South Asia to ports in the Indian Ocean, enhancing regional transit potential. Additionally, Turkmenistan is modernizing its energy infrastructure and expanding electricity exports to meet the growing global demand for energy resources. MADISON, Ala. (WHNT) Madison police said a man was arrested Tuesday for robbing a bank last week. On March 13, MPD said officers responded to a robbery at Regions Bank on 351 Hughes Road. The department said a man, later identified as Kobi Dale Lamar Pendleton, entered the bank and gave a staff member a note threatening them. The department then said he left with an undisclosed amount of cash. After investigating the incident with multiple agencies, MPD arrested Pendleton on March 18 on Lee Street in Decatur. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pendleton was charged with first-degree robbery and was taken to the Madison County Jail pending a bond hearing. MPD said it worked with Decatur police, the FBI, Huntsville police and the Morgan County Sheriffs Office. Madison Police said the investigation is still ongoing. Pendleton has a history of robbery. In 2018, he and another man were charged with robbing a convenience store at gunpoint. 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. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A 21-year-old man was arrested in Vancouver after allegedly offering high school girls money for sex, authorities said. The Clark County Sheriffs Office confirmed they got three reports Monday morning of the same man who approached the young girls, and offered to pay them money in exchange for some type of sexual act. Man stole unattended truck before shooting owner KOIN 6 News discovered this happened between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Monday morning, as three underage girls were on their way to school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect was identified as Alexander Rietbrock, who was booked in the Clark County Jail on two charges of Communication with Minor for Immoral Purposes. While some parents in the area said theyre concerned that this kind of behavior might be on the rise, law enforcement officials said this is a very rare occurrence, especially in broad daylight. A concerned parent took a picture of a suspect who was later arrested after they allegedly asked multiple underage girls for sex in exchange for money. March 18, 2025. A concerned parent took a picture of a suspect who was later arrested after they allegedly asked multiple underage girls for sex in exchange for money. March 18, 2025. I think the biggest thing is is really just having conversations with your kids about, you know, whats appropriate. And hey, when a stranger comes up, what does that look like for you? You know, what would you do if someone came up, and, you know, drove up next to you and started talking to you about stuff and, and this kind of thing, you know, being aware of your surroundings, said CCSO Sgt. Chris Skidmore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Popular restaurant at Bridgeport Village to close None of the three girls who were approached were hurt in this case. However, families were shaken up over the incident. When I first saw that post, I was just really scared because, you know, you see all those kids walking from bus stops and, you know, trying to get home safe from school. And its just really scary to think that anyone could pull up and and, you know, you never know, like how the kids are going to react to it, said Samantha Blair, a concerned parent. Skidmore also said detectives are still investigating to see if anyone else might have been involved in this instance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) A federal grand jury in Wichita has returned an indictment against a man accused of assaulting a federal agent while they were on duty. Diego Barron-Esquivel, 23, of Wichita, was indicted on one count of forcible assault of a federal officer, according to court documents. The US Attorneys Office says the indictment accuses Barron-Esquival of assaulting an Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportation officer in February. Kansas man gets 15-year sentence for child pornography possession Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the US Attorney, Barron-Esquivel is a Mexican national. Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 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 KSN-TV. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) A man has been found guilty of felony arson by a Kern County jury after he lit his girlfriends front lawn on fire while intoxicated, according to the District Attorneys office. Jacob Burton was charged with felony arson, felony attempted criminal threats (lesser included offenses to the charged counts of criminal threats), misdemeanor vandalism and misdemeanor driving under the influence of alcohol. The District Attorney said in July 2024, Burton was drinking alcohol when he saw messages on his girlfriends phone that left him upset. This triggered Burton to visit a downtown bar and continue drinking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man says he stabbed his aunt to death after being triggered by verbal abuse: court docs Before he left, items were damaged in the home and he threatened to strangle his girlfriend, according to the District Attorneys office. Burton began calling his girlfriends phone and her friends, who were also at the house, threatening to burn the house down, throw Molotov cocktails and drive his truck through the side of the home. Burton later showed up with a gas can and lit a fire in the front yard of the victims house, which was quickly extinguished, according to the District Attorneys office. He was taken to Kern Medical Center where staff determined his blood alcohol concentration was 0.161%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burton faces up to 3 years, 8 months in prison. Sentencing is set for April 15, in Kern County Superior Court. 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. VILNIUS, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Lithuania's Constitutional Court ruled on Wednesday that the fur farming ban passed by the previous parliament does not violate the Constitution, Baltic News Service (BNS) reported. The court stated that the Seimas has the authority to restrict economic activities that are not essential to the society's basic needs, especially if they conflict with moral, ethical, and humane principles. The ruling followed a petition from some members of parliaments challenging the 2023 law, which phases out fur farming by 2027. The court noted that the ban aims to protect wildlife and prevent the spread of invasive species like the American mink. Lithuania is the 20th European country to ban fur farming. While farm owners will receive compensation, they argue it is insufficient. ST. LOUIS A Pagedale man faces is accused of a month-long stretch of car break-ins in and around downtown St. Louis in late 2024. According to Sgt. Sean Mazzola, a spokesman for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD), investigators have linked Eugene Jamison III, 22, to nearly five dozen car break-ins from Nov. 8, 2024, to Dec. 10, 2024. Police said Jamison, operating in a zone around downtown, broke into dozens of vehicles parked outside businesses at the following locations: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nov. 8: 2101 Chouteau Ave. (Downtown West) Nov. 21: 2600 Chouteau Ave. (The Gate) Nov. 29: 600 North 14th St. (Downtown West) Dec. 3: 811 Spruce St. (Downtown) Dec. 4: N. 14th St. and Washington Ave. (Downtown West) Dec. 5: 1401 Washington Ave. (Downtown West) Dec. 7: 1911 Locust St. (Downtown West) Dec. 10: 811 Spruce St. (Downtown), 101 N. Memorial (Downtown), 1615 S. Broadway (Koscuskio), 750 S. Broadway, and 300 N. 4th Street (Downtown) Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Police said Jamison III stole iPads, wallets, cash, purses, carry bags, jewelry, a Nintendo Switch, and firearms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jamison III was arrested on Dec. 10, 2024, after officers found him breaking into vehicles on North Broadway near Chestnut, Mazzola said. He was later located hiding inside a parking garage. The St. Louis Circuit Attorneys Office charged Jamison III with 31 counts of first-degree property damage, seven counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, seven counts of stealing of a firearm, five counts of stealing $750 or more, four counts of misdemeanor stealing, one count of resisting arrest by fleeing, one count of resisting arrest, and one count of leaving the scene of an accident. Court records said Jamison III is next set to appear in court for a hearing on April 10. 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. WIGGINS, Miss. (WHLT) A federal grand jury in Gulfport returned a six-count superseding indictment, charging a man with federal civil rights and arson violations for vandalizing and setting fire to a church. According to the indictment, Stefan Day, also known as Stefan Pete Day Rowold, set fire to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Wiggins on July 5 and July 7, 2024. Kitchen worker arrested for smuggling contraband into Mississippi jail Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Counts one and four of the superseding indictment charge Day with arson for setting fire to the church. Counts two and five of the superseding indictment charge Day with intentionally damaging, defacing, and destroying religious real property because of the religious character of the property. Counts three and six of the superseding indictment charge Day with using fire to commit a federal felony offense. If convicted, Day faces a minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each of the arson charges, a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each of the civil rights charges, and a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison for the use of fire to commit a federal felony offense. Stefan Day (Courtesy: Wiggins Police Department) The FBI Jackson Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, the Mississippi State Fire Marshal, and the Wiggins Police Department. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News 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 WJTV. CHICAGO A 34-year-old man was stabbed to death after fighting with another man, according to Chicago police, on Tuesday evening in Albany Park on the citys Northwest Side. Man critically injured after argument leads to stabbing in Loop Police say the man was found in the 3500 block of West Sunnyside Avenue just before 8 p.m. He has since been identified by the Cook County Medical Examiners Office as Juan Carlos Tello-Suarez of Chicago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to police, officers responding to a call for service found the victim, later identified as Tello-Suarez, outside with multiple stab wounds throughout his body. He was taken to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Police say further investigation revealed the victim had gotten into a fight with an unidentified male suspect, who fled the scene on foot. No arrests have been made, and Area Five Detectives are investigating. 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. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) A registered sex offender who pleaded no contest to exposing himself to two teen girls in northwest Bakersfield has been sentenced to prison. John Anthony Searls, 37, was sentenced March 13 to six years in prison after pleading no contest to a charge of indecent exposure, according to court records. Two teens were out walking the evening of June 18, 2023, when a car pulled up and the driver, later identified as Searls, got out and began masturbating, according to court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bakersfield man sentenced to probation for possessing child porn One of the girls used her phone to record him. Searls drove away and the girl gave the video to police, who sent out a news release that included an image of the suspect. A parole agent recognized Searls, and co-workers also identified him as the suspect, documents said. His 2018 gray Hyundai Elantra appeared to be the same make, model and color of the suspect vehicle, police said. In 2017, Searls was convicted of attempted kidnapping and indecent exposure and sentenced to six years and six months in prison, according to court records. That incident also involved a juvenile victim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He pleaded no contest in 2012 to indecent exposure and received probation. In 2022, he pleaded no contest to being a convicted sex offender trespassing on school grounds, records show. 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. A man was injured after being shot by a Kansas City police officerTuesday evening, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The shooting took place around 5:48 p.m. in the 1600 block of Jefferson Street, in the Westside neighborhood of Kansas City. The MSHP was called to investigate the incident around 7 p.m., the highway patrol shared on social media. While fleeing a traffic stop, the driver crossed from Missouri to Kansas and back, and then drove into Westside while being pursued by a Kansas City Police Department helicopter, according to MSHP spokesperson Corporal Justin Ewing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple KCPD officers in police cars caught up with the suspect at a parking lot, Ewing said. Two officers exited their cars and began issuing commands to the driver, Ewing said. The driver then allegedly drove at the officers and hit one of the responding KCPD patrol cars, at which point one of the officers allegedly shot the driver, Ewing said. The driver, a man in his 30s, was arrested and taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to Ewing. He was in stable condition as of Tuesday night. He has not been publicly identified. None of the police officers on scene were injured during the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several people witnessed the shooting, according to Ewing. Along with interviewing eyewitnesses, the MSHPs investigation will include a review of body-camera footage filmed by all the officers involved in or privy to the shooting. The helicopter involved in the incident was not called specifically to the area to follow the suspects car, Ewing said, but happened to be close by when KCPD officers put out an alert. The Kansas City Police Department declined to comment on the shooting, stating that all related communications will be handled by the MSHP. DENVER (KDVR) On Tuesday, the Douglas County Coroners Office identified the man killed Sunday in an auto-pedestrian crash that also resulted in a 19-year-old facing charges. According to officials, Luke Peterson, 31, of Highlands Ranch, died Sunday in the crash at the intersection of Kendrick Castillo Way and Mayberry Drive. Identity released of woman killed in suspected DUI, wrong-way crash on I-70 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time of the crash, Peterson was walking his dog. The dog was taken to a veterinary clinic and pronounced dead. The driver in the crash stayed on scene and is now facing charges. Cade Kaminski, 19, was arrested on charges of vehicular homicide, cruelty to animals recklessly or with criminal negligence, reckless driving and weaving. The Douglas County Sheriffs Office said Monday that it was still investigating the deadly crash, but said it appeared Kaminski may have fallen asleep while driving and struck Peterson and his dog as they walked on the sidewalk. 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. The man who is the last person known to have been with missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki left the Dominican Republic on Wednesday evening, after being detained for 10 days, his attorney says. Joshua Steven Riibe, a 22-year-old Iowa resident and student at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, departed from Santo Domingo on a JetBlue flight at 5:39 p.m. ET, the sources said. Tuesday, he was granted judicial permission to leave the island though he couldnt immediately leave because, according to a source close to the prosecutors office, Dominican authorities still had his passport. Riibe had not been considered a suspect in Konankis disappearance and has not been accused of wrongdoing. However, he was kept in a hotel room under police watch though not officially detained during an investigation, a source familiar with the probe told CNN last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dominican authorities had confiscated Riibes passport during the investigation into Konankis disappearance, a source close to the investigation told CNN. On Wednesday, Riibe received a new passport from the US Embassy, his attorney Beatriz Santana said. We are pleased to report that Joshua and his father are currently traveling back home to the United States, Santana told CNN on Wednesday. Konanki was on a spring break trip to Punta Cana with friends, and was last seen March 6 on surveillance camera going to the beach at the Riu Republica Hotel. Her parents asked for Dominican authorities to declare her dead, asserting in a letter obtained by CNN that investigators believe Konanki drowned and no evidence of foul play has been found. Riibe attended a court hearing Tuesday to urge a judge to let him return to the United States, arguing Dominican authorities inappropriately detained him without charges after Konankis disappearance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I really want to go home and see my family, Riibe testified. I understand Im here to help but its been 10 days. Riibe told authorities he and Konanki walked into the ocean early on March 6. After they were jostled by an intense wave, he helped her back toward the beach, and last saw her walking in knee-deep water before he fell asleep on a beach chair, he told prosecutors, according to Dominican news program Noticias SIN. At Tuesdays court hearing, lawyers representing the government said Riibe was not in custody but was interviewed as a witness and has never been accused. Riibes lawyer, however, argued Riibe had been restricted in his movement and his freedom. The judge sided with Riibe on Tuesday, granting his request for freedom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked whether the US State Department was working to bring Riibe home, spokesperson Tammy Bruce said at a briefing Wednesday: There is no higher priority than the safety and security of US citizens who are overseas. That matters to us. We are aware of the situation certainly and we take seriously our commitment to assist US citizens abroad. It is a situation where I cant discuss certainly specifics, but we know that the US embassy is in communication with him and his family and his lawyer, and we are providing consular assistance as well, Bruce added. The prosecutors office informed Riibe it was prepared to return his passport Wednesday, according to Santana. Although grateful for the Prosecutors Offices decision, Joshua decided, for privacy reasons, to apply for a new one at the U.S. Consulate, which was issued urgently, Santana said. Riibe met Konanki at a hotel before going to the beach Konanki arrived in Punta Cana on March 3, traveling with five other female students from the University of Pittsburgh, according to the sheriffs office in Loudoun County, Virginia, where her family lives. Riibe said he first met Konanki in the hotel when he and his friend introduced themselves to her group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two friend groups went together to a bar, where they drank until someone suggested we go to the beach, Riibe said in an interview with Dominican prosecutors last week, according to Noticias SIN, citing a transcript of the interview. In the early hours of March 6, she was seen on surveillance footage drinking with five women and two men in a Riu Republica Hotel bar. In the video, Konanki is wearing a white cover-up as she hugs and talks with her friends. Riibe is seen several feet away, bent over and stumbling on the lawn outside the bar. Then, at 4:15 a.m., a surveillance camera captured the group, including Konanki, entering the beach, police said. Just before 5 a.m., surveillance footage shows five women and one man leaving the beach, two sources close to the investigation told CNN. Konanki was not among them. Riibe says he tried to save Konanki from fierce waves Riibe told prosecutors he and Konanki were hit by an intense wave and were swept out to sea when the water returned, according to Noticias SIN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During an interview with prosecutors on March 12, Riibe described a harrowing attempt to save Konanki after they were jostled by the wave and she got tired of swimming, according to Noticias SIN, citing the interview transcript. It took me a long time to get her out. It was difficult, Riibe said, according to Noticias SIN. He said he was trained as a lifeguard but worked at pools, not at the beach. I was trying to get her to breathe the whole time. That didnt allow me to breathe all the time, and I swallowed a lot of water. I could have lost consciousness several times. When I finally reached the ground on the beach, I held her in front of me. He said he last saw Konanki when she was walking in knee-deep water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. After vomiting, I looked around, and I didnt see anyone. I thought she had grabbed her things and left, Riibe told prosecutors last week, according to Noticias SIN. I felt very sick and tired. I lay down on a beach chair and fell asleep because I couldnt go far. The sun and biting mosquitoes woke Riibe up, he said, and he went to his friends room to get his phone and then to his room to sleep. I was sleeping in the room and my friend asked me if I had seen her; I told him no, I thought she had gone to her room, Riibe said. His friend told him Konanki never returned to her room, which Riibe said surprised him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By Wednesday, Riibe had left the Riu Republica Hotel and was staying elsewhere. Konankis parents asked authorities to declare her dead On Tuesday, Konankis father, Subbarayudu Konanki, thanked everyone who helped search for their daughter and asked for privacy as he and his wife focus on healing and helping their two young children recover. He asked authorities to declare his beloved daughter deceased. It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we are coming to the terms with the fact that our daughter has drowned, Subbarayudu Konanki told reporters while standing next to Konankis crying mother, Sreedevi Konanki, in front of their home. This is incredibly difficult for us to process. We kindly ask you to keep our daughter in your prayers. Its unclear whether the parents request can be granted. Typical practice for police in the Dominican Republic to declare someone deceased is to have found a body or evidence of a crime. In this case, investigators have neither, CNN chief law enforcement and intelligence analyst John Miller said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sudikshas family has expressed their belief that she drowned, the Loudoun County Sheriffs Office in Virginia said in a news release Tuesday. While a final decision to make such a declaration rests with authorities in the Dominican Republic, we will support the Konanki family in every way possible as we continue to review the evidence and information made available to us in the course of this investigation. This story has been updated with additional information. CNNEs Jessica Hasbun reported from Santo Domingo, CNNs John Miller reported from New York, and CNNs Chris Boyette reported and wrote from Atlanta. CNNs Dalia Faheid contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com An American college student detained in the Dominican Republic following the disappearance of fellow American student Sudiksha Konanki is no longer under police surveillance but is not free to return to the U.S., a judge ruled Tuesday. Joshua Riibe, who is believed to have been the last person to see Konanki, 20, on the morning of March 6, is allowed to move freely about the country following the habeas corpus hearing but his passport has not been returned to him, according to NBC and ABC News. Appearing before a judge, Riibe, 22, who has not been charged with a crime or declared a suspect in Konankis disappearance, said he has helped local law enforcement with their investigation, has received support from Konankis family and that hes ready to go home and go back to my life, according to ABC News, which reported that a follow-up hearing has been scheduled for March 28. University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki vanished while on spring break in the Dominican Republic. Sudiksha Konanki/Facebook Her mother gave me a hug and said, Thank you for saving my daughter the first time, Riibe reportedly told the court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Riibe had claimed that he last saw Konanki walking in knee-deep water after pulling her out of rough water during an early morning swim in Punta Cana. Reports have suggested that the pair may have been drinking heavily before going to the beach together. Riibe said he passed out on a beach chair and doesnt know what happened to her after, according to transcripts of an interview he gave with local investigators. Civil defense boats search for Sudiksha Konanki, a university student from the U.S. who disappeared on a beach in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, on March 10. via Associated Press I understand Im here to help, but its been 10 days and I cant leave, he told the court. Im just doing what I can, and at this point, theres nothing more I can do. His attorneys, who did not immediately respond to HuffPosts request for comment, argued that he was being detained illegally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement after the hearing, they thanked the court for recognizing the rule of law and ensuring respect for his fundamental rights as a foreign citizen in the Dominican Republic. Konankis parents, reading a statement on camera this week, said that theyve been told that the water was extremely rough at the time of her disappearance and that they have accepted that their daughter likely drowned. We kindly ask that you keep our daughter in your prayers, her father said, as his wife sobbed beside him. The sheriffs office in Loudoun County, Virginia, where Konankis family lives, said it is supporting the Konanki family in every way possible and that it is leaving the final declaration of Konankis death with authorities in the Dominican Republic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki is tragic, and we cannot imagine the grief her family has been feeling, Sheriff Michael Chapman said in a statement Tuesday. Related... LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) The last person believed to have seen missing Virginia woman Sudiksha Konanki before she vanished in the Dominican Republic earlier this month is no longer a person of interest in the case, officials said Wednesday. The Loudoun County Sheriffs Office (LCSO) told DC News Now that the young man, seen on surveillance cameras with 20-year-old Konanki before she was reported missing, is no longer a person of interest to the sheriffs office, adding that he has been cooperative with law enforcement. He was interviewed several times by law enforcement in the DR, and on March 13 consented to an in-person interview with LCSO detectives and was fully cooperative. His father and attorney were present for that interview, the LCSO said, in part. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PREVIOUS COVERAGE | The parents of a US student who vanished in the Dominican Republic ask that she be declared dead The sheriffs office noted that it had named the man a person of interest early on because he appeared to be the last person seen with Konanki before her disappearance. He has not been named a suspect. The LCSO decision comes a day after Konankis parents asked authorities in a letter to declare their daughter legally dead, believing she drowned. A judge also ordered the release of the young man, saying he could cooperate with authorities without being detained, according to a report from the Associated Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Konanki, who is also a citizen of India, was reported missing on March 6 while she was vacationing with five other female friends from the University of Pittsburgh in Punta Cana. Police said she disappeared in the early morning hours while walking on the beach by her hotel. PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Authorities search for Virginia woman reported missing in Dominican Republic Since her disappearance 13 days ago, law enforcement has been working tirelessly to find Konanki, and the case has sparked national attention. The young man told authorities that he and Konanki were drinking on the beach and were kissing in the ocean when they got caught in a current and that he helped bring her ashore, the AP previously reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upon reaching the shore, the man said he vomited, and Konanki said she was going to grab her things; however, when he looked up, she was gone. The disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki is tragic, and we cannot imagine the grief her family has been feeling. We have supported them throughout to ensure a rigorous, wide-ranging investigation. We have also met personally with them and continue to provide emotional support through our Victim Advocate Unit, LCSO Sheriff Michael Chapman said in part, in a statement Tuesday. Sudikshas family has expressed their belief that she drowned. While a final decision to make such a declaration rests with authorities in the Dominican Republic, we will support the Konanki family in every way possible as we continue to review the evidence and information made available to us in the course of 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. HELSINKI, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday that while Kiev seeks a ceasefire, it will not accept any territorial concessions to Russia. Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska arrived in Finland on Tuesday afternoon for a one-day official visit, during which he met with Finnish President Alexander Stubb. At a joint press conference following their meeting on Wednesday, Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity remain non-negotiable when asked about the "red lines" in potential armistice talks. He stressed that a ceasefire would eventually be implemented, but Ukraine would not accept Russia's territorial demands. Zelensky declined to comment on details of a phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. He said he would wait until speaking with Trump directly before making a statement. In a telephone call on Tuesday, Putin and Trump discussed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and ways to restore bilateral ties. While not ruling out future negotiations between Ukrainian and Russian delegations, Zelensky insisted that talks could only proceed if Russia halted its attacks. He also reiterated Ukraine's readiness to send a delegation to the United States for ceasefire discussions. Stubb reiterated Finland's continued support for Ukraine, stressing that "Ukraine must emerge from the war as an independent country." Stubb underlined that besides the Ukrainian, Russian and U.S. teams, there should also be a European team in the talks. New details are being revealed in the arrest of a suspected drug dealer. Investigators said they now believe the suspect was trafficking meth through at least two Northeast Florida counties. Deputies said Cameron Yarbrough slammed his car into police cars while trying to escape arrest, and was caught after running off with a bag of methamphetamine. This is the 18th time Yarbrough will face charges in Clay County- not to mention the 17 charges he is also facing in Putnam County. Clay County deputies and their partners helped track Yarbrough down in Keystone Heights on Thursday. Official said investigators found Yarborough at the intersection of Silver Sand Circle and Appomattox Avenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When they tried to stop his car, police said Yarbrough slammed into their cars and then took off into the woods. During the chase, the Clay County Sheriffs Office said he intentionally dropped a plastic bag that turned out to have 94 grams of meth. One neighbor said most of the homes nearby have retired couples inside, and it was his caretaker who saw the aftermath of the crash. She said she saw about ten patrols cars there and a couple of unmarked cars too. They had the guy handcuffed, said Ray Erickson. Action News Jax dug through court records and found Yarbrough has been convicted in Clay County more than a dozen times for drug-related crimes, battery, burglary, and a gun charge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, prosecutors want to add trafficking meth, drug possession and battery on law enforcement to the list. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. A Wisconsin man who voted for President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election is now expressing alarm after his Peruvian wife was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement last month. Bradley Bartell Bradley Bartell and Camila Munoz were on their way home to Wisconsin from their honeymoon in Puerto Rico last month when immigration officials approached them at Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, David Rozas, an immigration attorney representing Munoz, told HuffPost on Wednesday. Munoz had overstayed her J-1 exchange visitor visa, and her immigration status is pending following her marriage to Bartell, a United States citizen, Rozas said. Advertisement Advertisement The lawyer said the couple did not have their documents for the adjustment of Munozs status with them at the airport, prompting immigration officials to detain her. She was taken to a Miami detention center before being transported to an ICE facility in Louisiana, Rozas said. As of right now, we have not been able to get a court date for her bond. We are waiting for her to be put in the system. That is whats going on, Rozas said. Bartell told USA Today in a story published Sunday that he was worried about his wife. "Emotionally, Im concerned for her, he said. It cant be easy being trapped in a room with 100 other people. They dont have anything in there. Its just so wasteful. Bradley Bartell / GoFundMe Munozs detention comes as the Trump administration continues its crackdown on immigrants of any status. Despite the president and his allies saying they will focus on violent criminals, people with no criminal history have also been detained by ICE. Advertisement Advertisement Rozas confirmed to HuffPost that Munoz does not have a criminal record. Bartell told USA Today that he does not see his wife as one of the illegals Trump promised to deport. Bloomberg / Bloomberg via Getty Images He added that his wife initially came to the U.S. on a legal visa, and he had believed the Trump administration would only focus on people who had crossed the border unlawfully. I knew they were cracking down. I guess I didnt know how it was going down, Bartell said. In spite of all thats happened, Bartell told Newsweek he doesnt regret casting a ballot for Trump. I dont regret the vote, he said. He went on to call for a reform of ICE and expressed hope that Trump will improve the immigration system. He [Trump] didnt create the system, but he does have an opportunity to improve it, Bartell said. Hopefully, all this attention will bring to light how broken it is.This article originally appeared on HuffPost. A man was taken to a hospital for a psychological evaluation after he allegedly bit and hit passengers on board a Delta Airlines flight. Shortly after Delta Flight 501 from Atlanta landed at Los Angeles International Airport on Monday afternoon, staff reported a man was restrained on board for biting a passenger and hitting others, CNN reports. The Los Angeles Fire Department responded, taking the man to a hospital for a psychological evaluation before returning to treat the passenger he injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man, whose current state is unknown, could face both civil and criminal penalties. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating. A Delta Airlines flight seen from a window at Los Angeles International Airport. The man accused of biting a passenger on Delta Flight 501 has been taken to the hospital (AFP via Getty Images) Delta has zero tolerance for unruly behavior and will work with law enforcement authorities, Delta spokesperson Samantha Facteau said in a statement. Delta has since been in touch with customers to offer support. The Independent has contacted the Los Angeles Fire Department for more information. There have been 311 reports of unruly passengers so far this year, according to the FAA. Unruly passenger reports hit a record high of nearly 6,000 in 2021, growing 492 percent from the previous year as airline travel bounced back during the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 4,000 of these incidents were related to masking, Reuters reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those figures leveled out over the next three years, with 2,455 reports in 2022 and just over 2,000 reports in both 2023 and 2024. But unruly passengers are still more common than they were before the pandemic, with the FAA reporting 1,009 unruly passengers in 2019 and 1,161 in 2018. The rate of unruly passenger incidents steadily dropped by over 80 percent since record highs in early 2021, but recent increases show there remains more work to do, the FAA said in a statement on their website. Unruly passengers can face jail time, fines up to $37,000 and travel restrictions. Criminal charges are also possible. The FAA has civil authority, allowing it to impose fines, the FAA states. It does not have criminal prosecutorial authority, although passengers who engage in unruly behavior can still be prosecuted on criminal charges. The man last seen with missing Pitt student Sudiksha Konanki is no longer under police supervision in the Dominican Republic. Per NBC News, a judge issued this ruling on Tuesday evening, a day after Joshua Riibes attorney officially requested his release. Riibe previously said hes been confined to a hotel room and not allowed to leave without supervision since Konanki disappeared before dawn on March 6 in Punta Cana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the transcript of an interview with prosecutors, reported by Dominican media as well as NBC and Telemundo, Riibe told police he was drinking with Konanki on the beach and they were kissing in waist-deep water when they were pulled out to sea by a strong tide. Riibe said he was a former lifeguard and swam her into shore. He told investigators he vomited upon reaching the beach and that Konanki said she was going to fetch her things. When he looked up, she was gone. He said he was later surprised to hear of her disappearance. The ruling also comes on the same day that Konankis family asked police in the Dominican Republic to declare her dead, after authorities told them they believe she drowned. Her body has not been found. The judge was only able to rule on Riibes ability to move freely, not the matter of his passport. Riibes attorneys previously told NBC News that his passport was confiscated as part of the investigation. As of Tuesday, NBC reports its unclear where Riibes passport is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge scheduled another meeting in his courtroom on March 28. Riibe has not been charged with a crime nor been named a suspect in the investigation. His attorneys say hes fully cooperated with police. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW The last person believed to have been seen with missing Pitt student Sudiksha Konanki arrived back in the United States on Wednesday. NBC News saw Joshua Riibe, 22, at Las Americas International Airport in Santo Domingo, the countrys capital, where he boarded a plane and took off Wednesday evening. NBC News was first to report that he had landed back on U.S. soil. His departure from the country comes a day after a judge ruled that he could move freely. Up until Tuesday, Riibe was reportedly confined to a hotel room and not allowed to leave without supervision since Konanki vanished before dawn on March 6 in Punta Cana. During that time he was repeatedly questioned by police about her disappearance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also claimed authorities confiscated his passport an issue the judge couldnt rule on. Santo Domingo is the location of the U.S. Embassy and where Riibe would have had to go to get an emergency passport, per NBC. According to the transcript of an interview with prosecutors, reported by Dominican media as well as NBC and Telemundo, Riibe told police he was drinking with Konanki on the beach and they were kissing in waist-deep water when they were pulled out to sea by a strong tide. Riibe said he was a former lifeguard and swam her into shore. He told investigators he vomited upon reaching the beach and that Konanki said she was going to fetch her things. When he looked up, she was gone. He said he was later surprised to hear of her disappearance. On Tuesday, Konankis family asked police in the Dominican Republic to declare her dead, after authorities told them they believe she drowned. Her body has not been found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Riibe has not been charged with a crime nor been named a suspect in the investigation. His attorneys say hes fully cooperated with police. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) A man who has been in the criminal justice system for over two decades will now spend the rest of his days behind bars. Freddy Ganger was sentenced to life in prison on Tuesday in connection to a 2022 murder-for-hire plot in Albuquerque. Earlier this month, Granger pled guilty to the killing of Gary Escareno, who was shot to death in a car near the corner of Thaiti and Morenci. Granger admits he was given cash, drugs, and a car to kill Escareno. Related Coverage Granger was already sentenced in other cases and in federal custody when he pled guilty to Escarenos murder. This life sentence will be served alongside Grangers other state cases, as well as his federal cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In one of those cases, Granger was given over 13 years for domestic violence and the assault of an MDC guard. As for another case, Granger was sentenced to 25 years for selling $1,500 worth of guns to an ATF agent and a carjacking in Carlsbad. Police say Martin Trujillo is the man who paid Granger to kill Escareno. Trujillo has pled not guilty to first-degree murder and conspiracy, among other charges. A hearing is scheduled for the end of the month after a delay in trial. 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. (KRON) A man was sentenced to 4 years in federal prison on Monday for intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and heroin in San Francisco, according to the Department of Justice. On May 15, 2024, Henry Jovany Sevilla was charged with intent to distribute narcotics and was informed weeks later. Sevilla, 26, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin in December of 2024. CA Attorney General Bonta warns ICE impersonators Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On May 14, 2024, according to the DOJ, officers witnessed Sevilla engaging in three hand-to-hand sales of drugs in San Franciscos Tenderloin district. The department said he had various amounts of heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl at the time of his arrest. Sevilla has been in custody since his arrest. In addition to the 48 months he was sentenced, the judge ordered Sevilla to serve three years of supervised release to begin after his prison term. 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 man who police say robbed multiple banks and escaped a rehab facility has been sentenced to time in prison. The Department of Justice said Rashon Coleman, 31, of East Liberty walked into a bank and robbed it on April 10, 2023. He got away with $904. PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Bank robbed in Pittsburghs Shadyside neighborhood The next day, police say he robbed a second bank in the same area. Investigators said he threatened to shoot a teller and people inside if he did not get more money than what was initially given to him. He left with $4,344 but police caught up with him and took him into custody. This time, police learned that the gun he was using was a toy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Man arrested in connection to 2 bank robberies on same street in Shadyside After this arrest, Coleman was allowed to stay at a community detention facility. On May 20, 2023, he was allowed to leave the facility for a designated period. Police say he never came back. Instead, he robbed the same bank he robbed on April 10, 2023. This time, he left with $25,000 in cash after forcing an employee to open a vault inside. A short time later, police found him inside a store and took him into custody again. PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Man escapes rehab center, tries robbing bank in Shadyside for second time in a month, police say Coleman was sentenced to over nine years in prison for all of these alleged crimes, followed by three years of supervised release. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW DENVER (KDVR) A man accused of providing drugs and vapes to middle and high school-aged children in Boulder County in exchange for sexual acts and money pleaded guilty last week and was subsequently sentenced. According to the Boulder County District Attorneys Office, Angel Gomez-Rubio, 23, pleaded guilty last Thursday to: 10 counts of trafficking for sexual servitude Special offender Five counts of criminal attempt to commit sexual assault Four counts of second-degree assault Distribution of marijuana or marijuana concentrate to a minor Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gomez-Rubio was subsequently sentenced to 97 years in the Department of Corrections and was given 471 days credit for time served. Denver gang leader, originally facing 255 charges, pleads guilty under agreement Ninety-seven years in state prison is an appropriate sentence for a man who preyed upon middle and high-school-aged students, said DA Michael Daugherty in a release. He used drugs and vapes to lure kids in and then coerce them into sexual acts. Gomez-Rubio was arrested in Texas in November 2023 after returning from a trip to Mexico. He initially faced 19 charges, including human trafficking of a minor for sexual servitude and sexual assault on a child. The DAs office reported that additional victims came forward during the investigation to report abuse at the hands of Gomez-Rubio, and he ultimately was charged with 55 counts naming 13 victims who were all under 18 years old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said Gomez-Rubio would sell drugs, including psilocybin mushrooms, MDMA, marijuana and vapes, to Boulder County juveniles and the surrounding area. Investigators learned that Gomez-Rubio had coerced underage girls to perform sexual acts in exchange for drugs and vapes. Keeping our children safe in our schools and the community is critical, said Longmont Police Chief Jeff Satur in a release. We value our partnership with all the law enforcement agencies and the St. Vrain Valley School District officials who helped with this investigation. Human traffickers and drug dealers should take note. The Boulder DAs Office said cases against co-defendants of Gomez-Rubio are still ongoing. 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. CANTON, Texas (KETK) A Van Zandt County contractor was sentenced on Tuesday for his role in a wire fraud conspiracy that cost an electric company more than $2 million. According to the U.S. Attorney Offices of the Eastern District Court of Texas, James Derr, 55, was involved in a group conspiracy with Rebekah Mitchell and Brittany Burton that diverted electrical equipment for financial gain. Van Zandt County officials shut down illegal drug operation Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For five years, Derr, Mitchell and Burton reportedly worked together to steal circuit breakers and resell them to various buyers. Derr worked as an electrical contractor with J&D Electric and Mitchell worked for Schneider Electric in Athens. The attorneys office said Mitchell used her position at the company to steal inventory and direct the stolen equipment to a secure location. Derr took possession of the stolen equipment while Mitchell paid Burton to use her position at J&K Storage in Flint to receive shipments of stolen circuit breakers. Derr then distributed the proceeds of the stolen equipment with Mitchell. As a result, Schneider Electric suffered a financial loss of approximately $2.6 million. Derr was sentenced to 46 months for his role in the conspiracy on Tuesday. Mitchell was sentenced in February to 34 months in federal prison and was also required to pay $2.6 million in restitution to Schneider Electric. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burton pleaded guilty to her role in the conspiracy and is currently awaiting sentencing according to Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr. 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 19 (Xinhua) -- The EU recorded its highest level of gas imports from Russia in two years this January, purchasing a total of 1.9 billion euros (approximately 2.08 billion U.S. dollars) worth of pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG), TASS news agency reported Wednesday. According to Eurostat data and TASS calculations, the EU imported 1.07 billion euros (1.17 billion dollars) worth of Russian LNG, marking a 17 percent increase from December 2024 and a 57 percent surge compared to January 2024. This was the highest expenditure on Russian LNG since January 2023, when purchases exceeded 1.3 billion euros (1.42 billion dollars). France led the imports, purchasing 455 million euros (497 million dollars) worth of LNG, followed by Spain at 261.5 million euros (285 million dollars), and Belgium at 256.7 million euros (280 million dollars). The Netherlands also raised its Russian LNG imports by 1.6 percent from December 2024, reaching 100 million euros (109 million dollars). In January, the EU's imports of Russian pipeline gas totaled 833 million euros (911 million dollars), just 10 percent below December 2024 levels, despite the complete halt of gas transit through Ukraine. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A man was shot and killed in the northwest Las Vegas valley Tuesday night, according to Metro police. Around 9:22 p.m., police responded to the 3000 block of Cheltenham Street near Cheyenne Avenue and Rampart Boulevard after a man was shot during a possible domestic dispute. The man later succumbed to his injuries, police said. This is an ongoing story, stay with 8 News Now for updates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Help is available via the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) and the Domestic Violence Resource Center at 775-329-4150. 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 KLAS. [See Cleveland crime statistics in the player above.] CLEVELAND (WJW) Cleveland police detectives are looking for the suspect in an October shooting at a Cleveland food market. It happened at 10:13 p.m. on Oct. 29, 2024, at Superior Food Mart, 12333 Superior Ave., according to a Tuesday news release. Another plane incident at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport: I-Team (Cleveland Division of Police) The suspect, who is known to go by the name Black, is described as a Black man about 60 to 70 years old, with a thin to medium build and a bald head, according to a flyer circulated Tuesday by Fifth District detectives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man is believed to have shot at the victim, then fled in a burgundy Saturn, also pictured on the flyer. The flyer indicates the suspect may be armed and dangerous. Investigators identify 2 found dead in murder-suicide in Akron Anyone with information on the incident is urged to contact Detective James Crivel at 216-623-5518 or jcrivel@clevelandohio.gov. 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. Former West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin is joining the board of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. (Senator JoeManchin YouTube) Former Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., is joining the board of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, the organization announced Wednesday. The Committee, formed in 1981, is a non-partisan, Washington, D.C.-based organization that aims to educate the public on issues with significant fiscal policy impact, according to its website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, has also joined the organizations board. We are absolutely thrilled to be joined by Sens. Mitt Romney and Joe Manchin in our effort to improve the nations finances, Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget said in a statement. Both of these men distinguished themselves during their time in the Senate as leaders who were willing to prioritize fiscal responsibility and confront the trade-offs needed to improve our out-of-control national debt. Sen. Manchins service to West Virginia, from secretary of state to governor to his many years as senator, show he has been a strong advocate for restoring fiscal sanity to Washington and demonstrate a continued willingness to work in a bipartisan fashion to address our nations fiscal challenges, she said. Manchin, a former governor and secretary of state, served in the U.S. Senate for 14 years, ending in January. Manchin served most of his political career as a Democrat before switching his affiliation to independent last year, sparking rumors he might run for another office in last years election. His former seat is now held by former Republican West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A manhunt was underway in San Clemente for a man who allegedly stabbed a deputy with the Orange County Sheriffs Department, officials confirmed to KTLA. Authorities said that around 2:15 p.m., a female deputy on foot patrol doing routine homeless outreach in the 1700 block of Avenida Estacion notified dispatch that she had been stabbed by a known transient. Shortly after 2:30 p.m., OCSD officials posted to X, formerly Twitter, that residents should avoid the area of Avenida Pico and Calle de Los Molinos due to police activity. A suspect is wanted by authorities in Orange County after he allegedly stabbed a female deputy on March 18, 2025, in San Clemente. (OCSD) The suspect, described as a white male in his mid-30s with brown hair, blue eyes and a beard, standing about 5 feet 10 inches and weighing around 160 pounds was last seen running toward the storm drain near Avenida Pico and El Camino Real dressed in a black jacket and dark-colored pants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The deputy sustained a non-life-threatening cut to her neck and was taken to the hospital for treatment. Two nearby schools, San Clemente High and Las Palmas Elementary were on lockdown, though its unclear how long students and staff were kept inside the facility. Officials urged residents to not approach the man if hes spotted and, instead, immediately call 911. 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. MARTIN COUNTY, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- A three-vehicle crash on State Highway 176 in Martin County early Tuesday morning left one person dead and two others injured, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. According to reports, the crash occurred at approximately 7:29 a.m. on Tuesday, March 18, near mile marker 286. Investigators reported that a 2012 Ford Explorer, driven by 61-year-old Randall Graham of Tarzan, Texas, was traveling westbound when, for reasons yet to be determined, crossed the center line. The vehicle sideswiped a 2021 Ford F-150 before colliding head-on with a 2018 Ford F-250. Graham, who was wearing a seatbelt, was pronounced dead at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver of the F-150, identified as 43-year-old Jaime Galindo of Andrews, Texas, sustained serious injuries and was transported to University Medical Center in Lubbock for treatment. Galindos current condition remains unknown. The driver of the F-250, 40-year-old Zachary Dishman of Granbury, Texas, suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene. Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash. No further details have been released 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 Yourbasin. FREDERICK, Md. (DC News Now) Maryland Governor Wes Moore paid a visit to laid-off federal workers at a regional job fair Tuesday, hosted by the Frederick Seventh Day Adventist Church. The state Board of Revenue Estimates predicted that 28,000 Marylanders will lose their jobs under the Trump administration. Congresswoman April McClain Delaney, whose district includes western Maryland, joined the governor at the fair. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No longer in Ward 7 will this behavior be tolerated: Massive trash pile in Northeast DC cleaned up; investigations underway Were trying to give as many resources as possible to those who lost jobs, McClain Delaney said. They can have access to resources to help with crafting resumes, meet with the chamber of commerce and network through a support system. She will also be hosting a town hall for displaced workers from the federal government or otherwise on Wednesday evening at Hood College. 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. WASHINGTON COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) said it is investigating multiple car break-ins and thefts around western Maryland. The NRP said it is trying to identify the suspects who were involved in breaking into a car in Greenbriar State Park on March 15. Police believe it is connected to a string of recent smash-and-grabs in state parks around western Maryland. Maryland leaders on hand at Frederick job fair for laid-off federal workers Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspects broke multiple windows and stole things from the cars in Greenbrier State Park. People also reported thefts in Gambrill State Park. The NRP released photos of the suspects involved. (Photo courtesy of the Maryland Natural Resources Police) (Photo courtesy of the Maryland Natural Resources Police) Anyone with information is asked to call 410-260-8888 with the reference report number: NRP-25-00253. 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. A week after conducting a second round of layoffs, Mass General Brigham announced a four-year, $400 million investment Tuesday into MGB Cancer as the health care giant braces for its split from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Dr. Anne Klibanski, the systems CEO, acknowledged the layoffs as she announced the new investment, which involves renovations at Brigham and Womens Hospital and Faulkner Hospital to create new outpatient spaces. As we navigate a period of challenging but pivotal change, I appreciate your continued dedication to our patients and to each other, Klibanski wrote to employees in a Tuesday message, which was shared with the News Service. Our reorganization and financial stewardship will strengthen our foundation and enable us to make strategic investment in our patients, our care teams and our mission preparing us for the ongoing headwinds facing our industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MGB did not specify how many total workers lost their jobs, though The Boston Globe pegged it at around 1,500 positions across the layoffs in March and February. The system said the layoffs affected mostly management and administrative positions, as MGB contended with a $250 million budget gap over the next two years. MGB argued the layoffs were needed to follow through with planned investments, including for workforce support, new clinical spaces and modernizing facilities. Klibanski said the $400 million commitment will advance medical oncology, radiation oncology, cancer surgery, digital pathology, technology upgrades, support staffing, and patient navigation across MGB. It will also be used to recruit top oncologists, implement digital pathology and enhance clinical support staffing, MGB said. We begin this work now with the goal of ensuring that MGB Cancer is fully operational using our own resources, ready to serve patients before the conclusion of our current agreement with Dana-Farber in Fall 2028, Klibanski wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state Public Health Council on Thursday is slated to vote on a determination of need request from Dana-Farber, which is looking to build its own cancer hospital with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. MGB Cancer plans to extensively renovate three floors at the Brighams Hale Building for Transformative Medicine in the Longwood area to support outpatient clinical space, plus one floor at Faulkner Hospital in Jamaica Plain, Klibanski said. MGB is also looking to relocate clinical, office and research space in the Longwood area, which the system said is currently housed mainly at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. In other efforts to bulk up oncology services, work is underway at Massachusetts General Hospital, where a new tower is expected to provide large-scale new resources for MGB Cancer patients, Klibanski said. The system is also working on a new exam room and infusion capacity at MGH-Waltham. Our goal is to immediately begin to execute on our cancer strategy and provide space for both our existing and new cancer teams to work, perform research and care for patients, Kevin Giordano, MGBs senior vice president of operations, said in an internal article shared with the News Service. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW A Wilbraham man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for making numerous violent threats on social media to kill elected U.S. officials and their families, police officers and firefighters, and children at an elementary school in Massachusetts, the U.S. Attorney said. Funwayo Mbilini Nyawo, also known as Jonathan Funwayo Nyawo, Michael Jacobs Robert, Jacobs, and Carl Fields, 36, was indicted with 13 counts of interstate transmission of threatening communications and one count of stalking through facilities of interstate commerce, U.S. Attorney Leah Foley said in a statement on Tuesday. Nyawo was previously arrested on Feb. 5 in the Southern District of Florida and ordered detained until his appearance in federal court in Springfield, which will be scheduled at a later date, Foley said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the indictment, between July 30, 2024 and Oct. 1, 2024, Nyawo posted various communications on X, formerly known as Twitter, threatening to kill an elected U.S. official and their family, a former U.S. official and their family, a former member of a Massachusetts police department and their family, a private individual, local officials and their family members; the children of Wilbraham and Boston; members of the Wilbraham Police Department and Wilbraham Fire Department and their families; and an elementary school in Springfield, among others. In addition, between Aug. 17, 2024 and about Oct. 1, 2024, Nyawo used X to engage in a course of conduct with the intent to harass and intimidate the elected United States official, their spouse, their child, their childs spouse, and their grandchildren. Officials on Tuesday did not specify the U.S. officials that Nyawo allegedly targeted in his social media posts. For all of the charges, Nyawo is facing a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Disgraced Trooper Michael Proctor, who served as the lead investigator in the Karen Read murder case, has been fired from his role within the Massachusetts State Police. Family of suspended Trooper Proctor says Karen Reads lawyers are creating false narratives Colonel Geoffrey Noble accepted the Massachusetts State Police Trial Boards recommendation to terminate Proctor from his position as trooper, the law enforcement agency announced Wednesday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our mission to deliver the highest level of police services depends on the publics trust in our professionalism and integrity. It is incumbent upon me, as well as every member of this Department, to hold one another accountable when any member compromises our mission by failing to uphold our values, Noble said in a statement. Breaking from the Massachusetts State Police. Trooper Michael Proctor Fired: Update Regarding Michael Proctor 18 March 2025 Today, the Massachusetts State Police announced the decision of Colonel Geoffrey Noble to accept the Trial Boards recommendation to terminate Michael Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) March 19, 2025 The Trial Board found Proctor guilty of two charges, unsatisfactory performance and alcoholic beverages, which were presented over three disciplinary hearings. In a specification of the guilty findings, the Trial Board found that Proctor did fail to conform to the work standards established for the members rank, title, or position, and/or did fail to take appropriate action on the occasion of a crime, disorder, or other condition deserving state police attention between Jan. 29, 2022, and Aug. 17, 2022. The Trial Board also stated that Proctor consumed alcoholic beverages while eating dinner on duty and then proceeded to operate his department-issued cruiser on July 19, 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Noble added, As Superintendent, my role demands that I do what is in the best interest of the Department. My decision to terminate Mr. Proctor follows a thorough, fair, and impartial process. I have weighed the nature of the offenses, their impact on our investigative integrity, and the importance of safeguarding the reputations of our dedicated women and men in the State Police. This decision reflects our unwavering commitment to upholding our values, enhancing public trust, and ensuring the highest standards of service and accountability. Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor opens an evidence box to show the jury a broken tail light while testifying, Monday, June 10, 2024, at Norfolk Superior Court, in Dedham, Mass., during the trial for Karen Read. Read is accused of killing her boyfriend, Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. (Kayla Bartkowski/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool) Proctor was assigned to investigate the death of Reads Boston police officer boyfriend John OKeefe. He was relieved of his duty without pay this past summer after a mistrial was declared in Reads murder case and his last day with the Norfolk District Attorneys Office followed soon thereafter. Proctor came under fire for a series of disparaging texts he sent about Read, which he read aloud in court during witness testimony at her first trial. Proctor admitted on the stand that the texts were unprofessional. He called Read things like a whack job and other derogatory words, he talked about her medical issues and wrote, No nudes so far, while going through her phone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement issued in response to his firing, Proctors family expressed disappointment with Nobles decision. We are truly disappointed with the trial boards decision as it lacks precedent, and unfairly exploits and scapegoats one of their own, a trooper with a 12-year unblemished record. Despite the Massachusetts State Polices dubious and relentless efforts to find more inculpatory evidence against Michael Proctor on his phones, computers, and cruiser data, the messages on his personal phone referring to the person who killed a fellow beloved Boston Police Officer - are all that they found. The messages prove one thing, and that Michael is human - not corrupt, not incompetent in his role as a homicide detective, and certainly not unfit to continue to be a Massachusetts State Trooper, the family statement read. Statement released by the family of now fired Massachusetts Trooper Michael Proctor: "We are truly disappointed with the trial boards decision as it lacks precedent, and unfairly exploits and scapegoats one of their own, a trooper with a 12-year unblemished record. Despite the Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) March 19, 2025 The familys statement continued, Proctor and his detectives led a meticulous and thorough investigation of integrity, and despite todays wrongful termination, and great harm and defamation this case has inflicted on him and his family, Proctor still believes justice will be served. He is grateful for the unrelenting support of the union and the men and women of the Massachusetts State Police. His heart is always with the family of Officer John OKeefe who continue to endure a prolonged and unimaginable nightmare. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Proctor also served as the lead investigator in the case against Brian Walshe, who is accused of killing and dismembering his wife Ana Walshe. Reads second trial is scheduled to get underway with jury selection on April 1. See the full Trial Board ruling on Proctors firing: Michael Proctor Termination by Boston 25 Desk on Scribd This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW MOSCOW, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Moscow and Washington intend to work toward gradually normalizing bilateral ties, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday. In a telephone call on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump discussed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and ways to restore bilateral relations. "I can say with a high degree of confidence that Presidents Putin and Trump understand each other well, trust each other and intend to gradually move toward normalizing Russian-American relations," Peskov said. Meanwhile, the spokesman noted that restoring Russia-U.S. ties would require time, effort, and the commitment of both presidents. Peskov added that no date has been set for future contact with the U.S. side, although discussions are expected to cover a wide range of issues. BOSTON (WWLP) The Massachusetts State Police announced Wednesday morning that Michael Proctor has been fired from his position. Karen Read case in court for hearings ahead of retrial Proctor was the lead investigator in the Karen Read murder case. Read was charged with murder in the death of her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John OKeefe, in January of 2022. He faced allegations of misconduct and criticism for his highly offensive text messages about Read. Proctors initial suspension, which was without pay, came after Reads mistrial was declared last July. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, the Trial Board found Proctor guilty of unsatisfactory performance and alcoholic beverage charges. Our mission to deliver the highest level of police services depends on the publics trust in our professionalism and integrity. It is incumbent upon me, as well as every member of this Department, to hold one another accountable when any member compromises our mission by failing to uphold our values. As Superintendent, my role demands that I do what is in the best interest of the Department. My decision to terminate Mr. Proctor follows a thorough, fair, and impartial process. I have weighed the nature of the offenses, their impact on our investigative integrity, and the importance of safeguarding the reputations of our dedicated women and men in the State Police. This decision reflects our unwavering commitment to upholding our values, enhancing public trust and ensuring the highest standards of service and accountability. Finally, recognizing the ways in which this process has affected the family of Boston Police Officer John OKeefe, I would also like to renew our condolences to them. Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble 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. Highway speeds in Florida could soon tick up if a bill moving in the Florida Senate becomes law. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] A surprise amendment tagged onto a transportation bill in the Florida Senate would allow for speed limits to be increased from 70 to 75 miles per hour on highways with four or more lanes. So, this isnt, you know, one-lane roads or anything like that, said DiCeglie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bill sponsor State Senator Nick DiCeglie (R-St. Petersburg) told Action News Jax at least 17 other states already allow maximum highway speeds of 75 miles per hour. He noted even if his bill passes, speed limits wouldnt go up overnight, nor would speeds necessarily increase on all highways. The Florida Department of Transportation will be required to do a study, said DiCeglie. While the amendment and bill sailed through its first committee stop Wednesday with little discussion and no opposition, the idea wasnt so popular with Florida highway drivers we spoke with at a rest stop on I-95. Places like New Mexico, there was very little traffic and the speed limit was much higher and it did seem safe, but here in Florida, changing those lanes just now, I think 70 is a very good speed limit, said John Navarra from Daytona Beach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Motorcyclist WL Warner told us he already feels like highway drivers ignore the current max speed of 70 miles an hour. Theyre coming by me on a motorcycle at 80, 85 and 90 miles an hour, said Warner. He fears pushing speeds up, would only make the roads more dangerous, especially for bikers. They dont enforce what they got now. So, if they raise it to 75 would they enforce it? Probably not, said Warner. But DiCeglie argues with FDOT in the drivers seat, safety would be the driving force behind any decision on highway speeds. Its the number one priority of all of us here in the legislature. So, I think its long overdue and, you know, Im looking forward to continue having the conversation, said DiCeglie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Senate bill still has two more committee stops. Similar bills filed in the House currently dont include language increasing highway speed limits. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. A researcher has identified a surprising source of plastic pollution: chewing gum. In an essay for The Conversation, microplastics expert David Jones of the UK's University of Portsmouth revealed that most modern chewing gum contains "a variety of oil-based synthetic rubbers," akin to the stuff that car tires are made of which is not only going into our bodies, but also the environment upon being spat out. Mysteriously, Wrigley, the maker of "Double Mint" gum and the world's largest manufacturer of the chewy stuff, refuses to name what exactly goes into its products. On the page for its oral health program, the company says only that its synthetic base binds "all the ingredients together for a smooth, soft texture." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Jones explained, a 2014 chemical analysis by the University of Arkansas revealed what Wrigley and other gum-makers would not: that sticks of chewing gum can contain everything from styrene-butadiene, which is what tires are made of; polyethylene, the chemical used for plastic bags; and polyvinyl acetate, which is better known as wood glue. "The people I talk to are always surprised, and disgusted, when they find out theyve been chewing on a lump of malleable plastic," the researcher wrote. "Most manufacturers just dont advertise what gum is actually made of they dodge around the detail by listing 'gum base' in the ingredients." While there are no hard and fast statistics about how much gum gets made per year, educated estimates suggest that up to 1.74 trillion pieces get made per year. In his own research, Jones found that most pieces of gum weigh around 1.4 grams which would mean that nearly 2.4 million tons, or about 5.4 billion pounds, of gum are manufactured every single year. Roughly a third of that weight, Jones noted, is synthetic gum base, which is quite a lot of chemicals that are put into mouths and spat out accordingly each year. Those numbers get all the scarier when considering how durable gum is when littered. Because it's difficult and labor-intensive to clean up, discarded gum often stays stuck on pavements and underneath chairs, tables, and benches. Eventually, it breaks down and becomes microplastics but that process, the researcher notes, can take decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While there are industry-funded campaigns to help people dispose more properly of gum waste, those companies "making a financial contribution to clean-up efforts is like plastic manufacturers paying for litter pickers and bin bags at volunteer beach cleans," according to Jones. "Neither addresses the root cause of the problem," the researcher added which is that such inorganic and potentially toxic materials are allowed to be put into a nominal food product, to begin with. While it's hard to tell how much chewing gum is contributing to the microplastic problem plaguing our planet, it's an important reminder of the many unusual sources of pollution we don't often consider. "Chewing gum pollution is just another form of plastic pollution," Jones concluded. More on plastic pollution: Scientists Just Discovered Something Absolutely Horrifying About Microplastics TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) The Terre Haute Mayors Youth Council is nearly to its 35-thousand-dollar fundraising goal for Coy Park. If they hit this goal, the IHCDA will match an additional 35 thousand dollars. There are many ways to contribute to this such as ordering the youth council drink at any Little Bear location in Terre Haute. Mayor Brandon Sakbun said he is confident that this goal can be accomplished. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peoria County Sheriff investigates womans body found in Illinois River The students stepped up, the business community is rallying, a number of individual donors are rallying, so lets close this gap, said Sakbun. Weve got $22,000 in the bank with another $8,000 in soft commits, so there is a little bit of room to go. The shot clock is on, so lets finish the job. This fundraiser ends March 28. A link to donate can be found 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 MyWabashValley.com. CHICAGO (WGN) About 90 percent of the US population has gotten their two dose regimen to protect against measles, mumps and rubella, but increasingly, the unvaccinated have been contracting the highly contagious, deadly disease. Northwestern University and Lurie Childrens ediatric infectious disease specialist Dr. Ravi Jhaveri warns that without proper coverage, storm clouds ahead have him worried. I like to have people think about vaccines as an umbrella, and the idea is an umbrella doesnt necessarily keep you from getting wet but it keeps you from getting soaked, he said. We see periodic outbreaks of measles because its a very highly contagious agent and even modest drops in the amount of protection amongst communities can lead to outbreaks. Measles cases rise to about 320 total in Texas and New Mexico. What you should know. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement March 14 | More than 300 measles cases now confirmed in 14 states Decades of research has proven the MMR vaccine is 95 percent effective after the first dose. Experts say now it is more critical than ever to know protection level and potential threat. More than 90 percent of parents are having their kids vaccinated on time with the appropriate doses by the time their kids enter kindergarten, and so I want to make sure we recognize them for the effort they are doing, Dr. Jhaveri said. The measles vaccine comes in two doses, working in stages to combat a virus that can linger in the air for hours after an infected person coughs sneezes or even talks. The respiratory infection leads to fever, cough, inflamed eyes, mouth sores and a skin rash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know with an agent like measles, thats very contagious, that 95 percent wasnt enough, and so that led to the outbreak of cases in the late 80s and 90s, so we then instituted a second dose to try to make sure we cover the population well so even that five percent that didnt respond to the first dose was captured and covered with second dose, Jhaveri explained. Eventually, for convenience, doctors and parents began giving the second dose to children at age 4. Dr. Jhaveri said the move became more practical and effective. But as measles spreads now, should parents be concerned if their child only got one shot? You are definitely going to be protected partially. One dose is better than no doses and two doses is better, Jhaveri said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For those teenaged to adulthood, the two doses are far in the rear view mirror. And since the virus is one of the most contagious, with nine out of 10 people exposed to an infected person likely to get sick, doctors can see a situation where greater illness is in sight, even for the vaccinated. You should talk to your doctor about making sure you have up-to-date vaccines with the current guidance and we are airing on the side of extra doses, Jhaveri said. Thats why the MMR shot is so critical for children to render the population with herd immunity. As for adult boosters, Jhaveri said the population isnt necessarily at risk but, if you are close to an outbreak or could be exposed if you work in a healthcare setting, we air on the side of extra doses. Rising vaccine hesitancy has health experts concerned about other illnesses as well, including chicken pox and potentially polio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. MIDDLEBURY, Vt (ABC22 FOX44) Adult day programs offer older Vermonters and their caregivers opportunities for connection, support, and activities. Its like a school for older people, said Kristin Bolton, Executive Director of Elderly Services in Middlebury, one of eleven programs in Vermont that offer adult day programs and other services for older Vermonters. But as the federal government debates the future of Medicaid, the situation could go from bad to worse in the Green Mountain State. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 40 years ago, Elderly Services in Middlebury started whats called Project Independence, which has gone on to be a nationally recognized day program for older adults and their caregivers. Where is Brianna Maitland? Vermont woman disappeared 21 years ago today We have buses, we serve food, we have exercise and instead of classes we have fun activities, Bolton says. Were truly a support for the family as a whole and the individual who comes. Organizations like Elderly Services rely on Medicaid a state and federally funded program to operate. Bolton said her organization gets 50% to 60% or more of its budget is from those Medicaid reimbursements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And thats not just for day to day operations it includes financial support for middle/lower income participants, as well as veterans. We provide that nursing home level care here at our center, which reduces the strain on nursing homes in the state as well, so it can be a real win-win, Bolton says. With potential cuts on the horizon, the future of Project Independence looks a bit fuzzy. The Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living oversees all adult day programs in the state. In a statement, the department said, We are continuing to monitor things at the federal level. We will react to things as they come, and will not change policy based on rhetoric. Our values have not changes, however, we need to be very careful about any new spending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For caregivers in Vermont, Bolton has this message: Reach out to us. We will help you no matter what happens at the federal level. We are here to stay and help the people who need help. 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. I ran four years ago for mayor, and it was to make speeches and which this is, too. So, I guess you can say its not a legitimate campaign. The mayor of Jackson will be the winner of the April 1st Democratic primary. Thats the way it has been for 150 years. Thats unfortunate, but whoever emerges as the winner of the Democratic primary, unless theres some miracle, will be the next mayor of Jackson. And again, thats unfortunate. I would like to see Jackson, Mississippi, resemble as best we could the rest of the state, which is red, its a Republican state. Thats what the main reason Jackson is in the shape it is, because theres antagonism between the Democrats who run the city and the county and the Republicans that run the state. Thats a no-brainer. Somehow, weve got to address that. This is the 12th time that Ive run for office, but this is the precursor to next year which is a run for Congress. Probably run against Cindy Hyde-Smith for State Senate. Its going to take an act of Congress it looks like to make Jackson, Mississippi, clean and safe. I was born in Jackson 80 years, and Im embarrassed to say that I live in Jackson, Mississippi. Theres no state capital in America that looks as bad as Jackson, and unfortunately, I would say that this has been by design. You see an economic boom in Madison and Rankin County, but nothing but continued blight in Hinds County and Jackson, Mississippi. Chinese Museums Association General Secretary Li Jinguang (L, front) and David Pritzker (R, front), director and chief curator of the Pritzker Art Collaborative, sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU), witnessed by Chinese Consul General Wang Baodong in Chicago (C, rear) at the Pritzker China-U.S. Museum Leadership Forum in Chicago, the United States, March 19, 2025. Museum leaders from China, the United States and Canada gathered Wednesday at the Field Museum in downtown Chicago to seek more exchanges and cooperation. (Xinhua/Xu Jing) CHICAGO, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Museum leaders from China, the United States and Canada gathered Wednesday at the Field Museum in downtown Chicago to seek more exchanges and cooperation. Under the theme of "Now/Next: Make an Impact Together," leaders from more than 20 museums in China, the United States and Canada exchanged views on topics such as "Museum Collaboration during the New Globalization Era: Opportunities and Challenges," "Exhibiting Asian Art and Culture in the East and West," "Research and Exhibiting the Art and Archaeology Collections: Collaborations between Museums and Academia" and "AI, the New Digital Age: Reshaping the Future of Museums" at the Pritzker China-U.S. Museum Leadership Forum. The Pritzker Art Collaborative and the Chinese Museums Association, the U.S. and Chinese sponsors of the forum, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at the forum, aiming to further promote exchanges among the museums in the two countries. In his welcome and opening speech, David Pritzker, director and chief curator of the Pritzker Art Collaborative, said the aim of hosting the forum is to build trust and collaboration, as "the best way to build trust is to have shared experience." The Pritzker Art collaborative was originally created to collaborate with the Dunhuang Academy. "During that time we became very close with a number of museums around China and also with the Chinese Museums Association," Pritzker said. By signing the MOU, "we would like to organize more events to bring museum directors in the U.S. and in China together to speak, to share, to get to know one another," Pritzker said. "The Pritzker Art collaborative can be a bridge to try to make it happen." "Museums are windows for the learning of civilizations," said Chinese Consul General Wang Baodong in Chicago in his opening remarks. "The forum is a highlight of the China-U.S. cultural dialogue." "We firmly believe that the improvement and development of China-U.S. relations are the common wishes of the people of the two countries," wang said. A program has been funded jointly by the China Museums Association and the Tencent Foundation to bring Chinese museum professionals to the United States for fellowships from six months to one year. Douglas Dillon, chairman of the Department of Asian Art of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, expressed the hope that U.S. museum professionals may go to China in the future to get a better understanding of Chinese museums. "Chinese museums are developing very fast, in the way they display and the method they restore relics. There are lots that we can learn," Dillon said. In July 2024, Chief Justice John Roberts penned one of the most consequential Supreme Court decisions of President Donald Trumps political career. In a 6-3 ruling along ideological lines, Roberts and the courts conservative majority established that Presidents can enjoy broad immunity from criminal prosecution for official actsa decision that provided Trump with a crucial legal shield as he campaigned to return to the White House. The ruling effectively delayed one of Trumps most serious criminal cases related to his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election, contributing to the political landscape that allowed his re-election bid to thrive. But on Tuesday, after weeks of silence, Roberts took a markedly different stance. In a rare move, he issued a public statement pushing back against Trumps escalating attacks on federal judges who have ruled against his Administrationjust hours after Trump called for the impeachment of U.S. District Judge James Boasberg over a ruling blocking a key deportation policy. For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose, Roberts wrote, according to the Associated Press. His words, measured but firm, represented a striking contrast to his previous willingness to bolster Trumps legal arguments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The moment highlighted the complex and sometimes contradictory role Roberts has played in Trumps political and legal battles. As the leader of the judiciary, who was appointed by former President George W. Bush in 2005, he has, at times, enabled Trumps expansive claims of presidential power. Yet, as Trumps attacks on judges have grown more incendiary, Roberts appears increasingly compelled to push back. Heres what to know about Chief Justice John Roberts and his complicated relationship with President Donald Trump: A history of enabling Trump's legal shield Roberts tenure as Chief Justice has coincided with some of the most tumultuous legal battles involving a sitting President. Despite his reputation as an institutionalist committed to preserving the courts legitimacy, Roberts has frequently authored or joined opinions that benefited Trumps political and legal standing. In 2018, he cast the decisive vote in upholding Trumps controversial travel ban on several majority-Muslim countries. More recently, in March 2024, his court issued a unanimous decision blocking state-level efforts to bar Trump from the ballot under the Constitutions insurrection clausea ruling that secured Trumps path to renomination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But no decision was more consequential than last years ruling on presidential immunity. By siding with Trumps argument that former Presidents cannot be criminally prosecuted for official acts, Roberts court delayed legal proceedings that could have put Trump on trial before the 2024 election. The decision drew sharp criticism from legal experts who warned that it effectively placed the presidency above the law, granting future occupants of the office unprecedented protection from accountability. Trump, for his part, appeared to recognize the significance of the ruling. As he exited a joint session of Congress earlier this month, cameras captured him warmly thanking Roberts. Thank you again. Wont forget it, the President said. While Trump later insisted on his social media platform, Truth Social, that he was referring to Roberts role in swearing him in as President, the moment fueled speculation that the President saw Roberts as an ally in his legal battles. Read More: Will the Supreme Court Preserve the Rule of Law? A rare rebuke to Trump's judiciary attacks Despite his past decisions aiding Trumps legal defenses, Roberts has also taken pains to push back when Trump directly undermines the judiciarys independence. His statement on Tuesday was not the first time he has publicly criticized Trump for attacking judges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2018, after Trump dismissed a federal judge as an Obama judge following a ruling against his asylum policy, Roberts issued an uncharacteristically direct response. We do not have Obama judges or Trump judges, Bush judges or Clinton judges. What we have is an extraordinary group of dedicated judges doing their level best to do equal right to those appearing before them, he said at the time. Trump dismissed Roberts latest statement on Tuesday night during a Fox News interview. He didnt mention my name in his statement, Trump said of Roberts, suggesting that he could have been referring to other people who have called for Judge Boasberg to be impeached. Prior to Roberts intervention, Trump called Boasberg a Radical Left Lunatic of a Judge, a troublemaker and agitator who was sadly appointed by Barack Hussein Obama, after he blocked his Administrations use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelan migrants. Read More: John Roberts Named on TIME100's Most Influential People of 2020 List A judiciary under siege in Trump's second term As Trumps presidency unfolds, the courts remain one of the few institutions capable of checking his expansive use of executive power. Since taking office again in January, Trump has pushed an aggressive legal agenda that has triggered a flurry of lawsuits. His Administrations frequent losses in lower courts have seemingly fueled Trumps attacks on the judiciary, with some conservative allies in Congress introducing articles of impeachment against multiple judges, including Boasberg. Impeaching a judge would require 67 votes in the Senate, which means Republicans and Democrats would both have to support it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roberts, as the head of the federal judiciary, has been facing mounting pressure to protect the courts from political interference. With a lifetime appointment, it remains to be seen whether the 70-year-old Chief Justice will take further steps to defend judicial independence as Trump continues his broadsides against the judiciary. Write to Nik Popli at nik.popli@time.com. By Daphne Psaledakis and Douglas Gillison WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A member of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency will take up a top role at the U.S. Agency for International Development, while Pete Marocco, who played a major role in the dismantling of the agency, will return to the State Department, according to an email seen by Reuters. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed at a news briefing on Wednesday that Marocco, who served as deputy administrator-designate at USAID, will return to the State Department full time as the director of foreign assistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's been my honor to assist Secretary Rubio in his leadership of USAID through some difficult stages to pivot this enterprise away from its abuses of the past. Now that USAID is under control, accountable and stable, I am going to return to my post as the Director of Foreign Assistance to bring value back to the American people," Marocco said in an internal email seen by Reuters. President Donald Trump in January ordered a 90-day pause on foreign aid pending a review of whether the programs align with his "America First" foreign policy. USAID has for decades administered civilian foreign aid and development assistance. Trump and his allies say it needlessly sent money to projects abroad that did little for U.S. interests. Aid workers say the cuts at USAID have ended lifesaving care for millions of people in countries such as Sudan and South Africa. In the email sent on Tuesday, Marocco said that Secretary of State Marco Rubio - who was appointed as acting administrator of USAID in February - would delegate his authority immediately to Jeremy Lewin to perform the duties of USAID deputy administrator for policy and programs and be Chief Operating Officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lewin was named as a DOGE staffer earlier this month by the COO of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and one other witness in court testimony as part of a lawsuit brought by an employee union and others seeking to reverse the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle that agency. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Lewin. Reuters could not immediately reach Lewin for comment. Ken Jackson will perform the duties of USAID deputy administrator for management and resources and be CFO, while Joel Borkert will be chief of staff and Marcus Thornton will be deputy chief of staff, Marocco said. Jackson was named in a legal filing on Tuesday as "Assistant to the Administrator for Management and Resources for USAID". He is also acting president of the U.S. Institute for Peace after Trump fired the president on March 14 and replaced him with Jackson. Reuters could not reach Jackson for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jackson, alongside DOGE representatives, gained access to the Institute on Monday with the help of armed police, expelling the institute's president, staff and outside counsel, according to the filing. Bloomberg reported that Jackson and Borkert were also DOGE staffers. Musk and DOGE gained access to USAID's payment and email systems, froze many of its payments and told much of its staff they were being placed on leave. On February 3, Musk wrote on X that he had "spent the weekend feeding USAID into the wood chipper." Earlier this month, Rubio said the Trump administration canceled more than 80 percent of all the programs at USAID following a six-week review, and thanked the staffers of DOGE. (Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis, Douglas Gillison, Humeyra Pamuk and Tim Reid; Editing by Alistair Bell) Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts issued a clear, if implicit, rebuke of President Trump on Tuesday, intensifying a clash between the White House and the judiciary. The Trump administration, including the president himself, has repeatedly characterized judges as unfair and even undemocratic when the courts have paused or rebuffed sweeping changes proposed by Trump, Elon Musk and others in the administration. The battle hit a new level Tuesday morning when Trump contended in an irate social media post that a judge who had sought to halt the deportation of Venezuelan migrants under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 should be impeached. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That was apparently a bridge too far for the chief justice, a conservative nominated to the high court by former President George W. Bush. In an unusual statement, Roberts noted, For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. He added, The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose. The message was couched half-politely but its message was clear: The Trump administration can challenge decisions through the regular process, but it cant threaten judges with removal on that basis. Trump is unlikely to heed that message. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his Tuesday post targeting U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, Trump labeled him a Radical Left Lunatic, a troublemaker and agitator and Crooked. Winning a presidential election does not give a commander in chief the right to act without restraint, but Trump on Tuesday also repeated his past argument that judges ruling against him are usurping democracy. In his social media post, Trump contended of Boasberg, He didnt win all seven swing states he didnt win anything. I won for many reasons, in an overwhelming mandate, but fighting illegal immigration may have been the number one reason for this historic victory. In November, Trump won the popular vote over then-Vice President Kamala Harris by about 1.5 percentage points, falling short of an overall majority even as he prevailed fairly comfortably in the Electoral College. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of the specifics of the controversy around the deportation of Venezuelans last weekend remain unclear. The judge is demanding that the government provide him with a detailed timeline of how and when three aircraft carrying deportees left the United States, ultimately landing in El Salvador. El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has pledged to imprison the deportees for a fee. One key question is whether the Trump administration ignored Boasbergs order, issued at an emergency hearing Saturday evening, to halt the deportations if necessary by turning the planes around in midair. The administration has argued that at least two of the flights had left U.S. soil before the order and, once they exited U.S. airspace, were not required to turn back. Boasberg appears to have little patience for that argument. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A high-ranking official for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Robert Cerna, has acknowledged that a third plane left after Boasbergs order was issued but has argued that it was carrying people being deported under a different authority than the Alien Enemies Act. On Tuesday, the Department of Justice declined to provide the judge with more information that he had been seeking, citing national security concerns. Boasberg responded in turn by demanding the information in a sealed court filing by noon Wednesday. In the broader battle over the power of the judiciary, however, the MAGA forces are driving on. Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) said Tuesday he would introduce articles of impeachment against Boasberg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gills claim that Boasberg was guilty of the requisite high crimes and misdemeanors appears to rest on the contention that, in pausing the Trump executive order, he has illegitimately tried to substitute his own judgement for that of the elected President of the United States. Such a rationale would appear to suggest a presidents preferred course of action cannot be stopped by the courts, because such a pause would automatically be considered judicial overreach. In that context, it is worth noting that 133 multistate lawsuits were filed against former President Bidens administration, according to Ballotpedia. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) in a November 2024 statement celebrated the filing of his states 100th lawsuit against Biden. Still, Musk reposted Gills announcement of his articles of impeachment, and several Republican lawmakers are said to have signed on as co-sponsors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Removing Boasberg or any other judge would be a very steep climb because it would need not only a majority vote of the House but a two-thirds majority in the Senate. The chances of enough Democrats signing on in the upper chamber to clear that threshold is effectively zero. Still, the effort can add further fuel to the fire of GOP criticism of the judiciary. On Monday, Trumps border czar Tom Homan told Fox News, Were not stopping. I dont care what the judges think; I dont care what the left thinks. Were coming. Later that day, Attorney General Pam Bondi told the same network that the administration would absolutely continue its deportations of Venezuelan migrants despite the judges order. She accused Boasberg of wrongly thinking he can control foreign policy for the entire country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk has previously characterized adverse findings by the courts as tyranny, while Vice President Vance has contended that judges arent allowed to control the executive branchs legitimate power. But even as the rhetoric ramps up, the legal setbacks keep coming. On Tuesday, a judge blocked Musks quasi-official Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from making any more cuts to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang ruled that the gutting of USAID by Musk and DOGE also appeared to be unconstitutional. The Memo is a reported column by Niall Stanage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. A House Democrat is calling a move by Republicans to replace an elected school board with a state-appointed board a "hostile takeover." (Photo: Karen Pulfer Focht) A Tennessee House education subcommittee approved a plan Tuesday to create a state-appointed board to run Memphis-Shelby County Schools, a move opponents said would subvert the will of voters. House Bill 662 sponsored by Republican Rep. Mark White of East Memphis would put a nine-member management group appointed by the state in charge of operating the school district, giving it authority over the locally-elected school board and administrators, who would serve only in an advisory capacity. The new management group would be charged with formulating a comprehensive plan for improvement within 90 days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a decades-old issue of underperformance, White told the committee. All members of the management group would be Shelby County residents with expertise in curriculum, facilities, contracts, budgets and finance and would remain in place for four years, he said. The subcommittee sent the measure to the full House Education Committee on a 6-2 vote with full support from Republicans. A decades-old problem, said bill sponsor Rep. Mark White, R-Memphis, of Memphis Shelby County Schools.(Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) White denied that the move would be a state takeover and said he believes intervention is necessary to enact drastic changes because of students poor performance. Only 17% of the Memphis-Shelby districts students are proficient in math and 23% are proficient in reading, White said, and the district has more than $1 billion in deferred maintenance on buildings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Memphis resident Ron Redwing, representing the advocacy group Save Our Students, adamantly opposed the legislation, saying the impact on students hasnt been discussed fully with community residents. While we do agree, and theres no question that the district needs a makeover, but we do not need a takeover, Redwing told the House Education K-12 Subcommittee. The bill is modeled after a plan adopted in Houston, Texas, but Redwing said recent reports show the manager of the Houston Independent School District there spent more than $870 million without board oversight or approval. Redwing admitted Memphis leaders havent been engaged enough with the school district but added that opponents of the plan believe its asinine to replace a locally-elected school board with a management group. He acknowledged Shelby Countys education challenges stem from decades of weak funding and poor access to schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic state Rep. Yusuf Hakeem of Chattanooga raised concerns that such a move could lead to privatization of the school district because creation of the management board would move the system out of the hands of voters. While we do agree, and theres no question that the district needs a makeover, but we do not need a takeover, Ron Redwing, Save Our Students Likewise, Democratic state Rep. Sam McKenzie of Knoxville said the school district should be repaired within Shelby County. He pointed out the state is phasing out the Achievement School District, which had a large number of Memphis schools, because it was unable to move many of them out of the bottom 5% statewide for academic performance. Yet over more than 10 years, only six schools in the state-run district made enough gains to come off the priority list. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why would we create an unelected group of people to destroy the republican form of government in Memphis-Shelby County? McKenzie said. White responded by saying the Achievement School District was an honest attempt to deal with poor academic performance, yet schools continue to struggle, thus the need for intervention. The bill also allows lawmakers statewide to seek similar arrangements for school districts, if they have low-performing schools, chronic absenteeism and a vote of no confidence from county commissions. That led Redwing to warn the subcommittee that the state could appoint management boards for their districts as well. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Two men were sentenced in federal court Monday for assaulting and stabbing a fellow inmate at a downtown San Diego jail last year, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of California. Jonathan Barba, 32, of Victorville, California and Abraham Gomez-Rodriguez, 26, of Imperial Beach, were sentenced to 51 months and 37 months in prison, respectively. Dangerous drug trafficking ring shut down in Southern California Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barba, Gomez-Rodriguez and the victim were all inmates at the Metropolitan Correction Center, according to the attorneys office. On March 27, 2024, Barba stabbed the victim repeatedly from behind with a metal shank while Gomez-Rodriguez held him in place. When the victim escaped, Gomez-Rodriguez chased after him and struck him multiple times, authorities stated. Shank used in the stabbing at the Metropolitan Correction Center on March 27, 2024. (U.S. Attorneys Office) According to the release, the victim was hospitalized and had stab wounds in his abdomen, neck, head and close to an eye. Barba and Gomez-Rodriguez told the victim they assaulted him to please another inmate named Alex, who was a shot caller or person who makes decisions for the Mexican Mafia, authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attorneys office stated that Barbas criminal history included instances of domestic violence and drug importation. At the time of the stabbing, he was serving a 37-month sentence for importing methamphetamine and fentanyl into California in 2022. Gomez-Rodriguez was convicted in 2022 for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin in California, according to authorities. He was serving a 26-month sentence. 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. Mar. 18LIMA The Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Allen, Auglaize and Hardin counties will meet at 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 19 for a regular board meeting at the Board Office, 528 W. Market St., Lima. The meeting can be accessed on Zoom via bit.ly/4kzv33e. Featured Local Savings NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) A man wanted for the attempted rape of a child is the latest addition to the Metro Nashville Police Departments list of Most Wanted fugitives. The list is updated each Wednesday on the MNPD Criminal Warrants Divisions Facebook page. According to Metro detectives, those featured on the list are often considered to be some of the most violent offenders in the city. Since the list was first launched in October of 2022, more than 150 people featured have been apprehended or surrendered, including several apprehended out of county or out of state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Below is a list of the suspects who made the departments Most Wanted list for the week of March 19, 2025. 1. Dadiri Muhina Dadiri Muhina (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) According to police, Muhina, 24, is wanted after being indicted by a federal grand jury on multiple felony counts. His charges include first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, solicitation to commit first-degree murder, attempted murder and tampering with evidence. | READ MORE | Latest headlines from Nashville and Davidson County Court records show the charges stem from a September 2021 shooting that killed 16-year-old JaNiya Birdsong and injured another 17-year-old. Family members told News 2 multiple young men were involved in an argument with the two teens before shots rang out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Birdsong died at the scene in her grandmothers Paragon Mills driveway. She was a junior at Hillsboro High School and hoped to become a hairstylist, according to family. While initially the only link to a suspect was a light-colored sedan seen leaving, six peopleincluding Muhinahave since been identified. As their investigation progressed, detectives said they found text messages between the suspects regarding their plans to destroy the car used in the alleged homicide. Muhina and the other suspects are also accused of conspiring to hire someone to kill a witness. At least one other suspect in the shooting was taken into custody. However, Muhina has remained at large. Anyone with information on Muhinas whereabouts is asked to contact the MNPD at 615-862-8600 or Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. 2. Raceme L. Crutcher Raceme L. Crutcher (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) Raceme Crutcher, 22, has been on the run from police for more than a year, after he was named one of two suspects in a deadly Fourth of July shooting in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said the shooting happened at the Fallbrook Apartments on Dellway Villa Road. Etabo Malanda, 16, was reportedly standing on the porch of an apartment when two armed individuals came from around the corner and confronted him. Malanda allegedly tried to pull out a pistol that was inside his hoodie, but he was shot first. Police said he died shortly after he was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee Leaders reflect on 5 years after first COVID-19 case confirmed in Tennessee According to investigators, four guns were recovered from the apartment, including one that was reported stolen. Crutcher and 17-year-old Jaylin Brown were reportedly connected to the crime through witness accounts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators also obtained surveillance footage and additional information from community members that they said pointed to Crutcher and Brown as suspects in the case. Officials believe the motive may have been an ongoing dispute between the suspects and Malanda. Brown was taken into custody on Aug. 31, 2023, after police said they caught him driving a stolen car. Crutcher, however, is still on the run. He was added to the Most Wanted list more than a year ago, on Nov. 15, 2023. His last location is unknown. 3. Detynn Smith Detynn Q. Smith (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) Detynn Smith, 21, is wanted for first degree murder, attempted first degree murder, aggravated robbery and committing a felony with a dangerous weapon. He was previously featured on the Most Wanted list in 2023, even earning the Top Most Wanted designation from MNPD on March 8, 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Wanted: One of Nashvilles fugitives wanted to sexual battery by an authority figure He has previous criminal history in Metro Nashville, including an indictment on a felony theft charge and felony carjacking charge in 2022. He was also indicted for a misdemeanor, evading arrest in 2022, according to court records. His last location is unknown to police. 4. Devon A. Martak Devon A. Martak (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) Devon Martak, 39, was added to the list at the end of 2024. According to Metro police, Martak is wanted for a grand jury indictment of three counts of rape of someone who is mentally defective or helpless and three counts of rape without consent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martak has an extensive criminal history in Nashville. He has previous convictions for drug possession, unlawful weapon possession, driving on a suspended license and reckless driving; he also has a no contest plea for an aggravated sexual battery charge in 2022. His last known location was in Madison, according to police. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts 5. Yudel Ordunez Yudel Ordunez (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) Yudel Ordunez, 52, has spent nearly eight weeks among Nashvilles Most Wanted fugitives. He was first added at the beginning of January. According to Metro Police, Ordunez is wanted on grand jury indictments for rape without consent and three counts of sexual battery by an authority figure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ordunez was last seen in West Nashville, police said. 6. Marcellus J. Springer Marcellus J. Springer (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) Nearing two months on the Most Wanted list this week is Marcellus Springer, 20. According to MNPD, Springer is wanted on a grand jury indictment for statutory rape. His last location is currently unknown to police. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com 7. Malcom L. Grant Malcom L. Grant (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) Entering his third week on the list, Malcom Grant is wanted by Metro police for sexual battery by an authority figure and an indecent exposure charge. No further information about the charges was released by authorities. Grants last known location was in Murfreesboro, MNPD said. 8. Bobby R. Conner Jr. Bobby R. Conner Jr. (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) One new addition to the list this week is Bobby Conner. According to MNPD, he is wanted on a grand jury indictment for attempted rape of a child. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Metro council approves FUSUS He was last seen in East Nashville, according to police. 9. Anthony B. Howland Anthony B. Howland (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) Anthony Howland, 38, was added to the list Feb. 12, 2025. According to Metro Police, Howland is wanted for vehicular homicide-intoxication and vehicular assault-1st offense. Police said his last location is currently unknown. 10. Khalil C. Steward Khalil C. Steward (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) Another new addition to the list this week is Khalil Steward. Police said he is wanted on two counts of aggravated assault in violation of a court order and two counts of domestic assault with bodily injury. His last location is unknown to authorities, MNPD 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 WKRN News 2. Students are well-aware of what they need to do to protect themselves and will not be backing down in fear of President Trump, said Rakin Faruk, alumni advisor for UNM Students for Justice in Palestine at the University of New Mexico, after "Freedom for Palestine Day" at the New Mexico Legislature on March 18, 2025. (Photo by Austin Fisher / Source NM) In the wake of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements arrest of a Columbia student activist for his involvement in protests for Palestinian rights, University of New Mexico campus activists are considering how to safely exercise the fundamental right to protest and asking school leaders to assure them the same wont happen here. Immigration agents arrested Mahmoud Khalil in New York City on March 8. Video of the arrest taken by his wife shows the immigration agents did not identify which agency theyre from, and his attorney initially did not know where he was detained, according to the Associated Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In interviews with Source NM on Tuesday after Freedom for Palestine Day at the New Mexico Legislature, UNM community members said they wont be intimidated. Rakin Faruk, alumni advisor for UNM Students for Justice in Palestine, said ICEs arrest of Khalil goes against the free speech protections in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Students are well-aware of what they need to do to protect themselves and will not be backing down in fear of President Trump, Faruk said. The Trump administration issued two executive orders in January, one allowing the U.S. to remove non-citizens deemed as threats to national security and subscribers to hateful ideology; and the other pledging to deport college students on student visas and others who take part in protests calling for Palestinian rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps statements followed a national protest movement by Palestinians and their allies, which included the Gaza solidarity encampment on the University of New Mexico campus in Albuquerque that ended in May 2024 after New Mexico State Police arrested seven participants. The night of Khalils arrest, President Donald Trump called it the first of many to come. In the last week, another student fled the U.S. after their visa was revoked and a third was arrested in New Jersey for allegedly overstaying her visa, according to the Associated Press. Sarah Knopp, a UNM graduate student, said one goal of arresting someone like Khalil is to have a chilling effect on others demands for justice. Every single one of us who has justice on our minds is making decisions right now about how to best use our talents, our positions, to stand up to this, Knopp said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Noelia Mann, a UNM graduate student, said people in positions of power or privilege, like having U.S. citizenship for example, should step up into a role of protecting one another and taking risks, like protesting publicly and risking arrest. That has always been important, but it is more important now than ever, she said. We are stronger in numbers, and it is our job to protect one another. Ernesto Longa, president of United Academics at UNM, said his union bargained with the administration last Wednesday and formally requested they issue a joint statement condemning Khalils arrest and disappearance; extend assurances to the university community that something like this would not happen at UNM; and that students and employees constitutional rights would be respected. The administration was silent at the bargaining table, Longa said. He renewed the request via email and the provost has remained silent, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a written statement to Source NM on Tuesday, UNM Spokesperson Cinnamon Blair said, UNM has been steadfast in its support of free speech and has been updating the university community with information and/or guidance related to federal executive action. Blairs statement links to guidance, last updated on March 6, that discusses how the university is responding to the executive orders in various areas including campus employment, immigration, academic freedom and patient care at UNM Hospital. The guidance states UNM has no obligation to take affirmative steps to advance enforcement of federal immigration law but also cannot obstruct or interfere with the lawful execution of a judicial warrant or subpoena. We remain hopeful that the administration will eventually offer those assurances because the fear is real and its a moment in which we need to hear from our administration that theyre going to respect constitutional rights to assemble and protest, and not allow immigration enforcement officers to be in non-public spaces and to seize members of our community, Longa said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Faruk said students at UNM and New Mexico State University in Las Cruces are constantly learning about and adopting customs to minimize the risk of being targeted by the government, a process called security culture. She encouraged students to connect with one another, because we keep each other safe, and thats what community is about. Know your rights The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee is available to provide private know-your-rights sessions and consultations to students and student groups who may be facing government retaliation, doxxing, criminal prosecution and employment or immigration consequences for protest. ADC Legal Director Chris Godshall-Bennett told Source NM people can seek help from the organization or its partners on its website or by calling 24/7 at 844-ADC-9955. Its difficult to imagine how any of the other work we do can happen if we dont even have the very basic right to speak out, to criticize the government, and advocate for what we believe in, Godshall-Bennett said. This story has been updated with comments from the University of New Mexico. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The proposal to terminate the lease of Miami Beachs O Cinema for screening the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land has been withdrawn by the citys mayor Steven Meiner after a contentious City Commission meeting on Wednesday. A large majority of attendees opposed Meiners proposal, according to the Miami Herald. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The major said he was withdrawing the proposal and also deferring a proposal to encourage screening films that highlight a fair and balanced viewpoint. Five city commissioners had said they would not support the resolution to end the non-profit theaters lease and to withdraw funding. Only one commissioner, David Suarez, supported the proposal. The mayors of Miami and Hialeah, Fla., called in to the meeting to support Meiner, but Miami mayor Francis Suarez was booed by attendees after exceeding the time limit for speaking, the Herald reported. The mayor told the Herald that he brought the proposal as a public safety measure and legitimately viewed this as a public safety threat. O Cinema was represented by attorney Miriam Haskell of the Community Jusice Project, along with the ACLU of Florida. Haskell told the Herald that Meiner was right to withdraw the resolution to evict and defund O Cinema. The theaters legal reps had argued that it was a clear case of viewpoint censorship. Meiners proposal drew attention around the world and particularly among the filmmaking community, which saw the threat as a dangerous precedent seeking to dampen free speech. Documentarians including Michael Moore, Laura Poitras, Ezra Edelman and Alex Gibney signed an open letter to the city of Miami Beach on Monday that called the threat an attack on freedom of expression, the right of artists to tell their stories, and a violation of the First Amendment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No Other Land tells the story of the resistance of Palestinian activists against forced displacement and settler expansion in the West Bank community of Masafer Yatta, and is directed by a Palestinian-Israeli collective of activists: Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor and Basel Adra. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Following intense national and local criticism from free speech advocates, the mayor of Miami Beach has withdrawn a proposal to terminate the lease and grants of an independent theater in retaliation for showing No Other Land, an Oscar-winning documentary about the Israel-Palestine conflict. The Miami Herald reported today that during a "raucous" Miami Beach City Commission meeting, Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner pulled a proposed resolution he introduced last week that would have terminated the city's lease agreement and tens of thousands of dollars in grants with O Cinema, an independent theater that rents space from the city. Meiner filed the bill after O Cinema moved ahead with the screenings despite an official letter from Meiner stating that showing the documentary would be "normalizing hate and then disseminating antisemitism in a facility owned by the taxpayers of Miami Beach." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Meiner pulled his bill after only one other commissioner supported it, and five other commissioners said they would vote against it. The Herald reports that "the vast majority of attendees opposed Meiner's proposal." The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida quickly jumped to O Cinema's defense, and other state and national free speech groups condemned Meiner's resolution as well. "The commissioners need to chooseeither support the mayor's viewpoint discrimination or defend the First Amendment of the people they represent," Stephanie Jablonsky, a senior program council at Freedom for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), wrote in a letter to the city of Miami Beach yesterday. Over 600 filmmakers also sent a letter urging the city commission to reject the resolution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a Muslim civil liberties group, applauded the failure of Meiner's resolution. "Public pressure works," CAIR-Florida Executive Director Imam Abdullah Jaber said in a press release. "CAIR, CAIR-Florida, and the ACLUamong othersapplied public pressure on Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner to drop his failed proposal to censor our cherished First Amendment right to freedom of speech, which protects artistic expression." Perhaps the Miami Beach city government shouldn't be playing landlord for movie theaters in the first place, but if it is, it can't discriminate on the basis of political viewpoint. That's a basic First Amendment principle that any public official should understand as a prerequisite for holding office. Unfortunately, many public officials are in dire need of remedial constitutional education. The Miami Herald noted that two of the people who called in to Wednesday's hearing in support of Meiner were his South Florida colleagues, the mayors of Hialeah and Miami. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are completely in solidarity with you, Mayor Meiner, over your concerns over what is happening in a public theater," Miami Mayor Francis Suarez said. The post Miami Beach Mayor Withdraws Bill To Evict Theater for Screening No Other Land appeared first on Reason.com. MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (AP) The mayor of Miami Beach, Florida, is backing off a proposal to terminate an independent theaters lease and financial support after it screened an Oscar-winning documentary about the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis. Mayor Steven Meiner introduced a resolution last week describing the film No Other Land as antisemitic, but he withdrew it during Wednesday's regular commission meeting after five of the six city commissioners said they opposed the proposal. Meiner said he would support an alternative resolution to encourage the theater to show films that highlight a fair and balanced viewpoint. No Other Land opened earlier this month at O Cinema, located at the Miami Beach Historic City Hall. Meiner had reached out several days before the premiere to discourage O Cinema CEO Vivian Marthell from showing the film. Marthell said she initially agreed not to screen it but later changed her mind after reflecting on the broader implications for free speech and O Cinemas mission of sharing films that not only entertain but also challenge, educate and inspire meaningful dialogue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She has threatened legal action against the city if it moves forward with the eviction. No Other Land, which was shot between 2019 and 2023 and released last year, was directed by a group of Israeli and Palestinian filmmakers: Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor. The film documents the destruction of Palestinian villages in the West Bank by the Israeli military. Production on it wrapped days before Hamas launched its deadly Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel that started the war in Gaza. The film won the Academy Award for best documentary feature earlier this month, as well as previous awards. While it has earned wide praise from film critics, it has also drawn controversy. The Michigan Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Heres a look at March 18, 2025, results for each game: Winning Daily 3 numbers from March 18 drawing Midday: 9-2-3 Evening: 1-9-1 Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Daily 4 numbers from March 18 drawing Midday: 9-5-4-6 Evening: 2-6-5-4 Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Lucky For Life numbers from March 18 drawing 08-20-37-39-46, Lucky Ball: 15 Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Poker Lotto numbers from March 18 drawing 5C-8C-4D-5S-10S Check Poker Lotto payouts and previous drawings here. 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Claims should be mailed to: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 18, 2025 The Israeli military is retaking control of a key corridor that cuts off northern Gaza from the south, Israel's military said, deepening its renewed offensive in Gaza. Israel broke the ceasefire with Hamas on Tuesday in a wave of heavy strikes that have continued into Wednesday but at a lower intensity. More than 400 Palestinians were killed on Tuesday, nearly two-thirds of them women and children, making it the deadliest day in Gaza after 17 months of war, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The ministry's records do not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Israel's defense minister warned Wednesday that attacks on Gaza would increase with an intensity that you have not known until Hamas frees dozens of hostages and gives up control of the territory. Hamas has yet to respond militarily, but Israel's actions threaten to drag the sides back into all-out war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's the latest: Air raid sirens sound in Israel after missile attack from Yemen The Israeli military says air raid sirens have sounded in several areas of the country following a missile attack from Yemen. The sirens and several explosions were heard early Thursday in Jerusalem, apparently the sounds of Israel's interceptors in use. No injuries were reported. Police also reported sirens in central Israel. Yemens Houthi rebels this week resumed missile attacks following the collapse of Israels ceasefire with Hamas but they did not immediately claim the attack on Thursday morning. The MADA rescue service said it received no reports of injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UN peacekeepers observe 7 Israeli activities in south Lebanon violating UN resolution United Nations peacekeepers have observed seven Israeli activities in southern Lebanon violating a U.N. resolution. U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said the activities took place north of the U.N.-drawn boundary between Israel and Lebanon. The 2006 U.N. Security Council resolution requires Israeli forces to remain south of the boundary known as the Blue Line. The peacekeeping force, known as UNIFIL, reiterated its call for a complete Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon so the Lebanese army can deploy throughout the area, Haq said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In another incident, Haq said, UNIFIL peacekeepers found rocket launchers, rocket-propelled grenade and other unauthorized weapons and ammunition caches in seven different locations in south Lebanon. The discoveries were all reported to the Lebanese Army for their action, he said. UN peacekeeper in south Lebanon wounded after stepping on a mine U.N. peacekeeper in southern Lebanon has been wounded after stepping on a mine. U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said the incident took place during operational activity by the peacekeeping mission known as UNIFIL in the village of Zibqin. The wounded peacekeeper was initially treated at a nearby UNIFIL facility and transferred to a hospital in Beirut where his condition is stable, Haq said, adding that his injuries are not life-threatening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the terrible incident highlights the dangers of unexploded ordnance and told reporters UNIFIL has increasing demining activities. Weeks after returning home, Palestinians evacuate a town in northern Gaza Palestinians in a war-ravaged town in northern Gaza are leaving by foot, in vehicles and on horse-drawn carts after the Israeli military ordered them to evacuate. Associated Press journalists saw people packing up Wednesday and carrying their belongings from Beit Hanoun to nearby Jabaliya. Cars were piled high with peoples clothes, mattresses, plastic barrels and whatever else they could carry. A Palestinian boy perched on top of one cart grinned and raised his hands in the v-for-victory sign with two fingers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fresh wave of evacuations were reminiscent of the displacement experienced by hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who fled northern Gaza for the south earlier in the war. Many had returned to their hometown during the ceasefire but are being forced out now that Israel has resumed its military campaign. Israel Katz, the Israeli defense minister, said the Wednesday that the military would soon order Palestinians to evacuate from combat zones. Echoing Trump, Israels Netanyahu slams deep state efforts to undermine him In a nod to his ally U.S. President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said their two administrations stand strong together against the deep state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In America and in Israel, when a strong right wing leader wins an election, the leftist Deep State weaponizes the justice system to thwart the peoples will, Netanyahu wrote Wednesday on the social platform X, using his English-language account. They wont win in either place! Netanyahu faces fierce public criticism over his recent move to fire the head of the countrys domestic security agency as well as attempts by his government to dismiss the attorney general. He often accuses state institutions like the police and the judiciary of being out to get him. Hes striking a similar chord to Trump, who rails against the weaponization of the Justice Department and others in the federal government against whom he has grievances. Its also rare for Netanyahu to use his English-language account on X to criticize domestic political opponents or the state institutions he says are against him. Israel offers condolences for the UN employee killed in Gaza but insists it didn't kill him Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israels Foreign Ministry has expressed sorrow over the death of a United Nations worker in Gaza, but said an initial probe found the Israeli military was not responsible. The circumstances of the episode were being examined, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein said in a statement. The Israeli military earlier also denied involvement in the death, which occurred after ordnance hit a U.N. guesthouse in the city of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, according to the U.N. Surgeon in Gaza offers details on wounded UN staff Dr. Osama Hamed, a Jordanian surgeon volunteering at Al-Aqsa Hospital in Gaza, said at least three U.N. staffers were brought to his hospital Wednesday morning, including one he spoke to directly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A U.N. staffer arrived with a massive destructive injury to his leg, Hamed said, and the orthopedic surgeons ended up amputating it below the knee. The hospital was already juggling multiple other wounded Palestinians who had arrived before the U.N. staffers, he said. Another U.N. staffer with a severe brain injury was taken to the Gaza European hospital, Hamed said. His condition was not immediately known. Israel is still launching strikes across Gaza An Israeli airstrike in far northern Gaza killed at least 17 people and wounded at least 30 others, Palestinian health authorities said. The Israeli military did not immediately comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The strike Wednesday evening hit a condolence gathering in the Salateen area of Beit Lahiya, so most of the dead were from the same family, according to Fares Awad, head of the Health Ministrys emergency service in northern Gaza. The dead include at least two children aged 11 and 16, and a 65-year-old man was killed along with two of his sons, Awad told The Associated Press. Another airstrike earlier Wednesday killed at least five people in the southernmost city of Rafah, Palestinian first responders said. The strike hit a vehicle in the Musbah area on Wednesday afternoon, according to the Civil Defense agency, which operates under the Hamas-run government. The casualties were taken to Nasser Hospital in the nearby city of Khan Younis, which confirmed the deaths. Israel's military said the strike in Rafah targeted two Hamas militants and that its forces were continuing extensive strikes throughout the Gaza Strip. Yemen's Houthis say more airstrikes pound the capital Strikes hit Sanaa, Yemens rebel-held capital, as well as their stronghold of Saada in the countrys northwest on Wednesday night, the Houthis al-Maisrah satellite news channel reported. At least seven women and two children were injured Wednesday in a U.S. airstrike in the Thurah district in Yemens capital, Sanaa, said Anees al-Asbahi, a spokesman for the Houthi-run Health Ministry. The strike hit an under-construction public event hall, setting fire in the facility, he said, adding that many neighboring houses were damaged. The Houthi news channel also said strikes happened overnight Tuesday, though the U.S. military has not offered a breakdown of places targeted since the airstrike campaign began. The first strikes this weekend killed at least 53 people, including children, and wounded others. Trump warns Yemens Houthis will be completely annihilated U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday stepped up his rhetoric regarding Yemens Houthi rebels as the American military launched more airstrikes against the group, warning they will be completely be annihilated. Trump made the comment on his website Truth Social. He claimed, without offering evidence, Iranian military support to the rebels has lessened but said it needed to entirely stop. Let the Houthis fight it out themselves, he wrote. Tremendous damage has been inflicted upon the Houthi barbarians, and watch how it will get progressively worse Its not even a fair fight, and never will be. They will be completely annihilated! The Houthis said strikes against them continued overnight. The U.S. military has not offered a breakdown of the strikes. Despite more than a year of U.S. strikes and naval patrols, experts say commercial shipping will likely continue to stay out of the region because of the Houthi threat. UN chief is deeply saddened and shocked by staff member killed in Gaza Without naming Israel, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the deadly strike on a U.N. guesthouse in Gaza and called for an investigation. Israel denied earlier reports that it had targeted the U.N. compound. But there have been no reports of rocket attacks by Hamas since Israel broke the ceasefire on Tuesday. The locations of all UN premises are known to the parties to the conflict, who are bound by international law to protect them, Guterres said in a statement via U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq. The U.N. has not yet said which country the international staff member working in Gaza was from. Syrian government and Kurdish officials discuss merging their armed forces The new Syrian government wants to bring Syrias breakaway Kurdish militias back under government control, but the details of their recent breakthrough agreement are still being worked out and negotiators will have overcome a decade of civil war. Government officials met Wednesday in the northeastern province of Hassakeh with the commander of the main Kurdish-led group in the country, the Syrian Democratic Forces, which is backed by the U.S. The meeting comes a week after Syrias interim government signed a deal with the Kurdish-led authority that controls the countrys northeast, including a ceasefire and the merging of the SDF into the Syrian army. The deal should be implemented by the end of the year. It would bring northeast Syrias borders and lucrative oil fields under the central governments control. Witnesses describe strikes on a UN building in Gaza Palestinians living close to a U.N. building in Gaza that was hit by a deadly strike on Wednesday say the facility had been struck multiple times by tank shelling in recent days. Naief al-Lahham said the building was hit by tank shelling Tuesday evening, but it didnt result in casualties. On Wednesday morning, he heard two explosions minutes apart, he told the AP, adding that the attack came from an Israeli position just east of the building. A U.N. staffer was killed and at least five others wounded. The explosion shook al-Lahhams house, damaging its windows. He said he was lightly injured by pieces of glass. The U.N. says it had contacted the Israeli military after the first strike and confirmed that the military was aware of the facilitys location. Israel denies targeting the U.N. compound. Hamas says Israel has fully backed out of the ceasefire deal by retaking Gaza corridor A spokesman for Hamas said Israels closure of the main north-south route in Gaza, the Salahuddin road, is part of Israels blockade on Gaza. The Zionist occupation, under American cover and international silence, is destroying life in Gaza and reneging on the signed agreement, Abdel-Latif al-Qanou said in a statement Wednesday. Israel has closed all Gazas border crossings since the beginning of the month and banned the entry of food and other supplies. There had been a surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza during the ceasefire. Al-Qanoua said Hamas is willing to engage with any proposal leading to starting negotiations on implementing the ceasefire's second phase. He said the only person who benefits from resuming the war is Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while it threatens the life of the hostages in Gaza." Both Israel and the United States blame the renewed hostilities on Hamas refusal to release more hostages before negotiations on ending the war proceed which was not part of the ceasefire agreement. The Israeli military says it launched a 'limited ground operation to retake part of a key Gaza corridor As part of the ceasefire, Israel had withdrawn from the Netzarim corridor, which it had used as a military zone and which bisected northern Gaza from the south. The move appeared to deepen the renewed Israeli offensive in Gaza, which shattered the two-month-long ceasefire with Hamas. Israeli defense minister says evacuation of Palestinians from Gaza combat zones will start again soon In a statement Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that Israel was preparing to step up its new offensive. Katz said that if the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza are not freed, Israel will act with an intensity that you have not seen. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians had returned to what remained of their homes and Israeli forces had pulled back to a buffer zone during the ceasefire in Gaza, which began in late January. Lebanese army deploys in northeast border town after dayslong clashes The clashes along the Lebanon-Syria border, where smuggling is widespread, was the worst fighting there since the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assads government in December. The fighting happened after Syrias interim government accused militants from Lebanons Hezbollah militant group of crossing into Syria on Saturday, abducting and killing three soldiers. Hezbollah denied involvement and some other reports pointed to local clans in the border region that are not directly affiliated with Hezbollah but have been involved in cross-border smuggling. The Lebanese government said the three Syrians killed were smugglers. The Lebanese Health Ministry said seven people in Lebanon were killed in the fighting, and 52 others were wounded. Four Syrian journalists embedded with the Syrian army were lightly wounded after an artillery shell fired from the Lebanese side of the border hit their position. UN says an international staffer was killed and at least 5 others wounded by a strike in the Gaza Strip An international United Nations staffer was killed and at least five others were wounded in a strike on a U.N. guesthouse in the Gaza Strip, a U.N. official said Wednesday. Jorge Moreira da Silva, head of the U.N. Office for Project Services, declined to say who carried out the strike but said the explosive ordnance was dropped or fired and the blast was not accidental or related to demining activity. UNOPS operates the mechanism tracking aid trucks into Gaza, does demining and helps bring fuel in. He did not provide the nationalities of those killed and wounded. The Israeli military, which has carried out a heavy wave of airstrikes since early Tuesday, denied earlier reports that it had targeted the U.N. compound. There have been no reports of rocket fire or other Palestinian militant attacks. Moreira da Silva said strikes had hit near the compound on Monday and struck it directly on Tuesday and again on Wednesday, when the staffer was killed. He said the agency had contacted the Israeli military after the first strike and confirmed that the military was aware of the facilitys location. Israel knew this was a U.N. premise, that people were living, staying and working there, he said. At least 436 dead in airstrikes, Gaza Health Ministry says The Gaza Health Ministry says at least 436 people, mostly women and children, have been killed since Israel launched a wave of heavy airstrikes early Tuesday. The ministry said another 678 people have been wounded in the strikes, which continued into Wednesday but at a lower intensity. The Israeli military says it only targets militants and blames civilian deaths on Hamas because it operates in densely populated areas. The ministry said at least 183 children and 94 women have been killed since the strikes began early Tuesday. Its records do not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Israeli military denies striking UN compound in Gaza The Israeli military has denied striking a United Nations compound in central Gaza. Gazas Health Ministry said an Israeli strike on a U.N. building in Gaza on Wednesday wounded five international staffers. There was no immediate comment from U.N. officials. Contrary to reports, the (Israeli military) did not strike a U.N. compound in the central city of Deir al-Balah, the army said in a statement. Macron calls Israeli strikes in Gaza tragic step backwards French President Emmanuel Macron said Israels airstrikes are tragic step backwards for the Palestinian people and for Gaza, and for Israeli hostages and their families. Macron, speaking alongside Jordans King Abdullah II on a visit to France, called for an immediate end to hostilities and resumption of negotiations including with the U.S. administration toward a permanent ceasefire and the release of all hostages. The two leaders were also expected to discuss the need to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza and restoring access to water and electricity in the Palestinian territory, Macrons office said. Malaysia will accept 15 Palestinians released from Israeli prisons Malaysia said it will accept 15 Palestinians who were released from Israeli jails and exiled as part of the January ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said in remarks published Wednesday in The Star newspaper that the move was a small contribution from Malaysia, a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause, to ensure peace in Gaza. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil told local media that security agencies would strictly monitor the Palestinians movement once they arrive. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Communities across Middle Tennessee breathed a sigh of relief after Barry Butch Wilmore safely returned to Earth Tuesday afternoon. Wilmore, a Middle Tennessee native, left for what was supposed to be an eight-day trip to the International Space Station in June 2024. After months of delays, Wilmore was one of several astronauts to safely return to Earth in the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft Wednesday afternoon. RELATED: Tennessee Tech University ready to welcome Barry Butch Wilmore home Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wilmore, an active member of the Board of Trustees for Tennessee Tech University, got a warm welcome back from his alma mater. The entire Tennessee Tech community celebrates the safe return of our trustee, alumnus, friend and hero, Barry Butch Wilmore, TTU president Phil Oldham said. Over the last nine months, Barry has shown the world the strength and tenacity that our campus has witnessed up close over many years. His faith sustained him through unexpected challenges and brought him to this moment. He has made all of us at his alma mater enormously proud. With this historic mission, Barry has not only further cemented his place in the history of Tennessee Tech, but also in the history of spaceflight. Today, we rejoice with Barrys family who will soon get their long-awaited reunion with their husband, father, brother and son and we look forward to Barrys return to this campus in the coming months, where we are already planning ways to honor his achievement and remind him of all he means to his fellow Golden Eagles. VIDEO: Mt. Juliet honors Barry Wilmore ahead of return flight The Mt. Juliet Police Department reposted a social media post from NASA confirming splashdown and welcoming Wilmore back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Governor Bill Lee reposted the same post from NASA on X, thanking President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk for their efforts getting Wilmore home. 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. MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) Midland College is hosting several community Town Halls to provide information on the proposed Midland College bond on the May 3, 2025, ballot. MC will discuss the bonds impact on educational opportunities and the communitys future. The Midland College Bond is a strategic investment in Applied Technology, Health Sciences, Campus Renewal, and Safety & Security, said officials from MC. This initiative will create a modern and safe campus that continues to meet industry demands while providing students with the skills they need for high-demand, high-paying careers at an affordable rate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Midland College will use these town halls to present the facts about the bond. They also allow community members to engage with the facts and ask questions in a welcoming environment. Presentation Schedule: Thursday, April 3 5:30 p.m. Cogdell Learning Center Presentation in Spanish Sunday, April 6 1:30 p.m. Wagner Brown Auditorium Tuesday, April 8 5:30 p.m. Wagner Brown Auditorium Thursday, April 10 5:30 p.m. Cogdell Learning Center Spanish Translators 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 Yourbasin. By Giulio Piovaccari and Angelo Amante ROME (Reuters) - The chairman of Stellantis said on Wednesday that Europe's automotive industry does not need to convert to defence production, while confirming the group is on course to appoint a new CEO in the first half of this year. As European counties discuss a big increase in defence spending, Italy's Industry Minister Adolfo Urso said this week that Rome was preparing an industrial plan aimed at fostering connections between its automotive, defence and aerospace sectors, to be unveiled in June. Addressing the Italian parliament, Stellantis Chairman John Elkann said U.S. and China both maintained strong defence and automotive industries, meaning there was not a choice to be made between the two. "We don't think the future of the car is the defence industry," said Elkann, whose multinational group includes brands such as Fiat, Jeep and Peugeot. Elkann -- who has been steering Stellantis since former CEO Carlos Tavares suddenly left in December following a shock profit warning and divergences with the board -- confirmed the succession process was going ahead to the planned timetable. "The new CEO will be announced within the first half of the year," he told lawmakers. Elkann is part of the Agnelli family that founded Fiat and is Stellantis largest shareholder through its investment company EXOR. Elkann on Wednesday also confirmed Stellantis was investing 2 billion euros ($2.2 billion) in Italy this year as part of a plan it presented to Rome after the departure of Tavares to revitalise its output in the country. The current year would be another tough one, Elkann said, but production in Italy should start to pick up in 2026, helped by 10 new product updates. However he injected a further note of caution, saying tariffs and the shape of the market would influence output. The plan helped to improve relations between Italy's sole major automaker, which employs around 40,000 people in the country, and Rome after months of bitter confrontation. However, some political tensions remain. The League party, part of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing coalition, on Wednesday said Stellantis was favouring investments and jobs abroad and had an excessive focus on EVs. "Elkann should apologise to Italian workers," the League said in a note released after the hearing in parliament. Stellantis last year manufactured fewer than 500,000 vehicles in Italy, down from 751,000 in 2023, with car production in particular at its lowest since 1956.($1 = 0.9179 euros) (Reporting by Giulio Piovaccari; Editing by Keith Weir) Mar. 18Midland College has announced an upcoming event designed specifically for local homeschool families. From 10 a.m. to noon March 25, the college will host a free come-and-go event at the Fasken Learning Resource Center (the library) on the Midland College campus. The event will feature campus tours and introductions to some of the most valuable resources available at MC. "We are thrilled to continue serving our local homeschool community," Justin Bateman, Associate Vice President of Instructional Support at Midland College, said in a news release. "Midland College is committed to providing students with the resources and support needed to succeed academically. This event is a great way for families to learn about the dual credit opportunities available to homeschool students and explore how our programs can help them achieve their goals." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The event will offer participants a chance to explore Midland College's campus, speak with faculty and staff, and discover how the college supports students through various academic and career-focused resources. In addition to the campus tour, attendees will be introduced to the benefits of dual credit programs, which allow students to earn college credit while still in high school. "Our mission at Midland College is to ensure access to higher education for all students," Amy Webb, Director of Dual Credit Partnerships, said in the release. "We are especially excited to offer free dual credit to our homeschool families, helping them get a head start on their academic journey. It's an opportunity for students to save time and money while pursuing their educational goals." Midland College continues its dedication to student success by fostering a supportive environment for all members of the community. "We are committed to helping students thrive and reach their full potential." said Bateman. "We look forward to welcoming families to campus and showcasing the many ways Midland College can support them on their path to success." Families are encouraged to register for the event on the MC website. A flurry of immigration action since President Trumps return to Washington has struck fear across migrant communities in the U.S. often stoked by misinformation spread through social media channels. Migrant-focused news outlets are on the front lines of the fight against this panic, trying to inject facts and sound guidance into an information environment filled with fear and rumors. We cover immigration actions with nuance and in a way that does not lead people to flee their homes when, in many cases, they are not at greater risk than they were prior to these new immigration actions, said Macollvie Neel, managing editor of The Haitian Times, an immigrant-focused outlet in New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Almost every city in the U.S. has had to respond to false reports about how Trumps promised immigration crackdown is impacting its residents. In January, shortly after the Trump administration announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) could conduct enforcement in schools, a false report about ICE officers visiting a Chicago elementary school circulated widely online and was even shared by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D). A similar rumor in Philadelphia prompted a school district to issue a denial, assuring the community that ICE was not present in schools. In San Francisco, a middle schoolers claim of encountering an ICE agent on a bus sparked panic among parents, while in Colorado, social media posts warning of raids circulated rapidly before local police intervened, stating they had no knowledge of any actions. This flood of misleading or false information fuels unnecessary fear, preventing immigrants from going to school, work, and even court hearings, said Ethar El-Katatney, an editor at Documented, another New York-based news outlet covering immigration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In New York alone, El-Katatney said 92,000 TikTok videos were posted using the hashtag #ICE since early January an increase of 37 percent compared to the previous three months combined. In New York City, where many immigrant-focused news outlets are based, Mayor Eric Adams (D) has collaborated with Trumps border czar Tom Homan, spurring fear among migrant communities. Outlets like Documented are attempting to dispel this anxiety, creating resource guides for readers outlining the impact of the administrations policies on their day-to-day lives. El-Katatney told The Hill that recent false reports about ICE raids that circulated among New Yorks Sikh community caused widespread panic, prompting some individuals to stay home from work and school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response, Documented created a guide with practical steps to verify sources, while another guide clarifies the differences between ICE agents and local police to prevent unnecessary fear. In a similar instance last month, rumors circulated about ICE arresting people during court hearings. A community member from New York sent a message to Documented via WhatsApp asking if it was true. It wasnt. In response, the outlet published a guide explaining the risks of missing a court date and what individuals should do if they are unable to attend hearings. Neel, the Haitian Times managing editor, said the outlets priority is to fight psychological propaganda aimed at creating panic among migrant communities, particularly Haitians, its target audience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neel added that she has spoken with several Haitian small-business owners in New York who claim their businesses are in decline because immigrant workers are afraid to come to work. Last month, the Trump administration announced it was accelerating the termination of temporary protected status (TPS) for Haitian immigrants. Originally set to expire in February 2026, it will now end in August of this year. But many mistakenly believed their status was revoked immediately. They thought they needed to leave right away, she added. The Haitian Times produced a series of explainers on TPS, clarifying that the extension has been reduced by six months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many in the community with TPS are thinking of moving to Brazil or Chile because they dont want to deal with this uncertainty, Neel added. Documented and The Haitian Times are also reaching readers on social media and messaging apps they frequently use. El-Katatney, the editor of Documented, said the outlet seeks to communicate with readers directly through platforms like WhatsApp, WeChat and Nextdoor. These allow us to share verified information in real time and answer community members questions directly, she said. The Haitian Times has been using Instagram and YouTube to reach its audience with video explainers about the situation and how it affects them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Documented, in collaboration with Queens-based Epicenter NYC, also created a video posted across social platforms on how to respond if a federal agent arrives at ones home or place of employment. It was the kind of content that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) produced for immigrants, drawing the ire of her Republican colleagues. This moment is sensitive for our staff and the communities we represent. We live and work in these communities the immigrants under attack are our neighbors, friends, people we care about, Epicenter NYC Publisher Mitra Kalita said. Stephen J. Adler, director of the New York University Ethics and Journalism Initiative, said the most important service journalists can provide right now is to report the facts rigorously, to put them in context, and to focus more on what is actually happening than on what is being said. Unreasonable as opposed to reasonable fear is often set off by rhetoric or rumors that fail to pan out, he continued. Our job is to alert people to officials actions and their actual impact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The difference between legacy media outlets and diaspora outlets, according to Neel, is that diaspora outlets humanize the communities we serve and help people understand how their lives will be impacted by the action on a day-to-day basis. But that may carry risks, too. Homan and other Trump officials have threatened legal action against those who are impeding ICE operations by informing people of their rights when confronted by ICE officials. After a public war of words with Homan, Ocasio-Cortez wrote to the Department of Justice last month to clarify whether she was being investigated over her efforts to educate people about their rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neel said The Haitian Times had to rethink its vocabulary in light of such threats, while El-Katatney said Documented is actively discussing how to prepare for potential legal or political pressure and shoring up our digital and media safety policies. In September, The Haitian Times received a flurry of threats for its coverage of a conspiracy theory about Haitian migrants eating pets in Springfield, Ohio, which Trump touted throughout the 2024 presidential campaign cycle. Diaspora media outlets face disproportionate threats, Neel said. The outlet has taken several steps to protect its staff against physical and online harassment, including installing programs to intercept cyberattacks and prevent hacking attempts that have continued since the campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, for these outlets, the story of Trumps immigration policies is personal. We are part of the community, Neel added. We all have relatives, friends and neighbors who are going through this. 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. Hard-right House Republicans have a new project impeaching federal judges who have questioned President Donald Trump's powers and it's quickly turning into the latest headache for Speaker Mike Johnson. The push to remove jurists who have sought to halt Trump's firings of federal employees, access to sensitive government systems and deportations of alleged foreign gang members has virtually no chance of succeeding, given the 67-vote requirement in the Senate for removal. But it is nonetheless quickly turning into a major distraction for House GOP leaders after Trump himself called on social media Tuesday for the Washington-based judge who ordered the grounding of some deportation flights to be IMPEACHED!!! It threatens to sap political capital and antagonize key GOP blocs just as Johnson is hoping to put Trump's sweeping domestic policy agenda into overdrive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Brandon Gill of Texas, a conservative hard-liner, quickly followed through on Trump's call, filing a measure to remove U.S. District Judge James Boasberg for seeking to "prioritize political gain over the duty of impartiality owed to the public." Impeachment proceedings, even when they don't involve presidents, can be time- and resource-intensive affairs. Boasberg, who was nominated by President Barack Obama, is the fourth federal trial judge this year to be targeted with an impeachment filing from a congressional Republican after ruling against the Trump administration. But his is the first to draw backing from Trump. Publicly, key GOP leaders are not closing the door on potential impeachments. Everything is on the table, said Russell Dye, a spokesperson for House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), who would oversee impeachment proceedings. A Johnson spokesperson said judges "with political agendas pose a significant threat" and that the speaker "looks forward to working with the Judiciary Committee as they review all available options under the Constitution to address this urgent matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But privately there is dread inside Johnsons leadership circle about the prospect of having to pursue messy, certain-to-fail impeachments that could ultimately backfire on the GOPs razor-thin majority. Its never going to happen, said a senior House Republican aide. There arent the votes. "It would be such a heavy lift and we've got too many heavy lifts coming up, said another top GOP aide. What is the endgame here?" A third said GOP leaders and even some conservative House members are "rolling their eyes" at the impeachment filings that "aren't going to go anywhere." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision on how hard to push will ultimately fall to Johnson, a former constitutional lawyer who has so far resisted the hard-liners push to wage what many within his own leadership circle view as an unprecedented and wide-reaching congressional assault on the courts. But Trump's intervention this time could change that calculation even as he stares down a punishing self-imposed deadline for advancing a massive tax, energy and border policy package before his members leave Washington next month for the Easter and Passover break. Johnson is heavily reliant on Trump to maintain his tenuous control over his fractious conference, and senior Republicans believe the speaker will likely need to offer some sort of concession to serve as a release valve as pressure builds on the MAGA right. Fellow hard-liners cheered Gill on Tuesday, but there were signs of discomfort elsewhere in the House GOP. I dont support it, said Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.). If their behavior was criminal, that is different. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I do not support impeaching a sitting judge based solely on a decision with which I disagree, said another House GOP lawmaker, granted anonymity to speak candidly, who nevertheless agreed that Boasberg had overstepped his authority in ordering the halt to deportations under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act. Both members echoed Chief Justice John Roberts in arguing that the courts, not Congress, were the proper place for Trump to address an adverse ruling. Outside of the House, there appears to be even less of an appetite for impeachment. In the Senate, which would be required to take up any impeachment as soon as articles come over from the House, Republicans have previously greeted the idea with disdain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Idiotic, said Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) when asked about the proposed judicial impeachments earlier this month, before Trump weighed in. You don't impeach judges who make decisions you disagree with, because that happens all the time, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said around the same time. What you do is you appeal, and if youre right, then youre going to win on appeal. Both men sit on the Senate Judiciary Committee, whose chair, Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), has spoken out about the need to solve the problem of judicial overreach, citing trial court orders that have national impacts, but has not commented on the calls for impeachments. Some conservative lawyers with close ties to the administration have also warned against such a confrontation with the judiciary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unpopular opinion: No judge will be impeached in connection with activist unconstitutional TRO's & injunctions against the Trump Administration, attorney Ron Coleman, a former law partner of Trump White House Counsel David Warrington, wrote on X amid a prior flurry of impeachment talk. Strategically the Administration would be insane to try. Coleman stood his ground Tuesday, saying he supports Roberts statement urging politicians not to impeach judges over their rulings. Despite Trump's public posting Tuesday, it remains unclear just how hard he will push for impeachments of Boasberg or any other judges who have questioned his powers. Multiple Republicans close to the issue on the Hill say that Trump has not urged them to impeach anyone. But that could change if judges continue to hand down unfavorable rulings. A small faction of Trump's most diehard Hill supporters have been railing against the judiciary for weeks already and are likely to keep the heat on Johnson to move forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While there is wide skepticism about the impeachment efforts some Republicans have privately noted errors in some of the articles already filed there are more serious talks among conservatives about trying to block funding for lower-level courts. Theyre activists trying to stifle his agenda radical left-leaning nutjobs in black robes trying to stop Trump, said Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas), adding that lawmakers need to send a message even if the impeachments dont ultimately succeed. Roberts decision to speak out Tuesday only emboldened the GOPs right flank, which has never been especially fond of the George W. Bushnominated chief justice. Respectfully, Mr. Chief Justice, both James Madison and Thomas Jefferson disagree with you. So does the Constitution, read an X posting from Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.), who filed impeachment articles against two federal judges last month. We are going to keep the impeachments coming, Ogles added. Kyle Cheney, Hailey Fuchs and Josh Gerstein contributed to this report. PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) Spring often marks the start of moving season for military families, but any of them preparing to move may want to do their research, as some say the Defense Departments new military moving contract with HomeSafe Alliance is creating problems for them. Its never easy to move whether you are military or not, said Sarah Gilliam, a military spouse and real estate agent. Theres always so many moving parts and nuances but with the military it definitely adds some extra layers. Historically, the military has covered permanent change of station moves, working with hundreds of moving companies to complete them. That was done under the Legacy Military Move System, called the Tender of Service Program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now theres a new contract, the Global Household Goods Contract, which gives just one company, HomeSafe Alliance, the job. Gilliam said that change has sparked questions. There is the new military contract with HSA, Gilliam said. Theres a lot of chatter about it in the military community. A HomeSafe Alliance spokesperson said the company performed its first moves in 2024. Some of those moves, however, havent gone as planned. Its all of their household belongings just thrown in something like a freight truck with no straps on it, Gilliam said. There is a huge lack of oversight between the packers and HSA communicating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another HomeSafe Alliance spokesperson offered more insight on those claims saying: Freight is one of HomeSafe Alliances effective, efficient, and secure means of transporting household goods. We carefully vet our service providers to ensure their freight trucks are equipped with air ride suspension technology, which absorbs shocks and vibrations to protect even the most fragile household goods. A full statement from HomeSafe Alliance reads: Regardless of how HomeSafe transports household goods, loads must always be properly secured. We hold ourselves and our service providers to the highest standards to protect the household goods of our service members and their families. In any case where a load was not secured, it does not meet our commitment to quality, and we take swift and appropriate action to address the issue and prevent recurrence. HomeSafe Alliance is modernizing, digitizing, and transforming the relocation experience for military members and their families through the new Global Household Goods Contract (GHC). Military families and Congress demanded this historic transformation to address long-standing issues with the old military move system. The new GHC program brings innovative technology to streamline the move process, a 24/7 customer care center to support military families, and strict requirements to ensure accountability and high-quality move services. In these early and developmental stages of the GHC, logistical challenges have caused delays for some moves. we apologize to every affected family. 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. over the last few weeks, we have made significant progress in working through challenges and strengthening our network of service providers. HomeSafe Alliance I think that there is an area for improvement, Gilliam said, and we just have to stay positive and hope that that gets there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For military families who dont want to take the risk, they can opt to pay for their move out of pocket, but a Change.org petition alludes to the new contract also impacting reimbursement rates. The Army specifically states that several items in the petition are inaccurate and risk misleading Soldiers about their actual move entitlements. You can review the full document here. For military families who dont want to take the risk with the new moving company just yet, they can opt to pay for their move out-of-pocket and get reimbursed later, but the new moving contract also means reimbursements may look different. HSA has come in and said that they can do these moves for 30% to 50% cheaper than the industry standard, so what that means for military members is that their allotment for repayment for these moves is 30% to 50% less than what they wouldve gotten several years ago, Gilliam said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To learn more about the new contract, click here. If youre moving to the area, you can connect with real estate agent Sarah Gilliam 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 WAVY.com. (KRON) Prosecutors said a Millbrae spa client was sexually assaulted by a male masseuse with a criminal record. The masseuse, 47-year-old Guosheng Chen, was convicted of sexual battery in 2023, according to the San Mateo County District Attorneys Office. In December of 2024, he was working at Water Lounge Spa in Millbrae, the DAs office said. That December, a woman tried to make an appointment with her regular masseuse, however, the masseuse was unavailable. Instead, Chen was assigned to give the woman a massage at the spa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Victim pointed out the only areas on her back he could touch. As massage continued, (Chen) started making weird noises and touched the victims privates, including reaching underneath her underwear. Victim froze and then left the spa, the DAs office wrote. Ricci Wynne charged with producing child pornography The victim went directly from the spa to a hospital and reported that she was sexually assaulted. Chen is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday to set a date for his preliminary hearing. He is being held in custody in lieu of $400,000 bail. 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. Rain and snow are in the forecast across Wisconsin on Wednesday, with many areas under Wind or Winter Weather Advisories. Rain is expected to move into the Milwaukee area from the west around 10 a.m. and will likely transition to snow by 9 p.m. In Milwaukee, 0.5-to-2 inches of snow is in the forecast, said Milwaukee-Sullivan National Weather Service meteorologist Aidan Kuroski. In addition to near all-day precipitation, Milwaukee and surrounding areas are under a Wind Advisory on Wednesday. According to the weather service, winds of 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph are expected throughout southern Wisconsin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The following counties are under a Wind Advisory from 7 p.m. on Wednesday until 7 a.m. on Thursday: Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, Waukesha, Racine, Kenosha, Marquette, Green Lake, Fond du Lac, Sheboygan, Sauk, Columbia, Dodge, Iowa, Dane, Jefferson, Lafayette, Green, Rock and Walworth. Gusty winds are likely to blow around unsecured objects and take down tree limbs, and power outages are possible, NWS said. Travel may also be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles. "One of the biggest impacts is probably going to be the combination of whatever snow we get and the Wind Advisory overnight happening at the same time. It could make for some treacherous travel conditions" and blowing snow, especially after 7 p.m. Wednesday until around 7 a.m. Thursday, Kuroski said. Thunderstorms are also possible with Wednesday's rain, especially in the state's southernmost counties. Hail is the primary threat with these afternoon storms, Kuroski said, but tornado conditions along the state line cannot be ruled out. 1/4 Lots of weather today! Our initial threat will be thunderstorms, a few of which could be strong. This risk will be greatest during the afternoon, and hail is the main concern. That said, there is also a small wind and tornado threat near the IL state line. pic.twitter.com/rdpv14RS3A NWS Milwaukee (@NWSMilwaukee) March 19, 2025 Greater snow totals are expected both north and south of Milwaukee County, Kuroski said. Near the Wisconsin-Illinois border, 1-to-3 inches is in the forecast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, certain spots in the central and northern portions of the state could see 5-to-9 inches. Parts of central Wisconsin including the Green Bay, Oshkosh, Appleton, Wautoma and La Crosse areas are under a Winter Weather Advisory beginning Wednesday morning and ending by early Thursday morning. Communities further northwest including the Door County, Marinette, Rhinelander, Stevens Point and Eau Claire areas are under a Winter Storm Warning. Learn more about this week's Winter Weather Advisories and Winter Storm Warnings in the "Wisconsin weather warnings" interactive map below. 3/4 While snow totals won't be too high, these pockets of heavier snowfall rates will combine with winds gusting to 45 MPH to produce reduced visibilities and hazardous driving conditions tonight. pic.twitter.com/2KI4D43BOB NWS Milwaukee (@NWSMilwaukee) March 19, 2025 Wisconsin weather warnings Wisconsin weather radar This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee forecast features high winds, rain and snow on Wednesday Minnesota state Sen. Justin Eichorn (R) was arrested on a federal charge via a criminal complaint for soliciting a minor on Monday, authorities said, hours after he introduced a bill proposing Trump derangement syndrome (TDS) as a form of mental illness. Bloomington Police Department detectives had communicated with Eichorn, who was under the assumption he was talking to a 17-year-old girl, police said. Undercover officers began communicating with the legislator on March 17, according to a Justice Department release. Eichorn, age 40, inquired, I saw your post and [sic] chance you are still available tonight? followed by a later message, Whats a guy gota do to get with the hottest girl online tonight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law enforcement said the undercover officer repeatedly made him aware that she was not 18 but was, in fact, 17 years old. Despite the fact, Eichorn allegedly proceeded to ask the undercover officer for revealing pictures, pricing for various sex acts she might perform, and arranged an in-person meet-up to pay for commercial sex, the Justice Department reported. He arrived Monday to meet the teen in person but instead was met by local officers. He was later booked at the Bloomington Police Department jail and was expected to be transported to the Hennepin County Adult Detention Center. A felony charge of soliciting a minor to practice prostitution was pending, authorities said in a statement Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a 40-year-old man, if you come to the Orange Jumpsuit District looking to have sex with someones child, you can expect that we are going to lock you up, Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges said in a statement. I have always advocated stiffer penalties for these types of offenses. We need our state legislature to take this case and this type of conduct more seriously. Eichorn, who is married with four children, represents St. Paul, Minn., according to his legislative profile. This is his third term as a senator, and he serves as the ranking minority member on two committees, including the State and Local Government Committee. The U.S. Attorneys Office has no tolerance for public officials who violate federal lawparticularly those laws meant to protect children, said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick. I am grateful to the Bloomington Police Department, to the FBI, and to all law enforcement officers who use undercover operations to identify and arrest child sex predators to prevent them from abusing real children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eichorns Monday bill defines TDS as an acute onset of paranoia in otherwise normal persons triggered by reactions to President Trumps administration and its policies, characterized by symptoms such as intense verbal hostility toward Trump and potential acts of aggression against Trump supporters. He co-sponsored the bill with four Republican state senators on Monday. In the wake of Eichorns arrest, his colleagues have urged him to resign. We are shocked by these reports and this alleged conduct demands an immediate resignation, Minnesota State Republicans wrote in a statement, posted on X. Justin has a difficult road ahead and he needs to focus on his family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Updated at 3:07 pm EDT. 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. (The Hill) Minnesota state Sen. Justin Eichorn (R) was arrested for soliciting a teen on Monday, authorities said, hours after he introduced a bill proposing Trump derangement syndrome (TDS) as a form of mental illness. Detectives with the Bloomington Police Department had communicated with Eichorn, who was under the assumption he was talking to a 17-year-old female, police said. He arrived Monday to meet the teen in person but was instead met by local officers. He was later booked at the Bloomington Police Department jail and was expected to be transported to the Hennepin County Adult Detention Center. A felony charge of soliciting a minor to practice prostitution was pending, authorities said in a statement Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Minnesota bill labels Trump derangement syndrome as mental illness As a 40-year-old man, if you come to the Orange Jumpsuit District looking to have sex with someones child, you can expect that we are going to lock you up, Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges said in a statement. I have always advocated stiffer penalties for these types of offensesWe need our state legislature to take this case and this type of conduct more seriously. According to The New York Times, Bloomington aims to be an Orange Jumpsuit District, intended to convey that it has zero tolerance for conduct that unfolds in sex work enclaves known as red-light districts. Eichorn, who is married with four children, represents St. Paul, Minn., his legislative profile shows. This is his third term as a senator and he serves as the ranking minority member on two committees, including the State and Local Government Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eichorns bill defines Trump derangement syndrome as an acute onset of paranoia in otherwise normal persons triggered by reactions to President Donald Trumps administration and its policies, characterized by symptoms such as intense verbal hostility toward Trump and potential acts of aggression against Trump supporters. Bannon: Trump will run and win third term He co-sponsored the bill alongside four Republican state senators on Monday. In the wake of Eichorns arrest, his colleagues have urged him to resign. We are shocked by these reports and this alleged conduct demands an immediate resignation, Minnesota State Republicans wrote in a statement, posted on X. Justin has a difficult road ahead and he needs to focus on his family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. A Minnesota Republican state senator was charged on Wednesday with soliciting a minor, according to federal prosecutors. Justin David Eichorn, the Republican state senator for District 6, was arrested on Monday after communicating online with who believed to be a 17-year-old girl, but in reality was a police officer, officials said in a statement on Tuesday. Law enforcement placed online advertisements offering commercial sex, and Eichorn began sending messages, saying, "I saw your post and (sic) chance you are still available tonight?" and "What's a guy gota do to get with the hottest girl online tonight." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The undercover officer -- posing as a teenage girl -- repeatedly said she was not 18, and Eichorn still "proceeded to ask the undercover officer about pricing for various sex acts she might perform," federal prosecutors said. After the detective arranged to meet with Eichorn on Monday in Bloomington, Minnesota, the 40-year-old lawmaker arrived in a pickup truck and was "arrested without incident," police said. MORE: Former Connecticut lawmaker to report to federal prison for stealing $1.2M in COVID funds The senator was booked into the Bloomington Police Department jail and was transported to Hennepin County Adult Detention Center, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As a 40-year-old man, if you come to the Orange Jumpsuit District looking to have sex with someone's child, you can expect that we are going to lock you up," Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges said in a statement. Hodges also urged state legislators to "take this case and this type of conduct more seriously." PHOTO: Minnesota GOP Senator Justin David Eichorn is seen in this undated mugshot. (Hennepin County Sheriff's Office) Eichorn was charged with one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, federal prosecutors said. "The U.S. Attorney's Office has no tolerance for public officials who violate federal law -- particularly those laws meant to protect children," said acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick. "I am grateful to the Bloomington Police Department, to the FBI and to all law enforcement officers who use undercover operations to identify and arrest child sex predators to prevent them from abusing real children." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Eichorn's arrest, both Republican and Democratic lawmakers in Minnesota have called for his resignation. "We are shocked by these reports and this alleged conduct demands an immediate resignation. Justin has a difficult road ahead and he needs to focus on his family," Minnesota Senate Republicans said in a statement. House Republican leaders Speaker Lisa Demuth and Leader Harry Niska also demanded for Eichorn's resignation. "Given the seriousness of the charges, Senator Eichorn should resign. While he is entitled to due process, we must hold legislators to a higher standard," Demuth and Niska said in a joint statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Long Island legislator and doctor arrested in sex-for-drugs sting The Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party also condemned Eichorn's actions, saying "no one who solicits children belongs anywhere near public office or the State Capitol." "The facts presented by the Bloomington Police Department make it clear that Senator Eichorn is an immediate danger to the public and must resign immediately," Minnesota DFL Executive Director Heidi Kraus Kaplan said in a statement. Eichorn was also one of the senators to recently introduce a bill labeling "Trump Derangement Syndrome" as a form of mental illness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill defines "Trump Derangement Syndrome" as "acute onset paranoia in otherwise normal persons that is in reaction to the policies and presidencies of President Donald J. Trump." Symptoms for "Trump Derangement Syndrome" include "verbal expressions of intense hostility" toward Trump and "overt acts of aggression and violence against anyone supporting" Trump or anything that symbolizes Trump, the bill said. Minnesota Republican state Sen. Justin Eichorn charged for soliciting minor: Police originally appeared on abcnews.go.com By Anna Peverieri and Eric Onstad (Reuters) - The European Commission announced on Wednesday an action plan to make Europe's ailing steel sector more competitive and to shield it from the impact of U.S. tariffs on imports of steel and aluminium, prompting reactions from major industrial actors, analysts, and think tanks. The Steel and Metals action plan, a key component of the EU's Clean Industrial Deal, aims at reviving its industries to stay competitive with Chinese and U.S. rivals. European steelmakers, which have long complained about cheap Chinese imports, are also warning about a possible flood of surplus steel into the region, as exports destined for the U.S. could be diverted to Europe due to U.S. tariffs. REACTIONS TO THE EU 'STEEL ACTION PLAN' STEELMAKER ARCELORMITTAL:"We are encouraged by the direction outlined in the Steel and Metals Action plan, published today," said the group's CEO Aditya Mittal. "Details published in the Steel and Metals Action Plan show they understand the urgency of the situation and are ready to tackle some of the critical structural issues, including trade defence, loopholes in the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, and the lack of regulation to drive demand for low-carbon steel. This now needs to be supported with rapid action that can put a stop to unfair trade, dumping and resource shuffling." "Additionally, it remains vital to tackle the high energy costs which make it very difficult for the industry to move forward with significant decarbonization projects. GERMANY STEELMAKER THYSSENKRUPP STEEL EUROPE : "The Steel Action Plan represents a groundbreaking step towards securing the competitiveness and decarbonization of the European steel industry." "Particularly noteworthy is the clear prioritization of trade protection, which is crucial for ensuring the competitiveness of the European steel industry." "In the face of global overcapacity and unfair trade practices, effective protection is essential to safeguard jobs and ensure a level playing field." LUXEMBOURG-BASED STEEL GROUP APERAM: "Aperam strongly supports any initiative to introduce long-term measures that ensure robust protection for the EUs steel sector against the negative impacts of excess steel production from Asia once the current safeguard measures expire in June 2026." "The key point is how the European Commission will translate this high-level action plan into concrete legal measures: urgent action is needed and therefore proposed measures must be implemented swiftly and effectively." CHICAGO (WGN) Chicago police said Wednesday evening that a 17-year-old boy who the department says walked away from his Belmont Cragin-area home last night has been safely located. LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland CPD issued the update just after 6:30 p.m. 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. WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) Remi, a missing Golden Retriever who was last seen in January was found dead in West Springfield on Tuesday. The 7-month-old puppy of West Springfield was last seen on January 3rd in the Cooks Park playground area and was wearing a red collar with white bones on it with his leash still attached. Many community members rallied to help the Blaser family find him. West Springfield Police and Hawkeye Aerial Systems used their drones to conduct searches in areas where he may have been hiding without any success. A reward was also set up in the chance that someone may have taken him in thinking he was a stray. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Family in West Springfield searching for missing Golden Retriever Police urged homeowners to check their properties and to be on the lookout. Check your property, look under the deck, look behind the shed, look in the bushes. Remi could be trapped or stuck with the leash, said Sergeant Joe LaFrance of the West Springfield Police Department. The family also worked with Missing Mutts Search & Rescue, along with Missing Dogs of Massachusetts. On Wednesday morning, the nonprofit organization, Missing Mutts Search & Rescue of Somers, Connecticut posted on Facebook that Remi was found dead in a West Springfield backyard. CEO Melissa Vancini told 22News, He was scared. When people were seeing him, he was shaking in the middle of the road. He was on the road every time he was seen. if hes hiding under a structure or under a thick blanket of like a pine tree or something like that, the thermal drone will not pick up his heat signature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the post, Remi was found on Tuesday behind a garage, between a fence and under a pile of thick brush. When he was brought to a veterinarian where they determined he may have been hit by a vehicle and ran to hide in a small space. They also indicated that he had been deceased most likely since the first couple of days he was missing. The chicken hopped the fence and found Remi in the back of this persons shed, said Vancini. If the chicken had not hopped the fence, nobody wouldve found Remi, the owner came over to get her chicken and thats how she went under the brush and found him there. They said he had back-end trauma from being hit by a car and where he was, it just looked like he had just run so fast and tucked away, she adds. He tried to get through a fence and he couldnt and he just stayed there. The sad, unfortunate news has brought closure to the Blaser family and stated to Missing Mutts Search & Rescue, that they thank everyone for EVERY SINGLE OUNCE of love, prayers, and searching of the many areas we needed to clear. Vancini added, You dont do a search party, you dont call out your lost dogs name. They get scared, they think theyre in trouble. every crinkle, every leaf, they think its somebody coming after them so theyre going to hide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement West Springfield Police Sergeant Joe LaFrance told 22News that the department is very sorry to hear the news about Remi, but its good the family finally has some closure. Vancini wants the community to remember to report any sighting you see of any dog running, take pictures and if you happen to hit a dog and dont see where they went, report it. Searches like these need the cooperation of the community. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. JACKSON, Miss. ( WJTV ) The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) announced the finalists for the 2025 Mississippi Administrator of the Year and the 2025 Mississippi Teacher of the Year. The Mississippi Administrator of the Year program honors an administrator who demonstrates superior ability to inspire teachers, employs exemplary leadership practices and participates as an active member of the community. The recipient will receive a $5,000 stipend. The Mississippi Teacher of the Year program recognizes exemplary teachers in the state. The recipient also will receive a $5,000 stipend and will represent Mississippi in the National Teacher of the Year competition. 2025 Mississippi Administrator of the Year Finalists Congressional District 1: Zane Thomas, Principal of Houston High School, Chickasaw County School District Congressional District 2: Dr. Shemeka McClung, Principal of Callaway High School, Jackson Public School District Congressional District 3: Dr. Marsha Peoples, Principal of East Flora Elementary School, Madison County School District Congressional District 4: Mrs. Sandra Danzey, Principal of Stone Elementary School, Stone County School District (Courtesy: MDE) 2025 Mississippi Teacher of the Year Finalists Congressional District 1: Mrs. Lori Warnick, Teacher at Mooreville High School, Lee County School District Congressional District 2: Mrs. Kristie Montesi, Teacher at Lockard Elementary School, Sunflower County Consolidated School District Congressional District 3: Ms. Tobie Lambert, Teacher at Mississippi School of the Arts Congressional District 4: Ms. Ashley Barefoot, Teacher at Longleaf Elementary School, Lamar County School District Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The recipients will be announced during a program set for 11:00 a.m. on April 25 at the Jackson Convention Complex in Jackson. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News 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 WJTV. JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. Governor Mike Kehoe announced in early March that counties, cities and towns in Missouri are eligible to apply for the Missouri Blue Shield. Kehoes announcement looks to prioritize public safety, elevate support for law enforcement and cultivate public safety collaborations. According to the announcement, the Blue Shield Program is one of Kehoes safety initiatives for Missourians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Improving public safety is the top priority of our administration, and Missouri communities that are making public safety and support of law enforcement a priority should be recognized, Kehoe said. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News With Blue Shield designation in the state, it gives communities the opportunity to have access to state grants for equipment and training for law enforcement. The Missouri Department of Public Safety (DPS) is in charge of issuing the Blue Shield Program for interested parties. The department will review and decide on designations for Missouri counties, cities and towns within two weeks of a submitted application. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The criteria for Blue Shield designation eligibility include: Passage of a resolution demonstrating a commitment to public safety, including to reduce violent crime within the jurisdiction; Extraordinary investments in public safety funding; Community policing initiatives or local partnerships to invest in and/or improve public safety; Law enforcement officer recruitment and retention program; Demonstrated effectiveness in reducing crime or innovative programs that attempt to reduce crime; Participates in regional anti-crime task forces, or a commitment to be a willing partner with these in the future; and Compliance with Missouri crime reporting and traffic stop data requirements and other related statutes. According to the release, counties, cities and towns that are awarded with Blue Shield must keep their commitments through annual reporting on their efforts to public safety to DPS each year in order to maintain designation. Police identify officer struck by car on I-70 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And once approved with designation, these areas will receive a public relations toolkit, demonstrating their commitment to public safety. We urge Missouri communities to apply for the Blue Shield designation to spread the word about the safer communities theyre building, Kehoe said. We will continue to work with the General Assembly to make $10 million in grant funding for law enforcement training and equipment available to Blue Shield communities. Applications to apply for Blue Shield designation can be found here. The deadline for the application is June 1. 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. ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) The Missouri State Highway Patrol is using a school break to inspect safety issues on buses that carry students. Officials are making sure lights, emergency exit doors and seat belts are functioning. Last year, the patrol inspected more than 11,000 buses and other school vehicles statewide for defects. "Once a year, the Missouri State Highway Patrol inspects every school bus in the state of Missouri and we're at that time of year here in Troop H where our motor vehicle inspectors are hard at work doing just that," said Sgt. Shane Hux with the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patrol officers aim to inspect buses when they are in operation when school is in session to get a true reflection of how they are maintained. Their comprehensive safety inspections cover everything on the interior and exterior of a bus including brakes, steering, electrical and all required safety equipment. Well have about 85 to 90 buses inspected over the next four days, said Todd Berry, senior shop manager at First Student. Our goal, along with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, is to make sure we have the safest vehicles possible with the highest standards. During the 2024 annual bus inspection for the St. Joseph School District, 83 buses were inspected. Of those, 85% passed inspection, 13% were ruled as defective and only 1.2% were taken out of service. If a bus is marked defective, operators have 10 working days to get it fixed and reinspected by the highway patrol but students can still be transported on it. Buses marked out of service are not allowed to be used at all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, state troopers assure parents that buses with even the slightest issue become a priority for service. These buses are in actually very good condition and this year is very good for them, Berry said. We just got 45 new, brand new, Thomas C2s for this location so the St. Joe Public Schools have a very good fleet this year. While full school bus inspections occur annually, emergency exits on buses, including windows and doors are things that have to be inspected every 90 days. When I was inside checking the emergency exits, those were actually out, said Missouri State Trooper Jason Lawrence. One actually fell apart here not so long ago because it was so old so we need to make sure those are being checked frequently. The patrol will finalize inspections on buses used by the SJSD on Friday and expect other individual school district results to be complete by June. The Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City, as pictured September 26, 2023 (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent). No Missouri law is more important to holding government accountable than the states Sunshine Law. As a newspaper editor, I had a deep appreciation of the impact of the law as a reporting tool. But the Sunshine Law exists for ordinary citizens, not just journalists. Every Missourian should value the power of this law, which protects access to public records and meetings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the Sunshine Law took effect 52 years ago, it was broad and simple. It made clear that citizens have a right to know how their government operates, in large and small ways. In essence, any record the government kept or maintained was a record that should be considered open to the publics view. And the contents of meetings, with few exceptions, also were to be open to the public. Over the years, though, legislators have passed dozens of exemptions narrowly construed exceptions that allow public officials to keep certain documents secret. While the legislators who have pushed these exemptions often seem to be well-meaning, the net effect of all these exemptions is to chip away at this important law, diminishing the rights of citizens to look inside their government and its processes. The efforts to create new loopholes around this law continue to this day. After retiring last year as a journalism professor, former Missouri Press Association Director Doug Crews invited me to speak out on bills affecting public records access, and I had the chance to testify against two such bills earlier this year. In both instances, the sponsors of the bills were trying to close access to records under the guise of providing privacy to citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One bill would close records regarding people who make reservations in state parks. The sponsor said information about park users needs to be private because criminals could discover when people would be camping, leaving their homes at risk of burglary. I asked the sponsor of the bill if this had ever happened. No, he said but it could! I doubt the burglars in my community have the patience or stamina to file public records requests to identify potential targets. The other bill would protect the identities of farmers and ag companies who are mega-users of water those who pump 500,000 gallons of water or more from lakes, rivers or wells. The sponsor of this bill also was trying to provide privacy in this case to the farmers who were mega-users. We live in a state that struggles with drought conditions nearly every year. Drought and water shortages affect some portions of Missouri every year, and severe droughts have been experienced multiple times. Its hard to imagine a resource of higher public interest than water. The public has a right to know about major water users in any industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state requires ag interests who pump more than 500,000 gallons of water a day to file reports about that use. Those records should not be hidden from taxpayers and citizens under a cloak of secrecy. The way this bill was written, it would protect operations like Denali Water Solutions, which raised a literal stink last year when it spread a sludge made up of meatpacking waste mixed with water on farmland in several southwest Missouri counties. Why should we grant secrecy to an operation like that? Aside from the interest the press may have in a public issue like the Denali story, private citizens have an interest in obtaining information about mega-users of water. If Im a small farmer and my well runs dry, shouldnt I be able to find out which of my neighbors is pumping from the water table we share? These two bills are examples of this continuing effort to close more records an effort that needs to be challenged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Transparency is vital to the effective functioning of government. Citizens of Missouri have a right to know how taxpayer dollars are spent and who is using public resources. Transparency is essential to accountability, which lead to better-informed citizens people who care and will be engaged in their government and the decision-making process. The Sunshine Law is a valuable tool that should be protected from the addition of well-meaning exemptions that will remove public information from the publics view. By Francesco Guarascio HANOI (Reuters) - The bank at the centre of Vietnam's biggest financial fraud has received a central bank bailout amounting 5% of the nation's 2024 economic output, which a local white knight hopes to repay in 15 years, documents seen by Reuters show. The nearly $26 billion pumped into Saigon Joint Stock Commercial Bank (SCB) since a 2022 run on the bank, triggered by the arrest of the real estate tycoon who effectively controlled SCB, highlights Vietnam's struggles to oversee its banks and contain potential sectoral risk. The Southeast Asian nation is scrambling domestically while its export-driven economy faces the risks of a global trade war as President Donald Trump imposes tariffs on U.S. trading partners. SCB remains "completely dependent on special loans" from the State Bank of Vietnam to cover deposit withdrawals, and the central bank's lending would reach 657 trillion dong ($25.8 billion) in the first year of restructuring, according to the rescue roadmap prepared by Sun Group, the developer mandated by the central bank in November 2023 to help SCB. The lender, under Sun Group ownership, would start repaying the central bank in the 14th year of the rescue plan, subject to market conditions, under the base scenario of the 222-page plan, which has not been reported previously. Under this scenario, SCB would fully repay the central bank within 15 years of the approval of the restructuring, which Sun Group hopes to obtain as early as the start of next month. Reuters could not determine whether Sun Group's plan, dated February 17, has the support of Vietnam's government and ruling Communist party or whether it will be approved under the developer's timeline. Sun Group, SCB, the central bank and the finance ministry did not respond to email and phone requests for comment. DEPOSITS PLUNGE, LOSSES SOAR The scandal broke in October 2022 with the arrest of businesswoman Truong My Lan, who built a real estate empire that prosecutors say was funded for a decade by $44 billion in SCB loans. The arrest of Lan - who used proxies to control what was one of Vietnam's largest commercial banks by deposits - triggered a panic among depositors, prompting the central bank to inject $4 billion in the three weeks after the arrest and billions more later to keep the bank from collapsing, according to a document seen by Reuters. A court upheld Lan's death sentence in December, rejecting her appeal against a conviction for embezzlement and bribery, state media reported. VERNON COUNTY, Mo. A Southwest Missouri woman is arrested for allegedly breaking multiple bones of an infant left in her care. Tonya Reynolds, 49, of rural Nevada is charged with felony abuse of a child with serious injury. Shes being held in the Vernon County Jail on a $50,000 cash-only bond. According to the Vernon County Sheriffs Office, a 5-month-old baby was brought to the local emergency room in Nevada with a broken arm and was transported to Childrens Mercy in Kansas City. Court records say the parent of the baby boy who is also Reynolds daughter, told hospital staff Reynolds said the infant was bit by the cat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Childrens Mercy reportedly contacted a Vernon County Deputy a short time later, advising them the infant had 2 broken bones in his left arm, 3 broken ribs on his left side, and 2 broken legs. FOUR STATES CRIME Officers responded to Reynolds residence Monday morning to investigate what happened to the child over the weekend when they say she was watching the infant. The probable cause affidavit says Reynolds told Childrens Services and the deputy that the dog jumped on the baby when he was laying on the living room floor. Tonya Reynolds Photo Source: Vernon County Sheriffs Office. The PC says the doctor told authorities the fracture on the infants upper left arm was a transverse fracture, meaning its a three-point bending fracture like breaking a pencil in half. The doctor also told deputies babies dont typically get bending fractures without excessive force. He said even if the infant was stuck in the slats of his bed; it would not have broken without excessive force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court records describe the babys other broken bones as follows: the rib fracture was on the front of his chest below his heart area; the break on the ribs was from a squeezing or pushing break; the break in the lower arm and the legs were yanking/pulling breaks; the leg breaks were below the knee; the yanking and pulling breaks usually are consistent with shaking a baby. PC-Statement_TONYA-REYNOLDS_watermarkDownload The deputy asked whether the boy had any head trauma, and the doctor reportedly said there was a non-specific enlargement in the front of the infants head and she was not concerned about it at this time. Reynolds is scheduled to be arraigned in Vernon County Court on March 20. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) Mobile City Councilman Josh Woods (District 6) announced his candidacy for re-election in the August 2025 elections. Family Promise of Baldwin County to host first clay shoot Woods said serving District 6 has been a true honor and that he is proud of what has been achieved. Photo courtesy: City of Mobile. From securing our citys financial stability and upgrading roads and traffic signals to investing in parks and standing up for our neighborhoods, weve made real strides, said Woods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the work isnt done yet; I remain committed to fighting for the families, neighborhoods, and businesses that make our district strong and vibrant. If Woods wins the District 6 seat in August, he will have the opportunity to serve a full term for the first time. Woods was elected in 2023 to finish an unexpired term that had been vacated by Scott Jones. I believe in common-sense leadership that puts residents first, Woods said. Im excited to ask for every residents vote in order to continue working alongside them to ensure District 6 is where Mobile comes home to. It feels so amazing: Island Schools Special Olympics make exceptional impact Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More information about Woods can be found on his website. 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. MOBILE COUNTY, Ala. (WKRG) Mobile County Sheriffs Office officials said they are continuing to search for a man connected to a Christmas Day 2024 homicide. Mobile police seek missing man According to previous reporting, 46-year-old Gregory Vanness Jowers is wanted in connection to the death of John Fabian. Gregory Vanness Jowers. (Mobile County Sheriffs Office) MCSO officials said their deputies were called to McLeod Road on Christmas Day, where they found Fabian unresponsive. He was placed on life support before he died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Witnesses who were at the home that deputies were called to said Jowers had assaulted Fabian. The evidence during our investigation leads to Jowers and the fact that he is running from us leads us to that same conclusion, read an MCSO Facebook post followed by a hashtag concluding that innocent people dont run. GREG, you know that we are looking for you and so we are putting your face out there again in hopes of receiving information on where you are hiding, the post on TEAM SHERIFF said. Officials said if anyone sees something, they should say something. Every family needs closure when losing a loved one. Somebody knows, read the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mobile police arrest man after he allegedly assaults woman Anyone with information can contact MCSO at 251-574-8633. 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. Originally appeared on E! Online A Connecticut mother is grateful to have found her son after years of searching. One month after a 32-year-old man lit his home on fire to escape after allegedly being held captive by his stepmother for over two decades, his biological mother praised her sons resilience. "I love him, the mother, who requested anonymity, told NBC Connecticut in an interview published March 17. Hes so strong, and Im so proud of him for doing what he needed to do. I wish he did it sooner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 52-year-old said that she had been searching for her sonwho was living with his stepmother Kimberly Sullivan following the death of his fatheralongside his half-sister for years. Although the victims mother said that she had given up custody of the unnamed man when he was a child, she said she tried to be a part of his life, adding that despite attempts, neither the victims father nor Sullivan let her. She questioned whether Sullivanwhom prosecutors said in a March 13 press conference had kept the man captive since he was approximately 11 years oldwas controlling his father to the outlet. More from E! Online Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of them in that homeneed to getcharged, the victims mother added, She needs to actually spend the rest of her life in solitary confinement and fed two cups of water a day. She especially emphasized to NBC Connecticut that her sonwho at 5-foot-9 only weighed 68 pounds when he was pulled out of the fire by first respondershas both sides of his family that love him and have looked for him. The Waterbury Police Department and Waterbury Fire Department responded to a house fire on Feb. 17 where two people were inside the home, authorities shared in a March 12 statement on Facebook. After being rescued, the victim told first responders that he set the fire, per the statement, adding, I wanted my freedom. Detectives determined that the victim had been held in captivity for over 20 years, enduring prolonged abuse, starvation, severe neglect, and inhumane treatment, the police department continued. He was found in a severely emaciated condition and had not received medical or dental care during this time. Investigators further discovered that he had been provided with only minimal amounts of food and water, which led to his extremely malnourished condition. Larry W. Smith/Getty Images Sullivanwho was also rescued from the firewas charged with 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. Her bond was set at $300,000 and is scheduled to be in court March 26. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sullivans attorney Ioannis Kaloidis asserted his clients innocence, denying all the allegations brought against her. That is absolutely not true, Kaloidis told NBC Connecticut. 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. We think as the evidence comes out, you'll see that she's not the villain she's being made out to be, he continued. Absolutely not. Meanwhile, the victims half-sister shared insight into their familys years-long search for her younger brother. Ive always known hes existed, she told NBC Connecticut. Ive always loved him, and Ive always been trying to find him. Ive been looking for him for over a decade. I wanted to wait until he was 18. Im almost 35 now. There was nothingno social media, no court records. (E! News and NBC Connecticut are part of the NBCUniversal family.) For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App Mar. 18MONAHANS In Feb. 2025, at the request of the Monahans Police Department (MPD), Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Criminal Investigations Division (CID) Special Agents began assisting MPD with a sexual assault of a child investigation involving an officer from MPD, a DPS news release said. As a result of the investigation and the analysis of evidence, 38-year-old Benjamin McGilvray, who is an officer with MPD, was identified as the suspect in the case. On March 18, 2025, DPS Special Agents, Texas Rangers, and MPD arrested McGilvray on the following charges: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 3 counts Sexual Assault (Felony 2) 1 count Online Solicitation of a Minor (Felony 2) 1 count Online Solicitation of a Minor (Felony 3) 1 count Child Grooming (Felony 3) McGilvray was booked into the Ward County Detention Center. The Monahans Police Department has now placed McGilvray on administrative leave, pending the investigation. This is an ongoing investigation and no additional information is available, the release said. Two more cases of chronic wasting disease have been detected in Jasper Countys wild deer population, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation, bringing the total to three so far. The first case was detected from deer sampling during the 2023-24 hunting seasons, northwest of Joplin along Center Creek near the Kansas line. One new case was detected northwest of Carthage along the Spring River, said Deb Hudman, supervisor of the Missouri Department of Conservations Wildlife Health Program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second was from a targeted removal near the 2023-24 positive. Hudman said the agency works with landowners to remove deer within a 2-mile radius of a positive case. Two more cases also have been confirmed in Barton County following the 2024-25 seasons, bringing the total for that county to 26 since the disease was first discovered there during the 2022-23 seasons. No positives have yet been confirmed for Newton or McDonald counties, but that first case in Jasper County was close enough to the state line that Newton County was included as part of a CWD management zone for the first time during the 2024-25 seasons, which means different regulations applied. McDonald County also is part of a CWD management zone because of cases detected in Benton County, Arkansas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No positives have been reported for Barry County for the 2024-25 seasons; the total for that county stands at six since the disease was first detected there in 2021-22. Statewide, 199 new cases have been confirmed so far in the 2024-25 seasons, bringing the total to statewide to 771, although Hudman said some deer killed during targeted removals are still be tested. She said the new cases so far from the 2024-25 seasons are out of more than 31,000 deer that were tested statewide. The apparent prevalence of the disease is still low, Hudman said. The state has implemented a number of management strategies to reduce the spread of CWD. One of those strategies has been designating counties where the disease has been found and those within 10 miles of a positive as part of a management zone where mandatory sampling may be required and different regulations apply for hunting and carcass movement restrictions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of the first positive in Jasper County, Newton County was included in a CWD management zone for the first time last fall. Missouri officials also have been monitoring the outbreak of CWD in Northwest Arkansas in counties along the border. So far, there have been 1,970 positives in deer in Arkansas since the disease was first detected there in 2016. Almost all of those are in the northwest part of the state. There have been a total of 22 positives in Benton County, 215 in Carroll County and 306 in Boone County, and many of those are on the state line. Nearly half of all cases have been detected in Newton County, Arkansas. There have been 56 positives detected to date in Arkansas elk herd; Hudman said no positives have been detected in Missouris elk herd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CWD is a fatal neurological illness that affects white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk and moose. The disease can be transmitted freely within and among deer populations. According to the Missouri Department of Conservations website, There have been no reported cases of CWD infection in people. However, some studies raise concerns that there may be a potential risk to people. Research is ongoing. Hunters and others should take precautions when processing any game to help prevent the transmission of any potential disease. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also reports that to date there have been no reported cases of CWD spreading to humans. However, some animal studies suggest CWD poses a risk to certain types of non-human primates, like monkeys, that eat meat from CWD-infected animals or come in contact with brain or body fluids from infected deer or elk, the CDC website says. Deer hunting remains one of Missouris most popular fall outdoor activities, with two archery seasons and various firearms seasons every fall and winter. (Reuters) - India's central bank-regulated entities can leverage artificial intelligence internal controls to address consumer complaints on mis-selling and aggressive practices, central bank governor Sanjay Malhotra said on Monday. Ninety-five commercial banks in India received over 10 million customer complaints in the 2023-2024 financial year, Malhotra said. "With the rapidly growing customer base and expanding suite of products, this may grow if we do not get our act together," he added. Financial institutions can use AI to analyse large volumes of data to detect spikes in issues such as ATM failures or erroneous charges, and receive pre-emptive alerts, Malhotra said in a speech. AI-driven chatbots and voice recognition tools can also be used to eliminate language barriers in a linguistically diverse country like India, Malhotra added. He also called for financial institutions to invest in human capital to improve customer service and grievance redressal processes. (Reporting by Ananta Agarwal in Bengaluru; Editing by Vijay Kishore) A fire has broken out at an oil depot in the southern Russian region of Krasnodar following a Ukrainian drone attack on Wednesday, according to Russian authorities. The regional coordination staff said falling debris triggered the fire, which has spread to 1,700 square metres. More than 220 people are said to be involved in fighting the blaze. Russia's Defence Ministry accused Kiev of a provocation, claiming the attack was intended to undermine the peace initiative proposed by US President Donald Trump on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a phone call on Tuesday, Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed that Russia would halt strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities for 30 days, provided Ukraine did the same. However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that while Moscow is honouring the agreement, Ukraine is not. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country supports the proposal but needs more details. He noted that the information released after the call does not specify when the suspension of airstrikes on energy infrastructure is set to begin. The Russian Defence Ministry claimed it immediately ceased attacks on Ukrainian energy targets following Putins order. It also reported that all seven drones already en route to such targets were shot down by Russian forces. Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities reported casualties and injuries from overnight Russian airstrikes, including severe damage to a hospital. An investigation is underway after a mother called police to report that her 11-year-old son had been stabbed and killed at a hotel in Santa Ana Wednesday morning. Officers were called to the La Quinta Inn at 2721 Hotel Terrace where the boy was found suffering from multiple stab wounds around 9:30 a.m. The unidentified victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Police respond to the fatal stabbing of an 11-year-old at a La Quinta Inn in Santa Ana on March 19, 2025. (KTLA) The boys mother was taken into custody and then transported to a local hospital after apparently ingesting something, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the stabbing is ongoing. 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. LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) A Lancaster County mother and a second woman have been charged in connection to the missing infant incident in Lancaster County on Tuesday. The Lancaster City Bureau of Police sent out a missing person release on Tuesday, March 18, regarding a missing infant and its mother, Kyzhera Weaver. Both were found shortly after and Lancaster County Children and Youth was granted custody of the infant. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This Week in Pennsylvania Police said an alleged co-conspirator, Jesenia Loarte Mercado, was arrested and charged in connection to the incident. Weaver has an active warrant out for her arrest, according to police. Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts is encouraged to contact Lancaster County dispatch at 717-664-1180. According to police court records, on March 14 a Lancaster County Children and Youth Services Agency caseworker attempted to take custody of the child. Police say Loarte Mercado admitted that the child was at her home but said they gave the child to another adult. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pennsylvania amusement parks acquired by new owners Police say Weaver then testified under oath in court that she did not know the childs whereabouts. The victim was later found at Loarte Mercados residence. Weaver is also alleged to have assaulted a man while holding the child. Loarte Mercado was charged with concealment of the whereabouts of a child, interference with custody of children, obstructing administration of law, and conspiracy. Weaver was charged with concealment of the whereabouts of a child, interference with custody of children, and endangering the welfare of a child. This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. MONROE COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) Monroe County Sheriff Tommy Jones announced the return of motorcycle patrols to reducing crashes, focusing on the Cherthala Skyway and the Dragon routes. The Monroe County Sheriffs Office is partnering with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office for the patrols, Jones wrote. The program will involve speed enforcement and rider education. Knoxville Police report trio of DUI incidents amid sharp rise in early 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Monroe County saw 41 motorcycle-related accidents last year, underscoring the need for enhanced enforcement and educational outreach for riders, Jones posted. Motorcycle patrols are an effective way to enforce the law and educate riders about the importance of safe riding. The program will focus on popular riding routes including the routes leading to the Dragon such as: Highway 68 Highway 360 Highway 72E Highway 129 Maryville woman claims TennCare transport provider repeatedly did not show up The Monroe County Sheriffs Office is dedicated to the Safety and well-being of all citizens and visitors to our county, Chief Deputy Chris White said. We want their memories of their visit to the Cherokee National Forest and our county to be only good. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 WATE 6 On Your Side. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A 26-year-old motorcyclist has died nearly two weeks after a crash in Northwest El Paso, El Paso Police said. Motorcycle crash injures 3 in West El Paso, El Paso Fire says Police said Emmanuel Parra, 26, of Anthony, New Mexico, died on Tuesday, March 18 nearly two weeks after the crash. The crash happened just after 3:30 p.m. on March 5 at the intersection of Resler and Tierra Taos, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said they learned through their investigation that Parra was traveling north on Resler, and a pickup truck was traveling west on Tierra Taos, approaching a stop sign. The motorcycle entered the intersection and T-boned the other vehicle. The motorcyclist was thrown from his bike and taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. The occupants of the pickup truck were transported to a hospital with minor injuries. On Tuesday, the Medical Examiners Office told police that Parra had died from his injuries. Police said failure to yield the right of way on the part of the pickup truck and speed on the part of the motorcycle are contributing factors in the collision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the 11th traffic fatality in the City limits so far this year compared to 12 at the same time last year. 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. MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCBD) A Mount Pleasant officer injured during an incident with an armed suspect Tuesday afternoon has been released from the hospital. The officer, who has not yet been identified, was treated for stabbing wounds at the Medical University of South Carolina. Law enforcement responded to a report of indecent exposure at 651 Johnnie Dodds Boulevard around 5:15 p.m. where they encountered an individual matching the suspects description. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Witnesses at the scene said they saw the suspect stab the officer, causing the officer to fire their gun in response, striking the suspect. There was a man and a police officer on the side of the road, then all of a sudden, the suspect lurched on top of the officer and tackled him to the ground, said Cooper Wright who was driving with his brother from nearby Melvins BBQ when they saw the scene unfold. The police officer got slammed to the ground on his face. Blood was pouring down his face, and the suspect ran around the front of the police car. Wright said the officer then tackled the suspect again before reaching for his weapon and firing. Witnesses said the officer was stabbed in the lower stomach area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said at the time that both individuals were treated for non-life-threatening injuries and taken to a nearby hospital. News 2 has reached out to authorities for specific details regarding the incident. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division has taken over the investigation. In the meantime, Mount Pleasant police said the officer has been placed on administrative leave while SLED investigating the incident, which follows standard procedure for an officer-involved shooting. 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. Plans to repeal a law requiring later middle and high school start times by 2026 took a left turn Wednesday, as a Florida House subcommittee rewrote a bill that already had won strong support in two Senate hearings. The measures presented to both chambers had been identical heading into the House hearing. They would kill the language mandating the changes, instead telling school districts to consider the benefits of later start times when adopting their schedules. Sponsor Rep. Anne Gerwig, R-Wellington, instead introduced an amendment to flip the script. Instead of deleting the mandate, Gerwig proposed keeping it intact but adding a provision that would allow districts to work around it by submitting proof that they couldnt meet the expectations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report would include documentation that the district considered different options and strategies to change the start times, along with possible unintended consequences it faced if it were to implement a plan. That way, Gerwig said, the goal of following the research on student sleep needs would remain intact even as some schools demonstrated why they cannot follow through. Concerns have included increased costs associated with buying more buses and hiring more drivers to accommodate anticipated route changes, and concerns about having elementary children waiting for buses in the dark if they are moved to the earliest start times. The bill won strong support from colleagues and members of the public, who applauded the move to give more flexibility to local schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a very important bill because it recognizes a glide path that allows districts to go in and look at what they need to do, said Chris Doolin, a lobbyist for 36 small districts 12 which have met the new start time requirements and 24 that have not. More than two dozen people submitted cards of support for the bill, including representatives from three school districts, two unions and associations representing school boards, superintendents and parents. I think this is a lesson to all of us here that we should be listening to subject-matter experts, said Rep. LaVon Bracy Davis, D-Ocoee, noting that district officials and others had warned of the potential costs and downsides of the start time shift in past years. Rep. Jeff Holcomb, R-Spring Hill, said he agreed with that perspective. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We all understand the science, and the science makes sense, but this is a logistical nightmare, Holcomb said. Were listening to our school boards. Were listening to our parents. But it will all be for nothing if the two chambers cant come together on how to resolve the concerns, he added. I look forward to improving this bill, to make it more like the Senates, Holcomb said. BOSTON (WWLP) Three dogs are receiving life-saving care from MSPCA-Angell after being rescued from a fire in Springfield Monday night. Chihuahuas Daylilah, Peluche, and Savanna were brought to a local veterinary hospital by emergency crews on Monday after being saved from a fire on Carew Street in Springfield. Two cats died in Carew Street fire in Springfield, three dogs rescued The doctors observed that the dogs were in respiratory distress, and potentially also suffering from neurological issues. The three dogs were brought to MSPCA-Angells Animal Medical Center in Boston Tuesday evening and immediately sent to intensive care for treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were other animals involved in this fire that unfortunately perished, but these dogs are fighters, said Mike Keiley, Vice President of the MSPCA-Angells Animal Protection Division. The chihuahuas are fighting for survival, and were doing everything we can to help them. 5-year-old Savanna. Courtesy of MSPCA-Angell. 4-year-old Daylilah. Courtesy of MSPCA-Angell. 5-year-old Peluche. Courtesy of MSPCA-Angell. At the medical center, the dogs are being kept in oxygen cages and given fluids and medication while the veterinarians at MSPCA-Angell work to treat their smoke inhalation damage. However, there is currently no clear timeline as to when the chihuahuas will recover. The dogs were surrendered by their owners in Springfield due to the state of their health and prolonged hospitalization time, but Keiley said he hopes that Daylilah, Peluche, and Savanna will be able to recover to find another loving home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once were out of the woods, we can work to place them into loving homes through our adoption centers, but right now all were thinking about is getting these dogs into stable condition, Keiley said. Updates on the round-the-clock care provided to these chihuahuas will be posted on the MSPCA-Angell social media pages. For information on how to donate to offset the cost of treating these dogs in recovery, visit mspca.org/givingday. 22News contacted the Springfield Fire Department for additional information and is waiting to hear back. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. MT. JULIET, Tenn. (WKRN) Mt. Juliet officers arrested two wanted people Monday during separate incidents, including a suspect who had been wanted since 2008. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee In one incident, Mt. Juliet police were investigating a suspicious vehicle at a home decor store and discovered a 47-year-old La Vergne man had been wanted by the Brentwood Police Department on a nationwide extradition warrant for felony theft. (Courtesy: Mt. Juliet Police Department) Separately, officers stopped a vehicle and learned the driver was on the way to pick someone up from an area business. Upon further investigation, the man had been driving to pick up a 38-year-old Smyrna man who had been wanted by Wilson County authorities since 2008. He had been wanted for a felony probation violation related to burglary and vandalism over $10,000. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com We are grateful for our officers proactive efforts and dedication to ensuring crime does not find success in our community! a social media post announcing the arrests reads, in part. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. KAYSVILLE, Utah (ABC4) Firefighters from multiple Utah agencies responded to rescue an unconscious person stuck in a tree outside a Kaysville residence on Wednesday morning. The Kaysville Fire Department said the operation started just after 9:30 a.m. after emergency crews received a call about a tree-cutting accident. First responders arrived to find the individual unresponsive and suspended 30 feet in the air by a harness. Given the complexity of the rescue, additional support was requested from Layton Fire and Farmington Fire. A University of Utah AirMed helicopter was also called to the scene, Kaysville Fire Department said in a press release posted to social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rope rescue technicians set up a lowering system and attached it to the person before safely bringing them down to the ground. Kaysville Fire confirmed they were flown to a trauma center in critical condition. Details on the tree-cutting accident or what injuries the individual suffered were not made publicly available. Officials also did not release any identifying information about the person. This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post 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 ABC4 Utah. Murder charges have been filed in connection with the death of a Kansas City-based reporter during Super Bowl week in New Orleans. Via the Associated Press, 48-year-old Danette Colbert is accused of second-degree murder. The victim was Adan Manzano, a 27-year-old reporter and anchor for Telemundo. Colbert was arrested last month, charged with allegedly stealing Manzanos cellphone and bank cards. She has remained in custody since then. The murder charge was added today. A suspected accomplice has been arrested in Florida, on charges of theft and fraud. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Jefferson Parish coroner told reporters the autopsy found that Manzano died of "positional asphyxia." He was face down on a pillow and unable to breathe after ingesting alcohol and Xanax. Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley recognized that there is and will be no direct evidence to prove that Colbert killed Manzano. "Look, there's a lot of pieces in this puzzle," Conley said. "We recognize it's going to be a circumstantial case." The argument apparently will be that Colbert drugged Manzano so that she could rob him, and that he died as a result of the drugging. Whatever the eventual charges that get to a jury, it will not be easy to prove responsibility for Manzano's death beyond a reasonable doubt. The key could be the accomplice. If a deal is offered, the accomplice could supply the evidence necessary to show that Colbert is responsible for Manzano's death, either as second-degree murder or a lesser charge like manslaughter. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) says that few Senate Republicans are willing to speak out against actions by the Trump administration and Elon Musk because most fear for their political lives. Murkowski, one of the foremost centrists in the GOP conference, told reporters Tuesday that many of her colleagues are scared of the attacks she and others who have been willing to buck Trump and the party have faced. That is why they are unwilling to take steps that put them out of line and in the crosshairs of Trump supporters and conservatives. I get criticized for what I say, and everybody else is like, How come nobody else is saying anything? Well, figure it out, because theyre looking at how many things are being thrown at me, and its like, Maybe I should just duck and cover, Murkowski said during an appearance at the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats why youve got everybody just zip-lipped, not saying a word because theyre afraid theyre going to be taken down theyre going to be primaried, theyre going to be given names in the media, she continued. We cannot be cowed into not speaking up. Murkowski added that she is still trying to figure out how exactly to deal with the Trump White House. She noted she has no plans to speak out against the administration at every opportunity, calling that approach not constructive. She added, though, that she plans to stand up and stiffen my spine against both sides of the aisle when needed, even if she draws the ire of Musk, who has moved to slash large swaths of agencies via the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and his financial might. Im going to have to figure out where I can work with him, and Im going to have to stiffen my spine and take the slings and arrows when people say, Why arent you a better Republican? And if not, get out of the party? she said. Until Alaskans tell me, Lisa its just not working anymore, I am going to give you every last breath that I have, and I am going to try to solve every last little problem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im not going to compromise my own integrity by hiding from my words when I feel they need to be spoken. Im going to take the criticism that comes, Murkowski continued. It may be that Elon Musk has decided that hes going to take the next billion dollars that he makes off of Starlink and put it directly against Lisa Murkowski, and you know what? That may happen. Murkowski has largely been supportive of Trumps Cabinet and administration nominees. The lone one she voted against was Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths selection to lead the Pentagon. Murkowski is not up for reelection until 2028. She defeated a fellow Republican in 2022 to win a fourth term in office. 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. Tech billionaire Elon Musk, a close adviser to President Trump, said his life was in danger over his heavy involvement in the administration, and some may want him dead because he is stopping their fraud. Musk, who was originally tapped by Trump late last year to head up the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), told Fox Newss Sean Hannity Tuesday night that when you take away peoples fraud, the money theyre receiving fraudulently, they get very upset, and they basically want to kill me because Im stopping their fraud. He added, And they want to hurt Tesla because were stopping this terrible waste and corruption in the government. And, well, I guess theyre bad people. Bad people do bad things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DOGE, which has seemingly taken on new leadership, has led the administrations moves to combat waste and fraud, as well as identify abuse among various government programs. The controversial advisory group has also worked with the president to overhaul the federal workforce. The commission has probed various federal departments and agencies, ranging from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to the U.S. Institute of Peace, resulting in firings of thousands of workers and withholding congressionally appropriated funds. DOGE has received heavy pushback from Democrats in Congress and has faced a bevy of legal challenges in court. Musk said Tuesday that government fraud is so high that it is causing a $2 trillion annual deficit and, he is worried that the U.S. is going bankrupt due to the corruption of waste. And the cost of our debt has gotten so high that just the interest payments on the debt exceed the entire military budget, the tech entrepreneur, who owns six major companies, said. And it was just growing out of control. So, the country was going bankrupt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its just a countrys no different from a person, he continued. If a country overspends and doesnt spend wisely, just like a person, a country will go bankrupt. He also weighed on the recent attacks at Tesla dealerships around the globe. The companys charging stations, cars lots and showrooms have been targeted in the U.S. and other parts of the world. Its really come as quite a shock to me that there is this level of, really, hatred and violence from the left. I always thought that the left, you know, Democrats were supposed to be the party of empathy, the party of caring, and yet theyre burning down cars, firebombing dealerships, theyre firing bullets into dealerships, theyre smashing up Teslas, Musk told Hannity. Tesla is a peaceful company. Weve never done anything harmful, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several Tesla vehicles were set on fire in Las Vegas this week. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is still looking for the suspect. The attacks have also occurred in Kansas City, Mo., where Cybertrucks at a dealership were damaged, according to the FBIs field office. And I think there are larger forces at work as well. I mean, I dont know. Whos funding it and whos coordinating it? Because this is crazy, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO said. I have never seen anything like this. 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. (The Hill) Tech billionaire Elon Musk, a close adviser to President Donald Trump, said his life was in danger over his heavy involvement in the administration and some may want him dead because he is stopping their fraud. Musk, who was originally tapped by Trump late last year to head up the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), told Fox Newss Sean Hannity on Tuesday night that when you take away peoples fraud, the money theyre receiving fraudulently, they get very upset, and they basically want to kill me because Im stopping their fraud. He added, And they want to hurt Tesla because were stopping this terrible waste and corruption in the government. And, well, I guess theyre bad people. Bad people do bad things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DOGE, which has seemingly taken on new leadership, has led the administrations moves to combat waste and fraud, as well as identify abuse among various government programs. The controversial advisory group has also worked with the president to overhaul the federal workforce. Voters boo Nebraska Republican over Musk, Ukraine, Trump tariffs during raucous town hall The commission has probed various federal departments and agencies, ranging from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to the U.S. Institute of Peace, resulting in firings of thousands of workers and withholding congressionally appropriated funds. DOGE has received heavy pushback from Democrats in Congress and has faced a bevy of legal challenges in court. Musk said on Tuesday that government fraud is so high that it is causing a $2 trillion annual deficit and that he is worried that the U.S. is going bankrupt due to the corruption of waste. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And the cost of our debt has gotten so high that just the interest payments on the debt exceed the entire military budget, said the tech entrepreneur, who owns six major companies. And it was just growing out of control. So, the country was going bankrupt. Its just a countrys no different from a person, he continued. If a country overspends and doesnt spend wisely, just like a person, a country will go bankrupt. He also weighed in on the recent attacks at Tesla dealerships around the globe. The companys charging stations, car lots and showrooms have been targeted both in the U.S. and other parts of the world. Its really come as quite a shock to me that there is this level of, really, hatred and violence from the left. I always thought that the left, you know, Democrats were supposed to be the party of empathy, the party of caring, and yet theyre burning down cars, firebombing dealerships, theyre firing bullets into dealerships, theyre smashing up Teslas, Musk told Hannity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tesla is a peaceful company. Weve never done anything harmful, he said. Several Tesla vehicles were set on fire in Las Vegas this week. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is still looking for the suspect. The attacks have also occurred in Kansas City, Missouri, where Cybertrucks at a dealership were damaged, according to the FBIs field office. And I think there are larger forces at work as well. I mean, I dont know. Whos funding it and whos coordinating it? Because this is crazy, the Tesla and Space X CEO said. I have never seen anything like this. 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. The U.S. Army has released a picture of a Bradley Fighting Vehicle using its BGM-71 TOW anti-tank guided missile launcher to fire something else referred to simply as the 670, which appears to be previously unseen. A U.S. Army Bradley Fighting Vehicle launches a 670 during Project Convergence-Capstone 5 (PC-C5) on Fort Irwin, Calif., in March 2025, the images caption reads. PC-C5 is the premier Joint, Combined experiment hosted by Army Futures Command to demonstrate how technology enhances cross-domain military operations. The full image the US Army released of the Bradley firing the 670 from its TOW missile launcher during PC-C5 in March 2025. US Army Sgt. Marita Schwab The Army kicked off the Project Convergence initiative in 2020 and has been using events like PC-C5 to test, integrate, and network together new and improved systems and capabilities in increasingly more operationally representative conditions. The first half has been taking place this month at the sprawling National Training Center (NTC) at Fort Irwin in California. The second half will kick off next month at multiple operating locations across the Indo-Pacific. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No further information about the 670 looks to be readily available and TWZ has reached out to the Army for more details. From what can be seen in the image, the 670 is propelled, at least immediately after launch, by a small rocket motor at the rear of its broadly cylindrical body. It also has three pop-out grid fins at the tail end. Whether or not it has other control surfaces that are not seen in their deployed positions is unknown, but there are open sections visible toward the front end of the body. The 670 also has a rounded white-colored nose, but whether that might be a radome or seeker of some kind, or just an aerodynamic fairing or something else, is not known. There are also at least three distinct sections visible along one side of the body, which might be modular and potentially dispensable payloads, such as cluster munitions or countermeasures of some type. A closer look at the 670. US Army The overall configuration of the 670 is distinctly different from any version of the BGM-71 known to exist, including modern types that are no longer wire-guided. However, since it can be fired from a Bradleys TOW missile launcher, it does need to have at least a similar form factor. Current generation TOW missiles are just under four feet long and six inches in diameter. Certain variants have probes that extend around a foot from the front of the nose after launch to help defeat explosive reactive armor and otherwise ensure optimal detonation. You can read more about the full TOW missile family here. A US Army Bradley fighting vehicle fires a typical TOW missile from its launcher. US Army The U.S. military does have the tube-launched GBU-69/B Small Glide Munition (SGM) in its inventory, which has three grid fins at the tail end and is of the appropriate general size. However, the SGM, which also has a pop-out main wing, is unpowered and its fins have a distinctly different design from those on the 670. A rendering of the GBU-69/B Small Glide Munition (SGM). Leidos Dynetics Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without knowing more, its hard to say with certainty whether the 670 might be a munition, an uncrewed system, countermeasure, or something else. A major component of all Project Convergence events since the Army first launched the initiative in 2020 has been tests of what are now referred to as launched effects. This broad term encompasses a still-growing range of drones and loitering munitions that can be launched from fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and platforms on the ground. A launched effect design capable of performing surveillance and reconnaissance, electronic warfare, kinetic attack, and/or other functions, and that can be fired from existing TOW launchers, could be a boon to a variety of Army units beyond heavy armored formations equipped with Bradleys. The video below offers a very general overview of the Armys vision for its future family of launched effects. The Army has also been at least exploring options in recent years for a new anti-tank guided missile to succeed the venerable BGM-71 series that would also be able to make use of existing launchers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An air defense version of the Bradley, known as the M6 Linebacker, with a four-round launcher for Stinger heat-seeking surface-to-air missiles instead of the TOWs, was previously in Army inventory, as well. The service could now be looking at ways to reboot that general concept, especially in light of the growing threat posed by drones. A US Army M6 Linebacker in Iraq in 2005. US Army BAE Systems, the current prime contractor for the Bradley, has previously proposed a modernized short-range air defense (SHORAD) variant with either a four-round Stinger launcher or one that could be loaded with up to two radar-guided AGM-114L Longbow Hellfire missiles. More recently, the company has pitched a SHORAD variant of the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV), which is derived from the Bradley. A Bradley in a notional short-range air defense (SHORAD) configuration. Note the two-rail launcher for AGM-114L Longbow Hellfire missiles on display to the right. Joseph Trevithick A SHORAD version of the Bradley-derived AMPV. BAE Systems A prototype of a variant of the AMPV armored vehicle with the same turret as the Stryker M-SHORAD vehicle. BAE Systems Whatever the mysterious 670 might be, it highlights the potential for the Bradleys TOW launcher to evolve into a more multi-mission system in the future. Contact the author: joe@twz.com AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) Nancy Eichert Flanagan, 82, of Austintown Ohio, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, March 17, 2025 after battling cancer. She passed peacefully as her family showered her in prayers. Nancy was born on October 8, 1942 to Louis and Virginia Flanagan. Find obituaries from your high school She graduated from Our Lady of Angels before marrying John Eichert, with whom she had six children. Nancy cared deeply about her family, and she consistently showed it. She was always planning a gathering to bring everyone together, sending packages to grandkids that lived far away, and was the heart of the family that kept everyone connected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nancy worked as a home health care worker at Vista Park for many years until she retired. She showed consistent love and care to those she served, caring about the little details of their lives. Nancy was a follower of Jesus. Her faith in the Lord carried her through many of the hardships she faced in life, including the passing of her two-year-old son and her battles with cancer. Nancy loved the Lord, and she was confident in the love He had for her and her family. Nancy valued her faith above all else. Nancy is survived by her five children, Gina Eichert-Powell of Canfield, Kim Zitricki of Columbus, Marc Eichert of Boardman, Erik (Joy) Eichert of Austintown and Brian (Kristen) Eichert of Farmington Hills, Michigan. Two sisters and a brother are also surviving, Kathy Smith, Tim Flanagan and Lori Wiebell. Nancy will forever be missed by her 15 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her ex-husband, John Eichert; her sister, Judy Elmlinger; her brother, Terry Flanagan; her son, John Louis Eichert and her granddaughter, Heather Morrison-Eichert. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The family would also like to thank Hospice of The Valley, especially Kylie and Jessica, Pastor Carson, Dr. Robert DeBarnardo and staff of the Oncology Department at the Cleveland Clinic in Mayfield Heights, and Dr. William Bartels and staff in Canfield, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Nancys honor to Hospice of the Valley. Family and friends may call from 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. at Ala Carte in Canfield, Ohio with a celebration of life immediately to follow on Sunday, March 30, 2025. Arrangements handled by Lane Family Funeral Homes. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Nancy, please visit our Tree Store. A television tribute will air Thursday, March 20 at the following approximate times: 5:17 a.m. on WKBN, 8:39 a.m. on FOX, 5:21 p.m. on WYTV and 6:35 p.m. on MyYTV. 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. By Kylie Madry MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - U.S.-based fintech Tala, which grants small-sized loans to clients in emerging markets, has secured a $150 million debt facility to expand its business in Mexico, it said on Wednesday. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT Many of Tala's clients in Mexico are small-business owners, chief executive and founder Shivani Siroya said, and the lender plans to allocate a portion of the fresh funds to better serve them. According to Mexico's statistics agency, some 99% of firms in the nation are defined as micro, small or medium-sized businesses. KEY QUOTES "This capital is for the growth of our Mexico business," Siroya told Reuters ahead of the announcement. "As we think about how to widen access, it's ... starting to talk about different platforms, embedded partnerships." "The second piece is, how do we provide more value?" she said. "So whether that's higher (credit) limits, more dynamic pricing, starting to think about specific credit products." CONTEXT The debt facility, which starts at $75 million and allows Tala to draw up to $150 million, was issued with funds managed by U.S. investment firm Neuberger Berman, Tala said in a statement. BY THE NUMBERS Tala - which has more than 10 million clients globally - has more than 3 million clients in Mexico, Siroya said, and signed off on more than $500 million in loans in the country in 2024. Tala's average loan size in Mexico comes in around 2,300 pesos ($115.41), she added. WHAT'S NEXT Siroya said there was "more to come this year" for Tala's operations elsewhere in Latin America. At the moment, Mexico is the firm's only Latin American market, though it also operates in Southeast Asia and East Africa. ($1 = 19.9298 Mexican pesos) (Reporting by Kylie Madry; Editing by Sandra Maler) Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tore into Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer over his backing of Republicans government spending bill last week. In scathing remarks during a Tuesday news conference at a childrens hospital in San Francisco, Pelosi said she believed that Senate Democrats should have negotiated harder for Republicans to make concessions. I myself dont give away anything for nothing, Pelosi said. I think thats what happened the other day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pelosi said that Democrats could have offered a third way forward, one that avoided a government shutdown while also allowing Democrats to abstain from co-signing the bill, staving off a complete government closure while negotiations continued. They may not have agreed to it, but at least the public would have seen theyre not agreeing to itand that then they would have been shutting [the] government down, Pelosi said. The spending bill approved by a total of nine Senate Democrats and one House Democrat may serve as a sort of blank check for the Trump administration, which has already announced its intention to withhold funds allocated to programs it doesnt support. While the bill will keep the lights on until September, it will also slash funding for health care and boost spending on mass deportations. Ultimately, Pelosi said she supported Schumers leadership of the partybut not everyone feels that way. Widespread outrage has led to many calling for Schumer to be removed and replaced with someone willing to fight Trumps agenda, such as New York Representative Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Senator Bernie Sanders said it wasnt as simple as replacing Schumer. During an interview on CNN Tuesday night, the Vermont independent said that the issue demonstrated by Schumers surrender went beyond just him and was a structural problem within the Democratic Party. I know, everyones beating up on Chuck [Schumer], and I strongly disagree with him. Strongly. No one is in the caucus more critical of Schumer than I am. But its not Schumer, its the caucus, its not the caucus, its the Democratic Party, Sanders said. Sanders said that the Democratic Party had been taken over by billionaires and guided into the ground by consultants. Schumer has continued to defend his choice, and his seat, saying that he is still the best person to lead the Senate and the best at winning Senate seats. Celebrations are underway after the Crew-9 astronauts have returned to Earth. Crew-9 splashed down Tuesday afternoon off of Floridas Gulf Coast. The joy comes after NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore spent more than nine months aboard the International Space Station in an unplanned extended stay. They were the astronauts picked for the crewed flight test of Boeings Starliner spacecraft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They launched on Starliner in June, but technical issues forced Starliner to return without Williams and Wilmore. It was all smiles, hugs, and handshakes as Crew-9 arrived at NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston overnight. The astronauts are now going to enjoy some much-deserved time off. See more in the video above. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. HOUSTON, Texas (WHNT) At the Johnson Space Center Tuesday, NASA and Firefly Aerospace held a news conference to discuss the successful Blue Ghost Mission 1. Firefly Aerospaces Blue Ghost Mission 1 landed on the moon on March 2 and finished its mission on March 16. Lawrence Co. man sentenced for role in decade-long mail fraud The mission met 100% of its objectives after performing the first fully successful commercial moon landing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of NASAs CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative and Artemis campaign, Fireflys Blue Ghost lunar lander delivered 10 NASA science and technology instruments to the Mare Crisium basin on the near side of the Moon. Seven of those payloads were managed by the Marshall Space Flight Center here in Huntsville. Fireflys Blue Ghost Mission 1 marks the longest surface duration commercial mission on the Moon to date, collecting extraordinary science data that will benefit humanity for decades to come, Nicky Fox, associate administrator, of Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington said. With NASAs CLPS initiative, American companies are now at the forefront of an emerging lunar economy that lights the way for the agencys exploration goals on the Moon and beyond. New Hope man arrested for attempted murder after fleeing traffic stop Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the news conference, it was announced that all 10 payloads were successfully activated, they collected data and performed operations on the moon. Throughout the mission, NASA said Blue Ghost sent 119 gigabytes of data back to Earth including 51 gigabytes of science and technology data. In 2021, NASA selected two project scientists to coordinate science activities. These activities include selecting landing sites, developing concepts of operations and archiving science data from surface operations as part of the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. One of the project scientists selected was Dr. Heidi Haviland from the Marshall Space Flight Center. She was selected to coordinate the suite slated for delivery to Reiner Gamma with the Lunar Vertex. The Lunar Vertex is a joint lander and rover payload suite. Joel Kearns, Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters said that this mission was more impressive than previous missions because there were 10 payloads. Kearns said this is more than has ever flown on a CLPS delivery before and teams are analyzing the data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HEMSI: Madison police officer injured in crash Teams are eagerly analyzing their data, and we are extremely excited for the expected scientific findings that will be gained from this mission, Kearns said. Below are some videos and pictures from Blue Ghost that were sent back to Earth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 33 guns intercepted by TSA at Huntsville International Airport in 2024, 130 found statewide: Report The mission had other achievements and NASA said the instruments performed first of their kind science and technology demonstrations. Below are some of the achievements: The Lunar Instrumentation for Subsurface Thermal Exploration with Rapidity is now the deepest robotic planetary subsurface thermal probe, drilling up to 3 feet and providing a first-of-its kind demonstration of robotic thermal measurements at varying depths. The Lunar GNSS Receiver Experiment acquired and tracked Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) signals, from satellite networks such as GPS and Galileo, for the first time enroute to and on the Moons surface. The LuGRE payloads record-breaking success indicates that GNSS signals could complement other navigation methods and be used to support future Artemis missions. It also acts as a stepping stone to future navigation systems on Mars. The Radiation Tolerant Computer successfully operated in transit through Earths Van Allen belts, as well as on the lunar surface into the lunar night, verifying solutions to mitigate radiation effects on computers that could make future missions safer for equipment and more cost effective. The Electrodynamic Dust Shield successfully lifted and removed lunar soil, or regolith, from surfaces using electrodynamic forces, demonstrating a promising solution for dust mitigation on future lunar and interplanetary surface operations. The Lunar Magnetotelluric Sounder successfully deployed five sensors to study the Moons interior by measuring electric and magnetic fields. The instrument allows scientists to characterize the interior of the Moon to depths up to 700 miles, or more than half the distance to the Moons center. The Lunar Environment heliospheric X-ray Imager captured a series of X-ray images to study the interaction of the solar wind and Earths magnetic field, providing insights into how space weather and other cosmic forces surrounding Earth affect the planet. The Next Generation Lunar Retroreflector successfully reflected and returned laser light from two Lunar Laser Ranging Observatories, returning measurements allowing scientists to precisely measure the Moons shape and distance from Earth, expanding our understanding of the Moons inner structure. The Stereo Cameras for Lunar Plume-Surface Studies instrument captured about 9,000 images during the spacecrafts lunar descent and touchdown on the Moon, providing insights into the effects engine plumes have on the surface. The payload also operated during the lunar sunset and into the lunar night. The Lunar PlanetVac was deployed on the landers surface access arm and successfully collected, transferred, and sorted lunar soil using pressurized nitrogen gas, demonstrating a low-cost, low-mass solution for future robotic sample collection. The Regolith Adherence Characterization instrument examined how lunar regolith sticks to a range of materials exposed to the Moons environment, which can help test, improve, and protect spacecraft, spacesuits, and habitats from abrasive lunar dust or regolith. NASA Other NASA facilities that were tasked to develop the payloads include Ames Research Center in Californias Silicon Valley; Glenn Research Center in Cleveland; Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland; Johnson Space Center in Houston and the Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. The CLPS initiative is a key part of NASAs Artemis lunar exploration efforts. The science and technology payloads sent to the Moons surface as part of CLPS are said to help lay the foundation for human missions and a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface. 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. Hungarian oil and gas company MOL has announced the discovery of a new oilfield in Transdanubia, near Somogysamson. The exploration drilling campaign in December 2024 revealed oil at a depth of 1,250m. Drilling at the well, named Som-8, began on 25 November 2024 and was completed after 33 days. The well tests conducted until March 2025 revealed that the Som-8 well can produce 1,200 barrels of oil per day (bpd). The oil produced from the field is due to be transported by truck to the Danube refinery in Szazhalombatta. This discovery is expected to help meet Hungary's energy needs and contribute to MOL Group's total hydrocarbon production. The oil production from the Som-8 well will account for around 1% of MOL Group's total hydrocarbon production. MOL Group Exploration and Production executive vice-president Zsombor Marton said: "I am very proud to announce that, after the exploration successes of the recent years, we have once again discovered a new oilfield this time in the Transdanubian region, where we last discovered oil more than a decade ago. The fact that we achieved this success in the concession belonging to Bazakerettye, which has an almost 100-year oil industry tradition, is clear evidence that there is still potential in hydrocarbon exploration in Hungary. We are discovering previously unknown hydrocarbon deposits one after the other and further strengthening the country's security of supply: with the oil deposits in Vecses and Tura and the natural gas fields in Eastern Hungary, we have reached a five-year peak in domestic production. Over the next five years, MOL plans to invest approximately Ft150bn ($411.8m) in oil and natural gas production in Hungary. In 2024, MOL provided 47% of crude oil and nearly 90% of natural gas for domestic production. Hungary is a significant part of MOL Group's oil and gas production portfolio, currently accounting for approximately 39% of total production. To maintain its Shape Tomorrow strategy target of at least 90,000bpd of production over the next five years, MOL aims to strengthen its international portfolio and seek strategic partnerships. MOL Hungary COO Gyorgy Bacsa said: As a landlocked country, our oil supply is largely via pipelines and intermediaries. It is clear that we need to reduce Hungary's import dependence by all means available. We will continue our investments and will continue to do our utmost to maintain and, if possible, increase production. Recently, MOL signed a cooperation agreement with Kazakhstan's national oil company, KazMunayGas, to explore opportunities in the oil, gas and petrochemical industries. National Weather Service could face potential cuts amid workforce layoffs SLIDELL, La. (Louisiana First) The National Weather Service (NWS) plays a crucial role in ensuring public safety, providing weather forecasts, warnings, and all-hazard alerts. Lauren Nash, a meteorologist with the NWS in Southeast Louisiana, highlighted the importance of the service in everyday life. Really, the foundation of almost all meteorology, a lot of the weather you see, and all hazard alerts are coming from us, Nash said. We see the importance of NWS every day. People often dont realize how much were doing until the bad weather hits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From tornado and hurricane warnings to dense fog advisories and extreme heat alerts, Nash pointed out that the NWS is responsible for keeping people informed, especially during dangerous weather events. Those cell phone alerts saying take shelterthats us. Were here 24/7, 365 days a year, she added. However, recent concerns have surfaced regarding the potential impact of staffing cuts at the NWS. The Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, reportedly plans to lay off approximately 10% of its workforce, which could affect more than a thousand employees and potentially impact forecasting. A Republican member of Congress commented on the cuts, saying, Hes helping us uncover all the spending and letting us know where the waste is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the uncertainty, Nash emphasized that the NWS work goes beyond just weather alerts. If youve flown recently, the weather observation and forecast for clearance were provided by the NWS. If that observation goes down, our technicians fix it. If those forecasts go down, planes dont fly, said Nash. Nash also highlighted the NWS support for first responders, particularly in emergencies such as the recent California wildfires. We work with first responders, coordinating efforts to ensure public safety, she said. Even with potential job cuts, Nash reassures that NWS commitment to public safety remains a top priority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If something happens to our office, neighboring offices like Mobile, Lake Charles, or Jacksonville can take over, Nash said. She concluded by expressing her confidence in the agencys strength. The NWS is a strong agency, she said. I will support any office, near or far, if cuts affect my colleagues. Public safety will always come first. Latest News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 Louisiana First News. NC bill legalizing marijuana faces uncertainty with only Democratic support NORTH CAROLINA (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A new bill presented in Raleigh looks to legalize marijuana throughout North Carolina. House Bill 413 is authored by State Rep. Jordan Lopez, a Mecklenburg County Democrat. This is something that people are using every single day, regardless of its current status or legality and there are real benefits for folks who are dealing with chronic issues, pain, sickness, but then are real benefits also to our state revenue, said Lopez. The legislation would allow adults over the age of 21 to possess, use, and even grow cannabis within a private residence, up to a certain limit. Growers and stores would also be allowed to operate in North Carolina, with products regulated by the state. Local governments would regulate the sale and operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man accused of embezzling $500K from trucking company started by former Panthers linebacker Lopez, however, acknowledged his bill has a long road to becoming law. I do believe that my being a Democrat will unfortunately negate this being able to get a fair hearing in the first place. But I do hope and would like to see even the medical marijuana bill move forward because then the conversation is being had, he added. Some business owners, like Michael Sims with Crowntown Cannabis are not sure this bill is what the industry needs. He told Queen City News the federal farm bill passed in 2018 allowed for the sale of lots of products. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Legalization ultimately has taken place, these are the same products you can buy in any dispensary even in legalized states, its just things like concentration, we have the same milligram gummies, theyre just larger, the flower, once its lit, its pretty much the same thing, said Sims. Sims would prefer a bill that taxes cannabis at a lower rate and makes regulation clear and uniform throughout the state, Making sure the labels are accurate of whats in the packaging, making sure were not selling to anyone under the age of 21 years, and then also having to buy a license to sell these products and ultimately being regulated by the alcohol law enforcement here in North Carolina. The bill has been referred to a committee at the General Assembly in Raleigh but has not been placed on an agenda, nor has it received any votes. So far, the only co-sponsors are Democrats. MORE FROM QCNEWS.COM POLITICAL NEWS 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. Senate Bill 50, which proposes to allow concealed carry of handguns without a permit in North Carolina, is advancing swiftly through legislative committees. According to the Charlotte Observer, the bill, which cleared one committee on Tuesday, is scheduled for review by the Senate Rules Committee on Wednesday. It seeks to eliminate the current requirements for a permit, safety training, and background check and lowers the legal age for concealed carry from 21 to 18. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Danny Britt, a Lumberton Republican and primary sponsor of the bill, argues that the permit requirement infringes on the rights of responsible gun owners and does not prevent criminals from using guns. Sen. Mujtaba Mohammed, a Charlotte Democrat, expressed concerns that removing the permit requirement would endanger police officers and increase the risk of officer deaths. Hattie Gawande, a Raleigh police officer, stated that the current permit requirement helps keep officers and the public safe by allowing intervention when someone dangerous is carrying concealed. ALSO READ: Bill to allow concealed carry without permit advances to South Carolina Senate Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the Senate Judiciary Committee meeting, much of the discussion focused on the current permitting process, which Britt and other Republican sponsors criticized as arbitrary and time-consuming. Britt highlighted the constitutional right to carry a concealed handgun for protection without the hurdles of obtaining a permit, citing the example of a domestic violence victim needing immediate protection. Democrats opposed the bill, suggesting that efforts should be directed towards fixing flaws in the current permitting process rather than removing training and background check requirements. Gun safety advocates and Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead also spoke against the bill, emphasizing the potential risks to public safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bills progression is backed by Senate leader Phil Berger, and a similar bill is being considered in the North Carolina House, indicating strong legislative support. As Senate Bill 50 moves closer to a full chamber vote, it remains a contentious issue with strong opinions on both sides regarding the balance between gun rights and public safety. VIDEO: Bill to allow concealed carry without permit advances to South Carolina Senate North Carolina House lawmakers advanced a bill on Tuesday that would require local school boards to establish policies restricting cellphone use in schools. The House judiciary committee passed House Bill 87, mandating each school district to adopt a policy either banning cellphones or restricting their use during class time. A similar bill has already passed in the state Senate, but the House bill has yet to be voted on in the full chamber. Accoridng to WRAL, Rep. Neal Jackson, R-Moore, the lead sponsor of the bill, emphasized the importance of allowing local school boards to determine the specifics of the policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our thought is these school boards are smart people that are elected, Jackson said. They can flesh out the policy. They dont need someone from Raleigh telling them all the specifics of how this needs to work. ALSO READ: School districts crack down on cellphone usage in classrooms About two-thirds of North Carolinas school districts already have policies regarding cellphone use. Some schools require students to keep phones in locked pouches throughout the day, while others have bins at the front of each classroom but permit phone use between classes. Supporters of the bill argue that stricter rules are necessary to ensure effective enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mary Anne Tierney from Buncombe County advocated for more comprehensive regulations, suggesting that bans should apply during the entire school day, not just class time. Karl Johnson, a public health professor at UNC-Chapel Hill, highlighted the need for technologies like lockable pouches and storage lockers to aid in enforcement. If enacted, the cellphone restriction policies would take effect next school year, with bipartisan support increasing the likelihood of the bill becoming law. Gov. Josh Stein has expressed support, citing cellphones as a major distraction for students and a disruption for teachers. VIDEO: School districts crack down on cellphone usage in classrooms RALEIGH, NC (WNCT) Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025, legislators from the North Carolina House of Representatives approved the fourth-round of hurricane relief measures. The Disaster Recovery Act of 2025, House Bill 47, allocates $524 million for the hurricane relief efforts in Western North Carolina, which brings more than $1.4 billion total relief funding from the General Assembly across all four legislative packages. Key funding provisions in House Bill 47 include: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement $200 million to Helene-specific crop-loss and farm restoration $120 million for rebuilding and repairing homes $100 million for repairing private roads and bridges $55 million for small business infrastructure grants $20 million to remove millions of cubic yards of debris $10 million to support essential volunteer organizations $10 million for volunteer fire departments $9 million for learning recovery for students in Helene-affected counties $4 million for travel and tourism marketing $217 million to close out home rebuilding operations in Eastern NC $110 million to assist farmers with non-Helene-related crop loss We are proud to have worked alongside the Senate to craft and approve this vital relief legislation that continues Western North Carolinas recovery from Hurricane Helene, Helene Select Committee Co-Chair Dudley Greene said. Alongside hurricane relief, the bill includes $217 million to complete rebuilding homes in Eastern North Carolina and nearly $110 million in state-wide relief for farmers in addition to Helene-specific agriculture funding. This bill is a needed helping hand to farmers across our state who have fallen victim to the devastating impact of natural disasters, House Agriculture and Environment Committee Senior Chair Jimmy Dixon said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The final bill includes additional education funding for Western North Carolina and increased funding for farm relief across the state. 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. Linsi Franklin of Wake County describes her struggles getting her son's medicine approved at a news conference on insurance company prior authorization. (Photo: Lynn Bonner) As a young boy was dealing with the physical and psychological challenges that came with his diagnosis of severe Crohns disease, his mother had to fight through insurance company prior authorization hurdles to get him the medicine he needed. Linsi Franklin recounted her battles to have her 9-year-old sons medicine approved at a news conference introducing a bill that would impose new regulations on insurance companies prior authorization practices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For weeks, I would spend hours on the phone daily with the insurance company and the pharmacy, trying to push the prior authorization through, she said. I am fighting for prior authorization reform in North Carolina because my son, other 10-year-olds, and other families in North Carolina shouldnt have to. The two medical doctors serving in the House, Reps. Timothy Reeder (R-Pitt), and Grant Campbell (R-Cabarrus) are among the bills co-sponsors. The NC Medical Society and the NC Healthcare Association are backing the bill. The Healthcare Association represents hospitals, and the Medical Society represents doctors. This bill is going to allow physicians to be the ones to make medical decisions for their patients, Campbell said. Were starting to step between the line of people that are trying to elbow their way in between doctors and their patients. Peter Daniel, executive director of the NC Association of Health Plans, said in an interview he had not seen the bill before it was published and had not had time to examine all the details. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On behalf of the association, I can say that we support a balanced and reasonable approach to reforming the prior authorization process, one that ensures patient safety, maintains health care efficacy, and reduces administrative burdens for providers, he said. The bill takes aim at frequent criticisms of prior authorization that decisions take too long and that the doctors insurance companies hire to review cases dont specialize in the areas theyre called on to evaluate. The bill sets time limits for insurance companies to notify doctors if the medical necessity of a service is being questioned. Insurance companies would have to make public a list of services requiring reviews. Patients and their doctors would have to be notified whether a non-emergency service is approved within 48 hours after the insurance company receives all information about it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Campbell talked about a patient with a complex ovarian mass suspected to be malignant whose surgery was delayed six weeks because of insurance company denials. The parade of people that are trying to interfere with the relationship with the patient and their physician has got to stop, he said. Breast cancer screening bill advances The legislature is considering a stack of heath care legislation this year. The House Health Committee on Tuesday approved a bill that would make it easier for people to afford advanced imaging that can better detect breast cancer. House Bill 297 is aimed at helping people who are at increased risk of breast cancer, have survived breast cancer, or have a breast abnormality, said Rep. Mary Belk (D-Mecklenburg). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Insurance copays can vary widely for the more advanced cancer detection methods, she said. Under the bill, insurers would have to apply the same cost-sharing requirements no matter what type of breast cancer detection method is used. Insurers would pay the in-network rate for patients who see out-of-network providers. The House has approved the bill in three previous sessions, Belk said, but it has never gotten out of the Senate. Bill sponsors made a few changes this year to improve its chances, she said. Photo: Daniel de la Hoz/Getty Images A bill requiring North Carolina school boards to adopt policies restricting student cell phone use during instructional time cleared a state House committee Tuesday. The House Judiciary 2 Committee approved House Bill 87 on a voice vote. The bill would allow individual school districts to create their own policies regarding cell phone restrictions. The bill differs from Senate Bill 55, which passed the Senate earlier this month and is far stricter. The Senate bill would require local education agencies to implement policies that ban students from using wireless communication devices during instructional time. The bill defines a wireless communication device as any portable wireless device that has the capability to provide voice, messaging, or other data communication between two or more parties, including cellular telephones, tablet computers, laptop computers, paging devices, two-way radios, and gaming devices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During Tuesdays committee meeting, several members of the public called for a bell-to-bell policy, which generally means restricting phone use from the start to the end of the school day. Our children need a policy that provides strong guardrails all day to keep them from this addictive behavior, particularly between classes, when they are vulnerable to mental health insults from inappropriate content and cyberbullying, said Mary Ann Tierney, a nurse and executive director of Safe Tech NC. Lina Nealon, a national expert on child online safety and a parent of Durham public school students, also voiced her support for a bell-to-bell policy. When kids faces are pressed to their phones outside of instruction time, they lose moments of closeness and critical thinking, Nealon said. A bell-to-bell policy would prevent second-hand smartphone harm. But the bills sponsors Republicans Neal Jackson, Brian Biggs, Mike Schietzelt, and Blair Eddins say they would leave it to individual school districts to decide how to implement the policy, opposing a one-size-fits-all approach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opponents of the bill have argued that limiting cell phone access could prevent students from communicating in emergencies. Tech advocates contend that restricting devices could stifle new avenues for learning. Currently, around 77 school districts in North Carolina have their own cell phone policies, according to legislative staff. The proposed bill would require all districts to implement a policy. The bill includes exceptions for: Remote charter academies Remote academies Virtual charter schools participating in a pilot program authorized by state law The bill now heads to the House Rules Committee before potentially advancing to a full House vote. Photo by Warodom Changyencham/Getty Images For the sixth year in a row, Rep. Julie von Haefen has filed a bill to fully fund the states Leandro education plan, a landmark court-ordered initiative to provide every child in North Carolina with a sound basic education. And for the sixth year, the Democratic lawmaker says her bill has been ignored by the states Republican legislative leadership. Rep. Julie von Haefen (D-Wake) (Photo: ncleg.gov) It is long, long past time for our legislature to do the right thing for North Carolina children, von Haefen said. Its long past time for them to do the right thing for educators, our staff and our beloved public schools, von Haefen told a crowd of education advocates gathered at a Wednesday Legislative Building press conference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Leandro case dates back to 1994, when a group of five low-wealth, rural counties sued the state over insufficient school funding. The North Carolina Supreme Court ruled in 1997 that the state was violating students constitutional right to a sound basic education, a decision that has been upheld four times since then. Yet more than three decades later, von Haefen said, 1.5 million students in the state continue to have their basic rights violated. She cited a report by the nonpartisan research group WestEd, which documented the continued and worsening violations of the state constitution in North Carolinas school systems. Every day, I talk to families who arent getting the services that their children need to thrive, and I talked to educators in both visiting schools and serving as a substitute teacher who dont have the resources and professional freedoms that they need to succeed, von Haefen said. The court-ordered Leandro comprehensive remedial plan, developed by WestEd, outlines a detailed strategy to bring the state into compliance with the courts ruling. It calls for investments to provide, among other things, qualified and fairly compensated teachers, strong school leadership, adequate and equitable funding, and early childhood education. Frenchy Davis, CEO of the Foundation Builders Academy Childcare Development Center in Rocky Mount, said fully funding the Leandro plan would provide critical resources like smaller class sizes, better teacher training and modernized school facilities. Investing in the Leandro plan means investing in our children, our educators and our future, Davis said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But for parents like Susan Book of Wake County, the states failure to act has had real consequences for her son, who has autism and relies on a team of specialized educators and therapists to access his education. The state carries a primary responsibility to fund our schools, but has failed multiple times with each budget cycle, said Book. Dont tell me not to worry about my sons future. Dont tell me everything will magically be okay. Our state sits in violation of its constitutional duty, and this General Assembly knows it. I have good reason to worry. Jackie Perez-Albanil, a statewide organizer with Education Justice Alliance, said the states inaction is part of a calculated attack on our public education by lawmakers more interested in pursuing a partisan agenda than fulfilling their constitutional duty. Lawmakers have deliberately kicked the can down the road when it comes to funding our public schools, said Perez-Albanil. They literally have a plan laid out for them on how to properly fund public schools, and have chosen to withhold funds so they can use the narrative that public schools are underperforming as an excuse to shut down public schools altogether. In 2022, the state Supreme Court ordered the General Assembly to fund the Leandro plan, but it has thus far failed to do so. in 2024, the high court by then featuring a much different composition than it had in 2022 (a 5-2 Republican majority rather than a 4-3 margin for Democrats) heard pleas from GOP legislators to reverse the 2022 order. It has yet to issue a ruling. LAUREL, Neb. (KCAU) Finding a daycare with available spots is challenging for many families in rural towns. Building Blocks is looking to address that issue in Laurel, Nebraska. Originally about three years ago, I actually went to my employer. I had lost my child care due to them changing careers, so I was looking for child care, said Megan Pippitt, board president at Building Block Early Childhood & Family Development Center in Laurel. At the time, I had an infant and a toddler, which, finding one spot would have been probably okay, but finding two spots was very, very difficult. Northwest Iowa woman wins $30K from scratch game Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a 2020 study from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, 58% of working parents left their job after struggling to find child care that fit their needs. While Pippitt was able to find child care with help from her family, they, like many others, had to drive out of town to drop their kids off. For me, for instance, I was traveling 15 miles, Pippitt said. There are two providers 15 miles from us, and then another provider 20 to 25 miles from us. Thats pretty basic, but there are people who are traveling even farther based on where theyre working and convenience of drop-off and things like that. Not long after, the Building Block Early Childhood & Family Development Center was created, officially opening its doors on Jan. 27 of this year. Building Blocks takes in kids as young as six weeks to as old as 13, separating them into four different classrooms. Every classroom is based off of age, center director Amanda Christensen said. So in the infant room, we focus really on the fine motor skills, you know, the crawling. The toddler stage where we focus a lot on the social emotional skills, the learning how to play, the interacting and then the preschool. That is a lot of preparing them for kindergarten. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Building Blocks is already seeing plenty of interest from the Laurel community. Right now, we have a capacity of 70 children, Pippitt said. 17th Annual Sioux City St. Patricks Day Parade held downtown We roughly have about 25 kiddos, Christensen said. We do have a wait list, our numbers are growing quickly, so we have a wait list for the infant room and the toddler room at the moment. And we are currently in the process of hiring two infant teachers. Once Building Blocks has more staff, officials expect to fill up spots fast. So it was super important to find land and purchase enough where we could expand because we do expect to grow, Pippitt said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Building Blocks will hold a ribbon cutting and open house on March 31. Officials encourage families to check out the facilities. 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. The town hall for Nebraska Republican Rep. Mike Flood quickly descended into chaos on Tuesday night as he attempted to answer questions regarding Elon Musk, President Donald Trumps tariffs, the new U.S. stance towards Ukraine, and other issues. Flood, who held the town hall in Columbus, Nebraska, in the face of guidance from his party not to do so, was booed and had his constituents yelling at him during the event. The Republicans have told its members to host call-ins and live-streamed town halls instead. That advice was issued after several lawmakers events were widely shared online amid protests and complaints about the Trump administration from attendees. Republicans, including Speaker Mike Johnson, have blamed Democratic activists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flood faced an aggravated crowd from the get-go, with attendees booing, yelling responses to his remarks, and cheering when one constituent shared a complaint, with one attendee holding a sign saying liar, according to The Hill. One of the more chaotic moments came after a voter slammed Flood for saying that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was disrespectful following last months now-infamous Oval Office meeting. First of all, I do want to say shame. I want to say shame for your comment, your quote that you said, President Zelenskys approach today was disrespectful to President Trump and undermines the goal of bringing peace and that. So shame on that, said the voter. Responding to a previous question, Flood had said that he backed Ukraine, supported earlier aid to the country and that he thinks they shouldnt have to hand over any land to Russia, prompting applause from the crowd. U.S. Rep. Mike Flood (R-NE) arrives at a House Republican candidates forum in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill on October 23, 2023, in Washington, D.C. Flood faced angry voters during a town hall on Tuesday night (Getty Images) Flood was also accused of not doing enough to help constituents with their concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Congressman Flood, I just heard you in the last few minutes say that you support NATO, that you will not allow cuts to Social Security, that you support Ukraine, but talk is cheap, one person said, according to The Hill. Our president, our vice president and Elon Musk have caused damage, theyve humiliated the United States because weve failed them. We are failing to support democracy. We have a president that openly supports [Russian President Vladimir] Putin instead, and I have called your office over and over, and I have received answers from you, and they do nothing about any of those things, he added. You have done nothing. When are you going to do something? There was raucous applause from the crowd as Flood told the attendee he was wrong before citing his previous backing of Ukraine. Shouting also erupted as Flood attempted to answer a question regarding cutting Medicare, with the representative urging the crowd to remain calm and allow him to answer the question. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flood faced a barrage of questions about Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency. The representative was confronted with boos and thumbs down when he said he supported Musks efforts to slash the federal government. You talk about national security, yet you have done nothing to stop Elon Musk and his little band of tech geeks, one attendee told Flood. They went in, and they had read-write access to the agencies, and that is a huge national security threat. The fact that you have not done anything to stand up to him, and this talk of, I support Trump, I support Elon Musk, thats not enough, okay, she argued. We need actual action. We need actual cybersecurity experts to go in and make sure that our government is secure because Trump is in the pocket of Putin, and you are letting him continue. Separately, Flood was asked, What are you doing to stop the activities of unelected and unconfirmed Elon Musk? I know you disagree with what Mr. Musk is doing, I know you disagree with the way this is rolling out, but this is the process that we are using to find waste, fraud, and abuse, said Flood to boos and shouting, according to The Hill. (Bloomberg) -- Nvidia Corp., whose products have fueled a flood of artificial intelligence spending, said new types of AI models that produce more complex answers will only increase the need for computing infrastructure. Most Read from Bloomberg Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang said that concerns caused by Chinese startup DeekSeeks R1 AI model that fewer chips and powerful servers would be needed for such software in the future were misplaced. The understanding of R1 was completely wrong, Huang said at a meeting with analysts and investors at his companys GTC conference Wednesday in San Jose, California. Computation demand is much higher. Shares of Nvidia rose as much as 2.4% in New York trading. They had been down 14% this year heading into the session. The company is trying to persuade a wider group of industries to invest in AI equipment, promising that the economic benefits of the technology are at hand. Nvidia, which became the worlds most valuable chipmaker after a dizzying growth run over the last two years, is facing more investor scrutiny in 2025. The key concern is whether customers will maintain their spending on AI infrastructure. DeepSeek stoked those fears earlier this year when it released its AI model, saying it produced the powerful technology for less money. But Nvidias largest customers have reaffirmed their spending plans since then. And analysis by Bloomberg Intelligence this week found that expenditures by the biggest data center operators is actually climbing faster than anticipated. At the analyst meeting, Nvidias Huang was asked about the efforts of customers to develop their own components chips that might replace his AI accelerators in data centers. Companies like Alphabet Inc.s Google have been working with Broadcom Inc. to develop their own application specific integrated circuits, or ASICs, for this area. But Huang countered that many ASICs are designed but not always actually put into data centers. Those big customers need better chips to generate more revenue from their infrastructure, not cheaper ones to save costs, he argued. All of those companies are run by great CEOs who are really good at math, he said. The effects are not just cost. Its a different calculus. CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP/Boston 25) Stuck in space no more, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Needham, Massachusetts, native Suni Williams returned to Earth on Tuesday, hitching a different ride home to close out a saga that began with a bungled test flight more than nine months ago. So relieved: Friends of astronaut Suni Williams gather in Needham to watch her safe return Their SpaceX capsule parachuted into the waters off Floridas Gulf Coast in the early evening, just hours after departing the International Space Station. Splashdown occurred off the coast of Tallahassee in the Florida Panhandle, bringing their unplanned odyssey to an end. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Within an hour, the astronauts were out of their capsule, waving and smiling at the cameras while being hustled away in reclining stretchers for routine medical checks. New images shared by NASA Wednesday morning showed Wilmore and Williams getting off a plane in Houston, Texas late Tuesday night. Medical experts will check them over at the Johnson Space Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It all started with a flawed Boeing test flight last spring. The two expected to be gone just a week or so after launching on Boeings new Starliner crew capsule on June 5. So many problems cropped up on the way to the space station that NASA eventually sent Starliner back empty and transferred the test pilots to SpaceX, pushing their homecoming into February. Then SpaceX capsule issues added another months delay. Sundays arrival of their relief crew meant Wilmore and Williams could finally leave. NASA cut them loose a little early, given the iffy weather forecast later this week. They checked out with NASAs Nick Hague and Russias Alexander Gorbunov, who arrived in their own SpaceX capsule last fall with two empty seats reserved for the Starliner duo. Wilmore and Williams ended up spending 286 days in space 278 days longer than anticipated when they launched. They circled Earth 4,576 times and traveled 121 million miles (195 million kilometers) by the time of splashdown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On behalf of SpaceX, welcome home, radioed SpaceX Mission Control in California. What a ride, replied Hague, the capsules commander. I see a capsule full of grins ear to ear. Dolphins circled the capsule as divers readied it for hoisting onto the recovery ship. Once safely on board, the side hatch was opened and the astronauts were helped out, one by one. Williams was next-to-last out, followed by Wilmore who gave two gloved thumbs-up. Wilmore and Williams plight captured the worlds attention, giving new meaning to the phrase stuck at work and turning Butch and Suni into household names. While other astronauts had logged longer spaceflights over the decades, none had to deal with so much uncertainty or see the length of their mission expand by so much. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wilmore and Williams quickly transitioned from guests to full-fledged station crew members, conducting experiments, fixing equipment and even spacewalking together. With 62 hours over nine spacewalks, Williams set a record: the most time spent spacewalking over a career among female astronauts. Both had lived on the orbiting lab before and knew the ropes, and brushed up on their station training before rocketing away. Williams became the stations commander three months into their stay and held the post until earlier this month. Their mission took an unexpected twist in late January when President Donald Trump asked SpaceX founder Elon Musk to accelerate the astronauts return and blamed the delay on the Biden administration. The replacement crews brand new SpaceX capsule still wasnt ready to fly, so SpaceX subbed it with a used one, hurrying things along by at least a few weeks. After splashdown, Musk offered his congratulations via X. NASAs Joel Montalbano said the space agency was already looking at various options when Trump made his call to hurry the astronauts home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even in the middle of the political storm, Wilmore and Williams continued to maintain an even keel at public appearances from orbit, casting no blame and insisting they supported NASAs decisions from the start. NASA hired SpaceX and Boeing after the shuttle program ended, in order to have two competing U.S. companies for transporting astronauts to and from the space station until its abandoned in 2030 and steered to a fiery reentry. By then, it will have been up there more than three decades; the plan is to replace it with privately run stations so NASA can focus on moon and Mars expeditions. This has been nine months in the making, and I couldnt be prouder of our teams versatility, our teams ability to adapt and really build for the future of human spaceflight, NASAs commercial crew program manager Steve Stich said. With Starliner still under engineering investigation, SpaceX will launch the next crew for NASA as soon as July. Stich said NASA will have until summer to decide whether the crew after that one will be flown by SpaceX or Boeing or whether Boeing will have to prove itself by flying cargo before people again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both retired Navy captains, Wilmore and Williams stressed they didnt mind spending more time in space a prolonged deployment reminiscent of their military days. But they acknowledged it was tough on their families. A support team member works on the SpaceX capsule shortly after it landed with NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, and Russias Alexander Gorbunov aboard as a dolphin swims past in the water off the coast of Tallahassee, Fla., Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (Keegan Barber/NASA via AP) Wilmore, 62, missed most of his younger daughters senior year of high school; his older daughter is in college. Williams, 59, had to settle for internet calls from space to her husband, mother and other relatives. We have not been worried about her because she has been in good spirits, said Falguni Pandya, who is married to Williams cousin. She was definitely ready to come home. Prayers for Williams and Wilmore were offered up at 21 Hindu temples in the U.S. in the months leading up to their return, said organizer Tejal Shah, president of World Hindu Council of America. Williams has spoken frequently about her Indian and Slovenian heritage. Prayers for their safe return also came from Wilmores Baptist church in Houston, where he serves as an elder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crowds in Jhulasan, the ancestral home of Williams father, danced and celebrated in a temple and performed rituals during the homecoming. After returning in the gulf Trump in January signed an executive order renaming the body of water Gulf of America Wilmore and Williams will have to wait until theyre off the SpaceX recovery ship and flown to Houston before reuniting with their loved ones. The three NASA astronauts will be checked out by flight surgeons as they adjust to gravity, officials said, and should be allowed to go home after a day or two. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW NEOGA, Ill. (WCIA) One day ago, a Neoga church opened its doors for childcare services after a tornado swept through town over the weekend, damaging local schools. Now, officials say that program is already a success. 20 kids attended the Neoga STRONG program, put on by Neoga Grace United Methodist Church, on Monday. Neoga church offers childcare, free meals for kids during school closure Organizers said that activities included art, board games, music, recess and more. 17 people also volunteered on Monday, and the church said that even more are volunteering their talent, food and money to help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The church recognized their volunteers on Facebook. This included: Lisa Shumard Shelton (author of High Fives for Louie) and Laker Louie (Lake Land College mascot) on Wednesday Kim Varner, art program on Vincent Van Gough on Thursday Kristi Shirley, Cumberland County Ag in the Classroom on Friday Varner and Rawlings Heating & Air Conditioning donated donuts and fruit Chris and Brenda Stone donated cinnamon rolls Julie Altman donated rainbow art snacks Austin Eaton of Central Roofing LLC donated lunch and snacks for the week Julie Williamson/Neoga Presbyterian Church donated breakfast Neoga Food Pantry Were going to get through it; A look into tornado-damaged Neoga schools The Grace United Methodist Church thanked the community and the volunteers for their contributions. They added that more students will likely be joining the program this week. You can find more information on the churchs website or Facebook page. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those participating in the program can be dropped off and picked up at any point throughout the day. If you are interested in signing your child up for the program, youll need to complete and sign this waiver at drop-off. 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. Consumers across the country are participating in a week-long boycott of Nestle beginning Friday, the latest in a series of spending freezes targeting major corporations' reversal of DEI policies. The boycott, organized by the same activist group that planned the 24-hour economic spending blackout on Feb. 28, will last through Friday, March 28. A 40-day "fast" of Target is also underway. The People's Union USA, led by John Schwarz, also organized a week-long boycott of Amazon that ended last Friday. Schwarz cited several reasons for the upcoming boycott, including Nestle's alleged use of child labor, in a recent Instagram video. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is not just another boycott," Schwarz said. "It is a direct hit to one of the most corrupt global corporations there is." More: DEI explained: What is DEI and why is it so divisive? What you need to know. Here's what Wisconsin shoppers should know: What products are included in the Nestle boycott? The Nestle boycott is slightly different from past actions. Unlike the Target and Amazon spending freezes, consumers are urged to avoid buying products from the hundreds of brands Nestle owns, ranging from pet food to bottled water to candies. An entire list of brands owned by Nestle can be found on its website. How long is the Nestle boycott? The Nestle boycott begins on Friday, March 21 and runs until Friday, March 28. What is the "Target Fast" boycott? The faith community's 40-day boycott is in protest of the retailer's decision to reverse DEI initiatives. It began on Wednesday, March 5, and will continue for 40 days to align with Lent, which ends on Thursday, April 17. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Organizers created targetfast.org to offer information on the boycott. "This is a fast for accountability," the boycott's website said. "A fast for justice. A fast for a future where corporations do not bow to pressure at the expense of marginalized communities." More: A 40-day boycott of Target begins this week. Here's what Wisconsinites should know about it What boycotts are upcoming? The People's Union USA has more consumer boycotts planned in the coming months. Here is the schedule laid out in a flier found on its website: Nestle : March 21-28 Walmart : April 7-14 and May 20-26 Second economic blackout : April 18 General Mills : April 21-28 Amazon : May 6-12 Target : June 3-9 McDonald's : June 24-30 Independence Day boycott: July 4 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Social media posts using #LatinoFreezeMovement and #LatinoFreeze have also encouraged consumers to "hold your money'' amid freezes on DEI initiatives, National Institutes of Health funding and immigration actions. The National Action Network, founded by Rev. Al Sharpton, also said in a Feb. 25 news release that it will announce an authorized boycott at the NAN Convention in early April. Lori Comstock and Chad Murphy contributed to this report. More: UW-Madison under second investigation by Trump administration amid federal DEI crackdown This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Nestle DEI boycott to begin Friday. What to know in Wisconsin NEWARK, N.J. (PIX11) A celebratory atmosphere inside the gym at Newark School of Data Science and Information Technology, as students ages 16 and 17 registered to vote in their school board election next month. Bryan Oko, a junior at the school, is glad he and his classmates could be part of something he calls monumental. More Local News We really wanted student representation in voting for the school board because the people who are elected on the school board are ultimately going to be making a lot of decisions for the kids, said Oko. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A little more than a year ago, the City of Newark passed an ordinance to allow teens in this age group to have a voice in their school board elections. We want the kids to have a say in it, said Oko. If theyre going to be making decisions for the kids, obviously the kids have to have a say in it. Gov. Phil Murphy and rapper A Boogie wit da Hoodie celebrated the historic nature of the non-partisan registration event, as these Newark students will be the first 16- and 17-year-olds in New Jersey to vote in an election. It took us a long time to do things like this in life, said A Boogie wit da Hoodie. When I was younger, we didnt have these types of opportunities, so, man, lets keep on setting trends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State Students have a lot of great ideas, Im not going to lie about it, a lot of great ideas, said Abdul, a junior at the school. With this, I hope we can spread these ideas and get them all across the actual- not just the State but honestly, across the country. A bill in Trenton looks to take this concept statewide and let all 16 and 17-year-old students in New Jersey vote in their school board elections, legislation supported by Murphy. The irony is young people have a lower propensity to vote than older people and yet -think about this- older people have less of a runway in front of them, said Murphy (D-NJ). These kids potentially have a hundred years to go in front of them, so the fact that theres this kind of enthusiasm is really, really important and impressive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The deadline to register to vote in the Newark school board election is Tuesday, March 25th, just three weeks out from Election Day on Tuesday, April 15th. 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. For the record: 7:29 a.m. March 21, 2025: An earlier version of this article said Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested in a book depository. He was arrested at a theater in Oak Cliff. President Trump released a cache of unredacted classified documents on Tuesday related to the 1963 assassination of President Kennedy, but experts say the documents are unlikely to put an end to speculation about the infamous killing. Trump told reporters on Monday during a visit to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts that the new release would be about 80,000 pages, but he did not give additional information about what the files would include. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "People have been waiting for decades for this," Trump said. "It's going to be very interesting." The release was published on the National Archives website around 4 p.m. Pacific time and consisted of 1,123 PDF documents, including handwritten and typed reports. Several of the documents are blurry and challenging to read, probably because of aging and the quality of photocopies. A cursory review of the release did not immediately yield any major revelations or challenge the well-established facts that Kennedy was fatally shot by Lee Harvey Oswald while traveling in an open-topped convertible through Dallas. However, the vast trove of documents will take significant time for historians and The Times to comb through. Jefferson Morley, vice president of the Mary Ferrell Foundation, said in a statement the release was "the most positive news on the declassification of JFK files since the 1990s." The nonprofit foundation keeps a public database of government records on Kennedy's assassination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "These long-secret records shed new light on JFKs mistrust of the CIA, the Castro assassination plots, the surveillance of Oswald in Mexico City, and CIA propaganda operations involving Oswald," he said. Morley noted that the records do not include any of the 2,400 new FBI files discovered last month. Timothy Naftali, a historian at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs, told the New York Times he believes many of the documents had been kept classified to protect CIA intelligence-gathering methods and not because they contained inflammatory information about the assassination. Despite the apparent lack of significant new revelations, the documents do contain many fascinating tidbits about the investigations that followed the assassination. One report describes an investigation into Oswald's connections to the KGB. Oswald lived in the Soviet Union from 1959 to 1962, and many conspiracy theorists have posited that he was acting on the Soviets' behalf. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the document, U.S. professor E.B. Smith states that his longtime Russian friend Slava Nikonov, a member of the KGB, reviewed "five thick volumes" the agency had on Oswald and is "now confident that Oswald was at no time an agent controlled by the KGB." Also among the files is a memo from FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover in which he worries that the fact that Oswald was killed two days after the assassination may make it challenging to "convince the public that Oswald is the real assassin." The memo was dictated on Nov. 24, 1963, the day Oswald was killed by Dallas nightclub owner Jack Ruby while he was being transferred by the police. Read more: Trump orders release of JFK, RFK and MLK assassination records The records are just a sliver of the millions of pages of assassination-related documents held by the National Archives, most of which have already been made available to the public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even six decades after Kennedy's death, researchers and the public remain fascinated by the assassination and the events surrounding it. And the possibility that the documents could reveal significant new information about one of the 20th century's most shocking killings is enticing for scholars and conspiracy theorists alike. "It's almost a Shakespearean moment in American politics when you have this young, glamorous, charismatic president at the peak of his power the top of his game beautiful wife, wealthy family ... whose life was terminated in an instant by a struggling, failed drifter," said John Shaw, a JFK expert and the director of Southern Illinois University Carbondales Paul Simon Public Policy Institute. "The kind of implausibility of Kennedy's life ending so abruptly and so seemingly senselessly is just one of those things that just stays with you. And it's obviously stayed with the country for 60-plus years," Shaw said. On Nov. 22, 1963, Kennedy was riding in an an open-topped convertible with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, Texas Gov. John B. Connally Jr. and Connally's wife, Nellie, as their motorcade drove through Dealey Plaza in Dallas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crowds lined the streets and waved to the Kennedys as they drove by. As the motorcade was passing the Texas School Book Depository, gunfire was heard in the plaza. Kennedy was struck in the neck and head and was pronounced dead at Parkland Memorial Hospital. Connally was shot in the back but recovered. Read more: Trump to make himself chair of the Kennedy Center, says he'll dismiss board members Officials arrested Lee Harvey Oswald, a book depository worker and former Marine and Marxist sympathizer who at one point tried to become a citizen of the Soviet Union, at a theater in Oak Cliff. Oswald was killed by Ruby during a perp walk broadcast on live television. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the government concluded that both men acted alone, theories about the deaths have proliferated for more than half a century. The killing gave birth to multiple conspiracy theories that included the involvement of the CIA, a second gunman on a nearby grassy knoll, or that the Cubans or even Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson played roles in the shooting. A Gallup poll published in 2023 showed that a majority of Americans continue to believe that Oswald did not act alone but worked with others in a conspiracy to kill Kennedy. One reason other theories have likely persisted is that the government's narrative that Oswald acted alone is just an unsatisfying explanation and story for the public, Shaw said. "These other alternative theses make the story at least more complicated and interesting," Shaw said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The widespread conspiracy theories prompted Congress to pass a 1992 law mandating that documents related to Kennedy's assassination be released within 25 years except for those that had the potential to harm national security. Trump released some of the documents in 2017 but agreed to delay the disclosure of others. Former President Biden did the same during his term. But after taking office for a second term, Trump signed an executive order mandating the release of all government records related to the Kennedy assassination. He also mandated records be released about the assassinations of Kennedys brother, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Shaw said that, even with the release of the documents, debate over Kennedy's death would endure. "The story will not end," he said. "The discussions will continue about who really was behind the murder of John F. Kennedy. There's always going to be the sense that, OK, these are the official documents. What else might be out there?" Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. WASHINGTON Former Utah Sen. Mitt Romney has been tapped to join the board of directors for the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C, focused on budget and fiscal issues. The committee announced the appointment on Wednesday, lauding Romneys political background as the former governor of Massachusetts, the GOP presidential nominee in 2012, and most recently as Utahs junior senator up until January. The group praised Romney for his work to prioritize fiscal responsibility in each of those roles and his efforts to find bipartisan solutions. (Romney) has demonstrated a commitment to fiscal conservatism, identifying opportunities to close budget deficits, increase efficiency, and address the key drivers of mandatory spending growth, CRFB wrote in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The appointment is the first major career move Romney has made since leaving office earlier this year when he chose not to run for a second term in the Senate. Since then, the high-profile Utah Republican has kept a relatively low profile and has weighed in on few political issues. The CRFB utilizes bipartisan leadership to offer guidance and analysis to lawmakers on legislation related to the economy. Many members of the board are past leaders of the House and Senate Budget Committees, the Congressional Budget Office, the Office of Management and Budget, and the Government Accountability Office. Romney served on the Senate Budget Committee during his time in Congress. Romney joins his former ally in the Senate, Joe Manchin, a onetime Democrat who later switched party affiliations to become an independent, in joining the board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pair often worked together to introduce legislation to establish a fiscal commission aimed toward dealing with the national debt. The two were also known for being wildcards in the Senate, meaning they were unafraid to break with party leadership to vote against a bill if it didnt align with their personal values. Both of these men distinguished themselves during their time in the Senate as leaders who were willing to prioritize fiscal responsibility and confront the trade-offs needed to improve our out-of-control national debt, Maya MacGuineas, CRFB president, said in a statement. We know that their extensive public service along with their commitment to fiscal responsibility and public education will be invaluable as we face the challenges in the years ahead. ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) Nigerias leader declared an emergency in oil-rich Rivers state and suspended its governor and lawmakers Tuesday over a political crisis and vandalism to pipelines that contribute to the country's status as Africas top oil producer. A crisis in Rivers has brewed for months between incumbent Gov. Siminalayi Fubara and state lawmakers, many of whom are backed by his predecessor. This week, some lawmakers initiated an impeachment process against the governor, accusing him of various illegalities regarding the presentation of the state budget and the composition of the legislative chamber. President Bola Tinubu said in a state broadcast he was suspending the governor and other elected officials, including the state lawmakers, for six months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Nigerian president criticized the governor for not taking any action to curtail fresh incidents of pipeline vandalism reported in the last 24 hours, including a blast that resulted in a fire on the Trans Niger Pipeline. With all these and many more, no good and responsible president will stand by and allow the grave situation to continue without taking remedial steps prescribed by the constitution to address the situation in the state, Tinubu said. Nigerias former navy chief Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas, who is retired, will become the military administrator of Rivers state and the judiciary will continue to function, Tinubu said. Military trucks were quickly deployed to the Rivers State Government House following Tinubus announcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Nigerian Constitution allows emergency rule to maintain law and order in rare circumstances. This is the first such emergency declared in more than a decade in the country of more than 210 million people whose democracy has been tested by many years of military rule and instability. The Nigerian Bar Association criticized the suspensions of the governor and other elected officials as illegal. A declaration of emergency does not automatically dissolve or suspend elected state governments, Afam Osigwe, the associations president, said in a statement. The last such emergency in Nigeria was declared under President Goodluck Jonathan in 2013, in the northeastern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe during the height of the Boko Haram insurgency. However, the state governors were not suspended at the time. By Scott DiSavino NEW YORK (Reuters) -Oil prices eased about 1% on Tuesday as U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed moves to end the three-year-old war in Ukraine, which could result in a possible easing of sanctions on Russian fuel exports. Putin agreed to Trump's proposal that Russia and Ukraine cease attacking each other's energy infrastructure for 30 days. Brent futures fell 51 cents, or 0.7%, to settle at $70.56 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 68 cents, or 1.0%, to settle at $66.90. Even if the U.S. and Russia work out a ceasefire in Ukraine, some analysts said it will likely take a long while before Russian energy exports increase in a significant way. Russia produced about 9.2 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude in 2024, down from a recent high of 9.8 million bpd in 2022 and a record 10.6 million bpd in 2016, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data going back to 1997. In addition to a possible boost to global oil supplies from Russia, economic worries related to Trump's trade tariffs also weighed on crude prices. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) warned that U.S. tariffs would reduce economic growth in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, and weigh on global energy demand. In the world's biggest economy, U.S. single-family homebuilding rebounded sharply in February amid a thaw in winter weather, but rising construction costs from tariffs and labor shortages threaten the recovery. "Recession is increasingly seen as likely and tariffs have taken over as the number one threat to the economy, with numerous types of tariffs to several different countries scheduled to hit the tape on April 2," Bob Yawger, director of energy futures at Mizuho, said in a report. Analysts at energy analytics firm Wood Mackenzie projected Brent prices would average $73 per barrel in 2025, down $7 per barrel from 2024 due to U.S. tariff policies and OPEC+ plans to boost output. Earlier this month, OPEC+, which includes the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies like Russia, decided to proceed with a planned oil output increase in April. MIDDLE EAST TENSIONS Earlier in the day, crude futures hit a two-week high on worries Middle East instability could reduce oil supplies, and hopes economic stimulus plans in China and Germany could boost demand for the fuel in two of the world's biggest economies. In Yemen, Trump vowed to continue the U.S. assault on the Iran-backed Houthis unless the group ends attacks on ships in the Red Sea. The partner of a Hmong American mother of five deported to Laos said Tuesday she is trying to figure out where to go, and what to do, in the country, even though she has never been there and doesn't know the language. Michael Bub said the military official overseeing Ma Yang's stay at a rooming house sent her to a hospital over the weekend for an evaluation. Yang, 37, needed more high blood pressure medication, insulin for her diabetes, and treatment for an ear infection. Bub, in South Milwaukee, and Yang, in Vientiane, have been sleeping minimally since she was deported there, he said, sometimes just one hour a night. 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. Still, Yang wants to start contributing to society in Laos and become comfortable with the Lao language and culture, Bub said. For now, she has a hard time communicating with officials about what her options are. They continue to hold her identification documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Bub said it was important to note that she is safe in the rooming house where she is staying. She was allowed to purchase a cell phone, can pay for food and has a place to sleep. The couple also finds themselves somewhat overwhelmed by the reaction to their story. Among the many people who've reached out, it's been hard to tell who is genuinely offering help and who is using it to boost their own audience on social media. 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. But they understand why it's struck a chord with so many, especially those in the Hmong American community who have built lives in the U.S. and could not imagine returning to Laos. Her case was almost unheard-of, Bub said, since so few people have been deported to Laos in recent years. Yang's story has drawn the attention of readers from across the world. A Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article about Yang last week went viral, as did posts on Facebook, X and Reddit, among other sites, as readers reacted to the stunning and complex circumstances that led to her deportation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: They came to the U.S. legally with American sponsors. Trump put their future in jeopardy. More: Inches from resettling, an Afghan refugee family looks to Wisconsin senator for help 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. Much remains uncertain. She and Bub, her partner of 16 years, feel the tension. Bub recently launched a GoFundMe page. He is seeking funds to care for the family's children as well as potentially hire an attorney to reopen her criminal case. Yang pleaded guilty in 2020 to taking part in a marijuana trafficking operation counting and packaging cash that was mailed to suppliers of the drug and served 2 1/2 years in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. She hopes if the conviction were thrown out on the grounds she had bad representation, she could one day return to the U.S. Yang was born in Thailand to Hmong refugee parents who helped the U.S. military in the Vietnam War. Then, along with many other Hmong, they had to flee the country. She believes she was a citizen of Laos because her parents were born there. But she does not know if she still retains that citizenship. Under Lao law, citizens who have been outside the country for extended periods of time are no longer considered citizens, according to the U.S. State Department. Her family resettled in Milwaukee when she was 8 months old, and she received a green card at age 7. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, decades later, she finds herself on long phone calls with Bub, alternately telling him she'll try to get settled in Laos, and saying she'll only be home when she's "wherever my children are." The family is seeking donations at gofundme.com/f/support-ma-yangs-return-to-her-kids. 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: Partner of Milwaukee woman deported to Laos describes sleepless nights Poetry the therapy pony makes a stop at the Roundhouse on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (Danielle Prokop / Source NM) Poetry was in motion at the Roundhouse. On Tuesday, the Gypsy Vanner therapy pony from the Loving Thunder Ranch in Rio Rancho paid a visit to the Roundhouse. The ranch, operated by Poetrys handlers Tuwana and Mike Raupp, received state funds last year for a pilot project of equine therapy programs for at-risk kids, expanding on the work the ranch already does with veterans and people with disabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shes here to offer a little love, Mike Raupp said, leading her around the building to peek in windows and allowing people to pet her. Poetrys visit was part of New Mexicos Outdoor recreation day at the Roundhouse, which included a variety of programs encouraging New Mexicans to get outside, whether riding a horse, a four-wheeler or an inflatable raft. Carl Colonius, the program manager at the New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division, told Source NM that the state should celebrate the recent investment of $6.5 million from the Outdoor Equity Fund to support educational outdoor experiences for New Mexicos kids. We want folks recreating in our public lands to reflect the diversity of the rest of our state, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In both chambers, bills are picking up the pace as we roll into the last four days of the Legislature. On the govs desk House Bill 12 would create an alternative process for police officers to ask a judge for an Extreme Risk Firearm Protection Order, if a reporting party isnt available or doesnt want to be involved. The Senate passed HB12 on Monday night, sending it to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams desk. Wesley Clum, a senior at Bosque School in Albuquerque and leader of its Students Demand Action chapter, told Source NM on Tuesday his organization supports HB12, as well as Senate Bill 279, which would prohibit the importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, receipt or possession of gas-operated semi-automatic firearms, magazines that hold more than 10 rounds, and devices that convert semi-automatic guns into fully automatic ones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Senate Judiciary Committee passed SB279 on March 7 but it still needs to get through the Senate Finance Committee and then the entire process in the House of Representatives to reach the governors desk. Clum said he wants to see lawmakers advance SB279 and doesnt understand why it was referred to the Senate Finance Committee. We are an independent state, and New Mexicans need to stand up against the NRA, he said. When we have Democratic legislators stalling it, it needs to stop. Both chambers have now approved 33 bills, including 29 within the last week. A list of those bills can be found here. Three bills, including House Bill 143 (more on that bill below), are scheduled for concurrence committees, meaning lawmakers will have to reconcile differences between both chambers versions of the bills before sending them to the governor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday and Tuesday, both chambers had signed off on 14 bills, including one that beefs up enforcement of unlicensed cannabis vendors, and another that funds wildfire suppression. The Senate concurred with the House on Senate Bill 17, sending a bill with parole changes to the governor. SB17 would enact a series of changes to modernize the Parole Board and how the body considers incarcerated peoples requests for parole. The Senate also passed five House Bills during Tuesdays floor session, kicking them up to the governors office. Those include: House Bill 191, which would create two wildfire-related permanent funds administered by the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department: the post wildfire fund and the wildfire suppression fund; House Bill 54, which, as amended, would require defibrillators in all schools, not just high schools, along with cardiac response plans based on nationally recognized and evidence-based guidelines; House Bill 192, which would appropriate $2.8 million from the general fund to the Department of Information Technology in FY26 to pay a year of subscriber fees for the digital trunked radio communications system (used by various agencies that provide law enforcement, fire, medical or other emergency services); House Bill 10, which would establish the Enforcement Bureau within the Regulation and Licensing Department and grant it law enforcement authority to investigate and enforce violations under the Cannabis Regulation Act; House Bill 323, which would revise exemptions under the Engineering and Surveying Practice Act to clarify when business-employed engineers must be licensed Make sure to check out Sources bill tracker as we near the sessions end. Rae Arsenault, a co-lead for Native Ninos outdoors program for charter school and homeschooled children, show Grace Holguin, 18, a javelina skull at the Roundhouse on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (Danielle Prokop / Source NM) Cleared the floors Late Monday evening, the Senate approved House Bill 143, which would require greater transparency from lobbyists in the Roundhouse. It still needs a concurrence vote from the House of Representatives because the Senate Rules Committee removed an amendment that was added to the bill during the floor debate in the House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I know how hard it is for New Mexicans to get a real and true account of what happens during their legislative sessions, Co-sponsor Rep. Sarah Silva (D-Las Cruces) said in a statement. This is one step in helping them do that. Sen. Jeff Steinborn, HB143s co-sponsor, told Source NM concurrence usually happens quickly, but said he did not know when the bill would be scheduled for a second floor hearing. HB143 would require a paid lobbyist to file a lobbyist activity report within 48 hours of trying to influence an issue or help writing a bill, or changing their position on a bill. What were going to find is if signed into law, this is going to be kind of a gamechanger for our level of understanding of who is involved in bills that are being put before us and helping to shape our debate, Steinborn said. Right now, this very important information is kept secret from us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday the Senate named the tortilla the official state bread, with only a few mentions of sopapillas, unanimously passing Senate Bill 315. Adaline McIntosh, a fifth grade student from Las Cruces, joined sponsors Sens. Joshua Sanchez (R-Bosque) and Carrie Hamblen (D-Las Cruces) on the floor as the expert witness, and even brought freshly cooked tortillas for lawmakers from Andele Restaurant in Mesilla. Senators took turns asking McIntosh about the best ways to use tortillas in meals and the differences between traditional and alternative ingredients. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 146 which corrects two incorrect citations to federal law in an interstate compact for teaching military children; Senate Bill 58, which would expand the Early Childhood Education and Care Departments role in regulating child care providers; Senate Bill 495, which would allow public schools to receive funding for educational television and radio stations; and Senate Bill 401, which would make public school broadband infrastructure eligible for tax severance bond funding. The House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 219, which would create a program for New Mexicans to receive medicinal treatment using psilocybin, a psychedelic found in mushrooms, for pre-qualified behavioral health conditions; Senate Bill 252, which would allow licensed social workers to provide telehealth services; Senate Bill 345, which would give more pathways for teachers, educational assistants, interpreters and counselors to obtain licenses; Senate Bill 39, which would add rare diseases to the list of conditions that dont require prior authorization or step therapy; House Bill 112, which would allow federal background checks for cannabis licenses; Senate Bill 101, which would raise the cap on livestock inspection fees; and House Bill 120, which would create the Office of Accessibility to provide reporting and technical assistance to state facilities and websites. At press time on Tuesday, the House was debating Senate Bill 7, which would allow, but not require, municipalities to manage stormwater runoff as a utility. Bill watch The House Transportation, Public Works and Capital Improvements Committee passed Senate Bill 327, which would create a special registration license plate for the lowrider capital of the world; Senate Bill 236, which would create a special registration license plate promoting motorcycle safety awareness; and Senate Bill 128, which would prohibit special license plates that are derogatory, offensive or are otherwise inappropriate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Senate Finance Committee passed Senate Bill 197, which would make amendments to the Municipal and County Bond Revenue acts and the Emergency Medical Service Act; House Bill 56, which would increase Medicaid rates for services provided at birth centers; House Bill 128, which would create a local solar access fund to issue grants to counties, municipalities, school districts, land grants-mercedes and Indian nationalism tribes and pueblos to establish solar infrastructure; House Bill 41, which would appropriate $13.25 million from the public project revolving fund to the drinking water state revolving loan fund, the local government planning fund and the cultural affairs facilities infrastructure fund; House Bill 157, which would create new licenses for site administrators and school administrators; House Bill 174, which would require community pharmacies be paid professional dispensing fees no lower than what Medicaid pays in professional dispensing fees; and Senate Bill 425, which would reauthorize 421 capital outlay projects that were authorized in previous years. The Senate Indian, Rural and Cultural Affairs Committee passed House Bill 519, which would transfer operating duties for the African American Performing Arts Center from the New Mexico State Fair to the centers proposed board of directors; and Senate Memorial 24, which would recognize the cultural and historical significance of El Santuario de Chimayo and the annual Easter pilgrimage.. The Senate Conservation Committee advanced a pair of bills to address current and future contamination from PFAS. The committee also passed House Bill 348 which would increase the fines for violating water laws for the first time since 1907; House Bill 219, which would designate Slot Canyon Riverlands a state park; House Bill 427, which would amend the Water Project Finance Act with criteria for real-time water quality monitoring projects; House Bill 361, which would allow the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department to repurpose depleted oil and gas wells for energy storage or geothermal energy development; and House Bill 295, which would confirm that transmission lines owned by the Renewable Transmission Authority is exempt from property taxes. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX This story has been updated since publication to correct Carl Colonius title. Source regrets the error. Donald Trump is not a traditional conservative. Traditional conservatives respect existing norms, values and institutions. Trump does not. He is Americas first elected autocrat and aspiring dictator. In that role, he views such norms, values and institutions as something to be crushed and rolled over by the MAGA movements shock and awe campaign. The rubble of those institutions will be used as fuel and material for Trump and his forces to erect their New MAGA America, which will be a 21st-century version of Jim Crow and a White Christian nationalist herrenvolk fake democracy. Following the authoritarian model(s) of Viktor Orbans Hungary and Vladimir Putins Russia, Trump and his allies and enablers are attempting to take control of the country's political, social, economic, religious, cultural and scientific reas of public life, government and society. The White Christian nationalists have parallel and intersecting goals which are described as the Seven Mountains Mandate. Given their shared authoritarian values, public opinion polls have repeatedly shown that White Christian nationalists are consistently among Donald Trumps most loyal and enthusiastic supporters. The campaign to end Americas multiracial pluralistic democracy and to replace it with a form of competitive authoritarianism (or something much worse) will require training and conditioning the thinking, emotions and other behavior of the American people. Through this process, the distinction between private and public will be increasingly erased; MAGA and American neofascism are whole life systems. These changes will happen both quickly and over time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Americas educational system is a central target in this revolutionary antidemocratic project. If Trumpism and the larger neofascist project, as detailed in Project 2025 and Agenda 47 and elsewhere, can turn Americas educational system into a machine for right-wing authoritarian political indoctrination (under the guise of patriotic education and free market values) then such forces will literally have won the future by influencing the young people of today. On this, the New York Times Editorial Board warns: When a political leader wants to move a democracy toward a more authoritarian form of government, he often sets out to undermine independent sources of information and accountability. The leader tries to delegitimize judges, sideline autonomous government agencies and muzzle the media. President Vladimir Putin of Russia has done so over the past quarter-century. To lesser degrees, Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey recently have as well. The weakening of higher education tends to be an important part of this strategy. Academic researchers are supposed to pursue the truth, and budding autocrats recognize that empirical truth can present a threat to their authority. Wars are won by teachers, Mr. Putin has said. He and Mr. Erdogan have closed universities. Mr. Modis government has arrested dissident scholars, and Mr. Orban has appointed loyal foundations to run universities. President Trump has not yet gone as far to impede democracy as these other leaders, but it would be naive to ignore his early moves to mimic their approach. Mr. Trumps multifaceted campaign against higher education is core to this effort to weaken institutions that do not parrot his version of reality. In an attempt to better understand how Americas educational system is under siege in the Age of Trump, the role of the countrys schools and educational system in the democracy crisis and the historical continuities from the White racial authoritarian regime of Jim Crow (and chattel slavery) against Black Americans to Trumpism, I recently spoke with Derek W. Black. He is the Ernest F. Hollings Chair in Constitutional Law at the University of South Carolina and one of the countrys leading experts in education, law and public policy. Derek Blacks essays and other writing have appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Washington Post, The Atlantic and elsewhere. His research has been published in the Yale Law Journal, Stanford Law Review, NYU Law Review, California Law Review, Cornell Law Review, Northwestern University Law Review and the Vanderbilt Law Review. His new book is Dangerous Learning: The Souths Long War on Black Literacy. This is the first part of a two-part conversation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How are you feeling, given the rapid decline of Americas democracy with Trumps return to power? How are you managing on a day-to-day basis? My default predisposition is to find silver linings, not overreact and stay calm while others are screaming. I dont recall ever struggling with that default in the past, but in the last several weeks there have been days when deep feelings of dread set in because I was seeing things I never thought I would live to see and I could not explain them away. Given time, however, I can usually find my way back. The classroom and educational system are inherently political spaces. Authoritarians and autocrats know this, which is why they target schools and colleges and universities and educational systems more broadly. I think this is the space where a lot of our leaders and regular voters are sleepwalking. A pillar of our democracy, our schools, is being targeted in a way that seeds and reinforces autocratic populism, but many people have convinced themselves that this detonation at the highest level is just normal politics. All the while, the common ground that public education has represented throughout this nations history is eroding underneath our feet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anxiety levels are very high right now, higher than they were during Trumps first administration. It is the first and last thing on peoples minds when they meet. In public spaces, they find it hard to have a serious conversation probably for fear of losing decorum. Even in private spaces, people have to manage and tamp down the emotions they are experiencing lest it overwhelm their entire life. People still have to put their kids to bed, make lunches, get ready for work and pay the bills. The personal is the political. Power acts on people. I have several friends who work in higher education who tell me how these attacks by the Trump administration and their forces have driven them to quit. Others have shared how their emotional health is suffering, and it is very difficult for them to do their jobs. Students are suffering great anxiety and uncertainty too. This trauma is by design. How will the Trump years impact our schools and educators (and this generation of students) in the long term? I cant predict the future, but what I can tell you is that we are losing some of our best and brightest, and I dont expect they will come back any time soon. So, the net result is that we are running off a critical mass of generational talent right now. Thats a gap I dont see us filling. Its the same thing at the U.S. Department of Education. We have people with decades of experience who are being run out the door. Many of these people are irreplaceable. No future election is going to fix the problem. What would a system of high-quality education that teaches the meaning of good citizenship in a democracy look like? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the last two decades, our infatuation with test scores and standardized curricula has squeezed out civics and the democratic function of schools. People began to take note of the problem around 2016. Even a bipartisan group of US senators started pushing a civics bill. Unfortunately, you cant just plug civics and democracy into a system based on standardization and expect meaningful results. Sure, we might have more young people able to pass the equivalent of the citizenship test, but does that mean they are prepared to engage with the real problems our democracy faces? I dont think so. We need to create the time and space in schools for young people to learn to wrestle with hard issues, to debate one another, to learn how to be wrong and change their minds and to come to appreciate those values that have held this democracy together for two and a half centuries. How and why did civics and social studies education atrophy in Americas schools? Starting with the No Child Left Behind Act and then the Every Student Succeeds Act, we have mandated annual testing in reading and math. Science gets tested once in elementary, once in middle and once in high school. Those are the tests we hold schools accountable for, so states and schools understandably have ramped up the amount of time and credits devoted to those subjects. Those increases often came at the expense of social studies. Only 10% of instruction time goes to social studies in elementary school. Things are better in higher grades, but still too low. To be clear, this is not just the fault of lawmakers. I saw the Great Recession really change parents and young peoples outlook on their education; jobs were tough to land, so they only wanted to take courses with a clear runway into professional jobs. So again, your liberal arts and perspective type courses took an enormous hit. Americas literacy crisis cannot be reasonably separated from Americas democracy crisis. Most Americans read below a 6th-grade level. Authoritarians and other such malign actors take advantage of desperate people who want simple solutions to complex problems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have been shouting about this for well over a decade and did a TEDx talk on it in 2018. Peoples ability to participate in the political process and hold elected officials accountable is almost entirely dependent on literacy. But basic literacy is not enough. People actually need critical literacy and critical media literacy. It is not enough to simply be able to decode words at a high school or college level. People have to also be able to evaluate those words, spotting the half-truths, hyperbole, ambiguities, inaccuracies, and values behind those words and those skills go back to social studies. I actually think that critical media studies may be one of the most important things schools can teach, and of course, basic literacy and foundational knowledge are prerequisites to that type of learning. But critical literacy needs basic information too. A mere ten percent of instructional time in elementary school goes to social studies about the same as art and music. Unsurprisingly, national tests show that only one in five students are reaching proficiency in civics. Only two percent are advanced. Adults civic knowledge is no better. Less than half of adults can name all three branches of government. Only a third can pass the U.S. Citizenship test. Similarly, small percentages can identify the Constitution as the supreme law of the land, the length of a U.S. Senators term in office, or the number of justices on the Supreme Court. In his 2019 annual report, Chief Justice John Roberts offered a sobering account: We have come to take democracy for granted. He explained that our democracy is not self-perpetuating but is a continuing enterprise and conversation that depends on civic education. The current generation has an obligation to pass on to the next, not only a fully functioning government responsive to the needs of the people, but the tools to understand and improve it. Unfortunately, the powers that be are not listening. They are attacking and undermining our education system, making the collapse of democracy all the more likely. We are literally in a place where people struggle to sort fact from fiction, legal from illegal, democratic from authoritarian. As a result, a president can unilaterally seize control of nearly the entire federal budget, and make arbitrary decisions about what should or should not be funded, and a large chunk of the American public thinks that is good policy. They don't understand that every single dollar that is being spent has been signed off on by a majority in both houses of Congress and the president. At that point, it became law. If there was some defect in that law, it would have been the role of the judiciary to strike it down. But no one claimed that. To allow the president to wake up one morning and override those duly enacted laws turns the balance of power upon which our democracy rests upside down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How are Americas schools a battlefield and a target for Trump and the MAGA movement's and the larger right-wing's attempts to end multiracial democracy? I think there are a few different things going on. First, the path to power often lies in eroding trust in institutions. Schools used to be out of bounds. When Congress and the Obama administration could not agree on the time of day, well over 80% of Congress came together to pass the Every Student Succeeds Act. The same was true of the No Child Left Behind Act. Those laws had plenty of flaws, but they were never partisan affairs. The same things have long happened at the state level. Mike Huckabee, for goodness sake, was the governor who signed off on hundreds of millions of dollars of new annual funding to help equalize funding in Arkansas. Those things feel like distant memories now. As the most important institution to most families, ideologues now believe that if they erode faith in schools, they can motivate people in ways that had not been possible before. The anti-CRT (critical race theory) movement got supercharged when the Republican National Committee (RNC) decided to use it to drive turnout during the Biden congressional midterms. The irony is that Congress has no control over any of the things that the RNC was complaining about. That manufactured crisis definitely drove people to the polls, but it took a corrosive toll on our schools. The second thing to understand is that the privatization movement has been trying to break up public education for three decades and has almost nothing to show for it. The bipartisan commitment to public education had effectively immunized it. But after Jan. 6, 2021, the attack shifted. It was no longer just about whether it made sense to spend public dollars on private education. Vouchers got tied up in the culture war and became a litmus test for which side of the culture war a legislator stands on. Republicans who oppose vouchers, and there are a lot of rural Republicans who oppose them, are being driven out of the party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement COVID also helped rest these dynamics. It understandably created a lot of anxiety and frustration. In that context, politicians played with peoples emotions on issues of race and gender to put the attack on public schools over the top. I think there was just a lot of opportunism and exploitation, where people know that what they are saying isnt true but they wield the language anyway. Very few teachers had even heard of critical race theory, yet they were accused of teaching it. And most of the books being banned had been in schools for decades. A lot of those books were ones that parents grew up on books written before a single law professor even imagined the term critical race theory. What do we see and understand more clearly when todays attempts by the Trump administration and larger White right to control American education are put in a larger historical context? My new book "Dangerous Learning" paints a straight throughline from the criminalization of Black literacy in the 1820s and 30s to Jim Crow to the backlash against civil rights in the 1970s to the anti-CRT craze of the 2020s. Of course, each of those moments is different, and todays censorship is nowhere near as violent or twisted as yesterdays, but some version of yesterdays demons still haunt us. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. Literacy and public education have served as freedoms line for Black people in America for 200 years. They have been fighting for it while others fight against it for far too long. That much ought to be relatively clear. I think what is less obvious to many is how deeply and easily reactionary paranoia seems to grip the country and the damage it can do along the way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most people don't know it, but schools for Black people free and enslaved operated out in the open in the late 1700s and early 1800s. It wasn't until the 1820s and 1830s when men like Denmark Vesey, David Walker, and Nat Turner demonstrated the full power of literacy that things changed. Vesey, for instance, was born into slavery, but literally won the lottery in 1799 and used the proceeds to purchase his freedom. He spent the next two decades honing his literacy. He interpreted the Bible for himself and shared it with his community, followed congressional debates on slavery, drew on the morals in classic literature and invoked American ideas of liberty embedded in texts like the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He leveraged that literacy to inspire what local authorities believed were thousands of Black people to prepare for revolt in 1822. Only a last-minute leak of information thwarted him. At his trial, the role that literacy had played in his life and leadership became clear. That's when the Southern response to Black literacy shifted. After David Walker and Nat Turner took that power of literacy to yet another level, the entire region began criminalizing Black literacy. The South, however, didn't just limit Black freedom. It also began censorship of what white people could read, breaking into post offices, looting newspapers and burning them in the town square. Vigilance committees formed across the entire South to ensure that nothing seditious was circulating. State legislatures literally criminalized the possession of things like David Walker's "Appeal to the Coloured Citizens of the World." They were so paranoid that they began reviewing textbooks for northern bias. Just as today's educators don't have to teach critical race theory to be fired or see their books ripped from the classroom, yesterday's schools didn't have to teach anti-slavery. The South was so paranoid that it went after geography books that supposedly devoted disproportionate attention to northern crops. Eventually, silence and censorship were not even enough. The South began to fill the void with propaganda, insisting they needed southern authors to write southern books for southern readers from a southern perspective. This mantra completely rebalanced the publishing industry. As I write in "Dangerous Learning", the South sealed the nations fate on the march to Civil War not when the first shots were fired at Fort Sumter but in the 1830s when the South would no longer tolerate open debate and discussion around slavery. At that point, it lost its ability to see straight and began to propagandize itself. DENVER (KDVR) Citations are now being issued for a red light enforcement camera in Loveland in addition to enforcement via speed enforcement vans. In February, the Loveland Police Department started issuing citations through mobile radar equipment to help slow down traffic in problem areas. Police told FOX31 earlier this month that one of the mobile radar units caught 50 drivers going at least eight mph over the speed limit within 30 minutes. Loveland mobile radar unit catches 50 speeders in 30 minutes Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuesday, the department announced that police will now issue citations for violators at a new red light enforcement camera located at the intersection of West 1st Street and South Taft Avenue. Drivers were given warnings for the first month, but the warning period is over and violators will receive citations in the mail. Violations caught by red light enforcement and speed enforcement cameras are reviewed and validated by an officer before citations are issued, according to police. The red-light camera calibrates periodically, taking photos to ensure accuracy. Noticing the camera flash does not mean you committed an infraction if you legally stopped. Infractions are reviewed before citations are issued, the police department wrote in a post on Facebook. The citation is considered served to someone if it is sent by first-class mail, police said. Drivers can see photos and videos of the infraction and can dispute it in court. A ticket for red light violations carries a $75 fine and does not add points to a drivers license. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why Denver police photo enforcement vehicles park where others cant Two other red light cameras are set to be installed at the intersections of East Eisenhower Boulevard and Boise Avenue, as well as North Garfield Avenue and East 57th Street. A spokesperson for the police department told FOX31 that those cameras will likely be installed and working by this summer. Citations are also being issued for drivers who are caught violating speed limits by the mobile radar units, which carry a $40 fine. LPD said it is focusing speed enforcement heavily on school zones 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. It probably never crossed Fabian Schmidts mind that he wouldnt breeze through security at Bostons Logan Airport. A legal resident of New Hampshire, he flew back to the United States on March 7 after a visit to Luxembourg, but never made it through security. According to his mother, who didnt get to speak with him until four days later, Schmidt was violently interrogated for hours, stripped naked, and forced into a cold shower. Given little food or water, suffering from sleep deprivation, and prevented from taking anxiety and depression medication, he collapsed and was hospitalized (where he learned he also had the flu), she said. Schmidt is now reportedly locked up in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Wyatt, Rhode Island. Schmidt is not your usual profile of an immigrant subjected to alleged abuse by U.S. immigration authorities. A 34-year-old German national with a green card since 2008, hes an electrical engineer whose partner, a cardiologist, is a U.S. citizen; they have an 8-year-old daughter. Schmidts mother said his green card had been flagged, possibly over a since-dismissed misdemeanor for marijuana possession in California. His case, along with a growing list of other examples, shows how large a role discretion plays in the immigration systemand how that discretion appears to be changing drastically under the second Trump administration, as emboldened authorities throw the book at and even abuse those who once could consider themselves relatively protected. Some of these cases have made national headlines in the U.S., like the detention and attempted deportation of Mahmoud Khalid, the pro-Palestinian organizer who has a green card, or the actual deportation of Brown University professor Rasha Alawieh, an H-1B visa holder (she too was detained at Logan Airport after a trip abroad). But there was also Jasmine Mooney, the Canadian tourist detained for 12 days after arriving at the San Ysidro border crossing near San Diego; the entrepreneur and former actress reportedly slept on the floor with 30 other women in a holding cell. Two German tourists faced similar treatment after arriving at the same checkpoint; one was held for 46 days. A British backpacker, meanwhile, was handcuffed after arriving at the border from Canadaapparently because authorities felt her arrangement with her host family in Portland, Oregon, warranted a work visa rather than a tourist visaand wasnt released for three weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These are just a few of the people who are being unexpectedly exposed to the brutality of our immigration detention scheme. Despite being technically nonpunitive, these detention facilities are indistinguishable from jails, or are in many cases literal jails that the federal government is effectively renting from local law enforcement. And the decision to throw people there over some minor visa deficiency or perceived intent comes down to one very basic but very powerful concept in law enforcement, and the law more generally: discretion. You have, at some point within the last week, probably broken the law. You jaywalked or smoked in a no-smoking park or ignored a stop sign or any of a thousand other daily things that we hardly think about but which are on paper illegal. The reason you most likely werent arrested or even ticketed for these things is because it would not be possible for police to spot every single one of these violations and because even if the cops did witness it, they decided that it just wasnt worth the bother (or the paperwork). That same principle applies up and down law enforcement, including immigration. The entire Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program is an exercise in executive discretion, with the government laying out that the folks covered by it are legally deportable but that it will choose not to deport them as long as they keep participating in the program and complying with its requirements. At an individual level, determinations are made every day by officers and their supervisors as they encounter the messy realities of our immensely complicated immigration system. Customs and Border Protection is supposed to ensure that airport or border arrivals are going to comply with the terms of their visas, for example, an inherently discretionary act. If, for whatever reason, they determine that someone is out of compliance or deportable, they decide whether to detain that person, whether to parole them, and so on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For a long time, certain populations in particular have been used to generally favorable discretion. Undocumented immigrantsin particular those from developing countriesnever could expect much grace, but high-skill work visa holders, international students, European tourists, Canadian day-trippers, and others in this higher-status sphere enjoyed a lighter touch. Perhaps if there was confusion around their visa, they would get directed to file paperwork to fix it and sent on their way, or at worst merely turned away at the border. But now, it seems, immigration agents are increasingly using the full statutory powers that they always had, choosing to detain, abuse, and deport these tourists and workers instead of working with them. Its not that this never used to happenthere have always been isolated stories of customs agents slapping the cuffs on indignant white touristsbut the volume of high-profile recent cases suggests these arent one-offs. Indeed, Trump has already formally axed certain types of prioritization and discretion when it comes to ICE enforcement operations, but it seems like this is either explicitly or implicitly being filtered down to all manner of other routine interactions between immigration agents and noncitizens, including those who once felt somewhat protected by dint of status. This is not to say that weve done a 180 on this. For every arrested German we hear about, there are probably many more who are given a polite warning and sent on their way or allowed to simply board a flight back. But as these alarming stories mount, they have implications well beyond the discrete incidents themselves. I wrote recently about how the administration has fomented a climate of fear among undocumented immigrants by making its deportation efforts appear much larger and more successful than they are, and the same is true for the nations vast population of current or would-be visitors, long-term visa holders, and permanent residents. All it takes is for a handful of lawful residents to be arrested or have visas canceled over speech, or for tourists to be inexplicably detained in the horrible gulags that pass for our nonpunitive immigration detention, for people to start wondering if its safe to come to the U.S. at all, even in what seems like a fully lawful manner. Add to that individual harshness the uncertainty of shifting policieswhat if theres a travel ban? What if the standards for maintaining a certain visa change overnight or the government simply decides to cancel them? The choice starts looking less and less appealing. Germany recently issued a travel advisory for trans and nonbinary people traveling to the U.S., and while I wouldnt necessarily expect this to open the floodgates of official warnings, people worldwide are getting the message. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is also proof that Stephen Millers totalizing nativism, which in Trumps first term was tempered to some extent by corporate interests in maintaining the flow of tourism and technical workers, has completely won out. Trump has already shown himself perfectly willing to drive the economy off a cliff and destroy the sources of much of Americas global cultural, economic, military, political, and technical primacy. The insulation that once provided some additional protections to this class of immigrants and visitorsthat they were good for business, wealthy enough to spend money or invest in the U.S., propping up critical industries, and their mistreatment would anger powerful allieshas been torched. Those of us whove made the U.S. our long-term home will have to wonder if its worth it. The likelihood remains low that any given green card holder or tourist will be subjected to the alleged abuse that Schmidt and others have faced, but when the consequences are so immense, rolling the dice at all feels riskyand thats by the Trump administations design. Not everyone is lucky enough to work at a great workplace. If you do, its worthy of recognition. Be honored as a Top Workplace in Chicagoland. For the 16th year, the Tribune will honor outstanding workplace culture in the region. Any organization with 75 or more employees in the region is eligible to compete for a Top Workplaces award. Standout companies will be honored in the fall. It all starts with a nomination. The deadline for nominations is April 25. Anyone can nominate any organization, whether it is public, private, nonprofit, a school or even a government agency. To nominate an employer or for more information on the awards, just go to chicagotribune.com/nominate or call 312-878-7356. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no cost to participate. To qualify as a Chicago Top Workplace, employees evaluate their workplace using a 25-question survey that takes just a few minutes to complete. Companies will be surveyed through June. Energage, the Pennsylvania-based research partner for the project, conducts Top Workplaces surveys for media in 65 markets nationwide and surveyed more than 2 million employees at more than 8,000 organizations in the past year. Earning a Top Workplaces award is a distinctive mark of excellence, setting companies apart in a recognizable way, said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. Top Workplaces embody the highest standards, and this award, rooted in authentic employee feedback, should be a point of immense pride. For the 2024 awards, nearly 7,000 organizations in Chicagoland were invited to survey their employees. Based on employee survey feedback, 158 earned recognition as Top Workplaces. LONDON, Ontario, March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PEARL RIVER HOLDINGS LIMITED (Pearl River) (TSXV: PRH) is pleased to announce that, further to its July 24, 2024 news release, the manufacturing facility near Phnom Penh, Cambodia is open and fully operational. The facility was established to accommodate various customer requests for manufacturing outside of China and is expected to principally produce plastic coolers and other plastic products. Pearl Rivers subsidiary (Cambodia Corp.) that is owned, as to 65% by Pearl River, with the remaining 35% held by partner with Cambodian experience, has received the necessary approvals from the Cambodian government to conduct business in Cambodia. About Pearl River Through its subsidiaries, Pearl Rivers principal business is the manufacturing and distribution of plastic products in China, Australia and the United States of America. For further information please contact: George Lunick CEO T: (519) 645-0267 E: george@lunick.ca 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. This news release may contain certain forward-looking information. All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information and such information involves various risks and uncertainties. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information in respect of: the manufacturing facility in Cambodia, including, without limitation, the products that will be produced at the Cambodian manufacturing facility. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. This forward-looking information reflects Pearl River's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to Pearl River and on assumptions Pearl River believes are reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to: the ability to successfully operate the Cambodian manufacturing facility, including all business requirements and being able to continue to operate the Cambodian manufacturing facility at in a cost efficient manner at levels accretive to Pearl River; the continuing strength of customer requests for manufacturing outside of China; continuing positive sales and cost numbers for Pearl Rivers operations that meet or exceed historical levels; the current share price of Pearl Rivers common shares; the ability of Pearl River to find suitable partners, facilities, leases, personnel and other requirements for the Cambodian manufacturing facility; Pearl Rivers general and administrative costs remaining constant; and the market acceptance of Pearl Rivers operations, products and services, and corporate strategy. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Pearl River to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; geo-political risks and other risks of operating in foreign jurisdictions such as, governmental controls, unfamiliar laws or procedures, expropriation, and the inability to commence and pursue lawsuits, among others; capital market conditions and market prices for securities; the actual results of current development or operational activities; competition; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; lack of insurance; delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals; changes in legislation, including environmental legislation, affecting Pearl River; timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; conclusions of economic evaluations; and lack of qualified, skilled labour or loss of key individuals. A description of other risk factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking information may be found in Pearl River's disclosure documents on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca. Pearl River does not undertake to update any forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws. A local nonprofit is stepping in after a cat was left for dead on the side of the road after being hit by a car. Now, the nonprofit is asking the community for help. Grey Hawk, the cat spent three days alone, fighting for his life after being hit by a car this weekend on West 16th Street. Thankfully, a Good Samaritan found Grey Hawk on Saturday and called Erie Trap and Release for help. Albion residents not pleased with plans to build new sports complex Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Toni Smith, the owner of Erie Trap & Release said they called every vet in Erie, but nobody would take him. So, I decided to call Akron, Ohio and they said to bring him up and theyd take him as a walk-in, which we did. Grey Hawk will need to have his leg amputated, but vets are waiting until he regains enough strength to have the surgery. As long as Grey Hawk keeps fighting, Smith will keep fighting alongside him, using money out of her own pocket to pay for the cats treatment. He has since been released from the vet in Akron, but they are still unsure if he will make a full recovery. Grey Hawks foster parent, Jody Burger, says he is stable at the moment and the pain meds are working. Burger explains, with how his liver and kidneys are he could suddenly take a turn for the worse if he just says, I cant do it anymore. But at the moment, he is fighting, he is giving it that fighting chance of I want to still be here.' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parts of Walnut Creek Marina closing for maintenance Grey Hawk has a long fight ahead, and the team at Erie Trap and Release is asking the community for help in saving his life as well as the lives of other cats in need of medical attention. Smith expressed her frustration, saying I turn them down, but I dont want to, because we dont have the funds to keep taking every cat out there that is severely injured that I want to help in every way I can. I would like to get a bigger place to help even more, but when you aint got the funds, its hard. The organization is always accepting donations and goods which all go towards helping care for the animals that need it the most. For a list of specific items being collected and other ways you can donate, click here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Foster families are also being sought to help care for these animals. Applications are currently being accepted and if you are interested you can click here for more information. Erie man recognized for saving the life of injured Erie man They are also accepting donations to help Grey Hawk, if you are interested in donating supplies or funds for Grey Hawk 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 WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. Six EU member countries are urging the European Union to provide concrete steps to accelerate Ukraine's accession process, Politico reported on March 18, citing a joint letter it had obtained. In the letter, the foreign ministers of Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia called on Brussels to put forward "concrete proposals on how to decisively advance Ukraine's accession process." Ukraine applied for EU membership in 2022 and was granted candidate status within months. Accession talks began in June 2024, with European leaders setting 2030 as a target for Ukraine's potential entry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Reaffirming full and unequivocal commitment to the EU membership perspective of Ukraine, we call for accelerating the accession process," the letter reads. "The time has come for ambitious and effective decisions in this regard." The diplomats emphasized that EU enlargement should remain "predictable and based on own merits" and that bilateral disputes should not be used to block progress but instead resolved through good-faith dialogue. Despite broad EU support for Ukraine's accession, Hungary remains a major obstacle. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced on March 7 that his government would conduct an opinion survey on Ukraine's potential EU membership. Orban, widely regarded as the EU's most Russian-friendly leader, has repeatedly opposed military aid for Ukraine and warned that Kyiv's accession would "destroy" Hungary. He has also maintained warm ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin despite Russia's full-scale invasion, frequently amplifying Kremlin narratives in Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: 46% of Americans think US support for Ukraine is insufficient, poll finds Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Alyssa Klossgaard, of Bismarck, reads in front of the Bismarck Veterans Memorial Library on March 1, 2025, to express her opposition to a bill that would force libraries to remove and relocate content considered to be obscene. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor) A North Dakota House committee on Tuesday gave support to a controversial bill to create restricted areas in public libraries for materials that some might consider obscene. After listening to three hours of testimony in the morning, the committee voted 12-1 for a do-pass recommendation. Democrat Mary Schneider of Fargo was the only dissenting vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Bill 2307 now goes to the House Appropriations Committee. Some members of the committee expressed dismay with the potential cost of upgrading the online search system of the states libraries to comply with the bill. The fiscal note on the bill estimates the state would need to spend $1.1 million over the next two years and slightly under $1 million in the following biennium. The money would be used to pay a vendor for an age-verification system for ODIN the Online Dakota Information Network used by libraries. Jason Bedsaul, director of ODIN for the University Systems Core Technology Services, explained that because ODIN is used by library patrons of all ages, not just librarians, the bill would require the system to single out objectionable materials, so they could be accessed by adults. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The system supports more than 1 million searches each month. Rep. Bernie Satrom, R-Jamestown, a member of the committee, said protecting kids is not a waste of taxpayer dollars. Satrom later asked Bedsaul if he was familiar with the term death by fiscal note. Bedsaul, who was delivering neutral testimony, said he was not familiar with the term. There were 377 written testimonies filed on the bill before Tuesdays hearing, with the bulk of the submissions opposed to the bill. The bill would provide for a process for people to file a complaint about a book or other library material they find objectionable. The complaint process includes using the local states attorney to determine if the material is obscene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One critic of the bill, Julie Reiten of Minot, noted that it contains no guidelines on who can file a complaint and how many books could be targeted. She said there are lists of books being circulated and someone from out of state could submit a complaint about the entire list. She said that is happening in other states by people determined to remove some books. Its working, Reiten said. Others said the bill is too vague about what a sectioned off area would look like to comply with the proposed rules. Supporters say the bill does not ban books, but only removes them to a section of the library not accessible by children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Libraries could have state funds withheld if they do not comply with the process. The bill says the states attorney also can prosecute violators. The bill passed the Senate on a 27-20 vote. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A volunteer firefighter who responded to the scene of twin brothers deaths in the north Georgia mountains is now facing charges. Scott Kerlin, 42, is accused of taking photos of the scene and sharing them on social media. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has charged him with misdemeanor obstruction. Channel 2s Tyisha Fernandes went to Kerlins home in Hiawassee and knocked on his door. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Kerlin did not come to the door, but Fernandes saw him and asked if wanted to share his story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just want to give you a chance to explain your side, she told him. TRENDING STORIES: On March 8, hikers found Qaadir Malik Lewis and Naazir Rahim Lewis from Gwinnett County dead from gunshot wounds at the top of Bell Mountain. The Towns County Sheriffs Office called the GBI to assist. Investigators have initially ruled their deaths as a murder-suicide. They sent their bodies to the GBI lab for autopsies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, the GBI confirmed that the results are now pending until more forensic tests are completed. The medical examiner has not issued an official cause of death. Channel 2 Action News spoke with the Lewis twins family over the weekend. Family members said they have so many questions, but very few answers. Were just trying to figure out what happened. Were trying put pieces together to understand. How did they end out in the mountains? They dont hike out there. They have never been out there, said Samira Brawner, the twins aunt. Rahim Brawner said his nephews were very protective of each other and were inseparable. The family said they dont believe their deaths were murder-suicide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I cant imagine them hurting each other because Ive never even seen them get into a fist fight before, their uncle said. Murder-suicide? I just believe that they were extremely incapable of that. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A welcome sign is pictured in Utqiagvik on Aug. 2, 2022. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon) Leaders are defined by their capacity to leave behind a legacy that yields lasting, positive change. As Alaskas North Slope Inupiat reflect on the Biden administration, we are certain its legacy in our region will be that of an inconsistency, particularly in its approach to engaging with our people on decisions impacting our homelands. This shortcoming creates significant opportunity for the Trump-Vance administration to cement a more positive legacy with Indigenous communities, including the North Slope Inupiat. The past 30 days have underscored the importance of our North Slope homelands to the Trump-Vance administrations agenda. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, in particular, should play a central role in driving a more consistent approach that includes and respects Indigenous voices throughout the policymaking process. It is imperative that federal decisionmakers, as well as congressional representatives, meet early and often with North Slope Inupiat elected leaders to create durable laws that meaningfully address our communities unique challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know the importance of consultation and what happens when the federal government ignores our voices in the policymaking process through our experiences with the Biden administration. In September 2023, the U.S. Department of the Interior stunned our region by announcing new policies affecting our ancestral homelands in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. We have lived on these lands for thousands of years, and they are essential for our economy, our communities, and the strength of our Inupiaq culture. Yet we were left wholly out of the policymaking process and blindsided by the new policies, only finding out about them in the news. This announcement was jarring after the same administration reauthorized the Willow Project. The initial authorization heavily involved our communities and their elected leadership, a process which was characterized by strong engagement with the North Slope Inupiat including 215 days of public comment and 25 public meetings in which we actively participated to ensure our voice was heard. The final record of decision made it clear that DOI respected our feedback and approved a process that reflected our communities interests. There are other isolated examples of inclusive policy processes by the federal government that yielded positive outcomes for our people. Our communities cheered when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a grant providing $2.5 million to clean up contaminated lands conveyed by Washington to Alaska Native communities, including the former Naval Arctic Research Laboratory in Utqiagvik. We and other Indigenous communities across the country were heartened by former Secretary Haalands Road to Healing that acknowledged the terrible pain and long-term consequences of forced cultural assimilation in U.S. Indigenous boarding schools in the 19th and 20th centuries. These were unequivocal wins for our people that showed the federal government was listening to our concerns. Yet these positive developments also highlighted a disturbing truth. In its wildly inconsistent policy approach to Indigenous lands and people, the Biden administration seemed to only value our voices in the policy process when they were in agreement with the administrations preferred outcome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because the North Slope Inupiat disagreed with the federal government concerning our NPR-A and ANWR homelands, we were blocked from the policymaking process and left unheard. Similarly, the federal government rejected out of hand a formal appeal by our tribal government for emergency support following a broadband outage that left most of our region, an area roughly the size of Minnesota, without telecommunications for over three months, choosing not to even engage with us to understand this incidents severe impact on community services. The previous administrations fair-weather relationship with laws and procedures regarding engagement with the North Slope Inupiat and other Indigenous communities across the country gives the Trump-Vance administration and Secretary Burgum an opportunity to succeed where their predecessors failed. They are already seizing this chance with their response to our second broadband outage in two years, with the Bureau of Land Management, as well as stakeholders in the Federal Emergency Management Agency, working toward approval of permits for a terrestrial fiber-optic line redundancy though the clock is ticking to be able to meet deadlines for this summers construction season. This promising response to an ongoing crisis in our region represents a first step in building a stronger partnership between our region and the federal government. An important second step is for the new administration to follow the law where the last administration chose not to: namely, meaningful engagement and consultation with the North Slope Inupiat on all issues affecting our lands and people. This includes more complex issues that require direct feedback from the communities most affected by the policies in question, not just on issues we agree. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Going forward, it is important that the Trump-Vance administration and Secretary Burgum enshrine in their policy process direct and regular engagement with Indigenous communities. Consultations with our elected leadership is not a matter of convenience, but rather essential to crafting successful, enduring policy. We have stewarded our Indigenous homelands for thousands of years and know them better than anyone. Its finally time to recognize our knowledge by creating space for the North Slope Inupiat at the policymaking table. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX UNICOI COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) A partnership between three non-profits has resulted in more than $1 million going toward long-term disaster recovery groups (LTRGs) in Northeast Tennessee following the impacts of Hurricane Helene. On Tuesday, the United Way of East Tennessee Highlands announced it worked with the First Tennessee Development District and the East Tennessee Foundation. THP: Sullivan East student dead, charges pending after head-on crash in Sullivan Co. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The East Tennessee Foundations latest grant of $858,980 will support LTRGs in Carter, Cocke, Johnson and Unicoi counties. The foundation previously awarded grants to Washington and Johnson counties, bringing the total amount for East Tennessee LTRGs to $1,134,085. According to a news release from the United Way, the funding will ensure that disaster recovery efforts remain strong and effective in helping impacted communities rebuild and regain stability. Throughout the process, the United Way of East Tennessee Highlands spearheaded the grant application process and worked with LTRGs to budget for the needs of communities. The First Tennessee Development District managed fiscal oversight for most of the funding . The United Way reports the East Tennessee Foundation is still receiving donations and awarding grants to areas most impacted by Helene. United Way of East Tennessee Highlands extends deep appreciation to the East Tennessee Foundation and First Tennessee Development District for their unwavering support of long-term disaster recovery in our region. Their commitment to strengthening communities, empowering recovery groups, and fostering regional collaboration is invaluable in rebuilding stronger, more resilient counties. Leslie Dalton, United Way of East Tennessee Highlands President & CEO 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 WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. (Reuters) -Santander is pushing to expand its U.S. operations through a partnership with Verizon by tapping into the telecom major's vast customer base, the Spanish bank and Verizon said in a joint statement on Tuesday. The U.S. partnership deal will allow millions of Verizon customers have access to competitive high yield savings account with Santander's new digital bank platform Openbank, they said. "The Verizon partnership is a significant milestone for Santander as we scale our U.S. business further," Ana Botin, Santander Executive Chair said in the statement. Santander, the euro zone biggest lender by market value, has one of the biggest auto-lending businesses in the United States. It wants to use the U.S. to build its own technology platform for consumer banking, including digital-only banking and consumer finance. The bank formally launched its U.S. digital bank in October, offering high-yield savings accounts, which could help fund up to $30 billion in loans for vehicle purchases and broaden its retail business in the U.S. Santander is one of the few European banks with a retail presence in the U.S. market following the exit of rivals BBVA and BNP Paribas. It has 409 branches mainly in nine states in the Northeast. In October last year, Botin said she expected the bank to have a full-service digital bank in the U.S. by the end of 2025 - a crucial step, as Santander's U.S. business has been generating subpar returns. Last month, the Spanish bank announced various investments amounting to over $2 billion in Mexico over the next three years. (Reporting by Rajveer Singh Pardesi, Kritika Singh and Rishabh Jaiswal in Bengaluru and Jesus Aguado in Madrid; Editing by Alan Barona and Mrigank Dhaniwala) Rep. Matt Hostettler, R-Patoka, speaks in committee on March 18, 2025. (Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle) A House committee opted on Tuesday to remove an explicit cap on the Healthy Indiana Plan that would restrict enrollment to 500,000 people but kept the controversial work requirements, passing Senate Bill 2 on an 8-4 vote along party lines. Nearly two dozen Hoosiers, many of them Medicaid recipients or health care providers, testified in opposition to the bill in addition to four supporters and two neutral speakers over three hours. The Healthy Indiana Plan, which covers the so-called expansion population in Indiana, provides health insurance for moderate-income Hoosiers. Many of the recipients are working though advocates presented conflicting numbers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emotions were high throughout the hearing, as conservative lawmakers defended the plan to add red tape and bureaucracy to the program against Hoosiers who were worried theyd lose their health coverage. I just want you to know that Im not a deadbeat. And if it werent for the Healthy Indiana Plan, I wouldnt be here, said Susan Brackney, a full-time freelance writer who lives in Columbus. It has been life-saving. I worry a lot about what would happen if I didnt have it. Brackneys chronic autoimmune disorder, rheumatoid arthritis, and treatment-resistant depression meant that she qualified as medically frail, a specialized subset population included under the Healthy Indiana Plan, or HIP. The new bill includes quarterly checks on an enrollees eligibility, which could disrupt her coverage because her freelance income is unpredictable month to month. Many people, including Brackney, reported technical difficulties when submitting documents. They noted the bill requires even more paperwork. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After a while, you just feel so worn down, Brackney said. And how many other folks are affected and they dont have the wherewithal to try to get help to navigate this and they just give up. Maybe thats, in a way, what some people want. Because then those people are not a problem anymore. But thats not success. Conservatives touted the wide-ranging proposal as a way to wean off some members and protect the programs accessibility for those who need it most. Many of the proposals provisions would need to get the approval of the federal government. We know a lot of people that are on HIP or on Medicaid and they arent deadbeats, said Rep. Matt Hostettler, R-Patoka. There are some people that are, I think, trying to take advantage of this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Previously the bill capped HIP enrollment at 500,000, which meant upwards of 200,000 people would be kicked off. The amended version allows the Family and Social Services Administration to stop enrolling people once the state appropriation runs out. That appropriation is still under negotiation and could mean fewer or more people would lose coverage. Bill background The 20-hour work requirements under Sen. Ryan Mishlers bill would have 11 exceptions, with a 12th for students currently in progress, according to Rep. Brad Barrett, the Republican House sponsor for the measure. Other exceptions include: caregiving duties, substance use treatment, physical and mental disabilities, and more. Mishler, a Republican from Mishawaka, cited the growth of Indianas HIP program and overall Medicaid cost increases as the impetus behind the bill. Medicaid has grown by $5 billion over the last four years and that rate of growth is greater than our entire revenue increase most of our new revenue in this budget is going toward Medicaid and thats going to take away from other programs and services, Mishler said. I just feel we have to get Medicaid under control. FSSA Secretary Mitch Roob addresses the Public Health Committee on March 18, 2025. (Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle) During the COVID-19 pandemic, Indiana couldnt remove people from Medicaid in return for an enhanced federal match a move that saved the state money, partially due to the decreased administrative costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state has since completed a year-long case-by-case redetermination of eligibility for Medicaid. And now that Indianas cost burden has returned to normal, lawmakers have balked at the price tag, which is the second-largest and fastest-growing state expenditure. Indiana pays for 10% of HIP using a combination of provider and cigarette taxes while the federal government covers the rest, making it particularly vulnerable in light of federal uncertainty around the program. But the bill, and its work requirements, has a powerful ally in Gov. Mike Braun, whose support was conveyed by FSSA Secretary Mitch Roob, whose agency oversees Medicaid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roob launched the first and more limited version of HIP while serving under former Gov. Mitch Daniels two decades ago. He said his agency had already implemented quarterly reviews. Since I arrived, we have begun doing redeterminations on a quarterly basis (for) about 47% of those who are eligible for Medicaid, said Roob. Some populations, like those who are disabled, have been excluded from quarterly determinations and will only be reviewed annually. Roob also listed various ways in which the Braun administration hoped to pressure Congress to allow for more program flexibility. Specifically, something to help an individual become self-sufficient. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We would like to see that done, Roob concluded. Testimony details But testimony sharply diverged on whether the program, and Indianas administration of it, could be considered a success. The bill appeared to be heavily influenced by the right-leaning Foundation for Government Accountability, which explicitly pushes for work requirements across government services like food benefits, Medicaid and public housing. Jonathan Ingram, the organizations vice president of policy and research, criticized Indianas post-COVID redetermination process and alleged that 30% of Indianas Medicaid spending was improper, with two-thirds of that due to eligibility errors. A 2023 report from his group cites a federal audit on improper Medicaid payments that identified $81 billion in misspending in 2022, which concluded that Indiana has an improper payment rate of 28.8% in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ingram additionally said, Less than a quarter of people approved (by hospitals) for presumptive eligibility are later determined eligible and enrolled in the program by FSSA. According to an online copy of his testimony, found on FGAs website, Ingram is citing reports from 2016-2018 from the state to the federal government. Most able-bodied adults on HIP today do not work at all. They have no reported earned income whatsoever, Ingram said. Weve seen work requirements effectively work in other welfare programs, both here in Indiana and around the country, and we think this is a great way to move these folks from welfare to work. Ingrams footnote adds that approximately 48 percent of HIP enrollees had zero income, citing the lower end of an estimate from a 2020 Lewin Group report, which reported that 48%, or 273,000 enrollees, had zero income in 2018. In a previous version of this story, the Indiana Capital Chronicle relied on a 2016 report with the same title that didnt have this information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, data from health policy experts at KFF contradicts Ingrams assertion about non-working Medicaid recipients. In Indiana, roughly 47% of all adult Medicaid beneficiaries are working full-time while another 27% work part-time. The remaining 27% who are not working include caregivers such as families with medically complex children or elderly parents at home those too ill or disabled to work and Hoosiers attending school, according to KFF. Those numbers are similar to national figures. KFF further details that 52% of Hoosiers on Medicaid work in the agriculture or service industry and another 21% are in manufacturing. The report doesnt specify whether its analysis is limited to expansion adults, but includes only those who are 19-64 and considered able to work, a population covered by HIP in Indiana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another recent report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation found that Indianas cost per HIP enrollee was $667, calculated by dividing Indianas $491 million expense by the 737,000 Hoosiers covered in 2024. Medicaid advocate Tracey Hutchings-Goetz additionally noted that Georgia, one of the states that recently implemented work requirements, faltered after reportedly spending 80% of its dedicated funds on administration and consulting fees. We urge you to study the failures and pitfalls of work reporting requirements before you go down the path of arbitrary coverage loss and increased cost, Hutchings-Goetz said. fundamentally, the problem with these so-called work requirements is actually the reporting itself, which is really expensive to run and really burdensome for members and for employers. Jonathan Ingram shared new information with the Indiana Capital Chronicle after this story was published. This story has been corrected. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX U.S. Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond speaks in Virgnia's General Assembly Building on March 18, 2025. (Photo by Charlotte Rene Woods/ Virginia Mercury) With over one million people in Virginia on Medicaid, about 630,000 of those could stand to lose coverage should Republicans in Congress cut federal funding, Democratic state lawmakers have stressed. U.S. Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, added her voice to the chorus of warnings at a press conference at the statehouse on Tuesday afternoon. We are here to say, not on our watch and not without a fight, McClellan said during her visit to Virginias Capitol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was joined by state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield and Del. Mark Sickles, D-Fairfax, along with central Virginia residents who shared their experiences with Medicaid as recipients or healthcare providers. Though it doesnt name Medicaid specifically, the U.S. House Republican budget plan adopted in February would direct the House Energy and Commerce Committee which McClellan serves on in the minority party to find ways to cut the deficit by $880 billion over the next decade. That committee has jurisdiction over Medicaid, Medicare and the Childrens Health Insurance Program. (Republicans budget plan) doesnt say the word Medicaid but you cannot get to $880 billion without cutting Medicaid, McClellan said. The federal program helps states provide healthcare coverage to low-income earners, as well as those with disabilities or who dont have employer-sponsored healthcare. When Virginia expanded its Medicaid program in 2018, Virginias acute care hospitals stepped up to provide some funding. But trigger language in the expansion means that it could be lost if federal funding changes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The possibility is troubling for Virginia Democrats, who have been sounding the alarm for months. A January memo from President Donald Trump to initiate a federal funding freeze earlier this year included a footnote detailing programs that would not be affected Medicaid was absent from that footnote. Several states also reported brief loss of connection to Medicaid portals, something Gov. Glenn Youngkins office knew about but did not disclose at the time. Hashmi and state Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Charlottesville, had tried to help Virginia prepare for potential cuts through a state budget amendment, but it didnt survive negotiations. Were going to have a lot of figuring out to do and its really going to be a struggle to do that, Deeds said earlier this year. Aida Pachecos voice strained and eyes welled Tuesday while she described how her daughter is battling breast cancer. Having worked all of her adult life, the diagnosis has left her unable to do so while she is receiving care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She has a fighting chance with Medicaid, Pacheco said. Aida Pacheco speaks about how Medicaid ensures her daughter who is battling breast cancer has health insurance while she is unable to work. Photo by Charlotte Rene Woods / Virginia Mercury Her voice grew passionate as she described opponents of Medicaid labeling beneficiaries as abusing the system or being people who dont want to work. Its insulting, she said. Katina Moss added how each of Virginias Medicaid recipients has a story of what it means for them. For Moss, it means being able to have insurance for her own health while she cares for her ill and aging mother. Just as she was launching her own small business, her mother fell ill and needed multiple surgeries. To be able to care for her, Moss has taken jobs for lesser pay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I do not intend to be on Medicaid permanently, she said, but said it has helped her at a time she otherwise would not have health care. There are too many people who are just one doctors visit away from financial ruin. Its stories like theirs that McClellan hopes her colleagues in the nations capital will listen to. When they start hearing from their constituents about how much they want them to keep their hands off their health care, theyll backtrack, McClellan said. In the meantime, there are still steps ahead before more concrete movement on Medicaid specifically could occur. Congressional Republicans are balancing pressure from the Trump administration to move forward on certain tax cuts as well as funding boosts to support military spending and mass deportations of undocumented immigrants with cuts to social programs as possibilities. There is also a reconciliation process likely to kick off next month where lawmakers can further deliberate on budgets. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Mar. 19The Bering Air flight that crashed near Nome last month, killing the pilot and all nine passengers, was more than 1,000 pounds too heavy for the icy weather it was flying into, according to a National Transportation Safety Board preliminary report released Wednesday. The crash was the third fatal civilian aviation incident in the U.S. in less than a week and one of Alaska's deadliest in recent decades. The Bering Air Cessna Caravan left Unalakleet the afternoon of Feb. 6 and went down just over 30 miles southeast of Nome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Six of the passengers were returning from jobs in Unalakleet, including a crew working on the water plant and a teaching mentor. Three others and the pilot were residents of Unalakleet or Nome. The next day, the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed the deaths of all 10 people aboard Flight 445. The NTSB report provides the first clues into what investigators think may have caused the plane to go down on the Norton Sound sea ice. The agency won't issue a probable cause until at least next year. Freezing rain was reported in Nome at the time of the crash. A large weather front over Western Alaska created the potential for ice buildup as the plane neared the airport, according to the NTSB report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The combination of occupants, baggage and cargo put the plane's takeoff weight at about 9,865 pounds about 1,058 pounds over "the maximum takeoff gross weight for flight into known or forecast icing conditions," NTSB investigator in charge Timothy Sorensen wrote. The Federal Aviation Administration requires operators to follow the weight limitations. The maximum gross takeoff weight generally reflects the heaviest weight at which a plane can safely land. There was nothing loaded onto that Bering Air flight that would have made it extraordinarily heavy, said NTSB Alaska chief Clint Johnson. The report described just under 800 pounds of baggage or cargo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's the passengers, the pilot, the fuel on board ... in addition to cargo," Johnson said. "Tools, everything you could possibly imagine coming out of the Bush." Along with the cargo compartment, the plane was outfitted with an additional pod that was certificated by the FAA, he said. The cargo pod allowed Bering Air to operate under a higher maximum weight during normal conditions but not when icing was possible. Deicing delay The plane's final signal came around 3:20 p.m. on Feb. 6. Just after 3:10 p.m., the NTSB report said, a controller informed pilot Chad Antill that the runway in Nome needed deicing and would temporarily close for 10 to 15 minutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At 3:14 p.m., the controller "added if the pilot wanted to 'slow down a little bit' to prevent the flight from arriving before the runway reopened, that would be fine," Sorensen wrote. Antill acknowledged the statement and the plane slowed and leveled off at 6,000 feet before descending to 4,000 feet a few minutes later, the report said. Then, about a minute before the plane disappeared, the autopilot was disengaged and the flight's speed and altitude dropped, it said. The controller monitoring the flight issued a low-altitude alert at 3:20 p.m., Sorensen wrote. "The controller's efforts to contact the pilot were not successful, and no further communications were received." Satellite tracking data picked up the plane's final signal at 200 feet, the report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bering Air president Russell Rowe did not respond to a message left at the company's Nome offices on Wednesday. Investigators to weigh weather, performance The federal report released Wednesday said the plane crashed north of a large stationary weather front that stretched west to east, from the Bering Sea into Northwestern Canada. Aviation weather advisories issued the day of the crash called for "occasional moderate icing" between 2,000 and 8,000 feet, the report said. Weather observations at Nome included "trace icing" starting just before 3 p.m. the day of the crash, it said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plane was equipped with deicing technology and fluid, according to the report. Investigators examining the wreckage noted minor ice accumulation on some leading-edge surfaces and significant accumulation at the base of the strobe light at the top of the plane's tail fin. Authorities have said they did not pick up any emergency signals from an onboard transmitter and heard no distress calls from the pilot. Investigators determined the plane's emergency locator transmitter became disconnected from the antenna on impact, rendering it inoperable, according to the new report. Along with multiple factors including weather, officials say the crash investigation will include a review by a senior NTSB aerospace engineer of the plane's performance, including an evaluation of the airplane's center of gravity location. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Shock, grief and support: Remembering the 10 Alaskans who died on Bering Air Flight 445] Bering Air, in operation since 1979, serves 32 villages in Western Alaska from hubs in Nome, Kotzebue and Unalakleet. People in multiple small villages served by the longtime Western Alaska air carrier welcomed planes with prayer circles as service resumed several days after the crash. The Bering Air crash appears to be Alaska's deadliest since 2013, when 10 people died in Soldotna during takeoff of a Rediske Air Inc. charter carrying two families going bear viewing. It was Bering Air's first fatal crash reported since 1987, when the pilot of a cargo flight died near Ambler, according to a federal database. Killed in last month's crash were 34-year-old Nome resident Antill and passengers Rhone Baumgartner, 46, of Anchorage; Donnell Erickson, 58, of Nome; Andrew Gonzalez, 30, of Wasilla; Kameron Hartvigson, 41, of Anchorage; Ian Hofmann, 45, of Anchorage; Talaluk Katchatag, 34, of Unalakleet; JaDee Moncur, 52, of Eagle River; Carol Mooers, 48, of Unalakleet; and Liane Ryan, 52, of Wasilla. CHICAGO The National Transportation Safety Board has released its preliminary report on the near-miss at Midway Airport on Tuesday, Feb. 25. A Southwest Airlines plane that originated from Omaha aborted a landing when the crew saw a private jet, a Bombardier Challenger 350 operated by Flexjet, crossing Runway 31-C. The Southwest plane landed safely after performing the go-around just before 9 a.m. According to the report, the private jets pilots got confused by taxi direction they were given from ground control and did not acknowledge instructions to hold short of the runway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NTSB chairwoman points finger at private jet crew for near collision at Midway Airport Investigators said the pilots told them the sun made it difficult to seeing any hold short lines, pavement markings or signs for the intersection. Officials said the pilots also claimed the runway was a similar width to taxiways and that they did not recognize it as a runway. Shortly after the incident, Joe Sweeter a transportation professor at DePaul University said an investigation into what happened and modernization at the federal level is needed, as well as additional reassurances for passengers who seek to fly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think the FAA does sort of need a mandate of modernization. Theyve been doing some great work to move that. But everybody wants thats sped up. Unfortunately, whats going to happen now is an element of chaos and distrust with things coming out of the executive branch, Sweeter said. Everybody is talking about this. Its now a household item. Were seeing it on the news week after week, and that doesnt help the airlines. That person on the fence, so to speak, may hold back on flying. Airlines are a little nervous about busy, domestic travel right now. So, lets hope things settle down a bit. Video captures near-miss between Southwest Airlines plane, jet on runway at Chicagos Midway Airport The FAA also issued the following statement on the incident. The crew of Southwest Airlines Flight 2504 initiated a go-around when a business jet entered the runway without authorization at Chicago Midway Airport. The FAA is investigating the incident, which occurred around 8:50 a.m. local time on Tuesday, Feb. 25. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A statement from Southwest Airlines read: Southwest Airlines Flight 2504 landed safely at Chicago Midway Airport on Tuesday morning after the Crew performed a precautionary go-around to avoid a possible conflict with another aircraft that entered the runway. The Crew followed safety procedures, and the flight landed without incident. Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of our Customers and Employees. Pilots earn praise for averting near collision disaster at Midway Airport WGN News also reached out to Flexjet, the company behind operation of the private aircraft, for comment regarding the incident: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are aware of the occurrence today in Chicago. Flexjet adheres to the highest safety standards and we are conducting a thorough investigation. Any action to rectify and ensure the highest safety standards will be taken. The investigation continues. 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. Mar. 18A native Odessan is now officially heading up the School of Nursing at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center here. Kelly Moseley was recently named regional dean of the school after serving as interim for a year. She replaces Sharon Cannon in the role. A Permian High School graduate, Moseley attended Odessa College, Angelo State, where she earned a bachelor of science in nursing and a master of science in nursing with an education focus, and a doctorate in health sciences from Nova Southeastern University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Starting out, Moseley wanted to be a writer, but then her grandfather got sick and being in the hospital and watching what the nurses did took her in another direction. "I think my favorite part of what they did was spending time with him and helping to ease his fears. I thought that'd be a fun job just going to sit with patients and talk to them and get to know them and help them through whatever they're going through. So I switched my major to nursing," Moseley said. Moseley began working at TTUHSC School of Nursing in August 2008 as the retention counselor for the accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. She said retention counselor was like a support person for students who were struggling in courses and she would help them take tests better. She has taught several different courses since then and is currently co-director for the Center of Excellence in Evidence-Based Practice. Before joining TTUHSC, Moseley was a staff nurse at Medical Center Hospital and an adjunct instructor of pharmacology and clinical at Odessa College. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moseley was named one of the Permian Basin Great 25 Nurses in 2019 and received the TTUHSC School of Nursing Exceptional Mentoring Award. An instructor Moseley had at Odessa College, Lori Wingate, was the one who inspired her to go into the education end of nursing. "She had us doing an assignment where we had to teach, like preschool-aged children about something. Our group picked sun safety, like wearing hats and sunscreen and stuff when you're playing in the sun. I think she really inspired me to go into education. I thought ... how fun to get to create these innovative assignments that your students really enjoy doing, and not just having them read from a book," she said. Moseley was interim dean for a year at TTUHSC and was appointed to the permanent position Jan. 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Having grown up in Odessa and gone through school here is helpful in her new role. "Although I've made a lot of contacts in this role with people that I didn't know before ... I did know of the resources that we did have in our community, so I kind of think that gave me a leg up on who to reach out to for certain things. And ... Dr. Sharon Cannon, she was an amazing mentor," Moseley said. She added that she was fortunate that Cannon was able to show her the ropes and take her to meet people in the community. Being from Odessa also helps her recruiting prospective nursing students whether it be from public, private or charter schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think that's a really good opportunity," she said. "We need to get into these areas and start reaching these kids at younger ages because by high school they pretty much know what they want to do. They may change their mind, but we need to reach them when they're younger," she said. One of her big goals is to get students more active and involved in the community. "I think people really don't know that we're here. I get asked constantly, oh, you drive to Lubbock every day? Our students get asked the same question. But I think that, one, we're tucked away over here, and we also don't have students out in their red scrubs, out in the community as often as I think they should be. I think that's a big part of nursing, too, is when you're out in the community, you see these resources that are available to your patients so when they start practicing as a nurse, they're like, hey, I remember doing this when I was in nursing school, this might benefit this patient," Moseley said. The nursing school has seen increased enrollment this year from 60 last spring to 87 this spring. Typically the summer sees lower enrollment. Last summer they had 11 and this summer they expect 23 students, Moseley said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We've done a lot more recruiting and advertising. Andrea (Storm) and her team are awesome; very helpful to us," Moseley said. Storm is the Communications and Marketing Manager for the TTUHSC Odessa campus. They had a recruiting event with Professor and physician Adrian Billings in Alpine. "They had several students come from different high school areas that were rural high schools, and their parents thought the only option was going to Lubbock, so they were really excited to find that they could just drive a couple hours versus ... six or seven hours all the way to Lubbock. They could come closer to home and get to drive back home on weekends if they wanted to," Moseley said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moseley and her husband, Patrick, have two children. She added that the passing rates for the national nursing exam are high and the staff is awesome. "They love working with our students and they're (a) well-oiled machine," Moseley said. TTUHSC School of Nursing Dean Holly Wei commented after Moseley's appointment that Moseley would do an excellent job of serving the community. "Dr. Moseley is a native of the Permian Basin and has done an excellent job serving her community," Wei said in a news release. "She is committed to providing quality education to the next generation of nurses in West Texas." New York City should create two new positions to oversee the closure of Rikers Island, which is mandated by law to take place by 2027, but is now already up to a half-decade behind schedule because the new borough jails wont be finished in time, a commission appointed to review the plans said Wednesday. The Independent Rikers Commissions report said the plan needs a point person at City Hall focused only on closing Rikers and a similar official at the Correction Department charged with readying the agency for the four new borough jails. The commission, made up of a range of jail experts and prominent New Yorkers in legal, business and political circles, also pressed in the report for expansion of the number of beds for the mentally ill, who make up half the jail population and might be the most pressing issue confronted in the system on a daily basis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Brooklyn jail is slated for completion in 2029, the Bronx jail in 2031, and Queens and Manhattan in 2032. The city could reduce that timeline by a year by having the design and construction work as one team, rather than separately as is the current structure, the panel argued. The major hurdle is the size of the jail population currently about 6,800 compared with the 3,300 ceiling originally envisioned in the Close Rikers plan and later expanded by the Adams administration to 4,500. The jail population has risen 32% since January 2022. The panel called the current population artificially inflated, caused by court backlogs and the large number of mentally ill detainees. A combination of speedier case management by the state courts, electronic monitoring and expanded drug and mental health treatment could reduce the population to 4,500, the commission said. Another 500 beds would be in state psychiatric facilities and reserved for the severely mentally ill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement None of this is guaranteed, the panel wrote. We freely admit that our projections are both science and art; the best educated guesses we can make under current circumstances. It is clear from experience that properly funded, properly staffed interventions with reasonable caseloads can make real progress. In a statement, Mayor Adams insisted he supports the closure of the jails on Rikers Island, but the original plan was not realistic. We are glad that the Lippman Commission is finally recognizing what we have been sounding the alarm on for years the plan for Rikers was flawed and did not offer a realistic timeline, he said. Adams said the city has already been investing hundreds of millions in the Correction Department and he blamed the pandemic for the delayed construction timeline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also said laws passed during the de Blasio era prohibit the city from using emergency capital funds to bolster the jail system. To leave the plan as is and deny us these funds hurts our staff and is inhumane to those in our custody, the mayor said. City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, a recently announced candidate for mayor, countered, While success requires partnership and close collaboration from many stakeholders, our citys mayoral administration must be willing to take concrete action steps and dedicate resources required to implement this blueprint, so another viable plan does not go unfulfilled. There is no shortcut to the work ahead, and there can be no discussions about the legal closure date without these types of commitments from the administration, Adams said. With Chris Sommerfeldt WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI) A father and son from Northern Jefferson County are facing several charges in connection with a multiple-agency investigation. New York State Police, in concert with multiple law enforcement agencies, executed search warrants on Tuesday, March 18, resulting in the arrest of two individuals and the seizure of 33 firearms, ammunition, and other contraband. St. Lawrence Co. DA says John Frees death was a suicide Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the state police, an investigation began on February 24, 2025, when Troopers assigned to the state police barracks in Watertown discovered that 28-year-old Guy Plumb of Redwood was in possession of an illegal revolver. A further investigation by the Counter Terrorism Intelligence Unit (CTIU)-North determined that Plumb did not possess a valid state pistol permit. Members of the Troop D Community Stabilization Unit conducted follow-up interviews and gathered additional information, which indicated that both Plumb and his father, 52-year-old Timothy Plumb of Plessis, were in possession of illegal firearms without proper permits. Search warrants were executed at a pair of locations with the assistance of Troop D VGNET Syracuse/Utica, CTIU-North, Troop D-Zone 3 BCI, Troop D-Zone 3 Uniform Patrol, the Jefferson County Sheriffs Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Here is what was seized at 46381 Barnes Settlement Road in Alexandria: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple boxes of fireworks. Two Kung Fu stars. Numerous rounds of ammunition in various calibers. Three long guns. Two deceased canines were intentionally shot and killed by Guy Plumb, as determined by the investigation. Here is what was seized at 24480 Swan Hollow Road in Alexandria: .22 caliber converted assault weapon (semi-automatic rifle with a detachable magazine, pistol grip, and collapsible buttstock). Eight long guns. Numerous rounds of ammunition Guy Plumb was charged with the following: Second-degree criminal sale of a firearm, Class C Felony. Criminal possession of a firearm (two counts) Class E Felony. Criminal sale of a semiautomatic rifle Class E Felony. Fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon Class A Misdemeanor. Fifth-degree conspiracy Class A Misdemeanor. Unlawful dealing with fireworks and dangerous fireworks Aggravated cruelty to animals (two counts) Class E Felony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Timothy Plumb received the following charges Second-degree criminal possession of a weapon (seven counts) Class C Felony. Criminal possession of a firearm (six counts) Class E Felony. Both were transported to the Jefferson County Jail for centralized arraignment. This case was conducted in cooperation with the ATF and the Jefferson County Sheriffs Department. A necropsy on the deceased canines will be conducted at a later date. The New York State Police Community Stabilization Unit remains committed to investigating narcotics, firearms, and human trafficking offenses. 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. UPDATE: Police have identified the victim as 26-year-old Selmarus Jackson of Geneva. The driver has been identified as 34-year-old Geoffrey Vanwagner of Walton. TOWN OF MILFORD, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) One driver involved in a two-car head-on collision in the Town of Milford was pronounced dead at a local hospital, New York State Police announced Wednesday. NYSP at Oneonta responded to the reported crash on State Highway 28 in Milford around 6 a.m. Wednesday, March 19. Troopers found the crash between a Toyota Corolla and a Subaru Forrester as members of the Otsego Fire Department had been on the scene providing aid to both drivers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were no other occupants in either vehicle, and both drivers were taken to Bassett Medical. The driver of the Toyota was pronounced dead at the hospital. The investigation is ongoing. 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 WIVT - News 34. OCharleys eying return to Miami Township with new name DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Plans are underway to bring new life to the former OCharleys restaurant near the Dayton Mall. Earlier this month, construction crews arrived at 2260 Miamisburg Centerville Road in Miami Township. The restaurant permanently closed in August 2023. WDTN.com obtained a zoning permit for signing for the property, which was approved by the Miami Township Community Development Department on Feb. 28. The proposed exterior designs are for Underground Chucks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An OCharleys spokesperson had previously confirmed to WDTN.com that plans were underway for the location, but couldnt provide specific details. We have exciting plans for our Miamisburg location and cant wait to share what we have in store. While we arent able to detail these plans today, please be on the lookout for updates on a new restaurant soon! We love the Miamisburg community and look forward to serving them terrific food in a friendly, welcoming environment once again. OCharleys spokesperson Proposed Underground Chucks exterior design approved by Miami Township Community Development Department On the buildings exterior, the OCharleys logo has been removed from the building, and the black lights across the building have been changed to orange. The OCharleys monument sign near the road has been covered. Job postings for Underground Chucks were listed on the OCharleys website, but have since been removed. The posting claimed the new restaurant is the neighborhoods best-kept secret. Underground Chucks is soon to be your neighborhoods best-kept secret, providing genuine hospitality, quality bar fare, and a kicked-back vibe, said the posting. Our team is built on passion, creativity, and a commitment to delivering an unforgettable dining experience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Underground Chucks website claims its name pays tribute to the companys founder. He wasnt much for the spotlight and preferred to stay in the kitchen because thats where the magic happens, said the website. Making people smile was something accomplished through his passion for making mouth-watering food and serving it up in a relaxing atmosphere. In a nearby community group on social media, an AI-Overview tool was utilized in an attempt to find an answer after someone asked why crews were working at the location. That tools result sparked a rumor that Fogo De Chao, a Brazilian steakhouse restaurant chain, was coming. WDTN.com contacted Fogo De Chao, which said it is not coming to the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The menu for the proposed location has not yet been released. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office displays OCharleys Management Company, LLC has ownership of the Underground Chucks trademark, and was registered in July 2022. 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 WDTN.com. OAKLAND CITY, Ind. (WEHT) Gibson County residents are still picking up the pieces of their homes after an EF-2 tornado tore through Oakland City. The tornado was on the ground for 47 miles, leaving a path of destruction in the county. Less than a week after the tornado, people who were affected, are still helping their community. Multiple trees are down and several homes have been destroyed, leaving the community of Oakland City to pick up the pieces. But residents are banding together to help one another. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Oakland City Lions Club is doing its part by providing free resources to those in need. Club President James Smith says this is one way his club can give back, letting those in his community know they can count on them. We have free clothing, free personal hygiene items, says Smith We have resources that are reaching out to, Oakland City International LCF for grants to help with either remodeling, rebuilding, or just basically help clean-up items. The club will be open all week on Dale Street , giving residents plenty of time to stop by and get items they need. 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). By Chandini Monnappa (Reuters) - Saudi Aramco-backed industrial software firm Cognite on Wednesday opened its AI services center in the southern Indian city of Bengaluru and said it was exploring potential contracts with top conglomerates in the country. The company said it had signed up with a large industrial cement company and a major automotive firm but declined to provide further details. "Cognite is betting on India and is investing millions of U.S. dollars currently and our investment in India will continue to increase," chief strategy officer Hakon Bjerke said. Cognite makes software that allows companies to improve the operations and safety of industrial installations, such as oil and gas platforms. It is controlled by Aker ASA, the investment firm of Norwegian billionaire Kjell Inge Roekke. "The decision to come to India was really the big opportunity here as the world was looking for an alternative to China," CEO Girish Rishi told Reuters. Apple, Tesla and electronic component maker Jabil have announced plans to expand or launch in India following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's push to bring global companies to set up centers. The recent boom in AI is changing the way many companies operate, with manufacturing firms tapping into the technology for streamlining operations, enhancing product quality and optimizing supply chains. Cognite, which recently shifted its headquarters to the U.S., currently counts AkerBP, Japanese refiner Cosmo Energy Holdings and U.S.-based Koch Chemical among its customers. Saudi Aramco, via subsidiary Aramco Overseas Company B.V., has acquired a 7.4% stake in Cognite as of February 2022. (Reporting by Chandini Monnappa in Bengaluru; Editing by Shreya Biswas) (KRON) A Catholic high school in the East Bay is mourning the loss of one of its students after they were killed in Oakland on Monday. According to officials, 15-year-old Derbing Alvarado died at the hospital after being shot on 100th Avenue. This loss has shocked and harmed the entire community, a statement from Cristo Rey De La Salle East Bay High School released Tuesday said. The Oakland Police Department said they responded at 4:15 p.m. to the 1400 block of 100th Avenue on multiple reports of a shooting. Arriving officers located Derbing suffering from a gunshot wound or wounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mother in fatal Napa DUI crash charged with vehicular manslaughter First and foremost, we want to respect and hold the students familys privacy, space, and grief at this moment, the Oakland high school wrote on its website. No parent should have to deal with such a devastating tragedy. We are here to support them on their terms and their timeline. Vigil for 15-year-old Derbing Alvarado, killed in East Oakland on Monday, March 17, 2025. Cristo Rey De La Salle announced it was offering one-on-one counseling, spiritual guidance and prayer space, grief workshops and activities and healing circles led by faculty and staff. Our mission at Cristo Rey De La Salle is to accompany our students, the school said. We are walking with them to support as they navigate grief, shock, and all the feelings that accompany a tragedy like this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Oakland PD Homicide Division is investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting. No additional information on the killing was immediately released. 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. OCONEE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) Oconee County is planning to move forward with a multi-million dollar plan to extend sewer services. A circuit judge issued the order last week allowing the county to use a 25 million-dollar bond expansion. The South Carolina Public Interest Foundation previously filed a lawsuit against Oconee County over the use of the money. The group argued that it violated the states constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge determined the timeframe for contesting the bond ended before the lawsuit was filed. 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. MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) An off-duty NYPD officer was arrested in Manhattan early Tuesday morning, according to the NYPD. Officer Julian Beka, 24, was taken into custody around 1:13 a.m. More Local News Beka was charged with assault in the third degree, police say. Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his 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. LOUISIANA (KLFY) The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles is experiencing system outages statewide. Dan Casey, the commissioner of the Office of Motor Vehicles spoke on how the recent power outages have affected OMV. It affects our operations at all of our field offices and at our partners and the public tag agents, he said. We have drivers license, reinstatement, and vehicle registration outages throughout the day. Its due to the fact that we have a 50-year-old legacy program that runs on a main frame that has just suddenly in the last few months hit some type of issue that we havent been able to identify. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that the Office of Technology Services is currently working almost around the clock, trying to find out what the cause of these outages are. They hope to have some relief in the near future, but that relief has not been identified. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest Casey said they noticed some outages over the last six to eight months on busy days like Monday and Friday afternoons. They made some adjustments, and it appeared to have helped, but in the last four to five weeks they have seen more outages on a daily basis. We notified OTS and theyve been working side-by-side with the office of motor vehicles and because theyre at the technology side of our state that runs all these big systems and again the system is 50 years old, Casey said. It shouldve been replaced years ago under another administration, probably two or three administrations ago, but Ill tell you this Governor Landry The legislators, the administration, everyone is 100% behind coming up with a solution and putting a new system in place. Were very close to completing negotiations on a contract and we hope to make an announcement and get moving on that as soon as possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said residents should continue to make the appointments. The outage seems to be affecting drivers licenses more than any other transactions. The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles also made a statement. The Office of Technology Services is actively investigating the frequent intermittent OMV system outages to resolve and stabilize the system, they said. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused our residents. Please be aware that OMV field office staff have no control over this issue. Our current outdated software fails to perform at the level our residents deserve. We understand that residents work hard to provide for their families and take valuable time off during the week to visit our field offices for their drivers license and vehicle registration needs. OMV has been working with Governor Landry, his staff, state legislators, OTS, and industry leaders to acquire and deliver a new modern driver and vehicle system. We have narrowed in on a solution that will adequately handle the needs of our agency and allow us to efficiently serve the people of Louisiana. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this transition, and we will provide updates as they become available. As the Real ID deadline is inching closer Casey said they will be open on April 12 and May 3 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. in Lafayette. Residents can go online and make an appointment. May 7 is not a super hard deadline with the TSA. The TSA is continuing to call it a deadline but theyre going to phase in the actual deadline which will be the permanent or the hard stop which is supposed to be 2027 so I dont want folks to panic. I still want to promote and get the people into our offices but while were going through this difficult time, Im hoping that they understand that there will be a phased-in approach. TSA is going to be making an announcement in the near future from 2025 to 2027, explained Casey. Latest news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 KLFY.com. WARNING: The attached link contains footage and audio that could be disturbing to some viewers. The full video can be viewed HERE on ISPs website. ST. CHARLES, Ill. (WGN) An investigation into a deadly shooting involving police and a chainsaw-wielding man in west suburban St. Charles late last year has found no wrongdoing on the part of the officers. The shooting unfolded at around 8:45 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2024, inside the senior living facility River Glen of St. Charles, after authorities received a call about a man, who was later identified as 41-year-old Daniel Escalera, wielding a chainsaw as he entered the facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Escalera, a Stockwell, Indiana resident, was fatally shot by police during the encounter. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines According to Kane County States Attorney Jamie Mosser, St. Charles Police Department officers were dispatched to the scene after they received a call about a man, who was later identified as Escalera, wielding a chainsaw as he entered the facility. The first officer who arrived on the scene made contact with Escalera as he stood near multiple residents at the doorway to the cafeteria inside the facility and made multiple verbal commands for Escalera to drop the chainsaw as the officer displayed his taser. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But authorities said Escalera refused to drop the chainsaw and instead entered the cafeteria and started it. After starting the chainsaw, the officer deployed his taser and struck Escalera in the chest. The taser knocked Escalera down briefly, but he got back up and grabbed the chainsaw before he began running toward the officer. The officer then retreated into the lobby of the facility where they were joined by a second St. Charles police officer. According to officials, both officers ran back into the cafeteria while a third officer followed Escalera through a secondary doorway of the cafeteria and back into the lobby, where Escalera then held the chainsaw over his head and ran toward the officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Escalera charged toward him, the officer fired two shots, which both missed the suspect. Escalera then collided with the officer, striking him with the chainsaw before he dropped it. Wisconsin man already serving 50 years on child sex charges handed additional 10 years Amid the confrontation, the officer fired a third shot, which hit Escalera in the left forearm, as he fled toward a hallway. The incident continued when Escalera reached the hallway, where he stopped near a resident in a wheelchair and held his hands forward in a position which appeared to imitate holding a firearm. Officials said as Escalera held his arms out, the officer fired a fourth shot, which struck the suspect in the chest. He then collapsed to the ground and was handcuffed by officers before they began providing medical treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Escalera was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Following his death, the Kane County Coroners Office diagnosed Escalera as having methamphetamine intoxication and his cause of death was ascribed to multiple gunshot wounds. Toxicology reports later showed the presence of amphetamines, methamphetamines and olanzapine. Following the shooting, Illinois State Police conducted an investigation and later presented the findings to the Kane County States Attorneys Office, pursuant to the Police and Community Relations Improvement Act 50 ILCS 727. On Tuesday, the Kane County States Attorneys Office announced that it had closed its investigation into the deadly shooting and found no wrongdoing on the part of the officers who confronted Escalera. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kane County States Attorneys Office reached its conclusion after conducting an examination of body-worn camera audio and video recordings, statements from witnesses, physical evidence from the scene, and the results of an autopsy. LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland Officials said the officer involved in the incident had the reasonable belief that the deadly force he employed was necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or other individuals. Alongside the findings of its investigation, authorities also released video of the event captured by body-worn cameras. The video shared by authorities contains footage and audio that could be disturbing to some viewers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I first want to thank the St. Charles police officers for acting to de-escalate the situations before being forced to resort to the deadly use of force, Mosser said. My thanks also to the Illinois State Police for their diligent and thorough investigation into this incident, and to the Kane County Coroners Office and the St. Charles Police Department for providing critical support and transparency throughout this process. Every case of an officer-involved shooting must be carefully and thoroughly investigated. This scrutiny maintains the publics confidence in law enforcement and ensures the protection of the civil rights of those involved. After a comprehensive and thorough review of the investigation into this tragic incident, it is clear that the officers here acted in accordance with both department policy and Illinois law. The evidence demonstrates that his actions were appropriate and justified in the circumstances. Acknowledging the tragic loss of life and offering condolences to Mr. Escaleras family, my office has therefore closed the investigation into this matter. The video of the incident was released after consultation with and authorization by the Kane County States Attorney and Illinois State Police provided Escaleras family members the opportunity to review the video before its release. 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. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Governor Spencer Cox signed a bill Tuesday to make Utahn the official designation for a citizen of the Beehive State. H.B. 230 or Utah Resident Terminology Amendments was passed during the 2025 General Session. The bill designates the term Utahn as the official name of citizens of Utah, and codifies that the term isnt spelled Utahan. There is no need to include the A,' bill sponsor Sen. Dan McCay (R Salt Lake County) said on the Senate Floor on Feb. 19. Its improper a demonym is how locals like to refer to themselves, and now we are creating a state demonym should S.B. 230 pass. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Cox signs bill addressing Alpine School District split, signs three others Rep. Jordan Teuscher (R Salt Lake County), the bills House sponsor, echoed this sentiment during floor debate, quoting Confucius and saying that things must be called by their proper names. U-T-A-H-N is the common way that Utahns would spell it, Teuscher said during floor debate. But there are those misfits out there who spell it with an -an, and so we want to make sure that its consistent in government documents, media, and education materials. This reflects our historical and local usage and aligns with our states identity and heritage. Utah is one of two states that has enshrined an official designation for citizens within state code. The other is Massachusetts, which officially calls its citizens Bay Staters in official government documents. The Federal Government uses a publishing guide for citizen designations as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill was the only one signed by the governor during the March 18 bill review session, bringing the total number of bills he has signed so far to 40. There are 542 bills left for Cox to act on before the Mar. 27 deadline. If a bill is not acted upon before that deadline, it becomes law without needing the Governors signature. According to the governors office, Cox will be reviewing bills for the rest of the week, which means there will likely be more bills that will be signed or vetoed throughout the week. The governor has not indicated if there are any specific bills he plans to veto, but he has said he might veto some. For more legislative updates, visit Inside Utah Politics. 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. Jeanette Vizguerra, a Colorado advocate for immigrants who sheltered in a church for months in 2017, was detained by officials Monday, local advocates said. The Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition demanded the immediate release of Vizguerra after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained her at her workplace. Jeanette is a pilar of the community and has supported countless families, the organization said in a statement. ICE had no reason to detain herthis cruel and unnecessary action is causing irreparable harm to her family and community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group said it was clear Vizguerra was targeted for her criticism of deportation and her advocacy for the immigrant community. ICEs actions raise serious due process concerns, and her attorneys are working to correct the legal errors behind her detention, the organization said. During President Trumps first term, Vizguerra lived in a church in Colorado for 86 days to take sanctuary from immigration agents. Her stay of removal was granted by ICE. She immigrated to Colorado in 1997 without legal status after her husband was held at gunpoint in Mexico City. She has four children, one of whom is a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipient; the other three are U.S. citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vizguerra was featured in Times 100 most influential people list in 2017 and said she would continue her activism work. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston (D) addressed Vizguerras detainment Tuesday, slamming it as a Putin-style persecution. This is not immigration enforcement. This is a Soviet-style political persecution of political dissidents under the guise of immigration enforcement, he said. This is not someone with a criminal record. This is a mom of American citizens who works at Target and has started a community nonprofit. This is not something that makes our community safer, Johnston said, pointing to the Trump administrations crackdown on migrant crime. In my mind, I think it makes our community lawless. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jordan Garcia, a family friend of Vizguerras, told The Washington Post that Vizguerra had been in touch with her children and is doing OK. She knew she would be a target of the new Trump administration and had kept a relatively low profile in recent years as she continued to navigate her own legal process, Garcia said. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) called on the Trump administration to show transparency regarding Vizguerras detainment, noting she has no history of violence and is not a threat to the community. He said the state had not been notified of Vizguerras arrest and wants ICE to focus on detaining violent offenders. He noted various arrests have an impact on taxpayer dollars and Vizguerra deserves due process. The Hill has reached out to the White House and ICEs Denver field office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. If you enjoy fishing in the Potomac or Anacostia rivers, you may want to think twice before cooking up and eating your catch. Officials in the capital have issued a new fish consumption advisory due to high levels of PFAS. These contaminants have been linked to serious health risks, raising concerns about their growing presence in the local food chains. What is happening? The District of Columbia's Department of Energy and Environment has issued its first-ever fish consumption advisory based on PFAS contamination synthetic substances often called "forever chemicals" because they don't break down in the environment. These chemicals, along with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and heavy metals, were detected in fish tissue from the Potomac and Anacostia rivers. The advisory urges residents to avoid eating eel, carp, striped bass, and largemouth bass entirely. Other species, including catfish, perch, and sunfish, should only be consumed in limited amounts. While this warning applies only to fish caught in local waters not those sold in grocery stores or restaurants it does highlight growing concerns about water pollution and public health. Why is this concerning? PFAS are used in everyday items like nonstick cookware and waterproof fabrics, and once they enter waterways, they accumulate in fish and people. Long-term exposure has been linked to cancer, liver disease, hormone disruption, and weakened immune function. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because these chemicals are so persistent, they're difficult to clean up. The EPA has set drinking water limits for PFAS, but fish consumption guidelines remain unclear, leaving local governments to set their own standards. Without clear federal regulations, people may be unknowingly exposed to unsafe levels of these contaminants. What's being done about it? The EPA is working on stricter regulations for PFAS in food and water, but progress has been slow, and reported plans for staffing reductions at the agency may only compound that. Some states, like Maine and Michigan, have moved forward with their own regulations to monitor and reduce contamination. Individuals can take steps to limit exposure by checking fish advisories before eating wild-caught fish and using water filters that reduce PFAS. Avoiding nonstick cookware and stain-resistant products can also help minimize everyday exposure. 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. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is suing a Youngstown-area retailer specializing in luxury home decor after hundreds of customers reported paying for furnishings that never arrived. Yost filed suit in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court to hold Burke Decor and its owner, Erin Burke. A release from the Attorney Generals Office states there were more than 350 complaints against the business, with estimated losses exceeding $380,000. Consumers paid for high-end furnishings but ended up with only frustration, Yost said. My office gave this company the opportunity to make this right, but empty promises dont fill homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burke Decor operates two brick-and-mortar locations in Boardman, Ohio, and Los Angeles, California, as well as an outlet in Youngstown. The company also sells home furnishings through its website, BurkeDecor.com. First News has previously reported on Burke Decor after FedEx filed a $1.6 million lawsuit against the company earlier this year. In the filing, FedEx said it provided commercial shipping for Burke through a service agreement since before 2023, and in June 2023, Burke signed an agreement with FedEx but breached that contract by failing to make timely payments. The Ohio Attorney Generals Office launched an investigation into the business last year after receiving a growing number of consumer complaints regarding non-delivery, slow delivery, and difficulties with obtaining refunds. Although Burke Decor initially cooperated in resolving consumer disputes, 256 consumer complaints remain unresolved, according to Yost. Yosts lawsuit seeks restitution for affected consumers, injunctive relief to prevent further deceptive practices and civil penalties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Owner Erin Burke, with an address in Los Angeles, filed for personal Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection over the summer in a bankruptcy court there. The latest filing in that case was an opposition filed by creditor Pinterest. Ohioans who believe they have been victims of unfair or deceptive practices can file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Section online here or by calling 1-800-282-0515. First News has reached out to Burke Decor and has yet to receive a response. Patty Coller 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. Child care worker Marci Then helps her daughter, Mila, 4, put away toys. (File photo by Elaine S. Povich/Stateline.) Ohio businesses say theyre ready to implement pending legislation that would improve the child care industry, and in fact, some already have programs in place that they say prove the usefulness of not only business support, but state support in child care. Ron Holbrook, of Sugar Creek Packing Company, said the food manufacturer works as an example of public-private partnerships and their ability to work. The company has 2,400 employees in two states, and already has two child care facilities open on or near company worksites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As an entrepreneurial, growth-oriented company we have become intimately aware of barriers to work that many Ohioans face, and have implemented programs to help overcome them, Holbrook said during a meeting of the Ohio House Children and Human Services Committee. The committee heard supportive testimony on both House Bill 2 and House Bill 41, bills aimed at increasing the funding and capacity for the child care sector. H.B. 2 is a Republican-led reintroduction from the last General Assembly of a cost-sharing model that would split child care expenses between the state, employers and eligible employees of those companies. Under the Child Care Cred Program, employers would apply for funds to help employees with child care in a first-come, first-served program that would be funded with $10 million, handled by the Ohio Department of Children and Youth. H.B. 41 is also a Republican-led bill, one that would require the Ohio Department of Children and Youth to establish a grant program to expand child care capacity, support the states workforce and aid in business growth and recruitment, according to a bill analysis by the Ohio Legislative Service Commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill would create grants of up to $750,000 to help employers equip themselves with child care facilities and partner with child care providers, governmental agencies, or nonprofits on initiatives to create child care capacity. The basis of the child care program at Sugar Creeks facilities one of which is at the Washington Court House campus and another near their Indiana facility is utilizing the skills the company has of building and maintaining property and furniture, allowing licensed child care providers to run the day-to-day operations of taking care of children. In their child care facilities, the first slots available go to Sugar Creek employees, and any leftover slots go to other residents of the community. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Child care and other benefits have been a focus for Sugar Creek Packing Company because Holbrook said the leadership of the company, specifically owner John Richardson, sees support for workers as a foundation for a successful company. Hes always told me in my position that you cant have a successful business in a community that isnt successful, and a community cant be successful if their businesses arent successful, Holbrook said. Aside from that, we need the employees. For the Ohio Association of Goodwill Industries, having the needed services like child care helps the employees of their company, but also brings a solution to areas of the state where residents struggle to pay for child care, but also cant find child care to utilize at all. In 2023, Goodwill of South Central Ohio became the first Goodwill in the state to open a child care center and only the fourth Goodwill in the Midwest to do so, according to Prince Garuba, executive director of the association. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This center addresses a critical need in Ross County and the broader Appalachian region, which is classified as a child care desert where access to child care facilities is significantly limited, Garuba said. The demand for more centers in this area was, and remains, urgent. Rick Carfagna, a former Republican legislator who is now senior vice president of government affairs for the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, said the cost-sharing model in H.B. 2 is priority legislation for the chamber, and something for which the chamber has heard plenty of support from businesses. They want to be a part of the solution, but they also dont want to assume total responsibility for solving the problem either, Carfagna told the committee. In Ohio, Carfagna said the child care problem is two-fold: child care is too scarce, and when its available, its too expensive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We support these measures (in H.B. 2) and we believe that encouraging employers to privately invest in such an employee benefit is an innovative solution to address costs and reduce barriers to employment, he said. That loss of employees due to the rising costs and lack of access to child care has already had significant impacts in the country and in the coffers at the state level as well. The chamber is set to release its version of an annual report conducted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation showing state-by-state financial impacts due to a lack of child care. The Untapped Potential report has not been released for Ohio quite yet, but Carfagna said hed seen a raw copy that showed a loss of $5.5 billion in economic activity every year for the state because of the child care crisis, and an estimated $1.52 billion in lost annual tax revenue. The state could be clawing back that money by supporting the child care industry in the areas of cost, capacity, and staffing support, he said. Through the implementation of the grants included in H.B. 41, it could also be funding more programs like those already underway in the state that are using dormant or underutilized commercial properties that are ripe for conversion into child care spaces, he told the committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ashland County, for example, has a public-private collaborative called the Womens Fund Childcare Initiative, which plans to use donated land in an industrial park for a 12,400 square-feet child care space, after raising more than $4 million from donors to do so. These types of partnerships leverage existing facilities operated by trusted organizations within our communities to increase child care capacity, Carfagna said. While the measures to improve child care in the state are all important to the chamber, Carfagna also mentioned a component of the governors executive budget that he and his organization hope to see continue on to the final draft: raising the eligibility for publicly funded child care to 200% of the federal poverty level. When talking about the cost-sharing model in H.B. 2, Carfagna brought up other states which have implemented pilot programs similar to the model proposed for Ohio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said Michigan has now scaled their original pilot program out to now serve about 700 families, in partnership with about 200 employers. The state is kicking in about $3 million for that effort, but the state is also bolstered by publicly funded child care eligibility at the 200% level. We actually support that, top priority, keeping whats in the executive budget, but thats a separate issue, Carfagna said. Kentucky and Pennsylvania also set their eligibility at 200% of the federal poverty level, though Carfagna acknowledged that raising it from the current level of 145% doesnt come without costs itself. If you really want to make the biggest impact, thats the biggest impact, Carfagna said. Now I also know that has the biggest cost to it. Budget conversations are ongoing in the Ohio legislature, with a deadline of July 1 to get the budget to the governor for his signature. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE By Toby Sterling and Nathan Vifflin AMSTERDAM (Reuters) -Computer chip makers and semiconductor supply chain firms called on the European Commission to launch a follow up to the 2023 Chips Act on Wednesday, this time focusing on chip design, materials and equipment, in addition to manufacturing. The first EU chips act prompted a wave of investment in manufacturing, but failed to attract cutting-edge chipmakers or address the rest of the supply chain. Most funding was provided by member states, yet projects needed EU approval - a model criticized as too slow. Still, European firms say it provided a counterweight to larger state support programs in the U.S. and China. Following a meeting with top sector firms and European lawmakers in Brussels on Wednesday, industry groups ESIA, representing chipmakers, and SEMI Europe, representing the broader industry, said they would send their plea for a 'Chips Act 2.0' to Commission digital chief Henna Virkkunen. A new program should "decisively support semiconductor design and manufacturing, R&D, materials and equipment," SEMI said in a statement. Subsidies for suppliers are needed to strengthen the broader industry, European Parliament Member and event host Oliver Schenk told Reuters. "In Taiwan, you see companies like BASF or other chemical companies from Europe, producing together with TSMC, but you won't find them here in Europe", he said. Among more than a dozen firms represented at the meeting were chipmakers NXP, STMicroelectronics, Infineon and Bosch, equipment makers ASML and ASM, Zeiss and Air Liquide. The Commission has yet to detail its plans for the semiconductor industry, though it has said it intends to launch five packages this year spurring European investment, notably in AI. Last week a group of nine European countries said they would form their own coalition alongside the Commission to strengthen Europe's chip industry. (Reporting by Toby Sterling and Nathan Vifflin; Editing by Alexandra Hudson and Elaine Hardcastle) Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman, R-Lima. (Photo by Graham Stokes for Ohio Capital Journal. Republish photo only with original article.) Ohio House Republican lawmakers voted to pass a massive higher education overhaul bill Wednesday that would ban diversity and inclusion efforts and prevent faculty from striking. State Sen. Jerry Cirino, R-Kirtland, introduced S.B. 1, which passed the Ohio Senate last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now that its been passed by the House, it now heads back to the Ohio Senate for concurrence with changes made to the bill by the House. Ohio Senate President Rob McColley, R-Napoleon, said Wednesday the Senate will concur with House changes at a later date. After the Senate concurs with the House changes, the bill will go to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWines desk and DeWine will have 10 days to sign the bill into law or veto it once he receives it. If DeWine vetoes the bill, lawmakers would need three-fifths vote from each chamber to override it. In addition to the bans on diversity efforts and faculty strikes, S.B. 1 would also set rules around classroom discussion, create post-tenure reviews, put diversity scholarships at risk, create a retrenchment provision that block unions from negotiating on tenure, shorten university board of trustees terms from nine years down to six years, and require students take an American history course, among other things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For classroom discussion, the bill would set rules around topics involving controversial beliefs such as climate policies, electoral politics, foreign policy, diversity and inclusion programs, immigration policy, marriage, or abortion. S.B. 1 would only affect Ohios public universities. The Ohio House Higher Education Committee voted the bill out of committee Wednesday morning with a 9-4 party-line vote after listening to people testify in support of the bill. The committee also approved amendments to S.B. 1 that would require universities to stop accepting funds for scholarships with diversity and inclusion requirements four years after the bill becomes law. Another amendment requires the Chancellor of Higher Education to do a diversity study of students enrolled in universities based on race, ethnicity, and biological sex and submit the report to lawmakers within six years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Twenty-four people submitted testimony in support of S.B.1, including students from Miami University. A handful of students from Ashland University testified in favor of the civics education provisions in the bill, but S.B. 1 would not affect Ashland since its a private university. Senate Bill 1 represents a pivotal step forward in restoring balance, accountability, and intellectual diversity within Ohios public higher education system, said Spencer Mandzak, a senior at Miami University. For too long, our colleges and universities have become environments where one-sided political ideologies dominate the academic discourse, often at the expense of open dialogue and differing perspectives. Outside of the Ohio Statehouse, a mass of college students and protesters rallied against the bill, saying it would destroy freedom of thought and expression on university campuses and push students out-of-state. (S.B. 1) is harmful for students, said Bobby Arthur McAlpine, Ohio States undergraduate student body president. Ohio House All Democrats present and three Republicans Reps. Cindy Abrams, Scott Oelslager and former speaker Jason Stephens voted against the bill for a 59-34 vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers discussed S.B. 1 for more than two and a half hours during Wednesdays House session. Various provisions of the bill were discussed including DEI, collective bargaining, board of trustees term length, civics education, and striking. Lets be clear, this is not an anti-labor bill, said state Rep. Josh Williams, R-Sylvania Twp. Our students here at our universities are not tools to be used by faculty. The original purpose of DEI was to create fairness in education and workforce, said state Rep. Tom Young, R-Washington Twp. For decades, it worked, but somewhere along the way, DEI changed, he said. Instead of fostering inclusion, it has become a tool for division, enforcing ideological conformity rather than true fairness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Rep. Gary Click, R-Vickery, spoke out against DEI. DEI flips the script and judges people by the color of their skin rather than the content of their character, he said. Ohio Democrats offered a handful of floor amendments that were all tabled, including state Rep. Erika Whites amendment related to the bills strike provision. A strike represents a heart wrenching decision, she said. Nobody wants to go on strike. Workers lose money. Its the last decision that workers have to choose, and when they do that, that means they reach the point of desperation, of attending every single avenue of dialogue and resolution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Rep. Beryl Brown Piccolantonio, D-Gahanna, questioned why this bill is the focus of lawmakers instead of legislation dealing with issues such as property taxes and affordable housing. This bill legislates away rights for working people and rights for students, she said. It will muzzle free speech, and it will create a weaker Ohio job market. It is mystifying to me what we are doing today. Opposition S.B. 1 has received overwhelming opposition. More than 1,500 people have submitted opponent testimony against the bill. Hundreds of students around the state have protested against the bill. Students and faculty have said they would leave Ohio if the bill becomes law. More than 900 medical students, residents and attending physicians in Ohio signed a letter on Tuesday asking lawmakers to reject S.B. 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Should diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) be restricted or prohibited in higher education, we would not be adequately prepared to care for patients from all backgrounds and may be more likely to cause unintentional harm to our patients, the letter said. We cannot adequately be prepared to care for all patients, all Ohioans, without DEI in our medical schools. Ohio Conference of the American Association of University Professors Executive Director Sara Kilpatrick said S.B. 1 will drive students and faculty out of Ohio and lower the quality of research. S.B. 1 is a slow motion wrecking ball aimed at Ohios public colleges and universities, she said in a statement Wednesday night. Ohio Federation of Teachers Melissa Cropper hopes DeWine carefully considers the bill, if it ends up on his desk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement S.B. 1 will sabotage Ohios public colleges and universities with unfunded mandates, politicized directives, and restrictions on workers rights, leaving higher education in Ohio unable to compete with neighboring states, she said in a statement Wednesday night. Ohio college students and protesters rally at the Statehouse on March 19, 2025, against Senate Bill 1, a higher education overhaul that bans diversity efforts and faculty strikes, and sets rules around classroom discussion, among other things. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.) Ohio college students and protesters rally at the Statehouse on March 19, 2025, against Senate Bill 1, a higher education overhaul that bans diversity efforts and faculty strikes, and sets rules around classroom discussion, among other things. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.) Ohio college students and protesters rally at the Statehouse on March 19, 2025, against Senate Bill 1, a higher education overhaul that bans diversity efforts and faculty strikes, and sets rules around classroom discussion, among other things. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohio college students and protesters rally at the Statehouse on March 19, 2025, against Senate Bill 1, a higher education overhaul that bans diversity efforts and faculty strikes, and sets rules around classroom discussion, among other things. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.) Ohio college students and protesters rally at the Statehouse on March 19, 2025, against Senate Bill 1, a higher education overhaul that bans diversity efforts and faculty strikes, and sets rules around classroom discussion, among other things. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.) Ohio college students and protesters rally at the Statehouse on March 19, 2025, against Senate Bill 1, a higher education overhaul that bans diversity efforts and faculty strikes, and sets rules around classroom discussion, among other things. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.) Ohio college students and protesters rally at the Statehouse on March 19, 2025, against Senate Bill 1, a higher education overhaul that bans diversity efforts and faculty strikes, and sets rules around classroom discussion, among other things. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.) Ohio college students and protesters rally at the Statehouse on March 19, 2025, against Senate Bill 1, a higher education overhaul that bans diversity efforts and faculty strikes, and sets rules around classroom discussion, among other things. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.) Ohio college students and protesters rally at the Statehouse on March 19, 2025, against Senate Bill 1, a higher education overhaul that bans diversity efforts and faculty strikes, and sets rules around classroom discussion, among other things. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.) Ohio college students and protesters rally at the Statehouse on March 19, 2025, against Senate Bill 1, a higher education overhaul that bans diversity efforts and faculty strikes, and sets rules around classroom discussion, among other things. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.) Follow Capital Journal Reporter Megan Henry on Bluesky. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE What was meant to be a brief mission in space in June turned into a 9-month stay aboard the International Space Station for two NASA astronauts, including an Ohio native. But Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, originally from Euclid, Ohio, are back on terra firma, having splashed down Tuesday after what is now officially the sixth-longest mission in NASA's history at 280 days. Only five astronauts have spent more consecutive days in space than the pair. Who is Suni Williams? Sunita L. (Suni) Williams, who will turn 60 in September, was born in Euclid, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. However, she considers Needham, Massachusetts, to be her hometown, according to her NASA bio. Williams was selected as an astronaut in 1998 and is a veteran of three space missions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physical science in 1987. She earned a Master of Science in Engineering Management from the Florida Institute of Technology in 1995. Williams was designated a naval aviator in July 1989 and has logged more than 3000 flight hours in over 30 different aircraft. She retired from the U.S. Navy with the rank of captain. Her previous NASA missions both took her to the International Space Station, from Dec. 9, 2006, to June 22, 2007, and from July 14 to Nov. 18, 2012. How did Sunita Williams survive in space? What happened to the Boeing Starliner? Wilmore and Williams were selected for the first crewed test flight of Boeing's Starliner, USA TODAY reports. The pair arrived in June at the space station for what was meant to be a brief orbital stay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, NASA decided the troubled Boeing vehicle wasn't up to the task of transporting them back to Earth. Helium leaks and propulsion issues were discovered when the Starliner reached the station. It undocked in September without Wilmore and Williams for a parachute landing in the New Mexico desert. NASA then decided to keep Williams and Wilmore in orbit for a few extra months rather than launch an emergency mission to return them to Earth in order to keep the space station fully staffed. SpaceX Dragon returns astronauts to Earth Williams and Wilmore's unexpectedly long time in space came to an end on Tuesday when a SpaceX Dragon craft carrying a new crew for the ISS returned them to Earth. The pair splashed down after about a 17-hour voyage, landing just before 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday off the coast of Florida with the two astronauts of a mission known as Crew-9. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "And splashdown. Crew-9 back on Earth," NASA communications officer Sandra Jones said while commenting on NASA's livestream. Both will now get to at long last reunite with their families and friends while recovering from the physical toll of a lengthy spaceflight, per USA TODAY. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: SpaceX Dragon returns Ohio native, NASA astronauts stuck in space (Stock photo Mint Images/Getty Images) The number of retail pharmacies in Ohio last year dropped below 2,000, according to a data tool made public last month by the Ohio Board of Pharmacy. Thats worsening fears that especially in low-income rural areas, underserved people will find it even harder to get medicine, vaccines, and advice about how to handle chronic health conditions. As a possible hint to how we got here, the dashboard also shows an inflection point that occurred almost a decade ago, between 2015 and 2016. Thats where the line charting pharmacy closures crossed over the one marking openings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BOP Inflection point They would never re-cross, and some observers say the inflection didnt occur in a vacuum. Those lines crossed for a reason, said Dave Burke, a pharmacist, former state senator, and executive director of the Ohio Pharmacists Association. He said that was about the time that increasingly powerful middlemen known as pharmacy benefit managers began imposing tighter and tighter requirements on the pharmacies in their networks and paying them less. There was the slow onset of (clawbacks), increasing audits, tighter network requirements, dropping reimbursements, Burke said earlier this month. The market changed during that time period and it consistently tightened up, probably even through today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The three biggest pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, now handle nearly 80% of the insured drug transactions in the United States. Each is affiliated with a major insurer as part of a Fortune 15 conglomerate UnitedHealth Group, CVS Health, and Cigna-Express Scripts. Strangle hold The PBMs act on behalf of insurers to facilitate pharmacy transactions, in part by creating pharmacy networks and determining how much to reimburse pharmacies for the drugs they provide. Critics say the system is rife with conflicts because the conglomerates own their own insurance companies and pharmacies. Meanwhile, their PBMs make non-transparent deals with their own affiliates and their competitors in both spaces. The Federal Trade Commission has accused the companies of engaging in anticompetitive practices to inflate the cost of lifesaving drugs such as insulin, and of possibly steering purchases of the most expensive drugs to their own pharmacies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Competing pharmacies also say that because the big PBMs control access to so many patients, they have no choice but to accept whatever deals they offer. Indeed, through mergers and other maneuvers, the top-three PBMs have dramatically increased their control over time from about 45% in 2009, to about 70% in 2016, to nearly 80% by 2021, according to an interim report released last summer by the FTC. PBM consolidation Burke, of the Ohio Pharmacists Association, said that the 2015-2016 inflection point came just as that market control was taking hold. I think you saw a lot of consolidation, he said. The big three PBMs started to emerge. We had dozens of PBMs in this space and were down to three, basically, and that consolidation started at that time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association represents big players in the PBM industry. It argues that despite all the criticism, PBMs have brought down drug prices by using their clout in negotiations with drugmakers. On Tuesday, association spokesman Greg Lopes denied that the big-three PBMs were driving Ohio pharmacies out of business. It makes no sense that PBMs are putting pharmacies out of business, and blaming PBMs for pharmacy closures is not based on the facts, he said in an email. Not a single independent retail pharmacy closed last year in Ohio. Mass closures The Board of Pharmacy dashboard says the number of independent pharmacies has been mostly flat in Ohio, showing a net increase of 37 stores between 2012 and last year. Meanwhile, small chains have declined by a net 39 stores over that period, and large chains have closed a whopping 330 stores over that period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Antonio Ciaccia, a drug-pricing expert who used to lobby for the Ohio Pharmacists Association, said that by all other indicators, Ohio should have been adding pharmacies of all kinds over the past decade. Ohios population growth has been constant since then, he said. The amount of medications we take nationally has been going up constantly. We have an aging population in the state of Ohio, which means you see more medication use. By every other metric, one would assume that pharmacy need and access would be on the uptick. The opposite actually occurred. The loss of big-chain pharmacies has been occurring since late 2017, and then it accelerated in the middle of the pandemic. Rite Aid last year filed for bankruptcy and said it would close hundreds of stores in Ohio and Michigan. CVS last year finished closing 900 stores nationwide. Already in the process of closing more than 1,000 stores, Walgreens earlier this month announced that it was selling itself to a private-equity firm. That raises the prospect that it will close many more particularly in poor, underserved areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Part of the chains business woes surely stem from a difficult brick-and-mortar retail environment. People couldnt or didnt want to go to the store to buy things during the pandemic so they got used to getting them online. Black box But also besetting retail pharmacies were the health conglomerates business practices stretching all the way back to the inflection point between 2015 and 2016 when Ohios pharmacy closures exceeded openings. Ciaccia said that was roughly the same time that CVSs PBM began to charge the states largest Medicaid managed-care provider, Caresource, on a basis similar to the one it was using with the other three managed-care plans it was serving. Called spread pricing, CVS Caremark was billing the plans and ultimately the taxpayers for drugs at one rate and reimbursing pharmacies at a far lower one. UnitedHealths PBM, OptumRx, was doing the same thing with the one managed-care organization it served. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The contracts were non-transparent, and state officials, pharmacists, and the public were oblivious to the magnitude of the spread. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE It was massive. As complaints rose, the Ohio Department of Medicaid in 2018 got the PBMs to turn over their data for 2017. An analysis showed that in that year alone, the PBMs charged the state $224 million more for drugs than they paid the pharmacies that had bought and dispensed them. Ciaccia said that CVSs addition of Caresource to the spread-pricing scheme had a huge impact because it served more Medicaid patients than the four other managed-care organizations combined. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And of course, this was just in the government-sponsored Medicaid program. Theres no telling whether, or to what extent, the big PBMs were using spread pricing with private insurers. Ohio later forbade spread pricing. But as the Medicaid spread was going on, CVSs real-estate arm was sending letters to retail competitors acknowledging that reimbursements (including, apparently, from CVSs own PBM) were bad and offering to buy them out. At the beginning of 2019, CVS announced that it was buying more than 20 stores from the small Ritzman chain and closing all but a few. With the rest, it moved the prescription files to the nearest CVS stores a practice it used widely in the years leading up to the pandemic. When the financial turmoil of the pandemic struck, CVSs buy-and-close tactic landed it in hot water with the Board of Pharmacy. The company last year paid the largest amount in Ohio history to settle claims with the board that the remaining CVS stores were so understaffed that they endangered patient safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Ciaccia, Burke, and others, many of the problems troubling the pharmacy world can be traced back to the 2015-2016 timeframe, when questions about PBM consolidation and a lack of transparency began bubbling up. Perhaps not coincidentally, thats when Ohios net number of closures began, never to reverse. The plans and the state had no visibility into what the pharmacies were actually being paid, Ciaccia said. As soon as that visibility went away, thats when the floor dropped out. Thats when the pharmacy reimbursements all took a massive hit. Shortly thereafter, thats when we saw the letters go to pharmacies saying, We know that times are tough, you should sell your pharmacy to us. The pharmacy marketplace as a whole has not rebounded from that moment. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The Ohio Statehouse. (Photo by Jake Zuckerman, Ohio Capital Journal.) Despite families of cancer victims pleading with Ohio lawmakers, Republicans at the Statehouse arent interested in raising the tax on cigarettes to pay for a $1,000 child tax credit proposed by Gov. Mike DeWine. One family shared their story. We were making plans for what life looked like once both kids were off doing their own thing, Vince Marchetta, from Akron, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marchetta was excited, envisioning his future as empty nesters with his wife, Betsy. Instead, I attended both my kids college graduations without her, he said. Betsy lost her 5-month battle against cervical cancer in 2019. The devastating loss was made even more difficult by the fact that she had just beaten cancer once before, with her full fight being just two years. (Family photo provided by Vince Marchetti.) Theyre gonna live their lives longer without their mother than theyre gonna live with her, he said, noting that she died as their son was going into his senior year of high school. Its just heartbreaking that they are going to have big life events that she will never be a part of. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The father, while grieving, changed his plans from traveling with his wife of 26 years to advocating to prevent more families from suffering the same tragedy. It put me in a position to be a voice for her and for all the other people that arent able to speak up, he said, sharing that he is the Ohio lead ambassador for the American Cancer Society. He spent a day at the Ohio Statehouse advocating for the lawmakers to approve Gov. Mike DeWines proposal to increase the tax on cigarettes by $1.50. It would also increase funding for tobacco use prevention. This money would then go towards a $1,000 child tax credit for parents with young children. Teenagers like Marianna Packer also spoke out in favor of the tax hike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tax increase would make it less likely for kids to buy it because its so expensive and they dont have the means to buy it, she said. Ohio state Rep. Brian Stewart, R-Ashville. Official photo. But lawmakers like House Finance Chair Brian Stewart, R-Ashville, arent buying the proposal. Republicans dont like to raise taxes, Stewart said. Cigarettes and tobacco products are already pretty darn expensive and pretty heavily taxed. Cigarettes are currently taxed at $1.60, which means it would increase to $3.10 per pack under DeWines proposal. At some point, I think you have to respect the freedoms of Ohioans to choose what they want to do for their own life, he added. And to just continually raise taxes on people as a punitive measure I just dont think it appeals to a lot of people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate President Rob McColley, R-Napoleon, added that upping the tax may hurt the states budget in the long run. Its been a declining source of revenue for years, and I would suggest that if the cigarette tax were increased even more above what it is, its probably going to be an even more rapidly declining source of revenue, he said. Marchetta asked what is the price of saving a life. If what we do saves one persons life, were advancing our cause, Marchetta said. Obviously, we have so many more lives to save, but one by one, we want to make sure that were saving people from cancer. Lawmakers say they will continue to debate the proposal in the coming weeks. This article was originally published on News5Cleveland.com and is published in the Ohio Capital Journal under a content-sharing agreement. Unlike other OCJ articles, it is not available for free republication by other news outlets as it is owned by WEWS in Cleveland. Follow WEWS statehouse reporter Morgan Trau on Twitter and Facebook. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Ohio state Sen. Bill Reineke, R-Tiffin, addressing the Senate. (Photo by Nick Evans, Ohio Capital Journal.) The Ohio Senate unanimously approved a measure Wednesday overhauling much of the states energy sector. The chief goal of the proposal is to encourage investment in new, primarily gas-fired, power plants as the states energy demands skyrocket. But as part of the bill, lawmakers made broad changes to the way to utilities bill customers. Utility regulators would be subject to a shot clock meant to speed rate cases through the process and utilities themselves wont be able to rely on the energy bill surcharges that have helped bolster their balance sheets. But perhaps most notable, the bill eliminates the legacy generation rider a surcharge devised to prop up two aging coal plants that are part of the Ohio Valley Electric Corporation. That controversial rider was part of 2019s Ohio House Bill 6 which was at the heart of a massive bribery scheme that landed former House Speaker Larry Householder in federal prison with a 20-year sentence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, the legacy generation rider has cost ratepayers about half a billion dollars. The high points Senate Bill 2 draws a bright line between the companies building new power generation facilities and the ones more familiar names that show up on your monthly bill. Those energy giants control power distribution, and since 1999, theyve largely been cut out of the generation business. Were making it clear that generation is separate from transmission, the bills sponsor state Sen. Bill Reineke, R-Tiffin, told lawmakers Wednesday. In addition to keeping energy giants out of the marketplace, Reinekes bill offers tax incentives for newcomers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There will be no (tangible personal property) tax on new generation projects, he explained, and a reduction from 88% to 25% on new transmission, distribution, and pipeline infrastructure. In addition, Reineke bragged about cutting the turnaround time on regulatory decisions. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE We are changing that from 540 days on average to 365 days, and some siting cases will drop to 120, Reineke said. It is not acceptable to be behind California and New York, so we will improve our turnaround time. With a wave of new power-hungry customers so-called behind the meter service has gained traction. Some distribution companies want to dip a toe in the marketplace, building bespoke power plants for data centers around Ohio. But under the bill, existing facilities would be ok, but after its effective date, distribution companies would not be able to participate. Quibbles from supporters With unanimous approval, Reinekes efforts got a lot of praise, but even some supporters offered a grain of salt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Sen. Bill DeMora, D-Columbus, joked that a program helping schools get loans for rooftop solar, might be the only bright idea Ive had in a while, and thanked Reineke for including it in the bill. But he added, This isnt a perfect bill, noting it could have done more to improve energy efficiency. I know the utilities didnt get everything, I know that the consumers counsel didnt get everything, I know that the users didnt get everything, he continued, which, what I was told growing up, is if everybody didnt get everything they want, then its a good bill. State Sen. Louis Blessing, III, R-Colerain Township. (Photo by Graham Stokes for Ohio Capital Journal. Republish photo only with original article.) State Sen. Louis Blessing, R-Colerain Twp., said the assumptions driving the bill might be flawed. So, for starters, this does move us more towards a deregulated state, away from a regulated state, and I think that is a problem, he argued, because I think the regulated state is a better model for cheaper, more plentiful, and reliable energy in this state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If deregulation was so wonderful, he asked, Why are we talking about all of this need for energy right now, when weve been a deregulated state now for over 25 years? Blessing said companies building new power plants arent incentivized to maximize output because all that supply would just reduce the value of their product. He added that customers in deregulated markets often pay more for energy than those in regulated markets on average, $40 a month more. I will vote yes, he said, but I wouldnt expect this to be the panacea that we think it is. Leaders reactions Following session, Senate President Rob McColley called the measure a big piece of puzzle when it comes to utility reform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This bill, really is something that I think is going to pay dividends for decades to come, he said. This is a shift in energy policy that is saying that not only are we open to large energy users coming here and generating their own energy and bringing the economic development and jobs that comes with that, but also that we are open for energy users, such as the natural gas industry, to come here and set up shop easier. Across the aisle, Sen. Kent Smith, D-Euclid, was thrilled to see lawmakers taking steps to repeal HB 6s OVEC coal plant subsidies. Hes been working on utility issues for 11 years, and said SB 2 might be a strange example of the benefit of term limits. With a bit of back of the envelope math, he landed on 49 members of the current General Assembly were in office when HB 6 passed. So, you have 83 new members, he explained Energy Committee chairman Sen. Brian Chavez, R-Marietta, among them. As less of the General Assembly had to defend their House Bill 6 vote, he argued, some sensibility kind of began to get baked into the process, and I think thats why we got majority party support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During testimony on the floor, Smith held up letters from 18 constituents begging for utility reform two years ago. Hes eager to write them a follow up but acknowledged Senate passage is just one step and hes nervous about how the bill might change after the House has its say. Once its signed by the governor, Smith said, You know, great that is a great day. Until that happens, he added, we havent fixed anything yet. Follow Ohio Capital Journal Reporter Nick Evans on X or on Bluesky. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Vesper Energy wants the Ohio Supreme Court to reverse the Ohio Power Siting Boards denial of its permit for a 175-megawatt solar farm. Justice Jennifer Brunner questions the Power Siting Boards lawyer during oral argument for the case on March 13, 2025. (The Ohio Channel) This article was originally published by Canary Media. A regulatory boards rejection of a permit for a large solar farm in southwestern Ohio has essentially rewritten state law to give local governments veto power over clean energy projects, an attorney for the projects developer argued last week before the Ohio Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ohio Power Siting Boards 2022 decision denying Vesper Energy the right to build a 175-megawatt solar facility in Greene County is the subject of a high-stakes legal challenge with potentially devastating consequences for the states ability to grow its electricity generation capacity, the developers attorney said. All of Ohios energy infrastructure will be affected by this decision, said Michael Settineri, who represents Vespers Kingwood Solar project, in an oral argument before the court on March 13. The company claims the siting board failed to follow state law in its analysis of whether its project is in the public interest one of eight criteria that power generation projects must meet to receive a site permit. Instead of evaluating the merits of opponents arguments, the board used the mere existence of local government opposition as reason to deny the permit, Kingwood Solars attorney said. A lawyer for the Ohio Power Siting Board argued that it has wide discretion to make policy judgments and that members used a broad lens to make their decision. Local criticism has killed multiple Ohio solar projects Renewable energy permitting has become especially difficult in Ohio over the last four years. A 2021 law lets counties block most new utility-scale wind and solar energy projects before they even get to the Ohio Power Siting Board. Others, like Kingwood Solar, have been denied based on local opposition, even though they are exempt from that part of the law because they filed permit applications or got in the grid operators queue prior to the legislations passage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2022, the board found that the proposed Kingwood Solar facility met all the other legal requirements for a permit, yet it concluded that the unanimous opposition of every local government entity bordering the project was controlling on the public interest question. The board denied the permit. Settineri urged the court to reverse the Ohio Power Siting Boards decision, arguing that it was clearly not supported by evidence. And, as a legal matter, the board essentially rewrote the law for granting or denying a permit in a way that gives local governments control that they shouldnt have, he said. Justice Jennifer Brunner noted another part of Ohio law that says local governments cant require their own consent for the construction of power facilities. When the boards Kingwood Solar decision said that unanimous opposition is controlling, that actually infers that consent is required by the locality. Isnt the board violating the statute? she asked Settineri. He answered,The way I read the boards decision, it is giving the local governments veto power contrary to the concept of a state siting regimen. Renewable developer says Ohio regulators failed to consider evidence The boards ruling was also internally inconsistent, Settineri said. The board claimed it gave weight to the vigor and rationale of local governments objections, which included worries about visual impacts, preservation of agricultural land, and construction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the solar developer presented experts and other evidence addressing those topics during a 2022 hearing in the case. It was also willing to accept permit conditions to minimize any impacts. As a result, the board sided with the developer on those issues in its findings on statutory criteria other than public interest, including considerations related to agriculture and the environment, Settineri said. There has to be evidence, and the board has to consider the evidence, Settineri said, arguing that the fact some people say they dont want the project shouldnt be enough to decide the case. Judge Marilyn Zayas, a court of appeals judge sitting in for Justice Patrick DeWine, who recused himself, asked Stephen Funk, the lawyer representing the Ohio Power Siting Board, whether the board is able to weigh the factors any way they wish. Funk told Zayas that the board has broad discretion, and it made a policy judgment that this would not serve the public interest after considering the vigor and rationale of arguments by the local opposition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brunner appeared skeptical of Funks efforts to make it seem as if the board members did more than cede to local governments opposition. The board didnt say it was giving those governmental entities veto power, but in effect they did, she countered. Responding to questions from Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy, Funk said each permitting case is considered individually. He also said public comments werent used as evidence by the board and didnt determine the outcome. On rebuttal, Settineri stressed that, in light of the rest of the boards decision on Kingwood Solar, there is no evidence backing up the claim that the vigor and rationale of local governments opposition meant that the project would not serve the public interest. If I yell loud enough, does that give me a win? he asked. The board appeared to accept local objections at face value, said Chris Tavenor, general counsel at the Ohio Environmental Council, which is not a party to this case. The evidence on the record needs to be interrogated closely to see whether what the government is bringing forward is factually accurate and correct. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The board needs to actually weigh reasons for opposition, Tavenor added. The mere existence of opposition or support shouldnt be enough. A looming decision The Ohio Supreme Court will debate the case and is expected to come out with a decision in the coming months. A decision against Kingwood Solar would establish a legal precedent that makes it much harder for companies to overcome local pushback, which has often been fueled by misinformation. An adverse ruling for the solar developer also would continue the uncertain regulatory standards and framework from the past several years. Layne Ashton, a senior project development advisor focused on utility-scale solar at Engie North America, said his company would be very cautious about moving ahead with new facilities in Ohio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wed do some significant due diligence up front for any potential projects in the state, he said. That would include testing whether local officials would welcome them. The courts judgment will also impact the broader legal question of whether Ohio Power Siting Board decisions must be based on evidence, versus politics or opinions. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Health officials are urging Ohioans to make sure theyre up-to-date on their MMR vaccine. This comes as measles cases are on the rise nationally, with one confirmed case just over the border in Kentucky. Measles cases rise to about 320 total in Texas and New Mexico. Heres what you should know Dayton Public Health says there have been 301 confirmed measles cases nationwide this year, and 95 percent of them are in people who are not vaccinated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Measles is not only highly contagious, it can also be very serious, said Ohio health officials say people arent taking measles seriously enough, especially in younger children. Back in the 2022 outbreak here in central Ohio, we saw children hospitalized due to the measles virus, with severe pneumonia, with severe complications, said Dr. Matthew Washam, Nationawide Childrens Hospital. Requiring hospitalization, IV fluids due to diarrhea as a direct involvement of infection of the GI tract. And although no cases have been confirmed for this year, the Ohio Health Department says theres been a decline in the states MMR vaccination rates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Measles is popping up in the US. Heres how to avoid one of the worlds most contagious viruses For the 2024-2025 school year, only 88 percent of students are up-to-date on their MMR shots. To achieve herd immunity, 95 percent of the population needs to be vaccinated. This decline is alarming, especially given now that weve seen multiple serious outbreaks in the country in recent years, said Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, Ohio Department of Health director. Officials say this decline is largely due to vaccine hesitancy, which is often perpetuated by misinformation. The past claims about autism and particularly the MMR vaccine are completely unfounded, said Vanderhoff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Health experts say vaccines are the easiest way to prevent you and your family from getting the measles. These vaccines work very well, said Washam. The fact that we have taken the most contagious respiratory virus, measles, and have eliminated ongoing transmission in the United States is reflective of that. The Ohio Department of Health says the recommended MMR schedule includes two doses: one between 12 and 15 months and a second between ages four and six. Older children, adolescents and adults born after 1957 need two doses. Health officials recommend checking with your healthcare provider if youre unsure about your vaccination status they can test for immunity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If youre hesitant about the MMR vaccine, officials encourage open conversations with trusted healthcare providers. 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 WDTN.com. A drone attack has sparked a fire at an oil depot in the village of Kavkazskaya near the town of Kropotkin in Russia's Krasnodar Krai. The strike has damaged a pipeline between storage tanks and operations at the facility have been halted. Source: Krasnodar Krai Operations Centre, a Russian authority Details: Russian authorities claimed that the fire had been caused by the fall of drone wreckage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "The fire has spread over an area of 20 sq m. A pipeline between the tanks has been damaged. The automatic fire extinguishing and cooling system was triggered. The blaze has been classified as a type four incident in terms of complexity." https://t.co/NisOMORzyQ pic.twitter.com/zzpYcUegfs (@ukrpravda_news) March 19, 2025 Details: Thirty personnel on duty have been evacuated from the facility and operations at the oil depot have been suspended. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) An Oklahoma City police officer caught on camera slamming a 71-year-old man to the ground during an October traffic stop has resigned. News 4 has been following developments related to the October 27 incident. Police released multiple videos of the incident, showing Lich Vu and Sgt. Joseph Gibson having a verbal argument over a traffic citation. Vu was seen on video telling Gibson to shut up and also touching him, before Gibson proceeded to slam Vu to the ground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prominent civil rights attorney takes up Lich Vu case, lawsuit on the way Gibson denied doing so in a police report, saying that Vu fell to the ground. In the report, Gibson says that the angle of the fall caused Vus forehead to hit the ground. Vu suffered a brain bleed, broken bones, and had to have surgery as a result of the incident. Court documents said Vu was in poor health at the time of the incident and Gibson was in robust health. In the same documents, police experts in de-escalation said they believed the amount of force Gibson used was not reasonable. Just still pretty poor health, said Thuan Nguyen, President of the Vietnamese American Heritage Community of Oklahoma when asked about Tuesday about Vus current health. The status is not in our favor. I believe that his wife and therapist are working to see if he can walk again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement District Attorney Vicki Behenna filed a criminal charge against Gibson as a result of the incident, but Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond disagreed and decided to drop a felony assault and battery charge. Drummond said that Gibson acted within the scope of his training and that Vu shouldnt have put his hands on Gibson. Oklahoma City Police Department announced last year that a use-of-force review was underway into the incident to determine if disciplinary action was necessary. During a January Oklahoma City council meeting, City Manager Craig Freeman explained that the police departments Office of Professional Standards would conduct its own investigation and pass on any recommendation to Chief of Police Ron Bacy. The police chief will then make a decision, said Freeman. The city managers office ultimately has responsibility for any discipline or anything else that happens with the organization. Freeman said the incident would also be reviewed with the Public Safety Community Advisory Board, but the board wouldnt be a part of any dialogue on potential disciplinary action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, March 17, News 4 confirmed with an Oklahoma City Police spokesperson that Gibson was no longer with the department. News 4 asked for clarification on whether the departure was voluntary or the outcome of the internal review. News 4 also requested an interview with Chief Bacy to clarify the review process and further steps. The spokesperson declined an interview on Bacys behalf, but noted that Gibson was not terminated. Him doing this is not accountability to the community, said Nguyen. Nguyen said community leaders who had been supporting the Vu family during the incident did not receive any notice that Gibson resigned. He said the topic only came up a few days ago after he called a police department employee to inquire about a police presence for an upcoming event. Nguyen said he was told Gibson resigned two weeks before that conversation. If hes stepping away and wiping his hands of things and he still wants to pursue law enforcement as a career, we wish him the best, but I hope that he knows what he did was wrong, said Nguyen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News 4 reached out to former Attorney General Mike Hunter, whos a part of Gibsons legal team, for an interview or comment on the resignation Monday, but didnt hear back, even after following up Tuesday. Bodycam reveals officer slamming elderly man to the ground In December, Hunter provided an update on how Gibson was doing but noted that he didnt believe any crime had been committed. Hes having a hard time, said Hunter. But again, we feel strongly he didnt do anything wrong. News 4 reached out to local Fraternal Order of Police President Mark Nelson for an interview Tuesday. A spokesperson noted Nelson was unavailable, but provided the following statement: The OKC FOP has engaged in meaningful discussions with leaders in the Vietnamese and Asian communities to foster understanding and help prevent incidents like this in the future. We support Sergeant Gibson in his decision to resign. We stand firm in our commitment to advocate for our members as they strive to preserve law and order in this community. Mark Nelson, President of the Oklahoma City Fraternal Order of Police News 4 asked Nguyen if hes aware of whether the Vu family or the community had heard from Gibson since the incident or following his resignation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not at all, no, said Nguyen. I feel that, you know, at least the minimal thing that could have been done was that he would owe the family an apology. Nguyen says he would still like to see the final internal review results be released to the public. A police department spokesperson did not clarify in a response if the investigation had reached its conclusion prior to Gibsons resignation decision. News 4 also reached out to civil rights attorney Devon Jacob on Monday for an update after he spoke with News 4 in January saying he had taken up a civil rights case for Vu against Gibson, and that he intended to file it in the next 30 days. When your own police department says this is, you know, unlawful and you need to be prosecuted, I kind of think thats where it starts and ends, said Jacob in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jacob clarified over text that he now intends to have that lawsuit filed by the end of April. 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 CITY (KFOR) On Wednesday, The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum will host an event bringing together leaders from memorials and museums around the world exploring communities processing tragedy and preserving memory in finding healing. According to Museum officials, the program will highlight cities impacted by terrorism, bonded by memorialization and global perspectives on remembrance as Oklahoma City leads the way in assisting with better conversations. Leaders from memorials and museums around the world expected to attend the event include: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement France Spain Norway New York City High fire danger predicted in Oklahoma Wednesday Panelists set to share their perspectives on memory, history, and giving family members, survivors and first responders a voice will be as follows: Clifford Chanin, Director, National September 11 Memorial & Museum (New York, New York) Elisabeth Pelsez, Director General Musee-memorial du terrorisme (Paris, France) Lena Fahre, Director, 22.juli-senteret (Oslo, Norway) Raul Lopez Romo, Head of Education and Exhibitions, Fundacion Centro Memorial de las Victimas del Terrorismo (Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain) This event is free and lunch will be provided for those who RSVP, courtesy of the Kirkpatrick Foundation at MemorialMuseum.com/events. Details: WHAT: Cities Impacted by Terrorism, Bonded by Memorialization; Global Perspectives on Remembrance Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WHEN: Wednesday, March 19 Lunch at 11:30 a.m. Program begins at 12:00 noon WHERE: Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, ADDRESS: 620 N. Harvey Ave. Oklahoma City 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. SOUEAST Light Up the Middle East Iconic Landmarks WUHU, China, March 19, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SOUEAST Motor has launched its "Lighting Up the Middle East" campaign, a light show event illuminating some of the region's iconic landmarks. This initiative highlights the brand's commitment to redefining urban mobility and reflects its philosophy, "EASE YOUR LIFE". A Multi-Nation Spectacle Since its launch on February 17, SOUEAST has brought 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 SUV models. The 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 urban life," said Mr. Alex Tan, Vice President of SOUEAST International."This is more than a displayit'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 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 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 urban mobility. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250318123200/en/ Contacts SOUEAST MOTOR Frida Fu yuhe.fu@soueast-motor.com https://www.soueast-motor.com/ President Donald Trump said Sunday there wont be exemptions on steel and aluminum tariffs and reaffirmed that additional import duties on everything from autos to lumber to appliances will go into effect on April 2. Its going to be reciprocal in other words, whatever theyre charging, were charging, Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday, CNN reported. Then in addition to that, on autos, on steel, on aluminum, were going to have some additional tariffs. Trump was asked by a reporter if he would consider any exemptions on those tariffs, and he replied: I have no intention of it. Trumps 25% tariffs on all aluminum and steel imported into the U.S. went into effect on Wednesday, prompting Canada and the European Union to immediately retaliate by imposing duties on about $49 billion worth of U.S. goods. Ted Krantz, CEO of Interos.ai, said tariffs on steel and aluminum could hit the U.S. automotive manufacturing industry hard. Arlington, Virginia-based Interos.ai is a supply chain risk intelligence company. Our data shows theres 400,000 companies impacted, and 3% of that is manufacturing for the auto industry, Krantz told FreightWaves in an interview. We anticipate, just in terms of carry costs on vehicles, assuming the $25,000 average cost, thats an incremental almost $6,500 in additional costs that ultimately have to be passed on to the consumer. Krantz said the U.S. supply chain for steel, aluminum and auto parts made of rubber and plastics depends heavily on foreign imports. Trump paused until April 2 across-the-board tariffs that had been set for March 4 on goods from Canada and Mexico that comply with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. However, Trump said he is considering imposing reciprocal tariffs on Canadian lumber and dairy products soon. The complexity of the supply chain is pretty interesting, because youve got our top sources for steel are China, then India, No. 1 and No. 2, respectively. Then there is a 20% combination of Mexico, Italy and Germany. Our dependency on those top five is very high in this sector, Krantz said. Trump imposed a 10% tariff on Chinese goods in February and doubled the rate to 20% on Tuesday. China has responded with up to 15% duties on U.S. foods such as beef, chicken and pork that began March 10. The China disruption is going to have a more prolonged, complex outcome, Krantz said. Thinking of other sources besides China for, you know, our import and export opportunities, or companies headquartered here in the U.S., in other Asia-Pacific areas of opportunity outside of China, I think that is probably a more likely scenario. I do think that the spiciness geopolitically with China will take longer to play out and could actually have more edge than even what we see with Canada and Mexico. Imagine getting an email that your favorite restaurant has decided to close at the end of the month. Thats sad, but not life-changing news. Now imagine getting an email that your kids child care center is closing down in a few weeks or worse, being met with a padlock at drop off. Thats a five-alarm fire. One little-noted consequence of Americas ongoing decision to treat child care as a market commodity like a restaurant is that customers (in this case, young children and their families) often get little to no notice before their world is turned upside down. That should change. Abrupt closures are the reality for far too many early care and education programs. In recent months, Guidepost Montessori, a network of more than 130 Montessori-inspired child care programs and schools serving children ages birth to 18, has shuttered more than 16 sites and is on track to closing around one-third due to financial struggles and an inability to pay rent; in each of these cases, parents and educators have gotten at most a months notice. Some received an email the night before landlords changed the locks. The short-notice aspect of child care closures is not limited to for-profit chains. Independent, community-based, and nonprofit programs also frequently provide meager notice. In February, Thrive Early Learning Academy, an independent center near San Antonio, Texas closed with zero warning, with the owner writing that due to staffing challenges, It is with a heavy heart that we announce the temporary closure of Thrive, effective immediately. Last year, Rockford Day Nursery, a 100-year-old center in Illinois had a similarly sudden closure, as did the program attached to Salem Baptist Church in the small South Carolina town of Aynor. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter A sudden child care closure can create immense stress for parents and staff. In 2024, Molly Dickens, a stress physiologist, co-authored an op-ed with reproductive psychiatrist Lucy Hutner in which the pair recounted the story of Julia Sachdev, a mother of two young children who got an email that her kids preschool was closing in a month. They wrote: It was so stressful, reflected Ms. Sachdev. There was this suffocating anxiety that ruled my day. I couldnt concentrate on other things. It kept me up at night. Dickens and Hutner noted the negative effects of chronic stress on parents and children, and also cited research that child care precarity a state of insecure and unreliable child care has been linked to negative mental health outcomes for mothers for at least six years afterward. They underscored that Unpredictability itself is a source of stress. Even when parents manage to secure care for their children, it can be unreliable, and they never know when it might go away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reasons for rapid child care closures vary. In some cases, as with Guidepost, it may be financial problems leading to nonpayment of rent or other business failures. In other cases, as with Thrive Learning Academy, a lack of staffing means the program cannot legally operate. And in others, circumstances may be beyond a programs control, as when a landlord decides not to renew a lease. While it is instructive to compare the closure of child care programs to the closure of public schools, its important to recognize that this is a case where the lack of a public system really rears its head. A public school closure typically involves a months- to years-long process that is often painful and requires a large amount of meetings and discussion. Thats not the case for most child care programs. The government cannot force a private business or even a nonprofit to stay open indefinitely, and the overwhelming majority of child care programs in the U.S. fall into these categories. That doesnt mean, however, that there are no public policy tools. Related A Rapid Succession of Child Care Closures Calls for Close Scrutiny First, its important to note that if a private business that serves a social function is closing, the government often requires reasonable notice. Banks are a good example: The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation legally requires banks to give customers 90 days notice prior to closing a branch. Skilled nursing facilities, too, must provide at least 60 days notice and a plan for relocating residents, as mandated by the Department of Health and Human Services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another challenge is that unlike other industries, there is no rescue mechanism for failing early care and education programs but there could be. When systemically important companies are risking closure, the government often steps in. For example, when big financial institutions and car companies were flailing during the 2008 fiscal crisis, the federal government provided a bailout. When a public school districts financial situation is dire enough, it typically enters state receivership, meaning the state takes over governing authority in exchange for filling the funding gap, as has happened in districts such as Oakland Unified and Detroit Public Schools. In short, if the social impact of a given service failing is significant enough, the compelling public interest for government intervention is well-established. While a mom-and-pop child care center or even a medium-sized chain like Guidepost Montessori doesnt rise to the level of systemic importance as a General Motors, they provide critical support to families and children, and when one of them closes, it has rippling impacts on entire communities. Yet theres currently no public recourse whatsoever in child care. There is no established mechanism for Colorado or its cities, for instance, to step in and purchase the shuttering Guidepost facilities at a discount, turning their operations over to a trusted nonprofit or community-based organization. This is an area ripe for policy entrepreneurship surely some type of mechanism such as a trust fund or loan fund could be established that would keep the centers doors open, even if the ownership changes hands. There are other potential policy actions. While the difference between 30, 60 or 90 days isnt massive when youre talking about the supply scarcity that marks child care, states requiring a more robust amount of notice to families and staff would at least offer more breathing room to seek alternative arrangements. And if there were more protections in place to ensure that landlords leasing their spaces to child care programs had to give more notice if they planned not to renew say 6 months that could offer program leaders a more reasonable runway to find a solution. Finally, program failures do not happen out of the blue. There are typically early warning signals along the way. If states established or improved the lines of communication with child care programs and offered guidelines or requirements around how to share these warning signals sooner, there would be more time for states to implement supportive strategies to help struggling providers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, regulations could be put in place to require licensed programs to alert the state when a staffing shortage reaches a critical level in which one or two more departures will drop them below the legal minimum, forcing a closure of classrooms or the entire site. For this issue, states might consider having an emergency pool of retired directors and educators who could be called on to maintain operations until the situation is resolved. Similarly, large chain programs could be required to share audited financial statements with the state on an annual basis so that the state has a sense of their general financial health and risk of collapse, given the outsize impact of multisite closures. There are various levers to pull, but the status quo is untenable and policy change is needed. Families and child care educators deserve the confidence and peace of mind that the rug is not going to be suddenly pulled out from under them, and young children deserve maximum caregiver stability that promotes their healthy development. Weve allowed sudden closures to be a fact of life in the U.S. child care system for far too long. Thats a policy choice; its time to make a different one. On March 23, 250 years ago, almost four weeks before the Battle of Lexington and Concord, Patrick Henry rose at the Second Virginia Convention to call on Virginia to arm for the Revolutionary War that he saw as inevitable. He finished declaring emphatically, give me liberty, or give me death! Today, Henrys speech has become a favorite of the Tea Party, MAGA and other conservative groups. They deeply misunderstand Henry, seeing his speech as simply a call for personal liberty, to do what one wants: my rights, my freedom, regardless of others. Henrys famous call-to-arms, sadly, has played a role in Americans fixation on whats in it for me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fixation on personal liberty over the interest of others (or what Founders would have called license) has become a bedrock of our society and exacts a great price on our communities and all of us. Henry and the other Founders would be appalled. I was reminded of this with the flood of news and social media stories about MAGA supporters angry, bitter and confused because the Trump administration is hurting their farms, revoking their loans or business contracts, deporting family or friends, firing nurses at their VA hospital, firing friends the list seems endless. Among the most interesting of these stories is the comment from Jesse Watters, a Fox network host. Watters, a major MAGA supporter, has cheered Trumps efforts to burn to the ground large parts of the government. But when a friend of his lost his job, Watters suddenly seemed to wake-up, as if someone had thrown cold water in his face. He reminded his listeners that we need to be a little bit less callous as millions face loss of jobs, loss of business, loss of services, loss of benefits, etc. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is right, but these stories point to something even more fundamental. If you asked Americans, especially conservatives, what ails the nation, many will quickly come to talking about the decline of community. And they are right. From the loss of churches that were at the center of neighborhoods, to the decline of civic organizations that used to unite people across differences, to the sad phenomenon of bowling alone (when the nation used to be filled with bowling leagues), American communities have suffered. We have turned inward, fed by the screens at which we stare. In fundamental ways, this sad phenomenon is the result of the growth of classic liberalism a focus on my rights, my interests. The alternative philosophy, prominent among Americas Founders, is classic republicanism, focused on service to community and human virtue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This focus on liberalism has been at the root of attacks on the federal government. Since at least Ronald Reagan, people have been fed, over and over again, the story that the government is the problem, or worse, the enemy. If a government policy does not seem like something I want, or if it is something that I dont see the need for, or something that I would not approve of, the government is wrong and needs to be cut down to size. Watters is right. We need a little compassion, a little empathy. There are many government programs that I dont need, perhaps dont want, but they are part of a government that serves neighbors and co-citizens, created by our elected representatives for the good of our people. Take, for example, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that Elon Musk, with President Trumps apparent indifference, is seeking to eliminate. It protects vulnerable consumers from bank overcharges, fraudulent loans, and the like. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration has already dismissed several of the bureaus enforcement actions against big banks for defrauding consumers of billions of dollars. I suppose I dont need the bureau. We have financial advisers who watch these things; we only take out mortgage loans reviewed by lawyers. I suppose I could even complain that it is costing me money some small infinitesimal part of my tax dollars (although, in fact, it has made money for taxpayers by collecting billions of dollars in fines from fraudulent financial practices). But all of this misses the point. I may not need the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, but millions of Americans do my neighbors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The same is true of almost all government functions. I dont need the Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations protecting workers from exploitative work practices, but others do. My grandfather, a steelworker, could tell horrific stories about abuses before the unions and government got involved. I dont need an educational loan now, but millions do. And these government systems strengthen our nation. Paying to educate American students, for example, makes for a more vibrant economy, a more informed electorate, a more engaged community. We all pay the price when our educational system is inadequate, and we all share the benefits when our citizenry is well-educated. Of course, this does not mean that we have to agree with everything that the government does. Or that we shouldnt work for reform and improved efficiency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Should we oppose government action of which we disapprove? Absolutely. Reform government inefficiency, locate real fraud and remove it? Overwhelming support. But indiscriminate destruction of agencies that our friends and neighbors rely upon, agencies created by Congress and signed into law, all at the direction of the richest man in the world and his enabler? It is un-American, dangerous and, as Watters belatedly realized, shows a callousness to our neighbors. Watters is right. We need to start with some compassion for our neighbors. Our communities, and our nation, depend upon it. While millions are cheering Musks efforts to take a meat ax to the government, because they dont yet see how it will affect them (although they will, in time), we all need to try to understand how these changes impact our neighbors and communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Ragosta, Ph.D. JD, was formerly acting director of the Robert H. Smith International Center for Jefferson Studies at Monticello. His most recent book is For the People, For the Country: Patrick Henrys Final Political Battle. 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. When federal agents arrested Columbia graduate student Mahmoud Khalil this month, he was reportedly told that his student visa was being revoked. The supposed offense: leading protests denouncing Israels war in Gaza on the schools New York City campus last year. When Khalil said he was a permanent resident with a green card, he was told that status was being revoked by the State Department. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told CBSs Face the Nation on Sunday that the Trump administration will continue to revoke the legal immigration status of folks he terms "Hamas supporters" in order to deport them. Rubios bold assertion may succeed in court thanks to a rarely used power the secretary of state possesses that can circumvent other statutes that could have protected Khalil from arrest and deportation. A 1990 update to the Immigration and Nationality Act says the rules that let the State Department deny a noncitizen admission into the U.S. can also be used to make a legal alien eligible for deportation. Immigrants cant be barred from entry for holding beliefs that would be legal in the United States and, for now at least, theres no question that believing Israels war in Gaza should end is, in fact, still legal for American citizens, as is protesting universities support in that war. But the law makes an exception if the Secretary of State personally determines that the aliens admission would compromise a compelling United States foreign policy interest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trumps advisers and administrators have been laser-focused on finding potential edge cases in the law, that is, areas where loopholes and emergency powers can be exploited. In the flurry of executive orders issued from the White House, agencies have consistently been told to comply with their instructions to the maximum extent of the law. But that boilerplate language obscures how this administration is pushing the limits and trying to establish a new normal where there are no checks on whatever the president wants to do. Admittedly, the federal code is filled with laws that leave plenty room for bad-faith interpretation. Congress has developed a habit of writing bills that allow the executive branch to bypass lawmakers in case of emergency or otherwise divest authority on the details of how the law will be executed. The Trump administration seeks to trigger those authorities in ways that Congress may not have intended, and the courts may not agree with, to give the veneer of legality as they proceed with their plans. In Khalils case, leapfrogging the normal immigration channels means the Trump administration doesnt need to accuse Khalil of a crime. Under this reading, as Trump lawyer Alina Habba told Fox News, even handing out of pamphlets the administration doesnt like could be grounds for deportation. Trump is trying to use every legal provision, regardless of how flimsy, to justify the mass deportations that are central to his immigration policy. On the first day of this term, he declared an emergency along the southern border, invoking the powers granted in the National Emergencies Act to mobilize resources and the armed forces. Trump also issued a proclamation declaring that an invasion is ongoing, and that he would use the inherent powers to control the borders he possesses, regardless of the limitations of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those orders became the foundation on which his administration invoked the Alien Enemies Act to rapidly deport Venezuelans it accused of gang activity this weekend. The 1798 statute was part of the infamous Alien and Sedition Acts, which were passed in a time of quasi-war against France and Britain. In the proclamation announcing the policy, Trump claimed that the law grants him the authority to expel Tren de Aragua, a gang designated as a terrorist organization under another questionable executive order. A federal judge paused the administrations use of the law in an order issued Saturday, but an unknown number of immigrants have now been deported to El Salvador, even though many of them reportedly have no proven connection to the gang in question. Meanwhile, Trump officials continue to hunt for the slightest pretense to invoke other emergency powers. The administration is reportedly looking for a reason to use Title 42, a public health provision triggered early in the pandemic, to fully close the southern border again. Trump is waiting on a report from the Pentagon and Department of Homeland Security on whether he should call upon the Insurrection Acts powers to deploy the military deeper into the United States. Civil liberties groups fear the 1807 law could be used to stifle civil protests, as Trump advocated during his first term, wrongly transforming the armed forces and National Guard into a domestic police force. The administration has also been busy in other areas finding weak points in the law to consolidate power. Office of Management and Budget Director Russel Vought has been especially adept at playing this game. Even before being sworn-in, he had helped draft orders that twisted the rules for hiring special government employees to quickly staff up the Department of Government Efficiency. He has since then been finding ways to skirt federal employment laws to downsize the government, effectively shuttering whole agencies and encouraging department heads to illegally fire staffers by deliberately misusing the authorities granted to fire probationary workers for their performance. And where there is no foothold in the U.S. Code to exploit, the Trump administration has argued even greater authority: Article II of the Constitution. Justice Department lawyers have already claimed a constitutional power to ignore judges rulings on foreign affairs in the Alien Enemies Act case and defended his ability to impound whatever money he doesnt want to spend. In a proclamation on defending the states from invasion, Trump claimed that under his Article II role as commander-in-chief of the military, he has a duty under Article IV, Section 4, to repel whatever immigrants he says shouldnt enter the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps infamous 2019 claim that Article II means I have to the right to do whatever I want as president has thereby gone from the simplistic notion of a political neophyte to the core tenet of his second administration. And the GOP-controlled Congress has been quick to quietly bolster existing gray areas of the law to grant him even more leeway. For example, in passing the recent six-month spending bill, the House explicitly stripped away Congress power to challenge Trumps use of the National Economic Emergencies Act in deploying his tariffs. Theres still a chance the courts override Rubios determination on Khalils deportability. The government will likely have to establish how it reached its conclusion about the supposed foreign policy threat the Columbia grad student poses. (Rubio was also supposed to notify Congress of his decision, but no such notification has been reported as of Tuesday.) But if Rubio is willing to make that call in this case, how hard would it be for him to keep the ball rolling? What other foreign policy interests could be used to hastily deport legal permanent residents? It is a twisting of the intent of the law to bypass due process and establish a norm that could stifle dissent among American citizens as well. Trump has long been keen on the idea of being able to strip protestors of their citizenship; it would be foolish to put it past this administration to try it given the groundwork now being laid. These attacks on the system from within are ongoing. In Khalils case and others, we are seeing the arcane nature of the U.S. federal bureaucracy being used as a weapon against itself. Theres a term in medicine for when a previously benign bit of biological code gets twisted and begins attacking the rest of the body: a cancer. Congress and the courts need to excise this tumor before it metastasizes. It needs to happen soon though, as the prognosis for the rule of law is otherwise grim. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com On Monday, the Trump administration continued its assault on Americas most prestigious law firms when the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sent letters to 20 firms inquiring about their use of DEI in hiring. That letter suggested they may have been discriminating against white applicants. The letters came one day after the president told Fox News, We have a lot of law firms that were going to be going after because they were very dishonest people. Last Friday, President Trump signed an executive order singling out Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison and one of its lawyers, Mark Pomerantz, who had taken part in the New York hush-money case against Trump. The order launched a multi-pronged attack designed to exact retribution from the firm, calling its lawyers partisan actors who exploit their influence. The president suspended Paul Weisss security clearances; restricted its lawyers access to government buildings; directed federal agencies not to hire Paul Weiss employees; terminated existing contracts with the firm; and initiated a review to ensure that the firm was in compliance with civil rights laws against racial bias. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paul Weiss joins two other influential law firms that have made the presidents enemies list. One of them, Covington & Burling, committed the sin of representing former special counsel Jack Smith, who indicted the president in 2023. Perkins Coie, whose lawyers advised Hilary Clinton during her 2016 presidential campaign and collaborated in advancing claims about Trump and his alleged ties to Russia, also drew the ire of the president. As journalist Vivia Chen noted earlier this month, the presidents actions put Big Law on notice that he will crush any law firm that represents a client he regards as a nemesis. Big Law has gotten the message. Unfortunately, the response of Americas largest and most important firms to the presidents all-out-assault on the legal profession has been exactly as he might have hoped. They have looked the other way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some have refused to represent their colleagues in the targeted firms. Their refusal allows authoritarianism to grow deeper roots, crippling the very forces that seek to hold our government accountable. These firms are putting profit over principle, worrying about their bottom line more than the looming collapse of the constitutional order. Lawyers should not sit on the sidelines as firms and judges are attacked merely for doing their jobs. The threat is clear. J. Michael Luttig, a retired federal judge, called Trumps executive order directed against Perkins Coie sinister a part of a full-frontal assault on the Constitution, the rule of law, our system of justice, and the entire legal profession. And, after Perkins Coie filed suit claiming that the presidents action violated due process, equal protection, their free-speech and associational rights, and their right to counsel, Federal District Judge Beryl Howell accused Trump of using taxpayer dollars for a personal vendetta. She went on to say that what the president is doing threatens to significantly undermine our entire legal system and the ability of all people to access justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The choice for the legal profession is clear: silence or action. Whether the Constitution can withstand the presidents onslaught depends in part on how lawyers and the firms in which they work respond. They should unite and make saving the rule of law their top priority. If they do not, the American legal profession will have a lot of explaining to do. Austin Sarat is the William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Jurisprudence and Political Science at Amherst College. Lauren Stiller Rikleen is executive director of Lawyers Defending American Democracy and the editor of Her Honor Stories of Challenge and Triumph from Women Judges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. News out of Cody, Wyoming, that retired Republican Sen. Al Simpson had died at age 93 left me feeling more than merely wistful. In Simpson, we lost a giant a model of how our democracy is supposed to work. He was a senators senator, a consummate legislator who defied the aisle, building bridges out of friendship and forging legislation in the crucible of compromise. I grew up in Wyoming and came of age during Simpsons early years in the Senate. This was the era when Michael Jordan was dominating the NBA, and all of my friends wanted to Be like Mike. They even had T-shirts to that effect. I was not like other late adolescents at that time in that I didnt care to be like Mike. I wanted to be like Al. A brief meeting during my senior year in high school only confirmed my choice of role model. He was gracious, kind, intellectually present and downright hilarious. Years later, when my career took me back to Wyoming to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, where Simpson was chairman of the board, he went from role model to mentor to friend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His loss brings back a flood of personal memories, most of which still make me laugh. But the senator was much more than a funnyman. He achieved in life what most politicians only gain by dying the status of statesman. And yet his death represents more than the passing of an individual leader; it is the passing of an era. The halcyon days of the modern Senate included the likes of Danforth, Hatch, Garn, Bumpers, Kassenbaum, Inouye, Kennedy, Bradley and Baker. But to me, Simpson stood out among them and towered above even these titans. In the gentleman from Wyoming, we had humor, grace, warmth and a serious effort to legislate. He did not see the Senate as a springboard to the executive office. He didnt want to be president, or even vice president. And he certainly didnt want to be a cable TV host. He was a legislator; he knew how to make law an activity that requires a specific skill set. In retirement, when he wasnt teaching at the Harvard Kennedy School, he was working with his friend, Democrat Erskine Bowles, trying to get a bipartisan group to endorse deficit reduction measures through what he called shared sacrifice. Simpsons worldview was still informed by friendship, compromise and a genuine sense of the greater public good elements that today seem almost quaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His life in politics is a stark reminder of what we have lost. It is more than his good-natured approach, more than his compassion or his skill set. What made him special was his authenticity. Whatever else Al Simpson was, or was not, he was real. And because of that, sadly, we may never have another like him again. For as we survey our political landscape in search of statesmen of his stature, we seek, but in vain, for his equal. Kurt Graham is the president of the Adams Presidential Center in Quincy, Massachusetts. He is the former director of the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum and the George W. Bush Presidential Library. The views expressed here are his own. After nine months in space, NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore finally came back down to Earth on Tuesday. Their return from the International Space Station marks a close to a trip that was supposed to last a week. Their odyssey highlighted how needlessly dependent the United States has become on private businesses to ferry brave American scientists and explorers to space and back. The politics of space funding have shifted over the decades as enthusiasm grew for a more cost-effective solution to launches. But weve hit a point where the private ownership of Americas spaceflight capabilities has become a severe national security risk that threatens future projects. Williams and Wilmore ventured to the space station in June aboard the first crew-tested flight of the Boeing Starliner capsule, but two issues made it unsafe to deliver them home. They returned in a SpaceX Dragon capsule, which has been used in most of NASAs manned spaceflights in recent years. Boeing, a venerable aeronautics institution, and SpaceX, an upstart owned by Elon Musk, are now primarily how NASA delivers astronauts and cargo into low-Earth orbit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NASA wasnt so dependent on private companies when it conceived Project Mercury, the countrys first human spaceflight program. Given the pressures of the space race against the Soviet Union, there was no question that the new civilian program would own and operate its rockets and capsules. The work of building the Mercury spacecraft, like all military aircraft, was contracted out to corporations to carry out engineers designs. But NASA controlled the launches and crews. That remained true for the Gemini and Apollo programs and the eventual development of the space shuttle, a reusable spacecraft that could glide to a landing rather than be recovered from the ocean. But the program was wildly more expensive than anticipated, and the prediction that businesses deploying satellites would prefer NASA over commercial rockets fell short. Challenger exploded seconds after launch in 1986, and Columbia exploded shortly after re-entering Earths atmosphere in 2003. Those two catastrophes drove the impression that the shuttle would never be truly safe. The shuttle programs 30-year-run ended in 2011 when Atlantis landed at Floridas Kennedy Space Center. There was no clear vision of what would come next, and by 2013, American astronauts were forced to ride Russian rockets into space at the cost of over $70 million per seat. It makes sense that NASA would prefer a homegrown alternative, and as NBC News reported in 2011, the agency turned to private industry with fixed prices, contracts and profit margins as a solution, in an arrangement whereby the space agency will be the customer, not the boss. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since then, companies including SpaceX, Boeing and Jeff Bezoss Blue Origin have vied for contracts to deploy people to the International Space Station as part of the Commercial Crew Program. In the meantime, theres been plenty of opportunity to launch satellites and other cargo, as well. Its proved to be a lucrative market for SpaceX in particular, which over the last decade has snapped up NASA contracts worth $13 billion. NASA announced in August that a Crew Dragon spacecraft owned by Musk would be launched in February to retrieve Williams and Wilmore as part of a planned return mission for two other astronauts. But last month, Musk, who has thrown in his lot in with President Donald Trump, falsely claimed that hed been blocked from sending a mission to retrieve Williams and Wilmore sooner for political reasons. Musk had lied that Trump had cleared the SpaceX recovery mission when it was President Joe Biden who did. Musk, who is already profiting handsomely off NASAs inability to launch its own flights, is positioned to steer even more business toward himself and away from his competitors. We should all be grateful that Williams and Wilmore are back home, but Im frustrated that bringing them back further lined Musks pockets. NASA should require that Musk divest from SpaceX and any profits it makes from government contracts for as long as he is serving in the government. This would most likely put a damper on further crewed missions until his competitors have a chance to safely catch up, but it would be better in the long run for the stability of Americas space program. But the thought of Trumps putting constraints on SpaceX so long as he and Musk are friendly is as far-fetched as Musks dreams of colonizing Mars. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com A new survey out this week from CNN offered another reminder that, whatever they may be telling themselves in the Beltway, Democrats are about as popular as a skin rash. The party is now skidding along its lowest favorability levels in history, dogged by voters who simply dont take Democrats seriously. The common-sense response would be for Democratic leaders to heed that voter feedback and start doing more things their voters actually want, like the 57 percent of Democrats who want the party to more aggressively oppose President Trumps legislative agenda. Instead, the countrys top Democrats put their heads and wallets together and came up with podcasts. The announcement of a glitzy, profoundly ill-conceived new podcast by California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) should be met with a resounding groan by anyone serious about fixing the Democratic Partys problems. If party leaders want voters to take them seriously on the long road to 2026, theyll stop humoring ideas like this and focus on talking to actual Democratic voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its hard to know where to start with elite Democrats latest effort to build their own paperboard version of Joe Rogans influential podcast empire. Trumps appearance on Rogan and other popular manosphere podcasters and the GOPs insistence that it made the difference in November dug into Democrats psyches in a way few Republican strategies seem to have before. The idea that the same party that once dominated social media and pioneered podcasting could now be decisively losing to Trump sent shockwaves through the Democratic establishment. After all, isnt this why we had Pod Save America? Pundits were quick to decide it was Rogan that had tipped the balance. Liberals need to BUILD THEIR OWN JOE ROGAN, The Nation justice correspondent Elie Mystal posted on Nov. 6, with ballots still being counted. Its easy to understand why Democrats would want a piece of Rogans more than 17 million Spotify followers even if he didnt tip the scales in 2024, his format represents one of the few ways Americans today willingly engage with political content. If you arent versed in your Theo Vons, Talk Tuahs and h3h3s, you simply arent having the same conversation as middle America. But podcasts are seductive to Democrats for more than just their cultural relevance. They allow the party to ignore its biggest challenges by reframing a behavioral problem (Democratic lawmakers arent doing the things their voters would like them to do) as a messaging problem (Democratic voters just dont understand that Democratic lawmakers are right). Even after an electoral drubbing in November, prominent party figures like Newsom are still convinced they know better than their voters. Take one of Newsoms recent, much-maligned episodes featuring an extended conversation with MAGA axe-man Steve Bannon. At a time when a near-supermajority of the Democratic base wants their elected leaders to vigorously oppose efforts to normalize Trumps agenda, Newsoms off-key pitch for bipartisan understanding comes off as dismissive to voters wishes and harmful to the partys anti-Trump message. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The idea that Democrats can talk away the partys malaise with an endless stream of near-identical podcasts shows just how stuck todays Democratic Party has become. Voters who feel their leaders have become too distant from their day-to-day lives dont want to see Gavin Newsom breaking bread with a member of the far-right elite. They want to see Newsom giving it back to Republicans as good as they give it to Democrats something voters repeat almost weekly in the partys own internal polling. Instead of trying to create their own parallel infrastructure, Democrats need to engage with the podcasting world that already exists. But that will first require the Democratic Party to decide what it believes and what it actually has to say to the listening public. Unfortunately for the party, thats exactly the thorny discussion theyre trying to avoid by launching podcasts in the first place. Eventually, something has to give. There wont be any easy fixes for the deep trust issues between the Democratic base and party leaders in Washington, and investing resources into messaging wont bear fruit until the party finally decides what its post-Biden message is. They can start by spending less time listening to Steve Bannon and more time listening to the voters who are deserting them in droves. Max Burns is a veteran Democratic strategist and founder of Third Degree Strategies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. President Trumps escalating rhetoric over the Panama Canal has transformed diplomatic tensions into a full-blown crisis. Trumps assertion during his March 5 congressional address that to further enhance our national security, my administration will be reclaiming the Panama Canal, and weve already started doing it, represents the culmination of two months of increasingly provocative rhetoric that has sent tremors through Panamas government and across the international landscape. Trump has methodically intensified his claims since his second term began. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Panamas response has been strategically sophisticated. Amb. Eloy Alfaro formally invoked UN Charter Article 2(4) prohibiting threats against territorial integrity, while Vice Minister Carlos Guevara Mann marshaled multilateral support through the Organization of American States. Secretary of State Marco Rubios hastily arranged Panama City visit in January has only deepened the diplomatic clash, particularly after contradictory statements emerged within hours of his departure. The State Departments unilateral declaration that U.S. government vessels can now transit the Panama Canal without charge fees prompted an immediate, authoritative rebuke from the Canal Authority, which confirmed it had not made any adjustments to its toll structure. This stance is striking given the relatively modest $25.4 million in U.S. military transit fees over the last 25 years. Far from calming the waters, Rubios visit crystallized the fundamental disconnect between American expectations and Panamanian autonomy. Following Trumps congressional address, President Jose Raul Mulino issued an even more forceful rebuke on social media: President Trump lies again. The Panama Canal is not in the process of being recovered and this was never even discussed in our conversations with Secretary Rubio or with anyone else, Mulino declared. He rejected on behalf of Panama and Panamanians this new affront to the truth and to our dignity as a nation. The crisis intensified when NBC News reported that the White House has directed the U.S. military to draw up options to increase the American troop presence in Panama, including the Southern Command a development Panamanian officials categorically deny authorizing or accepting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These tensions resurrect unresolved legacies of Americas military footprint in Panama. There are 3,500 acres across 14 abandoned shooting ranges that remain deadly monuments to the former U.S. presence. On San Jose Island, pristine beaches conceal World War II-era chemical weapons that render large portions uninhabitable. Despite provisions requiring removal of all hazards to human life, countless unexploded munitions remain embedded in Panamanian soil. Until 1997, the U.S. Southern Command maintained its headquarters at Quarry Heights in Panama, coordinating American military operations throughout Latin America from a strategic hilltop overlooking the canals Pacific entrance. In a poignant twist of historical symmetry, this commanding facility where American generals once orchestrated regional military strategy later housed Panamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs until 2004. The very rooms that witnessed decades of American military planning became, for critical years, the nerve center of Panamanian sovereignty. This architectural transformation from command post to diplomatic headquarters perfectly encapsulates Panamas journey from occupied territory to sovereign nation. The School of the Americas, which operated in Panama until 1984 before relocating to Fort Benning, trained officers who later led Latin Americas most repressive regimes, including Manuel Noriega, Leopoldo Galtieri and Hugo Banzer figures associated with torture, disappearances and mass killings. The legal framework governing relations rests on the 1977 treaties negotiated under President Jimmy Carter and Gen. Omar Torrijos. The Panama Canal Treaty mandated complete American withdrawal by December 31, 1999, while the companion Neutrality Treaty established permanent canal neutrality. Article five explicitly states that only the Republic of Panama shall operate the Canal and maintain military forces within its national territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What prevents unilateral reinterpretation? The foundational principle pacta sunt servanda treaties must be kept enshrined in the Vienna Convention. Though amendment one of the neutrality treaty permits both countries to defend the canal from neutrality threats, it explicitly prohibits intervention in Panamas internal affairs. Trumps claims about Chinese control collapse under scrutiny. BlackRocks recent announcement of its acquisition of Panama Ports Company transferring container terminals from Hong Kong-based Hutchison to American ownership directly contradicts allegations of Chinese dominion. More importantly, these terminals remain entirely separate from canal operations, which are exclusively managed by Panamas constitutionally established Canal Authority. American military presence on Panamanian ground evokes not security but painful memories of intervention for many Panamanians. Panamas transfer of the canal fulfilled decades of struggle for territorial integrity. Increased U.S. military presence would inevitably undermine this hard-won sovereignty. Trumps approach stands in stark contrast to that of President Carter, who stated that the canal treated mark the commitment of the United States to the belief that fairness, and not force, should lie at the heart of our dealings with the nations of the world. The international community watches closely. Colombia and Mexico, among other nations, have expressed solidarity with Panama, while several European countries have urged restraint and respect for existing treaties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The canal waters flow peacefully today, as they have since Panama assumed control. But beneath this tranquility lies a double irony: American chemical weapons remain buried in Panamanian soil, while American strategists contemplate new deployments to protect a waterway already efficiently secured by its rightful owners. Panama stands at a sovereignty crossroads. One path leads to resistance against unilateral treaty reinterpretation; another to acquiescence to intervention justified by manufactured security concerns. A third way beckons where the U.S. fulfills its environmental obligations while respecting Panamas exclusive jurisdiction over the canal that symbolizes its independence. The ultimate test will not be found in speeches or communiques, but in whether Washington honors both the letter and the spirit of its commitments or chooses to write a shameful new chapter in intervention. Nivia Rossana Castrellon is the former deputy minister of foreign affairs of the Republic of Panama. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. My grandfather, a WWII veteran, was one of my greatest heroes growing up. I joined the military, in part, because of his example of true patriotism and love for this country. Because of his example, I believed that service to our country would always be honored with care and commitment a promise embodied in the work of Veterans Affairs. Recently, I opened the news and, with a heavy heart, read that the Trump administration is moving to slash 80,000 VA jobs nationwide, gutting the crucial system that veterans including myself rely on for healthcare, disability benefits and support. This decision would return the VA to pre-2019 staffing levels when the system was already overwhelmed by an aging veteran population. Before the PACT Act expanded services, veterans faced denied claims, excessive wait times, staff shortages and backlogged disability claims that stretched on for months or even years. Rolling back to those staffing levels ignores the past and repeats the same failures all over again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Imagine a bridge built over years of sacrifice, connecting veterans to critical services. The bipartisan PACT Act was a hard-fought victory for those exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange and radiation at K2. But with tens of thousands of VA jobs on the chopping block, that progress will be undone. What good is the right to care if no one is left to provide it? More than 25% of VA employees are veterans themselves men and women who understand, firsthand, the challenges of military service. Slashing staff may look like fiscal responsibility on paper, but in reality, it means longer wait times, lost expertise and more bureaucratic hurdles. In Utah, where the Salt Lake VA is a critical hub, veterans already endure backlogs and delays. With 132,960 veterans in our state, these cuts will push an already strained system past its breaking point. And if these cuts were really about efficiency, why fire the VAs independent inspector general, Michael Missal, who saved the agency $45 billion by rooting out waste and fraud? Removing both frontline workers and oversight weakens the system at the expense of those who served. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The administrations approach is not just reckless it is a betrayal. It prioritizes private sector profits over veterans care, balancing the budget on the backs of those who risked everything. Veterans are not government waste. This is not a political debate. It is a moral one. If you believe in keeping our nations promises, act now. Call your Utah congressional delegation. Demand answers. The men and women who served will not forget who turned their backs on them. U.S. President Donald Trump held an hour-long call with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, on March 19. "Just completed a very good telephone call with President Zelensky of Ukraine. It lasted approximately one hour. Much of the discussion was based on the call made yesterday with President Putin in order to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs," Trump said following the conversation. President Trump held a 1.5-hour-long phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 18, during which Moscow demanded a complete cessation of foreign military aid and intelligence to Ukraine as a "key condition for avoiding an escalation of the war." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to halting foreign military aid and intelligence, the Kremlin also called for Ukraine to cease the mobilization and rearmament of its military. On March 17, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha outlined three key conditions for future negotiations to end Russia's war against Ukraine. Among them was that Ukraine's ability to defend itself must remain unrestricted. During the call, Putin announced that on March 19, Ukraine and Russia would conduct a prisoner exchange. Moscow also pledged to release more than 23 seriously wounded Ukrainian soldiers to Kyiv. The prisoner exchange took place on March 19. In the meantime, Putin also pledged to pause strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure for 30 days. Hours after, Kyiv was hit with drones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Putin's words are very different from reality," Zelensky said on March 19 following the attack. Read also: Trumps push for regime change in Ukraine has only boosted Zelensky Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. 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." CARLSBAD, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) It was a packed room Tuesday as councilmembers for the City of Carlsbad voted unanimously to ban car camping within city limits. This comes as the number of homeless individuals has jumped significantly in the last two years from a homeless count of 60 in 2023 to a homeless count of 112 in 2024. According to the city, most of the newly homeless are living in their cars. Really are trying to help people experiencing homelessness and reducing the impacts of homelessness on the community, said Mandy Mills, the director of Housing and Homeless Services for the City of Carlsbad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SDSU police officer arrested in child porn case Through a state grant of $2.9 million, city officials say they are hoping to prop up residents struggling to find a place to call home. But if unsheltered residents decline services what then? For folks that are not serious about that, are not pursuing services, enforcement would be next, said Mills. Homeless advocates, however, pushed back. A lot of people have talked to me about the fact that, now they cant even live in their cars, said Chris Duran with Showers of Blessings. Those who argued against the ordinance say Carlsbad is shrugging off their responsibilities to their homeless residents and neighboring cities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its pushing this to a different city. Its pushing the problem away from Carlsbad, so they can wipe their hands and they have to deal with the problem in a different city, Duran continued. The League of Women voters has proposed safe parking lots for consideration. Oceanside and Encinitas have safe parking havens where people who are living in their cars can have a place to park safely, said Marian Vega Clancy, president of League of Women Voters of North County. The ordinance takes effect 30 days from March 18, but officials will start reaching out to homeless residents living in their cars immediately. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Several offices within the Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division have experienced closures in recent months due to employee absences. Just within the past two weeks, the DMVs Stayton, Madras and John Day locations were forced to close because of staffing shortages. The John Day office currently employs one full-time equivalent worker, while the Madras location has two FTE workers and Stayton has two and is recruiting a third. Non-profits to MultCo: Dont cut job training funds Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oregon Department of Transportation spokesperson Chris Crabb told KOIN 6 News this number of positions is comparable to what was outlined during 1991-2001 biennium. But while the staffing level has remained similar, the states population has increased by almost 1 million residents. Oregon DMV Stayton office (Courtesy Oregon Department of Transportation) The rise in Oregonians, along with structural revenue issues like a drop in gas taxes and the surge in maintenance costs, has led to routine workforce shortages for ODOT. When we have planned and unplanned absences in offices that cause us to drop below the minimum staffing level to be able to operate that office, we need to send relief from another office to continue operating, Crabb said. Too often, that relief is unavailable because the surrounding offices also are below minimum staffing levels. When that happens, we are forced to close an office. The closures are occurring as the U.S. approaches May 7, when federal leaders will begin requiring Real IDs for domestic air travelers without passports. ODOT has hired 26 temporary workers to meet the demand for service as the deadline approaches, but those positions will expire at the end of this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Crabb noted that Gov. Tina Koteks proposed budget for the 2025-2027 biennium would address the transportation departments ongoing staffing issues and other struggles with $80 million focused on improving customer service at DMV offices. Arizona vacation rental company ups offer for merger with Portlands Vacasa This is projected to fill every counter and provide back-ups to account for staff on leave. It would also allow us to expand hours or days of service in offices where those have been reduced and where the customer volume makes sense, Crabb said. The spokesperson added that ODOT would also add new roles for phone agents, policy experts and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. PORTLAND, Ore. (Portland Tribune) The lengthy, convoluted saga of the unsolved 1989 murder of Oregon Corrections Director Michael Francke took another twist in early March. That was when Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield offered nearly $2 million in compensation to Frank Gable, who was wrongly convicted of killing Francke and spent nearly 30 years in prison until his conviction was reversal in federal court. Until Rayfields offer, the Oregon Department of Justice had been fighting the reversal of Gables conviction and request for compensation, as allowed by state law. ODOJ appealed the reversal all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. After the highest court in the land declined to consider the appeal, ODOJ fought Gables request for compensation in Marion County Circuit Court, arguing that he had not proven his innocence, as request by the state law. Frank Gable and his wife Rain in Kansas where they have been living since his release. (Courtesy: Frank Gable) But now ODOJ is acknowledging Gables innocence, officially making Franckes killing an unsolved murder again after more than 36 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gables attorney, Rachel Brady of Loevy + Loevey, told KOIN 6 News no amount of money will give back the time taken from him, but it is a first step in righting that wrong. The amount of money in the settlement was determined by how many years an innocent person was imprisoned, Brady said. The deepest pits of despair that he had to sit with, knowing that he was innocent and that there was nothing that he could do except continue crying out for somebody to tell his story and somebody to listen, she said. You know, theres no amount of money that can really fix that. Oregon AG Dan Rayfield said, in part, Expediting the process for those who have been exonerated is not just about fairness. Its about correcting wrongs, restoring dignity and rebuilding trust in our justice system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Franckes brothers Kevin and Patrick have consistently argued that Gable is innocent. They have long believed their brother was killed by corrupt officials within the corrections department that he was going to expose. Following ODOJs admission of Gables innocence, the Francke brothers are renewing their request that the case be reopened and thoroughly reinvestigated. It is not only the right thing to do under the law, it is the moral thing to do, Patrick Francke told the Portland Tribune. Read the full story on the Portland Tribune This settlement comes more than a year after Gables attorneys and the Oregon DOJ discussed settling his $2 million claim for being wrongly convicted and imprisoned. Michael Francke in an undated photo (KOIN, file) And that discussion came months after the brothers of murdered Oregon Corrections Director Michael Francke formally asked then-Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum to reopen the investigation into his death after Gable had been exonerated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because a federal judge ruled that Gable cannot be rearrested and retried for the murder in 2023, Kevin and Patrick Francke called it an unsolved case that needs to be reinvestigated in a Dec. 11, 2023 letter to Rosenblum. KOIN 6 News reporter Joelle Jones 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 KOIN.com. Rep. Tawna Sanchez, D-Portland and a co-chair of the Joint Ways and Means Committee, works on the House floor at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. (Amanda Loman/Oregon Capital Chronicle) Oregon is in a better financial position than other states but could see its budget devastated by federal spending cuts, a framework released Wednesday by the Legislatures top budget writers shows. The framework, an early step toward adopting the states next two-year budget, comes against a backdrop of federal uncertainty. Many of the federal grants Oregon and other states use to stretch local dollars are disappearing under the new administration of President Donald Trump, and congressional proposals to cut federal spending by up to 30% could turn a modest state budget surplus into a gaping deficit. Tell lawmakers your thoughts on the budget The Joint Ways and Means Committee will travel the state over the next few weeks to hear from Oregonians about the budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gresham Saturday, March 22, 10 a.m. 12 p.m. Mt. Hood Community College Theater 26000 S.E. Stark Street, Gresham, OR 97030 Register to testify here Astoria Friday, March 28, 5 p.m. 7 p.m. Liberty Theatre 1203 Commercial Street, Astoria, OR 97103 Register to testify here Warm Springs Friday, April 4, 5 p.m. 7 p.m. Old Warm Springs Elementary School 1112 Wasco Street, Warm Springs, OR 97761 Register to testify here La Grande Friday, April 11, 5 p.m. 7:00pm Eastern Oregon University, Hoke Union Building #339 1 University Boulevard, La Grande, OR 97850 Register to testify here Salem (statewide virtual testimony prioritized) Wednesday, April 16, 5 p.m. 7 p.m. Oregon Capitol Building, Hearing Room F 900 Court St NE, Salem, OR 97301 Register to testify here Klamath Falls Friday, April 25, 5 p.m. 7 p.m. Klamath Community College, Building 4 Commons 7390 South 6th Street, Klamath Falls, OR 97603 Register to testify here About 32% of Oregons budget comes from federal spending. We are better off than many states, said Sen. Kate Lieber, a Beaverton Democrat and co-chair of the budget-writing Joint Ways and Means Committee. If you look at whats happening in Washington and in Colorado and in Maryland, I think theyre really looking at cutting their budgets right now, and were not in that position. Instead, the document Lieber and House co-chair Tawna Sanchez, D-Portland, presented on Wednesday reflects $38 billion in projected spending to continue current programs and ends with a surplus of $987.5 million, after setting aside close to $600 million for long-term savings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It contains $11.4 billion for the State School Fund, an increase over the $10.2 billion schools received from the fund during the current budget cycle, which aligns with Gov. Tina Koteks recommendations to change how the state calculates school funding. And it ups spending on human services by nearly $2 billion, which Sanchez and Lieber attributed to higher caseloads and costs per case in social service agencies. The framework includes $375 million for expected raises and cost-of-living adjustments for state employees and others represented by collective bargaining units, as well as $100 million for the Legislatures emergency fund, which lawmakers on the Emergency Board can use to respond to issues that arise while the Legislature isnt in session. In recent years, that included appropriating extra money to plow roads during a heavy snow season. Some areas, including transportation, administration and economic and community development, reflect cuts of tens or hundreds of millions of dollars since the last budget. Sanchez and Lieber said thats because theyre not continuing one-time spending, such as the $6 million lawmakers provided in the 2023-25 budget to address backlogged unemployment fraud investigations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The framework is also based on available revenue now, while the final two-year budget lawmakers must approve before leaving the Capitol in June will be based on the May economic forecast. That could mean budget-writers have more money available than the $39.7 billion they now anticipate being able to spend or save. The framework doesnt include Gov. Tina Koteks three major proposed spending increases: $211 million for education needs, $825 million for housing and homelessness and $247 million for behavioral health. The $987.5 million surplus wouldnt cover all of Koteks priorities, let alone any new spending tied to legislative proposals, and Lieber and Sanchez said lawmakers will need Even if we wanted to wholesale adopt her recommendations, which we dont normally ever do anyway, we wouldnt be able to afford that, Lieber said. They also looked at what would happen to Oregons budget if federal funding for education and human services dropped by 10%, 20% or 30%. Any such cut would lead to a multi-billion hole in Oregons budget, as high as $9.7 billion for a 30% cut. Theres no comfortable way that were going to get out of any pain here if we get anywhere near that now, Sanchez said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) An Ontario man was sentenced to 15 years in prison after committing a series of armed carjackings in Oregon and Idaho in 2021, including one in which he shot a victim in the chest, authorities said. Gregory Escobedo Jr., 31, carjacked three victims at gunpoint over the span of a couple of days, the U.S. Department of Justice said. These cars, trucks are stolen most often in Oregon Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On March 3, 2021, Escobedo drove away from a car he stole at gunpoint from a victim at an apartment complex in Ontario, court documents say. The next day, he approached another car parked on the side of the road, once again brandishing a gun. The stolen vehicle was out of gas which caused Escobedo to quickly return to the vehicle he arrived in and flee the area, the U.S. DOJ said in a release. Later that same day, on March 4 2021, in Caldwell, Idaho, Escobedo stole an unattended truck at a gas station. The owner pursued Escobedo, who eventually stopped the truck, and was confronted by the victim. Oregon DOJ acknowledges Frank Gable is innocent Upon being confronted, Escobedo shot the unarmed victim in the chest. The person survived after being treated at a hospital. Escobedo was arrested that same day after being stopped by law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to receiving a 180-month sentence in a federal prison, Escobedo was also sentenced to three years post-release supervision. 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. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) As the nation wrestles with the impact of several funding freezes that have recently been initiated by the Trump administration, Oregon lawmakers and community members are already feeling the effects. Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-6) hosted a funding briefing in Washington County on Wednesday morning to hear how these cuts have impacted the local community. Gov. Kotek declares state of emergency as floods overwhelm southern Oregon Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The purpose of this briefing is to understand the real-world consequences of the Administrations policies and highlight the harm caused to communities and residents of Oregons Sixth District, her office said in a statement ahead of the event. During the meeting, local Tualatin business people and elected leaders shared their thoughts on cuts ranging from Oregon Food Bank deliveries to grants to help expand EV charging stations around the state. But the biggest concern is the uncertainty of whats ahead. According to the mayor of Tualatin, a labor union, a local farmer, and representatives from the Oregon Food Bank, these groups are experiencing cuts to programs they rely on. For example, the food bank said 30 truckloads of federal food orders have been cancelled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And while there are court challenges underway to some of the federal program cuts, some say they just need to keep pointing out how federal dollars are being spent wisely. Mother, baby seriously injured after car crash on SE Division Street The mayor of Tualatin pointed out a new affordable housing complex opening with the help of federal community block grant money to house 110 families. If they could see what some of these programs do and it isnt the fraud, waste and abuse that they think, Mayor Frank Bubenik said. Salinas said she is working with Republicans to make the case to reverse some of the funding cuts, urging the public to keep contacting lawmakers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch a recording of the meeting in the video player below. 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. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) In opposition to a bill that would limit book bans in Oregon schools, a state representative read an explicit excerpt of a novel found in a library for students. The passage of Senate Bill 1098 would immediately prohibit schools from banning certain material from libraries due to their subject matter or on the basis of the authors identities that are protected under Oregons anti-discrimination laws like race, gender identity and sexual orientation. It would also push for schools to enforce requirements for the removal of said books. Some Oregon DMV offices experience staffing shortages ahead of Real ID deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Senate Committee on Education voted to pass the bill on Monday morning. Just a few hours later at the House chamber, Oregon Rep. Dwayne Yunker countered the measure by reciting a sexual passage from The Haters by Jesse Andrews a book that a mother attempted to get pulled from the North Valley High School library. She guided me on my back and pulled on the bottom of my briefs, Yunker read, in part, from page 265 of the novel. I pushed them over my knees and feet, and was really naked and not hard at all. She straddled me and pulled her top off. Her breasts flopped out, and I saw them. Coos Bay man faces federal charges for making, distributing child pornography Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Grants-Pass-based representatives presentation was interrupted when Rep. Kevin Mannix objected to it due to its lascivious and obscene nature, before Rep. David Gomberg called the House at ease. Following a brief break, Gomberg reminded legislators of the rules against indecent or profane language on the House floor. Mannix then interrupted Yunker once again when he proceeded to read the explicit passage from the book. When Yunker began his presentation for a third time, he instead noted recent sexual abuse cases in Oregon schools including the arrest of a Banks High School math teacher accused of child sex abuse and allegations against several teachers within the St. Helens School District. Man dies after late-night SE Portland shooting Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Continuing to offer sexually explicit materials in school libraries normalizes such behaviors, according to the representative. Theres increasingly focus on the authorship of books, rather than evaluating whether the content is appropriate for young readers, and alarmingly, [it] is now easier for children to access rated-R materials from school libraries than obtain the super content from a local movie theater, Yunker 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 KOIN.com. CHOCTAW COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR) The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is offering a reward for more information regarding a 2021 homicide in Swink, Oklahoma. According to the OSBI, the Choctaw County Sheriffs Office requested the bureaus help with the investigation on November 9, 2021. LOCAL NEWS: Beautifully Broken: Mother and daughters share eyewitness account of murder and survival days before killers execution Thomas Miller. Image courtesy OSBI. Earlier that day, deputies responded to the area of Wilson Street and Front Street after a deceased person was found. The victim was later identified as 37-year-old Thomas Miller whose cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The OSBI is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible. Anyone with information can contact the OSBI by calling 1-800-522-8017 or emailing tips@osbi.ok.gov. 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. OTTAWA (Reuters) -Canada said on Wednesday that China had executed four Canadian citizens on drugs smuggling charges earlier this year, and strongly condemned Beijing's use of the death penalty. Foreign Minister Melanie Joly told reporters that all four had been dual citizens and said Ottawa would ask for leniency for other Canadians facing the same fate. "There are four Canadians that have been executed and therefore we are strongly condemning what happened," she said, adding that all four had been convicted on drugs charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Separately, the Canadian Foreign Ministry said that Robert Schellenberg, a Canadian man sentenced to death in 2019 for drug smuggling, had not been executed. Canada-China ties have been icy since 2018 when Meng Wanzhou, Chief Financial Officer of Chinese telecoms firm Huawei, was detained in Vancouver at Washington's request. China arrested two Canadians shortly afterwards. Meng and the Canadian duo were released in 2021. Earlier this month Beijing announced tariffs on more than $2.6 billion worth of Canadian agricultural and food products, retaliating against levies Ottawa slapped on Chinese electric vehicles and steel and aluminum products last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Combating drug-related offences is a shared responsibility of all countries, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Thursday, urging Canada to "respect the spirit of the rule of law and stop interfering in China's judicial sovereignty". Mao added that China treats those accused equally regardless of nationalities, handles their cases fairly and strictly, while safeguarding their rights. In a statement, the Chinese embassy in Ottawa said Canada was making irresponsible remarks. "China always imposed severe penalties on drug-related crimes and maintains a 'zero tolerance' attitude towards the drug problem," it said, without confirming that any executions had taken place. (Reporting by David Ljunggren; Additional reporting by Eduardo Baptista in BeijingEditing by Sandra Maler and Michael Perry) By Pete Schroeder and Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump nominated Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman to the central bank's top regulatory post as vice chair for supervision where she is expected to oversee an agenda of relaxed rule-writing and bank oversight. A former community banker and frequent critic of overzealous bank regulation, Bowman would replace Michael Barr, who stepped down from the supervision post at the end of February to avert a potential legal dispute with the Trump administration. "Our economy has been mismanaged for the past four years, and it is time for a change. Miki has the 'know-how' to get it done. I am confident we will achieve economic heights never before seen in our nations history," Trump, who took office on January 20, wrote on social media. In a statement, Bowman thanked Trump for the nomination and said she would pursue "a pragmatic approach to supervision and regulation with a transparent and tailored bank regulatory framework that encourages innovation." If confirmed, Bowman would be responsible for the Fed's extensive bank regulatory portfolio, including supervising and writing rules for many of the nation's largest banks. Her nomination was quickly met with praise from the banking industry and congressional Republicans, who touted her efforts to resist tougher industry rules. "Since joining the Fed, Governor 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," Rob Nichols, head of the American Bankers Association, said in a statement. Bowman was widely seen as a frontrunner to fill the role, in part due to the fact that the Fed's board is currently full, meaning a replacement must be named from existing governors. Despite little experience with global banks, Bowman would be one of the top bank regulators in the U.S. government and globally, as the Fed oversees the nation's largest and most complex lenders. COMMUNITY BANKING EXPERIENCE A former Kansas banking regulator, Bowman has served on the Fed board since 2018 when Trump nominated her to fill a post specifically reserved for an official with community banking experience. She is expected to have a much lighter regulatory touch than Barr, whose rulemaking projects she has loudly criticized in multiple speeches over the past 18 months. Bowman voted against Barr's proposal to implement the so-called "Basel III Endgame" rule that would overhaul how big banks gauge their risks, requiring them to hold significantly more capital. She has argued the capital burden should be reduced. HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)- Owensboro Grain, owned by Cargill is asking the City of Owensboro to help distribute funding to assist in preventing further soil erosion along the Ohio River and protect their facility. Two restricted u-turns being constructed in Owensboro to reduce accidents Officials say a support, similar to a wall would be located on the south bank of the Ohio River and would be over 1,000 feet long. Owensboro Grain officials say the $12 million project is necessary to ensure long-term stability for their building on East Second Street. They add that without restoration, the river will continue to erode the soil and eventually jeopardize the facility, in which hundreds of local farmers bring their grain on a daily basis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposal was expected to be reviewed at last nights city commission meeting, however funding would come directly from FEMA. 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). Several people were killed in an Israeli airstrike in the northern Gaza Strip on Wednesday, according to Palestinian sources. Medical sources in the Gaza Strip said that at least 12 Palestinians had died and around 30 more were injured in the attack in Beit Lahia. The Palestinian news agency WAFA reported at least 16 people had been killed while others were seriously injured. According to the report, the victims had gathered to mourn a deceased family. The information could not be independently verified. The Israeli military said it was looking into the report. BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) A Panama City Beach woman is behind bars and is now charged with lewd and lascivious conduct. According to the Bay County Sheriffs office, a witness claims to have seen 25-year-old Lizzy Romero hugging and kissing a 14-year-old girl in a romantic way in the bathroom of a Panama City Beach resort this past Thursday. Deputies spoke with the young girl yesterday. She reportedly told them that she did kiss and or make out with Romero at her birthday party, but she was reluctant to share more details as she didnt want to get Romero in trouble. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Romero claims she only hugged her and did not kiss her. She was taken into custody on Monday and is currently being held in the Bay County Jail. 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 mypanhandle.com. BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) It appears any decision about transportation impact fees in Panama City will be postponed a bit longer. City commissioners discussed the impact fee proposal for about 45 minutes during Tuesday evenings city commission meeting. They did not make any decisions on the matter. They requested an updated timeline and a workplan for their April 8th commission meeting. They also discussed the possibility of another workshop meeting. A second reading on the ordinance could happen during the April 24th meeting, but that depends on what happens at the possible workshop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city says it needs the impact fees to keep up with growth and the demand for upgraded infrastructure. Commissioners voted to spend $325,000 on furnishings for the new MLK Rec Center. That facility should be open by the fall of this year. They awarded Royal American a $3.8 million contract to replace water and sewer lines and repave the streets in the D-15 section around Oakland Terrace Elementary School and Oakland Terrace Park. 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 mypanhandle.com. (Bloomberg) -- A Canadian law enforcement agency is suspected to have used spyware designed to hack into mobile phones and eavesdrop on messages, according to cybersecurity researchers from the University of Toronto. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tel Aviv-based Paragon sells the spyware to governments and law enforcement agencies for the purposes of fighting serious crime. However, Meta Platforms Inc.s WhatsApp said in February it had identified Paragons technology being used against activists and journalists in Europe. Researchers at the watchdog group Citizen Lab in a report published Wednesday said they found evidence linking Paragons spyware to countries including Australia, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Israel, and Singapore. Paragons spyware, known as Graphite, breaks into a device and covertly records messages sent using WhatsApp and other encrypted chat apps, such as Signal. Citizen Lab found that spyware victims, who were using Android phones, had been added to a WhatsApp group and then sent a malicious PDF file, which silently compromised the devices without them clicking on the PDF or otherwise engaging in the group. Citing a detailed analysis of digital records, the research organization said it suspected that computers under the control of Ontario Provincial Police had deployed the spyware. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Fleming, executive chairman of Paragons US division and a former assistant director of the Central Intelligence Agency, said in a statement that some of Citizen Labs research appears to be inaccurate, but declined to offer specifics. He said Paragons technology was designed to support counterterrorism, counter-narcotics, and counterintelligence. We require all users of our technology to adhere to terms and conditions that preclude the illicit targeting of journalists and other civil society leaders, Fleming said. While we are not able to discuss individual customers, we have a zero-tolerance policy for violations of our terms of service. Ontario Provincial Police didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Paragons spyware enables what are known as zero click intrusions, because they require no user interaction for the phone to be compromised. Once it had gained a foothold on the device, the spyware appeared to hide itself within other legitimate apps on the phone, making it difficult to discover, according to Citizen Labs report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Scott-Railton, senior researcher at Citizen Lab, said the findings amounted to the first-ever public forensic analysis of Paragons spyware. He called on governments to be more transparent about how they are using the technology. We just know, even in democracies, states have an appetite for abusing secret surveillance powers, and the more secret this stuff is, the more likely it is to be abused, said Scott-Railton. Paragon has previously said it would only sell its technology to democratic governments, positioning itself as an alternative to Israels notorious spyware seller NSO Group, which was persistently dogged by allegations of helping autocratic governments target journalists and activists. WhatsApp announced in February that it discovered Paragons spyware had been used in a hacking campaign that had targeted nearly 100 people across Europe, including activists and journalists. A WhatsApp spokesperson said commercial spyware had been weaponized to target civil society and added companies selling it must be held accountable. Paragon didnt respond to requests for comment on WhatsApps allegations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In December, Paragon was acquired by US private equity firm AE Industrial Partners in a deal worth up to $900 million. A representative for AE declined to comment. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. GARDNER, Kan. The Gardner Edgerton School District is being sued by a parent who claims she raised concerns about the indoctrination of her children. The woman alleges she was subsequently banned from all school events. Two Cybertrucks damaged in fire at Kansas City Tesla service center A federal court hearing is scheduled for Thursday. The lawsuit, which spans 70 pages, centers around Carrie Schmidt, the mother, who believes this is part of a coordinated effort by the district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have rights as parents, we have rights as Americans and we have to stand up for ourselves because if we dont, the cycle will just continue, she said. Schmidt told FOX4 that both her children and her constitutional rights are being violated. She is no stranger to the Gardner Edgerton School District. As a parent of two and an advocate for her beliefs, she previously led efforts to ban certain books in the classroom. At one point, she represented more than 90% of the complaints filed to the district regarding books she believed should be removed. Now, shes taking her fight from the Board of Education to the courtroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schmidt volunteers by packing snack packs for the mens and womens wrestling teams. One day, while doing so, she decided to walk around the school. She began taking photos of signs that she claims violate an executive order issued by President Donald Trump, called Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schools. She believes the executive order places the teacher-posted signs in direct conflict with the law, not because the signs say, safe space, but because of the group GLSEN, which sponsors the sign. Im being retaliated against because I took some pictures at the school, she said. But theres more to the story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After taking the photos, Schmidt sent them to a popular conservative, anti-LGBTQ Twitter page called Libs of TikTok. One of the photos, which included a teachers name, was shared by the page, resulting in online threats directed at the teacher. According to a letter from the district sent to Schmidt, the harassment became so severe that, at one point, the teacher had to leave work. Thats when Schmidts ban from school events went into effect. MSHP investigating shooting involving KCPD officers near 16th, Jefferson FOX4 asked Schmidt to respond yes or no to whether she believes districts have the right to ban individuals who they feel cause disruptions to learning, staff or students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats not a yes or no answer for me, she responded. For me, unless you have broken an actual law, you cannot be banned. Thursdays hearing is a preliminary injunction hearing to grant Schmidt access to school grounds once again. The school district sent this message to FOX4 in response to the lawsuit: USD 231 is fully prepared to defend its actions in court and, because this matter is in litigation, will not provide public comment on the matter other than through the court proceedings. USD 231 serves nearly 6,000 students and employs close to 1,000 staff members. Our top priority is ensuring a safe, supportive, and respectful learning and working environment free from threats, intimidation, and harassment. We will continue to prioritize the well-being of our students and staff as we uphold our commitment to a positive educational environment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Parents of Florida child killed by dogs speak out as dangerous animals bill passes subcommittee The family of a young boy in Volusia County who was killed in a dog attack are pushing for changes to Floridas dangerous animals laws. 8-year-old Michael Millett was mauled by a pair of dogs in his neighborhood just north of DeLand in January. On Wednesday, his parents traveled to Tallahassee with Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood to share their story with state lawmakers. It was the first time Tiffani and Michael Millett have spoken publicly about their sons death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Bill 593, filed by state Rep. Judson Sapp, aims to strengthen Floridas laws regarding dangerous dogs and create stricter penalties for their owners. The bill includes these provisions; Requires dog owners to securely confine dogs with known dangerous propensities Mandates that owners of dangerous dogs obtain at least $100,000 in liability insurance Establishes a statewide dangerous dog registry to be maintained by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Requires animal control authorities to provide information to the registry Specifies that dogs declared dangerous due to incidents causing severe human injury must be destroyed Increases the maximum fine for violations of the dangerous dog statute to $1,000 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill is also known as the Pam Rock Act. Rock was mail carrier who was killed by a pack of dogs in Putnam County in August 2022. An identical version of the bill was introduced in the state Senate The bill is currently making its way through the Florida House. If passed, it would take effect on July 1. Michaels family knows getting the law passed will not change their situation, but it could help other families in the future. This will help make necessary changes. No one should ever have to go through that, Michael Millett told the subcommittee. Sapp was visibly emotional as he listened to the testimony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The subcommittee unanimously approved the bill. It will go to three more committees before a House vote. The parents spoke exclusively with WFTV, saying, The days do not get easier. The nights do not get easier. Every morning, its like having to relive it, and now we want justice. Its just constant living in panic mode, never being able to relax, always feeling like youre forgetting something. When asked about why they felt the need to make the trip to address lawmakers, Michael Millett said, Without this bill there will be no justice for another family, and thats why were so supportive of this bill. Chitwood organized the familys trip and took them to the Statehouse. This case really impacted the sheriff, and he has repeatedly expressed frustration, saying the dogs owners are not being held accountable under current state law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The dogs owners are under investigation for manslaughter by culpable negligence and owning a dangerous dog. They have not been charged with any crimes at this time. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. The parents of missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki said Tuesday they've given up hope that their daughter is still alive and believe she drowned on a spring break trip in the Dominican Republic. Konanki, 20, disappeared on a trip with five friends in Punta Cana. She is believed to have last been seen on the beach early March 6. A weekslong international investigation into her disappearance has largely come up short of answers. Addressing reporters outside their home in Loudoun County, Virginia, Konankis parents said drowning is the explanation for her disappearance. Sudiksha Konanki. "We are coming to terms with the fact that our daughter has drowned," Konanki's father, Subbarayudu Konanki, said through tears. "This is incredibly difficult for us to process." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Konanki's father said U.S. and Dominican Republic authorities told the family that they also believe their daughter drowned, pointing to the ocean's conditions on the morning she disappeared. "Both sides of the authorities have shown us how high the ocean waves were at the time of [the] incident," he said. "And both sides of the authorities also clarified that the person of interest is not suspect from the beginning." Konanki's father appeared to be referring to Joshua Riibe, an American who was the last person believed to have been seen with Konanki on the morning she disappeared. Riibe, 22, a senior at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, told local authorities in an interview last week that he was on the beach with Konanki shortly before she disappeared, according to an interview transcript obtained by NBC News. Joshua Riibe walks with lawyers into court in Higuey, Dominican Republic, on Tuesday. According to the transcript, which NBC News translated from Spanish, he and Konanki were "in waist-deep water, talking and kissing a little," before a wave crashed, taking them both "out to sea." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although he has not been charged with a crime, Riibe and his attorneys said that local authorities have confiscated his passport and that he has been kept under supervision at the hotel where Konanki disappeared since March 6. National Police said there are no suspects in Konanki's disappearance. A Dominican judge ruled Tuesday that Riibe no longer needs to remain under police supervision. However, the judge said his courtroom was not the appropriate venue to resolve the matter of Riibes passport. As Eduardo Velazquez, a prosecutor with the Dominican Republic AGs office, returned to the courtroom ahead of the judges decision Tuesday, NBC News asked him about Riibes passport, which prosecutors claim they do not have. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I dont know the passport," Velazquez said. Pressed for answers, he responded in English: "I dont speak Spanish ... er, English, sorry." Konanki's mother appeared to be too grief-stricken to speak at length Tuesday but thanked the international media for its "help and cooperation." "We were going through too much pain all these days and we were saddened and we were not able to believe this," Konanki's father said. "Sorry, I cannot, Im not able to speak anything on that because our heart is broken." Jesse Kirsch reported from Higuey and Matt Lavietes from New York. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com (WHTM) Roughly 150,000 older or disabled Pennsylvanians can stay in their homes thanks to visiting health care workers funded by Medicaid, but the shifts to care for our loved ones are becoming more unfilled. Those on the front lines say it is already a crisis, and without more state money, this will only get worse. Kelli Ragland works for Angels on Call, a health care service who helps older citizens inside their homes. I cant be in my own apartment without them, said Michele Dailey, who was born with Spina Bifida and is paralyzed from the waist down. They come in in the morning, help me get up, help me take a shower, dress, breakfast, lights, and housekeeping. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kelli visits people like Michele twice a day. We cook, we clean up, we bathe people, said Ragland. Im a companion. We do whatever they need us to do. I like it, I love what I do. But in ever-aging Pennsylvania, there are too many Micheles and too few Kellis. We really need to address the crisis now because its it is literally getting worse by the day. said Mia Haney, who runs the Pennsylvania Homecare Association. She says for every 10 homecare workers hired, 8 leave within a year. Patients who need access to the service are sitting at home waiting for someone to show up and no ones coming because theres simply not enough workers to go around, said Haney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The workers are leaving largely, she says, because they arent paid enough, as homecare workers are paid an average of less than $20 an hour. Pennsylvanias Medicaid reimbursement rate is lower than all of its neighbors. The Shapiro Administration trumpeted its proposed $21 million dollar increase in homecare. Haney says its not nearly enough. Youre not even in the race, said Haney. You just walked to the starting line and you havent even started this race, so its a little unfair to to claim a victory lap when were really not even addressing the problem at hand. Taxpayers in Pennsylvania are taxed pretty hard right now, said State Rep. Russ Diamond (R-Lebanon), who says the causes are worthy and the needs are unlimited, but the funds, however, are not. Unfortunately, you cant give everybody as much funding as they think they need to do everything they want, said Rep. Diamond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ragland could make more money working at Sheetz, but she prioritizes her passion over her paycheck, but knows most would not. Im going to be older one day, youre going to be older one day, and I will hope that there are some people around thats going to be able to take care of me, so thats why I do it, said Ragland. Thats terrible, said Dailey. Flipping burgers or working behind the counter as opposed to taking care of a human being? No, thats wrong. 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. The Pentagon is attempting to reduce the size of its civilian workforce by between 50,000 to 60,000 employees through voluntary workforce reductions, though it remains unclear if it will be able to meet that goal without possibly having to carry out forced reductions in the civilian workforce. The Defense Department is currently carrying out a voluntary process to reach its goal of a 5% to 8% reduction of its 878,000 civilian employees -- a number that equates to 50,000 to 60,000 employees, a senior defense official told reporters on Tuesday. "The number sounds high, but I would focus on the percentage, a 5% to 8% reduction is not a drastic one," said the official, who added that the percentage is one that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth "is confident can be done without negatively impacting readiness in order to make sure that our resources are allocated in the right direction." PHOTO: The Pentagon building is seen in Arlington, Va., Oct. 9, 2020. (Carlos Barria/Reuters, FILE) MORE: Military officials say recruiting off to strong start in 2025, building on recent trends Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The voluntary process includes employees who have chosen to resign through what is known as the "Fork in the Road," a freeze on hiring new employees to replace those who are departing and the dismissal of 5,400 probationary employees who have less than one or two years' experience in their current jobs. About 21,000 civilian employees have had their voluntary resignation requests approved under what the Pentagon calls the Deferred Resignation Program (DRP), which allows employees to resign but continue to be paid through the end of the fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. The senior defense official declined to disclose how many civilian employees in total had sought to opt into the Deferred Resignation Program. MORE: Trump administration live updates: Judge blocks Trump's military transgender ban Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ABC News has previously reported that 31,000 civilian employees had offered to resign under the Trump administration initiative with some of the requests being denied. The hiring freeze means that the average 6,000 employees who join the Pentagon every month are also not coming into the workforce as other employees leave. The Defense Department had also begun the termination of 5,400 probationary civilian employees -- which has now been paused by a temporary restraining order imposed by a federal judge. PHOTO: Pete Hegseth, Secretary of defense, attends a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, Feb. 26, 2025. (Al Drago/Pool/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock) MORE: Judge says dismantling of USAID was unconstitutional, orders Musk to restore access for employees Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The official stressed that the 5,400 probationary employees had not been selected for termination "blindly based on the time they had been hired." The Department has 54,000 total probationary employees, a term that refers to employees who have less than one or two years' experience in their current jobs. Instead, the official said the 5,400 were employees who "were documented as significantly underperforming in their job functions and or had misconduct on the record." It is unclear if all of the 5,400 probationary employees targeted for termination fell into those categories. "The fact that someone was a probationary employee did not directly mean that they were going to be subject to removal," said the official. The official declined to offer what "reduction in force" steps the Pentagon might undertake should the voluntary efforts not reach the goal of reducing the workforce by 50,000 to 60,000 employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I won't get ahead of the Secretary," the official said. "It'll be the Secretary's prerogative to designate how and when he might use any of the other tools that would be available to him to achieve the stated reduction targets." There has been speculation that military service members may be asked to fill in for some of the civilian jobs that are being vacated or will not be filled by the hiring freeze, but the official said the goal is not to affect military readiness. "We are confident we could absorb those removals without detriment to our ability to continue the mission, and so that's how we can be confident that we don't need to worry about any resulting impact on the uniformed force," the official said. MORE: Trump continues to call for judge's impeachment after chief justice's rebuke Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The official acknowledged that some military veterans would be among the civilians who would be leaving the department, but did not provide an estimate of how many. "Some of those people will be veterans that served in uniform previously, we're certainly again looking at case by case as we plan workforce reduction," said the official. "There are so many critical skills and experience that veterans have to offer, and that's part of the analysis when we consider who is contributing to the core mission functions and who should be retained." Pentagon aims to cut 50,000 to 60,000 civilians originally appeared on abcnews.go.com HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) Peraton opened the doors to a new facility at Redstone Gateway on Tuesday. Peraton is a national security and technology company that contracts with government agencies. Officials said the 27,000 square feet space is a secure compartmentalized information facility and will be used to serve the intelligence community, civil agencies, and the Department of Defense. Two separate investigations underway involving vape products in the Shoals Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its mainly engineering work but much of it is classified work, so its hard to share exactly what we do, President of Peratons Space and Intelligence Sector Drew Uplinger said. We are doing analysis of foreign military systems and reverse engineering them on behalf of our customers. Uplinger said 200 employees will work at the facility and Peraton is looking to fill 60-70 positions. Uplinger said this addition to Peratons workforce will have a national and local impact. We want to create jobs and good jobs for the people here, Uplinger said. Theres a working with our customers as a partnership impact and on their missions, and being part of the community and contributing to the community. Congressman Dale Strong spoke at the ceremony, praising Peraton for supporting Huntsvilles defense industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Download the WHNT News 19 App to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WHNT News 19 newsletters to have news sent to your inbox. Its going to be 200 high-paying jobs [for] people that want to provide for their family, but thats also going to create money that goes back into our economy, Strong said. It creates a lot of taxes for public education and for everything else here in Huntsville. Congressman Strong did not speak on recent protests or federal job cuts, but said he is advocating to protect jobs at Redstone Arsenal. I think that the U.S. government understands the role here at Huntsville and Redstone Arsenal and thats why you see some adjustment, he said. Every business model has to have adjustment, but I think that youll see very, few jobs lost and that will be my objective as a U.S. congressman, just to be sure the president and everybody in that cabinet understands our role here in North Alabama. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new Peraton complex is located at 8100 Rideout Rd in the Redstone Gateway 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 WHNT.com. The person the White House identified last month as the leader of DOGE despite public evidence that Elon Musk is calling the shots has been working simultaneously at the Department of Health and Human Services since February. The Trump administration acknowledged Amy Gleasons dual role in a court filing the Justice Department initially attempted to submit under seal, until a judge ordered its public release this week. The filing shows that Gleason, despite claiming responsibility as DOGEs leader, was detailed to HHS last month and formally hired by the department as a consultant/expert on March 4, while retaining her status as a DOGE employee as well. Gleasons work at HHS, while purportedly also leading DOGE, came during some of DOGEs busiest and most chaotic weeks, when the agency was overseeing the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development and helping slash jobs and personnel across the federal government. The White House identified her as administrator on Feb. 25, after weeks of refusing to say who held the top role at the office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gleason and the Trump administration did not disclose her split role despite numerous questions from federal judges fielding dozens of lawsuits against DOGE related to its chain of command and whether Musk was exerting an unconstitutional level of authority over the operation. U.S. District Judge John Bates ordered the release of the document showing that Gleason signed on as an HHS staffer in part, he said, because Gleasons dual role raised questions about whether DOGE embeds across the federal government might share sensitive data outside their designated agencies. Bates is presiding over a lawsuit questioning whether DOGE poses a risk to sensitive data in the Departments of Labor, HHS and the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau. Tuesdays public acknowledgment adds to a tangle of conflicting statements from the Trump administration about who is really running DOGE and whether Gleason herself is more of a figurehead for Musk, who President Donald Trump has repeatedly described as DOGEs leader. Its unclear what Gleasons specific duties are at HHS. Last week, Gleason filed a five-page sworn statement in a separate court case describing her role as DOGEs full-time administrator (referring to it as USDS, the United States DOGE Service) while omitting any mention of her work for HHS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In my role at USDS, I oversee all of USDSs employees and detailees to USDS from other agencies, Gleason said. I report to the White House Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles. Elon Musk does not work at USDS. I do not report to him, and he does not report to me. To my knowledge, he is a Senior Advisor to the White House. Gleason, without mentioning her status as an HHS employee, indicated that every DOGE affiliate embedded with federal agencies report to the agency heads or their designees, not to me or anyone at USDS. The new filings are certain to draw scrutiny from federal judges evaluating whether DOGEs effort to slash the federal bureaucracy and spending has violated laws and constitutional limits. U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang ruled Tuesday that Musk appeared to be functionally in charge of DOGE even after the White House said Gleason was its administrator. Without identifying Gleason by name, Trump administration lawyers told Bates last week that she was among three DOGE officials who recently experienced a change in status after DOGE ended its practice of loaning, or detailing, employees to agencies. Those agencies have instead retained those individuals as direct hire employees, a change aimed at resolving privacy concerns resulting from the administrative structure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two others, Jordan Wick and Brad Smith, were detailed to The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and HHS, respectively, according to other documents unsealed Tuesday. Spokespeople for the White House and DOGE did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Gleasons role. Gleason has an extensive background in health care consulting. Prior to her government service, which began toward the end of the Biden administration, she worked as chief product officer at Nashville health care firm Russell Street Ventures, with previous stints at the health technology companies Allscripts, now known as Veradigm, and CareSync, according to her LinkedIn profile. A U.S. sailor uses a hand pesticide sprayer as part of a demonstration in this 2018 file photo. (Photo by Spc. 3rd Class Katie Cox) Advocates who were fervent supporters of a bill to ban a type of pesticide in Maryland are so spooked by House changes to the bill that they want to quash it altogether rather than push for amendments. The House last week gave unanimous approval to House Bill 386, which would prohibit the sale and use of pesticides containing PFAS, the forever chemicals linked to serious health issues, beginning in 2032. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the House version changed the definition of PFAS from the original bill to severely limit the pesticides that would be affected and, advocates fear, would open the door to a relaxation of PFAS standards elsewhere in state regulations. Its just that damaging, said Bonnie Raindrop, coordinator of Marylands Smart on Pesticides Coalition. It takes a lot. I mean, we wouldnt do that lightly. But a lobbyist representing pesticide manufacturers said the original definition in the bill was overly broad when it came to pesticides. She called the House bill a reasonable compromise. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, is the name for an expansive group of manmade compounds known as forever chemicals because of their incredibly strong carbon and fluorine bonds, which make them degrade very slowly in the environment and the human body. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The original bill used a prior definition of PFAS from state law that only requires one fluorinated carbon atom. But the amended version would require PFAS to have two or more fluorinated carbon atoms, which could undermine the prior definition, said Ruth Berlin, executive director of the nonprofit Maryland Pesticide Education Network, which facilitates the Smart on Pesticides group. Berlin said the change would reduce the number of affected pesticides from 66 to six and those are rarely used in Maryland anyway, according to the Networks research. In a news release, the Network called the amended bill a dream bill for the pesticide industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The amended definition has the support of organizations including CropLife America, which represents pesticide manufacturers. CropLife argues that shorter-carbon-chain PFAS do not pose the same threat as longer-chain compounds. The one-carbon definition is just the basic chemical structure of a PFAS, said Lindsay Thompson, a lobbyist representing CropLife. The one-carbon definition for PFAS does not communicate risk. Thompson said that the amended bill would only apply this new definition to pesticides. But pesticide safety groups worry it would later spread to other uses, meaning that prior PFAS laws passed in Maryland banning PFAS from firefighting foams, for instance could be impacted by a new definition, narrowing their scope, Berlin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If that becomes Maryland law, anything that weve passed so far is then able to be countered in court, Raindrop said. So its a very dangerous situation. Berlin said she is also worried that if the definition takes hold in Maryland, it could spread to other states. Thats part of the reason she wants the bill to fail in its entirety. We cant take even this much of a chance that something like that would happen, Berlin said. The House bill now heads to the Senates Education, Energy and the Environment Committee, where a companion bill by Sen. Benjamin Brooks (D-Baltimore County) has been heard. Brooks said he is concerned about altering the previous definition in state statute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its narrow. I dont want to set a precedent. And I didnt want to necessarily deviate from what we already have set up in statute, Brooks said Tuesday morning. Brooks said he was meeting with House lawmakers to understand the amendments and come to a conclusion. The PFAS definition from the original bill resembles that of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Raindrop said. It is also used by 22 other states, she said. Thompson said the current definition in the bill draws from amendments to the federal Toxic Substances Control Act in September 2023. She said the new definition was supported by an ad-hoc working group of lawmakers and other stakeholders, and ought to be respected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are standing behind our good-faith negotiation and the compromise that came out of the House, Thompson said. Since roughly the 1950s, thousands of different PFAS compounds have been used widely in consumer products from nonstick cookware to dental floss and carpeting because of their heat-, water- and oil-resistant properties. But those same properties have driven concern that the broad chemical class poses a threat of environmental degradation and health harm. Several PFAS compounds, including PFOA and PFOS, have since been linked to health harms including kidney and testicular cancer, increased cholesterol levels and pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last year set its first mandatory limits on the allowable concentration of those PFAS compounds in public drinking water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Maryland bill would have phased out PFAS in pesticides beginning in 2026 at schools and other locations. The amended House bill would have the ban take effect all at once, in 2032. Berlin said advocates were willing to compromise on the date. But changing the definition of PFAS was a bridge too far. This is not a compromise. This would be a sell-out, Berlin said. A judicial candidates eligibility is being called into question. Emily Merski, whos hoping to become the next Court of Common Pleas judge in Erie County has had a Democrat and Republican file petitions to set aside her nomination. Thats according to court paperwork. The petitioners allege Merski is an Erie- Dems committee member, and has allegedly maintained that position since announcing her candidacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the petition, theres precedent set by a previous Pennsylvania ruling that struck a judicial candidates name from the ballot for the same reason. In a statement regarding the petition, Merski denies the claims of the petition saying: As an attorney, one of the first lessons we are taught is to always be sure of your facts. As a candidate for Judge in the Erie County Court of Common Pleas, I understand the Judicial Code of Ethics and my responsibilities and obligations to this honorable position. It is unfortunate that those challenging my petitions have not done their due diligence or they would have discovered that I resigned from my committee position prior to becoming a candidate for office. This is a frivolous accusation and a waste of judicial time and resources. I remain focused on Erie County and serving the citizens as your next judge with honor, dignity, and respect. Merski Campaign in response to the petition The full complaint is available here: 145045-99md202503.17.2025emilymoscomerskipetitionDownload 150414-100md20253.18.2025emilymoscomerskipetitionDownload 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. DENVER (KDVR) Now that Congress has passed a temporary bill to fund the government, members are looking ahead to budget reconciliation. Democrats deemed Tuesday Medicaid Day of Action. FOX31 is looking at the impact the cuts could have on the state if they come to pass. Activist Jeanette Vizguerra reportedly detained by ICE in Aurora, immigration rights group says Uncertainty surrounding federal dollars plus a big gap in the states budget, equals a tricky situation for Colorado lawmakers to fund Medicaid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Primarily the Medicaid cuts would have some very significant impacts on the rural hospitals, said Tom Rennell, Senior Vice President of Financial Policy at the Colorado Hospital Association. Colorado state and healthcare leaders are concerned about potential cuts in Medicaid funding. According to the states Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF), 22% of the state is on Medicaid, amounting to 1.31 million Coloradans as of January. A third of the states general fund comes from Medicaid. By congressional district, Colorados fourth congressional district represented by Congresswoman Lauren Boebert sees most of the states Medicaid dollars: An average of more than 710,000 enrollees using more than $6 billion in the 2024-2025 enrollment year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district contains some of the states most rural areas, areas health leaders are concerned could get hurt the worst if Medicaid cuts happen. Attorney of former Mesa County Clerk concerned for Peters health, mental condition The last thing anybody wants to do is close their doors. Along that continuum, they may have to cut some services. They may have to delay investments. They may have to manage staffing or costs differently. And if all of those dont work, they may not be able to continue to operate, Rennell said. On top of the local gap, Democrats are looking ahead to budget reconciliation after passing a temporary bill to keep the government funded through September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month, the U.S. House passed a budget bill that calls for $880 billion in cuts from the House Energy and Commerce committee, the committee that oversees Medicaid. The president has mentioned he would like to sign that bill by mid-April. While highlighting what the potential cuts could mean for healthcare providers and patients, Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen had a suggestion for her former colleagues at the state capitol. Its hard to actually fathom what it could look like in Colorado, Pettersen said as she began her press conference about the impact cuts could have on Colorado. Bernie Sanders, AOC holding rallies in Denver and Greeley Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We asked Congresswoman Pettersen about what her former colleagues at the state capitol should do as they try to make cuts to their budget without knowing what the federal government will allocate. She pointed to the Taxpayer Bill of Rights to get around the hole as the mechanism limits how much money the state can retain. I support that if you are going to raise taxes, voters should have to vote on that, that part is something about TABOR that will never go away, that voters want to save. The piece about it that doesnt make any sense is when you have increased need in Colorado, increased population, increase in income and taxes that you are not able to take those additional taxes and invest back, that we have a ratchet effect that actually limits what we take in, Pettersen said. All of these things that we have as a safety net in support of investing in future generations is really on the chopping block because of something that sounded good on the ballot that has brought detrimental impacts to Colorado for decades. So now we are looking at almost a billion-dollar hole so that we can all get a small check in the mail instead of investing back in our future in Colorado, Pettersen said. A spokesperson for Congressman Gabe Evans, who serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said the state has mismanaged Medicaid funding before they start pointing fingers at the federal government. 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. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) The Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) introduced three new Florida panther kittens on Wednesday. The kittens, known as K525, K526, and K527, are between two and four weeks old. Researchers said they used the mothers GPS collar data to determine when she left the den to hunt. Newborn kittens rescued from wrecked car moments before demolition Biologists located the den, and each kitten was sexed, weighed, dewormed, microchipped for ID, and had a biopsy sample taken for genetic assessment, according to FWRI. (FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute) (FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute) (FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute) (FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute) The litters mother, FP269, had given birth to three kittens last season; however, FWRI said they were likely preyed on by a black bear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The survival rate for Florida panther kittens to make it to year one is low only 32%. Its tough being a panther; its even tougher being a Florida panther kitten! FWRI said in a Facebook post. FWRI said Florida residents can support research and conservation efforts for the next generation of Florida panthers by purchasing a Protect the Panther license plate. You can also donate to the Florida Panther Fund via the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida. 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. Milwaukee-area couples who have weddings scheduled as soon as next month are scrambling after the sudden shutdown of a local wedding company. Wedding planner Veronica Brend contacted Public Investigator after hearing rumors that Black Swan MKE had been evicted from its Third Ward wedding venue building, without informing customers. Brend feared the fallout could be "catastrophic," she said. Couples are scrambling after Milwaukee wedding company Black Swan MKE appeared to suddenly close its doors. It is pictured here on March 19, 2025. Online court records confirm that the owners of the historic Third Ward property sued to evict Black Swan MKE in November and that the eviction was granted in December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wedding planners told Public Investigator that their clients expected to hold their weddings there as soon as April. Some couples were told they had been booked at a new venue that was still under construction, leaving them little time to pivot. Court cases also show the company was facing problems paying its taxes as far back as 2019. Milwaukee wedding planner Heather Farr said two of her clients expected to have their weddings hosted by Black Swan. After she heard the eviction rumors, Farr said she looked up court records to confirm them and notified her clients on Monday. Farr said her clients are now panicking, and Black Swans apparent closure is also blindsiding vendors who were counting on the venue for business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "(Black Swan) had plenty of time to do the right thing," said Farr. Black Swan MKE is run by father and son duo Peter and Stephen Sheperd. They could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday. According to the Black Swan MKE website, the company began in 2006 in a "northern suburb of Milwaukee." In 2016, the company opened a riverfront location in downtown Milwaukee. It opened two more venues Plant N 4 and Bianco Room in 2019. Eviction records show that Black Swan owes the owners of the Plant No. 4 building over $170,000. However, as of March 19, the Historic Third Ward venue remains on the company's website. Black Swan MKE was evicted from its Plant No. 4 location, 219 N Milwaukee St., on Dec. 4. As of March 19, it is still listed online as one of their venues. Wedding planners say Black Swan told clients it was working on opening a new venue Farr said one of her clients who planned to hold their wedding in June was told by Black Swan that they were working on opening a new Milwaukee venue called Eagle's Crest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said she was initially told that the Eagle's Crest venue was under construction and expected to open in the spring but later heard about delays. This week, Farr said she heard that Black Swan never had permission to book weddings there. "It just keeps kind of unraveling every day," Farr said. Brend, too, said a client was told they had booked the new Eagle's Crest location. Now, her client is working on getting the money they paid for their deposit back. "Their wedding's next year, so they have time to course correct," Brend said. A "Space for Lease" sign outside the building that once served as a wedding venue for Milwaukee wedding company Black Swan MKE. Court filings also show that, as of February, Black Swan is being sued by a couple who claim the company accepted their deposit and then became unreachable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Records show the couple was unable to directly serve Peter and Stephen Sheperd, forcing them to issue a publication summons, or public legal notice, in an attempt to reach them. Through their attorney, the couple declined an interview with Public Investigator. Black Swan is also being sued by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue for more than $7,000 in unpaid sales tax, court records show. The company was subject to multiple tax warrants from the Department of Revenue in previous years. In 2019 and 2020, the company owed over $60,000 in tax, which was paid back. Vendors band together to help couples left without a wedding venue Brend said her wedding planning business, Veronica Rose Planning, will help affected couples find a new venue at no cost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I reached out because I care about the clients, and I want the clients to know, if they lose their venue, that there are resources out there that can help them," Brend said. Ana Cook, marketing director for Saz's Hospitality Group, said the company is assisting at least six couples in securing a new venue at one of its locations. Cook said many Milwaukee vendors are banding together to help couples affected by Black Swan's eviction. "The most positive thing that has come out of this is just showcasing how amazing Milwaukee hospitality is," said Cook. About Public Investigator Government corruption. Corporate wrongdoing. Consumer complaints. Medical scams. Public Investigator is a new initiative of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and its sister newsrooms across Wisconsin. Our team wants to hear your tips, chase the leads and uncover the truth. We'll investigate anywhere in Wisconsin. Send your tips to publicinvestigator@jrn.com or call 414-319-9061. You can also submit tips at jsonline.com/tips. This story has been updated to add a gallery. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Black Swan MKE 'Plant No 4' wedding venue appears to close suddenly TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. (WFLA) A man was charged in the murder of a well-known Tarpon Springs doctor in 2015, but just days ago, a civil jury found the doctors wife to be responsible for her husbands death. After 11 years, Dr. Steven Schwartzs children are finally seeing some justice. A civil jury found their stepmom to be responsible for their fathers death, but now they want to see state prosecutors take action criminally. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 8 on Your Side In May 2014, a murder took place in a Tarpon Springs neighborhood. Police had found the Schwartzs body inside his mansion on Belcher Drive. A year later, authorities charged Anton Leo Stragaj with first-degree murder. He was a handyman for the Schwartz family. Stragaj pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact. He served jail time and then was deported to Albania. Following a month-long civil trial that ended earlier this month, a jury awarded Dr. Schwartzs children $199,071,904.00. They finally feel like they got some justice, said Attorney Wil Florin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their attorneys, Wil Florin and Shaun Cummings, said they hope the Pinellas Pasco State Attorneys Office will re-evaluate the case. They want to see nothing more than Rebecca be held accountable for what she did to their father, so this is some small step in the right direction and getting them at least recognition from the community that Rebecca Schwartz killed their father, Cummings said. Court records reveal a civil jury found their stepmom, Rebecca Schwartz, responsible for their fathers death. The standard that we proved to this jury was a punitive damages standard, which meant the jurors had to feel very confident in their verdict, Florin said. Video from a deposition in 2016 shows when Rebecca was questioned about the night of her husbands murder, but all she did was plead the fifth. I reassert my rights under Article 1 Section 9 of the Florida Constitution, she said repeatedly. Rebecca has not been criminally charged. 8 On Your Side reached out to her attorney for an interview, but we have not yet heard back. Now Dr. Schwartzs children wait. They obviously hope that theres more that the criminal system also picks this, Florin said. At this time, no one has been convicted of murder in connection to the death of Schwartz. 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. (Bloomberg) -- The head of Canadas Conservative Party says a government led by him would aim to approve all federal permits for Ontarios Ring of Fire minerals region within six months to speed the harvesting of chromite, cobalt, nickel, copper and platinum. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pierre Poilievre made the pledge Wednesday ahead of an election call thats expected within days. A Conservative government would also commit C$1 billion ($699 million) over three years to building a road connecting Indigenous communities and the mineral deposits in the area to the Ontario highway network, he said. We could boost our economy with billions of dollars, allowing us to become less dependent on the Americans, while our allies overseas would no longer have to rely on Beijing for these metals, turning dollars for dictators into paychecks for our people, Poilievre said. The vast Ring of Fire region in northern Ontario was found to be replete with nickel, copper and chromite decades ago but has no clear timeline for development. Premier Doug Fords government has pledged close to C$1 billion to build the road and other infrastructure. Governments in Canada have long promised to accelerate the countrys sluggish approval processes for critical minerals projects. Still, Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson has tempered expectations for the Ring of Fire, calling it a challenging space to develop due to environmental and Indigenous concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Poilievre also said his government would allow companies investing in the Ring of Fire to pay a share of their corporate taxes to local Indigenous groups. Polls suggest the Conservatives are in a tight race with the Liberal Party, led by new Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has also stressed the need to develop the countrys critical minerals and speed up project approvals. The Conservative leader promised to repeal the Liberal governments environmental assessment law and seek to make critical minerals investments count toward the NATO defense spending target of 2% of gross domestic product. He accused the current government of blocking resources development, putting Canada in a weaker position as the US president threatens its economy and sovereignty. This gatekeeping and red tape was devastating for Canada before Donald Trump threatened tariffs on our economy, Poilievre said. Now, it is an act of economic suicide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. AUSTIN (KXAN) Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick held a press conference on Wednesday to discuss his passionate support of Senate Bill 3, which would ban the sale of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. This bill comes nearly six years after Texas lawmakers legalized the sale of consumable hemp, including products with THC levels under 0.3%. Since then, more than 8,000 stores selling THC products have popped up across the state, Patrick said. They used a loophole to get around a bill that the legislature passed in 2019, Patrick said. We have to ban THC and shut all of these stores down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a poison in our public, he continued. We as the legislature, our number one responsibility is life and death issues, and thats why this is Senate Bill 3. A few hours after the news event, Texas state senators passed SB 3 in a 24 to 7 vote. Patrick and other supporters of the bill argued too many underage children are accessing THC products sold in stores, exacerbating psychiatric symptoms in kids and young adults across the state. Patrick added he is aware of stores selling products with 750 milligrams of THC per serving. This is changing peoples lives in short order because its been marketed as something that is safe and legal and is anything but, said Texas Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, who authored SB 3. The deception in this industry, what they have created, and the lives they have ruined are unacceptable and unnecessary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, Patrick said he went to Happy Cactus, a story selling CBD and THC products, as a part of an investigation, he said. Happy Cactus south Austin location is near Crockett High School. Staff from the store said they asked for Patricks ID when he entered. We are proud of our team here at Happy Cactus. They handled the visit according to the best practices of Texas hemp retailers and with professionalism and respect, Happy Cactus co-owner Todd Harris said in a press release. Harris said his store only sells products containing less than 50 milligrams of THC per serving, and students from the nearby high school are prohibited from entering the store. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are proud to provide a legal product that helps many people in our community, including veterans and seniors, Harris added. Harris started the business with his brother five years ago. They now have two locations the south Austin one and another in east Austin. We have a lot of seniors that come in for pain relief, we have a lot of veterans come in for PTSD, and we have a lot of young professionals just needing some relief, Harris said. Harris said if SB 3 bill becomes law, it would be challenging for his business to stay open. It would take out about 80 to 90% of our products, he said. This bill would shut us down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Poland plans to plant anti-personnel mines on its borders with Russia and Belarus as part of the East Shield project, Polish Deputy Defence Minister Pawe Bejda has said. Source: European Pravda, citing Polish news portal RMF24 Quote from Bejda: "We have no other choice. The situation on the border is serious. I'm talking about the Polish-Belarusian and Polish-Russian border... It will be one of the elements of the East Shield." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: He added that Poland does not have anti-personnel mines but has "the capacity to produce them". "This [the production of landmines] will be carried out by the factories of the Polish Armed Group, but I don't want to go into details. We're talking about an order for several hundred thousand, we can talk about a million [units - ed.]," Bejda said. Bejda's remarks come as Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland announced their intention on 18 March to withdraw from the Ottawa Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention. Background: Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna previously commented on the Baltic states' and Poland's intention to withdraw from the convention banning anti-personnel mines. He argued that it is wrong for them to "forbid ourselves from using weapons that Russia is willing to use against us". Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! PORTAGE, Mich. (WOOD) A person was injured during a foot chase with police in Portage that involved a knife, a taser and a K-9, police say. Around 8:45 p.m., officers with the Portage Department of Public Safety tried to arrest a person who had felony warrants on Apple Street between Newells Lane and Oakside Street, according to PDPS Director Nick Armold. He ran off. Officers followed the person, who showed he had a knife at some point during the chase. Michigan State Police officers assisted Portage police. The person was eventually tased and stopped by a K-9, Armold said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The person was injured during the scuffle; Armold believes he may have fallen on his knife. He was treated at the scene and then taken to the hospital. The person was not identified. Its not clear what felony warrants he was wanted for. Armold said more information would be released Wednesday. 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 WOODTV.com. ISTANBUL (AP) Turkish police on Wednesday arrested Istanbuls mayor a popular opposition leader and key rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and several other prominent figures as part of investigations into alleged corruption and terror links. The detention of Ekrem Imamoglu was a dramatic escalation in a crackdown on the opposition and dissenting voices in Turkey. The state-run Anadolu Agency said prosecutors issued warrants for Imamoglu and some 100 other people. Police raided his residence near dawn and detained the mayor at around 7:30 a.m., his wife said. Among those detained was Imamoglu's close aide, Murat Ongun and two district mayors. Critics say the crackdown follows significant losses by Erdogans ruling party in local elections last year amid growing calls for early national elections. Government officials insist that the courts operate independently and reject claims that legal actions against opposition figures are politically motivated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are facing great tyranny, but I want you to know that I will not be discouraged, Imamoglu said earlier in the day in a video post on social media. Authorities closed several roads around Istanbul and banned demonstrations in the city for four days in an apparent effort to prevent protests following the arrest. Despite the ban, people gathered at Istanbuls police headquarters, carrying posters of the mayor and banners with his photo around their shoulders. Others chanted slogans and raised their fists in the air as riot police cordoned off the facility. Thousands of people later joined a rally outside the city hall, where the leader of the mayor's party, the main opposition Republican Peoples Party, or CHP, accused the government of carrying out a coup. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lets call it what it is: a coup attempt," Ozgur Ozel told the crowd. "Today, the will of the people is being seized and usurped through a judicial coup targeting the people of Istanbul. Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc told reporters the arrests had nothing to do with the government. Linking investigations and cases initiated by the judiciary to our President is, at best, presumptuous and inappropriate, he said. The backdrop Erdogan, a populist with increasingly authoritarian tendencies, has led Turkey as prime minister or president for more than 20 years. His current term runs until 2028 but he has indicated he'd like to serve longer something he could achieve with a constitutional change or if early elections are called. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Istanbul Stock Exchanges main index dropped by 7% over the news, triggering a temporary halt in trading to prevent panic selling and stabilize the market. Trading later resumed but was again halted in the afternoon. The Turkish lira lost some 3.5% of its value against the dollar. Anadolu, the news agency, said that Imamoglu and several others are suspected of a multitude of financial irregularities. Imamoglu is also suspected of aiding the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, by allegedly forming an alliance with a Kurdish umbrella organization for the Istanbul municipal elections, the agency said. The PKK, behind a decadeslong insurgency in Turkey, is designated a terrorist organization by Ankara, Washington and other allies. The Istanbul chief public prosecutors office later obtained a court order for authorities to seize a construction company partly owned by Imamoglu, based on reports from the the countrys Financial Crimes Investigation Board, HaberTurk and other media reports said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Silencing the opposition A day earlier, Istanbul University invalidated Imamoglu's diploma, effectively disqualifying him from the next presidential race a university degree is a requisite for running in elections under Turkish law. The mayors party was to hold a primary on Sunday where he was expected to be chosen for its candidate in future presidential elections. With all the arrests Wednesday, that vote was in doubt but Ozel, the party's chairman, said it would go ahead as planned. In a message conveyed through his lawyer, Imamoglu said his morale was high and encouraged his supporters to keep their spirits high. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will emerge stronger from this process," his lawyer Mehmet Pehlivan quoted him as saying. Earlier, hundreds also gathered outside CHPs headquarters in Ankara as the party's lawmakers protested inside the parliament, disrupting proceedings before marching out. Turkeys pro-Kurdish Peoples Equality and Democracy Party condemned the detentions and called for the immediate release of all taken into custody. Imamoglu's arrest was a "disgrace that will not be forgotten for centuries. This operation, which shatters faith in justice, is an attempt to redesign politics through the judiciary, Tulay Hatimogullari, the partys co-chairwoman, wrote on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Germanys Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock describing the arrests as a blow to democracy in Turkey. We are seeing clearly that the space for opposition politicians is getting smaller and smaller, she said. Turkey has been trying for decades to join the European Union, but its accession process is held up over concerns about its commitment to democracy and other values like respect for the rule of law. The arrest of the mayor is deeply concerning, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, told reporters in Brussels. Turkey must uphold the democratic values, especially the rights of elected officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amnesty International said Imamoglus detention marked an escalation in Turkeys crackdown on the opposition. While the weaponization of vague anti-terrorism allegations to detain and prosecute opponents is not new, these latest detentions and associated restrictions represent an alarming intensification of the targeting of real or perceived critics," said Dinushika Dissanayake, Amnestys deputy director for Europe. Ongun, the mayor's aide, appealed for support on X even as he himself was being arrested, though at the time he apparently didn't know that Imamoglu was also being taken into custody. I entrust Ekrem Imamoglu to the Turkish nation. Protect, watch over and support him. They cannot be defeat the nation," Ongun said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Separately, police also detained a prominent investigative journalist, Ismail Saymaz, for questioning, the opposition-aligned Halk TV reported. Meanwhile, internet-access advocacy group netblocks.org reported Wednesday that access has been restricted in Turkey to popular social media platforms. Legal obstacles In nullifying Imamoglus diploma, the university cited alleged irregularities in his 1990 transfer from a private university in northern Cyprus to its business faculty, a decision Imamoglu said he would challenge. Imamoglu faces multiple lawsuits, including allegations of trying to influence a judicial expert investigating opposition-led municipalities. The cases could result in prison sentences and a political ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is also appealing a 2022 conviction of insulting members of Turkeys Supreme Electoral Council, a case that could result in a political ban. Imamoglu was elected mayor of Turkeys largest city in March 2019, a historic blow to Erdogan and the presidents Justice and Development Party, which had controlled Istanbul for a quarter-century. The party pushed to void the municipal election results in the city of 16 million, alleging irregularities. The challenge resulted in a repeat of the election a few months later, which Imamoglu also won. The mayor retained his seat following local elections last year, during which his party made significant gains against Erdogans governing party. ___ Fraser reported from Ankara, Turkey. Associated Press writers Lorian Belanger in Bangkok and Cinar Kiper in Bodrum, Turkey, contributed to this report. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) A man wanted for several robberies across Middle Tennessee is now in police custody, officials said. The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) said 29-year-old Alex Currithers was captured outside of a liquor store in the 3600 block of Bell Road Tuesday, March 18. Authorities reported they located his black Jeep Cherokee, which matched the description of a vehicle that was used in several robberies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department During Tuesdays arrest, officers said they recovered a handgun, 10 grams of cocaine, 5.3 grams fentanyl and eight grams of meth from inside the 29-year-olds Jeep. Currithers is reportedly connected to several robberies that occurred in Nashville, Brentwood and La Vergne. Police added he was also wanted for robbery out of Georgia. While in an interview with detectives, Currithers allegedly admitted to being involved in the following armed robberies: March 10: Dollar General at 3006 Gallatin Pike March 12: Circle K at 3043 Nolensville Pike March 17: Dollar General at 2724 Murfreesboro Pike | READ MORE | Latest headlines from Nashville and Davidson County According to the MNPD, the U.S. Marshals Service contacted detectives regarding Currithers, who they believed was the same man wanted in Georgia on 18 outstanding warrants, including for aggravated robbery and aggravated assault against an officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 29-year-old was charged locally with being a fugitive from justice and three counts of aggravated robbery. Police added that he made incriminating statements regarding investigations into recent robberies in La Vergne and Brentwood. The MNPD said the La Vergne and Brentwood Police Departments assisted in the investigation, which remains ongoing. 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. Police have filed charges against a man they say shot a teen in Downtown Pittsburgh. Martel Tyler Hedge Jr., 21, was charged with aggravated assault this week, Pittsburgh Police say. He was detained after a teen was shot on Smithfield Street just after 4 p.m. on Feb. 19. PHOTOS: Police respond to shooting in Downtown Pittsburgh Hedge Jr. was immediately taken into custody by police, who told them he had shot the teen in self-defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court documents, the shooting happened during a fight between Hedge Jr., the victim and two school students. A student who was not involved in the situation but saw it and one who was involved told police a similar story. They said Hedge Jr. butted into the conversation between them as they were waiting for the bus. They said he told them he would have robbed them all if he was in school with them. The student who was not involved said the other students jumped him and said the shooting happened after the fight got too much. Hedge Jr. told police he was waiting for the bus when three rowdy kids approached. He said they were chasing people and using racial slurs. He told police he told one of the kids it was ignorant for him to keep using the slurs. After that, he said the situation escalated and the fight broke out. He told police he used the gun because he was being jumped and had to get them off. Hedge Jr. emphasized to police he had only fired one shot, dropped his gun immediately and surrendered to police. When police talked to the victim, he told them Hedge Jr. took note of their conversation and accused them of bullying an unknown male. The victim said he told Hedge Jr. they were not bullying anyone and he should mind his own business. He said Hedge Jr. began swinging first after a back-and-forth escalated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The third student who was involved in the fight denied any bullying and said they did not use any racial slurs. They also said Hedge Jr. threw the first punch. Hedge Jr. currently has one charge of aggravated assault for shooting the victim and one count for recklessly endangering another person Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW WALLINGFORD, Conn. (WTNH) Wallingford police say a mother and her infant found dead after a house fire last April were likely killed by the infants father up to a week prior. Karizmah Johnson, 19, her 9-month-old son Kylenn (Jasir) Varnado, and Justin Varnado, 24, were all found dead in a multifamily home on Geneva Avenue on April 17, 2024. Wallingford mother and son who died before fire were victims of homicide, medical examiner says Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement released Wednesday, police said autopsies of the infant and the Johnson ruled their cause of deaths were homicidal asphyxia and the manners of death were ruled homicide. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said they were both likely killed by Varnado between two and seven days before he intentionally set the house fire. In conclusion, investigators found sufficient evidence to believe that Justin Varnado had killed Varnado (Infant) and Johnson in the days leading up to the fire. He then set himself and the structure on fire, ultimately leading to his death, police said. Investigators believe Justin Varnado attempted to light himself on fire on the second-floor apartment using gasoline and likely a BIC lighter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say baby among 3 dead after criminal house fire in Wallingford They said interviews, surveillance footage and search and seizure warrants led them to locate a red gas can inside the apartment, which Varnado was allegedly seen filling up at a gas station nearby, on the same day of the fire. A witness who spoke to Varnado several days earlier told police he was distraught and suicidal. The witness lived in the same house and told police they smelled a strong odor coming from Varnados apartment in the days leading to the fire. The witness also told police they hadnt seen the infant or Johnson for nearly a week before the house fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said some aspects of the incident remain under investigation by the Wallingford Police Detective Division with assistance from New Haven States Attorney Office, and the Connecticut State Police. 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. A woman from the Pittsburgh area went missing while traveling through North Carolina in 2021. Now police are trying to confirm a positive DNA match between her and human remains found in North Carolina in 2022. Amber Rae Johnston never got on to her bus from Winston-Salem to return home to Westmoreland County after a trip to Arizona three years ago. Her last known location was in Charlotte, but investigators say new evidence links Amber Rae Johnston to Anson County. Human remains were discovered in Anson in 2022 during the construction of a new middle school. Anson County Sheriffs Offices Captain over the Investigation Unit Brian Tice told our sister station WSOC that the remains likely belonged to Amber Rae Johnston. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not a positive identification at this time but they said its a high likely possibility that the CODIS hit is a match from South Carolina for miss Johnston, Tice said. Amber Rae Johnstons mother, Sharon Johnston said the years without her daughter have been hard with not knowing what happened. But now she said she has some answers. I cried like a baby...even though I knew, Sharon Johnston said. It was hard. it was really hard because no one deserves to be out there alone. Investigators are still not sure how Amber Rae Johnston ended up in Anson, Tice said. Her phone last pinged at a truck stop off of US 74 in Union County on Aug. 19, 2021. Her phone was deactivated the following day in Charlotte. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trail photos captured a woman walking in the woods off Anson Highschool Road in Wadesboro on Aug. 22, 2021, Tice said. The woman was not fully clothed, wasnt wearing shoes, and was using a makeshift walking stick. There was some clothing found with the remains that were consistent with what we see in the video, Tice said. The photos were uploaded to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System in January 2024. Thats when investigators said they first made the connection between the remains and Amber Rae Johnston. The minute they put that on NAMUS I got flooded with about 100 calls, Sharon Johnston said. And it was about the middle of the night, and I looked, and I knew it was my daughter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sharon Johnston said she thinks Amber may have traveled through Anson to visit an ex-boyfriend who lived in the Myrtle Beach area. He died in 2023 before Anson County took over. He did tell the local police that he had not heard from Amber Rae Johnston since she left Arizona. Sharon Johnston hopes that with these developments, someone will come forward with more information. Theres someone out there that knows what happened.. and she just didnt get there by herself, Sharon Johnston said. I just have to accept whatever it is... and try to move forward. Now, Amber Rae Johnstons family awaits a final DNA match, which involves matching DNA from her daughter and Sharon Johnston. If its a complete match, Sharon Johnston said she wants to bring her daughters remains back to Westmoreland County to give her a proper funeral. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW An appeal has been issued to find a woman reported missing from Rochester shortly after returning from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Rochester PD says Sara Hicks, 44, was last seen on Tuesday driving home in a borrowed vehicle from the Twin Cities airport. "It is assumed she arrived home as the vehicle she was driving is at her home address in Rochester," police added, but said that both Hicks and the vehicle that she owns are now missing. Rochester PD Her vehicle is described as a grey 2011 Ford Fusion, Minnesota plate RJT158. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information should call Rochester Police Department at 507-328-6800. Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcements latest version of events, and may be subject to change. DENVER (KDVR) A woman reported she was assaulted while walking along the High Line Canal near Horseshoe Park on Tuesday. Man killed in car crash while walking in Highlands Ranch neighborhood identified The incident happened sometime in the afternoon while she was walking a dog, according to police. The Littleton Police Department said she was unlawfully groped by a male suspect who was riding a two-wheeled electric scooter and approached her from behind. There were no photos included in the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect was described as being about six-foot tall and between 20 to 30 years old. He was wearing a green coat and a blue hat at the time of the assault. Littleton police are asking that anyone with information contact the agencys non-emergency line at 303-794-1551, or if they have seen an individual matching this description. 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. Vermont State Police say a 46-year-old Marshfield woman who was reported missing last weekend contacted her family to tell them she was safe. Tara Fitzgerald was last seen March 10 leaving her home. She was reported missing March 15. The Vermont State Police would like to thank members of the public who called with possible information regarding Fitzgerald, police 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 ABC22 & FOX44. AUSTIN (KXAN) The Pflugerville Police Department is seeking public help to find a 39-year-old woman who was last seen March 14, the agency said on social media Tuesday. Kreacha Jones, 39 (Photos: Pflugerville Police Department) Kreacha Jones, also known as Kreacha Sims, is described as a Black woman, 5 feet 5 inches, weighs 150 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, according to police. Anyone who has any information can contact PPD at (512) 990-6700. 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. ANDREWS, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- An Andrews man surrendered to police Wednesday morning after a warrant was issued for his arrest. Daniel Armenta, a member of the Volunteer Fire Department, has been charged with Theft of Property Over $2,500 an Under $30,000. Officials with the Andrews Police Department said they began investigating fraudulent transactions involving a city-issued gas card assigned to the Andrews Fire Department after they were alerted to several suspicious charges by the fire chief. Investigators said they identified Armenta as a suspect and said he used the city-issued card for personal gain. The Andrews Volunteer Fire Department has been fully cooperative throughout the investigation, a police department spokesperson said in a statement. The City of Andrews remains committed to transparency and accountability in all matters concerning public resources. The City of Andrews will continue to uphold the highest standards of fiscal responsibility and ethical conduct. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case remains under investigation and all information will be forwarded to the Andrews District Attorneys Office for consideration. Armenta remained in the Andrews County Jail as of Wednesday morning on a $10,000 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 Yourbasin. The Colorado Springs Airport saw significant economic growth between 2018 and 2023, generating billions of dollars in business revenues and growing more than 50% those five years, according to a state study released Wednesday. Colorado Springs Airport generated $5.2 billion in total business revenue in 2023, the 2025 Colorado Aviation Economic Impact Study conducted by the Colorado Department of Transportation's aeronautics division found. Based on economic activity in 2023 that measures employment, payroll, value added and total business revenue, the 2025 report highlights a roughly 53% increase from the $3.4 billion the agency most recently reported in 2020, based on 2018 business revenue. Of that $5.2 billion, passenger services, food and beverage purchases and retail spending at the municipal airport generated $4.3 billion, according to the 2025 study a 48% increase from $2.9 billion generated in 2018. Airport travelers spent another $876.9 million across Colorado Springs once they landed in 2023, on items like lodging, recreation and other services, a 64% rise from the $535.6 million visitors spent outside the airport in 2018. In that five-year period the total number of full- and part-time airport employees increased by 39%, from 25,093 up to 34,829. Total payroll grew by 78%, from $1.5 billion to $2.7 billion; and the airport contributed $3.7 billion to Colorado's gross state product in 2023, a 54% increase from $2.4 billion in 2018. Statewide, Colorado's 66 public airports including Colorado Springs Airport generated $68.9 billion in total business revenues in 2023, adding $40.3 billion to the Gross State Product, the study found. The 2025 study "underscores (Colorado Springs Airport's) crucial role in supporting the local economy, job creation and regional business expansion," Alex Kovacs, the acting director of Colorado Springs Airport, said in a Wednesday news release. "This report demonstrates the airport's continued strength and its substantial impact on the local economy through commercial air travel, commercial cargo, general aviation, military operations and economic development in the region." Sign up for free: Gazette Business Receive a weekly roundup of business news around El Paso County. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Featured Local Savings Spokeswoman Aidan Ryan said Colorado Springs Airport's economic growth is largely attributed to its expansion of commercial and general aviation and services; corporate and business activity; military activities; aerospace manufacturing; and air cargo. Among some specifics: Southwest Airlines began flying out of the municipal airport in March 2021, boosting airport traffic. Several airlines also expanded their route offerings from Colorado Springs in 2023. The Colorado Springs Airport's multi-year, $36 million ElevateCOS modernization project also broke ground in September 2023 to upgrade the 31-year-old concourse. That project is ongoing and airport officials expect it to be completed in May 2026. Business park growth and development "is a significant driver on its own," Ryan said, but revenues generated through ground leases, land sales and other indirect sources have also bolstered the airport's economic growth. The airport's 1,600-acre Peak Innovation Park, a business park, has in recent years added a nearly 4-million-square-foot Amazon fulfillment center as well as the presence of defense contractor Northrop Grumman and research nonprofit Aerospace Corp. Colorado Springs-based military operations also have a direct impact on Colorado Springs Airport, Ryan said. This includes the unveiling of U.S. Space Force Operation Command at Peterson Space Force Base in 2020. The airport's total impact includes those impacts generated by Space Base Delta 1 installations (Peterson and Schriever Space Force bases and the Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station), Ryan said. By Joshua McElwee VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis is no longer using mechanical ventilation for help breathing at night and his doctors believe he will continue to improve, the Vatican said on Wednesday, in the latest positive update as the 88-year-old pontiff battles pneumonia. Francis has been in Rome's Gemelli Hospital for nearly five weeks for a severe respiratory infection that has required evolving treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The clinical conditions of the Holy Father are confirmed to be improving," said the latest detailed medical update on his condition. The pope had been using non-invasive mechanical ventilation overnight during his hospital stay, which involves placing a mask over the face to help push air into the lungs. Such ventilation had been "suspended", the statement said. But it said the pope is still receiving oxygen via a small hose under his nose. The pope's doctors believe his infection is under control, the Vatican press office said shortly after the release of the latest statement. The pope does not have a fever and his blood tests are normal, it said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pope has been described as being in a stable or improving condition for two weeks, but the Vatican has not yet given a time frame for his discharge, saying his recovery is going slowly. Francis is prone to lung infections because he had pleurisy as a young adult and had part of one lung removed. He has been receiving both respiratory physiotherapy to help with his breathing and physical therapy to help with his mobility. He has used a wheelchair in recent years due to knee and back pain. Doctors not involved in Francis' care said the pope is likely to face a long, fraught road to recovery, given his age and other medical conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CHILDREN SEND POPE LETTERS The pope's stay in hospital has been his longest absence from the public view since his election as pontiff in 2013. The Vatican released the first image of Francis in hospital on Sunday, showing him praying in a chapel. In a sign the Vatican may be expecting Francis to be discharged from hospital by the end of the month, Britain's King Charles on Tuesday announced that he and his wife Queen Camilla would go forward with plans to travel to Italy and the Vatican in early April. The royals are tentatively scheduled to meet Francis on April 8, for an appointment that would normally be organised in close coordination with senior Vatican officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francis is continuing to receive many well-wishes for his recovery, including letters from children. Italy's postal service told Reuters the pope had received some 150 kg (331 lb) of additional mail per day from around the world during his hospital stay. The hospital is sending a van every day to collect the mail addressed to Francis. (Reporting by Joshua McElwee; additional reporting by Fabiano Franchitti; editing by Gianluca Semeraro, Kirsten Donovan) Former President Petro Poroshenko called sanctions imposed against him by the Ukrainian government an "attack on freedom and democracy" in an interview with the German tabloid Bild published on March 18. Poroshenko, head of the opposition European Solidarity party and Ukraine's president between 2014 and 2019, was among several politicians and oligarchs sanctioned by Kyiv in February. The media speculated that the sanctions against Poroshenko were connected to his high treason case. The ex-president's assets have been frozen, and he says he is not allowed to leave the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "What is happening here is unconstitutional, it is illegal, there is no court decision," Poroshenko claimed in the interview. When asked about U.S. President Donald Trump's accusations toward President Volodymyr Zelensky, Poroshenko responded, "If you ask me about a dictatorship, the answer is clear the dictator is (Russian President Vladimir) Putin." At the same time, Poroshenko accused Zelensky's team of "moving the country toward dictatorship" while denouncing the sanctions imposed against him. Trump has falsely accused Zelensky of being a "dictator without elections" on account of not holding a presidential vote during wartime. Ukraine's Constitution prohibits elections under martial law, which was instituted at the outbreak of Russia's full-scale war in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Whats at stake for Poroshenko, ex-president sanctioned by Zelensky? Trump's public attack on Zelensky was followed by rumors that the U.S. president's team has been secretly in contact with Ukrainian opposition figures, including senior members of Poroshenko's party. Poroshenko acknowledged only "public and transparent" contacts with U.S. partners and rejected the possibility of holding elections during martial law. The businessman and owner of the confectionery manufacturing group Roshen was defeated by Zelensky by a landslide in the 2019 elections. Since then, the two have remained bitter political rivals, often resorting to verbal attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the recent opinion polls showed Poroshenko's support at 10%, below ex-Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi (21%) and Zelensky (44%.) Poroshenko was charged in 2021 with high treason and aiding terrorist organizations for allegedly conspiring with Russian-backed separatists between November 2014 and January 2015. The scheme reportedly generated over Hr 3 billion ($72 million) in profits from coal supplies. If found guilty, Poroshenko could face 10 to 15 years in prison. Speaking about the battlefield situation, Poroshenko said that Ukraine "must immediately stop losing people and immediately stop losing territory." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Defending the territory is the top priority. Use fortifications, minefields, and the most modern anti-aircraft defenses against guided bombs," the ex-president added, saying that Ukraine should "forget the word 'offensive operation.'" Ukraine has been resisting Russian onslaught across a more than 1,000-kilometer-long front for more than three years. Earlier this month, Ukraine lost significant positions in the Russian border region of Kursk, which it attacked last August. Read also: Russias Engels air base ablaze after Ukrainian drone strike, Kyiv says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. NEW MEXICO (KRQE) A Texas resident infectious with measles traveled through Guadalupe and Valencia counties earlier this month, according to the New Mexico Department of Health. The public is now being advised they could have possibly been exposed to measles if they were in these locations during the listed timeframes: Saturday, March 8 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the TA Travel Center on 2634 U.S. Route 66 in Santa Rosa Saturday and Sunday, March 8 to 9 at the Days Inn by Wyndham on 1919 Main St. SW in Los Lunas Sunday, March 9, from noon to 3:30 p.m. at Sopas Restaurant at 1700 Bosque Farms Boulevard in Bosque Farms Monday, March 10, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 3674 NM-47 in Peralta The health department says if you visited these places during those specified timeframes, and you are unvaccinated or unsure of your status, you should check on your vaccination records and get caught up on any missing doses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Measles symptoms can start with a cough, runny nose, and eye redness, then progress to fever and rash that starts on the head before spreading down the body. Anyone who develops symptoms is asked to isolate and call their healthcare provider for testing. The health department helpline can also be reached at 833-796-8773 Recent measles cases in Texas and New Mexico are a reminder to stay vigilant, said NMDOH Chief Medical Officer Dr. Miranda Durham. When someone with measles travels, the virus can spread to unprotected communitiesparticularly during high-travel periods like spring break. Vaccination is our strongest defense: one dose of vaccine is 93% effective, and two doses are 97% effective. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to NMDOH, there are currently 38 cases of measles in New Mexico. Those outbreaks are confined to Lea and Eddy counties in the most southeastern portion of the state. Valencia County is just south of Bernalillo County, while Guadalupe County is east of Albuquerque. 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. A plane flies over the town after taking off from the dirt runway on Sept. 14, 2019, in Kivalina, Alaska. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) In late February, Alaska Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, and House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, issued a letter to the states congressional delegation voicing concerns over active and proposed federal spending cuts. In a list of potentially targeted agencies and programs they included one unique to Alaska: Bypass Mail. Bypass Mail is an Alaska-only classification of parcel post mail that bypasses U.S. Postal Service facilities. It includes food and other products that are shipped from Anchorage and Fairbanks through private carriers to retailers off of the road system. Bypass Mail must be from a single seller to a single recipient, shrink-wrapped and moved on pallets for ease of storage, and in a minimum order of 1,000 pounds. The USPS subsidizes the service, at an estimated cost of $133 million in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alaskans concern over Bypass Mail is rooted in recent comments by President Donald Trump, who recently suggested ending the independence of the U.S. Postal Service. On Feb. 21, the Washington Post reported that Trump planned to transfer the USPS to the Department of Commerce. The president added the next day that the Commerce secretary was going to look at postal reform. On March 5, presidential adviser Elon Musk announced his support for privatizing the Postal Service, saying, I think we should privatize the Post Office and Amtrak for example . We should privatize everything we possibly can. Calls to privatize the Postal Service have occurred since the 1980s, with rural delivery serving as a primary target. Thats especially true for Alaska, where much of the state relies on air mail delivery. Virginia Congressman Gerry Connolly, ranking Democrat on the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform was succinct last month in his estimation of what privatization would mean for the state, telling CNN, If you privatize the Postal Service, theres not a piece of mail that could be delivered in Alaska for any kind of reasonable price. Those who oppose Bypass Mail, including the national-level Postal Service leaders, have repeatedly argued that it is not a mail service like others provided by the USPS. Instead, it is more similar to a private freight service. A 2011 USPS report referred to it as a freight service that includes items seemingly considered nonmailable anywhere else in the United States. A history of growth and survival Bypass mail grew organically, out of the inability in the 1970s for Anchorage post offices to process the high volume of parcel post that was shipped to the bush. This mail reached its final destination by air and postal employees at that time began shifting large orders directly to the air carriers in a system they devised on their own. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rural mail service through the U.S. has been protected against previous cost-cutting attempts by a mandate in the 1970 Postal Reauthorization Act, which was co-sponsored by Alaska U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, created the USPS as the independent agency it is today. It codified into law that the USPS must provide equitable service to all Americans. Bypass Mail has periodically been targeted for criticism. It was the subject of a strongly negative 2011 USPS report, followed by a 2014 congressional hearing. Then-Congressman Don Young testified at the time to the often unspoken and unsolvable part of the Alaska mail problem: lack of roads. Now, you build me some highways, Mr. Chairman, he challenged California Republican Congressman Darrell Issa, and I will go along with you. The hearing resulted in no changes to the Bypass Mail system. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy suggested eliminating Bypass entirely in 2020, but backed down in the face of political opposition. While those seeking to eliminate Bypass have suggested that without it shippers would promptly turn to freight services, Grant Aviations Vice President of Commercial Operations Dan Knesek is mindful of parcel posts history. He cautions that those seeking to discontinue the program should be aware of how parcel post was previously the overwhelming choice for most Alaskan shippers and what returning to it would entail for the USPS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If those [thousands of pounds of] boxes were not shipped via Bypass, every box would be taken individually into the local post office by the shipper, every box would be weighed individually by a postal employee, and every box would then have to be stored in the post office until every box was separately dispatched for delivery. When it arrived in the destination village, the USPS would have to have employees out at that airport to receive every single box and either store them in those post offices or deliver them immediately. Right now, he concluded, none of that storage and none of that handling is done by postal employees. It is almost entirely done by the aviation industry in Alaska. If the post office was to remove Bypass then it would need to invest in warehouses, hangars, trucks, forklifts, staff and everything else to do what the carriers are doing, and have done, in Alaska for decades. Under the current system, USPSs only responsibility for Bypass Mail is to cover some of its costs. Once received by a carrier, the shipments are always under their control. The USPS thus is freed from responsibility for storage, loading, unloading, and delivery. Last year, according to Knesek, Grant Aviation moved 17 million pounds of U.S. mail as a Bush air carrier, with the majority of it Bypass Mail. Bush carriers serve small villages, mainline carriers serve hub destinations where the mail is then disseminated to Bush carriers. Additionally, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, which currently has figures through November 2024, reports that Bering Air moved 13.8 million pounds that year, Alaska Central Express moved 11.3 million pounds, Ryan Air moved 11 million pounds and Wright Air Service moved 5.4 million pounds. Several other companies flew figures less than one million pounds and Everts Air Cargo, which flies both mainline and Bush mail, flew just over 25 million pounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked to comment on privatization and how it would affect Alaska, a USPS spokesperson replied that there was no statement at this time as the inquiry is centered on action by the administration and cuts that havent happened. Meanwhile, on March 14, DeJoy released a letter informing Congress that the USPS had entered into an agreement with the General Services Administration and Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. The agencies were going to assist USPS in identifying and achieving further efficiencies. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The U.S. Postal Service is examining how it can generate additional revenue by offering logistics services to other parts of the federal government, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said Monday. In a letter to members of Congress, DeJoy gave more details about how Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency will assist the Postal Services ongoing turnaround campaign aimed at improving operational efficiency and product appeal, slashing costs and growing revenue. Among the initiatives assigned to DOGE is developing a business case for leveraging existing infrastructure to help other agencies with logistics needs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeJoy said the Postal Services retail locations, logistics capability, delivery services, vehicles, buildings and stocking locations can help other agencies reduce costs while enhancing its own profitability. I believe there are billions of dollars annually that will benefit us and significantly reduce government-wide costs, he said. Commercializing an in-house capability is something logistics companies often do in the private sector. DeJoy, who recently announced his intent to resign at an undetermined date, held the top leadership positions at New Breed Logistics and XPO Logistics supply chain business in the Americas before being appointed postmaster general by the posts board of governors in 2020. DOGE intervention is needed, the mail chief said, because congressional micromanagement, meddling and issuance of conflicting requirements has handicapped the Delivering for America (DFA) cost-saving strategy started four years ago. He has repeatedly castigated Congress for requiring the Postal Service to cover its costs while being forced to expand service. The fact is that DOGE is the only other game in town that seems oriented toward helping us to achieve our efficiency and cost goals that are reflected in the DFA plan, instead of parochial protectionism that is grounded in political self-interest and that is contributing to the financial peril of the Postal Service and our universal service mandate, he wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeJoy on Thursday announced he had signed an agreement with DOGE, the Trump administration office staffed by Musk acolytes tasked with downsizing the federal government and eliminating waste. In a separate letter to congressional leaders, the chief executive officer said Musks efficiency team would focus on fixing structural problems with postal worker retirement plans, bringing down workers compensation costs and reducing regulatory strictures by the Postal Regulatory Commission that prevent modernization. He reiterated those focus areas on Monday but said DOGE would also develop solutions for other issues Congress has failed to address. DOGE will review leases on nearly 31,000 post office buildings and whether they should be renewed when decades-long leases expire, considering that about half of retail centers fail to cover their cost of local operations. Musks outside consulting team will also analyze how the Postal Service is combating counterfeit postage, which costs the agency an estimated $1 billion per year. The agency has implemented several technological and physical security measures, but DOGEs creative problem-solving ability could help develop additional innovations to address the problem, said DeJoy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He reassured lawmakers that the initiatives mentioned are the only ones he has requested and authorized DOGE to assist on so far and that only data and information required for those specific tasks will be shared. DOGE will also not be involved in hiring freezes and layoffs, as has happened in other parts of the federal government, because the Trump administration recognizes the Postal Services independent status within the executive branch. And he denied that DOGEs role in postal reforms signals any attempt to prepare the agency for privatization or merger with the Department of Commerce. DeJoy said implementing several of the corrective measures, including changes to employee benefit accounting or the way pension assets are invested, will require legislative action. The Postal Service, he said, is on track to soon break even, or even achieve modest operating profits, on a continuing basis because of the restructuring effort. Democrats not satisfied House Democrats were not assuaged by DeJoys characterization that DOGEs mission is very narrow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Postmaster General is trying to rewrite history after cutting a backroom deal to turn the keys of the Postal Service over to Elon Musk and DOGE. This letter is rife with contradictions and does nothing to assuage concerns about his agreement with DOGE, ranking member Gerald Connolly of Virginia said in a statement. DeJoy cannot decry a lack of collaboration with Congress while rejecting Congressional requests for transparency and reforms. He cannot claim to recognize the independence of the Postal Service while putting out the welcome mat for DOGE to forcefully and unlawfully implement his favored reforms behind Congresss back and at the expense of Americans mail service and the agencys independence. Democrats on Monday demanded the Republican-controlled Oversight and Government Reform Committee hold a hearing on the Trump administrations and DOGEs plans for the U.S. Postal Service, which delivers more than 115 million pieces of mail and parcels each year. They also urged Chairman James Comer to request copies of all signed agreements DeJoy made with DOGE and the General Services Administration, saying recent administration statements and actions constitute a broad assault on the Postal Services independence. We agree that there are steps Congress could take to strengthen the financial sustainability of the Postal Service, but any potential deal that would give Elon Musk and his DOGE associates unilateral authority to manipulate the most critical, expansive national mail network on the planet is deeply troubling. Such an agreement signed between the Postmaster General and DOGE associates would threaten access to affordable and reliable postal service for millions of American families and businesses, the minority members said. (Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated who appointed DeJoy as postmaster general in 2020. It was the Postal Service board of governors.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Click here for more FreightWaves/American Shipper stories by Eric Kulisch. RELATED READING: SmartLynx Airlines disbanding cargo charter fleet Icelandic cargo airline Bluebird Nordic shuts down The post Postal Service weighs serving as logistics partner for federal agencies appeared first on FreightWaves. BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) The union representing mail carriers is planning a protest of its own this weekend, pushing back on calls to privatize the US Postal Service. Active and retired members of the National Association of Letter Carriers plan to rally outside 76 Main Street in Binghamton this Sunday at 1 p.m. The union argues that a private takeover of the postal service would have devastating consequences. It says the move could raise the cost of shipping and mailing and jeopardize rural delivery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter carriers say the postal service is enshrined in the Constitution and that only Congress can set postal policy. 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 WIVT - News 34. VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) Two students were detained following a lockdown Wednesday afternoon at Bayside High School, which had a large police presence due to a report of a weapon on its campus, according to a letter from the principal. A 14-year-old girl and 15-year-old boy were detained after a knife was found, police confirmed Thursday. They are charged with possession of a weapon on school property. Police originally responded to the report of a firearm, but no firearm was found. The letter from the school, which was sent to community members of the school Wednesday night, confirmed that all detained students will be disciplined. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Due to the lockdown, the following morning, students were asked to report directly to their 4A classrooms, where all the students belongings had been left from the day before. After retrieving their belongings, the students were then told to go to their normal first block class. The letter can be read in full below: Good evening, Bayside High School families, I want to take a moment to thank our students, families, and staff for their patience and cooperation during todays incident. We also want to extend our sincere appreciation to the Virginia Beach Police Department for their partnership and swift response. Our administration received a report that a student was in possession of a weapon. Immediately, the school was placed on an internal lockdown. We were able to identify the students involved and found one of the students in possession of a knife. Thankfully, no students or staff were injured. The students involved will be disciplined in accordance with our Code of Conduct. We are incredibly grateful to our families for their understanding and support in allowing us to conduct the investigation without issues. We also appreciate everyones adherence to safety protocols, which helped us handle the situation as safely and efficiently as possible. Tomorrow morning, all students will report directly to their 4A class (where they left their belongings), where they will receive instructions on how to retrieve their belongings and transition to their first block class. We understand this has been a stressful experience, and we appreciate everyones cooperation and patience. The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority, and we are committed to ensuring a secure learning environment for everyone. Thank you for your continued support of Bayside High School. VBCPS The lockdown left students and parents trying to figure out what took place, as many parents were waiting outside the school to pick up their children after the lockdown was lifted. The parents are standing out here, said parent Takiea Cooper. Were messed up mentally because our kids are in there scared. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students like Adriana Perez were still trying to process the situation after it happened. When you get the internal lockdown, you really are like, Oh, this is real,' Perez said. So my teacher kind of froze and we all kind of freaked out and then we, like, got together and hid in the corner. One student, who wishes to remain anonymous, got video of officers in a classroom during the search. While it is Virginia Beach City Public Schools policy for students to not have cellphones in the classroom, the childs mother gave 10 On Your Side permission to use the video. Officers were on the scene while police investigated a potential threat. Traffic around the school was restricted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of 2:20 p.m., police finished its initial search, saying no firearm had been recovered. Virginia Beach Police worked with the school on a coordinated dismissal of students. Some parents told 10 On Your Side they want their children to have access to their devices and for there to be more safety measures in place. New VBCPS cell phone-free policy much like current one The students need their phones and everybody needs to show up to the school board meetings and thats whats gonna make the change that there needs to be metal detectors when these kids get on the bus and there needs to be metal detectors when these kids to these buildings, Parent Chrissy Riggs said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another parents added they were using their student to get more information faster. I was trying to get him information on what was going on on the outside and, you know, just making sure that he was safe on the inside, which I am glad because I know theres a lot of controversy right now about phones being in the school, said a mother. 10 On Your Side reached out to VBCPS, it sent the its cell phone policy adopted by the school board in December 2024. It outlines when students can use person devices during an emergency: All staff members have access to communication devices during instructional time and can contact the school office should emergency conditions arise. During an actual school emergency, students should follow the directions of staff who are trained in safety measures to protect students and themselves. During a medical or safety emergency, students may access their stored personal communication devices to request assistance. Emergencies are defined as: an immediate threat to the safety of students or staff or others at the school or school sponsored event; or a medical emergency in which an adult staff member is unable to call for assistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Virginia Beach City Public Schools sent the following message out to families during the initial response. Dear Bayside High School Families, Bayside High School is currently on internal lockdown. The Virginia Beach Police Department and the Office of Security and Emergency Management are working together to resolve the issue. Ensuring the safety of our students and staff remains our top priority. Please do not visit the school until further notice to allow school officials to address the situation. Updates will be provided, and you will be notified when the internal lockdown is lifted. Thank you for your understanding and support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an updated message to families, the school system said they plan to release students in an organized manager and reiterated the investigation was due to a report of a student allegedly with a weapon. Good afternoon, Bayside High School families, This afternoon, we received a report of a student who allegedly had a weapon. To ensure the safety of students and staff, we immediately notified the school resource officer and placed the school on internal lockdown. Thanks to the partnership between the Virginia Beach Police Department, the school administration, and the security team, we secured the building. As we dismiss students, we will be releasing them by hallway, allowing them to cross the property to find their transportation. Staff members will be present to assist with this process. Additionally, please be aware that buses will have a delay as we slowly and safely dismiss students. We appreciate the patience of our parents and community as we followed protocols to release students to their families. I appreciate your support of Bayside High School. Continue to check WAVY.com for 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 WAVY.com. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, a long-standing staple in Colorado Springs, was recently voted the second-best zoo in United States in USA Todays Readers Choice Awards, according to a news release Wednesday. This is the zoo's highest ranking ever; the zoo has earned rankings six and above for best zoo every year since 2017. Also, voters earned the zoo a "Second Place Triple Crown," a No. 2 spot for Best Zoo Membership, and No. 2 for Best Zoo Exhibit for Rocky Mountain Wild, which houses animals native to the Rocky Mountain region such as grizzlies, mountain lions, moose, lynx and wolves. We could not have done this without our supporters, who spent their own time promoting the zoo through the voting period, Bob Chastain, president and CEO of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, said in a statement. Honors like this are earned through the dedication of people who know, trust and believe in our organization. Thank you for your effort. The zoo welcomes more than 800,000 people annually as visitors see a variety of animals up close during daily demonstrations, special events, camps, parties and more. The zoo has unique exhibits which connect people to native, rare and endangered animals from around the world in a natural mountainside setting. Featured Local Savings Last year, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's holiday lights display called Electric Safari received its highest ranking in a national contest for best zoo lights. It was named the third-best zoo light show in the country marking the sixth year in a row the zoo ranked in the top three for the USA Today award. Also last year, the zoo raised more than $5 million for frontline conservation efforts, which included more than a million dollars for African elephant and black rhino conservation. The zoo plans to upgrade its giraffe exhibit in the future by expanding the outdoor space by 25% and adding a 12,000-square-foot Giraffe Center. For every ticket purchased, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo donates 75 cents to the Quarters for Conservation program that funds new and existing wildlife conservation projects at the zoo. Deer are seen outside of a Google data center in Council Bluffs, Iowa. (Google Data Centers) This article was originally published by Floodlight. The explosive growth of data centers around the country driven in large part by the burgeoning use of artificial intelligence could come at a staggering cost for average residents with skyrocketing electricity bills. A new report from Harvards Electricity Law Initiative says unless something changes, all U.S. consumers will pay billions of dollars to build new power plants to serve Big Tech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Data centers are forecast to account for up to 12% of all U.S. electricity demand by 2028. They currently use about 4% of all electricity. Historically, costs for new power plants, powerlines and other infrastructure are paid for by all customers under the belief that everyone benefits from those investments. But the staggering power demands of data centers defy this assumption, the report argues. Were all paying for the energy costs of the worlds wealthiest corporations, said report author Ari Peskoe, director of the initiative at the Harvard Law School Environmental and Energy Law Program. He worked with co-author Eliza Martin to produce the report, Extracting Profits from the Public: How Utility Ratepayers are Paying for Big Techs Power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lucas Fykes, director of energy policy for The Data Center Coalition , which advocates for the industry, responded to Floodlight by email, saying, State utility commissions have the regulatory responsibility and authority, expertise, experience and processes in place to ensure that cost allocation and rate design are fair and reasonable for all customers. A spokesperson for Dominion, which serves one of the nations largest data center loads in Virginia, said establishing rates in the state is an open and transparent process. Aaron Mitchell, vice president of pricing and planning at Georgia Power, testified to a Georgia legislative committee that adding 3,300 megawatts (MW) of new generation for data centers or enough to power roughly three million homes will actually reduce customers bills. The more that we are able to serve, the more that we can provide benefits to existing customers, by virtue of those new customers coming online and paying their fair share of the costs that we incur to serve those customers, Mitchell said. 2024 United States Data Center Energy Usage Report, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, December 2024. Secrecy hides full picture of utility costs But Martin and Peskoe examined nearly 50 regulatory proceedings around the country between utilities and data centers to determine who pays the costs for electricity for data centers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In many cases, agreements between tech companies and utilities are confidential, limiting the information thats available including how much electricity a data center will use and how much it will pay for the power, according to the report. In Louisiana, Entergy Louisiana is proposing to build 2,250 MW of new natural gas generation for Meta, the tech company. But neither Meta nor its data center affiliate Laidley, is involved in the proposal before the states Public Service Commission. A new report finds that the secrecy around proposed data centers can lead to higher costs for residential utility consumers. In this document from Entergy Louisiana filed with the Louisiana Public Service Commission, the name of the owner of a proposed data center in northern Louisiana is redacted. State officials have since announced Metas plans to build a $10 billion data center there. Earthjustice, a nonprofit environmental law organization, is an intervenor in Entergy Louisianas request to build new gas plants to fuel the Meta data center. The group filed a motion with the PSC seeking to force Meta, the parent company of Facebook, and Laidley to disclose information including anticipated energy demand, justification for its request for an expedited approval and verification of how many local jobs it will create. Peskoe and Martin found that in some cases, utilities appear to have hidden how much average residents pay to offset special rates or incentives given to other customers, including data centers. The report cites a lawsuit against Duke Energy that alleges Duke intentionally hid a $325 million discount provided to a large customer and, according to internal documents, that Duke planned to shift the cost to other ratepayers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We should be skeptical of utility claims that data center energy costs are isolated from other consumers bills, the report says. The potential costs arent just in bill increases, the paper points out. If utilities can profit from building new generation for data centers, they have no incentive to modernize their systems by switching to renewable or more efficient power, which would provide longer term benefits to customers and the climate. Rather than adding cleaner, renewable sources, utilities are instead offering to meet data center demand with transmission (upgrades) and gas-fired power plants, which have been the industrys bread-and-butter for decades, according to the report. Some utilities are even propping up their oldest and dirtiest power plants to meet data center demand. Daniel Tait is a research and communication director for the utility watchdog Energy and Policy Institute. In February, Tait released an analysis about how the demand for data center power has caused utilities, mostly in the South, to continue operating coal-fired power plants some of them on the verge of closure. Such a move would stall or reverse efforts to decarbonize the electric sector, he wrote. Size of energy demand, benefits, hard to find State utility regulators are often under pressure to approve data centers because of their perceived benefits, the report says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That dynamic is playing out in Louisiana, where the Public Service Commission agreed to fast-track approval of $3.2 billion in new natural gas-fired generation to serve a $10 billion Meta data center. The announcement had one normally skeptical commissioner labeling the proposed development in economically impoverished North Louisiana a godsend. In its initial filing in which key information was redacted Entergy told the PSC the data center would provide 300 to 500 jobs. But Entergy later said it couldnt provide evidence of those jobs. Meta did not respond to a question about the number of jobs and whether they would be located in Louisiana. Entergy spokesman Brandon Scardigli confirmed that Meta has guaranteed it will pay the costs for the new generation for 15 years. But, he said he couldnt comment on the specific economic impacts of the data center, including the number of jobs it would create. The data center, he said, represents a major investment in the state. Tait questioned whether the promised jobs would ever come. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres whats so sick about this, is that they are doing this in a deeply impoverished area of Louisiana, with the presupposition that theyre doing it to bring wealth and jobs to that area of the state, right? he said. Using its access to the confidential agreements made with Entergy Louisiana, Earthjustice is examining how costs may be spread to other customers in the state and what happens after the 15-year contract ends. Our argument is that the ratepayers dont actually benefit from the existence of this data center in this spot, said Susan Miller, the lead Earthjustice attorney in the case. They should not be paying greatly increased utility rates just so that the data center can have a business. The Harvard report makes the same point, arguing that data centers dont need subsidized rates if they are already receiving other incentives from a state to locate there. In 2023, for instance, Virginia data centers were exempted from paying $1 billion in sales tax, the report says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Louisiana, Meta will receive, among other things, a use and sales tax exemption on data center equipment and software. The amount, which isnt specified, is contingent on the data center creating 50 direct, permanent new in-state jobs and spending at least $200 million in new capital. Construction is underway on Amazons Mid-Atlantic Region data center in Loudoun County, Va. The power needs of large data centers like this one are driving a projected increase in demand for electricity in the United States after years of stagnant or declining demand. Photo taken Feb. 10, 2024. (iStock photo / Getty Images) Can ratepayers, taxpayers be protected? To prevent a race to the bottom, the report recommends that U.S. public utility commissions require the same terms and rates for all data centers. The report said utility commissions also could establish robust guidelines, like those in Kentucky. There, a utility can only provide a discounted rate for service when it already has excess generation. It also requires that any special contract rate exceed the cost of providing the power and that the discount extend for no more than five years. Kent Chandler, former chairman of the Kentucky Public Service Commission, said the state has handled special contracts that way for 35 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve laid out rules for the utilities, saying you should only offer these when these circumstances exist and in this way, Chandler said. And I think that that served the state particularly well. Kentucky still has a robust manufacturing base. Chandler argues that a new regulatory regime isnt necessary to handle data center demand, but quality implementation would go a long way in alleviating a lot of the concerns raised in the Harvard paper. He says one way to protect ratepayers is to allow data centers to contract directly with independent electricity providers. The paper also envisions the creation of energy parks where power is provided to a cluster of data centers. That park might not even be connected to the grid, to completely insulate ratepayers from data centers energy costs. Artificial intelligence is one technology driving the number and size of data centers. President Donald Trump announced Stargate, a $500 billion investment in AI, at the White House on Jan. 21, 2025. Speaking was Sam Altman of Open AI, flanked by Larry Ellison from Oracle. Behind them is Masayoshi Son from SoftBank. (C-SPAN) The growth is occurring so quickly that regulators are grappling with the issue on the fly. Louisiana Commissioner Davante Lewis said he welcomes the economic development Meta could bring but still lacks a full understanding of the long-term repercussions of any deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Said Lewis: I have to do extra due diligence to ensure the people of Louisiana dont get stuck with a ginormous bill because we were promised a bunch of economic development that happened in a very secret way that I dont think was good for the public. Floodlight is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates the powerful interests stalling climate action. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE UPDATE: TUESDAY 3/18/2025 8:12 p.m. (SOUTHERN COLORADO) According to the Otero County Office of Emergency Management, the fire burning near County Road 31 in Otero County is 100% contained. Pre-evacuations lifted in Kiowa County UPDATE: TUESDAY 3/18/2025 7:40 p.m. The Otero County Office of Emergency Management tells FOX21 News the fire north of Cheraw near County Road 31 is around 3,300 acres and is 90% contained. A cause for the fire has not yet been determined. UPDATE: TUESDAY 3/18/2025 6:30 p.m. According to Kiowa County, the pre-evacuation notices for the towns of Arlington and Haswell have been lifted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kiowa County said there is currently no longer a threat to those communities. ORIGINAL STORY: Pre-evacuations issued for fire burning in southeast CO TUESDAY 3/18/2025 5:47 p.m. Pre-evacuations have been issued for the towns of Arlington and Haswell in Kiowa County due to a wildfire moving northeast from Otero County. Kiowa County posted about the fire around 3:30 p.m. and said the towns of Haswell and Arlington along Highway 96 were under pre-evacuation. Watch Duty is reporting the fire has burned over 3,000 acres near County Road 31, west of Horse Creek Reservoir. Courtesy: Watch Duty SWIFT-911 is the reverse 911 alert system Kiowa County uses to notify residents regarding emergency information, locals should follow any instructions from law enforcement, and be prepared to leave at a moments notice. You can sign up for SWIFT 911 by clicking here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Colorado State Patrol (CSP) La Junta and Lamar troop is asking local drivers to avoid County Lane 31 (Otero County Road 31) between Highway 96 and Cheraw to allow crews to respond to the fire. CSP also asks that drivers avoid Otero County Road 36 as the fire is heading east toward the road. High winds are making fire danger extremely high, so if you need extra time to evacuate, you should consider leaving now. 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. A 137-year-old prep school once hailed as the best in Britain by Tatler has blamed Labours VAT raid for its decision to close its doors. St Anselms School in Bakewell, Derbyshire, told parents this week it would shut at the end of the academic year because of the unrelenting headwinds we face under the Labour Government. As well as the controversial 20pc levy on school fees introduced in January, the school cited the upcoming increases to National Insurance contributions next month as well as the loss of business rates relief. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paul Houghton, chair of the board of governors, said: We have simply been left with no alternative. Despite our best efforts it has proved difficult to secure a viable future given the headwinds we face. We are deeply upset to have reached the point where there are no viable options for St Anselms as an independent prep school. The day and boarding school, founded in 1888, and situated in the heart of the Peak District, has struggled in recent years to attract new pupils. There are currently 125 pupils at the school, a decrease from 150 last year. As recently as 2020 it had more than 200 pupils. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The difficulty in attracting new pupils came as it was forced to increase its fees by almost 4,000, a rise of 16pc, in January as a result of Labours decision to levy VAT on education for the first time. Sarah Dines, the former MP for Derbyshire Dales, described the schools closure as a real loss. She said: I am not only sad, but angry, that this socialist government seems intent on destroying the independent school sector, part of their ideological attack on the freedom of choice of parents. This is a real loss to Bakewell and Derbyshire Dales. The sharp turnaround in the schools fortunes comes after it was crowned Prep School of the Year at the Tatler Schools Awards in 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prestigious title was awarded in recognition of the schools commitment to make sure children were not left behind during the Covid pandemic and work it had completed to expand its boarding house. St Anselms closure comes in the same week as Buxlow Preparatory School in Wembley announced it was closing its school to focus on solely providing nursery provision. The school has framed the decision as an exciting new chapter that will allow its current pupils to join its nearby sister school. Ministers have admitted the VAT levy will force an additional 100 private schools to close over the next three years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A government spokesman said: Ending tax breaks for private schools will raise 1.8bn a year by 2029/30 to help fund public services, including supporting the 94pc of children in state schools to achieve and thrive. On average, around 50 mainstream private schools typically close each year. This is due to a range of reasons, including financial struggles and school standards issues. Local authorities and schools commonly support children and parents in these circumstances. We are confident in local state schools ability to accommodate new pupils. St Anselms school was approached for comment. 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. KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed Wednesday to a limited ceasefire between Kyiv and Moscow, as U.S. President Donald Trump suggested during a call with the embattled countrys leader that he should consider American ownership of Ukraines power plants to ensure their long-term security. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Trump told Zelenskyy that the U.S could be very helpful in running those plants with its electricity and utility expertise, according to a White House statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz that described the call as fantastic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the first steps toward fully ending the war could be ending strikes on energy and other civilian infrastructure, Zelenskyy said on social media following the roughly hourlong call, which came a day after Trump held similar talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. I supported this step, and Ukraine confirmed that we are ready to implement it. Trump suggested American ownership of those plants could be the best protection for that infrastructure, according to White House officials. The idea was floated even as the Trump administration looks to finalize an agreement to gain access to Ukraines critical minerals as partial repayment for U.S. support for Ukraine during the war. White House officials did not reveal any further details about Trumps thinking on potential American involvement with Ukrainian power plants. Weeks after a disastrous Oval Office meeting between the two leaders that led to Trump temporarily pausing intelligence sharing and military aid to Ukraine, Trump and Zelenskyy had a very good conversation in which they joked around, according to a senior Ukrainian official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he wasnt authorized to comment publicly. There was an emphasis during the call on how any ceasefire process would need to be monitored and how the various negotiating teams would still need to resolve technical issues, the official said. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the call, Zelenskyy requested additional Patriot defense missile systems. Rubio and Waltz said Trump agreed to work with him to find what was available, particularly in Europe. Trump has made clear that quickly ending the war is a top priority for his new administration. He has repeatedly complained about the cost the U.S. has sent Ukraine more than $180 billion in military and economic aid since the start of the war. On Tuesday, Putin told Trump that he would agree not to target Ukraines energy infrastructure but refused to back a full 30-day ceasefire that Trump proposed. Zelenskyy signed off on the limited ceasefire deal to halt strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, according to the White House. According to the Kremlin, Putin made clear to Trump that there must be a cessation of foreign military aide and intelligence sharing as part of any deal. But White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Wednesday underscored that U.S. intelligence sharing in terms of defense for Ukraine would continue. The Kremlin says Kyiv isnt upholding its end of the bargain Prior to his call with Trump, Zelenskyy said Putins limited ceasefire pledge was very much at odds with reality after Russia launched an overnight barrage of drone strikes across Ukraine, including some that struck Ukrainian energy facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia responded by saying it had halted its targeting of Ukraines energy facilities and accused Kyiv of attacking Russian equipment near one of its pipelines. Unfortunately, we see that for now there is no reciprocity on the part of the Kyiv regime, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The White House described Tuesdays call between Trump and Putin as the first step in a movement to peace that Washington hopes will include a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and, eventually, a full and lasting end to the fighting. But there was no indication that Putin is ready to back away from his conditions for a prospective peace deal, which are fiercely opposed by Kyiv. Russia is holding the ceasefire proposal hostage The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, said that Putins demands during the call with Trump would amount to Ukrainian capitulation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putin is attempting to hold the temporary ceasefire proposal hostage in order to extract preemptive concessions ahead of formal negotiations to end the war, the ISW said in an analysis of readouts of the Trump-Putin call from the White House and Kremlin. The White House also confirmed that technical experts from the U.S., Ukraine and Russia would gather in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to discuss implementing the partial ceasefire that Trump and Putin agreed to in their call this week. It was not immediately clear if the U.S. would meet together or separately with the Ukrainian and Russian officials. Waltz spoke with his Russian counterpart, Yuri Ushakov, on Wednesday to discuss the coming talks. Ukraine and Russia trade accusations Shortly after the call between Trump and Putin on Tuesday, air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv, followed by explosions as residents took shelter. Despite efforts to repel the attack, several strikes hit civilian infrastructure, including two hospitals, a railway and more than 20 houses, Zelenskyy said. Russian drones were reported over Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Sumy, Chernihiv, Poltava, Kharkiv, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk, and Cherkasy regions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russian Defense Ministry said its military had launched seven drones at power facilities related to the military-industrial complex in Ukraines southern Mykolaiv region, but that it shot them down after receiving Putins order to not hit energy infrastructure. Moscow accused Ukraine of targeting its energy facility in the Krasnodar region bordering the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014, several hours after the Putin and Trump talks. The ministry said three drones targeted oil transfer equipment that feeds the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, causing a fire and leading one oil tank to lose pressure. It is absolutely clear that we are talking about yet another provocation deliberately concocted by the Kyiv regime, aimed at derailing the peace initiatives of the U.S. president, the Russian Defense Ministry said. Russia said its air defenses intercepted 57 Ukrainian drones over the Azov Sea and several Russian regions the border provinces of Kursk and Bryansk and the nearby regions of Oryol and Tula. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelenskyy said that words of a ceasefire werent enough. If the Russians dont hit our facilities, we definitely wont hit theirs, Zelenskyy said. Meanwhile, the two combatants said Wednesday that they had each swapped 175 prisoners in one of the largest exchanges of the war. Ukraines red line Zelenskyy rejected Putins key condition that Western allies stop providing military aid and intelligence to Ukraine. He said doing so would endanger lives if citizens were blind to incoming air raids and lead to the continuation of the war. I dont think anybody should make any concessions in terms of helping Ukraine, but rather, assistance to Ukraine should be increased, Zelenskyy said. This will be a signal that Ukraine is ready for any surprises from the Russians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelenskyy said one of the most difficult issues in future negotiations would be the issue of territorial concessions. For us, the red line is the recognition of the Ukrainian temporarily occupied territories as Russian, he said. We will not go for it. ___ Yehor Konovalov in Kyiv, Dasha Litvinova in Tallinn, Estonia, Geir Moulson in Berlin, Aamer Madhani and Zeke Miller in Washington, and Brian Melley and Susie Blann in London contributed to this report. ___ Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Previously classified documents related to the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy were released Tuesday following an order by President Donald Trump shortly after he took office. The documents were posted on the website of the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. The vast majority of the National Archives collection of over 6 million pages of records, photographs, motion pictures, sound recordings and artifacts related to the assassination have previously been released. Trump told reporters Monday that has administration will be releasing 80,000 files, though its not clear how many of those are among the millions of pages of records that have already been made public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have a tremendous amount of paper. Youve got a lot of reading, Trump said while visiting the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. Researchers have estimated that 3,000 records or so hadnt been released, either in whole or in part. And last month, the FBI said that it had discovered about 2,400 new records related to the assassination. Many who have studied whats been released so far by the government say the public shouldnt anticipate any earth-shattering revelations from the newly released documents, but there is still intense interest in details related to the assassination and the events surrounding it. Trumps January order directed the national intelligence director and attorney general to develop a plan to release the records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennedy was killed on Nov. 22, 1963, on a visit to Dallas. As his motorcade was finishing its parade route downtown, shots rang out from the Texas School Book Depository building. Police arrested 24-year-old Lee Harvey Oswald, who had positioned himself from a snipers perch on the sixth floor. Two days later, nightclub owner Jack Ruby fatally shot Oswald during a jail transfer. A year after the assassination, the Warren Commission, which President Lyndon B. Johnson established to investigate, concluded that Oswald acted alone and that there was no evidence of a conspiracy. But that didnt quell a web of alternative theories over the decades. In the early 1990s, the federal government mandated that all assassination-related documents be housed in a single collection in the National Archives and Records Administration. The collection was required to be opened by 2017, barring any exemptions designated by the president. Trump, who took office for his first term in 2017, had said that he would allow the release of all of the remaining records but ended up holding some back because of what he called the potential harm to national security. And while files continued to be released during President Joe Bidens administration, some remained unseen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) Leaders in Prince Georges County are pushing to help fired federal workers keep their homes while they deal with income loss and financial uncertainty. Prince Georges County At-Large Councilmember Calvin Hawkins introduced a resolution on Tuesday for a moratorium on mortgage foreclosure. The move would give federal employees more time to consult with mortgage lenders, find solutions and avoid foreclosure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US Institute of Peace board sues after firings and DOGE staff accesses headquarters We understand how significantly important all of this is when you are put in a position you didnt plan. Its like an emergency really a disaster hits you unexpectedly and you have to deal with it, Hawkins said. About 150,000 federal civilian workers live in Maryland, according to the Office of Personnel Management. The resolution says the requests for forbearance are necessary for the financial well-being of those employees. Hawkinss moratorium would mean no court will give judgment to possess or repossess homes of the laid-off federal workers if there is proof of substantial loss of income. The goal is to let the homeowners find other ways to start making the mortgage payments following their loss of income. This important because roughly five years ago, when we dealt with extended furlough of federal employees we realized how challenging it was for them to keep up with their mortgages, said Hawkins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were also trying to pull in utilities companies in as well. This is a time where we really need to think about how we approach this and how we help these individuals who have lost their jobs more than likely going to lose other stuff while maintaining their dignity, he added. Three hospitalized in Greenbelt apartment complex fire The resolution is clear, however, that fired federal workers will eventually have to pay their mortgages. The language in the piece of legislature says the moratorium should not be interpreted as relieving any person or entity of any obligation to make payments or to comply with any other obligation that such person or entity may have pursuant to a note, loan agreement, or lease. Hawkins said Prince Georges County will continue figuring out ways to help, and that he wants fired federal workers in Maryland to know that leaders are with them every step of the way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DC News Now reached out to Governor Wes Moores office for a response to this push from Prince Georges County Council and has not yet received a response. 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. Per a judges order, Prince Harrys immigration records were unsealed yesterdaybut were heavily redacted due to fears of unwanted media attention for the Duke of Sussex. The paperwork was made public around 4 p.m. EST on March 18, as Judge Carl Nichols ruled over the weekend that the records must be released by the end of the day on Tuesday. Judge Nichols ruled in favor of the Heritage Foundations Freedom of Information (FOIA) request and ordered the Department of Homeland Security to release the documents, according to court filings released March 15. Karwai Tang/WireImage Prince Harry at High Court in June 2023 Prince Harry at High Court in June 2023 This overturned a September 2024 decision by the same judge, who ruled at that time that there wasnt strong enough public interest to disclose Harrys immigration records. The Heritage Foundation, a conservative Washington, D.C.-based group, was prompted by Harrys disclosure in his 2023 memoir Spare that he had taken drugs (including marijuana, cocaine, and psychedelic mushrooms) to question why he was allowed in the U.S. in 2020, when Harry and wife Meghan Markle moved to her home country from the U.K. with son Prince Archie (daughter Princess Lilibet was born in California in 2021). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Per The Telegraph, the heavily redacted files outlined why there was not a strong enough public interest argument to disclose the records in full. To release his exact status could subject him to reasonably foreseeable harm in the form of harassment as well as unwanted contact by the media and others, the documents read. There is the potential of harm in the form of harassment if his exact [REDACTED] is revealed. Thus, there is significant privacy interest involved in the records. Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Prince Harry and Meghan Markle The matter in question seems to center around whether Harry lied on his 2020 application about past drug use, which he later disclosed in the pages of Spare. Because of redactions, what Harry wrote in his application five years ago remains unclear, multiple outlets report. Application forms for U.S. visas specifically ask about current and past drug use, per the BBC, and admissions of drug use can lead to non-immigrant and immigrant visa applications being rejected, although immigration officers have discretion to make a final decision based on different factors. Harrys visa itself was not released on Tuesday, and instead the 82 pages of unsealed documents are supporting declarations and court transcripts that pertain to the Heritage Foundations case, according to the BBC. Sam Dewey from the Heritage Foundation told the network that he believed the Department of Homeland Security has not provided all of its papers, adding that he is frustrated and that this is not the end of the road. Among his complaints were that Harry was given preferential treatment, alleging that the Duke of Sussex has benefited from his wealth and status by being allowed to live in the United States. Getty Meghan Markle and Prince Harry surrounded by photographers on May 16, 2023 Meghan Markle and Prince Harry surrounded by photographers on May 16, 2023 In a 2024 interview with Good Morning America, Harry said he has considered becoming a U.S. citizen, but that doing so wasnt a high priority for him. Speaking with Will Reeve, Harry said of living in California, Its amazing. I love every single day. When Reeve pressed Harry and asked if he felt American, Harry laughed and responded, per People, Do I feel American? Um, no. I dont know how I feel. Read the original article on InStyle An alleged attack on a state prison officer by a 43-year-old inmate transferred from Los Angeles County is being investigated as attempted homicide, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation officials announced Tuesday. The March 18 incident at Salinas Valley State Prison in Soledad reportedly unfolded just before 9 a.m. on what authorities describe as a dayroom floor. The inmate, Anthony G. Ramirez, is believed to have pulled an improvised weapon from his waistband before attempting to attack a custody staff member, according to a CDCR news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Staff immediately responded, disarming Ramirez and placing him in handcuffs without incident, the release detailed. Anthony G. Ramiez, 43, is seen in this undated mug shot. (CDCR) The 43-year-old, who was transferred to SVSP in 2008 after being sentenced to life with the possibility of parole for second-degree murder, with enhancements for the use of a firearm and causing great bodily injury or death, was placed in restrictive housing pending the investigation and possible felony prosecution by the Monterey County District Attorneys Office. OnlyFans fetish encounter ends with murder charge for Southern California woman Both Ramirez and the custody staff member were examined by medical personnel who noted no serious injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said that the California Correctional Peace Officers Association was notified of the incident and prison staff were offered peer support services and employee assistance programs. Salinas Valley State Prison, opened in 1996, houses more than 2,400 minimum, medium, maximum and high-security inmates. The facility also offers vocational programs and academic classes and employs some 1,800 people. 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 contracted school van driver for Struble Elementary was arrested Tuesday after police say he inappropriately touched a young girl. Colerain Township Police arrested 41-year-old Steffen Yates, a contracted driver for the Northwest Local School District, around 4:30 p.m., accusing Yates of making sexual contact with a student younger than 13 years old, according to court documents. Police made the arrest after a statement the child made to police and video surveillance in the school van. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yates was charged with two felony counts of gross sexual imposition and booked at the Hamilton County Justice Center, according to a police department news release. The Enquirer has reached out to the Northwest Local School District to learn more about the company Yates works for. This story may be updated. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Police: Struble Elementary contracted van driver touched young girl Gal Gadots Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony on Tuesday was rife with tension between pro-Palestine and pro-Israel protesters. The dual demonstrations led to a 15-minute late start to the ceremony, which proceeded without acknowledgment of the unrelenting protests, according to Variety. Gadot even gave her speech as protesters persisted. Im just a girl from a town in Israel, the controversial actress said. I could never imagine such a moment. I never dreamt of becoming an actress, and I never knew that these things are possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This star will remind me that with hard work and passion and some faith, anything is possible, Gadot continued. Gal Gadot speaks at a ceremony honoring her with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday in Los Angeles. Jordan Strauss via Associated Press Some demonstrators brandished Gazan, Israeli or American flags. Others showed off signs, some of which read Baby Killer BiBi, Snow White Supports Genocide or, by contrast, Standing with Israel. According to Variety, there were about four dozen people protesting in total, about two dozen pro-Palestine protesters and two dozen pro-Israel protesters. The pro-Palestine protesters were heard chanting, Up up with liberation, down down with occupation and Not another nickel, not another dime, no more money for Israels crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple protesters were handcuffed by police, according to Variety reporter Katcy Stephan. But The Los Angeles Times reported that there were no arrests, citing the LAPD. The LAPD did not immediately respond to HuffPosts request for comment. The Israeli-born actress is known for her role as Wonder Woman in the DC Universe. She also plays the Evil Queen in the upcoming Disney Snow White film, which will be released this week. Previously, Gadot also starred in the Fast And Furious franchise, the 2022 film Death on the Nile, and the 2021 film Red Notice. Notably, Gadot served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for two years as part of a requirement for most Israeli citizens, Reuters reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She is a vocal supporter of Israel. The day after Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, attack, Gadot posted on Instagram saying, I stand with Israel you should too. The world cannot sit on the fence when these horrific acts of terror are happening! Earlier this month, Gadot received an Anti-Defamation Leagues international leadership award. (The Anti-Defamation League is an organization whose mission is to fight antisemitism.) During her speech accepting the award, Gadot specifically mentioned a massacre of Jews. Never did I imagine that on the streets of the United States, and different cities around the world, we would see people not condemning Hamas but celebrating, justifying and cheering on a massacre of Jews. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamas Oct. 7 attack has led to Israels relentless bombardment of Gaza for the past 17 months, but Israel and Gaza, an Israeli-occupied Palestinian territory, have had tensions for decades. Israel broke a January ceasefire deal on Tuesday, killing more than 400 Palestinians with an onslaught of strikes. Of those killed, 174 were children, making it one of the largest one-day child death tolls in Gaza, according to the Defense for Children Palestine, an organization that advocates for the rights of Palestinian children. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that the recent deadly strikes are only the beginning. The United Nations Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices said that Israels warfare against Palestinians in Gaza is consistent with genocide. Similarly, Amnesty International has found that Israels attacks on Palestinians in Gaza constitute a genocide. Human Rights Watch has also called it a genocide. People hold signs and flags referencing the Israel-Hamas war outside of the area where Gadot was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday. Jordan Strauss via Associated Press Protesters attend the ceremony honoring Gadot. Michael Buckner via Getty Images Police stand watch as people hold signs protesting the Israel-Hamas war prior to a ceremony honoring Gadot. Jordan Strauss via Associated Press Protesters at the ceremony honoring Gadot included both pro-Palestine and pro-Israel. Michael Buckner via Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pro-Israel people protest in front of the El Capitan Theater during Gadot's Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony. VALERIE MACON via Getty Images Gadot with her husband and kids during her Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony. Frazer Harrison via Getty Images Related... CHICAGO A new pilot program in the Chicago Police Departments 7th District allows officers to file felony gun charges without a felony review process from the Cook County States Attorneys Office. However, the program is already raising questions in the Englewood neighborhood where it will be deployed. Right now, Chicago police have to clear all felony charges except drug cases with the Cook County States Attorneys Office before they are filed, but in the 7th District, thats not the case anymore with gun possession cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The community deserves better. Englewood deserves better. For them to launch an initiative right here, it tells you how they feel about us, 7th District Council Member Joseph Williams said. I think this project is very concerning. Whats most concerning is it seems like it targets the Black community. Family of 21-year-old woman killed in Stone Park nightclub shooting files wrongful death lawsuit Williams told WGN he was not made aware about a new pilot program that launched Jan. 1. The program is a collaboration between CPD and new Cook County States Attorney Eileen ONeill Burkes office. It allows police to file felony gun possession charges without approval from a prosecutor, who would typically review body camera footage and police reports before making a decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres a due process that we are supposed to follow, and now theyre now going to give that due process solely to police officers to make that decision. If its a felony or not, that decision should not solely be on police, Williams said. I dont think its fair that we can launch an initiative that gives the autonomy over to the police, which allows them to bypass the due process and say, Were going to simply charge you for a felony if this is what we choose to do.' We do know in Englewood, one of the top calls for service is for people with guns. That doesnt mean theyre creating or acting violent. That is one of the top calls of service, Deputy Mayor of Community Safety Garien Gatewood added. The Felony Review Bypass Pilot Program sidesteps prosecutor approval and passes the responsibility to a CPD on-duty watch lieutenant, who determines if there is probable cause. When asked if he supported the program, Mayor Brandon Johnson said the following. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Constitutional policing, building relationships within the community and restoring relationships and maintaining relationships with law enforcement that is my top priority. According to Bolts Magazine, since the program launched on Jan. 1, the 7th Police District has filed 22 felony gun cases. In 2024, the Cook County States Attorneys Office denied gun charges in 464 of 4,200 felony cases, a little more than 10% of the time. This process really just, I think, opens the floodgates to more biased policing and more false arrests. I think its really problematic. It is not where we should be putting our resources and time, and I hope this ends, Alexa Van Brunt, director of Northwestern Universitys Civil Rights Litigation Center, said. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WGN reached out to CPD for comment and was sent the following statement: This initiative is currently being evaluated in collaboration between the Cook County States Attorneys Office and CPD. Public safety and community trust is at the forefront of this collaboration. The Cook County States Attorneys Office said it plans to share provide updates on the program in the coming weeks. The program will be reviewed every three months and could potentially expand to other area of the city. Their full statement can be found below: Addressing Chicagos longstanding epidemic of gun violence will take innovative ideas and creative solutions, and this pilot program is part of that effort. Felony review is an integral process and remains in place for the most serious crimes. By definition, however, felony review can also be time consuming, often taking a responding officer off the beat for several hours or even an entire shift. We think there is a better way, especially in the communities most ravaged by gun violence. This pilot program included intensive legal training of officers and supervisors from our office, and is focused solely on the lowest-level felony gun charges. Affected cases have also withstood prosecutorial and judicial scrutiny to date. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. I told you so. For months leading up to the 2024 election , I and others sounded the alarm about Project 2025, a far-right blueprint aiming to reshape America into an authoritarian state, and one that is reminiscent of Margaret Atwood's book and the subsequent Hulu series The Handmaids Tale . I also said that Donald Trump was lying through his teeth about not having read or known about Project 2025. If you believed him, you can stop reading here. During the first breathtaking weeks of the second iteration of Trump, I was asked several times about why things were happening so quickly right out of the gate. How does he know what hes doing compared to last time, someone wrote to me. The answer was simple: Hes just going off the handbook that is Project 2025 . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do you think for a minute that 140 people put together a 900-page manifesto for the sole purpose of sticking it on a shelf somewhere? Do you think for a minute that these 140 people thought they were writing a work of fiction? The very minute that the presidency was called for Trump last November, it was an all-hands-on-deck moment to get him up to speed on what would be his plan of action once he was sworn into office. In an interview with Politico last weekend, Paul Dans, the chief architect of Project 2025, expressed elation over the current administration's adoption of his plan. After facing criticism during the 2024 campaign for the project's radical agenda, Dans was pressured to resign from the Heritage Foundation , where Project 2025 originated. However, he now observes that the Trump administration is implementing policies strikingly similar to those outlined in Project 2025, affirming that the blueprint he helped craft is being realized beyond his wildest dreams. This woefully misguided plan proposed replacing thousands of federal workers with loyalists, restricting access to contraception, instituting a national abortion ban, slashing federal health care programs, and enacting a slew of anti-LGBTQ+ initiatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its March of 2025, and already the above should sound very familiar to you, because Trump did exactly as he was told and instructed by the makers of Project 2025. The loyalists have been installed Pam Bondi, Kash Patel, and Pete Hegseth, to name a few, The Supreme Court's decision to hear Braidwood v. Becerra, a case challenging the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act's mandate for insurers to cover preventive services like contraception without cost-sharing, could threaten access to birth control for millions of Americans. Anti-abortion organizations are working to institute a nationwide ban on abortion ban by skewing the meaning of the Comstock Act of 1873 that criminalizes the mailing or transporting of materials, including contraceptives and items intended for abortion. And H.R. 722, the Life at Concept Act, banning abortion nationwide, was introduced in January. We all know that the recent stopgap spending bill that passed Congress last week calls for deep cuts in Medicare and Medicaid. And unless youve been living in a cave, you know how the Trump administration has been targeting the LGBTQ+ community , more specifically, trying to wipe transgender people from the fabric of American society. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wonder why alarm bells sounded before last years November election? Despite warnings, many dismissed these concerns as hyperbolic. Now, as the architect of Project 2025 revels in its implementation, it's clear that our fears were not only justified but are now our stark reality. What is Danes wildest dream is now our worst nightmare. Since his inauguration , Trump has been on a tear, signing and endorsing a series of policy changes that mirror the proposals in Project 2025. One of the administration's first actions was to freeze the hiring of federal civilian employees, excluding military personnel and positions related to immigration enforcement, national security, or public safety. These moves squarely align with the project's goal to overhaul the federal workforce by installing individuals loyal to the administration's agenda. If that isnt enough to prove Trump did indeed know all about Project 2025, hes gone a stop further by appointing several key authors of Project 2025 to prominent positions in his administration, who are effectively facilitating the implementation of the project's conservative agenda. Most prominent and dangerous is Russell Vought , a principal contributor to Project 2025, now serves as the director of the Office of Management and Budget. In this role, Vought wields significant influence over federal spending and policy priorities, aligning closely with the project's objectives to reduce government size and expenditure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then theres Peter Navarro , who is one of the most obnoxious individuals not only in the Trump administration but in the entire world. Navarro wrote the trade section of Project 2025, advocating for higher tariffs on Europe and China. Wonder why our trade partners are disgusted by us? Its because the vomit-inducing Navarro came with this genius idea. In the realm of immigration, Trump late last week invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to expedite the deportation of alleged members of the Venezuelan gang,Tren de Aragua. This unprecedented use of a wartime law in peacetime was a key component of Project 2025's vision for national security. The administration has also targeted social policies, particularly those affecting the LGBTQ+ community. Project 2025's agenda includes promoting a "biblically based" definition of family, effectively marginalizing LGBTQ+ couples. Recent actions suggest a concerted effort to divert federal resources toward this narrow interpretation, threatening the rights and recognition of diverse family structures. Furthermore, the administration's "America First" priorities have led to significant shifts in foreign aid and domestic policies. The U.S. Agency for International Development has seen an 83 prercent reduction in its programs, reflecting a retreat from global engagement and support. Domestically, proposals to cut Social Security and other federal benefit programs have emerged, aligning with Project 2025's objective to reduce government involvement in social welfare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres so much more, but by now you get the point as to why Dans is happy beyond his wildest dreams. And heres the kicker, his dream has only just begun. Remember, Project 2025 is over 900 pages, so theoretically speaking, Trump has only executed the first chapter. Voices is dedicated to featuring a wide range of inspiring personal stories and impactful opinions from the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Visit Advocate.com/submit to learn more about submission guidelines. Views expressed in Voices stories are those of the guest writers, columnists, and editors, and do not directly represent the views of The Advocate or our parent company, equalpride. Members of the Boys and Girls Club of Las Cruces pose for a picture while on a hike through Slot Canyon with Friends of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks. (Photo provided by Friends of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks) A proposal to designate Slot Canyon Riverlands as a state park cleared its last committee Tuesday morning and now heads to the Senate floor for a vote. The effort started in 2023 when Sen. Jeff Steinborn (D-Las Cruces) and Rep. Nathan Small (D-Las Cruces) introduced Senate Memorial 38 requesting that the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Departments State Parks Division conduct a feasibility study on establishing Broad Canyon Ranch a 30-acre wetland about 15 miles north of Las Cruces owned by the state as a state park. Slot Canyon lies just south of Broad Canyon Ranch and is part of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The study outlined three possible tracts of land butting up against the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, including one tract with direct access to Slot Canyon, a popular hiking trail west of the town of Radium Springs. The report estimates design, construction and equipment costs between $8.1 million and $9.3 million, including the construction of a new state park visitor center and facilities, designated parking, roadway improvements, tent and RV camping areas and designated trails. Slot Canyon has walls about 25 to 30 feet high and the trail is about a two-and-a-half mile looped hike that is very accessible for people, Patrick Nolan, executive director of Friends of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks, told Source NM. He said the hiking trail and canyon have access to the Rio Grande and are a really good intro into why we protect natural areas. Slot canyons are described as narrow canyons with high reaching walls developed by water and wind erosion over many years. Utah has hundreds of them. But having one in New Mexico is rare, according to Kyla Navarro, policy and community coordinator for advocacy organization Friends of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its just an opportune place, I would say, for our community to enjoy the outdoors, Navarro told Source NM. Steinborn described the natural area as a magical place and one that could rival the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument for visitation. People literally have to park on the side of the road, hop a fence, head to this slot canyon and with this [park], well actually have this amazing destination that willI think frankly grow the regional outdoor economy and just be another feather in the hat of New Mexico, Steinborn told House Rural Development, Land Grants and Cultural Affairs Committee members during a March 4 hearing. If HB219 passes, the Slot Canyon Riverlands State Park would join the 35 other state parks operated in New Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the fiscal impact report, EMNRD calculates a new state park will require $398,500 in recurring funding for the agency, which would include funds for four full time employees, two seasonal employees, utilities, equipment and maintenance. Sens. James Townsend (R-Artesia) and Candy Spence Ezzell (R-Roswell), members of the Senate Conservation Committee, asked about park visitor safety in cases of flashfloods during a Tuesday hearing. Small told committee members the park will be able to work with the nearby Elephant Butte Irrigation District to monitor rainfall, adding that safety will be a large part of the buildout of the state park, including signage and clear access to the park itself. Right now, theres a state road that sort of runs in between a couple of the main features, and one of the big things is to make it safer, Small said. Visitors currently have to hop over a fence to gain access to the hiking trail. If this gets the use that its expected to get, because its already a very popular area where a lot of folks from the region and elsewhere go to, theres just going to be a lot more presence combined with the state parks law enforcement presence thats going to make itvery safe. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Federal prosecutors have been compelled to reveal the names of Sean "Diddy" Combs' alleged victims to the rapper's legal team. The legal team had sought the names in a motion filed on January 6 ahead of the music mogul's sex crimes trial, slated for later this year. The motion was recently granted by the presiding judge, although it came with the caveat that the names would only be disclosed to Sean "Diddy" Combs' attorneys. The Names Will Be Disclosed Only To Diddy's Attorneys MEGA Months after Diddy's lawyers filed a motion to get the names of the rapper's accusers, federal prosecutors have been ordered to release the information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to TMZ, the names Diddy's attorneys sought were the ones listed in the indictment brought against the music mogul in September 2024. Although it was already clear that Diddy's ex-girlfriend Cassie was one of the victims in question, the rest of the names were anonymous to the rapper and his attorneys. They were only referred to as Victim 1, Victim 2, and Victim 3, with Cassie being noted as Victim 1, seemingly due to her assault video being a key piece of evidence in the upcoming trial. Despite the motion being granted, the names will remain anonymous to the public for now due to the judge's order stating that the women's identities are being disclosed "under an Attorney's Eyes Only designation." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As such, any full disclosure of the names will likely happen during Diddy's trial, slated for later this year. The Rapper's Lawyers Seek To Discredit Video Of His Assault On Cassie MEGA Ahead of the trial, Diddy's lawyers have made moves to discredit the viral Cassie assault video released by CNN. Previously, they argued that federal prosecutors presented an edited version of the video to negatively influence one of Diddy's bail hearings. At the time, they claimed that the alleged altered footage exaggerated Diddy's perceived threat. They also said that the altercation was simply a "sad glimpse into a decade-long consensual relationship" and described it as just a "domestic dispute." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More recently, the attorneys wrote a letter to the court in which they claimed that CNN destroyed the original footage. They also accused the news outlet of uploading an altered one whose "sequence" and "speed" had been changed. "As a result, the CNN videos do not fairly and accurately depict the events in question." the letter further read, per TMZ. Cassie's Lawyer Slams Diddy's Doctored Video Claims MEGA Following the claims of the assault video being doctored, Cassie's lawyer, Douglas Wigdor, slammed the allegations. He described them as a "disingenuous argument" from Diddy's legal team and went on to say that any motion to exclude the video from the upcoming trial would fail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I am confident that the video fairly and accurately represents what happened, will be admitted into evidence," he said. The attorney also predicted that Diddy "will be held accountable for his depravity," seemingly referencing the charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Diddy Shoved And Kicked Cassie In The Assault Video MEGA The scenes from the viral video showed a vicious Diddy violently attacking Cassie after she tried to leave the hotel room they were lodged in. The incident began with a partially dressed Diddy chasing after Cassie as she hurried toward the hotel elevator. Upon catching up to her, the music mogul grabbed her roughly by the neck and forcefully shoved her to the ground, several feet away from the elevator. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He then delivered a brutal kick to her body before quickly gathering her belongings. In a continued display of aggression, Diddy kicked Cassie again and dragged her back down the hallway by her hoodie to their hotel room. Later, he was seen angrily throwing a vase in her direction while seated in a chair. Despite the lawsuit being expected to serve as key evidence in Diddy's upcoming trial, no official charges of assault were brought against him, as the statute of limitations for reporting such an incident has since elapsed. However, Cassie did bring a civil suit against Diddy, which was later settled for an undisclosed sum. The Rapper Looked 'Bloated' During A Recent Court Appearance MEGA Diddy attended a court session last Friday to face fresh allegations from three victims that he sexually abused them between 2004 to 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several of his family members appeared in court to support him, and when the hearing was done, he blew a two-handed kiss in their direction. During his court appearance, the rapper reportedly sported a puffy look that raised eyebrows about his well-being. According to the New York Post, Diddy appeared "bloated" and "old" in his tan prison jumpsuit, sporting gray hair and a gray chinstrap beard. CBS reporter Alice Gainer also noted the rapper's aged appearance, writing on X, "Combs walked into courtroom sporting grey hair and a grey beard..." It comes as no surprise, as Diddy has been locked behind bars at the notorious Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since his September arrest. Protesters call for more support for veterans on second day of Huntsville-area protest HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) For the second day in a row, protesters are calling for a face-to-face meeting with Rep. Dale Strong. Protesters said, as Strongs constituents, they want to share their concerns, like cuts being made to the VA. They lined up along Governors Drive in Huntsville, sharing the message they support veterans and feel that recent moves made by the federal government are harming those who have served. Two separate investigations underway involving vape products in the Shoals Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People who showed up to protest said they were concerned about cuts to veterans jobs and proposed cuts to available services. Several of the people in the crowd served in the military. Michael Martin, a retired Air Force master sergeant, said he came to the protest because he has concerns about the treatment of veterans. The veterans cuts have directly impacted the level of care for veterans, Martin said. Were talking about veterans that are some are profoundly disabled and some that are simply getting support from the VA. They are not only for the service-connected disabilities, but also for their general health care because they do not have cannot afford coverage, so they go to the VA for that coverage. The protest was organized by the fifth districts chapter of Indivisible, a group of people living in Strongs district who say they are fighting for democracy. They said they believe, as constituents, they have a right to share concerns with their elected congressman in a town hall. They have organized a town hall in Athens on Saturday, and they said an invitation has been extended to Strong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HEMSI: Madison police officer injured in crash On a talk radio show this week, Strong said he had not received the invitation, but he has no intention of attending anything planned by left-wing liberals. Strong has not responded to News 19s request for comment. Tuesdays protest was the second day of a scheduled weeklong protest. 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. Gal Gadots Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony was disrupted by pro-Israel and pro-Palestinan protesters on Tuesday. The unveiling of the Israeli actresss star was delayed for 15 minutes while police worked to disperse them. The Wonder Woman star, 39, who can be seen at cinemas as the Evil Queen in the Disney live version of beloved animation Snow White, has been a vocal supporter of the Israeli militarys assault on Gaza in the aftermath of the Oct 7 2023 massacre. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Protesters descended on the Hollywood Walk of Fame ahead of the ceremony, despite additional precautions being put in place, including sealing off part of Hollywood Boulevard by erecting a tent to keep participants out of sight. Several demonstrators were arrested as tempers frayed after a pro-Palestinian demonstrator snatched an Israeli flag. Protesters at Gal Gadots Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony on Tuesday - Mario Anzuoni/REUTERS They were seen waving placards reading Heroes Fight Like Palestinians and Viva Viva Palestina, while chanting Up, up with liberation, down down with occupation and not another nickel, not another dime, no more money for Israels crime. It comes after Israel resumed bombing Gaza after nearly two months of peace with indications of a renewed ground offensive to follow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were all really upset about whats happening in Gaza right now, Roma Palaicos told Variety. From the last year and a half, and especially in the last 24 to 48 hours, 400 innocent people have been killed by the Israeli military. Dana Nikri, who was holding an Israeli flag and says she lost friends when Hamas attacked on Oct 7, said: They come to our home and take us from our home and give us dead children. We dont start war, we dont want war at all. Interviewed by Variety, Gadot made no apology for her support for Israel. When people were abducted from their homes, from their beds, men, women, children, elderly, Holocaust survivors were going through the horrors of what happened that day, I could not be silent, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The war in Gaza has created a schism in Hollywood. Thelma & Louise actress Susan Sarandon, 78, was dropped by her agency after she said American Jews were getting a taste of what it feels like to be a Muslim at a pro-Palestinian rally. Stranger Things actor Noah Schnapp, 19, faced a torrent of social media abuse after posing with stickers reading Zionism is sexy and Hamas is Isis. 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. By Mehmet Emin Caliskan ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Protesters near Istanbul's main police headquarters on Wednesday said the detention of President Tayyip Erdogan's main political rival and the city's mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was a blow to Turkish democracy. Earlier on Wednesday, Turkish authorities detained Imamoglu, from main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), on charges including corruption and aiding a terrorist group, prompting the protests and outcry from opposition, government critics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 100 people gathered near the police headquarters, where Imamoglu was taken after being detained, chanting support for the mayor and anti-government slogans. "They are conducting a coup right now against Imamoglu, who beat Erdogan four times at the ballot box since 2019 with the will of the nation," said Bulent Gulten, a protester, referring to 2019 and 2024 nationwide municipal elections when Imamoglu's CHP defeated Erdogan by sweeping most major cities. "Today, the Turkish nation will once again unite against those who betray democracy and the national will. Ekrem Imamoglu is growing and gaining strength in the eyes of the people," he said. Security forces barricaded the streets leading to the police headquarters, with riot police and water cannon trucks blocking the roads as the Istanbul governor's office banned all public gatherings after Imamoglu's detention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We came here to support the mayor. They arrested him unjustly. So we are here to support him," Murat Sapankaya, a municipal worker attending the protest said. Imamoglu, 54, has ramped up his criticism of Erdogan and his government in recent months, prompting a wave of legal moves and indictments against him. He said on Wednesday he would not give up and would continue standing up against the pressure. "We actually predicted that Imamoglu would soon go through such a detention process. We are all here until the decision is changed and justice is served," said Yilmaz Arslan, another protester. (Writing by Ezgi Erkoyun; Editing by Tuvan Gumrukcu and Angus MacSwan) Instead of a direct cut to K-12 education funding, the state's next spending plan could take a different approach changing how Colorado counts students. (KTLA) Protestors from both sides of the war in Gaza clashed outside of actress Gal Gadots Walk of Fame ceremony in Hollywood. Pro-Palestinian supporters were furious the Israeli actress is being celebrated as the war rages on overseas. What was supposed to be an exciting and festive moment for the Wonder Woman actress on Tuesday turned to into violent confrontations amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. Gal Gadot attends her Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Ceremony in Hollywood, California on March 18, 2025. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney) Gadot has been an outspoken advocate for her native country following the deadly Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Max removes classic Looney Tunes episodes The Snow White actress has delivered rousing speeches continuing this rhetoric at various events. Earlier this month, she received the International Leadership Award from the Anti-Defamation League at the Never is Now 2025 Summit on Antisemitism and Hate. I am proud to be Jewish and proud to be an Israeli, Gadot said in her speech at the event. But this is a time when many of us in the Jewish community have had to find our voice and confront the hatred against us, even if its extremely uncomfortable Even if speaking up wasnt really your thing, none of us can ignore the explosion of Jew hatred around the world anymore. And that is what I am doing. No AI needed. It really is me, standing in front of you today, saying, simply, that my name is Gal, and I am Jewish. And we have had enough of Jew-hatred. So we are here, together calling for the release of every single one of our hostages. We have to bring them home. Video from Sky5 shows the feuding groups from both sides gathered on Hollywood Boulevard outside the ceremony, which was held in a tent on Tuesday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Slurs and insults were repeatedly shouted at each other. Tensions even escalated to physical contact. A witness told KTLA 5 that someone from one side stole a flag or item from the opposing group, which led to more violence and prompted police to make a number of arrests. Pro-Palestinian and Pro-Israel activists feuding outside of Gal Gadots Walk of Fame ceremony in Hollywood on March 18, 2025. (Sky 5) Video obtained by KTLA 5 showed a Pro-Palestinian demonstrator calling a Pro-Israel activist a Nazi. Gadots ceremony comes ahead of her debut as the Evil Queen in Disneys new live-action Snow White, which hits theaters on March 21. Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins and Gadots Fast X co-star Vin Diesel joined the actress as she received the honor. So far Gadot has not made any public comments about the demonstration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Viral towel debate finally settled The ceremony comes hours after Israel launched airstrikes across the Gaza Strip Tuesday morning. The regions Health Ministry said this killed at least 400 Palestinians, which were mostly women and children. Pro-Palestinian and Pro-Israel activists feuding outside of Gal Gadots Walk of Fame ceremony in Hollywood on March 18, 2025. (Sky 5) The surprise attack ended a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, which was in place since January. The White House said it had been consulted and voiced support for Israels actions. A senior Hamas official said Netanyahus decision to return to war amounts to a death sentence for the remaining hostages. 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. Demonstrations against the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu continued in Turkey on Wednesday evening, with thousands of people defying a protest ban in Istanbul alone, according to a dpa reporter at the scene. The protesters gathered in front of Istanbul's city administration amid a heavy police presence. People also took to the streets in the capital Ankara, broadcaster Halk TV reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students and police clashed at Ankara's ODTU University, with demonstrators reportedly taken into custody. Imamoglu was detained on Wednesday morning, just a few days before he was due to be nominated as the presidential candidate for Turkey's main CHP opposition party. He is considered to be a top rival of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. PROIVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) The Providence School Board is set to vote on a resolution urging the R.I. Department of Education (RIDE) to rescind an earlier decision not to renew the contracts of more than a dozen non-tenured educators. Providence School Board member Night Jean Muhingabo plans to introduce the resolution, which urges corrective action from Superintendent Javier Montanez and RIDE Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green, at Wednesday nights meeting. In a letter sent to Providence City Council President Rachel Miller last month, Montanez disclosed that the district issued 17 non-renewal letters on Feb. 14, in advance of the March 1 statutory deadline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While these recommendations are not easy, we do believe that they are in the best interest of students and in improving teacher quality, Montanez wrote. Montanezs letter to Miller came in response to the council president writing to the superintendent with significant concern, citing a news article that indicated three non-binary PPSD teachers were issued letters of non-renewal with seemingly little explanation. In light of the current federal administrations antipathy and antagonism toward both LGBTQ+ protections and labor organizing, seeing queer and transgender union organizers pulled out of their classrooms and delivered notices with seemingly little explanation is sure to raise alarm, Miller said at the time. Providence Mayor Brett Smiley called the school boards questions legitimate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state of Rhode Island still runs our schools, so I dont have any particular knowledge about the performance of these teachers or the circumstances around their employment, Smiley told 12 News. [The Providence School Board] should be allowed to ask these questions and they should expect honest and full complete answers from the school department. District spokesperson Jay Wegimont told Target 12 that one librarian and 16 teachers across various grade levels received non-renewal letters from the district, which stated that the district wanted to find a more qualified teacher. Muhingabos resolution calls for a full review of the non-renewals and for board approval to ensure fair and objective evaluations. The resolution also seeks a temporary pause on all non-renewals while that review is underway. Additionally, the resolution asks the district to strengthen its anti-discrimination policies, plus to update non-renewal policies to establish clear, fair, and consistent procedures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wegimont told Target 12 in a statement on Tuesday that district leadership has been clear with board members that Providence Public Schools is an equal-opportunity employer and does not discriminate. The district values and supports the diversity of its students and staff, Wegimont said. According to Wegimont, school leaders and human resources staff have multiple reviews throughout the non-renewal process, which looks at employee performance, discipline, and attendance. The recommendations are then reviewed by supervisors and the districts legal staff before a recommendation is made to the superintendent. The state-mandates process directs the district to review the performance of probationary teachers in their first three years of employment to determine renewal or non-renewal status by March 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wegimont said the 17 non-renewals represent a small fraction of the districts 465 probationary teachers, and that the figure is consistent with prior years. While these non-renewal recommendations are not easy, we do believe that they are made by building leaders in the best interest of students and with the aim of improving teacher quality, Wegimont said. PPSD remains committed to ensuring high-quality teaching in every classroom while adhering to legal requirements that govern all school districts in Rhode Island. Wednesday nights school board meeting is scheduled to take place at 6 p.m. at Providence Career & Technical Academy. The public are invited to provide comments at the meeting. 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. 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. Follow us on social media: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup 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 WPRI.com. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A new psychiatric facility for criminal offenders with mental disorders is planned on land directly east of the College of Southern Nevadas West Charleston campus. The Southern Nevada Forensic Facility, expected to open in 2029, carries a combined budget of about $420 million for construction and land acquisition near the southwest corner of Charleston and Jones Boulevard. The four-story facility would house 300 offenders almost double the number currently at Muri Stein Hospital, which is adjacent to where the new building would go up. Lawmakers listened Tuesday in Carson City as officials from the Nevada Public Works Division detailed the budgets for two projects connected to the new building. Both will be paid for entirely from state funds. Documents presented by Nevadas Public Works Division show land that will be used for a four-story mental health facility for criminal offenders. (Courtesy: Nevada State Legislature) A drawing shows three structures and a solar array that will be removed at the site. (Courtesy: Nevada State Legislature) A rendering of the four-story mental health facility planned near Charleston and Jones. (Courtesy: Nevada State Legislature) A budget summary of a project that will fund the land purchase. (Courtesy: Nevada State Legislature) A budget summary of a project that shows a $382 million construction cost. (Courtesy: Nevada State Legislature) A rendering of the buildings interior. (Courtesy: Nevada State Legislature) Light blue areas show where new buildings are planned at the site. (Courtesy: Nevada State Legislature) Obviously, this is a significant investment for the state of Nevada, Brian Walker, deputy administrator for professional services of the state Public Works Division, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A $38 million project would pay for the land, as well as design and construction to replace three buildings on the site that will be demolished to make way for new facilities. A solar array along the west side of Jones Boulevard will also be removed. A $382 million project would fund the construction of the new building, with three wings for patients and a fourth for administration. It will be the states first purpose-built psychiatric facility for offenders, Walker said. Muri Stein Hospital and Lakes Crossing in Sparks were both converted to serve as psychiatric facilities. Currently, Stein has 153 people and Lakes Crossing has 86. A budget for furnishings and fixtures is expected to be submitted in 2027, adding an estimated $28 million to the project. The 300 beds will be divided into four categories: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 30 intake and assessment beds 60 long-term beds 30 high-risk beds 180 competency restoration beds This building has also been planned with the ability to add a fourth patient wing in the future, Walker said. That new wing would bring an additional 90 beds, he said. Democrats Assem. Shea Backus and Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager asked about capacity and whether the fourth wing would be needed immediately. Public Works officials responded that there would be a methodical transition and the new building will probably meet the needs initially. It is designed to serve all of Clark County and surrounding rural counties. Stein is currently at 99% capacity, officials told lawmakers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It seems like we are always in the situation of not having enough beds, Yeager said. Muri Stein Hospital will eventually be demolished and turned over for Campus for Hope, a project that will address homelessness. That project was approved in January by the Governors Office of Economic Development (GOED). Summit View Youth Center Another budget presented Tuesday would pay $5.5 million for a new building at Summit View Youth Center, located on Range Road just south of the I-15/215 Beltway interchange in northeast Las Vegas. The intake building will include a classroom, offices, restrooms and intake room, and this will enable the facility to establish a juvenile justice youth intake and assessment unit at Summit View, Marla McDade Williams of the Nevada Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That facility takes in youth offenders and assigns them to one of the states sites to serve their sentence. They are youth who have been committed to us for detention in one of our facilities. So, yes, every youth in the state in that situation is either going to Elko, Caliente or Las Vegas, McDade Williams said. Currently, there is no housing dedicated for intake, so incoming youth get mixed in with youth assigned to the Las Vegas facility. 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 KLAS. Gov. Phil Murphy delivering his budget address to the Legislature in Trenton on Feb. 25, 2025. (Rich Hundley III/NJ Governors Office) A broad range of speakers asked lawmakers on the Assembly Budget Committee Wednesday to avert proposed spending cuts and prevent new fees and tax hikes proffered by Gov. Phil Murphy, or seek other ways of raising revenue. The seven-hour-long hearing marked the publics first formal response to the governors $58.1 billion budget proposal, which he unveiled last month. Lawmakers must pass and Murphy must sign a budget before July 1 to avoid a state government shutdown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A range of witnesses urged legislators not to move forward with cuts Murphy has proposed to community college funding and social and disability services, and to block proposed diversions from the states affordable housing trust fund. Were operating with limited staff. I sort the mail and I mop floors, and we all do multiple jobs when youre a small institution, said Mike Gorman, president of Salem Community College. The governors budget proposes reducing state assistance to community colleges by $20 million and would reduce student financial assistance by $69 million, including by entirely eliminating a $20 million line item for summer tuition aid grants. Other witnesses urged legislators to avert a $10 million cut proposed for Legal Services of New Jersey, whose attorneys provide representation to low-income New Jerseyans in civil matters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite our best efforts, the gap in resources necessary to provide legal services assistance to eligible low-income people remains vast, and the demand is just increasing, said retired Supreme Court Justice Jaynee LaVecchia, who sits on the organizations board of trustees. Housing advocates warned Murphys planned diversions from the states affordable housing trust fund with $20 million of it headed for rental assistance and $40 million for down payment assistance programs within the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, among other diversions could imperil New Jerseys efforts to build more housing units. Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds Jackson (Hal Brown for New Jersey Monitor) Its almost like robbing Peter to pay Paul. We love the affordable housing trust fund, we love HMFA, but were just shifting the money from one pot to the other, said Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds Jackson (D-Mercer). Additional money for the trust fund could come from an increased dedication from a higher tax on home sales Murphy has proposed, said Matthew Hersh, vice president of policy and advocacy for the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governors budget would raise a 1% fee on home sales above $1 million to 2% and charge a 3% fee on home sales worth more than $2 million. Combined, that proposal is expected to bring in an additional $317 million in revenue. Murphy has proposed a range of new revenue raisers for the next fiscal year, including higher tax rates on house online gambling winnings, an expanded sales tax, and higher excise taxes on tobacco and alcohol products, among a raft of other higher fees. Business groups cautioned those hikes and others, including a $2 per-truck fee on warehouses expected to generate $20 million, would make New Jersey less competitive. Murphy proposed a $1 per-truck fee last year, but the measure did not survive budget negotiations. Last year, just the proposal of a $1 truck excise fee was enough for one of our member businesses to lose a warehouse project to another state, said Hilary Chebra, director of government affairs for the South Jersey Chamber of Commerce. The reintroduction of this truck fee, now at $2 a truck, will not only make New Jersey a less favorable place to do business, it will make goods more expensive for residents across the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some others urged the state to expand the types of tax and fee hikes it would consider to prevent cuts. Peter Chen of New Jersey Policy Perspective testifies before the Assembly budget committee on June 28, 2023. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor) We will need higher revenues to avoid the kind of cuts that were talking about, because as much as this years budget is challenging and I think we can all say there are going to be difficult decisions that have to be made next years budget is lining up to be a potential disaster, said Peter Chen, senior policy analyst for progressive think tank New Jersey Policy Perspective. Those revenue raisers should target high-earning individuals and corporations, Chen said. Murphys proposed budget calls for the state to spend $1.2 billion more than it takes in through taxes and other revenue sources. Absent broader budgetary changes, that deficit would expand by at least $920 million next year to pay for a full-year benefit under the Stay NJ Property tax relief program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Numerous speakers raised concerns about the possible loss of federal funding amid the Trump administrations far-reaching efforts to limit U.S. government spending. The governors budget anticipates roughly $26.2 billion in federal funding for the coming fiscal year, though administration officials have cautioned uncertainty around those forecasts because of unpredictability at the federal level. Its not likely all federal funding will go away, though congressional Republicans are exploring cuts to Medicaid, which at $14.4 billion accounts for the lions share of the states federal funding. A group of women at the beach, participating in Commonwealth Catholic Charities' have programming where refugee women in Virginia gather for learning and outings. (Photo courtesy Commonwealth Catholic Charities) Commonwealth Catholic Charities (CCC) has partnered with the government for over 15 years to welcome new Americans through the United States Refugee Admissions program. Despite evidence that refugee arrivals provide significant economic returns and no threat to public safety, the Refugee Admissions program was abruptly halted on January 20. With a change in administration, nonprofit agencies like ours anticipated a temporary pause on new arrivals. We did not anticipate that our government would simply stop payment for services already rendered and withhold support for lawfully admitted refugees. Since the cancellation of contracts providing regulatory structure and financial resources, we have struggled to provide for people welcomed by the U.S. after fleeing war and persecution. We were also forced to lay off or furlough over 20% of our workforce statewide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When one side of a public-private partnership breaks, the whole system breaks. Thousands of nonprofits and communities around the country experienced this firsthand over the past few weeks. Only the generosity of donors and board members ensured that CCC could continue to provide housing and other essentials to new arrivals during this crisis. While contributions from community members have enabled us to provide food and housing to newly arrived refugees, the community navigation and case management normally provided by our team cannot be replicated or replaced without federal support. We are providing a modest level of assistance through other staff members and volunteers, but the loss of dedicated professional staff to help refugees integrate locally will make the transition to life in the United States significantly more challenging. As CCC and other nonprofits have scrambled to continue to provide services, some community members and public leaders have questioned our participation in publicly funded programs, suggesting motives other than our simple desire to fulfill our mission and commitments to our communities. A woman participates in a previous Commonwealth Catholic Charities celebration honoring Nowruz, the Persian new year. (Photo courtesy of Commonwealth Catholic Charities) Government funding is essential for high-impact nonprofits to thrive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public-private partnerships are the lifeblood of the social service delivery system in our country. CCC and organizations like ours, who work with the government, never accept a public-private partnership exclusively for money. We evaluate opportunities based on the people we can serve and the potential impact on our community. Vulnerable peopleneglected children who need a loving foster home, refugees who arrive with nothing, and individuals whove spent their entire adult lives on the streetsrely on the promise of government assistance. Government assistance passes through private agencies. Private agencies are full of passionate staff who live in, love, and understand the community theyre serving. The government leverages our religious identity, our commitment to mission, our local connections, our volunteer networks, our efficiency, and our expertise. In turn, we leverage government financial assistance to ensure that we can meet the immediate needs of the most vulnerable members of our community. Government funds support our work but rarely cover all expenses. We also rely heavily on the generosity of our communitybut that generosity also rarely fulfills all needs. Ending public-private partnerships will dismantle the entire social service delivery system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Broken budgets are not whats at stake, butits the very lives of our neighbors and the system that communities rely on for services. To talk about the government not fulfilling its promises to its partners only in terms of the institutional consequences for agencies, or in a way that questions the motives of those who serve, is nearly as cruel as leaving vulnerable community members without the help that has been promised them. CCCs mission impels us to serve the community. To serve, we must participate in the programs and systems in place. We cannot let those systems disappear overnight. Participating in government-funded programs is never about the money, its about scalable, sustainable impact. Its about community. Its about people. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The longstanding fights between home builders and trial lawyers are in a different place as the bill to resolve longstanding condo construction defects issues heads to the committee on Tuesday. President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Russian forces are close to fully recapturing the Russian region of Kursk, which borders Ukraine. "Our troops have recently carried out a series of bold, effective assaults and are now finishing the destruction of the enemy group in the Kursk region," Putin said during a meeting with security officials. Last week, Russian forces retook the town of Sudzha the largest settlement Ukrainian troops had seized in Kursk during their counteroffensive last summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian forces now only a few small settlements near the border. Kiev previously denied Kremlin reports of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers being encircled or of a complete Ukrainian withdrawal from the region. (Bloomberg) -- President Vladimir Putin refused to give Donald Trump the 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine he and his team had demanded on the path toward ending the three-year conflict. It was still good enough for the US president. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At first glance, the agreement that came out of the two leaders phone call on Tuesday was a disappointment for US officials who had insisted the only acceptable outcome was a halt in the fighting to make way for a permanent peace. Instead, Putin agreed only to limit attacks on Ukraines energy infrastructure while demanding that the US and other nations stop the flow of weapons and intelligence to the neighbor his military invaded. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said hed agree to such an idea provided the US plays the role of middleman. And Trump, never one to admit defeat, hailed the result as a victory and as a possible first step toward a bigger deal. Follow The Big Take daily podcast wherever you listen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many elements of a Contract for Peace were discussed, Trump said in a social media post about the call, in which the two leaders also agreed to start a negotiating process toward a larger ceasefire. That process is now in full force and effect, and we will, hopefully, for the sake of Humanity, get the job done! Trump envoy Steve Witkoff, who met with Putin to help set the stage for the leaders call, said in a Fox News interview that a US delegation led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz will go to Saudi Arabia for further talks on granular details aimed at moving toward a ceasefire. Even the faint progress on Tuesday for Trumps high-profile but controversial ceasefire proposal could be enough to silence some criticism that hes selling out the Ukrainians. It may even constitute a political win at a time when some analysts feared Trump might formally recognize Russias sovereignty over Ukraines Crimea region or make some other concession. I was expecting the worst, retired Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, the former commanding general of US Army Europe, said in a Bloomberg Television interview. The fact we did not hear those is better than if we had. But we have to be very clear I think Vladimir Putin has zero interest in any true long-term settlement as long as he remains in power, and his objective still remains the destruction of Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Witkoff said the agreement to reduce hostilities stretches beyond energy infrastructure to infrastructure in general even though the Russian summary of the call didnt say that and that there was consensus on those two issues between Trump and Putin. He also said he hopes Ukraine will agree to a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea. And I think its a relatively short distance to a full ceasefire from there, he added. Yet underscoring that there was no immediate change in the grinding war in Ukraine, waves of Russian drones bombarded the capital Kyiv for hours Tuesday night. Zelenskiy said civilian infrastructure, including a hospital, was among the things hit by a drone attack. Today, Putin effectively rejected the proposal for a full ceasefire, the Ukrainian leader said in a post on X in English. It would be right for the world to respond by rejecting any attempts by Putin to prolong the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Relationship Revival Although Ukraine was the focus of the call with Putin, Trump signaled he also has his eye on broader geopolitical and economic gains from a renewed relationship with Russia. The two leaders agreed that a future with an improved bilateral relationship between the United States and Russia has huge upside, the White House said in its summary of the conversation. This includes enormous economic deals and geopolitical stability when peace has been achieved. The Trump administration also said the two leaders spoke broadly about the Middle East as a region of potential cooperation to prevent future conflicts, where the US and Israel are in a multifront battle against militias backed by Russias ally Iran. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kremlin said in its own statement on Tuesdays call that theres a wide range of areas where the US and Russia could cooperate and that the two leaders discussed developing mutually beneficial cooperation in the economy and energy sector in the future. The next big question is whether European allies will see things the same way as Trump. So far, they suggested they wont. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the UK and European Union are in talks to accelerate arms shipments to Ukraine ahead of a potential full ceasefire, not stop them as Putin demanded. Lammy said he discussed the possibility of sending more military support to Ukraine before any broad cessation in fighting is implemented at a meeting in London with the EUs top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, on Tuesday. The idea was also raised at the Group of Seven meeting of foreign ministers in Canada last week, he said. Of course its our intention to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position militarily and economically, the foreign secretary told Bloomberg in an interview before Putins call with Trump concluded. We want peace to prevail, but we get peace through strength, and that means putting Ukraine in the strongest possible position to repel any prospects of the war beginning again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement --With assistance from Eric Martin, Ramsey Al-Rikabi, Ellen Milligan, Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz. (Updates with Witkoff details on further talks planned starting in sixth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. U.S. President Donald Trump said it was a "great call." A Kremlin aide declared the world had "become a much safer place." But in Kyiv, the reaction to the call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 18 has been noticeably more muted. Judging by the news, there is nothing to comment on, Mykyta Poturayev, a lawmaker from the Servant of the People party, told the Kyiv Independent when asked what he thought of the announcements made after the call. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The call was ostensibly to get Russia to agree to a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire, which Kyiv said it had agreed to, provided that Moscow did as well. On March 13, Putin said Russia was ready to agree but then followed up with a list of demands that Kyiv and Washington must accommodate in order for Moscow to proceed with peace talks. Putin once again failed to agree to the full ceasefire during the call with Trump, but the Kremlin did announce he had agreed to a limited 30-day halt on energy infrastructure strikes. Despite this, Ukraine was hit by widespread drone attacks overnight. It was also announced that there would be another prisoner swap, though these have occurred throughout Russia's full-scale invasion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the White House has been keen to project the call as a success, Ukrainian lawmakers the Kyiv Independent spoke to saw no real progress. "Putin is trying to pass off what he needs as Trump's achievements." "It looks like they just agreed to negotiate," Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, a lawmaker from the Holos party and chairman of the parliamentary committee on freedom of speech, said. "Putin is trying to pass off what he needs as Trump's achievements stopping attacks on energy infrastructure or exchanging hostages and is stalling." Following the call, the Kremlin also reiterated its demand for a complete halt to foreign military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, calling it a "key condition for avoiding an escalation of the war." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yelyzaveta Yasko, a lawmaker from the Servant of the People party, told the Kyiv Independent that she didn't think anything of substance was announced except the prisoner exchange. "I remain suspicious and skeptical about the signals, about the wording," she said in reference to the Kremlin's statements, adding she has "no hope" that Russia will abide by the 30-day truce on energy infrastructure attacks. Both Yurchyshyn and Yasko believe that Trump is heading for some form of conflict with Putin as it becomes ever clearer the Kremlin has no real desire to stop the war in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at the Prosecutor-Generals Office board meeting in Moscow, Russia, on March 19, 2025. (Contributor / Getty Images) "Putin is only just starting his communications with Trump, and he's trying to get as much as he can from all these talks and conversations," Yasko said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think the harsh reality of their relationship hasn't started yet." Yurchyshyn said Trump at this stage will "pass off anything as a success," adding: "Putin will definitely try to manipulate Trump's desire to achieve something quickly." Despite the muted response in Kyiv, the White House remained upbeat the following day. Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, told Bloomberg TV he was confident a full ceasefire could be reached "in a couple of weeks." "So, lots of good things. Now, it's for the technical teams to dot the I's and cross the T's. And everybody is committed to that process," Witkoff said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Witkoff, the next round of U.S.-Russia talks is set to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on March 23, and will be led by National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He did not confirm who would make up the Russian delegation this time but said the discussions would focus on key ceasefire details. Witkoff emphasized that achieving a full ceasefire depends on the 2,000-kilometer front line where Ukrainian and Russian forces are engaged in combat, noting that conditions vary significantly along different sections. Read also: Talk about an invasion is everywhere How Lithuania is preparing for war with Russia Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A Russian bomb reportedly took out power in a Ukrainian city just hours after President Vladimir Putin agreed in a call with his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, to not strike energy infrastructure for 30 days while peace negotiations proceed. The fresh Russian attack on a Ukrainian energy plant in Slovyansk was reported by local Telegram channels, The Kyiv Post , and The Wall Street Journals chief foreign affairs correspondent Yaroslav Trofimov Tuesday night. The strike came shortly after Putin and Trump concluded a nearly two-hour-long phone call focused on Russias war on Ukraine. Both the White House and the Kremlin announced that the leaders reached an agreement that would halt Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Readout of President Donald J. Trump's Call with President Vladimir Putin: Today, President Trump and President Putin spoke about the need for peace and a ceasefire in the Ukraine war. Both leaders agreed this conflict needs to end with a lasting peace. They also stressed the Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) March 18, 2025 The leaders agreed that the movement to peace will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the conversation, Donald Trump put forward a proposal for the parties to the conflict to mutually refrain from attacks on energy infrastructure facilities for 30 days, the Kremlin said. Vladimir Putin responded positively to this initiative and immediately gave the Russian military the appropriate command. It remains unclear how the Russian attack on Slovyansk slipped through the cracks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters that he did not have further information on the partial ceasefire agreement. I think it would be right if we had a conversation with President Trump and learned about the details of what the Russians offered the Americans, or what the Americans offered the Russians, he said. Ukraine will support any proposals that lead to a stable and just peace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just hours later on Tuesday, Ukrainian military correspondent Bohdan Miroshnykov reported that Russia hit energy infrastructure in Slovyansk with an aerial bomb. Military sources also told the Kyiv Post that part of the city, which lies in the Ukrainian region of Donetsk, had lost electricity. Right now, in many regions, you can literally hear what Russia truly needs. Around 40 "Shahed" drones are in our skies, and air defense is active. Unfortunately, there have been hits, specifically on civilian infrastructure. A direct hit by a "Shahed" drone on a hospital in pic.twitter.com/TKTeB9gaZy Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) March 18, 2025 Zelensky said in a Tuesday night post on X that Russian drones also hit civilian infrastructure in multiple cities, including Kyiv. It is these types of nighttime attacks by Russia that destroy our energy sector, our infrastructure, and the normal life of Ukrainians, he wrote. And the fact that this night is no exception shows that the pressure on Russia must continue for the sake of peace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though the White House said Putin agreed to begin technical negotiations on a complete ceasefire and a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, the Russian leader stopped short of accepting a full stop to his war on Ukraine. Today, Putin effectively rejected the proposal for a full ceasefire, Zelensky said. It would be right for the world to respond by rejecting any attempts by Putin to prolong the war. Putnam Local officials are reexamining live-stream protocols for public meetings after the Board of Selectmen and Mayor fell victim to a racist and pornographic Zoombombing attack Monday night. Roughly eight hackers hijacked the Zoom portion of Monday nights selectmens meeting, causing 50 seconds of confusion and chaos as they spewed racial slurs, played pornographic videos and blared loud music. The vulgar episode finally ended when the board voted to go into recess and shut down the Zoom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Town Administrator Elaine Sistare said the incident was reported to local police, who have opened an investigation and notified the FBI. Sistare said the perpetrators could be charged with a cybercrime, breach of peace or multiple offenses. Once we get more information from our IT people and the police, well bring it to the selectmen and see if they want to address this issue in regards to any safeguards we can put in effect to prevent this in the near future, Mayor Barney Seney said. This kind of attack, known as Zoombombing, spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic when bad actors began exploiting technology in new ways as the world moved online, according to the Bureau. The offenders, who either work alone or coordinate group attacks on virtual forums, search the web for public Zoom links to disrupt video conferences, municipal meetings and virtual classrooms with pornography, hate speech and threats. Sistare said the town started live-streaming meetings on Zoom during the pandemic. After the pandemic ended, the Board of Selectmen continued the practice to make meetings more accessible for the community. Aside from one instance years ago where an individual displayed images of guns, Sistare said this is the first time the town has experienced this kind of attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a valuable tool, Sistare said. (Its) unfortunate that it can be abused, but but our goal is ultimately to make it easy and accessible for our (community) members, our town of Putnam taxpayers and others to legitimately join in our government meetings. Sistare said meeting links are posted publicly on the towns website. While virtual attendees first enter a virtual waiting room before a moderator individually admits them into the Zoom meeting, Sistare said the town does not check names to verify the identities of participants. Sistare said the selectmen could decide to modify the towns Zoom settings to automatically disable the audio, video and screen-sharing abilities of participants. Audience members could request for the moderator to unlock the controls using the virtual hand-raising function. I think everything will be on the table, Sistare said. Weve got some measures that have been in place all along we may tighten up the measures even more but its up to the Board of Selectmen and mayor to have a discussion about the potential changes altogether. It is an unfortunate episode but well try to learn and improve from it. The News Tucker Carlson has spent his entire career focused on US politics and culture wars, building a large and loyal conservative audience. This year, that audience got a taste of the Gulf. Carlson has visited Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, heaping praise on the regions development and its leaders. (On the UAEs Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed: a wise leader unlike any other president I have met.) His latest interview was a sit-down with Qatars Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who played a central role in the Israel-Hamas hostage release and ceasefire negotiations. Among the revelations: Sheikh Mohammed has a personal relationship with Trumps Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, attending his sons wedding in February 2024. He also shared that Qatar built nursing homes to climb UN development rankings, which remain empty because of cultural norms favoring elderly care with family. People would be publicly shamed if they sent their parents to senior homes, he said, but Qatar built it anyway to get the fancy branding. The Colorado Republican Party was left scrambling, looking for a new location for its annual fundraising dinner after The Antlers in downtown Colorado Springs on Monday abruptly canceled the March 28 event featuring keynote speaker Steve Bannon, a former top Trump adviser, in response to an online uproar the party blamed on "radical leftists." By Tuesday evening, party officials said theyd secured a new location and anticipated the dinner would take place at the former Boot Barn Hall in Colorado Springs, a spacious country-Western music venue that frequently hosts GOP gatherings and recently changed its official name to Phil Long Music Hall. In a social media post earlier Tuesday, the party blamed The Antlers cancellation on a social media campaign launched by far-left activists. Antifa, the Denver Democratic Socialists of America, and other radical Democrats are trying desperately to disrupt and cancel our event but we won't let them, read the post, which went on to promise that the event would remain in Colorado Springs with an unchanged roster of speakers. This dinner event will move forward with Steve Bannon, the party stated. Event organizers originally planned to hold the dinner at a hotel in the Denver Tech Center but announced in early March that the party's annual Centennial Dinner would be held at the historic hotel, a venue that has been host to GOP gatherings in recent years, including the El Paso County Republicans' Lincoln Day dinner. Online protesters claimed victory, declaring that they had chased the event from Denver and forced organizers to move it again from The Antlers. Attempts to reach management at The Antlers, part of the Wyndham Hotels and Resorts group owned by John Goede were unsuccessful as of Tuesday evening. An architect of Donald Trump's 2016 campaign for president and the longtime host of "Steve Bannon's War Room" podcast, Bannon pleaded guilty in early February in New York to a state fraud charge as part of a deal that avoided jail time. The charges stemmed from a multimillion-dollar fundraising effort to build a wall along the country's southern border. Bannon was pardoned on related federal charges by President Donald Trump near the end of the Republican's first administration. Outcry against The Antlers event was spearheaded in part by Colorado Springs social activist and business owner James Proby and driven by online posts accusing The Antlers of hosting a White supremacy gathering. Bannon has denied being a White nationalist, instead casting himself in a 2016 Wall Street Journal interview as an economic nationalist. He served a four-month sentence in a federal prison in 2024 for contempt of Congress after refusing to cooperate with a congressional investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Colorado GOP staffer Darcy Schoening said she learned that The Antlers had pulled the plug on the dinner in a roundabout way, from a friend who received an email alert from the hotel canceling a related room reservation. Schoening said Tuesday morning that the left's attempt at "cancel culture" has had the opposite effect. Even before the new venue was secured, she said she was seeing an online spike of interest in the fundraiser. This event is now bigger than it was. Ive been watching tickets sell all night, so thank you Democrats, Schoening said. Traditionally the Colorado GOP's largest fundraiser, the dinner falls on the eve of the state party's biennial reorganization meeting, scheduled for March 29 at a church in Colorado Springs. The party initially offered about 300 tickets to the event, according to the online ticketing site. It will be the party's first Centennial Dinner since 2023, when the keynote speaker was Arizona Republican Kari Lake. Colorado Politics' Ernest Luning contributed to this story. POOLER, Ga. (WSAV) The Pooler City Council approved a $19.3 million contract to expand the lanes of a busy road Tuesday. Quacco Road will be expanded from Blue Moon Crossing to Canal Bank Road to four lanes. City leaders said more lanes of traffic will help alleviate congestion near the businesses there. City Manager Heath Lloyd said residents have been asking for infrastructure improvements and the council is delivering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The approval came as protestors have been circulating a petition asking the city to slow down rezoning for commercial use, even calling for a six-month moratorium on new commercial development. Protestors gathered outside the Pooler City Council meeting Thursday, voicing their concerns over development in their communities. We do realize that not all development is going to be paused, Pooler Community Organizer Trish Brown said. Pooler is a great area, thats why we moved here. But making sure we have things like libraries and arts scenes and things that the residents are going to enjoy versus just putting restaurants and shopping centers here to appease tourists. Organizers said they have gathered more than 100 signatures and hope to gain more support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands kicked off their State Visit to Kenya yesterday. In the evening, they attended a state banquet hosted by President William Ruto of Kenya and First Lady Rachel Ruth at State House, and Queen Maxima chose the stunning Dutch sapphire necklace tiara for the occasion. Patrick van Katwijk - Getty Images Patrick van Katwijk - Getty Images The tiara was last worn by her daughter, Princess Catharina-Amalia, when she attended Crown Prince Christian of Denmarks 18th birthday party in October 2023. Patrick van Katwijk - Getty Images King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maximas royal visit to Kenya is not without controversy; ahead of their arrival, more than 20,000 Kenyans signed a petition asking the king and queen to reconsider their trip amid concerns about human rights abuses in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Dutch state visit to Kenya takes place following violent attacks on peaceful demonstrations, with many protestors killed or injured by the authorities. Over the past nine months, police officers have used excessive force against protestors, which has led to the deaths of over 60, Amnesty International Kenyas Section Director, Irungu Houghton, said. Amnesty International urges both Kenyan and Dutch ministers to publicly outline during the visit how human rights in Kenya will improve. Economic, military and other interests must not be prioritized at the cost of human rights. Patrick van Katwijk - Getty Images Upon their arrival, King Willem-Alexander made remarks that hinted his awareness at the situation. He said, Im pleased that our countries strong and mature relationship allows us to devote attention during this visit to issues like human rights, good governance and accountability. We are grateful to have the opportunity to discuss the concerns that exist in these areas. He also said he looked forward to meeting Kenyan youth: What opportunities do they see to build a bright future for the country they love? A future in which everyone can participate on equal footing. You Might Also Like A Queens man used the northern border to smuggle Pakistani and Bangladeshi foreign nationals into the United States, federal prosecutors announced Tuesday. Atikur Razzaque, 28, of Ozone Park, pled guilty to crossing the border near Westville, N.Y. on Sept. 21 with three Bangladeshi citizens in tow for which he was compensated as part of a broader smuggling operation, prosecutors charged. Razzaque admitted to similar incidents in the past and was charged with alien smuggling and conspiracy to commit alien smuggling. He was sentenced to 15 months behind bars for the scheme. GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) Around 7:50 a.m., Monday, the Grand Junction Police Department responded to multiple reports of vandalism at Colorado Mesa University. When officers arrived on campus, 1100 North Ave., they discovered several antigovernment and racist words spray-painted on various parts of the campus. Surveillance footage captured two masked subjects involved in the incident. The individuals are described as a White man with a bun wearing a two-tone dark sweatshirt and dark sweats in a light-colored mask. The other person was a White woman wearing a two-tone striped sweatshirt, shorts and sandals in a light-colored mask. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement GJPD is asking the community for help in locating the suspects. If anyone has information on their whereabouts contact non-emergency dispatch at 970-242-6707 and reference case number 25-16894. 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 WesternSlopeNow.com. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty sued the U.S. Agency for Global Media and officials Kari Lake and Victor Morales on Tuesday, seeking to block the termination of the news platform's federal grant funding. USAGM on Saturday informed RFE/RL, along with Voice of America and Radio Free Asia, that it would terminate grants supporting their global news operations effective immediately, sparking global outrage as critics questioned the implications of the move for the future of the free press under the Trump administration. The sudden termination came on the heels of an executive order signed by President Donald Trump late Friday calling for the elimination of the non-statutory components of several government entities, including USAGM. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In its suit, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty argues that funding its operations is a statutory function of USAGM. It further alleges that the agencys refusal to disburse the federally allocated funds violates federal law, as RFE/RL is funded by Congress through USAGM to promote the free flow of information worldwide. Whether to disburse funds as directed by appropriations laws, and whether to make those funds available through grants as directed by the International Broadcasting Act, is not an optional choice for the agency to make. It is the law, RFE/RL argues in the filing. The suit also names Kari Lake, Trump-appointed special adviser to USAGM, and Victor Morales, acting chief executive officer of the agency. USAGM did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty President and CEO Stephen Capus on Saturday decried the grant termination, saying it would be a massive gift to Americas enemies. Indeed, the move immediately drew triumphant responses from China and Russia, which designated RFE/RL and VOA as foreign agents in 2017. RFE was founded during the Cold War to deliver unfettered news beyond the Iron Curtain. But Capus emphasized on Tuesday that the organization would not go down without a fight. This is not the time to cede terrain to the propaganda and censorship of Americas adversaries, Capus wrote in a press release on the suit. We believe the law is on our side and the celebration of our demise by despots around the world is premature. March 19 (UPI) -- The independent international news organization Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty sued the United States Agency for Global Media for trying to stop a grant it was awarded by Congress. RFE/RL announced Tuesday that the case will be heard in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, but did not offer a date for the hearing. RFE/RL named UGASM, as well as its acting CEO Victor Morales and his senior advisor Kari Lake as the defendants, alleging that Congress appropriated funds precisely for RFE/RL, "and expressly directed [UGASM] to make those funds available," but now UGASM is purportedly "refusing to disburse the appropriated funds on the basis that it is ending its 'non-statutory' functions." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RFE/RL explained that it is a "statutory function" of UGASM. "Whether to make those funds available through grants as directed is not an optional choice for the agency to make. It is the law. Urgent relief is needed to compel the agency to follow the law," it said. President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday that reduced "elements of the Federal bureaucracy" that Trump "has determined are unnecessary." USAGM was among the entities targeted by the order, which insisted that it "reduce the performance," of its "statutory functions and associated personnel to the minimum presence and function required by law." USAGM responded Saturday by cutting grants to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, or RFE/RL, among other global news operations. By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty - the U.S.-funded news outlet set up to reach people under Communism during the Cold War - said on Tuesday it sued the administration of President Donald Trump to block the termination of the media outlet's federal grant. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT The U.S. Agency for Global Media has terminated its grants to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which broadcasts to countries in Eastern Europe, including Russia and Ukraine, as well as to Radio Free Asia, which broadcasts to China and North Korea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move was widely criticized over the weekend by advocates of press freedom and human rights. More than 1,300 Voice of America employees were also placed on leave on Saturday, after Trump ordered the gutting of the government-funded media outlet's parent USAGM and six other federal agencies. KEY QUOTES "The complaint (on Tuesday) makes the case that denying RFE/RL the funds that Congress appropriated for it violates federal laws - including the U.S. Constitution, which vests Congress with exclusive power over federal spending," the news outlet said in a statement. "This is not the time to cede terrain to the propaganda and censorship of America's adversaries," RFE/RL President and CEO Stephen Capus said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case was filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. CONTEXT Trump's administration touted its move as a cutback on federal bureaucracy. Trump ally Elon Musk, his point man for cutting federal jobs, called for RFE/RL to be shut down in a post on X last month. "It's just radical left crazy people talking to themselves," Musk posted. Since taking office in January, Trump has ordered cost-cutting in various federal agencies. Musk has overseen that drive. RadioFree Europe/Radio Liberty on its website says its mission is to provide "uncensored, trusted news to audiences in 23 countries where a free press is under threat." (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Leslie Adler) Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty sued Kari Lake and the Trump administration Tuesday over efforts to defund the organization. Last week, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at eliminating the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which funds the radio station and Voice of America (VOA). Filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., the lawsuit says the radio stations funding immediately froze and it has not been paid a $7.4 million invoice submitted Monday. The station claims the freeze undermines Congresss power of the purse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whether to disburse funds as directed by appropriations laws, and whether to make those funds available through grants as directed by the International Broadcasting Act, is not an optional choice for the agency to make. It is the law. Urgent relief is needed to compel the agency to follow the law, the lawsuit states. The lawsuit warns the network will soon have to lay off staff if the funding does not resume flowing. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty publishes content in 27 languages for 23 countries across Europe and Asia, reaching a weekly audience of more than 47 million people. This is not the time to cede terrain to the propaganda and censorship of Americas adversaries, Stephen Capus, the networks CEO, said in a statement. We believe the law is on our side and that the celebration of our demise by despots around the world is premature. Trump picked Lake, a former television anchor in Arizona who later ran for governor and senator, to lead the VOA as the administration looks to effectively dismantle USAGM, its parent agency. Lake has been installed as a senior adviser at USAGM. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hill has reached out to USAGM for 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. BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) The Vice President of the Raleigh County Board of Education has called on state lawmakers to increase funding for special needs children in West Virginia. The need is even more pronounced as state teachers provide an education to the number of children who were diagnosed with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) at birth, he said. A lot of those students need physical therapy, occupational therapy, a lot of different therapies, said Snuffer on Monday, March 17, 2025. There can be some violent behaviors in that. We have to have social intervention with them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Statistics show West Virginia has one of the nations highest number of children born addicted to opioids or other drugs. Data at the National Library of Medicine show nearly 51 of every 1,000 babies born in West Virginia from October to December 2019 were diagnosed with NAS, compared to the national average of 7 per 1,000. How church helped a woman break the chains of an 18 year addiction According to data collected by The American Medical Journal, the children are up to three times less likely to perform at their grade level academically, and more likely to meet criteria for educational disabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Snuffer said the public school system has a responsibility to educate the influx of students who were born addicted, but both Snuffer and West Virginia Education Association President Dale Lee reported that state lawmakers have decreased state funds for special needs children over the past several years, including those previously diagnosed with NAS. Local Dollar General suffers break-in and fire, closed indefinitely Were funded one-for-one, said Snuffer, referring to the funding system. We get the same funding for them as we do our regular student. Lee said that, several years ago, state lawmakers provided 2-for-1 funding, allocating double the educational dollars to a school district for each special needs child. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ratio dropped after the 2018-2019 school year. State data shows that in 2023, legislators provided just over $8,200 per student to public school districts in the state. Snuffer said the cost of providing services to a special needs child is more than $13,000, on average. It takes extra funds to provide the services that are necessary for a special needs child, Snuffer added. So those are funds that we have to absorb locally. Citing teachers reports of increased behavioral problems in state classrooms, West Virginia lawmakers have proposed a flurry of bills over the past two years which address school discipline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One failed bill aimed to reinstate corporal punishment but was met with backlash from teachers and parents. The State Senate recently passed a bill which allows teachers to remove students from the classroom for behavioral issues. What youre finding is, a lot of those students that are being removed are special needs kids, said Snuffer. Theyre acting out in that classroom, (they) are special needs kids. So, yes, you can remove those children, but you still have to provide services to them. WVSOM gears up for their 3rd annual CASE camp According to data at The American Medical Journal, students diagnosed with NAS are more likely to have challenges with impulse control, internal and external behavioral concerns and behavior which can be similar to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which can include lack of focus, lack of motivation and reduced time management skills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With lawmakers set to send $300 million tax dollars from public schools into private school coffers and homeschool curricula providers next school year through the Hope Scholarship program, Snuffer said special needs students, including those impacted by pharmaceutical companies, stand to lose resources. The U.S. Department of Education mandated special education in public schools in 1975. Snuffer said private schools are often smaller and do not offer professional salaries and benefits that may attract a large number of qualified special needs teachers. Snuffer said some lawmakers have expressed interest in providing at minimum a 1.5-for-1 funding formula for special needs students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission on Wednesday unanimously approved two large claims related to the killing of livestock by wolves relocated to Colorado from Oregon in December, 2023. Update, March 19, 10:40 a.m. The Reagan County Sheriffs Office has stated in an update published on March 19 that an active murder warrant has been issued for Tony Antwan Bingham. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) Original The Reagan County Sheriffs Office is searching for a suspect after reporting that a homicide occurred on March 18. According to the sheriffs office, the homicide occurred at a location off of FM 2600. The agency stated that the suspect left the scene on foot and may still be in the area of FM 2600 and RR 33. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A witness described the suspect as a 6-foot-4 Black male wearing a black shirt and black pants. In an update issued by RCSO in the early morning hours of March 19, the sheriffs office identified a potential suspect. The possible suspect, Tony Antwan Bingham, is a Black male with black hair and brown eyes. He is described as being 6 feet tall and weighing 225 pounds. The agency stated that a warrant is forthcoming. The agency asks anyone who comes into contact with a potential suspect, including Bingham, not to approach them and to call (325) 884-2424 immediately. Concho Valley Homepage has contacted RCSO for additional information. A photo of Tony Bingham used by the sheriffs office in relation to him being a potential suspect in a homicide that occurred on March 18, 2025. This is a developing story. Stick with Concho Valley Homepage for updates as more 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 ConchoValleyHomepage.com. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) The sheriff of the Reagan County Sheriffs Office has shared details regarding the moments leading up to the homicide reported on March 18 amid the agencys search for a possible suspect. Reagan County Sheriff Jeff Garner told Concho Valley Homepage staff that the homicide incident occurred at approximately 5:30 p.m. at a drilling site in North Reagan County after a verbal altercation between 39-year-old Tony Bingham and a co-worker became physical while they were cooking steaks. RELATED: RCSO seeks homicide suspect Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Garner stated that Bingham used a steak knife to stab the co-worker several times. He said the individual died at the scene as a result of their injuries. Garner said Bingham then informed a separate co-worker at the site of the incident before leaving the scene on foot. In a public statement issued by RCSO on March 19, the agency described Bingham as a Black male with brown hair and brown eyes. He was said to be 6 feet tall and weigh 225 pounds. Garner reported that Bingham has not been apprehended as of the time of publication. He urges anyone who believes they have come into contact with Bingham to contact their local law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RCSO can be contacted at (325)-884-2424. A photo of Tony Bingham used by the sheriffs office in relation to him being a potential suspect in a homicide that occurred on March 18, 2025. This is a developing story. Stick with Concho Valley Homepage for updates as more 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 ConchoValleyHomepage.com. Get ready for another Cicada invasion. The noisy, alien-looking bugs are expected to return to the Peach State once again this spring, but this years brood is not to be as it was last year. Brood XIV is expected to emerge starting next month. They last emerged in 2008. They start to emerge once the soil temperature reaches about 64 degrees. Three species of cicada that only emerge once every 17 years are gearing up to spring to the surface this year. RELATED STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brood XIV was first discovered by European colonists in the 1600s, who assumed the swarm of insects was akin to a biblical plague before they realized the pattern of emergence, said John Cooley, an entomologist at the University of Connecticut. Periodical cicadas differ from annual cicadas that emerge every year, the experts said. Annual cicadas have a green coloring but periodical cicadas are black and orange, Jody Gangloff-Kaufmann, an entomologist and associate director at the New York State Integrated Pest Management Program at Cornell University, told ABC News. In addition, annual cicadas tend to emerge in the dog days of summer -- in July and August -- rather than in the spring, Cooley said. The areas around Georgia that will likely see most of the cicadas include Fannin, Lumpkin, Rabun and Union counties LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The horrific circumstances surrounding the death of Reba the English bulldog that died after being abandoned in a sealed plastic tub left next to a dumpster on a hot Las Vegas day proved to be the tipping point for prosecutors and the public. But Rebas Law, a nickname assigned to Assembly Bill 381 (AB381) in the Nevada Legislature, isnt only about sending the worst offenders to prison. Its also about establishing a wider range of penalties so prosecutors can make the punishment fit the crime. Reba, an English Bulldog found inside a sealed plastic tub in 110-degree heat, receives care before she died in July 2024 from heat stroke. (KLAS) Current law handcuffs prosecutors, giving them only misdemeanors to punish people involved in a wide variety of animal cruelty cases. The sentences available range from one to four years in prison, even when the animal dies. AB381 would impose tougher penalties one to 10 years in prison in the most extreme cases. The bill also contains penalties for hurting or killing a police dog, as well as establishing crimes for failing to stop someone from an act of animal cruelty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Often, the individuals who are charged with animal abuse and cruelty have a very, Its not that serious, kind of demeanor. Its just a cat. Its just a dog. Its just a pet. I didnt harm or kill a human being, Agnes Botelho, chief deputy district attorney at the Clark County District Attorneys Office, told lawmakers. Botelho has handled some of the most egregious cases in recent years and spoke in support of AB381 on Wednesday. Agnes Botelho, chief deputy district attorney at the Clark County District Attorneys Office. (Courtesy: Nevada State Legislature) This bill and the increase in potential punishments will send the message that these crimes against innocent animals are serious and important and will be treated as such by the public, lawmakers and the courts, and hopefully deter this terrible behavior that was once considered not that big of a deal, Botelho said. Rebas Law at Nevada Legislature toughens penalties for animal cruelty, torture Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican Assem. Melissa Hardy, who sponsored AB381, said, The reason for this hearing today comes from an unspeakable tragedy. The story behind this legislation is heartbreaking and difficult to tell. Passing this bill will show that Nevada is a state that values and protects life all life and we stand up and those that are voiceless and cant advocate for themselves. Isaac Laushaul Jr., 32, and Markeisha Foster, 30, were arrested in December 2024, about six months after Reba was found near a grocery store on E. Twain Avenue near Maryland Parkway and Flamingo Road. It was 110 degrees outside and Reba died two days later from the effects of heat stroke. The trial for Laushaul and Foster is scheduled to start on June 16. Markeisha Foster, 30; and Isaac Laushaul Jr., 32, both face animal abuse charges in connection with the death of Reba the Bulldog. (KLAS) Testimony from people who back the bill showed the publics sadness over recent crimes that have made headlines. People struggled to speak as their voices broke and they were overcome by emotion. Gina Greisen, an advocate for animals for years in Las Vegas, talked specifically about a case involving animal hoarders who were arrested in Boulder City after eluding punishment elsewhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers found 42 animals dead in a freezer. A man and a woman in their 70s faced misdemeanor charges in Boulder City and felony charges in Clark County, but now those 16 felony charges have been reduced to a single felony, Greisen said. And the DA isnt opposing probation. Im very concerned about the number of cases that end in probation. And Im talking about heinous cases, Greisen told lawmakers. Botelho said the DAs office doesnt often pursue severe penalties in animal cruel cases. Prosecutors and the courts need the flexibility that AB381 would bring, especially in cases that arent clearly malicious. Rebas Law would allow consideration of reckless conduct. She talked about the challenges in prosecuting offenders who dont cross the line into malicious behavior, but hurt animals because they make reckless decisions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among those cases: People who leave dogs in hot cars with the air conditioning on, only to have the AC fail. She also talked about people who try to dock the tails of certain breeds without taking them to a vet. That leads to suffering, but probably cant be prosecuted as a felony. Officials with the public defenders offices in Clark and Washoe counties opposed the bill because it tends to be enforced more often against low-income people who cant afford high vet bills. They cited a variety of other reasons, including a requirement for people to intervene in violent situations. This bill establishes a duty to intervene when someone is witnessing animal abuse, Paloma Guerrero of the Clark County Public Defenders Office said. We cannot have a duty to intervene on an already dangerous, violent situation without increasing the risk of death and substantial bodily harm to human life. When you impose on citizens a duty to intervene on someone that is violently kicking a dog, maybe stabbing a dog, maybe has a gun we cannot ask that person to put themselves in danger as well, Guerrero said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several amendments have been offered for AB381, and the bills sponsors are continuing to work on the wording in Rebas Law. 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 KLAS. By Sonia Rolley (Reuters) - For years, Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo demanded direct negotiations with Congolese authorities. Battlefield gains mean they can now afford to snub them to try to wring out more concessions. When President Felix Tshisekedi's government, reeling from M23's capture of eastern Congo's two biggest cities, finally agreed over the weekend to talks with M23 on Tuesday in Angola, the rebels pulled out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement M23's rebel coalition, the Congo River Alliance (AFC), said on Monday that European Union sanctions imposed against their leaders and Rwandan officials accused of supporting them had made talks "impracticable". "M23/AFC has taken advantage of the European sanctions to disengage, but this withdrawal also shows a refusal to enter negotiations without a guarantee of obtaining substantial concessions," said Tresor Kibangula, a political analyst at Congo's Ebuteli research institute. Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame both called for a ceasefire in a surprise meeting on Tuesday, their first since the rebels stepped up their offensive in January. But it was unclear what, if any, impact their hour-long talks on Tuesday, mediated by Qatar and separate from the cancelled M23 talks, would have on the ground, where M23 has been emboldened by a series of decisive victories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement M23 has previously called for an end to what it says is the persecution of ethnic Tutsis in Congo. Kinshasa has said the rebels are terrorists and must lay down their arms. "Why would M23 stop if they have the upper hand militarily?" said Jason Stearns, a political scientist at Simon Fraser University, specialising in Africa's Great Lakes region. "When you combine that with the sanctions imposed on Rwanda that were more aggressive than expected, I think they felt it was not the right time for them." Rwanda has denied supporting M23 and said its military has been acting in self defence against Congo's army and militias hostile to Kigali. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MULTIPLE PEACE PROCESSES Progress on bringing the rival camps to the negotiating table has also been complicated by the existence of several different peace processes, including the latest talks in Qatar. All sides are deeply mistrustful of the competing initiatives. Angola has been trying to achieve a peace agreement since 2022 between Rwanda and Congo in African Union-backed talks. Those broke down in December over Congolese opposition to direct negotiations with M23. East and Southern African countries decided in February to merge various peace initiatives, including those led by Angola. But Angola expressed concerns at the time about seeing its mediation efforts bogged down amid competing peace initiatives, which it thought M23 could take advantage of to seize more territory, said two government ministers in the region, speaking on condition of anonymity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then last week, Angolan President Joao Lourenco unexpectedly announced the direct talks between Congo and M23. Having initially agreed to participate, three rebel sources said preparations for the talks fuelled their doubts about Lourenco's ability to act as an honest broker. Two of them said a plane sent by Angola on Monday was unable to land in Uganda to pick up the M23 negotiators because Angolan authorities had not informed their Ugandan counterparts of its arrival, making them suspect Luanda was trying to sabotage the process. Angola's government did not respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, a joint meeting of the East African Community and Southern African Development Community agreed to a roadmap for resolving the conflict that includes efforts to secure a ceasefire within 30 days. However, an African diplomat, who asked not to be named, said the Congolese government was as distrustful toward that initiative as M23 was toward the Angolan efforts. "The mistrust is reciprocal," the diplomat said. "It's up to us Africans to harmonise our views and not multiply initiatives." (Writing by Aaron Ross; Editing by Alison Williams) In 1961, President John F. Kennedy started the U.S. Agency for International Development with a strategic vision to expand American partnership and repel Soviet influence. He understood then what President Donald Trump and Secretary Marco Rubio do now - American foreign policy cannot remain static. It must evolve to meet the demands of the moment and the needs of the American people. Unfortunately, as the Cold War ended, broad demand for closure or reform of the agency was suppressed. Instead, the Clinton administration ignited a global development complex, pursuing open-ended ideas and commitments without a genuine mission that returned any value to Americans. Post-conflict nation-building, political inclusion, sustainable development, gender ideology, and much worse have grown into euphemistic word soup completely disconnected from Americas core national interests. Decades of Americas misaligned foreign assistance enterprise have added over $4 trillion to our national debt. But this is a new era. On Day One, President Trump launched a bold, unprecedented, and comprehensive review of how the Department of State and other federal agencies have been spending hard-earned taxpayer dollars abroad. For nearly two months, under Secretary Rubios leadership and the indispensable partnership of DOGE, we scrutinized programs, evaluated lines of effort, examined sub-program expenditures and budgets, and identified core capabilities. As a result, Secretary Rubio announced the cancellation of 83% of the programs at USAID and thousands of inappropriate programs at the Department of State. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have given billions of dollars to countries who despise us and other countries that only bring us more security challenges and never emerge with good governance of their own. We have given aid to criminals who exploit populations we aim to help. We exacerbate conflict by pumping resources into regions that cannot absorb them, destabilizing areas only to then invest even more. In some cases, that money has fueled terrorism. Even in less severe situations, decades of spending only deepened global dependency. We have, in effect, created a global welfare state, committed unwelcome political interventions, encouraged unsustainable international labor unions (communism), made countries less capable of thriving in the modern global economy, and funded international organizations that spite our great country. In other dizzying cases, Americas foreign assistance has been used to undercut Americans freedoms right here at home. In view of our rich history, the plunder of American taxes for the aid enterprise is indeed a shocking failure that defies explanation until you scrutinize the ecosystem and who benefited. Through this review, it has become abundantly clear that the mindset gripping foreign assistance for decades was one that prioritized funding overseas slush funds instead of delivering results for Americans. Tens of billions of dollars annually are filtered through 27 different inefficient payment systems to an "aid industrial complex" dominated by a small number of major contractors, which leaves just 10% of award dollars to local partners.This canard was proliferated by Washingtons elite, who enriched themselves and guarded their turf, one fiscal cycle after another. But President Trump has turned the page. As we move beyond decades of kicking reform down the road, the State Department and USAID will work with Congress to move roughly 1,000 USAID programs over to State, where, as Mr. Elon Musk noted, they "should always have been." To that end, we will build additional capacity at State to manage these programs effectively. The consolidation of foreign assistance at State, along with the ongoing government-wide review of all foreign assistance programs, will establish a baseline to evaluate the effectiveness and ensure a coordinated strategy of Americas foreign assistance regime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That type of comprehensive review is long overdue. It is difficult, perhaps impossible, to argue Americas position in the world is stronger as a result. Of course, there are rare success stories that serve Americas common defense and general welfare. We should celebrate and build on those, but only for our national interest. President Trump and Secretary Rubio promised to put Americans first. That is exactly what weve done during the first two months and will continue to do every single day of this administration. Pete Marocco is director of the Office of Foreign Assistance. TALLAHASSEE As Floridas insurance crisis was unfolding in 2020, Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis moved to shield some detailed information about failed insurers from the public. Legislation he pushed that year made information on executives' compensation, corporate governance and risk assessments exempt from public records requests when the companies went out of business and were taken over by state regulators. Now lawmakers are looking to put that information back in the sunshine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a rare move, a House committee on Tuesday advanced a bill that would repeal some of those public records exemptions. The results could shed more light on why and how companies go out of business. Insurers' own risk and solvency assessments mandatory reports created after the 2008 financial crisis that insurers use to determine their financial weaknesses would be available for public inspection. So would their underwriting files, along with the names, benefits and compensation of executive officers. Rep. Linda Chaney, R-St. Pete Beach, said her committee was narrowing the exemptions because of concerns over the integrity of the insurance market. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To me, its important that we have transparency in government and that the public has got access to the information that they need, Chaney said. Why those records were made secret to begin with is not clear. They were tucked into HB 1409, passed in 2020 as insurance companies in Florida were on increasingly shaky ground. It was pitched as consumer-friendly legislation. Most of the bill focused on exempting consumers' claims data from public records requests. That information was already not public for active companies but wasnt explicitly exempted for failed ones. Insurance companies often have thousands of outstanding claims when they go out of business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill also made secret all employee files from the failed company. Without passage of this bill, that disclosure of that information that personal disclosure could lead to theft and fraud, then-Rep. Michael Grant, R-Port Charlotte, told a House committee at the time, although he gave no examples of that happening. The 2020 legislation sailed through committees without any questions asked. The only lawmaker to vote against it was Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota. He said in a text message Tuesday that he was proud to be the lone no vote, while noting that Floridians typically foot the bill for failed companies' outstanding claims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sunshine is the best policy. We should have never passed that bill in the first place, Gruters said. Theres no reason to protect those who left taxpayers on the hook. Under the bill that advanced Tuesday, employee files, aside from those of executives, would still be secret, as would policyholders' personal information. Patronis' office is responsible for taking over insolvent companies. Spokesperson Devin Galetta said he would support the Houses bill. While the CFO supports vital public records exemptions for policyholders' personal information, he would support the Legislature in rescinding exemptions for an insurers executive-level payroll information, Galetta said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2020 bill was sponsored in the Senate by now-Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula. The consumer protections were important to him at the time and still are, spokesperson Katie Betta said. The Senate has its own bill renewing the records exemptions in full. The President would like to look at narrowing the exemption as the bill moves forward, Betta wrote. ROLLA, Mo. Missouri residents are reeling from the aftermath of powerful tornadoes that tore through the state, causing widespread damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure and prompting the Red Cross to keep some local shelters open and operational. Footage shot by Ozarks First crews on March 15, 2024, shows extensive tornado damage in Rolla. The hardest-hit areas include the eastern central, northeastern, and southern parts of the state. In the town of Rolla, located in Phelps County, severe damage has left many families without homes and essential services. One of the main shelters still welcoming displaced residents is located at the First Baptist Church, 801 N Cedar St, Rolla, MO 65401. Emergency teams are providing shelter, food, and water to the affected community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With power outages widespread and homes destroyed, the church has become a lifeline for many residents seeking refuge and support. More than 500 people remain without power in Phelps County as of Tuesday night. The damage here in Rolla has been devastating, said Red Cross spokesperson Sarah Hughes. Were focused on meeting the immediate needs of the survivors. Our volunteers are working tirelessly to distribute emergency supplies such as food, water, hygiene kits, and blankets, while also offering emotional support. The tornadoes caused extensive damage in Phelps County, where many homes and trees were uprooted. Emergency response teams are on the ground conducting damage assessments across Rolla and other affected areas, including Poplar Bluff in Butler County and several southern Missouri counties. As assessments continue, the Red Cross is working closely with local officials to determine how best to address the communitys ongoing needs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to Rolla, shelters in other parts of Missouri are also serving those in need. A shelter at the Moose Lodge in Union, Franklin County and another at the North County Rec Plex in St. Louis County are also providing refuge for survivors of the storm. The Red Cross is urging those affected by the storm to call 1-800-RED-CROSS for assistance and to download the Red Cross Emergency App for updates on weather conditions and shelter locations. We will continue to support the community as they begin the difficult process of recovery, Hughes added. The damage is extensive, but were committed to helping Missourians through this crisis, one step at a time. As Missouri recovers from the storms devastating impact, the Red Cross is expected to maintain a strong presence in the hardest-hit areas, ensuring that residents receive the help they need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) The Indiana Region of the American Red Cross is asking people to donate on Red Cross Giving Day, March 26, to ensure no one faces disaster alone. During the first 50 days of 2025, the Red Cross said, volunteers responded to more big disasters in the U.S. than days in the year. In Indiana, this included winter weather in January and recent severe weather this month. Due to this severe weather in 2024, more Red Cross blood donations have gone uncollected, according to a press release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Red Cross holds blood drive in Marshall As we enter spring disaster season, the Red Cross is asking people to make a financial donation or give blood to help families and individuals who may need future assistance due to a disaster. Heres how you can help. Make a financial donation: Donations will be part of the Red Cross Giving Day, which aims to rally 30,000 individuals to help people affected by a disaster. Donations can be any size big or small, the Red Cross said any sized gift makes a difference. A gift of any size makes a difference. For example, a donation of $3 can provide a comfort kit with supplies like a toothbrush, comb and shampoo, and a gift of $11 can provide a nutritious meal, snack and drink. The Indiana Region of the American Red Cross Donate today to help Red Cross efforts across 10 states Give a blood donation: To help overcome the significant weather impact on blood donations, the Red Cross is urging people to make an appointment and give lifesaving blood. People of all blood types are needed to help avoid further strain on the blood supply. So, make sure you schedule an appointment at RedCrossBlood.org, on the Red Cross Blood Donor App or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, all who give blood, platelet and plasma donations in March will receive a free $10 Amazon gift card via email. For more information, you can go to RedCrossBlood.org/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 MyWabashValley.com. Justice Melissa Hart spoke on Monday about what aspiring law clerks should consider when applying to work at the Colorado Supreme Court, including the ability to be involved in more than just screening appeals and drafting decisions. CHILLICOTHE A red flag warning, also known as fire warning, has been issued in Ross County by the National Weather Service from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on March 19. NWS forecasts wind gusts up to 25 to 30 mph, combined with dry air and relative humidity values around 25%, with lows of 15%. The affected areas are Licking, Fairfield, Hocking, Ross, Pike, Adams and Scioto. Thunderstorms are predicted to enter the area Wednesday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NWS does not recommend outdoor burning at this time, as any fire that develops can spread rapidly. This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Ross County is under a fire warning March 19 BINGHAMTON, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for part of the area on Wednesday. The warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will be occurring shortly. In this case, the warning will begin at noon on Wednesday, March 19. A combination of strong winds, low humidity and warm temperatures can contribute to conditions conducive to fire. The National Weather Service has indicated that relative humidity will be as low as 22 to 28 percent, winds will be between 14 and 22 miles per hour with gusts up to 35 miles per hour and temperatures between 68 and 74 degrees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The eastern portion of the area Fire Weather Zone 210, which includes parts of Herkimer and Oneida County and all of Otsego County will have conditions less conducive to fire spread. The National Weather Service also reminded New York State residents that the state is under its annual burn ban until May 14. The warning is expected to last until 8 pm on Wednesday. The New York State Office of Emergency Management has provided several tips to keep yourself safe during a red flag warning: Keep leaves, debris, or flammable materials at least 30 feet away from your home. Close doors and windows. Designate a room that can be closed off from outside air. Learn your evacuation routes and practice evacuating with your family and pets. Make sure you know where to go if you needed to leave. If local officials tell you to leave, leave immediately. Pay attention to emergency alerts for information and instructions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 WUTR/WFXV - CNYhomepage.com. AUSTIN (KXAN) A popular queer nightclub, Rain on 4th, said it was shut down for more than an hour by the city of Austin after a false claim of being over capacity. Rains leadership said they were told to empty their space and conduct people recounts, despite actually being under capacity by roughly 100 people, they claimed on social media. This is about the fact that one of the few spaces which is dedicated to our community, and just making sure they feel comfortable and safe, and especially right now with the trans population, they need a safe place, Scott Neal, managing partner of Rain on 4th, said Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city of Austins Development Services Department, which oversees code compliance, and Austin Fire Department responded: During Spring Festival Season, the City stands up multi-departmental Public Assembly Code Enforcement (PACE) teams to ensure events, bars, and venues are operating safely. On the evening of March 15, a PACE team was dispatched to conduct an occupancy check at 315 Lavaca St. The team arrived at Rains alley entrance, which is directly next door, believing it was the address theyd been dispatched to. Upon arrival, they found significant discrepancies in the occupancy counts reported by the door staff at Rain. To ensure the safety of everyone in the venue, the Austin Fire Department temporarily cleared the venue, requiring patrons to exit for an occupancy count upon reentry. We acknowledge there was an error in the initial address identification, but the decision to clear the venue was based on discrepancies found in the door counts. This was not a targeted action against this venue. DSD Code Compliance and the Austin Fire Department have been in contact with Rains ownership, and we are taking their concerns very seriously. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rain disagreed that there was a discrepancy in the occupancy count. Weve been in business for over 20 yearsThe manual counter is not able to keep up enough customer count with how many customers we see, so we keep track on an hourly basis, Neal said. The number of customers in our counts are based on the number of customers in that last hour that have entered. Neal said Rain on 4th explained how they do their count to both the fire department and code compliance but said the city emptied the busy establishment anyways. They refused to listen to reason, they refused to care, this is just 101, Neal said. Council member representing downtown Austin responds Rain on 4th is within Austin City Council Member Zohaib Zo Qadris district. He said the following, in-part: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am deeply concerned with troubling reports of unacceptable interactions between the City of Austin and our LGBTQIA+ community. Numerous constituents and community leaders have reached out to our office regarding two separate incidents The other incident Qadri is referring to was addressed by the Austin Police Department Tuesday, after Qadris post. You can read more about that incident here. Austin must be a safe haven for all, and our queer community deserves city leaders that will continue to push for accountability and action, he wrote. 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. (L-R) State Sens. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit), Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Twp.), Erika Geiss (D-Taylor), and Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit) testify to the Senate Housing and Human Services Committee in support of the 'momnibus' package of bills to reduce racial inequities in maternal mortality in Michigan. March 18, 2025. Screenshot A momnibus bill package aimed to reduce racial inequities in maternal mortality in Michigan cleared the Michigan Senate Housing and Human Services Committee Tuesday with bipartisan support. Policies in the package were widely supported last legislative session by the partisanly split Michigan Senate, Sen. Erika Geiss (D-Taylor) noted to lawmakers Tuesday, but the bills became a lame duck casualty of the House as Republican lawmakers boycotted session in December in protest to minimum and tipped wage reforms not being placed for a vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the legislation is worth taking up again, Tamika Jackson, a Community Organizer for Mothering Justice told lawmakers Tuesday. Mothering Justice, a Detroit-based group dedicated to advocating for mothers of color, addressing economic and health care inequities, has been vocally supportive of policies aimed to help Michigan moms. Rather than listen to her when she said she couldnt breathe, Jackson said her anesthesiologist ignored her during labor as a mistake with her epidural started to shut down her organs. This medical professional was willing to let me die before she would admit that I needed care, and essentially, I did. I coded. I was put on life support. I had to have an emergency C-section, and then I was revived with epinephrine, Jackson said recalling everything she missed in the birth of her baby. She was not the first person to hold her child and she had difficulty breastfeeding because of the experience, Jackson said and she lives with the trauma of begging for help and being refused. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Black women maternal mortality rates are three times higher than white women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This gap exists for an assortment of reasons including accessibility to quality care and educational information on healthy pregnancies, but also chronic dismissal to the pain and needs of Black women. In order to combat inequities, Senate Bill 29 would mandate the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to compile annual data on racial and ethnic disparities in health care, as well as review statewide maternal deaths in order to complete a report to the legislature to offer insight on gaps in maternal health care starting in 2026 and then continuing every three years. The department would also have to come up with a statewide plan to reduce such ethnic and racial disparities in health care. Senate Bill 30 similarly would require the state health department to take and analyze reports of unfair treatment by pregnant or postpartum individuals who say they received improper medical care that was not culturally informed or treatment that caused them harm. The department would have to create a reporting tool to accept such complaints while also maintaining the patients privacy. Senate Bill 31 would bar leadership of a hospital from discriminating against a patient on the basis of their pregnancy or lactating status and would require a health facility to stabilize a patient or resident going through labor before ceasing care for the patient upon the patients refusal or denial of care. The facility would have to author a policy on patient rights and adhere to the policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Bill 34 would clarify Michigans Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act barring discrimination on the basis of sex including pregnancy and lactation status. Senate Bill 32 would require insurance companies offering medical malpractice insurance policies to provide the Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) with a review of the policies related to perinatal care on an annual basis. Senate Bill 33 would clarify that a patients pregnancy would not preclude a designated patient advocate from making life-sustaining treatment decisions for the patient. Due to historic worse outcomes in hospitals, many women of color are opting for out of hospital options for delivery, including using midwives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michigan has not yet tapped the positives to society that midwives offer, said Leseliey Welch, co-founder of Birth Detroit, a network for Black midwives. Welch notes that the World Health Organization has urged expansions in midwifery across the globe as a means to provide less costly means to care through highly trained professionals who could meaningfully lower maternal and newborn deaths by expanding access to care. I continue to marvel at the fact that this is currently one of the only areas of health care where policy makers across some states continue to ignore a whole body of evidence about how it will improve the health in our communities, Welch said. Michigan needs more midwives. In order to increase the number of midwives, Senate Bill 36 would amend the public health code to include eligible midwives who attended midwifery programs to participate in the state health departments Michigan Essential Health Provider Repayment program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Bill 37 would require insurance companies that cover gynecological and pregnancy services to cover such services whether they be in a hospital or a patients home, by a qualified physician or nurse midwife or midwife. Senate Bill 38 and Senate Bill 39 would amend the Social Welfare Act to require the Healthy Michigan Plan to cover ultrasound procedures and fetal nonstress tests in offsite locations and permit Medicaid eligible individuals to be able to receive perinatal and gynecologic care under the Healthy Michigan Plan under certain circumstances. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) Dr. Trivia Massaline has a heart for helping people who are faced with a hard time. She is the director and founder of One Step at a Time. The non-profit, based out of Marianna, provides prevention and intervention support services to individuals or their families directly affected by homelessness or incarceration. I thank God for her, said Kim Morgan-Bell. Morgan-Bell first met Trivia at Jackson Correctional, while attending bible study that Trivia was conducting at the facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Morgan-Bell is now out of jail and part of the non-profits Jumpstart 180 program. The program spans over 12 months providing tools to help families maintain independence and stability following incarceration or homelessness. Morgan-Bell and others in the program will be given resources for financial empowerment, job readiness, and more. I dont want them to go back, said Trivia Massaline. Im trying to do anything to keep them from going back to jail, from going back to being homeless. Massaline worked as a correctional officer for nearly 10 years and a social worker for six and a half years. It was nothing but a divine setup with the social work job, the corrections job, said Massaline. He gave me the skills to prepare me for what Im doing right now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Massaline said God gave her a vision for her non-profit while working at Marianna FCI. One Step at a Time wouldnt have been established if God didnt give me the vision, so its nothing Trivia Massaline did, she said. Its what hes done. She founded the organization in 2021 and launched it in 2022 after quitting her job at the prison. God spared my life several times, so now hes gave me the rocks, said Massaline. I spared you, go save them. Massaline is a recovering alcoholic who has a heart for helping others turn their lives around. The non-profit, which serves Jackson, Washington, Calhoun, and Holmes counties, has evolved into a resource center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also partners with the Department of Children and Families and other community organizations so she can assist individuals with food stamps, Medicaid, employment and more. Anything that the families may need housing, recovery, health issues, I have brochures on that rack, said Massaline. I dont provide these services but I can get you a brochure. However, there is so much she does provide. Theres a food pantry with food and dishes, housewares, and clothing available to those who need it. There are computers to create job resumes, to apply for employment, or conduct other important business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also hosts a community event every month at One Step at a Time, featuring a free activity, food, and resources for anyone who wants to attend. The next one is scheduled for March 29. While she is no longer works as a correctional officer, she is often in and out of Panhandle prisons and jails. She attends quarterly re-entry seminars, leads a monthly AA group, and conducts bible study twice a week at Jackson Correctional. Her jail partner, Lynda Henderson, joins her in conducting bible study. She is very genuine, and you can trust her word, said Henderson. Shes got a lot going on, said David Pipping, Chaplain at Jackson Correctional. Shes very energetic, for sure, and theres always a smile, so thats good. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also works a full-time job in Panama City which means she commutes from Jackson to Bay county at least four times a week. Massaline uses that drive time and her lunch breaks to mentor families. She also schedules appointments with them on Fridays and Saturdays in Marianna. She is also a wife and mother of 10 children. Those who know Trivia said her smile is contagious and her genuine personality shines through everything she does. Her kindness, her demeanor, everything is attractive, said Pattie Murphy with Employ U. Her willingness to help no matter what, makes a difference. Employ U is a nonprofit employment service creating inclusive workforces for people with disabilities and other underserved populations through education, empowerment, and advocacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agency is right next door to One Step at a Time and the two have partnered together. Employ U provides Massaline with volunteers to help with administrative work which is helpful when Massaline is away in Panama City. Massaline is extremely humble and doesnt like to be in the spotlight or take credit. She said the community partnerships and God make this operation work. Tiffany Grier is the Chairman of the board for One Step at a Time and dedicated volunteer. I like to be in the background, everybody know that, said Massaline. Im gonna come a little forward, just a little step at a time, but God get the glory. She can give God the glory, but theres no doubt shes making an impact. Trivias mother, Valoris Richardson, is the Vice President of One Step at a Time and dedicated volunteer. God always sent her right on time, said Kim Morgan-Bell. I just thank her, and now Im here for support because shes always been here for me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Massaline doesnt get paid for the work she does through the non-profit and funds most of it herself. She relies on volunteers to help and is extremely grateful for any donations from the community. Emerald Coast Hospice has graciously granted her money for the past two years. 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 mypanhandle.com. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) In honor of Womens History Month, News 8 is featuring remarkable women who make a difference in their communities each day. Tuesday, we honored the women who have made a difference in the past and are credited with carving a path for a brighter future in the Rochester area. This is a site that really talks about very ordinary people but people who had a conviction to advocate for what was right. Shannon Walsh of the Womens Rights National Park said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rochester region is rich in history involving the womens movement. Walsh recalled the work of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Martha Coffin Wright, Mary McClintock, Jane Hunt, and Lucretia Mott. The women are known for forming the Seneca Falls Womens Rights Convention of 1848. They couldnt have guessed at that time, just how big of an impact they would have on future generations. Dr. Timothy Kneeland, Professor and Director of Museums, Archives and Public History at Nazareth University, said that part of the local history aligned with the suffragette movement came to be because of the Erie Canal, as it provided both a source of transportation and goods but also the exchange of ideas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This exchange traveled from Seneca Falls where the convention was held, to Rochester where Tamar Carroll, Professor of History at RIT said Susan B. Anthony lived and connected with women across the country, advocating for women to have the right to vote. Her dedication to the cause lasted through generations, with Anthony becoming one of the most prominent faces of the suffragette movement. She was really relentless and really dedicated and very strategic and good at what she did, Carroll said. The gratitude people have for her is evident each election day when thousands of folks from across the country and here at home visit Anthonys grave in Mount Hope Cemetery to place their I voted sticker, paying respect to this local womens rights trailblazer. Remarkable Women Series: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 RochesterFirst. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) Bridget Kaigler is the first woman of color to become chair of the Society of Louisiana CPAs in its 113-year history. Representation is important, but also just to show others that you know what it is possible and especially in the accounting profession, said Kaigler. Kaiglers journey in the accounting world started over 15 years ago as a way to care for her son. Before taking on her new leadership role, she worked on the state and local tax committees. Now, Kaigler is using her love for math to inspire others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My hope is, is that I make a difference for generations to come, either through my work or the words that I speak or just the things that Im doing in a community, said Kaigler. The Certified Public Accountant says shes proud of herself for not letting her struggles or challenges stop her from chasing her dreams and creating a legacy. I encourage my son to also enter the accounting profession. He is three years post-grad and he is an accountant as well. So just creating this family legacy of accountants is, I think, is remarkable in itself, Kaigler said. She is also a Capital Region 500 winner. Kaigler said although awards arent everything, she wants the next generation to know that success is attainable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its important too for individuals to see where you are today. But I think its most important for people to know where you started because its truly, its truly a long-distance race, Kaigler said. Remarkable Women: Sashika Baunchands organization mentors young Louisiana girls Love for math used to inspire others Kaiglers mission is to show students there are endless opportunities under the accounting umbrella. She travels statewide to speak to college students in accounting courses and young kids grades K-12. All of those teachable moments and mentors and people that inspire me. Im glad to be in to be able to pay that forward and inspire others, Kaigler said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said theres room for everyone in the accounting world. Remarkable Women: Baton Rouge mom helps other parents after losing son to rare disorder Latest News 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 Louisiana First News. TOPEKA (KSNT) Shawnee County Parks & Recreation (SCP+R) has started to remove old pieces of playground equipment from Gage Park this month. 27 News spoke with Sean Zears with SCP+R about work taking place at Gage Parks Playland area this year. He said workers started to take away old playground pieces in preparation for the installation of brand-new equipment a few weeks ago. We are excited about the overall scope of the project, and want to make sure that we do everything right the first time, Zears said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 530 homeless call Topeka, Shawnee County home: study Zears said the SCP+R is currently working to finalize the drainage system at the park which must be done prior to the installation of the new playground equipment. People visiting the park this year may find that some areas are restricted while this work takes place. Portions of the playground will be closed, but we will do everything we can to keep the rest open, Zears said. Shawnee County commissioners previously approved the addition of a new $1.28 million Adventure Trail play set to be added to Gage Park in January. SCP+R told 27 News it would be removing and replacing much of the playground pieces in Playland this year alongside this major addition to the park. The Animaland area will not be impacted by these changes and will remain open to guests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What is your favorite Kansas park? 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. 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. Just over a year after the body of Renton hairstylist Reyna Hernandez was found in Mexico, the man accused of killing her and putting her there has pleaded not guilty to her murder. Friends and neighboring businesses noticed her Renton hair salon had remained closed for several days in late February 2024 and reported her missing. Friends reported speaking to her on Feb. 26, 2024 and she told them she was going to run errands. She never returned and all communication abruptly stopped. Police say Louie Hernandez, 61, shot and killed Reyna sometime after she was last seen and drove her body to Mexico. Her body was found a week later tied to a tree at a Mexican cemetery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hernandez was on the run but was arrested on drug possession charges in Mexico on March 10, 2024. Nearly a year later, on March 8, he was extradited to the United States to face charges for Reynas murder. He is being held on a first-degree murder charge and entered a plea of not guilty at his arraignment on March 18. Bail was set at $5 million. MORE COVERAGE ON THIS CASE Family flies from Mexico to attend Renton prayer vigil for woman whose body was found in Mexico Man jailed in Mexico charged with first-degree murder in Renton salon owners death Body of woman suspected of being kidnapped in Renton two weeks ago found in Mexico Man accused of killing estranged partner extradited to King County to face charges 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. MADISON, Wis. (AP) The Republican-backed candidate in Wisconsin's closely watched state Supreme Court race has resurfaced long debunked concerns about voting fraud because of the late reporting of ballots in Milwaukee just two weeks before the April 1 election. Brad Schimel, a former Republican attorney general, spoke of the possibility of bags of ballots and fraud in Milwaukee during an interview Tuesday on conservative talk radio. Schimel faces Democratic-backed Susan Crawford in the April 1 election with majority control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court at stake. Schimel, in an interview on WISN-AM, said his supporters need to get our votes banked, make this too big to rig so we dont have to worry that at 11:30 in Milwaukee, theyre going to find bags of ballots that they forgot to put into the machines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schimel said that happened in 2018 and in November when (U.S. Senate candidate) Eric Hovde was ahead all night, and then all of a sudden, Milwaukee County changed that. Republicans and Democrats alike, along with state and Milwaukee election leaders, warned in the run-up to the November election that Milwaukee absentee ballots would be reported late and cause a huge influx of Democratic votes. Milwaukee is the state's most populated city and is heavily Democratic. Its chief elections official was chosen with bipartisan support. The reporting of those absentee ballots swung the 2020 presidential election to Democrat Joe Biden, fueling baseless conspiracy theories that the election had been stolen from President Donald Trump. Milwaukee's absentee ballots are counted at a central location and reported all at once, often well after midnight on election day. Elections officials for years have made clear that those ballots are reported later than usual due to the sheer number that have to be counted and because state law does not allow them to be processed until polls open. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A bipartisan bill to allow for processing prior to election day died in the Republican-controlled Senate last year. Republicans, who have controlled the Legislature since 2011, routinely complain about slow processing in Milwaukee but have not passed bills to allow for speedier counting. In 2018, the reporting of more than 47,000 absentee ballots after midnight put Democrat Tony Evers ahead of then-Gov. Scott Walker. Evers went on to win and Walker criticized the late reporting, saying it blindsided him. And in November, Hovde said he was shocked by the reporting of more than 108,000 ballots in Milwaukee early in the morning after the election in his defeat to Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin. Schimel said in the radio interview he didn't know what happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont know if there was fraud there, Schimel said. "Theres no way for me to know that. All I know is this: We need to turn our votes out. Thats the best insulation we have against any potential fraud, is just get our people to the polls. Asked about his concerns during an appearance later Tuesday at the Milwaukee Rotary Club, Schimel said he brought up fraud because voters often ask him how to guarantee election integrity. I tell people, by following the rules, Schimel said. And then I tell them, Heres the best way to make sure your vote isnt stolen: Go use it. Thats the answer. Yet despite his concerns, Schimel said: I will always accept the results of the election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crawford's spokesperson, Derrick Honeyman, said Schimel was "dabbling in conspiracy theories to please his ally, Elon Musk, and its unbecoming of a judge and candidate for the states high court. Groups funded by billionaire Musk have contributed more than $11 million to help Schimel's campaign. Crawford is backed by several billionaire Democrats, including philanthropist George Soros and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker. Schimels comments drew criticism from the Democracy Defense Project, a bipartisan coalition promoting truth about elections that includes former Republican Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen. There is no evidence of fraud in Milwaukee, but the failure of the state to allow early counting on absentee ballots before the close of polls feeds into conspiracy theories, the group said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The election comes as the court faces cases on abortion, public sector unions, voting rules and congressional district boundaries. The court is currently controlled 4-3 by liberals, but one of them is retiring, creating the battle for the majority. Nebraska Representative Mike Flood was excoriated by the crowd at his own town hall on Tuesday for basically every position he took. When he told his constituents he supported Elon Musk, he was booed mercilessly. What makes Elon Musk a better person to audit our government for waste, fraud, and abuse than the inspectors general that Donald Trump fired? one constituent asked Flood. Elon Musk gets $40 billion a year in funding from the federal government. What makes you think he has no conflict of interest? Do you think he would cut that before he would cut our Medicare, or our Social Security, or our jobs? I support Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency, Flood replied with a shrug before being overpowered by the voices of his enraged constituents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flood also took serious heat for the GOPs 180 on Ukraine, cozying up to Russia in a historic role reversal. I do wanna say: shame, one woman said to Flood. Shame for your comment that you said President Zelenskiys approach today was disrespectful to President Trump and undermines the goal of bringing peace. Shame on that. The crowd roared in support. I do believe that that White House meeting was a disaster, and I believe that President Zelenskiy should have signed that agreement, Flood replied, to immediate boos. The deep-red state crowd also began chanting, Tax the rich. This is yet another installment in the string of tense, confrontational town halls that have occurred as Republicans have to answer for the actions of Trump and DOGEactions that are directly hurting the people who put them in office. Instead of a direct cut to K-12 education funding, the state's next spending plan could take a different approach changing how Colorado counts students. It's part of the budget proposal submitted by Gov. Jared Polis in November, but it has school officials and teachers across the state howling in protest, and they intend to press their case at a rally at the state Capitol on Thursday dubbed the "No More Cuts: Statewide Day of Action." Given that it's spring break for a lot of school districts, only a handful intend to close for the day, such as in Boulder, some schools in Denver, Summit County and Adams 12. In the Pikes Peak region, major disruptions are not anticipated at any of its schools, most of which are are spring break next week. In an email to The Gazette, Annette Lauer, president of the regional Pikes Peak Education Association and board representative of the Colorado Education Association, said that they are expecting 10-20 of their member teachers at the capitol. She added that they havent heard of any PPEA districts closing any schools. In Colorado Springs District 11, Colorado Springs Education Association President Kevin Coughlin said that they believe there will be a few hundred union and non-union teachers attending the rally. In a text, D-11s Executive Director of Engagement Jessica Wise said that their schools will be open and that they have an ample substitute pool to cover anticipated absences. The governor's office is pushing back on the protests, saying canceling school "with short notice ... puts hardships on parents and prevents students from receiving the learning they need and deserve." "Kids belong in school, the governor said. He isn't alone. Ready Colorado President Brenda Dickhoner also criticized the planned school closures. By shutting down schools for a rally, educators and district leaders are sending a clear and troubling message: political posturing is more important than the educational welfare of our children," Dickhoner said. "Thousands of students who rely on their schools for learning, structure, and essential services such as meals are left abandoned. These closures disrupt families, force working parents to scramble for childcare, and most importantly, rob students of valuable instructional time that cannot be recovered. Teachers' union: K-12 can't absorb any more cuts The Colorado Education Association, the state's largest teacher union, maintained that, despite the state paying off the "budget stabilization" factor last year, public K-12 is still underfunded by $4,000 to $4,500 per student or about $4 billion per year. Policymakers and others said that BS factor amounted to a "debt" of more than $1 billion over 15 years. The union also claimed the state doesn't have the money to fund the new school finance formula as intended, due in part to the $1.2 billion shortfall anticipated for the 2025-26 state budget. But CEA President Kevin Vick told Colorado Politics that Thursday's message isn't just about the 2025-26 budget. "We're trying to remind people that education has been cut for the last 15 years, to the tune of $11 billion," he said. "That's had an incrementally worse effect on what we can do for students year to year." He said the larger message is that education cannot absorb any more cuts. Vick said the budget cuts have been frustrating for educators, parents and students. "who are getting shortchanged on a path to their future." As for the state's budget hole, Vick said advocates know the legislature has some hard choices, but "we also know education has been the piggy bank for the state for the last 15 years. That practice needs to stop." The budget proposals for K-12 Polis' plans, as included in his November budget submission to the Joint Budget Committee, called for two changes. The first deals with student headcount. Currently, the state counts students on a rolling, four-year average, which wards off enrollment swings. Polis proposed a single-year count, which he said would save money and fund "actual students where they are, rather than where they were four years ago; thus, more equitably driving resources to where the need is." That could save the state about $190 million in 2025-26. School districts balked at that approach. In Adams 12 Five Star, for example, the superintendent said such a change would cost the district $13 million and it would mean the loss of 130 teachers, larger class sizes and fewer academic and extracurricular options for students. In a letter to the governor and lawmakers in December, Adams 12 Superintendent Christopher Gdowski wrote that the increase from the new school finance formula would make up only about $7 million of that $13 million cut. The district claimed it's already underfunded to the tune of $272 million per year, and the change in the student count method would result in funding losses for 138 school districts with declining enrollment out of the state's 178 school districts. The governor's office called the assertion that his proposal would cut funding for K-12 education "false." "Any assertion that the Governor has proposed or would support a cut to education funding is simply false. The governor would oppose any budget that cut education funding. The responsible budget proposal he proposed funds students based on where they are learning, not through arbitrary multi-year averaging," he said. Polis' second idea one that he has now walked away from was to stretch out the implementation of the school finance funding formula. That conversation, as it turns out, continues. Under the proposal as adopted last year, the formula added a new rural funding factor and more funding for at-risk students, English language learners, and special education students. The "cost of living" factor would be applied after that, along with a "locale" factor, a district size factor, and then "extended" high school and online funding. The result would shift more resources to rural and at-risk students. The total cost is about $500 million over six years, with $150 million pledged in 2025-26. A study commissioned by the state and released in January said that, "during the phase-in period, funding amounts under both the old and new formulas will be calculated, and districts will be funded at amounts in between the two formulas, with the amount shifting closer to the amount represented by the new formula as 203031 approaches." The formula is intended to be implemented over a six-year period, but the governor's November budget suggested changing that to seven years. Under that scenario, 18% of the funding would go to schools in the first year. However, in January, the governor changed his mind and decided not to recommend that change. The governor's statement pointed out his budget request "lets the formula passed last year by the General Assembly take effect." "This was a step in the right direction, but Colorados education environment is not serving students as well as it could," the office continued. "Nearly every other state in the country has figured out how to fund schools where students are learning and Colorado should do the same to ensure funding is going to Colorados existing students, especially those who most stand to benefit from the new school formula." The governor has also proposed a $138 million increase for K-12 funding in 2025-26, but given the budget shortfall, budget writers appear leery of approving that large of an increase. A competing proposal However, there's a competing proposal one that would result in a cut of $50 million, rather than $190 million. That proposal came from House Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, who co-sponsored last year's revamp of the school finance formula. McCluskie said Tuesday her proposal would implement the school finance formula at a slightly lower rate but maintain four-year averaging. She said the governor's proposal on enrollment averaging "would pull the budgetary rug out from under our school districts, and so we must find a compromise that continues to resource our schools while accounting for fiscal realities." Her proposal, she said, would push out the implementation of the new school finance formula from six to seven years, with 10% of the funding in the 2025-26 years, down from 18% as originally contained in the new formula. That would reduce the strain on the general fund and the state education fund, McCluskie said. At 10%, her proposal would put more new funding into school districts beginning July 1. The proposal addresses the enrollment count issue but phases it in over several years. The four-year average would stay in place in 2025-26 and go to three years in 2026-27, and then two years beginning in 2027-28 and thereafter. By slowly implementing changes to multi-year enrollment averaging, this gives the legislature time to come up with other ideas to address declining enrollment. Perhaps most importantly, the McCluskie proposal seeks to hold all school districts harmless at 2024-25 funding levels for 2025-26. A plan to 'future-proof Colorado' In his statement, Polis said he is working with McCluskie and the school districts "to identify a path forward that addresses concerns of districts while also moving away from the fundamental inequity and inaccuracy of Colorados current averaging formula." "If this plan is not adopted, Colorado risks the ability to sustainably fund schools and ensure funding is directed to our states students," he said. The governor wants to "future-proof Colorado and a failure to adopt some form of reducing or eliminating funding for students who moved away years ago would lead to major cuts in education funding for where students attend school," the statement said. Regardless of which proposal, if any, gets the buy-in from the Joint Budget Committee and legislature, Vick of the teachers union said Wednesday, "We need to find a better way." The teachers' union is part of a coalition that's doing analysis and polling for a potential ballot measure in 2026. Vick didn't share just how that would work. "We don't want to repeat the failures of the past at the ballot box," Vick said, "and instead hope to develop a policy that will be popular with voters." Beavers are again proving themselves to be nature's unsung heroes. If you're enjoying freshwater swimming or fishing in Scotland, you might have the hard-working rodents to thank, according to the University of Stirling. In a new study, a team of scientists revealed the benefits of beaver dams on water at the Bamff Estate over a two-year period. The researchers examined water quality surrounding beaver ponds and dams to measure the animals' impact. It turns out that beavers in this rural area can remarkably stop almost all pollution that arises from livestock waste and soil erosion. In so doing, the dams slow and diffuse a notorious microbial pollutant, Escherichia coli bacteria, which is associated with illness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A co-author of the study, professor Nigel Willby, said in the news release that with microbial pollution on the rise "there is an urgent demand for sustainable solutions for prevention and remediation." Answering the call are beavers, whom Willby says form ponds that "can act as a trap for microbial pollutants and silt reducing pollutant peaks by 95% and strongly delaying their movement which should be to the benefit of downstream systems." The renaissance for beavers around the world is noteworthy as we learn more about the array of benefits they provide for their habitats. They were once hunted to near-extinction because their meat, fur, and scent glands were coveted. Now after a series of concerted efforts, not all of which are authorized, beavers are making their mark around the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recently in the Czech Republic, beavers cut through bureaucratic red tape to not only complete a stalled dam project but also go above and beyond. In Idaho, some banished beavers are credited with building wetlands that protect against wildfires. It's no wonder there are innovative efforts from a former Google engineer to track beaver activity in California. After Los Angeles' recent devastating wildfires, all remedies are on the table. The United Kingdom has experienced some of the biggest benefits after embracing the return of beavers. In the English countryside, beavers have made their local habitats more resilient to drought and flooding. In Scotland, beavers have played a major role in propping up endangered water voles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Encouragingly, beavers are continually being reintroduced to new areas in the U.K., marking returns to areas after centuries of being away. When it comes to their impact on the Bamff waterways, Willby said their "work adds weight to the already compelling evidence of the beneficial effects of beaver ponds in the landscape." For that reason, embracing beavers and their dams is the path Willby wants Scotland to take "to realize these benefits rather than robbing ourselves of them." "We must find better ways to accommodate beavers in our landscapes rather than continually removing their dams," Willby concluded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Study leader Hannah White concurred, saying Scotland must "recognise the benefits that beaver-created wetlands can bring for nature and the environment" to achieve its lofty goals as a leader in sustainable and regenerative farming. 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. It's perfectly reasonable for any tourist to want to collect a few souvenirs to remember an enjoyable trip. However, according to researchers from Oxford Brookes University, popular tourist shops in Bali contain a large assortment of illegally obtained skulls of primates. The practice is jeopardizing the safety of a sizable portion of threatened species, per reports by Eco-Business. What's happening? According to a recent study published in the journal Primate Conservation, two researchers uncovered a disturbing market for primate skulls in Indonesia. As noted by the study, the market appears to be most active on the island of Bali, which caters "primarily to international tourists." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The study was conducted in eight separate assessments between 2013 and 2024. The researchers indicated that four towns and a temple complex in Bali served as the main hub for the market. Throughout the 11 years of the study, the researchers observed 754 primate skulls that included macaques, langurs, proboscis monkeys, and orangutans. According to the IUCN Red List, the proboscis monkey and several species of macaques and langurs are considered to be threatened species. To make matters worse, the study reveals that the primate skulls mainly originated from Java and Indonesian Borneo. In fact, there was "minimal local sourcing" when it came to supplying the skulls inside the shops. This points to the likelihood of illegal animal trading activity in the region. Why is the illegal wildlife trade important? According to the World Wildlife Fund, the illegal wildlife trade impacts hundreds of millions of animals and plants each year. The trade severely damages animal populations all throughout the globe. This leads to the possible destruction of delicate ecosystems and region-specific habitats. Not only does this threaten animals, but it can also disrupt the balance of our food chain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While many people might picture the illegal wildlife trade as a seedy underworld, this is not always the case. Study co-author Vincent Nijman from the Oxford Wildlife Trade Research Group at Oxford Brookes told Eco-Business that the primate skull market isn't exactly a well-kept secret. "People always think that wildlife trade happens in dark alleys or under the table. Not this trade," Nijman said. "It is literally in glass cases, in shop windows, on shelves. It's there for all to see." What's being done about the illegal wildlife trade? For now, there are a few ways that people are helping to fight the illegal wildlife trade. The easiest method is awareness campaigns to help persuade potential buyers against smuggling items such as primate skulls. Without demand, the illegal wildlife trade would reduce the supply. According to the World Wildlife Fund, addressing the illegal wildlife trade through stricter legislation can also go a long way in reducing its impact. By promoting tighter laws, illegal traders may be deterred from continuing their practice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It would be beneficial to all if simple, appropriate action is taken. And that simply means shutting down this trade," Nijman told Eco-Business. "Don't buy wildlife. There's no real need for it." 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. Researchers have lost access to a major database of evidence on alleged Russian war crimes, including the locations of more than 30,000 abducted Ukrainian children, and funding for their work has been terminated, according to a letter from House lawmakers and a source familiar with the matter. The Trump administration terminated financial support for the Ukraine Conflict Observatory, a State Department initiative launched in May 2022 to capture, analyze, and make widely available evidence of Russia-perpetrated war crimes and other atrocities in Ukraine. The funding was initially suspended as part of a sweeping foreign aid freeze in late January. The funding has been cut based on the assessments that weve been making regarding what was defining work within our framework of what was in Americas interests, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The evidence collected by the Ukraine Conflict Observatory had been used in efforts to prosecute Russian officials for their alleged involvement in war crimes, including the International Criminal Court arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to a source familiar, when the funding was initially frozen, the database was turned off and researchers at Yale University lost access. The researchers have also lost access to all critical resources, like satellite imaging, needed to collect evidence of war crimes. The database included information not only on the abduction of the Ukrainian children, but on other Russian war crimes as well: attacks on energy infrastructure, attacks on civilian infrastructure, and destruction of cultural sites, the source said. The database was specifically structured to pull together relevant elements for prosecution of war crimes, the source said. It is unclear who has access to the database, what will happen to the critical evidence it holds, and whether it will be able to be shared with the entities like the European Union law enforcement agency Europol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the letter from House lawmakers, Yales Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL) which had been conducting research for the Ukraine Conflict Observatory compiled three reports, sourced from satellite imagery and biometric data, tracking identities and locations of over 30,000 children from Ukraine at dozens of locations. This data is absolutely crucial to Ukraines efforts to return their children home, the lawmakers said in the letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Wednesday. The importance of returning the forcibly transferred Ukrainian children was a key topic in the meeting between top US and Ukrainian officials in Jeddah earlier this month, according to a joint statement after the meeting. In a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Wednesday, President Donald Trump asked about the children who had gone missing from Ukraine during the war, including the ones that had been abducted, according to a statement about the call. President Trump promised to work closely with both parties to help make sure those children were returned home. Wednesdays letter, led by Ohio Democratic Rep. Greg Landsman, noted that the evidence was being preserved to be shared with Europol and the government of Ukraine to secure their return. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yale HRLs funding has been terminated and the status of the secure evidence repository is unknown. This vital resource cannot be lost, it said. The lawmakers said they have reason to believe that the data from the repository has been permanently deleted. If true, this would have devastating consequences, wrote the 17 lawmakers, including Republican Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska. Bruce and another State Department spokesperson said the data had not been deleted. The State Department does not hold the data for the Conflict Observatory. The data resides on a platform owned by MITRE as part of the program, the unnamed spokesperson said, referring questions to the non-profit organization MITRE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To the best of MITREs knowledge and belief, the research data that was compiled has not been deleted and is currently maintained by a former partner on this contract. Department of State has been made aware of data disposition, MITRE told CNN. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) The buzzing of machinery is a constant sound at the site of the Glenbrook Road Bridge Project in Stroudsburg. Its very loud, the pumps run 24/7. So, we cant open a window. Resident Joan Fitzgerald lives right next door to the closure since it was damaged in August 2020 by tropical storm Isaias. Bringing old media back to life at the Dead Media Room They made this much bigger site than I ever anticipated. . . . Its just disappointing that it looks like this and its taking so long. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 28/22 News last spoke to Fitzgerald back in July when the deadline was set to be completed in December of 2024. According to PennDOT that deadline has since been extended to the fall of this year due to the stream being an environmentally sensitive area. Its a high-quality trout stream, its also a trout spawning area and theyve stocked the stream with trout we are restricted by Pennsylvania Boat and Fish Commission for having the contractor be in the stream at all, says Ron Young of PennDOT. Construction crews have been restricted from working on the project during trout season and cant begin back up until June 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The contractor, Kriger Construction, has been designing the project as they build it. Needing to make changes throughout, such as using a sheet pile system with steel barriers. Fitzgerald says she understands the obstacles crews are dealing with but says she just wants it to be done with to get her property back. Sometimes we have to wait, especially when theyre delivering steel. Sometimes I have to park my car up the street. PennDOT officials say they understand the frustrations of local residents but say when it comes to bridge replacement projects there are a lot of moving parts as theyre built to last up to 75 years or longer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 PAhomepage.com. U.S. Rep. Troy Carter, D-La., flanked by U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, speaks to a crowd of employees at the Koura plant in St. Gabriel, La., on Nov. 17, 2023. (Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator). NEW ORLEANS Residents vented their frustration with the Trump administrations recent actions to overhaul the federal government Tuesday at a town hall U.S. Rep. Troy Carter held at Dillard University to discuss potential cuts to Medicaid. More than one-third of Louisiana residents were enrolled in Medicaid as of February 2025, according to data from the Louisiana Department of Health, and over 50% of Orleans Parish residents rely on the program. Medicaid provides health care to low-income families and people who are disabled, pregnant or have life-threatening conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But voters brought up a variety of other issues that have arisen over Donald Trumps first two months in office including federal budget cuts to the Department of Education, weapons shipments to Israel, the arrest of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil and how to best mobilize against the Trump administrations efforts to undermine democratic processes. Carter, a Democrat representing Louisianas 2nd District, said the current state of affairs amounts to a constitutional crisis. If the federal government doesnt provide for these issues, state by state, there will be people that will go unserved, Carter said. We cant afford to have people discriminated against, isolated and left to die. Attendees told Carter that they felt helpless, confused and worried about the federal governments actions. In response, Carter told the concerned residents to take to social media and to call elected officials in Louisiana and other states to express their dissatisfaction with Democratic leaders in Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX One attendee, Andrew Cosgrove, asked Carter how to increase political engagement among residents. Carters response encouraging voting and organizing among church groups and on social media did little to satisfy Cosgrove or other attendees who spoke with Verite News. It seemed like he had no plan and no answers, Cosgrove told Verite News after the town hall. Hes saying, Make sure you vote next time, but hes talking to a room of folks who voted and then took time out of their night to go to a town hall meeting, so that didnt make any sense to me. Carter hosted a panel with three health care experts Shondra Williams, president and CEO of health equity system InclusivCare; Dr. Jennifer Avegno, the director of the City of New Orleans Health Department; and Dr. Rebekah Gee, the former secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health who spoke to the community about what Medicaid cuts would mean for Louisiana.They emphasized the role Medicaid has played in increasing access to rural health and preventative care, including early cancer diagnoses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2016, Louisiana expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, which Avegno said allowed rural hospitals in the state to remain open as others in the region shuttered. Around 70% of Louisianas $19.9 billion health care budget now comes from federal funds. New Orleans Health Department Director Dr. Jennifer Avegno listens while Shondra Williams, president and CEO of health equity system InclusivCare, speaks to the crowd at a town hall hosted by U.S. Rep. Troy Carter at Dillard University on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (Safura Syed/Verite News) Now, the federal program, along with Medicare, face up to $880 billion in budget cuts over the next ten years to continue financing Trumps 2017 tax law, set to expire at the end of the year, as well as increase defense and border spending. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said the only way the Trump administration can complete its spending goals is by cutting Medicaid or Medicare. The bill, which has already passed through the House, would also cut $230 million from the committee that oversees SNAP and farmer support programs over the next decade. Budget cuts would cause some people to lose their coverage and undo positive health care outcomes the state has seen since Medicaid expansion, panelists said. Avegno said that Medicaid cuts could also overburden hospitals that see lots of Medicaid patients if rural hospitals are forced to close. People will be sicker when they present, Avegno said. They will show up in the ER in distress, and there will be more deaths. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carter told Verite News that based on pure numbers, the bill would pass easily in the Senate. But, he also said that Democrat lawmakers will try to block the Medicaid slashing bill and others that could jeopardize citizens quality of life, especially those that may be unconstitutional. Some voters expressed frustration with the lack of specificity in Carters responses in how to stop bills from being signed. So what people, I think, were asking for was something specific that doesnt exist, Carter said after the town hall. There isnt a law. Because we dont have the votes to pass a law. During the town hall, Mid-City resident Lalla Robinson accused Carter of speaking in platitudes and said she wants more honesty from her elected officials. They wont say they dont know what to do, Robinson said. They need to be honest about that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Others, though, said it was up to the people to fight back against Trumps policies. Sheila Bernard came to the town hall because she was concerned about the new presidential administrations actions. Bernard is on Medicare, and said she was still worried after hearing from the panelists. We really have to come up with strategies to make our voices heard, Bernard 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. Winds of up to 75 mph were fanning multiple fast-moving Oklahoma wildfires on Wednesday morning, prompting evacuation orders for towns in the path of the flames, officials said. Firefighters are battling blazes in Logan, Pawnee, Beckham and Roger Mills counties, including one about seven miles northwest of Sweetwater, near the Oklahoma-Texas border, officials said. Residents of Meridian were ordered to evacuate early Wednesday as a fire came within two miles of the Logan County town. Officials rescinded the order after several hours as a cold front developed and raised humidity in the area, officials said. PHOTO: Firefighters extinguish hotspots, March 15, 2025, at a home that was destroyed in Mannford, Oklahoma. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) In Roger Mills County, residents of Durham and Dead Warrior Lake were also told to evacuate around 4 a.m. local time Wednesday, as a fire nearby was spreading rapidly, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fires erupted amid red flag warnings for extreme fire danger that were issued by the National Weather Service. "Firefighters and incident responders should anticipate extreme fire behavior, including wind-driven and torching fire," the NWS office in Norman, Oklahoma, said in a social media post around 6 a.m. PHOTO: Fire Danger. (ABC News) There were no reports of injuries or structures damaged from the blazes. The fires came on the heels of a 30,000 acre wildfire that erupted on Friday in Logan County and destroyed more than 100 homes. The Logan County fire was just 25% contained on Tuesday and officials suspect embers from the blaze caused the new fire near Meridian on Wednesday. PHOTO: Severe Weather Outlook. (ABC News) At one point over the weekend, there were 130 fires reported in 44 counties across Oklahoma that killed four people, destroyed more than 400 homes and burned a total of 170,000 acres, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: 4 dead and 142 injured in Oklahoma wildfires; more than 400 homes damaged statewide The Oklahoma fires erupted amid severe weather across the South and Midwest, which included several deadly tornadoes and dust storms. At least 42 people were killed, including two young brothers in North Carolina when an uprooted tree fell on their mobile home. MORE: 2 young brothers among at least 42 deaths as tornadoes swept US Up to 26 million people were under red flag warnings on Wednesday morning from west Texas to Illinois. Dangerous fire conditions -- including high winds, dry vegetation and low humidity -- are also expected Wednesday in parts of West Virginia, eastern Ohio and eastern Kentucky. PHOTO: Severe Weather Outlook. (ABC News) Up to 75 million people were under high wind alerts on Wednesday in 20 states from Nebraska to Georgia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, more than 3 million people were under a blizzard warning on Wednesday from Colorado to Minnesota, where blowing snow is expected to be so strong that visibility will be reduced to a quarter-mile or less, making travel on roadways hazardous. Snow accumulations could reach 2 to 10 inches across the area, with winds gusting over 70 mph. A line of thunderstorms is expected to move through the upper Midwest on Wednesday, creating the risk of strong tornadoes. Cities with the greatest risk of seeing severe weather include Peoria and Springfield, Illinois. Severe weather is also expected to move into Chicago; Fort Wayne and Indianapolis, Indiana; and Louisville, Kentucky. ABC News' Kenton Gewecke and Ginger Zee contributed to this report. Residents told to 'leave now' as wildfires threaten Oklahoma towns originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The proposal considered Tuesday night was meant to be a big stand by a small city, an effort to protect from the Trump administration a vast swath of vulnerable people the LGBTQ+ community, undocumented immigrants and women seeking reproductive healthcare. Instead, it turned the Ventura City Council meeting into a packed, five-hour forum for some of the country's biggest divides. More than 130 people signed up to give the council a piece of their minds. Some choked up. Others shouted. There were dueling signs: "Trans Rights Are Human Rights." Graphic photos of aborted fetuses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "For those of you who haven't had to live in fear, you're lucky, but you're also probably straight white men. The reality is many of us live in fear. This policy is needed to help reduce that fear," Shawn Terris, a former U.S. Marine Corps captain, said during public comment. An overflow crowd attends the meeting, (Michael Owen Baker/For The Times) She added, to jeers and cheers: "I believe Jesus Christ would approve this policy." Nate Hargus, an antiabortion activist, told the City Council: "Y'all guys are not voting on healthcare. You are voting on whether or not to kill innocent children. ... Y'all guys are willing to protect everyone but the ones that cannot protect themselves." In the end, the City Council delayed doing anything about what is being called the Ventura CARE Policy, which is, in essence, a broad-based "sanctuary city" ordinance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: L.A. City Council proposes new measures to protect immigrants from Trump Councilmember Liz Campos, who introduced the Community Autonomy, Rights and Equality Policy, pulled it from consideration. She plans to fine-tune its language and bring it back to the council next month. When fellow council members suggested boiling the wide-ranging measure down to a statement reaffirming support for marginalized communities, people in the audience shouted: "We don't want your statement, cowards!" and "We'll defend ourselves! Shame on you!" "In addition to filling potholes and making decisions about ... smaller projects, I think that our residents expect us to protect them," Campos told fellow council members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She added: "I have some very strong feelings about keeping this as powerful as possible." Ventura City Councilmember Liz Campos, left, Deputy Mayor Doug Halter, and Mayor Jeannette Sanchez-Palacios listen to speakers during public comment. (Michael Owen Baker/For The Times) The CARE Policy calls for local officials and law enforcement to refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement and potential investigations into people giving or receiving gender-affirming or reproductive care. It prompted concerns from some members of the public and the City Council that President Trump who has vowed to cut off federal funds for sanctuary cities would target the city of 110,000 people. "I'm not convinced that we're not going to be putting millions of dollars for this city at risk," said Deputy Mayor Doug Halter, adding that he understood the need for people "who are being attacked" to feel protected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Jeannette Sanchez-Palacios said she would "rather have people be mad at me because I voted this down than to be happy with me because I'm voting for something that's still not going to do what they think it's going to do." She did not, she said, want to give people "a false sense of protection, a false sense of hope." Campos told The Times before the meeting that the ordinance was intentionally sweeping in scope to protect "communities under attack by a president who thinks that he can use executive orders to change the Constitution." Much like sanctuary city policies adopted by municipalities nationwide including Los Angeles and San Francisco the Ventura CARE Policy would bar the use of city funds, resources and personnel to aid "federal immigration enforcement activities, including deportation raids, detentions, or investigations" initiated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or other federal entities. Lori Mills speaks against the CARE Policy. (Michael Owen Baker/For The Times) The ordinance would bar city employees, including law enforcement, from sharing individuals' immigration status or other data that could be used to determine it with federal agencies "without a legal signed and authorized judicial warrant." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CARE Policy also would prohibit the use of city resources to investigate people seeking or providing gender-affirming or reproductive care including abortion services and contraceptives within Ventura city limits. Read more: Trump's rebuke to 'gender ideology' changes federal policy and sets up clash with California The city "will not recognize or enforce subpoenas, warrants, or requests from out-of-state entities seeking information or assistance regarding individuals who have traveled to Ventura for reproductive or gender-affirming healthcare," the proposal says. Much of the policy is already covered by state law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Access to abortion and contraception is enshrined in the California Constitution. State law blocks out-of-state attempts to penalize families that come to California seeking medical treatment for transgender children and teens. And a sanctuary state law limits how law enforcement can work with federal immigration authorities. The Ventura CARE Policy is being debated as Trump moves with dizzying speed and a slew of executive orders to crack down on illegal immigration and target the rights of transgender people. Attendees hold signs at the meeting. (Michael Owen Baker/For The Times) Last week, he invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 in an attempt to use wartime powers to deport undocumented immigrants with little to no due process. (A federal judge halted deportations under the order hours later.) Trump in January signed an executive order currently blocked nationwide aiming to end birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants. Another executive order declares that the federal government recognizes only "two sexes, male and female" that "are not changeable." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An additional executive order reinforces the Hyde Amendment, which restricts federal funding including via Medicaid coverage for most abortions. Dale Marinus, a Ventura resident who was the first public commenter, told the council that he disagreed with the policy and that he had sent copies of it to multiple federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Justice. Jeff Wentling, a lifelong Ventura resident who said he was a father of four and grandfather of nine, said he was bothered by the portions of the CARE Policy that dealt with gender-affirming care. "I believe that we need to let kids be kids and that we don't need to be talking about things that are of sexual nature to young kids," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added: "Now, we're talking about people having sex changes when they're teenagers. When I was a teenager, I was a break dancer, I was a skateboarder, I was all these different things. And thank God I didn't do something to myself that I would live to regret later." Wentling was followed at the microphone by Amber Thompson, a transgender woman and mother of two who has lived in Ventura for 25 years. "My gender is not sexual," she said in response to his comments. Thompson and Michelle Rosenblum, another transgender woman who lives in Ventura, told The Times that they worked together on the original draft of the CARE Policy, which they submitted to Campos, who collaborated with them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rosenblum said that, after Trump was reelected, she rushed to get her California birth certificate updated to show that she had transitioned. Michelle Rosenblum, a transgender woman, attends the Ventura City Council meeting. Rosenblum advocated for the CARE Policy. (Michael Owen Baker/For The Times) She then applied to renew her passport, which she had not updated since she was a child. She applied as a female but received a letter from the U.S. Department of State saying her application had to be changed "to correct your information to show your biological sex at birth." Rosenblum said that working on the CARE Policy made her feel like, at least, she could do something locally to try to make a difference. "Like many of us, I was anxious," she said. "Weve been doomscrolling. It was like, what can I do? I can make posts on Bluesky or Instagram, but I wanted to take action. Thompson said the CARE Policy was written to cover the three communities LGBTQ+ people, immigrants and women "because there's strength in numbers." An antiabortion protester shouts at members of the Ventura City Council. (Michael Owen Baker/For The Times) "When you look at just a trans policy alone, youre talking about 1% of folks being transgender themselves plus our allies, and youre going to have a loud, vocal opposition," she said. By being more inclusive, creating a bigger tent, there could be more support for a policy like this to pass. ... All three of these segments need strong protections right now. In an Instagram video Wednesday morning, Thompson said she hopes that when the CARE Policy is brought back to the City Council next month, it will be "stronger, clearer and legally fortified against bad-faith attacks." "We will all show up when this policy returns, and we expect Ventura's leadership to show up for us too with real protections, not just performative politics," she said. "We will not settle for less, and we don't deserve any less. See you in six weeks." Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Tel Aviv For a second night in a row, Israel's military launched airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, killing at least 13 more people by early Wednesday after more than 400 were killed the previous day, according to health officials in the Hamas-run Palestinian territory. Israel's military said it had targeted a Hamas military site in the enclave's southern al-Mawasi humanitarian zone, near the border with Egypt. At least two civilians were among those killed Wednesday, according to the Red Crescent. Separately, the United Nations agency UNOPS, which helps implement humanitarian, development and peacebuilding projects around the world, said Wednesday that one of its staffers had apparently been killed in a blast in the central Gaza city of Deir al-Balah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Reports are coming in that a UNOPS colleague has been killed in a detonation in Deir al Balah. It is understood that UNOPS accommodation was hit at approximately 11:30 a.m. this morning," the agency said. The statement from UNOPS came a couple hours after Israel's military issued a statement denying reports that it had struck "a U.N. compound" in Deir al-Balah, and adding a call for "media outlets to act with caution regarding unverified reports." The mounting deaths come after Israel definitively ended a two-month ceasefire with Hamas before dawn Tuesday, resuming full-scale military operations in Gaza and threatening to ramp up its assault further. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a national address Tuesday night, vowed more strikes to force Hamas to release all of the remaining 59 hostages held in Gaza, about two dozen of whom are still believed to be alive. On Wednesday, Israel said it launched a "limited ground operation" in northern Gaza to retake part of a corridor that bisects it, The Associated Press reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even before Israel resumed military operations it had halted all humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza, drawing warnings from aid agencies and the United Nations that civilians would suffer unduly for the impasse in talks aimed at extending the ceasefire. "It would be a blessing if this kid passed" Dr. Marc Perlmutter, an American surgeon who has been volunteering at the al-Aqsa hospital in Deir al-Balah, northern Gaza, told CBS News on Tuesday that the facility was struggling to cope with the influx of new patients wounded by Israel's attacks, and that young Palestinians were among those with the worst injuries. "The level of bodily damage that these children get in particular is insane. My surgeries there consisted of 4- and 5- and 6-year-old kids with significant nerve injuries, and I've had to borrow nerves from both of their legs to graft nerves in their arms," he told CBS News in a phone interview. "Israel has no trouble bombing hospital grounds. Fifty feet from me is a mosque that was thoroughly destroyed. There's no inhibition on their part to focus on population centers." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perlmutter said given the complete lack of medical supplies he doesn't even have soap to wash his hands made it impossible to properly treat some of the children coming in with grave injuries. Speaking of one boy, he said "it would be a blessing if this kid passed, because of the amount of pain and the amount of destruction in his body and our ability to deal with it in this setting is impossibly limited and there's no place to transfer him to. There's no level-one trauma center. They're all overwhelmed." Israeli protesters condemn Netanyahu's return to war Black plumes rose along Israel's border fence with Gaza on Tuesday as the tired but unrelenting mother of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker, holding a smoke canister up to the sky, angrily protested Netanyahu's resumption of military operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Don't let the prime minister and the members of his government sacrifice the lives of my son Matan and of all the other living hostages just to remain in power," shouted Zangauker, a prominent leader of the protests that happen every week. "We will not give up on you, we will not allow a return to fighting." Hamas terrorists kidnapped her 25-year-old son from Kibbutz Nir Oz during the unprecedented massacre on Oct. 7, 2023. Demonstrations, led by hostages' families, have exploded across Israel since the strikes in Gaza resumed, with thousands rallying regularly outside Israel's legislature, the Knesset, in Jerusalem and Israel's military headquarters, the Kirya, in Tel Aviv. "I don't think they're listening. I don't think that they're listening to the people to the people who elected them," hostage supporter Carmeet Roth told CBS News at a new tent encampment outside the defense complex. She said she was "horrified" when Israel's military relaunched airstrikes on Gaza after nearly two months of a fragile ceasefire. Her hopes for more hostages coming out alive have fallen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think it is much less likely," she said, shaking her head. "We've seen it before. I mean, it never brought them back. Only agreements and deals brought them back. That's the way to move forward." National polls consistently show a majority of Israelis 70% in a February survey -- want the ceasefire plan agreed to by Israel and Hamas, which was negotiated by the U.S., Egypt and Qatar, to continue as originally laid out. A second phase of that plan, which should have begun on March 1, stipulated the release of more living hostages in exchange for the full withdrawal of Israel's military from Gaza. Israel, with support from the Trump administration, demanded a change to those terms as Phase-1 of the agreement ended, however, accusing Hamas of breaching the deal and calling for an extension of the first phase under a new plan it attributed to the White House. Will Gaza assault destroy Hamas, or just leave "more hostages dead"? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Retired General Israel Ziv knows a lot about how Israeli forces operate in the Gaza Strip. He commanded the military's Gaza division during the last major clash in the early 2000s, which, while it paled in comparison to the current war, saw heavy casualties on both sides. But the 30-year veteran warned that Israel's military may have reached its limit in forcing Hamas to bend to the will of Netanyahu and his far-right government, which has vowed repeatedly to achieve its stated goal of destroying Hamas. "You can go up to, let's say, 80%, 90% of destroying the Hamas," he said. "But this last 10%, which is the hardest and the most problematic one, you cannot achieve militarily." Ziv said only a political solution could bring a lasting peace between Israel and Hamas, and he accused Netanyahu of operating "without enough courage to bring some political solutions to the table." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ziv said Netanyahu was stuck with a Catch-22: Vowing to free the remaining hostages safely while at the same time trying to kill the people who are holding them. Israel Defense Forces International spokesman Nadav Shoshani insists the military is ready to increase pressure on Hamas, and that doing so would bring the remaining hostages home. "We're ready with a different set of plans, including more troops on the ground and a ground operation if needed," he told CBS News at a briefing this week. "History shows that the military pressure could bring back hostages." Ziv disagrees with that assessment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We know over a year now that military pressure does not bring back the hostages," he said. "And in some cases, the other way - it kills them. It kills hostages." "To my opinion, unfortunately, if we keep on just with those raids and attacks, I think we're going to see more hostages dead." Sneak peek: The Puzzling Death of Susann Sills Inside Trump's call with Vladimir Putin 100 years since deadliest tornado in U.S. history Retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer on Wednesday defended federal judges that have come under withering criticism from President Donald Trump and his allies for a series of rulings that have slowed the White Houses agenda. Breyer, who retired from the court in 2022, said that every judge in the nation is aware of the climate of the era but said that they must nevertheless decide controversial cases based on their best if sometimes imperfect reading of the law. You decide what you think is correct in the law. Period, Breyer said during an exclusive interview on The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer & Pamela Brown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But are you aware of whats going in the country? Yes, you are, he added. Breyers remarks came as federal judges have faced fierce criticism from the Trump administration over rulings that have temporarily halted some of the presidents actions, including a block on rapid deportations under a wartime authority enacted in 1798. Trump urged Congress to impeach the judge involved in that case, which prompted a highly unusual public statement from Chief Justice John Roberts on Tuesday. Roberts urged parties who lose in lower courts to appeal those decisions rather than threatening to impeach the judge who made them. Breyer told CNN that he thought Roberts statement was appropriate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes trying to explain to the people of this country how the legal system works and how it doesnt work, Breyer said of Roberts. It doesnt work by impeaching a judge because you dont like his decision. Breyer demurred when asked by Blitzer if the nation is nearing a constitutional crisis. No one really knows. People have different views on that, Breyer said. The best thing for the judges is, you follow the law. Breyer, nominated to the court by President Bill Clinton, announced his retirement in 2022. President Joe Biden named Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, a former Breyer clerk, to replace him and she was confirmed by the Senate in April of that same year. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The Colorado Republican Party was left scrambling, looking for a new location for its annual fundraising dinner after The Antlers in downtown Evidence of war crimes valued at US$26 million may have been deleted due to the US suspension of a programme to track Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. Source: Reuters, as reported by European Pravda Details: US Democratic lawmakers will call on President Donald Trump's administration to restore a programme that helps track thousands of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. They state that the Trump administration has terminated a government-funded initiative led by the Yale Humanities Research Laboratory (Yale HRL) which tracked the mass deportation of children from Ukraine amid cuts to a wide range of US government programmes and most foreign aid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of State and Yale HRL preserved evidence of the abduction of children from Ukraine that they had identified to share with Europol and the government of Ukraine to ensure the childrens return. This decision by the Trump administration means that researchers have lost access to a huge amount of information, including satellite images and other data, on about 30,000 children taken from Ukraine. "We have reason to believe that the data from the repository has been permanently deleted. If true, this would have devastating consequences," the Democratic lawmakers, led by Ohio Representative Greg Landsman, said in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent seen by Reuters on Tuesday and due to be sent on Wednesday. The programme's cancellation was first reported by the Washington Post. The news came on the same day that Trump and Russian ruler Vladimir Putin had a phone conversation in which Russia did not agree to a 30-day cessation of hostilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A person familiar with the tracking programme said that US$26 million worth of evidence of war crimes was removed after the Department of State terminated its contract with Yale HRL. "They took US$26 million of US taxpayers money used for war crimes data and threw it into the woodchipper, including the dossiers on all the children," the person said. "If you wanted to protect President Putin [Ukrainska Pravda does not refer to Vladimir Putin as president ed.] from prosecution, you nuke that thing. And they did it. Its the final court-admissible version with all the metadata," the source said. Background: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March 2023, Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Russian ruler Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, who is the Russian Presidential Commissioner for Children's Rights and who is also accused of war crimes related to the illegal deportation and abduction of Ukrainian children. In December 2024, during Joe Biden's presidency, the US Department of State announced visa restrictions against five individuals linked to the forced deportation, relocation and detention of Ukrainian children. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Most of the United States major climate regulations are underpinned by one important document: Its called the endangerment finding, and it concludes that greenhouse gas emissions are a threat to human health and welfare. The Trump administration is vowing to eliminate it. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin referred to the 2009 endangerment finding as the holy grail of the climate religion when he announced on March 12, 2025, that he would reconsider the finding and all U.S. climate regulations and actions that rely on it. That would include rules to control planet-warming emissions of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane from power plants, vehicles and oil and gas operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But revoking the endangerment finding isnt a simple task. And doing so could have unintended consequences for the very industries Trump is trying to help. As a law professor, I have tracked federal climate regulations and the lawsuits and court rulings that have followed them over the past 25 years. To understand the challenges, lets look at the endangerment findings origins and Zeldins options. Origin and limits of the endangerment finding In 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Massachusetts v. EPA that six greenhouse gases are pollutants under the Clean Air Act and that the EPA has a duty under the same law to determine whether they pose a danger to public health or welfare. The court also ruled that once the EPA made an endangerment finding, the agency would have a mandatory duty under the Clean Air Act to regulate all sources that contribute to the danger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Court emphasized that the endangerment finding was a scientific determination and rejected a laundry list of policy arguments made by the George W. Bush administration for why the government preferred to use nonregulatory approaches to reduce emissions. The court said the only question was whether sufficient scientific evidence exists to determine whether greenhouse gases are harmful. The endangerment finding was the EPAs response. The finding was challenged and upheld in 2012 by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. In that case, Coalition for Responsible Regulation v. EPA, the court found that the body of scientific evidence marshaled by the EPA in support of the endangerment finding is substantial. The Supreme Court declined to review the decision. The endangerment finding was updated and confirmed by the EPA in 2015 and 2016. Challenging the endangerment finding The scientific basis for the endangerment finding is stronger today than it was in 2009. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Changes latest assessment report, involving hundreds of scientists and thousands of studies from around the world, concluded that the scientific evidence for warming of the climate system is unequivocal and that greenhouse gases from human activities are causing it. According to the National Climate Assessment released in 2023, the effects of human-caused climate change are already far-reaching and worsening across every region of the United States. Summer temperatures have climbed in much of the U.S. and the world as greenhouse gas emissions have risen. Fifth National Climate Assessment During President Donald Trumps first term, then-EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt considered repealing the endangerment finding but ultimately decided against it. In fact, he relied on it in proposing the Affordable Clean Energy Rule to replace President Barack Obamas Clean Power Plan for regulating emissions for coal-fired power plants. What happens if the EPA revokes the endangerment finding? For the Trump administration to now revoke that finding, Zeldin must first recruit new members of the EPAs Science Advisory Board to replace those dismissed by the Trump administration. Congress created the board in 1978 to provide independent, unbiased scientific advice to the EPA administrator, and it has consistently supported the 2009 endangerment finding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zeldin must then initiate rulemaking in compliance with the Administrative Procedure Act, provide the opportunity for public comment and respond to comments that are likely to be voluminous. This process could take several months if done properly. If Zeldin then decides to revoke the endangerment finding, lawsuits will immediately challenge the move. Even if Zeldin is able to revoke the finding, that does not automatically repeal all the rules that rely on it. Each of those rules must go through separate rulemaking processes that will also take months. Zeldin could simply refuse to enforce the rules on the books while he reconsiders the endangerment finding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, a blanket policy abdicating any enforcement responsibility could be challenged in lawsuits as arbitrary and capricious. Further, the regulated industries would be taking a chance if they delayed complying with regulations only to find the endangerment finding and climate laws still in place. Zeldins cost argument Zeldin previewed his arguments in a news release on March 12. His first argument is that the 2009 endangerment finding did not consider costs. However, that argument was rejected by the D.C. Circuit Court in Coalition for Responsible Regulation v. EPA. Cost becomes relevant once the EPA considers new regulations after the endangerment finding. Moreover, in a unanimous 2001 decision, the Supreme Court in Whitman v. American Trucking Associations held that the EPA cannot consider cost in setting air quality standards. A repeal could backfire Repealing the endangerment finding could also backfire on the fossil fuel industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement States and cities have filed dozens of lawsuits against the major oil companies. The industrys strongest argument has been that these cases are preempted by federal law. In AEP v. Connecticut in 2011, the Supreme Court ruled that the Clean Air Act displaced federal common law, barring state claims for remedies related to damages from climate change. However, if the endangerment finding is repealed, then there is arguably no basis for federal preemption, and these state lawsuits would have legal grounds. Prominent industry lawyers have warned the EPA about this and urged it to focus instead on changing individual regulations. The industry is concerned enough that it may try to get Congress to grant it immunity from climate lawsuits. To the extent that Zeldin is counting on the conservative Supreme Court to back him up, he may be disappointed. In 2024, the court overturned the Chevron doctrine, which required courts to defer to agencies reasonable interpretations when laws were ambiguous. That means Zeldins reinterpretation of the statute is not entitled to deference. Nor can he count on the court overturning its Massachusetts v. EPA ruling to free him to disregard science for policy reasons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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: Patrick Parenteau, Vermont Law & Graduate School Read more: Patrick Parenteau 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. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) sued the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) on March 18 over the termination of grant funding, arguing that the step violates federal laws and the Constitution. The congressionally authorized grant funding for RFE/RL has been terminated after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered USAGM, a government agency overseeing RFE/RL, Radio Free Asia, and Voice of America, to be dismantled. RFE/RL was founded early in the Cold War to counter Soviet propaganda in Eastern Bloc countries. It has since continued providing coverage of Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, and countries in Central Asia, the Balkans, the Caucasus, and elsewhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The outlet argues that the Trump administration's decision violates the Constitution as the funding was approved by Congress. "This is not the time to cede terrain to the propaganda and censorship of Americas adversaries. We believe the law is on our side and that the celebration of our demise by despots around the world is premature," said RFE/RL President and CEO Stephen Capus. Trump's crackdown against RFE/RL and VoA, which has been celebrated by Russian propagandists, coincides with his outreach to Moscow as he seeks to broker a peace deal in Ukraine. U.S. courts have previously sought to stall some of the executive's most radical cuts, which were presented as an effort to slash waste, including the gutting of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's allies have publicly questioned the court's jurisdiction over the executive branch's decisions, raising concerns about a looming constitutional crisis. As the future of U.S. legal battles remains uncertain, European countries launched discussions on stepping in and taking over the outlet's funding needs. "Do we see value in such an organization, broadcasting to countries like Russia, Belarus, Iran, and many others? And if we see such value, what are we willing to do to keep such a service in our favor?" Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said. RFE/RL's headquarters is located in Prague. Martin Dvorak, the Czech European affairs minister, said that the Czech initiative to fund RFE/RL has already received backing from 10 countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Zelensky announces talk with Trump on March 19; says Russia attacked Ukraines power grid despite claimed pause Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) Ricci Wynne, the San Francisco influencer known as RawRicci415 to legions of social media followers, was indicted by a federal grand jury on Tuesday. Wynne was charged with using minors to produce child pornography. Before his arrest, Wynne was one of the citys most high-profile neighborhood watchdogs. The anti-crime activist was arrested at San Francisco International Airport after he stepped off a flight from Miami on November 24, 2024, according to an indictment filed on March 18 in U.S. District Court Northern District of California San Francisco. He was arrested at the airport on suspicion of felony pimping. Ricci Wynne is seen during a Zoom interview with KRON4 in 2022. (KRON4 Image) In the indictment, prosecutors state that in April and October of 2022, Wynne induced or enticed two minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct. Prosecutors alleged that Wynne produced child pornography with the intention of making profits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators said they seized the 39-year-old influencers Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max as evidence. Wynne currently remains in custody, according to federal court records. He made a social media splash from 2022-2024 by using his cellphones camera to expose abysmal street conditions and open-air drug markets around the city. Videos posted on his social media profiles racked up thousands of views. Wynne is no stranger to falling on the wrong side of the law. He previously served jail time for drug dealing. Hard lessons learned from his previous life as a drug addict motivated him to get clean and expose crime in the city, he said. KRON4 interviewed Wynne for news stories about the fentanyl epidemic in San Francisco, a wild carjacking caught on camera, and when he sought a job at City Hall. Just two months before his arrest, the influencer appeared at a campaign rally for Mayor Daniel Lurie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a 2023 interview, Wynne told KRON4, I changed my life and am trying to do something good for the community. (San Franciscans) need to stand up for our city. By running away, you dont do anything. 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. UPDATE: According to the Ridgecrest Police Department a 15-year-old girl who voluntarily left her residence Tuesday night has been found and is home safely. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) The Ridgecrest Police Department is asking for the communitys help in searching for a 15-year-old girl who left her residence Tuesday night. Officals with the police department said Kaitlynn Ashley, 15, voluntarily left her residence Tuesday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ashley is described as 4 feet, 5 inches tall and weighs 90 pounds. According to police, she was last seen wearing a purple jacket and jeans. If she is seen you are asked to contact the Ridgerest Police Department at 760-499-5100. 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. ISLAMABAD (AP) A leading rights group said on Wednesday that Pakistan's authorities have intensified pressure on Afghan refugees to go back to neighboring Afghanistan, where they risk persecution by the Taliban and face dire economic conditions. Pakistani officials should immediately stop coercing Afghans to return home and give those facing expulsion the opportunity to seek protection, said Elaine Pearson, Asia director at New York-based Human Rights Watch. The Taliban authorities in Afghanistan should prevent any reprisals against returning Afghans and reverse their abusive policies against women and girls, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pakistan set a March 31 deadline for the deportation of all foreigners living illegally in the country. Most of them are Afghans. The HRW appeal came a month after the Afghan Embassy in Islamabad said that Pakistan has stepped up arrests of Afghan citizens in Islamabad and nearby Rawalpindi for forced expulsion. However, Pakistan has dismissed the allegation by Kabul, saying that the authorities were only trying to facilitate conditions for the swift return of Afghans to their home country. More than 500,000 Afghans who fled the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021 have been living without papers in Pakistan, thousands of them waiting for resettlement in the United States and elsewhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are also around 1.45 million Afghan refugees, registered with the U.N. refugee agency, most of whom fled during the 1979-1989 Soviet occupation of their country. Last July, Pakistan extended the stay of refugees registered with UNHCR until June, saying they won't be arrested or deported at least until the extension expires. In January, U.S. President Donald Trump paused American refugee programs for at least three months and since then, around 20,000 Afghans who were awaiting resettlement in Pakistan are now in limbo. Afghans waiting for relocation to the United States have also urged Trump to restore the refugee program to end their ordeal. HRW said in a statement that the human rights situation in Afghanistan has continued to deteriorate since the Taliban takeover in August 2021. Women and girls are banned from post primary education and denied a broad range of rights and freedoms. Human rights defenders, journalists, and former government personnel are at particular risk, the group said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The statement also said that Afghans returning to their country struggle to survive amid Afghanistans soaring unemployment rate, broken health care system and dwindling foreign assistance. Earlier this year, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had also approved the March 31 deadline for the deportation of those Afghans awaiting relocation to third countries unless their cases are swiftly processed by the governments that have agreed to take them. Afghanistan is not safe for any forced refugee returns, Pearson said, Countries that pledged to resettle at-risk Afghans should respond to the urgency of the situation in Pakistan and expedite those cases. HRW said that Pakistans Interior Ministry has also announced that Afghans without official residence documents, along with holders of Afghan Citizen Cards, must leave the cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi or face deportation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Afghans holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards must leave by June 30, it said. More than 800,000 Afghans have returned home or have been expelled by force from Pakistan since 2023, according to the International Organization for Migration, a U.N. agency that tracks migration. More than 70% of those returning to Afghanistan have been women and children, including girls of secondary school age and women who will no longer have access to education, according to HRW. The group said that Pakistani police have raided houses, beat and arbitrarily detained people, and confiscated refugee documents, including residence permits. They have demanded bribes to allow Afghans to remain in Pakistan." By Nate Raymond BOSTON (Reuters) -The operator of a high-end brothel network in the greater Boston area and the suburbs of Washington, whose hundreds of customers included politicians, corporate executives, lawyers and military officers, was sentenced on Wednesday to four years in prison. Han Lee, 42, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Julia Kobick in Boston after pleading guilty in September to conspiring to persuade, induce and entice primarily Asian women to travel to Massachusetts and Virginia to engage in prostitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There were many vulnerable women who because of your actions spent their days selling their bodies to strangers, often many strangers each day," Kobick told Lee. Prosecutors said that in the three years before her November 2023 arrest, Lee ran one of the most successful prostitution networks on the East Coast out of apartment complexes in Cambridge and Watertown, Massachusetts and Fairfax and Tysons, Virginia. Prosecutors say clients paid $350 to $600 per hour for sexual encounters with women featured on two websites that advertised nude models for professional photography as a front for Han Lee's prostitution business, which operated since at least 2020. Assistant U.S. Attorney Linsdey Weinstein said the enterprise Lee ran with the help of two co-defendants was highly profitable, generating at least $5.6 million in illicit funds that were laundered, which Lee must now forfeit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defense lawyer Scott Lauer stressed that Lee "tried to do her best for the women who worked for her," having been a sex worker herself. He said she never coerced them and shared as much as 70% of the business's revenues with the women. "I tried my best to help other people," Lee, a South Korean immigrant, said through an interpreter. Authorities say the network's hundreds of customers included elected officials, pharmaceutical and technology executives, doctors, military officers, professors, lawyers, business executives, scientists and accountants. The identities of some of those clients began to emerge on Friday, as the first dozen of 28 alleged sex buyers who authorities had been seeking to pursue state-level misdemeanor charges against in Massachusetts were formally charged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 12 men so far include a pharmaceutical executive, a dentist, a software engineer and a radiology technologist at a Boston hospital. While federal prosecutors also made referrals of alleged customers to authorities in Virginia, prosecutors there said they concluded they did not have sufficient evidence to make a case against any clients under the state's solicitation statute. (Reporting by Nate Raymond in BostonEditing by Bill Berkrot) LAWRENCE, Wis. (WFRV) Officials say an active structure fire in the Town of Lawrence is forcing drivers to find an alternate route for their Wednesday morning commute. According to a post on social media by the Town of Lawrence, Mid Valley Drive is closed from Little Rapids Road to Quarry Park Drive. Wisconsin man arrested for third OWI offense after leading Fond du Lac County deputies on 9-mile pursuit Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The closure comes as fire crews are actively working to put out a structure fire. Officials ask that drivers find an alternate route. No other information is available at this time. Local Five will update this story should additional details be released. 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. SALINA, Kan. (KSNW) The Rolling Hills Zoo in Salina has welcomed a new snow leopard. Bettina the snow leopard (Courtesy: Rolling Hills Zoo) On Tuesday, the zoo announced the arrival of Bettina, a one-and-a-half-year-old female snow leopard from the Bronx Zoo/Wildlife Conservation Society. Bettinas personality is as captivating as her stunning coat. Described as sweet, playful, energetic, and curiousbut also cautiousshe enjoys observing new surroundings before fully engaging, the RHZ said on Facebook. At the Bronx Zoo, she often waited for her mother or brother to explore first before confidently joining in. Once comfortable, however, she becomes quite excitable and animated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bettina was moved to Kansas as part of a breeding recommendation for the zoos male snow leopard, but she isnt ready to breed quite yet. Though still young, Bettinas arrival marks an important step in the Snow Leopard Species Survival Plan (SSP), a collaborative conservation effort among accredited zoos to ensure the long-term survival of this endangered species, the RHZ continued. Sedgwick County Zoo elephants pregnancy comes to heartbreaking end Fewer than 6,400 snow leopards are believed to remain in their native habitat, the mountains of Central Asia. This elusive cat faces several threats, including poaching, not only for them, but their prey. Snow leopards and their prey may also share habitat with domestic livestock, leading to conflicts with herders whose livelihood depends on ranching. Such losses can be catastrophic for herders, who are often economically disadvantaged. To protect their herds and livelihoods, herders sometimes retaliate against the snow leopards, the RHZ said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The zoo hopes that Brettinas presence will help raise awareness about snow leopard conservation and their challenges. The Rolling Hills Zoo, located at 625 N. Hedville Rd. in Salina, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To learn more about the zoo, visit its website at rollinghillszoo.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 KSN-TV. The man who died in a hit-and-run crash March 11 in the 600 block of South Circle Drive near Airport Road has been identified by the El Paso C (Bloomberg) -- Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said his government may be hobbled if the presidential candidate jointly backed by the ruling coalition fails to win an election in May, adding to the Black Sea nations political turmoil. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A decision by authorities this month to bar far-right frontrunner Calin Georgescu from running in the contest in May has upended the race, a repeat of an election controversially annulled by Romanias top court last year after the fringe candidate unexpectedly won the first round. But Georgescus absence has so far failed to boost the fortunes of the coalitions proposed unity candidate, former National Liberal Party leader Crin Antonescu. A defeat for Antonescu who is backed by Ciolacus Social Democrats, the Liberals and an ethnic Hungarian party would be a serious blow to the government, the premier said. I dont see any reasons to change the coalition if we have a victory of our joint candidate, Ciolacu said on Tuesday in response to a Bloomberg News query. But in the opposite case, I dont think we can move forward in the same way. The tumultuous election season has plunged Romania, a NATO and European Union member state that has the EUs longest border with war-battered Ukraine, into its biggest political crisis since the fall of communism. A victory for Georgescu, who has assailed the military alliance and praised Russian President Vladimir Putin, risked reversing Romanias transatlantic orientation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ciolacu didnt weigh in on whether his government coalition would collapse. Short of a new election for now less likely given that the ultranationalist Alliance for the Unity of Romanians leads in the polls a coalition reshuffle could also prompt the premiers departure, or a minority government. The events have placed the country under the scrutiny of President Donald Trumps administration, with US officials pressuring Bucharest to allow Georgescu to run, Bloomberg News has reported. US Vice President JD Vance singled out Romanias election in his speech to the Munich Security Conference in February, saying the court ruling to cancel the election was based on flimsy intelligence, as he defended the European far right. Security officials in Bucharest determined that Georgescu, whose campaign featured a viral social media campaign, had benefited from foreign assistance and pointed the finger at Russia. The Constitutional Court canceled the election in December and authorities called a new one for May 4. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A week after Georgescus stunning first-round victory, Romanian voters returned to the polls for the parliamentary election, which Ciolacus Social Democrats won. The premiers new coalition, made up of pro-European parties, closed ranks behind Antonescu as its best hope of fending off the far-right surge. But that effort isnt bearing fruit. Antonescu is currently trailing both far-right AUR leader George Simion and independent Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan in the race, according to an AtlastIntel poll published this week. Dan, an independent who has campaigned against establishment parties, would win the presidency in a runoff two weeks after the first round, the survey showed. Still, more than a fifth of voters remained undecided, the poll showed, and the main parties will try to mobilize their political machinery, with direct lines to mayors of cities and towns across the country. Ciolacu and Antonescu plan to meet with some of the mayors on Wednesday. At stake is Romanias role as a NATO member on the alliances eastern flank, hosting thousands of troops from the US-dominated alliance. Ciprian Ciucu, a deputy leader of the Liberals, said political change after the May election were inevitable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All options are currently on the table, Ciucu told Bloomberg Tuesday. We are all currently working to boost Antonescus score and we didnt discuss potential options after the elections. But we cant ignore the fact that we face very high uncertainty. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. BUCHAREST (Reuters) - George Simion, the leader of Romania's second-largest party, became the hard right's candidate in a May presidential election re-run after an ally withdrew from the race on Wednesday, boosting his chances of making it into the run-off vote. The European Union and NATO member which borders Ukraine will repeat its two-round presidential election on May 4 and 18 after the Constitutional Court voided the initial ballot in December following accusations of Russian meddling in favour of far-right, pro-Russian frontrunner Calin Georgescu. Georgescu, who denied accusations of Russian meddling, as has Moscow, was barred from running again earlier this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If a far-right candidate succeeds in swaying Georgescu's voters, it could determine whether another central European country swings closer to Moscow beside Hungary and Slovakia. Georgescu stopped short of endorsing a single candidate after his bid was rejected. Simion, leader of the hard-right Alliance for Uniting Romanians (AUR), and Anamaria Gavrila, leader of the Young People Party (POT), joined the race with the agreement that one would stand down if election authorities approved both of their candidacies. Gavrila withdrew on Wednesday. "We decided to support the one who has the most chances (of winning)," she said in a joint video with Simion posted on their social media accounts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We must go beyond parties and, as Mr. Georgescu said, we must support this (ultranationalist) movement by giving it all the chances." Simion, 38, has seen his six-year-old party go from a fringe anti-vaccination group during the COVID-19 pandemic into Romania's leading opposition force, appealing to the working class diaspora, young voters and building on popular anger with mainstream politicians. "Today, more than ever, Romania needs the unity of its national forces," Simion said on social media. He has said he is not pro-Russian, calling President Vladimir Putin a war criminal, and supports Romania's European Union member status. Like Georgescu, however, he has said Romania should be more assertive and follow its own interests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Simion has supported restoring Romania's pre-World War Two borders, which include areas now in Bulgaria, Moldova and Ukraine, and he has been declared persona non grata in the latter two. An opinion survey released earlier this month showed Simion would make it into the run-off vote but is trailing Nicusor Dan, the centrist mayor of capital Bucharest running as an independent. (Reporting by Luiza Ilie; Editing by Bill Berkrot) Efforts by the City of London Tourism and Parks Commission to repair the roof of the Belle Bennett Auditorium on the former Sue Bennett College campus remain underway. As of now, we have taken care of the damage that occurred last summer, said Phil Smith, chair of the London City Tourism Commission. There are several other things that we can do cosmetically to the building; we just have to see what that process looks like as far as community involvement and the commissions desire to move forward with any additional expense. The building was donated to the tourism commission in the summer of 2024 after there were structural issues with the roof. Commissioners voted to save the structure by replacing the trusses and installing a new roof. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two new steel trusses were laid for the building Jan. 29, in place of the prior wooden structures, with the intention of providing stronger stability. Work is still underway, but the building is sound, solid, and ready for the next steps in becoming a beautiful asset to the London community once again, City Tourism Director Chris Robinson wrote in a Facebook post. Those interested in staying updated throughout the process can leave their contact information in this google form: https://forms.gle/TKg5BNkuhLFePtM89. London City Tourism will potentially partner with the community to host future fundraising events this spring and encourages those who have ideas about fundraising strategies to also fill out the form. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There have been potential contributors who came forward offering donations to go toward the renovations and we are hoping for more, Smith stated. Smith asserted that the commission is approaching the process cautiously and being mindful of each dollar spent. It is exciting to think that we may soon have another place where children and adults can study and participate in cultured, art related events in our community, said Smith. Enhancing the opportunities for creativity and art is essential in our region. The future performances and events may substantially impact Tourism. The project is very exciting, however, the funding side is challenging. All in all, Smith expressed the excitement of commissioners, stating, Its an incredible feeling to think we are restoring a historical structure thats so significant to so many people. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Rosies Cafe will close after 41 years of operation, a recent Facebook post from the business says. Iowans hearing for unlawful detainment in Dominican Tuesday This journey has been nothing short of amazing, filled with unforgettable memories, cherished friendships, and the unwavering support of our community, the business post says. Owners say that the business is up for sale, and the cafe will stay open for the time being. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While this chapter is coming to an end, we are hopeful that Rosies will find new owners who will continue to serve this wonderful community, the business post says. Rosies Cafe is located at 2202 W. Madison St., near the Denny Sanford Premier Center. It was one of former Gov. Bill Janklows favorite spots in Sioux Falls. 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. Two Royal Navy warships have shadowed a Russian task group as it sailed through the English Channel and North Sea. Type 23 frigate HMS Somerset and minehunter HMS Cattistock, supported by RFA Tidesurge and naval helicopters, were involved in the operation to follow the vessels as they returned from Syria. The Russian ships included destroyer RFN Severomorsk, landing ship RFN Alexander Shabalin and two transport ships, MV Sparta IV and MV Siyanie Severa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesman for the Royal Navy said: As the Russian ships sailed east through the Channel and the North Sea towards the Baltic Sea, the Royal Navy ships deployed powerful sensors and launched the Merlin and Wildcat helicopters to report on every move. Russian vessels were monitored as they returned from Syria - Ministry of Defence Luke Pollard, the defence minister, said: Russia should be in no doubt that the UK will defend our waters. Im grateful to all the personnel who shadowed this Russian convoy. National security is a foundation of the Governments plan for change and ensuring freedom of navigation contributes to our economy. Commander Joel Roberts, commanding officer of HMS Somerset, said: Over the last few days HMS Somerset has escorted Russian ships through UK waters in resolute support to our national priorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As ever, the ships company have shown great professionalism whilst conducting the operation that involved the integration and coordination of other ships, helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft, including those from our Nato allies. There is strength in a coordinated Nato response, and our unity and ability to deliver integration of air and maritime operations remain some of our greatest assets. The operation was the third time in six weeks that the Royal Navy has shadowed Russian task groups returning from Syria. 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. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) A teenager has been accused of being involved with two car thefts in Rochester and Greece one involving a police chase, the other injuring a woman. On March 11, 2025, around 6 p.m., the RPD vehicle was trying to turn onto Broad Street when the stolen car collided while trying to pass and make a turn. The stolen vehicle sped off after the crash. After a pursuit toward Saxton and Brown Street, the police vehicle became disabled due to the damage. Other RPD vehicles were able to continue the chase until the occupants ran on Frost Avenue. The suspect was taken into custody alongside an 11-year-old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After initially believing the 17-year-old was not an occupant of the vehicle, the ongoing investigation determined he was actually the driver and had stolen the car from the Costco parking lot. The teen is also believed to have stolen a car during a robbery on March 8 at the Walmart on Dewey Avenue. According to RPD, the owner of the vehicle was injured while she tried to stop the robbery. The suspect was arrested on Tuesday at his home in the city and was taken to the Rush Detention Facility. He is facing the following charges: For the stolen car crash on March 11: Grand larceny (3rd) Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle (3rd) Criminal possession of stolen property (3rd) Reckless endangerment (2nd) Unlawfully fleeing the police Obstructing governmental administration (2nd) Reckless driving Multiple traffic and vehicle violations For the Greece robbery on March 8: Robbery (2nd) Grand larceny (3rd) Assault (3rd) Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 RochesterFirst. The Scoop The White House has asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio to bring order to talks with Venezuela over its approach to US deportation flights, a senior administration official told Semafor. The escalating skirmish over the flights comes as the Trump administration fights in court over its weekend deportation of hundreds of migrants to El Salvador. The vast majority of those deportees were Venezuelans, according to the Trump administration, which also described about half as alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang. Rubio warned in an X post on Tuesday night that the US would begin imposing new, severe, and escalating sanctions if the Venezuelan regime, led by Nicholas Maduro, doesnt begin to accept a consistent flow of deportation flights, without further excuses or delays. Just days earlier, Trumps special missions envoy, Ric Grenell, announced that the country had agreed to resume flights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But that promise hasnt yet materialized in full, according to the senior administration official, who told Semafor that Maduros government is lying about the flights, which it had initially promised would happen weekly but which have only occurred once in the last 45 days. We are approaching Week 10 since the initial Maduro promise on deportation flights, the official added, and they have only done it once as originally and purportedly committed. Asked if Rubio has personally confirmed the agreement that Grenell claimed was made by Venezuela, the administration official replied that if it was said, were not seeing the results. Grenell did not immediately return a request for comment. Know More Asked about Grenells recent announcement that Venezuela had agreed to resume deportation flights, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce told reporters Tuesday: Well, thats nice. Its nice to say so and doing it, doing it will be an important gesture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When pressed on whether Venezuela might be reneging on its agreement, Bruce referred reporters to Rubios post on X. The State Department, asked about Rubio and Grenells comments, referred Semafor to Bruces comments. The White House referred Semafor to the State Department. Rubios post is another example of the Trump administrations ramp-up against Venezuela and Maduro, whose leadership is not recognized as legitimate by the US government. Rubio said during an interview with Fox Noticias that the administration would like to see Maduro relinquish power within the next four years. And Trump last month announced his plan to end the Biden-era license to export Venezuela oil. But Grenells role has prompted occasional confusion when it comes to Venezuela. At the start of Trumps second term, the envoy visited the country and brought back six American detainees. Maduro used the visit to tout what he claimed was a new beginning of historical relations. Grenell later commented on a podcast that Trump doesnt want to do regime change in Venezuela, which raised questions about a potential shift in US policy. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt corrected the record with Semafor, saying that Trump stands in opposition to the Maduro regime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leavitt pointed to remarks made by Rubio about a call with 2024 Venezuelan presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. Rubio described the former as Venezuelas rightful president. Notable Trumps proclamation last week invoking the Alien Enemies Act included sharp language accusing the Tren de Aragua gang of undertaking hostile actions and conducting irregular warfare against the US in part at the direction of the Maduro regime. After Trump cancelled the oil license, Venezuelas leader suggested future scheduled migrant flights were affected, without directly naming the company at the center of that license, Reuters reported. The Trump administration does want regime change in Venezuela, Axios reported in January. Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107) man the rails as the ship departs Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 2019. March 19 (UPI) -- At least two people were killed and 18 injured overnight in Russian drone and artillery strikes on Ukraine, including two hospitals, despite U.S. President Donald Trump claiming he had secured an "immediate cease-fire" on all energy and infrastructure targets in his call with President Vladimir Putin. One person was killed and three were injured in Sumy province late Tuesday after Russian artillery bombarded the town of Uhroidy, five miles west of the border with Russia's Belgorod province, destroying a two-story apartment building and damaging a low-pressure gas pipeline, according to an update on social media by the Sumy Military Administration. Drones also struck the hospital in nearby Krasnopillia and a hospital in the regional capital, Sumy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The State Emergency Service said there were no casualties in either attack but patients had been evacuated and that that blast in Sumy also damaged a children's medical facility. Kharkiv Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said on his Telegram account that a 45-year-old woman had been killed and four people injured in the east of the province when the public utility vehicle they were traveling in was struck by a so-called "loitering drone" on a highway between Kupiansk and Kindrashivka. Seven people were injured in the Kherson region in attacks that damaged four apartment buildings and more than two dozen houses, Gov. Oleksandr Prokudin said in a social media post. The military administration for the Kyiv capital region said on its Telegram account that a 60-year-old man was injured in Bucha, north of Kyiv, during Russian strikes targeting three settlements that damaged or partially destroyed nine houses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Power infrastructure was also hit in Dnipro province early Wednesday with Russian drones striking the Ukrainian Railways' power grid, causing partial outages. No trains were disrupted or canceled. In all, 12 of Ukraine's 24 provinces were attacked just hours after the Kremlin said he had issued orders to Russian forces to cease fire following his phone call with Trump on Tuesday morning. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the latest attacks on civilian infrastructure were Putin rejecting the cease-fire and in a post on social media called for more sanctions on Moscow and more aid for Ukraine. "It is these kinds of night-time attacks by Russia that are destroying our energy, our infrastructure, and the normal lives of Ukrainians. And the fact that this night was no exception shows that we must continue to pressure Russia for the sake of peace. "Today, Putin effectively rejected the proposal for a complete ceasefire. It would be right for the world to respond by rejecting any of Putin's attempts to drag out the war," said Zelensky. A Russian drone attack has caused fires in the city of Dnipro and in the Pavlohrad district of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. The Russians targeted infrastructure facilities, houses and cars. Source: Serhii Lysak, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram Quote: "The Russian army launched drones in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast overnight once again. The defenders shot down eight UAVs. However, the enemy attack was not without an aftermath. A fire started in Dnipro. Two fires broke out in the Pavlohrad district. An infrastructure facility was damaged." Aftermath of a drone attack on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photo: Serhii Lysak on Telegram Details: The Russians also attacked the Nikopol district with drones: they hit the town of Nikopol and the Marhanets hromada [an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories ed.]. A house, an outbuilding and a car were damaged in the area. Aftermath of a drone attack on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Photo: Serhii Lysak on Telegram Updated information indicates that 10 houses, five outbuildings and a power transmission line were damaged as a result of the attack on Nikopol on the evening of 18 March. "There were no casualties," Lysak noted. Aftermath of a drone attack on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photo: Serhii Lysak on Telegram Earlier, Ukrzaliznytsia, Ukraines state-run railways operator, reported that the Russians had attacked the railway's power system in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Background: On 18 March, the Kremlin said that Russian ruler Vladimir Putin had supported US President Donald Trump's proposal for Ukraine and Russia to mutually refuse to strike energy infrastructure for 30 days, "issuing the relevant order to the Russian military". However, Russia launched a large-scale attack with kamikaze drones on Ukraine on the night of 18-19 March, hitting civilian infrastructure in several regions of Ukraine. In particular, there was a direct strike on a hospital in Sumy and strikes on towns in Donetsk Oblast. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said overnight missile and drone attacks launched by Russia showed that Moscow's claimed support for a ceasefire in Ukraine is not "real." Ukrainian authorities reported airstrikes in several regions of the country, including a drone attack on a hospital in the northeastern city of Sumy. The barrage came hours after Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin agreed to a halt in attacks on energy infrastructure as part of the White House's peace efforts. "Now in many regions you can literally hear what Russia really needs," Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram. "About 40 Shaheds in our sky, air defense is working," the president added, referring to the Iranian-designed strike drone used by Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Unfortunately, there are hits, and precisely in civilian infrastructure," Zelenskyy continued. "It is precisely such night attacks by Russia that destroy our energy, our infrastructure, the normal life of Ukrainians. And the fact that this night was no exception shows that we must continue to put pressure on Russia for the sake of peace." PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Mar. 18, 2025, President Donald Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office of the White House, Feb. 28, 2025. (AFP via Getty Images) MORE: Trump says 30-day ceasefire 'would have been tough' after high-stakes call with Putin Ukraine's air force reported a total of six missiles and 145 drones fired into the country overnight. Seventy-two drones were shot down, the air force said, with another 56 lost in flight without causing damage. The Sumy, Odesa, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Kyiv and Chernihiv regions were affected by the attack, the air force wrote on Telegram. "Today, Putin actually rejected the proposal for a complete ceasefire," Zelenskyy said. "It would be right for the world to reject any attempts by Putin to drag out the war in response." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Sanctions against Russia. Aid to Ukraine. Strengthening allies in the free world and working towards security guarantees," the president added. "And only a real cessation by Russia of attacks on civilian infrastructure as evidence of a desire to end this war can bring peace closer." Russia's military claimed to have neutralized seven of its own drones after receiving Putin's partial ceasefire order. The Defense Ministry said the drones were destroyed while in the air having been aimed at "Ukrainian energy infrastructure facilities related to the military-industrial complex" in the Mykolaiv region. The Kremlin said Tuesday that the call between Trump and Putin was a "detailed and frank exchange of views." Putin did not agree to the full 30-day ceasefire proposed by the U.S. and Ukraine, the Kremlin statement said, with the Russian leader again framing any pause in the fighting as beneficial to Ukraine's armed forces. The two sides did agree to a ceasefire on energy infrastructure attacks, the Kremlin said, after which Putin "immediately gave the relevant order to the Russian troops." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelenskyy said during a visit to Finland that he expected to speak with Trump at some point on Wednesday. Sources familiar with the call confirmed to ABC News that the conversation would take place at 10 a.m. PHOTO: Ukrainian forces use searchlights as they search for drones in the sky over Kyiv during a Russian drone strike on March 18, 2025. (Gleb Garanich/Reuters) MORE: Trump-Putin call poses choice of sanctions or 'escalation,' analysts say Also overnight into Wednesday, Russian authorities reported a drone attack on an oil depot facility in the southern Krasnodar Krai region's Kavkazsky district. "Due to falling debris there was a fire at the oil depot," the local administration said in a statement posted to Telegram. "The pipeline between the tanks was damaged." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local authorities reported no casualties, though added that 30 workers were evacuated from the area and operations suspended. The region's Operational Headquarters Telegram channel said the fire at the depot spread to more than 18,000 square feet in size via a leak in a tank. "Emergency services are keeping the situation under control," it said, noting that "179 people and 54 units of equipment are involved in extinguishing the fire." The Russian Defense Ministry said its forces shot down 57 Ukrainian drones overnight. The ministry said the attack in Krasnodar Krai represented "another provocation specially prepared by the Kyiv regime aimed at disrupting the peace initiatives of the U.S. president." The Russian federal air transport agency Rosaviatsia said operations were temporarily suspended at airports in the cities of Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod and Nizhnekamsk, though did not specify the reason. Flights at Russian airports are regularly disrupted during drone attacks. PHOTO: Ukrainian police officers, experts and rescuers gather debris of a downed drone on the outskirts of Kyiv on March 18, 2025. (Genya Savilov/AFP via Getty Images) MORE: Putin 'stole' another week of war by dodging ceasefire proposal, Zelenskyy says Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House said on Tuesday after the call between Trump and Putin that the two leaders "agreed that the movement to peace will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire and permanent peace. These negotiations will begin immediately in the Middle East." Trump, in his own social media post later Tuesday, called the hourslong conversation "very good and productive." "We agreed to an immediate Ceasefire on all Energy and Infrastructure, with an understanding that we will be working quickly to have a Complete Ceasefire and, ultimately, an END to this very horrible War between Russia and Ukraine," Trump wrote. Trump also said securing the 30-day ceasefire sought by Ukraine "would have been tough," in a released clip of a pre-taped interview on Fox News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ABC News' Alexandra Hutzler, Oleksiy Pshemyskiy, Tanya Stukalova, Morgan Winsor and Kelsey Walsh contributed to this report. Russian drone hits Ukraine hospital after Putin, Trump discuss possible ceasefire originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The White House on March 19 proposed Ukraine pass its nuclear facilities to the U.S. as part of the ongoing ceasefire talks. "The United States could be very helpful in running those plants with its electricity and utility expertise. American ownership of those plants would be the best protection for that infrastructure," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a press briefing on March 19. The control of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), the largest one in Europe, has been actively discussed between Kyiv and Washington over the past week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on March 14 that the fate of the plant and the adjacent Russian-occupied territories were discussed with the U.S. during bilateral talks in Saudi Arabia a week prior. Zelensky said that the return of the plant without Ukrainian control over the city in which the plant is located Enerhodar isn't possible. "You can't just say: here's the plant, and the city (of Enerhodar) is separate," Zelensky said. Enerhodar, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, is located on the Russian-occupied east bank of the Dnipro River, with Ukraine having no access to the adjacent territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Experts told the Kyiv Independent that regaining control over the plant is a difficult goal for Ukraine, and a potential prolonged military presence there without driving the Russians out of the surrounding territories is an unlikely option. "This is a political, military, perhaps diplomatic, but definitely not an energy question," Oleksandr Kharchenko, managing director at the Energy Industry Research Center, told the Kyiv Independent. "(But) I sincerely believe that the creation of a joint venture, provided that the United States brings additional finances, corporate governance rules, access to investments and capacity expansion to Ukrainian Energoatom, would definitely, in my opinion, be in Ukraine's favor," he added. Russia has, so far, ignored the calls to relinquish control of the plant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Putin is stalling Trump ceasefire call met with skepticism in Kyiv Strategic stronghold Located on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is a strategically important facility that Russia turned into a military base, Ukrainian officials have said. According to Enerhodar's exiled mayor, Dmytro Orlov, around 1,000 Russian soldiers have been deployed on the plant's territory as of late summer 2024. Russian troops use the plant as a training ground and a launchpad for drone attacks targeting Ukraine-controlled territories, the military said. The city of Nikopol in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, which sits across the river, regularly suffers from Russian attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Removing Russian forces from the area would most likely require significant military power." The chances that Russia will voluntarily leave the plant remain "slim given its value," said Emil Kastehelmi, an analyst at the Finland-based Black Bird Group. "A withdrawal for whatever reason would be seen as a significant loss for Russia, and removing Russian forces from the area would most likely require significant military power," he told the Kyiv Independent. A fire at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant on Aug. 11, 2024. (Screenshot / President Volodymyr Zelensky / Telegram) "It plays an important role in the future in supplying electricity to the occupied territories, which Russia also has no intention of giving back to their rightful owner." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kyiv pins hope to return the nuclear plant through diplomatic means after military attempts to regain control failed to succeed. Military Intelligence Chief Kyrylo Budanov and Ukrainian soldiers said the first attempt to create a bridgehead for the liberation of the occupied plant was made in August 2022. The two attempts of landing followed later the same year. Kastehelmi said that a potential large-scale offensive by Ukraine to retake the plant looks "risky and unrealistic" at this time. "In theory, there could be a diplomatic breakthrough which would then give the plant back to Ukrainian control, but currently, it's difficult to see where Ukraine could gain such political leverage," the expert said. Europe's largest power plant under threat The Zaporizhzhia plant accounted for 20% of the country's electricity supplies and almost half of nuclear power generation before the full-scale war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, all of its si reactors are in a cold shutdown. The plant does not generate power and relies on two power lines connected to Ukrainian-controlled territories for off-site electricity, compared to the 10 it had before the war. Both have suffered repeated disconnections due to Russian attacks. Energoatom, Ukraine's state-owned nuclear power plant operator, said that the plant has experienced eight blackouts and one partial shutdown since the beginning of the all-out war. A day after the U.S.-Russia talks in Riyadh in late February, Alexey Likhachev, the head of Russia's state-owned nuclear energy company Rosatom, said that Russia is planning to relaunch the plant. Energoatom Head Petro Kotin said that under current circumstances, it's impossible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is our plant, it will not work without us." The plant was dependent on the Kakhovka Reservoir for water used to cool the reactors. The reservoir dried out following the Russian destruction of the Kakhovka Dam. Russia also lacks power lines and qualified personnel, and the nuclear fuel at the plant is no longer usable, Kotin said. "This is our plant, it will not work without us," Zelensky said on March 18. "According to (Ukraine's) intelligence, the Russians really want it to work without us. They are trying to drag the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) into this." Inspectors from the IAEA, stationed at the Russian-occupied facility since the fall of 2022 to monitor risks and ensure the safety of operations, are meant to rotate every 80 days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In early March, the IAEA conducted its first rotation through the Russian-occupied territories, which was met with outrage and concern by Kyiv. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry blamed the situation on Russian blackmail, saying that Moscow's forces had blocked staff rotations through Ukrainian-controlled territory. Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director Rafael Mariano Grossi in Sochi, Russia, on March 6, 2024. (Kremlin Press Office/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images) Greenpeace Ukraine saw this move as Russia's tactic to involve the IAEA in a potential relaunch of the plant's nuclear reactors. But IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi called the recent rotation an "extraordinary exception," claiming that it was impossible to conduct it in a secure manner. Kharchenko believes that if the plant remains under Russian control in case of a ceasefire, Moscow will sooner or later be able to restart its work, albeit with difficulties. If they get enough time and do not face any opposition from Ukraine, they will be able to do it (relaunch the plant) in some foreseeable period. It is not easy and it won't be soon, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fabian Hoffmann, a defense expert and doctoral research fellow at the University of Oslo, said that if Ukraine could gain access to the plant and push Russian forces back enough to restart its work, it would give "a significant boost" to Ukrainian energy production. "Essentially, that's another piece of energy infrastructure that Russia cannot target the same way that Russia throughout the war has not been targeting other Ukrainian nuclear infrastructure, simply because it's a big no," he told the Kyiv Independent. "I think the Russians will try to maintain control over it just because it's politically useful for them. And it would be economically enormously useful for Ukraine to get it back. And that's reason enough for the Russians to try to hold it." Read also: Kremlin demands halt to foreign military aid, intelligence to Ukraine as condition for avoiding war escalation Closed city, civilian hostages Meanwhile, as the talks about the plant's future gain traction in Kyiv and Washington, the fate of the city remains unclear. Russia brought Rosatom employees to Enerhodar to take control of the plant, seeking to force locals to collaborate. Truth Hounds, a Ukrainian non-profit organization that documents and investigates war crimes, reported, citing witnesses, that with the knowledge of Rosatom, Russian troops have been abducting and torturing Ukrainian employees. Before the full-scale war, 11,000 people worked at the plant, of whom 5,000 remain under occupation to this day. Oleksandr Pavlichenko, executive director of the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union, said around 2,000 refused to sign a contract with Rosatom. The plant's employees are not allowed to leave the city and went through torture chambers set up by Russia in the city, he told the Kyiv Independent. Pavlichenko calls the resistance that Russian troops faced during attempts to occupy the city may be the reason for "a very systematic terror against the entire population of Enerhodar." According to Pavlichenko, 21 employees of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant are incarcerated as of March 18. In October 2022, the Kyiv Independent published a detailed report about the systematic torture in Enerhodar. Residents of the Russian-occupied city and those who were able to escape have detailed the abductions and torture practices that local citizens had faced. "Those who show any disagreement are persecuted," Pavlichenko said. "Now there is total control there. It's a so-called concentration camp." Read also: Life near Russian-occupied nuclear plant: I dont know if tomorrow will come Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. By Chen Aizhu SINGAPORE (Reuters) - SINGAPORE, March 18 (Reuters) - A ship carrying Russian crude transferred from three smaller tankers that are under U.S. sanctions unloaded last week at a Chinese port, shiptracking data shows, ending an unusual month-long voyage highlighting the efforts of producers and traders to keep Moscow's oil flowing despite tightened curbs. The Panama-flagged Daban, one of dozens of non-sanctioned vessels drawn to the Russian oil trade by fat margins following the January 10 U.S. sanctions, was received at a berth run by the privately-controlled Qingdao Haiye Group at the port of Qingdao, two people familiar with the matter said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kpler and LSEG data showed the Daban, a very large crude carrier (VLCC) carrying two million barrels of Russian Sokol oil, discharging into Qingdao on March 13, ending a voyage from Russia's Far East that would ordinarily take about a week. The Daban transferred oil from Aframax-sized tankers Vladimir Arsenyev on February 3, Captain Kostichev on February 9 and Victor Konetsky on February 10 at Nakhoda Bay in Russian territorial waters, according to tanker tracker Kpler. The three vessels came under U.S. sanctions on January 10. Unlike the international waters near Malaysia and Singapore, Nakhoda Bay is not known as a regular site for ship-to-ship (STS) transfers of oil, making Daban's movements more conspicuous, traders said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Daban is managed by Hong Kong-based Confident Apex Ltd, according to LSEG data, but contact information for the company was not available. STS transfers often take place to mask a cargo's origin. China has said it opposes unilateral sanctions. An unexpected ban by China's state-owned Shandong Port Group in early January that prohibits callings by U.S.-designated tankers, followed shortly by Washington's toughest-yet sanctions on Russian oil exports, initially stalled trade of Russian oil into top buyers China and India and sent freight rates soaring. Freight costs for an Aframax-sized tanker jumped five-fold in February from before the January sanctions to about $7.5 million for a voyage from the Russian Far East to north China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Daban's cargo was initially headed to the port of Yantai in Shandong province, a refining hub and top destination for oil sanctioned by the United States. Yantai, part of Shandong Port Group, rejected the cargo, said several trading sources. Telephone calls to Yantai Port Group went unanswered, and Yantai Port did not immediately reply to an email seeking comment. Before the Haiye discharge, a handful of other Chinese terminals, including two privately managed facilities, received sanctioned vessels in the aftermath of the tightened sanctions, Reuters reported. A Haiye official did not immediately comment when contacted by telephone. The company did not respond to an emailed request for comment. (Reporting by Chen Aizhu; Additional reporting by Florence Tan; Editing by Tony Munroe and Clarence Fernandez) Russian agents researched fire protocols at a factory owned by a German arms firm shortly before it burst into flames last summer, The Telegraph can reveal. Western officials have long suspected that the blaze, which broke out in May 2024 at a Berlin factory owned by the Diehl group, was the work of Russian saboteurs trying to disrupt the supply chain of arms deliveries to Ukraine. But it can now be revealed that suspected Russian agents tried to find out information about fire safety measures around the site in the run-up to the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were internet investigations [in Russia] a few weeks before and after the event, on what fire engines they have and what protocols they have, a European security source with knowledge of the investigation told The Telegraph. The source noted that the suspects made little effort to cover their tracks online, suggesting that they wanted Western intelligence agencies to know Russia was involved. Russians are not as stupid as to leave that breadcrumb trail, sometimes they simply want us to find out they have flexed their muscles. Its part of the hybrid warfare, they said. The source said the investigation, which had not yet found hard proof of Russian sabotage, added that very smart people are working on the case and figuring it out. The Diehl factory a month after the fire took place - Sean Gallup/Getty Images Russia has been waging a so-called hybrid war campaign on the West since Vladimir Putins full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, by way of retaliation for the Wests military support of Kyiv. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A key part of the campaign is trying to disrupt or destroy weapons being transferred by Germany and other Western allies to Ukrainian soldiers. Moscow is suspected of targeting factories across Europe that support arms deliveries to Ukraine, planting firebombs on aircraft, and even plotting to assassinate the chief executive of Rheinmetall, a major German arms company. This week, Donald Tusk, the Polish prime minister, announced that two suspicious fires at shopping centres in Poland and Lithuania had been confirmed as acts of Russian sabotage. Diehl Metall, which is part of the Diehl group, blamed a technical fault for the fire, following an investigation by its insurers, and has said that in theory sabotage may have played a role. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Berlin factory, which resumed operations shortly after the fire, produces metals for various purposes. The Diehl group is well known for its production of air defence systems. A second European security source said: Its definitely safe to say that there are suspicions that this was Russia. We are seeing frequent cases of suspected hybrid warfare like this, and it wont be the last case. German authorities initially ruled the Diehl factory fire as an accident. But they later launched a new investigation after receiving intelligence from a foreign ally which suggested Russian involvement. Last June, security officials told the Wall Street Journal that the fire was started by experienced professionals on behalf of Russia, but who were not necessarily part of the Russian state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials familiar with the investigation told the newspaper that the blaze began in an area where only a few people would have had access, while CCTV footage of that location was destroyed in the fire. 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. MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia has now transferred property worth 2.4 trillion roubles ($28.7 billion) to the state, Prosecutor General Igor Krasnov said on Wednesday. Krasnov did not specify a time frame, but Moscow started seizing property soon after the start of the conflict in Ukraine. Through lawsuits, Russia has quickened the pace of domestic asset seizures this year, with courts already ruling that a leading grain trader, Moscow's sprawling Domodedovo airport, strategic warehouse assets and a zinc and lead producer be handed over to the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Krasnov, at a meeting with President Vladimir Putin, said five strategic enterprises, four of which had been "under foreign control", have been brought under state ownership. "In total, through the court, we have recovered property worth more than 2.4 trillion roubles in favour of the state," Krasnov said. Krasnov said company owners had withdrawn profits from Russia, failed to invest in infrastructure and not paid taxes in full, without naming specific companies. Foreign companies have grappled with the risk of state seizure ever since Russia sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022, but Moscow, under the auspices of strategic stability and domestic security, has increasingly brought domestic assets too into the crosshairs. ($1 = 83.5705 roubles) (Reporting by Darya Korsunskaya, Anastasia Lyrchikova and Gleb Stolyarov; Writing by Alexander Marrow and Toby Chopra) Russian forces attacked the city of Kherson three times on Wednesday 19 March, killing two people. Source: Roman Mrochko, Head of Kherson City Military Administration, on Telegram Details: Mrochko reported that the first attack was launched at around 11:00, which resulted in fatal injuries to an unidentified man. Specialists are currently working to establish his identity. At around 13:00, the Russians launched a drone attack on the village of Antonivka, a suburb of Kherson. A local resident aged 61 sustained a blast injury and a shrapnel wound to his leg. Police officers transported him to hospital, where he is currently receiving medical care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At approximately 14:00, Russian forces shelled the village of Zelenivka, near Kherson. They fired about 10 shells on residential areas of the village. As a result of the attack, a local woman was killed. The 54-year-old woman was outside when the shelling began and suffered a fatal blast injury. The head of the Zelenivka district reported that the attack also damaged nine houses in the village. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Four railway workers were injured in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on 19 March as a result of a Russian attack, marking the second attack on railway infrastructure in the oblast within a day. Source: Serhii Lysak, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram; Ukrzaliznytsia, Ukraines state-run railway operator, on Telegram Quote from Lysak: "The enemy launched a missile strike on the Kamianske district. Initial reports indicate that three people have been injured, one of whom is in a serious condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are assessing the damage caused by the attack." Details: Ukrzaliznytsia reported that this was already the second Russian attack on railway infrastructure in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast within the day. "Four railway workers were injured, and two of them are in a serious condition. They are receiving medical assistance," the statement said. Early reports suggest that the strike was carried out with a ballistic missile. Railway workers have taken measures to ensure that the attacks do not affect passenger train services. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Russian forces have damaged a critical infrastructure facility in the Kherson hromada of Kherson Oblast, which may cause issues with water supply. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories ed.] Source: Kherson City Administration on Telegram Quote: "As a result of the night attack on the Kherson hromada by Russian occupation forces, a critical infrastructure facility has been damaged." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Specialists have already begun emergency restoration work. The repairs may take about a week, and during this time, the water pressure in the citys supply network may decrease. "Experts from the Kherson Water Utility are taking all possible measures to stabilise network pressure and restore an uninterrupted water supply," the administration concluded. Background: On 18 March, the Kremlin stated that Putin endorsed a proposal by US President Donald Trump for Ukraine and Russia to mutually refrain from striking energy infrastructure for 30 days, issuing an appropriate order to the Russian military. However, in the early hours of 19 March, Russia launched a large-scale kamikaze drone attack, targeting civilian infrastructure in several oblasts of Ukraine. A direct hit was recorded on a hospital in the city of Sumy, as well as strikes on cities in Donetsk Oblast. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Russian forces attacked the railway power system in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast with drones on the morning of 19 March: a fire broke out and some areas were cut off from the power grid. Source: Ukrzaliznytsia, Ukraines state-run railway operator, on Telegram Quote: "The enemy attacked the railway power system in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast with drones on the morning of 19 March. There are some railway sections that have been cut off from the power grid, but train traffic continues as scheduled." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: The Russians reportedly attacked again as rescue workers and power engineers were dealing with the aftermath. "A fire train was dispatched from Ukrzaliznytsia to put out the fire at the facility. We are working on dealing with the aftermath. Fortunately, there were no casualties," Ukrzaliznytsia reported. Background: On 11 March, the Russians attacked railway power facilities in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, disrupting several trains at the time. On 18 March, the Kremlin said that Russian ruler Vladimir Putin had supported US President Donald Trump's proposal for Ukraine and Russia to mutually refuse to strike energy infrastructure for 30 days, "issuing the relevant order to the Russian military". However, Russia launched a large-scale attack with kamikaze drones on Ukraine on the night of 18-19 March, hitting civilian infrastructure in several regions of Ukraine. In particular, there was a direct strike on a hospital in Sumy and strikes on towns in Donetsk Oblast. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Russian troops launched a large-scale attack on the town of Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast on 19 March, killing one civilian and injuring others. Source: State Emergency Service of Ukraine; Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutors Office; Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration Quote: "This afternoon, Russian occupiers launched a series of airstrikes on the town in Kharkiv Oblast. As a result of the bombing, an 85-year-old woman was injured and a 76-year-old man suffered an acute stress reaction." The aftermath of the Russian attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Kharkiv Oblast Details: Firefighters reported that fires had broken out in a residential area. Update: Later, the Prosecutors Office reported that Russia had struck Kupiansk again around 20:50 with aircraft. A 51-year-old man was killed. A woman suffered a blast injury. Residential houses were damaged. A garage caught fire. The specific type of aircraft ammunition Russia used to bombard the town is being confirmed. Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, reported that Russia had launched a large-scale attack on Kupiansk with aircraft. The Russians had used at least 20 guided aerial bombs just over the past few hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Critical infrastructure has been damaged, and fires have broken out in civilian facilities. The constant threat of more strikes is making it difficult for specialised services to work. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! RiverValley Behavioral Health (RVBH) has been awarded $1.5 million by the Kentucky Department of Behavioral Health to enhance the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline network. The funding will enable the expansion of 24/7 chat and text services across Kentucky, improving access to critical mental health and crisis support for individuals throughout the state. RiverValley Behavioral Health submitted a strong proposal showcasing our deep expertise in crisis response, extensive resources and ability to scale services statewide, said Dr. Wanda Figueroa, RVBH president and CEO. Our long-standing commitment to compassionate, high-quality crisis care positioned us as the right choice, and we are honored to be entrusted with this responsibility to serve the entire commonwealth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental, and Intellectual Disabilities (DBHDID) issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to expand 988 crisis chat and text services across the state. This funding was established to address the increasing demand for crisis support and ensure that every Kentuckian can access immediate, confidential mental health assistance through the communication method that feels most comfortable phone, text, or chat. Since the launch of 988 the national three-digit mental health crisis line in July 2022, the number of Kentuckians utilizing chat and text services has grown dramatically. According to DBHDID, in the first year alone, texts surged by 160% (from 452 to 1,174) and chats increased by 138% (from 333 to 782). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By 2024, 988 texts and chats in Kentucky are projected to reach nearly 25,000 contacts an average of 1,800 interactions per month. Figueroa said RVBH was selected for this critical role because of its proven track record in providing high-quality, accessible crisis services, which includes more than 20 years as a trusted leader in mental health crisis response, its crisis services being accredited by CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities), and the launch of Kentuckys first 24/7 mobile mental health crisis team, among other factors. Beyond crisis response, RVBH has experience providing statewide support services for problem gambling. It was selected by the Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling to operate the statewide problem gambling helpline, further proving its ability to deliver specialized mental health support at a statewide level. Our ability to quickly adapt to emerging needs also played a key role in our selection, Figueroa said. We have seen a significant shift in how people seek help, particularly among younger individuals, who increasingly prefer text and chat over phone calls. These platforms provide a greater sense of privacy, security, and accessibility, making it easier for individuals to reach out for support. Because of our existing infrastructure, experienced staff, and commitment to meeting people where they are, we were well-prepared to take on this essential role for the entire state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most importantly, this opportunity would not have been possible without our incredible Crisis Support Team. Their compassion, dedication and expertise form the foundation of the high-quality, lifesaving care we provide every day. It is their excellence that will drive this program forward. RVBH will continue to operate its own crisis line while also taking on this expanded role as Kentuckys statewide 988 chat and text responder. The additional funding will allow RVBH to hire and train 15 new staff members, ensuring that every chat and text through 988 is answered by highly trained professionals equipped to support individuals in crisis. To support this new initiative, we will create a dedicated unit within our crisis team that will focus specifically on 988 chat and text services, Figueroa said. This means that our existing crisis line services will not be affected instead, this is an opportunity to enhance and expand access for people who prefer to reach out through text or chat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our crisis responders will receive specialized training in how to effectively support and engage with individuals seeking help through digital communication. Responding to a crisis via text is different from a phone call, and we are committed to ensuring our team is fully equipped to provide the best care possible. By adding this service, we are giving more people in Kentucky more ways to access help when they need it, how they need it. Figueroa said there are several key factors that have contributed to the increase in 988 crisis calls, texts, and chats, including increased awareness and accessibility, youth and digital communication preferences, economic and social stress, loneliness and isolation and substance use and co-occurring disorders. This grant is about more than just expanding services its about saving lives, she said. It ensures that every Kentuckian, no matter where they live, has access to immediate, professional mental health support when they need it most. I want to acknowledge the Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental, and Intellectual Disabilities (DBHDID) for their leadership in expanding crisis services and setting a national example in making mental health care more accessible. Their dedication to breaking down barriers to care is truly making a meaningful difference in peoples lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Figueroa said the initiative will be led by Michelle Nobles, RVBH vice president of outpatient and crisis services, and Dr. Lionel Phelps, RVBH vice president of population health. She said their leadership, expertise and dedication will ensure that RVBHs team continues to provide the highest level of care to those in need. We recognize the critical role that mental health and crisis services play in the well-being of our communities, Nobles said. This funding will allow us to provide immediate, compassionate, and locally focused care for individuals in distress. Were proud to be part of Kentuckys commitment to mental health, and were ready to ensure that every person who reaches out to 988 receives the support they deserve, from highly trained professionals right here in the commonwealth. Astronaut Nichole Ayers, a Woodland Park High School graduate, leaves 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. Story, page 6 SpaceX Stuck Astronauts Ryan Reynolds is asking a judge to drop him as a defendant from Justin Baldonis $400 million defamation lawsuit, claiming that Baldonis argument against him has no legal bounds and amounts to hurt feelings. The filing submitted on Tuesday and obtained by CNN claims that the lawsuit Baldoni filed against Reynolds and wife Blake Lively is based on two times that Reynolds allegedly called Baldoni a predator, but that nothing in Baldonis suit suggests that Reynolds did not believe this to be true. Mr. Reynolds genuinely, perhaps passionately, believes that Mr. Baldonis behavior is reflective of a predator, Reynolds filing reads, adding that calling someone a predator amounts to a constitutionally protected opinion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reynolds lawyers also claim Baldonis thin-skinned outrage over a movie character referring to the Nicepool character in Reynolds Deadpool & Wolverine movie does not even pretend to be tied to any legal claims and instead is just Baldoni alleging that he has hurt feelings. In the motion, attorneys for Lively and Reynolds wrote that while Lively sued Baldoni and his business associates for sexual harassment and subsequent retaliation, Reynolds has nothing to do with the situation and that his only involvement has been as a supportive spouse. Their lawyers claim that Reynolds is only named as a defendant in Baldonis suit because Steve Sarowitz a defendant in Livelys case against Baldoni and his team, one of Baldonis business partners at his production company, Wayfarer Studios, which produced and co-financed It Ends With Us with Sony promised to spend up to $100 million to ruin Ms. Lively and Mr. Reynolds, according to the filing. In Baldonis lawsuit against the Hollywood couple, as well as Livelys publicist Leslie Sloane (who previously filed her own motion to dismiss, asking to be dropped from the case), Baldoni accused Reynolds of assisting Lively in hijacking his film It Ends With Us and taking down his career. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also claimed that Lively sought to take over much of the films creative direction, including having Reynolds, who had no formal role on It Ends With Us, re-write a scene and make unauthorized changes to the script in secret. Baldoni also accused Reynolds of reprimanding him at the couples home in New York, claiming that Reynolds once swore at Baldoni and accused him of fat-shaming his wife and alleged in his lawsuit that Reynolds made fun of him in Deadpool & Wolverine, mirroring the character Nicepool after Baldoni in an effort to mock him. Reynolds is also accused of telling an executive at the talent agency WME that Baldoni was a sexual predator in an effort to encourage the agency to drop him as a client. Lively and Reynolds are top-earning clients at WME where Baldoni was previously represented, until the agency dropped him after Lively filed her sexual harassment claim. (WME has denied that Reynolds or Lively encouraged them to part ways with Baldoni, though the agencys top executive, Ari Emanuel, recently boasted on a podcast about firing Baldoni.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement provided to CNN on Wednesday, Bryan Freedman, an attorney for Baldoni, Heath and Wayfarer Studios, said in part, After lighting a match, Mr. Reynolds now seeks to run from the flames. It wont work. Mr. Reynolds was a key player in the scheme, defaming Justin around Hollywood, strong-arming WME into dropping Justin as a client, and trying to destroy Justins career however possible, the statement said. His fingerprints have been all over this smear campaign against Justin and the Wayfarer team since day one. Mr. Reynolds now attempts to reduce plainly cognizable claims to hurt feelings, sending a clear message that bullying is acceptable. Mr. Reynolds can appear on as many sketch shows as he wants and feebly try to make light of his current situation, but we will not stop until he is held accountable for his actions, the statement added later, likely referencing Reynolds appearance on the special marking the 50th anniversary of Saturday Night Live. Reynolds attorneys, Mike Gottlieb and Esra Hudson, told CNN in a statement that Baldonis defamation case is not solid since Reynolds believes that Baldoni is, in fact, a predator. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr. Reynolds has a First Amendment right to express his opinion of Mr. Baldoni, which should be comforting to a group of people who have repeatedly called Ms. Lively and Mr. Reynolds bullies and other names over the past year, Reynolds attorneys said. A spokesperson for Reynolds added that Baldonis case is frivolous, telling CNN on Tuesday, We look forward to this lawsuit being dismissed. Both Baldoni and Livelys attorneys have previously said that they do not intend to settle. The trial is currently set for March 2026. If Reynolds motion to dismiss is not granted by the judge, one of Hollywoods biggest stars could be brought into the legal drama and called to testify in a highly publicized case. Lively and Baldoni have been in a legal battle since December, when Lively accused him of sexual harassment and retaliation in a complaint first filed with the California Civil Rights Department, preceding a lawsuit that followed about a week later. She filed an amended complaint last month, alleging other women also raised claims about Baldonis behavior on set. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Freedman previously denied the allegations in a statement to CNN. These claims are completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt and rehash a narrative in the media, Freedman said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Credit: Canarian Weekly Ryanair has launched criminal proceedings against a passenger who was forcibly removed from a flight for abusing cabin crew. The Dublin-based carrier said the passenger, who claimed to be a UN diplomat, caused a 40-minute delay on a flight from Lanzarote to Santiago de Compostela in January after he tried to sit in a different seat. The passenger subsequently became verbally abusive and claimed diplomatic immunity when the crew asked to see his boarding card, which led to the local authorities hauling him off the plane. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The discount airline said it was pursuing a private criminal prosecution in the Spanish courts over the unnecessary disruption to 137 passengers. Videos taken by fellow passengers showed him being removed from the flight by several officers from the Guardia Civil. A Ryanair spokesman said: It is unacceptable that passengers, many of whom are on a family holiday, are suffering unnecessary delay as a result of one unruly passengers behaviour. Yet this was regrettably the case for passengers on this flight from Lanzarote to Santiago [de Compostela] in January, during which a disruptive passenger caused a departure delay due to his misconduct. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The passenger faces a sentence of three to 12 months in prison or a fine of six to 18 months salary under the private prosecution. It is part of a wider crackdown being pursued by Ryanair under its zero-tolerance policy for passengers who disrupt flights. Earlier this year, it launched a 12,500 legal claim against a passenger whom the airline alleges disrupted a flight to the Canary Islands last year. Ryanair was forced to put up 160 passengers overnight after a flight from Dublin to Lanzarote had to divert to Portugal in April last year. Michael OLeary, the airlines chief, has previously warned that violence fuelled by pre-flight drinking was spiralling out of control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He told The Telegraph last August: We dont want to begrudge people having a drink. But we dont allow people to drink-drive, yet we keep putting them up in aircraft at 33,000 feet. Figures from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) show there was one incident for every 480 flights in 2023, compared to one for every 568 flights in 2022. Failing to follow crew instructions was the most commonly reported problem, but IATA highlighted an increase in verbal and physical abuse. As the airline launched its latest criminal case, the Ryanair spokesman added: We hope this example will deter further disruptive behaviour on Ryanair flights, so that passengers and crew can travel in a comfortable and respectful environment as is their right. 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. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) San Angelo ISD, on March 19, addressed allegations regarding inappropriate conducted that involved a Lake View High School employee. Mugshot: Abraham Gonzales According to SAISD, the individual was immediately placed on administrative leave. It is shared that the staff member, Abraham Gonzales, turned himself in to the Tom Green County Sheriffs Office. RELATED: Teacher arrested, school officer placed on leave amid improper relationship investigation Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SAISD stated that the safety and well-being of their students is the districts top priority and that there is a zero-tolerance policy for any behavior that compromises the integrity of our learning environment San Angelo ISD remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering a safe, respectful and supportive educational environment for all students, families and staff, the press release 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 ConchoValleyHomepage.com. BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) Sara Blair is finding hope after losing her salon in a fire. Born in Pontiac and raised in Bloomington Blair is a central Illinois native. Before the new year she accomplished her dream of having an all-in-one salon when she opened Stay Beautiful Gemini Hair & More on Lafayette Street. But it was short lived after a devastating fire last week. Im just heartbroken. And I know Ill be back, said owner Blair. Ill bounce back by the grace of God. Its just very devastating that its just all gone in one night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Owning a one stop shop for beauty has been a childhood dream for Blair. I always loved makeup, hair, fashion. That was kind of my thing, so I always knew that I wanted to do it, she said. But I wanted to pursue more. I wanted to own the establishment and help women, men, gender-neutral feel good about themselves. Emergency demolition ordered after second fire in Bloomington building Blair said her dream came true just before December 2024. Services at the salon included waxing, teeth whitening, manicures, pedicures with coffee, champagne and a chocolate fountain. The dream came to an end Thursday night after firefighters battled flames for about four hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We had four private sweets. I had a lounge, a huge storage room, a separate room off to the side with a washer and dryer. We had a fireplace. It was amazing, said Blair. But the devastation goes beyond the loss of material items for the mother of two. This place is more than just a salon. I want it to be for people, for children with disabilities. I want people to feel comfortable to bring their children here, Blair said. So I had a bunch of sensory toys in there, games, coloring books Blair shared how she connected with a new client and the clients son a few weeks before the fire. I said, You know my son is autistic too. We kind of got to talking and I asked him, what do you like to watch on tv? I put his cartoons on, I got him a sensory ball and he was fine. She said, you know what. Ill be back here every time he needs a haircut,' said Blair. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two firefighters suffer minor injuries in Thursday Bloomington fire at strip mall Faith keeps Blair hopeful for the future that her salon will rise like a phoenix from the ashes. I have such a huge vision for my salon. I was just beginning. Just getting started. Like I said by the grace of god Ill be back. I just got to pick up the pieces, she said. Blair was planning on having a cookout in April to showcase her salon. She said when she reopens she hopes theres a line outside the door. To donate to the salons GoFundMe click here. Beauty for ashes comes from the Bible verse Isaiah 61:3, To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 CIProud.com. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said Tuesday that he believes U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts knows the danger of a president who doesnt respect the Constitution after Roberts pushed back on President Trumps call to impeach a federal judge. I dont know Roberts all that well. Im not a great fan of his court, but I think he does understand, I suspect, the danger of a president who does not respect the Constitution of the United States and wants more and more power for himself, Sanders told CNNs Kaitlan Collins on The Source. Sanderss comments come after Roberts pushed back in a rare public statement to Trump calling for the impeachment of a federal judge who opposed his administration in a notable deportation case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose, Roberts said in his Tuesday statement. In an earlier post on Truth Social, the president referred to U.S. District Judge James Boasberg as a troublemaker and agitator. Im just doing what the VOTERS wanted me to do, Trump posted. This judge, like many of the Crooked Judges I am forced to appear before, should be IMPEACHED!!! In his The Source appearance Tuesday, Sanders said Trump [is] trying to encroach on the constitutional responsibilities and spending powers of Congress, and now hes going after the courts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Look, if somebody is a corrupt judge, that person can and should be impeached, but not because you voice an opinion, the Vermont senator added. The Hill has reached out to the White House and the Supreme Court for 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. The Santa Fe Regional Airport will soon be adding a new flight to Dallas through the public charter jet service JSX. The flight will operate out of the airport's Jet Center as the airport continues to work on adding additional commercial flights following the completion of the first phase of a terminal expansion. The JSX flight has been in the works for about a year, and was driven by demand from passengers at the carrier's other locations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Over the past few years, we've seen an increasing interest in travel to Santa Fe," said Ben Kaufman, senior director of customer experience and brand partnerships for JSX, who said the City Different has been at "the top of the list" of requests for new flights. "... As we add aircraft to fleet, the stars aligned for us to be able to make it happen this year." Flights went on sale Tuesday and will start May 22. They will run once per day, five days a week on a seasonal basis, with tickets starting at $349 one-way. Headquartered in Dallas, JSX operates flights in the United States and Mexico, mostly in the American Southwest. In New Mexico, it also operates out of Taos Regional Airport. The company has 47 aircraft, all of which seat 30 passengers, and flies between private airport terminals. Kaufman described its business model as providing the benefits of private jet service at a more attainable price. Fares include two checked bags, in-flight Wi-Fi and snacks and alcohol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The real joy of our model is we bring a lot of those perks and make it attainable," he said. "If you compare our introductory price of $349 one-way to what you see from network airlines, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised." The air carrier is also certified by Autism Double-Checked, he said, and employees dealing with customers are trained in how to support and interact with travelers on the autism spectrum. Kaufman described JSX's customer base as affluent and interested in arts and culture, making Santa Fe a natural fit. "Santa Fe offers a lot of natural beauty that's a short flight away for our Dallas-based customers, but it's also an area that, much like the state of New Mexico at large, is just full of incredible arts, culture, rich heritage and fabulous cuisine," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Santa Feans who are Dallas-bound, Kaufman said visitors can take advantage of the city's booming dining scene and growing financial services sector, which he said has developed the tongue-in-cheek name "Y'all Street." "Whether for business or pleasure, Dallas really has something for everybody," he said. The Dallas-Santa Fe flight will fly into the Dallas Love Field Airport, which Kaufman noted is closer to the city center than the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. The airport has an existing flight into Dallas Fort Worth on American Airlines. Kaufman said most seasonal JSX flights run from about Memorial Day through Labor Day, but because of October attractions in New Mexico, primarily the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the flight to Santa Fe will run through the end of October. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Depending on demand, he said there's a possibility the route could be extended. "If there's good, strong indicators that the market can sustain for the winter season as well, that's definitely something that we would consider," Kaufman said. Airport Manager James Harris said the new flight "fits perfectly" at the airport and speaks to growing demand. Over the past several years, the airport has seen a significant increase in both revenue and passengers. This year, he said it expects to exceed 400,000 passengers. The city last year completed the first phase of an expansion to the airport, which grew its footprint by 8,000 square feet and added additional gates, seating, parking and other amenities. Design work on the second phase is anticipated to start later this year with $2 million in capital outlay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of now, Harris said the airport has been told by the New Mexico Department of Transportation that it is not going to be affected by any federal funding changes. The airport has been very successful at securing state funding over the past several years. Another aspect of the airport's work has been growing its passenger base, said Stuart C. Kirk, executive director of the Northern New Mexico Air Alliance. That effort has led the airport to now have about 1,000 daily passengers, he said. Kirk said the airport is particularly interested in a flight to the Los Angeles International Airport or Hollywood Burbank Airport due to demand from the film industry, something Santa Fe is trying to cultivate with the development of a large film studio at the midtown campus and other initiatives. He said the airport has met with American Airlines about the possibility of a flight to LAX. Nothing has been promised, but he said he's optimistic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "For a while the limitation was the capacity of our terminal, but now that we've got this nice new terminal, more parking and when we're getting started on a next phase, that makes us more and more attractive," Kirk said. Kirk said JSX also operates out of Burbank, and he would love for the carrier to begin offering that as a destination from Santa Fe. Kaufman said JSX typically enters new markets with one route, but has "every intention" of expanding if the Santa Fe-Dallas flight proves successful. He said the demand for a flight to the Los Angeles area is on the company's radar. "It's definitely top of mind for us," Kaufman said. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) A San Angelo ISD teacher has been taken into custody and a school resource officer has been placed on administrative leave in the wake of an investigation into a a perceived improper relationship between a student and staff at Lake View High School, according to the San Angelo Police Department. In a public statement issued by the SAPD, the department reported that it was contacted from a non-involved 3rd party on March 13 in regard to an incident that occurred at Lake View High School. The SAPDs Crimes Against Children Unit investigated the incident, which involved a perceived improper relationship between a student and staff. RELATED: SAISD addresses alleged inappropriate conduct of Lake View staff member Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department stated that Abraham Gonzales, a 24-year-old SAISD teacher, turned himself into the Tom Green County Sheriffs Office on the morning of March 19 after a warrant had been issued for Improper Relationship between Educator/Student (2nd Degree Felony).' The agency said that, during its investigation, it was alleged that a School Resource Officer had engaged in inappropriate communications with the same victim. The SAPD said the officer was immediately placed on administrative leave so an internal investigation could take place. For the sake of transparency, the San Angelo Police Department shared all information received during the criminal investigation with the Tom Green County Sheriffs Office, who will be reviewing the incident to see if there was any criminal wrongdoing, the SAPD said. The SAPD stated that the investigation is ongoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more information regarding the investigation, watch the SAPDs press conference held regarding it during the morning of March 19. This is a developing story. Stick with Concho Valley Homepage for updates as more 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 ConchoValleyHomepage.com. Aurora toddler Ollie is an early riser he never wants to miss his current routine of hugging all the stuffed animals in his room in turn, then the dog hes dubbed cow cow. He loves the snow and lights up in music therapy at the Anchor Center for Blind Children. Hes just kind of goofy in an endearing way, and we love that. Hes always laughing and joking, just really happy all the time, said Ollies father, Nick Colgin. Colgin said his family moved last year to Colorado from Indiana to find better resources for the 20-month-old, who has two brain malformations that affect his vision and development. The Anchor Center was one draw, but the other was Early Intervention Colorado, a state program that coordinates therapies for very young children with disabilities and developmental delays. Colgin said the 20 hours a week in specialized developmental therapy Ollie receives is a game changer for meeting his multifaceted needs. Thats why the family was devastated to learn in late February that the program would drastically cut its services. In a memo to providers Feb. 25, the Colorado Department of Early Childhood said the program would implement cost-containment measures, like limiting therapy hours to four per month and discontinuing services not covered by Medicaid. As a legally blind child, Ollie was receiving therapy specific to improving his development with vision in mind. Those therapies, which are not covered by Medicaid, would no longer be offered in the program, according to the communication. Colgin said his family would have needed to choose among the therapists Ollie currently sees under recommendation from his care plan. "I don't think that's the way you address the medical needs of a child," said Colgin. After a public outcry and an emergency session of the legislatures Joint Budget Committee, the cuts were paused before they could be implemented. Now, state lawmakers have passed a bill allocating $2 million from other appropriations to offset some of what program administrators identified as a $4 million budget deficit. In a bulletin on Monday, CDEC said it would also work with partners to "leverage unspent funds" to make up the difference. The move should allow the program to keep providing services for a few more months. The CDEC confirmed no changes. Services will continue as usual, the bulletin read. The measure will only fund Early Intervention until the end of the fiscal year in June. After that, the future of the program is up in the air as the state faces a budget deficit of over $1 billion and potential cuts to Medicaid coming down the pipe from Washington. Featured Local Savings In a meeting on the budget bill on March 13, Rep. Rick Taggart, R-Mesa County, was critical of the program administrators' responses to the committee's questions on Early Intervention. He said he felt the short-term continuation of services was vulnerable despite assurances. "I'm just really uncomfortable with this situation," he said. Taggart and others on the JBC have been critical of the CDEC's handling of the cuts, which were announced without consultation with lawmakers and set a deadline of six days for providers to begin adjusting services. Taggart said the previous interaction with the CDEC left "a lot of questions in (his) mind as to was this going to carry them through to the end of the year with absolutely no qualifications." CDEC officials did not participate in the March 13 meeting. Jeanni Stefanik, chief financial officer for CDEC, said at the emergency JBC hearing at the end of February that the announcement came after the department realized a problem with recent spending projections. Stefanik said the program was buckling under increased enrollment numbers, decreasing Medicaid coverage and the end of other funding streams. "It's all come together to create this perfect storm," she said. With services and reimbursements to therapy providers set to continue as is, the funding issues Stefanik identified may still not be addressed in the long term. In the bulletin on Monday, CDEC said it would "continue working with the JBC to protect vital services in the next year and ensure the long-term sustainability of this program, while minimizing any impact to families and providers." Colgin said continuation of care is vital for his son. It's scary already having a child with a disability. It's even scarier when you rely on these people who are supposed to be there to help you, he said. CDEC is hosting virtual work sessions with parents and providers throughout the next month to discuss questions and concerns about Early Intervention. A list of times and meeting links can be found at bit.ly/4hoNpRM. SAUGATUCK, Mich. (WOOD) Saugatuck Brewing Company is teaming up with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to help protect lake sturgeon, a threatened species in the state. 2025 sturgeon season in Michigan lasts just 17 minutes SBC is launching a new program centered around a new brew, a lager called Lake Street Light. Dubbed the Lake Street Light x Lake Sturgeon Program, a portion of proceeds from every Lake Street Light sold will be donated to the DNRs efforts to restore lake sturgeon habitat and boost population numbers. Lake Street Light. (Courtesy Saugatuck Brewing Company) SBC says Lake Street Light is a crisp, refreshing brew with only 96 calories and 4% alcohol by volume. The company says it is inspired by the beauty of Michigans lakes and waterways. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lake Street Light is more than just a beer its a nod to Michigans wild heart, Sara Van Splinter, director of marketing at SBC, said in a news release. These shores, our Lake Street, are home to countless species and we are proud to help protect one of them. Patrick Ertel, with the DNRs Fisheries Division, calls the lake sturgeon critical to Michigans aquatic ecosystems. Preserving Michigan: Helping lake sturgeon bounce back in the Grand River To say that lake sturgeon are a major part of Michigans aquatic history doesnt quite do them justice, Ertel stated. These fish have been around for more than 100 million years, which may be hard to even comprehend. In terms of more recent generations, there are individual sturgeon in our waters today that are older than anyone reading about this partnership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lake sturgeon were designated as a threatened species in Michigan in 1994, kickstarting conservation programs to protect the fish and help regenerate the population. While they arent a common sight now, lake sturgeon once ruled the Great Lakes region. Numbers have dropped off harshly over the last 200 years, primarily thanks to overfishing in the 19th and early 20th centuries. And they face several other challenges, including pollution, loss of primary food sources and impacts from invasive species. Adult lake sturgeon live out in big lakes like Lake Michigan, but they swim upriver to spawn. The juvenile sturgeon live in rivers for the first year of their lives before moving out to the lakes. Harvesting lake sturgeon is extremely limited and only allowed in a handful of waters. The Lake Street Light x Lake Sturgeon Program follows up a previous partnership that raised $10,000 to support habitat restoration for Michigans trout population. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 WOODTV.com. Rep. Terry Alexander, D-Florence, speaks to Rep. Tim McGinnis, R-Myrtle Beach, during a House committee meeting before the committee voted to advance a bill banning diversity, equity and inclusion from state agencies and universities on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. (Screenshot of SCETV legislative livestream) COLUMBIA A pared-down version of a bill prohibiting state agencies, local governments and universities from using diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives advanced to the House floor Wednesday. As amended, the bill says government agencies cant have an office named with the words that form the DEI acronym and cant require diversity training or statements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its similar to legislation the House passed last year that applied only to colleges, which never got a vote in the Senate. Legislators rewrote the new bill after hearing hours of testimony from people opposed to it. The amended version, which advanced Wednesday on a party-line vote of 13-4, removed the ban on contracting with private companies that have DEI programs. It also clarified wording to be sure it would not affect organizations such as the NAACP or events that celebrate a specific group of people, such as an LGBTQ Pride festival or Black History Month. We listened to you, Rep. Tim McGinnis, who spearheaded the amendment, told dozens of people watching Wednesday. Opponents of the bill who testified two weeks ago raised concerns over wide-ranging consequences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Universities might have to cut ties with textbook suppliers. School districts might have to find new companies to provide school lunches, and state agencies might not be able to work with major vehicle manufacturers, people told the committee. That goes too far, McGinnis, R-Myrtle Beach, told reporters after the meeting. I just dont think we need to go in and tell private businesses that this is how you have to operate, McGinnis said. The version of the bill passed Wednesday would still ban state agencies, local governments, school districts and public universities from giving any sort of deferential treatment to a person based on their race, gender, sexual orientation or other characteristic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, a university would not be able to accept a person based on their race or gender. Likewise, a company considering two candidates would not be allowed to select one because of their race or gender. The bill also prohibits any parts of state or local government from requiring employees or prospective students to sign a diversity statement or take diversity training courses. Universities and agencies would still be allowed to offer that type of training to employees and students. If a person declined, they could not be punished for that, McGinnis said. These programs arent inherently bad, but they dont need to be mandatory, McGinnis said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill would have no effect on Black History Month programs, teacher recruitment initiatives for Black men, school curriculum teaching about the Holocaust, programs for veterans with disabilities or local Pride events, McGinnis said, in response to specific concerns from legislators. Most state universities have already gotten rid of diversity statements and DEI division names in preparation for a law change. The bill only prohibits offices that use the words diversity, equity and inclusion, McGinnis said. For instance, Clemson University changed the name of its equity and inclusion office to the Division of Community Engagement, Belonging and Access. Under that name, the office would not violate the bill, legislators said. Neither would a student-run NAACP chapter or LGBTQ club. The ban on requiring students to sign a diversity statement as part of their application would not preclude students from laying out their identity or thoughts on diversity in a different part of their application, such as an essay portion, said committee Chairwoman Shannon Erickson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This isnt prohibiting a student from sharing that they believe any of the beliefs they have, the Beaufort Republican said. If the agency that accredits the states universities or grants that bring in federal funding require some sort of diversity, equity and inclusion office or statement, universities would be allowed to comply with those requirements, legislators said. For instance, universities would be able to continue accepting needs-based Pell Grants without violating the bill, Erickson said. The idea of removing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives rankled the panels Democrats, all of whom are Black. The four Democrats, all of whom voted against the bill, argued its good for public institutions to promote diversity, equity and inclusion. Are we telling the people of this state that we have no dealings with making sure that every person has the same rights as others? said Rep. Terry Alexander, D-Florence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some questioned whether such practices are really happening in South Carolina, or if the bill is simply in response to executive orders signed by President Donald Trump banning DEI initiatives at a federal level. Are we doing this because it is a problem in this state, or are we doing this because there is a political narrative from a certain party coming from D.C., trickling down to South Carolina, at almost election time? said Rep. Hamilton Grant, D-Columbia. The goal is to prevent people from hiring someone based solely on their race, not to prevent agencies and universities from remaining diverse and inclusive, supporters of the bill said. If you make a GPA of 5.0 and I make one of 3.2 and we go out for the same job, I dont care what color you are, said Rep. Doug Gilliam, a Buffalo Republican and the bills main sponsor. I want the person that is going to do the best job and who is most capable of doing the job for me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new proposal representatives approved Wednesday closely aligns with a clause initially included in the Houses spending plan. When representatives passed the budget last week, however, that clause was not included. Democrats successfully got the clause thrown out late into the debate for not actually dealing with dollars and cents. So, legislators brought it back as a separate law. 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 Attorneys for inmate Mikal Mahdi are asking the state Supreme Court to halt his upcoming execution to consider the influence his traumatic childhood had on his crimes, according to a petition filed Tuesday. Mahdis execution is scheduled for 6 p.m. April 11. The now-41-year-old was sentenced to death in 2006 after pleading guilty to shooting and killing a gas station clerk in North Carolina, then killing a police officer with his own rifle in South Carolina as part of a multi-state crime spree, according to court records. Mikal Mahdi. (Provided/SC Department of Corrections) Mahdi was arrested in Satellite Beach, Florida, on July 21, 2004, following a nationwide manhunt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Mahdis execution goes forward, he will be the fifth man put to death in the state since executions resumed last September, following an unintended 13-year hiatus. During Mahdis initial trial, his attorneys put on a blink and youll miss it defense to the death penalty, the petition reads. The single witness who talked about Mahdis past barely scratched the surface of Mahdis tumultuous childhood and teenage years, it continues. As a child, growing up in Lawrenceville, Virginia, Mahdi was quiet, affectionate, thoughtful and creative, his current attorneys wrote. Teachers recalled him as a bright, artistic child who warmed up with some patience and trust, according to the petition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Mahdi was 4 years old, his mother left because of his fathers abuse, but Mahdis father told him she had abandoned him and later died. At age 8, Mahdi saw his father kidnap his mother at gunpoint and try to kill her, according to the petition. Mahdi struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts from the age of 9, his attorneys claimed. His father sent him to live with an aunt and uncle in Baltimore, who eventually sent Mahdi back to his father at Mahdis request, according to the petition. My life wouldve turned out completely different if I wouldve stayed in Baltimore, Mahdi said in a video provided by his attorneys. But that is a whole lot of could-a, would-a, should-a. When Mahdi continued showing behavioral issues in school, his father pulled him out of school and subjected him to daily survivalist training instead of adequate homeschooling, the petition reads. Mahdi first entered the juvenile justice system at age 14 for committing property crimes. From then on, he spent most of his life in jail environments, getting out for months at a time before returning to juvenile detention and, later, adult prison, according to the petition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Much of that time was spent in solitary confinement, the legal filing continues. Between the ages of 18 and 21, Mahdi spent more than 6,000 hours in solitary confinement, according to the filing. None of this information is intended to minimize the harm that Mahdi caused through his violent acts as a 21-year-old, the petition reads. But with such a criminal record, one might expect that Mikal Mahdi was out of control his entire life. The opposite is true. Mahdi had been out of prison for about two months when he stole a car and a gun in his hometown of Lawrenceville, Virginia, and fled south. He shot gas station clerk Christopher Boggs point-blank in the head while buying a beer in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, then continued on to South Carolina. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After carjacking a driver in Columbia, Mahdi drove to Calhoun County. After stopping at a gas station there, he ran on foot from a suspicious attendant and hid out in the workshop of Capt. James Myers, an Orangeburg Public Safety officer who lived in the adjoining rural county, according to court documents. Mikal Mahdi, age 8, in Baltimore, Maryland. (Provided by the Capital Habeas Unit for the Fourth Circuit) When Myers returned home on July 18, 2004, Mahdi shot him nine times with his own rifle, then lit his body on fire and stole his police truck, fleeing to Florida, where he was arrested three days later, according to court documents. An appeals court heard similar arguments in 2011, his attorneys acknowledged. But research has developed since then, showing that serious trauma at a young age, like what Mahdi experienced in his childhood, can affect a persons brain development, including increasing their likelihood to commit violent crimes, according to the petition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Psychologists have also warned that solitary confinement can exacerbate existing mental health problems in young people, according to the petition. That evidence will show that Mikal Mahdi is not an irredeemable person who deserves to be executed, but one who started out as a promising child before extraordinary trauma knocked him far off course, the petition reads. More recent research has suggested that serious trauma at a young age, like what Mahdi experienced in his childhood, can affect a persons brain development, Mahdis attorneys said in the petition. The amount of trauma Mahdi experienced as a child was almost unheard of, one psychologist, Dr. Malcolm Woodland, told Mahdis attorneys. Many children with tumultuous childhoods have a strong adult figure they can lean on, but Mahdi had no stable adults in his life, Woodland said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He just did not have a shot, Woodland said in a video released by Mahdis attorneys. Judge Clifton Newman, who sentenced Mahdi to death, heard none of this information, despite teachers, family friends and the former local sheriff being willing to testify. Without any family members or community members testifying, Newman could reasonably conclude that Mikal was so irredeemable that nobody from his life was willing to speak up for him, the petition reads. What Newman did hear didnt even span the length of a Law & Order episode, and was just as superficial, the petition continues. In essence, Mahdis entire life in this proceeding to determine whether he should live or die was boiled down to a few short bullet points and less than a half hour of testimony, his attorneys wrote. By law, Mahdi has until Friday, March 28, to select his execution method, unless the states high court gives him a reprieve before then. The justices have declined requests to suspend the previous four executions since September to reconsider their death sentences. (WSPA) A South Carolina man was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty to multiple crimes including killing a K-9 officer. According to the 8th Circuit Solicitors Office, 38-year-old James Robert Peterson, of Newberry County, was sentenced to 33 years in prison for first-degree burglary, three counts of attempted murder, cruelty to a police dog and resisting arrest with a deadly weapon. An investigation was initiated in May 2024 when Peterson broke into a residence in the Prosperity community while the homeowner was at work. The homeowner observed Peterson on a Ring camera positioned by the door of the home. The Newberry County Sheriffs Office was able to identify Peterson from his distinctive tattoos and previous experience dealing with the defendant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On June 11, deputies received information that Peterson was at a residence on Gravel Lane in Prosperity. Due to prior knowledge of Peterson resisting arrest, investigators called in the State Law Enforcement Division K-9 Team to assist in serving the warrants. After multiple commands from law enforcement to Peterson to exit the residence, SLED K-9 Officer Coba made entry into the home. K-9 Coba found the suspect inside the residence along with a deputy and SLED agents. Peterson had a shotgun in his left hand and shot K-9 Coba. The officers returned fire, injuring the suspect. K-9 Coba was taken to an emergency veterinarian where he later died. K-9 Coba joined SLED in 2021 and served on SLEDs SWAT Team and SLEDs K-9 Tracking Team during his career. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A judge sentenced Peterson to 28 years in prison on each of the burglary and attempted murder charges and 10 years in prison on the resisting arrest charge, with all those sentences to be served concurrently. At the request of the State, Peterson was then sentenced to five years in prison on the cruelty to a police dog charge which is the current maximum sentence for that charge under SC law. That sentence is also to be served consecutively. 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. COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) The General Assembly tasked the South Carolina Department of Transportation with making their Momentum 2050 Plan. The plan outlines goals and future improvements the South Carolina Department of Transportation wants to make. Yeah, it is a good way off 2050. But if we dont start funding and preparing and permitting now, were never going to get there, said Senator Larry Grooms (R-Berkeley), Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee. The South Carolina Department of Transportation said the state has changed drastically since the last plan was made. Secretary at SCDOT, Justin Powell said after the Covid-19 pandemic, there have been 360,000 new residents who have come to the Palmetto State. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are expecting a million more new residents within the next 20 years. The questions are not about the pothole anymore. Its the I cant get across town like I used to, its those questions, Powell said. Grooms said they are committed to work with SCDOT on funding. We underfunded our roads for about 25 years. So, for 25 years in a row, our roads got worse, and now that were getting too good, getting our handle, getting a handle on that, now we need to understand we have to do more to be able to expand the network, said Grooms. Our roads have to be safe, and any unsafe bridges have to be repaired, Grooms added. Now, we know others are aging out, so coming up with a schedule of which bridges get replaced and thats essential in having the revenue to do it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another key issue addressed was railroad repairs and crossings. 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. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A school bus was reportedly involved in a crash in Dayton. According to Montgomery County Regional Dispatch, first responders were sent at 4:57 p.m. to the area of Carter and West Siebenthaler avenues for a reported crash involving a school bus. The bus allegedly collided with a tree, according to dispatch. Dispatch confirmed to 2 NEWS that although students were on-board the bus, no students have reported any injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This story is developing. 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 WDTN.com. The Senate Democratic leader said it himself on cable news on Tuesday night. By siding with Republicans on the government funding bill, Chuck Schumer knew members of his own party would come out against him. But what may have not have been expected was how quickly the criticism spread beyond the left flank. Just this week, Rep. Glenn Ivey of Maryland told constituents it may be time for the Senate Democrats to get a new leader, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz aired frustrations, and one of Schumers longtime allies, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, dropped the hammer on him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I myself dont give away anything for nothing, Pelosi told reporters Tuesday during a news conference at a childrens hospital in San Francisco, her second time addressing Schumers vote. I think thats what happened the other day. Five days after the vote, Schumer bashing is going mainstream continuing a drumbeat of criticism that first started when he announced he would join Republicans, eight other Democrats and one independent, to advance the bill to fund the government. What began with activist groups and progressive members of Congress, has moved toward both the partys political center and the nations heartland including to possible 2028 contenders. The criticism comes as the party struggles to find ways to push back against a Republican stranglehold on power in Washington. Illinois Pritzker said I disagree with what he did and vehemently so, following a talk at the Center for American Progress. Walz, the former vice presidential nominee, said Democrats gave up their leverage in an appearance on California Gov. Gavin Newsoms podcast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And then there was Pelosi. By piling on Tuesday, Pelosi gave everybody a permission slip to carry on, said one Democratic strategist, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly about the situation. And they did. I respect Chuck Schumer. I think he had a great, long-standing career, Ivey (D-Md.) told an audience that included many government workers Tuesday night. But Im afraid that it may be time for the Senate Democrats to get a new leader. In an interview with MSNBCs Chris Hayes Tuesday night, Schumer not only defended his decision as necessary to prevent the hurt a shutdown would bring to American workers, but also touted his own political prowess. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im a smart politician, I can read what people want, Schumer said, emphasizing that a while Republicans put forward a terrible, terrible, bill, a shutdown would have been so much worse. I couldnt tolerate it, I couldnt live with it, he added. He isnt the only Democrat making the calculation about the bill or his political standing. In Pelosis home state, Darry Sragow, a Democratic strategist, insists that these types of disagreements are just business as usual for Democrats. That's just what we do, he said. You know, we're this dysfunctional family that agrees on one thing; and that is that we want to protect the interests of ordinary, working Americans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schumer hit cable again Wednesday morning, working to shift the focus to the party's messaging against President Donald Trump. "Now we can really go after him, let the public know who he is," Schumer said on MSNBC's "Morning Joe." "Once they know who he is, show them what we have done and want to do." Schumers Senate colleagues, too, are quick to dismiss the idea that he should be removed as leader. But even some of them have expressed concern that members need more guidance. Appearing on NBCs Meet the Press Sunday, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) said Schumer can lead the caucus. However, he added, Democrats need to have a conversation inside the caucus about whether we are willing to stand up to Republicans. Danny Nguyen contributed to this report. WASHINGTON (NewsNation) Two House Democrats have suggested Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., step down from leadership during a raucous town hall Tuesday following Schumers vote in support of a GOP government funding measure last week. I respect Chuck Schumer. I think he had a great, long-standing career, Maryland Democratic Rep. Glenn Ivey told constituents at a forum in his district. But Im afraid it may be time for Senate Democrats to choose a new leader. At a town hall, Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Ill., was asked directly if Schumer should be replaced and answered, Yes. Her office later added, Rep. Ramirez believes it is important the Democrats listen to their constituents and center working people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, suggested over the weekend that Senate Democrats should reconsider Schumers role, saying, Younger, fresher leadership may be something many Americans are looking for, especially in New York. Trump defends deportation flights as judge calls for more information Last week, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., shaded Schumer over the vote in a statement, calling on Democrats to fight back for a better way. Schumer is postponing several scheduled events this week to promote his new book after some liberal groups had planned to stage protests. Risa Heller, a representative for Schumers book, said the tour would be rescheduled due to security concerns. Appearances in Baltimore, D.C. and other cities have already been postponed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite avoiding public appearances, Schumer remains a prominent fixture on television, making several cable news appearances and a sit-down with The View. Schumer defended his vote and his spot atop the Senate Democratic caucus, maintaining Tuesday that he has no plans of stepping aside anytime soon. Schumer was defiant when pressed about the vote and his standing, saying that he knew hed take flak but still thought he made the right decision. Musk: They basically wanna kill me because Im stopping their fraud We would have had half the federal government we have right now, Schumer told CBS Mornings, pointing to what he believed would be a hollowing out during a shutdown. I thought I did the thing a leader should do. Even when people dont see the danger around the curve, my job was to alert people to it, and I knew Id get some bullets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im the best leader for the Senate, Schumer continued. I am the best at winning Senate seats. Ive done it in 2005. Just in 2020, no one thought wed take back the Senate. Under my leadership, we took it. The Democrats lost control of the Senate in 2024. When pressed by host Gayle King if he had plans of stepping aside, Schumer shot them down. No, no, he said. Were moving forward. Hakeem and I have a plan, he added, referring to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York. NewsNation affiliate The Hill and 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 NewsNation. Lewis-Palmer District 38s search for its next superintendent will begin with its current administration. The D-38 Board of Education approved the process for selecting its next superintendent during its regular meeting Monday night. The hiring process will include an internal job posting, meaning that applicants will all be current employees for the district. Following former Superintendent Stacie Datteris resignation Jan. 21, the board approved Assistant Superintendent Amber Whetstine as the interim superintendent through June 30. Since then, board President Tiffiney Upchurch said she had heard from community members and that there is an appetite for a more definitive process put in place by the end of the current semester. During board members reports, Patti Shank said that she has received input from teachers, staff and other community members about the superintendent search and that an internal search seemed to be the consensus for how to proceed. Featured Local Savings So, we have already heard a great deal of targeted guidance from members of the D-38 community about their desired approach for their next superintendent, she said. And it was especially gratifying to me that the chief guidance from these different groups many different groups was very closely aligned and pointed in the same direction. Board Treasurer Ron Schwarz, the one dissenting vote for the motion, argued that the board wouldnt be conducting proper due diligence by limiting its search to internal candidates and that, as public officials, they should open themselves to public engagement and scrutiny. There are very highly qualified candidates right in front of us, but we also are wards of the community, he said. And we are also elected by the community and theres a degree of diligence that is important to do to prove that, in fact, we have the right person for the right role at the right time. And, by looking externally, it validates that. Upchurch said that the internal job posting itself "does not preclude them from doing due diligence. Following the motions passing, she said that they will discuss what the job posting will entail, how the board will conduct its interviews with candidates and what community engagement throughout this process might look like going forward. The discussions are slated to begin at the boards work session next month. The News Chuck Schumers government funding decision was wrong but now is not the time for civil war. Thats according to Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, who gave fellow Democrats clear advice on Tuesday as the Senate minority leader kept trying to quell progressive fury over his vote to advance the Trump-backed funding bill. Pritzker told Semafor that he disagrees with Schumers decision, but he wants his party to stop splintering over it. I do not think that Democrats should be jumping into internecine warfare, Pritzker, one of several governors who are already making it onto presidential short lists ahead of 2028, told Semafor when asked about the internal row. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He then invoked Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the New York progressive whos tangled openly with Schumer over the funding fight. Schumer was wrong to support the funding bill, Pritzker added, but I also know that he wants, those [Democrats who voted yes] want, the same things that AOC and I want which is, weve got to overcome what we see as the crumbling of a constitutional republic and the taking away of services from people who matter. Pritzker isnt the only governor in the Democratic presidential mix to criticize Schumer as the New York Democrat gets pummeled by the left for his handling of the funding fight, but he was the most pointed. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said over the weekend that Schumer should have used his leverage better but also deemed himself not an expert in the DC stuff. And its not clear that activists who continue to call for Schumers departure from party leadership will heed Pritzkers counsel to avoid an internal fight over his future. Former House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who fought Trump alongside Schumer during the presidents first term, added her own jab on Tuesday even while saying she has confidence in him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I myself dont give away anything for nothing, Pelosi said during an appearance in her home state. I think thats what happened the other day. Schumer reiterated on ABCs earlier in the day that hes steadfast in his position and made his decision out of a firm belief that a government shutdown would have proven more harmful to the US public. Know More Pritzker, 60, appeared Tuesday at the liberal Center for American Progress for a sit-down with its newly returned leader, Neera Tanden, about his broader policy priorities and views on offering an alternative to Trumps agenda. While on stage, he praised his states junior senator, Tammy Duckworth, for describing herself as a hell no on the funding bill. Duckworths senior colleague, Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin, is on the verge of his own decision about a reelection run after three Democratic colleagues opted for retirement. When Semafor asked if he would support Durbin running again next year, at age 81, Pritzker answered yes with a caveat. Ive known Dick Durbin for a long time, and he has been a good United States senator from Illinois. Again, he voted the wrong way on the funding bill, Pritzker said. (Durbin also advanced the funding plan last week.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He then added that, while I dont know what [Durbins] planning to do, Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton is spectacular, and she may become a candidate for Senate, and I think she would be an amazing senator. Notable National Institutes of Health officials have urged scientists to remove all references to mRNA vaccine technology from their grant applications, two researchers said, in a move that signaled the agency might abandon a promising field of medical research. The mRNA technology is under study at the NIH for prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, including flu and AIDS, and also cancer. It was deployed in the development of Covid-19 vaccines credited with saving 3 million lives in the U.S. alone an accomplishment President Donald Trump bragged about in his first term. A scientist at a biomedical research center in Philadelphia wrote to a colleague, in an email reviewed by KFF Health News, that a project officer at NIH had flagged our pending grant as having an mRNA vaccine component. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its still unclear whether mRNA vaccine grants will be canceled, the scientist added. NIH officials also told a senior NIH-funded vaccine scientist in New York state, who does not conduct mRNA vaccine research but described its efficacy in previous grant applications, that all references to mRNA vaccines should be scrubbed from future applications. Scientists relayed their experiences on the condition of anonymity for fear of professional retaliation by the Trump administration. A senior official at the National Cancer Institute confirmed that NIH acting Director Matthew Memoli sent an email across the NIH instructing that any grants, contracts, or collaborations involving mRNA vaccines be reported up the chain to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s office and the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Memoli sent a similar message ahead of the agency canceling other research, such as studies of vaccine hesitancy. Memolis email on that topic bluntly stated that NIH was not interested in learning why people shun vaccines or in exploring ways to improve vaccine interest and commitment. The National Cancer Institute official, who also spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, said that it is reasonable to assume mRNA vaccine work is next. The official said a similar memo also went out regarding NIH-funded work in South Africa, which the White House has targeted over false claims that the countrys government is persecuting white people. More recently, another one went out regarding all global research collaborations, the official said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spokespeople for the White House, HHS, and the NIH did not respond to requests for comment. The NIH, whose latest annual budget was $47 billion, is one of the worlds most critical sources of funding for basic biomedical research. Its mission and programs are under unprecedented scrutiny from Trumps White House and the Department of Government Efficiency, the Elon Musk-led agency created by a Trump executive order that has directed federal agencies to prepare for widespread layoffs. The NIH is funding at least 130 studies involving the mRNA technology in Covid vaccines produced by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna that have been administered to billions of people worldwide. A former government official familiar with internal discussions said that the Trump administration intends to cut some grants for mRNA vaccine research but that the timing is unclear. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships with the administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Political conservatives in the U.S. have promulgated conspiracy theories, unsupported by scientific evidence, that the shots and their relatively new technology are dangerous. This has undermined public support for Covid vaccinations and mRNA research. There will not be any research funded by NIH on mRNA vaccines, the scientist in New York said in an interview. MAGA people are convinced that these vaccines have killed and maimed tens of thousands of people. Its not true, but they believe that. Meanwhile, hundreds of other vaccine-related studies are in limbo. Kawsar Talaat, a vaccine researcher at the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University, has been waiting since the fall for money needed to recruit subjects for a study of an antidiarrheal vaccine. NIH approved our funding, she said, and now were waiting, and we dont know if its going forward or going to be killed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The scientist in Philadelphia signaled that he believes Kennedy, a longtime anti-vaccine activist, is responsible for the NIHs turn against mRNA research. Kennedys war on vaccines has started, the scientist told his colleague. Getty Images The scientist in New York said that it was ridiculous to remove mRNA language from the grant applications. But if my grant is rejected for any reason, the scientist said, people in my lab will lose their jobs. Ive worked with some of them for 20 years, the scientist added. They have children and families. There is a real climate of fear in academia about this now, especially among vaccine scientists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My grant does not involve a request for funds to conduct mRNA vaccine experiments, the scientist said, so my principal concern was to avoid word-search flags that, at minimum, would lead to delays in any funding. While tenured research professors at universities generally receive a salary from their institution, the staffers who work in their labs and offices are often paid through NIH grants. The 2023 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine was given to two scientists for developing mRNA vaccines, through work that relied on pharmaceutical companies and on NIH scientists working under infectious disease specialist Anthony Fauci. According to Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican who chairs the chambers Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Kennedy promised during his Senate confirmation process that he would protect the public health benefit of vaccination and work within the current vaccine approval and safety monitoring systems, and not establish parallel systems. Cassidy, a physician, had expressed reservations about confirming Kennedy to the HHS post and challenged his anti-vaccine views during a confirmation hearing. He ended up voting for him, he said, because Kennedy had agreed to work closely with Cassidy and his committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Kennedy has faced scrutiny in his first weeks in office for his handling of a large measles outbreak among mostly unvaccinated people in Texas that has led to the death of a child, the first U.S. measles death in more than a decade. A patient who tested positive for measles died in New Mexico, but the cause hasnt been confirmed. Instead of urging vaccination against the disease, an almost surefire way to prevent infection, Kennedy has blamed malnourishment for the outbreak, promoted unproven treatments for measles, and falsely claimed in one Fox News interview that the vaccine is ineffective and even dangerous. Cassidy did not respond to a request for comment on the NIHs potential abandonment of mRNA vaccine research. As part of the Trump administrations push to examine spending on mRNA vaccines, health officials are reviewing a $590 million contract for bird flu shots that the Biden administration awarded to Moderna, Bloomberg News has reported. Legislation introduced by GOP lawmakers in at least seven states is aimed at banning or limiting mRNA vaccines. In some cases, the measures would hit doctors who give the injections with criminal penalties, fines, and the possible revocation of their licenses. Stephanie Armour and Celine Gounder contributed to this article. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism. The post Scientists Say NIH Officials Told Them To Scrub mRNA References on Grants appeared first on Katie Couric Media. Scott Jennings turned up the volume Tuesday on CNN. The resident Republican foil on NewsNight lost his temper in an exchange with former Joe Biden adviser Neera Tanden over vandalism at Tesla sites. (Watch the video below.) So let me educate you about my position! he screamed in a rant that had him trending on social media. Even without regular host Abby Phillip, Jennings still ratcheted up the tension with fill-in moderator John Berman trying to play peacemaker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jennings reportedly is getting a hefty raise for being the political version of a pro wrestling heel on the show, but he presumably is not acting. The friction the former George W. Bush staffer generates appears to be working in terms of ratings. AdWeek reported that NewsNight is CNNs most popular show in the important 25-54 age demographic. Jennings regular support for President Donald Trump and his DOGE hatchet man Elon Musk is fairly predictable, but viewers might be tuning in for volatile confrontations like Tuesdays. Jennings sided with Trumps assessment that the suspects involved in vandalizing Tesla sites were domestic terrorists protesting Tesla owner Musks cuts in the federal government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats the American left right now, Jennings said. It is one angry mob after another willing to take things into their own hands, up to and including keying, firebombing, and otherwise vandalizing cars and car dealerships and charging stations. So, when they do it to a Tesla dealership, its really bad, Tanden interjected. But when they do it to the halls of Congress, we should pardon them? Is that your position? Amid crosstalk, Jennings said: I know you havent been around for a while, so let me educate you about my position about Jan. 6. Im so sorry, Tanden said sarcastically. Rattled by Tanden and the panel din, Jennings could take no more. He warned her about being condescending and then went Vesuvius. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So let me educate you about my position! he bellowed. Berman tried to direct traffic as the two mixed it up. Guys, lets do this. Jan. 6 and then Neera. Im sorry youre getting emotional, Tanden said. Yeah, Im sorry youre a condescending person who hasnt been paying attention to what I do, Jennings replied. So heres the issue. I didnt support what happened on Jan. 6 and was one of the first Republicans to call it out. I dont support the pardons. I have repeatedly ... said that no violence in our political system is acceptable. But this right here, whats going on with a guy who helps our country, who runs successful companies, who doesnt have to be doing this, and now one of his companies is under systematic terroristic threats and violence all over the country. And people seem to be laughing about it or fine with it. Its outrageous. Ive sat at this table and had people say we should cut Elon Musk from the government totally. He rescued our astronauts today. Is that what we want? The treatment of this guy is outrageous. These people who are doing this need to be found and put in jail and made an example of. Thats my point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Or perhaps the point is, Jennings got triggered and its exactly what CNN viewers want to see. Tanden took the liberty of owning Jennings with the last word on X, formerly Twitter: Some men are so emotional, she wrote. Scott Jennings blows up at Neera Tanden Tanden: So when they do it to a Tesla dealership, it's really bad. But when they do it to the halls of congress, we should pardon them. Is that your position? pic.twitter.com/LsNMbGhpHo Acyn (@Acyn) March 19, 2025 Related... The northern leg of HS2 could be replaced with a new privately funded railway under government plans to boost economic growth. Ministers are considering reviving plans for a new high-speed line between the West Midlands and Greater Manchester after Rishi Sunak scrapped the beleaguered northern leg in 2023. Officials are understood to be concerned about the capacity of the West Coast Main Line, which is described by its operator as an economic artery but has been hit by overcrowding and delays. The Department for Transport (DfT) believes the current railway line and the M6 motorway will be overburdened by the middle of the next decade. A government source said ministers were sympathetic to concerns about capacity and looking at what can be done to ease them as part of a drive for economic growth. The department is considering backing a proposal by Andy Burnham and Richard Parker, the Labour mayors of Greater Manchester and the West Midlands, to fund a new high-speed line between Lichfield and High Legh in Cheshire. Last year, the mayors proposed a Midlands-North West Rail Link that would run at 186mph, up from the 125mph currently allowed on the West Coast Main Line but short of the proposed 225mph speed limit of HS2. The line would replace some of the second phase of HS2, which would have run between Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first section, the Staffordshire Connector, would replace the planned HS2 route between Lichfield and Crewe, while a second Cheshire Connector would connect Crewe to High Legh on the planned Northern Powerhouse Rail line between Liverpool and Manchester. It has been backed by George Osborne, the former Tory chancellor, who called Mr Sunaks decision to scrap the northern leg of HS2 an act of infrastructure vandalism. The mayors argued that their line could reuse land and some technical plans had already been purchased for HS2, saving 2 billion. The line nicknamed HS2-lite would use conventional tracks rather than the expensive slab track used on the first phase of HS2 between London and Birmingham. It would also mainly be funded through private finance rather than the Governments capital projects budget. The schemes backers argue that it can deliver 85 per cent of the benefits of the second phase of HS2 at between 60 and 75 per cent of the cost. The Telegraph understands no final decision has been taken on whether to build the West Midlands-North West line, but that officials see it as the only viable option to ease capacity problems in the next decade. Ministers are also tempted by the potential economic benefits of linking Manchester one of the countrys fastest-growing cities with London. A group of businesses wrote to the Treasury last year to request backing for the project in the Autumn Budget, arguing that HS2-lite could unlock up to 70 billion a year in growth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sir Keir has named growth as his most important mission in government and pledged to cut regulatory costs for businesses by a quarter. In a speech last week, he said he would slash the size of the Civil Service as part of plans to renew our country with growth. However, Labour has largely strayed from announcing major infrastructure projects since taking power last year, while pledging to reduce red tape to make existing projects easier to complete. Sir Keir announced new private investment in data centres last year and has since said he would remove the role of some quangos in the planning process after HS2 was forced to spend 100 million on a bat tunnel to protect species in a Buckinghamshire woodland. A tunnel boring machine on the HS2 line under Birmingham At next weeks Spring Statement, Rachel Reeves is expected to make significant public spending cuts and will reject a formal request from HS2 Ltd, the company that runs the project, to reinstate phase two and begin building a line between Birmingham and Crewe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Insiders said the West Midlands-North West Rail Link proposal was the most likely alternative, although the DfT has yet to respond formally. A decision is expected later this year. The exact cost estimate for the line has not been made public, but Mr Burnham said last year that it could work similarly to the public-private partnership that funded the LGV Sud Europe Atlantique, a high-speed rail line between Tours and Bordeaux in France. He told The Telegraph: Ever since the scrapping of HS2, we have consistently made the point, together with friends in the West Midlands, that the existing West Coast Main Line is close to capacity and cannot possibly meet our transport needs into the 2030s and beyond. Make no mistake doing nothing about this would represent an anti-growth policy for the Midlands and the North. It is therefore a relief to know that the Government has been listening and now backs the case for a new line. Greater Manchester is the UKs fastest-growing city region, but future growth cannot be taken for granted without the infrastructure to support it. A DfT spokesman said: Transport is an essential part of our mission to rebuild Britain and we are absolutely committed to improving rail connectivity across the North and working with devolved leaders, as set out in the Governments manifesto. We are currently reviewing the position we have inherited on HS2 and will set out next steps in due course. 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. PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) Police in Prince William County are searching for a man who was allegedly involved in a hit-and-run that left a woman injured on Tuesday morning. Just before 7:30 a.m. on March 18, officers were called to the Old Centreville Road and Yorkshire Lane area, in Manassas, for a crash involving multiple vehicles. There, police learned the driver, identified as 27-year-old Jaquan Malik Fitchett., had allegedly struck two vehicles before running from the scene, according to the Prince William County Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Armed man near CIA headquarters, Fairfax County police say; barricade incident follows A preliminary investigation indicated that Fitchett was driving a stolen car when he side-swiped a vehicle and then slammed head-on into a second vehicle. Police said a woman driving one of the cars was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. For more than 24 hours, authorities tried to locate Fitchett but were unsuccessful. Throughout the investigation, police learned he was wanted on unrelated charges. Prince William County police also obtained arrest warrants charging Fitchett with two counts of felony hit & run, one count of grand larceny, one count of petit larceny and one count of driving on a revoked license. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information on his whereabouts is encouraged to call police immediately. 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. The video above aired on March 18, in relation to the arrest of Sarah Smolak. WINCHESTER, Conn. (WTNH) Winchester police say a second person has been charged with animal cruelty in relation to an ongoing investigation thats seized nearly 30 dogs. David Reid, 28, of Winsted, turned himself in on an outstanding arrest warrant Wednesday. He was charged with one count of cruelty to animals. Winsted woman part of animal cruelty investigation thats seized dozens of dogs Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The warrant was part of an ongoing cruelty to animals investigation being conducted by Winchester police, the Town of Harwinton Regional Animal Control Department, and Animal Control Officers with the State of Connecticut Department of Agriculture. According to police, 27 dogs were seized Tuesday, as part of the investigation. They are being examined, housed, and cared for locally, police said. According to police, Reids home address is the same as another animal cruelty arrest they made yesterday. Sarah Smolak, 28, was charged with two counts of cruelty to animals. Dog who attacked volunteer at North Haven shelter has been euthanized Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While those dogs are being taken care of, AMA Animal Rescue in Brooklyn, New York, told News 8 the search for a dog named Marshmallow continues. The rescue shelter said the white pitbull was last known to be in Smolaks care. In the arrest warrant, Smolak stated she does not have a dog named Marshmallow. Reid was held on a $75,000 police-set bond and transported to the Litchfield Judicial District Courthouse in Torrington Wednesday morning. Smolak was held on a $150,000 court set bond and released on a Promise to Appear Tuesday afternoon. Shes due back in court on May 8. If you have any information of Marshmallows whereabouts, you can send an email to amaanimalrescue@gmail.com or bringmarshyhome@gmail.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) A Decatur man was sentenced last week to 20 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to shooting and killing a man during a robbery gone wrong two years ago. Jarvis McClelland, 28, reached a plea deal with prosecutors last month that saw him plead guilty to second-degree murder. In doing so, McClelland admitted to shooting and killing Cameron Taylor the night of Feb. 6, 2023, when Taylor fought back against being robbed. As part of that plea deal, the five counts of first-degree murder that McClelland was originally charged with were dismissed. Judge Thomas Griffith then immediately sentenced him to two decades behind bars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Danville man sentenced 15 years in prison for battery, fleeing charges Sworn statements from the Decatur Police Department said McClelland and two others Kearius Evans and Markiya Currie-Willis planned to rob Taylor at Currie-Willis home at 19th and Decatur Streets. She lured Taylor there with provocative messages and while she and Taylor were in her bedroom, McClelland and Evans entered the home through the unlocked back door. McClelland had a gun. [Currie-Willis] advised Jarvis and Cameron began fighting while in the bedroom. [Currie-Willis] stated at this time Jarvis began hitting Cameron in the head with the firearm, a Decatur police officer said. [Currie-Willis] stated Jarvis ultimately knocked Cameron to the floor where he stood over him and shot him in the head. When officers responded to Currie-Willis home, they found Taylor in the bedroom, with duct tape on his wrist and ankle. Officers added that Currie-Willis made statements similar to it was only supposed to be a robbery and it wasnt supposed to happen like that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Petersburg man sentenced 60 years in prison for crimes against children McClelland, Evans and Currie-Willis were arrested four months after the murder and were each charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery, among other charges. All three reached plea deals with prosecutors over the last four months. In November, Evans pleaded guilty to one count of armed robbery with a firearm and was sentenced to 21 years in prison. Last week, McClelland pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Both were given credit for the time they spent in custody since May of 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currie-Willis, meanwhile, pleaded guilty in late February to one count of obstruction of justice. All of the murder and armed robbery charges against her were dismissed and she is scheduled to be sentenced on April 2. 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. WASHINGTON President Donald Trumps administration on Tuesday released what it said were all of the government's classified files on the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy, making tens of thousands of pages of unredacted records available to the public for the first time. The release of the files comes after Trump signed a day one executive order in January aimed at fully releasing government documents related to the assassinations of Kennedy, his brother and presidential candidate Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, D-N.Y., and civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. The contents of the documents, and whether any previously unreleased information is in them, wasn't immediately clear. Historians quickly said they would need time to assess the flood of files to understand if they were significantly different from previous releases. The documents were not expected to change the long-held findings that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in assassinating Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963 while riding in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas. Read the JFK files Looking to read the JFK files yourself? You can find them on the National Archives' website here. Most of the files are scans of documents, and some are blurred or have become faint or difficult to read in the decades since Kennedy's assassination. There are also photographs and sounds recordings, mostly from the 1960s. Marina Pitofsky Some JFK documents reference Oswald, KGB Some of the documents played down Oswalds Soviet connection in the mid-twentieth century. One dated November 1991 cited a report from an American professor named E.B. Smith who reported he had talked in Moscow about Oswald with KGB official Slava Nikonov, who said he had reviewed five thick files about the assassin to determine if he had been a KGB agent. Nikonov is now confident that Oswald was at no time an agent controlled by the KGB, Smith reported. Reuters Documents touch on Lee Harvey Oswald theories Some of the documents also include references to various conspiracy theories suggesting that Oswald left the Soviet Union in 1962 intent on assassinating the popular young president. Department of Defense documents from 1963 covered the Cold War of the early 1960s and the U.S. involvement in Latin America, trying to thwart Cuban leader Fidel Castro's support of communist forces in other countries. The documents suggest that Castro would not go so far as to provoke a war with the United States or escalate to the point "that would seriously and immediately endanger the Castro regime." "It appears more likely that Castro might intensify his support of subversive forces in Latin America," the document reads. Reuters What did experts initially say about the JFK files? James Johnston, author of "Murder, Inc.: The CIA under John F. Kennedy" told USA TODAY that he wasnt expecting any bombshells, given that virtually all of the relevant agencies including the CIA had promised to turn over everything they had years ago to the National Archives in 1988. If it was going to embarrass the agency or tell a different story, they wouldn't have turned them over to the National Archives in the first place, said Johnston, who was a staff member of the congressional Church Committee that investigated the CIA in 1975. And if they were withholding them before, Im guessing they would continue to withhold them. Johnston cited one particular document that he knows exists but that he says hasnt been turned over to the National Archives the first one-on-one conversation between President Lyndon Johnson and CIA Director John McCone right after Johnson took office after Kennedys assassination. McCone was long suspected of withholding information from the Warren Commission, the panel Johnson created to investigate Kennedys murder, according to Philip Shenon, author of A Cruel and Shocking Act: The Secret History of the Kennedy Assassination. McCone was kept on as CIA director by Johnson and pledged full cooperation with the commission, which was led by Chief Justice Earl Warren, Shenon wrote in a 2015 Politico article about his books findings. He testified that the CIA had no evidence to suggest that Oswald was part of any conspiracy, foreign or domestic, but rather a former Marine and self-proclaimed Marxist who acted as a delusional lone wolf. That depiction of Oswald was ultimately adopted by the Warren Commission in its final report. But years later, Shenon said, the CIA itself acknowledged that McCone had withheld information from commission investigators. What is the Warren Commission? Several of the documents released Tuesday are tied to the Warren Commission: But what is it? After Kennedy was shot in 1963, his successor Lyndon B. Johnson created a commission to investigate the assassination. The Warren Commission determined that Oswald, who was arrested and later shot by a nightclub owner on live television, acted alone. Still, the assassination has fueled intense debate and a myriad of theories challenging the conclusion of the Warren Commission. Polls have shown that many Americans believe Kennedys death was part of a wider conspiracy. Christopher Cann Part of Trumps promise of maximum transparency at the nations intelligence agencies Trump himself did not immediately post about the document release. But Tulsi Gabbard, Trumps director of National Intelligence, hailed their release, saying it was part of Trumps promise for maximum transparency and a commitment to rebuild the trust of the American people in the Intelligence Community (IC) and federal agencies. Critics have long accused the intelligence community, and CIA in particular, of withholding potentially revelatory information about the case. Still, intelligence officials over the years have insisted that they have released everything important and that whats left was withheld only to protect highly classified sources and methods of gathering intelligence and protecting sources. In a statement, Gabbard said that she immediately sent out a directive across the intelligence community after Trumps Monday announcement ordering everyone to provide all unredacted records within the collection of documents about Kennedy's assassination the national archives for immediate release. JFK file experts said those documents almost certainly have all been made public and viewed already, but with mostly minor redactions. Featured Local Savings Not all documents posted online Tuesday night The documents were released just before 7 p.m. The National Archives and Records Administration, the keeper of the documents, posted them with this statement: In accordance with President Donald Trumps directive of March 17, 2025, all records previously withheld for classification that are part of the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection are released. The National Archives said it partnered with agencies across the federal government to comply with the Presidents directive in support of Executive Order 14176. It said the records are available to access either online or in person, via hard copy or on analog media formats, at the National Archives at College Park, Maryland. As the records continue to be digitized, they will be posted to this page, the National Archives said, suggesting that not all of the documents were being released on Tuesday in digital form. The National Archives also said some information might still be withheld under court seal or for grand jury secrecy, and because some tax return information is subject to Internal Revenue Code prohibitions. More: Trump's release of assassination docs opens window into nation's most debated mysteries 'People have been waiting for decades for this' The digital document dump came one day after Trump announced the files would be released during a visit to the John F. Kennedy Center of the Performing Arts, which he's taken over as board chairman. "People have been waiting for decades for this," Trump told reporters. "We have a tremendous amount of paper. You've got a lot of reading, Trump added. I don't believe we're going to redact anything. The CIA and Federal Bureau of Investigation, which were involved in JFK assassination investigations and in the document release, had no immediate comment. A mad Justice Department scramble to meet Trumps deadline Trumps order reportedly set off a scramble within the Justice Departments National Security Division to meet Trump's deadline, according to ABC News and Reuters. In an email just before 5 p.m. ET Monday, a senior official within DOJ's Office of Intelligence said that even though the FBI had already conducted "an initial declassification review" of the documents, "all" of the attorneys in the operations section now had to provide "a second set of eyes" to help with this "urgent NSD-wide project., ABC News reported Tuesday. More: Task force on government secrets to interview 'witnesses' of JFK assassination The process of releasing the files was set in motion on Trumps first day in office on Jan. 20, when he signed an executive order aimed at fully releasing all government documents related to the assassinations of Kennedy, his brother and presidential candidate Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, D-N.Y., and civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. A new FBI tranche of 2,400 JFK records Last month, the FBI said it found some 2,400 new records linked to Kennedy's assassination as well. The agency said it was in the process of passing the documents to the National Archives and Records Administration. It's unclear what revelations, if any, are contained in the newly discovered files. Kennedys assassination has long been the subject of conspiracies after Oswald, the Marine veteran identified as Kennedy's assassin, was shot and killed days later. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump's Health and Human Services secretary, has called for release of the files to see if any U.S. officials were involved in the assassination or potential coverup. Several U.S. investigations had found no such evidence. While millions of government records related to the Kennedy assassination have been previously released, some information remains classified and redacted. Trump said he instructed his director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, to oversee the release of the remaining files. More: FBI finds 2,400 new documents linked to JFK assassination A federal law passed in 1992 required the Kennedy assassination records to be fully released by Oct. 26, 2017 unless the president at the time determined their release would cause "identifiable harm" to the military defense, intelligence operations, law enforcement, or conduct of foreign relations of such gravity that it "outweighs the public interest in disclosure." Trump was president when the 2017 deadline arrived. He ordered the release of nearly 2,900 records, but kept others secret because of concerns by the CIA and FBI that their release could hurt national security. Former President Joe Biden acted in 2021, 2022 and 2023 to give agencies more time to review the records. The documents released in 2017 included details on the FBI and CIA investigations into Oswald and information on covert Cold War operations. Josh Meyer is USA TODAY's Domestic Security Correspondent. You can reach him by email at jmeyer@usatoday.com. Follow him on X at @JoshMeyerDC and Bluesky at @joshmeyerdc.bsky.social. Contributing: Ed Brackett, Joey Garrison This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump releases classified files on JFK assassination. Here's what they say. Reporting by Josh Meyer, USA TODAY / USA TODAY USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect HUBER HEIGHTS, Ohio (WDTN) A local daycare is now facing two cases of accused negligence after another family came forward with allegations. This is the second lawsuit filed within the last two weeks for Early Beginnings Childcare and Learning Center on Shull Road in Huber Heights. 2 NEWS spoke with attorneys involved in both cases, who say their clients suffered serious injuries while in the care of the center. Family files lawsuit over brain injury child allegedly suffered at Huber Heights day care Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just a few weeks ago, 2 NEWS spoke with one Huber Heights mom after she said her daughter suffered a traumatic brain injury the Early Beginnings in 2024. Had her doctor not caught this, we would have never known, said the mother. Now, a second family is filing a lawsuit against the center, accusing the facility and several employees of neglect. The complain was filed in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court on Monday, claiming that the family filed a report with Huber Heights police and were informed that their child was not the first reported incident like this from the daycare. One defendant in the case who is named in both families lawsuits is also facing one count of endangering children. Attorneys believe there are at least four other children who were injured by this same person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement to 2 NEWS, Roger Soroka, managing partner with Soroka & Associates says the center allowed for several babies to be hurt by this individual. This failure to act resulted in at least four children being seriously injured, said Soroka. Such a failure to act is simply inexcusable, and everyone responsible for the childrens injuries must be held accountable. Huber Heights day care responds to lawsuit alleging negligence causing injury The daycare has responded to the first lawsuit, but 2 NEWS has not received any additional comment about the second filing. Stay with 2 NEWS as this develops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 WDTN.com. SNYDER COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) A Selinsgrove man was sentenced to 25 years in prison for possessing and disseminating child pornography. District Attorney Heath W. Brosius announced the sentencing of 25-year-old Robert Bowen III from Selinsgrove by President Judge Hackenberg on Monday. Officials say Bowen was sentenced to 25 years in a State Correctional Facility for charges connected to the possession and dissemination of child pornography. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Using his cell phone, authorities explain Bowen accessed child pornography in June and December 2023 and used Facebook Messenger and Telegram to retrieve and send the images. Officials say during the commission of the crimes, Bowen was on Adult Probation with Snyder County for Indecent Assault, which was a Megans Law/SORNA offense requiring registration. Wilkes-Barre police searching for suspect after robbery President Judge Hackenberg also determined that Mr. Bowen would be classified as a Sexually Violent Predator and would be required to register with Megan`s Law/SORNA for the duration of his life, District Attorney Brosius stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Snyder County District Attorneys Office says Bowen pled guilty to the child pornography charges and was sentenced according to Pennsylvanias mandatory sentencing statutes for those convicted of Megans Law/SORNA offenses. I want to thank the Pennsylvania State Police, Snyder County Adult Probation and the Northeast Computer Crimes Unit for sharing information and working together so efficiently to bring about this conviction, District Attorney Brosius 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 PAhomepage.com. Mar. 18dbeard @dominionpost.com MORGANTOWN Sen. Shelley Moore Capito joined with leaders and staff of WVU Health Sciences and the School of Dentistry Tuesday morning to celebrate the start of the school's expansion and renovation project. "All of this, I think, will be very exciting for young students beginning a journey of a career to not just help their families and educate themselves, but to help the community and have a life of service too, " Capito said. "So I'm very, very pleased for what I see and hopefully we will continue to do this." Capito secured a $12.6 million Congressionally Directed Spending earmark for the project. Construction of Phase 1 began early this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dental school Dean Stephen Pachuta noted that the school hasn't been updated since 1955. The project will not only modernize the space, but return services back to the Health Sciences campus. Phase 1 will modernize and integrate the pediatric dentistry and orthodontics clinics, faculty group practice and the Dr. W. Robert Biddington Center for Dental Innovation, which are now at Suncrest Towne Centre. Phase one also includes upgrades to sanitary, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, mechanical and electrical systems. This work is expected to be completed before the start of the Fall 2026 semester. Pachuta opened the ceremony, telling Capito, "Your unwavering support and commitment to the people of West Virginia, our university, and our School of Dentistry is making today possible. Your leadership is making a significant and positive impact to the lives of our West Virginians." The design phase was underway for three years, he said, leading up to the start of construction. "This was no easy task working with a facility like this, that was constructed in 1955." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pachuta said 83 % of the dentists practicing in the state are WVU dental school grads. "Dentistry and dental education is in a rapid state of growth and change. Staying current with this change ensures relevance. ... As the state's flagship land grant university and the only dental school in West Virginia, the WVU School of Dentistry is committed to providing excellence in education and high-quality patient care." Clay Marsh, chancellor and executive dean of WVU Health Sciences, quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson: "What stands before you and what stands behind you pales to what stands inside of you." He said, "And as a team, I'm so proud of the progress we've made. ... We need to have more dentists in the state. We are about 12 percentage points behind the national average. And we need to distribute more dentists in rural parts of our state, which is the next real job, I think, that we have to do. But we've made progress, and that's really very positive." During a brief press gathering before she took a tour of the facility, Capito offered one final thought. "Students want to come to a place that has the best technology, and that has the highest quality education. But you've got to have a good facility for it, and that's what this is about today." LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) Yesterday, Senator Bill Cassidy met with leaders of the Lafayette Regional Technology Council to discuss the growth of high-tech businesses in their community. The senator and the council also discussed how the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and the Opportunity Machine incubators support their efforts in expanding opportunities for future tech companies. We want the next Amazon, Google, or SpaceX to lay roots in Louisiana, Senator Cassidy said. Tech entrepreneurs and academic leaders are making that possible in Acadiana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the help of The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Senator Cassidy, along with other tech leaders hope to connect communities throughout Louisiana to high-speed Internet. This includes a $1.35 billion investment announced for Louisiana last year to connect 100,000 homes and 35,000 businesses. By extending the high speed broadband, it will help local tech businesses emerge and people to be able to have access to online recourses no matter where they live. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest After the meeting, Cassidy took a tour of Opportunity Machines incubator and met young entrepreneurs building their businesses. He was welcomed to the meeting by Mr. Ben Johnson, chair of the council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are grateful to Senator Cassidy for taking the time to engage in meaningful dialogue with the Lafayette Regional Technology Council about the critical role technology and innovation play in driving economic growth and ensuring our community, state and nation remain competitive in a rapidly evolving world, Johnson said. By investing in innovation to strengthen the future, Senator Cassidy and other tech leaders are looking forward to find solutions and uniting people through technology. Senator Bill Cassidy and other tech leaders discussing the future of tech for Louisiana. Latest news 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 KLFY.com. Maryland U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen is troubled by what the Trump administrations cuts to the federal workforce mean for veterans in those positions. I do think this is a great betrayal of so many in our country, but especially a betrayal of our veterans, Van Hollen said Tuesday at Towson University. Van Hollen referred to clearly illegal actions by President Donald Trump and Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) leader Elon Musk, who he said were using false claims of poor performance to justify widespread firings of federal employees from agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The administration plans to cut 80,000 VA employees, according to an internal memo obtained by the Associated Press two weeks ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They got notices for claiming they were fired for poor performance. But in fact, so many have gotten recent reviews and evaluations with glowing performance reports, Van Hollen said. This was a lie designed to try to meet the requirements of the law. Initial court rulings related to mass firings, such as the decision in Maryland v. United States Department of Agriculture, have established that the Trump administration did not adhere to reduction in force (RIF) notice procedures in violation of the 1946 Administrative Procedure Act. Maryland Federal Judge James K. Bredar issued a temporary restraining order to reinstate terminated probationary employees who Van Hollen says have the least job security among federal workers and have consequently become Trumps first targets. Van Hollen also criticized the practice of putting federal employees on administrative leave, as he believes it is fundamentally opposed to the principle of government efficiency promoted by Musk and DOGE. This whole claim of government efficiency is a farce because what is more inefficient than paying people and then telling them not to come into their job on behalf of the American people? Van Hollen quipped. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked to respond to Van Hollens claim that federal staffing cuts are a betrayal of veterans, White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly issued a statement touting Trumps VA reforms while echoing Republican talking points about addressing wasteful spending. President Trump has consistently stood up for our brave men and women in uniform delivering crucial reforms that improved VA healthcare, decreased Veteran homelessness, and enhanced education benefits, Kelly said in an email. His efforts to cut wasteful spending and make agencies like the VA more efficient will ensure our government can better serve all American families, especially our Veterans. Veterans frustrated The senators comments came during his roundtable discussion Tuesday with veterans who shared their stories and had been personally impacted by layoffs. According to Van Hollen, more than 700,000 veterans work in the federal civil service, including more than 40,000 from Maryland. Vincent Camacho, a 24-year Air Force veteran who served in Iraq, Kuwait, and Kosovo, recently retired from the military and took a program analyst position in the federal civil service. After just seven months on the job, Camacho said his position fell victim to the Trump cuts, and he was placed on administrative leave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After retiring from the Air Force, I chose to continue my service to my country, applying the skills and lessons I gained to a new mission, Camacho said. But now I find myself in a perplexing and painful position. Octavia Hatem, who joined the military at 17 and served in diplomatic roles in countries like Haiti and Kyrgyzstan, said she was fired from her communications/marketing support job at the VA. Now, benefits that Hatem was once sure she could count on are no longer certain. I get my paycheck from the VA, and my healthcare benefits from the VA and my disability benefits from the VA, which I thought was safe. And now its not. Hatem said. A 12-year Army veteran, Ronald Mark Hill was laid off from the VA but reinstated after contacting his state senator though he is unsure if he could be fired again. Hill had a more political message for the presidential administration pursuing cuts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will not endure the pain if no one bothers to explain what we stand to gain, Hill said. And Republicans who choose to ignore the electorate will clearly hear our voice during the midterm elections. _____ Federal prosecutors on Wednesday filed a charge against a Minnesota state senator accused of seeking to pay for sex from someone he believed was a minor. Sen. Justin Eichorn, R-Grand Rapids, was arrested Monday after allegedly trying to meet with a 17-year-old girl who turned out to be a detective with the Bloomington Police Department. The agency had been running an undercover operation targeting underage commercial sex and had posted an online advertisement to which Eichorn, 40, responded on March 11, the U.S. Attorneys Office alleges. The advertisement featured images of a person who claimed to be 18. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in messages and voice chats over several days, the undercover officer repeatedly said she was not 18, but 17 years old. Eichorn continued asking about pricing for various sex acts and arranged to meet in person, according to the charge. In messages included in the federal criminal complaint, Eichorn allegedly asked the undercover officer about how much it would cost for a Qv or quick visit, or a half hour, and whether an outcall visit would be possible. The senator and undercover officer also discussed the age of consent, according to the complaint. I am 17like I said dont want any drama but wanna be upfront cause one guy got hella mad at me, the officer posing as a teenager said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why was he so mad? I think age of consent is 17 when do ya turn 18? the senator replied, before saying he believed the age of consent was 16, and only over 18 if it involves a person in a position of authority, according to the charge. Arrest on Monday Police eventually arranged to meet with Eichorn at the 8300 block of Normandale Boulevard on Monday evening, according to Bloomington police. Before meeting, Eichorn asked for a verification photo of the person he believed was a 17-year-old wearing a bra and underwear holding up 2 fingers. The senator arrived in a pickup truck and was arrested by uniformed officers without incident, according to police. Inside Eichorns pickup truck was $129 in cash, two iPhones and a condom, according to the charge. The undercover officer said it would cost $120 for a half hour, messages included in the charges show. The senator was booked into the Bloomington Police Department jail and transferred to Hennepin County Tuesday night. He remains in custody, according to the jail roster. Federal and state court documents did not list an attorney for Eichorn Wednesday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eichorn was initially charged with soliciting prostitution from a minor over the age of 16 but under 18, but the Hennepin County Attorneys Office dropped the state case now that federal prosecutors are pursuing a charge of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. The U.S. Attorneys Office has no tolerance for public officials who violate federal law particularly those laws meant to protect children, said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa Kirkpatrick. Federal charges say the detective claimed to be 17, not 16 as initially stated Tuesday by the Bloomington police. Calls for resignation Eichorns fellow Republicans called for the senator to resign soon after the allegations emerged on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are shocked by these reports and this alleged conduct demands an immediate resignation, read a statement from the Senate Republican Caucus on Tuesday. Justin has a difficult road ahead and he needs to focus on his family. Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson told reporters Wednesday that Republicans hadnt ruled out a vote to expel Eichorn from the Senate. Eichorn was elected in 2016 and is serving his third term as a state senator, currently for District 6. He lives in Grand Rapids with his wife and four children and has a background in business, according to his state Senate biography. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Republicans and the Minnesota Republican Party joined the Senate GOP in calling for Eichorn to leave office. Related Articles Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul, also weighed in on the arrest Tuesday but stopped short of calling for Eichorn to resign. The felony allegation against Senator Eichorn is deeply disturbing, and raises serious questions that will need to be answered by the court, as well as his caucus and constituents, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party has also called for Eichorn to resign. Mitchell case Eichorn is the second Minnesota senator arrested on suspicion of a felony in less than a year. Sen. Nicole Mitchell, DFL-Woodbury, was charged with felony burglary last April for allegedly breaking into her estranged stepmothers Detroit Lakes home to remove items of sentimental value, including her fathers ashes. Mitchell declined to resign even as members of her own party called for her to step down. Her trial is scheduled for after the legislative session ends in May. The DFL currently has 34 seats and Republicans hold 33. If Mitchell resigned, it would put the Senate in a tie. If Eichorn resigned, Republicans would have a two-seat disadvantage. Blizzard and snow squall warnings expired overnight, but high winds have helped add up to hazardous travel conditions, closed highways and several school delays Wednesday morning. Among the highways closed early Wednesday: U.S. 24 east of Colorado Springs to Limon, northbound Colorado 83 between Black Forest and Franktown, and Colorado 94 from Ellicott to Rush. U.S. 24, and other highways in the eastern part of the state, reopened as the day progressed. Noon Wednesday update More than half of the residents in El Paso County east of Colorado Springs who lost power last night now have power restored, according to a social media post by Mountain View Electric. The agency said crews successfully restored power to the transmission line around 11:50 a.m. Crews are continuing to work on restoring the rest of the power outages. The current outage map can be viewed here. 11:00 a.m. Wednesday update In a new snow report, the Black Forest area recorded 6 inches of snowfall as of 10 a.m. Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service in Pueblo. The city of Colorado Springs will issue a full callout of snow plows for the north end of the city at noon to clear roads and a partial callout for the rest of the city. 9:00 a.m. Wednesday update A high wind warning is in effect until noon Wednesday for Colorado Springs, according to the Weather Service. In southeast Colorado, 71 mph wind gusts were reported in Lamar and 84 mph gusts in Springfield Tuesday evening as the storm rolled in, according to the Weather Service. The agency says Colorado Springs and Pueblo did not have gusts strong enough to report in the evening to morning hours. The Peterson Space Force Base saw 2.5 inches of snowfall overnight from 10 p.m. Tuesday to the early morning hours Wednesday, according to the Weather Service. The Black Forest area saw 4 inches of snowfall as of midnight Wednesday. Monument was the snow winner recording 5 inches of snowfall as of 7:40 a.m. Wednesday. The city of Colorado Springs issued a full callout of snow plows for the north end of the city at midnight in anticipation of snow removal and a partial callout for the rest of the city. Over 1,500 residents are without power in El Paso County Wednesday morning, according to a social media post by Mountain View Electric. The agency says strong winds are impacting power lines and breaking power poles causing downed lines. The outages were first reported around 9 p.m. Tuesday evening. Crews are working to repair damages and restore customer's power but they do not have any timeline as of 7:30 a.m. 6:30 a.m. Wednesday update Several schools and military installations have either delayed starts or, for a few schools, canceled classes. Click or tap here for the latest updates on closings and delays. Featured Local Savings The following highways are closed due to adverse weather conditions, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation: I-70 both directions from Airpark Road to Burlington. US-385 both directions from Burlington to Sheridan Lake US-40/287 both directions from Limon to Kansas State Line US-24 both directions from mile point 316 to mile point 377, Colorado Springs to Limon CO-94 both directions from mile point 17 to mile point 35, Ellicott to Rush CO-86 both directions from Elizabeth to I-70 (Limon) CO-59 both directions from Seibert to Kit Carson CO-71 both directions from Limon to Last Chance. CO-83 northbound at County Line Road and between Walker Road and Palmer Divide Avenue in Black Forest. Interstate 25 north of Monument was closed in both directions late Tuesday but has since reopened. Click or tap here for the latest from CDOT. 10 p.m. Tuesday update A front of winter weather hit the Colorado Springs area Tuesday night, prompting the Police Department to go on accident alert. Northern El Paso County was placed under a blizzard warning until 3 a.m. Wednesday by the National Weather Service in Pueblo just after 8:40 p.m., with total snow accumulations of to 2-5 inches and wind gusts up to 70 mph. With the blizzard will bring whiteout conditions, which could potentially be life-threatening, the National Weather Service said. Traveling should be restricted to emergencies only, as slippery road conditions and strong winds will make roads dangerous. The Colorado Springs Police Department is on accident alert due to the conditions. Information on how to file a cold report can be found here. As of 9:10 p.m., Interstate 25 north of Monument is closed in both directions due to a stalled vehicle, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation. Some school districts in the El Paso County area have announced 2-hour delays for Wednesday, including District 49 and Ellicott 22, amid the inclement weather. Southeastern El Paso County is under a snow squall warning until 10 p.m., according to the weather service. A snow squall is an intense burst of heavy snow and wind that can last up to three hours, with rapidly falling visibility. The weather service reported "dangerous" snow squalls near Calhan and Truckton. WASHINGTON Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, is pushing to restrict the ability of judges to overrule presidential orders, arguing President Donald Trumps agenda should not be thwarted by single judges issuing injunctions in specific areas of the country. A federal judge issued a decision on Tuesday to temporarily halt a Trump administration order barring transgender troops from serving in the U.S. military, ruling that the order is likely driven by prejudice and its conclusions bear no relation to fact. The order prompted pushback from several GOP lawmakers who said judges should not have the power to block presidential executive orders. These injunctions should be issued only by a three-judge district court, Lee said in a post on X . A single judge shouldnt have the power to overturn presidential policy decisions. These injunctions should be issued only by a three-judge district court A single judge shouldnt have the power to overturn presidential policy decisions https://t.co/1e4ZKDBTle Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) March 19, 2025 Several of Trumps executive orders so far have been met with a flurry of legal challenges, with roughly 46 of those being temporarily halted by courts until they can be reviewed, according to The New York Times. In many of those cases, the administration has already asked higher courts to intervene and some may even reach the Supreme Court in coming months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee has repeatedly criticized the ability of judges to stall Trumps agenda, telling the Deseret News last month he is drafting legislation that would require temporary injunctions to be issued by a three-judge district court with the possibility of a direct appeal to the Supreme Court. Injunctions to pause Trumps executive orders have become a contentious topic among GOP circles, raising legal questions about what powers federal judges have over the executive branch when the president issues orders. That question became more prominent last weekend after Trump used wartime authority to deport nearly 240 alleged Latin American gang members to a mega-prison in El Salvador. A federal judge unsuccessfully sought to block the administrations actions, leading White House officials and prominent conservative figures to criticize the court as an obstacle to Trumps deportation agenda. Does this seem like the kind of thing a single federal judge should be able to do? Lee wrote in a post to X . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This isnt funny, he said in another post. Lee later cited a provision in the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure that states judges may issue a preliminary injunction or temporary restraining order if the requesting party posts a bond covering the costs sustained by any party found to have been wrongfully enjoined or restrained. The judge in that case, Lee argued, didnt require such a bond to be posted. A number of others in Trumps close circles have provided similar arguments, calling to limit judicial authority to block the presidents decisions. If a judge tried to tell a general how to conduct a military operation, that would be illegal. If a judge tried to command the attorney general in how to use her discretion as a prosecutor, thats also illegal, Vice President JD Vance said in a post on X in February. Judges arent allowed to control the executives legitimate power. If a judge tried to tell a general how to conduct a military operation, that would be illegal. If a judge tried to command the attorney general in how to use her discretion as a prosecutor, that's also illegal. Judges aren't allowed to control the executive's legitimate power. JD Vance (@JDVance) February 9, 2025 Trump himself has since called for the impeachment of some judges, particularly Judge James Boasberg, who sought to block the deportation flights until more information was provided. Boasbergs order sought to redirect flights carrying deportees back to the United States, an order the Trump administration reportedly chose to ignore because the planes were already over international water at the time the order was given. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supreme Court Justice John Roberts pushed back against Trumps suggestions that Boasberg or any other judge should be impeached, writing in a rare statement on Tuesday that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. The White House shot back, acknowledging that while Trump has great respect for Roberts, the president believes the Supreme Court must rein in these activist judges. These partisan activists are undermining the judicial branch by doing so, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Wednesday. We have coequal branches of government for a reason. And the president feels very strongly about that. Sneads High School is in Jackson County in the Panhandle. (Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix) Lawmakers advanced a measure Tuesday that Democrats warned would further restrict the material Florida students may consume. Senators in the Criminal Justice Committee approved on a party-line vote a definition of what school boards should consider harmful to minors, building on a 2023 law granting school boards authority to remove books parents challenge as being pornographic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SB 1692, sponsored by Republican Sen. Stan McClain, he said, is meant to clarify the law he led two years ago in the House. I think that were bifurcating here, so its more clear as to what were actually talking about so that school districts can make a decision. If it is [in violation of the proposed law], if its that, then its considered pornographic and its considered harmful to minors, McClain said. The definition targets media depicting nudity, sexual conduct, or sexual excitement when it predominantly appeals to prurient, shameful, or morbid interest and is patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community as a whole with respect to what is suitable material or conduct for minors. Book publishers filed a lawsuit against the state last year, calling the legal definition of pornographic and content that describes sexual conduct as unconstitutional and overbroad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposal lets the state allow certain works for specific educational purposes and tasks it with enforcing district-level compliance, including withholding state funds from schools. Limiting the classics? The 2023 law allowed for books to stay on shelves that were considered to have literary, artistic, political, or scientific value. McClains proposal would prevent school boards from keeping books based on those values if they contain harmful content. I thought we were done with this, I thought we were done with the culture wars, Democratic Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith said. Im not sure how this helps anyone, Im not sure how this is going to help us deal with rising costs on all Floridians, Smith said. I can think of how it can hurt someone, because indoctrination can be very hurtful. Im saying about indoctrination into ignorance, which is what censorship brings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith argued the new bill would limit schools ability to maintain classical works in their collections. The impact here is that book bans are going to get worse, censorship is going to be worse, censorship of actually the classics, which weve seen across the state of Florida, because Florida is now Number One in the country for banning books in our public schools, Smith said. He added that the bill gives the far Right even more weapons to continue to make these school board meetings and the book banning as divisive as we possibly can. Smith and the two other Democrats on the committee, Jason Pizzo and Mack Bernard, voted against the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX What is graphic? Republican Sens. Clay Yarborough and Jennifer Bradley acknowledged to the committee that bad-faith objections have been multiplied since 2023. A 2024 law attempts to curb such abuse, limiting book objections by non-parent citizens. Moms for Liberty, Florida Family Voice, and Florida Citizens Alliance were among those voicing support for McClains measure. A representative from Moms for Liberty argued that recognizing literary, artistic, and political merit was a loophole that is being exploited. If I took a picture with my phone of what is in some of these books and I transmitted it via text to a fourth grader sitting across the hall from the library in Mrs. McGillicuddys math class, I would go to federal prison, but were supposed to let students sit undisturbed in a classroom, in a library, or at home with a book theyve checked out from their school taxpayer-funded library and consume all of this stuff, Yarborough said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pizzo wondered whether the Bible contains graphic content. McClain said he would restrict the ages he would let his children read certain passages of the Bible. The biggest thing we should be doing in life is trying make sure that our children are growing up with the most knowledge that they can have without a lot of other things in their mind, McClain said. Andrew Spar, president of the Florida Education Association, said last year that media specialists do not feel theyve received clear guidance on restricting books. The bill has been assigned to the Education Pre-k-12 and Rules committees, too. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE By Jody Godoy (Reuters) -More than two dozen Democratic U.S. senators called on President Donald Trump on Wednesday to rescind his termination of the two Democratic members of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota sent the letter to the White House asking for the reinstatement of Democratic Commissioners Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, whom Trump fired on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This action contradicts long standing Supreme Court precedent, undermines Congress's constitutional authority to create bipartisan, independent commissions, and upends more than 110 years of work at the FTC to protect consumers from deceptive practices and monopoly power," the senators said in the letter. Senators Richard Durbin of Illinois, the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, and Maria Cantwell of Washington, the ranking Democrat on the Commerce Committee, were among the 28 signatories. Both Bedoya and Slaughter have said they plan to sue to reverse the firings. The FTC enforces consumer protection and antitrust laws, and has a bipartisan structure in which no more than three of the five commissioners can come from the same party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Supreme Court in 1935 upheld a law allowing the firing of FTC commissioners only for good cause, such as neglecting their duties. The Trump administration has taken the position that the FTC is an executive branch agency, and its commissioners have been unconstitutionally shielded from being fired at will by the president. (Reporting by Jody Godoy; Editing by Richard Chang) Senate President Ben Albritton (left) tears up in the Senate chamber on March 19, 2025, while talking about the 2018 shooting in Parkland. (Photo by Jackie Llanos/Florida Phoenix) Senate President Ben Albritton is still playing his cards close to the vest when it comes to whether he supports a proposal that would lower the age of an individual in Florida to purchase a long gun from 21 to 18. Albritton, though, became emotional Wednesday when discussing his visit to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland the site of the 2018 shootings that led to the passage of that law and other public safety measures that the governor and other Republicans have indicated they want to repeal this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reporters asked Albritton during a media availability whether he had any reaction to the statement made by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier last Friday after a federal appeals court upheld that law, which had been challenged in court by the National Rifle Association. Uthmeier said on X that he believes the age restriction is unconstitutional and that, if the NRA opts to challenge it in the U.S. Supreme Court, I am directing my office not to defend this law. Albritton said he was aware of Uthmeiers statement and had no response to it. Im working through the staff, he said. Working through the legal counsel. I want to understand what that means, what the ramifications of that would be. Ive got a respect for every branch of government, and have not made any decisions about that at this point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Im an NRA lifetime member. Nearly every day I carry at least one weapon. I have a concealed carry permit. The Legislature passed concealed carry, permitless concealed carry, constitutional carry. That shows this Legislature takes the Second Amendment seriously. Senate President Ben Albritton Remembering Luke Albritton pivoted to his experience going to Parkland in Broward County with his wife Missy and visiting Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, which was demolished last June. He said that experience had affected them both profoundly, and that he had since become acquainted with Tom and Gena Hoyer, who lost their 15-year-old son Luke in the massacre that took the lives of 17 people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I walked into the building, I didnt know it. But when I left, I immediately started thinking about our kids, he said, his voice beginning to crack. Luke was the Hoyers youngest child. So, I continue through this entire discussion to think about it. Albritton has already said he does not support open carry legislation in Florida, a proposal that DeSantis has mentioned several times in recent months that hed like to see the Legislature address. Albritton has been noncommittal on the pending legislation to lower the age to buy rifles and shotguns. The Florida House has approved that language twice during the past two years but it has not moved in the Senate. And this year so far appears to be no different. The 2025 legislation has passed one committee in the House and goes before its second and final committee stop on Thursday but the Senate companion has not been heard yet. This is not easy, he said. Its not easy. Im an NRA lifetime member. Nearly every day I carry at least one weapon. I have a concealed carry permit. The Legislature passed concealed carry, permitless concealed carry, constitutional carry. That shows this Legislature takes the Second Amendment seriously. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He then apologized to the reporters for getting emotional, but said he didnt take any of this lightly. None of it. And I do the best that I can to measure based on my values. Based on my experiences. That includes living in rural Florida. It includes being an NRA lifetime member. It includes not concealed carry permit. It includes Luke Hoyer. Thats all Ive got to say about that. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE MORGANTOWN W.Va. (WBOY) West Virginia University hosted Senator Shelley Moore Capito on a visit to their School of Dentistry on Tuesday as the school undergoes extensive renovations. The renovations are supported in part by a $12.6 million grant that Senator Capito secured from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Officials with WVU said that the renovation will update the facility, which has gone largely unchanged since the school was founded in 1957. As a part of the first phase of renovations, the new facility will also include a number of clinics that are currently located at Suncrest Towne Center including the Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics Clinics, the Faculty Group Practice and the Dr. W. Robert Biddington Center for Dental Innovation. Bringing these facilities to the main campus will be a part of the first phase of the renovations, which WVU expects to complete by the fall of 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Extreme winds damage roof of Phil Gainer Community Center Senator Capito spoke to 12 News about the importance of promoting dental health in West Virginia. Oral health really impacts your overall health, your ability to learn if youre a student, your ability to get a job, your ability to serve in the military, Senator Capito said. Its not just about having a pretty smile, its about really being able to function and maximize your potential in life. Senator Capito also spoke on how the new facility will enhance the school and attract students, saying, People want to come to a place that has the best technology and that has the highest quality education, and you got to have a good facility for it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) Senator John Cornyn visited the Permian Basin Tuesday afternoon touring a Diamondback Energy well site. During the tour, Senator Cornyn walked around the site asking questions about the jobs and functions during daily operations. In addition, Senator Cornyn was introduced to a program that ChampionX uses that include operations with helicopters. These helicopters use Infared cameras to detect methane leaks at the site. From there technicians are alerted and will go from there to seal the leak. When asked what message he has for skeptics of the oil and gas industry, Senator Cornyns response was: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They need to come to the Permian Basin and take the same tour I did. A lot of it is misinformation or maybe people who just arent well informed about how important affordable energy is. 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. (Bloomberg) -- Serbian lawmakers approved the resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic, starting a countdown for either a new government to be formed or a snap election held amid massive anti-graft rallies. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hundreds of thousands gathered in capital Belgrade last Saturday in what has emerged as the biggest challenge to President Aleksandar Vucic in the more than a decade hes dominated politics as prime minister or president. The Balkan nation has been rocked by demonstrations since November, when a roof collapse at a railway station killed 15 people. Serbia may hold early elections unless a new government is formed by April 18, Parliamentary Speaker Ana Brnabic told reporters in Belgrade on Wednesday after the vote on the premiers departure. The debate was boycotted by opposition deputies, who also disrupted a session earlier this month by firing smoke grenades and pepper spray at lawmakers from the ruling coalition. Students and opposition activists have taken to the streets in recent months, accusing Vucic and his allies of mismanagement and corruption which led to the tragedy. Arrests of officials suspected of corruption and a series of high-profile ministerial resignations before Vucevics have failed to quell public anger. Vucic has rejected opposition demands for a transitional, non-partisan government, accusing opponents of trying to come to power without elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. BELGRADE (Reuters) - Serbia's parliament formally accepted the resignation of the Prime Minister Milos Vucevic on Wednesday, triggering a 30-day deadline for the formation of a new government or the calling of a snap election. Vucevic, the head of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and an ally of the populist President Aleksandar Vucic, resigned on January 28 amid protests sparked by the collapse of an awning at a train station in the northern city of Novi Sad last November in which 15 people died. More than 100,000 protesters descended on Belgrade on Saturday for one of the largest rallies in decades. The protesters say the train disaster was a symptom of widespread corruption and mismanagement, which the government denies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the constitution, President Vucic now has 30 days to propose a new prime minister-designate to lead the government until 2027, when both parliamentary and presidential elections are scheduled. "The Serbian parliament, ... has acknowledged the resignation of the Prime Minister and the government mandate ends," parliamentary speaker Ana Brnabic said. "The deadline for ... the new government is April 18 at midnight." If Vucic fails to appoint a new prime minister-designate within the deadline, a election would be triggered within 45 to 60 days. The parliament session that started on March 4 and had Vucevic's resignation as the last item on the agenda, has been marred by violence as opposition lawmakers protested against the government and in support of demonstrating students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nationwide protests have shaken Vucic who has held a grip on power since he became prime minister in 2014 and president in 2017. The protests, which began in Novi Sad in November, have since spread to rest of Serbia. It is unclear how Vucic's allies would fare if a snap election were called. In December, the IPSOS Strategic Marketing pollster said the SNS enjoyed the support of 48.3% of the electorate, although popular sentiment against the government has surged since then. Opposition parties have dismissed the possibility of an early vote and demanded an interim government without the SNS. Vucic has repeatedly dismissed such an option. (Reporting by Aleksandar Vasovic; Editing by Alex Richardson) (FOX40.COM) A 26-year-old man was sentenced to 36 years to life in prison and is required to register as a sex offender for life after being found guilty of raping and sodomizing multiple victims in Sacramento, according to the Sacramento District Attorneys Office. The district attorneys office said the man raped his first recorded victim at knifepoint back in October 2022 after luring her into a car. Video Above: Violent crime statistics The California Highway Patrol opened an investigation that was later stalled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man then sodomized his second victim in November 2022, also at knifepoint, according to officials. Woman strangled to death while visiting husband in Mule Creek State Prison In December 2022, officers were looking for the suspects vehicle and found a similar one parked on the side of the freeway. They stopped to investigate and found the man and the third victim in the car. The district attorneys office said CHP reopened the investigation after finding that all the victims were lured into a car and were assaulted. The three victims identified the suspect as their assailant. The man was sentenced to 36 years to life in prison and is required to register as a sex offender for life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Local leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints delivered a letter to the mayor of Fairview, Texas, on Monday, pleading with city leaders to keep to the agreement made with the church over the construction of a controversial proposed temple. The towns mayor, however, said that Fairview has kept its side of the agreement and the church has not, claiming the letter has serious inaccuracies. The source of the controversy The temple in question deemed the McKinney Texas Temple was first announced for Prosper, Texas, in 2022 and relocated to the neighboring town of Fairview the following year. The temple, however, is no closer to being built now than when it was first announced several years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The McKinney Texas Temple has been at the center of a back-and-forth debate between church and town leaders, with Fairview authorities concerned mainly over the height of the temple and the light it emanates at night. PREVIOUS STORY: Why this (proposed) LDS temple in Texas is at the center of controversy The town leaders have previously expressed concerns that the temple would be the tallest building in the town and located in a residentially zoned area. Leaders also pointed out that Fairview has a dark sky ordinance to restrict lighting at night to help the migrating birds. The temples being lit up at night posed an issue for the town. In November, the two parties entered into mediation and reached an agreement, with both sides making concessions. One such concession included the church agreeing to reduce the proposed height of the building by more than 50 feet, making it a single-story structure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mediation was not the end, as the non-binding agreement still had to go through a re-submission process with the towns Planning and Zoning Board before facing the town council. A town newsletter sent to residents in January suggested that there is a decent chance the agreed-upon design will not be accepted. If this happens, it moves us closer to being sued by the LDS church and the potential dire financial consequences of that action for the Town, should the Town lose in court. In my meetings with over 100 residents this week, the sense I get is that the overwhelming number of residents want this to get to court, the January newsletter reads. The recent letter The new letter delivered on Monday, March 17, expresses concern that the town council appears to have already withdrawn their support from the agreement made during the recent mediation. We remain concerned, however, that our religious rights could be compromised if the Town does not honor its word as agreed to during mediation, the letter reads. We entered mediation with hopes for a respectful and expedient solution that advanced everyones goals. That remains our hope. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Church leaders end the letter by asking the town to reaffirm the commitments made during the mediation process. The letter vaguely threatens legal action should the council withdraw its support, saying upholding the agreement is an essential reassurance that would make it unnecessary for us to seek judicial assistance to resolve this impasse. However, Fairview Mayor Henry Lessner said the town has not withdrawn its support for the agreement, and that each representative of the town council individually chose not to respond to the church to avoid any appearance of impropriety. The Town has met its commitments coming out of the November mediation meeting. The church has not, Lessner said. They were supposed to have filed documentation associated with the mediated building design on January 13. Instead, they decided to send a notice of a lawsuit letter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lessner said he is still waiting for the courtesy of some sort of response from LDS leadership as he has requested to meet with anyone who is not a church attorney. He said he is willing to travel to Salt Lake City for the meeting. After more than a year, I as the highest elected official in the Town of Fairview, still have not met anyone who is a decision-maker in the LDS church. All we see are attorneys, he said. The town council will be meeting early next week to discuss the issue. The church leaders letter is included below: Letter-to-Mayor_Town-Council_03152025Download Spencer Mahon, Trevor Myers, and Garret Hodson contributed to this story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) 28/22 News has an update from the court on Commissioner Gaughans petition to change the process of how former Commissioner Matt McGloins vacancy gets filled. The three candidates chosen by the Lackawanna County Democratic Party for the courts consideration were expected to be interviewed Wednesday, but that process is now on hold because of Commissioner Gaughans petition. On Wednesday, the court ruled that the Lackawanna County Democratic Party has until April 7 to argue why Commissioner Gaughans petition should be denied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gaughan wants the court to follow a 2019 State Supreme Court ruling instead of the countys Home Rule Charter. Funeral arrangements for Scranton FD Lt. Kelly Hopkins Under the Home Rule charter, the Democratic Party chose three candidates from a pool of applicants and submitted them to the Court of Common Pleas. However, Gaughan argues that the court should follow Rule 1908, which allows any Democratic resident of Lackawanna County to apply for the position. In response to Wednesdays court order, Commissioner Gaughan released the following statement: We are aware of the order. We respect it. It is an important legal issue on which the courts should have the final word. We respect the judicial process. Wont comment any further while the judicial process unfolds. Lackawanna County Commissioner Bill Gaughan The three candidates chosen by the Democratic Party were set to be interviewed on Wednesday, but now its unclear when, or if, those interviews will happen, depending on how this process plays out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 PAhomepage.com. A judge on Tuesday said she will review an internal Seton Hall report the school wants to hide from plaintiffs in a sex abuse case targeting the Newark archdiocese. (Photo by New Jersey Monitor) NEWARK New Jersey may be one step closer to knowing what Seton Hall University has been hiding regarding sexual abuse claims involving the schools clergy. Superior Court Avion M. Benjamin on Tuesday ordered Seton Hall to provide her with an internal investigative report the school commissioned on the sex abuse claims, saying she needs to read the unredacted report to determine if plaintiffs in a wide-ranging sex abuse case targeting the Archdiocese of Newark should get a copy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Benjamins ruling is likely just one step in what could be a long slog toward learning whats in the Seton Hall report. But its a step in the right direction, one that could lead us to discover the true scale of what looks like a massive cover-up at Seton Hall and in the archdiocese. The Catholic Church has always suggested that sexual abuse is just an isolated, bad apple, and our argument in this litigation is its not just a bad apple. Its an orchard, said attorney John Baldante, one of the lawyers representing hundreds of plaintiffs suing the Newark archdiocese. The Seton Hall report referred to as the Latham report after the law firm that produced it in 2019 is at the center of a controversy involving the schools new president, Monsignor Joseph Reilly. Seton Hall commissioned the report as part of its effort to review the actions of Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who led the Archdiocese of Newark for 14 years and was removed from ministry in 2018 over allegations that he sexually abused a teenager while serving as a priest in New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Politico New Jersey has reported the Latham report says Reilly knew about sex abuse claims when he ran Seton Halls seminary and did not properly report them. Despite having access to the reports findings, Seton Hall officials chose Reilly to become its president in 2024. The school has said news stories have falsely portrayed Reilly, but Politico has letters the school sent to Reilly in 2019 and 2020 that say Reilly knew about sexual misconduct claims involving seminarians and did not report such allegations to school officials. Lawyers in the case targeting the Newark archdiocese which was first filed in 2019 and later consolidated because there are so many plaintiffs say they did not know about the Latham report until Politico first reported on it in December, even though defendants in the case (including Seton Hall) were ordered years ago to hand over relevant internal records. After a February hearing in the case where Benjamin expressed incredulity that the report had remained secret during the yearslong litigation, Seton Hall filed a motion for a protective order to keep the report private. The schools lawyers argued Tuesday in Benjamins Newark courtroom that attorney-client privilege shields the report and all accompanying documents from public view. Ruling otherwise, they argued, would create a chilling effect by signaling to other entities that internal documents could become public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Or it could send a signal to other entities that when they uncover incidents of sexual misconduct, they cant keep them a secret. The Seton Hall lawyer said a couple times that they were entitled to keep this secret and privileged because they had a common interest with the Vatican in preventing child sex abuse. But the fact that theyre fighting so hard even today to keep it secret shows you thats not true, Gabriel Magee, another of the plaintiffs lawyers, told reporters after Tuesdays hearing. Its not clear when Benjamin will get her hands on the report and other documents (a Seton Hall lawyer said he did not know how many documents there are). But for the lawyers representing the hundreds of people who say they were abused by clergy in the Archdiocese of Newark, her Tuesday ruling is a victory. All of this really goes to the patterns and practice of the behavior within the Archdiocese of Newark and, specific to Seton Hall, within the institution of Seton Hall University. And how these institutions, whether its the archdiocese or its related entities, systemically and institutionally engaged in behavior to cover up and keep secret complaints and reports of sexual abuse. Thats really one of the major themes of our cases, and thats what were going to hopefully prove when these cases come up for trial, said Baldante. Seton Halls lawyers declined to comment. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The 2025 U.S. State of the Birds Report reveals troubling declines in bird species across almost every habitat and one of the most noteworthy declines this year is among waterfowl populations. Duck numbers, which were once a bright spot, are now trending downward. Waterfowl numbers stand out in the report with general populations seeing a 24 percent increase since 1970. The report also shows a recent downturn specifically in duck numbers, which Ducks Unlimited director of communications Chris Sebastian says is an expected result of extended drought in the Prairie Potholes Region. This unique wetland-grassland ecosystem which encompasses parts of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, and three Canadian provinces provides crucial breeding and nesting grounds for many waterfowl species, as much as two-thirds of the North American duck population. The accelerated loss of wetlands and grasslands in key waterfowl regions is contributing to the declining trend, according to the report, which notes that environmental and land-use changes are driving recent duck and marsh bird declines in many areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the recent dip in duck numbers, however, Sebastian tells Outdoor Life there are plenty of reasons to remain optimistic. In 2024, the estimate for total breeding ducks in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Traditional Survey Area was 34 million. While 4 percent below the long-term average, the 2024 numbers were a 5 percent increase from the 2023 estimate and the first increase in total surveyed birds since 2015, Sebastian says. This report comes five years after the pivotal 2019 study, which revealed a loss of 2.9 billion breeding adult birds across North America since 1970. To put those numbers in perspective, weve lost one-fourth of the continents birds in less than a human lifetime. The report indicates that more than one-third of American bird species are of moderate to high concern due to low numbers and declining population trends. That includes 112 of what the report called Tipping Point species, which means birds that have experienced a population decline of more than 50 percent over the last 50 years. This list includes northern pintails, king eiders, black scoters, and long-tailed ducks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of those, 42 were labeled Red Alert species with steep declining trends, and this list includes several popular game birds, including mottled ducks, sage grouse, and prairie chickens. Experts believe declining bird populations warn of looming environmental crises (like canaries in the coal mine). The rapid declines in birds signal the intensifying stressors that wildlife and people alike are experiencing around the world because of habitat loss, environmental degradation, and extreme weather events, said Amanda Rodewald, faculty director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithologys Center for Avian Population Studies. When we see declines like those outlined in the report, we need to remember that if conditions are not healthy for birds, theyre unlikely to be healthy for us. While the declines are concerning, the report also emphasizes the success of proactive and concerted conservation efforts that can help populations recover. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The science is solid in how to bring birds back, the report notes. Private lands conservation programs, and voluntary conservation partnerships for working lands, hold some of the best opportunities for sparking immediate turn-arounds for birds. Hunters have long been at the forefront of these conservation efforts, particularly when it comes to waterfowl. In addition to being personally invested in keeping populations healthy, sportsmen and women contribute vast sums of money for habitat conservation. The revenue from hunting licenses support management and growth of public lands, dollars from the federal duck stamps directly expand the National Wildlife Refuge system, and the voice of hunters are important to influence conservation-related legislation in states and Washington, D.C., Sebastian says. Additionally, hunter membership in conservation organizations such as Ducks Unlimited gives us resources to move dirt and water on the landscape to conserve ducks and other animals. The recent slide in waterfowl populations should be concerning for duck hunters. Fortunately, says Sebastian, waterfowl are the most studied and managed game species in North America. The USFWS uses annual breeding duck survey populations to set the overall framework for waterfowl season length and daily limits for birds, and the agency has recommended a liberal framework for all four flyways during the 202526 duck seasons, Sebastian says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read Next: Where Are All the Ducks? He says in light of the numbers, it is important for hunters to continue to speak up about the status of waterfowl populations and the reasons behind the numbers. More information about the 2025 State of the Birds report and annual waterfowl population surveys are available at www.ducks.org. The 2025 report was co-authored by Ducks Unlimited, Cornell Lab of Ornithologys Center for Avian Population Studies, National Audubon Society, American Ornithological Society, American Bird Conservancy, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, Klamath Bird Observatory, and the Institute of Bird Populations. Its a comprehensive assessment of bird population health across the country and was released March 13 at the 90th annual North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Spring is right around the corner and with the change in season comes an increased chance for inclement and dangerous weather. During Severe Weather Awareness Week, Ohioans are encouraged to be proactive and make a plan before severe weather strikes in order to keep yourself, your family and your loved ones safe. Appeals court overturns part of Ohio law banning trans healthcare for youth Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Better Call 4 and the Ohio Attorney Generals Office also want to help you prepare for the aftermath when repairs are needed and so-called storm chasers come calling. So, theyre going door to door, theyre in the neighborhoods, Ryan Lippe, a consumer educator with the Ohio Attorney Generals Office, said. If they say they have leftover materials, its probably a scam. Lippe said there are contractors or companies that appear after a storm seeking to collect cash from vulnerable homeowners but are out-right con artists. Other times, they may be legitimate businesses that are just bad at business. When theres a natural disaster, some of them go way over their head in terms of the number of jobs they can support with their current workforce, Lippe said. Theres a gray area, where they might do a little bit of the work just to say theyve done something, but then they leave either a shoddy job or they just dont come back to finish the job. So, sometimes its a mistake on their end, sometimes its a scam. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DOGE cancels $699K OSU research grant examining cannabis use in LGBTQ+ women Regardless, Lippe said, its up to you as the home, business, or property owner to take steps to protect yourself. Check it out, get some research done on the company name, maybe get some more estimates before you decide to have work done, Lippe said. Because under state law, if theyre going door to door, theyre supposed to be giving you a three-day cancellation period before they even start work. So, its a red flag if they want to start work right away. When it comes to cleaning up from severe storm damage, the best place to start is with your insurance company. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) The Sevierville Fire Department has plans to build another station close to the Kodak area. Station 4 will be built on land behind the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center on Winfield Dunn Parkway. Itll have an engine company, a ladder company, and well be hiring 24 firefighters for this station, Chief Matt Henderson said. The plans for the new station come during a time of growth in Sevier County. Allen Newton with the Sevier County Economic Development Council said like many Tennessee counties, they are fighting to keep up with the growth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maryville woman claims TennCare transport provider repeatedly did not show up As our population, as our business population also, kind of explodes, infrastructure, additional fire stations, schools, all of that are some of the challenges that we have in Sevier County, he explained. Sevierville Fire Station 3 in downtown Sevierville was built just a few years ago in 2022. Right now, its the closest one to the Kodak area, with a 15-17 minute response time. The growth in the area, in north Sevierville, has pushed us to build a fire station there. We are currently contracting with a department in that area to cover the area of the city but because of the growth and development in that area, it has been deemed necessary for us to build a station, Henderson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Car burglaries up 35% in Knoxville: How to keep your car safe The fire station is just one part of the $20 million project. A new public works department and fueling station will also be built in the same location. We plan to break ground this July and we hope to open one year later, thats the goal, Henderson said. The project is being funded by both the City of Sevierville and the State of Tennessee. Chief Henderson encourages any soon-to-be high school graduates interested in firefighting to look out for hiring announcement. 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 WATE 6 On Your Side. State Sen. Justin Eichorn, was arrested Monday in Bloomington. He's a Grand Rapids Republican. Official Senate photo. Sen. Justin Eichorn, R-Grand Rapids, allegedly responded to an online advertisement for sex and agreed to meet a 17-year-old girl in person, but the girl was actually an undercover officer, according to the U.S. Department of Justice and a statement of probable cause filed in Minnesota court Wednesday. Eichorn was charged in a federal criminal complaint with one count of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, and in Hennepin County district court with one count of allegedly attempting to hire a prostitute under 18 but at least 16. The state charge was later dropped following the federal charge, which carries a higher sentence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eichorn was arrested in Bloomington on Monday near the 8300 block of Normandale Avenue without incident, according to the Bloomington Police Department, leading his Republican colleagues in the Senate to call for his resignation. A Bloomington police press release Tuesday incorrectly stated the age of the non-existent minor; police posed as a 17-year-old, not a 16-year-old, as the Tuesday release asserted. According to the federal criminal complaint, law enforcement placed advertisements for commercial sex on at least two websites that are commonly used in adult and juvenile human trafficking schemes. The ads included photos of a female who said she was 18 and located in Bloomington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On March 11, undercover officers received a message from Eichorn that read Hey [fictitious name] I saw your post and (sic) chance you are still available tonight? according to the complaint. When the cop didnt respond, Eichorn allegedly texted again later that night and said Whats a guy gota (sic) do to get with the hottest girl online tonight. Still receiving no response, Eichorn allegedly texted the number again the next day, March 12, asking if the girl was available. The undercover officer responded to Eichorn and said that she was available. Eichorn allegedly replied, Awesome where ya at and whats your rates. Eichorn used terminology that suggests hes fluent in the world of cash-for-sex. When asked what he was looking for, Eichorn allegedly replied Qv or hhr, which means quick visit or a half hour of sexual contact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The undercover officer replied that she was 17. Eichorn allegedly continued to communicate with the undercover officer on March 12 and 13. On March 17, Eichorn again allegedly texted the undercover officer asking if the girl was available. The girl made it clear that she was underage, according to the complaint. I am 17like I said dont want any drama but wanna be upfront cause one guy got hella mad at me, the officer said. Eichorn responded, Why was he so mad? I think age of consent is 17 when do ya turn 18? It says age of consent is 16 over 18 is in a position of authority over you like a teacher or friends parent, Eichorn allegedly replied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eichorn also asked how much extra it would cost to not use a condom, according to the federal charging document. Officers searched Eichorns vehicle and found two cell phones, a Trojan-brand condom and $129 in cash. According to an order of detention, Eichorns bail was set at $75,000. Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, R-East Grand Forks, on Wednesday said he hasnt spoken with Eichorn, and the Senate Republican caucus will be meeting to discuss whether to seek Eichorns expulsion from the chamber, which requires a two-thirds majority vote. Eichorns potentially career-ending legal trouble adds to an already tumultuous legislative session. Democratic state Sen. Nicole Mitchell, DFL-Woodbury, is also under a cloud of legal problems, facing a felony burglary trial after the session. She was set to go before a jury in January but had the trial delayed until after the legislative session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans have repeatedly sought to expel her since her arrest last year. Democrats have said she deserves legal due process before any decision about expulsion. Unlike her Republican colleagues, Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul, did not call for Eichorns resignation or expulsion. Doing so would open her up to charges of hypocrisy given Mitchells continued service. Having already called for his resignation, it remains to be seen if Republicans will seek an ethics case and potential expulsion of Eichorn. Expulsion of either Eichorn or Mitchell would lead to a special election. Each won their 2022 Senate races by significant margins. Democrats have a one-seat majority in the 34-33 Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In February, Eichorn reposted an article on Facebook about attempts to expel Mitchell, saying that the growing scandal keeps pulling focus from the Legislatures important work. We need to end the disruption and let voters choose a new senator. In 2021 he objected to a bill requiring Minnesota schools to teach about sexual orientations and gender identities, saying before you know it, theyll be reading kids 50 Shades of Grey. This discussion is better had at a more mature age. Eichorn also co-authored a bill to classify Trump Derangement Syndrome as a mental illness. Eichorn was first elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2016. NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KETK)- A Stephen F. Austin State University alumni has been hired as the universitys first in-residence entrepreneur. Taylor Kovar, who graduated from SFA in 2009 with a degree in business administration, is returning to his alma mater to contribute to the universitys entrepreneurship program. Since leaving SFA, Kovar has built several successful companies that have seen significant revenue growth. Winnsboro ISD names new high school principal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The university hopes that Kovars real-world experience can contribute to students business ideas becoming viable ventures in the future. Kovar will be a member of SFAs Arnold Center for Entrepreneurship, which strives to transform students into successful entrepreneurs once they graduate. SFAs entrepreneurship program was recognized earlier this year for being one of the top three programs in the nation. The program was established in 2020 and has grown significantly since its inception and uses bold and innovative educational programs to enhance their students experiences. Dr. Raymond Jones, the director of SFAs entrepreneurship program, spoke about the advantage he expects students to have with Kovar joining the faculty. With ACEs entrepreneur-in-residence program, SFA continues to position itself as a hub for innovation, mentorship and business success, Jones said. Taylors hands-on approach and extensive industry experience provide students with a unique and invaluable learning advantage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Explore Texas largest azalea garden in Nacogdoches this spring Kovar is excited to begin his new role with the university and spoke about how he looks to prepare students to excel outside the classroom. Entrepreneurship isnt just learned in a classroom its experienced, Kovar said. Being back at SFA, I am attempting to prepare students not just for jobs but also for creating their own opportunities. Kovar will begin his role with the university immediately and serve as the in-residence entrepreneur through the end of the semester. 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. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) At approximately 9:39 a.m., Caddo 911 recorded a house fire on Marion and Greenwood Road in Shreveport. Fire Crews arrived after receiving a phone call from a contractor working next door to the home. Upon entering the residence, crews found an individual in a bedroom on the second floor. According to the Shreveport Fire Department, the victim was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Caddo Parish declares burn ban due to wind speeds Shreveport House Fire (KTAL - KMSS JORDAN JOHNSON) (2) Caddo 911 recorded 21 Shreveport Fire Department units on site battling the fire. No working smoke alarms were located inside the home. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. ***Related video above from November 2024: Growing investigation on SUV crash involving Cleveland mayor*** CLEVELAND (WJW) The FOX 8 I-Team has found change taking place at the top of a city of Cleveland agency serving as a watchdog for Cleveland police, but the administrator said hes being forced to step down. In my mind, its a termination. I had to be escorted into my office, Marcus Perez said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, the board over the Office of Professional Standards (OPS) met, and Perez said, they voted to accept my resignation without a formal resignation. Perez told us he recently said this year would be his final year going through a budget process, but he claims he didnt formally announce hes leaving. Now, he said hes been placed on administrative leave until April 10. I-TEAM: Cleveland councilman demands federal monitor overseeing police resign OPS investigates citizen complaints involving Cleveland police officers. The OPS findings are then reviewed by a citizens group, the Civilian Police Review Board. That board can then recommend police carry out discipline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OPS has been in the headlines. This week, OPS opened an investigation into what happened at the casino downtown when a federal monitor over police reform had a run-in with an off-duty officer. That officer had said on police radio that the federal monitor had refused to leave, but he ultimately left. OPS also has been investigating a complaint filed by the parents of officer Jamieson Ritter. In July, he was killed in the line of duty. His parents live in New York, and they say they found out what happened when they received a shocking phone call in the middle of the night from Cleveland police. Cleveland police procedures indicate family notification should have been made in person by law enforcement from where the family lives. Man wanted in October shooting at Superior Food Mart in Cleveland Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OPS has also investigated a crash of an SUV driven by an officer as he took the mayor to a meeting. The OPS investigation has raised policy and procedure issues, and that case is still not resolved. Additionally, OPS recently was accused of releasing sensitive criminal justice information to unapproved individuals. Perez said an interim administrator has been appointed. 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. Sheetz will be hosting hiring events and on-the-spot interviews at all of its Pennsylvania locations next week. The events will be held on Wednesday, March 26 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The company is looking to hire for key roles, including store team members, supervisors and assistant managers. Anyone interested in attending will need to apply for a store position at www.jobs.sheetz.com online before arriving. Once you arrive at the event, you will check in at the cash register. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW Colorado Springs police have identified the motorcyclist killed March 12 in a two-vehicle crash at North Academy Boulevard and Rebecca Lane. The motorcyclist has been identified as 31-year-old Shane Golden. The crash happened shortly before 8:15 p.m. Police were dispatched to the scene of a reported collision between a motorcycle and a pickup truck. Police said when they arrived the motorcyclist was dead and the pickup driver had fled the scene. Police said they later arrested 22-year-old David Medina as the suspected driver of the pickup. Medina faces charges of driving under the influence and hit-and-run causing death. Featured Local Savings Investigators said both speed and alcohol are believed to be contributing factors in the crash, which remains an active investigation. Medina was still in the El Paso County jail as of Wednesday morning. His first court appearance is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Thursday, in district court. Golden was the fourth traffic fatality of the year in Colorado Springs. Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden says U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers failed to pick up 163 undocumented people from the jail since December. READ MORE: ICE, partner agencies arrest 24 people in Charlotte operation McFadden emailed county commissioners on Monday. He says it cost the sheriffs office nearly $65,000 to house those detainees. House Bill 318 would require sheriffs to flag ICE within two hours of release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McFadden told commissioners that even if that bill became law, he believes ICE will struggle to pick up the undocumented immigrants. The sheriff is responding to ICEs arrest of 24 people in the county. Hes asking to be notified before future operations take place. He says the notification will prevent violent assaults. He also says he contacted ICE about the increasing costs of housing people with detainers. Full Statement from McFadden: I wouldnt expect anything less from ICE and these federal task forces. I commend ICE, the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for working together to remove violent criminals from our streets. This is why we have deputies on these federal task forces, however, when operations take place like this in Mecklenburg County, as a courtesy, we expect to be notified to prevent potential blue-on-blue, violent assaults. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By now, ICE should be aware we do not honor civil detainers because they are not signed by a judge. I must follow the lawif a judge orders me to release someone, I cannot legally detain them. MCSO has housed 163 undocumented immigrants for 48 hours at the detention center, yet ICE chose not to pick up any of them nor notify me of their intentions. In fact, we welcome the name of the 6 undocumented immigrants that ICE recently arrested that they claim have active detainers on them. ICE knows they need a writ signed by a judge, along with a criminal warrant or an indictment, to take anyone into their custody. A detainer alone is not a legal document allowing me to transfer someone without a federal warrant, complaint, or writ. How many times do I need to explain this process? For instance, we well know that several people have been arrested and rearrested multiple times with detainers placed on them multiple times by ICE. ICE has not yet contacted us or notified of their intentions. Today, I sent an email to ICEs Atlanta Field ERO Office regarding the financial burden the detainers place on taxpayers and the importance of informing the sheriffs office of their true intentions on whether they are going to pick up these undocumented immigrants or seek federal, criminal charges. If ICE perceives these undocumented immigrants as violent or dangerous, they should place on them criminal charges, rather than detainers. That said, I dont see why this news stands out. Arrests like these happen every day across America, carried out by my deputies and other law enforcement officers across the county and nation. What I continue to expectand have said repeatedlyis collaboration, communication, and open dialogue with ICE. A more comprehensive approach to immigration is necessary, and local sheriffs must be part of that conversation. I cannot keep having these discussions through media releases, soundbites, and weekly statements. VIDEO: Bill requires sheriffs to notify ICE before certain suspects are released It would be easy to write a story about the perpetual chaos we are all experiencing, because chaos is the gift that keeps on giving when it comes to news. But like with most toxic materials, repeated and uninterrupted exposure to the mayhem of the current national political climate can be bad for your health. Which is why I interrupt this regularly scheduled obsession with the possible demise of America to focus instead on hope. Because hope, and the belief that we actually can survive this, is the only way we actually will. And sometimes it is our own fellow Americans whose insistence on doing good and necessary things in the face of all the madness and uncertainty who give us the best reasons not only to hope, but to believe that this is a story that could have a good ending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's even better when one of those fellow Americans is from our own backyard. Which brings me to Erin Keith, a daughter of Detroit and social justice attorney whose commitment to overhauling our criminal legal system is the sort of hope we need right now. Trailblazing Detroit journalist, musician Luther Keith dies at 74: 'An incredible loss' Service in the blood Erin serves as a Program Officer at the Navigation Fund, leading the organizations multi-million dollar Transforming Criminal Justice portfolio. The Navigation Fund describes itself as a grantmaking nonprofit supporting a wide variety of organizations "where additional resources create the potential to produce a significant impact." TNF currently supports efforts in five areas: transforming criminal justice, safe AI, open science, farm animal welfare and climate change. As I said, Erin leads the Transforming Criminal Justice (TCJ) Program. Powered by Erins expertise, the program "invests in efforts to eliminate overcriminalization and mass incarceration, advance decarceration, and foster genuine public safety and well-being in communities across the country." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Erin developed the strategy the criminal justice program uses by relying on her experiences representing clients who found themselves trapped in the web of the juvenile legal system as well as the adult criminal legal systems. To combat these issues, the criminal justice program makes a multi-million-dollar annual investment in efforts nationwide to transform the criminal legal system. In January, the organization completed its inaugural year of strategic grantmaking, funding 45 organizations across the country. Erin says she is excited that, to date, $1 million from the fund has already been designated to support Michigan-based organizations over the next two years, including Detroit Heals Detroit (focused on youth-led organizing and healing justice programming), Care-Based Safety MI (working to pilot unarmed emergency response and community-based harm reduction strategies), and the Michigan Justice Fund (a funder collaborative and vital funding intermediary focused on addressing mass incarceration statewide). Full disclosure, Erin is not a stranger to me. Her father, former Detroit News editor and ARISE! Detroit founder Luther Keith, was a good friend of mine. Luther died unexpectedly on March 5. I finished this column before he passed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With that out of the way, since we just celebrated Black History Month, we should probably acknowledge the local Black history branches from Erins family tree. Erins dad, Luther A. Keith, was inducted into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame as a barrier-breaking journalist whose career opened doors for numerous Black journalists who came after him. You can read more about his accomplishments in the numerous tributes published after his death. Keiths wife, Jacqueline Hall-Keith, a trailblazer in her own right, was both a state and federal administrative law judge and former legal director for the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. Wayne County probate Judge Terrance Keith, her uncle, is recognized as the Founding Father and served a two-year term as the first president of the D. Augustus Straker Bar Association, founded in 1990 to promote legal practice opportunities for lawyers of color in Oakland County. Her paternal grandfather was Luther C. Keith, a real estate salesman and postal worker by day who, from 1955 through 1971 served as president of the United Committee on Negro History, one of Detroits earliest groups to promote African American history. At the time it was called Negro History Week, not Black History Month. Her great uncle, the late Judge Damon Keith, was a civil rights legend whose accomplishments during more than a half century on the federal bench would take two more columns to properly list, but if you know then you know. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So yeah. When it comes to making an impact, its kind of in the blood. Luther Keith died this week. He was my best friend. | Opinion Skill and passion As for Erins own background, her passion for service began in her Detroit community, where she volunteered through Meals on Wheels and spent her summer job before college as an intern at Detroits Focus HOPE. Erin went on to graduate summa cum laude from Howard University with her B.A. in Political Science. She attended Georgetown Law, where she obtained both her juris doctor, allowing her to practice law, and also a Master of Laws degree. A Master of Laws is a postgraduate academic degree that allows lawyers to specialize in a specific area of law, enhancing their legal expertise and career prospects. I think its safe to say Erins legal expertise has been notably enhanced, as have her career prospects. Erin then moved back to Detroit to contribute her skills and passion to eradicating injustices in her own community. She joined the Detroit Justice Center in 2018 during its founding year as a youth empowerment attorney, creating know your rights workshops for young people who might experience over policing. Erin later became a staff attorney in DJCs Legal Services and Advocacy Practice, where she provided direct representation to indigent and formerly incarcerated clients, helping them clear misdemeanor warrants that blocked employment, reduce insurmountable court fines and fees, and regain parental visitation and custodial rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later, as DJCs first-ever managing policy counsel, Erin led strategy and legislative analysis on issues such as pretrial fairness, cash bail reform, traffic law reform, police accountability and divesting from carceral structures to fund community reinvestment. We need dedicated public servants And this is the kind of impact that is sorely needed. Because we didnt need the killing of George Floyd to realize that the legal system doesnt always work quite like its supposed to, especially not for Black people. What we do need is dedicated public servants committed to straightening out inequity in a country where some folks can afford to build their own rocket ships, while others cant pass a background check for a job to feed their families and, in some states, cant even vote, all because of a conviction. Im just saying. According to the Prison Policy Initiative, we spend about $182 billion every year not to mention the significant social cost to lock up nearly 1% of our adult population. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Sentencing Project also notes, The United States is unparalleled historically and ranks among the highest worldwide in its dependence on incarceration. Over five million people in total are under supervision by the criminal legal system. Of these, nearly two million people, disproportionately Black, are living in prisons and jails instead of their communities. Compare this to the figures of the early 1970s when this count was 360,000. But the struggle continues, which means the funding must continue. And thats where Erin Keith comes in. Her work is essential, given the historical underinvestment in criminal justice reform in the Midwest. So as we insist on celebrating Black History Month, and the contributions of Black Americans throughout the year and I do mean insist lets always remember the treasure trove of Black History figures right here in Detroit who refuse to grow weary of well doing, and maybe even some Black History luminaries in the making. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Free Press contributing columnist Keith A. Owens is a local writer and co-founder of Detroit Stories Quarterly and the We Are Speaking Substack newsletter and podcast. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters and we may publish it online and in print. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Erin Keith's criminal justice reform work changing Detroit | Opinion Calling it a difficult, but necessary decision, Giant Eagle announced earlier this month that it plans to close its store in North Versailles. Some community members, however, arent letting it go without a fight and are planning to attend the upcoming township commissioners meeting. Theyve also created and signed a petition to keep the store open, located near the pharmacy inside of the store. I dont know where Im going to go, said Debby Bodnar, a longtime customer. I was shocked because they do business here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Giant Eagle issued the following statement: Giant Eagle Inc. has made the difficult, but necessary decision to close the North Versailles Giant Eagle located at 1701 Lincoln Hwy in North Versailles Township. The supermarket and in-store Giant Eagle Pharmacy will remain open until the close of business on May 31, 2025. Once the store closes, North Versailles customers are invited to shop at several nearby Giant Eagle supermarkets, including locations in Braddock Hills, McKeesport, Monroeville and White Oak. North Versailles Giant Eagle Pharmacy customers may call their preferred alternate Giant Eagle Pharmacy location to have their prescriptions seamlessly transferred. Channel 11 spoke with some shoppers, who said they wouldnt mind going to the White Oak location. Others feel differently. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We like the convenience, that its right here, said Evelyn Lucanish, who lives close by. I drop off my son at daycare, I do a quick stop, then go back to work. The North Versailles Board of Commissioners meeting will be held on Thursday, March 20 at 7 p.m. at the community building. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW The Trump administration is weighing a significant restructuring of U.S. military commands, including giving up NATO command. NBC News Courtney Kube reports more. Former Commanding General of U.S. Army Europe retired Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling joins Ana Cabrera to share his reaction and to discuss the potential impact. DISCLAIMER: All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. UPDATE (3/20): Shreveport Police said Roblero was arrested today. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) The Shreveport Police Department is seeking the publics assistance in their search for 30-year-old Julio Roblero, who is wanted on two counts of sexual battery. (Courtesy of the Shreveport Police Department) Authorities say on March 6, 2025, officers responded to the 3100 block of Catherine Street about a sexual assault investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SPD stated in a news release, Upon arrival, officers spoke with the father of two female juveniles. He advised officers that his children had disclosed they did not want to return to their mothers residence due to being sexually assaulted by a family member. Louisiana lawmakers approve surgical castration option for those guilty of sex crimes against kids Shreveport Police detectives launched an investigation and issued an arrest warrant for Roblero on March 17, 2025, for two counts of sexual battery. Anyone with information regarding Julio Robleros whereabouts is urged to contact the Shreveport Police Department at 318-673-7300 or Caddo Crime Stoppers at 318-673-7373. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) Sioux Citys Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center has been chosen to receive an Award of Excellence in Programming and Outreach/Audience Engagement. The award comes from the Iowa Museum Association, and comes due to the Centers 2024 summer outdoor performance series, the Spirit of Discovery Stage. The series of events drew in more than 1000 guests. Siouxland communities declare snow emergencies ahead of expected blizzard Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a press release from the Iowa Museum Association, the recognition is meant to shine a spotlight on the Centers commitment to providing high-quality arts and humanities programs that the community can attend free of charge. In the press release, the Executive Director of the Iowa Museum Association praised the Interpretive Center. The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Centers Spirit of Discovery Stage is a shining example of how museums can bring communities together through creative, inclusive programming, she said. By offering free performances in an inviting outdoor space, the Center has made the arts and humanities more accessible to all, and we are proud to recognize their efforts with this award. Nebraska nonprofit addressing rural child care shortage The museum will receive the award during the IMA Conference on April 29, which will take place at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more information about the conference or the Iowa Museum Association, you can visit their website here. To check out the upcoming events and programming offered at the Interpretive Center, you can visit their website 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 SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) Due to the incoming storm, Sioux City officials have declared a snow emergency. Officials with the city say the emergency will begin at 2 a.m. The declaration will prohibit parking or leaving vehicles unattended on snow emergency routes. Sergeant Tom Gill with the Sioux City Police Department reminded residents that there will be repercussions if they decide to park their vehicle in the wrong place. Sioux City garbage, recycling collection delayed due to expected winter weather Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If youre parked in a snow emergency where you shouldnt be parked, whether its a snow emergency route or on the wrong side of the street, youre subject to getting your vehicle towed so that we can get a plow through there, Gill said. And its going to cost you the tow bill and everything to get your car out. Vehicles may park on emergency snow routes again when the snow is removed from the streets or when the city calls off the snow emergency. Gill also said that residents could potentially face a fine if they do not comply with the odd and even parking. Northwest Iowa woman wins $30K from scratch game Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neighborhood streets, sometimes theyre narrow and its hard for those trucks to get through, Gill said. So if everybody is parked on the same side of the street, it makes it much easier. If you are not parked on the right side of the street, you could be subject to getting a parking citation or possibly towed so we can get our plows through that street. Snow emergencies have been declared in several other cities, including South Sioux City and North Sioux City. 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. SOMERSWORTH Dressed in red, educators, paraeducators, administrative assistants, students, parents and allies staged a walk-in protest before the opening of school Wednesday, They condemned what they call attacks on education from the Trump administration and also criticized legislation in New Hampshire. Leah Lainez, president of the Somersworth Association of Clerical and Aides, said they intended to share a message of unity. "We will walk hand in hand into our schools to remind elected leaders that we will protect our students and defend our public schools," said Lainez. "America's students need more opportunities to succeed, and we need to strengthen our public schools where 90% of students and 95% of students with disabilities learn. And American families need community programs and resources to thrive." Walk-in events respond to cuts by Trump and NH legislation Somersworth educators, administrators and clerical staff stage a before-school walk-in Wednesday, March 19, 2025 to express their concern about actions by the Trump administration and New Hampshire state government they feel attacks and harms public schools. The events took place at Somersworth High School, Maple Wood Elementary School, and Idlehurst Elementary School and at other locations nationwide. Educators said there were more than 100 similar events in 26 states across the country on Wednesday, organized by the National Education Association union. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lainez said the national day of action is intended to raise awareness and show solidarity in the face of the unprecedented attacks on public education from the Trump administration, which recently cut the national Department of Education in half, laying off 1,300 people. More: NH Republicans vote to remove income limits on 'education freedom' vouchers Lainez said the Somersworth event follows the recent confirmation vote of U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, as well as the effort in Washington, D.C., to dismantle the Department of Education. She also pointed to New Hampshire legislation that would remove the income cap for families who can receive Education Freedom Accounts, which provides public money to fund vouchers for private school and religious school tuition or homeschooling. Republicans in New Hampshire have touted the vouchers as supporting "school choice" for families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The local educators are concerned, too, about cuts to vital services New Hampshire students depend on in their public schools. Educators in Somersworth vow to fight Somersworth educators, administrators and clerical staff stage a before-school walk-in Wednesday, March 19, 2025 to express their concern about actions by the Trump administration and New Hampshire state government they feel attacks and harms public schools. Speakers at the event included Lainez and Erich Ingelfinger, vice president of Somersworth Association of Educators from Somersworth High School, and Nikki Kinneavy from Maple Wood from Somersworth Association of Educators. In her speech, Lainez said they will never stop fighting for students and their schools. "Most Americans believe that every student deserves opportunity, resources, and support to reach their full potential no matter where they live, the color of their skin, or how much their family earns," said Lainez. "Public schools and the Department of Education exist because students, with and without disabilities, in every state and neighborhood have the right to an education that imparts academic lessons, life skills, and a lifelong love of learning. Public education is the cornerstone of our democracy - and right now, it is under attack." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Trump cuts Education Department in half after laying off 1,300 workers Lainez said students deserve a Department of Education thats fully staffed and fully funded. "The U.S. Department of Education is the backbone of public education in the United States," she said. "All students benefit from programs run by the Department of Education, especially lower-income students, students in rural communities, and students with disabilities. Dismantling the Education Department and firing up to 50 percent of its employees will have a profound effect on schools in New Hampshire. If Congress doesnt stop the effort to dismantle the Department of Education, New Hampshire families will be hurt." Somersworth educators, administrators and clerical staff stage a before-school walk-in Wednesday, March 19, 2025 to express their concern about actions by the Trump administration and New Hampshire state government they feel attacks and harms public schools. More: Trump cuts to Department of Education spark divided reaction in New Hampshire Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lainez is concerned about negative results, including hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for grants, Title I and Pell grants for college. She said the impact could also include larger class sizes, loss of funding for public schools in lower income areas, loss of services for students with disabilities and loss of employment for educators. Somersworth School Board Chair Maggie Larson stood with those taking part in the walk-in event. "This demonstration highlights the critical importance of public-school funding and resources that benefit all students, particularly those with disabilities and from low-income families," Larson said. "This effort resonates strongly with our local community's values and priorities. Our educators are advocating for the resources they need to serve our students and families effectively. The School Board recognizes that strong public schools are essential to our community's future, and are working collectively to protect educational opportunities for all Somersworth students." Somersworth educators, administrators and clerical staff stage a before-school walk-in Wednesday, March 19, 2025 to express their concern about actions by the Trump administration and New Hampshire state government they feel attacks and harms public schools. John Shea commentary: 'Education freedom' vouchers bill is a step toward giving up on NH public schools Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Larson said peaceful demonstrations before school hours reflect a shared commitment to public education. "Our community, like many others in New Hampshire burdened by an over-reliance on property taxes, deserves well-resourced schools that prepare every student to thrive," she said. Public schools touted as vital to democracy Ingelfinger, who said he has been a teacher SHS for 15 years, said public schools are "the heart of our communities and our democracy. ... Further reductions in state and federal funding to our public schools are forcing impossible choices on our community and others like ours. Choices like: do we fund art or music? Do we fund AP classes or drama? Do we run classes designed to help students who have fallen behind catch up? Or do we run classes to help students get into the college or job of their dreams?" Somersworth educators, administrators and clerical staff stage a before-school walk-in Wednesday, March 19, 2025 to express their concern about actions by the Trump administration and New Hampshire state government they feel attacks and harms public schools. Ingelfinger said if the current attempts to reduce state and federal funding to public education succeed, Somersworth loses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "These cuts will force the community to make ever increasing tough choices, and will result in bigger class sizes, fewer activities, less choice, and fewer opportunities for Somersworth families and their children," he said. "This is at once cruel and short-sighted. ... Removing federal funding or state funding means raising property taxes." This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Somersworth educators speak up for public schools SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) South County Hospital has filed a lawsuit against an advocacy group and former fundraiser, alleging they used confidential donor information to deter people from giving money to the facility. The defendants are pushing back, calling the lawsuit a shameless, desperate stunt designed to choke off dissent and cover up the catastrophic fallout of gross mismanagement at South County Hospital. They are now attempting to engineer an overhaul of the hospitals Board of Trustees. The dispute stems from a monthslong battle over the future of the hospital thats pitted advocates against hospital executives. An advocacy group called Save South County Hospital was created last fall after most of the hospitals oncology doctors who treat cancer patients announced they were leaving the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: South County Hospital leaders defend record as open letter calls for new management The group has repeatedly called for leadership change, accusing executives of poor management and bad decisions that they argue threaten the hospitals long-term viability. The 100-bed South Kingstown facility provides health care to residents of southern Rhode Island. Hospital executives, however, have accused the advocacy group of pushing a false narrative. They argue changes at the hospital are necessary in the current regulatory environment that doesnt pay health care facilities at rate thats kept pace with expenses over the years. Unfortunately, their actions, both before and after the creation of this organization, have caused confusion, concern, and anxiety in our community, hospital officials said in a statement posted on their website. Despite our attempts to resolve disagreements amicably, they have chosen to take a non-constructive way forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hospital executives insist the hospital is not at risk of closing and remains in good financial condition, with more than $90 million in pooled assets and an average 143 days cash on hand as of last week. Donors are a key funding source for the standalone hospital, which has operated for more than a century. And when people name the hospital as a beneficiary in estate plans, the facility can get advanced money to fund big-ticket initiatives, such as renovations, new equipment and nursing education, according to the lawsuit. South County Hospitals relationship with its donors has proven to be critical, wrote W. Mark Russo, an attorney for the hospital. Russo alleged in the lawsuit that the facilitys former fundraiser Claudia Swain has been using confidential donor information to try and convince people not to donate to South County Hospital in violation of non-disclosure agreements she signed before resigning in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russo also accused Swain of sharing the donor information with Save South County Hospital members, who he alleged know are necessary to fund programs for which there is otherwise, inadequate funding. Swain called the allegations hurtful, flat-out false, and that shes vigorously fighting the lawsuit. I find it highly ironic as as someone who has been so supportive of the hospital all the time Ive been there, Swain told Target 12. They said I had this information that I used and tried to get donors to not support the hospital, which just couldnt further from the truth. Save South County Hospital members called the lawsuit a desperate and vindictive maneuver, accusing the hospital of making false allegations about the donor information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one did that, the group said in a statement. Donations come from free will; if managements actions are driving donors away, they must ask, What are we doing to provoke this response?' The group has called for the resignations of Board of Trustees Chairman Joseph Matthews, along with CEO Aaron Robinson and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kevin Charpentier. They have accused the men of recklessly ignoring the needs of the community and driving away staff. Let us all remember that South County Hospitals mismanagement has driven away primary care physicians, cancer specialists, urologists, and cardiologists from South County Medical Group, leaving patients desperate for care, said Dr. Chris Van Hemelrijck, a director of the advocacy group, in a statement. The group announced Wednesday its now planning a meeting of the South County Healthcare System Endowment to circumvent the current Board of Trustees authority and immediately elect nine additional, community-responsive Trustees whose voices and expertise will right the hospitals ship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eve Keenan, a former board member, acknowledged the meeting is an unprecedented action but described the move as a last resort. Our Special Members Meeting follows months of tireless effort by doctors, nurses, patients, and community members from all walks of life public and private meetings, scores of letters to the Board, standing-room-only community forums, a community petition signed by nearly 2,000 people, even a Medical Staff no-confidence vote in the CEO, Keenan added. Hospital officials criticized Keenans assertions, issuing a news release Thursday saying the hospital has made significant strides toward growing its medical staff by 35% since 2020. The hospital also downplayed the no-confidence vote, saying it represented less than 10% of the entire medical staff and was conducted in an unofficial manner. Hospital officials also highlighted that the Board of Trustees unanimously expressed full confidence in its leadership team in September; the support was reaffirmed in December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hospital spokesperson Matt Moeller said that advocacy group and former board members dont meet the necessary criteria to hold an event labeled South County Healthcare System Endowment Meeting or Special Members Meeting. Any decisions or votes taken at this gathering hold no validity or authority to enact change at the hospital, he said. Members will have the appropriate opportunity to engagee with leadership and the board at the annual meeting in April, in accordance with our established processes and bylaws. The meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on April 3 at South Kingstown High School. Eli Sherman (esherman@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter for 12 News. Connect with him on Twitter and on Facebook. 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. Follow us on social media: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup 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 WPRI.com. NORTH SIOUX CITY, S.D. (KCAU) On March 12, South Dakota legislators passed a bill that would allow concealed guns in bars. Its now sitting on the governors desk, waiting for him to sign it into law. The South Dakota Legislature amended House Bill 1218, repealing a section of state law that prevents everyday gun owners from carrying a concealed pistol into a licensed bar that sells beer and liquor. The provision only applies to bars and other businesses that make more than 50% of their total income from the sale of alcoholic beverages. North Sioux City receives petition to halt Union Crossing housing development Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im not 100% thrilled that every person that walks in could carry a concealed weapon, but at the same time, I understand the right to bear arms and I also understand theres a lot of unstableness and craziness in the world, said Kimberly LaFleur, owner of Beano & Sherrys Casinos in North Sioux City. Sometimes it can come in handy. Sometimes its not handy. Its kind of a catch-22 in my opinion. If Governor Larry Rhoden signs the bill into law, South Dakota will join Iowa and Nebraska in allowing concealed weapons in bars. The obvious concern is mixing alcohol with firearms. You dont want to combine the two, LaFleur said. You dont want to be under the influence. Its the same thing as driving a vehicle or whatever. You have a couple of drinks or whatever, youre under the influence. Its going to affect things. Another concern is that South Dakota is one of 29 constitutional carry states. That means any law-abiding adult can carry a firearm without any special training or permit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With great power comes great responsibility, J.T. Grover with Rev-Tac Firearm Instruction said. If you dont know the laws and you dont have any skills, its amazing how many people that think they have that skill. Even the people, we see some through our conceal carry classes that have to shoot to qualify, the talent is typically not there. Its important to recognize that even though there is a bar, that bar is extremely low. And now with constitutional carry, there is no bar, other than you have a pulse and legally possess a firearm. Sen. Rounds says U.S. Senate in dark as Musk works through DOGE According to Grover, people that carry weapons into bars need to make sure they are responsible for their actions to avoid something bad happening. If youre going to the bar and personal defense is something thats important to you, you still have to maintain a clear head, he said. So you have to choose if youre there to party or are you there to protect. I think most people would not mix those two. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently, bar owners in South Dakota have the right to post a sign forbidding guns in their bars, and that would continue under HB 1218. If signed, the bill would be effective July 1. 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. SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (WWLP) The South Hadley Police Department is seeking the publics help in locating a missing 16-year-old girl. South Hadley police warn residents of uptick in car break-ins Madilynne Mathias voluntarily left her home and was last known to be in Springfield Union Station on Tuesday at 11:00 p.m. She is described as 55 tall, approximately 180 lbs, with pink hair, and blue eyes. She was last wearing black leggings, a blue shirt, a dark blue sweatshirt with peanuts characters on it, and black converse sneakers. She is not wearing her glasses and could be holding a pillow and cream colored blanket with mushrooms on it . South Hadley Police Department South Hadley Police Department If you know of Madilynnes whereabouts, contact the South Hadley Police Department at 413-538-8231 and press 0. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. SEOUL, March 19 (UPI) -- Main opposition party leader Lee Jae-myung on Wednesday called for South Korea's Constitutional Court to issue its decision on whether to uphold the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, as an anxious and divided public awaits a verdict that has dragged on longer than anticipated. Lee made the demand during a Democratic Party meeting held in a tent in downtown Seoul, where its lawmakers are rallying for Yoon's impeachment. The 61-year-old lawmaker said that the fallout from Yoon's short-lived martial law declaration on Dec. 3 is severely damaging democracy at home and weakening South Korea's international standing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The failure of the Yoon Seok Yeol administration and the Dec. 3 martial law are ultimately ruining the entire country," Lee said. He cited the postponement of a visit to South Korea by U.S. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth -- confirmed Monday by Seoul's Defense Ministry -- as evidence of the lingering damage of a leadership vacuum as Yoon's fate remains uncertain. Leader of South Korean main opposition Democratic Party, Lee Jae-myung, wears a bullet-proof vest inside his coat as he arrives at the National Assembly in Seoul on Wednesday. Lee called for a swift decision by the Constitutional Court on Yoon's impeachment. Photo by Yonhap/EPA-EFE "Only by restoring normal leadership can we overcome the current crisis, " Lee said. "Now is the time for everyone to join forces to quickly normalize South Korea. I once again urge the Constitutional Court to make a swift ruling." Yoon was impeached on Dec. 14 by the National Assembly over his shocking attempt to impose martial law, which was overturned in a matter of hours by lawmakers. A tent in downtown Seoul housed opposition lawmakers who were on day nine of a hunger strike calling for Yoon's impeachment. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI The Constitutional Court, which must decide to uphold the impeachment or reject it and return Yoon to office, heard final arguments in the weeks-long trial on Feb. 25. A decision was widely expected by mid-March, based on the timelines of two previous impeachment proceedings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the court has not yet indicated a verdict date, as uncertainty swirls and demonstrations on both sides of the issue swell nationwide. An effigy showing Yoon behind bars appears at a rally in downtown Seoul on Wednesday, with a sign saying his impeachment is the will of the people. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI Yoon supporters have staged protests and sit-ins outside his residence and the Constitutional Court for months, with scenes at times turning violent. In January, dozens of angry protesters stormed Seoul's Western District Court after Yoon was formally arrested for his martial law attempt, breaking windows, destroying property and injuring 17 police officers. On Wednesday, Lee Jae-myung was seen wearing a bulletproof vest as he appeared in public. Police dispatched bodyguards a day earlier for Lee's protection at the request of the Democratic Party, citing assassination threats. Groups carrying flags and signs gathered in front of Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul on Wednesday to call for Yoon's impeachment. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI South Korean police said Wednesday that they would mobilize 14,000 riot police officers -- some 60% of their available force -- on the day of the Constitutional Court ruling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, protests demanding Yoon's impeachment have grown, with a massive turnout in downtown Seoul over the weekend and flag-waving crowds gathering outside of the landmark Gyeongbokgung Palace each evening. On Wednesday, signs, effigies of Yoon and tents were set up in front of the palace, including one housing several opposition lawmakers who were on the ninth day of a hunger strike calling for impeachment. Public opinion is strongly in favor of Yoon's removal from office. In a recent survey by pollster Gallup Korea, 58% percent of respondents said Yoon's impeachment should be upheld, while 37% said it should be dismissed. If the impeachment is confirmed by the court, a snap presidential election must be held within 60 days. Lee Jae-myung, the presumptive Democratic Party nominee, is the strong frontrunner but is facing legal hurdles of his own. In a poll released Monday by Realmeter Korea, 46.9% of respondents found Lee the most suitable candidate for president and he won by decisive margins in various hypothetical head-to-head matchups. However, Lee is awaiting a verdict next week on his appeal over an election law violation conviction from November. If the ruling is confirmed, the court could impose a penalty large enough to cause Lee to lose his parliamentary seat and render him ineligible to run in the presidential race. Lee, who lost to Yoon by a razor-thin margin in the 2022 presidential election, is also facing criminal trials on charges including bribery and corruption. A 33-year-old man from San Bernardino County involved in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash over the weekend has succumbed to his injuries and died, officials announced. The victim, Andrew Herrera, a resident of Apple Valley, was traveling eastbound on a dirt easement along Otoe Road, west of Cheyenne Road on March 15 when he lost control of his motorcycle, a blue 2024 Yamaha XTZ 690, according to a news release from the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department. When the motorcycle flipped, Herrera, who was not wearing a helmet, was ejected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies from the sheriff departments Apple Valley Station responded to the scene just before 7:30 p.m. and found the 33-year-old suffering from major injuries. Otoe Road, west of Cheyenne Road in Apple Valley in the area where the fatal crash occurred on March 15, 2025. (Google Maps) Herrera was rushed to the hospital by ambulance where he later succumbed to his injuries and was declared deceased. OnlyFans fetish encounter ends with murder charge for Southern California woman Otoe Road, between the intersections of Quantico and Navajo roads, was closed for approximately three hours while authorities with SBSDs Major Accident Investigation Team processed the scene and spoke to witnesses. Authorities did not provide any additional details, such as whether alcohol and or drugs or illegal street racing may have been a factor in the deadly accident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information or anyone who might have witnessed the crash is urged to contact SBSD Deputy S. Esparza at the Apple Valley Sheriffs Station at 760-240-7400 or sheriffs dispatch at 760-956-5001. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the WeTip Hotline at 800-78-CRIME or leave tips online at www.wetip.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 KTLA. Editors Note: This article was updated to correct an earlier version that said Commissioner Justin Jones attended the Tuesday meeting. He was not present at the meeting. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A southwest Las Vegas community is pushing back after a potential campsite was recommended to be built outside their neighborhood. The Litchfield & Windham gated community is located off Blue Diamond Road and Hualapai Way, near Mountains Edge. Community members showed up Tuesday in droves to hear about the potential site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If its such a good idea they can build it in their neighborhood, Litchfield & Windham resident, Alan Mar shared with 8 News Now. The community members stated that it would not benefit the community in any way and would instead cause more harm than good. We had two weeks notice and we werent informed. The plans for the campground have changed tremendously, valley resident Jeanette Mersino explained. Residents said that the proposed campsite would add to the already long list of issues in the area. We are currently fighting the noise from the ATVs and then theres the dumping and illegal campers as well, she added. We are looking at 30 to 40 sites so thats at least 50 cars coming in and out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are also concerns about light pollution, fires and trash. Those proposing the idea like avid rock climbers, Laura Tociu and James Lee, say theres a clear need for more camping sites across the valley. They also note that the available campgrounds book up fast and its a struggle to find sites with proper amenities. A southwest Las Vegas community near Blue Diamond Road and Hualapai Way is pushing back after a potential campsite was recommended to be built outside their neighborhood. (KLAS) A southwest Las Vegas community near Blue Diamond Road and Hualapai Way is pushing back after a potential campsite was recommended to be built outside their neighborhood. (KLAS) A southwest Las Vegas community near Blue Diamond Road and Hualapai Way is pushing back after a potential campsite was recommended to be built outside their neighborhood. (KLAS) Their goal is to have this be a safe site for all. Weve been in touch with security companies and we have gotten some very comprehensive plans of how they would secure the sight, Tociu said Tociu also told 8 News Now that initially, they didnt want to build a campsite near a residential area, but due to circumstances and the kind of site they envisioned, this spot was their only option for now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 750 ft away from the street is where we would have our first open-air common area. We dont think any noise will travel towards the residences, she added. Meggan Holzer, the Rural Towns Liaison for Clark County Commissioner Justin Jones was also at Tuesdays meeting. This is where your voice will be heard. Like I said, there is no vote tonight, this is informational, Holzer told the crowd. James Lee shared that making this campsite a reality, could protect the land from more development being built in the future. Something he knows residents dont want to see. By solidifying an outdoor recreation area, it could potentially mitigate an apartment building from being built here in the future, Lee stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A further discussion will be had next week where a vote will be made on whether or not a recommendation should be made to Jones. Currently, Tociu and Lee are in the process of getting a lease from the Bureau of Land Management in addition they are trying to get a campground permit through Clark 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 KLAS. MADRID (AP) Spain adopted a measure Wednesday to redistribute thousands of unaccompanied underage migrants currently sheltered on the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago off northwest Africa where thousands of people arrive by boat each year trying to reach Europe. The reform ends a months-long political stalemate between Spains regions and the central government and is aimed at easing pressure on overcrowded migrant reception centers, mainly in the Canary Islands. For several months, local leaders in the Canaries have complained about a lack of resources to shelter the thousands of unaccompanied children and teenagers, many of them from West Africa, who reached their shores. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Spain, which has a population of 49 million, the central government handles the treatment of adult migrants, while regional governments are responsible for unaccompanied minors. After the measure was approved Tuesday, Angel Victor Torres, the government minister in charge of Spain's relations with its regions, called the measure a milestone in the defense of human rights and the rights of minors. It would be good for anyone with doubts to visit a migrant (reception) center, said Torres, who previously led the Canary Islands regional government. "And see that in spaces for 20 people, there are 300 people, and that they are kids of 15 years, 10 years and five years." For regions such as the Canary Islands and the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in North Africa who cannot host more unaccompanied minors, the measure would allow for some of them to be transferred to other regions in Spain, factoring in a region's population, per capita income, unemployment rate and other considerations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Canary Islands are sheltering more than 5,000 unaccompanied minors across the archipelago. Some 4,000 migrants will be transferred elsewhere within mainland Spain. While final numbers are still being hashed out, the wealthy Catalonia region that includes Barcelona will only receive between 20 and 30 unaccompanied minors, a spokesperson for the Junts per Catalunya party said. The support of Catalan-separatist party Junts for the measure was key to Spain's Socialist-led minority government clinching a deal. The strip of Atlantic ocean between West Africa and the Canary Islands is one of the world's deadliest migration routes. Nearly 47,000 people who made the crossing last year reached the archipelago, shattering previous records for a second time. Most were citizens of Mali, Senegal and Morocco, with many boarding boats to Spain from the coast of Mauritania. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Numbers so far this year are down, according to Spain's Interior Ministry. Almost 11,000 migrants have reached Spain this year by sea as of March 15, a 21% decrease from the same period last year. ___ Follow APs global migration coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/migration SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) Spartanburg County leaders plan to honor community leader Lou Sartor with her own day. The county council passed a resolution Monday night to make March 17, Lou Sartor Day. Sartor, who passed in February, served as the director of the Spartanburg Soup Kitchen for almost 25 years and made it possible for the soup kitchen to serve countless meals over the years as well as being compassionate with a servants heart. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On March 11, Spartanburg city officials unanimously passed a resolution to honor Sartor with a street name sign. The honorary street name will be on part of South Forest Street, between West Henry Street and West Main Street. The city will also recognize April 6 as Lou Sartor Day. Sartors family received a framed copy of the resolution at the council meeting. 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. SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) The Savannah Police Department (SPD) responded to an early morning shooting that sent one person to the hospital. The incident happened around 1:15 a.m. in a residential area on Dunwoody Drive and Lucian Circle. Police told WSAV that there were at least 3 people involved in the incident, which may have stemmed from an argument, leading to gunfire. At least one person was taken to the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information should call CrimeStoppers, 912-234-2020, or submit an anonymous tip through the SPD mobile app. This is a developing story and WSAV will provide updates as soon as they are 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 WSAV-TV. SPRINGDALE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) A Springdale man will spend the next two decades in prison after pleading guilty to a dozen charges on Tuesday, including aggravated residential burglary and aggravated robbery. Michael Cibrian, 22, was sentenced to 21 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections with an additional 19 years suspended imposition of sentence, according to 4th Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Brandon Carter. Michael Cibrian, 22 (Courtesy: Washington County Detention Center) Cibrian pleaded guilty to a total of 12 charges in three separate cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court records say on Jan. 5, 2022, Cibrian was found to be in possession of a stolen handgun. Around one month later, authorities found Cibrian had psilocybin mushrooms, Alprazolam pills and nearly 1.5 kilograms of marijuana, all to deliver, according to a news release. He was also in possession of multiple stolen guns. Van Buren OnlyFans actor sentenced to 32 years for violating terms of release The release said on Feb. 28, 2024, and the next day, Cibrian and his accomplices attacked and threatened to kill someone while demanding money. They forced the victim to get into the back of a vehicle at gunpoint and made them lead Cibrian to their home, according to a report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cibrian and his accomplices held the victim and another person against their will at the home, according to the release. Around $2,000 in cash, cell phones, electronics and a vehicle were stolen from the home. Carter said Cibrian will have to serve his full sentence. The fact this defendant is going to spend nearly all of his 20s, all of his 30s, and the majority of his 40s incarcerated should serve as a deterrent to anyone considering a similar crime, Carter 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 KNWA FOX24. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) Six people were arrested and three illegal guns were seized after police were sent to a call at Blunt Park in Springfield Saturday night. Two arrested, nearly 500 bags of heroin, crack cocaine seized in Springfield traffic stop On Saturday at around 4:15 p.m., officers were sent to Blunt Park on Roosevelt Avenue for a report of people flashing firearms and allegedly chasing someone with a gun, according to the Springfield Police Department. Several suspects were located, and when officers frisked a suspect, who was later identified as 18-year-old John Taylor-Walters of Springfield, a large-capacity firearm magazine loaded with 27 rounds of ammunition was located. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers then located a fake drivers license on 23-year-old Najae Nichols of Springfield, and a firearm with a defaced serial number from a 17-year-old man. When officers approached 21-year-old Tajour Hollins of Springfield, he dropped a firearm and began to run off. After a foot pursuit, Hollins was taken into custody. The firearm had a Glock Switch attached, which made the firearm fully automatic or capable of firing as a machine gun, and was loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition. A third illegal firearm was found inside a backpack, which was loaded and capable of holding 30 rounds of ammunition and 24-year-old Quinton Lockett-Simmonds of Springfield was placed under arrest. Tyrease Arzola, 26, of Springfield was also arrested due to allegedly tampering with evidence during the investigation. Springfield Police Department Springfield Police Department Springfield Police Department Springfield Police Department Springfield Police Department Springfield Police Department Altogether, three illegal firearms were recovered, and six suspects were arrested. Their charges are as follows: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 21-year-old Tajour Hollins of Springfield is charged with: Carrying a Firearm without a License Carrying a Loaded Large Capacity Firearm on a Public Way Possession of a Machine Gun Possession of a Loaded Machine Gun Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm Firearm Violation with 1 prior Violent/Drug Crime Tampering with Evidence Resisting Arrest Disturbing the Peace 24-year-old Quinton Lockett-Simmonds of Springfield is charged with: Carrying a Firearm without a License Carrying a Loaded Large Capacity Firearm on a Public Way Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm Firearm Violation with 1 prior Violent/Drug Crime Improper Storage of a Large Capacity Firearm Receiving a Firearm with a Defaced Serial Number Disturbing the Peace Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 26-year-old Tyrease Arzola of Springfield is charged with: Tampering with Evidence Disturbing the Peace 23-year-old Najae Nichols of Springfield is charged with: Forge/Misuse RMV Document Possession of a Counterfeit Note 18-year-old John Taylor-Walters of Springfield is charged with: Possession of a High-Capacity Magazine/Feeding Device Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card Disturbing the Peace Default Warrant 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. ST. LOUIS Shy Pullen is a music lover who creates hyperpop under the name, Slime Moneytrees. Last month, she was leaving a rave in St. Charles County and was attacked while walking alone to her car. This guy just starts stabbing me out of nowhere, she said. Pullen later learned the man police arrested was someone she had known for years. Ive hung out with him so many times, all these years, and hes never showed any signs of any animosity toward me, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents indicate surveillance video captured the attack. Pullen said friends ran to pull the attacker away. The man left the scene but was soon arrested, according to police. St. Louis resident John Walker is now charged with armed criminal action and assault in the first degree. It just changed my whole outlook on life, Pullen said. Court documents indicate Walker alleges he was Pullens sex slave and was going to solve things or shoot up a school. Pullen said the allegation against her is bizarre and not true. She is instead focusing her energy on a new all-girl rave scene with an emphasis on safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were going to have a buddy system at all my raves to have people designated to walk people to their cars, Pullen said. She feels fortunate her injuries were not life-threatening. Theres a reason why I survived that night, Pullen said. She wants others to know shes been attending raves for years without any problems. Pullen believes being mindful of safety is a good idea anywhere. The whole rave community is about peace love unity and respect, Pullen said. Walker is scheduled to appear in court for a bond reduction hearing on Wednesday. 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. CANTON, N.Y. (WWTI) St. Lawrence County officials said that accused killer John Frees death was via suicide in his jail cell. In a Tuesday afternoon press conference, District Attorney Gary Pasqua and Sheriff Rick Engle gave an update Frees death. The 51-year-old Free was found dead in in a St. Lawrence County Jail cell on the afternoon of Friday, March 14. St. Lawrence County man indicted for murder found dead in prison Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said that Free was having a medical emergency in his cell just after 2 p.m. on Friday. Pasqua said all life-saving measures were taken, but proved to be unsuccessful. The district attorney declined to say on how Free asphyxiated himself Free was indicted back in January for second-degree murder among other charges of an alleged killing of 58-year-old John Barr of Rensselaer Falls in April 2024. Barrs body was eventually found after a welfare check by New York State Police. Free was also a former worker at the Ivy Ridge Academy in Oswegatchie, which was the subject of a Netflix documentary called The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping in March of last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New York State Police and attorney generals office will conduct an investigation on Frees death. 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. The Washington State Transportation Commission is set to vote on new tolling policies, including higher tolls on multiple highways and additional fees for drivers without transponders, at its meeting in Bellevue on April 16. Tolls are already in place on State Route 99, 167, and 405, but new tolls will be implemented on the under-construction extensions of SR 509 and 167. Additionally, according to the Washington State Transportation Commission, drivers using SR 167 without a transponder currently avoid tolls because the state has not installed technology to read license plates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The commission plans to change that policy, aligning SR 167 with other toll roads that charge an extra $2 fee for drivers who pay by plate. While pay-by-plate tolling was originally scheduled to begin October 1, officials have now confirmed that the system upgrade will not be operational until December 2025. The upgrade is expected to close a loophole that has cost the state an unknown amount in lost toll revenue since tolls were first introduced on SR 167 in 2008. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and the Transportation Commission have not disclosed how much revenue has been lost due to the absence of license plate reading technology on SR 167. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to expanding tolling, the commission is scheduled to approve a 3% toll increase for the Seattle SR 99 tunnel. Drivers will not have a say in the exact toll increase, only the option to support or oppose raising the toll by five cents during normal hours and 10 cents during peak hours. Public input will be accepted on many of the proposed toll changes after Tuesdays meeting, officials said. Charges filed against Minnesota Republican Sen. Justin David Eichorn (Grand Rapids) allege he repeatedly tried to arrange a meeting for paid sex with someone he believed was a 17-year-old girl, but who was actually an undercover police officer. Eichorn was arrested on Monday near the 8300 block of Normandale Avenue in Bloomington. He's now charged with one count of attempting to pay for an act of prostitution by someone who is under 18 but at least 16. The state senator is also facing federal charges for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Minnesota. Hennepin County Jail The 40-year-old has served two terms as state senator for District 5 and now serves in the newly formed Senate District 6. News of his arrest on Tuesday led to widespread calls for his resignation from both Republican and Democrat lawmakers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the criminal complaint, the Bloomington Police Department and other agencies launched an undercover prostitution sting operation targeting solicitation of minors for sexual conduct between March 11-13. Officers placed advertisements on multiple websites offering prostitution services. with Eichorn allegedly responding to one of them. Charges allege Eichorn first reached out to the undercover officer just after 9 p.m. on March 11, asking is she was available "tonight." After he didn't receive a response, he texted the same number later that night to again no response. Federal charges say Eichorn inquired, "I saw your post and [sic] chance you are still available tonight?," following it up with later that night, "What's a guy gota do to get with the hottest girl online tonight?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eichorn allegedly texted the same number on March 12, asking if she was available. The officer responded that she was, and Eichorn then asked what her rates and location was. When asked what he was looking for, Eichorn responded "Qv or hhr." "Qv" is described as a "quick visit" and "hhr" is referred to as a half hour of time for sex, according to the complaint. The undercover officer provided her "rates" to Eichorn, and he then asked how old she was, with the officer stating she was younger than her ad stated, and was actually 17 years old. On March 13, Eichorn reached out again, asking if she was available. He also again asked for her rates and if she was available for "half hour." The conversation continued until the officer stopped replying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then on March 17, Eichorn once again texted the number, asking if she was available and asking again about her rates. Her age was brought up again, clarifying she was 17 years old. Eichorn then discussed "age of consent." The transcript of that part of the conversation reads as follows, according to the federal complaint: "Officer: A lil younger than my ad.is that ok? I just wanna have fun and no drama babe "Eichorn: Sure I dont know what your ad says cuz I dont have it up anymore but as long as your legal age I am fine "Officer: I am 17like I said dont want any drama but wanna be upfront cause one guy got hella mad at me "Eichorn: Why was he so mad? I think age of consent is 17 when do ya turn 18? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Officer: Idk lol he was a creep anyway. I dont turn 18 till December "Eichorn: Its says age of consent is 16 over 18 is in a position of authority over you like a teacher or friends parent" The initial announcement of Eichorn's arrest by Bloomington Police Department states the incident involved an attempt to solicit someone he thought was 16-years-old. The formal charges filed on Wednesday states he Eichorn was allegedly told the girl was 17. According to state law, the age of consent in Minnesota is 16 years old. However, it's a crime to engage in sexual conduct with anyone under the age of 18 years of age if the person is more than three years older than the person who is at least 16 years old. It is also illegal to hire or offer or agree to hire an individual who the person believes to be under the age of 18 years but is at least 16 years old to engage in sexual conduct, the federal charges highlight. The state senator then asked for pictures of her in a "bra and underwear" to "make him feel more comfortable," knowing at that point she was under the age of 18, according to the complaint. Eichorn also asked "how much more would it cost for bare," which the complaint claims refers to sexual conduct without the use of a condom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was given an address to go to, which is where he was ultimately arrested. Inside his pickup truck, officers found two cell phones, a condom in the driver's side door, and $129 in cash. A search warrant on both phones will be conducted, the complaint states. Eichorn remains jailed as of Wednesday afternoon. He's set to make his first court appearance on Thursday. If convicted, Eichorn faces a maximum of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) State Sen. Rick Edmonds will unveil his plans to file a bill that would establish an independent school system for the newly incorporated City of St. George on Thursday afternoon. A news release states the proposed legislation will include a funding measure that would be introduced as a constitutional amendment. Leaders have said an independent school system is a top priority for St. George leaders and residents. Edmonds, R-Baton Rouge, is set to discuss the bill at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 20 at St. George City Hall, located inside the St. George Fire Headquarters at 14100 Airline Highway. St. George Interim Mayor Dustin Yates, State Rep. Emily Chenevert and St. George Councilwoman Patty Cook will join Edmonds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This years regular legislative session is scheduled to convene on Monday, April 14. School leaders, teachers in, near Baton Rouge named semifinalists, finalists for awards Latest News 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 Louisiana First News. Tribal members chant and drum in a ceremony in the Wisconsin Capitol rotunda Tuesday before the State of the Tribes address in the Wisconsin Assembly chamber. (Photo by Erik Gunn/Wisconsin Examiner) Pride of heritage, uneasiness surrounding the recent changes at the federal government level, praise for Gov. Tony Evers and an appeal to adopt provisions in his budget directed toward Wisconsins 11 tribal nations were among the themes of the State of the Tribes address in the Capitol Tuesday. Our government-to-government relationship is forever transforming the work we do together. It contributes to shape our communities for everyones benefit, said Thomas Fowler, chair of the St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin, this years speaker for the annual event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fowlers 50-minute speech celebrated the treaties going back nearly 200 years that, he said, established Wisconsins reservations and territories in exchange for thousands of miles of our historical homelands and began the trust relationship between the federal government and tribes today. He highlighted the tribal nations initiatives and independence, but also their distinctive relationship with the United States. David Fowler, St. Croix Chippewa tribal chair, delivers the State of the Tribes address to the state Legislature Tuesday in the Assembly chamber. (Photo by Erik Gunn/Wisconsin Examiner) Tribal nations each have their own governments, languages, stories, traditions, values, beliefs and ceremonies, Fowler said. We operate our own health care facilities, law enforcement agencies, educational systems, social services and more. Our tribal people are both citizens of the United States and members of their own sovereign nations, and we are very proud of this. But he also spoke to historic injustices, the work needed to right past wrongs and the continuing education required to understand indigenous identity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fowler praised Wisconsins Department of Administration the executive branch agency that most directly deals with Wisconsins tribal nations for its description of that identity. Tribal members are not racial minorities. We are citizens of our own tribal nations, he said. Gov. Evers has repeatedly acknowledged the importance of respecting tribal nation sovereignty and has committed to empowering tribes to manage their own affairs and resources, Fowler said. Fowler called on lawmakers to enact a series of bills, including legislation granting tribes a larger role in licensing teachers and legislation requiring school districts to report the number and ages of children enrolled who have tribal affiliations the latter of which passed the Assembly later Tuesday. He also urged them to advocate for passage of a federal act calling for a truth and healing commission on boarding schools where Indian children, taken from their families, endured abuse for decades, their cultural heritage denied, and where many died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The act, which passed the U.S. Senate at the end of last year but continues to sit in the U.S. House of Representatives, seeks to uncover the U.S. governments role in Indian boarding school systems, Fowler said. The tragedy of boarding schools requires remembrance, so that the spirits of our ancestors are not lost or forgotten. That history has contributed many ills, he said, including family separations, drugs and violence within communities, disruption of Native American parenting and damage to the health of families. Tribal communities such as the Ojibwe are also looking to revitalize their cultural connections, he said, including recovering their native languages. I encourage all of us in this room to push further in our communities, to move into a place of normalized use of our language amongst community members, Fowler said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also made a direct pitch for Wisconsin to legalize medical cannabis a plant cultivated by indigenous peoples as an herbal medicine, treating pain, inflammation and addressing spiritual maladies. Medical cannabis also holds the promise of moving people off highly addictive drugs, drugs which are killing our people, he added. Fowler spoke as well of missing and murdered indigenous women, a phenomenon too common for our people but still inadequately acknowledged. We need more state and federal resources, he said. We need adequate funding allocated to serve our understaffed police departments, more cohesive law enforcement training, strengthened alert systems, increased funding for tribal programs that provide shelter and increased mental health resources. Fowler urged lawmakers to do more to address water quality in the state, stiffening regulations on agricultural chemical runoff as well as threats from pollution, climate change and habitat loss. He called the December spill of 69,000 gallons of oil from Enbridge Line 6 disheartening, endangering the land, waterways, food, medicine and cultural practices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our partnership with the state and the protection of our and stewardship of our lands has never been more important, Fowler said. The challenges are too vast to tackle alone. We must unify to secure the highest level of environmental protection possible. Fowler saved his last words for the scores of tribal members who watched from the back of the Assembly chamber and the galleries above it. We are not broken, he told them. We are strong and we will continue to rise. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein speaks to reporters as he unveils his two-year budget proposal in Raleigh on March 19, 2025. (Photo: Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline) Gov. Josh Stein outlined his request for North Carolinas two-year budget on Wednesday, asking lawmakers to fund pay raises for teachers and law enforcement, an expansion of child care and new affordable housing. Steins budget proposal, the first of his term, outlines a plan to fund the states programs and services through 2027. But many of its specifics are likely to be pushed aside by the GOP-led General Assembly, who will negotiate their priorities on their own over the coming months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democratic governor is asking legislators to increase teacher salaries by an average of 10%, boost state law enforcement pay and give state workers a raise. He wants to expand workforce and apprenticeships, including providing free community college for some students. And hes outlining a range of potential investments in child care, affordable housing and education. To me, each of these commitments is delivering on the promise of North Carolina, that where you come from should never limit how far you can go, Stein said at a news conference Wednesday. Im grateful to the General Assembly for its consideration of the budget, and I look forward to working with them in the coming weeks so that we can do right by North Carolinas children and North Carolinas families. Last year, Steins predecessor Gov. Roy Cooper proposed a $34.5 billion one-year budget with similar mainstay line-items: a pause on Republican-led school vouchers, investment in child care, and pay raises for state workers and teachers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stein, while renewing a push for those priorities, is also couching his own request with a warning: that income tax cuts touted by Republicans could lead to a budget shortfall in the coming years. The truth is, we are in for some self-inflicted fiscal pain, he said. North Carolina state budget director Kristin Walker addresses reporters about Gov. Josh Steins two-year budget proposal in Raleigh on March 19, 2025. (Photo: Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline) The budgets second fiscal year will see more uncertainty, Steins budget director said, with less tax revenue expected. As a result, some proposed spending has only been outlined for the first year. Weve not sat down to prepare a two-year budget where theres less revenue in the second year than the first, said Kristin Walker, the state budget director. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Year one of the budget outlines a total of $33.6 billion in spending; year two totals $34.3 billion. Wednesdays ask will not be the governors last request for spending. In the coming weeks, he will outline a need for additional Hurricane Helene aid, with lawmakers set to send their latest relief package to his desk today. I have been encouraged by the conversations Ive been having with leadership, Stein said of the dynamic between him and Republican leaders. I think these priorities make all the sense in the world, and I know they want to do right by the people of North Carolina. Budget writer Sen. Ralph Hise (R-Mitchell) told NC Newsline his chamber has started working on the budget. Senate Republicans hope to have their proposed budget voted out of the chamber before Easter, he said. Taxes, costs of living and health care Stein is asking legislative leaders to freeze a planned series of income tax cuts. He argues the cuts overwhelmingly benefit the wealthy, and will lead to a potential shortfall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans argue that the cuts drive growth in the long run and attract new business. Hise said he hadnt seen Steins budget proposal, but expressed opposition to a freeze on the cuts. To me, thats a no,' Hise said. Instead, Stein wants a trio of tax cuts that he says will benefit working class people: one for families with young children, one for child care costs and one for working families. Other proposed line-items related to taxes and the costs of living include: Increasing subsidy rates for child care centers by an average of 13%, allowing them to increase worker salaries. Increasing pre-K provider subsidy rates by 20%. Loans to build affordable workforce housing, totaling $15 million annually, and using federal and private money ($35 million) for other affordable housing. Making renovations to some state government buildings to allow for child care facilities. Creating a tax holiday for back-to-school shopping. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, some of Steins priorities on health care include: Expanding the states Healthy Opportunities program. An extra annual $20 million for access to OB/GYN care. Investing $14.3 million in primary and dental care at rural and community health clinics. House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Caldwell) didnt shut down the possibility of revisiting income tax cuts when asked about Steins proposal Wednesday. North Carolina House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Caldwell) speaks to reporters after the legislative sessions opening day on Jan. 8, 2025. (Photo: Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline) Were at the point of refining that, Hall said. If we need to make adjustments around our tax cuts, I think we can do that, potentially. Were not going to raise taxes, obviously. A better method would be to dial the knobs on tax rates as needed, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The head of the NC Budget & Tax Center praised Steins proposal to pause the cuts. Amid the federal funding chaos and the deep cuts being considered by congressional leaders that would shift costs to our state, pausing the scheduled income tax cuts is the only responsible path forward, executive director Alexandra Sirota said in a statement. Education Headlining Steins education requests are proposed raises for teachers: increasing the starting salary to $53,000 from its current $42,800, as well as boosting pay for experienced teachers and principals. Also in the governors budget request: Ending the GOP-led school voucher program for households making over $115,000 annually. For those making under that amount, their children can keep their vouchers for their time in school. No new vouchers would be distributed. Making community college free for students pursuing high demand sectors of work. Free school breakfasts for all students. Creating 1,000 new slots in pre-K, and funding summer learning programs. New hires for nurses, counselors, social workers and resource officers, as well as grants for school safety. A $4 billion bond to repair public school facilities. A $300 tax-deductible stipend for teachers to buy school supplies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the General Assembly has any hesitation, its easy, Stein said, as he outlined his request for the bond. Let the voters decide. Lets put it on the ballot. Hall told reporters he supported efforts to raise teacher pay and that lawmakers ought to continue to do all we can to be as highly ranked in the South as we can be. And he expressed support for hiring more school resource officers. But Hall called Steins proposal to pause the school voucher program a non-starter with House Republicans. The president of the North Carolina Educators Association praised the bulk of Steins education budget, saying it prioritizes the needs of working-class families over the states wealthiest residents. But she said more robust pay raises for experienced teachers were needed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve seen legislative proposals that include larger salary increases up and down the salary schedule, president Tamika Walker Kelly said in a statement. And the director of UNCs Carolina Hunger Initiative, Lou Anne Crumpler, said the proposed nutrition initiatives would have significant, positive impacts on the health of North Carolina families. State government services The first year of Steins budget would see a 2% pay raise for state employees, as well as a $1,000 bonus. It would also give a cost of living increase for retirees, and improve benefits. Among Steins other proposals to improve state government services: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Creating an Impact Center to better track state spending like contracts. Funding new DMV offices, expanding existing ones and hiring new examiners. Upgrade state IT, HR and banking systems. Funding storm and flood mitigation projects in eastern North Carolina. Ardis Watkins, executive director of the State Employees Association of North Carolina, was disappointed with the 2% proposed raises for state workers. She predicted it would further the exodus of workers from state jobs. The raises in the overall budget are terrible, she said. Between the upcoming fiscal cliff Stein says is coming, as well as hikes in workers health coverage, this was the last chance to do something for them, Watkins added. They end up ultimately going backward, she said. Stein said during his news conference Wednesday that budget constraints limited the amount he could propose raising state worker pay. I wish that were was more money, Stein said. I want to pay state employees more. They deserve more. Hall said House Republicans budget would likely include a pay raise for state workers higher than what Stein proposed Wednesday. I dont know what the final number will be on state employees, but I imagine that the House budget will be higher than 2%, Hall said. Public safety and law enforcement The former attorney general wants to increase wages by 6.5% for correctional officers and youth counselors; other law enforcement workers would be in line for a 3% raise. And new graduates and transfers could receive bonuses. Heres what else hes proposing for law enforcement: Mar. 18STERLING The Sterling City Council approved the purchase of a new $2 million firetruck Monday. The decision to waive the bid process and accept a proposal from Jefferson Fire and Safety for the purchase of a customized Rosenbauer King Cobra firetruck with a 101-foot articulating aerial ladder came after a series of reports on the state of the Sterling Fire Department's apparatus and vehicles. Sterling Deputy Fire Chief David Northcutt said the new truck is needed to replace Truck/Tower 4, the department's only truck with an aerial ladder. He said it will take 18 to 24 months to get the truck once the order is submitted due to new Environmental Protection Agency requirements on emissions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Aug. 5, 2021, the EPA launched a three-year plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants from heavy-duty trucks through a progressive series of rules. The Clean Trucks Plan was completed in March with the signing of the final two rules focusing on greenhouse gases for heavy-duty engines and emissions standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles. Supply chain issues during the COVID-19 pandemic also contributed to a backlog of apparatus orders that have increased wait times for these vehicles. The SFD has spent over $400,000 trying to fix several of its vehicles with "severe operational issues," according to a report given by interim Fire Chief Forrest Reeder in October 2024. During that report, Reeder said that due to repairs, Truck/Tower 4 had "been in service less than 100 days in the less than three years" the department has had the vehicle. Truck/Tower 4 was bought in May 2021 for $319,000. Its first significant repair occurred a little over a year later, in August 2022, at a cost of $9,200, with other substantial repairs following only a year later. The truck has cost the department more than $200,000 in repairs since its purchase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Northcutt, the new fire truck will be built by a single manufacturer, eliminating the need to send it to multiple vendors for repairs, and also would include improved safety features such as roll protection and electronic stabilization that the current truck does not possess. Truck/Tower 4 was manufactured by KME Fire Apparatus, which does not have a recognized local vendor. "Thank you for the support and allowing us to put together the idea," Northcutt said. "Hopefully, this will be something that will be with us for 20 to 30 years and serve us well." To help offset the cost of the new truck, the SFD plans to sell Truck/Tower 4 and one of its fire engines once the new aerial truck arrives. The fire department could also save an additional $50,000 if it can use its current emissions motor, but Northcutt said that is not guaranteed. The city had several payment options to choose from and elected to go with the 100% pre-payment option that provides a credit of $111,204, making the total cost $1,946,843. City Manager Scott Schumard said during the March 3 City Council meeting that there is adequate funding in the city's capital fund from previous savings, and the purchase would not affect currently planned road repair expenditures. Mar. 19STERLING The Sterling City Council on Monday unanimously approved an ordinance establishing the city's new residential rental housing code, which includes a rental property registry and inspection program. According to the new ordinance, inspections will begin after June 1, 2025, and registration forms and a complete inspection checklist will be developed and provided to all landlords in advance of the implementation of the program. The new City of Sterling Residential Rental Housing Code is meant to hold negligent landlords and tenants accountable by creating "minimal standards" for rental properties. For years, Sterling has been dealing with rental properties described as having "atrocious" living conditions, some of which the city recently demolished. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City Attorney Tim Zollinger said the city made several changes to the now-approved ordinance following a recent meeting with representatives from the IllinoisREALTORS group, although the two parties did not agree on everything. IllinoisREALTORS Governmental Affairs Director Neeley Erickson told Shaw Local that her group "was pleased to see that the screen and storm window requirement was removed, the reference to the 2021 International Building Code for substandard conditions was eliminated, property transfer registration was better defined, a clear registration date was established, significant remodeling was included under the new construction section for renovations, and housing providers will now be notified of all violations, including those related to tenants." Under the new ordinance, a rental property will now be declared substandard if it fails to meet the minimum standards set by the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code, including any updates or changes. However, Erickson did not hold back when criticizing "major concerns" and "vague language" still found within the ordinance during Monday's City Council meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "While the changes will lead to less chaotic implementation, our concerns about vague enforcement mechanisms, tenant displacement and potential fair housing violations remain," Erickson said. "Once again, I want to be clear that this municipality does not have the authority under state statute or the Illinois constitution to impose a de facto licensing program for rental housing. The Illinois Municipal Code defines what municipalities like Sterling can regulate, and this ordinance exceeds those limits." Erickson said Sterling cannot implement the ordinance because the proposed Illinois House Bill HB 1025, which gives municipalities like Sterling the authority to do so, is currently stuck in the House Rules Committee and has not yet been approved. "Passing this ordinance without statutory authority will invite challenges, waste taxpayer dollars and create unnecessary hardship on housing providers and tenants alike," Erickson said. "Beyond the legal overreach, this ordinance fails to provide clear, objective standards and instead relies on broad, undefined language that invites inconsistent enforcement, and this is backed up by the city's comments that they will need to change things on the fly after this ordinance is implemented." Zollinger said this was a point where the two parties "agreed to disagree," referencing the Illinois Municipal League backing the city's position. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The IML has certainly given the opinion that they believe you [municipalities] can do this," Zollinger said. "Other organizations have done the same, or have said the same. If they challenge it, that will sort itself out in court, and we'll either be told yes or no, but the fact that a bill is pending on a topic doesn't mean it's not currently already properly under other statutes." The rental housing code Under the new ordinance, owners will have to register their rental properties with the city and provide their contact information and pertinent information about those properties. Owners who live at least 50 miles outside of the city will also have to provide contact information for a designated agent at least 18 years of age and who lives or maintains a physical office within 50 miles of the city to receive notices of code violations and/or receive process in any court or administrative enforcement proceeding on behalf of the owner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Owners will have to register their rental units on or before the date the unit is leased and pay an annual registration fee. Units already under lease will have 180 days from the date the ordinance was adopted to register, and failing to register on time could result in late fees. The registration fee covers one inspection and one re-inspection per unit, with an additional $25 fee for each extra re-inspection if the owner fails to provide access for a scheduled re-inspection. Registration fees are good from May 1 to the following April 30 at the following rates: * Residential rental units 1-4: $50 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Residential rental units 5-10: $75 * Residential rental units 11-15: $100 * Residential rental units 16-40: $150 * Residential rental units 41 and above: $200 plus $5 for each additional unit. According to the code, owners are responsible for their properties' general maintenance, including promptly addressing any interior or exterior repairs, pest infestations and substandard conditions. Vacant rental units cannot be rented unless they are clean, sanitary and fit for human occupancy. Owners must also provide adequate garbage containers and trash-removal services for those premises and maintain the safe and sanitary conditions of common areas in any multiple-family dwellings other than duplexes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tenants are responsible for maintaining clean, safe and sanitary living conditions in their rental unit, including keeping the unit in good condition, properly disposing of trash and avoiding any damage to the property. They are also expected to act in a way that does not disturb their neighbors or create conditions that could be considered a nuisance under local laws and ordinances. Anyone found in violation of the code can be fined between $100-$750 for each day the violation continues. Each day a violation continues is treated as a separate offense, and intentionally submitting false information on a registration form can result in an additional fine of $50-$750. Rental inspections Rental units will undergo an initial inspection, with subsequent inspections to follow depending on initial findings. However, if the unit is occupied, the tenant has the right to refuse the initial inspection, and the owner can refuse if the unit is unoccupied. The city could still inspect units with alleged violations by obtaining an administrative warrant, or if the owner or occupants request one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the owner or tenant does refuse inspection, the ordinance goes on to state that "in support of an application for an administrative warrant, the City may offer, and request that the court consider the following factors, along with such other matters that the court deems relevant, in its determination as to whether a warrant should be issued," including: * Eyewitness reports of violations * Citizen complaints * Permanent resident complaints * Plain view violation or violations * Violations apparent from city records or from other reliable sources * Deterioration of the property, including, but not limited to, observed exterior violations or conditions demonstrating or suggesting inadequate overall property maintenance Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * The age of the property * The nature of any reported or plain view violation, including, but not limited to, potential effects on the health or safety of occupants of the public * Conditions of similar properties in the area * Whether or not any prior inspections have been conducted, and, if so, the amount of time elapsed since any prior inspection Inspection notices will include the time and date of inspection, the name and agency of those conducting the inspection, the purpose of the inspection and information on the owner and occupant's right to object to it, and owners will be notified before the inspection date. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Certificate of Occupancy will be issued if a property passes inspection and complies with all city codes, and the registration and fees are completed. Owners will be notified of any violations found during the inspection and be given time to fix the issues. If those violations are corrected by the specified time, the Certificate will be issued, but if not, the city can take action to enforce compliance, including preventing occupancy of the rental unit. Following inspection, rental units will be graded and receive one of the following classifications: * Class A: The residential rental unit is in excellent condition and has no violations of applicable city codes requiring re-inspection. These units would be inspected every four years. * Class B: The residential rental unit has minor violations of applicable city codes requiring re-inspection, but the violations do not pose an immediate threat of danger to the life, health and safety of the occupants of the unit. These units would be re-inspected every two years. * Class C: The residential rental unit has multiple or significant violations of applicable city codes requiring re-inspection, but the violations do not pose an immediate threat of danger to the life, health or safety of the occupants of the unit. These units would be re-inspected yearly. * Class D: The residential rental unit has serious health and safety violations that pose a threat to the health and safety of the occupants or of the public. The Building Official/Inspector shall not issue a Conditional Certificate of Occupancy and may issue a condemnation order. These units would be inspected again in 60 days and occupancy would not be allowed. Rental units of newly built properties will not be inspected again for five years after a Certificate of Occupancy is issued unless a complaint is made about the property. Exempt property types include owner-occupied, single-family homes and portions of owner-occupied multi-family buildings, licensed nursing home facilities, hotels, motels and other lodging that rents for 30 days or less, not including short-term rentals like Airbnb. Properties owned by government agencies or public housing authorities are also exempt, provided they are subject to inspection by other agencies. City officials are proposing a "rough budget" for the rental inspection program, including $76,009 for personnel pay and $70,050 for materials and services, which includes a truck for the rental inspector, two desktop computers, a computer dock for the truck and an iWorQ software module to help manage the program. (NewsNation) Steve Bannon, who served as White House chief strategist, said in an interview on NewsNation that he and others are working on ways for President Donald Trump to seek a third term despite constitutional term limits. Were working on it. I think well have a couple of alternatives, Bannon told NewsNations CUOMO when asked how Trump could overcome term limits. Well see what the definition of term limit is. JFK assassination files released Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bannon expressed confidence in this effort, comparing it to Trumps 2024 comeback. Im a firm believer that President Trump will run and win again in 2028, Bannon said. Weve had greater long shots than Trump 2028. He added that theyre not prepared to talk about it publicly, but in a couple of months, I think we will be. Steve Bannon says he is a huge believer in democracy When pressed on whether he was suggesting revolution or overthrow, Bannon rejected that characterization, describing himself as a huge believer in democracy while claiming the country is experiencing a 1932-type realignment comparable to the FDR era. Cuomo: Does MAGA care about checks and balances? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were in the middle of a 1932-type realignment if we can continue to have populist nationalist policies, Bannon said. We have African-Americans coming to our side. We have Hispanics coming to our side. He described the current administrations actions as a revolution of common sense to deconstruct the administrative state and claimed anti-democratic forces are working through the courts to obstruct a sitting president from fulfilling his executive mandate. Steve Bannon defends Elon Musks role despite differences Bannon defended Elon Musks role in implementing the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. He acknowledged having huge, almost unbridgeable differences with Musk on issues including transhumanism and technology and visas and immigration, but praised Musks support for their efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He backed our play, Bannon said, mentioning Musk contributed financially to their voter outreach and supported the merger of Bobby Kennedys Make America Healthy Again with MAGA. Bannon described Musks DOGE initiative as deploying shock troops in a trauma-inducing effort into the administrative state that, while not pretty, has been pretty effective. Steve Bannon calls out federal judges for blocking Trumps orders Bannon criticized federal judges who have blocked administration policies, particularly regarding immigration enforcement, calling for their impeachment. James Carville: I dont have a good image of the Democratic Party More of these radical, neo-Marxist judges that are working in coordination ought to be impeached, Bannon said, referring specifically to a judge who halted deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, which Trump invoked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He accused the judge of stepping into President Trumps role as commander-in-chief and making command decisions that a military commander would make. When questioned on how patriotism aligns with attacking government institutions, Bannon responded that reforming institutions was central to Trumps mandate. Trump defends deportation flights as judge calls for more information The American people understand that our institutions have to be either purged or they have to be reformed, Bannon said, everything from the Justice Department to the FBI to the intelligence community to the Pentagon, across the board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Steve Bannon, chief White House strategist in the opening months of the first Trump administration, says he is part of an effort to secure Donald Trump a third term in office despite a constitutional bar. Im a firm believer that President Trump will run and win again in 2028, the MAGA podcaster told NewsNation host Chris Cuomo on Tuesday. A man like this comes along once every century, if were lucky. Weve got him now. Hes on fire, and Im a huge supporter. Want to see him again in 2028. Trump is term-limited under the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, which bars anyone who has been elected president twice before from being voted in again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The amendment was ratified in 1951, years after Franklin Roosevelt broke with a historic tradition, first started by George Washington, of presidents voluntarily stepping down after two terms. Cuomo told Bannon, You know hes term-limitedand asked him how the president could get another term, only to receive a cryptic answer. Were working on, Bannon replied. I think well have a couple of alternatives. Lets say that well see what the definition of term limit is. Cuomo then asked him to assure the audience he was not plotting an attempted overthrow of the government: I dont want people to listen to our interview and say Bannon is cooking up an insurrection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bannon, who spent four months in jail after refusing to testify before the House Committee into the Jan. 6 insurrection, rejected the accusation, saying: Were huge believers in democracy, because we know how to, we know how to get votes out. The former White House strategist, who now hosts the MAGA livestream and podcast show War Room, also invoked Roosevelts 1932 presidential victory, which overturned an era of Republican dominance and realigned American politics under the New Deal coalition and led to a string of dominant Democratic victories. We just won one of the biggest sweeping victories, he said. Were in the middle of a 1932-type realignment, if we, if we can continue on and continue to have populist policies, populist nationalist policies. Echoing Trump and the White Houses recent attacks on the judiciarywhich earned a stern rebuke from Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts on TuesdayBannon then claimed anti-democratic forces in the courts are trying to obstruct a sitting president of the United States from fulfilling his executive mandate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bannona first-generation Trump backer who was the chairman of Breitbart News when critics say the alt-right outlet published racist, xenophobic and antisemitic contenthas clashed with Elon Musk, Trumps broligarch lieutenant, whom he has called a parasitic illegal immigrant. As a commentator, Bannon has insisted he will guard against Musks C-Suite intrusion into the populist movement he helped usher into the White House. There has also been speculation he could run for president himself in 2028, with Politico reporting last week that he has mused about the idea in private. Bannon denied he has 2028 ambitions in his interview with Cuomo, saying: Ive already endorsed President Trump. Former Donald Trump adviser Steve Bannon on Tuesday predicted the president would run again in 2028 and win a third term, defying the constitutional limit. (Watch the video below.) The declaration appeared to scuttle reports of Bannons own presidential hopes while raising alarms about the lengths Trump allies would go to manifest such an outcome. Im a firm believer that President Trump will run and win again in 2028, so Ive already endorsed President Trump, he told NewsNation host Chris Cuomo. A man like this comes along once every century if were a little lucky. Weve got him now, hes on fire, and Im a huge supporter. I wanna see him again in 2028. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nationalist firebrand mostly evaded Cuomos attempt to allay concerns that the strategy did not involve an insurrection or revolution. Bannon, the White House chief strategist in the first Trump administration before he was fired, has no official ties to Trump 2.0. Trumps team noted after the election that Bannon did not speak for Trump. But Bannon remains popular in the MAGA set and uses his War Room podcast as a far-right megaphone after serving four months in prison for refusing to comply with a Jan. 6-related subpoena. Cuomo noted that Bannon finished second behind Vice President JD Vance in a recent CPAC straw poll about early 2028 GOP contenders. Bannon told Cuomo he was not running but said his old boss will with success. That touched off this uncomfortable exchange thats been edited for brevity: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youre a smart guy. You know hes term-limited, Cuomo said. How do you think he gets another term? Were working on it, Bannon answered. I think well have a couple of alternatives, lets say that. Well see what the definition of term limit is. Replied Cuomo: So youre talking about litigating this issue, because I dont want people to listen to our interview and say, Bannons cooking up an insurrection. .. You know what I mean? I want people to get a straight take on where your head is. Bannon, who summoned the possibility of a Trump third term months ago, dodged the question. Cuomo pressed on, asking, But you are not suggesting revolution or overthrow or anything that people would condemn? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bannon deflected the hosts query in part by touching on Trumps current beef with judges blocking his deportation mission while claiming, Were big believers in democracy. I just want to make it clear for people so that they cant paint you as, you know, suggesting revolution. Your analogy is to 32 and how FDR extended it? Cuomo said, referring to the election of Franklin Roosevelt four times. The 22nd amendments two-term restriction was ratified in 1951. We are, but I firmly believe in the revolution youre seeing going on now, the revolution of common sense to deconstruct the administrative state, Bannon said. Trump himself has floated the possibility of running for a third term. Related... Even Bill OReilly thinks that a third term under Donald Trump would be little more than a pipe dream. Thats a fantasy, and I dont really consider those kinds of things, the longtime conservative commentator told NewsNations Chris Cuomo Tuesday night. Its not gonna happen, never will happen. Its not worth my time or your time. Trump has repeatedly pitched the idea that he could stay in office after 2028, but the likelihood of that actually happening is near zero. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As outlined in Article 5 of the Constitution, any such change requires at least two-thirds of the Senate and the House to agree on the modification, with that change then requiring ratification by a minimum of three-quarters of states in the nation. A second approach to repealing the term-limiting amendment could be via a constitutional convention, though two-thirds of states would need to support the motion to have one at all, and any proposed changes to an amendment would still require ratification by three-fourths of the states. Beyond that, the MAGA leader would be 82 years old in 2028the same age that President Joe Biden was when he left officeand thats unlikely to play well with an American public that is increasingly tired of being led by the elderly. Still, that hasnt kept conservatives from trying to keep Trump in power. Republican lawmakers have already started to pave the way for the unconstitutional takeover. In January, Representative Andy Ogles filed a joint resolution to amend the Constitutions Twenty-Second Amendment so that the executive branch leader could serve for up to but no more than three terms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But OReilly had a different vision for the MAGA movements future. Donald Trump will serve out his second term, hopefully hell be successful, and then JD Vance will run for president in 28 unless something happens. Thats whats gonna happen, OReilly said. The idea that Trump could follow in Roosevelts footsteps came back to the forefront earlier in Cuomos show after Trumps former adviser Steve Bannon said hes working on it. Chris, as you know, Ive had greater long shots than this, Bannon told Cuomo. Weve had greater long shots than Trump 2028, and weve got a lot of stuff were working on there. Were not prepared to talk about it publicly, but in a couple months I think we will be. Bannon then proceeded to dodge a direct question on whether or not that meant a revolution or overthrowing the government. When pressed again, Bannon said that he firmly believes in the revolution youre seeing going on now: the revolution of common sense to deconstruct the administrative state. In last years presidential election, white voters made up an estimated 71% of the national electorate. Thats a number that for decades has trended downward as the countrys population has diversified, but its still more than six times larger than the share of Black and Hispanic voters (11% each) and nearly 25 times that of Asian voters (3%). In other words, as a group, white voters continue to hold enormous sway, and that will persist for the foreseeable future. Typically, the white vote is understood as being Republican-friendly (President Donald Trump carried it by 15 points), with pronounced gender and education gaps. White men sided with Trump in 2024, while white women went with Kamala Harris; white voters who dont have college degrees strongly backed Trump, while those with at least bachelors degrees backed Harris. But there is a more useful and revealing way to understand the politics of white voters, something that is evident in the new NBC News poll. Call this the gap within the gap. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It represents a layering of the education gap (which has exploded during the Trump era) on top of the more established gender gap. When these are combined, a gaping chasm emerges and two specific groups come into focus. On one end are white men without four-year college degrees. This is a generally blue-collar demographic that is now deeply aligned with Trump and opposed to progressive politics. On the other end are white women with at least four-year college degrees. This is a more affluent demographic that has been racing leftward, particularly on cultural issues, and is squarely opposed to Trump. Both groups pack a formidable punch. Eighteen percent of all voters last year were noncollege white men and 17% were college-educated white women. And they have come to exist in polar opposite political and cultural universes, each one unrelatable and probably unrecognizable to the other. This is captured vividly in the NBC News poll. Take a very basic question: Do voters have positive or negative views of Trump? Among all voters regardless of race, gender or class 46% have positive views and 49% negative ones. Among white voters only, Trump is a bit more popular: 52% have positive opinions, compared to 45% who have negative opinions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, 69% of white men without degrees view Trump positively and just 28% see him negatively a 41-point net-positive rating. And among white women with degrees, its 29% positive and 67% negative for a net-negative of 38 points. That adds up to a whopping 79-point net rating gap between these two groups when it comes to their perceptions of Trump. When it comes to the various aspects of Trumps job performance, the splits are just as massive. This rift extends far beyond Trump himself. The NBC News poll asked voters about a variety of political figures and topics. In every case, the verdict from each end of the gender/education spectrum among white voters couldnt have been more different. Of course, there are plenty of white voters who dont fall into either of these categories. As groups, college-educated white men and non-college-educated white women lack similarly sharp political definition and cohesion. But bringing them into the mix adds another wrinkle. Here, for example, is the question of how Trump and other figures are viewed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This underscores just how politically distinct non-college-educated white men and college-educated white women are. But it also sets college-educated women apart they are significantly to the left of all other white voters (and, for that matter, the broader electorate, too). This is especially noticeable when it comes to progressive cultural politics, which women with degrees are alone in embracing among white voters. Take an NBC poll question about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs. Voters were read two different statements about DEI and asked which one came closer to their own opinions. Statement A : We should continue DEI programs because diverse perspectives reflect our country, create innovative ideas and solutions, encourage unity, and make our workplaces fair and inclusive. Statement B: We should eliminate DEI programs because they create divisions and inefficiencies in the workplace by putting too much emphasis on race and other social factors over merit, skills, and experience. Three of the four groups selected Statement B all by double-digit margins. But college-educated white women sided with Statement A by nearly 40 points. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What this all means is that white college-educated women have become not just a core Democratic constituency but also a force that has helped to propel the party to the left and magnify its emphasis on cultural issues. Meanwhile, white men without college degrees have become just as much a core Republican constituency, pushing the party toward cultural positioning and political priorities (like Trumps tariffs) it had previously shied away from embracing. It also raises the question of whether these are mutually reinforcing trends that a GOP fueled by blue-collar men will simply turn off more and more white-collar women, just as a Democratic Party fueled by white collar women will continue to lose more ground among blue-collar men. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com President Trumps nominee for D.C. U.S. Attorney Ed Martin who recently announced the creation of a special unit devoted to investigating Trumps greatest grievance, the integrity of the countrys election system has his own history of election denialism. And his history goes deeper than his efforts to Stop the Steal in 2020. Martin first began boosting unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud back in 2010, when he ran and lost a race for a House seat representing a district in Missouri. On Monday, in a company-wide email, Martin announced the formation of this new unit, known as the Special Unit: Election Accountability, that will be devoted to supposedly upholding election integrity, according to Bloomberg Law, which was first to obtain the email. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nearly 20 years later, Americans do not have confidence in our election systems, Martin said in his email. One of the best ways to restore that confidence is to protect our systems and demand accountability. The unit is, of course, just one of many efforts underway within the D.C. U.S. Attorneys Office and the DOJ overall to carry out Trumps retribution agenda as Trump takes a sledgehammer to the independence that typically exists between the Justice Department and the White House. It also may be designed to give a layer of credibility to Republicans decades-long attempts to fear monger about supposedly widespread voter fraud when they lose elections. The integrity of the election system as a whole in the U.S. only came under increased attack in recent years when people like Trump, Martin and other faces of the Stop the Steal movement spread myths about it. In 2010, after narrowly losing the election to represent Missouris 3rd Congressional district, Martin, who ran as a Republican, refused to concede, and instead demanded an investigation into what he claimed was a possible case of voter fraud. Martin was reportedly concerned over a late surge of votes a now-familiar 2020 election denial talking point. Martin ended up conceding a week later to the Democratic incumbent Russ Carnahan, only after election officials found no evidence of voter fraud. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The same election denial mindset carried over to the 2020 election too, as Martin quickly joined the 2020 Stop the Steal bandwagon. Martin has repeatedly claimed, without evidence, that the 2020 election was rigged and that Trump in fact won the election. He also spoke at the Stop the Steal rally, one day before the January 6 Capitol riot, where he told the crowd: What theyre stealing is not just an election. Its our future and its our republic. In that same speech, Martin also called on those he described as die-hard True Americans to stop the steal. On January 6, Martin attended Trumps rally near the White House and posted on X from the event. Im at the Capitol right now. Abd [sic] I was at the POTUS speech earlier. Rowdy crowd but nothing out of hand. Ignore the #fakenews. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has also personally represented a January 6 defendant and aided in the dismissal of cases following Trumps pardon for those charged or convicted in January 6 related activity. The Best Of TPM Today DOGE Rampage May Have Immediate, Long-term Effects For Courts, Judicial Branch Warns Roberts Issues Rare Public Rebuttal To Trump Call For Impeaching Judges DOJ Asserts Trump Hypothetically Has Power To Purge All Female Agency Heads, Or Those Over 40 2020 Election Denier Ed Martin Is Now Using Trumps DOJ To Investigate Election Integrity Pentagon Removes Webpages Celebrating Racial Integration of the Armed Forces Yesterdays Most Read Story Trumps Open Defiance Of Federal Courts Is Now At Hand What We Are Reading New book dishes on Trumps DeSantis obsession: Why doesnt he just wait until 2028? Jordan demands testimony from prosecutors who went after Trump Trump fires both Democratic commissioners at FTC, sources say BALLWIN, Mo. Tuesday, thousands of people were without power for the fourth day in a row after deadly storms ripped through the area over the weekend. Powerlines were down near Parkway Central High School and nearby neighbors said they lost power Friday evening around 8 p.m. Steve Bour said every day since the storm, hes been outside cleaning up. He said it gets cold at night inside his home. It gets dark, I dont know, at 8 oclock so youve got the candles burning in the house and you know, thats about it, Bour said. You get up the next morning hoping its going to come back on but so far, its been four days and nothing and this is the first time weve seen any trucks on the street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Councilwoman Shalonda Webb asked the St. Louis County Council to use Rams settlement money for cleanup efforts. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News County Executive Sam Page said that could make more funds available for residents. What usually happens in a natural disaster like this is (that) well access the emergency fund; there is about seven million dollars in the emergency fund and then that is reimbursed through FEMA, Page said. I think its a fine idea to have extra funds available. Governor Kehoe announced Tuesday that he believes the widespread damage across Missouri meets the threshold to receive federal assistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Initial reports show more than 700 homes received major damage or were completely destroyed, with another 1,000 homes with minor damage. 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. Mar. 18The New Hampshire Legislature has only a few steps left to fix a mistake lawmakers made in 2023 to allow someone to serve as a Strafford County commissioner without living in the right district. After a brief hearing, the Senate Election Laws and Municipal Affairs Committee voted unanimously to endorse legislation (HB 78) that the House of Representatives approved on a voice vote last month. In June 2023, House Speaker Sherman Packard, R-Londonderry, broke a tie vote to pass legislation (HB 75) for the three Strafford County commissioners to run in separate election districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Until that point, the county was the only one of 10 in the state that had its commissioners all run at large. But due to a drafting mistake, the legislation didn't at the same time strike a 1979 law that to this day states Strafford County commissioners can live in any community in the county. The county's third district consists of two wards in Dover, two in Rochester and the towns of Strafford and Lee. During the 2024 election, Republican nominee Sean Leavitt lived in a Dover ward in another commissioner's district and Democratic incumbent Deanna Rollo lived in Rollinsford, also in the wrong district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leavitt unseated Rollo after defeating former state Rep. Cliff Newton in the primary. Newton lived in a Rochester ward in that third district. Moving out of district would require resignation State Rep. Len Turcotte, R-Barrington, the bill's prime sponsor, said, if adopted, that starting with the 2026 election this would require the District 3 commissioner live in that district whether it's Leavitt or Rollo who wins. The House amended the bill to ensure if any county commissioner across the state moves out of his or her district while in office, that incumbent would have to resign, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You have to remain there permanently while you are an elected official in that county. It's the same thing as a state rep or a state senator," Turcotte said. Former Rockingham County Commissioner Brian Chirichiello of Derry lobbied for that change. He pointed to former Commissioner Kevin Coyle, who moved from Derry to Portsmouth in 2019, but then stayed in the seat because the law stated the district residency requirement only applied "at the time" of election. Rep. Tim Horrigan, D-Durham, didn't oppose the concept but urged the Senate to clean up the language. "At a minimum come up with different verbiage," Horrigan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Sen. James Gray, R-Rochester and the Senate panel's chairman, wanted the Senate to pass the bill as is so it could quickly go to Gov. Kelly Ayotte to resolve this issue. "This is not the language I would pick but it is efficient and I would like to see it move right along," Gray said. What's Next: The full Senate will vote on the bill in the coming weeks. Prospects: Nothing is a guarantee in Concord but this one looks to be on the fast track to the governor's desk. klandrigan@unionleader.com CHICAGO Switching to stricter California-style limits on truck emissions would prevent 500 deaths per year in the greater Chicago region by 2050, according to a new study from Northwestern University. The study also found that 600 new childhood asthma cases would be prevented each year by 2050, and that neighborhoods with higher percentages of Black and Latino residents would see the greatest health benefits. It does show that we can do better, said lead author Victoria Lang. And we can do better in such a way that not only are we preventing premature loss of life, but also just making cleaner and more equitable neighborhoods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Northwestern study, accepted for publication in the journal Frontiers of Earth Science, looked at the health impact of Californias Advanced Clean Trucks rule, which is currently under consideration by the Illinois Pollution Control Board. The Clean Trucks rule would require that manufacturers of medium and heavy-duty trucks slowly ramp up the number of zero-emissions vehicles sold to 40% to 75% (depending on the category) in 2035. Among the findings of the Northwestern study: If the Clean Trucks rule was implemented here, the areas that would see the greatest reductions in deaths would be disproportionately Black. Taken together, the areas with the greatest reductions in deaths would be 48% Black, while the region as a whole is 17% Black. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under President Donald Trump, the Environmental Protection Agency has asked Congress to review Californias waiver allowing the Clean Trucks rule and other state vehicle emissions standards that exceed federal standards. That could lead to a lengthy fight, of the kind seen during the first Trump administration. The Chicago study stemmed from meetings between Northwestern researchers and community groups that have pushed back against truck pollution in hard-hit neighborhoods such as Little Village. The community groups said it would be helpful if a study looked at the impact of a real-world policy proposal, as opposed to an abstract scenario in which a certain percentage of trucks would go electric. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We need something we can lobby for, the advocates told the researchers, according to Lang, a Ph.D. candidate in Northwesterns Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences. The researchers took up the challenge, constructing a model that looked at the Clean Trucks rules impact on nitrogen dioxide, a key tailpipe emission that can aggravate asthma and other respiratory diseases. This partnership, where we get to be objective scientists but we still get to talk to community groups that part is the exciting part about this science I think, said study co-author Daniel Horton, an associate professor of earth, environmental, and planetary sciences at Northwestern. The researchers used an EPA air quality model that had been developed to look at pollution across the entire country, but ran the model at a higher resolution so the effects on smaller areas would come into view. The model drilled down to just over 0.6 miles, Lang said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The researchers also modified the model to reflect where truck idling typically occurs: in warehouse districts, which tend to be near ports, rail yards and airports. When you started to zoom in (on the truck pollution hot spots), especially in downtown Chicago, you see the Loop really pop out, where you have these intersecting major interstates meet up, Lang said. Downtown is typically an area we see with heightened pollution but also along major interstate corridors in the area. The study also tracked ozone, which can aggravate lung diseases such as asthma, emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Ozone levels can actually be reduced by nitrogen dioxide, and sure enough, when nitrogen dioxide levels went down in the researchers model, ozone levels went up. The higher ozone levels would lead to 40 additional deaths per year in the greater Chicago region by 2050, according to the study. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The researchers found that, taken together, the areas with the highest rates of truck-related nitrogen-dioxide exposure are disproportionately Black. On average, residents of these areas were 45% Black, 33% white, 13% Latino and 7% Asian. The greater Chicago region Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will counties is 51% white, 17% Black, 23% Latino and 7% Asian. Horton, who leads the Climate Change Research Group at Northwestern, credited the Environmental Defense Fund with helping his team connect with community groups working to reduce truck pollution. Many community members have worked with academics before, and dont really see the payoff necessarily, so theres not always a lot of trust there, he said. In this case, the Environmental Defense Fund has a long working relationship with a number of the community groups that we worked with and they vouched for us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to suggesting that the researchers focus on a real-world policy, community groups told the researchers that pollution models werent capturing the full effect of truck emissions observed on the Southwest Side. (The study) was very much informed by the community groups saying, the models not capturing this lived experience, and then science coming in and saying, yes, youre right (according to) satellite observation, Lang said. The community groups have been eagerly awaiting the release of the study, according to one of their representatives, Brian Urbaszewski, director of environmental health programs at the Respiratory Health Association. Its a nice clear, If you do this, this is what you can expect to happen. This is the health benefit you would see, he said of the study. Thats the takeaway: 500 people in one year in 2050 are not dying and 600 kids arent developing asthma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Illinois Pollution Control Board is currently reviewing a proposal to adopt the Advanced Clean Trucks rule. The board has held public hearings and is now accepting public comment. Already, the Northwestern study has had at least one effect. Its changed our trajectory in how we want to partner and work with these communities going forward, and its been tremendous for me, especially as a student, said Lang. It really took the community coming to us and saying, Hey, thats dumb. You should do it this way instead, (for us) to start to do actual policy proposals, Horton said. We have this one, that Victoria has led, and we have a couple of other policy proposals in the pipeline that were going to investigate, he said. ____ CAIRO (Reuters) -The United States struck targets in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa on Wednesday, Houthi-run Al Masirah TV reported, the latest in a wave of strikes carried out in retaliation for attacks by the Iran-aligned group on shipping in the Red Sea. Three residents told Reuters that the strikes had hit the Al-Jarraf district of Sanaa, close to the city's airport. The strikes also hit an under-construction occasions hall in a residential neighborhood in Al-Thawra directorate in Sanaa, injuring nine people, mostly women and children, Anees al-Asbahi, spokesperson for the Houthi-run health ministry said in a post on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Al Masirah said the strikes also targeted Al-Suwaidia directorate in Yemen's al-Bayda province in southern Yemen. The province is known to have military sites and weapons warehouses owned by the Houthis. The U.S. began the current wave of strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen last Saturday, killing at least 31 people in the biggest such operation since President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January. Trump also threatened to hold Iran accountable for any future Houthi attacks, warning of severe consequences. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said the Houthis were independent and took their own strategic and operational decisions. Unfazed by the U.S. strikes and threats, the Houthis have said they will escalate their attacks, including on Israel, in response to the U.S. campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, the Houthis said they had fired a ballistic missile towards Israel and would expand their range of targets in that country in coming days in retaliation for renewed Israeli airstrikes in Gaza after weeks of relative calm. The Houthis have carried out over 100 attacks on shipping since Israel's war with Hamas began in late 2023, saying they were acting in solidarity with Gaza's Palestinians. The attacks have disrupted global commerce and prompted the U.S. military to launch a costly campaign to intercept missiles. The Houthis are part of what has been called the "Axis of Resistance" - an anti-Israel and anti-Western alliance of regional militias including Hamas, Lebanon's Hezbollah and armed groups in Iraq, all backed by Iran. (Reporting by Mohammed Ghobari and Menna Alaa El-Din, Writing by Menna Alaa El-Din; Editing by Toby Chopra, Gareth Jones and Nia Williams) WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) Officers with the Wichita Falls Independent School Districts Police Department arrested a Memorial High School student after they said he punched another student in the face in the hallway during school hours. Cameron John Sidney Stewart, of Wichita Falls, was arrested and booked into the Wichita County Jail on Monday, March 17, 2025, for a charge of aggravated assault. He was released from custody the following day after his $50,000 bond was posted. LOCAL CRIME: New Mexico woman arrested for 2022 murder in Wichita Falls Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the arrest affidavit, an officer with the WFISDs Police Department was on duty at Memorial High School on Monday, March 17, just after 2:10 p.m., when he was requested to an upstairs hallway for an altercation that was taking place. The WFISD officer said when he was headed to the hallway, an assistant principal was escorting a student that was involved in the altercation. The student, later identified as Stewart, said, I knocked him out, according to the officer. The affidavit said the WFISD officer arrived at the location and located another student lying on the floor next to a classroom. The officer said the victim was making a gargling sound and was bleeding from his mouth. According to the affidavit, the officer said that as the student victim came to, he wasnt aware of what had happened. The officer said the victim was confused and asked what happened several times, even after an assistant principal told him what happened more than once. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LOCAL CRIME: Trial date set for former Wichita Falls pastor accused of child sex crimes The officer said the victim remained confused, and while he was able to answer some of the questions asked of him, he kept stopping and asking what happened. The WFISD officer said two of the victims teeth were on the ground in the hallway. According to the affidavit, the WFISD officer then went to the assistant principals office, where Stewart was located. The officer said he was informed by the assistant principal that Stewart told her he was the one that hit the victim. The officer said he reviewed security footage of the altercation. He said he observed Stewart run toward the victim, and the victim did not see Stewart. He said he observed Stewart swing a closed right fist to the face of the victim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the affidvait, the WFISD officer said he observed the victim hit the ground, then Stewart grabbed his headphones and walked off. This is a developing story. Stick with Texomas Homepage for updates as more information becomes available. All individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 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 Texomashomepage.com. HYATTSVILLE, Md. (DC News Now) An apartment building in Hyattsville that is home to students from area colleges is in hot water. Its been days since Vie Towers has had water or electricity that powers elevators, among other things. The City of Hyattsville said students should find other places to stay, calling the building unfit for human habitation, and threatening $500 fines each day the building does not meet city code. Fans excited as Maryland mens, womens basketball teams head to NCAA Tournament Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students who live there, many of whom attend Howard University but some of whom attend the University of Maryland, told DC News Now their latest commutes to class begins with dozens of flights of stairs. The stairwell has a flickering light that Nijile Young, who lives there, said looks kind of crazy. Its very inconvenient especially if youre trying to catch a shuttle to class, the Howard University student said. I really need them to fix the problem because I cant keep commuting to campus just to find somewhere to take a shower or use a bathroom. A spokesperson for the city told DC News Now the buildings management is aware of the problems and working to fix them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city will send inspectors to the building on Wednesday to see the work that has been done. Hundreds in Prince Georges County attend Empower-Her Global Business Summit In the meantime, Howard University student Miles Franklin and his girlfriend packed up and left for a hotel. Im just paying for it because I have to, he said. I need somewhere to take a shower. I mean, the electricity is not working. The Wi-Fi is not on, so I cant do my schoolwork. David Henderson, whos in town on his spring break visiting his girlfriend, said more needs to be done. The fact that they havent at least given us shelter in a different hotel or something like that is really disappointing, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump decides not to move FBI to Prince Georges County The city is not mandating anyone leave the building, just suggesting if they can find alternative housing, they should. DC News Now reached out to Vie Towers management to ask about the progress of their work but did not hear back in time for publication. 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) A University of Tennessee student is facing a vandalism charge after she was accused slashing tires on the Knoxville campus. The University of Tennessee Police Department announced on Tuesday that Skye Scialabba, 29, of Knoxville was taken into custody around 4:30 p.m. in connection to slashed vehicle tires around campus. Ex-Knox County narcotics chief accused of using unit as personal piggy bank to stand trial Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A UTPD spokesperson said there have been more than 40 vehicles vandalized across campus. The Knoxville Police Department reported seven other vehicles with slashed tires in the Fort Sanders area that may be connected. This is a developing story. Download the WATE 6 News app or sign up for our email alerts for updates. Scialabba, who is listed as a current student, is facing a charge of felony vandalism, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of drug paraphernalia and simple possession. She was taken to the Knox County Detention Center for booking. 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 WATE 6 On Your Side. Last fall, Natalie Peitsmeyer sold her house in Colorado, said goodbye to a community shed known for decades and started a dream education job in Kansas. She became a park guide at the Fort Scott National Historic Site, a military outpost that was instrumental in the nations westward expansion and played a pivotal role in the Civil War. Peitsmeyer had just retired from the Cherry Creek School District southeast of Denver where she worked for 30 years as a science teacher and saw the National Park Service role as the next chapter in her long career teaching children. Peitsmeyer, 59, was in the middle of developing new programming around the disappearance of monarch butterflies when she got fired just four months after her first day. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter With retirement, I turned toward the national parks thinking that an interpretive ranger position would be a nice next step to expand my skill set and to apply my skill set as well, she told The 74. Now, shes out of a job and is considering selling the home she just bought. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trauma has been inflicted on the federal employees, she said. Peitsmeyer was one of some 1,000 park service employees who were axed last month as part of a broader federal shakeup by the Trump administration and billionaire Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency. Some 700 other national park workers have accepted voluntary buyouts and, with a reported effort to reduce payroll by 30%, the parks could soon be gutted further. Bill Wade, the executive director of the Association of National Park Rangers, said the rangers most affected by the layoffs were the people who do the educational and interpretive programs in parks, do school groups, manage the visitor centers and so forth. So to the extent that those kinds of people were fired, the likelihood is that ranger-led programs are going to be reduced, Wade told The 74. About 200 people attend a protest at the northern entrance to Yellowstone National Park on March 1 in Gardiner, Montana. Similar protests throughout the country focused on Trump administration layoffs at the National Park Service and the National Forest Service. (Natalie Behring/Getty Images) While the passionate protests that has sprung up in the wake of the park service cuts including from the Resistance Rangers, an independent group of roughly 800 off-duty rangers have focused more on the threats to public land and the impact on the parks hundreds of millions of yearly adult visitors and families, the park service has a longstanding partnership with schools, teachers and students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related With 1,000 Applicants for 140 Seats, NYCs Harbor School Set for Major Expansion Part of the mission of the National Park Foundation, the services nonprofit arm chartered by Congress in 1967, is its Youth Engagement & Education program, which has reached more than 2 million children since 2011. Last year, it put $5 million into its Open OutDoors for Kids venture that partners with schools and other groups to provide opportunities for as many students as possible to inspire the next generation of park stewards. Other educational opportunities include Every Kid Outdoors, which gives fourth graders and their families free access to national parks nationwide, and the Junior Ranger program, which is designed to help young people learn about history and conservation through self-guided interactive activities. The highlight of your childs school day During her short stint at the Fort Scott National Historic Site, Peitsmeyer dressed up as a Civil War nurse in January and taught second graders at Winfield Scott Elementary School about 19th-century medicine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fort, which was built in 1842 to keep the peace between white settlers and neighboring indigenous tribes, became a site of strife in the 1850s when abolitionists fought for control of the abandoned complex and named it the Free State Hotel. After violent conflicts with pro-slavory forces, the abolitionists prevailed and Kansas entered the union as a free state just three months before the beginning of the Civil War. Fort Scott was transformed into a major Union military outpost and became a key supply depot for soldiers in the West. Among those sworn in at Fort Scott was the First Kansas (Colored) Volunteer Infantry Regiment, the first African-American unit to fight Confederate troops. Much of the complex was used as a hospital, Peitsmeyer said, primarily to treat Union soldiers. Most of the fatalities during the war, she taught the students, were from illness, not injury. Peitsmeyer saw the role as an opportunity to improve learning in both the parks and local schools. My role or the hope was that I could bring more science into the park and link it to educational programming, she said. The lessons she was planning on monarch butterflies involved threats to the vibrantly colored, long-distance travelers. She also hoped to build a butterfly house in the visitor center. In April, she said, the fort was planning what would have been an ambitious event about how Civil War encampments shaped America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prior to my termination, there were really serious questions as to whether or not we could actually host that type of programming because it was too large of an event, said Peitsmeyer, who noted the fort now employs just one interpretive ranger. I was just looking on the website to see if there was any advertisement about Civil War encampment, and I dont see any so my guess is its probably been canceled. Brian Gibbs, who was included in the National Park Service layoffs, went viral on Facebook for a post about the cuts. (Screenshot) In a viral Valentines Day social media post, Brian Gibbs wrote about los[ing] my dream job of an Education Park Ranger at Effigy Mounds National Monument in Iowa. He talked about how the cuts could limit learning opportunities for children at his own site and the 432 others nationwide. I am the highlight of your childs school day, Gibbs, who couldnt be reached for comment, wrote on Facebook. I am the lesson that showed your children that we live in a world of gifts- not commodities, that gratitude and reciprocity are the doorway to true abundance, not power, money, or fear. Court orders rangers reinstated but The Trump administration hasnt released a list of Park Service employees whose jobs were eliminated, Wade, of the park rangers association, said, but efforts by advocates and fired workers suggest employees who worked as interpretive guides, managed school field trips and ran visitor centers were most likely to have received termination letters. Because the government announced plans to hire some 7,700 seasonal workers for the busy summer months, the full force of the staffing cuts could accelerate in the fall. Natalie Peitsmeyer, who was recently laid off as a park ranger at the Fort Scott National Historic Site in Kansas, dressed up as a Civil War nurse for a recent presentation at Winfield Scott Elementary School. (Natalie Peitsmeyer) Layoffs specifically targeted probationary employees who, like Peitsmeyer, had been in their position for less than a year before losing their jobs based on claims of poor performance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At parks across the country, the firings mean fewer workers to conserve natural resources and teach visitors including students about the nations natural and cultural history protected and preserved in the parks roughly 85 million acres. Staffing woes have already had an impact on educational opportunities at multiple parks, including closures and reduced hours at visitor centers. At Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico, the staff was forced to cancel ranger-led tours of the caves and implement a shorter schedule for self-guided exploration a change that affects visitors of all ages, although the park waives its fees for educational field trips. Related Road Scholars: When These Families Travel, School Comes Along for the Ride Although two federal courts have found Trumps cuts unlawful and have ordered federal agencies to reinstate purged workers, Peitsmeyer said she cant wait for a long court battle before seeking work elsewhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its been a month and how long can people wait without health benefits? she said. I moved here specifically for the position, and at this point Im considering actually, I was ready to put my house on the market this weekend. A park ranger gives fifth graders a tour during a field trip to the Fort Scott National Historic Site in Kansas. (National Park Service) An easy target Families should still go to the parks to learn and relax this summer, Wade said, but not before visiting a specific national parks website. He advises against showing up in person and assuming that everything is going to be normal. Wade noted that recent polls have shown wide bipartisan support for the National Park Service. Last Year, a Pew Research Center poll found that 76% of Americans and 75% of Republicans had a favorable opinion of the National Park Service, topping the list above the Postal Service, NASA and every other federal agency. Related To Reconnect Black Kids and Teens to the Great Outdoors, San Antonios Alex Bailey Is Teaching Skills and Confronting Structural Racism Park employees are on pins and needles waiting to see if their job is going to be next, Wade said. Unless the public gets angry enough and upset enough that they contact their elected officials and insist that this get turned around. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The retired superintendent of Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, Wade acknowledged the Trump layoffs arent the first the Park Service has endured, including reductions in the late 1990s by President Bill Clinton in an effort to balance the federal budget. But this time, he said, is different, with Trumps cuts being carried out totally indiscriminately. They [the rangers] were all sent the same exact memo which implied that it was based on ineffective performance, but you know, many of the people who were terminated shared their performance evaluations, which were fully successful or above, he said. It was just a broadsword approach. Peitsmeyer got the letter which, she said, was a lie. Her termination, she said, wasnt truly based on her performance. In fact, she hadnt yet undergone a formal evaluation. Probationary employees were just an easy target, she said. All of the feedback that I had received while in this position with this national park site indicated that I was the polar opposite of what this termination letter was stating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Staffing reductions mean Fort Scott could be forced to limit the number of students who can make school visits, but Peitsmeyer fears a more existential threat to Americas smaller national treasures. Located in a town of just 7,500, her fort receives some 26,000 visitors annually. My concern is, for a site that is as small as this, she asked, will it have the potential to be shut down? MAGNOLIA, Ark. (KTAL/KMSS) A math competition brings out the best of southwest Arkansas. Southern Arkansas University hosted its annual ACTM Math Contest, bringing together 89 students from five regional schools to compete in six subjects: algebra, Geometry, Statistics, Trigonometry, and Calculus. Students who took home first place will head to state. They also engaged with instructor Eric Rogers to learn more about the program. Additionally, the Presidents Ambassadors were on hand to share SAU items and to help recruit future Muleriders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More Arkansas News Students who placed first through third in their respective categories earned automatic invitations to the state-level ACTM competition, which will take place on April 26 at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. These top performers were also recognized with medals and cash prizes. This marks the fifth consecutive year that Caroline Neeley organized the event at SAU, with invaluable support from faculty members who assisted in exam administration and logistics. The ACTM Math Contest has been a longstanding tradition in Arkansas for over 50 years, with SAU proudly serving as a host site for at least 40 of those years. 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. We are at a critical moment for Europe, with continental security hanging in the balance. In late February, the United Kingdom announced plans to increase defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027. U.K. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also recently suggested he is prepared to send British troops and aircraft to enforce an American-brokered peace deal with Russia, should Ukraine approve it. Starmer has also called on other European leaders to place a greater emphasis on defense. But Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has criticized these plans, warning that it would mean the direct, official, and unveiled involvement of NATO members in the war against Russia. Since returning to the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump has reopened a dialogue with Russia. He has publicly stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin could dictate the terms of any emerging peace deal, given Russias significant territorial gains since February 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of his broader effort to restart diplomatic ties with Moscow, Trump believes he can negotiate a deal to end the war. Whatever form this takes, Ukraine must feel that it is beneficial. The U.K. and other European nations must step up; Europe is their continent. They must be prepared to send troops to Ukraine to reassure Kyiv and deter future Russian aggression. However, the key issue is the potential for misunderstanding or neglecting the level of engagement required. The mere presence of peacekeeping troops on the ground in Ukraine, potentially near a contested border, would not be enough to deter the Kremlin. A more robust force is necessary. Ukraine and its allies can only guard against potential Russian aggression if the Kremlin fears the consequences of launching another attack. "The mere presence of peacekeeping troops on the ground in Ukraine, potentially near a contested border, would not be enough to deter the Kremlin." Ideally, the U.S. would serve as the ultimate backstop, as Starmer has requested from Trump. But what if America refuses? This would be a significant setback, but it should not dissuade Europeans from stepping up. They have the means, which could be bolstered with financial support; what they seem to lack is the will. Britain is the country most likely to strengthen their resolve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If European forces are deployed, a mere peacekeeping force would not suffice. Would Russia truly fear lightly armed peacekeepers? Even after three years of war and the depletion of its forces, Moscow would not take such a force seriously. This could even provoke further aggression, potentially leading to a serious crisis down the road. For this reason, nuclear deterrence must be part of the answer. It is the ultimate and arguably the only sustainable way to ensure long-term deterrence against Russian belligerence. While the U.K.s nuclear deterrent is smaller than Russias, it still has the capacity to devastate Russias major population centers. If France is willing to help lead the coalition, it would add additional nuclear capability, with both greater firepower and a sub-strategic delivery system. But nuclear deterrence alone is not enough. It must be backed by a sufficient number of forward-deployed conventional forces so that Russia has no illusion that Britain and other European countries would be unable to disengage if it invades again. Moreover, a strong focus on bolstering naval and air capabilities across Europe would enhance the continents ability to defend itself on multiple fronts and strengthen the reassurance force in Ukraine. Alongside this, there is a need to improve the Ukrainian Armed Forces' ability to protect their country. Investing in technology, equipment, and strategy will all shape how the forces operate. This is critical for deterring Russia. French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and President Volodymyr Zelensky meet at Lancaster House in London on March 2, 2025. (Justin Tallis / Pool / AFP via Getty Images) Narrative projection is also essential. Through clear, resolute, and strong messaging, leaders across Europe can outline the consequences of any future invasion and the restarting of the war. Alongside allies, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Starmer must maintain an unyielding stance. The Kremlin must understand that Europe stands united against any resumption of war on the continent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finally, Europe needs to outline the escalatory steps it would take if confronted by Russian action. While this should not be too tactical, the Kremlin must not be left with the impression that a new offensive would go unchallenged. Despite tough statements on sanctions, Europe has spent more on Russian energy since February 2022 than it has on Ukrainian aid. As such, British and European threats must remain credible, and nothing should be done to ease pressure on the Russian economy in the near future. How can we achieve this? With investment. The U.K. and European countries must allocate more resources to defense and defense-related infrastructure. European governments must invest in rearming and preparing their armed forces for potential future engagement. The situation is severe, but not insurmountable; bold leadership is required to ensure a strong defense against Russian hostility. The UK, in particular, should aim to fill any leadership void left by the U.S. Spending 2.5% of GDP on defense by 2027 is a welcome first step to ensuring broader European security. But beyond that? The goal should be 3% or even 3.5% by the end of the decade. Russia is not a superpower in the making. The U.K. and Europe possess far greater latent strength. It is time for them to enforce peace on their own continent and rise to the challenge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Editors Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent. Submit an Opinion Read also: Trumps push for regime change in Ukraine has only boosted Zelensky Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) Sunset Police Chief Luis Padilla pleaded guilty in federal court to a civil rights violation in connection with an incident that occurred last December. Padilla, who was indicted in November, changed his plea Thursday morning on the charge of deprivation of rights under the color of law after originally pleading not guilty. According to a news release from the Department of Justice, Padilla was accused of a federal civil rights violation for willfully using unreasonable force against an individual during an investigation and detention in early December 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The indictment alleged that without legal justification, the individual was restrained in handcuffs, and Padilla forcefully twisted the individuals thumb and wrist in a manner intended to cause pain, which resulted in bodily injury to the individual. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest The federal charge of deprivation of rights under color of law makes it a crime for a person acting under color of any law to willfully deprive a person of a right or privilege protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States. Prosecutors and Padillas counsel both recommended one year of probation as part of a plea agreement. Sentencing is scheduled for June 17. Latest news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 KLFY.com. CENTRAL FALLS, R.I. (WPRI) Dozens gathered outside the Wyatt Detention Facility Tuesday evening to demand the release of a German national who was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents more than a week ago. Fabian Schmidt, who lives in Nashua, New Hampshire, was taken into custody on March 7 at Boston Logan International Airport after returning home from a trip to visit his family in Luxembourg. Schmidts mother told New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR) that her son was violently interrogated for hours before being stripped naked, forced to take a cold shower and then deprived of food, water and his anxiety medication. He eventually collapsed and was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital, where he later tested positive for the flu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were unnecessary interrogation tactics imposed, Schmidts attorney David Keller told 12 News. In a statement to 12 News, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said the claims being made regarding Schmidts treatment are blatantly false. When an individual is found with drug-related charges and tries to re-enter the country, officers will take proper action, the statement continued. 12 News asked Keller about the drug-related charges Schmidt was supposedly facing, to which he replied that those have been resolved. SEE ALSO: Rhode Island doctor deported despite having work visa Schmidt and his mother moved to the United States in 2007 and received their green cards the following year, NHPR reported. He moved from California to New Hampshire three years ago and had renewed his green card prior to it being flagged in Boston. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NHPR said Schmidt, who works as an electrical engineer, previously faced a misdemeanor charge in California for possessing marijuana back in 2015. That charge was dismissed after the drug became legal for recreational use in the state. But he reportedly missed a hearing connected to that case in 2022 because the notice was never forwarded to his new address. Schmidts supporters rallied outside the Wyatt Detention Facility Tuesday evening, just hours after ICE agents brought him there. You have to have some sort of trust in your government that, if youre up to date and you have your papers, this shouldnt happen to you, Rhode Island Working Families Partys Zack Mezera said. Its a great danger for all of us, I mean, whos next? demonstrator Jarrett Kerbel asked. People with green cards have a right to due process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Keller said hes waiting for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to give Schmidt a notice to appear in court. He will then be able to file and seek bond on Schmidts behalf. 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. Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup 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 WPRI.com. Community members attend a vigil for Denver immigration activist Jeanette Vizguerra, on March 18, 2025, at the ICE detention facility in Aurora, where Vizguerra was believed to have been held. (Robert Davis for Colorado Newsline) Nearly 100 community members and activists braved sleeting rain and a heavy police presence Tuesday to hold a brief vigil for Jeanette Vizguerra, one of Colorados most well known immigration activists, who was detained by federal immigration authorities at her job. The vigil was held on the south side of the privately-operated Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Aurora, where advocates believe Vizguerra is being housed. It included chants of Free Jeanette and Si se puede (yes we can) as well as brief statements from two of Vizguerras four children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want my mom back, Luna Baez, one of Vizguerras children, said during the vigil. I dont like being at home without her there. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX As advocates gathered for the vigil, one attendee began burning copal resin incense in a traditional resin burner underneath a tree where she and Vizguerra used to pray for other individuals who were detained in the facility. ICE guards watched from inside the facility as smoke appeared from the burner. The Denver metro area was under a red flag warning Tuesday because of dry weather and strong winds. Shortly after the incense began burning, the Aurora fire fighters and two police officers arrived. The firefighters asked the attendee to put out the incense, and she complied. The police officers detained the woman, causing protesters to gather around their vehicles. About a dozen police officers arrived as backup, some of whom drove unmarked cars while others carried riot weapons. The police officers dispersed the attendees from the front of the building. The detained protester was later released without being charged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vigil attendees spoke about Vizguerras impact on the community. The Denver resident is a mother of four and a local labor organizer with the Service Employees International Union, and she volunteered at her kids schools and several community organizations. Speakers speculated that Vizguerras visibility within the immigrant community was the reason she was targeted. She was detained Monday as she took a break during a shift at Target. She sees the importance of fighting for the liberation of all people, Jordan Garcia, the program director for Coloradans For Immigrant Rights, said during the vigil. She never stops fighting. An undated photo of Denver immigration activist Jeanette Vizguerra. (Courtesy of Vizguerra family) During his first weeks in office, President Donald Trump emphasized that he plans to deport violent criminals and gang members at a level nobody has ever seen before. Those efforts included labeling the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, or TdA, as a foreign terrorist organization, which gave his administration more legal avenues to remove them from the country. However, Trumps deportation measures have become ensnared in legal challenges. Vizguerras family said she has continuously sought a path to citizenship since she entered the country. She rose to prominence in 2017 when she defied Trumps initial immigration crackdown by seeking refuge in a Denver-area church. Time Magazine named her one of the most influential people in the country that year because of her efforts. Community members attend a vigil for Denver immigration activist Jeanette Vizguerra, on March 18, 2025, at the ICE detention facility in Aurora, where Vizguerra was believed to have been held. There was a heavy police presence at the vigil. (Robert Davis for Colorado Newsline) Vizguerras arrest earned widespread condemnation from Democratic lawmakers across Colorado. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Jared Polis has known Vizguerra, who is originally from Mexico, for several years. As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives in 2017, Polis authored a private bill that gave Vizguerra a two-year stay of deportation while she worked to become a permanent resident. U.S. Sen. Michael Bennett of Colorado authored a corresponding private bill at the time as well. Rep. Joe Neguse repeated those efforts in 2019. Polis underscored that Vizguerra does not have a history of violence, which is one of the metrics the Trump administration has claimed to focus on for deportations. He also called on the administration to be more transparent about the operations. I continue to urge President Trump and ICE to focus their actions on violent offenders and be more transparent with states they are operating in, including being transparent about the cost and impact of detentions, raids, and the cost to taxpayers, Polis said in a statement. The state has not seen any transparent accounting of ICE operations in our state and has not been notified beyond press reports of the apprehension of Ms. Vizguerra. Denver Mayor Mike Johnston also condemned Vizguerras arrest as a Soviet-style persecution of political dissidents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not something that makes our community safer, Johnston said. In my mind, this makes our community lawless. In early February, ICE and other federal law enforcement agencies conducted operations in at least four locations in Denver and Aurora as part of Trumps aggressive deportation agenda in Colorado. In January, the DEA conducted a raid of what it said was a TdA party and detained 41 people alleged to be in the country unlawfully. Federal authorities have released very little information about the people they have detained in Colorado during immigration enforcement activities. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE China considers it a part of the Chinese nation. The United States considers it a roadblock to further Chinese influence in Asia. No wonder, then, that Taiwan has long been a point of contention between the superpowers. Although the U.S. doesnt officially recognize Taiwan as an independent country, it has played a major role in Taiwans security for decades. In the past, the U.S. has sold weapons to Taiwan, and former President Biden said the U.S. would come to the defense of the island if China invades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But now, at a time when China is working to expand its presence, it seems the Trump administration might upend years of diplomacy in the area. Heres a look at how U.S. support for Taiwan has ebbed and flowed throughout the decades and what's at stake in the future. Why does the U.S. care about Taiwan? Though its geographically much closer to China about 80 miles off its coast Taiwan has geopolitical, technological and other strategic values to the U.S. A Taiwanese pilot checks on an F-16 fighter jet at Hualien air base in 2023. Taiwan deployed aircraft after the Chinese military launched drills around Taiwan as a "stern warning" over what it called collusion between "separatists and foreign forces," its Defense Ministry said. (Taiwan Military News Agency / AP) As a self-governing democracy, Taiwan is seen as a bulwark against Chinas growing clout in Asia. It is also one in a chain of islands in the Pacific that the U.S. has said are essential to combating Chinese military expansion. A takeover of Taiwan would give China a strong foothold in the region, to the detriment of U.S. allies like Japan, Australia and the Philippines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, Taiwan is home to the worlds most advanced semiconductor manufacturing; an attack on the island could trigger a complete disruption to the global tech supply chain. Has the U.S. ever recognized Taiwan as a country? Not exactly. After World War II and the departure of occupying Japanese troops, the U.S. and its allies placed Taiwan under the governance of the Republic of China, which was ruled by the Kuomintang, also known as the Nationalist Party. Read more: Taiwans new president calls for peace amid tenuous relations with China At the time, China was convulsed by civil war. The defeated Nationalist government, led by Chiang Kai-shek, fled to Taiwan in 1949, while the Chinese Communist Party under Mao Zedong established the Peoples Republic of China on the mainland. The U.S. continued to provide support for the Nationalist government in Taiwan. When did U.S. support start to change? Taiwan was an important part of the U.S. fight against communism for years. However, as Chinas power grew, the U.S. started to rethink the relationship. Better Sino-American relations, the reasoning went, might be a way to counter the rise of the Soviet Union. A screen on a Beijing street shows a news broadcast about China's military exercises encircling Taiwan in 2022. (Noel Celis / AFP/Getty Images) President Nixon made a historic visit to China in 1972, ending years of almost no contact between the two countries. Under President Carter, the U.S. established diplomatic relations with the Peoples Republic of China in 1979, paving the way for economic and political collaboration with Beijing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But that meant severing diplomatic ties with Taiwan and recognizing the Communist Party as the official government of China. The U.S. also had to end a mutual defense treaty with Taiwan and withdraw its military personnel from the island. Where did that leave Taiwan? Not everyone agreed with the decision to sever ties with the ruling government in Taiwan. To offer the island some protections, Congress passed the Taiwan Relations Act in 1979, which established non-diplomatic channels for engagement and ensured the U.S. would continue to sell arms to Taiwan for self-defense. With a series of other agreements, the U.S. established its "one China" policy and promised not to formally recognize Taiwan as a sovereign nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: As tensions grow, more Americans see China as an enemy Under this policy, also known as strategic ambiguity, the U.S. would not say whether it would provide its military assistance to Taiwan in the case of war with China, but that it expects cross-strait relations to be resolved peacefully and that it opposes unilateral changes to the status quo. Why is the relationship getting more tense now? As Americas relationship with China has soured over the last decade, it has deepened its relationship with Taiwan, looking for ways to cooperate on trade and security issues. In December, the U.S. and Taiwan signed the first agreement in a new trade initiative. In August 2022, then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) became the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit the capital of Taipei, a trip that Beijing vehemently opposed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And on several occasions, Biden said the U.S. would defend Taiwan militarily if China attacked. The White House said each time after Biden's comments that U.S. policy on Taiwan had not changed. However, Beijing sees the strengthening partnership as a gradual shift away from the long-held "one China" policy. It has responded with more military drills and operations around Taiwan, ratcheting up concerns about a potential conflict. How might that change further under Trump? While the U.S.-Taiwan relationship has long been based on a set of carefully worded rules and quiet diplomacy, President Trumps style is seen as transactional, and his recent collision with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has alarmed many Taiwanese. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has demanded mineral rights in Ukraine for continued U.S. support in its war with Russia. Regarding Taiwan, Trump has said that the island should pay the U.S. for its protection and increase its defense spending from about 2.4% GDP to 10% GDP. He has also criticized Taiwans semiconductor industry for taking business away from the U.S. and threatened to levy tariffs on Taiwanese chips. Such comments have raised speculation that continued U.S. support could be contingent on meeting Trumps demands. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) Taiwans President William Lai Ching-te said that a Taiwanese semiconductor company's massive investment in Arizona is the best model for the island's effort to build computer chips supply lines that don't rely on Chinese producers, in remarks to the states visiting Governor Katie Hobbs. Taiwans leading chipmaker TSMC has committed $100 billion to build three chip foundries, an R&D center and two packaging facilities in Arizona, on top of a previous pledge to build $65 billion in three chip foundries in the state, one of which has begun operations. Lai and TSMC say that the latest mega-investment stemmed from customer demand and not pressure from the administration of President Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump previously said that Taiwan had taken away the U.S. chip business and that he wanted it back. At their Tuesday meeting, Lai said Taiwan and Arizona were working to build a non-red supply chain that excluded suppliers from China, which threatens military action to assert its claim over the island. TSMC has said the development plans in the U.S. would not affect its work in Taiwan, and that the company currently has 10,000 employees researching and developing 1.0 nanometer chips. Taiwan accounts for more than 90% of advanced computer chip production. The U.S. does not recognize Taiwan as a country, but is its strongest backer and biggest arms provider. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News about the meeting was released Wednesday by Taiwan's official Central News Agency. The project is expected to create 40,000 construction jobs over the next four years and tens of thousands of tech and manufacturing jobs, Hobbs office said in a news release sent before the meeting. Im thrilled by Arizonas emergence as Americas hub for advanced manufacturing, creating hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs and bringing billions of dollars of investment into our state, Hobbs said in the release. CNA quoted Hobbs as saying that the TSMC project would not only contribute to the global advancement of artificial intelligence and other technologies, but also strengthen bilateral ties. About 8,242 cases of Good & Gather Cut Green Beans have been recalled by California-based producer Del Monte Foods, Inc. due to the potential for contamination with a foreign object. In total, this equates to roughly 197,808 cans named in the recall, which has officially been classified as a Class II recall by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Target brand, known for its wide variety of groceries and everyday staples, sold Good & Gather Cut Green Beans at Target locations across 21 states nationwide. Consumers in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin should all be checking their product labels for the following information: SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Pop Kitchen newsletter Affected Product Details: Type: Good & Gather Cut Green Beans Size: Net Wt. 14.5 oz (411g) UPC: 0 85239-11628 9 Best If Used By: 28 OCT 2026 Lot: 7AA 418507 Distributed By: Target Corporation, Minneapolis, MN 55403 Related: International Delight Just Issued a Recall on These Popular Creamer FlavorsHere's What You Need to Know The FDA defines a Class II recall as the second-most severe risk level a recall event can receive. This indicates a situation in which the use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In layman's terms, a Class II recall is no joking matter and the warnings of the FDA should be taken very seriously. In the case of Good & Gather Cut Green Beans, the FDAs recall notice was published on March 13, though Del Monte Foods, Inc initiated the voluntary recall on February 12. As of today, the recall is marked as ongoing, with no further information available as to what exactly the foreign material might be. Related: Walmart and Target's Recall on This Pantry Essential Has Just Been Updated to an Even More Serious LevelHere's What to Know If you happen to have the product in question in your possession, it is usually recommended in these cases to either discard it entirely or return the product to where it was purchased for a full refund. Currently, neither the FDA, Del Monte nor Target have provided any instructions for consumers to follow in light of the recall. In this case, we would urge consumers to follow the guidelines laid out by the FDA in other such cases. In the meantime, well be collecting details surrounding the recall as they arise. Up Next: Related: Trader Joe's Finally Brought Back Its Highly Adored Spring Dessert, and Fans are Racing to Grab It In February 2025, Gila County Sheriff's Office found the dismembered body of San Carlos Apache teen Emily Pike. Now, a multi-agency task force hopes to catch her killer. Emily, 14, was last seen in Mesa near her group home at Mesa Drive and McKellips Road in late January. Officials and family said that her body was found dismembered in a forested area near Globe, almost 100 miles away from where she was last seen. As of Monday, the cause and manner of death were still pending, according to the Pinal County Medical Examiner's Office, which investigates deaths in Gila County. It is unknown why Emily left the group home and how she ended up in Globe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There's two things that we know where she was last seen and where they found the body," said Allred Pike Jr., Emily's uncle. He said the lack of answers from authorities was frustrating but urged patience, noting that "it takes a long time to fill in the blanks." No suspects or persons of interest had been identified in her case as of Tuesday afternoon, according to the Gila County Sheriff's Office, which is the lead agency in the case. The Sheriff's Office said they have surveillance video that could be helpful but did not provide details about what the video contained and when and where it was taken. The Sheriff's Office announced that multiple agencies joined to form a task force for Emily's case on Monday. The unnamed task force will include the Sheriff's Office, the San Carlos Apache Police Department, the Mesa Police Department, the FBI and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agencies were working together before the task force was announced. The creation of the task force came shortly after the San Carlos Apache Tribe announced a $75,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in Emily's case. "If we let this movement die down, it means the investigators and whatnot, they might not push forward or as hard in investigating trying to get the killer or killers," said Pike, hopeful that the reward will urge someone to come forward with information. Emily Pike: It's been 1 month since Indigenous teen Emily Pike of Mesa was found dead. Here's what we know Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Gila County Sheriff's Office and the San Carlos Apache Police Department also created an online tip portal for information regarding the case. Those with information regarding Emily's case are encouraged to provide an anonymous tip at tips411. People can also contact the Sheriff's Office at 928-425-4449, option 1, and the San Carlos Apache Police Department at 928-475-1700. The Sheriff's Office confirmed a body was found near the same place off U.S. 60 in September 2021. The man from Whiteriver was shot in his vehicle, the agency said. Detectives listed this homicide as a cold case. The Sheriff's Office did not believe the cases were related. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Task force created, $75K reward offered in Emily Pike case A suspect topping the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's Most Wanted list for nearly two weeks has been taken into custody by police. The Gallatin Police Department announced Little Page Drake III, 57, was arrested at 2:47 p.m. Monday. More: Police continue days-long search for man topping TBI's most wanted list Drake III was charged on suspicion of criminal homicide in connection to the domestic-related shooting death of Lisa Drake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lisa Drake was found dead by a relative inside a Gallatin home at about 8:30 a.m. on March 6. Police say a Honda Ridgeline that Drake III was allegedly driving following the crime was recovered and they are no longer searching for the vehicle. The TBI added Drake III to its Most Wanted list on March 7. More:Tennessee Bureau of Investigation adds Gallatin man charged in shooting to most wanted Officials offered a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to his arrest. Additional charges are pending for those who assisted Drake in avoiding arrest, police said. Drake was booked into the Sumner County Jail at 4:06 a.m. Tuesday where he's being held on $3.2 million bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information about Lisa Drake's death is asked to call TBI Special Agent Rob Schlafly at 1-800-TBI-FIND or Gallatin Police Department Investigator Jody Starks at 615-452-1313, x3264. Katie Nixon can be reached at knixon@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: TBI Most Wanted suspect arrested on suspicion of Gallatin homicide CLEVELAND (WJW) The FOX 8 I-Team has uncovered new fallout from the investigation surrounding an incident at the casino downtown with the federal monitor overseeing Cleveland Police. Investigation opened into casino incident involving head of federal group overseeing Cleveland police As first reported by FOX 8, Cleveland Councilman Brian Kazy is calling for the resignation of Karl Racine. Racine leads the Cleveland Police Monitoring Team with members earning up to $750 an hour to oversee reform in the Cleveland Police force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Councilman Kazy wants the lead monitor to resign by Friday. The I-Team recently revealed what happened back in January. An off-duty Cleveland officer called for back-up saying Karl Racine was refusing to leave. Browns say city misguiding Clevelanders on stadium: Court Racine ultimately left and wasnt arrested. He has issued a statement saying he was respectful to police, and he didnt know why he was being denied entry to the casino. But, in a letter to Racine, the Councilman wrote, Throughout your encounter with the police officer, you allegedly threw your weight around as being a Federal Monitor and a representative of the Department of Justice. And, Federal Monitors cannot bring the court or the City into disrepute. This is the case of somebody needing to monitor the monitors Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Again, Kazy wants a resignation by Friday. If that doesnt happen, then I will be sending a formal request to Judge Oliver to dismiss or suspend you immediately. We contacted Racines office. As of late Tuesday, he had not responded to FOX 8. Cleveland drivers could face $250 fine for passing school buses illegally Stopped in the hallway at City Hall, Councilman Kazy told us, His credibility is shot. His integrity is no longer of the highest standards. This week the I-Team revealed the Citys Office of Professional Standards has opened an investigation into what happened at the casino. 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. Related video: On March 11, Miami Beach police deployed drones to keep an eye on Spring Breakers. FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. (WFLA) An 18-year-old was accused of biting a mans ear off during a brawl on a South Florida beach, according to the Lee County Sheriffs Office. On Monday, a deputy on patrol at Fort Myers Beach was flagged down near the intersection of Alva Drive and I Street in reference to a fight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man shoots, kills estranged wifes new boyfriend before setting himself on fire: HCSO A witness told authorities they heard 18-year-old Jack Turner yelling racial slurs at the victim before hitting him. The witness asked the victim, who was described as a Black, homosexual man, if he was going to allow Turner to get away with the attack. According to the report, the victim took a stance, igniting a physical altercation with Turner. A video captured by a witness reportedly showed Turner on top of the victim, where he punched the man in the back of the head, grabbed his hair, and pressed his face into the sand. Thats when Turner yanked the victims head up and bit his left ear, causing a traumatic auricular amputation, the sheriffs office report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The witness said she saw the mans ear had been bitten off when he got up from the ground after bystanders allegedly broke up the fight. Hillsborough County K-9 shot dead after attacking alpaca A statement released from the Lee County Sheriffs Office said: On March 17, 2025, Spring Break detail deputies were conducting proactive patrol along Estero Boulevard when they were alerted by the victim of a just occurred isolated incident. Deputies arrested Jack Turner (DOB 11/21/2006) for Felony Battery after establishing probable cause for his arrest. Deputies learned the victim and suspect were known to each other. Due to the nature of the investigation, the Lee County Sheriffs Office Violent Crimes Unit assumed the investigation. Sheriff Carmine Marceno has ZERO tolerance for violence of any kind! Fort Myers Beach will continue to remain safe for all visitors and residents of Lee County! Additional deputies will be patrolling Fort Myers Beach to ensure the safety and security of everyone! According to the report, Turner was arrested on felony battery charges and was taken to the Lee County Jail. 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. DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) Dothan Police are asking for help finding a missing 15-year-old. Dothan Police say Amari Jaquice Piper was last seen by his grandmother and their home in the 200 block of Virginia Drive on the evening on Thursday, March 13. Police say Piper left home while his grandmother was sleeping, and a clothing description is unavailable. Piper is believed to still be in the Dothan area. Anyone with information on Pipers whereabouts are asked to call the Dothan Police Department at (334) 793-0215. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 WDHN - wdhn.com. CEDAR KEY, Fla. (WFLA) Two young girls are lucky to be alive after being stranded on their paddleboard overnight in the waters off Cedar Key, Florida. The Levy County Sheriffs office reported the girls, both 16, missing Monday evening after they tried to paddleboard to Cedar Key. Instead, strong winds and currents blew them well south of their intended destination. Will Pauling, a charter fishing captain, convinced two friends to go searching for the girls early Tuesday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have kids ourselves, and we wanted to get out there and, obviously, try finding them, and with the cold temps last night, figured it would be pretty difficult, Pauling said. Man ends up in ICU after getting chlamydia from bird-feeding The men knew a general area where they would start searching, but they said something guided them directly to a small island where the girls were. It only took them about 30 minutes to find the teens, they said. We almost, in a weird way, drove straight to them, said Alex Jeffries. The men had to carry the girls to their boat because their feet had been cut up by sharp oyster shells. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were stuck on their board, they couldnt get off their board because every which way was oysters, and if you are around here, oysters are very sharp, Jeffries said. They said the girls were cold, thirsty and hungry but were in good spirits. They were still on the raft, frozen, Jeffries said. They were really lighthearted about the situation. For what it was, nice to have a good attitude in a bad situation. If we have the ability to find them, lets give it a shot, said Russ Coon, who was also part of the search effort. What have we got to lose, and there was so much more to gain because when we did find them, there was literally nobody around us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rescuers had towels to help the teens warm, as well as snacks and water on board. The girls were returned to family. 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. Mar. 18Windy days during spring are expected in West Texas, but the past couple of weeks have featured some nearly tropical storm blasts. There was another high wind advisory Tuesday. Kevin Lamberson, general forecaster with the National Weather Service in Midland, said the peak time Tuesday would be the late afternoon to early evening timeframe. The blowing will last until about midnight. He added that they are expecting some dust with the wind that could reduce visibility to a mile across Odessa and Midland at times. But it won't be as bad or widespread as it was March 14. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lamberson said NWS is expecting 30 mph or more sustained wind speeds with gusts of up to 50 mph. The NWS website said gusty westerly winds were expected Tuesday across much of the area, with the strongest winds expected in Southeast New Mexico and in the Guadalupe/Delaware and Davis Mountains. Lamberson said these could reach 70 to 80 mph. A wind advisory is sustained winds 31 to 39 mph, for better than 1 hour and/or wind gusts 46 to 57 mph for any duration. A high wind warning is sustained winds 40 mph or greater, for better than 1 hour and/or wind gusts 58 mph or greater, for any duration, the website said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The transition from winter to spring with its large temperature differences and a lot of systems coming through contribute to the wind speeds. The temperature differences "are basically what makes the systems we are seeing stronger," Lamberson said. Last Friday's wind and dust were a once every two-year event, he added. Gov. Bill Lee feeds an ear of corn into a corn stripper during Tuesday's Ag Day on the Hill. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) Every March, Tennessee lawmakers take a break from the toil of legislative duties to celebrate one of the states largest industries: agriculture. Ag Day on the Hill gives lawmakers including Gov. Bill Lee, who grew up on a Williamson County farm that remains in his family the opportunity to demonstrate their skills at milking cows, tossing hale bales and other farm chores. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuesday saw the crop of legislators joined by U.S. Sens. Bill Hagerty and Marsha Blackburn and U.S. Rep. John Rose, the latter two of whom are expected to announce their 2026 gubernatorial candidacies in the near future. Photojournalist John Partipilo again chronicled the event for the Lookout. Photographs by John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout 2025 Photographs by John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout 2025 Knox Logan, 12, and brother Kamden, 8, with their goat who hasnt been named Photographs by John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout 2025 Sen. Jesse Seal with goat during AG day. Photographs by John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout 2025 Rep. Justin Jones, a Nashville Democrat, leads his miniature horse, Winston, through the Cordell Hull Legislative Building on March 18, 2025. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX This year marks the 20th anniversary of Sunshine Week celebrated nationally to promote the importance of open government at the federal, state and local levels. The idea was born more than 20 years ago when Florida newspaper editors started Sunshine Sunday to highlight the need for government transparency. By 2005, it grew to a full week of open government advocacy nationwide. The annual collaboration now is coordinated by the Joseph L. Brechner Freedom of Information Project at the University of Floridas College of Journalism and Communications. About 100 organizations representing news media, public interest groups, and open government advocates have endorsed Sunshine Week. The Tennessee Coalition for Open Government (TCOG) and the Tennessee Press Association (TPA) are among those organizations. Tennessee Coalition for Open Government logo TPA, which was founded more than 150 years ago to support the newspaper industry, played a key role in launching TCOG in 2003 because its leaders and open government advocates realized the public needed a unified voice to protect and strengthen open government laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Jack McElroy, former editor of the Knoxville New Sentinel and a TCOG board member, wrote in his history of the organization, TCOG is recognized statewide, by citizens and public officials alike, as Tennessees pre-eminent source of expertise and advocacy for the publics right to know. Sunshine Week celebrates its 20th anniversary at a time when efforts to weaken or circumvent open government laws are growing and public trust in the news media and traditional institutions has eroded. Two of Tennessees top investigative journalists say more transparency, not less, is needed. Marc Perrusquia heads The Institute for Public Service Reporting at the University of Memphis, which was created in 2018. He worked the previous 29 years as a reporter with The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, uncovering corruption in the states taxpayer-funded child care system, excessive use of force by police, and consumer gouging by car title lenders, to name just a few. Transparency and freedom of information are under assault at every level of government, from Washington, where executive overreach is usurping legislative authority with little or no scrutiny by elected lawmakers, to Nashville, where the governor and state legislators have created a new immigration enforcement office that is exempt from the state public records law, to Memphis, where reporters often wait weeks, months and sometimes years to gain access to public records, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, more than ever, we need a vigorous press to challenge these encroachments on democratic principles and their accompanying currents of disinformation. We need an engaged electorate, enlightened by readily flowing, reliable information that only a free and independent news media can provide. Phil Williams , an investigative reporter for WTVF-TV in Nashville, has spent much of his 40-year career uncovering corruption at the state and local level and confronting many of societys critical issues, including hate groups and conspiracy theory movements like QAnon. In an age when there is such intense distrust in government, transparency is the antidote that is desperately needed I am increasingly finding that citizens are willing to embrace conspiracy theories about government that are completely divorced from reality, Williams said. The best hope for combating disinformation and misinformation is for government to be completely open about what its doing and why. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tennessee is one of the few states where an open-government group has paid staff to educate the public and policymakers about the right to know, and research shows an active coalition is correlated with better government, said David Cuillier, director of the Brechner project, which coordinates Sunshine Week. Now, more than ever, we need a vigorous press to challenge these encroachments on democratic principles and their accompanying currents of disinformation. We need an engaged electorate, enlightened by readily flowing, reliable information that only a free and independent news media can provide. Marc Perrusquia, The Institute for Public Service Reporting These organizations across the country struggle financially, Cuillier said. Its critical for community foundations and philanthropy to keep TCOG strong, because if Tennessee loses TCOG, it could very well lose government accountability, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent years, TCOG has worked with lawmakers to: Require city and county legislative bodies to produce accurate and complete public agendas at least 48 hours before any meeting. Allow citizens to recover attorney costs in certain cases when they win an open meetings lawsuit. Assure that future exceptions to the Public Records Act are fully scrutinized by requiring review by the House Government Operations Committee. TCOG, like similar state public advocacy groups, is a non-profit that receives no government funding and relies entirely on contributions from news organizations, citizen groups and individuals. TCOGs budget pays for one part-time employee. With the General Assembly currently in full swing, that lone employee, TCOG executive director Deborah Fisher, is at Capitol every week keeping tabs on legislation that could weaken open government laws and working to strengthen public transparency. During the year, Fisher fields scores of inquiries from journalists and citizens needing guidance and conducts training sessions for journalists and government officials alike about public record and open meeting laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its important work that the public should support, said Frank Gibson, a former Tennessean editor who led the effort to create TCOG in 2003 and served as its executive director until 2011. Changes in the news media and political landscapes make it necessary for citizens to be better informed and aware of attempts to close information about their government, Gibson said. Supporting groups like the Tennessee Coalition for Open Government is a good way keep the public informed and to protect freedom. Editor's note: Letters to the editor reflect the views of individual readers. Scroll to see how you can add your voice, whether you agree or disagree, or click on this link to fill out the form. . We welcome diverse viewpoints. We just want our senators to tell us if DOGE was vetted I contacted Senators Marsha Blackburn's and Bill Hagerty's offices: Blackburn's three times, Hagerty's twice, in February. Both were asked a simple question: Were Elon Musk and cohorts vetted prior to being given access to Treasury and other US agencies? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Blackburn's office replied three times, two of those replies stating her support of DOGE and desire to see government spending reined in. They were "form-letter" type responses. Hagerty's office finally replied this week stating basically the same: that he wants to cut government spending. He also mentioned his stint with Tennessee government in 2011 reciting his work to cut spending there. Neither Blackburn nor Hagerty answered my question about whether or not Elon Musk and friends have been vetted. They are simply silent on this issue. Both are major Trump supporters, so I am not surprised at a lack of a response. Colleen Tighe, Camden 38320 Opinion: Dont fear traveling because of Trump Blackburn should not shy away from tough questions The cornerstone of representative democracy isn't just voting it's the ongoing dialogue between elected officials and their constituents. U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn R-Tennessee listens as Gov. Bill Lee speaks during Agriculture Day on the Hill at Tennessee State Capitol building in Nashville , Tenn., Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Unfortunately, Senator Marsha Blackburn's approach to constituent communication appears to be falling short of this basic expectation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When voters reach out to their representatives with specific concerns about current issues, they deserve more than automated form letters that dodge their questions. The frustration of receiving irrelevant boilerplate responses to carefully crafted inquiries about Elon Musk's influence or executive overreach isn't just an annoyance it's a failure of democratic representation. While no senator can personally respond to every email, their offices are staffed and funded specifically to handle constituent communications. The practice of sending mismatched form letters that ignore the actual content of constituent concerns suggests either a troubling disconnect or, worse, a deliberate strategy to avoid engaging with challenging questions. Charging a senator with treason might be an extreme response, but the underlying anger is understandable. When voters place their trust in a representative, only to receive what amounts to a digital brush-off, it erodes the very foundation of our political system. Senator Blackburn would do well to remember that her office exists to serve Tennesseans, not to shield her from difficult conversations. In an era of increasing political division, meaningful dialogue between elected officials and their constituents isn't optional it's essential. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kelly Griffin, Kingsport 37660 Opinion: Take a chainsaw to the federal government. It's inelegant but might just work. Constituents deserve answers, not canned responses Re: Blackburn email replies don't answer constituent's DOGE questions, by Kenneth Tatum, March 9. After reading Kenneth Tatum's letter I find that I am not the only one who gets those kind of replies. I wrote on the same subject and all I got was an answer filled with platitudes and party propaganda. Since the last several emails I sent to Senator Blackburn's office resulted in similar replies I chose not to follow up. I find that both our senators are unwilling to give a thoughtful reply to comments about the administration. If I had wanted propaganda I would have looked on her webpage or her newsletter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, I also get a similar response of my representative in the House. It is obvious these are "canned" responses that staffers send out to pacify those who have valid questions. John Bench, Clarksville 37042 Congress should be a check on the presidency I totally agree with Kenneth Tatums letter and am so glad you printed it. I had the very same experience except my concern was the pardon/commuted sentences of the Jan. 6 protestors. It was sent a day or two after Senator Marsha Blackburns interest in running for governor was in the news. I feel she should state clearly whether she supports that action or stands by law enforcement, and the people of Tennessee deserve to know before she runs for governor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her eventual response was off subject and stated the obvious Trump had the power to do it. Sandra S. Barnes, Franklin 37064 Agree or disagree? Or have a view on another topic entirely? Send a letter of 250 words or fewer to letters@tennessean.com. Include your full name, city/town, ZIP and contact information for verification. Thanks for adding to the public conversation. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Sen. Blackburn, Congress members should be more responsive | Letters TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KETK) A bill is being proposed to rename a highway in Central Texas to honor President Trump. Gregg County airport emergency exercise tests crisis response H.B. 5503 was filed by Texas State Representative Joanne Shofner of Nacogdoches on March 14. The bill would rename Interstate Highway 35 in Travis County as the President Donald J. Trump Highway. If the bill is passed, it will take effect on Sept. 1, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. AUSTIN (Nexstar) On Tuesday the Texas Senate discussed a pair of bills to introduce religion primarily Christianity into Texas public schools. Senate Bill 11 (SB 11) allowing prayer in school, passed while Senate Bill 10 (SB 10) requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in the classroom was left on the doorstep of passage. Prayer in schools The Texas Senate passed SB 11 on Tuesday with a 23-7 vote margin. While the bill wouldnt require prayer in all public schools, school districts would be allowed to adopt a policy requiring every campus of the district or school to provide students and employees with an opportunity to participate in a period of prayer and reading of the Bible or other religious text on each school day. If a district were to approve this policy through a vote of their board of trustees, the prayer session would require a consent form from the students parent to participate. Any employees who wish to participate would also have to sign a consent form. The consent form would waive the parents/employees right to sue the school district regarding their policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under SB 11, prayers could not come in over the intercom system and prayer time could not happen in the place of instructional time. Thank you President Trump and Lt. Governor Patrick for making prayer in public schools a top priority, State Sen. Mayes Middleton, the author of SB 11, said in a statement. There is no such thing as separation of church and state in our Constitution, and recent Supreme Court decisions by President Trumps appointees reaffirmed this. The goal of this bill is to promote freedom of religion for teachers and students in the place where they spend most of their timeschool. SB 11 will now go to the Texas House for consideration Ten commandments in classrooms By a 20-10 vote, SB 10 was sent to engrossment, the last stage before getting a final vote in the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SB 10 would require all public school classrooms to include a poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments, authorizing the use of district funds to pay for the addition. The poster or framed copy must be at least 16 inches wide by 20 inches tall and be legible to a person with average vision from anywhere in the classroom. Unlike SB 11, there would be no option for classrooms to not display the Ten Commandments, and teachers would be legally required to accept a privately donated poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments if they did not already have one in their classroom. SB 10 still needs a final vote to be sent to the Texas House. 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. The Texas Senate on Wednesday passed a state ban on all forms of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, advancing a priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to crack down on the states booming consumable hemp market six years after lawmakers inadvertently permitted its rise. Senate Bill 3 which Patrick called among his top five bills over his 17 years in the Legislature would outlaw products with any amount of THC, ranging from gummies and beverages to vapes and flower buds, which are currently sold at more than 8,300 locations around the state. Current Texas law allows hemp-derived products that contain less than 0.3% of THC. "Kids are getting poisoned today," Patrick said in the Senate chamber as the vote neared. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He used similar language Wednesday morning. This is a poison in our public, and we as a Legislature our No. 1 responsibility is life and death issues, Patrick said at a morning news conference, alongside members of law enforcement and advocates for families who saw loved ones develop behavioral health problems after consuming supposedly-legal THC products. Were going to ban your stores before we leave here, for good. The vote was 24 to 7. I believe this bill goes too far, in that it would put out of business the consumable hemp industry in Texas, state Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, D-Austin said during debate of the bill, arguing that concerns related to sale of low-THC products should be addressed through stronger regulations. The Texas House has yet to consider its hemp proposal, House Bill 28, which would impose stricter oversight and licensing requirements for the hemp industry rather than ban THC altogether. If the House passes its proposal, the two chambers would have to reconcile their differences before the legislation could become law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, the lead author of SB 3, said that the Senate and the House were philosophically aligned and that there was time to work out any policy differences. Were all on the same page, Patrick said, adding that he had spoken about the issue with House Speaker Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, and Gov. Greg Abbott. Were going to protect the people of Texas from THC. Patrick also had a message aimed directly at retailers: You might want to voluntarily close your doors, because the investigations are going to continue, and Im sure the lawsuits are about to come, he said on Wednesday. You know what you're doing. The hemp industry lobbied fiercely against a total prohibition on THC, urging lawmakers to instead impose thoughtful regulations, such as restricting THC sales to Texans 21 and older, requiring tamper-proof packaging and barring sales within a certain distance of schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mark Bordas, executive director of the Texas Hemp Business Council, said that lawmakers were conflating consumable hemp, which, by legal definition, has a low concentration of THC, with higher potency marijuana. Certain bad actors are operating in the black market, in the shadows, he said, arguing that the state needed greater oversight of the industry as a whole to block those manufacturers and retailers rather than a total prohibition. We have a common enemy. We know whos doing wrong, Bordas said. Wed both like to eliminate them, but the problem is, the lieutenant governor and Senator Perry are going to eliminate the entire business including over 7,000 licensed dispensaries. The industry also highlighted roughly 50,000 jobs and billions in tax revenue that would be lost if lawmakers quashed the hemp market entirely. And critics argued that instead of addressing public health concerns, a ban would push consumers into an unregulated black market, easing access to more potent products. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bans dont work, Bordas said, a point that was echoed on the Senate floor by state Sen. Jose Menendez, D-San Antonio. All its going to do is encourage the bad actors to fill the vacuum. Still, he said that the industry believed cooler heads will prevail in the House. Thousands of cannabis retailers have popped up across the state since 2019, when the Republican-controlled Legislature approved the sale of consumable hemp. That law, which was passed one year after hemp was legalized nationwide, was intended to boost Texas agriculture by allowing the commercialization of hemp containing trace amounts of non-intoxicating delta-9 THC, the psychoactive element in marijuana. What followed was an explosion of consumable hemp products, which are barred from containing more than a 0.3% concentration of THC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Products with a higher concentration are classified as marijuana, which remains outlawed in Texas aside from limited medical uses. Still, hemp-derived products look, taste and sometimes have intoxicating effects similar to their more potent counterparts. Perry, who led the 2019 bill to legalize hemp, said that lawmakers had not meant to usher in such a large market. On Wednesday, he accused the hemp industry of exploiting a loophole in the 2019 law and making their products easily accessible to young people. This is changing peoples lives in short order, because its been marketed as something that is safe and legal, and its anything but, Perry said. This is not the pot of yesterday. This is stuff that will change lives forever. Supporters of the ban said high-potency products are already being sold at retailers, despite purporting to be under the legal limit. Steve Dye, chief of the Allen police department in north Texas, said that undercover investigations in his city had found and tested products with up to a 78% THC concentration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most people think that if you walk into a store and youre able to buy something from a retail establishment, it must be legal and it must be safe, he said on Wednesday. With these THC consumables, neither is true. Intentional mislabeling on many products have led to accidental overdoses and increased addiction. State and federal law currently place inconsistent testing requirements and no age limits on Texas hemp industry. SB 3 would continue to allow the non-intoxicating, non-psychoactive cannabidiol known as CBD, while placing firmer restrictions on those products including barring sales and marketing to those under 21 and requiring tamper-evident, child-resistant, and resealable product packaging. Some patients and doctors say the THC in cannabis can be used effectively to combat pain, depression, anxiety, appetite problems and nausea. Under the states Compassionate Use Program, lawmakers have allowed some Texans to use medical marijuana to treat conditions including epilepsy, seizures, autism, cancer and post-traumatic stress disorder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some veterans groups told the Senate committee that advanced SB 3 this month that they prefer using the more affordable and accessible THC products sold at everyday retailers like smoke shops and gas station convenience stores. Others said that it would be expensive to properly regulate the industry, and warned that unlike under Texas Compassionate Use Program, Texans reaching for retail products did not have the benefit of medical supervision and oversight. At the same time, the hemp industry has overwhelming advantages over the state program, according to Jervonne Singletary, senior director of government relations at Goodblend, one of three medical marijuana providers in the state. Patients have to jump through so many hoops to place and receive orders that some may opt to simply pick up THC products at a nearby retail outlet, she said. On Wednesday, Patrick vowed to expand the Compassionate Use Program and continue investing in mental health care across the state. SB 1505, also led by Perry, would allow medical marijuana providers to operate satellite storage facilities designed to make it easier for patients to fill their prescriptions, and it would double the cap on licensed medical marijuana dispensers from three to six. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not a political or partisan issue, Patrick said. This is about saving lives. 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. BANGKOK/BEIJING (Reuters) - A delegation of Thai officials and media arrived in China's northwestern Xinjiang region on Wednesday, seeking to calm worries about mistreatment of a group of 40 Uyghurs who were deported from Thailand last month. The government sent the delegation on a mission to reassure the public, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra told reporters in Bangkok. Thailand sent back the group of Uyghurs in a secretive pre-dawn operation that drew a sharp rebuke from Western countries. The United States last week hit unnamed Thai officials with visa sanctions over the deportation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rights groups accuse Beijing of widespread abuses of Uyghurs, a mainly Muslim ethnic minority numbering about 10 million in the Xinjiang region. Beijing denies any abuse and has accused Western countries of interference and of peddling lies. The Thai government, which said it deported the Uyghurs because they had been in detention for a decade, has repeatedly said that it has received reassurance from China over Uyghur safety. Reuters reported this month that Canada and the United States had offered to resettle the Uyghurs who had been returned to China, but that Bangkok feared upsetting China. Thailand said it had received no concrete offers, however. The 40 people deported were from a group of 300 Uyghurs who fled China and were arrested in 2014 in Thailand. Some were sent back to China, others to Turkey and the rest kept in Thai custody until last month's deportation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If any country wants anything more or wants clarity, we are happy to provide it ... there is nothing we cannot disclose. It only depends on time," Paetongtarn said. Her government said on Tuesday that only five of the 40 Uyghurs will be made available during the visit. China played down the significance of the mission, giving no details. At a regular briefing on Wednesday, the Chinese foreign ministry's spokesperson, Mao Ning, reiterated that the repatriation had been a "normal law enforcement cooperation" with Thailand. She added that the rights of those concerned were being observed according to international laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the 40 deported Uyghurs, most have already returned home, while a few who were previously ill were still receiving treatment in hospitals, Thailand's defence ministry said in a separate statement on Wednesday, citing a briefing from Chinese officials. The delegation, accompanied by officials from China's public security ministry, was expected to form two groups, according to Thai government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub. One would visit the Uyghur returnees at their "private residences" about 100-200 km (60-125 miles) from the city of Kashgar, on Wednesday afternoon. The other group would speak to Uyghurs more than 500 km away via a video call, and also visit local villages, a mosque and speak with Islamic religious leaders, Jirayu said. (Reporting by Chayut Setboonsarng and Panarat Thepgumpanat in Bangkok and Colleen Howe in Beijing; Writing by Liz Lee; Editing by Frances Kerry) PARIS French defense-electronics maker Thales won a contract to supply the entire sonar and acoustics suite for the Royal Netherlands Navy Orka-class submarine fleet to be built by Naval Group, the company said in a statement on Wednesday. The submarine sonar contract is the first in 15 years for Thales outside its core underwater markets of France, the U.K., the U.S. and Australia, said Emmanuel Michaud, vice president for submarines and surface vessels at Thales. The sensor suite for the four Dutch submarines will form the basis for Thaless export offer for other upcoming submarine programs, he said. The contract is our stepping stone to a new generation of export-contract submarine systems, Michaud said. Thats why this contract is absolutely key for us, because thats the first one of hopefully a long series of contracts. The market is pretty active now in the submarines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thales signed an agreement with Naval Group to supply the four sonar suites, with a contract value somewhere between 100 million ($109 million) and 1 billion, according to Michaud, who declined to give an exact price. Let say that we are extremely happy with this contract. Thales won a contract from BAE Systems in 2020 to provide the sonar system for the U.K.s four Dreadnought nuclear submarines with a value of 330 million ($428 million). The sensor suite will be heavily derived from the system equipping the French Suffren-class nuclear attack submarines, according to Michaud. The same Thales team working on delivering the last three of the six submarines in the Suffren class will work on the Dutch contract, he said. The Netherlands a year ago picked Naval Group to build four conventionally-powered attack submarines in a project worth as much as 5.65 billion to replace the countrys aging Walrus-class subs. The Dutch boats will be based on the same Barracuda program from Naval Group that produced the Suffren class. We had Barracude, we invested a lot thanks to the French MoD and French Navy, and this gives us a competitive edge, Michaud said. We keep improving our product with this export-contract submarine with very, very tough requirements from the Dutch Navy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of the products included in the sonar suite for the Dutch submarines already exist, and are being progressively improved with regards to hardware and software, he said. The first two submarines in the Dutch contract are scheduled to be delivered by 2034, and we are working full speed already to be on time for the delivery of the first submarine, Michaud said. He said that given the complexity of everything that needs to be assembled, I will be happy in 2034 when everything is delivered. Thales says its the world leader in sonar, equipping around 50 submarines and with a share of around 50% of the accessible market. Customers include the French, British and Austalian navies, as well as Singapore, Chile and Malaysia. Thales will delivery the full array of what can be installed on a submarine as far as acoustics are concerned for the Dutch boats, including main antennas such as the bow-mounted cylindrical array and the flank array sonar, according to Michaud. Other equipment will include an intercept array on the top of the submarine and a mine and obstacle-avoidance sonar that can also do seabed mapping Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The French company is working with Dutch company Optical11 to develop a towed linear antenna using optical technology that would be included in the Thales sonar suite. The Amsterdam-based firm says its the world leader in fiber optic sensing technology for ultra-sensitive early warning systems. The technology readiness level for the optical array is not yet at a stage that would allow us to go full production from day one, Michaud said. Thales and Optical11 agreed on a feasibility study in November that will last most of 2025, with the goal of including the technology on the Dutch submarines. Its a very challenging technology, but very promising. If this is successful, and we are working hard to make it successful, we will definitely adopt this technology or this product for our export-country contracts, Michaud said. He said that Frances defense ministry is also developing a optical towed array, however this is proprietary and we will never be able to export this. The Dutch submarines will be fitted with a double row of flank array sonar as a cost-effective way to increase the sensor surface and improve detection, as developing a new array would have been extremely expensive and would have taken too long, Michaud said. Regarding a plan by Poland to buy submarines, Michaud said Thales doesnt comment on market opportunities led by Naval Group. He said the Thales strategy is to offer a very versatile sonar suite that can fulfill the requirements of many customers, and avoid additional development that would increase cost, time and risk. What started as an eight-day mission on the International Space Station (ISS) became a nine-month wait for a return trip back to Earth's surface. Now astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams can finally feel the pull of gravity once again, having splashed down safely off the Gulf Coast of Florida Tuesday evening alongside fellow NASA crewmate Nick Hague and the Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore on board the ISS. (NASA) Launched on 5 June 2024, the Boeing Crew Flight Test was intended to deliver Wilmore and Williams to the ISS in a demonstration of the transport capacity for the company's promising new Starliner spaceship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In what would be a major setback for Boeing's commercial space venture, the ship's engines glitched on approach to the space station, resulting in a review that concluded the vessel would return to Earth without passengers, with its crew to remain behind and await a 'rescue' mission. The Starliner spacecraft docked to the ISS on NASA's Boeing Crew Flight Test. ( NASA Though NASA has never officially described the two astronauts as stranded, the pair's mission extended from days into weeks into months as plans were made to bring them home. Though they admitted to missing their friends and family, Williams and Wilmore claimed to have enjoyed their time on board the station, participating in the routines, keeping busy conducting more than 150 unique scientific experiments, and even undergoing spacewalks. Splashdown! SpaceX Dragon spacecraft lands in the water off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida on March 18, 2025. ( NASA/Keegan Barber Early Tuesday morning, the crew climbed into a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule for a 17-hour trip home. Once in orbit, a quick firing of the spacecraft's engines brought the craft into a final maneuver that directed it towards Florida's Gulf Coast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At 5:57 pm ET, the craft touched down, finally bringing to an end a work shift that will go down in space history. Related News ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. (WBTW) A Sumter man is facing multiple felony charges for his role in a Feb. 21 Robeson County convenience store robbery that left its 90-year-old owner injured, authorities said. Jeremy Sealey, 32, of Sumter, was taken into custody Tuesday by investigators on charges of felony conspiracy, robbery with a dangerous weapon, second-degree kidnapping and misdemeanor assault. Hes being held without bond at the Sumter County Detention Center awaiting extradition to North Carolina and is the third person arrested in connection with the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Legend Reed, 20, of Sumter, surrendered to Sumter police on March 13. 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. 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. * * * Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his 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. Visitors must pass through this guard station at the Charles H. Hickey Jr. School in Maryland before speaking with the children and teenagers detained inside the juvenile center. More than 500 people both men and women have alleged that staff abused them at the Baltimore County facility as recently as 2019. (Amanda Hernandez/Stateline) BALTIMORE Avery Fauntleroy was 16 years old in 2008 when he entered the Charles H. Hickey Jr. School, a juvenile detention center in Maryland. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673 (HOPE) or visit RAINN.org. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What was meant to be a place of rehabilitation for him became something far worse. During his three-month stay for violating the conditions of his home detention order which was originally issued for riding a motorized dirt bike on public roads two male correctional staff members sexually abused him at least five times, he says, in both the intake office and the shower room. Within the first few weeks of his stay, he was placed on something called a one-to-one a form of suicide watch that required at least one officer to be with him at all times. The thing that was supposed to protect me the most was actually the thing I felt like hurt me the most, Fauntleroy said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He repeatedly reported the abuse to his in-facility therapist, but nothing came of it, he said. Avery Fauntleroy, at about age 7. (Courtesy of Avery Fauntleroy) You start to notice that things seem more aggressive the more you say, so you just tend to not say anything, Fauntleroy said. I just put my head down, just kind of took what was going on. Now 33, he continues to grapple with the lasting impact of the abuse something that has seeped into every aspect of his life, including his relationships with his children. As he got older, he eventually revealed the truth to his mother and brother, who encouraged him to speak out. Youre in the facility because youve done something that clearly wasnt good, Fauntleroy said in an interview, but that doesnt give anyone the right to do what they want to do with you. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fauntleroy is among the thousands of people suing Maryland under the Child Victims Act, a 2023 law that lifted the 20-year statute of limitations on lawsuits against public and private entities including schools, religious institutions and local or state agencies involving incidents of sexual abuse. Avery Fauntleroy, today. (Courtesy of Avery Fauntleroy) Survivors can seek damages against state and local governments of up to $890,000 for each occurrence of abuse. The cap is higher for cases against private institutions, at $1.5 million. Since the law took effect, more than 3,500 people have filed lawsuits against Maryland state agencies, many alleging abuse in the states juvenile detention facilities. The state is negotiating settlements outside of court, but there are at least 29 additional pending complaints, which include hundreds more plaintiffs, across various courts in the state. In recent years, lawsuits alleging sexual or physical abuse by juvenile correctional officers and other detention center staff have emerged in more than a dozen states, including California, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Between 2000 and 2015, recurring abuse was documented in state-funded juvenile detention facilities in 29 states and the District of Columbia, according to a March 2023 report by The Sentencing Project, a research and criminal justice advocacy group. In early March, 30 officers at a California juvenile detention facility were charged with child abuse and endangerment for allegedly allowing fighting or orchestrating gladiator fights between detainees as young as 12 and as old as 18. Just last week, Oregon Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek fired the longtime director of the Oregon Youth Authority as the agency faced scrutiny over a backlog of mishandled abuse reports. And 10 men filed a lawsuit alleging they were sexually abused as boys in a state juvenile center. Changes in state laws have paved the way for many of the new lawsuits across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nonprofit Child USA, which tracks child victim laws nationwide, found that more than a dozen states have changed their laws since 2020 to give survivors more time to sue. This year, legislatures in at least 15 states are considering bills that would expand the statute of limitations on child sex abuse cases, according to Child USAs tracker. In Maryland, though, some lawmakers have grown alarmed at the potential fallout. A court filing in early March requesting an extension in a case before the Baltimore County Circuit Court noted that an additional 4,000 or more claimants may file similar suits against the state in the future. The Maryland Attorney Generals Office, which is representing the state in most of the lawsuits against it, and the state Department of Juvenile Services declined Statelines interview requests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the growing number of lawsuits is forcing Maryland legislators to reconsider aspects of the sweeping law. Democratic Del. C.T. Wilson, the architect of the Child Victims Act, proposed changes that could cap damages and clarify how abuse claims are defined. This is potentially an enormous liability for the state. David Romans, Maryland legislative budget analyst, in committee testimony Wilsons office declined Statelines interview request and did not respond to emailed questions seeking to confirm his legislative proposals. State officials have said the financial consequences of the lawsuits could be devastating for the state, which faces a $3 billion budget gap for fiscal year 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is potentially an enormous liability for the state, David Romans, a legislative budget analyst, told the House Appropriations and Senate Budget and Taxation committees in January. He told lawmakers that some of the alleged cases of abuse in Marylands juvenile detention facilities date back as far as the 1960s. Rampant abuse across the states It can take decades for a survivor of childhood sexual abuse to come forward. While this timeline varies from person to person, research suggests that the abusers social standing often plays a significant role. Survivors who were abused by people in positions of authority such as clergy, educators and law enforcement including correctional officers may be even more reluctant to share their stories. [Survivors] have told me they are taking it to their grave. Theyre not going to tell anybody, David Lorenz, the Maryland director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said in an interview with Stateline. Lorenz, who advocated for the Child Victims Act, had worked on different versions of the bill for at least 20 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Experts say juvenile facilities can be dangerous for children and often lack the oversight mechanisms found in some adult correctional institutions. Theres just a real lack of transparency about whats happening inside those facilities, said Michele Deitch, the director of the Prison and Jail Innovation Lab at the University of Texas at Austin, which runs the National Resource Center for Correctional Oversight. Many of these kids have had real trauma in their lives before theyve ever gone into these facilities, she added. That, in many ways, makes them much more vulnerable to abuse by others, and much less likely to be able to advocate for themselves. When Avery Fauntleroy left the juvenile detention facility, at 16, he didnt tell anyone what had happened. He was just relieved to be outside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The thing that was supposed to protect me the most was actually the thing I felt like hurt me the most. Avery Fauntleroy, sexual abuse survivor He recalled becoming quieter and less of a people person. He no longer liked physical touch, especially from other men in his life. He let people believe he had simply toughened up from his time in the facility. The Charles H. Hickey Jr. School in Baltimore County is facing abuse allegations, most recently from 2019, from more than 500 men and women in at least two separate lawsuits. While the facility now exclusively detains boys, it has previously housed girls as well. In an online information sheet, the facility says that all its staff are trained in trauma-informed care and that detainees have access to crisis counseling, substance use education and various programs, including life skills development, pet therapy and a book club. Tall fencing, edged with barbed wire, surrounds the campus of Marylands Charles H. Hickey Jr. School behind a map of its buildings. One survivor recalls being abused in two of the facilitys locations. (Amanda Hernandez/Stateline) One of the lawsuits against the facility alleges that Ronald P. Neverdon, a former staff member who held roles such as unit manager and housing supervisor from the mid-1960s to the mid-1990s, abused children at the facility and other locations. According to the suit, Neverdon groomed victims by offering them special privileges, money, drugs and expensive gifts while using his authority to silence them with threats of punishment if they reported the abuse. The Baltimore Sun reported that Neverdon also served as a substitute teacher in Baltimore City Public Schools, most recently in 2020. Stateline was unable to reach Neverdon for response, and its unclear whether he has an attorney. He has not been charged with a crime. These kids were subjected to just horrific, horrific sexual violence, said Alexandra Walsh, one of the attorneys working on child sex abuse cases across the state, in an interview with Stateline. This has been dragging on too long, and its not fair to the people who were so grievously harmed. Marylands Department of Juvenile Services said in a statement that it takes the allegations from across the state with utmost seriousness and we are working hard to provide decent, humane and rehabilitative environments for youth committed to the Department. Possible legislative changes Maryland lawmakers may consider legislative changes that could limit financial liability for the state in cases under the Child Victims Act a move that has sparked debate among advocates and policymakers. One proposal would lower the cap on damages for survivors who file claims after a certain date. Currently, victims can seek up to $890,000 in claims against state or local governments, but the proposal would reduce that cap to $400,000, aligning it with the maximum allowed under the Maryland Tort Claims Act. Another proposed change would define repeated abuse by the same perpetrator as a single occurrence under the law. This change would limit victims to receiving a maximum of $890,000 in total, rather than for each instance of abuse. Although those proposals were not introduced during this years legislative session, Del. Wilson, the Child Victims Acts architect, did introduce a bill to prevent new filings under the law against the state after Jan. 1, 2026. That bill had its committee hearings canceled at least four times since mid-February. The Baltimore Banner reported in early March that Wilson had vowed he would not close the window for claims and that this bill was a placeholder ahead of the deadline for filing new bills. Since the bill did not receive a committee hearing or a vote, it is unlikely to pass this session. The issue may still resurface during next years legislative session. Some advocates are torn over the potential changes to the law. One of the primary goals of Marylands Child Victims Act was to publicly identify abusers and the institutions that protected them, said Lorenz, the survivors advocate who helped draft the law. It will still accomplish that goal, he said, even if the proposed changes are adopted. While victims may still receive justice, it may not be to the full extent they deserve if the proposed changes are adopted, he said. But Lorenz also understands that the state may need to revise the law because the state funds other programs designed to help residents. My heart goes out to them, Lorenz said. If they lower the limit, unfortunately, its going to send a message to survivors that theyre not worth as much as everybody else. For survivor Avery Fauntleroy, the fight is about more than money. Its about confronting the past and uncovering what really happened during his time at the Charles H. Hickey Jr. School. They cant give me a number thats going to fix everything, he said. Maybe me doing this will make someone else want to speak up, or make them want to give their story and not hide behind anything. Stateline reporter Amanda Hernandez can be reached at ahernandez@stateline.org. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Three civilians sustained injuries in the Russian attack on the town of Sloviansk, Donetsk Oblast, on the evening of 18 March. Two of them sustained mine blast traumas, and another woman suffered an acute stress reaction. Source: Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office Quote: "Russian troops attacked Sloviansk at 20:50 on 18 March 2025. As a result of the attack on one of the towns districts, two civilians aged 58 and 59 were wounded. They sustained mine blast traumas and bruises. They were taken to hospital. In addition, a 71-year-old woman was diagnosed with an acute stress reaction." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: The prosecutor's office stressed that 21 houses and vehicles were damaged. The type of weapons used by the Russians is currently being established. Background: On the evening of 18 March, explosions occurred in Kramatorsk and Sloviansk in Donetsk Oblast. Local residents reported that part of Sloviansk was cut off from the power grid. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! MEMPHIS, Tenn. Three dogs were shot and killed in Panola County, Mississippi within the last week, according to the Panola County Sheriffs Office. The sheriffs office is investigating the shooting deaths of two German short-haired pointers that were shot to death around March 13, and another dog killed on March 17 in the Ranchette Acres neighborhood south of Batesville. Photos courtesy of the Panola County Sheriffs Office If you have any information that leads investigators to the person or people responsible for the deaths, call CrimeStoppers of Panola County at 662-209-2011. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Three people were injured in a car crash in Taunton on Tuesday, according to authorities. The Taunton Fire Department says they responded to the area of Somerset Avenue around 6:30 p.m. for a report of a motor vehicle crash and at least three patients were transported to area hospitals. One person was transported via medical helicopter to Rhode Island Hospital, one person was transported to St. Lukes Hospital via ambulance, and a third person was transported via ambulance to Morton Hospital. The condition of the three patients is unclear at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Boston 25 News has reached out to Taunton Police for more information. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW A new study finds that nearly half of the most popular ADHD videos on TikTok share misleading claims that don't match official diagnoses. The study, published Wednesday in PLOS One, explored TikTok's role as an educational tool for ADHD. ADHD short for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a condition that affects focus, self-control and impulse regulation, making it harder to stay organized and pay attention, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To assess the reliability of TikTok content that provides information and advice about ADHD, two licensed psychologists watched the top 100 most-viewed TikTok videos that were shared with the #ADHD hashtag and judged their accuracy based on the criteria mental health professionals use to make a diagnosis. The videos were immensely popular, gathering nearly half a billion views combined, but only about 49% of their claims were accurate according to the psychologists, who noted that symptoms were often oversimplified or failed to explain how ADHD can vary from person to person. There were different categories of misinformation, Vasileia Karasavva, the study's lead author and PhD student at the University of British Columbia, told ABC News. "Some behaviors were better described by different mental illnesses, some could be related to ADHD but were not diagnostic criteria, and some were not related to ADHD or other mental illnesses at all," she explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adding to the concern, the study found that only about 20% of the video creators shared their credentials, and none were licensed psychologists, psychiatrists or medical doctors. PHOTO: In this photo illustration the TikTok app is displayed on a smartphone screen, on Jan. 25, 2025. (Sopa Images/LightRocket via Getty Images, FILE) Additionally, more than 50% of the creators appeared to have financial incentives for sharing a video, such as selling ADHD-related products or soliciting donations. "Be cautious of people who appear very confident and are selling you something," Karasavva cautioned. "Try and see if they cite any credible sources like the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] or the American Psychiatric Association." Prescriptions for ADHD drugs jumped for young adults, women during pandemic Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The study surveyed 843 undergraduate students, ages 18-25, dividing them into three groups: Those without an ADHD diagnosis, those who self-diagnosed, and those who received a formal diagnosis from a mental health professional. The participants in the self-diagnosed group watched the most TikTok videos and were more likely to trust their accuracy. They also overestimated how common ADHD is compared to the other two groups. Dramatic rise in ADHD medication mishaps among kids, report finds People who watched a lot of ADHD-related TikToks were just as likely to recommend both the most and least accurate content, suggesting that they couldn't tell reliable information from misinformation. Among self-diagnosed individuals, watching the videos also reinforced their belief that they had ADHD, while making those without the condition question whether they might. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Mental health exists on a spectrum, and social media is democratizing access to this information," said Karasavva. "To get a diagnosis of ADHD, it's a very expensive, long and involved process. People are frustrated by this and in a way, we have gatekept support on mental health." The study's findings highlight a clear disconnect between mental health professionals and TikTokers in how they perceive ADHD content on TikTok, Karasavva pointed out. "Even if mental health professionals don't think the symptoms follow what they learn on social media, it doesn't mean that the person wouldn't benefit from help," she said. A spokesperson for TikTok told ABC News that the social media app provides its users with access to "reliable mental health information," and takes action against health-related misinformation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As people express themselves authentically and build supportive communities on TikTok, we proactively provide the TikTok community with access to reliable mental health information from the Cleveland Clinic, National Institute of Mental Health, and World Health Organization," the spokesperson said in a statement. According to the National Institutes of Health, ADHD affects about 5% of children and 3% of adults. It is often diagnosed with other conditions such as learning disabilities, anxiety and depression. Anyone who suspects they may have ADHD should talk to a mental health professional for an accurate diagnosis, Karasavva advised. Heya Batah, M.D., is an internal medicine resident at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and a member of the ABC News Medical Unit. TikTok is full of ADHD advice, but nearly half of it is misleading, study finds originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com Minnesota Governor and former Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz referred to the worlds richest man and DOGE head Elon Musk as dip**** during an event in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, on Tuesday night as he rallied his party ahead of a State Supreme Court race. Shortly before making those comments, Walz had said that he didnt think name-calling would help, according to The New York Times. But the crowd still made their approval clear when he called Musk a South African repo baby with the ability to slash the federal government. Walz is just one of several Democrats who have referred to Musks immigrant background, just as Trump has made attacking immigrants a centerpiece of his agenda. Trump, however, has previously focused his ire on elected officials of color rather than the wealthiest individual in the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Which country is he loyal to? South Africa, Canada, or the United States? Ohio Rep. Marcy Kaptur said during a press conference last month. Similarly, New York Rep. Nydia Velazquez said during a protest that Musk should go back to South Africa. At another protest, Virginia Rep. Don Beyer added, Were going to send Elon back to South Africa. Born in South Africa in 1971, Musk moved to Canada in 1989 and to the U.S. during his college years. He became a U.S. citizen in 2002, according to Walter Isaacson, his biographer. Walz was speaking during a town hall event on the first day of early voting for the Wisconsin Supreme Court race. The election, slated for April 1, is between a liberal and a rightwing Trump ally who has received $13 million from Musk. Democrats in the state have used the donations to attack Musk. Walz has called Musk a nepo baby, someone who inherits wealth or status, at least once previously. Musks father worked as an engineer and developer in Pretoria. During an event in Wisconsin, Walz went after Elon Musk in a style similar to President Donald Trump (Getty Images for Vox Media) Walz also appeared at a town hall event in Des Moines on Friday, where he slammed Musks Department of Government Efficiency for recommending cuts to the Veterans Affairs Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres nothing conservative about an unelected South African nepo baby firing people at the V.A., said Walz. Trump has often used the idea of his opponents being foreign as a means to insult them, beginning his political journey by questioning President Barack Obamas place of birth. In his first term, Trump told a group of congresswomen of color, most of whom were born in the U.S., to go back to their home countries. Similarly, Trump questioned the ethnic background of Vice President Kamala Harris during the presidential campaign last year. He also frequently mispronounced her name. While many Democrats were furious at such attacks, some of them now seem to be attempting to make Musk seem like an outsider. During the 2024 election, The Washington Post reported that Musk had worked in the U.S. on a student visa in the 1990s, after which President Joe Biden referred to him as an illegal worker. Musk has denied working illegally in the U.S., and he has slammed illegal immigrants and suggested without evidence that Democrats are using benefits to draw them to the U.S. A White House chief strategist during Trumps first term, Stephen Bannon, took aim at Musk last month, calling him a parasitic illegal immigrant who doesnt have respect for the countrys history, values or traditions. EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) Wisconsin Democrats held a town hall event in Eau Claire, speaking out against both conservative State Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel and Elon Musk. The People Versus Musk grassroots event was organized by Wisconsin Democrats to, Fight back against Elon Musks attacks on our livelihoods and our democracy by rejecting Musks hand-picked candidate Brad Schimel. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz took a variety of questions from people in attendance on topics ranging from affordable healthcare access across the nation, the recent actions taken to downsize the government and how important it is for elected officials to hold these sorts of events to hear directly from their constituents. I think its an outlet valve where youre being heard, youre at least expressing it, and they get to say things in front of their neighbors. In response to Governor Walzs visit, Wisconsin Congressman Derrick Van Orden said, in part, Governor Walz abandoned his state to crime, high taxes, and radical spending and is trying to Minnesota our Wisconsin. It appears he has forgotten what happened in November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 FOX2548 & WIProud. A toddler found wandering in the middle of a Florida street with a heavily soiled diaper ended up leading police to a home with extremely hazardous living conditions with the father passed out intoxicated in his bed, police say. The incident occurred on Sunday when the Flagler County Sheriff's Department in Florida responded to multiple emergency reports concerning a 2-year-old child walking in the middle of the street in pajamas with a heavily soiled diaper, according to a statement from the Flagler County Sheriffs Department on Tuesday. MORE: Connecticut man held captive by stepmom for 20 years weighed only 68 pounds: Police Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prior to the incident, witnesses say that they observed a child in the front yard of a nearby home and that they took the child to the residence where they found the childs father, 44-year-old Ross Judy of Palm Coast, passed out in his bed intoxicated, police said. The Flagler County Sheriffs Department responded to the home and, during their investigation, they found dangerous tools and garbage in the interior and exterior of the home along with animal feces, filth, and an emaciated dog with an ear that was almost rotted off and fur missing from its body, authorities said. MORE: 4-year-old boy calls 911 after 'bad mom' eats his ice cream PHOTO: A toddler found wandering in the middle of a Florida street with a heavily soiled diaper ended up leading police to a home with extremely hazardous living conditions with the father passed out intoxicated in his bed, police say. (Facebook / Flagler County Sheriff's Department) MORE: EU launches global sting operation against AI-generated child sexual abuse material Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The residence was in deplorable living conditions with several alcoholic beverage containers, bugs swimming in toilet water, and a sink piled high with several inches of cigarette ash to the point the sink was no longer visible, according to the Flagler County Sheriffs Department. Pill bottles were scattered throughout a spare room and on top of living room shelves along with exposed razors and hypodermic needles, which were all accessible to the child. No child should be living in deplorable conditions with an adult who obviously doesnt care about their wellbeing, said Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly in a written statement following the incident. The Flagler County Sheriffs Office has no tolerance for anyone endangering children or animals. I am thankful to our residents who saw something and said something so that our deputies could intervene. MORE: Dead woman's body found in trunk of car driven by her son after police chase Judy was arrested and charged with child neglect without great bodily harm and abandon animal to die, sick, diseased or Infirm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect was taken to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility and is currently being held on a $4,000 bond, authorities said. The Florida Department of Children and Families and Palm Coast Animal Control are also investigating this incident, and their investigation is currently ongoing. Toddler found wandering streets alone with soiled diaper leads police back to shocking scene at home originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A Tonawanda is facing an animal cruelty charge related to the stabbing death of a dog on Feb. 24. Emery S. Kawski, 20, of Tonwanda was arraigned Monday before Tonawanda City Court Judge Mark Saltarelli on one count of aggravated cruelty to animals (Class E felony under New York State Agriculture and Markets Law), third-degree criminal mischief (Class E felony), tampering with physical evidence (Class E felony), and overdriving, torturing and injuring animals (Class A misdemeanor under New York State Agriculture and Markets Law). Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane said the dog was intentionally stabbed in the torso several times. The dead dog was then placed in a garbage tote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kawski is scheduled to return for a felony hearing on Tuesday. He was released on his own recognizance as the charges are non-qualifying offenses for bail. If convicted of the highest charge, he faces up to two years of incarceration. Keane commended the City of Tonawanda Police Department, City of Tonawanda Dog Control and the SPCA Serving Erie County for their work in the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Megan E. Mahoney of the Animal Cruelty Unit. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) The City of Charlotte has unveiled a new online tool to assist truck drivers in locating legal parking throughout the city. City officials say the Commercial Truck Parking Tool is designed to provide truck drivers with convenient and reliable information to find safe, authorized parking locations. Parked illegally? You may have to pay more soon Available via app and desktop, it offers several key features to support the trucking community: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Searchable Parking Lots: Drivers can easily find available, legal, and safe parking lots by entering an address or using their current location. Parking Lot Availability Survey: Parking lot owners can submit their information to be included in the tool, detailing costs and amenities such as gates, showers, and security features. Truck Parking Ordinances: It outlines Charlottes local truck parking regulations, including fines and penalties for violations. Interactive Heat Map: A real-time map highlights commercial truck parking violations across Charlotte, helping drivers avoid high enforcement areas and locate authorized parking spaces. This feature also helps residents stay informed about commercial vehicle activity in their neighborhoods. This tool is the latest resource developed by the City of Charlottes Quality of Life team, which works to address top community priorities such as illegal parking. The N.C. Department of Transportation also has placed signage at several exit areas in recent years off Interstate 85 forbidding truck parking. For more information, visit the CLT Community Hub, which helps residents identify and register as neighborhood leaders, access the latest city data, and utilize web-based programs designed specifically for the city. 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. RUSK COUNTY, Texas (KETK)- The Rusk County Sheriffs Office assisted the U.S. Marshals Service in putting the top 10 most wanted sex offenders in Texas behind bars on Monday. Multiple pet birds die after Eustace house fire Deputies found Thaddeus C. Hodge inside his home located at the south end of the county, and he was taken into custody. Hodge has been wanted since 2023 for violating his parole after he was found guilty on two counts of indecency with a child in 2018. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hodge has also been wanted by Rusk County since August 2024, for failure to comply with sex offender registration requirements and for debit and credit card abuse. 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. Malaysia approves a new search for MH370 more than a decade after the plane disappeared KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) Malaysias government has given final approval for a Texas-based marine robotics company to renew the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, which is believed to have crashed in the southern Indian Ocean more than a decade ago. Cabinet ministers agreed to terms and conditions for a no-find, no-fee contract with Texas-based Ocean Infinity to resume the seabed search operation at a new 15,000-square-kilometer (5,800-square-mile) site in the ocean, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said in a statement Wednesday. Ocean Infinity will be paid $70 million only if wreckage is discovered. The Boeing 777 plane vanished from radar shortly after taking off on March 8, 2014, carrying 239 people, mostly Chinese nationals, on a flight from Malaysias capital, Kuala Lumpur, to Beijing. Gov. Bob Ferguson delivers his inaugural address in the state House chamber in Olympia, on Jan. 15, 2025. The themes Ferguson highlighted during the speech did not sit well with some Democratic lawmakers. (Photo by Ryan Berry/Washington State Standard) Gov. Bob Fergusons top adviser and closest political confidant resigned Wednesday amid complaints that he fomented a toxic workplace that contributed to the departure of another key administration official. The exit of chief strategy officer Mike Webb is a huge blow to Ferguson coming at the critical juncture when the governor and legislators are negotiating a path to eliminating a multi-billion dollar budget shortfall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is one of Fergusons most trusted advisors and has been at his side in office and during campaigns for more than a decade, including last years gubernatorial race. Until Wednesday, he ran point for the governor on policy, legislative, and communications work. His annual salary was $230,000. I deeply regret that the allegations of a hostile work environment have created an unhelpful distraction that impacts the teams ability to do their work, as well as my ability to be effective in the near term, Webb wrote in his resignation letter released by the governors office. To be blunt, given the stakes of the work ahead, I cannot stomach that, he wrote. His departure comes less than a week after Joyce Bruce resigned as Fergusons legislative director. Bruce had worked under Webbs direction in the governors office, and previously in the same role in the Office of the Attorney General. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following Bruces departure several lawmakers, most of them women, voiced concerns privately that Webbs management style may have contributed to her resignation. Ferguson late last month also lost a deputy legislative liaison, Shawn Lewis, who worked with Bruce. The turnover arrives as the first-term governor has had a rocky start with fellow Democrats in the Legislature, beginning with an inaugural address where he embraced Republican themes of austerity and public safety, with barely a nod to his partys accomplishments. Days after the speech, the House drew attention when it modified its rules to require the governors staff to be invited into the chamber. When the House approved a list of Ferguson staffers who would be granted automatic access, Webb was not on it. Opportunity to have a reset There may be a silver lining to the exodus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This provides the governor a very good opportunity to have a reset with the Legislature, said Lt. Gov. Denny Heck, a Democrat, who has served in the state Legislature and Congress, and was chief of staff to a governor, Booth Gardner. I hope and trust hell do so. Fergusons so far seen some of his priority policy ideas rejected or revised and the most progressive lawmakers are snubbing or openly criticizing his budget-cutting ideas. I dont know how you dont lose a little momentum, with Webbs exit, said veteran political consultant Ron Dotzauer of Snohomish. But he added: You can gain it back when you shuffle the cards on the deck of your administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ferguson on Wednesday lauded Webbs service while pledging to retool his administration. I wouldnt be governor without Mike, Ferguson said in a statement where he accepted Webbs resignation. Going forward, in addition to doing the work of the state, we will work on our leadership structure and how we work as a team to serve the people of Washington. Ferguson told the Standard late Tuesday morning that he had not asked Webb to resign. Later in the day, the governor said he would take any allegations against any member of my team extremely seriously, no matter how close that person is to me. On Wednesday, his office did not respond to questions concerning how Ferguson investigated the allegations and whether he came to any conclusions on their veracity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ferguson said Shane Esquibel, his chief operations officer, will serve as interim chief of staff while the governor re-evaluates his offices organizational structure. Bullying and erratic behavior Two Democratic state senators, Yasmin Trudeau and Mike Chapman, publicly acknowledged allegations against Webb they had heard from those working in the Ferguson administration. Trudeau, in a statement to The Seattle Times, said she had heard serious concerns from current executive staff and former campaign staff about a hostile and toxic workplace culture and specific stories about their own experiences with one individual. Webb, in his resignation letter, acknowledged the concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I know how important a collegial work environment is to you, he wrote. I am proud that in my twelve years of public service, I never raised my voice or cursed in anger, and I made every effort to treat colleagues with civility and to live up to the high standard that you personally set. That said, if I have ever fallen short of my best self in this fast-paced, high-stress environment, I apologize to you and the entire team, he wrote. I am a work in progress and will continue working every day to grow. Trudeau had first-hand experience with Webb. He was her boss when she worked for Ferguson when he was attorney general. On Tuesday, she said the governor had not reached out to her regarding Webbs resignation. Chapman, in an emailed statement, said that a male staff member in the governors office who was not personally a victim confided to him about the bullying and erratic behavior of Mr. Webb and how broadly it was already impacting many staff members of both genders who were just trying to do their job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He had kept it private but said Tuesday that when it became a public matter he felt an ethical duty to share what he knew to support women who may not otherwise be believed or taken seriously. Chapman said Wednesday hes committed to working with Ferguson the remainder of the session. I believe that its important for the Legislature to work closely with the Governor over the next six weeks to ensure we deliver results for the challenges Washington faces, he said in an emailed statement that contained no mention of Webb. This story has been updated. Germany's highest court on Wednesday upheld a more than five-year prison sentence for a student activist convicted of attacks on far-right supporters. The Federal Court of Justice rejected an appeal by the left-wing student, named only as Lina E under German privacy laws, marking the final decision in a high-profile case that has garnered massive media attention in Germany. She was sentenced to five years and three months in prison in May 2023 after being found guilty by the higher regional court in the eastern city of Dresden of forming a criminal association and serious assault. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The guilty verdict led to fury among left-wing activists and riots in several cities across Germany, most notably in Leipzig. Lina E and her accomplices were accused of carrying out several attacks against suspected members of far-right groups in the eastern states of Saxony and Thuringia between 2018 and 2020. Thirteen people were injured in total, with two suffering injuries that were potentially life-threatening. The sentence was appealed by both Lina E's defence team and federal prosecutors. But the high court, based in the western city of Karlsruhe, said that no legal errors were made in the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The presiding judge said "the means of political debate is words, not violence." Lina E - who is now 30 years old - did not attend the judgement in Karlsruhe on Wednesday. Her prison sentence had been suspended pending the verdict, but she will not face another period in prison after serving more than two years in pre-trial detention. A lawyer for Lina E said it was unclear how much of the remaining sentence she will have to serve. This image from Topeka police officer Malcolm Gillum's body camera shows Taylor Lowery holding a socket wrench a split-second before police open fire. (Kansas Reflector screen capture) Glenda Overstreet Vaughn says the Shawnee County district attorney and the Topeka city attorney have broken their trust with much of the Topeka community and should resign over the mishandling of information about the 2022 fatal shooting of Taylor Lowery. District Attorney Mike Kagay, City Attorney Amanda Stanley and involved police officers should be disciplined for lying, colluding and using their public professional roles that deceived the public while threatening their fellow legal colleague with misconduct, Overstreet Vaughn wrote in recent letter to Judge Angel Mitchell. They, in fact, are guilty of doing such with intentional malice! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This call has coincided with a request for public input for a community policing survey from the city of Topeka and the Topeka Police Department. The brief survey asks: What is your definition of community policing? What does engaged policing mean to you? and What do you think are the biggest challenges to effective policing in Topeka? among other questions. Given the current community context, there should have been a couple of additional questions, such as: Does the public deserve greater transparency from the police department and the district attorney (even though that is a county office)? and What should happen when police or the district attorney distort facts or outright lie? The city recently withdrew its request for sanctions against LaRonna Lassiter-Saunders from Mitchell for sharing October 2022 footage of the fatal police shooting of Lowery, a tacit admission that those sanctions should not have been filed in the first place. It was Mitchell who ruled in December that the public had an interest in seeing body cam footage of Topeka police shooting Lowery in a convenience store parking lot. Press releases and a report by Kagays office insisted, contrary to video evidence, that Lowery charged police while holding a knife above his head. The video showed Lowery picking up a wrench and backing away from police when he was shot 34 times. The knife he supposedly had threatened them with was at the foot of one of the firing officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A two-year legal fight opened the video to public viewing. Kagay seemed to have absolute confidence that the video would never see the light of day, said Overstreet Vaughn, president of Kansas People of Color Action Coalition, in a phone interview. That angers me. Overstreet Vaughn wrote the letter after learning lawyers for the five officers involved in the shooting sought public sanctions for Lassiter Saunders, the lawyer and advocate for Lowerys family who released the damning video to Kansas Reflector late last year. Lawyers representing the officers also asked that the mother of Lowerys child also be reprimanded and possibly forced to pay for the officers legal fees. In a legal filing in response, Damabrius Duncan, the mother of Lowerys child, said neither she nor Lassiter Saunders deserved punishment, but that Kagay and Stanley did. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I was told about the sanctions, I let my attorneys know I wanted to express that it is contradicting to publicly admonish us for sharing the video with the public, when the defendants have not been punished for covering up the truth and keeping it hidden by not letting the public see the videos, Duncan said in the court filing. Overstreet Vaughn called the district attorney and the city attorney a very dangerous team in her letter, because each seemed willing to ignore the facts in the video. The person(s) that should be reprimanded are DA Mike Kagay, involved police, city leadership (including, and specifically the attorney, Amanda Stanley) as the video appears that the DA, police and City attorney may have colluded to justify their deceived standing that the police were justified in the killing of the victim in cold blood! Overstreet Vaughn wrote. The DA and city attorney no doubt saw the video a number of times, yet they supported a finding of justification. How appalling!! Topeka public safety spokeswoman Rosie Nichols has said because this matter involves pending litigation, the city would respond through the legal process, not the news media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law enforcement officers face dangerous and unpredictable situations every day, risking their lives and mental well-being to provide safety and protection to our community, Nichols said. We will continue to vigorously defend our officers in this matter. That posture, the attempts to keep the video out of public view, and the requested sanctions aimed at Lassiter Saunders and Duncan represent, in Overstreet Vaughns opinion, Kagays significant fracture of public trust. He knew this information was false, Overstreet Vaughn said in a phone interview. This was an attempted coverup. Hes destroyed the public trust. We need to get people like that out of the office because they dont serve us well. If another situation happens, wheres the trust? How do we know how many times this has happened before? She said it sounds as though the DA and the police protect and serve privileged segments of the Topeka community while heavily and brutally policing the other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its very evident that they will do anything to try to hide the things theyve done wrong, she said. They have no sense of mercy, no grace for the family. They lie again and again. They have no kind of remorse at all. We cannot trust them. The public pays the salaries for the police, the district attorney and for the city attorney, she said. Im ready to go downtown and ask for my money back, said Overstreet Vaughn, whos also the former state president of the Kansas NAACP. Had Lassiter Saunders not shared the video with reporters, Kagays mischaracterizations would have continued unchallenged. As part of a possible settlement, the city and district attorney likely would seek a nondisclosure agreement, and the video and any trace of the truth would have vanished. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The video ultimately was made public through the persistent and valiant efforts of Lassiter Saunders, who should be commended, not reprimanded, Overstreet Vaughn said. She closed her letter saying, Now, more than ever, is time to speak truth to power! and Please know that this community supports Attorney Lassiter Saunders and need her values and support in our community. Mark McCormick is the former executive director of The Kansas African American Museum, a member of the Kansas African American Affairs Commission and former deputy executive director at the ACLU of Kansas. 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. COVINGTON COUNTY, Miss. (WHLT) One of the strongest tornadoes during Saturdays outbreak in Mississippi had sustained winds up to 170 mph. According to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), the tornado was on the ground for more than 65 miles, from Pike County to Covington County. Two storm victims identified in Jefferson Davis County In Covington County, James Thomas Lott died during the storm. His family said he was a beloved member of the community. Theyre now picking up the pieces after the tornado took everything. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It took my grandparents whole house. My nanas sister stayed across the road, took her whole house. Ours is still standing, but I dont believe its going to be livable. It just basically took everything, said Zach Fortenberry, the grandson of Lott. He said the community has shown immense support to his family. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Weather Forecast 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 WJTV. NEOGA Officials are assessing damage this week after a tornado ripped through Neoga elementary and junior high schools just after midnight Saturday. Schools were closed this week as administrators determined a long-term plan for resuming student instruction. While both schools, which share the same campus, were caught in the path of the tornado, the junior-senior high bore the brunt of it, resulting in significant damage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to National Weather Service Meteorologist James Auten, who was in Neoga Saturday surveying the damage, the tornado damaged the greenhouse at the junior-senior high school, took off a portion of the roof around the bus garage and other areas of the junior-senior high school, including the gym, ag shop and a few classrooms. It caved in the front doors on the south side of the elementary, among other damage. Superintendent Kevin Haarman told those attending an emergency board meeting Sunday they were confident they could get the elementary open and operational by next Monday and house grades prekindergarten through eighth there. He said the plan for high school students is to reoccupy the north section of the high school. The junior high portion will not be habitable for the rest of the school year. State Rep. Brad Halbrook, R-Shelbyville, who toured the schools Saturday, said he is in contact with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Gov. J.B. Pritzkers office and other local state representatives to ensure that the Neoga community gets the help they need to rebuild following this tragedy. He added that he will continue to work with all offices on the rebuild efforts for Neogas school district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tornado snapped power poles and damaged the roof of an outbuilding on County Road 1200. There was additional tree damage along County Road 1300 before the tornado destroyed seven grain bins and snapped several power poles along County Road 1400 just west of Illinois Highway 45. The tornado also blew over a couple of empty semitractor-trailers, closing the southbound lanes of Interstate 57 at milepost 177 for several hours. At the interchange where Illinois 45 intersects with Interstate 57, the tornado also hit the sign at The Depot BP gas station, causing a break in the base. The tornado tore the porch and part of the roof off a residence on the citys southeast edge. No one was injured. The EF2 tornado, which is considered significant, produced 120 miles-per-hour winds. It touched down in a field on the southeast side of Neoga and tore northeast through the city. The 300-yard-wide tornado traveled 11 miles before ending about 3 miles southwest of Coles County Memorial Airport. It damaged additional trees and power poles and farm outbuildings in its path. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neoga Mayor Tom Helm was at his home on the citys west side when the storm hit. I heard the wind increase considerably just for a short while there, he said. Its not the first time Helm has experienced a tornado in Neoga. He recalled that, in 2002, a small tornado left a lot of damage on the far west and east sides of the city. That tornado hit a former school on the west side of town. Part of that roof ended up across the street in my yard, he said. The city owns the building, part of which is used by Head Start, while organizations have rented other parts. They may actually reuse that building to house some of the kids if the school building is not able to go back into right away, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other than the schools and the aforementioned damage, Helm was surprised the city was spared from further damage during Saturdays tornado. I was expecting far more than what it really was. I was expecting the whole town had trees down but very, very little. I was just shocked, he said. Unfortunately, our school system was hit, but at least nobody was injured. The storm system spawned two other tornadoes, both EF1s, with winds ranging from 90 to 100 miles per hour in Mattoon and Paris. The twisters damaged some trees, homes and tipped over a mobile home, according to Auten. There were no injuries. Defense Attorney Fernando Freyre, left, talks with Raul Gomez-Garcia in court in 2006 during day two of the Raul Gomez-Garcia trial in Denver District Court. President Donald Trump invoked a centuries-old wartime law known as the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to expel hundreds of Venezuelan migrants over the weekend, going against a federal judges order to turn back deportation flights. But what is the transnational crime organization known as the Tren de Aragua gang and does it have a presence in Arizona? The White House issued an executive order Saturday announcing plans to use the Alien Enemies Act to target Venezuelan migrants aged 14 years and older with ties to the Tren de Aragua gang. The law authorizes the removal of citizens of foreign countries the president defines as alien enemies during wartime or if the country is faced with invasion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge James E. Boasberg, the chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a temporary restraining order Saturday night preventing deportations for 14 days. The Justice Department appealed the decision, arguing the D.C. court had no authority over the case. Lawyers informed the court that two planes carrying deportees were already in the air. Boasberg reportedly then verbally ordered the planes to be turned around. The White House and Justice Department said they had already been removed from the country when the judge made his ruling and deported 238 migrants to El Salvador, where they are expected to spend a year in a mega-prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Images were shared by the Salvadoran government of the individuals in handcuffs and their heads freshly shaved. Today, the first 238 members of the Venezuelan criminal organization, Tren de Aragua, arrived in our country. They were immediately transferred to CECOT, the Terrorism Confinement Center, for a period of one year (renewable). The United States will pay a very low fee for them, pic.twitter.com/tfsi8cgpD6 Nayib Bukele (@nayibbukele) March 16, 2025 Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele posted a screenshot on the social media platform X of a news story about the federal court order writing, "Oopsie Too late." Venezuelas government condemned the transfer of the migrants to El Salvador in a statement, comparing the prisons to Nazi concentration camps. Jorge Rodriguez, president of the National Assembly of Venezuela, spoke to reporters in Caracas. What difference is there between slave labor in El Salvador and slave labor in Auschwitz concertation camp? he said, holding up a piece of paper with side-by-side pictures of Venezuelan detainees in El Salvador and prisoners of the infamous Nazi camp. Who is the Tren de Aragua or TdA gang? The Tren de Aragua gang has grown in notoriety in the U.S. in recent months as President Donald Trump has set his sights on cracking down on the crime organizations operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The gang was formed in the Tocoron prison in the Venezuelan state of Aragua in 2014. When Venezuelas economy collapsed, Tren de Aragua began recruiting new members, including those fleeing the country. The organization established its footprint in the region, with cells in neighboring Colombia, Chile and Peru. Arrests of TdA gang members have been reported in Pennsylvania, Florida, New York, Texas and California, as well as in Cochise County. The Biden administration labeled the Venezuelan gang a Transnational Criminal Organization last year. During the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump often referred to the Venezuelan gang when describing invasions by migrants at the southern border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a campaign stop in Aurora, Colorado, on Oct. 11, 2024, Trump told his crowd of supporters he described the city as a warzone and proposed Operation Aurora to remove members of the Venezuelan gang. Claims about the presence of the Tren de Aragua gang in the city circulated online; in response, local officials in Aurora, including the mayor, came out with a statement addressing the claims, TdA has not 'taken over' the city. After winning the 2024 election and assuming office, Trump issued a flurry of executive orders that set in motion his ability to invoke the Alien Enemies Act. He declared an emergency at the southern border and signed an executive order declaring illegal crossings between ports of entry at the U.S.-Mexico border an invasion. The White House designated drug cartels as global terrorists, and named the Tren de Aragua gang. Is the Tren de Aragua gang in Arizona? The presence of the Tren de Aragua gang has been minimal in Arizona, with only one reported arrest of a suspected member in Cochise County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies arrested a 25-year-old Venezuelan national who was tied to a human smuggling case in southeastern Arizona. Sheriff Mark Dannels said the arrest was made by deputies in the gang task force but could not provide further details on the arrest. The Cochise County Sheriffs Office told The Arizona Republic it could not release further information on the case because the office does not release information on pre-adjudicated people. In neighboring Pima County, the Sheriff's Office said the Venezuelan crime organizations presence had not been felt. At this point, there has not been any official designation of any inmates from that organization booked into the Pima County Adult Detention Center, the Sheriffs Office wrote in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Tucson Police Department also said it had not been notified of any potential activity from Tren de Aragua in the city. What is the Alien Enemies Act? The Alien Enemies Act of 1798 is an arcane law that grants the president the power to deport people from countries that are at war with the U.S. or have invaded the U.S. The law has its roots in a conflict between the U.S. and France, and has been invoked only three times all during major wars, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. In World Wars I and II, the law was a key authority behind detentions, expulsions, and restrictions targeting German, Austro-Hungarian, Japanese and Italian immigrants based solely on their ancestry, according to the Brennan Center. The law is best known for its role in Japanese internment, a shameful part of U.S. history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Have any news tips or story ideas about the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona? Reach the reporter at rromeroruiz@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @raphaeldelag. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Who is the Tren de Aragua?: What to know about the Venezuelan gang The trial of a former Frederick pediatrician accused of sexually abusing a girl who was his patient when she was ages 9 to 11 began in Frederick County Circuit Court on Tuesday. It is the second time Ernesto Cesar Torres, 74, has been tried for allegations of this kind and it might not be the last. In addition to the four counts at issue in the present trial, Torres faces more than 100 additional charges related to the alleged sexual abuse of dozens of other children going back decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first person to take the stand on Tuesday was a woman who testified that she was typically sitting just a few feet away from the examination table when the former pediatrician touched her young daughters genital area. Torres would begin each appointment by checking the girls eyes, ears, nose and throat, the woman said. Torres would then direct the girl to lay back and pull up her shirt so that he could palpate her abdomen. During this part of the examination, the woman said, Torres would typically turn toward her and ask questions about her daughters eczema, a skin condition the girl had since infancy and that often flared up on her belly. The woman said she never noticed Torres hand come off of her daughters abdomen. But after the examinations, her daughter would often sit up suddenly and begin to cry silent tears. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When that happened, the woman said, Torres would hand the girl a tissue. The woman said she continued taking her daughter to see Torres until one day, at the beginning of the girls fifth grade year, the girl said she did not want to go back. The woman never took her daughter or her older son, who was also a patient at the office on Thomas Johnson Drive, to see Torres again. The womans testimony came during the first day of Torres trial on one count of sexual abuse of a minor and three counts of third-degree sex offense. The trial is scheduled to last through Friday, according to online court records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her opening argument on Tuesday, Torres attorney, Margaret Teahan, urged the jury not to rush to judgment or make hasty conclusions about her client. She said it was the states burden to prove Torres guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Teahan said the jury would have to pay close attention to the elements and definitions of the crimes Torres is charged with, then render a verdict based on facts of the case. Joyce King, chief counsel for the Frederick County States Attorneys Office, said in her opening argument that the relationship between a child and a pediatrician is sacred. King said Torres violated the sanctity of that relationship when he slid his hands down the girls pants and touched her genital area with his fingers, without notice or explanation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the girls request, her mother took her to a new pediatrician. King said the girls first visit to the new pediatrician was the first time she did not feel uncomfortable during an examination. The charges at issue in the current trial were filed as part of a larger indictment on May 17, 2019. The indictment charged Torres with 61 counts stemming from the alleged sexual abuse of a dozen children between 1980 and 2018, The Frederick News-Post previously reported. On Dec. 20, 2019, Torres was charged with 98 additional counts related to the alleged sexual abuse of 19 more children around the same time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The wave of charges against Torres began earlier in 2019 when an 18-year-old female patient of his accused him of sexually assaulting her. Torres was convicted of fourth-degree sex offense and second-degree assault in connection with the incident, but that conviction is currently under appeal. Frederick County States Attorneys Office spokesperson Jacqueline Rottmann has said that additional victims came forward after the initial charges against Torres were made public, which led to the second and third indictments. King has said that prosecutors will decide how to proceed on the remainder of the charges in the second indictment as well as the charges in the third indictment based on the outcome of the trial currently underway. The trial is scheduled to resume on Wednesday with testimony from a nurse practitioner who examined the girl after she reported the alleged abuse; a Frederick Police Department detective; a representative of the Frederick County Child Advocacy Center; and the girls father. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teahan said she expects to call one witness, a former office manager for Torres practice. Torres will also have the option to testify on his own behalf. Before jury selection began on Tuesday, Judge William R. Nicklas Jr. asked Torres if he was sure about his decision not to take a plea in the present case considering all of the pending charges. Torres said he believes God wants him to face all of the charges. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) A trial has been delayed again for a Baton Rouge man accused of murdering local civil rights activist Sadie Roberts-Joseph in 2019. Court records show the trial for Ronn Bell, 44, is set to start June 2. The court ordered a previously set March trial date to be moved after his defense team filed a motion to allow time to investigate new evidence information. A grand jury charged Bell with second-degree murder and failure to register as a sex offender in November 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roberts-Josephs body, founder of the Baton Rouge African American Museum, was found in the trunk of a car in the 2300 block of North 20th Street near Scenic Highway on July 12, 2019. She was 75 years old. Days later, Bell was arrested in connection to her death and booked into jail on a first-degree murder charge. Detectives said Bell was a tenant of Roberts-Joseph and owed her $1,200 in rent. Mystikals court date pushed back, no guilty plea entered in rape case Latest News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 Louisiana First News. WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) Trumbull County commissioners are honoring local farmers for the work they do. The board presented a resolution to the Farm Bureau, which proclaimed this week as National Agriculture Week. The resolution also noted that not only does the agriculture industry make food, fiber and renewable resources, but it is essential to maintaining a strong economy. The board of Trumbull County commissioners acknowledges the importance of recognizing hard work and dedication of our local farmers, and how the thankless jobs impact the betterment of our lives, Commissioner Denny Malloy said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement National Agriculture Week runs through March 22. 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. (Bloomberg) -- Supply Lines is a daily newsletter that tracks global trade. Sign up here. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump has threatened a 200% tariff on all alcoholic products shipped from the European Union, dismaying drinkers, restaurateurs, bar owners and suppliers across the US. A reciprocal tariff-free trade agreement that has existed between the EU and the US since 1997 could be ripped up as a consequence of Trumps anger at a European levy on Americas native spirit otherwise known as bourbon. Taxes on US-made boats and motorbikes by one of the most hostile and abusive taxing and tariffing authorities in the world, as he described the EU in a post on Truth Social, didnt help. The tariff threat has shocked both makers and drinkers of booze, and many are seeking ways to mitigate the potential threat of a tax war with Trump. How damaging is a 200% alcohol tariff? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The impact of a 200% tariff would be catastrophic. Davide Campari-Milano NV, whose brands include Aperol, has said a 25% tariff would result in losses of between 50 million ($54.5 million) and 60 million. A 200% tariff implies a 444 million hit before any mitigating factors are taken into account, according to analysts at Jefferies. Using the same math, Remy Cointreau SA would face losses of 543 million, Pernod Ricard SA would see a 1.6 billion impact, and Diageo Plc would stand to take a $1 billion hit, Jefferies said. Are companies planning to stockpile? Experts expect to see some stockpiling of spirits ahead of any possible tariffs. While larger companies are prepared to adapt, distributors are already sitting on high levels of stock, which limits their ability to increase stockpiles and tie up cash in warehouses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Can payments on an alcohol tariff be delayed? Some EU-based wine importers are securing bonded warehouses to delay paying higher taxes on shipments should tariffs become policy. Bonded warehouses are government-certified storage facilities that permit customers to defer tax payments on goods. Avner Schneur, an entrepreneur and chief executive officer of Mana Wine, knows first-hand just how popular bonded wine now is. His broader storage and delivery business oversees 3.5 million square feet of secure storage space in New Jersey, which holds fine art, documents, and pathology samples. Catering to the residents of all five boroughs of New York and Long Island and New Jersey, Schneur says he only has one floor dedicated to wine but plans to expand. The demand for bonded wine has skyrocketed, Schneur said, adding that his company has received requests from multiple wine importers urgently looking for custom bonded storage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everybody is terrified about the tariff, and because the tariff is coming in a days notice, you can be totally cooked because you have to pay right away. While Schneur is optimistic about short-term demand, that could change in a few months. If retailers hesitate to buy due to uncertainty over consumer demand, it could slow down imports. Can companies simply shift manufacturing to the US? Moving production isnt simple. Many spirits and wines produced outside the US must be made in certain parts of the world. Scotch whisky, such as Diageos Johnnie Walker, can only be produced in Scotland, while Irish liquor such as Baileys can only be produced in Ireland. Sparkling wine can only be classed as Champagne if it comes from the region of Champagne, in the north east of France. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Global drinks makers already produce locally where they can. Diageo has 11 manufacturing plants in the US, which produce brands such as Captain Morgan rum and Balcones, a Texas whiskey. Vodka can be made anywhere, but with vodka sales in the US already under pressure due to oversupply and competition from tequila, brands will be reluctant to invest in a big manufacturing shift, according to one large drinks maker. Companies may adopt cost-cutting measures such as bottling locally or shipping liquid across borders, according to Jefferies, though any such moves will depend on the rules attached to the tariffs. Campari CEO Simon Hunt said on March 5 that the company was considering expanding production in the US. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shrinkflation: Will Drinks Get Smaller But More Expensive? During times of financial duress, chocolate and potato chip makers, among other producers, have been known to shrink product packaging and strategically minimize the use of costly ingredients without bringing down prices. As US consumers cut down on spending, drinks makers are already promoting smaller and less expensive bottles as a way to boost sales for instance, Diageos 50ml bottles of its Don Julio tequila. Companies are also expanding into canned cocktails, which enjoy higher per-unit margins than bottles of spirits. Drinks companies could also minimize costs through using cheaper ingredients. What about wine collectors in the US? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As imported wines occupy a distinct place in the US market, tariffs wouldnt necessarily push consumers towards domestic varieties, said Sharon Sevrens, a sommelier and owner of Amanti Vino, a wine store with branches in Montclair and Morristown, New Jersey. Sevrens has been stockpiling and said she is prepared to keep prices stable for as long as she possibly can if Trump follows through on his threat. Her importers are doing the same. Most of my importers all of those who could afford to have stockpiled inventory. Some even brought in a full years worth of anticipated supply in advance, which is already in their US warehouses. It was a very expensive move, but they saw it as necessary, she said. Still, once those reserves run low, she added, price increases will be unavoidable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Donald Trumps attacks on lawyers risk undermining Britains legal system, the Law Society of England and Wales has warned. Richard Atkinson, the head of the 200-year-old professional body, has criticised the US presidents recent crackdown on some of Americas biggest law firms over their diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies. He said the US governments decision to investigate law firms on the basis of their DEI programmes represented a flagrant disregard for the fundamental principle of the rule of law, which serves as the bedrock of freedom and justice worldwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Atkinson said: The Law Society stands by our US colleagues being targeted by the US government in respect of their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. We are pushing for change and progress towards greater diversity and inclusion in the legal sector because we believe that a diverse and inclusive profession is a resilient one. It comes after the Trump administration on Monday sent letters to 20 leading US law firms, warning them that their DEI policies may be in breach of American equality laws. Those under scrutiny include London-based magic circle giants Freshfields and A&O Shearman, both of which have offices in the US. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letters from the US Workplace Equality Agency said DEI policies adopted by law firms may entail unlawful disparate treatment in terms, conditions and privileges of employment based on race, sex or other protected characteristics. Firms targeted must now provide detailed information on their DEI policies, including data on the racial characteristics of successful job candidates. They must also clarify whether race was considered in partner promotions or whether diverse candidates were subject to less rigorous testing during the hiring process. It comes after Mr Trump has targeted firms that have carried out work for his political opponents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This includes effectively blocking Perkins Coie a law firm that worked for Hillary Clintons 2016 electoral campaign from taking on any work for the US government. The American Bar Association has condemned Mr Trumps actions. It said: Lawyers must be free to represent clients and perform their ethical duty without fear of retribution. These government actions deny clients access to justice and betray our fundamental values. Mr Atkinson, the head of the Law Society of England and Wales, said: We also stand by our US colleagues and the American Bar Association that raised the alarm about lawyers and law firms being targeted inside the US. We have a deep and enduring bond rooted in common legal heritage with the United States that makes us a cornerstone of international commerce and dispute resolution. 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. For nearly 75 years, it has been a distinctly American responsibility to have a four-star U.S. general oversee all NATO military operations in Europe a command that began with then-World War II hero and future president Dwight D. Eisenhower. But the Trump administration, according to two defense officials familiar with the planning and a Pentagon briefing reviewed by NBC News, is considering changing that. The Pentagon is undertaking a significant restructuring of the U.S. militarys combatant commands and headquarters. And one of the plans under consideration, the two defense officials said, would involve the U.S. giving up the role of NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe known within military parlance as the SACEUR. The general now in this role, who also serves as the head of U.S. European Command, has been the primary commander overseeing support to Ukraine in its war against Russia. It is not clear how long such a reorganization could take, and it could by modified by the time it is complete. Congress could also weigh in, using the power of the purse should members oppose any aspect of the initiative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Giving up SACEUR would, if nothing else, be a major symbolic shift in the balance of power in NATO, the alliance that has defined European security and peace since World War II. For the United States to give up the role of supreme allied commander of NATO would be seen in Europe as a significant signal of walking away from the alliance, retired Adm. James Stavridis, who served as SACEUR and head of European Command from 2009 to 2013, said in an email. It would be a political mistake of epic proportion, and once we give it up, they are not going to give it back," he wrote. "We would lose an enormous amount of influence within NATO, and this would be seen, correctly, as probably the first step toward leaving the Alliance altogether. Since Eisenhower inaugurated the position, it has been held by some of the countrys most prominent military leaders. In addition to Stavridis, they include Alexander Haig, who was also chief of staff to two presidents and secretary of state for a third; John Shalikashvili, who became chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and Wesley Clark, who was a candidate for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposed restructuring comes as the Trump administration has cut spending and staff across the federal government. And President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have made clear that the new administration wants European partners to take more responsibility for Europes defense. If the U.S. does give up SACEUR, the other NATO nations would likely have to choose among themselves which country would put forward the commander. Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO members for not meeting a goal the alliance has set for the percentage of GDP each country should spend on defense. As NBC News previously reported, he is also considering a major policy shift under which the U.S. might not defend a fellow NATO member if it is attacked a core tenet of the alliance if the country doesnt meet the defense spending threshold. The timeline for the SACEUR move, if it does happen, is as yet undetermined. Army Gen. Chris Cavoli, the current SACEUR, is on a three-year tour due to end this summer. Five of the militarys 11 combatant commands could be consolidated under the plan being discussed, the two defense officials familiar with the planning said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Defense Department did not reply to a request for comment. The massive restructuring plan under consideration could also include two potential changes previously reported by NBC News: the consolidation of U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command into one command based in Stuttgart, Germany, as well as the shuttering of U.S. Southern Command headquarters in Florida in order to combine it with U.S. Northern Command. Combining the commands would allow the military to save money by reducing staff with overlapping responsibilities, according to officials familiar with the planning. If all of the changes being considered are implemented, up to $270 million could be saved in the first year, according to a Pentagon briefing reviewed by NBC News. That savings would amount to roughly 0.03% of the Defense Departments $850 billion annual budget. A potential reorganization of this nature, being considered two months into the administration, appears to be motivated by cost-cutting, not a comprehensive new military strategy, said Ben Hodges, a retired Army three-star general who last served as the Armys senior commander in Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The contemplated moves in Europe may reduce American influence there, as the U.S. could lose some access to key naval and air bases in Italy, Germany, Poland and Spain bases that benefit the U.S. by putting them closer to potential missions and giving them more influence with and access to regional military officials, not only its allies, Hodges said. When you start reducing capabilities of headquarters that do planning and intelligence that only hurts us, Hodges told NBC News. What strategic analysis led them to want to do this? This has happened so early that this clearly smells like a cost-cutting thing than a strategic analysis. Combining the commands in Europe and Africa could be problematic because the regions are too massive and present myriad issues, Stavridis said in an email. They had been combined until Africa Command was created in 2007 under President George W. Bush for those reasons. Combining US European command and US Africa command into a single unit, creates a mega combatant command that really is too large for any single person to manage realistically, he wrote. Too many countries, too many people, too many disparate issues. When they were combined, before I was US European Command, there were two four-stars assigned to the command because of this. We are better off having these two commands separated and having high-quality individual four-star officers focused on leading each of them individually. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Stavridis, who is also the former commander of Southern Command, added that he believes combining Southern Command and Northern Command makes a great deal of sense. The span of control is smaller and the efficiencies gained are greater, he said. If the Pentagon does decide to combine AFRICOM and EUCOM into one command, it will be part of the justification for eliminating the SACEUR role, the two defense officials said, because overseeing an area that large is already a big enough job for one person without that person also overseeing NATO military operations. Closing geographic commands introduces political risk, as some nations could feel the U.S. has deprioritized them. It also leaves combatant commanders with large geographic areas of responsibility that could make them more vulnerable, according to the Pentagon briefing that NBC News reviewed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cost-saving plans also include potentially moving hundreds of Pentagon-based Joint Staff employees to a military installation in Suffolk, Virginia. The Joint Staff is currently made up of eight directorates, or divisions, each with a different focus area. J7, a Joint Staff Directorate that oversees Joint Force Development, training and education, could be eliminated entirely. While the military services the Army, the Navy, the Marines, the Air Force, the Space Force and the Coast Guard are each responsible for their own training, that directorate is in charge of bringing the services together to train so they will be ready to integrate in a combat situation. Roughly 375 civilians could be fired, primarily those working in plans, cyber and joint force development, according to the Pentagon briefing. The 350 military personnel working in J-7 would be reassigned. Roughly half of the staff from five other directorates manpower and personnel (J1), logistics (J4), strategy, plans and policy (J5), cyber (J6), and force structure, resources and assessment (J8) would then move from the Pentagon to Suffolk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plan acknowledges some potential costs for moving people to a new location but assesses overall long-term savings of about $470 million over the next five years. U.S. Space Command could also see its missile defense component command eliminated in the restructuring. The Defense Department briefing argues that the missile defense mission is already fulfilled by the services and other combatant commands, and as a result can be eliminated without affecting operations. But the closures will likely involve a loss of expertise, the briefing warns. Separate from the $270 million in cost-cutting, the U.S. is also likely to halt a planned expansion of U.S. Forces Japan, which would save about $1.18 billion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The briefing reviewed by NBC News acknowledges that there is political risk with Japan in reversing that expansion and that it could result in reduced command and control west of the international dateline. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com By Luc Cohen (Reuters) -The Trump administration could face consequences if it violated a judge's order temporarily blocking the deportation of hundreds of Venezuelan migrants, the judge said on Wednesday even as he gave the government more time to elaborate on the expulsions. Washington-based U.S. District Judge James Boasberg said the administration could choose to invoke the state secrets doctrine, which protects sensitive national security information from being disclosed in civil litigation, and explain why it was doing so rather than provide details on deportation flights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boasberg signaled he was skeptical that compliance with the order would jeopardize national security, citing a post on X by Secretary of State Marco Rubio's with details about the flights. The judge's order marked a temporary reprieve in an escalating dispute with Donald Trump's administration. The Republican president called for Boasberg's impeachment on Tuesday, drawing a rare rebuke from the Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts. Boasberg, who was appointed to the federal bench by Democratic President Barack Obama, is trying to decide whether the administration violated his weekend order blocking the deportation of hundreds of alleged Venezuelan gang members under an 18th-century law. Boasberg, a former prosecutor who was previously appointed by Republican President George W. Bush to serve as a judge on a local Washington, D.C., court, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate for the federal bench in 2011 by a 96-0 vote. Following the order, three planes carrying deported Venezuelans landed in El Salvador, where the migrants are being held. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boasberg sought details on when the first two planes took off and landed, and said the information would not be made public. In response, the Trump administration accused him of overstepping his authority. "The pending questions are grave encroachments on core aspects of absolute and unreviewable Executive Branch authority," the administration wrote in a Wednesday court filing. Boasberg responded by extending the administration's deadline. He said he sought the information not as part of a "judicial fishing expedition," as the Trump administration had asserted, but "to determine if the Government deliberately flouted its Orders ... and, if so, what the consequences should be." The judge did not elaborate on potential consequences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TRUMP CALLS JUDGE 'TROUBLEMAKER' Trump critics and some legal experts have expressed concern over a potentially looming constitutional crisis if his administration defies judicial decisions, since under the U.S. Constitution the executive and the judiciary are co-equal branches of government. Trump said in an interview late on Tuesday on Fox News' The Ingraham Angle that his administration would not defy any court orders and that he was confident the Supreme Court would rule in his favor in the case over the deported Venezuelans. But Trump has lashed out at Boasberg. In a social media post on Tuesday, Trump called for Boasberg's impeachment in a congressional process that, although highly unlikely to be successful, would lead to removal, describing the judge as a far-left "troublemaker and agitator." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roberts, a member of the U.S. Supreme Court's 6-3 conservative majority, rebuked Trump for his impeachment call. Roberts said an appeal, not impeachment, was the appropriate response when disagreeing with a judge's decision. ADMINISTRATION DEFENDS FLIGHTS In blocking the deportations for two weeks on Saturday, Boasberg said the 1798 Alien Enemies Act did not provide a basis for Trump's assertion that Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua's presence in the United States was akin to an act of war. In a court hearing on Saturday, with two planes carrying deported migrants in the air, Boasberg told Justice Department lawyers that any plane containing deportees covered under the order needed to return to the United States immediately. A written order hit the public docket at 7:25 p.m. EDT (2325 GMT), approximately 40 minutes after Boasberg spoke in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those two planes landed in Honduras after the order hit the docket, and continued on to El Salvador. A third deportation flight took off from a Texas airport after Boasberg's order hit the public docket. Justice Department lawyers said in court papers on Tuesday that Boasberg's spoken orders in court were not enforceable and that deportees aboard the third flight were not being deported solely under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act. Neither the Justice nor State Departments immediately responded to requests for comment. (Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Additional reporting by Jack Queen in New York; Editing by Noeleen Walder and Howard Goller) The Justice Department chastised a federal judges demand for information about deportation flights that left the country over the weekend, accusing him of digressive micromanagement in a court filing Wednesday. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg ordered the Trump administration to provide him the details under seal by midday Wednesday as the judge investigates whether officials violated his Saturday order to turn around airborne planes, which has been met with a firestorm from Trump and many of his allies. What began as a dispute between litigants over the Presidents authority to protect the national security and manage the foreign relations of the United States pursuant to both a longstanding Congressional authorization and the Presidents core constitutional authorities has devolved into a picayune dispute over the micromanagement of immaterial factfinding, the Justice Department wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case commenced as the Trump administration invoked the Alien Enemies Act on Saturday to swiftly deport hundreds of Venezuelan migrants it says are suspected gang members. At a rare weekend hearing, Boasberg blocked the administration from moving ahead and ordered any planes to turn around. Ever since, the plaintiffs have questioned whether the government violated the judges orders; the Justice Department insists that it didnt because the migrants were already out of U.S. territory. After the administration insisted national security concerns prevent it from sharing the flight details publicly, Boasberg, an appointee of former President Obama, set Wednesdays deadline to provide the information to him under seal. The Justice Departments new, sharply worded filing asks Boasberg to pause the deadline, signaling that, if he doesnt, the government may keep resisting by invoking the state secrets privilege. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Court has now spent more time trying to ferret out information about the Governments flight schedules and relations with foreign countries than it did in investigating the facts before certifying the class action in this case. That observation reflects how upside-down this case has become, as digressive micromanagement has outweighed consideration of the cases legal issues, the Justice Department wrote. The administration has simultaneously asked the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals to step in to block the judges orders and remove him from the case. The appeals panel could rule anytime once the final brief is submitted later Wednesday. Meanwhile, the case has fueled a battle between Trump and Chief Justice John Roberts, who issued a rare public rebuke of the president after he called for Boasbergs impeachment. 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. The Trump administration is considering a plan to eliminate the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions division focused on HIV prevention and potentially move its responsibilities over to another department within the Department of Health and Human Services, according to a source familiar with the plan. The plan to eliminate the CDC's Division on HIV Prevention is still in the "very, very preliminary stages," the source said, and no final call has been made yet. A memo circling among HIV prevention advocates who began hearing rumors of the possible move earlier Tuesday claimed that the plan could be implemented within "48 hours," but the source said it would likely "be a little longer than that." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HIV prevention advocates warned the drastic change could force states to bear the burden on prevention programs and could cost U.S. taxpayers millions of dollars if the virus resurges. There are approximately 1.1 to 1.2 million people who are highly vulnerable to acquiring HIV in the U.S., according to Jesse Milan, president and CEO of AIDS United, a nonprofit group. It would be devastating, Milan said. "The work is important because every new HIV transmission results in a person having a lifetime cost related to being HIV positive." The CDCs division is responsible for tracking HIV infections across the U.S., conducting research in some cases with outside groups on HIV transmission, and promoting testing and prevention, such as the use of the HIV prevention pill, known as PrEP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There has been significant progress against new HIV infections in the U.S., with rates declining most significantly among younger people, ages 13 to 24. If the CDC does pull back from supporting prevention programs, experts worry that progress could be reversed. In 2022, there were 31,800 estimated new HIV infections in the U.S., according to government data. Under the administration's possible plan to get rid of the department, the CDC's HIV prevention work could move over to another program at HHS, possibly under the agency's Health Resources and Services Administration, which does its own HIV work under The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, the source said. Milan was skeptical of the plan to move the CDCs HIV work to the Health Resources and Services Administration, noting that its work primarily deals with people with HIV, not prevention. Officials haven't yet figured out the logistics, the source said, including staffing and what financial resources would be devoted to it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another potential plan, the source said, that would cut as much as $700 million from the CDC HIV division also hasn't yet been decided. In an emailed statement, Andrew Nixon, a spokesperson for HHS, said "no final decision on streamlining CDC's HIV Prevention Division has been made." "HHS is following the Administrations guidance and taking a careful look at all divisions to see where there is overlap that could be streamlined to support the Presidents broader efforts to restructure the federal government," Nixon said. "This is to ensure that HHS better serves the American people at the highest and most efficient standard." The CDCs HIV prevention division dates back to the early 1980s, as the agency responded to the emerging AIDS epidemic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public health experts and advocates pushed back on the move to possibly eliminate the division. "The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program does not fill all the HIV gaps," said Harold Phillips, deputy director for programs at NMAC, an advocacy group. "It only serves those with an HIV diagnosis." In January, federal health officials scrubbed a swath of HIV-related content from the CDCs website as part of the Trumps administrations effort to remove all context related to gender identity. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The Trump administration has ended U.S. government funding for an initiative that tracked Russian war crimes, including the forced deportation of Ukrainian children, the Washington Post (WP) reported on March 18. The program, led by Yale Universitys Humanitarian Research Lab under the State Departments Conflict Observatory, collected biometric data and satellite imagery to document Russias abduction of Ukrainian children. Researchers lost access to the database last month after officials terminated the contract, cutting off critical evidence from investigators pursuing war crimes cases, the WP reported. Lawmakers are alarmed that the research labs database may have been permanently deleted, jeopardizing efforts to locate the children and hold those responsible accountable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A group of U.S. representatives, including Democrat Greg Landsman, warned Secretary of State Marco Rubio that losing the data would have "devastating consequences," according to a copy of the letter obtained by the WP. The database, which contained detailed dossiers on thousands of Ukrainian children taken to Russia, was being transferred to Europol to support international prosecutions. However, the funding cut blocked that process. Read also: No more lost territory, return of deported children Kyiv names red lines for peace deal, Independent reports The Observatorys research has been a key source of evidence for international investigations. It contributed to multiple reports on Russias actions in Ukraine and played a role in securing six International Criminal Court (ICC) indictments, including the 2023 arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin and his commissioner for childrens rights, Maria Lvova-Belova. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ICC accused them of overseeing the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children, an act Ukraine considers an attempt to erase their national identity. Despite Moscows claims that it relocates children from combat zones for their safety, Ukraine and human rights groups argue that Russia is systematically adopting and indoctrinating them. Putin even signed a decree in 2022, making it easier for Russian families to adopt Ukrainian children. The Observatorys reports identified at least 35,000 children affected by these forced transfers, with researchers insisting that their findings are crucial for Ukraines efforts to bring them home. The Ukrainian government has managed to return 1,240 children so far, according to the Ukrainian national database "Children of War." Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. CHICAGO The Trump administrations crackdown on immigration has led to a string of concerned reports from principals and parents to Chicago Public Schools officials, according to a review of internal communication from district security personnel. On Jan. 24, a mistaken CPS report of two U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers at Hamline Elementary School on the South Side spurred nationwide panic. The two officers were later confirmed to be Secret Service, not ICE both under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. A security video showed the agents approached the school in a relatively benign manner, despite high levels of fear from that day. A look at emails from district officials in the weeks since the mistaken ICE report demonstrates that both panic and misinformation around ICE in schools under Trump has continued since Hamline. The emails were mostly sent by officials at the CPS Student Safety Center, the districts 24/7 command center for safety communications and were obtained by the Tribune through a Freedom of Information Act request. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They show that there were multiple other sightings of ICE vehicles outside schools, some confirmed and some dismissed. And though not always found true, experts say reports of ICE activity can have serious effects at the classroom level. Something like this happens in the community and everyone is on edge, said Patricia Gandara, an education professor and co-director of the Civil Rights Project at the University of California, Los Angeles. The teachers in the classroom are under enormous stress, because theyre trying to teach a class, theyre trying to get the kids ready to take their exams (But) kids may be crying. Theyve got their heads down. They cant cooperate. According to an ICE spokesperson, the agency makes case-by-case determinations about whether, where and when to conduct an immigration enforcement action at or near a school. ICE focuses on targeting public safety threats, the spokesperson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE agents are not allowed into schools unless they have a criminal warrant, according to CPS rules. The district said it has provided detailed guidance to principals about how to handle interactions with ICE, and how to protect students who may have a parent or guardian who has been detained by ICE during the school day. Previously, DHS maintained guidance that restricted immigration enforcement in sensitive locations like schools health care centers and churches. The week after being sworn into office, Trump changed that longstanding precedent, as part of his plans to implement the largest mass deportation operation in United States history. And though there is a great deal of uncertainty about how swiftly ICE will be able to carry out its ambitious goals for deportations set under Trump, there exists a pervasive fear that ICE will arrest parents around schools. Its happened a few times, according to the internal emails. A Jan. 29 message from Jorge Santillan, CPS Student Safety Center coordinator, to several top district officials cited a principals report of ICE detaining a person near Eberhart Elementary School in the 14th Ward on the Southwest Side. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The alderman of that ward, Jeylu Gutierrez, saw three ICE trucks in the area detaining that person, Santillan writes in the email. Gutierrez said in an interview with the Tribune she tries to minimize misinformation of ICE reports in her community that create more chaos and instability for the undocumented community. Our constituents are afraid, she said. Theyre asking neighbors who are citizens or permanent residents to drop off their kids to school. Many of the reports are unfounded, the emails show. The day before the alleged arrest in the 14th Ward, the principal of Pulaski International School in Bucktown reported a district bus driver called to say they would be late (to school) due to ICE detaining the bus, according to an email from Ben Middleton, a CPS Student Safety Center coordinator to two of the districts top transportation officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though the driver alleged ICE had broken windows on her bus while looking for an unspecified student, and she had to return to the depot to get another bus, the report was later dismissed as untrue, Middleton wrote. Principals across the city reported possible ICE sightings both at drop-off and dismissal, emails show, but on at least three occasions, the vehicles in question left the premises without incident. In one case, a parent was stopped by ICE on the way to school without being detained. Still, the effects on students and staff are immeasurable, UCLAs Gandara said. Under the first Trump administration, she worked on a study about the effect of the presidents immigration enforcement policy on schools across the country. Researchers used survey data completed by over 3,600 educators, and found that 80% said their students were affected by rumors and concerns. Teachers, Gandara said, overwhelmingly felt powerless. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those trends popped up in several incidents in CPS schools, gleaned through the emails. On Jan. 24, the same day as the Hamline Elementary ICE snafu, LaDonna Williams, the principal of Hefferan Elementary School in Garfield Park reached out to the CPS Student Safety Center regarding emails shed received protesting videos a Heffernan teacher had posted of herself on TikTok. You dont think I already have a plan? And a backup plan? the teacher said in a video, picked up by the far-right X (formerly Twitter) account Libs Of Chicago. Theres no way youre touching one of my students. According to the email from a CPS School Safety Center case coordinator, the principal sent the text of the email she received: It describes the videos as unhinged rants. Then it provides a warning that if this dangerous individual is not dealt with appropriately, this will be escalated to (the) appropriate department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Feb. 3, at Hale Elementary on the Southwest Side, a dean notified a CPS School Safety Center case coordinator in an email about a student who brought two Nerf guns to protect everyone in the school from ICE. Students were worried because all theyd heard was the word gun, according to the email, and parents were made aware. On Feb. 26, CPS confirmed to the Tribune that the parent of a student was detained outside of a different elementary school in Gage Park. ICE later specified it was someone with criminal convictions for drug trafficking, gang loitering and damage to property who was previously removed from the U.S. to his home country in 2005 and 2013. Karina Martinez, communications coordinator for Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, said the school was supportive of the family who was affected by the arrest, but that it affected the entire community. Videos of law enforcement in the area spread through social media channels, she said. Many of them are plain clothes, and that makes it a little bit of a tricky situation, she said. Martinez emphasized vigilance and encouraged reporting suspicious activities to CPS. ____ The White House is employing one of Donald Trumps favorite tactics when faced with a judge who is prioritizing the law over placating the president: attacking their family. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Wednesday bashed U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg and his wife, describing them as liberal activists attempting to stifle President Trumps immigration agenda. Judge Boasberg is a Democrat activist. He was appointed by Barack Obama, his wife has donated more than $10,000 to Democrats, and he has consistently shown his disdain for this president and his policies and its unacceptable, Leavitt said during a press briefing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would just like to point out that the judge in this case is essentially trying to say that the president doesnt have the executive authority to deport foreign terrorists from our American soil, Leavitt said at another point during the briefing. The administration has not provided evidence as to the identities, or the alleged terrorist affiliations, of the Venezuelans the administration sent to El Salvador without due process over the weekend. Boasberg was originally appointed to the Superior Court of the District of Columbia by former President George W. Bush, and then later elevated to the U.S. District Court for Washington, D.C., by former President Barack Obama. In his 2011 confirmation vote, Boasberg was ushered into the District Court in a 96-0 Senate vote. Boasberg drew the ire of the Trump administration when he ordered the Trump administration not to deport two plane loads of Venezuelan migrants that the White House claimed were Tren de Aragua gang members. The administration sent the planes to El Salvador anyway, claiming authority under the Alien Enemies Act. The El Salvadorian government is sympathetic to the Trump administration, and has been accused of systemic human and civil rights violations in their widespread crackdown against gang violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boasberg has raised questions about the timing of the flights departure, and whether the Trump administration openly flouted his order in deporting the migrants. On Wednesday, Boasberg granted the government a 24 hour extension to produce an official timeline on the two flights locations, takeoffs, and landings. The judge also stated in his decision that the governments arguments for the delay were at first blush are not persuasive. On Tuesday, Trump raged that Boasberg was a Radical Left Lunatic who like many of the Crooked Judges I am forced to appear before, should be IMPEACHED!!! WE DONT WANT VICIOUS, VIOLENT, AND DEMENTED CRIMINALS, MANY OF THEM DERANGED MURDERERS, IN OUR COUNTRY, Trump added. Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) filed articles of impeachment against Boasberg that same day. The impeachment resolution claimed that Boasbergs order jeopardizes the safety of the nation, and that he abused his judicial authority to to seize power from the Executive Branch and interfere with the will of the American people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Roberts, the conservative chief justice of the Supreme Court, issued a rare rebuke of the presidents call to impeach Boasberg. For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision, Roberts wrote on Tuesday. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose. Leavitts comments were not the first time the president or his underlings have attacked a judges family. In 2023, Trump targeted the wife of New York Judge Arthur Engoron who oversaw his New York civil fraud trial falsely accusing Mrs. Engoron of promoting anti-Trump content on social media. Last year, during his hush money trial, Trump accused Judge Juan Merchan of being biased against him because his daughter had worked on Democratic marketing campaigns. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Sean Duffy is a former deputy chief of staff to Gov. Bill Owens and Colorado-based strategic communications consultant. He now serves as vice president at a philanthropic foundation. The views expressed here are his own. US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz has stated that he spoke with Yuri Ushakov, an aide to Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, regarding interactions between Washington and Moscow on 19 March. Source: Waltz on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: Waltz noted that he had spoken with his "Russian counterpart Yuri Ushakov about President Trump's efforts to end the war in Ukraine". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We agreed our technical teams would meet in Riyadh in the coming days to focus on implementing and expanding the partial ceasefire President Trump secured from Russia," he tweeted. Background: The White House announced that a new round of talks on a peaceful settlement in Ukraine would take place on 23 March in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Following a conversation between Putin and Trump on 18 March, Washington also said that peace talks regarding the Russo-Ukrainian war will "begin immediately in the Middle East". Meanwhile, Zelenskyy stressed that Putin had effectively rejected the proposal for a complete ceasefire by launching a large-scale drone attack on Ukrainian cities on the night of 18-19 March. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! U.S. President Donald Trump has agreed to assist Ukraine in finding additional U.S.-made Patriot air defenses available in Europe, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, citing a readout of a call between the two leaders on March 19. Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky held an hour-long phone call, during which they discussed a ceasefire and bringing an end to Russia's war in Ukraine, as well as protecting Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Zelensky asked Trump for additional air defense systems to protect Ukrainian civilians, in particular, Patriot missile systems, and the U.S. president agreed to find what was available, particularly in Europe, according to the readout. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Kyiv has called on its partners to provide additional air defense assets to protect its cities and infrastructure, especially its energy system, from Russian missile and drone strikes. The highly advanced Patriot systems have played a crucial role in protecting the Ukrainian sky. They are capable of downing even the most advanced ballistic missiles, such as Kinzhals. Throughout the full-scale war, there were several reports of damage to Patriot systems during Russia's aerial attacks. Ukraine also uses mock systems to protect the missile systems. Following Zelensky's clash with Trump in the Oval Office on Feb. 28, Washington suspended all military and intelligence aid to Ukraine. After March talks between the Ukrainian and American delegations in Saudi Arabia, Washington's lifted the suspensions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Putin is stalling Trump ceasefire call met with skepticism in Kyiv Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. (Bloomberg) -- Leaders across Africa have said US President Donald Trumps decision to abruptly end billions of dollars of aid to the continent is a wake up call for their countries to be more self-reliant. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far they havent risen to the challenge. In South Africa, the annual budget came and went last week with no provision to replace the more than $400 million in American money spent on HIV/AIDS programs that were canceled following Trumps gutting of the US Agency for International Development. Nigeria added an additional $200 million in health-care spending in an attempt to make up for the $800 million in US funding it lost amounting to less than a dollar per citizen. I want to thank Mr. Trump actually, I think hes slapped us not on one cheek but on both cheeks, we should have been hammered a long time ago, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, whos country was getting $600 million in aid a year from the US, said in a speech. The southern African government hasnt so far detailed how it will fill the gap. Kenyas former President Uhuru Kenyatta, Ghanas new leader, John Mahama and ex-Malawi President Joyce Banda all echoed Hichilema. But like Kenyatta, the politicians ran their countries and held senior government positions for decades but did little to wean them off foreign aid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would be really good to see people, instead of just talking, saying what is their long term plan to replace aid, said Nic Cheeseman, a professor of democracy at the University of Birmingham. What we havent seen so far from leaders is anything that remotely resembles a strategy, he added, noting that many countries have done little to finance their own health care and other needs over the last two decades. In Kenya, which has just lost an estimated $800 million in International Monetary Fund assistance because it failed to meet its obligations, a health ministry spokesperson said the government will now pay for the health programs the US funded, without providing details. Nigeria is actively working to strengthen its health system by leveraging domestic resources following the US withdrawal, health minister, Muhammad Ali Pate, said in a statement. He gave no indication of what steps are being taken. A spokesman for Ghanas health ministry said its waiting for an increased allocation from the government. As government we are working very hard to mitigate the impact of the withdrawal, which came without notice, Foster Mohale, a spokesman for South Africas health department said. The department is waiting for the budget, which is still being debated in parliament, to be approved and will then try and fill some, but not all, of the gap. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, autocratic governments including Rwanda and Malis military junta have celebrated the US cuts. Whoever gives you aid controls your life, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, whose country has long been one of Africas biggest per-capita aid recipients, said in an interview with a right-wing US influencer earlier this month. The withdrawal of US assistance has seen tens of thousands of health care workers lose their jobs across the continent, while many of the 17 million Africans two-thirds of the global total infected with HIV globally cant access life-saving medication. Some of the apparent paralysis may be that there just arent readily available resources to mobilize, said Linda-Gail Bekker, chief executive officer of the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation, said in an interview. She led research that forecasts 601,000 additional deaths from HIV/AIDS in South Africa alone over the next decade unless government fills the gap In 2023 Sub-Saharan Africa received $16 billion in aid from the US including $4 billion for combating HIV and $7 billion for disaster relief and food assistance, according to Moodys Ratings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But filling the void left by the US departure is a big ask for the strained finances of many governments many African countries spend more on servicing debt than health. The continent has more than $1.2 trillion in external debt, with the debt-to-gross domestic product ratio rising by about two-fifths since 2008, according to the African Export-Import Bank. At a time when wealthy European nations are slashing their own assistance budgets, African countries may have little choice but to find ways of funding programs and large parts of their health-care systems that have for years been financed with aid. Aid dependence has its own contradictions and limitations. And I think its a moment to confront that, said Binaifer Nowrojee, president of the Open Society Foundations. Where are African governments in terms of their own responsibilities to their citizens and what are they going to do to address this gap now? Sign up here for the twice-weekly Next Africa newsletter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement --With assistance from Taonga Mitimingi, Anthony Osae-Brown, Simon Marks, Helen Nyambura, Moses Mozart Dzawu and Ruth Olurounbi. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Until Republican Nikki Haley announced a campaign rally at an airport in Centennial a week before ballots are due, it had looked like Colorado might be flyover territory in the run-up to the Super Tuesday presidential primary. Some Trump administration officials have crafted a proposal to restructure the U.S. international aid and development architecture, making it leaner, more focused and better positioned to take on China. The plan, laid out in a document obtained by POLITICO, would include: Changing the name of the U.S. Agency for International Development to the U.S. Agency for International Humanitarian Assistance; severely curbing its focus to issues such as global health, food security and disaster response; and embedding it within the State Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Placing the Millennium Challenge Corporation and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency under the auspices of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation. The combined entity would focus on promoting private sector investment, especially in areas such as infrastructure, energy and technology. The document says the new approach would be a powerful counterweight to Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, which Beijing has used to gain economic and diplomatic footholds in many countries. Moving all, or virtually all, politically oriented programs that the Trump administration may wish to pursue under the State Department. This includes promoting democracy and religious freedom, empowering women and fighting human trafficking. Many of these efforts already exist under the State Department, but its possible that similar efforts at USAID or other agencies and departments could be moved to State. It was not immediately clear whether Secretary of State Marco Rubio or other senior Trump administration officials have signed off on the proposal, which has been circulating in State Department and USAID circles. The proposal acknowledges that some changes, such as placing one agency under another, likely will need congressional authorization. But much of the overall vision appears to match many of President Donald Trumps priorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That includes finding ways to improve U.S. access to energy sources and engaging in a more transactional foreign policy, one that expects other countries to offer the U.S. something in exchange for its help. Spokespeople for the State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Plenty of U.S. officials, analysts and others have long criticized how Washington handles foreign aid, and there have been efforts in the past to increase the role played by the MCC, the DFC and other entities that try to leverage the private sector. But getting those changes through Congress has been challenging, and deciding, for instance, what counts as a country that is strategically important enough to invest in is not a straightforward process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposal says existing U.S. aid and development programming is inefficient and fragmented and made the mistake of engaging in every sector in every country, with questionable results at best. A better approach, the plan says, would be to foster peace and stability in regions critical to U.S. interests, catalyze economic opportunities that support American businesses and consumers, and mitigate global threats such as pandemic diseases. It is particularly dismissive of U.S. investments in countries where the leaders are not committed to helping their people or which have become reliant on the U.S. aid instead of weaning themselves off it. The proposal touches on the fact that the Trump administration, aided by Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency, has essentially dismantled USAID as an agency and many of its and other foreign aid programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But it casts that as an opportunity to reshape the future U.S. approach to aid and development. It also indicates that many of the programs that have been cut or frozen since Trump took office could be revitalized. That includes programs aimed at preventing infectious diseases or providing food. The medications and food products for those programs often come from American companies or farmers. The proposal stresses that aid programs should have end dates and their success measured carefully. Among other ideas, it suggests using blockchain technology to help track funds and ensure accountability. The White Houses use of the Alien Enemies Act to remove Venezuelans it has accused of being gang members is an abuse of war powers that critics say could open the door to mass deportations from a country President Trump has targeted multiple times in just a few months. While accusations the White House violated a court order by flying 238 Venezuelans to a Salvadoran prison have generated significant attention, immigration and civil rights advocates say the deportations themselves are just as alarming. The more than 100 Venezuelans deported for allegedly being in the Tren de Aragua gang had no opportunity to contest the accusation and were shipped to a Salvadoran prison amid questions over whether the U.S. had legal authority to move them there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump is also tapping the infrequently used Alien Enemies Act in a way never seen before, relying on gang membership, not armed conflict, to use the executives war powers to deport people. Those sent to El Salvador include people who were being removed under existing immigration authorities, raising questions about why they were sent to a foreign prison. The government is paying El Salvador $6 million to imprison all the deportees for a year. All of these individuals are already alleged to have been removable under normal immigration law. So we have a bunch of people that the United States already had in physical custody and that the United States already could deport under normal immigration law, that they have instead decided to essentially send to a prison in El Salvador to do hard labor, seemingly entirely on the basis of wanting to get some public relations work done, Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, an attorney with the American Immigration Council, told The Hill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under what authority is the U.S. government paying a foreign government to imprison and subject to hard labor individuals who have not been subject to normal immigration law proceedings or charged with any crime in the United States? I simply dont see any legal authority for that. The Alien Enemies Act certainly doesnt authorize it. Normal immigration law certainly doesnt authorize it either. Civil rights advocates also have major concerns over Trumps use of the Alien Enemies Act, which was most recently used as the basis for the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. What were seeing is a president who is arbitrarily calling migration and narcotics trafficking acts of war and an invasion and predatory incursion, without any actual basis or factual basis for doing so, said Katherine Yon Ebright, an expert in the Alien Enemies Act and attorney with the Brennan Center for Justice. This law was enacted pursuant to Congresss constitutional war powers. Its not an immigration statute. And so, using a wartime authority that is manifestly for responding to armed attacks for peacetime immigration enforcement is as clear of a violation as weve seen from this administration and perhaps any administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration has argued the Venezuelans were terrorists. We removed terrorists from the country this weekend, border czar Tom Homan said Monday. I cant believe any media would question the presidents ability to remove terrorists from this country. Trumps plans to use the Alien Enemies Act ignited a suit from several Venezuelans already in custody who have denied any connection with Tren de Aragua, which the administration often abbreviates as TdA. A sworn statement from an official with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) notes that many of those removed on the flights do not have a criminal record in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is because they have only been in the United States for a short period of time. The lack of a criminal record does not indicate they pose a limited threat. In fact, based upon their association with TdA, the lack of specific information about each individual actually highlights the risk they pose. It demonstrates that they are terrorists with regard to whom we lack a complete profile, Robert Cerna, an acting field office director with ICE, said in a sworn statement. He added that many have been accused of crimes abroad, while others are suspected of criminal activity in the U.S. Ebright noted the U.S. already has the power to push for deportations through regular immigration and court processes. What the Trump administration is hoping to do is bypass the due process protections that exist in peacetime law and in immigration law, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The only reason to rely on the Alien Enemies Act is to bypass that process, to make any Venezuelan immigrant who the president deems to be or designates to be a member of Tren de Aragua without satisfactory evidence make that person deportable, she added. And it really does echo the World War II history, where we saw the president put 31,000 noncitizens of Japanese, German, and Italian descent into camps because he had deemed them dangerous without evidence and without hearings. Reichlin-Melnick said it was extraordinarily unlikely that those deported would be able to challenge the administrations actions from a Salvadoran prison. What we know for sure is that the U.S. government has not given any of these individuals an opportunity to challenge their claim that they are part of a gang, he said something that would have been possible while the group was still in ICE custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The treatment of the other 101 Venezuelan migrants deported on the flights has also gained scrutiny. That portion of the group was removed using Title 8 immigration authorities a standard process, but one that has not been used to remove migrants to a foreign prison. Yes, some people can be deported to third countries, but I have never heard of a person being deported directly to a foreign prison where they are being held, allegedly on the U.S. demand, Reichlin-Melnick said. In just a few short weeks in office, the Trump administration has taken a number of actions seeking to roll back protections for Venezuelans. In February, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem purported to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS), spurring a swift lawsuit from advocates who said she had no power to vacate the protection given by her predecessor. Laws governing TPS require analysis of various safety factors both for granting and rescinding the protections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And Trump has also moved to end protections for Venezuelans as well as Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans who were paroled into the country under the Biden admission. Reichlin-Melnick called it a turnaround for Trump, noting that in his first term, he gave protections known as Deferred Enforced Departure to some Venezuelans, citing repression under Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduros regime. We are talking about more than half a million people. Many of them have been completely law-abiding after arriving in the United States, have followed every requirement of the United States, and have done nothing wrong, Reichlin-Melnick said of the roughly 600,000 Venezuelans who immigrated to the U.S. in recent years. I think this is part and parcel of a broader effort to paint the United States as under siege from migrants and from immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. US President Donald Trump has begun a planned call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the White House has said. "President Trump is in the Oval Office on a call with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine," deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino posted on X. It is the first known personal contact between the two leaders following their disastrous meeting at the White House last month, in which Trump accused the Ukrainian president of "gambling with World War Three." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It comes after Trump held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday to persuade him to agree to a 30-day ceasefire in the Ukraine war. While a comprehensive truce was not reached, the Kremlin said Putin agreed to halt attacks on Ukrainian enegery infrastructure for 30 days if Kiev does the same. Zelensky said afterwards that Kiev was open to such an agreement but needed more information on what Trump and Putin had discussed. As the Trump administration intensifies its battle with elite universities, one Ivy League school is lawyering up with a Trump ally. Dartmouth College announced this week that it has tapped Matt Raymer, the former chief counsel at the Republican National Committee, to serve as the colleges top lawyer and senior vice president. Raymer will not only run the general counsels office, but also serve on Dartmouth President Sian Leah Beilocks leadership team and advise the college on legal and strategic matters. Raymer, who in January publicly backed President Donald Trumps push to end birthright citizenship, will also oversee the schools Office of Visa and Immigration Services. Raymers selection comes as Republicans dramatically escalate their attacks on higher education training their ire on Ivy League institutions theyve long accused of fostering liberalism and censoring conservatives. Its left university leaders balancing a series of competing demands: preserving their relationships with an administration on which most rely for funding, defending free speech on campus and protecting non-citizen student activists Trump campaigned on deporting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a need to be able to communicate across the political spectrum. I think every university is trying to find people from the moderate to right and even more right in the political spectrum to help deliver messages and help protect them from unfair and problematic attacks, said Lee Bollinger, the former president of Columbia University. Im seeing it more and more. Columbia is at the center of the fight, facing a $400 million funding freeze as federal immigration agents moved to deport a former student with a green card and are combing campus looking for other non-citizen students who, the White House claims, supported Hamas during last springs pro-Palestinian student protests . Beilock, Dartmouths president, previously served as president of Barnard College, a Columbia affiliate institution and the current center of continuing protest activity at the university. The Trump administration on Wednesday froze $175 million in funding to the University of Pennsylvania over its transgender athlete policies. Cornell and Yale are under investigation for allegedly prioritizing doctoral applicants from underrepresented backgrounds. And the administration has launched probes into alleged antisemitism at Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Harvard, Princeton and Yale. Dartmouth the smallest Ivy League college, tucked away in rural New Hampshire and known for being less progressive than many of its peers is the only school in the conference that appears to so far have escaped the administrations wrath. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve done a good job in the past of permitting free expression and respecting others voices, said Phil Hanlon, who served as Dartmouths president before Beilock. Weve worked hard at that over many decades. Raymers history on immigration could be where he faces the greatest opposition on campus, as his hiring appears to prioritize the political realities over universities long-held values. Universities have faced increasing pressure from students and advocates to answer questions about how they will protect students amid the presidents immigration crackdown, as Trump has changed policy to allow immigration enforcement at schools and fears percolate about data protection for undocumented students, as well those who have parents living in the country illegally. This general counsel and his views on birthright citizenship are horrifying and just seeing that advertised at their university, it might make students more fearful, said Elaine Maimon, a former university administrator, adding that universities are being targeted and must seek a wide range of advice to protect their students. If I was sitting there making the decision, Id have to weigh whether the strategic use of his advice to protect the student was worth upsetting them. Dartmouth said last month it is not changing any of its immigration policies in response to the Trump administrations actions, but that a group of university leaders is meeting every week to review policy and how it might affect campus, according to New Hampshire Public Radio. The college has encouraged students to reach out to their dean or supervisor with questions, or to seek additional support in the Office of Visa and Immigration Services (which has long been overseen by the colleges top lawyer). Dartmouth has also recently encouraged immigrant and international students to ensure theyre carrying proper documentation while traveling given increased enforcement and anticipated travel restrictions, as even some people with legal status have been deported or detained in recent weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Raymer, a Dartmouth graduate, authored a piece published in the Federalist in January, arguing that Trump is right about birthright citizenship and that children born to undocumented immigrants are not entitled to citizenship under the 14th Amendment. The president tried to end birthright citizenship on his first day in office, despite broad legal consensus that the Constitution grants American citizenship to nearly everyone born on U.S. soil. He was quickly blocked in the courts. Dartmouth spokesperson Jana Barnello said Raymer brings extensive legal expertise, sound judgement and a deep personal commitment to his alma mater. She added that he is eager to strengthen relationships across the college and ensure Dartmouth remains a place of academic excellence, ideological diversity, and exploration. As general counsel, she said he will provide guidance and support Dartmouths legal strategy under the direction of the president, but that he does not set policy. Dartmouths approach to legal matters has always been consistent, reflecting the institutions commitment to its academic mission and its responsibilities under the law, the spokesperson said. And on birthright citizenship, Barnello said Raymers opinion piece presented a scholarly legal argument on a widely discussed topic, adding that it is separate from Matt Raymers responsibilities as Dartmouths General Counsel. Like all its senior leaders, Dartmouth has full confidence in Matts ability to serve in this role based on his qualifications and expertise, without regard to any personal political beliefs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Raymers hire appears to be part of an effort to keep Dartmouth out of the path of destruction. Holden Thorp, a former chancellor at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, said it doesnt surprise him that someone sharp like Beilock would have made this hire, adding that public universities have long played this game at the state level, bringing in Republican operatives to work at a university to help navigate changing political leadership. It makes perfect sense: every university is clearly going to have to work things out with the administration on a variety of matters whether its funding or immigration matters with their students, or the Dear Colleague letter, Thorp said. All of this stuff is getting litigated in the courts, and then its playing out in Congress in terms of them writing the budget. (Bloomberg) -- After a string of legal losses for his administration, President Donald Trumps call to impeach a federal judge and an ensuing rebuke by the US Supreme Court chief justice is laying the groundwork for a deepening clash between the White House and the judiciary. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hours after Trump blasted a federal judge for trying to block the deportation of hundreds of alleged Venezuelan gang members, Chief Justice John Roberts issued a statement saying that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement with court rulings. For the Republican-appointed justice, it was a rare public signal of pushback to the president. This kind of public rebuke from a chief justice of a president is extremely unusual, said Keith Whittington, a Yale Law School professor and expert on constitutional law. Its a very serious and pretty extraordinary ratcheting up of tension between the White House and the judicial branch. The relationship between the co-equal branches of government is becoming increasingly strained as the Trump administration hits back at judges who side with those challenging his executive orders on issues from immigration to federal spending and diversity initiatives. There are more than 150 cases pending against the administration from Maryland to California setting up multiple tests of executive power that may ultimately land in the Supreme Court that Trump helped shape. Some judges have already called out the Trump administration for not following their orders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such scenarios have led some legal experts to say the nation is nearing a constitutional crisis. Thats not the case unless Trump openly defies a court order, which hasnt really happened yet, said Whittington. But if a president were to refuse to comply with a direct court order that would certainly get us closer, he said. And then the question is how other institutions respond. Retired Justice Stephen Breyer said on CNN Wednesday that it isnt clear whether the country is in a constitutional crisis. No one really knows, he said. People have different views on that. And the best thing, I think, for the judges is you follow the law. You simply follow the law. The current dispute was triggered by Trumps deportation of alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang to El Salvador by invoking the seldom-used Alien Enemies Act. US District Judge James Boasberg in Washington issued an order to temporarily stop the deportation of the five Venezuelans, and later halted use of the law to deport any of the alleged gang members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By then, the planes had already taken off, though Boasberg orally called for them to be turned around. The judge on Monday convened a hearing in Washington where he demanded answers about what exactly happened and why. Justice Department lawyers have said the judge lacked power to order airplanes to turn around at one point arguing the order didnt apply because it was initially handed down orally from the bench and has refused to answer some of his questions about the deportation flights. The department has asked a federal appeals court to take the judge off the case, saying his questions were flagrantly improper and presented grave risks. The White House declined to comment for this article. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt doubled down at a press briefing Wednesday, saying that judges who are ruling against Trump are are acting as partisan activists. We will continue to comply with these orders and fight in court, but there is a concerted effort by the far-left to judge shop and pick judges who act as partisan activists from the bench, she said. We will not allow that to happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump derided Boasberg, without specifically naming him, as a Radical Left Lunatic of a Judge, a troublemaker and agitator. He reiterated his criticism in a Fox News interview with Laura Ingraham late Tuesday, saying that a local judge shouldnt be making determinations about deportations. Many people have called for his impeachment, the impeachment of this judge, he said. Earlier in the day, Boasberg issued an order extending by one day the governments deadline to produce additional information about the deportations. The judge said the court needs the information to determine if the government deliberately flouted its orders issued on March 15, 2025, and, if so, what the consequences should be. Trump denied defying a court order on Fox News and when pressed on whether he would do so in the future, he said no, you cant do that. However, we have bad judges, he added. At a certain point you have to start looking at what do you do when you have a rogue judge? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boasberg, the chief judge of the DC court, was nominated by former president Barack Obama and confirmed by a unanimous US Senate vote in 2011. Hes a former federal prosecutor and local judge in Washington. Robert McWhirter, a constitutional law expert and criminal defense attorney, called the governments argument that it can disregard the court because a ruling wasnt issued in writing absurd. This is an example of the Justice Department playing fast and loose with the judge, he said, noting that such tactics, coupled with Trumps attack on the judiciary, could backfire should any of his cases go to the Supreme Court. I think even this Supreme Court wont stand for that, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court Limits Broadly speaking, the Supreme Court offers a favorable environment for Trump as he tries to defang the federal bureaucracy and bolster presidential power. The courts 6-3 conservative majority includes three Trump appointees. All were in the majority last year when the court gave presidents sweeping criminal immunity, undercutting a federal prosecution of him for trying to overturn his 2020 election loss. Trump denied wrongdoing and a special prosecutor later dropped the case in light of his election win. But early signs suggest the courts willingness to stand behind the president in his new term has its limits. The high court first declined to let him immediately fire the head of a federal whistleblower office. Trump was eventually able to carry out the firing but only because of a subsequent lower court decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The justices later voted 5-4 not to lift a lower court order that told the administration to quickly pay as much as $2 billion in foreign aid bills. Trump-appointed Justice Amy Coney Barrett drew scorn in MAGA circles as she joined Roberts and the three liberals in the majority. And the court set out an unusually lengthy briefing schedule hinting at a lack of urgency when Trump asked for clearance to start implementing his planned restrictions on birthright citizenship. Yet Roberts had yet to make any public comments on the judiciary since Trump took office. His remarks Tuesday were the first since his annual Dec. 31 report warned that violence, threats to defy lawful judgments and other illegitimate activity endanger judicial independence. For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision, Roberts said Tuesday. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roberts statement came from him alone and not on behalf of the entire court. But he is in some ways the only person who can speak for the entire judicial branch, said Kent Greenfield, a constitutional law expert and professor at Boston College Law School. Speaking back at Trump for the judicial branch is reasserting the authority of the judiciary to say what the law is, Greenfield said. Judges need to keep doing their jobs and I think thats one reason why Roberts statement was so important. Many Challenges The dispute is just one unfolding between Trump and the courts. In some of the most high-profile cases, brought by nationwide nonprofits and civil rights groups, as well as unions and Democratic-led states, plaintiffs and judges alike have repeatedly suggested the government isnt following court orders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This week, a judge who ordered the administration to rehire thousands of probationary federal employees whom he ruled were fired illegally said workers in at least one agency appear to have been brought back and then placed on administrative leave in potential violation of his directive. This is not allowed by the preliminary injunction, for it would not restore the services the preliminary injunction intends to restore, said William Alsup, the San Francisco-based federal judge. Government lawyers on Tuesday disputed that the administration was trying to skirt the order in the California case. Administrative leave was merely a first part of a series of steps to reinstate probationary employees, DOJ lawyers wrote. In a case over Trumps spending freeze on trillions of dollars in federal funds for grants, loans and other financial assistance, a group of 19 states told a federal judge in Rhode Island on Monday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency was continuing to withhold millions of dollars in grants despite a court order lifting the freeze. In a fight over a mass freeze of foreign aid, a federal judge in Washington criticized the governments failure to resume spending as he ordered. A Seattle judge in another funding fight recently chided the administrations unreasonable interpretation of her orders. Both stopped short of holding the government in contempt, however. Judges have also called out the White Houses lack of transparency surrounding the activities of the Department of Government Efficiency the authority of Elon Musk, who is closely tied to the project. A Maryland judge told a Justice Department lawyer that the administrations explanations about Musks role were highly suspicious. This week, he ruled that challengers were likely to succeed in arguing that the billionaire exercised unconstitutional power in shuttering the US Agency for International Development. The growing list of disputes over court orders is part of an overall disregard on the part of the administration for judicial authority, said Greenfield. These are the cracks in the dam, he said. Eventually if theres enough its going to break. --With assistance from Kate Sullivan. (Updates with comments from the White House press briefing.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. President Trump said ceasefire talks to end the war between Kyiv and Moscow are on track following a very good call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the latest in the back-and-forth effort to halt the more than three-year conflict. The call with Zelensky on Wednesday lasted approximately one hour and largely focused on aligning the Ukrainian and Russian positions on a potential ceasefire deal, Trump said in a statement posted to his social media site Truth Social. It came one day after Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are very much on track, Trump said, adding that more details would be provided by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz. Following the call with Putin on Tuesday, Trump put his support behind a limited ceasefire in which Russia and Ukraine would halt attacks on energy facilities and infrastructure. While Putin said he would direct his military command to implement the plan immediately, Ukraine reported hundreds of attacks across the country by Russian drones. Zelensky, speaking ahead of his call with Trump, described Putins statements as very much at odds with reality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Developing 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. For more than seven months, UCLA has battled in federal court against allegations by Jewish students and a faculty member that the university enabled antisemitic actions during a pro-Palestinian campus encampment last spring. In court filings, lawyers on both sides argued about whether actions in the encampment which included Jewish student leaders were antisemitic for blocking pro-Israel or Zionist individuals from using walkways by the camp. Both sides have pointed fingers about who was responsible for the encampment. Was it the university, which did not immediately take it down and whose staff helped reinforce it with metal barriers? Or the protesters who took over a small slice of campus? On Monday, the Trump administration waded into the conflict when the Department of Justice filed court documents supporting the right of the students and faculty to sue for discrimination and accusing UCLA of trying to evade responsibility" for alleged antisemitism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Justice said the move is the work of a new multiagency federal task force on combating antisemitism. The group previously said it planned to visit UCLA, USC and eight other U.S. campuses. No dates have been announced. The President, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and the task force know that every student must be free to attend school without being discriminated against on the basis of their race, religion or national origin, said task force member Leo Terrel, senior counsel to the assistant attorney general for civil rights. The Department of Justice is working to combat antisemitism using all of the tools at our disposal. Mark Rienzi, president of Becket Fund, a nonprofit that is representing the UCLA Jewish plaintiffs, said in a statement that the Trump administration has thrown down the gauntlet: If university administrators aid and abet mistreatment of Jews, they will pay the price. This is a wake-up call for every university that allows antisemitic hatred to fester unchecked. In response to the Department of Justice, a UCLA spokesperson said the university was committed to eradicating antisemitism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chancellor Julio Frenk, who joined UCLA in January, has a strong track record of combating antisemitism and is actively at work to help UCLA achieve our goal of fostering an environment where all members of our community are able to live, work, and learn, freely and peacefully, Mary Osako, vice chancellor for communications, said in a statement. The university has launched the "Initiative to Combat Antisemitism" to address "our shared, unwavering goal of extinguishing antisemitism." Read more: Judge orders UCLA to ensure equal campus access to Jewish students after pro-Palestinian protests The Trump administration's decision comes as the University of California, California State University, USC and other California colleges face an onslaught of federal investigations or warnings from the Department of Justice, the Department of Education and other agencies over allegations that they have mistreated Jewish students and employees. The administration has threatened to revoke federal funding, including major health and science research grants, from universities that do not, in its view, comply with federal antidiscrimination law. This month, federal authorities cancelled $400 million in grants to Columbia University, accusing it of mishandling pro-Palestinian protests and ignoring alleged incidents of antisemitism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump has also called for the deportation of foreign student protesters whom he accuses of being Hamas sympathizers. Federal authorities have arrested at least two Columbia University foreign students and attempted to arrest another who fled to Canada. Critics accuse the White House of weaponizing concerns over antisemitism to attack campus free speech and say the administration is inaccurately painting pro-Palestinian protests as antisemitic. They point out that while the White House pays deep attention to Jewish campus communities, it has had little to say about other religious and racial groups, including Muslims and Arab Americans, who have also reported increases in campus hate incidents in the wake of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, which triggered Israels war in Gaza. On Tuesday, dozens of Jewish UCLA faculty members sent a letter to the university's administration calling on leaders to resist any attempt by government officials to harm pro-Palestinian students, staff or faculty who run afoul of the current McCarthyite dictates of the Trump administration. We are vehemently opposed to efforts by the federal government to arrest, deport, or pressure universities to discipline students, staff, or faculty at UCLA or at any university who are deemed politically unacceptable by virtue of their support of freedom for the Palestinian people, the letter said. We resist all calls to assist in compiling lists of those targeted for arrest, deportation, or discipline, and reject without equivocation any attempt to invoke our name to harass, expel, arrest, or deport members of our campus communities. These actions do not protect Jewish people but instead are a direct attack on democracy and freedom of speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter came out as UC regents began three days of meetings at UCLA, where the UC systems response to a variety of federal actions on antisemitism, on diversity initiatives and on health and science research are on the agenda. More than 150 students on Tuesday also held a protest outside the regents meeting, calling on the system to divest investment holdings connected to weapons companies and Israel. A student speaker from Graduate Students for Justice in Palestine accused the regents of using Trumps threats as a pretext to clamp down on free speech rights and anti-war actions. Speaking of events at Columbia, the student later added: Is UCLA next? The ongoing UCLA court case centers on a pro-Palestinian encampment on Royce Quad that went up April 25. It was one of the largest and most controversial of those built on college campuses across the U.S. When a mob attacked the camp on April 30, law enforcement response was delayed by hours. Police broke apart the encampment on May 1 and arrested more than 200 people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leading up to the encampment, dueling pro- and anti-Israel rallies took place, and a handful of videos went viral in which Jewish students said they were denied access to walk through the encampment on their way to university buildings. Protesters and their supporters said they did not block Jewish people from walking through but were instead attempting to redirect pro-Israel and Zionist individuals to reduce conflict and clashes. UCLA has opposed the suit, saying its encampment actions were focused on safety and de-escalating tensions, not discriminating against Jewish people. Its lawyers have pointed to major changes the UC system has made to ensure the safety of all during protests. The UC system also adopted a zero tolerance policy for any protests that break campus codes. Read more: Zero tolerance at UC campuses in new order banning encampments, masking, blocking paths Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At UCLA, authorities quickly shut down multiple encampments after the original one was cleared away and created a new campus safety office . New protest rules at UCLA restrict campus areas where demonstrations could take place. A federal judge in August issued a preliminary injunction against UCLA, ordering the university to ensure equal campus access to everyone. Under constitutional principles, UCLA may not allow services to some students when UCLA knows that other students are excluded on religious grounds, regardless of who engineered the exclusion, U.S. District Judge Mark C. Scarsi wrote. The students and faculty who sued have asked for the judge to issue a permanent injunction on the same matter. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The Trump administrations crackdown on foreign students and staff at universities is bringing both fear and a renewed vigor for the pro-Palestinian movement on U.S. campuses. In recent weeks, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has gone after those who were involved in last years encampments protesting Israels war in Gaza, arresting one green-card holder and revoking the student visa of another, while also detaining and deporting a foreign-born professor. The headline-grabbing events have caused some students to retreat and hide any evidence they were involved in the movement out of fear of retaliation. But others have found a second wind after the Palestinian cause struggled to maintain momentum on campus this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres two sides, right? Youll definitely have people who are international students or those in precarious positions who are undoubtedly limiting their protests, having to change their Instagrams or going private on social media due to the Trump administrations actions, said Momodou Taal, a British graduate student at Cornell University who has already been suspended and reinstated on campus due to his role in pro-Palestinian protests. By the same time, its also reinvigorated more people to come out as well, Taal added. I think its had a double effect, right? What we find is that the more the more oppression that comes out, the greater the response in terms of activism. The crackdown began with Mahmoud Khalil, a recent graduate from Columbia University and green-card holder who was a lead negotiator during the pro-Palestinian encampments. Khalil was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) earlier this month, with President Trump cheering the detention and explicitly trying it to his political activities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The federal government says Khalil is a Hamas supporter and national security threat, but it hasnt presented any evidence to support these claims or officially charged him with any crime. Only an immigration judge has the authority to revoke a green card, and the courts have ordered Khalil not be deported while his case his considered. His attorneys are fighting to bring the case back to New York, where he was arrested, after ICE transferred him to a Louisiana facility. DHS also announced another Columbia student had her student visa revoked and fled to Canada, which it cheered as a self-deport. Taal has sued the Trump administration over its recent actions to deport foreign students, assuming he could be a target due to the high-profile nature of his suspension back in April 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And given how they went after Mahmoud, who has a similar fact pattern, I didnt want to be a sitting duck for eventually myself or other international students. So, I found the lawsuit as a form of protection seeking national injunction to challenge the constitutionality of these executive orders, Taal said. The crackdowns have led to a heated debate over national security vs. free speech as the federal government appears to label any who participated in the pro-Palestinian encampments on campuses last year as pro-Hamas. It is illegal to provide material support such as money to declared terrorist organizations, but ideological support can be a tricky legal line. The Trump administration is arguing those who are not American citizens have a shorter leash in that area. The Trump administration also recently deported a Brown University medical school professor, despite a court order forbidding the move, saying she went to the funeral of a Hezbollah leader. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Experts say the moves chill campus culture not only for international students, but for U.S. citizens, too. When you have a class of people, noncitizens, who suddenly have to worry more about whether or not something they may say in that debate could result in their deportation that is going to affect what people are willing to talk about on campus, and not just for the international students, but also for professors and for their fellow students who are Americans, said Robert Shibley, special counsel for campus advocacy at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. American students would inevitably think during debates on certain topics, Are we putting [foreign students] at risk of deportation just by inviting them to have this conversation? he added. Within the pro-Palestinian movement, students are trying to figure out ways they can continue their work while keeping others safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Isabelle, a student from Northwestern University who asked that her last name be kept private, says she had to have hard conversations with my friends about, How am I going to keep you safe? and How are you going to keep doing what youre doing, because it means everything? What Ive seen in my time as a student organizer is that there are always different roles in the movement, and some of those are more forward-facing or have the higher potential of encountering police violence or disciplinary procedures within a university context. And so, what Im seeing is that there are students who are maybe wary, given their immigration status, but they are not giving up the fight, she said. The Trump administration has taken steps to punish schools it doesnt believe have has taken the proper steps to the protests that occurred, saying the institutions failed to protect their students from antisemitism. Columbia was at the start of the encampments last spring and saw some of the most intense demonstrations with protesters taking over a building and police sweeping through to remove the activists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The federal government has revoked $400 million in funding from the university, demanding substantial changes to both academics and disciplinary procedures before talks to turn the faucet back on can begin. Isabelle argues the Manhattan-based Ivy League school offers a cautionary tale to others. Columbia offers an excellent example in the way that and not to be replicated but in the sense that Columbia sent police on its students, it has suspended and expelled dozens of students, it has disciplined faculty, it has taken a very hard approach to complying with the pro-Israel, the far-right forces that we are now seeing empowered by the Trump administration, and they still had funding cut, she said. I believe that universities should be making the utmost attempt to protect their students, their faculties and their community, particularly their international and undocumented students, as well as their trans students, their Palestinian students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. (NewsNation) The Trump administrations deportation flights to El Salvador remain at the center of a federal government showdown. District Judge James E. Boasberg has given the Justice Department until noon on Thursday to share details on the flights he tried to block, which transported more than 250 alleged Tren de Aragua and MS-13 gang members over the weekend. The judge wants to know, down to the minute, when the planes took off, when they hit international airspace, when they landed, when deportees were transferred out of U.S. custody, and just how many of them were actually deported using the Alien Enemies Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boasberg originally asked for information by noon on Wednesday, but decided to give the government an additional 24 hours to consider whether to invoke the state-secrets privilege. Here are the remaining JFK assassination files By asking for answers, Boasberg is looking to pinpoint if the Trump administration knowingly ignored his orders to halt the flights, which the American Civil Liberties Union argues occurred. Overnight, President Donald Trump on social media defended the flights: If a President doesnt have the right to throw murderers, and other criminals, out of our Country because a Radical Left Lunatic Judge wants to assume the role of President, then our Country is in very big trouble, and destined to fail! DOJ responds to Boasbergs Wednesday deadline Prior to Wednesdays scrapped deadline, the Justice Department pushed back against the request, arguing that the court has no authority to even ask questions about the flights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Court has now spent more time trying to ferret out information about the Governments flight schedules and relations with foreign countries than it did in investigating the facts before certifying the class action in this case, the DOJ said in part. That observation reflects how upside-down this case has become, as digressive micromanagement has outweighed consideration of the cases legal issues. Dems oppose using Defense funds for immigration enforcement Deportation flight judges first information request Trumps DOJ pushed back on Boasbergs information order Tuesday, maintaining there is no justification to order the provision of additional information regarding the flights and that doing so would be inappropriate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DOJ said sharing that information would reveal sensitive national security and foreign relations information. Trump fires both Democratic commissioners at FTC Some details did emerge from Tuesdays request, however. A top Immigration and Customs Enforcement official revealed a third flight took off after Boasbergs written order. The official said that flight only had deportees with Title 8 final removal orders, not alleged gang members. For that reason, the agency argues the plane didnt have to turn around. ICE also said there are at least another 250 people in the Venezuelan gang who could end up in their custody and if they do, they too could be deported. Chief justice rebukes Trumps call to impeach Judge Boasberg The back-and-forth prompted Trump to call for Boasbergs impeachment. The DOJ has also asked the D.C. Federal Appeals Court to remove Boasberg from the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts issued a rare public statement Tuesday in response to Trumps directive. For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose, Roberts said. Judge blocks implementation of Trumps transgender military ban It would take a two-thirds vote from the Senate to remove a judge which the Republican Party does not have. Boasberg, confirmed in 2011 with a 96-0 vote, has resolved secret grand jury disputes that arose during the special counsel investigations into Trump, overseen improvements after the Trump-Russia investigation into how the DOJ conducts national security surveillance and handled his share of sentencings for rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 NewsNation. Donald Trump has overturned an executive order signed by Lyndon B Johnson in 1965 to jettison a requirement that federal contractors must enforce rules against segregation in their workplaces. The General Services Administration last month issued a memo to all federal agencies pointing out that Trumps order no longer requires businesses paid with taxpayer dollars in contracts to ensure they wont have facilities like segregated dining areas for Black and white employees. State and federal laws still outlaw segregation in all companies, including government contractors, but New York University constitutional law professor Melissa Murray told NPR that Trumps message in lifting the ban is significant and disturbing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's symbolic, but it's incredibly meaningful in its symbolism," she said, noting that the changes conflict with laws established by the government in the 1950s and 1960s "that led to integration." The fact that they are now excluding those provisions from the requirements for federal contractors speaks volumes," Murray told NPR. President Donald Trump has jettisoned an executive order signed in 1965 that banned segregation in the workplaces of federal contractors (PA Wire) Under the Federal Acquisition Regulation a set of rules used by federal agencies to write contracts between the government and contractors a clause required any company receiving a contract to maintain integrated workplaces. "The Contractor agrees that it does not and will not maintain or provide for its employees any segregated facilities at any of its establishments, and that it does not and will not permit its employees to perform their services at any location under its control where segregated facilities are maintained," clause 52.222-21 of the regulation says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the regulation, integrated facilities are defined as work areas, drinking fountains, transportation, housing, restaurants, and other areas that do not segregate based on "race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin." The ACLU condemned the move, saying the executive order "is not only undoing decades of federal anti-discrimination policy, spanning Democratic and Republican presidential administrations alike, but also marshaling federal enforcement agencies to bully both private and government entities into abandoning legal efforts to promote equity and remedy systemic discrimination." The ACLU condemned the move, saying the executive order "is not only undoing decades of federal anti-discrimination policy, spanning Democratic and Republican presidential administrations alike, but also marshaling federal enforcement agencies to bully both private and government entities into abandoning legal efforts to promote equity and remedy systemic discrimination." (Getty Images) Trumps executive orders undermine obligations dating back to the Johnson administration that firms doing business with the U.S. government and receiving billions in public dollars are held to the highest standards in remedying and preventing bias," the ACLU added. The Department of Commerce, the Department of Homeland Security, and the National Institutes of Health have reportedly already notified staff overseeing federal contracts that they should begin instituting the changes outlined in Trump's executive order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "FAR 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities and FAR 52.222-26 Equal Opportunity will not be considered when making award decisions or enforce requirements," stated a recent notice sent by the National Institutes of Health. At present, all businesses operating in the United States are still subject to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Trump's executive order stands in conflict with that and state laws requiring integration, meaning any challenge between the two would likely have to be settled in court. President Trump demanded that the Iranian government stop providing weapons to the Houthis in Yemen on Wednesday, declaring the group will be annihilated. Reports are coming in that while Iran has lessened its intensity on Military Equipment and General Support to the Houthis, they are still sending large levels of Supplies. Iran must stop the sending of these Supplies IMMEDIATELY. Let the Houthis fight it out themselves, Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. Either way they lose, but this way they lose quickly. Tremendous damage has been inflicted upon the Houthi barbarians, and watch how it will get progressively worse Its not even a fair fight, and never will be. They will be completely annihilated, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His comments come less than a week after U.S. airstrikes took out some of the groups top leaders. The U.S. said the strikes were made because of attacks by the group on ships in the areas. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said the country will continue to punish Houthis for their attempts to attack U.S. ships and drones. This campaign is about freedom of navigation and restoring deterrence. The minute the Houthis say, Well stop shooting at your ships, well stop shooting at your drones, this campaign will end, Hegseth said in an interview on Fox Newss Sunday Morning Futures, a day after President Trump ordered the strikes. But until then, it will be unrelenting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president said Iran will be held responsible for every shot fired by the Houthis and will be held fully accountable for their actions. Theyre dictating every move, giving them the weapons, supplying them with money and highly sophisticated Military equipment, and even, so-called, Intelligence, Trump wrote in a Monday Truth Social post. Every shot fired by the Houthis will be looked upon, from this point forward, as being a shot fired from the weapons and leadership of IRAN, and IRAN will be held responsible, and suffer the consequences, and those consequences will be dire! The Houthis have promised to retaliate against the U.S. strikes and promised not to stop until the blockade on Gaza is lifted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Houthis are a Shia Muslim rebel group in Yemen. 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. U.S. President Donald Trump's son, Donald Jr., news host Tucker Carlson, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, and special envoy Steve Witkoff were involved in backchannel talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky's political rivals, Politico reported on March 18, citing undisclosed sources. Politico reported back on March 6 that members of Trump's team led secret discussions with ex-President Petro Poroshenko's allies and former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko as the Trump administration grew displeased with Zelensky. These backchannel talks were part of an effort to make Zelensky more compliant and show that the U.S. has other potential partners in Ukraine, Politico reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims. Witkoff is the only person named by three Ukrainian lawmakers and a Republican foreign policy expert for Politico who holds an official position in Trump's team. Formally a special envoy for the Middle East, Witkoff has been involved in U.S. talks with both Russia and Ukraine. Carlson is a controversial, far-right host who repeatedly promoted anti-Ukrainian narratives and interviewed Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Trump Jr., the U.S. president's eldest son and executive vice president of the Trump Organization, has also often lashed out against U.S. support for Kyiv on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kushner is a businessman and investor who served as Trump's advisor during his first administration and is married to the president's daughter, Ivanka Trump. According to the Politico sources, U.S. officials are convinced that Zelensky would lose elections if it were held today, despite numerous polls saying otherwise. Trump has repeatedly called for elections in Ukraine and, at one point, dubbed Zelensky a "dictator without elections" before seemingly walking back on that statement. These comments echo the Kremlin's propaganda about Zelensky's supposed illegitimacy. The Ukrainian Constitution does not permit elections under martial law, which was instituted at the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recent opinion polls give Poroshenko and Tymoshenko slim chances of beating Zelensky if the vote was held today. One poll from February said that 44% of Ukrainians would vote for Zelensky in the first round, the highest number of all potential candidates. The incumbent president was followed by ex-Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi with 21%, Poroshenko with 10%, and Tymoshenko with 6%. Both Poroshenko and Tymoshenko acknowledged only public contacts with foreign partners, including the U.S., and rejected calls for holding elections during the war. Read also: Zelensky announces talk with Trump on March 19; says Russia attacked Ukraines power grid despite claimed pause Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Gerald Krygier is cheering from the sidelines as Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency takes a chainsaw to government bloat. A secondary teacher from Fort Collins, Colorado, Krygier says the government moves too slowly, employs too many people and squanders his tax dollars. Despite some early missteps, he says, hes confident Musk can root out wasteful spending and make government more efficient, just like Musk says he did after taking over Twitter, now X. As for the tens of thousands of government employees fired or in limbo, Krygier doesnt have much sympathy for them. Most jobs come with few protections or guarantees, he says. No one knows that better than Krygier, who was laid off three times in his high-tech career, the first time after 30 years with Hewlett-Packard. So why should federal jobs be any different? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its nothing personal, he said. Its just business. President Donald Trump has spent the first weeks of his second term rallying public support for slashing the federal government and defunding Democrat-backed initiatives, including deep cuts to the United States Agency for International Development and the Department of Education. He and Musk have pitched the mass firings as necessary steps in their battle against an administrative state staffed by unelected bureaucrats disloyal to Trump and to the American people. Trump told NBC news he feels very badly for laid-off workers but many of them dont work at all. We are trying to make the government do better for the American people and rightsize it, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said last week. The government can do a better job for the American people at a better price. 'People think were eating bonbons' Federal workers are bristling at comments from the White House disparaging their contributions. They say they took pay cuts to serve the American people and performed vital functions. Some note they didnt write policies, they just carried them out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charlee Chinn, who was laid off as an industrial relations specialist at the Department of Energy, said she made sure taxpayers money did not go to waste. Public service was at the top of my list for why I wanted to work there, said Chinn, who has been offered reinstatement but has not yet decided if she will take it. I thought I did that best in the government. Ben Vizzachero lost the job he loved as a wildlife biologist at the Los Padres National Forest in California to Trump's cuts. As he sat in the gallery this month at the presidents joint address to Congress three rows in front of Musk as a guest of Rep. Jimmy Panetta, a Democrat, he said he felt "a mounting sense of duty" to speak up. Afterward, he confronted Musk: Mr. Musk, am I waste? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Who are you? Musk replied, according to Vizzachero. After explaining what he did for the U.S. Forest Service helping protect the city of Monterey from wildfires, preserving national treasures like Big Sur and ensuring that everyone had access to public lands Musk assured him he was not needed, Vizzachero said in an interview with USA TODAY. The American people overwhelmingly support the administration's government cuts, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. "There should be no secret about the fact that this administration is committed to cutting waste, fraud and abuse," Leavitt said in a White House briefing last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People think were eating bonbons and looking up used cars on the internet, said Craig McLean, who served during Trumps first term as acting chief scientist of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which oversees the National Weather Service and monitors the oceans and atmospheric conditions, and retired in 2021. I worked for 40 years in the federal government, McLean said. If he found people who werent working like they should have been, I dealt with them, McClean said. Stoking resentment of federal workers How did federal workers become the nations favorite punching bag? From the conservative grassroots Tea Party to the MAGA movement, Americans have long expressed deep resentment about the power the government has over their daily lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anger over federal overreach swelled during the COVID-19 pandemic as mask requirements and vaccine mandates clashed with individual liberties, said Don Kettl, professor emeritus and former dean of the School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland. Trump is stoking that populist stance to root out ideological opposition to his agenda and undercut public employee unions, a key base of political support for Democrats, Kettl said. A Trump hat is seen as Turning Point USA founder and CEO Charlie Kirk, not pictured, debates students during his American Comeback Tour event held at the Humanities Amphitheatre on the University of Tennessee's campus in Knoxville on Thursday, March 13, 2025. Support for federal employees has slipped in recent years. A Pew survey in 2022 found confidence in career civil servants has declined; 52% of Americans expressed a great deal or fair amount of confidence in these workers, down from 61% in 2018. Americans have never much liked the idea of being told what they had to do, and Americans have famously never liked the idea of big, centralized power, Kettl said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump isnt the first president to suspect federal employees of carrying out their own political agenda. Richard Nixon is among the presidents who accused federal employees of sabotaging their initiatives. Though opponents have described Musks DOGE as an unelected shadow government operating beyond the limits of the Constitution and the separation of powers, and doing so with no accountability, in reality, government staffers engineered a hostile takeover of the federal government, said Mitchell Scacchi, the strategic research manager for the separation of powers at the conservative Pacific Legal Foundation. America's war on 'unelected bureaucrats' America has a long history of tackling bureaucracy and vilifying federal employees, according to Landon R. Y. Storrs, a University of Iowa history professor and author of The Second Red Scare and the Unmaking of the New Deal Left. The federal civil service was staffed by supporters of the president and his political party until the patronage system was reformed in the 1880s to reward positions based on merit and skills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Decades later during the wave of "Red Scare" anti-communism that swept the nation after the Second World War, civil servants suspected of being communist spies who had infiltrated the government were subjected to loyalty check reviews. "And that is what is very similar with the 1950s and now: There is just this sort of disgust with the public sector that it's uncompetitive, it's losers, it's parasites, it's people living off of the taxpayers, people who wouldn't have made it in the real world," Storrs said. Disapproval of this workforce only grew with the size and influence of the government. In his inaugural address in 1981, Republican President Ronald Reagan blamed the nations economic decline on the unnecessary and excessive growth of government and declared that government is not a solution to our problem. One of the most popular lines of his presidency was: The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: Im from the government and Im here to help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After winning the presidency in 1992, Bill Clinton, a Democrat, proclaimed the era of big government is over to mute support for Reform Party candidate Ross Perot, who campaigned on eliminating the federal budget deficit and won almost 19% of the vote. Vice-president Al Gore (L)smashes ashtrays with a hammer in a demonstration of government safety testing during an appearance on the "Late Show with David Letterman" on September 8, 1993. Clintons front man in reinventing government was Vice President Al Gore, who demonstrated the need to slash government waste in September 1993 by reading page after page of safety requirements for ashtrays purchased by the federal government they could not shatter into more than 35 pieces on "Late Night with David Letterman." Then he and Letterman donned safety goggles and took turns smashing ashtrays with a hammer on a maple plank (per government instructions). Over time, federal employees and their civil service perks have come to personify taxpayer frustration with government waste and excess. Federal workers have nearly guaranteed employment, higher salaries, student loan relief, better insurance and a pension, one person wrote on Reddit. They also treat the rest of us like peasants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is why (Trump) won the popular mandate and we are all thrilled, wrote another. 'The reality of these cuts hasnt sunk in' Administrations from Theodore Roosevelt to Trump have worked to tame the federal government without much success. The government has employed between 1.8 and 2.4 million people over the past 60 years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and its share of the civilian workforce has remained largely steady. Its unclear how much public support the Trump administrations cost-cutting efforts have. Thirty percent of U.S. adults said they strongly or somewhat favored eliminating a large swath of federal jobs, compared with 40% who were somewhat or strongly opposed, according to a poll in January from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Another 30% had a neutral view. Elon Musk waving a chainsaw presented to him by Argentine President Javier Milei, right, at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Feb. 20, 2025. Fifty-five percent of Americans say they fear Trumps cuts to federal programs will hurt the economy, and just over half say the reductions will hurt their families or local communities, according to a new CNN poll by SSRS. If angry town halls in Republican districts are any indication, mass layoffs could backfire on the Trump administration if Americans have to wait longer at airport security or for IRS refund checks, according to Kettl. The reality of these cuts hasnt sunk in for most Americans yet, he said. Jacob Malcom, who resigned in protest over the Trump firings, says laid-off federal employees kept the nations roads and skies safe for travelers, made sure people had clean water to drink and protected threatened or endangered species, and without them, the public will suffer the consequences. You are not cutting costs. You are cutting investments, said Malcom, former director of the Office of Policy Analysis at the Department of the Interior. These are investments in the nation to make everything work better, and that means that everybody who benefits from those investments is going to be losing out. Itir Cole resigned from her position at the United States Digital Service after the majority of her team was fired and locked out of their computers. For Cole, that meant walking away from her work on a Centers for Disease Control system to track dangerous illnesses and pathogens and prevent their spread. Americans need the talented technologists in the USDS who work on these kinds of hard problems for two-year terms, she said. Instead were telling federal workers: Were good. We dont need you anymore.' I think its a huge miss, and there will be ripple effects of losing these kinds of services and the people who work on them, she said. Its really scary. So far that has not resonated with her own family, most of whom voted for Trump. Cole says none of them have reached out to check on her since her resignation. This story has been updated to change a headline. Contributing: Dinah Voyles Pulver This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How Trump and Musk turned America against federal employees FOND DU LAC In February 1960, John F. Kennedy was still a U.S. senator from Massachusetts one month into a campaign to become the 35th president of the United States. Before Kennedy and his wife, Jacqueline, arrived in Fond du Lac on Feb. 17 that year, they stopped in Waupun for coffee at the apartment of H.L. Guth, then a chat with working men at Guth's Tavern. In Fond du Lac, local World War II hero and then-City Council President James Megellas presented Kennedy with a key to the city, and then Kennedy and his wife stopped at their hotel room on the seventh floor of the Retlaw to prepare for that evening's speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Declassified assassination files: Trump releases classified JFK files on assassination. Here's what they say. Tom Kitchen, retired history teacher and collector of presidential memorabilia, told the FDL Reporter in 2020 that a couple thousand people went through the reception line that night as community members packed into the Crystal Ballroom at the Retlaw to hear Kennedy speak. The crowd included many Republicans. Kennedy's speech was on water pollution, as both a nationwide issue and localized to Wisconsin, according to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. An invitation to a reception for John F. Kennedy at the Retlaw Hotel in Fond du Lac, Wis. owned by Thomas Kitchen. "Last year, the beaches of Milwaukee a source of recreation and pleasure for thousands of people were closed to the public. The reason: the water was polluted it was unhealthy and unsafe," he'd said in his opening remarks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennedy's visit is also infamously remembered for a small incident that occurred before his speech: the Fond du Lac Commonwealth Reporter, predecessor to The Reporter, reported that Kennedy was briefly locked out of his hotel room wearing a T-shirt and shorts. He found his key in his trousers an hour before his speech. Earlier this week, the White House released tens of thousands of pages of previously redacted records on the 1963 assassination of Kennedy. USA TODAY Reporter Josh Meyer wrote that so far, nothing in the documents has changed the understanding that Lee Harvey Oswald shot Kennedy while he rode in a motorcade through Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963, and that Oswald acted alone in the assassination. Other presidential visits: From brushes with security to Kennedy at the Retlaw, FDL residents remember presidential visits Former news staff, local leaders recalled assassination 30 years later In 1993, on the 30th anniversary of Kennedy's assassination, The Reporter published recollections from community members on where they were when he was shot on Nov. 22, 1963. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stan Gores, who was managing editor for the newspaper in 1963, was on the wire that day where bells clanged whenever an important story came through when he got word from one of the photographers. Then United States Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts and Jacqueline Kennedy "are shown as they greeted scores of well wishers at a reception following a talk" Feb. 17, 1960 at the Hotel Retlaw, the original caption printed in the Commonwealth Reporter read. Nic P. Spallas, of Fond du Lac, Sixth District Democratic party chairman and a member of the steering committee of the Wisconsin Kennedy for President club is pictured at right. "That news turned my layout for Page One around, and we tried to keep holding off on the deadline until we got more news, found an answer," he'd said. As the wire room crowded with people from other departments, Gores and the staff managed to wait until they found out Lee Harvey Oswald was responsible. He said his reaction was just to do his job, change layout and get in as many bulletins as possible. "It was a sad day, difficult to understand why this young president was shot," he'd said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The late Fond du Lac County Executive Allen Buechel was in his junior year at St. Mary's Springs Academy, heading to his locker between gym class and English, when the news came over the PA. "It was a very somber class, and everyone was sort of reflecting how it would affect them and their futures," he'd said. "He had a much stronger message for the future than his predecessors or opponents, and I believe he truly wanted to do what was right for the country." His sister, Joyce Buechel, was in eighth grade at St. Peters school in St. Peters and added that Kennedy was important to her school because he was the first Catholic president. Daphne Lemke is the Streetwise reporter for the Fond du Lac Reporter. Contact her at dlemke@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Fond du Lac Reporter: JFK files released: Did John F. Kennedy ever visit Fond du Lac? President Donald Trump's most impressive accomplishment was also his first one: bringing calm to the Middle East. Before taking office, he pushed Israel and Hamas to accept a ceasefire deal that had been on the table since May 2024, including an Israeli-Palestinian prisoner exchange. With peace in Gaza, the Houthi forces in Yemen halted their attacks on foreign shipping, and the U.S. could end its own failed campaign there. Iran seemed ready to negotiate over other outstanding issues, such as its nuclear program. Now, Trump is rapidly undoing those accomplishments. After Israel blocked foreign aid shipments into Gaza, the Houthi movement announced that it would begin attacking Israeli shipping again. Trump not only resumed U.S. attacks on Yemen over the weekend but also took the opportunity to threaten direct war with Iran, which backs the Houthi government. Early on Tuesday morning, Israel resumed its own war in Gaza, killing hundreds of Palestinians in air raids, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that further hostage negotiations will take place "only under fire." Turning a ceasefire into permanent peace was always going to be difficult, and both Israel and Hamas played hardball, especially as Trump's plan to empty the Palestinian population loomed in the background. The ceasefire breaking down at exactly this time in exactly this way, however, was a U.S.-Israeli decision. The Israeli army launched the airstrikes in the middle of talks, and the Trump administration admitted that it was "consulted" by Israel beforehand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Iranian government, meanwhile, has hardened its stance around negotiations. Iranian leaders said in the beginning of Trump's term that it was "not really a problem" for Iran to avoid pursuing nuclear weapons. But the Trump administration has been insisting that Iran has to give up some of its conventional weapons, too. Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, in turn, said earlier this month that negotiating was pointless and would only "make the sanctions knot tighter." Trump's America First mantra has always contained two contradictory urges. On one hand, there's a feeling that America is wasting its resources on hopeless foreign causes, which can be avoided by trying to "solve problems over the telephone." This view is represented by figures around Trump such as Vice President J.D. Vance and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. On the other hand, there's an intense desire to show strength and an intense fear of looking weak. This view is represented by Trump administration figures such as National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, who publicly wanted to escalate in Ukraine and re-invade Afghanistan, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a traditional neoconservative. Waltz and Rubio seem to be feeling their oats with the latest Middle Eastern escalation. Rubio, who physically squirmed in his seat while Vice President J.D. Vance chewed out Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last month, got to be the stern face of the Trump administration while threatening Hamas on Fox News earlier this month. When the airstrikes on Yemen began, Waltz was photographed in the Situation Room with a smug grin, and he gave the administration's pitch for war in an ABC interview soon after. Some of the people around Trump may be telling him that he can escalate even further without embroiling Americans in a full-on war. The American Conservative alluded to "forces inside and outside his administration" urging an expansion of the war in Yemen and a direct attack on Iran. Talk show host Tucker Carlson took to the social media network X to warn that bombing Iran "will set off a war, and it will be America's war. Don't let the propagandists lie to you." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this month, Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir declared that 2025 would be a "year of war" in Gaza and Iran. At the time, it looked as though the Trump administration simply would not allow that to happen. Now, Zamir's prediction seems to describe the Trump administration's policy well. The public shift has been extremely rapid, although the internal conflict was boiling for a few weeks. Adam Boehler, the nominee for Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, became the first U.S. official to meet directly with Hamas earlier this month. His mission was to secure the release of Edan Alexander, an American captured while fighting for the Israeli army. Boehler told the media that he was optimistic about a broader deal for all Israeli hostages, but "we're not an agent of Israel." After news of Boehler's meeting broke, the Wall Street Journal editorial board condemned Boehler, and Republicans in the Senate privately badgered the White House, according to Axios. Boehler withdrew his nomination for the envoy post, and Rubio stressed that the talks were a "one-off situation." This weekend, after Hamas announced that it would release Alexander and hand over the bodies of four Israeli Americans killed in captivity, Witkoff accused Hamas of "publicly claiming flexibility while privately making demands that are entirely impractical without a permanent ceasefire." Ironically, making an offer and then withdrawing the offer after the counterparty accepted it was a classic Biden administration tactic, one that had prolonged the war by months. Just as things shifted rapidly over the past few weeks, they can shift again. By both brokering the ceasefire and allowing it to fall apart, Trump demonstrated that he has more control than anyone else over the pace of violence in the Middle East. And that means he owns whatever comes next. There is no blaming his predecessors now. The post Trump Owns the Middle East Wars Now appeared first on Reason.com. The White House is quietly moving to resume President Donald Trumps transformation of the federal judiciary. But the process looks different this time. An announcement of Trumps first round of judicial nominations since returning to office is expected within the next few weeks, according to four people aware of the plans who were granted anonymity to discuss private White House deliberations. Former White House counsel Don McGahn, who had fallen out of favor with the president, is returning as an informal outside adviser on the process, said several people briefed on the discussions. (McGahn did not respond to requests for comment.) And Stephen Kenny, the deputy White House counsel for nominations who previously worked for Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley, is laying the groundwork to move judges through the confirmation process swiftly, tasked with interfacing with lawmakers and interviewing potential nominees. Trumps generational mark on the federal judiciary appointing more than 200 judges and bolstering the conservative majority on the Supreme Court with three new justices has been widely viewed as one of the most significant achievements of his first term. But as federal courts move to block his administrations agenda and the president becomes increasingly emboldened to challenge judges authority , Trump allies have a renewed appetite to reshape the courts during his second stint in the White House. With even stalwart conservative jurists like Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett now drawing the ire of the MAGA right , Trumps new judicial pipeline is seeking a key qualification: loyalty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre going to be looking for even more bold and fearless judges, said Trump ally Mike Davis , Grassleys former chief counsel for nominations who assisted the first Trump administration with Supreme Court fights. Judges who have been battle-tested. Trump has been known to expect fealty from his lifetime judicial picks, whom he has called my judges. Democrats fear that this time, they will be younger and more ideological. Yet theres little that the minority party can do to block any given nominee, as Republicans have a 53-seat Republican majority in the Senate and the chamber did away with the rule requiring judicial nominees to clear a 60-vote threshold to advance to final confirmation. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) conceded in an interview that ultimately Democrats had to win back the majority if they wanted to stop Trump from filling the bench with even more conservative judges. I think they will be more ideologically extreme, on the fringe of what used to be the Republican Party, said Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. They will be MAGAs, basically. Given the trend of the end of the last Trump term, were heading over a cliff in terms of fringe right wing views. They will have a litmus test on steroids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It remains to be seen what kind of judges the new Trump administration will select and if they will be similar to those from his last time in the White House. Michael Fragoso, who served as chief counsel to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, questioned whether the administration would prioritize those candidates with experience around flashpoint conservative issues like immigration and womens sports. The question it seems to me is whether they will follow the preference of the first term, in terms of prioritizing people with administrative law experience and a hostility to the administrative state, said Fragoso. Or will they look to people with more concrete experience dealing with the kinds of legal issues that are top of mind for Republicans today? Theres also a new brain trust helping run point on Trumps judicial nominees this time around. While conservative legal activist Leonard Leo, who led the Federalist Society, was considered one of few masterminds behind the White Houses judicial selections during Trumps first term, the unrivaled influence of the Federalist Society appears to be waning. Leo isnt directly involved in the process this time, according to a person with knowledge of the dynamic, granted anonymity to reveal inner workings of the pipeline. One conservative leader previously involved in the process said it is less streamlined this time around without Leo and his groups primary influence. There appears to be a more varied collection of outside groups beyond the Federalist Society seeking to play a role, said that person, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly about the process. I do think the process is going to be more dispersed, because there are a lot of strong personalities in the building who have taken an interest in the courts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, many conservative lawyers say Leo is certain to have influence on the processregardless of his standing with the presidentbecause of his longstanding ties to almost everyone in the conservative legal movement. Davis, who runs the conservative judicial advocacy group The Article III Project and has worked closely with deputy White House counsel Kenny, sees his role as advising the White House on potential picks. Kenny reports to White House counsel David Warrington. And outside the West Wing, Aaron Reitz, who was Texas GOP Sen. Ted Cruzs chief of staff, is set to work on this issue once he is confirmed as assistant attorney general for the Justice Departments Office of Legal Policy. For now, the revamped judicial confirmation team can only have a limited impact with just about 45 vacancies across the country and about a handful of circuit court slots. Appeals court judges have been slow to retire since Trump took office, a major obstacle for a White House looking to maximize its impact on the federal bench. It took nearly two months into Trumps second term for any circuit court judge to decide to take senior status. But with Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas now age 76, and Samuel Alito, age 74, Trump could potentially fill two more Supreme Court seats. Davis has compiled his own list for potential Supreme Court nominees Trump could choose from in the event theres an opening during the next four years. In an interview, he floated Judge Aileen Cannon for the job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cannon, who is currently a federal judge on the district court in Fort Pierce, Fla., has faced scrutiny for her rulings in the presidents favor, including her dismissal of the case charging Trump with retention of classified documents. In a speech at the Department of Justice earlier this month, Trump, who nominated Cannon to the federal bench in 2020, called her brilliant. Another federal judge for Florida being discussed in conservative circles as a possible Supreme Court pick is Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, a Trump district court appointee who sits in Tampa and a former law clerk to Justice Clarence Thomas. In 2022, she struck down the federal mask mandate for travel by plane and on other public transportation. (Shes married to Chad Mizelle, whos chief of staff to Attorney General Pam Bondi and currently acts as DOJs No. 3 official.) The influential D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals is a potential stepping stone for any future Supreme Court pick. Republican lawyers gaming out potential scenarios have their eyes on the seat currently occupied by Judge Karen LeCraft Henderson, 80, an appointee of President George H.W. Bush. Shes been on the court for nearly 35 years. So far, there are already interviews underway for district court judgeships in Missouri and Florida, where the Republican senators are likely to put forward potential nominees that align with the administrations agenda, according to a person with knowledge of the process granted anonymity to discuss private dynamics. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) has also put out a solicitation for applications for the vacancy on the First Circuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And while Trump may have more limited opportunities to appoint new judges, he stands to benefit in his second term from significant changes Senate Republicans have made to the judicial nomination process. Under McConnell, who was passionate about confirming judges and played a major role in the process in Trumps first term, Republicans eliminated the filibuster for Supreme Court nominees, allowing Trump to confirm three justices in his four years in office without relying on Democrats. Grassley, during his last time helming the judiciary panel from 2015-2019, abolished the so-called blue slip process for circuit court nominees, meaning that those judgeships no longer required approval from home-state senators to move through the confirmation process. And in 2019, the Republican majority also limited floor debate time on district court nominations to speed things along. Those two changes, which are hugely important, I think make it less important to have someone with McConnells skill now, said one conservative activist, granted anonymity to discuss sensitive Congressional dynamics, of the debate time and blue slip policy revisions. ( Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) became majority leader earlier this year. ) In other words: once Trumps new team starts putting up judicial nominees, hell have a Senate primed to confirm them. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt refused Wednesday to reveal how the government had identified the hundreds of supposed gang members who were flown to El Salvador over the weekend. Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act on Saturday, hoping to use the eighteenth-century law to suspend due process and deport scores of noncitizens who his administration claimed were members of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang. But the government has yet to provide any information on who those individuals are, or exactly how they were determined to be members of the gang, now declared an invading force. During a White House press briefing Wednesday, ABC Newss Rachel Scott asked Leavitt to reveal any actual information about the hundreds of people the government had deported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Can the administration provide any more details on how authorities determined that each of those men were in fact members of a gang? asked Scott. And if the White House can publish images, photos, videos of those men, why cant the administration just release basic information like their identities and names? We are not going to reveal operational details about a counterterrorism operation, Leavitt said. But what I can assure you, as I said on Monday, we have the highest degree of confidence in our ICE agents and our customs and border control agents who have committed their lives to targeting illegal criminals in our country, particularly foreign terrorists. Leavitt insisted that immigration authorities had great evidence and indication that those who were deported were foreign terrorists, or members of the Tren de Aragua gang. Authorities were 100 percent confident in the individuals that were sent home on these flights, and in the presidents executive authority to do that, Leavitt said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But there was cause for concern on the governments judgment from the beginning. Judge James Boasbergs original order Saturday was to prevent the deportation of five of the individuals, after two legal advocacy groups said that some individuals had been falsely labeled gang members. Boasberg later issued a second order for a total stay on any individual deported under the AEAbut by then, planes were already in the air. Meanwhile, ICE has openly admitted that it has nothing on several of the noncitizens who were deported, and implied that the lack of evidence was the very thing that helped the government assume their guilt. ICE Acting Field Office Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations Robert Cerna argued that the lack of specific information about each individual actually highlights the risk they pose, and demonstrates that they are terrorists with regard to whom we lack a complete profile, according to ABC News. The family of one man, Francisco Javier Garcia, who was among the 261 individuals deported to prison in El Salvador, claimed that their loved one did not have a criminal record in the U.S. or in Venezuela, according to NBC Miami. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It appears that at least a few of the individuals rushed on the planes were marked as gang members simply because of their tattoos. The White House said that of the 261 people who were deported, 101 were removed as part of regular immigration proceedings. US President Donald Trump has promised to cooperate with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy in finding Patriot air defence systems for Ukraine. Source: White House following talks between Trump and Zelenskyy, as reported by European Pravda Details: The White House reported that during their phone call, the two leaders agreed that "Ukraine and America will continue working together to bring about a real end to the war" and that "lasting peace under President Trumps leadership can be achieved". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelenskyy requested an additional air defence system to protect civilians, specifically Patriot systems. "President Trump agreed to work with him to find what was available, particularly in Europe," the White House stated. Trump also "fully briefed" Zelenskyy on his conversation with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin. "They reviewed the situation in Kursk and agreed to share information closely between their defence staffs as the battlefield situation evolved," the White House added. Background: Trump described his phone conversation with Zelenskyy as "very good", adding that a significant part of the discussion was based on his conversation the previous day with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, aimed at aligning "both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs". Zelenskyy later stated that they had agreed to discuss the "technical issues related to implementing and expanding the partial ceasefire" specifically, a halt to strikes on energy and civilian infrastructure. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! The Trump administration has threatened the New York City transportation agency with removing federal funding if the agency withholds its data on crime in the citys subway at the end of the month. President Donald Trump also wants the city to end its congestion pricing policies, which would mean that New York would require additional federal funds to make up the shortfall, WABC noted. Funds from the controversial congestion prices are designated to go to improvements for the citys vast subway, bus and ferry system. The Trump administration argues its stepping in to deal with threats to public safety. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told Metropolitan Transportation Authority CEO Janno Lieber in a letter sent Tuesday that commuters are tired of putting their safety on the line as they travel around the city, adding that if the agency doesnt take action, the Federal Transit Administration will take measures such as redirecting and withholding federal funds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2024, New York City saw a spike in violent crime along the subway system. Stories of attacks dominated headlines and worried some tourists. However, the crime rate on the subway has dropped in recent months. The letter requests that the MTA share its plans to battle crime, such as assaults on commuters and transit employees, as well as reducing injuries and fatalities from suicide and subway surfing. The administration also wants the MTA to take action to deter fare evasion. The Trump administration has threatened to remove New York Citys transit authority from federal funding if it keeps withholding crime states (Getty Images) The trend of violent crime, homelessness, and other threats to public safety on one of our nation's most prominent metro systems is unacceptable, said Duffy. After years of soft-on-crime policies, our Department is stepping in to restore order. Commuters are sick and tired of feeling like they have to jeopardize their safety to get to work, go to school, or to travel around the city, he added. We will continue to fight to ensure their federal tax dollars are going towards a crime-free commute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The missive comes as the city and the federal government are at loggerheads over congestion pricing, with the Trump administration working to eliminate the toll program, having placed a deadline of this Friday to end it. However, New York has responded by suing, and it doesnt plan on stopping to gather fees from drivers. The deadline will come and go, and the congestion pricing program will continue to deliver a much better traffic environment for New York and a lot of other economic benefits as well," Lieber told reporters at a press conference at Penn Station. It's the right thing to do for New York to continue it, but it's also very basic litigation reality, which is that when you have a dispute, the status quo stays unless one party gets an injunction to change it while you're resolving the dispute, said Lieber. The missive comes as the city and the federal government are at loggerheads over congestion pricing, with the Trump administration working to eliminate the toll program (Getty Images) The MTA is set to receive $15 billion in congestion pricing to modernize the subway and make it more accessible, CBS News reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MTA Chief of Policy and External Relations John McCarthy said in a statement, We are happy to discuss with Secretary Duffy our efforts, alongside the NYPD, to reduce crime and fare evasion. The good news is numbers are moving in the right direction: crime is down 40 percent compared to the same period in 2020, right before the pandemic, and so far in 2025, there are fewer daily major crimes in transit than any non-pandemic year ever, he added. Moreover, in the second half of last year, subway fare evasion was down 25 percent after increasing dramatically during Covid. The debate over Ukraines elections and future leadership is intensifying. With peace talks gaining momentum, calls for elections are growing louder, and both the Russian and American sides are questioning Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys legitimacy. However, criticism from the Kremlin and the Oval Office has inadvertently solidified his position. For months, Zelenskys approval ratings, though always high, had been under pressure due to military setbacks, internal disputes, and questions over governance. That changed almost overnight. Recent polling shows a sharp rise in his ratings, with the increase directly tied to Ukraines growing rift with the United States, creating a strong rally-round-the-flag effect. When U.S. President Donald Trump cast Zelensky as the obstacle to his instant peace plan, the Ukrainian president became a political martyr positioned as a leader standing up to a powerful external force demanding concessions. As seen in past crises, Ukrainian political survival depends on defiance, not accommodation. Zelensky is not alone in this. French President Emmanuel Macron sharpened his image as a European strongman by challenging Trumps America-first policies. In Canada, the governing Liberal Party gained 15% as Trump waged his campaign of threats and tariffs. Even U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has used his positioning as a "bridge to Washington" to consolidate his leadership. Politicians across the West are having their Love Actually moment, courtesy of Trumps bullying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Politicians across the West are having their Love Actually moment, courtesy of Trumps bullying." Yet Zelensky is not merely posturing he is actively resisting U.S. pressure to accept terms that would weaken Ukraines position. This resistance has transformed him from a leader facing difficult re-election prospects into a figure once again seen as indispensable. Trump wants Zelensky gone, but he faces a significant problem: Who would the U.S. want as its preferred candidate? The idea that Washington could simply appoint a pro-American successor reflects a misunderstanding of Ukraines political landscape a mistake Russia has made repeatedly. The most likely contender is Yulia Tymoshenko, who has maintained political relevance through decades of reinvention. However, despite her longevity, Tymoshenko has never won a presidential election, and her appeal is increasingly limited to specific voter blocs. If Washington backed her, it would be backing a losing bet. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky answers questions from the media during a press conference in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Feb. 23, 2025. (Kostiantyn Liberov/Libkos/Getty Images) Another name emerging in speculation about private talks with the Trump administration is former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, Zelenskys primary political rival. Like Tymoshenko, Poroshenko is a fixture of Ukrainian politics an old-guard figure with a sizable anti-rating. His time as president left deep divisions, and while he remains influential, his chances of winning the presidency are slim. His polarizing legacy makes him an unlikely unifying candidate with little chance of securing a national mandate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That leaves former Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and current Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.K. Valerii Zaluzhnyi, frequently mentioned in speculation. However, the idea that Zaluzhnyi could become a pro-American candidate overlooks the reality of his position. Zaluzhnyis primary allegiance is to Ukraines military, not any foreign political agenda. Aligning too closely with U.S. demands especially those perceived as capitulatory would risk alienating the Ukrainian electorate and could potentially even be seen as treasonous by former Ukrainian military comrades. While Zelensky is often criticized for his domestic policies and personnel choices, in foreign policy, he channels the will of the Ukrainian people. His firm stance earns him their trust. Sure, another negotiator could be sent, but they would lack legitimacy and largely share the same position. If a leader were to concede to Russian demands, history suggests they wouldnt last long. Ukraine has a well-established tradition of overthrowing leaders who serve Russian interests (see the Orange Revolution and the Revolution of Dignity). Any deal would need not just a presidents signature; it would require the backing of the Ukrainian people. More importantly, it would need the acceptance of Ukraines military one million men and women who have sacrificed too much to take orders from a Trump-anointed puppet. If Washington believes it can install a leader who tells them to lay down their weapons, why would they listen? Why wouldnt they turn their guns (and shiny Western tanks) on them instead? The idea that Ukraines war can be resolved by simply reshuffling its leadership is naive at best, and at worst, a recipe for even greater chaos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The irony is that those most eager to see Zelensky replaced whether in Washington or Moscow may have done the most to secure his continued leadership. Attempts to sideline him and paint him as an obstacle to negotiations have only strengthened his position. Just as external pressure has historically galvanized Ukrainian resistance, it has also cemented Zelenskys role at the helm. With no viable pro-American alternative and no serious internal challengers gaining momentum, the Ukrainian president appears poised to remain in power for the foreseeable future. Editors Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent. KI Insights Visit KI Insights to learn more and subscribe to the insider weekly newsletter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement visit ki insights Submit an Opinion Read also: Germanys military rebirth is Europes best bet against Putin Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ever since Donald Trump moseyed back into office in January, his administrations every move has seemingly been geared toward goading Black folks to come outside and fight. Every attempt they make to rid the government of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts just screams code for Get these N-words up outta here (despite the fact that were, like, last in line for groups to benefit from DEI). Thing is, we know what happens if we do come out to fight. And were not going for the bait. Earlier this month, pressure from Republicans to paint over the massive Black Lives Matter mural in Washington D.C., lest the district get its federal funding cut, scared Mayor Muriel Bowser into doing just that. But we didnt march. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also earlier this month, the New York Times released a list of words disappearing in the federal government during its assault on all things woke, which includes the word Black. Infuriating stuff, but not a sign was raised out in these streets. Just this week, the Trump administration clearly operating on Jim Crow Time decided to remove the ban on segregated facilities thats been in place since some of yalls grandparents were kids to prevent things like whites only water fountains being a legal thing. Do you see any roads being blocked off with protests...? I dont. Nah, were not taking to the streets this time around. Look no further than this white lady on TikTok who calls herself the Laughing Lawyer going viral for her pleas to stand up and march on the front lines to keep Black folks rights to exist in, yknow, the 21st century. Even though she insists in her video that white folks need to head up the charge this time, Black folks in her comments are letting her know that we, without qualification, are sitting this one out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement tiktok-7483323073559563566 You see, we recognize that if we step out and protest again, the Trump administration which had zero problem with the Nazi salute getting tossed out twice at its inauguration will pop out and start whacking us upside the head in a manner that we didnt have to worry about with presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama. Back in 2020, when police killed George Floyd and jump-started a movement, so many companies sided with BLM. Pizza Hut made a statement. Walmart took a stand. Even Wrangler Jeans (Im willing to bet that not even 5% of the Black American population has even tried on a pair of these jeans) felt the need to make a statement. But now, private companies are capitulating to Trumps administration by rolling back their DEI policies, and Black folks are simply catching the vibes we know that its dangerous to kick up a fuss out here right now while were just trying to eke out a living amid the assault on federal jobs. (Working for the government has historically been the way that many Black folks have gained economic upward mobility we make up around 13% of the U.S. population, but 19% of the Federal workforce.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indeed, Black folks will prevail. We will get through whatever Trump and his supporters will cook up for us. We are alarmed, but not dismayed. Disappointed, but not surprised. White progressives and scared knee-grows can flee the country and move to Canada, but that will not be how most of us will respond. Our ancestors built this nation, and despite a litany of offenses we have endured. But even our ancestors knew when to fold em and sit it out. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. It was also revealed that Putin had rejected the US proposal for a 30-day full ceasefire, which Ukraine had previously agreed to. Instead, he supported a pledge for both sides to refrain from attacking energy facilities for 30 days. WASHINGTON President Donald Trumps administration on Tuesday released what it said were all of the government's classified files on the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy, making tens of thousands of pages of unredacted records available to the public for the first time. The release of the files comes after Trump signed a day one executive order in January aimed at fully releasing government documents related to the assassinations of Kennedy, his brother and presidential candidate Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, D-N.Y., and civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. The contents of the documents, and whether any previously unreleased information is in them, wasn't immediately clear. Historians quickly said they would need time to assess the flood of files to understand if they were significantly different from previous releases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, nothing in the documents has changed the long-held findings that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in assassinating Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963 while the then-president rode in a motorcade in Dallas. Read the JFK files Looking to read the JFK files yourself? You can find them on the National Archives' website here. Most of the files are scans of documents, and some are blurred or have become faint or difficult to read in the decades since Kennedy's assassination. There are also photographs and sounds recordings, mostly from the 1960s. Marina Pitofsky Report from Russia: Oswald was a lousy shot One document dated Nov. 20, 1991 appears to be a teletype of U.S. intelligence reporting on Lee Harvey Oswald, his time in the Soviet Union, his stormy relationship with his Soviet wife and his apparently poor marksmanship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The document says that a KGB official named Nikonov reviewed files from the feared Soviet security service, the KGB, to determine if Oswald had been a KGB agent. Reuters reported that the document cited a report from an American professor named E.B. Smith who reported he had talked in Moscow about Oswald with KGB official Slava Nikonov, who said he had reviewed five thick files about the assassin to determine if he had been a KGB agent. Nikonov is now confident that Oswald was at no time an agent controlled by the KGB, the document says. From the description of Oswald in the files, Nikonov doubted that anyone could control Oswald, but noted that the KBG (sic) watched him closely and constantly while he was in the USSR. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nikonov also commented that Oswald had a stormy relationship with his Soviet wife, who rode him incessantly/ The KGB files also reflected that Oswald was a poor shot when he tried target firing in the USSR, the document said. Some conspiracy theorists have latched onto bits and pieces of the CIAs files on Oswald, including those about his erratic behavior, as proof he either didnt act alone or didnt actually have anything to do with Kennedys assassination. - Josh Meyer Documents touch on Lee Harvey Oswald theories Some of the documents also include references to various conspiracy theories suggesting that Oswald left the Soviet Union in 1962 intent on assassinating the popular young president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Department of Defense documents from 1963 covered the Cold War of the early 1960s and the U.S. involvement in Latin America, trying to thwart Cuban leader Fidel Castro's support of communist forces in other countries. The documents suggest that Castro would not go so far as to provoke a war with the United States or escalate to the point "that would seriously and immediately endanger the Castro regime." "It appears more likely that Castro might intensify his support of subversive forces in Latin America," the document reads. Reuters What did experts initially say about the JFK files? James Johnston, author of "Murder, Inc.: The CIA under John F. Kennedy" told USA TODAY that he wasnt expecting any bombshells, given that virtually all of the relevant agencies including the CIA had promised to turn over everything they had years ago to the National Archives in 1988. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If it was going to embarrass the agency or tell a different story, they wouldn't have turned them over to the National Archives in the first place, said Johnston, who was a staff member of the congressional Church Committee that investigated the CIA in 1975. And if they were withholding them before, Im guessing they would continue to withhold them. Johnston cited one particular document that he knows exists but that he says hasnt been turned over to the National Archives the first one-on-one conversation between President Lyndon Johnson and CIA Director John McCone right after Johnson took office after Kennedys assassination. McCone was long suspected of withholding information from the Warren Commission, the panel Johnson created to investigate Kennedys murder, according to Philip Shenon, author of A Cruel and Shocking Act: The Secret History of the Kennedy Assassination. McCone was kept on as CIA director by Johnson and pledged full cooperation with the commission, which was led by Chief Justice Earl Warren, Shenon wrote in a 2015 Politico article about his books findings. He testified that the CIA had no evidence to suggest that Oswald was part of any conspiracy, foreign or domestic, but rather a former Marine and self-proclaimed Marxist who acted as a delusional lone wolf. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That depiction of Oswald was ultimately adopted by the Warren Commission in its final report. But years later, Shenon said, the CIA itself acknowledged that McCone had withheld information from commission investigators. A 1964 historic federal law enforcement photo of the post John F. Kennedy assassination investigation shows FBI agent Robert Frazier reenacting the JFK assassination near its original location at the Texas School Book Depository building in Dallas, Texas October 8, 2013. US Donald Trump said his administration will release on March 18, 2025, the remaining government files on the assassination of president John F. Kennedy -- a case that still fuels conspiracy theories more than 60 years after his death. The Warren Commission that investigated the shooting of the charismatic 46-year-old president determined that it was carried out by a former Marine sharpshooter, Lee Harvey Oswald, acting alone. But that formal conclusion has done little to quell speculation that a more sinister plot was behind Kennedy's murder in Dallas, Texas, and the slow release of the government files has added fuel to various conspiracy theories. What is the Warren Commission? Several of the documents released Tuesday are tied to the Warren Commission: But what is it? After Kennedy was shot in 1963, his successor Lyndon B. Johnson created a commission to investigate the assassination. The Warren Commission determined that Oswald, who was arrested and later shot by a nightclub owner on live television, acted alone. Still, the assassination has fueled intense debate and a myriad of theories challenging the conclusion of the Warren Commission. Polls have shown that many Americans believe Kennedys death was part of a wider conspiracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christopher Cann President John F Kennedy, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, Texas Governor John Connally, and others smile at the crowds lining their motorcade route in Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963. Minutes later the President was assassinated as his car passed through Dealey Plaza. Part of Trumps promise of maximum transparency at the nations intelligence agencies Trump himself did not immediately post about the document release. But Tulsi Gabbard, Trumps director of National Intelligence, hailed their release, saying it was part of Trumps promise for maximum transparency and a commitment to rebuild the trust of the American people in the Intelligence Community (IC) and federal agencies. Critics have long accused the intelligence community, and CIA in particular, of withholding potentially revelatory information about the case. Still, intelligence officials over the years have insisted that they have released everything important and that whats left was withheld only to protect highly classified sources and methods of gathering intelligence and protecting sources. In a statement, Gabbard said that she immediately sent out a directive across the intelligence community after Trumps Monday announcement ordering everyone to provide all unredacted records within the collection of documents about Kennedy's assassination the national archives for immediate release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement JFK file experts said those documents almost certainly have all been made public and viewed already, but with mostly minor redactions. Not all documents posted online Tuesday night The documents were released just before 7 p.m. The National Archives and Records Administration, the keeper of the documents, posted them with this statement: In accordance with President Donald Trumps directive of March 17, 2025, all records previously withheld for classification that are part of the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection are released. The National Archives said it partnered with agencies across the federal government to comply with the Presidents directive in support of Executive Order 14176. It said the records are available to access either online or in person, via hard copy or on analog media formats, at the National Archives at College Park, Maryland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the records continue to be digitized, they will be posted to this page, the National Archives said, suggesting that not all of the documents were being released on Tuesday in digital form. The National Archives also said some information might still be withheld under court seal or for grand jury secrecy, and because some tax return information is subject to Internal Revenue Code prohibitions. A Carcano Model 91/38 rifle is seen near where Lee Harvey Oswald ditched his 50 years earlier the Sixth Floor Museum formally the site of the Texas School Book Depository October 8, 2013 in Dallas, Texas. The sixth floor of the Dallas County Administration Building now houses the Sixth Floor Museum which is dedicated to the history behind the assassination of US President John F. Kennedy. November 22 will mark the 50th anniversary of the assassination of JFK in Dallas's Dealey Plaza. More: Trump's release of assassination docs opens window into nation's most debated mysteries 'People have been waiting for decades for this' The digital document dump came one day after Trump announced the files would be released during a visit to the John F. Kennedy Center of the Performing Arts, which he's taken over as board chairman. "People have been waiting for decades for this," Trump told reporters. "We have a tremendous amount of paper. You've got a lot of reading, Trump added. I don't believe we're going to redact anything. The CIA and Federal Bureau of Investigation, which were involved in JFK assassination investigations and in the document release, had no immediate comment. Documents related to the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy are displayed after they were released following an order from U.S. President Donald Trump, in Washington D.C. on March 18, 2025. 'An encouraging start' JFK assassination scholar Jefferson Morley said in a statement late Tuesday night that the release of the first tranche of documents is an encouraging start. We now have complete versions of approximately a third of the redacted JFK documents held by the National Archives, or 1,124 of approximately 3,500 documents, said Morley, vice president of the Mary Ferrell Foundation, a non-profit that promotes access to historical government documents He is also author of the JFK Facts newsletter and three books on the CIA that portray the agencys involvement in the events leading up to the assassination. Seven of ten JFK files held by the Archives and sought by JFK researchers are now in the public record, Morley said. These long-secret records shed new light on JFKs mistrust of the CIA, the Castro assassination plots, the surveillance of Oswald in Mexico City, and CIA propaganda operations involving Oswald. But the release does not include two thirds of the promised files, or any of 500-plus IRS records or 2,400 recently discovered FBI files, Morley said. Nonetheless, he said, this is most positive news on the declassification of JFK files since the 1990s." - Josh Meyer A mad Justice Department scramble to meet Trumps deadline Trumps order reportedly set off a scramble within the Justice Departments National Security Division to meet Trump's deadline, according to ABC News and Reuters. In an email just before 5 p.m. ET Monday, a senior official within DOJ's Office of Intelligence said that even though the FBI had already conducted "an initial declassification review" of the documents, "all" of the attorneys in the operations section now had to provide "a second set of eyes" to help with this "urgent NSD-wide project., ABC News reported Tuesday. More: Task force on government secrets to interview 'witnesses' of JFK assassination The process of releasing the files was set in motion on Trumps first day in office on Jan. 20, when he signed an executive order aimed at fully releasing all government documents related to the assassinations of Kennedy, his brother and presidential candidate Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, D-N.Y., and civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. The suit worn by Dallas Homicide Detective Jim Leavelle is seen in front of a photo of the murder of Lee Harvey Oswald by Jack Ruby in the Sixth Floor Museum formally the site of the Texas School Book Depository October 8, 2013 in Dallas, Texas. The sixth floor of the Dallas County Administration Building now houses the Sixth Floor Museum which is dedicated to the history behind the assassination of US President John F. Kennedy. November 22 will mark the 50th anniversary of the assassination of JFK in Dallas's Dealey Plaza. A new FBI tranche of 2,400 JFK records Last month, the FBI said it found some 2,400 new records linked to Kennedy's assassination as well. The agency said it was in the process of passing the documents to the National Archives and Records Administration. It's unclear what revelations, if any, are contained in the newly discovered files. Kennedys assassination has long been the subject of conspiracies after Oswald, the Marine veteran identified as Kennedy's assassin, was shot and killed days later. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump's Health and Human Services secretary, has called for release of the files to see if any U.S. officials were involved in the assassination or potential coverup. Several U.S. investigations had found no such evidence. While millions of government records related to the Kennedy assassination have been previously released, some information remains classified and redacted. Trump said he instructed his director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, to oversee the release of the remaining files. More: FBI finds 2,400 new documents linked to JFK assassination A federal law passed in 1992 required the Kennedy assassination records to be fully released by Oct. 26, 2017 unless the president at the time determined their release would cause "identifiable harm" to the military defense, intelligence operations, law enforcement, or conduct of foreign relations of such gravity that it "outweighs the public interest in disclosure." Trump was president when the 2017 deadline arrived. He ordered the release of nearly 2,900 records, but kept others secret because of concerns by the CIA and FBI that their release could hurt national security. Former President Joe Biden acted in 2021, 2022 and 2023 to give agencies more time to review the records. The documents released in 2017 included details on the FBI and CIA investigations into Oswald and information on covert Cold War operations. Josh Meyer is USA TODAY's Domestic Security Correspondent. You can reach him by email at jmeyer@usatoday.com. Follow him on X at @JoshMeyerDC and Bluesky at @joshmeyerdc.bsky.social. Contributing: Ed Brackett, Joey Garrison This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: JFK files have been released: Here's what they say about assassination For over half a century, one thing was a constant in the Oval Office: the Swedish ivy plant above the fireplace - until now, that is. As the second Trump administration moved in, the plant was replaced by a range of golden objects. The ivy had seen a host of visitors since it was first perched atop the Oval Offices mantel including Nelson Mandela, Pope John II, Margaret Thatcher and Whitney Houston, The Washington Post noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the presidencies of Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter, the ivy was bushy before being cut down during the reign of Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. It appears in Bill Clintons presidential portrait. When the second George Bush arrived, it was split into three shrubs. It grew into a wider, hedge-like plant during the presidency of Barack Obama, who briefly changed it out for a different kind of ivy before it was cut into two smaller plants during Trumps first term. During President Joe Bidens time in the White House, the ivy once again grew bushier. While it was still there when Trump returned to office in January, it was gone by last month. Numerous people have descendants of the ivy in their homes, The Post noted. Clippings have been handed to White House staff when they leave their posts, and they have, in turn, given parts of the plants to friends and family. Donald Trump meets with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on February 4. By the time of the meeting, the ivy that has been on Oval Office staple for decades had been removed (AFP via Getty Images) Rico Gardaphe worked in the Office of Presidential Correspondence during the Obama administration. He told the paper that his Brooklyn home is overrun by the ivy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I kept a spreadsheet of all the people Ive ever worked with, he said. Its been my goal to get every one of them a clipping. It was at the very bottom of things that I decided to get upset about, he said regarding the ivys February disappearance from the Oval Office. On March 8, Mother Jones reported in a headline that The Countrys Most Famous Houseplant Is Missing. At a reception in Dublin, Ireland, in 2000, Clinton told the attendees: In the Oval Office of the president, on the mantel, there is a beautiful ivy plant which has been there for almost 40 years now. It was given to President Kennedy by the then-Irish ambassador to the United States as an enduring sign of the affection between our two people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the story may not be true, The Post noted, as the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library told the paper, Unfortunately, we havent been able to find evidence of the plants origins. Trump had the Ivy during his first term - but not his second (Getty Images) Kennedy scholar Barbara Ann Perry told the paper the oldest photo she has been able to find of the plant in the Oval Office is from the Ford White House. It does not make sense, does it? For an Irish ambassador to give Swedish ivy, said Perry. I mean, its still possible that the Swedish ambassador gave President Kennedy this gift. However, the plant, Plectranthus verticillatus, comes from South Africa and is in the same family of plants as mint and sage. The White House ivies get switched out and rest up in a greenhouse between their stints in the Oval Office, which is where the ivy was moved, without being replaced, last month, according to The Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So why the change? Each new presidents decorate the White House to their individual tastes, and the second Trump administration has replaced the ivy with golden artifacts from the White House collection, including a bronze basket made in France in about 1815, handed to the Nixon administration in 1973. To each of the baskets sides are urns acquired by President James Monroe in 1817, not long after the British burned the White House during the War of 1812. The outer two pieces come from the Eisenhower administration and are usually stationed in the Vermeil Room. President Trump said that Chief Justice John Roberts statement on Tuesday didnt mention him by name while doubling down on his call to impeach a federal judge who ruled against his administration in a high-profile deportation case. In an interview on Tuesday with Fox Newss Laura Ingraham, Trump was asked what his reaction was to Roberts stepping in to make a statement after Trump called for impeaching U.S. District Judge James Boasberg. He didnt mention my name in the statement. I just saw it quickly. He didnt mention my name. But many people have called for his impeachment. The impeachment of this judge. I dont know who the judge is. He is radical left. He is Obama-appointed, Trump said, according to an early clip shared on the social platform X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boasberg, an appointee of former President Obama, blocked Trump from invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to swiftly deport Venezuelan migrants the administration has labeled as gang members. On Tuesday, Trump said that the decision to remove people from the U.S. should be left to the president. He actually said we shouldnt be able to take criminals, killers, murderers, horrible, the worst people, gang members, gang leaders that we shouldnt be allowed to take them out of our country, Trump told Fox News. Well, that is a presidential job. Not for a local judge to be making that determination. Roberts didnt name the president in his pushback, but he said calling for impeachment isnt an appropriate response to a judicial disagreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose, the chief justice said. Trump called Boasberg on Truth Social a radical left lunatic and a troublemaker and agitator before saying he should be removed from office. This judge, like many of the Crooked Judges I am forced to appear before, should be IMPEACHED!!! WE DONT WANT VICIOUS, VIOLENT, AND DEMENTED CRIMINALS, MANY OF THEM DERANGED MURDERERS, IN OUR COUNTRY. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!! the president wrote. 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. President Donald Trump on Tuesday claimed his administration would not openly defy court orders despite declarations from top aides to not care about judges decisions amid a slew of rulings across the country against immigrant deportations and federal firings. Trump appeared to take the multiple court losses personally. He told Fox News host Laura Ingraham in an interview that nobody has been through more courts than I have, citing his experience as a criminal defendant in multiple court cases and countless civil lawsuits over the years, and complained he has had the worst judges in the various cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But when pressed by Ingraham on whether his administration would flout court orders from judges who have ordered his administration to stop deporting people under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act and on other court orders blocking his administrations effort to shutter the U.S. Agency for International Development and fire tens of thousands of federal workers, Trump insisted that he never did defy a court order as president. No, you can't do that, he said. But the president also claimed that the courts are ruling against him because they are staffed by very bad judges who shouldnt be allowed to make decisions that impinge on what he has claimed to be part and parcel of his authority as president. Trump blasted veteran jurist U.S. District Judge James Boasberg the chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia whose impeachment he had called for earlier in the day a lunatic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps launched his tirade against Boasberg after the federal judge held an emergency hearing on Monday to press government lawyers on defying a Saturday evening emergency order barring deportation of any Venezuelan national targeted under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act. Trump had invoked the act late last week, claiming the country was under an invasion by Tren de Aragua, a criminal gang which the administration has declared to be a foreign terrorist organization linked to the Venezuelan government. Boasbergs order directed the administration not to remove anyone from the country after a group of Venezuelan nationals filed suit. The government has not deported those five named plaintiffs. But planes carrying roughly 250 others who were accused by the Trump administration of being members of Tren de Aragua left airports in Texas during a Saturday evening hearing shortly before Boasberg issued the order. On Monday, at a second hearing demanded by Boasberg, the jurist became irate when Department of Justice lawyers insisted that they had urgent national security reasons for keeping the planes in the air instead of turning them around as ordered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any plane that you put into the air in or around that time, you knew that I was having a hearing at 5, the judge reportedly said. Trump and his supporters subsequently called for Boasburg to be impeached because the president did not like his order. That protpted a rare rebuke from Supreme Court Chief Justice Roberts, who branded calls for impeachment inappropriate. Trump told Ingraham he believes his administrations policy will ultimately be upheld by the Supreme Court, which includes three justices who were named to the bench during his first term, because the job of getting people out of our country that are murderers, that are absolutely the worst people ... that's a presidential thing. He added: You have local judges, local federal judges ... that want to really take over. I think some of it's for the publicity. They love the publicity. All of a sudden they're on the front page of every newspaper, but they have no right to be. President Donald Trump said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed to a 30-day ceasefire of attacks on energy infrastructure during a call on Wednesday morning, describing the hour-long conversation as very good in a social media post and calling peace talks very much on track. The call came a day after Trumps lengthy conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who accepted the partial 30-day pause on attacking energy infrastructure but not the broader ceasefire that Ukraine and the U.S. had agreed to a week earlier. Trump said much of the discussion was based on that call with Putin in order to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president also suggested that Zelenskyy consider allowing the U.S. to help run its power plants following the war as something akin to a security guarantee, according to a statement following the phone call from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and national security adviser Michael Waltz. American ownership of those plants would be the best protection for that infrastructure and support for Ukrainian energy infrastructure, the statement said. Zelenskyy, in a statement, described the conversation as a positive, very substantive, and frank conversation. While noting that Russia did not agree to the broader ceasefire terms Ukraine did last week, Zelenskyy offered a hearty endorsement of the Trump-led peace process. We believe that together with America, with President Trump, and under American leadership, lasting peace can be achieved this year, he said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelenskyy also said Ukraine is ready to engage in the next round of talks with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia. Those discussions may focus more on whether the ceasefire can be broadened and turned into an outline for a permanent truce a conversation, the president and top aides have said,would include Ukraine making territorial concessions to Russia. Russias agreement to the brief halting of attacks on energy infrastructure was accompanied by an intensified aerial assault on several Ukrainian cities Tuesday evening, underscoring just how far off an end to the broader conflict remains. Putin and Zelenskyy are trying to placate Trumps desire for negotiations toward a lasting peace, but they remain far apart on their conditions for agreeing to one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelenskyy has chafed at ceding major chunks of occupied territory to Russia permanently and at Russias demand that Ukraine hold new elections. Putin, meanwhile, told Trump on Tuesday that he is seeking an end to all foreign defense aid flowing to Ukraine as part of a broader truce and continues to state that he wants what he sees as the root causes of the war addressed Kremlin shorthand for Ukraines alignment with the West and its future NATO ambitions. But after Trumps and Vice President JD Vances berating of Zelenskyy in the Oval Office last month and his temporary pause of U.S. defense aid, Ukraine far more dependent on the U.S. than Russia appears determined to give Trump and his peacemaking efforts the benefit of the doubt. A senior Ukrainian official, granted anonymity to discuss the sensitive call, described it as positive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This call was indeed not bad. Trump shared some things from his conversation with Putin, discussed further steps, the work of the teams, and needed to meet again and talk about how everything would work out," a senior Ukrainian official said, after being granted anonymity to discuss the sensitive call. "I would not speak about any reactions, would just say that the whole tone of the conversation was that we have to move on," the official added. Veronika Melkozerova contributed to this report. A lot of things happened. Here are some of the things. This is TPMs Morning Memo. Sign up for the email version. The Day The Federal Courts Stood Tall The showdown between President Trump and the federal judiciary came to a head Tuesday in a more dramatic and direct way that Morning Memo had anticipated. With Trump dangerously but also absurdly calling for the impeachment of the federal judge who ruled against him in the Alien Enemies Act case, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts stirred from his torpor long enough to issue a rare rebuke of the president, though not by name (as Trump himself pointed out). Roberts decision to come to the defense of district judges who have been on the front lines of this constitutional battle keeps them from being marooned on an island while their decisions wind their way up through the lengthy appeals process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Chief Justices statement now renders the Trump confrontation one with the entire federal judiciary, and not just the lower federal courts, Harvard Law professor Jack Goldsmith observed. What followed over the course of the day was a series of significant court rulings against the Trump administration. While the compressed timing of the rulings was mostly coincidental, the thrust of the decisions all pointed in the same direction: Two months into his second term, President Trump has wildly exceeded his constitutional authority on numerous fronts. I wish I could say that the combination of the chief justices rebuke and the multiple legal setbacks suggests that the federal judiciary is girding for a fight over the rule of law and its own constitutional powers. I hope thats the case. I want that to be the case. But we need to see appeals courts and the high court itself weighing in on the substance of these cases in the weeks and months to come before we can assess whether the judicial branch will hold the line. Theres no doubt that Trump is itching to coopt the judiciary. It bears repeating that the courts alone cant save us from autocracy. But losing the courts entirely would be a devastating blow that would make additional areas of American public and private life vulnerable to Trumps rampage and would add immeasurably to the future workload of rebuilding what Trump has broken. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For one day, though, the judicial branch stood tall. Trump Suffers Big Setbacks In Court In a series of major court decisions, President Trump was rebuffed on some of the biggest early initiatives of his second term: USAID: U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang of Maryland rendered the most sweeping decision yet in reeling in Elon Musk and his DOGE outfit. The dismantling of USAID likely violated the Constitution in two critical ways that have bearing on numerous other cases, as Politico notes: The effort was likely illegal for two reasons, the judge wrote. First, it appeared to violate the Constitutions appointments clause, which says that government officials wielding significant power must be appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate to offices established by Congress. Musk has not gone through that process. Second, the judge wrote, DOGEs bid to effectively eliminate USAID appeared to violate laws passed by Congress that dictate the agencys functions. One additional note via the WaPo: The order only applies to Musk and DOGE not to USAID officials themselves, who were not party to the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trans in military: U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes of Washington, D.C., blocked the Trump administrations ban on transgender people serving in the military, in a blistering ruling that held: The Military Ban is soaked in animus and dripping with pretext. Its language is unabashedly demeaning, its policy stigmatizes transgender persons as inherently unfit, and its conclusions bear no relation to fact. EPA: U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan of Washington, D.C., blocked at least temporarily the Trump administrations effort to claw back $20 billion in Biden-era grants. Remember this was part of an effort that led to the forced resignation of veteran federal prosecutor Denise Cheung, who was forced out by Acting D.C. U.S. Attorney Ed Martin when she refused to play ball in using criminal process to go after the funds. DEI: U.S. District Judge Julie R. Rubin of Maryland ruled that the Department of Education acted arbitrarily and illegally when it terminated grants as part of the Trump administrations purge of DEI programs. She ordered the grants restored. Trump DOJ Makes Concession In Alien Enemies Act Case In the closely watched Alien Enemies Act case, the Trump Justice Department grudgingly conceded that it could not refuse to answer a federal judges questions about last weekends deportation flights carrying Venezuelan nationals to El Salvador. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the Trump DOJ is still kicking and screaming about its dubious contention that U.S. District Judge James Boasberg is engaging in judicial interference with the Presidents conduct of foreign affairs, it said that if forced to it could provide answers to his questions in camera and ex parte, meaning only to the judge in private and without providing them to the other side. Boasberg took the opening to order the government to provide him with answers to his questions by noon ET today. Stay tuned BREAKING U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman of Manhattan split the baby in a ruling just out this morning, declining to dismiss detained Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalils case against the Trump administration but transferring it to federal court in New Jersey, where Khalil was being held when the case was filed not Louisiana, where he is now held and where the Trump administration argued the case should have been filed. Quote Of The Day To assert, against the plain text of the Constitution, the power to seize appropriations and destroy the work of the legislature is to break a core premise of constitutionalism. It is anti-constitutional.Jamelle Bouie Not Ready For Primetime IMPORTANT NYT: Mr. Trump and his allies are aggressively attacking the players and machinery that power the left, taking a series of highly partisan official actions that, if successful, will threaten to hobble Democrats ability to compete in elections for years to come. Another Dangerous Line Crossed An important new story from the WaPo that contains allegations the Trump administration used threats of criminal prosecution and of cancelled contracts to force compliance with its takeover of the U.S. Institute of Peace, which began Friday and concluded Monday: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The security contractor for USIP was allegedly threatened by DOGE that it would lose all of its government contracts if it didnt allow DOGE into the USIP building. Two FBI agents showed up at the home of a USIP employee on Sunday asking about USIPs contract with its security contractor. USIPs security chief received a call from an FBI agent asking him to come in for questioning because he was a subject of a criminal investigation, apparently over the effort to keep DOGE from entering USIP on Friday. USIPs outside counsel was told in a call from Jonathan Hornok, head of the criminal division of the D.C. U.S. Attorneys, that USIP was under criminal investigation. (Hornok replaced Cheung, referenced in the EPA item above.) The alleged lashing of criminal process to DOGEs rampage has not been this clear or concrete at least not publicly until now. DOGE Watch Amy Gleason, the person the White House has been unconvincingly telling courts is leading DOGE, has been working at HHS, it was revealed in a court filing the Trump administration tried to keep secret, Politico reports. DOGEs rampage at GSA may have immediate and long-term effects on the operations of the federal courts, the Administrative Office of U.S. Courts warned in a letter obtained by TPM. DOGE reverses a move that had made its claims about cost savings nearly impossible to check, the NYT reports. An Illuminating Hypothetical The Trump DOJ asserted that the Presidents removal power is so all-encompassing that he could fire all female agency heads or those over 40 years old, without recourse. The assertion came in oral arguments at the DC Circuit Court of Appeals in a consolidated case on the without-cause firings of members of the National Labor Relations Board and the Merit Systems Protection Board. The Purges FTC : In his ongoing attack on the independence of independent agencies, President Trump purported to unilaterally fire two Democratic members of the Federal Trade Commission without cause in violation of statutory protections. IRS : Emails obtained by ProPublica reveal a top IRS lawyer warning that language about poor performance in the agencys purge letters was a false statement that amounted to fraud. Govt-wide: The Trump administrations placement of thousands of federal workers on administrative leave drew mixed reactions this week from judges who had ordered those employees back in their jobs after they were initially fired, Bloomberg reports. The Retribution Investigate the investigators : House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-OH) is demanding the testimony of former and current career DOJ prosecutors who were involved in cases that the political right has turned into bugaboos. The list of Jordan targets includes J.P. Cooney and Thomas Windom, who worked on Special Counsel Jack Smiths team. Jordan also wants to haul Hunter Biden Special Counsel David Weiss back in for additional testimony. To the victor, the spoils : Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced he is promoting two IRS agents who became darlings of the political right when they claimed the agency was slow-rolling its investigation into Hunter Bidens taxes to help drive much-needed cultural reform within the I.R.S. Fear and loathing in Big Law: Major law firms are struggling to respond to Trumps attacks. TPM Exclusive TPMs Josh Kovensky: Pentagon Removes Webpages Celebrating Racial Integration of the Armed Forces Stranded Astronauts Return To Earth American astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams, whose eight-day mission turned into an unexpected nine-month excursion when they were stranded at the International Space Station, splashed down successfully in the Gulf of Mexico: Do you like Morning Memo? Let us know! President Trump promised to address the issue of Ukraines missing and abducted children by Russia during a call with President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday, despite the halting of U.S. funding for an investigation into identifying them. The issue is at the center of an international war crimes arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin and one of his top officials. President Trump promised to work closely with both parties to help make sure those children were returned home, national security adviser Mike Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a joint statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelensky, in a statement following the call, said he raised with Trump the return of Ukrainian children who were taken by Russian forces. While Rubio had earlier said the Ukrainians need to get the children back, as part of any peace settlement, the Trump administration halted funding for a key U.S. program investigating and identifying children who disappeared from Ukraine into Russia. The funding has been cut based on the assessments we have been making regarding a whole host of funding, if it worked within our framework of Americas interest, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a response to a question Wednesday. Bruce indicated that Trump personally addressing the issue of Ukraines children with Zelensky overrides any funding cuts to specific programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think thats a pretty good, clear indication that we can still work on issues that matter and make them happen without it being in a certain structure that has existed, she said. The investigations were carried out by the Yale School of Public Healths Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL). In a report presented to the United Nations Security Council in December, the HRL said it identified 314 Ukrainian children placed in a systematic, Kremlin-directed program of coerced adoption and fostering. The New Republic reported that the Trump administration also blocked sharing the HRLs sensitive data with European law enforcement as part of investigations into Russias alleged systematic kidnappings. A group of bipartisan lawmakers wrote to Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday raising alarm over the Trump administrations reduction in American leadership in countering these crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The foreign aid freeze has jeopardized, and may ultimately eliminate, our informational support of Ukraine on this front, the lawmakers wrote. In conjunction with U.S. State Department, Yale HRL had been preserving evidence of abducted children from Ukraine it had identified, to be shared with Europol and the government of Ukraine to secure their return. Yale HRLs funding has been terminated and the status of the secure evidence repository is unknown. This vital resource cannot be lost. The lawmakers said they have reason to believe that the HRLs data has been permanently deleted, and that conflict observers like the HRL no longer have access to the satellite imagery they need to track the movements of abducted children. Yale HRL used this imagery to prove to the United Nations Security Council how Russia is abducting and concealing these children within domestic systems, the lawmakers wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bruce said no information was deleted. Conspiracy theory or fear about data being deleted is untrue. That is false, she said. The data exists, it was not in the State Departments control. It was the people running that framework, we know who was running the data and the website we know fully that the data exists and [its] not been deleted and not missing. Ukrainian officials say they believe Russia has kidnapped at least 20,000 Ukrainian children, but the actual figure is likely to be higher. Kyiv criticized Moscow for failing to deliver statistics on children it transferred from occupied territory in Ukraine into Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some 500 kidnapped Ukrainian children have been returned to Ukraine through the help of nongovernmental organizations through February 2024. Some of these returned children testified in front of the U.S. Helsinki Commission. They described being taken from their families in Ukraine, placed in so-called summer camps in Russia and then adopted by Russian families. Updated: 3:07 p.m. 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. Donald Trump is planning to nominate troves of loyalist judges to the federal judiciary, and their confirmations will likely go off without a hitch, according to Politico. Trump is likely to unveil his first round of judicial nominations in the coming weeks, four people familiar with the conversations told Politico Tuesday. During Trumps first administration, a whopping 234 judges were confirmed, some of whom proved to be fierce loyalists willing to upend Trumps legal battlessuch as Judge Aileen Cannon, who has since been floated for a potential seat on the Supreme Court. This time, Trump is looking for more judges willing to demonstrate their fealty, according to Mike Davis, who served as the former chief counsel to Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre going to be looking for even more bold and fearless judges, said Davis, who assisted Trumps first administration in taking fights to the Supreme Court. Judges who have been battle-tested. Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said that he expected this round of nominees to be more ideologically extreme. They will be MAGAs, basically. Given the trend of the end of the last Trump term, were heading over a cliff in terms of fringe right wing views. They will have a litmus test on steroids, Blumenthal warned. Trumps plan to reshape the judiciary comes as federal judges have become one of the last stoppages for the administrations onslaught of unlawful legislation and executive actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump saw a double whammy of losses on Tuesday, when a federal judge blocked the implementation of his policy that would effectively bar transgender people from serving in the U.S. military. Another federal judge ordered a pause on cuts to the United States Agency for International Development, arguing that Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiencys shuttering of the agency was likely unconstitutional because it had sidestepped congressional authority. Separately, two federal judges have ruled that DOGEs blanket dismissal of probationary federal employees was also illegal, setting the Trump administration scurrying to reinstate roughly 24,000 wrongfully terminated employees. Over the weekend, Judge James Boasberg ordered a pause on Trumps massive deportations under the Alien Enemies Actbut the administration continued undeterred, sending planefuls of people who the government claimed were gang members out of the country. When Boasberg accused Trump of defying a court order, the president called for him to be impeached. In a rare statement, Chief Justice John Roberts scolded Trump, saying that threatening to impeach judges wasnt an appropriate response to disagreeing with a ruling. But Trump has already begun to set the stage for outright ignoring the orders of any judges who rule against him, claiming that they must be biased. During an interview on Fox News Tuesday, Trump claimed he didnt defy anything. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I never did that, however we have bad judges. We have very bad judges. And these are judges that shouldnt be allowed, Trump said. The president claimed that Boasberg was a lunatic in any case that involved him. Trump clearly hopes to flush out the judges who are willing to stand up to his legally dubious activity, while supplying more and more MAGAs to rubber-stamp his every whim. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Yemen's Houthi rebels on Wednesday that they'll be completely annihilated as American airstrikes pounded locations under their control, while further pressuring the group's main benefactor Iran. Strikes hit Sanaa, Yemen's rebel-held capital, as well as their stronghold of Saada in the country's northwest on Wednesday night, the Houthi's al-Maisrah satellite news channel reported. It aired footage showing firefighters battling a blaze in Sanaa and damaged at what it described as a sheep farm in al-Jawf. It also said strikes happened overnight Tuesday, though the U.S. military has not offered a breakdown of places targeted since the airstrikes campaign began. The first strikes this weekend killed at least 53 people, including children, and wounded others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the strikes hit, Trump wrote on his Truth Social website that tremendous damage has been inflicted upon the Houthi barbarians. Watch how it will get progressively worse Its not even a fair fight, and never will be, Trump added. They will be completely annihilated! Meanwhile, Trump again warned Iran not to arm the Houthis, claiming without offering evidence that Tehran has lessened its intensity on Military Equipment and General Support to the Houthis. Iran must stop the sending of these Supplies IMMEDIATELY, he wrote. Iran has long armed the Houthis, who are members of Islams minority Shiite Zaydi sect that ruled Yemen for 1,000 years until 1962. Tehran routinely denies arming the rebels, despite physical evidence, numerous seizures and experts tying the weapons to Iran. Thats likely because Tehran wants to avoid sanctions for violating a United Nations arms embargo on the Houthis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Irans state-run IRNA news agency acknowledged Trumps comments and cited remarks previously made by Irans ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeed Iravani, that said Trump made baseless accusations. The Houthi rebels attacked over 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones, sinking two vessels and killing four sailors, from November 2023 until January this year when a ceasefire began in Gaza. The campaign also greatly raised the Houthis profile in the wider Arab world and tamped down on public criticism against their human rights abuses and crackdowns on dissent and aid workers. Meanwhile Thursday, the Houthi-controlled SABA news agency acknowledged the rebels had been taking food aid out of a World Food Program warehouse without permission. It said it took about 20% of the aid on hand out. The U.N. in February suspended its operations in Saada over security concerns following the detentions of dozens of U.N. workers and others. One WFP staffer died while imprisoned by the Houthis. (Bloomberg) -- A federal judge temporarily blocked enforcement of President Donald Trumps executive order banning transgender people from the armed forces, holding that the directive was soaked in animus toward a minority group and was unabashedly demeaning. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision Tuesday by US District Judge Ana Reyes in Washington bars Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other military officials from taking any steps to implement Trumps ban while a lawsuit filed by transgender troops proceeds. Thousands of trans service members had faced dismissal starting later this month under a plan set out by the Pentagon. The judge, a Biden appointee, said the government failed to show that it will be harmed by the status quo during litigation, while the plaintiffs presented extensive evidence that the ban would cause them irreparable harm. Indeed, the cruel irony is that thousands of transgender service members have sacrificed some risking their lives to ensure for others the very equal protection rights the military ban seeks to deny them, Reyes said. The ruling is the latest legal setback for a slew of Trump executive orders, which seek to unilaterally reshape the government, slash federal spending and curb immigration at breakneck speed. Judges in multiple cases have held that the plaintiffs are likely to win on claims that Trumps actions have violated federal law or infringed on Congress power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reyes said in her ruling that the government had not presented evidence supporting Trumps claim that transgender service members undermine the readiness of the military a claim the US previously made to support past restrictions based on race, gender and sexual orientation. The President has the power indeed the obligation to ensure military readiness, the judge wrote. At times, however, leaders have used concern for military readiness to deny marginalized persons the privilege of serving. She added that her injunction was necessary to uphold the equal protection rights that the military defends every day. Irreparable Harm The Justice Department didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suit was filed by nearly two dozen transgender active duty service members and potential recruits. The group includes career military personnel who served in combat in Afghanistan, service members from multi-generation military families, and some who received honors like the Bronze Star. The court acted quickly today to shield our troops from the harmful effects of this irrational ban, said Shannon Minter, legal director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, which represents the plaintiffs. It would have ended careers of dedicated transgender servicemembers and created personnel gaps, leaving others to fill critical roles. The executive order signed by Trump on Jan. 27 is part of his broader effort to scrap legal protections granted in recent years to trans Americans, including active duty, access to bathrooms and sports teams. Transgender minors and advocacy groups have sued Trump to invalidate his broad ban on gender-affirming care for people under 19. Earlier administrations removed barriers to service by transgender troops after determining that they could serve effectively, without undermining military readiness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps order calls into question those earlier findings, suggesting they were part of an effort to assert radical gender ideology. His order says that maintaining high standards for troop readiness is inconsistent with the medical, surgical and mental constraints on people with gender dysphoria, a condition that trans people are often diagnosed with. Beyond the hormonal and surgical medical interventions involved, adoption of a gender identity inconsistent with an individuals sex conflicts with a soldiers commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, even in ones personal life, Trumps order said. Military Judgment The Justice Department said in a filing earlier this month that judiciary rules call for judges to be highly deferential to military decision-making. The government said the situation isnt any different from the militarys practice of rejecting service by individuals with mental health conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In any context other than the one at issue in this case, DoDs professional military judgment about the risks of allowing individuals with physical or emotional impairments to serve in the military would be virtually unquestionable, the US said. The judge disagreed, writing that US leaders for years had used generic arguments to disqualify whole groups of minorities from service. [Fill in the blank] is not fully capable and will hinder combat effectiveness; [fill in the blank] will disrupt unit cohesion and so diminish military effectiveness allowing [fill in the blank] to serve will undermine training, make it impossible to recruit successfully, and disrupt military order, Reyes wrote. First minorities, then women in combat, then gays filled in that blank, she said. Today, however, our military is stronger and our nation is safer for the millions of such blanks (and all other persons) who serve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case is Talbott v. Trump, 25-cv-240, US District Court, District of Columbia (Washington). (Updates with comment from a representative for the plaintiffs.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. As protests peaceful and violent against Tesla (TSLA) CEO Elon Musk show no signs of slowing down, the White House is stepping in. If youre going to touch a Tesla, go to a dealership, do anything, you better watch out because were coming after you, Attorney General Pam Bondi said last week on Fox Business Network (FOXA). Her boss, President Donald Trump, has vowed that violent protestors are going to go through hell. Musk has become an easy target for protestors thanks to his status as the biggest spender of the 2024 presidential election and legally murky role leading the White Houses Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Hes also the richest man on the planet and the leader of several companies, including the social media platform X and SpaceX. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DOGE has courted controversy at every turn, drawing around two dozen lawsuits from groups looking to block its influence over the government, according to The New York Times. The group has taken credit for spending cuts that it did not carry out, aided in the removal of around 62,000 workers, and set the stage for the end of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Hes a particularly heinous villain, Ezra Levin, a co-founder of the progressive activist group Indivisible, which has helped organize some anti-Tesla protests, told The Guardian recently. Tesla has borne the brunt of the outrage as hundreds of protestors across the world, primarily in the U.S. and Canada, protest against Musk. Projections for its first quarter sales have taken a hit, the stock has fallen about 39% in 2025, and a major auto show has removed Tesla from its lineup to avoid protests. We struggle to think of anything analogous in the history of the automotive industry, in which a brand has lost so much value so quickly, JPMorgan (JPM) analyst Ryan Brinkman said in a recent research note. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Indivisible and Action Network the organizer of the Tesla Takedown protests emphasize nonviolent action, vandalism against Tesla property has ramped up. Tesla electric vehicles and dealerships have been vandalized across the U.S., as have Superchargers. Theres even a website that claims to expose the personal information of anyone who currently owns a Tesla. Police in Portland, Oregon, said last week that at least seven shots were fired at a Tesla dealership, damaging three cars. An Oregon man has also been accused of trying to destroy property at a Tesla dealership in Salem on two separate occasions, including through the use of a Molotov cocktail and an AR-15-style rifle. In Las Vegas, several Teslas were damaged after Molotov cocktails and a firearm were used to start a fire at a Tesla collision center. Authorities said the word resist was painted on the doors of the facility. This level of violence is insane and deeply wrong, Musk said of the incident. Was this terrorism? Was it something else? It certainly has some of the hallmarks that we might think the writing on the wall, potential political agenda, an act of violence, Spencer Evans, a special agent with the FBIs joint terrorism task force, said at a press conference. None of those factors are lost on us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. officials, led by Trump and Bondi, have labeled violent attacks on Tesla as domestic terrorism. Congressional Republicans, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia a Tesla stockholder who bought thousands of dollars worth of shares last month have called for the Justice Department to investigate the attacks. Bondi said in a statement Tuesday that the Justice Department has charged several of the people allegedly behind such attacks with charges that bring at least a five-year mandatory sentence. The attorney general also said the Justice Department will investigate those operating behind the scenes to coordinate and fund these crimes. Musk has claimed without providing evidence that an investigation showed anti-Tesla protests are being bankrolled by groups funded by ActBlue and Democratic megadonors, including George Soros and LinkedIn (MSFT) co-founder Reid Hoffman. (Hoffman has denied those claims). Taylor-Greene ha publicly questioned whether there is a link between protests and Democrat-leaning non-government organizations. I think that you will find out that theyre paid by people that are very highly political on the left, Trump told Fox News on Tuesday, according to a transcript. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. President Trump gave a green light to Israels deadly strikes on Gaza early Tuesday, which shattered the fragile ceasefire in place since January, marking a violent turn in his push for peace in the Middle East. Trump has long warned the U.S. would unleash hell on Hamas if it refused to release the hostages it has held since its Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. And his administration quickly sought to blame Hamas for the renewed hostilities. The surprise attacks enraged critics of Israels war in Gaza with Hamas officials reporting that more than 400 Palestinians were killed and left the families of hostages urging a return to negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement British Foreign Secretary David Lammy called the civilian casualties from Israeli strikes overnight appalling and called on Hamas and Israel to re-engage with negotiations to get hostages out, surge aid, and secure a permanent end to the conflict. Diplomacy, not more bloodshed, is how we get security for Israelis and Palestinians, Lammy posted to the social platform X. Assaf Orion, research fellow with the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said Israels strikes were likely meant to increase pressure on Hamas as negotiations have stalled with U.S. officials, while also serving Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus domestic political interests. The first purpose of last nights airstrikes was to reinvigorate the energy, to remind Hamas that its not a given that the ceasefire is there, not to be taken for granted, Orion, a retired Israeli brigadier general and defense strategist, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tenuous, two-month truce has provided desperately needed relief for Gazas residents and facilitated the release of 38 hostages held by Hamas, living and dead. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Israelis consulted the White House before beginning their attacks in the Gaza Strip on Monday night. All those who seek to terrorize not just Israel but also the United States of America, will see a price to pay. All hell will break loose, Leavitt said, quoting Trumps earlier threats against Hamas. Netanyahu thanked Trump on Tuesday for his unwavering support and said Israels alliance with the U.S. has never been stronger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel will fight and Israel will win, he said. We will bring our people home and we will destroy Hamas. We will not relent until we achieve all these vital goals. There are 59 hostages still in Gaza, although the Israeli military believes only two dozen of them are alive. Among them is American Israeli Edan Alexander, who was serving in the Israeli military when Hamas kidnapped him during its attack on Israel on Oct. 7. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Dorothy Shea said Tuesday the blame for the resumption of hostilities lies solely with Hamas. This brutal terrorist organization has steadfastly refused every proposal and deadline they have been presented over the past few weeks, including a bridge proposal to extend the ceasefire beyond Ramadan and Passover to allow time to negotiate a framework for a permanent ceasefire, Shea said at a U.N. Security Council meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But some recently released hostages warned that continued fighting would lead to more hostage deaths and urged an immediate ceasefire and return to negotiations to secure the release of all those remaining in Hamas captivity. For the 59 hostages still held in Gaza and their families this moment brings renewed fear not only of the ongoing attacks but a breakdown in negotiations that could bring them home, said Keith Siegel, a 65-year-old American Israeli who was freed from captivity last month. We call on all mediators and the international community to exert maximum pressure on Hamas and all negotiation parties to resume talks and secure the immediate release of every hostage. Netanyahu is also shoring up his political position at home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He announced the military operation shortly after taking action to try to dismiss the head of Israels internal security agency, the Shin Bet, and plans to oust the attorney general blocking the move. The prime minister also canceled his testimony in a corruption trial and welcomed back far-right members of his coalition government who had defected during the ceasefire ahead of a key vote on the countrys budget. About 3,000 people protested in Tel Aviv on Tuesday night against Netanyahus actions. Its very very useful politically, and many in Israel can hardly miss this context of explaining why now, why this besides promoting the war goals of releasing the hostages, and even more so when strikes on Gaza are definitely a risk to our hostages lives, said Orion. The U.K. was joined by other European nations including Ireland, Belgium, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland and Switzerland in condemning the strikes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attacks are expected to continue into the week, as Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Tuesday said the strikes are not a one-day operation. Israel said it decided to relaunch military operations after Hamas refused proposals from Trumps special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, for Hamas to release hostages in exchange for extending the ceasefire to the end of the Jewish holiday of Passover, and the holy month of Ramadan, in mid-April. Witkoff, in an interview with Face the Nation on Sunday, said he offered Hamas a bridging proposal to advance talks toward a final resolution in which the group would give up its arms and ambitions of leading peacetime Gaza. Hamas came up with their own construct essentially disavowed what we discussed, he said. I hope they reconsider, because the alternative is not so good for them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. A Wisconsin man who voted for President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election is now expressing alarm after his Peruvian wife was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement last month. Bradley Bartell and Camila Munoz were on their way home to Wisconsin from their honeymoon in Puerto Rico last month when immigration officials approached them at Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, David Rozas, an immigration attorney representing Munoz, told HuffPost on Wednesday. Munoz had overstayed her J-1 exchange visitor visa, and her immigration status is pending following her marriage to Bartell, a United States citizen, Rozas said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawyer said the couple did not have their documents for the adjustment of Munozs status with them at the airport, prompting immigration officials to detain her. She was taken to a Miami detention center before being transported to an ICE facility in Louisiana, Rozas said. As of right now, we have not been able to get a court date for her bond. We are waiting for her to be put in the system. That is whats going on, Rozas said. Bartell told USA Today in a story published Sunday that he was worried about his wife. Emotionally, Im concerned for her, he said. It cant be easy being trapped in a room with 100 other people. They dont have anything in there. Its just so wasteful. Camila Munoz, left, was detained by ICE while on the way back from her honeymoon with husband Bradey Bartell. Bradley Bartell / GoFundMe Munozs detention comes as the Trump administration continues its crackdown on immigrants of any status. Despite the president and his allies saying they will focus on violent criminals, people with no criminal history have alsobeendetained by ICE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rozas confirmed to HuffPost that Munoz does not have a criminal record. Bartell told USA Today that he does not see his wife as one of the illegals Trump promised to deport. He added that his wife initially came to the U.S. on a legal visa, and he had believed the Trump administration would only focus on people who had crossed the border unlawfully. I knew they were cracking down. I guess I didnt know how it was going down, Bartell said. In spite of all thats happened, Bartell told Newsweek he doesnt regret casting a ballot for Trump. I dont regret the vote, he said. He went on to call for a reform of ICE and expressed hope that Trump will improve the immigration system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He [Trump] didnt create the system, but he does have an opportunity to improve it, Bartell said. Hopefully, all this attention will bring to light how broken it is. Related... President Trump this week continued to make his environmental priorities clear by vowing to open up hundreds of coal power plants in the United States in an effort to advance competition against China. "After years of being held captive by Environmental Extremists, Lunatics, Radicals, and Thugs, allowing other Countries, in particular China, to gain tremendous Economic advantage over us by opening up hundreds of all Coal Fire Power Plants, I am authorizing my Administration to immediately begin producing Energy with BEAUTIFUL, CLEAN COAL," Trump wrote in a post on social media Monday. Though the post was not linked to any particular policy plans or documents, it arrives as the White House takes aim at various environmental agencies and clean-energy initiatives. In the last week alone, the administration has announced plans to significantly roll back regulations that govern coal production and to potentially lay off up to 65% of scientists and researchers at the Environmental Protection Agency, among other actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coal accounts for about 16% of the country's electricity generation, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration down from about 50% in 2000 as natural gas and nuclear and renewable energy have grown. Though relatively inexpensive to produce, coal is considered the dirtiest fossil fuel and comes with considerable environmental costs, including the release of particulate air pollution and nearly twice the amount of planet-warming carbon dioxide as natural gas. Read more: How the EPA's environmental about-face could upend California's climate efforts Among the coal-related items up for reconsideration by the EPA are its Mercury and Air Toxic Standards regulations that limit emissions from the nation's largest plants that burn coal and oil to heat water, which produces steam and in turn generates electricity. The standards have "achieved significant health and environmental benefits by reducing a broad range of hazardous air pollutants," according to the EPA's website. But the agency now says that the standards "improperly targeted coal-fired power plants" and should be revisited. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "EPA needs to pursue commonsense regulation to Power the Great American Comeback, not continue down the last administration's path of destruction and destitution," the agency's top administrator, Lee Zeldin, said in a statement last week. "At EPA, we are committed to protecting human health and the environment; we are opposed to shutting down clean, affordable and reliable energy for American families." Zeldin said the standards put in place by the Biden administration would cost the EPA more than $790 million between 2028 and 2038. As his EPA challenges these standards, Zeldin said, his agency is considering a two-year compliance exemption for affected power plants as it goes through the rule-making process. The nation's top environmental agency last week also announced a review of regulations that govern the disposal of coal ash the byproduct of burning coal in power plants. The EPA hopes to prioritize a coal ash program that would expedite permit reviews and put coal ash regulations more fully into state hands, Zeldin said. The agency will similarly review rules that extend federal coal ash regulations to unregulated areas where coal ash is managed, such as inactive power plants. Zeldin said the agency's impending changes will bolster the United States' position as an energy leader and help save money for millions of Americans. "President Trump has delivered on his promise to unleash energy dominance and lower the cost of living," he said. "We at EPA will do our part to power the great American comeback." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Musk team targets nearly two dozen environmental offices for closure in California These proposed changes, along with the president's social media post, underscore a considerable shift away from the clean energy initiatives of the Biden administration, including its push for green infrastructure and electric vehicles. The U.S. had been on track to close half of its coal-fired generation capacity by 2026, according to a report from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis. But Interior Secretary Doug Burgum told Bloomberg News last week that the administration is now looking for ways to revive coal plants that have closed, and to prevent others from shutting down. Burgum and other officials have said keeping the plants online can help lower energy costs for U.S. consumers, among other benefits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burgum also told Bloomberg that the administration wants to undo the Biden administration's "attack on U.S. energy" by cutting through red tape and empowering the nation to compete in an AI arms race against China. AI data centers require immense amounts of energy, which can come from coal or other sources. Read more: Despite diplomatic tension, Newsom is going to China to promote cooperation on climate change Trump's social media post suggests the renewed focus on coal is part of a power play against China, which relies heavily on cheap coal power for its manufacturing sector and economic expansion. About 60% of China's power comes from coal, which has resulted in some of the worst levels of air pollution and particulate matter in the world. That said, though China continues to rely heavily on coal, it has also begun investing in solar and wind power. The U.S., it seems, may be heading in the opposite direction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, California Gov. Gavin Newsom traveled to China to help promote global cooperation on climate change and model California policies on clean energy and pollution reduction. In the last week, the Trump administration has suggested that a key tenet in the scientific understanding of fossil fuels that greenhouse gases, a primary byproduct of burning coal, are harmful to human health and the environment could be reconsidered. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. President Donald Trump is ready to press House Republicans to vote for fixing the District of Columbias budget, after GOP leaders unexpectedly slashed the capital citys spending powers. If needed, he's prepared to work the phones or fire off a social media post to get Speaker Mike Johnson to put the bill on the floor, according to two White House officials. It comes after the Senate last Friday passed a Trump-endorsed bill that would restore as much as $1.1 billion in local funding, according to District officials. The language had inadvertently, by some accounts been omitted in the government spending measure signed into law the next day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president has confidence the speaker will bring the bipartisan measure up for a vote, said a White House official granted anonymity to discuss Trumps thinking. How the bill gets through the House, however, is sausage-making in the background, said the official. I dont think hell publicly call for Johnson to bring [the fix] to the floor thats going to be a behind-the-scenes thing. If [Trump] must, though, a pressure campaign from Truth Social is always a possibility. If need be, Trump also is open to making calls to individual House members to ensure their support for the budget fix: The president has no problem using his phone to make sure members get on board with what hes trying to do. A second White House official, also granted anonymity to share private conversations, described the District of Columbia cut in the funding bill as an oversight that would eventually be fixed. That official said the White House wasnt pressuring House GOP leaders and was giving Johnson space to figure out the way forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Trump could, at some point, grow impatient: Part of his interest in getting the budget fix approved is about extending an olive branch to Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser, one of the White House officials said. While Bowser has pushed back on the threat to the citys budget, she has mostly spoken respectfully about Trump and has recently taken steps to comply with GOP priorities for the city for instance, dismantling the Black Lives Matter Plaza her administration set up near the White House amid the 2020 racial justice protests. She so far has been viewed by the White House as a good actor in the endeavor to get the budget fix enacted, according to the official. Still, congressional Republicans note the city wont run out of money in the meantime; they also argue the shortfall is closer to $500 million, not $1.1 billion. In any case, local elected officials and their allies say a failure to enact the repair bill would effectively force the District of Columbia to make dramatic mid-fiscal-year cuts to law enforcement, infrastructure improvement efforts and public education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As House Republicans worked to advance a seven-month funding bill to avert a government shutdown last week, GOP leadership did not include routine language allowing the District to continue spending its local budget dollars. And while leaders made several changes to the bill text just before bringing it to the House floor for a vote, they didnt address Washington's funding omission. It caught many senior lawmakers off guard. It came as a surprise to me and explains why the mayor has called me, Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins of Maine said in an interview. It certainly wasnt something we did. House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole (R-Okla.) at first told reporters he thought the omission was to rescind funding for a lot of inaugural stuff, saying were not leaving inauguration funding going to D.C. in a bill when there's not an inauguration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He later acknowledged that not all the slashed funding fell under that inauguration category, but he declined to address it, saying hed have to look at it in more detail and that its actually in the weeds. Many facets of the District of Columbia are subject to congressional oversight, but most of the city's $21.2 billion budget is funded by local taxpayers. Roughly $5 billion comes from the federal government the vast majority through formula-based federal programs, such as Medicaid, similar to what states receive. Johnson now has to figure out when and how to bring the bill up for a floor vote amid opposition from hard-liners in his rebellious conference. GOP leaders feel like they have some time to figure out the way forward. The speaker is not currently planning to advance the bill Monday through the Rules Committee, which would pave the way for a floor vote requiring a simple majority that could splinter Republicans on a procedural motion needed to bring the measure forward. Most likely, Johnson will need to pursue an expedited floor maneuver in the coming weeks that requires a two-thirds majority vote to secure passage. Outside pressure not just from Trump could continue to build. City residents gathered outside the tiny House Rules Committee room for its initial meeting to set parameters for floor debate on the stopgap funding bill, raising alarms and objections to lawmakers about the consequences of the cuts. The White House on Wednesday said Americas intelligence community would continue to share information with the Ukrainian government to bolster Kyivs defensive efforts after President Donald Trump and Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky had a Wednesday phone call. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at a daily press briefing that Trump had fully briefed Zelensky on his 90-minute conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin and relayed the key issues discussed during that Tuesday morning conversation. She also said the two leaders had agreed that their respective countries would continue working together to bring about a real end to the three-year-old war which started with Russias unprovoked invasion in February 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They reviewed the situation in Kursk and agreed to share information closely between their defense staffs as the battlefield situation evolved. President Zelensky asked for additional air defense systems to protect his civilians, particularly Patriot missile systems, and President Trump agreed to work with him to find what was available, particularly in Europe, Leavitt said. Leavitt told reporters that Trump and Zelensky had also agreed on a partial ceasefire against energy and said negotiating teams would soon meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss expanding that effort to encompass the Black Sea on the way to a full ceasefire. She added that Zelensky and Trump discussed Ukraine's electrical supply and nuclear power plants and suggested that the United States could take ownership of Ukraines energy infrastructure as a way of providing what she called best protection going forward. The presidents instructed their teams to move ahead with the technical issues related to implementing and broadening the partial ceasefire. The presidents instructed their advisors and representatives to carry out this work as quickly as possible, she said. (Associated Press) The White House readout of the conversation came just hours after Trump described it as a very good telephone call in a post on his Truth Social website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump said the conversation, which started at approximately 10:38 a.m. ET, lasted approximately one hour and consisted of a discussion with Zelensky that he said was based on the call made yesterday with President Putin in order to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs. We are very much on track, Trump added. Trumps call with Zelensky comes as Kyiv continues to weather attacks on energy infrastructure despite Russian leader Vladimir Putins claim to have ordered a halt to such attacks following his phone call with Trump. On Tuesday, the Kremlin said Putin had agreed to stop strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure for the next month, and a separate readout issued from Moscow said the two leaders had a "detailed and frank exchange of views" on Ukraine, with Putin stressing that any resolution to the conflict must be "comprehensive, sustainable and long-term and take into account Russia's own security interests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was emphasized that the key condition for preventing the escalation of the conflict and working towards its resolution by political and diplomatic means should be a complete cessation of foreign military assistance and the provision of intelligence information to Kyiv, the Kremlin added. But despite Putins promise to Trump to halt attacking Kyivs energy grid, Russian forces continued to pound Ukrainian infrastructure overnight and continuing into Wednesday, with Ukrainian military officials blaming an overnight Russian missile attack for leaving part of Slovyansk city without electricity. Meanwhile, Russian authorities said Ukraine attacked an oil depot near the village of Kavkazskaya. The call between Trump and Zelensky is the first direct contact between the two leaders since Trump administration officials threw Zelensky out of the White House after what was supposed to be a triumphant visit by the Ukrainian leader to mark the signing of a mineral rights deal devolved into an Oval Office shouting match that ended with a vulgar, grievance-filled rant from President Donald Trump and taunts about Zelenskys supposed lack of gratitude from Vice President JD Vance. Zelensky left the White House roughly an hour after the emotional eruption, cutting short talks that were supposed to cement an economic relationship between Washington and Kyiv and create a mechanism to repay the billions in American military aid that has been sent to Ukraine since 2022. Steve Witkoff, Trump's Special Envoy to the Middle East, has announced that talks on a ceasefire will continue on 23 March in the city of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. Source: Witkoff in an interview with Fox News Details: Witkoff said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Trump's National Security Adviser Mike Waltz would again travel to Saudi Arabia. The main topic of the meeting is the details of the agreements, particularly regarding a 30-day ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked about the cessation of strikes on energy infrastructure and targets in the Black Sea, Witkoff said that "both of those are now agreed to by the Russians". "I am certainly hopeful that the Ukrainians will agree to it," he stated. Quote: "We have some details to work out of course, but that will begin on Sunday in Jeddah, and beyond that, we will move to a full ceasefire and we had some very good conversation today on the ingredients to achieve that." Details: Witkoff added that the US-proposed 30-day ceasefire should cover "energy and infrastructure in general". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is currently unknown who will represent Ukraine in these talks. Russia has also not officially announced negotiations with the US on 23 March. Background: Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Steve Witkoff, Special Envoy of US President Donald Trump, is convinced that a "full ceasefire" in the Russo-Ukrainian war will take place "in a couple of weeks". Source: Witkoff on Bloomberg on Wednesday, as reported by European Pravda Details: Commenting on a conversation between Trump and the Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, Witkoff stated that they had "agreed on a pathway to some ceasefire conditions today", as well as on a course towards a "full ceasefire that will be negotiated over the coming days". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his view, reaching a full ceasefire should be possible "in a couple of weeks". Quote from Witkoff: "I actually think in a couple of weeks we're going to get to it. So, lots of good things. Now it's for the technical teams to dot the is and cross the ts and everybody is committed to that process." Background: Witkoff previously stated that a new round of talks on a peaceful resolution in Ukraine will take place on Sunday 23 March, in the city of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. The Kremlin stated that during his conversation with Trump, Putin once again rejected the idea of a 30-day ceasefire but instead agreed to refrain from attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. The parties also agreed to discuss the security of navigation in the Black Sea waters and to set up Russian and American expert groups to discuss the Ukrainian settlement. During a phone conversation, Trump and Putin agreed that peace negotiations regarding the Russo-Ukrainian war will "begin immediately in the Middle East". Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Putin had effectively rejected the proposal for a full ceasefire by launching a large-scale drone attack on Ukrainian cities. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Steve Witkoff, Trump's Special Envoy to the Middle East, has stated that he believes Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin and his promises to "act in good faith" in efforts to end the war in Ukraine. Source: Witkoff on Bloomberg TV, as reported by European Pravda Details: Witkoff was asked to comment on reports from Ukraine indicating that Russia continued to target the country's energy infrastructure despite Putin's alleged promise not to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response, he said that he has "good information from a telephone call" he had earlier on Wednesday that Putin "issued an order within ten minutes of his call with the president [Trump] directing Russian forces not to be attacking any Ukrainian energy infrastructure". "Any attacks that happened last night would have happened before that order was given," he said. Additionally, according to Witkoff, Moscow informed him that it had shot down seven of its own drones launched into Ukraine. Notably, this echoed a remark from the Russian Ministry of Defence, which also claimed to have downed seven of its drones on the night of 18-19 March. "I tend to believe that President Putin is operating in good faith. He said that he was going to be operating in good faith to the president [Trump] yesterday, and I take him at his word," he added. [N.B. Ukrainska Pravda does not recognise Putin as president ed.] Background: Earlier on Wednesday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia had attacked Ukraine's energy sector overnight, despite Putin's supposed order to cease targeting it for 30 days. Notably, Witkoff also believes that a "complete ceasefire" in the Russo-Ukrainian war will be achieved "in a couple of weeks". Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! "For more than two centuries," Chief Justice John Roberts said on Tuesday, "it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose." Although Roberts did not mention Donald Trump, the timing suggested he was responding to a Tuesday-morning Truth Social rant in which the president declared that federal judges who impede his agenda "should be IMPEACHED!!!" That recommendation echoed presidential adviser Elon Musk's oft-repeated solution to the inconvenience of judicial reviewa prescription that would undermine the rule of law by punishing judges for daring to disagree with the president. Trump's post referred specifically to U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, who is considering a challenge to deportations based on the rarely invoked Alien Enemies Act. That 1798 law authorizes the president to deport "natives, citizens, denizens, or subjects" of a "hostile nation or government" when there is "a declared war" with that nation or government or it has mounted an "invasion or predatory incursion." The law does not provide much in the way of due process, although it does charge judges with conducting "a full examination and hearing" of each complaint against "any alien enemy resident." The Trump administration controversially argues that the law can be applied to suspected members of Latin American gangs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump described Boasberg as "this Radical Left Lunatic of a Judge, a troublemaker and agitator who was sadly appointed by Barack Hussein Obama." Boasberg, Trump noted, "was not elected President" and "DIDN'T WIN ANYTHING!" Trump, by contrast, "WON FOR MANY REASONS, IN AN OVERWHELMING MANDATE, BUT FIGHTING ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION MAY HAVE BEEN THE NUMBER ONE REASON FOR THIS HISTORIC VICTORY." Since Trump is "just doing what the VOTERS wanted me to do," he argued, Boasberg has no business interfering. And if he insists on doing so, Trump said, he should be impeached, and so should "many of the Crooked Judges I am forced to appear before." A few hours after that post, Rep. Brandon Gill (RTexas) said he had introduced an article of impeachment against Boasberg, charging the "radical activist" with "high crimes and misdemeanors." The article says Boasberg violated his oath of office by "us[ing] his judicial position to advance political gain while interfering with the President's constitutional prerogatives." The Alien Enemies Act, Gill says, gives the president "sole and unreviewable discretion" to "determine whether an invasion has taken place" (and also, presumably, to decide what counts as a "hostile nation or government"), meaning that Boasberg "has abused the powers of his judicial authority" even by considering whether that law authorizes the deportations of alleged gang members. Last Saturday, Boasberg issued a temporary restraining order aimed at halting those deportations while the case is pending. He is now trying to figure out whether the Trump administration deliberately defied that order by proceeding with the deportations anyway. "I'd be open to impeaching judges for persistent bad-faith or wild rulings," says conservative legal commentator Ed Whelan. But he sees "nothing remotely like that here." In fact, he says, "Judge Boasberg's critics have yet to make a clear and compelling case that his order was wrong." Whelan adds that "impeachment threats are at best performative nonsense," and he worries that "they may provoke threats of violence against judges and family members." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even without delving into the legal merits of Boasberg's order or Trump's weird interpretation of the Alien Enemies Act, it should be obvious that something is wrong with the president's assertion that his electoral mandate precludes judges from reviewing his decisions. Musk makes the same basic argument, saying "federal judges who repeatedly abuse their authority to obstruct the will of the people via their elected representatives should be impeached." Trump and Musk seem oblivious to the fact that judges are supposed to "obstruct the will of the people" when it is inconsistent with the law. Judges may be wrong in reaching that conclusion. But as Roberts noted, that is why "the normal appellate review process exists." Although chief justices rarely make such public pronouncements, this is not the first time Roberts has felt compelled to take a stand in defense of judicial independence. "We do not have Obama judges or Trump judges, Bush judges or Clinton judges," Roberts said in 2018 after Trump condemned the "Obama judge" who had ruled against one of his immigration policies. "What we have is an extraordinary group of dedicated judges doing their level best to do equal right to those appearing before them. That independent judiciary is something we should all be thankful for." Two years later, Roberts delivered a similar rebuke, this time in response to inflammatory comments that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (DN.Y.) had made at an abortion-rights rally outside the Supreme Court. "They're taking away fundamental rights," Schumer said as the justices considered the constitutionality of a Louisiana law requiring that physicians who perform abortions have admitting privileges at local hospitals. Turning to point at the Supreme Court building, he angrily added: "I want to tell you, [Justice Neil] Gorsuch, I want to tell you, [Justice Brett] Kavanaugh, you have released the whirlwind, and you will pay the price! You won't know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions." Roberts thought that Schumer, like Trump, had crossed a line. "Justices know that criticism comes with the territory," he said, "but threatening statements of this sort from the highest levels of government are not only inappropriate, they are dangerous. All Members of the Court will continue to do their job, without fear or favor, from whatever quarter." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In both of those cases, Roberts thought it was important to remind the public that the judicial branch plays a crucial role in our system of government by ensuring that the other two branches are complying with statutory and constitutional requirements. Reflexive threats of impeachment against judges who issue decisions that politicians do not like implicate the same concern. No matter what you think of any particular ruling, letting politicians do whatever they want, as long as they can claim that voters support it, would replace constitutional democracy with, at best, tyranny of the majority. More realistically, it would subject all Americans to the unbridled whims of any demagogue who manages to gain power. The post Trump's Judge Bashing Provokes a Rebuke From Chief Justice John Roberts (Again) appeared first on Reason.com. Republican lawmakers are expressing apprehension over a plan by the Trump administration to gut federal spending on a program some have called a lifeline for small businesses in districts and states they represent. President Donald Trump issued an executive order late Friday directing agencies to eliminate to the maximum extent the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund a longtime, bipartisan program that provides millions of dollars annually to lenders operating in poorer rural and urban areas underserved by big banks. The CDFI Fund is a lifeline for underserved populations to access capital & directly supports multiple Orange County credit unions that serve our community, Rep. Young Kim (R-Calif.), a House Financial Services member, said on X. This partnership represents the best of public-private sector collaboration & deserves our continued bipartisan support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps proposal to cut the fund crosses into an area lawmakers are loath to touch assistance for the main street business community many GOP members turned to for support during the election. The administrations latest action, which could more heavily impact red districts, may show the limits of Republican support for the administrations cost-cutting crusade. House Financial Services Chair French Hill (R-Ark.) and Senate Banking Chair Tim Scott (R-S.C.) have also historically been strong proponents of the targeted fund. From the inception of the CDFI Fund in 1994 through February 2025, Arkansas-headquartered CDFIs have received $187.9 million from the fund and South Carolina- headquartered CDFIS have received $75.3 million, according to the CDFI Coalition, an industry advocacy group. Chairman Hill knows the impact CDFIs can have on communities, particularly in rural areas, said Brooke Nethercott, a spokesperson for Hill, a former community banker. Our Committee looks forward to learning more from the administration. Arkansas Capital Corp., a private, nonprofit special project finance company in Hills district, often works with rural areas and has received $7.4 million in CDFI funds since 2017. Sam Walls, CEO of the corporation, said the executive order came out of left field. Theres a lot of uncertainty in the industry at the moment and clarity would be helpful sooner rather than later, Walls said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for Scott said the lawmaker has long supported efforts to increase access to capital in underserved communities and will continue to work with his colleagues and the Trump administration to unleash both private and public investment in areas across the country that need it most, whether thats through the CDFI Fund or other programs. Scott, during the height of the Covid pandemic, defended at a hearing the significant role of CDFIs in providing financial services to Black- and Hispanic-owned businesses that were disproportionately hit by the crisis. During his confirmation hearing in January, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he supported CDFIs and said their role in underserved communities is very important. He issued a statement this week that appeared to be sensitive to lawmakers concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CDFIs are a key component of President Trumps commitment to supporting Main Street America in the pursuit of job growth, wealth creation, and prosperity and the Treasury Department will provide a response to the Director of the OMB, as requested by the Executive Order, Bessent said. The Treasury looks forward to future engagement with CDFIs and other stakeholders to strengthen the impact of these statutory programs and incentivize economic opportunities for all Americans, Bessent said. Sens. Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), co-chairs of the Senate CDFI caucus, issued a joint statement of continued support for the CDFI Fund. As co-chairs of the Community Development Finance Caucus, a group which has grown to 28 members, 14 Democrats and 14 Republicans, we are proud to reaffirm our bipartisan commitment to support the CDFI Funds mission, the lawmakers said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It remains to be seen if Trump has any power to actually cut the fund, though that hasnt stopped the president from attempting to take actions beyond his executive authority. The executive order directs the administration to take the function and personnel of the CDFI Fund and other programs "to the minimum presence and function required by law." The CDFI Fund was established by Congress under a bipartisan law, the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994. The CDFI Fund and its programs are fully authorized, said Jeannine Jacokes, CEO of the Community Development Bankers Association. But she said the group is concerned about any potential staffing cuts, and you know, unclear what the impact of this executive order is. Other community banking groups expressed similar concern and confusion over the order. The Defense Credit Union Council, which represents credit unions that serve military personnel and veterans, said the order could have a major impact on military communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Military installations are often located in rural or lower-income regions lacking adequate financial infrastructure, and a large portion of junior enlisted service members meet the CDFI Funds Low Income Targeted Population criteria, the organization wrote in a letter to Hill, Scott, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), the ranking members of the Banking and Financial Services committees, respectively. CDFIs cannot expand economic opportunity on Main Street America without the CDFI Fund, Jacokes said. The CDFI Fund provides the flexible capital for them to design products and services that meet the needs of low income places as well as people, Jacokes said. Now in the event of an economic downturn, policy makers will need CDFIs, because CDFIs have the unique ability to go deep into markets and promote recovery. One of the main reasons CDFI Funds are "nonpartisan" is that 92 percent of the 435 voting congressional districts have at least one CDFI physically located within and serving the local communities, with half of the districts Republican and half Democrat, Jacokes said. But if you break it down to the where the physical offices, the number of physical offices, 60 percent are in Republican-held districts, Jacokes said. Trumps administration intends to address the issue of potentially easing sanctions against Russia only after a ceasefire is achieved. Source: Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff on Bloomberg on Wednesday, as reported by European Pravda Details: Witkoff stated that the topic of sanctions was not discussed during the conversation between US President Donald Trump and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin. However, he emphasised that this is a discussion both leaders are going to have and that "everybody is open to it". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote from Witkoff: "But first and foremost, we want a solution that means an end to the fighting. We want to get to the ceasefire. That's the president's policy. And we're going to get to the ceasefire." Details: In Witkoffs view, once a ceasefire is reached, everything else will be secondary. "And I think after that, everything else will be a detail: sanction relief and all the other things that go with a full-on peace treaty," he concluded. Background: On 14 March, the G7 countries declared their readiness to impose further sanctions against Russia and strengthen support for Ukraine if Russia refuses the ceasefire proposal. On 18 March, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that Trump had called for US sanctions to be prepared in case they are needed to increase pressure on Russia. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! (FOX40.COM) The Tuolumne County Public Health Department said it is investigating two suspected cases of Tuolumne County residents with measles. The county said local residents should be aware of the risk of exposure to measles at Summerville High School from March 10 to 11 and at the Adventist Health Sonora Emergency Department in the late evening of March 15 and early morning of March 16. Summerville Union High School District takes the health and safety of its students, staff and our community seriously and we will be working closely with Tuolumne County Public Health through the process of identifying any risk to our students, staff and community, Superintendent of Summerville High School Michael Merrill said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reported possible cases are some of the latest in an outbreak of measles in the U.S. that has mostly affected the South Plains and Panhandle regions of Texas. The Tuolumne County Public Health Department advises the public to monitor themselves for symptoms and confirm if they have measles vaccination up to date. According to the agency, symptoms include a fever above 101 F, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, and a rash that typically starts at the face and then spreads down to the rest of the body. Those who develop these symptoms are advised to remain at home and avoid contact with others. The agency also suggests calling ahead to a healthcare facility before visiting to inform them of the measles exposure and symptoms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Tuolumne County Public Health Department said a person infected with measles can spread the disease up to four days before the rash appears, meaning they can pass it on to others before they feel sick or have symptoms. They can continue to spread it up to four days after the rash has appeared as well. According to the agency, measles spreads through the air an infected person breathes and the virus can stay in the air and on surfaces for hours. The health department advises getting the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR or MMRV) vaccine to protect against the disease. The MMR vaccine protects against three diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella. The MMRV vaccine protects against four diseases: measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (chickenpox). 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. TUPELO For the fourth time in 15 years, the Tupelo Regional Airport is looking for a new executive director. The board recently parted ways with Joe Wheeler, who was named to the position in April 2021. His departure was effective March 4, according to airport board chairman Eric Gibens. "We've decided to go in a different direction," said Gibens, who declined to provide details, citing it as a personnel matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wheeler was the unanimous choice to be executive director four years ago, and Gibens who also was serving as chairman said he was the top pick to replace Cliff Nash, who had retired after a five-and-a-half-year tenure. We interviewed several top candidates located throughout the Southeast, and we found the best for Tupelo, Gibens said at the time. The board is impressed with Joes experience in airport operations, property management, and his history as a pilot." At this point, the airport will be run by the board not an unusual position, as it has done so in the past during periods of transition. Prior to Wheeler's and Nash's runs, recent directors included Josh Abramson (April 2010-January 2015), Terry Anderson (January 2000-December 2009) and Roger Blickensderfer (March 1990-Janary 2000). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gibens said the search for a new director would again be an extensive one involving a search firm. BOARDINGS SKYROCKET In other airport news, boardings continued on a hot pace, with 1,075 total in February, a 23% increase. Year to date, boardings are up nearly 38%. The 1,075 boardings in February marked the ninth consecutive month that Tupelo Regional had at least 1,000 boardings. For last month, Dallas again led the way with 601 boardings, while Nashville had 474. (Bloomberg) -- Turkeys lira sank, an equity selloff triggered a trading halt, and government bond yields surged to the highest levels this year as investors dumped the nations assets after the arrest of a key rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lira plunged more than 10% to new record lows on news of the arrest early on Wednesday, before paring losses to about 6% as of noon in Istanbul. The benchmark Borsa Istanbul 100 Index was also down 6%, with the banking sub-index dropping more than 9%. The declines were the worst in the world among respective asset classes. Istanbuls mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, was detained Wednesday morning, a day after Turkish authorities revoked his university diploma in a move that could bar him from challenging Erdogan in the next presidential election. Among Turkeys most popular politicians, the 54-year-old is seen as top contender, and he was set on Sunday to be named the presidential candidate for the Republican Peoples Party, or CHP. Turkish assets are under strong selling pressure, said Piotr Matys, senior FX analyst at In Touch Capital Markets. To some investors its also a reminder that President Erdogan intends to tighten his grip on power even more by attempting to prevent his biggest political rival from running in presidential elections due in 2028, although early polls cant be excluded. Political developments usually weigh on Turkish stocks as the countrys equity market is mostly dominated by domestic investors who are more reactive at times of volatility. Local investors hold about 62.5% of Turkish equities, according to data on the Turkish securities depositorys website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The political developments come as a shock to global investors, who had largely turned positive on Turkey, betting on its pivot to economic orthodoxy and insulation from trade tensions with the US. A better-than-expected inflation reading in February, an interest-rate cut and hopes of closer ties with the European Union all helped push Turkish stocks into a bull market earlier this month, while the lira carry trade was still viewed as attractive. The selloff on Wednesday morning also echoed in forward markets. Overnight offshore rates jumped more than 10 percentage points to 48%, signaling an unwinding of lira carry positions. (Adds details, market moves throughout. Adds quotes) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2025 Bloomberg L.P. By Ece Toksabay and Ezgi Erkoyun ISTANBUL (Reuters) -Turkey detained Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, the main rival of President Tayyip Erdogan, on charges of corruption and aiding a terrorist group in what the main opposition party on Wednesday called "a coup against our next president". The move against the popular two-term mayor caps a months-long legal crackdown on opposition figures across the country which has been criticised as a politicised attempt to hurt their electoral prospects and silence dissent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turkey's lira currency crashed as much as 12% to an all-time low of 42 to the dollar in response, underscoring worries over the eroding rule of law in the major emerging market and NATO member country that Erdogan has run for 22 years. Imamoglu, 54, who leads Erdogan in some opinion polls, was to be named his Republican People's Party's (CHP) official presidential candidate within days. He now faces two separate investigations that also include charges of leading a crime organisation, bribery and tender rigging. In a handwritten letter shared on social media, the detained mayor said Turks would respond to the "lies, plots and traps" against him. Earlier, before leaving home for the police station, he said he would not give up in the face of pressure. Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc warned against linking Erdogan to Imamoglu's detention or other legal processes, using words like "coup" to describe it, and also against street protests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though authorities temporarily banned protests and police shut down some city streets, some hundreds of people gathered at the police station and chanted: "The day will come when (Erdogan's) AK Party is called to account". Any larger protests could test authorities' willingness to expand a legal blitz since late last year that already includes numerous indictments, the ousting of several elected opposition mayors and the jailing of a nationalist party leader. ELECTION CHP leader Ozgur Ozel said his party would go ahead and select Imamoglu as presidential candidate on Sunday irrespective. "Turkey is going through a coup against the next President. We are facing a coup attempt here," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next election is set for 2028 but Erdogan has reached his two-term limit as president after having earlier served as prime minister. If he wishes to run again he must call an early election or change the constitution. Erdogan, 71, faced his worst electoral defeat in nationwide municipal elections last year, when Imamoglu's CHP swept Turkey's major cities and defeated his ruling AK Party in former strongholds. "Ultimately, today's developments highlight that no matter the cost, Erdogan's personal agenda remains the top priority, with everything else taking a back seat," said Wolfango Piccoli, co-president at advisory Teneo. The government denies the opposition charges and says the judiciary is independent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, Ankara is seeking to end a decades-long insurgency by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) after its jailed leader called for disarmament last month, in what could be a big step towards regional peace. Yet the mayor's detention - in part over charges he aided the PKK by forming an electoral alliance with the pro-Kurdish DEM Party last year - could hamper democratic steps towards ending the insurgency in which more than 40,000 people have been killed. DEM, parliament's third largest party, which played a key role facilitating the disarmament call, said Imamoglu must be released to avoid sabotaging the peace process. MARKETS TUMBLE Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Germany, France and the Council of Europe criticised Imamoglu's detention. Human Rights Watch called the charges "politically motivated and bogus", and said he must be released immediately. The Istanbul prosecutor's office said a total of 100 people, including journalists and business people, were suspected of being involved in criminal activities related to certain tenders awarded by the municipality, as part of the first investigation. It said a second probe charged Imamoglu and six others with aiding the PKK, which is deemed a terrorist organisation by Turkey and its Western allies. A government appointee could replace the mayor, who could be released in coming days pending any court arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The detention came a day after another blow to Imamoglu, who already faced numerous probes and indictments: Istanbul University annulled his degree, which if upheld would block him from running in presidential elections. His detention sent Istanbul stocks down more than 5% and sparked one of lira's worst intraday plunges on record, before it settled at 38 to the dollar at 1155 GMT. The shock could curb a rate-cutting cycle and slow a fall in inflation, which dipped to 39% last month, analysts said. The central bank sold a record $8-10 billion of foreign currency on Wednesday to cushion the lira plunge, bankers said. (Additional reporting by Emin Caliskan in Istanbul and Huseyin Hayatsever and Tuvan Gumrukcu in Ankara; Writing by Jonathan Spicer; Editing by Angus MacSwan) Students supporting detained Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu at Istanbul University broke through police barricades during a demonstration on Wednesday, prompting police to intervene with tear gas, local media reported. The action came as Turkeys main opposition CHP party called for nationwide protests on Wednesday following the arrest of Istanbul Imamoglu, a popular contender to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The Republican People's Party or CHP urged supporters to gather at party offices across the country at 2 pm (1100 GMT). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, protests in Istanbul, Turkey's largest city with more than 16 million people, are excluded due to a multi-day demonstration ban imposed by the city's governor, the party said. The governor, who was appointed by Erdogan, rules over the province of Istanbul. Imamoglu was detained just days before his expected nomination as the oppositions presidential candidate. The CHP condemned the move as a civilian coup aimed at side-lining Erdogans political opponent. Imamoglu's wife, Dilek Imamoglu, holds Erdogan responsible for her husband's detention. The real reason for his arrest is that he defeated his challengers at the ballot box, she said said in a video message. ISTANBUL (AP) Turkish police arrest Istanbul mayor, rival of President Erdogan, over alleged terror links and corruption, reports say. A series of showings of the documentary No Other Land at a single-screen art-house theater in Miami Beach has become a flash point of controversy. Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner sent a letter dated March 5 to the O Cinema ahead of the screenings imploring the organization not to screen the film, which recently won the Academy Award for feature documentary. The mayors letter called it a one-sided propaganda attack on the Jewish people that is not consistent with the values of our City and residents. When the theater decided to screen the film despite his protests, Meiner put forth a formal resolution to the city commission to discontinue grant funding from the theater and, more crucially, to terminate its lease from the theaters current location on city-owned property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in an unexpected twist, the mayor withdrew his own resolution at a Wednesday morning city commission meeting before there was a vote. I viewed this as a public safety measure, Meiner said during the meeting by way of explaining his initial response.. Read more: The co-directors of 'No Other Land' on Trump's Gaza plan, the Oscars and the fight ahead Meiner added, I'm also very appreciative of my colleagues. I felt we were in unity. Unity doesn't mean we agree on every policy decision. Unity means that we are striving for what's best for our city and for our community. You know, a couple of individuals joke that I made the movie more popular by doing what I did than the Academy Awards did. And they might be right. That was not my intent. I knew this would create a dialogue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mayor's actions have brought intense media scrutiny to the fate of the Florida theater. In a news conference on Tuesday, Vivian Martel, chief executive of O Cinema, said, O Cinema will not be silenced and neither will our community. This is about more than just a film. It's about the fundamental right of free expression, artistic integrity and the role of independent cinemas in our community. In an interview last week, Kareem Tabsch, co-founder of O Cinema and chair of the board of directors, said of the mayors actions, It's shocking. I don't even know what other words to use. In the decade and a half that O Cinema has existed, we've never heard from an elected official commenting or questioning our programming, and certainly never anyone threatening action on any film we showed. So it was alarming because we were doing the same thing that we've done for nearly 15 years. O Cinema has occupied its current space since 2019 and Tabsch said he did not believe the organization would be able to find another venue in Miami Beach. It violates the 1st Amendment, said Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the law school at UC Berkeley. The city, generally the government, can't react to speech based on its content. Does that then mean that the city could say your movies have a liberal bias, therefore we're going to take away your ability to show it? Or your movies criticize or praise Donald Trump, therefore we're going to take away your license to do it? The government can't make choices based on what speech to allow or disallow based on the viewpoint or the topic that's expressed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Made by a collective of two Israeli and two Palestinian filmmakers, No Other Land captures the struggles of daily life in an area of the West Bank known as Masafer Yatta, where Israeli settlers and soldiers attempt to force locals from their homes and land. The film also explores the budding friendship between two of the filmmakers, Basel Adra, a Palestinian, and Yuval Abraham, an Israeli. Tabsch is also a filmmaker who co-directed Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado, which premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. His co-director on that film, Cristina Costantini, along with producer Alex Fumero, organized an open letter to the city of Miami Beach in support of O Cinema that as of Tuesday had more than 750 signatures, including filmmakers Michael Moore, Barry Jenkins, Phil Lord, Laura Poitras, Ezra Edelman, Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Alex Gibney. Especially in a city of refugees like Miami, a lot of people have escaped dictatorships and strongmen who've shut down dissenting opinions, said Costantini in an interview Monday. And so to see that happen there is truthfully shocking. And so anything we can do to fight it, I think is what we need to be doing. This is a huge step in the wrong direction for that city, said Fumero last week. It has bigger implications than I think [the mayor] realizes. And it's going to hurt not just O Cinema, but it's going to hurt the people of Miami. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meiner had declared "No Other Land" to be egregiously antisemitic in a newsletter he released last week. Multiple attempts to contact the mayor were not responded to, including the specific question of where and when he watched the film. In a statement, Abraham said, 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, Abrahams statement continued. 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. O Cinema was being represented in the proceedings by the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida and the Community Justice Project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I do think it's unfortunate that the lesson that some politicians seem to be taking from our current moment is that they can take whatever lawless action they like without any consequence, said Daniel Tilley, legal director of the ACLU of Florida. It's not for me to tell someone how to feel about the film and neither does the government get to decide how someone must feel about the film, said Tilley. Of course, the government can state its own view but it is not for the government to tell someone how they must feel about a movie, which is what they're doing when they decide someone is not allowed to hear a particular perspective. If the mayor wants to speak loudly against this movie and against the owner of the movie theater for showing it, the mayor can speak loudly for doing that, said Chemerinsky, but he can't punish the movie theater for the speech that it exhibits. When the mayor first sent a letter to the theater not to show No Other Land before any of the screenings had occurred, Martel initially responded by saying the venue would pull the film. Almost immediately, upon further reflection and consultation with the board and others, the decision was made to push ahead with showing the film. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's not my job to dictate how anyone views a film or the feelings they walk away with, said Tabsch. It's our job as an arts organization to present films that are engaging, provocative, thoughtful, that foster dialogue, films that are lauded and that audiences would maybe otherwise not have an opportunity to see. No Other Land fits all of those categories. Screenings of No Other Land that are currently scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday are expected to move forward as planned. All screenings of the film at O Cinema have been sold out in advance. Sign up for Indie Focus, a weekly newsletter about movies and whats going on in the wild world of cinema. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) A warning from law enforcement regarding a text scam that 28/22 News has been tracking. It involves text messages that are supposedly sent by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. Those who receive them are told they owe overdue tolls and face serious legal penalties if they dont immediately pay up. Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission officials tell the I-Team the texts are becoming more threatening and the number of those texts being sent to Pennsylvanians is also increasing in a bigtime way. They are urging people not to fall for the scam. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Different versions of the scam now that are really attempting to leverage fear to trick people into giving their personal and financial information, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Press Secretary Marissa Orbanek said. So they can access and steal your money. The scam surfaced last April and Turnpike Commission officials say it has intensified in recent weeks. The text indicates that a person has unpaid tolls and if they are not paid immediately. That person could face increased legal fees and possibly lose their drivers license. A link is provided in the text for people to make a payment. 28/22 News spoke recently with a Luzerne County woman who received scam texts and didnt know why she was getting them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont leave the area, so I know I dont have any tolls, said Sweet Valley resident Gina Traver. I think AI is making it easier for cybercriminals to really make their texts and their message more sophisticated text, so I think it looks authentic, Orbanek explained. Setback delays Lackawanna County commissioner replacement process Does the Turnpike Commission send texts if you are in arrears of fines? 28/22 News I-Team Reporter Andy Mehalshick asked. The Turnpike Commission nor any of our partners will text you with a direct link to pay a toll or fine that is not something we do. We do not text, Orbanek stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turnpike officials say if you receive a scam text. do not respond, do not click on the link, and report the text to the FBI and local law enforcement. Also, if you are not sure if you owe unpaid tolls, contact the Turnpike Commission directly. 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 PAhomepage.com. UPDATE (4:32 pm, March 20) New York State Police have identified the two people involved in the head-on crash. Further investigation found that the deceased driver 26-year-old Delmarus Jackson of Geneva entered into the other lane before colliding head-on with the other driver 34-year-old Geoffrey Vanwagner of Walton. Jackson was taken to Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown where he was pronounced dead. Vanwagner was also taken to Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown; however, his injuries were deemed to be non-life-threatening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MILFORD, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) A two-car crash in the town of Milford has left one person dead and shut down a stretch of road for several hours on Wednesday, according to New York State Police. State Police out of Oneonta were called to the two-vehicle collision at approximately 6 am on Wednesday, March 19 on the 3000 block of State Highway 28 in the town of Milford. The Otsego 911 Center alerted them and the Otsego Fire Department for the head-on crash. Upon the troopers arrival, the Otsego Fire Department was on the scene providing aid to the only two people involved. New York State Troopers say no other occupants were in either vehicle. Both drivers were transported to Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown. One of the drivers was pronounced deceased at the hospital. Route 28 between the town of Milford and the town of Portlandville approximately seven miles northeast of Oneonta was closed for several hours while troopers investigated the accident and the cars were taken from the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither driver was identified by New York State Police, and the investigation into the crash is ongoing. This is an ongoing investigation. We will provide more information as it becomes available to us. 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 WUTR/WFXV - CNYhomepage.com. Editors Note: New details on this story can be found here. COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) A Muscogee County grand jury has indicted two Columbus police officers involved in a shooting after a traffic stop in February of 2024. The Columbus Police Department released a statement saying the grand jury indicted the officers. Both are being charged with aggravated assault and aggravated battery. CPD did not name the two officers in its release. Those indicted by the grand jury are public, but news of the indictment did not come down until after the courthouse was closed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WRBL spoke with District Attorney Don Kelly, who confirmed the officers were Kenneth Rammage and Xavier Perez. A grand jury indictment is not a conviction, rather it formally charges the officers with the crime, allowing a superior court trial to proceed. CPD says the department will conduct an internal investigation to ensure proper procedures and policies were followed. The indictment stems from the February 2024 shooting of Jermaine Hernandez after a traffic stop on Manchester Expressway, where Hernandez suffered a gunshot wound to the hand. After the shooting on Feb. 7, 2024, Hernandez hired legal representation. On Feb. 22, 2024, Hernandez held a news conference sharing his side of the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hernandez says he was shot in the hand when his car made a popping noise after he accidentally revved his car when trying to clean his window after being pulled over by police. You can find full coverage of the news conference 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 WRBL. By Daniel Trotta (Reuters) -A federal jury in San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday convicted two Mexican men for their roles in the smuggling death of 53 migrants packed into a truck during sweltering heat in June 2022, the Justice Department said. More than 60 migrants from Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras were stuck in a tractor-trailer with malfunctioning air conditioning that was abandoned on the outskirts of San Antonio on June 27, 2022, a day when temperatures soared as high as 103 Fahrenheit (39.4 Celsius). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Forty-eight people were found dead at the scene and another five died in hospital. Among the dead were six children and a pregnant woman, the Justice Department said in a press release. Eleven others were hospitalized. Some migrants inside the trailer lost consciousness, while others clawed at the walls trying to escape, the Justice Department said, citing court documents and evidence presented at trial. Felipe Orduna-Torres, 30, and Armando Gonzalez-Ortega, 55, were each convicted of four separate counts of smuggling resulting in death and injury and face up life in prison at sentencing, set for June 27. Reuters could not immediately reach defense attorneys to make a statement in their defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matthew Galeotti, acting had of the Justice Department's Criminal Division, called it "a momentus day" in remarks to media. "The Department is committed to the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations," he said. Four other suspects previously pleaded guilty, including the driver of the truck, a Justice Department spokesperson said. One other suspect remains a fugitive. The investigation has also resulted in the extradition from Guatemala of another suspect: Rigoberto Ramon Miranda-Orozco, 48. Prosecutors accuse Miranda-Orozco of leading a Guatemala-based organization that smuggled three of those who died, charging their families $12,000-$15,000 each for the journey, the Justice Department said. (Reporting by Daniel Trotta; Editing by Lincoln Feast) March 19 (UPI) -- A federal jury has convicted two men for their involvement in the fatal smuggling scheme that led to the deaths of 53 migrants in the back of a sweltering tractor-trailer in 2022. Federal prosecutors said Felipe Orduna-Torres, 30, and Armando Gonzalez-Ortega, 55, were convicted Tuesday, each on three counts related to the smuggling scheme, and face a maximum penalty of life in prison when sentenced on June 27. The pair were arrested in June 2023, almost a year to the day after dozens of migrants were found dead in the back of a tractor-trailer abandoned on the side of a San Antonio road on June 27, 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sixty-six migrants were in the back of the trailer without water or functioning air conditioning as they were driven for hours across the state of Texas. Forty-eight of the migrants were pronounced dead at the scene, while five people who were transported to area hospitals later died. Six children and a pregnant woman were among the deceased. According to federal prosecutors, the migrant families paid the defendants and their co-conspirators between $12,000 and $15,000 to be smuggled into the United States. Coinciding with the convictions, a third defendant, Rigoberto Ramon Miranda-Orozco, 48, was extradited to the United States from Guatemala to face charges in connection with the conspiracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal prosecutors accused Miranda-Orozco of being a leader of a Guatemala-based smuggling organization. He made his first appearance in a San Antonio federal court on Monday. Guatemalan authorities arrested him in August at the request of the United States in a large law enforcement operation carried out across the Central American country. "The extradition of Miranda-Orozco to U.S. custody is a major step in the takedown of a large and complex human smuggling organization he is alleged to be a part of," acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas said in a statement. "Just as we've shown throughout the trial of Orduna-Torres and Gonzalez-Ortega, we will continue to prosecute this case aggressively -- seeking justice for those who have perished and holding accountable those who illegally value profit over human life." Five other defendants have pleaded guilty to their involvement in the case. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Two men are dead after a shooting in Kansas City late Tuesday night. Just after 11 p.m., Kansas City Police were called to the 3400 block of Harrison Street near 34th Street. Download WDAF+ for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV When officers arrived, they found two men shot in the middle of the street. Both victims were unresponsive and were taken to the hospital, where they were pronounced dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They have been identified as 72-year-old Jumah Mubarak and 33-year-old Leander Wooden Jr. Police have not identified a suspect and are working to determine what led up to the shooting. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043. Those who wish to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 816-474-8477 or kc-crime.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 FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. March 19 (UPI) -- The U.S. Institute of Peace filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the Trump administration after being taken over and taken apart by the Trump administration. The complaint states that USIP is an "independent nonprofit corporation established by Congress" in the 1984 United States Institute of Peace Act, and that "Congress confirmed the Institute's status as 'an independent nonprofit corporation' outside of the Executive branch throughout the USIP Act." However, it was named in an executive order written by President Donald Trump in February that lists USIP among a group of "governmental entities," that will be "eliminated to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law, and such entities shall reduce the performance of their statutory functions and associated personnel to the minimum presence and function required by law." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the filing, USIP named Trump, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, among the defendants. USIP stated in its complaint that Trump "incorrectly labeled the Institute a 'governmental entity' that that was part of the "federal bureaucracy." As a result of this purported misidentification, USIP has been subject to what it describes as "unlawful dismantling," which includes the "firing of all of the Institute's Board members who were presidentially appointed and confirmed by the Senate," and then the termination of its president George Moose directly by Rubio, Hegseth and President of the National Defense University Vice Admiral Peter A. Garvin. The filing declares Rubio, Hegseth and Garvin to be "ex officio board members" who then installed Kenneth Jackson, who said in the suit is the "acting president of the United States Institute of Peace," but in a "purported capacity." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suit then states that DOGE arrived Monday at USIP in "attacks" that "culminated in the literal trespass and takeover by force" by DOGE, who then entered the organization's headquarters and "plundered" its offices "in an effort to access and gain control of the Institute's infrastructure, including sensitive computer systems." USIP accused the defendants of violating the U.S. Institute of Peace Act, and that their actions against USIP "exceed executive authority, usurp legislative authority conferred upon Congress by the Constitution, and violate the separation of powers." USIP also asks in the filing that the board members, including Moose be legally restored, and establish that "Kenneth Jackson has not been lawfully appointed to any position within the Institute." Senior Judge Beryl A. Howell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia is scheduled to hear the case Wednesday afternoon. It is now almost exactly two months since U.S. President Donald Trump returned to the White House and set about weakening the United Nations. On his first day in office, Trump announced that the U.S. would quit the Paris Agreement on climate change as well as the World Health Organization. At the time, I argued that these were predictable maneuvers, as he had taken similar steps in his first term. Diplomats and international officials in New York were resigned to Trump taking early pot-shots at the U.N. but hoped that he would move on to other targets. Two months later, U.N. insiders admit that the new administration has done far more harm to the institution than they had expected. And they worry that it will do even greater damage before long. While the administrations cuts to foreign aid have hit U.N. agencies hard, U.N. officials had expected to face financial strains. But Washington has also blocked information-sharing by U.S. government entities with their U.N. counterparts on issues ranging from epidemics to indicators of famine. That has stopped the flow of data that U.N. agencies often relied on more than they would care to admit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In parallel, U.S. diplomats in New York and Geneva have instructions to purge multilateral documents of references to words the Trump administration dislikes, like gender and diversity. These strictures have upset routine U.N. committee processes on issues ranging from childrens wellbeing to peacekeeping, as U.S. negotiators have focused on these semantic points to the exclusion of all other topics. Their foreign counterparts quip that U.S. diplomats simply use the Ctrl+F keyboard shortcut to search draft texts for offending nouns and verbs to cut, in order to win credit with Washington. To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter. Foreign officials in New York had always expected the Trump administration to be transactional rather than principled in its multilateral diplomacy. But its obsession with rooting out supposedly leftist notions has convinced many that it is ultimately following a right-wing ideological template, making it significantly harder to bargain with. The U.S. has reinforced this view by circulating a questionnaire to U.N. agencies asking if they have had any association with communists or other anti-American forces. While senior figures in New York have tracked the White Houses attacks, they have had few real openings to understand U.S. thinking. The Senate confirmation of Trumps nominee as ambassador to the U.N., Rep. Elise Stefanik, has been put on hold to allow Stefanik to remain in Congress, as the slim and unruly Republican majority makes her vote indispensable for upcoming budgetary negotiations. Beleaguered diplomats at the U.S. mission to the U.N. have tended to postpone big decisions until her eventual arrival, which is now expected in early April but could slip further into the future. Some major U.S. initiativessuch as the decision to side with Moscow rather than Kyiv in a series of General Assembly and Security Council votes in February marking the anniversary of Russias all-out invasion of Ukrainehave seemed quite haphazardly put together. The bleakest observers suspect that the Trump administration not only does not care about the U.N. but actively wants to subvert it. Worried U.N. member states have been urging the organizations leaders to try to get ahead of this burgeoning crisis. In February and early March, major financial donors to the U.N. fretted that Secretary-General Antonio Guterreswho handled Trump quite successfully in his first termwas not taking the scale of the current U.S. threat seriously. Last week, Guterres announced a review of the U.N.s mandates and structures to identify savings and efficiencies. He has, rather unconvincingly, tried to present this as an independent initiative rather than a stop-gap response to Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Looking ahead, denizens of the U.N. bubble broadly fall into three categories. Optimists believe that, for all its ideological baggage, the administration will eventually return to a more pragmatic approach to multilateral affairs. They point out that there are multiple issues on which the U.N. could be quite helpful to Washington, from stemming lawlessness in Haiti to monitoring a potential ceasefire in Ukraine. There is also a certain grim calculus that once the global impact of aid cuts become clear to U.S. voters, with images of hunger and disease flooding the media, the administration will need to quietly re-engage with humanitarian agencies. Nobody thinks that Trump will rethink his views on climate or gender, but he could still return to the U.N. as a useful foreign policy tool when it serves his interests. More pessimistic observers worry that the administration is immune to such concerns and will continue to pursue culture wars at the U.N. rather than revert to cooperation. They also see further political breaking-points in U.S.-U.N. relations looming. This weeks renewed violence in Gaza could lead to angry debates in the Security Council and General Assembly, just as the Israel-Hamas war did during the administration of former President Joe Biden. Economically developing countries are also increasingly likely to call out U.S. aid cuts, as well as cuts by other affluent countries, against the backdrop of a very troubled global economy. The bleakest observers suspect that the Trump administration not only does not care about the U.N. but actively wants to subvert it. They note that some of Trumps apparent obsessions, such as his interest in annexing Greenland, run directly counter to the principles of the U.N. Charter. They also suspect that U.S. kibbitzing about words such as gender is not just cheap point-scoring, but rather part of a broader campaign to undo many of the values the U.N. embodies. In their darker moments, U.N. insiders speculate that the U.S. could quit the organization altogether. This is not new; there were similar rumors buzzing around New York in 2020, during the final year of Trumps first term. But the new administration has launched a review of all U.S. treaty obligations, which could in theory be an opening to renounce the U.N. Charter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It probably wont go that far. The U.S. is very unlikely to completely sacrifice its position of power in the U.N., especially its ability to use its veto in the Security Council to protect its friends. But it may be of small comfort if the U.S. stays inside the U.N., as it has the financial and political clout to cause a great deal more pain from within. Richard Gowan is the U.N. director of the International Crisis Group. From 2013 to 2019, he wrote a weekly column for WPR. Follow him on Twitter at @RichardGowan1. The post The U.N. Thought It Was Prepared for Trumps Return. It Wasnt appeared first on World Politics Review. The News UAE National Security Adviser Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed met with US President Donald Trump and tech luminaries in Washington this week seeking to deepen the two countries ties. Discussions centered on regional security and how to increase our partnership for the advancing of our economic and technological futures, Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. Abu Dhabi is eyeing US deals through ADNOCs international investment arm XRG, which is building up capacity in liquefied natural gas and the specialty chemicals that help cool data centers. Its also seeking steady access to the most advanced AI chips looming export curbs could threaten the UAEs ambitions to develop massive, home-grown AI models. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UAE has already won over American tech and finance giants. Abu Dhabi inked a deal with Microsoft during the visit to implement AI services across the capitals government, while Nvidia and Elon Musks xAI agreed to join the $30 billion BlackRock AI Infrastructure Partnership, backed by Abu Dhabis MGX and Microsoft. Sheikh Tahnoons schedule included Musk, Metas Mark Zuckerberg, Amazons Jeff Bezos, and Oracles Larry Ellison, as well as Microsofts Satya Nadella, BlackRocks Larry Fink, and Palantirs Alex Karp, Semafor scooped. For nearly ten years, Bernard Moses had been ferrying passengers around Chicagoland as an Uber driver. But after dropping off his umpteenth passenger one day in April 2024, Moses recalls that he swiped to find his next rider only to discover he'd been locked out of his Uber driver account. A message came up, telling him he had been suspended due to a customer complaint. After logging over 20,000 rides and earning an average rating of 4.99 out of 5, Moses had been locked out of his primary source of income by his phone screen. To find out what happened, he said he called a support number listed on the app, only to be met with an answering machine at the end of a long chain of automated prompts an effort he would repeat multiple times a day for weeks. About a month later, Moses received two missed calls from a man who identified himself as "Jon," claiming to be an Uber employee looking into his case. When Moses' return call went unanswered, he tried again and again, and again "hundreds of times" throughout the next two months, to no avail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was only months after, when hailing an Uber for his son, that Moses discovered his rider account was also locked down one last parting gift from the multi-billion-dollar rideshare giant. Nearly a year after, Moses says he would still like closure for the seemingly random event that upended his life as he knew it, though he knows its not likely. Moses had just experienced "deactivation": the jarring moment when loyal gig workers find that they've been locked out of a work platform cutting them off from earning a living and often casting them into a Kafkaesque labyrinth of cookie-cutter emails, tortuous call center loops, and AI chatbots that seem to goad them into giving up, all while their livelihood hangs in the balance. While tech behemoths like Uber and Lyft market gig work as a type of side hustle, their platforms are often the primary source of income for their majority-immigrant and minority labor force, meaning deactivations like the one Moses faced can be devastating for some of the most precarious workers in the US. His case is just one of many in the rideshare landscape, a growing issue that labor organizers are calling a "deactivation crisis." A new report by an advocacy group called the Action Center on Race and the Economy (ACRE) surveyed 727 rideshare drivers who had been deactivated within the last five years, who shared infuriating details about their experiences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though drivers reported the leading cause for deactivation was customer complaints, others say their accounts were nixed for a variety of reasons including facial-recognition background checks, self-reported safety incidents, and community guideline violations. A whopping 15 percent of drivers reported receiving no reason for deactivation, leaving them guessing as to why their livelihood was suddenly taken away. In most cases, deactivation comes as a total shock 85 percent were deactivated without prior warning, many in the middle of a work day. Its effects can be catastrophic, leading to evictions, homelessness, food insecurity, and more. According to ACRE's survey, close to two-thirds of drivers reported falling behind on bills, while 14 percent faced the loss of their homes. Once a driver is deactivated, getting reinstated can be a herculean task, because they have virtually no control over the process or what evidence the company considers. Worse yet, drivers often lack even basic information about their case, thanks to Uber's "disruptive" management style. Because Uber isnt legally obligated to give its drivers basic protections like access to human resources or unemployment insurance not to mention minimum wage it gets away with treating them like nagging customers, a model data scholar Alex Rosenblat calls "customer-service-as-management." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Denver Uber driver Karim Sawadogo dialed the driver support line for what felt like the thousandth time, he says he was stunned to find Uber had blocked his number. Friends' phones likewise became blocked as he did anything he could to reach Uber support. A more than full-time driver in Denver for seven years, the first-generation Burkinabe immigrant had clocked over 20,000 Uber rides before he says he was locked out, after a rider accused him of drinking and driving. Though Sawadogo says he doesnt drink for religious reasons, he nonetheless flagged down a cop as soon as the allegation came across his phone screen. While any drunk driver wouldve been arrested on the spot, the officer instead directed Sawadogo to a drug and alcohol clinic to start a paper trail right away. Unfortunately for him, that wasn't enough for Ubers opaque system of rules. "Even when I send them the copy they keep me locked out, for almost nine months," Sawadogo told us. "I keep sending messages. At a certain point they locked me out [altogether], so I have no way to send them messages." Thats when he started calling, until that too was blocked. "I didnt know what to do with my life. Its getting bad. Im behind on all my bills, my car, my house," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Desperate to claw back his livelihood, Sawadogo went all in. "I decided, I said hey, you know what, Im just gonna go to California to see what those guys are doing," he recalled. Spending what remained of his cash, he flew to San Francisco, where he called in some favors to get a ride from the airport straight to Uber headquarters. Like his prior attempts, that was also a bust. Despite having records proving his innocence, a desk worker told Sawadogo there was nothing he could do, and to "come back in three days," presumably hoping hed give up. Determined to see it through, Sawadogo returned, this time talking to a different worker who heard him out. "I was so surprised, it only took him like 10 minutes to get me back," he said. "Someone could have done that in the last nine months." Sawadogo considers himself lucky. While his tenacity is remarkable, his story illustrates the extreme lengths drivers are forced to go for a chance at regaining their livelihoods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nowadays when an Uber driver is deactivated, their first point of contact isnt with someone from Uber HR, but with an AI chatbot the kind that might make you tear your hair out trying to get a refund for those Weezer tickets. Algorithmic decision making is key to Uber's business model. It pairs riders with drivers, tracks trip frequency, and deactivates drivers en masse. Though these algorithms save Uber boatloads of money, ACRE notes that they work as "tools for workforce control," a coercive, automated threat looming over Uber drivers at all hours of the day. The ever-present threat of this kind of tech creates what ACRE calls a "strong incentive for drivers to comply with corporate and passenger demands even when they are unfair, unsafe, or economically disadvantageous." A former driver in the San Francisco Bay Area named April Granado says she averaged well over 50 hours of work per week, notching over 3,000 Uber rides in her first year alone. In May of 2024, she had an altercation with a belligerent rider who refused to follow Californias and Ubers child safety seat laws. When the rider continued to escalate and threaten Granado, the driver says she cancelled the ride and reported the incident to Uber, before driving off and continuing her work day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Days later, Granado received a late-night message from Uber that her account had been permanently deactivated. Although that was the end of her full-time rideshare job, it was far from the first time Uber had made her choose between her comfort and a riders request. Granado reported previously being harangued by riders over masks at the height of Covid, uncomfortable advances by men, requests to escort riders into doctors' offices, and a customer who insisted that she roll down the window in the midst of the recent Los Angeles Wildfires, as the air glowed orange with ash. There's also a specter of racial bias in ACRE's findings. Black drivers report being deactivated for customer complaints at a rate 7 percent higher than their white counterparts, while having their accounts reinstated at lower rates. Meanwhile, drivers of Latin American descent reportedly received no explanation for their permanent suspension at a rate of 20 percent, compared to 15 percent for all other drivers. After this story was initially published, Uber provided a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We know that losing access to an earning opportunity is one of the toughest moments for a driver and the process of removing someone from the Uber platform isnt a decision we take lightly," it read. "Uber never deactivates a driver because we want to. We do it when we need to: to ensure the safe and reliable functioning of our platform." "While deactivations are rare, if a driver loses access to the platform, its of the utmost importance that they are never left in the dark," the statement continued. "In recent years, weve expanded the in-app Review Center, a human-led process that allows drivers to appeal for nearly all deactivation reasons. Drivers are always informed of the reason for deactivation and given clear instructions on how to appeal directly in the app. We also provide guidance to help them submit any relevant information for a fair and thorough review. Technology and data can be useful tools, but humans will always play a role in ensuring our deactivation practices are fair and balanced." There are small glints of hope for rideshare drivers. A number of groups throughout the US are organizing gig workers to fight back against deactivation through mutual aid efforts like translation assistance and "deactivation clinics," as well as through local and state grassroots policy drives. In cities like Seattle and Minneapolis, civic leaders have recently passed ordinances mandating protections for gig workers from deactivation, despite Ubers bullying. Thats setting an example for cities like Chicago, which just proposed an ordinance to enshrine due process for drivers facing deactivation, as well as minimum wage. Deactivation regulation is currently being reviewed by Virginia lawmakers, meanwhile, as Uber takes two Colorado labor protections bills to court, alleging that transparency laws violate its first amendment rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, there's a long road ahead for the 7.8 million Uber drivers worldwide. While gig work platforms tout unlimited flexibility for hustlers and grinders, they consistently fail to provide even the most basic worker protections, leaving some of the countrys most vulnerable workers at the mercy of unaccountable algorithms. "They treat you like a machine," Sawadogo said of his ordeal. "If the machine doesnt do what you want, [they] just turn it off and go to the next." Updated to clarify the circumstances around April Granado's deactivation. More on Uber: Uber CEO Stunned When He Heard Cost of 3-Mile Uber Ride HELENA Montana lawmakers are grappling with how if at all the state should rein in kratom, an unregulated plant-derived substance with addictive properties sold mainly as a mood and energy booster at gas stations, vape shops, and elsewhere. Kratom, which originates from the leaves of a tree native to Southeast Asia, is also touted for helping relieve pain and opioid withdrawal symptoms. But it can have wide-ranging mental and bodily effects, according to the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, addiction medicine experts, and kratom researchers. Reports of deadly kratom overdoses have surfaced in recent years, though often in combination with other substances. But the drug is in a gray federal regulatory area: Its designated by the DEA as a drug and chemical of concern, but it is not considered a controlled substance. Legislation introduced in Congress in 2023 to study kratom has not advanced. The lack of federal regulation and congressional action has left it to states to step into the complex debate over how to clean up supply chains and protect users. The kratom industry itself wants to help address this regulatory void. A bill drafted by the American Kratom Association, a national industry lobbying group, is pending in the Montana Legislature. In its current form, the industry-dubbed Kratom Consumer Protection Act would ban sales to people under 18 and restrict which products can be labeled as kratom based on the amount and potency of two chemical components, mitragynine, and 7-hydroxymitragynine. Similar industry-backed bills have passed in 14 states, including Oregon, Texas, Kentucky, and Maryland, according to the American Kratom Association website. Other states, including Wisconsin and Arkansas, have enacted kratom bans by listing it as a Schedule I controlled substance. Oliver Grundmann, a University of Florida researcher who has studied kratom since 2016, said industry-written bills often hinge on producers accurately representing whats in their products. Lawmakers and the public in Montana may not be convinced that the proposed legislation will put public health considerations above commercial interests. Naturally, a company is driven by profits and making sure that they can retain their profits, Grundmann said. Im skeptical of self-regulation. Whether the Montana bill will be effective hinges on the states having enough resources to regulate the industry, as well as industry retailers honestly testing and marketing their products, he said. The bills sponsor, Republican Rep. Nelly Nicol, said shes trying to bring her fellow lawmakers up to speed on a substance that few people understand. Nicol said she delayed House Bill 407s first committee hearing to give herself more time to speak with legislators and to hear from groups that support and disagree with the industrys suggested approach. She indicated shes open to amending the bill, though it has not yet been rescheduled for a committee hearing. Were going to be changing our minds and learning things and molding this as were going, Nicol said in a February interview. Researchers and addiction medicine experts have struggled in recent years to pin down kratoms health effects and patterns of use. A federal survey from 2021 estimated that 1.7 million Americans age 12 and older used the substance in some way the year before the study. Medical providers and addiction researchers in Montana say patients often dont disclose their kratom use to health care providers. Some consider it an herbal supplement, a perception driven by its accessibility in gas stations and vape shops, rather than a mind-altering and potentially addictive drug. Megan Zawacki, a physician assistant and addiction medicine specialist in Helena, said many of her patients seek help for misuse of other substances and arent easily convinced of kratoms negative side effects. The majority of my patients that are using it cant even quantify to me how much theyre using, Zawacki said. But if their use spirals into addiction, she said, the consequences of the substance become clearer. At her clinic in Helena, Zawacki said, more of her patients are currently being treated for kratom addiction than for opioid use disorder. Ive had two patients specifically in the last calendar year tell me, We need to bring legislation against kratom, she said. Because it is so readily available and so misunderstood that it just is wreaking havoc on their lives. Depending on how its manufactured and how much users consume, kratom can function as a stimulant or a sedative. Though not an opioid, its key chemical components can target opioid receptors in the brain, leading some advocates to cite its potential for helping opioid users manage withdrawal. Zawacki and other Montana providers say they have prescribed buprenorphine to help patients stop using kratom the same treatment often used to manage opioid addiction. Some Montana advocacy groups that work to prevent substance misuse have also flagged concerns about kratom use among minors. Beth Price Morrison, with the Alliance for Youth in Great Falls, said her organization has pressured gas stations in the area to stop carrying kratom products or at least keep them behind the counter. Our youth are really struggling with mental health right now, and they turn to substances to cope. And this stuff is easily accessible, Price Morrison said. Price Morrison and Nicol expressed support for raising the age limit on kratom sales to users 21 and older, rather than 18, which is in the current draft of the American Kratom Association bill. The legislation would allow state regulators to screen kratom products coming on the market in Montana and create a registry of permitted distributors. Vendors would be banned from selling or promoting kratom products whose concentration of 7-hydroxymitragynine exceeds 2% of the total alkaloid content. The American Kratom Association and other supporters say that such a restriction would help weed out natural forms of kratom from synthetic, higher-potency concoctions. Some kratom researchers have endorsed this type of market regulation, citing the chaotic array of products currently allowed to sport kratom labels. Grundmann, the University of Florida researcher, said there has been an evolution in the United States of products being labeled and sold as kratom. The kratom that was on the market then was basically ground-up leaf powder that was not further concentrated, Grundmann said. What we have seen in recent years is even stronger extracts that focus specifically on mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. These should not be seen as kratom any longer. Grundmann, who supported a similar version of legislation in Arizona in 2019, said Montanas bill is a starting point for regulation. He said other states, including Colorado, began with a common framework and put more guardrails in place in recent years. Price Morrison, the youth prevention advocate, said she has broader misgivings about any bill that normalizes the sale of kratom in Montana. In an ideal world, she said, she would like to see the product banned completely. We know that availability drives use. And when a product is marketed as regulated, it gains legitimacy, Price Morrison said. And more people, including those who are vulnerable, end up using it. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFFan independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF. The News The UK government announced a major overhaul of the welfare system Tuesday, with sweeping measures aimed at cutting 5 billion ($6.5 billion) a year by 2030 as it looks to rein in ballooning costs. The changes, which experts estimate will see more than a million people with disabilities lose thousands of pounds in assistance payments, have been controversial with the Labour Partys left flank and disability charities. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the welfare overhaul as the biggest shakeup in a generation, saying his party had inherited a system that was fundamentally broken. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Critics say the government is pushing through even more severe cuts than those attempted by former Conservative Chancellor George Osborne during years of austerity policies. Analysts on the political right are also sceptical, albeit for different reasons: An expert from the free-market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs told the Daily Telegraph that the cuts were a flea bite in the context of total welfare spending. The UK has seen a rise in health-related benefit claims since the pandemic, though total spending is still similar to its peers. LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Tuesday evening, discussing progress U.S. President Donald Trump had made towards a ceasefire talks with Russia, Downing Street said. Zelenskiy provided an update on the frontline situation, and Starmer reiterated Britain's "unwavering support," according to the statement. Earlier, PA Media, citing Starmer's office, reported Britain welcomed the "progress" Trump has made towards a ceasefire in Ukraine and said negotiations must lead to a "just and lasting peace." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed on Tuesday to temporarily stop attacking Ukrainian energy facilities but declined to endorse a full 30-day ceasefire Trump hoped would be the first step toward a permanent peace deal. Ukraine said it would support the scaled-back agreement, which would require both countries to hold off on firing on each other's energy infrastructure for 30 days. "I think it will be right that we will have a conversation with President Trump and we will know in detail what the Russians offered the Americans or what the Americans offered the Russians," Zelenskiy told reporters during an online briefing. Since Russia's full-scale 2022 invasion, the war has killed or wounded hundreds of thousands of people, displaced millions and reduced entire towns to rubble. (Reporting by Catarina Demony and Rajveer Singh Pardesi; Editing by Chris Reese) The UK government is recruiting a new national armaments director. The post comes with a $519,000-a-year pay packet. It reflects the UK's new urgency to boost its military procurement. The UK is recruiting a new national armaments director in a role that pays more than twice the prime minister's annual salary. In a Tuesday job post, the UK Civil Service said that the role involves coordinating between the government, the military, and industry to ensure that the military has the weapons and equipment it needs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Their overriding objective will be to ensure that the UK's manufacturing base can provide our Armed Forces with the capability, resources and capacity required to meet any future challenge," the post said. The post comes with a $519,000 annual salary and a potential 60% annual bonus a considerably higher package than the UK prime minister's annual pay packet of about $220,000. The Financial Times reported that it's among the highest-ever wage packets offered for a public servant position in the UK. The UK government is seeking to improve its procurement processes, reduce waste, and integrate the various branches of the military into a more tightly coordinated system under a new chief of the defense staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, the UK's Ministry of Defence announced the creation of the new armaments director role as part of a major overhaul of defense procurement after officials found the previous system to be "broken." The reforms have taken on an added urgency in recent weeks, as the Trump administration has cast doubt on the US' security alliance with Europe. It's led several European countries to sharply increase defense spending amid the threat from Russia, conflict in the Middle East, and rising tensions in East Asia. The UK plans to boost defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, up from 2.3%, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced in February. Germany's parliament this week boosted borrowing to fund new defense and infrastructure spending by exempting it from decades-old fiscal rules. Read the original article on Business Insider (Bloomberg) -- The UK government rejected a demand by Russian President Vladimir Putin for Ukraines allies to suspend weapons supplies to Kyiv during any truce. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will always continue to support Ukraine militarily, Prime Minister Keir Starmers spokesman Dave Pares told reporters in London on Wednesday. That applies in in all scenarios, he said, when asked if the UK could agree to Russias insistence on a halt to deliveries of military aid. The Kremlins account of a call between Putin and US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said Russia had imposed several conditions for a lasting ceasefire, including the suspension of foreign arms and intelligence support for Ukraine. Bloomberg previously reported the demand. --With assistance from Ailbhe Rea. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2025 Bloomberg L.P. By Kanishka Singh and Jasper Ward WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said aid to Ukraine was not discussed in his call on Tuesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin although the Kremlin said the Russian leader had called for an end to military assistance for Kyiv. Trump made the comments in an interview on Fox News' "The Ingraham Angle" show. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT Putin agreed on Tuesday to temporarily stop attacking Ukrainian energy facilities but declined to endorse a full 30-day ceasefire that Trump hoped would be the first step toward a permanent peace deal. Ukraine said it would support the scaled-back agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kremlin said after the Trump-Putin call that Putin also emphasized that any resolution of the conflict would require an end to all military and intelligence assistance to Ukraine. KEY QUOTES "We didn't talk about aid, we didn't talk about aid at all," Trump said. "We talked about a lot things but aid was never discussed." CONTEXT The United States supplies Ukraine with vital defensive and offensive capabilities. Washington is Ukraine's single largest military donor, having delivered or allocated over $70 billion since January 2022 in weapons, ammunitions and other military assistance. Of that, just over $15 billion was for heavy weapons, data by the Kiel Institute shows. Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. ($1 = 0.9139 euros) (Reporting by Kanishka Singh and Jasper Ward; Editing by Sandra Maler and Stephen Coates) Ukraine has secured the release of 175 defenders through a prisoner exchange with Russia, while an additional 22 people are coming home through separate arrangements. Source: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Telegram; Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War Quote: "Today marks another day of Ukraine bringing its people home. 175 of our defenders have been freed from Russian captivity. An additional 22 are coming home through non-exchange measures. Among them are soldiers who have been severely wounded and those who were persecuted by Russia on fabricated charges. All will receive immediate medical and psychological care. This is one of the largest swaps. Our soldiers, sergeants and officers are coming home. These are the soldiers who fought for our freedom in the Armed Forces, Navy, National Guard, Territorial Defence Forces and Border Guard. They defended Ukraine on different fronts in Mariupol, at Azovstal and in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy and Kursk oblasts." Details: The Coordination Headquarters explains that three of the released soldiers had been under so-called "investigation", a process that can be seen as additional torture for both the Ukrainian troops and their families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The soldiers coming home are 149 from the Ukrainian Armed Forces (with four from the Territorial Defence Forces), eleven from the Navy, eight from the National Guard (three of whom are from Azov) and three border guards. The released servicemen fought across several key regions, with 31 defending Mariupol, including 18 who fought in Azovstal Steelworks. They also stood firm in Donetsk (74), Luhansk (39) and Kharkiv (8) oblasts, while also defending Kherson (5). Two soldiers fought in each of Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia and Sumy oblasts, and some participated in the combat in Russia's Kursk Oblast. A total of 166 privates and sergeants, along with nine officers, have been released from Russian captivity this time. In addition to the exchange, 22 seriously wounded soldiers were also brought back: 21 from the Armed Forces and one border guard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those brought back from captivity suffer from health problems and severe wounds and injuries. All those released will receive proper medical care on Ukrainian soil, undergo physical and psychological rehabilitation programmes and be able to reintegrate into society. All those released will also receive one-time financial assistance and their due salaries for the entire period of their captivity. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! An 18-year-old girl who had lived more than a decade under Russian occupation has been evacuated to Ukrainian-controlled territory. Source: Bring Kids Back UA initiative on Facebook Details: Alina (name changed for safety reasons) was only seven years old when Russian forces occupied her hometown in 2014. Throughout her childhood and teenage years, she lived under the influence of Russian propaganda but remained determined to maintain her connection to Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Despite the circumstances, she tried to study online at a Ukrainian school and dreamed of obtaining higher education and building her future in Ukraine," Bring Kids Back UA stated. Upon turning 18, Alina decided to leave the occupied territory and reached out to friends in Kharkiv, with whom she had kept in touch. They, in turn, sought help from volunteers. Thanks to joint efforts, she was successfully evacuated and safely brought to Ukrainian-controlled territory. After coming back to Ukraine, she will undergo a long process of reintegration and adaptation to her new life, with psychologists assisting her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Background: Earlier, a 22-year-old man was rescued from the temporarily occupied left bank of Kherson Oblast. His entire family had been held captive by Russian forces, and he himself had endured torture. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Ukraine has brought home 175 Ukrainian soldiers in a one-for-one prisoner exchange with Russia that was mediated by the United Arab Emirates, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on March 19. The news of the swap came after a phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin a day earlier. Another 22 Ukrainian service members returned through negotiations outside of the one-for-one exchange. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of the swap, Russia also brought back 175 Russian soldiers. The recent exchange included Ukrainian military personnel who served in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, Sumy, and Kursk oblasts, as well as thosewho defended the city of Mariupol and its Azovstal steel plant, according to Zelensky. Among the prisoners of war who have returned are those that were seriously wounded and prosecuted by Russia for crimes they did not commit. All of them will be provided with the necessary medical and psychological assistance, Zelensky said. "This is one of the largest exchanges. Our soldiers, sergeants and officers are returning. The soldiers who fought for our freedom in the Armed Forces, Navy, National Guard, Territorial Defense Forces and Border Guard," Zelensky wrote on Telegram. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ukrainian president also expressed gratitude to the United Arab Emirates for making the exchange possible. "Ukraine remembers each and every one of our heroes, and we will definitely bring all our people home," Zelensky said. Following a call with U.S. President Donald Trump on March 18, the Kremlin announced that it would conduct a one-for-one prisoner exchange with Ukraine. Moscow claimed that it would release 23 severely wounded Ukrainian soldiers, but only transferred 22. Ukraine on Feb. 5 brought back 150 Ukrainian service members from Russian captivity. In 2024, 1,358 Ukrainians were released, and since the beginning of the all-out war, 3,956 Ukrainians have returned from Russian captivity, Zelensky said in his New Year's address. Read also: Who is to gain more from a ceasefire Russia or Ukraine? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The following is the March 18, 2025 edition of our Ukraine Business Roundup weekly newsletter. To get the biggest news in business and tech from Ukraine directly in your inbox, subscribe here. Ive always wanted an excuse to talk to this newsletter audience about McDonalds in Ukraine and now I have it. This past week, McDonalds announced it would be gradually reintroducing its breakfast menu in some cities after pausing the options at the start of Russias full-scale invasion more than three years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At every McDonalds press event I have been to over the last few years, the question of when breakfast would be back was always asked. After years of customer requests, viral social media trends asking for a comeback, and the operational hurdles McDonalds was always citing as the reason there was no breakfast, its now being served in seven western Ukrainian cities. Kyiv will still have to wait a few more weeks. But while the return of McDonalds McMuffins and hash browns is exciting on its own, I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you about the company itself. This may come to a surprise to our foreign audience, but let me just put it plainly: McDonalds in Ukraine is good, like really good. (And no, this is not a sponsored ad but if youre reading McDonalds corporate, we wouldnt be opposed to a sponsored edition of the newsletter. Kidding, sort of.) As an American who grew up eating McDonalds (despite my mothers objections), and making fun of it, I feel I can be the judge of it. But just in case you dont take my word for it. When an American friend visited Kyiv last year and I told him he had to try Ukrainian McDonalds, he rolled his eyes. But as we were eating, he looked up at me and said, But why is it so good? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another American acquaintance recently showed up to a party in Kyiv with McDonalds in her hands, saying I would never eat McDonalds in the U.S., but when Im here, I just have to have it its so good. Okay, so why is it so good? One reason is likely the companys structure. Unlike in the U.S. or U.K. where McDonalds operates under a decentralized franchise model, everything in Ukraine, along with some other countries, is highly controlled by HQ. The top-down approach keeps quality control in check. Everything from the freshness and taste of the food to cleanliness and the service (which is also really good in Ukraine) is tightly monitored. Many of its products are locally sourced from Ukrainian producers, like the buns and meat although surprisingly, not the potatoes, which are imported. The result? The burgers actually look, and taste, like burgers, the fries are never soggy, and the apple pies are always crispy (except of course if you get them delivered, in which case they can get a little bit soggy, truth be told.) Actually, the model was the same and the food just as good in Russia (I can confirm) and Belarus (hearsay) before McDonalds in 2022 sold off its assets in the two countries to local companies that rebranded the restaurants as Vkusno i Tochka! which translates from Russian to Tasty, period! If you think the name is silly, everyone here thinks so too, and it never gets brought up without a smirk, as if to say, Enjoy your knock-off McDonalds! We know its not as good as the real thing. The real thing being the better Eastern European version, of course. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It seems to me that the attention to high quality and good service have become a source of pride for the company, and therefore something its really keen to preserve, perpetuating the well-oiled machine that is McDonalds Ukraine. At one press tour of its kitchen, a journalist asked why McDonalds didnt serve beer in Ukraine when KFC did. Why, this is a family restaurant! the company representative said. When McDonalds opened up in 1997 next to the Lukianivska metro station in Kyiv (which was actually hit in a Russian attack on the city not that long ago), it was, like the infamous opening in Moscow, a symbol of the post-Soviet countries opening up to the world. Similarly, when McDonalds started reopening restaurants in September 2022 after shutting down completely after the start of the full-scale invasion, people were ecstatic. Not just because they missed the tasty food, but because it signaled confidence in Ukraine and its future, despite Russias onslaught. The company has opened 20 new restaurants since 2022, bringing the total number of operating restaurants to 109 in 36 cities. It also prides itself on being a white business in Ukraine, meaning that it employs all of its 10,000 or so workers officially and pays all of its taxes properly and transparently (something, unfortunately, not all businesses in Ukraine can boast). It is the largest taxpayer in the countrys food and beverage industry, paying $65.3 million in taxes last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Credit where credit is due. Ukrainian McDonalds is crushing it doing it better than its originators, and all while missiles and drones are flying overhead. Role models One prominent businessman seems to have been inspired by the axe SpaceX and X owner Elon Musk is taking to the U.S. government as head of the new agency DOGE, or Department of Government Efficiency. In a post on Facebook, co-owner of Nova Poshta Ukraines leading private postal service that has expanded rapidly across Europe and the world over the last few years said that as the company grows, its management and administrative apparati arent able to keep up with its company of 30,000 or so employees. Volodymyr Popereshniuks solution? Creating an efficiency department similar to DOGE in which he plans to divide employees into two categories, those who maintain the viability of the company and those who develop and improve it and to give an advantage and resources to the latter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Popereshniuk admits he isnt sure DOGE is the perfect solution for business as it needs its employees to function, he supports the idea for the government. A commercial company is not a government, where you can fire every official and it will only get better, he writes, adding an emoji of a smiley face. A Starlink terminal of the reconnaissance and strike drone unit from 65 Mechanized Brigade, is seen on the frontline near Robotyne, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Ukraine on Jan. 23, 2024. (Andre Alves/Anadolu via Getty Images) Defense tech: Preparing for a shut down Speaking of Elon Musk. As the U.S. temporarily cut off military aid to Ukraine and halted intelligence sharing, rumors started to swirl that Musk would shut off his company SpaceXs Starlink satellite connection in Ukraine. It hasnt yet come to pass, but in the wake of the news, it became clear that Ukraine was preparing for that scenario if it did happen, and that some European satellite firms were hoping to fill the gap. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But it isnt that easy. Today, Starlink satellite internet service dominates both worldwide and at Ukraines front lines, the Kyiv Independent reporter Kollen Post writes in his latest. Moreover, Chinese rather than European competitors are building equivalent satellite constellations if Ukraine is left waiting on an ally to provide an alternative to Starlink, Russia will likely get one from China first. Read the full article here. Gunia's embroidered shirts. (Gunia) Turning heritage into trends The clothing and homeware brand Gunia is one of the many to pop up in the last several years that is taking its inspiration from Ukraines cultural history. But what sets it apart is its approach taking Ukrainian historical artifacts, not to simply replicate them in a modern style, but to create entirely new ornamentation on its ceramics, clothing, and jewelry that appeal to both Ukrainians and foreign audiences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its important for us to create new objects, not to keep things the way they were made years before, but to take something as inspiration and then create something new. So we mix and match, we use different colors, co-founder Maria Gavryliuk says. Each seasonal collection which includes a line of hand-painted ceramic dishware, jewelry, and clothing is the result of months of travel, research, and a general quest for inspiration around Ukraine, its museums, and the world. The designs that emerge weave together folk, religious, and artistic motifs in modern compositions. Read the full article here. What else is in the news UK, EU to discuss confiscating Russian assets ahead of Ukraine peace talks, Bloomberg reports Negotiations will reportedly focus on establishing the legal and financial framework to seize Russian assets despite opposition from some EU member states, particularly Belgium and Germany. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy and EU diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas are expected to discuss the issue during their meeting on March 18, according to Bloomberg. Lviv airport could reopen by late spring, general director says Lvivs Danylo Halytskyi International Airport may resume aviation operations as early as April or May, according to an optimistic scenario under government consideration, its general director told Vysokyi Zamok media outlet on March 15. Other potential dates for reopening Ukraines airspace include the summer months. Despite many airlines and airports expressing their readiness for a return to air travel in Ukraine, the reality is we have no idea when it will actually be safe enough for that to happen. EU approves third $3.8 billion tranche for Kyiv under Ukraine Facility program Ukraine will receive 3.5 billion euros ($3.8 billion) after the Council of the EU approved the third installment of non-refundable grants and loans under the Ukraine Facility program, the Council announced on March 17. With this disbursement, Ukraine will have received nearly 20 billion euros ($21.7 billion) under the Ukraine Facility since the program was launched in early 2024. The Ukraine Plan outlines Kyiv's strategy for recovery, reconstruction, and modernization and a reform timetable as part of Ukraine's EU accession process over the next four years. Canada contributes additional $35 million toward restoring energy infrastructure in Ukraine Canada contributed another 50 million Canadian dollars ($34.8 million) to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, Ukraine's Energy Ministry said on March 14. Canada's total contribution to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund is now over $41 million. Canada also declared a future contribution of 10 million Canadian dollars ($7 million) to the fund. The news follows reports the U.S. State Department instructed USAID to terminate an initiative set up to help restore Ukraines energy grid damaged by Russian attacks. A final note from me: One of the Ukrainian media outlets that has taken a hit from the recent shutdown of U.S. development aid is Bihus.Info a highly respected investigative outlet in Ukraine. They are a super cool and fearless group of individuals that work tirelessly to uncover top level corruption in Ukraine in government, business, including in reconstruction. I subscribe to them personally and if you want to support their work, you can subscribe to their Youtube channel here or become a patron on Patreon here. Subscribe to the Newsletter Ukraine Business Roundup Subscribe Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A ceasefire in Ukraine could be reached within weeks, U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, told Bloomberg TV on March 19. "I actually think in a couple of weeks we're going to get to it (a ceasefire). So, lots of good things. Now, it's for the technical teams to dot the I's and cross the T's. And everybody is committed to that process," Witkoff said. His statement follows Trump's March 18 call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which the Russian leader agreed to a limited 30-day halt on energy infrastructure strikes but did not commit to the broader U.S.-proposed ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the call, the Kremlin reiterated its demand for a complete halt to foreign military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, calling it a "key condition for avoiding an escalation of the war." Witkoff emphasized that achieving a full ceasefire depends on the 2,000-kilometer front line where Ukrainian and Russian forces are engaged in combat, noting that conditions vary significantly along different sections. Read also: Trump Jr., Witkoff, Carlson involved in secret talks with Zelenskys rivals, Politico reports "We don't need to have the larger, overarching discussions that have been had. It was completed yesterday between the two leaders. They (Putin and Trump) agreed on a pathway to some ceasefire conditions today and to a full-on ceasefire that will be negotiated over the coming days," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next round of U.S.-Russia talks is set to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on March 23, Witkoff told Fox News on March 18. The discussions will be led by National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, focusing on key ceasefire details. Witkoff did not confirm who the U.S. delegation would meet with. President Volodymyr Zelensky said on March 19 that the next meeting in Saudi Arabia could focus on discussing a partial ceasefire, particularly regarding infrastructure and energy and the security of shipping routes. "It will be a technical team. From our side, there will definitely be military officials, engineers, and people who understand port infrastructure. This is the technical level," Zelensky said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Trumps push for regime change in Ukraine has only boosted Zelensky Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. THE HAGUE, Netherlands Ukraine claims to be one of the first countries to have successfully developed a laser anti-aircraft weapon, according to a high-ranking military official. The secretive device has reportedly been employed on the battlefield against low-flying targets, likely unmanned aerial vehicles like the Iranian-made Shahed drones. It was first revealed in an interview with a Ukrainian news outlet by Colonel Vadym Sukharevskyi, the commander of the unmanned systems forces within the Ukrainian military. The device is known as Tryzub, or trident in English, referencing the Ukrainian national symbol, which is superimposed in yellow on a blue background in the countrys now world-famous coat of arms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Information on the new system is scarce and jealously guarded. It was first publicly mentioned by Sukharevskyi in mid-December when he revealed the weapons existence and some key parameters at a defense industry conference in Kyiv, as reported by the Ukrainian Interfax news agency. Asked about it again by Radio Free Europe in February of this year, he confirmed that the weapon was operationally deployed. Speaking in the context of battlefield innovations to counter the threat of Shahed and similar drones and loitering munitions, he said that: I repeat laser technologies are already striking objects at a certain height. No pictures of the Tryzub have been released yet and it was not possible to independently verify the Ukrainian militarys claims. Nor have there been any indications as to where it was deployed or exactly what or how many targets it has engaged. A spokesperson for Brave1, the Ukrainian governments united coordinational platform for defense tech, said that it was unable to provide any comments regarding the Tryzub weapons system or its development in response to an inquiry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is unclear to what extent the Ukrainian laser weapon may still be in an experimental phase. Although the military has claimed that it succeeded in shooting down enemy aircraft, it is entirely possible that there may be just a single system and its mobility may be limited. Laser weapons can be rather bulky due to their need for power generation and cooling infrastructure. This is a big part of why many of the systems developed around the world are ship-based. However, experts said that a laser weapon system with the specifications that Ukraine reportedly has may be made to fit onto a truck bed. Comparable weapons, such as the South Korean Skylight, which entered regular production last year and has a similar range of two to three kilometers, is housed in a container with a volume of 81 cubic meters and generates approximately 700C heat during ten- to twenty-second impulses. It entered service in December 2024. Despite the technological challenges, many major players have toyed with the idea of developing similar weapons, and some have dabbled in research and design. The promised advantages primarily focus on the ability to defending against large numbers of low-cost attack aircraft, including drone swarms, at low cost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In fielding such a system, Ukraine would join an elite club of significant military-industrial powers that have developed laser weapons and an even smaller group that has deployed them. It comes as part of broader Ukrainian efforts to reshape the battlefield through innovation. The Unmanned Systems Forces, which appear to be involved in the operation and possibly the development of Tryzub, considering its commanders role in announcing the systems existence, was only established in 2024. It has also been involved in Ukrainian innovations of drone-swarming technologies that reportedly enhanced their ability to strike deep within enemy territory. Lessons learned from Russias war against Ukraine may have hastened the development of laser weapons in other parts of the world. A month before South Koreas laser weapon entered service, Japan revealed its own truck-based 10-kilowatt laser, which had been in development for more than four years. Ukraines opponent, Russia, has also invested in laser technologies. In 2019, its Peresvet system was officially announced as having been deployed with five strategic missile divisions around the country. This weapon, however, is primarily meant to blind satellites in space rather than destroy drones much closer to Earth. Russias deputy prime minister in 2022 claimed that a new laser weapon, named Zadira , was deployed in Ukraine capable of destroying targets up to five kilometers away within five seconds, much more akin to the Tryzub that Ukraine now claims to have developed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. and Ukraine at the time said there was no indication such a system was actually in use by Russian forces. Germany, Israel and the United States all also have near-operational, land-based laser weapons systems, while other countries like Turkey and Australia are also indigenously working on them. There has been some speculation whether the Ukrainian laser might be a derivative of the British DragonFire system. Significant amounts of the British lethal aid for Ukraine remain classified for both operational and commercial reasons, as the defense ministry has stated. The U.K. government had teased its intention of sending its laser system to Ukraine in April 2024, before backtracking a month later and stating that it would not be included in the governments 2024 aid package, UK Defence Journal reported. Leo Docherty, the British armed forces minister at the time, noted that the system was not yet ready, with the expected date for completion being 2027, a deadline that had been moved forward from 2033. Dochertys statement left the door open for potentially sending the weapon to Ukraine once the development phase was complete. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defense News reached out to the companies cooperating on the DragonFire system. MBDA, which leads the project, declined to comment, while Leonardo said that there is no connection between Tryzub and the Dragonfire system. Qinetiq did not respond to the request. It is entirely possible that Tryzub is indeed an indigenous Ukrainian development. The country has a significant military-industrial base rooted in its significance to the Soviet military complex, important parts of which were based in the now-independent country. Combined with what is commercially available in the laser realm, crafty local engineers might have been able to build a Tryzub-like weapon, industry experts said, adding that the few publicly released parameters seem plausible. Laser directed-energy systems, in a military context, are predominantly at the proof of concept stage, an industry insider, who asked to remain unnamed to discuss sensitive technologies, said. These could, in theory, be fielded as an initial operating capability. The country has radically restructured its defense R&D and acquisition procedures, which has dramatically boosted innovation and responsiveness, a January report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank showed. In the first nine months of 2024 alone, over 600 domestically developed new weapon systems were approved by the Ukrainian government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And Ukraines February defense expo showcasing domestic military developments, Defense Tech 2025, promised a special focus on lasers and anti-Shahed weapons in its promotional materials descriptions that fit the Tryzub alongside other cutting-edge technologies like swarming drones, lethal autonomous weapons and sea drones. Ukraines Unmanned Systems Forces did not respond to a request for comment on this topic. Ukraine will compile a list of energy, infrastructure, and civilian sites that Russia must cease attacking and present the document to international partners, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on March 19. "And if the Russians don't hit our facilities, we won't hit their facilities," Zelensky said during a joint press conference with Finnish President Alexander Stubb in Helsinki. His statement follows Russian President Vladimir Putin's pledge during a March 18 call with U.S. President Donald Trump to pause strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure for 30 days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite this commitment, Zelensky noted that Russia launched a large-scale assault on Ukraine's infrastructure overnight on March 19. The Ukrainian leader stressed that Ukraine expects the United States to take a leading role in monitoring Russia's compliance. "An example is yesterday's strike after Putin said there would be no strikes on energy and civilian infrastructure. He said he had given the order. And after that, there were 145 attack drones, four S-300 missiles, two Iskander ballistic missiles," Zelensky said. Russian forces have systematically targeted Ukraine's civilian energy infrastructure since 2022, intensifying their aerial campaign in recent months with nightly drone and missile attacks. Ukrainian authorities reported that the latest strikes hit energy facilities, hospitals, and civilian infrastructure, causing outages in the Donetsk Oblast city of Sloviansk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia's Defense Ministry accused Ukraine of launching three drones at an energy facility in Krasnodar Krai on March 19, resulting in a fire. Moscow labeled the attack a "provocation" aimed at disrupting Trump's ongoing peace efforts. Zelensky is set to speak with Trump later on March 19 and expects to receive details on Trump's phone conversation with Putin. Read also: Zelensky announces talk with Trump on March 19; says Russia attacked Ukraines power grid despite claimed pause Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russias Defense Ministry on March 18 said it had stopped a significant Ukrainian ground assault from entering Russias Belgorod Oblast, a claim Kyiv swiftly dismissed as a propaganda effort. The Belgorod settlements named by Russian officials as the site of the alleged thwarted operation lie only a few dozen kilometers southeast of Sudzha, where Ukraine has almost fully retreated from the land it captured last August in the adjacent Kursk Oblast. The Kyiv Independent was not able to independently verify either partys claim. Heres what we know about the situation. Russia claims five attacks thwarted Russias Defense Ministry made its claims shortly after a phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump, in which Putin agreed to halt attacks on energy infrastructure but rejected an outright ceasefire with Ukraine. US President Donald Trump (Center L) and Russia's President Vladimir Putin (Center R) at Finland's Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland on July 16, 2018. (Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty Images) The Defense Ministry framed the alleged attacks as a Ukrainian attempt to discredit peace initiatives. It said the attacks involved up to 200 soldiers and were targeted at the settlements of Demidovka and Prilesye. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "A total of five attacks were carried out by the enemy during the day," the ministry said. "No crossing of the state border of the Russian Federation was allowed." Several Russian military bloggers also reported the claims of a failed Ukrainian cross-border attempt. "It is Putin who is dragging his feet with Trump's proposal for a ceasefire." Belgorod Oblast authorities have repeatedly accused Ukraine of launching attacks against the region throughout the full-scale war. In 2023, Ukrainian-aligned militia groups carried out a series of temporary raids into Belgorod Oblast. Ukraine counters that Russia wants to paint Kyiv as uncooperative Andrii Kovalenko, the head of the counter-disinformation department at Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, rejected Russias claims in a post on Telegram. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Border battles using artillery have been happening "almost constantly" throughout the full-scale invasion, Kovalenko wrote, adding the latest claim was a propaganda effort to paint Ukraine as uncooperative in peace efforts. "Its not surprising that its now very beneficial for the Russians to pump up the air before Trumps conversation with Putin. Their main information strategy is to accuse Ukraine of unwillingness to end the war, although in reality, they are attacking from the front, as well as from the air," he wrote. "And it is Putin who is dragging his feet with Trump's proposal for a ceasefire." At a press conference, however, Zelensky neither confirmed nor denied Ukrainian operations in Belgorod Oblast when directly asked about Russias claims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Ukraine is fulfilling its mission in the Kursk region," he said. "We have seen a new concentration of troops on the border with Sumy Oblast. We can see what they want to do they want to strike Sumy, Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. That is what we are seeing. Well, we will not let them do it so easily," Zelensky said. A 'complex situation' at the Sumy border The claims added to mounting tensions in Ukraines Sumy Oblast, which borders Russias Belgorod, Kursk, and Bryansk oblasts. On March 15, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia is amassing forces at the Sumy border to prepare for a new attack. Hours after the phone call with Trump in which Putin agreed to stop targeting energy infrastructure for 30 days, two hospitals within Sumy Oblast were among targets struck by Russian drones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response, Zelensky said the attacks were evidence that "Putin de facto rejected the proposal for a complete ceasefire." Residents in Sumys vulnerable border communities experience multiple attacks per day. With the situation at the border escalating, Sumy Oblasts Defense Council expanded mandatory evacuations last week to include eight settlements in Sumy covering over 500 people. Soldiers near a military vehicle in Khotin, Sumy Oblast, Ukraine, on Sept. 13, 2024, amid the Russia-Ukraine war. (Andre Alves / Anadolu via Getty Images) In Russia, the governor of Belgorod Oblast, Vyacheslav Gladkov, acknowledged on March 18 that the situation in his region was "complex." In a video message on Telegram, he said that villages in the Krasnaya Yaruga district the region named by Russias Defense Ministry as the site of Ukraines attempted land attacks had come under heavy shelling and drone strikes. In 24 hours, it had been attacked by 49 drones, 12 of which were intercepted, he claimed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His message did not include claims of an attempt at a cross-border incursion. Read also: Talk about an invasion is everywhere How Lithuania is preparing for war with Russia Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. President Donald Trump is finding out that campaign trail bravura over peace deals cant yield quick wins as wars rage. As Trump made the tiniest of steps forward Tuesday on his peace plan for Ukraine, another ceasefire, for which he claimed personal credit, shattered. Israel launched a new onslaught on Hamas in Gaza, killing hundreds of civilians. The US presidents call with a largely intransigent Russian President Vladimir Putin as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned to full-scale war highlighted two leaders whose own political priorities will likely supersede his own. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such is the unpromising geopolitical atmosphere standing in the way of Trumps dream of a legacy as a global peacemaker, which hed predicted would be fulfilled as soon as he returned to the Oval Office. There are growing signs that Trumps goals go beyond ending the fighting with equitable peace that can be sustained. Readouts of his chat with Putin only reinforced the fears of Ukraines government and its European allies that Trump sees the war as a sideshow to his wider quest of a rapprochement with Moscow. This leads him to see the conflict through a Russian lens. And it explains why he berated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky until he signed up for Trumps 30-day ceasefire plan, but had only praise for Putin when he refused to buy in on Tuesday. Washingtons acquiescence in Netanyahus return to bombarding Gaza, meanwhile, ends efforts by Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff to secure the release of hostages and a second-phase deal toward ending a war that is an impediment to the administrations top goal a historic peace deal between Israel and Arab states. But a new US air offensive against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen also suggests Trump is now focused on another goal cranking up pressure on the Islamic Republic to force it into talks on its nuclear program, or to further weaken its regional proxies ahead of a possible Israeli or US strike on its nuclear facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back in power, Trump has rebuked US allies in Europe and made expansionist claims against Canada, Greenland and Panama. But the biggest foreign policy question so far in his second term is when or if hell be willing to apply pressure on either Putin or Netanyahu. His transparent ambition to win the Nobel Peace Prize may depend on it. Trump insists a peace deal with Russia and Ukraine will happen soon The White House was upbeat about the presidents phone call with Putin. But the main takeaway was Russian pushback against a US idea for an immediate ceasefire. The Russians did agree to halt on attacks on Ukrainian energy and infrastructure targets, the White House said. And Ukraine also signed on. But the White Houses use of the word ceasefire oversold the 30-day pause in this limited area. Theres no impediment to Russia continuing to pound other frontline and civilian targets in Ukraine. Indeed, the Ukrainians said Tuesday night that Moscow sent a drone barrage against a hospital in the Sumy region. A Russia readout of the talks differed subtly from the US version, for instance referring to energy infrastructure suggesting a narrower view of the deal than the US understanding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, the administration insists that this is just the first step and that talks will now take place in the Middle East on reaching a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and a full ceasefire and a permanent peace. It was a very good call, Trump said renewing his bluster that only he could have pulled off such a feat and predicting fast progress soon, despite Putins fresh roadblocks. If I wasnt here, he would never do it, he said of the Russian leader in an interview with the Washington Examiner. The next thing would be a full ceasefire and a deal, Trump said. I think it will go pretty quickly. Rescue workers and medics work at the site of a Russian aviation attack on February 20, 2025 in Kherson, Ukraine. - Olexandr Kornyakov/Suspilne Ukraine/Global Images Ukraine/Getty Images Theres a case for talking up incremental steps at the start of a peace process to create a sense of momentum and to increase the price for the warring parties if they walk away. So Trumps optimism may not be misplaced. But his self-congratulation may be a political attempt to disguise the failure of his full ceasefire push, given the reality that Putin is in no rush to make peace considering his recent success on the battlefield. The US president also seems to be trying to preserve the increasingly fragile conceit that hes an unparalleled deal-maker who is already racking up huge foreign policy wins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, the president did secure one of the first undertakings to slow the intensity of fighting since the Russian invasion three years ago. If he does manage to forge peace, it will be a huge achievement that will save thousands of lives. But his personal credibility is on the line and relies on a Russian leader who has consistently broken agreements and ceasefires and has out-maneuvered every US president of the last quarter-century. No amount of positive spin could disguise Putins refusal to sign up for the US plan for a 30-day full ceasefire. And the Russian president instead delivered a new set of conditions that would be impossible for Ukraine to agree to and will fuel European fears that a peace on the Kremlins terms would sow the seeds for a future war. To put it in very simple terms, Putin rejected the proposal that was put on the table, William Browder, the head of the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign, who is one of Putins most prominent international critics, said on CNN International,. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is Trumps friend but also one of Zelenskys top supporters, was even more scathing. What a surprise Putin rejects an unconditional ceasefire, Johnson said in a post on X. He wants to keep bombing and killing innocent Ukrainians. He wants Ukraine disarmed. He wants Ukraine neutralised. He wants to make Ukraine a vassal state of Russia. He isnt negotiating. Hes laughing at us. A Kremlin readout of the conversation with Trump said Putin called for a complete cessation of providing Kiev with foreign military aid and intelligence. This is a shrewd request and an attempt to convince Trump to take steps hes already taken briefly to force Ukraine to agree to the ceasefire after Zelenskys disastrous visit to the Oval Office. The Russian president is also trying to drive a wedge between Trump and Western European powers, who would be horrified by a halt to aid to Ukraine that could leave it exposed to Russian forces after a peace agreement. A US-Russia deal that is less than it looks Putins agreement to halt attacks on energy infrastructure reflects his desire to avoid alienating Trump and looks like a concession. But even this may be less than it seems and may represent yet another carrot to Russia. Beth Sanner, a former senior US intelligence official, explained on CNN News Central: What have they agreed to? The very thing that Ukraine has been successful right now (during) this war has been striking all of Russias energy infrastructure. So, picking that one thing is a win. Sanner added, These are Kremlin terms; these are not American terms. This is definitely Putin driving this agreement. Both the Kremlin and the White House also offered some clues about deeper goals behind their engagement over Ukraine. This photo taken on September 11, 2022 shows a general view of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Enerhodar (Energodar), Zaporizhzhia Oblast, amid the ongoing Russian military action in Ukraine. - AFP/Getty Images They both mentioned that the two leaders discussed broader global issues, including nuclear proliferation, and conjured a vision of a new relationship featuring economic deals from which they could benefit. This underscores Trumps goal of ushering Putin back onto the global stage in a way that would avoid him paying a price for the unprovoked and illegal invasion of a sovereign democracy. The convergence of the two governments was a remarkable reminder of how Trump spurns US allies and has embraced a sworn enemy of the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the White House readout, officials noted that the leaders shared the view that Iran should never be in a position to destroy Israel. This was one potentially significant hint since one goal of a US rapprochement with Russia could be to pull Russia away from its increasingly close ties with Tehran, which is part of a tightening informal network that also includes other US foes North Korea and China. Like Putin, Netanyahu has political goals The breakdown of the ceasefire in Gaza shows the limitations that the administration has so far faced in converting initial peace breakthroughs into more lasting agreements. This is a trend that could augur ill for the Ukraine peace process. Many US observers have long believed that Netanyahu never wanted to move beyond the recently elapsed first stage of a ceasefire deal to end a war that erupted after the Hamas massacre of Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023. Tuesday was the deadliest day in over 15 months in Gaza, according to a CNN tally, after Israeli forces struck multiple targets. More than 400 people were killed, Palestinian authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahu said he launched new attacks because Hamas refused to release remaining hostages or accept a US proposal to extend the Gaza ceasefire, despite a pause in Israels military activity. Hamas, however, insisted that it had not rejected the US proposal and that it wanted to see the ceasefire prolonged. But the hardline Islamic group also had little incentive to release the remaining living hostages, who represent a final, callous bargaining chip in a conflict that Netanyahu promises will only end when the group has been eradicated. Protesters demand the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, Israel, on March 18, 2025. - Ariel Schalit/AP This is only the beginning, the Israeli prime minister said Tuesday. Netanyahu, who has been on trial for corruption, reaped immediate political gains for his decision to reignite the war. Far-right Israeli politician Itamar Ben-Gvir said hed rejoin the government along with his Otzma Yehudit, or Jewish Power, party. This shored up the Likud prime ministers political position ahead of a difficult set of budget negotiations that could threaten the longevity of his government. The return to warfare also meant that Netanyahus corruption trial was postponed temporarily. Many of the prime ministers critics believe that hes deliberately prolonged the war in Gaza to forestall a case that could see him sentenced to jail time if he is convicted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like Putin, for whom the Ukraine war has become an existential cause, Netanyahu may need to keep war raging to solidify his hold on power. But Trump, their fellow strongman, has his own massive political incentives for silencing the guns. Sooner or later, the US president may face tough political choices that hes so far put off. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Ukraines Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR) said it carried out a large-scale attack on Russian radar and air defense systems, boats and a helicopter in occupied Crimea using first-person view (FPV) drones, presumably launched from drone boats. A video compilation released by GUR shows the FPV drones hitting nearly two dozen targets. The invaders in the temporarily occupied Crimea trembled for several days from an unprecedented rumble their expensive air defense systems proved helpless against the well-aimed strikes of the soldiers of the Air Defense Forces of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, GUR stated on Telegram. The directorate did not say when or exactly where on Crimea these attacks took place. The target list included Podlet, Nebo M, Niobium-SV, Kasta-2E2, 9S19 Ginger, Sky-SV, Mys, 59H6-E Protivnik-GE and ST-68 radar systems. GUR said it also attacked radar for an S-300VM surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, an S-300SV SAM launcher, three Pantsir S1 SAM systems, a Project S4236 transport ship, the Fyodor Uryupin universal tug and an Mi-8 Hip helicopter. A Russian 1L125 Niobium-SV Mobile Radar System targeted by GUR (GUR screencap) A Kasta 2E2 low-altitude 3D omnidirectional stand-by radar hit by GUR. (GUR screencap) The Fyodor Uryupin universal tug hit by a GUR FPV drone. (GUR screencap) A Russian Mi-8 Hip helicopter was also among the targets hit. (GUR screencap) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The three-minute, 14-second video shows the FPVs striking these targets. GUR states they were damaged or destroyed, but the video does not show the aftermath of the strikes and The War Zone cannot independently confirm the outcome. Ukraine's Special Services has released a video from the past few days of dismantling Russia's anti-aircraft and radar networks in Crimea. Radar stations hit: 486-1 "Flight" (2) 1L125 Niobium-SV (2) 396 "Kasta 2E2" (3) 9S19 Ginger Sky-SV S-300VM pic.twitter.com/UiaEfseYYr SPRAVDI Stratcom Centre (@StratcomCentre) March 19, 2025 GURs video doesnt show the drone boats, but that is the most likely method for this kind of strike given how far Crimea is from the front lines. Another possibility, although less likely, is that some of the FPV drones were launched from land nearby their targets by partisans opposed to Russian occupation of Crimea. If launched by drone boat, it would be the largest example of them deploying FPV drones for attacks. The melding of the two drone systems first emerged back in January, when FPV drones were launched from drone boats, also known as uncrewed surface vessels, (USVs) against two Russian Pantsir-S1 systems and one Osa system in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraines southern Kherson region. You can read more about that in our initial story here. Launching FPV drones from USVs greatly extends the reach of these swift, highly manueverable weapons, enabling them to hit targets that often require more expensive long-range strike weapons that are far fewer in number. However, as Ukraine has shown it its campaign against Russias oil infrastructure, it also has a large number of long-range drones at its disposal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another advantage of using FPV drones for these attacks is that they are harder to defend against using traditional air defense systems like those being targeted. Unlike the front lines, where FPV drones are a ubiquitous threat, Russia wouldnt have the same level of countermeasure systems deployed in Crimea to fend off FPV drones. Combining these two systems is the latest development in Ukraines Black Sea drone war, which is seeing increasingly innovative use of uncrewed systems, including adapted air-to-air missiles launched from USVs against Russian aircraft. The following video from Ukraines Defense Ministry (MoD) shows that encounter. A historic strike: @DI_Ukraine warriors destroyed an aerial target using a Magura V5 naval drone. A russian Mi-8 helicopter was destroyed using R-73 SeeDragon missiles near Cape Tarkhankut in temporarily occupied Crimea. Another enemy helicopter was damaged and returned to pic.twitter.com/AMOiuVEzWe Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) December 31, 2024 In addition to being another example of Ukraines technical innovation, this wave of attacks continues its targeting of Russian air defense and radar systems on Crimea. Taking out these systems potentially opens holes in Russias air defense overlay of the peninsula and the northwestern Black Sea. This could go a long way to ensuring the survivability of standoff strike weapons, like Storm Shadow and SCALP-EG, and other attacks, such as those by long-range kamikaze drones. You can see an August 2023 attack on a Russian S-400 SAM system in the video below. -400 https://t.co/osfY172iKkpic.twitter.com/aR1c1qNQTP Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (@DI_Ukraine) August 23, 2023 By striking two vessels and a helicopter, Ukraine also continues its asymmetric fight against Russias Black Sea Fleet. Already, Ukrainian USVs have inflicted disproportionate losses on Russian surface vessels operating in that body of water. As we have reported in the past, Russia has used its Mi-8 Hip helicopters to defend against Ukrainian USVs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given the large number of attacks over a short period of time, it is possible that Ukraine is softening up Russias air and missile defense capabilities for a much larger aerial attack. Though Ukrainian leaders have made it clear they want the return of Crimea annexed by Russia in 2014 ongoing peace negotiations might put that goal out of reach. Crimea is once again in the cross hairs of Ukraine. (Google Earth) The S-400 site near Olenivka is about 90 miles south of the front lines in Kherson Oblast and 115 miles southeast of Odesa. (Google Earth image) As we noted yesterday, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin reached a tentative, limited ceasefire deal to end attacks on power infrastructure. However, Russia has not given up its desire for permanent occupation of Crimea. Moreover, the Trump administration is considering recognizing Crimea as Russian territory as part of any future agreement to end Moscows war on Kyiv, Semafor reported, citing two people familiar with the matter. Administration officials have also discussed the possibility of having the US urge the United Nations to do the same, according to both people, Semafor added. Such a request would align the Trump administration with the position of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has long seen Crimea as his nations territory. The current state of affairs on the battlefield make a Ukrainian military recapture of Crimea impossible. However, continued attacks like these add to Russias cost of holding onto the peninsula. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com The News Ukraine and Russia agreed a limited ceasefire on the targeting of some infrastructure, following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys call with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday. The ceasefire agreement is very fragile: The White House confirmed that it covered energy and infrastructure, while the Kremlin said that the agreement covered, more narrowly, energy infrastructure. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that he would also like ports and railways to be protected, The Associated Press reported. Zelenskyy confirmed that there would be technical talks in Saudi Arabia this weekend to delineate exactly what types of infrastructure would be protected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 30-day pause in attacks was agreed between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin following a call on Tuesday, though a full ceasefire was then rejected by Putin. Both Kyiv and Moscow traded accusations that this had been violated since, despite Kyiv quickly accepting the pause. The phone conversation between Trump and Zelenskyy marked a swift improvement in Washington-Kyiv relations, with the US president promising to help source air defense ammo for Ukraine although Trump also floated the idea of the US owning Ukrainian power plants. However, the narrow agreement between Russia and Ukraine still leaves a wide chasm on how they see the war ending, The New York Times wrote. SIGNALS Analysts debate prospects of lasting peace in Ukraine Sources: Rand Corporation, The Guardian Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Analysts are divided over the prospects of upcoming talks about a full ceasefire or a more lasting peace. The phased approach to a ceasefire that Trump and Putin agreed to is a possible viable path to an eventual cessation of hostilities, Russia expert Samuel Charap said, arguing that starting with small, more verifiable steps such as the pause in energy infrastructure attacks is more likely to succeed than an attempt to hash out an entire peace deal while fighting is ongoing. By contrast, Orysia Lutsevych, a Ukraine expert at Chatham House, described Putins offer to cease targeting Ukrainian energy facilities as a goodwill gesture to keep Trump interested and get a bigger prize: [the] US abandoning Ukraine. Pause in energy attacks may benefit Moscow more than Kyiv Sources: Center for European Policy Analysis, Reuters, Atlantic Council Some analysts have argued that even the pause in attacks on energy infrastructure, presented as a concession from Russia, may ultimately favor Moscow more than Kyiv. Ukraines energy needs are falling as spring arrives, and most of the power plants that have not been attacked are nuclear, so striking them would mark a drastic escalation by the Kremlin. By contrast, Kyiv is waging a successful campaign against Russian oil refineries, knocking out 3.3 million metric tons of refining capacity according to Reuters estimates. Still, the ceasefire could provide Ukrainian companies with the opportunity to safely repair and fortify energy facilities, an energy expert at the Atlantic Council noted. Putin keeps his options open Sources: Puck, The Sunday Times So far, Putin has found a way to keep his options open by not fully endorsing Trumps ceasefire proposal, but not rejecting Washingtons overtures either. Some analysts suspect Putin is merely biding for time, stringing Washington along as Russian forces make progress on the battlefield. It would be bad to say no, so [Russia will] add conditions, stall for time, make a show of thinking about it, and then find a way to blame Ukraine, a former Russian diplomat told Puck. But Russia expert Mark Galeotti argued that Putins dithering highlights his discomfort with making tough decisions. When there are no easy answers, Putin tries to dodge or delay, he argued, noting that the Russian leader has a history of avoiding difficult choices. WASHINGTON President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed Wednesday to move forward with the partial ceasefire with Russia that Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed Tuesday. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump national security adviser Mike Waltz said after Trump spoke to Zelenskyy by phone Wednesday that the two leaders agreed "on a partial ceasefire against energy," according to a joint White House statement. Zelenskyy wrote in a lengthy post on X, "One of the first steps toward fully ending the war could be ending strikes on energy and other civilian infrastructure. I supported this step, and Ukraine confirmed that we are ready to implement it." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House also appeared to confirm that Zelenskyy and Trump discussed the prospect of the U.S. taking ownership of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in south Ukraine. "American ownership of those plants would be the best protection for that infrastructure and support for Ukrainian energy infrastructure," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday. Rubio and Waltz's statement, however, did not mention that the ceasefire would apply to civilian infrastructure as Zelenskyy suggested, and Leavitt refused to answer questions at an afternoon White House news briefing asking for clarification about the discrepancy in details. Leavitt also dodged a question about whether Trump is still considering ramping up U.S. sanctions on Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked whether the possible minerals deal between the United States and Ukraine was still on the table, Leavitt suggested that both sides have moved on from it because now the conflict is advancing toward a potential longer-term peace agreement. The White House also rejected Kremlin demands that the United States stop sending intelligence and weapons to Ukraine. Leavitt said Wednesday said all intelligence sharing between the United States and Ukraine will continue. These developments came after Moscow and Kyiv accused each other of air attacks on civilian targets and infrastructure overnight, less than 24 hours after Putin told Trump that he would halt attacks on Ukraine's energy system for 30 days. Zelenskyy said in his statement that he and Trump have instructed their teams "to resolve technical issues related to implementing and expanding the partial ceasefire" and will meet in the coming days in Saudi Arabia to "continue coordinating steps toward peace." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Rubio and Waltz, Zelenskyy asked Trump for the United States to provide additional air defense systems to protect civilians in Ukraine, including Patriot missile systems. "President Trump agreed to work with him to find what was available, particularly in Europe," the two officials said in their statement. Searchlights in the sky over Kyiv as Russian drones strike Tuesday. Their statement also said that Trump fully briefed Zelenskyy on his call with Putin on Tuesday and that he and Zelenskyy "reviewed the situation in Kursk and agreed to share information closely between their defense staff as the battlefield situation evolved." The statement noted several times that Zelenskyy thanked Trump for his leadership and expressed gratitude for the administration's support provided to Ukraine. Zelenskyy clashed with Trump and Vice President JD Vance during a meeting in the Oval Office late last month, in which Trump and Vance chastised him for not having done enough to thank the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump said Wednesday morning on Truth Social that he and Zelenskyy had a very good telephone call, which lasted about an hour. Trump said much of their discussion was based on the call made yesterday with President Putin in order to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs. We are very much on track, and I will ask Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, to give an accurate description of the points discussed, Trump wrote. In a long phone call with Trump on Tuesday, Putin declined to endorse a 30-day ceasefire endorsed by Trump and accepted by Zelenskyy. But, according to a Kremlin readout of their conversation Tuesday, Putin did agree to mutually refrain from strikes on energy infrastructure for 30 days. That differed slightly from Trump's post on Truth Social and a White House readout that said Russia had agreed to an energy and infrastructure ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a news conference Wednesday, Zelenskyy said, Putins words are very, very different from reality, adding that around 120 strike drones and six missiles struck Ukraine, including its energy facilities, overnight after, he said, Putin gave the order to stop attacking Ukraines energy sector. In comments late Tuesday, Zelenskyy said that Russia fired dozens of Iranian-made Shahed drones at civilian infrastructure in several regions across Ukraine and that one had hit a hospital in the city of Sumy, in the countrys northeast. It is precisely such night attacks by Russia that destroy our energy, our infrastructure, the normal life of Ukrainians, Zelenskyy said. And the fact that this night was no exception shows that we must continue to put pressure on Russia for the sake of peace. Ukrainian Railways, Ukraines national railway company, said Wednesday that Russia struck the railway power system in the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region with drones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine's air force said that it shot down 72 drones overnight and that Russia had also launched at least two ballistic missiles. Russian authorities accused Ukraine of launching drones and said an oil depot had caught fire because of crashed debris in the southwestern city of Krasnodar. The pipeline between the tanks was damaged, the regions emergency headquarters said in a statement early Wednesday, adding there were no casualties. The automatic fire extinguishing and cooling system was engaged. Later, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accused Ukraine of trying to sabotage the agreements made by Trump and Putin with the attacks on Krasnodar. He added that the leaders understood each other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is unclear whether both Kyiv and Moscow intended to strike energy targets. Still, despite the verbal agreement on the limited ceasefire by Putin, Ukrainians near the front line appear to have no faith in his word. Outside Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine, in a mobile command center his team built, Ivan Kravchenko, a sergeant in the Reconnaissance Battalion of the 92nd Assault Brigade, told NBC News that Russia wants to play its game, and they are interested in the truce only in order to increase their military power. His unit commander, Leonid Maslov, who worked as a tax lawyer before the war, agreed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putin is trying to deceive everybody, because he thinks he is a master of spy games and deceit, Maslov said as he sat in front of a monitor a nearby safehouse, showing their operation in real time with a Russian mortar position being attacked by Ukrainian bombs. "Nobody can trust him," Maslov said of Putin. Richard Engel and Gabe Joselow reported from Kharkiv and Mithil Aggarwal from Hong Kong. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Key developments on March 19: Zelensky agrees to halt strikes on Russian energy infrastructure during call with Trump US ownership of Ukraine's power plants would be 'best protection' of energy infrastructure, White House says Ukraine brings home 175 prisoners of war in swap with Russia Ukrainian drone strike halts operations at Russia's Krasnodar Krai oil station, authorities claim German government backs additional $3.3 billion in military aid for Ukraine Zelensky agrees to halt strikes on Russian energy infrastructure during call with Trump President Volodymyr Zelensky said he agreed to stop strikes on Russian energy infrastructure during a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on March 19. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "One of the first steps toward fully ending the war could be ending strikes on energy and other civilian infrastructure. I supported this step, and Ukraine confirmed that we are ready to implement it," Zelensky said on X following the hour-long call with Trump. The call between Trump and Zelensky came a day after the U.S. president spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the phone. Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support Us Following the call, Putin announced he had agreed to a 30-day truce on strikes on energy infrastructure. The same night overnight on March 19 Russia carried out a large-scale drone attack that targeted energy infrastructure and other facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia has been bombing Ukraine's civilian energy infrastructure since 2022 and has been steadily expanding its air campaigns in recent months, with bombardments by swarms of Shahed drones now a nightly occurrence. Ukraine has also launched regular drone attacks on Russia in response. On the night of March 10, over 330 Ukrainian drones targeted Moscow. Other strikes have targeted Russia's fossil fuel infrastructure. Read also: Trump wants a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia which side would gain more? US ownership of Ukraine's power plants would be 'best protection' of energy infrastructure, White House says President Donald Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky held a phone call on March 19, during which Trump suggested American ownership of Ukraine's power plants could help ensure their security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump and Zelensky discussed Ukraine's electrical supply and nuclear power plants during the call, according to a readout of the conversation presented by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt during a press briefing. Trump said the U.S. could be "very helpful in running the plants with its electricity and utility expertise," adding that "American ownership of those plants would be the best protection for that infrastructure and support for Ukrainian energy infrastructure." It is unclear from the readout what energy infrastructure or nuclear power plants the U.S. could help run or acquire. Trump on March 13 said that as part of peace deal talks, he had discussed Russian-occupied territory with Ukraine, including the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant Europe's largest nuclear site that has been under Russian control since the early days of the invasion. "There's a power plant involved, a very big power plant involved. Who is going to get the power plant, and who is going to get this and that, and so you know it's not an easy process. But phase one is the ceasefire," Trump said on March 13. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump-Zelensky phone call follows an hour-and-a-half-long conversation between the U.S. president and Russian President Vladimir Putin a day prior on March 18. Following the call, Putin said he had agreed to a limited 30-day pause on energy attacks. Overnight on March 19, Russia launched an aerial attack on Ukraine, targeting energy infrastructure in some parts of the country. Russia has been targeting Ukraine's civilian energy infrastructure since 2022. In recent months, Moscow has intensified aerial campaigns with bombardments by swarms of Shahed drones a nightly occurrence. Ukraine has also launched regular attacks on Russia's fossil fuel production a major revenue source for the Russian state. Zelensky said after the call with Trump that he had also agreed to stop strikes on Russia's energy infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Material losses from Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure have amounted to "billions of dollars," according to Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko. Halushchenko said on Feb. 24 that Russia has launched more than 30 mass strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure over the three years of its full-scale invasion. Over the past three years, Russian troops have occupied territories hosting energy facilities producing 18 gigawatts (GW) of generation. Read also: Putin is stalling Trump ceasefire call met with skepticism in Kyiv Ukraine brings home 175 prisoners of war in swap with Russia Ukraine has brought home 175 Ukrainian soldiers in a one-for-one prisoner exchange with Russia that was mediated by the United Arab Emirates, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on March 19. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The news of the swap came after a phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin a day earlier. Another 22 Ukrainian service members returned through negotiations outside of the one-for-one exchange. As part of the swap, Russia also brought back 175 Russian soldiers. The recent exchange included Ukrainian military personnel who served in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, Sumy, and Kursk oblasts, as well as thosewho defended the city of Mariupol and its Azovstal steel plant, according to Zelensky. Among the prisoners of war who have returned are those that were seriously wounded and prosecuted by Russia for crimes they did not commit. All of them will be provided with the necessary medical and psychological assistance, Zelensky said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is one of the largest exchanges. Our soldiers, sergeants and officers are returning. The soldiers who fought for our freedom in the Armed Forces, Navy, National Guard, Territorial Defense Forces and Border Guard," Zelensky wrote on Telegram. The Ukrainian president also expressed gratitude to the United Arab Emirates for making the exchange possible. "Ukraine remembers each and every one of our heroes, and we will definitely bring all our people home," Zelensky said. Following a call with U.S. President Donald Trump on March 18, the Kremlin announced that it would conduct a one-for-one prisoner exchange with Ukraine. Moscow claimed that it would release 23 severely wounded Ukrainian soldiers, but only transferred 22. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine, on Feb. 5, brought back 150 Ukrainian service members from Russian captivity. In 2024, 1,358 Ukrainians were released, and since the beginning of the all-out war, 3,956 Ukrainians have returned from Russian captivity, Zelensky said in his New Year's address. Ukrainian drone strike halts operations at Russia's Krasnodar Krai oil station, authorities claim Ukrainian drones attacked the Kavkazskaya oil pumping station in Russia's Krasnodar Krai overnight on March 19, damaging infrastructure and causing a fire, pro-Kremlin news outlet Shot and regional authorities claimed. The attack reportedly damaged a pipeline connecting storage tanks, sparking a fire that covered an area of about 20 square meters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The regional operational headquarters confirmed that 30 on-duty personnel were evacuated and that the facility suspended operations. No casualties were reported. The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims. The Ukrainian military has not commented on the reported attacks. The Kavkazskaya oil transshipment point is crucial in Russia's energy exports, connecting a railroad oil terminal and the Kropotkinskaya oil pumping station. It is part of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium system, which pumps up to 6 million metric tons of oil annually. The strike follows Ukraine's Feb. 17 drone attack on the Kropotkinskaya oil pumping station, also in Krasnodar Krai, where seven drones reportedly hit key infrastructure. Kyiv has intensified its campaign against Russia's energy and military infrastructure to disrupt Moscow's war effort. On March 17, Ukrainian drones struck a fuel and energy facility in Russia's Astrakhan Oblast, igniting a fire, regional Governor Igor Babushkin claimed. The attack comes amid talks about a possible halt on mutual strikes against energy targets. The same night, Russia launched 145 drones and six missiles against Ukraine, inflicting civilian casualties and damaging infrastructure. Ukraine has consistently targeted Russian refineries, oil depots, and defense industry sites, aiming to limit Russia's ability to sustain its full-scale invasion. Read also: China is more likely than the EU to replace Starlink on the Ukrainian battlefield German government backs additional $3.3 billion in military aid for Ukraine The outgoing German government agreed to release an additional 3 billion euros ($3.3 billion) in military assistance for Ukraine, a German Finance Ministry spokesperson confirmed for the Kyiv Independent on March 19. Outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz has long blocked the package unless it is financed by additional borrowing. Friedrich Merz, who is set to become the next chancellor after his conservative CDU/CSU alliance won the elections in February, voiced confidence that the additional assistance would be approved as he unveiled massive efforts to boost defense spending by reforming Germany's debt brake. Merz, who is seeking to build a new government coalition with the Social Democrats (SPD), scored a major win earlier this week after the outgoing parliament approved a spending surge that could unleash up to 500 billion euros ($545 billion) for Germany's defense and infrastructure. According to Reuters, the parliamentary budget committee should approve the funds for Ukraine on March 21, as long as the Bundesrat, a legislative body representing Germany's federal states, approves Merz's reforms. Germany is Ukraine's largest military donor in Europe, and its role is likely only to grow as U.S. President Donald Trump seeks to reduce American involvement on the continent and restore ties with Russia. The 3-billion-euro package is in addition to the 4 billion euros ($4.36 billion) already allocated for Kyiv in 2025. Reuters reported earlier on March 19 that German Finance Minister Joerg Kukies has informed parliament's budget committee that the requirements for additional funds for Ukraine have been met. This was later confirmed by the ministry's spokesperson to the Kyiv Independent. The sum of 3 billion euros includes 2.547 billion euros ($2.8 billion) from the German budget, with the rest being reimbursed by the European Peace Facility. Kukies also plans to authorize some 8.252 billion euros ($8.9 billion) in military aid to Ukraine between 2026 and 2029. Read also: Trump agrees to help Ukraine find available Patriot air defense systems in Europe, White House says 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. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukrainian air defence units are engaging Russian-launched aerial assets during an air raid on the evening of 18 March. Source: Ukraine's Air Force; map of air-raid warnings issued in Ukraine; Kyiv City Military Administration Quote from the Air Force: "Attention: Threat of ballistic missile strikes in the areas where an air-raid warning has been issued!" Details: A few minutes later, the Air Force noted that Russian loitering munitions are targeting Kyiv. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ukrainian military also reported a high-speed target in Sumy Oblast moving in a southwestern direction. Update: Later, Kyiv City Military Administration reported that air defence units are responding to Russian-launched aerial targets over the city. Quote from Kyiv authorities: "Remain in shelters until the all-clear is given. Please observe safety precautions." Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Ukrainian drones attacked the Kavkazskaya oil pumping station in Russia's Krasnodar Krai overnight on March 19, damaging infrastructure and causing fire, pro-Kremlin news outlet Shot and regional authorities claimed. The attack reportedly damaged a pipeline connecting storage tanks, sparking a fire that covered an area of about 20 square meters. The regional operational headquarters confirmed that 30 on-duty personnel were evacuated and that the facility suspended operations. No casualties have been reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims. The Ukrainian military has not commented on the reported attacks. The Kavkazskaya oil transshipment point is crucial in Russia's energy exports, connecting a railroad oil terminal and the Kropotkinskaya oil pumping station. It is part of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium system, which pumps up to 6 million metric tons of oil annually. The strike follows Ukraine's Feb. 17 drone attack on the Kropotkinskaya oil pumping station, also in Krasnodar Krai, where seven drones reportedly hit key infrastructure. Kyiv has intensified its campaign against Russia's energy and military infrastructure to disrupt Moscow's war effort. On March 17, Ukrainian drones struck a fuel and energy facility in Russia's Astrakhan Oblast, igniting a fire, regional Governor Igor Babushkin claimed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attack comes amid talks about a possible halt on mutual strikes against energy targets. The same night, Russia launched 145 drones and six missiles against Ukraine, inflicting civilian casualties and damaging infrastructure. Ukraine has consistently targeted Russian refineries, oil depots, and defense industry sites, aiming to limit Russia's ability to sustain its full-scale invasion. Read also: 2 Sumy Oblast hospitals hit by drones hours after Putin agrees to halt energy grid attacks Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. An investigation is underway in Fife after suspected U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement impersonators targeted a local Ukrainian store on Sunday. The impersonators staked out Emish Market on 70th Avenue East at about 5 p.m. while they were inside a Ford SUV, decorated with false ICE decals and symbols to reference the department, according to the Fife Police Department in a news release. Police say the emblems appeared to have distortion and misspellings. The vehicle also had 1775 on the top rear area, and 911 displayed on the rear of the vehicle, but had no license plates, the release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The release said the SUV circled the markets parking lot. When it was parked, the SUV took up two parking spaces in front of the store. There were reports that the driver was honking the horn, and subject(s) inside were video recording the event, the release said. The driveway of the market was blocked until a security guard confronted them. The SUV then drove away. Witnesses told police that there were multiple people in the SUV, Fife PDs assistant chief Doug Newman told The News Tribune. Newman said they have been getting information on social media that the vehicle possibly was seen in the South Sound area before. Investigators are working to get information about whether other law enforcement agencies have taken official reports on the SUV. He said this is the first time the Fife Police Department has encountered people impersonating ICE agents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and agents are highly trained and dedicated professionals who are sworn to uphold the law, protect the American people and support U.S. national security interests. ICE strongly condemns the impersonation of its officers or agents, according to an ICE spokesperson in a statement. This action is not only dangerous, but illegal. Imposters can be charged with various criminal offenses both at the state/local level, as well as federally. Emish Market, which opened about three years ago, imports much of its products from Ukraine and other parts of Europe. About 60 to 70 percent of its employees are from Ukraine and immigrated legally through the Uniting with Ukraine program, Olena Ray, the stores manager, told The News Tribune. Its just a little bit uncomfortable because we dont know what to expect, but we definitely dont want someone to come and pretend to be authorities and scaring people, Ray said. Ray said the ICE impersonators were driving crazy, and she believes they have been high or drunk. Many people in the store were uncomfortable during the incident, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I feel that because, again, it doesnt matter if [the impersonators] are real or not real, people are a little bit afraid because they dont know what to expect, she said. Ray said shes been calling Fife police every day to get updates so she can let her employees know that the impersonators have been caught. We support Ukrainians by giving them jobs here, while we providing them food they are used to, she said. We exporting a lot of products from Ukraine so we help Ukraine by supporting Ukrainian business as well. Ray said Emish Market brings in a little bit of Ukraine to the United States, and it is important that the business does not lose customers because of the impersonators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont want our customers to get offended or intimidated by fake authority, she said. No arrests had been made as of Wednesday. The release said the Police Department is working with the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI Seattle Field Office for the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Fife Police Departments non-emergency phone number at 253-922-6633 and reference case number #2507501372. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he plans to speak with U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday to hear more about his call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Today I will have contact with President Trump, Zelenskyy said at a news conference in Helsinki with Finnish President Alexander Stubb. We will discuss the details of the next steps with him. Zelenskyy said that Putins agreement to stop striking energy infrastructure were very much at odds with reality following a series of drone attacks across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelenskyy said that one of the most difficult issues in future negotiations would be the issue of territorial concessions. For us, the red line is the recognition of the Ukrainian temporarily occupied territories as Russian. We will not go for it, he said. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. APs earlier story follows below. KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Russia launched a series of drone strikes that struck civilian areas overnight and damaged a hospital in Ukraine following the refusal by President Vladimir Putin to back a full 30-day ceasefire during discussions with his American counterpart. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the attacks continue to strike Ukraines energy infrastructure, despite Putins agreement to immediately cease attacks on the power grid. Zelenskyy said that Moscows refusal to halt all strikes proved the need for increased pressure on Moscow to prevent Putin from prolonging the war. This confirms that we must continue to pressure Russia for the sake of peace, he said Tuesday night. Only a real halt to Russias attacks on civilian infrastructure can signal a genuine desire to end this war and bring peace closer. The White House described the call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Putin as the first step in a movement to peace that it hopes will include a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and eventually a full and lasting end to the fighting. But there was no indication that Putin backed away from his conditions for a prospective peace deal, which are fiercely opposed by Kyiv. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly after the two leaders wrapped up their lengthy phone call, air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv, followed by explosions as residents took shelter. Despite efforts to repel the attack, several strikes hit civilian infrastructure, including a direct drone strike on a hospital in Sumy and attacks on cities in Donetsk region. Russian drones were also reported over Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Sumy, Chernihiv, Poltava, Kharkiv, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk, and Cherkasy regions. The Russian Defense Ministry reported Wednesday that its air defenses intercepted 57 Ukrainian drones over the Azov Sea and several Russian regions the border provinces of Kursk and Bryansk and the nearby regions of Oryol and Tula. Separately, authorities in the Krasnodar region bordering the Crimean Peninsula, which was annexed by Russia in 2014, reported that a drone attack there started a fire at an oil depot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ___ Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW By Olivia Le Poidevin GENEVA (Reuters) - Russia's "widespread and systematic" use of enforced disappearances and torture of Ukrainians during its full-scale invasion of Ukraine amount to crimes against humanity, a United Nations Commission said on Wednesday. Large numbers of civilians were detained in areas that came under Russian control, or were deported to Russia, where some later suffered torture and sexual violence, according to a new report by the U.N. Independent International Commission of Inquiry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Both were perpetrated as part of a widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population and pursuant to a coordinated state policy," the report, which was submitted to the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva on Wednesday, found. Russia's Mission in Geneva said it would not comment on "politicized and one-sided reports". Previously it has denied torture or other forms of maltreatment of prisoners of war. Russia failed to communicate the whereabouts of missing people, with Ukrainian families facing agonising uncertainty, Erik Mse, the chair of the Commission, told the Council. 50,000 people have been reported missing in the war between Ukraine and Russia over the last year, the International Committee of the Red Cross said in February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The most brutal forms of torture were used during interrogations, which were often led by the Federal Security Service and the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation," the report added. Additional cases of rape and sexual violence against female detainees were also identified. A previous report published in 2024 by the Commission said Russia had systematically tortured male Ukrainian prisoners of war. "We are shocked by the report which lays bare Russia's brutal treatment of detainees," Britain's ambassador, Simon Manley, told the Council on Wednesday. Eritrea told the council that the narrative of the Commission's report followed a pattern of bias against Russia. Ukraine has asked for the U.N. Human Rights Council to renew the Commission's mandate, which it will decide upon in April. (Reporting by Olivia Le Poidevin; Editing by Alex Richardson) At least one United Nations (UN) employee has been killed in an attack on a UN facility in Gaza, the Executive Director of the Office for Project Services (UNOPS), Jorge Moreira da Silva, said on Wednesday. Moreira da Silva, speaking in Brussels, reported that at least five other people were injured, several of them seriously. In the days prior, there had been impacts nearby and on the premises, prompting the organization to contact the Israeli forces. "This was not an accident," Moreira da Silva stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed being "deeply saddened and shocked" by the incident. The Palestinian news agency WAFA had earlier reported "dozens of dead and injured" due to Israeli airstrikes but did not provide an exact number. According to Moreira da Silva, the facility is a standalone installation well known to the Israeli military. It remains unclear what type of projectile hit it. He condemned attacks on humanitarian facilities as a violation of international law. The Office for Project Services is involved in demining operations in Gaza. The Israeli army initially denied the reports. "Contrary to reports, the IDF did not strike a UN compound in Deir el Balah." They urged the media to act with caution regarding unverified reports. A spokesman for the Israeli Foreign Ministry said Israel was looking into the incident. Preliminary findings suggest that there was "no connection whatsoever" to the Israeli army, Oren Marmorstein wrote on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We express our sorrow over the death of the Bulgarian citizen, a UN worker, today in the Gaza Strip," he said. For the first time since a ceasefire began around two months ago, the Israeli air force resumed intensive bombing of targets in the Gaza Strip overnight. According to the health authority controlled by Hamas, at least 436 people have been killed so far, including 183 minors and 94 women. The figures do not differentiate between civilians and combatants and cannot currently be independently verified. BOWIE COUNTY, Texas (KTAL/KMSS) The National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) Local 2189 is raising concerns that employees at Red River Army Depot could become casualties of the broader ongoing reduction in force efforts from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the direction of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Its like drinking from a fire hydrant. So theres so much information. So many directives. So many executive orders that are coming out of DC, and we are worried, and we are in fear of our jobs. says Randy Kirschstein, President of NFFE LL 2189. The union represents roughly 1,100 of the over 3,500 civilian employees at the depot. They say that these sort of cuts the depot could be facing would be illegal under 10 USC 2472. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law basically directs that depot personnel, and maintenance personnel are to be based based solely on the workload, depending on how much work you have determines how many employees you have. says Kirschstein, And to reduce the workload or the number of workers that we have just so that we can reduce the size of the government is ultimately going to affect the war fighter. If anything, they say the depot could benefit from expanding their staff. As a matter of fact, right now we are at our one of our lowest levels in probably two decades out there at the depot as far as workforces is considered, and that is because we are at peace time. says Kirschstein. They further argue that staffing cuts at the depot would not accomplish what doge is setting out to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What we do isnt affecting the national debt. We provide that service and equipment to the army which pays for itself and operates as a business. says Kirschstein, We dont want to be cut with an ax or a chainsaw. If there has to be changes or there has to be reductions, make sure that were doing the right thing and that were going in there with the scalpel and removing the waste fraud and abuse where its necessary. Job cuts could have broad effects to the local economy. The Texas Comptroller estimates that the depot contributes over $1.6 billion to the states economy. Source: Texas Comptroller So not only do we provide a great asset and service to our army and to our military, but we also do to the four states area. says Kirschstein. They want to try to get ahead of any workforce reduction plans by asking people to contact their representatives in Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What we need them to do right now is that at any moment when they have an opportunity to speak about the good that Red River does and how viable we are to this economy in this area that theyre saying positive things and making sure that at all costs Red River is able to avoid a RIF (Reduction in Force) or a BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure). says Kirschstein. Congressman Nathaniel Moran, whose District 1 represents parts of northeast Texas, gave us a statement that expresses his support and says quote: We strongly support the critical mission of the Red River Army Depot and its workforceboth military and civilian. It is the perfect example of the type of efficiency that President Trump rightly seeks in other areas of the government. The story of Red River Army Depot is one critical to our military readiness, and one that already brings great value to the taxpayer. Our office is fully engaged on the issue and prepared to work hard on behalf of the region to protect the operations and personnel at Red River Army Depot. Congressman Nathaniel Moran, (R) Texas We reached out to the Red River Army Depot for comment but did not hear 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 KTALnews.com. A major Scottish university is facing insolvency, the new principal has admitted, as MSPs were told misleading information had been given about its finances. Tricia Bey, Dundee Universitys acting chair of court, said the institution would have run out of money by the end of June without an emergency cash injection from the Scottish Funding Council (SFC). She told the Scottish Parliaments education committee that insolvency was a real possibility as the university tries to tackle a 35 million funding black hole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Professor Shane ONeill, the interim principal and vice-chancellor at the institution, told the committee there was misleading information provided and a false assumption towards the end of the last financial year we were close to breaking even. Prof ONeill announced last week that 632 jobs would be cut at the university about 20 per cent of its workforce to address the 35 million deficit. The head of an independent investigation into the universitys financial situation is expected to be announced this week. Ms Bey said this was important to find out whether things were deliberately kept from us. Prof Iain Gillespie, the former principal, told staff in November that job losses were inevitable and blamed an extremely challenging period for the UK higher education sector. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He resigned with immediate effect in December after the university defended a 7,000 business trip he took to Hong Kong with a colleague. Ms Bey, who has been in post since Feb 17, told the committee: We have actually a very grave cash crisis. Without the very welcome liquidity support of the SFC, we would have run out cash at the end of June. The legal element of this, as our advice has been from our lawyers, is that we do have to bear in mind the possibility that we become insolvent. And it is a real possibility. John Mason, an SNP committee member, noted that in Dec 2023 auditors had not identified any concerns that would not allow the university to continue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And Ms Bey told the committee that even in October last year, there was a statement by the universitys finance team that this was still the case. We were well off break-even position She said: Two weeks later, in a date that is etched in all our memories, we were told by the principal that actually, far from the financial situation we all thought we were in, the position was very different. Ms Bey said it was unclear if things had been deliberately kept from filtering upwards, adding: At the moment, we genuinely dont know the intention behind it. Im sure everybody in this room wants to know that answer. Prof ONeill said: I can tell you there was misleading information, there was a false assumption towards the end of the last financial year we were close to break even. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That did not turn out to be the case, we were well off break-even position and that only became clear in November. He admitted there had been inadequate financial discipline and control at the university, as well poor investment decisions. Helen Simpson, the interim director of finance, said she quickly raised concerns about the situation after she replaced her predecessor in October last year. She said: On arriving at the university I was extremely concerned about what I found. I was concerned about the financial position, I was also concerned about the cash position. I raised that concern at the end of the first day I started at the university. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ms Simpson added it had quite quickly became apparent that the university was very unlikely to have sufficient cash to get it through to the end of the financial year without help. Douglas Ross, the committee convener and former Scottish Tory leader, disclosed that the universitys recovery plan document sent to trade unions included the number of job losses in its password. Prof ONeill replied: Im surprised at that, I didnt know that. Mr Ross asked: Do you think its crass and wholly inappropriate that the number of job losses were included in that password? The professor replied: If that was deliberate, yes I agree with you. 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. In March 2025, rumors spread online comparing U.S. Customs and Border Protection seizures of eggs with those of fentanyl. While some posts claimed U.S. officials were seizing more eggs than fentanyl during border crossings into the United States, others alleged officials are catching people with eggs more often than they are with fentanyl. "U.S. Customs and Border Protection humiliates Donald Trump by revealing that their officers are busting more people smuggling eggs into America than fentanyl," a Facebook post by Occupy Democrats said. News websites, including The Daily Beast, The Telegraph and Newsweek, also published stories about egg and fentanyl seizures with headlines such as "Border Patrol Has Seized More Eggs Than Fentanyl So Far This Year." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A few posts seemed to suggest increased egg smuggling indicated professional operations by cartels (although many of these posts may also be jokes). "Thanks to Trump, cartels aren't just smuggling fentanyl they're now smuggling eggs," one X post read. "The cartels realize eggs are more profitable," a Bluesky user theorized. These claims need context. It is true that CBP has documented many more incidents where eggs were confiscated than those involving fentanyl, and that egg seizures have increased amid the rising cost of eggs. However, "the vast majority of egg intercepts are from travelers who declare them when asked," an agency spokesperson said in an email, adding that very few cases involve secretive egg smuggling. As of this writing, the United States prohibits importation of raw or fresh eggs from Canada, Mexico and certain other countries due to concerns about disease. Furthermore, CBP measures egg products by number and fentanyl by weight, making direct one-to-one comparisons of the physical amount of eggs and fentanyl seized not possible as of this writing. Breaking down the numbers CBP data shows 413 "drug seizure events" of fentanyl for the 2025 fiscal year to date in other words, 413 incidents when officials seized fentanyl at border crossings from October 2024 to February 2025. During those seizures, border officials confiscated nearly 6,200 pounds of fentanyl. In comparison, authorities intercepted more than 5,500 "egg products" during that period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For context, a large carton of eggs weighs a minimum of 1.5 pounds, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In a hypothetical situation where every "egg product" intercepted was a large carton of eggs, officials would have intercepted about 2,700 more pounds of eggs than pounds of fentanyl during that period. However, "egg products" are not just raw or fresh eggs; CBP will confiscate most eggs and egg products from countries affected with highly pathogenic avian influenza bird flu or virulent Newcastle disease. As stated above, most egg intercepts happen because of voluntary declarations suggesting travelers simply do not know they cannot bring the eggs into the United States. CBP said via email that most travelers caught with eggs "abandoned them without consequence." "There have been very few cases of people purposefully evading the inspection process/failing to declare the product. When that happens a $300 civil penalty is applied, and the eggs are seized," the spokesperson wrote, adding that the agency encourages travelers to declare "all agriculture products." As long as travelers declare the products they're carrying, they will face no legal consequences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CBP also said it does not track numbers on egg "smuggling" which implies deliberate, illegal activity and measures only egg "interceptions." However, the agency said it has seen a 48% increase in eggs being detained at ports of entry from October 2024 to February 2025 compared to the same period a year earlier. On the southern border, the San Diego field office has seen the highest increase of egg seizures 158% over that period. At the northern border, the Detroit field office where most incidents at the Canadian border occur saw its seizures jump by 36%, according to CBP. Sources: "Agriculture Enforcement Statistics." U.S. Customs and Border Protection, www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/agriculture-enforcement-statistics. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025. "CBP Reminds Travelers: Raw Eggs from Mexico Are Prohibited in the U.S." U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 27 Feb. 2025, www.cbp.gov/newsroom/local-media-release/cbp-reminds-travelers-raw-eggs-mexico-are-prohibited-us. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Drug Seizure Statistics." U.S. Customs and Border Protection, www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/drug-seizure-statistics. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025. "How Is the Weight of a Carton of Eggs Determined?" Ask.usda.gov, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 13 Nov. 2024, ask.usda.gov/s/article/How-is-the-weight-of-a-carton-of-eggs-determined. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025. "International Traveler: Milk, Dairy, and Egg Products | Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service." Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, www.aphis.usda.gov/traveling-with-ag-products/milk-dairy-eggs. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025. After decades of leadership, Forrest E. Harris Sr. will retire as the president of American Baptist College. The small, private and historically Black college sits atop what its leaders and students call "the holy hill" overlooking the Cumberland River in Nashville. It has produced its share of notable leaders over the years, such as the late U.S. Rep. John Lewis, Bernard Lafayette, C.T. Vivian, Julius Scruggs, James Bevel and others who led went on to lead the fight for racial justice. "Since assuming the presidency in July 1999, Dr. Harris has been a visionary force, guiding the institution with a steadfast commitment to theological education, social justice and the empowerment of future leaders," the school said in a news release Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement American Baptist College recently celebrated its 100th year and hosted a centennial celebration of the impact the small-but-mighty-school has had on Nashville and beyond. The college was started in 1924 through a partnership between the Southern Baptist Convention, which was predominantly white, and the National Baptist Convention, which was predominantly Black. It set out with the goal of empowering Black students to earn certifications to preach, teach and lead their communities. "Without the witness and story of American Baptist College, Nashville would not be where it is today," Harris said, going on to say that influence has also touched the nation and the world. "We know that God has built a treasure, a history on the 'holy hill' of American Baptist College." Dennie Marshall, who chairs the college's board, is a longtime friend of Harris and praised his "untiring service" to the school. "Dr. Harriss leadership has been instrumental in strengthening ABCs mission, elevating its national profile, and expanding its impact in Christian ministry, social justice advocacy and higher education," Marshall said in the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From President Forrest E. Harris: American Baptist College educated John Lewis, CT Vivian and others over the last 100 years The board plans to launch a nationwide search for the next president of the HBCU, according to the release. The college will also host a "Legacy of Leadership Gala" on June 28 to honor Harris and his legacy. It will be held at the Cal Turner Family Center at Meharry Medical College. Additionally, the school will start an endowment in Harris's name called the "Legacy of Leadership Fund." The fund will be dedicated to empowering leaders through the college and supporting its programs on theology and social justice. Information on the gala, the fund and more can be found at ABCnash.edu or by contacting the school's Office of Institutional Advancement at RoadTo100@ABCnash.edu. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Forrest Harris, president of American Baptist College, to retire When 16-year-old Asata Amun ran away from her Ga. home with no shoes on, her father thought she was just going to visit a friend after they got into a heated dispute. Amuns father, Kwabena Amun, said in an interview he threatened to send the teenager to military school if she kept getting in trouble in school, which prompted her to run. So you are just going to run like a coward? Asata, Kwabena said that night, according to WSB-TV. That was over 13 months ago on Feb. 1. Since then, the teen hadnt contacted her family, which began to raise concerns about her safety and the relationship she had with her family, police said. As the investigation into her disappearance continued, Childrens Protective Services even removed Amuns two sisters from the family home when Kwabena was accused of physically abusing them, according to WSB-TV. The father has since denied the allegations against him. I just want to make sure my baby girl is OK. That she is alright, Kwabena told WSB-TV. I just want to make sure that wherever she is, shes OK. You know, shes alive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amuns mother, Dominique, eventually spoke out saying, I feel like its not common not to hear something at all. She continued, She knows my number. She could have sent me a message. News of Amuns disappearance flooded the Gwinnett County community, as all eyes were focused on locating the young girl for months. But it wasnt until the Gwinnett County Police investigation went stale that they would catch a break. On Monday (March 17), police said in a statement Amun has been in the custody of the Tennessee Department of Childrens Services since February 2024 under an alias. The statement continued saying, a Tennessee Department of Childrens Services case manager identified inconsistencies in Asata Amuns statements. Dominique told WSB, She was in Atlanta when she left and she slept in the street until someone kind of helped her and got her on a bus to go where she needed to go to feel safe. After further research into the teens story, the case manager ended up contacting the Gwinnett County Police Department, which led to her discovery. Now that shes been found, police said arrangements have been made to transfer custody of Asata Amun to the Georgia Department of Family & Children Services. The investigation into her disappearance remains active. I dropped the phone when I heard it, Amuns mother continued to WSB after her daughter was found. I couldnt believe it. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) A documentary in the works for several years about the five women in the South Carolina Senate who banded together to block a near-total abortion ban in the state is nearing completion. A sneak peek of the documentary will be shown at a March 20 event at the Gaillard Auditorium in downtown Charleston. A moderated conservation with the sister senators is expected to follow. The documentary follows State Sen. Margie Bright Matthews and former Sens. Sandy Senn, Penry Gustafson, Katrina Shealy, and Mia McLeod as they battle political divide and misogyny in the South Carolina legislature Variety reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The women gained national attention after they formed a bipartisan coalition to block a near-total abortion ban that did not include exceptions for rape or incest from passing in 2023. The state instead ended up with a ban on almost all abortions once cardiac activity is detected, which is usually around six weeks. That law is currently before the South Carolina Supreme Court. When does a heartbeat start? South Carolina Supreme Court again takes up abortion issue Later that year, the senators were recognized for their efforts with the JFK Foundations Profile in Courage Award. But, for the three Republican women Senn, Gustafson, and Shealy their stand against the party came with electoral consequences. All three lost their June primary races in the 2024 election, leaving only two women in the upper chamber. McLeod did not run for re-election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The documentary is directed by Orangeburg filmmaker Emily Harrold and produced by Peabody Award-winner Robin Hessman. The event is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. at 95 Calhoun Street. Tickets can be purchased here. Organizers said proceeds will go to the Southern Documentary Fund to support completion. 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. SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) Spartanburg County School District One announced plans in wanting to replace two of its old school buildings. Officials plan to present a proposal in April to replace Mabry Middle School and O.P. Earle Elementary School. School district representatives said, Our goal is to provide modern, student-centered learning environments that support academic excellence and the evolving needs of our community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was reported that the cost to build two new schools is $125 million. The districts superintendent has already presented a preliminary plan at a public meeting last week according to officials. 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. By Olivia Le Poidevin GENEVA (Reuters) - Malnutrition is growing in Yemen with needs outpacing current treatment capacity, medical charity MSF said on Wednesday, in a statement appealing for greater financial support following a decline in humanitarian funding for the country. Admissions for malnutrition in Yemen remain alarmingly high, MSF said. "If we don't act now by boosting nutrition programs, ensuring affordable transport to health facilities ... then we risk an even greater surge of malnutrition in the months ahead," said Himedan Mohammed, head of operations for MSF Middle East. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The organisation said it was unable to meet all the needs despite scaling up treatment capacity, and called for financial support following "sudden and drastic reductions" in humanitarian funding to Yemen. Yemen has been plagued by years of fighting between the Houthi forces that hold most large urban centres, including the capital Sanaa, and the Saudi-backed government. (Reporting by Olivia Le Poidevin, Editing by Rachel More) LANCASTER, Ky. (FOX 56) U.S. Route 27 northbound was briefly shut down after a Wednesday morning house fire in Lancaster. The fire started just before 4 a.m. and firefighters said they were able to contain the flames quickly but remained on the scene battling hot spots. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the fire department, no injuries have been reported. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Lancaster police said that traffic was rerouted from KY Route 39 to Crab Orchard Street before eventually reopening. Drivers in the area should still exercise caution due to the heavy presence of fire departments. 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. MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. (WNCT) The U.S. 70 Bridge over the Newport River has a new name dedication. The Department of Transportation and Carteret County officials gathered to dedicate the bridge to late State Trooper. In 1949, Richard Jackson died in a car pursuit in Newport. The veterans family honored him Tuesday with a new sign. Those who paid the ultimate sacrifice deserve to be honored, Major William P. Moore II with the N.C. Highway Patrol said. The many law enforcement officers, men and women alike who have paid the sacrifice throughout the years deserve to be honored for their sacrifice to their communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were also speeches made by people in Newport and Jacksons granddaughter. 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. US officials have assured their European counterparts that the European Union will be involved in any peace deal on Ukraine. Source: Bloomberg, citing sources, as reported by European Pravda Details: Bloomberg sources noted that the United States has recently made it clear to Europeans that the priority is to end hostilities in the war unleashed by Russia and discuss issues such as potential security measures for Ukraine afterwards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This may provide some reassurance to allies worried that the US will seek a deal without involving European leaders, which could weaken both Ukraine and European security. Up until now, President Donald Trump has largely kept Europe out of his conversations with Ukraine and Russia. Additionally, US officials have repeatedly assured their allies that sanctions against Russia will remain in place until a deal is reached. They have also stated that they are prepared to escalate pressure on the Kremlin, particularly in the energy sector, if Russia fails to cooperate. Background: During a conversation with Trump, Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin once again rejected the US proposal for a 30-day complete ceasefire, which Ukraine had previously agreed to. Instead, he backed a commitment from both parties to "refrain" from attacking energy facilities for 30 days. The parties also agreed to discuss "the safety of shipping in the Black Sea" and to set up Russian and American expert groups to discuss the "Ukrainian settlement". Following the conversation, the White House said that peace talks on the Russo-Ukrainian war should "begin immediately in the Middle East". Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that Putin had effectively rejected the proposal for a complete ceasefire by launching a large-scale drone attack on Ukrainian cities on the night of 18-19 March. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! (Reuters) - U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on Tuesday condemned recent violent attacks on Tesla property, adding the Department of Justice has already charged several perpetrators. "The swarm of violent attacks on Tesla property is nothing short of domestic terrorism," Bondi said in a statement. "We will continue investigations that impose severe consequences on those involved in these attacks, including those operating behind the scenes to coordinate and fund these crimes." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Activists have lately staged so-called Tesla Takedown protests to voice displeasure over Tesla CEO Elon Musk's role in sweeping cuts to the federal workforce and cancellation of contracts related to humanitarian programs since President Donald Trump took office on January 20. (Reporting by Ryan Patrick Jones; editing by Kanishka Singh) A U.S. federal court has barred further cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), ruling that its dismantling by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) likely violated the U.S. Constitution, the Associated Press reported on March 19. The move follows the Trump administration's termination of 83% of USAID's foreign aid contracts while most of the agency's staff members have been laid off or placed on administrative leave. The dismantling of USAID had broad implications, particularly for Ukraine, where the agency has provided $2.6 billion in humanitarian aid, $5 billion in development assistance, and over $30 billion in direct budget support since Russia's full-scale invasion began. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court order requires the Trump administration to restore email and computer access to all USAID employees, including those on administrative leave. The move does not reinstate the agency in full or reverse staff firings. U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang in Maryland rejected the administration's claim that Musk, the world's richest man and DOGE chief, is merely an adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump. Chuang pointed to Musk's public statements and social media activity as evidence of his control over DOGE, citing a post in which Musk wrote that he had "fed USAID into the wood chipper." Read also: 46% of Americans think US support for Ukraine is insufficient, poll finds Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk, a close Trump ally, has aggressively pushed to dismantle USAID, slashing staff and publicly attacking the agency's work. The ruling states that USAID is likely unable to perform its legally mandated functions due to these actions. "Taken together, these facts support the conclusion that USAID has been effectively eliminated," Chuang wrote in the preliminary injunction. The lawsuit, filed by USAID employees and contractors, argues that Musk and DOGE exercise powers reserved by the Constitution for elected officials or Senate-confirmed appointees. Their attorneys said the ruling "effectively halts or reverses" many steps taken to shut down the agency. Judge Chuang also ruled that Musk's actions likely harmed the public interest by stripping Congress of its constitutional authority to determine whether, when, and how to close a government agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration's broader effort to curtail foreign aid has drawn criticism from health officials and humanitarian groups, who warn that such cuts will worsen global crises. Read also: Zelensky announces talk with Trump on March 19; says Russia attacked Ukraines power grid despite claimed pause Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Reuters has revealed that several US national security agencies have halted coordinated efforts for countering Russian sabotage, disinformation and cyberattacks, easing pressure on Russia amid Trump's initiatives to end the war in Ukraine. Source: Reuters, as reported by European Pravda Details: Last year former US President Joe Biden ordered his national security team to set up working groups to monitor the issue due to US intelligence warnings that Russia was stepping up its shadow war against Western countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plan was developed under the direction of the president's National Security Council (NSC) and involved at least seven national security agencies working with European allies to disrupt plots targeting Europe and the US, as officials involved in the working groups told Reuters. The former US officials said that before President Donald Trump was inaugurated, his new administration was briefed by the Biden team on these efforts and was urged to continue monitoring Russia's hybrid warfare campaign. However, since Trump took office on 20 January, much of the work has come to a standstill, said eleven current and former officials who wished to remain anonymous. Regular NSC meetings with European security officials are now not scheduled, and the NSC also ceased formal coordination of efforts between US agencies, including the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reuters could not determine whether the president had ordered the administration to halt all work on monitoring and countering Russias campaign, whether agencies were still hiring additional personnel, or whether they were making independent policy decisions separate from the White House. Some officials involved in the working groups said they were concerned that the Trump administration was de-prioritising the issue despite intelligence warnings. These changes follow the scaling back of other Russia-focused projects launched by the Biden administration. Last month, the FBI called off its efforts to counter foreign interference in the US election, particularly Russia, and furloughed staff working on the matter at the Department of Homeland Security. The Department of Justice recently dismantled the unit in charge of seizing assets from Russian oligarchs. It is unclear to what extent the United States is still sharing intelligence on Russia's sabotage campaign with European partners. UK government officials said that routine intelligence exchange between the US and UK governments continues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A senior US official at NATO stated that the US was still coordinating with its allies on this issue, but declined to provide any information. The CIA, FBI, and State Department declined to comment. Anitta Hipper, the EU's spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy, said she had no specific information to share when asked about the suspension of some intelligence-sharing meetings. She said that the EU is coordinating with NATO to counter hybrid threats, which cover everything from physical sabotage of critical infrastructure to disinformation campaigns. Background: In late February, it was reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had ordered the US Cyber Command, a unit within the Pentagon, to cease planning offensive cyber operations against Russia. This report was soon confirmed by other outlets. However, the Pentagon later denied that Hegseth had ordered a halt to offensive cyber operations against Russia. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Sudanese refugees living in Chad likely didn't think the most recent U.S. presidential election would impact them, but President Donald Trump's foreign aid freeze has put in jeopardy vital health care services provided by the U.N. to refugees living in displacement camps fleeing the Sudanese conflict in eastern Chad. The U.S. foreign aid freeze, which has massive implications for the world's poorest and most vulnerable populations, has caused vital services around the world to come to a screeching halt, and it's left aid organizations scrambling to fill funding gaps for programs that have lifesaving implications. At less than 1% of the federal budget, the U.S. Agency for International Development assisted 130 countries in fiscal year 2023, according to the Congressional Research Service. The Trump Administration has repeatedly said they are freezing foreign aid and shutting down USAID to cut down on the size of the federal government. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the administration had finished a six-week purge of programs at USAID last week, cutting 83% of the agencys programs. Rubio announced the process was complete in a post on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: A USAID official escaped violence in Congo. He returned home to a different crisis Elon Musk said he was feeding USAID into the wood chipper, in a post on X on Feb. 3. A federal judge ruled on Tuesday that Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency likely violated the constitution in its dismantling of USAID. "I've been in humanitarian work for 25 years, and this is the worst thing I've ever experienced in terms of just pulling the plug overnight on operations in dozens of countries, and just having to suddenly stop work. It's very, very difficult if you're running maternity wards and entire safe houses, like how do you shut that down overnight?" Anna Jefferys, a U.N. communications specialist, told ABC News. Almost 700,000 refugees have crossed from Sudan into Chad since April 2023 when the ongoing conflict in Sudan broke out, according to the U.N. While Chad has a history of taking in refugees from neighboring countries experiencing violence, the Sudanese conflict has resulted in one of the largest influxes of refugees in Chad's history. Ninety percent of the refugees are women and children, according to the U.N. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The women in Chad are just one example of how the U.S. foreign aid freeze is limiting lifesaving services to some of the world's most vulnerable populations. 'One day, everything changed' "In Sudan, I have a big family and have a happy family. I worked at a university. So everything was good. But one day, everything changed," Daralssalam Issa, a 41-year-old displaced woman living in a refugee camp in Chad, told the U.N. "When they came, they closed schools and hospitals and water went away. We stayed for 40 days like this. [After] that, we go away and ask for water, asking for food, asking for hospital." Issa, like thousands of other women who have fled the Sudanese conflict in Chad, left her home country because it was unsafe. In eastern Chad, the U.N. Population Fund, or UNFPA, supports the health care system by training and deploying midwives to rural areas where there are no health services and by providing mobile clinics and health care support inside refugee camps where women need services most. UNFPAs team in Chad filmed interviews with some of the midwives and staff working in Chad and some of the refugees in the camps. UNFPA gave media access to the footage and interviews. The health system in Sudan has all but collapsed due to the ongoing violence, with up to 60% of the population unable to access health services, the U.N. reports. UNFPA, which receives 70% of its funding for its humanitarian response in eastern Chad from the State Department, in the amount of about $2 million, is one of the humanitarian organizations closing that health care services gap for pregnant women fleeing Sudan in search of a safe place to live and give birth to their unborn children. PHOTO: Yewande Odia, UNFPA resident representative in Chad, discussed the lifesaving care provided by the group. (ABC News) "It's lifesaving. It's essential work," Yewande Odia, UNFPA resident representative in Chad, told ABC News in a video interview. "Too many women in this country don't have access to good health care, so having access to health care means sometimes going to them." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UNFPA's program in Chad funds and pays for the salaries of 148 community midwives and 100 case workers who provide direct medical support to Sudanese refugees and other women and girls displaced by conflict in areas in Chad where they would otherwise not have access to health care. UNFPA also has mobile clinics that service areas without any other form of health care. Over 80% of the refugee population is made up of women and girls, Odia said. MORE: Humanitarians warn of dire consequences if US foreign aid ends Soliri Adete, 32, works as a UNFPA midwife in the maternity ward at the district hospital in Adre. Adre, once a small border town with a population of 40,000, now has a population of 230,000 due to the migration of Sudanese refugees, according to the U.N. "Every day I come in to the hospital and the goal of coming to the hospital is to help my sisters who are ill and suffering," Adete said in a video filmed by the U.N. "I come to help them recover their health and also to help those who are victims of sexual violence." PHOTO: Soliri Adete, 32, works as a UNFPA midwife in the maternity ward at the district hospital in Adre (UNFPA) Farchana is one of the refugee camps in eastern Chad where refugees are relocated from Adre, the U.N. said. There is no hospital at the camp, but UNFPA-funded and trained midwives help pregnant Sudanese refugees fleeing the conflict have safe births. Chad has the second-highest maternal mortality rate in the world, with 1,063 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, according to U.N. data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Here at the camp, we don't have any hospital and we don't have an ambulance vehicle to rescue pregnant women. We struggle with these pregnant women to deliver," 39-year-old Souat Oumar, who works as the Women's Community Leader at Farchana Camp, told the U.N. "Sometimes they come to me personally at home. ... Sometimes the women might be bleeding seriously or has a miscarriage or other fatal issues. From that, some women might pass away." Preventing women from dying during childbirth is one of UNFPA's main objectives in their work in eastern Chad. "We have had a huge impact in ensuring that women have safe deliveries," Odia said. "Women are having children at quite a high rate, so it's a need that we are here to support, to ensure that they are not dying when they're having babies." PHOTO: Daralssalam Issa, a 41-year-old displaced woman living in a refugee camp in Chad, told the U.N. she's been impacted by the cut of funding to aid groups by the Trump administration. (UNFPA) The U.S. foreign aid freeze has caused UNFPA to search for alternative funding to pay these midwives, but Odia warned that if the freeze isn't lifted by the end of March, they will be unable to pay the midwives, and the services will stop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The midwives will not be paid, and that means that the services that they provide for reproductive health, for victims of violence, will stop," Odia said. "It's hard to imagine how we would be able to address this gap, this huge gap, which will happen if we don't continue to get funding, adequate funding." Odia said if no other funding is found, the consequences could be dire. "We're hoping that there will be a review, and that hopefully the funding will be continued. However, if it is not, it really means that salaries will not be paid, and it means that services will not be provided to those who need them, and it also means that the death rates, the maternal mortality rates in Chad will go up," Odia said. Humanitarian waivers U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced humanitarian waivers would be issued to USAID and State Department programs that have lifesaving implications shortly after the U.S. foreign aid freeze went into effect. UNFPA and other aid organizations have applied for these waivers, but the response has been chaotic, sources told ABC News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We did try to apply" for the waiver, "because we've been very confused," Odia said. "There's been a lot of back and forth. ... We're hoping that something good comes out." PHOTO: Ninety percent of Sudanese refugees in Chad are women and children, according to the U.N. (UNFPA) A senior aid official who works for an international nonprofit organization that receives U.S. funding for 38 programs globally told ABC News applying for the waivers was very confusing, and the organization had not received any indication their funding was unfrozen. "Basically, emergency health care, emergency nutrition, emergency water and sanitation projects, these have all been in theory permitted to restart," a senior aid official who did not want to be named for fear of retribution told ABC News on the phone. "There doesn't seem to be a logic, right? I can only assume that it's all chaos over there." US foreign aid freeze threatens health care services for Sudanese refugees in Chad originally appeared on abcnews.go.com (Bloomberg) -- Staffers with Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency forced their way into the headquarters of the US Institute of Peace late Monday in an incident that saw police dispatched and dueling claims of illegal activity. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The standoff was the latest thats seen DOGE staff muscle their way into Washington institutions, and underscored the often chaotic implementation of President Donald Trumps bid to radically shrink government. The US Institute of Peace has been led for most of the past year by George Moose, a career member of the foreign service, former ambassador and assistant Secretary of State, who was appointed its acting president and chief executive officer last April. The institute has maintained it is not a government agency, but rather an independent nonprofit that receives government funding directly from Congress. Trump last month signed an order seeking to cut the US Institute of Peace and several other entities to the minimum presence and function required by law. After DOGE staffers were turned away from the institute last week, the Trump Administration moved to fire the presidentially-appointed and Senate-confirmed board, leaving just Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Defense University President Peter A. Garvin as voting members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trio on Friday attempted to replace Moose as acting president with a different official, Kenneth Jackson. The legality of that move is unclear, since there are specific legislative requirements for removing board members and for the constitution of the board. But the White House on Monday said the action was sufficient to trigger Mooses dismissal, and DOGE accused the longtime diplomat of acting unlawfully. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly called Moose a career bureaucrat who wants to be unaccountable to the American people in a social media post. Moose, for his part, accused DOGE staffers of unlawfully entering the building on Monday, and employees called the Metropolitan Police Department to report a break-in, NBC News reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The employees of our building are not federal employees, executive branch employees, Moose told NBC. They are employees of the institute. We have our own, separate board; we have our own bypass authority to go directly to Congress in order to get our money. Somehow, all of those arguments have not prevailed. The DC Metropolitan Police Department on Tuesday said in a statement that they responded on Monday and met with Jackson and he provided the MPD members with documentation that he was the acting USIP President, with all powers delegated by the USIP Board of Directors to that role. Colin OBrien, the chief security officer at the institute, said in a phone interview that the police came after DOGE employees, who refused to identify themselves, spent hours trying to illegally access the building. They were ultimately able to gain access to the building after the police reviewed the document from the Trump administration board members and then forced institute employees to leave, he said. DOGE said in a post on X that Moose tried to block Jacksons entry into the building and that officers escorted him inside. Its not immediately clear why the DOGE employees wanted to enter the building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Representative Don Beyer, a Virginia Democrat, said he went to the building on Monday night and would work to stop DOGEs illegal power grab. The US Institute of Peace on its website says the organization remains open and actively at work in the pursuit of its congressionally mandated mission. On Tuesday, the institutes account on the X platform Musk owns displayed a message that said this account doesnt exist. (Updates with police action starting in 11th paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. (CNN) A federal judge on Wednesday declined to remove the Department of Government Efficiency from the US Institute of Peace building or reinstate fired board members while a legal challenge to DOGEs takeover of the independent organization plays out. While District Judge Beryl Howell declined to grant USIPs request for a temporary restraining order, the Obama-appointed judge expressed disappointment in DOGEs use of armed law enforcement to enter the non profits building earlier this week. The suit was filed in DC District Court after DOGE personnel, accompanied by DC police officers, gained access to USIPs building Monday after being turned away last week. That dramatic escalation followed the Trump administrations Friday gutting of the organizations board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Are you the least bit offended by how this was executed? Howell asked Department of Justice attorney Brian Hudak on Wednesday. Ill answer the question this way Hudak began before she cut him off. Because I have to say Im offended on behalf of the Americans that did so much service for the country to be treated so abominably, not to say the directors on the board, Howell said. The judge, however, said she needs further briefing on whether the non-profit is functioning under the executive branch and whether the violated statute outlining how board members are removed is actually lawful on its own. But that concern about how this has gone down is not one that can sway me and my consideration of factors for a temporary restraining order, Howell said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In its lawsuit, USIP is seeking the immediate intervention of this Court to stop Defendants from completing the unlawful dismantling of the Institute and irreparably impairing Plaintiffs ability to perform their vital peace promotion and conflict resolution work as tasked by Congress. USIP, which works to resolve conflict, is not a federal agency. It was created by Congress as a nonpartisan, independent body in 1984, and USIP owns and manages its headquarters. A declaration filed as part of the lawsuit from the institutes chief security officer alleges that the one USIP employee who possesses the technological capability to access the Infrastructure and to grant others access was traveling to Washington, DC, at the behest of DOGE in order to access the Infrastructure and grant access to DOGE as soon as the evening of March 18, 2025. Another memorandum of support states that USIP also has reason to believe that Defendants or those working in concert with them are currently in the USIP building, causing physical damage to the premises and physically accessing and disposing of USIP financial records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It included a photo taken Tuesday of a trash can full of files, some of which appear financial, marked SHRED. The complaint argues the administrations actions, including alleged destruction and modification of files, are causing irreparable harm against USIP. It asks the court to block the trespass by Defendants against real and personal property belonging to the Institute and prohibit them from maintaining, retaining, gaining, or exercising any access or control over Plaintiffs offices, facilities, computer systems, accounts, or any other records, files, or resources, and from acting or purporting to act in the name of Institute, and from using the Institutes name, emblem, badge, seal, and any other mark of recognition of the Institute. The complaint specifically calls on the court to declare the Trump administrations efforts to oust the USIP board of directors and its acting president null and void. It asks for an injunction saying that those individuals may not be removed unless the court finds that it complies with the law and gives its express permission. Under the USIP Act, most of the bipartisan board of directors is appointed by the president with the advice and consent of the Senate. Last week, the White House said they were terminating most of those members, who include President Donald Trumps former ambassador to Russia. According to the lawsuit, the termination emails from the White House Office of Presidential Personnel did not state any justification for the purported terminations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The three remaining members of the board Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Defense University President Peter Garvin said they were removing the acting president, Amb. George Moose and installing Trump appointee Kenneth Jackson. The suit alleges that appointment is not valid and asks the court to declare that Moose lawfully remains the president of the Institute. This story and headline have been updated with additional developments. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com By Brendan Pierson and Jack Queen (Reuters) - A federal judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked the U.S. military from enforcing President Donald Trump's executive order barring transgender people from military service while a lawsuit by 20 current and would-be service members challenging the measure goes forward. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes in Washington found Trump's January 27 order, one of several issued by the Republican president targeting legal rights for transgender Americans, likely violated the U.S. Constitution's prohibition on sex discrimination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The cruel irony is that thousands of transgender service members have sacrificed some risking their lives to ensure for others the very equal protection rights the military ban seeks to deny them," Reyes said. Reyes was appointed by President Joe Biden, Trump's Democratic predecessor. Jennifer Levi, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, praised the court for acting "decisively and swiftly." "This ruling pulls no punches. The court methodically documented the concrete harms this ban inflicts on brave transgender service members who ask nothing more than to serve their country with honor," Levi said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Representatives of the White House and Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment. In response to Trump's order, the military said on February 11 it would no longer allow transgender individuals to join the military and would stop performing or facilitating procedures associated with gender transition for service members. Later that month, the military said it would begin expelling transgender members. Trump said in his order that "adoption of a gender identity inconsistent with an individual's sex conflicts with a soldier's commitment to an honorable, truthful, and disciplined lifestyle, even in one's personal life." Reyes said in her ruling the government had conceded the plaintiffs were excellent soldiers and living proof "transgender persons can have the warrior ethos, physical and mental health, selflessness, honor, integrity, and discipline to ensure military excellence." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "So why discharge them and other decorated soldiers? Crickets from defendants on this key question," Reyes said. Trump issued a similar executive order during his first term, during which already-serving transgender members were allowed to remain. Plaintiffs in the lawsuit argued the order was illegal, pointing to a 2020 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that employment discrimination against transgender people is a form of illegal sex discrimination. Lawyers for the government have argued in court the military is entitled to bar people with certain conditions that make them unsuitable for service, also including bipolar disorder and eating disorders. At a March 12 hearing, they told Reyes she should defer to the judgment of the current administration that transgender people are not fit for service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge repeatedly pressed them to justify their stance with evidence, and at times expressed open outrage at the order's language denigrating the character of transgender people. The military has about 1.3 million active-duty personnel, Department of Defense data shows. While transgender rights advocates say there are as many as 15,000 transgender service members, officials say the number is in the low thousands. (Reporting by Jack Queen; Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi, Matthew Lewis and Chris Reese) By Luc Cohen NEW YORK (Reuters) - A U.S. judge on Wednesday said Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil must remain in the United States for now, but moved his challenge to the legality of his arrest over his participation in pro-Palestinian protests to a court in New Jersey. Manhattan-based U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman denied a bid by the Trump administration to dismiss the case, but agreed with the Justice Department that he did not have jurisdiction because Khalil was held in New Jersey at the time his lawyers first challenged his arrest in New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case has become a flashpoint for Republican President Donald Trump's pledge to deport some non-U.S. citizens who took part in the protests against Israel's military campaign in Gaza that swept American college campuses including Columbia after the October 2023 attack against Israelis by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. It will now be up to the New Jersey court to rule on Khalil's bids to declare his arrest unconstitutional, and to be released on bail or moved. Khalil's lawyers say his wife, an American citizen named Noor Abdallah, cannot visit him in Louisiana, where he is currently being held, because she is eight months pregnant with their first child. Khalil's lawyer Samah Sisay said in a statement on Wednesday that the government moved him to Louisiana to avoid having the case heard in New York or New Jersey. The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on that assertion or on Furman's ruling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Mr. Khalil should be free and home with his wife awaiting the birth of their first child, and we will continue to do everything possible to make that happen," Sisay said. Khalil, 30, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on March 8 outside his university residence in Manhattan. His lawyers have said that he was targeted in retaliation for his role in advocating for Palestinian rights, meaning the arrest violated free speech protections under the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment. Khalil in a letter from detention released on Tuesday by his legal team called himself a "political prisoner." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After his arrest, Khalil was taken to a federal building in lower Manhattan, and later moved to a detention facility in New Jersey in the early morning hours of March 9. His lawyer said she filed his first challenge to his arrest, known as a habeas corpus petition, in Manhattan federal court because an online ICE detainee locator showed he was still in Manhattan. In his ruling, Furman said Khalil's petition raised serious allegations that warranted review. But he said there was no dispute that Khalil was in New Jersey at the time the petition was filed, meaning it should be heard there. "At the heart of this case is the important question of whether and under what circumstances the Government may rescind a persons lawful permanent resident status and remove him from the United States," the judge wrote. 'REASONABLE GROUNDS' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Furman rejected the government's request that the case be moved to Louisiana. If the case had been moved there, any potential appeals would have been heard by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the most conservative in the country. Any appeals of decisions in New Jersey would be heard by the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which is split 6-6 between active judges appointed by Democratic and Republican presidents. There are two vacancies that Trump can fill. Khalil, who is of Palestinian descent, entered the United States on a student visa in 2022 and secured lawful permanent residency - known as a green card - last year. Khalil became a visible leader of Columbia's pro-Palestinian protest movement while completing coursework for a master's degree in public administration. He is due to graduate in May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In ordering his removal, the administration has cited a little-used provision of the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act allowing the deportation of any lawful permanent resident whose presence in the country the secretary of state has "reasonable grounds to believe" could harm U.S. foreign policy. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on March 16 that taking part in "pro-Hamas events" runs counter to U.S. foreign policy. Khalil's lawyers have said that their client has no ties to Hamas and acted as a "mediator and negotiator" during the protests. (Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York and Brendan O'Brien in Chicago; Additional reporting by Nate Raymond in Boston; Editing by Will Dunham, Mark Porter and Noeleen Walder) The Trump administration is considering scrapping the longstanding role of the U.S. in leading NATO's military operations in Europe, NBC News reported on March 18, citing unnamed defense officials. For nearly 75 years, a four-star U.S. general has held the position of Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), overseeing NATO's military strategy and operations. According to two defense officials familiar with internal discussions and a Pentagon briefing reviewed by NBC News, the administration is evaluating whether to relinquish this post as part of a broader effort to reduce U.S. commitments in Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Retired Admiral James Stavridis, who served as SACEUR from 2009 to 2013, warned that such a move would dramatically weaken U.S. influence within the alliance. "We would lose an enormous amount of influence within NATO, and this would be seen, correctly, as probably the first step toward leaving the alliance altogether," Stavridis said. The potential shift follows repeated calls by U.S. President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for NATO allies to assume greater responsibility for Europe's defense. If Washington abandons the SACEUR role, NATO members would have to determine which European country would nominate a new supreme commander. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Pentagon has not commented on the matter. Trump has long demanded that NATO allies increase their military spending. He previously called for the alliance to raise its benchmark from 2% to 5% of the GDP. Italy, Canada, and Spain remain below the current 2% target. Some NATO members are reportedly considering raising the spending target to 3% by 2030. In 2023, Trump suggested that Russia should be allowed to "do whatever the hell they want" to alliance members failing to meet their defense obligations, a statement widely interpreted as undermining NATO's unity. Read also: Trump administration cuts funding for initiative tracking Russian abductions of Ukrainian children, WP reports Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Military engineers managing supply routes in Greenland in the 1950s paid attention to the weather and climate. (Photo by US Army/Pictorial Parade/Archive Photos/Getty Images) In 1957, Hollywood released The Deadly Mantis, a B-grade monster movie starring a praying mantis of nightmare proportions. Its premise: Melting Arctic ice has released a very hungry, million-year-old megabug, and scientists and the U.S. military will have to stop it. The rampaging insect menaces Americas Arctic military outposts, part of a critical line of national defense, before heading south and meeting its end in New York City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yes, its over-the-top fiction, but the movie holds some truth about the U.S. militarys concerns then and now about the Arctics stability and its role in national security. In the late 1940s, Arctic temperatures were warming and the Cold War was heating up. The U.S. military had grown increasingly nervous about a Soviet invasion across the Arctic. It built bases and a line of radar stations. The movie used actual military footage of these polar outposts. But officials wondered: What if sodden snow and vanishing ice stalled American men and machines and weakened these northern defenses? In response to those concerns, the military created the Snow, Ice and Permafrost Research Establishment, a research center dedicated to the science and engineering of all things frozen: glacier runways, the behavior of ice, the physics of snow, and the climates of the past. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was the beginning of the militarys understanding that climate change couldnt be ignored. Army engineers test the properties of snow on Greenlands ice sheet in 1955, a critical determinant of mobility on the ice and one that changes rapidly with temperature and climate. (U.S. Army photo) As I was writing When the Ice is Gone, my recent book about Greenland, climate science, and the U.S. military, I read government documents from the 1950s and 1960s showing how the Pentagon poured support into climate and cold-region research to boost the national defense. Initially, military planners recognized threats to their own ability to protect the nation. Over time, the U.S. military would come to see climate change as both a threat in itself and a threat multiplier for national security. Ice roads, ice cores, and bases inside the ice sheet The militarys snow and ice engineering in the 1950s made it possible for convoys of tracked vehicles to routinely cross Greenlands ice sheet, while planes landed and took off from ice and snow runways. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1953, the Army even built a pair of secret surveillance sites inside the ice sheet, both equipped with Air Force radar units looking 24/7 for Soviet missiles and aircraft, but also with weather stations to understand the Arctic climate system. The Army drilled the worlds first deep ice core from a base it built within the Greenland ice sheet, Camp Century. Its goal: to understand how climate had changed in the past so they would know how it might change in the future. The military wasnt shy about its climate change research successes. The Armys chief ice scientist, Dr. Henri Bader, spoke on the Voice of America. He promoted ice coring as a way to investigate climates of the past, provide a new understanding of weather, and understand past climatic patterns to gauge and predict the one we are living in today all strategically important. In the 1970s, painstaking laboratory work on the Camp Century ice core extracted minuscule amounts of ancient air trapped in tiny bubbles in the ice. Analyses of that gas revealed that levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere were lower for tens of thousands of years before the industrial revolution. After 1850, carbon dioxide levels crept up slowly at first and then rapidly accelerated. It was direct evidence that peoples actions, including burning coal and oil, were changing the composition of the atmosphere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since 1850, carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere have spiked and global temperatures have warmed by more than 2.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.3 Celsius). The past 10 years have been the hottest since recordkeeping began, with 2024 now holding the record. Climate change is now affecting the entire Earth but most especially the Arctic, which is warming several times faster than the rest of the planet. Since 1850, global average temperature and carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere have risen together, reflecting human emissions of greenhouse gases. Red bars indicate warmer years; blue bars indicate colder years. (NOAA) Seeing climate change as a threat multiplier For decades, military leaders have been discussing climate change as a threat and a threat multiplier that could worsen instability and mass migration in already fragile regions of the world. Climate change can fuel storms, wildfires, and rising seas that threaten important military bases. It puts personnel at risk in rising heat and melts sea ice, creating new national security concerns in the Arctic. Climate change can also contribute to instability and conflict when water and food shortages trigger increasing competition for resources, internal and cross-border tensions, or mass migrations. The military understands that these threats cant be ignored. As Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro told a conference in September 2024: Climate resilience is force resilience. A view of aircraft carriers docked at the sprawling Naval Station Norfolk show how much of the region is within a few feet of sea level. (Stocktrek Images via Getty Images) Consider Naval Station Norfolk. Its the largest military port facility in the world and sits just above sea level on Virginias Atlantic coast. Sea level there rose more than 1.5 feet in the last century, and its on track to rise that much again by 2050 as glaciers around the world melt and warming ocean water expands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement High tides already cause delays in repair work, and major storms and their storm surges have damaged expensive equipment. The Navy has built sea walls and worked to restore coastal dunes and marshlands to protect its Virginia properties, but the risks continue to increase. Planning for the future, the Navy incorporates scientists projections of sea level rise and increasing hurricane strength to design more resilient facilities. By adapting to climate change, the U.S. Navy will avoid the fate of another famous marine power: the Norse, forced to abandon their flooded Greenland settlements when sea level there rose about 600 years ago. Climate change is costly to ignore As the impacts of climate change grow in both frequency and magnitude, the costs of inaction are increasing. Most economists agree that its cheaper to act now than deal with the consequences. Yet, in the past 20 years, the political discourse around addressing the cause and effects of climate change has become increasingly politicized and partisan, stymieing effective action. In my view, the militarys approach to problem-solving and threat reduction provides a model for civil society to address climate change in two ways: reducing carbon emissions and adapting to inevitable climate change impacts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. military emits more planet warming carbon than Sweden and spent more than $2 billion on energy in 2021. It accounts for more than 70% of energy used by the federal government. In that context, its embrace of alternative energy, including solar generation, microgrids, and wind power, makes economic and environmental sense. The U.S. military is moving away from fossil fuels, not because of any political agenda, but because of the cost-savings, increased reliability, and energy independence the alternatives provide. Solar panels generate power on many U.S. military bases. This array at Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos, Calif., generates enough power for more than 15,000 homes and has a backup battery system to provide power when the sun isnt shining. (Photo by Frederic J . Brown/AFP via Getty Images) As sea ice melts and Arctic temperatures rise, the polar region has again become a strategic priority. Russia and China are expanding Arctic shipping routes and eyeing critical mineral deposits as they become accessible. The military knows climate change affects national security, which is why it continues to take steps to address the threats a changing climate presents. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Washington has moved on from a minerals deal with Kyiv to focus on achieving a lasting ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a press briefing on March 19. Leavitt said that did not mean a deal for the U.S. to develop Ukraine's mineral resources was off the table, but that the two sides had "moved beyond just the economic minerals deal framework, and (are) looking at a lasting ceasefire" in Ukraine. After weeks of tense negotiations, the deal was set to be signed on Feb. 28, but that plan was derailed after a public clash between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, leaving the agreement's fate uncertain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the U.S. froze military assistance for Kyiv, Zelensky issued a statement in which he called the spat "regrettable" and reaffirmed his readiness to sign the minerals deal and work toward peace. Reuters reported that the deal was expected to be signed on March 4, but this claim was disputed by U.S. officials, and no agreement was signed. The long-debated agreement would establish a fund to which Ukraine would contribute 50% of proceeds from the future monetization of state-owned mineral resources, including oil, gas, and logistics infrastructure. The U.S. reportedly put forth three proposals of the mineral deal, but the Ukrainian side turned down the first two because they did not include security agreements, even as Washington ramped up the pressure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The third version was also void of concrete security commitments but included a line reading that the fund "will be reinvested at least annually in Ukraine to promote the safety, security and prosperity of Ukraine." The Trump administration has been reluctant to commit to Ukraine's security, arguing that the economic agreement is a security guarantee of itself and that Europe should take responsibility for Kyiv's defense. Read also: What the US-Ukraine mineral deal actually means Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. President Donald Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky held a phone call on March 19, during which Trump suggested American ownership of Ukraine's power plants could help ensure their security. Trump and Zelensky discussed Ukraine's electrical supply and nuclear power plants during the call, according to a readout of the conversation presented by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt during a press briefing. Trump said the U.S. could be "very helpful in running the plants with its electricity and utility expertise," adding that "American ownership of those plants would be the best protection for that infrastructure and support for Ukrainian energy infrastructure." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is unclear from the readout what energy infrastructure or nuclear power plants the U.S. could help run or acquire. Trump on March 13 said that as part of peace deal talks, he had discussed Russian-occupied territory with Ukraine, including the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant Europe's largest nuclear site that has been under Russian control since the early days of the invasion. "There's a power plant involved, a very big power plant involved. Who is going to get the power plant, and who is going to get this and that, and so you know it's not an easy process. But phase one is the ceasefire," Trump said on March 13. The Trump-Zelensky phone call follows an hour-and-a-half-long conversation between the U.S. president and Russian President Vladimir Putin a day prior on March 18. Following the call, Putin said he had agreed to a limited 30-day pause on energy attacks. Overnight on March 19, Russia launched an aerial attack on Ukraine, targeting energy infrastructure in some parts of the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia has been targeting Ukraine's civilian energy infrastructure since 2022. In recent months, Moscow has intensified aerial campaigns with bombardments by swarms of Shahed drones a nightly occurrence. Ukraine has also launched regular attacks on Russia's fossil fuel production a major revenue source for the Russian state. Zelensky said after the call with Trump that he had also agreed to stop strikes on Russia's energy infrastructure. Material losses from Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure have amounted to "billions of dollars," according to Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko. Halushchenko said on Feb. 24 that Russia has launched more than 30 mass strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure over the three years of its full-scale invasion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the past three years, Russian troops have occupied territories hosting energy facilities producing 18 gigawatts (GW) of generation. Read also: Ukraine, US discuss fate of Russian-occupied territories, Zelensky says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff told Fox News on March 18 that diplomatic talks between the U.S. and Russia will take place on March 23 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The discussions, led by National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, will focus on key details regarding the ceasefire. Witkoff did not specify who the U.S. delegation would be meeting with, and it remains uncertain whether Ukraine will be included in the talks. "Up until recently, we really didn't have consensus around these two aspects - the energy and infrastructure ceasefire and the Black Sea moratorium on firing - and today we got to that place, and I think it's a relatively short distance to a full ceasefire from there," Witkoff, U.S. President Donald Trumps special envoy to the Middle East, said on air. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think both of those are now agreed to by the Russians. I am certainly hopeful that the Ukrainians will agree to it." Witkoff said that during his last meeting with Putin, they "made a lot of progress." "It was a meeting that was- it could have been as long as four hours, but it was certainly at least three. We talked about a lot of specifics, and I point to the large gap that existed between Ukraine and Russia prior to the inauguration and where we are today. We have narrowed the issues between both of these parties, making a lot of progress, in my opinion, and I think that meeting underscores that," Witkoff told CBS News on March 16. On March 18, Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to a 30-day halt on strikes against energy infrastructure during a call with Trump, according to a Kremlin readout issued on the same day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The statement followed the 1.5-hour phone call between Putin and Trump, during which they discussed ending the war in Ukraine and the U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire to allow for further peace talks. Read also: Trump-Putin call: Russia agrees to 30-day pause of energy infrastructure strikes "I would commend President Putin for all he did today on that call to move his country close to a final peace deal," Witkoff told Fox News' Sean Hannity. "And I would give all the credit to President Trump, his election, (and his) peace through strength (foreign policy), the perception that there are no alternatives, and the fact that a good peace and lasting peace are important for both sides." "I can't overstate how compelling he was on this call; he's a natural-born leader, and he demonstrated that today." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kremlin said that "during the conversation, Donald Trump proposed a mutual refusal of the parties to the conflict to strike for 30 days on energy infrastructure facilities," and Vladimir Putin "responded positively to this initiative and immediately gave the appropriate command to the Russian military." The Kremlin also said Putin "responded constructively to Donald Trump's idea of implementing a well-known initiative concerning the safety of navigation in the Black Sea." "It was agreed to begin negotiations to further elaborate specific details of such an agreement," the statement added. Read also: Who is to gain more from a ceasefire Russia or Ukraine? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Talks between Russian and American delegations to discuss a ceasefire in Ukraine will take place in the coming days in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said on March 19 on X. Waltz said he discussed Trump's efforts to stop the fighting in Ukraine with Yuri Ushakov, a close adviser to Putin. "We agreed our technical teams would meet in Riyadh in the coming days to focus on implementing and expanding the partial ceasefire President Trump secured from Russia," Waltz wrote on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Waltz's statement comes after a March 18 call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. During the call, Putin and Trump agreed that the war needs to end with "a lasting peace," and the first steps towards this will be an energy and infrastructure ceasefire and technical negotiations on implementing a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea. After the Trump-Putin call, the Kremlin agreed to a 30-day pause on energy infrastructure strikes. Despite this commitment, Russia launched a large-scale assault on Ukraine's infrastructure overnight on March 19. A U.S. delegation earlier met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and top presidential aide Yuri Ushakov in Riyadh on Feb. 18 to initiate talks on ending the war in the first official meeting between the two sides since the full-scale invasion began. Ukraine was excluded from the discussions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No concrete decisions were announced following the U.S.-Russia talks, but Ukraine's exclusion from the meeting sparked alarm in Kyiv and Europe. On March 11, U.S.-Ukraine talks took place in Jeddah, in which the two sides sought a common path toward a peace deal after weeks of tense relations. After the negotiations with Washington, Ukraine's Presidential Office announced that it was ready to accept a U.S. proposal for a temporary 30-day ceasefire if Russia also did the same. Read also: Trump, Zelensky hold hour-long phone call, discuss aligning Russia and Ukraines requests and needs, US president says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. By Daphne Psaledakis and Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department said on Wednesday there was still a bridge proposal that would extend the ceasefire" in Gaza but the opportunity for it was "closing fast." A State Department spokesperson said the proposal would also "see the release of five live hostages, including American Edan Alexander. It would also see the release of a substantial number of Palestinians held in Israeli jails." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The opportunity is still there, but it's closing fast." The Israeli military said on Wednesday its forces have resumed ground operations in Gaza as a second day of airstrikes killed at least 48 Palestinians, according to local health workers. A day earlier, more than 400 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes in one of the deadliest episodes since the beginning of Israel's war in Gaza in October 2023. This shattered nearly two months of relative calm since a ceasefire went into effect between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas, which controls Gaza. The State Department spokesperson said the proposal was "compelling" and that Washington stood with Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered on October 7, 2023, when Palestinian Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing 1,200 and taking about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's subsequent military assault on Gaza has killed over 49,000 Palestinians, according to the local health ministry, while also triggering accusations of genocide and war crimes that Israel denies. The assault has internally displaced nearly Gaza's entire 2.3 million population and caused a hunger crisis. (This story has been refiled to fix a typo in paragraph 7) (Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis and Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) Some U.S. national security agencies have suspended cooperation with international partners in countering Russian sabotage and cyber operations, Reuters reported on March 19, citing undisclosed official sources. The news comes amid the Trump administration's efforts to restore ties with Russia while seeking to broker a swift peace deal in Ukraine. Under former U.S. President Joe Biden, the National Security Council coordinated the effort of at least seven security agencies, who worked with European partners to disrupt Russia's escalating hybrid activities across the European continent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. President Donald Trump's team was briefed by the Biden administration on Russian disruptive activities during a transition period, according to Reuters. Since Trump took office on Jan. 20, the National Security Council has ceased coordinating these efforts while expected meetings with European partners did not happen, Reuters wrote. The news agency noted that it remains unclear whether this was a direct decision by the Trump administration or individual initiative of the relevant agencies. The news follows earlier reporting claiming that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a halt to all cyber operations against Russia. The Pentagon later denied the claim. The U.S. has also reportedly cut support for a group tracking Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, moved to withdraw from a body investigating the Russian leadership for crimes in Ukraine, and froze USAID funding crucial for various humanitarian, economic, and social projects in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Washington has also temporarily paused military and intelligence support for Ukraine earlier this month to push it to the negotiating table. The U.S. has threatened additional sanctions against Russia unless it agrees to a ceasefire but has yet to take the step, putting considerably greater pressure on Ukraine. Trump's outreach to Moscow has caused concerns in Europe and Kyiv that Washington might cut a peace deal unfavorable to the U.S.'s allies. On March 18, Trump held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss a pause on strikes against both Ukrainian and Russian energy facilities, as well as the prospects of U.S.-Russian economic cooperation. Read also: Kremlin demands halt to foreign military aid, intelligence to Ukraine as condition for avoiding war escalation Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. ROME (AP) Pope Francis ' condition continued to improve Wednesday and he hasnt needed to use the mechanical ventilation mask to help him breathe, the Vatican said in signalling further progress in his recovery from double pneumonia. The 88-year-old pontiff is also reducing his reliance on high-flow supplemental oxygen during the day, the Vatican said in a medical bulletin. His pneumonia infection, while not completely eliminated, is under control, the Holy See press office said. Francis celebrated Mass on Wednesday, which is an important feast day for the Catholic Church and is the anniversary of his installation as pope 12 years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francis has been at Romes Gemelli hospital since Feb. 14 for a complex lung infection that turned into pneumonia in both lungs. He has been receiving respiratory and physical therapy to help strengthen his lungs. For two nights in a row, he hasnt needed to use the noninvasive mechanical ventilation mask, which pumps oxygen into his lungs, and doctors said its use had been suspended. Francis was put on the ventilation mask after he suffered a spate of respiratory crises in late February and early March during which he was unable to expel the mucus and fluid that had accumulated in his lungs. Suspending use of the mask means Francis lungs are working harder and better on their own. The Vatican is also again reducing its medical updates as Francis slowly continues his recovery, with the next one not expected before Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Italian President Sergio Mattarella commemorated the 12th anniversary of Francis installation as pope by sending him a letter praising his initiatives as pope. Mattarella offered best wishes for the continuation of his pontificate and all the more heartfelt wishes for a speedy recovery. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Pope Francis' health has continued to improve, the Vatican said on Wednesday, noting that the 88-year-old pontiff can now manage without a breathing mask over his mouth and nose in hospital. Francis no longer needs non-invasive mechanical ventilation and also "has less need of high-flow oxygen therapy," the Vatican said in an evening medical bulletin. "Motor and respiratory physiotherapy is continuing to make progress," it added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, the Vatican press office said for the first time that the pope's severe pneumonia is now "under control." The head of the Catholic Church has been in hospital in Rome for more than a month. Non-invasive mechanical ventilation usually means that a patient is given additional oxygen through a mask over the mouth and nose. This has been the case with Francis repeatedly over the past few weeks. He continues to receive intermittent breathing assistance through a tube in his nose. The Vatican has emphasized several times in recent weeks that the pontiff has never been put on artificial respiration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to pneumonia, the pope suffers from an infection of the respiratory tract with various pathogens which is now "under control, although not eliminated," the Vatican said. According to the doctors, the pope is suffering from severe pneumonia that has affected both lungs. To make matters worse, part of his right lung is missing due to an operation he had as a young man. There is still no scheduled date for the pope's release. The next medical bulletin is not expected until next week, after the Vatican previously provided daily updates on his health. The head of the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide since March 2013, Francis is now the second oldest pope in history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Vatican is scheduled to hold Easter celebrations next month. Normally, on Easter Sunday, the Pope gives the Urbi et Orbi blessing (to the city and the world) to tens of thousands of believers in St. Peter's Square. Due to the Jubilee Year 2025, there are an especially large number of pilgrims in Rome. Venezuela will face new severe and escalating sanctions if it refuses to accept citizens being repatriated from the U.S., Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday. The warning comes as the Trump administration seeks to increase the removal of migrants in the U.S. without legal status and ends a temporary residency program for about 350,000 Venezuelans who fled the economic collapse and authoritarian rule of President Nicolas Maduro. Unless the Maduro regime accepts a consistent flow of deportation flights, without further excuses or delays, the U.S. will impose new, severe, and escalating sanctions, Rubio wrote on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The threat raised immediate questions because Richard Grenell, a Trump special envoy tasked with securing the release of U.S. citizens imprisoned in Venezuela, announced Friday on X that the Maduro government had agreed to accept repatriation flights. Grenell did not respond to a request for clarification. The State Department and White House had no immediate comment. Grenell met with Maduro on Feb. 1 in Caracas, securing the release of six U.S. citizens after meeting with Maduro and discussing Venezuelas refusal to accept its citizens for repatriation. Later that month, President Donald Trump announced he would end Biden administration concessions intended to promote free elections in Venezuela and cancel a license that allowed U.S. oil company Chevron to produce and export oil from the South American country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response, Maduro said the U.S. had damaged the lines of communication that we had opened, and that he would halt repatriation flights. I wanted to bring back all the Venezuelans that they imprisoned, he said. The United States shot itself in the foot with that decision. In an apparent effort to get around that refusal, the Trump administration over the weekend flew about 250 people it said were Venezuelan gang members to a high-security prison in El Salvador despite a federal judges order temporarily blocking the deportations. Rubio thanked El Salvador President Nayib Bukele in an interview on Fox News. "We are fortunate to have a friend like President Bukele who, as part of my meeting with him, said we will take them for a fraction of what it costs you guys to house them in your own prison system. A Vermont State Trooper involved in a July 2024 shoot-out in Burke with a wanted man from Rhode Island is a finalist for a prestigious law enforcement award. Richard Berlandy is one of four finalists from the United States and Canada for the International Association of Chiefs of Police / Motorola Solutions Trooper of the Year Award. The award recognizes state troopers and provincial officers who have demonstrated bravery, courage, leadership and professionalism in the line of duty. Its the second year in a row a Vermont trooper has been nominated for the award. Last year, Michelle Archer of the Williston Barracks was nominated for diving into a frozen pond in December 2023 in Cambridge to save a young girl from drowning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Berlandy has been assigned to the Derby Barracks since joining the Vermont State Police in 2019. He and two other troopers were on duty on July 14, 2024, when they were advised that a man wanted in Rhode Island for possessing altered firearms with large capacity magazines was in the area. According to police at the time, US Border Patrol agents saw the mans pickup truck in Pittsburg, New Hampshire, and followed him into Vermont. Agents attempted to stop the man, identified as Brendan Sackal, with a tire-deflation device, but he continued to try to flee. Berlandy joined the pursuit northbound on VT 114 and attempted to box in Sackals truck. Sackal then rammed the cruiser and got ou of his truck firing what prosecutors later described as a privately manufactured 5.56 caliber AR-type pistol. Berlandy and Mikola returned fire, wounding Sackal, who surrendered. They then tended Sackals wounds until emergency medical care arrived. Sackal was taken to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in critical, but stable condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The selection of Trooper Berlandy as a finalist is a recognition of the courage, professionalism and determination he and his fellow troopers demonstrated that July day, Vermont State Police Director Col. Matthew T. Birmingham said, noting that agencies can submit only one name for award consideration. Berlandy said his experience and training, as well as the presence of other law enforcem,ent officers, prepared him to handle the dangerous encounter. Once everything started to happen, I didnt have to think about what I needed to do. Everything was reactionary, and I was able to focus on the task at hand. All of my training just instinctually kicked in, helping me and eventually saving my life, he said. Finalists for the Trooper of the Year Award are chosen by members of the International Association of Chiefs of Police State and Provincial Police Trooper Berlandy represents the North Atlantic Region. One of the four finalists will be named the overall IACP / Motorola Solutions Trooper of the Year at a banquet Friday in Orlando, Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. The brother of a 28-year-old man who was detained by ICE agents in Chelsea at the beginning of his workday is consumed with questions. Derick Morales told Boston 25 News his older brother Ivan has legal work documents, has lived in the United States for more than five years, and works more than 40 hours a week to support his wife and two kids. Video captured by a neighbor on Tuesday showed federal authorities stopping the van of a local painting company near Chestnut and Third Streets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The owner said agents detained his three workers after asking for their paperwork and learning they were undocumented. Theres really no motive for him to get captured since he has no criminal record, said Morales. Im pretty sure its a terrifying experience hes going through at the moment. Morales now worried his brother could be deported to El Salvador, leaving his four and six-year-old kids without a father. This is very traumatic for most families, said Morales. Im worried. I dont know if Ill be able to see my brother again. Boston 25 News learned of more reported ICE activity in Chelsea and East Boston on Wednesday from witnesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its unclear how many arrests have been made this week since Immigration and Customs Enforcement does not comment on on-going operations. The visible ICE activity across the Boston area coincided with the 29th annual Immigrants Day that was recognized in Boston. Hundreds gathered at the Massachusetts State House on Wednesday morning to commemorate the occasion and urge lawmakers to strengthen state-level protections for immigrants. In an instant, our family was torn apart, said Suyanne Amaral of Malborough. Our toddler, too young to understand, cried for her father night after night, asking when he would come home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amaral spoke to the crowd alongside her husband, Brazilian native, Lucas Dos Santos Amaral, and their daughter after he was detained by ICE during a traffic stop. He was shuffled from jail to jail before being flown to an ICE detention center at the Texas border where he was held for nearly a month. How you explain to a child that her father is gone, not because he did something wrong, but because of a system that refuses to recognize his humanity, said Amaral. That father was reunited with his family in Marlborough after being granted release on bond. His wife believes ICE mistook him for another man but still detained him when they discovered he had an expired visa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advocates point out thats a civil offense, not a criminal one. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Nancy Han has returned to CNN, joining as senior VP of video editorial three years after she left when parent Warner Bros. Discovery shut down premium streaming service CNN+, for which she headed weekly programming. In the new role, Han will lead CNNs video storytelling strategy, developing and implementing approaches that resonate with audiences across linear, digital and mobile platforms, according to the news outlet. She will lead a new team comprising digital video and field producing teams that will produce original videos, remix and edit and optimize video assets from the outset of a story. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Han will be essential in shaping how CNN reaches audiences with distinctive and timely video stories tailored for an evolving media landscape, the network said in announcing her new appointment. Han will be based out of CNNs New York bureau, reporting to EVP and executive editor Virginia Moseley with a dotted line to Alex MacCallum, EVP of digital products and services. She starts on Monday, March 24. Han has more than 25 years of experience in digital media, streaming, broadcast and emerging technologies. She most recently was founder and principal at consulting firm Han Wapner Media, where she advised clients including CNN and TalkShopLive on digital strategies. She returns to CNN after previously serving as VP of weekly programming at CNN+, where she led a team that created original programming for CNNs first direct-to-consumer streaming service. Prior to that, she was executive VP of news at NowThis Media, where she oversaw all editorial operations. Before NowThis, Han was a senior producer at CBS This Morning and prior to that spent 11 years at ABC News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Han started her career in local news in Providence, Rhode Island. She graduated from New York University with a bachelors degree in journalism; she has recently spent time at NYU as an adjunct professor, teaching undergraduate journalism courses. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Terry Uniter, a U.S. Army veteran, detailed how his plans to start a new federal job were upended on Monday amid drastic cuts made under President Donald Trump. So like all my stuff is on a boat right now going to Japan, said Uniter a contractor who took a $60,000 pay cut to go to Tokyo to work as an international relations lead for the Fifth Air Force in an interview with CNN. Uniter added that he was fortunate enough to get his car back as it was about to be loaded onto a boat before CNNs Pamela Brown noted that he also pulled his son, Johan Arva, out of school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I put my home up for ... rent, so were basically sleeping on the floor right now, Uniter said. Uniter, a third-generation U.S. Army veteran and former diplomat, is just one of a number of veterans impacted by the firings of probationary workers, layoffs and a wider hiring freeze in the federal government. Veterans have fumed over the cuts in recent weeks and said theyve felt betrayed by Trump. The Department of Veterans Affairs has fired over 1,000 probationary workers with additional plans to cut more than 80,000 jobs at the VA, where veterans make up 25% of the workforce. Uniter, in an interview with Baltimores NBC affiliate WBAL, spoke from his nearly-empty home where a bed and a suitcase were on the floor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He told WBAL that he took the job in November, one he was told he would get an exemption and was mission-critical. He said the job wouldve seen him going to Japans Ministry of Defense, and checked with both U.S. Forces Japan as well as the U.S. Office of Personnel Management on whether he was good to go. But that all changed just one day prior to his familys plans to fly to Japan, when he got an email notifying him that he didnt have an exemption. He told Brown the exemption just did come through at the time of the CNN interview but, in lieu of everything else going on, he doesnt expect to accept the job. Uniter said hes started to homeschool his son, and hes thankful that he still has his pension, noting that hes not at risk of losing his home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But there are so many people that have lost their jobs, and they dont have the safety net that I do, he pressed. Related... Veterans shafted by cuts from Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are speaking out and they don't have much nice to say to the unelected billionaire-in-chief. Released within a few days of each other, new campaigns from VoteVets, a progressive political action committee, and the 93-year-old charity Disabled American Veterans (DAV) take Musk and his Republican boosters to task for firing tons of vets in pursuit of seemingly endless austerity. As Military.com reports, the DAV's "Protect Veterans" campaign has published videos from irked veterans whose roles were eliminated under Musk's DOGE hatchet job. Many were blindsided by their abrupt terminations, which sound very much like the way the billionaire laid people off at Twitter when he first bought it back in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Army veteran and federal emergency management worker Katherine Hathaway, for instance, said in her video statement that she had just been deployed to the US border with Mexico when she found out she was being fired. Her fellow DAV member Andrea Bell, who was fired from the General Services Administration earlier this year, made a plea directly to Musk and president Donald Trump. "I hope that whoever is doing it the president, DOGE, Elon Musk or whoever I hope they really sit down and [are] like, 'Hey, we are really affecting these veterans here,'" he said. "You know, financial-wise and mental health-wise." Andrea Ball, Air Force veteran - Fired from General Service Administration. Visit https://t.co/CI4RULyQeu to learn more. pic.twitter.com/0dqx7aNV6D Disabled American Veterans (DAV) (@DAVHQ) March 18, 2025 While the DAV's campaign hasn't proposed any specific calls to action beyond raising awareness, VoteVets is, as The Bulwark reports, taking a much more direct approach by working to unseat insecure GOP Congress members who have aligned with Musk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It feels like veterans are being personally attacked by Elon Musk," said one of the fired veterans, who was not identified, during a filmed roundtable discussion for a VoteVets ad seeking to lobby Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA). "I did not put my life on the line for some tech bro billionaire from South Africa to come in here and try to destroy our country." As The Bulwark notes, Kiggans and the four other GOP Congress members targeted by VoteVets won their districts by single-digit margins during the last elections, making them prime targets for unseating. Along with encouraging like-minded viewers to call their representatives, the organization is also planning to put up stationary and mobile billboards in the districts that those five Republicans represent. Though these two groups likely have ideological differences, both are dedicated to supporting and advocating for vets a group that the GOP has historically courted (and counted on) as a key voter bloc. "Hearing from those who sustained illnesses and injuries in honorable service to our nation, only to later be arbitrarily fired via email by the same federal government theyve devoted their lives to serve, is a gut punch," said Daniel Contreras, DAV's national commander, in a press release. "Our nations disabled veterans and their families deserve better." More on Musk and the military: Elon Musk Defends Hitler, Mao and Stalin EAU CLAIRE A woman who worked for the VFW as a manager was in court on theft charges Tuesday as authorities accuse her of stealing from cash deposits. Jennifer Simonson, 42, Eau Claire, faces a charge of theft from a business setting involving $10,000-$100,000. Police were called to VFW Post 7232 in June of last year after the VFWs accountant reviewed books and found almost $80,000 unaccounted for. The review came after deposits didnt match receipts. The money had been placed in a safe at the VFW, but a portion of it never made it into the bank. Only two people, including Simonson, had access to it. The other person was the one who made the police report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the criminal complaint, Simonson does not fill out tracking slips in fact Simonson refuses to. Instead, she provided the VFW with only the bank receipt for deposits she made. That wasnt the only suspicious behavior noted in the complaint. The person who spoke with investigators also said the VFW proposed additional steps to track money, such as having two people count it before a deposit, when it found the initial discrepancies. Simonson refused to participate in those measures as well. The books showed deposits varied only slightly during a week Simonson was on vacation. Those amounts were consistent with errors in giving change or other, minor mistakes. Investigators reviewed videos of Simonson at the VFW safe, including one in which she simply took money out and put it in her purse. When police reviewed Simonsons bank records, they showed numerous large cash deposits. Many of those were made on or about the time she made cash deposits on behalf of the VFW, including one that involved $10,000 placed into her personal account. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When confronted by investigators, Simonson said she was confused by how money kept going missing. She directly denied taking any of it. The complaint concluded with the statement she never returned to work at the VFW after being interviewed by authorities. The charge is a Class G felony. Under Wisconsin law, that category carries the potential for 10 years in prison and fines of up to $25,000. Simonson posted a $15,000 bond after her arrest. Her release conditions bar her from any contact with the VFW and from handling cash or finances of any other person or business. She has not yet entered a plea in the case. The next hearing is scheduled for May 6. Kris Owen, a 79-year-old Vietnam veteran, had planned to spend his retirement in Indiana with his wife, Karen. But after she lost her battle with breast cancer, he was left heartbroken and vulnerable. All of our plans for travel and everything kind of went out the window, Owen told ABC News. Don't miss Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, Owen received a pop-up message on his computer, warning him that his personal information had been compromised and instructing him to call a phone number. That call led him to purchase $80,000 worth of gold bars and send them to a supposed federal agent money he would never see again. Owens experience is not uncommon. Scammers rely on fear to manipulate their victims, often using pop-up messages, phone calls or emails that appear legitimate. But knowing how these scams work can help prevent others from falling into the same trap. A new scam to be on alert for Concerned that his personal information had been stolen, Owen contacted the number on his screen. On the other end of the line was a scammer posing as a federal agent. He followed their instructions, converting some of his savings to gold bars $80,000 worth. They told me to wrap it in a box with Christmas wrap paper, Owen said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He then took the box to a supermarket parking lot near his home, expecting to hand it over to a federal agent. When a car pulled up next to him, Owen placed the gold in the back seat, and the driver sped away. Soon after, Owen received another call from the supposed federal agents, demanding more money. By then, he had grown suspicious and contacted law enforcement. The FBI and a local Indiana police department worked with Owen, having him go undercover to arrange another handoff. This time, he wore a wire and delivered a box filled with fake money. Law enforcement agents moved in, apprehending the suspect and charging him with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and two counts of wire fraud. However, investigators soon realized the person they arrested was simply a courier someone hired to pick up gold bars or cash, not the mastermind behind the operation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I have never seen a scam to this magnitude," said Sean Petty, a detective for the Montgomery County Police Department, who has investigated numerous gold bar scam cases in Maryland. 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 How to protect yourself from financial fraud Financial fraud is rampant. A recent Bankrate survey found that 34% of Americans have experienced it, and among them, 37% have lost money. Gold scams, in particular, have picked up in recent years. According to the FBI, Americans lost $126 million to them in 2024 alone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Criminals often prey on victims using fear tactics combined with reassuring language to gain their trust. For example, a person may receive a text or email claiming their financial identity has been compromised. Panicked, they may contact a seemingly helpful "federal agent," who assures them that following instructions will resolve the issue. To avoid falling victim to these scams: Never click on links you get by email or text. Do not respond to unsolicited texts, emails, or phone calls. Know that federal agents will not email, call, or text you out of the blue or ask for money, gold or gift cards. Be skeptical of requests to drop off valuables in a random location. Older Americans are particularly vulnerable to financial fraud. So it's important to educate loved ones on how to recognize scams. Encourage them to check with a trusted family member before responding to suspicious messages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gold scams don't always play out as they did for Owen. You may run into a situation where someone contacts you offering to sell you gold, whether for a near-term investment or to hold in your IRA as an investment for your future. Gold IRAs are legitimate but only when set up through a reputable broker. Likewise, buying gold as an investment is possible, but you should always verify the source. As a rule of thumb: never respond to unsolicited investment offers. What to read next This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. OPELOUSAS, La. (KLFY) A Vietnam veteran, continues his service to his community as a bus driver for St. Landry Parish, using the lessons he learned in the Army to ensure the best possible service. Carlton McCoy served in Germany and Vietnam and worked in aircraft repairs for the Army. Now serves his community as a bus driver for nearly 15 years. For McCoy his service to his community means a lot and said Ive done what Im supposed to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was in charge of the whole parts department for 20 about 25 helicopters, McCoy said. It was my job to see to it that all parts were available whenever they needed it. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest McCoy said the biggest lesson he learned in the Army that he carries into his new role is, Do what youre told. Do the best that you can with whatever youre told to do or how youre told to do it, McCoy said. Do it and just roll with it. Thats all you can do. You had to be on top of your game, and that taught you when you got out that you had to be on top of your game when you came out, McCoy said. You had to learn how to respect people. You had to do what you were told to do, when to do it and how to do it. And thats what happened with me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After his two and a half years in the military were over, he moved back to Acadiana, where years later, he began his current role with the St. Landry Parish Community Action Agency. McCoy drives community members to their essential tasks, like work, doctor appointments and grocery store runs. I feel great about it, McCoy said. Ive been around a while, you understand. As long as I can keep on going, and I dont have any major problemsI wake up and check on my body. If the old body says, Go, Im going. So, as long as my body says, Hey I can continue doing it, I will continue driving. Latest news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 KLFY.com. Until President Donald Trump called the CHIPs Act a tremendous waste of money, West Lafayette stood to be home to a global manufacturer and supplier of semiconductor devices. SK hynix would have packaged artificial intelligence products and supported the work of the Purdue University Research Foundation. To fulfill that mission and bring from 3,000 to 5,000 jobs into Indiana SK hynix was set to receive up to $458 million from the U.S. Department of Commerce while pledging to invest $3.87 billion in the state. This was arranged through an agreement that developed from the CHIPS and Science Act the bipartisan act that was to serve as an offensive against China and other out-of-country producers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among other Indiana beneficiaries: Naval Surface Warfare Centers Crane Division with a $238 million program to research and produce semiconductors for the Department of Defense, and Indianas Heartland BioWorks Tech Hub was to receive about $51 million for biotech manufacturing, estimated to help create 9,000 new jobs and generate $2.6 billion in annual economic output when its up and running. So no, Mr. President, CHIPs is not a waste of money for Hoosiers. Nor for other states; for example, Texas Republicans are defending CHIPS and Arizona has contracts that cannot be cancelled. But as Trump made the distasteful and inaccurate insult on March 7, he also spoke against the best practices steps that funding applicants had to show. Its very hard to qualify because they go by race, they go by gender, they go by all sorts of things, Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would be hard, Trump maintained, for the government to verify where the money was spent. Clearly some DOGE functionary has been sorting through Congressional acts and searching for the words diversity, gender or race. And that was enough to have Trump tell House Speaker Mike Johnson to find a way to kill CHIPS funding. Coincidentally perhaps, DOGE czar Elon Musk was reportedly interested in purchasing Intel, which was awarded $7 billion to manufacture semiconductors in four states including Ohio. On March 7, the stock price of Intel Corp. dropped from a high that morning of $21.10 to $20.37. That may not make a difference, as Intel had to agree to limit the capital to stockholders for three years under the CHIPs agreement. The price is back up to $25-plus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one is implying, of course, that the elimination of government funding for the CHIPS act would lower the cash flow lower than, say, Intels 2024 drop and value of semiconductor manufacturers, making it cheaper for outsiders to buy. That would be wild speculation. Instead, Hoosiers could focus on the likely battle for U.S. Sen. Todd Young, the Indiana Republican who was a driving force behind CHIPS. Young, who was reportedly blindsided by the presidents remarks, has to explain and sell the promise of the act to Trump and Musk. Young has already started the effort by attempting to sell Trump on using the CHIPS Act to aid national economic security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Young must convince Musk and now congressional Trump loyalists that CHIPS awardees are making huge investments of their own money in securing thousands of jobs and taking work from China. Its a mission worthy of a battle. SEATTLE (AP) Cybertrucks set ablaze. Bullets and Molotov cocktails aimed at Tesla showrooms. Attacks on property carrying the logo of Elon Musk's electric-car company are cropping up across the U.S. and overseas. While no injuries have been reported, Tesla showrooms, vehicle lots, charging stations and privately owned cars have been targeted. There's been a clear uptick since President Donald Trump took office and empowered Musk to oversee a new Department of Government Efficiency that's slashing government spending. Experts on domestic extremism say it's impossible to know yet if the spate of incidents will balloon into a long-term pattern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Trumps first term, his properties in New York, Washington and elsewhere became a natural place for protest. In the early days of his second term, Tesla is filling that role. Tesla is an easy target, said Randy Blazak, a sociologist who studies political violence. Theyre rolling down our streets. They have dealerships in our neighborhoods. Musk critics have organized dozens of peaceful demonstrations at Tesla dealerships and factories across North America and Europe. Some Tesla owners, including a U.S. senator who feuded with Musk, have vowed to sell their vehicles. But the attacks are keeping law enforcement busy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors in Colorado charged a woman last month in connection with attacks on Tesla dealerships, including Molotov cocktails thrown at vehicles and the words Nazi cars spray-painted on a building. And federal agents in South Carolina last week arrested a man they say set fire to Tesla charging stations near Charleston. An agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives wrote in an affidavit that authorities found writings critical of the government and DOGE in his bedroom and wallet. The statement made mention of sending a message based on these beliefs, the agent wrote. Some of the most prominent incidents have been reported in left-leaning cities in the Pacific Northwest, like Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, where anti-Trump and anti-Musk sentiment runs high. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An Oregon man faces charges after allegedly throwing several Molotov cocktails at a Tesla store in Salem, then returning another day and shooting out windows. In the Portland suburb of Tigard, more than a dozen bullets were fired at a Tesla showroom last week, damaging vehicles and windows, the second time in a week that the store was targeted. Four Cybertrucks were set on fire in a Tesla lot in Seattle earlier this month. On Friday, witnesses reported a man poured gasoline on an unoccupied Tesla Model S and started a fire on a Seattle street. In Las Vegas, several Tesla vehicles were set ablaze early Tuesday outside a Tesla service center where the word resist was also painted in red across the buildings front doors. Authorities said at least one person threw Molotov cocktails crude bombs filled with gasoline or another flammable liquid and fired several rounds from a weapon into the vehicles. Was this terrorism? Was it something else? It certainly has some of the hallmarks that we might think the writing on the wall, potential political agenda, an act of violence, Spencer Evans, the special agent in charge of the Las Vegas FBI office, said at a news conference. None of those factors are lost on us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tesla becomes a target for the left Tesla was once the darling of the left. Helped to viability by a $465 million federal loan during the Obama administration, the company popularized electric vehicles and proved, despite their early reputation, that they didnt have to be small, stodgy, underpowered and limited in range. More recently, though, Musk has allied himself with the right. He bought the social network Twitter, renamed it X and erased restrictions that had infuriated conservatives. He spent an estimated $250 million to boost Trumps 2024 Republican campaign, becoming by far his biggest benefactor. Musk continues to run Tesla as well as X and the rocket manufacturer SpaceX while also serving as Trumps adviser. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tesla stock doubled in value in the weeks after Trumps election but has since shed all those gains. Trump gave a boost to the company when he turned the White House driveway into an electric-vehicle showroom. He promoted the vehicles and said he would purchase an $80,000 Model S, eschewing his fierce past criticism of electric vehicles. Tesla didn't respond to a request for comment. Musk briefly addressed the vandalism Monday during an appearance on Sen. Ted Cruzs podcast, saying at least some of it is organized and paid for by left-wing organizations in America, funded by left-wing billionaires, essentially. This level of violence is insane and deeply wrong, Musk wrote Tuesday on X, sharing a video of burning Teslas in Las Vegas. Tesla just makes electric cars and has done nothing to deserve these evil attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The progressive group Indivisible, which published a guide for supporters to organize Musk Or Us protests around the country, said in a statement that all of its guidance is publicly available and it explicitly encourages peaceful protest and condemns any acts of violence or vandalism. Some Tesla owners have resorted to cheeky bumper stickers to distance themselves from their vehicles new stigma and perhaps deter would-be vandals. They say things like I bought this before we knew Elon was crazy or I just wanted an electric car. Sorry guys. Prices for used Cybertrucks, Teslas most distinctive product, have dropped nearly 8% since Trump took office, according to CarGurus, which aggregates used-car vehicle listings. The market as a whole remained steady over the period. The White House vows a crackdown Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House has thrown its weight behind Musk, the highest-profile member of Trump's administration and a key donor to committees promoting Trump's political interests. Trump has said Tesla vandalism amounts to domestic terror, and Trump has threatened retribution, warning that those who target the company are going to go through hell. Attorney General Pam Bondi said shed opened an investigation to see how is this being funded, who is behind this. If youre going to touch a Tesla, go to a dealership, do anything, you better watch out because were coming after you, Bondi said Friday on Fox Business Network. In a statement Tuesday, she vowed to continue investigations that impose severe consequences, including for those operating behind the scenes to coordinate and fund these crimes. Colin Clarke, a senior research fellow at the Soufan Center, said left-wing political violence tends to target property rather than people. He views the rise of neo-Nazi groups as a bigger security threat at this point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not the type of act that I would prioritize, Clarke said. Not right now compared to all the other threats that are out there. Theresa Ramsdell is the president of the Tesla Owners of Washington state, a club for Tesla enthusiasts, and she and her husband own three of them. Hate on Elon and Trump all you want thats fine and dandy, its your choice, she said. It doesnt justify ruining somebodys property, vandalizing it, destroying it, setting it on fire. Theres other ways to get your voice heard thats more effective. Someone recently slapped a no Elon sticker on the tailgate of her Cybertruck, but she said she doesnt intend to stop driving her Teslas. Other club members have taken a similar view, she said. I love my car. Its the safest car, Ramsdell said. Im not going to let somebody else judge me for the car I drive. ___ Cooper reported from Phoenix. Early voting started Tuesday, March 18, in Milwaukee and across Wisconsin for the April 1 election. Here's what to know about early voting in the Milwaukee suburbs and other parts of southeastern Wisconsin. Visit your local clerk's website for the most up-to-date information. Where to vote early in Milwaukee's northern suburbs including Cedarburg, Germantown, Mequon, Port Washington, Shorewood and West Bend George Govas, left, of Milwaukee votes during early in-person voting at the Frank P. Zeidler Municipal Building, 841 N. Broadway St. in Milwaukee on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Where to vote early in Milwaukee's western suburbs including Brookfield, Waukesha and Wauwatosa Where to vote early in Milwaukee's southern suburbs including Big Bend, Franklin, Greenfield, Mukwonago, Muskego, South Milwaukee and West Allis What should I bring to vote early in Wisconsin? If you need to register or re-register to vote, keep in mind that you can only do so at an early voting location through the Friday before Election Day, or March 28. Make sure to bring a proof of residence document that shows you live at your current address. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That's because Wisconsin law doesn't allow voter registration on the Saturday, Sunday or Monday before an election. You can still register at the polls on Election Day. You will also need to bring a photo ID whether you need to register or not. Hope Karnopp and Claudia Levens contributed to this story. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: How to vote early in Milwaukee suburbs for Wisconsin's April election Rep. Mike Floods (R-Neb.) town hall turned raucous Tuesday night as he fielded questions from voters about Elon Musk, President Trumps tariffs, the White Houses posture toward Ukraine and more, with attendees booing and yelling at the congressman throughout the event. Flood who represents Nebraskas 1st Congressional District held the town hall in Columbus, Neb., despite House GOP leaders advising their members to avoid in-person town halls and instead host call-in and livestreamed versions. The guidance came after several GOP lawmaker town halls went viral for protests and complaints about the Trump administration, which Republicans have blamed on Democratic activists. Floods town hall which ran for more than an hour was tense from the start, with the crowd booing parts of the congressmans responses, yelling back at his remarks and cheering when a voter raised a complaint. At one point, an attendee held a sign that read LIAR. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In one of the rowdiest moments, an attendee criticized Flood for calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys conduct disrespectful after his tense meeting with Trump last month. First of all, I do want to say shame, the attendee said. I want to say shame for your comment, your quote that you said, President Zelenskys approach today was disrespectful to President Trump and undermines the goal of bringing peace and that. So shame on that. The comments came after Flood, in response to a previous question, said he supported Ukraine, voted for previous aid packages and believes Kyiv should not have to give up any land to Russia, prompting claps in the crowd. At another point, Flood was accused of doing little to help constituent concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Congressman Flood, I just heard you in the last few minutes say that you support NATO, that you will not allow cuts to Social Security, that you support Ukraine, but talk is cheap, the individual said. Our president, our vice president and Elon Musk have caused damage, theyve humiliated the United States, because weve failed them. We are failing to support democracy. We have a president that openly supports Putin instead, and I have called your office over and over and I have received answers from you, and they do nothing about any of those things, he continued, referring to Trumps relationship with Russia President Vladimir Putin. You have done nothing. When are you going to do something? The room erupted in applause. Flood responded, telling the man, Unfortunately, sir, you are wrong, noting his previous support for Ukraine. Flood sought to keep the town hall civil, at one point telling the crowd, Lets remain calm, when shouting broke out during his response to a question about cutting Medicare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lets remain calm, lets remain calm, lets remain calm, and let me remind you, if youre gonna ask me a question, let me answer the question, he said. If youre gonna ask me a question, you have to let me answer the question. Flood is one of a few House GOP lawmakers who have held in-person town halls during this weeks recess, in addition to Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.). Flood a co-chair of the self-proclaimed pragmatic Main Street Caucus has represented his district since 2022, and he won reelection by more than 20 percentage points in November. The audience at Tuesday nights town hall grew particularly angry during conversations surrounding Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which the tech billionaire oversees. At one point, Flood said, I support Elon Musk and DOGE, in response to a question about Musk and potential conflicts of interest, prompting loud boos and showings of thumbs down from voters. During another moment, an attendee pressed Flood on what he has done to push back on Musk and Trump. The woman zeroed in on reports that DOGE employees had gained access to sensitive databases at federal agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You talk about national security, yet you have done nothing to stop Elon Musk and his little band of tech geeks, a woman said. They went in and they had read-write access to the agencies, and that is a huge national security threat. The fact that you have not done anything to stand up to him, and this talk of, I support Trump, I support Elon Musk, thats not enough, OK, she added. We need actual action; we need actual cybersecurity experts to go in and make sure that our government is secure, because Trump is in the pocket of Putin, and you are letting him continue. At a different point, when asked, What are you doing to stop the activities of unelected and unconfirmed Elon Musk? Flood responded, I know you disagree with what Mr. Musk is doing; I know you disagree with the way this is rolling out, but this is the process that we are using to find waste, fraud, and abuse, eliciting boos and yells from attendees. There was also significant pushback from the audience when Flood was pressed on tariffs Trump has placed and threatened to impose on countries, rising prices nationwide, and the drop in the stock market. As Flood argued Trump successfully used tariffs during his first term, the crowd broke out in screams. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The only way this is gonna work, folks, is if I get the opportunity to answer the question. What message are you sending to these Columbus High School students? he said, referring to the students in the room. I dont think your high school civics teacher would endorse that behavior. They wouldnt endorse yours either, someone in the crowd responded. Shortly after, when Flood said, There will be an adjustment period regarding tariffs, the crowd broke out in boos. At the beginning of Tuesdays event, Flood explained why he decided to hold an in-person town hall over the advice of leadership telling attendees, I believe that town halls are an important part of the process, its democracy, its how we communicate with each other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He did, however, allude to the discontent in the room. I know that some of you in this room are angry, I know that some of you in this room are emotional, and I know that some of you in this room are concerned. I also know there are people in this room that feel very strongly in the opposite direction, that things are going in the right direction, Flood said. Heres what I want to do tonight: I want you to feel comfortable telling me what you want me to know, but when somebody else is on the microphone or when Im interacting with somebody, lets let these students from Columbus public schools get an education in what our democracy is all about, and that is you telling me what you think, but I need an opportunity to tell you or give you an answer, and then you can ultimately decide if youre pleased with that or not. 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. WATERBURY, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) Vermonts Public Safety Communications Task Force is set to host a public, virtual meeting this Thursday, March 20. The event will allow community members to discuss a report from the task force focused on new potential improvements to emergency communications in-state. The event starts at 6:00 p.m., and will run for 90 minutes. Anyone interested in attending virtually to provide feedback, ask questions and more must also register online. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Mar. 19OLYMPIA A Washington State Senate bill to ban firearms in public areas where children may be present had its first hearing in the House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. More than 50 people were scheduled to testify regarding the bill during the committee meeting. Senate Bill 5098 passed the Senate on March 5 with a 28-21 vote. SB 5098, if signed into law, will prohibit the presence of weapons in locations where children are likely to be present, including state or local public buildings, parks, playground facilities and county fairs. The bill defines a "state or local public building" as any building owned, leased or used by governmental entities where public employees are regularly present. It does not include transportation properties, such as ferry terminals and train depots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The language of the bill says, "Weapons are prohibited on the premises of a city's, town's, county's, or other municipality's neighborhood, community, or regional park facilities at which children are likely to be present." The legislation builds upon a previous bill sponsored by the same sponsoring senator, Javier Valdez, D-Seattle. SB 5444, which was signed into law in 2024, prohibits firearms in libraries, zoos, aquariums and transit centers. Valdez said in a statement that SB 5098 aims to close any loopholes in the current law and strengthen public safety. The bill had its first public hearing in the House Tuesday in the Committee on Civil Rights and Judiciary. If passed by the House, it will go to Gov. Bob Ferguson for consideration. GC Fairgrounds Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete and Grant County Fairgrounds Manager Jim McKiernan have concerns about the implications of the bill. Last August during the Grant County Fair there was a shooting that led to a full evacuation of the fairgrounds. The 15-year-old suspect shot the gun once and hit two other minors, one person he knew and one bystander, both minors. The suspect recently pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree assault and illegal possession of a firearm, with enhancement, according to Grant County Prosecutor Kevin McCrae. He was sentenced to 90-144 weeks just less than two years to a bit over 2.5 years in a juvenile detention facility. Valdez said during the March 18 House hearing that one of the specific reasons he brought this piece of legislation forward was because of the Grant County incident. "The county fairgrounds is a little personal to me because I represent northeast Seattle, but I was born and raised in Moses Lake, east of the mountains, and last year, there was a shooting at the Grant County Fairgrounds during the Grant County Fair," Valdez said. "Which is what prompted me to further look into this bill here, this year." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Kriete and McKiernan do not believe that the bill, if it had been in effect last year, would have prevented the shooting. "The only thing I would say is that the bill is not going to mitigate the situation we had here at the fairgrounds," McKiernan said. "A 15-year-old was illegally carrying. He was already breaking the law. Anybody that's trying to get a weapon in, when you have 187 acres and 4,000 feet of fencing, probably can. It is going to be difficult to prevent somebody that really wants to get a weapon into the venue." Kriete agreed. "The 15-year-old violated the law by bringing a gun in there," Kriete said. "If they are not going to abide by that law, I don't know why (lawmakers) think they're going to abide by the other ones in place. I just can't wrap my head around it. So, we're just handcuffing the people that are able to carry firearms; that's who we are really handcuffing here." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two have concerns on how the bill will be implemented at the fairgrounds. "It does kind of scare me a little bit if it does pass," Kriete said. "It's going to be really difficult for us to be able to abide by what that law is saying. Until we operate our fair under a dome, it is going to be very difficult to keep it secure because we have the rodeo grounds with the campground that are attached to the fair. We have an eight-foot-high fence that is very breachable by throwing things over the top of it. Metal detectors are very expensive and have to be monitored." As of now, the bill states signage must be added to these areas to state they are gun-free zones. "I don't think signage alone is going to be the answer," McKiernan said. "At some point in the not-too-distant future, I'm guessing that we're going to be required to put in metal detectors and go through that whole process." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McKiernan said there isn't money in the budget this year to add metal-detecting devices, which would cost around $50,000 to $75,000 if required. "My question is, 'Do we really want to impact those that are legally carrying in the venue?' I think there's other ways of increasing safety, including patrol presence, which we are doing for 2025 anyway, and increasing cameras and increasing lighting to try to prevent that type of incident from happening again," McKiernan said. To address last year's incident, the fairgrounds is getting around $1 million in upgrades including new light towers, lighting at gates, additional cameras, a new public address system and improved fencing. "I don't think that law is going to change anything that isn't already happening on the books right now, other than eliminate the ability for people that have the right to carry a firearm safely and securely and be able to protect themselves and their family, that they are no longer able to do that," Kriete said. "That's a really scary part of it. I am hoping it dies in the (House)." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There will also be increased policing staff at the fairgrounds this year with around 20 more officers on staff. "Let me emphasize people that want to do something, will; whether it is legal or illegal," McKiernan said. "I don't think this bill is going to impact it that much. I think our increase of officers, lighting, cameras and fencing is going to be just as, if not more effective than this legislation." If the bill does go into effect, Kriete said both he and McKiernan will sit down with the Grant County Commissioners to see how the fairgrounds will abide by the new law. Proponents Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advocates for Senate Bill 5098 expressed support for the legislation during the hearing Tuesday. The initiative garnered support from educators, shooting survivors and civic groups dedicated to gun violence prevention. Margaret Heldring, a representative of Grandmothers Against Gun Violence and a resident of Seattle's 43rd District, expressed concerns about the safety of children in public spaces. "These need to be safe places," Heldring said. "We cannot introduce intimidation, risk, or harm in places where children need to be to thrive." Reflecting on her experiences as a grandmother, she urged lawmakers to recognize the importance of fostering environments that allow children to explore and play without fear for their safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "'Wherever children are likely to be.' That should be our North Star," she said, referencing the bill's language. Julie Barris, a student at Ingraham High School in Seattle, addressed the emotional toll that gun violence takes on children. "Guns are triggering, even for people who didn't go through a school shooting like I did," she said. Barris said the presence of firearms in public spaces exacerbates feelings of insecurity among youth. "Let's not give kids more of a reason to feel unsafe," Barris said. "This bill will prevent accidents and help children feel safe in our community." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supporters of SB 5098 remained united in their belief that ensuring the safety of children and families takes precedence over concerns about individual firearm rights, according to several testimonies Tuesday. Ann Madson, a school principal and child advocate, weighed in on the necessity of creating safe public spaces. "Public parks should be havens of joy," she said, pointing out the tragic instances of gun violence manifesting in such environments. "We cannot allow fear of gun violence to overshadow the joy and connection that parks are meant to provide." During the last three years, multiple shootings have occurred in Grant County parks, including one in Desert Aire and another in Moses Lake. Addressing the broader implications of the bill, pediatrician Dr. Cora Bruner highlighted the staggering toll of gun violence on children and families in Washington State. "Every year, there are 900 gun-related deaths, and the ripple effect from gun violence affects entire communities," Bruner said. "This legislation provides a common-sense approach to help prevent violence that can't be undone." Opponents SB 5098 has garnered considerable opposition from various groups and individuals who argue that it infringes on the rights of law-abiding citizens, fails to address the root causes of gun violence and ultimately leaves communities less safe. One of the opponents of the bill was Avine Klein, Washington State Director for the National Rifle Association, who referred to the legislation as a "clear infringement" on Second Amendment rights. "Since 1998, 82.8% of public mass shootings have occurred in places where guns are banned," Klein said. "The public safety argument is legally flawed, as the Ninth Circuit has ruled that the right to carry firearms for self-defense extends beyond the home." Klein urged lawmakers not to restrict where individuals can carry firearms, advocating for the rights of citizens to protect themselves and their loved ones. Concerns about personal safety in the absence of firearms were echoed by Jane Millhands, a Pierce County resident and certified firearms instructor. "Can you imagine being in your home and two men enter? Am I going to be raped? Am I going to be murdered?" she recounted, emphasizing that no-gun zones often leave law-abiding citizens vulnerable. Millhands argued that without the ability to defend themselves, women and other vulnerable populations are endangered. "I want to say that many clubs that I train at, several are on government property, where children are present training to be future Olympians. Is that one going to be shut down by you as well?" she said. Paul Jewell, representing the Washington State Association of Counties, raised substantial concerns regarding the economic implications of the bill. Jewell pointed out that the legislation would impose costs on local governments associated with the implementation of new ordinances and signage requirements. "The costs of drafting ordinances, holding public hearings and talking or taking legislative action to meet the requirements to implement this bill will cost counties money," he said. Jewell urged lawmakers to consider financial burdens on local agencies, stressing that requirements imposed on local governments should come with appropriate funding to offset these expenses. Further amplifying concerns, testimony from Kim Robert Smith highlighted the potential unintended consequences of creating more gun-free zones. "Gun-free zones do not prevent crime. They serve to disarm law-abiding citizens and make them easy targets for criminals, who have never followed the rules," Smith said. "This bill will invite and protect criminals to carry out mass shootings. A good guy with a gun is what stops a bad guy with a gun." BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) A powerful tribute to Vietnam veterans made its way through Baton Rouge, accompanied by the roar of motorcycles. The Wall That Heals, a traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, arrived with a special escort, offering the community a moving opportunity to honor the lives lost in the war. The journey began at ONeal Lane and concluded at Life Tabernacle Church, where the wall will remain on display until Sunday. Among those leading the escort was ride captain and veteran Paul Ledut, who shared what the moment meant to him. The wall means a lot to me. I have a lot of friends who are on the wall also, Ledut said. This ride is about showing honor and respect for the Vietnam vets and those who never made it home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The replica, which features nearly 60,000 names of fallen service members, also includes a mobile education center. Team member Tim Tetz explained how the exhibit connects with local communities. Were going to show those from this parish and surrounding parishes who are on the walltheir names, their photographs, their stories, Tetz said. Visitors will have the opportunity to reflect, heal, and pay tribute to those who served. For many, the experience is deeply personal. You might be remembering a family member you lost, Tetz said. Or you might learn something about the Vietnam War that you were never taught in school or told by your loved ones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Organizers said The Wall That Heals serves as a powerful reminder of sacrifice, service, and the importance of never forgetting our nations heroes. Latest News 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 Louisiana First News. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) said on Tuesday that votes by Senate Democrats in support of a stopgap Republican measure to fund the government muddied the water on possible government shutdown ramifications. I understood that the argument was, If we did a shutdown, if we fought Trump that way, it would cause pain to people,' Walz, who ran on the 2024 Democratic ticket with former Vice President Kamala Harris, told Semafor ahead of a Wisconsin town hall, referring to President Trump. The pain is already here, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What I would say, if there would have been more communication with all of us: That pain is already in the states, and its not going to get any better. And I think the issue is, it muddied the water on whos to blame for this, and its clearly Donald Trump. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who joined nine other Democrats in voting to advance the GOP measure, has faced calls to resign over his support for it. Look, I dont want to question Sen. Schumer. Hes an expert at this. Hes been there a long time. He also, I think, has great compassion for what would happen with the shutdown, Walz said. Walz during the Q&A also criticized Trump. I will try and cooperate with anybody, but Im not going to compromise on core values, whether its human rights or other things. The first time, with Trump, I tried to cultivate a relationship to a certain degree. He even praised me a few times, Walz said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My idea was to keep my head down, not draw a contrast to Minnesota, and do the best we could. Thats not going to work this time with this guy. Its not going to work for anybody. Its certainly not going to work for Minnesota. So I said, Ill follow the law, but if he issues unlawful orders, were not going to do it, he added. The Trump administration has promised to pull federal funding from states whose leaders refuse to comply with directives regarding immigration and other orders. Walz recently has slammed Trump for his approach to international tariffs, his efforts to dismantle the Department of Education and mass firings through the Department of Government Efficiency. We have to make sure that Americans know its not just that Donald Trump is bad, but were offering them something better, and I think thats what we need to work on, Walz said of Democrats during an interview with MSNBC last week, adding that the party should capitalize on outrage over Trump and Elon Musks attempts to restructure the government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. EAU CLAIRE Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who was the Democratic vice presidential candidate in 2024, stopped in Eau Claire on Tuesday, taking on Elon Musk and the billionaires role in reshaping the federal government. We know whats at stake. Im not going to whistle past the graveyard and tell you that everything is fine, Walz told the crowd. You came here because you love your country. Walz, who ran with presidential candidate Kamala Harris in a losing effort to Donald Trump and JD Vance, said Republicans talk about their love of freedom, but they really mean they love their privilege. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When we say we love freedom, we mean we love freedom for everyone, he said. Walz was the main speaker at the town hall, encouraging voters to choose Susan Crawford in the state Supreme Court race, rather than Brad Schimel. While state Supreme Court races are technically non-partisan, Democrats in the state have generally lined up behind Crawford, while Republicans are generally backing Schimel, who previously served as Wisconsin Attorney General. The Supreme Court is viewed as having a 4-3 liberal majority; if Crawford wins, it would remain a liberal majority. Walz noted that by the time of the election, between $75 million and $80 million will have been spent on advertising for the court race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are in a fight like we havent seen, and thats why we are here tonight, Walz said. We have to take it like cleaning the house one chunk at a time. And we start with Wisconsins Supreme Court race. The event was held at the Pablo Center at the Confluence with more than 800 people in attendance, with the lower deck full, and the upper deck was opened. After Walz gave his opening remarks, he answered numerous questions from the public. He talked about how Minnesota now has free breakfast and lunch for all students, saying children learn better when they dont have an empty stomach. Our absentee levels went down and our testing scores went up, he said. Walz also said he isnt ashamed to say that the government can do things right. He told the crowd that they are not over-reacting when they talk about Trump being a danger and threat to democracy, and it will be protests and patriotism that will save us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We dont disagree with Republicans because they are Republicans; we disagree with them because they are wrong, he said with laughter. Walz noted that U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Roberts, a conservative, did the right thing Tuesday morning by issuing a statement admonishing Trump for saying he wanted to impeach a federal judge for ruling against a Trump deportation plan. Ben Wikler, chairman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, told the crowd that the election is in the final sprint, as early voting began Tuesday, and continues this week and next. Election day is April 1. Wikler noted that Schimel defended the 1849 abortion law that remains in place in the state and supports changing the legislative maps back to the pre-2024 boundaries. Wisconsin Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski, an Eau Claire native, criticized Musk for his $13 million donation to support Schimels race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is something really wrong right now, because Elon Musk yeah that guy thinks he can buy our Supreme Court, Godlewski said to a fired-up crowd. And its not because he loves democracy or loves Wisconsin, its because he loves his bottom line, and we cannot let him do that. And Musks company, Tesla, is suing Wisconsin, she added. Godlewski noted that the state Supreme Court upheld the Wisconsin election outcome in 2020 by just one vote. She also criticized U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden for not holding town hall events in the district, which includes Eau Claire. Its like (Van Orden) thinks his job is in some sort of witness protection program, Godlewski said. While hes in hiding, we will remember its not the billionaires who represent us, its us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Van Orden, R-Prairie du Chien, released a statement Tuesday about the town hall in his legislative district. Tim Walzs town hall stop in Wisconsin is simply a desperate attempt to save face and remain relevant after his embarrassing defeat, which sent him back to Minnesota in disgrace, Van Orden wrote. Wisconsin voters rejected the far-left policies that resulted in $9 per dozen eggs and sky-high fuel costs. America is finally moving in the right direction, thanks to President Donald J. Trump and Vice President JD Vance, and voters throughout the Third District have no desire to Minnesota their Wisconsin. Zach Bannon, regional spokesman with the National Republican Committee, noted that Walz has not held a town hall since 2019. Walzs pathetic circus act is nothing more than a desperate distraction from Democrats failed and out-of-touch record, Bannon wrote in a press release ahead of Tuesdays event. Wisconsinites rejected Walz last year and will reject this manufactured production of political theatre. 900 people crowded into Eau Claire's Pablo Center March 18 for a town hall with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. (Henry Redman | Wisconsin Examiner) About 900 alarmed and angry Wisconsin voters, searching for an answer to their political helplessness, crowded into the Pablo Center in Eau Claire Tuesday evening to attend a town hall with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz hosted by the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. At the event, voters said they were scared of how cuts made by the administration of President Donald Trump and Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) will affect their health care, childrens education and the future of the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taking place on the same day early voting started in Wisconsins spring election, which will decide the ideological swing of the state Supreme Court, Democratic officials repeatedly said that the April 1 election gives Wisconsinites a chance that few Americans will have this year to reject the aggressive cuts to government programs and agencies that Trump and Musk have already made and promised to deepen. Musk has now spent more than $13 million supporting the campaign of Waukesha County Judge and former Republican attorney general Brad Schimel. Democrats and the campaign of Dane County Judge Susan Crawford have repeatedly pointed out the ties between Schimel and Musk. Schimel has said he doesnt have control of how people spend outside money on his campaign, but in several campaign appearances, he has directly tied himself to Trump. He told a group of canvassers associated with the right-wing Turning Point USA that hed be a support network for Trump, and said to supporters in Jefferson County that Trump was screwed over by the state Supreme Court when it decides against overturning the results of the 2020 election. In a radio appearance this week Schimel alleged that elections in Milwaukee are frequently rigged for liberal candidates. In the rest of the country, people are protesting, which is great, but essentially, they dont have a way to fight back at the ballot box in this moment, Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler told the Eau Claire crowd. In Wisconsin, uniquely in this country, were the only state with a statewide election, all the way until November of this year, were the only state where we can go to the polls, recruit everyone we know to go to the polls and send a message to the GOP [against] this extremism, this assault by Republicans on our democracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Exactly 223 days after he was in Eau Claire for his second campaign appearance as the Democrats vice presidential nominee, Walz pushed attendees to support Crawford in the election, criticized Republican U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden for not holding town halls in the district and said he was searching for how Democrats can re-assert themselves as a party that makes government work for people. Were here for a very specific reason, we know whats at stake, Walz, who has made similar appearances across the country in recent weeks, said. Im not going to whistle past the graveyard here and tell you things are fine. Im also having the most unsatisfactory I-told-you-so tour in the history of the world You came here because, you know the fights still on, and you know that you love your country, and you wanted to be here in front of your member of Congress, because the First Amendment to the Constitution gives you that right and responsibility to address your congressman. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz addressed 900 Wisconsin voters Tuesday, saying the states April 1 election was a chance for Americas first chunk of cleaning up after President Trump and Elon Musk. (Henry Redman | Wisconsin Examiner) During his remarks, Walz called Musk a dipshit and an unelected South African nepo baby before comparing the states April 1 election to cleaning the house, saying Americas first chunk of cleaning is Wisconsins Supreme Court. In a statement, the Schimel campaign said Crawford is being propped up by leftists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tim Walz, the leftist Governor of Minnesota and failed Democratic Vice Presidential candidate is now propping up dangerous Susan Crawford in an attempt to dismantle our state the same way he ruined Minnesota, the campaign said. Prior to the event, a group of four men wearing Make America Great Again hats and other pro-Trump apparel tried to get into the auditorium before being asked to leave by staff. Republicans said the denied entry showed Democrats hypocrisy. Joe Oslund, a spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, said the men were asked to leave because they were clearly looking for trouble. Four individuals who arrived with the clear intention of inciting a confrontation were asked to leave the event, Oslund said. We welcomed more than 900 people in Eau Claire last night, and Im certain that we had folks in the audience who didnt agree with us on everything. Were always happy to engage folks with different points of view, but when you show up to cause a scene, were going to save ourselves the trouble. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the April 1 election will be the first test across the country of the voting publics mood after the first months of the second Trump administration, people in attendance said they were desperate for something more to do. During the events question and answer period, one man compared the Trump administration to Nazi Germany, saying this is our World War II to save the world from Trump before inviting people to a weekly protest outside the federal building in Eau Claire. Menomonie resident Shari Johnson said that after the November election she and a group of politically minded friends started having dinners to discuss ways to counter Trump. She told the Wisconsin Examiner that shes found her answer, saying that on Saturday shes going to start marching through her town wearing a six-foot tall inflatable chicken costume while carrying signs that promote justice and fairness in the political system. Helen Durden said she skipped work to attend the event because I feel terrified, angry and lost. What do I do to fix this? Besides a vote, theres got to be something else. Theres got to be something more. And Im looking for answers from our leaders to help me figure out, where do I step in to make that change? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joe Wendtland, a teacher who lives in Chippewa Falls, said he attended because hes trying to find ways to be part of the solution. One part of that, he said, is voting in a spring election he usually would have sat out. Quite honestly, in the past, I wouldnt have bothered with the coming up election. Just, I wouldnt have shown up unless it was a presidential election year, he said. But what Im seeing is the Republican Party and current administration is just chipping away at all the little options that are out there. And this is me saying, You know what, Ive got a responsibility to protect what we have. And this is one of the few ways that I can really make a difference, is to vote in this election. So Im gonna be there April 1. During a question and answer session , attendees fretted about losing Social Security and Medicaid benefits, how cuts to programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will affect kids and the dismantling of government agencies like the Department of Education. Walz said that he believes the Democratic Party should respond to Trump by loudly acting as an opposition party, declaring forcefully that public service is noble and working to strengthen labor rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Look, I understand what I have. I have a platform and a megaphone, and my goal of doing this now also is I was hearing that primal scream of God dang it, do something, he said. Theyre destroying our country, taking our freedoms, he added, noting that Republicans are complaining about being called fascists. Quit exhibiting fascist tendencies and we wont say that. ST. LOUIS A dog from East Prairie, Missouri, over two hours south of St. Louis, was rescued after he was found shot in the neck with a bow and arrow. Stray Rescue of St. Louis said the arrow was lodged in the one-year-old dogs throat, and he was immediately taken to their rescue shelter for pain medication. Hes so kind, so sweet, so gentle, a Facebook post said. It enrages us to even think about how someone could be so heartless to do something like this to such a sweet soul. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brush fire reaches Potosi Charcoal facility in Cadet, Missouri After performing x-rays, the arrow could be seen going through the dogs esophagus and almost striking his spine. While preparing him for surgery, they discovered the arrow had pierced his trachea. A bullet was also found lodged in his abdomen. Photo provided by Stray Rescue of St. Louis Photo provided by Stray Rescue of St. Louis Photo provided by Stray Rescue of St. Louis Photo provided by Stray Rescue of St. Louis Photo provided by Stray Rescue of St. Louis Someone was hunting this puppy, the post said. They wanted him dead. Stray Rescue of St. Louis named the dog Lucky Charm. After he was transported to a medical specialist, he underwent three to four hours of surgery, which Stray Rescue of St. Louis said was successful. Anyone with information on who may have been involved with harming the dog is encouraged to email info@strayrescue.org Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program launchedlate last year, using the latest science and technology to support producers in assessing sustainability opportunities that align with their business goals. Since its launch, the FARM Program has developed additional training and guidance materials to help participants better understand FARM ES Version 3. The Version 3 User Guide was released last month. It provides key information about the evaluation tool and details the data inputs of an evaluation to foster consistency and confidence in data collection. The guide dedicates a chapter to interpreting outputs from the Version 3 assessment to support accurate interpretations of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions footprints. FARM ES launched a self-paced, online evaluator training course that covers the core elements of an evaluation and is required for certification. Advanced training sessions are available for evaluators looking to deepen their expertise. Each session addresses key areas of the evaluation process, such as data inputs, interpreting results, and available resources. Sessions also explore the new scenario analysis function of the Version 3 evaluation tool, so evaluators can better support farmers in using this new functionality to inform decision-making. The program area will also offer a Prep Guide, outlining steps producers can take to prepare for an on-farm evaluation. Both the recently published User Guide and the forthcoming Prep Guide share information on expectations and best practices for completing an evaluation. FARM ES Version 3 enables robust scenario analysis so a farm can analyze the effects of potential management or practice changes, including the potential effect on milk productivity as well as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Ruminant Farm Systems (RuFaS) model, which powers the Version 3 evaluation tool, incorporates cutting-edge research to model a whole-farm system. Through this process, FARM ES results can highlight potential opportunities for improved efficiency and cost savings. FARM ES is working on expanded capabilities for the evaluation tool, such as making it easier to run what-if scenarios by offering preset options. FARM ES will also incorporate scientific updates from the RuFaS model over time. The economic module coming to RuFaS, for example, will offer FARM ES users the option to run a partial-budget analysis when reviewing scenario results. The FARM Program continues its mission of fostering a culture of continuous improvement by providing farmers with tools and resources for on-farm best management practices. The FARM ES tool provides a unified platform built by and for the U.S. dairy community, powered by peer-reviewed credible science. U.S. dairy farmers are actively involved in shaping the FARM ES Program. It unifies industry response to customer requests for sustainability data, helping to streamline sustainability measurements into one program. For more information on FARM Environmental Stewardship, please visit nationaldairyfarm.com. Credit: Iain Buist/NCJ Archive/Mirrorpix/Getty Images Get a whiff of this: the feds are coming for your poppers. In recent weeks, federal investigators have been cracking down on manufactures of the popular liquids commonly used as inhalants in the queer community, seizing supplies and forcing businesses to shutter. The clampdown on poppers, which have long occupied something of a legal grey area, has led to speculation on social media and in the LGBTQ press that the initiative is a new one being spearheaded by Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a proponent of the false claim that poppers cause AIDS. But one prominent manufacturer tells Rolling Stone the federal crackdown has been brewing for years, stretching back to the administration of President Joe Biden. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News of the federal enforcement first broke late last week when Double Scorpio, a boutique manufacturer of what they called tape cleaner, announced that they had shut down after eight years of operation following a search and seizure at their Austin, Texas office by agents with the Food and Drug Administration. We dont have a lot of information to share but we believe that the FDA has performed similar actions towards other companies recently, read a statement shared on the Double Scorpio website. (The Double Scorpio raid was first reported by Fast Company.) A Double Scorpio spokesperson tells Rolling Stone exclusively that representatives from the FDA, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and Department of Justice turned up at their facility with no prior warning. The spokesperson said the raid happened on Feb. 26, less than two weeks after Kennedy was sworn in as health secretary, which would amount to an extraordinarily fast turnaround for such an operation had it been new administration policy. Mary Toro, the former director of regulatory enforcement at the CPSC, tells Rolling Stone that any seizures of poppers inventory can only typically occur after testing is able to confirm that the liquid being sold is among the controlled chemical compounds. Its not something thats done quickly, Toro says. Everett Farr, who told BuzzFeed News in a lengthy 2021 profile that his Pennsylvania company manufactures nail polish remover, confirmed his business had also been the subject of a federal investigation. However, Farr said this probe had first begun several years ago under the Biden Administration. My issues started before Kennedy [took over HHS]. Its been going on for two-and-a-half to three years. Kennedy has nothing to do with it. Its up to the lawyers now, Farr tells Rolling Stone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Farr says that federal agents had also recently come to his business, but this occurred in January, a few days before the inauguration of President Donald Trump. The investigation so far has been straightforward, professional, and courteous, he adds. Other companies have also been impacted. Nitro-Solv, an online retailer of popular brands like Rush, announced on their website that they had ceased operating altogether. (Emails sent to an address on the former website were not returned). The owner of Pac-West Distributing, one of the manufacturers of the popular Rush brand, did not respond to requests for comment, but has taken down most of his website, replacing it with just a GIF of company logos. Investigations into, and prosecutions of, poppers manufacturers and vendors have occurred before. Toro, the former CPSC director, tells Rolling Stone that in her three decades with that agency it was also not uncommon for regulators to investigate multiple companies at once for selling poppers. A spokesperson for the FDA, which has previously warned people not to purchase or use poppers because of the small risk of injury or death, declined to comment, noting that the FDA does not comment on possible criminal investigations. Representatives at the Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For over half a century, poppers have been used as a recreational drug, especially among gay men who inhale their vapor in part to loosen the anal muscles during sex. (One 2020 study estimated that over a third of gay men had used the drug.) But theyre also common on dancefloors with revellers, including young and straight people, seeking a brief, dizzying head rush. Since the late 1980s, the federal government has outlawed the sale of butyl and alkyl nitrites, two of the chemical compounds that are commonly bottled as poppers. But the law has also made commercial exceptions for non-inhalant use of the chemicals under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. This led to most manufacturers branding their liquids as things like tape/VCR cleaner or nail polish remover not intended for human consumption in order to continue selling their goods. For decades, the feds predominantly chose to only target businesses that expressly marketed their products as poppers intended for inhalation, concentrating their enforcement efforts on more dangerous drugs. But that uneasy truce with other liquid manufacturers now appears to be over. This is BIG BAD news for poppers users, Adam Zmith author of Deep Sniff, a book about poppers and past attempts to regulate them posted to Bluesky on Friday, before adding, Its happened before, too. Even if this new crackdown is not the work of Kennedy, it is unlikely to stop under his tenure as head of the department that oversees the FDA. Among the litany of scientific misinformation Kennedy has spread is the false claim that poppers cause AIDS. In a 2021 book attacking Dr. Anthony Fauci, Kennedy promoted the falsehood that heavy recreational drug use in gay men and drug addicts was the real cause of real cause of immune deficiency among the first generation of AIDS sufferers. He specifically cited poppers, which he described as a popular drug among promiscuous gays. In 2023, the social media account Patriot Takes also shared footage of Kennedy telling an audience, 100 percent of the people who died the first thousand who had AIDS were people who were addicted to poppers. In fact, as scientists Luc Montaigner and Francoise Barre-Sinoussi long ago discovered (and were subsequently honored with Nobel Prizes for their work), AIDS is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News of the sudden crackdown has caused alarm in the queer community, prompting some to suggest they might begin to amass a strategic stockpile reserve of poppers. As podcaster and author Ira Madison wrote on Bluesky, Prohibition era but for poppers. Correction: This article previously stated that the raid on Double Scorpio happened on Feb 23. It happened on Feb. 26. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. TOPEKA (KSNT) A Washburn Law graduate and former public affairs consultant is nominated to be the top bank regulator at the Federal Reserve. President Donald Trump nominated Michelle Bowman to oversee the Federal Reserves regulatory role on Monday. Bowman would replace Michael Barr as the vice chair for supervision after Barr stepped down last month, according to the Associated Press. The position will require Senate confirmation. Bowman took office as a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in 2018 to fill an unexpired term, according to the Federal Reserve. She was reappointed to the Board in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prior to working for the Federal Reserve, Bowman served as vice president of Farmers & Drovers Bank in Kansas, worked for Senator Bob Dole, served on the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, served as deputy assistant secretary and policy advisor to Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and served on the Committee on Government Reform. Police chase crash ends with two in custody Bowman received a bachelor of science in advertising and journalism from the University of Kansas and a juris doctorate from the Washburn University School of Law. She is also a member of the New York Bar, according to the Federal Reserve. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. The Swiss government has initiated consultation lasting until 23 June 2025 on a programme to expand high-speed internet throughout Switzerland. Under the (Swiss) Federal Councils gigabit strategy, a CHF730 million (US$832 million) temporary funding programme will drive forward the expansion of broadband via fibre optic and wireless infrastructure. The funding programme is to be limited to a period of seven to ten years. The Federal Councils gigabit strategy includes a programme, under the government's Broadband Promotion Act, to help Switzerland catch up with other countries in the expansion of fibre-optic networks. The draft law aims to promote the nationwide expansion of fixed networks with download speeds of at least one gigabit per second. The programme will provide kick-start funding in areas where it is not in the market players interest to invest in network expansion with a capacity of 1 Gbit/s, such as sparsely populated areas. Market players, however, will still be primarily responsible for expanding the network without any additional financial support, according to the Federal Council. "The financial support will go towards expanding fibre-optic networks or wireless infrastructure the latter in particular where the cost of expanding the fibre-optic network is very high," the Federal Council says in its announcement. The funding programme comes with conditions for service providers, which the Swiss government says will protect competition in the market. "In order to ensure effective competition, the operators of the subsidised infrastructure must grant access to other providers, i.e. several providers may offer their services via the same infrastructure," the Federal Council says. US President Donald Trump is holding a phone conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy on 19 March. Source: White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: Scavino did not provide details of the conversation between Trump and Zelenskyy but confirmed that it was "happening now" at the time of the news publishing. Background: Earlier, Zelenskyy announced the planned conversation with the US president to "discuss the details" of Trumps call with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin the previous day. On 18 March, following the phone conversation between Trump and Putin, it was reported that Putin once again rejected the idea of a 30-day ceasefire but instead agreed to refrain from attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. The parties also agreed to discuss "the safety of shipping in the Black Sea" and to set up Russian and American expert groups to discuss the "Ukrainian settlement". Meanwhile, Zelenskyy stated that Putin had effectively rejected the proposal for a complete ceasefire by launching a large-scale drone attack on Ukrainian cities on the night of 18-19 March. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! As the Trump administration continues its anti-woke agenda, it recently announced that it would roll back a clause in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (which is used to write Federal contracts) that prohibits Federal contractors from having segregated restaurants, waiting rooms and drinking fountains. The news should be shocking to everyone except the 8 in 10 Black voters who came out in support of Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 Presidential election. Now, a white woman who acknowledges that Black people have more than done their part is calling on her fellow white people to get involved. Jessica McDonald, known on TikTok as @the.laughing.lawy, posted a now-viral video explaining whats at stake as the Trump administration 2.0 attempts to roll back policies against segregation. It is no longer illegal to require separate facilities for people of different races, she said in her tear-filled post. To be clear, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is still in place. It has not been disbanded, but we know what their goal is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McDonald, who mentioned in the comments of her post that she has two biracial daughters, went on to say that Black people have by and large led the fight against segregation while most white people have been sitting on the sidelines. tiktok-7483323073559563566 Our Black countrymen have done their time at the front of the lines and it is our turn. It is our turn to face the water hoses and to face the dogs and to face the tear gas, because we have let this happen, she said. McDonalds post has received over 44,000 likes and thousands of comments from Black people who are more than happy to pass the torch to white folks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My mother marched alongside Medgar Evers. She was beaten, bitten by dogs, dove under houses running from dogs and police. Yep. Weve served our time. Its yalls now. Make America great please! wrote someone in the comments. Others flat out told McDonald that they plan to sit this fight out, opting to focus on self-care instead. I aint marching. Im taking a nap, wrote another commenter. But some white people heard McDonalds cry for help, saying they understand whats at stake this time around. We are in a constitutional crisis!!!! We dont have much time left!!! wrote someone. Well be watching to see if McDonald can convince white folks to get up and get involved from the couch, of course. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) Gov. Andy Beshear has ordered flags at all state buildings to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Thursday to honor a 36-year-old sergeant with the Department of Corrections who died while on duty. Sgt. George Ramirez, of LaGrange, worked for the Kentucky State Reformatory in Oldham County and died in a vehicle crash while heading to an off-site post on March 10. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ramirezs obituary says he was born in Chicago and started working at the reformatory in May. The obituary described him as a proud father to his son and a supportive husband. George was a devout Christian and was not afraid to express that. He was honest, and not willing to hold back his thoughts, and only asked for the same in return. He was man who helped others whenever he could. He was the man others could go to if they needed help with anything. He was a hard worker. He enjoyed playing jokes on others, and seeing their reactions to them. The best friend anyone could have. He cared deeply. He was so excited to continue building his life with his family and many plans for their future, reads his obituary. A memorial service for Ramirez will be held Thursday. LATEST KENTUCKY LISTS AND RANKINGS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Individuals, businesses, organizations, and government agencies are encouraged to join in the tribute. Additional flag status information is available online. 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. MADISON, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) A Republican bill requiring Wisconsin Sheriffs to aid ICE or otherwise risk their funding passed the Assembly. The bill would require sheriffs to verify the citizenship status of people theyve detained for felony offenses. If the sheriff cant verify citizenship status, they would have to alert the Department of Homeland Security. If sheriffs dont comply with this bill, their counties would lose 15% of state aid. In some counties, that loss would amount to more than $1 million. Republican State Representative Ron Tusler of Harrison said, Dont let the cartels, the NGOs and illegal migrants, ruin it for the legal immigrants we help. Wisconsin sheriffs should follow the law. Please vote green. Democratic Minority Assembly Leader, Greta Neubauer of Racine said, After years of asking local communities to do more with less, it is unacceptable to threaten those vital funds for a political stunt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill passed 51-43 with Democrats voting against it. The bill will now head to the State Senate. If it passes there, Democratic Governor Tony Evers has already indicated he would veto the 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 FOX2548 & WIProud. Wichita Mayor Lily Wu refused to read a proclamation recognizing Transgender Day of Visibility at the City Councils first evening meeting of the year. Traditionally, the mayor reads and signs proclamations for the city. City code also says the mayor will sign proclamations. Wu did read and sign proclamations at the meeting for Developmental Disability Awareness Month and Into the Light Day. She did not for Transgender Day of Visibility. I respect the will of this council and my four colleagues who voted in favor of the first proclamation; council member (Becky) Tuttle, (Brandson) Johnson, (Maggie) Ballard and (Mike) Hoheisel, Wu said. Since this is a first for the city of Wichita, and I know each of you is passionate about this, Im going to yield the floor to any of you who would like to have the honor of reading the first proclamation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Council member Maggie Ballard read and signed the proclamation instead. You ran on All for Wichita, and its disappointing youre not showing unity today, Ballard said before reading the proclamation. Did mayor violate law by refusing to sign Transgender Day proclamation? Heres what we know Abi Boatman, a transgender military veteran, gave an impassioned speech while accepting the proclamation. Time will tell your story, and in fact, it already has, Boatman said while holding up a picture of a Nazi book burning. Dozens of people came to Tuesdays council meeting in support of the proclamation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some also showed up in opposition. Leave our children alone, a spectator said as Boatman spoke. Boatman was met with a standing ovation in the council chambers. Get to know someone before you hate them, Boatman said in an interview with The Eagle. And even then, I dont think we have the right to hate people that arent hurting or imposing harm on someone. Proclamations are requested by residents and then issued during council meetings if approved by the council. Council members vote by email on whether to issue proclamations and only need a simple majority to go forward. Council members Tuttle, Johnson, Ballard, and Hoheisel all voted in favor of the proclamation via email, so it moved forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking with an Eagle reporter after Tuesday nights meeting, the mayor said shed like to have votes on proclamations be more public, but said she wouldnt have voted in favor of reading the Day of Visibility proclamation. Singling out one specific group, I do not believe I would have voted in favor, Wu said. Transgender Day of Visibility is an annual event on March 31 that celebrates transgender people and raises awareness about transgender discrimination. The Kansas Legislature recently passed a ban for gender-affirming care for minors in Kansas. Upon re-entering the White House this year, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that banned transgender people from serving in the military. A wife whose businessman husband cut her wages during their divorce has been awarded 90,000 compensation. Ghada Al-Naimi, 58, had worked as an administrative assistant at her husband Ahmad Al-Naimis luxury design and construction company since 2002, an employment tribunal in Croydon, south London, was told. But Mr Al-Naimi, 66, became angry and resentful during their divorce, cutting her wages from 2,400 a month to 1,050. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She claimed it left her struggling to put food on the table, and she accused him of starving his children. The tribunal was told that Mr Al-Naimi took issue with having to pay her twice once through maintenance and once through her wages. Design company highly successful He halved her salary, withheld her pay, subjected her to an excessive suspension, and made unfounded threats of accusing her of gross misconduct and making her redundant. He even oppressively reported her to the police for fraud when he learned she was using funds to refurbish a house after they separated, the hearing was told. Mrs Al-Naimi has now been awarded 90,732 in compensation after successfully suing her exs company for marriage discrimination, unfair and wrongful dismissal, unlawful deductions from wages, and unpaid holiday pay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tribunal heard Buildmaster Construction Services, in New Malden, Surrey, is a small but highly successful firm that refurbishes properties including multi-million-pound developments. In October 2021, when Mrs Al-Naimi was taking divorce proceedings, her wages were cut in half. Then, in August 2022, the Family Court ordered Mr Al-Naimi to start paying her maintenance costs. Mr Al-Naimi claimed he was paying out the equivalent of 11,000 a month in total and believed that it was reasonable to look at the payments made to her in the round and not therefore to give her full wages. He also blamed Covid for an economic downturn. Barrage of bullying Mrs Al-Naimi said she received a constant barrage of unreasonable emails from her husband and for two years experienced a persistent barrage of bullying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Al-Naimi also claimed his ex-wife was committing fraud when he discovered she had been renovating a home they both owned and using a company credit card. The couple had been renovating the house for the previous four years by putting it through expenses, but during the divorce, Mr Al-Naimi reported his ex-wife to the Met Police. The tribunal was told: On Feb 4 2023, Mr Al-Naimi wrote to the Metropolitan Police. In this letter, he raised complaints about what he described as theft of money from both his business account and his personal account. He did not explain that she had previously been authorised by him to make payments in the way that he now characterised as fraud. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tribunal also heard Mr Al-Naimi did not explain whether he had ever revoked permission to use company cards or to put money through the business. Police called Mrs Al-Naimi for an interview which caused her a great deal of shock, but they found no cause for further action. Hurt and resentful The tribunal concluded: We find that he is still pursuing serious allegations against [her], in relation to employment aspects for matters that had previously been agreed between the couple as appropriate because he was hurt and resentful about her obtaining monies from him as he saw it in multiple ways. Employment judge Fiona McLaren said it was clear Mr Al-Naimi continues to fail to understand the separation between the employment relationship and a spousal relationship, he sees it as a whole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said Mrs Al-Naimis complaint over the police report was not made in time so could not succeed. But she went on: We have found that [Mrs Al-Naimi] was subjected to all the other matters set out because [Mr Al-Naimi] was angered by the fact that she had obtained maintenance payments from him. It was not because of the breakdown of the relationship per se, or because of the amount of money that he was paying her, but the fact that he had to effectively, as he saw it, pay her twice, once through the Family Court maintenance orders and the second as an employee. 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. Scott Stone had just set his morning coffee and a bowl of yogurt on his desk Thursday when the notification popped up. The email came through his business website, where he books wildlife photography and bear viewing tours in Alaska. He assumed it was from a potential client. Instead, he realized the subject line read Pos (short for piece of shit) and the message simply said, Faggot we are goin dox you and your family. A bewildered Scott turned to his wife and business partner, Jackie, and asked, Did you see our email? When the Stones opened their Instagram page, sstone_images, they realized they were dealing with a full-scale attack on their small business. The onslaught was courtesy of a social-media mob that, incredibly, didnt seem to notice or care that Scott Stone Photography had been mistakenly tagged in a post condemning a 20-something female influencer named Sam Jones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the Stones soon learned, Jones had posted a now-viral video last week to her Instagram account, samstrays_somewhere. The clip showed her scooping up a wombat joey and, giggling, carrying the distressed critter across a road and away from its mother. Offscreen, a man with an Aussie accent eggs her on. Her conduct in the short video (which she has since removed) has been widely picked apart and condemned by everyone from the American hunting and conservation community to Australias prime minister. Her subsequent apology and deflection havent helped matters. What has gone largely unscrutinized, however, is the conduct of online commenters who blindly targeted accounts like Stones. For one, that mindset tells us a lot about the absence of fact-checking and reason that, all too often, antis use to their advantage. But its also a reminder of the sheer power of anti-hunting cancel culture. Online where there are seemingly no consequences for making false accusations, threatening violence, or failing to check your sources anti-hunting campaigns can become so extreme they ruin lives and livelihoods. Such campaigns can spiral out of control, causing real-life damage and anxiety not only to law-abiding hunters (such as the dentist who lost his practice over Cecil the Lion) but to folks who had nothing to do with the original issue. Collateral Damage One of the many messages the Stones received over an incident they had no involvement with. Photo courtesy Scott Stone Somehow even photography riles antis up, says Stone. He suspects his business page was deliberately tagged on the Sam Jones attack posts by a troll one who knew there were plenty of commenters willing to jump on the account-bashing bandwagon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know what we do is not loved by everyone, says Stone, whose wildlife photography and viewing business helps educate the public about wild bear behavior and conservation. There are people who like to troll on social media, and they think were going to get the bears killed by being there in the first place. To be clear: The Stones had nothing to do with the baby wombat incident, and say they have never even been to Australia. (They did note, however, that Montana is a small world and that Jones formerly interned for one of their friends who is a biologist.) It took the Stones nearly four hours to put out the fire on their social media. They moved as fast as possible, trying to educate commenters before their accounts were reported enough that Meta automatically disabled them. (Luckily this didnt happen.) Scott and Jackie replied to aggressive, hateful comments and answered direct messages. They tapped their friends in the conservation community to defend them. Eventually Jackie reached the admin of the post where things went sideways (it had been made by a China-based animal shelter), who subsequently updated the post and issued an apology. Some commenters apologized to the Stones, while others acted like theyd been wronged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scott estimates that Instagram helps sell between 97 and 99 percent of the spots on their bear-viewing trips. If Meta, which owns Instagram, had shut down their account for being reported so many times, their business would have absolutely suffered. It would have been catastrophic, says Scott, who was grateful he and Jackie were in service and available to field the comments. They were reporting our page, so if our page got shut down, we wouldnt have gotten it back. Meta is worthless. Its robots and bots, and you would not have been able to talk to a human. Scott is speaking from experience. Last year his personal Facebook page was hacked, and his old business page lost 15,000 followers. He tried everything to recover it, even going so far as to write the attorney general of California and place a formal appeal to Meta. The Stones never recovered his account, and had to start their Facebook-based business promotion over from scratch. An exchange with the user who tagged the Stones business account as Sam Jones alt account. Photo courtesy Scott Stone I think the biggest thing to learn is how fast something negative could negatively impact you and your business. We learned a lot about how many great conservationists did have our back. But also, the power of the negative word is scary, says Scott. In the blink of an eye, you could literally ruin someones life. By the time the damage with social media is done, nobody cares about correcting it. Thats the thing you find out. You look at a lot of people in the media who get their careers destroyed and theres no rebuilding it. People hang onto negative things. We saw in a short amount of time, even with what our following is, how fast that couldve went away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other innocent bystanders have endured collateral damage. Another Sam Jones, a creative director at Comedy Central and Paramount according to her Facebook page, was also set upon by online haters. While both women share the same common name and live in America, the resemblance stops there. A bare minimum fact check checking her profile photo, for instance, or looking at her Facebook wall would have informed any angry commenter. The amount of hate Im STILL receiving from hundreds of people who, with a little research, would realize Im not the influencer who stole a baby animal, is astounding, writes Jones in a comment on her original post explaining she is, in fact, a different Sam Jones. This attack mentality is disgusting. People are telling me to kill myself, theyre calling my company, theyre commenting on my workthis is so dangerousthe woman who did this is 20 years old. They found all her social handles, yet still, Im being bum rushed. The hate online is idicocrocy [sic]. Hundreds of strangers flooded my social mediatelling me (and my family) to kill ourselves, leaving fake one-star reviews on my business, and raging at a person who is absolutely, unequivocally NOT ME, Jones wrote in another post on March 12. And heres the best part: Even when I hand them the correct persons profile on a silver platterlike, Hey, dum-dum, youre looking for herthey dont apologize. They just move on. Understanding Anti-Hunting Abroad Anti-hunting protestors filming duck hunters in Victoria, Australia, last year. While the U.S. has always had its fair share of anti-hunters, the international anti-hunting community reaches a different level in places like England, France, and other Western countries. And nowhere is it more entrenched than Australia, as I learned last year when I visited the state of Victoria for duck season. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I witnessed how far Australian anti-hunters will go to deter hunters from shooting and eating a duck. That included among other tactics following and filming children, verbally harassing their parents and elderly hunters, paddling around decoy spreads, and constantly flaring birds that were trying to find refuge. While many of the Aussie duck hunters I spoke with expressed complex, nuanced opinions about the importance of duck hunting for conservation and culture, they also shared insights into the ways they thought the hunting community could improve. (They cared a lot about public relations, fostering new hunters, and sharing wild game with non-hunters.) Duck hunters like Ramsey Russell and my hunting buddy there, Glenn Falla, have consistently tried to engage in meaningful discussions with anti-hunters in Australia, and been stonewalled. I tried interviewing several myself, with responses that ranged from silence to sarcasm. In fact, antis in Australia actively film hunters. They hope for us to make mistakes or break the law so they can turn it over to law enforcement and, more importantly, circulate it online to drag down the entire hunting community. So it should be no surprise to any Australian that an Instagrammer who calls herself a hunter and filmed herself doing something thoughtless to a native Australian critter sparked a wildfire. This whole incident is a reminder that the anti-hunting community isnt interested in the nuance or subtlety required to understand hunting or conservation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If an online commenter cant be bothered to check whether the person whose life theyre threatening even shares the same name as the person theyre trying to harass, they certainly cant be bothered to learn how hunting supports wildlife conservation. And the complex relationship true hunters have with the critters they pursue? Forget it. Such subtleties are wasted. Anti-Hunting at Home A campaign to ban mountain lion and bobcat hunting in Colorado last fall is a good example from here in the U.S. Among many arguments, antis canvassing the public for signatures talked about how their ballot measure would ban hunting of the endangered lynx. Thats a reasonable argument, and one that sounds persuasive to a member of the public. The only trouble is, lynx hunting was already against the law in Colorado. Thats because the population couldnt sustain a hunt, and that was something hunters already agreed with. But without doing even some basic research, the average voter would never discover such a reality. Another example is one Jones brought up herself. While she didnt do herself (or the hunting community) any favors when she attempted to recast her behavior as an attempt to help the wombat, she capped things off with a deflection of her own behavior by urging Australians to question their own governments approach toward native wildlife. How about the beloved Kangaroo, the National animal on your coat of arms? Jones wrote, echoing an argument that anti-hunters in Australia and here in the U.S. have been leveraging for years. In the last 20 years, approximately 90 million kangaroos and wallabies have been legally slaughtered for commercial purposes and that number is not slowing down. Millions are legally killed each year. Are they not deserved of government protection as native species? If you dont believe me, take a look around the next time you go to Woolworths where you will see kangaroo flesh sold as both pet and human food. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reality, of course, ignores the complex management of wild kangaroos. Kangaroos are overpopulated in much of their original range, thanks to colonists and ranchers who remade native habitat to support Australias livestock economy. Kangaroos there routinely destroy crops and cause vehicle accidents, much like our native whitetails in overpopulated areas here in the U.S. It would be impossible to grow crops, drive safely, and otherwise coexist in many places across Australia without managing kangaroos. Meanwhile Jones, who left Australia amid international outrage, death threats, and doxxing, has since overhauled her Instagram account. Her grid now has just 14 photos, all edited in the last few days and closed to comments. These images show hero shots of herself with an axis deer and a whitetail buck, along with selfies and other influencer-style shots. Read Next: During Australias Duck Season Circus Anti-Hunting Activists Will Steal Your Birds, Paddle Through Your Decoys, and Film Your Kids They are clearly distinct from the wild bear photos on Scott Stones page, which only includes images of live bears. Although Stone is a licensed taxidermist, he stopped hunting when he picked up a camera in 2017. I was born and raised hunting and fishing, and my love of animals came out of that, says Stone, who now prefers the challenge of capturing photos to filling tags. A lot of non-hunters dont understand that. WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) A textbook used to teach AP Psychology in Williamson County high schools is up for debate at the Williamson County School Board. Ive got 40 to 50 emails in the last week and they all name one book: Myers AP Psychology, WCS board member Dennis Driggers said. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts The textbook was recommended by nine out of nine AP Psychology teachers in Williamson County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To me, when I see this recommendation that our teachers all chose the same textbook it carries a significant weight, said Leigh Webb, Assistant Superintendent Secondary at WCS. However, some school board members raised concerns with how the book explains topics regarding sexual orientation and gender identity. It just didnt reflect our community values, said WCS board member Donna Clements. They were talking about gender identities and things like that which I recognize as a mental health issue, Jay Galbreath, WCS board member added in Monday nights meeting. Ultimately, board members voted 7-3 to defer the discussion to a later date so members have time to review the books contents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We cant always shield our kids from the world. I mean its out there and that is going to be part if theyre going to community college or wherever, thats going to be part of the discussion [and those are] discussions you need to have with your children at home, Tonja Hibma, WCS board member, said. Some board members argued teachers can skip sections that arent a part of the districts curriculum. If there are controversial things that youve seen in a textbook and they dont align with our standards, those are not aspects that will be taught in our classes, Webb added. In 2022, some Tennessee lawmakers tried to pass a state law to ban the teaching of LGBTQ issues in Tennessee public schools. The bill failed. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com I would really encourage some of you to go and talk to your principals on the impact youre having on teacher morale and staff morale, WCS Board member Eric Welch said at Monday nights meeting. When you insert your own opinion over theirs on a lot of these things when its not always an educated opinion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Williamson County school board is expected to revisit the conversation at their April meeting. 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. AI developers across the globe share the challenge of finding sufficient high-quality, accurate and reliable video data to train visual AI models. Today, Milestone Systems announces Project Hafnia to build services and democratize AI-model training with high-quality, compliant video data leveraging NVIDIA Cosmos Curator and AI model, fine-tuning microservices. Leveraging the NVIDIA platform, Milestone Systems Project Hafnia is aiming to be a leading service for data generators, to share and utilize their data, and for developers, to access traceable and regulatory-compliant annotated video data. Milestones goal is to put the latest advances in Vision Language Models (VLM) and supporting data curation capabilities in the hands of as many developers as possible. One of the first service offerings is a VLM, fine-tuned using NVIDIA fine-tuning microservices on a large volume of compliant transportation data, curated using NVIDIA Cosmos Curator. The VLMs accuracy and performance optimizations are tuned for running on NVIDIA GPUs and in NVIDIAs video search and summarization (VSS) AI blueprint. By leveraging the NVIDIA platform, Milestone Systems is helping accelerate this next wave of powerful visual services, says Deepu Talla NVIDIA Vice President and General Manager Embedded and Edge Computing. The next phase in development and adoption of visually perceptive Agentic AI services will be unlocked by recipes like NVIDIA VSS blueprint combined with widely available and accessible fine-tuned VLM models, he says. Access to data Milestone Systems, a global leader in data-driven video technology and analytics, is aggregating compliant data through its global network of partners and customers in video data management. These organizations seek to leverage their own data to develop smarter analytics and will be able to benefit from the platform, which can be utilized to train AI models on sufficient, compliant data. Artificial intelligence is our generations biggest game-changer. A major challenge for the ongoing development is having access to enough high-quality data for training AI models. The Project Hafnia platform will collect and curate data with the aspiration to be the world's smartest, fastest and responsible platform for video data and training of AI models, says Thomas Jensen, CEO of Milestone Systems. Additionally, Project Hafnia will remove major friction points and provide smooth and seamless access to data. Driven by NVIDIA Cosmos Curator data curation, the service will speed up developing AI and analytics up to 30 times faster than todays standards. Accuracy and speed Milestone Systems will offer two services: A cutting-edge service for AI model training with high-quality video data through Training as a Service, where software developers can access quality data to train AI-models A new Visual Language Model as a Service for smart city transportation and Intelligent Traffic Service use-cases that will be industry leading in performance. With new high-quality data and improved annotation, future analytic software for applications such as traffic management, manufacturing, airports, law enforcement, and business could achieve accuracy high enough to enable large-scale automation of operations and surveillance like never before. Traffic Management VLM By leveraging the NVIDIA platform, Milestone Systems has taken the first step in developing a market leading traffic and transportation Visual Language Model (VLM). The model supports a range of use cases, including general traffic assessments, driving condition evaluations, alert validation, and incident reporting. Project Hafnia is initially launching as a pilot, with developers having the opportunity to sign up for early access at https://hafnia.milestonesys.com/joinwaitlist. The platform will initially focus on video data from traffic with plans to broaden the scope once fully live. Milestone Systems owns and manages the platform. Mar. 18---- The on Monday again deferred action on a purchase agreement for 27 acres of land for new facilities. The presentation and discussion for that agenda item took more than an hour, after which action was deferred until the April 7 meeting of the City Council. The land that Willmar Municipal Utilities wants to purchase for $600,000 for its new facilities is located just east of the Highway 71/23 Bypass and north of Willmar Avenue Southeast. It is adjacent to, but not within, the city limits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Municipal Utilities Commission approved the purchase agreement during its Feb. 24 meeting and it was on the City Council's agenda March 3 for approval. This is the fifth property down the list of properties that Willmar Municipal Utilities has tried to purchase since the search for land started in 2023. The City Council on March 3 chose to defer approval for 30 days or until the next council meeting. City Attorney Robert Scott on Monday explained to the council that the City Charter's language is ambiguous, and he interpreted that to mean that the council could continue the matter to the April 7 meeting. Some members of the City Council are questioning why Willmar Municipal Utilities wants to build its new facilities outside city limits where there is significant cost to extend city sewer and water infrastructure when there are parcels in the that, in the opinion of those councilors, would be suitable for Municipal Utilities needs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It should be noted that Scott has explained that if the council allows the purchase, the land would be considered owned by the city and be annexed into the city. While most of the presentation and discussion focused on comparing the two properties, Willmar Municipal Utilities Facilities and Maintenance Supervisor Kevin Marti informed the City Council that if the purchase agreement were not approved, Willmar Municipal Utilities would not be looking at the industrial park location because other properties score higher on its list. "This (Willmar Avenue) property scores quite a bit better than the industrial park property," Marti said. " ... There's other properties that are better, in our opinion, in our scoring system, than the industrial park. We would have to investigate those." The cost to extend sewer and water services to the land on the bypass would be an estimated $2.7 million. However, that infrastructure, if built, would be able to service more than 400 acres of land in that area, not only the 27 acres to be purchased, according to Marti. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of the estimated cost of $2.7 million, Willmar Municipal Utilities is responsible for more than $800,000 for extending the water main, and the remainder would be city costs to extend the sewer main and install a lift station. Although the city does not foresee having the funds to pay for the infrastructure project at this time, one of the contingencies in the purchase agreement would be for Willmar Municipal Utilities to install private water and sewer services until such time that funds become available. Marti asked the City Council if that is something it would consider allowing, which would not result in tax or rate increases because it is already built into the budget for the new facilities. "I guess I worry about doing private services within the city limits," said Councilor Tom Gilbertson. "It obviously sets a precedent for any person in the city of Willmar to say, 'I don't want to hook onto the Willmar Municipal Utilities power grid. I don't want to hook onto their wastewater going forward.' And I don't think it's in your best interest to do that." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although he said he agreed, Marti paraphrased city ordinance that states that if it is cost-prohibitive to extend sewer and water to certain properties, those properties can be served by private sewer and water until such a time that sewer and water services are extended and those properties can connect to the city system. "That's what we would ask here. If there just isn't money in the cookie jar to do this, that would be what we would ask and pursue for this property," Marti said, noting it may be 10 years or more before the city would be able to extend the services across the bypass feasibly. Some councilors also took issue with a perceived lack of communication to the city from Willmar Municipal Utilities about its plans. Although there was not any direct communication with City Administrator Leslie Valiant or Willmar Planning and Development Director Christopher Corbett, Marti pointed out that since October, Willmar Municipal Utilities has been communicating with City Operations Director Kyle Box, who works directly under Valiant, and also with Kandiyohi County Engineer Mel Odens, the county's zoning board, the Minnesota Department of Transportation and a township supervisor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "What does the Planning Commission say as far as what the future annexation of property to add to Willmar looks like?" asked Councilor Stephen Gardner. "Is this (property) even part of it? ... Is this utility pushing us in the direction we don't want to go?" Despite the City Council's hesitancy in approving the purchase agreement, Mayor Doug Reese said he likes the location due to its ability to extend the city east of the bypass. "I like that location because of the possibilities of annexation and extending services, because I know there has to be something that trips it up to allow the expansion to go to the east, because that bypass is a real barrier to expansion," Reese said. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) A pair of cold fronts will be the focus of our weather through Sunday. A front today will bring breezy weather and high wildfire danger, and a front on Sunday is being watched for our next round of possible severe thunderstorms. A Wind Advisory is in effect until 7 p.m. Wednesday. Sustained winds will be out of the west and southwest at 15 to 20 miles per hour, gusting to 30 to 40 miles per hour all day. This wind will drop our humidity, drying vegetation, and any fires will be difficult to contain. Caddo Parish has issued a burn ban until conditions improve. The passing front will trigger a few isolated showers this morning south of I-20, but it will be dry after 8 a.m. with clearing skies this afternoon. After 2 days in the low 80s, our high temperatures will dip into the 60s and 70s. The west wind may carry some West Texas dust into the region, so we may have hazy skies in some areas. Cooler air settles in tonight with lows in the low 40s with breezy conditions lingering tonight and tomorrow. Highs will be in the 60s on Thursday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will have pleasant weather with highs returning to the 70s and low 80s on Friday and Saturday. Our next chance of thunderstorms will arrive Sunday afternoon into Sunday night. The Storm Prediction Center continues to highlight the ArkLaTex for potential severe weather. Wind and hail will be the primary threats, with a lower threat of an isolated tornado. This will be our focus in the upcoming 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 KTALnews.com. PLANO, Ill. A Wisconsin man who is already serving 50 years in prison for sexually assaulting a minor has been handed an additional 10-year sentence for a separate assault in Illinois. 37-year-old Reginald Hughes, an Oshkosh, Wisconsin, resident, has been sentenced to an additional 10 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after an agreed plea and sentence this week on the charge of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, Kendall County States Attorney Eric Weis announced Tuesday. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to prosecutors, the case against Hughes began in 2021 after a minor, who was under the age of 13, discovered that a friend of a family member had sexually assaulted her while she was staying in Plano, Illinois. Amid an investigation into the claims, Plano police and officers in Wisconsin also learned that Hughes had sexually assaulted the victim in the State of Wisconsin as well, prosecutors said. In addition to the first victim, the investigation also revealed that Hughes had sexually assaulted another minor child. Charges were filed against Hughes in December of 2021 and he was arrested shortly after and remained in custody in Wisconsin. In 2024, the case against Hughes in Wisconsin proceeded to trial and after he was found guilty, he was sentenced to 50 years in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After his sentence was handed down in Wisconsin, Hughes was taken to Illinois to await trial in Kendall County where an agreed plea and sentence was eventually reached this week. LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland Judge Jody Gleason approved the plea and sentence. According to the agreement in Kendall County, Hughes will be required to serve at least 85% of his 60-year total sentence before he is eligible for Mandatory Supervised Release. By law, Hughes is required to serve the sentences consecutively and must finish serving his 50-year sentence in Wisconsin first before he begins his 10-year prison term in Illinois. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kendall County States Attorneys Office did not provide a booking photo for Hughes. 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. FOND DU LAC COUNTY, Wis. (WFRV) The Fond du Lac Sheriffs Office announced that a 31-year-old Wisconsin man was arrested on Tuesday afternoon after leading deputies on a 9-mile pursuit while driving intoxicated. According to the release, the Fond du Lac County Sheriffs Office was advised around 4:02 p.m. on Tuesday by deputies from Washington County that they had terminated a vehicle pursuit on I-41 near State Highway 28 near the border of Dodge and Washington Counties. North Greenville Elementary placed on lockdown after hit-and-run suspect parks nearby, flees around back of school Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Washington County deputies requested the Fond du Lac Sheriffs Offices assistance in attempting to stop the vehicle and take the driver into custody on felony fleeing/eluding charges. A Fond du Lac County Sergeant located the vehicle around 4:20 p.m. heading south in Byron on State Highway 175 near County Highway F. The Sergeant attempted to stop the vehicle; however, the suspect initiated a pursuit as it fled quickly south into Dodge County through Lomira. A Dodge County deputy joined the pursuit as a Fond du Lac deputy deployed tire deflation tools near State Highway 28. The suspect vehicle saw the devices and turned around before striking them and went back north on State Highway 175. The driver continued north before pulling over and was identified as a 31-year-old Menomonee Falls man. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was arrested without further incident and taken to the Fond du Lac County Jail on the following charges: 1st Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety Felony Fleeing / Eluding Misdemeanor Bail Jumping Operating While Intoxicated 3rd Offense Probation hold for Felony Fleeing / Eluding. Green Bay sees decrease in overall crime in 2024, property crime hits lowest total in 10 years No injuries were reported and no civilian or enforcement vehicles were damaged during the nine-mile pursuit. No additional details are 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 WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. EAU CLAIRE - Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said Tuesday he and other Democratic governors should not follow unconstitutional mandates from President Donald Trump in an effort "to challenge and push as far as we can" against the new administration. The former Democratic vice presidential nominee in his first visit to the Badger State since the 2024 presidential election made the comments ahead of a town hall-style event in Eau Claire, a liberal-leaning city in a congressional district held by Republican U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden. Walz stopped in the battleground district this week to rally voters for liberal state Supreme Court candidate Susan Crawford and as part of a multi-state tour to highlight Republicans who have stopped holding in-person town halls after backlash over the Trump administrations government cuts. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks in Eau Claire on Tuesday, March 18, 2024, a liberal-leaning city in a congressional district held by Republican U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden. Walz, last year's Democratic vice presidential nominee, came to the diustrict to highlight the reluctance of Van Orden and other Republicans to hold in-person town hall events. Walz told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in an interview that he attributes losing Wisconsin and other battleground states in November to an inability to effectively offer enough change to rural voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Gilbert: This was one of the most 'Wisconsin' elections ever: Small swings, wild turnout Trump defeated Harris in Wisconsin by about 29,000 votes as part of a victory that swept battleground states. Now, as he is floated as a potential 2028 presidential candidate, Walz said he and other Democratic governors should refuse to go along with orders from the Republican president he believes are made outside of the bounds of the U.S. Constitution. "What governors can do is use our authority and states' rights, which, again, the Trump administration doesn't believe anything about right now ... and we're very clear about that," Walz said. "I'll continue to follow the law, but I think we have a responsibility to challenge and push as far as we can. And when Donald Trump issues an order that is unconstitutional, we have no responsibility to follow that, and we won't in Minnesota." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Britt Cudaback, spokeswoman for Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, did not directly respond to Walz's comments about refusing to follow mandates deemed illegal, but said the governor "has already made clear that many of these actions are illegal and that he will continue fighting efforts by President Trump and Elon Musk to undermine our constitutional checks and balances with every tool and power he has." "No one should have sole, unchecked power to make these decisions," Cudaback said. Three Trump supporters turned away from Tim Walz event The event was part of a tour Walz organized characterized as filling a gap where Republicans have declined to hold public events so to avoid confrontational audience members. However, at least three supporters of Trump were turned away from the Eau Claire event. One told the Journal Sentinel he had a ticket and was stopped after entering the Pablo Center in downtown Eau Claire because of the red Make America Great Again hat he was wearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We were proud to welcome more than 900 people to our town hall in Eau Claire tonight, and Im confident we had folks join in who did not agree with us on absolutely everything," Joe Oslund, a spokesman for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, said when asked about the decision to turn the Trump supporters away. "Were always happy to engage with folks who hold different points of view, but when you show up in funny hats looking to cause shenanigans, let's just save each other the trouble here." A Republican who tracks Democrats at events to find content for attack ads was allowed to stay in the audience, according to the party. Ahead of the event, Van Orden said Walz's tour to his district that borders Minnesota "is simply a desperate attempt to save face and remain relevant after his embarrassing defeat, which sent him back to Minnesota in disgrace." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "America is finally moving in the right direction, thanks to President Donald J. Trump and Vice President JD Vance, and voters throughout the Third District have no desire to Minnesota their Wisconsin. The Democratic Party's latest approval ratings hit record lows in a pair of polls on Sunday, coming after a bruising 2024 election for the party in which it lost control of the White House and Senate. An NBC News poll found 27% of registered voters say they view the party favorably the lowest favorability rating for Democrats in NBC polls going back to 1990. Only 7% of survey respondents said they said they have a "very positive" view of the party. In Wisconsin, 62% of registered voters have an unfavorable view of the Democratic Party, according to a March poll from the Marquette University Law School. For Republicans, it's 52%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walz used Tuesday's event to workshop ideas for the party going forward. At one point, he suggested Democrats should hold press conferences every day to counter the blitz of actions coming from the Trump administration and draw attention away. "How, in God's name, Wisconsin, did we let Sean Duffy off the hook for planes crashing?" Walz asked the crowd, referring to former the former Wisconsin congressman who now leads the U.S. Department of Transportation. Walz took questions for about an hour from Democrats who asked how to combat potential cuts to Medicaid programs and ways to compete with Republicans in public appeal, among other topics. "I don't think we would have won the election if we'd gone on Joe Rogan, but I don't think we would've got beat any worse," Walz told the crowd, referring to a decision by the Harris campaign to not appear on Rogan's mega-popular podcast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I worried about this in the last couple weeks of the election. I was in Pennsylvania and North Carolina and in the countryside, I saw a sign split in half: Trump good, Kamala bad," Walz said. "I'm like, Jesus, are we first graders? What the hell, it worked. It worked. They did it. They made it simple." Walz told the Journal Sentinel the Harris-Walz campaign failed to represent enough change to turn out the number of voters needed to defeat Trump. More: Gilbert: The Wisconsin polling data that should trouble Democrats and cheer Republicans "It was our job to win these these states, I think especially rural Wisconsin, they wanted change. They didn't feel like they were getting that. And quite honestly, they didn't think the message they were hearing was the one to make a difference." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walz stopped in Eau Claire two weeks ahead of the April 1 spring election when Wisconsin voters will cast ballots in the state Supreme Court race for ideological control of the court. More: All our reporting on the Wisconsin Supreme Court race between Susan Crawford, Brad Schimel The race has broken national records for the most expensive state court battle in history. The race is being eyed as a test of support for Trump after the first few months of his presidency during which he and billionaire Elon Musk have leveled massive cuts to the federal workforce, including to agencies serving veterans and schools. "Look, you can start to lame duck this on April 1," Walz told the crowd Tuesday. "Then we win the Virginia governor's race. And then you got guys like (Van Orden) here saying 'shit, Trump's done in a couple of years, this is looking bad. The momentum is changing. I think I'm feeling something, and it feels like maybe I'm growing a spine and I'm going to stand up for my people, because if I don't, I'm going to get my ass kicked in the midterm election.'" 'People v. Musk' town hall event Tuesday's event was billed as a "People v. Musk" town hall event as part of a new Democratic focus on Musk. On Friday, a handful of Senate Democrats joined with Republicans to pass a budget fix that will avert a government shutdown, but which many Democrats derided as caving to Republican pressure and handing Musk a blank check. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some Democrats have called for Schumer to step down as minority leader. Walz declined to weigh in. "I don't question his commitment to protecting the American public but I think being through this fight in the fall and being through this fight as a governor, this is a different fight, and we have to have different tactics," he told the Journal Sentinel. Republicans have argued that Democrats are targeting GOP town halls for organized protests as liberal groups have encouraged turnout at the events. Some Republicans, like House Speaker Mike Johnson, referred to those voicing dissatisfaction with the Trump administration as "professional protesters." Rebecca Cooke, the Democrat who narrowly lost to Van Orden last November, said this week she will challenge him again in 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some Wisconsin Republicans have suggested they'll continue to hold in-person town halls despite the directive from party leadership, though others have been noncommittal. Van Orden, whose western Wisconsin House seat has become a main target for Republicans as they seek to flip control of the House, said at a tele-town hall earlier this month that he would not hold in-person town halls, citing the push from Democratic groups to send protesters to the events. Van Orden did not take live questions from the audience during the tele-town hall. A staffer during the call noted a few folks sent in questions ahead of time, which the staffer read. Multiple people who participated in the call told the Journal Sentinel that the comment function was turned off on the video call. Last week and on Tuesday, Democratic Rep. Mark Pocan, one of Van Orden's loudest critics, held in-person town hall events in Belmont and Viroqua in an effort to highlight Van Orden's decision not to hold in-person town halls. Lawrence Andrea of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Brianne Pfannenstiel of the Des Moines Register contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: In Wisconsin, Tim Walz says Democrats must 'push as far as we can' (Bloomberg) -- A top adviser to US President Donald Trump denied Russia broke an agreement not to attack Ukrainian energy infrastructure, and hailed the pact as a breakthrough that could end Moscows global isolation and revive energy projects such as the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US special envoy Steve Witkoff indicated Wednesday a series of Russian drone strikes on energy and transportation targets that occurred shortly after Trumps call with Vladimir Putin were set in motion before the Russian leader had a chance to direct Kremlin forces to stand down though bombardments continued for hours afterward. President Putin issued an order within 10 minutes of his call with the president directing Russian forces not to be attacking any Ukrainian energy infrastructure. And any attacks that happened last night would have happened before that order was given, Witkoff said in an interview on Bloomberg Television. I tend to believe that President Putin is operating in good faith. Witkoff said Russian officials told him Wednesday morning that seven of their drones were en route when Putin issued his order and were shot down by Russian forces. The envoys account matched events described in statements from the Kremlin and the Russian Defense Ministry. He said it is his understanding that energy facilities and infrastructure were off limits as of Wednesday and added that there could be an agreement to halt the fighting completely in a couple of weeks. Russian attacks did not stop for many hours after the call, however. Loud explosions could be heard around Kyiv and other regions. The strikes significantly damaged energy facilities in central and eastern Ukraine, forcing a railway company to re-route trains in the area and leaving thousands of people without electricity. Russia launched another attack while railroad workers were trying to fix the damage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The developments raise the possibility that the limited truce is being violated less than 24 hours after it was agreed to. Witkoff nonetheless described Tuesdays call between Trump and Putin as an epic and transformational moment that could pave the way for greater cooperation between the US and Russia, longstanding adversaries. One casualty of Moscows invasion of Ukraine was its energy exports to Europe. The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany, a major new project, was suspended in 2022. I can certainly see that world, Witkoff said when asked if he could envision Russian energy coming back online through that pipeline and others. Trump and Putin are likely to meet in person, Witkoff said, without providing a date. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They have a great rapport together, they had a great rapport in the first Trump administration, it was on display yesterday, Witkoff said. This was really a very positive, a very proactive, outcome-oriented call. And thats who President Trump is hes there to get to the goal line and we went a long way yesterday to doing that. Technical teams from the US and Russia are expected to meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to implement and expand the partial ceasefire, US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz said Wednesday. Witkoff said hammering out all the details of a full ceasefire is a bit more complicated, because theres a 2,000 kilometer border, theres Kursk, and theres a lot of details that go into that. Still, the agreement with Putin fell short of Trumps proposal for a full, 30-day truce between Russia and Ukraine, which was accepted earlier by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Trump and Zelenskiy are due to speak Wednesday morning, Washington time, according to the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kremlins account of the call with Trump said Putin demanded several conditions for a lasting ceasefire, including the suspension of arms and intelligence support for Ukraine and that Ukraine must stop mobilizing new recruits terms that could prove unacceptable to Kyiv and its European allies. Zelenskiy told reporters Wednesday in Helsinki that 150 drone strikes from Kremlin forces hit energy and transportation targets as well as two hospitals in an attack that he said began shortly after the Trump-Putin call ended. There is no trust in Putins words, there must be control, Zelenskiy said. Despite Putins rejection of the US presidents truce terms, Trump said in a Fox News interview Tuesday that it was a great call, in which the two leaders talked about a lot of things. In a post on his Truth Social platform, he said many elements of a Contract for Peace were discussed, and that both Putin and Zelenskiy want to see the war end. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement --With assistance from Daryna Krasnolutska, Annmarie Hordern and Jonathan Ferro. (Adds comments from Witkoff on Trump-Putin meeting starting in ninth paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. President Trumps Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, contends theres a relatively short distance to go before a full Russia-Ukraine ceasefire is reached. I think the devils in the details, weve got a team going to Saudi Arabia, led by our national security adviser [Mike Waltz] and our Secretary of State [Marco Rubio], and I think weve got to figure out those details, Witkoff said during a Tuesday night appearance on Fox News, referencing the upcoming meeting between U.S. and Russian officials. The point is, up until recently, we really didnt have consensus on these two aspects, the energy and infrastructure ceasefire and the Black Sea moratorium on firing, the envoy told host Sean Hannity. And today we got to that place, and I think its a relatively short distance to a full ceasefire from there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think both of those [terms] are now agreed to by the Russians, I am certainly hopeful that the Ukrainians will agree to it. We have some details to work out of course, but that will begin on Sunday in Jeddah, Witkoff stated. And beyond that, well move to a full ceasefire, and we had some good conversation today on the ingredients to achieve that. President Trump spoke over the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday. The Russian leader indicated he would back a 30-ceasefire on energy infrastructure, but laid out a number of demands, including the need to stop Ukraine from mobilizing soldiers and rearming its military. The process of halting the three-year conflict in Eastern Europe, according to the Russian leaders position, should include complete cessation of foreign military aid and the provision of intelligence information to Kyiv. The leaders agreed that the movement to peace will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire and permanent peace, the White House said in a readout of the call. These negotiations will begin immediately in the Middle East. The conversation with Putin comes as Trump has continued his effort to end the war, a promise he outlined during the presidential campaign. On Wednesday, Ukraine and Russia are expected to exchange prisoners, a move Kyiv views as a trust-building exercise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The military action did not slow down after Trumps call with Putin. Infrastructure in several Ukrainian regions including Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Sumy, Chernihiv, Poltava, Kharkiv, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk, and Cherkasy was hit, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. It is these types of nighttime attacks by Russia that destroy our energy sector, our infrastructure, and the normal life of Ukrainians. And the fact that this night is no exception shows that the pressure on Russia must continue for the sake of peace, Zelensky said. Zelensky spoke with Trump on Wednesday for around an hour, a conversation the commander in chief billed as very good. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Much of the discussion was based on the call made yesterday with President Putin in order to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs, Trump wrote Wednesday on Truth Social. We are very much on track, and I will ask Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, to give an accurate description of the points discussed. 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. Witnesses helped a 22-year-old woman being kidnapped by her boyfriend in Washington, police said. The couple was first seen at 5:38 p.m. March 14 at a business, the Kent Police Department said in a Facebook post. Police said the 30-year-old man was seen dragging his girlfriend and forcing her into a vehicle. Witnesses tried to stop him but police said he fled. The witnesses then called 911 and gave authorities the vehicles license plate, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another witness reported seeing the couple about 10 minutes later. They saw the woman run from the vehicle as her boyfriend ran after her and dragged her back to the car, police said. Police later stopped the boyfriend and arrested him on suspicion of kidnapping and assault. DUI charges are pending blood test results, according to police. The girlfriend was found with bruising and injuries consistent with a struggle, police said. Police said the two had been together for a year and had just moved from another state. Police did not disclose the business or the names of anyone involved. Kent is about a 20-mile drive northeast from Tacoma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you are experiencing domestic violence and need someone to talk to, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline for support at 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788. 35-year-old man kills and dismembers 16-year-old he met on dating app, Florida cops say Body of teen dismembered by man from dating app was likely incinerated, Florida cops say Man assaults toddler after boy refuses to give him a good night kiss, Texas cops say BOSTON (AP) A Massachusetts woman accused of operating a high-end brothel network with wealthy and prominent clients in that state and the Washington, D.C., suburbs that generated millions of dollars in revenue was sentenced Wednesday to four years in prison. Han Lee and two others were indicted last year on one count of conspiracy to persuade, entice, and coerce one or more individuals to travel in interstate or foreign commerce to engage in prostitution and one count of money laundering, according to prosecutors. The operation, according to court documents, generated millions of dollars a year, and customers paid hundreds of dollars an hour for services. Junmyung Lee of Dedham, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty in October and is set to be sentenced next month. James Lee of Torrance, California, accused of renting the apartments in the operation, pleaded guilty last month to his involvement in the scheme as well as fraudulently obtaining nearly $600,000 in pandemic relief funds. He is set to be sentenced next month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You ran a highly profitable business that involved recruiting women across the country to come to Massachusetts and Virginia to sell their bodies for sex, said U.S. District Judge Julia Kobick. The government argues and I agree this is not a victimless crime." Prosecutors had asked that Han Lee, 42, who pleaded guilty in September, be sentenced to six years imprisonment and three years of supervised released for running one of the most successful prostitution networks on the East Coast. They estimate that nearly 10,000 commercial sex dates occurred in her brothels, according to court records, and that Lee made more than $5 million dollars over more than four years. Lee's federal public defender, Scott Lauer, had pleaded for leniency, saying in court documents that Lee grew up poor in South Korea and had a father who drank heavily and was abusive. After arriving in the United States, she became a sex worker in California, Las Vegas and New York before settling in Massachusetts and continuing to work in the trade. After a brothel was raided, Han Lee saw the opportunity to set up the network. The defense contended none of the sex workers were forced to do the job and that they kept up to 70% of the revenues. Her clients were vetted to reduce the dangers and she didn't withhold travel documents from the workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While cases involving prostitution often involve some degree of force or coercion exerted against the women involved, this case does not, Lauer wrote. There is a world of difference between Ms. Lee a sex worker herself and a pimp (or madam) who enriches themselves at the expense of those performing the work." Assistant United States Attorney Lindsey Weinstein acknowedged that Lee didn't treat her workers badly but that didn't take away from the fact she recruited them into a world where they spent long days being paid for sex in strange cities, rarely leaving the apartment. You don't get credit for not threatening and abusing other women, she said. This was a business, a lifestyle she was personally involved in. The fact she decided to further harm onto others is pretty significant here. Lee, dressed in an orange jumpsuit and speaking through an interpreter, apologized to the court and said she was only trying to support the women, some who were fleeing domestic violence or lacked an education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I heard all their stories and tried to help them," she said. Authorities said the sex ring in Massachusetts and northern Virginia catered to politicians, company executives, military officers, lawyers, professors and other well-connected clients. Nearly 30 of the buyers are appearing court this month in Cambridge, after the state's highest court ruled last year that the hearings should be public. The first group of buyers appeared in court last week, and a second group is set to appear Friday. The women who worked in the brothels were not identified or criminally charged and were considered victims, prosecutors said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Han Lee maintained the operation from 2020 to November 2023. The brothel operation used websites that falsely claimed to advertise nude models for professional photography, prosecutors alleged. The operators rented high-end apartments to use as brothels in Watertown and Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Tysons and Fairfax, Virginia, prosecutors said. Brothels were maintained at four locations in Massachusetts and two in Virginia. Each website described a verification process that interested sex buyers undertook to be eligible for appointment bookings, including requiring clients to complete a form providing their full names, email addresses, phone numbers, employers and references if they had one, authorities said. Gigamon, a leading deep observability company, has recognised its top-performing ANZ channel partners at the 2024 Gigamon ANZ Partner Awards, held on March 5th at Pier 1 in Sydney. This annual event honored top partners for their exceptional contributions to security and deep observability, recognising their dedication and impact across the region. As a channel-first organisation, the Gigamon Partner Awards not only recognise outstanding partners but also underscore the vital role of strong customer alliances in enhancing cybersecurity and infrastructure management across the corporate landscape. Organisations rely on the Gigamon Deep Observability Pipeline to extract real-time intelligence from network traffic, helping them eliminate blind spots, optimise performance, and improve the efficiency of existing security and observability tools by up to 90 percent. In todays dynamic threat landscape, this capability is becoming mission-critical for securing and managing complex hybrid cloud environments. The demand for greater visibility across hybrid cloud infrastructure is driving the market at present, as organisations look to strengthen their security posture and maximise the return from their tool investments. Our channel partners are integral to bringing the Gigamon Deep Observability Pipeline to local companies to help address their most critical cybersecurity and IT challenges, said Simon Oliver, head of channel, ANZ, at Gigamon. Gigamon acknowledged its top channel partners for their unwavering commitment to supporting customers evolving needs in the security and management of hybrid cloud infrastructure. Special recognition goes to Prescient Solutions, which earned both the ANZ Partner of the Year and APAC Partner Award, highlighted at the ANZ event and presented at the Gigamon Sales Kick-off event in January this year. The 2024 Partners of the Year were recognised across multiple categories: Innovation MSS Data Solutions MSS Data Solutions Rising Star (Australia) Matrium Technologies Matrium Technologies Rising Star (New Zealand) Datacom Datacom Federal Government Prescient Solutions Prescient Solutions Distribution Excellence NEXTGEN NEXTGEN Growth mcrIT mcrIT Enterprise CyberCX Beyond honoring top partners, the GigaCHAMP awards celebrate standout individuals within the Gigamon partner community who excel in engaging customers, understanding their needs, and effectively showcasing the value of Gigamon solutions and services. The 2024 GigaCHAMP award winners were: Sales : George Ishak, CTO, mcrIT : George Ishak, CTO, Technical: Peter Smith, Security Consultant, Prescient Solutions These awards are a testament to the strength of our partner ecosystem and the collective drive to enhance the security and management of hybrid cloud infrastructure for our customers, said Oliver. We look forward to continuing these collaborations in 2025 and beyond. Over the past 12 months, Gigamon has strengthened its channel operations in ANZ through enhanced training, support, and programs while expanding its partner network to maximise customer value. The Gigamon Catalyst Partner Program operates globally, providing partners with extensive digital marketing opportunities, in-depth training and enablement, sales tools, and financing. Since its inception, the program has earned seven consecutive five-star ratings in CRNs Partner Program Guide. Learn more here. WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) A New Mexico woman has been arrested in connection with a 2022 murder in Wichita Falls, according to county jail records. Janea Ariana Aragon, 32, of Albuquerque, was booked into the Wichita County Jail for murder on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. While shes currently awaiting magistration, her bond is recommended to be set at $1 million. The affidavit for Aragons arrest has not been made available as of the publication of this story. No further details of the murder charge against her are available at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED: Three murder cases remain unsolved from 2022 According to the Wichita County jail roster, the charge stems from October 26, 2022, the same day when 70-year-old James Shierling was found deceased inside an apartment in the 1300 block of 11th Street at around 3:30 p.m. At the time, officials with the Wichita Falls Police Department said Shierlings death was being investigated as a homicide. A check of Aragons criminal history revealed one prior arrest for criminal trespass, which also occurred on Oct. 26, 2022, when she was arrested at the Walmart on Lawrence Road just before 1 p.m. According to court documents, she was barred from the store just 30 minutes prior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aragon was released from jail the following day, on Oct. 27, meaning she was in custody when Shierlings body was discovered by authorities. The criminal trespass charge against her was later dismissed. It is unclear if the murder charge against Aragon is connected to Shierlings death at this time. This is a developing story. Stick with Texomas Homepage for updates as more information becomes available. All individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 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 Texomashomepage.com. COMPANY NEWS: Bitdefender's security researchers have identified a large-scale ad fraud campaign that deployed hundreds of malicious apps in the Google Play Store, resulting in more than 60 million downloads total. The apps display out-of-context ads and even try to persuade victims to give away credentials and credit card information in phishing attacks. The Google Play Store is often targeted by cybercriminals trying to upload malicious apps by bypassing existing protections. Google purges the store of such apps, either on its own volition or after being notified by researchers but criminals adapt. This is one of the main reasons why it's not enough for users to rely solely on the protection available by default on Android devices and the Google Play Store and why Bitdefender has dedicated technologies to address this issue. The technology embedded in Bitdefender Mobile Security, App Anomaly Detection, observes the apps behaviour after installation, which is critical in todays threat landscape. In some cases, bad actors alter the functionality of previously benign apps that had already been cleared for the Google Play Store, turning them into dangerous software. Security researchers from IAS Threat Lab uncovered a part of this campaign, exceeding 180 apps. However, the campaign is much larger, as Bitdefender's security researchers learned, and the dangers extend past what we usually observe. Criminals have used their access to devices to direct users towards phishing websites, not just to show them annoying full-screen ads. Key findings: The campaign features at least 331 apps that were available via the Google Play Store (15 were still online when the research was completed), gathering more than 60 million downloads. Attackers figured out a way to hide the apps icons from the launcher, which is restricted on newer Android iterations. The apps have some functionality in most cases, but they can show out-of-context ads over other applications in the foreground, bypassing restrictions without using specific permissions that allow this behaviour. Some apps have tried to collect user credentials for online services, and even credit card data, via phishing attacks. The apps can start without user interaction, even though this should not be technically possible in Android 13. The campaign seems to either be the work of one actor, or multiple criminals using the same packaging tool sold on black markets. Insights and overview: The investigated applications bypass Android security restrictions to start activities even if they are not running in the foreground and, without required permissions to do so, spam the users with continuous, fullscreen ads. The same behaviour is used to serve UI elements featuring phishing attempts. Application mimicking simple utility apps like: QR scanners Expense tracking apps Health apps Wallpaper apps Distribution by countries Most applications first became active on Google Play in Q3 2024. After further analysis, we saw that older ones that had been published earlier were initially benign and did not contain malware components. The malicious behaviour was added afterward, starting with versions from the beginning of Q3. To be clear, this is an active campaign. The latest malware published in the Google Play Store went live in the first week of March 2025. When we finished the investigation, a week later, 15 applications were still available for download on Google Play. Technical Overview Running without user interaction: The application declares a contact content provider that is automatically queried by the system after the installation has been completed and the application entry point is loaded. In some of the more recent samples, we noticed an evolution in criminals' methods to evade detection techniques by adding that type of content provider referenced as a string in resources. In previous iterations, it was directly referenced in the app's manifest. This is likely one reason why our analysis has revealed so many more apps involved in this massive fraudulent campaign. Attackers often find ways to adapt when their methods are discovered, and apps are removed from the store. Icon hiding techniques: One way to keep a malicious app hidden from the user is to hide the icon a behaviour that is no longer allowed in the Android OS. We notice that attackers used multiple approaches to solve this problem. The most popular and interesting one is also likely the most efficient. The app comes with the Launcher Activity (e.g., that the user sees and clicks on) disabled by default. Afterwards, by abusing the startup mechanism provided by the content provider, the samples use native code to enable the launcher, which is likely carried out as an additional technique to evade detection. After the setup procedure is complete, the app disables its launchers and the icon disappears entirely from the phone launcher. This behaviour is not permitted in recent Android versions, which means that the malware's developers likely found a bug or are abusing the API. This also happens in native code. Another mechanism we've seen in other samples aims to further enhance detection-evasion techniques by using Android LEANBACK LAUNCHER, a type of launcher specifically designed for Android TV that isn't available on regular Android phones. Here, the application uses an alias activity of the category LAUNCHER, pointing to the first activity that is defined as a LEANBACK_LAUNCHER. If the alias is disabled by default and the LEANBACK_LAUNCHER is not shown, the application can choose when to enable or disable the LAUNCHER alias. Also, we can infer this type of icon-hiding behaviour from some leftover metadata in the code of some of the applications. The conclusion is worrisome. The attackers can dynamically disable or enable the icon and the launcher whenever they consider it necessary. We also noticed that some apps try to hide even in Settings to avoid user removal. As we can see in this video, the app even changes its name to Google Voice to look like an official one. Starting Activities when not in the foreground and ads mechanism At first glance, we noticed that the applications started to show ads without even being started, even if another application was running in the foreground. We first checked the manifest for the SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW permission that allows that behaviour, but it was missing. Secondly, we identified the activity used to show ads in the Java code, but it was not called from anywhere in the Java code. Moreover, the activity registers an empty callback for the Back button and will not allow the user to exit the ad. It is also interesting that the app uses some options in AndroidManifest.xml that allow it to disappear from recent tasks and hide itself from the user. These types of activities seem consistent across all the samples from this threat but have different, possible automatically generated, names. Let's go back to the native library. We see that the mechanism of starting the activity mentioned above is located there, and it successfully starts the activity without the required permissions by abusing the following API calls: Using DisplayManager.createVirtualDisplay to create a virtual display with a random name and the following flags: DisplayManager.VIRTUAL DISPLAY FLAG_PUBLIC | DisplayManager.VIRTUAL DISPLAY FLAG PRESENTATION | DisplayManager.VIRTUAL_DISPLAY FLAG OWN CONTENT ONLY to create a virtual display with a random name and the following flags: Creating a DisplayManager.DisplayListener with a callback on the function onDisplayAdded, searching for the new display created. with a callback on the function onDisplayAdded, searching for the new display created. When the new display is found, the application uses the presentation API to create a presentation on the display: Android.app.Presentation( context, new_display) and the function show() of the presentation is called. and the function of the presentation is called. After a delay, startActivity is used with the flag Intent.FLAG ACTIVITY NEW TASK, to start the required activity. Our insights revealed this type of behaviour in several apps, clearly showing the technical capability of deploying phishing attacks via full screen activities. Users could be asked to enter credentials from Facebook, YouTube or other online services, or credit card information under various pretexts. The following video is a recreation of the apps behaviour and capabilities as spotted from our insights, and not from any particular sample. It's also common for attackers to scare users with threats of infected devices in an effort to persuade them to install third-party apps that could prove to be dangerous malware, such as banking Trojans. Persistence mechanisms: Besides the content provider mechanism, which is queried often by the system, most of the applications investigated use the app's entry point to start a foreground service that shows an empty entry in the notification bar. This behaviour was only allowed until Android API level 31. On newer Android, when the foreground service is blocked, the applications start the foreground service from native code after the first activity with ads. The app is then considered to be in the foreground and it is allowed to start a service. Another persistence mechanism leverages different dummy broadcast receivers or services. C2 Communication: Most of the applications use custom, dedicated c2 domains and offer links specific to each package (details can be seen in Annex/IOCs). We also observed different ways of encrypted communication, using combinations of AES, Base64 and custom encryption. The malware exfiltrates device information using a dictionary-based structure, but the keys in this dictionary are polymorphed and unique to each application. This means the labels used to send data constantly change, making detection and analysis more difficult. From the server side, even after decryption, the response is intentionally not user-friendly for further block analysis. A jibber-jabber response is used to configure the ads software development kits (SDKs). Obfuscation and anti-analysis mechanisms: Most of the applications analysed use similar string obfuscation techniques based on XOR but with different inputs like Base64 encoded string, plain strings or even hardcoded byte arrays. We also identified that the mechanism responsible for starting the activities when not in the foreground is in native libraries with randomly generated names. The native libraries seem to be obfuscated with Armariris obfuscator. Also, upon further analysis, we discovered that the library contains runtime checks that allow it to determine if it runs in an emulated environment or debugger is connected to evade detection. About Bitdefender Bitdefender is a cybersecurity leader delivering best-in-class threat prevention, detection, and response solutions worldwide. Guardian over millions of consumer, enterprise, and government environments, Bitdefender is one of the industrys most trusted experts for eliminating threats, protecting privacy, digital identity, and data, and enabling cyber resilience. With deep investments in research and development, Bitdefender Labs discovers hundreds of new threats each minute and validates billions of threat queries daily. The company has pioneered breakthrough innovations in antimalware, IoT security, behavioural analytics, and artificial intelligence, and its technology is licensed by more than 180 of the worlds most recognised technology brands. Founded in 2001, Bitdefender has customers in 170+ countries with offices around the world. For more information, visit https://www.bitdefender.com. Gov. Glenn Youngkin doubled down on his support for federal job cuts in Richmond Wednesday as Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears (left) looked on. (Photo by Markus Schmidt/Virginia Mercury) Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Wednesday doubled down on the necessity of sweeping federal layoffs while attempting to reassure Virginians that the states economy is resilient. Speaking before administration officials and reporters in Richmond, Youngkin acknowledged the real dislocation caused by job losses but insisted that trimming the federal workforce was a necessary step toward fiscal responsibility. Today, we know we have a federal government that is facing huge fiscal issues with $37 trillion in debt, with $2 trillion being added every year. What that requires is real action quickly, Youngkin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Striving to gain efficiencies and reduce costs in the federal government is at the heart of regaining our fiscal responsibility as a nation, and I recognize that what comes with that is dislocation. The governors remarks came as he signed 180 of the more than 900 bills passed during the 2025 legislative session, with Mondays deadline to take action on all legislation rapidly approaching. Flanked by Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and Labor Secretary Bryan Slater, Youngkin framed Virginia as a state of economic strength, touting the availability of more than 250,000 job opportunities through the Virginia Has Jobs platform. If you experience job dislocation, we want to help you along the path to a new career, he said. On top of that, there are 250,000 jobs that are available through this website that connects you with opportunities all over the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youngkin insisted that Virginias economy is thriving, citing statistics showing a low 3% unemployment rate and an increase of 276,000 jobs since he took office in January 2022. He argued that his administration has created an economic environment conducive to job growth and investment. Virginia is not just competing to win, but Virginia is winning, Youngkin declared. Since we started this effort together, we have seen 276,000 more people working today than in January 2022. The Democratic Party of Virginia (DPVA) wasted no time in criticizing Youngkins comments, arguing that his approach lacks real solutions for the thousands of Virginians facing unemployment. DPVA Chairwoman Susan Swecker directly blamed Youngkins alignment with President Donald Trumps economic policies for deepening uncertainty in the commonwealth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Virginia is not winning Virginia is losing because of Glenn Youngkins weak and ineffective leadership and refusal to stand up to Donald Trump, Swecker said in a statement. Over 300,000 Virginians are at risk of losing their jobs, and his only answer is for them to update their resumes and look for jobs online. It is embarrassing and quite frankly irresponsible for a governor to offer such out-of-touch and arrogant nonsense to hardworking Virginians facing an economic crisis. Earle-Sears, the current frontrunner in a three-way contest for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, echoed Youngkins optimism, emphasizing the need for continued investment in infrastructure and regulatory reforms to keep the state competitive. We win because we must invest in infrastructure, business-ready sites, especially for large employers, power generation and distribution, roads, and our spaceports, Earle-Sears said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We must cut regulations and reduce the cost of doing business. We must build on the $1.2 billion of job savings from the streamlining of regulations against businesses. She also pointed to Virginias top ranking as CNBCs Top State for Business in 2024 as a sign that the states economic policies are yielding results. Among the legislation directly related to Virginias economy that Youngkin signed Wednesday is Senate Bill 1208, sponsored by Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, that will create a new $60 million grant fund aimed at driving investment and job creation in the semiconductor industry. The proposal, identical to House Bill 2358 by Del. Luke Torian, D-Prince William, replaces the states existing semiconductor grant program and will benefit Micron Technologys expansion in Manassas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor framed the legislation as a critical step in securing the companys continued growth in the commonwealth. This bill unlocks an opportunity for Micron to build new manufacturing capabilities in Virginia $2.1 billion of investment, and theyll hire 340 more people into the Micron family, Youngkin said. The measure also allows up to $10 million in bonus grants for additional job creation, reinforcing Virginias push to become a semiconductor manufacturing hub. Youngkin said he would also sign SB 1207, which will establish the Lithium-Ion Battery Separator Manufacturing Grant Fund, allocating up to $60.6 million over 20 years to support a qualified company investing in battery separator production. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company must commit to at least $1.35 billion in capital investment and create 2,015 full-time jobs in Pittsylvania County between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2045 to receive funding. The bill, which is identical to HB 2540, is part of Virginias broader push to position itself as a leader in battery technology and advanced manufacturing. Battery separators are a critical component in lithium-ion cells, used in everything from electric vehicles to energy storage systems. Youngkin will further sign SB 1275, which allows the Virginia Economic Development Partnership Authority to designate sites as small as 25 contiguous acres down from the previous 100-acre standard as eligible for site development grants if they are located in a locality with 35 square miles or less of land area. Youngkin praised the measure for making Virginia more competitive for business expansion, particularly in areas where large tracts of land are scarce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This bill expands our site readiness investment to counties and localities that are smaller, because not everybody has 100 acres available per a company, but they may have 25, and we have so many companies that want to come to Virginia, Youngkin said. And SB 1338, which also got Youngkins approval, will classify fusion energy as carbon-free and clean energy, making it eligible for inclusion in future energy policies and incentives. The bill, which mirrors HB 1779, updates the states energy framework to align with advancements in nuclear fusion technology a process that generates electricity by fusing atomic nuclei, producing minimal waste and no direct carbon emissions. Youngkin told reporters that he will be rolling out his decisions on legislation in a piecemeal fashion over the next five days, with the majority coming on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There will be a lot of bills that Ill sign, there are a lot of familiar bills that Ill be vetoing, and there are a lot of bills that Im trying to make better, he said. Youngkin emphasized that his approach is centered on what is beneficial for Virginias business climate, making it clear that he will not approve measures he believes could harm economic growth. My filter here is really focused on bills that are good for Virginia business, and to make sure that were not entering or signing bills that are bad for business in Virginia, he said, adding, And this is really clear. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE LogicMonitor, a leading SaaS-based platform for AI-powered data centre transformation, has announced that it has signed a strategic collaboration agreement (SCA) with Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS) to offer enhanced solutions that help global enterprises accelerate migrations to AWS. Powering the future of data centres with AI-powered observability LogicMonitors hybrid observability platform, which itself is powered by AWS, lets organisations de-risk and accelerate their migration journeys to AWS in response to significant changes in VMwares licensing and pricing models. With LogicMonitors real-time insights into on-premises and cloud environments, enterprises can seamlessly transition their VMware workloads to AWS with confidence while maintaining operational continuity and optimising costs. Additionally, LogicMonitor has achieved the AWS Cloud Operations Competency. This designation differentiates LogicMonitor as an AWS Partner Network (APN) member with demonstrated expertise in helping clients build a strong and scalable observability foundation for their end-to-end cloud operations. Will Corkery, chief revenue office (CRO), LogicMonitor, said, "Enterprises navigating the complexities of data centre transformation need seamless visibility across hybrid environments to make informed decisions and mitigate risk. Through this collaboration with AWS, were empowering organisations to streamline their VMware migrations with confidenceoptimiing performance, reducing costs, and unlocking the next level of observability that modern IT operations demand." Alan Braun, managing director, technology partnerships at AWS, said, As organisations continue to accelerate their move to AWS, observability is key. Bringing together AWSs advanced cloud services with LogicMonitors observability expertise is another way customers can make a seamless transition to the cloud, and speed up the modernisation of their IT workloads." Accelerating cloud migrations and unlocking next-gen IT performance LogicMonitor currently supports over 70 AWS services, delivering comprehensive dashboards and workflows tailored for organisations transitioning to AWS or expanding their AWS footprint. Industries such as healthcare and financial services, which demand robust observability solutions, stand to benefit significantly from the combined strengths of LogicMonitor and AWS. To support enterprises migrating VMware workloads to AWS, LogicMonitors hybrid observability platform offers: Uninterrupted service availability: Ensure service continuity and gain better control over migration timelines while optimising cloud costs with detailed billing and utilisation insights. Ensure service continuity and gain better control over migration timelines while optimising cloud costs with detailed billing and utilisation insights. Migration strategy comparison: Compare lift-and-shift versus refactoring strategies for VMware workloads and see how LogicMonitor Envision automates VM configuration detection and cost optimisation. Compare lift-and-shift versus refactoring strategies for VMware workloads and see how LogicMonitor Envision automates VM configuration detection and cost optimisation. Cost visibility and performance assurance: Improve cost visibility and ensure migrated resources deliver optimal performance, avoiding common pitfalls in on-prem to cloud transitions. Improve cost visibility and ensure migrated resources deliver optimal performance, avoiding common pitfalls in on-prem to cloud transitions. Automated performance optimisation: Identify over-provisioned VMs and streamline workflows through integrations with tools like ServiceNow and PagerDuty, automating performance improvements. Oscar Garcia, senior vice president, managed services and platform automation, NTT, said, LogicMonitors powerful hybrid observability tools have been invaluable as we guide customers through complex migrations from VMware to AWS environments. This collaboration has provided unmatched clarity and efficiency, enabling customers to confidently modernise their IT environments while unlocking greater flexibility and operational excellence. This collaboration underscores the value of LogicMonitor and AWS in providing flexibility and unlocking business value for customers across industries. For more information on LogicMonitors AWS monitoring for modern data centres, please visit: https://www.logicmonitor.com/aws. About LogicMonitor LogicMonitor offers AI-powered data centre transformation. The companys SaaS-based platform, LM Envision, enables observability across on-prem and multi-cloud environments. A Visionary on the 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Observability, LogicMonitor provides IT and business teams operational visibility and predictability across their technologies and applications to focus less on troubleshooting and more on delivering extraordinary employee and customer experiences. For more information, visit www.logicmonitor.com and our blog, or follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and YouTube. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Youngstown State is taking a step into the digital age, rolling out an app to help keep students safe on campus. Blue-light emergency kiosks are everywhere on college campuses across the country, but the technology itself is a little outdated. YSU has taken this concept and put it in your phone, making the call for help right at your fingertips. Safety is a top priority at college campuses across the country, and YSU is rolling out a new tool to make sure students feel secure on campus: PENGUINsafe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the app, were able to post emergency plans on there, contact information, emergency contact information, YSU Police Chief Shawn Varso said. The smartphone app features a number of safety measures, and blends perfectly with YSUs PENGUINalert system. You would have the ability to get the penguin alert messages on the PENGUINsafe app, as you would through text messages or email as you do now, Varso said. YSU Police Chief Shawn Varso says theyve been collaborating with the campus IT department and the office of Marketing and Communications for months, purchasing the software from the same company that provides the PENGIUNalerts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A panic button on the app works like a mobile version of the Blue Light kiosks you see around campus. In an emergency, it can alert YSU Police of a crisis and send them your location. The whole aspect that if there is an emergency and they hit that button we know exactly where they are. And when I say we know where they are, its almost real-time, so thats vital that we can go right ot them in the event of an emergency, Varso said. The kiosks themselves wont be going away, but the police department says they will be pairing down how many are on campus, as maintaining and repairing the 118 stations has become a challenge over the years. It is difficult to find parts with it now. It is very difficult to fix. Because its hard-wired technology, A lot of those lines run underground, so if you did need to replace a system or you need to replace the lines, youre looking at digging up concrete, asphalt. It can get pricy to replace a system or to fix a system, Varso said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PENGIUNsafe also allows users to make confidential tips to police, and offers a virtual walk-home feature, allowing campus police to monitor their journey in real-time until they safely reach their destination. It can alert us that they want to be monitored from walking to point a to point b. We acknowledge that, and we would be able ot follow them from point a to point b, Varso said. If they dont show up at their destination, then we can back-track and make sure that the individual is all right then. The app itself now available on the Apple and Google Play stores; theyre encouraging students and staff to download 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 WKBN.com. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Youngstown State University is adding a new four-legged officer to its police force. Barkley began patrol this week as the departments newest K-9 officer. He continues the departments K-9 program following the retirement of K-9 Gino last May. Barkley is a one-and-a-half-year-old German Shepherd and joins the force as an explosive and firearm detection dog. His handler, officer Hope Stoner, is excited to get to work with her new partner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I was choosing K-9s, once I saw him come out, I just instantly knew that he was going to be my partner, Stoner said. Hes very friendly, sociable. Hes just a great dog, truly. I feel like I had that instant connection when I met him. Barkley and Officer Stoner recently completed a five-week training course in Pennsylvania. Now, theyre ready to hit the road and explore campus. Ive always loved dogs. When the position opened I knew it was going to be a great experience for me to advance in my career, do something different: get involved with the community, more involved with the dog, work with other departments, Stoner 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 WKBN.com. WELLINGTON (Reuters) - New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said his countrys relationship with the United States is on a "strong footing as he wrapped up a trip to Washington. Peters met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Head of the U.S. Office of Foreign Assistance Peter Marocco, and a range of other administration and Congressional representatives. New Zealand is a close friend of the United States but not an official ally. The two countries have worked together in the Pacific to offset the growing influence of China, but there are concerns among some lawmakers in New Zealand about what the change in administration in the U.S. and its suspension of aid funding will mean for the Pacific region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have agreed with the United States that we should continue to work together for a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific, Peters said. We have also talked about all the areas where New Zealand and the United States have interests in common, Peter said. These include the prosperity and stability of the Pacific Islands, promoting a balanced and mutually beneficial trade and economic relationship, and cooperating more on space and technology and in Antarctica. (Reporting by Lucy Craymer; Editing by Stephen Coates) (Bloomberg) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy agreed to a proposal for a mutual halt to strikes on energy assets as an initial step in President Donald Trumps effort to end the war that began with Russias full-scale invasion three years ago. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the first steps toward fully ending the war could be ending strikes on energy and other civilian infrastructure, Zelenskiy said in a statement on X after a call with Trump on Wednesday. I supported this step, and Ukraine confirmed that we are ready to implement it. Trump, who had stormy exchanges earlier with Zelenskiy, described their call as very good, and top US officials called it fantastic. Trump, who at one point cut off weapons shipments and intelligence-sharing for Ukraine, promised fresh support, according to a statement on the call from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. Zelenskiy asked for additional air defense systems to protect his civilians, particularly Patriot missile systems, and President Trump agreed to work with him to find what was available particularly in Europe, they said. The offers of support for Ukraine came a day after Trump had a friendly call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who accepted the notion of a pause in attacks on energy facilities but gave no sign that hes dropped his insistence that Trumps proposed ceasefire be conditioned on a cutoff of weapons and intelligence aid to Ukraine and that Russia hold on to land its seized in the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Follow The Big Take daily podcast wherever you listen. Trump even offered to help run Ukraines electricity supply and nuclear power facilities, adding that American ownership of those plants would be the best protection for that infrastructure, according to Rubio and Waltz. President Trump shared details of his conversation with Putin and the key issues discussed, Zelenskiy said. Rubio and Waltz said in their statement that technical teams will meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to discuss broadening the ceasefire to the Black Sea on the way to a full ceasefire. Zelenskiy later told reporters on a conference call from Helsinki that he felt no pressure from Trump during their call and that no additional conditions were proposed for the partial ceasefire. He said US and Ukrainian teams will meet in Saudi Arabia March 22 to 24. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eric Rubin, a former US ambassador to Bulgaria whos now a senior fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis in Washington, said the Trump administration is trying to say that Putin has agreed to Trumps proposal. But he has not. And it looks like he has no intention of agreeing to a simple ceasefire. Rubin said Putin is trying to use this process to negotiate Russias actual, ultimate goals rather than agreeing to stop the fighting and stop the shelling. Why a Potential Russia-Ukraine Energy Ceasefire Matters: Q&A Trump and Zelenskiy held a disastrous meeting in the Oval Office in February, a public breach between the leaders that underscored their misalignment as Trump prioritizes a quick end to the fighting and restoring relations with Putin. Putins offer to stop attacks on energy infrastructure in Ukraine follows a painful series of strikes during the winter, which had already eased as the weather warms. Meanwhile, Ukraine has targeted Russian oil refineries to cut fuel supplies and revenues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia has been occupying Ukraines largest nuclear power plant in the southern region of Zaporizhzhia since early in the full-scale war. Zelenskiy told reporters earlier Wednesday in Helsinki that mere promises from Putin to stop strikes on energy infrastructure wouldnt be enough for Ukraine to halt attacks on Russian oil assets. He said that overnight Moscow targeted energy and transport infrastructure as well as two hospitals. As he spoke Wednesday evening, the Ukrainian leader said, 107 Russian drones were in the sky over his country. The Ukrainian leader also said before the Trump call that his country would never recognize areas currently occupied by Moscows forces as Russian, signaling further friction ahead as both Trump and Putin have said some territory would be lost. Trumps envoy, Steve Witkoff, said Wednesday in an interview with Bloomberg Television that he believed a full ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine can be reached in a couple of weeks and that a meeting between Trump and Putin is likely to happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement --With assistance from Josh Wingrove, Kateryna Chursina and Iain Marlow. (Updates with Zelenskiy comment, analyst starting in eighth paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2025 Bloomberg L.P. KYIV/HELSINKI (Reuters) -Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he would speak to President Donald Trump on Wednesday and urged the United States to monitor a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia which he said Russian President Vladimir Putin had already ignored. Moscow and Kyiv accused each other on Wednesday of launching air attacks that damaged infrastructure just hours after their leaders agreed in principle to a limited ceasefire to halt attacks on energy infrastructure. Zelenskiy, in a joint briefing in Helsinki with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, said Putin's words were not enough and that Ukraine would provide a list of energy facilities it hopes the U.S. and allies would help monitor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I really want there to be control. But I believe that the main agent of this control should be the United States of America," he said, adding that Kyiv would be ready to commit to a ceasefire. "If the Russians will not strike our facilities, then we will definitely not strike theirs," Zelenskiy said. The Kremlin said on Wednesday that Russia had suspended its attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure after a Tuesday phone call between Putin and Trump and had shot down its own Ukraine-bound drones while they were in the air. In the call, Putin agreed to stop attacking Ukrainian energy facilities temporarily but declined to endorse a full 30-day ceasefire that Trump hoped would be the first step toward a permanent peace deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Ukrainian officials said on Wednesday that Russian drones had damaged two hospitals in the northeastern Sumy region and railway infrastructure in the southeastern Dnipropetrovsk region. Zelenskiy said the attack, which the air force said involved 145 drones, showed "Putin's words are very different from reality" and called for sustained Western military aid to Ukraine. Ukraine said it destroyed 72 drones while Russia said its air-defence units had downed 57 Ukrainian drones, but did not reveal how many were launched. Moscow said Ukraine hit an oil pumping station in southern Russia. 'STEP IN RIGHT DIRECTION' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelenskiy's call with Trump would be the first known direct contact between the two since their White House clash last month threatened ties between Kyiv and its biggest military backer. The Ukrainian leader said he would seek more details about Trump's call with Putin, and that Ukraine was preparing for a new round of talks with U.S. officials on technical elements of a partial ceasefire. Stubb said Tuesday's phone call between Trump and Putin was a step in the right direction but that Russia should face pressure if it did not unconditionally accept the ceasefire. "If Russia refuses to agree, we need to increase our efforts to strengthen Ukraine and ratchet up pressure on Russia to convince it to come to the negotiating table." (Reporting by Yuliia Dysa and Dan Peleschuk; Additional reporting by Anne Kauranen in Helsinki; Writing by Dan Peleschuk; Editing by Hugh Lawson, Bernadette Baum, Aidan Lewis) President Volodymyr Zelensky said he agreed to stop strikes on Russian energy infrastructure during a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on March 19. "One of the first steps toward fully ending the war could be ending strikes on energy and other civilian infrastructure. I supported this step, and Ukraine confirmed that we are ready to implement it," Zelensky said on X following the hour-long call with Trump. The call between Trump and Zelensky came a day after the U.S. president spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the phone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the call, Putin announced he had agreed to a 30-day truce on strikes on energy infrastructure. The same night overnight on March 19 Russia carried out a large-scale drone attack that targeted energy infrastructure and other facilities. Russia has been bombing Ukraine's civilian energy infrastructure since 2022 and has been steadily expanding its air campaigns in recent months, with bombardments by swarms of Shahed drones now a nightly occurrence. Ukraine has also launched regular drone attacks on Russia in response. On the night of March 10, over 330 Ukrainian drones targeted Moscow. Other strikes have targeted Russia's fossil fuel infrastructure. Read also: Trumps push for regime change in Ukraine has only boosted Zelensky Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine has agreed to a US proposal for a temporary pause in attacks on energy infrastructure in the three-year war launched by Russia, Ukrainian Volodymyr Zelensky said on X on Wednesday following a phone call with US President Donald Trump. "One of the first steps toward fully ending the war could be ending strikes on energy and other civilian infrastructure," Zelensky said in a statement in English after the one-hour conversation. "I supported this step, and Ukraine confirmed that we are ready to implement it," he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to the proposal during a call with Trump on Tuesday. It was initially unclear when the limited ceasefire would begin. If implemented, it would be the first limitation on the fighting since Putin ordered the full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. During the call with Zelensky, Trump also proposed that the United States could take ownership of Ukraine's nuclear power plants as a security guarantee. Prior to the conversation, Zelensky had called on the US to monitor the pause in attacks. Mutual strikes Over the course of the war, Russia has severely damaged Ukraine's energy supply with targeted missile and drone strikes, leading to the shutdown of several power plants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While this has imposed severe hardship on the Ukrainian population, facing repeated cuts to electricity, heating and water, the system has so far not collapsed entirely. For its part, Ukraine has used drones to hit Russian oil refinieries aiming reduce the fuel supply for the Russian army. These attacks, which also aimed to reduce Moscow's oil revenues, posed a growing problem for the Kremlin. While a mutual halt to the attacks on energy facilities would be the first tangible result of Trump's efforts to end the war, Putin has so far not agreed to a US proposal for a comprehensive 30-day ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, US officials are set to meet with representatives from both Ukraine and Russia in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to discuss an extension of the limited ceasefire. US offers to take ownership of Ukrainian plants In addition to Trump's surprise offer to take ownership of Ukrainian nuclear power plants, he and Zelensky also discussed Ukraine's electricity supply, according to Washington. "[Trump] said that the United States could be very helpful in running those plants with its electricity and utility expertise," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Michael Waltz said in a joint statement after the phone call between Trump and Zelensky. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "American ownership of those plants would be the best protection for that infrastructure and support for Ukrainian energy infrastructure," they added. Kiev has so far not commented on the proposal and Zelensky did not address it in his statement posted on X following the phone call with Trump. Ukraine's nuclear power plants have been the backbone of the country's electricity supply because many coal-fired power plants have been damaged in the war. The Kiev government has also decided to build more reactors. However, Ukraine's largest nuclear plant in Zaporizhzhya has been occupied by Russian forces since March 2022. President Volodymyr Zelensky will speak with U.S. President Donald Trump on March 19, as Zelensky announced during a joint press conference with Finnish President Alexander Stubb. "Today, I will contact President Trump. We will discuss the details of the next steps," Zelensky said. The Ukrainian leader said he expects to hear details from Trump about his phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 18. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking about U.S.-Ukraine talks in Saudi Arabia, Zelensky said, "I believe everything was going in the right direction, although not for Russia, which is always unhappy when something goes right." Following the call between Trump and Putin, the Kremlin issued a statement demanding the complete cessation of foreign military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine as a "key condition for avoiding an escalation of the war." Zelensky warned that cutting off U.S. intelligence would leave Ukraine blind to Russian missile threats. (Putin) wants us not to know about these attacks so that our people do not go to the bomb shelter. This all signals the continuation of the war," Zelensky said, urging continued support for the besieged country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the Trump-Putin call, the Russian leader agreed to a limited 30-day pause on energy infrastructure attacks but did not commit to a broader ceasefire proposed by the U.S. Zelensky dismissed Putins statement as inconsistent with Russias actions. "Putin's words are very different from reality," he said, noting that Russia launched around 150 drones against Ukraine overnight, including against energy facilities, despite the claimed moratorium. Zelensky also said that the next meeting in Saudi Arabia could focus on discussing a partial ceasefire, particularly regarding infrastructure and energy and the security of shipping routes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It will be a technical team. From our side, there will definitely be military officials, engineers, and people who understand port infrastructure. This is the technical level," he said. When asked about red lines in future talks with Russia, Zelensky reiterated that Kyiv would never recognize Russian occupation of Ukrainian territories. He also rejected any discussion with Moscow about the size of Ukraine's military. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff told Fox News on March 18 that the next round of talks between the U.S. and Russia will take place on March 23 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The upcoming conversation between Zelensky and Trump will mark their first talk since the heated Feb. 28 exchange in the Oval Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That meeting, initially meant to conclude a deal on Ukraine's mineral resources, quickly unraveled after Trump and Vice President JD Vance accused Zelensky of overestimating Ukraines leverage and failing to show sufficient gratitude for past U.S. aid. Following the meeting, top White House officials demanded an apology from Zelensky. On March 4, he issued a conciliatory statement calling the Oval Office incident "regrettable" and expressing willingness to work toward peace under Trump's "strong leadership." Read also: US scales down efforts in countering Russian sabotage, Reuters reports Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday put his support behind President Trumps push for a limited ceasefire with Russia. One of the first steps toward fully ending the war could be ending strikes on energy and other civilian infrastructure. I supported this step, and Ukraine confirmed that we are ready to implement it, Zelensky said in a post on the social platform X. We believe that such steps are necessary to create the possibility for a comprehensive peace agreement to be prepared during the ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. had proposed that both sides halt attacks on energy facilities and infrastructure as a first step toward a broader peace deal. President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke on the phone for nearly three hours on Tuesday, while Zelensky spoke to Trump on Wednesday. Zelensky said in a statement that Ukrainian and U.S. officials will resolve technical issues related to implementing and expanding the partial ceasefire. Ukrainian and American teams are ready to meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to continue coordinating steps toward peace, he said. Trump had initially proposed an unconditional, 30-day ceasefire to halt fighting on the ground and air, which Ukraine accepted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump described the call with Zelensky on Wednesday as very good and agreed to work with the Ukrainian leader to see if additional air defense systems are available at the Ukrainian presidents request, according to a readout from the White House, focused on systems already in Europe. Trump proposed American ownership of Ukrainian nuclear power plants as the best protection for that infrastructure, according to a statement by national security adviser Mike Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The United States could be very helpful in running those plants with its electricity and utility expertise, Trump told Zelensky, according to Waltz and Rubio. The president also asked Zelensky about children who have gone missing during the war, the White House readout said, and he promised to work with both parties to get children home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putin is under indictment by the International Criminal Court over allegations of war crimes for kidnapping Ukrainian children. Ukrainian officials estimate that Russia holds about 20,000 Ukrainian children, but believe the actual number could be much higher. In December, Yales Humanitarian Research Lab released a report identifying 314 Ukrainian children who it said were placed in a systematic, Kremlin-directed program of coerced adoption and fostering. The lab presented its findings to the United Nations Security Council. The Trump administration reportedly ended State Department funding for the lab that was started during the Biden administration. I have no updates about that and that specific program at this time, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The remarks and work by Ukraine and the Trump administration represent progress in a relationship that looked damaged following an explosive Oval Office meeting where Trump accused Zelensky of frustrating peace efforts. 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. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday called for more details in President Trumps proposal for a ceasefire with Russia that would spare energy and infrastructure targets, warning that Russian President Vladimir Putin is pressuring Ukraine in ground operations. Zelensky made his remarks in a press conference organized shortly after Trump held a phone call with Putin to discuss the terms of a potential ceasefire. Putin held back committing to a U.S.-pitched a ceasefire that Ukraine accepted last week and that would halt ground and air attacks. We support all steps aimed at the end of the war. We will support them. But in order to support them, we need to understand what exactly we support, Zelensky said in remarks in Ukrainian and shared by Reuters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When President Trump has time, he is a busy man, when he has time, we can call me any time, he has my phone number. We are ready to talk through further steps, with pleasure. 5 takeaways from Trump-Putin call on Ukraine ceasefire The White House did not return a request for comment by The Hill on whether Trump has plans to call Zelensky. The Ukrainian leader said a prisoner exchange set for Wednesday will demonstrate a will and desire to end the war, on the part of Russia. But he said Kyiv is skeptical in trusting the Russians, saying there is no trust in Putin to hold to a truce. Thats why I am saying we need to understand how it will work technically so that it will not depend on their desire only. That is it, Zelensky said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelensky said Putin is intent on conducting offensive operations in key areas of Ukrainian territory, which Moscow claims it annexed but does not have full control. This includes the Ukrainian oblasts of Zaporizhia, the site of a critical nuclear power plant, and the areas of Sumy and Kharkiv in the northeast of the country, on the border with Russia. Putin wants to conduct a few offensive operations, Zelensky said. He will try to do it. For what? To put maximum amount of pressure on Ukraine. When will it happen? Trust me, he will try to do it in the nearest few months. Zelensky also spoke out about demands Putin raised in the call with Trump, that any ceasefire would require Ukraine to halt recruiting new soldiers and stop rearmament. Zelensky also rejected Putins calls for the U.S. to end military assistance for Ukraine. Trump briefly halted U.S. military aid and intelligence sharing but restored it when Zelensky agreed to a 30-day ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He saw that the United States can take steps [to stop military aid and intelligence sharing] and that is why he is raising topics which he thinks may work in his favor. It happened before, so why not to do it again. But once again, it means weakening of the Ukrainian army, Zelensky said. I think military aid will continue. We have aid from both the United States and our European colleagues. We are constantly in touch with them. I am certain there will no betrayal from the partners side and that the flow of military aid will continue. 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. This article was originally featured in Foreign Policy, the magazine of global politics and ideas. As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky awaits ceasefire talks and negotiations to end Russias war in his country, he should reflect on an earlier chapter in this tragic conflict. In November 2022, just nine months after Moscows armies invaded Ukraine, Mark Milley, then the U.S. chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, gave a talk at the Economic Club of New York. His insights were controversial, but they offer clues about how to bring this war to an acceptable end. Milley understood a brute fact about war: However entertaining the theatrics and the memes, outcomes in conflicts are determined on the battlefieldnot by the narratives that politicians spin about them. Dismissing Ukraines rhetoric about recovering all the territory Russia had seized, Milley insisted that victory is probably not achievable through military means and offered a detailed analysis explaining why Kyivs surprise counteroffensive had reached its limits. According to Milley, Ukraine now found itself bogged down in a stalemate, and its best option was to seize a window of opportunity for negotiation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Milleys analysis recalled Prussian Gen. Carl von Clausewitzs oft-quoted explanation of the moral justification for the use of violence against other states: War is the continuation of politics by other means. Unless sending ones citizens to kill and be killed advances a viable political purpose, it is not a worthy use of the military instrument of power. If Ukraine had reached the limits of what it could achieve through violence, then how could it justify continuing the war? Then-U.S. President Joe Bidens administration distanced itself from Milleys remarks, and nothing came of his proposal. But a year later, another outstanding military commander came to the same conclusion. Valerii Zaluzhnyi, then Milleys Ukrainian counterpart, led the army that defeated Russian forces attempting to seize Kyiv in the early days of the war and drove them back in Ukraines counteroffensive. By late 2023, though, Zaluzhnyi reluctantly concluded that the time had come to say what in Kyiv was a forbidden word: stalemate. After months of attempting to get Zelensky to recognize this reality, in an initiative for which I can find no precedent in the annals of military history, Zaluzhnyi went public. In a lengthy November 2023 interview with the Economist that was accompanied by an essay, he explained his position. As he put it, the war is now moving to a new stage: what we in the military call positional warfare of static and attritional fighting, as in the first world war. This will benefit Russia, allowing it to rebuild its military power, eventually threatening Ukraines armed forces and the state itself. Three months later, he was no longer the commander of Ukraines troops. As this war enters its fourth year, U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance are confronting the same ugly realities. Assessing the facts, they seem to agree with Milley and Zaluzhnyi. If the initiative that Milley envisaged had been undertaken and succeeded in ending the war by early 2023, what would be different in Ukraine today? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 300,000 Ukrainian soldiers who have been killed or seriously wounded may have been spared. Thousands more civilians would still be alive. Some of the more than 2 million houses and apartments that have been damaged or destroyed might still be occupied, and around one-seventh of the countrys energy infrastructure, more than half of which is now in ruins, would still be heating and lighting homes. After three years of war, Ukraines economy remains almost 10 percent smaller than prewar levels. Meanwhile, nearly a quarter of its citizens remain displaced, with some 15 percent of them having left the country entirely. As Trump told Zelensky bluntly in the White House last month, youre not winning this. Although Trumps rhetoric was harsh, it captured the basic truth that without the vital lifeline of supplies from the United States, Zelenskys forces simply cannot sustain the war. You dont have the cards right now, Trump added. The Trump administrations position is not up for debate. The president stated repeatedly on the campaign trail, I want the war to stop. Last week, Elon Muskwhom Trump has tasked with overhauling the federal governmentsaid on X, What I am sickened by is years of slaughter in a stalemate that Ukraine will inevitably lose. Every month that the war continues, Ukraine finds itself in a worse position. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rather than attempting to deny brute facts, persuade an unpersuadable Trump to change his mind, or wait for a European Godot, Zelensky should now focus on what he and his brave compatriots have won. They have defeated Russian President Vladimir Putins attempt to erase their country from the map. Ukraines army has fought the second-most powerful military on Earth to a standstill. At this point, Zelenskys team should make its best efforts to use the few cards that it has left to negotiate an ugly but sustainable peace. As Zelensky begins to accept this reality, I would suggest seven pointers. First, he needs to understand that the most important player at the table is Trumpand that the U.S. presidents views are unlikely to change. Specifically, Trump disdains Zelensky (whom he believes provoked an unnecessary war and tricked Biden into paying for it); likes Putin (whom he sees as a strong leader); and doesnt really care about Ukraine. The only surprise in Trump and Vances attack on Zelensky at the White House in late February was that the world got to see it because it occurred on TV. Zelensky will now have to earn a second audience with Trump, which will require a lot more than his recent public statement that he regretted what happened. He will have to demonstrate respectwith a capital Rfor the United States and its president. Were I counseling Zelensky, I would suggest that he practice groveling in a way that would make Mark Zuckerbergs version of that act seem dignified. He should also take lessons from NATO Secretary-General Mark Ruttes masterclass in flattery during his meeting with Trump in mid-March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Second, Zelensky should accept the geographical fact that Ukraine shares a roughly 1,400-mile border with a great power. It cannot escape the shadow of Russian power any more than Canada or Mexico can with the United States. It must therefore seek to survive within the de facto sphere of influence of its hostile neighbor. For perspective, Zelensky should review the history of relations of Canada or Mexico with the United Statesnot just recently, but also in the past three centuries, when Washington seized portions of both countries. Closer to home, he could study Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Finlandall of which offer lessons in deference. Third, Ukraines alternative to hot war cannot be the just and lasting peace that Zelensky dreams of. Instead, it will likely have to be an end to the killing in an extended ceasefire or possibly an armistice similar to the agreement that ended the Korean War. That would leave Ukraine in a relationship with Russia analogous to the Cold War between the U.S.-led NATO and the Soviet Union from the late 1940s until the end of the 1980s. Putin will not give up his goal of dominating Ukraine, and Ukrainians will not give up their aspiration to recover the nearly 20 percent of their territory that Russian troops now control. In this version of cold war, avoidance of provocations, credible deterrence, and persistent vigilance will be the price of survival. Fourth, to achieve the best insurance that he can get against Putin using a ceasefire as a respite to rearm before launching another invasion, Zelensky should forget about NATO. For Trump, NATO membership for Ukraine is simply off the table. Fifth, Zelensky should be realistic about the security commitments that may be available to him. Europeans are actively talking about commitments from individual countriesbut, of course, talking is what Europeans do best. The strongest proposal so far has come from U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who expressed Britains willingness to commit boots on the ground in Ukraine. Careful listeners will have noted, however, that Starmer insisted that this would only be possible if the United States commits to back up those forcesa prospect that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ruled out when he told NATO that Europe must take the lead in providing for Ukraines postwar security. As Hegseth put it, any security guarantees must be backed by capable European and non-European troops. If these troops are deployed as peacekeepers to Ukraine at any point, they should be deployed as part of a non-NATO mission, and they should not be covered under Article 5. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If stretching for alternatives, Zelensky should consider Trumps earlier suggestion that China can help. A peace agreement whose signatories and guarantors include not just Ukraine and Russia but also the United States, Europe, and China would be significant. Sixth, the key issue on which Zelensky and Trump agree is that peace (or the absence of hot war) must be sustainablenot simply a respite for Putin to rearm. Trump is planning for a long legacy for his Make America Great Again movement. If he were to declare a beautiful peace deal that then exploded on his watch or that of his successor, that would be a major failure for him. It will be both a challenge and opportunity for Zelensky to make a case for specific elements of the agreement that could ensure sustainability. Finally, Ukraines larger hope for a viable future lies in its relationship with Europe. A peace agreement should confirm its right to strengthen economic relations with the European Union on a path to membership. Over the next decade or two, the EUs trajectoryfrom its economic growth to its military development to its role as a rising geopolitical playervis-a-vis that of Putins authoritarian, security-first Russia will shape the chessboard on which Ukraine, caught between the two, can operate. If a lasting peace is achieved, Ukraine can hope to follow in the footsteps of West Germany, South Korea, and Finland to become a miracle of the 21st century. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday evening that Ukrainian civilian infrastructure was struck following a call between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Unfortunately, there have been hits, specifically on civilian infrastructure, Zelensky said in a post on the social platform X. A direct hit by a Shahed drone on a hospital in Sumy, strikes on cities in the Donetsk region, and attack drones currently in the skies over the Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Sumy, Chernihiv, Poltava, Kharkiv, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk, and Cherkasy regions. It is these types of nighttime attacks by Russia that destroy our energy sector, our infrastructure, and the normal life of Ukrainians. And the fact that this night is no exception shows that the pressure on Russia must continue for the sake of peace, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier Tuesday, Trump and Putin held a phone call in the wake of Ukraine agreeing last week to a U.S.-proposed ceasefire of 30 days in the Russian-Ukrainian war. According to a readout from the Kremlin of the call, the proposal was shot down by Putin, but he had a positive response to a more restricted 30-day ceasefire on energy facilities on both sides of the war. The leaders agreed that the movement to peace will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire and permanent peace, a readout from the White House said. These negotiations will begin immediately in the Middle East. Trump and his administration have recently set out on a push to end the war in Ukraine, a conflict that recently passed the three-year mark. Today, Putin effectively rejected the proposal for a full ceasefire. It would be right for the world to respond by rejecting any attempts by Putin to prolong the war, Zelensky said in his Tuesday X post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanctions against Russia. Assistance to Ukraine, he added. Strengthening allies in the free world and working toward security guarantees. And only a real cessation of strikes on civilian infrastructure by Russia, as proof of its willingness to end this war, can bring peace closer. 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. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he will speak with US President Donald Trump later on Wednesday, a day after Trump's call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Today I will have contact with President Trump. We will discuss the details of the next steps with him," he said at a press conference with Finnish President Alexander Stubb in Helsinki. Zelensky said he expects to about Trumps conversation with Putin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also said he would share information about their discussion after the call. During Tuesdays conversation, Trump urged Putin to agree to a comprehensive ceasefire. However, the only agreement reached was a 30-day pause in Russian attacks on Ukraines energy facilities conditional on Ukraine reciprocating. Zelensky later said his country supported the idea but needed more details about the exact terms of the agreement between Trump and Putin. Despite the talks, Russia launched another overnight attack on Ukraines infrastructure following the Trump-Putin call. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has backed a proposal to cease attacks on Russian energy infrastructure during a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump. Source: Bloomberg, citing an anonymous source familiar with the conversation, as reported by European Pravda Details: Bloomberg source said that Zelenskyy agreed to a proposal to halt strikes on Russian energy facilities during his phone call with Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bloomberg noted that the US and Ukraine have agreed to work on expanding the ceasefire framework. Background: Trump described his phone conversation with Zelenskyy as "very good", adding that a significant part of the discussion was based on his conversation the previous day with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, aimed at aligning "both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs". On 18 March, following the phone conversation between Trump and Putin, it was reported that Putin rejected the idea of a 30-day ceasefire, which Ukraine had already agreed to. Instead, he supported a pledge for both sides to refrain from attacking energy facilities for 30 days. On 19 March, Zelenskyy stated that Russia had attacked Ukraines energy infrastructure overnight, despite Putin supposedly ordering a halt to such strikes for 30 days. Meanwhile, Trumps Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, stated that he still trusts Putin and his commitments to act "in good faith" regarding ending the war in Ukraine. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reported that Russia launched an attack on Ukraine's energy sector on the night of 18-19 March, despite Russian leader Vladimir Putin's alleged order to halt such strikes for 30 days. Source: Zelenskyy in a statement to the Finnish media Quote from Zelenskyy: "Even after Putin's conversation with US President Donald Trump, during which he claimed to have ordered a halt to targeting Ukrainian energy facilities, 150 drones were launched overnight, including those aimed at energy facilities." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Zelenskyy noted that the Russians had targeted transport assets, hospitals and ordinary urban infrastructure. "Putin's words are very different from reality. That's why we need defence support, support for our air defence, we need to exert pressure on Russia for the sake of security and saving lives," the Ukrainian president said. Previously: On 18 March, the Kremlin stated that Russian leader Vladimir Putin had endorsed a proposal by US President Donald Trump for Ukraine and Russia to mutually refrain from striking energy infrastructure for 30 days, issuing the relevant order to the Russian military. Following the conversation between Putin and Trump, on the night of 18-19 March, Russia launched an attack on Ukraine with two Iskander-M ballistic missiles, four S-300 anti-aircraft surface-to-surface missiles, 145 Shahed loitering munitions, and various types of decoy drones. Ukrainian air defence units successfully downed 72 of the loitering munitions, while 45 Russian drones targeted Kyiv Oblast. Ukrzaliznytsia, Ukraine's state-run railway operator, reported that on the morning of 19 March, Russian forces attacked the railway power system in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast with drones. The strike caused a fire and left some areas cut off from the power grid. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that he will have a telephone conversation with his US counterpart Donald Trump, later on 19 March. Source: Zelenskyy at a press conference with Finnish President Alexander Stubb Quote: "Today, I will have a contact with President Trump, we will discuss the details. I think we will discuss the details of the next steps." Details: Zelenskyy believes the teams from the two countries had an excellent meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I believe everything was going right, except for Russia, which is always very unhappy when something goes right," Zelenskyy said. "Therefore, we will discuss the details of the next steps and I think he will brief me on the details of his conversation with Putin," he added. Background: During a conversation with Trump, Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin once again rejected the US proposal for a 30-day complete ceasefire, which Ukraine had previously agreed to. Instead, he backed a commitment from both parties to "refrain" from attacking energy facilities for 30 days. The parties also agreed to discuss "the safety of shipping in the Black Sea" and to set up Russian and American expert groups to discuss the "Ukrainian settlement". Following the conversation, the White House said that peace talks on the Russo-Ukrainian war should "begin immediately in the Middle East". Meanwhile, Zelenskyy stressed that Putin had effectively rejected the proposal for a complete ceasefire by launching a large-scale drone attack on Ukrainian cities on the night of 18-19 March. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has admitted that territorial issues will be on the table of future peace talks to end the war. Source: Zelenskyy at a press conference in Helsinki, answering a question from European Pravda Details: Zelenskyy avoided answering European Pravda's question about what would happen if the United States accepted Crimea and other occupied territories as part of Russia. "As for the territories, this will presumably be one of the most sensitive and difficult issues in the upcoming negotiations," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, he emphasised that the first step towards a settlement should remain an unconditional ceasefire, "even if some actions are required to achieve this, such as silence in the sky or silence at sea." "But it will still come to silence on the line of contact. These are the right steps if we truly want to end the war with a just peace," the president stated. Next, he said, it will be necessary to move on to other issues, including territorial ones. "For us, the red line is the recognition of the Ukrainian temporarily occupied territories as Russian. We will not agree to it," the president said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Background: Recently, Mike Waltz, US President Donald Trumps National Security Advisor, suggested that a future agreement to end Russia's war against Ukraine could include the loss of territory by Ukraine in exchange for "future security guarantees". US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said that Ukraine would have to make concessions on the territories that Russia had seized since 2014 as part of any agreement to end the war. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Ukraine will prepare and hand over to its partners a list of energy, infrastructure and civilian facilities that Russia has to stop attacking. If Russia stops attacking these facilities, Ukraine will also not attack the Russian energy sector. Source: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a joint press conference with Finnish President Alexander Stubb in Helsinki on 19 March "Putin's promises and only words that he is giving an order not to attack the energy sector are not enough. Why? This war has made us very practical people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An example is yesterday's strike after Putin said that there would be no attacks on energy and civilian infrastructure. He said he had given the order. And then [Russia] launched an attack with 145 strike drones, 4 S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles and 2 Iskander ballistic missiles. The attack targeted the railway agricultural businesses, and 21 civilian houses were also hit. Words are not enough," Zelenskyy responded to the question of whether he needs to issue an order to stop attacks on the Russian oil industry. Details: Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine wants control over this issue, and the main party that should control it should be the United States. Quote from Zelenskyy: "And if we have such an agreement, there will be a list of objects, we have it, a list of civilian, energy, infrastructure facilities (we will also prepare this list and give it to our partners), and if the Russians do not hit our facilities, we will not hit their facilities." Background: On 18 March, the Kremlin stated that Russian leader Vladimir Putin had endorsed a proposal by US President Donald Trump for Ukraine and Russia to mutually refrain from striking energy infrastructure for 30 days, issuing the relevant order to the Russian military. Following the conversation between Putin and Trump, on the night of 18-19 March, Russia launched an attack on Ukraine with two Iskander-M ballistic missiles, four S-300 anti-aircraft surface-to-surface missiles, 145 Shahed loitering munitions, and various types of decoy drones. Ukrainian air defence units successfully downed 72 of the loitering munitions, while 45 Russian drones targeted Kyiv Oblast. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Ukraine will send military, energy, port and civilian infrastructure experts to the next meeting in Saudi Arabia to discuss a partial ceasefire, especially critical infrastructure and maritime safety. Source: Zelenskyy at a joint press conference with Finnish President Alexander Stubb in Helsinki Quote: "As for the next meeting, I am not yet ready to disclose all the details. But the next meeting when we talk about a partial ceasefire will be in Saudi Arabia. For example, in terms of infrastructure, energy, etc. We will also discuss the safety of the shipping industry. That is, it will be a technical team that understands this matter. On our side, there will be military personnel, energy specialists, and people who are well-versed in port and other civilian infrastructure. This is a technical level, not quite the diplomatic meeting that we have already had. Although I do not rule it out." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Zelenskyy also noted that the Ukrainian team is ready to participate in the talks and is working every day as Russia continues to attack Ukrainian cities. Background: On 18 March, the Kremlin said that Russian leader Vladimir Putin had supported US President Donald Trump's proposal for Ukraine and Russia to mutually refuse to strike energy infrastructure for 30 days and "gave the relevant order to the military". Following Putin and Trump's conversation, on the night of 18-19 March, the Russians attacked Ukraine with two Iskander-M ballistic missiles, four S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles, 145 Shahed strike drones and various types of decoy drones. Air defences shot down 72 attack UAVs, and 45 drones attacked Kyiv Oblast. Thus, according to Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways), the Russians attacked the railway's power system in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast with drones on the morning of 19 March. A fire broke out and some areas were cut off from the power grid. At a joint press conference with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Zelenskyy said that Russia attacked Ukraine's energy sector at night, despite the fact that Putin had supposedly ordered a 30-day halt to attacks. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! US President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy have agreed to discuss the technical details of a partial truce halting strikes on energy and civilian infrastructure. Source: Zelenskyy on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: Following his conversation with Trump on 19 March, Zelenskyy stated that he backed stopping attacks on energy and other civilian infrastructure and that "Ukraine confirmed that we are ready to implement it". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "We instructed our teams to resolve technical issues related to implementing and expanding the partial ceasefire. Ukrainian and American teams are ready to meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to continue coordinating steps toward peace." Details: Zelenskyy noted that advisors and representatives from Ukraine and the US at upcoming meetings "can agree on all necessary aspects of advancing toward lasting peace and security guarantees". Background: Trump described his phone conversation with Zelenskyy as "very good", adding that a significant part of the discussion was based on his conversation the previous day with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, aimed at aligning "both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs". On 18 March, following the phone conversation between Trump and Putin, it was reported that Putin rejected the idea of a 30-day ceasefire, which Ukraine had already agreed to. Instead, he supported a pledge for both sides to refrain from attacking energy facilities for 30 days. On 19 March, Zelenskyy stated that Russia had attacked Ukraines energy infrastructure overnight, despite Putin supposedly ordering a halt to such strikes for 30 days. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Marty Dean Grismer appears in Yakima Superior Court for a sentencing hearing at the Yakima County Courthouse Monday, Jan. 8, 2018 after entering an Alford plea to charges of second-degree murder the 2013 death of Desiree Sunford. (SHAWN GUST/Yakima Herald-Republic) Support Local News Reporting Journalists at the Yakima Herald-Republic bring you timely, in-depth and credible local news. Your generous donation supports their work. Looking for a break? Test your knowledge of this week's news from the Yakima Valley. Chinese companies launch more humanoid robots as sector enters early mass production phase Global Times) 08:30, March 19, 2025 (Photo/Screenshot from Guangzhou Daily) Chinese companies have launched more humanoid robots, signaling the industry enters an early phase of mass production, an industry veteran said on Tuesday. The remarks came as Guangdong-based robotics company Dobot announced on Tuesday its official launch of "the world's first full-size embodied intelligent humanoid robot," Dobot Atom, which features dexterous manipulation and straight-leg walking. The product's starting pre-sale price is 199,000 yuan ($27,512), which marks the arrival of the mass production era, according to media reports. Dobot Atom is an industrial-grade operational humanoid robot, standing 1.53 meters tall and weighing 62 kilograms. It features a 1:1 biomimetic arm structure with 41 degrees of freedom across its body. "This robot can autonomously complete tasks such as preparing breakfast, pouring milk, arranging fruit plates, toasting bread, and grilling bacon," a Dobot representative told the news website 21jingji.com. Dobot has initiated collaboration with domestic vehicle manufacturers, electronics factories, and coffee and tea shops, and trial production and mass production are expected to begin by mid-year, the employee said. Also on the same day, China's home appliance conglomerate Midea Group's humanoid robot prototype was unveiled. This robot is capable of performing various actions such as shaking hands, handing over water, making a heart gesture, dancing, opening bottle caps, and driving screws, Shanghai-based Yicai reported. Midea Group Vice President Wei Chang told reporters that Midea has established a humanoid robot innovation center to strengthen its research and development efforts in this field. There is no shortage of players in China's humanoid robot sector. Chinese automaker Changan said last November that it would invest more than 50 billion yuan in key areas such as humanoid robotics. The company plans to launch its first humanoid robot product before 2027, domestic news outlet ThePaper reported. The global humanoid robot market is expected to show significant growth and reach $15 billion by 2030, according to GGII, a Chinese think tank on emerging industries. Several Chinese manufacturers plan to achieve mass production of humanoid robots in the coming years, signaling the imminent arrival of the mass production era for humanoid robots, China National Radio reported on Tuesday. "The launch of these humanoid robots signals that China's related products are rapidly entering an early stage of mass production," Ma Jihua, an industry veteran, told the Global Times on Tuesday. In the coming years, humanoid robot prices are expected to gradually approach those of televisions, making their widespread adoption increasingly evident, Ma said. He noted that by leveraging strong production capabilities and well-established manufacturing lines, domestic industry giants are poised to accelerate the mass production of robots, driving greater adoption and cost reductions to make these cutting-edge products affordable for more users at home and abroad. "China offers a vast market for robotic applications, with immense potential in areas such as eldercare, children's educational assistance, and household chores," Ma said. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) Press Release March 18, 2025 Go lang nang go! -- Scholar expresses gratitude to Senator Bong Go for helping transform her dream into reality Kate Gestiada, a second-year Bachelor of Elementary Education student of R.G. De Castro Colleges in Bulan, Sorsogon and beneficiary of a scholarship program implemented by the Commission on Higher Education, expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity that has helped her pursue her dream of becoming a teacher. "Nakatulong itong CHED in a way na napo-provide po niya yung mga needs namin sa school and sa tuition fees dahil yung parents ko ay mga ordinaryong empleyado lamang po na sapat ang kinikita," shared Kate, who received the scholarship last year. The CHED scholarship program, one of the programs supported by Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, aims to assist underprivileged but deserving students in completing their college education. The program has provided thousands of scholars like Kate with a fighting chance to achieve their dreams. As she continued her journey toward becoming an effective educator, Kate extended her gratitude to Senator Bong Go for his unwavering support for accessible education. "Kaya thank you po, Senator Bong Go, for this big opportunity, at ipagpatuloy niyo lang po sana ito," she added. Senator Go has remained steadfast in his commitment to uplifting the lives of Filipinos through accessible education. "Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan at edukasyon ang susi tungo sa mas magandang kinabukasan," Go has said earlier. The passage of Republic Act No. 12077, also known as the Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act, underscores Senator Go's dedication to upholding the dignity of Filipinos in times of crisis. As a co-sponsor and co-author of the law, he has helped ensure that students with existing loans receive temporary financial relief during emergencies and calamities. Senator Go earlier co-authored and co-sponsored RA 11510, which institutionalizes the Alternative Learning System (ALS) to improve basic education delivery to underserved and disadvantaged students; RA 11984, or the "No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act", which prohibits educational institutions from denying students the right to take exams due to unpaid fees; RA 12006 or the "Free College Entrance Examinations Act", waiving entrance exam fees at private higher educational institutions for qualified top students; as well as RA 11997, or the "Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act," which increases the teaching supply allowances for public school teachers. Go's continued support for scholarship programs underscores his dedication to ensuring that more students like Kate Estrada have the means to achieve their dreams and contribute to the country's progress. "Patuloy kaming magseserbisyo sa inyo dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo, at ako ay naniniwala na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo 'yan sa Panginoon, serbisyo 'yan kay Allah," underscored Go who is known as Mr. Malasakit for his compassionate service to Filipinos in need. MATTOON Months of contentious Mattoon school board meetings have culminated in a race with more candidates than usual, eight, on the ballot and scores of heated comments on social media. Many of the candidates brought up those divisions as they fielded questions in front of approximately 90 attendees during the League of Women Voters of Coles County forum Tuesday night in the Burgess-Osborne Memorial Auditorium. However, incumbents John Hedges, Heidi Larson and Jake Uphoff and challengers Jeff Branson, Dave Earp, Angela Hampton and Brandon Stewart often found common ground as they shared their goals of supporting students and teachers. Challenger Roy Blackburn was unable to attend. Earp, print and mail services supervisor at Lake Land College, said he has met with all the candidates to get to know them, as early voting continues for the April 1 election. He said they found some assumptions they had about each other were wrong. "We don't know who is going to be elected, but if we are working together, how can we make that positive. How can we work together to solve problems for the kids," Earp said, adding this question yielded positive and productive talks. "At the end of the day, we are all good people. We just have a little different view of how to get things done." Blackburn, Hampton, Larson and Stewart have been running on a "Your Vote, Your Voice" slate that has included shared yard signs and joint meet-the-candidate events. Branson, Earp, Hedges and Uphoff are not part of an official slate but have gone door-to-door together in various groupings. Larson, a psychologist, licensed counselor, and professor at Eastern Illinois University, said she has advocated during board meetings for transparency in budgeting and spending. She said this has included questioning the long-term solvency of the district's LIFT regional high school vocational training center. "Our school board has problems, you have heard some of those tonight. There is a lack of discussion at our meetings," Larson said. "We have seemed to have lost our system of checks and balances." Larson withdrew from the race for four-year terms on the board to be a write-in candidate for a two-year term after candidate Jamie Willis withdrew and left Earp running unopposed in this race. Uphoff, co-owner of Uphoff Family Farm, said he believes the board should reflect the community's values of respect, professionalism and commitment to education excellence. He said that means working together to improve academics, making responsible financial decisions and ensure students have the opportunities they deserve. "We have to be unified in our mission, to collaborate while making decisions that are in the best interests of our students, their families and the Mattoon taxpayers," Uphoff said. "Not unified without civil disagreements, but unified in that mission." Hampton, owner of Vita Marketing, said the board's composition needs to reflect the goal of respecting people from all different backgrounds. She noted that board members Dale Righter, John Hedges and Uphoff were originally appointed to fill vacancies. "I think it's important that our board has a balance in different careers, genders, backgrounds, and beliefs so that we truly represent the community," Hampton said, as she also noted its subcommittees. "If we are just handpicking certain people for committees, then I don't think we are getting a true picture of what the community wants and needs." Branson, police chief at Lake Land, said he would like to serve on a parental-community involvement committee to help address the district's truancy struggles. Branson, who is also a retired Mattoon police chief, said his long experience working with juveniles, parents and other community members would help with these efforts. "If we can bring our community together and our parents together, we can get them involved," Branson said. "It's a lot of work. It's not an easy task, but we have got to move forward to do that." Hedges, a Mattoon police patrol captain, said the board has helped lead efforts in recent years to place resource officers in every school, open LIFT to provide more vocational opportunities for students, and be fiscally responsible. He said the district's finances have received a 4.9 out of 5 ranking from an independent accounting office that works statewide. "Being on a board is just not coming to a meeting every month," Hedges said, adding that it involves multiple committee meetings and school visits. "It's not taking everybody for their word but seeing it for yourself." Stewart, a railroad signal maintenance engineer, said he didn't decide to run to leave things the way they are, and he doesn't think any of the other candidates did either. He said they want to move the district forward in a positive direction, one that will result in students being eager to participate and not miss out on the opportunities. "We want to make sure the teachers are supported, and the students are supported in those endeavors," Stewart said. "We can do that through a multitude of things, but first of all we need to be transparent and to the voters, whether it be with how discipline is handled, policies we put in place or our tax dollars being spent." All the candidates thanked the newly revived League of Women voters chapter for organizing this forum and the community members who attended. Chapter Chair and forum co-organizer Christina Krost said serving as a school board member is a true sign of community service, adding that the League thanks those who have stepped forward to run. "This gathering provided voters an important opportunity to hear directly from those who seek this important role and ensured that community members have the information they need to make informed decisions at the ballot box," Krost said. Hungary and Vietnam will expand their strategic cooperation to the area of nuclear energy, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto said in Hanoi. After talks with his Vietnamese counterpart, Bui Thanh Son, Szijjarto said that cooperation could extend to the areas of technology and training as Vietnam advances a nuclear energy programme. He added that many nuclear engineers from Vietnam had studied in Hungary earlier, and that number could climb into the hundreds in future. Szijjarto said bilateral trade between Hungary and Vietnam could rise over USD 1bn in 2025, boosted by imports of electronic goods from Vietnam and Hungarian exports of healthcare, food and defence products. He pointed to the delivery of a dozen aircraft by a Hungarian-owned manufacturer to Vietnam's Air Force as well as to the role of Hungarian pharma companies Richter and Egis on the Vietnamese market for medicines. Szijjarto announced the opening of a consulate in the port city of Haiphong, highlighting the importance of personal contacts for establishing mutually beneficial ties. Hungary advocates connectivity and global cooperation, not blocs, he added. Source: MTI - The Hungarian News Agency, founded in 1881. ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here. "There is no middle ground; it is either the Pride or Orban," Ferenc Gyurcsany, the leader of the opposition Democratic Coalition (DK), said on Facebook. The cause of Budapest's Pride march "is now a test of faith in Europe, constitutional democracy and protection of human dignity ... a test of defiance and fight against Orban's foulness," Gyurcsany said. Gyurcsany suggested that unlike in earlier years, he was originally not planning to attend this year's march, but added that "now I think I will have to be there". Magyar: 'Mean, hateful gov1t can be toppled at election' "The incumbent, mean and hateful government can be defeated at an election and we will do so," the leader of the opposition Tisza Party told MTI. In a statement, Peter Magyar said that "now that (PM) Viktor Orban's power has been shaken, he resorts to the same methods applied by the [previous] Gyurcsany government in 2006, neglecting the fundamental right to assembly." "The economy is in a critical state, their public support is plummeting, so he will do what he is best at: inciting hatred and sow divisions," Magyar said. Tisza wants to build a country "where Hungarians are allies rather than bugs to be exterminated ... a country where the guiding principle is cooperation rather than hatred," he added. "The only way to restore freedom is to get rid of those not respecting it, through elections ... Tisza will put an end to the Orban-Gyurcsany era and will protect the constitutional right to assembly for everybody," Magyar said. "The worst is over, just a few months and we will liberate our homeland and the Tisza government will work, from day one, to ensure that all Hungarians can live in peace, happiness and freedom in our beloved country," he said. Magyar insisted that assembly law had recently been amended with the aim "to divert attention from how many millions of Hungarians are living in a serious existential crisis, and that their rule would come to an end in a few months". Source: MTI - The Hungarian News Agency, founded in 1881. ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? Then just contact us here. The U.S. Embassy in Budapest is pleased to announce that senior diplomat Robert Palladino will assume leadership as Charge dAffaires, ad interim, effective March 7. Mr. Palladino will lead Embassy Budapests engagement with the Hungarian government and people on behalf of the Trump Administration and the Secretary of State, pending the nomination of a new U.S. Ambassador by the President, Senate confirmation, and the Ambassadors arrival in Budapest. In this role, he will strengthen the United States-Hungary relationship and advance policies that promote Americas security, sovereignty, and prosperity. A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Mr. Palladino brings extensive experience spanning Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Most recently, he served as Deputy Executive Secretary in the Office of the Secretary of State, directly supporting the Secretary as part of the senior management team. He has led overseas missions, including as U.S. Consul General to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. During President Trumps first term, he played a key role in shaping U.S. foreign policy as Chief of Staff to then-Deputy Secretary of State Stephen E. Biegun, Deputy Spokesperson for the Department of State, and Director of Strategic Communications and Acting Spokesperson for the National Security Council at the White House. In that capacity, he worked closely with Michael Anton, then-Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications, and Sarah Huckabee Sanders, then-White House Press Secretary. Earlier in his career, Mr. Palladino served in diplomatic postings across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Before joining the Department of State, he was an officer in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate Generals Corps (JAG), practicing law in Asia and Europe. He holds degrees from the University of Notre Dame, Washington & Lee University School of Law, and the U.S. Army War College. He speaks Mandarin Chinese and Italian and is married with two daughters. Source: U.S. Embassy Budapest New Delhi: The Embassy of India in Tashkent recently hosted a grand Film Festival, in honour of the month celebrating International Womens Day, showcasing acclaimed women-centric films that highlight inspiring female characters and their achievements in shaping societal perspectives. Among the stellar lineup of films, Saiyami Khers Ghoomer was selected for a special premiere at the prestigious festival. Saiyami Kher, who delivered a power-packed performance in R Balkis Ghoomer, attended the festival to celebrate this momentous occasion. The film Ghoomer even after a year and half of its release is still relevant and making waves. Expressing her excitement, Saiyami shared "Ghoomer is not just a film for me; its an emotion. The journey of playing a differently-abled sportsperson who defies all odds to pursue her dreams was a transformative experience, and I am thrilled that the film was screened at such a meaningful festival and the experience was truly incredible being there in person. Uzbekistan has a deep love for Indian cinema, and this unique collaboration between the two countries over our shared passion for films is truly special. As an actor, witnessing Ghoomer being part of a festival that celebrates strong female characters makes me incredibly proud. I was elated to be there for the entire week, immersing myself in the festival, interacting with audiences, and celebrating cinema that empowers and inspires." Ghoomer, which tells the story of resilience and triumph, continues to make waves internationally, and its selection at the Uzbekistan Film Festival further cements its impact. This festival aims to bring together film lovers and industry professionals, strengthening cultural ties between India and Uzbekistan while recognizing the power of storytelling in shaping perspectives on womens empowerment. New Delhi: The anti-corruption branch (ACB) of the Delhi government on Wednesday registered a case against AAP leader m Aami Party (AAP) leader and former MLA Satyendar Jain levelling allegations of corruption and bribery in connection with the Rs 571 crore CCTV project for the national capital. According to Madhur Verma, Joint Commissioner of Police (CP) and Head of ACB, the liquidated damages worth Rs 16 crore were allegedly arbitrarily waived by receiving a bribe of Rs 7 crore. An FIR was registered against former Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Jain under section 17 A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, after receiving previous approval from the competent authority. ACB said, "Bribery of Rs 7 crore was allegedly arranged to be paid to Satyendra Jain to waive off the Rs 16 crore penalty for delays in CCTV installation." Despite previous delays, Bharat Electronic Limited (BEL) received additional orders for another 1.4 lakh cameras under the project. The bribe was allegedly paid through contractors who benefited from the additional orders. According to officials, the project was allegedly carried out in a "shoddy manner", with many cameras being dysfunctional even at the time of project handover. Moreover, payments were artificially inflated to accommodate the bribes involving different vendors. ACB has already examined a BEL officer, who confirmed the allegations and provided a detailed complaint. Documents from PWD and BEL are being scrutinized for further evidence. Approval under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act was granted, allowing prosecution. The FIR has been filed under Sections 7/13 (1)(a) of the POC Act and Section 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Over a month ago, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) requested the President's approval to prosecute former Delhi Minister Satyendra Kumar Jain under Section 218 of Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, sources said. According to sources, the request was made based on evidence gathered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The agency's findings reportedly provide sufficient grounds for legal proceedings against Jain. Maharashtra Police have arrested 54 people in connection with the Nagpur violence, while efforts are underway to trace the mastermind, Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam said on Wednesday. He further added that attacks on police personnel would be met with strict action. "Fifty-four people have been arrested in connection with Nagpur violence. They dared to attack policemen. We will show what is meant by police fear. They will not be spared," Kadam told reporters. The minister assured that police morale would not be affected and said instructions had been given to take the strictest action. "Police are looking for the mastermind behind the violence," he added, warning of consequences for those spreading misleading videos on social media. The violence erupted on Monday night, leaving 33 police personnel, including three DCP-rank officers, injured. Mobs vandalized vehicles, hurled petrol bombs and stones at police, and attacked houses. Preliminary investigations suggest the unrest was triggered by rumors that a chadar with holy inscriptions was burnt during protests led by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) demanding the removal of Aurangzebs tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. An FIR also mentions that some rioters allegedly molested a woman constable and attempted to disrobe her during the chaos. United States President Donald Trump had pledged to rescue the astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore stuck in space for nine months and that promise has been kept, the White House said on Wednesday after the NASA astronauts safely returned to Earth after nine months of being stranded in the International Space Station for a mission which was supposed to end in eight days. Following their safe return, the White House asserted how Trump prioritised the return of stranded NASA Crew-9 astronauts Sunita Williams, Nick Hague, Butch Wilmore, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. The White House stated that the astronauts safely returned to the Gulf of America, crediting Elon Musk for their safe return. "PROMISE MADE, PROMISE KEPT: President Trump pledged to rescue the astronauts stranded in space for nine months. Today, they safely splashed down in the Gulf of America, thanks to Elon Musk, SpaceX, and NASA!," the White House said in a post on X. PROMISE MADE, PROMISE KEPT: President Trump pledged to rescue the astronauts stranded in space for nine months. Today, they safely splashed down in the Gulf of America, thanks to @ElonMusk, @SpaceX, and @NASA! pic.twitter.com/r01hVWAC8S The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 18, 2025 Billionaire and Space X owner Elon Musk congratulated the NASA and SpaceX teams on their successful return and thanked Trump for prioritising the mission. "Congratulations to the SpaceX and NASA teams for another safe astronaut return! Thank you to Donald Trump for prioritizing this mission!" Earlier in the day, NASA Crew-9 astronauts breathed earthly air for the first time in over nine months following the successful splashdown of SpaceX's Dragon capsule. CNN reported that the astronauts disembarked the capsule on stretchers, as customary. This precaution is taken by SpaceX for all astronauts returning from long-duration space missions. For NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, an eight-day mission to the International Space Station turned out to be a challenge of a lifetime as problems cropped up on their Boeing space flight that stretched her stay in orbit to over nine months. Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore bid farewell to the International Space Station, their home since last June, departing aboard a SpaceX capsule alongside two other astronauts. The capsule undocked from the space station on Tuesday and splashed down off the Florida coast on Wednesday morning, after clocking 286 days in space. This was Williams' third space flight and she has clocked a cumulative 608 days in space. Punjab has become the first state to introduce sign language in its Legislative Assembly to facilitate persons with disabilities, Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Baljit Kaur said. She said that the government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has taken this unique initiative to address the concerns of persons with disabilities. Baljit Kaur highlighted that under Section 40 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act, 2016, it is essential to make communication systems accessible to ensure that individuals with disabilities are aware of their human rights. In line with this, the Punjab Legislative Assembly will also broadcast the Governor's Address, Budget session, and other important discussions in sign language. The Cabinet minister said she had recommended this initiative through a semi-official letter to the Speaker of the Punjab Legislative Assembly, which has now been accepted. She emphasised that this step would significantly contribute to making legislative proceedings fully accessible to individuals who are unable to speak or hear. Baljit Kaur also recalled that, for the first time, Punjab celebrated International Sign Language Day in September 2024 to promote inclusivity for persons with disabilities. She urged the Assembly administration to implement this initiative at the earliest, ensuring that legislative proceedings are available in sign language. This would enable people with disabilities to stay informed about government policies and decisions. The International Day of Sign Languages, celebrated on September 23rd each year, is a significant occasion that underscores the vital role of sign languages in promoting the rights and recognition of deaf individuals worldwide. Established through the 2017 UN General Assembly Resolution, this day highlights the importance of early access to sign language and quality education, which are essential for the growth and development of deaf individuals. The resolution not only advocates for linguistic and cultural diversity but also acknowledges the more than 70 million deaf people globally, with over 80 per cent residing in developing countries and using over 300 different sign languages. NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have safely returned to Earth after an extended 286-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). As the world rejoices, many are reminded of another Indian-American astronaut who left an indelible mark on space explorationKalpana Chawla. We look back at her extraordinary life and legacy on this solemn yet inspiring occasion. A Trailblazer in Space Exploration Born on March 17, 1962, in Karnal, Haryana, Kalpana Chawla grew up with a fascination for airplanes and space. Encouraged by her family, she pursued her passion, earning a bachelors degree in aeronautical engineering from Punjab Engineering College. She later moved to the United States to continue her education, obtaining a masters degree from the University of Texas in 1984, followed by a Ph.D. from the University of Colorado in 1988. Her academic achievements and relentless determination led her to NASA in 1994. Three years later, she made history as the first woman of Indian origin in space when she flew aboard Space Shuttle Columbia on mission STS-87 in 1997. During this mission, she served as a mission specialist and robotic arm operator. A Legacy That Inspires Generations During her first mission, Kalpana Chawla received a call from then-Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral, who told her, "Kalpana, we are proud of you. Each one of us in India is proud of a person like you, who has done such pioneering work, particularly the women and youth of India." Her response reflected her awe at the vastness of space: "A dome of a dark sky and stars everywhere... very much like a storybook." Her second mission, STS-107 in 2003, aimed to conduct groundbreaking scientific experiments. However, tragedy struck on February 1, when the shuttle disintegrated upon re-entry into Earths atmosphere, just 16 minutes before landing. Kalpana Chawla and six other crew members lost their lives in the disaster. Honoring Her Legacy Kalpana Chawla's contributions to space exploration have not been forgotten. NASA posthumously awarded her the Congressional Space Medal of Honor and named a spacecraft, the "SS Kalpana Chawla," in her memory. Her legacy continues to inspire millions, particularly young women aspiring to enter STEM fields. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi paid tribute, stating, "Her courage, determination, and passion continue to inspire millions to dream beyond boundaries and reach for the stars." The Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting also honored her, calling her "a daughter of India who dared to dream beyond the stars." A Moment of Reflection As Sunita Williams returns to Earth after her extended stay at the International Space Station, the world reflects on Kalpana Chawlas pioneering journey. Her name remains synonymous with resilience, courage, and the pursuit of dreams beyond the skies. Incidentally, it was Kalpana Chawlas birth anniversary on 17 March, 2025. Dr. Jyoti Eknath Gaikwad shared on X (formerly Twitter), "Remembering India's 'Space Star' Kalpana Chawla, the first woman astronaut of Indian origin to go to space, on her birth anniversary. Her journey continues to inspire women the world over to believe in their dreams. A big salute to the high-flyer." Mallikarjun Kharge also paid his respects, saying, "On her birth anniversary, we remember Kalpana Chawla, the pioneering Indian-born female astronaut who significantly elevated India's global standing in space exploration. Her legacy serves as a powerful symbol of both female empowerment and gender equality, and she remains a perpetual source of inspiration for millions." The Dream Lives On Kalpana Chawlas story is one of ambition, dedication, and perseverance. She proved that with passion and hard work, no dream is beyond reacheven the stars themselves. As the world watches Sunita Williams' return, we are reminded that the spirit of exploration and adventure lives on in every astronaut who dares to push the boundaries of human achievement. Sunita Williams Returns: Residents of NASA astronaut Sunita Williams ancestral village Jhulasan in Gujarats Mehsana district on Wednesday celebrated her safe return by bursting firecrackers, distributing sweets, dancing and offering prayers to the local deity. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also extended congratulations through X to our very own Sunita Williams and said people in India take immense pride in her connection to our land, celebrating her as a shining example of our shared heritage and aspirations. As soon as a SpaceX capsule carrying Williams and astronaut Butch Wilmore splashed down near the Florida coast in the US after their nine-month stay at the International Space Station (ISS), the villagers erupted in joy, bursting firecrackers, dancing and chanting Har Har Mahadev. #WATCH | Mahesana, Gujarat: Students at CP Gajjar High School in Jhulasan, astronaut Sunita Williams' native village, perform Garba to celebrate her safe return to Earth pic.twitter.com/lo2dwaTItK ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2025 The villagers had organised a yagna praying for Willaims safe return. They said their happiness knew no end and hoped to see Williams visit her ancestral village soon and inspire school students who are already filled with curiosity and follow in her footsteps. Students of the local government school gathered to celebrate the occasion by performing Garba, a traditional Gujarati folk dance and took out a procession with Williams photo to the nearby temple of goddess Dola Mata. #WATCH | Mehsana, Gujarat | People express joy and burst firecrackers in Jhulasan - the native village of NASA astronaut Sunita Williams after the successful Splashdown of SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying Crew-9 at Tallahassee, Florida NASA's astronauts Sunita Williams and pic.twitter.com/fKs9EVnPSf ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2025 As the procession made its way from the school premises to the temple of goddess Dola Mata, the students danced and sang and distributed sweets on their way. School teachers and locals said the goddess heard their prayers and brought Williams home safely. The procession, and the prayer that followed at the temple, was a way to thank her for her blessings, they said. #WATCH | Mehsana, Gujarat | People express joy and perform aarti in Jhulasan - the native village of NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, for her safe return to Earth. NASA's Boeing Starliner astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, along with two others, have undocked from the pic.twitter.com/gLASnb369n ANI (@ANI) March 18, 2025 Principal of the primary school, Vishal Panchal, said that the entire village is ecstatic and filled with pride upon Williams return. The daughter of our village is the pride of the world. She stayed in space for such a long time and came back safe. We performed garba, burst firecrackers and distributed sweets. Our happiness knows no end, he said. When Sunita Willaims left for ISS on June 5 last year and her mission was delayed, the villagers came together to light up an Akhand Jyot here on June 27 and took out a procession carrying the eternal flame to the temple of Dola Mata, praying for her safety, said a local resident. We are very proud and happy that she is back on earth. We are from the same family. Sunita is a great inspiration for the children, who all want to become like her, he said. Villagers chanted prayers by placing Williams photo near the temple goddess and distributed sweets as prasad, the offering to the goddess. As Williams landing neared in the early hours of Wednesday, all eyes were on her, with Jhulasan residents gathering at one place to view the event live on a television screen. Soon after the splashdown, residents celebrated the moment by bursting firecrackers, dancing and chanting Har Har Mahadev. Even as Williams was on her way back, the villagers performed a yagna at the temple and offered prayers. They said they had been performing a yagna and had kept the Akhand Jyot aflame on the premises for her safe return. Jhulasan, known as the ancestral home of Williams father Deepak Pandya, was alive with excitement ever since the news of her proposed return, after a delayed stay at the ISS, trickled in. Navin Pandya, her cousin, said that the villagers have been praying for her safety, taking care of the Akhand Jyot that was lit up for her safe return soon after she went to space over nine months ago. He said the villagers are looking forward to inviting Williams to visit Jhulasan. Williams has visited India at least thrice, including in 2007 and 2013, soon after her space missions and has been honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2008. Through a post on X, CM Patel expressed his heartfelt congratulations to our very own Sunita Williams and the Crew9 astronauts on their safe return to Earth after an extraordinary nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Their unwavering dedication and resilience have been a beacon of inspiration for millions. We, in India, take immense pride in Sunitas connection to our land, celebrating her as a shining example of our shared heritage and aspirations, he said in a tweet. Education Minister Praful Pansheriya said people from all faiths prayed for Williams return and also remembered the late Kalpana Chawla, the first Indian-born woman and the second Indian person to fly in space. Williams has sent a positive message for women empowerment across the world and has given pace to astrophysics and a desire to know the cosmos, he told reporters. Her father, originally from Jhulasan, migrated to the United States in 1957. Williams space mission was initially scheduled to last seven days but got extended due to a technical glitch. Her SpaceX capsule splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday early morning. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis assured the Maharashtra Assembly that an investigation into the recent violence in Nagpur is underway. He said the city remains peaceful and dismissed claims of large-scale riots. "The investigation is underway in the Nagpur violence case... There is peace in the city at present. There have been no riots here in the past several years... Some people did all this deliberately... The rumour was deliberately spread... There are many challenges on the issue of law and order, and we will be able to meet them," Fadnavis said in the assembly. He stressed that those responsible for the attacks would be found. "We will dig out the person who attacked even from the grave," he said. He also noted that Nagpur had not seen major riots since 1992. Fadnavis refuted reports that religious verses were burned during the violence. "This rumour was deliberately spread. No verses were written and burnt," he said. He also advised his cabinet colleagues to ensure that their statements do not create animosity in society, reminding them of the Raj Dharma counsel of late BJP stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The Maharashtra CMs remark came after BJP minister Nitesh Rane got into controversy over his recent statements, though he did not name anyone. The Opposition had staged a protest on Tuesday at the state legislature complex against BJP MLA Nitesh Rane over his controversial remarks. Nagpur witnessed violent unrest on Monday as mobs went on a rampage following rumours that a chadar bearing holy inscriptions was burnt during a protest led by the VHP and Bajrang Dal. The demonstration was held to demand the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzebs tomb in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district. Addressing the assembly, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis denied the claims, asserting that no such cloth was burned during the protest. SpiceJet is facing significant challenges concerning its financial stability, regulatory compliance, and operational future. Over the past few years, the airline's condition has worsened. Dozens of its aircraft are currently grounded for various reasons, and passenger trust is dwindling. The airline's financial situation is precarious, with its market share plummeting to just 3.2%. SpiceJet is now plagued by bank defaults, legal battles, flight delays, financial instability, declining market share, delayed employee provident fund payments, numerous complaints, falling revenue, years of losses, and regulatory action from the DGCA. SpiceJet is in prolonged severe financial distress, burdened with heavy debt. However, in February this year, the companys fortune changed overnight. The companys quarterly results were announced. SpiceJet, which had been suffering huge losses for many years, turned profitable. But the question isafter years, is this profit real, or is there another story behind it? Read ahead for ZEEs investigation. SpiceJet has always been trapped in financial crises. Ajay Singh, who launched the airline under the SpiceJet branding in 2004, saw his low-cost airline deteriorate within 10 years to the point that it was on the verge of shutting down in 2014. Flights began getting canceled. Passengers started getting stranded at airports. By the end of 2014, SpiceJet was about to go bankrupt. But in January 2015, Ajay Singh bought the entire stake from the Sun Group, and it seemed like everything would be fine. But 10 years later, in 2024, the same pattern returned. Flights started getting canceled, and passengers began getting stranded at airports. The aviation market share shrank from 17.4% to 3.2%. On September 4, 2024, an HSBC Global Research report stated that the companys condition was extremely poor, it was facing a severe cash crunch, and growth prospects were minimal. Surviving in competition wouldnt be easy, so HSBC Global Research cut SpiceJets share target by 58%. In 2024, SEBI came forward to rescue SpiceJet. Repeated claims were made that foreign investors were not betting on SpiceJet alone but on Indias aviation sector. However, this was not true. In SpiceJets QIP (Qualified Institutional Placement), the biggest share of 9.3% went to Authum Investment & Infrastructure Ltd., a company linked to market operator Sanjay Dangis family. After raising Rs 3,000 crore through QIP, Ajay Singh seemed quite pleased. While the QIP may have excited SpiceJets founder, experts advised caution before investing. Stock market expert Kshitij Mahajan told Zee News, "They havent even put a quarter of the QIP amount into their bank book. They may survive for some time, but lets see how they handle it in the future. My advice to any shareholder is to think carefully before making a decision. Dont go by what FIIs and DIIs are doing because they arent investing a large part of their hard-earned money." SpiceJet Group has another company, Spice Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. It is also a promoter of SpiceJet, and before September 2024, it held a 4.36% stake in SpiceJet. Spice Healthcare decided to increase its stake in SpiceJet but sought a regulatory exemption from SEBI to do so without an open market offer. To get this exemption, Spice Healthcare sent SEBI a total of 10 emails over nine months. SEBI exercised its special powers and allowed Spice Healthcare to buy a 13.74% stake in SpiceJet. Additionally, it granted the exemption allowing the promoter to increase its stake without making an open offer, while the rule states that when a stake increase exceeds 5%, an open market offer is mandatory. Interestingly, Ajay Singh is the promoter of both SpiceJet and Spice Healthcare. To secure this exemption, Spice Healthcare proposed certain self-imposed restrictions to SEBI, such as: -- Limiting its voting rights -- Extending the lock-in period for newly acquired shares to 24 months SEBI granted the exemption based on these conditions. SpiceJet has been given opportunities to survive multiple times over the past 20 years. Every time, the government and regulatory agencies have provided relief to the airline. Yet, instead of improving, the companys condition has only worsened. In terms of service quality, its performance is extremely poor. Flights get delayed and canceled, and passengers suffer losses. A companys true health is reflected in its balance sheet. However, several questions have been raised regarding SpiceJets financial records. The company, which is drowning in losses, is steadily losing market trust. It is also burdened with heavy debt, which it struggles to repay. The company has been in losses for the past five years. According to data, SpiceJet currently has liabilities exceeding Rs 9,000 crore. Clearly, instead of soaring, SpiceJet appears to be a sinking ship. In 2014, SpiceJet had a 17.4% market share in Indias aviation sector. Today, it has shrunk to 3.2%. Interestingly, Akasa Air, which started in August 2022, now holds a 4.7% market share in the Indian aviation market, which is 47% (46.87%) higher than SpiceJets share. A two-and-a-half-year-old airline has surpassed the SpiceJet. Zee News reached out to SpiceJet for a response. In an emailed statement, the airline denied any financial irregularities. Below is SpiceJet's email response to our journalist's questions regarding these concerns, addressed to Ajay Singh, Chairman & Managing Director of SpiceJet. Please find below our response to your queries. Our response can be attributed to SpiceJet Spokesperson. Please carry our response in full. The overall tone of the questionnaire appears to be unduly negative and the questions partially inaccurate. It seems that someone is deliberately attempting to mislead and malign SpiceJet by planting misleading and baseless information. We hope that Zee Media will not fall for this misinformation and will exercise caution in reporting anything that is factually incorrect or defamatory. *1. On Financial Health & Profitability* "Mr. Singh, SpiceJet recently posted a 26 crore profit for Q3, marking its first profit in a decade. However, financial disclosures indicate that this was largely due to debt restructuring rather than operational revenue growth. How do you plan to ensure that future profitability is driven by sustainable business operations rather than accounting maneuvers?" Response: The tonality of this question is extremely negative and the journalist appears to be raising doubts where none exist. SpiceJet is a listed company and our financial records are completely transparent and in public domain. There is no accounting maneuver as alleged by the reporter. Our balance sheet is in the public domain, accessible to everyone. SpiceJets Rs 26 crore net profit in Q3 FY25 and achieving a positive net worth after a decade marks a significant milestone in our turnaround journey. This performance reflects our resilience and unwavering commitment to financial and operational recovery. The success of our Rs 3,000 crore Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP), backed by global investors, has bolstered our balance sheet, enabling us to resolve legacy liabilities and clear Rs 601 crore in statutory dues, while fueling fleet expansion with 10 aircraft inducted in Q3 alone. Our total revenue surged 53% in Q3 to Rs 1,651 crore as compared to the previous quarter, driven by strong passenger demand, improved yields, and operational efficiency. Looking ahead, we expect double-digit RASK growth in Q4 FY25, which will further enhance cash flows. Ongoing talks with OEMs for advanced aircraft deliveries and exploration of organic and inorganic growth opportunities signal our focus on long-term resilience. While challenges remain, our disciplined strategy and proactive measures position SpiceJet for a stronger, more sustainable future. *2. On SEBI Exemption & Shareholding Shift* "SEBIs recent exemption allowed SpiceJets promoters to acquire a 13.75% stake, bypassing the usual 5% capan unprecedented move in Indias financial history. Minority shareholders, who lost a portion of their stake, have expressed concerns. Can you clarify why this exemption was necessary and how you plan to rebuild investor confidence?" Response: SpiceJet strongly refutes the premise of your question, as it is based on information that is absolutely incorrect, misleading, and factually inaccurate. The exemption granted to SpiceJets promoters is fully compliant with SEBIs established rules and regulations. Such exemptions are neither unprecedented nor unusual they are routinely granted by SEBI in similar cases where companies are undertaking strategic financial restructuring to strengthen their business and improve shareholder value. This is neither an anomaly nor a deviation from standard practice in Indias financial markets. This exemption was publicly disclosed and announced by SpiceJet in a transparent manner, in full compliance with SEBIs procedural requirements. Any suggestion of impropriety or lack of clarity is baseless and appears to stem from either a misunderstanding of regulatory norms or a deliberate attempt to misrepresent facts. The claim that minority shareholders lost a portion of their stake is also misleading. The increase in the Promoter Groups stake from 29.11% to 33.47%, as part of the warrant conversion exercise, does not dilute the ownership of minority shareholders in any manner. To say that minority shareholders have lost a portion of their stake is a deliberate misinterpretation by the reporter and an attempt to twist facts. We take this very seriously and reserve the right to take appropriate legal action in case of any misreporting. The exemption and subsequent shareholding shift are in fact a part of a broader effort to enhance the companys financial stability and operational strength, which ultimately benefits all shareholders. We have consistently acted in line with regulatory guidelines and will continue to engage with all stakeholders to address any concerns transparently and responsibly. *3. On Stock Market Volatility & Retail Investors* "SpiceJets stock saw a sharp surge before the QIP, attracting retail investors who later faced losses when institutional investors exited. Given the concerns around stock price manipulation, how does the company plan to ensure transparency and fair play for all investors moving forward?" Response: We categorically deny the baseless and misleading assertions embedded in your question. The suggestion that the companys stock surge before the Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP) was linked to any form of manipulation is absolutely false and unsupported by facts. Stock price movements are driven by market dynamics, investor sentiment, and publicly available information none of which indicate any irregularity or misconduct on SpiceJets part. The claim that retail investors "faced losses when institutional investors exited" is a speculative and incorrect narrative. It falsely implies an orchestrated sequence of events that simply did not occur. SpiceJet has adhered strictly to all regulatory requirements under SEBI and stock exchange guidelines during the QIP process, ensuring full transparency and compliance. Any insinuation of unfair play or manipulation is not only defamatory but also demonstrates a clear lack of understanding of standard market practices and the companys actions. Allegations of this nature appear to be a deliberate attempt to mislead and malign the company, and we strongly urge Zee Media to refrain from propagating such unfounded claims without evidence. The company will take strong legal action against any misleading or baseless reports that seek to damage our reputation or mislead the public. *4. On Fleet Expansion & Operational Stability* "SpiceJet currently operates with just 27 aircraft, and reports indicate no new deliveries before 2029. With competitors expanding aggressively, how does the airline plan to address its fleet shortage and maintain operational efficiency in an increasingly competitive market?" Response: This is completely incorrect and misleading information, demonstrating a clear lack of understanding of the facts. SpiceJet has consistently provided accurate and transparent updates on its fleet expansion and operational plans through regular media statements since the QIP. SpiceJet is uniquely positioned having a substantial number of grounded aircraft that can be swiftly reactivated. Following the successful Rs 3,000 crore QIP, SpiceJets immediate focus has been the Return to Service (RTS) of its 28 grounded aircraft a fact widely reported in the media. We have already successfully ungrounded four aircraft, including a 737 Max, with several more expected to return to service shortly. Rs 800 crore from the QIP has been specifically allocated for the RTS of these grounded planes, reinforcing our commitment to strengthening operational capacity. In Q3 FY25 alone, we invested Rs 170 crore toward this effort. To accelerate this process, we have signed a comprehensive services agreement with StandardAero Inc., a leading U.S.-based engine MRO provider, to restore our grounded MAX fleet. Additionally, we are working with other OEMs and MRO partners to expedite the restoration of more aircraft, further enhancing our fleet strength and operational capabilities. To address any immediate fleet shortfall, SpiceJet has also been strategically adding aircraft through wet lease agreements, ensuring uninterrupted service and seamless network expansion. This strategy has already borne results SpiceJet has added over 60 new flights, expanded its network by introducing new stations like Shivamogga and Prayagraj, and revived previously served destinations such as Gorakhpur. This rapid expansion reflects SpiceJets operational agility and its ability to compete aggressively in the market while providing enhanced connectivity and convenience to passengers. Furthermore, as stated in our Q3 release, we are in advanced discussions with OEMs for early aircraft deliveries and are actively pursuing both organic and inorganic growth opportunities. SpiceJets long-term growth strategy is firmly on track, supported by strong financial backing, a clear operational roadmap, and a demonstrated ability to adapt and thrive in a highly competitive market. *5. On Employee Welfare & Salary Payments* "Reports suggest that SpiceJet employees have faced delayed salary payments for nearly 30 months. Employees are the backbone of any airline. What concrete steps are being taken to ensure their financial security and morale, especially as the company raises fresh capital?" Response: We are astonished and dismayed that this question relies on outdated, irrelevant, and flatly inaccurate information, suggesting either a deliberate attempt to mislead or a shocking lapse in journalistic diligence. Any misleading or baseless report will be met with appropriate legal action. As widely reported by leading media, including Zee Business, SpiceJet cleared all outstanding employee salary dues immediately after the successful completion of its QIP. In fact, the pending salaries were credited the very same day the QIP funds were received. Furthermore, SpiceJet has settled all Provident Fund (PF) and Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) dues for its employees. The company has spent a total of Rs 601 crore to clear all outstanding liabilities, including GST, EPF, TDS, and other statutory dues. Post-QIP, the company swiftly completed the appraisal process for all employees, and the revised salary scales have already been implemented. This demonstrates our firm commitment to employee welfare and financial security. For the first time in over a decade, SpiceJet has turned net worth positive an important milestone that reflects the success of our turnaround strategy and strengthens the foundation for future growth. Our financial and operational stability has also been validated by multiple credit rating upgrades from Acuite Ratings & Research Limited and CareEdge Ratings. The positive impact of our strategic efforts is already visible. The ungrounding of aircraft and operational improvements have led to a 53% surge in total revenue to Rs 1,651 crore in Q3 FY25 compared to the previous quarter, with the company reporting a profit of Rs 26 crore. SpiceJet values its employees as the backbone of the organization. The steps we have taken not only secure their financial well-being but also reinforce our long-term vision of building a stronger, more resilient airline. *6. On Long-Term Survival Strategy* "SpiceJets debt burden remains a major challenge, and analysts have questioned its long-term sustainability. What is your strategic vision for SpiceJet over the next five years? How do you plan to balance financial restructuring, fleet expansion, and market share growth to secure the airlines future?" Response: SpiceJet categorically dismisses the tired, recycled narrative of an insurmountable debt burden and so-called analyst doubts about our sustainability as lazy speculation that ignores our proven resilience and strategic clarity. SpiceJet has successfully navigated the complexities of the Indian aviation market for nearly two decades with remarkable resilience and strategic foresight. In 2015, we achieved a historic turnaround that defied expectations, and today, with our established experience and infrastructure, we are well-positioned not only to repeat but to exceed that success. SpiceJet has the expertise, operational strength, and a clear strategic roadmap to grow into a 100-aircraft airline once again. The recent capital infusion through the Rs 3,000 crore QIP has already enabled us to resolve approximately 70% of claims with lessors and vendors. For the remaining disputes, we are actively engaged with stakeholders, some of whom require internal board or committee approvals to finalize agreements. We are confident that these resolutions will further strengthen our financial position and operational efficiency. Additionally, an extra Rs 676 crore from a previous funding round will further bolster our financial strength. On March 17, SpiceJet announced that its Founder and Promoter, Ajay Singh, will infuse Rs 294.09 crore into the company, increasing the consolidated shareholding of the Promoter Group from the current 29.11% to 33.47%. This significant investment underscores the promoters unwavering commitment to the airlines future and strategic growth. SpiceJets resilience is a proven fact. The fresh capital will drive fleet expansion, enhance operational efficiency, and unlock new growth opportunities. We are actively pursuing early deliveries of aircraft from OEMs and are focused on both organic and inorganic growth avenues. Our immediate goal is to restore our grounded planes to service, expand our network, and deliver greater value to our customers and stakeholders. With a strengthened financial foundation and a clear strategic vision, SpiceJet is well on course to consolidate its market position, capture new opportunities, and secure long-term, sustainable growth. Mumbai: Malayalam superstar Mohanlal recently took to social media to announce that his upcoming actioner L2: Empuraan, will be the first ever film from the Malayalam cinema to release on IMAX. Sharing the poster of the film on his Instagram handle, the actor wrote, It gives us immense pride to announce that #L2E #Empuraan will be the first ever film from the Malayalam cinema industry to release on IMAX. We hope this is the beginning of a long and illustrious association between IMAX and Malayalam Cinema. Watch the spectacle unfold on IMAX screens across the world in selected markets from 27/03/2025! Malayalam | Tamil | Hindi | Telugu | Kannada #March27. Interestingly, Mohanlal has been actively promoting his film on social media, engaging with fans and building excitement for its release. Through his posts, he has shared behind-the-scenes glimpses, updates, and posters, further enhancing the anticipation surrounding the film. On March 18, Director Prithviraj Sukumaran revealed that Tamil superstar Rajinikanth was the first to watch the trailer of his highly anticipated political thriller L2: Empuraan. In a post on his X handle, the director mentioned that after watching the trailer, Rajinikanth praised it and complimented Prithviraj on the project. Prithviraj posted a picture of himself with Rajinikanth and wrote, The very first person to watch the trailer of #L2E #EMPURAAN I will forever cherish what you said after watching it Sir! This meant the world to me! Fanboy forever! @rajinikanth #OGSuperstar. The Censor Board has officially cleared L2: Empuraan for release, granting it a UA 16+ rating. The film's certified length is 179.52 meters. The film is the much-anticipated sequel to Lucifer, which became a massive hit. The political action thriller also sees Prithviraj reprise his role as Zayed Masood, a mercenary commando who leads the notorious Kureshi-Ab'ram nexus, continuing his impactful character from the first film in the Lucifer franchise. L2: Empuraan" is scheduled to hit screens on March 27, 2025. New Delhi: India on Wednesday expressed deep concern over the escalating situation in Gaza, emphasizing the urgent need for the release of all hostages and the continuation of humanitarian aid. "We are concerned at the situation in Gaza. It is important that all hostages are released," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated. The remarks came after Israel resumed airstrikes in Gaza on Tuesday, raising uncertainty over the fragile ceasefire it had reached with Hamas in January. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, over 400 people were killed in the latest Israeli bombardment. "We also call for the supply of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza to be sustained," the MEA added. Israel Conducts Extensive Strikes On Hamas Targets In Gaza The situation in the Gaza strip remains unstable, as Israel Defence Forces (IDF) launched extensive airstrikes on Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip early Tuesday, following directives from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz. "In accordance with the political echelon, the IDF and ISA are currently conducting extensive strikes on terror targets belonging to the Hamas terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip," the IDF stated. In a series of posts on X, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said the strikes were carried out due to Hamas's continued refusal to release hostages and its rejection of proposals from US Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff and mediators. "Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength," the statement read. Providing an operational update on Wednesday, the IDF reported striking a Hamas military site in northern Gaza overnight, where preparations were being made to launch projectiles at Israel. The Israeli Navy also targeted several vessels along Gazas coast, which, according to the IDF, were intended for use in terrorist activities by Hamas and Islamic Jihad. "The IDF struck a Hamas military site in northern Gaza overnight where preparations were being made to fire projectiles at Israeli territory. In addition, the Israeli Navy struck several vessels in the coastal area of Gaza. These vessels were intended to be used for terrorist activities by Hamas and the Islamic Jihad," the IDF stated on X. According to Al Jazeera, at least 14 people were killed in the overnight and early morning Israeli strikes on Gaza. The outlet further reported that Tuesday night's attacks resulted in over 400 deaths and left hundreds injured. Following a two-hour-long call, US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on Tuesday agreed to a 30-day ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war with a pause on attacks on energy and infrastructure. The two leaders have also begun negotiations for a full ceasefire and permanent peace starting immediately. During the telephone conversation, they also discussed bilateral relations and the situation in West Asia. The plan agreed by them will need to be affirmed by Ukraine. In a readout of the two-hour-long call, Trump and Putin said, "The leaders agreed that the movement to peace will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire and permanent peace". "These negotiations will begin immediately in the Middle East (West Asia). The two leaders "agreed this conflict needs to end with a lasting peace," the readout stated. Readout of President Donald J. Trump's Call with President Vladimir Putin: Today, President Trump and President Putin spoke about the need for peace and a ceasefire in the Ukraine war. Both leaders agreed this conflict needs to end with a lasting peace. They also stressed the Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) March 18, 2025 The readout also said Trump and Putin "stressed the need for improved bilateral relations between the US and Russia" and that "a future with an improved bilateral relationship between the US and Russia has huge upside. This includes enormous economic deals and geopolitical stability when peace has been achieved." They also discussed West Asia "broadly," the readout said, "as a region of potential cooperation to prevent future conflicts." The call marks a significant step in President Trump's efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, which he has maintained would never have taken place if he was in office at the time. On Tuesday (local time), Trump described his telephonic conversation with Putin as "productive," stating that both leaders agreed to an immediate ceasefire on all energy and infrastructure. Trump, in a post on his social media platform Truth Social, said they discussed elements of a peace agreement and that the ceasefire process is now in motion. "My phone conversation today with President Putin of Russia was a very good and productive one. We agreed to an immediate Ceasefire on all Energy and Infrastructure, with an understanding that we will be working quickly to have a Complete Ceasefire and, ultimately, an END to this very horrible War between Russia and Ukraine. This War would have never started if I were President! Many elements of a Contract for Peace were discussed, including the fact that thousands of soldiers are being killed, and both President Putin and President Zelenskyy would like to see it end. That process is now in full force and effect, and we will, hopefully, for the sake of Humanity, get the job done!" his post read. The phone call between Trump and Putin focused on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, during which the two leaders agreed on the necessity of lasting peace. They also discussed a proposed ceasefire in the Black Sea and broader regional stability in the Middle East. During the conversation, both leaders acknowledged that improved bilateral relations between the United States and Russia could bring significant benefits, which could be realized once peace is achieved. Sunita Williams finally returned to Earth on Wednesday after spending much longer than planned on the International Space Station. Her mission, originally set for just a few days, turned into a nine-month stay. This delay became a major topic in U.S. politics, with President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk blaming the previous administration for not handling the situation well. NASA, with help from Elon Musk, created a backup plan to bring astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams back from the International Space Station. They were stranded there for nine months because their Boeing Starliner spacecraft had technical issues and could not be used for their return to Earth. Elon Musk and former U.S. President Donald Trump blamed the previous Biden administration for the long delay, claimingwithout proofthat politics played a role in keeping them on the ISS. NASA and SpaceX officials did not confirm Musks claims during a recent press conference. Steve Stich, NASAs commercial crew program manager, explained that they considered different options before deciding the best way to bring the astronauts home with SpaceXs help. The White House repeated Trumps claim that he sped up their return, posting "PROMISE MADE, PROMISE KEPT" on X. With Tuesdays splashdown bringing the long journey to an end, here are 10 key points about Sunita Williams' return to Earth. Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, both experienced NASA astronauts and former Navy test pilots, went to space in June last year on Starliner's first crewed mission. It was supposed to last just eight days. However, problems with the spacecrafts propulsion system delayed their return. In August, NASA decided to send the Starliner spacecraft back to Earth without them, while they waited for a SpaceX Crew Dragon to bring them home. The Dragon arrived at the ISS with two empty seats, and Starliner returned without a crew in September. While waiting, Williams and Wilmore adjusted their mission, conducting research and maintaining the space station. Williams also performed two spacewalks, each lasting six hours, including one with Wilmore. With this mission, Williams has now spent a total of 608 days in space, making her the second longest-serving US astronaut after Peggy Whitson, who has 675 days. Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko holds the world record with 878 days. The mission caught the attention of former US President Donald Trump, who, after taking office in January, pushed for their quicker return. He claimed that former President Joe Biden had "abandoned" them for political reasons. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk supported Trumps claims. On Friday, the SpaceX Crew Dragon arrived at the ISS with a replacement crew, allowing Williams and Wilmore to return. After a short handover, the Dragon undocked early Tuesday for a 17-hour journey back to Earth. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote to Williams, who has Indian roots, inviting her to visit India after her return. The four astronauts, part of NASAs Crew-9 mission, re-entered Earths atmosphere around 5:45 p.m. ET. Their spacecraft used the atmosphere and parachutes to slow down from 17,000 mph to just 17 mph before safely landing in the ocean, about 50 miles off Floridas Gulf Coast. The capsule was lifted onto a boat, and the astronauts were taken to a NASA plane. They will stay at the Johnson Space Center in Houston for health check-ups before returning home to their families. In India, celebrations broke out in Sunita Williams native village after her safe landing. The White House repeated Trumps claim that he helped speed up the astronauts return, saying it was a "promise made, promise kept." The crew will first receive medical check-ups on the rescue ship, with ongoing monitoring in the following days and weeks. Later today, the Crew-9 team will be taken to NASA's facility in Houston for further medical assessments. Florida: Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, along with NASAs Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, have returned to Earth after a lengthy journey that turned a planned eight-day mission into a nine-month in space. The group, part of NASA/SpaceXs Crew-9, was brought back by SpaceXs Dragon spacecraft, which safely splashed down off the coast of Florida at 3:27 a.m. As the recovery operation unfolded, a beautiful and unexpected greeting awaited the astronauts. Dolphins were spotted swimming around the Dragon capsule while it was being retrieved from the ocean. The playful marine mammals circled the spacecraft, providing an almost magical moment before the capsule was lifted onto the recovery vessel. The recovery team carefully opened the side hatch of the capsule, marking the first time it had been opened since September. The astronauts, who had spent months in space, were helped out of the capsule and transported to Houston for a 45-day rehabilitation program. Crew-9s return to Earth had its fair share of challenges. Originally, the mission, which was to be the first crewed flight of Boeing's Starliner, was scheduled to last just eight days. However, due to technical issues with the Starliner capsule, Williams and Wilmore were left stranded in space. The propulsion problems with the Starliner led to its return in September without a crew. Faced with uncertainty about their return, NASA reassigned the astronauts to SpaceX's Crew-9 mission. In September, SpaceX sent a Dragon spacecraft to retrieve them, but only two crew members were on board, unlike the usual four, to accommodate the stranded astronauts. The Dragon capsule atop the Falcon 9 rocket was launched for the mission. Crew-10 has replaced Crew-9 at the International Space Station. Former US President Donald Trump held an hour-long conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday, a day after speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The call comes amid Trumps ongoing efforts to mediate a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. In a social media post, Trump stated that the discussion aimed to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs. He expressed optimism about the progress, saying, We are very much on track. Trump also directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz to release further details in an upcoming statement. Zelenskyy, who has repeatedly pushed for stronger US support, acknowledged the conversation and indicated his interest in learning more about Trumps discussion with Putin. Trumps call with Putin on Tuesday resulted in a limited agreement, with Russia agreeing not to target Ukraines energy infrastructure. However, Putin rejected Trumps proposal for a broader 30-day ceasefire. (With AP inputs) Press Release March 19, 2025 'Tuloy ang serbisyo, unahin ang kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino' -- Bong Go leads Senate race in Pulse Asia survey, climbs in SWS, Tangere, and OCTA surveys Senator Christopher "Bong" Go continues to solidify his standing as one of the frontrunners in the 2025 senatorial race, securing the top spot in the latest Pulse Asia survey and maintaining strong positions across multiple independent polls. The Pulse Asia survey, conducted from February 20 to 26, showed Senator Go climbing to number one with 58.1% voter support--his highest rating yet in the campaign cycle. This marks a significant jump from his 50.4% rating in January, where he was ranked second to third. "Ang inyong tiwala at suporta ay patuloy na nagbibigay sa akin ng lakas at inspirasyon upang gawin kung ano ang tama, isulong ang interes at ipaglaban ang kapakanan ng mga Pilipino," Go earlier said. "Lagi kong tinatandaan ang sinabi sa akin ni Tatay Digong: Just do what is right. Unahin ang interes ng bayan, unahin ang kapwa Pilipino, at hinding-hindi ka magkakamali dyan," he added. Aside from Pulse Asia, Social Weather Stations (SWS) recorded a steady climb in his rankings. In its February 15 to 19 survey, Senator Go secured second place with 38% voter preference, an improvement from his third-to-fourth place ranking in January with 37% and December 2024 with 32%. Meanwhile, the latest OCTA Research survey, conducted from February 22 to 28, saw Senator Go ranking second with 62% voter support, further reinforcing his strong electoral standing. Aside from securing high numbers in the above mentioned surveys conducted in February, Go continues his strong showing in March. The Tangere pre-election poll, conducted from March 11 to 14, placed him statistically tied at the top spot with 54% voter preference. Senator Go expressed gratitude to the public for their continued trust, emphasizing his commitment to accessible and hands-on public service. "Walang pinipiling oras, walang pinipiling lugar--kapag kailangan ng tao ng tulong, dapat n'andiyan ka. God-willing, kung mabigyan muli ng pagkakataon, itutuloy ko ang aking sinimulan at lalo pang pagbubutihin ang paglilingkod para sa inyo," he said. Observers attribute his sustained rise in voter preference to his direct engagement with communities and his consistent advocacy for healthcare reforms, disaster response, and grassroots assistance. "Ang aking sipag sa pagtatrabaho ang isa sa mga maiaalay ko sa inyo. Bukas po ang aking opisina para sa inyong lahat at patuloy po akong magseserbisyo sa inyo sa abot ng aking makakaya dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo din sa Diyos," he said. The Malasakit Center program, which Senator Go initiated in 2018 and later institutionalized by principally authoring and sponsoring Republic Act No. 11463, was his pragmatic approach to improving access to medical assistance from government. These one-stop shops consolidate assistance from the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), significantly cutting down the red tape for patients in need. To date, 167 Malasakit Centers operate nationwide, with at least three in every region. DOH has reported that the program has assisted more than 17 million Filipinos in reducing their hospital expenses. As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, Senator Go has vowed to exercise oversight so that the Malasakit Centers law will be implemented properly to continue their operations more efficiently. Beyond Malasakit Centers, he has also been instrumental in broader healthcare reforms. He principally sponsored and is one of the authors of RA 11959, the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which mandates the establishment of specialty hospitals within DOH regional hospitals--bringing expert medical care closer to underserved communities. Additionally, he has championed the creation of Super Health Centers, which focus on primary care, early disease detection, and free consultations in coordination with municipal health offices, local government units, and PhilHealth's Konsulta program. Despite his rising numbers, Go expressed deep sorrow over the country's current political situation, particularly in light of former President Rodrigo Duterte's recent detention in the International Criminal Court (ICC). "Maraming salamat po sa inyong patuloy na suporta at tiwala sa akin. Pero sobrang malungkot ako ngayon dahil sa mga nangyayari sa ating bansa. Para akong nawalan ng isang tatay," Go said. However, he reassured the public that his commitment to serving the people remains steadfast, vowing to continue pushing for policies that uplift the lives of ordinary Filipinos. "Sa kabila nito, patuloy ang aking trabaho at pagbibigay ng serbisyong tunay na may malasakit. Kaya inuuna ko ang pagsusulong sa mga batas at programang makakatulong sa mga ordinaryong Pilipino, lalo na ang mga mahihirap at walang wala sa buhay," he stated. COLUMBUS In a raucous town hall meeting Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Mike Flood of Nebraska's 1st Congressional District defended President Donald Trump and the Elon Musk-led effort to slash federal spending in the face of intense backlash from a crowd of several hundred Nebraskans. A Republican and former state lawmaker who ignored a directive from the chairman of the House GOP's campaign arm and instead hosted the town hall at Columbus High School, Flood was jeered and heckled for most of 90 minutes Tuesday night in an event that was broadcast on national TV. The venue in the seat of a county where 79% of voters backed Trump over Democrat Kamala Harris in November proved not to be a refuge from GOP backlash as many attendees drove 50 or more miles from Omaha or Lincoln, a Democratic stronghold in his district's largest city, to confront Flood over the initial weeks of Trump's second term in office. Flood acknowledged the outrage generated by such moves in his opening remarks to attendees Tuesday. "I know that some of you in this room are angry. I know that some of you in this room are emotional. And I know some of you in this room are concerned," he said, before urging attendees to limit outbursts to allow fellow participants space to ask questions and to allow Flood to answer them. Instead, attendees repeatedly derided him, and some left in protest, particularly as Flood defended the actions of Musk, whose effort to slash federal spending has cost an untold number of Nebraskans their jobs. Attendees repeatedly urged Flood to speak out against Musk and his so-called Department of Government Efficiency that has laid off at least 25,000 federal workers, an unknown portion of which are Nebraskans. At every turn, Flood declined to criticize DOGE, its leader or its tactics, which have prompted federal lawsuits and worried federal auditors. "When you cut spending, you have to make difficult decisions, and those difficult decisions mean finding government efficiencies," he said. "And for that reason, for the first time in decades, we have a president that is cutting spending, and he is looking to find efficiencies, and I support that effort." One woman asked about Trump's cut to National Institutes of Health grants that help fund research to develop cures and treatments for diseases including cancer and pointed out Flood's wife survived breast cancer. The congressman said all the funding wouldn't vanish and he cited DOGE's work, which had identified some grant funding to suspend or trim. "That's your job!" one attendee shouted. One attendee who identified herself as a retired attorney who spent 27 years working for the IRS told Flood she hadn't seen a single Republican stand up for federal employees. "Sure, there's waste, but the way they're going about it, they're cutting people and there's no plan for transfer of knowledge," she said, asking: "Why are we allowing Elon Musk to make these decisions?" "I get it," Flood said in response. "There's a lot of people in this room that don't support what DOGE is doing." "But for the first time, we are making progress identifying places that we can reduce the budget, and this is something," he said, before he was drowned out by jeers. In other moments, the crowd showed grace to their congressman. Attendees thanked him, repeatedly, for hosting an in-person town hall something none of his colleagues in Nebraska's federal delegation have done or pledged to do since Trump returned to the White House. The crowd applauded, too, when Flood vowed to personally intervene on behalf of Nebraskans in their individual fights with the federal government, including when a Department of Defense employee who has been working remotely for years told Flood he faced an impossible choice: to leave Nebraska or leave his job. And Flood won a standing ovation from the otherwise hostile group when he broke with the president amid questions over how he would protect Ukraine, NATO and democracy writ large from Russian President Vladimir Putin. "I've traveled to places in Eastern Europe," he said. "I've looked at the folks in Warsaw in the face and they are terrified that Vladimir Putin wants to take them down next. And for that reason, I do not feel like Ukraine should have to give up any land to Russia." But for much of the night in the face of questions over tariffs poised to harm Nebraska's ag producers, over DOGE's and the broader GOP's mission to slash federal spending, and over Trump himself Flood defended his party and the president. "Is there anything you will do to stand up against Trump?" one attendee asked. "Last November, Americans wanted a change. They wanted a president who would deal with issues like this," Flood said, pointing to a screen at the front of the auditorium displaying the country's growing federal debt. "They wanted a president that would usher in a new era, a golden era for America," he said, pausing as the crowd groaned. Measles was first identified as a virus in the early 20th century. This disease caused significant morbidity and mortality. A measles vaccine was first introduced in 1963, using a live virus strain developed from a child who had measles. In the 1970s and 1980s, many countries began implementing widespread measles vaccination programs as part of their childhood immunization schedules. The measles vaccine is usually administered as a combination vaccine, such as the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine. The impact of that program was dramaticthe incidence of measles in the U.S. plummeted from 500,000 annual cases before the vaccines introduction to around 100 cases per year by the early 2000s. The World Health Organization launched initiatives to eliminate measles globally, highlighting the importance of vaccination in preventing outbreaks. Despite the huge success of the measles vaccine, vaccine hesitancy has emerged as a significant challenge in recent years. This hesitancy has caused outbreaks of measles in certain communities with low vaccination rates, such as Texas recently. I am a family medicine doctor who practiced for 42 years in the Seattle area. When I first started practicing in the early 1970s, I saw a lot of sick kids. During my first ten years, it seemed like I was always admitting children with various infectious diseases such as meningitis, Haemophilus influenzae, and whooping cough. Some other infectious diseases Diphtheria A serious disease that can lead to heart complications. A serious disease that can lead to heart complications. Measles A disease targeted for elimination by the CDC in 1978; causes birth defects in pregnant mothers. A disease targeted for elimination by the CDC in 1978; causes birth defects in pregnant mothers. Mumps A disease that was combined with the MMR vaccine in 1971. A disease that was combined with the MMR vaccine in 1971. Polio A disease that was targeted for eradication by Rotary International in 1985. A disease that was targeted for eradication by Rotary International in 1985. Whooping cough A highly contagious disease. As time went on and we gave children more vaccines, I started noticing that I rarely saw a really sick child. These vaccines have drastically reduced the burden of disease for children. In 1900, twenty percent of children died before the age of five, generally from a preventable infectious disease. For vaccines to really work, a large segment of the populationgenerally around 80 percentmust be immune to a virus or disease to stop its spread. Measles was declared eliminated from the United States in 2000 by the World Health Organization due to the success of vaccination efforts. However, it continues to be reintroduced by international travelers, and in recent years, anti-vaccination sentiment has allowed for the reemergence of measles outbreaks. Vaccines have, in many ways, become a victim of their own success. They have been so effective in wiping out diseases that most people today have never seen someone with that disease, so they assume the risk is not very great. If too many people think this way, herd immunity vanishes, and more people are at risk of getting the disease. Robert Bettis is a family physician with over four decades of experience in patient care, medical research, and education. As the founder of a clinic that grew to employ more than 100 staff members, Dr. Bettis has provided dedicated health care services for over 42 years. In addition to his clinical practice, he has contributed extensively to medical research, co-authoring numerous studies published in JAMA, Clinical Therapeutics, and The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. His research has focused on antibiotic efficacy, respiratory infections, and chronic disease management. Dr. Bettis has also shared his expertise as a part-time faculty member at the University of Washington in the Department of Family Medicine. Through his commitment to patient care, medical advancement, and education, Dr. Bettis continues to make a lasting impact in the field of medicine. It is more than our job, Our profession, Our specialty. It is our life, Our calling, Our vocation A privilege. Taking care of the sickest of the sickest children, The most hurt, The most wounded, The most injured, The most vulnerable among us, The most precious of human beings. The ones who barely have a voiceif they have one at all, So quiet, it often goes unheard. The ones who are hurt, not of their own doing, The ones who had no luck, No luck at all. Who get so sickits hard to fathom, Who go so low, so deep, so farfew of us will ever know. The ones who inspire us all, Despite their strugglesor maybe, because of their struggles. The ones with the strongest will to laugh, to play, to bounce back, to live To live life to its fullest, wildest, funnest possibilities. The ones filled with joy, love, and imagination Boundless, inexhaustible. The ones yearning for a life ahead of them still, The ones with all the possibilities, The ones who are our future. We do it for them The kids who need us, Who are going through what is hopefully the worst of their lives. To ease the pain, To lessen the suffering, To get them through, To help them heal and recover. To break through boundaries of physiological possibilities. To multitask, To think quickly, interpreting tons of data points simultaneously when needed. To make fast decisions, To rely on decades of training and experience to use in the right moment. To trust that we know what to doeven when we are not sure we do. We dont do it alone. We have a team who supports us, Without whom we would never be able to do this. Mentors who taught us, Colleagues who guide us, Trainees who keep us on our toes. Nurses who give so much of themselves To comfort much more than we ever could, To give the warmest of care, the biggest of hugs, the most support of all. Respiratory therapists who breathe with us. Social workers we lean on to fix what we cant. Child life specialists who create magic, smiles, and giggles in the hardest of times. Pharmacists who help us choose the most effective tools. Administrators who keep it all going behind the scenes. Consultants who give us the knowledge we need to guide the path to go. We do it with them. We calibrate this team. We bark orders during crises when things are happening too fast. We command the room if necessary. We assign roles when needed. We organize the chaosor at least we try to. We work on being strong and confident with each morsel of wisdom we earn, Even if we feel like crumbling inside. Strong for these kids, Strong for their parents The ones whose love for their children is immeasurable, Insurmountable. The ones who would do anything for their little ones, Who would take their pain unasked, Who would change places in an instant without a second thought, Who would die for them without a moment of doubt or hesitation. We do it for them, too. We do it to guide them through the hardest times, To explain, to make it all make senseeven if it doesnt. To hold their hands, To hope with them, To celebrate the milestones with them, To fight with them, To cry with them, To mourn with them, To be there with themif that is all we can do. When they are so deeply alone, Having to go through unthinkable darkness. Talking about the unspeakable with them, Asking of them the most unmakable decisions, Standing alongside their worst. We do it for them. We do it for their kids. We do it for our team. We do it for each other. We are willing to pay a personal price, too. It might seem small, insignificant, meaningless in the moment, Infinitesimal in comparison to what we see. But over time, we pay it. We sacrifice. We sacrifice many weekends, nights, and holidays, With our loved ones, our families, our friends. We sacrifice care of our own bodies. We sacrifice time off our lives. We gladly pay it, But we pay it. We sacrifice sleep, nourishment, hydration. We sacrifice normal cortisol levels many days. We sacrifice parts of our health and our well-being. Our kids feel it, our spouses, our families. Often not present, distracted, distraught, Sad or upsetnot at them, But for what we have seen. Mourning for the ones we couldnt save. Aching for the pains we couldnt prevent. Imagining the hurt. But we gladly do. We sacrifice a piece of our own selves, But we willingly do. We would do it all over again and again For the tiniest difference we hope we made. We happily do. ADVERTISEMENT We do it for the kids. We do it for their moms and dads. We do it for their brothers and sisters. We do it for their families. We do it for ourselves. For each other. Our communities. Our society. Humanity. It is our calling. Steffi Gauguet is a pediatric intensive care physician. Just as society has been transformed by technology solutions driven by connectivity and ubiquitous information, medical practice is undergoing a digital transformation that was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Todays medical students will practice in a world where technology is a more integrated part of health care; technology and innovation should become a cornerstone of medical education and training. This proactive approach will prepare future physicians for the technology-driven health care landscape, not only as end-users but also as active builders of the very solutions they will be asked to use. We believe it is time for a medical curriculum 2.0, in which we weave the framework of innovative thinking into medical education. There is an urgent need for better solutions to ongoing issues in health care. Physician burnout is at an all-time high. Patient distrust and medical misinformation are on the rise. The health-tech and med-tech space has seen an increase in startups and voices geared toward being the change, but not all have achieved success. New technology solutions that aim to address physician workload and improve patient experiences often fall short of their promises due to a lack of understanding of requirements and elements necessary to ensure product-market fit. Future physicians must learn how to interact with technology developers, communicate needs in the appropriate language, discern the feasibility of solutions, and understand the landscape of innovation. The imbalance in expectations and deliverables in innovation can be addressed by implementing a new medical curriculum that brings medical students and professionals into the product development cycle, bridging the gaps between conceptualization and product development. Consider the differences in how tech teams and medical professionals approach problem-solving. Often, when a tech team launches a product or platform, the initial version is a minimum viable product (MVP). While this is common in the tech industry, it is not an intuitive concept in the health care space. The MVP does not address every concern the project originally aimed to solve, but it caters to the most critical user stories and streamlines core problems. Future iterations refine the product, but each phase takes time. This imperfect, but viable approach contrasts sharply with the perfect approach in which medical students are trained. This is not to suggest that one should replace the other, but rather that both ways of thinking should be taught. Bridging this gap in understanding will enhance collaboration and set clear expectations in every innovation-driven endeavor. We envision a curriculum that integrates opportunities for medical students and residents to learn the MVP approach and apply a model of experimentation to solving clinical workflow and patient care challenges. As an example, one of the authors (RJ) observed the benefits of collaboration between technology and patient care at a local free medical clinic in California. The clinic applied principles of agile management, such as Kanban boards and sprints, to track workflow and tasks during remote clinic days while serving uninsured and underinsured patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. This collaboration between tech leads and clinic staff enabled the delivery of continuous care to patients affected by a digital divide that the pandemic exacerbated. Implementing methodologies not traditionally associated with medicine when adopting new tools can drive equitable solutions. Medical education will thrive with an updated core curriculum and the standardization of an evolved technology curriculum. Responsible digital health solutions must invite members of communities that face a digital divide, including minority medical students, to bridge the health care delivery gap widened by health tech solutions, further supporting the standardization of a technology curriculum. To provide the greatest value to students and health care as a whole, partnerships with entrepreneurs, incubators, and social innovators will improve the development of high-quality products and enhance transparency in the innovation process. Coupling this with hands-on experiences such as elective rotations, hackathons, or capstone projects offers a balanced blend of theory and practice. Rather than expecting medical educators to remain at the forefront of every health-tech and med-tech advancement, schools can ensure students learn directly from leaders in technology. While case studies provide valuable insight, nothing compares to real-world experience. Who better to learn from than teams embedded in the future of health care technology? To address the many health care challenges that require patient-centered, integrated, innovative, and adaptable solutions, it should be a priority to equip future physicians with the tools necessary to contribute to all aspects of change. A medical curriculum infused with simulations, case studies, partnerships, and more will cultivate skilled contributors to patient care decisions. Tomorrows solutions demand that todays medical students play active roles in shaping the future of medicine and technology integration. It is time to take charge of this evolution, moving away from a traditional paradigm by updating the medical school curriculum. Figure 1: Framework for a technology-integrated medical curriculum to prepare future physicians. Rishma Jivan is a medical student. Omar Lateef and Bala Hota are physician executives. Joh taar se nikli hai, woh dhuun saab nein suni hai. Joh saaz pey guzri hai, woh kis dil ko pataa hai. Everyone hears the cries of the chords, No one knows what the instrument endures. Asian verse Whistleblowers are moral warriors. These are people with superior work ethics who come forward to report ethical and legal violations at their places of service. They save lives and uphold justice. They save humanity. It is a better world because of them. Sometimes. What is lost in the feel-good vigilantism of Corporate America is always evil is that a good portion of whistleblowing is driven by ulterior motivesanger, resentment, hate, bigotry, or a combination of these. In such cases, whistleblowing burns lives, ends careers, and destroys businesses. Yet, there is no recourse for these upended entities to rebuild what the mere flicker of a call unleashed upon them. I aim to highlight the issue of malicious whistleblowers in the health care industry, though these concerns extend to false accusers across the corporate world. Medical whistleblowing enjoys unparalleled protection in the business world because of the sensitive nature of our field. Understandably, whistleblower laws aim to shield those who report illegal, unethical, or fraudulent activities in health care, where oversight is crucial. However, these protections are often misused, harming innocent parties, damaging reputations, and undermining the laws effectiveness. The malicious have a dark happiness. Victor Hugo One common misuse of whistleblower laws is to make false or frivolous claims. Some use the protections afforded by whistleblower laws to make accusations that have no basis in fact or to exaggerate minor issues for ulterior motives. This misuse has serious consequences for the accused party, who may be subject to costly investigations and legal proceedings. Every day, we hear about egregious oversights by hospitals in the papers. All capital headlines. Corporate greed at its worst. Have we ever seen any follow-up stories on those complaints that state misrepresentation? Never. Are whistleblowers always right? No. But it is sensational to report falsehoods and mundane to report corrections. Another misuse of whistleblower laws is their weaponization for retaliation against individuals or organizations. Dislike the doctor? Find a trivial reason to report him; rest assured, the system itself protects you from all retaliation. Other times, whistleblowers are motivated by personal grievances rather than a genuine desire to report wrongdoing. In such cases, whistleblowers may make false or exaggerated claims to harm the employers reputation. The misuse of whistleblower laws can also occur when individuals use the protections afforded by these laws to cover up their own wrongdoing. In some cases, individuals engaged in illegal or unethical activities attempt to use whistleblower protections to report others in an effort to deflect attention or to curry leniency. Finally, whistleblower laws can be misused by individuals seeking financial gain from their disclosures. Some whistleblowers make allegations to secure a financial reward. Make no mistake: If there is even a shred of truth to a complaint, the issue is valid and must be addressed. However, the misuse of this powerful toolwhere baseless or malicious accusations are madewarrants serious scrutiny and reform. Misuse undermines the credibility of genuine whistleblowers and can cause unwarranted harm to individuals and organizations. This abuse not only distorts the intent of whistleblower protections but also risks eroding trust in the entire system designed to safeguard integrity and transparency. ADVERTISEMENT The Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA) is a U.S. federal law that protects federal employees who disclose information about a possible violation of law, rule, or regulation or gross mismanagement, waste of funds, abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety. The act was first enacted in 1989 and has since been amended multiple times. It provides protection against retaliation in the form of job loss, demotion, suspension, or other negative personnel actions. Under the WPA, employees retaliated against for whistleblowing may be entitled to a range of remedies, including reinstatement, back pay, attorney fees, and compensation for damages. In addition to the federal WPA, states have their own whistleblower protection laws that provide similar protections for employees who report wrongdoing in the private sector or at the state or local government level. Whistleblowers are the truth-seekers, the people who know that things are not right and are willing to risk their careers, reputations, and even their freedom to speak out. Tom Mueller Sadly, the abuse of these laws has muddied the waters of conscientious employment. Hospital reputations are destroyed by a simple call, sometimes irreversibly. Doctors names are dragged through the mud based on the statements of one angry ex-employee. And what is their safety net? No fear of reprisal. In doing so, government agencies have turned these employees into weapons of destructiondestroying names, reputations, and futures. Malicious depositions in a legal setting are a felony. Lying in a political setting upends a career. Yet, a revengeful complaint in health care is met with the full weight of government support, even when authorities are aware that the complainer may be spiteful, disgruntled, or mentally unstable. The Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) receives millions of complaints each year and has an excellent vetting process to weed out frivolous ones. Yet in health care, doctorsthe great sitting ducks of all metaphorical sitting ducksare shot first before a single question is asked. Falsehood flies, and the truth comes limping after it. Jonathan Swift While the virtue of government policy is not lost here (encouraging people to come forward without fear of repercussions), what is lost in the legal framework is that most fields have steps a conscientious complainer must take before formally reporting an employer to authorities. Report concerns to management, escalate concerns to senior leadership, resignbefore setting fire to the building. In health care, no such luck. Pick up the phone, and you are protected. But what about the fear of repercussions? Unless you work for the Sicilian mafia, what repercussions are we talking about? Due to freedom of information acts, the identity of a whistleblower will come out. Instead of destroying a business and subjecting it to months of harrowing investigations, whistleblowers should be encouraged to follow internal protocols before escalating issues externally. What is the solution? The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. Edmund Burke We cannot demonize the whistleblower, or none will remain. But we can take steps to ensure that every involved party is protected, including the occasional innocent business whose only fault was denying an employee a raise. Steps employers can take to hold malicious whistleblowers accountable: Investigate the complaint. Employers must verify complaints validity through interviews, document reviews, and evidence collection. Seek legal advice. If the employees actions constitute misconduct or criminal activity, employers should seek legal counsel to file a lawsuit or pursue charges for fraud. Terminate employment. If malicious intent is proven, the employer may terminate the employee following due process. Educate employees. Prevent malicious whistleblowing by training employees on proper protections and the serious consequences of false claims. Improve internal reporting. Enhance reporting channels to encourage employees to report concerns internally before resorting to external measures. Key steps investigating entities can take: Restrict financial incentives. Qui tam complaints should not result in rewards unless a clear link exists between the report and recovery. Hold false accusers accountable. If a complaint is proven false and harms the employers reputation, the whistleblower should face consequences to deter future abuse. In conclusion, addressing the issue of malicious whistleblowing requires a balanced approach that respects whistleblower protections while ensuring accountability. Until the unilateral protections afforded to whistleblowers are modified, the suffering of the instrument will continueunheard and unnoticed. Health care is hurting. COVID-19 has burned out doctors and hurt hospital revenues to unprecedented levels. Physician burnout is at an all-time high. The best of the field are leaving in droves. Perhaps the least we can do is craft legislation to protect them. If there are no doctors left to treat us, there will be no us. Joh saaz pey guzri hai, woh kis dil ko pataa hai Shakeel Ahmed is a gastroenterologist. An unusually large number of Chinese military ships, planes and drones entered airspace and waters surrounding Taiwan between Sunday and Monday, the self-governing islands Defense Ministry said. China said the drills were a response to recent statements and actions by the U.S. and Taiwan. The ministry yesterday published on its social media several images of Chinese drones and ships and said 43 out of 59 of them entered Taiwans air defense identification zone but that no confrontations were reported. Taiwan monitored the situation and deployed aircraft, navy ships and coastal anti-ship missile defenses in response, the ministry said. China launches such missions on a daily basis in hopes of wearing down Taiwanese defenses and morale, although the majority of the islands 23 million people reject Beijings claim of sovereignty over Taiwan and its threat to use force to assert its control. Its unclear what prompted the large Chinese deployment. Daily figures often vary widely based on statements by the Taiwanese authorities or their U.S. partners. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Monday the drills were a resolute response to foreign connivance and support to Taiwan independence, and a serious warning to Taiwan separatist forces. Chinas military actions are necessary, legal and justified measures to defend national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, Mao said. In particular, the United States deleted the literal expression that reflected the one-China principle and that did not support Taiwan independence on the website of the U.S. Department of State, which indicates wrong signals to Taiwan separatist forces, Mao was quoted as saying. Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te also raised Beijings hackles last week when he said that Taiwan law designates mainland China as a foreign hostile force and said tougher measures were being taken to prevent Chinese subversion through the media and civic exchanges. Lai also warned of the danger of influential figures and current and retired military members selling secrets to China. The Taiwan Strait is an international body of water and one of the most important channels for global trade. While China does not interfere with civilian shipping in the Strait or in the South China Sea to the south that it claims almost in its entirety it routinely objects to actions by the U.S. and other foreign navies in the area. China on Saturday lashed out at accusations by top diplomats from the Group of 7 industrialized democracies who said Beijing is endangering maritime safety. The G7 had said in a joint statement: We condemn Chinas 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, including through land reclamations, and building of outposts, as well as their use for military purpose. China called the G7 statement filled with arrogance, prejudice and malicious intentions. Faced with the rising threat from China, Taiwan has ordered new missiles, aircraft and other armaments from the U.S., while revitalizing its own defense industry with submarines and other key items. CHRISTOPHER BODEEN, TAIPEI, MDT/AP Chinas energy and auto giant BYD has announced an ultra fast EV charging system that it says is nearly as quick as a fill up at the pumps. BYD, Chinas largest EV maker, said that its flash-chargers can provide a full charge for its latest EVs within five to eight minutes, similar to the amount of time needed to fill a fuel tank. It plans to build more than 4,000 of the new charging stations across China. Charging times and limited ranges have been a major factor constraining the switch from gas and diesel vehicles to EVs, though Chinese drivers have embraced that change, with sales of battery powered and hybrid vehicles jumping 40% last year. BYDs news appeared to give Tesla a jolt yesterday [Macau time], as the U.S. EV makers share price sank 4.8%. BYD, which stands for build your dreams, began pre-sales of its Han L and Tang L models, which are upgraded versions of earlier models. The Chinese company started out making batteries and has been refining its battery and energy storage technology while building an auto empire that is expanding outside China. It says its 1 megawatt flash chargers can provide power for 400 kilometers (nearly 250 miles) in five minutes. Ultra-high voltage and a large current are required to maximize charging speeds, BYDs founder Wang Chuanfu said in a statement. To completely solve users anxiety over charging, our pursuit is to make the charging time for EVs as short as the refueling time for fuel vehicles, Wang said. The company also said that its flash-charging system relies on silicon carbide power chips with voltage levels of up to 1,500V that it developed on its own. Its Blade lithium-ion phosphate battery is perhaps the worlds safest and most efficient EV battery, with Tesla opting to use it in some of its EVs, industry analyst Michael Dunne said in a recent report. BYD reported it made just over 4.3 million new energy vehicles last year, up 41% from a year earlier, including 1.8 million battery electric vehicles and 2.5 million plug in hybrids. The price of its shares traded on Chinas smaller market in Shenzhen has surged nearly 50% in the past six months. While BYDs fanciest, latest premium models are expected to sell for up to about $40,000, it also makes much less expensive EVs including the Seagull, which sells for around $12,000 in China. BYD barely nudged ahead of Tesla in production of battery-powered EVs in 2024, making 1,777,965 compared with Teslas 1,773,443. In early January, Tesla said its sales dropped in 2024, a first in more than a dozen years, as rivals such as BMW, Volkswagen and BYD gained market shares with competitive EVs. But BYD has weaknesses as well, Dunne said, noting that JD Powers 2024 China New Energy Vehicle Initial Quality Study ranked the BYD Seal and BYD Song Plus battery electrics at the bottom of its rankings. ELAINE KURTENBACH, BANGKOK, MDT/AP The Legislative Assembly Electoral Affairs Commission (CAEL) is looking into allegations that individuals were pressured into signing nomination forms for the formation of a nominating committee. Chairman Seng Ioi Man stated that gathering details on the case has proven challenging but assured the public that the commission would continue its investigation. The commission is investigating reports that an individual was allegedly asked to sign a nomination form while replacing his or her Elderly Macau Pass at a service point. The commission is concerned about this incident, and we are trying to find out more about it, Seng told the press. However, at present, through various channels, there is no way to gather more information about this specific case. This has made it more difficult for us to follow up. However, it does not mean that we are not concerned about it. We are very concerned about all issues related to this in society, he added. Concerns were also raised on social media by individuals claiming to be teachers, who alleged that their schools had asked them to collect signatures. We have also received feedback from a member of an organization who was pressured to submit a specified number of nomination forms, Seng said. I am not saying that I have received an overwhelming number of complaints, [] but since we currently have limited information to inquire about and reflect on, we need to further understand the details, he added. Seng also announced that the CAEL would hold a briefing session with school representatives to address the issue. Voters and all those who assist in soliciting voters to form the nominating committee should sign voluntarily and clearly, he stated. Coercing or defrauding others into signing is a criminal offense. If an investigation confirms wrongdoing, the nomination forms will be invalidated. Anyone who feels they have been coerced or deceived into signing should report the matter to the CAEL or the Commission Against Corruption. Seng also addressed questions regarding candidates previously disqualified from the seventh Legislative Assembly election. According to the election law, individuals who are deemed not to support the Basic Law and who lack loyalty to the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) are ineligible to run for election again for five years. Israel launched airstrikes across the Gaza Strip yesterday, killing at least 413 Palestinians, including women and children, according to hospital officials. The surprise bombardment shattered a ceasefire in place since January and threatened to fully reignite the 17-month-old war. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the strikes after Hamas refused Israeli demands to change the ceasefire agreement. Officials said the operation was open-ended and was expected to expand. The White House said it had been consulted and voiced support for Israels actions. The Israeli military ordered people to evacuate eastern Gaza, including much of the northern town of Beit Hanoun and other communities further south, and head toward the center of the territory, indicating that Israel could soon launch renewed ground operations. Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength, Netanyahus office said. The attack during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan could resume a war that has already killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and caused widespread destruction across Gaza. It also raised questions about the fate of the roughly two dozen Israeli hostages held by Hamas who are believed to still be alive. A senior Hamas official said Netanyahus decision to return to war amounts to a death sentence for the remaining hostages. Izzat al-Risheq accused Netanyahu of launching the strikes to try and save his far-right governing coalition and called on mediators to reveal facts on who broke the truce. Hamas said at least four senior officials were killed in yesterdays strikes. There were no reports of any attacks by Hamas several hours after the bombardment, indicating it still hoped to restore the truce. The strikes came as Netanyahu comes under mounting domestic pressure, with mass protests planned over his handling of the hostage crisis and his decision to fire the head of Israels internal security agency. The main group representing families of the captives accused the government of backing out of the ceasefire, saying it chose to give up on the hostages. A strike on a home in the southern city of Rafah killed 17 members of one family, including at least 12 women and children, according to the European Hospital, which received the bodies. The dead included five children, their parents, and another father and his three children. In the southern city of Khan Younis, Associated Press reporters saw explosions and plumes of smoke. Ambulances brought wounded people to Nasser Hospital, where patients lay on the floor, some screaming. A young girl cried as her bloody arm was bandaged. Many Palestinians said they had expected a return to war when talks over the second phase of the ceasefire did not begin as scheduled in early February. Israel instead embraced an alternative proposal and cut off all shipments of food, fuel and other aid to the territorys 2 million Palestinians to try to pressure Hamas to accept it. Nobody wants to fight, Palestinian resident Nidal Alzaanin told the AP by phone from Gaza City. Everyone is still suffering from the previous months, he said. Gazas Health Ministry said at least 413 people were killed in the strikes and hundreds more wounded. Rescuers were still searching the rubble for dead and wounded as the strikes continued. It was among the deadliest days of the war. The White House sought to blame Hamas for the renewed fighting. National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes said the militant group could have released hostages to extend the ceasefire but instead chose refusal and war. An Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the unfolding operation, said Israel was striking Hamas military, leaders and infrastructure and planned to expand the operation beyond air attacks. The official accused Hamas of attempting to rebuild and plan new attacks. Hamas militants and security forces quickly returned to the streets in recent weeks after the ceasefire went into effect. Netanyahus office said the Israeli leader held security consultations with senior officials. It did not provide further details. The strikes came two months after a ceasefire was reached to pause the war. Over six weeks, Hamas released 25 Israeli hostages and the bodies of eight more in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in a first phase of the ceasefire. But since that ceasefire ended two weeks ago, the sides have not been able to agree on a way forward with a second phase aimed at releasing the 59 remaining hostages, 35 of whom are believed to be dead, and ending the war altogether. Hamas has demanded an end to the war and full withdrawal of Israeli troops in exchange for the release of the remaining hostages. Israel says it will not end the war until it destroys Hamas governing and military capabilities and frees all hostages two goals that could be incompatible. Netanyahus office yesterday said Hamas had repeatedly refused to release our hostages and rejected all offers it received from the U.S. presidential envoy, Steve Witkoff, and from the mediators. Israel wants Hamas to release half of the remaining hostages in return for a promise to negotiate a lasting truce. Hamas instead wants to follow the ceasefire deal reached by the two sides, which calls for negotiations to begin on the ceasefires more difficult second phase, in which the remaining hostages would be released and Israeli forces would withdraw from Gaza. WAFAA SHURAFA,DEIR AL-BALAH, MDT/AP Hong Kongs leader has waded into a controversy over a prominent conglomerates decision to sell its Panama Canal port assets to a consortium including American investment bank BlackRock Inc., a deal that has angered Beijing and highlights how escalating tensions between Beijing and Washington can leave the Chinese financial centers business leaders trapped in the middle. Chief Executive John Lee told reporters at a weekly news briefing that CK Hutchison Holdings in-principle agreement to sell its controlling stake in a company operating ports at both ends of the Panama Canal was being discussed extensively and concerns raised about the deal deserve serious attention. He did not specify what the concerns were. (The) government urges foreign governments to provide a fair and just environment for enterprises, he said. We oppose the abusive use of coercion or bullying tactics in international economic and trade relations. Lee avoided a direct mention of U.S. President Donald Trump and also stopped short of criticizing CK Hutchison or tycoon Li Ka-shings family, which owns a controlling stake in the conglomerate. His comments followed a somewhat veiled backlash from Beijing. Since last Thursday, Beijings offices handling Hong Kong affairs have reposted two commentaries by a Beijing-backed local newspaper that blasted the deal. That has raised questions over the sale. One of the newspaper commentaries suggested the deal is a betrayal to all Chinese and disregards national interests. The other described great entrepreneurs as patriots, but suggested that businesspeople who dance with predatory American politicians to reap quick profits were doomed to infamy. The articles signaled Beijings disapproval of the deal, though its actual impact remains unclear. Posting of the articles has been seen as an indirect attack on the conglomerate by Chinese leaders. Trump, who has alleged Chinese interference with the operations of the critical shipping lane, hailed the deal, saying his administration would reclaim the Panama Canal. Panama President Jose Raul Mulino accused him of lying. Lee said any business transaction must comply with Hong Kongs laws. The city will handle it according to the law, he said without elaborating. CK Hutchison did not comment on Lees remarks or the articles. It was due to report its 2024 financial results on Thursday, but said it did not plan a news conference. In Beijing, when asked about reports that China authorities are investigating the potential sale, Chinas Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said reporters should ask other Chinese authorities. The company surprised market watchers when it announced March 4 that it would sell all shares in Hutchison Port Holdings and in Hutchison Port Group Holdings to the consortium in a deal valued at nearly $23 billion, including $5 billion in debt. Hutchison said the transaction was purely commercial and unrelated to other developments surrounding the Panama Ports. The deal, if approved, will give the BlackRock consortium control over 43 ports in 23 countries, including the ports of Balboa and Cristobal, located at either end of the Panama Canal. Other ports are in Mexico, the Netherlands, Egypt, Australia, Pakistan and elsewhere. The transaction requires approval by Panamas government. It does not affect a trust that operates ports in Hong Kong or any other ports in mainland China. MDT/AP A Cambodian naval port expansion funded by China that has raised concerns over Beijings growing military reach in the region has been completed. The port will host a Japanese vessel as the first foreign warship to make a port call, officials said yesterday. The Ream Naval Base with a new pier to accommodate much larger ships, a dry dock for repairs and other features will be inaugurated on April 2 by Prime Minister Hun Manet, according to Maj. Gen. Thong Solimo, spokesman for Cambodias armed forces. Giving priority to Japanese warships is a tribute to the high level of openness in cooperation, relations and mutual trust, Thong said China and Cambodia broke ground on the port project in 2022, prompting the United States to express concerns that it could become a strategically-important outpost for the Chinese navy on the Gulf of Thailand. The Gulf is adjacent to the South China Sea, a key waterway that China claims almost in its entirety. The U.S. has refused to recognize Chinas sweeping claim and routinely conducts military maneuvers there to reinforce that they are international waters. Last year, Chinese warships docked at the newly built pier for months, and two Japanese destroyers that made a Cambodia port call were routed to a different facility nearby. With the announcement about Japans planned port call, Cambodia is likely trying to project that its open to countries other than China, said Euan Graham, a senior defense analyst with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. This would appear to be a conscious demonstration by Cambodia, that Ream is not exclusively for Chinas military, he said. Japans Maritime Self-Defense Force confirmed Cambodias invitation to Japanese ships, but refused to give any specifics, citing regular operational security regulations. China is Cambodias biggest investor and closest political partner, and in recent years has been rapidly expanding its navy and becoming growingly assertive in pressing its vast maritime claims. Concerns over Chinas activity at the Ream base arose in 2019 when The Wall Street Journal reported that an early draft of an agreement seen by U.S. officials would allow China 30-year use of the base, where it would be able to post military personnel, store weapons and berth warships. Cambodias government has denied such an agreement or any intention to grant China special privileges at the base, though Beijing has funded its expansion and docked its warships there for months at a time. In September, Cambodias Defense Ministry said that China would give Cambodias navy two warships of the type docked there while the expansion project was still underway. Defense Ministry spokesman Gen. Chhum Socheat said yesterday that Cambodia intends the facility to be open to the U.S. and others. All warships from friendly countries are allowed to dock at the new pier but they must comply to our conditions first, he said, without specifying what those conditions might be. SOPHENG CHEANG, PHNOM PENH, MDT/AP A police operation uncovered a large-scale illegal gambling operation in an apartment in NAPE area. Authorities discovered two gambling tables, a poker machine, a large quantity of chips, and several decks of beer cards. Seven individuals were found playing poker at one of the tables. The group had reportedly met in an online forum specifically for gambling. A Judiciary Police (PJ) spokesperson, Chau Ting Kim, revealed that the flat, rented for HKD13,000 a month, had been used since August last year to run a gambling operation. The total amount of bets placed in each game ranged from HKD1,000 to HKD1,500, and the daily profit was estimated at HKD4,000 to HKD5,000, said Chau. The man who rented the flat had reportedly taken 5% of the betting pool for each game as his personal profit. The spokesperson added that one suspect, a second man hired to handle the cards, received a daily salary of MOP500. The suspects are believed to have made approximately MOP400,000 in profits since the operation began. In addition to the seven gamblers, a man who claimed to be a bystander was arrested on suspicion of involvement in the operation. In a separate case, a young woman has reported a loss of HKD 894,000 in a scam involving a phone call from someone claiming to be from the Shanghai Public Security Bureau, demanding her cooperation in an investigation. The victim was tricked into sharing her banking details, realizing only later that her online bank account had been compromised, Chau explained. Additionally, a middle-aged woman fell victim to a virtual currency investment scam. Persuaded by an online acquaintance, she invested in a virtual currency platform, eventually losing HKD647,000. She later reported the scam to the police after realizing she had been deceived. Staff Reporter The long-standing demand for public housing is seeing a significant shift as new data shows an improvement in housing availability. Last month, the government noted that the number of applications for public housing in Macau has seen a sharp decline over the past three application periods. This marks the first time that the number of applications has fallen short of the available housing units. According to new data from the Housing Bureau (IH), 1,166 homes are currently available to accommodate families in need, covering nearly 70% of the 1,675 applicants awaiting social housing. This marks a contrast from the previous year when the waiting list for affordable homes was exponentially higher than the available housing stock. Among the available homes, the distribution varies based on family size. The largest portion of applicants consists of single-person households, numbering 890, yet only 88 one-bedroom (T1) apartments are available. On the other hand, there is a surplus of two-bedroom (T2) units, with 957 available to accommodate 567 two-person households. Also, there are 203 families with three members on the waiting list. The options expand slightly, while larger familiescomprising four or more memberswill have access to 121 three- and four-bedroom (T3 and T4) homes. Age-wise, individuals between 23 and 44 make up the largest group of applicants, representing 41% of those waiting, followed closely by those aged 45 to 64 at 40%. A smaller portion, 312 individuals, are over 65, while only seven applicants fall within the 18-22 age range. Ongoing repairs In addition to the current stock of homes ready for occupancy, 275 units are still undergoing renovations. These repairs include essential updates such as painting, replacing doors and windows, and fixing electrical and plumbing systems. Once these renovations are completed, the waiting list is expected to shrink considerably, leaving over 200 families still in need. However, social housing applications remain an ongoing process, meaning new applicants continue to join the list as existing cases are resolved. Furthermore, a major housing project is currently underway, with over 4,000 new units under construction in Zone A. However, despite the improvements, many applicants are still awaiting further processing. Out of the 1,675 families on the waiting list, 1,444 have yet to be notified for document submission, while only 231 have advanced in the process. Official figures indicate that 5,978 applications have been approved from a total of 8,510 submissions. Among the remaining cases, 1,574 were rejected due to ineligibility, 265 applicants withdrew, and 602 remain under review. Meanwhile, authorities are monitoring potential misuse of social housing units. In the past year, 13 cases were filed against tenants suspected of not using the homes as their primary residence or unlawfully subletting them. Additionally, one case involved a voluntary return of a home following an administrative review. The Housing Affairs Committee last month held its first regular meeting of 2025 to gather opinions and suggestions on public housing policies for the year. During the meeting, members discussed proposed amendments to the economic housing ordinances replacement system, which would allow one-room flats to be exchanged for two-room flats. Some members supported the initiative, believing it could encourage childbirth and help low-income families improve their living conditions. Staff Reporter In sixth-century China, a woman known to history as Empress Dowager Ling ruled over an empire called the Northern Wei. Historians do not know her birth name or in what year she was born, but they do know that she served as empress dowager between 515 and 528. As the spouse of a ruling emperor prior to his death, she retained the title of empress dowager in her widowhood. She ruled on behalf of her young son, the heir to the throne; however, her regency was interrupted by a coup detat from 520 to 525. Although the empress dowager was expected to rule only as a regent, historical records indicate that she administered court in her own name. These same records also reveal that she adopted a personal pronoun zhen , otherwise known as the Chinese royal we that was reserved for the exclusive use of the emperor. In my recent book, The Women Who Ruled China, I offer an overview of these historical sources and records that document her life, including a translation of her biography retained in the official chronicle of the Northern Wei. Using these sources, I argue that even though the Empress Dowagers rule was problematic and short resulting in her assassination she laid the foundation for other, more successful female rulers across medieval East Asia. Capitalizing on different cultural traditions In the late fifth century, the capital city of the Northern Wei was moved from its northern location in modern-day Datong, China, to its southern location in Luoyang, a city at the very heart of Han Chinese culture and history; however, the people who ruled the empire were not ethnically Han Chinese. Known as the Taghbach, this group migrated south from the Mongolian steppe and ruled a multiethnic and multicultural empire from Luoyang, the worlds largest city and the former capital of the Eastern Han dynasty. The Northern Wei empire adopted laws, institutions and policies from both Taghbach and Han Chinese traditions. This cultural hybridity enabled the empress dowager to rule directly: On one hand, the Chinese court system rooted in the Han dynasty had long included the position of empress dowager, even though none of the women who held it had ruled directly. On the other, Taghbach culture had no formal position of empress dowager prior to its adoption of court ranks in the Northern Wei, but it did have a long tradition of women in public life. These women served in the military and advised on political matters. Multiple sources of evidence indicate that Taghbach women had a high degree of personal autonomy and political power, with no source suggesting otherwise. A well-known story about Taghbach woman appears in the legend of Mulan, who is said to have dressed as a man so that she could serve in the military in place of her father. The Mulan legend is widely recounted in Chinese literature and inspired a fictional character in two Walt Disney movies based on the Chinese fable. As a historian of gender in this period, I believe that the Mulan legend does not accurately depict Taghbach women. Instead, it is a Chinese story that emphasizes a form of gender transgression that makes sense only within Chinese and Confucian culture. Unlike Chinese culture, Taghbach culture had long known women warriors who could ride horses and shoot arrows without concealing their gender. Empress Dowager Ling was not a warrior, but she embraced martial symbols of her own power that were available to women in Taghbach culture but not in Chinese culture. For example, she was an accomplished archer and famously drove her own horse cart, which was just as splendid and imposing as was the emperors cart. In the Confucian culture of Han China, such actions were considered highly inappropriate for women, but Empress Dowager Ling carried them out while holding the Chinese title of empress dowager. Her rule, like her empire, was culturally hybrid. That blend of cultural traditions enabled her to take power in a way that neither Chinese nor Taghbach women had done before. A Buddhist ruler By the time of the reign of the Northern Wei empire, both Taghbah and Chinese cultures had become deeply familiar with Buddhism, a religion that they had inherited from India in a long process of cultural exchange along the Silk Road. The empire had integrated methods of Buddhist statecraft into its own forms of governance. Simply put, what this meant was that the ruler of the empire legitimized his reign through Buddhism, portraying himself either as a Buddha or as a patron of Buddhists their texts and institutions. This was a type of governance that was widely practiced in premodern East Asia. Even though Buddhist statecraft was widespread in the empress dowagers time, she was the first woman to directly legitimate her independent rule through Buddhism. As a patron of Buddhism, she commissioned majestic Buddhist architecture. Perhaps seen by her populace as a Buddhist figure herself, she symbolized her co-rule with her son by using a Buddhist visual motif of two Buddhas sitting side by side, a representation that came to be known as the rule by Two Sages, meaning tandem rulers depicted in the guise of buddhas. The source for the image was the popular Buddhist text, the Lotus Sutra. She also attempted to put her own granddaughter on the throne after the death of her son. As I argue in my book, she did so by capitalizing on the idea that first her son, and then her granddaughter, were thought of as the bodhisattva Maitreya, a being of infinite compassion who is believed to be the future Buddha. The empress dowagers legacy Empress Dowager Ling was largely unsuccessful in her bid for power. Her rule was short and contested. She was murdered, and her empire was toppled within 13 years of her rule. For five of those years, she was not in power because of a coup detat. However, about 150 years after the assassination of the empress dowager, another woman would rise to rule China independently, this time taking the title of emperor. That woman is known as Empress Wu, or Emperor Wu Zhao, and she is undoubtedly the most famous woman in all of Chinese history. Numerous historical sources attest to her life, work and rule. What those sources tell us, however, is that she ruled using the very same strategies as Empress Dowager Ling. Investing her own family heritage in distant links to the Taghbach, she also positioned herself as a Two Sage ruler alongside the emperor in precisely the same way that Empress Dowager Ling did. She was also able to successfully establish herself as the bodhisattva Maitreya by using Buddhist texts known to Empress Dowager Ling and her court. She patronized the very same Buddhist structures as did Empress Dowager Ling, including the Buddhist caves at Longmen, just outside of Luoyang. However, she accomplished what Empress Dowager Ling could not holding onto power successfully. I argue her success was possible because Empress Dowager Ling had paved the way. Stephanie Balkwill, University of California, LA, MDT/The Conversation The Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM) has recently appointed two experts from the Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST), according to a statement released yesterday. Manson Fok, director of the MUST Hospital and the Faculty of Medicine, and Francis Ting Ming Lui, director of the Center for Economic Development and Professor of Business at the MUST, were named Macau Conference Ambassadors. Both are renowned experts in the fields of big health and economics. With these new appointments, the number of Convention Ambassadors in Macau has risen to 26. The Macau Conference Ambassadors program aims to leverage the influence of industry leaders and academics to promote the regions strengths in hosting conventions and exhibitions. According to IPIM, the goal is to enhance the citys reputation as a convention destination and attract high-quality international conferences, exhibitions, and business events. Since its launch, the program has been successful in securing 15 international conferences in Macau, covering sectors such as big health, cutting-edge technology, commerce, culture, and sport. LV MONONA Bernie Quinlan knows better than most how the Yahara River can change. There have been times when rising water has covered part of his backyard after winters that have seen ample snowfall followed by steady spring rains. Quinlan, 88, has lived along Winnequah Road just north of Pirate Island for the past 50 years, so hes not bothered by the sight of normally floating docks mired in mud or normally navigable channels containing just inches of water. Hes confident the water will return in time for him to take his grandchildren fishing for bluegill. But for now, his 16-foot boat with a 25-horsepower motor is in drydock on a lift on the bank of the shallow river across from Buck & Honeys. Itll come up, Quinlan said as he looked out over the river from his backyard. Its a little low now, but Ive seen this before. We just dont want it too high. Its all part of the aquatic dance Madison-area lakes put on in March. It plays out each spring with the extremes drawing attention from those who own waterfront property, the anglers who come here to fish, and local officials who in some years have had to close roads and provide sandbags when heavy rains come on the heels of melting ice and snow. Slow, no-wake orders have also been common in years of high water, which has kept recreational boaters and water skiers at home. But this spring is about a lack of water. In 2024, the area received 48.5 inches of precipitation, 11.5 inches more than normal, according to John Reimer, assistant director of Dane Countys Land and Water Resources Department. The department is charged with operating dams along the Yahara River to control water levels on lakes Mendota, Monona, Waubesa and Kegonsa. But a lack of snow over the winter and meager spring rain have the lakes off to a slow start toward reaching their summer minimum levels, established by the state Department of Natural Resources. Lake Mendota, for example, was about 10 inches lower Tuesday than its summer minimum of 849.6 feet above sea level and 16 inches below the summer maximum. The largest lake in the chain, Mendota could also be the last to fill. Lake Kegonsa near Stoughton, and home to a state park, was about 5 inches below its summer minimum and about 11 inches from its summer maximum. It could be the first to fill, since it is at the bottom of the chain, Reimer said. Thats why the gates on most of the Yahara Rivers five dams are largely closed, allowing just a minimal amount of water to flow in an attempt to bring lakes up to their summer target by Memorial Day weekend. Its just a timing thing. If we get rain right now, theyll fill up quicker, Reimer said. Were closing the dams down so we can hold water in the lakes and have the lakes rise up. The watershed could get a needed boost Wednesday with a half to three-quarters of an inch of rain predicted for the Madison area followed by 1 to 3 inches of snow. Combined, it could help raise lake levels over the coming days through a combination of precipitation falling directly in the waterways and from runoff of rain and melting snow. That could raise lake levels by 1 to 3 inches, Reimer said. A complicated watershed The 62-mile Yahara River is fed by a 536-square-mile watershed that covers about a quarter of Dane County. It includes a mix of urban and agricultural land and is populated by more than 370,000 people, according to the Center for Limnology at UW-Madison. The watershed has been challenged by flooding, invasive weeds, runoff of phosphorous and road salt, and competing uses from those who canoe, kayak, fish and use powerful boats to ski and wakeboard. Efforts have been made in recent years to improve the flow of water through aquatic plant removal, dredging, dam management and runoff projects, but when and how much precipitation falls cannot be controlled. Water levels are lowered in the fall to prevent flooding in the spring and ice damage to shorelines in the winter, said Reimer. After March 1, the county begins its effort to return the lakes to their summer minimums using dams and locks at Tenney Park in Madison, Babcock Park in McFarland, the La Follette Dam at the outlet of Lake Kegonsa, the Stoughton Dam a few blocks south of the citys downtown, and the Dunkirk Dam along Highway N, about a mile south of Stoughton. Now were in that transition zone going up to summer minimum, Reimer said. Stranded docks, bigger beaches In the meantime, there is more exposed shoreline around Lake Mendota. At the outlet of Starkweather Creek into Lake Monona at Olbrich Park, a sign warning boaters of shallow water isnt even in the water but sits in a bank of dry mud and sand. Theres more beach at Bernies Beach on Monona Bay, while its unclear whether a boat launched at Babcock Park would be able to make it out of the lagoon and into the main body of Lake Waubesa. Back on the Yahara River, the docks in front of the Waypoint Public House in Monona no longer touch water, while pontoon boats in a channel surrounding Pirate Island have no chance of launching since theres only a trickle of water. At the nearby Grand Crossing Park and in front of the Four Lakes Yacht Club, it would be nearly impossible to dock a boat due to the low water. But even without rain, the lakes will continue to rise due to groundwater that continually seeps into the system. Throw in a a few rain events, and hitting the summer minimum lake levels by Memorial Day weekend could happen. Im pretty confident about it, Reimer said. Were generally lower than we are in prior springs. South Africa plans to leverage its Group of 20 (G20) presidency to drive investment in Africas infrastructure and productive sectors, aiming to boost the continents integration into global trade. Andrew Whitfield, the countrys deputy minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition, made these remarks during the first virtual meeting of the G20 Trade and Investment Working Group on Tuesday March 18. Whitfield highlighted that Africa, with its abundant natural resources and young population, presents significant growth potential and is poised to be a key player in global economic expansion. The G20 working groups priorities under South Africas presidency will centre on four main areas: promoting trade and inclusive growth, addressing global trade issues with a responsive agenda, advancing green industrialization, and advocating for the reform of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Whitfield expressed South Africas commitment to fostering global cooperation through its G20 leadership, aiming to build partnerships that will spur growth and development worldwide, particularly focusing on Africas emerging market opportunities. South Africa assumed the G20 presidency on December 1, 2024, and will host the G20 leaders summit in November 2025. During the meeting, attended by representatives from G20 member states, invited countries, and international organizations such as the WTO and UNCTAD, Whitfield stressed the importance of overcoming global challenges through collective action. He affirmed South Africas resolve to contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable future, recognising the G20s pivotal role in addressing the worlds most pressing issues. By Emil Avdaliani Since Donald Trumps return to office, Washington has initiated high-level negotiations with Moscow aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine. Although the outcome of these discussions remains uncertain, it is increasingly apparent that the U.S. and Russia are moving toward finding common ground on their most contentious disputes. However, U.S. attempts to establish a lasting rapprochement with Russia will likely produce negative implications for Ukraine, undermining its sovereignty, and potentially impacting other borderland areas, notably the South Caucasus, where Russia challenges Western influence. Photo source: NASA. BACKGROUND: Each of the three South Caucasus countriesArmenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgiahas articulated distinct expectations regarding Trump's presidency. The Biden administration lacked a clear strategic vision for the South Caucasus, with Washington frequently oscillating between emphasizing human rights and democracy promotion (as exemplified by Georgia), and pursuing strategic calculations, such as swiftly signing a strategic partnership with Armenia to deepen the divide between Yerevan and Moscow. Washington's approach towards Azerbaijan similarly blended democratizing objectives with strategic considerations. Under Bidens administration, Georgias and Azerbaijans relations with the U.S. deteriorated, whereas Armenia, aiming to reduce its excessive reliance on Russia, benefited from Washington's policies between 2021 and 2024, culminating in the signing of a strategic partnership agreement in January. Consequently, all three states anticipate enhanced engagement from the Trump administration, with Azerbaijan and Georgia particularly expecting a significant shift toward greater transactionalism and realism in bilateral foreign relations. Both Tbilisi and Baku have anticipated that under Trump their relations with the U.S. would improve. For example, Tbilisi supported the U.S.-backed UN resolution on Ukraine that diluted Russias responsibility for initiating the conflict. Similarly, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev indicated in a statement that when President Trump led the U.S., our relationship developed very successfullyunlike the past four years, during which it significantly deteriorated owing to the Biden administrations unfair and unjust stance toward Azerbaijan. IMPLICATIONS: A potential major agreement between the U.S. and Russia regarding Ukraine would likely affect the South Caucasus countries differently; however, the overall outcome may well be characterized by an expansion of Russian influence across the region. Throughout Russias war in Ukraine, Moscow has faced significant challenges in maintaining its influence over the South Caucasus. Other powers, including China, Iran, Turkey, the Arab Gulf states, and even India, have expanded their presence in the region through substantial investments, trade agreements, and enhanced cooperation in security and energy sectors. This development has resulted in a period of regional multipolarity, where no single actor has been able to establish exclusive dominance. Consequently, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia have increasingly diversified their foreign policies, embracing a multi-vector approach beyond traditional partnerships. Tbilisi and Yerevan have been notably successful in pursuing this strategy. For example, the Georgian government, while publicly maintaining its aspiration to join the EU, has concurrently signed a strategic partnership with China, enhanced cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council, and developed stable relations with Russia, despite the latters ongoing occupation of two Georgian regions. Armenia, aiming to reduce its reliance on Moscow, has sought increased military cooperation with India, explored the possible normalization of relations with Turkey, and, most significantly, announced its intention to seek EU membership. Nevertheless, with a potential agreement on Ukraine, Russia would once again have the capacity to redirect resources into the South Caucasus to restore its weakened position. The Trump administration is unlikely to prioritize the smaller South Caucasus states, instead viewing the region primarily as within Russias sphere of influence. This approach aligns with Washingtons broader foreign policy objective of shifting its strategic focus toward the Indo-Pacific. Additionally, the U.S. lacks significant investments in the South Caucasus and shows limited interest in developing the Middle Corridor connecting Azerbaijan and Georgia to Central Asia. More significantly, the South Caucasus states themselves increasingly perceive momentum shifting in the Kremlins favor and appear unlikely to oppose this declining trend. A potential agreement on Ukraine, which would solidify Russian gains, is expected to accelerate this shift toward Moscow. Indeed, Georgia and Azerbaijan have already anticipated such developments; what initially emerged as a policy of appeasement following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has since evolved into a understanding that the balance of power in the region favors Russia. This shift partially reflects necessity, as Western powers wereand remainunlikely to provide meaningful military assistance, while Russia continues to pose a credible threat despite its engagement in Ukraine. Moreover, Georgia's approach reflects a deliberate foreign policy strategy implemented by the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party, in power since 2012, aimed at developing a multi-vector diplomatic stance. Integral to this approach is the recognition of Russia's regional influence and a corresponding effort to maintain stable relations with Moscow. Although Georgia and Russia lack formal diplomatic relations, their bilateral economic ties have expanded considerably. Additionally, Tbilisi has subtly indicated declining enthusiasm for NATO and EU membership, both particularly contentious issues from Moscow's perspective. In contrast, Baku possesses a considerably broader set of tools to counterbalance Russian influence, occasionally resulting in bilateral tensions, as exemplified by the recent incident involving a downed Azerbaijani aircraft. Nevertheless, geographical proximity, significant economic linkages, and Russia's formidable military presence will ultimately compel Azerbaijan toward reconciliation with Moscow. Indeed, signs of rapprochement are already evident through subtle gestures, such as the unveiling of a statue in Moscow honoring Heydar Aliyev, the father of current Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, and Baku's hosting of the 22nd session of the bilateral inter-parliamentary commission. Even in the case of Armenia, which signed a strategic partnership agreement with the U.S. shortly before Biden left office, it remains uncertain whether Washington will seriously commit to its implementation. Previous experiences are particularly instructive: between 2008 and 2024, Georgia maintained a strategic partnership agreement with the U.S., covering issues such as preparation for a free trade agreement, visa liberalization, and enhanced military and security collaboration. However, few tangible outcomes materialized, suggesting a similar pattern could emerge for Armenia. Early indicators are indeed discouraging, as evidenced by the reported postponement of a planned U.S. delegation visit to Yerevan. Additionally, Armenia's prospects for EU membership remain remote, given Georgia's ongoing difficulties with Brussels and internal disagreements within the EU regarding enlargement. Consequently, these factors will likely prompt Armenia to moderate its stance toward Russia, returning to full-scale cooperation even while maintaining certain aspects of its multi-vector foreign policy. CONCLUSION: In the context of a potential rapprochement between Russia and the U.S. over Ukraine, the South Caucasus emerges as particularly vulnerable. Moscow would gain an opportunity to reassert its regional influence by filling the strategic vacuum left by an increasingly disengaged Washington. Additionally, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia are likely to recalibrate their foreign policies to align more closely with Russia. Although this trend has manifested in various forms over recent years, it is expected to accelerate significantly should Moscow successfully conclude its engagement in Ukraine. AUTHOR BIO: Emil Avdaliani is a professor of international relations at the European University in Tbilisi, Georgia, and a scholar of Silk Roads. He can be reached on Twitter/X at @emilavdaliani. The Presidents of Congo and Rwanda, Felix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame, met in Qatar on Tuesday March 18 for their first direct talks since Rwanda-backed M23 rebels seized two major cities in eastern Congo earlier this year. The meeting, mediated by Qatar, aimed to address the ongoing insurgency and was marked by discussions of a ceasefire. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, although no details were provided on how it would be implemented or monitored. The talks come after a previous attempt to negotiate a ceasefire between Congos government and M23 rebels ended in failure when the rebels withdrew following European Union sanctions on their leaders. The ongoing conflict, involving multiple armed groups in mineral-rich eastern Congo, has displaced more than 7 million people and is one of the worlds most significant humanitarian crises. The M23 rebels, who are allegedly supported by Rwanda, have captured strategic cities like Goma and Bukavu, escalating tensions in the region. Qatar has played a significant role in international mediation, having hosted peace talks between the Taliban and the U.S., as well as discussions surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict. The current informal talks between Tshisekedi and Kagame, which were reportedly aimed at building trust, follow the cancellation of peace talks in December due to disagreements over the participation of M23 rebels in the dialogue. Somali militants from Al-Shabaab launched a bomb attack on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamuds convoy as it was traveling through the capital, Mogadishu, on Tuesday March 18. The Islamist group claimed responsibility for the attack, which targeted the Presidents motorcade as it left the presidential palace on its way to the airport. Despite the severity of the assault, both government and military officials confirmed that the President was unharmed. Presidential adviser Zakariye Hussein later reassured the public in a post on X, stating that the President was good and well on his way to the front lines. Witnesses, including soldiers and local residents, reported seeing the convoy hit by the explosion, with a Reuters journalist at the scene confirming the deaths of four individuals near the presidential palace. The attack marked the first direct attempt on Mohamuds life since 2014, when Al-Shabaab bombed a hotel where he was giving a speech during his first term as president. The group, which has been waging a long-standing insurgency to overthrow the Somali government, claimed responsibility for the bombing through a statement on its Telegram channel. In the hours following the attack, Somali state media broadcast images of President Mohamud in the Adan Yabal district, located in Somalias Middle Shabelle region. This region has been the site of intense fighting over the past three weeks as Somali government forces continue to combat an escalating Al-Shabaab offensive. The attack on Tuesday highlights the ongoing threat posed by the militant group, despite ongoing military efforts to curb its influence. Mali has announced on Tuesday March 18 its withdrawal from the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), a move that follows similar actions by Niger and Burkina Faso earlier this week. In a letter addressed to its French counterpart, the Malian Foreign ministry explained that the country could not remain part of an organization whose actions conflict with its constitutional principles, particularly those related to State sovereignty. This decision marks a further distancing from France and its former colonial influence, following Malis suspension from the OIF in 2020 after a military coup that toppled President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita (in August 2020). The OIF, based in Paris, had previously called for the release of President Keita and the establishment of a civilian-led transitional government following the coup. However, the ongoing political instability in Mali, compounded by security challenges, led to the countrys departure from the organization. The withdrawal comes just days after Burkina Faso and Niger, two other military-led governments that have shifted their allegiances away from France in favour of closer ties with Russia, also announced their exit from the OIF. These nations have been increasingly critical of Western influence in the region and are seeking to form a new regional bloc, separate from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This growing trend of political and diplomatic isolation from former colonial powers reflects a broader shift in the Sahel region, where countries are asserting their sovereignty and exploring new international partnerships. Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have not only left the OIF but have also distanced themselves from ECOWAS, choosing instead to form a new Sahel confederation. The OIF, which aims to promote French language and cultural, educational, and economic cooperation among 93 member states, has become increasingly irrelevant to these nations as they chart a different course in their geopolitical landscape. 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: Message generation with examples. Credit: Global Health Action. DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2025.2464360 A new study has found that the health messages artificial intelligence generates in the Arabic language are mostly of a positive tone but not as clear as those made by humans. The study, reported in the journal Global Health Action, includes a computational analysis and an online evaluation with 186 participants from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It analytically compares messages generated by AI with those created by humans. "Computational analysis showed that AI-generated messages exhibited a more positive sentiment compared to human-created messages. This suggests that AI, perhaps due to its training on vast datasets, tends to generate more optimistic content," says lead author Dr. Syed Ali Hussain, a mass communication scholar at the University of Sharjah. Spoken by approximately half a billion people, the potential for AI-generated messaging in the Arabic language is immense. However, questions arise about whether AI can effectively capture the cultural nuances and the discursive patterns of a language of profound historical and cultural significance, like Arabic, known for its sophisticated linguistics, eloquence and rhetoric. It remains to be seen, says Dr. Hussain, if AI will eventually develop Arabic language models with the ability to "maintain clarity and engage audiences as well as human communicators can. "This study shows that AI can augment human creativity, but it is not a full replacement. The best approach is a hybrid one where AI speeds up content creation while humans ensure clarity and cultural sensitivity." The study generated 15 road safety messages using AI and compared them with 15 human-generated messages. The messages are in MSA, or Modern Standard Arabic, the formal elegant variety for the media, artificial intelligence, education, and literature. MSA has a unique alphabet and pronunciation marks with special diacritics and accents. It is rarely used in casual conversation, where local dialects dominate, but it is a bridge to the Arab world and the medium of learning, knowledge, and science, connecting the cultures and literature among the 22 Arabic-speaking countries. Message clarity and message quality. Credit: Global Health Action. DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2025.2464360. The study employs computational text analysis augmented by 186 participants from the United Arab Emirates (UA), a culturally, linguistically, and demographically diversified country. The AI messages are compared with their counterpart human-created messages, with each evaluated and assessed for clarity and overall quality. The scientists use the AI model GPT-4 to examine the data and supplement their computational analysis with an online investigation in which human participants appraise the messages on the basis of clarity and quality. Of their major findings, the scientists write, "The computational analysis revealed that AI-generated messages exhibited more positive sentiment with no significant differences in terms of readability/text difficulty. "(Human) participants evaluated both AI- and human-generated messages In terms of message quality and clarity, but human-generated messages were rated as slightly and significantly higher in terms of clarity. "These results add to a rapidly growing body of research demonstrating that AI-generated messages can augment public communication campaigns and point towards the need to assess how diverse international audiences respond to AI-generated content." While the study finds no significant difference in how participants rate the overall quality of messages, whether they are IA-created or human-generated, the results suggest that the former, when carefully curated, can be viable for public campaigns. "Our findings show that AI can be a powerful tool in developing health and safety campaigns, particularly in regions with multilingual and multicultural populations," maintains Dr. Hussain. "AI-generated messages offer a cost-effective and scalable solution for public health messaging, allowing organizations to allocate resources more efficiently." However, the study points to numerous investigation gaps in AI-created content, particularly at the level of clarity. "This shows that AI-generated content needs human oversight to ensure cultural and linguistic appropriateness." Although the study provides evidence of AI's potential in health messaging, the authors are quick to note that several areas still require to be explored in order to strengthen and improve IA-created Arabic language health communication. "To improve AI-generated Arabic content, future efforts should focus on developing Arabic-centric AI models trained on high-quality, diverse corpora that include both Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and regional dialects. Existing models should be further refined to better capture linguistic nuances and cultural context," the authors conclude. More information: Syed Ali Hussain et al, Comparing AI and human-generated health messages in an Arabic cultural context, Global Health Action (2025). DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2025.2464360 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: Temporary distancing was one strategy family caregivers employed to cope with the stress. Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a major global public health issue, affecting more than 28 million adults in the United States and causing 3 million deaths each year worldwide. The impact of AUD extends beyond the individual. At least five people are affected by an individual's drinking problem, with family members typically stepping into the role of primary caregiver. Caregivers, burdened by the severity of alcohol-related issues, frequently struggle with ineffective coping, leading to feelings of hopelessness. However, most research focuses on helping individuals with AUD and promoting abstinence, neglecting their support systems. To foster a holistic approach, it's crucial to address this gap and better understand the needs of family caregivers. Researchers at Florida Atlantic University's Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing conducted a qualitative study to deeply explore the lived experiences of family caregivers and uncover the essence of their role in caring for a relative with AUD. A small sample of family members across the U.S. took part in one-on-one, audio-recorded interviews, either in person or virtually. Researchers used Van Manen's hermeneutic phenomenological approach, which focuses on understanding human experiences by interpreting and reflecting on how individuals make sense of their lived realities. It combines a deep, descriptive analysis of personal experiences with a focus on uncovering the meaning behind those experiences. Results of the study, published in the Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, reveal six major themes that emerged: traversing the peaks and valleys; wandering in the unknown; pointing fingers; weathering the storm; drawing a line; and looking back, looking in. These themes shed light on the diverse obstacles, coping strategies and personal demands the family caregivers face. The study underscores the need for improved support systems, resources and evidence-based interventions for family caregivers to mitigate the emotional and physical toll of caring for a relative with AUD. Findings show family caregivers often experienced feelings of isolation, confusion and powerlessness due to the lack of clear resources, information and support. This uncertainty contributed to emotional distress, with many caregivers feeling guilt, inadequacy and self-blame, which can strain relationships and perpetuate maladaptive family dynamics. While some caregivers developed adaptive coping mechanisms such as therapy, prayer and medication, others resorted to maladaptive strategies like substance use, which offer only temporary relief. The isolation experienced by caregivers is largely due to the scarcity of support systems, as resources are predominantly focused on individuals with AUD rather than their families. "The family members' experiences illustrate the many challenges that they faced, which impacted their social, emotional and psychological well-being. Yet, they never relinquished their role as caregivers," said Clarene E. Brown-King, Ph.D., first author and an instructor in the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing. "Their experiences embody caring, compassion and support by being committed to the care of their relatives during the challenging moments." Despite facing overwhelming emotional, social and psychological tolls, the family caregivers never abandoned their role, demonstrating unwavering commitment to their relatives. Their experiences illuminated both the struggles and the meaning they found in caring for someone with AUD, often leading them to reflect on their own behaviors and past choices. Many caregivers, however, lacked prior experience and knowledge of how to best support their loved ones, resorting to trial and error in their caregiving approaches. Though deeply concerned for their relatives' well-being, these caregivers also recognized the importance of their own mental and emotional health. Temporary distancing was one strategy they employed to cope with the stress. "Caregivers play a vital role in supporting individuals with alcohol use disorder, but the challenges they face can take a toll on their health. Effective coping strategies and tools to set healthy boundaries are essential. "Health care professionals, support organizations and policymakers must work together to create solutions that meet the unique needs of these family caregivers," said Beth Pratt, Ph.D., co-author and an assistant professor at the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing and a faculty fellow at the FAU Institute for Human Health and Disease Intervention (I-HEALTH). More information: Clarene E. BrownKing et al, Exploring the experience of family members caring for a relative with alcohol use disorder: A phenomenological inquiry, Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1111/scs.13306 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: CC0 Public Domain A new study led by the Center for Sepsis Epidemiology and Prevention Studies (SEPSIS) at the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute raises critical questions about the effectiveness of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) sepsis quality measure, known as the Severe Sepsis/Septic Shock Management Bundle (SEP-1). Sepsis, a life-threatening condition arising from dysregulated physiological response to infection, requires rapid treatment to improve survival. In 2015, CMS implemented SEP-1 to promote timely sepsis care. SEP-1 requires clinicians to complete a well-defined set of interventions within 3 hours of recognizing sepsis. These steps include measuring lactate levels, drawing blood cultures, administering antibiotics, and for some patients, infusing large amounts of fluids. SEP was initially a pay-for-reporting measure but is now a pay-for-performance measure. SEP-1 is controversial because of concern that its rigid protocol does not account for the complexity of patient presentations. Many illnesses can mimic the clinical presentation of sepsis so undue pressure on clinicians to treat sepsis rapidly and aggressively may lead to spillover treatment of uninfected patients which could be a source of harm. CMS has presented data showing that patients who get SEP-1 compliant care have lower mortality rates than patients who do not get SEP-1 compliant care. It is not clear, though, whether lower mortality rates in patients who get SEP-1 compliant care is due to benefit from the SEP-1 bundle or whether it is because patients who get compliant care tend to be less sick and less complicated compared to patients who get non-compliant care. In this study, published in JAMA Network Open and titled "Complex Sepsis Presentations, SEP-1 Bundle Compliance, and Outcomes," researchers from the SEPSIS Center at the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute attempted to disentangle the impact of SEP-1 care vs. differences in what kinds of patients get SEP-1-compliant care. The study team conducted detailed medical record reviews of 590 patients with sepsis from four academic hospitals between 2019 and 2022. The investigators rigorously cataloged and compared the characteristics of patients who did and did not receive SEP-1 compliant care. They put particular focus on identifying clinical factors that likely influence the care patients receive but have typically been overlooked in prior observational studies. Examples include patient's home language, mental status, need for urgent procedures, and level of concern for simultaneous non-infectious conditions. The investigators found that patients who received SEP-1 compliant care were systematically different from those who received non-compliant care. Patients who received non-compliant care had more complex medical conditions, were more likely to present with unusual symptoms, were more likely to have concurrent non-infectious conditions, and were more likely to need urgent procedures. When the study team adjusted for these patient complexities, the observed association between SEP-1 compliance and lower mortality disappearedchallenging the assumption that SEP-1 care is associated with better survival. "Our study demonstrates that SEP-1 non-compliant care does not necessarily mean substandard care, but rather that it often reflects the complexity of sepsis presentations and competing clinical priorities," said Chanu Rhee, MD, MPH, lead author and Harvard Medical School Associate Professor of Population Medicine at the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute. "The lack of an association between SEP-1 compliance and mortality after adjusting for these factors raise concerns that CMS's decision to transition SEP-1 to a pay-for-performance measure may not catalyze meaningful gains in sepsis survival," Rhee added. The findings support growing calls from leading professional societies, including the Infectious Diseases Society of America, to rethink process-based sepsis mandates like SEP-1 and instead adopt risk-adjusted outcome measures. "These findings underscore the need for quality measures that incentivize hospitals to improve the full spectrum of sepsis carefrom early recognition to post-hospital recoverywhile allowing flexibility to adapt treatment based on clinical judgment," said Michael Klompas, MD, MPH, senior author of the study and Harvard Medical School Professor of Medicine and Population Medicine. "If we truly want to improve sepsis outcomes, we must move beyond simple admission bundles and focus on strategies that address the full spectrum of sepsis care." More information: Chanu Rhee et al, Complex Sepsis Presentations, SEP-1 Compliance, and Outcomes, JAMA Network Open (2025). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.1100 Journal information: JAMA Network Open 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, Irwan. Difficult decisions, such as those made by health care professionals every day, can be stressful and mentally demanding. Some past psychology studies suggest that making these hard decisions can adversely impact people's ability to make subsequent decision-making, a phenomenon referred to as decision fatigue. Researchers at Linkoping University in Sweden recently carried out a study to further probe the experience of decision fatigue among nurses. Their findings, published in Communications Psychology, remarkably did not find any evidence that the fatigue experienced by nurses when making decisions and offering medical advice affects their ability to make decisions. "We had been intrigued by the concept of decision fatigue for quite some time, both for its intuitive appeal and because we previously found effects in orthopedic surgery that very much looked like decision fatigue, with doctors less likely to recommend surgical treatment later in their work shift," Emil Persson, senior author of the paper, told Medical Xpress. "After gathering these findings, we were looking for a suitable setting for conducting a more extensive investigation and we eventually came across a nice paper by Julia Allan and co-authors focusing on decision fatigue in nurses working for a medical telephone helpline." Persson and his colleagues decided to conduct a larger experiment also employing the Registered Reports format. Registered Reports is a robust methodology used to derive hypotheses and plan the analyses necessary to test them before conducting research. The main objective of the study by Persson and his colleagues was to assess the empirical relevance of decision-fatigue. In other words, the team hoped to determine the extent to which decision fatigue is a useful concept that can aid the understanding of real-life human decision-making. "To probe the existence of decision fatigue, we wanted to compare decisions from workers (nurses at a national telephone triage and medical advice service in Sweden) at different levels of fatigue," explained Persson. "We assumed workers would be more tired and feel more fatigued when nearing the end of a work shift or just before a break, compared to the beginning of a shift or right after a break, respectively. We thus compared decisions across these different situations." A key methodological challenge that the researchers had to overcome was to ensure that other factors also influencing decisions did not impact the results of their study. In other words, they had to ensure that these factors (e.g., medical problems presented by patients, shift times, etc.) remained constant throughout their experiment. "We worked very hard to control these potentially confounding factors, and we believe we succeeded quite well," said Persson. "The Registered Reports format was a big help in this respect. We conducted the study in two steps. First, an extensive pilot data collection that allowed 'thinking with data' and really understanding the complex material and setting, and then we conducted an equally extensive new data collection (the actual study) and analyzed this data according to a pre-registered protocol to see if our findings from the pilot were replicated." Persson and his colleagues collected data related to over 203,100 medical judgments made by 200 nurses answering a real medical advice telephone hotline in Sweden. They analyzed the data in great depth to seek evidence of decision fatigue, but to their surprise, they were unable to find it. Overall, the findings of this study thus suggest that decision fatigue might not be as widespread in health care settings as previous works had suggested. The team's surprising observations could soon inspire other research groups to probe the existence of decision fatigue in real-world settings, perhaps focusing on other medical professionals (e.g., those assisting patients in person) or on people who cover other roles that entail making important decisions. "An implication of our study is that we should perhaps not worry so much about the potential ill-effects of decision fatigue in medical settings, as fatigue does not seem to affect decisions as much as previously thought," added Persson. "Fatigue itself is, of course, still important to think about and mitigate from the perspective of worker welfare. Depending on the funding and time we have available for research, we would like to run a similar type of study (employing the Registered Reports format with 'real' decisions) focusing on decision fatigue in a different domain, while also replicating some of our earlier studies." More information: David Andersson et al, No evidence for decision fatigue using large-scale field data from healthcare, Communications Psychology (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s44271-025-00207-8. Journal information: Communications Psychology 2025 Science X Network 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 Smoking rates have fallen more quickly in the north of England compared to other regions, according to a new study led by UCL researchers. This has helped to narrow significant gaps in smoking prevalence between different areas of the country, with the study suggesting that rates in the north of England are now as low as in the south. Researchers analyzed Smoking Toolkit Study data from 368,057 adults in England between 2006 and 2024. Spanning nearly two decades, the study aimed to examine how smoking rates differed across regionsincluding areas with and without dedicated tobacco control activity. The study, published in Addiction, also found that smoking decline had slowed more recently, between 2020 and 2024, and that smoking even appeared to be on the rise in some regions including the South of England. Over the past 18 years, the study found that: The largestand fastestfall in smoking was in the north of England where rates nearly halved (28.8% to 15.8%), compared to a fall of around a quarter in the south (22.7% to 17.3%). In the region defined as having sustained tobacco control activity (the north east), smoking prevalence fell by -13.3%, compared with -9.3% in regions with none. Researchers note other factors could have also contributed to this difference, including demographic shifts such as changing levels of deprivation. Smoking rates fell more in areas with historically higher smoking rates, helping to narrow differences between regions. Trends in smoking prevalence in the North, Midlands and South of England, November 2006 to July 2024. Credit: Addiction (2025). DOI: 10.1111/add.70032 Lead author Dr. Sarah Jackson (UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care) said, "Until recently, smoking rates were highest in the north of England, but our study shows that regional differences have narrowed considerably over the past 18 years. Smoking rates fell most in northern regions, where dedicated regional tobacco control programs have been largely concentrated. "But across England progress has stalled in recent years, and in some regions smoking rates appear to be increasing. It's vital that stop smoking services are made easily and equally available across the country, so that everyonewherever they livecan access the right tools to quit for good." Dr. Ian Walker, Cancer Research UK's executive director of policy and information, said, "A future free from the harms of tobacco is in sight, but we can't afford to lose any momentum. Budget pressures and changes to NHS England can't compromise funding for programs that help people quittackling smoking must be a key priority as our health services evolve. "The world-leading Tobacco and Vapes Bill is a crucial opportunity for the UK Government to shield society from the devastating effects of smoking. We urge all MPs and Lords to vote to protect the health of the nation, or more lives will be at stake." Researchers consulted with key stakeholders, including Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), to categorize regions as areas with or without sustained tobacco control activity over the study period. Regional tobacco control varies over time and between areas, but involves activities such as mass media campaigns, local amplification of national campaigns, advocacy work, enhanced stop smoking support, and interventions targeting priority population groups. The northeast was identified as a region with sustained tobacco control, while the East Midlands, West Midlands, east of England, and southeast had no dedicated tobacco control activity across the study period. More information: Sarah E. Jackson et al, Trends in smoking prevalence and socioeconomic inequalities across regions in England: A population study, 2006 to 2024, Addiction (2025). DOI: 10.1111/add.70032 Journal information: Addiction 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: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Deadly synthetic opioids have been detected in Australian wastewater for the first time, an international survey, led by University of Queensland researchers, has found. The research is published in Addiction. Dr. Richard Bade from UQ's Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences said two highly potent and addictive nitazene variants were detected during one week of wastewater testing over the New Year periods of 202223 and 202324. "Two nitazene variantsprotonitazene and etonitazepynewere found at five separate sites in Australia and the United States," Dr. Bade said. "The levels we found in Australia were significantly higher than those identified in the United States, which is quite concerning. "Protonitazene is about three times as strong as fentanyl, which has driven an overdose crisis in North America in the last decade, while etonitazepyne is 40 times more powerful."' Of nearly 700 wastewater samples gathered by scientists in 68 locations across 22 countries, traces of nitazenes were found in Australia and the United States. Dr. Bade said the Australian results did not correlate with any other data sources, which could mean the detected drugs were a result of direct disposal, not consumption. "We are leaning more towards direct disposal, but it still meant nitazenes were in Australia,"' Dr. Bade said. "Interestingly, a few months after our collection we started seeing public health alerts from other Australian states."' Nitazenes are a rising public health threat, with fatal overdoses reported globally, including Australia, Europe, New Zealand, and the United States. They emerged on the illicit market in the late 2010s and have since transformed into one of the fastest growing psychoactive substances in the world. Most dangerously, many overdoses occur due to users taking nitazenes unknowingly with compounds often mixed into illicit drugs such as MDMA, ketamine, cannabinoids and methamphetamine. Dr. Bade said wastewater monitoring has emerged as a promising tool to serve as an early warning system for law enforcement and health authorities. "We have developed highly sensitive instruments that filter through nitazenes in preparation for them to make their way to Australia,"' Dr. Bade said. "Through this method we were able to detect concentrations as low as 0.01 nanograms per liter, with there being 1 billion nanograms per gram. "Analyses can take place in real-time and data can be obtained in days to weeks so findings can be relayed to relevant authorities. "Going forward we hope to establish a complementary surveillance tool to support the rapid deployment of public health interventions before harm occurs and becomes widespread." Last year, a study by UQ researchers and international collaborators led by Dr. Bade detected protonitazene in United States wastewater for the first time. More information: Richard Bade et al, Early identification of the use of potent benzylbenzimidazoles (nitazenes) through wastewater analysis: Two years of data from 22 countries, Addiction (2025). DOI: 10.1111/add.70027 Journal information: Addiction 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: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain A research team recently published a study examining the link between education levels and suicide rates. The study found that among young men aged 30 to 44 whose highest level of education was elementary school or lower, the suicide rate was 6.1 to 13 times higher than that of men with a university or higher degree across all survey periods (19952020). These findings highlight the profound impact of socioeconomic disparities on suicide rates. The research team was led by Professor Myung Ki from the Department of Preventive Medicine at Korea University College of Medicine (KUCM). In particular, the suicide rate per 100,000 people for men aged 3044 with a primary school education or less was 288.2 in 2015 and 251.4 in 2020. This is nearly ten times the national average suicide rate of 27.3 in South Korea. It also far exceeds the suicide rate in Nunavut, Canadahome to the Inuit community, which has one of the highest suicide rates in the worldand surpasses the rate of 232 among the Guarani Kaiowa people in the Brazilian Amazon. The study concludes that suicide rates in South Korea vary significantly by social class, with the lowest education levels corresponding to the highest suicide rates. This pattern aligns with the "deaths of despair" theory proposed by Nobel Prize-winning economist Angus Deaton, which suggests that despair stemming from economic hardship and social disadvantage can drive individuals to suicide. The research highlights that suicide is not merely a personal issue but a consequence of deep-rooted social inequalities and emotional distress tied to class differences. Professor Ki of KUCM emphasized that suicide should not be seen solely as an individual mental health issue but as a broader social problem influenced by economic disparities. He stressed that without proper support systems, social and economic disadvantages can become a stigma of failure, leading to severe psychological distress. Effective suicide prevention policies should take a comprehensive approach, addressing both social crisessuch as poverty and rental fraudand mental health concerns together, rather than handling them separately. A comprehensive approach that considers social vulnerability is essential to reducing the suicide inequalities and strengthening South Korea's social safety net. Professor Ki also noted that while South Korea has expanded psychological support programs, such as the "National Mind Investment & Support Project," more robust administrative measures are needed to tackle the social factors contributing to suicide. He added, "Active policies that account for social vulnerability are key to suicide prevention. It is crucial that these efforts are recognized as acts of social respect and care for those who are most vulnerable." The study's findings were published in the journal Social Science & Medicine under the title "Changes in suicide inequalities in the context of an increase and a decrease in suicide mortality: The case of South Korea, 19952020." More information: Minji Hwang et al, Changes in suicide inequalities in the context of an increase and a decrease in suicide mortality: The case of South Korea, 19952020, Social Science & Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.117472 Journal information: Social Science & Medicine Provided by Korea University College of Medicine 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: Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels New research has found that 4 out of 5 males in prison have a history of significant head injury, with many having been exposed to repeated head injuries over time. Led by the University of Glasgow and published in Frontiers in Psychiatry, this latest research highlights both the very high prevalence and the impacts of significant head injury among Scotland's adult male population. This is the third study in a series on head injuries among Scotland's prisoners, which has already found similar findings in women and young males. Currently, adult male prisoners comprise more than 90% of the prison population. In this study sample of 286 adult males, demographically representative of approximately 8,000 adult males in prison in Scotland, significant head injury was found in 86% of the prisoners. The research also showed that 35% of that group151 of the study participants overallhad experienced repeated head injuries routinely over long periods of time. The most frequent cause was violence, although many had head injuries from many causes. Disability was associated with significant head injury in 35% of those studied, and while the research found a strong association with problematic drug or alcohol use, a history of serious head injury was also associated with clinical anxiety and clinical depression. Disability after head injury was also associated with difficulties with social relationships, and poorer self-control, for example, with temperall risk factors for criminal behavior. Prisoners who had experienced significant head injury were also more likely to have had more arrests, charges and convictions and at younger ages, and were at greater risk of involvement in violent crime and property offenses than those prisoners without head injury. Professor Tom McMillan, lead author of the study from the University of Glasgow, said, "Our study reveals important new information on both the prevalence and the impacts of significant head injury in male offenders in Scotland, which builds on our previous findings about young male offenders and women offenders. "Overall, our study shows that a history of repeated serious head injury is very common in adult males in prison, and is associated with a greater risk of crime, including violence. There is persisting disability associated with serious head injury in male prisoners that often affects social relationships and is linked with multiple health problems in this group. "Our study indicates that head injury is part of a complex 'weave' of health morbidities in prisoners that needs to be considered holistically when providing support and developing interventions." The study is part of a program of work on head injury and the criminal justice system that has developed educational tools for prisoners about head injury and e-learning modules for staff that are currently in production with NHS-Education Scotland. More information: Tom M. McMillan et al, Associations between significant head injury and cognitive function, disability, and crime in adult men in prison in Scotland UK: a cross-sectional study, Frontiers in Psychiatry (2025). DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1544211 Journal information: Frontiers in Psychiatry 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: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain As measles outbreaks spread across the United States, you may be wondering whether you're at risk in California. As of Thursday, March 13, more than 300 cases of measles had been reported in the United States since January 2025, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Out of 301 measles cases, 50 led to hospitalizations, the CDC said. Two people have died so far as a result of the disease. How bad is measles in California? How can you tell if you have it? And what's the best way to keep from getting sick? The Fresno Bee talked to Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine at University of California, San Francisco, to learn more. What is measles? Measles is a "highly contagious virus" that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The disease can cause "serious health complications," especially in children younger than 5 years old, the federal health agency said. "In some people, it can progress ... to other organs being affected, primarily the lungs, the brain," Chin-Hong said. "It can also lead to blindness and death." Measles can also make you "more susceptible to infections," he added. Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, the CDC said, meaning that the "continuous spread of disease" was stopped for longer than 12 months. As of Monday, however, the disease was on the rise across the country, with measles cases reported in a total of 14 states. Texas and New Mexico have experienced the brunt of the outbreak, with Texas reporting 259 measles cases since late January and New Mexico reporting 35 cases. What are common measles symptoms? Here are some of the most common measles symptoms, according to Chin-Hong and the CDC: High fever Cough Runny nose Red, watery eyes Rash "Common complications are ear infections and diarrhea," the CDC said, while more serious complications include pneumonia and encephalitis. Who is most at risk of measles? "Anyone who is not vaccinated against measles is at risk" of getting sick, according to the California Department of Public Health. Children under age 15 and adults over age 30 are most likely to fall ill from measles, Chin-Hong said. Kids under 5 years old are at a higher risk of getting measles, according to Chin-Hong. "Most of the deaths occur in children," he said. Of the 301 measles cases reported in the United States, 34% involved children under 5 and 42% involved kids aged 5 to 19, according to the CDC. About 21% of the remaining cases involved people aged 20 or older, the CDC said, while the ages of 3% of measles patients were "unknown." How bad is measles in California? As of Monday, a total of five measles cases had been reported in California so far in 2025, according to the California Department of Public Health, including two in March. On March 11, Fresno County reported its first measles case of the year, involving an unvaccinated county resident who fell ill "following international travel," the Fresno County Department of Public Health said in a news release. Meanwhile, a Los Angeles County resident who recently traveled through Los Angeles International Airport was diagnosed with measles, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported on March 11. California imposed strict vaccination rules for measles following a 2014 outbreak linked to Disneyland that sickened at least 131 California residents, according to the state Public Health Department. Who should be vaccinated against measles? Everyone should get vaccinated against measles, Chin-Hong said. "It's not like the flu or other respiratory diseases, where you can just wear a mask" and take other precautionary measures, he said. "It's very, very hard to prevent without getting the vaccine." "The best way to protect against measles is with the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine," the CDC said, calling the MMR vaccine "safe and effective." Children can get the measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccine instead, which also protects against chickenpox, according to the California Department of Public Health. How effective is the MMR vaccine? According to the CDC, two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles, while one dose is about 93% effective. "It's an amazing vaccine," Chin-Hong said. Children can get vaccinated against measles as early as 6 months old. The CDC recommends that kids get one dose between the ages of 12 to 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 to 6 years of age. Chin-Hong said a less effective version of the measles vaccine was available between 1957 and 1967, so you should check with your health care provider to see if you need a booster shot. "If you only got one shot, you might think about getting two shots," Chin-Hong said. Although measles vaccination rates among California schoolchildren have decreased in recent yearsfrom 98% of California kindergarten students before the COVID-19 pandemic, to 95.1%, Chin-Hong saida new Quinnipiac University poll indicates strong support for requiring vaccines in schools. About 57% of respondents said that children who haven't received standard vaccinations should be prohibited from going to schools and childcare facilities, according to the poll, which surveyed 1,198 registered voters in early March. How is measles different from the flu or COVID-19? Unlike COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, the virus that causes measles is not seasonal, according to Chin-Hong. Measles can be spread during peak travel seasons such as spring break, according to the California Department of Public Health. "Measles is still common in many parts of the world," the state health agency said, noting the disease is brought into the United States every year by "unvaccinated travelers who get measles while they are in other countries." 2025 The Sacramento Bee. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 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: Geographical distribution and publication dates of included studies. Credit: Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57868-6 Scientists have been testing how heat affects our hearts for years. But here's the thing: the most commonly used method might not provide much insight into what happens to the heart during heat waves. A new study led by the University of Ottawa, Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit with researchers from Harvard University, University of Otago, Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, and the University of Portsmouth, has revealed critical insights into how we test extreme heat's impact on heart function. With rising global temperatures, understanding these effects is crucial for protecting public health, especially during heat waves. Published in Nature Communications, the research, which analyzed data from over 400 laboratory studies involving more than 6,800 participants, highlights how different heating methods affect the heart's performance under heat stress. "Our study shows that exposure to encapsulated heating methods, like water-perfused suits or hot water immersion, can lead to significantly increased heart rates, blood pressures, and cardiac strain when to natural heat exposures, like those experienced during hot weather," says Robert Meade, who was a postdoctoral fellow at uOttawa's Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit and lead author of the study. When exposed to heat, the body may struggle to function normally, potentially resulting in serious cardiovascular issues. To cool down, the body increases blood flow to the skin, leading to higher heart rates and increased cardiac workloads. The resultant increase in strain on the heart can pose a significant risk for vulnerable groups, including older adults and individuals with pre-existing heart conditions. Glen Kenny, a full professor of physiology at uOttawa's Faculty of Health Sciences and Director of the Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit, emphasizes the importance of these findings. "As temperatures continue to rise, we need to understand how heat affects heart health. This research helps us address the physiological challenges posed by heat and will inform how we protect individuals during extreme weather events." The study revealed that the most common heating method, suits that perfuse large volumes of hot water directly over the skin, may result in rapid overheating and exacerbated increases in cardiac strain. In contrast, participants exposed to climate-controlled environments simulating hot weather or heat waves exhibited distinct cardiac responses that are likely more applicable to real-life scenarios. "Our research offers vital data that can be used to design laboratory-studies that will more easily translate to the real world to enhance public health strategies," notes Meade. The researchers hope their findings will influence how health agencies develop strategies to protect people during extreme heat events. Scientists are now heading back to the drawing board, ready to figure out what really happens when the mercury risesnot in the lab, but in the real world where it matters most. More information: Robert D. Meade et al, Meta-analysis of heat-induced changes in cardiac function from over 400 laboratory-based heat exposure studies, Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57868-6 Journal information: Nature Communications 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: A patient has died while receiving Elevidys, a gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, marking the first known death linked to the treatment. The company behind the drug, Sarepta Therapeutics, said that the patient suffered acute liver injury, a known side effect, The Associated Press reported. However, the "severity" of this case had not been seen before, the company noted. Elevidys has been used in more than 800 patients, the company stated. Sarepta did not release details about the patient but said a recent infection may have played a role in the liver injury. The therapy has been used in more than 800 patients, the company said. The company plans to update the prescribing information for Elevidys to reflect this case. Shares of Sarepta, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, dropped more than 27% on Tuesday, closing at about $73 per share. Elevidys, which costs $3.2 million for a one-time infusion, was the first gene therapy approved in the U.S. for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare condition that causes muscle weakness, mobility loss and early death in males. The FDA first granted the drug expedited approval in 2023, despite some scientists questioning its effectiveness. In 2024, the agency expanded full approval to include patients 4 and older, regardless of mobility status. The therapy works by using a disabled virus to insert a gene that helps the body produce dystrophin, a protein crucial for muscle function. Sarepta said more than 800 patients have received Elevidys so far, The Associated Press reported. Sarepta has secured FDA accelerated approval for three other Duchenne drugs since 2016. But none have yet been confirmed to be effective and further studies are still ongoing. 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved. 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: CC0 Public Domain When the FDA announced in January, before President Joe Biden's term ended, that it would ban a dye called red dye No. 3 in food and ingested drugs, the federal agency cited just one 1987 study on rats to support its action. The study, based on data from two prior studies, was led by a Virginia toxicologist who said thenand still believes today, decades after concerns first arose that the chemical could be carcinogenicthat his research found the petroleum-derived food coloring doesn't cause cancer in humans. "If I thought there was a problem, I would have stated it in the paper," Joseph Borzelleca, 94, a professor emeritus of pharmacology and toxicology at Virginia Commonwealth University, told KFF Health News after the FDA's announcement. "I have no problem with my familymy kids and grandkidsconsuming Red 3. I stand by the conclusions in my paper that this is not a problem for humans." Soon after Borzelleca's paper was published in a scientific journal, Food and Chemical Toxicology, the FDA examined the data his team had collected and reached its own conclusion: that the dye caused cancer in male lab rats. In 1990, the FDA cited the study in banning Red 3 in cosmetics. In 1992, the FDA said it wanted to revoke approval of Red 3 in food and drugs. But the agency didn't act at the time, citing a lack of resources. More than 30 years later, after a renewed push by consumer advocates, the Biden administration announced the ban in its last days in power. The move came just weeks before the Senate confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump's nominee to head the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the FDA. Kennedy has been a vocal critic of food additives, including Red 3. On March 10, he met with top food industry executives and told them if they don't eliminate artificial food dyes from their products, the federal government will force them to do so, Food Fix reported. Consumer advocacy groups cheered the Red 3 ban, even as the FDA said there is no evidence that the dye is dangerous to people. "Importantly, the way that FD&C Red No. 3 causes cancer in male rats does not occur in humans," Jim Jones, FDA deputy commissioner for human foods, said in a statement. Jones resigned from FDA in February, criticizing Trump administration cuts that he said hobbled his office. The FDA did not respond to a request for comment, but Marty Makary, Trump's nominee to lead the agency, said at his Senate confirmation hearing on March 6 that he is concerned about whether food additives such as Red 3 harm children. "It did not make sense that red dye No. 3 was banned in cosmetics but allowed in the food supply," Makary told Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who questioned why the FDA ban doesn't take effect until 2027. "We want to kill people for two more years?" the Alabama Republican said. "I would hope that you would, if you're confirmed, you'd go in and look at it very quickly and say, "Why do we want to put our people in harm's way?'" The International Association of Color Manufacturers says Red 3 is safe in the tiny levels typically consumed by humans. The dye was approved for use in foods in the U.S. in 1907, and today it's an ingredient in thousands of products, including cereals, candy, beverages, and cake toppings. Thomas Galligan, principal scientist for food additives and supplements at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, which petitioned the FDA for a ban, said that a federal regulation known as the Delaney Clause prohibits any ingredient that causes cancer in animals from being included in foods. (The publisher of KFF Health News, David Rousseau, is on the CSPI board.) "At the end of the day, this is an unnecessary additive," he said. "It's a marketing tool for the industry to make foods look more appealing so consumers will buy them. But federal law is clear: No amount of cancer risk is acceptable in foods." Galligan said he was not surprised Borzelleca's opinion on Red 3 had not changed or that the food dye industry had played down the risk. In October 2023, California became the first state to ban Red 3 in food starting in 2027, superseding the FDA's earlier rule allowing small amounts in foods as a color additive. The state legislature acted after a state analysis concluded the dye could cause hyperactivity in children. The European Union, Australia, and Japan are among the locations that already ban the chemical in foods. The EU's ban also cites hyperactivity in children. The EU requires food makers to include a warning that food dyes that are still allowed may "have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children." The IACM points to research by scientific committees operated by the World Health Organization, including a 2018 review that affirmed the safety of Red 3 in food. Some food manufacturers have already reformulated products to remove Red 3. In its place they use beet juice; carmine, a dye made from insects; or pigments from foods such as purple sweet potato, radish, and red cabbage. It isn't clear how the FDA determined that Red 3 can cause cancer in male rats. Borzelleca's paper said some rats that were fed Red 3 developed polyps in their thyroid gland but doesn't mention cancer. Borzelleca, then known as the Certified Color Manufacturers Association, said he was stunned the FDA banned the dye and used his research to back the move. "I am surprised all this time has gone by and it's been safe for human use, and now it's being pulled from the market due to concerns not supported by the data," Borzelleca said. "Our study did not find this was a carcinogen." His study was a response to the FDA's requirement in the 1980s for additional long-term feeding studies in rats and mice as a condition for the continued provisional approval of several color additives, including Red 3. Over decades, Borzelleca published dozens of research papers on the toxicology of food additives, pesticides, and water contaminants. He also served on advisory boards for the tobacco industry and represented cigarette maker R.J. Reynolds in negotiations with the Department of Health and Human Services about cigarette additives, according to a 1984 corporate memo. Borzelleca is a former president of the Society of Toxicology and consulted for the National Academy of Sciences and the World Health Organization. The Commonwealth of Virginia gave him a lifetime achievement award in 2001 for his work helping assess dangers in foods, drugs, and pesticides. 2025 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 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 Dancing not only lifts our spirits, but also plays a significant role in effectively managing stress, strengthening resilience, and improving overall well-being, according to a new international study by researchers from the University of Surrey, Radboud University, University of Roehampton, and the University of Southern Denmark. The findings suggest that engaging in dance can facilitate emotional expression and foster social bonds, creating a powerful buffer against stress. These elements not only elevate mood but also stimulate the release of hormones like oxytocin and endorphins, which are linked to feelings of happiness and connection. The study suggests that music interventions reduced states of anxiety, nervousness, restlessness, and feelings of worry, as well as salivary cortisol levels, heart rate, and blood pressure. The paper, published in Psychology of Sport and Exercise, researches the relationship between dance and stress regulation, using multidisciplinary insights from psychology, neurobiology, and socio-cultural perspectives. By examining various dance forms, the research highlights how movement, music, and social connection can transform how we cope with life's challenges. The international team of academics, experts in teaching and learning dance, gathered data from a wide range of studies that investigated dance's effects on stress. This involved not only reviewing existing literature on dance but also exploring related topics, such as the impact of music and rhythm, social interaction, and the physiological responses to movement. Dr. Jonathan Skinner, Reader in the Anthropology of Events and co-author of the study at the University of Surrey, said, "It's fascinating to see how something as enjoyable as dance can have profound effects on our mental health. Our research shows that by dancing, we can tap into a natural stress-relief mechanism that enhances our resilience and helps us cope with daily pressures." Ultimately, this research suggests that incorporating dance into our weekly routines could be a simple yet effective strategy for improving mental health and resilience. Dr. Skinner continued, "In a time when mental health is more critical than ever, our findings advocate for the integration of dance into community health initiatives. Encouraging people to move together can create a sense of belonging and support while enhancing their ability to cope with stress." More information: Sandra Klaperski-van der Wal et al, Dance and stress regulation: A multidisciplinary narrative review, Psychology of Sport and Exercise (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2025.102823 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: The image immediately above shows the additional detail and contours of temperature and shirt material in a processed phasor thermographic image. Credit: Candler Hobbs, Dingding Han Biomedical engineers at Georgia Tech have developed a system for collecting and processing thermal images that allows for reliable, detailed measurement of vital signs such as respiration and heart rate or body temperature. Their monitoring approach is passive and requires no contact. The system could one day lead to early detection for cancer or other diseases by flagging subtle changes in body tissues. The researchers have overcome the spectral ambiguity inherent in conventional thermal imaging, sharpening the texture and detail they can extract from images and removing the effects of heat from the environment surrounding a subject. They have published details of their work in the journal Cell Reports Physical Science. "This could be a cornerstone for future broad biomedical diagnosis," said Dingding Han, lead author on the study and a postdoctoral scholar in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering. "With this phasor thermographic technology, we can enhance the accuracy and efficiency of thermal imaging to detect abnormalities. Phasor thermography has the capability of getting material segmentation, which is not possible with only pure thermal imaging." What drives the improvement in Han's system is its ability to eliminate the "fuzziness" of typical thermal images. Usually, they don't sharply differentiate between subtle temperature variations, and heat in the environment can make the images too noisy for precise measurement of physiological signals. In the study, the researchers showed they were able to precisely measure heart rate, respiration rate, and body temperature from multiple parts of the body. They reported the tool effectively differentiated vital signs in scenes with multiple people. It also accurately captured variations in respiration rate before and after exercise. Han and the research team used a series of filters to capture 10 images of different parts of the infrared spectrumspecifically long-wavelength infrared. This part of the electromagnetic spectrum is beyond the light visible with the human eye. Long-wavelength infrared is the area where thermal radiation is detected. Postdoctoral scholar Dingding Han adjusts a thermal camera capturing an image of Ph.D. student Corey Zheng. Using an advanced processing technique on the raw thermal image, Han, Zheng, and their collaborators can accurately measure body temperature, heart rate, and respiration rate. Their noncontact technology could open new possibilities for vital sign monitoring and early disease detection. Credit: Candler Hobbs With those 10 images, they deployed a powerful mathematical tool borrowed from signal processing called thermal phasor analysis. Their algorithms resolved textures in three dimensions smaller than a millimeter. That detail enabled them to effectively distinguish fine thermal variationsfor example, facial skin, thick hair near the scalp, thinner hair of eyebrows, and even metal rims of eyeglasses on a human subject. What's more, Han said, the system uses common equipment, making it powerfully adaptable. "We used a thermal camera and the filters to get the hyperspectral image data. So, it's scalable," she said. "You could integrate this setup into virtually any thermal imaging platform." As a result, Han said the system could easily integrate into hospital or other health care settings. She's working to further develop her prototype system and work with doctors to apply it specifically to spotting breast cancer tumors. "Thermography could give us an advantage in early detection, because it could noninvasively detect abnormal cell activity that indicates early cancer," Han said. "For example, tumor cells need more oxygen to reproduce, so their temperature will be a little bit higher than normal tissue. With this phasor thermography approach, we could spot that." Han developed the system while working in Shu Jia's lab in the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering. Jia is the senior author on the study describing the system; other co-authors are Ph.D. students Corey Zheng and Zhi Ling. "This can be the first step for the next generation of biomedical thermography for early detection and diagnosis of cancer. That's what I'm working toward," Han said. "It's the first prototype with an ultimate goal of evolving the next versions and making it easier to use in hospitals and clinics." In Sen. Jason Ellsworths defense against allegations that he improperly cleared the path for his friend to secure a six-figure, state-funded contract, one of his earliest claims was that his friend gave him the lowest quote for the job. The Senate Ethics Committee investigating alleged ethics violations related to that final contract had questions, however, about the authenticity of a higher-priced quote Ellsworth used to say he was getting a good deal. Scott Boulanger, the lobbyist who Ellsworth said provided and signed the higher quote, said he was surprised to learn the quote even existed, according to interviews with two lawmakers who said Boulanger shared that information with them. Ellsworth, a Hamilton Republican and the former president of the Senate, is currently the subject of multiple investigations stemming from his work to organize a $170,100 contract for a friend. In a January interview, Ellsworth defended the contract by showing the Montana State News Bureau a quote for $315,000, provided to him ostensibly by Boulanger, a former Darby legislator. Ellsworth said that quote proved he had secured the final contract "for an incredible cost savings." However, two Republican lawmakers said Boulanger approached them after the Montana State News Bureau first reported on Ellsworths contract in a Jan. 17 story, claiming the $315,000 quote wasn't legitimate. "He was clear: The first time he saw first time he knew about it was when he saw it in the paper," Yellowstone County Republican Sen. Barry Usher said Boulanger told him about the $315,000 quote. These conversations with Usher and others in the Capitol prompted the legislative ethics committee investigating Ellsworth's attempted business deal to identify Boulanger as a witness in its hearings. But just before the committee began calling witnesses, Boulanger was removed from the list because, according to the ethics committee chair, the panel did not have the document the Montana State News Bureau obtained in January. Ellsworth on Tuesday flatly denied that he wrote the quote or signed it himself. When asked why Boulanger was infusing doubt into the authenticity of the quote, Ellsworth said: "Youll have to ask him." Boulanger, approached repeatedly by reporters, declined to comment for this story on the advice of his attorney. The Senate Ethics Committee is investigating whether Ellsworth violated an ethics law by not disclosing his relationship with Bryce Eggleston, the Stevensville consultant who ultimately obtained the contract for his company, Agile Analytics. Days after the first news of the contract broke, Eggleston signed a termination letter canceling it. Eggleston is Ellsworth's former business partner and longtime friend who was supposed to track the implementation of enacted judicial reform bills. Eggleston possessed no experience in judicial reform, but he did have a close relationship with Ellsworth; in social media posts submitted to the ethics committee last week, the former referred to the latter as his "boss/friend/mentor." Ellsworth attempted to secure the state to the contract in a manner that would have evaded oversight, although state employees involved blocked that effort. In January, Ellsworth showed the Montana State News Bureau a document with what appeared to be Boulanger's signature quoting Ellsworth $315,000 for the work, which was defined as "a complete analysis and reporting and tracking for 28 bills for a period of 18 months after passage." "I mean, I could have paid $315,000, which is not the best use of taxpayers' money, but I think I have a fiduciary responsibility to get it done for the lowest amount that I could," Ellsworth said in a Jan. 16 interview. Polson Republican Sen. Greg Hertz said he, too, was approached by Boulanger about the quote. Hertz, a member of the state Legislature since 2013, said Boulanger told him in January on the third floor of the Capitol building that "the first time" he knew about Ellsworths business deal was when "he read about it in the media." When Hertz asked about the signature, he said that Boulanger would only say that it "looked like his signature." "I then asked Boulanger if he prepared the contract and signed it. He told me that his attorney advised him not to discuss that issue with anyone," Hertz said in a text message. "When he refused to answer the question I found that answer strange and evasive." In response to Ellsworth's since-cancelled contract, the Senate convened an ethics committee to investigate the business deal and drew up a preliminary list of 13 witnesses which included Boulanger. He was taken off the list before the first witness hearings earlier this month. Hertz had also been identified as a witness to testify on the Boulanger question, but was likewise removed when the committee left Boulanger off the list. Ethics Committee Chairman Sen. Forrest Mandeville, R-Columbus, said that Boulanger was added to the witness list because of the conversations senators said they had with him about the quote. "Scott Boulanger was originally included on the witness list because senators made allegations to the Ethics Committee that Boulanger had not actually signed a document that Sen. Ellsworth presented to members of the news media as being signed by Boulanger," Mandeville said in a written statement. Mandeville explained that Boulanger was removed from the witness list because the committee did not obtain documents in connection with the allegations about the $315,000 quote. Mandeville added that the ethics committee "did not feel it was appropriate to call a private citizen in front of the Committee without possessing documents to substantiate the allegations." Ellsworth's attorney has not raised the $315,000 quote during the ethics proceedings. The Legislative Audit Division found that the attempted business deal was a waste of state resources and an abuse of Ellsworths government position. Following a referral by the Legislative Audit Division, the Montana Department of Justice is currently investigating any possible criminal wrongdoing in connection with the contract. When asked if Boulanger or the $315,000 quote is a part of that investigation, a spokesperson for the DOJ declined to answer, citing the ongoing investigation. Boulanger served in the Montana Senate from 2013-14 after the former senator in that position vacated the role. He now has his own lobbying firm and runs multiple gold and silver exchanges. The ethics committee is set to wrap up its work Wednesday afternoon, culminating in a report to the Senate on its findings. The committee will not make a recommendation to the body on how to address the matter, but the full Senate will review the committee's report and has the power to vote on a punishment. That can range from taking no action against Ellsworth to expelling him from office. The role of artificial intelligence (AI) and technology will continue to be vital in shaping the future of the Asian film and content sectors with experts urging industry leaders to embrace the change to stay on top of their game, a Hong Kong summit heard on March 18. In his welcome remarks at the Asia Content Business Summit (ACBS) Working Group Meeting, Wilfred Wong Ying-wai, chairman of the Hong Kong Film Development Council, said that AI is going to "speed up development" and "unite Asia" across multiple languages as content becomes accessible to a broader audience. Wong noted that in the past, content had to be dubbed, but now with the help of AI, subtitles have been made easily accessible on-demand. "Second, we have to look at how to distribute. The movie business is a streaming platform. (We) have to be one step ahead. Otherwise, we are just following trends," said Wong, as he also encouraged current industry leaders to share their knowledge and "pass the sword to the next generation". Fred Wang Cheung-yue, chairman of Hong Kong-based pan-Asia movie services group Salon Film, encouraged attendees to "take new ideas" on the use of technology and AI in movie production from the ACBS event, where speakers from Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines also gave presentations on trends and initiatives in their respective countries. Dato Kamil Othman, chairman of the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia, said his organization had prioritized the training of film producers, with special attention paid to understanding legal issues such as copyright. Malaysia has no problems with sending films overseas and a new generation of successful movie professionals are emerging, he said. The main challenges they encounter are internal industry mechanisms, using AI and difficulties working on co-productions, he added. "Talent is already there. We just need a good proposition to move forward," said Kamil, as he also urged the audience to "not be afraid of AI" as it "is not a trend, but a tool and humans are still part of it". In Japan's content industry, digitalization had also changed the content industry completely, according to Norihiko Saeki, director of the culture and creation industries division under Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). He said Japanese overseas content sales are set to achieve a market size of 20 trillion yen ($6.7 billion) by 2033, under the "New Cool Japan Strategy" adopted in 2024. METI set up 100 action plans this year in consultation with Japanese content industry leaders in order to hit that target, he added. He also said they have a "Shooting with Japan Program" agreement with China and Italy, which gives an incentive grant of 1 billion yen. Novie Riyadi, chief operating officer at Indonesian animation and post-production company Mocca Studio said Indonesia's game industry has grown rapidly, driven by government support that helped firms there become "early adopters of AI". He said there were 156 animation companies in Indonesia in 2020 and expects the number to have tripled by now. Among these companies' successes has been the animated children's show Baby Zu, he added, which was created to help parents with children who were slow learning to speak. In the Philippines, Liza Dino-Seguerra, executive director of the Quezon City Film Commission, said over 120 Filipino films were produced and released in 2023 -- a notable rebound following the COVID-19 pandemic. "Streaming has become the dominant force shaping how content is produced, distributed and consumed," said Dino-Seguerra, who is also former chairperson of the Film Development Council of the Philippines. She said international collaborations are also on the rise because of producers' constant participation in international events and markets, allowing Filipino stories to reach a global audience. Her organization is looking to partner with companies in the Middle East and North Africa region, and Latin America, she added. Sirisak Koshpasharin, vice chairman of Thailand's National Federation of Motion Pictures and Contents Associations, said content streaming in Thailand is also a growing market. He put the spotlight on "movie tourism" as many films have been shot in Thailand, bringing with them tourists. Japan topped the list of countries where film producers came from to shoot in Thailand, he said, followed by India, the United States, the Republic of Korea and China. Upgraded government film incentives introduced in December last year, increasing a cash rebate on movie production from 20 percent to 30 percent, had also encouraged the industry, he added. "All the big players in the market come to Thailand, but the best spender is Hong Kong," said Koshpasharin. Last year alone, 490 projects shot in Thailand, generating 6.5 billion Baht ($194 million). Two of the most notable movies filmed there include Jurassic World 4, and Alien: Earth. Fred Chong, group CEO of WebTVAsia and award-winning Malaysian musician, said AI "has a face now", and is capable of taking on real celebrities. The digital human market, he said, is expected to reach $440 billion by 2031. When asked what steps his company has taken to fight scams, Chong said on the sidelines of the ACBS summit that content owners need to fight for their own content. "If you are not the content owner, you cannot stop illegal uploads. So, it's the same thing with AI. We talk about deepfake, we talk about illegal use of the face of a famous person. The original owner of the face has to copyright their intellectual property," said Chong. Later on Tuesday a signing ceremony was held for the joint launch of Zheng He's Voyages to the West by parties from Malaysia, China including Hong Kong, and Saudi Arabia. Zheng, a Chinese explorer and admiral dated hundreds of years ago, is credited for leading the largest fleet in the world then on seven voyages of exploration from Asia to Africa. Saudi World of Sounds and Visions Company President Abdullah Al Muheisen, also a Saudi pioneering filmmaker and director, inked a deal with Fred Wang of Salon Films. NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams safely returned to earth on Tuesday after a record 286-day mission in space, marking the end of an extended stay aboard the International Space Station. The SpaceX Crew Dragon, carrying Butch Wilmore, Sunita Williams, American Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, re-entered earth's atmosphere before deploying parachutes for a smooth splashdown off the Florida coast at 5:57pm local time. Home sweet home. NASAs SpaceX #Crew9 touched down at Johnson Space Centers Ellington Field in Houston at 11:19 pm CDT, March 18, after their @Space_Station mission and successful splashdown earlier this afternoon. Welcome home, Butch, Suni, Nick, & Aleksandr! pic.twitter.com/fbgWiU9ird NASA's Johnson Space Center (@NASA_Johnson) March 19, 2025 The spacecraft splashed down off the coast of Florida just minutes before 6pm, marking the successful conclusion of an unexpected and prolonged stay on the International Space Station (ISS). The capsule was later retrieved by a recovery ship, and Mr Hague was the first to exit. Ms Williams emerged third, smiling and waving as she was assisted out of the spacecraft. Originally, Ms Williams and Mr Wilmore had planned to spend only eight days in space when they launched on 6 June 2024, aboard Boeings Starliner spacecraft. However, due to a malfunction in the spacecraft, their return was delayed, and they were eventually brought back on SpaceX's Dragon capsule. Both astronauts will undergo a 45-day rehabilitation programme to readjust to gravity following their extended stay in microgravity. President Donald Trumps executive order of March 1 demanded immediate expansion of American timber production. The order came on the heels of the Trump administrations firing in February of about 3,400 U.S. Forest Service workers nationwide. The firings, if they persist, could fell a forest of deadfall before the mandate to cut more timber off federal lands. That would be especially true if the framework for analyzing and approving timber projects remains the same, said Sean Steinebach, outreach forester for Sun Mountain Lumber in Deer Lodge. If were playing by 2023 or 2024 rules, having all these Forest Service folks gone, its going to make it a different game, Steinebach said. Its going to make it more difficult. Steinebach is co-chairman of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Working Group, a diverse group of citizens with varied interests that serves a sort of quasi-advisory role. During a March 6 meeting of the Working Group in Butte, Steinebach shared some concerns about the significant job cuts on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge. Im having trouble wrapping my brain around how projects that we rely on are going to move forward, he said. Im just struggling to see how were going to have these projects coming out in a timely fashion. When this field season starts, were not going to have those folks out there putting timber projects together, Steinebach said. That said, the rules could change and in ways that could favor the timber industry. Trumps executive order provides avenues for skirting the Endangered Species Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. Tom Schultz, the Forest Services new chief, has a masters degree in forestry from the University of Montana and ties to the timber industry. On March 1, following Trumps executive order calling for increased timber cutting, five environmental groups released a joint statement. This executive order will decimate our federal forests. It will use tax dollars to line the pockets of corporate logging interests, undermine environmental laws and take public forests out of public hands, read the statement, released by the Center for Biological Diversity, Sierra Club, Earthjustice, Oregon Wild and WildEarth Guardians. This directive is part of a pattern to undermine science, gut the federal workforce, and privatize our public lands, the groups warned. Clearcutting our public lands for private profit will destroy mature and old-growth forests, pollute our air and water and, in bypassing the Endangered Species Act, actively drive vulnerable wildlife to extinction. Sun Mountain Lumbers sawmill in Deer Lodge relies primarily but not exclusively on timber logged off federal lands, managed either by the Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management. Sun Mountain has proposed or cut projects on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, the Custer Gallatin National Forest and in other national forests. Many timber projects, once vetted and approved by the Forest Service, unfold on the nearby Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, the states largest national forest by acreage and closest to the sawmill in Deer Lodge. Sun Mountain also operates a sawmill in Livingston that was previously operated by R-Y Timber. Al Watson, forest supervisor for the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, declined to comment about personnel cuts. He referred a reporter to a regional spokeswoman who, in turn, referred him to a national press office, which avoided answering the question. A related statement referenced U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. The Forest Service is an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The statement observed, Secretary Rollins fully supports the Presidents directive to improve government, eliminate inefficiencies and strengthen the U.S. Department of Agricultures many services to the American people. We have a solemn responsibility to be good stewards of the American peoples hard-earned taxpayer dollars and to ensure that every dollar spent goes to serve the people, not the bureaucracy. The Missoulian interviewed a union official representing employees in Region 1 for the Forest Service. Terri Anderson reported the following tallies for regional job cuts: 40 on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and 38 on the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. A separate report suggested 36 workers were fired on the Custer Gallatin. At least two federal judges and the Merit Systems Protection Board, an independent body reviewing government personnel decisions, have ordered those thousands of employees affected nationwide to be reinstated. Its not clear if and how that will play out. Steinebach said a host of Forest Service silviculturists, hydrologists, biologists and other specialists are involved in analyzing, vetting and monitoring timber projects. An interdisciplinary team completes an analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA. The Trump administration hopes to lessen NEPAs reach and impact and shorten the period required for timber project review and approval and to skirt Endangered Species Act provisions that can derail or delay work in the field. Steinebach said if regional national forests met their timber targets Sun Mountain Lumber would be content, but projects often become ensnarled in litigation about environmental impacts. None of us wants to go out and destroy the environment, he said. We want good things to happen on the landscape. We want functioning watersheds. We want wildlife habitat. We want healthy forests. We want fuels reduction. Eighteen people attended the March 6 meeting of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Working Group. Most were with the Working Group, currently at 12 members. The groups agenda included discussion about the possible ramifications of the Forest Service cuts. Chris Marchion said the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest was already understaffed when compared to 20 years ago. We have been operating with 40% of the personnel we historically had, Marchion said. He noted that tourism is a key industry in Montana. A lot of that tourism depends on access to the National Forest and access in the National Forest to recreate, Marchion said. If nobody maintains those trails, then a big percentage of that goes away. He said wholesale agency cuts made by billionaire Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency were done without reason, careful consideration, basic knowledge or fundamental respect. I dont see how were going to end up in a better position than we are today, Marchion said. He expressed concerns also that the Forest Service cuts will affect wildland firefighting personnel, especially red card employees who are trained to fight fires but are not employed directly for that role. Meanwhile, Sun Mountain Lumber plays a key role in the regional economy of Deer Lodge and Powell County. Jordan Green, chief administrative officer for Deer Lodge, has described the mill as a key employer both for the city and the region. Having such a steady source of employment for Deer Lodge residents is an incredible benefit to our community, and the periphery economic benefits to the city, state and even nation are far reaching, Green has said. Steinebach said the turmoil affecting the Forest Service and other government agencies has frozen access to key Forest Service grants. Two are Hazardous Fuels Transportation Assistance grants that support projects removing hazardous fuels from national forests and grasslands to a location where the materials can be used for various wood products and services. The other is a Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance grant; it provides funding to wood processing facilities to improve, establish, retrofit or expand facilities that purchase and process byproducts from ecosystem restoration projects from federal or tribal lands. Steinebach said the grants are important to Sun Mountain Lumber. The Working Group decided March 6 to draft a letter to Montanas congressional delegation to express concerns about the Forest Service job cuts. Given the groups diverse interests, ranging from timber to conservation, from hunting to county government, crafting the letter by committee did not come easily. That work continued this week. The armed Helena woman killed near the courthouse Friday by law enforcement was there to make an appearance before she reportedly made threats to staff, according to her husband, who said the gun she was carrying was his. I am 99% sure it wasnt loaded because I have the magazine downstairs," Michael Moore, Danielle Moores husband, told the Independent Record on Tuesday as he stood in the front yard of their Helena home. "I just think she wanted to be heard and that was her piece to get heard. I know 100% of everything that she wasnt going to hurt nobody. He told the newspaper he was glad to be "talking to somebody, adding I have not gotten a single phone call from the police or anybody. The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation is investigating the incident because the Helena Police Department and Lewis and Clark County Sheriffs Office were involved in the fatal shooting. The woman was killed down the street from the courthouse. Danielle Marie Moore, 36, was to be arraigned Tuesday on a prior incident alleging felony assault on a peace officer, court documents state. However, charges were dropped by prosecutors who said the defendant was deceased. She was listed on Lewis and Clark County District Court Judge Mike Menahan's docket before her name was removed from the final draft. A motion for dismissal was filed by a Lewis and Clark County attorney Monday without prejudice and noted Moore was dead. She was charged Feb. 25 with felony assault on a peace officer and misdemeanor partner or family member assault, documents filed in Lewis and Clark County Justice Court state. Moore was charged after a Helena police officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Maple Street for a domestic disturbance. She got into an altercation with her husband that got physical, court documents state. Moore told an officer her husband "swung at her" before she stood up and yelled in his face. A court complaint states Moore told the officer her husband pushed her out of the room and caused her to hit her head. The husband, listed as the victim in court documents, told an officer Moore headbutted him "five to six times" before he told her to get off of him and pushed her away. When a Helena Police Department officer told Moore she was under arrest, she punched him in the face, court documents state. Her arraignment was set for March 18. On Friday, March 14, Moore was involved in a fatal shooting after being uncompliant with commands from officers and deputies, authorities said. An initial call for service, or 911 call log document, said at around 1:30 p.m. on March 14 a caller told dispatch there was an active shooter threatening a Lewis and Clark County District Court judge, a news release from the Helena Police Department and Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's Office said. A caller said a woman was in a white van with a pistol on her before the woman went East on Broadway Street to the 500 block, according to documents. There, she was contacted by law enforcement and was killed after not complying with commands, officials said. Authorities released Moore's name Monday and said the investigation into the incident was continuing. Officials with the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation said Tuesday they are "continuing all week with witness interviews, submittal of physical evidence to the state crime lab, and any background investigative work that needs to be completed." Michael Moore said he works nights and had woken up in time to see his wife at 12:30 p.m. Friday before she left the house. She was all fancy for court and I said she looked OK, she was getting our family pictures out to take and was worried about meeting her lawyer, he said, adding they have three daughters. There was no idea this was going to happen. "I just think she felt hopeless and scared, Michael Moore said. He said later, The only thing I can think of it that she wanted to be heard. Moore said there was a possibility of two-10 years in prison for punching an officer. I think maybe she wanted to have a talk and let the judges or whoever know there is more to this story Its much bigger." She wouldnt hurt anybody, Moore said. She blessed people every day. "Ive watched more than one time that she would give the coat off her back to people, our last few dollars, to somebody who needed it, he said. She followed God like nobodys business, he said. It was her life, to help others. From plowshares to propellers: how Chinese farmers are piloting agricultural modernization 08:32, March 19, 2025 By Chi Jingyi ( Global Times "Every time I fly the drone, it draws a crowd - especially elderly farmers - who marvel at how it flies and carries heavy loads," Liu Yang, a 37-year-old drone operator, told the Global Times, right beside a truck that was ready to transport the oranges at Pengjiapo village, Zigui county, Central China's Hubei Province. The journey that once required 40 minutes of strenuous labor - hauling heavy baskets of navel oranges - now takes just one minute with the drone, which can carry 50 to 60 kilograms from the mountaintop to the truck parked at the foot of the mountain, said Liu. Now, this curiosity has turned more farmers from "bystanders" to practitioners, as more and more farmers have attended training courses on drone operations to obtain a license, the Global Times has learned. From 'bystanders' to practitioners "We conducted drone operation training that attracted farmers of various age groups from surrounding villages and towns. In addition to young participants, farmers in their 50s or even older are actively engaged in the program," Wang Enjie, general manager of Zigui county Weichu Cloud Warehouse Logistics Service Co and secretary-general of the e-commerce association in Zigui, told the Global Times. A drone training base in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province, has seen a surge in farmer enrollments. So far, Qingdao Vane Aviation Co has trained over 15,000 individuals, with a significant increase in enrollment since the second half of 2024, according to Jiang Haitao, head of the company. "The training lasts about 25 days, with 8 hours of training per day. We've now reached the 105th training session, with an average of around 200 participants per session," Jiang added. 30-year-old Yuan Li attended drone operation training in 2019. He returned to his hometown, Duanbolan county in Qingdao, and started using drones to spray pesticides and water the crops. "In the past, two people could only cover about 10 mu (0.67 hectares) to 20 mu in a day. After I bought our family's first drone, we managed to cover nearly 300 mu in just one morning," Yuan told the Global Times. However, drones were initially met with skepticism in Duanbolan. Many villagers had never heard of them, let alone believed such a small machine could outperform traditional manual labor, Yuan noted. In order to help villagers better know the functions of drones, Yuan marked out two experimental plots in his wheat field: one for precise pesticide application using drones and the other for traditional manual spraying. After a month, pest infestation in the manually treated plot was around 40 percent, compared to just 5 percent in the drone-treated area. Yuan introduced that with corn, manual spraying with a backpack sprayer only covers the surface of the leaves, leaving the undersides untreated. But drones can create airflow that flutters the leaves, ensuring both sides are covered with pesticide. Not only did pest damage decrease, but during harvest, Yuan also found that the drone-treated wheat field yielded 10-20 percent more than the manually treated one. Liu also had a similar experience. "You can see the immediate effect of transporting oranges with drones. However, it was hard to persuade farmers to spray pesticides and fertilizer by drone. We have to use a control group to show farmers that the drone is better and more effective." Seeing the results, more farmers began training as drone operators Embracing more high-tech Apart from drones, farmers are also embracing other high-tech to increase efficiency and income. For example, Wang said that Zigui county is actively advancing the application of e-commerce and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to help farmers enhance their skills to expand income-generating channels. "Some farmers are already experimenting with livestreaming sales and integrating AI technology for promotions and content creation," said Wang. A session had already been organized for over 80 farmers interested in AI, with participants primarily being younger individuals, Wang added. Zigui was officially lifted out of poverty as recently as April 2019. In about five years, advanced technologies have played a pivotal role in driving the county's digital transformation and modernization. This is just one epitome of how Chinese farmers are piloting agricultural modernization. Through drone training, e-commerce, and AI technology, farmers are gradually mastering modern skills, injecting new momentum into rural revitalization. Top-down support Such a transition was also boosted by government support from all levels. In Southwest China's Yunnan Province, the agricultural department subsidized agricultural drone purchases by up to 14,400 yuan ($1,990) per drone, according to a notice released in February. Ningde in East China's Fujian Province in September 2024 subsidized training fees for farmers attending drone operation courses, as high as 88,052 yuan, meaning farmers were trained for free. On January 23 this year, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), together with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, released interim regulations on the training and management of agricultural unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operators. The 2025 regulations specify training content, duration, and certification requirements. These measures are seen as the latest efforts to fill the talent gap in China's drone operator workforce. As of June 2024, there were 1.875 million registered UVAs nationwide, yet only over 225,000 individuals hold drone operator licenses, according to data released by the CAAC. On the basis of previous efforts, China is now comprehensively advancing rural revitalization with modern technologies. According to the 2025 Government Work Report, China will make every effort to deliver in work relating to agriculture, rural areas, and rural residents and take solid steps to advance all-around rural revitalization. "We will also back rural industries with distinctive features to extend their industrial chains, increase returns, and recruit and benefit more rural residents, thus expanding the channels for increasing rural incomes," the report stated. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) China is very, very different. Jessica Rawson repeatedly underlines this point. This idea might seem obvious, but she believes that people often underplay the divergence that China inherits. "The big trouble is Westerners don't think they need to study China. They think, if China had a past, it would be like the Greeks, the Romans, or something they're familiar with here," she says. "The West doesn't really notice China, doesn't understand the difference, doesn't understand why your culture is not like ours." Rather than digging into the similarities we share, recognizing how ancient China charted its unique course may lead to adjustment, and then better mutual understanding, she argues. For the 82-year-old archaeologist, who is a former keeper of the Department of Oriental Antiquities at the British Museum one of her many titles, her career over the past 50 years has been consistent: China's distinctive path of development, explored through the eyes of objects, like ceramics, jades and bronze vessels. By looking into China's material culture, Rawson has provided a new perspective on one of the world's oldest civilizations, uncovering the values, beliefs, and customs embedded in the shapes, colors and motifs of its remains. China's distinctiveness was revealed to Rawson long before she set foot in the country. During a trip to the British Museum at the age of 10 or 12, the Rosetta Stone, inscribed with Egyptian hieroglyphs a writing system that used pictures as signs taught her that there is a language in the world not based on alphabetic letters. "Why not look at Chinese if you're interested in this," her parents said and then gave her a small book called Teach Yourself Chinese. "When you're 12, you can't teach yourself Chinese," she jokes. "But I started to copy the Chinese characters into a notebook." "Pioneering" is a word often associated with her and her approach to looking beyond and looking around was described as "Rawsonian" by Robert Harrist Jr, professor of Chinese art history at Columbia University in the United States. And she has been determined to study Chinese archaeology and get inside the cosmology of others. "I've dedicated my entire life to this field," she has written in a letter. "There had been a few resistance along the journey, but I have never thought of giving up." "Since the Neolithic era, China's developmental path has been uniquely its own. Throughout my academic career, I have increasingly recognized the importance of introducing more people to China's history and the latest results in archaeology. Only by doing so can they cultivate a genuine interest in China." Language of objects In 1968, when Rawson joined the British Museum, she was tasked with cataloging thousands of ceramics and jades from the Shang (c.16th-11th century BC), Zhou (c.11th century-256 BC) and Han (206 BC-AD 220) dynasties relics she found "very surprising" at first sight. Seeing some objects as "China's greatest works of art", Rawson found that those exquisite things are often not vehicles for self-expression but functional forms for ancestor worship, crafted according to strict standards dictating their shapes, patterns, and decorations, exemplified by bronze vessels. She wondered why the Chinese were so obsessed with this particular type of object, but not gold or gems. Breaking it down step by step, what stands out to Rawson is that the ancients' fascination with bronze vessels reveals the distinctiveness of China, from its climate and terrain to the cosmology of the inhabitants. The Loess Plateau in north-central China once buried the ores or metals under layers of heavy windblown dust. The mining alone required an immense workforce, not to mention the demanding craftsmanship needed to smelt and cast even a single piece, which explains why bronze vessels were mostly evacuated from the tombs of royalty and nobility, Rawson says. Life and the afterlife in China unveil fundamental differences in the nation's ancient society, in how the ancestors were treated as being at the top of a generational hierarchy, and how families, united by shared ancestry and kinship ties, became central, she says. In her latest book Life and Afterlife in Ancient China Rawson explores 12 grand tombs and a major sacrificial deposit from across China. The "master interpreter", as the former director of the National Gallery in London and British Museum Neil MacGregor describes Rawson, never treats an object in isolation but traces down to the usage, customs, and beliefs shaped by climate and geology all pointing to why the Chinese are not like Westerners or anyone else in the world. While China is fascinated with bronze, the West prizes gold and gems. While the Chinese eat rice from ceramic bowls, the West uses plates for salad. What Rawson believes is that every culture develops its material system. There are no shortcuts for a foreigner to study Chinese archaeology, Rawson once said. In 1975, she set foot in China for the first time. It was a time when the country only owned trains in green that chugged her through the vast landscape, from the plains with fields of rice to the endlessly stretching plateau. "It's a shock to realize how big China is, how many regions are different from each other, and how they're all different from the West and, above all, from Western Asia," she says. To truly get an impression of the place, the only way is by traveling it, she believes. For the next 44 years, Rawson returned to China nearly every year, traveled alone sometimes, and even once slept at a train station to catch the earliest service. "China is not a quick thing to learn," Rawson says. But she did not give up trying to get closer to that dream path. "I always wanted to work in China. In a way, people would say I am always addicted to China. I am happier thinking about China or reading about China than doing anything else." What might be more difficult is introducing what sets China apart from the West, Rawson admits, yet she remains committed to doing so. As the British Museum stands as one of the most-visited attractions in the UK, the former keeper prioritized her work, especially the refurbishment of the China Gallery, both in 1992 and 2016, as a top priority. Her career as a curator did not mark a break, even after leaving the museum. She continued to curate blockbuster China-related exhibitions in the UK, such as China: The Three Emperors, 1662-1795, which was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 2005 at the Royal Academy of Arts in London. During her years at the University of Oxford, a major grant by the Leverhulme Trust, which she bid on and received, not only supported the founding of a contemporary China studies program in 2002 but also led to the creation of a China center in 2008. Her efforts to promote exchanges somehow mirror another of her research achievements the interactions in ornament culture between China, Inner Asia, and the West. While China's path has been independent, it has never been completely isolated, and "we need to see how much we get from each other," she says. The High Court in Eldoret has issued an arrest warrant for Ibrahim Rotich, the prime suspect in the murder of Kenyan athlete Agnes Tirop, after he failed to appear in court for the second time. On Tuesday, March 18, Justice Robert Wananda ordered Rotichs immediate arrest and directed that his KSh400,000 cash bail be forfeited to the State. State counsel Leonard Okaka, alongside Justice Wananda, signed the warrant, as Rotichs family and lawyer admitted they had no knowledge of his whereabouts. Authorities raised concerns over Rotichs disappearance, with reports indicating that he had changed his official residence without notifying his family. His lawyer, Ngingi Mbugua, told the court that he had been unable to reach him on both of his mobile phones. Despite this, Mbugua pleaded for leniency, asking the court to grant Rotich one last chance before issuing the arrest warrant. Rotich had secured his release in 2023 after posting a KSh400,000 cash bail, along with a similar surety or a KSh500,000 cash bond. Justice Wananda had granted the bail after considering the defenses argument that Rotich was not a flight riska claim that countered the prosecutions two-year-long opposition to his release. With Rotich now missing, the latest developments have sparked outrage from the slain athletes family. Her father, Vincent Tirop, has demanded answers from law enforcement, urging the court to summon the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Eldoret Police Station for an explanation. As part of his bail conditions, Rotich was required to report to the police station every Monday, with an attendance record kept as proof of compliance. Through his lawyer, Vincent Tirop asked the court to compel the OCS to present this record. Justice Wananda granted the request and ordered the Eldoret OCS to appear before the court on April 8 to confirm whether Rotich had been adhering to his bail terms. Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has broken his silence on his unexpected removal as chairperson of the influential Budget and Appropriations Committee, stating that he has no idea why leaders pushed him out. Nyoro, now in his second term, was ousted last week and replaced by ODMs Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi. Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, he expressed his bewilderment, revealing that coalition leaders never informed him of any concerns about his performance before his dismissal. I dont know why I was replaced, and I am saying it in good faith. I did not come here to accuse anyone today. I only came to set the record straight, Nyoro stated. He emphasized that while his appointment resulted from broad consultations, no senior leader within the ruling coalition had ever reached out to discuss his work as committee chair. No one in our coalitions leadership, at any level, has ever called me about this positionwhether to discuss improvements or necessary changes. Like you, I read about it in the newspapers. That is the truth, he explained. Once considered a close ally of President William Ruto, Nyoro revealed that he last spoke to the president about political matters last year. The last time I spoke with the president about politicswhether in person or via chatwas before October of last year. I do not wish to discuss personalities any further, he said. Reflecting on His Tenure Despite the abrupt end to his tenure, Nyoro reflected positively on his time leading the Budget Committee, acknowledging the demanding nature of the role. This position required full commitmentat times, I slept in this office and left early in the morning. It wasnt just me; the members I served with also put in the effort. But it was a valuable experience that allowed me to learn and understand Kenya better, he said. He took a moment to express his deep gratitude to his constituents for electing him and allowing him the opportunity to serve in such a crucial role. Nyoro made it clear that he harbors no bitterness over the decision. Let me thank the people of Kiharu Constituency because, to become the Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee, you must first be elected as an MP. I dont say this to boast, but with humilityI am truly grateful to the people of Kiharu for the honor of serving them, he said. Choosing Positivity Over Resentment Taking a reconciliatory stance, Nyoro underscored the importance of maintaining a positive outlook despite political turbulence. He emphasized that he would not let resentment cloud his judgment. I dont respond to evil with evil. I dont want to assume I know better when I dont. Anger and hatred are too heavy a burden for any leader to carry. Holding onto such emotions only benefits those who orchestrate political setbacks. In politics, you must set clear boundaries on the kind of leader you want to be and stick to them, he stated. You only carry negative emotions to the advantage of your detractors, Nyoro added, reinforcing his decision to move forward without dwelling on resentment. Letting Actions Speak for Themselves When asked about the performance of the government, Nyoro chose to remain reserved, stating that actions would ultimately speak louder than words. You dont need someone to remind you of what President Mwai Kibaki did in 2007. Just look at Thika Road, and youll see his work, he said. Gatundu South MP Gabriel Gathuka Kagombe has dismissed former Deputy President Rigathi Gachaguas claims of political dominance in Central Kenya, accusing him of exaggerating his influence. Speaking during an interview on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, Kagombe argued that Gachaguas perceived control over the regions politics is overstated. He claimed that Gachagua has taken on leadership roles without the Kikuyu communitys endorsement, making his assertions unfounded. Rigathi Gachagua wants to take up a position that, in my view, he has not been given by the Kikuyu nation. The influence that Rigathi Gachagua imagines he has over Central Kenya politics is overrated, he has overrated himself and he is overshooting himself because we are on the ground, Kagombe stated. His remarks come in response to Gachaguas statements during an exclusive interview on Kameme FM on Monday, where he credited his political influence for President William Rutos decision to pick him as a running mate in the 2022 elections. From the beginning, President Ruto knew that Im not a Yes Sir type of person, but he still chose me to be his deputy because of the influence I had during the campaign period, Gachagua asserted. Gakuya Claims Gachagua Commands 80% Support in Mt. Kenya Meanwhile, Embakasi North MP James Gakuya, a close ally of the former Deputy President, defended Gachagua, maintaining that he remains the most influential political figure in Mt. Kenya despite being sidelined by the government. Gakuya argued that Rutos decision to distance himself from Gachagua has significantly affected his standing in the region. The truth of the matter is that what is making William Ruto have sleepless nights is the negative mood in the Mt. Kenya region, Gakuya stated. He further claimed that Mt. Kenya voters feel betrayed by Rutos administration, and their growing frustration is fueling political discontent in the region. As we stand today, I can tell you for sure that Gachagua commands 80% of Murima (Mt. Kenya). The President was fully aware that the one thing Mt. Kenya people cannot tolerate is political betrayal, he added. Kenya and the Netherlands have strengthened their economic ties by signing three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and a Letter of Intent, paving the way for enhanced trade and investment between the two nations. The agreements were formalized at State House Nairobi Tuesday at the start of a three-day State Visit by King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands. During a joint press briefing, President William Ruto highlighted the alignment between Kenyas Vision 2030 and the Netherlands expertise in key sectors such as sustainable agriculture, water management, and renewable energy. The Netherlands global leadership in these areas aligns seamlessly with Kenyas development goals, President Ruto stated. King Willem-Alexander emphasized the long-standing and cordial relationship between Kenya and the Netherlands, which has flourished for over six decades. We attach great value to our cooperation with Kenya, he remarked. This visit demonstrates how closely our interests align and the strength of our partnership. The signing ceremony was attended by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi, several Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, and other high-ranking officials. Strengthening Trade, Agriculture, and Tourism The agreements cover various sectors critical to Kenyas economic growth. One MoU establishes a Joint Trade Committee to boost bilateral trade, ensuring smoother collaboration between businesses in both countries. Another agreement outlines the Terms of Reference for an Agriculture Working Group, aimed at enhancing agricultural development through knowledge exchange and investment. A third MoU focuses on tourism collaboration, encouraging Dutch travelers to visit Kenya and facilitating Dutch investments in Kenyas tourism sector. Additionally, a Letter of Intent from Dutch company Invest International will fund two key water projects: the Naivasha Special Economic Zone Water Supply and Sanitation Project and the Sabaki Bulk Water Supply Project. The projects, valued at 3 million (KSh423 million), will improve access to clean and reliable water for communities and businesses. These projects will enhance access to clean and reliable water, a fundamental pillar for sustainable development and economic progress, President Ruto noted. He also welcomed Invest Africa, a Dutch investment firm, into the Kenyan market, emphasizing that its presence will provide much-needed capital to support private sector growth. Deepening Diplomatic and Business Ties Beyond trade and investment, Kenya and the Netherlands are also prioritizing political and diplomatic cooperation. President Ruto and King Willem-Alexander instructed their respective foreign ministers to hold consultations on regional peace and security, climate change, and multilateral engagement. At a time of fraying partnerships, I urged Their Majesties to uphold the Netherlands commitment to the principles of global solidarity and subsidiarity, Ruto said. The royal couples visit includes a series of engagements designed to strengthen Kenya-Netherlands relations. They will interact with young Kenyans to discuss their aspirations and explore areas for future collaboration. This will be a wonderful opportunity to meet Kenyans from different backgrounds and foster even closer ties between our two countries, King Willem-Alexander remarked. Their itinerary also includes a visit to the Inland Container Depot in Naivasha, where they will launch a direct cold-chain corridor from Kenya to Rotterdam. This initiative is expected to revolutionize the export of perishable goods, ensuring faster and more efficient transportation. Additionally, they will visit the Supreme Court and engage with business leaders through the Kenya-Dutch Business Forum, further strengthening economic and legal cooperation. I am confident that these engagements will provide Your Majesties with valuable insights into Kenyas progress and opportunities for further collaboration, President Ruto concluded. President William Ruto has signed the Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2025 into law, unlocking critical funding for education, healthcare, security, infrastructure, and economic development. The Bill, sponsored by Deputy Speaker and Uasin Gishu County Woman Representative Gladys Boss, was debated and passed by the National Assembly on March 14, 2025. It provides additional resources to address funding shortfalls, realign budget allocations, and support key government initiatives. Boosting Education Reforms A significant portion of the funding is directed toward education reforms. The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has received an extra KSh18 billion to cover insurance shortfalls, teacher promotions, and salary adjustments. University education has been allocated KSh16 billion, including KSh4.2 billion to implement universities Collective Bargaining Agreement. The Kenya Primary Education Equity in Learning Programme, supported by the World Bank, will benefit from KSh6.5 billion, while KSh8 billion has been set aside for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). To support school meals, the government has allocated KSh600 million to the national school feeding program. Strengthening Healthcare and Universal Health Coverage The health sector has also received a major boost, with KSh1.5 billion allocated to recapitalizing the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA). An additional KSh3 billion will fund the Primary Healthcare Fund, and another KSh3 billion will go toward the Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illness Fund. Intern healthcare workers will receive stipends totaling KSh1.5 billion, while Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital has been allocated KSh1 billion to address salary shortfalls. Kenyatta National Hospital and Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral, and Research Hospital will receive KSh1.7 billion and KSh1.4 billion, respectively, to improve service delivery. To operationalize Primary Healthcare Networks, the government has set aside KSh600 million, ensuring more Kenyans have access to quality healthcare. Enhancing Security and Infrastructure Development Security agencies have also received a funding boost, with KSh7.5 billion allocated to the National Police Service. Of this amount, KSh5 billion will cover shortfalls in police insurance costs. For infrastructure development, the roads sector has been allocated KSh16 billion. Additionally, KSh5 billion has been set aside for drought-related interventions, and KSh4.6 billion will be used to promote tourism. The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) will receive KSh8 billion to address salary shortfalls, ensuring efficiency in revenue collection. The Judiciary has also been allocated KSh470 million to support its operations. Agriculture, Energy, and Economic Growth To support farmers, the government has allocated KSh6.6 billion for the fertilizer subsidy and KSh700 million to mop up powdered milk from the market. The County Aggregation and Industrial Parks initiative will receive KSh1.2 billion to boost industrialization. Other key allocations include KSh3.7 billion for the Equalization Fund, KSh370 million to resettle the landless, and KSh164 million for the Pesticide Control Produce Board to protect crops. In promoting innovation, KSh90 million has been set aside for Agricultural Technology Innovation Centres, while KSh750 million will provide seeds and seedlings to support food security and crop diversification. Additional funding includes KSh1 billion for the Thwake Dam project, KSh200 million for building new Technical Training Institutes, and KSh600 million to connect public facilities to electricity, ensuring improved access to essential services. This photo taken from Jingshan Hill on Aug. 12, 2024 shows the skyscrapers of the central business district (CBD) on a sunny day in Beijing, capital of China. [Photo/Xinhua] China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said the country's trade policies toward trading partners, including the European Union, have consistently been stable, and welcomed European companies to increase their investment in China. Wang made the remarks on Monday during a meeting with Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury, according to a statement released by the ministry on Tuesday. While the global economy faces severe challenges, the long-term positive trend of China's economy remains unchanged as the economy enjoys strong resilience, huge potential, and vitality, Wang said, adding that China is confident in its ability to continue to achieve stable economic growth. He said that despite changes in the external environment, China's policies and expectations remain stable. China will continue to advance high-level opening up, optimize the business environment, and vigorously encourage foreign investment, the minister said. Wang expressed his hope that European companies, including Airbus, would seize opportunities to increase their investment in China and deepen industrial cooperation in a bid to contribute more quality products and services to both China and the rest of the world. Faury said that Airbus has been in China for over 30 years and has been committed to developing its business and partnerships in the country. As a multinational company, Airbus looks forward to stability and certainty in global economic development and does not wish to see uncertainties arising from any additional tariff policies, Faury said. Airbus remains optimistic about the Chinese market and will continue to expand its investment and presence in the country for better development in the future, Faury added. SIUs 2025 Maple Syrup Festival is Saturday and Sunday by Christi Mathis CARBONDALE, Ill. The 2025 Maple Syrup Festival, a delightful, palate-pleasing springtime tradition, returns to Southern Illinois University Carbondales Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center on Saturday and Sunday, March 22-23. This popular annual event isnt just a tasty breakfast; its an extraordinary experience featuring demonstrations, outdoor activities, nature hikes and fun for the entire family. The event takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day at the scenic facility located about eight miles south of Carbondale off Giant City Road. The pancake breakfast with all the trimmings is served from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily; organizers say those planning to eat should arrive by 1:45 p.m. The Maple Syrup Festival is really such a special time, said Brian Croft, director of Touch of Nature. We make our very own syrup on-site. And not only can people enjoy pancakes with fresh maple syrup, but they can also see for themselves part of the extensive process that takes place after we tap the maple trees and extract the sap to convert it to syrup. We hope everyone will come enjoy the breakfast and make a day of it, taking in all of the other fun activities as well. Breakfast is served, help welcome Tickets for the pancake breakfast featuring real maple syrup will be available at the door of Freeberg Hall, with special pricing offered for the first time ever for Saluki students this year. Ticket prices are: Ages 11 and older: $15. Ages 4-10: $8. Ages 3 and younger: free. SIU students: $8 with valid student ID. Volunteers from the community, including Scout troops, church groups and service clubs, as well as from the university community are needed to assist with the breakfast on Sunday. Volunteers receive a complimentary pancake breakfast at the beginning of their shift. If you or your students are interested in lending a hand, you can sign up through either the Saluki Volunteer Portal or the Community Volunteer Portal. All-day fun Maple syrup making demonstrations will be ongoing throughout the day. And thats just the beginning. Numerous other activities are happening during the weekend, and most are free. There will be a host of activities especially for children from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Lumberjack game shows will take place at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. daily, and there will be live music from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day. The bar and grill will serve food made to order from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and for a nominal fee, you can try your hand at the big climbing wall (10 a.m.-noon, 12:30-3 p.m.) or the giant swing (10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 1-3 p.m.). Organizers say Touch of Nature and Maple Syrup Festival truly offers something for everyone and the show will go on, rain or shine as there will be plenty of activities and entertainment to enjoy regardless of what Mother Nature presents. Southern Illinois Chamber Music Society hosts recital on Sunday CARBONDALE, Ill. Acclaimed violist Daphne Gerling and pianist Tomoko Kashiwagi will collaborate in a blend of contemporary works and timeless masterpieces in a performance on Sunday, March 23. Hosted by the Southern Illinois Chamber Music Society, the program is at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Carbondale Unitarian Fellowship, 105 N. Parrish Lane. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children. Renowned for their expressive artistry and deep musical collaboration, Gerling and Kashiwagi will perform a thoughtfully curated repertoire, including: Peace (2020) by Jessie Montgomery. Sonata for viola and piano (1960) by Modesta Bor. Capricho Montevideano (2008) by Beatriz Lockhart. Passacaglia on an Old English Tune (1941, published 1943) by Rebecca Clarke. Sonata for viola and piano, Op.11, No.4 (1919) by Paul Hindemith. Each piece showcases the duos versatility, from Montgomerys evocative contemporary writing to Hindemiths profound and virtuosic sonata, said Rossana Cauti, assistant professor of practice and SIU Symphony Orchestra director in the SIU School of Music. The program highlights compositions by women composers across different eras and cultures, offering a rich and diverse musical experience. Gerling, an assistant professor of viola at the University of North Texas, is an internationally acclaimed violist and her 2024 debut album Encircling has received widespread recognition. She has toured extensively across the United States, including 40 universities and 16 countries, in addition to performing in prestigious venues and festivals. She is president-elect of the American Viola Society. Tomoko Kashiwagi is a distinguished pianist known for her compelling performances and expertise in collaborative piano. She is the Emily J. McAllister Endowed Chair in Piano at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville and has performed worldwide, including the Kennedy Center and Suntory Hall. She is also founding artistic director of Chamber Music of the Ozarks. For more information, contact Cauti at rossana.cauti@siu.edu. VMPL London [UK], March 19: Mitsubishi Corporation (MC), and Alt Carbon, a Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) company, announced a partnership agreement to scale the removal of carbon dioxide in South Asia. The agreement between the two parties will generate high quality, durable, carbon removal tons that have been created through a breakthrough Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) tech process. "Removal of carbon dioxide is critical to meet net-zero emissions by 2050. With Alt Carbon, we have a formidable partner with highly innovative technology in a breakthrough Enhanced Rock Weathering process that locks carbon in the ocean sink. From removing carbon, helping local farmers, and stringent testing measures to generate CDR credits, Alt Carbon is uniquely positioned to capture the ERW market. MC's commitment to decarbonization is unwavering and reflects our dedication to a sustainable future, as we scale the CDR industry through our collaboration with Alt Carbon in ERW," said Tadashi Sawamura, GM, Carbon Management Dept., Mitsubishi Corporation. Alt Carbon deploys a process called ERW that takes crushed basalt rock and spreads it on large swathes of agricultural land. The rock's natural reaction with rainwater pulls the CO2 from the air & stores it in the soil, thereby improving crop yields. This dissolved inorganic carbon ultimately reaches the ocean via river networks and remains locked in the ocean for 10,000+ years. ERW is one of the novel techniques for Carbon Removal (CDR) that has been advocated by the The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) as a critical tool for reaching Net Zero by 2050. Alt Carbon is tapping into the increased demand for high quality, durable, traceable, carbon removal projects - and it's operating in a growing market. Alt Carbon's in-house MRV, team of scientists from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, and the Darjeeling-Climate Action Lab (D-CAL) make it one of the leading carbon removal companies in the Global South, ideally placed to remove CO2 at a gigaton scale. "Having an institution like Mitsubishi Corporation recognise and support our efforts entrenches our belief in the science and technology behind ERW for carbon removal. In 15 months, we have rigorously tested and modelled our operations and technology in the single pursuit of removing carbon dioxide. This is just the first step, but it feels like a giant leap as MC partners with us to make India a hub for carbon removal," said Co-founder & CEO Shrey Agarwal, Alt Carbon. Alt Carbon is the first Indian headquartered company to receive a prepurchase agreement from Frontier, an Advance Market Commitment to purchase $1+ billion of permanent carbon removal by 2030. As part of this agreement, Alt Carbon received $500,000 for the purchase of high quality, durable carbon removal tons that have been generated through the Enhanced Rock Weathering process. The participating buyers included Stripe, Shopify, Alphabet, Meta and Watershed (on behalf of Match). Alt Carbon also became the first ERW company globally to receive an offtake agreement from the South Pole & Mitsubishi-led NextGen buyer's coalition. In order to meaningfully undertake climate action, we require gigaton level projects -- i.e. projects that have a shot at removing 1 billion tons of CO2 every year. Alt Carbon is targeting reaching up to 500,000 hectares of land in North East India's tea belt by 2030, as part of the Darjeeling Revival Project, removing upwards of 5 million tonnes of CO2 every year. Beyond that, the company aims to scale up its operations in South Asia to further work towards its goal of removing 1 billion tons of CO2, each and every year. Notes to the editor Media images can be found here. For further information please contact the Alt Carbon press office: Adithya Venkatesan on adithya@alt-carbon.com or +91 94811 74420 About Alt Carbon Alt Carbon is a co2 Removal (cdr) company based out of India transforming Darjeeling's struggling tea industry from being at-risk from the effects of climate change, to becoming pioneers for climate action. Alt Carbon is on a mission to capture vast amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere. Its ambitious goal is to remove 5M MT of CO2 by 2030, with the ultimate aim of reaching a billion tons - for good. For more information please visit https://www.alt-carbon.com/ or follow via LinkedIn. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) The upward movement was largely driven by the continued gains in US indices, which extended their rally for the second consecutive session, boosting investor sentiment across international markets. On the opening of the trading session today, BSE Sensex was in green, up 29.56 points or 0.04 per cent at 75,330.82, and the Nifty50 at National Stock Exchange (NSE) was up 19.70 points or 0.09 per cent at 22,854.00. In today's trading, stocks of 1767 companies advanced while 523 shares declined and 117 stocks remained unchanged. At NSE, Tata Steel, JSW Steel, Bajaj Finserv, SBI, and Bharti Airtel remained the major gainers, while stocks of TCS, HCL Technologies, Tech Mahindra, Cipla, and Trent were the major losers. On Tuesday, both indices experienced a strong rally, providing confidence to the investors. According to the market experts, the sentiments of investors in the Indian markets look encouraging as the major global markets have witnessed positive trading amid the apprehensions of US trade tariffs and other global uncertainties. As per the market analysts, factors such as fiscal spending momentum, easing financial conditions, and improving economic and corporate earnings outlook support the markets. "In India, reasonable valuations, fiscal spending momentum, easing financial conditions by concerted actions of the RBI, and improving economic and corporate earnings outlook combined with FPI inflows are a strong boost to the stock market," said Ajay Bagga, banking and market expert. Bagga said that the US Fed concerns could lead to some profit-taking later in the trading day. Indian markets need to sustain themselves above key levels for multiple sessions before this recovery becomes robustly anchored, he said. "On the Nifty front, Open Interest data highlights strong resistance at the 23,000 and 23,400 levels, while support is seen at 22,300. The Nifty formed a bullish candle, breaking through the critical 22,700-22,800 resistance zone. The short-term trend remains positive, with expectations of a move toward 23,100-23,200. Immediate support is at 22,700," said Varun Aggarwal, MD, of Profit Idea. On Tuesday, both indices experienced a strong rally. The Sensex surged by 1,131.31 points, or 1.53 percent, closing at 75,301.26, marking a one-month high. The Nifty 50 gained 325.55 points, or 1.45 per cent, to settle at 22,834.30. (ANI) PNN Nagpur (Maharashtra) [India], March 19: Nagpur based Active Infrastructures Ltd, an an infrastructure focused company, specializes in construction of Road, flyovers, water supply systems and commercial project construction is launching its public issue on NSE Emerge. The Book building public issue in the price band of Rs. 178-181 per share opens for subscription on March 21 and closes on March 25. Company plans to raise up to Rs. 77.83 crore(assuming full subscription at the upper price band of 181 per share) The Proceeds of the public issue will be used for business expansion including Funding working capital requirements, Repayment/ Prepayment of Certain Borrowings availed by the Company and Margin Money for obtaining Bank Guarantee, Capital expenditure towards purchase of construction equipment and general corporate purposes. Kreo Capital Private Limited is the Book Running Lead Manager of the issue. The initial public comprises of a fresh issue of 43,00,200 equity shares of face value Rs. 5 each in the price band of Rs. 178 to Rs. 181per share. Out of the issue proceeds, company plans to utilize Rs.38.98 crore towards meeting working capital requirements, Rs. 16.72 crore towards repayment/pre-payment of borrowings availed and Margin Money for obtaining Bank Guarantee and Rs. 7.05 crore for Capital expenditure towards purchase of construction equipment and remaining for general corporate purpose. Minimum lot size for the application is 600 shares which translates in to investment of Rs. 1,08,600 per application at higher price band of Rs.181 per share. Highlights:- * Fresh Public issue of Rs. 77.83 crore at a higher price band of Rs. 181 per share; Issue opens from March 21 to March 25, 2025 * Minimum lot size for application is 600 shares; Minimum IPO application amount Rs. 1,08,600 at Rs. 181 per share * Funds raised through the issue will be used for working capital requirements, Repayment/pre-payment of certain borrowings and Margin Money for obtaining Bank Guarantee, Capital expenditure towards purchase of construction equipments and general corporate purposes * For FY23-24 company reported revenues of Rs. 97.43 crore and Net Profit of Rs.10.45 crore; For the six months of FY25 ended September 2024, company reported revenue of Rs. 33.90 crore and Net Profit of Rs. 5.56 crore * Kreo Capital Private Limited is the Book Running Lead Manager of the issue. Retail investor quota for the IPO is kept at not less than 50.01% of the net offer. QIB quota is kept at not more than 10.00 % and Non-Institutional Investor quota at not less than 39.99% of the offer. Promoter holding post issue will be 71.36%. Incorporated in 2007, Active Infrastructures Limited is a civil construction company. The company specializes in infrastructure development and commercial project construction. The company focuses on infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, water supply systems, and irrigation, while also constructing commercial spaces such as office complexes, retail centers, exhibition halls, and educational institutions. The company operates across India, with projects in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Tripura. It focuses on customer satisfaction, ensuring quality and safety in all completed, ongoing, and upcoming projects. Key Business Segments: Infrastructure Development: Expertise in roads, flyovers, water supply systems, irrigation, and heritage site restoration, ensuring quality and sustainability. Commercial Construction: Development of modern office spaces, retail centers, and exhibition halls. Notable projects like RIAAN Tower promote business growth and community engagement. For FY23-24 ended March 2024, company has reported net profit of Rs. 10.45 crore and revenue of Rs. 97.43 crore with a strong return ratios including ROE at 36.22%, ROCE at 14.90%, RONW at 36.22% and PAT margin of 10.75%. For the six months ended September 2024, company reported revenue of Rs. 33.90 crore and Net Profit of Rs. 5.56 crore. As on 30th September 2024, Net Worth of the company was reported at Rs. 32.51 crore, Reserves & Surplus at Rs. 24.81 crore and Asset base of Rs. 97.16 crore. Shares of the company will be listed on NSE Emerge platform. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.) The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in collaboration with the Drone Federation India (DFI), launched NIDAR--the National Innovation Challenge for Drone Application and Research--under the SwaYaan initiative. The launch event was held at Electronics Niketan, MeitY, in the presence of government officials, industry experts, and students nationwide through video conferencing, a release added. The challenge was formally inaugurated by S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY; Prof T G Sitharam, Chairman, AICTE; and Smit Shah, President, Drone Federation India (DFI), who unveiled the concept video, launched the competition website (https://nidar.org.in), and released the NIDAR Poster and Official Rulebook. NIDAR is being organised under MeitY's SwaYaan Initiative, which aims to train as many professionals as possible in the UAS sector by 2027 through 1500+ nationwide activities encompassing five major technical areas, the release added. This initiative is part of the Government of India's vision to make India a global drone hub by 2030. The Drone Federation India (DFI), a premier industry body representing 550+ drone companies and 5500+ drone pilots nationwide, will support participating students by providing mentorship and industry exposure. Over 100 student teams from higher education colleges and technical institutions are expected to participate in this competition, where teams wil build two collaborative autonomous drones for solving object detection and autonomous delivery. This year's problem statements are focused on disaster management for building "scout & delivery drones" and precision agriculture for building "scan & spray drones." This year, NIDAR offers a total prize pool of Rs 40 lakhs in cash prizes and opportunities for students to participate in startup incubation programs, obtain cloud credits, and receive internship opportunities to work in India's best drone companies. During the launch, Shri Krishnan emphasized the pivotal role of drones in transforming various sectors such as agriculture, disaster management, logistics, healthcare, and infrastructure and the need for taking the NIDAR program at a larger scale to contribute to India's vision of becoming a global drone hub by 2030. Smit Shah, president of DFI, said that India's drone ecosystem is rapidly evolving, with homegrown innovations transforming industries and addressing real-world challenges. He added, the recent floods in Vijayawada highlighted the potential of drones as they were used to deliver essential supplies to stranded communities, demonstrating their life-saving applications. Shah stated that the initiatives like the Namo Drone Didi scheme are empowering rural women entrepreneurs by providing them with drone training and business opportunities, further strengthening India's drone ecosystem. "Through NIDAR, we aim to inspire and equip young innovators with the skills, mentorship, and industry exposure necessary to drive the next wave of drone advancements. This initiative will foster indigenous drone technology development and create a strong talent pipeline for India's aerospace and defense sectors," said Smit Shah, president, DFI. (ANI) You are here: Business Google said on Tuesday it has agreed to acquire Israeli cloud security startup Wiz for approximately 32 billion U.S. dollars, marking its largest acquisition to date. The deal, which Google expects to close in 2026, represents the largest-ever exit for an Israeli startup, surpassing Intel Corp's 15.3-billion-dollar acquisition of autonomous vehicle company Mobileye in 2017. Wiz, headquartered in New York City with significant operations in Israel, confirmed the acquisition on its website. Founded in 2020, Wiz rapidly gained traction in the cybersecurity sector, achieving a 1.7-billion-dollar valuation within a year. In May 2024, the company raised 1 billion dollars at a 12-billion-dollar valuation. Wiz, which reportedly employs approximately 1,800 people, provides cloud security solutions that help companies detect and mitigate risks across various layers of their cloud infrastructure. Its platform scans cloud resources, including network structures and permissions, to identify configuration errors, vulnerabilities, and malware. Google said Wiz will become part of its cloud business. The reported acquisition follows a failed attempt in July 2024, when a planned 23-billion-dollar deal between Google and Wiz collapsed, according to media reports. VMPL New Delhi [India], March 19: Branded residencies often market themselves as exclusive enclaves, promising a curated lifestyle experience. However, the reality is more nuanced. Luxury in real estate has long been synonymous with bespoke architecture, exclusive locations, and timeless design. Vishwajeet Jhavar is the Founder and CEO of Marvel Realtors. In my two decades within India's luxury real estate sector, I've witnessed firsthand the evolution of homebuyer preferences and the emergence of what are termed "branded residencies." These properties, often associated with esteemed global brands from hospitality, fashion, or automotive industries, promise a lifestyle beyond traditional luxury homes. While they have garnered significant attention and appeal, I believe there are critical aspects to consider before embracing this trend wholeheartedly. Timeless Luxury: What Branded Residencies Might Overlook Luxury in real estate has long been synonymous with bespoke architecture, exclusive locations, and timeless design. These elements have stood the test of time, appealing to discerning buyers seeking enduring value and prestige. Branded residencies, while innovative in their approach, sometimes overshadow these classic virtues in favor of modern trends and transient brand associations. Moreover, the design philosophy of global brands is often rooted in the culture, lifestyle, climate, and regulations of their country of origin. This may not always align with local Indian conditions, resulting in homes that, while aesthetically impressive, may not be the most practical or well-suited for local needs. There have been multiple instances where the end product has fallen short of expectations due to a mismatch with Indian climatic and living conditions. The Myth of Exclusivity in Branded Residencies Branded residencies often market themselves as exclusive enclaves, promising a curated lifestyle experience. However, the reality is more nuanced. The association with a global brand may indeed enhance the initial appeal, yet it can dilute the authenticity of local culture and unique architectural identity that many buyers seek in a true luxury home. True exclusivity stems from a property's unique charm and heritage, not merely from branding. Additionally, during co-branding, the primary focus of the brand is to protect and showcase itself, ensuring strict adherence to its brand guidelines. In this process, customer needs often take a backseat, with the brand's identity becoming more important than the end-user experience. Instead of being designed for the actual residents, the property is often shaped around the brand's image, limiting flexibility and personalisation. However, it is also worth acknowledging that branded residences come with certain advantages. Standardized design, association with global hospitality services, and a seamless experience for international buyers can make them appealing to a niche segment of the market. A recent report by Savills India noted that branded residences have seen a 20% premium over comparable non-branded luxury properties in metropolitan cities due to their brand association and concierge services. While exclusivity may be debatable, the appeal to specific buyer groups cannot be ignored. The Branding Trap: What Happens If the Hype Fades? Investing in a branded residency entails more than purchasing a home; it involves buying into a brand's promise of quality and service. While reputable brands uphold high standards, the dependency on brand equity introduces a layer of risk. Changes in brand strategy or reputation can impact the property's desirability and resale value, potentially undermining long-term investment security. A significant yet often overlooked concern is the brand exit risk--if a brand terminates its contract or withdraws from the project, the residence may lose its identity and, consequently, its value. Since much of the appeal is tied to the brand name, any shift in brand reputation can directly impact the homeowner's investment. This dependency on external brand equity creates uncertainty that traditional luxury developments, rooted in strong local reputations, do not face. The Risk of One-Size-Fits-All Luxury Each luxury property should reflect its locale and resonate with its surroundings. Branded residencies, however, often adhere to global brand standards, leading to a homogenization of luxury experiences across different cities and countries. This standardization may compromise the uniqueness and cultural richness that define true luxury living in diverse regions like India. Luxury developers in India, on the other hand, have spent years understanding local consumer preferences, lifestyles, and aspirations. Over time, they have built strong brand identities of their own, tailoring properties with the end user in mind. They collaborate with world-class architects, interior designers, and international consultants to bring high-quality, globally inspired yet locally relevant homes to Indian buyers. Unlike branded residences that follow a rigid template, these developers create homes that align with the unique demands of Indian luxury homebuyers. Luxury vs. Sustainability: Can Branded Residencies Strike a Balance? In the pursuit of luxury, sustainability can sometimes be overlooked. Branded residencies, while showcasing modern amenities and design, may not always prioritize environmental considerations or integrate sustainable practices. This oversight contradicts the growing global trend towards eco-conscious living and responsible development. Moreover, the financial structure of branded residencies raises concerns about whether the price justifies the value offered. A significant portion of the cost of these residences goes toward brand royalty fees. The added value in terms of design, layout, service, or specifications often remains limited, making it questionable whether buyers receive a proportionate return on their investment. Additionally, homeowners in branded residences often face steep maintenance fees, which can be a burden even for affluent buyers. These charges, imposed to maintain brand standards, add to the long-term cost of ownership, making them a less attractive option when compared to bespoke luxury developments that offer a better balance of exclusivity, personalization, and cost-effectiveness. The Timeless Appeal of Authentic Luxury As a proponent of authentic luxury experiences, I advocate for properties that celebrate local craftsmanship, cultural heritage, and architectural excellence. These elements contribute not only to the aesthetic appeal of a home but also to its intrinsic value and timeless allure. Authentic luxury homes stand apart by their ability to transcend trends and endure as symbols of refined living. Another challenge buyers face in branded residences is the limited scope for personalization. Brand guidelines often restrict homeowners from making significant interior modifications, which can be a drawback for those who value individuality in their living space. True luxury is about creating a home that reflects personal taste and style--something that highly standardized branded residences often fail to accommodate. Beyond the Brand: The True Essence of Luxury Living While branded residencies undoubtedly offer modern conveniences and global cachet, they represent a departure from traditional notions of luxury rooted in craftsmanship, heritage, and individuality. As the luxury real estate landscape evolves, it is crucial to strike a balance between innovation and the preservation of timeless values. Each homebuyer must carefully consider whether the allure of a branded residency aligns with their personal values and long-term investment objectives. In shaping the future of luxury living in India, I believe in championing a holistic approach that respects local culture, promotes sustainable practices, and celebrates the unique charm of our diverse regions. This ensures that luxury homes not only meet but exceed the expectations of discerning buyers seeking both prestige and authenticity. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) Microsoft's former CEO Bill Gates on Wednesday hailed India's achievements in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), adding that the country's leadership in AI will drive innovation worldwide. Addressing an event "Future Forward"--an action-driven forum that brings together global industry leaders, policymakers, investors, and changemakers to drive real-world collaboration and impact, the Gates Foundation Chairman said, "Similar to how DPI (Digital Public Infrastructure) has garnered global attention, India's leadership in AI will drive innovation worldwide." Gates said that he's spoken to Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw to ensure the participation of India in the upcoming AI Summit to benefit countries, especially from the Global South. "I recently spoke with the Minister of Electronics and Information Technology about the upcoming AI summit, which I believe will be a fantastic opportunity. The foundation will ensure that governments, especially from the Global South, participate and benefit from India's advancements," he added speaking during the event in New Delhi. Explaining the benefits, Gates said that AI will accelerate advancements in areas like mRNA vaccines, agricultural innovation, and the fight against malnutrition. By gathering and analysing data, we can make targeted interventions and eliminate the barriers that hold people back, he added. The Gates Foundation chairman also hailed the capabilities of Indian companies in developing low-cost, high-quality vaccines and the country's healthcare sector. Gates also commended the country's vaccine production capabilities. Through partnerships with companies like Serum Institute, Bharat Biotech, and IRI, India has played a key role in producing affordable, high-quality vaccines that are used globally. "Without Indian innovation, vaccines wouldn't be as affordable or accessible," he added. With ongoing partnerships and investments in digital infrastructure, health, and education, Gates stated that India is well-positioned to continue its transformative journey, inspiring progress on a global scale. A few days ago, Gates said that the visit to India is his third visit in three years. "India is a place where big challenges meet even bigger ambitions, and where innovation is transforming lives at an incredible scale. Every time I'm there, I see firsthand how much progress is being made in public health, agriculture, and technology. And I come away with new ideas, because India is full of smart, ambitious people tackling some of the world's hardest problems in creative ways," Gates wrote in his blog. (ANI) IT services major Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has signed a partnership with Air New Zealand to modernize the Kiwi airline's digital infrastructure. It is a five-year agreement, the IT services company said in a statement Wednesday, adding it is aimed at positioning the airline at the forefront of AI-driven innovation. "This collaboration aims to enhance Air New Zealand's digital capabilities, improve customer experience, and drive operational efficiencies across various aspects of its business, including fleet management, crew scheduling, and ground services," TCS said. The agreement signing event was attended by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who is in Mumbai today, besides Tata Group Chairman, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Greg Foran, and TCS Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director K Krithivasan. With an office in Auckland and a team of 460 professionals, TCS serves 20+ blue-chip customers in the region across banking, retail, construction, manufacturing, and local government. Greg Foran, Chief Executive Officer, Air New Zealand, said, "This collaboration aligns with our vision to be a digitally enabled airline of the future. We began working with TCS in September 2024 and in just a few short months, we've seen the benefits of tapping into the depth and breadth of talent and expertise they have when it comes to digital solutions." "Going forward, TCS will be an instrumental partner in helping us deliver our Cargo Digital Transformation and improvements to our Digital Retail capability. We're excited about the benefits this partnership will bring for our customers and the aviation industry." K. Krithivasan, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, TCS, said, "With our expertise in aviation, combined with our ability to drive large-scale innovation, TCS will enable Air New Zealand to set new benchmarks for efficiency, sustainability, and customer engagement." Air New Zealand operates across 49 domestic and international destinations. Each year, the airline flies more than 15 million passengers on over 3,400 weekly flights. The airline has 98 operating aircraft ranging from Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and Airbus A320s to ATRs and Q300s. (ANI) London [United Kingdom], March 19: Ashish Jain, the visionary Founder and CEO of Alieus Hedge Fund, has officially launched his highly anticipated book, "How AJ Made It," in London. The book chronicles his inspiring journey from humble beginnings to building a global hedge fund empire, offering valuable insights into entrepreneurship, financial markets, and personal growth. The launch event, held at a prestigious venue in London, was attended by industry leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs eager to gain wisdom from Jain's experiences. In "How AJ Made It," he shares the challenges, strategies, and mindset shifts that helped him navigate the complexities of the financial world and emerge as a successful investor and businessman. "This book is not just about my journey; it's about the lessons, failures, and breakthroughs that shaped my success. I hope it serves as a guide for aspiring entrepreneurs and investors looking to carve their own path," said Ashish Jain at the event. The book covers key aspects such as: * The early struggles and defining moments of his career * Insights into building and scaling Alieus Hedge Fund * The investment principles that led to his financial success * Strategies for wealth creation and risk management Following the London launch, Ashish Jain plans to hold exclusive book-signing events in Dubai, Singapore, and New York as part of a global tour. "How AJ Made It" is now available for pre-order and will soon be released in major bookstores and online platforms worldwide. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.) The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved the 'Incentive Scheme for promotion of low-value BHIM-UPI transactions Person to Merchant (P2M)' for the financial year 2024-25. The scheme to promote low-value BHIM-UPI transactions will be implemented at an estimated cost of Rs 1,500 crore. Only the UPI transactions upto Rs 2,000 for small merchants are covered under the scheme. Incentives at the rate of 0.15 per cent per transaction value will be provided for transactions upto Rs 2,000 pertaining to the category of small merchants. For all quarters of the scheme, 80 per cent of the admitted claim amount by the acquiring banks will be disbursed without any conditions. The reimbursement of the remaining 20 per cent of the admitted claim amount for each quarter will be contingent upon the fulfilment of the following conditions: 10 per cent of the admitted claim will be provided only when the technical decline of the acquiring bank will be less than 0.75 per cent; and the remaining 10 per cent of the admitted claim will be provided only when the system uptime of the acquiring bank will be greater than 99.5 per cent. This scheme will enable small merchants to avail of UPI services at no additional cost. "As small merchants are price-sensitive, incentives would encourage them to accept UPI payment," the government said. It will also supplement the government's vision of a less-cash economy by formalizing and accounting for the transaction in digital form. The incentive is paid by the Government to the Acquiring bank (Merchant's bank) and thereafter shared among other stakeholders: Issuer Bank (Customer's Bank), Payment Service Provider Bank (facilitates onboarding of customers on UPI app / API integrations) and App Providers (TPAPs). (ANI) PNN Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], March 19: Brick & Bolt, a leading tech-enabled construction company in India, is proud to announce that it has been awarded the prestigious 'Most Trusted Tech-Enabled Construction Company' award at the ETNOW Business Conclave & Awards 2025. This win is a testament to Brick & Bolt's commitment to transforming the construction industry and bringing transparency, accountability, efficiency, and timely completion of quality projects, supervised and handled with utmost precision. By leveraging emerging tech solutions to address decades-old problems faced by homeowners, Brick & Bolt is not only curating a pathway for other players to follow but is also empowering homeowners by bringing in transparency and customer delight. As pioneers driving the shift from an unorganized to an organized sector, Brick & Bolt has been setting new standards for transparency, efficiency, and quality in the construction industry. Since its inception, the brand has already completed construction of a total of 7.54 million sq ft., and 7,000 happy customers across top-tier metros like Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Mysore. Registering a consistent growth rate of 2X year on year, Brick & Bolt is now set to expand its presence across 25 cities and achieve a target of 35,000 units over the next five years. "We are honoured to be recognized as the 'Most Trusted Tech-Enabled Construction Company' by ETNOW," said Jayesh Rajpurohit, Co-Founder and CEO of Brick & Bolt. "This award is a recognition of the entire team's efforts and a motivation to drive a transformative change in the home construction sector. It reinforces our belief and empowers our mission to redefine the construction experience by addressing issues related to transparency, efficiency and timely completion of projects, without any compromise on quality - the main challenges that plot owners have faced for decades." Adding to this, Arpit Rajpurohit, Co-Founder & CTO, noted, "Our commitment to leveraging technology allows us to offer homes that are not only innovative but also deliver exceptional comfort and efficiency. Our efforts to leverage machine learning for design and predictability, ensure homeowners can build their dream homes without delays, compromises, or hassles This award is a testament to our efforts and rigorous research of the highest standards." The ETNOW Business Conclave & Awards 2025 brings together top industry leaders, innovators, and visionaries to celebrate excellence in business across various sectors. Brick & Bolt's recognition as the 'Most Trusted Tech-Enabled Construction Company' further solidifies its position as a leader in the construction tech space. Founded in 2018 Brick & Bolt is driving an innovative Build-Your-Home approach that has customer experience at its core. Headquartered in Bengaluru, Brick & Bolt offers a comprehensive range of services for plot owners that include end-to-end project management, design, construction, and after-service support. This tech-enabled perspective has given Brick & Bolt a definite edge. Key Features of Brick & Bolt's Success: * Unique Value Proposition: 6,000+ customisable floor plan options to help property owners build their own home/ office space * State of Art Tech-enabled operations: From design and execution to project completion, Brick & Bolt offers a complete solution for residential and commercial projects using 16+ applications for utmost customer satisfaction. This ensures world-class designs, project management and customer-oriented monitoring mechanisms for all our projects. * Money Safety: Brick & Bolt guarantees 100% money safety through the secure ESCROW Model for customers to ensure financial security * Absolute Transparency: Brick & Bolt uses AI-enabled solutions to ensure a transparent workflow that allows customers, construction partners and the management team to get real-time updates and interact, making the construction process highly transparent and efficient * Zero Delays: Daily tracking, automated task management and corrective measures in line with our Zero-tolerance approach towards delays make it yet another successful use of technology to bring efficiency and build trust * Assured Quality Control: Brick & Bolt maintains 3 levels of auditing with 470+ quality checks on every project through its trademarked Quality Assessment System (QASCON) for a transparent, quality superior construction experience * Team of experts: Brick & Bolt takes its commitment to quality and timely deliveries very seriously and their construction partners are the backbone of this system. A Brick & Bolt partner comes with a mandatory 10-plus years of industry experience. They also undergo strict scrutiny and thorough background checks before coming on board. Brick & Bolt continues to push the boundaries of innovation by integrating advanced technology into every stage of the construction process. With machine learning applied to over 6,000+ floor plans, the company has optimized critical design elements such as room sizing, Vastu compliance, and structural efficiency. This emphasis on technology and research ensures every home exceeds industry standards for quality and efficiency. To further enhance customer convenience, the company will introduce an advanced construction cost estimator, integrating variables like materials, labour, and timelines for accurate budgeting and planning, which will eventually make construction predictable at every step. With its innovative approach, Brick & Bolt is not just building homes but creating a trusted ecosystem that transforms how construction is perceived and executed in India. By blending technology with human expertise, the company ensures that every milestone--be it the launch of a new Experience Centre or the execution of a specialised project--aligns seamlessly with its mission to bring transparency, efficiency, and delight to every customer interaction. For more information, please visit www.bricknbolt.com About Brick & Bolt Brick & Bolt is transforming the construction industry with innovative technology and a focus on quality and sustainability. Brick & Bolt has redefined the construction experience by offering comprehensive services from design to execution and ensuring seamless delivery. With tailored solutions for residential dwellings, commercial spaces, and large projects, Customer Satisfaction is at the heart of Brick & Bolt. Committed to building better structures, Brick & Bolt provides 6,000+ customisable floor plan options, 100% money safety with an ESCROW payment mechanism, and three levels of auditing with 470+ quality checks on every project via the trademarked Quality Assessment System - QASCON. Currently, Brick & Bolt has catered to over 7,000 units in 10+ cities, including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mysuru, Pune, Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, and Faridabad, with plans to expand to additional cities. With a focus on quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction, Brick & Bolt is poised to become the go-to choice for quality construction. Brick & Bolt was founded in 2018, by Jayesh Rajpurohit (Cofounder-CEO and an IIT Roorkee alumnus with 22+ years of experience) and Arpit Rajpurohit (Cofounder - CTO and a VIT, Vellore alumnus with 12+ years of experience). (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.) NewsVoir New Delhi [India], March 19: The Global Heat & Cooling Forum, organized in partnership with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Department of Science and Technology (DST) and The World Bank Group by the NRDC, concluded today in New Delhi after two days of solution-driven deliberations, discussions on partnership opportunities, and sharing commitments to build climate-resilient communities and to accelerate sustainable cooling solutions. The Forum brought together government officials at the national and state level, policymakers, academics, climate practitioners, civil society and media to address the tackling of extreme heat and sustainable cooling as interconnected issues. Addressing the forum in his Keynote address, Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Hon'ble Minister of State for Rural Development and Communication, said, "Heat is not just a climate issue. It is a humanitarian crisis. Promoting energy efficient cooling systems and prioritizing vulnerable communities will enable India to build a cooler, more sustainable and resilient future." The minister highlighted the importance of embracing both innovation and traditional knowledge systems, such as millet farming, water tanks, and clay homes, which have enabled rural communities to adapt to extreme heat. "Our policies must learn from these practices to create scalable, equitable solutions for a warming world," he added. Recognizing India's diverse climatic contexts and increasing vulnerability to extreme heat, the forum centered on three strategic pillars: driving scalability of sustainable heat and cooling solutions, ensuring equitable access to thermal comfort for all and protecting communities from extreme heat. With India and the world facing increasing extreme heat events and growing cooling demands, the Forum served as a crucial platform for multi-stakeholder collaboration in aligning policy, technology, and financing to drive equitable climate-resilient solutions. Speaking at the event, Abhas Jha, Practice Manager, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management, South Asia Region, The World Bank, said, "India's heat burden will triple over this decade, even in a moderate heat scenario, as underlined by rising heatwaves and temperatures year-on-year. This is exacerbated by the high climate cost of cooling. India's response, in the form of the India Cooling Action Plan and Heat Action Plans, is commendable. However, we now must prioritize proactive, preventive and multisectoral solutions to addressing heating more equitably." A central theme of the forum was ensuring that low-income and marginalized communities have access to affordable and effective cooling solutions. Discussions underscored the importance of policy alignment, industry innovation, and financing partnerships to scale cooling interventions across India towards this objective. Moving beyond short-term relief, experts stressed the need for long-term resilience strategies, equitable access to cooling, and sustained investment. Treating heat as a structural development challenge requires proactive leadership, community-driven action, and data-informed solutions at all levels. Manish Bapna, President & CEO, NRDC, reinforced the commitment to work on these two issues synergistically, stating, "Addressing the twin, deeply interlinked crises of extreme heat and sustainable cooling requires bold and collective action, guided by equity and scalability. We must ensure that the most vulnerable communities--those disproportionately affected by climate change--have access to equitable and sustainable cooling solutions. This forum showcases how collaboration across governments, industries, and civil society can drive systemic change, advancing India's climate goals while safeguarding public health and protecting our most vulnerable populations." Hosted at Bharat Mandapam on March 17 and at The Imperial on March 18, Day 1 explored the interconnected nature of tackling extreme heat and sustainable cooling. Climate experts including Radhika Khosla, Associate Professor, University of Oxford; Roxy Mathew Koll, Climate Scientist, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology; Joy Shumake-Guillemot, Lead, WHO/WMO Joint Office for Climate and Health; and Amit Prothi, Director General, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, discussed the Heat-Cooling Paradox--where rising temperatures drive greater demand for cooling, but reliance on inefficient and non-renewable energy solutions further exacerbates climate change; intensifying heat stress. The session highlighted strengthening governance frameworks--from the national to local level --and multi-stakeholder partnerships as key to comprehensive and localiszed Heat Action Plans. The day concluded with insights from Saurabh Kumar, Vice President, India, Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet; Dr. Aakash Srivastava, Additional Director, National Program on Climate Change and Human Health, National Centre of Disease Control Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India; Sujata Saunik, Chief Secretary, Government of Maharashtra; Sandra Akua Akpene Adayemi Freitas, CEO, Sustainable Solutions for Africa; and Gaya Prasad, Deputy Director General (Rural Housing), Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, on empowering local communities and driving policy alignment to bolster resilience. Day 2 shifted focus to practical solutions and financing mechanisms, addressing equitable access to cooling, exploring passive cooling technologies, and nature-based solutions. Prof. Kristie Ebi, Center for Health and the Global Environment (CHanGE); University of Washington; Dr. Ronita Bardhan, Cambridge University; Melanie Slade, Senior Programme Manager, International Energy Agency; Shruti M. Deorah, Executive Director, India Energy & Climate Center (IECC) and Goldman School of Public Policy, University of California, Berkeley emphasized the economic and health impacts of extreme heat, particularly on vulnerable communities. Safi Ahsan Rizvi, Advisor, National Disaster Management Authority, NDMA; Aaran Patel, Executive Director, Climate, The Nand & Jeet Khemka Foundation; Deepak Singh, Lead Disaster Risk Management Specialist at The World Bank; Nidhi Upadhyaya, Deputy Director for Global Policy and Finance, Climate Resilience Center, Atlantic Council; and Sandeep Jain, Chief Financial Officer, Bajaj Finance Limited highlighted scalable financing models to support heat resilience efforts, with case studies showcasing successful funding mechanisms in the Global South. Their session concluded with insights from Daniel P Schrag, Professor, Harvard Department of Earth, on effective communication and storytelling, reinforcing the need for community engagement and sustained investment in climate resilience. Building on the momentum of the Forum, NRDC, NDMA, DST and The World Bank will work on a follow up consultation with national and state stakeholders to provide advice and support the development and implementation of integrated solutions to the dual challenges of extreme heat and sustainable cooling, based on ideas that evolved from the March 2025 Global Heat and Cooling Forum. NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international non-profit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC's India Program on Climate Change and Clean Energy, launched in 2009 and registered as an independent organization in 2022, works with local partners to help build a low-carbon, sustainable economy. www.nrdc.org X: @NRDC The Global Heat & Cooling Forum aims to convene key stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and non-governmental organizations to explore practical strategies for addressing the global challenge of securing much broader protection from extreme heat through sustainable cooling solutions. For Hindi press release, please click here. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) ATK New Delhi [India], March 19: Investing in mutual funds is a great way to grow wealth, but understanding returns is equally important. While many investors look at absolute returns, the Extended Internal Rate of Return (XIRR) is a more accurate measure, especially for Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs). Since SIPs involve multiple investments at different times, calculating returns through XIRR provides a true picture of growth. This ensures better financial planning and helps in making informed decisions. So, how can investors ensure accurate XIRR calculations to maximise their returns? Let's find out. Five ways to ensure accurate XIRR calculation to maximise returns To get a true reflection of mutual fund returns, investors need to follow a systematic approach when calculating XIRR. Here are five key factors that help ensure accuracy and maximise returns: Include all cash flows When calculating XIRR, it is essential to include every single cash flow associated with the investment. This means adding all SIP contributions, any additional lump sum investments, and withdrawals (full or partial). Each transaction has an impact on the final return percentage and missing even one can distort the results. Investors should maintain a detailed record of their transactions and update them periodically to ensure that the calculation reflects the actual investment scenario. Use correct dates for transactions XIRR considers the time value of money, meaning that the timing of each investment and withdrawal significantly impacts the return. Recording incorrect dates, even by a few days, can alter the final return figure. It is crucial to track the exact dates on which SIP instalments, additional investments, or redemptions occur. If an investor receives dividends or makes any withdrawals, those must also be recorded with their precise transaction dates to avoid inaccuracies in the final XIRR calculation. Consider partial redemptions and dividend payouts Many investors overlook the impact of partial withdrawals and dividend payouts when calculating returns. However, these cash flows affect the overall investment performance. If an investor redeems part of their investment, that amount should be treated as an outflow in the XIRR calculation. Similarly, dividend payouts, whether reinvested or taken as cash, must be included in the computation. Ignoring these transactions can result in an overstated or understated return, leading to misleading investment decisions. Leverage SIP calculators and spreadsheets Calculating XIRR manually can be complex and prone to errors, making spreadsheet tools like Excel highly beneficial. Excel's built-in XIRR function allows investors to input cash flows and their respective dates to get an accurate rate of return. While most online SIP calculators do not directly calculate XIRR, they provide an easy way to estimate returns based on a fixed assumed growth rate. For a precise measure of SIP performance, investors can use spreadsheet-based XIRR calculations alongside SIP calculators to gain better financial insights and plan effectively. Compare XIRR with benchmark indices Just knowing the XIRR of an investment is not enough; it should be evaluated against relevant benchmarks like NIFTY 50 or Sensex. Benchmark comparison helps investors understand whether their mutual fund investments are performing well relative to the market. If the XIRR is significantly lower than the benchmark, it might indicate that the investment is underperforming, prompting the investor to reassess their portfolio. On the other hand, a higher XIRR suggests that the investment is yielding competitive returns, validating the investment strategy. Ending note For investors in mutual funds, XIRR provides a clearer picture of returns, especially in mutual fund investments made through SIPs. Ensuring accurate calculation requires tracking all transactions, maintaining correct dates, including partial redemptions, and using reliable tools. By following these steps, investors can better analyse their portfolio performance and make informed decisions to maximise returns. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by ATK. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) SMPL New Delhi [India], March 19: The Moscow Fashion Week, held in the Russian capital from March 13 to 18, reaffirmed its prominent position in shaping new global trends within the fashion industry. This esteemed international showcase consistently serves as a platform for emerging brands, offering them extensive support, while also attracting renowned designers whose participation not only validates their status but also solidifies their achievements within Moscow Fashion Week. The Moscow Fashion Week program showcased over 200 brands and 90 shows featuring designers from various countries including Russia, India, China, USA, South Africa, Ethiopia, and more. This diversity makes Moscow Fashion Week a dynamic platform for nurturing the fashion ecosystem, fostering knowledge sharing, and fostering collaborations that drive the industry forward. Renowned Indian designer Samant Chauhan, whose collection at Moscow Fashion Week garnered immense attention and was embraced with enthusiasm by fashion experts, aligns with this sentiment. "Major fashion weeks serve as powerful platforms to gain international exposure. Through runway shows, media coverage, and industry networking, our brand can reach new audiences, establish collaborations, and strengthen its presence in the global fashion landscape. Moscow Fashion Week, in particular, allows us to engage with a dynamic market and create meaningful connections", shared Samant Chauhan. Samant Chauhan holds significant prominence in the Indian fashion industry, while his brand has garnered international acclaim for its intricate and exquisite silk embroidery. Another Indian brand, CoEK - Khadi India, made a successful debut at Moscow Fashion Week, placing emphasis on the quality of materials and embodying the ethos of deliberate, sustainable fashion, which holds considerable significance in the rapidly evolving South Asian countries. The collective showcase of brands presented by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) emerged as a standout feature of Moscow Fashion Week. Russian brand Grushevaya unveiled a collection titled "Sepia," inspired by the look of old sepia-toned photographs. This enchanting showcase incorporated native Russian motifs, elegantly woven into billowy sleeves and dresses, along with blouses that featured distinctive draping across the chest and wide triangular cutouts at the necklines. The subdued color palette--featuring shades of chocolate, beige, and sandy tones--conveyed a weathered charm, reminiscent of vintage albums that preserve faded memories. The Moscow brand Alpe Cashmere draws inspiration from the Arctic, reflecting the region's cozy flowing silhouettes and a diverse array of textures that evoke the captivating landscapes of this cold yet breathtakingly beautiful area. The brand's collection integrates high-quality cashmere seamlessly with lightweight fabrics, creating an exquisite fusion. From long knitted cardigans to wool bombers and snug cashmere suits, the designs are crafted in the trendiest hues, including milk, gray, and burgundy. During this season, Moscow Fashion Week showcased a remarkable array of styles, countries, and fashion brands, effectively encapsulating their respective regions, traditions, and cultural nuances. The collections presented by Indian designers emerged as the standout feature of the event, unveiling fresh dimensions of the Indian fashion industry to a global audience and reinforcing its foothold in the international fashion landscape. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by SMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) Actor Jonathan Majors has expressed his willingness to reprise his role as Kang the Conqueror in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), despite being dropped by Marvel following his conviction on misdemeanour charges. As per Deadline, in an interview, Majors said that if Marvel were to call him to return to the role, he would accept without hesitation. "Yeah, of course, I say yes. Disney, Marvel Studios, I love them," Majors said. "I love the industry so much, and now I'm in the place where I can feel the love from them and actually express my love for them," he added. Majors played Kang the Conqueror in the 2023 film 'Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania' and was reportedly set to reprise his role in 'Avengers: The Kang Dynasty' before being dropped by Marvel. The actor's conviction on two misdemeanour counts of reckless assault and harassment led to Marvel reportedly distancing itself from the character. Instead, it opted to re-title the following Avengers films to 'Avengers: Doomsday' and focus on Doctor Doom, set to be played by Robert Downey Jr. According to Deadline, in another interview, Majors reiterated his willingness to return to Marvel, as well as his role as Damian 'Diamond Dame' Anderson in 'Creed III'. "Yes. Yes, to both," he said, adding, "The version of me that would come back to those places, though, would be different." Majors' 'Creed III' co-star, Michael B. Jordan, recently expressed his desire to work with Majors again, potentially paving the way for his return to the franchise. (ANI) You are here: China Five people were killed in an accident at an expressway construction site in Pingding County, north China's Shanxi Province, according to the county government on Tuesday. The accident occurred at 5:55 p.m. on Monday at the site of an expansion project in the Yexi section of the Taiyuan-Jiuguan Expressway, leaving five people trapped. Rescue teams from multiple departments managed to rescue all the trapped by 8:17 p.m. Monday, but they were confirmed dead at the scene. Further investigation and follow-up work are underway. As the holy month of Ramzan nears its end, one item that is flying off the shelves across the country is Siwai, a traditional delicacy without which Eid celebrations are nothing short of incomplete. To keep up with the growing demand, factories everywhere are working round the clock to ensure that the shelves are stocked with enough Sewai to satisfy the public's cravings for this time-honoured delicacy. Among the many varieties available, the most sought-after Siwai comes from Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, where thousands of kilograms are produced daily to meet the growing demand during the festive season. Among the many factories in the 'City of Nawabs' is the India Wheat Siwai factory, situated in the narrow lanes of Campwell Road. The factory is best known for its distinct texture and flavour. During the holy month, it produces between 2,000 and 2,500 kilograms of Sewai every day and supplies not only the local market but also various states across India. Mohd Unais, owner of one of the India Wheat Siwai factories, shared the intricate process behind the making of this traditional food item. According to Unais, the production begins with a simple mix of wheat and water, which is processed through machines to form the delicate strands of Sewai. These strands are then hung on wooden rods and dried in the open air, allowing them to retain the perfect texture. Once dried, the Sewai are baked in wooden furnaces to give them a unique flavour and aroma, making them stand out from other varieties available in the market. The production process requires skilled workers who carefully oversee each stage while ensuring that the Sewai retains its authentic taste. The prices of Lucknow Siwai range from Rs. 50 to Rs. 100 per kilogram, depending on the quality and packaging. Despite the price fluctuations, demand remains consistently high. Abdul Qayyum, from Muzaffarpur, Bihar, a customer at the factory, shared that he made two trips to the factory this Ramzan to purchase around 1,000 kilograms of Siwai for his family and community. "The taste and quality of Lucknow Siwai are unmatched. It's a tradition for us to have it during Eid, and I make sure to stock up," he said. With Eid just days away, Siwai factories in Lucknow are operating day and night to keep up with demand. The city's reputation as the best Sewai producer in India has attracted customers from across the country. (ANI) Actress Gal Gadot has made it clear that she prefers to keep her political views out of the spotlight, especially in light of the controversy surrounding the upcoming live-action 'Snow White' movie. In a recent interview with Variety, the Israeli star explained that following the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel, she made a conscious decision to refrain from discussing politics publicly. "I'm an artist. I want to entertain people," Gadot, shared, adding, "I want to bring hope and be a beacon of light whenever I say anything about the world." She continued by expressing that celebrity opinions on politics are often irrelevant to the public and said, "Because who cares about the celebrity talking about politics?" Her remarks come amid rising tensions surrounding the 'Snow White' remake, which she stars in as the Evil Queen. Alongside Gadot, actress Rachel Zegler portrays the titular princess, and according to People magazine, a source has claimed that their differing political views may be contributing to the tension between the two stars. The source told People magazine on March 14 that while Zegler, 23, and Gadot may not share many similarities, including their differing political ideologies, the two actresses remain professionally cordial. A source familiar with the situation explained that Gadot had never planned to attend the European premiere of 'Snow White' in Spain on March 12, noting that she was doing press in New York City instead. "This isn't like a 'stay away from me' situation," the source said, adding that both actresses had appeared together at the Oscars and would continue their joint promotional efforts in the near future. According to People magazine, the age gap between the two actresses and their distinct political views have also been highlighted as factors contributing to the reported tensions. Gadot, who served in the Israel Defense Forces, has been vocal in advocating for the release of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas. In contrast, Zegler has expressed support for Palestinians in the ongoing Gaza conflict. As per People magazine, in her conversation with Variety, Gadot reflected on the personal nature of her political views, citing her family history as a key reason for her strong stance on human rights. "I'm a grandchild of a Holocaust survivor who came to Israel and established his family from scratch after his entire family was erased in Auschwitz," she said, adding, "And on the other side of my family, I'm eighth-generation Israeli. I'm an indigenous person of Israel." Gadot also made it clear that her advocacy for Israeli hostages was driven by her belief in humanity. "I am all about humanity, and I felt like I had to advocate for the hostages," she said, per People magazine. She added, "I know what I'm advocating for, and I know what I wish for the world. I am praying for better days for all. I want everybody to have a good life and prosperity and the ability to raise their children in a safe environment." (ANI) Actor Jonathan Majors and actress Meagan Good have exchanged vows in a private ceremony, marking the first marriage for Majors, 35, and the second for Good, 43. According to E! News, the couple, who began dating in May 2023, got married after nearly two years of romance. They first met in October 2022 at the Ebony Power 100 Gala, where they also announced their engagement the following year. Good, who was previously married to DeVon Franklin from 2012 to 2022, has been open about the impact Majors has had on her life. "This relationship has taught me about unconditional love," she said in an earlier interview, according to People magazine. "What it means to be loved in the fullness of who you are and to love someone who brings out the best in you," she added. Majors, who has also spoken publicly about the challenges he faced during their romance, including a highly publicized arrest and subsequent guilty verdict, credited Good with being a source of support during that time. "I'm really blessed," he told Good Morning America in January 2024, adding "I'm surrounded by people who love me, who care about me." On the work front, Jonathan Majors has also expressed his willingness to reprise his role as Kang the Conqueror in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), despite being dropped by Marvel following his conviction on misdemeanour charges. As per Deadline, in an interview, Majors said that if Marvel were to call him to return to the role, he would accept without hesitation. "Yeah, of course, I say yes. Disney, Marvel Studios, I love them," Majors said. "I love the industry so much, and now I'm in the place where I can feel the love from them and actually express my love for them," he added. Majors played Kang the Conqueror in the 2023 film 'Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania' and was reportedly set to reprise his role in 'Avengers: The Kang Dynasty' before being dropped by Marvel. The actor's conviction on two misdemeanour counts of reckless assault and harassment led to Marvel reportedly distancing itself from the character. Instead, it opted to re-title the following Avengers films to 'Avengers: Doomsday' and focus on Doctor Doom, set to be played by Robert Downey Jr. According to Deadline, in another interview, Majors reiterated his willingness to return to Marvel, as well as his role as Damian 'Diamond Dame' Anderson in 'Creed III'. "Yes. Yes, to both," he said, adding, "The version of me that would come back to those places, though, would be different." Majors' 'Creed III' co-star, Michael B. Jordan, recently expressed his desire to work with Majors again, potentially paving the way for his return to the franchise. (ANI) Actor and producer Ryan Reynolds has asked a court to dismiss Justin Baldoni's legal claims against him, saying the actor cannot sue him over "hurt feelings." Reynolds, who is married to Blake Lively, was accused in the lawsuit of insulting and abusing Baldoni by using the character of "Nicepool" in 'Deadpool & Wolverine' to ridicule her "woke feminist" reputation, reported Variety. In a motion to dismiss, Reynolds' lawyers did not dispute that Nicepool is based on Baldoni but said that Baldoni had shown "thin-skinned outrage" by complaining about it. Lively, who filed a lawsuit against Baldoni in December, has accused the director of sexual harassment and retaliation on the set of the 2024 film. Baldoni, in turn, sued her and Reynolds, alleging that they were trying to destroy his career with false allegations. In the lawsuit, Baldoni alleged that Reynolds had berated him for allegedly "fat shaming" Lively, reported Variety. He also accused Reynolds of calling him a "sexual predator" and of pressuring his agency, WME, to drop him as a client, as per the outlet. In the motion to dismiss, Reynolds' lawyers argued that that is not defamation if Reynolds genuinely believes it. The "allegations suggest that Mr Reynolds genuinely, perhaps passionately, believes that Mr Baldoni's behaviour is reflective of a 'predator,'" the motion states. "(T)he law establishes that calling someone a 'predator' amounts to constitutionally protected opinion... While Mr Baldoni 'may not appreciate being called' a predator, those hurt feelings do not give rise to legal claims." The motion argues that Reynolds was not making a provably false statement of fact, but was merely offering his "unabashed negative opinion of Mr Baldoni's character," reported Variety. "Mr Reynolds has a First Amendment right to hold Mr Baldoni -- or any man who Mr Reynolds believes sexually harassed his wife -- in 'deep disdain,'" the motion states. "It is, in essence, a burn book filled with grievances attempting to shame Mr Reynolds for being the kind of man who is 'confident enough to listen' to the woman in his life and to hold her 'anguish and actually' stand with her," the complaint stated, reported Variety. (ANI) On the occasion of veteran Telugu actor Mohan Babu's birthday, the makers of 'Kannappa' dropped the Mahadeva Shastri's intro song. Actor Vishnu Manchu called the track a "heartfelt tribute" for his father's birthday. Sung by Javed Ali, penned by Shekhar Asthitva, and composed by Stephen Devassy, the track captures the power and majestic aura of Mohan Babu's character, Mahadeva Shastri. Vishnu Manchu posted on his Instagram stories. The film seamlessly combines powerful action sequences with emotional beats, making it a cinematic spectacle that promises to captivate audiences worldwide. Vishnu Manchu talked about the track released on his father's birthday, "My father has always been larger than life -- not just to me, but to millions who admire his towering presence and commitment to cinema," he said in a statement shared in the press release. The actor added, "It felt only right to unveil Mahadeva Shastri's Intro Song today, a track that radiates the same fierce energy and commanding force that he brings to every role. Javed Ali's powerful voice, coupled with Stephen Devassy's masterful composition, makes this song more special. As we celebrate his birthday, this song is my heartfelt tribute -- a musical embodiment of his strength and relentless passion for storytelling. Happy Birthday, Nanna! May your fire continue to inspire us all." Earlier, the makers released the teaser of the epic film. The cast features Vishnu Manchu, Mohan Babu, Akshay Kumar, Prabhas, Mohanlal, and Kajal Aggarwal. The teaser initially showcased to the media in Mumbai, introduces viewers to the powerful world of Kannappa, a retelling of the legendary devotee's journey. From the very first frame, it is clear that this film will be an intense blend of mythology, devotion, and high-octane drama. Vishnu Manchu takes center stage as Thinnadu, a fearless warrior who transforms into Lord Shiva's ultimate devotee. Akshay Kumar appears in the role of Lord Shiva, adding his divine presence to the tale. Mohanlal plays Kirata, while Prabhas makes a memorable entry as Rudra. The teaser also features brief yet impactful glimpses of Kajal Aggarwal and Preity Mukhundhan, further adding to the star power. Director Mukesh Kumar Singh shared his vision for the film in a press note and said, "Kannappa is more than just a story; it is a tribute to faith, devotion, and the power of transformation. Every frame has been meticulously crafted to bring this legendary tale to life in a way that resonates with modern audiences while staying true to its roots. We are excited for the world to experience the grandeur of Kannappa." Produced by M Mohan Babu, 'Kannappa' is set to redefine mythological storytelling with its cutting-edge technology and breathtaking visuals. The film is slated for a worldwide release on April 25, 2025. (ANI) The film fraternity is celebrating astronaut Sunita Williams's safe return to Earth after an intense space mission. Celebrities took to their social media handles to express their joy at the safe return of Sunita Williams. Shilpa Shetty posted a video on Instagram Story and wrote, "Prayers answered finally...So happy you are safe, back home and smiling." Anupam Kher also posted a picture on Instagram of Sunita Williams. "Welcome home dearest #SunitaWilliams. Iss Dharti pr hamesha aapka swagat hai. Aap mahan hai. Jai ho!" https://www.instagram.com/p/DHYkPVFC6v3/ Karisma Kapoor celebrated the moment by dropping a video on Instagram Story with white heart and clap emojis. Anil Kapoor took a moment to welcome back Sunita Williams on Earth. He penned an adorable note, "And the stars have finally descended on Earth!" Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended a warm welcome to Sunita Williams on Wednesday after her return from the extended space expedition aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft as part of NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 mission. In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Welcome back, Crew9! The Earth missed you. Theirs has been a test of grit, courage and the boundless human spirit. Sunita Williams and the #Crew9 astronauts have once again shown us what perseverance truly means. Their unwavering determination in the face of the vast unknown will forever inspire millions," PM Modi also hailed those who worked tirelessly to ensure Williams' safe return, saying that they "have demonstrated what happens when precision meets passion and technology meets tenacity." "Space exploration is about pushing the limits of human potential, daring to dream, and having the courage to turn those dreams into reality. Sunita Williams, a trailblazer and an icon, has exemplified this spirit throughout her career. We are incredibly proud of all those who worked tirelessly to ensure their safe return. They have demonstrated what happens when precision meets passion and technology meets tenacity," he added. NASA Crew-9 astronauts Sunita Williams, Nick Hague, Butch Wilmore, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov breathed Earth's air for the first time in over nine months on Wednesday after the successful splashdown of SpaceX's Dragon capsule in the Gulf of America off the coast of Florida. The astronauts disembarked the capsule on stretchers, as is customary, CNN reported. SpaceX takes this precaution for all astronauts returning from long-duration space missions.NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov have been in space since September 2024. However, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams had been away much longer--their journey began last June. Initially expected to last just a week, their mission was extended to more than nine months due to issues with their Boeing Starliner capsule, which delayed their return. (ANI) Scientists have carefully examined somatic mutations in stomach lining tissue to uncover mutational mechanisms that can lead to cancer. The scientists also discovered evidence of a possible new cause of stomach cancer, which warrants further investigation. Researchers at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, the University of Hong Kong, and their collaborators sequenced the whole genomes of normal stomach lining samples from people with and without gastric cancer. The team found that despite regular exposure to the acidic contents of the stomach, the gastric lining is protected from any toxic effects. They discovered that cells with 'driver' mutations in cancer genes occupy almost 10 per cent of the gastric lining by age 60. Plus an unusual discovery that some individuals, but not all, had mutations resulting in three copies of certain chromosomes, hinting towards exposure to an unknown mutagen. The results add to a map of mutations in normal tissue from the gastrointestinal tract. This work enables researchers to explore fundamental mutational processes, compare mutation rates across the body, and further understand the earliest stages of cancer development. Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, is the fifth most common cancer worldwide, with nearly one million new cases in 2022.1 It is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally,2 with the highest number of cases in East Asia and South America. Factors that increase the risk of developing stomach cancer include being overweight, smoking and infection with the bacterium, Helicobacter pylori, which can trigger inflammation and stomach ulcers. H. pylori infection causes around 40 per cent of stomach cancers in the UK. The stomach contents are acidic, as it acts as a reservoir at the first stage of processing food for digestion. The layer of cells that line the stomach - the gastric epithelium - form gastric glands, or pits, and these contain the cells that can give rise to stomach cancer. The cells in our body acquire genetic changes, known as somatic mutations, throughout our lifetime. With new DNA sequencing technologies, researchers can now analyse these mutations in normal tissues and trace them back over time, providing insights into ageing and the earliest stages of cancer development. In a new study, Sanger Institute researchers and their collaborators set out to investigate somatic mutations within the gastric epithelium to explore the transition between normal age-related mutations, and those that go on to form stomach cancer. The team sequenced the whole genomes of 238 samples of normal, non-cancerous gastric gland tissue from the stomachs of 30 people from Hong Kong, the United States and the UK, of whom 18 had gastric cancer and 12 did not.4 With laser capture microdissection, they used a laser to precisely dissect individual cells, or glands, from the stomach lining samples for genome sequencing. The researchers found that despite regular exposure to the acidic contents of the stomach, mutations in normal gastric glands were generated at a similar rate to most cells of the body. This suggests the cells in the gastric epithelium are protected against any toxic effects of the acidic stomach contents. However, in people with gastric cancer, some of the glands from the normal, non-cancerous stomach lining showed changes under the microscope that resembled the early stages of transitioning to cancer. These normal glands had increased numbers of mutations, which may have contributed to initiating gastric cancer. In the cancerous tissue, numbers of mutations were much higher, showing that gastric cancers massively accelerate mutations later during their development. An unusual finding was that some of the stomach lining cells carried three copies of certain chromosomes - chromosomes 13, 18 and 20 - known as trisomy. This has not been seen in other tissues in previous studies, suggesting it is unique to the stomach. Trisomies were found multiple times in some of the individuals, but not present in others. This implies these individuals may have been exposed to an unknown, external mutagen. The team also found that 'driver' mutations5 in cancer genes, many of which are known to be mutated in gastric cancer, occupy almost 10 per cent of the stomach lining by age 60. This proportion increases when patients experience severe chronic inflammation, a known risk factor for gastric cancer. Therefore this provides a question for further research into the mechanism by which chronic inflammation increases the risk of gastric cancer. Dr Tim Coorens, first author previously at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and now at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, said, "By studying somatic mutations in normal tissues, which we acquire over our lifetimes, we can explore the earliest stages of cancer development. We found that despite constant exposure to acidic stomach contents, the stomach lining is protected. However in those with gastric cancer, we see higher numbers of mutations in normal cells, resembling the earliest stages of stomach cancer. This research adds to a mutation map of the gastrointestinal tract, including the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine and colon, to compare mutation rates and mutational processes across the body." Professor Suet Yi Leung, co-lead author at the University of Hong Kong shared, "We discovered an unusual phenomenon, where some individuals had three copies of certain chromosomes - known as trisomy - whereas others did not. We've not seen this in any other tissue, and it hints towards an unknown, external mutagen that only some of these people may have been exposed to." Professor Sir Mike Stratton, co-lead author at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, said, "Ten years ago, we knew very little about the fundamental processes of mutations that are occurring in our bodies. Now with advanced genome sequencing technologies, we can investigate somatic mutations in all cell types, across various normal tissues. This enables us to look back at the evolution of our cells over a lifetime, to understand the key mutational processes that can lead to cancer. At the Sanger Institute we are leading the way in investigating the causes and consequences of somatic mutations, and exploring the possibility that somatic mutations may also contribute to diseases other than cancer." (ANI) Taking to social media X, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia wrote, "The unfortunate incident of a boat full of devotees capsizing at Matatila Dam in Shivpuri is extremely sad. I have spoken to the Shivpuri Collector and Superintendent of Police regarding the accident and got information about the current situation." https://x.com/JM_Scindia/status/1902022344773943650 A boat carrying devotees to Siddh Baba temple capsized at the dam, leaving seven people, including three women, missing. Eight others managed to escape safely. Shivpuri Superintendent of Police Aman Singh Rathore confirmed that a search and rescue operation is underway. Scindia went on to mention that he had spoken with the Shivpuri Collector and Superintendent of Police to gather information on the ongoing situation. He further added, "Also, the NDRF and SDRF teams are continuously working for the immediate rescue of the people missing due to drowning in the river. I pray to God that all the missing devotees are safe and their families get strength in this difficult time." Authorities continue their efforts to locate the missing individuals. Further details are awaited. (ANI) Union Minister Prahlad Joshi on Tuesday assured that the Maharashtra government is taking strict action against those responsible for the recent violence in Nagpur, which led to widespread unrest in parts of the city. Speaking on the situation, Joshi said, "Govt is handling the situation very well and such things should not happen... It is not about this party or that party, whoever has done wrong, Maharashtra govt is taking action against them." Several other Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs have also condemned the violence that broke out in Nagpur over the demands to remove Aurangzeb's grave. BJP MP Ashok Chavan said that the "sad incident" has been brought under control and that the truth "will come out after investigation." "This is a sad incident. Police have brought the situation under control, but it is not right to have communal riots on such issues in the country, it is not right in a progressive state like Maharashtra. The government has brought the entire situation under control. Police have detained many people. The truth will come out after investigation," Chavan told ANI. Earlier today, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde appealed to the people to maintain peace in the state and said that the police are investigating if the incident was a "pre-planned conspiracy." "The incident which occurred in Nagpur is unfortunate. Police are investigating if this was a pre-planned conspiracy. Four DCP level officers were injured in this incident. The CM is reviewing the situation. Police have said that many people came from outside. Petrol bombs were also hurled. It is unfortunate that the Police were also attacked. Strict action will be taken in this incident. I appeal to all to maintain peace," Eknath Shinde told reporters. A curfew was imposed in multiple areas of Nagpur city under Section 163 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) following tensions over the demand to remove Aurangzeb's grave. The restrictions will be in until further notice read an official notification by Nagpur Commissioner of Police Ravinder Kumar Singal. The curfew applies to police station limits in Kotwali, Ganeshpeth, Tehsil, Lakadganj, Pachpaoli, Shantinagar, Sakkardara, Nandanvan, Imamwada, Yashodharanagar, and Kapilnagar. (ANI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday laid the foundation stone for a 50-bed Critical Care Block at SM Dev Civil Hospital in Silchar in a move to strengthen healthcare facilities in the city. It may be noted that the critical care block, covering 6,335 sqm, will have ground plus four stories. The facility is expected to enhance critical care with an ICU, Operation Theatre, isolation wards, and pediatric care unit to cater to the diverse needs of the patients. The project cost of the critical care block is estimated to be Rs 24 crore. During his day-long tour, Chief Minister Sarma also laid the foundation of New Circuit House, Silchar. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Dr Sarma said that both projects will further accelerate Cachar's growth in the coming days, both in healthcare and infrastructure. He also said that the State government plans to set up a 200-bed new hospital in Silchar. Moreover, to ease traffic congestion in Silchar, the government has planned to construct a flyover in the town. MP Parimal Suklabaidya, Minister PHE Jayanta Mallabaruah, Minister Barak Valley Development Department etc, Kaushik Rai, Veterinary and Animal Husbandry etc, Minister Krishnendu Paul, MLAs Mihir Kanti Shome, Dipayan Chakraborty, Nihar Ranjan Das, Bijay Malakar and host of other dignitaries were present on the occasion. Earlier, Assam CM attended the centenary celebration of Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama and the inauguration of the newly built universal temple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhamsadeva at Silchar in Cachar district, confirmed an official statement. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was one of the greatest spiritual luminaries born in India who made profound contributions to our society. "Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa not only enriched our Sanatana civilization but also provided timeless wisdom to the world at large," Sarma said. The Chief Minister said that the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission have initiated a universal spiritual movement that has been quietly fostering humanity's spiritual renewal for over a century. (ANI) Li Xiaopeng, former Party chief and chairman of China Everbright Group, was on Tuesday sentenced by a court to 15 years in prison for accepting bribes. Li was also fined 6 million yuan (about 831,000 U.S. dollars), and all his illegal gains will be recovered and turned over to the state treasury, according to the verdict by the Intermediate People's Court of Daqing City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Li was found to have taken advantage of his various posts at institutions such as the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and the China Everbright Group to assist others in matters such as loan credit, corporate financing and business contracting. In return, he accepted money and gifts worth over 60.43 million yuan. Taking into account mitigating factors, such as Li's truthful confession after his arrest and the recovery of all his illicit assets and proceeds, the court handed down a lenient sentence. The birds, known for their striking pink plumage, are here to breed and feed, taking advantage of the region's rich resources. From October to March, the coastal town's salt pans become an ideal feeding ground for flamingos. Greater flamingos migrate to Thoothukudi from various parts of Africa, southern Asia, the Middle East, and southern Europe. Flamingos are attracted to the area because of the availability of food sources like crab, shrimp, insects, worms, and tubers. The Alayathi Forest near Tuticorin Beach Road is a known nesting ground for these birds. In addition to the plentiful food, the region's climate and tranquil coastal environment offer perfect breeding conditions. The favourable climate and peaceful coastal environment further enhance Thoothukudi's appeal as a perfect habitat for these birds. Flamingos are particularly attracted to the salt pans along the East Coast Road, where they can be seen in large numbers. The combination of plentiful food and a serene atmosphere makes Thoothukudi an essential destination for flamingos during their migratory journey. These winged visitors, with their extraordinarily long and sinuous necks, slender pink legs, cup-shaped beaks and white bodies laced with scarlet and black shades on the flanks, were seen wading through the shallow waters in Thoothukudi. Earlier this month, Maharashtra's Navi Mumbai also transformed into a pink wonderland as thousands of flamingos flocked to the city. Each year, Navi Mumbai's wetlands undergo a breathtaking transformation as thousands of flamingos migrate to the region, painting the landscape with vibrant pink hues. The Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary, a vital ecological hotspot, serves as a welcoming haven for these majestic birds. As they arrive in search of food and a safe habitat, the sanctuary's mangrove forests, mudflats, and salt pans provide the perfect setting for the flamingos to thrive. (ANI) Flamingos are migratory birds, and their movement patterns depend on environmental conditions like food availability and temperature. Some species migrate seasonally, while others move in response to local climate changes, as seen in places like Thoothukudi. (ANI) The Defence Ministry has sanctioned Rs 100 crore for construction of a new Sainik School in Karbi Anglong district of Assam. The new Sainik School will be constructed at Langvoku in Karbi Anglong district. The Defence Ministry has released the amount of Rs 100 crore as grants-in-aid for construction of Sainik School building for the financial year 2024-25. This amount is released out of a total allocation of Rs 335.87 crore. Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for approving Rs 100 crore for the construction of Sainik School. "Heartfelt gratitude to @DefenceMinIndia for sanctioning Rs 100 Cr for the construction of a Sainik School at Langvoku, Karbi Anglong. This will greatly enhance quality education and discipline among our students. Special thanks to Hon'ble RM @rajnathsingh ji for the support! This amount is released out of a total allocation of Rs 335.87 crores," Pegu said on X. Deputy Speaker of Assam Legislative Assembly Numal Momin also expressed his heartfelt gratitude for sanctioning funds for the construction of the second Sainik School in Assam. In a post on X, Momin said, "A proud moment! Assam's 2nd Sainik School to be built in Langvoku, 108th Bokajan (S.T.) LAC. Grateful to leaders for this milestone in education & empowerment! #Assam @PMOIndia @CMOfficeAssam." In another development, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday attended the centenary celebration of Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama and the inauguration of the newly built universal temple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhamsadeva at Silchar in Cachar district, confirmed an official statement. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was one of the greatest spiritual luminaries born in India who made profound contributions to our society. "Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa not only enriched our Sanatana civilization but also provided timeless wisdom to the world at large," Sarma said. On the occasion, the Chief Minister offered deep reverence to Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and extended greetings to Swami Ganadhishananda, the Secretary of Ramakrishna Mission Sevashram and everybody associated with the institution. He also announced that the State Government will provide Rs 5 crore to the Hospital of the Ramakrishna Mission Sevashram (Ma Sarada Charitable Dispensary) and another Rs 4 crore to repay the outstanding debt for the construction of the Universal Temple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhanshadeva at Silchar. (ANI) Haryana Labour Minister Anil Vij has defended his "Hoodgardi" remarks against former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, saying that if a prominent personality does something "wrong", it would be attributed to him with his name. He said that members in the Haryana legislative assembly raised issues invoked by the High Court, which highlighted recruitment issues during the tenure of the Congress government in the state. Slamming the opposition for creating a ruckus over his remarks, Vij said that the opposition had "little knowledge" and "no sense of language." "There is no argument. The opposition has limited knowledge. They don't have a sense of language. Today in the House, members raised the issue that yesterday, the High Court made a decision on how jobs were distributed by ignoring talent during the rule of the previous Congress government. That issue was raised in the House, it was discussed, and nothing wrong happened," Vij told ANI. "I will break the topic, agar koi gunda galat kaam kare to use gundagardi kehte hai...lekin agar koi amukh vyakti (ABCD) koi galat kaam kare to usko ABCD-gardi kaha jaa sakta hai," the Haryana minister said. In the assembly yesterday, Vij said, "You do the sandhi viched, if a gunda does it, it would be called gundagardi. If Hooda sahab does it, it would be called Hoodagardi. What is wrong with this? You have no knowledge of words. It is not unparliamentary." His remarks created a huge ruckus in the Haryana assembly, which led to the speaker chair expunging his statement from the official record. Earlier, Vij termed this year's state budget, which was presented by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday, as "futuristic." Speaking to ANI, Vij said that the budget has been prepared keeping in mind Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a developed India. He further claimed that the budget had been prepared after studying eleven thousand suggestions. (ANI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed his pride and admiration for NASA's Space Crew-9 mission, celebrating the safe return of astronaut Sunita Williams and her fellow crew members. Taking on social media platform X, Singh lauded the astronauts' resilience and hailed their achievement as a milestone in human space exploration. "Delighted at the safe return of NASA's #Crew9 on earth! The crew comprising of India's daughter Sunita Williams and other astronauts have rewritten the history of human endurance and perseverance in Space," Singh wrote on X. The Defence Minister went on to praise Sunita Williams, calling her journey a testament to incredible strength and spirit. "Sunita Williams' incredible journey, unwavering dedication, fortitude and fighting spirit will inspire millions across the globe," he added. Williams' return, Singh said, marked a moment of celebration not only for space enthusiasts but for the entire world. Singh's message reflected the pride India feels for Williams' achievements, underscoring the impact of her work. He further extended his congratulations to the astronauts and expressed gratitude to the scientists, engineers, and all stakeholders involved in the mission's success. "Her courage and achievements make us all proud," Singh said, before extending his congratulations to the astronauts and expressing gratitude to all stakeholders involved in the mission's success. Meanwhile, the White House on Tuesday (local time) highlighted how US President Donald Trump prioritised the return of stranded NASA Crew-9 astronauts Sunita Williams, Nick Hague, Butch Wilmore, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. The White House stated that the astronauts had safely returned to the Gulf of America and credited Elon Musk with their safe return. "PROMISE MADE, PROMISE KEPT: President Trump pledged to rescue the astronauts stranded in space for nine months. Today, they safely splashed down in the Gulf of America, thanks to Elon Musk, SpaceX, and NASA!" Elon Musk congratulated the NASA and SpaceX teams on their successful return and thanked Trump for prioritising the mission. "Congratulations to the SpaceX and NASA teams for another safe astronaut return! Thank you to Donald Trump for prioritizing this mission, " Musk wrote. The Crew-9 mission was the fourth flight of the Dragon spacecraft named Freedom, which previously supported NASA's SpaceX Crew-4, Axiom Mission 2, and Axiom Mission 3. The spacecraft will now undergo inspection and refurbishment at SpaceX's Cape Canaveral facility for future missions. Crew-9's return follows the launch of NASA's SpaceX Crew-10, which docked with the station on March 16, beginning another long-duration mission. NASA's Commercial Crew Program aims to provide safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation to and from the International Space Station and low Earth orbit. The program increases research opportunities aboard the ISS, supporting NASA's broader goals of human exploration of the Moon and Mars, NASA added. (ANI) Senior Congress leader Harish Rawat on Wednesday morning urged the central government to remain receptive to the objections raised by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) over the proposed Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, saying that efforts must be made to reach a "minimum agreement". Referring to AIMPLB as an "umbrella organisation" representing minorities, Rawat said that their views must be taken "seriously" and minimum agreement must remain if there is a disagreement, where the minorities don't feel unheard. "The Muslim Personal Law Board is an umbrella organisation of the minorities. If it says something, it should be taken seriously. If something is done that the minorities don't agree with, we should try to reach at least a minimum agreement so that they don't feel unheard. The country must ensure an emotion of generosity instead of narrowness," Rawat, former Uttarakhand Chief Minister, told ANI. When asked about the reason behind opposition to the proposed amendment to Waqf law, the senior Congress leader said that there must be deliberations on this at the top level since the opposition to previous amendments to this law was also resolved earlier. He argued against "pushing them" as it would affect the country's global image. "They (people opposing the Waqf amendment bill) think the government wants to end Waqf properties and its independence. There have been amendments to this law before. The objections were raised and resolved earlier. Why the opposition is happening...this must be deliberated upon at the top level. The impression shouldn't be that we are pushing them. This affects our global image. Our enemies in our neighbour get strengthened with this," Rawat said. Earlier, the AIMPLB began their protest at the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, led by member Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas. He stated that it was a peaceful protest and that the administration should cooperate with them. He said that the government should not be afraid and listen to the voice of its people. "People were coming from many districts of UP and Haryana but now we have received information that their buses are being stopped. We believe that this is a very peaceful protest and the administration should support us in this. The government need not be afraid and they should listen to the voice of the people. If there is such a cowardly government that cannot listen to the voice of its people, then it has no right to rule", Ilyas said while addressing the protestors. AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi joined the protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. Owaisi, who was part of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf bill, alleged that the ruling party's amendments in the JPC report would lead to the dissolution of the Waqf Board. (ANI) The raids are underway at these locations in close coordination with police and security forces since morning based on specific inputs, officials said. The searches are being carried out at the hideouts of overground workers (OGWs) and hybrid terrorists. Premises of sympathizers and cadres of these organisations were also searched as part of the crackdown. NIA had registered the case (RC-04/2024/NIA/JMU) on directions from Ministry of Home Affairs, on October 24th based on information regarding the infiltration of active terrorists belonging to Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed into Indian Territory through the international Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC). These infiltrations were facilitated by OGWs and other terror associates based in villages in the Jammu region, who were engaged in providing logistical support, food, shelter, and money to the terrorists. Further investigation is underway. The anti-terror agency had conducted similar searches in November last year in connection with the case and seized various incriminating documents from the premises of the suspects. (ANI) Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) in Sambhal, Vandana Mishra, said that a team has been formed to determine when Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Zia-Ur-Rahman Barq's house was constructed. This comes amid allegations that SP MP Zia-Ur-Rahman Barq's house was built in the regulated area of Sambhal without proper permissions. The SDM said that construction work was being carried out without approval from the civic authorities, and the case was set for review on this date. SDM Vandana Mishra said the MP failed to present any proof during Tuesday's scheduled hearing to support his claim that the property does not belong to him or that it is not a newly constructed building. With no evidence from the defence, a team had been formed to assess the situation on the ground. This team will evaluate the age of the new construction, and their findings are expected to be submitted within three days. Speaking to ANI on Tuesday, Vandana Mishra said, "Today was the date in that case (carrying out construction work without getting the building map approved from civic authorities), but the SP MP's (Zia Ur Rehman) side did not present any evidence, nor any fact was presented which proves that it is not a new construction, nor any such proof was given which proves that this house belongs to someone else." "We have formed a joint team, and this team will go there and check how old the new construction is. They will submit the report within 3 days, and after that, we will take further action. The next date in this has been fixed as March 22," she said. Earlier, work of painting at the Jama Masjid in Uttar Pradesh' Sambhal began after the Allahabad High Court granted permission on March 12. Speaking to ANI, the contractor assigned by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to paint the Sambhal Jama Masjid stated that the work is likely to be completed within a week, and eight people have been engaged in it. "A total of eight people are at work. The work of painting has been started. We will finish the work within a week. We have been only directed to whitewash the mosque. The ASI has assigned us," he said. While hearing the case of the Sambhal Jama Masjid on March 12, the Allahabad High Court gave permission to whitewash the mosque from the outside and also decorate it with lights without tampering with anything. The next hearing in the case is on April 8. Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal mandated a panel consisting of ASI officials, a scientific expert, and a local administration representative to ensure the work was conducted without causing structural damage to the mosque. Earlier in February, the Uttar Pradesh police's SIT filed a charge sheet of over 4,000 pages in six of the 12 cases in the November 24 Sambhal violence that erupted during the ASI's examination of the Mughal-era mosque. The violence resulted in the deaths of four individuals and injuries to several others, including officials and locals. (ANI) Expressing admiration regarding NASA's Space Crew-9 mission, KTR said it was a testament to international collaboration in space exploration. "Congratulations to NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore, Suni Williams, Nick Hague, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov on their safe return! A remarkable mission and a testament to international collaboration in space exploration. Welcome home," KTR posted on X. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the astronauts' resilience and hailed their achievement as a milestone in human space exploration. "Delighted at the safe return of NASA's #Crew9 on earth! The crew comprising of India's daughter Sunita Williams and other astronauts have rewritten the history of human endurance and perseverance in Space," Singh wrote on X. The Defence Minister went on to praise Sunita Williams, calling her journey a testament to incredible strength and spirit. "Sunita Williams' incredible journey, unwavering dedication, fortitude and fighting spirit will inspire millions across the globe," he added. Williams' return, Singh said, marked a moment of celebration not only for space enthusiasts but for the entire world. The White House on Tuesday (local time) highlighted how US President Donald Trump prioritised the return of stranded NASA Crew-9 astronauts Sunita Williams, Nick Hague, Butch Wilmore, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. The White House stated that the astronauts had safely returned to the Gulf of America and credited Elon Musk with their safe return. "PROMISE MADE, PROMISE KEPT: President Trump pledged to rescue the astronauts stranded in space for nine months. Today, they safely splashed down in the Gulf of America, thanks to Elon Musk, SpaceX, and NASA!" Elon Musk congratulated the NASA and SpaceX teams on their successful return and thanked Trump for prioritising the mission. "Congratulations to the SpaceX and NASA teams for another safe astronaut return! Thank you to Donald Trump for prioritizing this mission, " Musk wrote. The Crew-9 mission was the fourth flight of the Dragon spacecraft named Freedom, which previously supported NASA's SpaceX Crew-4, Axiom Mission 2, and Axiom Mission 3. The spacecraft will now undergo inspection and refurbishment at SpaceX's Cape Canaveral facility for future missions. Crew-9's return follows the launch of NASA's SpaceX Crew-10, which docked with the station on March 16, beginning another long-duration mission. NASA's Commercial Crew Program aims to provide safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation to and from the International Space Station and low Earth orbit. The program increases research opportunities aboard the ISS, supporting NASA's broader goals of human exploration of the Moon and Mars, NASA added. (ANI) Poland's Secretary of State and Deputy Foreign Minister, Wladyslaw Teofil Bartoszewski said on Wednesday that the relationship between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, "may be helpful" at some stage of negotiating the end of the Russia-Ukraine war. He however clarified that he believes only United States President Donald Trump holds any leeway with President Putin, saying that it would be better to "one person and see what happens" "I think a mediator is welcomed, as much as (Russian) President Putin does talk to Prime Minister Modi so that may be at some stage very helpful, but at the moment I think who has any leeway with President Putin is President Trump, I think it is better to leave it for the time being to one person and see what happens," the polish minister told ANI. The comments by Bartoszewski were made on the sidelines of the Raisaina dialogue being held in New Delhi. When asked about the Israel-Gaza war, he condemned the recent airstrike of Israel in Gaza, calling for a ceasefire and an eventual two-state solution. "We as Poland believe in a two state solution there, and we would like ceasefire and peace negotiations and eventually leading to a two state solution for which we have been striving for decades, so it is a regrettable loss of life," he said. Earlier on March 18, the Polish deputy foreign minister said that PM Modi played a role in persuading the Russian President in not using nuclear weapons against Ukraine. Speaking to ANI, Bartoszewski stated that Putin had "threatened" to use tactical nuclear weapons on Ukrainian territory, but calls from India and China influenced his decision to reconsider. "President Putin was threatening to use tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of Ukraine. The Americans sent lots of messages for him to not think about it... That didn't necessarily persuade him at first. He received two phone calls- one from the President of China, Xi Jinping, and one from PM Modi, telling him that neither China nor India independently approve of the war," Bartoszewski said. Russia has also agreed to a temporary halt on striking energy infrastructure of Ukraine, after speaking with US President Donald Trump. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said they discussed key elements of a peace agreement and that the ceasefire process is now underway. Trump's post read, "My phone conversation today with President Putin of Russia was a very good and productive one. We agreed to an immediate Ceasefire on all Energy and Infrastructure, with an understanding that we will be working quickly to have a Complete Ceasefire and, ultimately, an END to this very horrible War between Russia and Ukraine. (ANI) Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh has announced that 500 government services will be made available through WhatsApp via Mana Mitra by June 30, as per an official release. All payments will be integrated into a single platform, and AI-powered chatbots will enable voice-based service requests, including bus ticket bookings and other essential services. Furthermore, WhatsApp services will be expanded to support multiple languages beyond English, Hindi, and Telugu. "So far, 77 endowment services have been launched through Mana Mitra. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to integrate TTD services into the platform within 30 days," the release read. Since January 2025, Mana Mitra has facilitated over 5.1 million transactions, benefiting 2.5 million citizens. Notably, students could download their hall tickets from home, eliminating the need for school visits. In the future, student results will also be sent via WhatsApp in real-time. By June 30, 2025, 500 government services will be available through Mana Mitra, with AI-powered automation and real-time feedback mechanisms. Business-related services (G2B) such as incentives and permissions will also be brought online for transparency. Lokesh said that governance should not be about offices and bureaucracy, but about delivering real services to people's pockets. The goal of Mana Mitra is to make government services instantly accessible to citizens. Within 100 days, Mana Mitra Version 2.0 will introduce AI-powered voice-enabled services, setting a new benchmark in global governance, the release read. Lokesh emphasized that Andhra Pradesh will remain a leader in digital governance, with lessons drawn from Estonia, UAE, and Singapore. Government teams will study international best practices to ensure Mana Mitra becomes the world's most advanced public service platform. Lokesh assured that all government services will be provided through WhatsApp (Mana Mitra), making this one of the most significant governance reforms in India. (ANI) Photo taken on July 21, 2019 from Xiangshan Mountain shows the Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taipei, southeast China's Taiwan. [Photo/Xinhua] Chinese mainland official Song Tao on Tuesday stressed that no individual or force will be allowed to split Taiwan from China, warning that "resolute actions will be taken" if separatist forces dare to cross the red line. Song, head of both the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks at a release ceremony for a book on the Taiwan question, which includes information on related policies and the development of cross-Strait relations. "Our determination to solve the Taiwan question and achieve national reunification is firm as rock," he said. Song said that the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is now on an irreversible historic course, adding that the goal of national reunification must and will be accomplished. Former ISRO Chief Dr G Madhavan Nair on Wednesday said that returning of National Aeronautics and Space Administration astronaut Sunita Williams to Earth after being stranded at the International Space Station for nine months is a "proud moment" for the Space community. "It is a proud moment for all of us in the Space community. It is a successful completion of a rescue operation that lasted nearly nine months. The operation was planned in a very great manner, though it took time, but it was a very precise operation. I congratulate the entire NASA team and SpaceX for this great achievement. Sunita Williams has roots in India, she has successfully returned to India. And the last interview she has given from Spacecraft indicates how healthy and confident she is," Nair told ANI. Regarding the health concerns, he said, "You know there is no gravitational force. The entire blood circulation system and the way muscle operates is different. Also, the study indicates the bone marrow, which is very important for the production of white cells, sometimes also deteriorates." Earlier today, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed his pride and admiration for NASA's Space Crew-9 mission, celebrating the safe return of astronaut Sunita Williams and her fellow crew members. Taking on social media platform X, Singh lauded the astronauts' resilience and hailed their achievement as a milestone in human space exploration. "Delighted at the safe return of NASA's #Crew9 on earth! The crew comprising of India's daughter Sunita Williams and other astronauts have rewritten the history of human endurance and perseverance in Space," Singh wrote on X. The Defence Minister went on to praise Sunita Williams, calling her journey a testament to incredible strength and spirit. "Sunita Williams' incredible journey, unwavering dedication, fortitude and fighting spirit will inspire millions across the globe," he added. Williams' return, Singh said, marked a moment of celebration not only for space enthusiasts but for the entire world. The Crew-9 mission was the fourth flight of the Dragon spacecraft named Freedom, which previously supported NASA's SpaceX Crew-4, Axiom Mission 2, and Axiom Mission 3. The spacecraft will now undergo inspection and refurbishment at SpaceX's Cape Canaveral facility for future missions. NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Sunita Williams, and Butch Wilmore, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, returned to Earth at 5:57 pm EDT. Teams aboard SpaceX recovery vessels retrieved the spacecraft and its crew. After returning to shore, the astronauts will travel to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston to reunite with their families. Crew-9's return follows the launch of NASA's SpaceX Crew-10, which docked with the station on March 16, beginning another long-duration mission. NASA's Commercial Crew Program aims to provide safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation to and from the International Space Station and low Earth orbit. The program increases research opportunities aboard the ISS, supporting NASA's broader goals of human exploration of the Moon and Mars, NASA added. (ANI) Following astronaut Sunita Williams' safe return from her extended mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), prominent Indian leaders have extended heartfelt messages of admiration and congratulations. Indian space agency ISRO's message, shared via social media website X, praised Williams for her remarkable achievement and acknowledged the collaborative efforts of American space agency NASA, Elon-musk led SpaceX, and the United States in advancing space exploration. "Welcome back, Sunita Williams! Your safe return after an extended mission aboard the ISS is a remarkable achievement. A testament to NASA, SpaceX, and the USA's commitment to space exploration!" the ISRO post read. "Your resilience and dedication continue to inspire space enthusiasts around the world. As Secretary DoS and Chairman ISRO, I on behalf of my colleagues extend a warm greeting to you and wish you a great day ahead" the post read ISRO furthe expressed its desire to collaborate with Williams in future space missions. "When Bharat under the leadership of Hon'ble PM Modi ji is working towards making India as a developed country, we wish to utilise your expertise in the space exploration," it said. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the astronauts' resilience and hailed their achievement as a milestone in human space exploration. "Delighted at the safe return of NASA's #Crew9 on earth! The crew comprising of India's daughter Sunita Williams and other astronauts have rewritten the history of human endurance and perseverance in Space," Singh wrote on X. Former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi party national convener Arvind Kejriwal also expressed his admiration, saying, "Welcome back to Earth, Sunita Williams. Your incredible 9-month journey in space has been truly inspiring. Your courage and dedication continue to ignite dreams across generations. The world celebrates your safe return and the knowledge you bring." In a similar vein, BRS MLA Harish Rao congratulated Williams, writing, "Welcome back, #SunitaWilliams and crew! Space travel is never easy, but true explorers like you embody the spirit of embracing the unknown. After spending nine long months in space, you've finally touched down safely. Although the journey lasted longer than planned, your resilience, patience, and adaptability inspire us all--a true testament to perseverance!" Earlier, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President KT Rama Rao on Wednesday morning congratulated National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronauts, including Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, on their safe return to earth. The Crew-9 mission was the fourth flight of the Dragon spacecraft named Freedom, which previously supported NASA's SpaceX Crew-4, Axiom Mission 2, and Axiom Mission 3. The spacecraft will now undergo inspection and refurbishment at SpaceX's Cape Canaveral facility for future missions. Crew-9's return follows the launch of NASA's SpaceX Crew-10, which docked with the station on March 16, beginning another long-duration mission. NASA's Commercial Crew Program aims to provide safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation to and from the International Space Station and low Earth orbit. The program increases research opportunities aboard the ISS, supporting NASA's broader goals of human exploration of the Moon and Mars, NASA added. (ANI) Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the BJP's victory in the elections to urban and panchayat bodies including municipal corporations in Chhattisgarh. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the party's victory a result of good governance, development, and trust. Speaking to the media, Chief Minister Deo Sai said, "I met PM Narendra Modi to inform him about the BJP's historic victory in the Nagar Nigam and Panchayati Raj elections (in Chhattisgarh). He called it a victory of good governance, development, and trust. He will visit Chhattisgarh on 30 March." Chief Minister said that an investment of Rs 3 lakh crores is being made into the state. "I also informed him about our government and security forces' fight against Naxalism and our success in establishing peace and order in the state. I also met Urban Development Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and discussed the development of the outer urban area (of Chhattisgarh) with him," said Deo Sai. The Chief Minister also mentioned that the Chhattisgarh cabinet will soon be expanded, and new appointments will be made in the Municipal board to enhance governance and development further. "An investment of Rs 3 lakh crores is being made into the state, and we discussed production in every sector of energy in the next 5-7 years in the state. The Chhattisgarh cabinet will also be expanded, and appointments will also be made on the municipal board, " he added. Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai met Prime Minister Narendra Modi today to discuss the state's development agenda in detail. During the meeting, the Chief Minister presented the master plan for Bastar's development, outlining the strategy to transform the Naxal-affected areas into hubs of infrastructure, industries, and tourism. The Prime Minister responded positively to the proposal and assured full support from the central government. CM Sai informed the Prime Minister that naxalism in Chhattisgarh is in its final phase. With coordinated security forces' strategies and public participation, significant transformation has been achieved in affected regions. The joint efforts of the police and central forces have brought development to several Naxal strongholds, strengthening public trust in government initiatives. The state government is now focused on positioning Bastar as a new industrial and economic centre, creating employment opportunities and improving the living standards of tribal communities. During the meeting, CM Sai also discussed the state's new industrial policy and the growing interest of investors. He highlighted that to facilitate investment, the government has implemented single-window clearance, tax incentives, and business-friendly policies, attracting major companies to Chhattisgarh. The Chief Minister emphasised women's empowerment and rural development as the government's top priorities. He stated that significant efforts are being made to promote self-employment initiatives, enabling rural women to become financially independent. As part of this initiative, self-help groups (SHGs) are being strengthened to provide women with sustainable economic opportunities. CM Sai also briefed the Prime Minister on the state government's initiatives to empower rural women in Bastar. He shared that thousands of women have gained financial independence and employment opportunities through SHGs focused on minor forest produce, organic farming, handloom, bamboo-based industries, and handicrafts. Additionally, efforts are underway to connect Bastar's women with production and marketing networks through startups and small-scale industries, enabling them to contribute to the state's economic growth. During the meeting, CM Sai shared details about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's proposed visit to Chhattisgarh on March 30. The visit will include the inauguration of several key development projects across the state. The Chief Minister also discussed preparations for the visit and updated the Prime Minister on the progress of various development initiatives in Chhattisgarh. (ANI) Andhra Pradesh Assembly Speaker Chintakayala Ayyannapatrudu on Wednesday extended a warm welcome to Sunita Williams after her return from the extended expedition in space on March 18 aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft as part of NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 mission. Speaking in the Assembly as part of the 14th-day budget session, Speaker Ayyannapatrudu stated, "Sunita Williams successfully returned to Earth early this morning. Having spent 286 days in space on this mission, this marks her third spaceflight, bringing her total time spent in space to 608 days, a remarkable achievement." The Speaker praised space exploration as an inspiration for all of humanity and commended Sunita Williams for her dedication to "scientific research, perseverance, and exceptional courage in facing extreme challenges, even at the risk of her life." He emphasized that such missions play a crucial role in the continuous progress of humankind. Earlier, NASA Crew-9 astronauts breathed earthly air for the first time in over nine months following the successful splashdown of SpaceX's Dragon capsule. The astronauts disembarked the capsule on stretchers, as is customary, CNN reported. This precaution is taken by SpaceX for all astronauts returning from long-duration space missions. NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 completed the agency's ninth commercial crew rotation mission to the International Space Station on Tuesday, splashing down safely in a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida, in the Gulf of America, according to a NASA statement. NASA Crew-9 astronauts Sunita Williams, Nick Hague, Butch Wilmore, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov breathed earthly air for the first time in over nine months on Wednesday after the successful splashdown of SpaceX's Dragon capsule. Delays caused by issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, which surfaced during a test flight piloted by Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams last summer, led to the astronaut duo remaining in space for nine months instead of a week, CNN reported. The Crew-9 mission was the fourth flight of the Dragon spacecraft named Freedom, which previously supported NASA's SpaceX Crew-4, Axiom Mission 2, and Axiom Mission 3. The spacecraft will now undergo inspection and refurbishment at SpaceX's Cape Canaveral facility for future missions. (ANI) Ahead of the budget session, Telangana Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu on Wednesday received warm welcome by state Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar and other officers. He will present the state budget for 2025-26. Earlier in the day, Mallu offered prayers at his residence in Praja Bhavan and proceeded to the Telangana assembly with the budget documents, where he received a warm welcome. State Legislative Affairs Minister Duddilla Sridhar Babu also congratulated him in the assembly hall. Earlier, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy estimated the OBC population in the state at 56.36 per cent and stated that the government has resolved to ensure 42 per cent reservation for this group in education, jobs, and employment. In a post on X, Chief Minister Reddy said, "Telangana is proud to lead the social revolution in #India. It is my honour to announce the longest pending demand of the subaltern groups since Indian Independence, the yearning of our brothers and sisters belonging to the Backward Castes, on being counted & recognised in an official census - has finally found deliverance." "As the Leader of the Telangana Legislative Assembly, as Chief Minister, I solemnly declare that based on the most scientific, methodically rigorous, and excruciating efforts of our people, we can say that the OBCs population in #Telangana is 56.36 per cent," CM Reddy said. "We are now resolving to ensure 42 per cent reservations for this Group in all walks of life - education, jobs and employment and political representation. Be on the right side of history & let each one of us become a champion of this historic move," CM Reddy said. Reddy stated that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made the promise of enhancement of BC reservation to 42 per cent if Congress is voted to power. Soon after assuming power, the government launched the BC caste census on February 4, 2024, CM Reddy said, as per an official statement from his office. Chief Minister Reddy said that the previous government sent a proposal to the Governor to increase BC reservation to 37 per cent, "This government is withdrawing the earlier proposal and sending a new proposal of 42 per cent reservation for BCs in education, employment and political opportunities." Reddy also suggested a meeting with leaders from various political parties in Telangana, including Congress, BRS, BJP, AIMIM, and CPI, to seek the central government's support for these bills. (ANI) The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) held a protest on the issue of delimitation in the Parliament House premises on Wednesday. In the protest, DMK MPs Kanimozhi, T Siva, and Dayanidhi Maran, along with party MPs, were present while holding a banner written "Fair delimitation." Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin 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." On March 8, Chief Minister Stalin wrote to the Chief Ministers of seven states, both from National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ruling states and otherwise, to join him in the "fight against this unfair exercise." He has written to Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, Telangana CM Revanth Reddy, Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi, and heads of all political parties in those respective states to join him. Congress has backed CM Stalin's stance on delimitation. However, the party has not yet confirmed whether they will join the Joint Action Committee meeting on March 22. Congress leader P Chidambaram also expressed his fear that if delimitation is conducted, Southern states will lose 26 seats in the Lok Sabha, and their voices will not be heard. "Delimitation is a serious issue. It was frozen in 1971. A census taken after 2026 will lead to delimitation, followed by re-determination of the seats. According to our calculation, if it is redistributed according to the current population of states, and the state's numbers are changed, our southern states, which have 129 seats, will come down to 103. The five southern states will lose 26 seats, whereas the populous states where population is growing will gain seats, especially UP, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan," Chidambaram said. The second part of the budget session of Parliament began on March 10 and will continue till April 4. (ANI) Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil will move the anti-Waqf bill resolution in the state legislative assembly on Wednesday. Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil in a statement said that the house unanimously rejected the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 as it is completely against the universal aspirations of the people of the state and has urged the centre to withdraw the legislation. "This Act does not reflect aspirations and opportunities of all sections of the people of the country. This House unanimously rejects the amendment to the Waqf Act as it is an Act that is completely against the universal aspirations and aspirations of the people of Karnataka and the secular principles. In this context, this House unanimously requests the Central Government to take action without delay to respect the unanimous views of the country by immediately withdrawing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024" Earlier today, Senior Congress leader Harish Rawat urged the central government to remain receptive to the objections raised by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) over the proposed Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, saying that efforts must be made to reach a "minimum agreement". "The Muslim Personal Law Board is an umbrella organisation of the minorities. If it says something, it should be taken seriously. If something is done that the minorities don't agree with, we should try to reach at least a minimum agreement so that they don't feel unheard. The country must ensure an emotion of generosity instead of narrowness," Rawat, former Uttarakhand Chief Minister, told ANI. The Waqf Act of 1995, enacted to regulate Waqf properties, has long been criticised for issues such as mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 aims to address these challenges by introducing reforms such as digitisation, enhanced audits, improved transparency, and legal mechanisms to reclaim illegally occupied properties. (ANI) Maharashtra's Minister of State for Home, Yogesh Kadam, has condemned the recent violence in Nagpur, stating that it is a very serious matter. He emphasized that strictest action would be taken against those responsible for attacking Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP)-level officers and other police personnel. "The incident that happened in Nagpur is very serious... Strictest action will be taken. People having the audacity to raise their hands on DCP-level officers and police personnel will not be tolerated at all," Kadam remarked. Additionally, Kadam spoke about the ongoing actions against illegal Bangladeshi intruders in Maharashtra, which will be intensified. He said, "The action that has been going on against Bangladeshi intruders in Maharashtra for the last three to four years is going to be done more aggressively now." Kadam also stressed the importance of cooperation from construction contractors and developers in ensuring safety. "It is the responsibility of the construction contractors and developers to give all the information about the labourers working on their site to the police," he noted, adding that this step had been initiated before the Saif Ali Khan incident. Kadam also responded to Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray's recent statements, stating that he did not wish to comment further on Thackeray, as the people had already answered him. Kadam said, "I don't want to say anything about Uddhav Thackeray because the people have already answered to him. The people have rejected him for the same reasons as making such statements about Eknath Shinde." Kadam emphasized that the people of Maharashtra were looking for leaders focused on development, not those who make taunts. He added, "The people want someone who is development-oriented and not towards making taunts... Bowing down behind the scenes and showing a different face to the public has been Uddhav Thackeray's policy for a long time." Meanhwile, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SCP) leader Rohit Pawar on Wednesday said that action should be taken against the accused involved in the Nagpur violence. "When the CM and the DCM gave a statement yesterday, in which they indirectly accepted that it was an intelligence failure. If something is preplanned and the police do not know about it, then it is an intelligence failure... Either it is an intelligence failure, or if it is that they did not act even when they had the intelligence, this means they let the violence happen... If anyone is involved in violence, then action will be taken against them; they may be from any community," Rohit Pawar told ANI. Earlier, an FIR was also been lodged under the multiple sections from the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, along with other laws such as the Arms Act, Maharashtra Police Act, and Prevention of Public Property Damage Act at the Ganeshpath Police Station. The complaint has been filed by Police Inspector Jitendra Baburao Gadge and the FIR names 51 individuals, including several minors. The accused are primarily from Nagpur city, residing in areas like Jafar Nagar, Tajbagh, Mominpura, and Bhalaadapura. The police have been authorised to close roads in affected areas to maintain law and order. Anyone violating the curfew "remains punishable under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)." (ANI) A rescue operation for seven people- three women and four children who went missing after a boat capsized in Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri district continued on Wednesday with a hope to recover them soon, a police official said. The incident occurred on Tuesday late evening after which the rescue operations began but unfortunately, the missing bodies are yet to be found. A team of SDRF (State Disaster Response Force) and local divers resumed search and rescue operations on Wednesday morning where the boat carrying devotees capsized. Shivpuri Superintendent of Police (SP) Aman Singh Rathore told ANI, "In the backwaters of the Matatila Dam, there is an ancient Siddh Baba temple, and the local villagers were going there. The boat capsized and seven people are missing, three women and four children. Eight people had escaped. SDRF and local divers are carrying out the rescue operations. During the night hours, the team along with divers searched in the wide area with the help of a net but unfortunately, the missing bodies are yet to be found." "The backwater area of the dam is quite large and efforts will be made again in the daytime and hopefully we will be able to recover the bodies," he added. When asked about possibilities of survival of the missing persons, the officer said, "The people who were along with them saw them drowning and their survival chances are very low. Though we will be able to say after the recovery of the body." Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed grief over the incident and ordered an inquiry into the matter. "I express condolences for the seven people who lost their lives. I have ordered an inquiry into this incident. All of us should be careful while riding boats. I express my condolences," Chief Minister Yadav said. Earlier on Tuesday, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia also expressed sorrow over the tragic boat capsize. Taking to social media X, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia wrote, "The unfortunate incident of a boat full of devotees capsizing at Matatila Dam in Shivpuri is extremely sad. I have spoken to the Shivpuri Collector and Superintendent of Police regarding the accident and got information about the current situation." He further added, "Also, the NDRF and SDRF teams are continuously working for the immediate rescue of the people missing due to drowning in the river. I pray to God that all the missing devotees are safe and their families get strength in this difficult time." (ANI) Indore began the celebration of Rang Panchami on Wednesday with its traditional Ger procession, attracting scores of participants in the city. To ensure the safety and smooth conduct of the event, the district administrations have made comprehensive security measures. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav is also scheduled to participate in the decade-old tradition of Rang Panchami Ger to be organised here on the occasion. To celebrate the festival with pomp, a three-kilometre long route has been decided for the traditional Ger procession which is divided into seven sectors with adequate deployment of police personnel to look after the security arrangements. Commissioner of Police, Indore, Santosh Kumar Singh said, "The entire route, which is about three kilometres long, is divided into seven sectors and arrangements for proper patrolling, watch towers, patrolling in connecting lanes and emergency exit routes have been prepared. Along with this, CCTV cameras are installed on the entire route, and drones will also be used for monitoring." Additionally, police officers in civil dress are also deployed, who will monitor people continuously. The purpose of the entire system is that all those who surround this traditional event and come to Rangpanchami can participate safely, he added. When asked about arrangements for CM's participation in Rangpanchami Ger, the officer said, "All the arrangements have been made keeping in view the VIP movement or other types of movements and it will be celebrated in a good manner." The Rang Panchami festival is celebrated on the fifth day after Holi and people put colours and gulal on each other to mark the occasion. On this day, a huge crowd of people gather in Rajwada and surrounding areas in Indore city and shower colours on each other. People also spray gulal and colours with the aid of water tankers and celebrate this festival with great pomp. According to information, it is a 75-year old tradition in Indore city. Earlier, people would come out in the Rajwada area mounted on bullock carts and spreading colour as they made their way around the city. These days the use of water tankers and motor pumps to sprinkle colour is more popular. (ANI) Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Tuesday that public concerns about city conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings' proposed sale of its Panama Canal ports to a United States consortium deserve attention, and expressed firm opposition to any form of coercion or pressure tactics in international trade deals. Political and business heavyweights in Hong Kong cautioned that the decision may pose risks to China's national interests and the landscape of multilateral trade. It could also undermine the group's long-term development. CK Hutchison Holdings founded by Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing said on March 4 that it had struck a $22.8 billion deal to sell its majority stakes in two Panama Canal ports, as well as 41 others in 23 countries, to a consortium led by US investment company BlackRock. The announcement has ignited widespread discussions amid the uncertain global trade market. Ahead of an Executive Council meeting, Lee was asked about how businesses operating globally and closely intertwined with Hong Kong's economy should navigate political risks. He said that widespread public discussions about the issue reflect societal concerns, underscoring its significance. The chief executive said that the SAR government calls on foreign governments to provide a fair and equitable business environment for all companies, including those from Hong Kong. He firmly condemned the use of coercion or pressure in international economic and trade activities, emphasizing that any transaction must comply with legal and regulatory requirements. The SAR government will handle the matter in accordance with the law and regulations, Lee added. Leung Chun-ying, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and former chief executive of the SAR, said on social media that some businessmen mistakenly believe in the notion that "business knows no borders" and assume that everything is purely business. However, businessmen without a motherland will only face bullying, Leung said, emphasizing that businessmen should also prioritize their country. Lau Siu-kai, a consultant with the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, a Beijing-based think tank, said that from a business perspective, this deal indeed brings substantial profits to CK Hutchison Holdings and shields the group from potential US pressure on its global ports and infrastructure. However, this transaction inevitably poses threats to China's national interests and security, as the US could intensify actions against China's shipbuilding and shipping industries as well as the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, Lau said. He called for the company to fully and seriously consider the complexity of the international landscape and China's national interests before making business decisions, stressing that pivotal infrastructure plays a highly crucial role in international competition. Erik Yim-kong, a Hong Kong lawmaker and vice-chairman of China Merchants Port Group, said that the sale by CK Hutchison Holdings could potentially squeeze the country's legitimate space for expanding its international trade and logistics industry and may affect multilateral trade, as well as the company's long-term development. He emphasized that port management concerns significant national interests. He noted that the sale involves multiple ports located in countries and regions involved in the BRI, and that a quarter of China's import and export goods pass through the Panama Canal. He warned that US control over the canal would grant access to precise data on China's trade, facilitating targeted actions against China's manufacturing sector. CK Hutchison Holdings and CK Asset Holdings will hold board meetings on Thursday to deliberate on last year's business performance. The companies said on Tuesday that they would not hold a news conference and analyst meeting on the annual results as they usually do. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended a warm welcome to Sunita Williams after her return from the extended expedition in space aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft as part of NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 mission. In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Welcome back, #Crew9! The Earth missed you. Theirs has been a test of grit, courage and the boundless human spirit. Sunita Williams and the #Crew9 astronauts have once again shown us what perseverance truly means. Their unwavering determination in the face of the vast unknown will forever inspire millions," PM Modi also hailed those who worked tirelessly to ensure Williams' safe return, saying that they "have demonstrated what happens when precision meets passion and technology meets tenacity." "Space exploration is about pushing the limits of human potential, daring to dream, and having the courage to turn those dreams into reality. Sunita Williams, a trailblazer and an icon, has exemplified this spirit throughout her career. We are incredibly proud of all those who worked tirelessly to ensure their safe return. They have demonstrated what happens when precision meets passion and technology meets tenacity," PM Modi added in the post. NASA Crew-9 astronauts Sunita Williams, Nick Hague, Butch Wilmore, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov breathed earth's air for the first time in over nine months on Wednesday after the successful splashdown of SpaceX's Dragon capsule in the Gulf of America off the coast of Florida. The astronauts disembarked the capsule on stretchers, as is customary, CNN reported. This precaution is taken by SpaceX for all astronauts returning from long-duration space missions. NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov have been in space since September 2024. However, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams had been away much longer--their journey began last June. Initially expected to last just a week, their mission was extended to more than nine months due to issues with their Boeing Starliner capsule, which delayed their return. (ANI) Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh expressed both "pride and relief" as Indian origin astronaut Sunita Williams' made a safe return to Earth after a 300-day mission. Speaking in Lok Sabha in response to a query, Singh shared details about Williams' return and the Prime Minister's gesture. "Today, at 3:27 pm Sunita Williams returned to Earth, after 300 days," Singh said. He also referred to the Prime Minister's letter, which was released the previous day, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished Williams a safe return and invited her to visit India. "You must have seen that yesterday the media released a letter written by the Prime Minister, in which he addressed Sunita Williams and wished for her safe return and also invited her to come to India," Singh added. Singh further recalled Williams' previous visit to India in 2007 when she had met the Prime Minister, who was then the Chief Minister of Gujarat. "Before this, when she came to India in the year 2007, at that time also she had the opportunity to meet PM Modi when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat," he said. Singh highlighted the significance of the moment, saying, "Our message of further good fortune was shared through the social media in which it has been said that this is such a moment in which there is pride, glory and relief too." Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Assembly Speaker Chintakayala Ayyannapatrudu on Wednesday extended a warm welcome to Sunita Williams after her return from the extended expedition in space on March 18 aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft as part of NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 mission. Speaking in the Assembly as part of the 14th-day budget session, Speaker Ayyannapatrudu stated, "Sunita Williams successfully returned to Earth early this morning. Having spent 286 days in space on this mission, this marks her third spaceflight, bringing her total time spent in space to 608 days, a remarkable achievement." The Speaker praised space exploration as an inspiration for all of humanity and commended Sunita Williams for her dedication to "scientific research, perseverance, and exceptional courage in facing extreme challenges, even at the risk of her life." He emphasized that such missions play a crucial role in the continuous progress of humankind. Earlier, NASA Crew-9 astronauts breathed earthly air for the first time in over nine months following the successful splashdown of SpaceX's Dragon capsule. The astronauts disembarked the capsule on stretchers, as is customary, CNN reported. This precaution is taken by SpaceX for all astronauts returning from long-duration space missions. NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 completed the agency's ninth commercial crew rotation mission to the International Space Station on Tuesday, splashing down safely in a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida, in the Gulf of America, according to a NASA statement. NASA Crew-9 astronauts Sunita Williams, Nick Hague, Butch Wilmore, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov breathed earthly air for the first time in over nine months on Wednesday after the successful splashdown of SpaceX's Dragon capsule. Delays caused by issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, which surfaced during a test flight piloted by Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams last summer, led to the astronaut duo remaining in space for nine months instead of a week, CNN reported. The Crew-9 mission was the fourth flight of the Dragon spacecraft named Freedom, which previously supported NASA's SpaceX Crew-4, Axiom Mission 2, and Axiom Mission 3. The spacecraft will now undergo inspection and refurbishment at SpaceX's Cape Canaveral facility for future missions. (ANI) Ahead of the Assembly elections, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Wednesday slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the Enforcement Directorate (ED) questioning former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, saying that cases were being filed against them due to "political vendetta". Accusing the government of "misusing" constitutional institutions, Yadav said this would only strengthen them and allow them to come to power in Bihar. "Cases are being filed against us due to political vendetta. This does not affect us. They are anxious and fearful. The more they misuse the constitutional institutions, the stronger we will get. We will form the government in Bihar with the same strength. All teams of the BJP and IT Cell will work only in Bihar now," Yadav, former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister, told reporters. "When the Delhi assembly elections concluded, I had told you that BJP's teams from A to Z will work only in Bihar. We follow the legal procedure. If someone summons, we go. However, nothing will happen," he added. Tejashwi Yadav's reaction comes after Rabri Devi appeared before the ED on Tuesday for questioning in the ongoing land-for-jobs money laundering case. Tej Pratap's questioning was also scheduled for the afternoon as part of the investigation into the land-for-jobs scam. Meanwhile, RJD supporters have been protesting outside the ED office in Patna. Earlier this month, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) concluded its arguments on charges against former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejaswi Yadav, former Minister Prem Chand Gupta, and other accused in the case. The case was related to alleged corruption in the tender of IRCTC hotels. The CBI said there is sufficient material to frame charges against all accused persons. This case is connected with the period when Lalu Prasad Yadav was the Railway Minister from 2004 to 2009. Meanwhile, Rabri Devi previously got into a soup after her "bhaang" remarks against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar where she alleged that he disrespects women. "Nitish Kumar consumes 'bhaang' and comes to the Rabri Devi fell into soup for her 'bhaang' remarks against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and alleged that he disrespects women.Assembly. He disrespects women, including me. He should see the kind of work we did when we were in power. What the people around him say, he speaks the same. His own party members and some BJP leaders are asking him to say such things," she said. Earlier, the Bihar Assembly witnessed high drama as Rabri Devi demanded resignation of Nitish Kumar. The uproar led to RJD MLAs walking out of the session, alleging that the CM and the ruling NDA had disrespected women, including Rabri Devi. A political row erupted during the Assembly session on March 7 after Nitish Kumar accused RJD of dynastic politics. The Bihar CM attacked Lalu Prasad Yadav for appointing his wife, Rabri Devi, as CM when he was jailed in 1997 in connection with the fodder scam. (ANI) Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabira Margherita highlighted India's willingness to pursue a "just and inclusive world order," by forging strong partnerships especially with the Latin American and Caribbean countries (LAC). "We in India believe that in order to build an inclusive and just order, it is imperative to forge strong partnerships. With the developing world. So naturally, countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, that is LAC, occupy a very significant position in our global outreach efforts," the Union Minister of State said during his address at the Raisina Dialogue. "We share similar aspirations, support a multipolar world order that caters to the needs of the global South. India has been proactively engaging with this dynamic region," he said, just before the commencement of the Raisina Dialogue panel titled "Destiny or Destination: Culture, Connectivity and Tourism." Highlighting India's commitment to the LAC region, he mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting Guayana recently and attending the India-CARICOM summit, where he held discussions with the country's president, Irfaan Ali, who was also the host of the summit. Our ties were infused with a renewed vigour last year when the Prime Minister Narendra Modi visit Guayana for the second India-CARICOM summit. He proposed cooperation in various sectors, including capacity building, agriculture and food security, renewable energy and climate change, innovation, technology and trade, among others," the MoS said. Mentioning his own travels to various countries such as Uruguay, Bahamas, Barbados, and Nicaragua, he mentioned the potential for "I had the opportunity to follow up on Prime Minister's engagement roadmap during recently concluded visits to Uruguay, Bahamas, Barbados, and Nicaragua. There is a great potential for boosting economic cooperation, increasing trade and investment, and fostering robust people to people ties between India and the like," he said. The trade between India and LAC region stands at USD 35.73 billion in 2023-24 financial year, according to the minister. "I can say with absolute certainty that India is well positioned to be a key partner in this region's growth story. India's total LAC (Latin American and Caribbean Group) trade stood at USD 35.73 Billion in financial year 2023-24. There's a high level of complementarity between our economies. There is a demand for natural resources and agricultural products in India that can be met by imports from lack, and India can be a trusted source of consumer products," he added. The minister also recently on a visit to LAC region, which he concluded on March 12. Margherita paid an official visit to Uruguay from February 28 to March 2, Bahamas from March 2-4, Barbados from March 4- 6 and Nicaragua from March 6- 8, the details of which were shared by the Ministry of External Affairs in an official statement. During his trip, Margherita represented India at the swearing-in ceremony of Uruguay's new President, Yamandu Orsi, and met with key officials, including the incoming Minister of Industry, Energy, and Mining In the Bahamas, he made history with India's first standalone bilateral ministerial-level visit, meeting with Prime Minister Philip Davis and other top officials, including Foreign Minister Frederick Mitchell, the Minister of Economic Affairs, and the Minister of Education. In Barbados, Margherita received the Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados award on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recognizing his strategic leadership and COVID-19 assistance. (ANI) The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued notice to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on the interim application of Kashmiri separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah. Shah has sought interim relief on the resumption of the E Mulakat facility in Judicial Custody. Shah is in custody in a terror case lodged by the NIA. Justice Girish Kathpalia issued notice to the NIA and sought response on the plea. The matter is listed for hearing on May 1. Shah's main petition on this issue is pending before the High Court for May 22, 2025. During the hearing, advocate Prashant Prakash appeared for Shah and submitted that he had challenged the order passed by the special NIA Court. It was also submitted that earlier the 'e mulakat' facility was provided for a certain period. After the expiry of the period the facility was withdrawn. Petitioner's counsel further submitted that Shah's wife met him in the jail. He is suffering from various ailments. He may be permitted to have 'e mulakat' as an interim relief. On the other hand, it was submitted by APP Akshay Malik for NIA that in view of the allegations against the petitioner, he not be permitted for E Mulakat. He further submitted that inmates who are accused in terror matters are not allowed to have 'e mulakat' facility. In the main petition, Shah has challenged a circular requiring an NOC from prosecuting agency for availing telephone and E Mulaqat facility in Tihar Jail. Earlier, on November 22, 2024, the High Court issues notice on the petition. NIA has filed a reply and matter is listed for hearing on May 22. Shabir Ahmad Shah has approached the High court for resumption of telephone and E Mulaqat facility which has been stopped in view of a circular requiring an NOC from the prosecution agency. The petition was filed through advocate Prashant Prakash. Advocate MS Khan argued that earlier the facility was there. However, it was withdrawn after issuance of the circular. Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra had appeared for the NIA and submitted that this issue is not connected with the NIA. It is well connected with the DIG Range who prior permission/NOC required for availing the telephone and E Mulaqat facility. He had urged the court to implead Commissioner of Police Delhi to implead as the party. On the other hand, Petitioner's counsel argued that NOC of the prosecution agency is required which NIA in this case. The Petitioner has stated that Delhi Government on April 22, 2024, issued the circular whereby introducing certain clarifications in the ostensibly in order to bring uniformity in all prisons of Delhi regarding extension of phone call and e-mulakat facility to the inmates. It is further stated that on May 22, 2024, the NIA, issued an Addendum to circular of April 22, 2024, with further clarifications, inter alia clarifying that E Mulakat and Telephone facility on or after April 22, 2024, should be allowed only after receipt of NOC from the investigating agency and the prisoners already availing the facility, the said facility will remain in force till NOC from the Investigating Agency is obtained. It is also stated that on May 24, 2024, a reply was given by the NIA whereby they did not give consent for providing 'e-mulakat' and calling facility to the petitioner. (ANI) Lok Sabha MP Pappu Yadav called for the banning of Bajrang Dal and Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), labelling their members as "hooligans" in the wake of recent violence in Nagpur. Yadav claimed that these groups, which he believes are protected by the government, are harming the country's social fabric and threatening its economic progress. Speaking about the violence, Lok Sabha MP Pappu Yadav said, "People from Bajrang Dal and Vishva Hindu Parishad are hooligans; they should be banned. These people are protected by the government. I believe that the country's economy and progress are being affected now. There is a need to think on this now." Yadav also responded to JD(U) leader Sanjeev Kumar's demands to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to implement the 'Yogi model'-- a hardline approach to law enforcement -- to deal with criminals. "There is no Yogi model. A criminal is a criminal and can't be categorised by caste or religion. People have always followed Bihar and not the other way around," said Yadav. Meanwhile, curfew is still in place for the second consecutive day in 10 police station limits of Nagpur following violent clashes that erupted on March 17. Pertinently an FIR has also been lodged under the multiple sections from the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 along with other laws such as the Arms Act, Maharashtra Police Act, and Prevention of Public Property Damage Act at the Ganeshpath Police Station. Police Inspector Jitendra Baburao Gadge filed the complaint, and the FIR named 51 individuals, including several minors. The accused are primarily from Nagpur city, residing in areas like Jafar Nagar, Tajbagh, Mominpura, and Bhalaadapura. According to the FIR, "The protest turned violent when the crowd began hurling stones and throwing petrol bombs at police officers. Police were reportedly attacked with deadly weapons like axes and iron rods. The crowd, despite repeated warnings from the police to disperse, continued to engage in violent actions, threatening the safety of both police personnel and civilians." Maharashtra's Minister of State for Home, Yogesh Kadam, has condemned the recent violence in Nagpur and stated that it is a very serious matter. He emphasised that strict action would be taken against those responsible for attacking Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP)- level officers and other police personnel. The police have been authorised to close roads in affected areas to maintain law and order. Anyone violating the curfew "remains punishable under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)." (ANI) BJP State President BY Vijayendra has voiced strong opposition to the Karnataka government's approval of a 4% minority quota in government contracts. Speaking on the matter, Vijayendra stated, "The BJP will oppose the implementation of 4% reservation in government contracts by the Siddaramaiah government... We condemn the Tughlak Durbar attitude of Congress. We are not against Muslims, we are against the Muslim appeasement politics... We will fight against this in the House and also on the streets if needed. We will also challenge the same in the High Court." Vijayendra further criticized the Congress government's stance towards the central government, particularly regarding the National Education Policy (NEP). "PM Modi or the central government don't need to learn their lesson from this Congress government... They are planning to give 4% reservation of government contracts for Muslims. When the entire nation is following the NEP, why was it necessary for this government to oppose this policy... They oppose the central government every time," he said. He stated, "PM Modi or the central government don't need to learn their lesson from this Congress government... They are planning to give 4% reservation of government contracts for Muslims. When the entire nation is following the NEP, why was it necessary for this government to oppose this policy... They oppose the central government every time." Vijayendra further urged the Karnataka government to reconsider its position and take a cue from Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, who has openly praised the central government for its role in helping J&K overcome its economic challenges. "I urge this government to learn a lesson from CM Omar Abdullah, who has openly appreciated central government, PM Modi, and the Finance Minister for helping J&K come out of the economic crisis," Vijayendra added. Meanwhile, Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil will move the anti-Waqf bill resolution in the state legislative assembly on Wednesday. Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil in a statement said that the house unanimously rejected the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 as it is completely against the universal aspirations of the people of the state and has urged the centre to withdraw the legislation. "This Act does not reflect aspirations and opportunities of all sections of the people of the country. This House unanimously rejects the amendment to the Waqf Act as it is an Act that is completely against the universal aspirations and aspirations of the people of Karnataka and the secular principles. In this context, this House unanimously requests the Central Government to take action without delay to respect the unanimous views of the country by immediately withdrawing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024." (ANI) Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav on Wednesday said that stringent action will be taken against the accused involved in inciting violence in Maharashtra's Nagpur. Responding to the FIR against people from Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Nagpur violence, Yadav said, "There will be action against people who incited riots." The Maharashtra police in Nagpur have registered FIRs against office-bearers of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal for allegedly hurting religious sentiments during their protest demanding the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb in Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad). Meanwhile, 50 individuals have been detained, and a curfew remains in effect for the second consecutive day across ten police district areas in Nagpur following violent clashes that erupted on March 17, police said. Speaking to ANI, DCP Rahul Maknikar says, "The situation is under control. The investigation is underway. We have formed 10 teams. We have detained 50 people so far." Judicial Magistrate First Class Court (JMFC) has remanded 19 accused in the Nagpur violence case to police custody till March 21. Yesterday, the Ganeshpeth police produced the accused before the court. Maharashtra's Minister of State for Home, Yogesh Kadam, has condemned the recent violence in Nagpur and stated that it is a very serious matter. Additionally, Kadam said that ongoing actions against illegal Bangladeshi intruders in Maharashtra will be intensified. Lok Sabha MP Pappu Yadav also called for the banning of Bajrang Dal and Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), labelling their members as "hooligans" in the wake of recent violence in Nagpur. Speaking about the violence, Lok Sabha MP Pappu Yadav said, "People from Bajrang Dal and Vishva Hindu Parishad are hooligans; they should be banned. These people are protected by the government. I believe that the country's economy and progress are being affected now. There is a need to think on this now." Curfew is still in place for the second consecutive day in 10 police station limits of Nagpur following violent clashes that erupted on March 17. Pertinently an FIR has also been lodged under the multiple sections from the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 along with other laws such as the Arms Act, Maharashtra Police Act, and Prevention of Public Property Damage Act at the Ganeshpath Police Station. Police Inspector Jitendra Baburao Gadge filed the complaint, and the FIR named 51 individuals, including several minors. The accused are primarily from Nagpur city, residing in areas like Jafar Nagar, Tajbagh, Mominpura, and Bhalaadapura. The police have been authorised to close roads in affected areas to maintain law and order. Anyone violating the curfew "remains punishable under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)." On Sunita William's safe return to Earth, Yadav said, "Congratulations to the NASA team and Elon Musk's SpaceX team. India was worried about Sunita William, who is of Indian origin." (ANI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday said that a fair investigation would be carried out into the murder of retired Sub-Inspector of Police Zakhir Hussain in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. Hussain, who was hacked to death on March 18 while returning home after early morning Ramzan prayers, had previously raised serious concerns about his safety. Speaking in the Assembly, Stalin said that special police teams have been formed to arrest the culprits involved in the murder. "His wife has made a complaint at the police station. Two persons have surrendered in this murder till now. Police have formed special teams to catch the other culprits involved in the murder. As per the first investigation, a land-based issue was there before, and both of them have given complaints against each other on that issue in which investigation was happening, but unfortunately, this sad murder incident was held," Stalin said. "Without any bias, a fair investigation will be held, and I make sure the culprits will be given punishment. This government will not allow anyone to take the law into their hand," he said. Meanwhile, AIADMK General Secretary and Opposition Leader Edappadi Palaniswami condemned the murder of retired Sub-Inspector of Police Hussain and called for appropriate measures to ensure justice for him. Palaniswami criticised the police for failing to address Hussain's complaints and accused them of dereliction of duty, saying the incident highlights severe shortcomings in police functioning. Speaking in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, Palaniswami condemned the murder of the retired police official and said that Hussain had filed a complaint three months earlier with the Tirunelveli City Police Commissioner, Town Assistant Commissioner, and the Inspector of Police, warning them that his life was under threat. "In Tirunelveli city, on March 18, 2025, retired police officer Zakhir Hussain was brutally hacked to death by a group of individuals while returning home after completing the early morning Ramadan prayers at the mosque. He had previously served as an administrator at a Muslim Waqf institution," said the AIADMK leader. "Three months ago, he had filed a complaint with the Tirunelveli City Police Commissioner, the Town Assistant Commissioner, and the Inspector of Police, stating that his life was in danger. However, the police failed to investigate the matter properly or take any preventive action. Instead, it is reported that the police arranged a forced mediation (katta panchayat) between Zahir Hussain and the individuals he had accused in his complaint," he stated. He called for strict legal action against those responsible for both the murder and the negligence in handling Hussain's complaints. A retired Sub-Inspector of Police, Zakhir Hussain, posted a video on social media expressing the fear that he might be killed and that a gang hacked him to death in Tirunelveli on Tuesday (March 18). He was reportedly involved in a land dispute. In a social media post, Zakhir mentioned the death threat he was facing and accused two senior police officers from Tirunelveli of conspiring with the prime suspect. (ANI) CM Stalin also extended a warm welcome to Sunita Williams after her return from the extended expedition in space on March 18 aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft as part of NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 mission. "Sunita Williams, come back to earth. There was news on their health issue, even though they worked in space. The safe return of Sunita news makes us all happy. I appreciate Sunita Williams and thank those who brought them back to earth safely," Stalin said. NASA Crew-9 astronauts Sunita Williams, Nick Hague, Butch Wilmore, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov breathed earth's air for the first time in over nine months on Wednesday after the successful splashdown of SpaceX's Dragon capsule in the Gulf of America off the coast of Florida. (ANI) NASA's Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams has returned to Earth after her successful space mission, receiving praise and congratulations from Indian leaders. BJP MP Ravi Kishan welcomed the astronaut's return, expressing deep admiration for her accomplishments. "A very warm welcome. India's daughter is the pride of India. Many congratulations to the whole of India, to the entire Gujarat, to the village where this 'Durga' was born, where this 'Shakti' was born whose name is Sunita Williams. This shows how much capability is there in the daughters of India, and this message has spread far and wide," said Kishan. Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murthy also congratulated Williams, sharing her joy on the astronaut's return. "I feel extremely happy. A daughter has come back home. And what a difficult period she had. My blessings and congratulations to her," Murthy said. Earlier Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended a warm welcome to Sunita Williams after her return from the extended expedition in space aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft as part of NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 mission. In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Welcome back, #Crew9! The Earth missed you. Theirs has been a test of grit, courage and the boundless human spirit. Sunita Williams and the #Crew9 astronauts have once again shown us what perseverance truly means. Their unwavering determination in the face of the vast unknown will forever inspire millions," PM Modi also hailed those who worked tirelessly to ensure Williams' safe return, saying that they "have demonstrated what happens when precision meets passion and technology meets tenacity." "Space exploration is about pushing the limits of human potential, daring to dream, and having the courage to turn those dreams into reality. Sunita Williams, a trailblazer and an icon, has exemplified this spirit throughout her career. We are incredibly proud of all those who worked tirelessly to ensure their safe return. They have demonstrated what happens when precision meets passion and technology meets tenacity," PM Modi added in the post. NASA Crew-9 astronauts Sunita Williams, Nick Hague, Butch Wilmore, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov breathed earth's air for the first time in over nine months on Wednesday after the successful splashdown of SpaceX's Dragon capsule in the Gulf of America off the coast of Florida. The astronauts disembarked the capsule on stretchers, as is customary, CNN reported. This precaution is taken by SpaceX for all astronauts returning from long-duration space missions. NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov have been in space since September 2024. However, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams had been away much longer--their journey began last June. Initially expected to last just a week, their mission was extended to more than nine months due to issues with their Boeing Starliner capsule, which delayed their return. (ANI) Amid tensions over the violence in Nagpur that broke out over the demands to remove Mughal Emporer Aurangzeb's tomb, Congress MP Varsha Gaikwad on Wednesday said that the Mahayuti government must limit leaders from making provocative statements while appealing for peace. "I request the people of Maharashtra to maintain peace. The state government should now try to make the situation normal. There is Deekshabhoomi in Nagpur, which is a symbol of peace. It is important to talk about peace. The government should stop the provocative statements coming from leaders." When asked to comment on claims made by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde that Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray had "apologised" to Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier and wanted to rejoin the alliance, she said, "Eknath Shinde should worry about his own party. If his own party is shut down in the coming days, we won't be surprised." Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Tuesday lashed out at the ruling Mahayuti government in Maharashtra over Nagpur violence, claiming that it was a "government-sponsored incident". Wadettiwar, in a scathing attack against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader T Raja Singh, called for a ban against him in Maharashtra, accusing him of "inciting violence." He also accused the Mahayuti government of promoting such people. "This is a government-sponsored incident. Shambar takke main bol rha hu...T Raja (Telangana BJP leader) should be banned in Maharashtra. He is inciting violence here. Such worthless people should be shown their place. It is the government that is promoting such people," Wadettiwar, Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, told reporters. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the violence that erupted in Nagpur "looks like a well-planned attack". He said that rumours were spread that things containing religious content were burnt, as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal protested in the winter capital of the state. "In Nagpur, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal held protests. Rumours were spread that things containing religious content were burnt...It looks like a well-planned attack. No one has permission to take law and order into their hands," Fadnavis said while addressing the legislative assembly. Earlier today, Maharashtra Junior Minister for Home (Urban) Yogesh Kadam condemned the recent violence in Nagpur, stating that it is a very serious matter. He emphasised that strictest action would be taken against those responsible for attacking Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP)-level officers and other police personnel. Additionally, Kadam spoke about the ongoing actions against illegal Bangladeshi intruders in Maharashtra, which will be intensified. (ANI) Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Bhaskar Jadhav on Wednesday condemned the violence in Nagpur and said that the government should take strict action against the perpetrators. The Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA also said that the incident could have been averted if the government had taken action on time. Speaking to ANI, Bhaskar Jadhav said, "I condemn the Nagpur incident and the incident of misbehaviour with the women police. I also condemn the stone pelting of the police personnel. The government should take strict action against the perpetrators." "For the last 2-4 months, who has been instigating the people by taking Aurangzeb's name? If that were stopped by the government on time, then this incident would not have happened. It is the ruling party that is speaking of Aurangzeb, not us," he stated. Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey also spoke to ANI over the same and said, "For the last 100 years, all communities have lived peacefully in Nagpur. This was the first time that VHP and Bajrang Dal started an agitation, and then it resulted in violence after a rumour was spread. The perpetrators must be punished. It should be investigated who started all of this." The Maharashtra police in Nagpur have registered FIRs against office-bearers of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal for allegedly hurting religious sentiments during their protest demanding the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb in Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad). 50 individuals have been detained, and a curfew remains in effect for the second consecutive day across ten police district areas in Nagpur following violent clashes that erupted on March 17, police said. Judicial Magistrate First Class Court (JMFC) has remanded 19 accused in the Nagpur violence case to police custody till March 21. Yesterday, the Ganeshpeth police produced the accused before the court. Maharashtra's Minister of State for Home, Yogesh Kadam, also condemned the recent violence in Nagpur and stated that it is a very serious matter. Additionally, Kadam said that ongoing actions against illegal Bangladeshi intruders in Maharashtra will be intensified. Earlier on Tuesday, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, while speaking on the Nagpur incident, stated that eyewitness reports indicate the violence was pre-planned. "Every day, 100-150 two-wheelers are parked in one place in the riot-affected area, but on that day, not a single vehicle belonging to the rioters was found there. How did petrol bombs, sticks, and swords suddenly appear in such large numbers? This was clearly a planned act," he alleged. "We courageously freed the bow and arrow, which the Shiv Sena had handed over to the Congress," Shinde asserted, adding that the Shiv Sena (UBT) has no right to speak of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj as they have accepted the ideas of Aurangzeb. The Deputy Chief Minister reiterated his stance, emphasising that the ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray and Hindutva guided his political decisions. (ANI) The Delhi High Court has recognized "TAJ" as a well-known trademark under Section 2(1)(zg) of the Trademarks Act, granting it protected status for hotels and related services in the hospitality industry. The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), part of the TATA Group, filed a suit against several individuals, accusing them of trademark infringement, copyright violations, and passing off their services under the IHCL brand. The suit emphasized IHCL's prominence as a global leader in the hospitality industry, managing a portfolio of approximately 350 hotels, including 118 under development, across 4 continents, 13 countries, and over 130 locations. IHCL is also recognized as South Asia's largest hospitality company by market capitalization and is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange. The bench of Justice Amit Bansal recently ruled that the plaintiff has conclusively proven the "TAJ" marks to be well-known trademarks under Section 2(1)(zg) of the Trademarks Act. The bench highlighted the long-standing use, widespread geographical reach, public recognition, goodwill, and extensive promotion and revenue associated with the marks, both in India and globally, as factors fulfilling the criteria outlined in Sections 11(6) and 11(7) of the Act. Additionally, the court noted that another mark of the plaintiff, "VIVANTA," used in relation to hotels, had already been declared a well-known trademark on September 26, 2022. The court also considered several significant factors to establish the prominence of the TAJ brand. These included documents showing the TAJ brand being recognized as India's strongest brand across all sectors by Brand Finance in 2020, 2022, and 2023; historical photographs of notable figures such as Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Rabindranath Tagore with the iconic Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai; media articles and magazines demonstrating the brand's widespread fame and usage from 2009 to 2015; evidence of the plaintiff's corporate social responsibility (CSR) and philanthropic initiatives; and the extensive social media presence of the TAJ brand across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), YouTube, and LinkedIn, with a substantial follower base. (ANI) Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav on Wednesday criticized Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over the alleged relocation of the Indian Institute of Millet Research (IIMR) and the Seed Production Centre from Bihar to Karnataka. "If the Bihar CM was aware of this, did he talk to the PM and the Agriculture Minister?... They (NDA) have no intention of putting an end to migration from Bihar; they are preparing to boost it," Yadav remarked, expressing concern over the decision. He also pointed out that BJP leaders, including Union Minister Giriraj Singh, only reacted after his tweet. "No one from the BJP has protested this move," he added. Yadav slammed Nitish Kumar's leadership, stating, "Bihar does not need a 'Pair Pakadva Mukhya Mantri'. Bihar needs a Chief Minister who has a vision and can fearlessly take Bihar forward." In his criticism of the ruling coalition, Yadav labeled it as a "double-engine government" and accused Nitish Kumar of prioritizing his position over the welfare of Bihar. "Nitish Kumar does not care about anything except his chair," Yadav said, calling for a more visionary and assertive leadership in the state. Meanwhile, Ahead of the Assembly elections Yadav on Wednesday slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the Enforcement Directorate (ED) questioning former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi, saying that cases were being filed against them due to "political vendetta". Accusing the government of "misusing" constitutional institutions, Yadav said this would only strengthen them and allow them to come to power in Bihar. "Cases are being filed against us due to political vendetta. This does not affect us. They are anxious and fearful. The more they misuse the constitutional institutions, the stronger we will get. We will form the government in Bihar with the same strength. All teams of the BJP and IT Cell will work only in Bihar now," Yadav, former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister, told reporters. "When the Delhi assembly elections concluded, I had told you that BJP's teams from A to Z will work only in Bihar. We follow the legal procedure. If someone summons, we go. However, nothing will happen," he added. Tejashwi Yadav's reaction comes after Rabri Devi appeared before the ED on Tuesday for questioning in the ongoing land-for-jobs money laundering case. Tej Pratap's questioning was also scheduled for the afternoon as part of the investigation into the land-for-jobs scam. (ANI) Rajya Sabha MP Rekha Sharma and former National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson offered best wishes to NASA's Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams on her return to Earth after a successful space mission and said she looked forward to meeting her. "I would like to give her my best wishes. We wish her good health. We are looking forward to meeting her once she comes to India. We welcome her," Rekha Sharma told ANI. Earlier in the day, Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murthy also congratulated Williams, sharing her joy on the astronaut's return. "I feel extremely happy. A daughter has come back home. And what a difficult period she had. My blessings and congratulations to her," Murthy said. BJP MP Ravi Kishan welcomed the astronaut's return, expressing deep admiration for her accomplishments. "A very warm welcome. India's daughter is the pride of India. Many congratulations to the whole of India, to the entire Gujarat, to the village where this 'Durga' was born, where this 'Shakti' was born whose name is Sunita Williams. This shows how much capability is there in the daughters of India, and this message has spread far and wide," said Kishan. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended a warm welcome to Sunita Williams on Wednesday after her return from the extended space expedition aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft as part of NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 mission. In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Welcome back, Crew9! The Earth missed you. Theirs has been a test of grit, courage and the boundless human spirit. Sunita Williams and the #Crew9 astronauts have once again shown us what perseverance truly means. Their unwavering determination in the face of the vast unknown will forever inspire millions," PM Modi also hailed those who worked tirelessly to ensure Williams' safe return, saying that they "have demonstrated what happens when precision meets passion and technology meets tenacity." "Space exploration is about pushing the limits of human potential, daring to dream, and having the courage to turn those dreams into reality. Sunita Williams, a trailblazer and an icon, has exemplified this spirit throughout her career. We are incredibly proud of all those who worked tirelessly to ensure their safe return. They have demonstrated what happens when precision meets passion and technology meets tenacity," PM Modi added in the post. NASA Crew-9 astronauts Sunita Williams, Nick Hague, Butch Wilmore, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov breathed Earth's air for the first time in over nine months on Wednesday after the successful splashdown of SpaceX's Dragon capsule in the Gulf of America off the coast of Florida. The astronauts disembarked the capsule on stretchers, as is customary, CNN reported. SpaceX takes this precaution for all astronauts returning from long-duration space missions. NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov have been in space since September 2024. However, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams had been away much longer--their journey began last June. Initially expected to last just a week, their mission was extended to more than nine months due to issues with their Boeing Starliner capsule, which delayed their return. (ANI) The 23rd edition of the India-France bilateral Naval exercise, 'Varuna' commenced on Wednesday, and will conclude on March 22, showcasing the two nations' commitment to enhancing naval interoperability and operational synergy. Two aircraft carriers, 'Charles De Gaulle' from France and India's 'Vikrant' along with destroyers, frigates, Indian scorpene class submarines and a maritime patrol aircraft will be participating in the exercise, according to a post by the Indian Navy. https://x.com/indiannavy/status/1902250134957912219 "This year's edition promises an exhilarating array of maritime exercises and complex manoeuvres across the sub-surface, surface, and air domains," read the Ministry of Defence's statement. Varuna 2025 will feature advanced air defence drills and fighter exercises, including mock air-to-air combat between the French Rafale-M and Indian MiG-29K, designed to refine tactical and operational capabilities. "Anti-submarine warfare exercises will provide rigorous training in underwater domain awareness, while surface warfare operations will demonstrate synchronised manoeuvres and engagements by the Indian and French fleets. Maritime patrol aircraft will enhance situational awareness, and replenishment-at-sea exercises will fortify logistical cooperation. This collaboration underscores the shared vision of safeguarding a free, open, and secure maritime environment," read the statement. The French Aircraft carrier had arrived in Goa's Mormugao port trust jetty on January 4. Following its arrival, the French Carrier Strike Group received a ceremonial welcome from the Indian Navy band. Earlier in January, the Western Naval Command of the Indian Navy noted that the purpose of the visit is to enhance interoperability, foster mutual understanding and strengthen ties between the navies of India and France. Speaking to ANI in January, the French commanding officer of Charles de Gaulle spoke about the aircraft carrier, saying that it is 260 metres long and has a width of 600 metres. He said, "Aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is the French aircraft carrier. She's a ship of an age of 25. She is 260 metres long, 600 metres wide, 42,000 tonnes. Her crew is approximately 2000 people, to be precise, it's 1800, and it is thanks to the crew that I can fulfil my missions." (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party leader Ravi Shankar Prasad on Wednesday said that the decisions made by the Modi government are in the favour of the nation and the way Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has backed India's position on the Ukraine-Russia conflict, other leaders of Congress should do the same. "He thinks that the statements he made regarding the Russia-Ukraine war in the past were not right. The policies of the Indian government were right... Better late than never... The decisions made by the Modi government are in the favour of the nation... The way Shashi Tharoor has admitted, other leaders of Congress should do the same," Prasad told ANI. Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sambit Patra said that Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi should come forward and appreciate Congress leader Shashi Tharoor's stand on India's position on the Ukraine-Russia conflict. "Shashi Tharoor understands diplomacy, he had been in the UN for a very long time. He has appreciated PM Modi's stand in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Other leaders of Congress should also learn from Shashi Tharoor instead of Speaking against PM Modi and the nation every time... Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi should come forward and appreciate Shashi Tharoor's stand," Patra told reporters. Earlier in a panel discussion at the Raisina Dialogue, Tharoor 'admitted' to wiping 'egg off his face' and conceding that India's diplomatic stance gave the country a unique position to be friendly with both Russia and Ukraine, two nations at war since 2022. "I am still wiping the egg off my face because I was one person in the parliamentary debate who actually criticised the Indian position at the time back in February 2022," Tharoor said. Explaining his reasoning for condemning the war, Tharoor had said, "On the well-worn grounds that Espen (Norway's Foreign Minister) will understand because he and I talked about all this in my UN days, that there was a violation of the UN Charter, sovereignty of a member state, namely Ukraine, and we had always stood for the that there had been a violation of the principle of the inviolability of borders of a sovereign state, inadmissibility of the use of force to settle international disputes and all of those principles had been violated by one party, and we should have condemned it." "Well, 3 years later, it does look like I am the one with egg on my face because clearly, the policy has meant that India actually has a Prime Minister who can hug both the president of Ukraine and the president of Moscow two weeks apart and be accepted in both places and therefore India is in a position where it can make a difference to a lasting peace if it was so required in ways that very few countries would be able to," Tharoor added. Russia had invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, since then, United States President has been having "productive conversations" with the Russian President Vladimir Putin, talking about a ceasefire, and ending the "horrible war," as said by President Trump on Truth Social. (ANI) Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, Ambadas Danve, has raised concerns over the Election Commission's decision to conduct separate by-elections for five casual vacancies in the Maharashtra Legislative Council. As per the letter, Danve notes, "On March 3' 2025, the Election Commission of India issued a notification for by-elections to fill five casual vacancies in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, elected by the Legislative Assembly constituency. As per the said notification, elections for the concerned seats are scheduled to be held on March 27, 2025. In this regard, the Election Commission has decided to conduct separate by-elections for Mr Amsha Padvi (retirement date: Jury 7, 202g) and Mr Rajesh Witekar (retirement date: July 27, 2o3o), as their terms of office are different." Danve states, "However, Mr. Pravin Datke, Mr. Ramesh Karhad, and Mr. Gopichand Padarkar, whose terms of office are identical (retirement date: May 13, 2026), are also subjected to separate by-elections. In light of this decision, we request the Election Commission clarity". In a letter addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner, Danve has sought clarity on several points, questioning the legality and transparency of the Election Commission's decision. He questions, "Under Article 171(3Xd) of the Indian constitution and the relevant provisions of Indian electoral laws, what legal provision allows for separate by-elections for members whose term of office ends on the same date?" He asks, "What judicial precedent or electoral practice has the Election Commission followed in similar cases in the past?" He also enquires as to what is the rationale behind conducting separate elections instead of a single election for vacancies arising on the same date. He has also sought to know what measures the Election Commission has implemented to ensure a fair and transparent electoral process that remains free from bias. In his letter, Danve emphasized the need for clarity to ensure that the electoral process remains just and equitable for all political parties. He notes, "To uphold the principles of the Indian constitution and the established electoral process and to ensure that all political parties receive equal and just opportunities, we request the. Election Commission to provide our party with the necessary information regarding the above-mentioned concerns at the earliest." (ANI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said NASA Space X Crew 9's successful splashdown from the challenging space expedition is a testament to the power of human resilience and congratulated the astronauts for their courage and dedication. Amit Shah also lauded NASA astronaut Sunita Williams saying she made the world proud of its courageous daughters. "The successful splashdown of Crew 9, accomplishing a challenging space expedition, is a testament to the power of human resilience. It is an inspiring demonstration of how even the toughest hurdles can be overcome with sheer courage, patience, and dedication," posted Amit Shah on X. "I extend my heartiest congratulations to the members of Crew-9 and especially to @Astro_Suni. She has made the world proud of its courageous daughters. I also express my heartfelt gratitude to NASA and SpaceX for facilitating their return. Welcome home," his post read. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended a warm welcome to Sunita Williams on Wednesday after her return from the extended space expedition aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft as part of NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 mission. In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Welcome back, Crew9! The Earth missed you. Theirs has been a test of grit, courage and the boundless human spirit. Sunita Williams and the #Crew9 astronauts have once again shown us what perseverance truly means. Their unwavering determination in the face of the vast unknown will forever inspire millions," PM Modi also hailed those who worked tirelessly to ensure Williams' safe return, saying that they "have demonstrated what happens when precision meets passion and technology meets tenacity." "Space exploration is about pushing the limits of human potential, daring to dream, and having the courage to turn those dreams into reality. Sunita Williams, a trailblazer and an icon, has exemplified this spirit throughout her career. We are incredibly proud of all those who worked tirelessly to ensure their safe return. They have demonstrated what happens when precision meets passion and technology meets tenacity," PM Modi added in the post. NASA Crew-9 astronauts Sunita Williams, Nick Hague, Butch Wilmore, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov breathed Earth's air for the first time in over nine months on Wednesday after the successful splashdown of SpaceX's Dragon capsule in the Gulf of America off the coast of Florida. The astronauts disembarked the capsule on stretchers, as is customary, CNN reported. SpaceX takes this precaution for all astronauts returning from long-duration space missions. NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov have been in space since September 2024. However, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams had been away much longer--their journey began last June. Initially expected to last just a week, their mission was extended to more than nine months due to issues with their Boeing Starliner capsule, which delayed their return. (ANI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted on Wednesday the importance of developing and 'uniting' the North East region of the country, especially the border areas, saying that projects such as Arunachal Frontier Highway, along with infrastructural projects in Tawang will play a big role in that. "The opening of the Arunachal frontier highway will also play a big role in uniting the entire North East region, especially the border areas. This highway, which is about 2000 kilometers long, is no less than a strategic asset for the North East region, and in a way, for India. It will also act as an economic asset for the entire region," the Defence Minister said during his address at the Major Bob Khating memorial organised at Manekshaw centre in New Delhi. He further highlighted the qualities of Major Bob Khating being present in India's foreign policy too. "If we talk about learning from his qualities, then you will find the influence of Major Bob Khating in the foreign policy of our government as well. In this multipolar world, amidst the uncertainties prevailing, India is formulating its foreign policy by maintaining a balance between its hard power and soft power. The way India has strengthened its position in this world is a matter of pride for all of us," Defence Minister added further. Remembering the Major being known for "administrative proficiency" and how those principles are guiding the government still. "He worked in many positions in civil administration in many areas of North East. The steps he took during that time are guiding us till date. He also contributed a lot in the formation of 'Sashastra Seema Bal'. Apart from this, by forming Nagaland Armed Police, he established peace in that region and played an important role in bridging the gap between the people and the government. As the Chief Secretary of Nagaland, he also initiated many reforms," Rajnath Singh said. He underlined that the qualities of the Major are also present in India's governance. "As a government, we have also learnt the qualities of governance and administration from Major Bob Khathing. Our government has focused on administrative reforms. Through the efforts of 'Minimum Government, Maximum Governance' and 'Good Governance', we have reduced the distance between the public and the government," he said. Mentioning other initiatives, he added, "Through 'Digital India' and 'JAM Trinity', today the administration has become more people-oriented than before. The ideals of Major Bob Khathing are also included somewhere in the inspiration of our administrative reforms." (ANI) An Asian culture carnival is held during the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations at the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, capital of China, May 15, 2019. [Photo/Xinhua] In an era marked by rising global tensions and shifting geopolitical dynamics, nations - especially major countries - find themselves at a crossroads. They must decide whether to forge a future based on multilateral cooperation and reform global governance, or retreat into a zero-sum paradigm where narrow self-interest and unilateral actions risk undermining the international order. In its latest government work report, China outlined a comprehensive vision for the future. It is ready to work with other members of the international community to promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, pursue the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), and the Global Civilizations Initiative (GCI), and actively participate in reform and development of the global governance system. In doing so, it will promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind and create a bright future of world peace and development. This approach underscores China's resolve to act as an "enabler" on the world stage - steadfastly advocating for fairness, justice, peace and stability. As a responsible major country, China always stands firm on the right side of history and on the side of human progress, aligned with the broader cause of human progress. Its persistent emphasis on peace, development, cooperation, and mutual benefit is reflected in its ongoing provision of global public goods and its commitment to improving global governance. At the heart of the vision lies building a community with a shared future for mankind - a concept that resonates with the long-standing traditions of Chinese civilization and the internationalist commitment of Chinese Communists. It enables China to secure benefits not just for itself but for the international community at large. The appeal of the concept is underscored by tangible support from the international community. Over 100 countries have embraced the GDI, GSI and GCI, and more than three-quarters of countries in the world have joined the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) - a testament to the broad appeal and influence of China's enabling role on the global stage. China is steadfastly committed to fairness and justice, enabling global peace and stability. With an unparalleled record in maintaining peace and security, China follows a path of peaceful development - resolving disputes through dialogue and playing a constructive role in addressing hotspot issues. By promoting a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security and by advancing the GSI, it galvanizes international support for peace and development. China is a cornerstone of multilateralism and a staunch advocate for the Global South. It holds membership in nearly every universal intergovernmental organization and stands as a party to over 600 international conventions and their amendments. Its commitment to equality in rights, opportunities, and rules is reflected in its vigorous support for the development of Global South nations, as well as its ongoing efforts to amplify their representation and voice in global governance. China maintains a steadfast commitment to win-win cooperation, serving as a driving force for global development and prosperity. It has built a global network of connectivity within the BRI framework - one that spans economic corridors, international transportation routes, and information highways, as well as critical physical infrastructure including railways, roads, airports, ports, pipelines and power grids. This comprehensive network, which covers land, sea, air and cyberspace, has significantly boosted the flow of goods, capital, technology and human resources among partner countries. Moreover, China has implemented over 1,100 projects under the GDI and has hosted over 2,000 capacity-building programs to support other developing countries. As a proactive advocate for global development, the country always places the well-being of the international community at the forefront of its agenda. Through a series of concrete actions, it strives to promote a more inclusive, beneficial, and resilient model of global development - one in which every nation has the opportunity to emerge as a winner in the modernization process. China maintains a steadfast commitment to inclusiveness and mutual learning, acting as a cornerstone for the progress of human civilization. In recent years, China has hosted a series of cultural dialogues - such as the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations, the World Conference of Classics, and the Liangzhu Forum - and has organized initiatives such as the year of culture and tourism, joint archaeological research, and classics translation programs. These efforts aim to celebrate cultural diversity, promote common values of humanity, and foster dialogue among civilizations. A foreign scholar remarked that the GCI answers the questions of the times, offering Chinese wisdom in response to today's common challenges. China's actions in enabling global governance reflect its commitment to pursuing shared interests and mutual betterment of humanity. This year, China will host the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States Forum, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit, and the Global Summit of Women. These gatherings are expected to further drive reforms in global governance. For the common good of humanity, China will continue to champion a model of global governance rooted in extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit - building a world where every nation plays a role and the promise of tomorrow is a collective achievement. The newly appointed President of the Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC), Rajesh Kumar, expressed gratitude to the top leadership for entrusting him with this responsibility and said his primary goal is to strengthen the party, engage with the public, and ensure transparency in all work. In his first statement following the appointment, Rajesh Kumar expressed his gratitude towards the party's top leadership, including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and KC Venugopal. "I want to thank my party's top leadership for giving me the opportunity, as a person from the Dalit community, to serve in this position," Kumar said, acknowledging the trust placed in him. Kumar outlined the challenges ahead, recognising the party's strong structure and emphasised the need for refinement. He noted the urgency of his task and said, "The challenge in front of me is to complete multiple works in a short time while ensuring that the party moves forward and issues of public interest are discussed in the House." He highlighted that Rahul Gandhi's ideology, which focuses on saving the Constitution and uplifting minorities, has been brought to the forefront through various initiatives. "In Odisha, Bhakta Charan Das from the Dalit community was made the state president; in Bihar, Rajesh Kumar from the Dalit community was made the state Congress chief; and in Telangana, Muslim reservation was increased. This is Rahul Gandhi's initiative, and it is being brought to reality by allies with RJD in Bihar," said Kumar. He reaffirmed that these efforts reflect Rahul Gandhi's commitment to action, stating, "Whatever promises Rahul Gandhi made, we are working to implement them, especially in our alliance with RJD in Bihar." "My work is to strengthen the party, we want to go to the public and speak over the issues. My primary goal is to keep all the work in a transparent manner. I ensure that all the work will be done," he said. When asked about the Congress's strategy for the upcoming assembly elections, Kumar emphasised the importance of improving the party's vote share, aiming to increase it from 24 per cent to 25 per cent. He stated that the party would focus on gaining the support of marginalized communities such as ST, SC, and OBC voters. "My primary goal is to strengthen the party, engage with the public, and ensure transparency in all our work," Kumar said, promising to deliver on his commitments with accountability and clarity. (ANI) New Delhi [India], March 19 (AN): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday virtually chaired the review meeting of CM Helpline-1905 from Uttarakhand Sadan in the national capital and said that people's problems can be solved while they are sitting at home. Speaking to ANI, CM Dhami said that district officials and officials of every department should constantly communicate with people. "People should not face any problems. Their problems can be solved while they are sitting at home. For this, a review meeting has been held today and district officials and officials of every department should constantly communicate with people, organize public meetings, solve their problems and simplify things," CM Dhami said. He further said that he has communicated with some people who have registered their complaints on the CM portal. "I have given instructions to solve them quickly. We will do such a review every month so that people's work is done quickly in the state and people do not have to face any problems anywhere," he added. In a post on X, CM Dhami said that in a meeting of CM Helpline 1905 from New Delhi, he directed the officers to expedite the resolution of pending problems. During this, he talked to various complainants and inquired about the action taken on the complaints lodged by them in the Chief Minister's Helpline. "District Magistrates were directed to issue show cause notices to officers who are negligent in resolving complaints, seek clarification and take strict action against them. It should be ensured that public meetings and tehsil days are organised regularly and complaints registered on these days should be resolved promptly,' he posted on X in Hindi. The Uttarakhand CM also instructed officials to organize various multipurpose camps in the districts upon the completion of 3 years of the state government. "Also, on the occasion of the completion of 3 years of the state government, instructions were given to organize various multipurpose camps in the districts so that the general public can get maximum benefit. Our effort is that every problem of the public should be solved quickly and there should not be any kind of inconvenience in their lives," CM Dhami said. In the 2022 Assembly elections, BJP won the popular mandate for the second consecutive term in Uttarakhand and won 47 seats in the 70-member assembly. (ANI) The event was jointly organized by Tripura Agriculture College, Lembuchhara, and ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur, with support from the Superintendent of Agriculture, Bishalgarh. The workshop was attended by 50 farmers, both men and women, aiming to enhance their knowledge and skills in scientific pulse cultivation. Several distinguished guests graced the event, including the Chairperson of Bishalgarh Panchayat, Atasi Das; Agriculture Standing Committee President of Sepahijala Zila Parishad, Gaurang; and Agro Standing Committee President of Bishalgarh Panchayat Samiti, Sankar Saha. Renowned experts such as Professor Dr Abhijit Saha, Dr Durga Prasad Awasthi, and Dr Ranjana Prasad from the College of Agriculture, Tripura, provided valuable insights. Other key officials present included Senior Assistant Director of Horticulture, Manisha Das; Agricultural Sector Officer of Bishalgarh Circle, Prabir Dutta; and Circle Incharge Uttam Debbarma. During the workshop, farmers received hands-on training in scientific farming techniques, disease control, soil health management using organic and microbial fertilizers, and seed sowing through advanced machinery like seed drills. To support farmers, 150 kg of pulse seeds and organic/microbial fertilizers were distributed by Tripura Agriculture College, Lembuchhara, and ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur. Notably, the central government has launched a 6-year mission to achieve self-sufficiency in pulse production, focusing on tur, urad, and masoor pulses. As part of this initiative, central agencies NAFED and NCCF will procure these pulses from registered farmers under a structured agreement over the next four years Earlier on March 16, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said that the state government will explore all opportunities to see how nursing education can be further improved in the state. CM Saha said this after felicitating six candidates as Nursing Caregivers under the Specified Skill Workers Scheme at TIFT. These six students have been given the opportunity to work in Japan in the nursing profession. (ANI) West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose met Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah in New Delhi on Wednesday. Amit Shah posted on X," Dr C.V. Ananda Bose, the Governor of West Bengal, called on Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri @AmitShah." https://x.com/HMOIndia/status/1902280269333458977 Meanwhile, Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar stated that Amit Shah is likely to visit West Bengal on March 29 and 30, though the final confirmation is awaited. "He (Union Home Minister Amit Shah) might come (to West Bengal) on 29th (March) and 30th, the whole day, he will give time to West Bengal BJP workers, we have received information like that. But he is the Union Home Minister, so till a confirmation comes, we won't be able to say anything. As of now, this is the probable date," Majumdar told ANI. Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spent three days in Assam, where he inaugurated several projects and addressed the 57th Annual Conference of All Bodo Students Union (ABSU). On Sunday, Amit Shah addressed the 57th annual conference of the All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU) as the Chief Guest in Assam's Kokrajhar. Union Minister Shah, in his address, said that the All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU) has played a significant role in establishing peace, development, and enthusiasm in the region. Without the ABSU's role, the Bodo Accord would not have been possible, and peace would not have been established in Bodoland. On this occasion, Shah also paid tribute to the five thousand martyrs who fought for the peace of Bodoland. He added, "When the entire Bodoland is following the path shown by its leader, Upendra Nath Brahma Ji, the government has decided to name a prominent road in Delhi as Bodopa Upendra Nath Brahma Marg. He also mentioned that in the first week of April, a program will be held in Delhi where a bust of Upendra Nath Brahma Ji will be unveiled." (ANI) Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray criticized the Maharashtra government over the law and order situation following violence in Nagpur. He alleged that the Home Department, under the Chief Minister, has failed to control crime, stating that the police do not have independent authority over law enforcement. Speaking to media reporters, Thackeray said, "The sad thing is that law and order is not in the hands of the police. If law and order were in the hands of the police, then what you have been seeing for the last 2-3 years, countless rapes etc, would not have happened. But the Home Department, which is with the Chief Minister, has failed." Similarly, MLA Bhaskar Jadhav also condemned the violence in Nagpur and said that the government should take strict action against the perpetrators. He further told ANI that, the incident could have been averted if the government had taken action on time. The Maharashtra police in Nagpur have registered FIRs against office-bearers of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal for allegedly hurting religious sentiments during their protest demanding the removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb in Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad). 50 individuals have been detained, and a curfew remains in effect for the second consecutive day across ten police district areas in Nagpur following violent clashes that erupted on March 17, police said. Judicial Magistrate First Class Court (JMFC) has remanded 19 accused in the Nagpur violence case to police custody till March 21. Yesterday, the Ganeshpeth police produced the accused before the court. Maharashtra's Minister of State for Home, Yogesh Kadam, also condemned the recent violence in Nagpur and stated that it is a very serious matter. Additionally, Kadam said that ongoing actions against illegal Bangladeshi intruders in Maharashtra will be intensified. Earlier on Tuesday, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, while speaking on the Nagpur incident, stated that eyewitness reports indicate the violence was pre-planned."Every day, 100-150 two-wheelers are parked in one place in the riot-affected area, but on that day, not a single vehicle belonging to the rioters was found there. How did petrol bombs, sticks, and swords suddenly appear in such large numbers? This was clearly a planned act," he alleged. "We courageously freed the bow and arrow, which the Shiv Sena had handed over to the Congress," Shinde asserted, adding that the Shiv Sena (UBT) has no right to speak of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj as they have accepted the ideas of Aurangzeb. The Deputy Chief Minister reiterated his stance, emphasising that the ideology of Balasaheb Thackeray and Hindutva guided his political decisions. (ANI) Union Minister of State (MoS) Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, on Wednesday, sent a strong message to terrorists in the Rajya Sabha, stating that they will either face jail time or meet their demise. This assertion comes amid the government's zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism, which has led to a significant 71% decrease in terrorist activities. Replying during the question hour in Rajya Sabha on the issue of terrorism, MoS Home Nityanand Rai said, "Earlier, the terrorists used to be glorified, they were even given great food. But now, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and its zero tolerance towards terrorism, there have been zero terrorist incidents in the hinterland...Terrorists will either go to jail or hell." "The Modi government has a policy of zero-tolerance towards terrorism. The government is taking all steps to end terrorism. As a result, there has been a 71 per cent decrease in terrorist activities," Rai added. Since its inception, the NIA has registered 652 cases, charge-sheeted 516 cases, and arrested 4,232 accused, with 625 convictions. Rai, in a written reply to Rajya Sabha, said that as of 12.03.2025, the NIA had registered 652 cases since its inception, and 516 cases had been charge-sheeted. The NIA has arrested 4232 accused so far, and 625 have been convicted. Out of a total of 157 decided cases, 150 have resulted in convictions. Rai emphasised that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been instrumental in combating terrorism, with a conviction rate of 95.54% in cases investigated by the agency. "The conviction rate of NIA investigated cases is 95.54 per cent. NIA has seized/attached a total of 551 (movable and immovable) properties under UA(P) Act, worth 116.27 crore rupees," Rai added. The minister also highlighted the NIA's expanded reach, which includes 21 branch offices across the country, its headquarters in New Delhi, and zonal offices in Guwahati and Jammu. Prior to 2019, the NIA had eight branch offices. Since then, the Government has opened 13 branch offices and two zonal offices, out of which nine new branch offices and the two zonal offices have been sanctioned and made functional during the last three years only. Over the last three years, the government has created 625 new posts in the NIA, including technical experts and senior officers. "The NIA has a total of 1901 sanctioned posts at present, out of which 625 posts (including one post of ADG, six posts of IG rank officers and 105 posts of technical experts) have been created during the last three years," he added. Rai's statement underscores the government's commitment to fighting terrorism and ensuring justice for those affected by it. The NIA's impressive conviction rate and expanded capabilities demonstrate its effectiveness in tackling terrorist activities. (ANI) The Madhya Pradesh police have recovered six bodies after a boat capsized in Shivpuri district. Speaking to ANI, Gwalior Inspector General Arvind Saxena said that they are searching for the body of a child. "We have recovered six bodies, and we are searching for the body of a child. Four are women, while two are male children. Further investigation is underway," IG Saxena said. The incident occurred late Tuesday evening, after which the rescue operations began. A team of SDRF (State Disaster Response Force) and local divers resumed search and rescue operations on Wednesday morning when the boat carrying devotees capsized. Shivpuri Superintendent of Police (SP) Aman Singh Rathore told ANI, "In the backwaters of the Matatila Dam, there is an ancient Siddh Baba temple, and the local villagers were going there. The boat capsized, and seven people were missing, three women and four children. Eight people had escaped. SDRF and local divers are carrying out the rescue operations." Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed grief over the incident and ordered an inquiry into the matter. "I express condolences for the seven people who lost their lives. I have ordered an inquiry into this incident. All of us should be careful while riding boats. I express my condolences," Chief Minister Yadav said. Earlier on Tuesday, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia also expressed sorrow over the tragic boat capsize. Taking to social media X, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia wrote, "The unfortunate incident of a boat full of devotees capsizing at Matatila Dam in Shivpuri is extremely sad. I have spoken to the Shivpuri Collector and Superintendent of Police regarding the accident and got information about the current situation." He further added, "Also, the NDRF and SDRF teams are continuously working for the immediate rescue of the people missing due to drowning in the river. I pray to God that all the missing devotees are safe and their families get strength in this difficult time." (ANI) He passed away on Tuesday evening following a brief illness at the age of 49 at PGIMER, Chandigarh, as per a release. The Chief Minister said that the sudden death of Dilip Sharma at such a young age was very unfortunate. He was a promising advocate and had been rendering his valuable services as ADG for the last two years. The CM has expressed his deep sympathies with the bereaved family members and relatives and prayed for peace to the departed soul. Dilip Sharma was cremated on Wednesday at Shimla with the guard of honour. The Judges of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, Advocate General Anup Rattan, President of Bar Council Piyush Verma and other Members of the Council, senior officers of the state government and senior advocates attended the funeral. (ANI) Telangana Minister for Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister Capt N Uttam Kumar Reddy has hailed the Rs 3.04 lakh crore Telangana's budget for 2025-26, presented by Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu in Assembly on Wednesday, as a bold and progressive financial plan that will strengthen the state's economy, boost agriculture, and ensure social welfare for all sections of society. Speaking to media persons after the budget presentation, Uttam Kumar Reddy said the allocations made in the budget reflect the government's commitment to sustainable development, rural empowerment, and food security under the leadership of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy. He emphasised that key investments in irrigation and civil supplies will drive long-term growth, benefiting farmers, rural communities, and the economically weaker sections. Expressing his strong approval of the Rs 23,373 crore allocation for irrigation and command area development, Uttam Kumar Reddy said the budget prioritises completing pending irrigation projects and launching new ones, ensuring that Telangana's farmers receive uninterrupted water supply. He highlighted the Udaya Samudram-Brahmana Velamala Lift Irrigation Project, which will lift 6.70 TMC of water from the Udaya Samudram Balancing Reservoir to the Brahmana Velamala Balancing Reservoir. The project is designed to irrigate one lakh acres of land and provide safe drinking water to 107 fluoride-affected villages in Nalgonda and Yadadri Bhuvanagiri districts, bringing much-needed relief to drought-prone areas. He also welcomed the allocation of Rs 266.65 crore for revitalising the Bunadigani Canal under the Musi Project. This will enhance water distribution for farmers in the Yadadri district, ensuring better agricultural output. He lauded the government's efforts to secure Telangana's rightful share of Krishna and Godavari river waters. He pointed out that the previous administration had failed to act, leading to unfair water allocations favouring Andhra Pradesh. However, under the Revanth Reddy government, Telangana has forcefully presented its case before the Brijesh Kumar Tribunal, demanding a fair share of water resources. To ensure better management of water resources, Uttam Kumar Reddy praised the government's plan to implement a real-time telemetry system to monitor water usage, which will make the process more transparent and efficient. As the Minister for Civil Supplies, Uttam Kumar Reddy expressed satisfaction over the Rs 5,734 crore allocation for the Civil Supplies Department, which will ensure food security for millions of Telangana families. He highlighted the Gruha Jyothi Scheme, which provides free electricity to households consuming up to 200 units. He noted that 50 lakh families have benefited from this initiative, with the government allocating Rs 1,775.15 crore to sustain the scheme. He also welcomed the Indiramma Housing Scheme, which provides houses in the name of women beneficiaries. With 4.5 lakh houses sanctioned and Rs 22,500 crore allocated, he called it a historic step toward women's empowerment and housing security. Speaking about direct benefits to the poor, Uttam Kumar Reddy praised welfare initiatives under the Abhayahastam scheme, including free bus travel for women under the Mahalakshmi scheme, Rs 500 LPG cylinders, and ration card expansions, which will enhance the quality of life for economically weaker sections. He particularly highlighted the Rs 500 per quintal bonus for fine rice procurement, which has encouraged an increase in fine rice cultivation from 25 lakh acres to 40 lakh acres. He assured that the state's paddy procurement system is being strengthened, ensuring farmers get fair prices and are protected from market fluctuations. He also lauded the Rythu Bharosa scheme, under which each farmer will receive Rs 12,000 per acre annually to help cover investment costs for seeds, fertilisers, and technology. He noted that the Rs 18,000 crore allocation for the scheme will enhance farmers' financial stability and boost productivity. Calling the Rs 3.04 lakh crore budget a visionary roadmap, Uttam Kumar Reddy stated that Finance Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu has delivered a well-structured plan for inclusive development, ensuring that Telangana progresses toward a trillion-dollar economy. He praised the record allocations for marginalised communities including Rs 40,232 crore for Scheduled Caste Welfare; Rs 17,169 crore for Scheduled Tribe Welfare; Rs 11,405 crore for Backward Classes welfare; Rs 31,605 crore for rural development; Rs 12,393 crore for healthcare and Rs 3,591 crore for minority welfare. These allocations, he said, demonstrate the government's commitment to social equity and upliftment. Uttam Kumar Reddy said, "This is a budget of hope, progress, and prosperity. It is a budget that prioritizes farmers, strengthens food security, and expands welfare for the underprivileged. Under Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's leadership, Telangana is moving toward a brighter, more inclusive future. Every citizen - whether in rural villages or urban centres - will benefit from the vision and policies outlined in this budget." (ANI) Chinar Warriors, in a joint operation with Jammu and Kashmir police, recovered and destroyed an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on the "critical" line of communication along Bandipora-Srinagar road, the Army said on Wednesday. https://x.com/ChinarcorpsIA/status/1902305759427490090 "ChinarWarriors in a joint operation with @JmuKmrPolice today, averted a major terror incident, which would have threatened innocent lives of Kashmiri citizens, by recovering and destroying an IED on the critical line of communication along Bandipora - Srinagar Road, Aragam," Chinar Corps, Indian Army said in a post on X on Wednesday. "The lED was surgically handled and destroyed, highlighting the commitment of our security personnel, ever committed for the safety of Citizens. Indian Army remains resolute in its commitment to keep Kashmir terror-free," the Army added. On March 17, the Chinar Warriors and JK Police averted a terror incident today by recovering and destroying an IED in general area Meer Mohalla, Qaimoh, Kulgam. In another operation on March 17, based on specific intelligence input regarding presence of terrorists, a Joint Operation was launched by JK Police and the Indian Army in general area Khurmur forest, Handwara, Kupwara. Suspicious activity was observed by vigilant troops and on being challenged, terrorists opened indiscriminate fire. The troops effectively retaliated, resulting in neutralisation of one terrorist alongwith recovery of one AK Rifle. On March 16, the ChinarWarriors and BSF Kashmir averted a terror incident by recovering and destroying an IED in general area Narikut Forest, Kupwara. Meanwhile, In another development, raids are being conducted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) at 12 locations in Jammu on Wednesday in connection with a case relating to infiltration by terrorists from across the border. The searches are being carried out at the hideouts of overground workers (OGWs) and hybrid terrorists. Premises of sympathizers and cadres of these organisations were also searched as part of the crackdown. (ANI) Flash 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 Kazakhstan's First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar in Beijing, capital of China, March 18, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua] Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang met with Kazakhstan's First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar in Beijing on Tuesday. The two leaders co-chaired the 12th Meeting of the China-Kazakhstan Cooperation Committee, pledging to deepen practical cooperation. Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that under the guidance of the two heads of state, the China-Kazakhstan relationship has maintained a trend of rapid development, serving as an exemplary model for state-to-state relations. The two sides should effectively implement the important consensus reached by their heads of state, further consolidate political mutual trust, enhance mutual support, synergize development strategies, deepen practical cooperation, and bring improved benefits to both countries and peoples, Ding added. He fully affirmed the achievements of the China-Kazakhstan Cooperation Committee since its 11th meeting. He made four suggestions for future work: strengthening the guiding role of head-of-state diplomacy, deepening high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, advancing law enforcement and security cooperation, and promoting people-to-people exchange. Sklyar said that Kazakhstan regards the development of relations with China as a diplomatic priority. It stands ready to work with the Chinese side to fully leverage bilateral cooperation mechanisms, ensure the effective implementation of key Belt and Road cooperation projects, and advance new achievements in Kazakhstan-China cooperation. Congress leader Nana Patole on Wednesday called on the Maharashtra government to have a discussion in Vidhan Sabha on the March 17 Nagpur violence that saw incidents of stone pelting and vehicles torched. He further stated that during the debate, the opposition will present their views on the incident of violence. On the First Information Report registered and further investigation into Nagpur violence, Patole told ANI, "Let us have a discussion in Vidhan Sabha; we will present our views there..." Earlier Patole lashed out at the Maharashtra government over the Nagpur violence and claimed that they did not believe in Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj further stating that their only aim was to destroy the State. Speaking to ANI, Patole said, "They don't believe in Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj; their only aim is to destroy Maharashtra...The government was involved in the incident in Nagpur ..." Fifty individuals have been detained, and a curfew remains in effect for the second consecutive day across ten police district areas in Nagpur following violent clashes that erupted on March 17, police said. Speaking to ANI, DCP Rahul Maknikar says, "The situation is under control. The investigation is underway. We have formed 10 teams. We have detained 50 people so far." Meanwhile, Judicial Magistrate First Class Court (JMFC) has remanded 19 accused in the Nagpur violence case to police custody till March 21. Yesterday, the Ganeshpeth police produced the accused before the court. Maharashtra's Minister of State for Home, Yogesh Kadam, has condemned the recent violence in Nagpur, stating that it is a very serious matter. "The incident that happened in Nagpur is very serious. Strictest action will be taken. People having the audacity to raise their hands on DCP-level officers and police personnel will not be tolerated at all," Kadam remarked. Additionally, Kadam said that ongoing actions against illegal Bangladeshi intruders in Maharashtra, will be intensified. He said, "The action that has been going on against Bangladeshi intruders in Maharashtra for the last three to four years is going to be done more aggressively now." (ANI) Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Wednesday. Taking to X, the Home Minister of India wrote in Hindi, "Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla met Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah." https://x.com/HMOIndia/status/1902293092218069250 Earlier in the day, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose also met the Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah. Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spent three days in Assam, where he inaugurated several projects and addressed the 57th Annual Conference of All Bodo Students Union (ABSU). On Sunday, Amit Shah addressed the 57th annual conference of the All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU) as the Chief Guest in Assam's Kokrajhar. Union Minister Shah, in his address, said that the All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU) has played a significant role in establishing peace, development, and enthusiasm in the region. Without the ABSU's role, the Bodo Accord would not have been possible, and peace would not have been established in Bodoland. On this occasion, Shah also paid tribute to the five thousand martyrs who fought for the peace of Bodoland. He added, "When the entire Bodoland is following the path shown by its leader, Upendra Nath Brahma Ji, the government has decided to name a prominent road in Delhi as Bodopa Upendra Nath Brahma Marg. He also mentioned that in the first week of April, a program will be held in Delhi where a bust of Upendra Nath Brahma Ji will be unveiled." Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that under the BTR peace agreement, the government removed the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from the entire BTR area on April 1, 2022. He also mentioned that under the Government of India's 'One District, One Product' (ODOP) program, today, the mushroom from Kokrajhar, known as "Mushroom From Bodoland," is being included in the menus of hotels in Delhi. This has become possible due to the peace established in Bodoland. He further stated that because of the peace, Bodoland was able to host the Durand Cup tournament. He appealed to the athletes of Bodoland to start preparing for the potential Olympics in India in 2036. (ANI) As part of the central government's outreach to farmers, three Union Ministers and Punjab Cabinet Ministers met with the farmers in Chandigarh on Wednesday amid their protest over several demands. After meeting with farmers' leaders, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan emphasized that the discussion was very positive. "The meeting took place in a very positive atmosphere and the discussions were very positive. The next date for the meeting is May 4," Chouhan said. Punjab Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, "The meeting took place in a very positive atmosphere, and the next date for the meeting is May 4. The discussions were very positive, and the officials of the Agriculture Ministry will hold discussions with all the stakeholders who want a legal guarantee on MSP." Punjab farmer leader, while speaking to the media, also said that the discussion was positive, and the Central government has asked for some time to discuss their demand for a legal guarantee of the Minimum Support Price. "Today, our 9-point meeting was held, in which several ministers from the central government and the Punjab government participated. Pralhad Joshi, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Piyush Goyal were also present in this meeting. The discussion today lasted for about three hours and mainly focused on the MSP law. The government has stated that they need some more time as they have to conduct inter-ministerial discussions on this matter. The government also mentioned that there could be some issues in making MSP a legal law," a farmer leader said. PT John from Kerala emphasized that they would not compromise on their demand for a legal guarantee on MSP. "The farmers from Kerala are unanimously asking for the legal guarantee of the Minimum Support Price must be passed in the Parliament. We will not compromise on this demand. Until and unless it is not passed in the Parliament, we will not stop the struggle," John said. Earlier on February 14 and 22, the Centre held a meeting with farmers over their demands. (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav cancelled his participation in the Rang Panchami Ger celebration in Indore after a tragic accident claimed the life of a young man on Wednesday. The incident occurred when the youth fell from a tractor-tanker and was run over during the festivities. "As per the pre-scheduled program, today, I had come to attend the Rang Panchami Ger program in Indore. I had a program at Rajwada in the city. But I was informed that a tragic incident happened during the Rang Panchami Ger festival, in which a man was injured and later died. I express my deep condolences to the family on this occasion and pray to the almighty that the departed soul may rest in peace," CM Yadav said in a video shared on X. The Chief Minister expressed grief over the incident and canceled his program to participate in the celebration, stating, "Now, I will be unable to attend the program. I am sad that someone's child has passed away and it is an incident of sorrow." He further urged everyone to observe necessary precautions during the festivals so that family could not suffer and also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh to the family of the deceased. "All of us should take these necessary precautions during the festivals, because due to our mistakes, our family pays the price for it. I also announce to give Rs 4 lakh to the family member of the deceased person. I hope that we should take precaution when we celebrate the festival in the coming days. Now, I will not participate in the Rang Panchami Ger celebration in Indore," CM said. "I would only like to say that festivals are meant to inculcate hope, enthusiasm and joy in all our lives, but it is important to be careful as well," he concluded. Giving details about the incident, Indore Collector Ashish Singh told ANI, "A tragic accident happened during Ger celebration, in which a youth who was sitting on a tractor-tanker fell down from it and the same tanker passed over it resulting in his death. CM Mohan Yadav also came to Indore to participate in the program but showing his sensitivity after the incident, he decided not to participate in the Ger celebration and went back from Indore." Rest all other arrangements are still in place and the police administration are monitoring the situation. The security measures will remain till the time everyone goes back to their homes, he added. (ANI) The Delhi High Court has issued a notice to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on a plea filed by the Commissioner of Delhi Police. The plea challenges the compensation awarded by the NHRC for the wrongful arrest of an individual accused of murder. The case revolves around the murder of a senior citizen, Satish Babu Gupta, who was discovered at his residence with multiple injuries. His body was found lying on his bed, with his legs tied and hanging. Following an investigation, the police arrested four individuals suspected of involvement in the murder and dacoity, subsequently filing a charge sheet before the Additional Sessions Judge. However, the brother of one of the accused, Naseem, approached the NHRC, claiming his brother had been wrongfully arrested. He sought both his brother's release and compensation for the alleged wrongful detention and arrest. During the NHRC proceedings, the Trial Court discharged all the accused due to insufficient evidence and directed departmental action against the investigating officer, including the SHO and ACP. After conducting an inquiry, the NHRC ordered the Delhi Police to pay Rs 1,00,000 as compensation to the wrongfully arrested and charge-sheeted individual. The Commissioner of Delhi Police challenged this recommendation in the Delhi High Court. Central Government Standing Counsel, Advocate Ashish Dixit, representing the Commissioner, argued that the police investigation was conducted lawfully and concluded that the accused were involved in the crime. Advocate Dixit contended that the discharge of the accused by the Court did not imply malafide intent or ulterior motives in the investigation. Furthermore, he maintained that the police acted within their statutory powers, making the NHRC's compensation order legally unfounded. Justice Sachin Datta of the Delhi High Court issued a notice to the NHRC and the complainant, directing them to respond to the petition. (ANI) People's Democratic Party (PDP) MLA Waheed Para on Wednesday emphasized the need for a more nuanced approach to rehabilitating Kashmiri Pandits, moving beyond relief and rehabilitation. He stressed that the community has suffered greatly, and their issues are deeply rooted in pain, trauma, dignity, and identity. "We have raised an issue about Kashmir pandits that the government should not see this as an issue of rehabilitation relief for consumers. Kashmir pandits have lost so much. This is an issue of pain and trauma for a community; they need respect, they need dignity. There is an issue of dignity and identity of Kashmir pandits, and we need to address the pain," told Para to ANI. Para urged the government to increase district-level coordination with Kashmiri Pandits and ensure constant engagement to address their concerns on a faster basis. He also highlighted the importance of reintegrating Kashmiri Pandits into society beyond segregation and not viewing them solely as migrants. "District-level coordination with Kashmir pandits and the government should increase, and there should be constant engagement. It should be addressed on a faster basis, and the larger point is again that we should not see Kashmir pandits as a migrant issue... we should work towards the reintegration of Kashmir pandits beyond segregation," said Para. Jammu and Kashmir Congress President Tariq Hameed Karra asserted that dialogue can solve any problem. "I neither want to make it country-specific nor party-specific nor person-specific. I believe that in any war, any bad relations or any such cross-border conflict, the last resort for everything is dialogue. According to me, the door of dialogue should never be closed, and dialogue should continue. It is the final solution to any issue," Karra said. On February 3, All India Kashmiri Samaj (AIKS), led by its president Ravinder Pandita, met with Kiren Rijiju, the Minister of Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs, in New Delhi. According to a press release, during the meeting, AIKS presented a memorandum seeking the declaration of Kashmiri Pandits as a minority community and the establishment of a dedicated commission to address their concerns within the Jammu & Kashmir region. Pandita discussed the current situation of Kashmiri Hindus, pointing out the irony that they are considered a minority in Jammu & Kashmir but a majority in the union territory as a whole. As per the release, Pandita emphasized that the demand has become more significant following the abrogation of Article 370 and the unification of Jammu and Kashmir. He highlighted the importance of these issues in the current political landscape. The release stated, "In recognition of the minister's time and consideration, AIKS presented Kiren Rijiju with a Sharda shawl and a portrait." The Indian government has taken various steps to support the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits, including the creation of 3,000 additional state government jobs and 6,000 transit accommodations in the Kashmir Valley, at a cost of Rs. 1,080 crore and Rs. 920 crore, respectively. (ANI) West Bengal Leader of Opposition and BJP MLA Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday lashed out at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, calling her "illiterate" and accusing her of insulting the country's daughter, Sunita Williams. Adhikari's outburst came after Banerjee allegedly referred to the Indian-American astronaut as "Sunita Chawla" instead of Sunita Williams. Adhikari also mentioned a past incident in which Banerjee supposedly claimed that Rakesh Roshan and Indira Gandhi went to the moon. He termed this "shameful" and criticized Banerjee for changing Williams' name. "The CM is saying the wrong things. She is an illiterate Chief Minister. She took the name of Sunita Chawla instead of Sunita Williams. This is an insult to the daughter of our country. Earlier, the CM said Rakesh Roshan and Indira Gandhi went to the moon. It is shameful that the West Bengal CM changed the name of Sunita Williams," said Adhikari. LoP Suvendu Adhikari, along with BJP MLAs, staged a protest outside the Assembly Gate against State Legislative Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee, alleging him of working against the Constitution. He alleged that the TMC goons and police in plain clothes obstructed his way when he was going to enter the assembly. "We are elected representatives, but we are unsafe," he added. Earlier NASA Crew-9 astronauts Sunita Williams, Nick Hague, Butch Wilmore, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov breathed Earth's air for the first time in over nine months on Wednesday after the successful splashdown of SpaceX's Dragon capsule in the Gulf of America off the coast of Florida. CNN reported that the astronauts disembarked the capsule on stretchers, as is customary. SpaceX takes this precaution for all astronauts returning from long-duration space missions. NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov have been in space since September 2024. However, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams had been away much longer--their journey began last June. Initially expected to last just a week, their mission was extended to more than nine months due to issues with their Boeing Starliner capsule, which delayed their return. (ANI) Congress leader KC Venugopal on Wednesday said that the Election Commission seeking to address complaints of duplicate EPIC numbers is a welcome step and opposition parties will keep a watch on the process. "So far it is a welcome step by the Election Commission...Whenever we raise the issue of EPIC cards, the Election Commission or the central government is not ready to agree on that...There will be a 24-hour watchdog system in Congress and INDIA alliance parties to check the voter list and the activity of the Election Commission," the Congress leader told ANI. Election Commission, led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, held a crucial meeting with key officials and technical experts to discuss the linking of Voter ID (EPIC) with Aadhaar on Tuesday. Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi along with the Union Home Secretary, Secretary Legislative Department, Secretary MeitY and CEO, UIDAI and technical experts of the ECI also participated in the meeting. The commission clarified that the process will strictly adhere to Article 326 of the Constitution and relevant provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. In line with a Supreme Court ruling, the ECI emphasized that Aadhaar serves only as proof of identity, not citizenship. Technical consultations between UIDAI and ECI experts will commence soon on the matter. "While, as per Article 326 of the constitution of India, voting rights can only be given to a citizen of India; an Aadhaar card only establishes the identity of a person," the Election Commission said. "Therefore, it was decided that the linking of EPIC with Aadhaar will be done only as per the provisions of Article 326 of the constitution, Section 23(4), 23(5) and 23(6) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 and in line with the Supreme Court judgement in WP(civil) No. 177/2023. Accordingly, technical consultations between UIDAI and the technical experts of ECI are to begin soon," it added. The Congress said on Tuesday that the poll panel had "acknowledged" party's charge of suspect voter lists and it was being sought to be "cleaned up using Aadhaar". "Congress party welcomes a constructive solution with guardrails to not deny anyone the right to vote," said the statement issued on Tuesday by EAGLE (Empowered Action Group of Leaders and Experts) set up by the party. It said the Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a statement confirming its intent to link EPIC Voter-ID numbers with Aadhaar numbers. "It is a clear acknowledgement of the charge that the Congress party and the Leader of Opposition Shri. Rahul Gandhi have been making about the suspicious and dubious nature of our voter lists, as witnessed in the recent Maharashtra 2024 Vidhan Sabha elections. We continue to demand that the Election Commission make public the entire electoral photo rolls of Maharashtra 2024 Vidhan Sabha and Lok Sabha elections," the statement said. "The main charge of the Congress party was that there was an abnormal increase in new voters enrolled in just five months between the Maharashtra Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections, implying that either these were fake, duplicate or ghost voters. Fake or duplicate voters is a problem of one person having multiple voter-ids. The Election Commission has acknowledged this problem of 'one person many voter-ids' raised by the Congress party, which can be eliminated through de-duplication using Aadhaar," it added. The statement said Congress supports constructive solutions that ensure clean voter lists, in line with Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar's assertion made in 1949 that 'electoral rolls are most fundamental in a democracy and the independence of the elections process is a fundamental right'. "But at the same time, it is important that no adult Indian citizen is denied the right to vote due to Aadhaar linkage. The Congress party urges the Election Commission to consult with all political parties and stakeholders, and assure them that there are sufficient guardrails to not deny the right to vote to even a single eligible citizen as well as the privacy of any single voter is not breached through this process," the statement said. (ANI) Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel expressed his joy and extended heartfelt congratulations to Sunita Williams, the daughter of Gujarat and the pride of the nation, on her safe return to Earth after an extraordinary nine-month mission at the International Space Station, as per a release. The Chief Minister expressed his hope that the untiring dedication of Williams and her fellow astronauts would continue to inspire lakhs of people in the years to come. The CM also expressed his joy over the immense pride that Williams, the daughter of Mehsana district in Gujarat, had brought to the state and its people. He also extended his heartfelt wishes for the well-being of Sunita and her entire team. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended a warm welcome to Sunita Williams after her return from the extended expedition in space aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft as part of NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 mission. In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Welcome back, #Crew9! The Earth missed you. Theirs has been a test of grit, courage and the boundless human spirit. Sunita Williams and the #Crew9 astronauts have once again shown us what perseverance truly means. Their unwavering determination in the face of the vast unknown will forever inspire millions." PM Modi also hailed those who worked tirelessly to ensure Williams' safe return, saying that they "have demonstrated what happens when precision meets passion and technology meets tenacity." "Space exploration is about pushing the limits of human potential, daring to dream, and having the courage to turn those dreams into reality. Sunita Williams, a trailblazer and an icon, has exemplified this spirit throughout her career. We are incredibly proud of all those who worked tirelessly to ensure their safe return. They have demonstrated what happens when precision meets passion and technology meets tenacity," PM Modi added in the post. NASA Crew-9 astronauts Sunita Williams, Nick Hague, Butch Wilmore, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov breathed earth's air for the first time in over nine months on Wednesday after the successful splashdown of SpaceX's Dragon capsule in the Gulf of America off the coast of Florida. NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov have been in space since September 2024. However, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams had been away much longer--their journey began last June. (ANI) Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) Working President KTR on Wednesday slammed the Congress government's latest state budget, and called it a complete betrayal of Telangana's people who are left with "zero gains," as per a release. He described it as a mirror reflecting Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's inefficiency, incompetence, and administrative failure and accused the government of drowning the hopes of four crore people who trusted and voted for them. KTR criticized Congress for puncturing the 'wheel of progress' built over a decade under BRS rule and alleged that their sole focus was sending "bags of money" to Delhi rather than fulfilling promises made to Telangana. The BRS Working President labelled the budget as a "40 per cent commission budget" that prioritized political greed over people's welfare and vowed that BRS would fiercely oppose this "anti-people budget." Further, KTR pointed out that the much-hyped six guarantees, promised within 100 days, had been reduced to nothing, "After Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka's hour-and-a-half speech, it became clear that these guarantees were a hollow chant of "Govinda Govinda." The Congress, he said, buried its own affidavit--once equated to the Bhagavad Gita--after winning votes with false promises. "Telangana's poor, women, farmers, and elderly awaited the budget with hope, but the promised Rs 2,500 monthly for women under Mahalakshmi, Rs 4,000 pensions for the elderly, and "tula of gold" remain unmentioned which left these groups shocked and disappointed," he said. According to KTR, while the BRS government borrowed Rs 4.17 lakh crore over 10 years, Congress amassed Rs 1.6 lakh crore in just one year, with no new projects or schemes to justify it. KTR further mocked the Congress' "trillion-dollar economy" claim and said that they don't even know how many zeros that entailed, yet seem set on a "trillion-dollar debt." He blamed Revanth Reddy's negative policies and politics for a drop of Rs 73,000 crore in the state revenue and questioned why Bhatti Vikramarka's "realistic budget" failed to meet expectations when the CM himself admitted to this shortfall. KTR also accused Congress of backstabbing every section of society. "Over 100 auto drivers committed suicide due to the free bus scheme, yet the promised Auto Drivers' Welfare Board was absent from the budget, leaving eight lakh auto drivers statewide in distress," KTR mentioned. "Rahul Gandhi's assurances of a board for gig workers like Swiggy and Zomato employees and two lakh jobs in the first year remain unfulfilled, with unemployed youth laughing at the government's claims of issuing appointment letters for BRS-era notifications," he said. "Weavers, who got Rs 1,200 crore under KCR, have been slashed to Rs 370 crore. Government employees, promised more than KCR's 73 per cent fitment, found no mention of PRC or five pending DAs," KTR added. KTR further alleged that farmers' loan waivers were incomplete, with Congress dodging BRS's challenge to prove 100 per cent implementation in a single village. "The Rs 12,000 aid for farm labourers was another broken promise, despite claims of starting it. KTR challenged them (BRS) to show one village where it had been delivered and said he was ready for any punishment if proven wrong," he claimed "Marginalized communities had been cheated too. The caste census underrepresented BCs, while promises of sheep for Yadavs, 25 per cent reservation in wine shops for Gouds, and Rs 12 lakh under Ambedkar Abhaya Hastam for Dalits were ignored," KTR stated. KTR also alleged that Congress's priority was "Moosi lootification" --to funnel funds to Delhi, escalating from a 20 per cent to a 40 per cent commission regime. He claimed they (BRS) planned to distribute Rs 6,000 crore to Congress workers like "jaggery and dal," but warned that the people wouldn't tolerate Telangana's wealth being handed over. "This isn't youth development; it's Telangana's destruction. While farmers commit suicide, the government shamelessly organizes beauty contests and brags about it in the budget," he said. The BRS leader called this a budget that buried welfare and erased development's address. KTR quipped, "If a lizard ripens, it becomes a chameleon; if a chameleon ripens, it becomes Revanth Reddy." He warned that Congress was more dangerous than the deadly Covid-19, and left no power supply or progress in its wake. The BRS has demanded accountability and a shift from Delhi-centric corruption to addressing Telangana's real needs. (ANI) Feature: "America's fighting peace in Middle East," U.S.-bombarded Yemenis say Xinhua) 08:51, March 19, 2025 SANAA, March 18 (Xinhua) -- In a market in the Yemeni capital Sanaa, Ali Mutahar hurried to buy his daily necessities before nightfall, fearing a new wave of U.S. airstrikes on northern Yemen was coming. The U.S. airstrikes began Saturday evening, targeting dozens of locations including residential buildings across the capital Sanaa and some northern provinces. The bombardment lasted till early Sunday morning as U.S. President Donald Trump has vowed to expand the air raids for weeks. "Trump ordered the airstrikes on Yemen, targeting and destroying several residents' houses and killing dozens of Yemeni families along with their children in the past 24 hours," Mutahar, a father of two, told Xinhua. "The U.S. military was striking residential buildings ... I wonder where are the human rights that the U.S. has been boasting about through Western media," Mutahar lamented. "We can't sleep ... my daughters can't sleep ... we all stayed awake hiding under a table in a small room," the father said, describing the air attacks as loudly violent that shook houses and smashed windows. The death toll has increased to 53, including five children and two women, with 98 others wounded, including 18 children and women, according to a statement from Yemen's Health Ministry. Rescue operations were underway to search for those who are still trapped under the rubble of destroyed houses. Some local residents filmed destroyed houses and posted the videos on social media. The injured, including women and children, were still lying in beds in hospitals to receive treatment. Many of them were in critical condition, suffering from heavy burns and injuries from shrapnel fragments. In the Geraf neighborhood in northern Sanaa, many families were seen packing their belongings and leaving the city amid life-threatening bombardments. Besides the capital Sanaa, the U.S. airstrikes also targeted some areas in the provinces of Sanaa, Saada, al-Bayda, Hajjah, Dhamar, Marib and al-Jawf. It was the first military operation conducted by the U.S. military against the Houthi group since Trump assumed power in January and redesignated the group as a "foreign terrorist organization." During the airstrikes on Saturday night, Trump posted on social media Truth Social that the aerial attacks on the "terrorists' bases, leaders, and missile defenses were to protect American shipping, air, and naval assets, and to restore navigational freedom." Trump also warned the Houthis that if they do not stop their attacks, "starting today... Hell will rain down upon you like nothing you have ever seen before." The U.S. Central Command posted footage on social platform X showing that fighter jets took off from a U.S. aircraft carrier in the northern Red Sea. In response, Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi vowed to launch retaliatory attacks. "We will respond to the American enemy by launching missile attacks and targeting its warships and naval vessels," the leader said in a televised speech aired by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV. The U.S. air attacks came after the Houthi group announced on March 11 that it would resume attacks on Israeli ships passing through the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the Bab al-Mandab Strait until the crossings of the Gaza Strip are reopened and humanitarian aid is allowed in. Since November 2023, the Houthi group has launched dozens of drone and rocket attacks against Israel-linked ships and Israeli cities to show solidarity with Palestinians during the Israel-Hamas conflict. The Houthis stopped their attacks on Jan. 19, when a three-phase Gaza ceasefire deal took effect. In the street of Sanaa, youths were outraged about the U.S. bombing. "America is fighting peace in the Middle East," Al-Hassan Al-Alawi, a university student, told Xinhua. "If Trump thinks that his military's airstrikes on the Yemeni cities and civilians will force us to kneel and prevent our voices from rising to demand the lift of Gaza siege and the entry of humanitarian aid, then it's mistaken." (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Flash People taste grapes at a grape fair in Turpan, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Aug. 17, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] China has made significant progress in pursuing sustainable development and human rights protection in recent years, experts said at a side event during the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council on Monday. The event, titled "The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Human Rights Protection," was co-hosted by the China Society for Human Rights Studies and the China Foundation for Human Rights Development. Sun Meng, a professor at the Human Rights Institute of China University of Political Science and Law, emphasized China's commitment to a path that integrates sustainable development with human rights protection. She added that China has always adhered to the development concept of innovation, coordination, greenness, openness and sharing, as well as the people-oriented development principle, and fully implemented the idea of human rights protection. Zhou Shaoqing, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, stated that one of the reasons behind the rise of ideologies and movements that severely impact social cohesion and even political stability worldwide is the extreme disparity in wealth and the high inequality of economic and social rights. He emphasized that China addresses this issue through relevant policies and legislation to ensure economic and social equality, with a particular focus on promoting equal development for ethnic minority regions and remote regions. China's systematic policy framework, development priorities, and the goal of "common prosperity" provide valuable references for addressing global governance inequality, he added. Tang Yingxia, deputy director of Nankai University's Human Rights Center, stated that human rights, climate change, and sustainable development are closely interconnected, and this intrinsic link calls for active measures at the national level. She highlighted that China is addressing climate change by proposing and implementing its dual carbon goals to protect environmental rights. Furthermore, China has adopted relevant measures at various levels and achieved remarkable success in the development of a low-carbon economy. Da Lu, an associate professor from China's Southwest University of Political Science and Law, noted that there are still many challenges ahead in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. He called on the international community to adhere to the principles of consultation, joint construction and sharing, promote the building of a more just and reasonable international order, and inject more positive impetus into global development. While hearing a plea regarding problems faced by migrant labourers and unorganised sector workers, the Supreme Court on Wednesday flagged the contradictory stance of certain States when it comes to seeking benefits from Centre based schemes. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh orally remarked that certain states in India claim that they have a very high per capita income when they want to project their development but when it comes to seeking benefits from the Centre with respect to food security schemes, those same States claim that 70 percent of their population is poor. Advocate Prashant Bhushan who appeared for the petitioner, pertinently submitted that out of the 30 crore people who have applied for issuance of Ration Card on the Centre's' E-Shram Portal, 8 crore have not been issued the same yet. The States claim that they have exhausted the quota to provide ration and food to the eligible poor under their scheme is discriminatory as many earlier eligible applicants have been issued the ration cards, argued Bhushan. He stated that the quota set by the States to provide subsidised ration to the poor is based on the 2011 population census. "If the census was done in 2021, 10 crore more people would have been eligible (for ration cards)...Union of India has increased the funds for other schemes like Ayushman Bharat scheme", Bhushan added. He argued that the right to food is a right provided under Article 21 of the Constitution of India and that the states cannot discriminate by not providing ration cards to new applicants under the relevant scheme. After hearing Bhushan's submissions at length, the Court asked the Central government to come up with an effective mechanism to provide ration cards to the poor. "Let us make sure that- what can be an effective mechanism to provide ration cards to the poor", Justice Surya Kant said to ASG Aishwarya Bhati who appeared for the Centre. "We ensure that poor people (including Below Poverty Line)- they are provided ration at subsidised rate", added the top court judge. The Court also agreed with Bhushan's assertion that the issue is genuine and providing food to the people is a Right under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. The Court listed the matter to be heard next on April 4 after SGI Tushar Mehta requested for the same. (ANI) Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh delivered the keynote address at the 14th meeting of ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) - Plus Experts Working Group (EWG) on Counter-Terrorism in New Delhi on Wednesday. Speaking at the session he said, "India remains steadfast in its zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and believes in an approach that combines robust domestic mechanisms, enhanced intelligence-sharing, and strong regional cooperation." . The Defence Secretary stated that terrorism remains a dynamic & evolving challenge, with threats increasingly transcending borders, and the use of advanced technology, cyber tools & unmanned systems by terrorist groups necessitates a cohesive, forward looking and action-oriented approach. He added that the Indo-Pacific region, given its geopolitical and economic significance, is particularly vulnerable to transitional terrorism and violent extremism, which calls for a comprehensive, adaptive, and deeply collaborative response. Rajesh Kumar Singh emphasised that, through the ADMM-Plus platform, India seeks to build synergy among the defence forces, security agencies, and policy frameworks to address emerging threat effectively. "In the complex, hyper-connected & fast-paced world, social and ecological systems are fragile. It is important to assess this risk to empower the Governments in priority setting and decision making. Terrorism can destabilise governments, undermine civil society, and threaten social & economic development. We have a collective obligation to provide the decision-makers guidance to understand uncertainty and better weigh the impact on decision making," he said. The event witnessed the handing over of ADMM-Plus EWG on Counter-Terrorism chairmanship to India and Malaysia from Russia and Myanmar for a three-year cycle. The Defence Secretary voiced the commitment of the new co-chairs towards ensuring that the efforts over this cycle yield practical and meaningful results. "By leveraging our collective expertise, enhancing capacity-building, and fostering deeper trust and cooperation, we can significantly strengthen regional security and counter-terrorism preparedness," he said. Rajesh Kumar Singh stated that in the present cycle of EWG on Counter-Terrorism, the focus will be on strengthening regional cooperation and improving interoperability among the Armed Forces through structured joint initiatives. He added that the aim will be to counter the misuse of emerging technologies and addressing threats posed by terrorists through use of AI-driven propaganda, encrypted communications, drone technologies. "Strengthening cyber resilience against online radicalisation and recruitment efforts will also be a focus area," he said. The Defence Secretary said, work will be carried out together towards capacity building through practical exercises wherein Malaysia will conduct a Table-Top Exercise in 2026, facilitating strategic-level decision making simulations to improve Counter-Terrorism planning and preparedness. In 2027, India will host a Field Training Exercise, aimed at stimulating real-world Counter-Terrorism scenarios, enhancing operational coordination, and testing rapid response mechanisms. He called for developing a whole of government and whole of society approach to counter radicalisation and violent extremism and enhancing legal and financial frameworks to disrupt terror financing networks. Rajesh Kumar Singh congratulated Malaysia for assuming the chairmanship of ASEAN for the year 2025, extending India's full support. He acknowledged Malaysia's effort in effectively steering ASEAN under the current geopolitical scenario with the theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability'. He added that India is privileged to co-chair this crucial initiative alongside Malaysia, and appreciates the participation of representatives from the ASEAN member states, the Plus nations, the ASEAN Secretariat, and Timor-Leste. "Your presence reaffirms our shared commitment in combating terrorism in all its forms," he said. The Defence Secretary termed India's relationship with ASEAN as a key pillar of its foreign policy, which is at the heart of Act East Policy. He reiterated India's strong support to a stable and unified ASEAN which serves as an institutional anchor of an important region. Delegations from 10 ASEAN members (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore and Thailand) and eight dialogue partners (Australia, New Zealand, RoK, Japan, China, USA and Russia) along with Timor Leste and ASEAN Secretariat are participating in the meeting. India is co-chairing the EWG on Counter-Terrorism for the first time. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party's National Media Incharge and Lok Sabha MP Anil Baluni met Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at the Uttarakhand Bhawan in New Delhi on Wednesday. Discussions on various contemporary topics were held between both. Earlier in the day, the Uttarakhand CM virtually chaired the review meeting of CM Helpline-1905 from Uttarakhand Sadan in the national capital and said that people's problems can be solved while they are sitting at home. Speaking to ANI, CM Dhami said that district officials and officials of every department should constantly communicate with people. "People should not face any problems. Their problems can be solved while they are sitting at home. For this, a review meeting has been held today and district officials and officials of every department should constantly communicate with people, organize public meetings, solve their problems and simplify things," CM Dhami said. He further said that he has communicated with some people who have registered their complaints on the CM portal. "I have given instructions to solve them quickly. We will do such a review every month so that people's work is done quickly in the state and people do not have to face any problems anywhere," he added. In a post on X, CM Dhami said that in a meeting of CM Helpline 1905 from New Delhi, he directed the officers to expedite the resolution of pending problems. During this, he talked to various complainants and inquired about the action taken on the complaints lodged by them in the Chief Minister's Helpline. "District Magistrates were directed to issue show cause notices to officers who are negligent in resolving complaints, seek clarification and take strict action against them. It should be ensured that public meetings and tehsil days are organised regularly and complaints registered on these days should be resolved promptly,' he posted on X in Hindi The Uttarakhand CM also instructed officials to organize various multipurpose camps in the districts upon the completion of 3 years of the state government. "Also, on the occasion of the completion of 3 years of the state government, instructions were given to organize various multipurpose camps in the districts so that the general public can get maximum benefit. Our effort is that every problem of the public should be solved quickly and there should not be any kind of inconvenience in their lives," CM Dhami said.In the 2022 Assembly elections, BJP won the popular mandate for the second consecutive term in Uttarakhand and won 47 seats in the 70-member assembly. (ANI) West Bengal leader of Opposition and BJP MLA Suvendu Adhikari claimed that there was no democracy in Bengal after Trinamool Congress workers showed black flag and raised slogans of 'Go Back' to BJP MLAs at Baruipur on Wednesday. Suvendu Adhikari said, "We are being attacked. There is no democracy in Bengal." BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul said that they are being shown black flag because they were with Sanatan Hindus. "We are being shown black flag because we are with Sanatan Hindus. We are also with nationalist Muslims. If they (TMC workers) think that we will be intimidated by showing black flags or shouting 'go back' slogans, then they should know that the BJP is not like that. We (BJP) will raise our voices against the injustice that is happening. Police Minister is Mamata Banerjee, and this is being done on her orders. If we talk about people of Bengal we are suspended. Police is just silently watching," she alleged. Earlier Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday lashed out at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, calling her "illiterate" and accusing her of insulting the country's daughter, Sunita Williams. Adhikari's outburst came after Banerjee allegedly referred to the Indian-American astronaut as "Sunita Chawla" instead of Sunita Williams. Adhikari also mentioned a past incident in which Banerjee supposedly claimed that Rakesh Roshan and Indira Gandhi went to the moon. He termed this "shameful" and criticized Banerjee for changing Williams' name. "The CM is saying the wrong things. She is an illiterate Chief Minister. She took the name of Sunita Chawla instead of Sunita Williams. This is an insult to the daughter of our country. Earlier, the CM said Rakesh Roshan and Indira Gandhi went to the moon. It is shameful that the West Bengal CM changed the name of Sunita Williams," said Adhikari. LoP Suvendu Adhikari, along with BJP MLAs, staged a protest outside the Assembly Gate against State Legislative Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee, accusing him of working against the Constitution. He alleged that the TMC goons and police in plain clothes obstructed his way when he was going to enter the assembly. "We are elected representatives, but we are unsafe," he added. (ANI) Union Minister and senior BJP leader Giriraj Singh on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on RJD supremo Lalu Yadav, saying Bihar doesn't want a chief minister from a "corrupt family." This statement comes as Lalu Yadav appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding the land-for-job scam. Singh emphasised that Bihar wants Nitish Kumar as its chief minister, implying that Kumar is a more suitable and trustworthy leader. Kumar, who is currently the chief minister of Bihar, has been leading the state in an alliance with the BJP. "Bihar does not want a Chief Minister from the corrupt family. Bihar wants Nitish Kumar as the Chief Minister," said Singh while speaking to reporters. The land-for-job scam has been a major controversy. Lalu Yadav and his family members are facing allegations of misusing their influence to secure jobs in the railways in exchange for land. The ED's investigation into the matter is ongoing. Earlier in the day, Lalu Yadav appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with its probe into land for jobs scam. On Tuesday, Lalu Prasad's wife and RJD leader Rabri Devi and his son Tej Pratap Yadav appeared before the ED for questioning in the contention with the case. Meanwhile, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav slammed the BJP, saying that cases were being filed against them due to "political vendetta." Accusing the government of "misusing" constitutional institutions, Yadav said this would only strengthen them and allow them to come to power in Bihar. "Cases are being filed against us due to political vendetta. This does not affect us. They are anxious and fearful. The more they misuse the constitutional institutions, the stronger we will get. We will form the government in Bihar with the same strength. All teams of the BJP and IT Cell will work only in Bihar now," Yadav, former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister, told reporters. "When the Delhi assembly elections concluded, I had told you that BJP's teams from A to Z will work only in Bihar. We follow the legal procedure. If someone summons, we go. However, nothing will happen," he added. Earlier this month, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) concluded its arguments on charges against former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, Tejaswi Yadav, former Minister Prem Chand Gupta, and other accused in the case. The case was related to alleged corruption in the tender of IRCTC hotels. The CBI said there is sufficient material to frame charges against all accused persons. This case is connected with the period when Lalu Prasad Yadav was the Railway Minister from 2004 to 2009. (ANI) The sudden and controversial death of Vimal Negi, General Manager (Engineering) at Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL), has raised serious concerns among engineers and employees of the corporation. Following the incident, representatives of the Power Corporation and State Engineers' Association met with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, demanding a high-level inquiry and immediate action against the management. Speaking to the media after the meeting, Lokesh Thakur, convener of Joint action front President of the State Engineers' Association said that they have demanded a high level inquiry into the matter. "Our primary demand was for a high-level inquiry into the death of Engineer Vimal Negi. He was a senior official, and the investigation must be conducted by the highest-ranking officials," said Thakur. Thakur further mentioned that the Chief Minister has assured them that an inquiry will be conducted at the highest level. "The Chief Minister has assured us that a fair investigation will take place, and top officials will handle it. For now, we are satisfied with his assurance," he added. The second major demand from the engineers was the immediate suspension of HPPCL's management to ensure a fair and unbiased investigation. He added, "We want the current management to be suspended immediately so that there is no scope for evidence tampering. Employees are working under immense pressure, and this needs to be addressed." He highlighted that HPPCL projects have long been plagued with overworking issues. Engineers and employees have been forced to work late into the night without any justified reason. "We have found that employees were made to sit until 2 AM, despite no productive outcome from the work. In some cases, employees had to wait for hours in the parking lot due to a lack of transportation facilities," he stated. Thakur also pointed out that protests have taken place in the past against HPPCL's management, particularly against the Head of the Corporation. "It is no secret that multiple movements have taken place against the HPPCL head. There have also been 'letter bomb' incidents exposing issues within the corporation. Everything is in the open; nothing is hidden anymore," he said. The shocking death of Vimal Negi has intensified concerns about the working conditions within HPPCL. Employees fear that pressure and an unhealthy work environment could be key factors behind the incident. As the investigation unfolds, the engineers' association remains firm in its demands for justice and reforms within the corporation.(ANI) Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday chaired a meeting of West Bengal Congress leaders. The meeting was held at Indira Bhawan in New Delhi. The leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi along with leaders like Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Ghulam Ahmad Mir were present in the meeting. Earlier on Tuesday, Kharge chaired a meeting of All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretaries and state in-charges at the same venue. Congress leaders including Bhupesh Baghel, Kumari Seljha, Sachin Pilot, Jairam Ramesh, KC Venugopal, Ajay Maken, and Randeep Surjewala among others also participated in the meeting. On March 13, the Punjab Congress Political Affairs Committee convened a crucial meeting to strategize on strengthening the party's organizational structure in the state. The state in-charge, Bhupesh Baghel, stated that six key agendas were discussed, with a focus on micromanagement and grassroots outreach. Speaking to the media after the meeting, Baghel, emphasizing the need to connect with all sections of society, including farmers, women, youth, and Dalits, announced plans for training programs and the formation of booth committees to take state issues to the ground level. On March 8, Rahul Gandhi addressed party workers in Ahmedabad and emphasized that the Congress Party must first fulfil its responsibilities before asking people for votes. During the Samvaad program, Rahul Gandhi said, "It has been almost 30 years since we have been in power here. Whenever I come here, there are discussions on Assembly elections of 2007, 2012, 2017, 2022, 2027...But the question is not about elections. The people of Gujarat will not make us win the elections until we fulfil our responsibilities...We should not even ask the people of Gujarat to bring us to power until we fulfil our responsibilities. I guarantee you that the day we do this, the people of Gujarat will give their support to the Congress party." Rahul Gandhi criticised the Congress Party itself and said, "Gujarat is stuck, it is unable to see the way, Gujarat wants to move forward. I am a member of the Congress party and I am saying that the Congress party of Gujarat is unable to show it the way, and I am not speaking with shame, I am not speaking with fear, I want to put this before you whether it is our workers, whether it is Rahul Gandhi, whether it is our general secretary, whether it is our PCC president, we are unable to show the way to Gujarat. Till date, the expectations of Gujarat from us, from me, from our PCC president, from our in-charge in the last 30 years, we are unable to fulfil them." The 86th All India Congress Committee (AICC) Convention will be held in Ahmedabad, Gujarat from April 8 to 9. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday praised the Union Cabinet for approving five major projects across India, which aim to boost the country's dairy sector, livestock production, infrastructure development, and digital payments. The Union Cabinet approved the National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD), Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM), Brownfield Ammonia-Urea Plant, Six-Lane Access-Controlled Greenfield Highway, and Incentive Scheme for Low-Value BHIM-UPI Transactions. In a post on X, PM Modi said that the approval of the revised National Programme for Dairy Development will provide a major boost for the country's dairy sector. "A major boost for India's dairy sector! The Cabinet's approval for the revised National Programme for Dairy Development will contribute to the sector's transformation, ensuring better pricing for farmers, job creation, and more," PM Modi said. The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the Revised National Program for Dairy Development (NPDD). The Revised NPDD, a Central Sector Scheme, has been enhanced with an additional Rs.1000 crore, bringing the total budget to Rs.2790 crore for the 15th Finance Commission cycle (2021-22 to 2025-26). This initiative focuses on modernizing and expanding dairy infrastructure, ensuring the sector's sustained growth and productivity. The revised NPDD will give an impetus to the dairy sector by creating infrastructure for milk procurement and processing capacity and ensuring better quality control. It is intended to help farmers gain better access to markets, ensure better pricing through value addition, and improve the efficiency of the supply chain, leading to higher incomes and greater rural development. The Prime Minister also mentioned that the Rashtriya Gokul Mission will boost milk production in the country. "The Cabinet's decision relating to the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) will boost milk production, improve indigenous breeds and empower several dairy farmers. It is a major effort towards self-reliance in the livestock sector," PM Modi said on X. The Union Cabinet approved the Revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) to boost growth in the livestock sector. Implementation of the revised RGM as a Central Sector component of the Development Programmes scheme is being done with an additional outlay of Rs 1000 crore, for a total outlay of Rs 3400 crore during the 15th Finance Commission cycle from 2021-22 to 2025-26. Two New activities added are: (i) One-time assistance of 35 per cent of the capital cost for the establishment of Heifer Rearing Centres to Implementing Agencies for the creation of 30 housing facilities having a total of 15000 heifers and (ii) To encourage farmers to purchase High genetic merit (HGM) IVF heifers to provide 3 per cent interest subvention on loan taken by the farmer from milk unions / financial institutions/ banks for such purchase. This will help in the systemic induction of high-yielding breeds. The revised Rashtriya Gokul Mission is approved with an allocation of Rs 3400 crore during the 15th Finance Commission cycle (2021-22 to 2025-26). Further, Prime Minister Modi praised the approval of the proposal to establish a new brownfield ammonia-urea plant in Namrup, Assam. "The Cabinet's approval for a new Brownfield Ammonia-Urea Complex at BVFCL, Namrup, Assam will enhance domestic urea production, benefit farmers in Northeast & Eastern India and create new employment opportunities. It will also strengthen our vision of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat by ensuring fertilizer security and promoting energy-efficient production," he said. The Union Cabinet approved the proposal for setting up a new Brownfield Ammonia-Urea Complex of 12.7 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) annual capacity of Urea production within the existing premises of Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Limited (BVFCL), Namrup Assam, with an estimated total project cost of Rs 10,601.40 Crore with Debt Equity ratio of 70:30 through a Joint Venture (JV), under the New Investment Policy, 2012 read with its amendments on 7th October 2014. The tentative overall time schedule for the commissioning of the Namrup-IV Project is 48 months. Additionally, the Cabinet also approved the National Fertilizers Limited (NFL)'s equity participation of 18% in relaxation to the limits prescribed in Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) guidelines; and the constitution of an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) to oversee the process of setting up of Namrup-IV Fertilizer Plant. PM Modi also expressed happiness on the 'Incentive Scheme for promotion of low-value BHIM-UPI transactions Person to Merchant (P2M)' for the financial year 2024-25. "The incentive scheme on promoting low-value UPI transactions, which has been approved by the Cabinet today, will encourage digital payments and further 'Ease of Living," he said. The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the 'Incentive Scheme for promotion of low-value BHIM-UPI transactions Person to Merchant (P2M)' for the financial year 2024-25. The scheme to promote low-value BHIM-UPI transactions will be implemented at an estimated cost of Rs 1,500 crore. Only the UPI transactions up to Rs 2,000 for small merchants are covered under the scheme. Further, the Prime Minister also highlighted the approval of the construction of a six-lane access-controlled Greenfield Highway in Maharashtra. "Today, the Union Cabinet has approved an important infrastructure-related project, the construction of a 6-lane access-controlled Greenfield Highway starting from JNPA Port (Pagote) to Chowk (29.219 km) in Maharashtra. This is in line with our vision of PM Gatishakti, which is to ensure quicker connectivity to and from our ports. This project will add momentum to the growth of the regions around Mumbai and Pune," PM Modi said on X. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved the construction of a six-lane access-controlled Greenfield High-Speed National Highway starting from JNPA Port (Pagote) to Chowk (29.219 km) in Maharashtra. The project will be developed on a Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) mode at a total capital cost of Rs 4500.62 Crore. Development of road connecting infrastructure to major and minor ports in India is one of the main focus areas of integrated infrastructure planning under PM Gatishakti National Master Plan principles. With increasing container volume in JNPA port and the development of the Navi Mumbai International Airport, a need was identified for augmenting National highway connectivity in the region. (ANI) What's more surprising is that he opted for helicopter rides to nearby locations like Mysuru, which is only a 1.5-hour drive from Bengaluru. As per documents tabled by the government in the house, Rs10.85 lakh was spent on a chopper ride to Mysuru, which takes 1.5 hours by road. In a question asked by the JDS MLC TN Javarayigowda in the legislative council to provide details on the jets and flights booked by the CM, the CMO stated Siddaramaiah took chopper to even locations like Mysuru, which is barely 1.5 hr from Bengaluru. The documents tabled by the government in the house show that Siddaramaiah booked charter flights to cities like Delhi and Chennai, which are well-connected by commercial airlines. One such instance was a charter flight to Delhi, which cost Rs 44.40 lakh, whereas a business class ticket for a round trip would have cost approximately Rs 70,000. BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar took a dig at CM Siddaramaiah and argued that the state's priorities are misplaced, with allegedly ample funds allocated for the Chief Minister's private jets and land acquisition, while development, farmer welfare, and infrastructure projects face funding shortages. "Wah @siddaramaiahavare wah! @RahulGandhi 's "paradigm change" governance in full flow in Karnataka - No money for development, No money for farmers, No money for Infra but plenty of money for CMs pvt jets and plenty of land to be grabbed," Chandrasekhar said in a post on X. Earlier in the day, a delegation of Karnataka BJP met Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot at Raj Bhavan and handed over a memorandum against the state government's Bills. (ANI) As per a release, the operation, which was carried out with precision and diligence, highlights the effectiveness of Assam Rifles intelligence gathering and operational capabilities. Earlier, police in Assam's Cachar district seized narcotics worth Rs 1 crore and arrested one person in connection with the case. Numal Mahatta, Superintendent of Police of Cachar district said that, based on secret information Cachar district police on Sunday conducted a special operation against the illegal transportation of narcotics substances at Digharkhal Toll Gate under the jurisdiction of Kalain police station. "During the operation, one vehicle bearing registration number MZ-01Z-8256 coming from Guwahati and destined for Aizawl was intercepted. During a thorough search, 72 numbers of cartoons containing 8640 bottles of codeine phosphate cough syrup bottles were recovered along with 2 kg of suspected ganja. The recovered narcotics substances were accordingly seized along with the vehicle used. In this connection, one person identified as Joylaldan Thanga (38 years old) of Aizawl district has been arrested. The price of the seized narcotics substance in the black market is about Rs 1 crore," she said. Meanwhile, the Assam Chief Minister also lauded the successful operation of the Assam police. (ANI) Flash Chinese Ambassador to the United Kingdom (UK) Zheng Zeguang has called on business communities in both countries to seize the opportunities presented by China's continued stable development. Chinese Ambassador to Britain Zheng Zeguang addresses the 2024 UK-China Business Forum in London, Britain, March 20, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ying) Zheng made the statement at an event hosted on Monday briefing the "two sessions": the annual meetings of the National People's Congress - China's top legislature, and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Zheng said this year's sessions have shown the world that China is committed to advancing the country's modernization with high-quality development. China will firmly act as an "enabler," providing "more stability and positive energy for the world," in areas such as economic development, sci-tech innovation, green transition, and global peace and stability, he added. The "two sessions" also showed the success of China's political system, the ambassador stressed, adding that it is "the secret behind the two miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability" in China. Highlighting the importance of a stable and constructive China-UK relationship in a chaotic and turbulent world full of challenges, the ambassador called on both sides to maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges, implement the outcomes of previous dialogues, and strengthen cooperation while properly handling differences between the two countries. Sherard Cowper-Coles, chairman of the China-Britain Business Council, said that a Chinese government report released during the sessions responds to tackling serious challenges in a coherent and disciplined way. "It talks about increasing consumption, putting more money in the pockets of the Chinese people, stimulating innovation and opening China up more to investment, and inviting visitors around the world not just commercial businesses, but the tourists and students as well, all very very important," Cowper-Coles said. Michael Mainelli, former Lord Mayor of the City of London, acknowledged that this is a pivotal moment for the UK in the relationship between China, and the global community. He said the sessions "have set the stage for policies that will influence not only China's trajectory, but also its interactions with the world." As a global financial and technology center, London looks forward to strengthening cooperation with China in finance, green finance, artificial intelligence and other fields, Mainelli noted. Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday hit out at Trinamool Congress member Saket Gokhale over remarks in the Rajya Sabha during a discussion on the working of his ministry and said that if the opposition member wants to expand the scope of discussion, everything will be answered. Gokhale, who initiated the discussion, made references to CBI. Amit Shah said that CBI does not fall under his ministry, but if the scope of discussion is sought to be expanded, "there will be a reply for everything". Gokhale claimed that as he began interpreting, the Home Minister "dar gaye" (got scared). Amit Shah strongly countered him and said the question of getting scared does not arise. Amit Shah said he is not in Parliament due to anyone's favour and has won elections repeatedly. He said the CBI is probing cases on directions of the High Court and spoke of post-poll violence in West Bengal and alleged "inaction" by the Trinamool Congress government. He said no special CBI court had been set up in West Bengal. Gokhale's personal observations against the Home Minister were expunged by Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar after he refused to withdraw them. Union Health Minister JP Nadda, who is the Leader of the House, said the Trinamool Congress member should withdraw his remarks and apologise. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said Gokhale had lowered the dignity of the House and that the Trinamool Congress member had not given any constructive suggestion during the debate. Gokhale also made remarks pertaining to BJP, and Nadda urged the Chair to expunge the comments Chairman said the remarks of Gokhale were under his consideration, and he would give a ruling. He said by making remarks of a personal nature, Gokhale had "polluted" his speech. BJP member Sudhanshu Trivedi, who also took part in the debate, said that the NDA government had strengthened internal security and taken decisive action against terrorism. The debate remained inconclusive and will resume tomorrow. (ANI) A delegation of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), including MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi and Tamil Nadu Minister S. Regupathy, met Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann at Kapurthala House in Delhi to discuss the meeting called by the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on March 22 regarding the proposed delimitation of parliamentary constituencies. After the meeting, DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi said, "Our Chief Minister has spoken to AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal and also to the Punjab Chief Minister. Today, when we met the Punjab Chief Minister with the letter from our Chief Minister, he assured us that he would come to Chennai for the meeting on delimitation on the 22nd. The party has assured us of their support on this issue, and they have promised to be part of this campaign, which our leader has taken forward..." Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin has called for a meeting of Chief Ministers and leaders from different political parties on March 22 in Chennai to discuss the proposed delimitation of parliamentary constituencies. The Stalin-led DMK government in Tamil Nadu has been protesting against the central government's three-language formula for national education policy and 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." Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA government at the Centre wants to reduce the number of parliamentary seats in areas where they do not win elections. Speaking to media persons, Mann said that two Tamil Nadu Ministers would meet him regarding the Joint Action Committee (JAC) meeting called by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on the proposed delimitation of parliamentary constituencies. "I spoke to Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, and two Tamil Nadu ministers are coming to meet me. We want to know how many seats they (central government) want to increase. Now, they want to reduce the number of seats in Tamil Nadu because their population is low, which means they (the central government) are going against population control... They (central government) want to reduce the number of seats in areas where they do not win (elections)," Mann said. (ANI) Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Wednesday that each railway station has unique operational challenges due to varying passenger movement patterns during the festivals. He said that for the security arrangements and to streamline passenger flow, station-specific plans are made involving all the stakeholders, including Government Railway Police (GRP), Local Police, and Local Civil Administration, and action is taken accordingly to manage the influx of passengers. The minister told Lok Sabha in a written reply that to handle the rush of passengers during Maha Kumbh 2025 at Prayagraj, new infrastructure was created--seven additional platforms were built, bringing the total to 48 platforms across nine stations in the Prayagraj area. The approach roads to these stations were widened to ensure smooth movement of pilgrims. In total, 17 new permanent Yatri Ashryas were constructed, increasing the holding capacity of these shelters from 21,000 to over 1,10,000. Additionally, 21 new Road Over Bridges (ROBs) and Road Under Bridges (RUBs) have been built, eliminating all level crossings in the region. A well-coordinated train operation plan was deployed to ensure smooth transportation during the Kumbh. Each station was having its own control room, with a central master control room at Prayagraj Junction. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were developed for train operations and crowd management at stations. To facilitate smooth rush of passenger's flow, extensive measures have been put in place, including single entry and exit points at stations on major Snan days and unidirectional movement on platforms, foot over bridges (FOBs), and ramps. Security arrangements for Mahakumbh-2025 were comprehensive, with an emphasis on surveillance and real-time monitoring, the minister said. A total of about 1200 CCTV cameras, including 116 Face Recognition System (FRS) cameras and Drone cameras were also deployed for surveillance of tracks and crowd management at approach roads to stations. Additional deployment of 15,000 personnel from the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Government Railway Police (GRP) and para-military forces were done to ensure security. Also, additional deployment was made at other sensitive railway stations where high rush of passengers was expected such as Varanasi, Ayodhya, Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, Danapur and New Delhi. Vaishnaw said New Delhi Railway Station has adequate infrastructure. It has 16 platforms, three foot over bridges (FOBs), access from both Paharganj and Ajmeri gate side, large open spaces in front of the station. Large rush of passengers during festivals and events like Kumbh, Chatth, Holi is being handled regularly on New Delhi Railway Station. Redevelopment of New Delhi Railway Station has been sanctioned under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. The minister said that Amrit Bharat Station Scheme envisages development of stations on a continuous basis with a long-term approach. This scheme involves preparation of Master Plans and their implementation in phases to improve the amenities at the stations like improvement of station access, circulating areas, waiting halls, toilets, lift/escalators as necessary, cleanliness, free Wi-Fi, kiosks for local products through schemes like One Station One Product, better passenger information systems, executive lounges, nominated spaces for business meetings, landscaping etc. keeping in view the necessity at each such station. The scheme also envisages improvement of building integrating the station with both sides of the city, multimodal integration, amenities for Divyangjans, sustainable and environment friendly solutions, provision of ballast less tracks etc. as per necessity, phasing and feasibility and creation of city centres at the station in the long term. The plan for redevelopment of New Delhi Railway station, envisages larger new station buildings at both sides, spacious Air Concourse with modern amenities for passenger, Multi Modal Transport Hub connecting different mode of transportation and providing parking and other facilities. The redeveloped station envisages a network of surface and elevated roads to provide access at two levels and to decongest surrounding areas of New Delhi railway station. Adequate security measures like CCTV cameras, access control, movement regulation and waiting space are also envisaged. He said that decisions have been taken to handle heavy rush of passengers at stations. These include permanent holding areas at 60 stations, access control, wider foot-over-bridges, cameras, war rooms, new generation communication equipment, new design ID card, new design uniform for staff and upgrading of station director post. The minister said that CCTV cameras are installed at New Delhi railway station, which is being monitored round the clock. He said a high-level inquiry committee has been constituted for comprehensive investigation into the incident at New Delhi railway station. The stampede at New Delhi railway station occurred on February 15 in which 18 people died and 15 were injured. (ANI) The AAP-led MCD government made history on Wednesday by regularising 12,000 contractual employees which fulfilled a major promise, an official statement said. Mayor Mahesh Kumar Khichi announced a budget allocation of Rs 800 crore for their salaries. However, the Delhi Mayor highlighted that the BJP, unable to digest a Dalit Mayor's leadership, turned the House into a battleground--resorting to chaos and physical altercations that left AAP councillors injured. For two years, the BJP has done everything to stall proceedings, but AAP remains focused on delivering for Delhi's people, the statement added. Delhi Mayor Mahesh Kumar addressed a press conference on Wednesday during the MCD House meeting on the revised budget for 2024-25 and the budget estimates for 2025-26. Deputy Mayor Ravinder Bhardwaj and Leader of the House Mukesh Goel were also present on the occasion. Mayor Mahesh Kumar Khichi criticised the BJP and stated "The BJP cannot digest a Dalit mayor's tenure." He called out BJP councillors for misconduct, which led to disruptions in the House proceedings and even injuries to some AAP councillors. "For the past two years, the BJP has deliberately obstructed the smooth functioning of the House," he added. Leader of the House Mukesh Goel presented the revised budget for 2024-25 and the budget estimates for 2025-26 in the House, securing its approval. He blamed the BJP's politics of vendetta for today's disruptions and stated "Due to the BJP councillors' unruly behaviour, AAP councillors sustained injuries today as well." Despite this, Mukesh Goel highlighted AAP's magnanimity in accepting the cut motion proposed by Leader of Opposition in the MCD, Raja Iqbal Singh. "AAP has shown a big heart by approving the cut motion proposed by the Leader of Opposition," he said. The motion included additional budget provisions--Rs 1 crore for street lights and high-mast lights, Rs 50 lakh for Chhath Puja, and Rs 25 lakh for women's toilets, all of which were approved. Leader of the House Mukesh Goel highlighted key provisions in the budget and stated "The Commissioner had allocated Rs 75 lakh per ward for development works, but the AAP government has increased this by Rs 80 lakh, raising the total to Rs 1.55 crore." Additionally, he announced a budgetary provision of Rs 800 crore for regularising 12,000 daily wage and contractual employees in the corporation. "This amount will be sourced from the road maintenance fund," he added. Discussing the AAP government's tenure in MCD, Mukesh Goel stated, "In the past two years, we have cleared the backlog of salaries for employees and pensions for retirees, which had accumulated over a decade under BJP rule." He criticised the previous administration, saying, "During BJP's tenure, employees went without salaries for six months, leading to frequent strikes. Under the AAP government, this has ended, as we ensure timely salary payments." Reassuring MCD employees, Mukesh Goel said, "The AAP government has maintained the Schedule of Posts, and no new jobs will be created, nor will any employee lose their job." He assured workers, "No employee will be laid off." Concluding his address, Mukesh Goel reaffirmed AAP's commitment to the people of Delhi: "The AAP government is dedicated to providing every facility to the residents of Delhi. This budget, passed today in the MCD House, will meet the expectations of every Delhi citizen." (ANI) In the wake of Trinamool Congress workers displaying black flags and raising slogans of 'Go Back' against West Bengal Leader of Opposition and BJP MLA Suvendu Adhikari at Baruipur, he announced that the office of the Superintendent of Police would be gheraoed on March 27. Suvendu Adhikari said, "When JP Nadda can be attacked in West Bengal, then who am I? After getting permission from the High Court, we will 'gherao' the SP office on March 27." He further alleged that the attack was carried out at the behest of the police. Adhikari added, "The Additional SP marked that this is the vehicle of the LoP and ordered them to beat him. Many BJP workers were injured. No action was taken when Union Minister and BJP National President JP Nadda's car was attacked in 2021. I am just an MLA." The BJP staged protests against the vandalism and arson of temples in Baruipur, South 24 Parganas, and the expulsion of BJP MLAs, including the Leader of the Opposition, from the Assembly. Suvendu Adhikari claimed that there was no democracy in Bengal after Trinamool Congress workers showed black flags and raised 'Go Back' slogans against BJP MLAs in Baruipur on Wednesday. "We are being attacked. There is no democracy in Bengal," Adhikari said. BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul stated that they were shown black flags because they stood with Sanatan Hindus. "We are being shown black flags because we stand with Sanatan Hindus. We are also with nationalist Muslims. If they (TMC workers) think that we will be intimidated by black flags or 'Go Back' slogans, they should know that the BJP is not like that. We will raise our voices against the injustice happening. The Police Minister is Mamata Banerjee, and this is being done on her orders. If we speak for the people of Bengal, we are suspended. The police are just silently watching," she alleged. Earlier on Wednesday, Suvendu Adhikari lashed out at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, calling her "illiterate" and accusing her of insulting the country's daughter, Sunita Williams. Adhikari's outburst came after Banerjee allegedly referred to the Indian-American astronaut as "Sunita Chawla" instead of Sunita Williams. He also mentioned a past incident in which Banerjee supposedly claimed that Rakesh Roshan and Indira Gandhi went to the moon. He termed it "shameful" and criticized her for changing Williams' name. "The CM is saying the wrong things. She is an illiterate Chief Minister. She took the name of Sunita Chawla instead of Sunita Williams. This is an insult to the daughter of our country. Earlier, the CM said Rakesh Roshan and Indira Gandhi went to the moon. It is shameful that the West Bengal CM changed the name of Sunita Williams," said Adhikari. Adhikari, along with BJP MLAs, staged a protest outside the Assembly Gate against State Legislative Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee, accusing him of acting against the Constitution. He alleged that TMC goons and police in plain clothes obstructed his way while he was entering the Assembly. "We are elected representatives, but we are unsafe," he added. (ANI) The Karnataka Assembly passed a resolution opposing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, drawing sharp criticism from the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which accused the state government of engaging in "appeasement politics." Leader of Opposition R. Ashok voiced strong objections to the resolution, alleging that the state government was supporting Muslims to gain votes. "We discussed Waqf issues for two days because all our temples and farmers' land have been acquired by the Waqf Board. Many government schools, which have existed for the last 60-70 years, have also been declared as Waqf properties. The Karnataka government is supporting Muslims because of votes," Ashok stated. BJP MLA Dr C N Ashwath Narayan also condemned the move, asserting that the Congress-led government was prioritizing political gains over transparency and accountability. "We totally condemn the approach and the resolution taken by the Congress government in Karnataka on the floor of the House. It is nothing but appeasement politics. They don't want anything to be clear or accountable. They don't want to be answerable or transparent. They just want to abuse and misuse the additional powers given to the Waqf Board... They are opposing it with a political motive," Ashwath Narayan said while speaking to ANI. The Karnataka Assembly passed a resolution against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill on Wednesday. The resolution was tabled by the state's Law Minister, H. K. Patil. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill has been a topic of debate, as it aims to amend provisions related to the administration of Waqf properties. The Waqf Act of 1995, enacted to regulate Waqf properties, has long been criticized for issues such as mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, seeks to address these challenges by introducing reforms such as digitization, enhanced audits, improved transparency, and legal mechanisms to reclaim illegally occupied properties. (ANI) A protest is being done by the family members and colleagues of the deceased Engineer who died in a suspicious situation in Himachal Pradesh. The body of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) engineer Vimal Negi was kept outside the HPCL office in the BCS area. Negi's family members, relatives, and HPPCL employees gathered in large numbers, demanding justice and immediate action against senior officials allegedly responsible for the undue pressure that led to his untimely death. The protesters demanded the suspension of HPPCL's Managing Director Hrikesh Meena and Director Deshraj while urging the authorities to hand over the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The agitation continued for over eight hours, with demonstrators blocking the main road leading to New Shimla. Amid the mounting tension, former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition, Jai Ram Thakur, reached the protest site along with the entire BJP legislative team to meet Negi's grieving family. Expressing deep sorrow over the incident, Thakur said, "I came here to meet the family members. This is very tragic. He was an honest officer, an honest engineer. His colleagues say this, and his family says the same. But what expectations did the government have from him? What work were they trying to get done by pressuring him continuously? This pressure had been building up for a long time, and today, we have his dead body before us." The family, devastated by Negi's sudden demise, strongly suspects foul play. Thakur reiterated their demand for accountability, stating, "It is necessary to know whether this is a murder or suicide. The family has indicated the names of three specific officers. Action should be taken against them. But so far, only their transfers have been discussed. A man has lost his life! The family and the public are demanding their suspension, and they are saying they will not move from here until action is taken." He further added that he had urged the Deputy Commissioner (DC) and Superintendent of Police (SP) Shimla to convey the family's emotions to the government and Chief Minister. Thakur also said that this issue had been raised in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly for the past three days. He criticized the government's handling of the case. "Even when the Chief Minister gave his statement in the Assembly, the concerns we raised have proven to be true. What the family is saying today aligns with the doubts we had expressed earlier. They are demanding a CBI investigation, and we fully support this demand. The investigation must be fair and transparent." Jai Ram Thakur further said. The former CM further assured that the BJP would continue to press for justice in the Assembly and also take the matter to the Governor. He urged the family to provide a written request for a CBI probe, promising that he would escalate the demand to the central government. The incident has triggered a significant political storm in Himachal Pradesh, with the opposition intensifying its attack on the state government. The growing demand for a CBI inquiry suggests that the case might soon escalate to the national level. As the protest continued late into the night, Negi's family and colleagues remained firm in their stance, refusing to relent until justice was served. (ANI) The Rouse Avenue court on Wednesday summoned an original file of the proposal for the restoration of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW)'s Financial and Administrative Autonomy. This file has been summoned from the Department of Women and Child Development of the Delhi Government. The court is recording evidence in a case related to alleged irregularities in recruitment in DCW during Swati Maliwal's tenure. AAP MP Swati Maliwal and others are accused in this case. Special judge Jitendra Singh summoned the original file for the next hearing on April 8, 2025, at the request of the Additional Public Prosecutor (APP). The court passed the direction while recording the examination chief of Manoj Kumar, Assistant Commissioner, Department of Trade and Tax, Delhi. "At the request of Ld. Addl. PP for the State further examination in chief is deferred for summoning the original file from the Department of Women and Child Development, GNCT of Delhi, which is necessary for the examination of the present witness," the Special judge said in the order. During evidence, he deposed that he had joined the investigation of the present case in the year 2016. At that time, he was working as Deputy Secretary, Finance since 2014. He deposed that a proposal regarding restoring the financial and administrative autonomy of the Delhi Commission for Women, from the officials of the Delhi Commission for Women was received. The said proposal was examined in detail and the finance department gave the reply to the said proposal in points form. At this stage, APP showed the witness the photocopies of the proposal and reply/notings of the Finance Department, GNCT Delhi from the judicial file. These photocopies were attested by Asha Gandhi, the then Deputy Director of the Department of Women and Child Development, GNCT Delhi. APP Manish Rawat recorded the statement of a witness. Advocate Sanjay Gupta, counsel for Swati Maliwal was also present. On February 24, the court had directed to verify the medical documents of Barkha Singh.She is the complainant in a case. This case is against Swati Maliwal, Promila Gupta, Sarika Chaudhary and Farheen Malik. The court is recording the prosecution evidence. The Delhi High Court on September 20, 2024, dismissed two appeals against the charge framed against Swati Maliwal and others. Before Swati Maliwal, Barkha Singh was the chairperson of DCW during the Congress Government. (ANI) Tripura is emerging as one of the most rapidly developing states in India, not just in the northeast but across the nation. The state is witnessing substantial growth in key sectors, including four-lane national highways, educational and medical institutions, and enhanced railway lines and express services. Among these developments, the Agartala Western Bypass Construction stands out as a monumental infrastructure project that is set to transform West Tripura's connectivity. The Agartala Western Bypass project, one of the largest infrastructure undertakings in the state, spans a distance of 25 kilometres. It starts from Amtali and will extend to LembuCherra, passing through West Tripura. The project is being executed by Dimeshchandra R. Agrawal Infracon Pvt. Ltd under the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), following the EPC mode. With an estimated cost of Rs 829 crore, the project commenced in December 2024 and is scheduled for completion by June 2027. Currently, work on the project is progressing at full pace. Once completed, the bypass is expected to alleviate traffic congestion and improve transportation efficiency in the region. The incorporation of advanced technologies will play a crucial role in ensuring the project's quality and durability. Engineers have introduced cutting-edge solutions, such as Prefabricated Drain Wall (PVD) technology, ideal for marshy and soft soil areas, and Shallow Ground Implementation Technology, designed to stabilize foundations. Additionally, the use of Geotextile fabrics and Paragrid H200 will strengthen the structure's integrity and longevity. "The project aims to significantly improve the transportation infrastructure of Tripura and enhance the quality of life for its residents. The use of modern technologies will ensure that the structure is durable and sustainable," said an engineer involved in the project. Government officials have expressed confidence in the project's timely completion. The NHIDCL's commission of the project, officially sanctioned on December 24, 2024, is seen as a crucial step towards the state's development. A government spokesperson shared, "This is one of the most significant infrastructure projects in our state. It's progressing well, and we are optimistic about meeting the target of completing the project by June 2027." In addition to the Agartala Western Bypass, other key National Highway projects are also underway. A four-lane highway project from Khayerpur to Champaknagar, costing Rs 450 crore, is in progress. Another project, from Champaknagar to Mungiyakami, has already completed the tendering process, with only the final work order pending. Furthermore, a new proposal to construct a highway from Khayerpur to LembuChhera is awaiting approval. Meanwhile, the Rani Bazar to Chandrapur Bus Stop project is in the Detailed Project Report (DPR) stage. "These developments represent a major leap in the infrastructure of Tripura. The four-lane highways will provide better connectivity between various parts of the state," said the government representative. These initiatives, backed by the Government of India, are poised to significantly enhance the state's infrastructure, boost economic growth, and improve overall living standards in the region. While speaking to ANI, safety manager Ananta Das said, "Here, everyone who comes to work is first given safety training. We show them everything and teach them properly before allowing them to start working. As you can see behind me, we are celebrating March as Safety Month, from March 1 to March 31. For this, we are organizing various programs, including health camps, fire drills, mock drills, and many other safety-related activities. Several other initiatives are also being implemented. This Safety Month program will conclude on March 31. Project Manager Prasanta Kalita said, "This project is a major infrastructure initiative in West Tripura. It started from Amtali and will end at Lembu Chhara, making it the largest project in Tripura. It involves the construction of a 25-kilometer-long four-lane elevated roadway. The project has been commissioned by NHDICL and was officially sanctioned on December 24, 2024. Currently, work is progressing at full pace. Our goal is to complete this project efficiently for the betterment of the people of Tripura, as it will significantly reduce traffic congestion once completed." "We are incorporating advanced and modern technologies into the construction of this project. The total cost is estimated at Rs 829 crore, and the project is expected to be completed by June 2027," Kalita said. On the same topic, Highway Manager Hemanta Sethi said, "Our latest technology includes a system called PVD, which stands for Prefabricated Drain Wall. This technology is primarily used in areas with soft, marshy soil. It is one of the best and most advanced technologies available in India. Another cutting-edge technology we are using is Shallow Ground Implementation Technology. This is mainly utilized by designers to ensure a stable foundation. Additionally, we use a special type of fabric known as Geotextile, which helps in strengthening the structure. The construction process follows a step-by-step approach, where each layer is carefully implemented." "After this, another layer called Paragrid H200 is added, which significantly enhances the strength and durability of the structure. By incorporating these advanced technologies, we aim to prevent future structural issues and ensure long-term stability," Sethi said. (ANI) Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has expressed his gratitude to the people of Goa as he completed six years in office. In an X post, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant wrote, "On completing 6 years in office, I extend my heartfelt thanks to the people of Goa for your trust, support, and affection-you inspire me every day." https://x.com/DrPramodPSawant/status/1902424133146964390 He further added, "I am grateful to the Bharatiya Janata Party for this opportunity. My deepest gratitude goes to Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji for his visionary leadership. I also extend my sincere thanks to BJP4India President Shri JPNadda ji, Union Home Minister Shri AmitShah ji and State Leadership for their guidance in making Goa Viksit & Swayampurna. I deeply appreciate all BJP Karyakartas for their unwavering support and encouragement throughout my journey." Sawant also thanked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the opportunity to serve as Chief Minister and expressed deep gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his leadership. He also thanked BJP President JP Nadda, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and the state leadership for their guidance in making Goa more developed and self-reliant. "As we move forward, I pledge to serve with dedication, sincerity, and a vision for a Viksit Goa," Sawant in his X post added. In his message, Sawant also praised the efforts of BJP workers, saying their unwavering support and encouragement helped him throughout his journey. Chief Minister also promised to continue serving the state with dedication and a vision for a developed Goa. Recently, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant emphasised Goa's vision of becoming a leading entrepreneurship hub in the country through a series of innovative programs said an official release. The Chief Minister was speaking at the 1st anniversary celebrations of the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Goa Centre, and the 50th anniversary of EDC Limited. Marking the occasion, he highlighted the success of the Chief Minister Rozgar Yojana (CMRY) scheme, stating, "Under the CMRY scheme, over 8,000 beneficiaries have received support worth Rs 300 crore, while MSME term loans have empowered over 13,000 businesses with Rs 4,100 crore across the state". During the event, CM Pramod Sawant inaugurated the EDII Goa website and unveiled souvenirs celebrating the institute's achievements over the past year. (ANI) Flash Palestinians mourn for victims who were killed by Israeli airstrikes at a hospital in Gaza City on March 18, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua] The Palestinian death toll from the Israeli airstrikes on various places across the Gaza Strip early Tuesday morning has risen to 413, the Gaza-based health authorities said. In a press statement, the health authorities said that the ongoing Israeli attacks also injured at least 562 Palestinians. The statement added that a number of victims are still trapped under the rubble and efforts are underway to retrieve them. Meanwhile, the Israeli military and Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency said Tuesday afternoon that they were continuing to strike Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad targets across Gaza. "At this time, the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) and Shin Bet are striking terror targets throughout the Gaza Strip," the military and Shin Bet said in a joint statement, adding that "the targets struck over the past few hours include terrorist cells, launch posts, weapons stockpiles, and additional military infrastructure." Israel said it was resuming strikes because of Hamas' repeated refusals to release its hostages and its rejection of all offers it received from the U.S. presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and mediators. Hamas accused Israel of violating the ceasefire that took effect on Jan. 19 and called on mediators to pressure Israel to halt the military campaign. NASA Crew-9 astronauts Sunita Williams, Nick Hague, Butch Wilmore, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov breathed earthly air for the first time in over nine months on Wednesday after the successful splashdown of SpaceX's Dragon capsule. The astronauts disembarked the capsule on stretchers, as is customary, CNN reported. This precaution is taken by SpaceX for all astronauts returning from long-duration space missions. Earlier, a worker rinsed the Crew Dragon spacecraft with fresh water to remove as much salt water as possible. "Saltwater is corrosive, and we want to try and rinse out as much of the salt water as possible to reduce that corrosion on the metallic structures," SpaceX's Kate Tice said. The side hatch of the Crew Dragon remains closed throughout its time in orbit. After docking with the ISS, astronauts enter and exit through a different hatch on top of the vehicle, CNN reported. SpaceX's recovery ship, Megan, used a large rig to lift the capsule carrying the four astronauts out of the water. Nearby crew members closely monitored the spacecraft to ensure there were no fuel leaks. As the capsule splashed down off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida, several dolphins were seen swimming around it, welcoming the astronauts home. At least five dolphins were captured on video circling the capsule as it bobbed in the water, CNN reported. Boats in the area assisted in stabilizing the capsule and ensuring the astronauts' safety. NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov have been in space since September 2024. However, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams had been away much longer--their journey began last June. Initially expected to last just a week, their mission was extended to more than nine months due to issues with their Boeing Starliner capsule, which delayed their return. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt earlier stated that US President Donald Trump had fulfilled his promise to bring home the "forgotten" astronauts. https://x.com/PressSec/status/1902082024845746319 "President Trump promised to look out for the forgotten man and woman. At 5:57 PM ET tonight -- promise made, promise kept!" she said in a post on X. (ANI) Rear Admiral Garin Golding, Chief of the Navy of the Royal New Zealand Navy, met with General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of Army Staff, to discuss matters of mutual interest and explore ways to enhance bilateral defence cooperation between India and New Zealand. In a post on X, the Indian Army said, "Rear Admiral Garin Golding, Chief of Navy, Royal New Zealand Navy called on General Upendra Dwivedi COAS & discussed aspects of mutual interest to enhance bilateral Defence Cooperation between the two Nations." https://x.com/adgpi/status/1902011007502835971 Meanwhile, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Christopher Luxon, chaired an education-focused event at IIT Delhi, reaffirming the deep academic ties between New Zealand and India. The event celebrated the New Zealand Centre, a flagship initiative that brings together all New Zealand universities in collaboration with IIT Delhi. A key highlight of the event was the announcement of a New Zealand Dollar 60,000 partial scholarship package under the New Zealand Excellence Awards (NZEA) 2025, reinforcing New Zealand's commitment to supporting Indian students. Additionally, a unique Virtual Internship Programme was announced, providing 30 IIT Delhi students with the opportunity to intern remotely with New Zealand companies, offering cross-border industry experience and insights into New Zealand's innovative work culture. The event also acknowledged the significant contributions of joint research initiatives between New Zealand and India in fields such as artificial intelligence, sustainability, disaster resilience, and advanced engineering. Notably, a collaborative project between the University of Canterbury and IIT Delhi is leveraging geospatial data for climate change mitigation, aligning with India's national sustainability goals and demonstrating a shared commitment to tackling global challenges through innovation and research. As part of ongoing academic engagement, New Zealand and Indian institutions are set to sign series of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to further strengthen collaboration in areas such as student mobility, joint research, and academic exchange. (ANI) US Attorney General Pam Bondi has called the recent violent attacks on Tesla property "nothing short of domestic terrorism" and vowed to investigations that impose severe consequences on those involved in these attacks, including those operating behind the scenes to coordinate and fund these crimes. In a statement, Bondi stated, "The swarm of violent attacks on Tesla property is nothing short of domestic terrorism. The Department of Justice has already charged several perpetrators with that in mind, including in cases that involve charges with five-year mandatory minimum sentences." "We will continue investigations that impose severe consequences on those involved in these attacks, including those operating behind the scenes to coordinate and fund these crimes," she added. Bondi's statement came after five Tesla vehicles were damaged when a fire erupted at a Tesla Collision Center in Las Vegas on Tuesday morning. The incident was the latest of such incidents aimed at the electric vehicle company, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, ABC News reported. Dori Koren, assistant sheriff for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, said, "This was a targeted attack against a Tesla facility." Officials said that in addition to burning vehicles, the word "RESIST" was spray-painted across the doors of the facility and three rounds of shots were fired at the additional Tesla vehicles. According to police, the suspect wearing black clothes approached the business and are believed to have used Molotov cocktails and a firearm to carry out his attack. Officials received notice that a person had "set several vehicles on fire in the parking lot and caused damage to the property." Police and the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force have been conducting the incident, which they believe was an isolated attack. Authorities continue to search for a suspect, according to ABC News report. According to the Kansas City Police Department, fire erupted in two Tesla Cybertrucks at a dealership in Kansas City, Missouri on Monday evening. Since Tesla CEO Elon Musk started serving as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Tesla vehicles, dealerships and charging stations have been vandalised and faced protests in recent weeks. In the Kansas incident, a police officer spotted smoke coming from one Cybertruck at a Tesla dealership on State Line Road shortly before midnight. The officer tried to put out the fire using a fire extinguisher. However, the fire spread to a second Cybertruck parked which was near the original one, according to police. The Kansas City Fire Department directed the bomb and arson unit to help at the site of the incident, according to the fire department. The fire department said the officials were able to control the flames and the vehicles were "covered with a fire blanket to prevent reignition." In a statement on Monday, the police said, "The circumstances are under investigation but preliminarily the fire is being investigated for the potential of being an arson." According to police, no arrests have been made for this incident. The FBI is assisting the Kansas City Police Department in this probe. Last week, "more than a dozen" shots were fired at a Tesla dealership in Oregon's Tigard, according to the public information officer at the Tigard Police Department, Kelsey Anderson. On March 11, three Teslas were vandalized in Dedham, Massachusetts, according to the Dedham Police Department. According to officials, "words had been spray-painted" on two Tesla Cybertrucks, with all four tyres of the trucks and a Tesla Model S being "reportedly damaged," ABC News reported. In recent weeks, four top officers at the company have sold off USD 100 million in stock, according to filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. On March 17, Elon Musk said that his companies make great products that people love and questioned the reason behind hate and violence against him. "My companies make great products that people love and I've never physically hurt anyone. So why the hate and violence against me? Because I am a deadly threat to the woke mind parasite and the humans it controls," Musk posted on X. (ANI) Pakistan's government has criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for not attending the in-camera meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security, which was scheduled amid rising terrorism across the country, Geo News reported. While speaking on the Geo News programme 'Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath', Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said, "There is a need to rectify flaws in governance, and if PTI sets conditions on this matter, it cannot be called patriotism." The in-camera meeting was held as Pakistan faces attacks on security forces and law enforcement agencies. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, Director General Inter-Services Intelligence (DG ISI) Lieutenant General Asim Malik, chief ministers of all four provinces, and other top officials attended the meeting. The opposition alliance, Tehreek Tahaffuz-i-Ayeen Pakistan (TTAP), skipped the meeting, citing the absence of PTI founder Imran Khan, who is currently incarcerated in Rawalpindi's Adiala jail. In response to a question by Khanzada, Asif raised the question about the divide within PTI, stressing that a significant faction of Imran Khan's party wanted to participate in the meeting. He further said, "[KP Chief Minister] Ali Amin Gandapur attended the meeting ... he did not show any deception and even endorsed the deliberations held during the meeting." According to him, the meeting focused on reviving the National Action Plan and its effectiveness, which had diminished over the past four to five years. He emphasised the role of the military in ensuring internal and external security and mentioned that the former should primarily be the police's responsibility. He said, "No politician demands release or requests to be brought out on parole," adding that PTI remains active in the political arena, despite the legal troubles faced by Imran Khan, Geo News reported. Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto said that Imran Khan was never part of any parliamentary security meeting when he served as Pakistan's PM. Separately, Imran Khan's lawyer, Faisal Chaudhry said that he had a meeting with the PTI founder in Adiala jail. Chaudhry said Imran Khan called the boycott of the National Security Committee meeting the right decision. "He questioned what kind of consensus the government hopes to achieve by sidelining the country's largest political party," Chaudhry quoted Imran Khan as saying. PTI founder said, "Keep me in jail for a lifetime if you must, but I will never bow down to oppression and fascism." He stressed that only political parties can unite the country. (ANI) The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) announced the "successful conclusion" of Operation Dar-e-Bolan on March 18. BLA accused the Pakistan army of resorting to lies and deceit to cover up their defeat. According to BLA, the operation comprised two parts, the first phase was completed in February 2024 with the capture of Mach City while the second phase began with the attack on the Jalar Express in March 2025. In the statement, BLA stated that the Pakistan army faced defeat in the operation as over 354 security personnel were killed while more than 100 others were injured and 214 personnel were taken hostage. BLA stated, "Baloch Liberation Army today announces the successful conclusion of Operation Dara-e-Bolan on March 18. This operation consisted of two parts, the first phase of which was completed in February 2024 with the capture of Mach city while the second phase began with the attack on the JaIar Express in March 2025 and was completed after a week of intense battle." "In this operation, the occupying Pakistani army suIered the biggest defeat in its history in Balochistan, where more than 354 personnel were eliminated over 100 were wounded and 214 personnel were taken hostage. Due to the enemy's stubbornness and refusal to exchange prisoners of war all the hostages were executed," it added. According to the statement, 13 BLA "freedom fighters", including six Fidayeen from the Majeed Brigade, four fighters from the Fateh Squad and three fighters from STOS, were killed during the operation. The BLA said that these "freedom fighters" sacrificed their lives and made it clear to the enemy that "the Baloch national resistance is invincible, and that the occupying army will have to retreat from the Baloch motherland sooner or later." In a statement, BLA stated, "Demonstrating its military prowess, combat skills and intelligence superiority Baloch Liberation Army targeted a convoy of eight Pakistani army buses in Noshki, except Bolan in a VBIED Fidayeen attack and ambushed the targets. More than 90 army personnel were eliminated, and dozens were wounded in this attack." "Thus, in just one-week BLA eliminated over 354 enemy personnel and wounded more than 100 while also shooting down a drone reflecting the success of the Baloch resistance force against the enemy's modern military technology," it added. The operation started with an attack on the Jalar Express on March 11, where BLA freedom fighters dealt a "crushing blow to the enemy eliminating over 30 army, Frontier Corps and police personnel and capturing 214 military personnel." Half of the arrested personnel were confined in the bogies of the JaIar Express and handed over to the Fidayeen of the Majeed Brigade who were given instructions that if the enemy made any military advances the hostages should be executed and the targeting military commandos should be eliminated. BLA launched another attack in Noshki, where a convoy of eight buses carrying Pakistani Army personnel travelling back to their units after vacation was attacked by the Majeed Brigade with a VBIED. Following the explosion, the Pakistan army personnel became unconscious, allowing the BLA's Fateh Squad to ambush and neutralize all personnel in the second bus one by one. It further said, "After this remaining six buses were ambushed by the freedom fighters, eliminating more than 90 additional personnel and wounding over 50." BLA accused Pakistani army of resorting to lies to cover up its defeat after facing loss in Bolan Pass and Noshki. In a statement, BLA stated, "The Pakistani army is now resorting to lies, deceit and propaganda to cover up its historic defeat. After suIering a disastrous loss in Bolan Pass and Noshki where over 354 enemy personnel were eliminated more than a hundred were wounded, and dozens were taken as prisoners of war the enemy had no choice but to fabricate lies and cover up its own shame instead of admitting defeat." "Pakistan's state institutions, especially its propaganda arm ISPR as always are trying to blame external factors for their failures. This is the same outdated accusation that Pakistan has always levelled against every resistance to its state terrorism," it added. In a statement, the Baloch group called itself an invincible force on the strength of its land. BLA stated, "The fact is that BLA has become an invincible force on the strength of its own land, people and public support. Baloch resistance is a manifestation of the collective strength of the Baloch nation, which does not need any external help," it added. (ANI) Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General Eden Bar Tal has praised the Trump administration's policies calling it "very clear" and urged those criticising the new policies to look at the past on how they failed with all theoretical proposals. He stressed that radicalism must be addressed by de-radicalisation and called it a long process. In his remarks at the Panel Discussion on beyond the crises; prospects for peace and progress in the Middle East at Raisina Dialogue on Tuesday, he said that the Trump administration will not be fooled by slogans that called the Gaza Strip an open jail and noted that Israel withdrew from Gaza Strip two decades ago. On being asked about the US strategy under US President Donald Trump, he said, "I think the new administration policies are very clear. Maybe, if somebody can dispute them, but all the ones that are going to criticise the US administration and new ideas and policies must look at the past and see how they failed with all the theoretical proposals. Secondly, I don't think that this administration will be fooled by slogans that we have already on this stage talking about Gaza Strip as an open jail." "Just to remind the audience that Gaza has a border with Egypt, and I don't hear the honourable colleague on my right stating anything about, you know, for the jail, you need to have walls, but to the best of my memory, there is a border between Egypt and Gaza Strip. Israel withdrew from Gaza two decades ago, so there's no jail and the fact that we continue to supply electricity, water, work, money, and everything else was something that now we are blamed for, and I can't understand how," he added. He stressed that casualties in the Gaza Strip include active terrorists and called Hamas a "reliable terrorist organisation." He said, "In the second comment because I cannot really develop an argument about the new policies. I will just mention that something that bothered me on the moral basis. There is casualties or a certain somebody from a number of 40,000 casualties in Gaza Strip, etc. But, facts must be first of all, this is Hamas figures and somebody see in this audience that Hamas is a reliable terrorist organisation that you should buy figures from outside. You wait a little bit further and you find out." "Secondly, somebody forgot to mention the numbers of terrorists among these 40,000. Let's assume according to Hamas figures that there are at least between 15,000 to 20,000 terrorist activists who raped, burned children in their home after tying them up with the family shoot their mothers in front of the kids, and those guys are dead. So, among the thieves, you know, that you have for the old 40,000 which is also the political number at least half of them are active terrorists," he added. Asked about Israel's objective in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza, he responded, "First of all, General Petraeus described for you the real effects on the ground. Very clear, realistic analysis of the situation. So, we're both sorry that reality doesn't control always good intention and some illusions that were among the elites worldwide. The thought that good intentions can show you positive results. I don't have many things to add to you Patreo's analysis. I would like to emphasise and underline certain principles that are not yet on the table of discussions, important discussions like this one." "First of all, in order to solve the problem, you have to define what is the underlying problem. What are the roots of the problem? I think that once everybody knows that. It's very easy to choose, I would say easy solutions, but not realistic one. Remember how many decades there are trials and errors and nobody is stopping for a second and asking themselves why didn't work, and there is a simple explanation we just don't want to accept. There is a huge difference between radicals and moderates and the radicals cannot be negotiated in terms of ending something solutions," he added. He said that issues with radicals cannot be solved overnight or an agreement on paper that does not reflect the reality of the society. He acknowledged that Israel made a terrible mistake by misleading the situation. He said, "Radicals, they have to win. They are building capacity and they are looking for opportunity. Now, once you want to address that, you need to ask. How do you address the problem of radicalization, and this is something that cannot be solved overnight, cannot be cannot be solved by signing a symbolic agreement on a paper that doesn't reflect the reality of the society, with leaders intentions, plans, and I think it's very hard, mostly for Westerners and we Israeli we did a terrible mistake that Mael said, and we have to be honest and to admit. We made a terrible mistake by misleading the situation. We thought that the economy incentives, improving lives of the people in Gaza will bring us certain prosperity, peace, peace, stability. Israel is out of the Gaza Strip in 2005. So, it's two decades that Israel is out of Gaza Strip. But what we saw is that every contribution made by the West, the international community, any contribution made by taxpayers in Europe, United States, and elsewhere, went into building capacities of terror and that ends in a massacre." "There is a will, capacity and opportunity, we provided two out of the three. We provided the means by injecting money, supplies, everything into Gaza for so many years and we also were blind and provided opportunity willing if you are not dealing with this factor, you'll never get a result in any radical. It doesn't matter if it's in that part of Asia or our part of Asia. Radicalism must be addressed by de-radicalization, which is a long, long, long process starting with kindergarten school, culture, media, religion institutions, and if you see that in the area, you can see that there are societies in the Middle East that chose to go to the moderate direction and somehow of the radical. And you don't have one solution for all or or one fuel for all. You have to be realistic and and addressing first of all, you need to analyse with who you are dealing with," he added. He also urged the international community to support the Lebanese government which he said is moving to the moderate. He noted that the process of de-radicalisation takes time as it will need to disarmament of the particular area. "With the radicals, we have to do two things. First of all, we need to eliminate the, I would say the leadership. So, first of all, after the process of...described, you need to really ask for the process of the de-radicalization, but it takes time and Between now and the and I would say the, the future of area, it will need to disarmament of that particular area. Now about Lebanon you see the opposite. You see that the Lebanese government is moving to the moderate. We encourage the community to support the Lebanese government. The Lebanese army, we think that this is the real point that there is, I would say optimism at the end of the tunnel. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. The international community should encourage the moderate government," he stated. (ANI) Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed said that the prosperity, safety and security of Maldives is dependent on good ties with India and stressed that tourism in India is complementary to the tourism industry in Maldives. In an interview with ANI, he acknowledged that there was a drop in the number of Indian tourists travelling to Maldives. However, he added that India has again become second largest destination for Maldives. Asked about the drop in the flow of Indian tourists to the Maldives, Nasheed said, "As I keep saying, our prosperity, security and safety is very much dependent on our good relations with India. There's also another element to this. Tourism in India is complementary to the tourist industry in the Maldives. Now, for instance, when you have tourists coming to Sri Lanka, tourism in the Maldives also increases. So if we develop, if India will develop the Minicoy Islands as resorts, that would benefit the Maldives because it would be complementary." "Your usual tourist who comes to the Minicoy Islands will hear about the Maldives. They would come on the next holiday, they would like to come to the Maldives. So the tourist who comes to the Maldives hears about another resort next door, then would also go there. So I think tourism is complementary. And as you mentioned, we had a downturn in tourist arrivals from India, but fortunately now it's picked up. And again, India is our second largest destination. We have to have good relations with India and all Indians are very welcome to the Maldives. Please keep coming," he added. On China's influence in Maldives amid talks of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two nations, he said, "Well, we do want tourists coming from all destinations and so including Chinese tourists, Indian tourists, European tourists and tourists from everywhere." A row erupted between India and Maldives after some ministers in the Maldives government made derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Lakshadweep. Maldives deputy minister, along with other cabinet members and government officials, made disparaging and unsavoury references to PM Modi's Lakshadweep visit.O On January 2 last year, PM Modi visited the Union Territory of Lakshadweep and shared several pictures, including an 'exhilarating experience' of him trying his hand at snorkelling. In a series of posts on X, PM Modi shared pictures of the white beaches, the pristine blue skies and the ocean and tagged them with a message that read, "For those who wish to embrace the adventurer in them, Lakshadweep has to be on your list." In a post that has now been deleted, the Maldivian Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Shiuna, made a mocking and disrespectful reference to PM Modi. The Maldives government has distanced itself from the remarks made by its ministers. Maldivian Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer said that these remarks against foreign leaders are "unacceptable" and do not reflect the official position of the Maldives government. He stated that the Maldives remains committed to fostering a "positive and constructive dialogue" with all its partners, particularly its neighbours. At the time, many Indians on social media claimed that they had cancelled their planned holidays to the island nation. The Maldives is a popular place among Indians as a tourist destination. (ANI) Former World Uyghur Congress President Dolkun Isa called on the United Nations to take stronger action against China's ongoing repression of Uyghurs during the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. Isa's remarks were delivered alongside the launch of a WUC exhibition aimed at exposing the Chinese government's transnational repression of Uyghurs, which included the forced deportation of Uyghurs from Thailand, forced abortions, the detention of Uyghur intellectuals in camps, and the use of Uyghur forced labour. In his address, Isa emphasized,"Chinese government used all capacity trying to undermine the Human Rights Council, UN Human Rights System, and they spread the fake news, disinformation campaign, but the reality for the Uyghur in Turkestan has never changed. Still, the millions of people suffering in the concentration camp, still Uyghur people subjected to forced labour." He also condemned China's Communist Party, calling them "liars" who manipulate the international human rights system and continue to perpetuate a campaign of repression against the Uyghur population. Isa pointed to a recent incident as an example of China's reach and repression, noting that just two weeks ago, 40 Uyghur refugees were forcibly deported from Thailand to China, where they face grave risks. He described this deportation as a clear indication of China's strong transnational repression. "United Nations should wake up and don't trust China," Isa urged. "Its main aim is to improve human rights. The United Nations should not remain silent and must speak out against the Uyghur genocide." Isa's remarks and the WUC exhibition serve as a call for the international community to stand up against China's violations of Uyghur rights and to advocate for stronger actions to hold China accountable. The Uyghur issue in China revolves around the persistent human rights abuses experienced by the Uyghur people, a Muslim Turkic ethnic group living in Xinjiang. There have been reports of over a million Uyghurs being held in so-called "re-education camps," where they endure forced indoctrination, physical mistreatment, and cultural suppression. (ANI) Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, said on Wednesday that Israel has no other option but to renew military pressure to bring back hostages as Hamas has numerous times rejected proposals by American mediators. Azar stated that Israel is in complete sync with the US administration. He noted that the US administration also believes that Hamas has been rejecting proposals for the prolongation of the ceasefire and therefore military pressure has to be put in order to change the situation. On Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu's statement about resuming combat in full force in Gaza, he said, "After Hamas has rejected numerous times, the proposals by American mediators, we have no option but to renew military pressure because we want to bring our hostages back home and we have to make sure that Hamas renounces his power in the Gaza Strip, So, we have to be consistent with that. We cannot agree with the situation in which Israel will be extorted in return of the hostages." On whether Israel has informed the US administration about the decision, he responded, "Well, we are in complete sync with the administration. We have been coordinating this with them. They are completely agreeing with us that Hamas has been the factor that has been rejecting proposals for the prolongation of the ceasefire and therefore military pressure has to be put in order to change the situation and move towards peace in Gaza." Netanyahu and Israel Defence Minister Israel Katz have directed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to "take strong action against the Hamas terrorist organisation in the Gaza Strip." The decision follows Hamas's continued refusal to release Israeli hostages and its rejection of "all of the proposals it has received from US Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff and from the mediators," according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office. As a result, Israeli forces launched widespread strikes against Hamas positions across the Gaza Strip. "The IDF is, at this time, attacking targets of the Hamas terrorist organisation throughout the Gaza Strip in order to achieve the objectives of the war as they have been determined by the political echelon, including the release of all of our hostages, the living and the deceased," the statement added. The Israeli government also warned that it "will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength." The latest offensive follows an operational plan presented by the IDF over the weekend and subsequently approved by the political leadership. https://x.com/IsraeliPM/status/1901805676764029174 The IDF confirmed the strikes in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "In accordance with the political echelon, the IDF and ISA are currently conducting extensive strikes on terror targets belonging to the Hamas terrorist organisation in the Gaza Strip." (ANI) The primary school in the Chechen area, situated under the red zone of Chilas in the Diamer district of Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan (PoGB) has been seeing a deteriorating state of education, as reported by Markhor Times. With no proper infrastructure or basic facilities, students are left to struggle in a system that fails to meet their needs. According to Markhor Times, there are no chairs for them to sit on, forcing them to stand or sit on the ground during lessons. The classroom boards are broken and barely functional, while the roof of the school remains poorly maintained, allowing water to leak in during rain. There is also no stand or facility to hang the board, making it even more difficult for teachers to carry out lessons effectively. With only four teachers assigned to the school, the burden of managing a large group of students falls on a small, overworked staff. One teacher revealed that they have repeatedly raised concerns about the lack of basic facilities to the government, but their pleas have fallen on deaf ears. Despite the urgency of the situation, no action has been taken to improve the condition of the school, Markhor Times reported. Many students do not have notebooks or pencils, and some have to share materials, putting them at a significant disadvantage. Without the proper tools for learning, how can these children compete in a future that requires education and skill? The lack of resources and support in this school is a direct reflection of the neglect faced by the educational system in Diamer. The local community has urged officials, including the Chief Secretary, to take immediate action and provide the necessary funding and resources for the school. If the government continues to ignore these concerns, the future of many children in Diamer will remain uncertain. The people of Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan have continuously raised their voices to address social, economic, and political challenges. Their protests are focused on achieving justice, equality, and enhanced living standards, as they strive for better representation, rights, and development opportunities for the region's underserved communities. (ANI) You are here: World Flash "Xuelong 2" docked at Lyttelton Harbor in Christchurch, New Zealand, held an open day event to the public on March 18, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua] Chinese research icebreaker Xuelong 2, or Snow Dragon 2, opened its decks to the public on Tuesday at Lyttelton Harbor in Christchurch, New Zealand, attracting around 600 visitors, including local officials and members of the public. Currently on China's 41st Antarctic expedition, the Xuelong 2 is making its second stop in Christchurch on this voyage. As part of the visit, Chinese and New Zealand Antarctic researchers held an academic seminar aboard the vessel, discussing polar marine biology, chemistry and geology. During its port call, the Xuelong 2 conducted personnel rotations and resupplied before continuing its mission in the Ross Sea for an oceanic survey. Switzerland's Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis issued a warning to Chinese authorities and the Chinese embassy in Switzerland following the military drills. According to Swiss foreign policy experts, this unusual action by Switzerland highlights the strategic significance of the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan News reported. The live-fire exercises, announced without prior notice by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in February, took place off Taiwan's southern coast near Kaohsiung and Pingtung, as well as in the Tasman Sea off Australia's east coast. According to Taiwan News, these manoeuvres violated international norms and heightened risks for international flights and maritime safety, provoking protests from Australia, New Zealand, and Taiwan. Switzerland's involvement came after these drills raised alarms about the potential for miscalculation and regional instability. On March 11, Jean-Luc Addor, a Swiss Federal Assembly member, questioned the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs regarding Switzerland's response to China's actions. Addor, a co-chair of the Switzerland-Taiwan parliamentary friendship group, criticized China for undermining international norms and creating instability in a region vital to Switzerland's economic interests, Taiwan News reported. As stated on the Federal Assembly's website, Cassis provided a response on Monday, detailing the Swiss government's actions. He expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait. In a statement on March 13, Cassis outlined Switzerland's response, emphasizing the potential for escalation in the high-risk Taiwan Strait area. He underscored Switzerland's long-standing calls for calm and dialogue in East Asia and the South China Sea. Experts noted that Switzerland's decision to publicly warn China reflects the global significance of maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait, marking an exceptional step for a traditionally neutral nation. (ANI) The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) has confirmed the identities of 11 individuals, including three minors, who were reportedly forcibly disappeared by Pakistani security forces near SBK University in Nushki district, Balochistan, as reported by the Balochistan Post. The incident occurred on the morning of March 16, when Pakistani forces allegedly abducted dozens of people from the area surrounding the station. The group of abducted individuals includes labourers, drivers, passersby, and minors, the Balochistan Post reported. According to the Balochistan Post, BYC revealed that the list of abducted individuals is incomplete, indicating that more people may still be missing. They expressed growing concern over the fear and distress among the families of the disappeared and the local community. The committee emphasized that the abduction of minors and innocent civilians is a serious violation of human rights. The BYC has called on international human rights organizations to intervene urgently and address the ongoing abductions and other alleged violations taking place in Balochistan. Balochistan Post reported that among those identified as victims of forced abduction are several individuals from different regions. These include Liaqat Baloch, a 6th-grade student; Adnan Baloch, a 6th-grade student from Ghareebabad, Nushki; Zia ur Rehman, a 7th-grade student from Ghareebabad, Nushki; Muhammad Usman Baloch from Zorabad, Nushki; Zubair Ahmed from Chagai; Atta ur Rehman from Chagai; Umar Shah from Padag, Chagai; Tahir Khan, from Padag, Chagai; Hafiz Shakoor from Padag, Chagai; Jaleel Ahmed, a resident of Kalat; and Sanaullah, a resident of Quetta. Enforced disappearances in Balochistan have become a recurring problem, with a rise in both abductions and extrajudicial killings this year, heightening fear among the local population. Human rights groups continue to urge Pakistani authorities to put an end to these practices and ensure justice and accountability. However, such incidents persist, leaving families in constant fear and uncertainty. (ANI) Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, said that the Indian Navy needs to ensure that it is ready to take on all the known challenges and expressed preparedness for whatever is yet to come. He said that the Indian Navy is moving on all domains to be future-ready. In his remarks during the discussion on Deepwater Perils: Securing Trade during the Raisina Dialogue on Wednesday, he recalled that while growing up in the navy, all the innovations in military domains happened either through state-sponsored R&D labs or big tech corporations and added that now technology can be purchased online. On being asked about what India is doing for being future-ready, Admiral Tripathi said, "As a navy we take pride that, we are a learning organisation and learning organisation, one of the attributes is that one has to of course keep your ears and eyes open, not only the military domain but also in the geopolitics technology and the tactics as being employed by both state, quasi-state and non-state actors. So, we have been doing this for some years and the aim is that's exactly what it was, so that we are future ready. We are not caught unawares. We are not surprised by the turn of events. Having said that, we are also aware that, for the past several years,all these three elements which are enunciated the geopolitics, technology, and tactics in the security domain has been in a state of flux which which have become faster or accentuated in the last 3 or 4 years, and this audience is fully aware of what I'm talking about." "So, what we need to do is that, as a navy, I'm talking as a navy, I'm sure as the armed forces of the Union as well. We have to ensure that we are ready to take on all the known challenges. We are reasonably prepared for something which is yet to come. But the...of what is to come is already seen in a large measure. So uh we we have got structures in terms of force structuring as to what kind of force structuring we want. What kind of deployments you want to do, for deterrence, I think one of my co-panelists use that word because we truly believe that a navy which is not deployed does not deter and we have been deploying our ships far and wide," he added. He said that the Indian Navy is working with partners and learning the best practices from them in all domains. He noted that great importance has been given to have "self-reliance" in the past few years and mentioned that there is great talent in the youth and individual entrepreneurs who have got the knowledge and will to do something for the nation in the defence ecosystem. He said, "We have been working with partners and learning the best practices from them in all domains and without exception, all my friends were sitting here, we have got multilateral constructs to deal with them, to exercise with them. We have got trilateral, bilateral constructs. We have methods by which we can talk to each other, exercise with each other. So, finally, I think it will what will come as future ready as we have seen in the last especially the last 3-4 years is that we have to have self-reliance, especially in a niche defence technology and at any point of time there could be a break in supply chains as we have seen in the recent past. So there is a greater now, I would say importance being given for what we call in Hindi 'aatmanirbharta' self-reliance, and I'm very happy to tell you that there is a great talent in the youth, specially in the small, MSMEs, individual entrepreneurs who have got the knowledge and more importantly who have got that will that they want to do something for the country in the defence ecosystem. So, we are tapping that through multiple structures so that as far as technology is concerned, we always remain ahead of the curve. Having said that, I just want to tell you that as far as the technology is concerned, there is a word called democratisation of technology." "Now earlier, when we were growing up in the navy, all the innovations in military domain happened either through state-sponsored R&D labs or big tech corporations such as Marthas. You know, they are the ones who led the technology. But, you could buy an idea or a technology online. I don't want to name. Online, you can assemble in a garage. You can thereafter do some minor adjustments using 3D printing for, for example, everything is available commercially. And thereafter you can show it through social media. Again I don't want to name it. So there has been a kind of proprietary military technology to commercially proliferated technology and in this game, even the non-state actors are equally adapt and sometimes they could be faster because they don't have to follow any rules and regulations, processes and procedures. So we're keeping a track on that as well. And we're moving on multiple domains to remain future ready," he added. Admiral Tripathi said that there is greater participation and synergy between various departments and organisations and noted that there has been improvement. He said that they have reduced timelines in the processes and procedures. Asked on how India builds and works faster as a government, he responded, "There is a greater realisation that the whole of government approach that everybody has to be into it. Finally, it's we're talking about the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country and therefore, the security is everybody's business and only in the government, in the military, but a normal citizen as well." "And therefore there is a greater participation and greater, I would say synergy between various departments between various organisations and I can tell you that in the last decade or so certainly there has been much improvement. We have cut down on timelines in the processes and procedures and more importantly we have cut down on timelines in assembling or constructing platforms. For example, the last ship which we commissioned two months back, there has been a substantial decrease in the construction of that, stealth destroyer, and I'm talking of INS Surat," he added. He noted that Raisina Dialogue has grown from strength to strength in the last decade and added that "Indians are incredibly proud of it as to what it has become, from in the last 10 years." On developing synergy within a country, especially around national security, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi stated, "Like I said, there is a greater realisation on the part of every citizen of the country that, what needs to be done. The government thrust on self-reliance and aatmanirbharta over the past decade or so has, brought a belief in the youth of the country, some of them who may be sitting here that if they do produce certain niche technologies and they offer to the armed forces, there is a greater acceptance and they will not be found hanging, you know, just for want of orders." "What the government has done is that they have facilitated through procedures, through policies, a number of them, which I'm sure this audience is aware where anybody with niche technology can take part in various schemes and in many of the schemes the government actually supports financially up to 25 crores, which is a huge money to for a startup who is just starting. We have seen many success stories out of this. Have we reached where we want to reach? I think it's still a work in progress, so we have some miles to go, but we will not stop till the time we cross that mile," he added. (ANI) Commonwealth Secretary-Select Shirley Botchwey will pay a visit to India from March 20-21, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), stated in an official statement. As per the MEA, during the visit, Botchwey will meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and the two will hold discussions upon various matters related to the Commonwealth. Notably, her visit will also see interactions will relevant stakeholders. According to MEA, Shirley Botchwey is the former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ghana. She will assume office as the 7th Secretary General of the Commonwealth on April 1, 2025. As per her official website, Shirley Botchwey has achieved many diplomatic and administrative successes during her tenure as the Foreign Minister of Ghana. She established a Foreign Service Institute (FSI) to improve the training, human resource capacity, and service conditions of Ghanaian diplomats. Under her leadership, extensive digitalization has been introduced to streamline and improve consular and passport services both at home and in overseas missions. Botchwey led and steered the unanimous passage of UN Resolution 2719 in December 2023, during Ghana's two-year non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council. This unprecedented resolution now enables the UN to fund African Union-led Peace Support Operations. Notably, Botchwey also served as the chair of the Council of Ministers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for two consecutive terms from 2020 to 2022. During her tenure, she played a crucial role in negotiating the transition towards democracy in the region, a situation that remains fluid and continues to engage her attention and expertise, her website observed. During her leadership, the Council provided advice to the Authority of Heads of State and the Government of ECOWAS on various issues. As per her website, Botchwey is a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Ghana. She holds a law degree from the Ghana School of Law, as well as a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of London. She also holds an Executive MBA from the University of Ghana Business School, Legon and an MA in Public Communications & Public Relations, University of Westminster, London. (ANI) A large protest rally was organised by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) in response to the targeted killing of Shah Jahan Baloch, the 11-year-long enforced disappearance of Chairman Zahid Baloch, and the continued systematic violence carried out by the Pakistani state and its associated death squads in Naal, Khuzdar district of Balochistan. In a post on X, BYC stated, "BYC central leaders, including Dr Mahrang Baloch, Sammi Deen Baloch, and Sibghatullah Shahji, addressed the rally. Victim families also spoke, including Qambar Baloch, son of Chairman Zahid Baloch; the sister of Shaheed Sharif Shazad; and Areef Baloch, son of missing person Zakir Ismail." https://x.com/BalochYakjehtiC/status/1902090658241785867 BYC further highlighted the history of systematic violence. The committee stated, "On March 18, 2014, Zahid Baloch and Asad Baloch were forcibly disappeared by Pakistani security forces and intelligence agencies. Today marks 11 years since their disappearance." The family of Zahid Baloch has endured constant state oppression. His brother, Shah Jahan Baloch, was recently martyred by state-supported death squads. Shah Jahan, the family's sole provider, earned a living through a small business. Additionally, political activist Nasir Karim was also targeted by state-backed groups but managed to survive, BYC lamented. Shah Jahan Baloch was killed by Pakistan's intelligence agencies as part of the continuing state repression. His family has faced a long history of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings--his brother, Chairman Zahid Baloch, a well-known student political leader, was forcibly disappeared in Quetta in 2014 and is still missing. Now, Shah Jahan Baloch has become the latest victim in what seems to be a deliberate campaign of persecution against politically aware Baloch individuals. Pakistani law enforcement and paramilitary forces seem to be employing enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and torture as methods of collective punishment, causing fear and trauma within Baloch society. These actions are intended to intimidate and silence those who speak out against state repression and human rights abuses. The ongoing systematic persecution of the Baloch people could be considered crimes against humanity, and the scale and purpose of these actions raise alarming concerns about the possibility of genocide. (ANI) Congress MP Shashi Tharoor praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, emphasizing the need for a diplomatic solution. Tharoor noted that PM Modi has consistently advocated for diplomacy, citing his statement in Samarkand where he said, "This is not an era of war, and solutions have been found peacefully." Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said, "PM Modi has taken a consistent position that the solution to this conflict has to come through diplomacy. In fact, you may remember his statement in Samarkand in front of President Putin, where he said this is not an era of war and that solutions have been found peacefully. We do seem to be at the beginning of a peace process of some sort." Tharoor also highlighted the complexity of the peace process, stressing that it involves more than just two leaders talking. He emphasized the need for all parties, including Ukraine, to be involved in the negotiations. "We know that President Trump and President Putin have spoken. We don't know what the outcome is. A peace process is a more complicated issue than just two leaders talking. There would need to be, first of all, the parties have to be involved. The Ukrainians will have to have a seat at the table. The European Union and the European countries in the neighbourhood, which have been very actively involved in the conflict, will demand and legitimately expect a seat at the table. There may be countries that will be invited to come in from outside to help maintain peace. That becomes the issue," said the Congress leader. He highlighted that several nuances may come up during these discussions, such as whether the talks are focussed on a ceasefire, a peace settlement, a long-drawn-out process that ends in a durable solution, or an immediate ceasefire with a stalemate on the ground. He said that speculation is "not a very useful exercise" and that "Ultimately, the principal actors are the ones with the guns on the ground and those who supply those guns. Let's be very honest. They are the ones who can decide the pace of any peace and how far it goes. So let's wait and see what comes out". Tharoor also mentioned that India has a long history of peacekeeping and could potentially play a role in the peace process, but only if invited to do so. "At this stage, I'm not aware of India having been asked to do anything...Until such time as a country like India is invited to be involved, I think we should just watch and wait, but I'm not in the government. I'm not privy to any private conversations that may or may not be happening. All I will say is that we have a very long record in peacekeeping. We've sent collectively in the last 75 years, maybe a quarter of a million peacekeepers around the world, 49 operations in different parts, all far away from our country. So we have been available for constructive purposes of peace, but even then, it would all depend on what kind of agreement this is and what is required in policing it," said Tharoor. India inherited the role of peace negotiator from its legacy of national movement and its policy of Non-aligned movement in the post-World War II era. India has a rich experience of mediating for peacekeeping in international politics. Notably, India was actively involved in negotiating peace in the Korean crisis (1950-53) during the Cold War. The Indian resolution on Korea was adopted by the UN in 1952. India succeeded in bringing consensus among major stakeholders like the US, the USSR, and China and helped to conclude an armistice agreement (1953). India played a key role in mediating between the USSR and Austria for the withdrawal of Soviet troops and successfully convincing Austria to declare neutrality in 1955. India co-chaired the International Commission for Supervision and Control during the war in Vietnam in the 1950s and 1960s. India registered its protest against China's invasion of Vietnam in 1979 and counselled restraint on the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan in the same year. Moreover, India acts as a bridge between the Global South and North, as clearly evident from its efforts to include the African Union (AU) in the G20, amplifying southern voices. India's healthy bilateral relations with various nations have helped develop a positive image in the international order. For example, Iran asked India to play a peacemaker role in de-escalating tension with the US after the killing of Iran's military commander in 2020. Peacebuilding through Development Partnership: For example, in Africa and Afghanistan, through ITEC Programmes, building infrastructure (such as the Salma dam), etc. India's civilisational ethos is widely recognised and respected, and the philosophy of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' resonates globally, promoting harmony. India's potential as a bridging power stems from its longstanding commitment to engaging all major poles of influence (Russia, USA, Israel, Iran, Japan) in the international system. India's active participation in multilateral forums like the United Nations Peacekeeping underscores its commitment to global peace and cooperation. Tharoor also spoke about the return of astronaut Sunita Williams and how it is a matter of relief. Tharoor said, "She's a member of our diaspora, even though she wasn't born here or raised here, but she was somebody with a connection to our country, which adds a special dimension of satisfaction as a successful return." Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has described his recent conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin as "productive. " Both leaders agreed to an immediate ceasefire on all energy and infrastructure. Ceasefire talks are set to begin in Jeddah on Sunday. Russian News Agency TASS reported that the United States expects Ukraine to support agreements reached during a recent phone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, as ceasefire talks are set to begin in Jeddah on Sunday, according to Trump's Special Envoy Steven Witkoff. US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) described his telephonic conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin as "productive," stating that both leaders agreed to an immediate ceasefire on all energy and infrastructure. Trump in a post on his social media platform Truth Social, said they discussed elements of a peace agreement and that the ceasefire process is now in motion. (ANI) During his meeting with Dominique Hasler, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Education & Sport of Liechtenstein, Jaishankar reviewed the progress of the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), cooperation within the United Nations, and developments related to Ukraine. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1902234312646521074 "Discussed the progress of TEPA, our cooperation in the UN and the Ukraine situation," Jaishankar posted on X (formerly Twitter). https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1902336515495342404 On the sidelines of the conference, Jaishankar also met Cuban Deputy Prime Minister Eduardo Martinez Diaz, where they deliberated on development cooperation, particularly in healthcare and traditional medicine. "Raisina 2025 provided an opportunity to meet DPM Eduardo Martinez Diaz of Cuba. Discussed our development cooperation, especially in health and traditional medicine," Jaishankar wrote on X. Strengthening India-Moldova ties was also on the agenda, as Jaishankar met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mihai Popsoi. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1902232940018643167 The two sides explored avenues to enhance bilateral and multilateral cooperation, culminating in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on agriculture. "A good meeting with Deputy PM & FM Mihai Popsoi of Moldova. Discussed the advancement of our bilateral and multilateral relations. Today's signing of the MoU on agriculture will further enhance our cooperation," he posted. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1902333840984605102 Norway's Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide also held discussions with Jaishankar, focusing on TEPA implementation, blue economy, and education collaboration, as well as Ukraine-related developments. "A warm meeting with FM Norway Espen Barth Eide this afternoon. Discussed implementation of TEPA, blue economy & education cooperation and Ukraine-related developments," Jaishankar wrote. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1902327925766258712 Additionally, Jaishankar met with Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili, where both sides explored ways to enhance political, trade, investment, tourism, and education cooperation. "Nice to meet FM Maka Botchorishvili on the sidelines of #Raisina2025. Explored opportunities for advancing our political, trade, investment, tourism and education cooperation," he posted. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1902345053907120170 Upon meeting Slovakia Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar, Jaishankar shared on X: "Glad to meet FM Slovakia Juraj Blanar this evening. Spoke about trade, investment, mobility, education, infrastructure and culture. Appreciate receiving a Slovak translation of the Upanishad." Raisina Dialogue, India's premier conference on geopolitics and geo-economics, is organised by the Ministry of External Affairs. The 10th edition of the summit began on 17 March, with today marking its conclusion. (ANI) The disposal of waste at the I-11 fruit and vegetable market, Islamabad's primary fruit and vegetable market, has emerged as a serious public health risk due to the negligence of both the responsible authorities and vendors, according to a report by The Express Tribune. As reported by The Express Tribune, mountains of decaying fruits and vegetables scattered around the area near the main road release a foul smell, causing inconvenience to local residents, passersby, businesses, and commuters. Despite numerous complaints from the public, meaningful action has not been taken to resolve the situation, raising concerns regarding accountability and governance, as highlighted by The Express Tribune. The Express Tribune report indicated that Sabzi Mandi, a centre for the city's fruit and vegetable commerce, has become a dumping site for unsold perishable items. Traders discard rotten produce, resulting in heaps of decomposing organic waste. The absence of a waste management system in the area worsens the situation. The Market Committee oversees the Sabzi Mandi, but it has been criticized for its lack of concern about the issue. When approached by APP, the Secretary of the Market Committee, Muhammad Saqib, declined to comment, further underscoring the absence of accountability. Vendors at the market have expressed that the committee has not provided adequate education to shopkeepers regarding appropriate waste management practices or offered incentives to minimize waste, as noted by The Express Tribune. The Capital Development Authority (CDA) Sanitation Directorate, responsible for ensuring effective waste disposal in the city, has also failed to respond. According to The Express Tribune, attempts by this news wire to contact CDA officials for comments went unanswered. Health professionals have voiced concerns over the environmental and health threats resulting from waste mismanagement. Maria Khan, an environmental expert, cautioned that the improper disposal of organic waste emits methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to air pollution and climate change. "Leachate from the rotting waste can infiltrate groundwater, causing contamination and serious health risks to the community," she remarked, as quoted by The Express Tribune. The Express Tribune report emphasized that the repercussions of poor waste management go beyond the market itself. A multinational cash-and-carry store situated next to the dumping area has reported a decrease in customer traffic due to the unpleasant odour and unsanitary conditions. "Customers are hesitant to come because of the smell," stated a store employee on the condition of anonymity, pointing out the economic consequences of the problem. He mentioned that the absence of a specific timeline for addressing the issue has left residents disheartened. Despite ongoing complaints, he noted that neither the Market Committee nor the CDA has laid out any concrete plans to tackle the increasing waste, as stated by The Express Tribune. Experts and community members are urging authorities to implement sustainable waste management practices. These include ensuring that traders separate organic and non-organic waste, introducing composting facilities to convert decomposed produce into usable fertilizer, and establishing stricter regulations for shopkeepers to manage unsold items effectively, according to The Express Tribune. The Express Tribune also reported on the need to educate vendors and customers about waste management and its environmental effects. Immediate action is necessary from the Sanitation Directorate to remove the existing waste and enforce regular clean-up activities. (ANI) The European Union (EU) convened a technical workshop in New Delhi today on preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE), held on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue. Organised in cooperation with the Embassy of the Netherlands, the event was opened by EU Ambassador to India Herve Delphin. Bringing together counterterrorism experts and senior representatives from EU and Indian security agencies and policy institutions, the workshop facilitated an exchange of best practices on prevention, de-radicalisation, and rehabilitation of violent extremists. The EU Delegation included security practitioners from European Union institutions, EU Member States (Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, the Netherlands), and the Strong Cities Network (SCN), demonstrating the Team Europe spirit. Discussions focused on whole-of-government approaches, risk evaluation processes, exit programs, and reintegration strategies. Participants emphasised the importance of sustained collaboration on both soft and hard security measures in counterterrorism efforts. Maciej Stadejek, Director for Security and Defence Policy in the European External Action Service, stated: "This workshop is a testament to the deepening EU-India partnership in counterterrorism and security cooperation. By sharing expertise and fostering dialogue, we are strengthening our collective ability to prevent and counter violent extremism while upholding democratic values and human rights." He added, "We hope that by sharing EU approaches to deradicalisation, risk assessment and prevention strategies, we can reinforce our commitment to collaborating with India on counterterrorism and the prevention of violent extremism." Echoing this sentiment, Dinkar Gupta, Former Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), highlighted the significance of joint efforts in tackling evolving security threats. "India and the EU face evolving security threats that require innovative and collaborative solutions. Learning from each other's experiences will help us build more effective strategies for deradicalisation, rehabilitation, and long-term prevention," he said. The workshop follows the recent visit of the College of Commissioners to India, where Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed their commitment to deeper cooperation in counterterrorism. Their Leaders' Statement underscored the importance of strengthening international efforts to combat terrorism and terrorism financing in a comprehensive and sustained manner. Both sides also agreed to explore a broader security and defence partnership. Aligning with the EU's Indo-Pacific Strategy, the workshop builds upon ongoing EU-India counterterrorism collaboration under the EU's ESIWA+ (Enhancing Security Cooperation In and With Asia & the Indo-Pacific) initiative. This cooperation has included training for Indian security practitioners on chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) risk management, as well as efforts to counter online radicalisation and drone terrorism. The EU and India have engaged in sustained dialogue on counterterrorism over the years. In February 2022, both sides held their first joint workshop on terrorist content online, an extension of the Counterterrorism Dialogue initiated in November 2020. This online workshop addressed the increasing exploitation of digital platforms by terrorist groups and explored innovative prevention campaigns. The regulation of terrorist content online was subsequently elevated as one of the top two priorities during the March 2022 discussions. The issue remained a focal point in the 2024 EU-India Counterterrorism Dialogue, reinforcing the shared commitment to tackling this evolving threat. It was once again highlighted in discussions during the recent College of Commissioners visit to India. The ESIWA+ initiative works to enhance the EU's security and defence cooperation in four key areas: counterterrorism and preventing violent extremism, crisis management and addressing hybrid threats, cybersecurity, and maritime security. Co-funded by the European Union, the German Federal Foreign Office, and the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, ESIWA+ is co-implemented by the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) and Expertise France. (ANI) Shree Janakalyan Secondary School was inaugurated in Makawanpur, Nepal, with the Government of India's financial assistance. The project built at a cost of NRs 30 million under the 'Nepal-India Development Cooperation' was inaugurated today jointly by Lalit Bahadur Ghalan, Chief, District Coordination Committee, Makwanpur and Basist Nandan, First Secretary, Embassy of India, Kathmandu. "The Government of India's grant under 'Nepal-India Development Cooperation' was utilized for the construction of the school building and other allied facilities. The project was taken up as a High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) and was implemented through the District Coordination Committee, Makawanpur," a press release from the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu announced. Shree Janakalyan Secondary School was established in the year 1968 as a primary school and was further upgraded to a higher secondary school in the year 1985. This school has around 850 students, 54 per cent of whom are girls. The Chief, District Coordination Committee, Makawanpur, Chairperson, School Management and other stakeholders appreciated the developmental support being provided by the Government of India to the people of Nepal. They expressed confidence that the infrastructure created would help provide better education to the students of Shree Janakalyan Secondary School in Makawanpur. "It would also help create an improved environment for learning and contribute to the overall development of the education sector in the region," the release stated. As close neighbours, India and Nepal are engaged in wide-ranging and multi-sectoral cooperation. The official release by the Embassy noted that the implementation of HICDPs reflects the continued support of the Government of India in bolstering the efforts of the Government of Nepal in promoting the growth and development of its people by augmenting infrastructure in priority sectors. Political representatives, government officials, social workers and teachers of the school, students and their parents were also present on this occasion. (ANI) Flash Paulette Bethel, ambassador of the Bahamas to China, delivers a speech before a documentary screening in Beijing, March 13, 2025. [Photo by Liao Jiaxin/China.org.cn] The Embassy of the Bahamas in Beijing marked International Women's Day on March 13 with a documentary screening that celebrated women's achievements while highlighting deepening cultural ties between China and the Bahamas. The event featured a compelling documentary titled "Womanish Ways," directed by the Bahamian filmmaker Marion Bethel, which chronicles the suffrage movement and women's historic struggle for the right to vote. The event brought together a diverse group of diplomats, international representatives and other guests, sparking vibrant discussions on women's empowerment and cross-cultural dialogue. In an interview with China.org.cn following the event, Paulette Bethel, ambassador of the Bahamas to China, shared her optimistic vision for the future of bilateral relations: "My wish is that they will grow and expand, and become wider, bigger, warmer and brighter." Ambassador Bethel also emphasized the importance of cultural exchanges in diplomacy. "I personally believe that cultural exchanges are a very important part of diplomacy," she said. "The Bahamas Embassy is very much engaged in that sort of undertaking. Tonight's event of showing this documentary film is one such endeavor." Bethel also revealed plans for future cultural initiatives, including an art exhibition in Beijing and possibly other Chinese cities early next year. "We are in the process of speaking with several artists from the Bahamas to bring their works to China," she said. "We are definitely on a road to many cultural exchanges, and we're hoping that, as a result of that particular activity, we will someday be able to invite some Chinese artists to go to the Bahamas and stay for a while and create while they're there." Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1997, China and the Bahamas have witnessed steady growth in their bilateral partnership. Recent years have seen strengthened cooperation in trade, agriculture and tourism. Cultural and educational exchanges have also flourished, further cementing ties between the two nations. In 2024, China launched capacity-building programs for 95 Bahamians, fully funding 34 participants to take part in specialized courses in China. Additionally, 12 faculty members and students from the University of the Bahamas were received as guests to visit China for cultural and educational exchanges, while over 40 Chinese government scholarships were offered to Bahamian students. Chinese cultural troupes, including acrobats, puppeteers and children's art groups, have also performed in the Bahamas, earning widespread praise from local audiences. Looking forward, Bethel expressed her hope for enhanced people-to-people exchanges, particularly among the younger generation. "The young people today have many opportunities because they travel a lot and meet a lot of people from other countries during their educational process," she observed. "So, I think we're on the right track. But I do believe that visiting a country and staying there for a while is probably the best way for young people to experience each other's culture." The event underscored the growing cultural synergy between China and the Bahamas. As the ambassador's words suggest, these exchanges are laying the groundwork for a future defined by deeper understanding, collaboration and friendship between the two nations. Chet Greene, the Foreign Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, informed on Wednesday that Mehul Choksi, the fugitive Indian businessman, is currently not on the island. Greene stated that Choksi had left the island for medical attention abroad while emphasising that Choksi remains a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda. "Mehul Choksi is not on the island. I am told he left Antigua for medical attention abroad. He remains a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda," Greene told ANI. Mehul Choksi is a fugitive Indian businessman who holds the citizenship of Antigua & Barbuda. Choksi, along with his nephew Nirav Modi, is wanted by Indian authorities in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam. The duo is alleged to have defrauded the bank of more than Rs 14,000 crore. Greene highlighted that the Indian and Antiguan governments are working together and respecting the rule of law and democratic traditions. "Your Government and my Government are working together on this matter. We have some traditions in democracy. We both respect the rule of law. The matter of Mehul Choksi has been subjected to legal review. Until such time it is reviewed and determined, there is nothing I can say, or any of us can say or do...," said Greene. Speaking to ANI about the bilateral ties between the two countries, Foreign Minister Greene said, "The relations between Antigua and Barbuda and India has really grown by leaps and bounds. My own Prime Minister Gaston Brown and your Prime Minister Modi have built a strong platform of friendship. He added, "We've seen strong bilateral relations. During the pandemic, it was India, AstraZeneca, who gifted us with vaccines, and you know it is perhaps one of the areas of cooperation that stands out most because it really meant saving lives." Foreign Minister Greene lauded India's efforts in sharing developmental initiatives with various countries. He said, "India's willingness to share its development with countries of Latin America and the Caribbean is certainly beyond doubt. My being here, thanks to the government of India, is clearly an indication of India's willingness to assist countries of the Caribbean in our own development trajectory." He highlighted areas of cooperation between the two and said, "We look at areas of education and innovation where we can partner with Indian universities to develop some of the more important industries and sectors of our economy." Speaking about India's leadership in the global arena, Foreign Minister Greene said, "India's leadership in the global South is undoubted. Prime Minister Modi has been a champion for the global South, a champion of small island states, and so in those councils where we do not have a voice or presence, we do count on Prime Minister Modi as an advocate, and I think his advocacy has been outstanding. I want to thank him profusely and publicly for the leadership he provided to Global South." (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Thailand from April 2 to 4 to attend the sixth BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok. This will be his second visit to Thailand, following his 2019 trip to the ASEAN Summits, where he was accompanied by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal. The BIMSTEC Summit will take place in Bangkok from April 2 to 4. Under Thailand's chairmanship, BIMSTEC aims to achieve a "Prosperous, Resilient, and Open" region, known as "PRO BIMSTEC," by 2030. The BIMSTEC Summit aims to foster regional cooperation between South and Southeast Asia, with seven member states: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The summit will focus on key deliverables, including the BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030, the Report of the Eminent Persons' Group on the Future Direction of BIMSTEC, and the BIMSTEC Summit Declaration. According to the Public Relations Department of Thailand, "As chair of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) during 2022-2025, Thailand is going to host the sixth BIMSTEC Summit and related meetings, from 2 to 4 April 2025 in Bangkok." As per the Public Relations Department, the key deliverables for the upcoming summit include the BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030, the Report of the Eminent Persons' Group on the Future Direction of BIMSTEC, and the BIMSTEC Summit Declaration. The BIMSTEC region encompasses over 1.7 billion people and has a combined GDP of USD 4.7 trillion. India and Thailand have historically enjoyed warm bilateral relations. The embassy observed that diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1947, and both sides celebrated the 75th anniversary of this establishment in 2022. As per the Ministry of External Affairs, the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) pursues cooperation among its member states across seven priority areas, namely Security, including Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime, Disaster Management and Energy; Trade and Economic Development; Transport Connectivity; Agriculture and Food Security; Science, Technology & Innovation; Environment and Climate Change; and People-to-People Relations. BIMSTEC serves as a vehicle for regional engagement for an open, peaceful, prosperous and resilient Bay of Bengal region. The efforts in this regard have strengthened cooperation among member states in the areas of disaster management, maritime security, dealing with challenges of terrorism, drug and human trafficking, cybercrimes, climate change, energy security, food security, increased intra-regional trade and investment, technology and innovation, increased people to people contacts through youth exchanges and cultural exchanges as well as institution building and capacity building, according to the MEA. (ANI) Egyptian Astronaut Sara Sabry, Founder and CEO of Deep Space Initiative, has expressed her excitement and joy over NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams's return to Earth after a nine-month stint in space. Sabry praised Williams's incredible opportunity to be in space and highlighted the immense research conducted on the International Space Station. "It's great news. I think they must be really pleased and happy to be back on Earth after nine months in space finally. Being in space is such an incredible opportunity. Not many people get to do it, so I'm sure they've done the best that they can to make the mission successful and to really make it as productive as possible," said Sabry. Sabry acknowledged the astronauts' hard work, stating they had no free time due to the precious nature of their time at the space station. She shared her enthusiasm for Williams's reunion with her family, enjoying good food, and experiencing the simple pleasures of life on Earth, like dropping a pen on the floor. "There's so much research being done on the International Space Station. They never had a moment of free time, even because it's such a precious time to be at the space station. But I'm sure they're finally pleased to go back home, to go back to see their families, to drop a pen on the floor. I'm really excited for them to go see their families and just eat good food...," she added. NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and her fellow Crew-9 members have safely returned to Earth after spending over nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS), marking the conclusion of an extended mission. Williams's return marks the end of her nine-month mission, during which she conducted critical research and contributed significantly to the scientific community. NASA's Crew-9 astronauts--Sunita Williams, Nick Hague, Butch Wilmore, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov--splashed down off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida, aboard SpaceX's Dragon capsule, Freedom. Upon landing, SpaceX's recovery ship, Megan, lifted the spacecraft from the water while teams ensured safety protocols were followed. As part of standard post-mission procedures, the astronauts were assisted out of the capsule on stretchers to help them adjust to Earth's gravity after their prolonged stay in space. The spacecraft was rinsed to remove salt deposits before being transported for further inspection and refurbishment. An unexpected yet striking scene unfolded as the capsule bobbed in the water--several dolphins were seen circling nearby, almost as if welcoming the astronauts home. Boats in the area assisted in stabilising the spacecraft, ensuring a smooth recovery operation. Williams and Wilmore had been in space since June last year, far exceeding their original mission duration. Initially planned as a brief journey aboard Boeing's Starliner capsule, their return was repeatedly delayed due to technical issues, ultimately extending their stay to over nine months. India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh acknowledged the significance of Williams' return and praised her resilience and dedication. "Sunita Williams' incredible journey, unwavering dedication, fortitude, and fighting spirit will inspire millions across the globe," he said. The moment was celebrated not just among the space community but by people worldwide who have followed Williams' career and achievements. Following their return, the astronauts will travel to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, where they will reunite with their families and undergo post-mission evaluations. Their return coincides with the recent launch of NASA's SpaceX Crew-10, which successfully docked with the ISS on March 16 to continue long-duration research in low Earth orbit. NASA's Commercial Crew Program, which facilitated Crew-9's journey, remains focused on providing reliable and cost-effective transportation to and from the ISS, supporting broader goals of human exploration beyond Earth. (ANI) Nepali lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties have demanded the formation of a high-level committee to investigate an attempt to smuggle foreign currencies to China. Addressing Wednesday's parliamentary session, lawmakers from the ruling Nepali Congress and CPN-UML, along with opposition CPN-Maoist Center and RPP lawmakers, called for serious government action on the matter. "Such a massive smuggling operation is not possible without high-level connections. Therefore, we demand the formation of a committee to investigate and probe the matter. This incident has brought to light a picture of the level at which organised crime and smuggling networks are growing at an organised manner. Only drivers and mules are caught in this. It becomes big news for a while, and after a certain time, it fades away," Madhav Sapkota, a lawmaker from CPN-Maoist Center, said, referring to the smuggling attempt late Monday night. On Tuesday, the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office announced the seizure of thousands of US dollars and euros that were being smuggled to China. Police confirmed that foreign currency worth approximately NPR 250 million was confiscated from a freight truck bound for China. The operation took place late Monday night (March 17, 2025), when a team from the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office recovered the amount from a vehicle bearing number Na 7 Kha 1652. The driver was immediately detained. Raising concerns over the pattern of only arresting low-level operatives, Nepali Congress lawmaker Ramhari Khatiwada also demanded a thorough investigation. "In these kinds of incidents, timely, be it gold smuggle or dollar smuggle, only the carriers have been arrested, and the one who owned that item are always kept on the safe side. I would demand the government's action to end this tendency," Khatiwada said on Wednesday. Ruling party CPN-UML lawmaker Raghuji Pant and opposition RPP lawmaker Roshan Karki also stressed the need for a thorough probe into such cases, stating that smuggling attempts had become a recurring issue. The arrested individual has been identified as Kushang Lama from Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality-1. He had previously served five years in prison for gold smuggling. According to the police, two individuals had instructed him to transport the money from Kerung. Acting on intelligence, authorities intercepted the operation and launched an immediate investigation. The confiscated foreign currency included 3,119 banknotes of US dollar denominations of one hundred, 179 banknotes of fifty, 11 banknotes of five hundred euros, 480 banknotes of two hundred euros, 4,148 banknotes of one hundred euros, and 17,177 banknotes of fifty euros. The incident highlights the rising use of Nepal as a transit hub for cross-border crimes by Chinese criminal networks. Smugglers are shifting their methods and routes, making it increasingly challenging for law enforcement agencies. These activities have not only created a significant challenge for Nepal Police but have also raised concerns that Nepal could become a fertile ground for foreign criminals to orchestrate large-scale illicit operations. Authorities suspect that the smuggled foreign currency was intended to finance gold smuggling into Nepal. Chinese criminal groups previously used the Tatopani border to import gold illegally, but after the 2015 earthquake, they shifted their operations. The primary smuggling route now passes through Rasuwa's Kerung border crossing, and in some cases, smugglers attempt to move contraband through Tribhuvan International Airport. Despite a surge in smuggling-related crimes and growing Chinese involvement in illicit activities, Nepal has yet to take decisive action at a higher policy level. Law enforcement agencies continue to crack down on individual operators, but lawmakers argue that unless key figures behind these networks are exposed and punished, such incidents will continue to occur. With Nepal increasingly being used as a transit point for cross-border financial crimes, there is mounting pressure on the government to strengthen border controls, tighten enforcement, and enhance cooperation with international agencies to dismantle these well-organised smuggling networks. (ANI) Former European Parliament member Marietje Schaake on Wednesday called for a more nuanced approach to regulation in the European Union. Schaake, International Policy Director of the Cyber Policy Center at Stanford University, acknowledged during her remarks at the Raisina Dialogue 2025 that deregulation and cutting red tape are necessary to boost competitiveness, but she argued that some regulation is essential to overcome differences between member states and provide easier access to capital for entrepreneurs. "There's a lot of focus now on the need to deregulate and cut red tape, but the crux of the matter is that if you want easier access to capital for entrepreneurs, you will need to regulate to overcome differences between 27 member states. I think we've reached a point where one-liners will not do justice to that reality, and I would encourage everybody to ask many more critical questions about 'innovation for what' and 'regulation for what'," she said. In the context of the EU's regulatory environment, Schaake's comments highlight the challenges of balancing innovation with regulation. The EU has been actively working to regulate tech companies, with initiatives like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and proposals for a Digital Services Act. Schaake's statement underscored the importance of thoughtful regulation that promotes innovation while protecting citizens' rights. As the EU continues to evolve its regulatory framework, Schaake's call for nuanced thinking and critical questioning is timely and relevant. Speaking in the session on the theme, "The Big Picture: The World in 50 Minutes", Marietje Schaake was not sympathetic to US tech companies, believing they have too much freedom to operate without democratic accountability. "And we need not feel sorry for U.S. tech companies. They have a lot of space, too much space, if you ask me, to do as they please, that they are actually now governing many of us with the decisions that they make, but without a democratic mandate and without democratic accountability...," she said. "American tech companies are more powerful and less regulated now than they have been over the past decades... when I hear that the Trump administration is going to have a deregulatory agenda vis-a-vis tech because there was hardly any regulation, what I miss in the discussion, where there's often a false dichotomy between innovation and regulation, is the question 'innovation for what' and 'regulation for what'." In her remarks she highlighted that there is now emerging a "symbiotic relationship" in the US between Tech and polity. "We are now seeing a mantra coming out of the United States, both Silicon Valley and Washington, that is increasingly in a sort of symbiotic relationship where it's not even clear who is steering who anymore." Speaking about where the roads to innovation will lead, Schaake said, "The idea that innovation is the highest goal in a society or of a government is false. Governments have multiple responsibilities to trade off against each other... think also about protecting fundamental rights, the public interest, and questions of who should be in charge of curating our information ecosystem... This whole idea that innovation is going to lead to the best outcomes without considering what else needs to be catered for and what the potential risks of that innovation are is a very dangerous narrative that I think will have ripple effects from Washington all over the world." She highlighted how it was the AI CEOs, the tech CEOs, who warned about the breakthroughs in AI, which were reaching such dangerous levels that they were asking for regulation. "This is less than two years ago. And now we have this deregulatory agenda. But similarly, I think a lot of the comments about regulation are very shallow. Regulation can lead us to all kinds of outcomes. It's politics whether we agree with one direction or the other", she said. She delivered the remarks at the Raisina Dialogue, India's premier conference on geopolitics and geo-economics, which is organised by the Ministry of External Affairs. The 10th edition of the summit began on March 17, with today marking its conclusion. (ANI) Cairo reiterated its vehement rejection of all forms of terrorism and violence that threaten Somalia's security and stability. Egypt expressed full solidarity with Somalia, offering condolences to the government, the people, and the victims' families, and wishing the injured a swift recovery. (ANI/WAM) US President Donald Trump announced he had a "very good" one-hour phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, aimed at a possible ceasefire with Russia. Posting on Truth Social, Trump stated, "Just completed a very good telephone call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine. It lasted approximately one hour. Much of the discussion was based on the call made yesterday with President Putin in order to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs. We are very much on track, and I will ask Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, to give an accurate description of the points discussed. That Statement will be put out shortly." https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/114189841352600682 Notably, this comes a day after Trump held talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy thanked President Trump and the American people for their support. "I stressed that Ukrainians want peace, which is why Ukraine accepted the proposal for an unconditional ceasefire. I highlighted the importance of President Trump's concept of peace through strength. We agreed to maintain constant contact, including at the highest level and through our teams," he posted on X. The Ukrainian President said that he had a productive conversation with President Donald Trump, where we discussed the ongoing efforts to end the war in Ukraine. "I had a positive, very substantive, and frank conversation with President of the United States Donald Trump @POTUS. I thanked him for a good and productive start to the work of the Ukrainian and American teams in Jeddah on March 11--this meeting of the teams significantly helped in moving toward ending the war," he posted on X. "We agreed that Ukraine and the United States should continue working together to achieve a real end to the war and lasting peace. We believe that together with America, with President Trump, and under American leadership, lasting peace can be achieved this year," he added. Zelenskyy confirmed Ukraine's readiness to "implement" a limited energy, civilian infrastructure ceasefire. "President Trump shared details of his conversation with Putin and the key issues discussed. One of the first steps toward fully ending the war could be ending strikes on energy and other civilian infrastructure. I supported this step, and Ukraine confirmed that we are ready to implement it. Our teams discussed this step in Jeddah. The American side also proposed an unconditional ceasefire on the frontline, and Ukraine accepted this proposal as well. We will continue working to make this happen. We believe that such steps are necessary to create the possibility for a comprehensive peace agreement to be prepared during the ceasefire," he posted on X. The Ukrainian President also provided an update on the battlefield situation and the consequences of Russian strikes. "We spoke about the situation in the Kursk region, touched on the issue of the release of POWs, and the return of Ukrainian children who were taken by Russian forces. We also discussed the state of Ukraine's air defense and the possibility of strengthening it to protect lives," he said. Meanwhile, Ukrainian and American teams are ready to meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to continue coordinating steps toward peace. "We instructed our teams to resolve technical issues related to implementing and expanding the partial ceasefire. We instructed our advisors and representatives to carry out this work as quickly as possible. We noted the positive work of our advisors and representatives--Rubio, Waltz, Kellogg, Yermak, Sybiha, Umerov, and Palisa. In further meetings, the teams can agree on all necessary aspects of advancing toward lasting peace and security guarantees," Zelenskyy posted on X. Shortly after, Waltz confirmed further developments, stating on X (formerly Twitter), "I spoke today with my Russian counterpart Yuri Ushakov about President Trump's efforts to end the war in Ukraine. We agreed our technical teams would meet in Riyadh in the coming days to focus on implementing and expanding the partial ceasefire President Trump secured from Russia." https://x.com/MikeWaltz47/status/1902360162138255814 Earlier today, Trump's Special Envoy Steven Witkoff said the US expects Ukraine to support agreements made between Trump and Putin. In an interview with Fox News, Witkoff described his talks with Putin, saying, "I had two meetings with President Putin. The first one was for somewhere close to three and a half hours, and the second one was close to four hours." He continued, "We accomplished quite a bit... we were immediately in discussions on tangible, granular ways to move forward towards a ceasefire that included... the ceasefire with regard to energy infrastructure from both sides." Witkoff also highlighted another key issue, stating, "And secondly, what people colloquially refer to as the Black Sea, maritime aspect of a ceasefire. I think both of those are now agreed to by the Russians. I am certainly hopeful that the Ukrainians will agree to it." He confirmed remaining details would be discussed in Jeddah on Sunday. "The sides have some details to work out, of course, but that will begin on Sunday in Jeddah." (ANI) At the Raisina Dialogue 2025, Indian and Australian naval leaders reaffirmed their commitment to international regulations on maritime operations and environmental sustainability. During a panel discussion on "Deepwater Perils: Securing Trade," Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and Australian Chief of Joint Operations Vice Admiral Justin Jones emphasised compliance with global maritime laws and the transition to cleaner technologies. Vice Admiral Jones underscored Australia's adherence to legal frameworks governing naval operations, including international and domestic regulations related to fuel use. "There's various legal instruments and international law and domestic law in our case in Australia that would allow, defence forces, navies in particular, to the point about ships and warships, to distance themselves, if you like, seek waivers to that kind of requirements. We do not do that in Australia, we comply with international law and regulation about, fuels to which you've referred," he said. Admiral Tripathi echoed this stance, affirming that the Indian Navy is equally committed to meeting global standards. "My friend from Australia has already brought out what we're doing. Indian Navy is no different. We want to comply with all the international regulations which are being done. We want to improve from where we were yesterday and where we want to go tomorrow." "So all efforts in terms of the kind of propulsion, the kind of machinery, the equipment which is used, which could be in the past adding to the pollution, etc., those are being phased out and we want to get green and clean technology on board our ships, submarines and aircraft, so that is a constant process," he said. He further elaborated on the Indian Navy's transition towards sustainability, emphasising the continuous nature of the process. "It is not happening today, not happening tomorrow, as in the overall ambit the, Green emissions and, you know, COP 25 etc. So we in the navy and the government are committed to ensuring that we follow all the international regulations and minimise pollutions and pollutants both in harbours as also at sea and we are doing our bit towards that," he concluded. (ANI) "Strengthening India-Suriname development partnership. Machinery to support the development of the passion fruit industry, under the grant of USD 1 million, was dispatched today to Suriname. Development Partnership between India and Suriname continues to grow." https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1902395785800745339 The Indian Embassy in Suriname also highlighted that the grant would contribute to the development of the country's markoesa (passion fruit) industry. "Today the machines were shipped to Suriname, under a donation of US$ 1 million, to support and develop the markoesa industry. Development cooperation between India and Suriname continues to grow," Indian Embassy in Suriname said in a post on X. https://x.com/IndEmbSur/status/1902408494352916938 Earlier on November 21, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met Suriname's President Chandrikapersad 'Chan' Santokhi on the sidelines of the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit in Georgetown. The two leaders reviewed the progress of the India-Suriname partnership and discussed ways to enhance cooperation across various sectors. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "PM @narendramodi met President @csantokhi of Suriname on the sidelines of the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit in Georgetown. Both leaders reviewed progress on - partnership and emphasised the importance of strengthening economic cooperation. They agreed to expand bilateral cooperation in areas including defense & security, trade & commerce, agriculture, digital initiatives including UPI, ICT, healthcare, traditional medicine and pharmaceuticals, capacity building, human resource development, cultural and people to people engagements." https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1859354391972823279 Prior to that, India on November 17, 2024, sent the first consignment of about 425 MT of foodgrains and other edible items to Suriname for its Social Welfare Programme. "Advancing India-Suriname ties! Fulfilling India's commitment to support Government of Suriname through supply of food grains and other edible items for their Social Welfare Programme. 1st consignment of approx 425 MT left India today for Paramaribo," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X. (ANI) Philippines Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo highlighted the rapid growth of India-Philippines ties as both nations celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations, underlining the expanded cooperation in key sectors like renewable energy, maritime security, cybersecurity, AI, and health, while reaffirming the need for a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Speaking to ANI, Manalo stressed the deep-rooted partnership between the two countries and the expansion of cooperation in multiple sectors. "We are celebrating the 75th anniversary of official relations between the Philippines and India, even though we have been partners for centuries... In the last 4 or 5 years, our relationship has really grown by leaps and bounds. We have expanded our cooperation in various sectors such as renewable energy, maritime cooperation, cybersecurity, AI, IT, pharmaceuticals and medical services, health security... We believe the Indo-Pacific region should be free and open and a region that contributes to peace, prosperity, and the security of our people...," Manalo said. During his visit, Manalo also met with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue 2025. The two leaders discussed key areas of collaboration, including connectivity, maritime cooperation, and strengthening India-ASEAN ties. Following their meeting, Jaishankar wrote in an X post, "Welcomed @SecManalo at #Raisina2025. Had a wide-ranging discussion on connectivity, maritime, infrastructure, and deepening our ASEAN partnership." Meanwhile, on Monday, Philippines' Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo said that a bilateral Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with India is under discussion, and his country is keen to deepen engagement with Indian businesses. Interacting with FICCI members in the national capital, Manalo said the Philippines is keen on deepening engagements with India in a number of areas, including automotive, battery, value-added IT and ITES services, pharmaceuticals, health, and agriculture. In particular, FICCI said in a statement that the Philippines invited India to source nickel from it for battery manufacturing. This move is part of the Philippines' strategy to diversify away from its current 98 per cent dependence on Chinese buyers of nickel. The Philippines accounts for 11 per cent of global nickel production and was the world's second-largest producer of nickel in 2023. In his address to Indian business leaders, Secretary Manalo emphasised the strategic importance of developing the Philippines' nickel sector with Indian participation. "The Philippines is the world's largest exporter of nickel ore, with exports valued at approximately USD 1.95 billion, chiefly used in lithium-ion battery production," he said. "Currently, nearly 98 per cent of our exports go to China, with Japan importing the remaining 2 per cent. We are quite interested to see India become a player in our nickel sector, not just for export diversification but crucially for processing and development of a value chain. India imports about USD 707 million worth of raw nickel from Russia, Norway, and Japan," Manalo noted, suggesting an opportunity for supply chain realignment. "This represents a natural complementarity between our economies that remains largely unexploited," Manalo added. The Secretary also emphasised the need to accelerate negotiations on a bilateral preferential trade agreement (PTA) that has been under preliminary discussion for two years, calling it crucial to diversifying and expanding commercial relations between the two Indo-Pacific economies. Additionally, the Philippines is undertaking a major vehicle modernisation programme and has invited Indian commercial vehicle manufacturers to participate, as per the FICCI statement. "We consider India to hold significant untapped potential as a market for Philippine exports," Manalo told the gathering of industry leaders, highlighting an untapped export potential of USD 577 million. "We are keen to transition from these scoping exercises to the actual negotiations of a preferential trade agreement that will certainly help drive growth upward," Manalo added, as per the FICCI statement. India primarily supplies pharmaceuticals, automotive components, and agricultural products to the Philippines, while the Southeast Asian nation exports electronic goods, machinery, and select agricultural commodities. The investment pitch comes as bilateral trade between India and the Philippines reached approximately USD 3.5 billion in 2024, nearly doubling over the past few years. FICCI President Harsha Vardhan Agarwal noted during the session that India's pharmaceutical industry plays a significant role in the Philippine market, accounting for around 20 per cent of total Indian pharmaceutical exports to the Asian region. "While we continue to be engaged through trade and investment, I'm happy to see that engagement is diversifying into new and strategic sectors," the FICCI President said, highlighting waste management, green mobility, and agricultural technology as promising areas for collaboration alongside the growing defence partnership marked by India's delivery of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines in April 2024. To facilitate increased business engagement, Secretary Manalo highlighted the e-visa system already instituted for Indian travellers and business visitors. "We are meeting even as we speak to see how we can further enhance and improve the visa system specifically for India," he revealed. The Philippine Ambassador to India, Josel Francisco Ignacio, elaborated on several visa facilitation measures, including a "fast track" process for legitimate businesses with investments in the Philippines, especially for emergency and business visits. "The e-visa allows you to get multiple entry visas for six months or one year, and we're also trying to streamline that process," the ambassador stated, adding that further improvements would be announced soon. (ANI) US Department of State Spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated on Wednesday that White House Secretary of State Marco Rubio has mandated the Venezuelan government to take back its illegally deported citizens. Bruce warned that Venezuela's failure to accept deported individuals would lead to increased sanctions and tariffs. "Secretary Rubio made clear yesterday that Venezuela is obligated to accept its repatriated citizens from the United States. This is not an issue for debate or negotiation, nor does it merit any reward unless the Maduro regime accepts a consistent flow of deportation flights, without further excuses or delays, the US will impose new, severe, and escalating sanctions," she said. https://x.com/SecRubio/status/1902102932570751007 Referencing a statement by President Donald Trump, Bruce linked the Venezuelan government to criminal activities. "As President Trump made clear in his proclamation, TDA is closely associated and aligned with and indeed has infiltrated the Maduro regime. Maduro maintains close ties to regime-sponsored narco-terrorists. The Maduro regime must accept back all Venezuelan aliens deported by the US, especially their murderers, rapists, criminals, human traffickers, and other illegally present criminals in the US. End of discussion," she added. Bruce also stressed that the US expects all countries to accept their deported citizens and warned of consequences for non-compliance. "We will impose more and new sanctions on any failure to do so or delays. Let me be clear- the US Government will enforce the law of the US. We will deport illegal aliens from our country and we will make clear that we expect countries to accept their nationals illegally present in the US," she said. She further expressed gratitude to international partners assisting the US in identifying illegal residents. "We thank our partners in the region and around the world who are partnering with us to stop illegal immigration and combat vicious transnational crime. These efforts help all of us by making our entire region safer and more secure," she said. Meanwhile, the White House said that Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel announced the capture of another fugitive from its "Ten Most Wanted" list -- initiating the extradition of a key senior leader of the brutal MS-13 gang, Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales, from Mexico to face charges in the United States. Roman-Bardales was wanted "for his alleged role in ordering numerous acts of violence against civilians and rival gang members, as well as his role in drug distribution and extortion schemes in the United States and El Salvador." https://x.com/WhiteHouse/status/1902455066235212150 https://x.com/FBIDirectorKash/status/1902170547359781334 "When you let good cops be good cops, this is what happens," Patel said in his post on X. (ANI) SAPPORO, Mar 20 (News On Japan) - JR Hokkaido announced on March 19th that the JR Sapporo Station redevelopment, linked to the Hokkaido Shinkansen extension, will be delayed by six years, with full operations now set for fiscal 2034. The bus terminal, originally set to open earlier, will commence operations in fiscal 2030. The prolonged inconvenience has sparked concerns among residents. In August 2023, the historic ESTA shopping complex at Sapporo Station's south exit closed its doors after 45 years. A month later, the adjacent bus terminal also shut down, leading to a noticeable decline in pedestrian traffic in the area. Under the initial redevelopment plan, the eastern high-rise section was to house a hotel and offices, while the former ESTA site was designated for a commercial facility incorporating the new bus terminal, with a projected completion in fiscal 2028. However, in February 2024, JR Hokkaido indicated that the project could face delays of up to two years. By October 2024, considerations were already underway to downsize the building. Then, on March 19th, JR Hokkaido President Yasuyuki Watanuki stated: "Regardless of the Shinkansens opening timeline, we are aiming for full completion in fiscal 2034. We will prioritize the development of the 'West 2-Chome' section, equivalent in scale to the former ESTA, with a goal of finishing it by fiscal 2030." JR Hokkaido cited labor shortages and rising material costs as key reasons for the delay. To reduce overall expenses, the company plans to stagger the redevelopment, opening the bus terminal and commercial section first in fiscal 2030, followed by the full-scale opening in fiscal 2034. For now, temporary bus stops are scattered across 18 locations, and they are expected to remain in use for another five years. "It's just too slow. The bus stops are out in the open, and when it snows heavily, it's really tough," a Sapporo resident relying on buses remarked. "It's inconvenient, but there's no helping it. Rushing the process to shorten the timeline just isn't realistic," another commuter commented. Meanwhile, the long-anticipated Hokkaido Shinkansen extension to Sapporo is now expected to begin operations in fiscal 2038 at the earliest. JR Hokkaido pointed out that the delay in redevelopment is partly due to overlapping large-scale construction projects. "As the gateway to Hokkaido, we want to create an attractive urban space in anticipation of the Sapporo Shinkansen opening," Watanuki said. Sapporo Station's redevelopment, a crucial hub for shopping and transportation, faces unavoidable setbacks, with impacts that will likely be felt for years to come. Source: UHB OSAKA, Mar 20 (News On Japan) - A new commercial complex in Osakas Umekita district, located north of JR Osaka Station, held a preview event on March 19th. Umekita Green Place, which opened to the public on March 19th, is a three-story shopping facility directly connected to JR Osaka Station. It houses 20 shops, primarily restaurants. On the first floor, visitors can find sweet shops offering takeout options to enjoy in the adjacent lawn area. The second-floor food court features Japans first AI-powered congestion prediction service, allowing visitors to check crowd levels on their smartphones. Naoya Ashida from JR West Japan Osaka Development said: "This is a place where people can feel close to nature, with many restaurants and dining options facing the greenery. We hope people working in Umeda will also come and relax here." Additionally, a newly established bus terminal at the complex will operate around ten round-trip shuttle services daily to and from the Expo venue. Umekita Green Place is set to officially open on March 21st. Source: YOMIURI What if your workout not only made you stronger but also unlocked a version of you filled with confidence and self-love? Thats the magic of pole fitness. For years, pole dancing has been misunderstoodseen as either intimidating or unattainable for beginners. But the truth is, pole fitness is for everyone, regardless of age, size, or fitness level. Its not just about learning tricks; its about building strength, embracing your body, and becoming the most empowered version of yourself. Thats where Fit2Flaunt comes in. Founded by Shelly Murdock, a U.S. Air Force veteran and advocate for body positivity, Fit2Flaunt is revolutionizing home fitness by making pole dancing accessible, structured, and fun. Through its state-of-the-art fitness app, high-quality home poles, and a thriving online community, Fit2Flaunt provides everything you need to embark on a pole journeywhether youre a total beginner or an experienced dancer looking to level up. From Self-Doubt to Strength: The Fit2Flaunt Difference Take Nicole, for example. When she first started pole, she could barely hold herself up for more than a second. She questioned whether she was strong enough, flexible enoughor even capable at all. But with Fit2Flaunts step-by-step training, she built the strength to lift herself, spin with confidence, and eventually master inversions. More importantly, she learned to trust her body and celebrate her progress. Nicoles story is one of thousands. Fit2Flaunt is more than just a workoutits a movement that helps women step into their power, break past their doubts, and redefine their limits. Why Pole? The Workout That Never Gets Boring Traditional workouts can feel repetitiverunning on a treadmill, lifting the same weights, following the same routines. Pole fitness, on the other hand, is constantly evolving. Engages the Entire Body Unlike exercises that target only one area, pole activates multiple muscle groups at once, leading to faster strength gains and a sculpted physique. No More Boring Workouts With spins, tricks, dance sequences, and freestyle movement, pole fitness keeps you engaged and excited to train. Designed for Every Level Whether youre a complete beginner or an advanced dancer, Fit2Flaunts structured programs ensure progress at your pace. Boosts Confidence & Mental Resilience The journey isnt just physicalits about building the belief that you are capable, strong, and unstoppable. Fit2Flaunt: The Ultimate Home Pole Fitness Experience Fit2Flaunt takes the guesswork out of pole fitness. With its all-in-one platform, you get: Step-by-Step Video Tutorials Master foundational moves and advance to breathtaking tricks with structured lessons. Smart Progress Tracking Stay motivated by unlocking new skills and tracking your growth. Four-Week Training Programs Achieve specific goals with guided programs designed for all levels. A Thriving Community Connect with women worldwide who support, celebrate, and inspire each other. I never thought I could do this, but Fit2Flaunt made it possible. Now, I feel stronger than ever! Fit2Flaunt Member Join the Movement: Embrace Your Power Since its launch, Fit2Flaunt has transformed thousands of lives, helping women feel strong, capable, and confident. Whether youre looking to shake up your fitness routine, challenge yourself, or simply fall in love with movement, this is your sign to start. Ready to begin your pole journey? Visit Fit2Flaunt today and take the first step toward a stronger, more empowered YOU. For media inquiries, collaborations, or additional information, please contact: About Fit2Flaunt: Fit2Flaunt is a premier pole fitness brand designed to empower women by building confidence, strength, and flexibilityall from the comfort of home. With a high-quality fitness dance pole and an innovative fitness app, Fit2Flaunt provides structured programs that guide users from complete beginners to advanced pole dancers. Founded by Shelly Murdock, a U.S. Air Force veteran and body positivity advocate, Fit2Flaunt is more than just a fitness brandits a movement. Combining pole dance routines, flexibility exercises, and floorwork, it creates a well-rounded workout experience that is both fun and transformative. Never let the guy with the broom decide how many elephants can be in the parade. Even if I was the guy with the broom, Id have 10 elephants. Youve got to love a parade, and if you or your kids or your grandkids havent already done so, this is the year to be part of the walking party cal The International Monetary Fund greenlighted on Tuesday the release of $496 million for Morocco under a Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) to help the north African country address climate challenges. The new funding brings the total disbursement of the IMF under the RSF to about $1.24 billion. The IMF had approved a $1.32 billion loan under the same facility to help Morocco address climate vulnerabilities, bolster its resilience against climate change, and seize the opportunities from decarbonization. Measures implemented under the RSF arrangement aim to better protect underground water resources, prepare the ground for a change in tariffication of water, improve the regulatory setting of the electricity market to encourage private sectors production of renewable energy, and reinforce fiscal and financial systems resilience to climate change-related risks, the IMF said. It expects Moroccos economic growth to accelerate to 3.7% over the next few years, from 3.2%. The Moroccan economy continued to show resilience to negative shocks, a testament to the countrys very strong economic policies and frameworks, Kenji Okamura, Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair said following the IMF decision. Morocco and Cameroon signed a military cooperation agreement, aiming to bolster defense ties through training, joint exercises, military health services, and technical assistance. The deal was signed in Rabat on Tuesday during a meeting between Moroccos Minister in charge of National Defense Administration, Abdeltif Loudyi, and Minister Delegate to Cameroons Presidency, in charge of Defense, Joseph Beti Assomo, who is visiting the Kingdom at the head of a high-level delegation, National Defense Administration said in a press release. Loudyi reaffirmed Moroccos commitment to regional security and stability, and highlighted the Royal Atlantic Initiative, designed to establish Africas Atlantic coast as an economic and security hub. For his part, Assomo said Cameroon prioritized its partnership with Morocco and praised Rabats South-South cooperation initiatives, launched by King Mohammed VI. The two sides agreed to implement the provisions of the agreement, and underscored their commitment to strengthening the friendship relations between the two countries. Several Sahrawi civil society activists have denounced human rights violations and the systematic repression of dissenting voices by the polisario in the Tindouf camps, southwest Algeria. Taking the floor during the 58th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, under agenda item 3 of the general debate, the Sahrawi activists called on the international community to take action to protect the rights of people living in the Tindouf camps and to hold Algeria accountable for its role in these violations. Saadani Maoulainine, from the Organization for Communication in Africa and the Promotion of International Economic Cooperation (OCAPROCE), expressed her organizations concern over the ongoing problems faced by young Sahrawis in the Tindouf camps. For 50 years, they have been deprived of their most basic rights, forced to live in camps, suffering violence and social injustices, lamented the former deportee to Cuba. The Sahrawi activist also highlighted the lack of job opportunities in the camps and the absence of any hope or prospects for a dignified life. All these young people lack justice, she said. This situation leads to a lack of motivation and widespread uncertainty about the future. Maoulainine urged the HRC to work towards ending the impunity of polisario leaders and to support a fair, peaceful, and comprehensive resolution to the Sahara issue. Echoing her, Hassan El Gramez from the NGO Promotion of Economic and Social Development (PDES) said that the polisario continues to impose repressive policies that stifle dissent and deprive camp populations of their most fundamental rights. In the Tindouf camps, any opposition to the polisario is systematically suppressed; political parties are banned, he stated, adding that the separatist organization also enforces severe restrictions on freedom of expression and actively harasses human rights defenders, journalists, activists, and bloggers. The leadership of the polisario front employs oppressive methods against all forms of opposition and against human rights defenders whose views do not align with its own, he asserted, deploring that stigmatization as traitors remains common among polisario leaders and members under the pretext of maintaining unity. According to the NGO, the Algerian state, which hosts the polisario on its territory, bears full responsibility, under international law, for the violations committed within its borders. The organization further noted that despite Algerias international rhetoric regarding Sahrawi refugees, the Algerian state refuses to recognize the camps populations as refugees, thereby denying them the rights granted under the Refugee Convention and Protocol. The refusal to recognize the refugee status of those who have lived in the camps for over four decades categorically prevents them from enjoying their civil, political, economic, social, cultural, and environmental rights, the NGO said. Other speakers who took the floor all pointed out that the absence of a defined legal framework makes the camps populations vulnerable to arbitrary detention, torture, and enforced disappearances. They reported that over 140 Sahrawis had been arrested and coldly executed by polisario leaders. Regarding freedom of expression and association, the speakers noted that those held in the camps face severe restrictions, often leading to arrests and repression. They cited the cases of numerous young Sahrawi journalists who have been arrested and detained simply for expressing disagreement with the polisario leadership. The speakers also denounced the polisarios misappropriation of humanitarian aid and its sale in local markets in Algeria and sub-Saharan countries. In this context, they called on the HRC to ensure that the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is able to register and protect camp populations, contribute to the implementation of measures to prevent aid diversion, and guarantee freedoms of expression, association, and movement. In a surprising turn of events, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) president Felix Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame held their first direct talks in Qatar on Tuesday (18 March), in a bid to address the escalating conflict in eastern DRC. The meeting, mediated by Qatars Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, marked a significant diplomatic step following months of violence tied to Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, who have captured key cities in the region. In a joint statement, the two leaders, along with Qatar, called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in eastern DRC, where the conflict has displaced over 7 million people. The M23 rebels, who have been advancing through North and South Kivu provinces, are accused by the DRC of receiving Rwandan military support, a claim Rwanda denies. The meeting came amid mounting tensions as the European Union imposed sanctions on M23 leaders and Rwandan military figures, which led to the rebels pulling out of planned peace talks in Angola. DRC foreign ministry said in a statement the peace talks planned for 18 March were cancelled due to reasons and circumstances of force majeure, a possible reference to the last-minute decision by the Rwanda-backed M23 group to stay away. Despite this setback, Tshisekedi and Kagame expressed hope for continued dialogue, aiming to build lasting peace in the region. This historic encounter, though informal, signals a potential shift in the diplomatic landscape, with both sides committing to further discussions to resolve the crisis. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called for immediate action to combat a worsening food crisis affecting millions across West Africa and the Sahel. Speaking at the third meeting of the Regional Food Security Reserve Management Committee, which opened in Nigerias capital Abuja on Tuesday, ECOWAS officials warned that without proactive measures, up to 47 million people could face acute food insecurity by mid-2025. The crisis is primarily driven by ongoing conflicts, economic instability, and climate change, which have disrupted food production and exacerbated hunger in the region. According to the latest report, nearly 34.7 million people are already in urgent need of food and nutritional support. ECOWAS officials emphasized the importance of strengthening food reserves, which play a crucial role in emergency responses. Nigerias minister of agriculture and food security, Abubakar Kyari, highlighted that over 74,000 tons of food are currently stored across the region for emergency purposes, but governance and operational improvements are needed to ensure efficient management. Massandje Toure-Litse, ECOWAS commissioner for economic affairs and agriculture, stressed the need for both immediate relief and long-term resilience strategies. She also urged member states to increase funding and improve food reserve management to stabilize markets and strengthen food security systems. The two-day meeting of the Management Committee of the ECOWAS Regional Food Security Reserve took stock of the activities carried out by the Food Reserve since the last meeting in 2023 and planned interventions for 2025, in a context marked by a growing food crisis in West Africa and regional and global geopolitical upheaval. France has re-imposed visa requirements for holders of Algerian diplomatic passports, in reaction to Algerias refusal to take its nationals expelled by France for violating local laws. Some 10,000 members of the Algerian nomenklatura and their families have diplomatic passports, offering them visa-free access to France under a bilateral deal signed in 2007. French interior minister Bruno Retailleux had warned that Paris would take graduated measures after Algeria doubled down on rejecting its own nationals sent by France for their involvement in criminal activity in France. Algeria has taken economic retaliatory measures against French companies, arrested a French-Algerian novelist for mentioning the colonial origin of Algerias borders and engaged in warmongering against France, since Paris recognized Moroccos sovereignty over the Sahara territory. Violent incidents involving Algerian nationals living illegally in France have put additional pressure on the interior minister who said France would take further sanctions to ensure Algeria takes its nationals back. Relations worsened significantly following the Mulhouse attack in early March 2025, when an Algerian national, who had been subject to 14 unsuccessful deportation attempts by French authorities, carried out a knife attack killing a passer-by and injuring three police officers. The French right is calling on the government to review the 1968 deals which grant Algerians preferential terms in settling in France. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy speaks at a press conference at the Department of Transportation on March 11, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Photo: Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images The Trump administration once again has the MTA in its sights. On Tuesday, U.S. Transportation secretary Sean Duffy wrote a letter to MTA chairman and CEO Janno Lieber, directing him to share the agencys plans to address crime and public safety on its system. The missive came with a threat. Duffy warned Lieber to respond promptly or risk the federal government withholding funds from the MTA. In the letter, Duffy said that the agency must ensure a safe and clean environment, reduce crime and fare evasion, and maintain a safe operating system for its riders, noting that thereve been several high-profile incidents on the subway. The Transportation secretary then requested that the MTA provide its plans to reduce crime and specific concerns such as transit-workers assaults, fare evasion, and subway surfing and statistics related to those incidents. He also asked for the MTA to detail the funds allocated to those measures. Duffy said the agency must respond by a March 31 deadline to avoid further [Federal Transit Administration] enforcement actions up to and including redirecting or withholding funding. The MTAs letter closely resembles ones sent by the department to Washington, D.C., mayor Muriel Bowser as well as the CEOs of Amtrak and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, or WMATA, the main transit agency in D.C. In those messages, Duffy similarly requested risk assessments and plans to reduce crime and protect riders and transit workers. Much of the information that Duffy is requesting is already publicly available through the NYPD, which publishes transit-crime reports, as well as through the MTA, which shares recordings and associated documents from its board meetings and publicizes its funding data. Recent statistics dont appear to support Duffys contention of a transit system out of control. Earlier this month, the NYPD reported a 15 percent decrease in subway crime in February compared to the previous year. That figure follows a reported steep 36.4 percent drop in January. The agency relies heavily on federal funding. The MTA previously unveiled its four-year $68 million capital plan, which anticipates $14 billion of that total coming from federal money and grants, per the Daily News. John McCarthy, MTAs chief of policy and external relations, said in a statement that the agency is ready to discuss its crime-reduction efforts with the federal government. The good news is numbers are moving in the right direction: Crime is down 40 percent compared to the same period in 2020 right before the pandemic, and so far in 2025 there are fewer daily major crimes in transit than any non-pandemic year ever. Moreover, in the second half of last year subway-fare evasion was down 25 percent after increasing dramatically during COVID, he said, per CBS News. This warning from Duffy is just the latest in the Trump administrations focus on the MTA. In February, the Transportation Department officially revoked federal approval for New York Citys congestion-pricing program, setting a March 21 deadline for the tolling to end. However, the MTA immediately challenged the governments move in court with Governor Kathy Hochul making it clear that congestion pricing will continue until the matter is heard. The cameras are staying on, she said. Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer; Photo: Associated Press Joe Biden has always kept a tight circle. Only a few could ever claim to be his right-hand man. There was Ted Kaufman, the early campaign volunteer who became Bidens senatorial chief of staff; John DiEleuterio, the college friend who went to work as his state director in Wilmington. Plus Jill Biden, of course, and Joes sister, Valerie, his right-hand women. Less remarked upon, over the decades, are the dozens of us who have served in a related but different capacity: as uncredited stand-ins for Joe Bidens literal right hand via autopen. Last week, the Heritage Foundation released a (since disputed) report claiming that the Biden White House used an autopen to sign preemptive pardons during its final days. These included, allegedly, the pardons granted to members of the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack. On Friday, President Donald Trump took to Truth Social with a dark suspicion: The person who was the real President during the Biden years was the person who controlled the Autopen! That figure, hed go on to intimate without evidence, was not Biden, who was too checked out; in Trumps view, this made Bidens pardons null and void. From there, it seems, weve entered a now-familiar cycle: First, Trumpland makes a claim about Bidens executive functioning or lack thereof; Biden sources then deny the claim. But then, too, a few anonymous Biden sources reportedly go rogue to hint that perhaps theres something there: in this case, that a a key aide to the then-president may have made unilateral determinations on what to auto-sign. A few months after that were not there yet with the autopen perhaps a former administration staffer echoes those hints on a podcast, or a panel, setting themselves up for a turncoat book deal down the road. Instead, Im willing to break my silence. In 2006, I began a summer internship in then-Senator Bidens Delaware headquarters. A 16-year-old politics nerd from Wilmington and a foreign-policy buff, I was awed by Bidens stature as the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations committee. I was welcomed by DiEleuterio a lovely man and the front-desk admin gave me a tour. The grandest room in the suite was Bidens office; he wasnt in that week, she said, but he might be later in the summer, in which case wed meet. The work was menial: logging calls, opening mail. But most days contained at least one moment of magic: the autopen. On the desk, in a back room, the device looked charmingly analog. There was no screen, no interface: Youd just load a pen or Sharpie into the loop at the end of its arm and let it trace its way. On my end, it took well, not skill, but care to line the paper up below. Or misalign: I decided that the signature oughtnt run too parallel to the bottom edge of the page; there should be a gentle, friendly skew. Once engaged, the device would move slowly at an uncanny human pace along the ghostly path of Joes right hand. The slash of his J, the curves of his B, a jagged e that shocked me every time: These are the strokes Ill never forget. Then, Joes final coup de grace, this little dot hed add above the last few letters of his surname. Ostensibly meant to crown the i but falling chicly behind, it reminded me of Marilyn Monroes beauty mark. When I think back to the work that I did on the autopen that summer, it was all pretty anodyne stuff. There were wedding congratulations and birthday wishes, those kinds of salutations: nice messages that people might want to frame someday as a family heirloom. Thats why we signed them in Sharpie. Was there more than that? Perhaps some polite letters addressed to government agencies on Delawareans behalf? Maybe, but you didnt hear it from me. These past few days have been hard. Yes, I agree with all the legal experts out there, who say that the Biden administrations autopen use stands as perfectly legal and sound. But at the same time, when I see the New York Post call Joe Biden Autopen Joe, I get this pang of guilt because well, thats how I think of him, too; like thats how I best know Joe. I never did meet the senator that summer. He never showed, either, at the Joe Biden high-school youth day I once attended down in Dover. And Ive never quite managed to catch him since. Am I upset by this? Surprised? No: Biden has rarely been the kind of omnipresent, glad-handing politician you might expect a small state to produce. And on a personal level, we Delawareans understand why his clan turned inward after the 1972 death of his first wife and daughter. But in addition to that, theres a cultural aspect, the way that Delawareness has long been characterized by negations and evasions: our good little corporate secrecy haven, neither North nor South. I do wonder, though: Did the rest of the country know to expect such a ghost? Did they know to read Bidens presidency as that of a quintessential Delaware Man, shot through with blankness? People expected more expansiveness of vision from his presidency, and boldness, too, but he always had this institutionalist streak. He is a company man from the Company State, accustomed to tracing preset paths, like choosing to run for a second term in the first place. He could be called worse than Autopen Joe. Sign Up for the Intelligencer Newsletter Daily news about the politics, business, and technology shaping our world. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Vox Media, LLC Terms and Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. . What the Trump Administration Did: Almost immediately after Trump took office, he froze all spending on U.S. humanitarian and development work overseas, hobbling the mission of the the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Musks Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) then began dismantling USAID from the inside, cutting off financial and technological systems for workers and eventually ejecting them from USAIDs federal building in Washington. In February, Trump put USAID under the control of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who later announced that 83 percent of USAID programs would be canceled and that the remaining programs would be administered by the State Department. Court Response: In a March 10 preliminary injunction, Judge Amir Ali of the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that the administration cant just sit on the roughly $60 billion that Congress appropriated for foreign assistance funding. Judge Ali said the government must pay for work completed before February 13. The executive not only claims his constitutional authority to determine how to spend appropriated funds, but usurps Congresss exclusive authority to dictate whether the funds should be spent in the first place, the judge said. Days earlier, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against Trump in a 5-4 decision, upholding a previous order from Judge Ali directing the agencies to pay out nearly $2 billion for completed foreign aid work. In a more dramatic decision on March 18, a different federal judge, Theodore Chuang, ruled that DOGES dismantling of USAID likely violated the United States Constitution in multiple ways. Finding in favor of a group of former and current USAID workers, Chuang wrote that Musk and DOGE had no statutory authority to all but eliminate the agency, and ordered email and systems access to be restored for current workers. He also said that Musk appeared to be the real leader of DOGE, despite the organizations claims to the contrary. Whats Next: While Judge Ali made it clear he thinks the Trump administration overstepped, he said he could not order payments on future work or restore any canceled contracts. The full ramifications of Judge Chuangs decision, meanwhile, are not completely clear, though it may only be a temporary win for the agency. Chuang appeared to leave room for mass firings as long as theyre carried out by the agency head currently Marco Rubio. Believe it or not, the president and the chief justice arent on the same page when it comes to the powers of the judiciary. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images Thanks to the abject subservience of Republicans in Congress and the powerlessness of Democrats, its been obvious for a while that the federal courts represent the only challenge to the Trump agenda of mass firings and terminations of federal programs, mass deportations of immigrants, and other radical steps beyond the traditional scope of presidential powers. Thus, unsurprisingly, MAGA world is full of talk about impeaching the judges getting in their way. Elon Musk led the way, as Democracy Docket noted earlier this month: Billionaire Elon Musk in recent weeks has raged in a blizzard of social media posts at federal judges who have ruled against his efforts to disembowel the government and executive orders issued by President Donald Trump. This evil judge must be fired! he said last month on his social media platform while sharing a photograph of a judge. The only way to restore rule of the people in America is to impeach judges, he said in another post last week. Congressional Republicans, of course, have leapt onto the crazy train, as the New York Times observed: House Republicans have filed articles of impeachment against federal judges whom they portrayed as impediments to Mr. Trump, accusing them of acting corruptly in thwarting the administration. If these partisan judges want to be politicians, they should resign and run for office, said Representative Eli Crane, Republican of Arizona, in filing articles of impeachment against Judge Paul A. Engelmayer of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The judge, who was placed on the bench by President Barack Obama in 2011, had temporarily barred those working for Mr. Musks government review team from accessing sensitive Treasury Department records. Senator Mike Lee, a Utah Republican who sits on the Judiciary Committee, said in a social media post that corrupt judges should be impeached and removed after earlier suggesting that rulings against the administration smacked of a judicial coup. And now, Trump himself has lost his mind over D.C. District Court Judge James Boasbergs attempted interference with his administrations deportation of Venezuelans. Initially the Justice Department just asked the court of appeals that supervises Boasberg to reassign the case to another judge. But its boss in the White House wants him removed from the bench entirely, as he demanded in an unhinged Truth Social post: This can no one rid me of this meddlesome judge? cry of anguish drew an immediate response from Trumps faithful servants in Congress, as The Hill reported: Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) introduced a resolution to impeach U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, who over the weekend ordered the Trump administration to halt deportations of Venezuelans whom it said were gang members. There was enough smoke here that Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts felt constrained to advise the world in a March 18 statement that impeaching federal judges because you dont like their rulings is not appropriate: For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose. The contrast in tone between the president and the chief justice did not go unnoticed by attorney Ken White at Bluesky: Trump: the streets will run like rivers with the blood of my enemies. Their heads on spikes will adorn Congress and every federal building and court. Chief Justice Roberts: Actually the GSA is in charge of federal court decorations in consultation with the judicial counsel But more to the point, any impeachment drive aimed at federal judges who annoy Trump isnt going to go very far, at least under the current U.S. Constitution. It would take every bit of Trump leverage available to get articles of impeachment aimed at a judge through the closely divided U.S. House. And as Politico reports, House GOP leaders view the idea as an annoying distraction, even though they dare not denounce it publicly: [P]rivately there is dread inside Johnsons leadership circle about the prospect of having to pursue messy, certain-to-fail impeachments that could ultimately backfire on the GOPs razor-thin majority. Its never going to happen, said a senior House Republican aide. There arent the votes. But the bigger reason it isnt happening involves the Senate: As Democrats learned after impeaching Trump himself twice, getting the two-thirds vote necessary for a conviction (and removal from office) in the Senate against the wishes of one of the two major parties is well-nigh impossible. Perhaps some of the machers of Team Trump dont understand that: This is a judicial coup. We need 60 senators to impeach the judges and restore rule of the people. https://t.co/arUq1FApRq Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 19, 2025 Its 67 senators to convict, and thats on impeachment articles first passed by the House. Ignorance aside, whats the point of all the impeaching judges talk? Its probably designed to intimidate judges who may fear for their lives if not for their lifetime appointments, while giving MAGA yahoos a big if not exactly new enemy to deplore. There is, after all, an ancient history in this country of populist politicians of both the left and the right fulminating against the unelected tyrants of the judiciary. The more alarming possibility, however, is that Trump, Musk, and congressional Republicans are laying the groundwork for a future refusal to obey court orders. Then well have the constitutional crisis that has always loomed over the reign of a president who believes he embodies the nation and stands above all laws. Come together over me! Photo: Jeff Kowalsky/AFP/Getty Images When you think about it, J.D. Vance has one of the tougher jobs in American politics: being the faithful understudy to the greatest narcissist ever to hold the presidency. Not only must he support the Sun King through thick and through thin, he must also avoid stealing any of the limelight from the jealous god who lifted him to the Senate with a crucial endorsement and then to his current position as heir apparent. Vances role as initiator in the Oval Office mugging of Volodymyr Zelenskyy was a job well done; the subtext of the whole incident was the Ukrainian presidents lack of gratitude to Donald Trump. What is apparently Vances next major chore for his benefactor is even more crucial, and better yet, isnt likely to attract too many flattering headlines: Hes appointed himself the healer of the MAGA movements breach between populists and the billionaire tech bros who helped finance the Trump-Vance campaign and are now dictating a vast number of public policies. As Vance himself suggested in a unity speech he delivered during a conference organized by the venture-capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, he is a proud member of both tribes. After all, he came to national notoriety as the embodiment of the struggling white working class via his Hillbilly Elegy memoir, but then became a protege and beneficiary of Silicon Valley reactionary pioneer Peter Thiel, who blazed the path to MAGA prominence now trod by Elon Musk and so many others. Hell need both wings of the movement if he wants to succeed Trump as MAGA chieftain and president. And he can also do his boss a solid by quieting some of the infighting that bubbles beneath the surface of Team Trumps aggressive pursuit of its agenda. The most notable public indication of the rift occurred last December, when a spat broke out between populist social-media figure Laura Loomer and DOGE co-founder Vivek Ramaswamy over the obscure but highly symbolic issue of H1-B visas, which are issued to attract highly skilled immigrants, particularly in the technology field. Ramaswamy inflamed the dispute by arguing that H1-Bs were made necessary by the inferior quality of American labor. But then his buddy and DOGE rival Musk stepped in and escalated matters as only he could do in a response to a tweet from a Loomer ally: The reason Im in America along with so many critical people who built SpaceX, Tesla and hundreds of other companies that made America strong is because of H1B. Take a big step back and FUCK YOURSELF in the face. I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 28, 2024 Then Steve Bannon, the OG populist of MAGA-land, counter-escalated, as my colleague Chas Danner noted at the time: Bannon, posting on right-wing X competitor Gettr, screencapped Musks tweet and added, Someone please notify Child Protective Services need to do a wellness check on this toddler. Bannon later told an Italian newspaper: He is a truly evil guy, a very bad guy. I made it my personal thing to take this guy down. As things threatened to spin out of control on the very brink of Trumps triumphal return to power, Trump signaled agreement with Musk and Ramaswamy on H1-B visas, and the MAGA civil war died down. But given the new administrations assault on nearly every form of legal as well as illegal immigration, the issue may not have gone away forever. At the conference, as Politico reported, Vance asked populists and tech bros to keep their eyes on the prize: their common enemies. Both our working people, our populists and our innovators gathered here today have the same enemy namely 40 years of failed economic policies that enabled globalization and the same goal: a great American industrial renaissance that uses innovation to boost worker productivity and drives wage gains. As the New York Times noted, the veep argued Trumps agenda would scratch backs on both sides of the populist/tech-bro barricades. We can only win by doing what we always did, he said. Protecting our workers and supporting our innovators, and doing both of those things at the same time. Thats easier said than done. Much of what the innovators are trying to accomplish via DOGE and legislation in Congress involves their triune goals of deep tax cuts, deregulation, and slashing federal spending, including popular services and benefits. Yes, workers may be cut in on some of the bonanza via tax breaks on tips, overtime work, and Social Security benefits. And everyone in MAGA-land can celebrate the pain of deep state bureaucrats and woke university administrators. But ultimately the tech-bro vision of a nation largely run like a corporation by their own selves, deploying AI and discarding excess labor as inefficient, isnt compatible with any kind of populism. And conversely, the protectionism and nativism beloved of right-wing populists everywhere and at every time is not really compatible with the so-called innovators thirst for free-flowing capital and inexpensive labor. The other problem with Vances plan to keep the two MAGA wings yoked to the same team is that tensions will likely intensify if, as seems likely, Trumps agenda becomes increasingly unpopular among the general public. How much political capital will populists want to expend on maximizing high-end tax cuts or slashing their own federal benefits? How hard will tech bros fight for high tariffs that upset their Wall Street colleagues and allies? Will populists go to the wall to defend Elon Musk, who considers beneficiaries of wildly popular entitlement programs the parasite class? How long with tech bros hide their contempt for blue-collar workers as anything other than cannon fodder in their war with government and any sense of collective responsibility? Vance has a tough row to hoe in keeping these people together, but its a job he does need to undertake if he wants to inherit a winning coalition in 2028. Photo: Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times/Redux For the first time in two decades, it is impossible to predict who the next Democratic nominee for president might be. Three straight election cycles produced three flawed nominees who were firmly backed by their predecessors. Hillary Clinton was Barack Obamas preferred successor, and led in just about every single poll over her theoretical and literal competition. Joe Biden seized the nomination four years later, thanks in part to Obamas 11th-hour intervention to force several competitive center-left candidates, including Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar, out of the primary ahead of Super Tuesday. In 2024, following Bidens implosion, Kamala Harris became the first Democratic nominee in more than a half-century to achieve that status without winning a vote in any of the primaries. Now its all blown open. This makes some Democrats nervous. The party is bereft of a single leader and seems adrift, struggling to respond to Trumps assaults on the federal bureaucracy and the civil rights of legal residents. The party itself, in most polling, is widely unpopular, and no single course of action feels especially satisfying. Many Democrats wanted Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, to refuse to help Republicans keep the government open. His decision to pass a continuing resolution with GOP support has enraged many elected Democrats and activists, especially on the left. But Schumer understood the alternative was no better: Trump and Elon Musk might have reveled in a shutdown, using it as a pretext to purge enormous numbers of government workers. Ken Martin, the new chair of the Democratic National Committee, doesnt seem like the sort of inspirational figure capable of leading the party out of the wilderness. But the state of play isnt as grim as it looks. The shadow primary underway for 2028 is exactly what Democrats need: a robust contest over ideology and ideas that will be waged in the public square. The best Democrat will win. It was under these conditions that Barack Obama, still in his first term in national office, ascended to the presidency. Since then, for a variety of reasons, Democrats have been allergic to such competition. It will be the most public and natural way to define what the future of the Democratic Party might look like. There will be no single interest group or power broker who can boost one candidate to victory at the expense of the rest of the field. Centrist, progressive, populist, or something else entirely all ideological factions will get the open playing field. When George W. Bush defeated John Kerry in 2004, there were very few pundits calling for the Democratic Party to nominate a Black former law professor who was strongly opposed to the Iraq War. The primary sorted that out. Now, Democrats will get that opportunity again. Theres a long roster of governors, senators, members of Congress, and celebrities who can take the plunge. A short list includes Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer, Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker, Maryland governor Wes Moore, Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro, Kentucky governor Andy Beshear, and California governor Gavin Newsom. Senator Christopher Murphy of Connecticut and Ro Khanna, a Silicon Valley congressman, seem likely to announce. For Democrats hungry for wealthy, famous outsiders, billionaire Mark Cuban and Stephen A. Smith, the ESPN commentator, could be viable. Pete Buttigieg will probably run again. Both Harris and her old running mate, Tim Walz, might be in the mix. For those nostalgic for bruising centrists, Rahm Emmanuel is floating a trial balloon. Tim Walz and Rahm Emmanuel are very different kinds of Democrats, as are Ro Khanna and Andy Beshear. Democratic voters will get to decide, fully, what the future of their party will look like. It will not be a sham primary like 2024, when it was left to Dean Phillips to wage a hopeless campaign against Biden, or even 2016, when Clinton had hoovered up so much institutional backing that only Bernie Sanders, a septuagenarian from Vermont, could wage a viable campaign. This will be much more wide open. Republicans, in 2015 and 2016, did not quite imagine their party would be remade in the image of Trump that is the messy side of democracy, after all, the outside agent who proves more popular than the institutional insiders. But a fear of a Democratic Trump isnt an excuse to avoid competition. All of this is healthy. If Harris, for example, wants to be the nominee once more, let her get battle-tested with a long primary through the early voting states. Primaries are vital for shaping candidates: They learn, like Obama once did, to charm voters on an intimate level and sharpen their arguments for why they should lead the most powerful nation on Earth. Considering the stakes for 2028, when the Democratic nominee is likely to be pitted against J.D. Vance or another Trump-aligned Republican, the party cant afford to trot out another middling contender who will dodge the media and fail to make a coherent case for themselves. In the meantime, the 2028 primary will allow the eventual nominee to emerge organically and excite, on a grassroots level, an electorate that is going to be deeply weary of Trump. One question hanging over the primary that Martin at the DNC will have to resolve is which states vote first. In 2024, Biden reengineered the primary calendar to drop the Iowa caucuses from the start of voting and make South Carolina, not New Hampshire, the very first state to vote. This enraged Democrats in the Granite State who have touted their first-in-the-nation status for decades. Biden boosted South Carolina as a favor to his close ally, Jim Clyburn, and as a way to ensure a primary threat against him was blunted. There was also a social-justice thrust for backing South Carolina, since the states Democratic electorate is largely Black. The trouble with keeping South Carolina at the front of the calendar is the states actual conservatism: If Black voters lean left, South Carolina itself hasnt backed a Democrat in a general election since Jimmy Carter. Labor unions were also uncomfortable with the South Carolina pick because the state itself is fiercely anti-union. Either way, Martin will be free to make the decision without interference from any of the Democratic grandees of the recent past, whether it be Biden, Obama, the Clintons, or Harris. The older generation will be unable to dominate the future affairs of the party. This is how it should be. As a follow-up to this post , Ben & Jerrys continues to speak out about wanting progressive values. David Stever, the former CEO that joined the company as a tour guide in 1988, was removed. Anuradha Mittal, the chair of B&Js independent board said Dave has courageously advanced the companys social mission and values, has continued to drive innovation in its super premium product range, and has delivered strong financial results, far outpacing the rest of Unilevers ice-cream business.What Dave hasnt done is what Unilever would like him to do, which is to oversee the dismantling of Ben & Jerrys mission, progressive values. B&J was bought by Unilever in 2000, as a part of the agreement an independent board was created for brand values. B&J has publicly criticized Unilever for not aligning with B&Js values. Unilever has had a number of public spats with B&J; theyve asked B&J not to speak against Trump, not to support Palestine, and to stop B&J from halting sales on the West Bank. Unilever contacted B&J this year and told them they had removed the CEO. Source BSky ASSP Honors the 114th Anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Next week marks 114 years since the tragedy that sparked workplace safety reforms. Next week marks the 114th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City, a tragedy that claimed the lives of 146 garment workers, primarily women and girls as young as 14 years old. The 1911 incident remains the deadliest industrial disaster in New York City history and served as a catalyst for workplace safety reform. Seven months after the fire, the worlds oldest professional safety organization was foundedthe United Association of Casualty Inspectors, now known as the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP). Since its inception, ASSP has remained committed to advancing the safety, health, and well-being of workers across industries. To honor the victims and reaffirm the importance of workplace safety, ASSP is calling on companies and workers to observe a moment of silence at 4:45 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 25the exact time the first alarm soundedpaying tribute to those who perished and refocusing efforts on safer work environments. The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire motivated our nation to address workplace safety in an organized way that didnt previously exist, said ASSP President Pam Walaski, CSP, FASSP. The tragedy led to a series of laws and regulations that better protected workers. It also prompted a group of concerned safety engineers to form an organization that is now ASSP. In recognition of the lasting impact of this tragedy, the Remember the Triangle Fire Coalition dedicated a memorial at the original site in 2023. The memorial, located on the Brown Building, features a stainless-steel ribbon descending from the ninth floorwhere most deaths occurredand bears the names and ages of the victims in a reflective panel. It serves as a poignant reminder of the need for workplace safety and the fundamental right of workers to be treated with dignity and respect. The Triangle fire exposed critical workplace safety failures, including locked exit doors, inward-opening doors that prevented escape, inadequate fire escapes, and fire department ladders that could not reach the upper floors of the 10-story building. Many workers perished by jumping from windows or into an elevator shaft in desperate attempts to escape the flames. Since its founding on Oct. 14, 1911, ASSP has grown into a global organization of 35,000 occupational safety and health professionals dedicated to reducing workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. However, the mission of safety professionals, employers, and regulatory agencies remains ongoing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 5,000 workplace fatalities occur each year. Whether you work on a construction site, in a restaurant, at a manufacturing plant, or in an office, the lessons of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire should never be forgotten, Walaski emphasized. Keeping workers safe takes an unwavering commitment from all involved. There are always new ideas to be shared and advances to be made. California Invests $25 Million in Worker Safety, Supporting LA Fire Recovery Efforts California's Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) is investing in the California Workplace Outreach Project (CWOP) to strengthen worker safety and education. The California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) has announced a $25 million investment in the California Workplace Outreach Project (CWOP) to enhance worker safety and education across the state. This funding will support 89 community-based organizations (CBOs) that provide critical outreach and resources to workers in high-risk industries. In the Los Angeles region, 21 community groups will receive nearly $6 million to assist workers involved in fire cleanup and rebuilding efforts. These funds will help educate workers on health and safety, hazard prevention, wage theft protections, and immigrant worker rights, ensuring they are equipped with essential knowledge to navigate workplace risks effectively. California Labor Secretary Stewart Knox emphasized the states commitment to reaching workers directly through trusted organizations. California is implementing a unique model that leverages trusted local messengers to communicate directly with workers. This approach enables targeted outreach to critical areas of the states workforce, ensuring they are informed about essential protections. DIR Director Katie Hagen highlighted the importance of awareness and accessibility in utilizing worker protections. California offers a range of services to protect workers, but these resources can go underutilized without proper awareness. CWOP bridges this gap by connecting workers to labor protections through trusted community groups. CWOP plays a vital role in protecting workers in high-risk industries, particularly those engaged in fire debris removal and construction. By providing targeted education and resources, the initiative aims to promote safer working conditions, ensure labor law compliance, and safeguard worker well-being. A press conference announcing the funding included key state and community leaders, including DIR Director Katie Hagen, Cal/OSHA Chief Debra Lee, Labor Commissioner Lilia Garcia-Brower, IDEPSCAs Nancy Zuniga, Eddie Sanchez of SoCal COSH, Aurea Recinto of Pilipino Workers Center (PWC), and Sebastian Sanchez of the Labor and Workforce Development Agency. IDEPSCA Executive Director Maegan Ortiz underscored the importance of community outreach in worker protection efforts. Our organization is on the ground, meeting workers where they are and ensuring they receive the critical information needed to protect their rights and safety. These groups form the backbone of our city's workforce, and many are doing the hard work of rebuilding our community. We must stand with them. Research from the Latino Policy and Politics Institute at UCLA found that 36% of Los Angeles workers affected by recent fires are Latino, with Latinos comprising up to 84% of construction workers in the rebuilding efforts. These findings highlight the urgent need for outreach efforts like CWOP to engage these workers through culturally relevant and accessible programs, including multilingual services. About the California Workplace Outreach Project CWOP is a DIR initiative dedicated to educating and supporting Californias most vulnerable workers. In collaboration with CBO partners, the program delivers crucial information on workplace protections, labor rights, and health and safety measures to workers in high-risk industries. A UC Berkeley Possibility Lab report highlighted the effectiveness of the trusted-messenger model in improving worker safety and rights. The study found that using local, trusted messengers significantly enhances outreach success, ensuring that critical workplace safety information reaches workers in culturally relevant and accessible ways. This $25 million announcement marks the first phase of a two-year funding cycle, with a total $49 million allocated for worker safety initiatives. U.S. President Donald Trump is set to host on Wednesday a group of oil company executives in the first such sit-down since his return to the White House. President Trump will meet at a closed-door event members of the executive committee of the American Petroleum Institute (API), a source with knowledge of the planning of the meeting told Reuters. The chief executives of the biggest U.S. oil producers and refiners are among the leaders of the API executive committee. The Trump-industry meeting comes amid falling oil prices and a Trump Administration calling for drill, baby, drill, while oil producers have started to express caution that drill, baby, drill isnt happening at the current WTI prices of about $66 per barrel and sure will not happen at prices below $65 or $60. U.S. shale needs much higher oil prices than $50 per barrel, and even higher than the current WTI Crude price in the high $60s, for a drill, baby, drill boom, oil tycoon and Trump campaign donor Harold Hamm told Bloomberg last week. There are a lot of fields that are getting to the point thats real tough to keep that cost of supply down, Hamm told Bloomberg Television in an interview. The meeting between President Trump and the oil industry executives is also taking place amid trade rows and tariffs on all major U.S. trade partners, which could slow down the U.S. economy and fuel demand, as well as raise the costs for American producers to drill wells, due to the steel tariffs, analysts and industry executives have said in recent days. API President and CEO Mike Sommers last month commented on the planned U.S. tariffs on Mexico and Canada that Energy markets are highly integrated, and free and fair trade across our borders is critical for delivering affordable, reliable energy to U.S. consumers. We will continue to work with the Trump administration on full exclusions that protect energy affordability for consumers, expand the nations energy advantage and support American jobs. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Since the days of President Jimmy Carter and the 1970s oil crisis, the United States has relentlessly pursued the utopia of energy independence. One of Trump's many "Unleashing American Energy" directives requires the Secretary of the Interior to instruct the director of the USGS to "consider updating the survey's list of critical minerals, including for the potential of including uranium." Unfortunately, the U.S. remains heavily reliant on Chinas rare earths, with the Middle Kingdom supplying nearly three-quarters of its needs. China refines 89% of the world's neodymium and praseodymium, the key metals for EV magnets. To complicate matters, U.S. REE imports from other countries including Estonia (6%), Japan (3%) and France (3%) are themselves heavily dependent on chemical substances and mineral concentrates produced in China. This leaves the United States particularly vulnerable to trade wars with a major rival, something Beijing is not shy to leverage: In 2023, China banned the export of technology to extract and separate rare earths in a bid to protect its rare earths industries. Thankfully, the country is now closer to finding a solution to its REE conundrum. Researchers from The University of Texas at Austin have released estimates that U.S. coal ash contains 11 million tons of rare earth elements, nearly eight times the countrys known domestic reserves. Long considered an industrial waste, coal ash is the powdery byproduct left after burning coal for fuel. This is the first national assessment of coal ash as a resource. Related: Harold Hamm Sounds the Alarm: Low Oil Prices Could Shut Down US Shale This really exemplifies the trash to treasure mantra, said Bridget Scanlon, co-lead author of the study and a research professor at UT Austins Bureau of Economic Geology. Were basically trying to close the cycle and use waste and recover resources in the waste, while at the same time reducing environmental impacts. Unlike traditional mining, coal ash extraction comes with a key advantage since the burning process has already separated the minerals from their original ore, thus reducing the need for energy-intensive refining steps. Theres huge volumes of this stuff all over the country, said Davin Bagdonas, a research scientist at the University of Wyoming. And the upfront process of extracting the (mineral host) is already taken care of for us. According to the research, not all coal ash is the same. Different regions of the country contain varying concentrations of rare earth elements, which determines how easily they can be extracted. For instance, coal ash from the Appalachian Basin has the highest concentration of REE, averaging 431 milligrams per kilogram while coal from the Powder River Basin has a lower concentration (264 mg/kg). However, only ~30% of coal ash from the Appalachian Basin can be extracted while coal ash from the Powder River Basin has a much higher extractability rate of 70%, making it a more viable option for large-scale recovery. Quest For Critical Minerals Rare-earth elements (REE) is a group of 17 relatively rare elements used in small amounts in the manufacture of consumer electronics including smartphones and PCs, electric vehicles, green technologies such as wind turbines, medical equipment and tools and even in military hardware. The glass industry is one of the largest consumers of REE: For instance, lanthanum makes up as much as 50% of cell phone cameras and other digital camera lenses. An average hybrid EV also uses about 10-15Kg of lanthanum in its batteries. Meanwhile, neodymium or samarium greatly increases the potency of magnets, allowing those components to shrink in size. The importance of critical minerals to the United States is not lost on Trump. Last month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declined a proposal by Trump to acquire approximately 50% of Ukraines rare earth mineral rights. Valued at several trillion dollars, Ukraines mineral reserves include lithium, titanium and graphite that are essential for high-tech industries. The proposal was delivered by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent as part of a bid to compensate Washington for assistance to Kyiv. Trump had suggested that Ukraine owed the United States $500 billion worth of resources for its past military support. However, Zelenskyy sought better terms, including U.S. and European security guarantees. Trumps proposal did not include provisions for future assistance, which Zelenskyy deems necessary. Zelenskyys team has developed an offer for a mineral partnership in exchange for security guarantees, which was announced earlier this month. Meanwhile, Australia's rare earths developer, Lynas Rare Earths (OTCPK:LYSCF) (OTCPK:LYSDY), recently declared it has the rare earths the West needs and the skills to economically produce them. "Our view, to get guaranteed supply in the West, is to buy products from Lynas because we have it. We have the resource, and we have the skills to process that resource cost efficiently," Lynas CEO Amanda Lacaze said last month. By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Despite the escalating rhetoric, Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev has expressed a desire for regional stability and peaceful coexistence, emphasizing the importance of signing the peace treaty. Armenia has denied these accusations, proposing a joint investigation mechanism for ceasefire violations, while Azerbaijan demands constitutional changes and disputes land connection proposals. Although Armenia and Azerbaijan finalized a peace treaty text, Azerbaijan has since accused Armenia of preparing for war, citing military buildup and border incidents. Azerbaijan is sending conflicting signals about its readiness for peace in the wake of the announcement that an Armenian-Azerbaijani treaty is ready for signing. Since the two states finalized the treaty text on March 13, talk in Azerbaijan has been far more about war than peace. On the same day that Armenia disclosed the treaty text had been finalized, Caliber.az, a news outlet closely aligned by the Azerbaijani government, published a commentary accusing Yerevan of preparing to launch a military offensive. A new war with Azerbaijan, may well break out in a few weeks, after the neighboring country begins to gather reservists in April, the commentary claimed, contending that Yerevan has engaged in a massive arms buildup in recent years. The Caliber analysis neglected to mention that Azerbaijani defense spending has more than doubled over the past five years and consistently dwarfs Yerevans military outlays. If a country actively increases its arsenal, focusing on offensive systems, this indicates not only strengthening its defense capability, but also preparation for future military actions, the commentary alleged. Azerbaijans Defense Ministry has issued a series of statements in recent days accusing Armenia of initiating firefights in border areas. A Caliber report on March 18 said Azerbaijani military posts had again come under Armenian small arms fire. Armenias Defense Ministry has steadfastly denied all the reports of armed actions, accusing Azerbaijan of spreading disinformation. It is essential to highlight that the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia has proposed the establishment of a joint Armenian-Azerbaijani mechanism for the investigation of ceasefire violations and related incidents, an Armenian Defense Ministry statement on March 17 noted. However, Azerbaijan has yet to respond to this proposal. Pashinyan, meanwhile, issued a government statement insisting that the government was committed to a peace agenda, and calling on Baku to launch consultations about the date and venue for signing the [peace] agreement. In a March 18 statement, Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry assailed Pashinyans comments, saying that Yerevan was distorting the realities on the ground and the facts of border area shootings. The statement also indicated that Azerbaijan possessed video evidence of alleged Armenian transgressions. If the Government of Armenia is guided by the agenda of peace as stated by the Prime Ministers Office, it would be timely to give explanations on how the massive military buildups, especially in border areas, including the deployment of offensive weaponry, serve such an agenda of Armenia, the Foreign Ministry stated. Baku reiterated that the Armenian constitution would have to be amended to unequivocally acknowledge Azerbaijani sovereignty over Nagorno Karabakh as a prerequisite to the signing of the peace treaty. The Foreign Ministry statement also indicated that Azerbaijan considers Armenias recent proposal concerning a land connection between the Azerbaijani mainland and the Nakhchivan exclave to be unsatisfactory, suggesting that while the treaty text may be considered finalized, other obstacles are still standing in the way of genuine peace. While state-affiliated media has been full of bellicosity, Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev has embraced a softer approach on a hard negotiating line. In a television interview given the day before the peace treaty announcement, Aliyev described conditions in the South Caucasus as being in a relatively quiet period. He then spoke wistfully of a bygone era, before the Soviet Unions demise sparked the Karabakh conflict in the late 1980s, when Armenians and Azerbaijanis lived in peace. 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 before the Karabakh conflict began. At the same time, he stressed that regional stability would prove elusive until a peace treaty is signed. It's very important not to be late with respect to geopolitical transformation and to concentrate on our regional problems and regional opportunities, Aliyev said. By Eurasianet.org More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Further talks between the US and Russia are scheduled to take place in Jeddah, while Zelenskyy expressed disappointment with the initial outcome of the Trump-Putin call. The Kremlin and White House provided differing accounts of the agreement reached during negotiations, with continued air strikes occurring on both sides. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy reported that Russia attacked energy infrastructure in Ukraine just hours after President Putin told President Trump he would halt such strikes. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia hit energy infrastructure in Ukraine just hours after President Vladimir Putin told US President Donald Trump he would halt such strikes, as he warned of a "long path" to a cease-fire in the war on Ukraine. Speaking at a news conference in Helsinki after a meeting with Finnish President Alexander Stubb on March 19, Zelenskyy said he will talk to Trump later in the day after the negotiations between Washington and Moscow fell short of achieving Trump's goal of an agreement on a 30-day cease-fire. The Kremlin's readout from the talks suggested the scope of their agreement was limited to a pause in strikes on energy infrastructure, while the wording of the White House's statement differed slightly, referring to an "energy and infrastructure cease-fire" while agreeing to explore a maritime truce in the Black Sea as a step toward a broader peace agreement. But on the ground, little appeared to have changed with both sides exchanging air strikes overnight. "Right after Putin spoke at the talks with Trump about suspending strikes on our energy structures, 150 drones of Russia targeted our territories, hitting energy infrastructure," Zelenskyy said. "There must be checks over Putin's words. And the United States could lead that monitoring.... We will write up a list of buildings and structures hit by Russian drones and missiles. If the Russians stop targeting our buildings, we will stop our strikes on Russian territories," he added while declining to elaborate on what he will tell Trump during the call later on March 19. "There is a long path to reach first the cease-fire, and then a long-term peace," Zelenskyy warned. Zelenskyy did not name specific energy infrastructure targeted by Russia following the Trump-Putin call, but state-owned Ukrainian Railways said on March 19 that strikes had hit the energy infrastructure connected to the rail system in the Dnipropetrovsk region. In addition, several Russian air strikes hit civilian infrastructure, including a direct drone strike on a hospital in Sumy and attacks on cities in Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine. Russian drones were also reported over Kyiv and several other regions. "So much for a 'pause' in strikes on energy infrastructure or an 'energy cease-fire' from the enemy," Ukrainian Railways said on its official Telegram channel, stating there had been no casualties as a result. Throughout the war, Russia has devastated Ukraine's power infrastructure in an attempt to demoralize the country's citizens by depriving them of electricity and heat in the dead of winter. Meanwhile, Ukrainian drones struck an oil depot in Russia's Krasnodar region overnight, igniting a fire and damaging a pipeline connecting storage tanks, Russian emergency officials confirmed, adding there were no casualties. The Kremlin's readout of the Trump-Putin call said Putin had "responded positively" to Trump's initiative of a 30-day pause in strikes on such infrastructure, "and immediately issued the corresponding order to the Russian military." While Trump described his call with Putin as "very good and productive," Zelenskyy expressed disappointment with the outcome in a post on social media late on March 18, saying it showed Putin isn't interested in peace and was determined "to drag out the war." Trump has pushed for a quick end to the Russia-Ukraine war but this month admitted he was being a "little bit sarcastic" when he pledged to end the war within 24 hours during his presidential campaign. US envoy Steve Witkoff told Fox News on March 18 that fresh talks with Russia on the Ukraine war will now take place on March 23 in Jeddah. "The devil is in the details. We've got a team going to Saudi Arabia, led by our national-security adviser and our secretary of state, and I think, you know, we've got to figure out those details," Witkoff said. Zelenskyy said Ukraine is ready to send a team for further cease-fire discussions with the United States, while reiterating Kyiv will not recognize Russian sovereignty over any occupied Ukrainian territory -- a condition for any peace agreement that Putin has voiced several times. In the Kyiv region's Bucha district, a 60-year-old man was hospitalized after sustaining wounds to both legs, according to Mykola Kalashnyk, head of the regional military administration. The attack also damaged or partially destroyed nine houses in three settlements, while fires in three townhouses were extinguished by emergency crews. Additional damage was reported in Obukhiv, Fastiv, and Boryspil districts of the capital, where fires broke out, and at least one house was hit. By RFE/RL More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The energy markets could be on the verge of a Black Swan Bull Market, signaling potential volatility and major geopolitical shifts. After a brief lull in military confrontations in the Middle East, tensions are once again escalating between Israel and its adversariesHezbollah, Hamas, Iran, and the Houthis. Recent attention has focused on developments in Syria, where a newly emerging Islamist extremist regime, led by self-proclaimed President Al Jolani, is struggling to maintain control. His forces are engaged in a sectarian war against opposition groups such as the Kurds, former Assad loyalists, and Hezbollah fighters. The situation remains fluid, especially following sectarian massacres in Alawite and Christian regions by Al Jolani-backed militias. At the same time, Iran and Hezbollah are actively working to destabilize parts of the country. In a significant escalation, Syrian army units have reportedly crossed into Lebanon, potentially igniting a conflict with the Lebanese Armed Forces. Israel has made it clear that it will not support or allow the stabilization of the Al Jolani-led, Turkish-backed government, while simultaneously seeking to expand its influence in Druze-controlled areas near its borders. Meanwhile, Israel has resumed military operations against Hamas in Gaza and intensified its activities in the West Bank. The IDF is also actively striking Hezbollah positions in Lebanon, increasing the risk of a renewed confrontation. Irans deep involvement in all these flashpointsboth militarily and through strategic coordinationsuggests a broader regional power play, aimed at challenging Israel and reasserting Tehrans influence. Escalation beyond Israel and Iran The region's volatility is further amplified by third-party military actions, particularly U.S. airstrikes against Houthi forces in Yemen and broader U.S. foreign policy moves. The Trump administrations stance on Ukraine and Russia is fueling geopolitical instability, indirectly influencing the Middle East's fragile balance. Related: Oil Prices Perk Up Despite US Crude Oil Inventory Build As Washington escalates its approach toward Iran, recent reports indicate that the U.S. military has targeted and disabled Irans most advanced SIGINT vessel, the Zagros. This marks a major blow to Tehrans naval intelligence capabilities. The attack comes amid Houthi claims of launching a third assault on U.S. warships in the Red Sea, allegedly targeting the USS Harry S. Truman with missiles and drones. In response, the Trump administration has declared that as long as threats to commercial vessels in the Red Sea-Gulf of Aden corridor persist, decisive action will be taken against the Houthis. Notably, the U.S. has now expanded its targets to include Iranian assets in Yemen, making it clear that Tehran itself is now in Washingtons crosshairs. A shift in U.S. and Israeli strategy For Israel, the message is equally clear. Trump's recent approval of renewed military action against Hamas suggests that Washington may have given Israel the green light for a potential final showdown with Iran. With global media focused on Trumps One-Day plan for ending the Ukraine war, the situation could provide cover for joint U.S.-Israeli military action against Iran. Trump has already accused Tehran of orchestrating the Houthi attacks, warning: Let nobody be fooled! The hundreds of attacks being made by the Houthithese sinister mobsters and thugs based in Yemenare all orchestrated by IRAN. So far, Iran has dismissed these threats, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei asserting that Trumps bullying will have no impact. Meanwhile, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a stark warning: Iran does not seek war, but if anyone threatens us, we will respond with appropriate, decisive, and conclusive action. IRGC General Hossein Salami A full-scale war: not if, but when? A full-scale confrontation between Israel (and potentially the U.S.) and Iran no longer seems a question of ifbut when. Some analysts argue that this clash should have already occurred, but the Netanyahu-Trump alliance has faced internal pressure. Washingtons backdoor negotiations with Hamas have limited Netanyahus room to maneuver. Meanwhile, a growing Moscow-Tehran-Beijing alliance has also complicated matters. Recent joint naval exercises in the Gulf of Omaninvolving Russia, China, and Iransuggest that an attack on Iranian assets could risk triggering Chinese and Russian intervention. Despite these risks, Middle East tensions could soon explode into a full-blown conflict. With global media fixated on Ukraine, NATO, and Trumps tariff wars, the Middle East is being largely ignoredcreating the perfect storm for an unexpected escalation. Energy markets are blind to the risk Oil and gas markets appear bearish, driven by commodity trader algorithms and price pressures. But this complacency could be a critical mistake. A peace deal in Ukraine is nowhere in sight, and Trumps fragile relationship with Putin could collapse if Moscow continues to push its maximalist demands. A resumption of hostilities in Ukraine would increase energy demand, especially as the EUs military rearmament efforts gain momentum. However, the true game-changer remains a potential U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran. Tehrans response would be complex and far-reachingtargeting not only Israel and the U.S. but also Gulf Arab states, with Iraqi militias joining the fight. Syria and Yemen would likely become further battlegrounds, escalating regional instability. For decades, analysts have debated the possibility of a war with Iran, but today, all indicators point to an imminent conflict. Any military action against Iran will go beyond its nuclear facilities, likely targeting the IRGC and Tehrans energy infrastructure. In retaliation, Iran could strike at U.S. allies in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, or Jordan. The economic consequences would be severe. Irans oil and gas exports would be wiped off the market, triggering a supply shock. With OPEC+ struggling to compensate Iranian barrels in the short term, energy prices could soar overnight. The world may be on the brink of a historic geopolitical shift. As attention remains fixed on Ukraine, NATO, and U.S.-China tensions, a potential Middle East conflict is rapidly unfolding behind the scenes. With all signs pointing toward a direct confrontation between Israel, the U.S., and Iran, the Endgame may already be in motion. The next few weeks could prove decisive. By Cyril Widdershoven for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Privately-managed Chinese ports are accepting sanctioned tankers carrying Russian oil while a non-sanctioned vessel has recently discharged crude that was transferred on it from three smaller ships sanctioned by the U.S. in January, Reuters reports, citing ship-tracking data and sources with knowledge of the operations. The continued arrival of Russian oil highlights the lengths at which some private refiners and ports in China are going to continue buying the cheaper crude from Russia. Chinese refiners, especially the independent firms in Shandong, have worked to reshuffle crude flows for Russian oil after the initial shock from the U.S. sanctions. 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 told Reuters. The sanctions on Russia, as well as the tightening sanctions on Irans shadow fleet, have prompted a run on non-sanctioned vessels, with daily rates doubling and even tripling over the past month. These rate hikes have attracted operators of non-sanctioned tankers to enter the trade with Russian and Iranian oil amid handsome profits being made. While state oil firms in China either halt or reduce Russian oil volumes, at least for now, the independent refiners in China 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 last 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. 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. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Sales of bunkering fuel at top hubs around the world have slowed down due to growing geopolitical uncertainty and Trumps tariff offensive, Reuters has reported, citing industry sources it did not name. Marine fuel sales at Singapore and Fujairahthe worlds biggest and third-biggest refueling hubstotaled 9.78 million tons over the first two months of the year. This was 9% less than the total for the two months in 2024, according to official figures cited by Reuters. There has been a bit of a slowdown in demand as economic activity is lagging. Freight rates are lower as a result as well, one industry source told the publication. Shipping companies are now optimising their operations more cautiously to navigate volatile tariff conditions and geopolitical instability, the chief executive of a container trading platform told Reuters, adding The slowdown in marine fuel demand is a reflection of the broader uncertainty in global trade. One trader from the industry told Reuters it was uncertain where the dip in demand for bunkering fuel had come from. Normally, that trader said that if demand for fuel from one hub, such as Singapore, dips, demand elsewhere jumps, but this is not the case this time. We are unsure where demand has vanished to, the trader, in Asia, told Reuters. Typically if Singapore demand is slow, we might see an uptick in demand from other ports (in the region) but that's not happening. Last year, demand for bunkering fuel rose, boosted by the longer journeys maritime companies were forced to undertake to avoid the Red Sea where the Yemeni Houthis targeted commercial vessels associated with Israel and its Western allies. The Red Sea is the shortest route from Asia to Europe but with that risky, a lot of maritime transport companies rerouted around Africa, which added weeks to journeys, boosting demand for fuel. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to impose a 30-day suspension on attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure in exchange for an identical halt of attacks on Russian infrastructure from the Ukrainian side. The commitment was made during Putins two-and-a-half-hour phone call with President Trump during which the two discussed the next steps in the Ukraine war. A full 30-day ceasefire, as originally proposed by the U.S. side, was rejected by Russia, which sees it as a means of giving the Ukrainian army a break to rearm. One of Russias conditions for a peace agreement is the suspension of all U.S. military aid to the Kyiv government. Following the lengthy call, the White House said the two sides will continue their negotiations with a ceasefire in the Black Sea, progressing to a permanent peace agreement, Reuters reported. Trumps special envoy on the Ukraine, Steven Witkoff, told Fox News that the next U.S.-Russian talks will take place in person, in Saudi Arabia, on Sunday, March 23, where the parties would discuss the details of the ceasefire and the future peace deal. Up until recently, we really didn't have consensus around these two aspects - the energy and infrastructure ceasefire and the Black Sea moratorium on firing - and today we got to that place, and I think it's a relatively short distance to a full ceasefire from there, Witkoff told Fox News. Crude oil prices dipped on the news of the partial ceasefire, as they do on any positive news about progress towards peace in the Ukraine, since peace would likely mean the lifting of U.S. sanctions in Russian energy, facilitating the access of Russian oil to international markets. The agreement marks a positive step towards an eventual resolution, with the halt of attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities reducing further oil supply disruption risks and keeping oil prices under some pressure, IG analyst Yeap Jun Rong told Reuters. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com SB 1023 will require Oregon to create a list of US foreign adversaries to block them from owning land in Oregon. By Taxpayers Association of Oregon OregonWatchdog.com Oregon Senate Bill (SB1023) will require the Attorney General to create a list of foreign adversaries of the United States and to prohibit them from owning land, critical resources, and water interests in the State of Oregon. The Summary of the Bill (SB1023) reads: Requires the Attorney General to adopt and maintain a list of foreign adversaries who are ineligible to receive conveyances of certain land, mineral or water interests. Makes unauthorized conveyances void. The bill is sponsored by State Senator David Brock Smith (R). The bill is scheduled for a public hearing on March 13th at 1 p.m. in Hearing Room B (HR B). To register to testify, click here. You can also submit testimony before the hearing, and 48 hours after a public. Was this helpful? If so, Contribute online at OregonWatchdog.com (learn about a Charitable Tax Deduction or Political Tax Credit options to promote liberty). By Taxpayers Association of Oregon OregonWatchdog.com The State of Oregon has so much free money that the politicians are about to burn away a billion dollars in revenue out of sheer insanity. The Taxpayers Association is alerting the public by starting a statewide newspaper advertising campaign called 3 ways lawmakers to burn a billion in free money. The campaign can be seen in the Portland Tribune Salem Statesman Journal Eugene Register Guard Bend Bulletin Beaverton (Tigard/Tualatin) Valley times. THREE WAYS LAWMAKERS TO BURN A BILLION IN FREE MONEY #1 DEATH TAX CAUSES PEOPLE TO FLEE STATE Oregon has the nations most expensive death tax, while 38 other states have none. Oregon loses as much as $532million in other lost tax revenue in part from higher income earners escaping over this tax. When higher income taxpayers leave the state, they take their income taxes, excise taxes, gas taxes, alcohol taxes and business taxes with them. (Tax Foundation 2/28/25) #2 PENSION MANDATE BLOCKS PROFITS Our Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) is $28 billion in debt as lawmakers recklessly consider pulling all pension investments out of successful energy companies related to oil/natural gas with SB 681. Similar environmental investments mandates often result in 5% less investment returns, costing hundreds of millions in lost free money for an empty environmental mandate that doesnt reduce a single ounce of carbon. (KGW-10/12/23) #3 PRODUCT BAN REWARDS TAX-FREE SMUGGLERS Lawmakers are considering banning flavored nicotine products which would destroy several hundred small family-owned vaping shops and neighborhood stores overnight. As customers flee to illegal online sales,decline in the tobacco/vaping tax would cause a $200 million hole in our health care budget. Why lose $200 million of tax dollars dedicated to health programs and watch the funds be lost to online smugglers? Already, 25% of all tobacco products are bought from the Black Market why make it worse? Contribute online at OregonWatchdog.com (learn about a Charitable Tax Deduction or Political Tax Credit options to promote liberty). By Taxpayers Association of Oregon OregonWatchdog.com HB 316g hearing alert! HB 3166 aims to blow up political parties and throw them in the trash can during Oregon primaries. This means peoples political parties will lose control over selecting their candidate to other political parties and even non-party voters. The states largest party will be able by sheer numbers squash all other party nominees this will deprive minor political parties from even being able to voice their candidates in many situations. Secondly, the measure rams down the throat of voters a rank choice voting scheme (or something similar). Oregon voters rejected this three times in 2024!!! Statewide, Eugene and Oakridge at the ballot. Portland had rank choice voting and it decreased voter turnout by 20% HB 3166 would revoke the will of voters by forcing upon them something they rejected and then strip apart voters ability to select a candidate based upon their political party and throw their nomination to the state where one political party has widely disproportionate voting power. House Committee On Rules 03/19/2025 8:00 AM, HR C HB 3166 HB 3166 summary, The measure provides that all electors have the opportunity to vote in the primary election for voter choice offices and it requires all candidates for partisan and nonpartisan offices, regardless of political party affiliation or nonaffiliation, to appear on the same unified primary election ballot. The five candidates receiving the most votes advance to the general election, which after January 1, 2028, must be conducted by a method, established in rule by the Secretary of State, that enables voters to assign multiple rankings or ratings to candidates for each office with the winner determined by automatic runoff calculations. Candidates for President and Vice President of the United States are exempt. The measure also moves the presidential primary election to the second Tuesday in March and the primary for all other offices to the first Tuesday in August. The measure establishes processes for political parties to endorse candidates and for how party endorsements change nominations for filling vacancies in state legislative offices. Was this helpful? If so, Contribute online at OregonWatchdog.com (learn about a Charitable Tax Deduction or Political Tax Credit options to promote liberty).